Juno nominated singer/songwriter LINDSAYSCHOOLCRAFT has been revealed as the guest lead vocalist for the upcoming album by COLDBOUND.
Lindsay comments:
“Thank you for welcoming me to the realm of Coldbound. I’ve so far had a wonderful experience being the guest lead vocalist on this double album. I very much look forward to its release in the future!
Many of you in the metal world know me from my 7 years with Cradle of Filth. I am also the main composer for Chamber Black Metal band Antiqva and have lent out my voice and playing to many songs and albums over the years. Mainly for voice, harp, and piano.
This will be my first guest feature where I am the lead singer on a full album. Pauli and Meiju approached me after they heard my Juno Nominated album “Martyr” and felt I would be a good fit for crafting melodies and lyrics.
I’m honoured to be part of this project with such a talented line up and list of guest musicians and singers. I can not wait to see how it all comes together. It’s really forming into something special.”
Band founder Pauli Souka further stated:
“To work with someone like Lindsay is a true blessing, as she shows immense professionalism and a superb attitude. I am definitely excited to share with all of you the results of this -one of a kind collaborative experience.”
Finnish melodic metal icons SONATAARCTICA should be closing their Acoustic Adventures European tour this week. Unfortunately, it had to be postponed to late 2022 due to obvious reasons. But fans need not worry as the band are bringing some cozy living room concert atmosphere to their homes in the form of the first part of their two-piece Acoustic Adventures album, due out on January 21st, 2022 via Atomic Fire.
Containing acoustic adaptions of twelve tracks leading through SONATA ARCTICA’s discography, AcousticAdventures – VolumeOne was recorded and produced by Mikko Tegelman and the band at Studio57 in Finland. Tegelman was also responsible for the album’s mix and mastering alongside bass player Pasi Kauppinen. The artwork by the quintet’s longtime collaborator and fellow countryman, Janne Pitkänen (Nightwish, Auri) rounds out the experience charmingly.
The first single from AcousticAdventures – VolumeOne, “The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me” is available as a lyric video viewable at THIS LOCATION.
States keyboardist Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg: “The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me was a song that first appeared as a bonus track for Japan back in 2003, just around the time I joined the band. When we started to arrange songs for the second Acoustic Adventures tour in 2019, this song somehow kept popping up and we decided to give it a go. Our dear friend Masi Hukari who joined us on stage for the tour did a lot of the work on this particular arrangement and I think that his input was really important in how this song turned out. For this record, we used the live arrangement as a starting point and I don’t think the song changed that much, so what you hear is a slightly refined version of the 2019 tour arrangement. We decided to use this song as the first single since it’s really different from the original studio version and as always, we prefer to offer something new and interesting for our fans and for ourselves as well.”
(Cover art by Janne Pitkänen)
Preorder Acoustic Adventures – Volume Onephysically – on digipak CD or vinyl in various color variants – and presave/preorder it digitally to receive “The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me” instantly now through the Atomic Fire webshop at THIS LOCATION.
AcousticAdventures – VolumeOne Track Listing:
The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me
For The Sake Of Revenge
A Little Less Understanding
Alone In Heaven
Tallulah
Don’t Say A Word
As If The World Wasn’t Ending
Paid In Full
Tonight I Dance Alone
The Wolves Die Young
Wolf & Raven
On The Faultline
Catch SONATA ARCTICA live on the Acoustic Adventures MMXXII trek across Finland in February, the 25th Anniversary Tour across South America in April, at a variety of festival and special performances throughout the Summer, in the Ukraine and Russia in September, on another leg of the Acoustic Adventures MMXXII across Europe beginning in October and more. Stay up to date on all live dates and ticket info at the band’s official tour page HERE.
SONATA ARCTICA: Tony Kakk – vocals, keyboards Elias Viljanen – guitars Pasi Kauppinen – bass Henrik “Henkka” Klingenberg – keyboards Tommy Portimo – drums
Above photo: L to R: Matt Bachand (bass) & Chris Broderick (guitar)
Hey everybody, Stone here! I went to see Act Of Defiance at Oddbody’s in Dayton Ohio, back on June 16th of 2016. Accompanying me was Robert (Rob) Nickell; an old friend of mine and professional photographer. All of these fabulous concert photos featured in this post are credited to Rob.
Not appearing in a photo here is the legendary drummer Shawn Drover. Trust me, Shawn was creating plenty of thunder behind his drum kit on that night! Shawn is also an ex-member of MEGADETH.
Yes, 2016. How or why it took me over 5 years to finally publish these photos of such an amazing Metal supergroup? Regardless, I’ve rediscovered them in the Metal Odyssey archives and they’re to be enjoyed now and forever! Thank you Act Of Defiance for killing it on that night! Thank you, Robert Nickell for the camera talent!
Above photo: Chris Broderick / guitarist
I remember this concert being high octane! Chris Broderick shredded on guitar and played to the crowd with his constant smiles of appreciation. A true thrill it was for me, to see such a legendary Metal guitarist so close up! Yes, I was psyched outta my mind that night!
Above: Chris Broderick gives back the horns to his fans. Chris also is an ex-member of world-class Metal bands: Jag Panzer, Nevermore and MEGADETH.
On this tour, Act Of Defiance were out supporting their debut studio album: BirthAndTheBurial. This album was released back in August of 2015, via Metal Blade Records. I highly recommend both studio albums that Act Of Defiance created! Their second album was released back in 2017, titled: OldScars, NewWounds (Metal Blade Records).
Above: Henry Derek (vocalist). Henry is also an ex-member of Thrown Into Exile and Scar The Martyr.
Vocalist Henry Derek was outstanding! He was a thrill to see and hear live! Henry is an underrated Metal vocalist and that’s my Metal fact for the day.
Above: Matt Bachand (bassist) – Matt is also a founding member, rhythm guitarist and clean vocalist for the mighty Shadows Fall.L to R: yours truly aka Stone & bass player Matt Bachand
Italian melodic symphonic power metallers MOONLIGHT HAZE will release their third studio album “Animus” on March 18th 2022 on Scarlet Records.
“‘Animus’ represents a huge step up for Moonlight Haze’s songwriting and sound. This album got each of us excited since the very first melodies and lines that had been written. It’s an introspective work, but at the same time it also looks at the world outside – willing to bring a bright message of vitality and rebirth. Hence the title, ‘Animus’, a Latin word that has different meanings: vital force, conscience, soul, mind and courage as well.” Chiara Tricarico, frontwoman & lyricist
Recorded by MOONLIGHT HAZE and mixed & mastered by Simone Mularoni at the renowned Domination Studio, “Animus”boasts the stunning performance of vocalist Chiara Tricarico and is graced by the amazing artwork and pictures of Beatrice Demori.
The album will be released in the following formats:
– digipak CD – limited-edition vinyl – digital
Tracklist is as follows:
01. The Nothing 02. It’s Insane 03. Kintsugi 04. Animus 05. The Thief and the Moon 06. Midnight Haze 07. Tonight 08. Never Say Never 09. We’ll Be Free 10. A Ritual of Fire 11. Horror & Thunder
The first single/video will be released on December 10th 2022.
MOONLIGHT HAZE:
Chiara Tricarico – Vocals Marco Falanga – Guitars Alberto Melinato – Guitars Alessandro Jacobi – Bass Giulio Capone – Drums
Ex-Intergalactic warlords cloned from the evil cosmic conquer Colonel Roach to better fulfil his crusade of universal dominance, have successfully concealed their identity as the crossover thrash metal band, FULLMINATOR. Having escaped through a prototype dimensional portal called the Nexus, they appeared in the streets of Puerto Rico in the year 2016 and have remained ever since.
“We at FULLMINATOR want to present to you our latest single “Cyberpathic” all the way from the year 2078, punch deck and get ahead of the simulation!”
The new single, “Cyberpathic”, was inspired by the cyberpunk aesthetic and themes of William Gibson’s Neuromancer and The Matrix trilogy. A mash-up of fictional and factual political theories is paired up with the melodic fun, along with the style of the streets of Chiba City and the fast pace of a speed-fuelled run through cyberspace. “Cyberpathic” explodes into life with energetic instrumentation, delicious distortion and powerful percussion.
FULLMINATOR are a powerhouse of hard-hitting metal with a galactic twist. Effects and electronics emerge through the immense thrash sound adding a theatrical punch of personality. If you were born before 2000 you may catch the throwback to the early era of the internet. Intricate guitar leads, aggressive vocals and utter full-throttle enthusiasm makes for a thrilling listening experience.
FULLMINATOR deliver an epic fusion of sci-fi, speed and sheer creativity. The outfit have produced a release that will appeal to thrash lovers and space travellers alike. It’s loud, with a pace close to lightspeed and utterly fun.
Imagine blending the early frenzy of System Of A Down, the heaviness of Slipknot, and the explosive energy of Social Distortion in a Mexican setting and multiply it tenfold and you might come close to the rabid intensity that is 8 KALACAS (spoken: “Ocho Kalacas”). Not so much an ordinary band than it is a tidal wave of bristling energy, hard-hitting music, and biting social commentary, this Californian skacore collective is set on conquering the world with their astounding musical exorcism.
Today, Atomic Fire Records is proud to announce the signing of 8 KALACAS. To celebrate their union with the label, the band presents “R2rito,” the first single off of their upcoming new album Fronteras set for release on March 25th, 2022.
“This song is for all the people who are tired of the same routine day-in and day-out. We become robotic slaves to industry and the casualty of it all is our ambition. There will never be growth in a system designed for clockwork obedience,” comments Choriz, the man behind the trumpet.
Additionally, 8 KALACAS recently signed a management deal with Dez Fafara (Devildriver, Coal Chamber), who is COO and founding partner of the Oracle Managament (Cradle Of Filth, Jinjer, The 69 Eyes etc.) along with his wife and CEO Anahstasia Fafara. “When I was approached by 8 KALACAS to manage I was sent songs and immediately knew there was something special about this music,” recalls Dez Fafara. “The combination of heavy metal, done in punk rock fashion with a ska twist and a horn section… you would have to be blind to not see the special combination of influences the band was mashing up! Then I caught them live and couldn’t believe how out of control the crowd was, how tight the band was, and how special this whole vibe surrounding them is. I was in!”
“This is the coolest and hottest shit out there,” says Atomic Fire Records CEO and founder Markus Wosgien. “The first thing that I heard and saw after Dez and Anahstasia introduced us to the band, was the video clip for ‘R2rito,’ which completely blew me away. What an energy and what a damn unique mix! This had to be the first single and I want everyone out there to experience the same. Enjoy this aggressive chunk and prepare yourself for some more hits on the same level. This band is the future! Once you get into them, you will be addicted!”
Formed in Orange County in 2003, the fertile soil of extremity that also brought us Social Distortion and Avenged Sevenfold, 8 KALACAS are the harbingers of a new era. After establishing their unique brand of metallic hardcore, ska, and traditional Mexican elements in California and the rest of the Divided States, the massive seven-piece brotherhood is ready to take on the rest of the world. Fronteras, their third full-length and first for brand-new label Atomic Fire Records, is a curveball for the rest of the international metal/hardcore scene: An album so fierce and unique you simply can’t resist succumbing to the thundering grooves, malicious riffs, and infectious trumpet/trombone madness they so vigorously unleash like there’s no tomorrow.
And maybe there isn’t. Recorded in winter 2019 in Los Angeles, Fronteras is an album fit for times like these; a musical indictment of everything that goes wrong in this world. “This album is real life,” says the band. “It’s what’s happening now in our country and in many other countries. A lot of people leave behind their families, their loved ones, their security to come and try to make a new life just to discover that it was never that easy. Many people have lived and died for a dream they couldn’t achieve because they didn’t have the right documents or because they didn’t come from the right families, and we feel that because it can happen to so many of our brothers and sisters on this planet for bullshit borders that are just imaginary lines dividing us.”
8 KALACAS is well aware of California’s underbelly, the other side of beaches, sunshine, and shady glamour. “We see it every day in the streets. There are homeless people living under bridges while hundreds of buildings remain empty throughout the city. We see businesses and politicians make decisions that affect millions of people while their jobs are safe, and their security is stable. This country is filled with class division, racial division, sexist division and you don’t have to go far to see that reality.”
This is why 8 KALACAS is taking up their instruments as their arms: To smash those borders and to remind us that there is more uniting that separating us. “We sing about the literal borders that so many countries enforce, that keep humans separated and discriminated against. But we also sing about the borders in our head that keep us from being happy or that keep us from believing that we are worthy people capable of doing more than what society tells us we can do.”
More a family than a band, the 8 KALACAS tribe is welcoming everyone into their ranks who shares their values and their passion for music. “We love sharing that with anyone who’s willing to be a part of our family and we hope that family continues growing.”
It will. The energy level on Frontera is so high it will turn any fan of extreme and extremely uplifting music into an ecstatically banging, moshing, jumping or dancing dervish. “People see us and listen to us when they want to relieve their frustrations, when they want to celebrate their happiness, or just to share a night or a feeling they have. They keep us moving forward and we do not plan on letting them down.”
Taking their Latin roots and their Californian upbringing and ingeniously warping the two into this behemoth of an album, 8 KALACAS truly bring something new and exciting to the table. “More than anything it demonstrates to us that nothing is impossible,” the band says of their wild musical ride. “We started as a garage band and now we’re living a dream that many people thought was impossible. We did that by blending together the sounds that influenced us throughout our lives and creating this world of Latin skacore. It’s an honor to be able to represent our communities and have the opportunity to share those musical traditions to the world in our own way.”
Influenced by the Mariachi and Cumbia traditions of Mexico while also being true children of a globalized world, 8 KALACAS stand for a new era in rock and metal music. It’s music for anyone who feels at home in these intoxicating tunes. Hence their bandname, with “calaca” meaning “skull” in Spanish. “No matter who you are, the color of your skin, the type of people you love, what god you believe in, the poverty, or the wealth: when you die the only thing left is the fucking Kalaca.” In death at least we are united… or, if we don’t wanna wait that long, in this fiery phenomenon called 8 KALACAS.
Horror Pain Gore Death Productions welcome FERNWAH to the roster with the debut album Approaching Oblivion! Hailing from the great state of New Jersey, FERNWAH perform one of a kind experimental Heavy Metal and features Zakk Mild (Oxalate/Come Mierda) and Peter Martin (Black Kites/Bonjour/Holy Death).
Approaching Oblivion is a progressive album that combines elements of Black/Death Metal along with trippy, technical and psychedelic, stoner friendly fuzz. FERNWAH are fueled by subconscious Jungian philosophies with a horror aesthetic, and these occult obsessed crushers are ready to take on the world with adventurous throttling riffs, staccato rhythms, swelling synths and crackling-yet-slippery guitar work.
The track ‘Leaking Out’ is pure crushing Death Metal with a progressive twist, featuring the wretched guest vocals by Devin Swank of Sanguisugabogg (courtesy of Century Media Records). For fans of Black Sabbath, Boards Of Canada, Camel, King Crimson, Morbid Angel, Pelican, Soundgarden and Voivod.
VANILLA FUDGE throws out another re-worked Led Zepclassic, this time it’s ‘Ramble On’ to go with the recently released ‘Immigrant Song’ and ‘Rock and Roll’. All 3 tracks come from the soon to be released album Vanilla Zeppelin.
This is Led Zeppelin done ‘’Fudge’’ style. This remastered version of ‘Ramble On’ will be released digitally via Golden Robot Records on 30th November.
A great ode to one of the most respectable and best bands of all time, by one of the most respectable and best bands of all time. VANILLA FUDGE add their own slant to Led Zeppelin’s‘Ramble On’, including some amazing organ interludes. This version definitely has a life and identity of its own.
Listen to ‘Ramble On’ HERE Listen to ‘Immigrant Song’ HERE Listen/ Buy ‘Ramble On’HERE
ABOUT VANILLA FUDGE:
Vanilla Fudge was one of the first American groups to infuse psychedelia into heavy rock sound to create “psychedelic symphonic rock” an eclectic genre which would, among its many off shoots, eventually morph into heavy metal.
Although, at first, the band did not record original material, they were best known for their dramatic heavy, slowed-down arrangements of contemporary pop songs which they developed into works of epic proportion.
Originally, Vanilla Fudge was a blue-eyed soul cover band called The Pigeons, formed in New Jersey in 1965 with organist, Mark Stein, bassist, Tim Bogert, drummer, Joey Brennan, and guitarist, vocalist and US Navy veteran, Vince Martell. They built a following by gigging extensively up and down the East Coast and earned extra money by providing free lance in-concert backing for hit-record girl groups. In early 1966, the group recorded a set of eight demos that were released several years later as “While the World Was Eating Vanilla Fudge”.
The East Coast, in particular, New York, and New Jersey, created a sound all its own. Inspired by groups such as The Rascals and The Vagrants (fronted by guitarist, Leslie West of “Mountain” fame).The Pigeons reworked many of their own existing arrangements of covers to reflect their unique interpretation of this “East Coast Sound”.
In late 1966, drummer, Joey Brennan, moved out to the West Coast; The Pigeons immediately drafted drummer and vocalist, Carmine Appice, a disciple of the renowned Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck Band) and a seasoned veteran of the club scene. In early 1967, The Pigeons manager, Phil Basile, convinced producer, George “Shadow” Morton (producer for The Shangri-Las and Janis Ian), to catch their live act. Impressed by their heavy-rocking, trippy and psychedelic version of The Supremes’ ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On’, Morton offered to record the song as a single. This resulted in a deal with the atlantic subsidiary Atco, which requested a name change.
The band settled on Vanilla Fudge. Vanilla Fudge celebrated their 50-Year Anniversary in 2017 and is still rocking the world as hard as ever.
Yes, GWAR were magnificent live! GWAR invaded Bogart’s in Cincinnati Ohio, back on November 11th. I took the live photos you see on this post with my iPhone; thus I’m admittedly no professional photographer (hahaha).
I bought quite a bunch at the merch table; one item is this GWAR stamped metal pin. Whoa!
There was a HUGE pit and everyone attending this show were lit in one manner or another. It was Metal euphoria and I drank plenty of PBR while there. I went to this GWAR show with my buddy Troy; it was his birthday as well. Good Metal times! At this concert, GWAR didn’t spray down the fans with any goo or monster secretions; not from my vantage point anyways.
I’m going to post more concert photos of GWAR with more merch I bought, in the coming days. I did buy a GWAR keychain that I gave to a coworker of mine. One last thought: it was raining like hell on our drive down to Cincinnati that night. Troy drove his car and (as usual) was a superhero behind the wheel; getting us there fast and safe.
If you’ve never seen GWAR live, I strongly encourage you to do so. If you’re not interested in GWAR, then drink a gallon of prune juice and listen to your ABBA records. Metal be thy name! – Stone
De Arma was founded in 2009 by guitarist, vocalist, and bass player Andreas Pettersson. After the 2011 “Towards the Shores of the End” split with British band Fen, they released their debut album – “Lost, Alien & Forlorn” – in February 2013. Due to various life obligations, a long hiatus followed.
Eight years later, De Arma made a sudden return with “Strayed in Shadows”. The second chapter sees the band explore a wide spectrum of music – from gothic metal to synthwave and even pop music. Cold and heartfelt northern melancholia sweeping in from the borderlands between Fields of the Nephilim, Katatonia, and Anathema.
Now, as the band is enjoying some serious momentum in the wake of “Strayed in Shadows”, work on their third album is in full swing. With any luck, it should be ready at some point in 2022. And this is where Silent Future Recordings come in – sealing a collaboration which the band describes as ‘coming home’.
Andreas commented:
While we recorded “Strayed in Shadows” in recent years, the material was written and arranged in its entirety shortly after “Lost, Alien & Forlorn”. Now that we’ve gotten it out of our system, we are looking forward to presenting music which is more representative for the De Arma of today.
Retro loving hard rockers BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER are preparing to unveil their new LP scheduled for the release in Spring of 2022. Drawing upon various genre influences from punk, notably artists such as THE CRAMPS, through to traditional metal, the album explores the different sides of BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER’s sound.
“BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER is proud to announce the release of our second full length LP. It will have some surprises in store for the fans of our first record as we explore some new sonic territory. Full blown fuzz and a few heavier songs will appear along with our straight rock and punk tunes.”
Initially forming as an ensemble and dropping their EP Pretty Girls in 2018, BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER saw their first tour cut short due to the pandemic. After releasing their debut full length in August of 2020, the new LP follows the quartet as they progress in developing their music. Delivering high energy and dynamic rhythms, BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER’s distinctive rock n roll edge mixed with seductive vocals produces a raw, powerful sound. The first single “TBC” will be released on January 14th.
BRANDY AND THE BUTCHER: Elizabeth Hale – Lead vocals Jay Matheson – Guitar Kevin Brewer – Drums Roger Shattuck – Bass
DISCONNECTEDSOULS are continuing their annual tradition of releasing a Christmas cover. 2021 sees their fourth cover, John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Merry Xmas (War Is Over)” receive a dramatic, heavy reimagining. Fusing metalcore sounds with intense electronics, folk instruments and a choir singing in Latin, the genre busting outfit have produced their most dynamic seasonal treat yet.
The band comments:
“This year’s Christmas cover was a challenge! We knew that the song could be interpreted in a number of different styles, but we didn’t want to release multiple versions and so chose to combine all our ideas into one. Despite the trials of mixing so many ideas into one track, we’re thrilled with the result.”
“Merry Xmas (War Is Over” will be released on December 17th 2021 on all streaming platforms.
Los Angeles, CA – Long-time bassist for multi-platinum rockers Quiet Riot, Chuck Wright, proudly presents the release of the first single from his new solo album. Wright has also worked alongside such rock music luminaries as Alice Cooper, Greg Allman, Ted Nugent, various members of Guns N’ Roses and Kiss to name a few, and now embarks on his first-ever solo excursion.
The first single is a hard-rocking, intense interpretation of Björk’s 1995 hit “Army of Me” and is accompanied by a video that represents Wright’s exploration into disorder and parallels with the recent chaotic state of world affairs. The visuals include a 3D animation of an “army” of Ruth Bader Ginsburgs, the late Supreme Court Justice, feminist icon, and steadfast advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. “I chose to recognize the late Justice Ginsburg in this video as she was such a formidable presence on and off the bench. She challenged the status quo knocking down legal obstacles to women’s equality and inspired an army of believers.”
The track “Army Of Me” features several of Wright’s musical peers including the late Pat Torpey (Mr. Big) on drums, guitarist Lanny Cordola (House of Lords), and Sven Martin (Jonathan Davis Band) on keyboards along with songstress Whitney Tai, the recent “Best Vocalist” winner at The Intercontinental Music Awards.
The full-length album from Chuck Wright’s Sheltering Sky, coming in 2022, features over 30 guest performers including members of Mr. Big, Skid Row, Tesla, Dream Theater, Great White, Asia, Jefferson Starship, acclaimed solo artists Allen Hinds, Toshi Yanagi, and many others. Wright is finally stepping out on his own with a wide range of genres, from Jazz Fusion, Prog, Funk to in-your-face Hard Rock, which was in itself one of the things that led him to want to forge his own way and create this unique collection of songs within his “Sheltering Sky” project.
Photos: Top photo: Mari Kawaguchi Bottom photo: Tim Janssens
L-R – Oscar Rangel – Bass, JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys, Jonny Nesta – Guitars Photo Credit – Rae Chatten
Debut Album “Fire It Up” Out Feb 25, 2022 via Boonsdale Records
March 2022 European Tour w/ Traveler, Toledo Steel
Thunderor is a relatively new band, just having started up in the midst of the pandemic when JJ Tartaglia (Skull Fist) felt a calling to develop his singing and front his own band. He was joined by Skull Fist bandmate Jonny Nesta and Oscar Rangel (Operus, ex-Annihilator) creating a heavy 80’s influenced power trio that knows how to rock fans. They are releasing their debut album “Fire It Up” early next year with the first single being “How We Roll”, which Tartaglia explains:
“How We Roll just felt like the right choice as the first single to come out with. It’s a catchy tune, with a big emphasis on the song-writing, and that’s the main thing with Thunderor. It’s got that anthem-like singalong chorus, feels like freedom and good times. It’s a song about friends, road trips, and not wanting to go home when it’s time to go home haha.”
The album is a fresh take on NWOTHM, with 80s synths, piano, and gong hits. Lyrically it’s an adventure, complete with motorcycles, romance, and danger. It inspires you to go after your life and to never give up. The video for the groovy, catchy single features shots of the band cruising on bikes; JJ Tartaglia is indeed an avid motorcycle rider and has been featured a couple of times in Adventure Bike Rider.
Tartaglia expects that the album will be a hit with Skull Fist fans who will find some familiarity in the music, and also will intrigue new listeners who will be drawn in by the originality and catchy hooks. He cites that being a singing drummer definitely adds a unique twist and will allow for a creative setup when they hit the stage. He sums up the album:
“I think we’ve created a truly original album with Fire It Up. It was a blast writing these songs and putting my personality into the lyrics for the first time. The songs on the album are meant to inspire a life journey – an adventure with friends, motorcycles, romance, danger, and victory. I hope it will be a soundtrack for your adventures.”
The 80s-infused heavy metal is recommended for fans of Skull Fist, Saxon, and Judas Priest.
The music video for “How We Roll”can be viewed via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Track Listing: 1. Fire It Up (5:12) 2. How We Roll (4:14) 3. All or Nothing (4:31) 4. Dangerous Times (5:24) 5. Thunderor (4:32) 6. On the Run (4:04) 7. Into the Storm (1:34) 8. We Can Make It (4:21) 9. Cold Tears (5:17) Album Length: 39:09
London based DESERT CLOUDS deliver ’60s psychedelic/rock influences and ’90s arrangements (or the other way around), with their own distinctive dark sound. The dynamic outfit sign to Mandrone Records as they prepare to release their new album Planexit in 2022.
The band comments:
“It took long but finally we have found the right people to work with. It’s not easy to find a label like Mandrone Records who prioritizes the artist’s point of view while they work all around it”
Drawing inspiration from all genres and influences from the likes of SYD BARRETT to LED ZEPPELIN to NIRVANA, and TOOL. Lyrically they often explore the darker side of the human condition and draw on interests such as the Italian artistic movement Decadentism, along with existentialism. DESERT CLOUDS have a career spanning two decades. Originating from Italy, the outfit have seen line-up changes, multiple releases, and worked with a range of producers.
Finnish heavy rockers Rough Grind have released their first single from the upcoming new album, “Hardened” (Inverse Records). The single hit the airwaves on 17 November, while the album is due on 28 January 2022.
The hard-stompin’ new single, titled “The Road Song”, is a wild run down the memory lane to the world of action movie classics and a powerful reminder that high-quality hard rock doesn’t necessarily have to be out for blood – gasoline will do just fine. Guaranteed to earn unwary listeners a speeding ticket or ten, the new piece makes it very clear that Rough Grind have cranked their songwriting game up several notches.
Founded in 2011, Rough Grind’s resumé includes three EPs – “Son of a Gun” (2014), “Four for the Road” (2017) and “Trouble or Nothing” (2018) – and their debut album “Pieces of Resistance” was released in 2020. The releases have been well-received around the globe, getting airtime from radio stations in USA, Canada, UK, France and Germany, among others.
“The Road Song” single was also released as a lyric video, and it’s available on the Inverse Records YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/9hAPUxTrb_g
Dreamlike and longing but still vicious and punishing – Nordic black metal saturated in that characteristically wild and unbound organic spirit associated with many of the Nordvis bands. Perhaps somewhere in-between Murg and Panphage, but with an atmosphere rooted in folkloric mysticism. Blodtår’s primary strength is the masterful use of contrast in mood and music, showcasing both acoustic interludes and a youthful fire that brings early Dissection to mind.
Tracklist: 1. Djävulskap 2. Svartsejd 3. Besatt 4. Aldrig Mer
“Return To Earth”, the new single from heavy psych doom metal space project, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON will be released on all streaming platforms on December 10th. Landing ahead of their upcoming album in Spring 2022, the dynamic collective of seasoned musicians, powerhouse vocal talent and a visual Sci Fi stage show has seen the project take off into orbit.
“We are incredibly excited to release the first single off our new Album. Return To Earth is the perfect song to showcase our new sound. After wood shedding through the worst of the pandemic we are very proud of the work we have accomplished. This song is the first of many new exciting adventures. Climb aboard and strap yourself in. We are about to blast off!”
With wide appeal in Comic Con culture, THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON not only perform epic sounds and live shows, they are busy with famed horror artist Rick Lara as the band’s art director and artist involved in rebooting the band’s comic book. “Return To Earth” delivers soaring instrumentation, ethereal lead vocals and a haunting choral backing. The soundscape is an expanse of powerful chord progressions, along with heavy grooves from the guitars and bass that bring a delicious sludge edge. All of the elements combine to produce a theatrical mood with added effects in the form of narrative clips.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON use their music to transport to other worlds. Their cosmic sound is a fantastic combination of genre mixing and sheer creativity. Take trip out into the galaxy and beyond safe in knowledge that with THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON you’ll “Return To Earth”.
THEY WATCH US FROM THE MOON IS:
Luna Nemesis- Lead Vocals The General Shane Thirteen- Guitar and Vocals R. Benjamin Black- Lead Guitar and Vocals Zakkatron- Bass Adryon Alin- Drums Nova 1001001- Vocals
Metal Tour of the Year takes the front cover of this week’s Pollstar Magazine. Check out the full story behind this summer’s run with Megadeth, Lamb of God, Trivium and Hatebreed, now up at pollstar.com
Editor’s note: Metal Odyssey proudly introduces Tanis Enos to our staff. She embodies the talents of being a writer, photographer, concert aficionado and interviewer. Enjoy her review below! Welcome aboard, Tanis!
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Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis have joined forces once again to give fans another electric album. They teamed up yet again with the Vampiric Shredder, Ace Von Johnson, and “Stud” Johnny Martin. CheckeredPast was released on November 12th, 2021. Before the release, the band gave fans a taste of the new album releasing not only 3 singles (Cannonball, KnockMeDown & GetAlong) but also 2 new music videos for Cannonball and GetAlong.
CheckeredPast has a beautiful mix of both the fast pasted Sleazy sound that fans have come to love and slowed-down emotion invoking melodies and lyrics. The day of the release, IfIt’sOverNow was part of Apple Music’s Best New Songs list. This song alone leaves fans wondering “Who hurt the writers”. The slower-paced guitar paired with the low vocals and emotional lyrics makes for a truly theatrical experience that gives fans the ability to picture their own story. The same can be said about LetYouDown. The feeling of this track can be compared to “a heartache in the rain” scene in a movie. Even though it can’t be seen the feeling of sadness can be heard.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, LA Guns have turned out another group of hard rock in-your-face songs that will make you want to grab your leather pants and even your pirate hats. Cannonball is an explosive way to start the album with heavy drums and fast riffs. LivingRightNow is special because of its punk-sounding undertone during the verses and Blues Rock sound for the rest. If you didn’t know Phil was British you did after listening to bits of that song.
Though the band has gotten older, Phil’s voice hasn’t changed a bit. Just listen to ThatAin’tWhy and try to say that it doesn’t sound as clear and clean as listening to ElectricGypsy on their debut album. Tracii Guns will never not have flair, showing off his Jimmy Page like abilities on lead guitar. Now take the talent and grit of Tracii and add the style and skill of Ace Von Johnson and you have the dynamic duo that every band needs.
What is that old saying? “A band is only as good as its bass player”? Well, good thing they have Johnny Martin slapping the bass on this album. You can really hear him shine in songs like LivingRightNow and GetAlong and he adds the deep groove with the drums in Dog.
The diversity of songs in this album alone is incredible and truly makes it hard to skip any song. CheckeredPast will continue the musical high that was given to fans by the release of their 2019 album TheDevilYouKnow. Fans are already crazy about the album, making it the number one best-selling Blues Rock album on Amazon the day it was released. – Tanis Enos
Vocals: Phil Lewis
Lead Guitar: Tracii Guns
Rhythm Guitar: Ace Von Johnson
Bass: Johnny Martin
Drums: Adam Hamilton / Scot Coogan
Track List: 1. Cannonball, 2. Bad Luck Charm, 3. Living Right Now, 4. Get Along, 5. If It’s Over, 6. Better Than You, 7. Knock Me Down, 8. Dog, 9. Let You Down, 10. That Ain’t Why, 11.Physical Itch
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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