Ulver will release Hexahedron (Live At Henie Onstad Kunstsenter) on August 20 via House Of Mythology.
Hexahedron documents the second of the two dazzling, sold-out Ulver shows in the legendary Studio at Henie Onstad Kunstsenter at Høvik- odden back in April 2018. A special commission and “an honourable undertaking”, as Tore Ylwizaker put it in their career-spanning book Wolves Evolve - The Ulver Story, published last year.
“To orientate our music into an art setting is appealing to me”, he said. “Doing whatever we want, not knowing what it’s supposed to become or where it will end up.”
Various formats are available for pre-order here. Watch a video for "A Fearful Symmetry" below.
Tracklisting:
"Enter The Void"
"Aeon Blue"
"Bounty Hunter"
"A Fearful Symmetry"
"The Long Way Home"
Two decades into their journey as ritualistic black metal conjurers, Wolves In The Throne Room have emerged from the forest with Primordial Arcana, their most majestic album to date, and their first release via Century Media Records (outside of US and Canada) and Relapse Records (US and Canada) out August 20.
In the visuals, Wolves In The Throne Room are taking us on a journey through Cascadia, a bioregion that has been highly influential for the band’s aesthetics and sound. From the forests in “Mountain Magick” and rivers and streams in “Spirit of Lightning” we are following them to the ocean in their latest video for “Primal Chasm (Gift Of Fire)”.
The band comments: “’Primal Chasm (Gift Of Fire)’ is an explosion of cosmic grandeur, a symphonic rendering of the hermetic maxim As above, so below. The lyrics are a dreamtime retelling of creation. The act of the universe creating itself comes from the same impulse—it all springs from the same source, the same union of fire and ice. It’s the interplay between polarized opposites, and it’s from their contradiction and chaos that life happens and music and the planets are created.”
Primordial Arcana is the band’s first completely self-contained work: In addition to composition and performance, brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver alongside guitarist Kody Keyworth handled all aspects of recording, producing and mixing at their own Owl Lodge Studios in the woods of Washington state.
Primordial Arcana is out August 20 via Century Media Records outside of USA/Canada and available in the following formats with the Ltd. Gatefold 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster variants being cut to 45rpm and coming with an additional track, “Skyclad Passage”:
- Ltd. Gatefold olive green 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 1.600)
- Ltd. Gatefold deep blood red 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 1.000) only available at Kings Road Merch Europe (Official Store)
- Ltd. Gatefold clear 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 300) available at Distro Wholesale EU
- Ltd. Gatefold dark green 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 200) only available at Supreme Chaos
- Ltd. Gatefold transp. light blue 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 200) only available at Evil Greed
- Ltd. Gatefold creamy white 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster (limited to 200) only available at EMP and Nuclear Blast
- Ltd. brown LP & LP-Booklet (limited to 300) available at all UK Indie outlets
- Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP & LP-Booklet (limited to 200) only available at Consouling Sounds
- Ltd. CD Mediabook
- Digital Album
Album cover art by Amjad Faur and Wolves In The Throne Room.
Tracklisting:
"Mountain Magick"
"Spirit Of Lightning"
"Through Eternal Fields"
"Primal Chasm (Gift Of Fire)"
"Underworld Aurora"
"Skyclad Passage" (additional track only available on the Ltd. Gatefold 2LP & LP-Booklet & Poster variants)
"Masters Of Rain And Storm"
"Eostre"
Alien Weaponry return with a vengeance, announcing the release of their fervid sophomore release, Tangaroa, out September 17 via Napalm Records.
Today, the band invites fans to come together in a worldwide "stomp" showdown. Recently, the band united international fans in lockdown by asking them to submit a video of themselves performing a signature "stomp" and star in the official "Buried Underground" music video. Today sees the release of both the track and official video - so now you can join the fun at home or wherever you are.
Show Alien Weaponry your stomp! Make sure to hashtag #AWburiedunderground and tag the band for a chance to have your stomp shared with the world via the band's social media!
Watch the brand new fan-driven official music video for “Buried Underground”:
Alien Weaponry are poised to dominate with Tangaroa. The album coalesces the band’s growing maturation with an undisturbed songwriting process, resulting in their most inspired, honest and informed material yet. Tangaroa is immersed in important historical accounts and cultural heritage of the Māori people – in addition to lyrics written in te reo Māori, many tracks feature traditional instruments, called taonga puoro, providing the tracks their own warrior-like attitude. Rhythmic, dynamic album opener “Titokowaru” begins with determined rowing chants and depicts the tale of a famous war chief that challenged the colonial government in New Zealand and led a rebel army, backed by quick riffage and driving drums. Following standout “Hatupatu”, inspired by the harrowing, legendary tale of a de Jong ancestor facing off with a witch, is carried by frenzied guitars, spirited chanting and tribal-like percussion. While Alien Weaponry sourced inspiration from their culture and environmental surroundings while writing most of Tangaroa, the band also looked inward – drawing vision for other portions of the album from within. The album dives into some of their most effecting personal experiences, with English-language songs like the pensive “Unforgiving”.
Accented by personal touches like its entrancing album art originally conceptualized from drawings by Lewis de Jong, Tangaroa is a massive next step for a band on the rise, encompassing all of the elements that make Alien Weaponry heavy metal’s most authentic rising stars.
Tangaroa will be available in the following formats:
- 4 page CD Digipack
- 4 page CD Digipack + Patch
- 2LP Gatefold Black
- 2LP Gatefold Turquoise
- 2LP Gatefold Marble Light Blue/Cream (Napalm Mailorder only - limited to 500)
- 2LP Gatefold Marble Orange/Transparent Black (Napalm Mailorder only - limited to 500)
- Wooden Box Edition: CD Digipack, pendant, patch, cover flag, canvas tote bag (Napalm Mailorder only - limited to 500)
- Die-Hard Edition: 2LP Gatefold Marble Crystal Clear/Curacao, hand numbered with guitar pic set and back patch (Napalm Mailorder only - limited to 400)
- Digital Album
Alien Weaponry recently added more dates to their upcoming US tour with headliners Gojira and fellow special guests Knocked Loose. For all information, visit alienweaponry.com.
Alien Weaponry on Tangaroa is:
Henry Te Reiwhati de Jong - Drums, Backing vocals
Lewis Raharuhi de Jong - Guitars, Lead vocals
Ethan Trembath - Bass guitars, backing vocals & lead vocals on “Dad”
Tūranga Porowini Morgan-Edmonds - Backing vocals & guitar on “Unforgiving"
Canadian folk black metal band Hexenklad (ft. members of SIG:AR:TYR, Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual) recently unleashed their second album Heathenheart via CDN Records on July 23. The 13 track album has something for everyone, from the chilling black metal “Cold Beauty Of Winter” to the mid-tempo headbanger “Dark Moon In Capricorn” to the instrumental ”A Forest Of Dead Trees” to the acoustic “We Raise A Horn”. This variance makes Hexenklad shine, their versatility is a true display of their talent and passion.
Hexenklad has a very distinct chemistry, which is only amplified by years of experience in music. Almost everyone in the band comes from another band in the Ontario metal scene including Eclipse Eternal, Pagan Ritual, Battlesoul and Of Hatred Spawn. The album also features several local guests including Emmanuel “Audeath” Audet (Black Empire/Winterfog); Nick Sauter (Treats for Addicts) and Alex Chalmers.
“This album was written very differently than the first album, which was mostly written by Hexenklad’s founder Michael Grund. It was very organic and the songs just grew together. Guitar parts were written first by both Michael and John with a few ideas put in by myself. Then drums were added by Andrew. Once those were all down and arranged, and then rearranged until everything flowed and made sense, then I let the melodies tell me what the songs were about and wrote the lyrics. Once we had the guitars, drums and vocal parts recorded, then the keyboards and bass were added.” adds the band.
Today, Hexenklad guitarist John Chalmers shares his playthrough for the album's title track.
Chalmers adds:
"‘Heathenheart’ is a folk metal anthem. As soon as it started to come together, we knew this had to be the single we released first. It is just so memorable and so poignant and relevant to the times we are all going through. It is a song about being alone, yet all connected. All Lone Wolves yet all part of a larger pack. About protecting and raising each other up. The song feels like its message. It is uplifting, powerful, memorable, anthemic."
As a whole Heathenheart is an intense black metal-influenced folk metal album full of heathen anthems to raise a horn to. The heathen’s heart is full of chaos, creation through destruction, Hagalaz, and this is a journey into it.
Heathenheart is recommended for fans of Amon Amarth, Ensiferum, and Insomnium. Order the album via CDN Records here.
Tracklisting:
“Heathenheart”
“Cold Beauty Of Winter”
“Huginn And Muninn”
“Rootbound”
“The Raven Returns To The Knoll”
“A Thousand Paths To Wisdom”
“Olde Gods Awaken”
“Beware The Outstretched Hand”
“A Forest Of Dead Trees”
“Upon The Wings Of Valkyries”
“A Moment Of Silence”
“We Raise A Horn”
Video footage of MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil performing the band's classic songs "Dr. Feelgood" and "Looks That Kill" at a private concert last night (Thursday, August 5) in Austin, Texas can be seen below. Also appearing at the event was Sammy Hagar, according to SiriusXM radio personality Eddie Trunk, who shared the clips on his Instagram page.
Last night's show came more than two months after Neil struggled to complete his solo concert at the Boone Iowa River Valley Festival in Boone. Based on fan-filmed video footage of the gig posted on YouTube, the 60-year-old rocker, who hadn't performed in more than a year and a half due to the COVID-19 pandemic, began losing his voice several songs into his set, which consisted exclusively of CRÜE classics and cover songs previously recorded by the band.
14 songs into the performance, Vince attempted to sing CRÜE's smash hit "Girls, Girls, Girls" but gave up mid-song, explaining to the crowd: "Hey, guys… I'm sorry, you guys. It's been a long time playin'. My fuckin' voice is gone… Eh… We love you, and we'll hopefully see you next time, man. Take care."
After Neil walked off the stage, his backing band — which still consists of bassist Dana Strum and guitarist Jeff "Blando" Bland from SLAUGHTER, along with drummer Zoltan Chaney — continued to play the song, singing along to what appeared to be pre-recorded backing vocals.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was originally scheduled to take place last summer but ended up being pushed back to 2021, and then to 2022, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In December 2019, CRÜE manager Allen Kovac told Fox Business that "some of" the bandmembers had enlisted outside help to get in shape for the trek. Kovac was referring to criticism of Neil for his supposed diminished singing ability and weight gain, as well as the health status of guitarist Mick Mars, who has been dealing with a chronic form of arthritis that led him to undergo a hip replacement.
Kovac explained: "Some of them are working with a trainer, some of them are working with a nutritionist to make themselves the best they can be. The greatest insecurity for an artist is: Is anyone going to care about my music? Is anyone going to buy a ticket? We were in November [2019] when the discussions were happening, and these guys were already into regimens of how they get ready for a tour."
Speaking specifically about Neil, Kovac added: "Let's see what Vince sings like and looks like when the tour goes out."
CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx also said that Vince was "killing it" while working with "trainers" and "nutritionists" in preparation for "The Stadium Tour".
Norwegian metal avant-gardists ENSLAVED will release a new EP, "Caravan To The Outer Worlds", on October 1 via Nuclear Blast. According to a press release, the four-song effort "is a tale of departure, of leaving behind a barren and desolate world, travelling boldly into the future."
ENSLAVED's Ivar Bjørnson comments: "This is the story that wanted to be told, and this is music that demanded to be heard. Who are we to question that? After 'Utgard', the path ahead cleared itself — and we followed; past, present and future melted together in an EP that marks one giant leap for us. Into…"
Watch the video for EP title track, "Caravans To The Outer Worlds", below.
The "Caravans To The Outer Worlds" EP contains neck-breaking riffage that points backwards to the raw beginnings of ENSLAVED — the title track marking an explosive lift-off with melodic breakaways and proggy slingshots onto new orbits, while the ominous "Ruun II: The Epitaph" takes a somber dive into the murky and mysterious ocean of stars beyond the known. These two main pieces are framed by two intermezzos: "Intermezzo I: Lönnlig. Gudlig." and "Intermezzo II: The Navigator", wrapping up the main stories with respectively what came before and what is to come.
"Caravans To The Outer Worlds" EP track listing:
01. Caravans To The Outer Worlds
02. Intermezzo I: Lonnlig. Gudlig.
03. Ruun II - The Epitaph
04. Intermezzo II: The Navigator
ENSLAVED's latest album, "Utgard", was released in October 2019 via Nuclear Blast.
Canadian tech death masters, Archspire, will be releasing their new full-length album, Bleed The Future,'on October 29 via Season Of Mist. The official music video for the first single, "Golden Mouth Of Ruin", can be seen below.
The band comments: "The Archspire kitchen is open for business!!! We'll be serving up big portions of the fastest death metal your ears can handle, across Europe and the U., so come get an extra large helping of home made, extra creamy tech death! Make sure to leave room for dessert, because we'll be playing songs from our upcoming album, Bleed The Future! Bon appetit!"
Prior to the tour overseas, the band will be playing an album release show in their hometown of Vancouver, B.C. at the Rickshaw Theatre on October 30.Tickets can be found here.
The full run of European and UK dates and tickets are available here.
"Drone Corpse Aviator"
"Golden Mouth Of Ruin"
"Abandon The Linear"
"Bleed The Future"
"Drain Of Incarnation"
"Acrid Canon"
"Reverie On The Onyx"
"A.U.M."
Frontiers Music Srl will release French melodic metal band Devoid's second album, Lonely Eye Movement, on October 15. Watch a video for the album's title track below, and pre-order/save the Lonely Eye Movement album here.
"The music was written with Jorris Guilbaud and me and Carsten [Schulz] wrote the lyrics. It's a song about the horror of dealing with depression, trying to make your way through every single day. It doesn't matter at all what others might tell you about what or who you are, the struggle never stops. We wanted to give a melancholic atmosphere to these songs, but we wanted to leave hope at the end," says guitarist Shad Mae of the album's title track.
Of the album's overall sound, Shad continues, "The idea was to achieve the perfect mix between my heaviest influences (Evergrey, Devin Townsend, Soilwork, etc.) and AOR bands I like (Winger, White Heart, Giant, Strangeways, etc.) and to produce an album which is very catchy and timeless."
Devoid's second album overall, Lonely Eye Movement is a huge step forward for the band and the perfect vehicle to introduce them to a larger international audience. Coming four years after their debut album, Cup Of Tears, musically, the band develops the melodic and slightly progressive sound of the debut and makes Lonely Eye Movement perfectly suited for fans of hard hitting, but very melodic metal.
Devoid is the brainchild of French guitarist extraordinaire Shad Mae. Combining technical finesse and outstanding arrangements with extremely memorable choruses and hooks, Devoid is rounded out by powerhouse German vocalist Carsten 'Lizard' Schulz (Evidence One, Book of Reflections), guitarist Gwen Kerjan, keyboardist Jorris Guilbaud, bassist Geoffrey Shob Neau, and drummer Benjamin Lesous.
Tracklisting:
"Lonely Eye Movement"
"Man Without Fear"
"Impostor"
"Destination Heaven"
"Waiting For The Storm"
"In The Absence Of Holiness"
"Mirror Maze"
"Hands Of Salvation"
"Stroboscope Life"
"Martial Hearts"
"Wood And Wind"
Last month, Mayhem released their Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP, which showcases the bands influences in the best possible way. Now, the most fearsome black metal band has teamed up with renowned filmmaker Zev Deans to create a visual masterpiece for the song "Black Glass Communion".
Zev Deans comments on the collaboration with Mayhem: “When approaching a metal music video, some might roll their eyes and think to themselves ‘how many times do I have to watch a satanic ritual sacrifice before I see something new?’ But for any true Satanist, ritual is an essential part of life that you must repeat again and again with the same sincerity and enthusiasm that you brought to your first time. The very nature of ritual is that it is repetitive, a mantra, a drone that is echoed through different bodies and different times. In my approach to 'Black Glass Communion', this truth was unwavering. Now, you must look deep into the depths of the black glass and see what emerges before you.”
For their new EP, Mayhem reflected on their influences by covering songs from bands like Discharge, Dead Kennedys, Rudimentary Peni and Ramones with an impressive bursting and darkened sound.
Atavistic Black Disorder / Kommando EP is available in the following formats:
* Deluxe silver 180g LP + CD Box Set (incl. 3 Art Prints + Slipmat)
- The 3 available graphics make up the overall concept from the already released visuals of the Daemon Box Set. The total of 6 graphics were considered as an alternative cover versions of the Daemon album and will not be reproduced after this limited edition run.
- The Slipmat contains a special print of the back cover (Punk-Head) of this EP!
- Limited to 1,000 units
(500 CM Distro Wholesale & CM EU Shop / 300 Band Shop / 200 CM US Shop)
* CD Digipak
* 180g LP (double sided album cover!)
- Black LP (all outlets)
- Grey LP – 300 units (CM Distro Wholesale & CM EU Shop)
- Tangerine LP – 200 units (CM US Shop)
- Creamy white LP – 300 units (EMP)
- Dark Green LP – 300 units (Nuclear Blast)
- Deep Blood Red LP – 300 units (Mayhem Webshop)
- Aqua LP – 500 units (US Indie Stores)
GUNS N' ROSES performed a reworked version of the song "Silkworms" during its concert Tuesday night (August 3) at Boston's Fenway Park.
"Some of you might have heard this under another name, but this is really kind of absurd to try this," singer Axl Rose said while introducing the track. "Wasn't that funny? And they don't even know the joke yet. Okay, this is called 'Absurd'."
After playing the song, Rose quipped: "See? I never run out of love songs. That was fun. So you heard it here first, a new GUNS N' ROSES song."
GUNS N' ROSES last performed "Silkworms", which was reportedly written during the "Chinese Democracy" sessions, in 2001.
GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its summer 2021 tour on July 31 at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Dubbed "We're F'N Back!", this trek comes on the heels of the "Not In This Lifetime" run that began in April 2016 and became the No. 3 highest-grossing tour in the history of Billboard Boxscore.
As was the case with "Not In This Lifetime", the current GUNS N' ROSES tour features classic-lineup members Slash (guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Rose backed by guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.
The massive touring production will make stops in Detroit, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, and more before wrapping up with two shows in Hollywood, Florida, at the Hard Rock Live Arena on October 2 and 3, 2021.
GUNS launched its long-rumored and long-awaited reunion tour with an April 2016 club show in Hollywood and appearances in Las Vegas and at California's Coachella festival.
The band is now reportedly working on a new studio album — the first under the GUNS banner since 2008's "Chinese Democracy" and the first to feature Rose, Slash and McKagan since 1993.
Fan-filmed video footage of THE BLACK CROWES' July 28 performance at The Pavilion at Star Lake in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania can be seen below.
Produced by Live Nation, THE BLACK CROWES' "Shake Your Money Maker" tour is playing 37-dates across the country before ending the tour at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, New York on September 25. The band is also set to perform at the legendary New Orleans Jazz Fest on Friday, October 8 and Stagecoach on May 1, 2022.
Joining Chris and Rich Robinson in the new BLACK CROWES lineup are longtime bassist Sven Pipien, who played with the band live from 1997 up until the band's hiatus in 2015, along with Brian Griffin on drums, Joel Robinow on keyboards and Isaiah Mitchell on guitar, plus backup singers Mackenzie Adams and Leslie Grant.
Rich told Cleveland.com that he and his brother wanted to re-start THE BLACK CROWES with a clean slate. "There was a strong agenda in the band [previously] to keep Chris and I apart and keep Chris and I fighting," he said. "We just didn't want to have to deal with any of that negative [stuff], so it had to be this way in order for it to be what we want."
BLACK CROWES' debut album, "Shake Your Money Maker" was re-released in multi-formats sets in February through UMe/American Recordings. The album, fueled by singles "Jealous Again", "Twice As Hard", "She Talks To Angels" and a cover of fellow Georgian Otis Redding's "Hard To Handle", has sold over five million copies.
Chris Robinson recently confirmed to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that there are tentative plans to record a new BLACK CROWES album.
World-renowned guitarist/songwriter Mark Tremonti will release the fifth album from his solo band TREMONTI, titled "Marching In Time", on September 24, 2021 via Napalm Records. The official music video for the LP's second single, the title track, can be seen below. The song clocks in at 7:34 and tells the story of a father having a child during a global pandemic and how he prepares for life during that time — something Tremonti recently experienced in his own life.
Tremonti is no stranger to storytelling. Throughout his years with top-charting bands ALTER BRIDGE and CREED, and most recently his solo band, Mark has never strayed from his love of writing memorable songs. With "Marching In Time", the band looks to continue this trend while exploring their love for heavy music, drawing from current events from the last year to form the basis of each song. While its predecessor, "A Dying Machine", was an overall concept album seeped in darker sentiments and story, the vibe of "Marching In Time" is different — emerging as a charging rock/metal offering that takes the listener on 12 individual journeys.
From the driving drum beat of opener "A World Away" to the epic closer "Marching In Time", the new album is a reflective look at the world around us today. TREMONTI's unmatched musicianship bleeds through the album, showcased on tracks like "Thrown Further", "In One Piece" and the thought-provoking "Would You Kill". Alternatively, the band displays their softer side on pensive tracks "The Last One Of Us" and "Not Afraid to Lose". Epic title track "Marching In Time" tells the story of a father having a child during a global pandemic and how he prepares for life during that time — something Mark Tremonti recently experienced in his own life — while upcoming single "If Not For You" shows the evolution of the TREMONTI sound in 2021.
"Marching In Time" was produced by longtime friend and collaborator Michael "Elvis" Baskette — the producer Mark has worked with exclusively since 2007.
"Marching In Time" track listing:
01. A World Away
02. Now And Forever
03. If Not For You
04. Thrown Further
05. Let That Be Us
06. The Last One Of Us
07. In One Piece
08. Under The Sun
09. Not Afraid To Lose
10. Bleak
11. Would You Kill
12. Marching In Time
TREMONTI will hit the road in advance of the release of "Marching In Time", starting on September 3 in the U.S. with longtime friends SEVENDUST.
Full Of Hell return with their new album, Garden Of Burning Apparitions, out October 1 via Relapse Records. Pre-order here, and watch the “Industrial Messiah Complex” video below. Garden Of Burning Apparitions will be available on CD/LP/CS/Digital.
Frontman Dylan Walker comments: “'Industrial Messiah Complex' examines the commodification and weaponization of faith and spirituality. This misdirection is a ploy for control and power. Whether through some profit obsessed mega-church or via militaristic action, humanity is raked over the coals and bled out until there’s nothing left but cinders and dust."
Garden Of Burning Apparitions, a genre-bending blitzkrieg of hardcore, grind and death metal, sees the band expand upon the very elements that have propelled Full Of Hell to the forefront of extreme music over the last decade.
Produced by Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Garden of Burning Apparitions also sees Full Of Hell adding new dimensions to their warp-speed hellscape. Guitarist Spencer Hazard and bassist Sam DiGristine's monstrous riffs now have an added noise-rock influence, while drummer Dave Bland commands the rhythm section at blazing speeds.
Lyrically, Garden of Burning Apparitions sees vocalist Dylan Walker exploring (anti)religion, life's impermanence and the fear that comes with knowing death is inescapable. "Industrial Messiah Complex” grinds organized religion to a pulp in under 90 seconds, while Walker contemplates the commodification of spirituality seen in America’s vast network of garish mega-churches and how these practices are at odds with true spirituality. Meanwhile, “Reeking Tunnels” rides a strident noise rock riff down into the sewer. It’s a metaphor for the physical and mental space we become trapped in when we live in a perpetual state of fear and hate. Elsewhere, justifiable ochlophobia propels the guttural death metal blast of “Eroding Shell.” Lyrically, the song seeks to capture our fear of the violent, ignorant mob—a scene glimpsed far too often in this volatile era.
In the end, Full Of Hell’s boundary smashing has paid off again. “I think it’s good that we tried not to pigeonhole ourselves early on,” Walker reflects. “Because now, 10 years in, we have the opportunity to make whatever record we want, within reason, and people will follow along.”
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the upcoming release of Lords Of Black's new album, Alchemy Of Souls, Part II, on October 15. Today, fans can get their first taste of the new album with the release of the single and music video, "Before That Time Can Come". Watch the video below, and pre-order/save the new album here.
Prog/power metal masters Lords Of Black are set to return in 2021 with a new album, the follow-up to 2020's incredibly well received Alchemy Of Souls, Part I. The new album, Alchemy Of Souls, Part II, is a continuation of the themes started on the previous album. With the downtime created by the global pandemic, Lords Of Black worked incredibly hard to create music that pushed past the boundaries of anything the band had done in the past showing a newfound musical maturity from the band, incorporating new musical elements into their style. Vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Sunstorm, The Ferrymen) delivers another vocal performance yet to be matched, guitarist Tony Hernando delivers some of the best melodic metal he has ever written, while bassist Dani Ciado and drummer Jo Nunez prove to be a powerful rhythm section so powerful who play with absolute finesse.
"You all know the old saying, "Second parts are never as good as the first parts"... but honestly, I think this record is an exception to that. This is a collection of very strong songs, sporting a variety of elements that, as a whole, make this second installment familiar yet different. The magic of every album lies in its own uniqueness, and that is ultimately our goal, to avoid repeating ourselves," says guitarist Tony Hernando.
"This album has obviously been influenced by the exceptional times we are living in, therefore the intent of every song is to try to be meaningful and powerful in their intention to make you experience wonder and enthusiasm, which is our ultimate goal," he continues.
Heavier and darker compared to the album that preceded it, Alchemy Of Souls, Part II enhances the perception that Lords Of Black are now ready to ascend to the upper tiers of European melodic metal. This is an album not to be missed by both melodic metal and progressive metal fans alike. An absolute delight for the ears and another classic in the making from these Spanish masters.
Upon their formation, Lords Of Black’s vision was to form a metal band with a modern approach blended with catchy, melodic, and progressive elements. After months of intense hard work on the songs, the band independently released their acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014, which was co-produced by Roland Grapow (Masterplan, Helloween).
The band supported the release with a series of successful live shows, including guest spots for a variety of high profile international acts. Later, legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple, Blackmore's Night) became aware of Ronnie Romero's vocal talents and invited him to front his, at the time, newly reformed Rainbow. This brought the band to the attention of international music media and in particular, the words from Blackmore describing Romero’s voice like “a cross between Ronnie James Dio and Freddie Mercury” piqued the curiosity of journalists and fans alike. While enjoying this new found attention, Romero and Hernando continued work on Lords Of Black and signed a worldwide deal with the Frontiers label. The first global release from the partnership was "II", an album which did and continues to blow the minds of fans of modern melodic metal.
Once again, co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Roland Grapow, the album created a stir in the metal scene and is still regarded as a true underground classic. The band played several European shows in support of the release and then headed back to the studio to create the follow up album, "Icons of the New Days". Upon its release, the album once again set a new standard for melodic metal with outstanding epic tracks mixed with glorious power/progressive metal songs.
Like its predecessor, Alchemy Of Souls, Part II is setting a new gold standard for melodic metal in the new decade.
Tracklisting:
"Prelude (Alchimia Confessio 1458 A.D.)"
"Maker Of Nothingness"
"What's Become Of Us"
"Bound To You"
"Before That Time Can Come"
"Mind Killer"
"Death Dealer"
"Prayers Turned To Whispers"
"In A Different Light"
"How Long Do I Have Now"
"Fated To Be Destroyed"
"No Hero Is Homeless"
"Sympathy" (Uriah Heep cover)
"Before That Time Can Come" video:
Lineup:
Ronnie Romero - vocals
Tony Hernando - guitars
Dani Criado - bass
Jo Nunez - drums
Guitar Techniques has shared a new video clip featuring ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman. Check it out below.
Guitar Techniques: "This is Marty Friedman's solo from 'Majestical', a bespoke piece written for him by Jason Sidwell (their second piece together following 2019's 'Komorebi'). The full video, audio, backing track, transcription, chord chart and interview are featured in Guitar Techniques issue GT325, available as of July 28th."
Friedman: "Hey friends! I very rarely talk in this much depth about my thought process while soloing, but since the fine folks at Guitar Techniques created this nice little track for me to solo over, I got into some details. I hope you get something from this."
The clip below, shot during Friedman's recent Tokyo Jukebox Tour 2021 through Japan, features Friedman performing the Crowded Houe classic "Don't Dream It's Over" with special remote guest Mateus Asato on guitar. The footage was shot on April 6th in Osaka at Bigcat and shared by AMSA Records.
Los Angeles-based Asato is a guitarist from Campo Grande, Brazil and rose to fame through by posting videos of himself playing guitar on Instagram, and amassed over one million followers before shutting the page down in February 2021. He has toured with several pop artists has his own signature model guitar through Suhr Guitars. In 2019, Guitar Magazine named him one of the 50 most exciting young guitarists in the world
Arch Enemy vocalist Alissa White-Gluz appears on the new Powerwolf album, Call Of The Wild, as one of the guest singers on the bonus / companion album Missa Cantorem. She delivers her own rendition of the band's song "Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend", the official video for which can be viewed below.
Alissa recently shared an acoustic version of the song, issuing the following statement:
"Thank you to everyone who checked out the early release of my acoustic version of Powerwolf's song, 'Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend'! The counterpart to the heavy version that has well surpassed a million views on YouTube now. It is now available publicly. You can watch the lyric video here. Listen wherever you listen to music.
Many thanks to Oliver Palotai (Kamelot) for collaborating with me on this and arranging and playing all the instruments on this song, as well as mixing and mastering it. Thanks to Sascha Gerstner (Pace Arts) for taking this interesting portrait of me. Thanks to Powerwolf for inviting me to cover your music - have you checked out their new album yet??
And last but definitely not least, thank YOU for taking an interest in what I do!"
Alissa issued the following statement with regards to her participation on Missa Cantorem, expanding on her intial comments that appeared in the press release.
Alissa: "When Powerwolf invited me to cover one of their tunes, I had to first check out the song and familiarize myself with the overall vibe. I knew the play on words in the title was genius so I watched their music video dozens of times. I really liked the song but I felt the only way I could truthfully cover it would be if I were to interpret the song to praise and empower women rather than demonize or objectify them.
I agreed to cover the song but I took the liberty of reversing the gender roles in the lyrics with just a few subtle tweaks. I also suggested a role reversal video, in jest, when I presented my version to the band. I think my exact words were something like 'Here is the song but I expect a pile of naked monks at my feet in return!' - to poke fun. I did not expect that they would not only appreciate my modifications but that we would actually make the video happen, too!
I have to give TONS of respect to Powerwolf for being so open to having another artist step in and completely re-interpret their music. Now I feel the original video has something to balance it out and they both work super well in conjunction! It’s actually quite exciting to watch one right after the other! It’s all in good fun, in the end."
Powerwolf keyboardist Falk Maria Schlegel on the video and the collaboration with Alissa White-Gluz: “It was a pleasure to work and perform together with Alissa for the very first time on our joint video shoot for 'Demons Are A Girl’s Best Friend'. Immediately, there was a great energetic atmosphere on set! Alissa is such a wonderful artist and interacting with her during this shoot as well as re-interpreting this video together was an amazing experience.”
Fresh off of releasing their debut album Field Trip on California's Nomad Eel Records, Cassius King have just released their first full length video for the song "Cleopatra's Needle". The video was produced by Jason C. Stewart who also produced the "Last Ride" and "Torture King" videos off the last Vessel Of Light album.
"Jason has become my go-to-guy the last year and a half." said guitarist Dan Lorenzo. "His enthusiasm is off the charts and at this point I let him do whatever he wanted for 'Cleopatra's Needle' and I think it's just as much fun to watch as it is to listen to".
Overkill's Bobby Blitz said, "It's really great, I even commented, which I never do... 'epic' got such an old school doom vibe, but never bores... love the journey!"
Former Hades founding member Dan Lorenzo has been using the Cassius King moniker for years. From his debut solo album to his endless cover song CDs with various lead vocalists. But it wasn't until 2021 when Lorenzo decided to make an all original album with vocalist Jason McMaster (Watchtower / Dangerous Toys / Broken Teeth). Lorenzo released four albums in three years with his doom band Vessel Of Light when Coronavirus prevented any more live shows.
"I had music to probably eight or nine more songs after VOL released Last Ride," Lorenzo said. "I didn't think the world was ready for a fifth Vessel Of Light album when we couldn't even play shows to support Last Ride. Jason sang multiple Cassius King cover songs with me and I had some music that was maybe a bit more like Hades, plus a bluesy song I sent off to Jason. I was shocked how quickly Jason wrote and sang the first few songs, so I recorded a few more brand new tunes. I asked Jason if he needed any help with melodies and he told me he did not. Jason said he could use some lyrical ideas though. I told that to Jimmy Schulman (Hades / Vessel Of Light) and he and Jason ended up collaborating lyrically on three songs."
Schulman commented, "When Dan mentioned Jason needed some lyrical ideas, I was excited to be part of that process. Jason and I came at it a few different ways. Sometimes it was just texting back-and-forth with a line or two at a time until it took on shape. Another time, a long poem was crafted into a song. However it went though, it proved to be a cool and interesting collaboration."
McMaster stated, "It was the kind of material I had been wanting to do for a long time. It feels a bit like Ozzy and Dio playing poker over some leftover Sabbath material. The melodies came to me quickly, as well as some of the lyrics. Things I already had fit the visions I had upon first listen and it all flowed immediately. I would not call it a full 'doom' application of terms, but, its heavy, it reminds me of what I love about Sabbath and Dio songs."
Drummer Ron Lipnicki (Overkill /Vessel Of Light) said, "I think this new album's got something for everyone; it's like the fruits all line up on the slot machine." That includes fans of Hades' seminal release Resisting Success, as Scott LePage plays leads on the songs "I Move With The Moon" and "King Of Lies".
Tracklisting:
"King Of Lies"
"Cleopatra's Needle"
"Below The Stones"
"Join The Exodus"
"Traveler (The Long Road)"
"Apocalyptic Nations"
"I Move With The Moon"
"Six"
"Leave Of Absence"
"This Side Of Forever"
Jeffrey Nothing, former vocalist of industrial metal band Mushroomhead, has released the official music video for his newest single, "The Outage". Directed by Ian D. Sniesak and edited and shot by Jon Conner of A Hole in the Head Productions, with assisted videography by Thomas Church and Aj Taranto, the dark music saga features former members of Motograter and Skin alongside the frontman as well as former Mushroomhead guitarist, Thomas Church.
"We all come with an expiration date," begins Jeffrey Nothing. "From our first breath, til our last, we are a miracle in motion; full of emotion, fears, and an air of invincibility. How we treat our fellow man and our life matters. Other than love, you sincerely can’t take it with you. Above is a place I pray to one day be, not a circle I put myself in as I traverse this lifetime. Freedom means everything. All complexes aside, we have no owners. Dream big and share your soul… I, for one, will be listening."
"So many trash their bodies and minds and feel they just get to wake up from whatever mistake they just made no matter what. It is so heartbreaking to watch a generation be wiped out because they truly believe they are invincible. We are not. Risking oneself for that ever-elusive first high destroys far more than the singular self. Parents never want to outlive their children. You are not that invincible person who will beat any challenge, just because. Stop for one second and be that miracle baby again. Not the almost adult who crushed everyone’s dreams, all because you wanted to escape a temporary nightmare. Death is the end, not a new beginning. Ever."
“Life is full of hardships, challenges, tribulations... It can be difficult in the moments of pain to see through to the other side, that there's a way to come out victorious," says vocalist Ian D Sniesak. "It can be easy to compromise or give in to something that offers a moment of relief; a temporary solution to a problem that might turn into a permanent consequence. It can be easy to think that you will remain in control but more often than not what we think we control ends up controlling us."
"Pain and trauma are the real gateway drugs and until we learn to face the pain and overcome we will continue the cycle of abuse, be it substance or other. If we don't, addiction ends up being in control. It destroys what's beautiful, and then dances and parades what remains around for all the world to see. It can be easy to become ensnared in the prisons of our mind. If we take a close look at ourselves in the midst of our addiction, it can seem as if we are suffocating, wrapped in the fake plastic of the lies we believe that have now led us to the predicament we are in. Acknowledging there is a problem is the first step. Then we must fight, for our freedom and for our lives, one day at a time.”
POP EVIL performed a cover version of the METALLICA classic "For Whom The Bell Tolls" on July 29 at Warehouse Live in Houston, Texas. Joining POP EVIL on stage to handle lead vocals on the track was Justin Benlolo from support act BRKN LOVE. Fan-filmed video footage is available below.
For the first couple of weeks of its current tour, POP EVIL's lineup includes two session musicians: drummer Jason Hartless (TED NUGENT) and bassist Joey "Chicago" Walser of EGYPT CENTRAL and DEVOUR THE DAY.
Last month, POP EVIL's longtime bassist Matt DiRito announced his exit from the band, saying in a statement that "the details surrounding my departure are only known by a few people, and respectfully it will remain that way."
"Walking away from something I've helped build is not easy — but it is the best thing for the band, myself and our respective futures," he said. "POP EVIL will continue on and so will I, just not together."
POP EVIL drummer Hayley Cramer was forced to miss the first couple of weeks of the band's U.S. tour because of COVID-19 travel restrictions. She has since flown to the U.S. and joined her bandmates on the road.
POP EVIL's "Versatile" tour kicked off on July 14 with an outdoor show in Lake County, Illinois and will run across the U.S. until September 23 including stops at several of the major rock festivals — Rocklahoma, Aftershock and Inkcarceration — as well as supporting SHINEDOWN. Support on the trek comes from special guests ZERO 9:36, BRKN LOVE and LIKE MACHINES (on select dates).
POP EVIL's latest album, "Versatile", features the No. 1 mainstream rock hit single "Breathe Again" — the band's sixth No. 1 single to date — alongside heavyweight tracks "Set Me Free", "Let The Chaos Reign" and Top 10 single "Work".
Íîðâåãèÿ
Ulver
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
ÑØÀ
Íîâàÿ Çåëàíäèÿ
Êàíàäà
Èíäèÿ
Èñïàíèÿ
Ãåðìàíèÿ
