With Vulture Industries' fifth full-length album, Ghosts From The Past, set to hit the streets on June 16, Dark Essence Records have released a new single taken from the album, along with an accompanying video.
According the the band's Bjørnar Erevik Nilsen, the single, titled "This Hell Is Mine" , is an older track, written from an entirely different perspective, but relevant in a whole new way today, as he explains: "This track was based on some old lyrics I had written many years ago. Originally written in praise of the simple and austere toiling on the land. Today, though, 'This Hell is Mine' can be seen as a tribute to unyielding resistance against invasion and oppression."
"This Hell Is Mine" can be streamed or downloaded here. The video for the single is by artist Kim Holm, and is especially interesting because it is a time-lapse insight into the work he put into creating the album artwork for Ghosts From The Past. Watch below.
Ghosts From The Past was recorded at the Conclave & Earshot Studios and was produced by the band and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street. With album artwork by Kim Holm.
Tracklisting:
“New Lords Of Light”
“Saturn Devouring His Young”
“This Hell Is Mine”
“Deeper”
“Right Here In The Dark”
“Not By Blood But By Words”
“Tyrants Weep Alone”
It's been nearly five years since the release of OTEP's last full-length album, the crushing "Kult 45", and since then the world has gone to complete…well, let's just say it's become the kind of world that desperately needs the band led by singer, poet, illustrator, author and activist Otep Shamaya. Not only is Shamaya a revered musical figure, known for her intrepid blending of metal genres and hip-hop, as exemplified on her notorious 2002 debut album "Sevas Tra", but she's also amassed an enormous following based on her fearless performances and confrontational, spiritually tinged lyrics. It's that combination of radical artistry and galvanizing message that the world desperately needs now more than ever, and OTEP is ready to answer the call.
Today marks the release of OTEP's first new recorded material since 2018, and it may come as a surprise. "You Should See Me In A Crown" was the lead single from the 2018 debut album of another controversial female figure who cut across musical and social norms to carve out an identity all her own. That artist is, of course, Billie Eilish, and OTEP's cover version is no mere homage to a young acolyte but rather a radical reimagining of the song that mines all of its dark sonic complexity as well as its bold lyrical message, transforming it into the kind of modern metal epic that nobody does better than OTEP.
As Shamaya herself puts it: "To me the song is a warning against cultural reduction, biased underestimation and the volatile anti-Newtonian reaction of judging someone before you know their true power."
Last September, Shamaya told the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire" that OTEP was putting the finishing touches on its ninth album for a tentative early 2023 release. "We've just finished mixing, and we're about to go into mastering," she said. "And then it's really up to the label to decide when they're gonna release it, what they're gonna release, which single they're gonna release. I have some say as to, you know, what I recommend, but ultimately it lies on them."
Regarding the songwriting process for OTEP's new album, Shamaya said: "This record actually was written with a couple of different songwriters, which I was really excited to work with. 'Kult 45' was my last album, which is four years old now. It's insane to believe that it's been four years, but it has. When I went back in the studio, the band had sort of dispersed at that point — everybody was trying to make a living and trying to find other jobs — and so I just went to the producer and we sat down and we found some really, really talented, creative people. And even though I've been doing this for a long time and have accomplished a lot — at least I think I have — I really work best with mentors. I like people that are, I feel, creatively better than I am so that I can have this sort of spiritual intercourse between all of us where we're sort of sharing ideas and I'm inspiring them and they're inspiring me."
Throughout the span of her career, Shamaya has been an undeniable force in bringing awareness via various acclaimed mediums to social and political injustices felt by various communities and subcultures. For years, publications such as Revolver magazine have lauded Shamaya for "following in the footsteps of outspoken musicians from folk singer Woody Guthrie to RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Zach de la Rocha, dubbing her "one of music's catalysts for social change".
OTEP's latest album, the aforementioned "Kult 45", was released in 2018. The LP was recorded at The Lair in Los Angeles, completely utilizing the same equipment used for OTEP's first album, "Sevas Tra" (down to Shamaya's vocal microphone, a SHURE Beta 58),in order to create a sound reminiscent of their roots. "Kult 45" was produced by the band, with assistant engineering from Larry Goetz, Nicolas Schilke and Lizzy Ostro.
Grammy Award-nominated band SEVENDUST will release its fourteenth studio album, "Truth Killer", on July 28 via the band's new label home, Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2020's "Blood & Stone" was once again tracked at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, among others.
"Truth Killer" showcases that the original and current SEVENDUST lineup — comprised of Lajon Witherspoon, Clint Lowery, John Connolly, Vince Hornsby and Morgan Rose — sounds as relevant today as it did on its 1997 self-titled debut. "Truth Killer" is now available for pre-order in multiple configurations.
From the introspective opening of "I Might Let The Devil Win" to the classic SEVENDUST sound of "Fence", the twelve songs on "Truth Killer" demonstrate the diverse style that has won the band a legion of loyal fans. "Truth Killer", "Everything" and "Holy Water" combine elements of the classic SEVENDUST sound with modern updates, pointing their lyrical lens at the world today.
The second single from "Truth Killer" is "Everything", and an accompanying performance music video directed by J.T. Ibanez (P.O.D., Loveless, Orianthi) can be seen below.
"Truth Killer" track listing:
01. I Might Let The Devil Win
02. Truth Killer
03. Won't Stop The Bleeding
04. Everything
05. No Revolution
06. Sick Mouth
07. Holy Water
08. Leave Hell Behind
09. Superficial Drug
10. Messenger
11. Love And Hate
12. Fence
In a February 2023 interview with "The Mistress Carrie Podcast", Lowery stated about "Truth Killer": "I'm very stoked about the record. A lot of bands say that. I'm amazed we're still making music we love and we're not phoning it in. We worked really hard on it."
Clint previously talked about the upcoming SEVENDUST LP in an interview with "Good Company With Scott Bowling". At the time, he said: "I'm really excited about this record. We did that with Elvis Baskette. He's got his vibe. And this will be our third record with him."
Lowery went on to say that he has had to step away from the new SEVENDUST album after it was completed.
"I've listened to it, I've not liked it, I loved it, I hated it, and then I fell back in love with it," he explained.
"When I'm finished with a record, I really… That one took a lot out of me creatively, which is amazing that I even went for [a new solo] EP to do myself [shortly after finishing the SEVENDUST LP], 'cause I was kind of tapped out creatively. I couldn't even listen to the record afterwards. It was mixed and I heard it, and Elvis did a great job, but it was, like, 'I've gotta put it away for a while.' And I put it on the other day to listen to it, and I'm, 'Oh, man, this is gonna be good. People are gonna really dig it.' I think it's one of the best [records] we've done in a while, man."
Last June, SEVENDUST drummer Morgan Rose said that the writing session for the band's upcoming album was his "favorite" of SEVENDUST's career. "Just 5 guys in a farm house, creating," he wrote on Instagram. "Telling each other how much we love each other, supporting each other, enjoying being together. No outsiders, no drama, no bullshit. Just us…. The songs are magical, the vibe of the record is magical, our relationship with each other is magical."
In December 2021, SEVENDUST released a digital expanded edition of "Blood & Stone". "Blood & Stone Deluxe" contained five new tracks, including three never-before-released remixes and two newly recorded songs. Jake Bowen of PERIPHERY, Richard Wicander of FIRE FROM THE GODS and Justin deBlieck, formerly of ICE NINE KILLS, provided remixes and the band finished recording "All I Really Know" and "What You Are" specifically for this release. "Blood & Stone Deluxe" was released via all digital partners via Rise Records.
Also last June, Rose told "The Jasta Show" that SEVENDUST wouldn't hit the road in support of its next studio album until 2023. He also revealed that "there's not gonna be many [tours] left, I'll just tell you that. I'm gonna be the one to let all the cats out of the bag, but I can just tell you that we're not gonna be around, full-fledged, forever, that's for sure," he added cryptically.
In March 2022, Witherspoon told St. Louis Post-Dispatch that "Blood & Stone" showed SEVENDUST is "still standing the test of time. It was great to do the album with [Baskette] in Florida again. It was a good time. We wanted to hit [listeners] hard and let them know we still got it and that we're not afraid to put slower songs out there too."
As for the decision to release a "deluxe" version of the LP, Lajon said: "We wanted to put some extra songs out there, B-sides that people hadn't heard. It's a little more of a treat."
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the second solo release from Chilean vocalist James Robledo, entitled Broken Soul. This album follows the 2021 release of his well received debut solo album, Wanted Man.
For this album, James is joined by his Sinner's Blood bandmate Nasson (Chaos Magic) on guitar, drummer Jacopo Martignoni, and producer/bassist/keyboardist Alessandro Del Vecchio, who also produced his debut album. Watch a music video for the title track below.
James Robledo is a Chilean vocalist who comes from a family of musicians with prominent places in the history of Chilean music, with both national and international success. In his youth, he began his foray into metal and rock. In 2004, he was part of the Chilean Band, Alternancia who, in 2008, took first place in the Talento Crudo Festival (TVN Televisión Nacional de Chile). In 2011, James was invited to be part of Banda Argentina Thabu, with whom he released two albums. In 2016, James left Thabu to take part in the popular TV show The Voice Chile 2, where his participation generated a stir thanks to his outstanding vocal performances.
In early 2017, James joined the band Renegade, with whom he recorded an album which featured a duet with the renowned Chilean singer Ronnie Romero (Lords Of Black, Sunstorm, Rainbow). In 2019, James signed with the Frontiers label as frontman of his new band Sinner’s Blood, which also features the renowned producer, songwriter, and musician Nasson (Chaos Magic). Sinner’s Blood's debut album, The Mirror Star, showed his outstanding abilities, positioning him as one of the most prominent new hard rock/metal voices from the entirety of South America. The instrumentation and songwriting were superb on the Sinner's Blood debut and James' voice equally impressed. Frontiers was eager to explore more avenues to work with James and get his powerful vocals wider recognition, thus the idea of a solo album was born. Wanted Man, written and produced with Alessandro Del Vecchio, showcased this wonderful singer's talents.
Additionally, earlier this year, it was announced that Robledo had joined Demons Down, a new band featuring guitarist Francesco Savino (False Memories), along with hard rock scene veterans guitarist Jimi Bell (House of Lords, Autograph), drummer Ken Mary (ex-House of Lords, Alice Cooper, Fifth Angel, etc.), and bassist Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot, bass, ex-House of Lords, etc.). Their debut album, I Stand, saw this gathering of young performers and established skill players delivering a quintessential classic hard rock album.
Now Robledo returns with a second solo album, Broken Soul, which once again showcases his epic voice in a grand melodic metal setting. Pre-order/save here.
Tracklisting:
"Broken Soul"
"Real World"
"Right Now, Right Here"
"Fire"
"Over"
"Every Day"
"My Own Hope"
"Victims With No Crime"
"Dead City Lights"
"Run And Hide"
"To The End"
"Broken Soul" video:
Robledo are:
James Robledo - Vocals
Nasson – Guitars
Alex Jansen - Bass
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Jacopo Martignoni - Drums
- Produced by: Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino
Mitch Malloy continues to rock the night away burning the midnight oil! After several years as the frontman for the iconic rock band Great White, Mitch returned to the studio writing and recording his new album, The Last Song. The album will launch with an exclusive, limited release collector’s edition vinyl through a partnership with SING. An international release will follow in June.
Check out a music video for the track, "One Of A Kind", below:
Once again, Mitch is undertaking an album solely by himself from start to finish – song writing, producing, instruments, mixing and mastering. Mitch reveals, “For this record, I have really taken my time. In the past, I’ve usually been on deadlines. With this album, there was so much material in my head from a few years of not having a true creative outlet, so it was a lot to process. I’m thankful that I have been in a position to not rush my creativity. I’ve been tucked away in my Zen zone writing and recording... and amassing lots of new gear! Ha!”
The Last Song Deluxe Package will be released worldwide first on SING Market as a limited edition collectible 180 gram signed and numbered white vinyl record. This special vinyl bundle includes a signed CD, large poster, 8" X 10" photo, and more. All of this is attached to a limited, numbered and registered digital collectable bundle packed with behind-the-scenes videos, acoustic videos, a rare handwritten lyric sheet, and a Golden Ticket contest to win a private zoom concert where you hang with Mitch! After this very limited vinyl - digital collectable VIP bundle is gone - it’s gone!
In addition to being an artist, Mitch is no stranger to the studio, and has worked with a variety of artists, labels, and brands from Taylor Swift, Boys Like Girls, Kenny Loggins, Craig Morgan, and Sony Music NY, to singer/songwriters Victoria Show, Gary Burr and Billy Falcon, and even voiceover work for Outdoor Channel, Field & Stream and many more. Mitch has even been the voice for Starburst candy!
Mitch is also an award-winning songwriter, and has written with legendary songwriters like Jim Weatherly, Richard Lee, Mike Reid, Desmond Child, Dennis Morgan, Victoria Shaw and Gray Burr. He’s been signed to publishing deals with Warner Chappell and Chrysalis Music, but later launched his own publishing company to control his copyrights. Mitch loves the craft of songwriting... telling a story and resonating with his audience. "Songs are so powerful... it's amazing just how much a song can impact a person's life," says Malloy. “Once again, life has delivered a lot of new material... from losing family members, to moving to the beach, to having a teenager. There’s definitely no shortage of inspiration!”
Mitch’s tenure as an artist has spanned several decades beginning as a regular on the New York music scene in the 80s. Mitch soon garnered a major recording deal with RCA/BMG Worldwide, and achieved success on the pop and rock charts, landed a coveted spot on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and has toured globally.
Mitch's voice has been highly sought after as a frontman for legendary acts as well as a guest vocalist on other artists' projects. In the mid-90s, Mitch was asked to replace Sammy Hagar as lead singer for Van Halen. But after spending time and recording with the band he declined. “When the band appeared on the MTV Music Awards with Dave [David Lee Roth], the fans expected his return – I expected his return. I felt as cool as the opportunity was, it just wasn’t the right time,” said Malloy.
Lastly, if you miss out on the SING Market bundles, The Last Song CD (alone) will be available in the US on Malloy’s label, Godsend Records, and internationally by Cargo Records based in the UK. Mitch looks forward to getting back out on the road and connecting with his fans in person. So, will this be the last song? According to Mitch, “Give it a listen, and you tell me!”
“My hope with ‘The Last Song’ record is that when listening you will experience some of the experiences and feelings and emotions I had while making it. If that happens then the world is a better place through music. And as always, I gave it everything I had. Crank it and enjoy!”
Tracklisting:
"I’m Living In Paradise"
"One Of A Kind"
"Using This Song"
"My Pleasure"
"Building A Bridge"
"I’ll Find A Way"
"Sometimes Love"
"You’re The Brightest Star"
"I See You"
"The Last Song"
This past February, Israeli thrashers Sinnery performed their biggest show to date for a hometown crowd in support of their Black Bile album release show at one of Tel Aviv's most legendary clubs "The Barby" where their heroes like Anthrax, Kreator, and Behemoth have garnered the stage. One of the songs that really struck a power chord during the band's performance was "Sever" and they felt its captured video was worthy to share with their international fans.
"The crowd's reaction to ‘Sever’'s live performance was better than we ever imagined. We have some new music coming soon and we felt like we needed to close the Black Bile chapter for the band with this video, where it's only us and our fans, the AntiTribe being in it, together," says vocalist/guitarist Alaon Karnieli.
BraveWords is premiering the “Sever” video – watch it below!
Black Bile” represents a journey for Israeli thrashers. It is the soundtrack to them realizing the worst of themselves and encouraging how to be better. It is a catalyst for growth and moving away from the hard chapter in their lives that influenced the record. To create this modern thrash metal album, they traveled deep into their minds and pulled out everything that made them feel bad, depressed, or anything of the sort, wrapped it up in blast beats and wailing solos, and are now serving it up for everyone to enjoy.
They expand on how the album came to be:
“While writing the album we understood the power we have when we use that bad energy for good. It’s not about replacing bad energy with good, that’s not possible because we are who we are, it’s more about using bad energy to let some good come in. Musically we tried to let the songs reflect those themes sonically, keeping it heavy and hard-hitting like a tantrum, like someone losing his shit when he feels like nothing. There are slower moments and faster ones, it’s all a part of the rollercoaster that it is to be alive in this day and age.”
Compared to the first album A Feast Of Fools, which was entirely written by vocalist/guitarist Alon Karnieli back when he was about 16-17 of age, Black Bile isn’t as raw as it was in the first album. It’s more refined and complicated, but also more brutal, with more extreme influences.
Sinnery assures fans that there won’t be as long of a wait for the next album as they feel like they have sharpened their writing skills and are eager to get back to the studio and pour their souls out again. They are eager for people to feel the energy of the songs and let loose headbanging or moshing.
Black Bile is a melodic, modern take on thrash metal resonating with elements of classic and death metal. It is suggested listening for fans of Testament, The Haunted, and Sylosis.
Black Bile was released on September 16, 2022, through Exitus Stratagem Records. Get the album here.
In additional news, Sinnery will be touring the UK later this year with Sworn Amongst along with performing at this year's Metal Gates Festival in Bucharest, Romania with Katatonia and Rotting Christ.
Dates:
September
18 – Bridgewater – The Cobblestones
19 – Camden – The Black Heart
20 – Derby – The Hairy Dog
21 – Cardiff – Fuel Rock Club
22 – Bristol – The Gryphon
23 – Exeter – The Cavern
28 – Bucharest, Romania – Quantic Club (Metal Gates Festival)
Big Big Train will be on tour this summer and to celebrate and promote the forthcoming The Journey Continues tour this August & September, the group have been sharing videos of songs filmed on tour last year.
The band recently shared the videos for "The Florentine" and "The First Rebreather", recorded in September 2022 at The Boerderij in The Netherlands.
Today, the band is pleased to share the performance clip of "Atlantic Cable" recorded live at Friars, Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury, UK in September 2022. The live audio recording of the song is included on the band's forthcoming Ingenious Devices album, to be released on June 30.
Bassist Gregory Spawton says: “One of the recurrent themes we've explored in Big Big Train over the years is how humans have been able to harness technology to make the world a better place. 'Atlantic Cable' is a song about the laying of the first telegraph cables across the Atlantic Ocean in the 19th century. It was a mighty endeavour which helped to bring people together. We really enjoyed playing 'Atlantic Cable' at the legendary Friars, Aylesbury last year and are pleased to share this film of the performance.”
Keyboardist Oskar Holldorff adds: “Following a warm-up show the night before, the gig in Aylesbury was my first official performance with Big Big Train, and what a night it was! 'Atlantic Cable' was positioned early on in the set, and it felt great to work our way through a proper BBT epic in the beautiful Waterside Theatre. I particularly enjoyed the instrumental section starting at the 11-minute mark, in which Rikard Sjöblom’s brilliant clavinet solo was followed by Dave Foster shredding the house down!”
See bigbigtrain.com/live for tour dates, and ticket links to all venue box offices.
Following the fantastic feedback for the first solo album by FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, "What The Water Wants", back in 2019, InsideOut Music will release the follow-up effort, "II", on June 9.
Once again, just like for "What The Water Wants", the new LP was written with guitarists Mike Abdow (FATES WARNING touring member) and Tony Hernando (LORDS OF BLACK) — who both also performed bass guitar on their own songs — with drumming by Craig Anderson (IGNITE, CRESCENT SHIELD) and mixing by Simone Mularoni (RHAPSODY, MICHAEL ROMEO, DGM). Alder's second album is simply titled "II", but in musical terms this is a much more revealing, exploratory piece of work than its predecessor.
The official music video for the LP's second single, "Waiting For Some Sun", created by Manu Giménez of MG Media Productions, can be seen below.
Alder comments on "Waiting For Some Sun": "I wanted a totally different style for a song on the new album. Something that set itself apart from the rest. Mike and I got to talking and I said I want a song where the chorus is in the beginning but builds and gets bigger every time it repeats. Also dark with a lot of attitude. This is the music he came up with. I personally love how the vocal melody has nothing to do with the guitars. A sort of chaos that makes sense. At least to me..."
A Cloud Music Typography-created lyric video for the opening track, "This Hollow Shell" can be seen below.
Alder states about "This Hollow Shell": "'This Hollow Shell' is the first song to be released from my new solo album 'II'. When I first heard this song, I knew that it was going to be one of my favorites on the new album. It was dark and moody with tons of changes. It was like a huge blank canvas that I couldn't wait to begin painting on. In the end, it became one of the songs on the album that I am most proud of."
"II" track listing:
01. This Hollow Shell (06:02)
02. My Oblivion (04:36)
03. Hands Of Time (06:08)
04. Waiting For Some Sun (04:29)
05. Silence The Enemy (04:41)
06. Keep Wandering (05:51)
07. Those Words I Bled (05:51)
08. Passengers (05:51)
09. Changes (07:45)
"II" is available as a limited first-pressing digipak CD edition with a bonus track (an acoustic version of the opening track "This Hollow Shell"),as a digital album (also including the bonus track) and as LP on 180-gram vinyl, both on unlimited black vinyl as well as on transparent red vinyl in a limited edition of 300 copies, available exclusively via the InsideOut Music webshop and from CM Distro.
Alder comments: "When we wrote the first solo album, I wanted to try some different musical styles. I didn't want it to be really heavy, but more musical with catchy choruses. I think we did a pretty good job on that first one. But with this new album I wanted the music and lyrics to be darker and heavier.
"I think Mike did a fantastic job with the music. He listened to what I was saying and thinking musically.
"Tony knows that I like the big choruses and somewhat traditional sound. And, of course, Craig did an amazing job on the drums as usual. It's an honor to be able to work with them.
"This album is more of a reflection of what I heard going forward as a solo artist. Longer songs, deeper lyrics and really pushing myself vocally.
"I hope that whoever listens to it enjoys it as much as I did while working on it..."
Kentucky rockers BLACK STONE CHERRY will release their eighth studio album, "Screamin' At The Sky", on September 29 via Mascot Records. The opus will be available in white solid vinyl, limited edition vinyl boxset, CD and digitally.
Today, BLACK STONE CHERRY has revealed another new track, "Nervous", together with an accompanying official music video, to coincide with album pre-orders going live. Earlier this year, BLACK STONE CHERRY released the album's lead single, "Out of Pocket", which went on to be a crowd favorite on the band's recent U.K. arena shows.
The Kentucky-based band, featuring Chris Robertson (lead vocals/guitar),Ben Wells (guitar/backing vox) and John-Fred Young (drums/backing vox),are joined for the first time on an album recording by "new" bassist Steve Jewell Jr. (ex-OTIS). The band's fanbase will be more than familiar with Steve, as he has been touring with BLACK STONE CHERRY in 2021.
BLACK STONE CHERRY comments: "Filming the video for 'Nervous' was an amazing experience, like being on a movie set! We spent the day in an old paint factory-turned-production studio that had all of these amazing sets for TV and movies. The actor, Mateo Palmitier, did an AMAZING job as the lead character and it was such a cool experience seeing all of these visions come to life thanks to our director, Kyle Loftus and his incredible team. We love how the video will go between our performance, a great story line, and some killer visuals!"
With regard to the new album, BLACK STONE CHERRY continues: "Every band that puts out a new record will tell you they are excited — as they should be. However, we may take the award for being the most excited about releasing a new album into the world! We can guarantee that it'll move you in one way or another. We had a lot to say lyrically, musically, and sonically. We pushed ourselves to create not only something relevant, but also pushing the envelope to bend the trend. We are truly proud of this collection of songs and we hope you'll celebrate it with us."
"Screamin' At The Sky" features all-new material written collaboratively while on tour, but when it came time to record, BLACK STONE CHERRY decided to try something it's always dreamed of doing: tracking an album at The Plaza Theater in Glasgow, Kentucky — a legendary 1020-seat venue built in 1934 that boasts meticulous acoustics.
"Every time we played the Plaza we wondered what it would sound like to record drums there. We finally decided to put all our eggs in one basket," Chris says. In June of 2022, the band rented the whole place, brought in all its recording equipment and its trusted engineer, Jordan Westfall. They set up the basement as the control room and the stage as the live drum room. Time between recording sessions and incredible room ambience have resulted in a career high watermark for BSC.
BLACK STONE CHERRY's last album, "The Human Condition", released in October 2020 was their sixth consecutive No. 1 debut on the U.K. Rock Albums chart. The album's lead single, "Again" was the band's biggest single in over 10 years in America, peaking at No. 15, and their highest-charting record ever in Canada, landing in the Top 15. The album racked up 50 million streams worldwide. Over the years, BSC has both headlined and rocked 12,000-cap arena shows and shared the stage with a wide range of superstars, including ALTER BRIDGE, DEF LEPPARD, GOV'T MULE, NICKELBACK, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, BAD COMPANY, MÖTORHEAD, HALESTORM, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, THE DARKNESS and ZZ TOP. In 2018, BSC performed in front of 100,000 people at the Download festival as main support to GUNS N' ROSES and in 2021, the band played the venerated Royal Albert Hall, immortalized on 2022's live DVD "Live From The Royal Albert Hall…Y'All".
"Screamin' At The Sky" track listing:
01. Out Of Pocket
02. Screamin' At The Sky
03. Nervous
04. When The Pain Comes
05. Show Me What It Feels Like
06. R.O.A.R.
07. Smile, World
08. The Mess You Made
09. Who Are You Today?
10. Not Afraid
11. Here's To The Hopeless
12. You Can Have It All
Cult U.S. metal band VIRGIN STEELE has released a new single and lyric video, "Spiritual Warfare". The song is taken from the group's upcoming album, "The Passion Of Dionysus", due on June 30 through SPV/Steamhammer.
At a time when cultural innovation is being sidelined as never before and many unusual forms of music are succumbing to the temptation of the commercially more lucrative mainstream, VIRGIN STEELE are the shining silver lining. For over 40 years, mastermind David DeFeis has kept one of the most imaginative bands in the power metal genre on track with his excellent songwriting and charismatic voice. At the same time, DeFeis has never stopped evolving as a composer, musician and producer, updating his symphonic-tinged sound with exciting new influences. He has already accomplished this many times over with classics like "Invictus" (1998),"The House Of Atreus I & II" (1999/2000) and "Visions Of Eden" (2006). On "The Passion Of Dionysus", DeFeis surpasses himself in his unbridled creativity. Eight years after the acclaimed studio opus "Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation" (2015),DeFeis's brilliant signature maneuvers the album through a gripping parable about control and freedom, creating another highlight of the VIRGIN STEELE career.
As usual, DeFeis has chosen a downright epic theme that delves deep into the annals of human history, while maintaining a concrete reference to the present.
"The album deals with the concept of duality, where something is both one thing and its opposite simultaneously," he explains the underlying message of the new record. "It obviously has to do with Dionysus and, as the title suggests, his 'passion' or suffering, and his coming to Thebes to avenge the slander of his mother, as well as punish the King Of Thebes for denying his worship there. But that being said, more is going on."
In "The Passion Of Dionysus", DeFeis tells the epic struggle between the twin forces of control/restraint and freedom/release, as well as dealing with the question of "whether or not there is room in society for the irrational, the wild, the letting-go aspects of ourselves."
There is no doubt that David DeFeis is not only an ingenious composer and musician, but also a true visionary who — with his band — has the perfect medium at his disposal to evolve both humanly and culturally.
"I see VIRGIN STEELE as a way of life," he says. "The band is my vehicle with which I traverse vast oceans of experience. We are always doing things our own way, on our own specific terms."
"The Passion Of Dionysus" track listing:
01. The Gethsemane Effect
02. You'll Never See The Sun Again
03. A Song Of Possession
04. The Ritual Of Descent
05. Spiritual Warfare
06. Black Earth & Blood
07. The Passion Of Dionysus
08. To Bind & Kill A God
09. Unio Mystica
10. I Will Fear No Man For I Am A God
Recording lineup:
David DeFeis - vocals, keyboards, bass, drums and orchestrations
Edward Pursino - Six-string guitar
Josh Block - Seven-string guitar
Duff McKagan is honoring Mental Health Awareness Month with today's premiere of "This Is The Song", a brand new, three-track EP available today at all DSPs and streaming services. Produced by longtime collaborator Martin Feveyear (Mark Lanegan, Brandi Carlile),the EP's title track is joined by an official companion video premiering today on YouTube.
"'This Is The Song' was written in the middle of a panic attack," McKagan says in a statement about the EP. "I couldn't breathe and couldn't see straight, and lately, I have thankfully found my acoustic guitar as a refuge. If I just hold on to that guitar, play chords, and hum melodies, I can start to climb my way out of that hole. For those of you who have never experienced something like this, count yourselves blessed. To those of you who recognize what I am talking about: YOU ARE NOT ALONE!"
McKagan's first new solo music in close to four years, "This Is The Song" follows his critically acclaimed sophomore solo album, 2019's "Tenderness", named by Loudwire as one of that year's "50 Best Rock Albums" and hailed by Rolling Stone in a three-and-a-half (out of four)-starred rave as "an album full of beauty and heart…It's music of conscience, heavy songs with a light touch."
In 2019, McKagan moved into his own recording studio, allowing him a long-hoped-for opportunity to "finally explore songs that I may have written the night before or some of those old riffs from years ago. This is a big deal for me." Along with "This Is The Song", the new EP includes the soulful "It Can't Come Too Soon" (featuring guest vocals from Seattle, Washington-based singer, songwriter, music educator, and community organizer Shaina Sheperd) and "Pass Me By", the latter inspired by distinctly modern confrontation with a gun-toting horsewoman while on a motorcycle trip through the Cascade Mountains.
A founding member of both GUNS N' ROSES and VELVET REVOLVER, Duff McKagan is, at his heart, a songwriter, penning a growing canon of vulnerable, confessional, and authentic material. Produced by three-time Grammy Award winner Shooter Jennings, "Tenderness" marked a powerful new chapter for the ever-evolving artist, taking on societal ills and his own personal transgressions against a rich sonic backdrop of Americana-fueled arrangements. Among the album's many highlights is the volatile rocker "Chip Away", which earned extraordinary praise from the Maestro himself, Bob Dylan, who recently declared the song a personal favorite.
"There's a Duff McKagan song called 'Chip Away' that has profound meaning for me," Dylan told The Wall Street Journal. "It's a graphic song. Chip away, chip away, like Michelangelo, breaking up solid marble stone to discover the form of King David inside. He didn't build him from the ground up, he chipped away the stone until he discovered the king. It's like my own songwriting, I overwrite something, then I chip away lines and phrases until I get to the real thing."
Along with his prolific musical efforts, McKagan is The New York Times best-selling author of 2011's "It's So Easy: And Other Lies" and 2015's "How To Be A Man: (And Other Illusions)", and the co-host (with Susan Holmes McKagan) of SiriusXM's popular "Three Chords & The Truth" radio show on Ozzy's Boneyard (Ch. 38). McKagan currently serves as a core member of a modern-day "Wrecking Crew" alongside Grammy Award-winning musician/producer Andrew Watt and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' Chad Smith, recording and co-writing on such recent albums as Ozzy Osbourne's "Ordinary Man" (2020) and two-time Grammy Award-winning "Patient No. 9" (2022) and Iggy Pop's acclaimed "Every Loser" (2023). What's more, McKagan — with Watt, Smith, and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' Josh Klinghoffer — is part of the recently unveiled IGGY POP & THE LOSERS lineup, who made a high-profile televised debut earlier this year with an electrifying performance of the feverish "Frenzy" on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
This summer will also see GUNS N' ROSES traveling on an epic global tour set to touch down in the Middle East, Europe, and North America beginning June 1 in Abu Dhabi.
Since 1949, May has been observed as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when advocates and activists across the country draw attention to the mental health issues that affect as many as one in four Americans. Today, more people die from suicide in the United States than from traffic accidents or homicides, and we lose 22 veterans to suicide daily. Unfortunately, because of the stigma associated with mental illness, many people are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones. Mental Health Awareness Month is a time when we work together to break through that stigma. We express compassion for those who struggle with mental health issues, and we draw attention to the proven methods that can help change their lives for the better.
"This Is The Song" EP track listing:
01. This Is The Song
02. Pass You By
03. It Can't Come Too Soon
Fan-filmed video of HELLOWEEN's May 6 concert at Sporthalle, Hamburg, Germany can be seen below (courtesy of Bernd J. Schuster's YouTube channel).
HELLOWEEN will return to the U.S. and Canada this spring as part of the "United Forces" world tour alongside supporting special guests HAMMERFALL. The trek will commence on May 13 in Dallas, Texas and wind its way through a total of 13 cities, the journey drawing to a close on June 3 in San Francisco, California.
In a recent interview with Belgian Jasper, Michael Kiske spoke about his personal chemistry with the other members of HELLOWEEN before and after the initial "Pumpkins United" tour, which saw the band reunite with Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen. He said: "At first I thought the idea [was just to do a tour with the classic lineup]. At first I thought, without firing [Kiske's replacement] Andi [Deris] or anything, they just wanted to make a 'Keeper [Of The Seven Keys]' tour or something like that. But I realized it doesn't make sense because you create another HELLOWEEN that is sort of in competition with the HELLOWEEN of the last 20 years. And it was pretty quickly clear to me, 'It doesn't make sense. I agree.' Jan [Bayati, HELLOWEEN's manager] was putting that to me that it doesn't work: 'You guys have to do it together.'
"It's so great now," Kiske continued. "It has so many benefits. I get along with everybody. I have a special relationship with each individual. It's normal [because] everybody is different. I have a different relationship with Kai. We meet on a specific level, like we always have. That hasn't changed. My relationship with Weiki [HELLOWEEN guitarist Michael Weikath] is completely different to how it was, because Weiki is completely different. I'm different too, but he has changed completely. He used to be a troublemaker; he used to be someone [who would play] games behind your back. He's not at all like that anymore. The only thing he cares about is smoking a cigarette and having a good time. And he sticks out of all arguments and fights, and that has completely changed. He's like the most easygoing person ever. And Markus [Grosskopf, HELLOWEEN bassist] is pretty much the same; he's just matured. He can express himself a lot better than he used to. When he was young, he wasn't able to put [his feelings] into words. But now he can. But he grew up too; he has matured too.
"The most important thing for me is that I get along with Andi so well," Kiske noted. "We even hang out privately. When we rehearse, for instance, we always sit together eating something, or somewhere outside or drink something or have a coffee or whatever. And that's perfect. And so you function on stage too, because all that works out. And that is something that I'm really happy with. If it wouldn't have been that way, I don't think we would still do it.
"We only made contracts for until after the first tour. We only made contracts for the 'Pumpkins United' tour. I think it was ending in 2018 or something, and the contracts were over. So if anybody wouldn't be up for it anymore, you would be free to leave. But since everything went down so well… we kind of thought, 'Well, how about a record?'"
Kiske's first album back with HELLOWEEN, 2021's self-titled effort, landed in the Top 10 in more than 10 countries, including Germany, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and Austria. The cover artwork for the LP was painted by artist Eliran Kantor, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, SOULFLY, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH and SODOM, among others.
Produced by Charlie Bauerfeind and Dennis Ward, the latest HELLOWEEN LP was recorded in part at the H.O.M.E. Studios in Hamburg (where everything started in 1984). The same recording console used for such HELLOWEEN albums as "Master Of The Rings", "Time Of The Oath" and "Better Than Raw" was utilized to record the band's new material. The effort was mixed at the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (IRON MAIDEN, DEF LEPPARD, RAMMSTEIN).
"Helloween" saw the legendary German power metallers going "back to the roots," with the band recording fully analogue and Daniel Löble playing the drum kit previously used by HELLOWEEN's original drummer, the late Ingo Schwichtenberg, on the legendary "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" recordings.
The "Pumpkins United" tour marked the first time Kiske had played live with HELLOWEEN since 1993. Hansen, who departed HELLOWEEN in 1988, had been joining the band onstage on various tours and festival appearances throughout the years. The set featured several duets with Kiske and his replacement, Deris, along with many rarely played songs, including "Kids Of The Century", "Rise And Fall" and "Livin' Ain't No Crime". Hansen — who fronted HELLOWEEN until late 1986 — sang a medley of several early HELLOWEEN classics, including "Ride The Sky", "Judas", "Starlight" and "Heavy Metal (Is The Law)".
Multi-platinum-selling band, Finger Eleven, is thrilled to share the official music video for their latest single, “Together Right”, off the forthcoming collection of hit singles from Craft Recordings. Spanning over two decades, Greatest Hits highlights the group’s diverse range with fan favourites, including the record-setting Quintuple Platinum (Canada) hit, Paralyzer, and JUNO-nominated One Thing, plus chart-toppers like Falling On and Living in a Dream. As a bonus, the 12-track set also offers a previously-unreleased cover of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” (a longtime live staple), as well as “Together Right”.
The song’s accompanying video, exclusively premiered through BraveWords, opens in a factory, as uniformly-dressed workers move like cogs in a machine. But it soon becomes clear that not everyone is happy in their monotonous existence. “The video takes place in a world where everything is the same,” explains lead guitarist, James Black. “Efficiency and conformity are mistaken for unity. But real connection, between two people, is WAY more powerful than people idly following a routine.”
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“‘Together Right’ is about unity,” explains frontman, Scott Anderson. “It’s about the bonds between people and how far that bond can extend before it’s broken. The song has an optimistic-sounding chorus but it’s really a desperate plea from one party to another asking please stick around, let’s go down with this ship together.” Recorded in Toronto last year with drummer/producer, Steve Molella, the song packs a punch with anthemic guitar-driven hooks and high-energy handclaps.
Director, Martin Klapperbein, shares: “Shooting the music video was an unforgettable experience… Drawing inspiration from the film adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, we created a cohesive design that beautifully showcased the choreography through the wardrobe, colour tones, titles, and casting choices. This project was definitely a group effort, and I'm so grateful to have worked with such a dedicated and talented cast and crew.”
Greatest Hits arrives on CD and digitally on June 16, while the vinyl edition (the band’s first-ever vinyl release) will follow on August 25. A limited-edition Blue Smoke pressing will be available exclusively via the band’s website and CraftRecordings.com, and indie record stores will carry an exclusive Yellow Marble variant. All formats are available to pre-order here.
Finger Eleven, which currently includes original members, Scott Anderson, Sean Anderson, James Black, and Rick Jackett, plus drummer Steve Molella (who joined the band in 2013) have remained active on the road and enjoyed their legacy as one of Canada’s biggest bands. Between 1995 and 2016, Finger Eleven was among the top 75 best-selling Canadian artists in Canada and among the top 25 best-selling Canadian bands in Canada – as evidenced by Greatest Hits. Today, they show no signs of slowing down. This summer, they will appear at a variety of festivals across North America.
Tracklisting:
"Good Times"
"Paralyzer"
"Together Right"
"Living In A Dream"
"I'll Keep Your Memory Vague"
"One Thing"
"Above"
"First Time"
"Falling On"
"Slow Chemical"
"Drag You Down"
"Welcome To The Machine"
Behold Ethereal Void, a triad of malevolence hailing from the dark corners of Ontario, Canada. Their macabre melodies blend together the harmony of death metal with a sinister groove and progressive flair, all in worship to the gaping maw of the void. Born from the emptiness beyond time and space, they defy the norms of mortal ears with a sound that defiles all that has come before. They are ready to unleash their third album, Gods Of A Dead World, which promises to be unlike anything they have done before.
They are now streaming their second single “The Voiceless” and share the background of the track: “Conceptually, this song is about a mass exodus of people from another realm, silently venturing onward to an unfathomable destination. It is definitely one of the more chaotic songs on the album, countered by what could generously be called a thrashy riff in the chorus. The theme is a little more abstract, dealing with a mass exodus of people in a different existential realm.”
Ethereal Void are inspired by the darkness alive within humanity and within the universe as a whole. Throughout their discography, they explore the concepts of entropy, decay, void, and ruin. This third album diverges from their first two and they expect that it will be a welcome change for existing fans. It is more raw, visceral, and primitive than before.
Tracklisting:
"Overture To Annihilation"
"The Faceless"
"Seeds Of Hatred"
"The Art Of Ruination"
"Psychosomatic Suicide"
"Decay" (Interlude)
"Return To The Void"
"The Brown Stone Spire"
"Gods Of A Dead World"
Death/prog metal band, Subterfuge, will release their new album, Philosopher, this Friday, May 12. The video for the first single, "Seven Kingdoms", can be viewed below.;
Philosopher is the final chapter of an unique musical trilogy started with their previous albums: Projections from the Past (2018) and Prometheus (2019). On the album, the band combines death metal elements with heavy and progressive metal and additionally spiced it up with parts of saxophone.
The material was recorded in an expanded lineup: Kinga Lis (vocals and violin), Mateusz Drzewicz (vocals), Tyberiusz łodwicz (guitar) and Witold Nowak (guitar) were joined by Karolina Kozar (keyboards, flute), Krzysztof Marchwacki (bass) and Łukasz Dziubiński (drums). Their unique musicality, talent and ideas combined with the rest of the band created an absolutely magical mix that fulfill the Philosopher album.
It’s an album different from what you've heard before - it’s eclectic and progressive, gentle and powerful, full of contrasts.
The band announces: "We are taking you to the world of Story Metal where no one has been before, a world of light and darkness, joy and sadness, a world filled with questions that are better left unanswered..."
Tracklisting:
CD1:
"Sic Mundus Creatus Est"
"Seven Kingdoms"
"Mask Of Madness"
"Whisper"
"New Kind Of People"
"Perfect System"
"Poor Man’s Dream"
"Philosopher"
CD2:
"Conflict"
"Course For Annihilation"
"Locked In Dreams"
"Letter Of A Dead Man"
"Depth Of Existence"
"Hide Your Dreams"
"No Epitaphs"
"Harmoniously Resonant"
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