The Troops Of Doom, the Brazilian death metal supergroup led by Jairo "Tormentor" Guedz, former guitarist of the original Sepultura lineup, will release their new single, "Dawn Of Mephisto", on Friday (May 17). A video for the song can be viewed below:
The Troops Of Doom's new studio album, A Mass To The Grotesque, will be released on May 31 via Alma Mater Records, the Portuguese label run by Moonspell singer, Fernando Ribeiro.
“Imagine a death metal world unaltered and pure since the 1990’s, a musical style so dear to the fans, that time, business and trend, could never hurt,“ death metal fan Fernando Ribeiro recommends. “Go back to the glorious time where death metal reigned supreme, thanks to some bands, artists, studios and an untameable will of progressing and delivering extreme music to its finest shape, like occult jewellery, filigree , brutal yet elegant in its overwhelming task of splitting your ears. The new Troops Of Doom album A Mass to the Grotesque, which Alma Mater Records is brutally proud to present, rescues this long forgotten death metal class. They are the flag carriers of the authentic Morrisound sound (the legendary Florida studio where this album was mixed and mastered) and they leave no stones unturned on this one. Brace yourself for the best and most authentic Death Metal album in ages!”
The Troops Of Doom was formed in 2020, during the pandemic, by the original Sepultura guitarist Jairo “Tormentor” Guedz. He recorded the albums Bestial Devastation (1985) and Morbid Visions (1986). Jairo left the band in 1987, making way for Andreas Kisser, who continues with the band to this day. The Troops Of Doom’s lineup also includes other significant figures from the Brazilian metal scene, such as guitarist Marcelo Vasco (Patria, Mysteriis), a globally renowned graphic artist known for his work with bands like Slayer, Dee Snider, Kreator, Machine Head, Soulfly, and many others. The vocalist and bassist Alex Kafer, former live guitarist for Matanza, and drummer Alexandre Oliveira, a former member of the band Tianastácia, complete the lineup.
Acclaimed by specialized media as a supergroup, The Troops Of Doom emerged to revive the classic death metal of the 80s, inspired by Sepultura’s early era with Jairo and other influential bands such as Slayer, Celtic Frost, Kreator, and Possessed. It serves as a time machine for those nostalgic for the golden age of death metal. In just two years since its formation, the band has released three EPs: The Rise of Heresy (2020), The Absence of Light (2021), and Prelude to Blasphemy (2023), along with their debut album, Antichrist Reborn, that was released in 2022 on CD, LP, and Cassette by Alma Mater Records and lauded by both fans and music press alike.
Now, the band is gearing up for the release of their highly anticipated second album, A Mass To The Grotesque, produced by André Moraes, a multi-talented musician known for his work on Sepultura’s Dante XXI and the soundtrack of the film “Lisbela e o Prisioneiro,” at Audio Porto studio in Porto Alegre/RS. The mixing and mastering of the album were done by Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, known for producing some of the greatest death metal classics of the 80s and 90s.
"The entire production and recording of the album were done in Brazil, while the mixing and mastering were handled by the great Jim Morris at the legendary Morrisound Recording in Florida. It's a production that completely diverges from today's standard productions. We are very proud of it," Jairo Guedz comments.
"Every aspect of this album was chosen meticulously," Marcelo Vasco adds. "What could be more intense than having the record mixed in the studio where the greatest death metal classics of the '80s and '90s were mixed? Our idea was to take the production of this album to another level. The sound breaths, it’s organic and lo-fi, oldschool as hell. It’s an experience!”
The cover art was painted by the acclaimed artist Dan Seagrave, responsible for numerous classic death metal album covers. Guedz reveals: "The title A Mass To The Grotesque carries the symbolism of a true ode to the ugly, the evil, the feared. It encompasses everything and everyone that doesn't fit into the molds of a so-called 'evolved' society, choosing to live in the shadows. A dark liturgy to the rejected and their followers, who find shelter and comfort in the absence of light and in the supposed dictatorship of the divine word, whatever it may be. The grotesque is resistance, where nothing is sacred!"
"There wouldn't be a more perfect artist to paint the album cover than the master Dan Seagrave, whose distinctive style is deeply rooted in the genre and has created numerous album covers for death metal that have become iconic and, of course, a great inspiration in The Troops of Doom's music. We are huge fans of his work," Vasco admits, "and it is a giant honor to have him as the cover artist of this new album. It's a dream come true."
Available as:
- CD Digipack
- Black LP ltd 300
- Yellow LP ltd 300
"Solve Et Coagula" - Introduction
"Chapels Of The Unholy"
"Dawn Of Mephisto"
"Denied Divinity"
"The Impostor King"
"Faithless Requiem"
"Psalm 78 - God Of Bizarre"
"Terror Inheritance"
"The Grotesque"
"Blood Upon The Throne"
"Venomous Creed"
“Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” the new studio album from Babylon A.D. is out today on Perris Records. Order/purchase the album here. Along with the album release, Babylon A.D. have released a brand new video for the title track “Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day” – premiered exclusively through BraveWords!
We are so excited about this release, Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day has really put the band back on the map. All the fan support, radio play and reviews we are getting from the album are so amazing. It really feels good to know We Are Back! We can’t wait to share this album on the road and the shows we have lined up this year are gonna be a blast for the band and the fans alike. - Derek Davis, Babylon A.D.
The single "Wrecking Machine" has been featured on numerous new and classic rock radio outlets across the United States, where it recently reached the Top 40 on the Mediabase Classic Rock radio charts. The single has also featured on the nationally syndicated "Alice's Attic" hosted by the legendary Alice Cooper and has received notable airplay including major market spins from the likes of WDRV & WPJX in Chicago, KSAN in San Francisco, KSLX in Phoenix, WCXS in Detroit and KLPX in Tucson.
Too early to spoil it, but I will say 2 things about the record. IMO, it blows Revelation Highway out of the water and if you like the first 2 albums you will LOVE Rome Wasn't Built In A Day. - Brian Basher, BraveWords Radio
This is truly an amazing release! A great album from start to finish... this is truly one of the highlights of 2024 so far. - Pete Eklund, Metal Impact Radio
Babylon A.D. definitely rekindled the romance of their earlier sound with Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day. - Metal Temple
This is a record that sounds just like the band back in the day, full of fire, wonderfully heavy and firing on all cylinders: with guitar and vocals that haven’t lost a thing over the decades. Some bands come back with a bang, it seems that Babylon has just gone nuclear. - The Rock Pit
Derek Davis and his Babylonians deliver the cornerstone of their catalog. Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day is a gem-riddled roof of songs that sits firmly atop the Babylon A.D. empire that has been under construction for more than three decades. - Scott Itter / Dr. Music Podcast and All Music Magazine
Babylon A.D. can’t wait to start playing the songs live and have some very exciting shows coming up, The Whisky Go A Go in June and Monsters On The Mountain in August in Gatlinburg Tennessee.
Tracklisting:
"Wrecking Machine"
"Pain"
"Sometimes Love Is Hell"
"Rome Wasn't Built In A Day"
"Looking For A Heartbeat"
"I Will Never Break Again"
"White Hot Bullet"
"Crashed Into The Sun"
"Face Of GOD"
"Shut Up"
"Super Beast"
"Wrecking Machine":
Album details:
Produced, Mixed, Engineered by Derek Davis @ The BADMOFO’s Recording Studio, Pleasanton, CA.
Drums recorded by Gabriel Shepard @ 25th Studios Oakland CA.
Mastered By David Donnelly, DNA Mastering Los Angeles CA.
Photos - Angela Probst - Studio A
Vintage Artwork Concept Design - Derek Davis
Band Members:
Derek Davis - Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
Ron Freschi - Lead Guitar, Background vocals
John Mattews - Lead Guitar
Craig Pepe - Bass, Background vocals
Dylan Soto - Drums / Background vocals
Background vocals on "I Will Never Break Again" - Lane Borchard
Tour dates:
May
18 - Retro Junkie - Walnut Creek, CA
June
7 - Whisky A Go Go - Hollywood, CA
August
3 - Fulton 55 - Fresno, CA
9 – Liquid Joes – Salt Lake City, UT
10 – Wild Goose Saloon – Parker, CO
17 – The Boardwalk – Orangevale, CA
25 - Monster On Mountain - Gatlinburg, TN
September
20 - Feather Falls Casino - Oroville, CA
21 - Horsefest - Newark, CA
About Babylon A.D.:
Formed in 1987, Babylon A.D. hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Original members, Derek Davis vocalist/songwriter, guitarist's and music writers John Mathews and Ron Freschi drummer James Pacheco and bassist Rob Reid met in high school before they began playing together as "The Persuaders" making a name for themselves with their powerful live performances and catchy songwriting skills becoming one of the top drawing original Hard Rock bands in the Northern CA.
In 1989 the band changed their name to "Babylon A.D." and caught the attention of Arista Records President and industry music mogul “Clive Davis”, who signed them at a live showcase in Los Angeles thanks to their impressive three song demo and a home made video. John Mattews departed the band and was replaced by another high school friend Dan De La Rosa just before their self-titled album Babylon A.D. was released in 1990. The album included their hard rock classic hits "Bang Go The Bells”, “Hammer Swings Down” and “The Kid Goes Wild”, which featured Screaming "Sam Kinison" and was the trailer song and promotional video for Orion Pictures (Robo Cop 2). The band scored three #1 songs at Metal Radio and reached Gold status on their first release, which spent 38 weeks on the Billboard top 200, peaking at # 46. Their sophomore effort (Nothing Sacred) was produced by the legendary "Tom Werman" and released in 1992, it produced two more top-ten metal rockers. “Bad Blood” and “So Savage the Heart”. Constant touring throughout the early 1990s and several MTV videos made them one of hard rock fans favorite bands.
In 1999 the band and released Live In Your Face on Apocalypse Records, a compilation of live tracks recorded at various cities’ across America. Their next release American Blitzkrieg soon followed in 2002 and both records were well received by critics and fans alike. In 2008 the band released Babylon A.D. In The Beginning on Perris Records, a compilation of songs from the original demo tapes that secured them their recording contract with Arista Records.
After a long hiatus the band started playing and recording again in 2014. Touring across the States and Europe releasing the four song EP Lost Sessions. in 2018 John Matthews rejoined the group and the band signed with Frontiers Records for their forth studio release Revelation Highway. Four singles/ videos and more touring followed through the beginning of 2020. In 2022 original members James Pacheco and Robb Reid left the band for other pursuits remaining connected to the bands legacy and part of a brotherhood of friendship that has lasted for over 30 years!
Present Day...
Fast forward to 2023, Babylon A.D. announced new members Craig Pepe (bass) and Dylan Soto (drums) and a new live concert album Live Lightning from Perris Records. The new album included their top-ten rock-radio classic hits from their debut album as well as songs from “Nothing Sacred”, “American Blitzkrieg”, and “Revelation Highway”.
As 2024 begins the band is set to release their fifth studio album on Perris Records titled Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day on May 17. The 11 track album is classic Babylon A.D. firing on all cylinders, showcasing great songwriting talent, performances and the hard rock sound the band is known for. New videos and singles are coming and the band is currently booking and playing select live shows across the states in support of the new album.
Guitar legend Marty Friedman (ex-Megadeth) releases his new album, Drama, today (May 17) via Frontiers Music srl. Order the album here, and check out the official visualizer for the track "Triumph" below.
Marty Friedman's presence in the world of music, the world of guitar, and Japanese pop culture is mystifying, bizarre, and nothing short of inspiring. From his groundbreaking beginnings with Cacophony, alongside the legendary Jason Becker, to his pivotal role in propelling Megadeth to its peak of popularity with his breath-taking range and unorthodox melodic sense, Marty has solidified his status as a unique guitar icon.
With his latest solo album, Drama, Marty only slightly revisits the atmospheric elements of his acclaimed 1992 release Scenes, elevating them to a modern and exotic collection of epic, extravagant, and unapologetically emotional mini-symphonies.
Tracks like "Illumination" and "Mirage" transport listeners to captivating realms, evoking sudden tears and chills. The entire album spotlights Marty's mesmerizing melodies, game-changing arrangements, and heart-tugging motifs, even more than any of his previous work.
Recorded in Italy, where Marty had access to a treasure trove of vintage guitars along with his modern signature models, Drama is a pure delight for anyone who appreciates music that stirs emotions.
Tracklisting:
"Illumination"
"Song For An Eternal Child"
"Triumph" (Official Version)
"Thrill City"
"Deep End"
"Dead Of Winter" (English Vocal)
"Mirage"
"A Prayer"
"Acapella" (Guitar Solo)
"Tearful Confession"
"Icicles"
"2 Rebeldes" (Spanish Vocal)
"Illumination" visualizer:
"Dead Of Winter" video
Since moving to Japan in 2003, Marty has become a household name even beyond the world of music. Fluent in Japanese, he has appeared on over 900 Japanese TV shows of every variety, as well as motion pictures and commercials including an ad campaign for Coca-Cola / Fanta that ran for over two years. He was recently appointed an Ambassador of Japan Heritage by the Japanese government who also commissioned him to compose the "Japan Heritage Theme Song", recorded by Marty and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and is played at official government-related events. He has played the Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Marathon 5 times, most recently in March 2024. Three books on Marty's life have been released in Japan and a brand-new full autobiography will be released worldwide later this year.
In addition to his legendary work with Cacophony and Megadeth, Marty has released fifteen solo albums starting in 1988 with Dragon's Kiss, and has had multi-platinum, platinum, and gold album sales awards in twenty-seven countries, achieving seven Grammy nominations to date. In recent years, Friedman has put out the distinguished, ongoing Tokyo Jukebox line, which, as the title suggests, is a series of albums featuring covers of Japanese songs starting with Tokyo Jukebox in 2009, Tokyo Jukebox 2 in 2011, and most recently, Tokyo Jukebox 3 in 2020. This series has become a go-to set for people all around the world who are fast becoming fascinated with Japan and its music.
Marty has played the Tokyo Dome, Budokan, and every major Japanese venue multiple times. He has toured Japan countless times with his solo music as well as alongside many legendary Japanese stars. Since the release of Tokyo Jukebox 3 in 2020, Marty has toured Japan twice, performed as a soloist with three major symphony orchestras, and made several TV appearances, most recently performing with Yoshiki of X Japan.
Since the pandemic, Marty and his band have toured the US twice and are planning to tour extensively for Drama.
Vocals on “Dead of Winter”: Chris Brooks (Like A Storm)
Vocals on “2 Rebeldes”: Steven Baquero Vargas
Bass on “Mirage”: Or Lubianiker
Rhythm Guitar on “Thrill City”: Naoki Morioka
Keys and Synth on “Sanctuary”: Takuro Iga
Drums on “Thrill City”: Chargeeeeee
Additional recording: Yukiko Takada, Jordan Rudess, Naoki Morioka, Maki Furugaki, Chris Brooks, Matt Brooks, Kent Brooks, Brian Becvar
Today, Kerry King finally releases his solo debut album, From Hell I Rise, via Reigning Phoenix Music, and unveils the project’s brand-new video, "Toxic", which has been co-directed by Jim Louvau and his partner Tony Aguilera.
Similar to King’s acclaimed "Residue" video, which was released last month, "Toxic" was shot at a downtown Phoenix studio and features a fiery, high energy, heavy assault of a performance from Kerry’s new band: Mark Osegueda (vocals), Phil Demmel (guitar), Kyle Sanders (bass) and drummer, Paul Bostaph.
Jim Louvau admits: “We’re at a point where political fatigue has set in and become an issue for most people who live in our country no matter what side of the coin they land on. The lyrics and energy of the song showcase that sentiment, so I wanted to create something visually that almost feels like a trailer for what we are about to experience. I also wanted to address PTSD for people who have serviced in the military and how the increased political landscape affects their mental health which often goes unnoticed”.
Check out the video for "Toxic" below, and stream purchase From Hell I Rise here.
From Hell I Rise tracklisting:
"Diablo"
"Where I Reign"
"Residue"
"Idle Hands"
"Trophies Of The Tyrant"
"Crucifixation"
"Tension"
"Everything I Hate About You"
"Toxic"
"Two Fists"
"Rage"
"Shrapnel"
"From Hell I Rise"
"Toxic" video:
"Residue" video:
"Idle Hands" visualizer:
This month, the band performed their first live show - totally sold out - at Reggies in Chicago. The concert was described as “dark, packed, and exceptionally loud,” everything you could ask for at such a landmark show… truly a once in a lifetime experience. In the days following, the band went from playing a more intimate venue to performing at the huge US festivals, Welcome to Rockville (FL) and Sonic Temple (OH), treating audiences to an incredible experience of pure metal firepower.
Now the band is ready to embark on a European tour that begins June 3 – on Kerry King‘s birthday. He tells us: “Can’t wait to be back in Europe and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday. Let’s fucking rage!”
The tour will combine headline shows in the UK, The Netherlands and Germany, and also major festival appearances including Hellfest, Download, Rock Am Ring, Tuska, Graspop, Sweden Rock Festival & more.
Serj Tankian, lead singer and lyricist for the Grammy Award-winning rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN, has released his new single and video "A.F. Day" via Gibson Records. The track, which will also appear on Serj's forthcoming EP titled "Foundations" — due in the fall — fits right into the singer-songwriter's canon and his ability to dive straight into longstanding cultural issues and thoughts that have smoldered to the top of our daily reality demanding to be acknowledged.
Speaking about the new track, Serj reveals: "This is a song I wrote in the early days of SYSTEM OF A DOWN that I never released. The majority of the instrumentation and vocals are recordings from that time. Dystopian in mood, it's a reflection of the angst and anti-authoritarian attitude I had to conformity."
The new single and forthcoming EP kick off a massive year for Tankian, which has already seen him release his exhilarating, thoughtful, and beautifully written debut memoir "Down With The System" via Hachette Books, with remaining book events in Los Angeles at Barnes and Noble-The Grove May 21 and at Book Soup on May 24.
The 56-year-old Lebanese-born Armenian-American musician and songwriter told Metal Hammer magazine about "Foundations": "It's five songs. We just shot five videos for it last week with members of the FCC, my back-up band, which was really fun, and we're going to put it out in September."
He added: "The reason I'm putting it out is that archival nature of writing a book made me look into songs from different periods of time. So one of the songs is from early SYSTEM days, for example, that I've never put out, that I'd never worked with SYSTEM on. A couple of the songs are from my early 2007-2008 solo record period, but didn't fit the record ['Elect The Dead', released in October 2007].
"It's an interesting retrospective of rock music that I've never released from different times, and it's called 'Foundations' basically because it's the founding of my musical life," Serj added. "They're very interesting songs, very different from each other: one is really heavy, one is like, really progressive, there's just different elements to each of them. But I think they work in tandem."
Tankian is best known as the lead singer of the Grammy Award-winning rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN, but he is also a solo artist, composer, activist, painter, poet, and filmmaker. Since launching on to the rock scene in 1993, he's performed for millions of fans and sold more than 42 million albums worldwide. He's also a proud Armenian-American and a dedicated activist; along with Tom Morello, Tankian co-founded the non-profit organization Axis Of Justice, which strived to bring together musicians, music fans, and grassroots political organizations to fight for social justice. He has composed scores for many films and television series, had his paintings exhibited in galleries in the U.S. and New Zealand, and released two books of his own poetry. He has also been an executive producer on multiple documentaries, including "I Am Not Alone", which tells the story of Armenia's 2018 revolution and which won awards at the Toronto International Film Festival, DOC NYC, American Film Institute Festival, and the Palm Springs International Film Festival, among others. Tankian lives with his wife and his son, splitting their time between Los Angeles and New Zealand.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN has toured intermittently since ending its hiatus in 2011, but has only managed to record two songs in the last 19 years, "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz". Released in November 2020, the tracks were motivated by the conflict between Artsakh and Azerbaijan, with all proceeds supporting humanitarian efforts in SYSTEM OF A DOWN's ancestral homeland of Armenia. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they raised over $600,000.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN co-headlined the second installment of the Sick New World festival in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 27.
The quartet will next co-headline a one-off concert with DEFTONES at the Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California on August 17.
Rammstein kicked off their 2024 Europe Stadium Tour on May 11th in Prague, Czech Republic at Airport Letňany. Fan-filmed video of the entire show can be viewed below.
Setlist:
"Ramm 4" (first time since 2019)
"Links 2-3-4"
"Keine Lust" (first time since 2019)
"Sehnsucht"
"Asche Zu Asche (first time since 2013)
"Mein Herz Brennt"
"Puppe"
"Wiener Blut" (first time since 2013)
"Zeit"
"Deutschland"
"Radio"
"Mein Teil"
"Du Hast"
"Sonne"
Encore:
"Engel"
"Ausländer"
"Du Riechst So Gut"
"Pussy"
Encore 2:
"Rammstein"
"Ich Will"
"Adieu"
Rammstein's 2024 European tour schedule is as follows::
May
16 - Dresden, Germany - Rinne (Open Air Gelände an der Messe)
19 - Dresden, Germany - Rinne (Open Air Gelände an der Messe) **
24 - Belgrade, Serbia - Ušće Park
30 - Athens, Greece - TBA
June
5 - San Sebastián, Spain - Estadio Anoeta
8 - Marseille, France - Orange Vélodrome
11 - Barcelona, Spain - Estadi Olímpic
15 - Lyon, France - Groupama Stadium
18 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Goffertpark
19 - Nijmegen, Netherlands - Goffertpark **
23 - Dublin, Ireland - RDS Arena
27 - Ostend, Belgium - Park Nieuwe Koers
28 - Ostend, Belgium - Park Nieuwe Koers **
July
5 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Valbyparken
6 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Valbyparken **
11 - Frankfurt, Germany - Deutsche Bank Park **
12 - Frankfurt, Germany - Deutsche Bank Park **
17 - Klagenfurt, Austria - Wörthersee Stadion
18 - Klagenfurt, Austria - Wörthersee Stadion
21 - Reggio Emilia, Italy - RCF Arena (Campovolo)
26 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins-Arena
27 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins-Arena
29 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins-Arena **
30 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins-Arena **
31 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Veltins-Arena **
Elettra Storm has released a video for "Sacrifice Of Angels", fourth single taken from the debut album Powerlords released on February 16 by Scarlet Records.
Powerlords will be released on a limited vinyl version too (300 marbled blue copies) on June 21. Preorder at the Scarlet Records webshop.
Elettra Storm is the brand new power metal sensation brought to life in 2023 by SinHeresy co-founder Davide Sportiello.
Featuring the talented singer and model Crystal Emiliani (Re-X) on vocals and supported by top-notch musicians, the band will start a glorious 100% power metal ride at its finest, blending the magic of early 00’s genre superheroes like Stratovarius and Rhapsody of Fire with the modern female-fronted approach of Unleash the Archers.
Be ready to be enchanted by tales of mighty archangels, moon goddesses and underground civilizations; an escapism from the daily-life fatigue, but also a reflection on humanity virtues and faults.
“Higher Than The Stars”
“Redemption”
“Origin Of Dreams”
“Powerlords”
“Alone”
“Heirs Of The Descent”
“Sacrifice Of Angels”
“Spirit Of The Moon”
“Voices In The Wind”
"Origin Of Dreams":
“Higher Than The Stars” video:
“Redemption”:
Elettra Storm:
Crystal Emiliani - vocals
Francis D. Mary - guitar, vocals
Matteo Antoni - guitar
Davide Sportiello - keyboards, bass
Matteo Norbedo - drums
All For Metal have released their new single and music video, "Valkyries In The Sky". This song is a true heavy metal hymn marking the band's journey as they gear up for their new album, Gods Of Metal, out on August 23 via Reigning Phoenix Music.
"Valkyries In The Sky" encapsulates the fierce and beautiful presence of the Valkyries, maidens sent by Odin to choose the slain on the battlefield. The powerful chorus warns, “Watch out! Valkyries in the sky! Watch out! They hear your battle cry!” This anthem guides listeners through a realm of warriors, battle, and myth, highlighting the unbreakable spirit of those who fight bravely and die, guided by Valkyries to Valhalla. This new heavy and powerful track features fierce vocals by Laura Guldemond (Burning Witches) and a striking guitar solo by Tim Kanoa Hansen of Induction.
Antonio, singer of the band, exclaims, “All For Metal is coming stronger than ever, and this time we brought some friends with us, Laura from Burning Witches and Tim from Induction!! We were waiting for this collab for far too long.” Tetzel, vocalist, adds, “The legendary Valkyries themselves will headbang to this song! All For Metal are back, and we will not stop - so watch out!”
Pre-order the Gods Of Metal album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive "Gods Of Metal: instantly now, here.
Gods Of Metal will be available in the following formats:
- collector's statue [Tetzel OR Antonio + CD-digi + patch; each of them limited to 500 copies!] & other bundles [signed CD-digi + ticket + patch | CD-digi + t-shirt | vinyl + patch | CD-digi + patch]
- CD-digipak
- coloured LP [green "dragon scale" & silver "divine metal" vinyl]
- digital
The 30th anniversary of AMORPHIS's landmark album "Tales From The Thousand Lakes" is celebrated with a live recording that sets new standards in terms of brilliance and intensity. This unique release, available on Blu-ray+CD and vinyl, was recorded at the iconic Tavastia club in Helsinki, Finland, in chronological order. Available from July 12, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM),"Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia)" manifests AMORPHIS's unparalleled dynamism and artistic uniqueness. Rarely has the raw power and emotional depth of a live performance been captured so authentically as on this sonic memento and extraordinary concert film.
Get in the mood for the upcoming "Tales..." celebrations, and watch the "Drowned Maid" live video, which is also part of the forthcoming Blu-ray below.
"'Drowned Maid' is classic '90s crossover AMORPHIS. Retrospectively, sporting primitive keyboards and sound effects, the marriage of doomy death metal and folk-prog somehow does the trick," recalls bassist Olli-Pekka Laine. "This song was a live favourite back then, and it's still a pleasure to play it to this day!"
"Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia)" track listing:
01. Thousand Lakes
02. Into Hiding
03. The Castaway
04. First Doom
05. Black Winter Day
06. Drowned Maid
07. In The Beginning
08. Forgotten Sunrise
09. To Father's Cabin
10. Magic And Mayhem
11. Vulgar Necrolatry
12. My Kantele
In a recent interview with RichardMetalFan, AMORPHIS drummer Jan Rechberger spoke about the band's plans for the follow-up to 2022's "Halo" album. He said: " Well, there is ideas and some schedules coming. So it would be fair to say that the next record will be out somewhere during next year. So I think probably after we're done with some touring with 'Halo', 'cause there's still some touring left, [we'll] probably hit the studio with a new producer somewhere November, December this year, I guess. So there's some writing happening at this very moment. And, yeah, it's coming your way."
AMORPHIS's fourteenth studio album, "Halo" came out in February 2022 via Atomic Fire Records.
Produced by Jens Bogren, "Halo" was previously described in a press release as "progressive, melodic, and quintessentially melancholic heavy masterwork."
As had been the case with AMORPHIS albums in the past, "Halo" featured the imaginative and poetic storytelling of renowned lyricist and "Kalevala" expert Pekka Kainulainen.
Two years ago, AMORPHIS guitarist and founding member Esa Holopainen told Westword that the band is "not as radical" as it once was.
"Back in the day, I think we did too much of what we wanted to do," he said. "For us as musicians, we needed to do that, because we never wanted to get stuck in one form. Today we blend all the new nuances and influences pretty nicely into our music. Even though there's a lot of different elements from different genres and the musical world, even from ethnic music, I have to say, we're pretty good to blend all of those elements into our music without sounding too different."
On Göden's latest album, Vale Of The Fallen, the sound is heavier than ever and the title track does not disappoint. The new album will be out May 17 via Svart Records. Preorder at the Svart Records webshop. The video “Urania” by Dan Blafford aka Dreambreeder 079 is out now
Göden creator Stephen Flam is best known for his previous work with the band Winter whose sludgy dirge earned a loyal cult following. One could consider Göden to be the spiritual successor to Winter - Winter is to Göden as Celtic Frost is to Triptykon.
And Vas Kallas shared these comments:
"These songs were slowly written starting in 2020 during the pandemic. They are mostly conjured up by the science fiction world we all had to endure as humans on this one planet we share. I believe in individualism, freedom, and self-wisdom. I also believe in finding yourself and escaping into yourself or meditative worlds to understand it all or to just look to the skies from where we all came.. or did we? I don’t expect everyone to understand any of this and I don’t ask anyone to, since it is purely art and up to the interpretation of the individual. Words and lyrics to me are like psychic colors on a paintbrush. It’s either pretty or ugly, soothing or disturbing.
"Since the last 4 years, there has been a lot of darkness in the truth, a lot of hatred, humanity going absolutely mad, and a lot of people striving to find their tribe. I personally strive for hope and seek the higher realm of positivity always, but in the meantime, we find ourselves in the 'Vale Of The Fallen'…."
Göden's debut album, Beyond Darkness stood on its own in creating a distinctive world. Now, four years later, they explore new sonic territories with their second album, Vale Of The Fallen. Where Beyond Darkness was a concept album that propelled listeners into space, both inner and outer, Vale Of The Fallen brings us back to twisted reality. The in-your-face approach intensifies the experience - much like a walk through a post-apocalyptic landscape in the bleakest imaginable conditions.
Sound-wise, Stephen Flam's heavier-than-life riffs, Vas Kallas's sardonic delivery, and Tony Pinnisi's keyboards create oppressive atmospheres atop Jason Frantz's powerful drumming, while in contrast, Margaret Murphy’s violin weaves ghostly motifs throughout. Like its predecessor, Vale Of The Fallen features interludes that provide brief respites between some tracks, only to return to the crushing avalanche of sound.
Tracklisting:
“The Divine”
“In The Vale Of The Fallen”
“Urania”
“Black Vortex”
“Rings Of Saturn”
“Death Magus”
“Zero”
“Manifestation IX”
“Requiem”
“Majestic Symphony”
"Urania" video:
“In The Vale Of The Fallen”:
Svart Records will also re-release Winter’s Into Darkness once more, putting the album back in print for a new generation of listeners. Into Darkness was a gateway drug to the dark depths of sludge metal, and now awaits a whole new throng of acolytes to bow down before the throne of heavy doom.
Now available for preorders on different limited color editions, classic CD-version, and beautiful c-cassette. Into Darkness will also be released on May 17, 2024. Preorder at the Svart Records webshop.
Ulcerate offer a final preview of their forthcoming album, Cutting The Throat Of God (June 14, Debemur Morti Productions) with today’s release of “To See Death Just Once” and an accompanying video.
As has been the case with each of the three singles released from Cutting The Throat Of God, the video was created by Dehn Sora. The band previously shared tracks “The Dawn Is Hollow ”and “To Flow Through Ashen Hearts”.
Cutting The Throat Of God was recorded in the fall of 2023, under the watchful eye of drummer Jamie Saint Merat, who also oversaw production and provided artist direction for the collection. Renowned mastering engineer Magnus Lindberg (known for his work with Cult Of Luna, Russian Circles and Tribulation) put the finishing touches on the release. Cutting The Throat Of God explores a cohesive lyrical theme centered on the rupture of morality, the delicate boundary between depravity and extremity, and the irreversible descent into darkness.
“To Flow Through Ashen Hearts”
“The Dawn Is Hollow”
“Further Opening The Wounds”
“Transfiguration In And Out Of Worlds”
“To See Death Just Once”
“Undying As An Apparition”
“Cutting The Throat Of God”
Rising symphonic metal force, Elvellon, is back with an electrifying announcement as they unveil their new single, "The Aftermath Of Life", from their upcoming album Ascending In Synergy, set to be released this Friday, May 17.
"The Aftermath Of Life" is accompanied by an official music video that promises to seduce the listener’s senses.
Elvellon state:"'The Aftermath Of Life' is a song that perfectly combines two different sides of Elvellon, which are heavy guitar riffs with dark keyboard sounds and big choruses with catchy melodies. Thematically, it's about the process that all of us who have made it to this day can accept decay and aging as part of life and make peace with it."
Watch the music video below:
Ascending In Synergy proves that this promising German unit is on top of their game and skillfully manages to balance the tightrope act between diving into the early beginnings of symphonic metal, yet splicing all songs with a contemporary vibe. Opening track “Unbound” impresses with skillful orchestral arrangements and vocalist Nele Messerschmidt’s extraordinary voice. Dramatic, dark soundscapes and heavy riffs on songs like “Ocean Of Treason” and “The Aftermath Of Life” keep the listener in a tight grip. Elvellon’s dreamlike, cinematic side shines especially bright on tracks like “Last Of Our Kind” and “The Aeon Tree”. Massive album finale “Epiphany Of Mine” closes Ascending In Synergy impactfully, leaving the listener wanting for more.
Magical Ascending In Synergy proves that Elvellon is one of the most promising current bands in the German symphonic metal scene. Join Elvellon on an exciting journey between childlike wonders and hard-hearted bitterness.
Elvellon about Ascending In Synergy: “We are incredibly excited to see how our fans will receive Ascending In Synergy. A lot has happened since our debut album and the songwriting process has changed a lot. It still feels like 100% Elvellon to us, but the dynamics have expanded. It has become more orchestral and more metal at the same time. Also, lyrically we no longer stick to a single concept, but the songs are held together by a common thread.”
Ascending In Synergy will be available in the following formats:
- 1 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 1 CD Digipak
- Digital Album
"Unbound"
"A Vagabond’s Heart"
"My Forever Endeavour"
"Ocean Of Treason"
"The Aftermath Of Life"
"Last Of Our Kind"
"Into The Vortex"
"A Legacy Divine"
"The Aeon Tree"
"Epiphany Of Mine"
Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has released the official music video for his latest single, "Freedom". The clip, which can be seen below, was directed by Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera and was shot at Madhouse Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Making a special guest appearance in the video once again is Bach's former SKID ROW bandmate, drummer Rob Affuso.
"Freedom" is taken from Sebastian's latest album, "Child Within The Man", which was released on May 10 via Reigning Phoenix Music. The LP was recorded in Orlando, Florida; produced and mixed by Michael "Elvis" Baskette; engineered by Jef Moll, assistant engineered by Josh Saldate and mastered by Robert Ludwig of Gateway Mastering. Bach wrote or co-wrote all the album's 11 tracks and sang all lead and backing vocals.
"Child Within The Man" features guest appearances from John 5 (MÖTLEY CRÜE, ROB ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON),Steve Stevens (BILLY IDOL) and Orianthi (ALICE COOPER, MICHAEL JACKSON) — who all co-wrote their respective tracks with Bach — and two tracks co-written with ALTER BRIDGE's Myles Kennedy ("What Do I Got to Lose?" and "To Live Again"). Devin Bronson (guitars),Todd Kerns (bass) and Jeremy Colson (drums) round out the players on the album. The album is available on jewelcase CD, cassette, and double LP in a variety of color options.
In a recent interview with Kyle Meredith, Bach was asked if he wanted to give the fans what they want on "Child Within The Man" by incorporating sounds that harken back to his former band. He responded: "Well, the sound of my voice harkens back. I was gonna be the singer of VELVET REVOLVER before Scott Weiland. You can Google interviews with Duff [McKagan, VELVET REVOLVER bassist] and he'll tell you, 'We wanted Sebastian, but the problem with Sebastian is that you just think of SKID ROW when you hear his voice.' And I didn't take that as an insult, 'cause it's true. That's the way it is.
"But do you give them what they want? I don't think the audience knows what they want," he continued. "I give the audience what I want [laughs], and I'm a son of a bitch, getting stuff the way I want to get it. And for 'What Do I Got To Lose?', the first song and video, I wanted fun. I wanted F-U-N. I wanted a video like WHITESNAKE or VAN HALEN or RATT where Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee play the cops and Bobby Blotzer arrests them and throws them in jail. That's, to me, fun. I wanna put a smile on people's face when everything is so fucking miserable. I want people to laugh and have fun, and that's what I want. Even the second video, which is a tough subject, because I wrote it about losing my home in a hurricane, and then the record company [said], 'But we want a video.' And I was, like, 'That's not very fun.' [Laughs] But I turned it around and I made it about the Maxell tape commercial, which is fun. And in the end, I'm watching all the footage of my house being destroyed and climate change, and I turn off the news and I put on my new record and start rocking out. And so that's still fun."
Bach added: "It's my mission to bring back the fun of rock and roll, which I find sorely lacking. I can't find fun on the Internet. No matter how hard I try, I can't find it. It's all negative fighting. This guy said this about this guy. That's not rock. Rock is supposed to be coming together, and that's what it always was before it all went to the Internet and now it's all clickbait and fighting and bickering. So I'm trying to just bring back the fun. That's it. That's all I'm trying to do."
In an interview with "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, Sebastian spoke about the inspiration for the "Child Within The Man" title. He said: "Well, my wife calls me man-child. That's kind of been a theme for me my whole career. I bring a youthful energy to the stage when I get up there. People are smiling and excited and hooting and hollering. But the line 'child within the man' is a line of one of the songs on the record. And I scream it like bloody murder. And it kept haunting me. "
Sebastian also talked about the "Child Within The Man" artwork, which holds special meaning since it was designed by Bach's father, noted visual artist David Bierk.
"I have a lot of my dad's artwork," Bach said. "He's no longer alive. And we all, all of his kids, we got a lot of his art when he passed away. And I unrolled a roll of paintings that I knew had the SKID ROW 'Subhuman Race' painting in it, and I wanna take care of it and make sure it's preserved. But in that roll was this painting that I remember my dad doing of me when I was 10 in a field next to this beat-up old Cadillac car in the field and then behind the car, it's Jesus ascending into heaven, and I'm running next to the car. It looks like an album cover. And then he also did a painting of me from Circus magazine, the first centerfold of me on stage at Giants Stadium. He did a gigantic painting of that, like 12 feet high. And so the cover is gonna be me running as a child into me on stage as a man, and it's child within the man. And it just reminds me of the '70s, like child in time, and it just reminds me of a good '70s album cover. And the fact that I can bring back a painting from the year 1978 and make it into artwork in 2023, 2024, that's really mind-blowing to me."
Bach's "What Do I Got To Lose?" tour is a mix of solo gigs and festival appearances. The stateside tour got underway May 10 in Jefferson, Louisiana before wrapping June 29 in San Diego, California.
Bach performed "What Do I Got To Lose?" live for the first time during his February 24 concert at Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Bach released the official music video for "What Do I Got To Lose?" in December. The clip was directed by Jim Louvau and Tony Aguilera. For the video, which shows Bach cruising through the desert in a convertible and performing with a full band, Sebastian was joined by Affuso. The clip also features an appearance by actor and comedian Craig Gass and Sebastian's wife Suzanne, who plays a scantily clad car wash attendant.
Prior to the arrival of "Child Within The Man", Bach hadn't released a full-length disc since "Give 'Em Hell", which came out in March 2014. Like its predecessor, 2011's "Kicking & Screaming", the disc was released through Frontiers Music Srl, the Italian label which specializes in what's commonly called AOR, a term that once signified a popular radio format ("album-oriented rock") but nowadays applies to acts whose airplay is marginal.
Swedish sleaze metallers, Smoking Snakes, have released a video for "Excited", the latest single from
their debut album, Danger Zone, out now via Frontiers. Order the album here, and watch the clip below:
Smoking Snakes are known for their high-energy performances and a sound that pays homage to the golden era of rock while infusing a contemporary edge. With Danger Zone, the band aims to solidify their place in the sleaze metal genre and captivate audiences around the globe. The album was produced by Jakob Herrmann, known for his work with acclaimed acts such as Anthrax, In Flames, and Machine Head.
Tracklisting:
"Angels Calling"
"Sole Survivors"
"Run For Your Life"
"Lady Luck"
"Excited"
"Restless & Wild"
"Sorrow, Death And Pain"
"There Is No Tomorrow"
"Who Am I"
"We Are Alive"
"Rocking To The Morning Light"
"There Is No Tomorrow" video:
"Angels Calling" video:
"Sole Survivors" video:
Smoking Snakes are:
Brett Martin - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Andy Delarge - bass, backing vocals
Stan Ricci - drums, backing vocals
Leo Razor - lead guitar, backing vocals
2024 marks 40 years since the inception of The Black Crowes, and the Robinson Brothers are claiming this momentous year as their own. A salute to their past and a celebration of the present and future, Happiness Bastards is The Black Crowes’ tenth studio album and their first original music in 15 years. Produced by Grammy Award-Winning producer Jay Joyce, the album includes ten new tracks, with a very special feature from Grammy-winning superstar Lainey Wilson.
The Black Crowes have released the video below for "Wilted Rose" featuring Lainey Wilson, shot on the opening night of the Happiness Bastards Tour in Nashville, TN at the Grand Ole Opry.
The band's new single, and album opener, "Bedside Manners", will be impacting radio on May 14. Listen to the song below, and order Happiness Bastards here.
Tracklisting:
"Bedside Manners"
"Rats And Clowns"
"Cross Your Fingers"
"Wanting And Waiting"
"Wilted Rose" (Feat. Lainey Wilson)
"Dirt Cold Sun"
"Bleed It Dry"
"Flesh Wound"
"Follow The Moon"
"Kindred Friend"
"Bedside Manners":
"Wanting And Waiting" video:
"Cross Your Fingers":
The Black Crowes will be supporting Aerosmith this fall and winter. Dates are listed below.
September
23 - Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA
26 - KFC Yum! Center - Louisville, KY
29 - Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse - Cleveland, OH
October
2 - Spectrum Center - Charlotte, NC
5 - Thompson Boling Arena - Knoxville, TN
8 - Capital One Arena - Washington DC
11 - State Farm Arena - Atlanta, GA
14 - Enterprise Center - St Louis, MO
17 - Heritage Bank Center - Cincinnati, OH
20 - Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
31 - Footprint Center - Phoenix, AZ
November
3 - Frost Bank Center - San Antonio, TX
6 - Moody Center - Austin, TX
9 - American Airlines Center - Dallas, TX
12 - BOK Center - Tulsa, OK
15 - CHI Health Center - Omaha, NE
18 - Ball Arena - Denver, CO
21 - Moda Center - Portland, OR
24 - Climate Pledge Arena - Seattle, WA
27 - Delta Center - Salt Lake City, UT
30 - Chase Center - San Francisco, CA
December
4 - SAP Center - San Jose, CA
7 - The Kia Forum - Los Angeles, CA
28 - Prudential Center - Newark, NJ
31 - TD Garden - Boston, MA
January
4 - Little Caesars Arena - Detroit, MI
7 - Scotiabank Arena - Toronto, ON
10 - Bell Centre - Montreal, QC
13 - Schottenstein Center - Columbus, OH
16 - Gainbridge Fieldhouse - Indianapolis, IN
19 - United Center - Chicago, IL
22 - Xcel Energy Center - St Paul, MN
25 - T-Mobile Center - Kansas City, MO
February
11 - Kia Center - Orlando, FL
14 - Amalie Arena - Tampa, FL
17 - Amerant Bank Arena - Sunrise, FL
20 - PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC
23 - Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
26 - KeyBank Center - Buffalo, NY
The Black Crowes returned to the road this spring with their 35-date Happiness Bastards Tour. Remaining dates listed below.
May
14 - Manchester, UK - O2 Apollo
15 - London, UK - Eventim Apollo
17 - Newcastle, UK - O2 City Hall
18 - Wolverhampton, UK - The Civic at The Halls
21 - Brussels, BE - Ancienne Belgique
22 - Amsterdam, NL - AFAS Live
24 - Paris, FR - L'Olympia
27 - Milan, IT - Teatro Arcimboldi Milano
29 - Frankfurt, DE - Alte Oper
30 - Stuttgart, DE - Liederhalle
June
1 - Berlin, DE - Verti Music Hall
4 - Copenhagen, DK - Falkonersalen
5-8 - Sôlvesborg, SE - Sweden Rock Festival
9 - Mérida, ES - Stone & Music Festival
July
19 - St. Paul, MN - Minnesota Yacht Club*
September
13 - East Aurora, NY - Borderland Festival
14 - Asbury Park, NJ - Sea. Hear. Now Festival
Швеция
Pain
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
Бразилия
США
Германия
Италия
Финляндия
Новая Зеландия
