Haunt hits the road this spring with the mighty Hitten from Spain. March and April of 2025 will feature Haunt’s return to both Hell’s Heroes in Houston, 2 Minutes To Tulsa in Oklahoma, as well as several other cities throughout the U.S. Tickets available through venue websites. GET STOKED⚡️
⛓️Spring Break 25 w/ Hitten⛓️ 3/14 LOS ANGELES, CA – KNUCKLEHEAD 3/15 OCEANSIDE, CA – POUR HOUSE 3/16 LAS VEGAS, NV – SINWAVE 3/17 ALBUQUERQUE, NM – LAUNCHPAD 3/19 AUSTIN, TX • MOHAWK 3/20 SAN ANTONIO, TX – 502 BAR 3/21 HOUSTON, TX – HELL’S HEROES 3/23 NEW ORLEANS, LA • SIBERIA 3/24 PENSACOLA, FL • HANDLEBAR 3/25 ORLANDO, FL • CONDUIT 3/27 ATLANTA, GA – ALTAR AT MASQUERADE 3/28 LITTLE ROCK, AR • STICKYZ 3/29 TULSA, OK • 2 MINUTES TO TULSA 3/31 MILWAUKEE, WI – X-RAY ARCADE 4/1 CHICAGO, IL • LIVE WIRE 4/2 LAWRENCE, KS • BOTTLENECK 4/3 DENVER, CO – HQ 4/4 SALT LAKE CITY, UT • ACES HIGH 4/5 RENO, NV • CELLAR STAGE 4/6 SAN FRANCISCO, CA – BOTTOM OF THE HILL
Another year is about to come to a close and I have some random thoughts to share; both Metal and not so Metal. I could easily write volumes of thoughts down, yet I’ll stick to this being an easy read.
We live in a crazy and dynamic world right now; then again, when has there been a time it hasn’t been? We sadly said goodbye to many musicians that have passed away in 2024. Paul Di’Anno, Jack Russell, DickeyBetts, James Kottak, C.J.Snare and Toby Keith are a grouping that hit home for me. Legends all and God bless them. Yes, there were so many others that left us from all music genres.
Above: photo I took of the 2024 Solar Eclipse
The Solar eclipse happened on April 8th and my family and I had front row seats to this event; right in our own backyard in Western Ohio. We all wore those weird cardboard sunglasses that were given out or sold everywhere to look at it straight on. It didn’t get black as night; yet that solar eclipse did come close to doing so. A fun experience it was.
Rickey Henderson was a Major League Baseball player I grew up watching and rooting for. He’s one of my favorites ever. Rickey passed away on December 20th of 2024, leaving behind an incredible Hall of Fame career; best remembered as a member of the Oakland A’s. Rickey did play for over 4 seasons with the New York Yankees and remains the all-time stolen base leader in MLB. God bless him.
Thankyou to all for visiting and supporting Metal Odyssey this past year and have a safe, healthy and prosperous new year!
A very special thank you to Tanis Enos for her amazing and popular contributions to Metal Odysseys’ content; with her concert reviews, interviews, album reviews and photography.
Thankyou to Scott Coverdale, ALL the PR agencies, bands, record labels and every visitor for making this Metal Odyssey machine a success for over 16 years! Metal be thy name. – Stone
I picked up this 8-track cartridge of Black Sabbath ‘Paranoid’ (top photo) for 25 cents at a thrift store a week or so ago. The tape is intact. I love this band and embrace the nostalgia of such an old-time music medium. The ‘Paranoid’ album was released back in 1970. Dig it, my brothers and sisters. 👊🏻
4/05 – The Event at Graton Resort & Casino – Rohnert Park, CA 4/25 – Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL 4/26 – Fillmore – Miami Beach, FL 4/28 – The Moon – Tallahassee, FL 4/29 – Florida Theater – Jacksonville, FL 4/30 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL 5/03 – Beaver Dam Amphitheater – Beaver Dam, KY 5/05 – Count Basie – Red Bank, NJ 5/06 – Wellmont – Montclair, NJ 5/08 – Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA 5/09 – Paramount – Huntington, NY 5/15 – Fallsview Casino – Niagara Falls, ON 5/20 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN 5/22 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX 5/23 – Tobin Center – San Antonio, TX 5/24 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
Dave Murray was born in England back on December 23rd of 1956. Today, Dave turns 68 years old. Happy birthday Dave! As a lifelong guitarist for Iron Maiden, spanning five decades, Dave Murray has played on every studio and live album of theirs. A tried and true Metal legend is Dave Murray!
Graham Bonnet was born in England back on December 23rd of 1947. Today, Graham celebrates his 77th birthday. Happy birthday, Graham! An iconic Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal vocalist, going back to the late 1960’s, for such powerhouse bands as Rainbow, Michael Schenker Group, Alcatrazz, and Impellitteri. Graham Bonnet has also commanded a brilliant solo music career.
Canadian heavy psychedelic rock ensemble AAWKS has announced the release of their latest single, “Death Trip (Naglfar)“, a preview of their eagerly anticipated album On Through The Sky Maze scheduled for release on March 21, 2025. This new track is available now for fans who appreciate a blend of intense rock dynamics and mystical lyrical themes.
“Death Trip (Naglfar)” sets a bold tone for the upcoming album with its powerful lyrics and immersive soundscapes. The single reflects AAWKS‘ continued evolution, incorporating heavier riffs, grooves, and a compelling narrative of otherworldly voyages and cosmic battles. The band encourages listeners to delve into the track, whether they think they’re cool or not, with a tongue-in-cheek nod to their laid-back ethos.
Lyrics from the single paint a vivid picture: “Beware of these towering sails, This death ship is heavy with nails. Now is the time of the storm, These angry spirits begin to transform.”
AAWKS continues to captivate with their unique blend of stoner, doom, fuzz rock, and sludge, all while exploring fantastical themes. The upcoming album On Through The Sky Maze promises to take listeners on a darker journey through themes of the occult, life and death, and demonology. With the addition of new bassist and vocalist Ryan “Grimepup” Mailman, the album showcases a heavier and more intense version of AAWKS, perfect for those late-night hours spent in the shadows of forests and swamps.
About AAWKS: Hailing from the mysterious foothills of Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie Ontario Canada, AAWKS make heavy-psych, stoner-doom music. They mix melodic songwriting with pummeling riffs and grooves and their music is as influenced by newer bands such as MEPHISTOFELES, MONOLORD, WINDHAND and the MELVINS as it is by classic rock bands like BLACK SABBATH, PINK FLOYD and DEEP PURPLE.
They explore fantastical themes of the occult and spin tales of mind expansion and spaced out exploration of the multiverse. AAWKS released their debut full length album (((((HEAVY ON THE COSMIC))))) in June of 2022 on Black Throne Productions which landed at #2 on the Doom Charts that month.
In support of our new record “Leopard Skin” we will be touring heavily next year. Here is the first leg of the tour dates. Album will be released in the beginning of April . Come and join us on The Lucky MF’r Tour!!!
20TH AND 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR OF TO THE PAIN & STATEMENT
Nonpoint will be playing a handful of shows in January 2025, celebrating the 20th anniversary of To The Pain and the 25th anniversary of Statement. With special guests Crobot and Heartsick, this month-long run kicks off January 10th in Lakewood, Ohio. Tickets and VIP are now on sale at nonpoint.com!
1/10 – Lakewood, OH – The Roxy 1/11 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground 1/12 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom 1/14 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 1/15 – North Chattanooga, TN – Barrelhouse Ballroom 1/17 – St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live 1/18 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room 1/19 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham 1/21 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room 1/22 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27 1/23 – Fredericksburg, VA – Hard Times Cafe/Four Mile Fork 1/25 – Columbus, OH – The King of Clubs
Another hot contender for taking the longest time to release new music, Hamburg’s own progressive rock/metal outfit EDEN CIRCUS are back with their new single ‘Cynics of Life‘.
10 years have now passed since the last album “Marula” by the five-piece northern German post-prog rockers EDEN CIRCUS. Since then, events have accelerated. First the band has to say goodbye to both guitarists, because Andi is leaving the band and guitarist Nils is moving to the Krupps. Not only are two important driving forces lost, but also the previous songwriting process.
After Waik and Dennis joined the band, they finally played a few gigs again and worked on the new album. Even before Covid paralyzes the entire music landscape, numerous other events turn the band’s everyday life upside down: people move, build houses and 2 1/2 recording studios, start families and new bands. Sometimes the five of them don’t see each other for weeks. But there was never any talk about quitting.
Because the rare rehearsals always clearly show that the band can still deliver. In addition, the new record is finished and, despite all the new commitments, no one has lost the joy of presenting their songs to an audience that celebrates their music on sweaty, beer-soaked club evenings. So here’s to something new!
We are very pleased to give you our 2025 show schedule so far:
16 Apr // BR, Brasília // Arena of Rock 19 Apr // BR, São Paulo // Monsters of Rock 24 Apr // CL, Santiago // Masters of Rock 30 Apr // CO, Cota // Monsters of Rock
24 May // NO, Kopervik // Kopervik Festival 07 Jun // FR, Maxeville // Heavy Weekend 21 Jun // NO, Steinkjer // Steinkjer Festival 28 Jun // SE, Nyköping // Hamnplan 03 Jul // SE, Borlänge // Alive Festival 06 Jul // ES, Chiclana // Concert Music Festival 08 Jul // ES, Marbella // Starlite Festival 10 Jul // ES, Murcia // Plaza de Toros de Murcia 15 Jul // IT, Bologna // Sequioe Music Park 16 Jul // IT, Altidona // Wondergate Music Festival 25 Jul // SE, Vadstena // Vadstena Slott 26 July // NO, Tønsberg // Foynhagen Concert Series Honørbrygga 01 Aug // SE, Karlskrona // Karlskrona Skärgårdsfest 02 Aug // SE, Arvika // Hamnfest
Quebec stoner rock sensations SONS OF ARRAKIS have been confirmed to headline Day 3 of the Rhüne Mountain Festival which will be held in Stoney Creek, Ontario, from June 26th to 28th, 2025. Created by Ryan Hilton of Black Throne Productions and Paul Cameron of Toten Industries, with assistance from Tarantula Tapes, members of AAWKS, Z Hollow Studios, Fuzzed and Buzzed, and Bonecrusher Presents, the festival was born from a desire to fill a void in Ontario’s stoner rock and doom scene. It offers fans a unique festival experience with camping and multiple stages.
The organizers comment: “We’re excited to finally be gearing up for next June with an incredible team of Ontario record labels, promoters, tour bookers, sound engineers, local businesses, investors and project managers to bring this idea to life.
This is where talent and creativity meet. Immerse yourself, camp out for the weekend and discover new music while making memories in the Ontario music scene. Be a part of what’s sure to be the biggest event in Dunnville, Ontario in 2025 – don’t miss it!”
Anima Inside, one of South America’s (Ecuadar) most dynamic and boundary-pushing rock bands, returns with their latest single, “Alien”.This track offers a mesmerizing preview of the band’s forthcoming album set to release in 2025. True to their spirit of innovation, the band describes “Alien” as one of their most unique creations. It captures the essence of their evolution, an ever-expanding fusion of styles that remains unmistakably their own.
With its hypnotic blend of influences, “Alien” delivers a fresh and timeless sound. The song features an intricate guitar solo, vibrant rhythmic layers, and an emotive message that resonates deeply with today’s listeners. As the band puts it, “It’s probably the strangest song we’ve ever created, but it has something that makes you want to hear it over and over. The fusion, the solo, the message; it’s very Anima Inside and incredibly current.”
Since their beginnings in 2006, Anima Inside has been known for its ability to blend progressive rock roots with modern, mainstream accessibility. “Alien” encapsulates this evolution perfectly, balancing technical prowess with a raw emotional edge. The song’s themes of alienation and introspection echo the band’s ongoing exploration of the human condition, a recurring motif in their music.
This single marks the next step in a career that has seen Anima Inside perform alongside legends like Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, and KISS, and share stages at major festivals such as Hell and Heaven Fest Mexico and Domination MX. Their sound has always defied easy categorization, weaving elements of progressive rock, Andean rhythms, and Afro-Latin influences into a style that is distinctly their own.
“Alien” is a testament to the band’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries while staying true to their roots. It serves as both a standalone piece of art and a tantalizing introduction to the sonic journey their upcoming album promises to deliver. With its unforgettable hooks, striking instrumentation, and profound lyrics, the track is a perfect reflection of the versatility and artistry that define Anima Inside.
As the band prepares for the release of their next full-length record, “Alien”stands as a bold statement of intent, showcasing their ability to innovate while maintaining the essence of what has made them one of the most recognized names in South American rock. Keep an eye on Anima Inside as they gear up for what promises to be an extraordinary 2025, and don’t miss “Alien” now available on all major streaming platforms.
HELLOWEEN are turning up the heat as they gear up for their monumental 40th anniversary world tour in 2025/2026 and tease a brand-new studio album! But before diving into the next chapter, the metal legends are giving their fans one last epic thrill from their chart-topping self-titled album with the release of Live At Budokan on December 13, 2024 (RPM).
Today, they’ve unleashed a blistering live version of “Save Us,” a track that catapults us back to their groundbreaking Keeper Of The Seven Keys era – a defining moment in their storied career. This electrifying single forges a powerful bridge between their glorious past and their unstoppable present. Get ready, Pumpkins United fans – this is just the beginning!
Bassist Markus Grosskopf notes: “‘Save Us’ is unfortunately still relevant or more relevant than ever before. The natural disasters, our own ignorance, hardly any possibilities to escape from all threats – the song is a desperate plea for rescue…a heavy, but thought-provoking piece with crushing reality.”
Pre-order Live At Budokan in your preferred physical format [digipak-2CD, 3LP (limited “deluxe edition” first press in trifold), Blu-ray, DVD], pre-save it on your favourite digital service provider (DSP), or pre-order the album digitally to receive “Save Us (live),” “Eagle Fly Free (live)” and “Best Time (live)” instantly: https://helloween.rpm.link/liveatbudokanPR
Nearly five years after the release of #13, Swiss rockers GOTTHARD are making a powerful comeback with their highly anticipated new album, Stereo Crush, set to release on March 21, 2025, via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
To mark the announcement, the band has unveiled their latest single, “Boom Boom“. This high-energy anthem not only celebrates the album announcement but also offers a dynamic preview of the signature sound fans can expect from Stereo Crush.
Guitar duo Leo Leoni and Freddy Scherer ignite the track with heavy riffs that haven’t been heard in the GOTTHARD realm for quite some time. The remarkable rhythm section, powered by bassist Marc Lynn and drummer Flavio Mezzodi, propels the Swiss express forward with relentless energy, while frontman Nic Maeder masterfully commands the journey through hard rock territory with his powerful and charismatic vocals. Building up to an irresistibly catchy chorus, it’s clear to all that this is a new GOTTHARD classic in the making.
Leo Leoni explains the personal meaning of the song: “I wrote it when I found out that we were expecting a child. The birth of my son Gabriel was a moment that completely changed my life. When I hold him in my arms, look into his eyes or see his smile, I feel an indescribable love and deep gratitude. This song is my way of expressing all these feelings for him.”
Produced and mixed by long-time partner Charlie Bauerfeind, who’s known for his work with the likes of HELLOWEEN and BLIND GUARDIAN, alongside founding member Leo Leoni at Yellowhouse Studio, and mastered by Sascha “Busy” Bühren (TrueBusyness), Stereo Crush promises to set new standards which will additionally come to shine on the band’s forthcoming touring cycle.
GOTTHARD will open it with a tour in May, accompanied by special guests Y&T, before the quintet head to select festivals as well as the stages of their home country at the end of 2025. The band’s current live schedule and ticket info can be found below!
Photo credit: Manuel Schütz
L-R: Freddy Scherer (guitars), Marc Lynn (bass) Nic Maeder (vocals), Flavio Mezzodi (drums), Leo Leoni (guitars)
Fans should also mark January 17 of next year in their calendars as Stereo Crush pre-orders will officially be launched on that date. One thing’s for sure: Even in 2025, there won’t be a way around GOTTHARD for the worldwide hard rock community!
“Stereo Crush” Tour 2025 Special Guests: Y&T Presented by Metal Hammer, Classic Rock, musix, Rock Antenne & powermetal.de
23.05.2025 DE Bochum – RuhrCongress 24.05.2025 DE Geiselwind – Music Hall 25.05.2025 DE Frankfurt – Batschkapp 27.05.2025 DE Hamburg – Große Freiheit 36 29.05.2025 DE Munich – Circus Krone 30.05.2025 DE Filderstadt – FILharmonie 31.05.2025 AT Telfs – Rathaussaal
More upcoming GOTTHARD live dates:
27.06.2025 CH Basel – Summerstage *NEW* 22.07.2025 DE Regensburg – Piazza im Gewerbepark *NEW* 12. – 14.06.2025 ES Zamora – Z! Live Rock 19.12.2025 CH Bern – Neue Festhalle *NEW* 20.12.2025 CH Zurich – The Hall *NEW*
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!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
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