Today, Lausanne-based instrumental psych-rock act Monkey3 is celebrating the release of their new studio album, Welcome To The Machine, out now on Napalm Records.
Once again, Monkey3 envelops listeners in their unique, cosmic auditory haze with their newest release. Welcome To The Machine’s musical themes are inspired by movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Matrix, Sunshine, Solaris, and 1984, while unveiling an intense mankind vs. machines story that instantly launches the listener into deep space. Right from its first tones, the album immediately emerges as a perfect soundtrack to a journey into the unknown. Tracks such as "Rackman" or the epic "Collision" perfectly showcase how Monkey3 is one of only a few instrumental bands that know how to tell an enthralling story.
Guitarist Boris describes the album as “melancholy darkness towards a lost path. A long and haunting journey into the unknown.”
To celebrate today's record release, a cosmic video clip for the final album single, "Kali Yuga", is available below:
In support of Welcome To The Machine, Monkey3 has announced an extensive European tour schedule, including festival appearances at Desertfest Berlin & London, Motocultor, Alcatraz, Heavy Psych Sounds Fests, and many more.
The album was recorded and mixed by Raphaël Bovey at Blend Studio and MyRoom Studio, and was mastered by Lad Agabekov at Caduceus Studios in Switzerland. The incredible cover artwork was created by Sebastian Jerke.
Welcome To The Machine will be available in the following formats:
- Digipak
- 1 Vinyl Gatefold Black
- 1 Vinyl Gatefold Clear Orange
- 1-Vinyl Gatefold Crystal Clear Deluxe Version (incl. Slipmat & Art Print )
- Digital
Washington, D.C. quintet Darkest Hour - Mike Schleibaum [guitar], John Henry [vocals], Aaron Deal [bass], Travis Orbin [drums], and Nico Santora [guitar] - have released their tenth album, Perpetual | Terminal, via MNRK Heavy.
To celebrate the album's arrival, the band has shared the video for "One With The Void". Watch below.
"This song, as well as this album, showcases John's amazing talents like none other," says Schleibaum. "With this in mind, we chose to unveil this song, 'One With The Void, as our third video and single for the release of Perpetual | Terminal. An emotional leap, 'One With The Void' channels the melodic, dark, and atmospheric side of Darkest Hour. We are excited to premier this song alongside this incredible video by Mirko Witzki. This song is so personal to me, I love it. It continues the long tradition of John combining his amazing melodic talents with his introspective lyrical approach. To me, this is a love song; others might see another story, regardless there is no doubt this song expands the musical pallet of this band and brings a balance to this record that makes it perfect."
Henry himself states, "This is probably my favorite song off too he new album. The music spoke to me from the early stages of the writing process and I knew this would be a special one. All the space created by the band really inspired me to get creative with the vocal melodies and try new approaches. It's always a risky feeling trying new ideas and expanding on the established sound of the band, but also the most rewarding part of the process for me."
Darkest Hour will hit the road for a headline tour next week. Mouth Of War, Filth Is Eternal, IAM, and Somnuri will also appear. The tour kicks off February 29 in Richmond, VA and runs through April 6 in their hometown of D.C.
"Perpetual | Terminal"
"Societal Bile"
"A Prayer To The Holy Death"
"The Nihilist Undone"
"One With The Void"
"Amor Fati"
"Love Is Fear"
"New Utopian Dream"
"Mausoleum"
"My Only Regret"
"Goddess Of War, Give Me Something to Die For"
Last Friday, Def Leppard brought their full 2022 Whisky A Go Go set exclusively to their YouTube channel for 24 hours only. Although the full clip has now been removed, the band are rolling out individual videos from the show.
You can now watch the band perform "Rocket" and "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" in these just released videos:
Watch more footage from the concert below:
Def Leppard and Journey are teaming up for the Summer Stadium Tour 2024 with Steve Miller Band, Heart, and Cheap Trick. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame icons are once again coming together for a night of hits.
July
6 - St. Louis, MO - Busch Stadium ^
10 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium ^
13 - Atlanta, GA - Truist Park *
15 - Chicago, IL - Wrigley Field *
18 - Detroit, MI - Comerica Park *
20 - Nashville, TN - Nissan Stadium *
23 - Philadelphia, PA - Citizens Bank Park *
25 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium *
27 - Pittsburgh, PA - PNC Park *
30 - Cleveland, OH - Progressive Field +
August
2 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre +
5 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park +
7 - Flushing, NY - Citi Field *
12 - Arlington, TX - Globe Life Field *
14 - Houston, TX - Minute Maid Park *
16 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome *
19 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Field *
23 - Phoenix, AZ - Chase Field *
25 - Los Angeles, CA - SoFi Stadium *
28 - San Francisco, CA - Oracle Park *
30 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park *
September
4 - Seattle, WA - T-Mobile Park ^
8 - Denver, CO - Coors Field ^
* with Steve Miller Band
^ with Cheap Trick
+ with Heart
YES, who are Steve Howe, Geoff Downes, Jon Davison, Billy Sherwood & Jay Schellen, released their latest studio album Mirror To The Sky in May 2023, and following an acclaimed US tour late last year, the band will return to the UK & Europe for "The Classic Tales Of YES Tour 2024".
To coincide with this, they have launched a brand new video for an edited version of the album’s epic title track, and you can watch that now below.
A new Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Digipak edition of the album will also be released on April 5. This edition features the full album, plus the blu-ray including Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & Instrumental Mixes of the album and is available to pre-order here.
"The Classic Tales Of YES Tour 2024" will include many iconic tracks from the YES back-catalogue covering fifty-plus years. The tour will also include a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Tales From Topographic Oceans as well as music from their current album Mirror To The Sky.
“We're all excited to be bringing our show home to Europe and the UK!,” says Steve Howe, “We've selected a new playlist of YES music but with some firm favourites in there too, of course! To keep our performances fresh, we 'now' carry our own lights, so we can present a consistent show each night, designed for us by William Succuso... Looking forward to seeing you out there!”
"We are very much looking forward to the 2024 European leg of our YES Classic Tales Tour. Having recently completed the US, we are now really excited to bring that out to all our fans in the UK and Europe. It promises to be one of our most interesting sets to date, scanning through much of YES’s history and with some previously unheard pieces as well as music from our latest album, ‘Mirror To The Sky’. Bring it on and see you all out there!," says Geoff Downes.
Sweden's HammerFall performed at the 2023 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival, and you can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band performing the tracks "Brotherhood", "Hammer Of Dawn", and "Venerate Me". See below:
HammerFall will be direct support to Kamelot on their upcoming North American "Kamelot: Awaken The World Tour 2024". Ad Infinitum will kick off each night.
The tour will begin on April 25 in Baltimore, MD and will cross North America and back, coming to an end a month later in Tampa, FL on May 25. Tickets are on sale now. VIP upgrades will be available in select cities, and can be ordered here.
Tour dates:
April
25 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head **
26 - Huntington, NY - Paramount **
27 - Boston, MA - Big Night Live **
28 - Quebec City, QC - Theatre Capitole **
30 - Harrisburg, PA - HMAC
May
1 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
3 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
4 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
6 - Fort Worth, TX - Tannahill’s
7 - San Antonio, TX - Vibes Event Center
9 - Albuquerque, NM - El Rey Theater
10 - Tucson, AZ - Encore
11 - Anaheim, CA - City National Grove
12 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
14 - Denver, CO - The Summit
16 - St. Paul, MN - Myth
17 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles Ballroom/Milwaukee Metal Fest (no AD INFINITUM)
18 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Roxian
21 - Richmond, VA - The National
23 - Cincinnati, OH - Bogarts
24 - Atlanta, GA - Heaven - Masquerade
25 - Tampa, FL - Jannus Landing
German speed metal force Knife have released a video for “With Torches They March”. The track is taken from Heaven Into Dust album, out now through Napalm Records.
The band states: "Bangers! The times they are a changin‘! ‘With Torches They March’ is a statement against racism and fascism. We must not be silent! The brown hordes must be stopped! In union we stand!"
Knife’s new album kicks off with dramatic organ tunes and unsettling whispers. Album opener “Hawks Of Hades” sets the tone for their newest chapter. Raspy punk screams rule the darkness together with an eclectic arrangement. Followed by the rousing track “Night Vision”, remarkable classic rock riffs build its foundation while unbridled drums hustle along with shredding guitars. Topped by a catchy, raw refrain, vocalist Vince Nihil fits in perfectly with the fiery demonic atmosphere. Unleashing their 80’s hard rock and heavy metal influences on songs like “With Torches They March” and “Black Oath and Spells”, they showcase the band’s skill in creating remarkable choruses, characterized by soaring vocals, scorching guitar solos and leading drum strokes. Knife keeps on rolling with dynamic changes on the album closer “No Gods in the Dark” - featuring unbending, shrieking screams dueling with shredding riffs before the instrumental finale fades out. With Heaven Into Dust, the band has truly sharpened their tools and gets the listener’s heart pumping instantly while keeping the devil’s horns alive.
Heaven Into Dust is available in the following formats:
- 1LP Slipcase SPLATTER YELLOW GREEN - ltd. to 200 copies worldwide
- Tape Edition - RED with white print - ltd. to 200 copies worldwide
- Shirt & Jewel Case Bundle
- Digital Album
Swedish death metallers Feared, led by The Haunted guitarist Ola Englund and featuring Mario Santos Ramos on vocals, have released their first single in seven years. The new song, "Song Of The Dead", was produced by Jocke Skog (Clawfinger), and is available through all streaming platforms now. A music video for the track can be found below.
Says Ola: "We’re finally, after a lot of years, ready to continue the journey of the band Feared, and we’re going back to basics in the style of how Mario and I wrote songs in the beginning. I don’t know why it took this long for us to get something out, but maybe we were waiting for the right song. Me and Mario have already worked out at least 6 more songs so expect more in the future. As for now, we just wanted to release something to keep it alive. 7 years is too long of a wait…
"In regards of mixing, Jocke Skog (engineer) was the obvious choice for this song. He understands the band, having played in Feared several times live and tracking bass on a couple of the previous albums."
A 7" vinyl edition of "Song Of The Dead" is available here.
Feared's previous release in 2017 was the album Svart, produced and mixed by Mark Lewis (Megadeth, Cannibal Corpse, Whitechapel).
Contrary to popular misconceptions about potheads, Massachusetts death metal addicts Bonginator have been exceptionally hard at work. The red-eyed youngsters are not only back on the road for another leg of their 2024 US tour, but the stoned bunch from New England has also produced a gore-splattered new video for their single “Blood Diner”, premiered exclusively through BraveWords!
Video directed by Tony Simone:
“Blood Diner” is a new song that has been added as a bonus track to the reissue of Bonginator's first EP The 1986 Doink City Massacre (2022). The band's debut full-length The Intergalactic Gorebong Of Deathpot (2023) has previously sold out and is now being re-released as well.
"We wanted to create a music video that captures the essence of us playing in more intimate spaces, like your own living room," frontman Erik Thorstenn writes. "It's all about smoking, I mean 'connecting' with our fans on a personal level and enjoying the simple, stoned pleasures of music, good company, and the delight of... sweeter meats. We had a lot of fun making this video, and there are a ton of hilarious details. I guess, you can imagine how the place looked afterwards – it took us ages to clean up, especially between bong rips. Well, the result is absolutely worth it. We think that you're gonna dig it. Just one more little thing: please don't eat your friends. Cannibalism is bad!"
When a bunch of stoner kids takes on a horde of blood-thirsty aliens and then embarks on an intergalactic road trip to the darkest corners of the universe, you have entered the crazy world of Bonginator. Proceed at your own peril! With weaponized chainsaw-riffing, a thunderous barrage of drums, and inhuman growls, these young American death metal fanatics embarked on their crusade to reconquer the ears of headbangers around this globe for their brutal cause with the debut EP The 1986 Doink City Massacre (2022) and their first full-length The Intergalactic Gorebong Of Deathpot (2023). Both releases quickly sold out and are reissued by Testimony Records.
Bonginator are part of a new wave of fresh death metal aficionados that embrace the old school values of the style but add a fresh approach. This might cause a heart attack with those who think that the genre became too open-minded after 1986, but Bonginator are best described as the missing link between the good old days and death metal in the here and now.
Metal and weed are a well-established combination that has already found favour with fans in such veteran acts as Cannabis Corpse and Weedeater. Vocalist and guitarist Erik Thorstenn did not create Bonginator as a challenger to such incumbents, but rather with a strong vision to carve out his own musical claim when he started the band in the New England state of Massachusetts during the year 2021.
Taking inspiration from classic ‘80s horror and action movies is a given in this scene, but Bonginator blend old school death metal, crazy caveman riffs and the lunacy of 90s Colombian drumming with the relentless brutality of Slayer and even 80s synth-wave elements. Although Bonginator are obviously nodding to the past, they are definitely looking towards the future. This also reflects in the bizarre science fiction plots of their lyrics that are to be taken with a healthy pinch of cannabis.
Bonginator are currently working on their sophomore album, which will be the first to be released on Testimony Records.
Tracklisting:
Doink City
“Intro”
“The Doinkinite”
“The Bonginators”
“Interdoob”
“War, On Drugs”
“Dank Nugulus”
“Blood Diner” (bonus track)
Intergalactic Gorebong
“Intro II”
“Intergalactic Gorebong Of Deathpot” (feat. Devin Swank)
“Zombie Party Rockers”
“Brined, Smoked, And Deep Fried” (feat. Mutilation Barbecue)
“420lb Poop”
“Blunt Smoke Interlude”
“Blunt Smoke Suffocation” (feat. Scab Hag & Snuffed On Sight)
“Fucking The Wounds”
“From The Ashtray”
“Ritualistic Marijuana-Related Anal Defilement”
“It Makes Babies” (feat. Texas Ketamine)
“Chopped 2 Pieces”
Current line-up
Erik Thorstenn – guitar, vocals
Ron Bernhaut – bass
Joseph McNamara – drums
Ben Sonsire-Cummings – guitar
Professionally filmed video of Poland's Behemoth performing at Resurrection Fest on June 26, 2023 in Viveiro, Spain is now streaming online. Check out the entire show below.
Setlist:
"Post‐God Nirvana"
"Ora Pro Nobis Lucifer"
"Malaria Vvlgata"
"Conquer All"
"The Deathless Sun"
"Blow Your Trumpets Gabriel"
"Once Upon a Pale Horse"
"Daimonos"
"Versvs Christvs"
"Ov Fire and the Void"
"Bartzabel"
"Chant for Eschaton 2000"
Behemoth recently announced their "O Father, O Satan, O Svmmer" European tour. A message from the band follows...
"Legions! What a summer we have planned… We cannot wait to get back out into Europe, and celebrate our 33 years of Behemoth. There will be surprises and spoils galore, so be ready! We’ll also be joined by special guest Testament on select dates along with many more incredible bands! Tickets on sale 31st January from behemoth.pl."
Behemoth tour dates:
July
11 - Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany - Dong Open Air
13 - Leoben, Austria - Area 53 Festival
15 - Malmö, Sweden - Slagthuset (with Testament)
16 - Uppsala, Sweden - Parksnäckan (with Testament)
18 - Laukaa, Finland - John Smith Rock Festival
19 - Tallinn, Estonia - Noblessner Foundry (with Testament)
21 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja Summer Stage (with Testament, Gaerea)
23 - Kosice, Slovakia - Kulturpark (with Testament, Gaerea)
25 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Tolminator Festival
27 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Arena Sofia (with Testament, Pestilence)
28 - Athens, Greece - Release Festival (with Testament)
30 - Rasnov, Romania - Rockstadt Extreme Fest
August
1 - Bergen, Norway - Beyond The Gates
3 - Wacken, Germany - Wacken Open Air
4 - Saint-Maurice-de-Gourdans, France - Sylak Open Air
7 - Villena, Spain - Leyendas Del Rock
9 - Schlotheim, Germany - Party San Open Air
10 - Jaromer, Czech Republic - Brutal Assault
11 - Heidelberg, Germany - Halle 2 (with UADA, Imperial Triumphant)
13 - Fontaneta D'Agogna, Italy - Phenomen (with Unto Others, Imperial Triumphant)
15 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze
16 - Vallamand, Switzerland - Rock The Lakes
17 - Sulingen, Germany - Reload Festival
Art Of Melody Music & Burning Minds Music Group recently announced the upcoming release of the debut album by Nightblaze, the new Italian AOR sensation. A music video for the new single, "Daughter", can be viewed below:
Nightblaze began in 2021 as the brainchild of Italian composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Dario Grillo (Platens, Violet Sun), with the intent to create a solid, up-to-date sound with deep 80's melodic rock influences. Rising Italian rock star, Damiano Libianchi (Perfect View), was hired on vocals, and the full lineup was completed by the involvement of Dario's brother, Alex Grillo (Platens, Violet Sun, Verdemela) on drums, and Federica Raschellà (Steel Tyrant, Evil Eyes) on bass.
"Nightblaze" will set a high bar for melodic rock music in 2024, thanks to a collection of songs with infectious hooks, big vocals and a tight musicianship, all crafted in a bombastic 80's production sound.
The release of the eponymous debut album is scheduled for March 22 via Art Of Melody Music / Burning Minds Music Group. The CD booklet features introductory liner notes written by Ant Heeks (Fireworks Magazine), while cover art and CD graphics have been developed by Aeglos Art (Wheels Of Fire, Platens, StreetLore, Raintimes, Room Experience).
The first single of the album, "Tell Me", will be launched with an official video on January 10.
Tracklisting:
"Sudden Blast"
"Take On Me"
"You're Gone"
"Diana"
"Tell Me"
"Hold On To Me"
"Carry On"
"Fading Away"
"Fragments Of Time"
"Daughter"
Nightblaze is:
Damiano Libianchi: Lead & Backing Vocals
Dario Grillo: Guitars, Keyboards & Backing Vocals
Federica Raschellà: Bass
Alex Grillo: Drums
Last Friday, Def Leppard brought their full 2022 Whisky A Go Go set exclusively to their YouTube channel for 24 hours only. Although the full clip has now been removed, the band are rolling out individual videos from the show.
You can now watch the band perform "Excitable" and "Love Bites" in these just released videos:
Watch more footage from the concert below:
Def Leppard and Journey are teaming up for the Summer Stadium Tour 2024 with Steve Miller Band, Heart, and Cheap Trick. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame icons are once again coming together for a night of hits.
July
6 - St. Louis, MO - Busch Stadium ^
10 - Orlando, FL - Camping World Stadium ^
13 - Atlanta, GA - Truist Park *
15 - Chicago, IL - Wrigley Field *
18 - Detroit, MI - Comerica Park *
20 - Nashville, TN - Nissan Stadium *
23 - Philadelphia, PA - Citizens Bank Park *
25 - Hershey, PA - Hersheypark Stadium *
27 - Pittsburgh, PA - PNC Park *
30 - Cleveland, OH - Progressive Field +
August
2 - Toronto, ON - Rogers Centre +
5 - Boston, MA - Fenway Park +
7 - Flushing, NY - Citi Field *
12 - Arlington, TX - Globe Life Field *
14 - Houston, TX - Minute Maid Park *
16 - San Antonio, TX - Alamodome *
19 - Minneapolis, MN - Target Field *
23 - Phoenix, AZ - Chase Field *
25 - Los Angeles, CA - SoFi Stadium *
28 - San Francisco, CA - Oracle Park *
30 - San Diego, CA - Petco Park *
September
4 - Seattle, WA - T-Mobile Park ^
8 - Denver, CO - Coors Field ^
* with Steve Miller Band
^ with Cheap Trick
+ with Heart
Greta Van Fleet recently announced the extension of their Starcatcher World Tour with the addition of 12 new dates throughout the US this year. The 2024 leg, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on Saturday, April 27 in St. Louis, with stops in Kansas City, Austin, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee (full dates below).Tickets are on sale now.
Dates:
April
27 - St. Louis, MO - Chaifetz Arena#
29 - Lincoln, NE - Pinnacle Bank Arena#
May
1 - Rogers, AR - Walmart Amp#
2 - Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center#
6 - Austin, TX - Moody Center#
8 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater#
12 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum#
14 - Duluth, GA - Gas South Arena#
16 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center#
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena#
19 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena#
21 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum#
Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA have announced a follow-up to their legendary debut record. "Apocalyptica Plays Metallica Vol. 2" will continue the journey that began in 1996 when cellists from Helsinki's world-renowned Sibelius Academy played symphonic tribute to the biggest of the big four–heavy metal titans METALLICA. For their ninth record, the classically minded dynamos are returning to their roots to bring a legendary story full circle. It also features a host of surprises beginning with a unique collaboration. Lead single "The Four Horsemen", a song that originally appeared on METALLICA's 1983 debut "Kill 'Em All", features METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo, setting the scene for a compendium of deep cuts and brilliant highlights spanning METALLICA's staggering 40-year career, and there are more surprises to come.
APOCALYPTICA said: "The first single we want to present to you is 'The Four Horsemen'. And we couldn't be more excited to have a great feature guest on it: Rob Trujillo himself, who is probably THE greatest bass player in this whole wide world! We've always enjoyed sharing our love for METALLICA. Now, this is next level for us as well!"
APOCALYPTICA leader Eicca Toppinen commented: "It's the coolest thing. We didn't push; it was offered. We played the first album live and it was so much more fun and exciting than we expected, so we got the idea to do something like the first album, but we couldn't do it in exactly the same way; we needed to challenge ourselves and bring a totally new perspective to the original energy and emotion of METALLICA."
APOCALYPTICA lead cellist Perttu Kivilaakso added: "We've been talking about making another METALLICA album for around 20 years, as there were still so many great songs we wanted to play! We waited for the perfect moment to do it. Thinking of that teenage me who is now getting to play his favorite tracks gives me goosebumps!"
This album will be the APOCALYPTICA's final studio release with the band's longtime member, drummer Mikko Sirén, who amicably departed after the new LP's completion. "Plays Metallica Vol. 2" was produced by longtime collaborator and studio supremo Joe Barresi (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SOUNDGARDEN, NINE INCH NAILS, TOOL) and will be released via new label Throwdown Entertainment on June 7.
Alongside the announcement, APOCALYPTICA will be touring in support of the record, taking them through Europe.
"Plays Metallica Vol. 2" track listing:
01. Ride The Lightning
02. St Anger
03. The Unforgiven II
04. Blackened
05. The Call Of Ktulu (in memory of Cliff Burton)
06. The Four Horsemen (featuring Robert Trujillo)
07. Holier Than Thou
08. To Live Is To Die
09. One
10. One (Instrumental)
Sirén started performing live with APOCALYPTICA in 2003 but didn't become a full-time member of the band until 2005, after playing over 200 concerts with APOCALYPTICA and recording an album with the group.
In a 2019 interview with Australia's Heavy magazine, APOCALYPTICA's Paavo Lötjönen spoke about the impact of the band's 1996 "Plays Metallica By Four Cellos" debut. Consisting solely of METALLICA covers, the album cast a spotlight on the group's classically trained abilities, setting the stage for them to release their own material in ensuing years. Since the 20th anniversary of "Plays Metallica By Four Cellos" in 2016, APOCALYPTICA has been playing the album in full at select live dates.
"It's been really fantastic," he said about playing "Plays Metallica By Four Cellos". "If we are talking about music in common, if you listen to music you used to listen to 20 years ago, it's a weird thing somehow, it brings all the same feelings back. Like, you are feeling when we were 20 years younger. I would call music a time machine in that sense. The same happens for us when we play those songs. Somehow the same feelings come back to us when we felt like we were 25 years or 20 years old and touring with a shitty van around Europe playing venues. This time, all the venues are bigger and really portioned nice. There's lots of people, and it's not too hot and shitty on the stage. It's a lot of joy and fun to play those songs. The magic of METALLICA has not disappeared anywhere. It's still really strong and passionate music. It's a lot of fun to play. We have never played this well as we are playing at the moment. I'm happy to see we have learned something during these years."
In 2015, Lötjönen and Kivilaakso spoke to Austria's Mulatschag about what it was like to join METALLICA on stage at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of the week-long celebration of the band's 30th anniversary in December 2011. Perttu said: "Of course we felt very privileged being included amongst all those amazing artists. And after the thing, what we have done during our career, it has been pleasant to realize and notice that, actually, the METALLICA guys, who are the reason for us to start to do something like this, that they do respect us at least that much that they wanted us to be a part of this big celebration of their career. Of course, it was crazy. I remember that when we started to play 'One', I'm starting this song and James Hetfield is just next to me, and I'm thinking, when I was 13 years old, he was my biggest idol and now we are playing together. So it's absurd, but just natural and logical in other terms."
Added Paavo: "You know, the connection to METALLICA has been really super great all these years. We played first time as a support to them already in '96. It was actually our fifth show for a proper rock and roll audience, and we were supporting METALLICA, so it was quite crazy. And since that, we have played many times with them at same festivals and… Let me say that the connection with METALLICA is really cool and really nice."
LINKIN PARK will release a greatest-hits album, "Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)" , on April 12 via Warner. The official music video for the LP's first single, "Friendly Fire", a previously unreleased song recorded during the 2017 "One More Light" sessions, can be heard below.
Speaking about the track, LINKIN PARK guitarist Brad Delson said: "'Friendly Fire' was always one of our favorite songs from the 'One More Light' sessions. Something about it wasn't quite right, so as close as it got to the finish line, we chose to set it aside for later. When we started looking for an unreleased track to include on our greatest-hits collection, I was blown away by the power of the song, the power of the storytelling, the power of the vocal, the sonic landscape and I actually thought that it was closer than maybe we had realized at the time. We got together to work on it and connect some of the missing pieces that for whatever reason hadn't revealed themselves during the recording of 'One More Light'.
Delson added: "I can't wait for people to hear it. It's such a beautiful, compelling, heartbreaking, hopeful story and it really resonates with me today."
"Papercuts (Singles Collection 2000-2023)" features 20 tracks, including hits like "In The End" and "Crawling", as well as rarities like "QWERTY".
"In the making of each LINKIN PARK album, I want to love and believe in each individual song completely," LINKIN PARK's Mike Shinoda said. "I hope that if any one track is heard on its own in the world, it is something I can feel proud of, and something that takes root inside the listener and becomes part of the energy that connects us."
Shinoda added: "Curating the tracks for 'Papercuts' was a joy. Each song in this collection is both a singular moment on our timeline and an evolving story that is as much ours as it is yours. From our first release 'One Step Closer' to the brand-new 'Friendly Fire', this tracklist spans all our chapters so far. Thank you for being a part of our journey. We hope you enjoy 'Papercuts'."
01. Crawling
02. Faint
03. Numb/Encore
04. Papercut
05. Breaking The Habit
06. In The End
07. Bleed It Out
08. Somewhere I Belong
09. Waiting For The End
10. Castle Of Glass
11. One More Light
12. Burn It Down
13. What I've Done
14. QWERTY
15. One Step Closer
16. New Divide
17. Leave Out All The Rest
18. Lost
19. Numb
20. Friendly Fire
LINKIN PARK has been on hiatus since the death of singer Chester Bennington in 2017.
Two years ago, Shinoda said that there are no plans for new music, albums or live shows from LINKIN PARK. The 47-year-old musician addressed LINKIN PARK's future during a Twitch livestream.
"The only LINKIN PARK news I have for you is that… Yeah, we talk every few weeks — I talk to the guys, or some of the guys," he said. "And there's no tours, there's no music, there's no albums in the pipeline. Okay, so let me just tell you that. So just keep in your minds that that is not happening.
"I'm just gonna say that much for now," he continued. "I say that because anytime the band says anything or does anything, everyone tries to start up the hype train, and we're, like, 'No, no, no, no. Don't start up the hype train.' You're gonna disappoint yourself. Don't do that."
LINKIN PARK has not performed together in public since October 2017, when the surviving members staged a tribute concert in Los Angeles to Bennington. The band has not officially announced whether it intends to carry on following the death of Bennington, who committed suicide in July 2017 at the age of 41.
Five years ago, Shinoda shot down reports that LINKIN PARK was actively searching for a replacement for Bennington. In February 2019, Shinoda took to his Twitter account to write: "Lemme clarify a rumor: we are not looking for a new singer, and if it were to happen organically, I'd be open. Seems pretty clear, yet I guess some folks have a hard time understanding.
"I'm not into predicting the future. The future will happen."
Shinoda made his comments in an apparent response to how the media covered an interview he gave to Rock Antenne. When asked about the possibility of finding a new singer, Shinoda said: "That's not my goal right now. I think it has to happen naturally. And if we find somebody that's a great person that we think is a good personality fit and a good stylistic fit, then I could see trying to do some stuff with somebody... I wouldn't wanna ever feel like we were replacing Chester."
Shinoda added: "I know the other guys, they love to get onstage, they love to be in the studio, and so to not do that would be — I don't know — almost unhealthy. If doing that means that we need to have some other people in the mix in order to do it and do it well, then we would do that... But, like I said before, it has to happen naturally. I'm not running out and putting up 'vocalist wanted' posters."
Bennington's passing was ruled a suicide soon after his body was found in July 2017 at his home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.
Chester had been candid about mental-health battles in numerous interviews over the years, saying he grappled with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and substance abuse. His struggles with drugs and alcohol landed him in rehab twice around 2006.
LINKIN PARK released a concert album titled "One More Light Live" in December 2017.
If there is one band that combines a classic approach with fresh ideas and an expansive joy of playing to honor their ancestors from the likes of early Exodus, Metallica, or Slayer, then it is the German heavy metal hellions, Vulture. On their fourth album Sentinels, set for release on April 12 via Metal Blade Records, they prove once again that tradition and further development are not mutually exclusive, but on the contrary can lead to something extraordinary that leaves no headbanger untouched.
"In direct comparison to the last album, Dealin' Death, we've picked up the pace again noticeably," elaborates guitarist Stefan Castevet. "We're bolder and a bit wilder again. It was important to us to be catchy and to include choruses that stick. Of course, we've basically retained our style, but we've defined the framework of the songs more clearly."
In order to create such a monster as Sentinels, some changes were necessary. "It started with the songwriting, where we took more time than usual. We recorded a total of three demos with numerous songs, which we also produced to the best of our ability. This gave us the chance to let our songs sink in as relatively final versions so that we could then choose the best pieces and - at least in part - rework them again."
Vulture again recorded with Marco Brinkmann in his Hellforge Studio where there were also some innovations. "We had a clearly structured daily routine, a normal working day with set goals in which we could focus purely on recording the songs. Our previous recordings were a bit less organized which resulted in working overtime for everyone involved at the end. This is one of the reasons why Sentinels is the best sounding Vulture record to date!"
In advance of the record's release, today the band unleashes first single, "Unhallowed & Forgotten," which serves as a blueprint for the Vulture style: wild riffs, lots of breaks, and tone changes, furious solos, exploding toms, and a huge chorus! "Lyrically, we also stay true to ourselves," notes Castevet. "The song is about the Blind Dead film series, whose thirst for blood, like ours, is difficult to quench."
Watch Vulture’s “Unhallowed & Forgotten” video, directed by Robert Piel, below.
Sentinels will be released on CD and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
Crystal Clear w/ Black Smoke (US)
180g Black (EU)
Blood Red & White Splattered (EU - Ltd. 200)
Bright Red White Marbled (EU - Ltd. 700)
Special Edition Bundle w/ 12" (Midnight Blue Marbled), 7", Patch, Photo, Poster (EU - Ltd. 500)
“Screams Fro The Abattoir”
“Unhallowed & Forgotten”
“Transylvania”
“Realm Of The Impaler”
“Draw Your Blades”
“Where There’s A Whip (There Is A Way)”
“Der Tod Trägt Schwarzes Leder”
“Death Row”
“Gargoyles”
“Oathbreaker”
“Sentinels (Heavier Than Time)”
Vulture live:
March
14-17 – Goteborg, Sweden – Underground Resistance Festival
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