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 fifth concert to be shared was recorded on May 31, 2015 at the Olympiastadion in Munich, Germany and can be seen below.
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.
Last month, 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 three Danny Wimmer Presents-produced festivals in May have been canceled: Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome To Rockville in Daytona and Sonic Temple in Columbus.
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."
Los Angeles' death metal masters, Abysmal Dawn, have released the official, 3D video for the song "Coerced Evolution", which is taken from their new album, Phylogenesis. The sci-fi themed video can be seen below.
The band comments: "The basic idea behind the lyrics is that some time in the near future, human life on Earth will have become unsustainable. In turn, a certain portion of the population will forcibly have their consciousnesses uploaded to a grid in order to alleviate resources. The same corporations that would have destroyed the Earth, would run these grids and would continue to make a profit on what's left of humanity in some fashion. The ruling class would continue to live in the real world and make the planet sustainable once again."
Phylogenesis is available via Season Of Mist, and can be ordered here.
Tracklisting:
"Mundane Existence"
"The Path Of The Totalitarian"
"Hedonistic"
"A Speck In The Fabric Of Eternity"
"Coerced Evolution"
"True To The Blind"
"Soul-Sick Nation"
"The Lament Configuration"
"Flattening Of Emotions" (Death cover)
"The Path Of The Totalitarian" visualizer:
"Hedonistic" lyric video:
Lineup:
Charles Elliott: guitars, vocals
Eliseo Garcia: bass, additional vocals
James Coppolino: drums
Vito Petroni: guitars
Aborted recently released their new three-track EP, La Grande Mascarade, and have now revealed a bass playthrough video for the song, "Gloom And The Art Of Tribulation". Watch below:
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:
Aborted lineup:
Svencho - Vocals
Stefano Franceschini - Bass
Ken Bedene - Drums
Ian Jekelis - Guitars
Harrison Patuto - Guitars
Sammy Hagar and his CIRCLE bandmates Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson have once teamed up via the Internet to record music.
After previously connecting via their smartphones from four separate locations to lay down a brand new song titled "Funky Feng Shui", as well as covers of THE WHO's iconic track "Won't Get Fooled Again" and VAN HALEN's "Good Enough", they have now regrouped — in a virtual sense — to cover BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS' "Three Little Birds". Check out video of the performance below.
In a statement accompanying the YouTube release of "Good Enough", Hagar and THE CIRCLE said: "Start your morning with SAMMY & THE CIRCLE! It's a surprise drop of Lockdown Sessions No. 4!"
Last month, SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE canceled its previously announced South American shows, which were scheduled to take place in March, due to the escalation of the new coronavirus (COVID-19).
At the moment, SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE is still scheduled to embark on a summer 2020 U.S. tour with NIGHT RANGER. WHITESNAKE recently pulled out of the trek so that frontman David Coverdale can undergo surgery for bilateral inguinal hernia.
SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE released their debut studio album, "Space Between", last May.
South Carolina rockers, Lovely World, have released their new single, "Compromise", via Vicky Hamilton’s Dark Spark Music and distributed by Orchard internationally. Watch a video below.
Lovely World caught the attention of legendary manager Vicky Hamilton who is best known for launching the careers of the multi-platinum band Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe and Poison. "Compromise" was produced by esteemed Rick Parker (Lord Huron, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club).
Lovely World believes that it is important to look at things from a different perspective and being authentic. This is why they created Lovely World due to their ethos about going against the grain and being different. Lovely World wrote "Compromise" due to the struggles they have experienced through their growth and the changes that are associated with it, this can also be related to the ‘chaotic nature of societal affairs’ right now with the compromises made internationally due to COVID-19.
Known for their original retro-rock sound and unrivalled live performances, "Compromise" oozes romance, mischief and mighty riffs. Landon’s dynamic vocal performance paired with the band's unique rock sound creates a daringly honest and powerful track.
Lovely World’s influences are evident within this single, beautifully encapsulating elements of the power and ferocity of Led Zeppelin, the poetry of Jeff Buckley and the attitude of Black Sabbath, Lovely World has managed to create something completely different whilst keeping an air of familiarity.
Lovely World is strongly backed by highly selective tastemaker Vicky Hamilton who is responsible for the success of Guns N’ Roses saying, "Lovely World are one of my best since Guns N’ Roses, they are going to be huge,” and due to her track record also with Mötley Crüe and Poison, there is no wonder why they have already gained interest from major labels and an A-list rock icon who is interested in booking the band as a support act for their major tour.
Lovely World has just finished their east to west coast tour, however, due to coronavirus their eastern leg of the tour has been cancelled. Lovely World is on the precipice of international success with some key singles and EP in the pipeline. Who knows how far their next steps will take them and who will pick them up, as they are already on the path to greatness. Keep your eyes peeled.
Jorn Lande has premiered a new music video, "New York Minute", from his latest release Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics. The song is a cover of the classic solo hit by Eagles' member Don Henley.
Says Jorn: "After releasing Heavy Rock Radio II on January 24th, just before the coronavirus pandemic hit the world, a music video for the song 'New York Minute' was something I very much wanted to do. 'New York Minute' is one of those epic songs that is relevant regardless of the times and even though it reflects on NYC and the specific story penned by Don Henley, it's a timeless classic that is lyrically identifiable to people everywhere. It reflects everything from everyday life and love, to terror, despair, and personal crisis, and could easily include today's pandemic situation...an imprint of our time described with simple words that bring a visual to our minds. If there was ever a time capsule to be buried leaving some music for future generations to find, what better song to include, lyrically, than 'New York Minute'?
"It's been fantastic to see many fellow musicians performing from home, giving support, and sharing personal experiences in these difficult times of quarantine and illness. A heartwarming massive global movement to support all the hard working health care workers who are at the front line battling against Covid-19, the true heroes in these challenging times! Regardless of who we are and what we do, we're all affected by the situation in various ways, and I feel that despite the lockdown and physical distance of staying home, it still brings us all closer together.
"Many are asking for a Jorn-performance from home, and I hope releasing this video will be a good alternative to a living room show. I have been spending time with my good and very competent friends at Showfabrikken (The Show Factory), happy to be able to make this video happen in the middle of this situation, taking all necessary precautions to keep safe and healthy while working.
"In these unusual times, this song and video represents a globally relevant message, easily identifiable for people all over the world, and I hope it can inspire through hard times.
"Take care of each other, life is fragile! Everything can change...in a New York Minute."
Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics can be ordered here.
Tracklisting:
"Lonely Nights"
"Winning"
"New York Minute"
"Needles And Pins"
"Love"
"I Do Believe In You"
"Nightlife"
"Bad Attitude"
"Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)"
"Mystery"
"The Rhythm Of The Heat"
"Hotel California" (Remastered - Bonus Track)
"The Final Frontier" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Die Young" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Naked City" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Ride LIke The Wind" (Remastered - Bonus Track)
Mike Portnoy (BPMD, Sons Of Apollo, ex-Dream Theater) has released this new video, featuring a performance of the Ramones song, "We're A Happy Family".
Portnoy: "If you’ve gotta be stuck at home in quarantine for a few months, there’s no better family and no better place than Camp Portnoy! Enjoy this fun video courtesy of Mike, Marlene, Melody, Max, Mickey, Mini & Mittens Portnoy... And RIP Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee & Tommy... and thanks Marky, Richie & CJ Ramone."
BPMD - the new juggernaut featuring Portnoy, along with heavy metal icons (Overkill) on vocals, bassist Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) and guitarist Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head) - have released a drum playthrough video for their cover of Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic". Watch below:
BPMD will release their upcoming full-length, American Made, on June 12 via Napalm Records. The 10-track homage to some of rock music's greatest treasures is turbocharged by the experience and enthusiasm of its four creators, and its first single, "Toys In The Attic", is only the first boisterous sliver of proof.
The "Toys In The Attic" video was directed by Victor Borachuk / JupiterReturn, with art direction and motion design by Natália Tanus and Leonardo Gill. Watch the brand new video for the track below.
Frontman Bobby Blitz says about "Toys In The Attic": "I remember waaaaaaaaaaay back when Overkill formed, we were cutting our teeth on covers as I was finding my way around the mic. The Aerosmith covers were right in my wheelhouse, so when Mike [Portnoy] picked 'Toys' to cover, I was like... 'Hell Yea'!"
Guitarist Phil Demmel adds about recording the track: “It was tricky because Aerosmith have two guitarists, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, playing different things. So, as one guitar player, I had to pick a medium place between the two that sounded good. I thrashed it up a little by adding a lot of down picking and some gallops and triplets.”
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.
Bassist Mark Menghi remarks on BPMD's origins: “Last summer, right after the Fourth of July, I was sitting in my backyard. I was listening to a bunch of ‘70s stuff and Lynyrd Skynyrd's ‘Saturday Night Special’ came on. I said, ‘Man, I would love to play that song,’ and my eight-year-old son turned to me and said, ‘You should do a record of all these songs, Dad.’ And I was like, ‘Hmmm? Yeah, why not!?!’”
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!
Menghi chose “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” in addition to “Saturday Night Special". Blitz’s choices were a little more obscure - “Never in My Life” replete with cowbell and a blazing repeated blues lick, and Cactus’ version of “Evil", a fiercely Zeppelin-like take on an old Willie Dixon song. For his tracks, Demmel picked “D.O.A.” and had a blast channeling his inner Eddie Van Halen, and took a deep dive with “Tattoo Vampire". Recalling the days when Ted Nugent was more of a bad boy than a gunslinger, Portnoy picked “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang", in additon to “Toys In the Attic”.
Menghi, who also co-produced American Made, adds: “We didn't go into it trying to make everything metal, we just wanted to play the way we play and this is what you get... we’ve all been influenced by a wide variety of bands including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica. So, of course, we’re going to attack the songs a little harder than guys that didn’t grow up on heavy music.”
Blitz adds: "We made sure we did high-quality versions of these songs and gave them all a little twist. I think there’s a place for that in the music world today. There’s something really great about nostalgia, especially if it's reimagined.”
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"
“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)
Kore Rozzik, “The Bastard Child of NYC” is known for over-the-top theatrical videos and the next one “Guilty As Charged” certainly keeps up Rozzik’s rockstar reputation, albeit it is more simplistic and gives the viewer more time to focus on the melodies in the song and the range in his voice.
Kore Rozzik comments:
"We are very happy to release this final video in support of Vengeance Overdrive. It wraps up the whole story and we really wanted to bring our fans something to enjoy during quarantine from this unfortunate Covid pandemic. To our fans in NYC and worldwide - stay safe."
Touring with Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper) last year, the leather-clad Kore Rozzik blew up stages across North America with immense stage presence and well woven, catchy songs.
“Guilty As Charged” comes from the 2018 debut album Vengeance Overdrive (Cleopatra Records), a concept record with a narrative following a character that Kore Rozzik personifies with his alter ego “The Bastard Child of NYC”. A story of an outcast who returns to claim their throne, but dredged in a fantastical horror setting, the resurgence of theatrical metal has begun.
For fans of Alice Cooper, Avatar and Disturbed; Kore Rozzik is perfect for those who enjoy gritty clean vocals, well-placed guitar solos, and catchy choruses.
Vengeance Overdrive is available from Cleopatra Records here.
Ross “The Boss” Friedman and his band, Ross The Boss, have released a video for "Born Of Fire", the title track of their new album, out now via AFM Records. Order the album here, and watch the new clip below:
Born Of Fire is the fourth album from Friedman and his band, which arrives not even two years after their chart breaking 2018 effort, By Blood Sworn. Born Of Fire is pounding yet fresher and heavier out of the speakers than before, but isn’t lacking any of the typical Ross The Boss trademarks.
Tracklisting:
"Glory To The Slain"
"Fight The Fight"
"Denied By The Cross"
"Maiden Of Shadows"
"I Am The Sword"
"Shotgun Evolution"
"Born Of Fire"
"Godkiller"
"The Blackest Heart"
"Demon Holiday"
"Undying"
"Waking The Moon"
Honeymoon Suite guitarist Derry Grehan has posted a tutorial for the band#s breakthrough hit, "New Girl Now", released in 1984. Check it out below.
Grehan previously posted a video playthrough of the song "Words In The Wind", taken from the band's Platinum-selling second album, The Big Prize, released in 1986.
Honeymoon Suite have been working on new music. Frontman Johnnie Dee and guitarist Derry Grehan recently checked in from the studio at an undisclosed location in England with a taste of one of the songs.
The band recently released a new single entitled "Tell Me What You Want". Check out the official video for the song below.
The skies are dark. The atmosphere is thick with dread. The future looks bleak. Only pure, red-blooded heavy fucking metal can save us now. Belching effortlessly classic and crushing anthems from the riffian depths, with all the power and panache of Black Sabbath at their peak, Witchskull return in 2020 to stir our souls once again. Witchskull will release their new album A Driftwood Cross April 24 via Rise Above Records. New video, “This Silent Place”, is streaming below.
Every band claims that their new album is bigger, bolder and badder than its predecessors, but Witchskull could hardly say anything else about their third full-length, A Driftwood Cross. With a sound that marries the very best imaginable doomy and fuzzy tones with Olympian levels of sonic punch and truly sizzling ensemble performances, the Aussies’ third album sounds colossal and proudly rooted in the old school, but timeless and tenacious, too. From fiery, propulsive rippers like opener "Black Cathedrals" and the lithe, snappy "Baphomet’s Child" through to more languorous, lumbering fare like "The Red Altar" and the warped mysticism of the closing title track, it’s a dazzling blend of the primal and the cerebral: a tour-de-force of atavistic finesse, fit for any age.
Recorded with Jason Fuller (Blood Duster) manning the controls, A Driftwood Cross has all the energy and rough edges of a spontaneous, DIY recording, but with tons of sonic heft and substance to back up those glorious riffs. Fuller’s greatest contribution has been to draw the very best out of Jason, Tony and Marcus, resulting in a record that crackles and throbs with belligerence and bravado.
In keeping with the ominous, occult vibes that oozed from 2018’s Coven’s Will, the new Witchskull album takes a similarly dark and dastardly thematic path, taking in the shadowy menace of Black Cathedrals, the overt devilry of Baphomet’s Child and nature’s slow motion revenge in the crushing March Of Winter. Defying the blank-eyed conformity of much modern heavy music, these are songs borne of curiosity and imagination, via a profound belief in the power of the story.
Eight neck-threatening explosions from the pitch-black Sabbathian hearts of three diehard artisan riff-makers, A Driftwood Cross places Witchskull firmly at the forefront of the amorphous scene they emerged from. With burgeoning mortal threats looming over us all, the only path to salvation is through the sound of distorted guitars and tectonic rumble. Heavy music for heavy times. Suddenly, the future looks a little brighter.
Tracklisting:
"Black Cathedral"
"Baphomet’s Child"
"The Silent Place"
"The Red Altar"
"Dresden"
"March Of Winter"
"Nero Order"
"A Driftwood Cross"
"This Silent Place" video:
For further details, visit Witchskull on Facebook.
The Black Dahlia Murder have released their new full-length, Verminous, physically in the US and digitally worldwide (Verminous will be available physically in Europe on April 24). Guitarist Brandon Ellis stopped by the Guitar World studio to play through their new song, "Removal Of The Oaken Stake". Watch below:
Verminous is The Black Dahlia Murder's most dynamic, rousing and emotional release to date, and it achieves this without compromising one iota of heaviness. "I think this is the biggest evolutionary leap we've ever taken from one album to the next. We stoked the creative fires with 2017's 'Nightbringers' and it's gone much further now in Verminous," states vocalist Trevor Strnad. "It's a very colorful, moody, and charismatic album that experiments with new sounds and ideas without losing the cutthroat Black Dahlia edge. There is a lot of minutiae to digest. Plenty of delicious little Easter eggs woven into the fabric of each song. Each one is a living, breathing entity that will stand on its own as some of the best music this band has ever created."
While the drums were recorded at The Pipeyard in Plymouth, Michigan by ex-bassist and longtime studio guru Ryan "Bart" Williams, the bulk of the album was recorded in New Jersey at guitarist Brandon Ellis' home studio, the Shred Light District, then mixed by Tue Madsen and mastered by Alan Douches. Produced by Ellis and the band, Verminous sees Black Dahlia having a greater level of control over every facet of recording than on any previous release, enabling them to tweak and fine-tune all the small details right up until the point they sent it to Madsen in Denmark. "To say we were anal-retentive would be an understatement. Tue did an outstanding job. His mix is organic. Classic sounding. Not too slick. It's got an old school 'real life' feel to it rather than being the overly polished quantized-to-hell drek that is coming out these days. We wanted the album's sound to have its own personality, and he helped us achieve just that. Finally, Alan did a great job of smoothing out the final details with his mastering. He beefed it up into what you hear now." The only other outside collaborators with which the band worked were soundscape artist Michael Ghelfi, who provided the sample that opens the record and "sets the pest-ridden vibe", and Juanjo Castellano, who painted the cover. "It's amazing and classically death metal cover artwork. I call it an evil underground sewer world, home to the verminous ones. If you look closely you can find all kinds of rats and bugs and critters scattered throughout. The amount of detail Juanjo put in there is second to none."
The record is available to order here in the following formats:
- digipak-CD
- ltd digi-CD w/ bonus tracks (EU exclusive)
- cassette
- deluxe box set (slip-lid box, digi-CD w/ bonus tracks, purple marbled vinyl, 7", poster flag, beanie, art prints (2) - limited to 1000 copies)
- RPG box set (hand-numbered box, digipak-CD, 24p campaign booklet, dice (7), Dungeon Master's screen, maps (4), creature encounter cards (4), blank character sheets (5) - US exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- moonstone gray vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 2500 copies)
- neon green vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- glow-in-the-dark vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- green w/ black splatter vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 600 copies)
- clear w/ black, green and white splatter vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 800 copies)
- clear vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- liquid vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 50 copies)
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- grey / black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- white vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- pink vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- green w/ yellow splatter vinyl (EMP exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- red / black marbled vinyl (Impericon exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- clear vinyl (Impericon exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- green / white split vinyl (EU webshop exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
* exclusive bundles with shirts and merch items, plus digital options are also available
Tracklisting:
"Verminous"
"Godlessly"
"Removal Of The Oaken Stake"
"Child Of Night"
"Sunless Empire"
"The Leather Apron's Scorn"
"How Very Dead"
"The Wereworm's Feast"
"A Womb In Dark Chrysalis" (Interlude)
"Dawn Of Rats"
"Removal Of The Oaken Stake" lyric video:
"Verminous" lyric video:
Find the band's tour schedule and ticket links here.
Montreal-based metal band, Akurion, released their debut full-length album, Come Forth To Me, on April 10 via Redefining Darkness Records. The band have released a bass playthrough video for "Wallow In Magnificent Pity". Watch below.
Akurion is the latest force overtaking the extreme metal scene. Their darker style of death metal is distinctive - as well as their lineup that boasts distinguished musicians from bands such as Neuraxis, Cattle Decapitation, and Cryptopsy.
Regarding "Bedsores To The Bone", vocalist Mike DiSalvo says: "I had been thinking alot about the months, weeks, days and minutes spent before you die. Sitting in a hospital room, contemplating about who will show up to say their obligatory goodbyes, for them to shed their own tears of both sympathy for the sick and thankfulness of their own fortunes. Fearing which nurses aide would come in and practice sticking 15 needles into your skin trying to find a vein and turning you into black and blue stew. As the great Townes Van Zandt once poetically wrote, "just waitin" around to die". My perspective on this was based on witnessing many people I cared for that went through this same process, as we all do. At the time I wrote it, I had no idea what was in store for my family. This song became very poignant indeed with the learning of my wife's illness, the last days we spent together in hospice and ultimately her untimely death. Somehow this tune took on a life of its own and brought a pound of truth from an ounce of fiction. Rob went through it also with the passing of his Dad. I still get shivers reading these lyrics."
"Leave Them Scars" (Feat. Gorguts' Luc Lemay)
"Petals From A Rose Eventually Wither to Black"
"Yet Ye See Them"
"Souvenir Gardens"
"Bedsores To The Bone"
"Wallow In Magnificent Pity"
"Year Of The Long Pig"
"Kingdom Overcome"
"Wallow In Magnificent Pity" bass playthrough video:
"Bedsores To The Bone" playthrough video:
"Year Of The Long Pig" lyric video:
"Leave Them Scars":
Come Forth to Me by AKURION
Lineup:
Mike DiSalvo - Vocals (Coma Cluster Void, ex-Cryptopsy)
Rob Milley - Guitars (Neuraxis, NeCrotic Mutation)
Oli Pinard - Bass (Cryptopsy, Cattle Decapitation, Neuraxis, Vengeful)
Tommy McKinnon - Drums (Conflux, ex-Neuraxis & ex-Augury)
Honeymoon Suite guitarist Derry Grehan has posted video playthrough for the songs "Funny Business" and "Burning In Love" from the band's 1984 debut album, and "Feel It Again" from the band's Platinum-selling second album, The Big Prize, released in 1986. Check them out below.
Grehan will be posting a guitar tutorial for "Feel It Again" on Facebook in a few days. Stay tuned
For the better part of the past five years, top-charting masked metal machine MUSHROOMHEAD have been crafting the epic follow up to their monumental 2014 full-length album, "The Righteous & The Butterfly" — waiting ever so patiently to drop their next collection of anthems. The Cleveland collective makes its prodigious return with the new full-length oeuvre, "A Wonderful Life" — the eighth release of their benchmark career — out June 19 via Napalm Records.
Available in several enticing formats, "A Wonderful Life" clocks in at a whopping 70-plus minutes with its four bonus tracks — leaving a total of 17 stellar compositions in its wake for fans to devour. "A Wonderful Life" is accented by the sharp production of band mastermind/drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton, as well as the standout mixing prowess of Matt Wallace (FAITH NO MORE, 3 DOORS DOWN), also recognized for his work on the band's classic offering "XIII".
Today, MUSHROOMHEAD dropped its first new single — the arena-ready anthem "Seen It All". The hair-raising earworm will have listeners chanting along in no time and is surefire proof that MUSHROOMHEAD are back in prime form. New full-time vocalist Mr. Rauckhorst leads the pack in an apropos cry for societal unity and marks a confident return for the band. Sing along and watch the new music video for "Seen It All" below.
At its start, an ominous choir invites the listener into "A Wonderful Life" — introductory track "A Requiem For Tomorrow" smoothly shifts into an industrial-metal inspired, grooving punch to the gut juxtaposed with a melodic, synth-laden chorus. This sets the stage for stocky, chant-worthy anthems such as "Seen It All" and hair-raising, politically inclined tracks like "The Heresy" and "Carry On", both featuring the sinister multi-voice attack of new full-time vocalist Ms. Jackie and returning longtime vocalist J Mann, with an extra strike from aforementioned new vocalist Mr. Rauckhorst on the latter. Tracks like "What A Shame", "I Am The One" and "Madness Within" will prove a treat for new and diehard MUSHROOMHEAD fans alike — providing the macabre inspiration followers have come to crave with a weighty dose of galloping drums and bone-rattling guitars, to boot.
"A Wonderful Life" track listing:
01. A Requiem For Tomorrow
02. Madness Within
03. Seen It All
04. The Heresy
05. What A Shame
06. Pulse
07. Carry On
08. The Time Has Come
09. 11th Hour
10. I Am The One
11. The Flood
12. Where The End Begins
13. Confutatis
14. To The Front (bonus track)
15. Sound Of Destruction (bonus track)
16. Another Ghost (bonus track)
17. Lacrimosa (bonus track)
The cover art was created by Gus Fink and can be seen below.
MUSHROOMHEAD's upcoming album will be the band's first since the March 2018 departures of longtime vocalist Jeff "Jeffrey Nothing" Hatrix and guitarist Tommy Church.
Felton told the Waterloo, Iowa radio station Rock 108 about the effect of MUSHROOMHEAD's latest lineup changes on the band's songwriting: "It's always cool to do new things with new people and not necessarily know what you're going to get. This will be MUSHROOMHEAD's eighth album, so I definitely don't want it to sound like everyone expects. I'm definitely looking forward to doing more experimenting. The unknown is really cool.
"As we write, we're creating stuff that we've never heard or felt before," he explained. "It's really, really awesome. In the long run, everything always ends up really dark. Everything's always creepy. Everything's always got some sort of sound design element to it that's not your traditional guitar lick or keyboard sound — there's something odd about it. The creepiness is never going to go away."
Metallica have released the pro-shot video below, featuring a live performance of "Seek & Destroy" from Telenor Arena in Oslo, Norway on May 2, 2018.
Metallica checked in earlier with the following update: "Check out tonight’s #MetallicaMondays show, Live in Munich - May 31, 2015, to see the guys take the stage at Olympiapark München with a set full of deep cuts. Streaming starts at 5 PM, PDT / 8 PM, EDT on YouTube and Facebook, but don’t worry if you can’t make it. The show will be on demand for you to enjoy all week!"
A video of QUEEN + ADAM LAMBERT performing a quarantine version of "We Are the Champions" can be seen below. The split-screen clip, featuring Lambert along with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, included a slight tweak to the track's lyrics, with Lambert changing the titular pronoun from "we" to "you" in an apparent display of solidarity.
Lambert, Taylor and May first shared the stage during "American Idol" in May 2009 for a performance of "We Are The Champions". They teamed up again in 2011 at the MTV European Music Awards in Belfast, Ireland for an electrifying eight-minute finale of "The Show Must Go On", "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" and in the summer of 2012, the singer performed a series of shows with QUEEN across Europe as well as dates in Russia, Ukraine and Poland. They have since completed a number of tours and performed at some of the biggest festivals in the world.
Earlier in the month, Lambert, who was the openly first gay man to have a No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, spoke about his ongoing stint with QUEEN in an interview with Finland's Kaaos TV. He said: "It's an absolute honor to be singing QUEEN music for fans all around the world. These songs are so famous and so huge and this band is so iconic, and so to take the stage with them always feels like a real opportunity and a real gift that I've been given. And I love Brian and Roger — they are so easy to work with — and we have fun. It's a big family feel now. And we've been doing this for eight years, and I love that I continue to have the opportunity to tour with them."
Asked if he was totally nervous when he first started touring with QUEEN, Lambert said: "In the beginning, I was definitely was. Yes, absolutely. And now what's so nice is that we're eight years in, and now I don't get nervous. And so it's really helped my confidence and it's really given me a sense of accomplishment working with them."
May previously described Lambert as the only singer the band had found capable of filling the shoes of QUEEN's original frontman Freddie Mercury, who died in 1991 of complications from to AIDS. "Adam is the first person we've encountered who can do all the QUEEN catalog without blinking," said May. "He is a gift from God." Taylor echoed the guitarist's sentiments, adding: "[Adam's] incredibly musical, and we certainly take anything he says quite seriously."
Skinlab have released a video for "Amerikill", a track of the band's new album, Venomous, released back in October via Art Is War Records.
"We are excited to release our new video for 'Amerikill'. This will be the first of many videos the band shot ourselves with the help of our bud Karl Whinnery who did an awesome job with his added story line catering to the inner paranoia developed through isolation. The message is real... know your surroundings," says Steev Esquivel.
The Venomous album is produced and mixed by Ulrich Wild, who states, "I love working with Skinlab. This album is heavy and intense. As brutal as it is, it gets very melodic at times, and Steev’s iconic voice is tying it all together."
Singer/bassist Steev Esquivel on the new album: "Venomous is the album that best represents Skinlab in 2019... heavy, brutal, and honest... we feel that we've stood the test of time without losing integrity and chasing trends... were back stronger than ever!"
Tracklisting:
"The Fury Within The Fire"
"Amerikill"
"Venomous"
"Overcoming"
"Demons"
"For The Fallen"
"Far From Grace"
"Eyes Of Your Enemy"
"End Of Silence"
"The Family"
Like many bands in the music industry, Imonolith - the metal powerhouse featuring drummer Ryan ‘RVP’ Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project), guitarist Brian ‘Beav’ Wadell (Devin Townsend Project), Jon Howard (Threat Signal), guitarist Kai Huppunen (Methods Of Mayhem, Noise Therapy) and Scott Whalen (Econoline Crush) - have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and were forced to cancel their European tour dates in March and April.
While the guys have isolated themselves at home, they're still in daily contact with each other, keeping their creative juices flowing. Even though they are separated across the globe from each other, the members of Imonolith have been able to put together something special for fans entitled The Quarantine Sessions.
Ryan Van Poederooyen explains in further detail: "It’s tough times for everyone world-wide with COVID-19. The music industry and bands world-wide have literally been shut down from touring, from doing press tours and anything to do with public appearances. The one thing COVID-19 has not disrupted is the Internet and Social Media. Many bands are getting creative and doing live stream concerts and more...
Imonolith has come up with the Quarantine Sessions for our supporters in correlation with our debut album release State Of Being, which came out on March 27th, 2020. What are the Quarantine Sessions? They are videos released on our YouTube page, each Monday at 8 AM, PST of the full band playing through a song on our debut album. We will be releasing a new song every Monday until we have finished all 10 songs on our album. Then on every Tuesday, at 9 AM, PST we will be doing a Quarantine Session Live Feed on our Instagram page to talk about the song we released on Monday. We’ll go into many behind-the-scenes specifics about each song we release and do a live Q&A with you all. Let's hang, have some fun and catch up, while self-isolating at home during these challenging times!
This is our Quarantine offering to our loyal and new supporters to show how we play our material and to be able to chat with you all, albeit in Quarantine from our homes. This is Self Isolation at it’s finest while helping flatten the curve of COVID-19. Finding the positive in the negative ;)
Tune in on Mondays for our new video and see you on Tuesdays for our live feed discussion. Be safe out there!"
Check out the first episode, "Becoming The Enemy", below:
State Of Being album details below.
Tracklisting:
"State Of Being" (intro)
"Becoming The Enemy" (feat. Johannes Eckerstrom)
"Instinct"
"Dig"
"The Mourning"
"Forgone"
"Breathe"
"The Reign" (feat. Jens Kidman)
"We Never Forget"
"Hollow"
"Persevere"
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) - have released a drum playthrough video for their cover of Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic". Watch below:
BPMD will release their upcoming full-length, American Made, on June 12 via Napalm Records. The 10-track homage to some of rock music's greatest treasures is turbocharged by the experience and enthusiasm of its four creators, and its first single, "Toys In The Attic", is only the first boisterous sliver of proof.
The "Toys In The Attic" video was directed by Victor Borachuk / JupiterReturn, with art direction and motion design by Natália Tanus and Leonardo Gill. Watch the brand new video for the track below.
Frontman Bobby Blitz says about "Toys In The Attic": "I remember waaaaaaaaaaay back when Overkill formed, we were cutting our teeth on covers as I was finding my way around the mic. The Aerosmith covers were right in my wheelhouse, so when Mike [Portnoy] picked 'Toys' to cover, I was like... 'Hell Yea'!"
Guitarist Phil Demmel adds about recording the track: “It was tricky because Aerosmith have two guitarists, Joe Perry and Brad Whitford, playing different things. So, as one guitar player, I had to pick a medium place between the two that sounded good. I thrashed it up a little by adding a lot of down picking and some gallops and triplets.”
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.
Bassist Mark Menghi remarks on BPMD's origins: “Last summer, right after the Fourth of July, I was sitting in my backyard. I was listening to a bunch of ‘70s stuff and Lynyrd Skynyrd's ‘Saturday Night Special’ came on. I said, ‘Man, I would love to play that song,’ and my eight-year-old son turned to me and said, ‘You should do a record of all these songs, Dad.’ And I was like, ‘Hmmm? Yeah, why not!?!’”
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!
Menghi chose “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” in addition to “Saturday Night Special". Blitz’s choices were a little more obscure - “Never in My Life” replete with cowbell and a blazing repeated blues lick, and Cactus’ version of “Evil", a fiercely Zeppelin-like take on an old Willie Dixon song. For his tracks, Demmel picked “D.O.A.” and had a blast channeling his inner Eddie Van Halen, and took a deep dive with “Tattoo Vampire". Recalling the days when Ted Nugent was more of a bad boy than a gunslinger, Portnoy picked “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang", in additon to “Toys In the Attic”.
Menghi, who also co-produced American Made, adds: “We didn't go into it trying to make everything metal, we just wanted to play the way we play and this is what you get... we’ve all been influenced by a wide variety of bands including Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Metallica. So, of course, we’re going to attack the songs a little harder than guys that didn’t grow up on heavy music.”
Blitz adds: "We made sure we did high-quality versions of these songs and gave them all a little twist. I think there’s a place for that in the music world today. There’s something really great about nostalgia, especially if it's reimagined.”
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"
“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)
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