Professionally filmed video of MR. BIG performing the song "Alive And Kickin'" in July 2023 at Budokan in Tokyo, Japan can be seen below.
MR. BIG's ongoing last worldwide tour is aptly titled "The BIG Finish". Since the band's original drummer and co-founder Pat Torpey lost his battle with Parkinson's disease in 2018, the band now feels it's time to mark the end of this chapter of their legacy. The first leg kicked off in Japan and Southeast Asia in July and August 2023, where the band performed for hundreds of thousands of loyal fans at 11 sold-out shows including Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. Now MR. BIG is bringing "The BIG Finish" to the U.S. Joining MR. BIG on drums for this special final world tour is longtime friend of the band Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD, BIG BIG TRAIN),stepping in for Torpey.
MR. BIG's final tour sees the band performing the entirety of its breakthrough platinum-selling 1991 album "Lean Into It" from start to finish as a featured highlight of the live setlist.
MR. BIG recently entered the studio to record a new studio album to coincide with the last shows of the band's farewell tour.
Last November, MR. BIG singer Eric Martin was asked by Troy Patrick Farrell of the weekly live "This That And The Other" radio show why he and his bandmates feel that now is the time to officially pull the plug on MR. BIG. He said: "Well, I really didn't wanna end it. I think we're gonna be done with it. I would just keep the door open forever. I didn't wanna ever end something. I hate the end of anything, but Pat Torpey is not there anymore. And that's kind of taking the wind out of the sails. He was the anchor of the band. And Nick D'Virgilio is a great replacement. He's phenomenal drummer. He sings just like Pat. Nick's great. But everybody has so many other projects. I don't. I really like the MR. BIG project… I have a couple of irons in the fire. But, yeah, it's over. To me, it's kind of a bummer. But it's time. It's been 35 fucking years, man."
Martin went on to say that it "feels great" to have a drummer in MR. BIG who can not only reproduce Torpey's parts on the band's classic songs but who also has the voice to harmonize with him during MR. BIG's live shows.
"No offense to Matt [Starr]," Eric said, referencing the drummer who played with MR. BIG for four years prior to Torpey's passing. "I thought Matt Starr was great. He was fine. The thing about Matt is that he came when Pat just couldn't do it anymore. He had this little cocktail kit on the side and he would play drums with us once in a while. Matt did it. It was just too soon for me. I wasn't ready to give up Pat Torpey. And when Matt did it, Matt has his own style. He's more like a John Bonham. He's not a Pat Torpey, and I was looking for somebody to play exactly like Pat, because I could. I wanted it, and I was really bummed that Pat couldn't do it anymore. And Matt did it, and he did a fine job for us. We sounded like a different MR. BIG. Pat Torpey has this finessey kind of things, and he's like Steve Gadd meets Vinnie Colaiuta meets maybe like a John Bonham. But Matt has got that form, heavy rock [approach], but there's a lot of finesse in the MR. BIG style — you know, 'Colorado Bulldog' and all that. And Matt did a great job; he really did. But then, after Matt, we didn't do anything. COVID thing, Pat passed away first, actually. And then nothing happened. And then when we were gonna get another drummer, we wanted to do a different style — not a different style, but we wanted to find somebody new that could play exactly like Pat. And that's what we found in Nick. He's got the same chops and the incredible voice. Matt can sing too. I mean, he was great. But I'm just letting the folks know out there, there's no bad blood between Matt Starr and MR. BIG or me or anything like that. He's killer."
Regarding the possibility of MR. BIG making a new album as the follow-up to 2017's "Defying Gravity", Eric said: "We're doing it now. We're working on it now. [MR. BIG guitarist] Paul Gilbert and I — I've been going back and forth to Portland, Oregon, where Paul lives, and we've been writing and recording everything. And so far, I wanna say, [we have] 10, 13 songs so far. And Billy's [Sheehan, MR. BIG bassist] got one that he just brought in. And Nick — we said, 'Hey, Nick, if you've got any tunes, man, throw it our way.' And he's got four songs that are pretty good."
In an April 2023 interview with Border City Rock Talk, D'Virgilio spoke about how he landed the gig as MR. BIG's new touring drummer, five years after the passing of the band's co-founder, Pat Torpey. The 55-year-old Nick, who has spent the last nine years working for the Indiana-based online retailer of music instruments and audio gear Sweetwater, said: "It stemmed through Sweetwater. I've known Paul [Gilbert]; Paul was the one guy I knew most. I met Pat, and I met Billy — Gosh — at a music trade show back in the day. And I was definitely a fan of the band. I listened to a lot of Pat's drumming way before I ever met him in person. But at Sweetwater, we do a lot of recording workshops and we get artists in to come and people pay to come to the studio and hang in the studio with the artists that come in. Paul does it quite a bit; he's been there a bunch. Billy was there a while back as well, but Paul's been there a number of times. And I've been able to play as his rhythm section for these recording workshops. And I also had Paul play on a song on my solo record called 'Invisible' that I put out in 2020. Through all of this stuff, we got to just jamming some more stuff. And I know Paul through Mike Portnoy and Neal Morse and a lot of circles of musicians. After the last thing we did at Sweetwater, Paul just sent me an e-mail and asked if I would be interested in going on tour with MR. BIG in Asia. Now, this was [in] July [2022], when he first sent me the e-mail, so nine, 10 months ago or so. And I immediately said 'yes'. I think I said 'fuck yes', all in bold letters… So then I went sort of hog wild here in my studio and I videotaped and multi-tracked my drums. I kind of just went hog wild, sending back these demos of me playing and then singing all the parts. So I sang the lead vocal, and then I sang Pat's parts too. Since [it was an] audition, I figured I'd put my best foot forward. Long story short, they said, 'Yeah, we'd love to do it. And you're in,' basically. So that's kind of how it all happened. It came out of the blue."
As a session musician and touring artist, Nick has worked with many different kinds of artists and bands, from TEARS FOR FEARS, Sheryl Crow and Kevin Gilbert to Peter Gabriel and Eric Burdon and the ANIMALS. In 1996, Nick took Phil Collins's place in GENESIS and played on their "Calling All Stations" album. He has also carved out a major presence in the progressive rock world with his bands, SPOCK'S BEARD and BIG BIG TRAIN.
Before joining the Sweetwater team, Nick spent almost five years touring with Cirque Du Soleil's "Totem" as drummer, vocalist, and assistant bandleader.
When D'Virgilio's addition to MR. BIG was first announced in March 2023, Sheehan said in a statement: "We found a wonderful drummer in Nick, and he's got a great voice too. Nick has a vocal range similar to Pat's, and he'll be able to do the parts Pat did with a similar finesse. It's a big relief because MR. BIG has always been heavy on the harmonies. When the band began, we really relied on each other. We knew each guy would do exactly what he needed to do vocally and to do it righteously, on key, and in time. It's difficult to find a drummer who sings in that range, but Nick has the voice we really need onstage."
Gilbert concurred, saying: "Nick gets close to the spirit of Pat Torpey. Billy, Eric [Martin, vocals] and I have been really happy with the music we've already shared back and forth. I'm impressed with Nick's level of musical adaptability and breadth of skill. He and I have done some recording together, and I was blown away with his groove, and how he just played what fit the song. If the song requires him to be more progressive and stand out, he will stand out. But if the song requires him to groove, he will groove. That's actually a rare thing, and it really fits in with what we do in MR. BIG."
Martin added: "I love the fact that Nick was a fan of Pat Torpey and wants to keep our BIG sound intact. When I first saw his audition demo video of the 'Lean Into It' song 'Lucky This Time', Nick was playing drums with those signature Pat snare hits and singing harmonies spot on to what Pat used to do. It gave me goosebumps!! I am so thrilled to have this man who will be filling some mighty BIG shoes join us on our last tour."
Following the success of “Sick To Death”, WildStreet have announced the release of their next single “Come Down”, via Golden Robot Records.
With infectious hooks and electrifying riffs, the track embodies the epitome of contemporary party rock. Featuring the talents of Steeve Estatof (renowned from The Voice, France) and Erik Eldenius (notable for his work with Billy Idol), both the single and its accompanying video promise an unforgettable experience.
Releasing six singles since their 2021 album III, WildStreet has made waves, amassing an impressive 6 million Spotify streams and 4 million views on YouTube. Their relentless intercontinental touring since 2021 has cultivated a devoted fan base in 15 countries, spanning the United States, Mexico, and across Europe.
With festival appearances on the horizon for 2024, the eagerly awaited EP release date is on the verge of being unveiled. Stay tuned for the next chapter in WildStreet's electrifying journey.
Scared of clowns or abandoned houses in the middle of the woods? Well... Finland's As I May is back with a killer video for their new single "The Last Breath" that will give you that much-needed horror fix. Combining modern low riffs with a little taste of deathcore, plus synths that bring horror sweeps and atmosphere, As I May's "horrorcore" sound delivers a catchy sing-along chorus to this chaos.
Vocalist / guitarist Lasse Hiltunen adds: "This video was new territory for us. We shot in 3D and green screens. We thought that we could get that same atmosphere from the video that is in the song with lyrics such as 'Burn down the house.' Basically, the main idea came from that phrase and we needed a reason to burn a house, and have some murderous clowns. Let's try those in there too. This video came out much more scarier than we thought."
"The Last Breath" is the first single and title track off their yet-to-be-released third LP that was mixed and mastered by Christoph Wieczorek at Sawdust Recordings.
As I May's music is all about combining metal / deathcore and vibes from horror movies to create HorrorCore. The band was formed in 2016 in Mikkeli, Finland. The band is known for big melodies, huge choruses, and hard-hitting riffs. As I May is one of the front-running acts in the new wave of Finnish metal bands being exported. Touring all over Europe, they have made a name for themselves with over a million streams for their albums Karu (2022, Uprising Records) and My Own Creations (2019, Rock Shots Records).
As I May is:
Lasse Hiltunen - vocals, guitars
Tipi Nokelainen - vocals, bass
Leevi Räsänen - drums
Former Hydrogyn guitarist / founder JeffWestlake - who put the band to rest in November 2022 - has checked in with the following update:
"There are always things going through ones mind when you have been stricken by the creative bug. I am a musician that loves many different types of music and I never want to lock myself just into one style, so I don't.
Through the years I have been blessed with some amazing voices to help me get my passion across to you in many different styles. Now is no different than it has ever been.
I am proud to be able to bring this new phase to you. This phase will be different than any of the rest, as I have someone who wants to tell stories and be as edgy as possible in the process of telling them. I have wanted to take this avenue for years but just never had that accomplice to truly get the idea across. Now, not only did I get one, but I have blessed with two. We have used a couple different drummers in this process, but the band nucleus has been myself, Sammi DeVille, Alyx St.Clair and Ryan Stepp. This entire story will come out at some point no doubt but we just do not have the time here for it.
Over the next year there will be many videos and a lot of music coming from what will now be known as Big F'N Deal (BFD), fronted by the amazing Sammi DeVille. This track entitled 'I've Seen The Devil' is release one off of the product out this year called Fire. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.
All of this comes to you courtesy of Rapid Fire Global Music and Dangerous Doug Music."
Former Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his weekly cover, this time taking on Loreen's "Euphoria", the winner of the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.
Johansson recentla announced his departure from Sabaton and issued the following statement:
"My dear friends! After seven glorious years of heavy metal, I have decided to step down as the guitarist of Sabaton. This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.
As many of you may know, I do a lot of things outside of Sabaton. I play with another band, perform with various artists, and have a career as a singer that I’ve put aside for years to focus on Sabaton. After doing this for seven years, I feel it’s time to start following my heart. This means I will no longer tour with my brothers in Sabaton and will not meet all you lovely Sabaton supporters on the upcoming tours with the band.
I will never quit playing music. I’ll still be touring with Majestica and other projects, but not on the same level as Sabaton, of course. I am sure I will meet you lovely fans on the road again in the future.
My brothers in Sabaton and the best crew in the world will forever be my second family, and I will miss spending time with all these wonderful people. We had so much fun together every day. I’ve come to learn so much about life, about music and about touring that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.
A massive thank you to all you lovely Sabaton fans for accepting me as the new guitarist in 2016. I am certain you will accept the person who takes over after me.
All the best to you all and I’ll see you again soon!"
Lipz, the dynamic force in glam rock, have released a video for "Bang Bang", the new single from their sophomore album, Changing The Melody, out now.
Order Changing The Melody here, and watch the new video below.
Changing The Melody tracklisting:
"I’m Going Under"
"Changing The Melody"
"Bang Bang"
"Stop Talk About..."
"Bye Bye Beautiful"
"I’m Alive"
"Freak"
"Secret Lover"
"I Would Die For You"
"Monsterz"
"Bang Bang" video:
"Changing The Melody" video:
"Bye Bye Beautiful" video:
Lipz are:
Alex K Klintberg (Vocals, Guitar)
Koffe K Klintberg (Drums)
Conny Svärd (Guitar)
Chris Young (Bass)
When Togolese metal five-piece Arka'n Asrafokor [Asrafocore = "Music of the Warriors" ("asrafo" means "warrior" in their mother language)] promised that their latest single, "Walk With Us: was only the beginning, they were more than right as they haven't only prepared another new track, "Angry God Of Earth", alongside a visualizer video, but also launched pre-orders for their self-produced Reigning Phoenix Music label debut. Dzikkuh will be released on May 24.
Stream/download "Angry God Of Earth" here, and watch the video below.
Arka'n Asrafokor state: "'Angry God Of Earth' is an invitation to get back in tune with Mother Earth's rhythms. Not so long ago, we used to listen...watch...feel...what she wanted. Our every moves used to be in tune with Mother Earth's rhythms... We used to see the magic in bowing down to her might and power. Until we decided otherwise and let our egos take the lead...pushing the victory of cupidity over solidarity. And yet, we are only but guests on this planet. Bringing our asrafocore music to the fore, we hope the warning is loud and clear. It is not too late to calm down the fury of our wounded Earth. It is not too late to calm down the 'Angry God of Earth.'"
Pre-order Dzikkuh on CD, pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive "Angry God Of Earth" and "Walk With Us" instantly, here.
Dzikkuh tracklisting:
"The Truth"
"Not Getting In Line"
"Walk With Us"
"Angry God Of Earth"
"Mamade"
"Asrafo"
"Final Tournament"
"Still Believe"
"Home"
"The Calling"
"Walk With Us" video:
Arka'n Asrafokor are:
Rock Ahavi - guitars, lead vocals
Enrico Ahavi - keyboards, harsh/rap vocals
Francis Amevo - bass
Mass Aholou - percussion
Richard Siko - drums
Breaking Benjamin guitarist, Keith Wallen, will drop his new solo album, Infinity Now, on May 3 via Rise Records. Today, Wallen has shared the video for "The Wolf." Watch below.
"'The Wolf' is a song and a concept that I felt a lot of us can identify with," Wallen says. "We've all known those people that for whatever reason we just can't break ourselves away from them. An addiction on every level, all the while knowing it's a toxic situation. You break all those promises to yourself that you'll stay away, but ultimately there you are again."
Commenting on the video, he shares, "The video for 'The Wolf' was shot in a beautiful house in south Nashville. Directed by Courtney Dellafiora, we wanted an intimate look and setting that was reminiscent of waking from a dream in the middle of the night, and then grabbing the guitar and playing the song. The most exciting thing of all with getting to work with 'Bane,' the real live wolf actor and his amazing training staff for the shoot! That was a first for me, and I couldn't be happier how the video turned out."
One day before the kickoff of their European tour, Aborted open the Vault Of Horrors as the new album of death metal's finest finally sees the light of the day.
Ten ferocious, gut-wrenching extreme metal slashers await you in this cabinet of horror movie classics. Aborted invited the crème de la crème of the heavy music scene to the party, and on each track of the album you will find a different guest vocalist - diving down into the dark abyss of horror movie culture. So sit back, grab a snack, and crawl down into the Vault Of Horrors. Order your copy here.
But that's not the end of the show for today. Fresh from the grave, the living dead are about to return (again). Feast your eyes on the music video for "Condemned To Rot", featuring Fleshgod Apocalypse's Francesco Paoli, below.
Tracklisting:
"Dreadbringer" (feat. Ben Duerr)
"Condemned To Rot" (feat. Francesco Paoli)
"Brotherhood Of Sleep" (feat. Johnny Ciardullo)
"Death Cult" (feat. Alex Erian)
"Hell Bound" (feat. Matt McGachy)
"Insect Politics" (feat. Jason Evans)
"The Golgothan" (feat. Hal Microutsicos)
"The Shape Of Hate" (feat. Oliver Rae Aleron)
"Naturom Demonto" (feat. David Simonich)
"Malevolent Haze" (feat. Ricky Hoover)
"Condemned To Rot" video:
"Dreadbringer" visualizer:
"Death Cult" video:
Aborted will be on tour with Carnifex, Revocation and Vexed. Dates below:
March
16 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik
17 - Berlin, Germany - SO36
19 - Stockholm, Sweden - Slaktkyrkan
20 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Brewhouse
21 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
22 - Hengelo, Netherlands - Metropool GZ
23 - London, UK - Electric Brixton
24 - Manchester, UK - Club Academy
25 - Bristol, UK - SWX
27 - Paris, France - Le Machine Du Rouge
28 - Sint-Niklaas, Belgium - Casino
29 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
30 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage
31 - Munich, Germany - Technikum
Swedish blackened death metal masters, Necrophobic, have released their 10th studio album, In The Twilight Grey, via Century Media Records.
To celebrate the release, Necrophobic is now sharing a brand new music video for the single, "Mirrors of a Thousand Lakes". The footage was taken from one of the band's rare club shows at M.A.U. Club in Germany back in January 2024 by Paloosa Productions. The performance had such a positive impact on the band that they decided to preserve it and turn it into a “road video” that happened in the magic of the moment that evening.
With over thirty years of activity, nefarious service under their spikes and bulletbelts, Necrophobic are undisputed legends of the death and black metal scene. Formed in 1989 by drummer Joakim Sterner, the Stockholm blackhearts propagated a singular and fearless vision from the very start. Eschewing the self-conscious amateurism and primitive sonics that many of their peers held dear, Necrophobic established a bold and vivid identity of their own, conjuring a densely melodic, but endlessly wicked take on macabre extreme metal that countless lesser bands have since emulated.
Yet again, In The Twilight Grey was produced, mixed and mastered by Fredrik Folkare (of death metal icons Unleashed) at Chrome Studios, Stockholm and engineered in close collaboration by Folkare and the band themselves. For the artwork they teamed up with Jens Rydén, another likeminded institution from the Swedish scene.
The album is available in the following formats:
- Ltd. Deluxe Gatefold combat green 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster incl. 2 bonus tracks (1.000x)
- Gatefold dark green LP (300x)
- Gatefold black LP
- Ltd. CD Mediabook (comes with a special, extended booklet and 2 bonus tracks)
- Standard CD Jewelcase
- Digital album
"Grace Of The Past"
"Clavis Inferni"
"As Stars Collide"
"Stormcrow"
"Shadows Of The Brightest Night"
"Mirrors Of A Thousand Lakes"
"Cast In Stone"
"Nordanvind"
"In The Twilight Grey"
"Ascension (Episode Four)"
"As Stars Collide" lyric video:
"Stormcrow" video:
Lineup:
Anders Strokirk - Vocals
Sebastian Ramstedt - Lead & Rhythm guitar
Johan Bergebäck - Rhythm guitar
Tobias Cristiansson - Bass
Joakim Sterner - Drums
With "Tattoo", the one and only Lee Aaron reveals the first single taken from her forthcoming new studio album, Tattoo Me, set for international release on April 26 via Metalville Records.
Says Lee about "Tattoo": "I've always thought songs are like tattoos. Tattoos are permanent on the skin, but songs are permanent on the soul. When I heard this tune (by the 77s) about a decade ago, I knew I wanted to record it one day. It had a gritty, Stonesy, glam-rock vibe, and I loved the sentiment - tattoo me on YOU. Over the years, I've had many fans get tattoos of my signature, and that's about the highest compliment they could ever give me besides loving the music, too."
Watch the video for "Tattoo" below.
“Songs are like tattoos” - the famous first line of Joni Mitchell’s Blue – is a sentiment that has always resonated deeply for Canadian rocker Lee Aaron.
Eighteen albums into her career, Aaron has written, recorded, and produced music achieving gold and multi-platinum sales. Recognized as one of Canada’s top rock vocalists, she’s also made forays into jazz, blues, and even opera, receiving numerous awards and accolades and, most recently, a 2023 induction into Canada’s Walk Of Fame.
“The one thing I’d never done was a full covers album,” says Aaron. “It seemed like a really cool and super-fun project to tackle at this point…”
Taking a nostalgic journey, Tattoo Me pays homage to musical trailblazers who helped shape her own artistic path. As a reflection of her eclectic taste, yet in keeping with a profound respect for the greats, these 11 dynamic tracks are a unique tapestry of influences that transcend era and genre.
“It started out as a heartfelt nod to artists we’d been influenced by in our youth, but the truth is, we didn’t stop being influenced or being fans at 18, so the list kept evolving. It covers a few decades and a few unconventional choices, but it was incredibly rewarding to make!” she states.
Each track is a labor of love, infused with Aaron and her band’s signature rock ’n’ roll swagger, yet in keeping with a sense of reverence for the originals.
The album was produced by Aaron in her Vancouver studio and mixed by multi-media genius Frank Gryner (Rob Zombie, L7, Def Leppard, Larkin Poe, Ian Hunter, and more).
“One of the positive things that came out of the pandemic was that we all upgraded our home studios and got very good at engineering and recording ourselves. No one was under the pressure of a studio clock, so the performances are as genuine as they’re gonna get.”
From the sizzling blues-rock of 1960's Nina Simone’s “The Pusher,” to the rebellious energy of 1972 Alice Cooper’s “Is It My Body,” Aaron growls, purrs, whispers, and wails, sounding like she’s having an absolute blast infusing these songs with her own fiery spirit. Her voice is as versatile and powerful as ever.
Standout tracks include a rendition of Led Zeppelin's “What Is And What Should Never Be,” Heart’s “Even it Up,” and Hole’s “Malibu.” Stellar performances by Aaron’s long-term band - Sean Kelly (guitar), Dave Reimer (bass), and John Cody (drums) - effortlessly channel these '70s and '80s rock giants and seem to capture the original magic of each of the tunes.
Another gem is Aaron's take on Elton John’s “Someone Saved My Life Tonight”. Kelly’s gorgeous acoustic guitars create the soundscape, then strings and lush harmonies support her stirring vocal performance. The tribute is passionate and heartfelt. She reflects, “I spent hours and hours laying on my basement floor with headphones listening to 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight' on repeat. I desperately wanted someone to save me from my boring life when I was a teenager…music ended up being that for me.”
The album also takes some unexpected turns, with delightful interpretations of songs from a diverse range of artists, including mid '90s BritPop band Elastica, California’s 77’s, and the Undertones. Each track echoes the vibe of the era while seamlessly fitting into the lineage of Aaron's own storied career.
Tattoo Me is a sonic time capsule, bridging the decades. Once again, cementing her status as a rock ’n’ roll chameleon, Aaron blends the old and the new, proving not only that the transcendent power of music never stops, but that she herself isn’t ready to anytime soon.
Tattoo Me tracklisting:
"Tattoo"
"Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
"Even It Up"
"What Is And What Should Never Be"
"Is it My Body"
"Go Your Own Way"
"The Pusher"
"Malibu"
"Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
"Connection"
"Teenage Kicks"
"Tattoo" video:
Lineup:
Lee Aaron - lead vocals
Sean Kelly - guitars
Dave Reimer - bass
John Cody - drums
Earlier this year, Norwegian gothic industrial metal act GOTHMINISTER received remarkable international attention with his new single ‘We Come Alive", that got chosen to compete in the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. In the grand final of MGP, GOTHMINISTER achieved a phenomenal fourth place and won the hearts of many new fans.
Now, a brand new single, entitled "One Dark Happy Nation", continues the story and again shouts out the message: Cherish the art of being different. The song is taken off GOTHMINISTER's forthcoming studio offering, Pandemonium II: The Battle Of The Underworlds, slated for a release on May 3, 2024 via AFM Records.
GOTHMINISTER, Bjørn Alexander Brem, comments:
"It feels great coming back from the Norwegian leg of Eurovision competition where I challenged the whole commercial scene with the Gothminister darkness. And I think they liked it:) After having performed on Norwegian in front of almost 1 million tv viewers preaching the message of darkness - what can be more logical for Gothminister than to continue this mission with this new single called «One Dark Happy Nation»."
Paris-based alternative rock and metal outfit ONLAP is premiering a music video for their latest, new single "Never Too Late", featuring a guest appearance by Amercian singer and songwriter KIIARA! The band's forthcoming studio album, "Waves", is slated for a release on June 14, 2024 via AFM Records.
Following a series of previously-released album tracks, such as "Nevermind", "Fever", "Hypnotized", "Crawling In The Dark" and "Afterglow", today's single "Never Too Late" features the Billboard-charting, multi-platinum award-winning artist KIIARA, who is signed to Atlantic Records and who is also known for her guest vocal contribution to Linkin Park's 2017 single "Heavy". ONLAP comments:
"Our new song "Never Too Late" is a rock ballad with a catchy ending and an orchestral touch, with positive lyrics about never giving up and always trying. We're lucky and honored to have KIIARA featuring on this track, who brings a lot to the song, and whom we thank warmly. It's a really special release, and we can't wait to finally share it with you!"
On March 14, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson performed at Kino Regis in Bochnia, Poland as part of his inaugural "Bass Warrior Tour". Video of the entire concert can be seen below.
The "Bass Warrior Tour" sees Ellefson gracing select European cities with a captivating evening of cherished classics, deep cuts, and insightful storytelling from his illustrious career. This journey encompasses his role as a co-founding member of MEGADETH, his ELLEFSON solo material, and more.
When the "Bass Warrior Tour" was first announced, Ellefson said in a statement: "I've approached my career as that of a musical warrior, always accompanied by my bass guitar. I eagerly anticipate bringing these songs back to the stage, while sharing introspective and entertaining anecdotes about their creation. It's been a wild ride of low notes and high stakes!"
Accompanying Ellefson on this tour is Italian guitarist and musical director Andy Martongelli, a longtime friend and collaborator who has been by Ellefson's side during his solo ventures, "Basstory", ELLEFSON-SOTO and ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE tours across Europe. On drums is Roberto Pirami (Michael Angelo Batio, Rowan Robertson, Gus G.),on vocals Titta Tani (EHFAR, ex-drummer of Claudio Simonetti's GOBLIN),and on rhythm guitar Walter Cianciusi (Geoff Tate band).
Featured songs in video below:
00:00 Intro
03:05 Skin O' My Teeth
06:18 99 Ways To Die
10:53 Celebrity Trash
14:46 Reckoning Day
20:02 Bad Omen
24:25 Go To Hell
29:34 Like A Bullet
34:54 I'll Get Even
42:18 Simple Truth
46:36 Countdown To Extinction
51:02 Lucretia/Take No Prisoners
54:35 Tornado Of Souls
01:00:40 Love Me Like A Reptile
1:03:08 Roberto's Solo
1:04:01 Walter's Solo
1:05:20 Andy's Solo
1:06:48 David's Solo
1:12:20 Anarchy In UK
1:15:19 Symphony Of Destruction
1:19:10 Peace Sells
Ellefson was fired from MEGADETH nearly three years ago, just days after sexually tinged messages and explicit video footage involving the bassist were posted on Twitter.
Shortly before Ellefson was dismissed from MEGADETH, he released a statement on Instagram denying all social media chatter that he "groomed" an underage fan. He also filed a report with the police department in Scottsdale, Arizona alleging unlawful distribution of sexually explicit images of him by unknown offenders.
Dave Mustaine — who formed MEGADETH with Ellefson in 1983 — released a statement on May 24, 2021 announcing the bassist's departure from the band. In the statement, Dave said: "We do not take this decision lightly. While we do not know every detail of what occurred, with an already strained relationship, what has already been revealed now is enough to make working together impossible moving forward."
Last June, Ellefson told Andrew McKaysmith of the "Scars And Guitars" podcast that he was prepared for his latest exit from MEGADETH.
"When my departure from MEGADETH happened, a lot of people were hitting me [up and saying], 'Oh my God. It's so terrible. It's so terrible,'" he recalled. "[And I said], 'Yeah, believe me, it's not.' [Laughs] It really isn't. I was ready for it. I didn't think it was gonna go down that way; I didn't see that coming. But the fact that it happened, I was not sad about it. I was okay with it. Because I knew there's another journey ahead, and that journey wasn't gonna start until I was out of the old one.
"When you're in a group, you're in a setting, you've gotta play company man and you kind of go along with the narrative that's been set forth.
"There was a lot of things, a lot of the narrative in that band that I never agreed with," Ellefson admitted. "A lot of that band was started on a grudge and a hardship of the firing [of MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine] from METALLICA. That was never my story. I was always a METALLICA fan and I became friends with those guys. I have nothing but gratitude for that group and those gentlemen for what they've done for all of us, and I think they deserve the biggest applause. So it was hard to be in a band that always had this saltiness around that whole narrative, because it was never my narrative. So I went along to get along, but now I don't have to do that. And now I can be on my own path. These are my words; it's my story now. And maybe the events that happened a couple of years ago, I needed to have my own story to tell. 'Cause when you quit a band, everyone's pissed at you; they hate you: 'Oh, fuck you. You quit. You quit my favorite band.' But when you get tossed out… And I'm not looking for the sympathy card. You don't have to feel sorry for me; you don't have to do any of that. But it's interesting that, I guess the way it happened… it went down in a way that it was certainly visible enough and on a level that… It was sort of, like, okay, well, what's gonna happen next? And I just tried to be faithful to just following my heart, following the path."
In 2004, Ellefson filed an $18.5-million lawsuit against Mustaine, alleging the frontman shortchanged him on profits and backed out of a deal to turn Megadeth Inc. over to him when the band broke up in 2002. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed and Ellefson rejoined MEGADETH in 2010.
DAVID ELLEFSON BASS WARRIOR TOUR FEATURING ANDY MARTONGELLI FEBRUARY-MARCH 2024
Death metal ensemble Spit On Your Grave have revealed their video for "The Infection" ahead of the upcoming album, Arkanum. The new full length will be released on April 12th.
The band comments: "This song talks about the passive-aggressive manipulation that someone can have over another person, manipulating them to act under their interests, like a puppet, making them believe that they are really their own decisions, reflected as the song says, infecting someone's brain. Inspired by The Magician tarot card."
The forthcoming release, Arkanum, draws thematically on mystical elements and each track is inspired by a different tarot card. The band shares, "We chose nine cards from the major arcana, (The Magician, The Devil, The Star, The High Priestess, The Moon, The Hanged Man, The Tower, The Hermit and Justice)."
On the meaning behind Arkanum, the band explains, "This conceptual album tells the process of a mental detox, talks about an internal struggle to restore your inner self, where your demons surface and everything you believed in is questioned, that moment when you realize that for years you have followed someone else's lead. You've had enough and decide to leave everything behind." They continue, "It's about losing yourself by being influenced by someone else and the struggle to wake up from that 'reality'. Centering the lyrics in this inner fight with yourself, involving depression, anxiety, mistrust, feeling unfairly judged by everyone and having no help around."
Tracklisting:
"The Infection"
"The Heretic"
"Vigilia"
"Into The Devil’s Realm"
"Dark Lullaby"
"Broken Hourglass"
"Self Sacrifice"
"The March Of The Innocents"
For further details, visit Spit On Your Grave on Facebook.
Prolific metalcore progressives, Erra, will release their new album, Cure, on April 5 via UNFD. Pre-order it here.
Today, the band has shared the visualizer for "Crawl Backwards Out Of Heaven". The visualizer captors the raw, explosive, and forward-thinking intensity of the song, which doesn't let up from the first note.
Cure is the band's sixth album and it highlights and expands on the forward-thinking sound and guitar-driven style that the band has built its reputation on. Following 2021's self-titled release, Cure is a stunning execution of both raw talent and surgical technicality. It's as emotional powerful as it is musically proficient, which is not an easy feat to achieve. Yet Erra make it look and sound easy. Cure is a sonic thrill ride — one that you hope will never end.
Tracklisting:
"Cure"
"Rumor of Light"
"Idle Wild"
"Blue Reverie"
"Slow Sour Bleed"
"Wish"
"Glimpse"
"Past Life Persona"
"Crawl Backwards Out of Heaven"
"End to Excess"
"Pale Iris"
"Wave"
США
Mr. Big
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
Финляндия
Швеция
?
Бельгия
Канада
Норвегия
Франция
Мексика
