Black metal horde PROGENITOR will unleash its debut album, titled Eldritch Supremacy, this summer. The band has launched an early assault with the album’s first single, “Beast of Gevaudan.”
Tracklist: 1) Intro 2) Eldritch Supremacy 3) Crows of Winter 4) Prophets Belial 5) Beast of Gevaudan 6) Treasures of Perversion 7) Binding of the Corpse God
Eldritch Supremacy was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Chris Manino. Artwork by Jasmine Howsmon.
PROGENITOR, an unrelenting force in the realm of black metal, emerged from the depths of darkness to unleash their sonic fury upon the world. Formed in 2008 in Tacoma, WA. PROGENITOR has risen as a formidable entity within the black metal scene.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient, occult, and primordial forces that shape the universe, PROGENITOR‘s music serves as a vessel for dark and introspective exploration. Their sound is characterized by a relentless onslaught of atmospheric riffs, blistering tremolo-picked melodies, thunderous blast beats, and hauntingly rasped vocals. By seamlessly blending atmospheric elements with ferocious aggression, PROGENITOR creates an immersive and evocative auditory experience that transports listeners to otherworldly realms of despair and transcendence.
PROGENITOR is: JoeErz – vocals Fletcher Lane – lead guitar Ben Kettel – rhythm guitar Brian Sprouse– bass guitar and vocals Alex Shaw – drums
Witherfall continue their march towards album number 4 with a select appearance opening for the iconic bands Cynic and Atheist! Get your tickets for June 17th at the Teragram ballroom in Los Angeles now before they sell out! Its an early show with Doors open at 6:00 Witherfall on at 6:30 with Cynic closing the night at 8:30.
Following their latest, much-acclaimed offering, Reforged – Ironbound (released in 2022 via AFM Records), Hamburg-based power metal act Iron Savior has announced the release of a brand new studio album! Firestar will be out on October 6, 2023 through AFM, the pre-sale has just started at THIS LOCATION!
To shorten your wait until the full-length release, today, Iron Savior have unleashed their blistering album title track! It’s immediatly evident, “Firestar” is irresistible and with its incredible 176 bpm definitely one of the fastest songs in Iron Savior’s history to date. Says singer and guitarist Piet Sielck: “With the power of the debut, the energy of Condition Red and a massive old-school-meets-modern-soundscapes production, Firestar is a massive track that won’t leave your players for a long time. We promise!”
Watch the official lyric video for “Firestar”, now premiering HERE
The band’s upcoming album will feature a wide range of influences from hard rock to pop, all calibrated to heavy metal standards thanks to those typical Iron Savior virtues. But sometimes pure coincidence or seemingly inconspicuous little details can turn a very good album into an outstanding release. In the case of Firestar, it has come as a real surprise even for Sielck that the new songs surpass the material of the impressive 2020 album Skycrest. In fact, the cornerstones of the current offering were already set and pointed to a successful production within the tried and tested framework, when all of a sudden everything turned out rather differently: “Just before the recordings were finalised, I was inspired by the muse, totally out of the blue. I wrote two more songs out of nowhere and changed a third one on the spur of the moment. And suddenly, ‘Firestar’ turned into an even better record,” says Sielck happily, admitting that this unexpected creative surge “triggered great emotions” in him.
Iron Savior have again come up with an exceptional studio album in Firestar, enhanced by Felipe Machado Franco’s impressive cover artwork presenting the Iron Savior spaceship that has been around since 2011. The cherry on the cake is the powerful production courtesy of Hamburg’s Powerhouse Studio, including intelligently positioned keyboard parts and the anthemic background choirs, supported by Sielck’s 17-year-old daughter Frida and her boyfriend. Without any doubt, Firestar promises to be a bonfire in many respects!
Firestar track listing:
The Titan
Curse of the Machinery
In the Realm of Heavy Metal
Demise of the Tyrant
Firestar
Through the Fires of Hell
Mask, Cloak and Sword
Across the Wastelands
Rising from Ashes
Nothing Is Forever
Together as One
IRON SAVIOR: Piet Sielck (vocals, guitars) Joachim “Piesel” Küstner (guitars) Jan S. Eckert (bass) Patrick Klose (drums)
IRON SAVIOR Live: 09.06.23 Hellpdays, Olmutz (CZ) 30.06.23 Midalidare, Rock in the Vine Valley (BGR) 01.07.23 Fahrendorf Open Air, Fahrendorf (D) 26.08.2023 Steel Fest, Stalowa Wola (POL) 02.09.23 1000Fryd, Aalborg tba (DK) 09.09.23 Kubana, Siegburg (D)
Bristol (UK) – Relentlessly pummeling and delivering old-school thrash vibes with modern production values, UK thrashers CHUPACABRA are primed to release their debut EP, Fortifiedwith Ashes, on August 4.
A lyric video for opening track “Burn The Clowns” is available at: youtu.be/9cwV6sfVgXs
And that’s not all! CHUPACABRA is providing all the music for the new audiobook edition of DX Ferris’ best-selling SLAYER biography: Slayer 66 & 2/3: A Metal Band Biography, Postmortem Remastered Edition, as well as the accompanying podcast, Talkin’ Slayer: A Metal Podcast and Half-@ssed Audiobook.
CHUPACABRA is the new project from three battle-scarred members of Bristol’s flourishing metal scene. Nige Savage (all instruments except lead guitar) and Heather Taylor (vocals) are former members of well-known local band Wytch; Heather was also the lead singer for acclaimed Bristol band Cybervoid. Alex Brent, formerly of Captive, rounds out the recording line-up on lead guitar.
CHUPACABRA bring the full-frontal, in-your-face force of relentless thrashing riffage as a platform for soaring, aggressive vocals that explore issues of toxic relationships, female empowerment, social injustice and the laid-bare rage of one disaffected member of a broken society. Heather Taylor reveals layers of herself threaded through the songs on a journey of venting unbound rage, breaking conditioned compliance and growing a new authentic skin.
For Fans Of: Kreator, Slayer, Arch Enemy, Holy Moses, At The Gates, Lamb of God, Pest Control, Testament, Sodom
Track Listing:
Burn The Clowns
F.T.T.D.
Fortified with Ashes
EP mixed and mastered by Wynter Prior, Sphynx Studios, Brighton, UK.
As the band approaches its 20th anniversary of their first release, As the Last Light Drains (Victory Records, 2003), FREYA have returned to their roots with a pulverizing new full-length album, entitled Fight As One, which will be released on September 22nd on Upstate Records.
Today the band has shared “Sense Of Doom” where they are joined by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta. “We are all living through increasingly tumultuous and uncertain times,”says vocalist Karl Buechner about the track. “‘Sense of Doom’ is about weathering those storms by staying unified with friends and family. The message is about never surrendering to negativity and holding true to core values.”
FREYA are joined by three legendary hardcore front-men on their newest album; Freddie Cricien (MADBALL) delivers a crushing performance on the title track, Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) seethes on “Sense of Doom” and Scott Vogel (TERROR) drops the hammer on “Thousand Yard Stare”.
Fight As One Credits: Lyrics: Karl Buechner Composition: Karl Buechner, Erick Edwards, Thom Turner, Ian Edwards, Ethan D Henry Produced and Mixed By: Ethan D Henry Mastered by: Jocko (Moresound) Photo By: Jim Wertman
Track Listing: Nothingness Or God Sense Of Doom ft. Jamey Jasta Fight As One ft. Freddy Cricien 1000 Yard Stare ft. Scott Vogel Back To Haunt The Flames Of War Never Say My Name Beyond Despair Omens Destructive Path Odin
New song and lyric video of the Luxembourgish Thrashers!
Hey, want immense anger?
A determined return: With their 2 previous albums SCARLET ANGER earned lots of respect and appreciation. Recently the line-faithful bunch around singer Joe Block has finished the third album “Martyr“.
New Album will be released in 2023. In advance, there is from the guys full one on the cap once more with the new, 2nd single and the video “Hunger“!
Video production: Stereo 27 Productions
The band says about “Hunger“: “The song title refers to the central theme of the song, which is the insatiable greed and inner hunger that drives us. The term ‘Hunger’ symbolizes the intense longing and desire for more, whether it be material or immaterial.”
LINE-UP: Joe Block • Vocals Jeff Buchette • Guitars Fred Molitor • Guitars Vincent Niclou • Bass Rod Sovilla • Drums
FLASHBACK: SCARLET ANGER is a Luxembourgish THRASH METAL band, founded in 2007 by vocalist Joe Block and guitarist Fred Molitor. Their first gigs were followed quite quickly by the release of a first EP, called “La Realidad Es Triste …”, whose successor “Kill The King” made the band noticeable on an international level for the first time.
Being more aggressive and fast than its predecessor, “Kill The King” didn’t just earn a lot of critical acclaim but also gained the attention of the German label Dust On The Tracks. This led to a world wide record deal for the first album “Dark Reign”, which was mastered by Jeff Waters and released by Dust On The Tracks in May 2012. SCARLET ANGER presented their new album on numerous small and established festivals like the Durbuy Rock Festival and the Extremefest.
In between their shows, SCARLET ANGER started gathering first ideas for the successor to “Dark Reign”. Classic eighties and nineties comics and horror stories served as their main inspiration for what would later become their second album “Freak Show”. Mastered by Jens Bogren, this album has a more melodic approach. It was released on March 18th 2016 via Haensel and Gretel / MIG Music.
October 14, 2023 | Northern Rockfest | Umeå, Sweden October 15, 2023 | Cozmoz Arena | Borlänge, Sweden October 16, 2023 | Vulkan Arena| Oslo, Norway October 17, 2023 | Trädgår’n | Gothenburg, Sweden October 19, 2023 | Slaktkyrkan | Stockholm, Sweden October 20, 2023 | Gimle | Roskilde, Denmark October 20, 2023 | Kulturpalast | Hamburg, Germany October 22, 2023 | Hellraiser | Leipzig, Germany October 24, 2023 | TivoliVredenburg (Ronda) | Utrecht, Netherlands October 25, 2023 | Garage | Saarbrücken, Germany October 26, 2023 | Bataclan | Paris, France October 27, 2023 | Konzertfabrik Z7 | Pratteln, Switzerland October 28, 2023 | Alcatraz | Milan, Italy October 30, 2023 | Backstage | Munich, Germany October 31, 2023 | Szene | Vienna, Austria November 1, 2023 | Barba Negra | Budapest, Hungary November 3, 2023 | Fuzz Club | Athens, Greece November 4, 2023 | Principal Club Theater | Thessaloniki, Greece November 6, 2023 | FORM Space | Cluj-Napoca, Romania November 7, 2023 | Quantic | Bucharest, Romania November 10, 2023 | Colos-Saal | Aschaffenburg, Germany November 12, 2023 | Matrix | Bochum, Germany
Finnish heavy metal sextet BATTLE BEAST will be bringing their Circus of Doom to town and playing Day 3 (Sept. 8) of ProgPower USA. They will be replacing WIND ROSE. Tickets are still available for days 1 & 2 of the festival.
ProgPower USA is a progressive and power metal festival held annually in the United States since 2001. Its upcoming edition, ProgPower USA XXII, will occur Sep 6 – Sep 9, 2023 at Center Stage Theater in Atlanta, GA. This year’s lineup features KAMELOT, UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, the final USA show for POWER QUEST, and the first announced USA show for THE HALO EFFECT. Other acts include DORO, BEAST IN BLACK, SWALLOW THE SUN, VOLA, CYNIC, and more!
Day 1 | September 6 DORO SWALLOW THE SUN CYNIC ELVENKING ICE AGE
Day 2 | September 6 BEAST IN BLACK VOLA THE HALO EFFECT ZERO HOUR SEVEN KINGDOMS
Day 3 | September 8 – SOLD OUT
KAMELOT CALIGULA’S HORSE GREEN CARNATION AD INFINITUM BATTLE BEAST THE CRYPTEX
Day 4 | September 9 – SOLD OUT
MYRATH UNLEASH THE ARCHERS DELAIN VISIONS OF ATLANTIS EVIL INVADERS POVERTY’S NO CRIME
Glenn Harveston reflected, “Our festival has established itself as one of the most unique and exciting events for progressive and power metal worldwide, and the history of sales speaks for itself. I’m thankful for yet another sell-out for days 3&4, and hope the trend continues for Milton and Nathan’s shows as well.”
Milton Mendonca continued, “This year’s Day 2 roster calls back to the quintessential blend of genres that made our festival so successful to begin with. You cannot find a show like this anywhere else in the States, so last call to join the best metal party of the year.”
ProgPower USA has served as the USA debut for iconic bands like Nightwish, Blind Guardian, Epica, Kamelot and more. Tickets for days 1 & 2 of the festival have limited quantities still available. Be a part of heavy metal history and join in on ProgPower USA XXII!
HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED TREK INCLUDES THE BAND’S FIRST CANADIAN DATES SINCE 2019
June 6, 2023, LOS ANGELES – TOOL return to the road this Fall, expanding on their recently announced festival appearances (Power Trip, Aftershock and Louder Than Life) with an additional six weeks of performances, including the band’s first Canadian dates since 2019.
The tour announcement follows TOOL’s debut live performances of 2023, headlining both Welcome to Rockville and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival in recent weeks.
Tickets for all non-festival shows are on-sale this Friday, June 9 at 10 am local time. In advance of the forthcoming on-sale, TOOL Army has opened additional memberships, with pre-sale tickets available exclusively to members on June 8 at 10 am local time. A limited number of VIP packages will also be initially available to TOOL Army members, with remaining options, including premium tickets, soundcheck access, exclusive merchandise and more, available to the general public as the on-sale begins on June 9.
TOOL tour dates:
September 22 Louisville, KY Louder Than Life Festival October 3 Loveland, CO Budweiser Event Center October 6 Sacramento, CA Aftershock Festival October 8 Indio, CA Power Trip October 10 Salt Lake City, UT Delta Center October 12 Idaho Falls, ID Mountain America Center October 14 Nampa, ID Ford Idaho Center October 15 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena October 17 Eugene, OR Matthew Knight Center October 19 Portland, OR Moda Center October 20 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome October 22 Kelowna, BC Prospera Place Arena October 23 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena October 25 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place October 27 Calgary, AB Scotiabank Saddledome October 29 Winnipeg, MB Canada Life Center October 31 St. Paul, MN Xcel Energy Center November 1 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum November 3 Knoxville, TN Thompson-Boiling Arena November 4 Charleston, WV Charleston Coliseum November 6 Rochester, NY Blue Cross Arena November 7 Allentown, PA PPL Center November 10 Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena November 13 Manchester, NH SNHU Arena November 15 Boston, MA TD Garden November 16 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center November 19 Montreal, QC Bell Center November 20 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena November 21 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
Since the 2019 release of TOOL‘s critically-acclaimed album, Fear Inoculum, the band has won a GRAMMY Award® (Best Metal Performance for “7empest”), completed sold-out tours of both the U.S. and Europe, and headlined Bonnaroo, Welcome to Rockville and the Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival. TOOL marked the 30th anniversary of the OpiateEP with the 2022 release of “Opiate2,” a re-imagining of the EP’s title track, released in tandem with a breathtaking, 10-minute short film crafted by Adam Jones and visual artist Dominic Hailstone (“Alien: Covenant”, “The Eel”).
Reviews from TOOL’s sold-out 2022 tours praised the four-piece, with Loudwire dubbing the performances as “a masterclass of immersion, sound and stage design, musicianship… and levels of ungodly tightness.” The Austin Chronicle described the incomparable live experience as an “unbridled exchange of catharsis between performers and fans.” More recently, Revolver, covering Welcome to Rockville 2023, said “TOOL delivered a stunning… set featuring classic fan favorites, newer Fear Inoculum standouts and choice deeper cuts … the striking visuals also included a psychedelic laser and projections show bar none.”
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).
ICONIC BAND’S SET INCLUDES BULLHEAD IN ITS ENTIRETY
June 5, 2023, LOS ANGELES – The Melvins, continuing their 40thanniversary celebrations, have announced the “Twins of Evil Tour,” a seven-week trek that sees the Los Angeles-by-way-of-Washington band joined by Japanese trio Boris, with both groups performing classic albums in their entirety: Bullhead (Melvins) and Heavy Rocks (Boris).
“40 years as the Melvins!!! What better way to celebrate that unlikely milestone than by setting off on the ‘Twins of Evil Tour’ with our friends, Boris,” Buzz Osborne shares of a set that will see the iconic band perform the beloved Bullhead album in its entirety, as well as additional tracks across their discography. “This will be a stone groove!”
Boris’ Takeshi adds: “Could anyone have predicted such an astonishing event, that Boris and the Melvins would tour the entire USA together? Since the mid-1980s, the Melvins have had an enormous influence on artists of all genres not only limited to heavy music, and have brought forth a surge of faithful followers over the years. Needless to say, Boris is just one of these many bands influenced by the mighty Melvins, and we took our name from a song title off of the 1991 album, Bullhead.”
The Melvins have already had an eventful 40th anniversary year, recently wrapping up a stint on the Ipecac Geek Show tour with labelmates Mr. Bungle and Spotlights, before venturing overseas for the band’s first European outing since 2018. The group were also recently featured on a series of Revolver covers, marking their 1983 inception with a trio of portraits shot by Tool’s Adam Jones. Ipecac Recordings has spent the year highlighting previously released Melvins’ albums with quick-to-sell-out vinyl reissues. Currently available (https://ipecac.lnk.to/Melvins2023) are Tres Cabrones, Houdini Live 2005, and The Bulls & The Bees + Electroretard.
Tickets for the “Twins of Evil Tour” are on-sale this Friday, June 9, at 10 am local time. Mr. Phylzzz opens on all dates.
“Twins of Evil Tour” dates:
August 24 Los Angeles, CA Belasco Theater August 25 Pomona, CA The Glass House August 26 Fresno, CA Strummer’s August 27 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall August 28 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall August 29 Petaluma, CA Mystic Theatre August 31 Portland, OR Roseland Theater September 1 Seattle, WA The Showbox September 2 Spokane, WA Knitting Factory Spokane September 3 Bozeman, MT The ELM September 5 Fargo, ND The Hall at Fargo Brewing Company September 6 Minneapolis, MN Varsity Theater September 7 Milwaukee, WI The Rave II September 8 Chicago, IL Metro September 9 St. Louis, MO Red Flag September 11 Indianapolis, IN The Vogue September 12 Grand Rapids, MI The Pyramid Scheme September 13 Detroit, MI St. Andrews Hall September 14 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom September 15 Pittsburgh, PA Roxian September 16 Maspeth, NY Desertfest NYC September 18 Albany, NY Empire Live September 19 Boston, MA Paradise Rock Club September 20 Bethlehem, PA MusicFest Café September 21 Philadelphia, PA Brooklyn Bowl September 22 Washington, DC The Howard Theatre September 23 Virginia Beach, VA Elevation 27 September 24 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle September 26 Nashville, TN Brooklyn Bowl September 27 Atlanta, GA Variety Playhouse September 28 Savannah, GA District Live September 29 Birmingham, AL Saturn September 30 New Orleans, LA Tipitina’s October 2 Houston, TX Warehouse Live – Studio October 3 Austin, TX Mohawk October 4 Dallas, TX Granada Theater October 5 Oklahoma City, OK Beer City Music Hall October 6 Tulsa, OK Cain’s Ballroom October 7 Lawrence, KS The Bottleneck October 9 Denver, CO Summit October 11 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater October 13 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre October 14 San Diego, CA House of Blues
Photo credit: Chris Casella
About The Melvins:
The Melvins are one of modern music’s most influential bands. Having formed in 1983 in Montesano, Washington, the group founded by singer/guitar player Buzz Osborne (with stalwart drummer Dale Crover joining the following year), has been credited with merging the worlds of punk rock and heavy music, forming a new subgenre all its own. Over the band’s 40-year history, they’ve released 30-plus original albums, numerous live full-lengths and far too many to count singles and rarities.
In the course of their discography, they’ve partnered with Jello Biafra, Mudhoney, and Fantômas for individual releases and toured the world many times over. In fact, the band had the misfortune to be in both Christchurch and Tokyo for their 2011 earthquakes. In 2012, the Melvins completed the “51 States in 51 Days” (50 states +DC) tour, which was chronicled in the film “Across The USA in 51 Days.” The current incarnation of the band is Osborne, Crover, and Steven McDonald (Redd Kross/OFF!).
Previous line-ups include a pairing of Osborne and Crover with Big Business band members Jared Warren and Coady Willis, a four-piece featuring the current trio plus Butthole Surfers’ Jeff Pinkus, as well as Melvins Lite, which partners Osborne and Crover with Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn. Sometimes, if you’re extra lucky, one version of the Melvins will open for the Melvins.
Fresh off their tour with Megadeth and Bullet For My Valentine, revered Canadian progressive-metal luminaries ONI have unleashed a ferocious new single, “Silence In A Room Of Lies” (feat. guitarist Jared Dines), a volatile, metallic anthem with a torrential onslaught of groove-laden riffs threaded with infectious melody.
Commenting on the new single, Jake Oni states:
“I’m super stoked to share my new song Silence in a Room of Lies! This track is the first step in a new direction for ONI musically. This is just a taste of what’s to come and I hope my fans enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. Writing with Jared Dines was an absolute pleasure and his contributions brought this song to a whole new level.”
Dines adds:
“I am very proud of the song we were able to write together, and I’m excited that the world can finally hear it! Jake is the coolest dude and working with him was an absolute pleasure!“
Produced by Josh Gilbert (former As I Lay Dying, current Spiritbox bassist) and Joseph McQueen (Bad Wolves, As I Lay Dying).
About ONI: Formed in 2014 by vocalist Jake Oni, ONI quickly became one of Canada’s most promising bands with their distinct amalgam of experimental progressive songwriting, brute metalcore savagery and cathartic melody. The five-piece roared to life with the release of their 2016 debut album, Ironshore (Metal Blade Records), which was produced by Josh Wilbur (Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Dillinger Escape Plan) and featured guest vocals by Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe on the song “The Only Cure.”
ONI followed up with a monstrous Alone EP in 2019, and returned with their critically lauded second full-length, Loathing Light in 2022, that boasted guests Iggy Pop and Blythe on the song “Secrets.”
Along their meteoric rise in the metal scene, the band has shared the stage with acts like Megadeth, Gojira, Bullet for My Valentine, Starset, Children of Bodom, Rob Zombie, Death Angel and The Devin Townsend Project.
LEGIONS OF DOOM, formerly Legion Of Doom, the doom metal supergroup featuring members of The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, Corrosion Of Conformity, and more will make their debut appearance at Legions Of Metal Fest at Reggies Live in Chicago this Saturday! Later this month, the band will head overseas for performances at Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium, Hellfest in France, and more. In November, the band will play Mass Destruction Fest VI in Atlanta, Georgia with more shows to be announced in the weeks to come. See all confirmed dates below.
LEGIONS OF DOOM Live: 6/03/2023 Legions Of Metal Fest @ Reggies Live – Chicago, IL 6/14/2023 Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE 6/15/2023 Club Void/Effenaar – Eindhoven, NL 6/16/2023 Graspop Metal Meeting – Dessel, BE 6/18/2023 Hellfest – Clisson, FR 11/05/2023 Mass Destruction VI Fest @ The Loft – Atlanta, GA
After the untimely passing of Eric Wagner (The Skull, Trouble), one of doom metal’s most notable and esteemed singers and songwriters, The Skull bassist and bandleader, Ron Holzner (Trouble) contemplated long and hard on whether it would be possible to carry on. Nine months and a lot of soul searching later, an idea was born. “I’m not in this boat alone.”
Recalls Holzner, “I decided I want to honor the memory of Eric by still playing some of the songs that he crafted, and ones that [guitarist] Lothar [Keller] and I wrote with him in The Skull. I want his spirit to become eternal through his words and melody. And I also want to play many songs from the catalogs of everyone involved. We want to honor Eric as well as Reed Mullin [Corrosion Of Conformity], Armando Acosta [Saint Vitus], and, most recently, Mark Adams from Saint Vitus. We have all lost someone close and special to us that we have spent much time making and playing music with over the years.”
Alongside Holzner and Keller is drummer Henry Vasquez (The Skull, Saint Vitus, Blood Of The Sun), vocalists Karl Agell (Corrosion Of Conformity, Blind, Leadfoot, Lie Heavy) and ScottReagers (Saint Vitus), and recent recruit, guitarist Scott Little (Leadfoot, Blind).
And so, LEGIONS OF DOOM has come to exist with an all-star lineup of some of doom’s most prestigious figureheads, here to share their ultimate heavy truth, taking the genre from what is known into uncharted territories.
LEGIONS OF DOOM: Ron Holzner – bass Lothar Keller – guitars Henry Vasquez – drums Karl Agell – vocals Scott Reagers – vocals Scott Little – guitars
Thrash cryptids BRAY ROAD are set to release their newest album, Focused, Fierce, Relentless… on July15. This trio of beasts from Milwaukee returns with their third full-length offering of aggressive, old-school thrash.
The band partnered with DeadRhetoric.com to premiere the B-horror-movie-inspired music video for the album’s first single, “Feed the Beast.” Check it out at this location
Tracklisting: Goodbye, Ms. Godfrey Nobody’s Junior Feed The BEAST Possible Violence Ride Dark Passenger Takes One To Know One
Focused, Fierce, Relentless… – all distinguishing traits that have come to symbolize BRAY ROAD’s attitude and approach. Formed by Guitarist / Vocalist Nino Nienas in 2011, BRAY ROAD is a 3-piece Thrash / Groove Metal band from Milwaukee, WI.
BRAY ROAD derives its name from an actual road located in Elkhorn, WI, where stories of the popular cryptozoological werewolf-like creature, the Beast of Bray Road, is said to stalk the area.
Photo by: Hobbes Caltous
Bray Road is: Nino Nienas – Vocals/Guitars Peter Kissane – Drums David Moran – Bass
The band’s debut full-length recording (recorded in 2015 via Cavern Entertainment), Feast Upon the Helpless was released in the Spring of 2017.
BRAY ROAD’s follow-up 5-song E.P. entitled Formation was released in early 2019 and highlighted the band’s direction featuring a more aggressive and heavy approach across the board, while still maintaining the Thrash / Groove Metal elements that complimented the BRAY ROAD sonic landscape. BRAY ROAD‘s latest release “Focused.Fierce.Relentless…” 2023, highlights the band’s current musical direction.
BRAY ROAD has shared the stage with and opened for International touring acts such as Testament, Raven, Jungle Rot and the legendary Grim Reaper, Battlecross, Morbid Saint, Deceased, Embalmer, N.S.O.A. RAVEN , Whiplash, Prong, DRI, TOXXIC, Morta Skuld, Ross The Boss, and many regional touring acts, and continue to storm the local and regional scene with some of the best bands and venues around.
Swedish MANIAK will be releasing their new EP, “Speed Metal Terrorist”, on June 18th 2023 via Dawnbreed and De Nihil Records. Stream the single “Nocturnal Hellfire” at THIS LOCATION.
These young lunatics bring back the sound of Belo Horizonte 1985 mixed with the legendary German mid 80’s violent speed metal sound. Mastered by DanSwanö.
The very future of metal is always brought into question by those who dare to question the worthiness and talent of the younger generations. Such fools do not know what they’re missing out on with the sanctity and respect of the old school veins cared for even today by ferociously passionate and talented bands that will be more than adept at keeping that old flame burning strong. With “Speed Metal Terrorist”, MANIAK instantly proves itself to be an up-and-coming whirlwind of blackened speed metal that is not to be underestimated!
Not a single moment throughout this small but unyielding effort is to be swept to the side as we’re given an utterly compelling barrage of unbridled speed, ripping solos and intensity that only the passionate lost in the underground can bring forward, with a viciously raw production that is sure to capture the attention of those exclusively living in the past.
MANIAK is priming themselves to be a name that is not to be denied when it comes to speed metal that is more than worthy of our time, and “Speed Metal Terrorist” is sure to be the first testament as to why MANIAK will be more than competent to carry the torch of the old school when their time comes to bear it.
Italian metal titans, LACUNA COIL, have unleashed their recently announced single, “Never Dawn,” today, June 2nd, 2023. This highly anticipated track marks a significant milestone in the new chapter of LACUNA COIL, who have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique blend of gothic and alternative metal.
“Never Dawn” showcases LACUNA COIL’s signature sound with its haunting melodies, powerful guitar riffs, and the mesmerizing vocal harmonies of Cristina Scabbia and Andrea Ferro. The song delves into the depths of the human spirit, exploring themes of resilience, inner strength, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. LACUNA COIL’s ability to intertwine introspection and intensity creates an immersive listening experience that will undoubtedly resonate with fans old and new.
Cristina comments on the new song: “First presented, in its instrumental version, in the trailer for Zombicide White Death game, and then in its live version, during our last sold out show in LA, we’re so incredibly thrilled to finally unveil the full version of NEVER DAWN! This song is a fierce survival journey throughout grotesque and frozen lands, where the power within is the main weapon. Ignite the fire in your heart and enjoy the listening!”
Having established themselves as a force to be reckoned with over their illustrious career, LACUNA COIL continues to push boundaries and evolve their sound while staying true to their roots. “Never Dawn” is a testament to the band’s unwavering commitment to artistic growth and their unrelenting dedication to their loyal fanbase.
For the song “Never Dawn”, LACUNA COIL has partnered with CMON, the renowned board game publisher behind the popular game “Zombicide”. “Never Dawn” is a notable addition to CMON’s latest Kickstarter project, “Zombicide: White Death” and was initially used as an instrumental version in a campaign trailer. The game introduces new characters, mechanics, and challenges for players to overcome, and the upcoming “White Death” version features 5 LACUNA COIL Limited Edition survivor tokens.
The band recently toured the US West Coast with The Birthday Massacre, Blind Channel, and Edge Of Paradise selling out more than half of the shows.
LACUNA COIL will be back on stage for the European festival season before returning to the USA to embark on the Headbangers Boat cruise with Lamb Of God, Mastodon, Testament, Hatebreed and more:
10.06 – Parma Tattoo Nerd Fest – Parma, IT 25.06 – Area Concerti – Bonorva, IT 29.06 – Resurrection Fest – Viveiro, ES 01.07 – Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valley – Mogilovo, BG 08.07 – Rock Harz Festival – Ballenstedt, DE 14.07 – La Centrale – Imola Summer Fest – Imola, IT 15.07 – Cineland Live Arena – Ostia, IT 04.08 – Villa Bellini – Catania, IT 25.08 – Næstved Metalfest – Næstved, DK 27.08 – AMA Music Festival – Romano D’Ezzelino, IT 31.10 – 04.11 – Headbangers Boat – Miami, FL (US) 01.12 – Life After Death Horror Fest – Mexico City, MX
My very best Metal buddy, Scott Coverdale, was so generous to buy for me the HAMMERFALL – CRIMSON THUNDER – 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARYCD Box SetAutographed by the band! Whoa!! I thank Scott so very much for this gift!
Scott took his son to the HELLOWEEN and lHAMMERFALL concert back on May 20th, in New York City at Terminal 5. This is where he bought this beautiful CD box set at. Scott bought one for himself too. Also, this was his sons’ first concert ever and his all-time favorite band is… HELLOWEEN.
Crimson Thunder is HAMMERFALL’s fourth studio album. It has been remixed and remastered by Fredrik Nordström. This box set version also include’s previously unreleased pre-production tracks, a brand-new medley, live acoustic songs and a live album. Very nice.
Back cover to box set. Track-list for all 3 CDs shown.Digipak opens as a trifold.Front cover of liner notes. It’s jam-packed with color concert photos and anecdotes of their 2003 world tour. Back cover of the liner notes. CD digipak cover.
German metal commandos PRIMAL FEAR are back! Following the release of their chart-topping album Metal Commando in 2020, the band returns with their eleven-track magnum opus titled CodeRed, set for release on September 1st through Atomic Fire.
PRIMAL FEAR today offers up the first single and accompanying video from the record with opening song “Another Hero.” The track appropriately sets the tone for Code Red by delivering, “heavy metal in its purest form while breathing the spirit of current times,” as Rock It! (DE) Magazine’s Jürgen Will stated after an advance listen to the record.
Vocalist Ralf Scheepers elaborates on the song’s lyrical topic, “Sometimes I wish there would be ‘Another Hero’ who shows mankind how to get along with each other in peace and harmony.”
Code Red will be available as a digipak CD, 2xLP in multiple color variants, and digitally.
Preorder Code Red in the physical format of your choice, presave it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “Another Hero” instantly at THIS LOCATION.
Recorded in Germany at Sebastian “Basi” Roeder‘s Backyard Studios, with the helping hands of vocalist Ralf Scheepers as well as Mitch Kunz, Code Red was produced by bassist MatSinner and co-produced by Scheepers and guitarist Tom Naumann. Long-time PRIMAL FEAR companion Jacob Hansen took care of mixing and mastering at his own Hansen Studios in Denmark once again. Additionally, Stan W.Decker, who created previous works for the band including 2017’s Angels Of Mercy – Live InGermany, 2018’s Apocalypse, and 2021’s I Will BeGone), provided the record’s magnificent artwork.
Subscribe to Atomic Fire Records on YouTube. Listen to “Another Hero” as well as other new tracks in the AFR New Releases playlist on Spotify HERE.
Code Red Track Listing:
Another Hero
Bring That Noise
Deep In The Night
Cancel Culture
Play A Song
The World Is On Fire
Their Gods Have Failed
Steelmelter
Raged By Pain
Forever
Fearless
PRIMAL FEAR Live: 6/24/2023 Koba Live – Abadiño, ES w/ The Unity – Code Red European Tour – Part 1: 9/01/2023 Im Wizemann (Halle) – Stuttgart, DE 9/02/2023 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE 9/03/2023 Frankenhalle – Naila , DE 9/05/2023 Backstage (Werk) – Munich, DE 9/06/2023 Zeche – Bochum, DE 9/07/2023 Batschkapp – Frankfurt, DE 9/09/2023 Le Port Franc – Sion, CH 9/10/2023 Z7 – Pratteln, CH
PRIMAL FEAR: Ralf Scheepers – vocals Mat Sinner – bass, vocals Tom Naumann – guitars Alexander Beyrodt – guitars Magnus Karlsson – guitars Michael Ehré – drums
Last night, STEELPANTHER performed on America’s Got Talent. This was the first episode of season 18 for AGT., STEEL PANTHER performed Eyes Of A Panther (from their 2009 debut studio album Feel The Steel) and had the audience and all 4 judges on their feet with their collective fists pumping in the air. The large audience went electric, quite honestly. Even the ultra critical judge Simon Cowell was praising STEEL PANTHER, stating “this is what it’s all about”.
Check out the tour dates (above) for STEELPANTHER. Trust me, they put on a great live show and are fun as hell to see. – Stone
The acclaimed Faster Pussycat will be touring throughout the entire month of June, with special guest Jason Charles Miller. Their tour begins on June 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada and encompasses 24 cities. Check out these tour flyers for all the info you need.
New album, “Electric Sounds”, coming September 15, 2023 On AFM Records!
Are you ready to rock? Do you want a good time? Do you want to get high? If the answer to any of those questions is yes, then the undisputed kings of balls-out rock’n’roll are back to provide maximum satisfaction. An elite, three-man squad, dedicated to the noble art of riffs, melodies and life-affirming rock anthems, DANKO JONES are ready to serve up all the Electric Sounds you could possibly need!
September 15, 2023 will see the Canadian trio release their hotly-anticipated, eleventh studio album, entitled Electric Sounds, via AFM Records. Following a previously-released, first album appetizer, “Guess Who’s Back”, today, DANKO JONES are premiering their new single, the muscular new wave strut of “Good Time“, along a hilarious karaoke-themed music video featuring a guest appearance by Inge Johansson (currently in Gatuplan, previously of Against Me! and International Noise Conspiracy)! The clip was directed by Philip Hovensjö at Horseboy (Yung Lean, Martin Garrix, Victor Leksell and many more).
As the new DANKO JONES track proves, ElectricSoundspromises to have the instant sound and feel of a classic. Hands down, with DANKO JONES, you are going to have a good time, rock as hard as you can, always at full volume, while Electric Soundsis a deceptively diverse affair. No band has ever sounded more ready to hit the road than the pumped-up threesome showcased on a hell-for-leather rager that is “Good Time” (now available on all digital services at THIS LOCATION!
Danko confirms: “Good Time is the song you need to hear when you’re not ready to throw in the towel. It also rocks very very very hard and has a lot of swear words.”
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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