NILE And CORONER – UNDERWORLD DISSONANCE U.S. TOUR 2027:
Plus Guest Support Syn Absence
Tue, March 2 – Greenville, SC at Radio Room Wed, March 3 – Nashville, TN at The Basement East Fri, March 5 – Dallas, TX at AM/FM Sat, March 6 – Corpus Christi, TX at House of Rock Sun, March 7 – Austin, TX at Come and Take It Live Tue, March 9 – Albuquerque, NM at Sunshine Theater Wed, March 10 – Mesa, AZ at Nile Theater Fri, March 12 – Boise, ID at Shrine Social Club Sat, March 13 – Spokane, WA at Knitting Factory Sun, March 14 – Seattle, WA at El Corazon Mon, March 15 – Portland, OR at Hawthorne Theater Wed, March 17 – Roseville, CA at Goldfield Roseville Thu, March 18 – San Francisco, CA at Great American Music Hall Fri, March 19 – Santa Ana, CA at Observatory Sat, March 20 – Los Angeles, CA at The Whisky Sun, March 21 – San Diego, CA at House of Blues Tue, March 23 – Denver, CO at Oriental Theater Thu, March 25 – Lincoln, NE at Bourbon Theater Fri, March 26 – Des Moines, IA at Wooly’s Sat, March 27 – Milwaukee, WI at The Rave Sun, March 28 – Joliet, IL at The Forge Tue, March 30 – Flint, MI at Machine Shop Wed, March 31 – Lakewood, OH at Mercury Fri, April 2 – Sayreville, NJ at Starland Ballroom Sat, April 3 – New York, NY at Gramercy Theatre Sun, April 4 – Worcester, MA at The Palladium Upstairs Tue, April 6 – Lititz, PA at Mickey’s Black Box Wed, April 7 – Baltimore, MD at Baltimore Soundstage Fri, April 9 – Pittsburgh, PA at Preserving Underground Sat, April 10 – Columbus, OH at The King of Clubs Sun, April 11 – Leesburg, VA at Tally Ho Theater
75. 40. 20. Three numbers. One extraordinary chapter in heavy metal history. New Album available for Pre-Order now
2027 marks a unique triple anniversary for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O.: Udo turns 75, U.D.O. celebrate 40 years as a band, and Voodoo Ranger marks the release of the German heavy metal institution’s 20th studio album. This very special record release will be celebrated on January 8, 2027 via powerhouse label Reigning Phoenix Music.
Today, U.D.O. open this milestone chapter with the first taste of Voodoo Ranger: new single “I’ll Die Trying.” Accompanied by an official music video, the track also marks the launch of the album pre-order.
Watch the official video for “I’ll Die Trying” HERE:
Rather than launching Voodoo Ranger with an all-out metal attack, U.D.O. introduce the album with one of its most personal moments. “I’ll Die Trying” is a classic U.D.O. ballad about perseverance, self-belief and staying true to your path, carried by the unmistakable voice of Udo Dirkschneider.
Voodoo Ranger – Track-list: 01. Testify 02. The Sky Is The Limit 03. Keep Me Alive 04. Back Breaker 05. I’ll Die Trying 06. Reach For The Crown 07. Pain & Glory 08. Hell Hunt 09. Voodoo Ranger 10. Magic Life 11. Devil’s Mind 12. Movin’ On
The song also became the album’s first single through an unexpected turn of events; a change of plans that, as Udo explains, ultimately felt like the right choice.
Udo Dirkschneider comments: “‘I’ll Die Trying’ is one of the most personal songs on Voodoo Ranger. It’s about never giving up, believing in yourself and always moving forward, no matter what life throws at you. The last verse especially means a lot to me because it reflects what I’ve experienced on stage for so many years. Every concert is a special moment and as long as people want to hear me sing, I’ll keep giving everything I’ve got. I’ve always believed that a great ballad can be just as powerful as the heaviest metal songs, and throughout my career these songs have become some of the most memorable ones. ‘I’ll Die Trying’ is another one of those songs that comes straight from the heart.
We originally planned to launch Voodoo Ranger with a different song, but after Peter and Alen were injured during one of the recent concerts of the Balls To The Wall – 40th Anniversary Tour, we had to postpone the original video production. Rather than rush things, we decided to let ‘I’ll Die Trying’ lead the way. Looking back, it feels like the right choice. The song captures a side of U.D.O. that has always been important to me. Ballads have been part of my career from the very beginning, and our fans have always embraced them. At the same time, nobody should think this album is getting softer: Voodoo Ranger is packed with classic U.D.O. power and has plenty of surprises waiting.”
AndVoodoo Ranger does indeed have more than a few surprises in store.
The album finds U.D.O. as unmistakable as ever with their signature sound firmly intact. Powerful riffs, massive hooks and Udo Dirkschneider’s unique voice meet heavier and darker moments.
Written by Udo Dirkschneider, Sven Dirkschneider, Peter Baltes and Fabian “Dee” Dammers, with additional contributions from new guitarist Alen Brentini, Voodoo Ranger brings four decades of heavy metal experience into an album that sounds unmistakably U.D.O. The album was produced and mixed by Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer, mastered by Stefan Kaufmann, while its artwork was painted by acclaimed artist Eliran Kantor.
The album is only one part of what will make 2027 an exceptional year for Udo Dirkschneider and U.D.O. The band will celebrate four decades of U.D.O. live with the extensive Triple Anniversary Tour 2027, taking the anniversary across Europe and bringing together material from throughout the band’s history.
At the same time, another major chapter in Dirkschneider’s story will be told away from the stage: his official autobiography, created together with Dan Dreyer, will be published in the very same month as Voodoo Ranger.
Album, book and tour therefore meet at a unique point in his career. After more than five decades in heavy metal, Udo Dirkschneider has plenty of history to look back on, yet Voodoo Ranger makes one thing equally clear: U.D.O. are still looking ahead.
75 years. 40 years of U.D.O. 20 albums. And the metal heart keeps beating.
U.D.O. Artist Line-Up: Udo Dirkschneider – Vocals Sven Dirkschneider – Drums Fabian “Dee” Dammers – Guitar Peter Baltes – Bass Alen Brentini – Guitar
U.D.O. – TRIPLE ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2027
09.01.2027 DE-Leipzig, Haus Auensee 10.01.2027 DE-Hamburg, Große Freiheit 36 11.01.2027 DE-Berlin, Huxleys Neue Welt 12.01.2027 DE-Frankfurt, Batschkapp 13.01.2027 DE-Braunschweig, Westand 15.01.2027 DE-Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle 16.01.2027 DE-Markneukirchen, Musikhalle 17.01.2027 DE-Munich, Backstage Werk 18.01.2027 DE-Stuttgart, LKA-Longhorn 19.01.2027 FR-Paris, Bataclan 21.01.2027 CH-Pratteln, Konzertfabrik Z7 23.01.2027 ES-Barcelona, Sala Apolo 24.01.2027 ES-Madrid, Revi Live 25.01.2027 ES-Villava, Sala TOTEM Aretoa 27.01.2027 ES-Seville, Sala Custom 28.01.2027 PT-Lisbon, LAV – Lisboa ao Vivo 29.01.2027 PT-Porto, Hard Club 01.02.2027 IT-Milano, Magazzini Generali 02.02.2027 SI-Ljubljana, Club Cvetličarna 04.02.2027 BG-Sofia, Hristo Botev Hall 05.02.2027 RO-Bucharest, Quantic 07.02.2027 HU-Budapest, Barba Negra 08.02.2027 CZ-Ostrava, Club Garage 09.02.2027 CZ-Brno, Sono Centrum 11.02.2027 PL-Wroclaw, Concert Center A2 12.02.2027 PL-Poznan, B17 13.02.2027 PL-Krakow, Studio Kraków 14.02.2027 PL-Warsaw, Progresja 15.02.2027 PL-Gdańsk, Stary Manez 17.02.2027 SE-Gothenburg, Pustervik 18.02.2027 NO-Oslo, Vulkan Arena 20.02.2027 FI-Tampere, Tavara-asema
Tankcrimes is pleased to unveil a CD repress of Wings Of Chains, the debut full-length from Richmond, Virginia speed metal cult, BAT.
BAT‘s esteemed membership on Wings Of Chains is well known featuring vocalist/bassist Ryan Waste (Municipal Waste, Volture), guitarist Nick Poulos (Municipal Waste, Volture), and drummer Felix Griffin (D.R.I.) and their collective experience bleeds through every gnarled note of the record.
Initially released in 2016 via Hells Headbangers, the twelve-track production is an unapologetic firestorm of filth and fury. But more than that, such hard-charging and immediately headbanging speed metal can only come from total diehards who intimately know the secret of steel. From the opening “Bloodhounds” on down to the band’s titular theme song, BAT barrels forth like filth hounds of Hades, pounding metal with violence and force, leaving “Total Wreckage” in their wake.
Comments Ryan Waste, “We’re psyched to have our debut album back on CD format to accompany the LP at Tankcrimes. Many of these songs will remain in the setlist for our upcoming tour with Voïvod this October. BAT is flying higher than ever on Wings Of Chains!”
Order Tankcrimes’ CD and vinyl editions of BAT’s Wings Of Chains HERE.
IAN BLURTON’S FUTURE NOW return with “Siren Of The Song,” the first single to land from the forthcoming full length venture, Imperial Filth. Delivering guitar-led rock with lashings of overdrive, “Siren Of The Song” brings a wall of rhythms, charismatic melodies and a warm analogue sound. Imperial Filth is schedule for release via Pajama Party on October 23, 2026.
Ian Blurton comments on the new single: “‘Siren Of The Song’ is a riff fest that connects the unlikely dots between Cheap Trick, Slayer, Voivod and ZZ Top and includes 3 guitar solos in 3 minutes. It seemed like a good first single as it encompasses influences from 4 of our favourite bands.”
“1/2 of Imperial Filth was recorded with no click, 80% of it was live off the floor using real British tube amps and no drum samples or AI”. Explains Burton. “We tried to go for a live feel as much as possible, left in a human touch and then overdubbed upon the bed tracks. This record has a bit more of a proggy feel than our last LP as we wanted to explore arrangements that lived outside the world of verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus. We loved working with Daryl Smith and he really helped let us focus on the playing while he took care the sounds.”
Imperial Filth – Track List:
Gallery Of Scars
You Better Get Ready
Heaven Is A Long Way From Home
When The Ends Don’t Meet
Death Becomes You
Siren Of The Song
Settlers Forge
Don’t Fade The Day
The Jokes Write Themselves
Shadow Work
Produced by Daryl Smith and Ian Blurton at Blurton’s very own ProGold Studios, Toronto. Imperial Filth was mixed by Daryl Smith at Chemical West and Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. Special guests appearing on Imperial Filth include guitarist Liam Deak of TUMBLE and Lee Rose of ACE OF WANDS performing strings. Cover art for Imperial Filth isby Lydia Sam Planetta and the layout design is by Louis Durand.
Upcoming Canadian Tour Dates:
Sat Oct 24 – Toronto – St Anne’s Church Fri Nov 13 – London – Supply and Demand Sat Nov 14 – Montreal – Turbo Haus Fri Nov 20 – Ottawa – House Of Targ Sat Nov 28 – Sudbury – The Lounge Sat Dec 5 – Hamilton – The Mule Spinner
About IAN BLURTON’S FUTURE NOW:
FUTURE NOW is the hard-hitting rock project led by Canadian music veteran Ian Blurton. Known for their raw, powerful sound that blends classic rock, metal, and modern influences, FUTURE NOW delivers music that thrives on energy and live performance. With a lineup of seasoned musicians, the band creates guitar-driven anthems that are equal parts heavy and melodic, capturing the essence of rock’s rebellious spirit.
The creative direction of FUTURE NOW is driven by experimentation, “Everyone in this band makes their living in music, but this is a band that is meant to be a total departure from our day jobs. We can do and try pretty much anything we want and explore what is possible in the songwriting department”.
Stream THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” HERE.
As THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT, the new venture from former founding Symphony X bassist Thomas Miller, prepares to release its eponymous debut through Sensory Records in October, the label presents the album’s second single, “Closer To The Sun.”
Thomas Miller started his music career in central New Jersey and played in numerous cover and original bands influenced by progressive bands from the 1970s and 1980s. In 1986, he met Michael Romeo, a local progressive and classically influenced guitarist, with whom he then recorded and played in several bands. In 1994, they formed Symphony X and recruited the rest of the band members to complete the lineup and sign with Japanese record label, Zero Records.
After international critical acclaim for their albums Symphony X, Damnation Game, The Divine Wings Of Tragedy, Twilight In Olympus, and A Prelude To The New Millenium, they did various tour dates in Japan, Europe, and NYC. Shortly afterwards, due to personal issues, Thomas stepped away from the band.
Continually writing and recording on various projects and honing his writing skills, Miller collaborated on a recording project with vocalist Hollywood How Portney in 2017, and after interactions with fans over the years and realizing his chemistry with How, he decided to start writing for a new project, which would become THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Two former Symphony X bandmates, guitarist Michael Romeo and keyboardist Michael Pinnella, would also lend their talents to the project, and Eric Rachel – producer of Symphony X’s first six albums as well as Black Sabbath, The Black Dahlia Murder and countless others, was enlisted to mix and master the album, which is completed with art and design by Rodrigo Gudiña.
The result is an epic, forty-nine-minute progressive metal opus, inspired by majestic themes and various musical overtones. Fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Circus Maximus, Redemption, Kamelot, and other grand progressive metal acts should immediately check out THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT.
Miller delves, “‘Closer To The Sun’ takes a more progressive direction than the first single, ‘When Darkness Falls.’ This song represents the combination of mythological lyrics, middle eastern tonalities and aggressive guitar and bass rhythms. I also liked the idea of acoustic guitar and violin to add another layer to the musical atmosphere, setting the story line as a buildup to the main rhythmic themes.”
THOMAS MILLER’S LAZARUS EFFECT’s “Closer To The Sun” is now playing on Bandcamp HERE and YouTube HERE.
Sensory Records will release Thomas Miller’s Lazarus Effect on CD, LP, and digital platforms on October 30th. Preorders are live at the label webstore HERE and on Bandcamp, the standard audio HERE and the 24-bit hi-res HERE.
Stand by a new video and more on the album to drop over the coming weeks.
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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