Modern symphonic metal icons KAMELOT have released "Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)", the second single from their first full-length album in five years, "The Awakening", which will arrive on March 17 via Napalm Records. The track, which features a guest appearance by the Grammy-nominated, soundtrack-featured cellist Tina Guo, is an exciting thematic continuation of a story born on 2007's "Ghost Opera" LP, celebrating the healing impact music has on the human heart and mind.
KAMELOT vocalist Tommy Karevik states: "The music of KAMELOT has always carried the message of hope, light and a feeling of resolution. This story is a prime example of that. 'Opus Of The Night' honors the traditional dark and melodic sound of the band while bringing some new and exciting elements to the table."
Having reigned supreme with the release of internationally top-charting melodic metal pinnacles such as "The Fourth Legacy" (1999),"The Black Halo" (2005),"Silverthorn" (2012),"Haven" (2015) and most recently 2018's acclaimed "The Shadow Theory", "The Awakening" enters the KAMELOT legacy as their most massive and diverse offering yet — mixing symphonic, gothic, melodic, progressive and power metal styles while yielding some of the heaviest tracks in the band's history.
KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood says: "With 'The Awakening', we have one of our most diverse albums in years. We've fused elements from progressive, power and gothic metal to symphonic and melodic metal on this one. Working with incredible guest artists from around the music industry and having producer Sascha Paeth and Jacob Hansen mixing gave us another step up on overall sound. This album offers everything to KAMELOT fans and also reaches beyond borders to new metal and hard rock legions."
KAMELOT is one of few bands in the symphonic genre to fully embrace the dark, but of course, there can be no light without it. Inspiring, engaging lyrical themes of determination, strength, overcoming personal battles and growth are abound on "The Awakening", provoked by extreme societal shifts and the overwhelming realization that we have such a brief time to be true to ourselves and live life to its fullest.
With crystal clear modern production helmed by the band and longtime producer Sascha Paeth, plus mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios, KAMELOT's score-like 13th studio album is accented by guest contributions from the likes of Melissa Bonny (AD INFINITUM) and renowned instrumentalists like violinist Florian Janoske and Guo.
Showcasing the incomparable, stage-seasoned vocal acrobatics of Karevik and increasingly airtight, renowned technical teamwork of Youngblood, drummer Alex Landenburg, keyboardist Oliver Palotai and bassist Sean Tibbetts, "The Awakening" embraces enlivening themes that every listener can relate to. KAMELOT's intense brand of ultramodern gothic and symphonic theatricality is amplified further and with more emotionality than ever on this inspiring, anticipated addition to the KAMELOT legacy.
Tracks honoring KAMELOT trademarks like cinematic "The Great Divide" and darkly hopeful eternal farewell to a loved one, "Eventide", prove that while "The Awakening" stays true to the aural foundations fans have embraced for decades, equally addictive outputs like "One More Flag In The Ground" — a radio-ready anthem about overcoming seemingly unbeatable illness and the mental challenges we all face, featuring additional vocal layers from Juno Award-winning musician and producer Brian Howes — showcase a band devoid of sonic stagnancy. Profound compositions are plentiful, like stage-ready, operatic "Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)", which features a hair-raising dual solo from Youngblood and Guo, as well as epic, synth-laden "New Babylon", elevated by the dynamic vocal attack of Karevik and Bonny. Further balancing darkness with light, grooving, heartfelt "NightSky" and ode to conquering one's adversities "My Pantheon (Forevermore)" boast some of the album's heaviest moments and most complex guitar solos, while pensive hymns such as Celtic-infused "Midsummer's Eve" and ebbing-and-flowing hymn of cherished memories "Willow" provide necessary balance to an album fittingly primed for spectacular performances to come.
"The Awakening" track listing:
01. Overture (Intro)
02. The Great Divide
03. Eventide
04. One More Flag In The Ground
05. Opus Of The Night (Ghost Requiem)
06. Midsummer's Eve
07. Bloodmoon
08. Nightsky
09. The Looking Glass
10. New Babylon
11. Willow
12. My Pantheon (Forevermore)
13. Ephemera (Outro)
Australian metalcore trailblazers The Amity Affliction - Joel Birch [vocals], Ahren Stringer [vocals, bass], Dan Brown [lead guitar], and Jon Longobardi [drums] - have just dropped the video for their brutal new single, "I See Dead People", featuring late New Zealand rapper Louie Knuxx, who passed away in 2021. Watch below.
"I See Dead People" is easily one of the most blood-blistering songs in Amity's catalog. It will send chills up and down your spine. "The song is about the ongoing and nebulous struggle that comes with dealing with the pain of friends killing themselves while myself dealing with passive suicidal ideation," says Birch.
Black death metal force, Thulcandra, has announced the release of their new studio album. Hail The Abyss will be unleashed on May 19 via Napalm Records, and sees the band prove yet again why they’re atop death metal’s malefic vedette.
Thulcandra’s rise to power ignited when the Germany-based outfit unleashed their debut album, Fallen Angel’s Dominion, upon metaldom in 2010. The group, fronted by founding member and visionary Steffen Kummerer (also of Obscura fame), have tightened their hibernal grip on blackened death metal since. The desolate melodic emanations in follow-up studio records Under a Frozen Sun (2011), Ascension Lost (2015), and the chart-topping, 2021-album A Dying Wish, dedicated to late drummer Chris Kratzer, solidified Thulcandra as a superior force, expertly thrusting the magic and mystery of mid-’90s melodic black-death metal into the modern era.
Their fifth attack, Hail The Abyss, showcases the band‘s affinity for dark, aggressive and mellifluous metal while the album rips and terrorizes with the intensity of hell. As always, Thulcandra's about a vibe - there's always a unique "feel" that's distinctly old-school, but without the tired trappings of it.
Give ear, as in support of their upcoming record release, today, the four-piece not only continues to gear up for their first ever North American tour, but has just unleashed a video for their new, fierce album single, "As I Walk Through The Gateway".
Says band guitarist/vocalist Steffen Kummerer: "'As I Walk Through The Gateway' turned into a catchy, relentless and melodic exercise of black & death metal that blends the strengths of the band in a unique form. Catch the band on their first North American tour alongside Fleshgod Apocalypse, Obscura and Wolfheart to feel the blistering power behind this composition in a live setting." Watch the video below.
Cooperation with renowned producer Dan Swanö (Dissection, Opeth, Katatonia) was compulsory, as was the re-invitation to cover-master Lochner.
"With Hail The Abyss, we just count the 5th album within 20 years of Thulcandra“, Kummerer continues. "A banger, and a diverse record that shows a unique blend of black and death metal, combined with classic heavy metal twin guitars. The album turned out excellent and Dan Swanö delivered a splendid mix - raw, natural and showcasing each individual musician on the record. Hail The Abyss undoubtedly turned into a highlight of our long lasting career.“
Hail The Abyss will be available in the following formats:
- 1CD Digipak, incl. Bonustracks
- 1CD Jewel Case
- 1LP Gatefold Black
- 1LP Gatefold Silver
- Ltd. Die Hard Vinyl Boxset (contains several highly collectable items, all packed in wooden box)
- Digital Album
- CD Digipak + Shirt Bundle
"In The Eye Of Heaven"
"Hail The Abyss"
"At Night"
"Velvet Damnation"
"On The Wings Of Cosmic Fire"
"Acheronian Cult"
"As I Walk Through The Gateway"
"Blood Of Slaves"
"In Darkness We Descend"
"The Final Closure"
"The Second Fall" - Live (CD Bonus Track)
1"Deliverance In Sin And Death" - Live (CD Bonus Track)
Since the release of their debut album in 2020, rising modern symphonic metal stars Ad Infinitum have stirred up the scene. They have shared a new live video accompanied by the following message:
"We recorded another song featuring the great Nils Molin (Amaranthe) on our tour together with Amaranthe, Beyond the Black and Butcher Babies through Europe in the autumn of 2022."
Ad Infinitum are about to unveil their electrifying third studio album, Chapter III – Downfall, out March 31 via Napalm Records. Consisting of catchy anthems and heavy, modern riffs paired with the vicious vocal melodies of the incredibly talented Melissa Bonny, Ad Infinitum's unique sound has garnered them millions of video views to date on hits like “Marching On Versailles” and “Unstoppable”. This next mesmerizing offering provides another wave of proof of their breakout success.
With their powerful first single, “Upside Down“, the multinational band garnered over 250k views on YouTube within just a few days. Now, after returning from several sold out shows on their expanded European and UK tour with Amaranthe, Beyond The Black and Butcher Babies, they have unleashed their next appetizer, “Somewhere Better”.
The new track creates an ethereal, catchy soundscape with screaming guitars colliding with vocalist Melissa Bonny’s haunting, perfectly contrasting voice. Underlining the ballad’s captivating feeling, its video creates a perfect symbiosis both musically and visually, carrying the listener into the new world of Ad Infinitum.
Ad Infinitum on “Somewhere Better“: “After playing 'Somewhere Better' on tour and sharing fantastic and emotional moments with thousands of people all around Europe and the UK, we are thrilled to release this song, together with a video full of memories of our tour with Amaranthe, Beyond the Black and Butcher Babies. Warm greetings to all the people who will spot themselves in this video!”
Check out the video for “Somewhere Better“:
Chapter III - Downfall, bewitches with an innovative sound full of soaring melodic splendor juxtaposed against brooding, dark and even gothic heaviness. Exploring concepts of Ancient Egyptian history and mythology, Ad Infinitum melds a perfect balance of storytelling and technically sophisticated songwriting, spreading their wings in both areas of production and lyricism. Charging instrumentals, pounding drums, chunky, grooving riffs, mind-boggling solos and enchanting orchestrations build the band's unique world of sound as frontwoman-to-watch Melissa Bonny’s soul-stirring cleans and haunting growls put her incredible vocal range on display - dropping jaws with each line.
Produced by Ad Infinitum and Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Chapter III - Downfall showcases that this up-and-coming quartet can effortlessly turn the genre upside down, gracing it with contemporary vibes without forgoing their signature metal origins, and thrilling all metal fans as they rise to the top!
Ad Infinitum add: “The word is out, Chapter III - Downfall is on its way! For this album, we explored stories and legends of Ancient Egypt with, as star character and main inspiration, Cleopatra. We added some extra dimension and sounds to our signature Ad Infinitum sound to create an extra dimension, transporting the listener to mystical landscapes of another era. We are beyond excited to start to unveil this new record!“
Opening track “Eternal Rains” immediately catches your breath with a captivating chorus, followed by electric “Upside Down” - defying all rules by combining epic melodies and demonic growls with finesse. “Seth” convinces with a resounding modern sound and eerie ambience that’ll have new fans turning heads, whereas “From The Ashes” impresses with reminiscence of artists like Meshuggah, proving that Ad Infinitum never fails to deliver surprises. “Somewhere Better” creates a perfect symbiosis of vicious vocals and ethereal soundscapes, carrying the listener far away with its wide range of infallible instrumentals. “Under The Burning Skies” directs its haunting vocals towards the horizon, unfolding into an intense mid-tempo ballad shortly after. As a special treat, Ad Infinitum welcomes Chrigel Glanzmann of Eluveitie, who provides his voice for the atmospheric monologue introduction on “Legends”, paving the way for a touch of Middle Eastern-inspired djent flavor.
Chapter III - Downfall will be available in the following formats:
- 1 CD Digipak
- CD Digipak + Shirt Bundle
- 1 LP Gatefold CURACAO - limited to 300 copies worldwide
- 1 LP Gatefold Black
- Digital Album
"Eternal Rains"
"Upside Down"
"Seth"
"From The Ashes"
"Somewhere Better"
"The Underworld"
"Ravenous"
"Under The Burning Skies"
"Architect Of Paradise"
"The Serpent's Downfall"
"New Dawn"
"Legends" (featuring Chrigel Glanzmann)
Sizzling, soulful and bewitching, Witchrot is gearing up for their latest offering Witchrot: Live In The Hammer, due out for its international release March 10, 2023. The band has just revealed the latest single from the album, "Colder Hands". The video can be streamed below.
The band comments: "Our new single, 'Colder Hands', is about that feeling of being completely fearless, of devouring the heart of your enemy and relishing it... It's from our latest album Witchrot: Live In The Hammer and it features a guest performance by Laura C. Bates of Volür. Her wicked violin and awesome vocals really helped us realize our goal of making music that is simultaneously putrid and beautiful."
All sleaze and psych, Live In The Hammer has the fuzz fueled quartet playing in the grease trap of Ontario. Smoky vocals overtop mesmeric psychedelic doom fill the room to the brim. Pre-orders for Live In The Hammer are available here.
The bubbling cauldron that is Live In The Hammer, serves as a bridge between Hollow and the band’s forthcoming next album, currently in the works. There’s no escaping the strange web of Witchrot. Fall into the chasm and embrace the dark.
Tracklisting:
"Medley - Druid Smoke Part 1 (The Keeper) / Crypt Reaper / Burn Me Down"
"Dug Your Grave / Strega"
"Acedia"
"Who Scared You"
"Colder Hands"
"Million Shattered Swords"
Shortly after the release of Live In The Hammer, Witchrot will hit the road in Canada in support of the album. A complete list of dates follows. Tickets can be found HERE or purchased at the door of each venue.
March
31 - Ottawa, ON - House Of Targ
April
1 - Sherbrooke, QC - Murdoch
2 - Montreal, QC - Turbohaus
13 - London, ON - Richmond Tavern
14 - Sarnia, ON - Mauds
15 - Hamilton, ON - Casbah
May
11 - Toronto, ON - Hardluck
12 - Barrie, ON - Infinity Zero
13 - Sudbury, ON - Townhouse Tavern
In 2018, The New Black guitarist Fabian "Fabs" Schwarz took a bold step out of his comfort zone by launching a solo project dubbed Who Brought The Dog. The independently released debut album, Welcome To The Man Cave, was a far cry from anything he had recorded before in that he consciously kept his metal roots locked away while experimenting with a rock sound that found its way into the realms of indie, blues, alternative, funk, jazz, punk and even pop.
In addition to Fabian Schwarz, the band also includes Frank Stimpfig (ex-Number Nine / bass), Markus "Fludid" Hammer (The New Black / vocals), Philipp Klinger (The New Black / drums), and Benjamin Haupt (guitar). With its unique sound and talented lineup, Who Brought The Dog is quickly gaining recognition as an exciting and innovative new band in the electronic rock scene.
Check out the new single and video, "Close To Burning", the title track from the new album.
Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman, who was named Japan Heritage ambassador in 2016, has shared his video for the Japan Heritage official theme song.
Marty announced the video's release via social media, writing in an accompanying message: Says Marty: "Many people outside of Japan relegate their image of Japan to anime/cosplay conventions, Harajuku fashion, futuristic neon signs and Samurai warriors. This is an incredible shame because as uniquely Japanese as all those things are, that isn't even the tip of the tip of the iceberg.
"I always wanted to do a spectacular video showing the rich yet completely understated beauty of Japan, to show people a side of the country rarely seen outside of Japan.
"Most bands from overseas come to Japan and play in 3 cities - Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. If they are lucky, they come again and add Sendai, Fukuoka, maybe Kyoto. Since I was constantly touring all over Japan, I was fortunate to play also in Akita, Nobeoka, Hiroshima, Tottori, Kagawa, Sapporo, Kobe, Nagaoka, Kanazawa, Yokohama, Yonago, Okinawa, Nagasaki and so many other wonderful places. I wanted to make a video to show these rarely seen locations and unique artistic customs, and just share some of the wonder that I was lucky to experience over the time I lived in Japan.
Well, that was an ambitious dream, and it didn't soon materialize.
"I did a video for 'Undertow' which was good for what it was and had a very Japanese theme, but nowhere near the extravagant picturesque video I had in mind.
"A video was made for 'Inferno' which also had a very Japanese theme, but many people outside Japan saw it and just thought I was a nutcase. Even the American director who made the video had no idea what I was talking about.
"The first thing I thought of after I finished composing the Japan Heritage Theme Song for the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra was, 'This is going to be perfect for the video I always wanted to make. I'm going to guide all my friends from around the world through visions of Japan that will make them want to visit more than ever.' I was filled with the excitement of the prospect.
"Of course then Covid pretty much wiped out the idea of anyone coming into the country for what seemed to be an indefinite period of time. Before I could even get started on any kind of music video for the song, it got put onto the back burner.
"As soon as I saw things starting to lean towards re-opening the borders, I pushed the idea of making this video to the powers that be (and there are many whenever you are doing anything even remotely government related) with an urgency, knowing that really soon, people from all around the world will want to discover this mysterious place. It's a bucket list destination for sure, and I knew that I wanted to play even a tiny part in making a few dreams come true.
"So now the video is finally done, and I am ecstatic about how it came out. Japan is a small country with so much cool stuff packed tightly in it, it is truly a feast for your imagination. Every culture has its own beautiful traits and Japan is certainly no exception. I am excited to show you my musical interpretation of Japan as a foreigner who has been here quite some time. If it resonates with you even a tiny bit, I'll be thrilled."
Earlier today (Monday, February 13),Marty spoke and performed at the Japan Heritage Symposium.
When he first announced his Japan Heritage Symposium appearance on Saturday (February 11),Marty took to his social media to write: "It's a great honor to be an Ambassador of Japan Heritage. Occasionally I will be requested to speak or perform at events related to Japan Heritage. I'll be doing both of those things at the Japan Heritage Symposium on Feb. 13.
"The date, 'February 13', if you translate it to numeric Japanese, would be ni (2) I (1) san (3). This becomes a play on words as 'ni' is short for 'Nihon' which is the Japanese word for Japan and 'isan' which is the Japanese word for heritage, hence the Japan Heritage event taking place on that day each year.
"Of all the places I get to play guitar, this has got to be the farthest from what I envisioned as a little kid!"
In July 1999, Friedman was onstage performing at Woodstock '99 in front of a sea of fans as the lead guitarist for MEGADETH. Since joining the band in 1990, Marty played a crucial role in their rise to stardom with his unorthodox style of virtuoso guitar playing, selling millions of records worldwide, and being nominated for multiple Grammy Awards. Just six months after Woodstock, in an unexpected move that shocked his friends, family, and especially his bandmates, despite platinum albums and sold-out tours, for reasons unknown, he suddenly quit the band and walked away from it all. Unbeknownst to his U.S. fans, Marty moved to Tokyo to pursue his love of Japanese pop music, and in the process, reinvented himself as a wildly successful Japanese TV celebrity! Marty has appeared on 700-plus television programs, commercials and motion pictures since then, and become was dubbed "the Ryan Seacrest of Japan" by Billboard magazine in the USA.
Friedman in 2014 spoke to Wondering Sound about his decision to leave MEGADETH in order to make the kind of music that he was passionate about: Japanese pop music, or J-Pop, which Friedman calls "embarrassingly happy."
"I found myself touring with MEGADETH, and in my hotel room I'd be blasting this Japanese music all the time. What's wrong with this picture?" he said.
As his interest in J-pop grew, Friedman started enjoying MEGADETH less. "I thought I was doing myself a disservice just playing the same old stuff and not really enjoying it," he told Wondering Sound. "Making money from fans who want to see you play when you're not into it didn't really sit right with me."
According to Marty, he simply outgrew metal, explaining that MEGADETH's music began to bore him, and he singled out the band's popular ballad "A Tout Le Monde" as an example.
"The melody's like duh duh duh duh, duh duh duh duh. It's kind of the same thing over and over again," he told NPR in a separate interview. "I'd go play the show at night with MEGADETH. And I'd be like, you know, what what I'm listening to is just so much more exciting than what I'm playing as my gig."
Friedman told his MEGADETH bandmates that he would leave the group at the conclusion of a 16-month-long tour, but "only stayed three more months." He explained to Wondering Sound: "It was just too much. I'm the kind of guy who can't fake it that well. It wasn't very nice, but I just couldn't go on anymore."
Focusing on the J-Pop genre, Friedman noted that going for the opposite of metal was the whole point.
"There's not a whole lot of happy music going on," he told NPR. "Especially in the heavy metal world, where everybody's just trying to out-lame each other, you know, with darkness and monsters and crap like that."
Marty was recently announced as direct support on the upcoming QUEENSRŸCHE tour. Marty is confirmed to perform on 31 dates with QUEENSRŸCHE, kicking off on March 3 in Orlando, Florida and running through April 16, where is wraps up in St. Petersburg, Florida. Along the way, the tour will make stops in Dallas, Texas (March 11); Anaheim, California (March 19); Chicago, Illinois (March 31),New York City (April 10) and Nashville, Tennessee (April 14),to name a few. Also, Marty recently announced two headline shows on his own: March 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada at Counts Vampd and March 18 in Los Angeles, California at the Whisky A Go Go. The tour marks Marty's first time performing in the U.S. since 2019.
Marty's latest album, "Tokyo Jukebox 3", came out in April 2021 via The Players Club/Mascot Label Group. The record, which was made available in Japan in October 2020, is the third in a series that began with "Tokyo Jukebox" in 2009, and then "Tokyo Jukebox 2" following in 2011. The trilogy presents Friedman's inspired performances to Japanese repertoire he's chosen to cover.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marty Friedman Official (@martyfriedman)
King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his wife, Toyah Willcox, are back in the kitchen serving up another Sunday Lunch. This time out they "perform" Toyah's song, "Dance In The Hurricane"
A selection of Robert & Toyah's previous Sunday Lunch videos can be seen below:
Skid Row vocalist Erik Grönwall has shared a new cover video, this time taking on the Bon Jovi ballad "Always".
Grönwall recently shared a cover of the Iron Maiden classic "Run To The Hills". Check it out below.
Grönwall (ex-H.E.A.T.), who is a cancer survivor, recently spoke with Metal Roos about how his battle with cancer affected his life moving forward, and joining the band in the aftermath.
Grönwall: "It was a big risk for the guys to ask me if I wanted to become the singer without ever meeting me or being in the same room as me," Erik told Metal-Roos. I told Rachel (Bolan / bass) and he told me that, 'Well, you took four risks with us; Rachel, Scotti (Hill / guitar), Snake (Dave Sabo / guitar) and Rob (Hammersmith / drums).' I guess there's some truth to that, but... first of all, this is an opportunity that you can't say no to. I told myself that, well, if this doesn't work, if they don't like me and I don't like them, well, at least I was the singer of Skid Row for a week or two, and that's something I will always have with me. So that was the mindset I had going into this, but, luckily, we have a really good time together, and we really connected, so it's all good."
Skid Row's new album, The Gang's All Here, can be ordered here.
The Gang's All Here tracklisting:
"Hell Or High Water"
"The Gang's All Here"
"Not Dead Yet"
"Time Bomb"
"Resurrected"
"Nowhere Fast"
"When The Lights Come On"
"Tear It Down"
"October's Song"
"World's On Fire"
Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his solo cover of TNT's "Tell No Tales" from the 1987 album of the same name. Check out the video below.
Johansson previously covered TNT's 1987 classic "10,000 Lovers (In One)".
Swiss multi-talent Seraina Telli has released the new single, "Modern Warrior" (Acoustic - Live From the Cave). The official video for the song can be viewed below.
The original version of the song appears on Seraina's solo debut album, Simple Talk, released in October 2022 via Metalville Records.
The former frontwoman of Burning Witches combines everything that the modern rock world urgently needs: great songwriting, vocal power, musical versatility, artistic depth, and a really strong attitude. Coupled with her authenticity, Seraina Telli is the ideal mixture of power woman and promising artist.
The charismatic Swiss singer leaves a lasting impression, visually and musically. Her music is as colorful and varied as her hair colors, one of her typical distinguishing features. The multi-talent is reluctant to be tied to one style, as her previous musical career shows. As the former frontwoman of the Swiss heavy metal band Burning Witches, she shook the stages of major rock festivals such as Bang your Head and Leyendas del Rock for four years.
Now the time is ripe for her solo project under her own name.
"I am what I am, and that's just right!" This message is very important to Seraina Telli. She wants to motivate other women in particular to believe in themselves, to be completely with themselves and, above all, to stay that way.
Colorful, loud, different, and above all, unique With a style of music that "straight in your face rock" couldn't describe better.
Tracklist:
"Modern Warrior"
"I’m Not Sorry"
"Take Care"
"I Dare To"
"Remedy"
"Soldier Of Fortune"
"G.E.B."
"Dreamer"
"Not One Of Your Kind"
"Fever"
"Remember You"
"Medusa"
Nekrogoblikon performed on the Sophie Lancaster Stage at Bloodstock Open Air 2022. Professionally-filmed footage of the band's entire show can be viewed below.
The setlist was as follows:
"The Many Faces of Dr. Hubert Malbec"
"Golden Future"
"Yin"
"Darkness"
"Dressed as Goblins"
"Going to Die"
"The Magic Spider"
"No One Survives"
"This Is It"
"Powercore"
Japanese supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS played a sold-out concert last night (Friday, February 10) at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Fan-filmed video of the show can be seen below (courtesy of the Faith WestYouTube channel.
The Los Angeles show took place more than a month after THE LAST ROCKSTARS released its debut single, "The Last Rockstars (Paris Mix)". The track was made available via the quartet's global distribution deal with Ingrooves, which is part of Universal Music Group's Virgin Music Group.
THE LAST ROCKSTARS — which consists of Yoshiki, Hyde, Sugizo and Miyavi, four major forces from Japan's rock scene — played two shows in New York City last week, on February 3 and February 4 at Hammerstein Ballroom.
On January 20, just a few days before their sold-out arena shows in Tokyo, THE LAST ROCKSTARS released the music video for their first single, "The Last Rockstars (Paris Mix)". The track landed at No. 1 on the iTunes Rock chart and All Genres chart in Japan and reached the Top 10 in eight international territories (Finland, France, Hong Kong, Hungary, Macau, New Zealand, Norway, and Taiwan).
"We've come together to start this challenge for the world out of Japan," Yoshiki said.
"This may be our last chance at this challenge," Sugizo said. "We want to put what's left of our lives on the line to make the world rock with our music."
Yoshiki has several monumental accomplishments under his belt both as the leader of X JAPAN and as an accomplished solo artist. He has been named "one of the most influential musicians and composers in Japanese history" by Consequence Of Sound and has composed Hollywood film soundtracks, a concerto for the Emperor of Japan, and the official theme song for the Golden Globe Awards. He has performed at the world's greatest stages, including Madison Square Garden, Wembley Arena, Coachella music festival, and Carnegie Hall. In addition to his music, Yoshiki has been internationally recognized for his philanthropy, and was awarded a Medal Of Honor by the Japanese government.
Hyde is internationally recognized as the vocalist for L'ARC-EN-CIEL, VAMPS and as a successful solo artist. L'ARC-EN-CIEL has sold over 40 million albums worldwide, headlined Madison Square Garden, and were also the first rock band to headline Japan National Stadium. Hyde has also had great success touring internationally as a solo artist.
Sugizo has worked and performed globally as a member of LUNA SEA, X JAPAN, and U.K.'s JUNO REACTOR, a group credited with creating psychedelic trance. As a solo artist he has been pursuing his unique style of electronic music while creating for multiple movie and theater soundtracks.
Miyavi "The Samurai Guitarist" has enthralled the world with his transcendent unconventional "slap style" of playing his guitar, which has taken him around the world nine times to tour in over 30 countries. In 2014 he made his debut as a Hollywood actor in "Unbroken". He was the first Japanese public figure to be featured in Gucci's global campaign, and has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNCHR, providing support for refugees.
With their illustrious experience in Japan's most influential rock bands, remarkable sales records individually, and hit collaborations with global artists, these four musicians coming together is a monumental occurrence. THE LAST ROCKSTARS are here to usher in a new legendary era of rock.
Fantasy symphonic power metal band France's Avaland will be releasing their sophomore full-length The Legend Of The Storyteller due out on March 31, 2023 via Rockshots Records following their 2021 debut Theater Of Sorcery. In addition to the album's upcoming unveiling, the band will be supporting Rhapsody oOf Fire from April 1 to 23 on their Glory For Salvation Tour.
Avaland has shared their second single "Betrayers" featuring guest vocals from Madie (ex-Nightmare/Faith In Agony).
“BOOM!” That was my first reaction while listening for the first time to the final mix of ‘Betrayers’. This song is the more bombastic one of the album. This song is a real speed power metal one, with a tragic chorus, Jeff sings like a god on it, especially when the final comes, he shows all the spectrum of his incredible voice. It’s the first song for Avaland I built around the guitar parts instead of the keyboards, and I must admit my mates sublimated it so well!" says Adrien G. Gzagg (Autor/Composer/Lead Singer/Synths and Orchestrations).
Compared to its predecessor, The Legend Of The Storyteller is heavier and is a much more epic power metal record full of anthems upon anthems for fans to chant to as they are taken on a journey over twelve theatric tracks. The record also hears double vocal duties from Adrien G. Gzagg and Jeff Kanji, along with album guests that include Zak Stevens (Savatage / TSO), Madie (Nightmare / Faith In Agony), Pierre “Cara” Carabalona (Eltharia), Ivan Castelli (Lionsoul), Angèle Macabiès, Jens Ludwig (Edguy) and Bruno Ramos (Sortilège / Manigance).
Lead by Adrien G. Gzagg (autor / composer / lead singer / synths and orchestrations), the album's storyline is aprequel to the band's first album Theater Of Sorcery, as he explains further:
"This album, as the first one, is a journey, a trip out of our world, into the universe of Avaland. We enjoy seeing Avaland as a great saga, as a movie, or series. We feel like listening to Avaland is like watching Game Of Thrones, The Lord Of The Rings, or reading comics, it’s an escape from everyday life. For this album, we took a lot of inspiration from Game Of Thrones and Arthurian Myths. We love fantasy and mythologies and we also find ourselves having a great fascination for alchemy and esoterism. Time is also a great subject, it's mystical… in fact, time will be at the center of this saga. This new opus is showing a heavier and darker atmosphere of Avaland’s theatrical universe. Are you ready to be part of The Legend Of The Storyteller?"
Avaland's first single in support of The Legend Of The Storyteller is entitled "Crimson Tyranny" (feat. Cara, Madie & Zak Stevens).
“This song is the first one I composed for this album. It defines the atmosphere for this new album: darker than Theater Of Sorcery, but also more epic, especially with its mighty chorus (with some Blind Guardian influences). It’s a mind-sticking song, beware of this infernal hook 'Crimson! Tyranny!'. The title of the song is a tribute to 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' by King Crimson." adds Adrien G. Gzagg.
The Legend Of The Storyteller artwork and tracklisting:
"The Vision"
"Crimson Tyranny"
"Insurrection"
"To Be The King"
"Secret Night"
"Kingslayer"
"The Gift"
"Out Of The Fog"
"Betrayers"
"Madness Of The Wise"
"You’ll Be The Legend"
"Lies"
"La Folie Du Sage" (Bonus Track)
"Betrayers" video:
"Crimson Tyranny" lyric video:
Pre-save The Legend Of The Storyteller on your favorite digital platform now at this location; or pre-order a physical copy here.
Cello metallers Apocalyptica have uploaded their performance of “Ashes Of The Modern World” from Tuska Utopia 2020. The track is taken from their 2020 album Cell-0.
In December 2022, Apocalyptica released their single, "Rise Again", featuring Epica vocalist, Simone Simons. The clip below features Simons performing the song with Apocalyptica in Manchester, UK on The Epic Apocalypse Tour on February 3rd. It is only the second time they have performed the song together live.
Apocalyptica issued the following statement when the single was released last year:
"Surprise! We just dropped 'Rise Again' our 'new' song with Epica's incredible frontwoman, Simone Simons! Why is 'new' in quotes you ask? Because this song features Simone singing over "Rise", a track from Cell-0!
Eicca says: "It was so great to make 'Rise Again' with Simone Simons! When we were putting the Epic Apocalypse-tour together we were thinking of making this collaboration with Epica even deeper by releasing a song together. 'Rise' from Cell-0 album had the beauty and feel which we felt could fit perfectly for Simone’s unique voice. We are so happy for the song and really excited about this tour with Epica as it will be something really special and amazing!!!"
With the release of their third studio album Stereo Typical just two weeks away, California rockers Roxanne have released another music video from the album scheduled for worldwide release on February 24. The video for “Only A Call Away” featuring dUg Pinnick is now available and showcases the softer side of the quartet comprised of Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar), John Butler (Guitar), Joe Infante (Bass) and Dave Landry (Drums).
The video is set in a diner as vocalist Jamie Brown sings the lyrics of a pair that is separated but can be back together in just one phone call. King’s X front man and bassist dUg Pinnick offers his vocal talents and appears in the music video directed by Joel K Rodgers and Jamie Brown. The song is also available via all digital service providers and fans that pre-ordered the album digitally will receive the song instantly. The video for “Only A Call Away” featuring dUg Pinnick can be seen below.
"This song is about friendship and the importance of spending time with the ones who matter the most, while you can," explains Jamie Brown.
Originally formed in the late ‘80s, Roxanne garnered commercial success with their 1988 self-titled debut album which was well received with two songs charting on rock radio; “Cherry Bay” and “Sweet Maria”, as well as a cover of Wild Cherry’s “Play That Funky Music.” The band is back with their first album of new material in five years and second for Rat Pak Records. Stereo Typical features ten brand new songs from the quartet comprised of Jamie Brown (Vocals, Guitar), John Butler (Guitar), Joe Infante (Bass) and Dave Landry (Drums). From the driving intro of album opener “Stereotypical” to the anthemic outro of “Without A Rope,” Roxanne is back with their signature sound of rock-n-roll that garnered them a legion of fans in the late 80’s and continue to support them today. Tracks like “Gotta Live,” “The Cost Of Living” and “Until They Do” are chock full of memorable hooks and melodies. Mr. Big guitarist Paul Gilbert adds a blistering solo to the piano ballad “Looks Like Rain” and King’s X front man dUg Pinnick offers his vocal talents to the catchy “Only A Call Away.”
Stereo Typical is now available in various bundle configurations including CD, vinyl and cassette at ratpakrecordsamerica.com.
Tracklisting:
“Stereotypical”
“Looks Like Rain” (feat. Paul Gilbert)
“Gotta Live”
“Only A Call Away” (feat. Dug Pinnick)
“The Cost Of Living”
“Open Book”
“Waiting For Laura”
“Keep On Keepin’ On” (feat. Jeff Scott Soto)
“Until They Do”
“Without A Rope”
“Nothing To Lose” (Bonus track)
Einar Solberg - frontman of Norwegian rock mavericks Leprous - is pleased to announce the release of his debut solo album, 16, on June 2. Wildly diverse, but spiritually rooted in Einar’s well-established musical world, 16 is an album that brims with surprises and spinning curveballs and features a collection of intimate but extravagant collaborations.
Today sees the release of "Grotto", the first single to be taken from the album, a track written alongside Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. It also features Keli Guðjónsson (Agent Fresco) on drums, Tor Egil Kreken on bass, Raphael Weinroth-Browne (Leprous touring member) on cello & Chris Baum (Bent Knee) on violin. Watch the video below.
Einar Solberg is as renowned for the tender honesty of his lyrics as he is for the eccentric majesty of Leprous’ music. But even by his usual standards, 16 is an extremely emotional and dynamic piece of work. Einar describes the record as “the closest I’ve ever come to writing a concept album” and explains that the new songs are about a very specific and transformational period in the musician’s life. This is the sound of a restless spirit in his absolute element.
“It’s called 16 because that’s when the first really, really bad things started happening to me in life. From 16 to 19, there were a lot of very life-defining moments that happened to me, and that changed me,” he says. “That’s when I kind of lost my innocence and I started realising that life is serious and bad shit can happen. A lot of pretty drastic things happened within those three years. But this album is not only about the bad things. It’s also about some of the career-defining moments, like the moment I started playing with the band and began to find a community to belong to. Emotionally, I’m a bit of everything, so it covers the entire emotional spectrum!”
16 finds Einar collaborating with everyone from modern prog contemporaries like Bent Knee’s Ben Levin and Agent Fresco’s Toti Gudnason, to experimental cellist (and regular Leprous live musician) Raphael Weinroth-Browne and Magnus Børmark, best known as a member of Norwegian alt-folk troupe Gåte. He also once again collaborates with Ihsahn and Star Of Ash amongst many others. The record was mixed by mixed by Adam Noble (Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves) and mastered by Robin Schmidt (The 1975, Placebo, The Gaslight Anthem, etc.).
16 will be released on Ltd CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP + LP-booklet & Digitally, and is now available to pre-order here.
Tracklisting:
"16" (feat. Raphael Weinroth-Browne)
"Remember Me"
"A Beautiful Life"
"Where All The Twigs Broke" (feat. Star Of Ash)
"Metacognitive" (feat. Raphael Weinroth-Browne)
"Home" (feat. Ben Levin)
"Blue Light" (feat. Asger Mygind)
"Grotto" (feat. Magnus Børmark)
"Splitting The Soul" (feat. Ihsahn)
"Over The Top"
"The Glass Is Empty" (feat. Tóti Guðnason)
"Grotto" video:
Einar will debut his solo material live with two exclusive shows at the Eindhoven & London editions of Prognosis Festival (15th & 22nd April respectively). You can find more details here.
After twelve years of band history, it's time to take the power metal hope Winterstorm to a new level. The band‘s fifth studio album, entitled Everfrost, will be their first offering since 2016 and their debut on AFM Records.
"Winter" stands for nordic viking and folk metal, "Storm" for fast-paced power metal, combined with epic and orchestral metal facets, Winterstorm shines in a new splendour as the brand new single, "To The End Of All Known“, proves.
The band comments: "While our new single 'To The End Of All Known' is about uncertain future times driven by technical progress, we as a band are looking forward positively to play our next shows for our fans and hope they enjoy the newest song and our upcoming album."
Watch the video for "To The End Of All Known" below.
It’s the melodic grandeur, that clearly marks the foreground of Winterstorm, reflected in heavily catchy choruses and colossal, polyphonic vocals. Striking elements of different metal styles merge with each other and get a completely new impression, that Winterstorm’s forthcoming record may be their most versatile and powerful album to date; one that does not have to hide behind proven genre colleagues such as Blind Guardian or Rhapsody Of Fire.
Everfrost will be available as CD Digipak, limited clear blue vinyl and boxset on July 14 through AFM Records. Pre-order here.
Tracklisting:
"Origin"
"To The End Of All Known"
"The Phoenix Died (Remember)"
"Circle Of Greed"
"Future Times"
"Everfrost"
"Final Journey"
"Fate Of The Atlanteans"
"Crusade"
"Overcome The Fear"
"Silence"
BUTCHER BABIES have released the official music video for their new single, "Beaver Cage". The track is taken from the band's upcoming fourth studio album which was recently completed with producer Josh Schroeder (LORNA SHORE, KING 810).
Last month, BUTCHER BABIES vocalist Heidi Shepherd told the "BREWtally Speaking" podcast about the band's musical evolution: "We've been a band for nearly 15 years, so when we started we were angry kids — very angry. We had a lot to be angry about. And as success started coming around and we started leaving our families and leaving our friends behind, our second more [about] loneliness and emotion in that, and then the third album was just kind of a culmination of all that. And then, all of a sudden, we're angry again, because our shit was taken away from us for years [because of the coronavirus pandemic]. We're angry again. We go to Michigan in the middle of the winter. And I feel almost like we reverted to our first album — those emotions you can really hear on our fourth album because we're kind of going through those same emotions.
"That's what's awesome about bands putting out albums," she continued. "It's a snapshot of time. It's a snapshot of what they were going through at the time, or what they felt like they wanted to explore."
Heidi went on to say that "evolution is necessary as an artist." She added: "We need to evolve; we need to try out all these different things. We don't do it for our fans; we do it for us. Of course we love when they like it and they wanna hear certain things, but I need to be able to put my emotions on to an album as well. This is my therapy. [Laughs] This is my very expensive therapy. So it's important for us."
Circling back to the upcoming BUTCHER BABIES LP, Heidi said: "I'm so excited for people to be able to hear this because a lot of this stuff was written right in the studio, so you're gonna hear a lot of what we were going through in those six weeks that we wrote and recorded this album. Weird emotions within the band 'cause some of us hadn't seen each other in over a year. Weird emotions about not being able to tour, not being able to go play these songs. Weird emotions about everything. And I think that we were all going through those type of emotions. So it's gonna be really awesome for people to hear that from us."
Added guitarist Henry Flury: "I think it's gonna be really shocking when people hear the other songs compared to our first single, because they're gonna these expectations of, like, 'Oh, it's gonna be this kind of album.' Get ready for a curveball, because it's coming."
Last October, BUTCHER BABIES shared the official music video for their cover version of rapper Saweetie's chart-topping single "Best Friend". The clip was directed by Dale "Rage" Resteghini and was filmed at the Bare Den adult entertainment club in Newton, New Jersey.
BUTCHER BABIES have been performing their cover of "Best Friend" at their recent live shows.
Speaking to Spain's EMP about BUTCHER BABIES decision to cover "Best Friend", Shepherd said: "It's basically a song about [me and fellow BUTCHER BABIES singer Carla Harvey]. 'Cause we've been best friends for so long. We were a band together prior to BUTCHER BABIES. It's a cover, and we figured we can't think of two better people to cover this song besides us. So it's fun."
Asked by Metalshop why it's better to release singles than a full-length album in 2022 and 2023, Carla said: "I think we live in a time where people want things right now; they want new stuff all the time. And I also think that when you release a single, people have a chance to digest that song, fall in love with that song before they skip to the next one and the next one and the next one. We really like developing a song on its own, making a video for that song, telling the story of that song, because every song is special to us."
Added Heidi: "We put our heart and soul into every single song that goes on the album. We don't just half-ass any of the songs, and so we want to make sure that it gets the life and the attention it deserves. And so I think we're just gonna continue this way and just leak it a little bit at a time and keep it going."
In a separate interview with Bloodstock TV, Carla stated about the recording process for the new BUTCHER BABIES LP: "It was a really cool experience. We got to sit together for about six weeks in the middle of nowhere — a very, very small town in Michigan — and just create together. And we had an Airbnb with animal skulls all over the place. And we just sat there in the snow and created probably our best album to date. So it was a great bonding experience."
When Oran O'Beirne of Bloodstock TV suggested that some BUTCHER BABIES fans might object to such a diverse combination of musical styles, Carla said: "We haven't changed at all, because some of our earliest songs were similar. We've always run the gamut throughout our music; we've never stayed with one style. Most people love about BUTCHER BABIES that we have a death metal song and a thrash metal song and then a poppy radio song, and whatever mood they're in, we've got a song for them."
Added Heidi: "What I love about being in a band like this and being around musicians that we all see eye to eye is that we can do different things; we're not pigeonholed to one certain sound. Sometimes we wanna get up and we wanna scream and we wanna be angry bitches, and then sometimes we wanna sing and we want people to hear what we feel from our hearts. And I think that that's important as an artist, to be able to do both."
Carla continued: "And judging by the audience reaction when we go from one very, very heavy song to one lighter song, they love it. They have literally the same energy for both kinds of music. They want it too. People want the freedom to be able to like different types of music."
BUTCHER BABIES' latest album, 2017's "Lilith", was produced by Steve Evetts (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, SEPULTURA, SUICIDE SILENCE) and marked the band's recording debut with drummer Chase Brickenden, who replaced Chris Warner in 2016.
In July 2019, longtime BUTCHER BABIES bassist Jason Klein announced his departure from the band. He has since been replaced by Ricky Bonazza.
In 2021, BUTCHER BABIES embarked on a headlining tour, "Butcher Babies Vs. Goliath", which saw the band performing its debut album, "Goliath" — released in 2013 via Century Media Records — in its entirety along with recent hit singles and new material.
Hailing from the City of Angels, BUTCHER BABIES have released two Eps and three albums to date, with "Lilith", debuting at #1 on iTunes Metal chart and #7 on iTunes Rock chart. The band kicked off 2021 by independently releasing a handful of newly energized singles produced and co-written by Matt Good (FROM FIRST TO LAST),including "Bottom Of A Bottle", "Sleeping With The Enemy", "Yorktown", "Last Dance" and "It's Killin' Time, Baby!" The latter was inspired by the DC Comics character Lobo, a heavy metal bounty hunter.
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