Poster Design Credit for Sex, Lies & DNA – Kenji Tsunami
+ Loud As Hell Festival w/ Jungle Rot, Incite, Necronomicon, The Convalescence
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Narcotic Wasteland have updated their dates for the Sex, Lies & DNA tour with Gorgatron and Tegmentum starting on June 27th in Las Vegas, NV and trek across the Amercian West Coast and then push north to Canada for a performance at Loud As Hell Fest in Drumheller, AB with Jungle Rot, Incite, Necronomicon, The Convalescence, and more. They will then continue headlining the remaining Sex, Lies & DNA tour across the Canadian lands and American Midwest for the month of August and end the summer touring in Bowling Green, OH on August 20th. All dates are listed below.
2023 is going to be an exciting year for Narcotic Wasteland, not only is the band hitting the road they are will also in the works of releasing their third yet-to-be-titled album via Mega Force Records. So far they have unleashed three singles “Morality and the Wasp”, “The Best Times Have Passed” and “Victims of the Algorithm” to give fans a taste of their forthcoming mosh pit of terror. For their third full-length, the band worked once again with engineer and producer Erik Schultek who produced the band’s self-titled debut album. The band’s 2023 album will be the follow-up to their sophomore full-length 2017’s “Delirium Tremens”.
They are recommended for fans of Vader, Death, The Crown, Autopsy, Pestilence, and Nile.
Sex, Lies & DNA Tour ** w/ Gorgatron and Tegmentum # w/Gorgatron
July 27 – Las Vegas, NV – Griffin ** July 28 – Long Beach, CA – Supply & Demand ** July 29 – Eureka, CA – The Siren’s Song Tavern ** July 30 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge ** July 31 – Portland, OR – Twilight # Aug 01 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon # Aug 03 – Boise, ID – The Shredder Aug 04 – Kalispell, MT – Kalispell Eagles 234 – NW Metal Invasion Fest # Aug 05 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Fest # Aug 07 – Regina, SK – Cloud 9 # Aug 09 – Winnipeg, MB – Bulldog Event Center # Aug 10 – Thunder Bay, ON – Black Pirates Pub # Aug 11 – Sioux Falls, SD – Bigs Bar # Aug 12 – Menomonie, WI – Zymurgy Brewing # Aug 13 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s Aug 17 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar Aug 18 – Toronto, ON – The Rockpile Aug 19 – Ottawa, ON – Rainbow Bistro Aug 20 – Bowling Green, OH – Howard’s Club H
San Fransisco (CA) – Bay Area Hardcore/Thrash/Groove Metal quartet ALMOST DEAD have signed to Innerstrength Records!
ALMOST DEAD are about to record their sixth full length album for the label! On the forthcoming album, the band take their sound even further into realms of the extreme, building off all of their previous influences, incorporating new ones, and growing their reach both internationally and domestically.
Since forming in Martinez, CA in 2004, ALMOSTDEAD has been churning out an aggressive blend of thrash, groove metal and hardcore. The group’s sound is influenced by the likes of Panteraand Sepultura, infused with that of their local Bay Area scene like Testament and Machine Head, as well as incorporating more modern influences such as New England metalcore and New York death metal. ALMOST DEAD has created their own original style that still includes all the elements of metal you know and love.
ALMOST DEAD have released five full-length albums to date: Almost Dead (2007), Internal Chaos (2008), Mindfucked(2012), Lay Me Down To Waste(2018), and Brutal Onslaught(2021).
In a 10/10-rated review, Jennytate.wordpress.com called 2018’s Lay Me Down To Waste “a slab of steel driven rage and blood spurting horror, like you’ve never heard before. Atmospherically dense, with visual assault and gothic mind terror. Almost Dead are masters at brevity of power. ‘LMDTW’ multiplies the energy and strength of even the heaviest of metal albums. Leaving you terrorized, traumatized and gagging for more.”
Metal Hammer Spain called 2021’s Brutal Onslaught “one of the best metal releases of the year…for the faithful of American thrash metal,” referring to it as an album that demonstrated “incredible virtuosity” and “characterized by the great variety of riffs and the power it has from beginning to end.”
In early 2021 ALMOST DEAD signed a worldwide deal with Art Gates Records, looking to take their unique blend of metal music and intense live performances and share it with the rest of the world. In partnership with the Flaming Arts Agency, ALMOST DEAD embarked on the “Black Rituals Tour 2021″ in Europe, alongside co-headliners Batushka (PL) and Belphegor (AT), as well as fellow support Diabolical (SE) and Warhammer (GR).
ALMOST DEAD continues to play all across California and internationally.
Line-up:
Vocals: Tony Rolandelli Guitars: Zach Weed Drums: Ryan Glick Bass Guitar. Felix Portillo
American heavy metal icons CIRITH UNGOL today announce three special live performances. The trio of dates includes a performance in Denver, Colorado for the first time ever as well as a show in West Hollywood, marking the band’s first Los Angeles live appearance in thirty-five years!
Comments the band, “CIRITH UNGOL legions arise! We are coming to unleash our epic metal darkness upon three US cities. Los Angeles will see our first appearance since 1988 – be there to behold this triumphant return! Our Colorado show will mark the band’s first time ever in the Centennial State, and for you New York diehards, we cannot wait to return and play for you. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable descent into the abyss!”
Tickets are on sale now. See confirmed dates below.
CIRITH UNGOL Live:
8/18/2023 The Gothic Theater – Denver, CO w/ Night Demon, Castle Rat, Chamber Mage [Tickets]
8/20/2023 Le Poisson Rouge – New York, NY w/ Night Demon, Sanhedrin [Tickets]
10/20/2023 The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA [Tickets]
CIRITH UNGOL released their Half Past Human EP via Metal Blade Records in 2021. The globe was ravaged by pandemic in the wake of the release of their reunion album, Forever Black, in April 2020. As time stood still, the band dug deep into their archival crypts, drawing back the veiled mists of history to expose long-forgotten jewels from their storied past. In doing so, they exhumed four songs written in a bygone era but never properly included as part of their fabled discography.
CIRITH UNGOL swept the dust off these precious relics, summoning long-dead forces back to life. Each song was reimagined for today, injected with a fresh dose of power and vitality while preserving their trademark mysticism and remaining drenched in sinister, apocalyptic energy. Recorded under the watchful eye of producer Armand John Anthony (Night Demon, Bewitcher, Gygax) in the darkness of 2020, Half Past Human is a treasured addition to the music collections of CIRITH UNGOL loyalists. In keeping with tradition, the package is completed by stunning cover art courtesy of acclaimed fantasy artist Michael Whelan, from the original Elric series.
July 11th, 2023 – Swedish metal icons MESHUGGAH will return to US and Canadian stages for a nineteen date tour this Fall! Produced by Live Nation, the journey will commence on November 21st in San Diego, California and run through December 16th in Laval, Quebec. The tour marks the first time in five years that the band has played Canadian soil! Support will be provided by special guests In Flames and Whitechapel. The final show will also include the addition of Voivod!
Tickets: Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Artist presales beginning today at 11:00am ET. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on sale beginning Friday, July 14th at 10:00am local time at livenation.com.
Presale: Citi is the official card of the MESHUGGAH tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning today at 11:00am ET until Thursday, July 13th at 10:00pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com. The artist presale will also begin today at 11:00am ET.
MESHUGGAH w/ Special Guests In Flames, Whitechapel: 11/21/2023 SOMA – San Diego, CA 11/22/2023 Hard Rock Live Sacramento – Wheatland, CA 11/24/2023 Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA 11/25/2023 Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre – Vancouver, BC 11/27/2023 Midway Music Hall – Edmonton, AB 11/28/2023 Grey Eagle Event Centre – Calgary, AB 11/30/2023 Burton Cummings Theatre – Winnipeg, MB 12/01/2023 The Fillmore Minneapolis presented by Affinity Plus – Minneapolis, MN 12/02/2023 The Sylvee – Madison, WI 12/03/2023 GLC Live at 20 Monroe – Grand Rapids, MI 12/05/2023 The Hard Rock Live Northern Indiana – Gary, IN 12/06/2023 The Andrew J Brady Music Center – Cincinnati, OH 12/08/2023 The Paramount – Huntington, NY 12/09/2023 MGM Music Hall at Fenway – Boston, MA 12/10/2023 The Wellmont Theater – Montclair, NJ 12/12/2023 Toyota Oakdale Theater – Wallingford, CT 12/14/2023 Wind Creek Event Center – Bethlehem, PA 12/15/2023 HISTORY – Toronto, ON 12/16/2023 Place Bell – Laval, QC w/ Voivod
MESHUGGAH released their critically adored Immutable full-length last year via Atomic Fire. Recorded at Sweetspot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden, mixed by Rickard Bengtsson and Staffan Karlsson, and mastered by multiple Grammy award winner Vlado Meller (Metallica, Rage Against The Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers, System Of A Down), the band’s ninth studio album and follow-up to their Grammy-nominated full-length, The Violent Sleep Of Reason, showcases just how far ahead of the pack the band continues to be. Full of surprises and yet instantly recognizable as the work of metal’s most idiosyncratic force, Immutable redefines and redesigns the MESHUGGAH sound across more than an hour of the most stimulating and engaging music the band has ever composed.
Immutable is available on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats. Find ordering options and additional merchandise at THIS LOCATION.
Trevor Church will be taking his traditional heavy metal band HAUNT on the road, this August and September. Check out the tour schedule below to see if HAUNT will be near you.
8/24 Reverb Lounge Omaha, NB 8/25 Reggie’s Chicago, IL 8/26 Outer Limits Lounge Detroit, MI 8/27 Southgate House Newport, KY 8/28 Black Circle Indianapolis, IN 8/30 Sonia Cambridge, MA 8/31 The Meadows Brooklyn, NY 9/01 Cherry Street Wallingford, CT 9/02 Silk City Philadelphia, PA 9/03 The Runaway Washington, DC 9/05 Tin Roof Charleston, NC 9/06 529 Bar Atlanta, GA 9/07 Conduit Winter Park, FL 9/08 Handlebar Pensacola, FL 9/09 Freetown Boom Lafayette, LA 9/10 Black Magic Social Club Houston, TX 9/11 The Mix San Antonio, TX 9/13 The Beast Tempe, AZ 9/14 Brick By Brick San Diego, CA
* HAUNT are from Fresno California.
* Trevor Church is also the creative force for his doom metal band BEASTMAKER.
The Metal world every few years needs a deserving kick-in-the-ass, to rid the status quo that try’s to rear its ugly head. Step in, StitchedUp Heart. This band’s new studio album, To TheWolves, is a guaranteed modern Metal can’t miss. It releases on September 1st, via Century Media. Not a dull moment on this new offering. Not one.
Stitched Up Heart explodes with grooves, hooks, their brand of heaviness, and of course, Mixi’s versatile and incredible vocals. Mixi can vocally deliver both smooth and hard as nails, while her intensity for the lyrics is heard in stunning integrity. Mixi also plays rhythm guitar, rounding out her essential qualities.
The Architect is one of my favorite songs on this album, which only clocks in at 2:50. Regardless, it’s the crunchy and aggressive small package that makes this song so tasty. The title track, To The Wolves, is immensely memorable for me and I’m flat-out addicted to it.
Randy Mathias on bass is heard markedly and gives this album its contagious grooves. Lead guitarist Merritt Goodwin, once again, has delivered a solid performance on this album, in my opinion. Drummer James Decker also casts a presence on each song. All aces on the backing vocals too, which gives this album that elevated vibe.
Annually, ten or so new Metal album releases reinvigorates my Metal soul. To The Wolves is such an album. Buy this new Stitched Up Heart album; this band has elevated their game and it’s their heaviest and best release yet. ‘Nuff said. -Stone
To The Wolves Track List: To The Wolves Thunder The Hunting Possess Me Immortal Taste For Blood Conquer and Divide Dead Inside The Architect Part of Me The End
Destruction reigns this November when the MassDestruction Metal Fest returns to Atlanta, GA. This year’s lineup threatens to be the heaviest to date, with appearances by Coven, Immolation, Autopsy, Pig Destroyer, Incantation, and more.
The fest runs November 3 – 5 at The Loft @ Center Stage in Atlanta. Check out the teaser video at this location.
Fest organizer Cody Martin comments on this year’s event:
“Mass Destruction Metal Fest started as a passion project to bring genre pioneers and the old guard along with fresh new bands to Atlanta, and some rare international treats that wouldn’t make it to our city otherwise. We’re now into our sixth year and have held true to that ethos.”
“This year we booked one of my all-time favorite bands, Autopsy! It’s unreal to be in contact with Chris (Drums/Vocals–who also had a stint in a ‘lil ole band named DEATH!) and then have him reach out ecstatic with the news of us booking Coven. It truly is magical when the bands are just as excited as the promoters who are just as excited as the fans.”
“We host Mass Destruction Metal Fest at The Loft @ Center Stage, which we feel allows for a more intimate experience for diehard fans and bands. You’re almost guaranteed to see one of the guys from Immolation or Incantation hanging around the venue before their sets. You’ll see some of the younger guys in bands that played the first day going ape-shit in the pit for Autopsy the following day. Atlanta is THE place to be the first weekend of each November.”
The daily lineups for Mass Destruction VI are as follows:
Brazilian progressive power metal legends ANGRA are thrilled to announce that they’ve officially signed with Atomic Fire Records!
The group’s metal leadership began over thirty years ago in 1991. Since then, the band has remained one of the finest metal acts originating from South America. 2013 saw the addition of vocalist Fabio Lione (Athena XIX, ex-Rhapsody Of Fire, ex-Vision Divine etc.) to their ranks. With Rafael Bittencourt and Marcelo Barbosa on guitars, Felipe Andreoli on bass, and Bruno Valverde on drums, ANGRA has kept their momentum and now, joining Atomic Fire Records, they are ready to release their long-awaited tenth studio album, Cycles Of Pain, on November 3rd. Its launch will be supported by a special release show which will take place at São Paulo, Brazil’s Tokio Marine Hall on the same day.
Founding member/guitarist Bittencourt comments, “I’m very proud to announce that our newest album will come out on the 3rd of November and it’s going to be released and distributed by Atomic Fire Records. We’re very proud to be part of the Atomic Fire Records family now. It’s a special moment for us in the band.
“For me, who started the band over thirty years ago, but also for everyone in the band, we’re now in the third generation in the era of our third singer as we have Fabio Lione on vocals. So this will be the third record of our third generation. It’s our tenth studio album, so it’s like keeping the legacy but also focusing on the future.
“It’s very funny to have this partnership with Atomic Fire Records because the word ‘Angra’ also stands for a place in Brazil where an atomic reactor was built in the ‘70s. This nuclear power plant was basically created to originate a kind of clean energy, but it’s a very powerful one which could save the world in a way, but also destroy it. It’ll be a very huge explosion and metaphorically we can say that it’s going to be a very strong album and I hope to burn the world with music which can heal the soul of sad and lonely people.”
Atomic Fire Records A&R Markus Wosgien notes, “I remember receiving the ANGRA demo Reaching Horizons in 1992 for the fanzine I published in the ‘90s. I fell in love immediately; this was simply a new form of power metal – and after his departure from Viper, André Matos finally had a new home back then. One year later, Angels Cry, which I still consider to be one of the best power metal albums of all time, was released, and over the years, ANGRA always developed, but still remained true to themselves. We are more than happy to be a part of their future now and to release their upcoming tenth studio album that blew us away once more. For us, ANGRA is also a matter to our hearts since they’re a band we’ve always been following, respecting and loving; our whole team is more than proud that the band and their management decided to join our roster and to trust in us.”
Stay tuned for more ANGRA news in the coming weeks.
ANGRA: Fabio Lione – vocals Rafael Bittencourt – guitars Marcelo Barbosa – guitars Felipe Andreoli – bass Bruno Valverde – drums
ANGRA Live: 7/07/2023 Complexo Armazém – Fortaleza, BR 7/08/2023 Espaço Náutico Marine Club – Belém, BR 7/09/2023 Residencial Recepções – São Luiz, BR 7/14/2023 CK Centro de Eventos – Londrina, BR 7/15/2023 Beira Mar de São José – Florianópolis, BR 7/16/2023 Arena Santos – Santos, BR 7/21/2023 Studio Mirage Eventos – Limeira, BR 7/22/2023 Bolshoi Pub – Goiânia, BR 7/23/2023 Capital Moto Week – Brasília, BR 8/12/2023 Ópera De Arame – Curitiba, BR 11/03/2023 Tokio Marine Hall (Album Release Show) – São Paulo, BR 11/18/2023 Armageddon Metal Fest – Joinville, BR 1/29 – 2/02/2024 70,000 Tons Of Metal – Miami, FL
Time To Kill Records announces the signing of Brazilian death-thrashers TORTURE SQUAD for the release of their new album “Devilish” in 2023. “Devilish” is an album surrounded by a dark atmosphere, its lyrics show urges experienced in our century, such as the constant degradation of the Amazon rainforest and the population increasingly affected by psychological illnesses such as anxiety and depression. At the same time, it opens windows of escape for an imaginary world inspired by games, series and fiction books.
In their second album with the new lineup, Mayara Puertas (Voice),Rene Simionato (Guitar), Castor(Bass) and Amilcar Christófaro(Drums) transcend the sound of extreme metal with maturity, incorporating progressive metal, influences from Brazilian music and symphonic elements.
The album also honors Brazilian heroes with a participation of Andreas Kisser (Sepultura) in the track “Buried Alive”, and a tribute to Rickson Gracie the resilient fighter of Jiu Jitsu considered one of the greatest legends in this sport, the theme of the track “Warrior”. The band also mobilized several musicians related to indigenous causes in their country to collaborate on the song “Uatumã”, making an appeal for the preservation of the Amazon in a song that flows in an powerful way with the speeches of the indigenous leader Raoni Metuktire and tribal rhythms.
For the cover art, the band had Marcelo Vasco, a Brazilian illustrator who has already created artworks for Slayer, Dimmu Borgir, Soulfly among others.
Watch for more details on the new album release, new tour updates, and more news on other upcoming TORTURE SQUAD activities to be posted shortly.
Doom-tinged trad metal band Oxblood Forge has released their new EP Cult of Oblivion on digital, CD, and cassette formats. Stream and/or purchase the EP at the following locations:
1) Cult of Oblivion 2) Upon the Altar 3) Cleanse With Fire 4) Mask Of Satan [Video]
Cult of Oblivion was engineered and mixed by James Gazerro at The Red Room in Attleboro, MA. Mastering by Brad Boatright of AudioSiege.
Oxblood Forge:
Kenneth MacKay: Vocals Robb Lioy: Lead Guitar Greg Delleria: Bass Erik Fraunfelter: Drums Steve Nelson: Rhythm Guitar
Hailing from the outskirts of Boston, Massachusetts, Oxblood Forge brings a penchant for roundhouse kicking the listener in the face with their own special sauce of heavy metal with a generous helping of classic rock, doom, and blues. The band aims for big hooks, destructive vocals, and heavy guitars.
Oxblood Forge recently completed a successful east coast tour with Spiral Grave and Mourn the Light, playing shows recently with Anvil, Manilla Road, and Magic Circle, and keeping the flame alive for heavy metal.
Following their latest, self-titled studio album in 2020, hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND have announced the release of an upcoming live album/BluRay, titled “Still Raging”! The release, that comes as a special BluRay and 2CD edition, will be available on September 1, 2023 through AFM Records. The pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
Since more than twenty years, the iconic band founded by exceptional guitarist Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) enthralls heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others), who joined the band in 2019.
“It’s hard to believe that a band like Firewind has been around for 2 decades,” Gus G comments. “In 2022 we had only planned a re-issue of our debut album, but with the pandemic slowly winding down, we were fortunate enough to start doing shows in America and Europe again. Come Fall of 2022 we played 2 headline shows in our homeland, Greece to celebrate our 20th anniversary.”
Gus continues: “Prior to the Greek shows, my friends from OTSE film crew asked me about filming our hometown gig in Thessaloniki. In a way, the stars aligned, as we returned to the same venue (Principal Club Theater), with the exact same crew that filmed our DVD back in 2008 (Live Premonition anyone?). With this opportunity in front of us, I started thinking about a cool way to put this onto our beloved fans homes as a special thank you for the support you’ve shown us over the years. Together with AFM Records, we bring you a special BluRay + 2CD package. So yeah… Firewind Still Raging, 20 years later and it’s all thanks to YOU! While we’re currently hard at work on some new music, we hope this commemorative Live release will keep you good company, till our new Metal anthems arrive!”
A stunning excerpt of FIREWIND‘s upcoming live record is now available online, the video clip for “Orbitual Sunrise” is premiering HERE
FIREWIND is: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
FIREWIND Live: 14.07.23 DE Blizzard Rockfest 21.07.2023 FR Guitare en Scene 29.07.2023 CZ Ostrava v Plamenech 04.08.2023 DE Helmfest 05.08.2023 AT Innrock Reloaded
Danish thrash metal icons ARTILLERY are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a North American headlining tour! The journey, which begins on September 29th in Minneapolis, Minnesota and closes on October 14th in Brooklyn, New York, includes a performance at the Blades Of Steel Festival in Madison, Wisconsin. Support will be provided by Vapor and Potential Threat.
Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.
ARTILLERY w/ Vapor, Potential Threat: 9/29/2023 The Underground Café – Minneapolis, MN 9/30/2023 Blades Of Steel Festival @ The Crucible – Madison, WI 10/01/2023 Legend’s – Cincinnati, OH 10/02/2023 No Class – Cleveland, OH 10/03/2023 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 10/04/2023 The Sanctuary – Detroit, MI 10/05/2023 Hard Luck – Toronto, ON 10/06/2023 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON 10/07/2023 Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC 10/08/2023 Rock Café Le Stage – Trois Rivieres, QC 10/09/2023 L’Anti Bar and Spectacles – Quebec City, QC 10/10/2023 Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA 10/11/2023 Mr. Smalls – Millvale, PA 10/12/2023 Another Round – Richmond, VA 10/13/2023 Alchemy – Providence, RI 10/14/2023 Saint Vitus Bar – New York, NY
In the mid-1980s, Denmark’s ARTILLERY established themselves as being at the cutting edge of the thrash movement. Four decades later, they continue to destroy. The band’s most recent studio offering – the aptly titled, X — was released in 2021 via Metal Blade Records. X was tracked in Medley Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark with producer Søren Andersen, who the band have worked with on every record since 2009’s When Death Comes.
On July 14, 2023, German thrash metal titans VENDETTA will return to the scene with their sixth studio album, Black As Coal, through Massacre Records. It’s the band’s first offering in six long years.
As the previously-released, first album single “Stranglehold Of Terror” proved, Black As Coal sees the band stronger and heavier than ever, and without question, they are about to deliver their best album to date! Having released their first two records in the late 80’s, VENDETTA‘s style is deeply rooted in thrash and speed metal. With the addition of guitarist Jan Hüttinger and drummer Domi Bertelt, new blood joined VENDETTA a few years ago and the band started working on their upcoming, new album, that was recorded during the pandemic.
Today, the five-piece has unleashed a new video clip for their album title track, “Black As Coal”! VENDETTA singer Mario Vogel states: “This song is about the ills of society: money is used for nonsense and not for important things; videos are taken when someone is beaten, hurt or killed, etc.”
Black As Coal was mixed by Dominik Bertelt and VENDETTA at Caffeine Recording, and was mastered by Michael Simon at Rocket Science Audio Studio. The cover artwork was designed by Pablo Klose. Slated for a release as Jewel Case CD, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on July 14, 2023 through Massacre Records, the album pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
“Touchdown” Full-Length To See Release This August Via Atomic Fire Records + Preorders Launched!
Heavy metal quintet U.D.O. — fronted by legendary singer Udo Dirkschneider and officially completed by former Accept bassist Peter Baltes in April — recently announced their new studio album, Touchdown, due out on August 25th via Atomic Fire Records.
Crafted with producer and mixing engineer Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer at Redhead Studio (Wilhelmshaven, Germany), the massive, thirteen-track Touchdown was mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio (Solingen, Germany). The record includes a guest appearance by violinist Stefan Pintev on the closing track, and bass tracks were recorded by new member Baltes. Artwork was provided by Martin Häusler who was also responsible for shooting band photos in support of the new album campaign.
Currently, U.D.O., who are also performing as DIRKSCHNEIDER, are gracing the stages of some of Europe’s biggest festivals including Graspop Metal Meeting, Leyendas del Rock, Summer Breeze Open Air, and more. Playing in front of their rabid loyal global fanbase makes each and every concert feel like a home game and today, U.D.O. kicks off their new musical season with their latest single and accompanying lyric video, “Forever Free.”
Elaborates drummer Sven Dirkschneider of the track, “‘Forever Free’ is supposed to make people not simply believe facts they hear or get shown, for example, by media, but to think individually. Of course, we don’t mean that one should question everything. The song shall just express that it’s better to create your own opinions about conflicts and other topics one stands for, even when they’re wrong sometimes, than to follow the mass blindly. It’s a musical tribute to our privilege of living in a free world as we luckily can.”
Preorder Touchdown, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Forever Free” instantly at: http://udo.afr.link/touchdownPR.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube HERE. Listen to “Forever Free” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
European fans can catch U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER live throughout the coming months. For tickets and to stay up to date on upcoming shows go to THIS LOCATION.
Driving, unrelenting and unique true metal is what’s on offer for the forthcoming debut album, Sceptre, from Vision Master. Sceptre combs the darkest depths for ten songs of blazing and unconventional classic metal! Gates of Hell Records will release Sceptre on August 25.
Former Funerot members Dan Munro and Reuben Storey (Christian Mistress) have long imagined a band like Vision Master: Dark, but with mystical atmospheres adjoined with blistering guitar riffs, thunderous rhythms and soaring vocals.
The band’s first full-length, Sceptre, is a fully-realized exercise in driving, unrelenting and unique true metal. Thoroughly recorded at Storey and Munro’s home studios, and with Tony “Baloney” Jefferson providing additional engineering, Sceptre was finally mastered by Justin Weis’.
Sceptre pushes boundaries across the traditional metal terrain, with Vision Master drawing from a wide range of influences that spans old-school metal as well as the likes of Brocas Helm, Slough Feg, Venom, Mercyful Fate and early Voivod. And, going down an even dirtier and extreme path, Discharge, Poison Idea, Die Kreuzen and classic black metal. It all adds up to a cosmic journey that, as Munro explains, “explores the depths of strange, unfamiliar realms and unrealities.”
Line-up: Dan Murno – Vocals/guitar Reuben Story – Bass/drums
Featuring cover art by Seventh Bell Artworks based on an experimental photographic collaboration between Dan and David Hoekje, Sceptre transports the listener into a futuristic world where a biological network sprawls across cities and xenon gas stores are the only hope for mankind. The album’s journey brings listeners to a mystical, sandstone throne with the power to probe the origins of mankind, ultimately asking the question: If you had the power to undo the petulant plague that is man, would you?”
FFO: Brocas Helm, Mercyful Fate, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, and Cosmic Horror.
Tom Keifer brought his signature blues- rock sound back to the Star City on his new Live & Loud tour, but he did not come alone. The Tom Keifer Band performed at Dr Pepper Park in Roanoke Virginia on June 18th along with Winger and John Corabi.
John Corabi was the first to get the crowd pumped and ready to go. Corabi has quite the musical background as “both the former and current” lead singer of The Dead Daises and the brief period he sang for Motley Crue. He performed a 6 song acoustic set which included a song off of “Unplugged” called “If I Never Get to Say Goodbye”. The song was dedicated to two of his friends who were unfortunate victims of a tragic shooting. Corabi stated “If you have love ones at home make sure you always say you love them because you never know what the universe has in store.” He truly caught the crowd attention and participation by playing “Hooligans Holiday” joking that he is “the guy who ruined Motley Crue’s Career.”
John Corabi – photo credit: TBE Photography
All together Corabi’s gruff rock n roll voice and passion for the music paired perfectly with the overall feel of the rest of the night. He never skipped a beat and he never missed a note. After the show he met individually with fans to take pictures and sign autographs. Corabi was only the beginning of what continue to be a night filled with the sounds of the 80s.
Kip Winger – photo credit: TBE Photography
Winger took the stage next with their full original lineup featuring Kip Winger, Reb Beach, Rob Morgenstein, and Paul Taylor as well as Howie Simon. They started the show off with a song from their 2023 album “Seven” called “Stick the Knife in and Twist.” Every song from the new album that Winger played was received just as well as the hits from back in the day with fans singing back at them word for word. Kip still looks and sounds just like the heartthrob that stole the hearts of everyone when the band first began. Hits like “Miles Away”, “Madalaine”, and “Seventeen” basically sounded almost identical to the album but with an ever so slight change that comes with aging. Each member played with the grit and attitude of a true rockstar.
Tony Higbee and Tom Keifer – photo credit: TBE Photography
Tom Keifer and his band hadn’t even made it to the stage before they were met with the adoring screams of fans as they walked from the buses. Early on the fans were treated to Heartbreak Station, the title track of Cinderella’s third studio album. Keizer stated that it had been awhile since they had played it and jokingly asked that if he messed up that the crowd not be too upset. All one had to do was listen to know that he did not disappoint.
Tony Higbee – photo credit: TBE Photography
As the night progressed, the fans singing never let up nearly masking Keifer himself. This only fueled the passion inside not only him but the rest of the band. Each song played louder and stronger then the last. By the time the piano was rolled out so much emotion had been built up that it resulted in a very powerful and extremely well received version of “Don’t Know What You Got Till It’s Gone.”
Tony Higbee – photo credit: TBE Photography
Keifer truly lived up to the tours name, Live and Loud. It is highly apparent that the Tom Keifer Band is more than just 7 musicians on a stage, they are a family. The band currently consists of Tom Keifer, Savannah Keifer, Tony Higbee, Billy Mercer, Jarred Pope, Kory Myers, and Tanya Davis. The guitar pairing of Keifer and Higbee on guitar is immaculate. There is no one sounding better than the other. They both come together seamlessly creating that bluesy sound that everyone has come to love from Keifer’s music. However, having a guitarist as strong as Higbee allows Keifer to set the guitar down and really get into the vocals and interaction with the crowd. All the while Higbee is still able to keep up the Cinderella sound and have fun doing it.
Billy Mercer – photo credit: TBE Photography
As for Keifer’s voice, it is no secret that he has had multiple surgeries involving his throat but that hasn’t stopped him from continuing to sing every song like it was written. Keifer pushed the limits with his voice and reached for every high note showing that he’s still got it.
Brazilian/Finnish death metal unit 3rd WAR COLLAPSE have announced the upcoming release of their sophomore album, “Catastrophic Epicenter”, on August 24th, 2023 via Lethal Scissor Records. The first single from the album, “The Last Hecatomb”, is out today. Stream it HERE.
“Catastrophic Epicenter” tracklist: 01 – Catastrophic Epicenter 02 – Legion Of The Infested 03 – Coffin Shortage 04 – Terror Diffusion 05 – Fomites 06 – Asphyxiating Tyranny 07 – Lacerate The Rival 08 – Heresy Behind The Lies 09 – Killing Each Other 10 – The Last Hecatomb
3rd WAR COLLAPSE is a Brazilian / Finnish violent hate-filled brutal death-grind project featuring veteran musicians of the underground scene as Cristiano Martinez (ex-Vomepotro) andKalle Lindfors (Inferia).
The band, which also features new bassist/vocalist Juan Azevedo, have steered their music through different shades of death metal and grindcore, from the technical to the plain, groovy and ignorant. Their most blisteringly furious, ambitious, and eclectic record to date, “Catastrophic Epicenter” is a much-needed hammer to the face, a riff-driven assault which delivers ten tracks of brutal death metal mixed with elements of grindcore, thrash and old school heaviness.
The suffocating atmosphere carries through to the lyrics that detail the myriad ways that human beings waste, destroy or devalue what’s in front of them. This is a multi-layered, metallic offer proving 3rd WAR COLLAPSE’s standing in the scene!
For fans of: Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Skinless, Criminal Element
Line-up: Cris Martinez – Guitar & Vocals Juan Azevedo – Bass & Vocals Kalle Lindfors – Drums
Israeli metalcore warriors CANINE have released their latest single, “Mad For The Dead”, on June 21, 2023. This is the third of many planned singles, leading up to their second full-length, Perception, due out early 2024.
The band comments on the single: “‘Mad For The Dead’ is our take on the inability to let go of a loved one, taking heavy inspiration from Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary”. If you had the power to revive that loved one, not knowing the ramifications of your actions. Would you?”
Since forming in 2009 in Modiin, Israel, CANINE have been making a name for themselves by defying convention, creating their own distinct sound and never settling for anything that was just run of the mill or ordinary. Rather, the band have stretched the boundaries of their sound, through the trials of line-up changes and military service in the IDF. CANINE has established themselves as a powerhouse of the metalcore scene, while incorporating a healthy dose of groove metal, nu-metal and post-hardcore into their signature sound.
In November 2017, CANINE released their debut The Uprising and immediately set out on tour throughout Israel.
As CANINE breaks new ground and forges ahead in their career, they will do so with a sense of determination and defiance. Throughout 2023, the band will explore themes of addiction, depression, the weaponized power of religion, but mostly chasing your dreams no matter the circumstances, trusting in your friends and loved ones and never backing down.
After 4 years of intense work in the studio, experimenting with different production methods and recording techniques, as well as many personal hurdles, Perception was born and will be released in 2024 marking a new page in the band’s career, both sonically and aesthetically.
CANINE is:
Ben Saada – Vocals Eliav Torjman – Guitars Nir Leberstein – Drums Ilya Kislitsin – Bass
Chilean melodic doom metallers WOODEN VEINS will be releasing their new album, “Imploding Waves”, on June 23rd 2023 via Ardua Music.
Today, Everything Is Noise is hosting the album’s official premiere. Stream “Imploding Veins” in its entirety at THIS LOCATION.
WOODEN VEINS, formed by Chilean musicians mostly based in European countries, engages in classic melodic doom metal, combining it with progressive and gothic elements, exploring even further as they bring more heaviness and even some latin flavour into their sound.
“In Finitude”, their debut album (The Vinyl Division), released in 2021, got an excellent response from the media, ranking the album in many lists as one of the best of 2021, in specialised press and was even nominated for the best Metal Album in the Premios Pulsar Chile, the biggest Music Award for Chilean Music.
Now WOODEN VEINS present us their second album “Imploding Waves”, a more complex and refined work. This time the Chileans took a more progressive approach, expanding their stylistic boundaries, mixing darker, heavier and faster passages into their distinctive melodic and atmospheric elements.
“It’s about dreams, death and change, the mixture of these elements and their manifestation in ourselves and the world around us.” “Imploding Waves” was recorded in Chile, Czech Republic, Spain and Germany, between July and October 2022. The album was mixed by Juan Escobar at Vultura Studio in Plzen, CZ and mastered by Sebastian Puente at Audiocustom, CL. The artwork is once again by French artist Valnoir from Metastazis.
Tracklist: 01 – Dreamside Death 02 – Tearing Seas 03 – The Dreamer 04 – L´apell du Vide 05 – Skies 06 – Ganymede 07 – Kaimerah 08 – Broken World 09 – Vuelavá 10 – Calling
Line-up: Javier Cerda – Vocals Juan Escobar – Guitar Eduardo Poblete – Keys Juan Diaz – Bass Alberto Atalah – Drums
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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