California glam metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER have released the official music video for their new single "1987". The track is described in a press release as "a reflective look at one of the greatest years in rock music supported by unforgettable hooks, relatable lyrics and fretboard fireworks." Satchel, Michael Starr, Stix Zadinia and Spyder pay homage to the icons of the year, including GUNS N' ROSES, POISON, WHITESNAKE, OZZY OSBOURNE and VAN HALEN. The music video was directed by longtime collaborator J.T. Arbogast and follows a young duo who find an abandoned recording studio. When one of the kids plugs in a hidden 1987 pedal, he is transported to the time in the studio when STEEL PANTHER recorded the song and lives the memories of 1987 in his own way.
"1987" is taken from STEEL PANTHER's sixth studio album, "On The Prowl", which will be released on February 24, 2023.
To celebrate the release of "1987", STEEL PANTHER has also announced a massive world tour. The "On The Prowl" world tour 2023 is set to kick off in February and will run throughout North America through April. CROBOT and TRAGEDY will be joining the band on the North American tour. The band will take a short break before bringing the party to the United Kingdom and Ireland in May. These new shows will be added to the 2022 year-end dates in Vancouver and the warmup weekends in January 2023 that were previously announced.
"On The Prowl" 2023 tour dates:
U.S.
Feb. 24 - Las Vegas, NV - House Of Blues
Feb. 25 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues
Feb. 26 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee Theatre
Feb. 28 - San Antonio, TX - The Aztec Theater
Mar. 01 - Houston, TX - House Of Blues
Mar. 03 - Dallas, TX - House Of Blues
Mar. 04 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
Mar. 06 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
Mar. 08 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Culture Room
Mar. 10 - Orlando FL - The Plaza Live
Mar. 11 - St. Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live
Mar. 12 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead Theatre
Mar. 14 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
Mar. 16 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
Mar. 17 - Philadelphia, PA - Keswick Theatre
Mar. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Mar. 19 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Mar. 21 - Detroit, MI - The Fillmore
Mar. 22 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
Mar. 24 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room
Mar. 25 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues
Mar. 26 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
Mar. 28 - Milwaukee, WI - The Eagles Club Stage
Mar. 29 - Minneapolis, MN - The Fillmore
Mar. 31 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theatre
Apr. 01 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore
Apr. 02 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Depot
Apr. 04 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
Apr. 06 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go
Apr. 07 - West Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go
Apr. 08 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
United Kingdom + Ireland:
May 14 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy
May 15 - Newcastle, UK - O2 City Hall
May 17 - Manchester, UK - Academy
May 18 - Birmingham, UK - O2 Academy
May 20 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town
May 21 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
May 23 - Leeds, UK - O2 Academy
May 25 - Belfast, UK - Ulster Hall
May 26 - Cork, IE - Cyprus Avenue
May 28 - Dublin, IE - Vicar Street
Previously announced tour dates:
Dec. 29 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Dec. 30 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Jan. 05 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore
Jan. 06 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades
Jan. 07 - San Luis Obispo, CA - Fremont Theater
Jan. 27 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall
Jan. 28 - North Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
Jan. 29 - Charlotte, NC - The Fillmore
Speaking to Australia's Metal Roos, STEEL PANTHER drummer Stix Zadinia said about "On The Prowl": "It is killer. Every band, normally you go, 'Yeah, dude, it's killer. It's our best record,' but you know — I think bandmembers know — it's a good record and you believe in it, but you know when you did something… This record has a spirit about it; it has a vibe about it where it's, like… I don't know. It feels different than the last few records. It just feels like there's a lot of joy in this record and fun and rocking and… It's killer, man.
"We actually did it differently than we've done any other record," he continued. "We did it at our houses, except for the drums. And then we had [longtime producer] Jay Ruston mix it. But we engineered this thing — we produced it, engineered it, all just us. Wrote, recorded, engineered, produced. The only thing we didn't do is mix it or master it."
According to Stix, he and his bandmates "were as productive as you could pretty much be as a band" during the pandemic. "We did socially distanced shows, pod shows, drive-in shows, livestreams. I say, 'We didn't do anything,' because… STEEL PANTHER, the way we've come up, we work — we're grinders and we play live. We are producers — we make things, we do things. And sitting on our ass is not comfortable for STEEL PANTHER. So this record is, I think, a reflection of our excitement. And it's gonna be killer."
The official music video for the first single from "On The Prowl", a song called "Never Too Late (To Get Some Pussy Tonight)", can be seen below.
Zadinia previously stated about the track: "The song and video are an absolute public service announcement. People have been asking STEEL PANTHER for advice on life, love and the pursuit of happiness for decades. 'Never Too Late' is a reminder to never give up, follow your heart, realize your dreams, overcome your challenges, navigate the rough seas, reach for stars and any other cliché you have in your pocket. Basically, what we are saying it is never too late to get some pussy tonight."
In September, STEEL PANTHER announced the addition of Spyder as the band's new bassist.
"Spyder has filled in for Lexxi many times," STEEL PANTHER singer Michael Starr told the "Everblack" podcast. "He's a super-close friend of the band. We've known him for years. As a matter of fact, [STEEL PANTHER guitarist] Satchel and I were in a VAN HALEN tribute band for a while, and Spyder was the bass player in that. We have a rich history with him… He did all of Europe with us and he did a great job."
Formed in 2000, STEEL PANTHER specializes in imitating and exaggerating the less flattering aspects of 1980s hair metal, with unrepentantly crude, non-PC sexual content as a favorite lyrical theme.
The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."
Fourteen years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.
On Saturday, December 3rd, Alabama Thunderpussy reunited and took to the stage for the first time since 2007. Vocalist Kyle Thomas, guitarists Erik Larson and Ryan Lake, bassist Sam Krivanec, and drummer Bryan Cox ripped the roof off of Richmond Music Hall in the band’s hometown of Richmond, Virginia.
Fan-filmed footage of this special performance has since surfaced online:
The setlist was as follows;
"Dry Spell"
"The Cleansing"
"Void Of Harmony"
"Victory Through Defeat"
"Crying Out Loud"
"A Dreamer's Fortune"
"Motor-Ready"
"The Beggar"
"Middle Finger Salute"
"Wage Slave"
"Words Of The Dying Man"
"None Shall Return"
"Esteem Fiend"
"Greed"
"Open Fire"
"Rockin' Is Ma' Business" (The Four Horseman cover)
New, previously unreleased, re-edited enhanced drum playthrough video of late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza playing along to the band's classic song "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" can be seen below.
The HD video, shot in a five-camera-angle mix, was filmed in March 2014 at Uberbeatz Studios in Seattle, Washington and is believed to be some of the final studio drum recordings of Menza before he passed away more than two years later. The audio was mixed by Richard Easterling / KRM Studios.
The footage was supposed to be used for the late drummer's first-ever instructional DVD, "Intense Mega Drumming", that was to feature 10 re-recorded classic Megadeth drum tracks with tons of tips and tricks from Menza's arsenal to help teach anybody out there become a better player. The DVD, which was produced and directed by Kari Pearson and edited by Menza's manager, Robert Bolger, has since been shelved.
The unreleased video footage from the session will be a featured highlight in the recently announced official Menza documentary film, This Was My Life - The Story Of Nick Menza. It is described in a press release as, "An unflinching exploration into the life of one of the most successful thrash-metal drummers of all time, authorized by the Menza family. From his childhood all the way through to the end of his life, including a true blow-by-blow account of the repeated failed attempts of the classic Rust In Peace lineup."
This Was My Life will feature rare and never-before-seen photos and video footage from Nick's archived VHS tape collection, personally filmed by Menza himself from 1988 through 1991. Included will be exclusive content showcasing Nick working at the studio, personal home movies, casual time and party time with his fellow bandmembers, as well as other well-known artists of the era that Nick toured with.
This Was My Life - The Story of Nick Menza is being produced / directed and edited by Holly Mollohan from Screaming Butterfly Entertainment and expected to arrive in 2023.
David Ellefson has signed on as a co-producer of the film, and also will provide narration to guide the viewer through the exploration of the late Megadeth drummer's life.
The cover photo for the film was shot by Los Angeles music photographer Alex Solca and designed by Brazilian artwork designer Alcides Burn of Burn Artworks.
Nick rightfully earned his place as one of heavy metal's fiercest drummers during Megadeth's 10-year commercial peak. The highlight of his career, Nick said, was playing Rock In Rio before more than 100,000 people. The lowest point was being fired by Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine while he was still in a hospital bed after surgery to remove what doctors feared was a cancerous growth.
Late in the evening on May 21, 2016, Nick collapsed after suffering a heart attack during a concert with Chris Poland and Robertino "Pag" Pagliari in their band OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California and was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner said Menza died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
On November 30th, the East Coast company of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra brought The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve 2022 Tour to the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. During their set, they performed the Savatage classic "If I Go Away", taken from the Streets album, dedicating it to the memory of TSO co-founder Paul O'Neill and Savatage guitarist Criss Oliva.
Line-up:
Guitars - Chris Caffery & Joel Hoekstra
Drums- Jeff Plate
Bass - Tony Dickinson
Violin - Roddy Chong
Keyboards - Derek Wieland & Mee Eun Kim
Narrator - Bryan Hicks
Vocals - Natalya Rose, Georgia Napolitano, Erika Jerry, Gabbie Rae, Kayla Reeves, Zak Stevens, John Brink, Robin Borneman, Caleb Johnson, Russell Allen
After its first year off the road in more than two decades, TSO made a triumphant return to touring in 2021 with a 25th anniversary celebration of Christmas Eve and Other Stories. For 2022, TSO brings a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve,” to 60 cities across the nation. This year’s tour kicked off on Wednesday, November 16 with performances in Green Bay and Council Bluffs, and will conclude after 101 shows on Friday, December 30 (see full itinerary below).
Keeping with the O'Neill's vision (Paul O’Neill, and his wife Desi), TSO remains one of rock’s most charitable bands. Once again, thankfully, TSO will give at least $1 from every ticket sold to charity. To date, approximately $18 million has been donated by the group. Desi O’Neill said, “we want to thank the fans so much for the kindness they showed in coming out last year. It meant the world to our family. Moreover, the credit for any charitable donation is due to you not us. The only way we are able to help all is because of you.”
A product of the imagination of TSO’s late founder Paul O’Neill and his wife Desi, and based on TSO’s multi-platinum CD and TV special, “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve,” the rock opera features such enduring fan-favorites as "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," "O’ Come All Ye Faithful," "Good King Joy," "Christmas Canon," "Music Box Blues," "Promises To Keep," and "This Christmas Day." 2022’s tour will also boast a rousing second set containing more of TSO’s greatest hits and fan-pleasers including “Wizards In Winter,” “A Mad Russian’s Christmas,” and many more.
“It was so special to be back playing live last year. When you love something as much as we do and it's taken away, it made us super thankful to be back. I look forward to seeing all our ‘repeat offenders’ and all our new friends when we hit the road,” said TSO’s music director and lead guitarist Al Pitrelli. “I love all of Paul’s stories, but ‘The Ghosts of Christmas Eve’ is one of my favorites and can’t wait to unveil this incredibly amazing new show for everyone. We know some people may be having tough times, so we worked hard with the local promoters and arenas to have a low priced $29 ticket to do our part in helping out. God Bless all of you and see you in November and December when we celebrate in-person once again.”
For more details on tour dates and ticket sales, visit trans-siberian.com.
Remaining tour dates:
December
4 - Phoenix, AZ - Footprint Center (Matinee & Evening)
4 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena (Matinee & Evening)
7 - Austin, TX - Moody Center (Evening)
7 - Lexington, KY - Rupp Arena (Evening)
8 - Oklahoma City, OK - Paycom Center (Evening)
8 - Knoxville, TN - Thompson-Boling Arena (Evening)
9 - Little Rock, AR - Simmons Bank Arena (Evening)
9 - Greenville, SC - Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Matinee & Evening)
10 - St Louis, MO - Enterprise Center (Matinee & Evening)
10 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center (Matinee & Evening)
11 - Indianapolis, IN - Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Matinee & Evening)
11 - Atlanta, GA - Gas South Arena (Matinee & Evening)
14 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena (Evening)
14 - Raleigh, NC - PNC Arena (Evening)
15 - Birmingham, AL - BJCC (Evening)
15 - Charlottesville, VA - John Paul Jones Arena (Evening)
16 - Jacksonville, FL - VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Evening)
16 - Allentown, PA - PPL Center (Matinee & Evening)
17 - Orlando, FL - Amway Center (Matinee & Evening)
17 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena (Matinee & Evening)
18 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena (Matinee & Evening)
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center (Matinee & Evening)
21 - Chicago, IL - Allstate Arena (Matinee & Evening)
21 - Hershey, PA - Giant Center (Matinee & Evening)
22 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum (Matinee & Evening)
22 - Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center (Matinee & Evening)
23 - St Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center (Matinee & Evening)
23 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide (Matinee & Evening)
26 - Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center (Matinee & Evening)
26 - Washington, D.C. - Capital One Arena (Matinee & Evening)
27 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center (Matinee & Evening)
28 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center (Matinee & Evening)
29 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center (Matinee & Evening)
29 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena (Matinee & Evening)
30 - Cleveland, OH - Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse (Matinee & Evening)
30 - San Antonio, TX - AT&T Center (Matinee & Evening)
Since its touring debut, TSO has played more than 2,000 Winter Tour shows to approximately 18 million fans, with tour grosses of more than $725 million, and has sold more than 12 million albums and DVDs. Year-after-year TSO hits the upper reaches of the domestic and worldwide tour charts. Recently, Pollstar published its compiled touring charts for the past 40 years. TSO ranked #11 in Tickets Sold and #21 in Top Box Office Grosses. In June, Billboard placed TSO at #9 on its Mid-Year Boxscore Report, based on concerts from November 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022. Previously, TSO placed #31 on Billboard’s “Top Touring Artists of the Decade (2010s).” Additionally, at the close of the aughts, the group was ranked at #20 on Pollstar’s “Top Tour(s) of the Decade” and #25 on Billboard’s “Top Touring Artists of the Decade.”
Multi-camera fan-filmed video of PANTERA's first live performance in over 20 years, which took place last Friday (December 2) at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest, can be seen below. The show featured PANTERA's reformed lineup, consisting of surviving members Rex Brown (bass) and Philip Anselmo (vocals) along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX).
Featured songs:
Intro 00:00
* A New Level 05:13
* Mouth For War 09:42
* Strength Beyond Strength 14:05
* Becoming (with "Throes Of Rejection" outro) 18:57
* I'm Broken (with "By Demons Be Driven" outro) 23:04
* Use My Third Arm 28:50
(Duplicated Clips — Skip This) 33:48 - 47:59
* 5 Minutes Alone 48:44
* This Love 55:10
* Yesterday Don't Mean Shit 01:06:59
* Fucking Hostile 01:12:10
* Dimebag and Vinnie tribute 01:15:46
* Planet Caravan (BLACK SABBATH cover) 01:17:19
* Walk 01:23:49
* Cowboys From Hell 01:29:14
* Domination / Hollow 01:36:39
It was first reported in July that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.
The band will headline a number of other major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and stage some of their own headline concerts. They will also support METALLICA on a massive North American stadium tour in 2023 and 2024.
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn't tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It's unclear what changed his mind.
PANTERA will play one more show in Mexico this week —Monterrey Metal Fest on Tuesday (December 6) — followed by appearances at three Knotfest festivals in South America. There will also be a one-off show with JUDAS PRIEST in São Paulo, Brazil and a headlining concert in Santiago.
Regarding the criticism floating around social media about relaunching the PANTERA name more than two decades since the group played their last show, and all the chatter about it not being a true reunion without Vinnie and Dime, Benante told Metal Edge: "First off, it's not a reunion. It's a celebration of the music. If you saw the thing that went out, it was like, 'PANTERA featuring…' the four of us. Those two guys are a part of this and who else is there? Vinnie and Dime are not here, so, Philip and Rex, they were that band, too. [They] deserve to be there as much as anybody. I see the negative stuff sometimes, and I'm just like, ‘This is so ridiculous, man.' Just enjoy hearing those songs again."
Benante told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about how he planned to approach the PANTERA gig: "I can't go do this as the drummer from ANTHRAX because it would be a different sound completely. So the way I'm gonna do that is if you close your eyes, it's gonna sound like it's Vinnie, basically. And that's how it's gonna be. The sound is gonna sound exactly like him."
Wylde said that he had a similar mindset. "You approach it the same way as you do when I'm playing with Ozzy," he said. "Obviously I've gotta learn [Randy] Rhoads's stuff and I've gotta learn Jake's [E. Lee] stuff, and when I was doing the [BLACK] SABBATH stuff, you learn it and do it as faithful as you can. Charlie's gotta learn all of Vinnie's parts. You approach it as if you're in a cover band. When we do the ZAKK SABBATH stuff," referring to his BLACK SABBATH cover band, "I don't start changing lyrics midway through 'War Pigs'. You learn the songs — so that's what you do."
A year ago, Anselmo said that he was up for reuniting with Brown for a special tour celebrating the music of PANTERA. The 54-year-old singer, who has spent the past few years playing a PANTERA-centric set with his solo band, THE ILLEGALS, discussed the possibility of re-teaming with his former PANTERA bandmate during an interview with Brazil's Inside With Paulo Baron. Asked if he and Rex would be open to playing some shows in celebration of PANTERA's legacy, Anselmo said: "If Rex and I had a show to play, or we were ever gonna be on stage again together, I would welcome it with open arms. I love Rex. And he'd be the same way. We're brothers forever. So playing on stage together, or doing some shows together, is not out of the question. It could happen."
In April 2021, Rex told Eonmusic that he and Philip still get offers for a PANTERA tribute tour. "But if you don't have the other guys in the band, it's not going to sound the same," he said. "If we were ever to do something like that, it would have to be spot-on, or I wouldn't do it. It would be a tribute."
Talk about a possible PANTERA "reunion" intensified when Anselmo regularly joined Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to perform PANTERA's song "I'm Broken" during DOWN's 2014 stint on the "Revolver Golden Gods Tour". That buzz only got stronger after Brown joined the jam on May 23, 2014 when the tour swung through Texas.
Up until his passing, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.
This past July in Toronto at The Rockpile, Canadian thrashers Korrosive were opening support for legendary speed metal maniacs Exciter. During this epic show night, the band took the opportunity to capture the whole live experience for their fans. There were no corrections, overdubs, or tweaks made to the video. It is Korrosive being pure, raw, and unfiltered.
The band comments:
"We like to thank our guitarist Jack Neila for directing and editing the video. He used five cameras to capture the whole show in glorious 4K, complete with stage diving, windmilling, and a massive wall-of-death. We like to also thank Jake Disman for recording the audio directly from the soundboard, and our producer Ben Erikson (he did both our albums) for the mix. The sound is crisp, clear, and heavy. Enjoy the headbanging!"
Korrosive recently released their latest album, Toxic Apokalypse, via CDN Records (digital and CD) along with vinyl and cassette coming in 2023 (release date to be determined).
Toxic Apokalypse follows their first full-length 2021's Kaustic Hordes and the 2019 EP Melting From Within. Featuring eight assaulting bangers, each song on the album is quite different in a way from each other, and yet, still uniquely Korrosive. They push each track with speed and extremity, from “Fatal Strike” that has a ton of blast beats and solos, yet is still unmistakably thrash, to “Radioaktive Scourge”, filled with pure aggression, unlike anything they’ve released before. From its speed, the lyrics, and the sheer intensity, this song may be the shortest track on the record, but makes the largest impact and it’s over before you know it. And also strongly recommended is “Hail The Hellfire”, perhaps the band's anthem to the entire Toxic Apokalypse album. Written as a reflection of the period when the full-length was being composed, this track discusses the brutality of war and the end result of each and every individual involved in its cause, regardless of side.
The band adds:
"Diabolical, fast, unforgiving Armageddon. From slow passages, mid-tempo bangers, hyper-fast blast beats, and the occasional odd-time signature, it’s a ride in extreme thrash unlike anything before. Toxic Apokalypse is an album that will hit you hard, fast, and leave you with a 'what the f*ck just happened?' feeling."
Lyrically, the music sets the overall tone for how the lyrics are written and substance. Songs deal with topics of science fiction, Armageddon, and “what if” scenarios. The album art was created by the infamous Ed Repka (Dark Angel, Death, Hirax, Megadeth, Suicidal Angels, Venom).
"Typically, the way we write songs is to have each song done or be in the middle of the writing process, and I would create something out of that. It is rare for us that lyrics get written first before the song is made," adds Zarei.
One thing that the mosh pit can always expect from Korrosive is the energy they bring to their shows.
"I always think of a show, regardless of venue, as a performance that is meant to capture the crowd. And as a band, Korrosive always exudes that level of intensity during our shows."
Recommended for fans of Sodom, Kreator, Death, and Sepultura, Toxic Apokalypse was produced by Ben Erikson with mastering done by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Kreator, Cro-Mags, Municipal Waste, Soulfly).
Classless Act, one of rock’s most buzzed-about new bands, launches a brand new acoustic music video for the LP track, “All That We Are”. The video, which provides an all-acoustic take on the amped-up, energetic original track, was shot earlier this year, live with no overdubs, at Hollywood’s Sunset Sound, the studio where the band recorded most of its debut album, Welcome to The Show (Better Noise Music).
“All That We Are” is one of the five unplugged song/video collection, due out December 16, that also includes acoustic versions of the album’s stand-out singles, “Classless Act, “This Is For You,” Time To Bleed,” and “Storm Before The Calm.” You can check out the “All That We Are” unplugged video below.
Said vocalist Derek Day, "'All That We Are’ - is it enough for us to survive? This is a question, a concept we found ourselves asking after all we have been through over the past two and a half years. Hell, the past seven or so years. We’ve been in a wee bit of a less-than-sunny time in our history. So what are we gonna do? Grow or go? Everyone needs to decide. We’ve got a show tonight, so I know what we’re doing!"
2022 has been a true breakthrough year for Classless Act, from having their second-ever road trek be supporting Mötley Crüe and Def Leppard on 2022’s biggest tour, the $173.5M grossing Stadium Tour, receiving over-the-top reviews for their debut album and live shows in North America, breaking into international markets with feature coverage in major music publications in Italy, the UK, Brazil, Australia, Finland, Poland, France, Spain, Romania, Russia, Czech Republic, and more, and having their vocalist, Derek Day, invited to perform two songs with Foo Fighters, Tommy Lee and Nikki Sixx at the L.A. Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert.
Classless Act - vocalist Day, guitarists Dane Pieper and Griffin Tucker, bassist Franco Gravante, and drummer Chuck McKissock - is currently wrapping up 2022 with a 19-city tour comprised of support dates with Giovanni & The Hired Guns, and headline shows; upcoming dates are below.
December
2 - Destin, FL - Club LA
4 - Jacksonville, FL - Underbelly*
7 - Orlando, FL - House Of Blues
8 - Chattanooga, TN - Barrelhouse Ballroom
9 - Louisville, KY - Mercury Ballroom
10 - Johnson City, TN - Capone’s
11 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Music House*
13 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
14 - Asbury Park, NJ - Wonder Bar
16 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
17 - Harrisburg, PA - Stage On Herr
18 - Richmond, VA - The Broadberry
21 - Kansas City, MO - Lucia*
22 - Colorado Springs, CO - The Black Sheep*
30 - North Hollywood, CA - Knitting Factory*
31 - San Diego, CA - Beaumont’s*
Invictus, the solo project led by Maurizio Iacono, have released a video for "Eagles", featured on the band's debut full-length, Unstoppable, out now via MNRK Heavy.
Comments Iacono of the band’s latest video, “‘Eagles’ is one of the first songs that me and Chris Clancy wrote. It was put together during the baby stages of this band’s life, so it's an important track. The theme around it is about the military doing their duty for our country and our mistakes of not taking good care of these heroes when they get back home. Most of them need help and we just don't do enough to deliver proper care.”
The sound of Invictus resonates deeply with all those who forged themselves in the fire of life’s obstacles. Conceived as an unflinching examination of fury and determination, Invictus explores the depths of struggle, frustration, and perseverance that shaped Iacono into the man he is today.
Well-respected as the singer of Kataklysm and Ex Deo, head of Hard Impact Artist Management, founder of Distortion Music Group, and co-owner of hard-and-heavy booking agency Continental Touring, Iacono delivers dynamic new layers of heaviness and melody with his latest creative vehicle. A Latin epithet for various Roman deities, “Invictus” translates to “unconquered” or “invincible,” a theme put forward throughout Iacono’s latest output. The 11 songs that comprise Unstoppable offer an unflinching view of an unbreakable spirit, examined through the lens of ambitious, unapologetic heavy music. Iacono executed his vision alongside longtime collaborator J-F Dagenais (guitarist for Kataklysm and Ex Deo) and producer/main songwriter Chris Clancy (Mutiny Within). Powerhouse drummer Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc., Inhuman Condition) rounded out the record with a blistering performance. Iacono got to know Clancy, who often works alongside Colin Richardson and Andy Sneap, while making Kataklysm’s fourteenth album, 2020’s Unconquered.
Lyrically, the self-made, free-thinking singer reached further inward for Invictus, summoning a fearless power destined to provoke and inspire those disenfranchised by modern times. Invictus acts as armor against manipulation and disinformation from a stance more personal than political.
“It’s a record about everyday struggle because I’ve always been a fighter,” Iacono reasons. “It’s about the emotional impact of everything happening in our world, which inspired this anger in me and a need to express the importance of standing for what we know is true in our hearts. It’s a hybrid between that and revisiting things from my childhood that built me as a person.”
"You Will Know Who I Am"
"Eagles"
"Bleed Me Out"
"Exiled"
"Get Up"
"Weaponized"
"3656"
"Ghost Of My Father"
"Darkest Of Enemies"
"American Outcast"
"Keeping The Wolves At Bay"
PANTERA has just taken the stage at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest. The show, which marks the band's first live performance in over 20 years, features PANTERA's reformed lineup, consisting of surviving members Rex Brown (bass) and Philip Anselmo (vocals) along with guitarist Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX).
The first video and photos of the concert can be found below. More footage and pictures will be added as the night progresses.
Setlist:
01. A New Level
02. Mouth For War
03. Strength Beyond Strength
04. Becoming
05. I'm Broken
06. Use My Third Arm
07. Drag The Waters
08. This Love
09. Yesterday Don't Mean Shit
10. Fucking Hostile
11. Planet Caravan (BLACK SABBATH cover)
12. 5 Minutes Alone
13. Cowboys From Hell
14. Domination / Hollow
15. Walk
It was first reported in July that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.
The band will headline a number of other major festivals across North America, South America and Europe and stage some of their own headline concerts. They will also support METALLICA on a massive North American stadium tour in 2023 and 2024.
According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn't tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It's unclear what changed his mind.
PANTERA is playing two shows in Mexico this month — Hell & Heaven Metal Fest and Monterrey Metal Fest — followed by appearances at three Knotfest festivals in South America. There will also be a one-off show with JUDAS PRIEST in São Paulo, Brazil and a headlining concert in Santiago.
Earlier this week, Benante told Metal Edge: "The first show with PANTERA is going to be kinda nerve-wracking. I'm probably gonna need a couple of drinks to be honest with you, to kinda settle me down… I need to get that first PANTERA show under the belt."
Asked if he's looking forward to any performing any particular PANTERA tracks, Benante said": "I enjoy each one of them. When I look down at the list, I'm like, 'Oh, I like this song,' that type of thing. There's two odd songs in there too that I don't think they played, consistently, throughout [their] sets. Those are the two songs I enjoy playing the most, I think."
Regarding the criticism floating around social media about relaunching the PANTERA name more than two decades since the group played their last show, and all the chatter about it not being a true reunion without Vinnie and Dime, Benante said: "First off, it's not a reunion. It's a celebration of the music. If you saw the thing that went out, it was like, 'PANTERA featuring…' the four of us. Those two guys are a part of this and who else is there? Vinnie and Dime are not here, so, Philip and Rex, they were that band, too. [They] deserve to be there as much as anybody. I see the negative stuff sometimes, and I'm just like, ‘This is so ridiculous, man.' Just enjoy hearing those songs again."
Benante told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about how he plans to approach the PANTERA gig: "I can't go do this as the drummer from ANTHRAX because it would be a different sound completely. So the way I'm gonna do that is if you close your eyes, it's gonna sound like it's Vinnie, basically. And that's how it's gonna be. The sound is gonna sound exactly like him."
Wylde said that he had a similar mindset. "You approach it the same way as you do when I'm playing with Ozzy," he said. "Obviously I've gotta learn [Randy] Rhoads's stuff and I've gotta learn Jake's [E. Lee] stuff, and when I was doing the [BLACK] SABBATH stuff, you learn it and do it as faithful as you can. Charlie's gotta learn all of Vinnie's parts. You approach it as if you're in a cover band. When we do the ZAKK SABBATH stuff," referring to his BLACK SABBATH cover band, "I don't start changing lyrics midway through 'War Pigs'. You learn the songs — so that's what you do."
A year ago, Anselmo said that he was up for reuniting with Brown for a special tour celebrating the music of PANTERA. The 54-year-old singer, who has spent the past few years playing a PANTERA-centric set with his solo band, THE ILLEGALS, discussed the possibility of re-teaming with his former PANTERA bandmate during an interview with Brazil's Inside With Paulo Baron. Asked if he and Rex would be open to playing some shows in celebration of PANTERA's legacy, Anselmo said: "If Rex and I had a show to play, or we were ever gonna be on stage again together, I would welcome it with open arms. I love Rex. And he'd be the same way. We're brothers forever. So playing on stage together, or doing some shows together, is not out of the question. It could happen."
In April 2021, Rex told Eonmusic that he and Philip still get offers for a PANTERA tribute tour. "But if you don't have the other guys in the band, it's not going to sound the same," he said. "If we were ever to do something like that, it would have to be spot-on, or I wouldn't do it. It would be a tribute."
Talk about a possible PANTERA "reunion" intensified when Anselmo regularly joined Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY to perform PANTERA's song "I'm Broken" during DOWN's 2014 stint on the "Revolver Golden Gods Tour". That buzz only got stronger after Brown joined the jam on May 23, 2014 when the tour swung through Texas.
Up until his passing, Vinnie remained on non-speaking terms with Anselmo, whom the drummer indirectly blamed for Dimebag's death.
Vinnie Paul and Dimebag co-founded PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, they formed DAMAGEPLAN. On December 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by a troubled schizophrenic who believed that the members of PANTERA were stealing his thoughts.
Watch out Mariah Carey! Better Noise Music artist, Tempt, have released an infectious Christmas single covering multi-platinum recording artist Billy Squier’s classic, “Christmas Is The Time To say I Love You”. The band’s performance is uplifting and joyous and truly captures the Christmas spirit. It’s the perfect song for rock fans to celebrate the holidays with. Squier originally wrote the song for an MTV Christmas promo featuring the original VJs.
“We want to put rock and roll back into everyone’s Christmas playlist and this gem of a song does that. It captures the Christmas spirit in a sincere, emotional yet fun way and doing it with the band gave it the right vibe and energy”, said Tempt lead guitarist Harrison Marcello. “We all get an overdose of Mariah Carey during the holidays but there is no rock song that gives you the emotional lift in the same way unless you’re singing along with Noddy and the Slade guys in the UK. We think that this is the song to change that.”
Marcello who is Squier’s godson had heard the song sung during family holiday gatherings and never forgot the feelings of love and connection that the song gave everyone. Squier was blown away when he heard the band’s version, “These Tempt guys obviously know a good song when they hear one...and they can play it, too! I love their arrangement and recording. Now Christmas is the time to crank up your sound system - or pop in your ear buds - so you can blast this from the roof-tops.”
The video for the song was shot on location in NYC during the 2021 Christmas season. Tempt lead singer Zach Allen described the process, “This song makes people smile and we wanted to not only celebrate the season but also to celebrate our hometown of NYC and the spirit and energy of the city coming back from COVID. We shot this run and gun style at many iconic locations including, Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, Fifth Avenue, Hudson Yards, and Radio City Music Hall. You can’t keep New York down and we’re so excited that this is finally going to get released.”
The band also had a special guest appearance by Saturday Night Live ace drummer, Shawn Pelton. “We have to give a shout out to Shawn Pelton who played drums on the track, said Marcello, Nicholas, our drummer, was stuck in Canada on a COVID lockdown and we were really lucky to have Shawn sit in with us to do the track. He’s a great player with incredible feel. There is one spot in my solo where he catches a run with a drum fill. It’s just amazing. We’re all really excited to share this release and holiday cheer with our fans all over the world. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”
The band is planning acoustic holiday sing-along performances at children’s hospitals and programs for underserved children in the New York City area.
Australian hard rock outfit Mammoth Mammoth have released new double A-side singles "Sittin Pretty" (Live) and "Love Gun" (Live) via Golden Robot Records.
The release of this double A-side marks the first release for the band since 2019 and the introduction to their upcoming live album, Warts n' All, due out in 2023. As the album title suggests, the live performance on this record captures what the band refers to as "100% balls to the wall, Australian, lose your car keys rock n’ roll."
2023 will be a big year for the band with "Sittin' Pretty / Love Gun" being released on a limited edition 7" vinyl and Warts n' All being released as a 12". Watch this space.
Stream or purchase "Sittin' Pretty / Love Gun" here.
Mammoth Mammoth hail from the Black Spur Forest of Victoria, Australia and proudly represent the freight-train power of Australian born and bred rock n’ roll. They describe their sound as “more awesome than God’s tits” and “patented good-time murder fuzz”.
Formed in 2007, by guitarist Ben “Cuz” Couzens, bassist Gareth “Gash” Sweet, drummer Frank “Bones” Trobbiani and front man Mikey Tucker, the band spent three years working the pubs of Australia and released their first two albums (a self-titled EP and LP Volume II - Mammoth) on their own label Golden Triangle Records and embarked on multiple Australian tours including runs with Airbourne and Kyuss’s John Garcia.
In 2011 the band was banned from iconic Melbourne live venue The Tote after singer Mikey launched himself head-first through a 6ft glass window after he became frustrated that some punters were outside missing the show. The rest of the band played on unaware Tucker had gone through the window. He returned to the stage covered in blood and completed the set before being taken to hospital. Gash then left the group citing drug issues (he couldn’t get enough drugs) and was replaced by Pete Bell, cementing the classic Mammoth Mammoth line-up.
In 2012, Mammoth Mammoth caught the attention of Austrian label, Napalm Records and over the next nine years released five albums and spent much of their time on the road in Europe where they have built a loyal following of fans.
The band has shared stages with Hellyeah, Black Label Society, Rose Tattoo, Sleep, Electric Wizard and played Melbourne’s famous Cherry Rock Festival in AC/DC Lane a record four times.
As the global pandemic ground live music to a halt, the band posted this message on their social media in August 2020, “F@#k you Corona virus! While the world is afraid of blood, sweat and beers, Mammoth Mammoth simply cannot exist. We’re outta here!”
After a year underground, Mikey, Cuz, Bones and Pete have reunited and signed to Golden Robot Records to release their long-awaited live album dropping in 2023.
It's been over three years since Quebec City's The Flaying presented their brutal aural assault of death metal to a worldwide stage with the release of their award-winning sophomore album Angry, Undead (Metal Album of The Year GAMIQ awards / Gala alternatif de la musique indépendante du Québec) released during March 2019 via PRC Music. Working with Christian Donaldson of Cryptopsy at The Grid in Montreal, QC, the album is pure mayhem for their fastest and most brutal debauchery to date. The concept of Angry, Undead is an intricate one with each of the eight songs falling under a distinct axis: Chaos (social manifestations); Madness (individual manifestations); and Void (existential manifestations). It is brutal, instinctive, unique, and wicked, and is recommended for fans of Cryptopsy, Archspire, Suffocation, and Deicide.
To close the chapter on this full length, the band is unveiling their music video created by Emile Roy and Fred Roy of Methlab Massacre Media for the record's title track via Slam Worldwide.
The band adds about the video:
"This video has been created by Methlab Massacre Media with a budget of approximately 13$ + gas! We gave them our absolute blessing to create a video for this great anthem song that is 'Angry, Undead'. The guys had a wicked storyboard in mind so we were happy to team up with these great artists. Behold their offering."
The Flaying will be hitting the studio in 2023 to begin work on their follow-up album along with announcements on upcoming show dates in the coming new year.
Tracklist:
"Ouverture Écarlate (The Very Art of Flaying)"
"Disloqué"
"Place du Parvis"
"Genuflect"
"Egocentric Predicament"
"Elegy of Emptiness"
"La Valse du Scorpion"
"Angry, Unleashed"
"Angry, Undead"
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut album from Philadelphia's ultraviolent assassins, The Crippler. I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In will be released December 23 on CD and digital formats along with merch. Watch the band's video for the track "Human Offals" below.
The Crippler consists of current and former members of Eat The Turnbuckle, Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza, Brutal Truth and Total Fucking Destruction. Below is the official description:
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome The Crippler to the roster with the debut album I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In! Hailing from Killadelphia, The Crippler feature current and former members of Eat The Turnbuckle, Bad Luck 13 Riot Extravaganza, Brutal Truth and Total Fucking Destruction. I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In features 13 tracks of forceful, distasteful, aggressive, audible strong armed robbery... grindcore, punk, death and thrash metal with a side of beat down hardcore. This powerful debut album from The Crippler is loaded with a choice of multiple stab wounds in a dark alleyway or your wallet. Literally all killer and no filler! For fans of Blood Duster, Deicide, The Exploited, Phobia and Repulsion.
Tracklisting:
"I'm Just Gonna Let Myself In"
"Mangled Bodies"
"I Don't Want To Hurt You, I Just Want To Kill You"
"I Keep Hearing Noises In Your Basement"
"Suicide By Cop"
"Human Offals"
"Stabbing People"
"Let's See What's In Those Pockets"
"I Have A House Full Of Guns"
"21 Nails"
"Where's My Fucking Money"
"Orgy Of Violence"
"Rabies Is A Killer" (Agony Bag cover)
Frontiers Music Srl announces T3nors, a very special new AOR project. Two of America’s greatest AOR singers, Robbie LaBlanc and Toby Hitchcock join forces with one of Sweden’s finest AOR singers, Kent Hilli to form the vocal trio of T3nors. These absolutely outstanding vocalists have come together on one glorious melodic rock album, Naked Soul, which will be released on February 10.
A single and video, "April Rain" is out today. Watch the video below. A second single, "Strength To Carry On" is also out now. Listen below. Pre-order/save Naked Soul here.
The story behind this record actually dates back quite a few years as Frontiers has been wanting to do a “three tenors” type of record for quite some time. Given the extremely high level of AOR vocal talent that the label has worked with in the past and continues to work with today, the idea never really lost steam. The issue was always finding the right pairing of three singers and the timing for the individual singers to have availability in their schedules to record. With the onset of the global pandemic in 2020, everyone's availability, for better or for worse, became more flexible and the idea started to become reality.
Pairing Robbie, Toby, and Kent together seemed an ideal team up and all three were enthusiastic about the idea when approached to participate. The rest, as they say, is history.
Kent Hilli is the newest of the three singers on the scene, but has quickly made an impact with the albums he has released with his main band Perfect Plan, as well as being the new frontman for Giant, solo material, and guest appearances with Restless Spirits, the melodic rock project from Lords Of Black guitarist Tony Hernando.
Toby Hitchcock is an American singer known for his solo albums as well as his work with the esteemed melodic rock genius Jim Peterik in Pride Of Lions.
Robbie LaBlanc is an American singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his work with Blanc Faces, Find Me, a project with The Murder Of My Sweet drummer/producer Daniel Flores, East Temple Avenue, and more.
If you are a lover of all things AOR, the T3nors' debut album is a can't miss release.
Naked Soul tracklisting:
"April Rain"
"Naked Soul"
"Nights"
"Time Is Coming"
"Silent Cries"
"Torn"
"I Could"
"Mother Love"
"Set Fire To The Rain"
"Stand For Love"
"Strength To Carry On"
"April Rain" (Robbie’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)
"I Could" (Toby’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)
"Strength To Carry On" (Kent’s Version) (Bonus Track Digital)
"April Rain" video:
"Strength To Carry On":
Lineup:
Robbie LaBlanc - vocals
Toby Hitchcock - vocals
Kent Hilli - vocals
Francesco Savino - guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - bass, additional keyboards, guitars, and backing vocals
Jacopo Martignoni - drums
- Produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino
Those Damn Crows wear their heart on their sleeves with the release of their deeply personal and moving new single, "This Time I'm Ready". The song lays bare intense feelings around loss and grief, in the group's most revealing and vulnerable track yet, while losing none of the rock heft they're renowned for.
The single forms the midpoint on their upcoming, latest studio album, Inhale/Exhale, which is set for release worldwide on February 17 via Earache Records. "This Time I'm Ready" is released today and available now on all streaming platforms.
Frontman Shane Greenhall shares, "'This Time I’m Ready' is a song about a one way conversation I have with my Dad. He’s been gone 11 years now but as anyone who’s ever lost and grieved somebody close, you never stop talking to them as they were (and will continue to be) a huge part in your life. I think the whole grieving process can be both mentally and emotionally brutal, with long lasting effects. Everyone deals with pain and grief differently, I believe it’s made me stronger and genuinely given me more incentive and desire to go do the things I want to do... ‘This time I’m ready, light the fire in me."
The official video was filmed and directed by Nathan Roach (Coal Poet Media) with additional filming by Shaun Hodson of Loki Films. Watch the evocative video below.
Shane continues, "In the music video, myself, Lloyd, Dave, and Ronnie show our own personal stories and individual truths dealing with the loss and grief of our loved ones. For me… I believe that if I hadn’t experienced real loss in my life when I did, I’m not really sure if I would’ve been consciously capable of living my best life now. You don’t imagine what life would be like without a certain someone in it, but when it happens… then!… then you realize just how much we take for granted. Trauma will change you; grief will give you a perspective like nothing else, relentlessly force-feeding you the conflicting reminder of just how brutal, yet beautiful, life can be."
For support with or more information on bereavement, you can access a useful list of resources on the Mind website here.
Inhale/Exhale is available for pre-order worldwide now at earache.com/thosedamncrows on an immense number of formats including: a collector's edition bundle (which will house a burnt orange and black splatter vinyl with alternate fire carousel cover, exclusive to this edition); limited edition coloured vinyl with an exclusive 12-page booklet (clear with black smoke, purple, yellow), plus blue and white splatter vinyl with alternate blue sky carousel cover; signed CD with exclusive 12-page booklet and alternate fire carousel cover; a cassette collection of the band's full discography; USB; and digital download. HMV carry two more exclusive formats: CD with alternate blue sky carousel cover and black vinyl with alternate fire carousel cover. A green vinyl format exclusive to indie stores is also available.
Inhale/Exhale tracklisting:
"Fill The Void"
"Takedown"
"Man On Fire"
"Wake Up (Sleepwalker)"
"This Time I'm Ready"
"I Am"
"See You Again"
"Lay It All On Me"
"Find A Way"
"Waiting For Me"
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