Finnish Punk ‘n Rollers GRAVEYARD SHIFTERS have released new EP Head Turns First, Eyes Follow… The EP is streaming on Bandcamp, Spotify, and all other major digital platforms.
The official video for “Fake It Till You Make It” is available at this location.
Track Listing: 1. Fake It Till You Make It 2. Head Turns First, Eyes Follow 3. Whirlpool 4. Calm Down Before The Storm
EP Credits: All songs by Graveyard Shifters. Produced by Graveyard Shifters. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Harri Petjakko.
EP Line-Up: J. Sumkin – Bass, H. Kansonen – Guitars, A. Salmenoja – Drums, J. Matilainen – Lead Vocals, J. Eskelinen – Guitars, S. Tiittanen – Session Piano
Bay Area Thrashers INFEX have released a lyric video for “The Abyss,” a track from forthcoming album Burning in Exile. The video was directed and edited by Lance Woodruff. Commence thrashing at youtu.be/k-4IbkTi9dk or below:
Concerning the lyrical inspiration for “The Abyss,” the band had this to say:
“The Abyss was inspired by the famous quote from Friedrich Nietzsche – ‘Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.’
We find the quote relatable more than ever in today’s super-charged political and existential social climates. That which we hate, we become. The Abyss is a metaphor for the oppressive anxiety of the modern day social climate. It’s like staring into the darkness of the Abyss, overwhelmed with fear of what happens when we come out the other side. As it consumes you, you become one with it, and panic attack becomes the daily norm.”
INFEX will self-release Burning in Exile on August 13th on CD, digital and limited edition red translucent 12″ vinyl formats.
In case you missed it, check out the official video for album track “Acid Reign” at youtu.be/EDjRsqTlfCE
Line-up: Jack – Guitars and Vocals, Adam – Guitars and vocals, RC – Bass and vocals, Corey – Drums
Though the sound of Burning inExile is firmly anchored in a ripping form of thrash metal, elements of old school hardcore and crossover metal are present as well. Having grown up during the Thrash Metal heyday and listening to genre pioneers like Exodus, Kreator, Destruction, Slayer, Dark Angel and the like, along with old-school hardcore influences like Discharge, Attitude Adjustment, Cryptic Slaughter, DRI, and Excel, INFEX blends the styles of all these and more into a raw outpouring of aggression and anger.
Burning in Exile was recorded at Trident Studios in Martinez, CA (Machine Head, Vio-Lence, Testament, Exodus). It was produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Juan Urteaga. INFEX booked the studio time in late 2019 and began recording in March of 2020, right as the Covid-19 pandemic became serious. Due to the lockdown, the recording sessions were spaced out further than anticipated, resulting in the inspiration for the album title, Burning in Exile. The band’s album release show happens on August 14th at 3 Disciples Brewing in Santa Rosa, California.
Siberian metal collective MILLSTONE is set to release its newest album, Isle.
The album falls under the groove\death-metal umbrella, with melodic solos, varied rhythms and a “wall-of-sound” density. Each of the 9 tracks carries its own unique mood; from acoustic sketches to bottom-heavy Meshuggah-esque passages, along with a lethal dose of straightforward classic thrash.
Isle was written by MILLSTONE mastermind Ivan Scherbakov and produced by Vladimir Lehtinen (Second To Sun, Ultar, Grima, etc.), Isle is a concept album based on sci-fi novel “The Inhabited Island” (Arkady and Boris Strugatsky).
Stream album track “Turned Inside Out” now at this location.
Rising U.S. Heavy Metal force SLEEPLESS have released a lyric video for “Host Desecration,” a track from forthcoming debut EP Blood Libel. Check it out at youtu.be/MLp2iRNulEo
Original members of 80’s death metal pioneers Dead Conspiracy, Eric Dorsett and Eric Detablan have joined forces with their old friend, guitarist, singer and production machine Kevin Hahn to form SLEEPLESS. Classic, scorching Heavy Metal pulses through debut EP Blood Libel, which will be released on March 12 via Necromantic PressRecords.
Heavy metal inspired by an internal need to slam accepted dogma and to shed light on a dark past that is largely forgotten, Blood Libel is the genuine article! Metal, thrash, melody, and at times, depressive introspection, add up to a memorable gut-punch of an EP.
“The trick is that they are meant to be a traditional heavy metal act, but the death metal history makes its way into the actual music itself, thus creating something that could be heavy/death metal? Blood Libel is a quick taste of something stellar in the making.”
– Sleeping Village Reviews
“A classic heavy metal EP, influenced by a determination to bring dark history into the light and change perspectives, in the process. Combining melodic thrash with bleak contemplation, ‘BL’ packs a punch.”
On March 12th, 2021, the new studio album from Rob Zombie releases via Nuclear Blast. Titled The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, this will be the seventh full-length album from Rob Zombie.
It’s been five years since we’ve seen a new studio album from Rob Zombie, with his last releasing back in April of 2016, titled: The Electric Warlock Acid Witch Satanic Orgy Celebration Dispenser.
Track Listing:
Expanding the Head of Zed
The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
The Ballad of Sleazy Rider
Hovering Over the Dull Earth
Shadow of the Cemetery Man
A Brief Static Hum and Then the Radio Blared
18th Century Cannibals, Excitable Morlocks and a One-Way Ticket On the Ghost Train
(New York, NY 12/04/2020) – As global touring came to a sudden and unexpected halt earlier this year, Queensrÿche frontman Todd La Torre has been using his recent pandemic downtime to put the finishing touches on his debut solo album Rejoice In The Suffering. The idea for a solo album was always in the cards for Todd. With Queensrÿche tour dates postponed indefinitely, the world events offered Todd the opportunity to explore his ideas for Rejoice In The Suffering. Todd teamed up with longtime friend and collaborator Craig Blackwell and alongside producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris created a diverse heavy metal album that draws influence from different styles. These styles will surprise fans who only know La Torre from his previous work with Queensrÿche or Crimson Glory before that. Rejoice In The Suffering is scheduled for release globally on February 5, 2021 via Rat Pak Records.
“Rejoice In The Suffering was truly a labor of love. It’s a pure metal record that certainly showcases a wide range of my vocal abilities. I feel there is something for any true fan of metal on this album. This album is full of groove, dynamics, power, and substance and I can’t wait for people to hear it,” explains Todd La Torre.
From the album’s opening riffs of “Dogmata” to the vocal acrobatics that drive the album closer “Apology,” it is apparent that Todd La Torre has a true love of heavy metal. Playing drums and recording the vocals for the album, songs like “Darkened Majesty” and “Critical Cynic” offer an inside look into the musical mind of La Torre. Craig Blackwell’s guitar playing provides the perfect musical accents to La Torre’s vocals. Todd even finds vocal wails not heard from him before as showcased on the title track and the punishing “Vanguards of the Dawn Wall.” The deluxe version of the album features 3 bonus tracks: “Fractured,” “Set It Off” and “One by One.”
TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA/SAVATAGE AND FORMER METAL CHURCH DRUMMER JEFF PLATE LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT ALTA REIGN
Jeff Plate has joined forces with TSO keyboardist Jane Mangini and some amazing new talent to form his “years in the making” band Alta Reign. Plate and Mangini, along with Tommy Cook (guitars/lead vocals), Collin Holloway (guitars/lead vocals), Kevin McCarthy (bass, vocals) and Zach Hamilton (keyboards, guitars/vocals), will be releasing Alta Reign’s debut album Mother’s Day on January 8, 2021 via Rat Pak Records. The album is a reflection of dedication as the initial idea spawned 30 years ago and ended in 2020 with the album now being released in 2021.
States drummer Jeff Plate, “Beginning in a rehearsal room in Rockland, Ma. 30 years ago and ending in this insane year of 2020, “Mother’s Day” is the end result of years of writing, listening, learning, planning and waiting for the right moment to put this all together. Everyone involved has been the perfect combination of effort and talent to complete the ideas and songs that have been kicking around in my head for years. I could not be prouder to share this album with the world, this is Alta Reign.”
From the album’s opening riffs of “Shine” to the majestic “Mother’s Day”, the reflective mood of “Always” and the mindful closer “Rise”, Alta Reign has created something very different and original. Drawing from his history, his influences and his heroes, Plate has combined Melodic, Progressive, Hard Rock and straight up Metal to create a unique landscape for the listener. Other TSO brethren make an appearance on Mother’s Day as guitarist Joel Hoekstra can be heard on the title track and guitarist Chris Caffery shows up on “Rise”. Songs like “Thin Red Line”, the frenetic instrumental “ESC (Escape)” and “Let’s Go! (I’m In Charge Now)” present every indication that the talent of these musicians is limitless.
“I have known Jeff for 20 years through the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I had the honor of playing with him on ‘Beethoven’s Last Night’ Tour in 2010. The most fun I had on that tour was soundcheck, actually his soundcheck. He would play the coolest riffs and I probably annoyed him playing along, but I always thought how great it would be to put something together with him. Ten years later I got a call and I’m pretty sure I said yes before he even finished asking me. I’m so very happy that I fit in”, explains keyboardist Jane Mangini.
01. Shine 02. Witness 03. Thin Red Line 04. Never Say Never 05. Mother’s Day (FT Joel Hoekstra) 06. ESC (Escape) 07. Come Out and Play 08. Let’s Go! (I’m In Charge Now) 09. Always 10. Immortal 11. Passage 12. Rise (FT Chris Caffery) 13. Always (Acoustic Version) (Bonus Track)
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