What has inspired me to choose this 1987 music video from the iconic KISS for Stone’s Metal Pick Of The Day, are the lyrics. If you can get past the cheese and sugar-free cola imagery of the video itself, the message is simple: Everybody’s got a reason to live. Too many innocent people are dying in our world today due to wars, gang violence, unrest and hostility. Crippled, sickly children and adults are struggling everyday to live; while their waking up the next day is a personal victory. Homeless people have tales to tell; if only anyone would listen. Ebola is on the loose in Western Africa, with no validated medical cure at hand.
Too much (irrational) emphasis is put on a person’s value to society or their family; based on how high their salary is. Skin color or one’s religious loyalty (or lack thereof) can ignite unspeakable hate crimes and racism. Immigrant has become a four-letter word? Heroine is taking the lives of people around-the-clock. Community food pantries struggle to stay stocked.
Plus, if you factor in the Oregon wife and mother of two toddlers, Jennifer Huston, who went missing on July 24th (later to be found yesterday) twenty-five miles from her home, deceased and outside of her vehicle on a remote dirt road, the meaning and value of life becomes more profound. No one has all the answers to the suffering, still, as a global community, humanity needs to obliterate insanity.
I am not preaching, just stating the facts and venting about what is reality in our world today. Please don’t get depressed from all of this; instead LIVE each day and tell those you love… that you love them. Help a stranger; that same stranger may help you someday. Don’t think about donating to or volunteering for a reputable cause… DO IT!!
What is grand about this video is we can all witness the late and great Eric Carr playing the drums. Now that’s NOT cheese or sugar-free cola at all. I hope you can take in the lyrics and enjoy this music video. Metal be thy name. – Stone
_______________________________________
* Reason To Live was written by Paul Stanley and Desmond Child.
Frenetic MELODIC SKATEPUNK THRASH topnotchers STRAIGHTLINE released the official video clip for their highly explosive track “Retrogressive”, which can be seen below:
STRAIGHTLINE:
Bart – guitar & vocals
Herzna – bass
Randy – drums
Enric – guitar
________________________________
Wild … wonderful … welcome!!!
STRAIGHTLINE from Munich returns with an electrifying release!
Three relevant questions in advance:
Giant demand about highest musical culture?
Urgently desires for rhythmic precision?
Big appetite for flipping out completely?
For many rebel souls & musical scale strikers there’s only one answer these days:
!!! STRAIGHTLINE !!!
The new (self-released) 7″ EP “Alteration Of The Rules” of the 1998 founded formation offers their roundabout proven style at it’s very best!
With the very sad passing of bassist Paul Gray back in 2010 and the very unexpected departure (or firing) of drummer Joey Jordison, maggots worldwide have wondered aloud if a new SLIPKNOT album would ever come to pass. If anything, it all seemed that things were uncoiling fast, towards the negative direction, in the world of SLIPKNOT. I for one, was 50/50 on whether SLIPKNOT would ever release a new studio album. There were those days when I absolutely felt they wouldn’t.
Well, maggots across the globe now realize that all hope is NOT gone, (get it?), as a new album is on the way… whenever the release date is. In the last few days, a brand new SLIPKNOT song emerged onto the SLIPKNOT website, titled: The Negative One. Maggots everywhere can listen to the song just once, however, once a maggot signs up for the SLIPKNOT email list, another listen of the song will be available. The Metal word is that a music video for this new song, The Negative One, will be released on Tuesday, August 5th; with this single becoming available via iTunes on this same day. Yes, Virgina, there is a Metal Santa Claus! It’s hard to believe it’s been six years since All Hope Is Gone was released and that album will forever be a crème de la crème Metal album for my ears and Metal senses.
As for the new song, well, I’ve only listened to it twice and tried to let each second sink into my Metal scathed brain tissue. It sounds like SLIPKNOT went back to their original album and became reacquainted with every bizarre sonic nuance and psychotic note. Corey Taylor’s vocals are 100% pissed off, with an in-your-face assault of crazed Metal; making for this new SLIPKNOT offering a brain-blast of psycho-raging Metal goodness! In other Metal words, The Negative One comes across just fine as SLIPKNOT; still it would be great to know who is really playing the bass and drums. The guessing game across the internet doesn’t do the trick for me. I’m one maggot that cannot wait for album number 5 from this (now) iconic band. Damn, when it comes right down to it, I miss the hell out of Paul Gray and Joey Jordison, by their not being a part of this band anymore. Metal be thy name. – Stone
As stated on the Rigor Mortis – Indiegogo fundraising page:
Texas Speed Metal pioneers, Rigor Mortis are asking for your help to finance the recording and release of SLAVES TO THE GRAVE – their fourth and final album.
On Dec 23rd, 2012 we lost our brother and founding member, guitarist Mike Scaccia. Mike suffered a massive heart attack onstage with Rigor Mortis and died doing what he loved, playing his music with his friends and for his friends. Fortunately, just days before he left us, Mike was able to put the finishing touches on his tracks for what would unfortunately be his and Rigor Mortis’, final… and unquestionably finest, studio record.
Recorded in Feb 2012 at Ministry’s 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, Texas, STTG returns to the original first record line-up of Mike Scaccia – Guitars, Bruce Corbitt – Vocals, Harden Harrison – Drums, and Casey Orr – Bass.
After shopping the record for months, we found that with no hope of touring to support the record, and no chance of a follow-up album, labels were reluctant to release STTG. Though we received nothing but positive feedback, labels were fearful of not recouping their investment without an active band to promote the record. This, combined with the floundering record industry and sketchy economy, we decided we would be better off self releasing Slaves To The Grave, and reaching out to the Metal community to help us give this record the release it deserves.
In addition to the studio cd, the first 5,000 copies will include a “making of” dvd.
We have both physical and digital distribution in place, manufacturing facility secured, new and improved website and store launching, and high-profile record release events planned.
The record is finished, the cover art is amazing, release date is set for Oct. 7th, 2014. All we need is funding. We’re shooting for a goal of $20,000. The money will go towards paying off our recording debt (studio, engineers, travel, mastering), as well as artwork, packaging, manufacturing, distribution, and promotion. If we go past that goal, the money will go towards additional promotion, etc. as well as other Rigor Mortis projects such as re-pressing and re-releasing the back catalogue, vinyl releases, and new merch.
We’re offering a ton of cool incentives, like signed copies of the cd/dvd, LPs, posters, T-shirts, hoodys, patches, stickers, shot glasses, flasks, original artwork, merch bundles, and much more! We will keep adding rewards throughout the campaign.
So please, help if you can, and if moneys tight, then help us spread the word! We can’t wait for the world to hear what we feel is our greatest work – SLAVES TO THE GRAVE!
Thanks!
RIGOR MORTIS – HISTORY
Rigor Mortis formed in 1983 in Arlington, Texas and immediately became a driving force in the original wave of North Texas Metal. With the emphasis on speed and the subject matter steeped in horror and gore, Rigor stood out as extreme intimidators, on and off stage. Starting out as a 3 piece composed of Mike Scaccia on guitar, Harden Harrison on drums, and Casey Orr on bass, the band added vocalist Bruce Corbitt in ’86 and quickly signed to Capitol Records, releasing their classic self titled debut record in ’88. Two years later, Corbitt left the band and Doyle Bright came in on vocals. Rigor went on to release two more records; FREAKS, on Metal Blade Records and RIGOR MORTIS vs. THE EARTH, on Triple X Records.
In 1991 Mike accepted an offer to join Ministry as well as Revolting Cocks, et al. Rigor Mortis was no more, but the four members remained close friends and supported each others’ endeavors. Mike continued working with Ministry off and on over the years, as well as appearing on countless other projects. For the last several years Mike had also become a rep and clinician for Gibson Guitars. Casey Orr joined shock rockers, GWAR, where he remained off and on from ’94 until mid 2011, in addition to working with a long list of other bands including Blohole (with Scaccia), Speedealer (with Harrison), The Burden Brothers, and The Hellions, to name a few. Harden Harrison went on to play drums with Pervis, Speedealer, Mitra, and most recently Hint Of Death. Bruce Corbitt formed DFW supergroup, Texas Metal Alliance, which evolved into the mighty Warbeast, releasing 2010’s “Krush The Enemy”, and 2013’s “Destroy”, both on Phil Anselmo’s Housecore Records. Casey would join Warbeast in Feb. 2013. Doyle Bright is currently playing guitar with Atlanta Metal vets Hallows Eve.
In 2005, the original lineup of Scaccia, Orr, Harrison, and Corbitt reunited for was to be just a short run of shows. This, of course, led to more shows and talk of a new record. With all 4 members active with other projects and their personal lives, it took a while for the pieces to all fall into place, but in early February 2012, the band entered 13th Planet Studios in El Paso, and recorded their 4th album, SLAVES TO THE GRAVE.
On December 22nd, 2012, while playing onstage with Rigor Mortis in celebration of Bruce’s 50th birthday, Mike Scaccia suffered a sudden and massive heart attack. He was pronounced dead a short time later, after midnight on the 23rd. Rigor Mortis was over. The impact that Mike had on all that knew him is immeasurable. In life he touched us all with his talent and his sense of humor and his friendship. His passing changes everything for many of us. There will never be a fifth Rigor Mortis record. We will never play another show together as Rigor Mortis. Worst of all we’ll never laugh the way we used to.
But we will keep the flame burning. For Mike, for his family, for ourselves, and for the fans.
New York Death Metal legion, INTERNAL BLEEDING, will unleash their long-awaited new full-length, Imperium, to the masses this Fall via Unique Leader Records. Produced by the band alongside Joe Cincotta at Full Force Studio (Suffocation, Dehumanized, Mortal Decay) in Ronkonkoma, New York and engineered by Cincotta and Derek Boyer, Imperium boasts the menacing artwork of Mircea Gabriel Eftemie (Carcass, Cryptopsy, The Haunted, Nevermore et al) and spews forth some of the band’s darkest, heaviest, and most sonically and musically cohesive material of their storied career.
Additionally, Imperium includes a three-part trilogy featuring guest appearances by Suffocation’s Terrance Hobbs and Frank Mullen as well as former INTERNAL BLEEDING throat Frank Rini. At once aurally pulverizing and conceptually strirring, Imperium smokes all its path! INTERNAL BLEEDING is clearly back and ready for a takeover.
In anticipation of its release, today INTERNAL BLEEDING brings fans a ten-plus-minute video examination of Imperium boasting interviews with individual members as well as snippets of each track.
Comments guitarist Chris Pervelis: “We wanted to try to give fans of the band a little bit of insight into each song from both a musical and lyrical perspective. Even though we feel the album is very cohesive and we’re all on the same page musically, each member of the band has a different take on what is important and interesting about the album. It’s these different perspectives that combine to make Imperium a very complete and well-rounded recording.”
Check out the video along with an additional preorder teaser, below:
Coinciding with the release of Imperium, INTERNAL BLEEDING will wage war on North America as part of this year’s Carnival Of Death tour. Set to embark on October 3rd, 2014 in New York City, the trek will level more than two-dozen cities coming to a close on November 3rd, 2014, in Montreal. The band will be joined by Suffocation, Kataklysm, Jungle Rot and Pyrexia.
INTERNAL BLEEDING – Carnival Of Death Tour 2014 w/ Suffocation, Kataklysm, Jungle Rot, Pyrexia:
10/03/2014 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
10/04/2014 The Webster – Hartford, CT
10/05/2014 Bogie’s – Albany, NY
10/06/2014 Oddbody’s Music Room – Dayton, OH
10/07/2014 Reggie’s Rock Club – Chicago, IL
10/08/2014 Altar Bar – Pittsburgh, PA
10/10/2014 Empire – Springfield, VA
10/11/2014 Tremont Music Hall – Charlotte, NC
10/12/2014 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL
10/15/2014 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
10/16/2014 Dirty Dog – Austin, TX
10/17/2014 Rail Club – Fort Worth, TX
10/18/2014 Tricky Falls – El Paso, TX
10/19/2014 Joe’s Grotto – Phoenix, AZ
10/20/2014 Backstage Bar – Las Vegas, NV
10/21/2014 The Whisky – West Hollywood, CA
10/22/2014 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
10/23/2014 Tonic Lounge – Portland, OR
10/24/2014 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
10/25/2014 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC
10/26/2014 The Level – Kelowna, BC
10/27/2014 Starlite Room – Edmonton, AB
10/28/2014 Rock Bottom – Saskatoon, SK
10/29/2014 The Zoo – Winnipeg, MB
10/31/2014 Mine Mill Hall – Sudbury, ON
11/01/2014 The Opera House – Toronto, ON
11/02/2014 Paramount – Rouyn, QC
11/03/2014 Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
Imperium will be released via Unique Leader Records on September 30th, 2014. Preorder packages are currently available at THIS LOCATION.
Revolver Magazine is now hosting an exclusive stream of the latest high-octane Thrash/Hardcore output from Saint Louis, Missouri-based awesome party squad, CROSS EXAMINATION.
Closing a six-year gap between releases, CROSS EXAMINATION comes out flailing and impaling with the rabid Dawn Of The DudeEP, bridging influences from Cryptic Slaughter, Nuclear Assault, Excel, D.R.I. and the like into a rabid, high-caliber, circle-pit whirlwind comparable to Ramming Speed, SSS and Power Trip. What’s the last thing to go through a fly’s mind as it hits your windshield? Its ass. And that’s about the same impact this EP will have on the listener.
Sliced from the meaty seven-track slab of crossover contamination, “Hail To The Jeef,” is today exclusively being served up by Revolver Magazine; get some at THIS LOCATION.
The EP’s closing track, “The Dawn Of The Dude,” is also playing below:
Chicago-based Organized Crime Records will unload the Dawn Of The Dude via 7″ vinyl and digital download on August 19th, with distribution through Revelation Records. Preorders will be live this week at the label’s website HERE.
Formed in 2004, in their first four years as a band CROSS EXAMINATION wasted the masses with a plethora of auditory evidence, including their initial demo, a split with Spring Break!, their raging 2006 The Hung Jury EP and their 2008 debut full-length, Menace II Sobriety, the latter two titles via Organized Crime Records. This first new output since their LP is quite possibly their most scathing, grey-matter-reducing sonic beating yet.
The seven new tracks contained on the Dawn Of The Dude barely hitting thirteen minutes, the EP still packs more balls and bong-rips than virtually any comparable contemporary groups. Your brains will simply leak from your blown-open ear canals as you bang your head’s filler into fluid to the perpetually rabid beats, the material featuring even more rasping, schizoid/hyper vocals and a pummeling crusty edge.
THIRD ION, the new Canadian Prog Metal group featuring former members of THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND and INTO ETERNITY, have released its debut single “Capitol Spill.” The track is now streaming below:
THIRD ION is the product of a mutual love of prog, video games, and science. The debut album is currently over half written, and will contain eight to ten songs, including the title track which is written entirely in 13/8 time signature. 8-Bit musical renditions of every song will be released as well, to pay homage to their 1980s classic gaming inspirations.
BIO:
A project talked about, envisioned, and anticipated by Justin and Aaron since the day they met, by chance, in mid-2010. A few of the songs have been in the works since shortly after they met, but meeting Mike and getting him on board was the jump-start needed to truly get this band off the ground.
Now with the addition of Tyler on vocals, and the first few songs demoed, everyone is extremely excited about the future of this project and where it could go. Planning is underway for an amazing live show, with an emphasis on minimalism and mood. Every single member of this band comes from a large base of touring and recording experience and plan to use their resources to get this new project on the road and heard by as many people as possible. Plans are already under way to tour Canada and seek label or grant funding to support the tours.
THIRD ION:
Justin Bender – Guitar
Aaron Edgar – Drums
Mike Young – Bass
Tyler Gilbert – Vocals
________________________________
Member Background:
Justin is a guitar player, producer/engineer and song-writer, most known for playing with and producing the Canadian Heavy Metal veterans Into Eternity. Over a decade of live playing, live sound and studio experience, Justin has toured the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Southeast Asia. The main focus of his career has been studio production, which he has become well established in Regina, SK working out of both Touchwood Studios, and Blue Door Recording.
Aaron lives drums. He teaches, records, gigs, does clinics and is a published author (drum related – of course). On top of all that he is the editor in chief of Drums Etc. magazine and has a weekly broadcast show on Drumeo. His educational material (also drum related, of course) on Youtube has reached a million views, with almost 7000 subscribers to his channel. Coming up on March 30th, Aaron will be headlining the Vancouver Island “Day of Drum Festival.”
Mike has been a professional session bassist for the past 15 years. He is well versed in all styles of music and has played everything from Metal (Devin Townsend Band, Terror Syndrome) to rock (Jet Black Stare, Ten Ways, the Matinee), to Funk, Pop, Country and Jazz. He has toured North America and Europe with a variety of projects and currently resides in Vancouver, where he gigs, plays sessions and occasionally teaches. Mike also loves coffee, cartoons and all things nerdy.
Tyler was the last addition to the project and is also a full-time musician. Like the rest of the band, he has dedicated his entire life to his musical career. He has been involved in writing, playing and singing music since his childhood, he grew up surrounded by musical relatives in Regina, Saskatchewan. His primary training was of the guitar but he also dwells on piano, bass and harmonica, playing a mix of new-folk songs with soulful vocals. Tyler accepts influences of all sorts; his main influence taps are of Zakk Wylde, Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Michael Jackson. Since 2008, Tyler has recorded and released three solo records and has received radio airplay all across Canada.
California-based Unique Leader Records declares war with the addition of vicious Italian quartet, BLOODTRUTH, to their perpetually expanding army of Extreme Metal architects.
Initially forged in 2009 as the side project of Fleshgod Apocalypse members Francesco Paoli and Paolo Rossi and now featuring the updated lineup of vocalist Luigi Valenti, guitarist Stefano Rossi Ciucci, bassist Riccardo Rogari and drummer Giacomo Torti, BLOODTRUTH heaves forth a sonic fire-ball of speed, brutality and unadulterated hate. Fusing the cryptic atmosphere of early ’90s Death Metal and evocative Gregorian chant, representing the band’s homeland and history, with methodical technicality, BLOODTRUTH are ceaseless in their ear-lacerating capabilities.
Following their two-track promo released in 2012, BLOODTRUTH is ready to release their debut full-length, Obedience. Engineered by Francesco Paoli and Cristiano Trionfera (both of Fleshgod Apocalypse) at Sonic Hammer Studios, then mixed and mastered by Italian Death Metal producer and legend Stefano Morabito of 16th Cellars Studios (Hour Of Penance, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Eyeconoclast, Inherit Disease et al), the ten tracks on Obedience tap into a wealth of unadulterated lyrical hatred released through incinerating waves of limb-removing, guttural metal. Colin Marks of Rain Song Design (Exodus, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Kataklysm) created some of his most intense artwork for the release, the perfect summary of the level of extreme comprising Obedience.
Check out the Obedience teaser video below:
Obedience – Track Listing:
1. Subvenite (Intro)
2. Surrounded By Blind Bigots
3. Throes Of Death
4. Suppurating Of Deception
5. Coerced To Serve
6. Quench Your Thirst
7. Summoning The Heretics
8. Foresworn
9. March Of The Fools
10. Obedience
Unique Leader will unload Obedience on September 16th, 2014 with further BLOODTRUTH intel to be released in the weeks to come.
The Netherlands / Vancouver, BC / Miami, FL / Hanover, Germany – July 30, 2014
After their farewell performance on board 70000TONS OF METAL in January 2012 we are proud to announce the band’s return!
Exactly 3 years later, they are scheduled to return to the stage more aggressive than ever! It will all begin with 70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, sailing to Jamaica in January 2015.
GOD DETHRONED front man, Henri Sattler, explains:
“In early 2011, I was facing two options: one was to announce a break and the other option was to quit the band. I definitely needed time away from it all, and having a break wasn’t reassuring enough to know if I would be able to recharge the batteries for another go.”
“Oddly enough it was at the funeral of the man who discovered us in the first place that I came to realize the story wasn’t finished yet. So here we go again. Don’t think you will be able to see us playing every club for weekends on end. We will only play a small selection of shows and this won’t happen before 2015. Besides that, the core of the band will consist of only Michiel and myself. We’ll have some cool guest musicians lined up, though, to make sure we’ll give you the best performance possible.
Last but not least, our first shows will be where we played our last ones three years ago. Our rebirth will happen on board 70000TONS OF METAL 2015. See you on board!”
70000TONS OF METAL, The Original, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise has already confirmed: Alestorm, Annihilator, Apocalyptica, Arch Enemy, Behemoth, Blind Guardian, Cannibal Corpse, Chimaira, D.A.D., Ensiferum, Equilibrium, God Dethroned, Grave Digger, Heathen, In Extremo, Kataklysm, Korpiklaani, Lake Of Tears, Michael Schenker’s Temple Of Rock, Napalm Death, Origin, Primal Fear, Tank, Therion, Threshold, Triosphere and Xentrix, with 33 more to come!
70000TONS OF METAL, The World’s Biggest Heavy Metal Cruise, will sail Thursday, January 22, 2015 aboard the Royal Caribbean “Liberty Of The Seas” from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale near Miami, FL and will not return to the real world until Monday, January 26, 2015.
Ticket prices start at US $666 plus US $333 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals in the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24 hour room service!
In celebration of an astounding thirty-year career, SEPULTURA, who stands among Brazil’s most successful bands ever, will unleash a new live offering entitled Sepultura And Les Tambours du Bronx: Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio.
In a spectacular performance that finds SEPULTURA accompanied throughout by the French industrial percussion group Les Tambours du Bronx, notorious for beating 225-liter barrels with beech wood bats or even axe handles, the show was recorded from the band’s main stage appearance at the legendary Rock In Rio gala in 2013. Featuring SEPULTURA‘s most revered tunes including “Refuse/Resist,” “Territory” and “Roots Bloody Roots,” which sees the audience chanting the entire cut from beginning to end, the sheer volume of sound, percussive enormity and powerful presentation sets this release apart from any previous SEPULTURA concert offering to date.
With a one-hour run time divided into thirteen cuts, the album also features a cover of Prodigy’s “Firestarter,” the fan-chanted “Sepulnation,” and music from the band’s Kairos full-length. Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio will come available on CD, DVD and for the first time in the band’s history, Blu-Ray via a partnership with Rock In Rio, MZA Music and Eagle Rock Entertainment. In addition, the DVD includes an exclusive documentary of behind-the-scenes preparation with interviews, rehearsal and sound-check footage and clips of the band just seconds before they hit the stage.
Sepultura And Les Tambours du Bronx: Metal Veins – Alive At Rock In Rio will be released in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment on September 16th, 2014.
L-R – Dave Waram – Guitar, Davis Hay – Vocals, Brent Bell – Drums, Stephanie Bell – Bass
______________________________
Edmonton, AB’s Death Metal crusaders KRYOSPHERE are proud to announce their ‘West Koast Katastrophe Tour’ that will kick off in Nelson, BC on September 18 at Kootenay Coop Radio for in studio performance and interview on the Nelson On Nelson show and wrap up in Edmonton, AB on September 28th.
“We have been waiting a while now to get out to the West coast, and we are stoked to be getting all the way to Vancouver Island for two dates. With all the festivals we have played this summer so far, it will be nice to seal the deal so to speak and do it night after night for different crowds. In Vancouver we get to play a one-night special with ENTROPIA, which is going to be a hell of an introduction to the Vancouver metal scene. I mean for Brent our drummer, this will be a long time coming return to the big water, but the first for KRYOSPHERE. Also a big shout out to Terry Anderson of RTK for making this all a possibility, we wouldn’t be headed out if it wasn’t for his dedication. Support your local Metal scenes!” comments bassist Stephanie Bell.
TOUR PROMO VIDEO:
Maintaining a strong connection with the roots of old-school Death Metal, KROYOSPHERE, established in 2008, by drummer Brent Bell (ex-Spawned by Rot, ex-Butcher’d), Stephanie Bell on bass, Dave Waram on guitar, and Davis Hay on vocals have released two EPs, 2013’s ‘SOL’ and 2011 debut ‘At Six Feet’ with a follow-up in the works for late 2014 / early 2015. Combining memorable riffs, soaring solos, powerful vocals plus thumping bass drives to inventive and technical drumming, KRYOSPHERE has been able to draw crowds of Metal fans with hails horns high. The band has shared the stage with Putrescence, Dead Jesus, Unleash The Archers, West of Hell, Archspire and many more from the Western Canadian Metal scene.
Kryosphere at its core has always maintained strong connections with an old-school Death Metal sound, while embracing the new ideas of their younger peers. In short, they are a Modern Death Metal band that knows how to draw a crowd across the massive gulf of Metal fans.
Formed in 2008 by drummer Brent Bell (ex-Spawned by Rot, ex-Butcher’d) with line changes through its early years, Kryosphere finally solidified an identity with Brent Bell on drums, Stephanie Bell on bass, Dave Waram on guitar, and Davis Hay on vocals. Their debut EP “At Six Feet” was unleashed in 2011 and followed by their 2013 self-release EP “SOL”.
Great attention has been placed on song writing, and it shows on. The uniquely structured music of “SOL” has memorable riffs that are often lacking in today’s Metal. Soaring solos and powerful vocals accompany thick bang along sections, while thumping bass drives the overall feeling of every song. Inventive and technical drumming steer the band through multiple time changes and differing movements.
Long-running Ohio riff rock peddlers, LO-PAN, are pleased to unveil the details of their long-awaited new full-length fittingly titled, Colossus.
Named for the Colossus of Rhodes, a ninety-six-foot statue of the titan-god of the sun, Helios, constructed in 280 BC to mark a failed siege and the indomitable nature of the Greek city of Rhodes itself, LO-PAN‘s fourth opus serves as their most personal manifestation to date and a true testament to their evolution both as a band and individually.
In the three years since of the release of third long-player, Salvador, the Columbus four-piece have logged countless miles, crossing the country multiple times over on headlining tours and supporting the likes of Torche, High on Fire, KENmode, Whores, Fu Manchu and Weedeater. They’ve become one of the most ferocious live acts in American heavy rock, and Colossus stands tall to reap the rewards of their experience.
For the first time in their near decade-long existence, LO-PAN knew exactly what they wanted when they hit the studio. They’d road-tested songs like “Eastern Seas” and the title track for over a year, and partnering with producer/engineer Andrew Schneider (Unsane, Rosetta, East Of The Wall et al) at his Translator Audio studio in Brooklyn just days after headlining Small Stone showcases in that city and Boston last March, they belted out songs that reveal just how much they’ve moved beyond their influences and arrived at their own sound — a style built on aggression without caricature, fuzz without cliché, melody without redundancy and their meanest groove to date.
Complete with cover art courtesy of Jason Alexander Byers (ex-Disengage, Black Black Black), Colossus, like its namesake, was built in defiance of gods and men, and while LO-PAN‘s loudest statement has always been made on stage, the material they craft and the power with which they execute it on this album is bound to stand for years to come.
_____________________________
Colossus Track Listing:
1. Regulus
2. Land Of The Blind
3. Black Top Revelation
4. Marathon Man
5. N.P.D.
6. Colossus
7. Vox
8. Eastern Seas
9. Relo
10. The Duke
Colossus will be released via Small Stone on October 7th, 2014.
Critical Praise:
“LO-PAN could easily stand as one of the most important bands of their generation in the genre.” – The Obelisk
“With enough stoner rock goodness to destroy bridges and skyscrapers alike, LO-PAN show that they are one of several absolutely essential rock outfits working today and a major force to be reckoned with.” – Sputnik Music
Northern Oak, the South Yorkshire Progressive Folk Metallers, unveil new album details, including the track listing and artwork, for ‘Of Roots And Flesh’.
Ranging from existential rage on ‘The Gallows Tree’, relentless doom and sorrow on ‘Taken’ to a desire to see the best of humanity in the title track, ‘Of Roots And Flesh’ rewards with a seamless blending of vocal styles and a fusion of electric and acoustic guitars, flutes, violins and even melodeons as the band takes you on a musical journey through the nature of struggle.
______________________________
See the full track listing for ‘Of Roots And Flesh’ below, which is set for release on 4th October 2014.
1) The Dark Of Midsummer
2) Marston Moor
3) Gaia
4) Nerthus
5) Isle Of Mists
6) Taken
7) Requiescant In Pace
8) The Gallows Tree
9) Bloom
10) Of Roots And Flesh
11) Only Our Names Will Remain
12) Outro
The album art, completed by Lithuanian born artist Augustinas Našlėnas, can be seen below.
Northern Oak are renowned for their ability to weave vicious Black Metal riffs with haunting flute folk melodies. Since the release of their 2010 album ‘Monuments’ the band has toured the length and breadth of the UK with their energetic live show, furthering their reputation and earning the band show time at prestigious festivals such as Bloodstock Open Air and Warhorns.
The recording of the new album was entirely funded through a Kickstarter campaign run by the band. The incredible show of support from their loyal and ever-growing fan base allowed Northern Oak to record the album at Skyhammer Studios with renowned producer Chris Fielding (Primordial, Electric Wizard, Conan).
It is Sunday, July 27th, 2014 and after 11:00 pm EST as I write this post. Other than wishing the team members on the Animal Planet reality series Finding Bigfoot would at last find this damn creature, wishing for world peace is probably just as moot. What isn’t uncertain are two forthcoming Hard Rock albums that I’m gonna scrape up some spare change to purchase: KIX – Rock Your Face Off and SKID ROW – Rise Of The Damnation Army/United World Rebellion Chapter Two.
Rock ‘N Roll was, is and will forever be a perfect antidote for dispelling the crappy feelings I get when reading the world AND local news! Metal be thy name, isn’t it true for you!? I truly feel it is GRAND that SKID ROW and KIX are both releasing new studio material on the same day in the USA: August 5th! This will be the second in a series of EP studio releases from SKID ROW, with KIX releasing their first studio album since 1995’s Show Business. However, KIX has been a staple and favorite on the live Hard Rock scene for many a year; their 2012 Live In Baltimore release via Frontiers Records is proof positive of this!
Both bands are legendary for sure. I am just psyched-out that SKID ROW and KIX exist in 2014, while giving their fans and the Hard Rock scene something to really look forward to once again. SKID ROW. KIX. RealDeal Hard Rock. Metal be thy name. – Stone.
As posted on the timeline of the Ted Nugent Facebook, this July 27th:
THE ENERGY is truly miraculous but it is not a mystery where it all comes from. Clean & sober for 66 years fueling the sacred temple with pure American venison forever helps immensely, but it is the spiritual rocketfuel of God, family, country and work that fans the fiery flames of my American Dream. Those that hate me hate all those perfect things. Truly phenomenal. SHUTUP&JAM! 2014 tour is another dream come true because of the unbridled positive spirit, goodwill & overall decency of the good people who support my self-evident truth crusade to take back America from the evil obamagang hellbent on our destruction. ROCKON America! ROCKON!! I SMELL FALL!!!
L-R – Tyler Goudreau (Vocals/Bass), Sean Watson (Guitarist, Vocals), Avery Desmarais (Drums) Photo credit: Dana Zuk
The Edmonton, AB grim and gore trio of Display of Decay are giving everyone a chance to experience a taste of their new EP, ‘Outbreak of Infection’ before its full release on August 26th by offering a FREE download of the title track via their Bandcamp here (type in zero for free download). Painting audiences a picture of a much darker and more hostile world than our own, DOD’s gore-filled lyrics and rhythmic brutal Death Metal ring true throughout this EP, which even includes a DOD take of KISS’ Black Diamond showcasing their dynamic influences.
Implementing elements of classic death metal while bringing more groove into the equation. DOD has been steadily growing in the Alberta Metal scene as the band is scheduled to perform Harvesting Hell in Edmonton, AB on Aug 22 and the infamous Loud As Hell festival in Drumheller, AB on Aug 31.
Aug 22 – Edmonton, AB – The Pawn Shop – Harvesting Hell w/ The Faceless, Origin, Beyond Creation, Rings of Saturn, King Parrot, Fallujah, Archspire and more: Event link | Website | Tickets
Aug 31 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Fest w/ Protest The Hero, Titans Eve, Ninjaspy, Death Toll Rising and more: Event link | Website | Tickets
Track Listing: Display of Decay – Outbreak of Infection
1. Born of Rot (3:37)
2. Manchurian Candidate (4:24)
3. Praise The Gore (3:30)
4. Outbreak of Infection (3:50)
5. Black Diamond (KISS cover) (3:13)
EP Length: 18:37
_______________________________________
About DISPLAY OF DECAY:
In 2007, Edmonton, AB underwent one of the most notable natural disasters in history. An earthquake split the city in two, and chaos ran amok through the streets.
Alas…such things are bound to happen when DISPLAY OF DECAY takes the stage. Handcrafted by Hell’s most elite demons, DISPLAY OF DECAY is noted for bringing a unique blend of old school Death Metal, blended with tinges of Thrash and Doom Metal. The band has spread their infection across Western Canada over the years, sharing the stage alongside other local elite acts such as, Disciples of Power and Into Eternity.
After unleashing three well received indie releases, DISPLAY OF DECAY is currently gearing up for their next follow-up “Outbreak of Infection”, an EP featuring five brutal tracks that includes an annihilating rendition of KISS’ ‘Black Diamond’. Set to riot mosh pits officially August 26, 2014, DISPLAY OF DECAY is eagerly preparing to tour Western Canada in 2014 to promote their best work to date.
It’s summer time and there’s nothing better to do than join Toronto, ON’s badass street punks The Rough Boys and their ‘Blood, Booze and Gasoline’ EP, released on July 22nd and is available for $6.66 dollars at their following Bandcamp:
“Alright fuckers here it is…after months of brutal waiting…here’s the Blood, Booze and Gasoline EP for ya…thx to everyone involved. Enjoy…Play LOUD.” Comments vocalist/bassist Tom Gervais.
Track Listing: The Rough Boys – Blood, Booze and Gasoline
1. Before The Devil Knows I’m Dead (2:27)
2. Hogtown (3:57)
3. Blood, Booze and Gasoline (3:05)
4. May Two Four (3:11)
Total Time: 12:42
Taking their name from a Neil Young lyric – ‘All those rough boys, playin’ that rock and roll’, this four track ripper full of aggression and emotion is the follow-up to 2012′s Speed and 2011′s Spithead, sure to leave you in both shock and awe while forcing you to press ‘Play’ again and again. Sharing the stage with bands like Cauldron, Fuck The Facts, Axxion, Midnight Malice, Adrenechrome, Saigon Hookers to name a few, THE ROUGH BOYS don’t hold back on their brass knuckle punch to the face and showing fans a rocking booze fueled good time.
Pink Velvet Krush is pleased to announce that they will be supporting Danger Danger on Saturday August 30th at Revolution in Amityville, NY. Danger Danger will be performing a 25th Anniversary Reunion Show featuring Ted Poley, Andy Timmons, Steve West, Bruno Ravel, and Kasey Smith. This show is the only U.S. show to feature the original band. Tickets are $20 and available at this location.
August 30th will mark the debut performance for Pink Velvet Krush who recently announced their formation featuring former Bulletboys, Britny Fox, Steelheart and Vaudeville members.
Shortly after returning home from a successful headlining tour of Europe, US Death Metal pioneers INCANTATION have announced a second assault of the continent, this time with the almighty BOLT THROWER.
This September, the band will join BOLT THROWER and MORGOTH for select dates of their Overtures of War 2014 tour. INCANTATION has also confirmed two dates with sewage Death Metal trio FUNERUS, which features the unholy pairing of INCANTATION founder John McEntee (guitar) and his wife Jill (bass/vocals). Dates are as follows:
9/19 – Hamburg, Ger @ Bambi Galore – Awaking Corpses Death Metal Fest w/FUNERUS
9/20 – Wermelskirchen, Ger @ Wolfhagenerstr.11 – NRW Deathfest w/FUNERUS
9/24 – Prague, Czech Rep @ Roxy *
9/25 – Vienna, Aus, @ Arena *
9/26 – Munich, Ger @ Backstage *
9/27 – Lyss, Switzerland @ Carnage Feast *
9/28 – Aschaffenburg, Ger @ Colos-Saal *
* – w/ BOLT THROWER and MORGOTH
INCANTATION’s newest album, Dirges of Elysium was released on June 24 through Listenable Records and is available worldwide on CD, vinyl and on iTunes. Album tracks”Debauchery” and “Carrion Prophesy” are streaming at the link below:
INCANTATION guitarist Sonny Lombardozzi, who returned to the band this spring for the Dirges of Elysium touring cycle, recently announced the release of his Revolt Shredder X Signature Overdrive Pedal. A demo video for the pedal, featuring Lombardozzi and McEntee, can be seen at this location.
Laser’s Edge division, Sensory Records, has confirmed the late Summer release of the new live album from Los Angeles-based Progressive/Power Metal group, REDEMPTION.
In 2012, REDEMPTION co-headlined the world-famous ProgPower Festival in Atlanta, where the band recorded a unique show featuring nearly eighty minutes of material and staged with complementary visuals that drive home the compelling emotional impact of this band. That performance is now being constructed for official worldwide release as, Live From The Pit, to be delivered in a CD/DVD package including additional bonus material, including a 5.1 surround mix and more.
From fan favorites such as the never-before-performed “Parker’s Eyes” to the crushing emotional weight of “Stronger than Death,” the band’s performance captured the special ability of its music to deeply connect with fans. In the words of one concert goer, REDEMPTION‘s show “was definitely the most exhausting, personal and emotional musical experience I’ve ever had.”
Live From The Pit will see release via Sensory Records, REDEMPTION‘s original label, responsible for their seminal first two albums, on September 16th, 2014.
Live From The Pit –Track Listing:
1. Intro/Threads
2. The Suffocating Silence
3. Dreams From The Pit
4. Parker’s Eyes
5. Fall On You
6. Noonday Devil
7. Nocturnal
8. Stronger Than Death
9. The Origins Of Ruin
10. Black And White World
11. The Death Of Faith And Reason
12. Walls
[DVD bears same track listing plus 5.1 surround mix and bonus material]
__________________________________
REDEMPTION is one of the leading Progressive Metal bands in the world today. Formed in 2000 by guitarist / keyboardist / songwriter Nicolas van Dyk, the band features legendary Progressive Metal vocalist Ray Alder of Fates Warning, as well as guitarist Bernie Versailles (Agent Steel), and the phenomenal rhythm section of Chris Quirarte (drums) and Sean Andrews (bass). REDEMPTION‘s combination of heaviness not usually found in Progressive Metal, irresistible melodies and emotional urgency has created a unique and resonant voice for this band that sets them apart from the many clones in the genre, and which has gained them the attention of fans, critics and musicians.
Through the band’s first three studios albums – 2002’s self-titled debut, 2005’s The Fullness of Time, and 2007’s The Origins of Ruin, REDEMPTION gained a loyal fan base and garnered rave reviews worldwide from critics, who describe Redemption’s music as, “one of the best Progressive Metal acts to emerge in the past decade” [DPRP], praised their “magical aura and incredible songwriting” [Blabbermouth], stating, “it’s powerful, catchy, enslaving, technical; it’s the whole bunch” [Lords Of Metal] and having been dubbed, “the new star on the US prog-metal sky” [Squealer Rocks].
REDEMPTION has captivated audiences around the world with their incredible live performances. This was proven on a massive scale in 2008, when the band supported Dream Theater on a five-week North American tour and documenting a headlining show at the tour’s end, entitled Frozen in the Moment, the band returned to the studio to release 2009’s Snowfall on Judgment Day and 2011’s This Mortal Coil.
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.