Finnish hard rock band Rimbacher released their debut album High Hopes On The Rocks on November 1st via Inverse Records. The album presents classic AOR vibes, 80’s stadium rock sized attitude and also some hard straighforward rock and roll. The skillful band seasons their music with spices like powerful vocal harmonies, catchy melodies and classical art of guitar heroism.
“High Hopes On The Rocks is a very traditional classic rock album including tight brawl and love songs. The atmosphere revolves around big riffs and guitar heroism combined with very melodic and harmonic vocals. The lyrical themes are either timeless stories about the struggles of a sensitive narrator as well as having fun. The soundscape itself has very high energy and spirit throughout the whole album and the songs are delightfully diverse compared to each other. However the the core essence stays solid and the band’s enthusiasm is well heard.”
Guitar player Osku “Sticky” Kilpi continues:
”This album is what we think rock ’n’ roll is all about: plain, simple and straightforward hard rock with all the ups and downs of a typical rock album. No politics, no exceptions, no bulls**t.”
Stream ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN’s Reanimated RockHERE.
Reptilian Records has partnered with long-running New Jersey horror-themed punk/rock outfit ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN for several releases, including a series of limited reissued classics and a few unreleased nuggets, including Reanimated Rock, out today for Halloween.
Reanimated Rock is a new collection of electrified cover tunes from ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN. Whether exhumed from graves, rescued from obscurity, or simply revived, these classic rock, metal, and punk tracks are reanimated by the relentless rockers and collected in one place.
The record features the band’s renditions of tracks from the likes of Alice Cooper, Ace Frehley, Black Sabbath, The Cars, Reagan Youth, The Dead Boys, and more. Recorded by different lineups of the band, the record features performances by rhythm guitarist Sal Canzonieri, original vocalist/lead guitarist Steve Miller, bassists Dan Canzonieri and Bill Gill, and drummers John Steele Gavula and Rob Sefcik.
Featuring cover art and layout by the one and only Coop, Reanimated Rock is available in two variants – Neon Pink w/ Yellow And Green Splatter, and Magenta/Hot Pink Mix – in runs of 500 copies each, all including a digital download format of your choice. You’ll be doing the Monster Mosh and the fearful will scatter as you blast this limited shock-rock platter!
Place orders for Reanimated Rock at the Reptilian Records webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and in Europe order through Sounds Of Subterrania HERE.
Reanimated Rock – Track Listing:
Under My Wheels – Alice Cooper
Can’t Keep A Bad Man Down – Nomads
Moving Targets – Flo & Eddie
Talk Talk – Music Machine
Rocket Ride – Ace Frehley
Never Say Die – Black Sabbath
Candy-O – The Cars
You Killer – Thee STP
Tunnel Of Love – Groovie Ghoulies
502 Blues – El Nada
Young Savage – The Hip Priests
Degenerated – Reagan Youth
Son Of Sam – The Dead Boys
Reptilian Records has big ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN plans for 2025, including remastered special editions of their first two LPs and more. Watch for updates to post over the months ahead.
UPCOMING TREK INCLUDES THE BAND’S FIRST EVER SOUTH AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN PERFORMANCES
Oct. 28, 2024, LOS ANGELES – TOOL, who recently announced their first-ever South American dates as well as the band’s debut Caribbean outing with “TOOL Live in the Sand,” have added two additional Mexican performances to the 2025 trek: March 12 at Explanada del Estadio Mobil Super in Monterrey and March 18 at Calle 2 in Guadalajara.
Tickets for the newly added Mexican shows are on-sale Monday, Nov. 4, at 12 noon cst with an exclusive, 24-hour pre-sale for TOOL Army members starting Thursday, Oct. 31, at 12 noon cst. More information about TOOL Army memberships can be found at Toolband.com/join. VIP packages for the March 15 Mexico City show are available via Toolband.com/VIP. The Cult and Seven Hours After Violet open on both dates.
TOOL has also confirmed performances at three Lollapalooza festivals: Argentina (March 22), Chile (March 23) and Brazil (March 30), along with a headlining spot at the Estéreo Picnic festival in Bogotá on March 28.
“TOOL Live in the Sand” is a three-day event featuring two sets from TOOL, with additional performances by Primus, Mastodon, Coheed and Cambria, Eagles of Death Metal, and more. The destination festival runs March 7 to 9 at the Hard Rock and Royal Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Tickets are available via Toolinthesand.com.
TOOL – tour dates:
March 7 to 9 Punta Cana, DR TOOL Live in the Sand March 12 Monterrey, MX Explanada del Estadio Mobil Super March 15 Mexico City, MX Explanada del Estadio Azteca March 18 Guadalajara, MX Calle 2 March 22 Buenos Aires, AR Lollapalooza Argentina March 23 Santiago, CL Lollapalooza Chile March 28 Bogota, CO Estéreo Picnic March 30 São Paulo, BR Lollapalooza Brasil
TOOL formed in 1990, releasing five studio albums: Undertow(1993), Ænima (1996), Lateralus(2001), 10,000 Days (2006), and Fear Inoculum (2019); two EPs: 72826 (1991) and Opiate (1992), and the limited-edition boxset Salival (2000). The band has won four GRAMMY Awards®: Best Metal Performance (1998, “Ænima”), Best Metal Performance (2002, “Schism”), Best Recording Package (2007, 10,000 Days) and Best Metal Performance (2020, “7empest”). TOOL is Danny Carey (drums), Justin Chancellor (bass), Adam Jones (guitar) and Maynard James Keenan (vocals).
LESLI SANDERS REFLECTS ON HIS PASSION FOR BMX BIKES
TORONTO, CANADA (September 30, 2024) West Coast based glam rockers PROPHETS OF ADDICTION release a new video and single “Superhero” today through BraveWords Records. They teamed up with BraveWords.com to world premiere the video. The video is now available to the public at https://youtu.be/VE7BTpDiBsc?si=8ksLXw9BE1QDgulT
“The band enlisted the services of Lonny Paul Johnson to create the animated piece. “We felt an animated video captured the whole theme of the song and something I always wanted to do and this was the perfect fit,” states POA main man Lesli Sanders.
Superhero” is the first single and video from the forthcoming, PROPHETS OF ADDICTION album, Face the Music, which the band tracked with longtime producer Phil Soussan (bassist for Ozzy Osbourne, Beggars and Thieves, Billy Idol, Vince Neil, Rod Stewart and others) at Blue Cat Studios in Las Vegas, NV.
PROPHETS OF ADDICTION’s fourth album sees Sanders and company (guitarists G.G Sleaze, Tchad Drats, Terry Bratsch and drummer Wayne “The Stoke” Stokley going back towards the glam, punk and roots the band is most closely associated with. “I’ve always wanted to do a dark powerful acoustic record with a message and I think we achieved that with our last record. And now with a very strong lineup that is ready to move forward it’s time to get back to rocking,” remarks Sanders.
The “Superhero” single / video is the first release in the band’s new relationship with Bravewords Records. “When searching for a home for the new release we wanted a place that ‘gets it’ and we felt Giles and Bravewords was the best fit for this album that we’ve put so much time and effort into creating,” says Lesli.
While the general public may know PROPHETS OF ADDICTION mainman Lesli Sanders as a lifetime rocker, dating back to the mid 80s and his underground success with bands such as Talks Cheap and Queeny Blast Pop, he’s had a passion for BMX racing even longer than that. Sanders reflects on that passion for BMX bikes “My passion for BMX began in the 1980s, where I quickly found success as a young racer, earning a #2 district plate before shifting my focus to a successful music career. After stepping away from music to care for my ailing stepfather and mother, I turned back to BMX racing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite initial injuries, my determination led me to collect numerous accolades, including Gold Cup Plates, State Plates, and a district #1 plate. Now, I rank in the National Age Group top 10 for both the 56-60 cruiser class and 56+ expert category, thriving once again in the sport I loved as a teenager.”
Face the Music track listing:
1 – Flavor of the Danger 2 – Let’s Get High 3 – Slippin’ Away 4 – Walk the World 5 – Maggie May 6 – Superhero 7 – I Want You to Know 8 – Hollywood 9 – Wasted Tears 10 – Last One in the Bar 11 – Take Me to Your Leader
THE PLAYERS:
Lesli Sanders: Lead Vocals, Guitars Phil Soussan: Bass, Piano, Mandolin, Percussion, Backing Vocals Wayne Stokely: Drums, Backing Vocals Tchad Drats: Guitar, Ebow, Backing Vocals G.G. Guitar, Backing Vocals Terry Bratsch, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Steel, Backing Vocals
Next week, Finnish metal icons AMORPHIS will return to North America on a co-headlining tour with their comrades in Dark Tranquillity. The journey begins on September 3rd in Richmond, Virginia and winds its way through over two-dozen cities with the tour coming to a close on October 6th in New York City. Support will be provided by Fires In The Distance. Tickets for this must-see tour are on sale now at: amorphis.net/tour. See all confirmed dates below.
AMORPHIS w/ Dark Tranquillity, Fires In The Distance: 9/03/2024 Canal Club – Richmond, VA 9/02/2024 Hangar 1819 – Greensboro, NC 9/06/2024 Prog Power USA @ Center Stage – Atlanta, GA * AMORPHIS Headlining 9/07/2024 Conduit – Orlando, FL 9/09/2024 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX 9/10/2024 Trees – Dallas, TX 9/11/2024 The Rock Box – San Antonio, TX 9/13/2024 Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 9/14/2024 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA 9/15/2024 Echoplex – Los Angeles, CA 9/17/2024 DNA Lounge – San Francisco, CA 9/18/2024 Goldfields Roseville – Roseville, CA 9/20/2024 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR 9/21/2024 Rickshaw Theatre – Vancouver, BC 9/22/2024 El Corazon – Seattle, WA 9/24/2024 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 9/26/2024 Marquis Theatre – Denver, CO 9/27/2024 The Bottleneck – Lawrence, KS 9/28/2024 The Cabooze – Minneapolis, MN 9/29/2024 The Forge – Joliet, IL 10/01/2024 Opera House – Toronto, ON 10/02/2024 Fairmount Theatre – Montreal, QC 10/03/2024 La Source de la Martinière – Quebec City, QC 10/04/2024 The Middle East Down – Cambridge, MA 10/05/2024 Baltimore Soundstage – Baltimore, MD 10/06/2024 Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY
Last month, AMORPHIS released Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). Exactly thirty years after its original release, the band celebrated the anniversary of their milestone release, Tales From The Thousand Lakes, with a unique live edition of the record, which represents an essential collector’s item for every AMORPHIS connoisseur. The magic of this work, grandly transferred onto the stage of Helsinki, Finland’s Tavastia Club, displays the band in their full glory: powerful, passionate, and unforgettable.
Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) manifests AMORPHIS‘ unparalleled dynamism and artistic uniqueness. Rarely has the raw power and emotional depth of a live performance been captured so authentically as on this sonic memento and extraordinary concert film. With their second album, AMORPHIS erected a monument to Finnish mythology, nature, and music that remains as touching, inspiring, and nurturing today as it was back in 1994.
Tales From The Thousand Lakes (Live At Tavastia) is out now via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) and can be ordered both physically (CD+Blu-ray-digipak or colored vinyl) and digitally or streamed now at: amorphis.rpm.link/taleslivePR.
Watch AMORPHIS’ previously released videos for “Drowned Maid” HERE, “Black Winter Day” HERE, and “Into Hiding” HERE.
Twin brother rock band, Kamenar, announces a big national tour featuring shows with Ace Frehley, 10 Years, Plush and more.
Kamenar, an independent hard rock band from Tampa, FL, featuring twin brothers Sean and John Kamenar, are set to embark on “The Road Dogz Tour” this fall.
The upcoming tour will take Kamenar through 10 states and 24 cities, consisting of headline shows, as well as shows joining Ace Frehley of KISS, Night Ranger, Mike Tramp’s White Lion, 10 Years, and Plush.
THE ROAD DOGZ TOUR
8/21 – Cape Coral, FL – BackStreets 8/23 – Wesley Chapel, FL – Rock & Brews 8/24 – Montgomery, AL – Performing Arts Centre w/ Night Ranger 8/25 – Bonaire, GA – PUB 96 8/27 – Long Beach, MS – Trax Bar 8/28 – Panama City, FL – T’s On Thomas 8/31 – Franklin, OH – J.D. Legends w/ Ace Frehley 9/2 – Youngstown, OH – Los Gallos w/ Mike Tramp’s White Lion 9/3 – Cincinnati, OH – Top Cats w/ 10 Years 9/4 – Toledo, OH – Frankies Toledo w/ 10 Years 9/5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse w/ 10 Years 9/6 – Altoona, PA – Levity Brewing 9/7 – Hanover, PA – Iron Lion 9/8 – Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance w/ 10 Years 9/11 – Erie, PA – The Rathskeller 9/13 – Knoxville, TN – BucketHead 9/14 – Lawrenceville, GA – Sportsline 9/15 – Clearwater, FL – OCC Road House w/ Plush 10/4 – Jacksonville, FL – Local Bar 10/12 – Spartanburg, SC – GroundZero w/ In The End 10/22 – Lubbock, TX – Jake’s w/ 10 Years 10/24 – Houston, TX – Scout Bar w/ 10 Years 10/25 – Corpus Christi, TX – Icehouse w/ 10 Years 10/26 – San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box w/ 10 Years
The twin brothers have been at it for nine years now, as they first formed the band in 2015 after discovering Aerosmith through the Rock n’ Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios in Orlando.
The brothers have been out touring nationally for the last few years, having performed shows with The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Alice Cooper, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy, Faster Pussycat, Hinder, Puddle Of Mudd, Warrant, Saliva, Bret Michaels, LA Guns, Nita Strauss, Dokken, Lynch Mob, King’s X, Jackyl, Stryper, Geoff Tate, Enuff Z’Nuff, Stephen Pearcy, Trixter, BulletBoys, Dangerous Toys, and Slaughter, among others.
With a sound heavily influenced by 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s rock, Kamenar mixes a variety of genres, creating a fresh new modern rock sound.
Defying odds, Kamenar performs as a two piece, uniquely creating a four piece sound. With Sean Kamenar on lead vocals, as well as playing guitar and bass simultaneously, and John Kamenar pounding on the drums, this brother duo is known for creating a massive wall of sound.
Currently working on a full length album, Kamenar’s latest two singles “Now That We Both Know” and “The Man” are out now and available on all major streaming platforms.
Make sure to catch Kamenar on The Road Dogz tour in a city near you!
Iconic heavy metallers ARMORED SAINT will reissue their Revelation and LaRaza full-lengths on vinyl August 16th via Metal Blade Records.
Revelation is the fifth studio album from the band, originally released in 2000 on Metal Blade Records, and now available for the first time on vinyl in the US. The song “The Pillar” was originally written for the 1992 horror film Hellraiser III: Hell On Earth where the band makes a cameo appearance as a bar band performing the song “Hanging Judge” at the Boiler Room club.
Recalls bassist Joey Vera, “The story for ‘The Pillar’ was that sometime in 1991 we were approached by the producers for Hellraiser to write a song for the end credits of the movie. They had already agreed to give us the song ‘Hanging Judge’ and a part in the film. So we wrote ‘The Pillar’ which later they passed on and instead they decided to go with ‘Hell On Earth’ by Motörhead. If we’re gonna lose out, better that it’s by Motörhead!”
ARMORED SAINT’s Revelation was produced by Vera with executive producer Brian Slagel, mixed by Bill Metoyer, mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in March 2024. The record will be released on double LP, featuring the bonus track “No Me Digas,” in the following color variants:
La Raza is the sixth studio album from ARMORED SAINT, originally released in 2010 on Metal Blade Records. La Raza was previously unavailable on vinyl outside of a limited 2010 UK release, and the album’s inclusion in the limited edition VMP Anthology: The Story Of Metal Blade eight-LP box set released in 2021.
La Raza was produced by Joey Vera, engineered by Bryan Carlstrom, mixed by Bryan Carlstrom and Vera and mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony in March 2024. The record will be released in the following color variants:
ARMORED SAINT, leaders and stalwarts of the American heavy metal scene since the early 1980s, are back with a brilliant rendition of “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison).” The classictrack was originally written by Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter and was first released by People in 1970. Additional covers include The Four Tops (1974), Santana (1978), and The Doobie Brothers (1989).
Comments vocalist John Bush, “[Bassist] Joey [Vera] came up with the idea of doing the song. We’ve always been huge fans of old school soul and R&B music so it was a no brainer. It’s got a great groove, perfect for our rhythm section, and Jeff [Duncan]’s and Phil [Sandoval]’s guitars are screaming. Plus, the cool lyrics make it ideal for the ‘SAINT style. Levi Stubbs [The Four Tops] was such a rad singer; I just tried to do him justice. I think this would make him a metal fan!”
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s video for “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, at THIS LOCATION.
“One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison)” was produced by Joey Vera, mixed by Jay Ruston, and mastered by Maor Applebaum.
Photo by Stephanie Cabral
ARMORED SAINT: John Bush – vocals Jeff Duncan – guitars Phil Sandoval – guitars Joey Vera – bass Gonzo Sandoval – drums
Embrace the enigmatic allure of 70’s rock with OCCULT WITCHES‘ new single, “Faustian Bargain,” released today under the esteemed Black Throne Productions. This marks the second single from their upcoming album, Sorrows Pyre, due out July 26th via Black Throne Productions.
“Faustian Bargain” explores the dangers of an all too familiar type of deal. “This song is about almost making a deal with Satan and he ain’t fucking patient. Won’t be thanking him for this one,” reveals the band.
OCCULT WITCHES has quickly risen through the ranks, defining a unique space within the rock genre with their captivating blend of music and storytelling. Their songs, rich in narrative and emotion, draw on elements of darkness, witchcraft, and existential struggle, resonating with a wide range of listeners.
The band’s journey from Rimouski, QC, to Hamilton, ON, on their first tour last summer has only solidified their presence in the music scene. With plans for mini-tours this summer, OCCULT WITCHES is poised to reach new heights and captivate more audiences with their powerful performances and profound lyrical themes.
OCCULT WITCHES invites listeners to embark on this dark yet enlightening journey through their music. Stay tuned for more from OCCULT WITCHES as they continue to explore the depths of the human condition and the eternal dance between light and darkness.
Metal Blade Records is pleased to welcome CATEGORY 7, the new band featuring vocalist John Bush, guitarists Phil Demmel and Mike Orlando, bassist Jack Gibson and drummer Jason Bittner, to its legendary roster!
With veteran musicians from such legendary acts as Anthrax, Armored Saint, Adrenaline Mob, Machine Head, Overkill, Exodus, and Shadows Fall, it’s hard not to think of CATEGORY 7 as a supergroup. The origins of the band began with discussions between Demmel and Orlando of their mutual desire to form a twin lead guitar hard rock unit harkening back to bands of the ‘70s such as Thin Lizzy. Bittner was next to join the conversation followed by Gibson. After composing some early music, it was obvious that the only vocalist that would fit the concept would be Bush.
Notes Bush, “Mike Orlando’s and Phil Demmel’s awesome riffs made writing lyrics over the music a piece of cake. The rhythm tandem of Bittner and Gibson rounded out the sound and the connection felt like it was put together in the stars. Obviously, everyone being a veteran of the metal scene made it that much easier.”
Based on Demmel’s and Bush’s long-term relationships with Metal Blade Records, it seemed to be the perfect home for the band. The label agreed and a union was quickly forged.
Comments Metal Blade Records’ founder Brian Slagel of the signing, “Happy to welcome CATEGORY 7 into the Metal Blade family. Of course, some of them are already in! Seriously love working with this crew and it’s great stuff!”
As crushing and confrontational as an armed rebellion and as fiercely melodic as infectious riffs and aggressive vocals can be, CATEGORY 7 is a new breed of hard rock that lives up to the storied histories of its members. CATEGORY 7’s debut will see release this Summer with their first single to be unveiled on May 2nd. Stand by for details!
Single cover artwork • “Crack Cocaine“ (Written by Billy Morrison/ Ozzy Osbourne/Steve Stevens)
“The Morrison Project”OfficialAlbumrelease: April 19, 2024
Billy Morrison, the British guitarist, singer, and songwriter primarily known as Billy Idol’s rhythm guitar player for the past 15 years alongside lead guitarist Steve Stevens, and for his previous role as bassist in The Cult, has assembled an electrifying 12 songs including guest performances by Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol, DMC, Corey Taylor, Al Jourgensen, Steve Vai, Steve Stevens, Linda Perry, Tommy Clufetos, John5, and more!
I guess the way that your love makes me feel/Must mean I’m really addicted,” sings OZZY OSBOURNE on “Crack Cocaine”, the newly released track out on March 21st from BILLY MORRISON’s new solo album THE MORRISON PROJECT. This album is releasing on April 19th, via The Label Group’s partnership with TLG ZOID through Virgin Music Group.
Crack Cocaine” (04:01 min) Music video Premiere: March 21, 2024 YouTube Video by IVO RAZA
Official release on March 21, 2024 Label: TLG ZOID • Virgin Music
“Crack Cocaine” is the second single/video from THE MORRISON PROJECT and follows the single/video “Drowning”. Stream it HERE
This seismic collaboration also features STEVE STEVENS on guitar and was co-written by MORRISON, OSBOURNE, and STEVENS who all appear in the video with PARIS JACKSON playing the glamorous/romantic interest, with cameos from visual artist RISK and actor JEFF HILLIARD.
“Crack Cocaine” marks the first new song with OZZY on vocals since the 2022 release of his worldwide smash album Patient Number 9 which earned him two Grammy Awards (“Best Rock Album,” “Best Metal Performance”). “I was in the same room as Billy and Steve,” says OZZY about co-writing the song. “The lyrics just came out of the blue. It was written in about 20 minutes.”
BILLY MORRISON • 2024 📸 JaneStuartPhotos
BILLY, the British guitarist, singer and songwriter primarily known as Billy Idol’s rhythm guitar player for the past 15 years alongside lead guitarist Steve Stevens, sheds more light on the song’s origins: “The music was a direct result of sitting in a room with Steve, both with de-tuned guitars, and writing what we felt was an ultimate Ozzy riff. From there, we brought Ozzy over and we all sat around working on the lyrics, but 90% of those came from Ozzy himself. He’s the one that suddenly stood up and sang “Like Crack Cocaine”! We looked at each other and knew we had the title!”
BILLY: “The song is 100% about how certain relationships can FEEL like an addiction. It’s nothing whatsoever to do with the drug! It’s a comparison. Ozzy is talking about being in that dysfunctional situation with a partner that feels so wrong, but you keep going back again and again. ‘Loving you is driving me insane. I put you down and pick you up again’ – it’s exactly like a drug addiction.”
Importantly, reveals STEVE, “First and foremost, Billy and I discussed what an Ozzy fan would really love to hear. We really zeroed in on the ‘90s-era Ozzy, the truly heavy stuff. We cast aside any rules both musically and lyrically. It was really a great team and Billy is just such a great motivator. Obviously as a guitarist, to contribute to an Ozzy song is like a kid in a candy store. He’s played with such an amazing array of guitarists that I tried my best to honor that tradition.”
Adds STEVE: “I think the fact that Billy and I have spent the better part of 16 years working together in Billy Idol means we are almost telepathic in how we arrange guitars, etc. Billy and Ozzy have such an amazing friendship that it was easy to feel inspired and want to help them achieve any idea I could assist with. As we worked in my home studio, I tried to make the actual recording process almost invisible. Forget any technical aspects and really have some fun. To Ozzy’s credit, he was totally focused; and man the first time I heard him sing in what was essentially my living room, fucking chills ran down my spine.”
Line-Up: Ozzy Osbourne • Vocals Billy Morrison • Rhythm guitar Steve Stevens • Lead guitar Tommy Clufetos • Drums
“Crack Cocaine” is the second single/video from THE MORRISON PROJECT and follows the single/video “Drowning”. Stream it HERE
💿 DISCOGRAPHY: 2008 • Stimulator • Full-length 2015 • The God Shaped Hole • Full-length 2024 • The Morrison Project • Full-length
Exhumed guitarist/vocalist MATT HARVEY has unveiled an ambient new full-length entitled Toward The Cold Light. The perfect soundtrack for cold, misty Winter mornings, the melodies found across the record’s five tracks ebb and flow through orchestrated soundscapes that are often bleak and lonely, at times warm and nostalgic, but always compelling.
Elaborates HARVEY, “This EP is something I’ve had rattling around for a while, melodies and compositions inspired by walking my dogs through the fog on chilly Winter mornings. It’s more contemplative than anything I’ve done before; more reflective of both the natural world and the internal world that we experience alone with our thoughts in quiet moments. It’s been a rewarding journey working on music as a composer and engineer, rather than a guitar player or vocalist, and I hope coming along that journey with me through these tunes is also meaningful to anyone who listens.”
All music on Toward The Cold Light was composed, produced, and engineered by MATT HARVEY and mastered by Leon del Muerte at Beastman Audio. Artwork comes courtesy of Jacob Speis.
Stream/download MATT HARVEY’s Toward The Cold Light at Bandcamp at THIS LOCATION. The record is also streaming at YouTube HERE.
Toward The Cold Light Track Listing:
Toward The Cold Light
Silence At The Edge Of Memory
Lights In The Mist
Parted Hearts
Vanishing Point
MATT HARVEY is best known for his work in death grind outfit Exhumed, as well as his other projects like the thrashtastic Dekapitator and Scarecrow, Death-deifying homage act Gruesome, and his traditional metal outfit Pounder, as well as playing with extreme metal legacy groups like Death-revival act LeftTo Die and Repulsion.
In recent years, he’s turned his attention towards composing outside of the metal realm, first with 2021’s synth-y sci-fi instrumental album Last Son Of Krypton, inspired by his lifetime love of comic books. Toward The Cold Light shows his continued journey as a composer and engineer and takes its inspiration instead from the natural world and quiet introspection.
MINISTRY’S ROY MAYORGA AND WE ARE THE ASTEROID’S GARY CHESTER CONTRIBUTE TO THE RECORD
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An album so magical, I helped create it without knowing it was happening. It’s definitely the weirdest album I’ve ever been a part of.” – Steven McDonald
Feb. 6, 2024, LOS ANGELES – The Melvins latest opus, Tarantula Heart (April 19, Ipecac Recordings), is quite possibly the band’s most unconventional, catchiest and imaginative work yet, continuing a legacy celebrated for its eccentric and extraordinary output.
A preview of the five-song, 39-minute collection arrives with the release of “Working The Ditch” (https://themelvins.lnk.to/wtd), and the accompanying Jesse Nieminen-created video. Nieminen previously directed the band’s short film, “A Walk With Love and Death.”
“The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins’ album,” explains Buzz Osborne. “I had Dale and Roy Mayorga come in and play along with Steven and I to some riffs, then I took those sessions and figured out what parts would work and wrote new music to fit. This isn’t a studio approach we’ve ever taken. Usually we have the songs written BEFORE we start recording!”
“The majority of Tarantula Heart has dual drum parts,” adds long-time Melvins drummer Dale Crover. “Roy is an amazing drummer. We would discuss what we would do pattern wise, then we’d just go for it. Improvising riffs and trading off on drum fills.”
Tarantula Heart cover, artwork by Mackie Osborne
Tarantula Heart track list:
Pain Equals Funny
Working the Ditch
She’s Got Weird Arms
Allergic to Food
Smiler
In actuality nothing appeared out of thin air. Buzz spent hours and hours with the drum tracks by himself writing songs to what he was hearing drum wise. “When the rest of the band heard these songs I’d created from the sessions, they were blown away,” Buzz shares. “These were fully developed new songs that they’d never heard before that had seemingly appeared out of thin air. Presto!”
Recorded, mixed and co-produced by longtime Melvins’ collaborator Toshi Kasai, the album also features We Are The Asteroid guitar player Gary Chester. Gary and the Melvins’ history goes back to their days on Boner Records, with the guitar player formerly having been a part of the legendary band, Ed Hall.
Tarantula Heart pre-orders (https://themelvins.lnk.to/tarantula) are available now, with the album available on a trio of vinyl variants (black, indie exclusive Silver Streak and Ipecac Recordings’ 25th Anniversary Puke Green), featuring a 12-page booklet, as well as on CD and digitally.
Next month sees the Melvins head overseas, playing in Japan for the first time since 2019 following a stint where they join current labelmates, Mr. Bungle, for a trek across Australia and New Zealand. Buzz and Bungle bass player Trevor Dunn team up later this year for the “King Dunn Tour,” a 45-date excursion that sees the pair play songs from the King Buzzo releases: This Machine Kills Artists and Gift of Sacrifice. The full list of dates can be found via Ipecac.com/tours.
Melvins tour dates:
March 3 Auckland, NZ Auckland Town Hall March 6 Melbourne, AUS Festival Hall March 7 Adelaide, AUS Hindley Street Music Hall March 9 Sydney, AUS Hordern Pavilion March 10 Brisbane, AUS Fortitude Music Hall March 12 Perth, AUS Metro City March 17 Osaka, JP Music Club Janus March 19 Tokyo, JP Shibuya WWW X March 20 Tokyo, JP Shibuya WWW X
LISTEN TO NEW SONG: “THE POST-ATOMIC HORROR” – U.S./CANADIAN TOUR ANNOUNCED
Jan. 23, 2024 – Zombi, the electro-prog duo featuring Steve Moore and AE Paterra that Pitchfork described as evoking “the murky synth ambience of the 1970s while also infusing their music with a decidedly modern aura,” and Decibel dubbed “exceptional,” return with their eagerly-awaited new album, Direct Inject (March 22, Relapse Records).
A preview of the nine-song collection is available now, with the track “The Post-Atomic Horror” (https://orcd.co/zombi-directinject) streaming now. “’The Post-Atomic Horror’ is a very fun song for us to play,” says Paterra. “No trappings from our machines, just bass and drums, as stripped down as we can be. Definitely one for us to lean into on stage – a few minutes of riffs and wide open drums.”
Direct Inject, which was self-produced by Moore and Paterra, also features guest percussionist Jeff Gretz (Zao/From Autumn To Ashes), and guitar player Phil Manley (Trans Am).
Photo credit: Shawn Brackbill
“In 2022, after our tour with The Sword, we posted up in our friend’s studio in Clearfield, PA for a week of diner breakfasts and gas station BBQ,” shares Moore. “We would record every day and improvise until we found ideas we liked. We then took these ideas back home to Albany and Chicago to give them structure. A few months later, after our tour with Om, AEP went back to Clearfield to record final drum tracks. Everything else was recorded at my home studio. The only exceptions are ‘Sessuale I’ and “Sessuale II,” which were both written in the early ‘00s but never officially released.”
Zombi has simultaneously announced their first tour dates in support of Direct Inject, with a U.S./Canadian trek coming this April. Tickets are on-sale this Friday at 10 am local time. Overcalc opens on all dates.
Zombi – tour dates:
April 4 Louisville, KY Whirling Tiger April 5 Chicago, IL Schubas Tavern April 6 Detroit, MI Sanctuary Detroit April 7 Toronto, ON The Velvet Underground April 8 Montreal, QC La Sotterenea April 9 Boston, MA The Middle East Upstairs April 10 Brooklyn, NY Saint Vitus April 11 Philadelphia, PA Underground Arts April 12 Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery April 13 Pittsburgh, PA Certain Death II
Zombi is Steve Moore (synth/bass/guitar) and AE Paterra (drums/percussion/electronics). Formed in 2001, the Pittsburgh-founded, instrumental duo have released seven full-length albums.
Hard rock power metal titans FIREWIND, who are currently gearing up for an extensive European and US tour, among new live shows added in the UK and Japan (find all dates and infos listed below!), will release their much-awaited, tenth studio album, entitled Stand United, on March 1, 2024 via AFM Records.
Stand United will be available as CD, LP Vinyl, digital formats and highly collectable bundles including an autographed card, a FIREWIND cat patch plus a ticket for the band’s upcoming European tour withMASTERPLAN!For every ticket bundle purchase, fans will also get the chance to win a Meet & Greet, album pre-orders are up at: https://firewind.bfan.link/stand-united
Following previously-released, first album singles such as “Salvation Day”or the powerful anthem “Come Undone”, today, the iconic band formed by guitar legend Gus G (Ozzy Osbourne, Arch Enemy, Dream Evil) has shared a music video for their latest single “Fallen Angel”! Gus G reveals:
“Fallen Angel” is a song about the eternal battle between good and evil, a song about the temptations of life. There’s been so many interpretations of all this. Working again with director Rainer “ZIPP” Franze, we gave a biblical touch on the visuals and there’s even some choreography going on, for your viewing pleasure. Musically, I feel there’s a good balance of modern and classic Metal elements which is where Firewind should be in 2024.”
The new FIREWIND music video is now premiering HERE
Since more than twenty years, FIREWIND enthrall heavy music fans with their exciting blend of hard rock and power metal. Razor-sharp riffs by Gus G, big hooks and solos meet the incredible vocal skills of charismatic singer Herbie Langhans (Avantasia, Radiant, Seventh Avenue, amongst others).
FIREWIND: Gus G. (guitars) Herbie Langhans (vocals) Petros Christo (bass) Jo Nunez (drums)
“Stand United” – track listing:
Salvation Day
Stand United
Destiny is Calling
The Power Lies Within
Come Undone
Fallen Angel
Chains
Land of Chaos
Talking in Your Sleep
Days of Grace
In support of Stand United and among a European tour with MASTERPLAN kicking off in February, FIREWIND will not only return to the US and Canada this Spring, but have also announced new live dates for the UK and Japan! Make sure to see them live on tour, Tickets and VIP bundles are available at:https://bnds.us/663bll
MASTERS OF FIRE EUROPEAN TOUR 2024 FIREWIND & MASTERPLAN LIVE:
29.02 🇩🇪 – Frankfurt, Das Bett 01.03 🇩🇪 – Bochum, Matrix 02.03 🇳🇱 – Uden, De Pul 03.03 🇫🇷 – Savigny Le Temple, L’Empreinte 06.03 🇪🇸 – Barcelona, Sala Wolf 07.03 🇪🇸– Madrid, Shoko 08.03 🇪🇸 – Pamplona, Totem 11.03 🇩🇪 – Munich, Backstage Halle 12.03 🇦🇹 – Wien, Szene 13.03 🇸🇰 – Bratislava, Randal Club 14.03 🇨🇿 – Zlin, Masters of Rock Cafe 15.03 🇵🇱 – Lublin, Studio im. Budki Suflera 16.03 🇵🇱 – Zabrze – CK Wiatrak 17.03 🇩🇪 – Leipzig – Hellraiser 20.03 🇳🇴 – Oslo, John Dee 21.03 🇸🇪 – Malmö, Plan B 22.03 🇸🇪 – Gothenburg, Surr Arena 23.03 🇸🇪 – Gävle, Gasklockorna 24.03 🇸🇪 – Stockholm, Biblioteket Live
UK 30.03 🇬🇧 – London, Underworld (w/ special guests Fury)
FIREWIND – STAND UNITED IN AMERICA 2024 – with Special guests: EDGE OF PARADISE & IMMORTAL GUARDIAN:
04.11 🇺🇸 Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz 04.12 🇺🇸 Manchester, NH – Angel City Music Hall 04.13 🇺🇸 Reading, PA – Reverb 04.14 🇺🇸 Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse 04.15 🇨🇦 Toronto, ON – Ground Control 04.16 🇺🇸 Westland, MI – Token Lounge 04.17 🇺🇸 Hobart, IN – Hobart Art Theatre 04.19 🇺🇸 Springfield, IL – Danenberger Family Vineyards 04.20 🇺🇸 Peoria, IL – Revival Music Hall 04.21 🇺🇸 Joliet, IL – The Forge 04.23 🇺🇸 Denver, CO – HQ 04.25 🇺🇸 San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick 04.26 🇺🇸 Anaheim, CA – Parish @ House of Blues 04.27 🇺🇸 W. Hollywood – Whisky A GoGo 04.28 🇺🇸 San Francisco – DNA Lounge 05.01 🇺🇸 Austin, TX – Come and Take it Live 05.02 🇺🇸 Dallas, TX – Sundown @ Granada 05.03 🇺🇸 San Antonio, TX – Rolling Oaks Events Center 05.06 🇺🇸 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
JAPAN 15.05 🇯🇵 Tokyo – Shibuya Club Quattro 16.05 🇯🇵 Osaka – Club Quattro
PALOOKA is big thick two-guitar rock the way God intended it. Hailing from Seattle, USA, singer Chuck Campbell belts out melody lines full of emotion and purpose with tenacity. Chris Quinn and Glen Logan trade flurries of devastating and searing guitar punches reminiscent of a barroom brawl. All of which sits on the rock-solid pounding foundation built on the talents of Howard Binner on bass and the percussive mauler Jason Reavis on drums.
This powerhouse of rock has been making waves since their debut album “What’s Wrong With Wanting Everything” in 2011. They have come a long way since then and their forthcoming 2024 EP “Save Yourself” promises to deliver the heavy dose of rock that you need. The first look at this EP is with the title track, which the band comments on:
“Save Yourself speaks to those moments in life where one comes to the realization that the way through a particular event or situation is purely up to us as individuals. The metaphoric cavalry isn’t coming, we are on our own and the only way forward is through.”
PALOOKA goes on to explain that as fans of a wide assortment of genres, they channeled their influences into an energy and intensity that is all their own. They made a point to push their boundaries and across the EP listeners can expect to hear elements of metal, blues, 70’s rock, grunge, alternative, and more.
Mostly written throughout the pandemic, the songs on “Save Yourself” were born from the unique environment of physical isolation, which not only left its mark on the personal themes of the songs but also played a pivotal role in the collaborative process. Interestingly, PALOOKA didn’t consciously decide on the track lineup. Instead, the songs, along with the circumstances that led to their creation, organically determined which songs found their place on “Save Yourself”. Loud, classic, and accessible PALOOKA is recommended for fans of Cheap Trick, Alice in Chains, and AC/DC.
Watch the music video for “Save Yourself” via its premiere on Bravewords HERE.
Today, Atomic Fire Records proudly welcomes St. Louis metal powerhouse VOIDGAZER to their label family.
Comments the band, “VOIDGAZER is beyond fired up to join the roster of Atomic Fire Records and stand shoulder to shoulder not only with bands that defined entire genres, but also other up and comers also out to prove something to the world. We think we are in the right place at the right time to help rewrite the rules the way our predecessors did. With their DNA pumping through our veins, and the global vision of Atomic Fire Records behind us, VOIDGAZER is ready to write our own chapter in heavy metal history.”
Founded in late 2015 by mastermind Manny Watts, extreme prog merchants VOIDGAZER released their debut EP, Years Of Exile, the following year. The band jammed around the Midwest over the next three years, naturally evolving the music and band until the current lineup. Although they first played together in 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic forced them put their live performances on ice as well as hit pause on the release of their second EP, Dance Of The Undesirables. They initially planned a large release campaign for the offering but ultimately only pressed enough copies to cover their last few scheduled live performances. It was during this down time that Atomic Fire Records took interest in VOIDGAZER‘s vision and offered them an international recording contract.
To seal the deal, Dance Of The Undesirables will be released early next year with additional new material. Stay tuned for details…
Following their latest, chart-topping album, Invincible (available HERE!), that entered a phenomenal #1 in the Swiss album charts, SHAKRA return with another musical encore! While Christmas time is approaching, the Swiss hard rockers are now premiering a video clip for their new single “Angels Landing“!
“Angels Landing” – a sonic odyssey at the threshold of longing and fulfillment.” The band states. “This song is a rock anthem for the rediscovery of lost hearts, inviting you to a rendezvous at a mythical place: where only angels dare to land. Are you ready for the landing?”
The new SHAKRA track “Angels Landing” is out now on all digital services at THIS LOCATION!
“You are invincible — You can achieve anything, not if you believe in it, but if you know it…and that makes you invincible!” That’s the core message of the band’s latest album offering, Invincible, that was lauded by both rock fans and critics alike. Released in June 2023 via AFM Records, SHAKRA have proved why they are not only invincible but belong to one of the most enthralling, powerful acts the hard and heavy rock scene has to offer!
Dec. 5, 2023 – The Cult, who celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2024, see their adventurous and highly-regarded debut album, Dreamtime, released as a special 40th anniversary vinyl variant on Feb. 23 via Beggars Banquet.
Originally released in 1984, following the band’s evolution from the Southern Death Cult, to Death Cult, and then simply The Cult, Dreamtime finds the outfit featuring Ian Astbury and Billy Duffy, pivoting from their goth and punk roots into something eclectic, aspirational, and adventurous. Rife with lyrical references to the indigenous cultures of the Americas and Australia, and set against a more bombastic and muscular musical backdrop, Dreamtime hints at what would envelop the band over the next four decades, a dedication to their wholly unique songwriting, both musically and thematically, and the frenzy that was soon to come with the release of Love only a year later.
“Spiritwalker,” the first single from the album, hit #1 on the U.K.’s independent chart.
A1. Horse Nation A2. Spiritwalker A3. 83rd Dream A4. Butterflied A5. Go West
B1. Gimmick B2. A Flower In the Desert B3. Dreamtime B4. Rider In the Snow B5. Bad Medicine Waltz
The Cult formed in 1984 England, with the seminal post-punk band going on to sell in excess of four million albums with numerous international and U.S. gold and platinum certifications. Ian Astbury (vocals) and Billy Duffy (guitar) have released 11 studio albums over The Cult’s 40-year career. The band, dubbed “Shamanic goths” by Classic Rock Magazine, found international renown with the 1985 album, Love, which featured the enduring rock anthem “She Sells Sanctuary,” as well as the oft-heard follow-up single “Rain.”
Electric arrived in 1989, with Rolling Stone saying the collection of songs (particularly “Love Removal Machine,” “Wild Flower” and “Lil’ Devil”) “swaggers, crunches and howls.” Most recently, The Cult released Under the Midnight Sun. Mojo, in a review of the eight-song album, said “rock’s unquenchable melodramatists have the fire in their eyes still.”
In late 2023, Astbury and Duffy reformed Death Cult for a series of live performances including a sole U.S. date at The Theatre at The Ace Hotel and a limited run of U.K. dates including back-to-back sold out shows at the Brixton Electric.
Photo collage by Randy Caballero, Doug Julien, and Anthony Lopardo
US heavy metal titans RIOT (V) are finally back with a brand-new studio album titled MeanStreets, set for release February 16th, 2024 through Atomic Fire Records! The record features twelve tracks recorded and mixed by Bruno Ravel and mastered by Bart Gabriel. Artwork was provided by Gyula Havancsák (Accept, Stratovarius, Brainstorm) who captured the galloping style of the new material skillfully without missing the band’s signature seal. In advance of the release today the band unleashes the record’s first single, “High Noon.”
Bassist Donnie Van Stavern comments, “We are extremely excited to release our seventeenth RIOT record, Mean Streets, with the mighty Atomic Fire Records label! We went back to the roots a bit on this one with some hard rockers and of course power metal stylings. Our new pre-release lyric video ‘High Noon’ is a song I wrote with [late founding guitarist] Mark Reale in mind; he loved the Old West and wrote songs about it as well (‘Restless Breed,’ ‘Gunfighter’) and the music is a reminiscence of Thundersteel and The Privilege Of Power! Enjoy, metal warriors, more awesomeness is on the way!”
Adds vocalist Todd Michael Hall, “I’m really excited for the people to hear Mean Streets. We are evolving well with one foot rooted in the past and one foot pointing towards the future.”
Watch RIOT (V)’s “High Noon” videoHERE. Stream/purchase the track HERE.
Mean Streets will be available on digipak CD (EU), jewel case CD (US), vinyl in multiple color variants, 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 “High Noon” instantly now at: riotv.afr.link/meanstreetsPR.
Mean Streets – Track Listing:
Hail To The Warriors
Feel The Fire
Love Beyond The Grave
High Noon
Before This Time
Higher
Mean Streets
Open Road
Mortal Eyes
Lost Dreams
Lean Into It
No More
RIOT (V): Todd Michael Hall – vocals Mike Flyntz – guitars Nick Lee – guitars Don Van Stavern – bass Frank Gilchriest – drums
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube HERE and listen to “High Noon” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
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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