Professionally filmed video footage of JUDAS PRIEST performing the song "Living After Midnight" on August 15, 2021 at the Bloodstock Open Air festival, which took place at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom, can be seen below.
The British heavy metal legends, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary, were rejoined by guitarist Glenn Tipton during their first concert in more than two years. The band also pulled out a number of surprises in its set, including first-ever performances of "One Shot At Glory" and "Invader", as well as several tracks that hadn't been played in a long time, such as "Rocka Rolla (performed for the first time since 1976), "Exciter" (first time since 2005), "Hell Patrol" (first time since 2009), "A Touch Of Evil" (first time since 2005), "Dissident Aggressor" (first time since 2009) and "Blood Red Skies" (first time since 2012).
Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's eight years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of JUDAS PRIEST's latest studio album, "Firepower". He was replaced by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.
As he has done a number of other times over the course of the last three and a half years, Tipton joined PRIEST onstage on Bloodstock for the encore, performing "Metal Gods", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".
PRIEST singer Rob Halford recently told Metal Pilgrim that Glenn is "still actively involved with JUDAS PRIEST, a hundred percent. Andy is still standing in that spot for Glenn with Glenn's blessing… And my gratitude to Andy. It couldn't have happened in a better way, if you wanna try and make something good out of it. It was a really important day when Glenn said, 'I think it's probably best if I step to the side and maybe we should let Andy come in.' That was just a really beautiful act of selflessness. That's Glenn treasuring PRIEST and PRIEST's reputation, particularly in live concert more than anything else. So bless Glenn for that. And as a result, Andy stepped in and did amazing work on the 'Firepower' tour, and we're looking forward to doing the same thing with him on this 50th-anniversary [tour]. And don't discount the fact that Glenn can show up. He plays the guitar differently, but there's no reason why Glenn can't show up and do some work. I mean, I've said to Glenn, 'Just walk out on stage and do that to everybody [flashes devil horns], and the people will just go fucking crazy, 'cause you are loved so much.' But I've got a feeling that Glenn's gonna be making the occasional appearance on this 50th-anniversary [tour]."
Bassist Ian Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Founding guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Richie Faulkner.
Last November, JUDAS PRIEST announced the rescheduled "50 Heavy Metal Years" North American tour dates for March-April 2022. Support on the trek will come from QUEENSRŸCHE.
SLIPKNOT has released an official performance video for the single "The Chapeltown Rag", which is available on all streaming platforms.
The M. Shawn "Clown" Crahan-directed visual frames the visceral experience of the band's unparalleled live performance. True to form, heavy music's generational ambassadors in SLIPKNOT set the community ablaze late last year with the launch of a brand new offensive packaged with cryptic fanfare.
Within the span of about a week's time, the band methodically disseminated veiled messaging from the then unreleased music, fueling speculation that their plan of attack was imminent.
Launching an all-out blitz, "The Chapeltown Rag" surfaced as SLIPKNOT's first showing of new material since "We Are Not Your Kind" and emphatically punctuated a monumental 2021 — a year that included the band's triumphant live return following the unprecedented stall in the wake of a historic pandemic.
Thematically, the song utilized the true crime lore of the Yorkshire Ripper and the ensuing mania of the media during the murderous spree to draw parallels to the current social climate of the online era. From Corey Taylor's tortured howl, "When everything is God online, nothing is" a loaded statement can be deduced about modern day misinformation and the kind of divisiveness that mares the digital age.
The intensity of the track was underscored when SLIPKNOT opted to debut "The Chapeltown Rag" ceremoniously to a capacity audience just days later during the band's historic showing at Knotfest Los Angeles at Banc of California Stadium. A sight to behold, the collective delivered a relentless rendition of the track in a performance that illuminated the L.A. skyline and further cemented the band as the undisputed champions of heavy culture.
Documenting the vehemence and volatility that has become synonymous with the band's live experience, the latest SLIPKNOT music video boasts a collection of "Knotfest Roadshow" 2021 live tour footage featuring "The Chapeltown Rag".
The clip captures the contrasting pageantry and pummel synonymous with SLIPKNOT in the flesh, while framing the significance of live music's return led by one its most powerful innovators.
Last month, SLIPKNOT announced the 2022 iteration of its infamous "Knotfest Roadshow" tour. The trek will take place over two legs, both headlined by SLIPKNOT. The first leg will feature special guests IN THIS MOMENT and JINJER. The second leg will feature special guests CYPRESS HILL and HO99O9.
The first leg of the 38-date tour, produced by Live Nation, kicks off in Fargo, North Dakota on Wednesday, March 16 and hits a further 17 cities before wrapping up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Sunday, April 17. The second leg kicks off on Wednesday, May 18 in University Park, Pennsylvania and hits a further 17 cites before culminating on Sunday, June 18 in Chula Vista, California.
"Knotfest Roadshow" 2022 will be part of Live Nation's Live Stubs initiative which provides digital collectible NFT ticket stubs to ticket holders. Live Stubs will automatically be included with tickets purchased for the tour. Fans will also be able to view, share, gift, trade, and resell their live stubs on LiveNation.com.
Finnish cello rockers APOCALYPTICA have released a performance video of their collaboration with Ismo Alanko on a reworked version of the song "Peltirumpu", a track originally written and recorded by Alanko's former band SIELUN VELJET.
In a statement accompanying the release of the song, APOCALYPTICA said: "This is a big one for us! By being part of Laulu Rakkaudelle (Secret Song Suomi) on MTV, we were recently able to collaborate with the Finnish rock legend Ismo Alanko on a recreation of his legendary track 'Peltirumpu'.
"It was really an honor to get to work on this with a guy who has spearheaded Finnish rock since the 70s! The track itself has a slow build before turning into a bonafide Finnish rocker!"
In May 2018, Robert Trujillo and Kirk Hammett played a cover version of the song "Rappiolla", originally written and recorded by Alanko's '80s band HASSISEN KONE, during METALLICA's concert at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland.
Last April, APOCALYPTICA released the official music video for its collaboration with PAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix on a cover version of the CREAM classic "White Room". The track was produced by Howard Benson at West Valley Recording Studios in Woodland Hills, California and mixed by Chris Lorde-Alge.
"White Room" was the first release from APOCALYPTICA since "Talk To Me", which arrived in August 2020. That song was a collaboration with HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale.
APOCALYPTICA's latest studio album, "Cell-0", came out in January 2020. The effort was the band's first fully instrumental record in 17 years.
Swedish progressive rock outfit, Jonas Lindberg & The Other Side, will release their new album, Miles From Nowhere, this Friday, February 18, via InsideOutMusic. Watch an unboxing video below:
Led by multi-instrumentalist and composer Jonas Lindberg, the new album consists of seven songs which spans the full range of the progressive rock landscape - from the soaring ”Summer Queen” (led by Jenny Storm), to the folksy instrumental ”Astral Journey” to the closing title track; a sprawling 25 minute epic which features none other than Roine Stolt Pale Rider (The Flower Kings, Transatlantic) on lead guitar.
Miles From Nowhere is available for pre-order here on CD, Gatefold 2LP+CD & as Digital Album.
Tracklisting:
"Secret Motive Man"
"Little Man"
"Summer Queen"
"Oceans Of Time"
"Astral Journey"
"Why I’m Here"
"Miles From Nowhere"
PT I - Overture
PT II - Don’t Walk Away
PT III - I Don’t Know Where You Are
PT IV - Memories
PT V - Miles From Nowhere
Redemption is the second full-length album from Switzerland's Rage Of Light. It's also the first release featuring the new singer, Martyna Halas, who replaced Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum). It was unleashed on December 8th, 2021.
Check out the oficial video for their new single, "Beyond".
The new album showcases the band's new synergy with a heavier, more mature sound. It digs deep into the internal battles that torment nearly everyone in the digital age, yet with a refreshing ray of hope. Check out the official video for their new single "Breaking Infinity" below.
Redemption was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Vladimir Cochet (Conatus Studios).
Tracklist:
"Iciness"
"2.0"
"Crusade for the Sun"
"Lead the Riot"
"Chasing a Reflection"
"Exploder"
"Breaking Infinity"
"Aspiration"
"Beyond"
"Breaking Infinity"
Line-up:
Lead vocals: Martyna Halas
Synthesizers and vocals: Jonathan Pellet
Guitars and bass: Noé Schüpbach
Melbourne, Florida-based brutal deathcore outfit, Bodysnatcher, has issued a video for "E.D.A.", which can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's new album, Bleed-Abide, set to hit store shelves on April 22nd.
"E.D.A."'s complex structure and dark subject matter complement its untethered aggression, while also showcasing more progressive and refined writing. The track’s breakdown highlights vocalist Kyle Medina’s most brutal performance to date, a crushing example of why Bodysnatcher is bearing deathcore’s torch.
“'E.D.A.' Is a song about the feelings I dealt with from the passing of my mom," says guitarist Kyle Carter. "It talks about how I felt robbed and that I didn’t even know the real person she was, because I was only 12 when she died. It talks about how it feels like her death has defined who I am in so many ways, but I don’t even remember her fully. It’s a tough subject for me even still and it’s very frustrating and confusing. I feel very strongly about this song and I hope it helps anyone who might feel a similar way.”
“Bleed-Abide is the ultimate culmination of what the band has been building for years and I believe the best material to date,” says vocalist Kyle Medina. “The instrumentals have matured and become heavier hitting more than ever, and the lyrics dig deeper personally and are more relatable than This Heavy Void.”
Bleed-Abide artwork and tracklisting:
"Bleed"
"Abide"
"Absolved Of The Strings And Stone"
"Smashed Perception"
"Flatline"
"Glass Prison"
"Value Through Suffering"
"Chaos"
"E.D.A."
"Wired For Destruction"
"Hollow Shell"
"Behind The Crowd"
"The Question"
Pre-order the limited edition vinyl, merch, and more at bleed-abide.com.
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian was joined by his 10-year-old son Revel Young Ian on drums as they performed a rendition of the KORN classic "Here To Stay" for an Instagram video which Scott shared on Thursday (February 17).
Scott captioned the clip: "HERE TO STAY – you're goddamned right! Another crusher of a RIFF to jam in the garage."
Scott previously shared videos of him and Revel performing the SEPULTURA songs "Roots Bloody Roots" and "Territory", as well as the SYSTEM OF A DOWN classic "Bounce".
Revel is apparently a gifted multi-instrumentalist who joined the FOO FIGHTERS on stage in September 2019 at the Bourbon & Beyond festival in Louisville, Kentucky to perform "Everlong" on guitar when he was just eight years old.
Back in 2014, Ian told Horns Up Rocks that his then-three-old son was a big fan of METALLICA, THE BEATLES and AC/DC and that he could already tell the difference between Bon Scott's voice and that of Brian Johnson.
"He knows a lot of the stuff that he hears or sees in the house," Scott said at the time. "But what's really cool is that he actually recognizes and knows the difference between Bon Scott and Brian Johnson, which is pretty cool, I think, for an almost three-year-old. Anytime AC/DC is on, he'll go, 'That's Bon singing.' And then when it's not Bon, he'll say, 'That's not Bon singing.' He knows. That's pretty cool, I think."
Asked whether metal musicians should be parents, Ian said it was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He added: "I think you have to take that on a case-by-case basis. I couldn't say enough about having a child; I think it's the greatest thing ever in the whole world. But I do think that there are a lot of people on this planet, not necessarily metal musicians, that shouldn't be parents."
After a five-year wait for new music, Ruby The Hatchet are premiering the track “1000 Years” from their new EP Live At Earthquaker, their first outing for Magnetic Eye Records. The three-track set is scheduled for release on April 22, with pre-sales commencing today.
Live At Earthquaker features early organic and raw versions of two brand-new songs recorded entirely live at EarthQuaker Devices headquarters in Akron, Ohio during the band's US tour with Kadavar, with the cherry on top being the physical format debut of their raucous version of Uriah Heep's ‘70s anthem 'Easy Livin’'. The EP's two new songs will reappear in fully-produced recordings on the New Jersey riff-rockers' new studio album that has been announced for 2022.
The video clip for “1000 Years” was recorded live and produced at EarthQuaker Devices and is streaming below. Find preorders here.
Ruby The Hatchet comment: "Our first foray with Magnetic Eye Records is going to be a major ear-tease, showcasing an in-studio live session recorded at Earthquaker Headquarters of two new songs from our upcoming studio full-length", says singer Jillian Taylor. "We had been road-dogging for a few years straight and felt very much in the pocket. As we tested out new material throughout the tour, these two songs were fan favorites every night. 'Primitive Man' is an in-the-pocket groover that everyone gets to riff on. '1,000 Years' is an emotionally long-winding melodic ballad that had me sharing tears with strangers in the crowd as we closed our set with it each night. Jeff France and the Earthquaker crew captured us at the height of our tour tightness, and we love that these songs were captured live with footage from EQ and exist in their own realm, apart from their studio versions which came a year later. Oddly enough, our cover of 'Easy Livin'' was also tracked live and without computers, so it only felt right for it to make a vinyl debut along with our other raw cuts. This live session deserved a special release of its own, and we cannot wait to get it out and build some excitement for what's to come on our new album."
Guitarist Thomas Zwijsen has released a new video, featuring an acoustic performance of Helloween's "Where The Rain Grows". The song, written by Andi Deris and Michael Weikath, is featured on Helloween's 1994 album, Master Of The Rings.
Former Overkill drummer, Sid Falck, has released more new music under his own name, Falck. The new single, "Screams" is available on Bandcamp and Distrokid, and is/will be available on all other streaming platforms and sites, such as Apple Music, Amazon Music,
Facebook Music, Instagram Music, once added to the Falck catalog, by above mentioned sites. A video for the song can be found below.
Explains Sid: “This new adventure has definitely taken me completely out of my comfort zone. Just me, no one to bail me out when/if my ideas are garbage. On one hand, it can be a little intimidating, but on the other hand, it’s also a lot of fun. And I am not just surprised, but definitely grateful for the open mindedness of people, who has accepted these new songs. Though I absolutely write and record strictly for my own enjoyment, of course we all want people to like what we create as well. Though had people told me it sucks, I’d still be doing exactly what I’m doing.”
"Screams" was recorded and mixed by Sid at No Gain, No Pain Studio, and it was mastered by Maor Applebaum, at Maor Applebaum Mastering, California, USA.
Fan-filmed video of SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE performing the VAN HALEN classics "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" live this past Saturday, February 12 as part of Hagar's 2022 "Sammy Hagar & Friends" residency at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod can be seen below. Handling lead vocals on the David Lee Roth-era VH songs was THE CIRCLE's Michael Anthony, who was also a member of VAN HALEN's classic lineup.
In a 2014 interview with the "Lamont And Tonelli Show", which airs on the Bay Area rock station 107.7 The Bone, Anthony was told by the radio hosts that he is such a great lead singer in his own right that he could probably front his own band. "Yeah, you know, but I don't need that kind of pressure on me," he responded. "Lead singers, they're their own breed."
He added: "It wasn't until the fourth or fifth VAN HALEN record that people would go, 'Wow! You're singing backgrounds on those records. That's not David Lee Roth.' And I go, 'Hell, no! That's not David Lee Roth.'"
Asked which classic VAN HALEN song he would pick to sing lead vocals on, if he had to choose one, Anthony said: "Ahh…. Oh my God… I sang 'Somebody Get Me A Doctor'. That actually goes over quite well. But I don't know… Man, I'd sing any of 'em. I could sing any of that crap. C'mon! I can sing it all. [Laughs]"
Back in 2013, VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth spoke to Rolling Stone magazine about the touchy subject of Anthony potentially replacing then-VAN HALEN bassist — and Eddie Van Halen's son — Wolfgang Van Halen. He said: "Ed has his own vision, I'm assuming. We haven't really been able to speak about it and it's a disappointment, just as not having a chance for a reunion of the original band. Clearly, vocals are every bit as much a component of success as a rhythm section or a guitar solo… What we have at our fingertips is arguably one of the greatest high tenor voices ever — that was in Michael Anthony. In our tiny little corner of the universe, that voice is as identifiable as the high voice in EARTH, WIND & FIRE, as identifiable as the high voice in the BEACH BOYS. VAN HALEN is an indelicate house blend of both — that's intentionally."
In October 2011, Sammy Hagar accused VAN HALEN of using tapes of backing vocals originally done by Anthony on its 2007/2008 reunion tour, for which Anthony was replaced by Wolfgang. Hagar told Attention Deficit Delirium, "Those vocal harmonies on the last tour were Mike on tape. Mike should've reamed them for it. Wolfie don't sing like that, and Ed sure as hell don't. Go on the Internet and listen to Ed's voice live from the reunion with me. Hear him sing on 'When It's Love' and some of those songs. Ed can't sing, and his voice is shot if he can, from cigarettes and booze anyway."
Anthony and Hagar both last played with VAN HALEN on a 2004 reunion tour that ended acrimoniously. Both later claimed that Anthony was booted from VAN HALEN for maintaining a friendship and working relationship with Hagar.
A few years ago, Hagar told The Pulse Of Radio that he thinks VAN HALEN made a grave mistake leaving Anthony out of the reunion tour with Roth. "Anyone in their right mind would know if you're gonna get Roth back finally. after all these abortions they've had, you get Mikey and you do the reunion tour, what the world really was waiting for. Not just fuck it up again. It's almost like they don't care about their fans. They just want to badger them until — see how much they'll take."
Swiss melodic metal outfit Soulline will release its new album, Screaming Eyes, on March 11 via Massacre Records. Pre-orders can be placed at this location.
Today, Soulline presents the official video for "Against Myself", the second single from Screaming Eyes. Marco, guitarist of the band, declares: "With 'Against Myself', the story of our common hero continues, and after a period of discouragement, he gets up again. The desire for revenge is very strong, but it is also very easy to fall back into the abyss. It only takes a second to erase all efforts. The song is a dark and powerful reflection on the eternal struggle between angel and demon: 'Do I give up or do I fight back?'."
Screaming Eyes artwork and tracklisting:
"Your Death (Is My Life)"
"Screaming Eyes"
"Salvation Inside"
"Dragonfly"
"Against Myself"
"Say Just Words" (Paradise Lost cover)
"The Child I Was"
"Stay With You"
"Keep My Last Song"
"The Curse" (bonus track)
"Truth Will Out" (bonus track)
New York's Sanhedrin has issued a guitar playthrough video for "Correction", the first single from their upcoming Metal Blade Records album, Lights On, set for worldwide release on March 4. Watch below:
The Brooklyn power trio do metal the old school way, channeling the greats that preceded them to create something that is instantly familiar, yet with a new, modern energy to it. On this particular track, vocalist / bassist Erica Stoltz explains, "The pandemic put the unbridled excess of humanity on hold. The reference was a play on the term 'correction' as used in economics. The comparison is between the slow roll of global death by virus and other man-made instantaneous destructors like atomic bombs."
Rounded out by Jeremy Sosville on guitars, and drummer Nathan Honor, the band states, "In a time where the world around you feels like it's aflame, when our heavy metal heroes are beginning to disappear to failing health or changing social norms, we, Sanhedrin, stand here as a shining light through the dark. We are prepared to fly the flag of heavy metal in these trying and uncertain times and have only begun to show the world what we are capable of."
Lights On can be pre-ordered in the following formats at this location.
- jewelcase-CD
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- pale blue grey marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- clear ochre brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- orange red brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- deep violet marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- clear gray brown marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
Tracklisting:
"Correction"
"Lights On"
"Lost At Sea"
"Change Takes Forever"
"Code Blue"
"Scythian Women"
"Hero's End"
"Death Is A Door"
"Correction":
Sanhedrin is slated for festival appearances across Europe and the US this year, with full-fledged tours in the works on both sides of the Atlantic. Details of confirmed concerts can be found here.
Swedish prog-rock legends, The Flower Kings, return with the latest full-length offering in their 25-year history, By Royal Decree, out on March 4 via InsideOut Music. Order the album here, and watch a video for the third single, "Revolution", below.
Lead singer and guitarist Roine Stolt comments: “The songs on the new double album come from a whole lot of different places in time and space, often a combination of themes gathered from older ideas born before The Flower Kings emerged in 1994, mixed with brand new ideas. 'Revolution’ is that kind of a song; a mini epic that is reflecting a number of themes spanning this album, cinematic and sometimes bombastic. A celebration of creation and the evolution, making the world what it is, through the million years of fire, brimstone, ice ages, floods, devastation, pain and finally… beauty, colors, flowers, the vast oceans of life and new life out of the darkness & raging volcanos. The miracle! The song is yet another piece of the larger scale composition that is By Royal Decree - a sort of modern 2022 Rock Opera if you will. A landmark album from this band that we’re all incredibly proud of!”
"Revolution" also features a guest appearance from Jonas Lindberg, who plays bass on this track.
The group’s third studio record since introducing drummer Mirko DeMaio and keyboardist Zach Kamins into the lineup is a vintage affair in many respects. With virtually no touring to endeavour upon for the last two years, the band was free to focus on recording new material, as well as reviewing things left on the cutting room floor from previous sessions.
Roine Stolt elaborates on going into the way back machine for the new record, saying, “It was great to dig into that old treasure island of 'forgotten TFK music before TFK ever existed’ and re-connecting made me realize why and what The Flower Kings are. This album is a journey through my history as a writer and my ‘middle age’ saga reflecting on that.”
Another significant change is that founding member Michael Stolt returns after more than two decades to contribute bass and vocals, splitting duties with current bassist Jonas Reingold.
Available on Limited 2CD Digipal, Limited 180g 3LP+2CD Box-set & as Digital Album.
Tracklisting:
Disc 1
"The Great Pretender"
"World Gone Crazy"
"Blinded"
"A Million Stars"
"The Soldier"
"The Darkness In You"
"We Can Make It Work"
"Peacock On Parade"
"Revolution"
Disc 2
"Time The Great Healer"
"Letter"
"Evolution"
"Silent Ways"
"Moth"
"The Big Funk"
"Open Your Heart"
"Shrine"
"Funeral Pyres"
Respected Danish hard rock singer/songwriter, Ronnie Atkins of Pretty Maids, has released a video for the title track of his upcoming studio album, Make It Count, out March 18. Watch the video below, and pre-order/save Make It Count on CD/LP/Digital here.
The electrifying melodic hard rock masterpiece Make It Count will be released almost one year to the day after the release of Atkins' last solo album, the critically acclaimed One Shot. Rather than hyperbole from the record label, we'll let Ronnie tell the story of Make It Count in his own words....
"Me and my great team of musicians followed exactly the same procedure as we did with One Shot, since I still feel a bit like I am racing against time because of my diagnosis. So, I basically sent my songs to Chris [Laney, producer], who would then work on a demo. When we were satisfied with the arrangements, I would then record the vocals and then the individual musicians laid down their tracks. I already had quite a few ideas from when One Shot was released back in March 2021 and continued writing on and off through the spring and summer of 2021. The album was then recorded between April and October 2021," explains Atkins.
"Let me also state that I felt pretty good during the whole process, at least physically. And this time, I had the chance to actually meet with some of the musicians in-person because the Covid-19 restrictions were not as tough as they were back in 2020 when we recorded the last album," adds Atkins.
As for the music, Ronnie says, "Once again it was quite an easy going process!! Some of the songs were written on piano and some of them on guitar. I write the way I write, which means that the melodies and toplines are the first priority. If I feel I got a good song with the right chord structure and a strong melody that sticks in my head, then I know I’m on to something good and from there it can only get better. And that’s when I send it on to Chris Laney, who then listens to it with a new set of ears and comes back with his input about the arrangement and additional little bits and pieces. As said, it is an easy going process since we’re on the same page and that’s a great way of collaborating. Style wise, it’s basically just melodic pop/rock songs, so to speak, that we turn into something suitable for those who followed me all those years. To me, a good song is a good song and then it’s a matter of how you wrap it up."
He continues, "Finally, the great thing about doing this is that I don’t have to argue with anyone whether it’s too pop or too lightweight, etc. I do what I do, 'cause that’s what I like and I’m my own boss for these solo albums and therefore, also the only one to take responsibility if it doesn’t live up to people's expectations. But, this is what I wanna do at this stage of my life and I think I’m convinced that “Make It Count“ is a great melodic rock album and I hope the fans won’t be disappointed."
As to the lyrical themes on the album, Ronnie says, "The lyrics are always the hardest part of an album from my perspective!! It’s way easier for me to write a song than a lyric, to be honest. But of course it varies. Sometimes you already have the title and the topic when you’re writing the song and at other times you’re just out of ideas. This time, it was tough at times since my health issues are somehow in my subconsciousness 24/7. No matter what I do, I’m being confronted with it everyday one way or the other. So, some of the songs are touching on this issue of course, can’t help it. That said, I’m also trying to give it a positive twist, meaning that we just have to get the best out of life and love the one we’re with while we’re here. It’s just impossible to write about sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll or whatever living with a life threatening disease and a dagger hangin' above your head!!! Or it is for me, at least! So, bottom line, I guess the lyrical content on this album is partly about the aforementioned topics, the climate, and in general, topics that make sense to everyone without being political."
Since the start of his rock 'n roll journey with Pretty Maids, Ronnie Atkins has consistently gifted fans with quality, melodic rock and Make It Count delivers again in spades.
Tracklisting:
"I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)"
"Unsung Heroes"
"Rising Tide"
"Remain To Remind Me"
"The Tracks We Leave Behind"
"All I Ask Of You"
"Grace"
"Let Love Lead The Way"
"Blood Cries Out"
"Easier To Leave (Than Being Left Behind)"
"Fallen"
"Make It Count"
"Make It Count" video:
"Rising Tide" video:
"Unsung Heroes" video:
Lineup:
Ronnie Atkins: Lead and backing vocals
Chris Laney: Rhythm & Lead guitar, keyboards
Allan Sørensen: Drums
Pontus Egberg: Bass
Morten Sandager: Keyboards
Linnéa Vikström Egg: Backing vocals
John Berg: Guitars
Oliver Hartmann: Guitars
Pontus Norgren: Guitars
Anders Ringman: Acoustic guitars
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