‘Catch Me If You Can’ is the explosive new single from Sweden’s finest export of street metal, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, and is scheduled to be released on all digital platforms on August 20th.
‘Catch Me If You Can’ picks up the pace and builds on the momentum created by the band’s highly successful 2018 release ‘You Can’t Kill My Rock N’ Roll’. This saw the band travel across the globe from America to Australia, playing to some of the largest audiences of their career and including an unforgettable night; where they broke an attendance record for a headline act on the opening night of the world famous Sweden Rock Festival.
Loud, aggressive and totally unrelenting, ‘Catch Me If You Can’ bursts out the speakers with an onslaught of attitude, combined with a pounding backbeat and a chorus that hits like a freight train. This single sets the tone perfectly for the band’s upcoming album Abrakadabra, which is scheduled for release in March 2022.
Recorded at both Osterlycken and Bombastik in Musikhens Hus in Gothenburg, the band returned to their roots to work with acclaimed producer Johan Reiven, who they previously collaborated with on their 2005 Black Album. The result is an intense and hard-hitting collection of songs that drummer Adde Moon describes as a “natural follow up to the Black album” and definitely “an album for the fans that is best shared with good friends, cold beer and very loud speakers.”
Raised during the 80’s debauchery on the Sunset Strip and still going strong in 2021 – JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE presents his 2nd single for Golden Robot Records, ‘Wanna Be Somebody’. This latest track is the cracking follow up to recent single ‘Soul Mama’, and will be released digitally on the 24th of August.
‘Wanna Be Somebody’ is the story of a girl that seeks fame and fortune in the bright lights of Hollywood, and ends up dancing on the dark side. It’s sunset strip-style rock from Hollywood’s own Jizzy Pearl and Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate! The spirit of Sunset Strip is still well and truly alive and rockin’ and so is JIZZY PEARL’SLOVE/HATE. New record HELL, CA. will be available in February 2022 through Golden Robot records!
LOVE/HATE has been a fixture on the Hollywood Sunset Strip since they released their debut album on Columbia Records BLACKOUT IN THE RED ROOM in 1990. It received much critical acclaim and was awarded “Best Record of the Year” from both Kerrang!and Metal Hammer magazines. The original LOVE/HATE released five records in the 1990’s and toured with bands such as Skid Row, Dio, Ozzy Osbourne & AC/DC.
Since that time, singer Jizzy Pearl has kept the band alive with his own version – JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE! At the same time, Jizzy played, recorded and toured with platinum artists such as RATT, L.A. Guns, Steven Adler and currently Quiet Riot. Jizzy Pearl has released five solo records, including 2018’s Frontiers record ALL YOU NEED IS SOUL. 2020 was the 30th anniversary of BLACKOUT IN THE RED ROOM, and to celebrate, JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE played the entire album in full!
Greek heavy rockers, CELLAR STONE, have announced the signing of a multi-album deal with ROAR! Rock of Angels Records!
Earlier the band revealed that the band’s upcoming, yet-untitled, second album was mixed by Mr. Jordan Westfall (Black Stone Cherry) at Monocle Studios in Kentucky, USA. The album also features Chris Robertson (singer-guitarist Black Stone Cherry). The final result is something fresh, heavy and intensely melodic. Fourteen songs of pure heavy rock with great songwriting and an over the top production. If you love strong melodies, big choruses and guitar riffing, Cellar Stone won’t disappoint. Just dive in, the album is essential listening. More information TBA.
Influenced by the rock & metal giants of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, such as Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, UFO, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Alice In Chains, as well as the bands of today like Black Stone Cherry, Shinedown, Mastodon and Alter Bridge, CELLAR STONE are making their own statement in a characteristic way. Choruses that stick, a pandemonium of guitar harmonies and riffs and a rhythm section that grabs at you, the band is setting the scene and they won’t go unnoticed. Cellar Stone members have toured next to several famous acts such as UFO, Uriah Heep, Black Star Riders, Candlemass and Avatarium.
In May 2020, the band released their debut album “One Fine Day” independently, receiving enthusiastic reviews by many highly esteemed magazines and websites (Powerplay UK 9/10 – Metal Temple US 9/10 – Hellfire Magazine DE 8,5/10 – Bleeding4Metal DE 8/10) while it was voted as 32nd best Hard Rock album of the year by Denim & Leather US.
Finnish Punk ‘n Rollers GRAVEYARD SHIFTERS have released new EP Head Turns First, Eyes Follow… The EP is streaming on Bandcamp, Spotify, and all other major digital platforms.
The official video for “Fake It Till You Make It” is available at this location.
Track Listing: 1. Fake It Till You Make It 2. Head Turns First, Eyes Follow 3. Whirlpool 4. Calm Down Before The Storm
EP Credits: All songs by Graveyard Shifters. Produced by Graveyard Shifters. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Harri Petjakko.
EP Line-Up: J. Sumkin – Bass, H. Kansonen – Guitars, A. Salmenoja – Drums, J. Matilainen – Lead Vocals, J. Eskelinen – Guitars, S. Tiittanen – Session Piano
New music to be released later this year, live performance on August 26th in Long Beach, CA
Reunited thrashers MANTICRITUAL have signed with M-Theory Audio. New music from the group – featuring original members Dan Wetmore (vocals/guitars), Jeff Potts (guitars), and Ben Mottsman (bass) alongside new drummer Carlos Cruz (Warbringer, Exmortus, Hexen) – will be released later this year, but the first taste of the new riffs to come will be unveiled with a live performance on Thursday, August 26th at Supply & Demand in Long Beach, CA.
“This is Dan Wetmore with the first Mantic Ritual news in over ten years! We have reunited and working on a new EP for later this year via our recent signing with M-Theory Audio. With over twelve original songs already written, this will set the path for an imminent full-length album next year. Reviving Mantic Ritual isn’t something we’re taking lightly, we intend to best our debut album, “Executioner” in every way. The new material is true to our roots in Heavy Metal, Thrash/Speed and Punk. This is in our blood and it’s time to share with everyone. Mantic Ritual is ecstatic to work with M-Theory Audio and thankful for the opportunity furnished by Founder/President, Marco Barbieri. Cheers!”
The early beginnings of MANTICRITUAL were birthed in the band’s hometown of Pittsburgh in 2005. Performing initially under the name Meltdown, the group began building a buzz with Northeast heavy metal fans over the next two years with their combination of boundless thrash enthusiasm and superb songsmanship. The band moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2007, where performances alongside leaders of the budding Southern California thrash revival such as Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, and Merciless Death earned them attention from discerning metal audiences and a record deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
The group soon changed their name to MANTICRITUAL, and released their first – and so far only – full-length record “Executioner” produced by Andy Classen (Asphyx, Tankard, Krisiun) in March 2009. The album received critical acclaim at the time of its release, with MetalSucks praising the band’s “ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness,” Blabbermouth taking note of their “passion, chemistry and intensity,” and the Washington Post noting that “MANTIC RITUAL’s old-school sensibilities act like a group hug that brings punks and headbangers together.”
MANTICRITUAL followed up the release of “Executioner” with live touring alongside heavy metal titans such as Rotting Christ and Destruction, before dissolving in 2010. Potts and Mottsman later went on to join Warbringer for their 2013 release, “IV: Empires Collapse,” with Potts himself also performing on Gygax’s 2018 release, “2nd Edition.” Potts, Mottsman, and Wetmore began writing and recording new music together – with Cruz (still a member of Warbringer) now joining them on drums – in the beginning of 2021.
The group’s upcoming live performance on Thursday, August 26th at Supply & Demand in Long Beach, CA – their first since a one-off reunion at Thrasho De Mayo 2013 in Los Angeles – is only the beginning of this exciting new chapter in the story of MANTICRITUAL. More information on new music from MANTICRITUAL will be unveiled in the weeks to come by M-Theory Audio and at www.facebook.com/manticritual.
17-Year-Old Drum Prodigy/Alternative Rock Artist Calls Out Fake Friendships
Nashville, TN – Singer-songwriter and accomplished drummer, Mia Morris, has just released her compelling new single, “We Were Never Friends.” The hard-hitting, grungy track exudes a nostalgic 90’s rock sound with elements of pop-punk. At just 17-years-old, Morris has had unforgettable life experiences that she uses to fuel the story in tracks like this one. “We Were Never Friends” is now available to stream and download on digital music platforms worldwide.
With honest lyrics and earnest vocals, Mia Morris describes this track as, “the straightforward story of ending a relationship and realizing there wasn’t any real genuine friendship at the base of it.” It’s the perfect retaliation anthem for anyone who has experienced a situation like this. The heavy melodies and captivating drums make this track instantly addictive and will have listeners adding it to their playlists. “We Were Never Friends” showcases all Morris has to offer as a young artist. She recorded, produced, and mixed the song. It was co-written with fellow Nashville songwriters Jessica Cayne and Mike Florentino.
Wearing multiple hats as a rock singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Mia Morris’s musical resume puts her amongst some of the music industry’s most seasoned veterans. She’s co-written over 100 songs with many notable songwriters, such as Marti Dodson, members of 3 Doors Down, and The All American Rejects. She’s accumulated a large following on several social media platforms with 33K TikTok followers, 24.6K Instagram followers, and 50.8K YouTubesubscribers with over 9 million views on her videos. Her Spotify also has over 2.6 million streams. American Songwriter lauded, “Considering that she’s only 16, Morris’ path is as promising as it is infinite.”
Though she began playing instruments at six years old, she found her true passion, drumming, at age nine when she convinced her neighbor to give her his old drum kit. Eventually, she began posting drum covers on her YouTube channel, which caught the attention of many noteworthy drummers that she got the opportunity to study. By age 12, Morris had a series of viral drum videos on her YouTube channel and amassed over five million views between them. After moving with her family to Nashville, her career began to pick up even more, and she was able to play for over 120 artists in 2019 alone. Since then, she started writing and recording her own music, releasing over 40 songs, almost all mixed and produced by herself.
First-ever vinyl and cassette releases due Sept. 17 alongside expanded 2CD feat. bonus disc of live material
M-Theory Audio will reissue “State of Insurgency,” the acclaimed 2008 debut album from California neo-thrashers HEXEN, on Sept. 17. The band’s combination of old-school ferocity, new-school technicality and socially conscious lyrics helped them stand out in the fiercely competitive Southern California thrash revival that birthed acts such as Warbringer, Exmortus, Merciless Death and Fueled By Fire. Pre-orders for the upcoming reissue – available as a red vinyl double LP, limited cassette and a 2CD with a bonus disc of previously unreleased live tracks – are available now HERE.
Says drummer Carlos Cruz (Warbinger, Machine Head, Power Trip, Ohm), “Thirteen years later, out from the remains of the blast radius, no longer out-of-print, prepare yourselves for a brand-new double-CD with loads of never-before-heard extras and for the first time ever, the album on vinyl and cassette! My goal was to celebrate my first-ever full-length studio album by pressing and releasing it DIY on vinyl, but thanks to Marco Barbieri, his team at M-Theory Audio and the extensive archive of founding member Andre Hartoonian, we were able to go above and beyond our expectations on this re-release for thrash fans everywhere! Amass the insurrection!”
“State of Insurgency” – originally released by OSM Records – was powered by the shredding double-guitar assault of Ronny Dorian and James Lopez, the precise drumming of Cruz and the dextrous bass and searing vocals of Hartoonian. The album – produced by Dave Swanson (Carnifex, Riot V), and featuring cover art from iconic metal artist Ed Repka (Megadeth, Death) – was hailed by Blabbermouth for being “well-written, molten thrash metal… heartfelt and proudly old-school… jam-packed with great riffs.” HEXEN supported the album’s release via touring alongside fellow new-school thrashers such as Rattlehead and Mantic Ritual. Check out the band’s self-produced 2008 music video for the title track HERE.
M-Theory Audio’s reissue of “State of Insurgency” includes new liner notes and never-before-seen photos from the archive of Hartoonian. He adds, “The most important part of this entire project for me was how the vinyl would sound. I am SO glad to say that we lucked out. I’ve not been able to stop listening to the LP test pressings because our album has never sounded so good. EVERYTHING has been improved in the new vinyl remaster. Better instrument separation. Better vocal presence, allowing the riffs to be better heard now without anything being buried. You can actually clearly hear the bass guitar now! The kick drums have a bassy boom to them now, and parts where you couldn’t exactly hear the riffs underneath the vocals, you can hear them all clearly now the entire time. Everything has improved. Vinyl-heads are gonna eat this shit up!”
More information on HEXEN and “State of Insurgency” will be unveiled in the weeks to come by M-Theory Audio.
That’s my LitaFord VIP 2020 lanyard! Unfortunately, I didn’t meet and greet this super legendary lady of Heavy Metal; nor did I attend her show. For that matter, I don’t believe Lita Ford performed too many concerts back in 2020, due to the Covid pandemic.
I purchased this nifty lanyard from the Lita Ford official website for ten greenbacks. Shipping was really cheap too. Yup. I really like to collect diverse band merch and this lanyard is no exception. Thanks for checking it out – Stone.
New Orleans sludge metal behemoths CROWBAR will support Sepultura and SacredReich on their long-anticipated tour next Spring. Initially scheduled as a 2020 run, the North America Quadra Tour 2022 kicks off March 4th in Sacramento, California and makes its way through a month’s worth of shows, ending on April 9th in Berkeley California. Additional support will be provided by Art Of Shock. All tickets previously purchased for the 2020 dates, will be honored.
CROWBAR recently announced a short stretch of shows supporting Municipal Waste this Fall. The ten-date US journey will commence November 13th in Indianapolis, Indiana and features additional support from Skeletal Remains and Dead Heat. Tickets for all events are on sale now!
Jeff Diehl, AKA “The Nitto Surfer” & StephenPearcy have a long history of working together. If you watched Stephen Pearcy’s Rockumentary, “NOTHING TO LOSE”, you will have heard the stories of Stephen having worked in the pits with Walt Rhodes at an early age in hopes of pursuing his NHRA dreams as a future Funny Car Driver. Life took a turn and Stephen ended up on the music industry but his NRHA dreams are very much a reality in his life as he is a Proud sponsor and has been a presence on the raceway circuit for decades.
This weekend, Stephen will be at the Autoclub Raceway in Pomona to support his friend, Jeff Diehl “The Nitro Surfer” as he hits the Drag Strip in true Bad Ass style!!
Mighty Los Angeles-born, guitar-driven, heavy metal icons, ALCATRAZZ, announce the release of their fifth studio album, aptly titled V, which is set for release via Silver Lining Music on October 15th, 2021.
In advance of the release of V, ALCATRAZZ today unveils new single/video, “Sword Of Deliverance,” and as far as lead statements go, it’s one hell of a reminder that when ALCATRAZZ is firing on all cylinders with all guns blazing, they are a vital part of any metalhead’s day. And there is little doubt that ALCATRAZZ 2021, featuring Doogie White on vocals, founding members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea on keyboards and bass respectively, Mark Benquechea on drums, and Joe Stump on guitar, are the chemistry causing the musical fire.
“‘Sword Of Deliverance’ is a mighty, metal monument,” affirms White, “a call to arms for the ALCATRAZZ collective. Loud, proud, and ready!”
View “Sword Of Deliverance,” now playing at THIS LOCATION.
Formed in 1983, ALCATRAZZ became famous for its blend of melodic and progressive rock and for introducing guitar heroes Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Emerging in 1983 with No Parole From Rock ‘N’ Roll, which featured the hit “Island In The Sun,” the band continued building popularity in 1985 with their sophomore effort, Disturbing The Peace, which contained the hit, “God Blessed Video.” The band issued one more studio LP, 1986’s Dangerous Games, before ceasing operations the following year. The band regrouped and released highly acclaimed Born Innocent in 2020, their first studio album containing all-new material since 1986.
While Born Innocent was a smart and strong return to the studio, there is a synergy and crackle about V which shows a band both in lockstep with each other and back in love with the writing process. “We all are very happy with the new album. We were all on the same page about the direction and what we were trying to accomplish,” notes Waldo. “We had over twenty songs to pick from. It was tough; we liked them all. That’s very unusual for a band. I think this album sounds like the natural progression from No Parole, only heavier.”
Both vintage and timeless, V treads the ALCATRAZZ textured territories of old but with renewed vigor and verve. Whether it be the choral-echoes sitting inside the storming tempest which is “Nightwatch,” the staunch, speedy melodic metal of “Turn Of The Wheel,” or the thick, bluesy chug of “House Of Lies,” there is little doubt that this ALCATRAZZ is going full-tilt with not one ounce of a shackle holding them back. In that regard, White’s supreme vocal work on all twelves tracks serves as the catalyst for their creative synergy and his supremely positive energy brings the band closer than it has been since, well, 1986!
“The addition of Doogie is a natural transition for the ALCATRAZZ legacy,” states Shea. “He is a hard-working professional who loves to sing and doesn’t shy away from deadlines. His long list of career achievements is the perfect fit for us as we have been leading parallel lives all these years creating music. I am looking forward to bringing this new powerful line-up on the road.”
Over the course of three-plus decade career, the Scottish-born White is undoubtably one of the finest vocalists in hard rock, having fronted Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen’s Rising Force, Tank, and Michael Schenker. It is therefore no surprise to hear him dovetail so easily with ALCATRAZZ, indeed, it feels like the most natural of career progressions.
There is little doubt that besides the work of White, much is going to be quite rightly said about the scintillating performance of Joe Stump throughout V, and it feels as though he’s truly found his place alongside previous ALCATRAZZ guitar gods, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. Every riff is supremely sharp and every solo carries with it platinum sovereignty, whether engaging in the shred or delivering a more nuanced lead break.
“I really enjoy playing with Joe; he’s not only a great player but a great writer as well,” enthuses Waldo. “He’s really fun to tour and work with. He plays with tons of energy live, kind of the ‘take no prisoners’ vibe.”
Produced by Giles Lavery and Jimmy Waldo, and mixed by Andy Haller (Elton John, Joe Cocker, System Of A Down), V also includes guest appearances from Saxon’s Nigel Glockler (drums on “Guardian Angel” and “Blackheart”), Tank’s Cliff Evans (bass on “Grace Of God”), and Donnie Van Stavern of Riot (bass on “Guardian Angel,” “Nightwatch,” and “Target”), underscoring how perennially popular ALCATRAZZ’s music remains with their peers. V stands for ALCATRAZZ’s fifth studio album of course… but it also stands just as resolutely for Victory; the victory that sees ALCATRAZZ 2021 stronger than ever despite all the odds.
The legendary masters of NOLA sludge, CROWBAR, will return to the stage this November supporting MunicipalWaste. The ten-date US journey will commence November 13th in Indianapolis, Indiana and come to a close November 23rd in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Additional support will be provided by Skeletal Remains and Dead Heat. Comments the band, “We are so excited to get back on the road! This pandemic has been horrible for so many people and has affected their lives tremendously. We just feel blessed to be able to play some music for our fans again.” Tickets are on sale NOW! See all confirmed dates below.
CROWBAR w/ Municipal Waste, Skeletal Remains, Dead Heat:
11/13/2021 Emerson Theater – Indianapolis, IN [tickets]
For nearly three decades, the name CROWBAR has been synonymous with the word “HEAVY.” Since rising ominously from the swamplands of New Orleans in 1990, they’ve been hailed internationally as one of the world’s foremost purveyors of crushing, melodic sludge. The band’s most recent release, The Serpent Only Lies, issued in 2016 via Entertainment One (eOne) in North America and SPV overseas, is both an affirmation of the group’s staying power and a nod to their legacy. It’s an album that stands toe-to-toe with those early CROWBAR classics while maintaining the lumbering hooks of mid-period standouts like 1998’s Odd Fellows Rest and 2000’s Equilibrium.
Wrote Metal Injection, “With CROWBAR being part of the great foundation that makes sludge metal, The Serpent Only Lies encompasses so much of the sound we love of sludge, while finding itself in a place where it is at once heavy, but has room for opportunity.” Added Blabbermouth, “Windstein was born to write crushing riffs. He continues to churn out riffs that will likely make two Hessians driving around blasting the album simultaneously look at one another in acknowledgment of ‘that riff!’ Which one? Those amazing riffs are peppered throughout the album…”
Already listed among the most anticipated records of 2021 by esteemed metal outlets like Revolver, Decibel, BrooklynVegan, MetalSucks, and so many others, CROWBAR’s forthcoming new full-length promises a sonic bone crush like no other. Stay tuned.
That’s my AC/DC bottle opener/keychain. I don’t have a clue as to how I obtained it. It’s just one of those mystery items that you come across while clearing out boxes of stuff. I’m happy I found it, I will say.
The box I found this in I had not opened in over (at least) 8 years. I’ve been to a couple of AC/DC concerts many, many years ago; yet I don’t believe I bought any merch at those shows. Who knows, it was so long ago. I was probably lit anyways. Thanks for checking it out and… “have a drink on me!”
Siberian metal collective MILLSTONE is set to release its newest album, Isle.
The album falls under the groove\death-metal umbrella, with melodic solos, varied rhythms and a “wall-of-sound” density. Each of the 9 tracks carries its own unique mood; from acoustic sketches to bottom-heavy Meshuggah-esque passages, along with a lethal dose of straightforward classic thrash.
Isle was written by MILLSTONE mastermind Ivan Scherbakov and produced by Vladimir Lehtinen (Second To Sun, Ultar, Grima, etc.), Isle is a concept album based on sci-fi novel “The Inhabited Island” (Arkady and Boris Strugatsky).
Stream album track “Turned Inside Out” now at this location.
Rising U.S. Heavy Metal force SLEEPLESS have released a lyric video for “Host Desecration,” a track from forthcoming debut EP Blood Libel. Check it out at youtu.be/MLp2iRNulEo
Original members of 80’s death metal pioneers Dead Conspiracy, Eric Dorsett and Eric Detablan have joined forces with their old friend, guitarist, singer and production machine Kevin Hahn to form SLEEPLESS. Classic, scorching Heavy Metal pulses through debut EP Blood Libel, which will be released on March 12 via Necromantic PressRecords.
Heavy metal inspired by an internal need to slam accepted dogma and to shed light on a dark past that is largely forgotten, Blood Libel is the genuine article! Metal, thrash, melody, and at times, depressive introspection, add up to a memorable gut-punch of an EP.
“The trick is that they are meant to be a traditional heavy metal act, but the death metal history makes its way into the actual music itself, thus creating something that could be heavy/death metal? Blood Libel is a quick taste of something stellar in the making.”
– Sleeping Village Reviews
“A classic heavy metal EP, influenced by a determination to bring dark history into the light and change perspectives, in the process. Combining melodic thrash with bleak contemplation, ‘BL’ packs a punch.”
On March 12th, 2021, the new studio album from Rob Zombie releases via Nuclear Blast. Titled The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, this will be the seventh full-length album from Rob Zombie.
It’s been five years since we’ve seen a new studio album from Rob Zombie, with his last releasing back in April of 2016, titled: The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser.
Track Listing:
Expanding the Head of Zed
The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
The Ballad of Sleazy Rider
Hovering Over the Dull Earth
Shadow of the Cemetery Man
A Brief Static Hum and Then the Radio Blared
18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks and a One-Way Ticket On the Ghost Train
The last time I saw War Curselive it was at Oddbody’s in Dayton, Ohio and they lit the place up! Of course that was before the Covid nightmare; I figure it was four years ago or so. Regardless, I am chomping at the bit to see War Curse live again many more times.
War Curse originate from Cincinnati, Ohio and could have fit in rather appropriately during the golden age of Thrash. I’m not bullshitting you. I experienced that beginning era of Thrash Metal (in the pits) and I take my Thrash seriously. War Curse has had some lineup changes since their 2015 debut release Final Days and are currently preparing for their 2021 live dates.
Since the release of Final Days, War Curse have released a full-length studio album in 2019 titled: Eradication. If you want to sink your Metal battered brain into Final Days then you have my Metal blessings. I bought Final Days on cassette from the merch table at the War Curse show. Needless to say, I have played this cassette so often it feels like an appendage. I have a cassette player built into my 21 year old car, just in case you were wondering.
Above: my War Curse Final Days cassette
The vocalist for War Curse on this debut is Tarek Puska and he manifests all of the brawn and dominance I look for in a Metal voice. War Curse doesn’t try to be like any other Thrash band; however they do a dynamite undertaking of being, well, War Curse. Guitarists JoshuaMurphy and Justin Roth are a formidable duo and a blast to get into. Damn good stuff. Eric Payne on bass and James Goetz on drums lay down the rhythmic foundation on Final Days.
The songs on Final Days are lyrically pissed-off and find their footing to be 100% relevant in this dreadful year of 2020. Find it, buy it, borrow it, listen to it and whatever you do play this debut from War Curse extremely loud! Metal be thy name – Stone.
Above: my variant (and extremely limited) copy of War Curse Final Days, with different artwork and green cassette shell; track listing is the same.
Track listing:
Dawn Patrol, Blue Line of Injustice, Severed Crosses, Final Days, New Chemical Warfare, Drudge
WITHERFALL – Announced As Special Guest On Evergrey’s “Recharging Europe Tour 2021”
In support of their new album “Escape Of The Phoenix” via AFM Records on February 26th 2021 Swedish progressive metal band EVERGREY will be hitting the road for an extensive tour throughout Europe in 2021.
As special guest EVERGREY invited no less than dark melodic heavy metal juggernaut from Los Angeles WITHERFALL. Bringing along their third opus “Curse Of Autumn” (to be released March 5th, 2021 via Century Media Records), the quintet are blazing new trails and weaving new tales, offering a genuine metal classic with an expressive song-writing and a refined and perfectionized sound of their distinguished and musically-adept dark melodic heavy metal.
Opening support comes from the Modern Metal quintet DUST IN MIND, one of the most up and coming French bands today.
(Witherfall photo by: Stephanie Cabral)
EVERGREY Front-man Tom Englund states: “We are really happy to announce a tour of Europe next fall and let’s all hope that the world is in a better place by that time so we get to see all you lovely people again!“
WITHERFALL comment: “After a long and tense year WITHERFALL are extremely happy to announce the very first tour dates in support of our soon to be released Album ‘Curse of Autumn’ as special guests with the brilliant Evergrey. We look forward to seeing all of our European friends and are excited to make some new ones in these new and uncharted waters.”
“Curse Of Autumn” will be available as Ltd. CD Digipak, a luxurious Gatefold 2LP that is coming with a poster and etching on Side D as well as Digital Album. Click here for preorder options including coloured vinyl: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/CurseOfAutumn/
WITHERFALL have already released 3 songs taken from “Curse Of Autumn”. Don’t miss the cinematic video for “As I Lie Awake” that was directed by Zev Deans (Ghost, Behemoth…): https://youtu.be/KFbrq-n17Gs
WITHERFALL are:
Joseph Michael – Vocals/Keyboards (also in Sanctuary)
Jake Dreyer – Acoustic and Electric Guitars (also in Iced Earth/Demons & Wizards)
Anthony Crawford – Bass (Chon, Shalmor, Allan Holdsworth, Justin Timberlake, Kirk Whalum…)
Marco Minnemann – Drums (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson, Tony Levin, Jordan Rudess, Necrophagist…)
Los Angeles, CA – Guitar-shredding virtuoso George Lynch has reteamed with former Dokken bandmate Jeff Pilson for a set of new studio recordings that turn pop music classics into powerful metal anthems! The two have previously made metal magic together as a duo on the 2003 album Wicked Underground, which was recently reissued on vinyl, as well as with other projects such as T&N and The End Machine. But this new batch of recordings, entitled appropriately enough Heavy Hitters, stands apart not only for its outstanding roster of players and vocalists including head Bulletboy Marq Torien, Fishbone’s Angelo Moore, Kansas native Wil Martin (Earshot) and drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake/Ozzy) but for the jaw-dropping song selection. If you’ve ever wondered what an amped-up, full-throttle version of Carole King’s “I Feel The Earth Move” or Prince’s “Kiss” or Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova” or Madonna’s “Music,” then this is the album for you!
As a special treat, the band has released the first single from the album – a powerful rendition of Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” – featuring Martin on vocals, offering just a small taste of what’s in store.
As Lynch himself explains, “I was never a huge Duran Duran fan but I always loved this song. It was just so majestic and emotional. It was an honor and a challenge to cover it in that we had to thread the needle between respecting the original vision of the arrangement but putting our stamp on it as well.”
Pilson, meanwhile, says “The purpose of this whole record, besides having a lot of fun making it, was to take amazing hit songs and interpret them in a way that was true to the greatness of the original but that also brought something new and fresh to the song. ‘Ordinary World’ is such a great melodic and emotional song, a song I think George and I have always loved. We just wanted to add some heaviness, a little George Lynch soulful playing and then let Wil fly with that phenomenal voice.”
Heavy Hitters will be available on both CD in a deluxe digipak and on limited edition colored vinyl starting December 18, courtesy of Deadline Music, a subsidiary of Cleopatra Records, Inc.!
Track List:
1. One Of Us (Originally by Joan Osbourne)
2. You Got The Love (Originally by Rufus & Chaka Khan)
3. I Feel The Earth (Originally by Carole King)
4. Ordinary World (Originally by Duran Duran)
5. Music (Originally by Madonna)
6. Apologize (Originally by OneRepublic & Timbaland)
7. Nowhere To Run (Originally by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas)
8. Kiss (Originally by Prince)
9. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (Originally by R.E.M.)
10. Champagne Supernova (Originally by Oasis) BONUS TRACK [CD ONLY]
11. Lucille (Originally by Little Richard)
Source: Glass Onyon PR
LONG LIVE GEORGE LYNCH, JEFF PILSON And MARQ TORIEN.
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA/SAVATAGE AND FORMER METAL CHURCH DRUMMER JEFF PLATE LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT ALTA REIGN
Jeff Plate has joined forces with TSO keyboardist Jane Mangini and some amazing new talent to form his “years in the making” band Alta Reign. Plate and Mangini, along with Tommy Cook (guitars/lead vocals), Collin Holloway (guitars/lead vocals), Kevin McCarthy (bass, vocals) and Zach Hamilton (keyboards, guitars/vocals), will be releasing Alta Reign’s debut album Mother’s Day on January 8, 2021 via Rat Pak Records. The album is a reflection of dedication as the initial idea spawned 30 years ago and ended in 2020 with the album now being released in 2021.
States drummer Jeff Plate, “Beginning in a rehearsal room in Rockland, Ma. 30 years ago and ending in this insane year of 2020, “Mother’s Day” is the end result of years of writing, listening, learning, planning and waiting for the right moment to put this all together. Everyone involved has been the perfect combination of effort and talent to complete the ideas and songs that have been kicking around in my head for years. I could not be prouder to share this album with the world, this is Alta Reign.”
From the album’s opening riffs of “Shine” to the majestic “Mother’s Day”, the reflective mood of “Always” and the mindful closer “Rise”, Alta Reign has created something very different and original. Drawing from his history, his influences and his heroes, Plate has combined Melodic, Progressive, Hard Rock and straight up Metal to create a unique landscape for the listener. Other TSO brethren make an appearance on Mother’s Day as guitarist Joel Hoekstra can be heard on the title track and guitarist Chris Caffery shows up on “Rise”. Songs like “Thin Red Line”, the frenetic instrumental “ESC (Escape)” and “Let’s Go! (I’m In Charge Now)” present every indication that the talent of these musicians is limitless.
“I have known Jeff for 20 years through the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I had the honor of playing with him on ‘Beethoven’s Last Night’ Tour in 2010. The most fun I had on that tour was soundcheck, actually his soundcheck. He would play the coolest riffs and I probably annoyed him playing along, but I always thought how great it would be to put something together with him. Ten years later I got a call and I’m pretty sure I said yes before he even finished asking me. I’m so very happy that I fit in”, explains keyboardist Jane Mangini.
01. Shine 02. Witness 03. Thin Red Line 04. Never Say Never 05. Mother’s Day (FT Joel Hoekstra) 06. ESC (Escape) 07. Come Out and Play 08. Let’s Go! (I’m In Charge Now) 09. Always 10. Immortal 11. Passage 12. Rise (FT Chris Caffery) 13. Always (Acoustic Version) (Bonus Track)
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