Dutch powerhouse singer Floor Jansen has just released her second solo single, "Storm". The track is the follow-up to "Fire", which was made available in March via ADA, the division of Warner Music Group dedicated to independent label and artist distribution.
Earlier this month, Floor was asked in a new interview with FaceCulture if she is planning to eventually release a full-length solo album. She said: "There are a lot more songs ready. There's not an album ready, but also because it would make no sense to have one. Due to the pandemic, there's an entire NIGHTWISH still not done and still yet to be done; as it looks like, we actually are gonna do that now. So before that, I cannot say, 'Okay, I come [out] with a solo album.' 'Cause then you also would like to do some more [solo] shows and do the right promotion and all of that, so there's no time for that — which is a luxury problem on itself. But it's fun. And that's also a big difference with this pop music thing — you can release singles. It's not an album-based world; it's completely different."
Jansen went on to call "Fire" "a statement and "the kick-off of everything. And from there I'll keep releasing singles. And the aim is to release the album in '23," she explained before clarifying that there are a lot of variables involved that could affect the timeline of the LP's arrival. "But the ambition is there. And everything is geared up to do that."
Jansen is best known as the frontwoman in the multi-million selling and internationally successful symphonic metal band NIGHTWISH. As part of the band, Jansen has landed two number one albums in Finland, and Top Five albums in Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
Born in the Netherlands, Jansen joined her first band, one of the world's first symphonic metal bands, AFTER FOREVER, when she was only 16 years old. The group went on to release five albums from 2000 to 2007, before they broke up in 2009.
Jansen's next band, REVAMP, released two albums in 2010 and 2013, before she joined NIGHTWISH as a full-time member. NIGHTWISH's first album with Jansen as the lead singer was 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful", which landed in Top 10s around the world. This was followed by 2020's "Human. :II: Nature." , which was also an international success.
Jansen has toured extensively with the band and appeared on three of NIGHTWISH's live albums "Showtime, Storytime", "Vehicle Of Spirit" and "Decades: Live In Buenos Aires".
In 2019, Jansen participated in the popular Dutch TV show "Beste Zangers" where she scored a big hit with "Phantom Of The Opera" together with Henk Poort. She was recognized with a Dutch Popprijs award — a prestigious accolade for artists that has made important contributions to Dutch music. In the same year, her first solo tour sold out in less than 24 hours.
Jansen performed live with NIGHTWISH for the first time on October 1, 2012 at Showbox Sodo in Seattle, Washington following the abrupt departure of the band's lead singer of five years, Anette Olzon. Jansen officially joined NIGHTWISH in 2013.
Billy Howerdel has revealed a third track from his eagerly-awaited solo album, What Normal Was (Alchemy Recordings / Rise Records / BMG), with today’s arrival of “Beautiful Mistake”.
“Beautiful Mistake” is the first of three additional songs that the A Perfect Circle guitar player plans to unveil each week in the lead-up to the June 10 album release with “Selfish Hearts” debuting on May 27, and “The Same Again” arriving on June 3.
“We’re often too hard on ourselves,” says Howerdel in reference to the theme behind the song. “The Japanese philosophy Kintsugi, the Appreciation of Imperfection, inspired a new way for me to reflect on mistakes. Forgiving others can often be easier than forgiving ourselves.”
Howerdel previously shared the songs “Poison Flowers”, as well as “Free And Weightless”, both can be enjoyed below.
What Normal Was album pre-orders and pre-saves, which include an array of limited-edition vinyl variants, and other physical formats, are available here.
What Normal Was tracklisting:
"Selfish Heart"
"Free And Weightless"
"Ani"
"Beautiful Mistake"
"The Same Again"
"Poison Flowers"
"Follower"
"Bring Honor Back Home"
"EXP"
"Stars"
"Poison Flowers" video:
"Free And Weightless" video:
Howerdel also recently announced an extensive North American tour in support of the forthcoming album, with the six-week trek kicking off on June 11 in Ventura, CA and including two dates with his APC bandmate Maynard James Keenan’s Puscifer: June 12 at the Greek Theatre (Los Angeles) and July 1 at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre (Rochester Hills, Mich). Tickets, and VIP packages, for all headlining dates are on-sale now. For tickets and ticket info, including VIP packages, please visit billyhowerdel.com.
Tour dates:
June
11 - Ventura, CA - Ventura Music Hall
12 - Los Angeles, CA - Greek Theatre *
14 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
15 - San Francisco, CA - The Independent
16 - Roseville, CA - Goldfield Trading Post
18 - Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom
19 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
21 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
22 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theatre
24 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Café
25 - Milwaukee, WI - Summerfest
26 - St. Louis, MO - Delmar Hall
28 - Chicago, IL - Cabaret Metro
29 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall
July
1 - Rochester Hills, MI - Meadow Brook Amphitheatre *
2 - Toronto, ON - Axis Club
3 - Montreal, QC - Café Campus
5 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
6 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
8 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
9 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
10 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground
12 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
14 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
15 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall – Inside Downstairs
16 - Dallas, TX - The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
17 - Austin, TX - Emos
20 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
* with Puscifer
New Jersey-born and Los Angeles-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Billy Howerdel has quietly asserted himself as an alternative music auteur whose knack for massive hooks believes a keen emotional understanding and sonic acuity. Devoting his life to music after witnessing Pink Floyd live, he acted as something of a behind-the-scenes journeyman, working as an in-demand touring and studio tech for the likes of David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, and Nine Inch Nails.
Striking up a friendship with Maynard James Keenan when Tool opened for Fishbone (for whom Billy served as a tech), he occupied a room in a North Hollywood cottage with Maynard. Billy founded A Perfect Circle with Maynard in 1999. The group’s seminal full-length debut, Mer de Noms, went platinum and made history as the “highest Billboard Top 200 bow for a rock band’s debut.” They followed it with the platinum Thirteenth Step [2003] and gold Emotive [2004]. The group made their return with 2018’s Eat The Elephant, marking their fourth consecutive Top 5 debut on the Top 200.
In between, Billy’s music has also appeared in video games and on the big screen. During 2008, he made his first solo statement under the moniker Ashes Divide with Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright. In the next decade, the album quietly pervaded as a cult favorite with millions of streams and the odd sold out “reunion” show. On his 2022 proper full-length solo debut, What Normal Was [Alchemy Recordings/Rise Records/BMG], he inhabits a space that’s reverent of his past, present, and future all at once. After all of these years, songs, and shows, Billy is ready to introduce himself.
Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen has shared another cover song from her growing catalogue of solo performances. Check out her rendition of Lotte's "Mauern", which she recently performed for Germany's Sing Meinen Song.
In the FaceCulture clip below, Jansen talks about her experience on the show, which airs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Jansen will release her second official solo single on May 27th. The as-yet-untitled track is available for pre-save at this location.
Jansen released her first ever solo track, "Fire", on March 25th. Check out the official video for the song below.
Vante announce their self-titled debut album via Dark Star Records. The new full length CD will be available on June 17 at all retailers worldwide as well as all digital stores. The first single, "Why Is It So Cold" is out now, accompanied by a video that can be viewed below. Stream the song here.
Brian Troch, lead singer, “Vante is thrilled to share the culmination of a journey a year and a half in the making.” Brian adds, “I am personally very mirthful to finally be able to share the fruits of our intense journey that resulted in this powerful 14 song debut album from Vante. As for Scott McClellan and myself it was an absolute pleasure to work with Rev Jones , Chris Moore and Jeff Tortora. The first single and video, Why Is It So Cold is barn burning intense number that I think will resonate with people."
"Vante is a group of amazing players from some killer bands, and this new album brings out the best in all of them, creating a new sound that is heavy and cool as hell." - Jeffrey A. Swanson / President / Dark Star Records
Vante acutely feels the existential threat of a world consumed by materialism and greed, and seeks a compassionate soul in the barren wasteland of the sleeping collective mind. Revelation can be found in altered states, where pleasure provides a temporary answer in a world filled with confusion. Channeling their outrage at the mass apathy that has created a chaotic, out of control world, Vante delivers a taste of hope for rebirth into a more loving and compassionate world. Vante reclaims the animal within, in an apocalyptic vision that prophesies a spiritual rebirth through all-out rebellion. They see that the sky is painted red and we refuse to submit.
With serious metal cred, Vante brings together five legendary musicians Brian Troch, Scott McClellan, Rev Jones, Chris Moore, and Jeff Tortora who have toured the globe and recorded with mega metal acts such as Hammeron, Cyclone Temple, Michael Schenker Group, Steelheart, Tony Martin.
Guitarist Scott McClellan picked up his first guitar at age nine and began composing music at age fourteen. Spending his formative years in Long Beach, California, where the streets were dirty and rife with trouble, McClellan found his salvation in music. After relocating to Illinois and becoming a dedicated tradesman, he spent twenty-five years in Pantera tribute bands (Cemetery Gatez, Domination), where he mastered the singing virtuosic guitar riffs of Dimebag Darrell. McClellan wields his soaring guitar lines like a knife in a bar fight, but he writes with the soul of a poet. For him, Vante’s debut album comes fresh on the heels of an album release with Black Sabbath’s Tony Martin titled ‘Thorns’ and the completion of ‘This is My War’ with Breed of Aggression.
Singer/ multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Brian Troch reaches deep into the eternal void and draws us in with him. Rich with meaning and heavy with the spirit of catharsis, Troch’s vocals promise to wake a sleeping generation from its deathly slumber. Joining Hammeron, Troch performed at the MTV Halloween Horror Show with Motley Crue at The Limelight in Chicago. Troch then joined Cyclone Temple and signed with Combat/ Relativity records, opening for Death Angel at Metal Fest in Milwaukee and touring with Napalm Death and Obituary. Leading the helm for Shooting Hemlock, his band played to capacity crowds where the singer found his groove, feeding on the pure electricity of the manic fans.
Bassist Rev Jones comes from Oklahoma’s Tornado Alley playing with the energy of a violent storm. Rev is known not only for his unconventional techniques, but also for the unforgettable visual experience that he brings to every performance. With his two-handed tapping style and over-the-neck fingering technique, he riffs like a madman both onstage and offstage. He has toured with Michael Schenker Group, Steelheart, Mountain, Fuel, Black Symphony, Rev Jones band and many other prestigious acts.
Drummer Jeff Tortora has a musical history with singer Brian Troch as both answered the call in 1996 to form Shooting Hemlock. Troch and Tortora reunited to record Vante’s self-titled debut album in 2021, their easy chemistry returned. Jeff Totora is right at home on the big stage as well as in the recording studio. In 2000 he was chosen to play with the mind-blowing, explosive Blue Man Group and he accepted this percussionist’s dream job to play to adoring crowds around the world and even at the Super Bowl halftime show. A true virtuoso, Tortora brings versatility, innovation and most of all, hard-hitting energy to all of his performances.
Percussion took root in drummer Chris Moore’s soul from an early age. Known as “Music’s Best Kept Secret”, Chris Moore has recorded with Ultraphonix (with Corey Glover of Living Colour) and Project Nfidelikah (with Angelo Moore of Fishbone). He has most recently played the role of an 80’s metal drummer for the Rock of Ages 10th Anniversary Tour.
Vante’s self-titled debut album will be out on Dark Star Records/Sony/Universal early June 2022.
Tracklisting:
"Why Is It So Cold"
"It’s My Life"
"Watch The Sunrise"
"Paint It Red"
"The Craving"
"Going With The Flow"
"I Stand"
"Animal"
"Under My Skin"
"Waiting For Reverence"
"Scary Was The Man"
"Thunder And Rain"
"The Road To Shangri-La"
"Never The Slave"
"Why Is It So Cold" video:
- Co-Produced by Brian Troch, Jaben Pennell and Scott McClellan
- Mixed and Mastered at Vibehouse productions by Jaben Pennell
Vante lineup:
Brian Troch - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar, Additional Bass, Keys
Scott McClellan - Guitar, Lead Guitar, Bass, Acoustic Guitar, Background Vocals
Rev Jones - Bass Guitar, Guitar, Fretless Bass
Chris Moore - Drums
Jeff Tortora - Drums
Jaben Pennell - Hammond B-3 Organ on "The Craving" & "Going With The Flow"
Jenny Franck - Background Vocals on "I Stand" & "It’s My Life
Northern California death metal outfit Greybush have unveiled the music video for their new single, "Civil Unrest". The heavy-hitting track is the second song released from the band's new EP This Is Punishment, which is out today.
Speaking about their new single "Civil Unrest", Greybush comments: "The murder of George Floyd is part of a long history of police violence against black people. Racism and white supremacy culture must be torn out at the root. We've always had a bit of disdain against authority and seeing it abused in this way is awful. Writing a song is the only platform we have without being ostentatious. We stand with those fighting state-sanctioned violence and commit to being part of the solution."
This Is Punishment artwork and tracklisting:
"Civil Unrest"
"Out Of Control Pt. 2: The Sequel (This Time It's Personal)"
"Roadneck"
"Penny And A Dime"
"This Is The Way"
SKID ROW has released the music video for its latest single, "The Gang's All Here". The song is the title track of the band's new studio album, which will be released on October 14 via earMUSIC.
"By the fans, for the fans!" is the mantra for this video, as SKID ROW called upon its loyal and dedicated fanbase to help create the video by submitting live footage and photos from SKID ROW's recent 2022 concerts, as well as behind-the-scenes rehearsal moments. The video is a testament to the power SKID ROW has both on and off stage, as well as the chemistry within the band and with their fans.
"'The Gang's All Here', for me, represents the brotherhood of this band," says guitarist Scotti Hill. "And with the addition of [new singer] Erik [Grönwall], our bond is more solid than ever. Our fans have always been part of the family, so when it was time to shoot a video, we handed the camera work over to them. After all, they have the best perspective to capture the excitement of a SKID ROW show."
"I'm so fucking psyched to finally release this video! This video is by the fans, for the fans. A big shout out to all the fans who made this video happen. Thank you!," says Grönwall.
SKID ROW recorded most of "The Gang's All Here" in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with FOO FIGHTERS, STONE SOUR, HALESTORM, EVANESCENCE, RUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS, among many others.
"The Gang's All Here" track listing:
01. Hell Or High Water
02. The Gang's All Here
03. Not Dead Yet
04. Time Bomb
05. Resurrected
06. Nowhere Fast
07. When The Lights Come On
08. Tear It Down
09. October's Song
10. World's On Fire
Grönwall joined SKID ROW in January as the replacement for ZP Theart, who had been in the group for more than six years. Theart played his final gig with SKID ROW in February before being officially given the boot.
Grönwall was a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T. with whom he recorded four studio albums — "Address The Nation" (2012),"Tearing Down The Walls" (2014),"Into The Great Unknown" (2017) and "H.E.A.T II" (2020) — before exiting the group in October 2020.
Grönwall was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021. Six months later, he announced that he was cancer free after receiving a bone marrow transplant in August. "Some anonymous wonderful human being somewhere in the world donated his/her blood cells so that I could get a second chance at life," he told Headbangers Lifestyle in January. "Sometimes I can just get tears in my eyes when I think about it. It's so beautiful that one person who is not connected to me in any way wanted to do that for me. He/she doesn't know that the blood cells were for me. It's completely anonymous."
Last September, Grönwall released his cover version of "18 And Life" via all streaming platforms.
In 2018, Grönwall debuted in the U.S. for 10 million viewers in NBC's live broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". Along with John Legend, Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles and others, Erik played the key role of Simon Zealotes.
SKID ROW bassist Rachel Bolan recently told Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station about Grönwall's addition to the band: "Just the way he does things and his work ethic is one I've never seen other than the four of us that are already in the band. He just doesn't stop until he gets things absolutely right. Whether it's his version, what he thinks is right, or what we think is right, he works hard — he works hard. And you can see why he had the success he did overseas because he's a really, really hard-working singer that takes care of his instrument and that takes pride in his craft."
Rachel also reflected on SKID ROW's first live performance with Grönwall, saying: "Honestly, dude, from the minute he opened his mouth… His timing is impeccable. We knew it was gonna be cool. And each show has gotten even better, 'cause we're learning each other's rhythm on stage. When I walked away from that show, I said to Erik, I go, 'This was show one. I cannot wait for show one hundred. It's gonna be amazing.'"
Bolan previously talked about how Erik came to join SKID ROW during an appearance on the latest episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation L.A. Invasion", recorded just hours before SKID ROW's first performance with the Swedish singer. "We toured together. H.E.A.T. was on tour with SKID ROW. What year was that? '18? And we'd hear him every night from the dressing room," he said. "And a couple of times, I was, like, 'Man, listen to this guy sing. He's phenomenal.' And then, I forget who told me, someone that was with us, 'Yeah, he won 'Idol' in Sweden.' And I was, like, 'Man, he's got pipes.' And I was listening. Then I went behind the monitor board a couple of times. And in my head, I'm, like, 'Wow! When SKID ROW has some downtime, I'm gonna get in touch with this dude and start a side project with him.' And obviously, that never happened. But as time went on and we got to the point to where we were with ZP and stuff, Erik was our first… I told Snake, I go, 'We've gotta check this guy out.' And along with Snake and the rest of the guys, and Nick, our producer, Nick Raskulinecz, were, like, 'He's the guy, man. Send him some songs.' So we sent him some songs that we were recording, just with a guide vocal on it, and it came back about 24 hours later, and we were, like, 'All right. He's the guy. Get him on a plane. Let's do this.'"
KISS frontman Paul Stanley's R&B side project SOUL STATION performed at the wedding of celebrity chef and "Chopped" judge Chris Santos and actress Natalie Makenna on Sunday (May 22) at Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, California.
Santos is a lifelong music fan who operates the record label Blacklight Media, which he founded in 2016 in partnership with Metal Blade.
Also in attendance at yesterday's event were several other notable musicians, including David Draiman (DISTURBED),Robert "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE),Chris Broderick (IN FLAMES, ex-MEGADETH),Phil Rind (SACRED REICH),John Bush (ARMORED SAINT, ex-ANTHRAX).
Draiman shared a couple of photos of him with Stanley on Twitter and he wrote: "Great to meet and talk a little shop with the legendary @PaulStanleyLive".
The debut album from SOUL STATION was released in March 2021 via Universal Music Enterprises. A collection of nine classic soul covers and five original tracks, "Now And Then" features the band's acclaimed version of THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS' "O-o-h Child" as well as SOUL STATION's take on THE SPINNERS' "Could It Be I'm Falling In Love".
Stanley spent the last few years developing this project close to his heart. SOUL STATION is a band gathering some of today's leading musicians to pay tribute to the greatest artists and songs from the R&B and soul catalog to keep this vital music current. While a surprise to many, Stanley's early pivotal roots in this music has quietly turned this passion into a celebrated touring and recording band. Stanley's 15-piece ensemble group has toured the U.S. and Japan.
When Stanley conceived SOUL STATION, the group excelled in the live venue setting, playing smaller, intimate clubs — a setting where Paul Stanley would reflect on those classic hits that were his early inspiration, playing the songs with a reverence and respect for how he and the band believe they should be performed and heard.
Stanley's bandmembers include Rafael "Hoffa" Moreira (guitar and backing vocals),Sean Hurley (bass),Alex Alessandroni (musical director, keyboards),Ely Rise (keyboards),Eric Singer (drums and backing vocals),RayYslas (percussion),Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals),Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet).
Ãåðìàíèÿ
Helloween
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
Àâñòðèÿ
ÑØÀ
Ôèíëÿíäèÿ
Áðàçèëèÿ
Èòàëèÿ
Àâñòðàëèÿ
Øâåöèÿ
