HULL – Brooklyn’s Metal ambassadors known across the planet as HULL released a 7″ vinyl single (with B-Side etching and digital download card) back on February 14th of this year. The single is titled: Legend Of The Swamp Goat. This 7″ single released in limited colors, with sea-foam being an European tour exclusive. I kept playing this mighty Metal song over and over last night and came to realize: HULL’s The Legend Of The Swamp Goat shall be Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day! Whoa.
Monstrous riffs, chunky bass, formidable drumming, powerful street-cred vocals, sludgy and doomy across this entire song, with an anthemic atmosphere of Metal sound is Legend Of The Swamp Goat. Hell, this is HULL for Metal sakes!! A true riff infested gem is this song and you can hear it and make a purchase for yourself below. Metal be thy name. – Stone
Red Fang have a new music video for The Meadows from their recently released EP, Scion A/V Presents Red Fang (http://www.scionav.com/2014/05/06/red-fang-meadows-shadows-download/). The glutinous clip finds the hairy and hilarious metal band putting on their fancy clothes and putting away a herculean amount of food in a super slow motion.
Red Fang released Whales and Leeches in October 2014, with the eleven-song album quickly becoming the band’s best-selling and most critically acclaimed release to date. Alternative Press described the album as “bigger, bolder, heavier, catchier and even more savagely fun,” Stereogum said the release “takes flight and soars,” while Magnet Magazine said Whales and Leeches “is a monumental success – a clear line from Red Fang’s earliest recordings to it latest.”
With its highly anticipated worldwide release of Inner City Wolves coming in just over a week, Australian Trad Metal maniacs JOHNNY TOUCH have hooked up with Grande-Rock.com for the exclusive premiere of album track Dishonourable Discharge.
Boasting more Metal than the steel plate in cousin Eddie’s head, “Dishonourable Discharge” is now streaming at this location.
JOHNNY TOUCH previously released a demo tape and two split 7-inch records and are barely known outside of their homeland. Inner City Wolves is an amazing debut and serves as an example of a band creating an original work that will leave a lasting impression on the Heavy Metal world. Led by a first-rate vocalist and taking the best parts of JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, and METALLICA, with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN style ripping leads that shred the soul, Inner City Wolves gets it right across the board! The songwriting is extremely complex, yet catchy as hell. Get ready for what is sure to be considered one of the best Heavy Metal albums of 2014 and a stone cold classic for years to come.
Inner City Wolves will be out on August 19 on Shadow Kingdom Records.
Critical Praise:
“The release from the Australians is sure to leave a footprint on the world of Heavy Metal, ….one of the best releases of the year Inner City Wolves”10/10 – Metal Temple
“This is the sound of tape trading days in a heavy metal parking lots outside of a Judas Priest show, where metal heads shared the latest news of the underground metal scene from Europe to New York to Los Angeles with freshly mimeographed newsletters.”– Dangerdog Music Reviews
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Ordering and release information for this and other Shadow Kingdom Records releases can be found atthis location.
German Death Metal outfit OBSCURE INFINITY have revealed the cover art for their upcoming third full-length, Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness. The artwork comes courtesy of Juanjo Castellano (Blaspherian, Revel In Flesh, Harm), who commented on the album after hearing select tracks, calling it “killer stuff!”
Perpetual Descending Into Nothingness is set for release later this year on FDA Rekotz.
East Anglia’s monolithic Metal act, The King Is Blind, have announced that they will release their debut EP, The Deficiencies Of Man, via Mordgrimm on September 1st. It is currently streaming via UK’s Terrorizer Magazine. Listen to it here.
Featuring ex-members of Cradle of Filth, The Blood Divine, Entwined and a current member of Extreme Noise Terror, The King is Blind’s debut was recorded, produced and mixed by Tom Donovan (Telepathy, Dingus Khan) at Tom Donovan Studios, Essex (UK) and mastered by Tim Turan (Emperor, Marilyn Manson) at Turan Audio, Oxford (UK).
A lyric video, directed by Sam Scott Hunter (Motörhead), to the track “A Thousand Burning Temples” is now showing below:
The band formed in 2013 and released a demo EP in March 2014 titled Bleeding the Ascension. Shortly afterwards, on March 21st, 2014, the band performed their debut live performance in their hometown of Colchester. The event was received with great praise and shortly before that the band was announced to play the UK’s biggest Heavy Metal open air, Bloodstock Festival.
The East Anglia quartet is not stopping there. They are already confirmed to perform at Hammerfest VII in March 2015. The band’s aim is to make British Metal the intimidating force it once was and they are already recognized for that by a MetalRecusants writer: “Colossally intimidating… The King Is Blind look set to dominate the British Metal scene”.
The King is Blind are already being recognised for their work. Terrorizer Magazine described the band’s sound as “the groove of old school Death Metal… with deliciously doomy riffs for good measure”. However, as Ghost Cult Magazine notices, the band likes to keep it fresh and has a modern sound: “Drawing comparisons to Celtic Frost, but with the touch and heft of the best modern bands”.
The Deficiencies of Man – Track Listing: 1. A Thousand Burning Temples 2. Of Osiris & Execration 3. Thorns That Pierce The Skull 4. Revelation, Apocalypse
The King Is Blind:
Lee James Appleton – Guitars
Steve Tovey – Vocals / Bass
Paul Ryan – Guitars
Barney Monger – Drums
Concerts:
August 9, 2014 – Bloodstock Festival, Sophie Lancaster stage
Los Angeles Stoner Metal band BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH have announced the addition of vocalist Jordan Nalley to their ranks. Nalley joined the band following the tragic loss of bassist/vocalist Kevin McDade.
Guitarist Matt Price comments: “I met Jordan through some friends at a Mastodon show. Came to find out we had a few mutual friends and that he was a vocalist and actually did a bit of vocal coaching for the heavier styles at Musicians Institute.
I took a lesson from him and brought our CD, Defender, Redeemist. I got a call from him about a week later. He loved the album and wanted to audition. At the time our new bassist, Cas, was in Europe with Sasquatch and our drummer Chase was filling in for about a months worth of Castle’s North American tour. So we had to wait a few weeks to give it a try. But when we did it was obvious the chemistry was there. He sounds great on the old stuff, and his range is great so he’s taking the new stuff into even darker gnarlier territory! We played our first show with him and it went great! We’re pretty fucking stoked and are in full writing mode. We’re hoping to be recording in very early 2015 (we’ve been talking to Billy Anderson and he’s 100% on board).”
Read more on the new BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH line up at GeeksOfDoom.com.
BEHOLD! THE MONOLITH live 5 Stars bar 07/19/2014 – New Material:
With the very sad passing of bassist Paul Gray back in 2010 and the very unexpected departure (or firing) of drummer Joey Jordison, maggots worldwide have wondered aloud if a new SLIPKNOT album would ever come to pass. If anything, it all seemed that things were uncoiling fast, towards the negative direction, in the world of SLIPKNOT. I for one, was 50/50 on whether SLIPKNOT would ever release a new studio album. There were those days when I absolutely felt they wouldn’t.
Well, maggots across the globe now realize that all hope is NOT gone, (get it?), as a new album is on the way… whenever the release date is. In the last few days, a brand new SLIPKNOT song emerged onto the SLIPKNOT website, titled: The Negative One. Maggots everywhere can listen to the song just once, however, once a maggot signs up for the SLIPKNOT email list, another listen of the song will be available. The Metal word is that a music video for this new song, The Negative One, will be released on Tuesday, August 5th; with this single becoming available via iTunes on this same day. Yes, Virgina, there is a Metal Santa Claus! It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since All Hope Is Gone was released and that album will forever be a crème de la crème Metal album for my ears and Metal senses.
As for the new song, well, I’ve only listened to it twice and tried to let each second sink into my Metal scathed brain tissue. It sounds like SLIPKNOT went back to their original album and became reacquainted with every bizarre sonic nuance and psychotic note. Corey Taylor’s vocals are 100% pissed off, with an in-your-face assault of crazed Metal; making for this new SLIPKNOT offering a brain-blast of psycho-raging Metal goodness! In other Metal words, The Negative One comes across just fine as SLIPKNOT; still it would be great to know who is really playing the bass and drums. The guessing game across the internet doesn’t do the trick for me. I’m one maggot that cannot wait for album number 5 from this (now) iconic band. Damn, when it comes right down to it, I miss the hell out of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, by their not being a part of this band anymore. Metal be thy name. – Stone
As stated on the Rigor Mortis – Indiegogo fundraising page:
Texas Speed Metal pioneers, Rigor Mortis are asking for your help to finance the recording and release of SLAVES TO THE GRAVE – their fourth and final album.
On Dec 23rd, 2012 we lost our brother and founding member, guitarist Mike Scaccia. Mike suffered a massive heart attack onstage with Rigor Mortis and died doing what he loved, playing his music with his friends and for his friends. Fortunately, just days before he left us, Mike was able to put the finishing touches on his tracks for what would unfortunately be his and Rigor Mortis’, final… and unquestionably finest, studio record.
Recorded in Feb 2012 at Ministry’s 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, Texas, STTG returns to the original first record line-up of Mike Scaccia – Guitars, Bruce Corbitt – Vocals, Harden Harrison – Drums, and Casey Orr – Bass.
After shopping the record for months, we found that with no hope of touring to support the record, and no chance of a follow-up album, labels were reluctant to release STTG. Though we received nothing but positive feedback, labels were fearful of not recouping their investment without an active band to promote the record. This, combined with the floundering record industry and sketchy economy, we decided we would be better off self releasing Slaves To The Grave, and reaching out to the Metal community to help us give this record the release it deserves.
In addition to the studio cd, the first 5,000 copies will include a “making of” dvd.
We have both physical and digital distribution in place, manufacturing facility secured, new and improved website and store launching, and high-profile record release events planned.
The record is finished, the cover art is amazing, release date is set for Oct. 7th, 2014. All we need is funding. We’re shooting for a goal of $20,000. The money will go towards paying off our recording debt (studio, engineers, travel, mastering), as well as artwork, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, and promotion. If we go past that goal, the money will go towards additional promotion, etc. as well as other Rigor Mortis projects such as re-pressing and re-releasing the back catalogue, vinyl releases, and new merch.
We’re offering a ton of cool incentives, like signed copies of the cd/dvd, LPs, posters, T-shirts, hoodys, patches, stickers, shot glasses, flasks, original artwork, merch bundles, and much more! We will keep adding rewards throughout the campaign.
So please, help if you can, and if moneys tight, then help us spread the word! We can’t wait for the world to hear what we feel is our greatest work – SLAVES TO THE GRAVE!
Thanks!
RIGOR MORTIS – HISTORY
Rigor Mortis formed in 1983 in Arlington, Texas and immediately became a driving force in the original wave of North Texas Metal. With the emphasis on speed and the subject matter steeped in horror and gore, Rigor stood out as extreme intimidators, on and off stage. Starting out as a 3 piece composed of Mike Scaccia on guitar, Harden Harrison on drums, and Casey Orr on bass, the band added vocalist Bruce Corbitt in ’86 and quickly signed to Capitol Records, releasing their classic self titled debut record in ’88. Two years later, Corbitt left the band and Doyle Bright came in on vocals. Rigor went on to release two more records; FREAKS, on Metal Blade Records and RIGOR MORTIS vs. THE EARTH, on Triple X Records.
In 1991 Mike accepted an offer to join Ministry as well as Revolting Cocks, et al. Rigor Mortis was no more, but the four members remained close friends and supported each others’ endeavors. Mike continued working with Ministry off and on over the years, as well as appearing on countless other projects. For the last several years Mike had also become a rep and clinician for Gibson Guitars. Casey Orr joined shock rockers, GWAR, where he remained off and on from ’94 until mid 2011, in addition to working with a long list of other bands including Blohole (with Scaccia), Speedealer (with Harrison), The Burden Brothers, and The Hellions, to name a few. Harden Harrison went on to play drums with Pervis, Speedealer, Mitra, and most recently Hint Of Death. Bruce Corbitt formed DFW supergroup, Texas Metal Alliance, which evolved into the mighty Warbeast, releasing 2010’s “Krush The Enemy”, and 2013’s “Destroy”, both on Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Records. Casey would join Warbeast in Feb. 2013. Doyle Bright is currently playing guitar with Atlanta Metal vets Hallows Eve.
In 2005, the original lineup of Scaccia, Orr, Harrison, and Corbitt reunited for was to be just a short run of shows. This, of course, led to more shows and talk of a new record. With all 4 members active with other projects and their personal lives, it took a while for the pieces to all fall into place, but in early February 2012, the band entered 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, and recorded their 4th album, SLAVES TO THE GRAVE.
On December 22nd, 2012, while playing onstage with Rigor Mortis in celebration of Bruce’s 50th birthday, Mike Scaccia suffered a sudden and massive heart attack. He was pronounced dead a short time later, after midnight on the 23rd. Rigor Mortis was over. The impact that Mike had on all that knew him is immeasurable. In life he touched us all with his talent and his sense of humor and his friendship. His passing changes everything for many of us. There will never be a fifth Rigor Mortis record. We will never play another show together as Rigor Mortis. Worst of all we’ll never laugh the way we used to.
But we will keep the flame burning. For Mike, for his family, for ourselves, and for the fans.
Laser’s Edge division, Sensory Records, has confirmed the late Summer release of the new live album from Los Angeles-based Progressive/Power Metal group, REDEMPTION.
In 2012, REDEMPTION co-headlined the world-famous ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, where the band recorded a unique show featuring nearly eighty minutes of material and staged with complementary visuals that drive home the compelling emotional impact of this band. That performance is now being constructed for official worldwide release as, Live From The Pit, to be delivered in a CD/DVD package including additional bonus material, including a 5.1 surround mix and more.
From fan favorites such as the never-before-performed “Parker’s Eyes” to the crushing emotional weight of “Stronger than Death,” the band’s performance captured the special ability of its music to deeply connect with fans. In the words of one concert goer, REDEMPTION‘s show “was definitely the most exhausting, personal and emotional musical experience I’ve ever had.”
Live From The Pit will see release via Sensory Records, REDEMPTION‘s original label, responsible for their seminal first two albums, on September 16th, 2014.
Live From The Pit –Track Listing:
1. Intro/Threads
2. The Suffocating Silence
3. Dreams From The Pit
4. Parker’s Eyes
5. Fall On You
6. Noonday Devil
7. Nocturnal
8. Stronger Than Death
9. The Origins Of Ruin
10. Black And White World
11. The Death Of Faith And Reason
12. Walls
[DVD bears same track listing plus 5.1 surround mix and bonus material]
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REDEMPTION is one of the leading Progressive Metal bands in the world today. Formed in 2000 by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk, the band features legendary Progressive Metal vocalist Ray Alder of Fates Warning, as well as guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel), and the phenomenal rhythm section of Chris Quirarte (drums) and Sean Andrews (bass). REDEMPTION‘s combination of heaviness not usually found in Progressive Metal, irresistible melodies and emotional urgency has created a unique and resonant voice for this band that sets them apart from the many clones in the genre, and which has gained them the attention of fans, critics and musicians.
Through the band’s first three studios albums – 2002’s self-titled debut, 2005’s The Fullness of Time, and 2007’s The Origins of Ruin, REDEMPTION gained a loyal fan base and garnered rave reviews worldwide from critics, who describe Redemption’s music as, “one of the best Progressive Metal acts to emerge in the past decade” [DPRP], praised their “magical aura and incredible songwriting” [Blabbermouth], stating, “it’s powerful, catchy, enslaving, technical; it’s the whole bunch” [Lords Of Metal] and having been dubbed, “the new star on the US prog-metal sky” [Squealer Rocks].
REDEMPTION has captivated audiences around the world with their incredible live performances. This was proven on a massive scale in 2008, when the band supported Dream Theater on a five-week North American tour and documenting a headlining show at the tour’s end, entitled Frozen in the Moment, the band returned to the studio to release 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day and 2011’s This Mortal Coil.
First official CD reissue of the same titled JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR studio album from 1989 (so-called “Orange Album”), will be released by Skol Records on September 12, 2014. The album has been remastered from the original studio tapes, and includes all 13 tracks from that recording session, for the first time ever. Package will include thick booklet, and brand new exclusive artwork painted by Alexander Von Wieding (MANILLA ROAD, CLOVEN HOOF, RAZOR etc.). First 500 copies will be available as Double Disc Edition (2CD), incl. complete live album recorded at the legendary KEEP IT TRUE FESTIVAL in Germany (mixed and mastered by Tarek Maghary of MAJESTY), with some of the best JACK STARR’S BURNING STARR songs in live versions, performed by the current BURNING STARR line up feat. musicians known from VIRGIN STEELE, MANOWAR, JOE LYNN TURNER BAND and CRYSTAL VIPER.
Jack Starr’s BURNING STARR, is an American Power Metal band formed in 1985 by the ex VIRGIN STEELE member and guitar wizard Jack Starr. After doing 4 classic albums in the ’80s: “Rock The American Way” (1985) “No Turning Back!” (1986), “Blaze Of Glory” (1987) and “Jack Starr’s Burning Starr” (same titled, so-called “orange album” from 1989), the band returned with a new line up feat. Jack Starr (guitar), Ned Meloni (bass guitar, ex JOE LYNN TURNER band, ex DEVIL CHILDE and PHANTOM LORD), Kenny Rhino Earl (drums, ex MANOWAR) and Todd Michael Hall (vocals, also in RIOT V), and released the well received comeback album titled “Defiance” in 2009. Two years later the band established their position on the market as of one of the best US Power Metal acts with their next studio album, titled “Land Of The Dead”. BURNING STARR concert lineup is completed by rhythm guitarist Marta Gabriel, frontwoman of the Polish Heavy Metal act CRYSTAL VIPER.
Jack Starr’s BURNING STARR is currently working on a brand new studio album titled “Stand Your Ground”, (scheduled for release in early 2015), and announced short European Tour:
Due to a torn rotator cuff, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY drummer Reed Mullin has been forced to sit out the band’s upcoming live dates.
Reads an official statement from the band: “We are sorry to announce that Reed Mullin will not be onboard for this tour. He’s been playing through pain, awaiting a strategic time to repair a full tear of his rotator cuff. That’s a seriously bum shoulder. So he’s going to get that repaired and rehabbed. During the interim, we’re enlisted Mr. Eric Hernandez formerly of Kylesa to help us until then. Eric came to our attention when we approached Rick Smith of Torche about filling in and he recommended Eric, who he grew up with in Miami. Eric has also filled in for Ricky in Torche a few times with great results. He is, like Reed, a hard hitter, and thankfully possesses the capacity to learn and digest detailed material quickly and accurately.”
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY is currently leveling the stages of New Zealand and Australia which will be followed by a two-week North American run scheduled to commence on August 20th in Spokane and come to a close in Vancouver on September 1st. The band will be joined by Bl’ast!, Brant Bjork & The Low Desert Punk Band and Lord Dying.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY [remaining dates]:
7/24/2014 Crowbar – Brisbane, AUS
7/25/2014 NSC – Sydney AUS
7/26/2014 Reverence Hotel – Melbourne AUS
7/27/2014 Enigma Bar – Adelaide AUS
w/ Bl’ast!, Brant Bjork & The Low Desert Punk Band, Lord Dying
8/19/2014The Hop – Spokane, WA
8/21/2014 In The Venue – Salt Lake City, UT
8/22/2014 Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
8/23/2014 Sister – Albuquerque, NM
8/24/2014 Club Red – Mesa, AZ
8/26/2014 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
8/27/2014 The Roxy – Los Angeles, CA
8/28/2014 DNA – San Francisco, CA
8/29/2014 Catalyst – Santa Cruz CA
8/30/2014 Dante’s – Portland, OR
8/31/2014 El Corazon – Seattle, WA
9/01/2014 The Rickshaw Theater – Vancouver, BC
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CORROSION OF CONFORMITY released their fittingly titled IX full-length earlier this month via Candlelight Records. Captured by the band alongside long-time friend and colleague John Custer, IX clocks in at nearly forty-five minutes. Sludge, doom, punk… it’s all in the grooves that fans have come to expect from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. If you missed it, check out the lyric video for “Tarquinius Superbus” at THIS LOCATION.
“COC stick to the recipe that served them well on both 2012’s self-titled reboot and the follow-up EP, Megalodon: A little hardcore, a little crossover, a whole lotta Southern rock and (especially) doom metal, all stirred, shuffled, layered and frosted in ways that make guessing their next move impossible. But the band’s strategies are more expansive this time out, their tricks more finely woven into the fabric of each song.” – Decibel
MURASHITA, the new project lead by former HEMOPTYSIS Front Man/Guitarist Masaki Murashita is currently in studio recording the debut single to be released this summer.
Masaki says: “I’m excited to have fans of my former band and new project to hear the debut song from the upcoming release. It’s taking my music to the next level and is already getting amazing feedback from the few who have previewed it. Details will be announced soon!”
Masaki Murashita first showed his scorching riffs and powerful songwriting, along with his blistering and aggressive vocal style with the critically acclaimed modern Thrash band HEMOPTYSIS.
Combining elements of Melodic, Thrash, Modern, and Extreme Metal, Masaki molded his own razor-sharp brand of Metal that has left audiences and critics alike awestruck and demanding more.
The history of LONEWOLF, hailing from Grenoble (France), began back in 1992. They played True Heavy Metal since the very beginning and soon released several demo tapes as well as a 7” and recorded even an album, which unfortunately never got released and is referred to as “the lost album”. Following a bad experience with a French label, LONEWOLF split up in 1996.
They came back in 2000, along with the demo “March Into The Arena”, which was re-released as the band’s debut album via Goi Music in 2001.
The second album “Unholy Paradise” followed two years later. “Made In Hell” was released in 2008 via Eat Metal, followed by “The Dark Crusade” in 2009 (via Kathargo Records/Killer Metal Records). The band’s latest albums are “Army Of The Damned” (2012, Napalm Records) and “The Fourth And Final Horseman” (2013, Napalm Records).
LONEWOLF were the first French band ever to play in Greece and were opening act for Grave Digger at their first gig in France. During the past decade, LONEWOLF went on headliner EU tour w/ Dragonsfire and Iron Fate in 2011 and were part of the “Wolfsnächte Tour” 2012, along with Powerwolf, Stormwarrior and Mystic Prophecy. They also played at festivals such as the Up The Hammers (GR), Headbangers Open Air (GER), Hard Rock Session (FR), Beastival (DE) or the Metalfest Open Airs (DE and AT).
LONEWOLF’snew album “Cult Of Steel” will be released in autumn 2014 via Massacre Records!
JUDAS PRIEST – I ponder rather consistently, as to which albums are my favorite from the Judas Priest catalog. I’ve decided to choose my top six Judas Priest albums once and for all. Or is it really once and for all? Everyone has their own likes and dislikes; therefore my list is just that, a personal choice. Four out of the six albums I’ve chosen are from the classic era of Judas Priest; an era that catapulted this iconic band into super Metal stardom.
Let me know which Judas Priest albums you would choose as favorites, via comments; it will be interesting discussion! Judas Priest really are the Defenders Of The Faith. There are great Metal bands and then there are F*#king great Metal bands. Judas Priest for me are F*#king great. Metal be thy name. – Stone
#6
PAINKILLER
Released in 1990, Painkiller was a comeback album for Judas Priest after the Turbo and Ram It Down mainstream darlings. This was also the last studio album before Rob Halford stepped out and Tim “Ripper” Owens stepped in for 1997’s Jugulator and 2001’s Demolition. A kick-ass album is Painkiller, front beginning to end it rages. ‘Nuff said.
#5
REDEEMER OF SOULS
I honestly never anticipated such a milestone album from Judas Priest! With the absence of guitarist and founding member K. K. Downing, I wondered how anyone else could step in? Well, Richie Faulkner has stepped in, quite superbly! Rob Halford sounds like he’s 25 years old on this album! This is a grand follow-up to 2005’s Angel Of Retribution; with my making no insult to 2008’s concept (detour) album Nostradamus.
I could easily have made this new Priest offering my #2 pick; only I would be ignoring all the influential reasons why I fell in love with this band in the first place. This new album from Judas Priest has me psyched-out beyond Metal belief; a consummate Metal album of 2014! I’m tempted to put this Redeemer Of Souls CD under my pillow at night. Just kidding. No, I’m not.
#4
DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH
1984 was a very, very good year due to Defenders Of The Faith being released. With classics such as Freewheel Burning, Love Bites, Some Heads Are Gonna Roll and the anthemic Heavy Duty, studio album #9 from Judas Priest will forever give me super Metal powers. Well, I think so, anyways.
#3
SCREAMING FOR VENGEANCE
There’s no denying that Screaming For Vengeance was my first album (vinyl) purchase of this amazing band. The first time I heard a Judas Priest song was You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’and I was transformed! The Hellion sent me over the Metal edge! I never heard anything that badass in my entire life! The rest is my being a Metalhead history. Thank you, thank you, Judas Priest. Thank you, again.
#2
BRITISH STEEL
“Grinder, Looking for meat, Grinder, Wants you to eat”
Yes, even your neighbors grandmother knows the songs Living After Midnight and Breaking The Law, however, it’s songs such as Grinder and Metal Gods that makes British Steel a beacon for Metal.
#1
STAINED CLASS
A 1978 release, Stained Class was ahead of its time. Really. Please name another Metal band that captured a Metal sound like this, back in 1978! You can’t! Black Sabbath’s Doom and Stoner Metal was the complete opposite! KISS, Deep Purple, Van Halen, Thin Lizzy, Scorpions, Rainbow, Ted Nugent and Led Zeppelin were all too unique with entirely different sounds; so different in fact, that Judas Priest made everyone else in 1978 sound like Hard Rock bands. This was… METAL! A New Wave Of British Heavy Metal!
This Judas Priest album was a look into the future of Metal, as we all know and cherish it today. Without this era of Judas Priest, there would be NO Metallica or any of their 1980’s peers; I firmly believe that. A strong, lean and yet (never before heard) powerful album, lyrically oozing with a rabid bite that only Rob Halford could deliver vocally! Stained Class is my favorite Judas Priest album of all-time. Metal be thy name. – Stone
THE CULT – I was first introduced to the music of The Cult from Best Metal Buddy Scott Coverdale, back in our college days. The first album (actually cassette) that Coverdale had me listen to from The Cult was 1987’s Electric. That album’s title pretty much sums up how The Cult always came across to me with their Heavy Rock: Electric.
1989 seemed to be the transition year for every Heavy Metal band out there. Grunge was coming in like a stampede and the rest was history. However, The Cult made a HUGE statement with their fourth album Sonic Temple. Two hit songs, Fire Woman and Sweet Soul Sistermade it to Headbangers Ball on MTV, with a damn good rotation at that. It definitely was solidified, through Sonic Temple, that Electric was no fluke and The Cult were no longer a Gothic Rock band; even though Gothic Rock was still swirling about the underground with pride and bushels of fans, in 1989.
I believe Sonic Temple was the breakthrough album for The Cult. The one-two punch of Electric and Sonic Temple took The Cult to an Arena level; there’s just no disputing that. For my ears, the vocals of Ian Astbury have always been powerful and on Sonic Temple there’s no exception. When great guitarists names are mentioned or written about, I seldom hear or see Billy Duffy’s name. I’ll be honest with you, Billy Duffy has always been a top contender and he’s a thrill to listen to on Sonic Temple! Plus… that’s Billy Duffy pictured on the Sonic Temple album cover (above). Ian Astbury is also pictured on the album cover’s foreground.
As a songwriting team, Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy are nothing short of remarkable, in my Metal opinion. Sonic Temple was (and still is) heavy enough to magnetically lure fans of (as examples) Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and Scorpions; trust me, I witnessed it with my own eyes. If you’ve never listened to The Cult, I suggest you do. Anyone new to Sonic Temple should be left in awe of the album opener Sun King; while pondering how The Cult can possibly top this song on the remainder of the album. Sonic Temple is nothing short of a true Heavy Rock classic. – Stone
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Metal Side Notes:
* Jamie Stewart (bass) and Mickey Curry (drums) were the rhythm section on Sonic Temple. Yes, they nailed it on this album.
* Sonic Temple peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200.
* My idea to revisit Sonic Temple came about from my Metal Buddy Dave; he guessed the song very easily that I played on the jukebox, recently, at our favorite watering hole. Dave being a true fan of The Cult was super pumped to hear Fire Woman blaring loud; it made me very proud.
Exceptional, the new video from Heavy Metal supergroup, UNISONIC, is currently playing at Metal Insider. The song comes by way of the band’s forthcoming new full-length, Light Of Dawn, set for release in North America next month.
UNISONIC boasts a royal lineup of former Helloween vocalist Michael Kiske and guitarist Kai Hansen (Gamma Ray, also ex-Helloween) alongside guitarist Mandy Meyer (Asia, Gotthard, Krokus), bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Kosta Zafiriou (both of Germany’s Pink Cream 69).
Spring of 2014 saw UNISONIC produce the twelve new tunes that comprise sophomore offering, Light Of Dawn, all of them performed with surgical precision and punctuated by Kiske’s world-class vocals. “Our first world tour has really welded us together,” Kiske notes of the group’s unmistakable evolution. “The touring made us realize the importance of a congenial atmosphere for our creativity and how much I missed this team spirit over the past twenty years. Only musicians who feel really comfortable with each other can deliver their optimum performance.” Dennis Ward, a driving force within the unit, one of its main composers and as on 2012’s self-titled debut, its producer, agrees: “At the end of the day, you have to tour to get immediate fan reactions to your material. In this respect, the shows were very interesting and extremely encouraging. There’s no doubt that they gave UNISONIC enough energy to make working on Light Of Dawn child’s play for everybody involved.”
Metal Insider is currently offering up the first taste of the record with the fittingly named “Exceptional” video, viewable at THIS LOCATION.
Light Of Dawn – Track Listing:
01. Venite 2.0
02. Your Time Has Come
03. Exceptional
04. For The Kingdom
05. Not Gonna Take Anymore
06. Night Of The Long Knives
07. Find Shelter
08. Blood
09. When The Deed Is Done
10. Throne Of The Dawn
11. Manhunter
12. You And I
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Light Of Dawn follows the band’s For The Kingdom EP released digitally in North America in May. The six track collection features album track “For The Kingdom,” exclusive EP number “You Come Undone” as well as four live recordings from their show at the Masters Of Rock Festival 2012 in the Czech Republic.
Light Of Dawnwill see its Stateside release viaEagle Rockimprint Armoury Recordson August 12th, 2014.
DORO – The Queen Of Heavy Metal is returning to North America this October! DORO will be performing on the dates listed below; take advantage to see Doro Pesch and her band if they are near you! DORO is a live Heavy Metal experience you do not want to miss! Metal be thy name! – Stone
October 2014 North America Shows:
10.10.2014 USA Sturtevant, WI – Route 20 Outhouse
10.11.2014 USA Spring Lake Park, MN – Pov’s 65
10.12.2014 USA Joliet, IL – Mojoes
10.14.2014 USA Cleveland, OH – Agora
10.15.2014 USA Pittsburgh, PA – Altar Bar
10.16.2014 CAN Toronto, ONT – Hard Luck Bar
10.18.2014 CAN Quebec City, QUE – Salle Multi
10.19.2014 CAN Montreal, QUE – Petit Campus
10.20.2014 USA New York City, NY – The Gramercy Theatre
On July 31, 2014, female-fronted, Heavy Metal band, Corprit Convict, is taking the message of their debut album, Come Clean, directly to the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building. The message? Remove money from politics. The band will be performing songs from the album, such as “3 Ring”, “Applicator” and “Left for Dead”, serving, themselves, as protest anthems and calling for change in our country.
“Campaign financing has become the single, biggest problem plaguing our country’s political landscape today. But it’s also the least discussed problem, because the only people who can effect real change on theses policies, or lack thereof, are the same group cashing the checks. Money talks in Washington and, right now, it’s screaming,” says singer, KT. “Americans cannot continue to stand idly by as the richest members of our country continue to buy our elections and control our public officials.”
In the Spring of this year, the US Supreme Court passed a ruling that will allow individuals and corporations to give up to $6 million to candidates and parties in a 2 year election cycle; nearly 50 times the limit before the ruling.
Supporters for the band can join them on the steps of the Congress on July 31 (last day of summer session).
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Knoxville, TN based label and artist management company Knox Asylum Records has put together a killer eleven track Metal compilation showcasing some of their favorite bands from around the world (Canada, USA, France and Australia). Entitled ‘Compilation 2014: Best of The Best’, the release is now available and was digitally released on June 25th on iTunes, Rhapsody, Google Play, Amazon Mp3 and Amazon on Demand (physical copy). It is also featured on iHeart Radio, Shazam, Xbox Music, Slacker Radio and more.
Tom Hocker of Knox Asylum Records comments:
“Each of these bands has something to offer in the Metal scene and were handpicked for the Knox Asylum Records debut compilation. I am not only excited about the end product, but energetic about spending time with these breaking artists. Tell all your friends and be sure to pick up a copy! Share!”
Track Listing:
1. X. Y. – Rebirth(3:41)
2. Hydra Kyll – Rotting Roots (3:40)
3. Kythera – Sleeper (3:02)
4. Identity Device – The Dreams That Affect Us – (8:09)
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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