Candlelight Records today confirms June 4th as the North American release date for The Hundredth Name, the full-length debut from Las Vegas-based epic doom band DEMON LUNG. The eight-song album was recorded with Adam Myatt and BillyAnderson (Neurosis, The Melvins, Sleep) and features artwork by English illustrator Tom Bates (Vision of Disorder, Amorphis).
The Hundredth Name is a conceptual album as previously confirmed by drummer JeremyBrenton. Its story line follows, “The long-begotten son of Satan, who’s been sent to earth to assemble the three parts of the devil’s bible so that we can speak the name of God in reverse and undo creation.” Songstress Shanda Fredrick adds, “We have had the concept idea for the album for a few years. We have just been waiting until we signed to a proper label to finish writing it. Working with Billy was a dream come true for us. He has been like a fifth member of the band, a mentor, and just an all-around awesome friend. He helped us craft something that we are very proud of.”
Formed in 2011, DEMON LUNG features guitarist Phil Burns and bassist PatrickWarren, with Fredrick and Brenton. The band has a singular EP, Pareidolia (Bandcamp 2012), currently available. The recording was favorably received by international media. “Earthy-yet-horror-themed doom metal a-la Candlemass,” said Metal Hammer. “Their hazy atmosphere and unorthodox way of playing guitar in a doom metal band is an interesting approach that doom fans should immediately check out,” noted Metal Archives. “Their music is clearly from the soul,” added Ave Noctum. In their still short history, the band has performed alongside Pentagram, High on Fire, Jucifer, Witch Mountain, and Castle, among others.
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The Hundredth Name Track Listing:
1. Binding of the Witch
2. Devil’s Wind
3. Eyes of Zamiel
4. A Decade Twice Over A Day
5. Heathen Child
6. Hex Mark
7. Hallowed Ground
8. Incantation (The Hundredth Name)
DEMON LUNG has announced the following dates in April. Additionally, the band are set as a featured performer at the third installment of the Doom In June Festival (also featuring The Skull, Manilla Road, Karma To Burn, Ancestors, Las Cruces, Castle and more). Doom In June is sponsored by Heavy Planet, Planet Fuzz, Doom Metal Alliance, and Hellride Music.
4/16/2013 The Bunkhouse – Las Vegas, NV w/ Ides of Gemini
4/19/2013 The Joint – Los Angeles, CA w/ Crowned by Fire, Behold! the Monolith
4/20/2013 Favorites – Las Vegas, NV w/ Ultra Electric Mega Galactic, The Freeks
5/09/2013 Cheyenne Saloon – Las Vegas, NV w/ Cauldron
5/30/2013 Hemlock Tavern – San Francisco, CA w/ Castle
5/31/2013 Whisky Dicks – S. Lake Tahoe, CA w/ Castle
6/01/2013 Doom in June Festival/Cheyenne Saloon – Las Vegas, NV
6/02/2013 Pubrock – Scottsdale, AZ w/ Castle
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on DEMON LUNG, click on the links below!
DEVICE – The debut and S/T album from DEVICE will be released tomorrow, April 9th, via Warner Bros. Records. Led by the legendary David Draiman (Disturbed) on vocals, this is an Industrial album that is highly anticipated throughout the Heavy Rock world. Check out the track listing for DEVICE below, as well as the band’s April/May tour dates!
Also, check out below the special guests on this DEVICE debut! Whoa!! I’m buying this CD tomorrow! Metal be thy name!
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DEVICE – TRACK LISTING:
01. You Think You Know
02. Penance
03. Vilify
04. Close My Eyes Forever (Ozzy Osbourne & Lita Ford cover) (feat. Lzzy Hale)
05. Out Of Line (feat. Serj Tankian, Geezer Butler)
06. Hunted
07. Opinion (feat. Tom Morello)
08. War Of Lies
09. Haze (feat. M. Shadows)
10. Through It All (feat. Glenn Hughes)
APRIL/MAY 2013 TOUR DATES:
10-Apr – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen*
12-Apr – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room*
13-Apr -Orlando, FL – Tinker Field – WJRR Earth Day Birth Day
14-Apr – Ft. Myers, FL – Fort Rock Festival
16-Apr – Destin, FL – Club LA**
17-Apr -Huntsville, AL -Sammy T’s**
20-Apr – Tyler, TX – Click’s**
21-Apr – Lubbock, TX – Lonestar Amphitheatre – KFMX Show
23-Apr – Dallas, TX – Trees**
25-Apr – Houston, TX – Scout Bar**
26-Apr – Beaumont, TX – The Gig**
28-Apr – Jacksonville, FL – Welcome to Rockville Festival
30-Apr – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues**
01-May – Little Rock, AR – Juanitas**
03-May – Atlanta, GA –Centerstage*
04-May – Rockingham, NC -Carolina Rebellion Festival
Pennsylvania Traditional Metallists Sinister Realm are scheduled to release their third album World of Evilvia Shadow Kingdom Records early this summer. Album artwork and track listing can be viewed below.
Commenting on the album artwork, bass player and founding member John Gaffney had this to say: “I wanted to do something different from our past album covers which used photos and I really wanted it to embody the feel and mood of the songs. I was lucky to get in touch with a great upcoming artist from Portugal named Augusto Peixoto at Iron Doom Design and he was able to bring my vision for the album cover to life.”
With influences ranging from Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Candlemass and Dio, World of Evil will find the band moving in an even darker and more epic direction. Comments Gaffney, “Many of the songs on the album focus on the evil that man brings to this world, with wars, lies and the dark future that sometimes seems ahead of us.” Plans are being assembled for the band to hit the road later this year in support of the album.
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WORLD OF EVIL – Track Listing:
01. Dark Angel of Fate
02. Bell Strikes Fear
03. World of Evil
04. The Ghosts of Nevermore
05. Prophets of War
06. Cyber Villain
07. The Forest of Souls
08. Four Black Witches
In other news: Sinister Realm contributed their version of the Anvil classic Forged in Fireto the album Strong as Steel – A Tribute to Anvil, set for release on April 19th on Skol Records, the song can be heard below. John Gaffney had this to say about covering the Anvil classic, “Anvil is the sound of Metal, plain and simple. The jackhammer riffs and Robb’s pounding drums, it doesn’t get much cooler than that! Being a fan of darker sounding riffs and songs with cool drum parts “Forged in Fire” has always been one of my favorite Anvil songs, I hope we do it some justice and maybe even add an extra sinister edge to it….long live heavy metal and long live Anvil!
Check Out Forged In Fire Below!
Formed in 2009 by former Pale Divine bass player John Gaffney and current Pale Divine and current Beelzefuzz drummer Darin McCloskey, Sinister Realm released their 2nd album The Crystal Eye in late 2011.
BLACK SABBATH – Make no mistake, I am highly anticipating the new studio album to be released from the forever legendary Black Sabbath, just like millions of other fans. I have no doubt, the Heavy Metal from their forthcoming album 13 will be a delicacy to my Metal loving ears. My huge Metal question is: what the heck happened to the album artwork for 13?
Let’s be real here my fellow Metal brethren. This album artwork for 13 looks like sausage that caught on fire; while sitting too long on the outdoor grill. Give me a Metal break. This album signifies studio album #19 from a band that (quite frankly) began our Heavy Metal genre in the first place… and this is the (not so) prolific art that the fans get to see?
Granted, Black Sabbath have had their share of lineup changes over the decades and studio album #19 is without the legendary Bill Ward on drums; so it’s not like I was expecting a ground-breaking album cover that would rival anything that the ultra-talented Derek Riggs (of Iron Maiden fame) has ever accomplished. Still, I was hoping for something that would scream the prowess of Black Sabbath. Man, this album cover is lame.
It’s bad enough that this new Black Sabbath studio album is missing Bill Ward (or VinnyAppice for that matter); now the album cover is a bust. Um, no offense to Brad Wilk. Someone should have reminded whoever was in charge that the #13 has been so overused in the world of music and Pop-Culture that it basically has no spooky or mystical meaning at all anymore. Whoopie-doo.
Did “the powers that be” that oversaw the creation of this album cover really think that a seasoned Metalhead like myself would be blown away by burning sausage twisted into the #13? Alas, I’m certain that Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Ozzy and Brad Wilk will save the day and 13 will Rock my face off. It’s the music that matters most. Metal be thy name.
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* For more info on BLACK SABBATH, click on the links below!
ADRENALINE MOB – I really don’t know where to begin in describing this new cover song EP from Adrenaline Mob. Okay, here I go! Coverta consists of 8 songs, spanning both the Classic Rock and Heavy Metal spectrums. Make no mistake, each song covered here is powered by Adrenaline Mob’s 100% convincing and potent Metal. The only thing I wish, is this EP contained another 20, 30 or 50 cover songs from this electrifying Metal supergroup. I’m not shitting around by stating that.
Russell Allen is an ultra incredible vocalist with a Metal resume only found in dreams. Mike Portnoy is (do I really have to remind y’all?) a world-class drummer. Mike Orlando is beyond terrific on guitar. Unreal. John Moyer on bass is so good it’s disturbing. (Get it? Disturbing?). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Adrenaline Mob sounds like they’ve been together since the mid 80’s. The songs flow along so smooth, with a non-stop vibe of excitement that it’s fantastically contagious!
Mike Orlando has countless shining moments on Coverta. As I listen to the Led Zeppelin classic The Lemon Song, I stand convinced this may very well be considered his multi-diamond studded performance. Russell Allen captures the emotion of every song he sings on Coverta, with a remarkable and keen sense as to how the lyrics are supposed to jump out at the listener and not just be sung.
Badlands was a badass Heavy Metal band that should never be forgotten and Adrenaline Mob opens Coverta with such a spectacular cover of High Wire that it’s stunning to my Metal soul. The late Ray Gillen is resurrected through this song and Russell Allen can be blamed for that. Spectacular again.
I cannot express just how much I enjoy the cover of DIO’s Stand Up And Shout. I honestly can hear and feel the reverence that Russell Allen has for the late Ronnie James Dio on this iconic song. The same can be said for Adrenaline Mob’s covers of Kill The King and TheMob Rules. There will never be another Ronnie James Dio; only Russell Allen vocally celebrates this eternal legend to a spine-tingling level. Once again, I’m not shitting around by stating that.
If you wonder if Adrenaline Mob can cover The Doors (Break On Through) and Heart (Barracuda) then wonder no more. This supergroup can! It takes many special talents to musically introduce Rock classics such as these to Metal territory and Adrenaline Mob has done so in such an impressive way. The key here is that Adrenaline Mob and Russell Allen didn’t even attempt to go over-the-top with The Doors and Heart; they just gave the songs some Metal armor along with undeniable respect.
If you love Classic Rock and/or Metal, you’re going to find something to love about Coverta. Buy this EP and celebrate the bands and songs that Adrenaline Mob have covered. I know I’m celebrating. I also know Adrenaline Mob has kicked my Metal lovin’ ass with Coverta. Metal be thy name.
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COVERTA – Track Listing:
High Wire – (Badlands)
Stand Up And Shout – (DIO)
Break On Through – (The Doors)
Romeo Delight – (Van Halen)
Barracuda – (Heart)
Kill The King – (Rainbow)
The Lemon Song – (Led Zeppelin)
The Mob Rules – (Black Sabbath)
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* For more info on ADRENALINE MOB, click on the links below!
I think it’s been quite awhile since I wrote down Some Metal and Rock ‘N Roll Thoughts on Metal Odyssey. I write plenty of them down on twitter, of course! The last time this column (theme) was posted, I believe was November 4th, 2012. Whoa! Since then my family and I have relocated to Ohio via Pennsylvania and I’ve been busier than a taxi on Broadway during Christmas; when it comes to starting over in a new state.
Within the last year or so, my love for Metal has grown ever stronger. It’s probably cause I’ve leaned on so many bands and musicians to fill my senses with their sounds, energy and vocals; just to get me through the CRAZINESS of relocating. Exhilarating. That’s what METAL is for me. I’m sure y’all know what I’m talking about too, when I equate the word exhilarating to Metal.
I’m really, really, really, really, really excited and cannot wait for the new album Axe To Grindto be released from this True Metal band, with origins from Denmark and featuring Kev Moore on vocals:
The album artwork on numerous 2013 releases that I’ve been seeing and enjoying lately is phenomenal! Suffocation’sPinnacle Of Bedlam, Six Feet Under’sUnborn, AdrenalineMob’sCoverta and Helloween’sStraight Out Of Hell are just a few that have my eyes popping with Metal glee! What new album artwork has you applauding lately? Share one or several and spread the Metal word here!
HELLOWEEN – Straight Out Of Hell (The End Records)
A couple of weeks ago (on or about) I stumbled upon seeing the new premium beer that’s coming out from the ultra legendary IRON MAIDEN. Created by IRON MAIDEN, brewed by Robinsons is: TROOPER – A Hand Crafted Ale. Kev Moore has told me that Witch Cross will have their very own brew coming out, to coincide in celebration of their new album release this Spring! Whoa!
Back in November of 2012, A Nightmare Livin’ The Dream!was released by London’s very own… KING LIZARD. This KING LIZARD band has something very cool happening with their Heavy Rock ‘N’ Roll and I’m more than happy to tell y’all about ’em.
This hell-bent-for-leather and Heavy Rockin’ band has an official trailer out called: KING LIZARD A Nightmare Makin’ The Dream that you can listen to and watch below! Whoa! Yes, that’s their album cover at the top of this post too. Metal be thy name.
Australia’s traditional Heavy Metal quartet ELM STREET has introduced its new bassist! Anthony Longordo has recently joined the band as he replaces Brendan Farrugia.
The band commented:
“A massive Metal welcome to the new member of our family, Anthony Longordo on the thumping bass! A HUGE Metal salute to our brother Brendan Farrugia for the kickass bass skills he gave us over the years and we wish him all the best for the future!”
If you’re living in Australia, you’ll have the chance to see Anthony live soon:
ELM STREET released their debut album Barbed Wire Metal in November 2011 via Massacre Records. It was produced by Ermin Hamidovic and was mastered at Panic Room Mastering in Sweden. The artwork was created by the well-known artist Ed Repka.
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ELM STREET:
Ben Batres – Vocals/Rhythm Guitar
Aaron Adie – Lead Guitar
Tomislav Perkovic – Drums
Anthony Longordo – Bass Guitar
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You can read the review Stone wrote for Barbed Wire Metal, featured on Metal Odyssey back on November 8, 2011: click on the link below!
Over the course of their upcoming European tour, followed by several festival shows, legendary U.S. Thrash metallers OVERKILL are going to release a very special limited tour edition of their latest masterpiece “The Electric Age” – only available for a short time!
The ltd. 2CD tour edition will be released on April 19, 2013 and comprise the regular album as well as a 4 additional live tracks on a bonus CD, recorded at “The Metro” in Sidney, Australia, on September 25, 2010.
The tracklist reads as follows:
CD 1 “The Electric Age”:
1. Come And Get It
2. Electric Rattlesnake
3. Wish You Were Dead
4. Black Daze
5. Save Yourself
6. Drop The Hammer Down
7. 21st Century Man
8. Old Wounds, New Scars
9. All Over But The Shouting
10. Good Night
CD 2 “Live from OZ” –recorded in Sidney, Australia, (The Metro, Sept. 25th, 2010):
01. Horrorscope
02. Long Time Dyin’
03. Necroshine
04. Walk Through Fire
Catch OVERKILL live on tour in spring and summer (# = together with LOST SOCIETY):
17.04. FIN Tampere – Pakkahoune (#)
18.04. FIN Helsinki – Tavastia (#)
19.04. FIN Joensuu – Kerubi (#)
20.04. FIN Oulu – Club Teatria (#)
21.04. FIN Rytmikojaamo – Sinajoki (#)
22.04. EST Tallin – Tapper
23.04. LV Riga – Meina Piektdina
24.04. LT Vilnius – New York
25.04. PL Warsaw – Proxima
26.04. D Hamburg – Markthalle
27.04. DK Copenhagen – Amager Bio
29.04. S Gothenburg – Sticky Fingers
30.04. N Oslo – John Dee
01.05. S Stockholm – Debaser Slussen
02.05. N Haugesund – Karmoygeddon Festival
03.05. N Grimstad – Bluebox
05.05. TR Istanbul – Headbangers Weekend
08.06. HR Zadar – Burning Sea Festival
29.06. B Dassel – Graspop
22.07. SLO Tolmin – Metal Days Festival
25.07. D Brande-Hörnerkirchen – Headbangers Open Air
09.08. CZ Jaromer – Brutal Assault Festival
10.08. I Chiaromonte – XIX Agglutination Metal Festival
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(Source: Nuclear Blast)
* For more info on OVERKILL, click on the links below!
Ultra limited CD edition: only 666 copies! Featuring: CRYSTAL VIPER (Poland), STORMZONE (Ireland), SINISTER REALM (USA), CAYM (Canada / feat. Robb’s son, Tyler Reiner on drums!), IRON KOBRA (Germany), CONVIXION (Greece), MAVERICK (Japan), SATANICA (Japan), SKELATOR (USA), SAVAGE BLADE (Canada) and others. Produced by Bart Gabriel (SACRED STEEL, JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR), front cover artwork by Michal Oracz / Black Mausoleum Arts!
“This will be a real tribute, a really high-quality release, because ANVIL deserve to have one. I realize it won’t be a bestseller, but all those who have seen “Anvil! The Story Of Anvil” movie will understand what’s the driving force behind this project. I’m one of those guys who got inspired by ANVIL to continue, to follow my dreams, to never give up. And I know there are many, many bands around who feel like the movie is about them as well. It’s all about positive energy, and I’m truly honored that the project was approved and blessed by ANVIL members, which is what makes it even more special!” /Bart Gabriel
Anvil have paved their own path throughout their 3 decade long career, revered by the likes of Metallica, Motorhead and Guns N Roses, the legendary Canadian metallers have 14 studio albums under their belts, have gone on countless tours around the world, and even starred in their own award-winning documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.
Never ones to sit around and rest on their laurels, they are proud to announce their 15th studio album “Hope In Hell” recorded with producer Bob Marlette in NRG studios coming out May 28th on The End Records.
When asked what Anvil hopes to achieve in 2013, we get a very simple, honest answer “What we always hope for! Enough to continue!”
Check out the album teaser for Hope In Hell below! Whoa!
ROB ZOMBIE – The 5th studio album, Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor, from our modern-day Heavy Metal and Horror/Shock Rock mastermind (aka) Rob Zombie, will be released on April 23rd!
* Includes a cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s classic: We’re An American Band
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Venomous Rat Regeneration Vendor – Track Listing:
Teenage Nosferatu Pussy
Dead City Radio And The New Gods of Supertown
Revelation Revolution
Theme For The Rat Vendor
Gong Gang Gong De Do Gong De Laga Raga
Rock and Roll (In a Black Hole)
Behold! The Pretty Filthy Creatures
White Trash Freaks
We’re An American Band
Lucifer Rising
The Girl Who Loved The Monsters
Trade In Your Guns For A Coffin
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ROB ZOMBIE’S BAND:
Rob Zombie – vocals
John 5 – guitar
Piggy D. – bass guitar
Ginger Fish – drums, percussion
* For more info on ROB ZOMBIE, click on the links below!
IRON MAIDEN – In Metal tribute to the late and forever legendary Clive Burr, I have chosen the first 3 Iron Maiden studio albums asStone’s METAL Picks Of The Day! Clive Burr was never marketed for an album as many drummers are today. Still, from the very beginning, Clive’s drumming introduced a fresh style, which sounded so natural, that it made the early Metal sound of Iron Maiden vibrate so exquisitely special for me. The NWOBHM was kicking in the door to my Metal soul… and I didn’t even know it back then.
These first 3 Iron Maiden albums still cast a magical Metal spell upon me. Simply put, I’ve never grown tired of them. I absolutely love the vocals of Paul Di’Anno, he brought his uniqueness to the table with Iron Maiden; just as Clive Burr delivered his unique style of drumming on these first 3 Iron Maiden classics.
As I listened back then, as I do today, the beats from Clive Burr were truly unlike any other. How can the haunting intro beats of Run To The Hills be denied? How can the near mystical percussion performance on Remember Tomorrow ever be forgotten? I won’t ever forget Clive Burr… and I know my fellow Metal brethren won’t either.
IRON MAIDEN – KILLERS (1981)
The last studio album to feature Paul Di’Anno on vocals and it’s a True Metal treasure to behold! I’ll always choose Murders In The Rue Morgue as my favorite song from Killers. Just hearing Clive Burr pound the cymbals on this song is grand stuff alone!
IRON MAIDEN – THE NUMBER OF THE BEAST (1982)
Just an iconic debut with the legendary Bruce Dickinson! An entire new era of Iron Maiden had been ushered in with The Number Of The Beast. I’d have to pick Hallowed BeThy Name as my favorite song from this album. Hallowed Be Thy Name can easily be my favorite Iron Maiden song of all-time too.
* STONE’S METAL PICK OF THE DAY BONUS:
IRON MAIDEN – MAIDEN JAPAN (1981)
This live EP, Maiden Japan, also features Clive Burr during his prime! The album cover above is the version that I own. I was fortunate enough to score this gem on vinyl, at an antiques mall. Price: $10.00 (U.S.). That’s a Metal steal! I’ve seen this vinyl treasure selling online for much more than I paid! Metal be thy name.
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* For more info on IRON MAIDEN, click on the links below!
Texas Thrash heavyweights WARBEAST have announced the upcoming release date for their new full length album, Destroy. The new album, produced by Philip H.Anselmo (DOWN, ex-PANTERA) and engineered by Stephen“The Big Fella” Berrigan, will hit stores and digital retailers on April 2nd via Housecore Records.
Destroy was recorded at Nodferatu’s Lair in May and July 2012 and mixed by Anselmo and Berrigan. The album artwork and concept were designed by “Carcass” John Fossum with graphic and technical assistance by John Deleon.
A CD release show for Destroy will take place at The Rail Club in Fort Worth, TX on April 6th.
Robb Chavez of the legendary Robb’s MetalWorks will be making the trip from San Antonio to cover this event. He will do video interviews with Bruce Corbitt and Scott Shelby as well as getting some live footage. He will also be filming some video testimonials from musicians and fans on their memories of Mike Scaccia.
APRIL 6th CD RELEASE SHOW SET TIMES:
8:00 – ASTYANAX
9:00 – PRIMORDIUS
10:00 – HYMNS (Fayetteville, AR – HOUSECORE RECORDS NEWEST BAND)
11:00 – WARBEAST
12:30 – RABID FLESH EATERS
Warbeast recently announced that Casey Orr (RIGOR MORTIS, GWAR) will join them as their fill-in bassist while on the road this spring with Gwar. The band’s upcoming tour dates with Gwar and WILSON kick off in Tucson, AZ on April 10th. The 16 day run, dubbed the Fate Or Chaos Tour, will continue through the month of April until it closes in Jacksonville, FL on April 25th.
WITCH CROSS lead vocalist Kev Moore has confirmed today, their new studio album Axe To Grind is now with Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel) and mastering is underway! WITCH CROSS is also confirmed for the Sun Valley Metal Fest in Italy on Friday, June 28th.
Soon Demon in the Mirror, the first single, will be promoted with a brand new video produced by Peter Hansen.
For more information on this Sun Valley Metal Fest, click on the link below!
7 Days Dead have just announced that, as of today, they will be releasing their debut Beyond Within EP digitally for free! “We want to share our music with as many people as possible and do everything possible to get our name out there”, states drummer StephenBrown.
7 Days Dead will leave the option open for fans to donate should they wish and there is also the option to buy a physical copy through the bands official webstore: www.7daysdead.bigcartel.com
Critical Praise:
“No BS, straight-from-the-gut metal with melody. Period. 7 Days Dead‘s new EP, Beyond Within, is a great listen. Kick ass guitar riffs and awesome vocals; these guys are out to prove that is all you need to entertain in this day and age.”Skulls N Bones
“7 Days Dead are a powerful sounding four piece!”Sea Of tranquility
“Ryan McManus is the Irish response to James Hetfield.” Rock Portaal
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‘Beyond Within’ was recorded at Manor Park Studios, Northern Ireland with producer NealCalderwood (The Answer, The Dangerfields, General Fiasco, Million Dollar Reload, Therapy?). Artwork was undertaken by Kieran Hill from Dog Day Design.
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7 DAYS DEAD – BEYOND WITHIN
STONE’S METAL PICK OF THE DAY!
Stone Says:7 Days Dead are a Metal band worth every second of checking out! This band delivers groove laced Metal that will appeal to both Hard Rock and Metal fans alike. BeyondWithin showcases guitar driven songs with an overall modern and melodic sound that crunches! Eye popping riffs abound! Lead vocalist Ryan McManus does have a striking resemblance to James Hetfield (vocally) and I’m digging it.
Just a terrific new band that I look forward to hearing a whole lot more of in the Metal future! 7 Days Dead have nailed it with their debut EP Beyond Within. Metal be thy name.
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(Source: Future PR)
* For more info on 7 DAYS DEAD, click on the link below!
On March 30th AVANTASIA will release their new album The Mystery Of Time. Now the band presents the first track called INVOKE THE MACHINE. Besides mastermind TOBIAS SAMMET, the track features PRETTY MAIDS vocalist RONNIE ATKINS as a guest singer.
Tobias Sammet comments: “I have been a huge PRETTY MAIDS fan since I was a teenager. I already asked Ronnie to be on the Metal Opera in 1999, but he was busy back then. Last year I saw PRETTY MAIDS live and they were a steam train on stage, unbelievable. After the show we met and Ronnie was a great guy. Finally after 13 years, I am really proud to have him on the new Avantasia album. And his kick-ass performance leaves no doubt: It was a great decision to ask him!”
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(Source: Nuclear Blast)
* For more info on AVANTASIA, click on the links below!
Ripple Music will release Fate is Your Muse from Indianapolis Heavy Rockers DEVIL TO PAY on April 9th. The album will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats. Fate is your Muse is an introspective lyrical journey that careens from the metaphysical, to the absurd, to the pragmatic (and back again), all set to bone crushing heaviness wrapped in elaborate vocal melodies and elegant guitar phrases. Exploring topics such as reincarnation, the end of days, and the thin veil between reality and fantasy, the Indianapolis foursome create a rare musical experience; one that will have Heavy Rock fans returning for the primal emotional riffs, as well as the complex and heady lyrical content.
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FATE IS YOUR MUSE – Track Listing:
Wearin’ You Down
Ten Lizardmen & One Pocketknife
Yes Master
Already Dead
This Train Won’t Stop*
Savonarola
Black Black Heart
The Naked Truth
Mass Psychosis
Tie One On*
Beyond The Ether
*CD version only
DEVIL TO PAY released a video for the single “This Train Won’t Stop,” which was premiered by The Obelisk in conjunction with the end of the Mayan Baktun on December 21st. The lyrics are about the continual false prophesying of the world’s end. Check out the video below!
The band is hosting a listening party for Fate Is Your Muse at the Sound Square Brewery in Indianapolis on the 16th of March, which will feature the establishment’s home brews, all of which will be named after DEVIL TO PAY songs for the night. DEVIL TO PAY’s album release party will be held at Radio Radio in Indianapolis on the 12th of April.
Pre-order Fate is your Muse by clicking the link below!
WITCH CROSS – Lead vocalist Kev Moore of Metal legends Witch Cross has recently took time out of his unreal busy schedule to do an exclusive interview with Metal Odyssey. A huge Metal thank you to Kev for being so obliging! Below you’ll read about Kev reflecting on the writing of the forthcoming Witch Cross album: Axe To Grind. Kev also speaks with the utmost respect for the Metal legacy in which Witch Cross has earned; as well he speaks the same for his band’s former and current members.
Band chemistry, special (well-known) guest musicians on Axe To Grind, playing the Metal festival circuit and (of course) the fans of Witch Cross, are all touched upon by this talented and charismatic frontman. It’s been many years since the last Witch Cross studio release; that being 1984’s Roadrunner Records release of Fit For Fight. It’s a new Metal era for this Danish rooted Metal band. The fans never went into hiding, Metal never died and now… Witch Cross is back! Here’s what Kev Moore had to say:
Stone: Kev, how excited are you and the entire Witch Cross band & camp to see ‘Axe To Grind’ release?
Kev: We’re totally psyched-up about this release Stone – it’s very, very important to us, as ‘Fit for Fight’ has achieved such a cult status in the Metal world, all these years later we knew it would be a hard act to follow. But we think we’ve stayed true to the ethic of the original, never losing sight that ‘The song is King’.
Stone: Can you tell us Metal faithful how cool it is to have Chris Tsangarides do the mixing for ‘Axe To Grind’?
Kev: To have Chris mix the album is a huge Metal bonus for us. We had him in mind right from the start, and we are great admirers of his work in this genre, his track record speaks for itself! We knew he could help us stay true to the genre and the era from which our music is born.
Stone: Can you elaborate on the flow and chemistry as you and (guitarist/founding member) Mike‘Wlad’ Kock wrote songs for ‘Axe To Grind’? Anyone else contribute to the songwriting?
Kev: Finding a songwriting partner that is easy to work with and complements your own ideas is not an easy task. Primarily, you have to check your ego at the door, and be prepared to have the other guy say ‘I don’t like what you did there’ or ‘that sucks!’ because you need to focus on what is best for the song, nothing else. When Mike sent an idea over for me to look at way before we even got deep into the ‘Axe to Grind’ project, and we started ‘ping-ponging’ the ideas back and forth, I immediately knew we could write together. Mike is prolific and fast, as am I. We worked at a furious pace, honing the material to how we wanted it. I want to give huge credit to Mike, who really kept his eye on the ball regarding his vision for this album, keeping it true to the band and the genre. In addition, we really wanted to make this album very inclusive, and ‘Part of the Machine’ was co-written with our bassist, Jan ‘Little John’ Fields, and ‘Metal Nation’ was co-written with guitarist Paul Martin. To take the ‘inclusive’ vibe further, we have our original drummer from ‘Fit for Fight’, Anders “A.C” Hjort as a guest on several tracks too.
Check out the teaser video below for Axe To Grind… Whoa!
Stone: How did your guest musicians Marta Gabriel, Graham Oliver and Jax Chambers all come on board for this exciting Metal chapter in Witch Cross history?
Kev: We’re so pleased to have these great Metal mates on board for this album! I’ve known Graham for many years, I sang with Oliver/Dawson Saxon for two tours before Wardi joined them and both Graham and I have guested on each others albums in the past. It was natural to want him to contribute to ‘Ride with the Wind’ which is a motorcycle song in the best Saxon tradition! I also get to play bass on that one, so it’s Graham and I together again like the first tour we did. We worked with the fabulous Crystal Viper at Metal Magic in Denmark last year, and Marta’s amazing vocals just knocked us out! It was an honour to have her take the part of the ‘Bird of Prey’, she just rips it to shreds… fantastic Metal stuff!
We’ve known Girlschool for years, often getting the same flights to and from Germany to shows. Jax was a natural to ask to contribute and she’s great fun! She laid down a great solo for ‘Chelsea 100’. What was also cool was my son Corey did the recording of Graham and Jax over in the UK for us, so we kept it in the family! It’s truly an honour to have these three great artists share this album with us. They rock!
Stone: Which are your favorite songs on ‘Axe To Grind’ or is the entire album a favorite?
Kev: It’s REAL hard to pick a favourite, throughout the process it’s changed…but if I had to pick one, it’s probably ‘The Killing of Chelsea 100’. I love the time signature changes and I’m very proud of the lyrics, which reference much of the history and people who went through that famous New York hotel. That said, the album as a whole is a fine body of work, in my obviously biased opinion!
Kev Moore
Stone: Have you performed any new songs ‘live’ yet? If so, how have the fans responded?
Kev: Yes, we’ve been performing ‘Demon in the Mirror’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’, and I have to say, we were blown away by the fans reaction! When you realize that they also have to deal with me as the ‘new’ vocalist singing the old songs and then hearing new stuff on top, it really gave us a great feeling as we were recording ‘Axe to Grind’.
Stone: Are there songs that didn’t make the cut for ‘Axe To Grind’ that (hopefully) will land on a future EP or studio album?
Kev: Hell yeah! We had so many ideas coming out that we’re well on the way to another album’s worth of material already! We had to think long and hard about what to leave off this one and things are shaping up nicely so that we hope it won’t be another 28 years between releases!
Stone: What can you tell your Metal brethren about the ‘live’ Witch Cross experiences you’ve had thus far?
Kev: You know, playing ‘Keep it True’ in Germany last year was immense for us. It was SO important. We didn’t really know how we’d be received, whether we could recapture any of the magic the band had back in the day, and from a personal perspective, whether I would be accepted as the new frontman, because, and I want to go on record with this: Alex Savage’s vocal performance on ‘Fit for Fight’ was a tour de force – it’s a superb piece of work. I’m no stranger to filling a role though. Going out singing Saxon’s catalogue with Graham Oliver, Nigel Durham and Steve Dawson was a big task too and the experience probably helped me when we resurrected WITCH CROSS.
Kev: The fans reaction was truly amazing. You must remember, as is so often the case with Metal, this music gets ‘handed down’ from older brothers, or indeed through generations and there are many people who know the old songs, who never thought they’d ever hear them performed live. Some of the messages of support we’ve had have been wonderful, and the instances of meeting many of the fans at the great festivals such as Metal Magic and Heavy Metal Maniacs in Holland have been very important to us. It is a symbiotic relationship. The band IS its fans, it is our raison d’etre. Without their enthusiasm, their approval, their support, I doubt this album would have been made.
Stone: What are the release dates for ‘Axe To Grind’ in North America, Europe and the UK?
Kev: We have a tentative worldwide release for the beginning of April, but nothing more definite than that at the time of writing. I DO know that our wonderful label Hells Headbangers, will be issuing it in on both CD and 12″ vinyl. More news as we get it!
Record to See North American Release Next Tuesday!
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In celebration of the upcoming release of their new full-length, Nemesis, Melodic Metal legends STRATOVARIUS are offering up sound/video snippets of its eleven tracks. Produced and mixed by guitarist Matias Kupiainen and mastered by Mika Jussila (Finnvox Studios), Nemesis will be released in North America via earMUSIC in conjunction withArmoury Records next Tuesday, February 26, 2013.
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From the signature power of “Abandon,” and the aggressively energetic “Stand My Ground,” to the folkish elements of “Out Of The Fog,” and the title track “Nemesis,” which boasts medieval melodies and double bass drumming, Nemesis delivers new elements fused with the traditional melodic power metal for which STRATOVARIUS is known.
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In an early review of the record, Metal Underground dubs Nemesis, “one of the finest releases in the band’s history,” while Metal Reviews gushes, “… Nemesis is pure epic! It is grandiose, majestic, melodic yet heavy when it needs to be. It’s an unexpected return to form for STRATOVARIUS. It’s what power metal should sound like, period! It is without the shadow of a doubt STRATOVARIUS‘ best album in ages… Album of the year award? You betchya! If you are a fan of this band, you can’t afford to miss this incredible album.”
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Metalholic, in a perfect 10/10 rating, notes, “Nemesis has a lot of the traditional STRATOVARIUS power metal edge, but they’ve managed to evolve and develop their sound to a much more rounded, matured, and polished heavy metal… This album hit the very depths of my core, my will, my heart, and my soul… This is more than music, it’s a masterpiece and should go down in the book of heavy metal as one of the best heavy metal albums of all time,” while About.com adds, “Nemesis finds the band recapturing the magic of their glory days. Most importantly, the songwriting is excellent as the band seems determined to capture memorable songs that sit alongside the best of their catalog.”
You know which Metal albums you can’t possibly live without! Those are the Metal albums you turn to so often, they feel like they’re a part of you! Metal albums that I can’t live without are just like Metal Buddies; they’re always there to lean on and hang out with! Here is a list of ten Metal albums I can’t live without.
This list is a part one, cause in reality, there are probably a few hundred more Metal albums that I couldn’t live without! By no means is this my top ten Metal albums of all time; in essence, what this list represents is a grand starting point for me! Therefore, a part two, three, four and more to this topic will most likely happen! Hallelujah and ring that Metal bell!
This list of Metal albums are in no particular order, other than I can’t live without them. I hope you enjoy this list and feel free to add your Metal albums you can’t live without via a comment. Metal be thy name!
As shown at the top of this post, Heaven And Hell (1980) from the Ronnie James Dio era Black Sabbath is a keeper for life. Whoa.
PANTERA – Cowboys From Hell(1990)
METALLICA – Master Of Puppets (1986)
MOTORHEAD – Ace Of Spades(1980)
DIO – Holy Diver(1983)
ANGEL WITCH – As Above, So Below(2012)
OVERKILL – Horrorscope(1991)
QUEENSRYCHE – Operation Mindcrime(1988)
BLACK SABBATH – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath(1974 U.S. Release)
BLACK SABBATH could very well be THE band that started METAL in the first place. It sure wasn’t Air Supply or The Carpenters that invented Metal. (That last sentence was funny, wasn’t it?)
SATYRICON – The Age Of Nero(2008)
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A METAL BONUS ADDITION TO THIS LIST! YES, IT’S KISS!
KISS – Destroyer(1976)
Yes, “back in the day” KISS was as close to Metal as Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep, UFO and Ted Nugent were. That’s my Metal opinion anyways!
Compiling this first installment of Ten Metal Albums I Can’t Live Without was (gulp) fun! You can count on me to continue onward with this Metal topic! It’s too enticing a Metal topic to ignore!
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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