Hot off the heels of a very successful European mini-tour with The Ocean – French cinematic metal heads Hypno5e have released a brand new video for the track “South Shore - Blind Man's Eye”, taken from their new album Shores Of The Abstract Line (2016 Pelagic Records).
Clocking in at a whopping 15 minutes, the video represents the final chapter in the Shores Of The Abstract Line album odyssey.
Written and directed by singer and film director Emmanuel Jessua, the video also includes clips from his yet to be released short film Cerbere as well as outtakes from his upcoming independent movie debut El alba, Les ombres errantes (2017), filmed in Bolivia.
Sao Paulo traditional heavy metal act Primator has released a video for “To Mars”, a track written by Dark Avenger vocalist Mario Linhares. The band released their debut album Involution in 2015.
The collaboration between Primator and Linhares became closer when the band and Dark Avenger shared the stage at a show in San Paulo in April 2015. Linhares produced Primator’s debut album and also wrote the song “To Mars”.
Produced by Daniel de Sá, the video for "To Mars" occurred at Pedreira do Icatu, in Votorantim/Brazil at the same disabled mine that was used in 2012 for a memorable show of Focus, the legendary Dutch progressive rock band.
Gruesome have released a music video for the title track of their forthcoming Dimensions Of Horror EP. Dimensions Of Horror is due out May 20th on CD, LP, cassette and digitally worldwide. Pre-orders are available at Relapse Records. The new video can be found below.
Self-produced by the band and recorded with Jarrett Pritchard at New Constellation Studios in Orlando, FL, Dimensions Of Horror is a gruesome salute to Death’s iconic Scream Bloody Gore. and once again features cover art by the legendary Ed Repka (Death, Atheist, Massacre). A six-song slab of grisly, bone-breaking death metal jams, Dimensions Of Horror continues the development of Gruesome’s homage to the founding fathers of the genre and proves that no matter the decade, old-school death metal is always relevant, always savage, and always irresistible.
Tracklisting:
“Forces Of Death”
“Raped By Darkness”
“Amputation”
“Hellbound”
“Seven Doors”
“Dimensions Of Horror”
Canada’s Mortillery have released a music video for “Torture”, a track from their their upcoming third album, Shapeshifter, set to be released on May 27th via Napalm Records. The new clip can be found below.
Mortillery are on a mission to deliver true thrash metal. They stand out with their smashing riffage, raw energy and dynamic female vocals.
Canada's Headstones kicked off 2016 with the release of a 12" vinyl EP featuring the title track, "Fuck It", and the B-side "One By One". The band has released a video for "One by One", which can be viewed below.
The Sound Of Music Festival in Burlington, Ontario presents The Cult, Headstones, The Glorious Sons and more on June 11th, 2016. More artists will be announced in the coming weeks for this full day of music.
Go to this location for details and ticket links, check out the event page here for updates.
Corners Of Sanctuary (COS) has announced the official release of their latest music video "Tomorrow Never Comes". The song appears on their current album, Metal Machine, released via Metalizer Records from Germany. The new video is the third installment in the album's film campaign following last December's "Left Scarred" and March's "Wrecking Ball" releases.
Corners of Sanctuary guitarist Mick Michaels has checked in with the following comment: "It has been such a positive experience for us, as a unit and as individuals, to work in a medium that visually creates a new interpretation and perspective to the music. Videos like these offer an artist yet another outlet to present their craft to a wider audience while at the same time elevating the creative prospects for future endeavors".
"Tomorrow Never Comes," as with the two previous videos, was produced and directed by Philadelphia-area Indie filmmaker Zen Say who stated: "’Tomorrow Never Comes’ centers on the entire group this time around. The previous films focused primarily on Frankie, at the request of the band, as a way to highlight his role as the front person. But this time we spaced things out."
When asked of his experience working with the band on three successive projects, Zen Say offered the following, "Having the honor and opportunity to work on a consecutive trilogy of music videos with Corners of Sanctuary has created a unique artistic experience for me and my medium," he continued. “They bring as much visually to the table as they do musically.”
COS bassist James Pera stated: The video was filmed on various historical outdoor locations within Montgomery County, located in the band's home state of Pennsylvania, over the course of a two-day guerrilla type shoot setting. Portions of the video were filmed under one of the county's oldest and tallest arch bridges. "There's uniqueness to the landscape here in PA... so much history. The energy is inspiring."
COS vocalist Frankie Cross added: "I simply love the fact that this video is another chapter in the COS Metal Machine book. The song itself is a darker rocker… heavier in substance, reflective and poignant… sometimes dealing with the juxtaposition of choice, fate and consequence. Making this video proved challenging. The desolate, unstable terrain proved to be the right setting, but presented its obstacles such as falling rocks, thorns and thistles, wild beasts, a roaring river, threatening natives… felt like the Road Warrior meets the Hungry Like the Wolf video. For art sake, we persevered. My band of warriors fought the good fight and at the end of the shoot, we patched our wounds, collected our dead and realized history was made!”
Corners Of Sanctuary is currently supporting Metal Machine with the Wrecking Ball Tour including a Midwest US excursion in May, along with performing as part of this summer's Metal Eternal Fest Tour followed by a US West Coast string of shows in the fall. A new crowdfunding page has been created to assist in supporting the band’s efforts and is now live, here.
Fans’ financial support is being gifted with several Official COS Metal Machine Merchandise Packages which include autographed photos and CDs, concert shirts, patches and supporters having their names listed on the COS website.
Dates:
May
12 - The Wire - Berwyn, IL
13 - The Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN
14 - New Dodge Lounge - Hamtramck, MI
21 - Diane’s Cafe - Pittston, PA
28 - Metal Eternal Fest Tour - Ardmore, PA
June
14 – Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
21 – The Fire – Philadelphia, PA
23 – Metal Eternal Fest – The Depot – Baltimore, MA
30 – OpiumFest – The Bar – New Bedford, MA
August
6 – Metal Eternal Fest – The Oddity Bar – Wilmington, DE
20 – The New Penny – Scranton, PA
September
9 – Cherry Street Station – Wallingford, CT
Apocalyptica have released a video for their cover of Metallica’s “Battery”. The track is available instantly with iTunes pre-orders for the upcoming remastered edition of the band’s Apocalyptica Plays Metallica By Four Cellos, due for release on July 22nd. Watch the new video below:
Apocalyptica are currently a US tour. Remaining dates are listed below.
May
10 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theatre
11 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live!
13 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues
14 - Tampa, FL - The Ritz Ybor
15 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
16 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
17 - Charlotte, NC - Amos' Southend
19 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
20 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
21 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
22 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero
Apocalyptica is coming to The Baltic Princess. On this once in a lifetime cruise, which sails from Turku to Stockholm on June 9th, you get to enjoy the band's music in two different gigs, both electric and unplugged.
The cruise program features Apocalyptica-themed content including a game show with a grand prize of a meet and greet with the band. Check out the video announcement:
The cruise program is as follows:
Day Of Departure:
7.30 PM (UTC +03:00) M/S Baltic Princess sets off from Turku
8.30–11.30 PM Heavy metal karaoke (at Iskelmä Bar)
8.30–11.30 PM Troubadour (at Pubi)
9.30–11.30 PM Rock DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
11.30 PM Apocalyptica (at Starlight Palace)
1.30–3.00 AM Tres Hooliganes (at Iskelmä Bar)
2.00–3.30 AM ROCK DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
1.00–3.30 AM Ship DJ (at Klubi)
Day Of Return:
10.30–12 AM Apocalyptica quiz (at Starlight Palace)
12.00 AM–1.00 PM Apocalyptica Bingo (at Starlight Palace)
1.00–3.00 PM Apocalyptica Meet & Greet (TBA)
2.00–3.45 PM Troubadour (at Pubi)
2.00–3.30 PM Rock DJ’s Sändi & Aleksanteri K. (at Starlight Palace)
3.30–4.30 PM Apocalyptica Unplugged (at Starlight Palace)
4.45–5.30 AM Los Bastardos Finlandeses (at Iskelmä Bar)
6.05pm (UTC +03:00) M/S Baltic Princess arrives in Turku
Further information can be found here; book your spot aboard the boat at this location.
LEAVES' EYES' video for the new version of the song "Edge Of Steel" — featuring the band's latest addition, singer Elina Siirala — can be seen below.
The new version of "Edge Of Steel" will appear on the earbook tour edition of LEAVES' EYES' latest album, "King Of Kings", which will be released in June. There will also be a U.S. edition of "King Of Kings" with the new version of "Edge Of Steel" as a bonus track.
Siirala, a Finnish vocalist who lives in London, England, made her live debut with LEAVES' EYES on April 17 at the Hammersonic festival in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The remaining members of LEAVES' EYES and their former singer, Liv Kristine, have offered different accounts of the circumstances behind their split, with LEAVES' EYES claiming the decision to part ways was amicably made in January and Liv saying she was dismissed from the group on April 6.
LEAVES' EYES said: "We understand that many fans and friends are surprised and shocked about the change in our band. We all know Liv had an important role for the band in the past, and we understand people are sad as it was not an easy decision for every one involved. But since a lot of hateful and disrespectful comments are in the social media, we would like to take the opportunity to make some points very clear: LEAVES' EYES has always been a band, and not a project, nor a Liv Kristine solo project at all. We always worked as a team in LEAVES' EYES. In the last decade Tosso [guitarist Thorsten Bauer] and Alex [Krull, LEAVES' EYES' co-vocalist and Liv's husband] wrote the music for LEAVES' EYES and Liv took care of the lyrics.
"Liv's solo project is called 'Liv Kristine.' We supported Liv also in her solo career, writing music, recording and producing albums and doing management in the past.
"The decision to part ways with Liv was taken by all LEAVES' EYES members, including Liv. A mediator — a friend of Liv and Alex — was at the band meeting who can witness that the decision of parting ways was agreed by all members. Liv was happy to have the opportunity to plan changes in her future life and she does not have to go on tour so much anymore. The idea to go separate ways came up already in January. Elina was not part of this decision or process. It was also agreed to help Liv for her solo project 'Liv Kristine' and record her new demo songs and her further projects at the studio just like in the past."
Shortly after the LEAVES' EYES statement was posted on April 16, Liv took to her personal Facebook page to thank the fans and to say: "I was told a bit longer than a week ago that I am not preferred as the band's singer for further tours and recordings anymore. I asked for the situation concerning Indonesia and the soon-to-happen upcoming shows. The answer was 'no.' I asked if there's a replacement and I got no clear answer."
She added: "I can't believe this process happened behind my back, parallel to a huge disappointment in my private life.
"A few days later, there certainly was a replacement. I must say — that was 'quick'!
"I still see LEAVES' EYES as 'my baby' and I will miss playing these gigs, feeling the good vibes, sensing the real Norwegian Viking power with the audiences. Inside my heart I will always treasure LEAVES' EYES for all the good music, tunes, themes, concept and true Viking power. The melodies I used to sing will always stay alive in my ears."
After a period of inactivity since 2007’s The Blue, which involved the departure of longstanding member Giuseppe Orlando, Novembre recently returned with a new set of potent and poignant tracks, effortlessly transitioning between soothing, epic, melancholy and intense, from what is one of the originators of the whole atmospheric death/doom scene. URSA was released on April 1st via Peaceville Records, and a new video for the album track “Annoluce” can now be seen below:
Headed by founding member and writer Carmelo Orlando, and with a reinvigorated musical alliance with Massimiliano Pagliuso, the lineup is completed by Fabio Fraschini (previously bassist on the Materia album), and David Folchitto on drums. There is also a special guest appearance from Anders Nyström of the Swedish Doom masters Katatonia, adding his own unique ‘cold’ touch to the album’s single track, “Annoluce”.
URSA was recorded at Blue Noise Studio, and PlayRec studio by Massimiliano Pagliuso, then mixed and mastered at Unisound Studios by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia, Bloodbath). Cover art comes courtesy of Travis Smith.
Tracklisting:
“Australis”
“The Rose”
“Umana”
“Easter”
“URSA”
“Oceans Of Afternoons”
“Annoluce”
“Agathae”
“Bremen”
“Fin”
Album stream:
“Umana” lyric video:
Carmelo Orlando comments on URSA: ”This album is a very important step in my life. It got me closer to what some may call ‘maturity’. I’ve been able to delve even deeper into the chasm of the subconscious and unearth gems I didn’t think existed. Lyrically and conceptually I explored new shores. I moved my ever-inwards headlights, and for the first time I dared to point them outwards, against the squalor of this Orwellian apocalypse we’re committing towards the Earth and its sons, on a daily basis, in quasi-total indifference. The album is indeed called URSA (the acronym for “Union des Républiques Socialistes Animales”), which was the title initially chosen for the French translation of George Orwell’s masterpiece novel Animal Farm.”
URSA is available to order on CD & LP at this location. Pre-orders from the Peaceville Store receive a free 3-track EP including an alternate version of “Annoluce”, plus two exclusive tracks.
The seeds of Novembre were originally planted in September 1990 in Rome, Italy. Then known as Catacomb, their early recordings of unusual gothic doom metal were to quickly gain the band interest. It was around 1993 that the band decided that a name change was in order, and Novembre was born, evolving into one of the premiere European atmospheric doom bands.
Supersonic Blues Machine featuring Fabrizio Grossi, Lance Lopez and Kenny Aronoff issued their debut release back on February 26th via Provogue / Mascot Label Group. The album features guest appearances from Billy F. Gibbons, Walter Trout, Warren Haynes, Robben Ford, Eric Gales, and Chris Duarte.
The group have released a music video for the track “Remedy” featuring Warren Haynes. Watch the new clip below:
Real blues is the music of life experience. It is simple, but contains multitudes - feelings and knowledge accrued over decades. Collectively, the trio of musicians that make up Supersonic Blues Machine (SBM) have experienced more than three typical lifetimes. These world-class musicians have banded together in Supersonic Blues Machine, bonding in their love of this uniquely American genre and motivated by a desire to help its spirit evolve.
Fabrizio Grossi (bass/producer/engineer/wordsmith) worked his artistry in his birthplace - Milan, Italy - before migrating to London, Canada, New York, and currently Los Angeles. Texan Lance Lopez (guitar/vocals) accrued at least one lifetime of experience before he was out of high school while playing bars in Louisiana and Florida. College came in the form of tours with R&B legend Johnny Taylor and blues masters Lucky Peterson and Bobby Blue Bland. Kenny Aronoff (drums) has a resume that spans four decades and reads like a “who’s who” of roots rock legends, including John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Eric Clapton, Jack White, Billy Gibbons, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, and Dr. John.
SBM stems from Fabrizio Grossi’s desire to return to his roots. “The blues is what makes me tick. It is the main ingredient of any successful musical recipe,” he explains. “It is like pasta in Italian food. You can add all the ingredients you like and any sauce, but the pasta is the core of the dish. I’m the chef and blues is my pasta.” Aronoff calls it “a blast from the past aimed at the future.” Says Grossi, “You will feel B.B. King’s presence on stage even though we might be wearing space suits.”
Grossi found a magical connection with Kenny Aronoff when the two toured as the rhythm section of Toto guitarist Steve Lukather’s side Jam band “Goodfellas.” The next step came when Lance Lopez contacted Grossi about working on the Texas guitar whiz’s new solo project. While they were recording, Grossi got a call from Billy Gibbons, whom he had met on a Los Angeles session. The ZZ Top guitarist had known Lopez as a young blues prodigy, and strongly suggested Grossi and Lopez join forces. It was the Reverend Billy G’s blessing that helped birth Supersonic Blues Machine, and a stronger imprimatur for a nascent blues-rock project would be hard to find.
The first tune recorded for the Supersonic Blues Machine project was “Running Whiskey,” written by Gibbons, Grossi, and Tal Wilkenfeld. It features Gibbons on guitar and vocals and helped forge the sound of this new blues-rock supergroup. “It had the twist on the blues that infuses all the other songs on the record,” says Grossi.
The guest guitarists on Supersonic Blues Machine’s debut West of Flushing South of Frisco are not a random selection of famous names, but more like members of an extended family. “I have worked on projects with Warren Haynes (guest and co-writer on “Remedy”), and when he tours anywhere near Dallas, he will always have Lance sit in,” Grossi explains.
Lopez and Chris Duarte (“That’s My Way”) have been friends for years, and the SBM guitarist grew up with guest Eric Gales (“Nightmares and Dreams”). Walter Trout (“Can’t Take It No More”) is yet another member of this blues fraternity who, despite battling health issues, was anxious to contribute to the project. Finally, Grossi describes Robben Ford (“Let’s Call It a Day”) as the “classiest guy” he knows. “All these people light up the room when they walk in,” he says.
European and North American tours are planned. “It was important for us to do this with people who can eventually join us live on stage when we tour,” says Grossi. “Every night will see different guests appearing. It will be like The Who’s Magic Bus tour.”
Supersonic Blues Machine marks a new page in the story of three creative musicians with a history of lending their prodigious talents to others. “Here, the artist is us, no boss to follow or established identities to be maintained,” says Aronoff. “We’re writing our own book, and when you have been blessed and enriched by having collaborated with so many significant artists, your vocabulary gets richer.” Adds Lopez: “We’re mixing all the shades of the blues with our personal sound.”
An anonymous sage once said, “We used to sing because crying didn’t seem to help much.” The blues is not just about experience. It is about creating catharsis to help people through the hard times. “Everyone on this record has fought through their own personal demons,” says Grossi. “This is the redemption record.”
Frontiers Music Srl will release JORN's new album, "Heavy Rock Radio", on June 3.
One of the greatest rock singers of our time, Jorn Lande returns with a unique album of covers of classics from artists and bands that have meant something special to him, and helped forge this talented man's own unique style.
The official video for Jorn's version of "Live To Win", which was originally recorded by KISS frontman Paul Stanley, can be seen below.
Through Jorn's extensive career, which includes more than 40 albums of mostly original songs, he has also recorded great versions of several rock classics such as THIN LIZZY's "Are You Ready", UFO's "On And On", DEEP PURPLE's "Perfect Strangers", and many more. Jorn also recorded a successful Ronnie James Dio tribute album, released in 2010. Every song JORN covers is treated with the utmost respect and "Jorn-ized" accordingly. A good example is his heavy sounding version of "I Walk Alone", first released by Tarja Turunen (ex-NIGHTWISH).
"Heavy Rock Radio" is not an ordinary album of cover songs; it is truly a songbook of hits. Featured — among others — are great versions of the EAGLES' "Hotel California" and Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill", which gets the Jorn style treatment to become very powerful and epic, without losing its commercial touch. More great classics included are John Farnham's "You're The Voice", QUEEN's "Killer Queen", and two absolute melodic rock evergreen gems in JOURNEY's "Don't Stop Believin'" and FOREIGNER's "Rev On The Red Line".
The original concept of the album was to create a sort of jukebox of radio hits, but to avoid leaning too much on the pop side of rock, JORN decided to blend the track listing with a few more up tempo rock tracks as well, such as "The Final Frontier" by IRON MAIDEN ("probably the closest you get to anything commercial with IRON MAIDEN," says Jorn), "Live To Win" by Paul Stanley (a song which was also featured on the popular television series "South Park"), and a few hard rock classics show up as well from DEEP PURPLE ("Stormbringer"), DIO ("Rainbow In The Dark") and BLACK SABBATH ("Die Young") to complete the mix.
Jorn says: "The most important thing was to treat these songs with respect towards the original versions. My goal was always to think that the original artist would be honored and find my version relevant. At the same time, my intention was never to try to compete with the original song and artist, but make it a strong alternative version to enjoy. At the same time, it is a well-deserved homage to these artists and bands who influenced me strongly, and I have wanted to record these songs for quite some time but was always too busy writing and recording my own songs to make it happen. Originally, I had a list of 40-50 songs I wanted to do, but I had to strip it down to about 15 songs before deciding on the final tracklist. This means that there are some unfinished business musically, and I will most likely record more of these songs in the future."
Since releasing the critically acclaimed Dracula "Swing Of Death" album last year, Jorn has also been working on an album of brand new songs, which will be the follow-up to the 2013 JORN album "Traveller", to be released in early 2017.
Jorn's catalogue is getting too long to include in brief press statements, and his innovative and creative skills have led to him selling millions of albums worldwide and being a frequent entry on sales charts around the world, including Billboard. Worth a mention is his years with MASTERPLAN, with whom he recorded three albums. Claimed to be the biggest selling Norwegian musical export, since the pop band A-HA, Jorn continues his rock crusade, and there are no signs of him slowing down yet.
The title "Heavy Rock Radio" came quite naturally, as the sound of this album feels like if it's tailor made for any rock radio station, and while Jorn's voice can be enjoyed on more than 40 albums in different rock and metal styles, this record is a special treat which will tide over all the fans waiting for the new original album which is being worked on at the moment.
"Heavy Rock Radio" track listing includes:
01. I Know There's Something Going On02. Running Up That Hill03. Rev On The Red Line04. You're The Voice05. Live To Win06. Don't Stop Believin'07. Killer Queen08. Hotel California09. Rainbow In The Dark10. The Final Frontier11. Stormbringer12. Die Young
Recording lineup:
Jorn Lande: VocalsTrond Holter: GuitarFrancesco Iovino: DrumsThomas Bekkevold: BassAlessandro Del Vecchio: Keyboards
Except as follows:
"Rainbow in the Dark"
Jimmy Iversen and Tore Moren - guitarNic Angileri - bassWilly Bendiksen - drums
UK metallers, Haken, have released a video for the track “Earthrise”, featured on their fourth full-length studio album, Affinity. The follow-up to their 2013 album The Mountain was released on April 29th.
Since releasing their Restoration EP in 2014, Haken have been making waves on the live circuit, including appearances at high-profile festivals such as Hellfest, Ramblin' Man Fair, Be Prog! My Friend and Cruise to the Edge as well as supporting the likes of Between The Buried & Me and The Neal Morse Band, a double headline UK tour with Leprous, and their first North American headline tour.
Recorded during the winter months of 2015, Affinity marks a new approach to the song-writing process for Haken, as vocalist Ross Jennings explains; "It is the most collaborative we have ever been on an album. We wanted to develop and expand our sound by having every member contribute initial ideas from the very beginning of the process. It naturally takes longer to filter through the mass of material and fit it all together coherently, but this approach has helped to create something completely fresh whilst maintaining the core elements of Haken's sound."
The band once again called upon Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Between The Buried And Me) for mixing and mastering duties. "He is a wizard in this department! We are always confident his mix will bring out the best from our performance and this is no exception," remarks keyboardist Diego Tejeida.
Like much of Haken's previous music, Affinity is full of surprises and “The Architect”, the album's centrepiece, is no exception. Blasting through a dizzying array of instrumental insanity coupled with down-tempo atmospheric tenuity, Haken welcomes friend and Leprous frontman Einar Solberg mid-song for a spot of guest vocals! Just one of many twists and turns throughout this 60-minute musical lobotomy, Haken's Affinity will open up a new dimension in this UK sextet's trajectory.
Affinity is available on Limited Edition Digipak (incl. bonus disc with instrumentals), 180g Gatefold 2 LP Edition (incl. album on CD), Standard CD Jewel Case, Digital Download and Deluxe Digital Download (incl. instrumental version of the album as bonus).
Tracklisting:
“affinity.exe”
“Initiate”
“1985”
“Lapse”
“The Architect”
“Earthrise”
“Red Giant”
“The Endless Knot”
“Bound By Gravity”
“The Endless Knot” lyric video:
“Initiate” video:
The band have confirmed their first European tour dates:
May
26 - London, England - The Garage
27 - Zoetermeer, Netherlands - Boerderij
29 - Paris, France - Divan du monde
30 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
31 - Lyon, France - Marché Gare
June
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Razz 2
3 - Madrid, Spain - Caracol
4 - Spain - Minnuendo Festival
6 - Milan, Italy - Legend Club
7 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
8 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
9 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal
10 - Berlin, Germany - Maschinenhaus
11 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresija
14 - Stockholm, Sweden - Bryggarsalen
15 - Oslo, Norway - John Dee
16 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Spillestedet Stengade
17 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo
18 - Cologne, Germany - Gebäude 9
19 - UK - Stone Free Festival
UGLY KID JOE's video for the song "Under The Bottom" can be seen below. The track features a guest appearance by MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Phil Campbell, who also appears in the clip.
"Under The Bottom" is taken from UGLY KID JOE's latest full-length album, "Uglier Than They Used Ta Be", which was released in North America in October 2015 via Metalville/UKJ Records. The CD was recorded at JT Studios and Balance Studios in Louisiana with producer (and UGLY KID JOE guitarist) Dave Fortman (SLIPKNOT, GODSMACK, EVANESCENCE).
Whitfield Crane (vocals) and Klaus Eichstadt (guitar) teamed up with Sonny Mayo (guitar), Shannon Larkin (drums), Zac Morris (drums), Cordell Crockett (bass) and Dave Fortman (guitar) to form the now seven-member lineup (a.k.a. "Seven-Headed Monster") and write and record in the studio. The result is the most cohesive sounding UGLY KID JOE record to date.
In addition to the nine newly written original songs, the album features a couple of cover songs, including RARE EARTH's version of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone", with Australian chart-topping vocalist Dallas Frasca lending her unmistakable vocals behind Crane, and the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades", with a very special guest appearance from Phil Campbell, who lends his signature sound to the timeless track. Campbell also appears on the songs "My Old Man" and the aforementioned "Under The Bottom".
UGLY KID JOE will embark on a 36-date European tour in the fall. Frontman Whitfield Crane says: "You can expect a kick-ass rock and roll show."
UGLY KID JOE released three full-length albums and toured extensively throughout the 1990s before disbanding in 1997. The group reunited in 2010.
Swedish metallers AVATAR have debuted yet another visually stunning music video, for their track "The Eagle Has Landed". Directed by longtime collaborator Johan Carlén, this is the first official music video we've seen from the band from their upcoming album, "Feathers & Flesh", which will be released on Friday, May 13 via Another Century in Europe and Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and Canada.
AVATAR vocalist Johannes Eckerström explains: "During the past few months, I've ended up saying 'this is our most ambitious work to date' quite a bit, but this one takes the cake. While still keeping it in the family, we've created yet a new universe for everyone to get immersed in. A fable is a metaphor to explore the human condition and we've taken it one step further, zooming in on one song and what it has to say in and out of itself beyond the frames of the concept of 'Feathers & Flesh'.
"This is the story of five conmen traveling around the land, selling their snake oil to the easily persuaded people of the soil. Often when we want karma to bite someone's ass the most, they always seem to get away. It was fun to play the bad guy for once. I think the visuals and our treatment of the classic one take-concept speaks for itself. This is one of those you'll want to watch over and over again. I know I'm already doing just that."
"Feathers & Flesh" was recorded in Germany, Finland and Sweden in December 2015 with producer extraordinaire Sylvia Massy (SYSTEM OF A DOWN, TOOL, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS).
"Feathers & Flesh" track listing:
01. Regret02. House Of Eternal Hunt03. The Eagle Has Landed04. New Land05. Tooth, Beak & Claw06. For The Swarm07. Fiddler's Farewell08. One More Hill09. Black Waters10. Night Never Ending11. Pray The Sun Away12. When The Snow Lies Red13. Raven Wine14. Sky Burial
Carcer City are a progressive metalcore band from Liverpool, England. They have created their own brand of 21st century metal that falls somewhere between Linkin Park, Meshuggah, Bring Me The Horizon, Killswitch Engage, and The Amity Affliction.
Their new album Infinite/Unknown is out this September via Stay Sick Recordings and is the band's first global release. The exact release date, tracklisting, cover art, and more will be revealed shortly.
While the band has been building a formidable reputation for itself, thriving and blossoming in the underground of its home country with the self-released The Life We Have Chosen and The Road Journals, Carcer City are just getting their US legs under them.
Check out the song and video for "Infinite/Unknown”, below:
DREAM THEATER's official music video for the song "Our New World" can be seen below. The clip highlights the band's immersive and interactive live show and captures the prog-virtuosos' transcendent performances from their recent world tour.
"Our New World" is taken from DREAM THEATER's latest album, "The Astonishing", which was released on January 29 via Roadrunner. The CD was made available in a wide range of distinctive versions, including standard 2-CD set, 4-LP vinyl box set and a limited-edition deluxe box set.
Recorded at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, with guitarist John Petrucci producing, studio luminary Richard Chycki (AEROSMITH, RUSH) engineering/mixing and legendary arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell orchestrating, "The Astonishing" paints a tale of a retro-futurist post-apocalyptic dystopia ruled by medieval style feudalism. It's a place aching for a Chosen One to rise above the noise and defeat an Empire defined by the endless drone of noise machines and the illusion of safety in bland conformity.
DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess told La Grosse Radio about "The Astonishing": "Well, the story is really about hope and it's about the power of music for healing and bringing good energy and good spirit to people. It was a story that was written by John Petrucci. He originally thought of it, the seed of the idea, about two and a half years ago. And a little over a year ago, he presented it to the band as an idea to do our concept album, and we were all very excited about it; it seemed really great. So after he presented it to us, then we started to work on all the music for it."
Regarding the inspiration for "The Astonishing" story, Rudess said: "Well, I think the inspiration comes from things like 'Star Wars' and 'The Lord Of The Rings' and 'Game Of Thrones' and all these kind of fantasy, sci-fi stories. And it's something that certainly John, who wrote the story, is into and all of us could really relate to. Especially from a musical point of view, to create the music for it, for me it was like doing a score for a film. So I was very comfortable with all the different genres of music that had to be composed, 'cause it was everything from electronic sounds and music — not so much, but there's definitely electronics throughout the album — and also some more classical type of musical ideas to our usual prog kind of metal mixture."
Asked whether making "The Astonishing" forced the members of DREAM THEATER to step outside their comfort zone, Rudess said: "I think it definitely challenged everybody. It was interesting especially because, stylistically speaking, yeah, it has the prog and it has the metal — the usual components of a DREAM THEATER album — but it also has more than that. We also had to bring in electronic sounds, so I had to have some fun and search for cool sounds and get into that mode, and also there [are] some classical elements, so I was very much in my classical headspace. So it kind of brought more styles out of me that I am used to doing, for the most part, but more than I usually get to do with DREAM THEATER. And then there were some things that I hadn't done that we were learning, some stylistic things that we were learning. There's a section that's almost like a military band section — I had to try to score that — and there's a little tango section, and we were learning a little bit about that. It was an education for us to do this album as well."
"Stay", the new video from Mike Tramp, can be seen below. The clip shows the former WHITE LION singer in total isolation, living the life of a forest worker in the beautiful Scandinavian woods.
Says Mike: "With this video, I'm opening a new chapter and taking one step further towards being who I am, and distancing myself even more [from] the past. All the packaging [has] been shaved off and it's just me being me."
"Stay" is taken from Tramp's latest solo album, "Nomad", which was released in August 2015 via Target Records. The follow-up to 2014's critically acclaimed "Museum" was Mike's fourth release for Target.
According to a press release, "Nomad" sees Tramp "complet[ing] what he calls his trilogy on his journey to show who he is and where he stands. With 'Nomad', Tramp reaches the final step on the ladder he started climbing (with 'Cobblestone Street'), with a full band album, from first to last song."
Said Tramp: "Without the no-compromise [approach] on 'Cobblestone Street' and 'Museum', I would never have found my way home to 'Nomad'. Each previous album gave me the freedom to follow the songs wherever they wanted to go, and with 'Nomad', my vision was clear as a bell. Once again, I just had to be who I am."
Mike in February 2015 once again squashed any rumors of a WHITE LION reunion, claiming guitarist Vito Bratta had no desire to play music.
"A WHITE LION reunion is impossible," Mike told the Jakarta Globe. "Bratta has shown a negative response [to the idea]. He stopped playing guitar, stopped recording; he is just not interested in music anymore."
Tramp's last attempt to revive WHITE LION resulted in the 2008 album "Return Of The Pride" with new members Jamie Law on guitar, bassist Claus Langeskov, drummer Troy Patrick Farrell and Henning Wanner on keyboards.
"I really love the album but it's just not the sound of WHITE LION," Tramp told Hot Metal back in 2012. "I never really wanted to record under the name of WHITE LION again because so much of the sound and the songwriting came between Vito and I."
He continued: "Writing a new album is not sitting there and baking bread. The idea has to come to you. That works well when it's Mike Tramp writing new songs. But WHITE LION has restrictions. It's known for an image, for a sound and so on. You're limited already and that's tough when you go in to do that. I don't want to be that as a songwriter. Then it becomes a pre-fabricated product, then you get KISS. That's not what I want to do in this case."
Tramp went on to say: "There's a big difference between going up and playing classic WHITE LION songs and presenting new WHITE LION songs. WHITE LION isn't there. The sound of WHITE LION when it came to songwriting was Vito Bratta and Mike Tramp. That can't be changed and that will never happen again."
Tramp will make a number of festival appearances with his band during the summer, including Sweden Rock, Jelling and Nordic Noise, just before he embarks on a massive solo tour around the U.S., culminating with a performance on the Monsters Of Rock cruise.
Portuguese melodic death metal band, Apotheus, have released a music video for their cover of Survivor’s 80's classic, "Eye Of The Tiger". The clip can be seen below.
Apotheus will start recording their new album this year in Scandinavia. Stay tuned for updates.
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