My very best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, was so generous to buy for me the HAMMERFALL – CRIMSON THUNDER – 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARYCD Box SetAutographed by the band! Whoa!! I thank Scott so very much for this gift!
Scott took his son to the HELLOWEEN and lHAMMERFALL concert back on May 20th, in New York City at Terminal 5. This is where he bought this beautiful CD box set at. Scott bought one for himself too. Also, this was his sons’ first concert ever and his all-time favorite band is… HELLOWEEN.
Crimson Thunder is HAMMERFALL’s fourth studio album. It has been remixed and remastered by Fredrik Nordström. This box set version also include’s previously unreleased pre-production tracks, a brand-new medley, live acoustic songs and a live album. Very nice.
Back cover to box set. Track-list for all 3 CDs shown.Digipak opens as a trifold.Front cover of liner notes. It’s jam-packed with color concert photos and anecdotes of their 2003 world tour. Back cover of the liner notes. CD digipak cover.
The outstanding Stephen Pearcy has many concerts lined up for the remainder of 2023! As a founder and vocalist of the legendary RATT; Stephen Pearcy has also built his solo career to immense heights of success. Check out the tour dates and cities on above tour flyer! Also look into the fabulous meet N’ greet package below!
German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR are back! Following the release of their chart-topping album Metal Commando in 2020, the band returns with their eleven-track magnum opus titled CodeRed, set for release on September 1st through Atomic Fire.
PRIMAL FEAR today offers up the first single and accompanying video from the record with opening song “Another Hero.” The track appropriately sets the tone for Code Red by delivering, “heavy metal in its purest form while breathing the spirit of current times,” as Rock It! (DE) Magazine’s Jürgen Will stated after an advance listen to the record.
Vocalist Ralf Scheepers elaborates on the song’s lyrical topic, “Sometimes I wish there would be ‘Another Hero’ who shows mankind how to get along with each other in peace and harmony.”
Code Red will be available as a digipak CD, 2xLP in multiple color variants, and digitally.
Preorder Code Red in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Another Hero” instantly at THIS LOCATION.
Recorded in Germany at Sebastian “Basi” Roeder‘s Backyard Studios, with the helping hands of vocalist Ralf Scheepers as well as Mitch Kunz, Code Red was produced by bassist MatSinner and co-produced by Scheepers and guitarist Tom Naumann. Long-time PRIMAL FEAR companion Jacob Hansen took care of mixing and mastering at his own Hansen Studios in Denmark once again. Additionally, Stan W.Decker, who created previous works for the band including 2017’s Angels Of Mercy – Live InGermany, 2018’s Apocalypse, and 2021’s I Will BeGone), provided the record’s magnificent artwork.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “Another Hero” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
Code Red Track Listing:
Another Hero
Bring That Noise
Deep In The Night
Cancel Culture
Play A Song
The World Is On Fire
Their Gods Have Failed
Steelmelter
Raged By Pain
Forever
Fearless
PRIMAL FEAR Live: 6/24/2023 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES w/ The Unity – Code Red European Tour – Part 1: 9/01/2023 Im Wizemann (Halle) – Stuttgart, DE 9/02/2023 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE 9/03/2023 Frankenhalle – Naila , DE 9/05/2023 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE 9/06/2023 Zeche – Bochum, DE 9/07/2023 Batschkapp – Frankfurt, DE 9/09/2023 Le Port Franc – Sion, CH 9/10/2023 Z7 – Pratteln, CH
PRIMAL FEAR: Ralf Scheepers – vocals Mat Sinner – bass, vocals Tom Naumann – guitars Alexander Beyrodt – guitars Magnus Karlsson – guitars Michael Ehré – drums
Last night, STEELPANTHER performed on America’s Got Talent. This was the first episode of season 18 for AGT., STEEL PANTHER performed Eyes Of A Panther (from their 2009 debut studio album Feel The Steel) and had the audience and all 4 judges on their feet with their collective fists pumping in the air. The large audience went electric, quite honestly. Even the ultra critical judge Simon Cowell was praising STEEL PANTHER, stating “this is what it’s all about”.
Check out the tour dates (above) for STEELPANTHER. Trust me, they put on a great live show and are fun as hell to see. – Stone
The acclaimed Faster Pussycat will be touring throughout the entire month of June, with special guest Jason Charles Miller. Their tour begins on June 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada and encompasses 24 cities. Check out these tour flyers for all the info you need.
May 2023, TOKYO – Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band who recently wrapped up a U.S. tour, which was preceded by a performance at Aftershock 2022, have released “Night Flight,” a new song, and its accompanying video (https://ssm.lnk.to/NightFlight).
“This is a song we’ve been playing live for some time, but have not recorded or released it until now,” explains singer/Nemophila founder mayu of the new track. “Please take a look at the video as well, as it does a great job capturing the spirit of the song.” In March, preceding the band’s SXSW show, Nemophila released the single, “Rise” (watch the video here).
The arrival of “Night Flight” coincides with the release of “Seize The Fate,” a concert film featuring Nemophila’s February performance from Tokyo’s Zepp DiverCity.
Photo credit: Michael Nambu
Guitar Girl Magazine described the quintet as “one of the most thrilling metal bands in Japan,” Distorted Sound said their music is “a reminder of just how fun heavy metal can be,” and Glasse Factory, commenting on their riveting Aftershock performance, noted “they nodded to metal legends with their styling and offered a refreshing take on their own unique blend… the excitement was tangible and radiated through the crowds as they all leaned in to watch the rising rock stars.”
Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi-san (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).
CAN’T MAKE IT TO A SHOW IN PERSON? WATCH STRYPER’S NASHVILLE SHOW LIVE STREAMED ON JULY 17
We will be going live, across the globe, on July 17, 2023 from the world-famous Basement East in Nashville TN. 7:30 Central Time / 8:30 Eastern. This will be a true-live broadcast, as it happens – featuring multiple cameras with a professional audio feed from the sound equipment at the Basement East.
We are also bringing in extra lighting and visual production for this special show. AND, if that weren’t enough – Also part of the broadcast is our friend and opening act, Jamie Rowe, the voice of Guardian, playing a special acoustic show featuring many of the Guardian fan-favorites. The broadcast starts at 7:30 PM CT.
Following their feature in a documentary on Germany’s public TV station SWR about the future of metal, unstoppable progressive symphonic power metal machine INDUCTION returns with another uplifting new song, “A Call Beyond.” The track, which comes just six months after the release of their sophomore album BornFrom Fire, proves they are indeed the spearheads of the next generation of power metal.
“A Call Beyond” takes listeners on an epic and melodic journey through what it means to be human, to resist, to rise up, to fall and to succeed. Bathed in the rich orchestration of the independent French composer Peter Crowley and awakened by lead singer Craig Cairns‘ soaring vocals, this mid-tempo song will surely leave a feeling of awe.
Guitarist Tim Kanoa Hansen comments, “In a way, this song is the thematic followup to our fan favorite title, ‘Scorched.’ Chaos breaks loose on earth, up is down, right is wrong, light is dark. Ethereal voices call you to follow and fight as well as lead into a new, better world. It’s a call to stand up and to realize the potential paradise we live in, to embrace progress and to resist the tyrants that are in control of the masses.”
Watch INDUCTION’s visualizer for “A Call Beyond” at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track HERE.
Subscribe Atomic Fire Records on YouTube and listen to “A Call Beyond” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
View the band’s previously released videos for “Queen Of Light” HERE, “Sacrifice” HERE, “Go To Hell” HERE, and “Embers” HERE.
Born From Fire, which boasts twelve metal anthems in fifty-eight minutes, was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen and is graced by the cover artwork of Peter Sallai (Sabaton, Jinjer, Powerwolf).
INDUCTION will serve as openers on the NordicPower Metal Titans Tour 2023 which features Finnish power metal heavyweights Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius.
Hansen adds, “Our latest album, Born From Fire, was received very positively during its release tour at the end of last year, but this was just the beginning. We can’t wait to present it to many more power metal hungry fans around Europe in Autumn. Warming up the crowds for such influential giants of the scene will make it an even more special experience for sure. INDUCTION is already starting their high-power engines – and you better do the same. Get your tickets and we’ll see you on the road!”
The group will close the year with a blast by supporting legendary act Accept in Germany.
The band further comments, “We are joining forces with Accept this year in December for two dates. It will be special for us playing in Tim Hansen’s hometown Hamburg and in [bassist] Dominik Gusch’s hometown Cologne!”
INDUCTION Live: 8/05/2023 Hello-Feast @ Štadión Lokomotíva – Košice, SK 9/09/2023 Port Of Power Festival @ Juki 42 – Ahrensburg, DE w/ Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius: 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 10/27/2023 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 11/10/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE 11/12/2023 Matrix – Bochum, DE w/ Accept, Songs Of White Lion: 12/12/2023 Große Freiheit 36 – Hamburg, DE 12/13/2023 Carlswerk Victoria – Cologne, DE
I’m 57 years old. I’ve been a metalhead since 8th grade. My thoughts below are based in fact. I lived the entire Metal movement. Call it The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, Texas Metal, American Metal, Thrash Metal, 80s Hair Metal or what have you; I’ve seen and lived the “waves”. I saw Metallica, Slayer and Motörhead in small clubs, End. Of. Story.
Below are my personal statements that are truth about Metal. If anyone disagrees then you never grew up during the beginning of the Metal years and you need to go back to your ABBA albums.
1. I don’t wanna ever hear again that Blue Cheer started Heavy Metal. That’s bullshit. Black Sabbath started Heavy Metal. Black Sabbath. End of story.
2. Van Halen was Heavy Metal before the DiverDown album. Deal with it.
3. Cinderella was NOT Hair Metal.
4. Def Leppard was NOT part of The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. Sorry, all you “Rock historians”.
5. Iron Maiden is better than Metallica.
6. Metal never needed MTV’s Headbangers Ball,
7. Grunge never killed Metal. The radio stations and record companies thumbed their noses at Metal. However, Metal was just fine during the 90’s. Just look up the discographies of Overkill, W.A.S.P., Motörhead, Megadeth, Black Sabbath and DIO to name a short list.
8. Metalheads tape traded, demos especially. There was no internet to receive instant music or Metal news; we were socially interacting in person with one another to share our Metal and its news.
9. Heavy Metal parking lot. ‘Nuff said.
10. VENOM. ‘Nuff said.
11. 70s KISS is better than any other decade of KISS.
12. Back then, Kerrang! magazine wasn’t a bullshit magazine that featured crap like Twenty One Pilots.
13. People that wore concert tees back in the day actually went to the concerts and listened to the bands albums.
Swedish dark symphonic metal powerhouse ELEINE today unveils their video for latest single, “War Das Alles,” a very special track taken from their upcoming new full-length, We Shall Remain.
“War Das Alles” — German for “Was this all?” — is a poem written by frontwoman Madeleine Liljestam during some dark hours. It translates into one of the most touching and intimate moments on the album.
The band comments, “It all started with a poem in English, that made more sense in German and ‘War Das Alles’ came to life. In the midst of darkness, you might question yourself, ‘was this all? Am I no more?’ It’s a natural question when going through something that’s too heavy for your shoulders. Before things get better – it will be heavier for a while. Whether it’s depression, a difficult task at work, or a relationship… it usually gets heavier right before you reach the goal.
“With this single, we want to highlight that these thoughts and feelings sometimes enter your life, and that it doesn’t mean it’s the end. It’s a part of something better to come. Balance within life. Feel that you are accepted as you are with this song, that you are not alone. Embrace the very special feeling and atmosphere this chorus brings – and tomorrow might feel a bit brighter with the entire ELEINE legion supporting you.”
Watch ELEINE’s previously released visualizer for “Never Forget” at THIS LOCATION and their video for the record’s first single, “We Are Legion,” at THIS LOCATION.
We Shall Remain, which will be released on July 14th via Atomic Fire Records, will be available as a digibook CD, digibook CD + signed photo card (limited edition; EMP & Sound Pollution excl.), jewel case CD, LP (Orange/White), and digitally.
Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “War Das Alles,” “Never Forget,” and “We Are Legion” instantly at eleine.afr.link/weshallremainPR.
We Shall Remain was written and produced by guitarist/vocalist Rikard Ekberg and lead vocalist Madeleine Liljestam while Thomas “Plec” Johansson took care of co-recording, mixing, and mastering at The Panic Room Studio in Skövde, Sweden. Its fiery artwork was designed by Nestor Avalos (nestoravalosofficial.com) and Madeleine Liljestam.
ELEINE is currently setting stages ablaze across North America supporting Moonspell. The tour commenced on April 29th and will wind its way through nearly two dozen cities, coming to a close on May 23rd. See all remaining dates below.
ELEINE w/ Moonspell [remaining dates: 5/18/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL 5/19/2023 Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN 5/20/2023 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA 5/21/2023 Petit Campus – Montreal, QC 5/22/2023 Source De La Martiniere – Quebec, QC 5/23/2023 Sonia – Boston, MA End Tour 6/03/2023 Evenew Arena – Stockholm, SE w/ Nightwish, Art Nation 8/02/2023 MetalDays – Velenje, SL 8/11/2023 Alcatraz Metal Festival – Kortrijk, BE Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “War Das Alles” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
After touring Australia and Japan as well as kicking off this year’s festival season by introducing new bassist Peter Baltes last month, U.D.O. — the iconic heavy metal five-piece led by legendary vocalist Udo Dirkschneider — today announces their massive, thirteen-track album, Touchdown, set for release late this Summer through Atomic Fire Records.
The band has been very productive recording at various locations in between live activities throughout the year. Crafted with producer and mixing engineer Martin “Mattes” Pfeiffer at Redhead Studio (Wilhelmshaven, Germany) and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann at ROXX Studio (Solingen, Germany), with bass tracks recorded by Baltes, Touchdown is scheduled to land in the end zone of the heavy metal world on August 25th. The record includes a guest appearance by violinist Stefan Pintev on the closing track. Artwork was provided by Martin Häusler who is also responsible for shooting band photos in support of the new album campaign.
First single, “Forever Free,” as well as album preorder options will become available on Friday, June 23rd. Presave “Forever Free” now at: udo.afr.link/foreverfreePR.
Touchdown – Track Listing:
Isolation Man
The Flood
The Double Dealer’s Club
Fight For The Right
Forever Free
Punchline
Sad Man’s Show
The Betrayer
Heroes Of Freedom
Better Start To Run
The Battle Understood
Living Hell
Touchdown
View Udo Dirkschneider’s videos for “We Will Rock You” HERE and “Kein Zurück,” where he sings in his native language for the first time ever, HERE.
U.D.O. / DIRKSCHNEIDER: Udo Dirkschneider – vocals Andrey Smirnov – guitar Sven Dirkschneider – drums Fabian Dee Dammers – guitar Peter Baltes – bass
Perfect in time for a hot summer, on July 14, 2023, power metal act WINTERSTORM will release their upcoming, fifth studio album, entitled “Everfrost”, via AFM Records. It’s their first offering since 2016.
As the “Winter” stands for nordic viking and folk metal, the “Storm” for fast-paced power metal, combined with epic and orchestral metal facettes, WINTERSTORM shines in a new splendor as first album single releases have already proved. Following “To The End Of All Known” and just recently, a music video for their latest single “Future Times”, today, WINTERSTORM are proudly presenting us “The Phoenix Died (Remember)!
Watch the new WINTERSTORM video for “The Phoenix Died (Remember)” HERE
‘Remember’ reminds us that we should remember our past in order to learn for the future,” the band comments. “The text urges us to use our resources responsibly and to provide for future generations. In this context, one could also think of the sinking of Atlantis.”
It’s the melodic grandeur, that clearly marks the foreground of WINTERSTORM, reflected in heavily catchy choruses and colossal, polyphonic vocals. Striking elements of different metal styles merge with each other and get a completely new impression, that WINTERSTORM’s forthcoming record may be their most versatile and powerful album to date; one that does not have to hide behind proved genre colleagues such as Blind Guardian or Rhapsody Of Fire.
“Everfrost” will be coming out as CD Digipak, limited clear blue Vinyl and Boxset on July 14, 2023 via AFM Records, the pre-sale is available at THIS LOCATION!
If you are serious about Heavy Metal, then most likely CRYSTAL VIPER doesn’t need an introduction. The band was founded by the singer and guitarist Marta Gabriel, and released its debut album in 2007. Since then, they toured in more than 15 countries, played in both tiny clubs and at huge open air festivals, released 8 studio albums, and a bunch of singles. So one thing is sure: they are one of the most hard working and most determined bands of their generation.
Their latest studio album entitled “The Cult” is still hot: it came out in 2021, followed by ‘The Last Command’ mini album in 2022, and brought CRYSTAL VIPER back to their roots: the traditional and pure Heavy Metal, full of epic melodies, classic riffs and guitar harmonies, ripping solos, and catchy refrains. The band couldn’t tour properly and promote the album due to the pandemic, yet instead of sitting and waiting for better times, they decided to record more material.
CRYSTAL VIPER ‘s brand new single is a scorching new recorded version of ‘In the Haunted Chapel’ released at the light of the band’s forthcoming tour and festival dates.
Band leader Marta Gabriel comments: “In The Haunted Chapel’ is naturally connected with our latest studio album ‘The Cult’, as it was inspired by the H.P. Lovecraft story – ‘The Haunter Of The Dark’, which was originally published in 1936. It’s actually a very special story, as it’s the last one Lovecraft wrote before his death. The composition itself is based on this shuffle rhythm which is a bit unusual for CRYSTAL VIPER, and the twin guitars are our humble tribute to legendary acts such as Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden. This version is a little bit different than the one we released last year on “The Last Axeman” EP, because as I recently switched from rhythm guitar to bass, I decided to come up with different bass line, and of course we now have a new drummer on board, Jakub. Except that both Eric and Andy recorded different guitar solos.”
‘In the Haunted Chapel’ video release will be announced at a later date.
Tour dates: 27/05 – Czech Republic, Pasohlavky, Euro Bike Fest 01/06 – Germany, Gries, Iron Fest Open Air 02/06 – Germany, Freiburg, Artik 03/06 – Germany, Bielefeld, JZ Stricker 04/06 – Belgium, Bilzen, South Of Heaven 07/06 – Germany, Berlin, Cassiopeia 08/06 – Czech Republic, Frydek-Mistek, Hellpdays Festival 10/06 – Germany, Selb, Rockclub Nordbayern 14/07 – Sweden, Gavle, Gefle Metal Festival 12/08 – Belgium, Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival 17/09 – Baltic Sea, Full Metal Cruise
Discography : The Curse of Crystal Viper (Album – 2007) Metal Nation ( Album – 2009) Legends ( Album – 2010) Crimen Excepta ( Album – 2012) Possession ( Album – 2013) Queen of the Witches ( Album – 2017) Tales of Fire and Ice ( Album – 2019) The Cult ( LISTENABLE Album – 2021) The Last Axeman (LISTENABLE Album- 2022)
German heavy metal icons HELLOWEEN will be inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame! The ceremony will take place on stage on May 20th during the band’s performance at Terminal 5 in New York City.
“HELLOWEEN has helped establish the origins of the power metal genre,” says Metal Hall Of Fame Founder/CEO, Pat Gesualdo. “Power metal is such an important part of the heavy metal community as well. We are proud to induct HELLOWEEN into the Metal Hall Of Fame and have them to help represent the power metal genre and all its fans throughout the world.”
Comments HELLOWEEN founding guitarist, Michael Weikath, “It’s truly an honor to be inducted into the Metal Hall Of Fame! Being listed next to some of the biggest bands in rock and metal makes us very proud and is rewarding our work as ‘The Ambassadors Of Power And Melodic Metal’ for the last four decades.”
HELLOWEEN will return to US and Canadian stages beginning this weekend as part of their ongoing United Forces world tour alongside supporting special guests, HammerFall. The trek will commence on May 13th in Dallas, Texas and wind its way through a total of thirteen cities, the journey drawing to a close on June 3rd in San Francisco, California. Fans can expect an epic night of HELLOWEEN hits spanning the band’s legacy as well as tunes from their latest album, Helloween, marking the first time tracks from the album will be performed live for fans in the US and Canada.
Tickets are on sale now. Secure yours today at THIS LOCATION. See all confirmed dates below.
HELLOWEEN w/ HammerFall: 5/13/2023 The Bomb Factory – Dallas, TX 5/16/2023 Jannus Live – St. Petersburg, FL 5/18/2023 The Fillmore – Silver Spring, MD 5/20/2023 Terminal 5 – New York, NY 5/21/2023 The Palladium – Worcester, MA 5/23/2023 History – Toronto, ON 5/24/2023 Royal Oak Music Hall – Royal Oak, MI 5/26/2023 The Riviera – Chicago, IL 5/27/2023 The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN 5/30/2023 Ogden Theatre – Denver, CO 6/01/2023 Brooklyn Bowl – Las Vegas, NV 6/02/2023 YouTube Theater – Los Angeles, CA 6/03/2023 The Warfield – San Francisco, CA
Often referred to as the “Fathers Of Power Metal,” and known as one of the most influential European heavy metal bands, HELLOWEEN has released sixteen studio albums, three live albums, three EPs, and thirty singles. The band has fourteen gold and six platinum records and have sold over ten-million records worldwide. HELLOWEEN are known as one of the “Big Four” of the power metal genre, along with Blind Guardian, Sabaton, and DragonForce and has performed at festivals and concerts alongside Iron Maiden, David Lee Roth, KISS, Megadeth, and Guns N’ Roses, among countless others.
The Metal Hall Of Fame is dedicated to forever enshrining the iconic musicians and music industry executives responsible for making hard rock and heavy metal music what it is today. Their contribution to the genre is invaluable, and they continue to inspire fans throughout the world, from generation to generation.
The Annual Metal Hall Of Fame Celebrity Gala is held every January in California. As a non-profit organization, all proceeds from Metal Hall Of Fame events bring free music programs to help special needs children and wounded veterans. The Metal Hall Of Fame voting process is derived by fans of all genres of hard rock and heavy metal, along with the Metal Hall Of Fame voting committee. Fans can cast their vote all year round for their favorite artists, bands, producers, and music industry executives via the Metal Hall of Fame website: metalhalloffame.org.
Rhapsody Of Fire Glory For Salvation tour is underway! Plus guests Wind Rose and Seven Kingdoms
North American 2023 Tour – Dates and venues:
5/10 – Boston, MA – Sonia 5/11 – Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell 5/12 – Montreal, QC – Studio TD 5/13 – Ottawa, ON – Brass Monkey 5/14 – Toronto, ON – The Garrison 5/16 – Joliet, IL – The Forge 5/17 – Minneapolis, MN – The Caboose 5/18 – Kansas City, MO – BLVD Nights 5/19 – Denver, CO – HQ 5/20 – Salt Lake City, UT – Soundwell 5/22 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon 5/23 – Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater 5/24 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom 5/25 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge 5/26 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick 5/27 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory 5/28 – Los Angeles, CA – 1720 5/29 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theater 5/31 – Oklahoma City, OK – 89th St. Col. 6/01 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater 6/02 – Austin, TX – Come And Take It Live! 6/03 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live 6/05 – Orlando, FL – Conduit 6/06 – Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade (Hell) 6/07 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819 6/08 – Philadelphia, PA – Warehouse on Watts 6/09 – New York, NY – Gramercy Theater
Look for new Lyric Video on Friday, May 12th for ‘Kreel’s Magic Staff’! A Teaser for the video is available HERE
Los Angeles’ own True Heavy Metal Festival returns October 14-15, 2023 at the Garden Amphitheater in beautiful, sunny Garden Grove, CA! LA’s GATES OF METAL FESTIVAL III features a quality mix of Traditional, Thrash, Power, Speed, Death, Black, Doom, NOWTHM and Classic Heavy Metal bands on two stages!
The venue features a fan-friendly open air stage and a badass indoor stage, as well as metal merchants, vendors, five bars, and food options, all presented in an all ages European-style Heavy Metal festival.
Voted Best Concert Venue in 2018 by OC Weekly, the Garden Amphitheater is conveniently located near the Santa Ana, Long Beach and LAX Airports. If you’re looking for a destination Festival to plan around and attend, THIS IS IT!
The Fest will Feature Special Heavy Metal Performances by Legendary bands, including:
RIOT SADISTIC INTENT HAIL MARY (The Original Triple Axe Attack – Performing a Classic LEATHERWOLF Set) EVIL DEAD HEATHEN VICIOUS RUMORS SIGLOS (Featuring SIN QUIRIN formerly of Ministry) RESISTANCE IRONFLAME HELL FIRE ANGER AS ART HAUNT FUELED BY FIRE STYGIAN CROWN RUTHLESS BONDED BY BLOOD SABER ADAMANTIS INTRANCED
Australian hard rockers BIG RED FIRE TRUCK have released their new single “Love Bite“. The song is from their upcoming EP Trouble InParadisewhich is out on August 4th, 2023.
The band comments: ” ‘Love Bite’ is a personal reflection of my experiences in the music industry and its comparison to the highs and lows of a place like Vegas. It’s easy to get caught up in the glittering facade of success and become fixated on the idea of making it big. I read an article recently that helped me come to realise that the industry is in fact a lot like a casino – a few win big, a few even win small and those that don’t are kicked to the curb and left to fend for themselves. This song is a reminder to myself and others to enjoy the journey, no matter what the outcome may be.”
About BIG RED FIRE TRUCK: BIG RED FIRE TRUCK began in 2016 as a project by Digby to write some fun heavy metal and hard rock songs and fulfil his need to hear new music in the style of his beloved bands. Taking inspiration from the likes of VAN HALEN, RECKLESS LOVE, THE DARKNESS, AEROSMITH, SUM 41, and CRAZY LIXX, the quartet pay homage to previous generations of hard rock while delivering their own distinctive character.
BIG RED FIRE TRUCK Are: Digby (Guitar and Lead Vocals) Ben Frank (Guitar) Pete Grant (Drums and Vocals) Nick Frazier (Bass)
Following their much acclaimed, self-titled 2017-debut, June 30, 2023 sees Australian heavy metal force NIGHT LEGION release their sophomore studio album, entitled “Fight Or Fall” via Massacre Records!
As first album single, “The Hounds Of Baskerville”, immediatly proves, “Fight Or Fall” is a no-nonsense return to fast and powerful heavy metal with screaming vocals, crushing guitars and hooks that remind you what great songwriting sounds like. This record is not a happy walk through a forest of elves – this is the battlefield where metal lives and soaring vocals invoke the spirits of what made metal the force it is today!
Give ear, a music video for NIGHT LEGION‘s new single is now streaming HERE!
“A classic horror inspired track slightly based around the Sherlock Holmes’ “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, however with a much more dark and brutal twist and in our own way,“ the band reveals. “It centralizes to a small town being terrorized by the local werewolves, with descriptive references.
Some people believe it, some people don’t and think it’s a legend we have devised ourselves until they themselves face the terror & wrath. The wolves in this case also represent the 5 of us – we are about to unleash a new record and we have the hunger to unleash on the live circuit!
It’s also inspired by how humanity’s own state of madness can conjure up such evil for the reason to terrorize, deceive and always live in fear. The reference to the chorus “Chase the hounds of Baskerville” really comes from how we as humans are intrigued to learn more about the mysteries of the world and anything that scares us. It’s a pretty bold, in your face, massive memorable chorus – it’s the run to the hills of the album, I’d say, hence being the first single.
It’s a heart stopper vocally & Stu’s guitar work adds another dimension – this song will play a movie in the listeners head.”
“Fight Or Fall” was produced by NIGHT LEGION guitarist Stu Marshall, and was mixed and mastered by Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios. Set to be released on June 30, 2023, the album pre-sale has just started via Massacre Records at THIS LOCATION!
“Fight Or Fall” track listing:
The Hounds Of Baskerville
Babylon Burns
Soaring Into The Black
Fight Or Fall
At World’s End
Beyond The Crimson Dawn
Harvest Of Sin
The Enemy
The Hand Of Death
NIGHT LEGION: Louie Gorgievski – Vocals Stu Marshall – Guitars Col Higginson – Guitars Glenn Williams – Bass Clay Tchakalian – Drums
Here are three examples of an album cover showing a woman’s face behind a see-through cloth. I’m certain there’s more out there. I believe this idea of an album cover needs to retire. For good. Please. Stop.
The Rolling Stones – Goats Head Soup (1973)
I’ll give The Rolling Stones a pass due to my thinking this was the first time this idea was used for an album cover. I could be wrong. Besides, it’s The Rolling Stones.
Scorpions – Rock Believer (2022)
C’mon Scorpions. This album cover of RockBeliever is so bad it’s the reason why I didn’t buy the physical CD. I didn’t want to see it laying around my other CDs that have quality album art. Besides, I listen to Rock Believer on Spotify.
Halestorm – Back From The Dead (2022)
I’ll bet that Halestorm and Scorpions never expected to have nearly the same album cover released in the SAME YEAR!! Some people might say that’s glass covering over the face of Lzzy Hale. Is it Lzzy Hale though? Hard to tell maybe, with the violent screaming face. Anyways, I believe this is cloth covering her face. I always felt the Halestorm debut album cover art from 2009 was bizarre and cringey; yet this album cover takes the prize for unoriginal disaster.
Thank you for reading my semi-useless rant. Please feel free to comment! Metal Be Thy Name. – Stone
Forty-five years young, British hard rock royalty GIRLSCHOOL comes out swinging with their fourteenth studio album, WTFortyfive?, a deliciously dirty declaration that age is a number that shows how much real raw attitude you have when it really counts. WTFortyfive? is set for release on July 28th via Silver Lining Music.
Lead single “Are You Ready?” sets the pace; a racy, raunchy, fun-saturated shapeshifter co-written with Alcatrazz’s Joe Stump that shows GIRLSCHOOL’s leathers may still carry the well-baked battle scars of decades past, but their songs and attitude are as fresh, fun, heavy, and catchy as ever before.
As a nod to their fellow partners in crime, GIRLSCHOOL today reveals the animated video for “Are You Ready?,” the video sequel to Alcatrazz’s “Don’t Get Mad… Get Even” (feat. GIRLSCHOOL)” taken from the upcoming Alcatrazz album Take No Prisoners (set for release May 19thvia Silver Lining Music). Both videos were created by Natalia Jonderko Śmiechowicz.
Comments the band, “The first new GIRLSCHOOL music in nearly a decade! Powerful, heavy and with a great groove, this is the first single from our WTFortyfive? album! We think you’ll like it… Are you ready? We are!”
Watch GIRLSCHOOL’s video for “Are You Ready?” (feat. Joe Stump)” HERE.
Watch Alcatrazz’s video for “Don’t Get Mad… Get Even (feat. Girlschool)” HERE.
With WTFortyfive?, Kim McAuliffe (guitar/vocals), Denise Dufort (drums), Jackie Chambers (guitar/backing vocals), and Tracey Lamb (bass) leave the grit under their finger nails and the muck on their crusty leather boots as they riff and stomp their way through twelve statements of intent showing major attitude, some great melodies, and a consistent crunch to every guitar.
There’s the addictive mototörcharged scuzz of “It Is What It Is,” the Wandsworth via Sunset Strip sway of “Bump In The Night,” the youthful, punky romp of “Up To No Good,” and the smart, sassy, rock ‘n’ roll hooks of “Believing In You,” with McAuliffe’s vocals sounding as sharp and raucous as ever. And if that isn’t enough, their raunch roars and rolls alongside Biff Byford (Saxon), Phil Campbell (Motörhead), and Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) on a cracking cover of “Born To Raise Hell!” So throw away your inhibitions and join these spectacularly wild women on the most glorious of rock ‘n’ roll rides. Lemmy knew, so should YOU!
WTFortyfive? will be released on 12” vinyl, digipak-CD, digital download and streaming and special D2C bundles. Preorder yours today at THIS LOCATION.
Additionally, head over to girlschool.tmstor.esfor a chance to win a GIRLSCHOOL WTFortyfive? custom made real leather jacket. T&Cs apply.
WTFortyfive? Track Listing:
It Is What It Is
Cold Dark Heart
Bump In The Night
Barmy Army
Invisible Killer
Believing In You
It’s A Mess
Into The Night
Are You Ready? (feat. Joe Stump)
Up To No Good
Party
Born To Raise Hell (feat. Biff Byford, Phil Campbell, Duff McKagan)
If you’re a band or musician and would like your music reviewed or be interviewed by Stone, please click the link under the “ALBUM REVIEWS ARCHIVES” section below!
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