Sweden's Portrait returns with their sixth album, The Host, their first ever concept album, set for release on June 21 via Metal Blade Records. In advance of its official unveiling, today the band reveals the latest single, "Die In My Heart".
Founding guitarist Christian Lindell describes the new offering as "an occult tale of sword and sorcery, accompanied by some of the most passionate heavy metal ever recorded. The story takes place in seventeenth century Sweden and revolves around an unnamed protagonist who, because of his experiences with the injustice and hypocrisy of this world, decides to seek truth and strength through its 'Adversary.'"
On the musical side, Portrait's co-founding drummer Anders Persson adds that the album "is a versatile entity, showing all sides of what has become our own style of heavy metal, identity, and sense of melody, yet with some new areas explored in several directions. There are songs that are our fastest and most 'extreme' so far along with songs of an almost semi ballad feeling. It blends perfectly together musically and fits the dramaturgy of the story."
The story of The Host takes place in the Swedish Empire during the Era Of Great Power, an era of constant war. The church played a central role in Swedish society in those days and the task of choosing the men that would be sent out to war was given to the priests. All men above the age of fifteen were summoned to the church hill once a year, where the priest then decided who would be the "lucky" ones (the rule of guidance being that every tenth man was to be picked).
It was preached that the reason for war was all sins committed by common man, and to be part of the army during those times was to be considered something sacred. Biblical passages were often quoted as references in order to legitimize the conquering of enemy territory, and in order to establish a "fear of god" within the army, religious services were held in the military camps twice a day and anyone not attending would be punished.
But there are also court documents from this era showing that some soldiers stood accused of having made pacts with the Devil with the intent of receiving strength and protection in war, as well as luck and prosperity, in exchange for one's own blood and other offerings. A central part of this process was the sacrament of the Eucharist. Once consecrated by the priest, the bread of communion becomes the Host or body of Jesus Christ, elevated to something beyond its mere forms and imbued with magical powers.
There were different methods to employ the Host for sorcerous ends. One of the most common ways was to simply conduct one's magical rites after having partaken of the sacrament in church, as it was believed that one's own magical abilities were at their strongest by then. Another approach was to steal it from church and give it as an offering to the Devil or other spirits summoned for the work at hand.
The Host serves as Portrait's first album to feature guitarist Karl Gustafsson as part of the band's lineup and was recorded in JFK Studio in Sweden. Mixing and production tasks were handled by singer Per Lengstedt at his own Perilous Productions Studio while mastering was handled by Bart Gabriel.
The record will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
- Multicolored Splatter - Ltd. 200
- White Black Marbled - Ltd. 300
- 180-gram Black
- Burgundy Red Marbled
"Hoc Est Corpus Meum" (Intro)
"The Blood Covenant"
"The Sacrament"
"Oneiric Visions"
"One Last Kiss"
"Treachery"
"Sound The Horn"
"Dweller Of The Threshold"
"Die In My Heart"
"Voice Of The Outsider"
"From The Urn"
"The Men Of Renown"
"Sword Of Reason (The Steel Of Revenge)"
"The Passions Of Sophia"
Today, Norwegian progressive metal masters, Rendezvous Point, release their third full-length album, Dream Chaser, via Long Branch Records.
The 5-piece around Leprous drummer Baard Kolstad, keyboardist Nicolay Tangen Svennæs, singer Geirmund Hansen, guitarist Petter Hallaråker and bass player Gunn-Hilde Erstad continues to push boundaries with more concise songwriting and a wider focus on groove, riffs, melodies, and hooks.
Rendezvous Point invites listeners to join them on their journey to explore the complexities of modern existence and the depths of emotional turmoil. To celebrate the album's release, the band shared a new music video for the song, "Presence". Watch below, and order the album here.
Erik Grönwall (ex-Skid Row) has released the new video below, stating: "'God's Gonna Cut You Down' is an old traditional American folk song, however I was mostly inspired by Johnny Cash's version. Thank you to @REACHSWEDEN for the inspiration and idea to this cover."
Pure Reason Revolution return with their sixth studio album, Coming Up To Consciousness, released on September 6 via InsideOutMusic. Betrayal, deception, fear, grief, mortality, and questions of sanity: heady and primordial themes animate the latest conceptual LP from Pure Reason Revolution.
Jon Courtney comments: “Spawned from the bereavement after my dog was put down, a numb & dry creative spell ensued, but after a meeting with my writer friend Craig Walker (Archive/Power of Dreams) & sharing how the last months had been, he urged me to get this experience down in lyrics & music. Suddenly the album flew out of me/us! In terms of recording process, this album was probably the most enjoyable to make, with the various collaborations firing creativity.”
To mark the announcement, the band have also launched the albums first single and opening track, "Dig Till You Die". You can watch the Thomas Hicks-directed video below.
Coming Up To Consciousness is the third of its post-hiatus renaissance records that began with 2020's Eupnea and continued in 2022's Above Cirrus. Like those two predecessors, the new record is intensely personal. Its eight tracks are all between four and seven minutes long - concise by PRR standards - and they grapple with darkness of various kinds.
Courtney, who lives in Berlin, shared writing duties on several tracks with US-based Greg Jong. The pair formed Pure Reason Revolution together in the early 00s at the University of Westminster, creating breakout hit "The Bright Ambassadors of Morning" as their third year project. They reconnected during the creation of Eupnea and have continued the partnership since then both in the studio and on stage. Legendary session musician Guy Pratt, who has worked with Pink Floyd among myriad iconic acts, provided bass guitar on seven of the eight tracks, resulting in more ambitious bass lines than any of Pure Reason Revolution's previous records. Meanwhile, Ravi Kesavaram, of My Vitriol fame, returns to the drums on this record after touring with the band in 2022.
Another newcomer on this record is vocalist Annicke Shireen, known for her work with Shireen and Heilung, as well as her solo project. Shireen stepped in after original PRR member and fan favourite Chloe Alper was unavailable for recent live shows. With Alper's schedule remaining packed for the foreseeable future, she has been unable to rejoin the lineup. She and Courtney agreed it made more sense for Shireen to sing on the record if she was going to continue appearing in shows. Both Courtney and Jong have nothing but enthusiasm for working with her:
"They're impossible shoes to fill in a lot of ways," Greg Jong says. "But we were just blown away with how good she is. We were really excited by the fact that vocally she does have a similar tone to Chloe, and yet she definitely holds her own.”
The band was equally thrilled to work with multiple members of prog icon The Pineapple Thief; the record was mixed by Bruce Soord, mastered by Steve Kitch, and sees Jon Sykes playing bass on one track. Coming Up To Consciousness is also the third PRR album to feature cover art by Jill Tegan Doherty, who Courtney originally met in Berlin on a German language course.
The album will be available as a Limited CD+DVD Digipak (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound & High Resolution Stereo Mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, as well as a Gatefold ReVinyl LP (Recycled Vinyl), and digitally in both stereo and Dolby Atmos.
"Prelude: Coming up to Consciousness"
"Dig Till You Die"
"Interlude 1"
"Betrayal"
"The Gallows"
"Interlude 2"
"Useless Animal"
"Interlude 3"
"Worship"
"Interlude 4"
"Bend the Earth"
"Lifeless Creature"
"Interlude 5"
"As We Disappear"
Kreator performed at the 2023 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, and you can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band performing the tracks "People Of The Lie", "666 - World Divided", and "Hail To The Hordes".
Kreator recently released their new boxset featuring Enemy Of God / Hordes Of Chaos remastered, including Kreator comics and a Kreator Demon mask.
The set is available via Nuclear Blast Records. Order here, and watch an official lyric video for the band's cover of Bad Religion's "You Are The Government" below.
Enemy Of God was originally released in 2005 via Steamhammer and Hordes Of Chaos in 2009 through Steamhammer.
Against The Grave is an aggression soaked, vigorously infectious, groove metal band from Los Angeles, California, expanding the metal genre in a direction very few go.
"Living The End" is the latest single from the group – premiered exclusively through BraveWords. Against The Grave has, for the third time, teamed up with the director of their "Killing Us Slowly" and "Anthem Embattled" videos, Nathan Karma Cox. The band and director were able to take their collective vision to an even more visually powerful height with the dark, mysterious nightmare-scape metal music video for their aggressive, viscous track “Living The End”.
Guitarist Andrea Martis says, “We started out using 'Living The End' as an intro for our shows, a punch in the face to kicks things off, but after that, we soon knew we had to expand it into a full song.” For the video, Martis explains "We brought back the monsters again! This time we went for a very dark, evil vibe to match the darkness of the song"
Vocalist Jordan Gaw shares "Dark curiosity, massive aggression, and this evil mystery thing with our monsters gave us visuals that feel like a haunted metal nightmare." Regarding the latest single 'Living The End," Gaw adds “This is one of those tunes that wrote itself, it persisted to be recognized, lyrically a metaphor for the times we’re currently in with a stylistic direction of industrial metal."
“Bleeding You", their second single, is another glimpse at the horsepower and pure hook resonating from the depths of a grimy downtown Los Angeles rehearsal studio.
“That drum fill leading to the gallop with the groovy riff is so sick, and such a great hook, this song is one the first things that drew me to the band" - Michael Morrone
Against The Grave premiered a video for the track "Anthem Embattled” in November 2023, showcasing ATG’s signature style...blood pumping and adrenaline inducing riffage with pummeling rhythms and beats.
“After tearing up stages around Hollywood with this track, we’re finally ready to unleash 'Anthem Embattled’. Psyched to not only be releasing a sonically kick ass recording but also an insanely wild video. It’s just simply furious, a groove metal track with a truck load of energy and immersive visuals of the desert just north of us! Blessed to have had Nate bring that energy to our eyes and Nicky & Ulrich to have cranked it for our ears. Check it out!" – Jordan Gaw
Against The Grave recently were featured on Sirius XM’s Liquid Metals Corridor of Covers with their heavy take on Depeche Mode's “Wrong” from the B-side of their haunting release “The Death Of Trust”.
"'Wrong' was a creative challenge taking a synth tune and giving that metal vibe, then transforming it again live." - George Arguello
Against The Grave's groove-dominated metal draws influence and features familiar sounds from legendary artists such as Slipknot, Rob Zombie, and Pantera. But make no mistake, this music is an explosive version all on its own.
Catch Against The Grave unleashed live on June 22 at the legendary Whisky A Go Go to celebrate the release of “Living The End” and welcome their new drummer to the fold.
"It's gonna be a party of heavy metal celebration, I cannot wait to get that stage lit with Mike, tighten up those live chops, let's go!" - Jay Dot CA
Against The Grave is:
Jay Dot CA - bass
Andrea Martis - guitar
Jordan Gaw - vocals
George Arguello - guitar
Michael Morrone - drums
Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse have announced that their self-titled debut album will be released worldwide on July 19 via BraveWords Records.
"Metal" Tim Henderson of BraveWords Records, "The killer is on the loose again and original Iron Maiden singer Paul D’Anno is riding his Warhorse into new battles with eyes of fire and a fighting spirit. Wrath children pay attention!"
Paul Di'Anno speaking about his new album, "Paul Di'Anno's Warhorse is my first studio project after many years of being away from the studio and not performing. I remember when we announced that we were recording an album in Croatia with completely unknown musicians, many were shocked and no one knew in which direction we would go. Warhorse exudes pure energy and reflects everything I went through while recording the album."
Hrvoje Madiraca adds, "This record is a product of hard work combined with the voice of the man, the myth and the legend of our dear Wrathchild! Old school metal you want. That is what you'll get!"
Ante Pupacic, known as Pupi continues, "When it comes to music, I've done all sorts of things, but I'm particularly proud of this album. Two years of work, composing, arranging, recording, editing, deleting, and so on. We went through all kinds of emotions, from euphoria to agony. Each song was carefully polished to achieve its current form. On the album, everyone added their touch, both Hrvoje and I, in terms of lyrics, music, and production, all ennobled by the powerful vocals of our legend, Paul Di'Anno."
Praise for the three song Warhorse EP with songs pulled from the full-length album:
The instrumental passages are very reminiscent of the great times of the NWOBHM. - The Dark Melody
Paul sings like never before and in a way that will surprise and leave all his fans speechless. - The Dark Melody
‘Old school heavy metal has never sounded so fucking good! - Metal Gods TV
Warhorse needed to make a huge impact, and immediately – the band doing just that with more force and energy than the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs over sixty five million years ago! - Metal Gods TV
I for one fucking love it – where’s the queue start for the bands album, I wanna be right at the front! - Metal Gods TV
A red hot scorching barrage of galloping heavy metal, highly head bang-able and incredibly infectious. - Metal Gods TV
The Beast is very much back. - Music News Monthly
He has come back fighting... a stunning example of how heavy metal should be. - Music News Monthly
Tracklisting:
“Warhorse”
“Get Get Ready”
“Go”
“Stop The War”
“The Doubt Within”
“Here Comes The Night”
“Tequila”
“Forever Bound”
“Precious”
“Going Home”
“Here Comes The Night” video:
Warhorse:
Paul Di´Anno – Vocals
Hrvoje Madiraca – Guitars
Ante Pupačić Pupi – Guitars
Guest Musicians:
Becky Baldwin (Bass Guitar on songs: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9)
Petar Šantić (Drums on songs: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10), (Bass guitar on song 10)
Joe Lazarus (Drums on song 1)
Andro Banovac (Backing Vocals on songs: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Danijel Stojan (Drums on song 5)
Nikolina Belan (Backing Vocals on song 9)
DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess has announced his brand new solo album, "Permission To Fly", due on September 6, 2024 via InsideOut Music.
No stranger to experimentation, known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries, Rudess's latest endeavor epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
As Jordan explains: "The essence of the album is deeply informed by the tumultuous events of 2023-2024, with motifs of peace and anti-violence woven throughout many of the songs."
To mark the announcement, Rudess has launched the epic new track "The Alchemist", with a video by Wayne Joyner. Check it out below.
While some previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision. The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (DEVIN TOWNSEND) on drums and Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.
With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter.
"All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana," Jordan says. "While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job."
"Permission To Fly" will be available as a limited CD digipak and gatefold 180g 2LP (both including bonus material),as well as digitally.
01. The Final Threshold (04:08)
02. Into The Lair (09:31)
03. Haunted Reverie (05:14)
04. The Alchemist (08:36)
05. Embers (04:03)
06. Shadow Of The Moon (05:29)
07. Eternal (08:53)
08. Footstep In The Snow (04:02)
09. Dreamer (05:03)
10. Incarnation (03:31) (bonus track)
11. Chopin Fm (05:33) (bonus track)
Listen to the previously released track "Embers" below.
Jordan recently made his live debut with Darby Todd and That Joe Payne, with two rapturously received sets on the 2024 edition of Cruise To The Edge, also marking the live premiere of "Embers".
Renowned as the "Best Keyboardist Of All Time" by Music Radar magazine, Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band DREAM THEATER. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School Of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.
Beyond his role in DREAM THEATER and the power group LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, Jordan's musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From DEEP PURPLE and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman),Steven Wilson's BLACKFIELD, guest appearances with DEEP PURPLE and THE DIXIE DREGS and collaborations with artists like Enrique Iglesias, THE PAUL WINTER CONSORT, Annie Haslam, and many others, underscore the breadth of his musical reach.
Venturing into the realm of cutting-edge technology, Jordan has emerged as a pioneer with a focus on state-of-the-art keyboard controllers and music apps. As the owner of the highly successful iOS app development company Wizdom Music, he has spearheaded the creation of award-winning apps, including GeoShred, MorphWiz, SampleWiz, Vythm, Polywave, Jam With Jordan and SampleWiz 2. GeoShred, Wizdom Music's latest triumph, was a collaborative effort with moForte, founding members of Stanford University's Sondius team. Rudess is currently working on an AI interactive project as Visiting Artist at MIT's Media Lab in the Responsive Environments group.
Theatrical emo rock group THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT delivers massive riffs and a driving chorus while evoking a sense of fear on its new track "Suffocate City" featuring guest vocals from Spencer Charnas of horror-themed active rock outfit ICE NINE KILLS. Out digitally today (Friday, June 21),"Suffocate City" is the second sample of new music from THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT's upcoming album, due via Better Noise Music later this year. It follows the track "You're So Ugly When You Cry" — an upbeat anthemic pop-punk song which features Bert McCracken of two-times-RIAA-platinum-certified group THE USED.
"'Suffocate City' speaks to our listeners' sense of fear," says THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT vocalist Lee Jennings. "The fear of being stuck in a dead-end job, a dead-end relationship, or a dead-end financial situation. The fear of 'never getting out' is a ubiquitous experience that anyone can connect and relate to."
Charnas comments: "Thrilled to team up with our good friends THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT on their track 'Suffocate City'. We had a killer time working with them on the song and the accompanying music video. Check it out now."
Lauded as one of Alternative Press's "100 Bands You Need to Know," THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT have relentlessly toured across the country building an unwavering fanbase with their extravagant theatrics, stage décor and even costumed actors while opening for acts including SHINEDOWN, ICE NINE KILLS, UNDEROATH, SKILLET, FROM ASHES TO NEW, STARSET, PVRIS and ISSUES. This summer/fall, they'll hit the road on an arena tour with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, MARILYN MANSON and SLAUGHTER TO PREVAIL from August 2 to September 19. THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT will also appear at a handful of one-off shows as direct support to MARILYN MANSON and will conclude the run with festival appearances at Louder Than Life and Aftershock.
Loud buzzing is music to the ear of most metalheads. But Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren and guitarist Sylvain Demercastel are so enraged by the sound of chainsaws destroying Costa Rica's ecosystem that they've started Savage Lands, a musician-run 501 (c) 3 non-profit.
Savage Lands have protected 60,000 square feet of Costa Rican rainforest using royalties from their music. Next week, they're planting their ecological flag at Hellfest with a little help from some of their famous friends.
Savage Lands Live at Hellfest (Main Stage 02)
Friday, June 28 - 5:35 - 6:30 PM CEST
Featuring special guests:
- Andreas Kisser (Sepultura)
- Shane Embury (Napalm Death)
- Vincent Dennis (Body Count)
- Daniel de Jongh (Textures)
- Silje Wergeland (The Gathering)
- Jesper Liveröd (Nasum)
- Alejandro Montoya (Cultura tres)
- Chloe Trujilo
During their hour-long set at Hellfest, Savage Lands will perform classic metal covers along with other songs off their upcoming album, including new single "No Remedy", which features Heilung's Maria Franz.
Watch the chilling video for "No Remedy" below, stream the track here.
Whether they're planting trees or holed away in the studio, Savage Lands foster the spirit of collaboration. Recently, they made history by signing a joint manifesto that addresses the need for forest and wildlife preservation. This marks the first time that three active Costa Rican / US-based non-profits have officially banded together over a shared mission statement.
"No Remedy" follows the same approach, though to different results than Savage Land's first two singles. Sylvain still comes speeding out the gate with another burning riff that will ignite the crowd at Hellfest, but this is the most melodic song they've ever written. When the band hit the chorus, the guitars don't crunch but crest into warm, washed-out power chords.
"That's one of the beautiful things about Savage Lands", Sylvain says. "As a band, we're not limited to just one genre. We can adapt to boost the strengths of whoever is joining us".
Black Bomb A experts know Poun for his explosive screams, but on "No Remedy", he simmers down in service of guest vocalist Maria Franz. Heilung are also partnering with Savage Lands by donating $1 for every ticket sold on their 2024 US tour to support their reforestation efforts, but their faithful followers might be surprised to hear that her soothing clean singing fits right at home with a heavy metal band.
"Supporting what Savage Lands is doing on the ground in Costa Rica was an easy decision" Maria says. After all, Heilung have a tradition of donating to tree planting initiatives. "But when Sylvain sent me 'No Remedy', there was a sense of melancholy to the song that really resonated with me".
Protecting the environment is the heartbeat of every Savage Lands song. "No Remedy" can be seen as a reflection on destroying the planet. The video was shot in an abandoned, run-down building that was once owned by Napoleon. But the song speaks to other human concerns. "I am locked in my head / And I lost the key", Poun bemoans, his quiet desperation only answered by Maria's haunting echo ("Never, never now").
"We are all helpless to stop the passing of time", Sylvain says. At the end of the video, the band members disappear from the screen, one by one, using an old-school film technique. "Each of us is left with only our memories".
Still, "No Remedy" does find a silver lining. "What do we need to live together?" Poun and Maria sing, their voices climbing, almost circling each other, before locking into perfect harmony. They might look mad as hell while yelling at each other across the kitchen table, but the whole video crew was in stitches after the sixth take of Maria throwing water on poor Poun. "Whether we're talking about the environment or our friendships, it's vital that we appreciate what we have during our time on this earth", Sylvain says.
Just listening to "No Remedy" helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song's royalties fund the musician-run non-profit's preservation efforts in Costa Rica. Donations can also be made, here.
The Crazyscorps YouTube channel has uploaded professionally filmed video of SCORPIONS' June 15 performance at the Rock In Rio Lisboa festival at Parque Tejo in Lisbon, Portugal. Check it out below.
Featured songs:
* The Zoo
* I'm Leaving You
* Crossfire
* Bad Boys Running Wild
* Delicate Dance
* Send Me An Angel
* Wind Of Change
* Tease Me Please Me
* The Same Thrill
* New Vision
* Blackout
* Big City Nights
* Still Loving You
* Rock You Like A Hurricane
During an April 12 appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker confirmed that there was no more talk of retirement within the band, as there was back in 2010 with what was purported to be a final album and a farewell tour that never quite took hold. He said: "You have to think about that what we didn't know when we made [that] farewell tour [almost 15 years ago], it was exactly the time when WhatsApp came up, when all this new technology [on the] Internet came, that people watching the SCORPIONS on WhatsApp and seeing young kids between 16 and 24 or whatever, [they were] finding [out about] the SCORPIONS. So, and what was happening on the final tour, on the tour, kids were in front of the stage. We said, 'What's happening here?' The older [fans] were up in the balcony or whatever, and we said, 'Hey, it's a complete new feeling on stage.' So then 'MTV Unplugged' came and then we said, 'Hey…' The chemistry was right, no question about this. That's a very important point, when the band has a great chemistry. And then you have fun when you go on the road."
Last September, Rudolf also seemingly dismissed any talk of possible retirement but acknowledged that SCORPIONS would not be able to continue indefinitely. The 75-year-old guitarist told Vikram Chandrasekar of Tales From The Road: "It's not a never-ending road. The road will be finished sooner or later; it's up to you and to our gods. But in 2025, that could be a great time for our 60th anniversary. 2025, it's the time when SCORPIONS is 60 years old. So, then, to celebrate 60 years of SCORPIONS could be a possibility, because I'm in contact with our very old drummer, who was playing on [SCORPIONS' 1972 debut album] 'Lonesome Crow', and the bass player, and use them also on stage to see the different kind of states we went through. Because we are very much connected still in all the different musicians, and that shows again, when we can make it, that music is always there for making friendships."
Back in May 2022, SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine told Jorge Botas of Portugal's "Metal Global": "We scratched that word [retirement] out of our [vocabulary]. It's not there. We don't think about it and we don't talk about it and we take it as it comes.
"We're just growing older and we do what we do and we hope our fans enjoy it as much as we do," Klaus continued. "But who would have thought we're still around after celebrating 50 years of being recording artists — our first album came out in 1972 and now 'Rock Believer' looks like it hits the big time with the fans and so many positive reviews from all over the world. And after all these years, who would have thought? And it's a wonderful thing.
"But all we know is [that] the road ahead is way shorter than what's behind us," Meine added. "And we never take it for granted — we never take success for granted. We work hard on what we do because we still love it and we still enjoy it. But it's what it is. And I think every artist knows what I'm talking about, because to go out there, play a great show for the fans and not let 'em down, it takes a lot of preparation, takes a lot of work. And being the singer, you try to make sure your pipes are in a good condition.
"It's a lot of things," Meine said. "And we don't know what the future will bring. Take a look at the next corner, and you never know what's going on. But right now, life is good. We have a great new album out there. And we have a lot of fun. We enjoy it."
Meine previously discussed SCORPIONS' aborted retirement in a 2018 interview with SiriusXM. "The thing is we have a much different view now," Klaus said. "And it's a young generation — that's the fuel that keeps us going, and it's really motivating.
"To be honest, every other year, you take a look around the corner: 'Can we do this?' 'Can we still deliver on the same high level, the way we used to do it?'" he admitted. "And that's the only way, and it's only fun if you can go out there and play a great rock show, wherever you do it. Like in the last couple of weeks, we had so much fun. But then you get sick on the road, like I did last year with the severe laryngitis. What can you do? There's not a chance. And then sometimes, of course, you ask yourself, 'How long can we do this?' Especially for singers — and I know I'm not the only one. But it's always, sometimes you ask yourself, 'Klaus, c'mon, how long can you keep up this level?' And then you go out there, everything feels good."
Circling back to SCORPIONS' 2010 "farewell tour" announcement, Klaus told SiriusXM: "Of course, we had our moment of doubt when we said, 'Okay. Maybe we should retire. Maybe this is a good moment.' And then we realized we were wrong, because there's still a lot of sting in the tail, so to speak, and it still feels good. There's such a demand for the SCORPIONS, and we're one of the few bands who play this global stage. If there wasn't this kind of demand, of course, there's no point after so many years, and you'd better go, 'Well, I go home and take it easy.' But there's such a strong demand and that really feels good and challenging — it's a challenge. Of course, you don't do it for the business. It's a good business, yes, but you don't do it for the business and for the money — you do it for the fun, you do it for what's inside of you, what's in your blood, what's in your veins, and that's the rock and roll music. And you wanna go out and play in front of an audience, because that's what it's all about."
SCORPIONS' only continuous member has been Schenker, although Meine has appeared on all of the band's studio albums, while guitarist Matthias Jabs has been a consistent member since 1978, and bassist Paweł Mąciwoda and drummer Mikkey Dee have been in the band since 2003 and 2016, respectively.
SCORPIONS' latest album, "Rock Believer", was released in February 2022. The album was recorded primarily at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany and was mixed at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany with engineer Michael Ilbert, who has earned multiple Grammy nominations for his mix work with producer Max Martin on albums by Taylor Swift and Katy Perry.
Ross Valory today (June 20) marks the summer solstice by rolling out a dazzling video for his interpretation of funk-rockers WAR's classic cruising anthem "Low Rider". It's one of the highlights from the former JOURNEY bassist and songwriter's current debut solo album, "All Of The Above" (OID Music). Watch the video below.
"Low Rider" is another visually colorful delight directed by Michael Cotten, who lensed the album's three other videos.
Says Ross: "Michael Cotten has done exceptional work on the videos for every song on the album. It may be obvious to all that he is greatly inspired by my music. Michael and I are naturally in sync. Michael hears what I see. He sees what I hear. And, likewise! With the exception of a few strategic edits recommended on my part, Michael Cotten ran with the ball on this song from the beginning."
Cotten outlines how he envisioned the video: "We could say that this visual treatment of the classic song is an homage to the great tradition of Mexican/American car culture. We wanted to heighten the brilliant baroque sensibility that Lowrider cars and bikes display!"
"Low Rider" gets a sturdy makeover as Ross is joined by Josh Ramos of THE STORM providing the proper Puerto Rican vocals. Hall Of Famer Gregg Errico of SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE handles drums, with additional percussion by Karl Perazzo from Carlos Santana's band. Canadian reality TV star Les Stroud, the original "Survivorman", an old friend of Valory's, adds harmonica, and Marc Russo ties everything together on soprano sax, which by the end of the track, turns into a party. The other players lighting up "Low Rider" are Eric Levy (ogan, clavinet, synth) and guitarist Vernon "Ice" Black.
What was Ross's inspiration to cover "Low Rider"? He says: "As I had just completed the basic tracks, in 2018, for the first cover tune, 'Incident at Neshabur/Senior Blue', I said to the boys that there was one more cool cover tune that I had always wanted to do. They all said, 'let's do it.'
"I first arranged the session by inviting Greg Errico, who was the perfect drummer for the song," Ross continues. "Les 'Survivorman' Stroud, who recorded the harp, just happened to be passing through town. I brought in guitarist Josh Ramos, who has the perfect voice for this song, to cut the vocal tracks. The basic tracks were completed with Vernon 'Ice' Black, who brought the perfect touch for such a tune. The overdubs were completed by veterans Marc Russo, on saxes, and Karl Perazzo on percussion. The whole recording experience was fast and easy, as a song like 'Low Rider' should be!
"Low Rider" marks the fourth video and track from the debut album from one of rock's best bass guitarists and an original member of the multi-platinum band JOURNEY. It follows the album's three previous videos which Cotten created for "Tomland" (the album's hypnotic first single),"Wild Kingdom" (with its Latin-fired intensity),and "Windmill" (defined by its Brazilian flair).
"All Of The Above" was produced by Valory and co-produced by Eric Levy and Jacob Stowe. The nine tracks on the album represent the full maturity of Valory's musical gifts, cutting a broad swath through the instrumental territory the music travels. He plays keyboards, guitar, and, of course, many basses in a display of cultivated virtuosity across a palette far broader than could be found in his work with JOURNEY. He is stepping out from behind his bass and, for the first time in his more than half-century as a professional musician, representing his vision and his compositions.
Valory left JOURNEY in 2020 and the band members worked out their issues in a peaceful mediated settlement. Valory, who spent most of his life as a member of JOURNEY, has no regrets. He counts his blessings at having spent an amazing career with a remarkable group of musicians who succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
Mr. Big have released "Up On You", the second single from their upcoming tenth studio album, Ten, out Friday, July 12 via Frontiers Music Srl. In a tribute to their late drummer Pat Torpey, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, and bassist Billy Sheehan have enlisted the exceptional talents of Nick D'Virgilio on drums for Ten, which was produced by Jay Ruston and Mr. Big
About the new single, Eric had this to say: "Who says Rock & Roll has to be serious? Most of the videos that we've done over the years have had a bit of humor in it. In our live show, at the end of the set, we do this thing that we call 'The Switcheroo' where we change instruments. I’m on bass, Billy sings, Nick plays guitar and Paul rocks the drums… it’s a lot of fun and the crowd goes wild. So the concept for the video was simple 'Do The Switcheroo and go bat shit crazy for a couple hours'."
Watch the video for "Up On You" below:
In the midst of their final tour - The BIG Finish - Mr. Big, inspired by the legions of fans that shared in their goodbye over the past year, wanted to say a final farewell with the undertaking of a brand-new studio album. Culminating over three decades of musical partnership, Martin, Gilbert, and Sheehan, with the help of D’Virgilio, ignite their spark once more and take a new form with the forthcoming Ten.
Eric Martin comments on Ten: “This new album doesn't copy anything from the 9 previous studio records its all new stuff from scratch.. this is raw, unadulterated riff rock and blues with all the Mr. Big trimmings.”
You can pre-order the album in various configurations here.
The Limited Edition 180g Color Vinyl LP comes with an A2 band poster, available in only 1,000 pieces.
Tracklisting:
"Good Luck Trying"
"I Am You"
"Right Outta Here"
"Sunday Morning Kinda Girl"
"Who We Are"
"As Good As It Gets"
"What Were You Thinking"
"Courageous"
"Up On You"
"The Frame"
"See No Okapi" (Instrumental - Japan Bonus Track)
"Good Luck Trying" video:
Mr. Big drummer Nick D'Virgilio will miss most of the upcoming European / UK leg of the band's The BIG Finish! Tour due to commitments with his other band, Big Big Train. D'Virgilio will be temporarily replaced by Edu Cominato, a drummer from São Paulo, Brazil who has previously played with Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan and singer Eric Martin, as well as Jeff Scott Soto and Geoff Tate, amongst others.
This past Friday, June 14, Mr. Big released the following statement via social media: "As we prepare to hit the road for another EU / UK leg of our The BIG Finish! Tour, drummer Nick D'Virgilio, due to commitments with his band Big Big Train, is unable to be with us the first part of the run. He will rejoin us for the final week — August 13th onward. In Nick's absence, we are excited to announce that Brazilian drummer, Edu Cominato, will fill in and rock with us July 13 - August 13!"
Confirmed dates for the European / UK leg of Mr. Big's The BIG Finish! Tour are as listed:
dqjM2A" title="Mr. Big "Good Luck Trying" - Official Music Video" width="600">
Германия
Lord of the Lost![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
Швеция
Норвегия
Великобритания
США
Франция
Канада
