New York death metal veterans IMMOLATION will release their new album, "Acts Of God", on February 18, 2022 via Nuclear Blast.
With five long years passed since "Atonement", "Acts Of God" showcases IMMOLATION's ability to consistently create fascinating sounds while still keeping its feet firmly rooted in the old-school New York death metal for which it is renowned.
The official music video for the first single from "Acts Of God", a song called "Apostle", produced, directed, and edited by the band's own Robert Vigna, can be seen below.
IMMOLATION vocalist/ bassist Ross Dolan comments: "After five long years, we are very excited to finally announce the arrival of our 11th full-length album, 'Acts Of God', on February 18th, 2022!
"This time around, we have 15 tracks of some of the darkest and most haunting IMMOLATION material to date!
"For the first single, we chose the song 'Apostle' because it's a very dark song that offers the listener all the elements of the IMMOLATION sound. It's a heavy and explosive track that ebbs and flows from start to finish, with dark and creepy soundscapes and extreme bursts of dark energy that will take the listener on a dark journey that is just a small glimpse of what the album has to offer. Enjoy!"
"Acts Of God" saw the return of longtime friend and recording counterpart Paul Orofino of Millbrook Studios while final touches were brought about on the mixing and mastering by Zack Ohren of Castle Ultimate Studios. For the cover artwork, the band enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the haunting new masterpiece that featured the muted colors and ethereal images that are hallmarks for IMMOLATION's artwork. The artwork pieces inside the booklet were created by Santiago Jaramillo of Triple Seis Design.
Today sees the release of the animated video for "Proper Jack Froster", the latest single from Big Big Train, taken from the forthcoming Welcome To The Planet album. "Proper Jack Froster" is based on a story from Gregory Spawton's childhood in the Midlands in the UK in the 1970s.
Work on the video by Swedish animator Love Andreas Gson Fagerstedt began before the untimely, tragic passing of Big Big Train’s singer David Longdon on November 20. David's partner and the band have decided that the video should still be released to help to promote the forthcoming album to the fullest extent possible.
Watch the video below:
Big Big Train’s March 2022 UK tour will now not take place; ticket holders should contact their point of purchase for information on refunds. Prior to David’s death the band had been on the verge of announcing a North American tour consisting of over 20 shows in May and June 2022. This projected North American tour will also not be taking place.
The band will be making an announcement next year about its future, including regarding the September 2022 shows that are scheduled to take place in the UK. Ticket holders for these September shows are encouraged to retain their tickets for the time being pending that further announcement. No further comment will be made about the band’s future before next year.
The release of Welcome To The Planet will continue on January 28, six months after the band’s Top 40 album, Common Ground
The new album sees Big Big Train retain their progressive roots but also take influence from all spheres of music. The four recent singles "Proper Jack Froster", "Made Of Sunshine", "The Connection Plan" and "Lanterna" are also included along with keyboard player Carly Bryant's first Big Big Train writing credit and lead vocal on the captivating title track.
Tracklisting:
Part One
"Made From Sunshine"
"The Connection Plan"
"Lanterna"
"Capitoline Venus"
"A Room With No Ceiling"
Part Two
"Proper Jack Froster"
"Bats In The Belfry"
"Oak And Stone"
"Welcome To The Planet"
Black River, the Polish blackened rock ‘n’ roll band, have signed a worldwide (ex. Poland) deal with Crusader Records (part of the Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group). Black River features Tomasz 'Orion' Wróblewski (Behemoth) and Dariusz 'Daray' Brzozowski (Dimmu Borgir) and they are joined by Piotr 'Kay' Wtulich and Artur 'Art' Kempa (Guitars) and vocalist Maciej Taff. Black River are set to release their new album Generation aXe in early 2021.
The band has released a new single, "Crossover Love". Check out the official video below.
Black River is another music band export product from Poland. The band consists of musicians from bands such as Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Vesania, Rootwater and Neolithic. Playing mean rock/metal with each new release the band gains a lot of new fans. They debuted in 2008 with the album Black River, which gained a lot of positive reviews and firmly established the band's position on the market, and not just in Poland.
After the success with their first album, they entered the studio once again in 2009 and the world saw another album entitled Black 'N' Roll. The album was released all over the world and received only positive reviews that brought the band to ever wider waters. Unfortunately, at that moment, the singer's health problems stopped Black River's activities for several years. They came back with a big bang in 2019 with their new album Humanoid and proved that they still know how one should use instruments to play Metal, the music that flows in their veins. Their music is a true and unbridled tribute to the tradition of heavy playing, on which Black River musicians grew up. Playing live concerts is their true strength where the band's professionalism and skills puts them at the top of the performers in its genre.2020 brings their new product Generation aXe that will get to know the world thanks to cooperation with Golden Robot Records.
Vocalist Maciej Taff about Generation aXe: "... one night I woke up very F***ing angry and couldn't sleep anymore, I realised that the level of this absurdity that surrounds us has exceeded all boundaries, that it is already unbearable, that this is not a world where we, our families and friends want to live. Half the world is starving, 70% of the population of known species have died out in the last 50 years, in many places there is nothing to breathe and the so-called civilisation does not deal with anything other than earning money at all costs. We met together and it was clear we all had the same anger, the same disagreement, the same fucking anger. We decided to express it in our music, to record a 3-4-track EP, vomit all this venom. We met for the first time during the rehearsal, we started talking, playing and ... after 2 weeks we were already in the studio, instead of 3 songs we wrote 11 without calculation, in full anger. I thought when we recorded it, it would "pass".... it hasn't passed...!"
Black River are:
Dariusz 'Daray' Brzozowski (drums)
Tomasz 'Orion' Wróblewski (bass)
Artur 'Art' Kempa (guitar)
Piotr 'Kay' Wtulich (guitar)
Maciej Taff (vocals)
Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD will release their new studio album, "Synchro Anarchy", on February 11, 2022 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2018's "The Wake" was produced by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio and features cover artwork created by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin.
The first single from "Synchro Anarchy", a song called "Planet Eaters", can be streamed below.
Langevin comments: "We are eager to present our latest work, a real collaborative effort. The new album represents countless hours of writing, demoing, recording, mixing and so on. The band and Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio gave their very best to make it happen under unusual circumstances, which led us to call it 'Synchro Anarchy'. We feel that the sound and music are 100% VOIVOD, and we hope everyone will enjoy it as much as we had fun making it. We certainly can't wait to play it live."
"Synchro Anarchy" track listing:
01. Paranormalium
02. Synchro Anarchy
03. Planet Eaters
04. Mind Clock
05. Sleeves Off
06. Holographic Thinking
07. The World Today
08. Quest For Nothing
09. Memory Failure
Seven months ago, VOIVOD guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain told The Metal Voice that he and his bandmates were "still in the writing process" for follow-up to 2018's "The Wake". He said: "We're still sharing files and trying to catch up and put more time into it. I think the situation will get better and maybe we'll have a chance to meet more often and jam together; that's where the magic happens, usually. But we've learned to work in this context as well. And that's cool, because I received a bunch of tracks from Away [drummer Michel Langevin], who is programming drums in Logic [audio software] with his computer, and it sounded exactly like Away's playing. I was super impressed, because sometimes when you use a computer, it kind of sounds square. But everything was perfect. So it's really fun to do. It's a different way. So it's gonna bring it different ideas, I think, if we welcome it in a creative way."
Regarding the musical direction of the new VOIVOD material, Mongrain said: "[It's] hard to tell at the moment, but personally, I feel like [injecting] a little bit more thrashy [elements and] some dirtiness, so to speak, to the sound. Compexity has always been part of my influence in songwriting — I don't know what's the problem with me, but it's always there, so I'm not worrying about that side. But maybe [make it] a bit less polished and more rock and roll, I guess."
VOIVOD released a new live album, "Lost Machine - Live", in November 2020 via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for "The Wake".
In the summer of 2020, VOIVOD released a new three-track 12-inch vinyl and digital EP titled "The End Of Dormancy" via Century Media Records. The EP is centered around a special "Metal Section" version of the title track (off VOIVOD's latest album, "The Wake") with added trumpets, saxophone and trombones. The complementary songs on this release are exclusive live versions of "The End Of Dormancy (Metal Section)" and the group's classic "The Unknown Knows", recorded at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019.
"The End Of Dormancy" EP came with artwork by Langevin and is available on 180-fram 12-inch vinyl.
EYE OF MELIAN is the brainchild of Dutch songwriter and producer Martijn Westerholt, known for DELAIN and WITHIN TEMPTATION. As the main songwriter of the metal band DELAIN, Martijn wanted an outlet to create lush orchestral fantasy music. In 2017, he teamed up with American lyricist Robin La Joy, a life-long fantasy enthusiast who spends much of her time immersed in books, particularly the works of Tolkien. Their mutual passion for fantasy-inspired music led them to the creation of EYE OF MELIAN.
EYE OF MELIAN's ethereal and symphonic music has been described as movie score-like — unfolding epic and elegant storyscapes in the listener's mind. Successful Finnish solo artist Johanna Kurkela's angelic voice quickens the fantasy to full life. She is also known for her work in AURI, ALTAMULLAN ROAD and her husband Tuomas Holopainen's (NIGHTWISH) album "Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge". Also contributing to the project is Finnish orchestral arranger and producer Mikko P. Mustonen who has worked on many successful releases in various genres. It is his incredible talent in classical arranging that adds the final magical touch to the music.
The EYE OF MELIAN crew — Martijn the heartbeat, Robin the soul, Johanna the voice, and Mikko the skeleton — aim to craft music which takes the listener away to sojourn dreamy landscapes and otherworldly realms. Their debut album is expected to be released in 2022, with the first single now available for streaming below. Guest musicians on EYE OF MELIAN's debut album include multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley (NIGHTWISH, AURI) on pipes and flutes and Celtic metal artist Leah with her signature ethereal vocals.
EYE OF MELIAN said: "We are EYE OF MELIAN, comprised of a Fellowship of four different people from three different countries — The Netherlands, United States, and Finland. All four of us are life-long, nerdy fantasy fans and share a passion for ethereal and symphonic music. So we have had an incredibly exciting experience setting out on this journey to create fantasy-inspired music to share with all you kindred spirits out there.
"In the meantime… here are some facts about us: We are independent music (no record label is calling the shots) and because of this, we rely heavily on people sharing our music with others (hint, hint); our music is crafted to sound like it came right out of a fantasy movie score; our lyrics contain poetic fantasy/Tolkien-type themes (though not ALWAYS direct Tolkien references…there are definitely some though!"
After recently postponing their planned Too Mean To Die Tour to January / February 2023, Accept is celebrating Wolf Hoffmann's birthday today (December 10th) and his present to you is a live version of "Overnight Sensation". Check it out below.
Accept were getting ready to rock Europe together with their many loyal fans from January 15 on. But now the virus-related circumstances still do not allow it. Against all expectations and hopes the Metal Teutons have to postpone their planned Too Mean To Die Tour to January/February 2023.
“As much as we want to, the current Covid situation just doesn’t allow us to go forward with this 2022 tour“, explained Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. “It’s a super tough call, but we have no choice but to postpone once again. We wanted to play this tour badly. We had a killer setlist prepared with lots of new songs from the Too Mean to Die album. I’m very sorry for the fans and of course everybody in the band is very disappointed. But hey, life goes on… Please stay safe, stay metal and stay “too mean to die"! We’ll see you soonest!”
Promoter Gerald Wilkes of Continental Concerts added: “The Accept tour was planned through a total of 16 countries with very different regional infection situations, which are currently changing very quickly and therefore are incalculable for all involved. The legal requirements vary from country to country - even often from city to city. It all looked so promising a few months ago, but the situation right now simply doesn't allow it! The tour is confirmed for 2023 and tickets remain valid.”
The 2023 tour schedule is as follows:
January
14 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
15 - Brussels, Belgium - La Madeleine
17 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
18 - Paris, France - Bataclan
20 - Pamplona, Spain - Totem
21 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
22 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 1
24 - Toulouse, France - Bikini
25 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur
27 - Zürich, Switzerland - Komplex
28 - Telfs, Austria - Rathaussaal
29 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
31 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Hala Euronics
February
1 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
3 - Tallinn, Estonia - Helitehas
4 - Helsinki, Finland - House Of Culture
5 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahuone
7 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset
8 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
10 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Tradgarn
11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega
12 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin
14 - Berlin, Germany - Huxley’s
16 - Ulm, Germany - Ratiopharm Arena
17 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle
18 - Filderstadt, Germany - FILharmonie
19 - Geiselwind, Germany- Eventzentrum
21 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
22 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
24 - Moscow, Russia - Glavclub
25 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Cosmonaut
27 - Kiev, Ukraine - Stereoplaza
Toxpack are an institution. For 20 years, the Berliners have been blasting the purest streetcore out into the republic, playing countless shows from the most borderline hellhole to the country's mightiest festival stages, from the toughest asphalt to high up in the charts. Two decades of pure dedication - doing their own thing, going their own path and grabbing more and more followers along the way.
After releasing “Bastarde für alle Zeit”, Toxpack continue to show that they don’t mince words on ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT (out January 28 via Napalm Records). Packed with doubt, frustration and energy, they critique divine powers on their new single, “Ozean voll Scheiße”.
The single offers another powerful taste of what to expect from their upcoming album, ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT. Watch the video for “Ozean voll Scheiße” below:
ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is a flare of expulsion - anger, hate and despair, raw and unfiltered. It's the tone Toxpack has been setting for 20 years. They can't do and they don't want anything else: from the streets for the street.
ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is also a gift to all old and new fans. Toxpack is 20 years of streetcore, force, intensity and unconditional honesty, felt by many. The connection between band and fans is unique - and ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is the energy boost for everything that is yet to come.
Guitarist and lyricist Tommi Tox about the new album: "All the energy, perseverance, what we have experienced and the constant will to always give everything, simply everything that has accumulated over the past 20 years, inevitably comes together on this album and that has to be sent to this world. We probably couldn't have given ourselves a better birthday present."
Varying in select territories, ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT will be released digitally and via CD, as a bundle with T-shirt as well as a 2-CD bundle with flag and exclusive demos, in black as well as limited yellow-black vinyl (100 pieces worldwide) and as an impressive earbook with 60 pages + hand-numbered autograph card. ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT belongs in every collection of punk rock, hard rock and metal fans, and friends of German-language rock.
"Gekommen um zu bleiben"
"ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT"
"Wecke den Kampfgeist"
"Ozean voll Scheiße"
"Bastarde für alle Zeit"
"Totgeglaubt, doch neugeboren"
"Kopf durch die Wand"
"Zusammen einsam"
"Letzte Warnung"
"Noch einmal so wie früher"
"Schweinehund"
"Wehe, wenn wir losgelassen"
"Nur für Dich"
"Wir kommen wieder irgendwann"
"Himmelwärts"
"Bastarde für alle Zeit" video:
Toxpack are:
Schulle - vocals
Tommi Tox - lead guitar, backing vocals
Erik - guitar, backing vocals
Stephan - bass
Zoppel - drums
CROWBAR will release its new album, "Zero And Below", on March 4, 2022 via MNRK Heavy (formerly eOne Music). The LP's first single, "Chemical Godz", can be streamed below.
Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, "Zero And Below" is reverently old school, counterbalanced by a resonant melodicism that's stunningly mature. Songs like "Chemical Godz", "Bleeding From Every Hole" and "It's Always Worth The Gain" demonstrate what CROWBAR does better than any other band: powerful, evocative, and crushingly heavy music. Celebrating a recent 30th anniversary, CROWBAR is led by one of the most beloved figures in heavy metal, riff overlord Kirk Windstein, whose menacing bellow and smooth drawl put resilient, unrepentant strength behind even the most somber odes to suffering.
Comments Windstein: "We are all so excited to release the song and video for 'Chemical Godz'! It's been nearly two years since the album was completed. It was such a sad time for so many people going through the COVID-19 epidemic and we felt it wasn't a good time to release any new material. Get ready because the heavy is coming! We hope y'all enjoy the song and video. Stay safe out there!"
CROWBAR songs are unapologetic emotional outpourings, with a bare-knuckle resolve alongside its soul-searching vulnerability, reliably delivered with crushing heaviness. "Zero And Below", which cements the band's dense catalog as exactly one dozen studio albums deep, is the most unforgivably doomy CROWBAR record since the group's landmark 1998 effort "Odd Fellows Rest".
"Zero And Below" track listing:
01. The Fear That Binds You
02. Her Evil Is Sacred
03. Confess To Nothing
04. Chemical Godz
05. Denial Of The Truth
06. Bleeding From Every Hole
07. It's Always Worth The Gain
08. Crush Negativity
09. Reanimating A Lie
10. Zero And Below
A year and a half ago, Windstein told the "Does It Doom?" podcast that he was really happy with the band's then-just-completed new album. "It's really a killer record — I love it," he said. "It's got a lot of [guitar] harmonies and it's got a lot more doomy riffs. We only had one proper fast song — one of our more upbeat, hardcore-type, MOTÖRHEAD speed, I call it, type tunes; we've only got one like that. Out of all 10 tracks, besides that one tune, there's only maybe two other fast, what I would consider fast, songs on the whole record. So it's kind of a throwback but a modern, more mature touch on it."
He continued: "We're all super, super happy with the way it came out. The production's amazing, again from Duane Simoneaux. The guitar tone's amazing. The songs themselves are great; I'm really happy. It's really one of the only CROWBAR records that I'm really happy with everything — every riff, I'm happy with the tones, with the production, with the lyrics, with the way I sang; the whole nine yards. So I'm really just loving it, to be honest — I really am."
Earlier in 2020, Windstein told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show that he got "a lot of help" from guitarist Matt Brunson and bassist Shane Wesley during the songwriting process for CROWBAR's new album.
CROWBAR's last LP, "The Serpent Only Lies", was released in 2016 via eOne.
Windstein issued his debut solo album, "Dream In Motion", in January 2020.
“The Lighthouse Pathetic” is the new single and video, from upcoming seventh album of Italian melodic heavy metal band Mastercastle. The video has been released by Morbid Vision. Audio work made by Pier Gonella.
The release date of The Lighthouse Pathetic is scheduled on January 10, 2022. Various special guests joined Mastercastle in this new album, such as Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, Angra), Flegias (Necrodeath, Cadaveria), Andrea De Paoli (Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), Mattia Stancioiu (Athlantis, ex-Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), Alessandro Bissa (ex-Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), and Francesco La Rosa (Extrema).
Tracklisting:
“Who Cares For The Moon” (feat. Fabio Lione)
“The Lighthouse Pathetic”
“That’s All”
“Rosso Profondo”
“Call Your Wings” (feat. Fabio Lione)
“Monster Whispers”
“Diamonds”
“Fantastic Planet”
“Space”
“Fast As A Shark” (Accept cover feat. Flegias)
“Princess Of Love” (Demo 2008)
JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford makes an appearance in the music video for the song "Push Comes To Shove" from the rock supergroup BAD PENNY, which features former QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS bassist Danny Miranda, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT drummer Jules Radino and guitar virtuoso/songwriter Mike Holtzman. BAD PENNY's previous releases feature former JOURNEY lead singer Steve Augeri and QUEENSRŸCHE vocalist Todd La Torre.
Halford took time prior to rehearsals for JUDAS PRIEST's most recent tour to drop the vocals to "Push Comes To Shove", a metallic, Arabic-tinged track featuring a syncopated guitar-drum battery. The track has just been released and can be streamed below.
"This song just grabbed me," Halford said. "It's mysterious, dark, and sexy." New York-based metal singer Militia Vox, who has been dubbed one of the greatest female rock vocalists of her generation, rounds out a powerhouse duet.
"Danny and I came up with the music and melody for this one," said Holtzman. "We knew we had something special… these exotic world-music elements, the inner dialogue, the heavy groove…it just needed extraordinary voices to bring it home. We are thrilled Rob and Militia agreed to sing it. They absolutely killed it."
After scoring radio hits with their debut singles, the bluesy rocker "Voices In My Head" (sung by La Torre) and the power ballad "Lose Myself" (sung by Augeri), BAD PENNY took a turn towards classic metal with "The Mirror Lies", again featuring La Torre on vocals. "Push Comes To Shove" delves further into dark and heavy territory.
"The object of this band is to tap into sounds and genres we love, and not to pigeon-hole ourselves as this-or-that," said Holtzman. "We want to keep ourselves and our listeners surprised and challenged. There are a few more cool twists and turns ahead."
FOO FIGHTERS brought backstage guest Gene Simmons out on stage during their December 4 show at Park MGM's Dolby Live theater in Las Vegas.
After FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl called out a fan near the front who bore a resemblance to the KISS bassist/vocalist, Dave addressed the real Simmons, standing off stage right. Simmons, wearing a face mask, walked out and waved to the crowd and apparently handed Grohl a bill as a token of his gratitude.
Simmons mentioned his appreciation for the FOO FIGHTERS during an interview a year ago with Gulf News. While doubling down on his claim that the rock genre was "finally dead," he said: "Rock is dead. And that's because new bands haven't taken the time to create glamor, excitement and epic stuff. I mean, FOO FIGHTERS is a terrific band, but that's a 20-year-old band."
Back in 2014, Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley told Rolling Stone that he was also a FOO FIGHTERS fan. It's funny, there were times that I would hear music on the radio — just something great — and not know who it was and very often it was FOO FIGHTERS. It's incredible to think of somebody coming out from behind the drums [with NIRVANA] with such a full concept as Dave has had and create music. I mean, the first FOO FIGHTERS album, that's just Dave. So the template and everything he's been working from is bigger than anyone expected from the guy who was just viewed as the drummer of NIRVANA."
Earlier this week, Grohl and producer Greg Kurstin wrapped up the eight-part second year of their "Hanukkah Sessions" series with a rendition of KISS's "Rock And Roll All Nite". For the accompanying video, Grohl and Kurstin painted their faces in full KISS makeup.
A few years ago, Grohl told The Pulse Of Radio how he got to know Stanley outside of the music business. "I see Paul Stanley every morning at drop-off 'cause our kids go to school with each other," Dave said at the time. "Paul is not only a great dude, but a great dad. He's there at 7:30 every morning with his kid and it's the greatest — I mean, it's inspiring. Like, of course, I love KISS and I'm inspired by him as a musician, but when I see him being, like, a dude — being a dad — it's like, that's the coolest thing in the world to me."
PRETTY MAIDS singer Ronnie Atkins, who is battling stage four cancer, will release his new studio album, "Make It Count", on March 18 via Frontiers Music Srl. The music video for the LP's first single, "Unsung Heroes", can be seen below.
"Make It Count" will arrive almost one year to the day after the release of Atkins's last solo album, the critically acclaimed "One Shot".
Atkins stated: "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
"Let me also state that I felt pretty good during the whole process, at least physically," he continued. "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."
As for the songwriting process, Ronnie said: "Once again, it was quite an easygoing 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 easygoing 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 continued: "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 said: "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 every day 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."
Recording lineup:
Ronnie Atkins: Lead And Backing Vocals
Chris Laney: Rhythm And 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
Track listing:
01. I've Hurt Myself (By Hurting You)
02. Unsung Heroes
03. Rising Tide
04. Remain To Remind Me
05. The Tracks We Leave Behind
06. All I Ask Of You
07. Grace
08. Let Love Lead The Way
09. Blood Cries Out
10. Easier To Leave (Than Being Left Behind)
11. Fallen
12. Make It Count
The 57-year-old Atkins was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019 and underwent at least 33 radiation and four chemotherapy treatments in the fall of that year before being declared cancer-free. In October 2020, he announced that his cancer had returned.
In a 2013 interview with Myglobalmind, Atkins joked that the secret to keeping his voice in shape was "twenty cigarettes a day and little drink now and then."
Formed in early 1982 by Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer, PRETTY MAIDS' third album, 1987's "Future World", is still today regarded as a "classic."
During the ensuing years, PRETTY MAIDS continued to release albums usually followed by European and Japanese tours.
PRETTY MAIDS' latest album, "Undress Your Madness", came out in November 2019 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Heavy metallers, Spirits Of Fire, have announced their return with new vocalist Fabio Lione (Angra, ex-Rhapsody Of Fire), who joins original members Chris Caffery, Steve DiGiorgio, and Mark Zonder on their second album, Embrace The Unknown. The album will land on February 18.
Produced by Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere, Archon Angel, Sweet Oblivion), Embrace The Unknown sees Spirits Of Fire picking up where they left off on their debut, with Caffery's skillful songwriting and fiery fretwork leading the charge. A new single and video, "A Second Chance" is out today.
Watch the video below, and pre-order/save Embrace The Unknown on CD/LP/Digital here.
Heavy metal supergroup Spirits of Fire first formed in 2017, released their first single in late 2018, and unleashed their debut album in February 2019. Originally formed by Chris Caffery (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Steve DiGiorgio (Testament, Death, etc.), Mark Zonder (ex-Fates Warning, Warlord) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (ex-Judas Priest), the band's self-titled debut was met with fan and critical praise upon its release. As it approaches two years since the release of their debut, Spirits of Fire are now set to return with a new album, Embrace The Unknown that sees renowned Italian metal vocalist Fabio Lione taking over frontman duties for the band. Production this time comes courtesy of Aldo Lonobile, whose recent work on releases by Archon Angel featuring Zak Stevens, Sweet Oblivion featuring Geoff Tate, and his own band, Secret Sphere, makes him the perfect fit for the band.
Once again, the band worked on a set of songs that were primarily put together by Caffery, with Lione and Lonobile adding their own touches to Caffery's stellar songs. The final result sees a killer musical output that continues in the vein of “classic Priest meets Savatage” sound that the band has pursued since their formation. With Caffery's renowned guitar playing, the undeniable power of the rhythm section of Di Giorgio and Zonder, and the world class vocals of Lione, Embrace The Unknown sees Spirits Of Fire pushing their sonic stamp further and further. From the biting riffage of the charging "Embrace The Unknown", the band is firing on all cylinders and prepared to appease the heavy metal gods.
Spirits Of Fire are built to deliver classic in-your-face heavy metal and they have accomplished that goal on every level on Embrace The Unknown. From Lione's soaring vocals, to Caffery’s guitar pyrotechnics, to the propulsive and crushing rhythms of Di Giorgio and Zonder, the performances are stellar from beginning to end. There is no shortage of memorable, metal hymns to raise your fist and bang your head to on this all killer, no filler metal journey.
Tracklisting:
"A Second Chance"
"Resurrection"
"Wildest Dreams"
"Into The Mirror"
"Embrace The Unknown"
"My Confession"
"Sea Of Change"
"Shapes Of A Fragile Mind"
"Hearts In The Sand"
"House Of Pain"
"Remember My Name"
"Out In The Rain"
"A Second Chance" video:
Lineup:
Fabio Lione - Vocals
Christopher Caffery - Guitars
Steve Di Giorgio - Bass
Mark Zonder - Drums
Finnish heavy metal band Midnight Bullet is set to release their fourth studio album, Hostile Resistance, on March 4th 2022 via Inverse Records. "Rain On Me" is a first track from the upcoming album and sets the pace right from the first hits. The song represents exactly the straightforward energy that band wanted to bring back to the new record as well.
Check out the official video below.
Frontman Tuomas Lahti: "So awesome to put out new song for our friends out there! This song is about social media and how people are desperately trying to reach attention. Sometimes this kind of acting isn’t healthy and this can detach you from reality. Social media can be very useful tool for marketing and reaching out fans or friends, but unfortunately sometimes it’s very easy to see how people are posting pictures only because they want to have some attention. People sometimes use social media just because they want to pose or beg attention."
Tracklist:
"Rain on Me"
"Hostile Resistance"
"Paranoia Obsession"
"Wait and See"
"Rise and Fall"
"Dead Redemption"
"Take Me Away"
"Enemy Number One"
"Last Escape"
"Angel of Babylon"
Phill Rocker has released a new video for “Keep On Riding” featuring Richard Fortus on lead and rhythm guitars, James Lomenzo on bass, Brian Tichy on drums, and Alessandro Del Vecchio on piano and keyboards. The track was produced by Phill Rocker with pre-production and lead vocals recorded at Dynamix Studio by Ricardo Fernandes, mixed and mastered by Ronnie Björnström.
Phill Rocker is a singer/ songwriter/ musician and solo artist.
His debut album Hard To Bleed was released on January 29, 2015. The album is full of great musicians and hard rock references, featuring the following special guest musicians:
Guitarist Doug Aldrich, bassist James Lomenzo, drummer Brian Tichy, guitarist Richard Fortus, keyboardist, pianist and percussionist Dizzy Reed, singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, drummer Dusty Watson, Ricardo Fernandes, Gonçalo Pereira, Rui Rocha, Nuno Correia, Mario Percudani, Miguel Aguiar and João Paulo Aça.
The album was written and produced by Phill Rocker, co-produced by Ricardo Fernandes and Swedish producer Tobias Lindell. Mixed by Tobias Lindell and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson.
Belgium’s Wiegedood release their new track and music video for “FN SCAR 16” today via Century Media Records. Watch the video, which was created by Jaak De Digitale, below.
“The SCAR (Special Operations Forces Combat Assault Rifle) is a family of gas-operated (short-stroke gas piston) automatic rifles developed by Belgian manufacturer FN Herstal (FN) in 2004. This family of rifles consist of two main types. The SCAR-L, for "light", is chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and the SCAR-H, for "heavy", is chambered in 7.62×51mm NATO. Both are available in Close Quarters Combat (CQC), Standard (STD), and Long Barrel (LB) variants,” states Wiegedood.
Wiegedood about the new album: "There’s Always Blood At The End Of The Road focuses on the filthiest and most disgusting parts of human nature and society. It steers clear from the typical Black Metal themes and concepts, instead zoning in on the struggle we lead within, trying to overcome the fact we are all made from that same filth. Exploring places the previous trilogy didn’t even scratch the surface of, both lyrically and musically. A first-hand look into pure disgust, a psychotic ride with synths, tape-recorders, hot club jazz and distressing samples. A definite switch from our previous work, a dark turn into something unexpected and unwelcome.”
Being dedicated road dogs, the band will embark on a European tour following the release of the album. The first part will be supported by Portrayal Of Guilt.
Swedish/Canadian/American melodic death metallers ARCH ENEMY have released another new song, "House Of Mirrors". Mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, an accompanying music video for the track — directed by Grupa13 — will premiere at 9:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET today.
Guitarist Michael Amott comments: "Musically, this is an idea that has been bouncing around in my head for a while, and finally it got finished. It all started with the guitar motif that kicks off the track, which naturally leads to the galloping '80s-metal feel of the verses. As is always the case with us, we had quite a few different arrangements and demos of this song until it was, dare I say, fuckin' perfect!"
Frontwoman Alissa White-Gluz adds: "'House Of Mirrors' is a song that twists its way into the human psyche. I wrote the lyrics during a dark time of strict, dystopian lockdown, and I think people will be able to relate to that feeling of being totally alone — but never truly alone — when you are surrounded only by past and future versions of yourself as company."
"House Of Mirrors" marks the second new ARCH ENEMY track to be made available in four years, following the October 21 arrival of "Deceiver, Deceiver".
In the fall of 2018, Amott revealed that he had commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to the "Will To Power" album. Released in 2017, that disc marked the second ARCH ENEMY LP since the departure of longtime singer Angela Gossow and addition of ex-THE AGONIST frontwoman White-Gluz. It was also the first ARCH ENEMY disc to feature former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis, who joined the band in late 2014.
Jeff, who was the main songwriter in his previous group, NEVERMORE, was not involved in the writing for "Will To Power".
In a 2018 interview with All That Shreds, Jeff said that he had "a lot of musical ideas" that he was hoping to contribute to ARCH ENEMY in the future. "I did write three or four songs for ['Will To Power'], but they didn't make it, only because it wasn't in the style that they were looking for," he said. "Fortunately enough, I was able to play guitar solos on the latest album, so that makes me happy."
Four years ago, Amott said that Loomis is "a strong songwriter" in his own right, "but not in the style of ARCH ENEMY, I feel. He's always writing and recording with his own stuff," he explained. "He has a project called CONQUERING DYSTOPIA, he has his solo stuff, [and] he obviously wrote most of the NEVERMORE stuff. I've always respected him, and continue to respect him, as a guitar player — he's amazing and an amazing human being; he fits in perfectly. [There's] a great chemistry [between us]. But, you know, I've always written most of the music, so it's difficult to… I don't really wanna change the sound of the band too much. The band sort of started around my songwriting and my ideas, and those continue to be the most dominant ones, I guess. But, you know, who knows [what can happen] in the future?"
In January 2019, ARCH ENEMY released a compilation, "Covered In Blood", of all cover songs the band has recorded throughout its career.
Los Angeles death metal titans, Abysmal Dawn, will be releasing a new EP, Nightmare Frontier, on February 4 via Season of Mist. In conjunction with the release, the band is now sharing their brand new single, "A Nightmare Slain", along with a music video that was created by Guilherme Henriques. Find the video below.
Abysmal Dawn frontman/founding member Charles Elliott comments, "The music for this track was recorded for Phylogenesis, but we left it off the record. We thought it was a great song but we felt it didn't quite fit into the flow of that album. The music shows a bit more of a slightly progressive and melodic side of the band, which we may explore more in the future. The lyrics were written during the pandemic and are inspired by the lore of the video game Bloodborne.
"Now, we have a lot of songs filled with social commentary and introspective lyrics. When it came time to write the words for this one, I don't think I could bring myself to focus any more on the misery or subjugation that we live in our day to day lives. Who needs another song of 'COVID' drivel or divisive politics at this point? Hopefully we can all agree on what I discovered while I was trapped at home for over a year; 'Bloodborne' is one of the greatest video games ever made. Animal Crossing and Mario Party fans should definitely check it out, along with the rest of the 'soulsborne' genre for a stress free good time... We hope you enjoy our song inspired by one of the most metal games ever made. Enjoy and see you on tour!"
Pre-orders for Nightmare Frontier are now live here, as well as from their official Abysmal Dawn online store here. The single and EP can be pre-saved across all streaming services here.
Nightmare Frontier was mixed and mastered by Charles Elliott at Tastemaker Audio. Drums were engineered by John Haddad at Trench Studios, while tracking for all instruments was handled by Elliott. The artwork for Nightmare Frontier was created by Par Olofson.
Tracklisting:
"A Nightmare Slain"
"Blacken The Sky"
"Behind Space"
"Bewitched"
"A Nightmare Slain" video:
Moreover, Abysmal Dawn will be embarking on an extensive North American tour as direct support for Obscura at the start of next year. The trek will kick off in San Diego, CA on February 3 and will conclude on March 23 in Fresno, CA.
Tour dates:
February
3 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
4 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
5 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720 (Hometown Show)
6 - Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar
7 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge
8 - Denver, CO - The Oriental Theater
10 - Oklahoma City. OK - Whisky Nights
11 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
12 - Dallas, TX - Amplified Live
13 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
14 - New Orleans, LA - Santos
16 - Orlando. FL - The Haven
17 - West Palm Beach. FL - Respectable
18 - Tampa, OR - The Orpheum
19 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
20 - Nashville, TN - The Basement East
21 - Knoxville, TN - Batley's Knoxville
22 - Virginia Beach, VA - Elevation 27
23 - Baltimore, MD - Soundstage
24 - Harrisburg. PA - HMAC
25 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory
26 - Boston, MA - Sonia
27 - Hartford, CT - Webster Underground
28 - Quebec City, Canada - Imperial Bell
March
1 - Montreal, Canada - Foufounes
2 - Ottawa, Canada - Maverick's
3 - Toronto, Canada - Lee's Palace
4 - Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall
5 - Pittsburgh, PA - Preserving Underground
6 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theatre
7 - Louisville.KY - Diamon Concert Hall
8 - Detroit, MI - The Sanctuary
9 - Chicago, IL - Reggies
10 - Milwaukee, MN - X-Ray
11 - St. Paul, MN - Turf Club
12 - Winnipeg, Canada - Park Theater
14 - Calgary, Canada - Dickens
15 - Edmonton, Canada - Starlite Room
17 - Vancouver, Canada - Rickshaw Theater
18 - Seattle,WA - El Corazon
19 - Portland, OR - Dante's
21 - Santa Cruz, CA - The Catalyst
22 - Petaluma, CA - Phoenix Theater
23 - Fresno, CA - Full Circle
Lineup:
Charles Elliott - guitars, vocals
Eliseo Garcia - bass, additional vocals
James Coppolino - drums
Vito Petroni - guitars
Professionally filmed video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Nothing Else Matters" on the second night of ATLive on November 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Whiplash
02. Ride The Lightning
03. The Memory Remains
04. Seek & Destroy
05. Holier Than Thou
06. One
07. Sad But True
08. Moth Into Flame
09. No Leaf Clover
10. For Whom The Bell Tolls
11. Fuel
12. Fade To Black
13. Master Of Puppets
Encore:
14. Blackened
15. Nothing Else Matters
16. Enter Sandman
When the event was first announced in July, METALLICA said in a statement: "We're honored to be part of the second annual ATLive two-day festival — featuring two unique, separately ticketed events — this fall when we'll be hitting the stage with our friends CAGE THE ELEPHANT and GRETA VAN FLEET. Night one features country music's finest with George Strait, Eric Church and Caitlyn Smith kicking off the weekend.
"Presented by AMB Sports and Entertainment, the organization will generously be donating a portion of the proceeds from ATLive to All Within My Hands to help our foundation further its work in the fight against hunger."
The second annual ATLive feature iconic artists from both country and rock on back-to-back nights.
ATLive, a multi-genre concert series developed and promoted by AMB Sports and Entertainment, is the premier destination concert series for the city of Atlanta. The event also provides the opportunity to give back through purpose-driven philanthropic initiatives, aligning with the organization's core values. This year, AMBSE is partnering with George Strait and his longstanding partners at the Military Warriors Support Foundation as well as METALLICA's All Within My Hands nonprofit to donate a portion of the proceeds from ATLive to providing housing for wounded veterans and feeding the hungry.
Tim Zulawski, chief revenue officer for AMB Sports and Entertainment, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the idea for ATLive began percolating about five years ago.
"You have 365 days in a calendar year and yes, we want to make the stadium full every day to make money, but also because it means you're putting on great content," Zulawski said. "There are only so many pieces of content that puts 50,000 people in a building and [live music] is one of them."
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