Anyone that viewed the opening ceremony for the Summer Olympics held in Paris, France knows that there was music performances. One of the featured performers was Frances’ very own Gojira, at the Conciergerie on the banks of the Seine river.
I was surprised as any other metalhead to see Gojira there as well. It’s an extremely rare moment for any Metal band to take the world stage. They did our genre proud. I only tuned in because of hearing via news outlets that Gojira was featured. “Ah! Ça Ira” (a song made prominent during the French Revolution) was what I later found to be the song.
The (now controversial) headless Queen Marie Antoinette theme that segued into Gojiras’ performance took me by surprise as well and its visual shock and special effects made it all the more, well, can I say… Metal. Once Gojira was finished, I turned off the Paris Summer Olympics opening ceremony and went back to my UFO documentaries.
I will add, I later viewed the performance from Celine Dion and she was fabulous. This opening ceremony originally aired on NBC on July 26th and is currently being streamed on Peacock.
Iconic heavy metallers ARMORED SAINT will reissue their Revelation and LaRaza full-lengths on vinyl August 16th via Metal Blade Records.
Revelation is the fifth studio album from the band, originally released in 2000 on Metal Blade Records, and now available for the first time on vinyl in the US. The song “The Pillar” was originally written for the 1992 horror film Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth where the band makes a cameo appearance as a bar band performing the song “Hanging Judge” at the Boiler Room club.
Recalls bassist Joey Vera, “The story for ‘The Pillar’ was that sometime in 1991 we were approached by the producers for Hellraiser to write a song for the end credits of the movie. They had already agreed to give us the song ‘Hanging Judge’ and a part in the film. So we wrote ‘The Pillar’ which later they passed on and instead they decided to go with ‘Hell On Earth’ by Motörhead. If we’re gonna lose out, better that it’s by Motörhead!”
ARMORED SAINT’s Revelation was produced by Vera with executive producer Brian Slagel, mixed by Bill Metoyer, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in March 2024. The record will be released on double LP, featuring the bonus track “No Me Digas,” in the following color variants:
La Raza is the sixth studio album from ARMORED SAINT, originally released in 2010 on Metal Blade Records. La Raza was previously unavailable on vinyl outside of a limited 2010 UK release, and the album’s inclusion in the limited edition VMP Anthology: The Story Of Metal Blade eight-LP box set released in 2021.
La Raza was produced by Joey Vera, engineered by Bryan Carlstrom, mixed by Bryan Carlstrom and Vera and mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in March 2024. The record will be released in the following color variants:
Long-running heavy metal icons, SATAN, will spend September roadbound on a nearly month-long European tour. The journey begins with seven dates through the UK and Ireland with special guests, Seven Sisters followed by a stop at Pyrenean Warriors Open Air Fest in Torreilles, France. From there, the band will wind their way through sixteen more cities throughout Europe alongside Haunt and Hellfire. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
SATAN will be touring in support of their forthcoming new full-length, Songs In Crimson, set for release on September 13th via Metal Blade Records. Further details on the record will be revealed on July 24th. Stay alert.
SATAN: Brian Ross – vocals Russ Tippins – guitars Steve Ramsey – guitars Graeme English – bass Sean Taylor – drums
Finnish winter metal monolith WOLFHEART has released a ferocious new single, “Evenfall”, off their highly-anticipated album Draconian Darkness, to be released on September 6th, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music. Hard-charging, memorable riffs lead into a soaring, strikingly melodic chorus, with clean vocals layered under roaring harshes. The song recalls the band’s more stripped-down roots, but with renewed energy that propels the band forward into a new era. You can listen to the track now here: https://wolfheart.rpm.link/evenfallPR
The band comments on the single, “‘Evenfall’ is the most guitar/riff driven and also least symphonic song on the album and creates a perfect link to the old school Wolfheart material from the first 2 albums. With all this energy compressed into 4 minutes it is a guaranteed addition to our setlist on our Euro tour in November.“
Pre-order Draconian Darkness in the physical format of your choice (CD digipak, colored vinyl), pre-save the album on your favorite DSP, or pre-order the album digitally HERE: https://wolfheart.rpm.link/draconiandarknessPR
Hellwitch begin their US Tour with Exciter, Midnight, and Wraith on July 18th! See the dates below:
07/18 – Morro Bay, CA @ The Siren 07/19 – Santa Ana, CA @ La Santa 07/20 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick 07/21 – Phoenix, AZ @ Nile 07/22 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad 07/24 – Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall 07/25 – San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box 07/26 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 07/27 – Dallas, TX @ Echo Lounge 07/29 – Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club 07/30 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies 07/31 – Cincinnati, OH @ Legends 08/01 – Brooklyn, NY @ Meadows 08/02 – Boston, MA @ Middle East 08/03 – West Seneca, NY @ Rockin Buffalo* 08/04 – York, PA @ Skid Row Garage* 08/05 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Baltimore* 08/06 – Washington, DC @ The Pie Shop* 08/17 – Atlanta, GA @ TBA
HELLWITCH: Pat Ranieri – Guitars, Vocals J.P. Brown – Guitars Brian Wilson – Drums
INFO: Originally formed in 1984, Old school Florida Death Metal Absolute Legends HELLWITCH are back and their unique brand of highly energetic, incisive, Thrashing Death Metal. The band has always sounded insanely catchy, always balancing technicality to a great measure, HELLWITCH have drafted some genuine classic songs over the years and their new album is a culmination of all such works and experience.
September 13, 2024 will see hard rock titans VICTORY strike back with their brand new studio album, entitled Circle Of Life, slated for a release on AFM Records. The album pre-sale is available at: https://victory.bfan.link/circle-of-life
Circle Of Life sees the five-piece surrounding founder and iconic guitarist Herman Frank not only effortlessly build on earlier feats, but also sounds stronger than ever. Frank describes the release with its first-rate production as “even more grown-up and mature than its predecessor, we’ve taken the new songs to a whole new level in every respect.” He knows what this optimised performance is due to: “The group operates as a tight unit, based on the experience of the many live shows we’ve played together. ‘Circle Of Life’ brings together what has grown together and belongs together.”
Naturally, the excellent reputation of a successful hard rock act such as VICTORY is based, among other things, on the superb achievements of their long-standing career. The early days of the Hanover-based group date back to the 1980s and include immortal album classics and successful tours around the globe. However, none of this would account for much or would indeed be classed as anything but nostalgia if their present accomplishments weren’t on a par with the band’s impressive past.
All of the ten new album tracks were recorded by Herman Frank together with vocalist Gianni Pontillo, rhythm guitarist Mike Pesin, bassist Malte Frederik Burkert and drummer Michael Stein at Hanover’s famous Horus Sound Studios, featuring a mix courtesy of sound engineer Arne Neurand.
Circle Of Life Tracklist: 01.Tonight We Rock 02. American Girl 03. Count On Me 04. Surrender My Heart 05. Unbelievable World 06. Moonlit Sky 07. Falling 08. Money 09. Reason To Love 10. Virtual Sin
Legendary, long-running metal band STRYPER are setting the stage for a great year with a new single entitled “End of Days.” Accompanied by a new lyric video, the track also helps announce the band’s 40th Anniversary Tour dates which begin this fall. After an appearance at the Alive Music Festival in July, tour dates kick off September 11th in Greenville, TN, and conclude November 16th in North Myrtle Beach, SC. A full list of dates is below.
About the new track, the band shared this:
“’End of Days‘ is a heavy track musically and lyrically. It has a classic sound with a few modern twists and turns along the way. Lyrically, it’s probably the most fitting message according to the times we are living in. It really does feel like the ‘End of Days‘ in many ways. We’re not only a divided nation, we’re a divided world. It’s time to make things right.”
Looking ahead, STRYPER has completed recording a new studio album set for release in fall 2024, which they hope will continue their trend of improving with each release. The band is also working on a Kickstarter-funded documentary film directed by Chris Atkins. With career album sales exceeding 10 million worldwide and a history of Billboard Top 40 hits, STRYPER continues to record, tour, and perform for devoted fans globally.
The current lineup includes original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox, along with bassist Perry Richardson, as they create what they consider their finest and most powerful music yet.
“It is with heavy hearts we have to inform you that all scheduled Dokken European Summer dates need to be postponed. Due to ongoing complications after extensive neck surgery and a recently fractured ankle, Don will not be able to stand for prolonged periods of time nor travel overseas at this time.
Don believes the European fans deserve the best possible farewell.
With this in mind, he will do his best to make good in 2025. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.” #Dokken
Excited to announce I’ll be embarking on a new USA tour celebrating forty years of my solo career. Can’t wait to see you all on the road – you’re not going to want to miss this.
Tour dates in the tour flyer image above. Tickets will go on sale at: yngwiemalmsteen.com/tour
Metal mavens, WARHOG, are storming the airwaves with the release of their thunderous new single, “Emperor,” available now alongside a lyric video. This track is the latest assault from the band’s upcoming EP, The Dystopian Chronicles, Vol. 1, scheduled to drop on June 28th, 2024 and it promises to be a relentless anthem for fans old and new.
“Emperor” delves deep into the themes of unchecked ego and the insatiable desire for control, mirroring the ominous shadows cast by societal power struggles visible around the globe today. The single serves as a stark reminder of what happens when the darkest parts of our psyche prevail.
‘“Emperor’ is a straightforward headbanger about unchecked ego, self-assurance, and the need for control. ‘Emperor’ is what happens when we let the darkest parts of ourselves win and it’s not too far from what we’re seeing in our world right now.”
Formed in early 2020, WARHOG is a four-piece metal band hailing from North Texas, consisting of Scott Beetley on vocals and guitar, Eric Kendall on guitar, Justin Hopper on bass and RobertPowers on drums.
ARMORED SAINT, leaders and stalwarts of the American heavy metal scene since the early 1980s, are back with a brilliant rendition of “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison).” The classictrack was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by People in 1970. Additional covers include The Four Tops (1974), Santana (1978), and The Doobie Brothers (1989).
Comments vocalist John Bush, “[Bassist] Joey [Vera] came up with the idea of doing the song. We’ve always been huge fans of old school soul and R&B music so it was a no brainer. It’s got a great groove, perfect for our rhythm section, and Jeff [Duncan]’s and Phil [Sandoval]’s guitars are screaming. Plus, the cool lyrics make it ideal for the ‘SAINT style. Levi Stubbs [The Four Tops] was such a rad singer; I just tried to do him justice. I think this would make him a metal fan!”
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s video for “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, at THIS LOCATION.
“One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)” was produced by Joey Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston, and mastered by Maor Applebaum.
Photo by Stephanie Cabral
ARMORED SAINT: John Bush – vocals Jeff Duncan – guitars Phil Sandoval – guitars Joey Vera – bass Gonzo Sandoval – drums
Finland’s most legendary metal festival Nummirock will take place for the 38th time in Kauhajoki, Finland from 19-22 June 2024.
This year’s performers from abroad: Body Count (US), Kerry King (US), Thy Art Is Murder (AU), Suffocation (US), Eluveitie (CH), Blackbraid (US), The Halo Effect (SWE), Shadow of Intent (US), Rise of the Northstar (FRA), Mister Misery (SWE), Thrown (SWE), Party Cannon (UK)
The selected bands from the metal country of Finland, where there are more than 53 metal bands per 100,000 inhabitants, are as follows Insomnium, Ensiferum, Rytmihäiriö, Tarot, Huora, Warmen, Crownshift, Horna, Martti Servo ja Napander, Shade Empire, Deathchain, Kaunis Kuolematon, Fear of Domination, Inferia, Kallomäki, Marianas Rest, Nicole, Suotana, Kyy, Verikalpa, Swansong, Prestige, Satanic North, Horizon Ignited, As I May, Anima Hereticae, FM2000, Vaasa Palaa, St. Aurora, De La Rocka, Stereo Terror DJ’s, Poponjet, WikiRock, Enemies Everywhere, Grillijono K.O., Vehje & Nummirock Ensemble.
Promoter Mr. Tero Viertola comments: “We are very honoured to have Kerry King back on the Nummirock main stage after a 26-year hiatus. In 1998 Kerry visited our main stage with Slayer. In addition to a diverse line-up, we have the most spectacular and experiential festival camping area in the country, which takes on a life of its own throughout the festival week. Welcome to Nummirock.”
West coast metal veterans Metal Church will release The Final Sermon(Live in Japan 2019) via Rat Pak Records (America) and Reaper Entertainment (Europe) on July 26, 2024. Produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof, this Special Edition live release features one of the final recorded performances of Mike Howe with Metal Church, which took place over two nights at Club Citta in Kawasaki, Japan during their 2019 “Damned If You Do” Tour.
Kurdt Vanderhoof comments, “We recorded these two shows in Japan with the intention of Mike entering the studio to polish-up any inconsistencies and/or to re-track anything that didn’t come out correctly, but he never got the chance. First the pandemic hit, and then of course his tragic passing, so what you are hearing is exactly what the audience heard that night, Mike giving it his all, live and uncensored! This album not only commemorates our 2019 Damned If You Do tour, but also pays homage to our friend and brother’s legacy. The album will arrive on the 3rd Anniversary of his passing, and it is our hope that Mike will continue to be remembered for the music and love he brought to the world.”
Track Listing: 01. Damned If You Do 02. Needle and Suture 03. Fake Healer 04. In Mourning 05. Human Factor 06. Date with Poverty 07. The Black Things 08. Gods of A Second Chance 09. Start the Fire 10. Watch the Children Pray 11. Beyond the Black 12. By the Numbers 13. No Friend of Mine 14. Badlands Bonus Tracks (cd and digital) 15. Agent Green 16. Anthem to the Estranged
w/ Malignancy, Whore of Bethlehem, Ignominious, Filth
Kicking off their 2024 Summer tour dates on May 31st that are in honor of guitarist Dallas Toler Wade’s 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of Narcotic Wasteland‘s self-titled debut album, the trio is unshackling their latest single “Barbarian” for the masses. The song will be featured on the band’s forthcoming third full-length Digital Cordyceps out on Megaforce Records in 2024 (release date TBD).
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the new track:
“Barbarian is one of my favorite songs I have written so far. The guitar work is thrashy but also has a neo-classical element to it. I love the mid-tempo churning bass drums that is no secret at this point. Lyrically the song is about my personal feelings on how I want to live my life, but also an observation of what is going on in the world right now. I am sure I am not the only one who sees we are living in an oligarchic society. Meaning we are in a society where only a chosen few have most of the political power. This has always disgusted me.”
He adds: “I never needed a political leader or organized religion to tell me how to act, what to read or listen to, and who to vote for. I think it is all complete self-serving bullshit and I refuse to have any part in it. I am barbaric. I follow no rules but my own. I refuse to participate in a society that is untrustworthy, narcissistic, and completely selfish. So I choose a more nomadic life as far away as possible from all of the madness. I am here to entertain. It is my calling. I hope you enjoy the song!! Thanks to all of the fans for your continued support and inspiration!! Let’s rise above and take our freedom back!!”
And don’t forget to brace yourself for a face-melting experience as Narcotic Wasteland announces a metal extravaganza like no other this summer! Their unholy crusade of show dates commences on May 31, 2024, in Crockett, CA, and continues its apocalyptic conquest through cities like Portland, Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Tampa, and more, culminating in a final siege on July 7, 2024, in Saginaw, MI.
They are joined by special guests Whore of Bethlehem, Ignominious, Filth, and Malignancy (Headlining), who will conjure up nightmares with their savage performances.
Iconic thrashers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have revealed a new track as well as more details alongside the cover artwork of their upcoming, new studio album I Am The Weapon! Slated for a September 13, 2024 releasevia AFM Records, the pre-sale for the band’s 15th full-length has just started at:
Following the previously-released, first single and title track, today, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM are not only sharing a video clip for the brand new album appetizer “Primal” (now premiering below!), but also a repress of the band’s 2016-album, Flotsam And Jetsam, issued as a strictly limited, Gatefold Clear 2-Vinyl, is now available here: https://shop.afm-records.de/de/flotsam-and-jetsam/
About their new single “Primal”, the band writes: “We’re very excited to once again unleash Flotzilla onto the metal community! This time, he’ll take the form of our newest single, “Primal.” With “Primal,” we tried to capture the “punch in the face” energy that Flotsam and Jetsam is known for, and blend it with a melody that sticks in your head for days… we hope our fans will embrace it, as we are very pleased with how this song and the new record has turned out, and we look forward to seeing you all very soon!”
“Primal” is now streaming via all digital providers at:
Album ONE Alive!”, the title of W.A.S.P.’s upcoming North American Tour. August 17, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of the release of W.A.S.P.’s first album. To celebrate this classic metal album, W.A.S.P. will, for the first time in 40 years, play the entire album from top to bottom, start to finish, on their North American tour this fall.
Along with bassist Mike Duda and lead guitarist Doug Blair, whose tenures in the band are 29 and 26 years respectively, W.A.S.P. is joined by long-time drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester.
The 39-city run kicks off on Saturday, October 26 in San Luis Obispo, CA, making stops across North America in Vancouver, BC, Toronto, ON, Minneapolis, MN, Dallas, TX, New York, NY, Orlando, FL and more before wrapping up on Saturday, December 14 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, CA.
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with the Artist presale beginning May 29th at 10 AM local time. Additional presales will run throughout the week with all presales ending Thursday, May 30 at 10 PM local time. The general on sale will begin Friday, May 31 at 10 AM local time at: WASPnation.com.
Spanish Thrashers HOLYCIDE have launched a killer animated video as a 3rd advance single from their third album, Towards Idiocracy which will be released on June 6th (International Day of Slayer) through Xtreem Music.
HOLYCIDE vocalist Dave Rotten comments on the song: “The lyrics of this song talk about the current era of fake news. When we don’t like some truth, we cover it with fake news, creating another fake news with this, and sometimes, we know positively that something is fake news, but even so, we settle for giving it credibility, simply because it agrees with our ideology, in what it seems that anything goes. We have become accustomed to living with lies and hoaxes, which are the new truth… making the infamous Göbbels right: “A lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth.”
You can also check out their two previous advance singles:
Xtreem Music will release Towards Idiocracy on CD, digital, vinyl, and cassette formats on June 6. Pre-order the album at: xtreemmusic.bandcamp.com.
Tracklist: 1) A.I. Supremacy 2) Toward Idiocracy 3) Remote Control 4) Lie is the New Truth 5) Power Corrupts 6) Technophobia 7) Angry for Nothing 8) Chemical Dependency (Atrophy cover) 9) Pleased to be Deceived 10) Flamethrower ’em All
Formed 20 years ago by veterans of Spain’s extreme metal community, HOLYCIDE is best described with four simple words – Mother Fucking Thrash Metal. For fans of Dark Angel, Morbid Saint, Atrophy, D.R.I., Infernäl Mäjesty, Exodus, Sepultura (Beneath / Arise), and Vio-Lence.
The short but epic journey begins on May 28th in Chicago and makes its way through Seattle, Mesa, and Los Angeles. Additional support will be provided by Archgoat and SevereTorture. Tickets are on sale now at THIS LOCATION! See confirmed dates below.
PRIMORDIAL: w/ Bloodbath, Archgoat, Severe Torture: 5/28/2024 Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL 5/30/2024 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 5/31/2024 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 6/01/2024 1720 – Los Angeles, CA
PRIMORDIAL released their acclaimed How It Ends full-length last Fall via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2018’s critically lauded Exile Amongst The Ruins finds PRIMORDIAL delivering more of their seminal blend of Celtic and black metal, with added urgency staring down the apocalypse.
“The title is a question – is this how it ends? How it all goes down; culture, language, history, society, humanity… who knows?,” considers vocalist A. A. Nemtheanga. “Regardless of who you are or were, you get one chance at all of this, and it’s asking, is this the end of your town, state, nation? Myths, traditions, relationships…?, and I suppose it asks the question, who reacts, who rebels, how does it end now for them?”
Watch PRIMORDIAL’s “Death Holy Death” video atTHIS LOCATION.
Perfect in time for their upcoming performance at this year’s Wacken Open Air, August 2, 2024 will see Swedish modern metal act MISTER MISERY release their much-awaited, self-titled studio offering! The band’s third album will be released on AFM Records, pre-order your copy now at:https://mistermisery.bfan.link/mister-misery
Following a series of previously-released album singles, today, MISTER MISERY have shared a brand new song taken off their forthcoming full-length! “Eye Of The Storm” is out now and available via all digital streaming providers here: https://mistermisery.bfan.link/eye-of-the-storm
The band comments: “Eye Of The Storm is a song that’s about finding yourself in a very dark place or rock bottom in life and you’re faced with 2 options: Fight through it or succumb to the darkness.As sung in the song, “Do or die, there’s no other way out! We hope this song will serve as a beacon of hope to those who struggle everyday with their thoughts and to give them new energy to fight through whatever may come their way!”
MISTER MISERY: Harley Vendetta – Vocals/Guitar Alex Nine – Lead Guitar/Backup Vocals Rizzy – Drums/Backup Vocals Alex Alister – Bass/Backup Vocals
The new full-length was produced by MISTER MISERY at Unalive Studio, the cover art was designed by Stefan “GraveArt” Röhm. Pre-order your album copy now at https://shop.afm-records.de/de/mister-misery/
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 
You must be logged in to post a comment.