STAIND has released an animated music video for the song "Better Days" featuring Dorothy. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Confessions Of The Fallen", which arrived last September.
"Better Days", an emotionally charged power ballad that is classic STAIND, marks the first time the band has a featured artist on a song. Singer and namesake of her Los Angeles rock band, Dorothy brings her powerhouse vocals alongside STAIND frontman Aaron Lewis, taking the sentiment of the song to the next level.
"This was a departure for me," says Lewis. "It's really the first time STAIND explored a feature with a female guest vocalist. Once we started tracking, I could tell the synergy was there. We didn't have to pick harmonies, we didn't have to analyze parts, they just happened. I'm stoked to have Dorothy on this single with me. Her talent and voice are incredible."
"I had a great time tracking 'Better Days'," adds Dorothy. "It's a beautiful song and I hope fans connect with it. I'm so grateful to Aaron for the opportunity."
"Better Days" is the third rock song released from "Confessions Of The Fallen". The first two singles, "Lowest In Me" and "Here And Now", reached No. 1 on Active Rock chart.
See STAIND live on the "Tailgate" tour with special guests SEETHER, SAINT ASONIA and Tim Montana beginning on April 22 in Brandon, Mississippi.
STAIND's co-headline tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN and special guests DAUGHTRY and LAKEVIEW kicks off September 10 in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania.
In a recent interview with Germany's Riot Vision, STAIND guitarist Mike Mushok spoke to about the "electronic element" which was incorporated into "Confessions Of The Fallen". Released via Alchemy Recordings/BMG, STAIND's first new LP album since 2011 was produced by Erik Ron (GODSMACK, PANIC! AT THE DISCO, BLACK VEIL BRIDES).
Mike said: "Well, that was something that Aaron really wanted to explore. We had talked about it before, but we'd never really done it. So he really wanted to make that a part of what we were doing. And it was funny, 'cause I do remember saying to him, like, 'I play guitar. I don't know how to do that.' So that's where I feel like Erik played a really big part in helping make that a part of what this album sounds like. Some of those verses where you hear [and] it's like more electronic[-sounding], that's a guitar part I wrote just played on a synthesizer, [using] some crazy sound. So he was able to take some of those things that I wrote and adapt it to kind of bring in some of those elements into the music. And I think he did a great job. I like it. I'm pretty happy with it."
Asked what new musical elements he would like to explore on future STAIND albums, Mike said: "I don't know. To me, it's just really about trying to write great songs. It's really just kind of trying to take what we do and make it better. And I don't really have any kind of guidelines. If it calls for more electronics or — I don't know — a guitar solo or whatever the case may be, whatever really the song calls for, I think that that's what the best thing to explore is. But I was very happy with the process of making this record and how it came out. Some records have been really difficult to make. This one wasn't one of those. The way we did it, it took us a while, but we got there. And by the end of the day, once we got there, I was really happy with the end results."
When "Confessions Of The Fallen" was announced in April 2023, Lewis stated about the LP's musical direction: "I did want to modernize the sound and bring us up to date. You can certainly recognize the band but at the same time you can hear that we've been paying attention and understand what kind of sounds and approaches we can use that maybe weren't around the last time we did this."
STAIND has released eight albums since 1995, including 2011's self-titled effort. The band has had a number of hit songs during its first two decades, including the Top 10 smash "It's Been Awhile" from the No. 1 album "Break The Cycle". Follow-up LPs "14 Shades Of Grey" and "Chapter V" also topped the Billboard chart.
STAIND released its first album in nine years, "Live: It's Been Awhile", in May 2021 via Yap'em/Alchemy Recordings. The "Live: It's Been Awhile" album was accompanied by "The Return Of Staind", a two-part global streaming series in partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents.
Last year, STAIND and GODSMACK completed a 25-city co-headlining tour, produced by Live Nation.
Former SKID ROW singer Erik Grönwall has released his cover version of "I Will Always Love You", the love ballad made famous by Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton (who wrote the song). You can check it out below.
Late last month, Grönwall, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in March 2021, released a video message in which he offered an even lengthier explanation for his decision to leave SKID ROW. In the clip, which was uploaded to his YouTube channel, the 36-year-old Swedish singer stated in part: "Okay, so it's out, and now you all know that I have decided to leave SKID ROW. I feel relieved, in a way. I'm happy that it's out, that I don't have to hide it from you guys. I think the word I'm looking for is ambivalent.
"So what do you say we talk about it?
"First of all, let me just say that I am overwhelmed by your understanding and your comments and the love and support you guys have shown me since we made the announcement," he said. "It's incredible. Thank you so much for being the best fans in the world.
"Like I said in the announcement, the main reason why I've decided to leave the band is because it's been very hard and it's proved very challenging to prioritize my health and full recovery being the lead singer of the band. And it's not like I woke up yesterday and decided to go, 'Ooh. That's a horrible idea. What time?' This is something I've been considering for a long time. The first time I brought it up and requested a better balance in the touring was in 2022.
"So most of you guys who follow me, you already know this, but for those of you who don't, let me give you some background info," he continued. "In 2021, I was undergoing treatment against leukemia, and as a result of the treatments and the bone marrow transplant that I did, my immune system was impaired. You can think of my immune system as a four-year-old kid bringing home all kinds of shit and viruses from preschool. So I pretty much get everything. It takes a while for the immune system to build up that resistance again, but my immune system is getting stronger every day. So that's the good news. However, I'm still doing regular checkups, like blood tests, at the hematology department at my hospital in Sweden. But that part has proved very challenging while keeping up with the SKID ROW schedule and demand. And as I'm sure you all understand, I have way too much respect for my medical history and for my health to push myself to the limit.
"But I also wanna say that this illness came with a lot of good things. And one of the best things that I want to mention here is that it gave me a superpower called perspective. I remember sitting at the hospital, and I was in a really fucking dark place. And I was looking out my window and I saw all these people going to work in a hurry, stressing. And I remember asking myself, watching all these people, and I was, like, 'What are we stressing about? What are we chasing?' So right there I felt like I had so much perspective on things and actually a gratitude towards — it's weird to say it, but a gratitude towards my illness. I remember going, 'Thank you for giving me this perspective this early in life.' Anyway, so I was sitting there, and I remembered that the samurai had a code of honor that they called Bushido that they lived by. And so with the perspective I had at the time, I wanted to create my own Bushido. My goal was always, okay, 'I'm gonna get through this and I'm gonna get healthy,' but I wanted to remember the perspective, that feeling of gratitude and perspective I had at the time, because I know that we're human beings and we move on and we forget things, but I didn't wanna forget this; I wanted to remember this for the rest of my life. So what I did was I created my own Bushido at the hospital, and on top of that list, it says 'health first'. And back to SKID ROW, that's exactly why I had to make this decision.
"I've had to look at that list a lot of times this last year," Erik added. "Actually, to be honest, since I joined the band. And I've been questioning myself if I'm really living according to those values. And at the end of the day, I realized that the answer was no.
"And I just wanna say, before the media starts with all this fucking clickbait shit, let me be perfectly clear. Listen carefully: I am not sick. And it's not like I don't wanna tour. I love being on the road. I just need a better balance. And, of course, we have tried to find the right balance together as a band multiple times. But at the end of the day, I realized that it was better for me to just step aside.
"There's a lot of people that are relying on making a living from SKID ROW. And being on the road is mainly where the money is nowadays. So, I totally understand that people have to keep touring. And I feel like it's hard to say this without sounding like, um, like a martyr. Is that the word I'm looking for? Yeah, I think so. But I feel like I need to say it to let you guys know the thoughts I've had recently.
"It's actually been a bit of a burden to tour with a new immune system — not only knowing that I'm intentionally pushing myself, but also knowing that if I get sick on the road, which I'm more likely to with a new immune system, there is no one who can fill in for me. We've had our amazing guitar tech, and I can't express how much I love this guy enough, but our guitar tech, Casey, he filled in for both Snake [Dave Sabo, guitar] and Rachel [Bolan, bass] when they got sick. But when I got sick on the road, we had to cancel, reschedule shows, and, honestly, it's not a fun position to be in. So, wait? All of this is happening because of me? It's not good for the band, it's not good for the crew, it's not good for the fans, it's not good for the promoters, it's not good for the SKID ROW team. All of that also made it less fun for me. I didn't really enjoy myself out there.
"I love singing," Erik concluded. "I love being an artist. I love touring, but I wasn't happy. I understand and respect that SKID ROW is a touring band, but like I told the guys, if I can't prioritize my health, then I'm not the right guy for the job."
SKID ROW's longtime friend Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM) will handle lead vocals for the band's four concerts in late May and early June.
The SKID ROW members said in a statement that they are "proud of what they have created and accomplished with Erik over the past two years" and "wish nothing but the best to him and his health. To celebrate the last two years, the band will be releasing a live album that perfectly captures this moment of time in the band's 35-plus-year history, to be announced soon."
Erik reflected on his leukemia battle and subsequent addition to SKID ROW in a summer 2022 interview with 80's Metal Recycle Bin. He said: "I wouldn't call myself a religious man [laughs], but I would call myself… After all of this, I'm way more spiritual. I'm, like, 'Okay, who planned this?' I was on my way to a completely different life [before my diagnosis], but it was kind of like someone just nudged me.
"I was scrolling on Instagram a couple of days ago and I just saw a post, and it was a text saying, 'I'm sorry I had to make you uncomfortable, but I had to make you move. God.' And I was, like, 'Oh, fuck, man.' [Laughs] That's what it feels like.
"I'm not sure if everything happens for a reason, but that's the only way I can explain this — getting leukemia, then ending up in my favorite band," he continued.
"When I was on stage in [Las] Vegas [with SKID ROW in March and April of 2022], I was interacting with the audience, and I told them that, 'Do you know how amazing it feels to be here singing the song that started your career?' 'Cause '18 And Life' was the song I auditioned with for the 'Idol' show; that's what got me on 'Idol'. And I told them, 'Do you know how it feels to be here on stage with your favorite band of all time singing the song that started your career?' And someone commented on it, and it was, like, 'Did he just quote the 'Rock Star' movie script?' And I was, like, 'Yeah, I didn't even think about that, but it's that movie," he said, referencing the film In which an average kid from Pittsburgh gets tapped to be the new lead singer for his favorite heavy metal band. "So it's kind of like a movie script.
"It's just incredible," Erik added. "I'm still trying to process it. It feels like I've been in the band for two years. It's been four months. We've done, like, 30 shows in four months. We recorded an album. We started working on a new album. We recorded a music video. Everything has been happening so fast. It's overwhelming in so many ways."
Erik also credited his wife with providing him with the emotional strength and support that he needed through his ordeal.
"I wanna say my wife has been incredible this whole journey, especially during the treatments, 'cause when I was ready to give up, she was, like, 'Hey, you're not giving up now. You've got so many people that love you and need you in their lives.' She was tough," he recalled. "And I needed that. So I was, like, 'Yeah, I know.' And I can mention I also have a two-and-a-half-year-old son at home. So that was really, really tough — coming back from the hospital and seeing him. That was my weak spot. She really helped me a lot, and she's very understanding. And obviously, when you have this kind of lifestyle, you need someone who really understands that lifestyle and supports it. And it's kind of a selfish lifestyle in many ways. But she totally gets it, and she's got my back."
Grönwall, who was a member of the Swedish hard rock band H.E.A.T. for nearly a decade before exiting the group in October 2020, announced in September 2021 that he was cancer free after receiving a bone marrow transplant one month earlier.
"There's been a lot of tears, and I still get emotional now talking about this," Erik said. "I think I'm done with the crying [laughs] — I think — but somehow I feel grateful that I went through all of this, 'cause it gave me a lot of perspective. I just feel like I've gotten a lot of perspective on things.
"Being in this business, you see a lot of comments, and you've gotta be tough in many ways," he explained. "And back in the H.E.A.T. days, negative comments could really get to me. Now I'm just, like, 'Dude, I don't care.'
"I'm so happy to wake up every day above ground. It's, like, 'Shit, I get another day? What am I gonna do with this day?'
"I was happy before SKID ROW," Erik added. "I am very happy in SKID ROW. Everything is temporary. I will be happy after SKID ROW. I'm just happy. I've got perspective, and I'm just happy to be alive. And I'm gonna keep singing until this voice can't sing anymore."
Grönwall sang on four H.E.A.T. studio albums — "Address The Nation" (2012),"Tearing Down The Walls" (2014),"Into The Great Unknown" (2017) and "H.E.A.T II" (2020).
In September 2021, just four months before he joined SKID ROW, Grönwall released his new cover version of "18 And Life" via all streaming platforms.
In 2018, Grönwall debuted in the U.S. for 10 million viewers in NBC's live broadcast of Andrew Lloyd Webber's and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar". Along with John Legend, Alice Cooper, Sara Bareilles and others, Erik played the key role of Simon Zealotes.
In January 2022, Grönwall told Headbangers Lifestyle about beating cancer: "Some anonymous wonderful human being somewhere in the world donated his/her blood cells so that I could get a second chance at life. Sometimes I can just get tears in my eyes when I think about it. It's so beautiful that one person who is not connected to me in any way wanted to do that for me. He/she doesn't know that the blood cells were for me. It's completely anonymous."
In late March 2022, SKID ROW released its first single with Grönwall, "The Gang's All Here". The song is the title track of the band's latest album, which arrived in October 2022 via earMUSIC.
SKID ROW played its first show with Grönwall on March 26, 2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada as the support act on the rescheduled dates for SCORPIONS' "Sin City Nights" residency.
CREED played its first show in 12 years earlier today (Thursday, April 18) as the headliners of the Summer Of '99 cruise.
The band's lineup of Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips is playing two shows during the cruise, which is traveling from Miami to the Bahamas between April 18 and April 22. Presented by Sixthman, the "Summer Of '99" cruise lineup also includes performances by 3 DOORS DOWN, BUCKCHERRY, TONIC, FUEL, VERTICAL HORIZON, THE VERVE PIPE, TANTRIC and NINE DAYS, among others.
CREED's performance on the deck stage of the Norwegian Pearl kicked off at 4:30 p.m. an consisted of 14 songs, beginning with "Are You Ready?", the opening track from the band's second album, 1999's "Human Clay".
CREED's setlist was as follows:
01. Are You Ready?
02. Bullets
03. Torn
04. My Own Prison
05. What If
06. Say I
07. Weathered
08. Overcome
09. Faceless Man
10. One
11. What's This Life For
12. With Arms Wide Open
13. One Last Breath
14. My Sacrifice
CREED will perform aboard a second cruise, the "Summer Of '99 And Beyond", traveling from Florida's Port Canaveral to Nassau from April 27 to May 1. A full-fledged tour, also dubbed "Summer Of '99" tour, produced by Live Nation, will kick off on July 17 and will run through September 28.
In a recent interview with Ryan McCredden of the I-Rock 93.5 radio station, CREED frontman Scott Stapp spoke about the fact that younger generations of fans have discovered the group's music in the 12 years since he and his bandmates played their last concert. He said: "Yeah, a hundred percent. And the analytics don't lie. We've started seeing, in late 2020, CREED beginning to go viral on TikTok, Instagram and then Facebook. And then it just seemed like every two or three months… The first couple months in 2021, we went viral again, and it just kept happening every two or three months. And then you look at the analytics, and you realize that when you look at the numbers, it's three generations. And now it's gotten down into high school kids. And so, what a gift and what a blessing. And I do not take that for granted. I understand how rare that that is. And I think I can speak for all of CREED, because we've had these conversations in private, that it's something we definitely understand is a gift, it's rare and we're not taking it for granted and we're just so grateful and appreciative that this has happened. And I think we're in the nurture phase of this whole thing and not taking a single bit of it for granted and just want to just share how grateful we are and fortunate we are that all these years later [so many people are discovering our music."
Stapp went on to discuss the overwhelmingly positive response to the announcement of CREED's first shows together in 12 years.
"I learned this from Mark [Tremonti, CREED guitarist] the other day in a Guitar World interview that we did together," Scott said. "One thing about Mark, and I hope he doesn't get mad at me for sharing, but he's always in touch with our long-term agent from day one, Ken Fermaglich at UTA. He started with us when we were doing clubs and nobody was showing up, and he's still our agent today. And Mark checks in with him to get analytics and get numbers. And Ken shared with him that right now we are bigger in terms of sales and how things are moving than we were at our peak in 2001, 2002, which blows my mind. It still doesn't seem that way to me, but Mark made a comment. He goes, 'Oh, well, you'll see it when you step out and there's 25,000 people in front of you.' And I said, 'Don't scare me, man.' It's been a long time since I've stepped in front of an audience that big."
When McCredden suggested that "the social media world of TikTok and Instagram" played a huge part in generating interest in a CREED reunion tour, Stapp said: "I've learned in my journey in sobriety and in recovery that… I believe in God and I believe that God has a plan. And looking at this from a thousand-foot perspective, it just all just seems, to me, without a doubt that God's had a hand in it. And I'm just grateful that I'm included on the ride and I'm just not gonna take a moment for granted and [I'm gonna] try to deliver every night and give the fans what they're asking for."
Stapp, whose road to sobriety kicked off in 2014 after issues with drugs and drinking, along with thoughts of suicide, credited his recovery with providing him with the necessary tools to reach new heights with his CREED bandmates. "Absolutely," he said. "In my experience, that's the only way you really learn. And, really, you have no other option. You have to get back up, no matter what you do and deal with the consequences, of course, but learn from it and grow. And one thing I'm looking at when I reflect back on my career is it kind of happened in reverse. With CREED, it was instant. It was first single 'My Own Prison', within 11 months, we're in arenas. But then there's been this 15-year drought for me where I went all the way back as a solo artist playing in small clubs and just duking it out, sweating it out in clubs and bars for over a decade. I mean, man, since 2005 or [2006]. So, I mean, we're talking 17, 18 years. So, it's happened in reverse, and I think that's how it needed to happen, because I think it really gave me a different perspective on how I wish I could have approached this from day one back in the day. But it is what it is, and I'm just gonna enjoy it now and be grateful for it."
CREED's enormous success is largely due to the prolific writing team of Stapp and Tremonti, who founded the band together in 1993. Their winning combination of driving guitar riffs, rousing hooks and introspective lyrics earned them legions of loyal fans around the world. Following the release of their first two albums, the four-piece — which also included bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips — became the first band ever to have seven consecutive No. 1 singles on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. CREED's third album, "Weathered" (2001),also debuted at No. 1, and produced several popular singles, including Top Ten hits "My Sacrifice" and "One Last Breath". Though CREED announced its breakup in 2004, the band briefly reunited in 2009 to release "Full Circle". Heavier than their previous albums, "Full Circle" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, proving the incredible staying power of the band.
CREED disbanded in 2004 but reunited five years later for the aforementioned "Full Circle" LP and an extensive tour. Stapp has since toured and recorded as a solo artist, although he suffered a drug-related mental breakdown in 2014 and spent several years recovering from that.
Creed on the summer of 99 Cruise first show in 12 years
Octoploid, the new musical endeavor of bassist Olli-Pekka "Oppu" Laine (Amorphis, Barren Earth, Mannhai), will release their debut full-length, Beyond The Aeons, on July 5th through Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). Today the band shares their first digital single from the record, “Human Amoral”, alongside an accompanying video.
“Human Amoral” perfectly mirrors many of the influences that have found their way onto the record and features Oppu's Amorphis bandmate Tomi Joutsen, splendidly contrasting but at the same time fitting the outstanding melancholic lead melodies with his remarkable vocal style. Its creeping psychedelic touch especially comes alive in Octoploid's first music video.
Comments Oppu, "Combining elements from folk, prog, and death metal, 'Human Amoral' is an epitome of Octoploid's sound and my musical influences."
Beyond The Aeons was crafted at E-Studio in Sipoo, Finland where Petri Majuri (Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe) took care of mixing the eight tracks and David Castillo (Katatonia, Leprous, Opeth) mastered the album. Orion Landau (Carcass, YOB, Russian Circles ) completed the magnificent package with dreamy artwork.
Pre-order Beyond The Aeons in the physical format of your choice (digipak CD, eco-friendly/recycled “Dusk Of Vex" Marbled vinyl), presave it on your favorite DSP, or pre-order it digitally to receive “Human Amoral [feat. Tomi Joutsen]” instantly now at this location.
Tracklisting:
"The Dawns In Nothingness" [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] *
"Coast Of The Drowned Sailors" [feat. Tomi Koivusaari & Janitor Muurinen] *
"Human Amoral" [feat. Tomi Joutsen] *
"Shattered Wings" [feat. Petri Eskelinen] #/%
"Beyond The Aeons" #/%
"The Hallowed Flame" [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] *
"Concealed Serenity" [feat. Mikko Kotamäki] %
"A Dusk Of Vex" [feat. Jón Aldará | physical: long version; digital: edit] ^/%
"Monotony" (bonus track - physical only) [feat. Petri Eskelinen] %
* Kim Rantala (keyboards)
# Samu Leminen (additional lead guitar)
^ Ile Laaksomaa (additional lead guitar)
% Kasper Mårtenson (keybaords)
Octoploid is the solo band of Olli-Pekka Laine (bass, keyboards, backing vocals; Amorphis, Barren Earth, Mannhai), formed in 2022. Combining elements from ‘90s death/black metal, ‘70s prog rock, and ‘90s psychedelic rock, their music has its own place on the map. In one phrase, Octoploid's sound has been described as "classic death prog."
Built around Laine, the core band includes four additional musicians: well-seasoned and diverse drummer Mikko Pietinen brings experience from stoner rock (MannhaI) and Finnish mainstream pop rock (Kasmir), while lead/rhythm guitarist Peter Salonen (The Kinky Thing; a band performing Finnish psych rock legends Kingston Wall covers) is a new face in the scene. The five-piece is completed by keyboardist Kim Rantala (Giant Robot, Amorphis) and vocalist Mikko Kotamäki (Swallow The Sun; live).
Century Media Records and InsideOutMusic are pleased to announce the upcoming “First Chapter” of a comprehensive catalogue re-issue campaign for legendary and groundbreaking death metallers Edge Of Sanity, as well as versatile prog/hardrock outfit Nightingale, who were both fronted by Swedish vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed metal producer Dan Swanö (Opeth, Katatonia, Dissection, etc.).
Long out of print, never previously available in certain formats or in any properly re-worked re-issue version, as well as enhanced by tons of exciting extra-material, these definitive re-issues come efficiently all re-mastered by Swanö himself and partly even shine in a new light via additional remix efforts as bonus.
Dan Swanö - who has not only had a long tradition of co-operating with mix/mastering roles for many CMR artists like Asphyx, Skeletal Remains or Insomnium, but also last became musically active in metal with the band Witherscape via CMR (Two albums and a mini album between 2013 and 2016) and also released his latest Nightingale album Retribution in 2014 on the IOM label - checked in with the following comment about the starting re-issue campaign:
“It’s hard to describe in words exactly how excited we all are about these re-issues for both Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale. It’s incredible that these albums are finally available again, with the attention to detail they always deserved and with a label like Century Media Records / InsideOutMusic behind us, we know that these releases will turn out amazing in the end and not be so hard to get a hold of like they used to be, and hopefully reach a new audience as well as the old!
"Personally, I always hoped that there would come a time when I could revisit all these albums and have the time and budget to remaster or even remix them and be able to present them the way I wish they had sounded all along.
"A lot of time, work and money have been put into making sure we have the best possible version of the original artwork to work with, and we searched everywhere for photographs and memorabilia. Endless hours have been spent talking and writing about these albums, resulting in super detailed liner notes for the Deluxe CD edition. Also, the lyrics have been double and tripled check, and it was quite amusing to see just how wrong most of them were both in the original booklets and online. The lyrics are in the booklets and on the inner sleeve of every re-issue!
"I wholeheartedly hope you appreciate these new, improved and definitive versions of the entire Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale back catalogues!”
The “First Chapter” of the reissue campaign will cover the following all-remastered releases and formats in June/August:
Edge Of Sanity – Purgatory Afterglow (Reissue), out June 21 (CMR)
- Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. “Until Eternity Ends” EP songs and remix of all songs on bonus disc)
- Black LP (180g vinyl, unlimited)
- Ltd. transp. red LP (180g vinyl, limited to 500x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers)
- Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de)
- Digital Album / Remaster 2024
- Digital Album / Remix 2024
Note: The seminal 4th album, originally released in 1994, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary.
Edge Of Sanity – Until Eternity Ends - EP (Reissue), out June 21 (CMR)
- Black 12" EP (180g vinyl, unlimited)
- Ltd. blue 12” EP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers)
- Digital EP / Remaster 2024
- Digital EP / Remix 2024
Note: The companion 4-track EP to “Purgatory Afterglow”, originally released in 1994, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Never available on vinyl before, including remix versions on Side B.
Edge Of Sanity – Nothing But Death Remains (Reissue), out August 23 (CMR)
- Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. remix and rare 1991 rough mix versions on bonus disc)
- Black LP (180g vinyl, unlimited)
- Ltd. transp. blue LP (180g vinyl, limited to 500x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers)
- Ltd. lilac LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de)
- Digital Album / Remaster 2024
- Digital Album / Remix 2024
Note: The intense debut album, originally released in 1991.
Nightingale – Nightfall Overture (Reissue), out June 21 (IOM)
- Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. 16-track live bonus disc)
- Black LP (180g, unlimited)
- Ltd. transp. light blue LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.insideoutshop.de & various other retailers)
- Digital Album / Remaster 2024
Note: Special compilation album, originally released in 2005 for the band’s 10th anniversary, including re-imagined and re-recorded songs from the band’s first four albums as well as 2 additional songs.
Nightingale – I (Reissue), out August 23 (IOM)
- Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. 7 additional songs and 18-track bonus disc)
- Black LP (180g, unlimited)
- Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.insideoutshop.de & various other retailers)
- Digital Album / Remaster 2024
Note: The 3rd album, originally released in 2000, available on vinyl for the first time ever.
For exact tracklisting of the “First Chapter” reissues, head here.
Pre-sale for the entire “First Chapter” started today, here.
In order to additionally support the kick-off of the comprehensive reissue campaign as well as to showcase the bonus remix treatment given to some of the material, you can now also check out the Edge Of Sanity digital single “Twilight" (Remix 2024), taken from the 2CD and Digital Album format from the upcoming Purgatory Afterglow reissue, on all DSP’s as well as in a brand-new video clip created by Costin Chioreanu / Twilight13Media, below:
You can also check out Edge Of Sanity’s “Twilight" (Remix 2024) as part of the “Death Metal” streaming playlist on Spotify here.
Stay tuned for further news about this catalogue campaign and look out for the “Second Chapter” of Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale reissues coming late 2024 / early 2025.
Edge Of Sanity lineup:
Anders Lindberg - Bass
Sami Nerberg - Guitar
Dan Swanö - Lead Vocals
Andreas Axelson - Guitar, Vocals
Benny Larsson - Drums
Current and former members of ICE NINE KILLS and FROM ASHES TO NEW have formed a brand new band called HILLHAVEN. Today, they have shared the video for the new single "Damned To Dream".
HILLHAVEN's lineup is comprised of Chris Kelly (ex-ICE NINE KILLS, ex-GALACTIC EMPIRE, and a rumored member of the BABYMETAL's backing band) on vocals, FROM ASHES TO NEW's Maty Madiro on drums, ICE NINE KILLS's Ricky Armellino on guitar, FROM ASHES TO NEW's Jimmy Bennett on guitar, and Jaime GoWell on bass.
"HILLHAVEN is two and a half year's life experience distilled into a single body of work and bolstered by four monster-level players," Kelly says.
"We've all been in this business for a long time and releasing something new, outside of what we're all typically known for, is both exciting and nerve-racking.
"A lot of thought has gone into planning this year of releases and, in my opinion, 'Damned To Dream' is the best way to kick it off. It's loud, it's real, it's energetic, it's the perfect taste of what's to come and we're all really looking forward to seeing how listeners respond to it."
"Damned To Dream" is just the beginning. There is plenty more coming from HILLHAVEN this year.
Billy Idol Rewind: A Twitch Livestream Event was held in July 2023, and today, Idol shares the official video for "Catch My Falll" from the session. Watch below:
Watch "Rebel Yell" From the livestream:
Billy Idol will embark on his transcontinental Rebel Yell Canada 2024 arena tour this summer, beginning July 30 in Vancouver and running through August 25 in St. John’s, Newfoundland.
Produced by Live Nation Canada, Idol’s show will include a myriad of hits from across his career with a focus on the landmark Rebel Yell album, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Joining Idol is his longtime backing band, including his lead guitarist and collaborator of over 40 years, Steve Stevens. Canadian Walk Of Fame inductees Platinum Blonde will appear as special guest across all stops.
Dates:
July
30 - Vancouver, BC - Rogers Arena
August
1 - Edmonton, AB - Rogers Place
2 - Calgary, AB - Scotiabank Saddledome
5 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Centre
6 - Winnipeg, MB - Canada Life Centre
9 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena
10 - Ottawa, ON - Canadian Tire Centre
14 - London, ON - Budweiser Gardens
16 - Montreal, QC - Bell Centre
19 - Quebec City, QC - Videotron Centre
21 - Moncton, NB - Avenir Centre
23 - Halifax, NS - Scotiabank Centre
25 - St. John’s, NL - Mary Brown’s Centre
Billy Idol is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his landmark album, Rebel Yell, with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe.
Available for pre-order here, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idols smash hit "Eyes Without A Face", and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original "Best Way Out Of Here" from the original sessions.
Idol has debuted the demo version of his 1984 hit single “Flesh For Fantasy” from the original Rebel Yell recording sessions. Listen to/share the track here and below:
Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idols self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles "Eyes Without A Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", "Rebel Yell", and "Catch My Fall". The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete tracklistings.
Idol recently released the concert film Billy Idol: State Line, a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam the first-ever concert performed at the location on DVD and Blu-ray following a successful limited theatrical run. The film highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idols iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line. For both sets, Idol is joined by his longtime collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens, as well as special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt).
For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the definitive faces and voices of rocknroll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock 'n' roll decadence. Touring consistently around the world for the last ten years and showing no signs of slowing down, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records, earning praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol cemented his name among Hollywood legends with the first Walk of Fame Star of 2023.
Rebel Yell (Expanded Edition) tracklistings:
2xLP:
Disc 1, Side A
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
Disc 1, Side B
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"
Disc 2, Side A
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
Disc 2, Side B
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)
2xCD/Digital Album:
Disc 1
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"
Disc 2
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Rebel Yell" (Session Take)
"Blue Highway" (Original Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Session Take)
"Catch My Fall" (Original Demo)
"Motorbikin" (Session Take)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)
Babylon A.D. announce the first single, "Wrecking Machine", from their upcoming album , Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day, to be released May 17 via Perris Records.
According to Derek Davis, "The song came about when lead guitarist John Matthews played me an old cassette tape recording of live music he had done with “Leonard Hayes” drummer for Y&T. I thought the opening riff was really cool and I played the music track a few times in my studio and came up with the idea for the song and lyrics pretty quick. The band then demoed the track and we all decided it was a great song for the album. The video and single came out amazing and we are extremely happy with the way the visual idea and track came together."
Get the single here, and watch the official video below.
Derek Davis’ back story on the lyrics, "The song is about a lost girl with destructive mental problems. She’s manipulative and vengeful and she is a created AI Robot! She’s not happy unless she is destroying people, relationships and eventually the world. She is a Sci-Fi “WRECKING MACHINE” come to life!"
Brian Basher from BraveWords Radio had this to say about the new album, "Too early to spoil it, but I will say two things about the record. IMO, it blows Revelation Highway out of the water and if you like the first two albums you will LOVE"Rome Wasn't Built In A Day."
Babylon A.D. can’t wait to start playing the songs live and have some very exciting shows coming up. Current dates listed below.
"Wrecking Machine"
"Pain"
"Sometimes Love Is Hell"
"Rome Wasn't Built In A Day"
"Looking For A Heartbeat"
"I Will Never Break Again"
"White Hot Bullet"
"Crashed Into The Sun"
"Face Of GOD"
"Shut Up"
"Super Beast"
Album details:
Produced, Mixed, Engineered by Derek Davis @ The BADMOFO’s Recording Studio, Pleasanton, CA.
Drums recorded by Gabriel Shepard @ 25th Studios Oakland CA.
Mastered By David Donnelly, DNA Mastering Los Angeles CA.
Photos - Angela Probst - Studio A
Vintage Artwork Concept Design - Derek Davis
Band Members:
Derek Davis - Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
Ron Freschi - Lead Guitar, Background vocals
John Mattews - Lead Guitar
Craig Pepe - Bass, Background vocals
Dylan Soto - Drums / Background vocals
Background vocals on "I Will Never Break Again" - Lane Borchard
Tour dates:
May
18 - Retro Junkie - Walnut Creek, CA
June
7 - Whisky go Go - Hollywood, CA
August
3 - Fulton 55 - Fresno, CA
25 - Monster On Mountain - Gatlinburg, TN
September
21 - Horsefest - Newark, CA
About Babylon A.D.:
Formed in 1987, Babylon A.D. hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Original members, Derek Davis vocalist/songwriter, guitarist's and music writers John Mathews and Ron Freschi drummer James Pacheco and bassist Rob Reid met in high school before they began playing together as "The Persuaders" making a name for themselves with their powerful live performances and catchy songwriting skills becoming one of the top drawing original Hard Rock bands in the Northern CA.
In 1989 the band changed their name to "Babylon A.D." and caught the attention of Arista Records President and industry music mogul “Clive Davis”, who signed them at a live showcase in Los Angeles thanks to their impressive three song demo and a home made video. John Mattews departed the band and was replaced by another high school friend Dan De La Rosa just before their self-titled album Babylon A.D. was released in 1990. The album included their hard rock classic hits "Bang Go The Bells”, “Hammer Swings Down” and “The Kid Goes Wild”, which featured Screaming "Sam Kinison" and was the trailer song and promotional video for Orion Pictures (Robo Cop 2). The band scored three #1 songs at Metal Radio and reached Gold status on their first release, which spent 38 weeks on the Billboard top 200, peaking at # 46. Their sophomore effort (Nothing Sacred) was produced by the legendary "Tom Werman" and released in 1992, it produced two more top-ten metal rockers. “Bad Blood” and “So Savage the Heart”. Constant touring throughout the early 1990s and several MTV videos made them one of hard rock fans favorite bands.
In 1999 the band and released Live In Your Face on Apocalypse Records, a compilation of live tracks recorded at various cities’ across America. Their next release American Blitzkrieg soon followed in 2002 and both records were well received by critics and fans alike. In 2008 the band released Babylon A.D. In The Beginning on Perris Records, a compilation of songs from the original demo tapes that secured them their recording contract with Arista Records.
After a long hiatus the band started playing and recording again in 2014. Touring across the States and Europe releasing the four song EP Lost Sessions. in 2018 John Matthews rejoined the group and the band signed with Frontiers Records for their forth studio release Revelation Highway. Four singles/ videos and more touring followed through the beginning of 2020. In 2022 original members James Pacheco and Robb Reid left the band for other pursuits remaining connected to the bands legacy and part of a brotherhood of friendship that has lasted for over 30 years!
Present Day...
Fast forward to 2023, Babylon A.D. announced new members Craig Pepe (bass) and Dylan Soto (drums) and a new live concert album Live Lightning from Perris Records. The new album included their top-ten rock-radio classic hits from their debut album as well as songs from “Nothing Sacred”, “American Blitzkrieg”, and “Revelation Highway”.
As 2024 begins the band is set to release their fifth studio album on Perris Records titled Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day on May 17. The 11 track album is classic Babylon A.D. firing on all cylinders, showcasing great songwriting talent, performances and the hard rock sound the band is known for. New videos and singles are coming and the band is currently booking and playing select live shows across the states in support of the new album.
The Chelo Sv YouTube channel has uploaded video of ANTHRAX's entire April 15 concert at Anfiteatro ITCA in Santa Tecla, El Salvador.
The band's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Among The Living
02. Caught In A Mosh
03. Madhouse
04. Metal Thrashing Mad
05. Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
06. Keep It In The Family
07. Antisocial (TRUST cover)
08. I Am The Law
09. In The End
10. Deathrider
11. Medusa
12. Got The Time (Joe Jackson cover)
13. Indians
Late last month, ANTHRAX announced that, due to personal reasons, bassist Frank Bello would not be able to accompany the band on its South American tour, which kicked off on Saturday, April 13 at MXMF The Metal Fest in Mexico City. Filling in on those dates, as well as two U.S. festival shows in May, is ANTHRAX founding member and original bassist Dan Lilker, marking his first appearance with the band in 40 years. Lilker, who co-wrote and played on ANTHRAX's debut album "Fistful Of Metal", was also a member of STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Scott Ian.
Asked in a recent interview with Metal Mayhem ROC when he was first approached about reuniting with ANTHRAX for the aforementioned shows, Lilker said: "I was actually contacted, I guess, about a month ago… I had a lot more advance notice than when everybody just found out a couple of days ago. It was just that's when the press release went public. So, yeah, about a month, 'cause I needed some time to learn some of the material, obviously, to play it correctly and play it with authority, too. You don't wanna just learn it; you wanna play it with confidence and look like you're up there being metal and not tentative. So, yeah, you could say late February, early March, something like that."
Pressed about whether there was a reason given as to why Bello isn't able to commit to these shows, Dan said: "Well, we're just saying personal reasons. I am not at liberty to say. But Frank is fine and the picture of health, and it's nothing like that. But [it's] nothing I can go into; it's not my place."
Regarding what his initial reaction was to being asked to play these ANTHRAX shows, Lilker said: "I got a text from Scott when he was in Japan on tour with MR. BUNGLE. And I was actually at work. I work in precision optics [at the Rochester, New York-based company called Sydor Optics], because I've realized that playing the type of music I played for the most part wasn't lucrative enough to not have a job. But point being that, yeah, I was just [having] a little smoke break at work at, like, 8:13 a.m. on a Monday or something, and I got a message from Scott going, 'Do you think yo'd be able to do some shows with us next month?' So, yeah, it would have been the very beginning of March. And it's funny. I just looked at my boss who's also a metalhead — that's that's how I ended up working for the company — and said, 'Hey, I just got asked to be do some ANTHRAX shows next month.' And he goes, 'You'd be fucking crazy not to.' And so I knew it would be cool there. And I said, 'Sure. Sounds like fun.' I looked at the tour dates and said, 'I've never been to Uruguay before,' so I can cross that off the list.' Everybody at [the] company [I work for] has been really super supportive about that. So I'm very lucky in that aspect."
On the topic of how long it took him to accept the invitation, Lilker said: "Oh, I just pretty much said, 'Sure, that sounds cool.' I informed my wife, but I can't imagine that she would have said, 'No, don't do that. That's crazy.' So, I'm pretty sure the order of things was replied and said, 'Yeah, that sounds cool.' And then I went about clearing it with the people I have to talk to here [at home and at work]."
Asked what he is most excited about when it comes to playing with ANTHRAX again, Lilker said: "Well, one thing that's cool is since we haven't done S.O.D. for a while, it was always fun jamming with Scott and Charlie, because the other guys are cool, but remember in 'Fistful Of Metal', that was pre-Joey [Belladonna, current ANTHRAX singer] and everything like that. So we were like the nucleus of the early, early ANTHRAX and, of course, S.O.D., which had one guitar, so in that aspect, jamming with those guys. But also the other dudes — I've never been on stage with Joey or anything like that. And, of course, Jon [Donais], the new [ANTHRAX guitarist], who's been very helpful with showing me riffs. So it'll be that. And also, some of the stuff on [ANTHRAX's third album, 1987's] 'Among The Living', it's real heavy, fast thrash metal — I actually have a couple of riffs I wrote on some of that stuff — so it'll be fun to actually play that stuff too. And, of course, the latter-day stuff from the '90s is fun because it was actually really easy to learn because it was more kind of slow. So, obviously, for me, playing grindcore and death metal and black metal, some of this stuff is going to be nice and easy. I have to make sure I don't start daydreaming."
Regarding what fans can expect from the setlist for the ANTHRAX shows that he will be a part of, Dan said: "I would just say that if you look at recent ANTHRAX setlists, subtract a song or two and add another song or two, that would be pretty close. And as far as subtracting songs, nobody's going to be rapping on stage too much."
After one of the interviewers expressed hope that ANTHRAX will play a "Fistful Of Metal" deep cut like "Subjugator", Dan said: "That's a pretty deep fucking cut, dude. You might get something else that ends with an 'R.'"
Lilker later confirmed that ANTHRAX will perform some material from "Fistful Of Metal" at the upcoming shows. "I mean, that's not many beans to spill there," he said. "They've always played 'Metal Thrashing Mad', and since I already [said] we'll be doing another song that ends in 'R', that would be the song before it ['Deathrider'] on 'Fistful Of Metal'. And, yeah, that's kind of our one thing toward acknowledging me doing the stuff, because that was a pretty primitive album for what ANTHRAX ended up progressing into, some of that having to do with my writing style."
Asked about his current relationship with Scott, Charlie and Frank, having attended Ian's 60th-birthday party this past New Year's Eve in Van Nuys, California, Dan said: "Well, we've always had a relationship. It's just been more kind of like one of those off-on things because you're not traveling in the same circles or whatever; they're out doing something and I'm doing something else. So [at Scott's birthday party], it was more just kind of like getting to see old friends again, catching up with them. Frank, I hadn't seen Frank for a long time; I've seen Scott more recently than that, I believe. And, yeah, it was a really good time going out there with my wife and celebrating his birthday and playing a few tunes."
He added: "But, in general, yeah, I'm looking forward to sharing a stage with those guys, helping them out and having some fun, playing some metal. 'Cause I'm not really playing in bands anymore, which is by choice, and so just getting to do occasional little forays like that are cool with me."
Asked if there are any long-term future plans for him to play with ANTHRAX again, Lilker said: "Well, as far as I know, I'm just doing the 10 shows that I was asked to do — the eight that are in Central and South America and then the two U.S. fests. It's just filling in for Frank — I wanna make sure and stress that. I am not [rejoining] the band, even though I formed it before. This isn't gonna be, 'Finally after 40 years, my plan…' I'm doing my friends a favor. And if that situation changes in the future, it will not have anything to do with me taking any steps to do so, let's put it that way."
Lilker has not been idle over the past four decades, having played in a wide variety of bands. He was the bassist for the thrash/metal band NUCLEAR ASSAULT and the grindcore band BRUTAL TRUTH. He also plays bass for EXIT-13, MALFORMED EARTHBORN, THE RAVENOUS, OVERLORD EXTERMINATOR, VENOMOUS CONCEPT, and more.
Remaining ANTHRAX shows with Lilker:
April 17 - Pepper's, San Jose, Costa Rica
April 19 - The Metal Fest, Quito, Ecuador
April 21 - The Metal Fest, Santiago, Chile
April 23 - Sala de Museo, Montevideo, Uruguay
April 25 - El Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 28 - Summer Breeze Open Air, São Paulo, Brazil
May 09 - Welcome to Rockville, Daytona Beach, FL
May 17 - Sonic Temple Festival, Columbus, OH
To celebrate ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary in 2021, the band's social media accounts offered a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos honored each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, "Fistful Of Metal". The 11-week series included video contributions from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.
Lilker, who played bass on "Fistful Of Metal" and wrote most of the music for the record, told Knotfest about ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary: "I'm definitely proud of that whole thing. I think it's great that those guys are still going… That was real good memories back then. I know people go, 'Oh, they fucking threw you out after that,' and blah blah blah. But, obviously, I got over that and formed NUCLEAR ASSAULT. And next year we were doing S.O.D. So I'm not the kind of guy who stays bitter forever. But, yeah, the memories of those times, writing that record and recording it and everything was... 'Cause there was no blueprint or anything; we just had influences and just tried to put our own stamp on 'em back then. So, yeah, it kind of sucks being thrown out three days before [it got] released, but it gave me an excuse to do something else."
When interviewer Daniel Dekay noted that it was "really cool" of ANTHRAX to allow Lilker to tell his side of the story in the above-mentioned documentary series, Dan said: "There was times in the past where I might have been a little neglected on some of the stuff. So I think they wanted to make sure to just have a nice, inclusive vibe and not forget any particular details. Like the fact that I wrote 75 percent of 'Fistful Of Metal'. You know, a minor detail."
A number of years ago, Lilker told Voices From The Darkside that he was fired from ANTHRAX due to "a conflict" with the band's then-vocalist Neil Turbin. "He was an egotist (like most singers, haha) and it bothered him that I was taller than him," Lilker explained. "Also, he had no sense of humor, so if you busted his balls he took it seriously. So, he told the other members, 'I can't take Lilker anymore. It's him or me.' They decided he was more important as a familiar frontman to the fans, so they threw me out, even though I wrote 75 percent of the music on 'Fistful…'. Oh well. He was, of course, thrown out seven months later, and I played with Scott and Charlie in S.O.D. the next year."
In his 2014 autobiography "I'm The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax", Ian described Lilker's dismissal from ANTHRAX 30 years earlier as "the worst moment for me in the history" of the band. He went on to say that the decision to kick Dan out ANTHRAX was made by Turbin and not the other members of the group.
"The biggest dick move Neil ever pulled was when he fired Danny Lilker behind our backs after 'Fistful…' came out in January 1984," Ian wrote. "The main reason he did it, in my opinion, was because Danny is taller than him. He honestly didn't think someone should be taller than the frontman onstage. He thought it made him look bad, so he tried to stand as far away from Danny as possible, which was hard when we were playing stages the size of ping-pong tables."
In recent years, Ian has voiced his appreciation for the role "Fistful Of Metal" played in giving ANTHRAX its start, telling Metal Hammer: "Let's face it, 'Fistful Of Metal' gave us our career. It got the band some attention, made people all over the world aware of what we could do — and for that reason alone I have to be grateful to everyone involved. The record was vital in launching us, and everything we've done, and become, since stems from that debut record. I may be critical of it in some ways, but I could never do anything other than admit we owe it all to 'Fistful Of Metal'. If that had never happened… well, perhaps you would never have heard of ANTHRAX."
On May 17, 2024, horror punk metal act Zombeast will return with its heaviest, darkest, and most frenzied material to date with their new album Heart Of Darkness. Slated for release via Massacre Records – licensed from Fiend Force Records – the album will be coming out on CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats, the pre-sale is available at this location.
Following the previously-released, first single "Red Ripper", today Zombeast are presenting a music video for new album track "The Cycle".
"This song lyrically focuses on lycanthropy and the frenzy that consumes. This is some of Mario Montechello’s most aggressive singing on the record. It’s the fastest song we’ve ever written and the double bass action of Kyle Smith during the pre-chorus just creates a massive wall of sound reminiscent of Metallica’s ‘Dyers Eve’,” says guitarist / bassist Jared Smith. "The dueling guitar breakdown was also written the night before the studio and I think we nailed it considering it was written in the 11th hour. The music on my end was heavily inspired by AFI’s ‘Black Sails In The Sunset’."
Influenced by Danzig, AFI, Mercyful Fate, and ‘80s punk, death rock, and thrash metal, Zombeast has crafted a perfect crossover blend of dark punk and thrash. The lyrics, written by Mario Montechello, explore everything from the true horrors of life to the occult and lycanthropy. With the addition of Alex Young (lead guitar) and Kyle Smith (drums), this album also breaks new technical ground that's never been seen before by the band.
Tracklisting:
“Devil’s Whore”
“Red Ripper”
“Call Of The Wild”
“Torso”
“The Cycle”
“Heart Of Darkness”
“Cold Embrace”
“The Witching Bell”
“Night Demon”
“Dark Path”
As they prepare for the release of their sixth studio album Coagulated Bliss— out next Friday, April 26— Full of Hell have shared the album's powerful title track. While the focus on songwriting already makes Coagulated Bliss the most grounded album in band's catalog, it’s also the first Full of Hell record that tries in earnest to reflect the world around it—not in some broad, monotony-of-evil way, but the everyday horrors of life in small town America.
Vocalist Dylan Walker’s lyrics have always framed their suffering with what he calls “fantastical, metaphorical shit,” but on Coagulated Bliss his writing is clear and direct. Walker comments, “This song is a lyrical summation of the record as a whole. Seeking the unattainable. Drowning in it.”
The songs on Coagulated Bliss feel huge, totemic, groundshaking, and the title track is no different. Guitarist Spencer Hazard states, “Dave [Bland, drums] and I wrote this song with a band like Today is the Day in mind. Noisy guitar and jazzy drums but a riff that gets stuck in your head.”
Full of Hell burst forth with incredible force from the small, dagger-shaped city of Ocean City, Maryland, 15 years ago. Over five full-lengths, five collaborative full-lengths, and countless splits, EPs, singles, and noise compilations, they’ve evolved at extraordinary speed, their music becoming more complicated and technical without ever slowing down or losing its soul. Everything on a Full of Hell album feels like a blur: smears of guitar, harsh noise shaken like gravel in a bag, singer Dylan Walker’s snarl and bite carrying him into outer space or into the core of the earth. They’re coiled, interlocking, impossible to penetrate, and they move with alarming speed.
They have now reached terminal velocity. Having created their own context, they’re now able to walk around within it, to survey its terrain, to visit far corners and see who’s nearby. Their forthcoming album, Coagulated Bliss, sounds like Full of Hell, but it’s nothing like any Full of Hell record that’s come before it. These songs are trimmer, less freighted with anxiety, more interested in opening up than speeding away. Its bile is sometimes funneled into traditional song structures.
It never shies away from the extreme harsh noise, unrelenting spirit, and pitch-black sadness of previous Full of Hell records; if anything, the leanness of these songs makes them feel even heavier. Nevertheless, there are tracks here you might find yourself whistling hours after listening. It’s an extraordinary and unexpected evolution in sound for a band who made their name on rapid metamorphosis, and it’s the logical endpoint of everything Full of Hell has covered so far.
Coagulated Bliss is out April 26 via Closed Casket Activities and is available for pre-order here. See Full Of Hell on the road in April + May with Dying Fetus (dates below) and look for more news soon.
Coagulated Bliss,cover art by Brian Montuori.
Coagulated Bliss tracklisting:
"Half Life Of Changelings"
"Doors To Mental Agony"
"Transmuting Chemical Burns"
"Fractures Bonds To Mecca"
"Coagulated Bliss"
"Bleeding Horizon"
"Vomiting Glass"
"Schizoid Rupture"
"Vacuous Dose"
"Gasping Dust"
"Gelding Of Men"
"Malformed Ligature"
"Coagulated Bliss" video:
"Doors To Mental Agony" video:
Full Of Hell is Spencer Hazard (guitar/electronics), David Bland (drums/vocals), Samuel DiGristine (bass/sax/vocals), and Dylan Walker (vocals/electronics/lyrics), with new guitarist Gabriel Solomon joining following the album’s completion.
Full Of Hell tour dates:
April
25 - Silver Spring, MD - The Fillmore ^
26 - Sayerville, NJ - Starland Ballroom ^
27 - Syracuse, NY - The Song & Dance ^
28 - Albany, NY - Empire Live ^
30 - Quebec City, QV - Theatre Capitole ^
May
1 - Montreal, QC - Beanfield Theatre ^
2 - Ottawa, ON - The Brass Monkey ^
3 - London, ON - London Music Hall ^
4 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre ^
5 - Buffalo, NY - Electric City ^
7 - Pontiac, MI - The Crofoot Ballroom ^
8 - Columbus, OH - The King of Clubs ^
9 - Joliet, IL - The Forge ^
10 - Milwaukee, WI - The Rave ^
12 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre ^
13 - Saskatoon, SK - Louis ^
14 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room ^
15 - Calgary, AB - The Palace Theatre ^
17 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre ^
18 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon ^
19 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater ^
July
13 + 14 - Los Angeles, CA - Exposition Park (Sound & Fury)
Soul Sign is an all-star group comprising members of Quiet Riot, Scorpions’ Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ted Nugent, Player, Dokken, DIO Returns, Leatherwolf and Unida delivering heavy, melodic rock that will touch your soul. BraveWords is premiering the new music video for “Out Of The Dark – White Room Cover” – check it out below.
Video notes:
Directed & Editing - John Haggard
Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Bjorn Englen
The group, based out of Los Angeles, was founded with the intention to deliver strong, honest, organic modern and classic rock through world class musicianship. All members are extraordinary musicians & personalities who have had their craft perfected through many years of extensive world-wide touring & recording with world famous, multi-platinum selling artists. They deliver an energetic live show suited to a wide range audience.
Mark Boals - Vocals
The legendary voice of Yngwie Malmsteen, Ted Nugent & Scorpions’ Uli Jon Roth. Mark has also sung with Don Dokken, The Rock Vault, Ring of Fire & Royal Hunt. Bigger than life vocals with a range that is hard to beat!
Rob Math - Guitar
Rob’s unique & tasteful style is combining blues with great chops. He has recorded with Seal, Toni Braxton & many more. He has been a recording & touring member of Player (“Baby Come Back”) & metal classics Leatherwolf.
Bjorn Englen - Bass
Extraordinary virtuoso bass player mainly known for decades with multi-platinum Quiet Riot, DIO Returns, as well as guitar gods Yngwie Malmsteen, Uli Jon Roth & Tony MacAlpine.
Mike Cancino - Drums
A much experienced world class, “work horse” drummer who grew up in the California desert & has toured internationally for decades with Lynch Mob, stoner rock legends Unida & many more.
Today, Grand Slam unleash the video for “Spitfire”, the ferocious second single from the new studio album, Wheel Of Fortune, out on June 7 via Silver Lining Music.
“I simply can’t wait for you guys to listen to this track. It’s a complete monster!,” exclaims frontman Mike Dyer. “We had the music and the lyrics weren’t quite breaking through. I went to bed that night in the studio under considerable pressure from the boys and I read an incredible story about a young 12-year-old who had a fear of heights, he overcame his fear by jumping off a high board. Eventually, he moved from South Africa to Oxford, England, and became a Spitfire ace, at age 19!”
“I had a rough arrangement idea down for ‘Spitfire’,” adds guitarist and co-founding member Laurence Archer, “but it was only once we all got together in the studio that we found the true feel for the song and it transformed into the monster that it is.”
Watch the "Spitfire" video below:
Grand Slam’s story has been a true journey of destiny, one where early unions ended up leaving unfinished business on the table, and one which finally sees the band attending to said business with the brand-new album Wheel Of Fortune. From Archer’s faultless, fearless fret-driven song architecture on "Spitfire" to Dyer’s swagger and style on "There Goes My Heart". There are moments such as "Come Together (In Harlem)" where the moody strut of original co-founder Phil Lynott is unmistakable, yet the multi-layered steamy swing of "Pirate Song" makes it very clear Grand Slam is firing forward with all guns blazing. Joined by Benjy Reid on drums and Rocky Newton on bass, the creative vigor and will to propel Grand Slam is stronger still, with the new album Wheel Of Fortune being the true statement to this.
“We have a direction that is in my heart, it’s a tribal thing,” Dyer explains, “and the Wheel Of Fortune album is Grand Slam in big boy pants without any scaffolding. This band is something very special; I’m slightly biased I know, but God, I’m really proud of that.”
Wheel Of Fortune will be released in digital and physical formats on June 7. The album will be available in a variety of formats and pre-orders can be placed here.
Wheel Of Fortune tracklisting:
"There Goes My Heart"
"Starcrossed Lovers"
"Come Together (In Harlem)"
"Trail Of Tears"
"Feeling Is Strong (Jo's Song)"
"Spitfire"
"I Wanna Know!"
"Pirate Song"
"Afterlife"
"Wheel Of Fortune"
"There Goes My Heart" video:
Grand Slam will also re-release their debut album, Hit The Ground. Originally released in 2019, the record has been given a makeover.
“I stopped playing for a while and started a film career,” recounts Archer of Hit The Ground. “In 2018 I was working on location in Guadalupe, and I arrived at the decision to record the Grand Slam songs properly, because essentially, what has been out there has not really been representative of what we did back then. Phil and I had done some work-in-progress demos in his backyard studio, and unfortunately, someone stole them and released them. So, it’s always been a goal of mine to re-visit those songs and do them properly, and I had been thinking about showcasing them fittingly for over 30 years, instead of hearing these horrible demos that people put out.”
Re-mixed, re-mastered, and featuring new artwork, Hit The Ground – Revised, will be released on May 10 in digital formats and June 7 in physical formats. Pre-orders can be placed here.
Hit The Ground - Revised tracklisting:
"Gone Are The Days"
"Nineteen"
"Hit The Ground"
"Military Man"
"Crazy"
"Dedication"
"Long Road"
"Sisters Of Mercy"
"Crime Rate"
"Grand Slam" *
* not available on vinyl
Grand Slam are:
Mike Dyer – vocals
Laurence Archer – guitars
Benjy Reid – drums
Rocky Newton – bass
Former Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro, who was with the band from 2015 - 2023, has shared a new instructional video diving into his use of open triads in his playing.
For the first time in Europe, embark on an immersive guitar camp with one of the most renowned guitarists in the world: Kiko Loureiro.
On June 1st and 2nd, experience a unique journey of learning and inspiration where you'll refine your musical skills, unlock your creative potential and create unforgettable moments. Set in the heart of Helsinki, this camp will take place at a very unique venue - The Katajanokka Hotel, a former jail transformed into a boutique lodging.
Tailored for dedicated and passionate guitar enthusiasts like yourself, this cultural event provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to transform your playing style. During the weekend, you'll have the chance to dig deep into creating amazing solos, improvising freely, transforming your ideas into real songs, and more:
-12 hours of full guitar immersion;
- Learn from the best - Participate in masterclasses and jams with Kiko himself;
- Get feedback from your playing and ask everything you ever wanted to know about music and guitar;
- Get a free license of one of Neural DSP plugins;
- Experience the ultimate blend of cool and unique at a camp venue unlike anything you've ever seen;
- Discover the unique tones and craftsmanship of Kiko's personal guitar collection;
- After the sessions, enjoy casual hangouts and sightseeing in the picturesque setting of Helsinki Downtown.
- Download exclusive content for practice after the event.
Register for The Kiko Loureiro Guitar Experience here.
Today marks the release of "Hangtime", the latest single from the heavy psychedelic rock trio Mooch, off their upcoming album Visions. Accompanying the launch of this powerful track is a live performance video that captures the raw energy and immense talent of the band.
"Hangtime" is a dynamic exploration of uncertainty and future anxieties, characterized by Mooch’s signature fusion of down-tuned desert rock, '90s grunge, and '70s psychedelia. The song starts with a gritty, compelling riff that evolves into a full-blown auditory experience filled with deep, resonant vocals and the complex interplay of guitar and drums that fans have come to expect from Mooch.
The live performance video, filmed during one of the band’s captivating live sessions, showcases the chemistry and intensity of Mooch’s onstage presence. Recorded under the atmospheric blend of psychedelic lighting and enveloping sound, the video offers a glimpse into what fans can anticipate during the upcoming "Visions Tour 2024."
Mooch describes "Hangtime" as, "a song written about the feeling of being up in the air, uncertain and worried about the direction of the future. However, even coming from a grey, doom-ridden perspective, one has the potential to touchdown and make an impact." This release not only teases the depth and diversity of the forthcoming album Visions but also highlights the band’s growth and continued innovation in their music.
With the release of "Hangtime," Mooch continues to solidify their position in the modern rock scene, promising more immersive experiences with the full release of Visions on May 3, 2024.
With roots in both Montreal and Yellowknife, Mooch has established themselves as a formidable force in the rock scene, known for their electrifying performances and a unique sound that seamlessly blends the raw edge of rock with captivating melodies and thunderous rhythms.
Don't miss your chance to catch Mooch live in action – a band that continues to redefine the boundaries of rock music with every performance. Canadian tour dates are as follows:
May
10 - Ottawa, ON - Café Dekcuf
11 - Montreal, QC - The Purple Room (Joint album release show with The Hazytones)
17 - Toronto, ON - Bovine Sex Club
18 - Hamilton, ON - Doors Taco Joint and Metal Bar
19 - Barrie, ON - The Poolhaus
24 - Fredericton, NB - Broken Record Bar & Music Room
25 - Moncton, NB - Xeroz
26 - Sydney, NS - St. Patricks
27 - Halifax, NS - Rad Storm
"Shelter In Place", the new video from Baltimore, Maryland-based transapocalyptic galaxy rock duo, Darsombra, can viewed below The track can found on the band’s entrancing psychedelic masterpiece, Dumesday Book.
The video arrives as the band traverses the Atlantic Ocean once again to begin their latest tour across Europe and the UK.
"Shelter In Place" is an ominous, majestic introduction to the album's uncertain journey of the deep range of human emotions characteristic during plague times. The track is quaking, vast, and full of portent; the video, filmed and edited by Everton, gives the tsunami of precarious fear a doleful, baleful visage. Welcome to the trip.
SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery will release an instrumental EP, "Don't Say It", on May 24.
The official music video for the EP's first single, "Dizzy Moments", produced by Chuck Brueckmann, can be seen below.
When Clint first announced that he was working on an instrumental EP back in January, he wrote on his social media: "For awhile now I've been very interested in film scoring, sound design and programming. Instead of focusing on another typical release I thought it'd be cool to write and release a few of these rough pieces I've been cutting my teeth on. Most of it is very moody, dark and cinematic, but still somewhat in traditional song format. It has been very fulfilling to work on not to mention refreshing creatively. I can experiment with sounds, textures and arrangements I enjoy.
"I got the inspiration while listening to NIN 'Ghosts' release and thought it would be a good exercise to just write and record something everyday or at least every other day just to flush things out, learn more about the process.
"I like to announce these things to stay accountable and I always work better under a deadline pressure, even if its one I put on myself. I plan to mix and master this myself (something I’ve never done). So please be open minded and take it for what it is…sharing musical ideas, the process where I'm currently sitting and where I want to go.
"I'm excited to tread on some new ground. Very humbling yet gratifying journey so far."
The 52-year-old Lowery, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri with his wife Tara and their two children, released a solo EP, titled "Ghostwriter", in February 2023 via Dark Blanket Records. The five-track effort was the follow-up to his debut solo album, "God Bless The Renegades", which came out in January 2020 via Rise Records.
In addition to SEVENDUST, Lowery has been a member of, written, recorded, or performed with CALL ME NO ONE, DARK NEW DAY, KORN, RED, Tommy Lee's METHODS OF MAYHEM, SNOT, 10 YEARS and DIGITAL SUMMER, among others.
Photo credit: Chuck Brueckmann
Well the time has come to release this into the wild. My first instrumental EP. Due out May 24th. Preorder for...
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