Society 1 has released a music video for their track "I Can't Feel”, from their album Rise From The Dead. The video was directed and edited by singer Matt Zane of Lord Zane Productions (John 5, Wayne Static, Zakk Wylde, DMC, Orgy). The song was produced and mixed by Alex Crescioni at Stygian Sound and Mastered by Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering.
“When I direct our own videos it's always a challenge considering I have to jump in front and behind the camera. This video was the most difficult out of all the Society 1 videos because not only did I have to perform but imagine what was going on in the scene. Everything was done on green screen so I was just trying to think about what it was supposed to look like. When I brought it into editing the real challenge began attempting to create what I envisioned. A very cool creative experience. We're going to concentrate in the realm of complete manifestations of worlds and environments for further video's to bring the music that much farther. We want every sound and visual to really capture the full spectrum of the viewers imagination.” - Matt Zane
BraveWords is debuting the last video from The New Roses, who will release their new album, Dead Man’s Voice, on February 26th via Napalm Records. Check out “Dead Man's Voice” below:
Dead Man's Voice lives and breathes with catchy hard rock and flirts with glam, sleaze and blues. In fact this band is a true rock 'n' roll monster, combining influences of AC/DC, Kid Rock, The Black Roses and Aerosmith skillfully with an enriched and unique sound. The New Roses easily enter the ranks of previously mentioned legends or modern acts such as Blackstone Cherry – their bristling anthems are a true breath of fresh air.
The band on their upcoming album: "This record really shows the essence of The New Roses. It’s rough, it’s honest, it’s full of joy and energy. This album is like a true companion. It’s ready to rock whenever you are but it also speaks to your conscience every once in a while.“
Tracklisting:
“Heads Or Tails”
“Thirsty”
“Partner In Crime”
“Dead Man's Voice”
“I Believe”
“Ride With Me”
“Hurt Me Once (Love Me Twice)”
“Not From This World”
“What If It Was You”
“Try (And You Know Why)”
“From Guns & Shovels”
Joe Bonamassa has released a video for the track “Drive” (see below), featured on his brand-new studio solo album, Blues Of Desperation (Provogue), which will be released March 25th. Like his previous solo disc, 2014’s Top 10 Billboard hit Different Shades Of Blue, the new album features all-original material, and it sees the maverick superstar guitarist, singer and songwriter tossing away the rule book as he continues to reinvent and redefine the blues-rock genre like no other artist working today.
“I want people to hear my evolution as a blues-rock musician,” says Bonamassa, “somebody who isn’t resting on accomplishments and who is always pushing forward and thinking about how music can evolve and stay relevant.”
The writing sessions for Blues Of Desperation took Bonamassa back to Nashville, where he’d composed Different Shades Of Blue, to work with some of Music City’s top tunesmiths, people like James House, Tom Hambridge, Jeffrey Steele, Jerry Flowers and Gary Nicholson.
“These are some of the best guys in the business,” Bonamassa raves. "Lyrically, you’ll hear the proverbial trains, mountains, valleys and other blues references about heartbreak and loneliness, but there are also some poignant moments about getting away from the stressful, crazy demands of life and losing yourself with your special someone. I think anybody will be able to relate.”
Bonamassa and his long-time producer Kevin Shirley (Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Journey) convened at Nashville’s Grand Victor Sound Studios (formerly known as RCA Studio A), and during an intense, five-day period they recorded 11 galvanizing songs with a crack group of musicians including drummers Anton Fig and Greg Morrow, bassist Michael Rhodes, keyboardist Reese Wynans, horn players Lee Thornburg, Paulie Cerra and Mark Douthit, and background singers Mahalia Barnes, Jade McRae and Juanita Tippins.
Tracklisting:
“This Train”
“Mountain Climbing”
“Drive”
“No Good Place For The Lonely”
“Blues Of Desperation”
“The Valley Runs Low”
“You Left Me Nothin' But The Bill And The Blues”
“Distant Lonesome Train”
“How Deep This River Runs”
“Livin' Easy”
“What I've Known For A Very Long Time”
“Drive” video:
Trailer:
Bonamassa’s love of the British blues is at the heart of his musical inspiration; and, for the first time, is pleased to announce five special concerts paying homage to the British blues rock guitarists that inspired him – Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page - for UK fans in July 2016. This one-time only UK event will be billed as Joe Bonamassa In Concert: A Salute To The British Blues Explosion.
“If it wasn't for certain British musicians of the early 1960s, the Blues may well never have exploded into Rock music as we know it today, and indeed may have passed into history,” says Bonamassa.
Tickets for the UK concerts will be available as a special pre-sale from Tuesday, January 26th from Planet Rock (www.planetrock.com), 72-hours in advance to the general public – which will go on sale Friday, January 29th from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.jbonamassa.com. The dates will feature two special concerts performed at heritage castles at Hoghton and Newark, a headline show at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, London, plus indoor shows in Glasgow and Bristol.
Bonamassa will play Hoghton Tower, Lancashire (Saturday, July 2nd), Glasgow Clyde Auditorium (Sunday, July 3rd), Bristol Colston Hall (Tuesday, July 5th), Greenwich London Music Time Festival (Thursday, July 7th), and Newark Castle, Nottinghamshire (Friday, July 8th).
Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page are some of the greatest guitarists of their time that influenced Joe Bonamassa’s career. All three are Yardbirds alumni, and indeed actually all played together at one time in the same band. Jimmy Page went on to form Led Zeppelin, which became the ultimate electric Blues band and both Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck became international superstars in their own right.
Rush have released the following video, showcasing their classic track “Tom Sawyer” through the years of 2003-2015 from Rush In Rio, R30, Snakes & Arrows Live, Time Machine 2011: Live in Cleveland, Clockwork Angels Tour, and R40 Live.
Rush frontman Geddy Lee recently sat down with Music Radar and went through a track-by-track overview of the band's critically acclaimed fourth album, 2112, released in 1976. An excerpt is available below:
Lee: “It begins with the 'Overture', which – despite being the first thing you hear – was the last piece to be written, much like with any classical overture. We wanted to take the most important musical threads from each of the subsequent parts to create a ‘new’ piece of music that would represent the album as a whole. So that’s where it all starts.”
“And then 'The Temples Of Syrinx' sets the scene, because 2112 is about a totalitarian society that controls everything about your life, including the music that you hear. It manufactures it all, so that’s what we wanted to say with this track. It sets up the hierarchy in this futuristic world that we’ve arrived in.”
“'Discovery' is where the hero of the story finds a device in a cave. It’s a guitar, but he doesn’t know it because they don’t exist in his time period. So he picks it up and realises that it’s a device that can make music and create sounds. Previous to that point, everything he’d ever heard had been provided to him by the people that run his world.”
Nuclear Blast Entertainment has announced the signing of depressive black metal sensations GHOST BATH. Originally released only in Europe, the band's latest album, "Moonlover" is now available digitally worldwide with an exclusive bonus track. A physical release in North America will follow in both CD and vinyl formats on June 10. "'Moonlover' is the first part of a trilogy of albums we plan to release," comments GHOST BATH mastermind Nameless. "It encompasses the human experience and dwells within the minds of those who walk the earth. It deals with a longing for death and an eventual journey to realize the death instinct, Thanatos. A sort of numb sadness drenches this albums tracks; melancholy, tragedy, and despair all take hold of 'Moonlover' at any given moment. "The bonus track, 'Ascension', is a transitional point for the band. The title refers to a journey into the heavens, a hint to where the next installment of our album trilogy will go. We feel that it envelopes the sounds of 'Moonlover', while also leading the listener to what will come next." To celebrate "Moonlover" finally being available in North America, the band has released a music video for the track "Golden Number". Check it out below.
"The music video for 'Golden Number' was birthed from a short story written by myself," continues Nameless. "It is an introduction into the band as a whole, revealing the definition of GHOST BATH; the act of committing suicide by drowning. Symbolism can be found throughout the video ritual, mainly, the symbolic and literal death of oneself as an ultimate solution to the unrelenting anxieties and stressors of waking life." "Moonlover" track listing:
01. The Sleeping Fields02. Golden Number03. Happyhouse04. Beneath The Shade Tree05. The Silver Flower Pt. 106. The Silver Flower Pt. 207. Death And The Maiden
Bonus track:
8. Ascension
GHOST BATH began in October of 2013 with the release of their self-titled EP on Solitude Productions (China). This was followed by their debut LP titled, "Funeral", which was released on Pest Productions (China) in June of 2014. "Moonlover", their latest LP was released originally on Northern Silence Productions (Germany) and is now being re-released through Nuclear Blast Entertainment. The album was produced by Josh Schroeder and Nameless and mixed by Josh Schroeder.
"Anthem", the new video from VENOMOUS CONCEPT — the international grind punk "supergroup" featuring BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp and bassist Danny Lilker alongside NAPALM DEATH members Shane Embury (bass) and Danny Herrera (drums), plus guitarist John Cooke — can be seen below. The song is taken from VENOMOUS CONCEPT's third full-length album, "Kick Me Silly - VC III", which was released on January 8 via Season Of Mist.
"Kick Me Silly - VC III" track listing:
01. Rise02. Bust With You Debt03. Anthem04. The Potters Ground05. Human Waste06. Leper Dog07. Farm Boy08. Head On A Stick09. Pretend10. Johnny Cheeseburger11. Forever War12. Good Times13. Pretty On The Inside14. Holiday In Switzerland15. Fucked In The Czech Repub16. Neck Tie17. Frontal Lobe Disorder18. Daycare19. Quazimodo20. Burning Fatigue21. Rocket Science22. Pissing Match (bonus track)
VENOMOUS CONCEPT was conceived as something like a grind punk supergroup — if that term can even be applied to a bunch of people with clear counter culture preferences. The name was quite obviously chosen as a homage to the legendary POISON IDEA.
At the core of VENOMOUS CONCEPT, you will find BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp and Shane Embury, the iconic bass guitarist of NAPALM DEATH. The two musicians had bonded over beer and pizza as well as their mutual love of such punk heroes such as BLACK FLAG, SYSTEMATIC DEATH, GBH, SIEGE, and, of course, the aforementioned POISON IDEA. The duo soon set about plotting their own assault on the style. Armed with bucket loads of coffee, the pair roped in Danny Herrera of NAPALM DEATH on drums as well as MELVINS guitarist Buzz Osborne. A record deal was signed with Mike Patton and VENOMOUS CONCEPT's first album, "Retroactive Abortion" (2004), was followed by a a split CD with Japanese grind band 324 (2006) and another in 2008 with BLÖOD DÜSTER.
Osborne eventually went on a hiatus, but he has never left and there is always a chance for his return — schedules permitting. Shane switched to guitar, when longtime friend Danny Lilker joined on bass. Next, VENOMOUS CONCEPT brought in John Cooke of CORRUPT MORAL ALTAR on second guitar for touring. A second full-length titled "Poisoned Apple" was also released in 2008.
Finally and after too long of a quiet spell, the band decided that it was time for more pizza and beer (cue the A.O.D. classic). They got together with a bunch of ideas, which they had recorded in demo form here and there, on tour, and in various smelly rehearsal studios…
VENOMOUS CONCEPT recorded "Kick Me Silly - VC III" during 2014, which sees the band continue in their trademark hardcore punk styles — with the added bonus of compositions by Lilker and Cooke. You will find these fire-starters branching out dynamically in order to perfect their art of grinding rock!
Italian hard rock quartet, A Perfect Day, recently signed a deal with Scarlet Records for the release of the band’s second album, The Deafening Silence, on March 18th. The first single taken from The Deafening Silence is “In The Name Of God” and the video for the song can be seen below.
“We chose the song “In The Name Of God” as first video for the upcoming album, mainly for two reasons: the first one is about the lyrics; we would like to give our point of view on a highly current topic. The second one is about the music. “In The Name Of God” sounds awfully A Perfect Day”, states the band.
Formed in 2011, A Perfect Day is the brainchild of Andrea Cantarelli, guitar player and co-founder of Italian heavy metal band Labyrinth, and includes drummer Alessandro Bissa (Labyrinth), singer Marco Baruffetti, and bass player Gigi Andreone (Odd Dimension).
Produced in collaboration with Giovanni “Meniak” Nebbia (co-producer and sound engineer of Labyrinth, Vision Divine, Timo Tolkki), described as “the fifth member of the band”, the album offers a feast of listening experiences.
“We put the record together with a lot of confidence,” Cantarelli reveals, “and without the need to include commercially-driven songs. We did it for ourselves, something to be proud of ourselves for years to come. The Deafening Silence will take you on a ride that you will not forget!"
The Deafening Silence tracklisting:
“Intro: The Silent Prayer”
“A New Dawn”
“My Lonely Island”
“The Age Of Innocence”
“In The Name Of God”
“Before Your Eyes”
“The Deafening Silence”
“Angel”
“Mission: Annihilation”
“The Fooling Glass”
“Turning Back To You”
Ontario, Canada-based prog/stoner/doom band, Sierra, is preparing to unveil 72, a sprawling, progressive, psychedelic EP with a very personal story line based on a hometown murder and long tale of injustice and revenge. As the record nears release, the band has sanctioned the creation of a video for one segment of the solitary twenty-three-minute track.
Produced by Phillip Cope (Kylesa), 72 tells the true story of a murder that took place in Sierra's hometown of Kitchener-Waterloo, back in 1972. A man, now in his sixties, told the band how his girlfriend was taken and murdered by a group of men on her sixteenth birthday, and as he was the last person seen with her alive, he was accused and harassed by the town and police for a solid year. It wasn't until one of the men killed himself and in a suicide note admitted what he had done that this man was cleared of all charges. 72 pays tribute not only to the bands love of all things progressive but also to a great friend of the band, and what he lost.
The band chose director Torin Langen's gritty style for the video of "Prologue 72”, and while the segment is based on the tragic tale the EP tells, out of respect to the victim the video is in no way a re-enactment of the events, but simply the directors inspired vision to help convey the song's depth.
The 72 EP will see self-release by the band on March 4th, on both CD and digital formats. Pre-orders are now available here.
Sierra has confirmed several new shows, including providing support for Indian Handcrafts at their record release show in Toronto on February 26th, and a show just days after the release of 72 in Waterloo with Hawkeyes and Public Animal. Additional shows will be announced soon.
Sierra Live:
February
26 - Velvet Underground - Toronto, ON (with Indian Handcrafts)
March
18 - Chainsaw - Waterloo, ON (with Hawkeyes, Public Animal)
Austrian folk metal band, Drescher, recently signed a deal with Napalm Records.
Drescher are already widely known for creating something really extraordinary. A new kind of music, a new style, a new experience: Folk music in its most original way, real and honest. In-your-face lyrics recounting real life's tales with good old metal chords from the 90s. Yes, it works and it fits so well that it becomes one at this slightly prophetic and programmatic band Drescher. Their debut album Erntezeit was the start for the huge success of this remarkable Austrian band and they now join forces with Napalm Records.
The band on the signing with Napalm: "We're super proud to have joined forces with Napalm Records. A strong partner on our side, who totally understands and supports us in every way!"
Drescher’s music is as natural and certain as their lyrics. Ordered by the sound of their hearts it's been that way as long as they've been boosting their sounds through amplifiers. Regardless of whom- or whatever - it finally had to be said. But where does the name come from? Crossover-metal spiked with Austrian dialect - simply: FOLKMETAL. Thrash metal from the hub of Austria - simply: DRESCH-METAL. This is Drescher.
A brand new music video for the track "Rock Me Amadeus" can be seen below:
"Cut Me Loose", the new video from Massachusetts-based metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's seventh album, "Incarnate", which will be released on March 11 via Roadrunner.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach stated about the track: "This song is about finding wisdom and understanding through suffering. Oftentimes we don't realize how far we have come until we reflect back on the past. The past is a story we tell ourselves and often times that story can be difficult to recount. The burdens we carry, whether it be past mistakes or regrets, can act as a noose inhibiting our growth and progression. There comes a time when we must release the bondage of our burdens and making peace with the demons and darkness of the past. Setting the albatross of regret free and moving on in life, if you will."
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist and producer Adam Dutkiewicz recently told Revolver magazine that Leach "hit a wall with ideas" during the songwriting process for "Incarnate" after completing the first three or four songs in the studio. "He couldn't find lyrics he was really stoked on," Adam explained. "But Jesse's a great lyricist and a great songwriter, so I just told him, 'Keep writing, and when you hit on something that inspires you, bring it to me.'"
Leach, for his part, admitted that he struggled for a bit. "It did take me a little longer," he said. "But we're at this stage now with our band where we can't be phoning it in. If you really care about your music and you care about your career and your fans, you've gotta give 'em everything you've got. And so I came to a point where this album literally drove me crazy. My wife can attest to that. There were a good couple of weeks where I wasn't myself. I just got lost in the process, because I wanted this record to be everything it could be. I was losing sleep, not sleeping at all, and waking up in the middle of the night and sitting down and writing pages and pages and pages of words. By the time all was said and done, I probably had 80 pages of lyrics. I just wanted to give it everything I could, vocally and lyrically."
Leach told Revolver about the "Incarnate" title: "The definition of incarnate is 'in the flesh.' And this record is who we are right now. Whereas [2013's] 'Disarm The Descent' was sort of my 'comeback' album, and was about us feeling out the new vibe. But now, after spending a few years traveling the world together, I think we're all in a really comfortable place. We definitely have a strong sense of self as to who we are as a band
The band will embark on a North American headline tour shortly after the new album's release. They will be joined by MEMPHIS MAY FIRE and 36 CRAZYFISTS for the trek, which runs from March 16 in San Antonio, Texas to April 24 near Charleston, South Carolina.
German rockers Double Crush Syndrome, fronted by former Sodom / Powergod guitarist Andy Brings, have released an official video for their song "Gimme Everything", a live favourite that's due to appear on their forthcoming album, Still No Future. Check it out below.
"No stupid storyline, no wannabe actors, no fancy video art! Just a band that dies for Rock n´Roll! Enjoy!"
The band has also announced live dates for Germany, as follows:
Tax The Heat will release their full length Nuclear Blast Entertainment debut, Fed To The Lions, on April 8th. A new music video for the track “Animals” can be found below.
The album shows why there is so much excitement at the release of this record. Previous singles “Some Sympathy”, “Highway Home” and “Fed To The Lions” sit alongside future classics such as “Caroline”, “Animals” and “Stood On The Platform To Leave”. The driving rhythms of Jack Taylor (drums) and Antonio Angotti (bass) overlaid with the powerful riffs of JP Jacyshyn (guitars) and distinctive melodies of Alex Veale (vocals, guitars). The album is available on CD and vinyl. Pre-order Fed To The Lions here.
Tracklisting:
“Highway Home”
“Animals”
“Under Watchful Eye”
“Fed To The Lions”
“Hit Me Hard”
“Stood On The Platform To Leave”
“Some Sympathy”
“Devil's Daughter”
“Learn To Drown (You're Wrong)”
“Caroline”
“Your Fool”
“Lost Our Way”
Streaming below is rare footage of Ritchie Blackmore with Rainbow at Castle Donington in 1980. It was a massive moment for the band, but incredibly turned out to be Cozy Powell and Graham Bonnet's final performances with Rainbow.
Rainbow will be back to the stages of rock in 2016. Two shows in Germany are confirmed, taking place at the Monsters Of Rock Festival 2016 on June 18th and Loreley, Freilichtbühneon on June 17th. A UK date has also been confirmed. It will take place on Saturday, June 25th at Genting Arena in Birmingham, England.
Blackmore has revealed his band lineup for these exclusive shows, which will include singer Ronnie Romero, keyboardist Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), drummer David Keith (Blackmore’s Night) and bassist Bob Nouveau. The first official band photo can be viewed below:
Blackmore recently spoke with Billboard.com about these special shows:
“I’m now 70, so I just felt like playing some rock ‘n’ roll for a few days. We’re going to do four or five dates of just playing the old rock stuff, Purple stuff and Rainbow. I’m doing it for the fans, for nostalgia, and the singer I found is very exciting; he’s a cross between Dio meets Freddie Mercury. So this will mean exposing a new singer to the masses, and I’m sure he’ll become pretty famous because of his voice.”
Sweden’s Adept have released a music video for "Carry The Weight", a track from their upcoming album, Sleepless, out tomorrow, February 19th, via Napalm Records.
The band on the brand new signing with Napalm Records: "We are happy to announce that we have signed with Austria's finest Napalm Records. We can also reveal that our new album Sleepless will be released on February 19th 2016. Originally planned to be released summer 2015, this album has been an absolute roller coaster to make.
“Recorded in January and then re-recorded in September we can finally shine a light on this album. Through the ups and downs we created something truly beautiful with Sleepless. A melodic hard-hitting album with its roots to our early days. Thanks to Napalm Records we have a new found strength and confidence to push us forward. We can't wait to show you what we've been working on. Bring on February."
Billie Klein - Napalm Records A&R: "We are more than happy to finally have Adept on board. Here is a young band that combines furious metal, uplifting and catchy melodies and post-rock atmospheres and is always ready to step on stage and rock, no matter the situation. Welcome to the Napalm Family!"
Sleepless tracklisting:
"Black Veins"
"Wounds"
"Dark Clouds"
"Carry The Weight"
"Rewind The Tape"
"Down And Out"
"The Choirs Of Absolution"
"Lights"
"The Sickness"
"Sleepless"
Preview:
“Dark Clouds” video:
Adept lineup:
Robert Ljung - vocals
Jerry Repo - guitar
Gustav Lithammer - guitar
Filip Brandelius - bass
Gabriel Hellmark - drums
Seattle-based progressive/death metal band, Rhine, has premiered the music video for “P.R.E.Y.”, a track off their new album, An Outsider, released on February 5th. The clip can be found below.
An Outsider is the follow up to Rhine’s 2011 debut Duality, which was first a solo effort by band founder Gabriel Tachell (guitar and vocals) whom is now joined by Alex Smolin on guitar (ex-Metameric), James Porter on bass (Ideofone), and Carlos Delgado (Inferion, ex-Death Crowned King) to collaborate on this project.
An Outsider tracklisting:
“Dreaming Of Death”
“The Spell Of Dark Water”
“An Outsider”
“Somewhere”
“Paralyzed”
“Dissolved In Fire”
“P.R.E.Y.”
“Into The Unknown”
“Shipwrecked In Stasis”
“Fragments”
Swedish heavy/power metal band, Twins Crew, have released a music video for the song “Veni Vidi Vici”. The band’s new album, Veni Vidi Vici, will be released on February 26th in Europe and North America via Beyond The Storm Productions.
The artwork for Veni Vidi Vici was designed in a Roman Empire theme and was created by Mattias Norén (Kamelot, Sabaton, Lost Horizon, Evergrey) at Progart. The mastering is made by Mike Lind at Masterplant (Body Count, DIO, The Poodles).
Tracklisting:
“Divide Et Impera”
“Veni Vidi Vici”
“Show No Mercy”
“Stand Your Ground”
“Praise Hell”
“Sky Is Falling”
“Burn The Witch”
“Out Of Time”
“Forever Free”
“Under My Command”
“Ghost Of The Seven Seas”
Swedish black/death metallers, Rimfrost, have unleashed a new video for “Witches Hammer”, a track from for their third and self-titled album, which will be released on March 25th via Non Serviam Records.
Formed back in 2002, the three-piece band explores a variety of styles within the genres of black and death metal and delivers a refined blend of dark melodies, crushing riffs and technical percussion.
Rimfrost tracklisting:
“As The Silver Curtain Closes”
“Saga North”
“Beyond The Mountains Of Rime”
“Dark Prophecies”
“Ragnarök”
“Cold”
“Witches Hammer”
“Frostlaid Skies”
The official video for "The Bardcall", a brand new song by German a cappella metal band VAN CANTO — which consists of five singers and one drummer (no guitars, no bass, no keyboards) — can be seen below. The track is taken from the group's new album, "Voices Of Fire", which will be released on March 11 via earMUSIC.
VAN CANTO has teamed up with German bestseller author Christoph Hardebusch ("Die Trolle"; English-language translation: "The Trolls") who is going to release his new fantasy novel, "Feuerstimmen", on March 17 on Piper Verlag. The audio book for which VAN CANTO set the 17 bard songs included in the story to music will be released on the same day.
Working hand in hand on this crossover media project, VAN CANTO and Christoph Hardebusch created a whole new world filled with competing kingdoms, epic battles, dragons, of course, the element fire and bards.
VAN CANTO lead singer Sly, who developed the plot of the novel together with Christoph Hardebusch, explains: "We are barely able to tell what came first: the music as part of the novel or the novel as part of our album. Christoph Hardebusch and we worked hand in hand on this. Our compositions did influence the novel and vice versa. Simply put, we created our own world — a world full of competing kingdoms, epic battles, dragons, fire and bards. Not always deadly serious but full of adventures to set your imagination running wild… like VAN CANTO does."
Adds Hardebusch: "On the one hand, working closely with VAN CANTO was a lot of fun, but on the other hand, it was also very demanding. The great picture can only be achieved when creative minds interact with each other; the whole is more than the sum of its parts. Right from the start, story and music has been a unit which has influenced and fueled each other."
Coinciding with the album release, VAN CANTO is going to tour throughout Europe in March and April.
"The Art Of Loss", the new video from REDEMPTION, the U.S. progressive metal band featuring in its ranks guitarist/songwriter Nick Van Dyk and FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, can be seen below. The clip, which features a guest appearance by former MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland, was directed by Brian Cox of Flarelight Films.
Cox comments: "It's very easy to dwell on the past. To stew in pain, wishing you could get someone or something back that you may have lost. But in the end, you will always have yourself, no matter how much things might change. Nobody can ever take that from you and that's the message I tried to convey with this video."
Van Dyk adds: "We're very excited to have worked with Brian to bring this song to life in this medium. The story of regret, survival, transcendence and the realization that we have the ability to be authors of our own destiny is brought home with the visuals that Brian has directed. Needless to say, it's also surreal to perform with the great Chris Poland. This video is a great representation of what REDEMPTION stands for, musically and thematically."
"The Art Of Loss" is the title track of REDEMPTION's sixth full-length album, which will be released on February 26 via Metal Blade Records.
Containing over 70 minutes of their unique blend of passion, melody, aggression and complexity, "The Art Of Loss" was produced once again by Tommy Hansen (HELLOWEEN, PAGAN'S MIND, PRETTY MAIDS), who previously worked with REDEMPTION on 2009's "Snowfall On Judgment Day". The cover artwork was created by longtime REDEMPTION collaborator Travis Smith (OPETH, AMORPHIS).
Musically, "The Art Of Loss" follows its predecessor (2011's "This Mortal Coil"), but their newest work finds composition, musicianship and production taken up another notch, with an array of songs ranging from hard-hitting melodic metal to the 23-minute epic "At Day's End" — plus, special guest appearances from Chris Broderick (MEGADETH), John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX), Marty Friedman, Simone Mularoni and Chris Poland (MEGADETH).
"The Art Of Loss" track listing:
01. The Art of Loss (feat. Simone Mularoni and Chris Poland) 02. Slouching Towards Bethlehem (feat. Simone Mularoni and Chris Poland) 03. Damaged (feat. Marty Friedman) 04. Hope Dies Last (feat. Chris Poland) 05. That Golden Light06. Thirty Silver (feat. Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, and Chris Broderick) 07. The Center Of The Fire (feat. Chris Poland) 08. Love Reign O'er Me (THE WHO cover; feat. John Bush and Chris Poland) 09. At Day's End (feat. Chris Poland and Simone Mularoni)
REDEMPTION's current lineup is rounded out by bassist Sean Andrews, drummer Chris Quirarte and guitarist Bernie Versailles, who is presently on an indefinite medical leave of absence from the band.
"The Winner Has Lost", the new video from Swedish metallers ENTOMBED A.D., can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's second album, "Dead Dawn", which will be released on February 26 via Century Media.
ENTOMBED A.D. comments on the video: "We were about to brew a collaboration beer with Warpigs in Copenhagen. An Imperial Stout that is a mix of Mikkellers 'Beer Geek Breakfast' and 3 Floyds 'Dark Lord'. It will basically taste like we sound. Very heavy stuff. We were looking forward to a day of brewing beer, drinking beer and eating BBQ. Then we were told that we need a new video [as soon as possible]. So we got a great idea and perfect solution: let's just film us brewing, drinking and eating and spending the whole budget on that! And so we did. Best day at work ever."
The "Dead Dawn" cover artwork was created by WATAIN frontman Erik Danielsson. The CD production was handled by a team consisting of Tom Van Heesch and Jacob Hellner of Big Island Sound in Stockholm as well as Nico Elgstrand himself, who produced a majority of the tracks whereas Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers mastered this new beast.
ENTOMBED A.D. guitarist and co-producer Nico Elgstrand states:: "I think it is safe to say that all of us in the band feel like we just have given birth to one tank each. Meaning, the pregnancy and delivery was everything but pleasant! Still, when watching our newest offspring play with their cannons and bombs, blasting everything around them to bits, we feel, just like any parent, pride and joy and wouldn't have it undone for all the money in the world!"
ENTOMBED A.D. has just completed a European tour with BEHEMOTH, ABBATH and INQUISITION.
In an interview with Revolution-Music.dk, Petrov stated about the band's decision to release change their name to ENTOMBED A.D. in order to avoid a legal battle with ENTOMBED guitarist Alex Hellid who didn't want his former bandmates to use the ENTOMBED moniker: "It had to be done, because without an album you can't tour. I mean, you can tour, but if there's seven years between albums, it's ridiculously long. So we did the right thing, and we did what bands should do, and still do — release an album and go on tour and headbang and have a good time with friends, and that's what it's all about."
He continued: "There was too much bullshit — crying and whining about things. It's just ridiculous.
"[The name] 'ENTOMBED,' nobody can use it right now. But the lust for touring and playing music, it's what we do.
"Some people are comfortable staying at home, but then just step aside and let us do our thing. And sitting here, doing an interview, listening to bands, that's the way it should be.
"We added two letters, but it's still the same band — [only] without people that wanna stay at home, or take millions of years [coming up with] a [new] riff."
Asked if he thinks the ENTOMBED name has been damaged as a result of the drama surrounding the split with Alex Hellid and the decision to release an album as ENTOMBED A.D., Petrov said: "Nah, not really. A thousand people have a thousand different opinions — good and bad. But we do what we felt was right. And we're out here touring, and that's the most important [thing], I think. And leave the childishness aside and play metal, basically."
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