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)
Today marks the official unveiling of Crimson &Jet Black, the latest full-length from leading Japanese heavy metal act, ANTHEM, out now on Reaper Entertainment.
It’s been four years since the release of the band’s critically acclaimed Nucleus full-length — a re-recording of their classic hits with English lyrics. But ANTHEM used the pandemic downtime wisely. Crimson & Jet Black features eleven tracks, once again performed in English.
Offers the band, “Finally, our new album Crimson & Jet Black is out! The album is full of straight, powerful, and great metal songs. We promise that it sounds as sharp as a knife. If you love metal, you shouldn’t miss it. But be careful not to get blown away!”
Watch ANTHEM’s previously released videos for “Snake Eyes“ at THIS LOCATION and “Wheels Of Fire” at THIS LOCATION.
Order Crimson & Jet Black on CD and vinyl at THIS LOCATION.
After finishing two anniversary tours in 2021 — the band’s thirty-fifth anniversary tour, which had been postponed due to the pandemic restrictions, as well the twentieth anniversary of their reunion tour called the ANTHEM 2001 Vs ANTHEM 2021 Tour — the band began work on their latest offering. Originally scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2022, band leader Shibata, a perfectionist at heart, decided to enrich each of the songs’ quality and pushed the recording schedule to Summer/Fall.
Like previous ANTHEM works, Naoto is the main producer of the album, but this time renowned Swedish producer Jens Bogren, (Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Dimmu Borgir, Opeth, etc.) who had previously mixed and mastered Nucleus, is credited as a co-producer.
North American Tour With Moonspell To Commence Later This Month
“Watch as I rise. Reclaim my life. Under the darkest of skies. Scars will remain, signed by your name. Never forget, we’re the same.” ELEINE – “Never Forget” (2023)
Times are hard, we know. And while Tina Turner may have declared some time ago that, “we don’t need another hero,” the opposite seems to be true. We need heroes, we need anthems, we need perseverance. And fast! Luckily for us, ELEINE has heard the call with their newest single NeverForget.
Beginning with a heavy, thrashy riff which instantly drives the song forward and leads to a mighty chorus, the song is the perfect paradigm of the speed and epic vibe of their new album, WeShall Remain, set for release on July 14th via Atomic Fire Records.
The band comments, “Have you ever met someone who has scarred you? Made you doubt yourself? Maybe even made your life a living hell? We all have, in one way or another. But the most important part of experiencing something inevitable like this is to remember your own worth. It’s not about you, but you can evolve and learn from the situation itself.
“Rise up. Accept what has been. Move forward and cut the strings attached to anyone who really doesn’t give you anything else but a headache. In the end, we’re all facing the same fate. Make sure your life along the way has as less toxic people as possible and make sure you are in charge of your own life.”
Watch ELEINE’s visualizer for “Never Forget” at THIS LOCATION. Stream/purchase the track at THIS LOCATION.
Watch ELEINE’s previously released video for first single, “We Are Legion,” at THIS LOCATION.
We Shall Remain was written and produced by guitar player/vocalist Rikard Ekberg and lead vocalist Madeleine Liljestam while Thomas “Plec” Johansson took care of co-recording, mixing and mastering at The Panic Room Studio in Skövde, Sweden. Its fiery artwork was designed by Nestor Avalos (nestoravalosofficial.com) and Madeleine Liljestam.
We Shall Remain will be available as a digibook CD, digibook CD + signed photo card (limited edition; EMP & Sound Pollution excl.), jewel case CD, LP (Orange/White), and digitally.
Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Never Forget” and “We Are Legion” instantly at eleine.afr.link/weshallremainPR.
Besides recently welcoming long-time live bass player Filip Stålberg as a new permanent member, ELEINE will embark on their very first North American tour later this month. Accompanying legendary Portuguese dark metallers Moonspell on their 30th anniversary tour across the US and Canada, the band will play twenty-three shows from April 29th through May 23rd with additional support coming from Oceans Of Slumber and Vintersea on select dates. To help the group on their journey, visit THIS LOCATION. Find ELEINE’s full live itinerary below!
ELEINE w/ Moonspell, Oceans Of Slumber: 4/29/2023 The Monarch – Brooklyn, NY 4/30/2023 Warehouse On Watts – Philadelphia, PA 5/01/2023 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 5/02/2023 The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA 5/03/2023 Conduit – Orlando, FL 5/05/2023 Scout Bar – Houston, TX ** 5/06/2023 Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX ** 5/07/2023 Trees – Dallas, TX ** 5/08/2023 Tumbleroot Brewing – Santa Fe, NM ** 5/09/2023 Last Exit Live – Phoenix, AZ ** 5/10/2023 1720 – Los Angeles, CA ** 5/11/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA ** 5/12/2023 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA ** 5/13/2023 Bossanova Ballroom – Portland, OR ** 5/14/2023 The Cobalt – Vancouver, BC ** 5/16/2023 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 5/17/2023 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS 5/18/2023 The Forge – Joliet, IL # 5/19/2023 Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN # 5/20/2023 Preserving Underground – Pittsburgh, PA # 5/21/2023 Petit Campus – Montreal, QC # 5/22/2023 Source De La Martiniere – Quebec, QC # 5/25/2023 Sonia – Boston, MA # End Tour 8/02/2023 MetalDays – Velenje, SL New 8/11/2023 Alcatraz Metal Festival – Kortrijk, BE ** = w/ Vintersea # = no Oceans Of Slumber
Don’t forget to subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “Never Forget” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
Debut album, “Legends” coming July 7, 2023 on AFM Records!
July 7, 2023 sees up-and-coming, heavy metal sensation, ALL FOR METAL, release their hotly-anticipated, first full-length album, entitled Legends, via AFM Records.
With eleven irresistible, compact and catchy songs, the band’s colossal debut unleashes anthemic, straightforward metal that has international class. Under the banner of ALL FOR METAL, metal enthusiasts Tim “Tetzel” Schmidt (known as the singer of Asenblut as well as a strength athlete and fitness influencer) and Antonio Calanna (singer of the hard rock band DeVicious) joined forces for the perfect metal match. Both are united by their love for classic heavy metal sounds and the common vision to them to a new generation of music fans.
“We grew up with bands like Manowar, at whose concerts the audience is overwhelmed by the energy,” Tetzel recently revealed. “That’s where strangers are in each other’s arms and fervently belting out the songs. This invisible bond, this connection, is created through the music alone.” His vocal counterpart Antonio adds, “I’ve only experienced such a sense of community in the metal scene. With ALL FOR METAL, we want to help pass this on and let as many music fans as possible share in it.”
Following four previously-released songs, “Born In Valhalla”, “Raise Your Hammer”, “Fury of the Gods” and the aptly-titled track “All For Metal”, today, the band is premiering a music video for the thunderous single “Mountain Of Power”. With its pounding drums, blazing guitars, and an epic chorus, “Mountain of Power” will be your new favorite heavy metal anthem, one that will make you feel invincible! Get ready to climb to the summit of metal greatness with ALL FOR METAL, and watch the band’s new video clip now streaming HERE
Perfect in time for a heavy summer festival season, with much-awaited live appearances at Wacken Open Air, Rock Harz and many more to be announced soon, ALL FOR METAL’s debut Legendswill be released on July 7, 2023 through AFM Records. The album was recorded and produced at the Elephant Studios, the pre-sale is available HERE
Legends – track listing:
All for Metal
Goddess of War
Born in Valhalla
Raise Your Hammer
Hear the Drum
Run
Prophecy of Hope
Mountain of Power
Fury of the Gods
The Day of Hammerfall
Legends Never Die
ALL FOR METAL Live: 02.06.2023 (CZ) Metal Fest Plzen 07.07.2023 (GER) Rock Harz (Album Release Show!) 02.08.2023 (GER) Wacken Open Air
ALL FOR METAL: Ursula Zanichelli – Guitar Jasmin Pabst – Guitar Florian Toma – Bass Guitar
Arizona thrash metallers INCITE will support Cavalera on the Morbid Devastation Fall 2023 Tour! The journey begins August 29th in Albuquerque, New Mexico and makes its way through over three dozen cities, coming to a close on October 18th in Los Angeles, California.
Comments INCITE vocalist Richie Cavalera, “We’re beyond stoked for this tour, to be playing with legends every night is a true honor. Hella fired up to be a part of history!”
Additional support for the tour will be provided by Exhumed. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 21st at 10:00am local time. See all confirmed dates below.
INCITE w/ Cavalera, Exhumed: 8/29/2023 Revel – Albuquerque, NM 8/31/2023 Diamond Ballroom – Oklahoma City, OK 9/01/2023 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX 9/02/2023 House Of Blues – New Orleans, LA 9/03/2023 Saturn – Birmingham, AL 9/05/2023 Madison Theatre – Covington, KY 9/06/2023 The Concourse – Knoxville, TN 9/08/2023 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 9/09/2023 Full Terror Open Air – Cave-In-Rock, IL (Festival) 9/10/2023 Delmar Hall – St. Louis, MO 9/12/2023 Mesa Theater – Grand Junction, CO 9/14/2023 Rialto Theatre – Tucson, AZ 9/15/2023 The Marquee – Tempe, AZ 9/16/2023 The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA 9/18/2023 RockHouse Bar & Grill – El Paso, TX 9/19/2023 Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX 9/20/2023 House of Blues – Houston, TX 9/21/2023 Vinyl Music Hall – Pensacola, FL 9/22/2023 Beacham Theater – Orlando, FL 9/23/2023 Terminal West – Atlanta, GA 9/25/2023 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 9/26/2023 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ 9/27/2023 Irving Plaza – New York, NY 9/28/2023 Paradise Rock Club – Boston, MA 9/29/2023 Reverb – Reading, PA 9/30/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre – Pittsburgh, PA 10/01/2023 Turner Hall Ballroom – Milwaukee, WI 10/02/2023 Fine Line – Minneapolis, MN 10/05/2023 Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA 10/06/2023 Waiting Room – Omaha, NE 10/07/2023 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 10/08/2023 The Complex – Salt Lake City, UT 10/10/2023 The Crocodile – Seattle, WA 10/11/2023 Treefort Music Hall – Boise, ID 10/12/2023 Crystal Ballroom – Portland, OR 10/14/2023 Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA 10/15/2023 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA 10/17/2023 House Of Blues – Las Vegas, NV 10/18/2023 The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA
INCITE released their Wake Up Dead full-length last Spring via Atomic Fire Records. With Wake Up Dead, INCITE jettisons the extraneous bloat of slicker bands in favor of authentic grit and determination, consistently churning out “headbanging riffs with concussive force (Kerrang).” The very spirit and attitude of heavy music culture, courses through the veins of the INCITE collective. Over the course of five albums — The Slaughter (2009), All Out War (2012), Up In Hell (2014), Oppression (2016), and Built To Destroy (2019) — the band has cemented their reputation as one of America’s leading groove armadas, heavily hitting home with their blend of old-school thrash majesty, frantic aggression, melody, and skill. Written over the course of several bouts of feverish inspiration throughout the pandemic, with recording duties again handled by legendary producer Steve Evetts (The Dillinger Escape Plan, Suicide Silence, Everytime I Die), Wake Up Dead delivers in the most relentless way possible.
INCITE’s Wake Up Dead is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Find ordering options at THIS LOCATION. Watch the band’s previously released videos for “Deadbeat” HERE, “Mental Destruction” video HERE, and “War Soup” (feat. Max Cavalera) HERE.
April, 2023, TOKYO – Nemophila, the all-female Japanese band whose cover of Iron Maiden’s “The Trooper” went viral, racking up over 3 million views, and was followed by one of the most talked about live debuts at Aftershock 2022, have released a new single, and video: “Rise” (ssm.lnk.to/RISE).
The band recently wrapped up a brief U.S. tour, including a stop at SXSW.
Guitar Girl Magazine described the quintet as “one of the most thrilling metal bands in Japan,” Distorted Sound said their music is “a reminder of just how fun heavy metal can be,” and Glasse Factory, commenting on their riveting Aftershock performance, noted “they nodded to metal legends with their styling and offered a refreshing take on their own unique blend… the excitement was tangible and radiated through the crowds as they all leaned in to watch the rising rock stars.”
Nemophila formed in 2019, playing their first live show in August of the same year, supporting Loudness and Hammerfall at Tokyo’s Metal Weekend 2019. The band have released two albums: Seize The Fate (2022) and Revive (2021). Nemophila is Mayu (vocals), Saki (guitar), Hazuki (guitar), Haraguchi–san – (bass) and Tamu Murata (drums).
Los Angeles-born heavy metal icons ALCATRAZZ will release their new studio album, Take NoPrisoners, via Silver Lining Music on May 19th.
ALCATRAZZ is determined to make up for lost time, roaring forwards at warp factor ten to deliver Take No Prisoners, their sixth studio album and the third in three years. Comprised of ten cracking, charismatic tracks, with each containing the unique fusion of classic American rock with the full grain hard-rocking attitude of British heavy metal, Take No Prisonerssees ALCATRAZZ energetically soaring and exploring melodic progression with road-warrior riffs. “Little Viper” rides a scything guitar into a thunderous, Dio-like assault, whilst the band also show their calmer, more expansive side with the epic “Strangers,” but when an album finishes at the burn point of “Bring On The Rawk,” there can be no question that ALCATRAZZ’s collective boot is repeatedly kicking serious ass!
Comprised of Doogie White (vocals), Joe Stump (guitars), Jimmy Waldo (keyboards), Gary Shea (bass), and Larry Paterson (drums), with Giles Lavery and Waldo producing, Take No Prisoners is a loudly, and proudly classic rock album which draws on the ALCATRAZZ traditions of technically excellent screaming guitars, thunderous rhythm, and the sort of vocals and overall aura that evoke prime Dio and Rainbow. And of course, a primed and fully tuned-up ALCATRAZZ, whose career is fast taking on Benjamin Button proportions.
Take No Prisoners will be released on digipak CD, 12” Black vinyl, digital download, streaming and special D2C bundles. Preorders are available at THIS LOCATION.
ALCATRAZZ: Jimmy Waldo – keyboards Gary Shea – bass Doogie White – lead vocals Joe Stump – guitar Larry Paterson – drums
Yes, I bought the CD version of Metallica’s 72Seasons at midnight! Thank God for CatacombRecords in Kettering, Ohio! Tim (the owner) had a listening party for 72 Seasons with complimentary pizza and pop. Is that Metal or what!? Thus when the clock struck midnight, I was buying!!
I was so excited to get this new Metallica CD that I freaking forgot to put it into the car CD player! WTF!! I had my wife’s car; my ancient car only plays cassette. Still, I’m grateful. Tim at Catacomb Records also had a free litho of the 72 Seasons album cover along with a pack of 3 72 Seasons guitar pics! I’ll post the pics of those later cuz I’m half asleep doing this post right now.
I love Metallica. Forever.
Here are some pics of Catacomb Records:
Old school and current Metal selection at Catacomb Records here is AMAZING!!Being inside Catacomb Records is like transporting back to 1982. No shit. Check out the pizza boxes! Yeah!Tim has all the Metal details at his store. Skulls are forever Metal!
Canadian sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD are celebrating 40 eventful years of existence in 2023 and are pleased to announce a special Anniversary studio album entitled Morgöth Tales, to be released on July 21st, 2023 via Century Media Records.
Once more recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio, mastered by Maor Appelbaum and produced by VOIVOD, Morgöth Tales includes fresh studio (re-)recordings by the band’s current line-up of 9 especially selected, not-so-obvious picks from the band’s hyper-classy and extremely diverse back catalogue (between 1984 and 2003) as well as a brand-new song in the album’s title-track, “Morgöth Tales”.
VOIVOD drummer Michel “Away” Langevin commented about Morgöth Tales as follows: “’Morgöth Tales’ covers 40 years of space exploration. It was really exciting for us to revisit a more obscure part of the Voïvod catalogue, from thrash-punk to prog-metal to…? The title track is a new song, which we started writing in the tour bus and hotels during the Opeth European tour in November/December 2022. It has the vibe of the experimental music we are doing nowadays, with a new twist I think. We also had the great thrill of getting E-Force and Jasonic involved on this album. I hope you’ll dig it, Chewy, Rocky, Snake and I certainly had a blast recording it. All aboard and ready for take off!“
VOIVOD – “Morgöth Tales” 1. Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version) [Originally on Metal Massacre V Compilation, 1984] 2, Thrashing Rage (2023 Version) [Originally on “Rrröööaaarrr”, 1986] 3. Killing Technology (2023 Version) [Originally on “Killing Technology”, 1987] 4. Macrosolutions To Megaproblems (2023 Version) [Originally on“Dimension Hatröss”, 1988] 5. Pre-Ignition (2023 Version) [Originally on “Nothingface”, 1989] 6. Nuage Fractal (2023 Version) [Originally on “Angel Rat”, 1991] 7. Fix My Heart (2023 Version) [Originally on “The Outer Limits”, 1993] 8. Rise (2023 Version, feat. Eric Forrest) [Originally on “Phobos”, 1997] 9. Rebel Robot (2023 Version, feat. Jason Newsted) [Originally on “Voivod”, 2003] 10. Morgöth Tales [New Song]
Next up, VOIVOD are kicking off their 40thAnniversary touring cycle this upcoming weekend in The Netherlands & the UK, so better check the band’s comprehensive listing of upcoming shows here:
VOIVOD – Europe & UK Tour: Apr. 16, 2023 – Eindhoven (The Netherlands) – Prognosis Festival Apr. 18, 2023 – Bristol (UK) – The Fleece + Cryptic Shift Apr. 19, 2023 – Glasgow (UK) – Slay + Cryptic Shift Apr. 20, 2023 – Manchester (UK) – Rebellion + Cryptic Shift Apr. 21, 2023 – Southampton (UK) – The 1865 + Cryptic Shift Apr. 22, 2023 – London (UK) – Prognosis Festival
VOIVOD – USA Tour w/ Imperial Triumphant: May 9, 2023 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel * no Imperial Triumphant May 10, 2023 – Virginia Beach, VA – Elevation 27 * no Imperial Triumphant May 11, 2023 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts May 12, 2023 – New York, NY – The Bowery May 13, 2023 – Baltimore, MD – Soundstage May 14, 2023 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground May 16, 2023 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution Live May 17, 2023 – Tampa, FL – Floridian May 18, 2023 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage May 19, 2023 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues May 20, 2023 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall May 21, 2023 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It May 23, 2023 – Pensacola, FL – The Vinyl Music Hall * no Imperial Triumphant
VOIVOD – Europe Tour: May 26, 2023 – Wiesbaden (Germany) – Schlachthof w/ Testament, Exodus May 27, 2023 – Ulm (Germany) – Roxy May 28, 2023 – Munich (Germany) – Backstage w/ Testament, Exodus May 30, 2023 – Lyon (France) – Transbordeur w/ Testament, Exodus May 31, 2023 – Pratteln (Switzerland) – Z7 w/ Testament, Exodus June 1, 2023 – Trezzo sull’Adda / Milano (Italy) – Live Club w/ Testament, Exodus June 2, 2023 – Ljubljana (Slovenia) – Kino Siska w/ Testament, Exodus June 3, 2023 – Stuttgart (Germany) – Im Wizemann w/ Testament, Exodus June 5, 2023 – Berlin (Germany) – Columbia Theater w/ Testament, Exodus June 7, 2023 – Budapest (Hungary) – Durer Kert June 8, 2023 – Salzburg (Austria) – Rockouse Bar June 9, 2023 – Prague (Czech Republic) – Futurum June 10, 2023 – Gdansk (Poland) – Mystic Festival June 13, 2023 – Hamburg (Germany) – Markthalle w/ Testament, Exodus June 14, 2023 – Amersfoort (The Netherlands) – Flour June 15, 2023 – Wasquehal / Lille (France) – The Black Lab June 17, 2023 – Clisson (France) – Hellfest June 18, 2023 – Dessel (Belgium) – Graspop Metal Meeting June 22-24, 2023 – Oslo (Norway) – Tons of Rock Festival Aug. 3-5, 2023 – Wacken (Germany) – Wacken Open Air Aug. 11-12, 2023 – Helsinki (Finland) – Helsinki Metal Festival And more international dates to be announced soon…
Morgöth Tales succeeds VOIVOD’s 15th (!) much acclaimed and Juno Awards winning studio album “Synchro Anarchy”, which entered sales charts upon release in early 2022 as follows: Germany # 7 (!), Switzerland # 64, Austria # 67, The Netherlands # 88, Belgium # 129, UK (Rock & Metal) # 7, Canada (Hard Music) # 2, USA Current Hard Music # 8, USA Top New Artist # 11, USA Heatseekers # 56 and USA Current Album # 67. VOIVOD also released the special “Ultraman – EP” in late 2022, which contains a highly original tribute to the “Ultraman” TV series theme.
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