4K video of JUDAS PRIEST's entire April 8 concert Le Zénith in Paris, France can be seen below.
PRIEST's 18-song setlist included three songs from the band's latest album, "Invincible Shield": the title track, "Panic Attack" and "Crown Of Horns".
As he has done a number of other times over the course of the last six years, guitarist Glenn Tipton appeared with PRIEST for the encore, performing "Metal Gods" and "Living After Midnight".
Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's 10 years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of JUDAS PRIEST's "Firepower" album. He was replaced by "Firepower" and "Invincible Shield" album producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.
Featured songs in video below:
* Panic Attack 00:00
* You've Got Another Thing Comin' 06:47
* Rapid Fire 12:54
* Breaking The Law 17:02
* Lightning Strike 19:30
* Love Bites 23:03
* Devil's Child 28:00
* Saints In Hell 33:02
* Crown Of Horns 38:43
* Turbo Lover 44:53
* Invincible Shield 52:54
* Victim Of Changes 59:17
* The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) 1:10:58
* Painkiller 01:15:56
* The Hellion 01:22:44
* Electric Eye 01:23:24
* Hell Bent For Leather 01:27:12
* Metal Gods (with Glenn Tipton) 01:31:39
* Living After Midnight (with Glenn Tipton) 01:35:48
In a recent appearance on The Break Down With Nath & Johnny podcast, JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill was asked who in the band has the final say when it comes to picking a setlist for the PRIEST live shows. He responded: "Well, it is probably Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer], really. But then again, we've got a whole spectrum now. You've got the younger element with Richie [Faulkner, PRIEST guitarist]. He's the same age as my eldest son. And then comes Scott [Travis, PRIEST drummer] and you've got Glenn [Tipton, PRIEST guitarist], of course. He can't do it anymore [due to his battle with Parkinson's disease]. [But] he's still sharp as a pin between his ears. Then Andy [Sneap, PRIEST touring guitarist] and Rob and myself. So you've got a full spectrum there of ages. So everybody has their own favorites and their own types of JUDAS PRIEST song. We all sort of [go], 'Yeah, like that. No, don't like that one.' And then we'll go. If someone's adamant that they really don't wanna do something, well, you don't wanna do something, and vice versa — if someone really wants to do a particular track, you do it. Like I say, you've got the ring-fence tracks there that you've gotta do — the 'Breaking The Law's and the 'Living After Midnight's and things like that, that you have to do. It's what brings people to the shows, basically. And then you've got your other sort of classic PRIEST songs, which is a little bit easier because you can swap and change those between — do a month maybe using one song, change it to another one of a similar kind. And then try to get some new stuff in there — three, maybe four maximum is about as much as you can get at any one time. I'm sure there'll be more than that, that we'll go through. And just swap and change as we go."
Asked if there are any songs that he can think of straight off the top of his head, in the PRIEST back catalog that he really loves to play live but never has, Ian said: "Ah, there's one that we have played live that we haven't played for a while and that's 'Dissident Aggressor'. I still say that's probably my all-time favorite song. It's just so raw — it's just pure rock, really. It's one of those songs that, even in the studio, I can remember it being — it's two guitars, bass, drums and vocals. And I think there might be one extra guitar on there through the lead break. Other than that, it's totally raw. It's exactly as it would be on stage. And I love that song, apart from it being a great song. And there's always other things. We've never really done 'Before The Dawn' — from the other point of view, the other end of the spectrum, if there's a quiet part in [the show]. These days people tend to prefer the more upbeat stuff rather than the quieter pieces. But that would be cool to do as well. It's only about two and a half, three minutes long anyway, so it wouldn't take much time. But there's loads in there — there's loads of them. 'Sinner' we haven't done, so it'd be great to do that again. We haven't done that for a while. But we'll see."
In a separate interview with Metal Pilgrim, Halford spoke about the setlist for the European leg of PRIEST's tour with SAXON and URIAH HEEP. He said: "We've had this conversation before as far as trying to put the setlist together. And after 19 studio albums, it's, like, 'Oh my God. Where do we go?' If we didn't play 'Breaking The Law', there'd be a riot. If we didn't play 'Painkiller', there'd be a riot. There are certain songs that you are indebted to your fans to play, because they're part of the fabric of who you are as a band. Without naming names, there are certain bands where you know you wanna hear that song when you go to a show. So there's a portion of the setlist that already writes itself. Having said that, yeah, we are gonna go quite deep, and we found some songs from previous albums that we're gonna work with and we're gonna bring out. So there'll probably be at least two or three deep cuts on this setlist."
Rob continued: "At any given moment, we've got 60 to 70 songs we can play — at any given moment. And then we're gonna add more into the mix. It's fun to see the texts and the e-mails flying through: 'Well, I'll give you this one if you give me that one.' 'Cause you've gotta find a balance. When a band plays on stage, every single bandmember has to agree on the set list. There's no place for, 'Oh, dude, I've gotta play this one.' There's no place for that. You've all gotta be believing in that particular song as you go through the show. And it's gonna be fantastic. And this is gonna be a really eventful tour as we're about to kick off in Europe, with our friends SAXON and URIAH HEEP."
Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.
"Invincible Shield" entered the U.K. chart at No. 2, just behind Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine".
Prior to "Invincible Shield"'s arrival, PRIEST's highest U.K. chart achievement was with 1980's "British Steel", which reached No. 4.
PRIEST's 2018 album "Firepower" entered the chart at No. 5.
"Invincible Shield" is JUDAS PRIEST's fifth Top 10 album, after the aforementioned "British Steel" and "Firepower", as well as 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" (No. 6) and the 1979 live album "Unleashed In The East" (No. 10).
"Invincible Shield" landed at No. 1 in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as No. 5 in France, No. 8 in Italy and No. 16 in Australia.
King Zebra have today released their new album, Between The Shadows. The band hailing from the picturesque city of Zurich, Switzerland, emerges as the new face of rock in a harmonious fusion of youthful exuberance and veteran wisdom.
Order the album here, and check out a visualizer for the song, "Love Lies", below:
King Zebra burst into the music scene with their 2019 EP, a sonic voyage marked by the standout track "Firewalker," amassing over 2 million streams and firmly establishing the band in the hearts of rock enthusiasts globally. Their presence soared as they graced renowned festivals like Rock the Ring and Rock of Ages, sharing stages with iconic acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Uriah Heep, and Rose Tattoo.
In 2020, King Zebra embarked on a transformative journey to Crehate Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden, to craft their sophomore album, Survivors, under the skilled guidance of producer Oscar Nilsson. The collaboration with ex-Thundermother singer Guernica Mancini on "Wall Of Confusion" elevated their sound, resonating with fans and critics alike. The album found a home with Golden Robot Records, paving the way for extensive touring throughout Europe, sharing stages with notable acts like Crash Diet.
Now, signed to Frontiers Records, King Zebra deliver their next sonic masterpiece, Between The Shadows, meticulously produced once again by Oscar Nilsson. This is a musical journey three years in the making.
Between The Shadows showcases the culmination of dedication, passion, and attention to detail that defines King Zebra's distinctive sound, characterized by former China vocalist Eric St. Michaels. As the band fills their schedule with live dates, the world eagerly anticipates the release of this new chapter in King Zebra's musical legacy.
Tracklisting:
"Starlight"
"Children Of The Night"
"Wicked"
"Dina"
"Love Lies"
"Cyanide"
"With You Forever"
"Love Me Tonight"
"Out In The Wild"
"Restless Revolution"
Today, Century Media Records welcomes Philadelphia heavy metal band, Sonja, to its roster. Conceptualized in 2014, Sonja are capturing the true spirit of metal and rock n’ roll with a dark and sensual approach.
Following their 2022 debut album Loud Arriver, Sonja now expose their new single, "Discretion For The Generous”. The powerful track intermingles gothic rock style with a habitually infectious chorus that incites a fiery metal whirlwind. Vocalist and guitarist Melissa Moore commands melody and lyrics, derived from perception and transaction.
The music video matches the track’s intensity, displaying not only a striking performance from the band but a parallel tale of art and objectification. Sonja delve through the hands of lust and temptation while setting forth their own path, something that has become dominant though the elevation of the band.
On the single and signing Moore bares: “It’s a potent experience to write, record, film a video at my home, and immediately release a song that is literally encompassing my life right now. Sonja is our Goddess and she despises compromise. We exist for her extreme desire and as such we are full-on at all times. To create the art worthy of her name we rip through our realities into the new planes of existence she demands. We are grateful for those who join us on this path of serving her.
"Escaping to Portugal to write the lyrics, I attempted to articulate some of the insanity back in Philly. When I returned home, we turned the volume UP. Century Media became our new sugar daddy.
"We stare into each other’s souls with an unhinged need to push each other over the edge. It’s pointless to even try to predict what kind of fucked up situations we are all going to end up in. Some knowledge can only be found in the dark.”
Mike Gitter, VP of A&R at Century Media Records adds on welcoming Sonja: "When we first heard Sonja's Loud Arriver, it was as full of heaviness, angst, sexuality and heart as a rock record could be. Like the band itself, it both challenged and waved a bloody sword for the classic and the contemporary. ‘Discretion For the Generous,’ in true Sonja fashion, occupies the space where Manowar, Danzig and Mercyful Fate conjure and conquer at the best late night party you can imagine. Century Media is proud to be Sonja's new label home."
Sonja have an extensive tour schedule ahead, starting with a European headline run on April 16. From there the band will support Wayfarer on tour across North America.
Sonja is:
Melissa Moore (Vocals/Guitar)
Grzesiek Czapla (Drums)
Ben Brand (Bass)
In celebration of their 40th Anniversary (1984-2024), legendary British AOR rock band, FM, are proud to release “Don’t Need Another Heartache”, the second single from their forthcoming fourteenth studio album, Old Habits Die Hard.
The new single is available on all streaming platforms here, and an official video can be viewed below.
“Heartache draws influences from the bands love for bands like free and Bad Company,” says FM’s lead singer Steve Overland. “It’s a straight-to-the-point, classic blues rock track.”
"This song will probably be in the live set for the 40th anniversary tour as it’s one of our favourites from the album,” explains drummer and founder FM member, Pete Jupp.
Released to coincide with the bands 40th Anniversary, vocalist, guitarist and founding member Steve Overland says, “the new album encompasses the best melodic elements of the band’s illustrious 40-year spanning career."
"We really looked at what made the most popular FM albums great and tried to focus on that,” says Steve about the new album Old Habits Die Hard.
FM are known by many for their big choruses, twin lead guitars and Steve Overland’s intimate, yet powerful vocals, and clean guitar sound.
Following 2022’s Thirteen album, Old Habits Die Hard was delayed slightly by keyboard player Jem Davis’ cancer diagnosis (thankfully he’s now received the all-clear) and then by the sudden passing of FM’s founding guitarist Chris Overland (Steve’s brother), which hit the band hard.
Over the past 12 months, during their extensive touring schedule, FM produced the album themselves and recorded the bulk of it at their own Dale View and Electric Pepperland recording studios.
Opening track and first single “Out Of The Blue” was a song that originated from keyboard player Jem Davis. Says Jem, “The band love the music of Toto and Foreigner and so I tried to put those influences into one track. ‘Once Steve got involved and started singing it, I knew that we were onto something special.”
“'Out Of The Blue' is a song that old school FM fans will really latch on to,” says Steve. “So far, the reaction to the track has been amazing.”
“Whatever It Takes” and “No Easy Way Out” are typical FM melodic tracks and could fit seamlessly on to one of the bands earlier classic albums. Bass player and founder member Merv Goldsworthy explains, “No Easy way Out has the big typical FM chorus. It’s a massive hook. The kind of thing that we’ve become known for. It’s one of my favourites on the album.”
The heavier side of the album is represented by “Lost,” “Another Day in My World,” and “Leap of Faith.” Whilst more hard hitting, these songs embody the catchy melodic choruses that FM are known for.
“Cut Me Loose,” “California,” and “Blue Sky Mind” are poppier, more feelgood tracks. “Blue Sky Mind” was conceived again by keyboard player Jem Davis who originally wrote the song about his experience with his cancer diagnosis. ‘That song really was therapy for me. It was important that I got it out of my system and into music,” says Jem.
“Black Water” is a brooding, bluesy track that grows and grows. ‘This is a real favourite of mine,” says FM guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick. “I could hear Brian May playing the guitar solo, so I pulled out my Brian May signature guitar and tried to do my best impersonation of him. Hopefully, I got somewhere close.”
Signed CDs can be pre-ordered here. All other streaming and physical pre-orders can be found here.
Tracklisting:
"Out Of The Blue"
"Don't Need Another Heartache"
"No Easy Way Out"
"Lost"
"Whatever It Takes"
"Black Water"
"Cut Me Loose"
"Leap of Faith"
"California"
"Another Day On My World"
"Blue Sky Mind"
Japan bonus track:
"Whatever It Takes" (Acoustic)
"Out Of The Blue" video:
FM previously announced their “Old Habits Die Hard” 40th Anniversary Tour. Find the complete tour itinerary and ticket links at fmofficial.com.
Band lineup:
Steve Overland – Vocals, Guitar
Merv Goldsworthy – Bass Guitar
Pete Jupp – Drums
Jem Davis – Keyboards
Jim Kirkpatrick – Guitar
White Stones -- Opeth bassist Martín Mendéz' brainchild -- surprise fans with a brand new song titled “La Ira.” It serves as an appetizer for their third studio album Memoria Viva, which will be released on June 28, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
"'La Ira' is a song reflecting on the power that greed has over our minds. The awakening of 'La Ira' [engl. 'the anger'] refers to our instinctive reaction about choices that affect humanity and life itself. It's a song of hope; the hope of decisions for the betterment of the world we live in," Mendéz explains.
Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice [CD-digipak; sepia marbled vinyl LP (eco-friendly recycled, every copy is one of a kind!)], pre-save it on your favourite DSP or preorder it digitally to receive “La Ira” instantly now at this location.
Memoria Viva melts together disparate genres into a unique sonic experience. The instrumental frenzy migrates with delicate intricacies creating a mesmerizing atmosphere captivating the musical connoisseur. To up the antics, the energetic Spanish language was chosen to round up this multi-faceted endeavor. A treat for anyone who enjoys devouring multi-experimental musicianship.
Elements of aggression, that can be seen rearing their head in instrumental frenzies, manage to co-exist along softer vibes, generating a distinct dynamic among the songs, with interludes allowing listeners to take a breath and appreciate what they're hearing.
Memoria Viva was recorded at Farm Of Sounds Studios (Barcelona, Spain), and mixed & mastered by Gerard Porqueres at Heartwork Recording Studios.
Martín adds, "Making an album in Spanish is something that I wanted to do for a long time. We tried it out with our second record Dancing Into Oblivion, but at the time we couldn't convince ourselves that it worked on that album. This time we did and I feel very proud of the result."
"One of the most notable aspects of this new album, apart from not setting any creative limits musically, has been the challenge of having proposed to sing in the Spanish language. It has been a very exciting experience and we believe we have found a new way to continue giving something new to the White Stones sound, and make this musical proposal something more unique!" comments vocalist Eloi Boucherie.
The line-up has been enhanced with the participation of the multi-faceted Joan Carles Marí Tur on drums. The guitar solos were the job of João Sassetti. Additional guests José Ignacio Lagos (flute) and Joakim Svalberg (keyboards) accentuated the album further with their sound facets.
Tracklisting:
“Memoria Viva”
“Humanoides”
“D-Generación”
“Zamba de Orun”
“La Ira”
“Somos”
“Grito al Silencio”
“Vencedores Vencidos”
“Yemayá”
THE TROOPS OF DOOM, the Brazilian band featuring former SEPULTURA guitarist Jairo "Tormentor" Guedz, will release its sophomore album, "A Mass To The Grotesque", as a limited LP vinyl edition and CD digipack on May 31 via Alma Mater Records, the Portuguese label run by MOONSPELL singer Fernando Ribeiro.
The official music video for the LP's first single, a brutal banger titled "Chapels Of The Unholy", can be seen below.
"Imagine a death metal world unaltered and pure since the 1990s, a musical style so dear to the fans, that time, business and trend, could never hurt," death metal fan 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 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.
THE TROOPS OF DOOM emerged to revive the classic death metal of the 1980s, 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.
Guedz comments: "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."
"Every aspect of this album was chosen meticulously," 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, old school 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."
"A Mass To The Grotesque" track listing:
01. Solve Et Coagula - Introduction
02. Chapels Of The Unholy
03. Dawn Of Mephisto
04. Denied Divinity
05. The Impostor King
06. Faithless Requiem
07. Psalm 78 - God Of Bizarre
08. Terror Inheritance
09. The Grotesque
10. Blood Upon The Throne
11. Venomous Creed
THE TROOPS OF DOOM have been confirmed to headline the Waves stage at the Brazilian edition of the German festival Summer Breeze, taking place at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo this April, followed by THE TROOPS OF DOOM's first-ever European Tour in August.
Kerry King has shared the music video for "Residue", the second single from his upcoming debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise". Co-directed by Jim Louvau and his partner Tony Aguilera, who have made videos for Jerry Cantrell, Sebastian Bach, EXODUS and KILLER BE KILLED, the clip was shot at their downtown Phoenix studio in early April, and features King's new band consisting of drummer Paul Bostaph (SLAYER),bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH),guitarist Phil Demmel (formerly of MACHINE HEAD) and vocalist Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL).
According to Louvau, his concept for the video was simple: "A fiery, bitchin', heavy fucking metal performance introducing the world to Kerry King's new project and band members. A no-bullshit, no-prisoners showcase of the bandmembers, performing while engulfed in flames and surrounded by burning pentagrams."
"I come from a big fire pedigree," said King, "and my music works with fire. I've always written horror-type music, so it made sense to incorporate fire into the first video, where you get to see the entire band, which I think is just awesome. I think fire goes hand in hand with the devil, and I'm no stranger to talking about the devil."
Added Louvau: "I knew this would be the first time that the world was going to see the band performing together, so I wanted to create a fast-moving visual assault. Pyrotechnics and Kerry King clearly go hand in hand and seem to fit like a glove, so Tony and I wanted to create something that felt familiar but also something new and exciting. I also knew I could get away with certain visuals like a burning pentagram."
"From Hell I Rise" will be released on May 17 via Reigning Phoenix Music. All material for the LP was written by the 59-year-old SLAYER guitarist. Helming the "From Hell I Rise" recording sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles last year was producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and BAD RELIGION, among others.
"From Hell I Rise" track listing:
01. Diablo
02. Where I Reign
03. Residue
04. Idle Hands
05. Trophies Of The Tyrant
06. Crucifixation
07. Tension
08. Everything I Hate About You
09. Toxic
10. Two Fists
11. Rage
12. Shrapnel
13. From Hell I Rise
King told Rolling Stone of the LP's first single: "'Idle Hands' are what I've been doing the last four years. That and 'From Hell I Rise' have been my frame of mind in the last four and a half years."
As for the decision to call the band KERRY KING, the guitarist explained: "It was going to be KING'S REIGN for a long time, which is really cool. But even with that one, I went to the guys, like, 'I'm not a vain dude. I don't want my name to be a part of it.' We talked about BLOOD REIGN for a while, but it didn't work. Every time I came up with anything remotely cool, it was taken by some obscure band in Eastern Europe. It became KERRY KING because I love that logo."
King said the album is about "various religious topics, some war entries, heavy stuff, punky stuff, doomy stuff, and spooky stuff, with Herculean speeds achieved," adding, "If you've ever liked any SLAYER throughout any part of our history, there's something on this record that you'll get into, be it classic punk, fast punk, thrash, or just plain heavy metal."
King added there's more to come, too. "Even with a record in the can, I've still got so many songs that need to be finished," he said. "This is what I know how to do…number one being music, number two being metal. It's been a part of my life for 40 years, and I'm nowhere near being done."
KERRY KING will be special guest on the upcoming LAMB OF GOD/MASTODON North American "Ashes Of Leviathan" co-headline tour. The six-week run will launch on July 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas and will wrap on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. KERRY KING will make the band's 2024 concert debut next month, beginning with a recently announced club show at Reggie's in Chicago on May 7 that will serve as a warm-up to the band's Welcome To Rockville festival appearance on May 9. KERRY KING will also play Sonic Temple on May 16.
During SLAYER's final show back in November of 2019 at the Forum in Los Angeles, California, King took off his signature chains from his belt, held them high, dropped them onto the floor, turned around and walked off the stage. "I knew early on that I wasn't done, and I had no intention of not continuing to play," he revealed in a press release.
King previously told Metal Hammer his solo album would follow in the sonic footsteps of his former band. "If I wasn't in SLAYER, I would be a SLAYER fan. So yes, I think it's an extension of SLAYER, and I think a lot of people will think it might have been the next record. I guess maybe 80 percent of it would have been, maybe it would have been exactly what I'm putting on this one."
Norwegian black metal veterans DARKTHRONE have released an animated video (created by Matthew Vickerstaff) for their new song "Black Dawn Affiliation". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "It Beckons Us All", which will arrive on April 26 via Peaceville Records.
DARKTHRONE's Fenriz comments: "Nocturno Culto sculpted 'Black Dawn Affiliation', and as much as I writhe in woe trying to describe riffs I did not make, we are certainly rocking hard and dark around a dungeon of slow KREATOR 1986-era riffs (think 'Awakening Of The Gods' or 'Take Their Lives' from the 'Flag Of Hate' 12").
"The song is linearly constructed, which is bold for a single but we often write this way. One could say it is a two-pronged beast which after the intermission (filled with a choir of the damned that we sung ourselves, believe it or not: 'Aaaaaa.') continues with my favorite riff in the song since I first heard it appear early in the second part and it is there that I was given the reins to let the halls and chambers of stardust levitate with unearthly synth and a voice that still today, when writing this, strikes me as being influenced by the first rock album I heard back in 1973 — 'Morrison Hotel'. Lyrics darker and more disturbed than ever solidify these halls now."
DARKTHRONE's Nocturno Culto adds: "It is not easy to describe the music you make, but for sure I will try…it's heavy! Everything worked out as I hoped for this track. Some things are just forged in the studio, like as Fenriz's excellent vocals at the end of the song; and the choir I wanted. Instead of just taking shortcuts, Fenriz and I recorded three vocal tracks each, and it was brilliantly mixed by Silje at Chaka Khan. There are many things one can say about riffs, but I make songs from a combination of a very methodical approach and happy accidents! And somewhere in the back of my head, it's most likely there is something affecting a lot of my decisions on little details that shapes the riffing."
Pioneers of a sound that changed the world. Lifelong disciples of suspense and mystery. An enigmatic duo like no other, hell-bent on haunting souls through the eternities. There are many things DARKTHRONE have been called since forming in 1986 and these are but a few, having drawn from a creative well so potent and powerful it turned them into one of Norway's biggest musical exports. Following from their debut album "Soulside Journey", the next three full-lengths, often referred to as "the unholy three", set the benchmark for black metal in the early '90s, though in truth they've never been the kind to rest on such laurels — distilling elements of vintage punk, doom, thrash and death into their own sonic fingerprint and continuing to test that equation throughout the years. It's been quite the journey, having won cryptic pair Nocturno and Fenriz legions of loyal fans around the world. This tradition will only continue with latest masterpiece "It Beckons Us All".
The new music is an intense observation of the world around them — exciting and challenging the listener in equal measure, in the way only they can. Some of the riffs howl across a gallery of ice and snow while others crackle like a volcano awakening from its timeless slumber, Nocturno's demonic barks ricocheting across the intoxicating structures almost like it's beaming from long-distant galaxy. As DARKTHRONE have shown us so many times in the past, their music is as visual as it gets — evoking tangible imagery through the medium of sound. Whether the ideas are somber, reflective or incensed, they exist as emotional concepts you can see and feel as much as you hear.
"I am having difficulties putting into words my personal feelings around the existential title 'It Beckons Us All'. I can only hope others out there can feel the darkness that encompasses it," muses Fenriz.
Never afraid to venture beyond the confines of the extreme metal template they were paramount in creating, there are moments on "It Beckons Us All" that will dazzle and surprise, as well as satisfy fans of old. Nocturno comments: "We recorded in the manner we always do, live, meaning drums and guitar, with another guitar added later. We found a new twist during this process that surely benefited this album. Fenriz did stellar clean vocals on several songs, and his way of thinking creatively made it so good. We also shared the bass work this time around. We added a lot of extra layers like solo guitars… it was just a cauldron of ideas. Instead of finding a plug-in or choir synth patch, we both recorded four vocal tracks each. DARKTHRONE is an ever-evolving band, as many should know by now, and this album is touching a bit into the heavy genre. I have no idea what genre we are, and have really not cared much about it, but I know for sure it's metal."
In that sense, "It Beckons Us All" is very much demonstrative of two visionaries at their world-commanding best. They know what works but more importantly they choose to grow, throwing every ounce of their hearts and souls into evolving the jaw-dropping whirlpool of noise that could only ever have come from their collective minds. There are clean guitars, clean vocals and less typical instruments thrown into the mix, but the approach, intent and ethos at the heart of their fearless artistry remains very much the same. This is music for dreamers who find themselves paralyzed by the contrasting beauty and ugliness in the world surrounding them. Never ones to appease the faint-hearted, DARKTHRONE are as real and human as it gets.
"It Beckons Us All" was recorded in April and May 2023 at Chaka Khan Studios in Oslo, the same location used for the "Eternal Hails" and "Astral Fortress" albums, mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door, with artwork courtesy of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak.
"It Beckons Us All" track listing
01. Howling Primitive Colonies [06:30]
02. Eon 3 [05:43]
03. Black Dawn Affiliation [06:11]
04. And In That Moment I Knew The Answer [03:17]
05. The Bird People Of Nordland [07:27]
06. The Heavy Hand [04:18]
07. The Lone Pines Of The Lost Planet [10:03]
Nocturno Culto photo courtesy of Peer Olav Kittilsen
Aaron Lewis has released an acoustic-performance video for his song "Let's Go Fishing". The track is taken from the STAIND frontman's latest solo album, "The Hill", which arrived today (Friday, March 29) via The Valory Music Co.,
An upbeat song that's "very much not about going fishing," "Let's Go Fishing" finds Lewis calling out the nation's problems — but deciding to leave them for another day. Co-written with Bobby Pinson, a mix of fed-up frustration and organic-country comfort creates an intriguing contrast — a lightly-coded protest anthem with a let-it-be theme. "I find the whole thing tongue in cheek," Lewis admitted in a press release.
The "Let's Go Fishing" lyrics find the 51-year-old Lewis — an outspoken conservative rocker who reinvented himself as a solo country artist in the last decade — singing about "making America great again", "turning off CNN" and using the "Let's Go, Brandon!" catchphrase, which was coined by American conservatives to criticize President Joe Biden.
According to Fox 26 Houston, the "Let's Go, Brandon!" phrase, which originally stemmed from a NASCAR interview, is a G-rated substitute for "Fuck Joe Biden" chants that were popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. The explicit saying was recited at sporting events across the country in defiance of the president's coronavirus mandates.
After Brandon Brown's victory at the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on October 2, 2021, a crowd unleashed "Fuck Joe Biden" chants during the young racer's TV interview. NBC reporter Kelli Stavast appeared to misunderstand what the fans were shouting, claiming instead they were saying "Let's Go, Brandon!" — unintentionally coining the phrase.
Lewis made headlines in September 2021 when he urged his fans to chant "Fuck Joe Biden" during a STAIND concert in Pennsylvania.
In March 2022, Lewis told the Los Angeles Times that he doesn't blindly listen to information that is delivered by the mainstream media.
"I'm not uneducated; I'm actually really smart, and I look for myself. I seek other options of information," he said. "I refuse to believe that a huge, gigantic corporation has our best interest in mind."
Asked where he gets his news, Lewis said: "I have news feeds and people that I follow on Telegram. Dan Ball. Andrew Wilkow. Mark Levin. If I'm gonna watch any sort of news source on television, it's Tucker Carlson."
At some of his solo concerts, Lewis has been taking the stage while wearing a black hat with white mesh and white lettering on the front clearly stating "FUJOE," an expletive directed toward Biden.
In November 2021, Lewis claimed that he beat COVID-19 by taking ivermectin, a drug with no evidence of being a safe or effective treatment for the novel coronavirus. He said he also used Z-Pak, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the body.
In the summer of 2021, Lewis's solo single "Am I The Only One" debuted at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country chart. The song takes aim at liberals and touches on American flags burning and statues that have been removed in the country. The track, which Lewis wrote with Ira Dean and Jeffrey Steele, was released in July 2021 and topped the Hot Country Songs chart on Billboard.
Lewis sings in the song's chorus: "I'm not the only one, willin' to fight / For my love of the red and white / And the blue, burnin' on the ground / Another statue comin' down in a town near you." Lewis also criticizes Bruce Springsteen at the end of the track, singing: "Am I the only one who quits singin' along every time they play a Springsteen song."
Springsteen can best be described as Lewis's political polar opposite, having been a vocal opponent to former U.S. president Donald Trump on many occasions.
When Lewis first performed "Am I The Only One" in June 2021 for a crowd in Virginia, he described himself as a then-"49-year-old father of three" who has been "watching a very small handful of people destroy the country." Lewis then ripped President Joe Biden and blamed "every racist law that's ever been put into place" on "Democrats."
In March 2022, Lewis seemingly embraced the popular belief among conspiracy theorists that Russian president Vladimir Putin is attacking Ukraine to destroy the Deep State, a secret part of government they believe is on a mission undermine Donald Trump. Lewis voiced his views on the war in Ukraine before performing "Am I The Only One" during his concert at Vern Riffe Center in Portsmouth, Ohio. He told the crowd: "We have no order. We have no president. Every single day that goes by, we lose standing in the world. Everyone's laughing at us. Everyone is positioning themselves against us. And it's not us — it's the government that we put in power. These are the people that are making us look bad throughout the entire world — the same people that have you convinced that we all need to support Ukraine even though all of their money laundering systems, all of their everything, the way that they get all their kickbacks and they wash everything is all through the Ukraine."
Aaron then repeated the conspiracy theory that Russia's invasion of Ukraine is somehow tied to billionaire philanthropist George Soros and Klaus Schwab, who is the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that holds a yearly economic symposium in Davos, Switzerland.
"You know, as fucked up as it sounds, maybe we should listen to what Vladimir Putin is saying," Lewis said. "Maybe, just maybe, when Klaus Schwab and George Soros and every other dirty fucking earth-destroying motherfucker all jumps on the same bandwagon, maybe, just maybe we should fucking take a good look at that. Why are they trying to protect Ukraine so much? What do they all have to lose?"
Seven Spires has shared "Architect Of Creation," the second single from their upcoming studio album A Fortress Called Home to be released June 21 via Frontiers Music Srl. The track is accompanied by a new music video, available below.
Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan had this to share about the track:
“'Architect Of Creation' is a bombastic romp through many of our favorite genres. On the spectrum from ‘mania to nothing’, this falls heavily on the mania side. But the true joy for me was in the arrangements — painting that world as the scenery of my soul! — and frolicking through them with Devin Townsend-inspired clean vocal stacks and Shagrath-y storytelling harsh vocals.”
Guitarist Jack Kosto follows up with:
“Those of you who have been with us since 'Solveig' will recognize the horned mask from the cover of that album in this video! Funny enough, during the multi-day shooting process, our rental car was broken into and the mask (along with the rest of all of our stuff) was stolen! We managed to recover it with only a few hours left on the last day of the shoot, and it’s crazy that this important visual piece of Spires history was almost lost to time over a freaking car. If you’re interested in the full story, it’s posted on our Patreon.”
A Fortress Called Home, Seven Spires' fourth studio album is the follow-up to Gods Of Debauchery (2021), and takes their signature blend of symphonic power and extreme metal to new heights, dragging the listener to the deepest abysses in the process.
Adrienne Cowan comments: “I visited the void twice while writing this album. I don’t know which begat the other. It’s ugly. I love it and I hate it, and I think it’s our best work yet.”
A Fortress Called Home was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jack Kosto who had this to say about it: “If our previous albums have intended to take you on an emotional journey of our design, this album forces you to confront the one of your own making. Good luck and enjoy!”
Tracklisting:
"A Fortress Called Home"
"Songs Upon Wine-Stained Tongues"
"Almosttown"
"Impossible Tower"
"Love’s Souvenir"
"Architect Of Creation"
"Portrait Of Us"
"Emerald Necklace"
"Where Sorrows Bear My Name"
"No Place For Us"
"House Of Lies"
"The Old Hurt Of Being Left Behind"
"Architect Of Creation":
"Almosttown":
Pre-order A Fortress Called Home now at this location.
Seven Spires’ 2024 touring schedule includes a European tour with Skálmöld and Atavistia in March, four North American shows as direct support for Kamelot with Ad Infinitum in April, a headline set at Mile High Power Fest in Denver, CO, in August, and their first-ever headlining Japanese tour with Lords Of The Trident in December. Further details can be found here.
Ulcerate, who recently announced the June 14 release of their new album Cutting The Throat Of God (Debemur Morti Productions), have shared a second single from the new album, with today’s arrival of “To Flow Through Ashen Hearts”.
The song was released in conjunction with a Dehn Sora-directed video for the seven-minute track.
Last month the New Zealand-based trio shared news of the album’s forthcoming arrival, and with it was the first taste of music from the seven-song album: “The Dawn Is Hollow”.
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”
Billy Idol Rewind: A Twitch Livestream Event was held in July 2023, and today, Idol shares the official video for "Rebel Yell" from the session. Watch below:
Billy Idol will embark on his transcontinental Rebel Yell Canada 2024 arena tour this summer, beginning July 30 in Vancouver and running through August 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Produced by Live Nation Canada, Idol’s show will include a myriad of hits from across his career with a focus on the landmark Rebel Yell album, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Joining Idol is his longtime backing band, including his lead guitarist and collaborator of over 40 years, Steve Stevens. Canadian Walk Of Fame inductees Platinum Blonde will appear as special guest across all stops.
Dates:
July
30 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
August
1 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place
2 - Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome
5 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Centre
6 - Winnipeg, MB - Canada Life Centre
9 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena
10 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre
14 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens
16 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
19 - Quebec City, QC - Videotron Centre
21 - Moncton, NB - Avenir Centre
23 - Halifax, NS - Scotiabank Centre
25 - St. John’s, NL - Mary Brown’s Centre
Billy Idol is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his landmark album, Rebel Yell, with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe.
Available for pre-order here, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idols smash hit "Eyes Without A Face", and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original "Best Way Out Of Here" from the original sessions.
Idol has debuted the demo version of his 1984 hit single “Flesh For Fantasy” from the original Rebel Yell recording sessions. Listen to/share the track here and below:
Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idols self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles "Eyes Without A Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", "Rebel Yell", and "Catch My Fall". The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete tracklistings.
Idol recently released the concert film Billy Idol: State Line, a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam the first-ever concert performed at the location on DVD and Blu-ray following a successful limited theatrical run. The film highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idols iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line. For both sets, Idol is joined by his longtime collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens, as well as special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt).
For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the definitive faces and voices of rocknroll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock 'n' roll decadence. Touring consistently around the world for the last ten years and showing no signs of slowing down, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records, earning praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol cemented his name among Hollywood legends with the first Walk of Fame Star of 2023.
Rebel Yell (Expanded Edition) tracklistings:
2xLP:
Disc 1, Side A
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
Disc 1, Side B
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"
Disc 2, Side A
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
Disc 2, Side B
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)
2xCD/Digital Album:
Disc 1
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"
Disc 2
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Rebel Yell" (Session Take)
"Blue Highway" (Original Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Session Take)
"Catch My Fall" (Original Demo)
"Motorbikin" (Session Take)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)
Ross Valory, regarded as one of rock's best bass guitarists and an original member of the multi-platinum band JOURNEY until his 2020 departure, has released the official Michael Cotton-directed music video for "Windmill". It's the latest single from the bassist and songwriter's debut solo album, "All Of The Above", due out on April 12 via OID Music.
Says Ross: "'Windmill' is another Latin-inspired tune that takes us to Brazil. It was written on guitar and as a result this is the first time I've recorded guitar."
Valory always had pieces of music tucked away that he had written, although songwriting contributions to JOURNEY slipped away after the first three "experimental" albums. As a member of JOURNEY, Valory concentrated on shaping the rhythm section and contributing his baritone vocals to the background blend.
During the band's second coming following the 1995 reunion album "Trial By Fire", Valory began sorting through his files and polishing up some of his old notes. In between tour dates, he pulled together a tight-knit group of collaborators and slowly began to finish what he started. After a lifetime in music, Valory scrupulously etched "All Of The Above". The album was produced by Valory and co-produced by Jacob Stowe and Eric Levy.
Valory developed a repertory company of musicians over the years that came together at his studio. He cultivated individual numbers like sprawling projects, experimenting with different arrangements played by an assortment of musicians. Sometimes spending years jamming on these ideas, the pieces took shape slowly. Different ideas were tried and discarded, remodeled and refurbished. The basic concept was to find the heart of the material and expand upon it until Valory could refine and shape the music's path to his supreme satisfaction. He cast specific musicians to specific parts. The studio became his laboratory and the compositions his experiments.
From the Latin-fired intensity of "Wild Kingdom" to the ethereal dirge of "No One Wins A War", the raucous party on "Low Rider" or the brilliant reprise of SANTANA's "Incident Of Neshabur", the album presents an evolved artist fully in command of his vision, a lifetime of experience behind the project, augmenting his core associates with guest musicians such as Gregg Errico of SLY & THE FAMILY STONE, drummer Steve Smith, and saxophonist Marc Russo. 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.
Ross says: "I have been revisiting material that has been accumulating, and I am sharing some of my favorite songs for the first time!"
Valory left JOURNEY in 2020 and the bandmembers 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.
"All Of The Above" track listing:
01. Wild Kingdom
02. Nightflower
03. Tomland
04. Touched, Part II
05. Windmill
06. Incident At Neshabur
07. Low Rider
08. No One Wins A War
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