Archive for Heavy Metal

U.D.O. – Rescheduled Touchdown US/Canada Tour Set For Fall 2024

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 10, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Martin Häusler

German heavy metal veterans U.D.O. who were recently forced to postpone their planned 2023 North American tour, are pleased to reveal the rescheduled dates for Fall 2024. The journey will commence on September 6th in Frenchtown, New Jersey and makes its way through two dozen cities, closing on October 12th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Tickets, as well as VIP upgrades which include a meet and greet with U.D.O., a photo-op, autographs, and more are available at: national-acts.com/UDO.

Tickets purchased for the previous 2023 shows will be honored on their respective rescheduled dates. See all confirmed dates below.

U.D.O. Touchdown US/Canada Tour:
9/06/2024 Artie’s – Frenchtown, NJ
9/07/2024 The Vault – New Bedford, MA
9/08/2024 Reverb – Reading, PA
9/11/2024 Southport Music Hall – Jefferson, LA
9/12/2024 Rise Rooftop – Houston, TX
9/14/2024 Rolling Oaks Event – San Antonio, TX
9/15/2024 Trees – Dallas, TX
9/17/2024 Rockhouse – El Paso, TX
9/18/2024 The 44 – Glendale, AZ
9/20/2024 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
9/21/2024 Stages – Santa Ana, CA
9/22/2024 Whisky A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
9/23/2024 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
9/25/2024 Rickhouse – Denver, CA
9/27/2024 The Vixen – Mchenry, IL
9/28/2024 The Forge – Joliet, IL
10/01/2024 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON
10/02/2024 Foufounes Electriques – Montreal, QC
10/03/2024 Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON
10/04/2024 Token Lounge – Westland, MI
10/05/2024 Q & Z Expo – Ringle, WI
10/06/2024 Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
10/09/2024 Blue Note – Harrison, OH
10/12/2024 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH

Preview and purchase Touchdownat THIS LOCATION.

U.D.O. released their latest studio album, Touchdown, in August via Atomic Fire Records. The record, which marks the musical reunion of singer Udo Dirkschneider and bassist Peter Baltes (ex-Accept) who joined the U.D.O. ranks earlier this year, continues to reap critical accolades globally and entered the official German album charts at #4 upon its first week of release marking the highest charting result in their homeland in their long-running career!

Source: EARSPLIT PR

THE RODS – Sign With Massacre Records And Reveal First Single + Music Video Off Upcoming New Studio Album “Rattle The Cage”!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 9, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

THE RODS are a storied heavy metal band that rocked their way through the ‘80s with a powerful, raw energy that had fans and critics alike calling them “The American Motörhead.” Once the go-to opening act for some of the biggest metal bands in the world, THE RODS toured throughout the ‘80s with the likes of Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, and Iron Maiden, among others. Along with contemporaries like Anvil and Raven, THE RODS are an integral part of what is commonly recognized today as Heavy Metal’s “golden age,” and emerged during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

Following their latest, much acclaimed 2019-album Brotherhood of Metal, now, THE RODS have announced their signing with Massacre Records, and are currently gearing up for the release of their forthcoming studio offering, entitled “Rattle The Cage”! The album will be available as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats on January 12, 2024, the pre-sale has just started at: https://therods.bfan.link/rattlethecage

Drummer Carl Canedy comments: “THE RODS are thrilled to have signed with Massacre Records! The staff and the label’s commitment to Metal is second to none. We feel our new album, “Rattle The Cage”, is one of our best ever. We’re looking forward to working with everyone at Massacre to help make this album as successful as it deserves to be. The Rods have always been about bringing their music to the fans. We will be doing just that in 2024! “

To share a first appetizer, today, THE RODS are presenting their upcoming album title track! “Rattle The Cage”is now available on all digital streaming services at THIS LOCATION, a music video is now premiering HERE!

In preparation for this new album, I received a message from Carl stating that he had an idea for a new song,“ vocalist and guitarist, David “Rock” Feinstein, reveals. “He sent me the title, and some lyric ideas, and of course I thought the title and concept he formed was great. He then left it to me and my imagination to add more lyric ideas, and complete the musical work. The song is about the everyday person who feels trapped at what they might be doing in their life. No matter what the job may be, the need for relief was in need. It’s also about freedom, and about standing up for what you feel is right, and not being taken advantage of. Rattle the cage, and be heard. Let your feelings be known, and stand up for your rights. It really applies to everyone’s life.

Heavy, dark, deep, insightful, and maybe even a bit more inciteful than ever before: “Rattle The Cage”is THE RODS at their incendiary best! Lyrically, they’ve taken a cue from David “Rock” Feinstein’s cousin, Ronnie James Dio, providing the listener with a similar sense of hope and resiliency in the face of an ever-changing world. Musically, the band is tighter than ever! Founding members David “Rock” Feinstein and Carl Canedy are joined by new bassist Freddy Villano (Quiet Riot, Widowmaker), and the results are simply sublime: The songs are rhythmically tighter, yet more musically unbound, the grooves heavier, and the melodies more dynamic.

Mixed and mastered by Chris Collier, “Rattle The Cage” benefits from his masterful, modern touch, with the kind of sound that will simultaneously appeal to core fans as well as new generations of listeners! THE RODS epitomize the term power-trio, and the word “power” has never been more evident in their music than it is now. 2024 will mark THE RODS’ 45th anniversary, in support, they will be playing many special dates and performances to commemorate 45 years together. With such an impressive history firmly notched in their collective belt, THE RODS are still firing on all cylinders, and as eager as ever to crank it up, louder than loud!

Rattle The Cage” track listing:

  1. Now And Forever
  2. Wolves At The Door
  3. Cry Out Loud
  4. Rattle The Cage
  5. Can’t Slow Down
  6. Metal Highways
  7. Hell Or High Water
  8. Play It Loud
  9. Shockwave
  10. Hearts Of Steel

THE RODS:
David “Rock” Feinstein – Guitar, Lead Vocals
Freddy Villano – Bass, Vocals
Carl Canedy – Drums, Vocals

Source: Massacre Records

Frontiers Music Is Pleased To Announce The Upcoming Release From THE GRANDMASTER, “Black Sun” On January 12, 2024!

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos with tags , , , , , , , on November 8, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Frontiers Music is pleased to announce the upcoming release from The Grandmaster, “Black Sun” on January 12, 2024. The first single and video from the album, “Watching The End” are out today. Following their explosive 2021 debut “Skywards,” this remarkable band, led by German guitarist Jens Ludwig (co-founder of Edguy), is set to deliver a powerful fusion of power and melody with a distinctive Teutonic twist.

Keen to hit the road to promote further releases, Danish vocalist Peer Johansson has been welcomed into the fold for the recording of ‘Black Sun’, the group’s follow-up record. Celebrated for his contributions to bands such as Fate, Ureas and Pentakill, Johansson’s voice is characterised by its warmth and an impressive range that has seen him compared to fellow hard rock titans like Rob Halford, Jorn Lande and Udo Dirkschneider.

Musically exuding infectious grooves and again displaying the exceptional prowess of Ludwig with a series of rhythmic riffs and captivating solos, the stellar vocal performances delivered by one of the genre’s hidden gems is the icing on the cake.

Ludwig was thrilled to get Peer on board for the follow-up, “I’ve actually been a fan of Peer’s for decades and own all the Fate albums he was involved in. The excitement was back for this second record and it was great to see the songs take shape from their original demo form and also see how Peer’s voice has developed over the years.”

For his part, Johansson describes ‘Black Sun’ as “a fantastic collaboration from inception to completion. When I first heard Jens’ riffs, I was completely blown away. His guitar playing is absolutely mind-blowing and has left me with a sore neck from all the headbanging! He plays like a musical deity and I feel honoured to be part of this extraordinary project. I can’t wait to share the stage with him during live shows and give it everything we’ve got.”

Guided by the ubiquitous Alessandro Del Vecchio, who plays bass and keyboards while also making a significant contribution to its superb production, ‘Black Sun’ is a dynamic and captivating album that sees in 2024 with a massive metallic bang.

pre-save/add

BLACK SUN – TRACKLISTING:
1 Black Sun
2 Watching the End
3 While the Sun Goes Down
4 Learn to Forgive
5 Heaven’s Calling
6 Something More
7 Fly, Icarus Fly
8 I’m Alive
9 What We Can Bear
10 Soul Sacrifice
11 Into the Dark

THE GRANDMASTER:
Peer Johansson – vocals
Jens Ludwig – guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio – bass, keyboards
Brett Jones – keyboards
Mirko De Maio – drums

Source: Frontiers Records

ARMORED SAINT – Announces North American Tour With Queensrÿche – Tickets On Sale This Friday!

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on November 7, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Iconic heavy metal outfit ARMORED SAINT will return to the stage this Spring supporting Queensrÿche! The trek, which commences on March 27th, 2024 in Anaheim, California and runs through May 21st, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada, includes several ARMORED SAINT headlining shows scattered throughout.

Comments ARMORED SAINT vocalist John Bush, “Hello SAINT fans, We are happy to announce that we will be hitting the road again in March 2024 to team up with our good friends and one amazing band, the mighty Queensrÿche! Playing shows with Eddie [Jackson], Michael [Wilton], Todd [La Torre], Casey [Grillo], and Mike [Stone] is always inspiring and a lot of fun. The tour hits lots of cities we haven’t played in a while including dates in Canada! Come on out and watch two classic metal bands bring the house down every night! If it’s anything like the 2016 tour we did together, it’s gonna be one hell of a ride! Until then, we are writing brand new music which is sounding amazing! Thanks as always to our loyal fan base. We’ll see ya soon!”

Tickets go on sale Friday, November 10th at 10:00am local time with VIP upgrades available at THIS LOCATION. See all confirmed dates below.

Additionally, ARMORED SAINT will appear at this year’s edition of Life After Death Horror Fest in Mexico City, Mexico December 3rd followed by a special show with KK’s Priest in Bogota, Columbia on December 5th. The band will also take part in the Monsters Of Rock Cruise which departs from Miami, Florida on March 2nd, 2024, and sails for five days with stops in Jamaica and the Bahamas.

ARMORED SAINT:
John Bush – vocals
Jeff Duncan – guitars
Phil Sandoval – guitars
Joey Vera – bass
Gonzo Sandoval – drums

ARMORED SAINT:
12/03/2023 Life After Death Horror Fest – Mexico City, MX [info]
12/05/2023 Royal Center – Bogota, CO w/ KK’s Priest
3/02/2024 Monsters Of Rock Cruise – Miami, FL [info]
w/ Queensrÿche:
3/27/2024 House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
3/28/2024 Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA
3/29/2024 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA **
3/31/2024 Neptune Theater – Seattle, WA
4/02/2024 Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
4/03/2024 Gothic Theater – Englewood, CO
4/05/2024 Barnato – Omaha, NE **
4/06/2024 Delmar Hall – St Louis, MO
4/07/2024 Paramount – Cedar Rapids, IA
4/09/2024 Coronado Performing Arts Center – Rockford, IL
4/10/2024 Peoria Civic Center – Peoria, IL
4/11/2024 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH **
4/12/2024 The Vogue – Indianapolis, IN
4/13/2024 State Theater – Kalamazoo, MI
4/14/2024 Majestic – Detroit, MI
4/16/2024 Bogart’s – Cincinnati, OH
4/17/2024 House Of Blues – Cleveland, OH
4/19/2024 Phoenix Theater – Toronto, ON
4/20/2024 Theater Beanfield – Montreal, QC
4/21/2024 Elements – Kitchener, ON
4/23/2024 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA **
4/24/2024 The Roxian – Pittsburgh, PA
4/26/2024 Empire Live – Albany, NY
4/27/2024 Palladium – Worcester, MA
4/28/2024 Toad’s – New Haven, CT
4/30/2024 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
5/01/2024 Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA
5/02/2024 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY **
5/03/2024 The Paramount – Huntington, NY
5/04/2024 Lovedrafts – Mechanicsburg, PA **
5/05/2024 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC
5/07/2024 Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
5/09/2024 Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
5/10/2024 The Plaza Live – Orlando, FL
5/11/2024 Culture Room – Ft Lauderdale, FL
5/12/2024 The Ranch – Ft Myers, FL
5/15/2024 Scout Bar – Houston, TX **
5/16/2024 Come And Take It Live – Austin, TX ** w/ Dangerous Toys
5/17/2024 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX ** w/ Dangerous Toys
5/18/2024 The Shrine – Tulsa, OK **
5/20/2024 Nile Theater – Phoenix, AZ **
5/21/2024 Count’s Vamp’d – Las Vegas, NV **
** ARMORED SAINT headlining show

ARMORED SAINT’s most recent studio album, Punching The Sky, was released in 2020. The critically lauded full-length hit worldwide record charts including #4 on Billboard’s Current Hard Music Albums chart, #6 on the Top New Artists chart, #16 on the Top Independent Albums chart, and #17 on the Current Rock Albums chart upon its first week of release.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

THUNDERMOTHER – Strikes Back With Music Video For Brand New Hit Single “I Left My License In The Future”

Posted in Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, music videos with tags , , , , , , , on November 5, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

On European Tour With LANSDOWNE Soon!

THUNDERMOTHER don’t just play Rock’n’Roll. THUNDERMOTHER are Rock’n’Roll!

The Swedish rock queens return with a new single after the attention-getting line-up change. A music video for “I Left My License In The Future” – a jaw-dropping, straightforward, energetic, catchy potential hit, is now premiering below! Produced again with Danish mastermind Soren Andersen (Pretty Maids, D-A-D, Glenn Hughes, Mike Tramp, …) in autumn 2023, the song will showcase globally the potential of THUNDERMOTHER in terms of vocal performance and songwriting skills.

The release of the new single will be accompanied with a central-European tour with LANSDOWNE starting November 24 in Munich’s Backstage club and will be continued in early 2024 – for the first time ever – with a wide-ranging Swedish tour. The goal is to bring their Rock’N’Roll message live and on stage to their home country – all the way up to the Far North. Find all upcoming THUNDERMOTHER shows listed below!

Says the band about “I Left My License In The Future”:
With this first single from the new line-up, we would like to give the fans a hard hitting no-brainer track aimed at the one in the passenger seat without a driver’s license. An anthem for those of us who never gets to be the designated driver and a love letter to the ones in the driver’s seat. Cheers and let’s party!“

“I Left My License In The Future” is now available on all digital services HERE, the video clip is now premiering HERE:

THUNDERMOTHER 2023 – this is Linnea Vikström Egg, Majsan Lindberg, Joan Massing and Filippa Nässil. One line-up, one vision, one goal! Their slogan “We fight for Rock’N’Roll” has to be taken literally!

Make sure to catch THUNDERMOTHER fighting for Rock’N’Roll, on their upcoming European tour with Boston-based rock band LANSDOWNE, tickets are now available via: https://www.thundermother.com/

24.11.2023 DE München / Backstage
25.11.2023 DE Köln / Live Music Hall
26.11.2023 CH Bern / Bierhübeli
28.11.2023 DE Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal
29.11.2023 FR Paris / Petit Bain
01.12.2023 DE Memmingen / Kaminwerk
02.12.2023 DE Hannover / Capitol
03.12.2023 NL Utrecht / De Helling

Source: AFM Records

KEEL Musicians Return With DOGBONE – “SPEED KILLS”

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal music, Music, music news, music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 30, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

DOGBONE featuring Keel guitarist Bryan Jay, Keel drummer Dwain Miller, new vocalist Bob Reynolds (7 Angels, Fierce Heart, Grave Danger) and bassist David Dion have released the new single “Speed Kills,” a full throttle heavy metal thrill ride full of dangerous turns and high speed straightaways.

The track is featured on RFK Media’s “LIVE THE ROCK Volume One” CD and now available on all digital and streaming platforms, along with the relentlessly dizzying lyric video, via http://lnk.to/dogbonespeedkills.

Originally formed in the cultural transition between 80’s metal and 90’s grunge, DOGBONE once included the late great Rhett Forester (RIOT) on vocals. This long-awaited resurrection took place in the wake of the 2020 pandemic when Bryan Jay began working with vocalist Reynolds on tracks for his Digital Assassin TV & film music library, capturing lighting in a bottle with tracks like “Speed Kills.”

In addition to running the Digital Assassin music library and sporadic reunion shows with Keel, Jay also was instrumental – playing guitar and arranging music – in the 2001 VH1 film “Hysteria – The Def Leppard Story.”

BRYAN JAY (photo: Missie Tong)

“This song ‘Speed Kills’ is the perfect opening statement for the next chapter of this band,” Bryan claims. “We hope that rockers everywhere, Keel fans and all metalheads will keep up with us online and on social media as we put the pedal down. Speed kills – but life and rock & roll will keep us in the fast lane!”

“Bryan Jay and I have always been the best of friends and worked together in Keel and on a number of other projects,” explains RFK Media founder Ron Keel. “I must admit, when he sent me ‘Speed Kills’ I was both proud and jealous – songs like this put us both on the map, and RFK Media is extremely proud to be part of Dogbone’s rebirth.”

Source: Best Bet Promotions

LOWER 13 – Share New Track, “Holding On To Misery”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, music videos with tags , , , , , , , , , , on October 29, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Cleveland-based melodic metal trio LOWER 13 have launched the newest single off their upcoming EP, “Deception”.

Stream “Holding on to Misery” now on Spotify.

The follow-up to 2021’s “Embrace the Unknown” (released by Germany’s Pure Steel Records), “Deception” features five tracks of prog-infused thrash highlighted by the band’s signature melodic vocals and hook-laden approach to songwriting.

Deception is set for release on November 10. Pre-order and pre-save the EP at linktr.ee/lower13official

Watch the video for the EP’s first single, “The One to Blame” at youtube.com/@Lower13official

Tracklist:
1) More Time
2) Your Love’s a Curse
3) The One to Blame
4) Holding on to Misery
5) You Just Left Her

LOWER 13 was formed in Parma, Ohio in March 2006 and is comprised of Eric Kruger (drums), Sean Balog (bass, vocals), and Patrick Capretta (guitars, vocals). Lower 13 strives to carve their own identity in the metal scene, blending styles and pulling from their various influences. They create their own brand of metal laced with crushing riffs, grooves, and dual vocal harmonies.

lower13.bandcamp.com

Source: ClawHammer PR

IRON MAIDEN – The Future Past World Tour Dates 2024 – For USA, Canada And Chile – Posted!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Iron Maiden will return to the USA, Canada & Chile with The Future Past Tour in 2024!

Oct 2024:
4 North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre, San Diego, CA, USA
5 Michelob ULTRA Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
8 Kia Forum, Los Angeles, CA, USA
12 Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA, USA (on sale now)
14 MODA Center, Portland, OR, USA
16 Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA, USA
18 Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
19 Ball Arena, Denver, CO, USA
22 Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN, USA
24 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL, USA
26 Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, CANADA
27 Videotron Centre, Quebec, QC, CANADA
30 Centre Bell, Montreal, QC, CANADA

Nov 2024:
1 Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
2 Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
6 DCU Center, Worcester, MA, USA
8 PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
9 Prudential Center, Newark, NJ, USA
12 CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD, USA
13 Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC, USA
16 Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX, USA
17 Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
27 Estadio Nacional, Santiago, CHILE

Tickets on sale:
Chile – 2 Nov at 12pm (local)
USA & Canada – 3 Nov at 10am (local)

IMFC Presales:
Chile – 30 Oct
USA & Canada –  31 Oct

Trooper VIP will be available for most shows in the USA & Canada.

Further dates for 2024 will be announced in due course.

Source: Iron Maiden Twitter

EKTOMORF – Returns With New Album, “Vivid Black” And Unleashes Music Video For Brutal First Single “I’m Your Last Hope (The Rope Around)”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 16, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Hungarian Metal Giants EKTOMORF Return With Their Heaviest & Angriest Album To Date!Vivid Black coming on December 8, 2023 via AFM Records!

December 8, 2023 will see Hungary’s metal frontrunners, EKTOMORF, release their brand new album offering, titled Vivid Black, via powerhouse label AFM Records! Available as CD,Vinyl and Digital formats, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!

Vivid Black marks not only the already fourteenth studio album by EKTOMORF, but their most brutal and darkest to date! Even after almost 30 years of an impressive career, with chart-topping album releases and countless, international tours under their belt, the band proves to sound more intense, merciless and honest than ever before.

The Corona pandemic has left its mark on the world. This was also the case with singer and guitarist Zoltàn Farkas. Due to isolation and loss, he had to fight with depression, which he processes on Vivid Black. Written in only three (!) weeks, this hateful piece of art will bang directly into yours ears and in an obscure way, gives comfort to anyone who had similar emotional difficulties during the lockdowns. At the same time, Vivid Black is a personal reckoning with everything and everyone who stirs up hate and forces people to be something they are not and do not want to be. The band’s forthcoming record marks a new, honest and insanely brutal album from EKTOMORF,so better get ready for the destruction that is Vivid Black!

A first single, the fierce album opening track “I’m Your Last Hope (The Rope Around)”, has just been unleashed. The song is now available on all digital services HERE! Watch the new EKTOMORF music video now premiering HERE:

“Vivid Black is the darkest and angriest album I wrote in my entire life,” the EKTOMRF frontman reveals. “There is nothing beautiful or even nice about the songs, this album is about pain, hate, anger, disappointment of ungrateful people I had to know. In this part of my life, and also the dark time facing losing my Mother in long and painful sickness, I truly hate this world, no light left in me. Vivid Black is all I am. And this record will show what I feel, with all the heaviness and anger.”

On Vivid Black, EKTOMORF return to their music roots while bringing entirely new elements to light, including clear vocal passages and a modern metal sound. The iconic band remains a fixture in the European metal scene even after more than three decades, their relentless style and dedication are unmatched. With their forthcoming album and an unwavering passion, they will continue to dominate stages worldwide and get people headbanging around the globe, from small clubs to the biggest festivals. EKTOMORF prove, that music and the passion for what they do never cease.

Vivid Black was produced by Zoltàn Farkas and longtime friend and renowned producer Tue Madsen. The cover artwork was created by Bramantya Ardhy Wardhana. Pre-order your copy of this must-have, brutal album banger HERE!

Vivid Black – track listing:
01 – I’m Your Last Hope (The Rope Around Your Neck)
02 – Die
03 – Never Be the Same Again
04 – I Don’t Belong to You
05 – Fade Away
06 – You and Me
07 – Vivid Black
08 – The Best of Me
09 – You Belong There
10 – REM

EKTOMORF:
Zoltàn Farkas (Vocals, Guitar)
Szebasztián Simon (Guitar)
Csaba Zahorán (Bass)
Dániel Szabó (Drums)

Source: AFM Records

SONATA ARCTICA – Returns With Rapid New Digital Single, “First In Line” – Nordic Power Metal Titans European Tour To Commence This Weekend

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news, Power Metal with tags , , , , , , , , on October 13, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Jaakko Manninen

After two acoustic albums, SONATA ARCTICA have been secretly working on a new full-length. Fans can expect a return to their golden power metal roots on the group’s forthcoming opus. Slated for release in the Spring of 2024 via Atomic Fire, today the band is pleased to unveil a first taste of what’s to come with “First In Line.”

Frontman Tony Kakko elaborates, “This is the first power metal song I wrote for the forthcoming album which is laden with them. Its demo title was ‘First In Line’ and I managed to stick with it. The song handles the worry about raising a new generation of people with or rather letting an electronic screen — namely tv, pad, or some such — do a big part of raising this generation of human beings. We think that we buy ourselves time with these gadgets, but are these devices the right ‘nanny’ for our kids or should we maybe slow down a bit, read books, teach that happiness can be and often is something we reach by stopping and letting go of constant stimulation of all our audiovisual senses? In ways, we are flying blindly with these things. Things are advancing too fast in many ways…”

More details on SONATA ARCTICA’s upcoming full-length will be announced in the months to come.

In the meantime, stream/purchase “First In Line” at THIS LOCATION.

In related news, The Nordic Power Metal Titans 2023 European tour, featuring SONATA ARCTICA alongside Finnish countrymen Stratovarius and rising international power metallers and labelmates Induction will commence this weekend. The twenty-four-date trek stands among the most anticipated tours of the year! See all confirmed dates below.

SONATA ARCTICA – Nordic Power Metal Titans 2023 w/ Stratovarius, Induction:
10/14/2023 Northern Rockfest @ Energi Arena – Umeå, SE
10/15/2023 Cozmoz Arena – Borlänge, SE
10/16/2023 Vulkan Arena – Oslo, NO
10/17/2023 Trädgår’n – Gothenburg, SE
10/19/2023 Slaktkyrkan – Stockholm, SE
10/20/2023 Gimle – Roskilde, DK
10/21/2023 Kulturpalast – Hamburg, DE
10/22/2023 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE
10/24/2023 TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) – Utrecht, NL
10/25/2023 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE
10/26/2023 Bataclan – Paris, FR * No Induction
10/27/2023 Konzertfabrik Z7 – Pratteln, CH
10/28/2023 Alcatraz – Milan, IT
10/30/2023 Backstage – Munich, DE
10/31/2023 Szene – Vienna, AT
11/01/2023 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU
11/03/2023 Fuzz Club – Athens, GR
11/04/2023 Principal Club Theater – Thessaloniki, GR
11/06/2023 FORM Space – Cluj-Napoca, RO
11/07/2023 Quantic – Bucharest, RO
11/09/2023 Sono Centrum – Brno, CZ
11/10/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE
11/11/2023 Hell’s Balls Belgium @ Xpo – Kortrijk, BE
11/12/2023 Matrix – Bochum, DE

7/31-8/03/2024 Wacker Open Air – Wacken, DE Sold Out

Order SONATA ARCTICA‘s two latest albums Acoustic Adventures – Volume One & Two — plus back catalog records as well as merchandise now at: atomicfire-records.com/brand/2323.

Watch SONATA ARCTICA’s videos for “The Rest Of The Sun Belongs To Me,” “For The Sake Of Revenge,” “I Have A Right,” and “Victoria’s Secret” from Adventures – Volume One & Two at THIS LOCATION.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

CIRITH UNGOL – Announces Retirement From Live Performances At The End Of 2024

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on October 12, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Peter Beste

Cult heavy metal legends, CIRITH UNGOL, today announce their official retirement from live performances at the close of 2024.

In a collective statement, the band comments, “After careful deliberation, we have decided that 2024 will be the final year that CIRITH UNGOL will be performing live. Having taken a twenty-five-year-long hiatus, we could never have imagined the tidal wave of love and support that would come from all of you upon our return. From the depths of our soul, we would like to thank every one of you for attending our shows and supporting our music. We are immensely proud of the work we have created in the past few years, and are beyond excited about our latest epic album, Dark Parade.

“Legions, this is your call to arms. If you’ve never had the opportunity to see the band live, or if you want to see us perform once more, 2024 will be your last chance. We will be announcing shows worldwide in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for news. If you’re a promoter interested in booking the band, please contact our booking agents directly:

United States – nanotear@gmail.com

Europe – schroerg@dragon-productions.com

South/Latin America – edu.lane13@gmail.com

“The end approaches, but we’re not there yet. We look forward to seeing you all on the road, one final time. With our undying love and eternal gratitude.

“You never lost hope, you never have strayed,

Arise now my children, arise from the grave,

We lead not the weak, they won’t answer the call,

As chaos descends, false metal will fall…- ‘Legions Arise’”

CIRITH UNGOL will release their sixth full-length, Dark Parade on October 20th via Metal Blade Records. Wasting no time to ride the molten wave they started with their 2020-released studio comeback Forever Black, CIRITH UNGOL started writing songs for Dark Parade as soon as Forever Black was released. Then, like everyone else, they were hamstrung by the global pandemic, struggling through illness, seclusion, grief, and depression in their quest to create dark, vibrant art.

But like the greatest warriors, they persevered. With all eight demos finished — which are included on the expanded edition of the album — CIRITH UNGOL started recording Dark Parade in October 2022. The end result is an unrelenting triumph of pessimism and pain; a head-over-heels, Lovecraftian tumble into an abyss of horror and despair and arguably the most vitriolic expedition CIRITH UNGOL has undertaken to date. Despite the fantasy-inspired art on the band’s albums and their Tolkien-derived name – the band stopped exploring sword and sorcery-related themes in the mid-‘80s. Most of the subjects they’ve addressed since then have been far more real and frightening than any ravenous make-believe creatures fighting sword-wielding warriors.

Watch CIRITH UNGOL‘s recently released video for “Looking Glass” HERE and the “Velocity (S.E.P.)” visualizer HERE.

Dark Parade will be available on digipak-CD, digitally, and LP in the following color variants:

  • Special edition LP (slipcase w/ hot-foil embossing, 2xLP incl. demos of the entire album, 12” booklet, 2 posters, art print, tote bag – ltd. 1000)
  • 180g Black vinyl (EU excl.)
  • Olive Green Marbled vinyl (EU excl. – ltd. 700)
  • Charcoal Marbled vinyl (EU excl. – ltd. 500)
  • Pale Grey w/ Black Smoke vinyl (EU excl. – ltd. 500)
  • Gold “Black Dust” vinyl (Metal Blade Store EU excl. – ltd. 300)
  • Fog Marbled vinyl (US excl.)
  • Grey/ Black Marbled vinyl (US excl.)

Find preorders at metalblade.com/cirithungol.

CIRITH UNGOL will play a special record release show on October 20th at The Roxy in West Hollywood, marking the band’s first Los Angeles live appearance in thirty-five years. The performance will commemorate The Roxy’s 50th anniversary and find the band playing Dark Parade in its entirety followed by a full set of classic material. Additionally, the set will be filmed and recorded for a future live release.

CIRITH UNGOL Live:

10/20/2023 The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA * Record Release Show [Tickets]

CIRITH UNGOL:
Tim Baker – vocals
Jimmy Barraza – guitar
Greg Lindstrom – guitar
Rob Garven – drums
Jarvis Leatherby – bass

Source: EARSPLIT PR

SATAN – Concert Review And Photos From Covington Kentucky At Madison Live! On October 4, 2023

Posted in concerts, Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 11, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

NWOBHM champions SATAN invaded Madison Live! in Covington, Kentucky, on Wednesday October 4th. SATAN has been on my Metal bucket list for decades and the night of seeing them finally arrived and proved to be worth the enormous wait! It’s not any night that one can witness such a truly important band of Metal history and SATAN is such a band.

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

I made certain to get up close to the stage and absorb every second of this show; for its never guaranteed when a band like SATAN will tour through my area again. The fans at Madison Live! were packed in and ready, with so many donning their SATAN tour shirts and battle vests; making for a scene that could easily transport me back to 1985 and I couldn’t be more at home.

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

As SATAN took the stage, the scene became all so familiar to me; with that rush of Metal euphoria engulfing my senses of what was to come. The legendary Brian Ross commanded the stage with his presence and vocals; my eyes and ears in awe of his true Metal persona. Brian’s vocals were superb, encompassing the melodic power of the classic era of Metal; an era that defined a generation.

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

Yes, I banged my head and smiled like a Halloween pumpkin while raising my fist and throwing horns at SATAN. To some it may sound cliche now in 2023, yet this Metal genre started such celebratory concert manners which are forever locked into my now older DNA; being summoned by the likes of SATAN on this special night.

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

SATAN played brilliantly, both their classics and newer songs. The Speed Metal and NWOBHM sounds, vibes and chills from SATAN were engulfing the concert hall, like a welcomed downpour of rain during a summer drought, while I soaked it all in. I had such a grand time experiencing SATAN that it went by too fast! I wanted 2 more hours and I was in that zone! – stone

photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey
photo credit: Stone/Metal Odyssey

QUIET RIOT, Slick Cadillac, and Corey Snowden At East Tennessee Distillery On 10/1/23 Concert Review – By Tanis Enos

Posted in classic rock, classic rock bands, concerts, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , on October 6, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Quiet Riot brought the noize to the East Tennessee Distillery in Piney Flats, TN on October 1st. The band is celebrating 40 years of Metal Health, Quiet Riot’s third studio album. Metal Health is the first heavy metal album to make it to number one on the Billboard 200 chart and includes hits like the title track Metal Health (Bang Your Head) and their cover of Slade’s Cum on Feel the Noize.

Corey Snowden took to the stage first to an already excited crowd. Snowden is a Bristol TN native with a wide variety of musical influences spanning across different genres. His set was strictly acoustic but kept the tempo and engagement needed at a heavy metal show. He even had a few requests. Corey started his set with All Along The Watch Tower. Throughout the set, he peppered in some of his originals from his album Tennessee Line. Every rock show has that one person who yells “Play Free Bird” but Snowden did it without being asked. He perfectly blended a small part of Free Bird with his original song Brothers of the Road.

Next to hit the stage was Slick Cadillac, a heavy metal band whose set included a blend of covers and a few originals. The band consists of Jeremy Acito on guitar, Seth Cunningham on vocals, Jonathan Taylor on the keyboard, Chris Smith on drums, and GL Bortz on bass. Cunningham had such amazing control of his vocal range that during songs like Jump and It’s My Life he was able to hit the notes in such a way that almost sounded exactly like the original singers. Acito took to the stage like a true rock star and smoothly powered through a few technical difficulties before climbing onto the amps to get the crowd pumped. The crowd interaction was top notch as Bortz made his way off the stage and out to the fans. Slick Cadillac was defiantly a perfect match to play with Quiet Riot.

Finally it was time for Quiet Riot. Fans quickly got out of their seats and made their way to the stage. The energy was high as fans attempted to inch as close as they could through the line of security guards acting as a barricade. The roar of excitement was nearly deafening as the band took to the stage, but the band was louder. They opened the show with Run For Cover, a perfect way to get the crowd head banging early. Lead singer Jizzy Pearl has the attitude, stage presence and vocal capacity to keep the Quiet Riot spirit alive but with his own twist. He joked and engaged with fans as they transitioned into Slick Black Cadillac. The crowd was treated to a Quiet Riot song that was thought to be lost but was found again in 2021 and released earlier this year called I Can’t Hold On.

The Crowd continues to get crazier and by Condition Critical managed to push security as close as they could to the stage. As the song begins, the sound of Rudy Sarzo’s bass dominates the speakers. Fans not only hear his talent but can feel it as well. Sarzo plays with such ease and passion that the bass seems not like just an extension of him but a true part of him. It wouldn’t be Rudy Sarzo without his signature bass licks every once in awhile, which even after all these years still makes the girls (and guys) go crazy. Pearl then turned the mic over to Sarzo who introduced Thunderbird dedicating it to their fallen brothers, Randy Rhoads, Frankie Banali, and Kevin Dubrow.

Sarzo isn’t the only one who made his presences known with a bang. Drummer Johnny Kelly is an explosion behind the kit. He adds his own flair to the ends of their songs and perfectly grasps the crisp sound that Banali created. He played so hard that he busted one of his drumheads. He didn’t miss a single beat as the band started The Wild and the Young.

The members of the current lineup are known for rocking out in more than just Quiet Riot and they let that shine through in more ways than one. They played a perfect rendition of Blackout in the Red Room by Love/Hate, a band in which Pearl is well known. The song fit seamlessly into the set. The lights turned red as Pearl announced the song and the crowd’s reaction was just as impressive as every other song. Sarzo is a former member of Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band and treated the crowd to a small taste of a song every metalhead knows. The roar of fans fell over the venue as Sarzo beat (yes with his fist) out the intro to Crazy Train.

Guitarist, Alex Grossi’s presence is known before he even plays a note. Head to toe his appearance screams rock star but his playing says, “ I was born to do this”. Not a note was missed and, if it was, you would never have noticed. He shined during every song but was given the spot light for a spectacular guitar solo that left the crowd wanting more. From the guitar solo, Grossi transitioned the band into the beginning of Black No.1 by Type O Negative representing Kelly’s time with the band.

They ended the show the only appropriate way possible, with Metal Health (Bang Your Head). The crowd was singing the song back at them word for word basically fueling the intensity of the song. Sarzo even played his bass on a fans head. After years of performing, Quiet Riot has continued to build a fan base of all ages. Whether it’s celebrating 40 years of Metal Health or not, they are a band that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

– Tanis Enos

Legendary Female Rock Band VIXEN Release New Single “Red” And Premiere Music Video

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on October 2, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Vixen (Britt Lightning, Lorraine Lewis, Roxy Petrucci, and Julia Lage) – credit Mark Weiss

Los Angeles, CA (October 2, 2023)—Legendary female rock band Vixen has released their new single, “Red,” and premiered the track’s official music video. Produced and written by Cinderella drummer Fred Coury and self-released, “Red” is available now to stream/download.

VixenRoxy Petrucci (drums), Lorraine Lewis (vocals), Britt Lightning (guitar), and Julia Lage (bass) – debuted the infectious rocker today (10/2) on SiriusXM‘s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk.” Regarding the single, original member Petrucci shares, “‘RED’ is a very dynamic and hard driving rocker of a song! Modern yet embraces the amazing harmonies and catchy choruses that are signature to the classic Vixen style. It’s important to me we honor Jan and the band’s 35-year legacy by staying true to the Vixen sound while melding in fresh new ideas. I feel confident we nailed it with our new release ‘RED’!”

Coinciding with today’s single release, Vixen premiered their music video for “Red” featuring the band rocking out on the Sunset Strip and Lewis belting out the catchy chorus: “You’re taking me to the red, to the red. You’re pushing all my buttons. To the edge, to the edge. I’m getting such a rush. So intense, so intense. Don’t let it in. You’re taking me into the red.” Directed by Drew Johnston and Vicente Cordero, click here to watch the video for “Red.”

After a busy summer of touring, Vixen will finish off the year performing at Life After Death Horror Fest in Mexico City on Dec. 1st and then gear up for another busy year, kicking off 2024 with the Monsters of Rock Cruise next March 2nd-7th, with more dates to be announced. For more info and tickets, visit VixenOfficial.com.

Vixen consistently delivers high-energy top-notch performances that leave fans wanting more. Over the years, the band has rocked theaters, casinos, and major festivals throughout the U.S., Canada, and Spain (including M3, The Moondance Jam, Monsters of Rock Cruise, FireFest, Hard Rock Hell, The Halfway Jam, and Rockin’ the Rivers). For more info, visit :VixenOfficial.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Source: Rat Pak Records

U.D.O. Announces Touchdown US/Canada Tour – VIP Upgrades Available

Posted in Heavy Metal, heavy metal bands, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 27, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Martin Häusler

German heavy metal icons U.D.O. will return to North America this Fall on the Touchdown US/Canada Tour! The journey will commence on November 3rd in Frenchtown, New Jersey and makes its way through nearly two dozen cities, closing on December 7th in Manchester, New Hampshire. Tickets, as well as VIP upgrades which include a meet and greet with U.D.O., a photo-op, autographs, and more are available now at: national-acts.com/UDO. See all confirmed dates below.

U.D.O. Touchdown US/Canada Tour:
11/03/2023 Arties Bar and Grill – Frenchtown, NJ
11/04/2023 The Vault Music Hall – New Bedford, MA
11/05/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA
11/08/2023 The Southport Music Hall – Jefferson, LA
11/09/2023 Rise Rooftop – Houston, TX
11/11/2023 Royal Oaks Event Center – San Antonio, TX
11/12/2023 Trees – Dallas, TX
11/15/2023 The 44 – Glendale, AZ
11/16/2023 Whiskey A Go Go – West Hollywood, CA
11/17/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA
11/18/2023 Stages – Santa Ana, CA
11/20/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
11/22/2023 The Rick House – Denver, CO
11/24/2023 The Vixen – McHenry, IL
11/25/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL
11/26/2023 King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH
11/28/2023 Brass Monkey – Ottawa, ON
11/29/2023 Les Foufounes Electroniques – Montreal, QC
11/30/2023 Lees Palace – Toronto, ON
12/01/2023 Token Lounge – Westland, MI
12/03/2023 Blue Note – Harrison, OH
12/04/2023 Shank Hall – Milwaukee, WI
12/07/2023 Angel City Music Hall – Manchester, NH

U.D.O. – featuring legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider, drummer Sven Dirkschneider, guitarists Fabian Dee Dammers and Andrey Smirnov, and bassist Peter Baltes – released their latest studio album, Touchdown, last month via Atomic Fire Records. The record continues to reap critical accolades globally and entered the official German album charts at #4 upon its first week of release marking the highest charting result in their homeland in their long-running career! Other notable chart entries include:

Germany: #4 (Album Chart)
Switzerland: #8 (Album Chart)
Austria: #33 (Album Chart)
Sweden: #1 (Physical, Vinyl & Hard Rock) / #17 (Album Chart)
Finland: #2 (Physical) / #34 (Album Chart)
France: #25 (Album Chart)
UK: #50 (Independent Album Chart)
US: #16 (Top New Artists) / #18 (Hard Rock)

Preview and purchase Touchdown at THIS LOCATION.

Source: EARSPLIT PR

Trad-Metal Stalwarts ENTIERRO Premiere Video For “The Gates of Hell”

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , , , on September 26, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

New Haven (CT) – Traditional heavy metal band ENTIERRO have partnered with Invisible Oranges for the lyric video premiere of “The Gates of Hell,” the title track from the forthcoming album! Check it out at the following link:

invisibleoranges.com/entierro-the-gates-of-hell

ENTIERRO will release The Gates of Hell on October 19! Pre-orders available at entierro.bandcamp.com/album/the-gates-of-hell

The Gates of Hell not only marks a return to the studio where they recorded their self-titled full length album, but also introduces a new period for the band, as this incarnation of the unit has grown into a solid force in songwriting and collaboration.

Most bands take time to grow into their own sound. For ENTIERRO, this growth has become more evident on their forthcoming release, The Gates of Hell. Building on the momentum of their previous offering, El Camazotz, the band has refined their sound and continues to create their own musical identity within the world of traditional heavy metal.

While many bands seem to continually rehash the work of those that came before them, on The Gates of Hell, ENTIERRO have put more focus into a version of this artform that is all their own. While still borrowing influence from such luminaries as Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate and Rainbow, the band has expanded their palette to also reflect a more melodic direction than they have in the past. This brings the ENTIERRO twin guitar attack of Victor Arduini and Christopher Begnal into a new light, exploring longer harmony lines and really pushing a new melodic sense to the forefront of their songwriting.

The same can also be said for vocalist Christopher Taylor Beaudette, whose performance is far more varied and explorational than on El Camazotz. Of course, laying down the structural foundation for all of this to happen is drummer Dave Parmelee, who continues to push the band with his driving rhythms. This, in conjunction with their already punishing old-school metal style, brings their collective sound into new sonic territory and further illustrates the development of their own distinctive style as a unit. The Gates of Hell have opened and unleashed a more mature and focused sound for one of the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal’s most exciting new bands.

The Gates of Hell was recorded at Dexter’s Lab Studio in Milford, Connecticut under the watchful eye of engineer Nick Bellmore. Timothy Smith – Additional Vocals and Alejandro Chavez – Additional Vocals.

Photography by Jason Mannello. Cover Artwork created by Metal Cover Art. All songs written & arranged by Entierro. Produced by Entierro. instagram.com/entierrometal

Pre-order: entierro.bandcamp.com/album/the-gates-of-hell

Track Listing:

1.The Gates of Hell

  1. Walk Away
  2. Vencerán
  3. The Lords of Rock and Roll
    5.Under The Eye
  4. Umibozu

Source: ClawHammer PR

RIOT (V) Signs To Atomic Fire Records – Armor Of Light Follow-Up Album Set To Be Released In Early 2024

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , , on September 23, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo collage by Randy Caballero, Doug Julien, and Anthony Lopardo

RIOT: A band name that makes every metalhead’s mind ring alert. With countless iconic musicians and bands listing them as a significant influence, the New York City-based group has undeniably paved the way for the hard ‘n’ heavy music scene. Their early musical outputs such as 1977’s Rock City, 1979’s Narita, 1981’s Fire Down Under, and 1982’s Restless Breed saw the band’s growth from hard rock to more metal sounds which eventually led to their most iconic record, 1988’s Thundersteel.

The band’s path was unfortunately also marked by many strokes of fate causing significant lineup changes. The death of founding member Mark Reale had an immense impact on the group. Eventually Reale’s Thundersteel bandmate and songwriting partner Don Van Stavern decided to continue the band’s legacy and, out of respect for Reale, added “V” (Roman numeral five) to represent the fifth chapter of the group as well as the recorded singer. 2013 was the year that RIOT (V) Was born!

RIOT (V) continued writing and releasing music honoring their legacy. 2014’s fiery Unleash The Fire was followed by 2018’s furious Armor Of Light full-length which saw the band hit the official German album chart for the very first time in their prominent history at position 27. The success of Armor Of Light not only allowed the band the opportunity to perform around the world, but it also made their fans hungry for more. Heavy metal warriors rejoice, RIOT (V) is proud to announce that new music is finally coming through their new label home of Atomic Fire Records!

Original Thundersteel bassist/songwriter Donnie Van Stavern, who currently manages and handles affairs for the band, states, “Metal warriors, I’m pleased to announce that we have signed with the mighty Atomic Fire Records! Markus Wosgien and Flori Milz are not only label reps but friends and know our vision for the future of the band! The [upcoming album] was recorded in New York, Texas, and Michigan, and mixed in New Jersey with Bruno Ravel (Danger Danger) who produced the comeback Immortal Souland mastered in Germany by Bart Gabriel. Look for the new release in early 2024. We just finished it and it will be another crusher!”

Atomic Fire Records A&R Markus Wosgien raves, “We’re incredibly proud to reunite with RIOT (V)! After parts of our team had been working on their Armor Of Light campaign, we’re even happier that the band have decided to continue their path with the same crew. RIOT (V) is definitely one of the greats and only get better with age, although they’ve released so many true classics throughout their long-time career, starting in 1976, my year of birth. There’s a special magic connecting Donnie, Mike, Todd, Frank and Nick that actually makes every new record a milestone in the group’s history, and in my opinion, they’re one of the very best heavy metal acts of all time and are set to deliver yet another excellent opus with their upcoming album.”

With Atomic Fire Records behind the band and with many more releases to come, as well as reissues on Sony Music, EMI Records, and Metal Blade Records, RIOT (V) is consistently on radio and metal charts worldwide. The band has also been listed among “New York City’s Top 20 Most Influential Metal Bands,” “100 Best Metal Bands Of All Time,” and numerous mentions on classic episodes of VH1’s That Metal Show with Eddie Trunk with staff sighting RIOT (V) as one of the innovators of heavy metal music in America and beyond. Additionally, 2018 saw RIOT (V) inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame with the likes of Ronnie James Dio, Randy Rhoads, Lemmy Kilmister, and Black Sabbath, among others!

RIOT (V) truly are metal soldiers and will keep marching and fighting the good fight to bring you the music you’ve come to know, love, and expect… are you ready to RIOT?

RIOT (V):
Todd Michael Hall – vocals
Mike Flyntz – guitars
Nick Lee – guitars
Don Van Stavern – bass
Frank Gilchriest – drums

RIOT (V) Live:

9/28/2023 Blades Of Steel Metalfest 3 @ Crucible – Madison, WI [Tickets]

9/29/2023 Brauer House – Lombard, IL [Tickets]

10/14/2023 Gates of Metal @ Garden Amphitheatre – Garden Grove, CA – [Tickets]

Source: EARSPLIT PR

SATAN – New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Icons To Kick Off US Tour With Venom Inc. Next Week!

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , on September 22, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Stefan Rosic

New wave of British heavy metal icons, SATAN, will kick off their US tour supporting Venom Inc. next week. The journey begins September 27th in Brooklyn, New York and runs through October 15th in Boston, Massachusetts with some SATAN headlining shows scattered throughout. Additional support will be provided by Ringworm and 72 Legions. Tickets are on sale now. See all confirmed dates below.

SATAN w/ Venom Inc., Ringworm, 72 Legions:
9/27/2023 Meadows – Brooklyn, NY
9/28/2023 No Class – Cleveland, OH
9/29/2023 X-Ray Arcade – Milwaukee, WI
9/30/2023 Cobra – Chicago, IL
10/01/2023 Wildwood – Iowa City, IA
10/02/2023 Black Circle – Indianapolis, IN * SATAN only
10/03/2023 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO
10/04/2023 Madison Live – Covington, KY
10/05/2023 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
10/06/2023 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
10/07/2023 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL
10/08/2023 Pipers – Pompano Beach, FL * SATAN only
10/09/2023 Conduit – Orlando, FL * SATAN only
10/10/2023 Pour House – Raleigh, NC
10/11/2023 Tally Ho Theater – Leesburg, VA
10/12/2023 The Queen – Wilmington, DE
10/13/2023 Dingbatz – Clifton, NJ
10/14/2023 Geno’s Rock Club – Portland, ME
10/15/2023 Brighton Music Hall – Boston, MA

Preview and purchase Earth Infernal atTHIS LOCATION.

SATAN released their sixth full-length album, Earth Infernal, via Metal Blade last year. Earth Infernal is a product of the times that birthed it and could only be the work of SATAN. Having churned out cutting edge heavy metal throughout the ‘80s – and reunited in 2011 – the record maintains the high standard of musicianship the band set long ago, and it is perhaps their timeliest release. “For two years, the world has been preoccupied with politics and pandemics and while we were all looking the other way our planet has continued to get hotter,” said guitarist Russ Tippins upon the record’s release. “Our Earth is now infernally hot. Almost irreversibly so. We are on a one-way trip to Hell and dragging our children along with us. Yes, SATAN has something to say about global warming.” The album entered the German Charts at position #12, the highest chart entry ever for the band.

CIRITH UNGOL – Cult Heavy Metal Outfit To Release New Full-Length “Dark Parade” October 20th On Metal Blade Records

Posted in Heavy Metal, Metal, metal bands, metal music, Music, music news with tags , , , , , , on September 13, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Photo by Peter Beste

New Track Streaming + Preorders Available

Cult heavy metal outfit CIRITH UNGOL will unleash their sixth full-length, Dark Parade, on October 20th via Metal Blade Records today unveiling the record’s cover art, track listing, and first single!

Few bands in the history of the heavy metal underground have a story as remarkable, improbable, or uplifting as that of CIRITH UNGOL. Formed in Ventura, California in the early 1970s, CIRITH UNGOL created a sound the world had never experienced before. Rather than passively channeling their influences, the band was driven to forge an altogether heavier, darker, more apocalyptic sound. It was obscure and arcane, mysterious and eccentric, epic and expansive, but most of all, unfailingly, bone-crushingly heavy, dark, and doom-filled.

Wasting no time to ride their molten wave they started with their 2020 studio comeback Forever Black, CIRITH UNGOL started writing songs for Dark Parade as soon as Forever Black was released. Then, like everyone else, CIRITH UNGOL were hamstrung by the global pandemic, struggling through illness, seclusion, grief, and depression in their quest to create dark, vibrant art. And like the greatest warriors, they persevered, working on one song at a time – distractions be damned. The first track composed was the crushing “Relentless,” which reinforced their confidence and clarity of vision. The rest of the album came naturally, fueled by personal misery and the tragedy of worldwide collapse.

Find preorders at metalblade.com/cirithungol.

“Band members lost close relatives and we struggled as best we could through the pandemic which ravaged the earth’s population and economies,” drummer Rob Garven notes. “As horrifying as it was, it was the perfect backdrop for our doom-laden message of a world on the edge of destruction.”

Watch CIRITH UNGOL’s “Velocity (S.E.P.)” visualizer at THIS LOCATION.

With all eight demos finished — which are included on the expanded edition of the album — CIRITH UNGOL started recording Dark Parade in October 2022. The end result is an unrelenting triumph of pessimism and pain; a charred vista rooted in the crunch-and-crash templates of classic doom metal and NWOBHM but delivered with contemporary production and perspective. The album is propulsive and insistent, reflecting the band’s love for metal, instinct to destroy, and disgust for mankind.

From the majestic eight-minute-long “Sailor On The Seas Of Fate,” which starts with a reflective arpeggio and builds into a pounding, near-tribal volley before segueing into a bleak, slow burn of retribution and agony, to the final three movements of the “Dark Parade” saga (comprised of “Dark Parade,” “Distant Shadows,” and “Down Below”), CIRITH UNGOL’s latest album offers a metallic soundtrack of societal decay and environmental collapse that foreshadows nothing less than total extinction.

Dark Parade – Track Listing:

1. Velocity (S.E.P.)                                              

2. Relentless                                             

3. Sailor On The Seas Of Fate                               

4. Sacrifice                                              

5. Looking Glass                                                                             

6. Dark Parade                                           

7. Distant Shadows                                     

8. Down Below

CIRITH UNGOL:
Tim Baker – vocals
Jimmy Barraza – guitar
Greg Lindstrom – guitar
Rob Garven – drums
Jarvis Leatherby – bass

CIRITH UNGOL will play a special record release show on October 20th at The Roxy in West Hollywood, marking the band’s first Los Angeles live appearance in thirty-five years. The performance will commemorate The Roxy’s 50th anniversary and find the band playing Dark Parade in its entirety followed by a full set of classic material. Additionally, the set will be filmed and recorded for a future live release.

CIRITH UNGOL Live:

10/20/2023 The Roxy – West Hollywood, CA * Record Release Show [Tickets]

Source: EARSPLIT PR

Legendary LA Rockers ANGELES Release New Stand-Alone Single ‘Just Do It’!

Posted in classic rock, Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Music, music news, news with tags , , , , , , , , on September 2, 2023 by Metal Odyssey

Platinum selling Legendary LA Rockers ANGELES have released their new stand-alone single ‘Just Do It’, Music and Lyrics by Dale George Lytle, available now on all streaming platforms. Currently the band is working on more songs and this single will be included in the album.

Stream ‘Just Do It’ at; https://open.spotify.com/album/5Ij8tw8qQjSHJBTNQLX0is

Buy it here: http://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/angeles5/just-do-it

ANGELES – Current 2023 Line-up:
Dale George Lytle – Vocals and Guitar
Bill Wildman – Bass Guitar
Danny Basulto – Drums

ANGELES released their latest full-length album “Running like an Outlaw“ on March 5th 2022, via MVD Entertainment and SONY Music and is available at Walmart, FYE, Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all Digital Streaming retailers.

Also check out ANGELES‘ previous singles:
‘On My Way’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHgaSM1HcnY
‘Band Plays On’ – https://youtu.be/zDtWBbzE4wQ
‘Running like an Outlaw’ – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPc24rMOrks

Source: Split Screen Management