Igorrr have released "Opus Brain," a fitting document to the bands atmospheric and experimental live performance. The video was filmed live during the band's performance at Pol'and'Rock Festival on July 30, 2021, and comes off the 2017 album Savage Sinusoid.
Led by architect Gautier Serre, Igorrr welcomes two new vocalists, Aphrodite Patoulidou and JB Le Bail. Rounded out by drummer Sylvain Bouvier and guitarist Martyn Clément, Igorrr has become something of a collective, rather than the work of one man alone, which has further broadened the scope of Gautier's music without sacrificing integrity. "I just want to make the music I love, without asking myself if it's gonna be too complex or too far from what people like. No restrictions, like a big party with metalheads, electronics nerds, classical and baroque-heads and gypsy violinists getting drunk and joining together to bring the best of every genre!"
US fans will finally get to enjoy the genre-mashing sounds of Igorrr as the band lands on US soil this February.
Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon) is back with a new Star One album, titled Revel In Time. The new album comes more than 10 years since the previous release and is due out on February 18 via InsideOutMusic.
Today, Arjen shares the video for the album opener, "Fate Of Man", stating: "Dear friends, I’m proud to present ‘Fate Of Man’ with Brittney Slayes and Micheal Romeo, the second videoclip of the new Star One album! A fast and furious track, very Star One. And very Terminator! I hope you enjoy it!"
Revel In Time will be available for pre-order on December 17th and it will come as Ltd. 2CD Digipak, Ltd. Deluxe 3CD+Blu-Ray Artbook (incl. a poster of the cover artwork), and as 180g Gatefold 2LP (incl. the album on CD & an LP-Booklet).
CD 2 features alternate versions of the same songs as CD 1, but with different vocalists. Also available will be a 5.1 mix, a high-res audio version, and an exclusive, hour-long Behind the Scenes video, on the Blu-ray included in the Artbook.
Revel In Time tracklisting:
CD1:
"Fate Of Man"
"28 Days (Till The End Of Time)"
"Prescient"
"Back From The Past"
"Revel In Time"
"The Year Of ’41"
"Bridge Of Life"
"Today Is Yesterday"
"A Hand On The Clock"
"Beyond The Edge Of It All"
"Lost Children Of The Universe"
CD 2 features the same songs as CD 1, but with different vocalists.
Midwest death machine Casket Robbery have released the video for their newest single, "Bone Mother” through BraveWords! This Claymation video was directed and created by Shayne Minott of Budget Blood Productions.
Vocalist Megan Orvold comments on the song, "Everything about this song was so much fun for us. From the twisted spooky folklore of Baba Yaga and our lyrical interpretation to the way she was brought to life in the amazing claymation video. ‘All knowing, all seeing, all revealing, all being.’ We hope you enjoy Bone Mother!"
The song is dedicated to the memory of Eric Orvold, father of Casket Robbery vocalist Megan Orvold.
“Bone Mother” will be available for streaming and download on November 19. Preorder on Bandcamp. “Bone Mother” was produced and engineered by Troy Powell at Unintended Studios, and mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson.
Emerging from the darkest and most desolate areas of the Midwest, Casket Robbery creates its own signature style of death metal by infusing horror and occult themes. Their trademark huge riffs and unstoppable grooves create the unrelenting, brutally catchy, and eerie sound that only Casket Robbery is known for. Death metal with a wink.
Casket Robbery’s intense, high-energy shows have quickly surfaced a diehard following. They continue to show a relentless work ethic and dedication to their fanbase. After the release of their debut album Casket Robbery has toured the United States continually, hitting large festivals like Full Terror Assault and Milwaukee Summerfest. Casket Robbery has shared the stage with Cannibal Corpse, Jungle Rot, Psycroptic, Immolation and more.
Casket Robbery is:
Megan Orvold – Vocals
Cory Scheider – Guitars
Troy Powell – Guitars
Eli Pete - Bass
Firewind played their first show in nearly two years at UrRock Musik Festival, which took place November 11 - 14 in Sarnen, Switzerland. The band have released this recap video:
"New Found Power", the title of Firewind's new single and music video, perfectly describes the current spirit of the Greek power metal masters.
The band’s latest incarnation, since 2019, of course led by former Ozzy Osbourne axeman Gus G. is fronted by singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia), a powerhouse vocalist par excellence. Langhans‘ addition to the group’s ranks gave a new kind of energy to Firewind and after the release of the band’s latest (self-titled) album in May 2020, now the new single, "New Found Power", continues the Firewind legacy with a heavy, uplifting power metal track of highest quality.
"New Found Power" is also part of the AFM Records label compilation, 25 Years Metal Addiction, which includes 30 rare or previously unreleased tracks and comes as 2CD digipak (out now).
"We recently met in our rehearsal room in Thessaloniki, Greece, to film what we all missed so much: playing together. That’s why the 'New Found Power' music video comes without fancy effects or anything: it’s just the four of us playing this cool new song and embracing it", Gus G. comments. "We really hope to see all our fans on the upcoming 20th anniversary tour. It’s been way too long and we can’t wait to celebrate 20 years of Firewind with a wild ride through our history."
Former MACHINE HEAD and current VIO-LENCE guitarist Phil Demmel filled in for Dave Linsk at OVERKILL's November 13 concert at The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, New Jersey. The gig marked OVERKILL's first pandemic-era performance — "609 f!!kin' days" after they were supposed to play the same venue before the coronavirus crisis forced everything to shut down.
When Demmel's participation in the concert was first announced two weeks ago, OVERKILL singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth commented: "We had a few issues getting this rescheduled show together. But to hell with the issues, we all have problems. And wouldn't you know it, our bro and yours Phil Demmel to the rescue. The show must and will go on. See you at the Welmomt Jersey..."
Demmel stated: "So excited to jam with my bros in OVERKILL in New Jersey. I'm neck-deep in learning the parts and expect a raging show."
OVERKILL drummer Jason Bittner said: "Even though I am disappointed that our very own Dave Linsk can not participate in this show, I am more than psyched and confident that my longtime friend Phil Demmel will get the job done for us. We have a long history together playing a bunch of NAMM events and have toured together in the past, so this should be a lot of fun."
Ellsworth and Demmel are bandmates in BPMD which released its debut album, "American Made", in June 2020 via Napalm Records. Also featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (THE WINERY DOGS, SONS OF APOLLO) and bassist Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE), the LP was previously described as a "10-track homage to some of rock music's greatest treasures."
OVERKILL has spent the last few months recording its new studio album for a tentative early 2022 release.
In November 2020, OVERKILL bassist D.D. Verni told MetalAsylum.net that the band's new LP would be mixed by Colin Richardson. "He did a couple of records for us, and he's great," Verni said.
Richardson previously worked with OVERKILL on 1997's "From The Underground And Below", 2000's "Bloodletting" and 2003's "Killbox 13".
OVERKILL " ROTTEN TO THE CORE " AT WELLMONT THEATER IN MONTCLAIR NEW JERSEY
Posted by Scott Winnies on Sunday, November 14, 2021
Images Of Eden has premiered their video for “Animation In A Still World". This is the fourth video from the band's latest album Angel Born.
Images Of Eden hopes to open people's eyes with their video and make a positive impact on listeners everywhere. "Animation In A Still World" makes some bold statements on the media. Images Of Eden says, "This video is a very accurate (and current) snapshot of our world today. We can no longer trust the media to tell the truth because it is no longer ‘information’ but has become a platform for propaganda instead. Trust your senses and do your research.”
Catch Images Of Eden live this fall. The band will be touring with metal legend Yngwie Malmsteen, as well as NYC metal band Sunlord. Confirmed dates are as listed:
November
16 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
18 – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theatre
19 – Buffalo, NY – Showplace Theater
20 – Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance Theater
22 – New York, NY – Sony Hall
23 – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC
24 – Munhall, PA – Carnegie Homestead Music Hall
26 – Derry, NH – Tupelo Music Hall
27 – Newton, NJ – Newton Theater
28 – Richmond, VA – The National
30 – Ashwaubenon, WI – EPIC Event Center
December
2 – Des Plaines, IL – Des Plaines Theatre
3 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
4 – Belvidere, IL – The Apollo Theatre
6 – Grand Junction, CO – Mesa Theater
8 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Theater
9 – Agoura Hills, CA – The Canyon Club
10 – Fresno, CA – Tower Theater
11 – Montclair, CA – The Canyon Club
12 – Santa Clarita, CA – The Canyon Club
14 – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
16 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey
17 – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater
18 – Houston, TX – Rise Rooftop
Angel Born artwork and tracklisting:
“Autumn Is Burning”
“Angel Born”
“My Promise”
“Where Dreams Begin”
“If?”
“Killing God”
“Fight The Good Fight”
“War Room”
“Serenity Reign”
“Animation In A Still World”
“Marigold Sun”
“In Memory Of Me”
In celebration of their special release show tonight at La Boule Noire in Paris, French / Irish alternative/progressive rock outfit Molybaron shared the last episode of their studio sessions. Watch them perform “Prosperity Gospel” below:
Morybaron, who recently signed a worldwide deal with InsideOut Music / Sony Music Entertainment, already caused a big stir internationally with their two albums Molybaron (2018) and The Mutiny (2021). The sound of the band is multifaceted and ranges from influences from Tool, to Mastodon, Gojira and Muse. With a big partner behind them, they are now ready to take the next big step.
The band comments their new deal as follows: “We’re over the moon. Every kid who picks up a guitar dreams of joining a big label one day and after 6 years of hard grind, we’ve finally done it! We want to give a massive thanks to our formidable manager Richard Gamba (Sphere Manage), who saw something special in this band and made this deal possible. We are so excited about our future together! To Thomas Waber and InsideOut Music for putting his trust and faith in us. To our publisher Nicolas Ramaget (Editions Hurlantes), for his tireless support and counsel. But of course, none of this could happen without the unbreakable support and belief of our families, friends and our fans! Thank you all and let’s get to work!”
The Mutiny tracklisting:
"Animals"
"Lucifer"
"Amongst The Boys And The Dead Flowers"
"Prosperity Gospel"
"The Lighthouse"
"Slave To The Algorithm"
"Something For The Pain"
"The Hand That Feeds You"
"Twenty Four Hours" (feat. Whitfield Crane)
"Ordinary Madness"
"Lucifer" video:
"Slave To The Algorithm" studio session video:
"Amongst The Boys And The Dead Flowers" studio session video:
Molybaron is
Gary Kelly - Guitar/Vocals
Steven Andre - Guitar
Sébastien de Saint-Angel - Bass
Camille Greneron - Drums
Stockholm, Sweden-based band, Mass Worship, have released a guitar playthrough video for the new single, "Portal Toms". Watch below:
Mass Worship are primed and ready to unleash their second full-length assault. Due for release on February 4, Portal Tombs is a terrifying but electrifying exploration of the gloomy depths of human nature: a monolithic manifestation of the musical force that is Mass Worship.
Drawing inspiration from bands such as At The Gates, Mastodon and Meshuggah, Mass Worship could be likened to many bands, but somehow forge their musical identity into something exceptionally distinctive and transcendent, and with enough confidence and conviction to win over even the most orthodox fans of the genre.
Enter the “Portal Tombs” and check out the first track and music video below. The clip was directed and produced by Miles Skarin of Crystal Spotlight and Mass Worship while the song features guest vocals from Mark “Barney” Greenway (Napalm Death).
The band comments: “We as humans are approaching a state where we don’t believe in anything, and we can’t seem to envision any alternatives. Our elected leaders are merely there to sustain a seemingly perpetual status quo, and to grab whatever opportunity they can to shift our focus away from what’s important. What happens behind the scenes is a slow and steady collapse of our financial, political, ecological, spiritual and cultural world. We’re all perfectly aware of where we are heading, but we can’t seem to envision any alternative -- it’s far too late, and far too terrifying to try to stop what has been started. ‘Portal Tombs’ symbolises that Death is the only true way forward. Mass Worship is an attempt at putting the current state of humanity’s affairs and suppressed emotional state into music and words. We want to capture the fears, the pain, the uncertainty and the total disbelief in the future of mankind. As we spiral towards an abyss of our own making, Mass Worship is the soundtrack that will resonate loudest of all.”
Pre-orders for Portal Tombs will be launched in due time.
Mass Worship are:
Gustav Eriksson - Guitar
Dadde Stark - Bass
Claes Nordin - Vocals
Fred Forsberg - Drums
Last night (Friday, November 12), Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Sammy Hagar kicked off his final weekend of sold-out performances as part of the "Sammy Hagar & Friends" residency at The STRAT Hotel, Casino & SkyPod in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hagar was joined at the show by Grammy winner Rick Springfield as they performed with Hagar's band THE WABOS, featuring guitarist Vic Johnson, drummer David Lauser and bassist Mona Gnader. The crowd erupted when Springfield and THE WABOS played Rick's iconic hit "Jessie's Girl". Fans also rocked out to Hagar's songs, including "I'll Fall In Love Again", "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" and "Mas Tequila".
The STRAT Theater has a capacity of about 800 people. The theater was designed to capture the beach vibe Hagar's synonymous with, including elements of his famed Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, home to his epic annual birthday bash.
An additional show is scheduled for tonight (Saturday, November 13) at 9 p.m.
"Sammy & Friends" celebrates Hagar's career, spanning four decades, from his solo career, MONTROSE, VAN HALEN, CHICKENFOOT, THE CIRCLE, and surprise additions to the setlist depending on which of his musician friends take the stage with him.
Speaking to the Las Vegas Sun about what fans can expect from the residency concerts, Hagar said: "Nobody is going to hear the same thing twice. One night we're going to come out and play VAN HALEN for an hour, then start cherry picking. Another night, we might just play MONTROSE, which will be fun because that's only about 35 minutes of music. I want to do it with a different theme every night and really mix it up.
"The team at The STRAT has been awesome and they've really allowed us to come in and do what we want to do," he added. "That room is great and I looked at every room that was available in Las Vegas. My fans, the Redheads, they come from all over the world, and you want them to be in a place like Vegas where they can have a good time before and after the show. The experience in Vegas is like no other town. If you can't find something to do here, you're either broke or in a really bad mood."
Produced by industry leader SPI Entertainment and Hagar's manager, Tom Consolo of TC Management, "Sammy Hagar & Friends" sold out each show in under two hours. New dates will be announced for 2022.
Some more live Sammy Hagar and joined onstage by Rick Springfield for some Jesse's Girl.Wow.???⭐???
Posted by Ashi Minhas on Friday, November 12, 2021
When you’re Sammy Hagar, Rick Springfield comes to join in…
Posted by Eric Hausten on Friday, November 12, 2021
Fan-filmed video footage of METALLICA's November 12 performance at the Welcome To Rockville festival at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida can be seen below.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Whiplash
02. Ride The Lightning
03. Harvester Of Sorrow
04. Cyanide
05. The Memory Remains
06. One
07. Frantic
08. Moth Into Flame
09. No Leaf Clover
10. For Whom The Bell Tolls
11. Whiskey In The Jar
12. Fade To Black
13. Master Of Puppets
Encore:
14. Fight Fire With Fire
15. Fuel
16. Seek & Destroy
Welcome To Rockville, a four-day rock festival, kicked off its 10th edition on Thursday (November 11) at a new home in Daytona Beach.
METALLICA will play another show at Welcome To Rockville with a different setlist on Sunday, November 14.
Along with two nights of METALLICA, this year's Welcome To Rockville features DISTURBED, SLIPKNOT, A DAY TO REMEMBER, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, LAMB OF GOD, SOCIAL DISTORTION, MASTODON and many others. The event is also being livestreamed on Danny Wimmer Presents's Twitch channel, featuring select performances, interviews and behind-the-scenes content at twitch.tv/DWPresents.
This past September, METALLICA's Lars Ulrich said that it was "way too early" to talk about a new studio album from the band. The 57-year-old drummer touched upon a possible follow-up to 2016's "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" while speaking to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk". Asked if there is a new METALLICA LP in the works, Lars said: "We're on that path. I don't know if it's cohesive enough to call a record, but we're dipping our toes. We've been trying to stay busy. We did the drive-in thing last summer. We did an All Within My Hands event in November. We did '[The Late Show With Stephen] Colbert'. We're doing '[Jimmy] Kimmel [Live!]' tomorrow. We're engaged. And we are creating at some level. It's way too early to talk about a record or a timeline or anything. But we're staying busy. And it's exciting to just think of the possibilities. Right now we're so rejuvenated and just ready to get back in."
Earlier this year, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield told "The Fierce Life" podcast that he and his bandmates had written "quite a few songs" during the coronavirus quarantine. "We'll see how many we like first, and then we'll put 'em out," he said. "We're pretty selfish that way; we like what we write as well."
This past July, guitarist Kirk Hammett told Classic Rock magazine that he and his bandmates have been staying creative during the pandemic. "We've tried to make the most of the COVID year and a half, and we've been pretty successful," he said. "We've got together remotely and worked, and we've got together [properly] and worked. Things are moving really well. I would say that the music we're coming up with is very appropriate for the times."
"Hardwired… To Self-Destruct" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, selling 291,000 copies in its first week of release.
Lars Frederiksen from legendary punk band RANCID will release a new solo EP, "To Victory", on November 19. The official Sam Benavidez-directed music video for the EP's new single, "Skunx", can be seen below.
"To Victory" is the first effort to be released solely under the Lars Frederiksen banner. He previously issued two albums with LARS FREDERIKSEN AND THE BASTARDS: 2001's "Lars Frederiksen And The Bastards" and 2004's "Viking".
This solo venture for Frederiksen started back on March 7, 2020 when he sold out the landmark Oakland club Eli's Mile High Club. Frederiksen performed a Billy Bragg-esque set. The lucky fans attending the show — which was supposed to be the first of many, including an appearance alongside DROPKICK MURPHYS on St. Patrick's Day in Boston — had no idea that they would be the only ones to witness this unbelievable performance for quite some time. The surreal concert was treasured by the lucky few who got to see it, and has given Lars even more confidence and validation to pursue this venture. Frederiksen headed into the studio to record these tracks in the vein of his live performance — simple, raw, emotionally charged, and powerful.
"So much happened in my life starting in 2018 and is just now sorta wrapping up here currently in 2021," remarks Frederiksen. "This entire period, especially during my mom's passing, was a great reflection point for me and a time to dive deeper than I've ever been into my pagan roots."
The album has six tracks, featuring a mix of covers and songs from his other bands — each song carrying personal meaning for Frederiksen, and each a standout performance in its own right.
With two more videos on the way, and touring planned for 2022, this is just the beginning of a new venture for Frederiksen.
"There will be more to come 'cause I'm not done yet. I don't think I'll ever be," he says. "As long as I have breath, I'll unapologetically use my voice."
"To Victory" track listing:
01. God And Guns (THE OLD FIRM CASUALS)
02. Army Of Zombies (LARS FREDERIKSEN & THE BASTARDS)
BEHEMOTH mastermind Adam "Nergal" Darski and his dark folk/blues/Americana influenced solo project ME AND THAT MAN continues its celebrity team-up with the new Western-inspired single "Under The Spell" featuring the mysterious Mary Goore, better known as GHOST's Tobias Forge, alongside a captivating music video.
In contrast to the recently released soulful blues-rock ballad "Angel Of Light" (featuring Myrkur), ME AND THAT MAN now enters heavier horizons. Dark guitars, a galloping duo of snare and bass and the raspy tingling and well-known voice of Mary Goore create an ambience full of untamed anger with an unmistakable vintage Western touch.
Regarding how Forge came to be involved with the track, Nergal told Ireland's Overdrive: "It's a funny story… I've known Tobias for a long time. We crossed paths at some festival many years ago and I just introduced myself to him, and we became buddies ever since. We would see each other every now and then on different occasions. I remember him coming to Warsaw with GHOST, and I picked him up and I took him to my Barbarian Shop where he got his hair cut, etc. and we just really maintained a friendship. So, when I had this song, I immediately though of Tobias and his voice, which was just perfect for what I was trying to achieve with the overall vibe of the song. I remember sending him the rough track and he was, like, 'Awesome! It's like a rockabilly/MOTÖRHEAD kind of vibe, with an up-tempo/Western feel.' And he was totally into doing it. But then we had some issues with the lockdown/restrictions and it wasn't easy to move around, so he [Tobias] suggested that rather than doing it remotely, we actually do it in his studio because he stated that he prefers that and likes to have an in-person 'dialogue' during the recording process. I didn't think twice about it. I just booked my flight and went straight to Stockholm where we spent most of a full day in the studio. And yeah… the rest is history."
"Under the Spell" is taken from ME AND THAT MAN's third full-length studio album, "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2", which will be released on November 19 via Napalm Records.
Following the chart-breaking and critically acclaimed antecedent, "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1" (2020), the enthralling new offering follows the exciting path Nergal then set ablaze, once again featuring an abundance of heavy music icons — but this time, he takes it to a whole new level. Experience greats such as Gary Holt (SLAYER, EXODUS), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Randy Blythe (LAMB OF GOD), Myrkur, Devin Townsend, David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL), Doug Blair (W.A.S.P), Hank Von Hell (TURBONEGRO) and Olve "Abbath" Eikemo (IMMORTAL, ABBATH) intertwining with the album's bewitching collection of occult anthems, marking another breathtaking symbiosis of unfiltered blues, gothic-laced folk, country essence and touch of evil you'll swear was either beamed straight out of hell or the most blackened of churches.
Darski commented on the new album: "Here we go again, mother lovers! 'New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2'. You guys know the drill, I recruited the best of the best in heavy music to collaborate on some unique tracks me and the Polish, Italian and Ukrainian crew have been working on over the last 18 months. Once again, the result, amazing and the performances, inspired! Thank you, comrades — Abbath, Alissa, Amalie, Anders, Blaze, Chris G, Chris H, David, Devin, Douglas, Frank, Gary, Hank, Jeff, Kriss, M.Goore, Michale, Ralf and Randy. Who knows when we'll get together to play these songs but I will try my best to make it happen! Enjoy it everyone!"
Following the chart-breaking part one of the album, ME AND THAT MAN are now presenting whole new facets: Opening track "Black Hearse Cadillac", featuring the vocals of Hank Von Hell and guitar sorcery by Anders Odden, marks a sinister beginning to this infernal journey through dark desert soundscapes and evil lyricism. Driving "Under The Spell" lives up to its title, at times evoking a spaghetti western-esque ambience. Songs like wicked "Witches Don't Fall In Love" (featuring Kristoffer Rygg of ULVER), straight-to-the-head rocking "Blues & Cocaine" (featuring Michale Graves) and mysterious "Goodbye" — with a haunting-yet-powerful vocal attack by Alissa White-Gluz — showcase the record's extensive variety and that there's something unexpected lurking all throughout. This is further evident on songs like the soulful blues-rock ballad "Angel Of Light" featuring the compelling voice of Myrkur, or insanely dynamic, uptempo outburst of "Got Your Tongue" featuring Chris Georgiadis (TURBOWOLF).
After the enticing debut "Songs Of Love And Death" (2017), followed by sophomore release "New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 1", its sequel once again mirrors Nergal in a completely different light and provides a tremendous contrast to the extreme metal sounds of BEHEMOTH.
"New Man, New Songs, Same Shit, Vol. 2" track listing:
01. Black Hearse Cadillac (feat. Hank Von Hell, Anders Odden)
02. Under the Spell (feat. Mary Goore)
03. All Hope Has Gone (feat. Blaze Bayley, Gary Holt, Jeff Mantas Dunn)
04. Witches Don't Fall In Love (feat. Kristoffer Rygg)
05. Losing My Blues (feat. Olve Abbath Eikemo, Frank The Baptist, Chris Holmes)
06. Coldest Day In Hell (feat. Ralf Gyllenhammar, Douglas Blair)
OPETH played its first show with drummer Sami Karppinen (THERION) Tuesday night (November 16) at ExploreAsheville.com Arena in Asheville, North Carolina at the opening date of the band's tour with MASTODON and ZEAL & ARDOR. Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be seen below.
Karppinen stepped in to play with OPETH after the Swedish progressive metallers parted ways with their longtime drummer Martin "Axe" Axenrot due to what they called "a conflict of interests."
When Axenrot's exit was first announced earlier yesterday, OPETH frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt said in a statement: "However sad it is to not have Axe in the band anymore, we're not in a position to linger on anything that is going to hold us back. We need to soldier on.
"Needless to say, we're incredibly thankful that Sami is helping us out, making this tour possible and all. On top of that, he's quite outstanding, really!
"All of us wish the best for Axe in all and any of his future endeavors. He has been a incredibly important part of the band for many years now, and we're all heartbroken it didn’t work out in the end. But that's life, I guess…"
Axenrot officially joined OPETH a decade and a half ago as the replacement for Martin Lopez, who left the band in May 2006 after being plagued by illness and anxiety attacks, which forced him to miss several of OPETH's tours.
Shortly after he first started playing with OPETH, Axenrot told Drummerzone about how he landed the gig: "During OPETH's tour in the U.S., Martin Lopez got ill. The band temporarily used the services of Gene Hoglan [who is also featured in OPETH's video for the song 'The Grand Conjuration'] but needed someone else for their European trek. While they were still in the U.S., I received a phone call from singer Mikael Åkerfeldt whom I already knew from our mutual project BLOODBATH. Soon after we all met in OPETH's rehearsal studio in Stockholm and here I am today."
Back in 2007, Åkerfeldt slammed the "new breed of idiot OPETH 'fans'" for questioning the abilities of Axenrot when compared to that of Lopez. Responding to a discussion on the band's forum regarding Axenrot's more "straightforward" playing technique compared to the "jazzy" style of his predecessor, Åkerfeldt wrote in an online posting, "Wow, looks like we got ourselves a new breed of idiot OPETH 'fans' on our tail, huh? Mindblowing guys...really!" He then added: "Axe is in the band now and we all fucking love playing with him.
"When somebody picks on [Martin's] drumming I can't help but to feel that that person is a deaf moron who knows nothing about music or drumming," Mikael continued. "I get defensive not only because I brought him in the band, but mainly because he's a fucking fantastic drummer."
Brazil-based animator, Val Andrade, has released the latest cartoon in his series, "The Tales Of The Iron Maiden". The cartoon based on the Dance Of Death album track, "Montségur" (1993), can be seen below:
A selection of Andrade's previously released Iron Maiden-based cartoons can be seen below:
California thrashers Fueled By Fire have returned with their new single, Past…Present…No Future Pt. 1, out now via M-Theory Audio. BraveWords is premiering the new rager, “Disrupt”, check it out below!
Vocalist Rick Rangel comments:
"‘Disrupt’ is a song that touches on Fear, Greed, Corruption, Ignorance, Oppression, Manipulation, Hypocrisy and all out Anarchy happening around the world. Having gone through one of the craziest times in modern history, I think this song reflects the dire feeling that has been felt by everyone that has been affected by a global pandemic, media manipulation, corporate greed, corrupt politicians and police brutality all going on at the same time. Ultimately, this song is about a bleak future for everyone and that there are no happy endings... just endings.
"Past...Present...No Future! is a 4-song EP that was two years in the making. After numerous setbacks with writing and recording, these recordings seemed doomed never to be released. But as fate would have it, not even a global pandemic could stop it! If anything, the pandemic only fueled the anger and aggression felt on these songs. The reason we chose to release a 4-song EP as opposed to a full-length was to get music out a lot sooner and we were anxious to announce to the world that Fueled By Fire has returned to fuck shit up! We feel like this is the pinnacle of what we have to offer as artists and musicians and we hope to have that bleed over to our next offerings and we can't wait for you to play these songs at full volume!"
Having gone on hiatus in 2014 after a string of impressive European festival performances, Fueled By Fire reconvened at the beginning of 2020 to record new music. Initially set to be released in fall 2020, the four songs put together by the new lineup – consisting of returning members Rick Rangel (guitars/vocals), Anthony Vasquez (bass) and Carlos Gutierrez (drums), who are now joined by Gutierrez's bandmate in Blade Killer, guitarist Jon Rubio – were further refined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first of two 7” singles to come, Past...Present...No Future...Part 1 showcases Fueled By Fire as a group ready to re-stake its claim to thrash metal supremacy, with the second 7” single to come in early 2022.
Ground-breaking, genre-defying instrumental trio, Animals As Leaders, recently dropped brand new track, "Monomyth", their first in 5 years. You can now watch guitarist Tosin Abasi's playthrough video for the song below.
"Monomyth" comes accompanied by a high-concept music video directed by Telavaya Reynolds and featuring choreography by Tlathui Maza / NOHBORDS. Find "Monomyth" on streaming platforms here, and watch the official video below.
Speaking on the band's new release, Tosin Abasi shares, "'Monomyth' is part fever dream, part ritual. Its imagery represents man's ceaseless attempts to translate transcendent ideas into movement. The conflation of struggle with meaning. Pain with significance. The ultimate failure of distilling perceived patterns in the world into knowledge."
The band also announced that they have signed a new deal with their current label home, world renowned independent powerhouse, Sumerian Records.
KISS Kruise X, which was due to sail from Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize & Roatan, Honduras from October 30th - November 4th, 2020 aboard Norwegian Pearl, kicked off on October 29th and concluded on November 3rd.
Check out the full Q&A with Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, shared by Mike Brunn, host of The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn.
Brunn has also shared footage of KISS performing live on October 31st. Check it out below.
The setlist on the night was as follows:
"Psycho Circus"
"Take It Off" (first time since 1995)
"Watchin' You"
"Firehouse"
"She's So European" (live debut)
"Lick It Up"
"We Are One" (live debut)
"Cold Gin"
"Uh! All Night" (first time since 1986)
"I Love It Loud"
"Say Yeah"
"War Machine"
"Black Diamond"
"Detroit Rock City"
"Rock and Roll All Nite"
Andorra’s extreme progressive metal unit, Persefone, have announced the upcoming release of their long-awaited Napalm Records debut, entitled metanoia. Scheduled for release on February 4, metanoia crosses genre boundaries with ease, mesmerizing the listener with dynamic songwriting and technical precision and proving Persefone’s worthy position as longstanding favorites of progressive metal.
Featuring collaborations with standout artists like Steffen Kummerer (Obscura, Thulcandra), Einar Solberg (Leprous), Angel Vivaldi and Merethe Soltvedt (Two Steps From Hell), metanoia exploits the full potential of contrasts in every song, with each track representing a story evolving from beginning to end and constantly growing in strength - redefining typical musical boundaries. Mixed by David Castillo (Leprous, Soen, Opeth) and mastered by Tony Lindgren (Enslaved, Ihsahn, Sepultura), the new full-length stretches over 10 songs, each appearing to glide seamlessly from one to the next.
First single "Merkabah" promises an intense ride that reveals both the heaviest and most vulnerable sides of Persefone. An atmospheric entrance carries Miguel Espinosa’s deep, majestic voice, transitioning into an interplay of Marc Martins evil growls and Miguel’s clean vocals. Flickering guitar riffs front a spherical orchestra, spanning the song’s intensity to its maximum. Persefone guide progressive metal to a new chapter.
Persefone on "Merkabah”: "metanoia is all about a musical journey for a spiritual breakthrough. Merkabah is a vehicle to elevate, Merkabah asks for meditation and trust in the process. With this song we wanted to mark a pivotal moment in the album and write about a personal detour from the old self, a painful and needed transformation to reach new heights, to leave fear behind, to embrace life as the amazing experience we have been gifted with... "on my knees, I still believe".”
Watch the music video for "Merkabah" below.
Outstanding progressive/melodic death metal outfit Persefone is known for their band of rich soundscapes and technically precise work that sets new standards in modern extreme progressive metal. Founded in 2001, Persefone has released five studio albums, each one showcasing the band’s myriad of musical principles: high technicality, distinct melodies, plenty of head-turning riffs and musical acrobatics. The band has toured worldwide with notable acts like Obituary and Leprous, has hit stages at important festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Metal Days, Brutal Assault, ProgPower and 70,000 Tons of Metal, and is now set to release their new album, metanoia.
metanoia sets off with the opulent opener "Katabasis”, drawing dramatic, cinematic soundscapes mixed with electronic influences. The soft, clear vocals of Miguel Espinosa alternate with sharp growls and pierce through constantly changing riffs. Persefone balances soft passages with intense walls of sound on tracks like "Aware of Being Watched” - in which clean vocals and jazzy sections alternate with intense riffing carried by dense drumming - while solid, rich sound takes on orchestral dimensions on songs such as "Leap of Faith”. Vivid and dynamic instrumentation, tempo and rhythm make up the intense ride "Merkabah”, showcasing the band’s hardest yet most vulnerable sides as screams and blast beats are followed by soft instrumentation - spanning the song’s intensity to its maximum. A special surprise is the 11-minute masterpiece "Consciousness Pt III”, which continues a series of songs from the band’s fourth album Spiritual Migration (2013). The album closes with another opulent set of songs, "Anabasis Part I”, "Anabasis Part II” and "Anabasis Part III”. "Anabasis Part I” starts off with calm, dreamy piano sounds, drifting over to the intense "Anabasis Part II” and leading seamlessly into "Anabasis Part III”, gently closing the album with a cinematic outro.
Persefone about the new album: "metanoia is the next step in our personal pursuit for existential growth through music. This album is a call for a deep change, a call for an inner journey through fear and pain, a call for a leap into a meaningful and rooted place. Making this album has forced us to face many musical and personal hurdles and fears, and the result of that confrontation lives within all the notes and words captured on this new chapter in our journey. May you will find meaning in all this musical chaos.”
metanoia will be available in the following formats:
- Digipack
- 2LP Gatefold Black
- 2LP Gatefold Clear (incl. Slipmat & Logopatch)
- 2LP Gatefold Marbled White & Black
- Digipack & Shirt Bundle
- Digital Full Length Album
"Metanoia" ft. Einar Solberg
"Katabasis"
"Architecture Of The I"
"Leap Of Faith"
"Aware Of Being Watched"
"Merkabah"
"Consciousness Part III"
"Anabasis Part I"
"Anabasis Part II" ft. Steffen Kummerer, Angel Vivaldi und Merethe Soltvedt
"Anabasis Part III"
"Merkabah" video:
Persefone is:
Marc Martins - vocals
Miguel "Moe” Espinosa - keyboards and vocals
Carlos Lozano - guitar
Filipe Baldaia - guitar
Toni Mestre - bass
Sergi " Bobby” Verdeguer - drums
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the release of progressive metal act Lalu's new album, Paint The Sky on January 21.
Lalu is a musical project originally founded in 2004 by the French composer and producer Vivien Lalu, son of Noelle and Michel Lalu (members of the ‘70s French progressive act Polène). Paint The Sky will be the first album, and third album overall from the band, released under the new partnership between Vivien and Frontiers.
Fans can get their first taste of music from the new album with the release of the single and video, "The Chosen Ones" featuring Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Simone Mularoni (DGM). Watch the video below, and pre-order/save Paint The Sky here.
Paint The Sky is easily the most accomplished and mature album put together by Vivien thus far in his career. Being the son of two progressive musicians from the '70s and growing up surrounded by progressive music, Vivien always wanted to craft a true-to-its-roots progressive rock album. He spent a lot of time laying down the basics for the new effort and along with this new album comes a change in vocalist specifically designed for this more progressive version of Lalu. In May 2020, Vivien announced Damian Wilson (Arena, Headspace, Threshold) as the lead vocalist for Paint The Sky. Lalu's lineup on the album is rounded out by Jelly Cardarelli (on drums) and Joop Wolters (guitars and bass).
Guests on Paint The Sky include Alessandro Del Vecchio, Alex Argento, Gary Wehrkamp, Jens Johansson, Jordan Rudess, Marco Sfogli, Simon Phillips, Simone Mularoni, Steve Walsh, Tony Franklin, and Vikram Shankar. See tracklisting below for details on which tracks they appear on.
Lalu's first full-length album, Oniric Metal (2005) garnered critical acclaim upon its release, and marked a new chapter for Vivien and his insatiable need to create mind-expanding, cinematic music. Lalu's second opus, Atomic Ark (2013) featured vocalist Martin LeMar, bassist Mike LePond (Symphony X), guitarist Simone Mularoni (DGM), and world class drummer Virgil Donati (Planet X, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth). Additional contributions came from Jens Johansson (Stratovarius), Joop Wolters, Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Marco Sfogli (James LaBrie), Mike Andersson (Cloudscape) and Peter Wildoer (James LaBrie).
Spring 2014 saw Vivien venturing out on a unique live tour, hosting only a few select shows featuring the all-star Atomic Ark line-up of Martin LeMar, Mike LePond, Simone Mularoni, and Virgil Donati, adding Joop Wolters as a second guitarist on stage. After a few weeks’ practice, the tour culminated in the live recording of their set during the final stop. Produced by Vivien and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, the digital-only Live At P60 was released in June 2015.
Paint The Sky now marks the latest installment in the ever evolving musical odyssey that is Lalu. Come join the journey!
Tracklisting:
"Reset To Preset
"Won’t Rest Until The Heat Of The Earth Burns The Soles Of Our Feet Down To The Bone" (ft. Jens Johansson)
"Emotionalised"
"Paint The Sky" (ft. Steve Walsh, Tony Franklin, Alessandro Del Vecchio, Jens Johansson, Gary Wehrkamp)
"Witness To The World" (ft. Marco Sfogli)
"Lost In Conversation" (ft. Jens Johansson)
"Standing At The Gates Of Hell"
"The Chosen Ones" (ft. Jordan Rudess, Simone Mularoni)
"Sweet Asylum"
"We Are Strong"
"All Of The Lights" (ft. Vikram Shankar)
"Paint The Sky" [Instrumental] (ft. Tony Franklin, Simon Phillips, Alex Argento)
"The Chosen Ones" video:
Lineup:
Damian Wilson - Vocals
Jelly Cardarelli - Drums
Joop Wolters - Guitars & bass
Vivien Lalu - Keyboards
Florida metal titans Trivium - Matt Heafy (vocals, guitar), Corey Beaulieu (guitar), Paolo Gregoletto (bass), and Alex Bent (drums) - have released a performance video for "Feast Of Fire", taken from the band's new album, In The Court Of The Dragon. Watch below:
Trivium's tenth album, In The Court Of The Dragon, is out now via Roadrunner Records. The record was produced and mixed by Josh Wilbur and recorded in autumn 2020 at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida. Order In The Court Of The Dragon here.
The album cover is an original oil painting by French artist Mathieu Nozieres (@mathieunozieres on Instagram).
In The Court Of The Dragon tracklisting:
"X"
"In The Court Of The Dragon"
"Like A Sword Over Damocles"
"Feast Of Fire"
"A Crisis Of Revelation"
"The Shadow Of The Abattoir"
"No Way Back Just Through"
"Fall Into Your Hands"
"From Dawn To Decadence"
"The Phalanx"
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