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GAMMA RAY – German Power Metallers To Release Skeletons & Majesties Live CD In North America Next Month

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 25, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Legendary German Power Metallers GAMMA RAY will unleash Skeletons & Majesties Live as a two-CD set next month via Eagle Rock imprint Armoury Records. Set for North American release on December 4, 2012, Skeletons & Majesties Live is a near two-hour magnum opus spanning the band’s history and includes classics as well as tracks which were under-represented to date. A DVD version will be released stateside in January. Skeletons & Majesties Live was recorded and filmed during the band’s 2011 European tour at the legendary Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland and  is the first properly HD-filmed live video production of the band’s epic 20+ year career.

“The [2011 released ] EP, Skeletons & Majesties, is practically a continuation of our Skeletons In The Closet concept, in other words: new versions of songs which didn’t receive the attention they deserve, as well as unplugged versions of some of our classics,” notes founding vocalist/guitarist Kai Hansen.

The DVD offers up a thoroughly gripping performance, from the dynamic openers “Anywhere In The Galaxy” and “Men, Martians And Machines” to the furious finale/Helloween cover “Future World.”

As a special bonus, to accompany the Hansen-penned Helloween classic on stage, GAMMA RAY enlisted the services of former Helloween frontman Michael Kiske. In addition, Kiske can be heard and seen on “Time To Break Free” and “A While In Dreamland”.

The release of Skeletons & Majesties Live will mark the beginning of an eventful 2013 for GAMMA RAY: After Hansen stayed true to his word and spent 2012 concentrating mainly on his second band, Unisonic, he and his three colleagues, guitarist Henjo Richter, bassist Dirk Schlächter and new addition, drummer Michael Ehré (the Firewind/Love.Might.Kill drummer has replaced Daniel Zimmermann, who left the GAMMA RAY fold on friendly terms) are now focusing exclusively on GAMMA RAY once again. A co-headlining European tour with Helloween has been scheduled for March and will also mark the arrival of a new GAMMA RAY studio recording. Stay tuned for release dates and further details.

“GAMMA RAY will have top priority in 2013,” comments Hansen, “and Skeletons & Majesties Live is the perfect harbinger of this!”

Skeletons & Majesties Live Track Listing:

CD1

01. Welcome (Intro)

02. Anywhere In The Galaxy

03. Men, Martians and Machines

04. The Spirit

05. Wings Of Destiny

06. Farewell

07. Gamma Ray

08. Money

09. Time To Break Free

10. Rebellion In Dreamland (Acoustic)

11. Send Me A Sign (Acoustic)

CD2

01. Induction

02. Dethrone Tyranny

03. Watcher In The Sky

04. Hold Your Ground

05. A While In Dreamland

06. Rise

07. Brothers

08. Insurrection

09. Future World

Skeletons & Majesties Live DVD Track Listing:

01. Anywhere In The Galaxy

02. Men, Martians And Machines

03. The Spirit

04. Wings Of Destiny

05. Farewell

06. Gamma Ray

07. Money

08. Time To Break Free (w/ Michael Kiske)

09. Rebellion In Dreamland (acoustic)

10. Send Me A Sign (acoustic)

11. Dethrone Tyranny

12. Watcher In The Sky

13. Hold Your Ground

14. A While In Dreamland (w/ Michael Kiske)

15. Rise

16. Brothers

17. Insurrection

18. Future World (w/ Michael Kiske)

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(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on GAMMA RAY, click on the links below!

http://www.gammaray.org

facebook: GAMMA RAY (Official)

http://www.eagle-rock.com

LONG LIVE GAMMA RAY.

Stone.

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ARMORED SAINT “La Raza” – An Album That I Appreciate More With Every Listen

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 23, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

ARMORED SAINT – Back on March 16th, 2010, La Raza, the sixth studio album from Armored Saint was released, via Metal Blade Records. Sometimes I just don’t realize how enormous an album truly is, until I’ve listened to it over the course of a few years. It happens. When La Raza was first released, I really, really liked it. Now, I flat-out love this album to pieces! For me, this is an album that just sounds better after each listen.

I did write about my favorite song from La Raza which is: Chilled. This post goes back to April 19th, 2010. Basically, as the title to that post states: Chilled Chills And Thrills My Metal Soul. Metal be thy name it sure does. Click on the link below and you can read this post if you like!

ARMORED SAINT – “CHILLED” SONG FROM “LA RAZA” ALBUM CHILLS AND THRILLS MY METAL SOUL

Do you have a Rock, Hard Rock or Metal album that you appreciate more today, compared to when you first started listening to it? Share your Metal thoughts!

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Armored Saint:

John Bush – vocals

Joey Vera – bass

Jeff Duncan – guitar

Phil Sandoval – guitar

Gonzo Sandoval – drums

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La Raza – Track Listing:

Loose Cannon

Head On

Left Hook From Right Field

Get Off The Fence

Chilled

La Raza

Black Feet

Little Monkey

Blues

Bandit Country

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* For more info on ARMORED SAINT, click on the links below!

http://www.armoredsaint.com/

facebook: Armored Saint

LONG LIVE ARMORED SAINT.

Stone.

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ANGER AS ART – To Headline Puerto Rico Show For Rock Spot Plus TV; Special ABATTOIR Set Planned

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , , on November 21, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Thrashers ANGER AS ART will be headlining a festival-style show in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 15th that will be broadcast on TV show Rock Spot Plus. The gig will be recorded/videotaped for possible future release by ANGER AS ART. In addition to performing ANGER AS ART material the band will close out the performance with a short set of ABATTOIR songs.

A promotional video for the Rock Spot Plus show can be viewed here:

ANGER AS ART will release Hubris Inc. on February 5th,  2013 via Old School Metal Records. ANGER OF ART founder and Veteran of the Metal Wars Steve Gaines (Abattoir, Bloodlust, Tactics, Bitch, Dreams of Damnation, Pagan War Machine) states that the band’s fourth album, which follows the well-received Disfigure, offers the kind of vicious, memorably penned Thrash/Speed Metal that fans have come to expect without simply retracing the steps taken on previous albums.

Adding to the album’s immense appeal is a range of special guest appearances. “Rage and Retribution” features Betsy Bitch on vocals, Jim Durkin (Dark Angel) on lead guitar and Timothy Gaines (Stryper) on bass. Steve Nelson (Evil Dead) contributes backing vocals on “The Evil You Create.” And last but certainly not least, “Speed Kills,” which features Mark Caro (Abattoir) on lead guitar, was actually written for Abattoir back in 1984 and is performed by all Abattoir members.

HUBRIS INC. – Track Listing:

1. Hubris Inc.

2. Time Devours Life

3. Gods of Hate

4. Anger is the Reason

5. Speed Kills

6. This is why I Hate

7. As the Exalted Seethe

8. Pearls Before the Swine

9. Divided We Fall

10. Head of the Snake

11. The Evil you Create

12. Pieces of Red

13. Rage and Retribution

14. Never Forgive Never Forget

__________________________________________________________________

(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on ANGER AS ART, click on the links below!

http://www.angerasart.com

facebook: Anger As Art

LONG LIVE ANGER AS ART.

Stone.

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MASSACRE RECORDS – Album Releases For November 23rd, 2012!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MASSACRE RECORDS – Germany’s premiere Metal record label, Massacre Records, has four killer albums set for release on November 23rd! Check ’em out below! You’ll see a link below each album for pre-listening and to directly purchase the mp3’s directly from Massacre Records. Metal be thy name.

ADORNED BROOD -Kuningaz


http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/19706?lang=en

SARATAN -Martya Xwar


http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/19741?lang=en

DIRT -Rock N Roll Accident


http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/19719?lang=en

FAREWELL TO ARMS -Perceptions


http://massacre.musiclogistics.net/releases/19730?lang=en

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* For more info on these kick-ass bands, click on the links below!

Adorned Brood: http://www.adornedbrood.de/

Saratan: http://www.saratan.pl

Dirt: www.dirt-music.de

Farewell To Arms:

http://www.farewelltoarmsofficial.com

LONG LIVE MASSACRE RECORDS.

LONG LIVE METAL.

Stone.

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DIO “The Last In Line” 24 KT Gold CD Releases November 27th, Via Audio Fidelity

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 19, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

DIO – Released back in July of 1984, The Last In Line, the second studio album from DIO, carried on what Holy Diver had started: true, classic and timeless Metal. Now, decades later, a 24 KT Gold CD version of The Last In Line releases on November 27th, via Audio Fidelity.

This is a limited numbered edition and makes for a fabulous DIO collectible! Numerous past 24 KT Gold editions have sold out through Audio Fidelity; getting your Metal hands on this special edition of The Last In Line is key! Metal be thy name.

I’ve seen the pre-order price for The Last In Line 24 KT Gold CD at $21.07 (U.S.) on Amazon.com. The price at Audio Fidelity.net is $24.99 (U.S.).

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DIO – Band Lineup On The Last In Line:

Ronnie James Dio – vocals

Vivian Campbell – guitar

Jimmy Bain – bass

Vinny Appice – drums

Claude Schnell – keyboards

THE LAST IN LINE – Track Listing:

We Rock

The Last In Line

Breathless

I Speed At Night

One Night In The City

Evil Eyes

Mystery

Eat Your Heart Out

Egypt (The Chains Are On)

_________________________________________________________________

* For more info, click on the link below!

http://www.audiofidelity.net

LONG LIVE THE LEGACY OF DIO.

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

Stone.

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IRON MAIDEN – “The Number Of The Beast” And “Piece Of Mind” Picture Discs Release This Week!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal picture discs, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

IRON MAIDEN – Check out those whiz-bang Iron Maiden picture discs above and below! Whoa! That’s what I call collectible Metal vinyl! 1982’s The Number Of The Beast and 1983’s Piece Of Mind are both iconic! I always loved picture discs, going all the way back to the 80’s.

If I have the extra cash, then I’ll pick up these two Iron Maiden gems down the Metal road. They’re selling for $32.99 (U.S.) each. Whoa. That’s basically 2 pennies under $66.00, making for a hefty chunk of change. If you can afford it, I feel these picture discs are definitely worth it. What are your thoughts on these super Iron Maiden picture discs?

Both of these Iron Maiden picture discs will release on November 19th, via UMe.

IRON MAIDEN – THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST

IRON MAIDEN – PIECE OF MIND

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* For more info on IRON MAIDEN, click on the links below!

http://www.ironmaiden.com

facebook: Iron Maiden

LONG LIVE IRON MAIDEN.

The words “whiz-bang” were used in this post.

Stone.

1 Comment »

Guitar Virtuoso James Williams Releases New CD ‘Eclectic Shred’ Featuring Symphony X and James Labrie Members

Posted in Guitar, guitarists, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on November 18, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Plano, TX – Much to the excitement of guitarists around the world, guitar virtuoso James Williams has released his new solo CD Eclectic Shred on October 20, 2012. Featuring guest appearances by Mike LePond from Symphony X and Matt Guillroy from James Labrie/Yngwie Malmsteen and released on the Eclectic Shred label, the new CD by James Williams is an exercise in guitar wizardry, the likes of which have not been heard before!

“Quality songs, quality players. Just an honor to work with James Williams and be part of this kick-ass project.” – Mike LePond, Symphony X

Hailing from Tulsa, Oklahoma, James Williams was raised on classical music; his mother was a singer in the church choir and sang Opera locally, and sister sang professionally for the San Francisco Metropolitan Opera for ten years. Composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Stravinsky, Mozart, Carl Orf, Chopin were all part of James’s early musical vocabulary. By the age 12, Jimi Hendrix became his fascination, followed by guitarists Robin Trower, Larry Carlton, Al Dimeola, Gary Moore, Jeff Beck, Alan Holdsworth, Frank Marino, Yngwie Malmsteen and bands like Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Scorpions, ELP, Yes, Boston and Kansas.

James has appeared in Guitar Player Magazine with Mike Varney of Shrapnel Records, who said, “James’s impressive guitar pyrotechnics are highlighted by arpeggios, speed picking, vibrato and guitar harmonies that work together to create inspiring high level passages that sometimes remind me of Yngwie Malmsteen.” James has recorded with the late bassist Wyman Tisdale and also legendary bassist/composer/arranger Marcus Miller. Performances with guitarist Norman Brown, saxophonist Gerald Albright and many other top artists, along with years of exposure to classical, jazz, metal and R&B, James has created a diverse sound that is on the cutting edge of today’s guitarists. Says James,“My inspiration is always to achieve something musical that will last and inspire others.”

In 2011, Magna Carta Records released the critically acclaimed album by James’s under the name X Opus titled ‘The Epiphany CD’; the band was essentially James on all instruments with two vocalists. Sea Of Tranquility raved about the album, “If you like heavy progressive music with celestial lyrical themes you most certainly won’t go wrong if you invest in this one.”

In regards to the outcome of his latest album ‘Eclectic Shred’, James explains, “There is so much diversity in this record it should satisfy the solo hungry guitar fans, the song composition fans, and anyone who likes fusion with odd time signatures, power Symphony X rhythms to Hendrix, Ynwie and classical lovers of guitar and keys.” Adding to his impressive guitar virtuosity, James also plays bass, keyboards, drum programming, along with composing all the symphony arrangements. He also produced and mixed the album at his personal recording facility, X Opus studio.

Says James, “As far as the players on ‘Eclectic Shred’, I am really happy with how that turned out, as it can be a challenge to communicate to guys that are in other parts of the US and can’t come to your studio. However, the players I used were great at doing their thing. I am so happy to be able to have gotten my good friend Mike LePond from Symphony X to play bass on the album – he is a bass god! His timing and interpretation is masterful, and he wrote his own lines and played the way he wanted as he heard it. Mike is the best prog-metal has to offer – Symphony X is my favorite modern metal band and the best out there musically. I got in touch with Matt Guillroy through my good friend Mike Varney, the famed progressive guitar producer who brought us Yngwie and Jason Becker. Matt plays keyboards for James Labrie and has worked with Yngwie – he is better on keys sounding like a guitar than most guitar players. He is a master of the keys and I was so glad to get him on the record shredding solos!” Also included on the recordings are guitarists Dave Thomas and Richard Tull.

In conclusion, James has this to impart to his fans and listeners, “I hope that people benefit spiritually as well as musically from this record.”

To purchase James Williams ‘Eclectic Shred’: http://cdbaby.com/cd/jameswilliams12

For more information: www.jameswilliamseclecticshred.com

http://www.facebook.com/jameswilliamseclecticshred

http://www.facebook.com/jameswilliamsguitar

______________________________________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

LONG LIVE JAMES WILLIAMS.

Stone.

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DESTRUCTION – “Carnivore” Official Video And “Cyanide” Lyric Video Are Here!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal albums, Music, rock music, rock music news, Thrash Metal, thrash metal bands with tags , , , , , on November 17, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Legendary German Thrashers DESTRUCTION, whose 30-years-anniversary album Spiritual Genocide will be released on November 23, proudly present the official video clip for the brand-new song Carnivore, which was produced by Polish “Mania Studio”.

Main man Schmier comments:

“Hell-come to our little horror movie! We are very proud to finally present you the Butcher in this creepy clip for the brand-new song “Carnivore”. I can promise you some scary moments and shivers with a pinch of self-irony! We know that the song will arouse diverse reactions from the scene ‘cause it s NOT a typical DESTRUCTION tune, but we needed an atmospheric and groovy track to present the mad butcher and the plot in the most intense way. No worries, there will be plenty of speed and brutal THRASH on the record! Enjoy this spine-chilling urban legend flick and some real hot chicks – for your pleasure & entertainment only!”

Also, don’t forget to check out the lyric video for the new track “Cyanide”!

__________________________________________________________________

(Source: Nuclear Blast)

* For more info on DESTRUCTION, click on the links below!

http://www.destruction.de/

http://www.facebook.com/destruction

http://www.twitter.com/destruction

http://www.youtube.com/DestructionDE

http://www.nuclearblastusa.com/

LONG LIVE DESTRUCTION.

Stone.

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INCITE “DIE ALONE” MP3 AVAILABLE TODAY VIA SKULLSNBONES

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal albums, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on November 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Photo credit: Andrew Whitaker

Left to right: Richie Cavalera, Zak Sofaly, Luis Marrufo and Gene Macazan

_________________________________________

PHOENIX-BASED BAND RELEASE ALL OUT WAR ON TUESDAY

Nov. 15, San Francisco, Calif. – Incite, who are set to release their sophomore album All Out War on Tuesday via Minus Head Records, are offering an mp3 of Die Alone via SkullsNBones (http://snblnk.com/2eo).

Revolver said the album is “full of mean riffing and serious aggression” while Metal Hammer said the band “harnesses the kind of groove-driven power that Lamb of God and, in more recent years, Devildriver have always nailed so perfectly.”

The Phoenix-based band recorded All Out War with producer Logan Mader (Gojira, Soulfly) at Darth Mader Music in Hollywood, Calif.

A North American tour for 2013 will be announced soon.

_______________________________________________________________

* Source: Speakeasy PR & Marketing

* For more info on INCITE, click on the links below!

www.facebook.com/INCITEband

www.minusheadrecords.com

LONG LIVE INCITE.

Stone.

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DORO – New Album “Raise Your Fist” Debuts On Billboard Chart

Posted in classic rock, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 15, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Raise Your Fist, the twelfth studio album released last week in the U.S. and Canada by reigning metal queen DORO PESCH, has debuted at #65 on the American Billboard Heatseekers chart. DORO sends a huge thank you to all her fans for making this chart entry a reality!

Raise Your Fist was recorded and written in the U.S., Germany, and Scandinavia and features musical guests Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead and Ozzy/Firewind guitarist Gus G. Album artwork was created by British artist and longtime DORO collaborator Geoffrey Gillespie. Pick up your copy at the Nuclear Blast Webshop, your local independent retailer, on iTunes, or Amazon.

DORO will be will be returning to North America in 2013 to rock the masses in support of Raise Your Fist.

________________________________________________

DORO North American Headlining Tour 2013:

2/01/2013 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL

2/02/2013 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA

2/03/2013 Empire – West Springfield, VA

2/04/2013 B.B. Kings Blues Club – New York, NY

2/05/2013 Soundstage – Baltimore, MD

2/07/2013 Mod Club – Toronto, ON

2/08/2013 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY

2/09/2013 Al Rosa Villa – Columbus, OH

2/10/2013 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH

2/12/2013 Blondie’s – Detroit, MI

2/13/2013 Mojoe’s – Joliet, IL

2/14/2013 Station 4 – St. Paul, MN

2/15/2013 Spicoli’s Grill and the Reverb – Waterloo, IA

2/17/2013 Moe’s – Englewood, CO

2/19/2013 El Corazon – Seattle, WA

2/20/2013 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR

2/21/2013 Thee Parkside – San Francisco, CA

2/22/2013 House of Blues – West Hollywood, CA

2/23/2013 Rocky Point Cantina – Tempe, AZ

Advance ticket links are available on DORO’s Official Facebook Page.

________________________________________________________________

(Source: Earsplit PR)

* For more info on DORO, click on the links below!

http://www.doro.de/

http://www.facebook.com/DoroOfficial

http://www.twitter.com/DoroOfficial

http://www.youtube.com/DoroOfficial

LONG LIVE DORO, THE QUEEN OF METAL.

Stone.

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Original Judas Priest Vocalist Al Atkins and Christian Guitarist Paul May Enter The ‘Valley Of Shadows’ With New ATKINS MAY PROJECT CD

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 11, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

London, UK – The rock world is buzzing with the revelation that good and evil can continue to work together in the form of former Judas Priest vocal legend and heavy metal frontman Al Atkins and Christian guitarist and music artist Paul May. Together these extreme opposites have come together once again to create a powerful new CD called Valley Of Shadows, now available on Gonzo Multimedia. Here once again, the men from the “Black Country” have produced an album of outstanding quality straight from the “Home of Metal”! This excellent collection of songs sees Atkins deliver some stand out vocal performances and May shred the axe like the old guitar masters.

‘Valley Of Shadows’ offers 10 “killer” tracks that burst with melody and metal mayhem. You’ll take a journey through what seems to be an “evolution” of rock. With all the elements of “classic” hard rock and metal, yet retaining an underlying progressive core, ‘Valley Of Shadows’ will not disappoint fans of the genre who decide to take the ride!

Says Al Atkins: “We have kept the same format for ‘Valley Of Shadows’ since it worked really well for our debut album ‘Serpent’s Kiss’, so we thought why change a winning formula.” Paul May adds: “I think the new album definitely leans more towards that ‘classic rock’ feel, with some modern twists thrown in for good measure, retaining its metal edge.”

Al Atkins: Noted for forming UK’s Judas Priest and fronting them for four years and laying down the foundations which would see them eventually selling 40 million albums worldwide. He also wrote songs for them which went gold like “Dreamer Deceiver”, “Never Satisfied”, “Winter”, “Caviar and Meths” and Priest’s all time classic “Victim of Changes”. Al’s unique powerful vocal style sites influences by noted rock singers Roger Daltrey, Paul Rodgers and longtime friend Robert Plant. Al has done countless radio and TV interviews worldwide and recently featured in the BBC TV ‘British Heritage’. He has even written a book on his musical life about growing up in Birmingham, UK alongside Robert Plant and Black Sabbath called ‘Dawn of the Metal Gods’. Al has released 6 solo albums to date, and teamed up with brilliant Christian writer/guitarist Paul May to record their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Serpent’s Kiss’.

Paul May: Some people learn to play guitar, Paul was born (again) to play guitar! Paul has become respected for his passionate, soulful guitar work and noted for his explosive and exciting solos. As a world-class professional guitarist and songwriter, Paul has played and recorded sessions across the globe, touring and playing throughout the UK, Europe, USA and the Eastern block. Paul appears on around 50 albums to date, featured in both the secular and Christian arenas. Paul is also a record producer and has covered the entire spectrum of musical tastes in production.

Now with the release of the new Atkins May Project CD, the dichotomous duo are ready once again to bring their special brand of rock and metal to the masses. Although the CD has no definite concept there are certain underlying themes that run throughout the songs. “The album is mainly about facing trials of life and the ‘demons’ you encounter on the way,” Paul explains. “It’s about standing up and being counted when you understand who you are. The title ‘Valley Of Shadows’ relates to many things…that dark night of the soul that finds us all…”

In closing Al has this to impart to the band’s fans, “We would like to say a big thanks to all our fans and friends that we have amassed over the long years and would just like to say..’KEEP IT METAL.’”

Atkins May Project – ‘Valley Of Shadows’ is available through Gonzo MultiMedia and can be purchased at: http://www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk/product_details/15515

For more information: www.gonzomultimedia.co.uk

www.AlAtkins.com

www.PaulMayMusic.com www.PaulMayMusic.co.uk

_______________________________________________________________

(Source: Glass Onyon PR)

LONG LIVE AL ATKINS & PAUL MAY.

Stone.

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ORDEN OGAN – “To The End” Album Enters Germany’s Album Chart At #41!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 10, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

German Melodic Power Metal masters ORDEN OGAN are the band of the hour: their critically acclaimed new album To The End enters Germany’s official album chart at #41!

“Wow, this is awesome! We are overwhelmed by this news. A big “thank you” goes out to all those who supported ORDEN OGAN. We will celebrate now, but then it’s time for our final preparation for our tour with Luca Turilli’s RHAPSODY and Freedom Call, which will kick off these days. We hope to see many of you there”, singer/guitarist Seeb comments.

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Stone Says: Listen to and watch The Things We Believe In below! This song is epic, powerful and simply put: FANTASTIC! Metal be thy name.

ORDEN OGAN:

SEEB – vocals, lead-guitar, keyboards

TOBI – lead-guitar

SPOONY – bass

DIRK – drums

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(Source: AFM Records)

* For more info on ORDEN OGAN, click on the links below!

http://www.ordenogan.de

http://www.youtube.de/ordenoganofficial

facebook: ORDEN OGAN

http://www.afm-records.de

LONG LIVE ORDEN OGAN.

Stone.

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U.D.O. “Live In Sofia” Preview-Clip “Heart Of Gold” Available Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on November 9, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

On November 9th, the new live documents of German’s Metal icon#1, Udo Dirkschneider and his band will be released. Live In Sofia also marks the end of an era somehow, as the stable U.D.O. lineup that performed together for many years will be shown for a last time. As it became public that guitarist Stefan Kaufmann will be no longer available for the band due to health reasons, “Live In Sofia” will be the last U.D.O. DVD with Stefan.

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(Source: AFM Records)

* For more info on U.D.O., click on the links below!

http://www.udo-online.de

http://www.afm-records.de

http://www.youtube.com/UDOtubetv

http://webshop.udo-online.com

LONG LIVE U.D.O.

Stone.

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MUTINY WITHIN – Announce Release Date For New Album “Synchronicity”

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on November 7, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

MUTINY WITHIN – Many people have a countdown until December 21, 2012. The time has come for a new countdown: January 12, 2013. Modern Metal juggernauts MUTINY WITHIN have announced the official release date of their long-awaited sophomore album, Synchronicity, for January 12, 2013.

MUTINY WITHIN made waves in the Metal community early in their career by joining the Roadrunner Records roster and touring endlessly on the heels of their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album. Having half the lineup live across the great Atlantic pond and having serious financial difficulties due to the rampant piracy in the music industry, MUTINY WITHIN was forced to go on hiatus in 2011. That was the end of the touring band, but not the end of their music.

Epic Metal music can not be contained – not even by the one-eyed pirates of the tumultuous thief infested world we call the “music industry”.  MUTINY WITHIN had so many good ideas and music ready to go, founding member/songwriter AJ and singer Chris Clancy decided to finish what they started and put out the next evolutionary sound of MUTINY WITHIN in the form of the self-produced Synchronicity.

The road is far from over for MUTINY WITHIN and fans can look forward to many surprises leading up to the highly anticipated release of Synchronicity.

Mutiny Within II: Synchronicity album teaser:

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(Source: Team All About The Music – Publicity, Management, A&R)

* For more info on MUTINY WITHIN, click on the links below!

FACEBOOK

YOUTUBE

TWITTER

LONG LIVE MUTINY WITHIN.

Stone.

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ACARO – Added To KILLSWITCH ENGAGE Tenth Anniversary “Alive Or Just Breathing” Tour

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock concerts, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 2, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Massachusetts face-melters ACARO have been added to the Killswitch Engage Tenth Anniversary “Alive or Just Breathing” Tour with Shadows Fall.

The band will fill the opening slot for one of 2012’s most anticipated tours that will see a Jesse Leach fronted Killswitch Engage performing their classic Alive or Just Breathing in its entirety. Few bands have what it takes to rise to such an occasion, but Acaro’s aggressive brand of melodic and modern thrash will undoubtedly fire up audiences as the band bulldozes a path across the nation.

ACARO is touring in support of their debut, The Disease of Fear, which was released on October 2nd through Goomba Music. A video for the track “Becoming the Process” can be seen and heard below!

The tour kicks off on November 24 at the California Metal Fest 6 and wraps up on December 29 in Clifton Park, NJ. See below for all of the tour dates:

11/24 San Bernardino, CA – NOS Event Center (California Metalfest VI)

11/25 San Francisco, CA – Slims

11/27 Seattle, WA – Studio Seven

11/28 Portland, OR – Hawthorne

11/30 Boulder, CO – Fox Theater

12/01 Kansas City, KS – Beaumont Club

12/02 Dallas, TX – Trees

12/04 Tampa, FL – State Theater

12/05 Pensacola, FL – Vinyl Music Hall

12/07 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel

12/08 Atlanta, GA – Masquerade

12/10 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge

12/11 Columbus, OH – Alrosa Villa

12/12 Toronto, ON – Opera House

12/14 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom

12/16 Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club

12/17 Brooklyn, NY – Willamsburg Music Hall

12/18 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground

12/19 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street

12/20 Portland, ME – State Theater

12/27 Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live

12/28 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom

12/29 – Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall

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ABOUT ACARO:

They are ACARO and they are metal. They are 5 hard-working individuals, who bring 5 different backgrounds to create 1 unique musical experience. They always give their audience more than they expect, and they will never be satisfied with their abilities.

ACARO’s first show was in October 2008 at Ralph’s Diner in Worcester, MA. They have been honored to play the New England Metal and Hardcore Fest in 2009 and 2010, the NEMHCF’s SXSW stage in 2010, and have shared the stage with Unearth, In Flames, Gojira, As I Lay Dying, Lamb of God, Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, Behemoth, Winds of Plague, Suffocation, Acacia Strain, and many other national and regional touring bands.

Their goals are simple, to continue writing, recording, and performing at the highest level of their abilities, in as many places around the world as possible. The release of their first album The Disease of Fear, and the completion of the video for, “Becoming the Process”, will help to achieve those goals.

By bringing the old into the 21st Century, and keeping the new grounded to its roots, ACARO achieves the Brutal/Melodic blend that can stir emotions and hit you over the head with a sledge-hammer at the same time. These individuals are brought together by the love of Metal, the drive to create, the desire to succeed, and the need to bring ACARO’s music and energy to as many people, in as many places as possible.

Nothing comes without hard work and no one will work harder. ACARO is not just a band, it is a way of life for all involved and all it touches. They are ACARO and they believe. Soon, so will you.

ACARO:

Chris Harrell – Vocals

Felipe Roa – Guitars

Chris Robinson – Guitars

Kevin Smith – Bass

Jason Fitzgerald – Drums

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(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on ACARO, click on the links below!

http://www.facebook.com/officialacaro

http://www.goombamusic.com/artists/acaro

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KILLSWITCH ENGAGE: http://www.killswitchengage.com

SHADOWS FALL: http://www.shadowsfall.com

LONG LIVE ACARO.

LONG LIVE KILLSWITCH ENGAGE.

LONG LIVE SHADOWS FALL.

Stone.

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NIGHTQUEEN – News Updates From Belgium’s Heavy Metal Hero’s

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on November 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

NIGHTQUEEN NEWS!

As reported on the facebook of NIGHTQUEEN:

Good news from Germany. Massacre Records has confirmed that the contract with Nightqueen (is) extended.

The band is in writing modus and already with the first demo recordings. The attendees on Rebel Rock have already become acquainted with “Rain of Blood and Fear.” The successor of “For Queen and Metal” is approaching. It’s still just brainstorming to the title of the album but the music will (have) greatly evolved sound. Production is in the hands of Rex, Danny and Christian Moos.

Also as reported on the facebook of NIGHTQUEEN:

Nightqueen welcomes 2 new band members. More about this in a few days … stay tuned.

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Listen and watch below the recently released video for Diamonds & Rust, as performed by NIGHTQUEEN!

* This song is recorded as a tribute to its songwriter Joan Baez and also to Judas Priest. Diamonds & Rust will not appear on a NIGHTQUEEN album.

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* For other NIGHTQUEEN features, as posted on Metal Odyssey, click on the links below!

NIGHTQUEEN ‘For Queen And Metal’ – An Indelible Debut Album Of Heavy Metal

NIGHTQUEEN – Brand New Track ‘Nightfall’ Streaming Online Now!

NIGHTQUEEN – Signs To Massacre Records

NIGHTQUEEN – X-Mas Wonderland (Official Video)

Nightqueen and Winter’s Verge – New Videos Uploaded on Massacre Records

Metal Odyssey Presents: Ten METAL Albums You NEED For This Summer Of 2012! (Part Two)

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(Photo credit: NIGHTQUEEN facebook)

* For more info on NIGHTQUEEN, click on the links below!

http://www.nightqueen.be

facebook: Nightqueen

http://www.massacre-records.com

LONG LIVE NIGHTQUEEN.

Stone.

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Wanna See My “Hell On Wheels Tour 1987” Cassette? Features: Helloween, Armored Saint and Grim Reaper!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, Power Metal, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , , on November 1, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HELL ON WHEELS TOUR 1987 – That’s it at the top! That’s my Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 cassette! This (now historical) tour featured: Grim Reaper, Armored Saint and Helloween. Whoa! As you can see, this cassette was a free sampler!. I obtained this old school Metal cassette sometime last Winter, at a thrift store. I paid a ridiculous price of 50 cents (U.S.) for this very cool cassette too. Yes, it plays just fine!

This tour was sponsored by MTV Headbangers Ball; yet there is no print or logo stating this on the cassette. The inside of the cassette jacket is blank. Notice the crack on the cassette tape box? That’s old school man!

Back in 1987, the Hell On Wheels Tour did not pass through the state I was living in; that being the very expensive state of Connecticut. Can’t see ’em all, I guess. Still, it super sucks I never saw this tour.

Here is what the spine of this cassette looks like:

Hell On Wheels Tour 1987 – Track Listing:

Side One:

Hell On Wheels Medley – Rock You To Hell / Isolation / Halloween

Grim Reaper – Night Of The Vampire

Side Two:

Armored Saint – Raising Fear

Helloween – Future World

Here is what the backside of the cassette tape jacket looks like:

The 3 record label logos printed on this cassette tape jacket are: RCA, Concrete and Chrysalis.

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Here are the studio albums that the bands were respectively supporting on this tour:

Stone’s Note: All 3 albums are a MUST for all generations of Metalheads! Metal be thy name!

GRIM REAPER – Rock You To Hell – (1987) RCA

ARMORED SAINT – Raising Fear – (1987) Chrysalis

HELLOWEEN – Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I

(1987) Noise Records

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Speaking of Power Metal pioneers HELLOWEEN… their 14th studio album, Straight Out Of Hell, will be released on January 18th, 2013! Whoa! Metal be thy name! Yes, I’m psyched-out about this! Are you?

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* For more info on all 3 legendary Metal bands featured above:

facebook: Steve Grimmett’s Grim Reaper

http://www.armoredsaint.com/

http://www.helloween.org/

LONG LIVE HELLOWEEN.

LONG LIVE ARMORED SAINT.

LONG LIVE GRIM REAPER.

Stone.

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MAELSTROM “It Was Predestined” – Out Now On Itchy Metal Entertainment

Posted in epic metal, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , on October 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

Originally released to the underground in 2009, MAELSTROM’s It Was Predestined is now available in digital format via Los Angeles’ Itchy Metal Entertainment (IME).

Few self-released EPs have been met with the kind of critical acclaim and fan reception as It Was Predestined. Famed music journalist Martin Popoff called the release “A symphony of progressiveness the likes of which has pretty much never been articulated, invented, or heard, before now,” and world-renowned publications such as Terrorizer, Metal Hammer and MetalSucks.net all sang MAELSTROM’s praises upon the EP’s release.

When MAELSTROM signed with IME earlier this year, it seemed only natural for the EP to be offered once again to metal fans around the world. Visit http://www.itchymetal.com to order your copy today.

For more on MAELSTROM, visit facebook: MaelstroM

Check out the video below of MAELSTROM guitarist and Julliard guest lecturer Joey Lodes in the studio demoing solos for the EP.

International Critical Praise for It Was Predestined:

Named in the Top two Unsigned Bands Worldwide – Terrorizer

Demo of the Month, January 2009 – Rock Hard

“Fusing a dizzying array of styles – death, power, thrash and prog-metal – with cinematic elements, jaw-dropping musicality and Gary Vosganian’s eccentric, staccato vocals, cult New York band Maelstrom have ended a two-decade hiatus to present something thunderously unique.” – Metal Hammer

A symphony of progressiveness the likes of which has pretty much never been articulated, invented, or heard, before now.- Martin Popoff – Editor in Chief BWBK 

“This band is on their way to becoming the next big thing.” – Metal Asylum

“Pagan/folk/viking/whatever metal has fallen out of favor since it momentarily exploded onto the scene in 2008-2009, but every so often a band in that micro-genre comes along that piques our interest. Long Island crew MaelstroM have some of the trademarks of that genre – vocals that occasionally soar, fantasy-themed artwork, keyboards – but theirs is a brand that’s distinctly thrashier and a whole lot less cheesy than most of what we hear. Great guitar work, too.” – Metal Sucks

“These tracks will leave you breathless…their power is undeniable” – The Gauntlet

“It Was Predestined is a flattering combination of old school and new school power, and it works surprisingly well.” – Metal Review

“Maelstrom is not your typical power metal act and It Was Predestined is going to strike a nerve with classic fans.” – Teeth of the Divine

“MaelstroM are not only back, they’re stronger than ever and dedicated to bringing their wildly inventive brand of metal to a new generation of listeners.” – Ultimate Guitar

“Maelstrom are a mean and snarly power metal band, and they aren’t afraid to keep things raw instead of sparkly.” – Unrestrained!

“If you love huge, massively melodic metal with an off the wall touch, ‘It Was Predestined’ is worth a listen.” – Chronicles of Chaos

MAELSTROM:

Gary Vosganian – Vocals

Joey Lodes – Guitars, Bass, Keys

Daniel Kleffmann – Drums

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* To read Stone’s review of It Was Predestined, just click on the link below! Whoa!

MAELSTROM “It Was Predestined” – 3 Song EP Makes It’s Epic Metal Presence Known

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(Source: ClawHammer PR)

* For more info on MAELSTROM, click on the link below!

http://www.metalmaelstrom.com

LONG LIVE MAELSTROM.

Stone.

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Happy Metal Halloween From Metal Odyssey! 2012 Edition: Here Are Some Of My Favorite Spooky Albums & Movies…

Posted in halloween, Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, holidays, horror metal, horror movies, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news, science fiction movies with tags , , , , , , on October 31, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

HAPPY METAL HALLOWEEN! Today is October 31st and Halloween 2012 is finally here! As you’ll see below, I’ve selected some of my all-time favorite spooky albums and movies, especially for all you Metal ghouls, monsters, witches, zombies and goblins out there. Enjoy!

The scary album cover at the top of this post is Orange Goblin’s fourth studio album Coup De Grace. Released back in 2002 via Rise Above Records, I highly recommend Coup De Grace from the solid-as-steel discography of Orange Goblin. This isn’t a Horror Metal album, yet it is lyrically filled with plenty of strange stories. Monkey Panic is a true Horror themed song, however. Coup De Grace contains a sensationally cool mix of Stoner Metal, Doom and a cover of the Misfits classic We Bite, (a song which adds a potent moment of Horror Punk to this album).

As with many of you out there, my favorite King Diamond album is Abigail. One of the greatest Metal concept albums ever written, structured and performed, in my Metal opinion! Released back in 1987 via Roadrunner Records, Abigail also features current and longtime Motörhead drummer Mikkey Dee. Abigail is the crème de la crème of the King Diamond discography, without any Metal doubt in my mind.

What would a Metal Halloween be without the super-duper legendary IRON MAIDEN? For that matter, what would Halloween be like without IRON MAIDEN’s iconic mascot Eddie? I cringe at the thoughts! IRON MAIDEN without question, has the greatest assemblage of album covers in Heavy Metal history. Thanks to artists Derek Riggs and Melvyn Grant, Eddie’s mascot celebrity within the world of Metal is second to none.

* Back on March 25th, 2010, I posted a feature titled: My Favorite Heavy Metal Album Cover Is… and you can read all about it by clicking the link below! Hint: It’s IRON MAIDEN.

MY FAVORITE HEAVY METAL ALBUM COVER IS…

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Here Are 2 Of My Favorite All-Time Scary Movies:

Directed by the ultra-legendary John Carpenter, They Live was released back in 1988 and is distributed by Universal Studios. This is a Science Fiction-Horro Film that essentially shows what our world would be like if taken over by elitist aliens. Uh, huh. Filthy rich space aliens want to take over the world!

My favorite professional wrestler of all-time is the star of They Live: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. I feel his performance in They Live was stellar, just like his wrestling career. Rowdy Roddy Piper gives plenty of hurtin’ on these white-collar space aliens, before he, um… I won’t give the ending of this fabulous movie away.

Shout! Factory will be releasing, on November 6th, 2012, a “collector’s edition” of They Live, on both DVD and Blu-ray. Check out Shout! Factory here: http://www.shoutfactory.com

Another Science Fiction thriller directed by John Carpenter! This creepy Sci-Fi film takes place in 1997 and New York City is a maximum security prison! Once you’re put inside this NYC prison, you never come out… unless you’re Snake Plissken.

Legendary actor Kurt Russell is phenomenal in his role as Snake Plissken; his mission is to rescue The President of the United States (Donald Pleasence) from this horrible prison. It’s detailed as to how this all happened! Just get this movie at all Metal costs, if you already haven’t.

* Escape From New York was released back in 1981 and  distributed by AVCO Embassy Pictures.

* Escape From New York also stars such other notable actors: Lee Van Cleef, Ernest Borgnine, Adrienne Barbeau and Isaac Hayes as The Duke of New York.

* I once met the producer for Escape From New York! Debra Hill was introduced to me at a wedding I attended (somewhere) in Long Island, (sometime) back in the ’90’s. A very quick “hello” and (I think) handshake and that’s about it. That’s my “brush with fame” when it comes to this unreal terrific movie!

METAL BE THY NAME.

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HAVE A SAFE & SPOOKY HALLOWEEN.

LONG LIVE HALLOWEEN.

LONG LIVE METAL.

The words “super-duper” were used in this post.

Stone.

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MANOWAR – Will Perform On German Cult TV Show “TV Total” – New Album “The Lord Of Steel” Is Out Now!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal albums, heavy metal news, Metal, metal music, Music, rock music, rock music news with tags , , , , , on October 27, 2012 by Metal Odyssey

– Show To Air On Thursday, October 30th –

As reported on the Official MANOWAR Website – The Kingdom Of Steel:

MANOWAR will return to Germany’s cult show ‘TV Total’ on October 30 and reunite with TV Total host and entertainer Stefan Raab.

2012 not only marks the 10 year anniversary of MANOWAR’s hit album ‘Warriors Of The World’, but also the band’s last visit on TV Total and Stefan’s memorable performance during the Warriors Of The World Tour.

MANOWAR will perform ‘Touch The Sky’ live, a track from the new album ‘The Lord Of Steel’ that is now available in stores and on iTunes worldwide.

“Stefan is a really cool guy and a true metal brother.” said Joey DeMaio. “We look forward to meeting him again and to shake the studio walls with the new sound of MANOWAR!”

The show will be aired on October 30, 2012 at 11:10PM CET on Pro7.

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MANOWAR:

Eric Adams – Vocals

Donnie Hamzik – Drums, Percussion

Karl Logan – Guitars, Keyboards

Joey DeMaio – Bass Guitars, Keyboards

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* For more info on MANOWAR, click on the links below!

http://www.manowar.com

www.thekingdomofsteel.com

www.metalondemand.com

facebook: MANOWAR

LONG LIVE MANOWAR.

Stone.

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