Escape Music has released the second Circle Of Friends album, entitled Cherokee Moon.
The debut Circle Of Friends album, The Garden, was put together in 2021 by Bruce Mee as a tribute to his mother, who died of cancer the previous year. Consisting of many well-known names in the genre (Doro, Robin Beck, Jeff Scott Soto, James Christian, Robin McAuley etc) this album was only ever meant to be a special one-off. However, there were still a few songs from the past that Bruce wanted to bring up to date, and with a generous helping of originals, Cherokee Moon was realised.
Growing up in the 80s, Bruce’s love was for classic and melodic rock, and that was clearly shown by some of the tracks on The Garden. For Cherokee Moon, there were a few tracks that he really wanted to put his own stamp on.
The Saxon song, "Princess Of The Night" must surely be one of the classic tracks from the NWOBHM era. However, the production back then wasn’t the best so it was decided to cover the track, and to make it that little bit more special, add Hammond organ into the mix. Jeff Scott Soto, who once toured the USA supporting Saxon, does Biff proud with his vocals.
Rainbow has always been Bruce’s favourite band, particularly the Ronnie James Dio era, of which a few songs were considered. But for Cherokee Moon it was decided to redo the classic Joe Jynn Turner era track, "Can’t Let You Go". The incredible vocals here are supplied by Harem Scarem’s Harry Hess.
The Europe album Prisoners In Paradise is one of Bruce’s favourite releases. And having worked with Tanya Rizkala on The Garden, it just seemed a logical choice to have an actual girl from Lebanon singing "Girl From Lebanon".
Elsewhere we have MSG’s Robin McAuley doing a wonderful version of the Van Zant song "Midnight Sensation" from the wonderful debut. Paul Manzi (The Sweet) does an incredible job on Ten’s "The Robe", an album that Bruce first release way back in 1999 with Now & Then Records.
But it’s just not fantastic covers, there are also six awesome originals, with the album opening with the fantastic Rainbow fuelled "Starlight" sung by Robin Beck’s daughter, Olivia Dei Cicchi. Robin herself shows up on a duet with Seven’s Mick Devine with "Lying Here Beside You".
Elsewhere, Bruce himself provides the lyrics for the Mark Boals fronted "Eternal Love". Darby Mills returns for the powerful "House of Shadows" and Thomas Vikström supplies the vocals for the Steve Overland (FM) written "Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark". Gathering Of Kings vocalist Rick Altzi performs on "Eye Of The Hurricane", the only song this time provided by the writer of most of the debut album, Mikael Rosengren.
Along with many other well-known musicians, Cherokee Moon is a heavier animal than the debut but still retains the melody and sheer power that has become synonymous with the name Circle Of Friends.
All this has been meticulously put together by producer Khalil Turk of Escape Music with a phenomenal mix by Fredrik Folkare (Nordic Union/ex-Eclipse).
Guest Musicians:
Harry Hess - Vocals (Harem Scarem)
Robin McAuley - Vocals (Black Swan/MSG/solo)
Robin Beck - Vocals
Mark Boals - Vocals/Bass (Yngwie Malmsteen / Mike Slamer / Billionaires Boys Club / Ring Of Fire)
Jeff Scott Soto - Vocals (W.E.T/Yngwie Malmsteen/Axel Rudi Pell/Trans-Siberian Orchestra/Journey)
Derby Mills - Vocals (Headpins/solo)
Rick Altzi - Vocals (Masrterplan/Heaven's Trail/Gathering of Kings)
Paul Manzi - Vocals (Sweet/x Cats In Space)
Thomas Vikstrom - Vocals (Candlemass/Brazen Abbot)
Tanya Rizkala - Vocals (Epic)
Olivia Dei Cicchi - Vocals (James Christian/Robin Beck Daughter)
Mick Devine - Lead and backing vocals (Seven)
James Christian - Backing vocals (House Of Lords)
Fredrik Folkare - Guitars/Bass (Unleashed/Eclipse)
Steve Mann - Keyboards (MSG/Lionheart)
Nalle Pahlsson - Bass (Treat/AB/CD)
Tom Croucier - Bass (Life By Night/MTB)
Tommy Denander - Guitar/Keyboards (Radioactive/Steve Walsh/Steve Overland)
Gregg Hart - Guitars (Cats In Space)
Steve Morris - Guitars/Keyboards (Ian Gillan Band/Heartland/Lonerider)
Kjell Haraldson - Hammond (Glenn Hughes)
Robert Sall - Guitars/Keys (Work Of Art/Overland/W.E.T)
Brian Anthony - Bass (Steve Walsh/Lonerider)
Johan Kullberg - Drums (Hammerfall)
Josh Devine - Drums (One Direction/Levara)
Tracklisting:
"Starlight" (Olivia Dei Cicchi)
"Eternal Love" (Mark Boals)
"Princess Of The Night" (Jeff Scott Soto)
"House Of Shadows" (Darby Mills)
"Lying Here Beside You" (Mick Devine/Robin Beck)
"Can’t Let You Go" (Harry Hess)
"Eye Of The Hurricane" (Rick Altzi)
"Midnight Sensation" (Robin McAuley)
"Girl From Lebanon" (Tanya Rizkala)
"Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark" (Thomas Vikström)
"The Robe" (Paul Manzi)
- Produced by Khalil Turk for Escape Music Ltd
- Mixed and Mastered by Fredrik Folkare
- Executive Producer: Bruce Mee
About two decades since the release of their latest studio album Heathen Machine, UK heavy metal titans, Balance Of Power, are back with new band members and a brand new album. Fresh From The Abyss will be released on April 19 via Massacre Records, the pre-sale is available here.
Founding members Tony Ritchie (bass) and Lionel Hicks (drums) are joined the band's new lead vocalist Hazel Jade as well as guitarists Chris Young and Adam Wardle, who have since taken over the reins from guitarists Chris Masimore and Stoney Wagner, with whom the band worked on and recorded the upcoming album Fresh From The Abyss.
Today, the band present a music video for the new single, "One More Time Around The Sun". Watch below:
Written before, during and after the pandemic, the band took a more organic approach and tested themselves with new and different ways of writing their songs. Largely about life and death, Fresh From The Abyss is a collection of songs that either stops the clock and points to a moment in time or stands back and encompasses the vastness of time and space, and living and dying. Welcome back, Balance Of Power!
Tracklisting:
"Last Man Down"
"Never Be Here Again"
"Monster"
"Rage Of Ages"
"Abyss"
"Velocity"
"Deadlands"
"One More Time Around The Sun"
"Abyss" video:
"Never Be Here Again" video:
Balance Of Power is:
Hazel Jade - Lead Vocals
Chris Young - Guitars
Adam Wardle - Guitars
Tony Ritchie - Bass, Vocals
Lionel Hicks – Drums
Album lineup:
Hazel Jade – Lead Vocals
Chris Masimore – Guitars
Stoney Wagner – Guitars
Tony Ritchie – Bass, Vocals
Julien Spreutels – Keyboards
Lionel Hicks – Drums
Iconic death thrash metal band Pentagram (Chile) was formed in Santiago, Chile in 1985. At the time, the country was roiling from political upheaval, but that didn't stop Anton Reisenegger, Juan Pablo Uribe, and (former drummer) Eduardo Topelberg from ingesting and eventually emulating the brutalist, evilest forms of metal from around the world.
Pentagram (Chile) recently announced their new album, Eternal Life Of Madness, and today share a video for the track "Icons Of Decay". Watch below:
Pentagram (Chile) is comprised of guitarist/vocalist Anton Reisenegger, guitarist Juan Pablo Uribe, drummer Juan Pablo Donoso, and bassist Juan Francisco Cueto. The band marched forward from their debut The Malefice (2013) while preserving the savage DNA that informed Darkthrone, At The Gates, Dismember, Napalm Death, and many others.
Eternal Life of Madness, which is a far-off salute to the group's classic Spell Of The Pentagram from their 1987 first Demo, features the crushing heft of "Possessor," "El Imbunche," "The Portal," and "Deus Est Machina."
"When the pandemic hit, and I was in lockdown at home in Spain, I started writing riffs for a new Lock Up album," says Reisenegger, who plays guitar in grind legends Brujeria and Chilean groove-thrash masters Criminal. "I realized some of the stuff I wrote had the original Pentagram (Chile) feeling, so I put those ideas aside. They started piling up, so when the Lock Up ’The Dregs of Hades' record was done, I began arranging them and working remotely with our drummer, Juan Pablo Donoso. I didn't even realize I had all that material in me, but it was somehow untapped. We had a 'false start' a few years before when original guitarist JP Uribe, JP Donoso, and I got together and started jamming on some new riffs. 'The Portal' came out of those sessions.”
Though never explicitly political lyrically, Pentagram (Chile) have issued angst-ridden proclamations throughout their 39-year existence. The relics of the waning (and most repressive) years of Augusto Pinochet's reign have long memories, manifesting via supernatural and horrific lyrics. Previous songs, such as “The Apparition”, “Sacrophobia” and “Prophetic Tremors” (all from The Malefice), have dealt with superstition, mental disorder, and cataclysm. The Eternal Life Of Madness is no different. Anton Reisenegger brings to bear his favorite themes, imbuing them with the world's weight. From the folkloric “El Imbunche” and the god-challenge of “Omniscient Tyrant” to the horror-themed “Possessor” and the apocalyptic visions of “No One Shall Survive” these are some of Pentagram (Chile)'s most intense lyrics to date.
Eternal Life Of Madness will be released on April 26, 2024 on Listenable.
Tracklisting:
“El Imbunche”
“Possessor”
“Omniscient Tyrant”
“The Portal”
“Eternal Life Of Madness”
“Icons Of Decay”
“Devourer Of Life”
“State Of Grace”
“The Seeds Of The Deed”
“Deus Est Machina”
“No One Shall Survive”
Guitarist Thomas Zwijsen has released the new video below, featuring an acoustic finger style guitar cover of the Scorpions' "Still Loving You".
Says Thomas, "'Still Loving You' is one of the Scorpions greatest hits, released in 1984 (original video) and is on the Love At First Sting album, which just celebrated it's 40th birthday!"
Zwijsen previously released an acoustic performance of the Scorpions’ Crazy World classic, “Send Me An Angel”, with violin. Watch below:
Indian old school metal institution, Kryptos, returns with their thunderous seventh studio album, Decimator, on July 5 via AFM Records.
Decimator holds all the band's trademarks: crushing riffs, barbwire vocals and true heavy metal attitude with songwriting to the razor point. The perfect combination of old-school 80s metal and caustic thrash sensibilities, dragged kicking and screaming into the modern age. Without question Kryptos' finest hour so far.
Pre-order the new album here, and watch a video for the single, "Turn Up The Heat", below.
Tracklisting:
"Sirens Of Steel"
"Fall To The Spectre's Gaze"
"Turn Up The Heat"
"Electrify"
"Solaris"
"Decimator"
"In The Shadow Of The Blade"
"Pathfinder"
"We Are The Night"
Dwarven metal force, Wind Rose, have unveiled a brand-new official video for their charging anthem, "Fellows Of The Hammer", first heard on their latest album, Warfront. The game-changing album debuted Top 10 on the US Current Hard Music Albums chart upon its release in 2022, and to date, "Fellows Of The Hammer" itself has reached nearly five million streams on Spotify alone.
Filmed by Simone D'Addazio at last year's Metalitalia Festival, the action-packed video for "Fellows Of The Hammer" arrives just in time for Wind Rose's upcoming North American tour kick off. "North American Warfront" - also featuring special guests and Napalm Records label mates Xandria - will begin its charge through the USA and Canada on April 1 in San Diego, CA, visiting a slew of major cities before coming to an end on May 4 in Los Angeles, CA. Select dates, such as Montreal, QC and Portland, OR, are already sold out, with several others expanding venues and near to selling out. Get your tickets now.
Wind Rose on the "Fellows Of The Hammer" video and North American tour: "'Fellows of the Hammer' is one of the most iconic tracks in our latest album Warfront. We wanted to shoot a live video for it and we choose the great stage of Live Club in Milan, Italy, on the occasion of Metalitalia Festival. This show was the night right before embarking on our first headliner tour - great times! We are so happy to embark on another journey overseas for our first headliner tour in North America and Oceania! We are proud of our fans for all the sold out shows we are having so far. Brace yourselves, fellow dwarves, for a night to remember!”
Former SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg made his live debut with INFECTIOUS GROOVES last night (Saturday, March 23) at the Garden Grove Amphitheatre in Garden Grove, California.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. These Freaks Are Here to Party
02. Turtle Wax (Funkaholics Anonymous)
03. You Lie... And Yo Breath Stank
04. Punk It Up
05. Therapy
06. Funny Farm (live debut)
07. Violent & Funky
08. Boom Boom Boom
09. Monster Skank
10. Borracho
11. Running With The Bass
12. Infectious Grooves
Fan-filmed video of the entire concert can be seen below.
INFECTIOUS GROOVES is the long-running outfit formed more than three decades ago by now-METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo alongside Robert's then-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bandmate Mike Muir.
INFECTIOUS GROOVES has scheduled one more U.S. show —March 24 at the Garden Grove Amphitheatre — before embarking on a short tour of Australia in late March and early April.
Weinberg was recruited by INFECTIOUS GROOVES for the band's first live appearances since a one-off show in 2019 due to longtime drummer Brooks Wackerman's commitment to AVENGED SEVENFOLD.
INFECTIOUS GROOVES recently entered the studio to record a new song. The track, which was co-written by former INFECTIOUS GROOVES guitarist Adam Siegel, will mark the band's first release with Weinberg, who joined INFECTIOUS GROOVES in January.
In a recent interview with Australia's Metal-Roos, Muir stated about how Weinberg came to join INFECTIOUS GROOVES: "We wanted to get somebody that you know could carry that torch and was there. It's funny 'cause we were kind of saying… well, I told Robert, 'You put a list [of drummers] together, I'll put a list together and then we'll kind of see who's touring and who's available and try to do it.' And my middle son, who's 14, was asking, he goes, 'If Brooks can't do it, who are you gonna get to play drums?' And I'm, like, 'We're not sure. We're putting a list together.' He goes, 'You're gonna ask Jay?' So my son, his two favorite drummers are Lars [Ulrich] and Jay Weinberg and stuff. And I was, like, I hadn't even thought of Jay. And I knew that he had surgery. And I looked [on his social media] and I go, 'It's January 1st.' And he goes [in a social media post], 'I'm walking for the first time [since surgery], and I'm like, 'Ooh.' And my son said, 'You should get Jay. I saw him. He's playing the drums again. You should get him. Talk to him.' And I go, 'I don't have his number.' He goes, 'You could get it. Robert's probably got it.'"
Muir continued: "The first tour that that Jay did in SLIPKNOT, SUICIDAL opened. I, obviously, have been around a lot of drummers, a lot of musicians, and I'd heard the drummer they got is really good. As I always say, I don't judge, I observe. And I was watching him play at soundcheck, going, 'Oh, dude, this guy's actually really good. He mixes it up really well. And he's really versatile.' And it always stuck out to me because, I go, 'He obviously kills it in SLIPKNOT,' but I go, 'He's actually a really versatile drummer and really good.' And it stuck out to me and stuff. So I knew that he could definitely do it, obviously. It's a matter of would he want to do it and then physically could. So I got his number and I texted him. And he goes, 'I'm at my physical therapist's right now. I'm not even supposed to be starting to play until the middle of April.' But he goes, 'I think I'm way ahead of my schedule.' And he goes, 'Let me get back to you. I'm gonna be there on Monday.' And it was the weekend… But he goes, 'Yeah, I think it's gonna be all right,' and this and that. So anyhow, we talked a lot and then were, like, 'Let's fly out and get together.' And when we practiced, I was going, 'You cannot tell that he's just had two major surgeries.' It's funny because my kids went to the practice and they were, like, 'Dude, Robert was smiling ear to ear the whole practice. He looked like a little kid just having a ball.' And it was just so much fun in a good way. Jay on drums, he's driving that sports car, and he's got a really good edge and he's able to actually showcase a lot more on the INFECTIOUS songs, which he was really appreciating. I think people, they're gonna trip. Because everybody knows Robert's great bass player; they know the bass lines in INFECTIOUS. Whether you know the music or not, you hear it, you're, like, 'Oh, dude, that bass player is insane,' especially for the time. But I think, when Jay's up there, they're gonna go, 'Wow, that's really powerful.' So we're super excited, as you can tell."
In addition to Weinberg, Muir and Trujillo, INFECTIOUS GROOVES' 2024 lineup includes guitarists Dean Pleasants (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) and Dave Kushner (ex-VELVET REVOLVER).
INFECTIOUS GROOVES was formed soon after Trujillo joined SUICIDAL TENDENCIES in 1989. Muir and Trujillo got together with some friends to write song that centered more around the bass, but with the intent of giving everyone else a whole lot of freedom.
"SEX PISTOLS and PARLIAMENT were my two favorite bands when I was young," commented Muir. "People think they're completely different but I saw a lot of similarities, even if musically they were categorized as completely different styles. There's something beautiful about breaking rules that never should have been made."
INFECTIOUS GROOVES remaining 2024 tour dates:
March 24 - Garden Grove, California @ Garden Grove Amphitheater
March 30 - Melbourne, Australia @ Forum
March 31 - Brisbane, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall
April 01 - Byron Bay, Australia @ Bluesfest
April 04 - Adelaide, Australia @ Hindley Street Music Hall
April 05 - Sydney, Australia @ UNSW Roundhouse
Get your tickets now for Infectious Grooves' second Garden Grove show!...
On May 3, New York's Imperial Triumphant will release a new version of 2018's Vile Luxury - remixed & remastered by longtime contributor Colin Marston (Krallice, Gorguts). Upon its initial release, the album set a new standard for the possibilities of extreme music; now, the trio returns with a fresh approach to this seminal record—often considered Imperial Triumphant at their most accessible—allowing stygian dimensions and monolithic intents to seep through.
For a preview of Vile Luxury, a new video for "Cosmopolis (Redux 1924)" can be viewed below
Zachary Ezrin (vocals, guitar) comments: "Cosmopolis, great melting pot. New York, the city of molten grandeur. Everything gold and grey, ash and emerald, eventually joins the giant crucible. All is sacrificed in the name of convenience. Wait in line and your turn will come. Welcome to the Cosmopolis."
Steve Blanco (bass, keyboards) adds: "In the symphony of steel and shadows, echoes of a silent voice transcend the Art Deco facade, revealing the intricate dance of evil, chaos, and order in the Cosmopolis."
The previously released video for "Swarming Opulence (Redux 1924)" is available below.
Pre-order the remixed & remastered version of Vile Luxury here, where the record is available in the following formats:
- CD Digipak
- Hudson River Blue 2LP
- Chernobyl Radiation Neon Green 2LP
- Digital Album
To coincide with this release, Imperial Triumphant will head out on a North American tour supporting Abbath this May, featuring an exclusive Vile Luxury performance at all shows. See below for dates.
May
9 - Quebec City, QC - Theatre Capitole
10 - Montreal, QC - La Tulipe
11 - Kitchener, ON - The Hub
12 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
14 - Detroit, MI - The Majestic Theatre
16 - Saint Paul, MN - Amsterdam Bar & Hall
17 - Bloomington, IL - Castle Theatre
18 - Munster, IN - Dark Lord Day *
19 - Cleveland, OH - TempleLive at Cleveland Masonic
20 - Indianapolis, IN - Deluxe at Old National Centre
22 - Buffalo, NY - Buffalo Iron Works
23 - Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair
24 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
25 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
26 - Baltimore, MD - Maryland Deathfest *
Red Voodoo is breaking out on the scene with their electric stage presence, polished harmonies, and classic but fresh new take on rock ‘n’ roll. Based out of Sacramento, CA, the group has been playing clubs since 2019 and released two singles, “Rise Up” and “Bring It Back,” in 2020. This led to opening spots for heavy hitters in rock such as Rock N’ Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar, Bay Area legends Y&T, Everclear, and many more.
Now, Red Voodoo has just wrapped up recording at the famous Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, working on their 5-track EP with Grammy nominated producer Jaimeson Durr (Don Henley, Sammy Hagar, Nancy Wilson, etc.). The group's goal is to make rock mainstream again, and spark a fire in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Red Voodoo consists of lead singer and frontman Dino McCord, lead guitarist Davin Loiler, bassist Andrew Edwards, and drummer Andy Nathan. The band released their first single, “Mystery Girl,” in 2023, and it is quickly approaching 300,000 streams on Spotify, and people are taking notice.
“What I love most about Red Voodoo. They remind me so much of Montrose. They f#$%&* mean it when they're performing anything. They are hungry, and they're f#$%&* good. They got what it takes. It's just a matter of time.” - Sammy Hagar
“Red Voodoo represent the true spirit of rock n’ roll and they remind me of why I wanted to play in a band when I was a kid!” - Jeremy Popoff (Lit)
The band is also very excited to release their second single, “Style”, and as singer Dino explains, “Style makes you groove and dance. Retro is coming back, and I think writing a song that captures the era of vinyl records, bell bottoms, and RnR is something that is very fun!”
“Style” is inspired by the familiar sounds of 1970’s rock and roll. Combined with a modern sound, catchy lyrics, and a recognizable beat, the Sacramento musicians deliver yet another ear worm. The music video for the track was recorded in San Francisco, California by Michigan based director, Cooper Arent. The video showcases the chemistry of the members in the band, while also focusing on outfits and fashion, and fittingly for a song whose lyrics discuss “bell bottom jeans” and “Vogue Magazine”.
Listen to "Style" here, and watch the Cooper Arent-directed music video for the song below.
Red Voodoo is available on a limited-edition vinyl. Pre-order your copy here.
Tracklisting:
Side A:
"All Night Long"
"Hourglass"
"Mystery Girl"
Extreme metal force, Mass Punishment, proudly unveils their official music video for the powerful track, "Godless America", taken from their highly anticipated album Proving Grounds, Vol.1, set to be unleashed via Wormholedeath. Check it out below.
This song is a visceral reaction to the nightmare of chaos and division that has gripped the United States to its very core. From the harrowing events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent wars, to the tumultuous lockdowns, protests, and riots, compounded by economic turmoil and faltering leadership, all exacerbated by a corrupt government teetering on the edge of civil unrest.
Directed by the band's vocalist, Erick Laurino, this marks their second music video endeavor. Expertly blending visually striking scenes of real-life events with a compelling performance by band members Erick Laurino and Christopher Milos, this production is guaranteed to mesmerize viewers and ignite a call for change.
Mass Punishment is a four- piece metalcore / extreme metal band based out of New Jersey music designed to inform as well as hit as hard as the facts and events the songs are written about. Current events on a social, political, environmental, and economic scale. Of government corruption and depopulation with a population facing death by design.
A unique fusion of influences from iconic bands like Pantera, Slayer, Fear Factory, Megadeth, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Korn, Misery Signals, Emmure, Slipknot, Rush, and Soulfly, Mass Punishment delivers a sound that is both powerful and evocative.
Mass Punishment is:
Erick Laurino (Vocals)
Christopher Milos (Guitars)
Scott Ferguson (Bass)
Brian Donat (Drums)
Sweden's Freak Kitchen have returned with a new album, Everyone Gets Bloody, the follow-up to 2018's Confusion To the Enemy. To coincide with the release, the band has unleashed a video for the title track. Check it out below.
Tracklist:
"Everyone Gets Bloody"
"Medal"
"Slip"
"Small Acts Of Rebellion"
"The Grief That Does Not Speak"
"Gravity Works"
"Psy Co Op"
"Down the Drain"
"The Expert"
"Session Is Over"
"Pissing Contest"
"Give us the opportunity and we promise to kick some ass. Put us on a stage and we will make the crowd dance, and stagedive, and headbang like they've never done before."
Freak Kitchen is a rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1992. They have released nine studio albums and toured around the world. Guitarist / singer and founding member, Mattias "IA" Eklundh, is renowned as an innovative and unique guitar virtuoso, and he also has a successful solo career on the side.
Completing the lineup is versatile drummer Björn Fryklund (voted as the best drummer of 2014 in Prog Sphere readers' poll) and energetic bassist Christer Hysén (who also provides occasional lead vocals).
Freak Kitchen's style of music is an original, yet identifiable mixture of heavy metal, progressive avant-garde and Indian carnatic influences, paired with catchy songwriting, baffling rhythm structures and adventurous tonalities that escape genre labelling. Having established a passionate, loyal and ever-growing fan base, the band is steadily touring all corners of the world, lighting up the crowds at small clubs as well as vast festival venues.
Blacktop Mojo has released “I Can’t Tell” - a blues and grunge-inspired, southern twang track that soars high above modern rock with its genius instrumentation and catchy melody. Stream “I Can’t Tell” now at this location.
“I Can’t Tell” follows Blacktop Mojo’s recent release “As The Light Fades”, from earlier this month, and will be followed by a full-length studio album, Pollen, on April 5th.
Blacktop Mojo’s grunge influences shine through in this track, with powerful guitar riffs and their infamous Southern twang style. Producer Philip Mosley referred to it as “Texas Nirvana” for its twangy instrumentation and sludgy undertones. Lyrics demonstrate the talent of writers Matt James and Matt Curtis, while producer Philip Mosley layers in sounds reminiscent of their vast array of grunge and rock influences, along with new sounds unique to the group.
Created by Matt James drawing from his various musical inspirations, “I Can’t Tell” started when he began tinkering with different melodies in the carport of the band’s home. From there, the song quickly became a group favorite from the new album in studio recordings. The song juggles simple acoustics with a climactic chorus, focusing on themes of indecision in love, and the modern dating scene with lyrics like, “I can’t tell if your kiss is heaven, or your love is hell.”
“‘I Can’t Tell’ is about dating in the modern age. Commitment is a hard thing to come by and only getting scarcer. It’s hard to trust anyone, especially yourself,” says Matt James, lead singer of Blacktop Mojo.
With inspirations ranging from Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bill Withers and Stone Temple Pilots. to Bob Seger and Etta James, Blacktop Mojo’s music has elements of heavy rock, grunge, soul, blues, and a little splash of southern twang.
Pollen artwork and tracklisting:
"The End Is Gonna Come"
"Weary I Roam"
"I Can't Tell"
"Please Don't Call"
"Red Enough"
"Rise"
"As The Light Fades"
"Something's Changed"
"Shoulda Just Gone To Sleep"
"Born To Lose"
"Like Wild Horses"
In live news, Clutch have announced their upcoming New World Samurai Tour 2024, with support from Blacktop Mojo and The Native Howl. The trek kicks off on April 26th in Richmond, VA, and concludes on May 19th in Columbus, OH.
“When you come see us, you’re seeing rock and roll the way it used to be. A group of people on stage playing their instruments right in front of your face. No laptops, no backing tracks. What you see is what you get,” says Matt James, lead singer of Blacktop Mojo.
Dates and a video trailer can be found below.
April
26 - Richmond, VA - The National
27 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
29 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
May
1 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
2 - Estes Park, CO - Stanley Hotel
3 - Estes Park, CO - Stanley Hotel
4 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Aspen
5 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
7 - Lubbock, TX - The Garden
9 - Pelham, TN - The Caverns
10 - Columbia, SC - The Senate
11 - Daytona, FL - Welcome To Rockville
12 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
14 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
15 - Fayetteville, AR - JJ's Live
17 - Sioux City, IA - Anthem at Hard Rock
18 - Belvidere - IL - The Apollo Theatre
19 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple
For further details, visit Blacktop Mojo on Facebook.
SiX By SiX, the progressive power trio comprising Ian Crichton (Saga), Nigel Glockler (Saxon) and Robert Berry (3.2), recently announced the release of their sophomore album. Beyond Shadowland will be available via InsideOutMusic on April 26.
The band reconvened in Berry’s own Soundtek Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2023 to bend, shape, hammer and caress their diverse musical talents into 11 impressive new tracks. With this album, they continue to define and build upon their unique melodic space, welding guitar-driven rock, metal and prog into a unique and powerful sonic setting.
Today they launch the album’s second single, and you can watch the video for "Obiliex" below.
Robert Berry comments of the track: “Ian, Nigel and myself discussed if we should take a chance releasing a slower song with one of the most passionate and raw guitar solos ever? Our joint conclusion was….YES! 'Obiliex' has become a favourite of the band, with the beauty of the guitar, the depth of the lyric, the power of its tranquil groove. We hope you enjoy the calm, the depth, the sheer raw energy of the song.”
Ian Crichton comments: “On the new record we kept our style but have written stylistically some quite different tunes. I gave Robert a lot of parts, sections, licks, middle 8's, etc. He added verses, bridges, etc... and vocals! He's a brilliant arranger. Of course, Nigel is a powerhouse. As always, he played great on this record.”
Nigel Glockler adds: “Playing with Ian and Robert is always terrific. Making this album was a productive time. Ultimately, we narrowed things down to eleven tunes. Good ones too! I left the sessions feeling very pleased. I think everybody’s going to be impressed with the new album.”
Robert Berry continues: “I’ve always believed that music has the power to bring people together. This record is a testament to that notion. As always, working with Ian and Nigel on an actual second album was a moving experience for me. Truly special.”
Beyond Shadowland will be available as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g Black 2LP (featuring 4 exclusive bonus tracks) & as a Digital Album. Pre-order here.
The artwork was once again created by Rob Fowler.
Tracklisting:
“Wren”
“The Arms Of A Word”
“Can’t Live Like This”
“Obiliex”
“Only You Can Decide”
“Titans”
“Outside Looking In”
“Spectre”
“Sympathise”
“One Step”
“The Mission”
Vinyl-only bonus tracks:
“Six By Six Orchestra Medley”
“The Arms Of A Word” (Instrumental)
“Honor Bridge”
“The Mission” (Instrumental)
Finland's Post Pulse will release their latest creation, Return To The Halls, through Inverse Records on May 31. Watch the brand new music video for "Taste of Freedom" below.
"Taste Of Freedom" is an intense song that discusses the contrast between social norms and the natural human desire to break them. The music video for 'Taste of Freedom' reflects that contrast with high-impact lighting that showcases this contrast visually. The video's director, Joona Mäki, pushed the band to its limit, demanding every ounce of energy from each performance. The result is a powerful visual statement that compliments the song's purpose.
Return To The Halls represents a bold leap for modern death metal, blending its signature intensity with diverse musical influences in all the right ways. It is a testament to Post Pulse's evolutionary journey. It marries aggression and beauty in a way that challenges and captivates listeners.
Sam Roon (bass, synths) "Antti's vision for this record was so inspiring that we decided to break away from seven years of releasing singles and EPs to ensure it would come to life. The music on Return To The Halls is different from anything you may have heard from Post Pulse over the years. Hell, one listen through the new single, 'Taste Of Freedom', will show you that we've got much more to offer the world."
Listen to the single on digital services found here.
Swedish symphonic dark metal five-piece Eleine has unveiled a visualizer video for their latest single, “Promise Of Apocalypse.” The song is taken from the band's fourth studio album, We Shall Remain, which was released on July 14, 2023 and supported by many live activities across Europe and North America, while the digital version of the single comes with a previously unheard instrumental version as second track.
Guitarist/vocalist Rikard Ekberg explains its meaning, "Years will pass and you will gain nothing unless you take charge of your own life. You can rise again and stand on your own, even if you've never been this broken before. 'Promise Of Apocalypse' is about an apocalyptic event of your own life, if you don't change that which consumes you."
Finnish goth 'n' rollers THE 69 EYES have finally unleashed the stunning result of their collaboration with American songwriter Diane Warren. The soulful power ballad titled "Fade To Grey", with music and lyrics by Warren, is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). Watch the visualizer video below.
THE 69 EYES frontman Jyrki 69 comments: "The magic of Diane Warren songs, which is often told, is that her songs speak to their performers in a way as if she knew what's going in their live. So does 'Fade To Grey': It sounded like straightly taken from my own personal life when I heard its demo version for the first time!"
The song will additionally be available on a brand new vinyl variant of THE 69 EYES' current album "Death Of Darkness", which will be released in April 26.
Warren, often referred to as "the most important songwriter in the world," wrote an impressive list of timeless hits, collaborating with iconic pop stars like Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga alongside legends such as Cher ("If I Could Turn Back Time"),Celine Dion ("Because You Loved Me") and Whitney Houston. She is also known for her works with rock icons such as AEROSMITH ("I Don't Want To Miss A Thing"),THE CULT ("Painted On My Heart") and Meat Loaf ("I'd Lie For You (And That's The Truth)"). She is a Grammy winner with 15 nominations, has two Golden Globe awards and is a 15-time Oscar nominee who received an "Honorary Oscar" as voted by the Academy's Board of Governors in 2022.
"Fade To Grey" combines Diane's conspicuous artistic signature with the group's trademark soundscapes with both melting into an epic power ballad. This creative collaboration is not only a highlight in music, but also pushes the boundaries of handmade music.
Diane says: "The year before last I walked into a store and saw someone so cool who just epitomized rock 'n' roll. That was Jyrki, the amazing singer from THE 69 EYES. Now here we are with my song with them, 'Fade To Grey', about to be released. I am very excited for everyone to hear it!"
Jyrki 69, THE 69 EYES' charismatic frontman, also shares his excitement about the collaboration: "This was exactly like one of those Hollywood dreams: I was hanging on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills when a lady asked me who I was out of the blue. I got confused, and that's about it. Later on, I realized that the lady was Diane Warren, the ultimately greatest songwriter on earth and writer of my favorite THE CULT song, 'Painted On My Heart'. That was my opportunity to start a musical collaboration with her but I missed my once-in-a-lifetime chance! A year passed by and her hits were following me everywhere. Then I was watching the presentation of the Oscars and she was performing there! I encouraged myself getting in touch with her and here's the result: an epic power ballad called 'Fade To Grey' which this world and THE 69 EYES needed!"
"Fade To Grey" was produced by Erno Laitinen at Inkfish Studios in Helsinki, Finland and mixed by Miles Walker at Westside Studios in Atlanta, Georgia before Björn Engelmann put his finishing touches to the song at Stockholm, Sweden's Cutting Room. The single artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (SLAYER, KERRY KING, DIMMU BORGIR).
THE 69 EYES earned platinum status with the albums "Blessed Be" (2000) and "Paris Kills" (2022) and not only reached No. 1 of the single and album charts in their home country of Finland, but also plunged the world into a sinful cosmos of love, death, and melancholy, while outliving any other band emerging from the goth hype of the early 2000s. By developing their sound further into sleaze rock on "Devils" (2004) and "Angels" (2007) and not shying away from pitch-black Elvis allusions in singer Jyrki 69's dark voice and unique onstage dance moves, the band has established a worldwide following. Over the course of more than three decades, the band has toured relentlessly throughout Europe, America, Asia, and Australia and released twelve full-length studio albums.
Sprawling across ten lavishly dark, effortlessly cool tracks, THE 69 EYES' "Death Of Darkness" is one of their most flawless and consistent offerings bearing a title that's, of course, both stylish and symbolic, much like the music they create. 2024 is a far cry from the early days of the new millennium when gothic rock bands emerged from every graveyard and Finnish vampires stormed the charts around the world. However, the spirit of a world-class record like "Death Of Darkness", the sheer passion and the enticing mystery, the suspense, and the smirk, are still very much alive.
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