After touring Australia and Japan as well as kicking off this year’s festival season by introducing new bassist Peter Baltes last month, U.D.O. — the iconic heavy metal five-piece led by legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider — today announces their massive, thirteen-track album, Touchdown, set for release late this Summer through Atomic Fire Records.
The band has been very productive recording at various locations in between live activities throughout the year. Crafted with producer and mixing engineer Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer at Redhead Studio (Wilhelmshaven, Germany) and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio (Solingen, Germany), with bass tracks recorded by Baltes, Touchdown is scheduled to land in the end zone of the heavy metal world on August 25th. The record includes a guest appearance by violinist Stefan Pintev on the closing track. Artwork was provided by Martin Häusler who is also responsible for shooting band photos in support of the new album campaign.
First single, “Forever Free,” as well as album preorder options will become available on Friday, June 23rd. Presave “Forever Free” now at: udo.afr.link/foreverfreePR.
Touchdown – Track Listing:
Isolation Man
The Flood
The Double Dealer’s Club
Fight For The Right
Forever Free
Punchline
Sad Man’s Show
The Betrayer
Heroes Of Freedom
Better Start To Run
The Battle Understood
Living Hell
Touchdown
View Udo Dirkschneider’s videos for “We Will Rock You” HERE and “Kein Zurück,” where he sings in his native language for the first time ever, HERE.
U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER: Udo Dirkschneider – vocals Andrey Smirnov – guitar Sven Dirkschneider – drums Fabian Dee Dammers – guitar Peter Baltes – bass
MODERN MIMES, the alternative heavy rock outfit from South Florida, have unleashed their new single “Heavy Heart”. Following their latest single “Down and Dead”, “Heavy Heart” ventures into darker realms. Heavy distortion, dynamic electronics and stunning vocals combine to create a thrilling and powerful offering.
About MODERN MIMES: MODERN MIMES began as a duo in 2016 with Arianie and Ernesto blending styles of PORTISHEAD, NINE INCH NAILs, SEVENDUST, and LACUNA COIL. The duo performed locally in their hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and landed the Riptide Music Festival alongside WEEZER, SILVERSUN PICKUPS and many more. It was in 2018 that they were joined by drummer Justin Perez from New Orleans, Louisiana, and became the three-piece they are today.
Perfect in time for a hot summer, on July 14, 2023, power metal act WINTERSTORM will release their upcoming, fifth studio album, entitled “Everfrost”, via AFM Records. It’s their first offering since 2016.
As the “Winter” stands for nordic viking and folk metal, the “Storm” for fast-paced power metal, combined with epic and orchestral metal facettes, WINTERSTORM shines in a new splendor as first album single releases have already proved. Following “To The End Of All Known” and just recently, a music video for their latest single “Future Times”, today, WINTERSTORM are proudly presenting us “The Phoenix Died (Remember)!
Watch the new WINTERSTORM video for “The Phoenix Died (Remember)” HERE
‘Remember’ reminds us that we should remember our past in order to learn for the future,” the band comments. “The text urges us to use our resources responsibly and to provide for future generations. In this context, one could also think of the sinking of Atlantis.”
It’s the melodic grandeur, that clearly marks the foreground of WINTERSTORM, reflected in heavily catchy choruses and colossal, polyphonic vocals. Striking elements of different metal styles merge with each other and get a completely new impression, that WINTERSTORM’s forthcoming record may be their most versatile and powerful album to date; one that does not have to hide behind proved genre colleagues such as Blind Guardian or Rhapsody Of Fire.
“Everfrost” will be coming out as CD Digipak, limited clear blue Vinyl and Boxset on July 14, 2023 via AFM Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Back – Jesse Briggs (Drums), Middle (L to R) – Jackson Landry (Guitar), Jordan Fournier (Guitar), Front – Chris Lee (Bass) Photo Credit: Bryan Otter
Tour Dates w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives
Diner Drugs is a four-piece stoner metal punk crew, born out of a desire to defeat the boredom of east coast living. Diner Drugs is fast, loud and are always keen to turn up the heat with catchy choruses and deep vocal harmonies while sticking to their deep stoner metal roots. They are ready to hit the road this spring and have a flashy new single “This War” coming out to get fans excited. The single is the first look at a new EP that will be coming out this year. The band explains in detail:
“This is the first single off of our latest EP titled “42”. We are proud of this loud and driving track, complete with catchy choruses and an epic, heavy ending. This song features powerful vocals, with lyrics warning about the dangers of assuming things will work out for the best, without cautiously preparing for the worst. So much hard work from so many people went into this, it’s loud and fast and we hope everyone digs it.”
The tour this spring will take Diner Drugs all over the east coast of Canada. With relaxed attitudes and groovy riffs, they enjoy bringing fun metal to people and enticing them to headbang. Loud and energetic is their goal, and their lyrics come from both personal experience and witnessing the experiences of others. They live in a have-not town, so they are more than familiar with hard times. They draw from these troubles for inspiration and hope to maybe help anyone stuck in these situations feel a little less alone in their battles.
It’s loud, fast, meaningful metal, and according to the band the song means a lot more to them this time around and they feel it reflects in the upcoming record. They are recommended for fans of Cancer Bats, Dead Quiet, and Mokomakai.
The EP “42” is due out via BatSkull Records later this year.
Tour Dates: May 12 – St. John’s, NL – The Deck May 13 – St. John’s, NL – The Abbey (All Ages) May 13 – St. John’s, NL – The Deck May 24 – Charlottetown, PEI – Trailside w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 25 – Moncton, NB – Xeroz w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 26 – Halifax, NS – The Seahorse w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives May 27 – Sydney, NS – Curling Club w/ Cancer Bats, Thousand Knives
International heavy metal act BAD AS have signed the worldwide deal with Wormholedeath Records/Warner for the release of their upcoming album “Fight The Demons”.
The band members are thrilled about the collaboration and have expressed their excitement about the new album, which promises to be an outstanding work of art. “Fight The Demons” contains 11 catchy rock/metal songs that will leave fans wanting more.
BAD AS is known for their ability to cross over different genres, combining hard rock, metal, and prog to create a unique sound that sets them apart from other bands. The collaboration of the singer John Jeff Touch with Alberto Rigoni and the rest of the band has given a new vibe and modern sensation to the band while maintaining the power and aggressiveness of their previous albums.
“We are excited to be signing with Wormholedeath Records/Warner for the release of our upcoming album ‘Fight The Demons’,” said the band in a statement. “We are proud of the new direction we’ve taken with this album and can’t wait to share it with our fans.”
“Fight The Demons” tracklist:
1. Fear 2. You Better Run 3. The War is On 4. Fight The Demons 5. Nemesis 6. Where Did The Love Go 7. Inside A Dream 8. Awake 9. As I Walk Away 10. The Answer 11. Free
BAD AS was formed in 2016 by world-renowned musicians, including rock vocalist Titta Tani, metal bassist Alberto Rigoni, guitarist Alessio “Lex” Tricarico, and drummer Denis “Denzy” Novello. Since then, they have released three albums and have caught the attention of journalists and promoters alike.
A special mention goes to the musical career of bassist Alberto Rigoni, who is also a composer and producer, worldwide known for his work as a solo artist and as a member of various metal bands such as Natural Born Machine, TwinSpirits, and Vivaldi Metal Project. He has released 12 solo albums spanning from progressive rock to fusion, featuring collaborations with notable musicians such as Jeff Scott Soto, Jordan Rudess, Marco Minnemann, etc. In addition, he has played live with various artists and recorded for international artists.
With the addition of new members, John Jeff Touch (winner of various European Artists Awards and collaborations with bands such as Deep Purple, VISION, S.I.N., COSMICRAY, Sanny X, etc) as new vocalist, and Marco Andreetto as the new drummer, BAD AS is ready to take their music to the next level. Their future plans include playing their music live to bigger audiences and festivals after the release of their new album.
“We are looking forward to hitting the road and playing our music for our fans,” said the band. “We hope to see you all out there.”
Line-up: John Jeff Touch – vocals Alberto Rigoni – bass Alessio ‘Lex’ Tricarico – guitar Marco Andreetto – drums
Earlier Releases: Crucified Society – Album, Released: March 17 2020 via SlipTrick Records, Mixed and Mastered by: Michele Guaitioli Midnight Curse – Album, Released: November 30th 2019 via RockShot Record, Mixed and Mastered by: Alberto Rigoni More Pain, More Gain – Album, Released: April 15th 2016 via Lion Music, Mixed and Mastered by: Federico Solazzo
Australian hard rockers BIG RED FIRE TRUCK have released their new single “Love Bite“. The song is from their upcoming EP Trouble InParadisewhich is out on August 4th, 2023.
The band comments: ” ‘Love Bite’ is a personal reflection of my experiences in the music industry and its comparison to the highs and lows of a place like Vegas. It’s easy to get caught up in the glittering facade of success and become fixated on the idea of making it big. I read an article recently that helped me come to realise that the industry is in fact a lot like a casino – a few win big, a few even win small and those that don’t are kicked to the curb and left to fend for themselves. This song is a reminder to myself and others to enjoy the journey, no matter what the outcome may be.”
About BIG RED FIRE TRUCK: BIG RED FIRE TRUCK began in 2016 as a project by Digby to write some fun heavy metal and hard rock songs and fulfil his need to hear new music in the style of his beloved bands. Taking inspiration from the likes of VAN HALEN, RECKLESS LOVE, THE DARKNESS, AEROSMITH, SUM 41, and CRAZY LIXX, the quartet pay homage to previous generations of hard rock while delivering their own distinctive character.
BIG RED FIRE TRUCK Are: Digby (Guitar and Lead Vocals) Ben Frank (Guitar) Pete Grant (Drums and Vocals) Nick Frazier (Bass)
Following their much acclaimed, self-titled 2017-debut, June 30, 2023 sees Australian heavy metal force NIGHT LEGION release their sophomore studio album, entitled “Fight Or Fall” via Massacre Records!
As first album single, “The Hounds Of Baskerville”, immediatly proves, “Fight Or Fall” is a no-nonsense return to fast and powerful heavy metal with screaming vocals, crushing guitars and hooks that remind you what great songwriting sounds like. This record is not a happy walk through a forest of elves – this is the battlefield where metal lives and soaring vocals invoke the spirits of what made metal the force it is today!
Give ear, a music video for NIGHT LEGION‘s new single is now streaming HERE!
“A classic horror inspired track slightly based around the Sherlock Holmes’ “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, however with a much more dark and brutal twist and in our own way,“ the band reveals. “It centralizes to a small town being terrorized by the local werewolves, with descriptive references.
Some people believe it, some people don’t and think it’s a legend we have devised ourselves until they themselves face the terror & wrath. The wolves in this case also represent the 5 of us – we are about to unleash a new record and we have the hunger to unleash on the live circuit!
It’s also inspired by how humanity’s own state of madness can conjure up such evil for the reason to terrorize, deceive and always live in fear. The reference to the chorus “Chase the hounds of Baskerville” really comes from how we as humans are intrigued to learn more about the mysteries of the world and anything that scares us. It’s a pretty bold, in your face, massive memorable chorus – it’s the run to the hills of the album, I’d say, hence being the first single.
It’s a heart stopper vocally & Stu’s guitar work adds another dimension – this song will play a movie in the listeners head.”
“Fight Or Fall” was produced by NIGHT LEGION guitarist Stu Marshall, and was mixed and mastered by Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios. Set to be released on June 30, 2023, the album pre-sale has just started via Massacre Records at THIS LOCATION!
“Fight Or Fall” track listing:
The Hounds Of Baskerville
Babylon Burns
Soaring Into The Black
Fight Or Fall
At World’s End
Beyond The Crimson Dawn
Harvest Of Sin
The Enemy
The Hand Of Death
NIGHT LEGION: Louie Gorgievski – Vocals Stu Marshall – Guitars Col Higginson – Guitars Glenn Williams – Bass Clay Tchakalian – Drums
While Swedish modern melodic metal outfit, dEMOTIONAL, is currently gearing up to reissue their latest, much acclaimed masterpiece album Scandinavian Aftermath, due out on May 26, 2023 via AFM Records. Today, the band has shared a brand new lyric video for the song “Boiling Point”: HERE
With four albums under their belt and following their recent, worldwide signing with AFM Records, the Hamburg-based powerhouse label is proud to present the band’s self-released 2021-offering, Scandinavian Aftermath, to a global audience. With over 15 million streams on Spotify alone and a constant listener base of 100k, various live shows, tours and radio airplays, dEMOTIONAL have aready proved to be one of the most exciting, up-and-coming bands of their genre and now they are ready more than ever to conquer the world!
The quintet from Gothenburg, that already became an anchor in the Swedish metal scene, has caused a stir with the release of their much-acclaimed debut album, STATE: IN DENIAL, in 2013. And they have not been slowing down since. Their second album TARASSIS got them a spot as main support on DEAD BY APRIL’s European tour and also their own headline shows around the world.
Scandinavian Aftermath will be reissued as a Deluxe Edition on May 26, 2023, visit the AFM Records shop at THIS LOCATION!
Scandinavian Aftermath – track listing:
Scandinavian Aftermath
Bärsärk
My Own Enemy
My Heart (Feat. Matt Guillory & Jenny Fagerstrand)
S.O.A.K
Cornered
All That I Knew
Young Wolves
Boiling Point
Typhoon
Northern Star
Fear Of Success
Don’t Wake Me Up
Close Yet Far
Lost in This City
Everbound
SINGLES/ VIDEOS: dEMOTIONAL – Boiling Point (2023) watch HERE dEMOTIONAL – Lost In This City watch HERE dEMOTIONAL – Bärsärk watch HERE dEMOTIONAL – Scandinavian Aftermath watch HERE
Lexington (KY) – The war machine known as Tombstalker stirs once again and lumbers forth to ravage the planet with new darkened hymns of chaos and bloodshed! New EP Age Of Darkness will be released on 12-inch vinyl, and cassette formats May 29 via Boris Records. The CD version will be released by Morbid AggressorProductions. Age of Darkness was recorded at Sneak Attack Studios.
Opening track “Astral Combat” is available now at the following locations:
Age Of Darkness showcases Tombstalker‘s maturity and evolved songwriting. Hark! On the eve of the band’s 15 year anniversary a new age of darkness dawns…
Now featuring a brand new lineup, including additional lead guitar, as well as a new drummer, Tombstalker is more vicious than ever and poised to show the world the meaning of hammer-crushing death once again.
Tombstalker will launch the ’15 Years of Carnage and Chaos Tour’ in June (scroll to the bottom for tour poster). Dates are as follows:
June 5 – Lexington, KY June 7 – Indianapolis, IN June 8 – Cincinnati, OH June 9 – Louisville, KY June 10 – Atlanta, GA
BIO: Tombstalker’s story began in 2008 in Lexington, KY when several of the founding members were still teenagers. Throughout their early days as a band they released several demos, EPs, and eventually a debut full-length in 2015. During this time they scoured the American underground circuit setting out on multiple nationwide tours as well as festival appearances cementing themselves as true warriors.
Stylistically, they forged a distinctive sound heavily steeped in Scandinavian style black death as well as d-beat crust punk; not a common combination found on American soil thus setting them apart from their peers in many respects.
Around 2017, Tombstalker entered an extended hiatus with zero activity due to lineup complications. Much doubt would be cast in the coming years as to whether they would return. That doubt has been exstinguished with Age ofDarkness.
Earthshine is the second single to be released from the upcoming new album Between The Day & I of modern post-metal outfit ATLASES, which will be released on June 2nd via Lifeforce Records.
“Take the walk through a mysterious and ethereal path through the occasional fragile sides of one’s burden – which lie amidst the inner mixture within, consisting of clarity and chaos
The fact that ATLASES from Finland sound different has its reasons. Besides the “normal instrumentation” of a metal band, the musicians from Pori also work with electronic drum pads and keyboards. Both are not just additional accessories, but an integral part of the musical self-image of this Nordic group. In addition, there is the creative demand to go further aesthetically and sonically than is usual in modern post-metal. In the cinematic soundscapes ATLASES are creating you can lose yourself completely.
The third album “Between The Day & I” pushes this approach to the extreme. The dualism of beautiful, atmospheric euphony and abrupt brute force works fantastically and provides lasting impressions. The sextet from Pori sets tension arcs time and again, which lead deeper and deeper into a maelstrom of rapture, melancholy and emotional discharge. On the follow-up to their 2020 LIFEFORCE RECORDS debut, “Woe Portrait”, ATLASES present themselves as resourceful songwriters who cultivate powerful contrasts beyond the usual conventions of post-metal and thus stand out.
With “Between The Day & I”, the Finns prove that modern post-metal can still be developed further, if the right attitude and the necessary daring meet forward-thinking creativity and an elevated level of ambition.
The fact that the cover motif of the new ATLASES album evokes associations in the direction of the MASTODON classic “Remission” or “White Pony” of the mighty DEFTONES is a coincidence, but on closer reflection it fits pretty well.
Eyelids of the New Dawn 4:35 Singulars 3:30 Silent Threads 4:11 Earthshine 4:51 Mosaic of Silence 4:14 Save Room 5:40 Intermission 1:59 Versus 2:41 Imperial Dark 3:33 Ties to Distance 7:11
Forty-five years young, British hard rock royalty GIRLSCHOOL comes out swinging with their fourteenth studio album, WTFortyfive?, a deliciously dirty declaration that age is a number that shows how much real raw attitude you have when it really counts. WTFortyfive? is set for release on July 28th via Silver Lining Music.
Lead single “Are You Ready?” sets the pace; a racy, raunchy, fun-saturated shapeshifter co-written with Alcatrazz’s Joe Stump that shows GIRLSCHOOL’s leathers may still carry the well-baked battle scars of decades past, but their songs and attitude are as fresh, fun, heavy, and catchy as ever before.
As a nod to their fellow partners in crime, GIRLSCHOOL today reveals the animated video for “Are You Ready?,” the video sequel to Alcatrazz’s “Don’t Get Mad… Get Even” (feat. GIRLSCHOOL)” taken from the upcoming Alcatrazz album Take No Prisoners (set for release May 19thvia Silver Lining Music). Both videos were created by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz.
Comments the band, “The first new GIRLSCHOOL music in nearly a decade! Powerful, heavy and with a great groove, this is the first single from our WTFortyfive? album! We think you’ll like it… Are you ready? We are!”
Watch GIRLSCHOOL’s video for “Are You Ready?” (feat. Joe Stump)” HERE.
Watch Alcatrazz’s video for “Don’t Get Mad… Get Even (feat. Girlschool)” HERE.
With WTFortyfive?, Kim McAuliffe (guitar/vocals), Denise Dufort (drums), Jackie Chambers (guitar/backing vocals), and Tracey Lamb (bass) leave the grit under their finger nails and the muck on their crusty leather boots as they riff and stomp their way through twelve statements of intent showing major attitude, some great melodies, and a consistent crunch to every guitar.
There’s the addictive mototörcharged scuzz of “It Is What It Is,” the Wandsworth via Sunset Strip sway of “Bump In The Night,” the youthful, punky romp of “Up To No Good,” and the smart, sassy, rock ‘n’ roll hooks of “Believing In You,” with McAuliffe’s vocals sounding as sharp and raucous as ever. And if that isn’t enough, their raunch roars and rolls alongside Biff Byford (Saxon), Phil Campbell (Motörhead), and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) on a cracking cover of “Born To Raise Hell!” So throw away your inhibitions and join these spectacularly wild women on the most glorious of rock ‘n’ roll rides. Lemmy knew, so should YOU!
WTFortyfive? will be released on 12” vinyl, digipak-CD, digital download and streaming and special D2C bundles. Preorder yours today at THIS LOCATION.
Additionally, head over to girlschool.tmstor.esfor a chance to win a GIRLSCHOOL WTFortyfive? custom made real leather jacket. T&Cs apply.
WTFortyfive? Track Listing:
It Is What It Is
Cold Dark Heart
Bump In The Night
Barmy Army
Invisible Killer
Believing In You
It’s A Mess
Into The Night
Are You Ready? (feat. Joe Stump)
Up To No Good
Party
Born To Raise Hell (feat. Biff Byford, Phil Campbell, Duff McKagan)
North American Tour With Moonspell To Commence Later This Month
“Watch as I rise. Reclaim my life. Under the darkest of skies. Scars will remain, signed by your name. Never forget, we’re the same.” ELEINE – “Never Forget” (2023)
Times are hard, we know. And while Tina Turner may have declared some time ago that, “we don’t need another hero,” the opposite seems to be true. We need heroes, we need anthems, we need perseverance. And fast! Luckily for us, ELEINE has heard the call with their newest single NeverForget.
Beginning with a heavy, thrashy riff which instantly drives the song forward and leads to a mighty chorus, the song is the perfect paradigm of the speed and epic vibe of their new album, WeShall Remain, set for release on July 14th via Atomic Fire Records.
The band comments, “Have you ever met someone who has scarred you? Made you doubt yourself? Maybe even made your life a living hell? We all have, in one way or another. But the most important part of experiencing something inevitable like this is to remember your own worth. It’s not about you, but you can evolve and learn from the situation itself.
“Rise up. Accept what has been. Move forward and cut the strings attached to anyone who really doesn’t give you anything else but a headache. In the end, we’re all facing the same fate. Make sure your life along the way has as less toxic people as possible and make sure you are in charge of your own life.”
Watch ELEINE’s visualizer for “Never Forget” at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track at THIS LOCATION.
Watch ELEINE’s previously released video for first single, “We Are Legion,” at THIS LOCATION.
We Shall Remain was written and produced by guitar player/vocalist Rikard Ekberg and lead vocalist Madeleine Liljestam while Thomas “Plec” Johansson took care of co-recording, mixing and mastering at The Panic Room Studio in Skövde, Sweden. Its fiery artwork was designed by Nestor Avalos (nestoravalosofficial.com) and Madeleine Liljestam.
We Shall Remain will be available as a digibook CD, digibook CD + signed photo card (limited edition; EMP & Sound Pollution excl.), jewel case CD, LP (Orange/White), and digitally.
Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Never Forget” and “We Are Legion” instantly at eleine.afr.link/weshallremainPR.
Besides recently welcoming long-time live bass player Filip Stålberg as a new permanent member, ELEINE will embark on their very first North American tour later this month. Accompanying legendary Portuguese dark metallers Moonspell on their 30th anniversary tour across the US and Canada, the band will play twenty-three shows from April 29th through May 23rd with additional support coming from Oceans Of Slumber and Vintersea on select dates. To help the group on their journey, visit THIS LOCATION. Find ELEINE’s full live itinerary below!
ELEINE w/ Moonspell, Oceans Of Slumber: 4/29/2023 The Monarch – Brooklyn, NY 4/30/2023 Warehouse On Watts – Philadelphia, PA 5/01/2023 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 5/02/2023 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 5/03/2023 Conduit – Orlando, FL 5/05/2023 Scout Bar – Houston, TX ** 5/06/2023 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX ** 5/07/2023 Trees – Dallas, TX ** 5/08/2023 Tumbleroot Brewing – Santa Fe, NM ** 5/09/2023 Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ ** 5/10/2023 1720 – Los Angeles, CA ** 5/11/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA ** 5/12/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA ** 5/13/2023 Bossanova Ballroom – Portland, OR ** 5/14/2023 The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC ** 5/16/2023 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 5/17/2023 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS 5/18/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL # 5/19/2023 Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN # 5/20/2023 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA # 5/21/2023 Petit Campus – Montreal, QC # 5/22/2023 Source De La Martiniere – Quebec, QC # 5/25/2023 Sonia – Boston, MA # End Tour 8/02/2023 MetalDays – Velenje, SL New 8/11/2023 Alcatraz Metal Festival – Kortrijk, BE ** = w/ Vintersea # = no Oceans Of Slumber
Don’t forget to subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “Never Forget” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
New Claymation Video For “No Survivors” ft. CARNIFEX’s Scott Ian Lewis
Blending black metal/horror theatrics with intense death metal style blast beats and shredding guitar along with brutal slamming breakdowns and catchy melodies, Toledo, OH symphonic deathcore band The Convalescence announces they will be hitting the road this June for the “One of The Dead Tour” with support from Knoxville, TN’s Summoner’s Circle and Raleigh, NC’s WoR. The tour will kick off with a hometown headlining show for The Convalescence at the Toledo Death Fest on June 3rd and see the tour wrap up on June 24th in Battle Creek, MI. (all dates listed below).
In additional news, The Convalescencehave unleashed their latest single “No Survivors” featuring Scott Ian Lewis of Carnifex with a Claymation music video, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/YQVSCu57aSs
Vocalist Keith Wampler details the single and the band’s plans for an upcoming album:
“The single is one of the hardest-hitting songs we’ve ever released. The lyrics and video were inspired by the Alien films, and having Scott doing some nasty guest vocals really helped give it the brutality we were looking for. We played it live throughout our recent European Tour and absolutely loved the energy it brings to the stage. We’re looking forward to this one being a part of our live show for many tours to come. This new album is basically like one big horror movie, song by song each one tells a story. Each one is brutal in its own way.”
The Convalescence expects the album will be received well by the fans, as they do their very best to step things up on each record. They worked with producer Jason Suecof on this one at Audiohammer Studios in Florida who has worked with most of their favorite bands (The Black Dahlia Murder, Carnifex, Deicide, Job For A Cowboy) and they were beyond stoked he was down to do the recording with them. In their opinion, they’ve created the heaviest The Convalescence album so far. The full-length was mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy) and is expected for release summer of 2023.
Filthy, brutal, and symphonic, The Convalescence is recommended for fans of Carnifex, The Black Dahlia Murder, and Chelsea Grin.
The Convalescence – “One of The Dead Tour” w/ Summoner’s Circle, WoR 6/03 – Toledo, OH @ Toledo Deathfest w/ Oceano 6/04 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place 6/05 – Providence, RI @ Alchemy 6/06 – Amityville, NY @ Amityville Music Hall 6/07 – Mechanicsburg, PA @ Lovedraft’s Brewing Co. 6/08 – Richmond, VA @ Another Round Bar & Grill 6/09 – Greenville, NC @ State Theatre 6/10 – Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero 6/12 – Sanford, FL @ West End Trading Co. 6/13 – Tampa, FL @ Brass Mug 6/14 – Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits 6/15 – Fort Walton Beach, FL @ Downtown Music Hall 6/16 – Houston, TX @ Acadia Bar & Grill 6/17 – San Antonio, TX @ Deco Ballroom 6/18 – Fort Worth, TX @ The Rail Club DFW 6/19 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live 6/20 – Tulsa, OK @ The Rabbit Hole 6/21 – Park Hills, MO @ Park Hills Underground 6/22 – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle Brewing 6/23 – Dayton, OH @ Oddbody’s Music Room 6/24 – Battle Creek, MI @ The Music Factory
April 17, 2023 – Better Lovers, a newly formed band featuring Greg Puciato, Jordan Buckley, Clayton “Goose” Holyoak, Stephen Micciche, and Will Putney, have released their debut single: “30 Under 13” via SharpTone Records.
The blistering, four-minute track, and accompanying Eric Richter directed video (https://youtu.be/TU-nwWuyKXc), serve as the perfect introduction to Better Lovers, a band whose music is as uncompromising, unapologetic, and undeniable as anything they’ve done individually.
“Looking back, I’m so happy everything got me to where I am,” explains Buckley. “The pandemic and the last few years made me hungrier and more grateful. This isn’t a hobby. This isn’t temporary. This is the next evolution for each of us. Greg and Will rejuvenated me and made me even more confident. Now, everybody needs to know we’re a wild animal that just broke out of the zoo—there’s no trying to put it back in the cage.”
“Jordan sent me some already finished instrumental tracks, and they hit me at just the right time,” adds Puciato. “Those tracks woke up a side of me that I thought was fully extinct but was merely evolving and changing. To my complete surprise there was still something left in that area to dig at, and the vessel for it made sense.”
“30 Under 13” digital single cover, featuring artwork by Donny Phillips
Putney, who had worked on the most recent Every Time I Die albums, and won a 2021 GRAMMY® Award for his production work on Body Count’s Carnivore, encapsulates the band’s thoughts: “It’s a group of loaded weapons all firing at full power ready for the next chapter of our music careers, and I can confidently say our collective best work is ahead of us.”
Tour dates are imminent.
Photo credit: James Hartley Better Lovers is Jordan Buckley (guitar), Clayton “Goose” Holyoak (drums), Stephen Micciche (bass), Greg Puciato (vocals), Will Putney (guitar).
On May the 2nd, ANCIENT SETTLERS will finally deliver their brand new EP “Transition”, with their new line-up, commanded by the Frontwoman Argen Death. Modern Melodic Death Metallers attack with a 4-Songs EP released by Crusader Recorda/Golden Robot Records in digital and physical format, recorded at Chromaticity Studios, and with some very relevant collaborations like Dalay Tarda from Rise To Fall.
The art-cover was designed by Jon Toussas (Septic Flesh, Suicidal Angels, Mors Principium Est, etc), and the album was mixed & mastered by Pedro Monge (Avalanch, Rise to Fall, etc).
Also, the band has announced their upcoming tour with 22 dates across Europe, including gigs in Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, The Netherlands. Luxembourg and Germany.
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Transition Europe Tour dates, remaining shows:
05/05/23 – Oviedo (Esp) – Sala Gong (Supporting Defacing God) 06/05/23 – Vigo (Esp) – Pub Transylvania (Supporting Defacing God) 07/05/23 – Vitoria (Esp) – Urban Rock Concept (Supporting Defacing God) 19/05/23 – Pamplona (Esp) – Krawill Hard Bar. 20/05/23 – Zaragoza (Esp) – Sala Utopía 31/08/23 – Toulouse (Fr) – L´Usine a Music. 01/09/23 – Amsterdam (NL) – The Cave 02/09/23 – Bree (Bel) – Metal Babes Festival. 06/09/23 – Brno (Cze) – M13 Rock Club 07/09/23 – Leipzig (Ger) – M.V.B. 08/09/23 – Milan (IT) – Headbangers Pub 09/09/23 – Marseille (Fr) – La Maison Hantée 16/09/23 – A Coruña (Esp) – Sala Filomatic. 07/10/23 – Aachen (Ger) – Peace On Earth Metal Fest 11/11/23 – Bilbao (Esp) – Sala Mytho 20/01/24 – Portugalete (Esp) – Sala Groove
“Transition” EP synopsis:
Transition: is the new phase of history told through the experiences of the settlers army. With this new work, the band continues its conceptual journey, in which it tries to reflect the emotional behavior of our society and its link with the current serious situation of our species. With four new emotionally deeper and more complex songs, without abandoning the use of intense melodies and catchy guitar riffs, the band embarks on a new phase of its musical evolution.
April, 2023, TOKYO – Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band whose cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” went viral, racking up over 3 million views, and was followed by one of the most talked about live debuts at Aftershock 2022, have released a new single, and video: “Rise” (ssm.lnk.to/RISE).
The band recently wrapped up a brief U.S. tour, including a stop at SXSW.
Guitar Girl Magazine described the quintet as “one of the most thrilling metal bands in Japan,” Distorted Sound said their music is “a reminder of just how fun heavy metal can be,” and Glasse Factory, commenting on their riveting Aftershock performance, noted “they nodded to metal legends with their styling and offered a refreshing take on their own unique blend… the excitement was tangible and radiated through the crowds as they all leaned in to watch the rising rock stars.”
Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is Mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi–san – (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).
Tampere, Finland -based thrash metal act OSIRISREX – led by US thrasher Superstar Joey Severance have unleashed the second single ‘The Meek Shall Inherit’ taken from their forthcoming debut EP “Arrival of the New Dawn”!
Also check out the first single ‘Lone Wolf Terror’, feat. on solo: Michael “Big Maaaan” Rutten, at https://youtu.be/IL-BAxGFLl0
“Arrival of the New Dawn” recording lineup: Superstar Joey Severance – Vocals Ben Varon – All Guitars (except where noted) and Bass (Session Musician) Oskari Niemi – Drums (Session Musician)
Music and Lyrics: Superstar Joey Severance Produced, Mixed and Engineered by: Ben Varon Mastered by: Ben Varon and Oskari Niemi
Tracklisting:
The Meek Shall Inherit
Arrival of the New Dawn
Lone Wolf Terror (Solo: Michael “Big Maaaan” Rutten)
Hot Stuff (Donna Summer Cover)
More on OSIRIS REX:
Rising from the ashes of TORNADO comes OSIRIS REX. With Tornado, vocalist Superstar Joey Severance recorded three albums (Amsterdamn, Hellsinki – Black President – Commitment to Excellence) with the debut being produced by Peter Tagtgren and their last album featuring such metal heavyweights as Karl Sanders (Nile) Glen Drover (ex-Megadeth) and Ross Dolan (Immolation). All three albums received positive reviews worldwide and the band did a European tour supporting Six Feet Under.
Soon after the tour ended, and right before the start of the pandemic, SJS decided to disband Tornado for personal reasons and move forward with a new lineup which will become Osiris Rex.
The four-song debut EP, “Arrival of the New Dawn” showcases the musical direction the band is taking which is not too far removed from Tornado. Stay tuned!
With a focus on writing great, catchy songs, Osiris Rex are looking to advance the thrash genre for a new generation!
June 2nd, 2023 in the US will see dark and extreme metal masters, GRAVEWORM, return with their brand new album, entitled Killing Innocence, through AFM Records. It’s the band’s first studio album in eight long years!
Following previously released first singles, “Dead Words” and “Escorting The Soul”, today, GRAVEWORM have premiered a video for their latest single “We Are The Resistance”, now streaming HERE
Formed in 1997, with nine studio records under their belt and countless tours with bands such as Kataklysm, Vader, Satyricon and Destruction to name just a few, GRAVEWORM belongs to one of the most influential acts the dark and extreme metal scene has to offer. The band’s upcoming magnum opus Killing Innocence showcases their own blend of thrash, gothic and death metal is as powerful as ever, GRAVEWORM has not lost any of their hardness and energy over the years.
The ten new songs on Killing Innocence are characterized by dark atmospheres, powerful riffs and driving drums that captivate the listener. The album is a tribute to the band’s roots, yet produced in a contemporary and fresh way, an absolute must-have for fans of dark but captivating metal. With Killing Innocence, GRAVEWORM impressively proves that they belong to the best representatives of their genre, with an album that is poised to top the best-of lists in 2023!
Finnish theatrical melodic metal band Endless Exam has released new single and music video from their upcoming album. It’s a horror movie influenced dreamlike song from the album to be released by Inverse Records in May 2023.
Endless Exam backgrounds the song:
“The lyrics of the song is about a world led by better people, where the value and contribution of an ordinary person has no meaning and they can only be used as part of the machine. Their only goal is to be able to just give orders and give the author belief that they are being heard.
However, without these parts, no machine runs. The ordinaries start to resist and the world imagined by these better people starts to fall apart. They realize that nothing works without these ordinary people. They are the basis of everything and if their value is not taken into account, the machine will not run either.”
March 29, 2023, LOS ANGELES – Dave Lombardo shares a second single from his debut solo album, Rites of Percussion (May 5 via Ipecac Recordings), with today’s release of “Separation from the Sacred” (https://youtu.be/9GiARhBaVds).
Lombardo is one of the busiest musicians working right now. Never one to rest on his laurels, the drumming pioneer recently released new albums with Dead Cross, and Venamoris, and announced Empire State Bastard, a new project with members of Biffy Clyro. He will also be hitting the road with Mr. Bungle and The Misfits in the coming months, with festival appearances with John Zorn (including Big Ears Fest in April).
The recording process for Rites of Percussion had a simple mantra: drums had to be drums. Mixed in early 2022 by Lombardo’s son, David A. Lombardo, the self-produced release features a large concert bass drum, a timpani, a grand piano, and a flock of shakers, maracas, Chinese and symphonic gongs, Native American drums, congas, timbales, bongos, batás, wood blocks, djembes, ibos, darbukas, octobans, cajóns, and cymbals.
Rites of Percussion tracklist:
Initiatory Madness
Separation from the Sacred
Inner Sanctum
Journey of the Host
Maunder in Liminality
Despojo
Interfearium
Blood Let
Warpath
Guerrero
Vicissitude
Omiero
Animismo
Album pre-orders, which include CD, digital, and three vinyl variants: standard cigar smoke, indie retail exclusive blood sacrifice, and Ipecac exclusive purple haze, are available now: https://davelombardo.lnk.to/ROP.
Photo credit: Ekaterina Gorbacheva
Dave Lombardo was born in Havana, Cuba, relocating to Los Angeles when he was a mere two-years-old. He began playing drums as a teenager, and co-founded Slayer (and created the band’s logo) in 1981.
Rolling Stone, in their list of the “100 Greatest Drummers of All Time,” dubbed him the “Cuban speed demon, “ Modern Drummerproclaimed him “The King,” and Drummer World gave him the title of “The Godfather of double bass.” Lombardo’s eye-popping resume includes over 100 studio albums/recordings and includes both recorded and live stints with Grip Inc., Fantômas, Suicidal Tendencies, Dead Cross, Mr. Bungle, The Misfits, DJ Spooky, John Zorn, Testament, and most recently creating the soulful duo Venamoris, with his wife Paula.
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