HOLE IN THE FRAME keep on rocking with the third single in a few weeks. After ‘Mr Madness’ and ‘Insomnia Pt.2′, now is the time of ‘Frame Of Mind’, a powerful and groovy metal song, released through Volcano Records & Promotion, and available both on all digital platforms and YouTube with a lyric video.
‘Frame Of Mind’ is the title-track of the full album to be released by the band further on and well represents the style of this young collective that cross-over the genres with rage and strength. Looking at Pantera, Korn and Slipknot as main sources of influence, Hole In The Frame are writing their path with personality and determination gaining a lot of interest and attention both in Europe and South America.
The band said about ‘Frame Of Mind’ that this song talks “about an inner journey in our ego search. Frame of mind is about some questions that, many times, we cannot find an answer to. What is our place in this world? What do we do to live with dissatisfaction?”
Discover more about HITF on their official social pages and check ‘Frame Of Mind’ out at the link below
Alice Cooper revs up as loudly as ever on his latest solo album Road. Produced by longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, it’s written, composed and recorded with his trusted, longtime bandmates – Ryan Roxie [guitar], Chuck Garric [bass], Tommy Henrikson [guitar], Glen Sobel [drums], and Nita Strauss [guitar]. “Road” channels the spirit of old school Alice with instantly recognizable grit and plenty of gusto. It’s everything you’d hope for from him and more.
“For Road, I wanted the band to be involved in the foundation of all the songs,” says Alice. “I only see these guys when we’re on the road. So, I wanted them to be as tight as they are for the show but on all new material. When you have a band this good, I believe in showing it off, and this is my way of doing so.”
The album opener and first single “I’m Alice” sets the tone for the album with its driving drumbeat as guitars wail in the distance. Alice’s instantly recognizable rasp takes hold, “I know you’re looking for a real good time. So, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. I’m Alice. I’m the Master of Madness; the Sultan of Surprise…so don’t be afraid, just look into my eyes.”
“Road” is going to be released on August 25th, 2023 on earMUSIC in a wide variety of formats and limited vinyl colors. Complementing the album’s theme, the bonus DVD/Blu-ray comes with Alice Cooper’s full live show at Hellfest 2022 and includes all the classics and rarely played gems.
Below info from: AliceCooper.com:
Album Features: Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine), Wayne Kramer (MC5), Keith Nelson (Buckcherry) and Kane Roberts
Track listing (CD):
01. I’m Alice 02. Welcome To The Show 03. All Over The World 04. Dead Don’t Dance 05. Go Away 06. White Line Frankenstein 07. Big Boots 08. Rules Of The Road 09. The Big Goodbye 10. Road Rats Forever 11. Baby Please Don’t Go 12. 100 More Miles 13. Magic Bus
Tracklisting (DVD – Live at Hellfest 2022):
01. Feed My Frankenstein (Live at Hellfest) 02. No More Mr. Nice Guy (Live at Hellfest) 03. Bed Of Nails (Live at Hellfest) 04. Hey Stoopid (Live at Hellfest) 05. Fallen In Love (Live at Hellfest) 06. Go Man Go (Live at Hellfest) 07. Guitar Solo by Nita Strauss (Live at Hellfest) 08. Roses On White Lace (Live at Hellfest) 09. I’m Eighteen (Live at Hellfest) 10. Poison (Live at Hellfest) 11. Billion Dollar Babies (Live at Hellfest) 12. The Black Widow Jam (Live at Hellfest) 13. Steven (Live at Hellfest) 14. Dead Babies (Live at Hellfest) 15. I Love The Dead (Live at Hellfest) 16. Escape (Live at Hellfest) 17. School’s Out (Live at Hellfest)
Might as well start our UFO album covers off with the Sci-Fi legends of Metal themselves: VOIVOD. ‘Morgoth Tales’ is an album of re-recordings from the bands’ back catalogue of great albums and will be released on July 21st via Century Media Records.
HYPOCRISY – ‘WORSHIP’ (2021)
Swedish Death Metal juggernaut HYPOCRISY really went all out on the Ancient Alien theory with this album cover for their thirteenth studio album: ‘WORSHIP’.
Crosby Stills & Nash – ‘Daylight Again’ (1982)
Yup. Even Crosby Stills & Nash couldn’t resist a UFO theme for an album cover.
BOSTON – ‘WALK ON’ (1994)
The iconic BOSTON spaceship has graced every one of their album covers. We’ve highlighted three other BOSTON album covers in our past UFO posts and ‘WALKON’ gets the nod this time around.
PARLIAMENT – ‘5 Classic Albums’ (2016)
The slipcase cover for this 5 CD set of classic albums from Parliament surely shows a UFO floating around! Then again it’s only fitting; for this band spread their Funk all over the Universe!
Thank you for checking out this crazy post! Keep your eyes to the sky! 👀
Following their much-acclaimed debut album, Ban The Light ( 2019, AFM Records ) and a series of live tracks, taken of their incredible show in support of JUDAS PRIEST “Live In Dalhalla”, Swedish hard rock act DEAF RAT has suprised their fanbase with a brand new song!
The music video for the high-voltage banger “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is showcasing actual studio footage of the band, who is currently working on a new EP to be released in the not so distant future! As DEAF RAT reveal: “Schizophrenic Part Of Me is a kick ass rock n roll track, a party starter as energetic, straight forward and deadly as it can get. Be prepared to get grabbed by your neck by this venomous guitar riff, the sound and the vibe of Deaf Rat 2.0!”
The new DEAF RAT video for “Schizophrenic Part Of Me” is now premiering HERE
DEAF RAT hails from Dalarna in Sweden, a small region with long traditions of mining, steel industry, music and a healthy dose of DIY attitude. The broad sound of DEAF RATis built on a strong foundation of classic 70s, 80s and 90s rock packed with influences of the band members different personal favourites. With their massive guitar riffs and strong melodies, this is the band that fills up the cracks in the ageing concrete between old school and modern hard rock.
With their driving riffs, thundering drum beats, and electrifying presence, DEAF RAT prove that they are one of the most explosive and dynamic forces in the world of hard rock. Their latest album, Ban The Light is available at THIS LOCATION!. Ban The Light was released with great reviews from all over the world.
Metal Temple recommends “if you are a fan of eccentric and eclectic Hard Rock acts, DEAF RAT must find its place on your watch list for the years to come”, Sonic Perspectives lauded “Deaf Rat puts forth some quality hard rock”, while GBHBL featured the album as “an overly strong rock effort from these Swedish up and comers”! So better watch out for many more DEAF RAT news and songs to be revealed in the nearest future!
In celebration of their 40th anniversary last year, British thrash metal pioneers ONSLAUGHT reissued their latest three studio albums “Sounds Of Violence“ (2011), “VI” (2013) and “Generation Antichrist” (2020) as red 180 gram Vinyl editions in gatefold sleeve and a special anniversary edition of “Sounds Of Violence” as a 2-CD digipak including a bonus CD. A brand new music video for one of the colossal title tracks, “Generation Antichrist” is now premiering HERE!
It’s cool to hear the sonic assault of the title track from the last Onslaught studio album, Generation Antichrist, hitched up to the energetic visuals of the headline show that we put on for the UK’s Bloodstock Festival,” the band comments. “It keys things off nicely for a new level of total aggression we’ve got planned for you all coming real soon…watch this space!”
Earlier in 2022, ONSLAUGHT were inducted into the “Metal Hall of Fame”, being characterized as “one of the most ferocious, explosive and controversial metal bands ever to come out of the UK.” ONSLAUGHT belong as one of the most influential and respected bands of their genre. To date, they have released seven studio albums, one compilation, four singles and two live recordings: a live album and a live DVD. ONSLAUGHT‘s much-acclaimed anniversary LP re-releases, which belong into every well-sorted thrash metal record collection, are available via the AFM Records store at THIS LOCATION!
For those who love 80’s new wave and/or 80’s metal, stand in the light of the darkness, and testify… your time is at hand! Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE!
Fronted by the iconic Helstar singer James Rivera, the band will release their much-awaited album, entitled New Wave Gone Metal, on July 28, 2023 via Massacre Records. Get ready for the embrace of metallic, dark, epic and euphoric cover versions of songs by some of the greatest bands of the new wave/dark wave era!
James Rivera comments: “Make no mistake that to this day I still love each of these songs in the original forms but I have to admit now that we did them in our own metal way, it’s hard for me to listen to them as they were and I know once these new wave classics sink their teeth into you metal wave style, you’ll never listen to them the same either!”
Get a taste of what metal wave sounds like, today, JAMES RIVERA’S METAL WAVE has unleashed a music video for their first album single, a crushing heavy metal cover of the Depeche Mode classic “Black Celebration”! Watch the clip now premiering HERE
“As for “Black Celebration” it is a kind of a funny story as well as very memorable and the beginning for my passion of Dark Wave,” James reveals.
“Back in the late summer of 1985 when we had just finished recording “Remnants of War” with Helstar, we had an amusement park here in Houston called Astroworld/ Six Flags and they had free concerts. So if you bought a ticket to the park you could go to the concert afterwards.
Back then it was taboo, if you were a metal head, to listen to that kind of music and vice versa. You practically got your ass kicked by your gang of metal heads. So our whole point even more so now was go and terrorize the nerdy New Wavers, wearing our denim vests with the metal patches with the big one on the back being the Venom one “Welcome to Hell”!” He continues: “We enter the concert grounds and Larry Barragan turns to me and says “Wow dude! These people look more dead than we do!” And as I’m looking around, yep! Everyone is in black from head to toe and dead pale white!! If that wasn’t enough now, Depeche Mode is getting ready to the hit the stage. The stage is completely black, their intro starts, the fog is massive and there is this huge white sheet in front of the entire stage. (which now years later I found it’s called a kabuki drop and we use one when we can for our Metal Wave shows for the beginning). Then the red lights come on and all you see is 4 black silhouettes while they are playing the eerie beginning of “Black Celebration”. When the beat hits, the kabuki drops and then there is the band!! We were floored!!! It was like seeing a King Diamond show but a Dark Wave version of it! We ran up to the front as close as we could and flashed the metal horns to the band and I’ve been in love with this band ever since and the rest is history.
On top of it being the very first song we rearranged and recorded for Metal Wave, that is why it had to be our first more official video for the record and opening track for it!”
New Wave Gone Metal was mixed by Larry Barragan at the Hombre Malo Studio, and was mastered by Robert Colwell at Bombworks Sound Studio. Slated for a release as CD Digipak , Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on July 28, 2023 through Massacre Records, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
New Wave Gone Metal – track listing:
Black Celebration
Love My Way
Lovesong
Shock The Monkey
Black Planet
Everybody Wants To Rule The World
Bela Lugosi’s Dead
The Killing Moon
Pet Sematary
Rain
Album Line-Up: James “Vampiro” Rivera – Vocals Larry Barragan – Guitars Maurice Eggenschwiler – Guitars Garrick Smith – Bass Rene Luna – Drums
Guest Musician: Jan Kimmel – Hammond Organ, Backing Vocals & Co-Lead Vocals on “Rain”
Back in 1981, I was a freshman in high school. My buddy Scott introduced me to the albums Blizzard Of Ozz and Mob Rules. Seriously, my life changed forever. For those that never lived this era, the feeling and vibe of these albums being newly released was nothing short of ecstasy.
I worry that younger generations of Metalheads will never fully understand the full magnitude of Blizzard O Ozz and Mobb Rules on the Metal spectrum back in 1981. Yes, Ozzy Osbourne is a mainstream figure today. Yes, Randy Rhoads will forever be an iconic Metal guitarist. What I want to scream out loud for the universe to here is that the rhythm section of Blizzard Of Ozz was a once in a lifetime duo of Bob Daisley on bass and the late Lee Kerslake on drums.
Bob Daisley wrote the songs AND lyrics for Blizzard Of Ozz. No debate. Fact. Please, just do the research to know the truth. Regardless, Ozzy was the singer that was so unique for its time and is still to this day. I believe each member of Blizzard Of Ozz were honestly dependent on each other; they were a group that will never again be matched. They’re vibe as a cohesive group is to be emulated. Forever.
Now, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward countered with Mob Rules. With Ronnie James Dio recruited as the new lead singer of Black Sabbath, the evolution of Metal will forever be changed for the better, in my Metal opinion. Now, the Black Sabbath album Heaven And Hell was already released a year earlier and set the bar for the new era of Metal. Regardless, Mob Rules solidified the impact that this new era of Black Sabbath was about.
My main objective with this post is to remind seasoned Metalheads and/or let the younger generations of Metalheads that 1981 was a pulsar of Metal history due to Blizzard Of Ozz and Black Sabbath. These albums have stood the test of time. Heck, these albums are better than most Metal albums released since then.
Since Corvus Lore’s inception in 2015, their goal has been to write music that is memorable, inspiring, and possesses the perfect blend of the various styles of rock music that they grew up on — keeping original rock music alive today. And people in the music industry are taking note.
SoundwavesTV has referred to Corvus Lore as the Bay Area’s buzz-worthy band in 2023. Internet show host Chris Akin recently published his interview with the band stating, “Why Corvus Lore is the NEXT Velvet Revolver!” Inspiring and eye-catching videos such as “Boxing Ballerina” have won “Best Music Video” category at the 2022 Poppy Jasper International Film Festival. And their momentum keeps building — having shared the stage with notable rock legends like Tesla, Richie Kotzen, and Dizzy Reed from Guns n Roses, and Eric Martin. They have also made TV appearances on the KBFX morning show.
Their sophomore album, ‘Lucida,’ scheduled to be released in July 2023 on Valley of Fire Records, contains nine new songs that will take you on a ride and make you want to set the needle back again and again. Keep an eye out for their upcoming shows in 2023.
June 13, 2023 – The Cult have announced a slate of Western U.S. tour dates for this Fall, with the iconic rock band trekking across the region following their Aftershock Festival performance.
“We are thrilled to announce these shows,” Ian Astbury shares. “As we close the circle from ’83 to ’23, we are entering into this moment to celebrate with you all, what has been, and shall continue to be, The Cult’s continuing legacy.”
In addition, the band have also added a trio of July performances, including a July 14 slot at the Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival.
The Cult U.S. tour dates:
July 12 Northfield, OH Center Stage at MGM Northfield July 13 Peoria, IL Peoria Civic Center Theater July 14 Milwaukee, WI Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival
October 5 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival October 6 Reno, NV Grand Sierra Resort & Casino – Grand Theatre * October 8 Eugene, OR Hult Center for the Performing Arts – Soreng Theatre * October 11 Spokane, WA Northern Quest Resort & Casino October 12 Boise, ID Revolution Concert House * October 14 Shelton, WA Little Creek Casino Resort – Skookum Event Center October 15 Portland, OR Roseland Theatre * October 17 Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery October 19 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay * October 20 San Diego, CA Humphreys Concerts by the Bay * October 21 Rancho Mirage, CA Aqua Caliente Rancho Mirage – The Show October 26 Chandler, AZ Gila River Hotels & Casino – The Showroom at Wild Horse Pass October 27 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl * October 28 Las Vegas, NV The Pearl *
– Cold Cave opens
Tickets are on-sale this Friday at 10 am local time. VIP options, including deluxe seating, will be available simultaneously.
Photo credit: The Cult
The Cult formed in 1983 England, initially dubbed Death Cult, the seminal post-punk band have sold in excess of four million albums with numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications. Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar) have released 11 studio albums over The Cult’s 40-year career. The U.K. band, dubbed “Shamanic goths” by Classic Rock Magazine, found international renown with the 1985 album, Love, which featured the enduring rock anthem “She Sells Sanctuary,” as well as the oft-heard follow-up single “Rain.” Electricarrived in 1989, with Rolling Stonesaying the collection of songs (particularly “Love Removal Machine,” “Wild Flower” and “Lil’ Devil”) “swaggers, crunches and howls.” Most recently, The Cult released Under the Midnight Sun. Mojo, in a review of the eight-song album, said “rock’s unquenchable melodramatists have the fire in their eyes still.”
Following their wildly successful Verminous Remnant Spring headlining tour, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER today announces a final bout of shows before returning to the studio to complete their next studio album. The short journey, which begins on September 8th at Blue Ridge Rock Fest in Alton, Virginia and closes on September 16th at the New England Metal Fest in Worcester, Massachusetts, includes a performance alongside Lamb Of God in Pikeville, Kentucky. Support will be provided by Chelsea Grin, Gates To Hell, and labelmates, 200 Stab Wounds, on select shows. Tickets go on sale this Friday, June 16th at 10:00am local time. See all confirmed dates below.
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER w/ Chelsea Grin, 200 Stab Wounds, Gates To Hell: 9/08/2023 Blue Ridge Rock Fest – Alton, VA * 9/09/2023 The Concourse – Knoxville, TN 9/10/2023 Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY 9/11/2023 Appalachian Wireless Arena – Pikeville, KY w/Lamb Of God, After The Burial, Alpha Wolf * 9/12/2023 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 9/14/2023 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 9/15/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA 9/16/2023 New England Metal Fest – Worcester, MA
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER only
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER’s most recent full-length, Verminous, was released in 2020 via Metal Blade Records. Without compromising a scrap of heaviness, the record stands among the band’s most dynamic, rousing, and emotional releases to date. Louder Sound crowned Verminous, “absolutely excellent,” while Blabbermouth wrote, “This is a deeper and smarter realization of the Michigan crew’s tried and tested formula, and one blessed with several of the finest songs they have ever written… File next to Nocturnal and Ritual as an unquestionable career peak.” To preview and purchase the record, visit metalblade.com/tbdm.
New Album out on June 30, 2023 via AFM Records Currently on Tour with EISBRECHER + New Headlining Dates just announced!
While they are currently on tour with EISBRECHER ( find all gigs listed below, including just announced headlining dates! ), industrial dark rock and metal act, SCHATTENMANN, is gearing up for the release of their hotly-anticipated, forthcoming album! Día de Muertos, the band’s fourth studio offering, is due out on June 30, 2023via AFM Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
Following a series of previously-released singles such as “Menschenhasser”, “Hände Hoch”, “Dickpic” or “Jeder Ist Schlecht”, now, the four-piece is presenting us a music video for their album title track! SCHATTENMANN frontman Frank Herzig comments: “For us, Día de Muertos is an absolutely life-affirming song. “We celebrate life, death and time” means seize the day, enjoy life and make the most of the time you have left.”
Watch the new SCHATTENMANN clip for “Día de Muertos”, now premiering HERE
With their unique sound and profound music, SCHATTENMANN has become one of the most promising bands in the German metal scene. Chaos, the band’s latest, much acclaimed album (2021, AFM Records), has already seen them unmistakably showcase: SCHATTENMANN‘s sound became heavier, more metallic, more multifaceted and uncompromising in terms of content.
With Día de Muertos, SCHATTENMANN has purposefully expanded their sound to include modern and enthralling elements through the influences of metal and industrial, and their upcoming offering won’t make any exceptions. The album promises to take its listener on an even more intense journey and solidify their already strong presence in the world of heavy music!
“On ‘Día de Muertos’, you will only find songs that get straight to the point without detours. Half-hearted ideas or even filler material is sought in vain here,” Herzig recently said, who also produced and mixed the album.
“We sorted out a lot during the songwriting and kept only the very best tracks to present to the public. In this way, ten strong songs have been created that leave no questions unanswered.”
This statement is all the more true since Herzig and his three bandmates Jan Shook (guitar), Luke Shook (bass) and Nils Kinzig (drums) once again draw on the full range of content. Their credo is: “We wish, that our fans are touched by our music and take something out of it for themselves personally. We want to arouse emotions, from good mood to anger, but at the same time it can also be melancholic or thoughtful.”
Día de Muertos track listing:
Día de Muertos
Jeder ist schlecht
Hände hoch
Menschenhasser
Dämonen
Meer aus Licht
Haters Gonna Hate
Dickpic
In deinem Schatten
Ewigkeit
In support of their upcoming album release, SCHATTENMANN are currently touring with German rock act EISBRECHER, but have also just announced their Día de Muertos Tour 2024!
Make sure to catch SCHATTENMANN live at the following dates:
With EISBRECHER 09.06.23-DE-Leipzig, Parkbühne (Neue Venue) 10.06.23-DE-Dresden, Alter Schlachthof 16.06.23-DE-Berlin | Columbiahalle 17.06.23-AT-Wien, Gasometer 18.06.23-DE-München, Zenith 29.06.23-DE-Wiesbaden, Schlachthof 30.06.23-DE-Bochum, RuhrCongress 01.07.23-DE-Hannover, Swiss Life Hall 02.07.23-DE-Fürth, Stadthalle
Día de Muertos Tour 2024 01.02.24 DE-Frankfurt, Das Bett 02.02.24 DE-Berlin, Columbia Theater 03.02.24 DE-Hannover, Musikzentrum 04.02.24 DE-Hamburg, Knust 08.02.24 DE-Dresden, Tante Ju 09.02.24 DE-Leipzig, Hellraiser 11.02.24 DE-Oberhausen, Kulttempel 21.03.24 DE-München, Backstage 22.03.24 AT-Wien, Chelsea 23.03.24 DE-Stuttgart, Im Wizemann 24.03.24 DE-Nürnberg, Hirsch
Black metal horde PROGENITOR will unleash its debut album, titled Eldritch Supremacy, this summer. The band has launched an early assault with the album’s first single, “Beast of Gevaudan.”
Tracklist: 1) Intro 2) Eldritch Supremacy 3) Crows of Winter 4) Prophets Belial 5) Beast of Gevaudan 6) Treasures of Perversion 7) Binding of the Corpse God
Eldritch Supremacy was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Chris Manino. Artwork by Jasmine Howsmon.
PROGENITOR, an unrelenting force in the realm of black metal, emerged from the depths of darkness to unleash their sonic fury upon the world. Formed in 2008 in Tacoma, WA. PROGENITOR has risen as a formidable entity within the black metal scene.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient, occult, and primordial forces that shape the universe, PROGENITOR‘s music serves as a vessel for dark and introspective exploration. Their sound is characterized by a relentless onslaught of atmospheric riffs, blistering tremolo-picked melodies, thunderous blast beats, and hauntingly rasped vocals. By seamlessly blending atmospheric elements with ferocious aggression, PROGENITOR creates an immersive and evocative auditory experience that transports listeners to otherworldly realms of despair and transcendence.
PROGENITOR is: JoeErz – vocals Fletcher Lane – lead guitar Ben Kettel – rhythm guitar Brian Sprouse– bass guitar and vocals Alex Shaw – drums
Witherfall continue their march towards album number 4 with a select appearance opening for the iconic bands Cynic and Atheist! Get your tickets for June 17th at the Teragram ballroom in Los Angeles now before they sell out! Its an early show with Doors open at 6:00 Witherfall on at 6:30 with Cynic closing the night at 8:30.
Following their latest, much-acclaimed offering, Reforged – Ironbound (released in 2022 via AFM Records), Hamburg-based power metal act Iron Savior has announced the release of a brand new studio album! Firestar will be out on October 6, 2023 through AFM, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
To shorten your wait until the full-length release, today, Iron Savior have unleashed their blistering album title track! It’s immediatly evident, “Firestar” is irresistible and with its incredible 176 bpm definitely one of the fastest songs in Iron Savior’s history to date. Says singer and guitarist Piet Sielck: “With the power of the debut, the energy of Condition Red and a massive old-school-meets-modern-soundscapes production, Firestar is a massive track that won’t leave your players for a long time. We promise!”
Watch the official lyric video for “Firestar”, now premiering HERE
The band’s upcoming album will feature a wide range of influences from hard rock to pop, all calibrated to heavy metal standards thanks to those typical Iron Savior virtues. But sometimes pure coincidence or seemingly inconspicuous little details can turn a very good album into an outstanding release. In the case of Firestar, it has come as a real surprise even for Sielck that the new songs surpass the material of the impressive 2020 album Skycrest. In fact, the cornerstones of the current offering were already set and pointed to a successful production within the tried and tested framework, when all of a sudden everything turned out rather differently: “Just before the recordings were finalised, I was inspired by the muse, totally out of the blue. I wrote two more songs out of nowhere and changed a third one on the spur of the moment. And suddenly, ‘Firestar’ turned into an even better record,” says Sielck happily, admitting that this unexpected creative surge “triggered great emotions” in him.
Iron Savior have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the Iron Savior spaceship that has been around since 2011. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar promises to be a bonfire in many respects!
Firestar track listing:
The Titan
Curse of the Machinery
In the Realm of Heavy Metal
Demise of the Tyrant
Firestar
Through the Fires of Hell
Mask, Cloak and Sword
Across the Wastelands
Rising from Ashes
Nothing Is Forever
Together as One
IRON SAVIOR: Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars) Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars) Jan S. Eckert (bass) Patrick Klose (drums)
IRON SAVIOR Live: 09.06.23 Hellpdays, Olmutz (CZ) 30.06.23 Midalidare, Rock in the Vine Valley (BGR) 01.07.23 Fahrendorf Open Air, Fahrendorf (D) 26.08.2023 Steel Fest, Stalowa Wola (POL) 02.09.23 1000Fryd, Aalborg tba (DK) 09.09.23 Kubana, Siegburg (D)
Bristol (UK) – Relentlessly pummeling and delivering old-school thrash vibes with modern production values, UK thrashers CHUPACABRA are primed to release their debut EP, Fortifiedwith Ashes, on August 4.
A lyric video for opening track “Burn The Clowns” is available at: youtu.be/9cwV6sfVgXs
And that’s not all! CHUPACABRA is providing all the music for the new audiobook edition of DX Ferris’ best-selling SLAYER biography: Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, Postmortem Remastered Edition, as well as the accompanying podcast, Talkin’ Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
CHUPACABRA is the new project from three battle-scarred members of Bristol’s flourishing metal scene. Nige Savage (all instruments except lead guitar) and Heather Taylor (vocals) are former members of well-known local band Wytch; Heather was also the lead singer for acclaimed Bristol band Cybervoid. Alex Brent, formerly of Captive, rounds out the recording line-up on lead guitar.
CHUPACABRA bring the full-frontal, in-your-face force of relentless thrashing riffage as a platform for soaring, aggressive vocals that explore issues of toxic relationships, female empowerment, social injustice and the laid-bare rage of one disaffected member of a broken society. Heather Taylor reveals layers of herself threaded through the songs on a journey of venting unbound rage, breaking conditioned compliance and growing a new authentic skin.
For Fans Of: Kreator, Slayer, Arch Enemy, Holy Moses, At The Gates, Lamb of God, Pest Control, Testament, Sodom
Track Listing:
Burn The Clowns
F.T.T.D.
Fortified with Ashes
EP mixed and mastered by Wynter Prior, Sphynx Studios, Brighton, UK.
As the band approaches its 20th anniversary of their first release, As the Last Light Drains (Victory Records, 2003), FREYA have returned to their roots with a pulverizing new full-length album, entitled Fight As One, which will be released on September 22nd on Upstate Records.
Today the band has shared “Sense Of Doom” where they are joined by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta. “We are all living through increasingly tumultuous and uncertain times,”says vocalist Karl Buechner about the track. “‘Sense of Doom’ is about weathering those storms by staying unified with friends and family. The message is about never surrendering to negativity and holding true to core values.”
FREYA are joined by three legendary hardcore front-men on their newest album; Freddie Cricien (MADBALL) delivers a crushing performance on the title track, Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) seethes on “Sense of Doom” and Scott Vogel (TERROR) drops the hammer on “Thousand Yard Stare”.
Fight As One Credits: Lyrics: Karl Buechner Composition: Karl Buechner, Erick Edwards, Thom Turner, Ian Edwards, Ethan D Henry Produced and Mixed By: Ethan D Henry Mastered by: Jocko (Moresound) Photo By: Jim Wertman
Track Listing: Nothingness Or God Sense Of Doom ft. Jamey Jasta Fight As One ft. Freddy Cricien 1000 Yard Stare ft. Scott Vogel Back To Haunt The Flames Of War Never Say My Name Beyond Despair Omens Destructive Path Odin
New song and lyric video of the Luxembourgish Thrashers!
Hey, want immense anger?
A determined return: With their 2 previous albums SCARLET ANGER earned lots of respect and appreciation. Recently the line-faithful bunch around singer Joe Block has finished the third album “Martyr“.
New Album will be released in 2023. In advance, there is from the guys full one on the cap once more with the new, 2nd single and the video “Hunger“!
Video production: Stereo 27 Productions
The band says about “Hunger“: “The song title refers to the central theme of the song, which is the insatiable greed and inner hunger that drives us. The term ‘Hunger’ symbolizes the intense longing and desire for more, whether it be material or immaterial.”
LINE-UP: Joe Block • Vocals Jeff Buchette • Guitars Fred Molitor • Guitars Vincent Niclou • Bass Rod Sovilla • Drums
FLASHBACK: SCARLET ANGER is a Luxembourgish THRASH METAL band, founded in 2007 by vocalist Joe Block and guitarist Fred Molitor. Their first gigs were followed quite quickly by the release of a first EP, called “La Realidad Es Triste …”, whose successor “Kill The King” made the band noticeable on an international level for the first time.
Being more aggressive and fast than its predecessor, “Kill The King” didn’t just earn a lot of critical acclaim but also gained the attention of the German label Dust On The Tracks. This led to a world wide record deal for the first album “Dark Reign”, which was mastered by Jeff Waters and released by Dust On The Tracks in May 2012. SCARLET ANGER presented their new album on numerous small and established festivals like the Durbuy Rock Festival and the Extremefest.
In between their shows, SCARLET ANGER started gathering first ideas for the successor to “Dark Reign”. Classic eighties and nineties comics and horror stories served as their main inspiration for what would later become their second album “Freak Show”. Mastered by Jens Bogren, this album has a more melodic approach. It was released on March 18th 2016 via Haensel and Gretel / MIG Music.
October 14, 2023 | Northern Rockfest | Umeå, Sweden October 15, 2023 | Cozmoz Arena | Borlänge, Sweden October 16, 2023 | Vulkan Arena| Oslo, Norway October 17, 2023 | Trädgår’n | Gothenburg, Sweden October 19, 2023 | Slaktkyrkan | Stockholm, Sweden October 20, 2023 | Gimle | Roskilde, Denmark October 20, 2023 | Kulturpalast | Hamburg, Germany October 22, 2023 | Hellraiser | Leipzig, Germany October 24, 2023 | TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) | Utrecht, Netherlands October 25, 2023 | Garage | Saarbrücken, Germany October 26, 2023 | Bataclan | Paris, France October 27, 2023 | Konzertfabrik Z7 | Pratteln, Switzerland October 28, 2023 | Alcatraz | Milan, Italy October 30, 2023 | Backstage | Munich, Germany October 31, 2023 | Szene | Vienna, Austria November 1, 2023 | Barba Negra | Budapest, Hungary November 3, 2023 | Fuzz Club | Athens, Greece November 4, 2023 | Principal Club Theater | Thessaloniki, Greece November 6, 2023 | FORM Space | Cluj-Napoca, Romania November 7, 2023 | Quantic | Bucharest, Romania November 10, 2023 | Colos-Saal | Aschaffenburg, Germany November 12, 2023 | Matrix | Bochum, Germany
Finnish heavy metal sextet BATTLE BEAST will be bringing their Circus of Doom to town and playing Day 3 (Sept. 8) of ProgPower USA. They will be replacing WIND ROSE. Tickets are still available for days 1 & 2 of the festival.
ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXII, will occur Sep 6 – Sep 9, 2023 at Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, GA. This year’s lineup features KAMELOT, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, the final USA show for POWER QUEST, and the first announced USA show for THE HALO EFFECT. Other acts include DORO, BEAST IN BLACK, SWALLOW THE SUN, VOLA, CYNIC, and more!
Day 1 | September 6 DORO SWALLOW THE SUN CYNIC ELVENKING ICE AGE
Day 2 | September 6 BEAST IN BLACK VOLA THE HALO EFFECT ZERO HOUR SEVEN KINGDOMS
Day 3 | September 8 – SOLD OUT
KAMELOT CALIGULA’S HORSE GREEN CARNATION AD INFINITUM BATTLE BEAST THE CRYPTEX
Day 4 | September 9 – SOLD OUT
MYRATH UNLEASH THE ARCHERS DELAIN VISIONS OF ATLANTIS EVIL INVADERS POVERTY’S NO CRIME
Glenn Harveston reflected, “Our festival has established itself as one of the most unique and exciting events for progressive and power metal worldwide, and the history of sales speaks for itself. I’m thankful for yet another sell-out for days 3&4, and hope the trend continues for Milton and Nathan’s shows as well.”
Milton Mendonca continued, “This year’s Day 2 roster calls back to the quintessential blend of genres that made our festival so successful to begin with. You cannot find a show like this anywhere else in the States, so last call to join the best metal party of the year.”
ProgPower USA has served as the USA debut for iconic bands like Nightwish, Blind Guardian, Epica, Kamelot and more. Tickets for days 1 & 2 of the festival have limited quantities still available. Be a part of heavy metal history and join in on ProgPower USA XXII!
HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED TREK INCLUDES THE BAND’S FIRST CANADIAN DATES SINCE 2019
June 6, 2023, LOS ANGELES – TOOL return to the road this Fall, expanding on their recently announced festival appearances (Power Trip, Aftershock and Louder Than Life) with an additional six weeks of performances, including the band’s first Canadian dates since 2019.
The tour announcement follows TOOL’s debut live performances of 2023, headlining both Welcome to Rockville and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in recent weeks.
Tickets for all non-festival shows are on-sale this Friday, June 9 at 10 am local time. In advance of the forthcoming on-sale, TOOL Army has opened additional memberships, with pre-sale tickets available exclusively to members on June 8 at 10 am local time. A limited number of VIP packages will also be initially available to TOOL Army members, with remaining options, including premium tickets, soundcheck access, exclusive merchandise and more, available to the general public as the on-sale begins on June 9.
TOOL tour dates:
September 22 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life Festival October 3 Loveland, CO Budweiser Event Center October 6 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival October 8 Indio, CA Power Trip October 10 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center October 12 Idaho Falls, ID Mountain America Center October 14 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center October 15 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena October 17 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Center October 19 Portland, OR Moda Center October 20 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome October 22 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place Arena October 23 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena October 25 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place October 27 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome October 29 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Center October 31 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center November 1 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum November 3 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boiling Arena November 4 Charleston, WV Charleston Coliseum November 6 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena November 7 Allentown, PA PPL Center November 10 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena November 13 Manchester, NH SNHU Arena November 15 Boston, MA TD Garden November 16 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center November 19 Montreal, QC Bell Center November 20 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena November 21 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Since the 2019 release of TOOL‘s critically-acclaimed album, Fear Inoculum, the band has won a GRAMMY Award® (Best Metal Performance for “7empest”), completed sold-out tours of both the U.S. and Europe, and headlined Bonnaroo, Welcome to Rockville and the Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival. TOOL marked the 30th anniversary of the OpiateEP with the 2022 release of “Opiate2,” a re-imagining of the EP’s title track, released in tandem with a breathtaking, 10-minute short film crafted by Adam Jones and visual artist Dominic Hailstone (“Alien: Covenant”, “The Eel”).
Reviews from TOOL’s sold-out 2022 tours praised the four-piece, with Loudwire dubbing the performances as “a masterclass of immersion, sound and stage design, musicianship… and levels of ungodly tightness.” The Austin Chronicle described the incomparable live experience as an “unbridled exchange of catharsis between performers and fans.” More recently, Revolver, covering Welcome to Rockville 2023, said “TOOL delivered a stunning… set featuring classic fan favorites, newer Fear Inoculum standouts and choice deeper cuts … the striking visuals also included a psychedelic laser and projections show bar none.”
TOOL formed in 1990, releasing five studio albums: Undertow (1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus (2001), 10,000 Days (2006) and Fear Inoculum (2019); two EPs: 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992), and the limited-edition boxset Salival (2000). The band has won four GRAMMY Awards®: Best Metal Performance (1998, “Ænima”), Best Metal Performance (2002, “Schism”), Best Recording Package (2007, 10,000 Days) and Best Metal Performance (2020, “7empest”). TOOL is Danny Carey (drums), Justin Chancellor (bass), Adam Jones (guitar) and Maynard James Keenan (vocals).
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