Weapons Of Anew has released the first in a trilogy of songs that tie together to tell the story of one's inner struggles and how they can consume and take you over. The trio of songs will be tied together into a short film that, according to guitarist Freddy Ordine, will be like “a horror film on steroids.” The video was produced by Weapons Of Anew and Thomas Crane of killDevil Films.
"'Angel Has Fallen' is about a girl who had everything going for her and succumbed to the darker things in life. Dancing led to drugs, which led to other horrible things and ultimately she passed. No matter how hard anyone who cared about her tried to help it didn't matter. She was too far down the line,” explains Freddy Ordine, who also produced the track with Mike Ferretti (Sevendust), and David Bendeth.
Weapons Of Anew will follow up "Angel Has Fallen" with their second single, "Demons," and, following that, the trilogy concludes with "Take You Down." The trio of songsnwill be tied together into a short film.
Weapons Of Anew is powered by Freddy Ordine, Reno, Dunté Mason, Nick Farahvashi and Julius Mendoza.
Today, rock legend Billy Idol releases the expanded edition of his self-titled debut album via Capitol/UMe. The reissue includes the original ten-track album, a previously unreleased recording of Idols complete August 12, 1982 concert at The Roxy in West Hollywood, CA, and the recently unearthed and previously unreleased 12-minute Clubland Extended Remix of his classic song, "White Wedding".
Fans can purchase the deluxe reissue here and watch an official video for the Clubland Extended Remix of "White Wedding" below.
Fans are also encouraged to celebrate the release of this iconic album with a Dolby Atmos aural upgrade by Grammy-winning engineer Paul Hicks, who has remixed albums in Atmos for The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, and more.
Tracklisting:
Disc 1:
"Come On, Come On"
"White Wedding (Part 1)"
"Hot In The City"
"Dead On Arrival"
"Nobody’s Business"
"Love Calling"
"Hole In The Wall"
"Shooting Stars"
"It’s So Cruel"
"Congo Man"
"White Wedding (Clubland Extended Remix - Previously Unreleased)"
Disc 2 - Live At The Roxy, 1982 - Previously Unreleased:
"Baby Talk"
"Untouchables"
"Come On, Come On"
"Hot In The City"
"Dead On Arrival"
"Heavens Inside"
"Ready Steady Go"
"Hole In The Wall"
"Shooting Stars"
"Kiss Me Deadly"
"White Wedding"
"Nobody’s Business"
"Dancing With Myself"
"Mony Mony"
"Triumph"
"White Wedding" (Clubland Extended Remix) video:
Billy Idol: State Line, a concert film showcasing his April concert at Hoover Dam, will be released fall 2023. Watch the first official teaser below.
Idol performed two unique sets of his iconic hits on site at Hoover Dam, which straddles the Colorado River directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line; a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse directly at the foot of Hoover Dam. For both sets, Idol was joined by his collaborator and lead guitarist of over forty years, Steve Stevens. Performed in front of only 250 fans, the electric set featured special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt).
Traversing the plains of doom, stoner and punk, Nova Doll is gearing up to unveil the new album, Denaturing. This offering is intended to be an experience, moving from one season to the next with tracks joined with sounds of nature.
Dive into Nova Doll's serving of heavy stoner rock laced with garage riffs and punk snarl. Denaturing will be released on September 29th, 2023, via Black Throne Productions and Tarantula Tapes. The video for the latest single from Denaturing, "California Sunshine", is out now.
Each song is about death in a different respect - death of a person, death of innocence, death of relationships, or death of the seasons. Denaturing opens with "The Circle" about how some people will cast circles or call circle to create a sacred place to do their work. This haunting and heavy track opens the floor to the magic of the album. "California Sunshine" explores an acid trip that led to tragedy through an immersive, fuzz-fueled sound, with a dark undertone. The title track, "Denaturation" explores the biological and chemical breakdown of the body during the dying process, while the concluding "Dead Before I Knew It" delves into the experience of losing a part of yourself at the hand of someone else’s actions. It's an eerie atmospheric venture into gloomy doom with a punk attitude.
Tracklisting:
"The Circle"
"Waydown"
"California Sunshine"
"Denaturation"
"Light Her Up"
"Mabon"
"Dead Before I Knew It"
Nova Doll was established in 2022 and is based out of Barrie, ON, Canada. The project draws musical inspiration from across the stoner rock, punk, and grunge / sludge / doom genres. Influenced by the likes of Kyuss and early Queens Of The Stone Age, as well as High On Fire, the debut record Denaturing, leans heavily into these realms.
Rising progressive death metal stars Kallias will be digitally releasing their brand new album, First Ascent, on August 25, 2023 via AISA Distribution. In celebration, the band has premiered the first single from the record, "Lungta II: Everlasting", along with a haunting music video.
Kallias guitarist and vocalist Nicole Papastavrou comments, "We’re thrilled to showcase our more progressive elements in this new single, such as the use of Chris’ upright bass and a very special throat singing section by Alex Novick. Overall, 'Lungta II: Everlasting' is not only a departure from First Ascent, but takes a direction we hope to accomplish with the next record."
"The music video resembles the physical and mental journey of climbing in the Himalayas. ‘Lungta,’ meaning ‘Wind Horse,’ resemble the prayer flags that bring goodwill, with red specifically resembling fire. We best used our imagination to bring to life the inward battle one must face when taking such journeys. We hope you enjoy the visuals and look forward to the release of First Ascent to follow."
The 3D cover artwork of First Ascent was created by Francesco Artusato (Light The Torch, All Shall Perish). Pre-orders can be placed here.
Tracklisting:
"The Approach"
"Irrational Fear" (Ft. Jeff Loomis)
"Disembodied Existence"
"Matter Eater" (Ft. Colin Cook)
"The Dark Machine"
"21 Grams" (Ft. Rafael Trujillo)
"Nine In Time" (Ft. Greg Burgess)
"Lungta I: The Path:
"Lungta II: Everlasting"
Kallias is comprised of players who are masters of their craft. Nicole Papastavrou's solid history of songwriting and tight rhythms paired with Colin Cook's jazzy and technical leads are the perfect compliment. JP Andrade's undeniably precise percussion serves the music on every level, from jazz-influenced melodic sections to satisfyingly odd rhythms for the eager prog-loving ear. Beautifully woven bass lines by Chris Marrone provide an indomitable structure and embrace for each instrument — never overpowering, yet always highlighting.
For modern day prog and metal fans, Kallias can be compared to bands such as Opeth, Meshuggah, and Decapitated. The quartet holds a musical chemistry that is few and far between and that will keep you in the foreground from the beginning with bone-chilling introductions. This is by no means background music. Kallias creates their own genre for a panoramic audio experience that demands the listener's undivided attention to focus and feel.
In addition, Kallias will be embarking on a run of West Coast tour dates this August in support of Cyborg Octopus. The full itinerary is as listed:
August
25 - Fullerton, CA - Programme
26 - San Diego, CA - Til Two Club
27 - Cupertino, CA - XBar
29 - Las Vegas, NV - The Griffin
30 - Fresno, CA - Destructive Warehouse
QUEENSRŸCHE/ex-KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo has joined forces with guitar virtuoso Angel Vivaldi and singer Roman Grey to form a new melodic metal supergroup, INFINITY'S ASHES. The official music video for the band's first single, "The Perfect Flaw", can be seen below.
Angel comments: "Like most projects, this band has been in the oven for quite a number of years. To finally let the world see and hear this incredible collaboration feels magical. I'm proud of the work each of us put into these songs. Excited to see what's on the horizon for us."
Casey states: "I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this project that Angel and I embarked on several years ago. Countless hours of dedication and meticulous planning have been poured into it, and I'm eagerly anticipating the fans' reactions to our creation. Get ready to enjoy what we've accomplished!"
Grillo adds: "This will not change my involvement with QUEENSRŸCHE. I simply wanted to explore a different aspect of my drumming."
For more than six years, Grillo has been filling in for original QUEENSRŸCHE drummer Scott Rockenfield, who stepped away from the band's touring activities in early 2017 to spend time with his young son.
Almost a year after playing his first show with QUEENSRŸCHE, Casey announced his exit from his previous band KAMELOT in order to pursue "other musical endeavors" as well as tend to his "rapidly growing" drumhead company DrumStatic.
Queen has shared episode 27 of its yearlong "The Greatest: Live" video series. Watch the video below.
Queen have always been spoilt for choice when it comes to packing setlists with their own crowd-pleasers – but as seen in this special moment from the Magic Tour, the band’s riotous cover version of the Little Richard classic from Wembley ’86 both ignites the stadium crowd and sees the lineup play with the joy of a teenage garage band.
In last week’s episode of Queen The Greatest Live, Brian May and Roger Taylor revealed how curveballs keep the show fresh for band and fans alike. Whether unplugging for an intimate acoustic set on a ‘B’ stage, splicing hits into a quickfire medley or racing through a formative rock ‘n’ roll cover – the only rule at a Queen concert is to expect the unexpected.
Now, in this archive Wembley Stadium footage from 1986’s Magic Tour, the joy is infectious as the lineup put an inimitable Queen spin on Little Richard’s immortal "Tutti Frutti". As Brian told Total Guitar earlier this year, the song was a fitting choice for a band who cut their teeth on the R&B trailblazer. “When I first heard Little Richard, it was a moment of shock, but there was also the joy of realising that people could actually sing that way – they could scream their emotions.”
Starting the song half-hidden in moody blue lighting, with Freddie supplying finger clicks and falsettos, it briefly seems the band have taken a mellow acoustic approach. Then this cover version explodes into a rocket-fuelled rhythm and blues masterclass, with Roger laying down his tambourine for thunderous drum fills, while Brian slings the Red Special for a ferocious solo. Watch closely, too, for the moment when Freddie mimes a golf swing with his sawn-off mic stand.
The 72,000-strong Wembley crowd’s response says it all, with the entire stadium shouting back "Tutti Frutti"’s gobbledygook-genius payoff: “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a-lop-bam-boom…!”
The Who are paying tribute to late singer-songwriter, Sinéad O'Connor, who passed away at age 56 on July 26. The Who posted the video below, simply stating, "One for Sinéad. Rest in peace."
Upon her passing, Sinéad O'Connor's family stated: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
Right in the middle of their festival season, symphonic metal titans, Epica, return with another live single off their upcoming digital EP, Live At The AFAS Live. Originally the title track of their second studio album, and one of Epica's heaviest tracks, "Consign To Oblivion" has not only become a real classic but also the ultimate final song of most Epica shows, always starting with an obligatory wall of death right after the intro.
“Over the years 'Consign To Oblivion' became our favorite track to conclude our shows with”, Mark Jansen comments. “Every time we tried another track it never had the same impact as Consign to Oblivion. I’m happy everyone can now witness the live version that we played in Amsterdam to a fantastic home-country-crowd!”
Watch the new video below, and stream the single here.
Epica have a busy festival summer ahead of themselves before going back into the studio early next year to record the follow-up to 2021’s Omega. Dates and tickets are available here.
Conquer Divide, the international five-piece band hailing from the US, UK, and Canada, will release their new album, Slow Burn, on September 8 via Mascot Records. Pre-order it here.
The band - vocalist Kiarely Taylor, bassist/vocalist Janel Duarte, guitarist Isabel Johnson, drummer Samantha Landa, and guitarist Kristen Sturgis - have shared the new single, "N E W H E A V E N". The visual is rife with religious imagery but it's hardly about religion.
"'N E W H E A V E N' was born out of the idea that you'll never be satisfied with what you have if you don't define your expectations," the band offers. "We got together in Atlanta with Johnny Andrews for this one, and he's a musical mad scientist. We played with religious metaphors, although the song is not about religion. You throw your whole life into something, and then you finally reach the pinnacle and get to pull the proverbial curtain back, but it's not what you expected at all. So now you need a new high to chase. We did crowd-sourced gang vocals on this one, and it was fun to make that come together."
As for the accompanying video, the band shares, "This video was sort of a continuation from our last music video where in the opening scene you see the Grim Reaper take his hood off to reveal he is now the priest overseeing the funeral. Kia figuratively 'went to heaven' and came back after realizing heaven wasn't what it was cracked up to be."
Watch the clip below.
Slow Burn tracklisting:
"Atonement"
"N E W H E A V E N"
"Paralyzed"
"welcome2paradise"
"PRESSURE"
"system_failure"
"playing w/ fire"
"Over It."
"Afterthought.wav"
"the INVISIBLE"
"wide awake"
"OnlyGirl"
"gAtEkEePer"
Thy Art Is Murder, one of Australia's top-heavy exports, released their seminal second album, Hate, on October 19, 2012. On January 14, 2023, the band immortalized their sold-out Decade Of Hate Melbourne performance at The Forum. Fans can now own or stream the digital version of Decade Of Hate (Live In Melbourne), which is out today. The physical versions including a CD jewel and LP, will be available to the masses on November 17.
Check out the fiery live video for the track, "Reign Of Darkness" (Live in Melbourne 2023) below. The live album was engineered by Lance Prenc, and mixing and mastering was completed by Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy).
Thy Art Is Murder's Andy Marsh comments, "When we set out to record our record Hate all those years ago, none of us could anticipate the ride of a lifetime we were about to embark upon. So it seemed fitting that when we announced this recent 'Decade Of Hate tour', we were again uncertain about what the shows would hold in store. They turned out to be the biggest of our career.
“Throughout this wild journey, it was only through the undying support of our friends and fans across the world that we were able to traverse these monolithic milestones and for that, we are forever grateful. To have a dream is one thing, but to live it is something truly special and you have given that privilege to us.
“In the last ten years, we attempted to cover as much ground on tour as possible, but this last anniversary tour was rather brief as we began preparations for our new record Godlike. With the help of our incredible crew, we are proud to give you HATE in full, the way we imagined we might one day be able to one day present the songs. For all those who couldn’t make it to a show, and for anyone who just wants to relive the experience it has now been immortalized on wax for all to hear.”
Stream the single "Reign Of Darkness" (Live in Melbourne 2023) and the full album, here.
Decade Of Hate (Live In Melbourne 2023) will be available in the following physical formats on November 17th:
- CD Jewelcase
- 2 LP
* Blue with Black Pink Splatter (North American Exclusive; Limited to 1000)
* Purple with Blue Pink Splatter (European Exclusive; Limited to 900)
Pre-order/listen to Decade Of Hate (Live In Melbourne 2023) here.
Decade Of Hate (Live In Melbourne 2023) tracklisting:
"Reign Of Darkness"
"The Purest Strain Of Hate"
"Vile Creation"
"Shadow Of Eternal Sin"
"Immolation"
"Infinite Forms"
"Dean Sun"
"Gates Of Misery"
"Defective Breed"
"Doomed From Birth"
"Death Squad Anthem"
"Holy War"
"Puppet Master"
"Reign Of Darkness" video:
Thy Art Is Murder is:
C.J. McMahon - Vocals
Sean Delander - Rhythm Guitar
Kevin Butler - Bass Guitar
Jesse Beahler - Drums
Andy Marsh - Lead Guitar
Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing's new band KK'S PRIEST will release its sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again", on September 29 via the Austrian rock and metal empire Napalm Records. The official music video for the LP's second single, "Reap The Whirlwind", can be seen below.
Downing says about "Reap The Whirlwind": "'If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind' — this is a common phrase that has been familiar with me from a very young age. Obviously it's very meaningful — it's a warning that if you mistreat people, or really whatever you do in life, you need to be very careful, because whatever sufferance you inflict on anyone, it could come back to haunt you, and your suffering could be even more severe. Everyone knowingly or unknowingly has made the mistake of thinking they can get away with small misdemeanors to suit their selfish pursuits, but if justice is to be served, you will reap exactly what you sow. That is the message of this song."
With "The Sinner Rides Again", the powerhouse heavy metal amalgamation of iconic JUDAS PRIEST alumni and Grammy Award-winning/nominated musicians Downing and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals),along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE),double down on the ripping melodic force of their debut, which Metal Hammer U.K. dubbed "hugely enjoyable" and Metal Injection cited as boasting "catchy hooks and plenty of guitar wizardry". "The Sinner Rides Again" wields nine tracks of pure hellfire, produced and written by Downing and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen.
Last month, KK'S PRIEST released the first single from "The Sinner Rides Again", a song called "One More Shot At Glory". The track evokes a high-stakes battle with heroic chants and double bass, setting the stage for a spine-tingling guitar solo. The track was accompanied by an intense, high-quality music video.
Downing said about "The Sinner Rides Again": "To continue the legacy of the traditional rock and metal that I have been so fortunate to be a part of for over 50 years, this latest album, 'The Sinner Rides Again', has been created to take the listener on a journey that is both real and fictional with its characters, although sometimes ambiguous. These songs allow the imaginations of all fans of this wonderful genre of music to escape reality and join with us to continue our heavy metal experience into the future."
Downing added regarding the band's signing with Napalm Records: "With a brand new record that needed placement with a great record label, we discussed the labels we liked, and Napalm Records was one of those companies. It's fair to say that Napalm is a leader in the heavy metal genre and has been for a long time now. They have a fantastic roster of both established and new bands and artists that are a force to be reckoned with. So it's a roster of some of the top and leading metal bands in the world today, and for the foreseeable future. I am pleased to say that we are excited about partnering with Napalm Records and we look forward to working together."
Sebastian Münch, senior A&R at Napalm Records, said: "K.K. Downing has created, with the sophomore album 'The Sinner Rides Again', an absolutely brilliant heavy metal masterpiece — one, I believe, that will stand the test of time and will be listened to by metal fans around the world for many, many years. K.K. Downing is a genius and Tim 'Ripper' Owens's vocals are simply mesmerizing! Napalm Records is absolutely proud to help continue to build this legacy."
A haunting introduction of dual guitars carries the listener into the thundering "Sons Of The Sentinel", winding across a wasteland of burning riffs and a deftly dynamic guitar solo to kick off the record with relentless energy. The undeniably catchy anthem "Strike Of The Viper" proves itself as one of the album's most unforgettable tracks, before "Reap The Whirlwind" crashes in with a classic heavy metal power thrust of soaring leads, hair-raising harmonics and earworm vocal hooks. First single "One More Shot At Glory" raises its sword high, instantaneously calling for battle with its opening riff and beckoning verses. Heroic chants and unrelenting double bass set the stage for a galloping midsection as a spine-tingling guitar solo commands the song. Striding "Hymn 66" commands with sultry, slow and low metallic punches and a bluesy gait, while massive title track "The Sinner Rides Again" straddles balladic passages and sinister, head-bobbing choruses. Beginning with ominous bells, "Keeper Of The Graves" rounds the final bend of the album with roaring cascades and a dynamic performance from Owens, before charging "Pledge Your Souls" and rollercoaster closer epic "Wash Away Your Sins" rise as the final embers of a certified burner — proving itself as a must-hear metal album of the year by the greatest to ever perform the genre.
The immense and intricate art for "The Sinner Rides Again" was created by talented artist Andy Pilkington.
"The Sinner Rides Again" track listing:
01. Sons Of The Sentinel
02. Strike Of The Viper
03. Reap The Whirlwind
04. One More Shot At Glory
05. Hymn 66
06. The Sinner Rides Again
07. Keeper Of The Graves
08. Pledge Your Souls
09. Wash Away Your Sins
KK'S PRIEST will embark October U.K. headlining tour. The "Priests, Killers & Witches" tour starts at the O2 Institute in Birmingham on Saturday, October 7, and visits London, Glasgow, Manchester and Nottingham. Special guest on all dates will be former IRON MAIDEN vocalist Paul Di'Anno who will be performing a full set of classics straight from the first two MAIDEN records, and opening up the bill is BURNING WITCHES.
"Sermons Of The Sinner" was released in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.
Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.
K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.
In a recent interview with Ernest Skinner of Border City Rock Talk, Owens spoke about the upcoming sophomore album from KK'S PRIEST. He said: "It's really good too. I like it better [than the debut LP]. It's a little heavier, a little edgier on the vocals — and even music, I think."
Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony last November at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.
Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.
In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.
In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."
Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.
Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.
Nearly two years ago, Downing said that he had no problems with fans making comparisons between PRIEST and KK'S PRIEST. "It's absolutely fine, because it's who I am and what I am and what I do and how I do it," he told Brazilian journalist Igor Miranda. "It's too late to change; I can't change. I can't go out and buy different guitars and different amplifiers and start to write differently and think differently. I have to do things the way that I like them to be done. And that's what I did in JUDAS PRIEST for all those years to the best of my ability. But even now that I don't have to consult with anyone else, really, then I feel a lot more freedom to be able to do this.
"I think I can do what I do better now than I did before, if that makes any sense," he continued. "Because I'm working and writing and putting things together for me — and, obviously, of course, the rest of the members in [KK'S PRIEST] as well. But I was on my own, for the most part, in the lockdown doing this. But there was a lot of things I wanted to say and get off my chest.
"The [KK'S PRIEST] album's full of emotions, sentiments and messages and also rejoicement. It's a lot of things, all in one package. And it was very important for me to be able to express myself through this album.
"I know that people will make comparisons, but that's fine. I either succeed or fail, like everyone else in life. But I'm a fan of this wonderful style of music, and if I like it, I'm hopefully sure that the fans will like it too. And I really hope they do. And I'm very much looking forward to the feedback from everybody all over the world.
"Towards the end for me in JUDAS PRIEST, it wasn't as energized as it was in former years, and I missed that. I remember the days when Rob [Halford, PRIEST singer] used to come offstage and he used to empty his boots out, and the water — which was sweat — used to just pour out of the boots. And it was the same for all of us. It was like we ran a marathon or something. So, hopefully we deliver that up. So I'm looking forward to doing that. I'm definitely gonna do my best, put it that way."
In September 2021, Owens said that there was no competition between JUDAS PRIEST and KK'S PRIEST. "I don't think we look at it [like that]," he told The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn in an interview. "There's one JUDAS PRIEST. They're JUDAS PRIEST. If [K.K. and I] wanted to take that angle, we would have called [our new band] KK'S JUDAS PRIEST. But I think fans are happy 'cause they know they do have two things that are the same vein, and they have K.K. back. I went nowhere — I've been putting music out like crazy — but they have Ken and I back together again. So there's no competition. I mean, how awesome would it be if we do shows with them? I don't care. I really don't. I love the guys in PRIEST. Rob's [Halford, PRIEST singer] my idol. And Richie [Faulkner, PRIEST guitarist] and I are friends. But this isn't a competition. We're not trying to make it a competition or another JUDAS PRIEST. That's why we put an album out first; that was the difference. If we were trying to make it that, we would start touring right away, doing the back catalog."
Asked if KK'S PRIEST is really open to touring with JUDAS PRIEST, Tim said: "I'm open to anything. I've never burned bridges. From the sounds of it, it's never gonna happen. 'Cause it never happened with me. I tried to get BEYOND FEAR to support JUDAS PRIEST on tour. Wendy Dio was my manager, and they were, like, 'Absolutely not. You're not gonna support us.' But we're all friends. I mean, I'm speaking for me — I'm not speaking for Ken. But, yeah, listen, I always look at it as how much fans would love stuff. How cool would it be if that happened?"
It’s been five years since their last offering, Civilisation, made such a big impression on the music press and fans alike and now the boys of Southern Empire have put together their follow-up album, Another World, due out on September 4 on GEP Records. The first single from the album, "Reaching Out", is available now. Watch the video below.
Featuring their unique mixture of prog, classic rock and jazz, the addition of impressive new vocalist Shaun Holton takes it to the next level.
Sean Timms: “I am incredibly excited to have Shaun on board for the next phase of Southern Empire music. His range, tonal colour and song writing are impeccable and have a modern sensibility that will take the band further than I’d ever thought possible.”
Shaun Holton: “Making my previous albums pushed me to find the very limits of my potential as a producer and multi-instrumentalist... and whilst I’m incredibly proud of that work and the positive reception it received, I knew that I wanted something more. Southern Empire is definitely the welcome opportunity I’ve waited a lifetime for. This is musicality at a level I have only previously dreamt about, but I have never been more ready!”
Available on CD and double marbled vinyl. Pre-orders will begin on August 7.
Tracklisting:
"Reaching Out"
"Face The Dawn"
"Hold On To Me"
"When You Return"
"Moving Through Tomorrow"
"White Shadows"
"Butterfly"
"Reaching Out" video:
Lineup:
Shaun Holton - Lead and Backing Vocals
Cam Blokland - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Lead and Backing Vocals
Jez Martin - Fretted and Fretless Bass
Brody Green - Drums, Hand Percussion, Backing Vocals
Sean Timms - Keyboards, Programming, Lap Steel Guitar, Backing Vocals
ASINHELL, the new death metal band led by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen, has released the official music video for the song "Fall Of The Loyal Warrior". The track is taken from ASINHELL's debut album, "Impii Hora" (Latin for "Ungodly Hour"),which will arrive on September 29 via Metal Blade.
For more than 20 years, vocalist/guitarist Poulsen has been spearheading Danish rock and roll machine VOLBEAT, releasing eight full-lengths, selling millions of albums, and filling stadiums worldwide. Before fronting VOLBEAT, however, Poulsen formed death metal band DOMINUS, which recorded four fast, brutal albums in the mid-'90s.
When Poulsen was putting together songs for VOLBEAT's 2021 album "Servant Of The Mind", he wrote a bunch of death metal riffs and saved them on his phone. Then, when he was done with the VOLBEAT record, he reopened the rusty gates to Armageddon and started putting together songs for "Impii Hora", which is a tribute to Poulsen's favorite old-school groups. The songs are rooted in crushing riffs yet injected with strong guitar hooks and shout-along refrains.
While Poulsen sings in VOLBEAT and sang for DOMINUS, he didn't want to front ASINHELL. So, in March 2022, he called his old friend, ex-MORGOTH singer Marc Grewe (also of INSIDIOUS DISEASE) and invited him to join the party.
"I had known Michael quite a long time and he always mentioned that we should do a death metal project one day, but I never took him too seriously because he was so busy with VOLBEAT," Grewe says. "Then he called for real and said, 'Yeah, I want to do it now. Are you up for it?' Immediately, I was 'Yes, of course!'"
After considering drummer friends from established bands, Poulsen asked Morten Toft Hansen from Danish group RAUNCHY to join. Not only does Morten play like a fiend possessed, his and Poulsen's six-year-old daughters are good friends… and, it takes just 10 minutes to drive to Morten's place.
The two veteran musicians started practicing and completed a full song almost every time they got together. Grewe was tied up at home in Germany when it came time to write the vocals, so Poulsen sent the singer phone recordings from rehearsals to start the process. Through Poulsen and Toft Hansen's years of experience and renewed hunger to destroy, they captured a firestorm in a bottle.
"We're very excited to share the first taste of ASINHELL with 'Fall Of The Loyal Warrior','" said Poulsen. "The song is kind of a tribute to bands I love, like BOLT THROWER, ENTOMBED, AUTOPSY, GRAVE and DARKTHRONE. They're the reason why we can do this in the first place, and we're proud to wear our influences on our sleeve. The album was inspired by late '80s and early '90s old school death metal, and one of our brightest points of inspiration was the mighty DEATH, fronted by the legendary Chuck Schuldiner. There's a lot of DEATH in there. Schuldiner is one of my favorite death metal vocalists, the other being our vocalist Marc [Grewe]. So to me, this song is the combination of two of my favorites. 'Let the metal flow,' as Chuck would have said!"
ASINHELL went from being a mere idea to recording the piledriving full-length "Impii Hora" in about a year. Poulsen asked VOLBEAT's management to help find a home for ASINHELL and was thrilled when they mentioned that Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel would love the band. As soon as he heard "Impii Hora", Slagel made ASINHELL a top priority.
"It's such a dream come true for me to get to be on fucking Metal Blade Records," Poulsen exclaims. "When they said they wanted to put out the album, I felt like I was 17 years old again. I was like, 'Oh my God, I'm making a deal with Metal Blade! How cool is that?' It was like I was finally getting the record deal I dreamed of when I was a teenager."
"Impii Hora" track listing:
01. Fall Of The Loyal Warrior
02. Inner Sancticide
03. Island Of Dead Men
04. Trophies
05. The Ultimate Sin
06. Wolfpack Laws
07. Desert Of Doom
08. Pyromantic Scryer
09. Impii Hora
10. Foj For Helvede
ASINHELL is:
Michael Poulsen - Guitar
Marc Grewe - Vocals
Morten Toft Hansen - Drums
Continuing with the series of monthly singles ahead of the release of new album EndEx in September, 3Teeth is sharing the brand-new track, "Drift". The single showcases a rare, stripped-back vibe for the modern industrial act, focussing on a more emotive, electro sound.
It’s paired with a music video that provides an intimate look at the five members in the studio. There’s slithering reptiles, plumes of fire, an arsenal of artillery, loads of tech wizardry and desolate desert landscapes, all shot out in California’s Joshua Tree where the band holed up to work on EndEx.
Mincolla explains the track: "Resignation is a testament to a life well-lived, a life unrestrained by fear or regret. It's the final triumphant flicker in the lantern, the last traces of a wild, fiery spirit burning brilliantly against the encroaching darkness as we drift from the mundane reality of flesh and bone, to the spectral void where consciousness floats freely, unencumbered by the constraints of our physical existence."
Watch the video for "Drift" below:
EndEx will be released by Century Media Records on September 22, showcasing the modern industrial act at their most raucous yet, unveiling bold revelations of humanity’s technosocial disintegration behind a brutal soundtrack that sounds all the alarms.
EndEx features the handiwork of a solid extended team including the accomplished sound designer Mick Gordon (best known for his work on the gaming phenomenon DOOM) who produced several of the tracks, along with producer Nick Rowe and mixer Sean Beavan (NIN), bringing in another dimension to the band’s unmistakable sound.
Ahead of the release of EndEx in late September, 3Teeth will release two more singles.
EndEx will be available in CD, Gatefold LP, and digital album formats. Special formats include:
- Red LP (available at all EU outlets)
- Red Smoke LP (available at all US outlets)
- Utra-Clear / Red Splatter LP (available from 3TEETH)
- Utra-Clear / Red Splatter LP (available from Revolver)
“Xenogenesis”
“Acme Death Machine”
“Slum Planet”
“What’s Left”
“Merchant Of The Void”
“Higher Than Death”
“ALI3N”
“Plutonomicon”
“Paralyze” (feat. Ho99o9)
“Scorpion”
“Drift”
“Everybody Wants To Rule The World”
“Scorpion” video:
"Slum Planet" video:
"Merchant Of The Void" video:
Lineup:
Alexis Mincolla – vocals
Chase Brawner – guitars
Xavier Swafford – keyboards and synthesizer
Andrew Means – bass
Nick Rossi – drums
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