Japanese SURVIVE Unleash Two New Studio Vlogs, Day 27 + 28, First Ever Live Album “Live At Death Valley” Out May 4th!
SURVIVE, the “Samurais From Hell”, Japanese Thrash Metal veterans active for more than 20 years, are currently in the studio, working on the band’s next full-length studio album. Today the band has unleashed two new studio vlogs, Day 27 + 28!
Save the link for DARSOMBRA’s 4/20 4:20 video premiere HERE.
Baltimore, Maryland psyche/prog duo DARSOMBRA will premiere the outlandishly otherworldly official video for “Call The Doctor” this Wednesday in celebration of 4/20.
Just in from the band: “DARSOMBRA’s new official music video to ‘Call The Doctor’ will be streaming LIVE in YOUR time zone on April 20th, 2022, at 4:20pm no matter where in the world you are!
Tune in to youtube.com/darsombra (direct link to livestream: https://youtu.be/zMce0VITr9c) to catch the brand new video (a meditation on the Earth origins of every science-fiction/fantasy narrative, and lovingly described as Star-Trek-meets-David-Attenborough), which will be playing on a loop at 20 minutes after the hour, every hour, on April 20th, from 12:20am EDT (UTC-4) through 11:20pm EDT
In other words, from 4:20pm at the International Date Line (UTC-12) to 4:20pm Kamchatka time (UTC +12)! Tell all your friends in Siberia! (and Belize! and Poland! and Micronesia! and Zimbabwe! and Secaucus!). It’ll be 4/20 all over the world… Happy 4/20!”
Having just performed at Grim Reefer Fest in their hometown with Heavy Temple, Cavern, Grave Bathers, Haze Mage, and more, DARSOMBRA’s five-week Spring tour also begins this week. Launching this Saturday, April 23rd, the band will cruise westward across the country and into Mexico through May 29th, with random roadside pop-up shows to be expected along the way. Follow the band’s social media points below for by-the-minute updates for these special, sporadic events.
The Call The Doctor/Nightgarden cassette maxi-single will also be in just in time for the tour, available in Gold, Silver, White, Blue, and Red versions. Catch the tape first at the band’s merch table on the tour dates, and then at their webshop post-tour after May 31st.
DARSOMBRA released the two-song Call The Doctor/Nightgarden EP in April 2021 as a bridge between their 2019-issued Transmission LP and its successor, a massive double-album, which is currently being completed. Watch for updates on the new record to post this Summer.
DARSOMBRATourDates: 4/23/2022 Black Forge II – McKees Rocks, PA 4/24/2022 Northside Tavern – Cincinnati, OH 4/25/2022 The I Fell – Bloomington, IN 4/26/2022 Lindberg’s – Springfield, MO 4/27/2022 Aces Of 8 – Oklahoma City, OK 4/29/2022 Cirque Du So Gay – Santa Fe, NM 4/30/2022 Guild Cinema – Albuquerque, NM 5/04/2022 Kickstand Kafe – Flagstaff, AZ 5/06/2022 Sci-Hop Brewing Co. – Tijuana, MX 5/07/2022 The Brown Building – San Diego, CA 5/08/2022 Planta Libre – Mexicali, MX 5/13/2022 The Offbeat – Los Angeles, CA 5/14/2022 Mee Heng Low – San Luis Obispo, CA 5/15/2022 Bottom Of The Hill – San Francisco, CA 5/24/2022 Fritzy’s – Colorado Springs, CO 5/25/2022 Skylark – Denver, CO 5/27/2022 Eighth St. Taproom – Lawrence, KS 5/28/2022 miniBar – Kansas City, MO 5/29/2022 Blind Bob’s – Dayton, OH
DARSOMBRA is also working on a remix project, collecting reimagined versions of their song “Call The Doctor.” Artists interested in taking part in the remix project are invited to contact the band through their website or social media channels.
Watch tons of official videos and live footage including roadside pop-up shows at DARSOMBRA’s YouTube channel HERE.
Find the band’s releases at Bandcamp HERE and their webshop HERE.
Hot on the heels of successfully releasing two singles last year, North Carolina metalcore band SEEKING SIRENS will release their debut EP Departing Ways on June 3, 2022.
The EP speaks of the realization of one’s own power and the struggle to define themselves in a world of declining human morality. Departing Ways will be released in tandem with a new music video for the title track along with some limited performances on the east coast being scheduled for the coming months.
Swedish Skellefteå-based hard rockers Blister Brigade released a new stand-alone single and music video Carousel. Beside from being a groovy and heavy rock song, it is a homage to the fabulous ink studio CarouselTattoo.
The band comments: ” ”Carousel” is in its foundation a heavy rock song. But with this one we decided to also get a little experimental. Since this song was written partly as a tribute to a tattoo studio, we found inspiration in circuses, carnivals and of course, tattoos. With these keywords in mind we just had to go outside our comfort zone and get a little nutty. It’s also the first song we’ve written together from scratch and it’s safe to say that we think this jam ended up really awesome. “
BIOGRAPHY: BlisterBrigade was formed in 2010 by guitarist/vocalist Gustav Lund and drummer Jerker Avander. Joined by guitarist Cristoffer Strand and bassist Simon Lundström, the band started jamming on some ideas. With inspiration from bands like Motörhead and Skid RowBlister Brigade quickly developed a raw but yet a heavy and solid sound.
In 2013 the band released their debut album ”To Serve And Punish”. The album was well recieved and the gigs started rolling in. Blister Brigade’s second album ”The Executioner” was released in December 2016, and by that time drummer Jerker Avander had already left the band, leaving the drum chair to Rickard Lundmark (Zonaria, ex-Feral). Before the release of the E.P ”Pissed, Outraged And Outgunned” in 2018, Simon stepped down as the bands bass player. After a thrilling audition shortly after, bassist Anders Gustavsson joined Blister Brigade.
With the new line-up, the spark was lit again and after playing some gigs the band hit the studio once again to record their third full-length album. ”Slugfest Supreme” was released in February 2020 and with a harder, faster and heavier sound than before, BlisterBrigade got ready to hit the stages. As for so many other bands and artists, the pandemic ruined all plans. But the band didn’t give up and stayed intact throughout the recent bleak years. With the brand new single ”Carousel”, Blister Brigade is more alive and rock’n’roll fueled than ever.
Line-up: Gustav Lund: Lead and rythm guitar, vocals CristofferStrand: Lead and rhythm guitar Anders Gustavsson: Bass Rickard Lundmark: Drums
Blister Brigade – Carousel: Composed by Gustav Lund, Cristoffer Strand, .Anders Gustavsson & Rickard Lundmark. Lyrics by Gustav Lund
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Max Malmer at Malmer Productions in October 2021.
Boston (MA) – Epic Power Metal outfit Adamantis will release The Daemon‘s Strain EP June 10 on digital, CD, and vinyl MLP formats through Cruz Del Sur Music.
TheDaemon‘s Strain is a triumphant, exploratory four-song EP from one of America’s best up-and-coming power metal bands! Hot off the heels of their brilliant full-length debut album Far Flung Realm, Massachusetts metallers Adamantis return with a striking collage of heroic power metal mixed with symphonic rock!
Already a cult curiosity via their 2018 Thundermark EP debut and initial self-release of their 2020 Far Flung Realm first full-length, Adamantis quickly entered the collective global melodic metal conscience when they signed with Cruz Del Sur Music. The first order of business was to re-release Far Flung Realm. In doing so, Adamantis was immediately thrust to the top of various “best newcomer” lists — proper accolades for an album that so brilliantly recaptured the spirit of 1990s European power metal.
Looking to strike quickly and with unexpected time on their hands thanks to the pandemic, Adamantis is back with the four-song The Daemon’s Strain EP.
Drums and vocals for The Daemon’s Strain were tracked at Kennedy Studios in Burlington, Massachusetts with producer/engineer Steve Aliperta; all instruments were laid down at the respective home studios of guitarists Javier Estrada, Jeff Taft and bassist Cody Pelchat. (Pelchat and Taft have since left Adamantis to focus on other projects.)
Leveraging the free-form “anything goes” nature of the EP format, Adamantis constructed The Daemon’s Strain as a musical journey across three different landscapes leading to a final destination: the title song, the band’s 13-minute interpretation of the Olde English ballad, “House Carpenter.” The EP starts with “Storm the Walls,” a song that in the band’s own words, “is a statement of our intentions” and definite inclusion in their live set. “Dark Moon Goddess” is perhaps the band’s most progressive and Gothic number to date, while “Thundermark” (the first-ever Adamantis song) is refreshed and rebooted with new vocals from Jeff Stark.
The centerpiece of The Daemon’s Strain is the title track. Leaning closer to a classical symphonic rock song but still rooted in traditional heavy metal, “The Daemon’s Strain (House Carpenter)” is a fully-immersive sonic landscape that faithfully paints the story of the married lady who, seduced by the devil, abandons her husband and child to find death at sea and meet the dark and low hills of Hell. However, as the cover art represents, Adamantis does not embrace a moralistic take on the story but instead sees it as a tale of empowerment. The band interprets that she decides to break free from the chains of home life. Then, in their imagination, she fully embraces her new fate as an immortal, beautiful and lethal demon, portrayed on the cover — and also featured as the Dark Moon Goddess.
No longer one of American power metal’s best-kept secrets, Adamantis has crafted an EP of depth and triumph — a sterling display of memorable, anthemic melodic metal. It is the next logical step for a band that has displayed that the sky is the limit through two EPs and one triumphant full-length.
Hop into the passenger’s seat and let Helsinki’s longest serving gothic rock vampires THE69EYES take you on a wild ride through a sweltering Summer night in the city! With twelve albums under their belts and several number one chart positions in Finland, THE69EYES are back with a catchy new single — the first of several new tracks to be released in the coming months. Remaining true to their credo “Goth ‘n’ roll will never die!,” the band is currently in the studio recording their lucky thirteenth offering to be released in 2023. But fans need not wait any longer to hear new sounds from the crypt…
Comments guitarist Bazie of “Drive,” “The inspiration came from the same pool of music I have always liked, mostly from the ‘80s. I never plan anything; I just grab my guitar and see what comes up. We jammed a lot more as a band this time and came up with song ideas from all the guys. ‘Drive’ started from one little riff, which I had for a long time. It took a while, but it was worth it. It still sounds exiting and that was the goal.”
Adds singer Jyrki 69, “Bazie delivered this music and I was blown away by how fresh it felt again. It sounded like some rock radio stuff! Our songs are on daily rotation on the rock channels here in Finland, but they are the ones that we did fifteen years ago. So, I thought that we could have some fresh options now; let’s take the airwaves! ‘Drive’ is a traditional 69 EYES sounding, fast rocker with a Sunset Strip slap on it!”
“Drive” was directed by Vicente Cordero and is viewable at THIS LOCATION. Stream or download the single at THIS LOCATION.
Additionally, THE69EYES recently announced tours in Europe in November and December 2022, with industrial pioneers Ministry and horror rockers Wednesday13. Stay up to date with the band’s upcoming live dates HERE.
THE69EYES: Jyrki 69 – vocals Bazie – guitars Timo Timo – guitars Archzie – bass Jussi69 – drums
One of the biggest names in the glam metal/sleaze rock scene, CRASHDÏET, announce the release of their upcoming album, Automaton, available for pre-sale now on digital, CD and vinyl, through Crusader Records/Golden Robot Records. The digital and CD are set to drop on April 29, with limited edition coloured vinyl due for release on September 9.
To celebrate the pre-sale of Automaton, CRASHDÏET serve up another delicacy in the form of a new single and video, ‘Together Whatever’, which is available now on all digital platforms.
‘Together Whatever’ is a true party anthem! Exploding with raging guitars and scorching vocals, it’s a tribute to the decadent good old days and the band’s early roots.
Watch the new music video for ‘Together Whatever’ HERE or below:
Just like a gigantic robotic machine with pre-determined instructions, failure was never an option…
No matter what obstacles may have come their way in the past, CRASHDÏET have always marched forward, delivering their own style of Sleaze Metal they have become so well known for. Automaton contains 12 powerful sing-along anthems with massive drums, guitars, bass, and powering vocals (including a surprise special guest and a haunting voice from the past).
April 1, 2022 – DumbNumbers and the Melvins join forces for one of the season’s most unusual releases, a three-song single, dubbed the Broken Pipe EP (April 29, Joyful Noise Recordings), which arrives via a sawblade-shaped, limited-edition vinyl 12-inch.
The collection, which is not the first time the musicians have partnered together (see their 2015 JNR split series), also finds The Jesus Lizard’s David Yow lending his vocals to the track, “So-Called Solid Objects,” and longtime Melvins’ production partner, ToshiKasai, remixing the song “Harvel.”
“I’m severely honoured to work with Buzz and Dale on this release,” says Dumb Numbers’ Adam Harding. “I actually wrote one of the songs in 1997 after seeing the Melvins play in my hometown of Geelong, Australia. I never dreamed that 20 years later I would get to record it with them.”
Recently signed to Crusader Records / Golden Robot Records, South African sleaze rockers L.A. COBRA havereleased their first single for the label, ‘She’s My Prison’, which is available now on all digital platforms.
Formed in November 2005, L.A. COBRA is the only sleaze/glam/hair metal band on the African continent. They are the “sleaze rocking hair metal stars” from Pretoria (home of multi-platinum rock superstars SEETHER), flying the 80’s glam rock flag from the handlebars of their Harley’s whilst making a name for themselves internationally and locally.
‘She’s My Prison’, is an anthemic arena rock single that revolves around the restrictive nature of a failed relationship. The track features screaming guitars, thunderous drums and bass, and a sing-along chorus that fans will distinctly recognize as L.A. COBRA.
L.A. Cobra has been let loose to cause a rebellion amongst the youth with their revival of the 80’s glam era. Largely influenced by 80’s rock bands like Mötley Crüe, Guns & Roses, W.A.S.P. and Skid Row, L.A. COBRA is all about girls, Harley’s, big hair and a good time.
The band is: Don Cobra on vocals and guitar, Spade on lead guitar, Ewil on bass guitar and Callie ‘The Animal’ on drums, bringing back those memorable guitar solos and “balls to the wall” hard rock shows we’re all starved for. With a modern twist from their song-writing as we know them, these guys are the real deal, and live rock and roll!
L.A. Cobra and Crusader Records will have a slew of announcements in 2022 including new music, merchandise, tours and a whole lot more…stay tuned.
“Emergency” is the haunting opening track of MSG’s upcoming new studio album, Universal, set for release on May 27th via Atomic Fire Records.
The album’s first single comes along with an official music video, produced by Justin Griffiths. Comments MICHAEL SCHENKER, “‘Emergency’ is quite a complicated song with different rhythms but catchy at the same time. It’s fun to play and to listen to. Enjoy and keep on rocking.”
View MSG’s “Emergency” video at THIS LOCATION or below:
Universal will be available as a CD digipak (including two bonus tracks), Earbook (CD including two bonus tracks), on vinyl, and digitally. Find preordering options at THIS LOCATION.
Few rock guitarists on this planet have had such a lasting influence on so many renowned musicians as MICHAEL SCHENKER. With his outstandingly fluid style, inexhaustible wealth of ideas, and instinctive feel for hooks and melodies, MICHAEL SCHENKER is a living legend who, despite his longstanding and distinguished history, still impresses with his unflagging energy and drive. The blond stringsman from Sarstedt, Germany (near Hanover) began his international career in the early 1970s with the Scorpions, achieved worldwide fame after joining British rock group U.F.O., and then seamlessly continued his exceptional global success story under his own name, as well as with acts such as MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (otherwise known as MSG), Temple Of Rock, and MICHAEL SCHENKER Fest. SCHENKER and his career, which has spanned more than five decades, are absolute exceptions in the otherwise short-lived music industry.
To celebrate his latest MSG album, Universal, scheduled for release on May 27th through Atomic Fire Records, as well as his 50th anniversary of recording, MSG will embark upon an extended US tour this Fall. The trek will run from September 27th through November 6th. See all confirmed dates below.
MSG US Tour 2022 w/ Eric Martin, Images Of Eden: 9/27/2022 The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, CA 9/28/2022 Goldfield Trading Post – Roseville, CA 9/29/2022 Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA 10/01/2022 Saban Theater – Los Angeles, CA 10/02/2022 Count’s Vamp’d – Las Vegas, NV 10/04/2022 Oriental Theater – Denver, CO 10/06/2022 Pop’s – Sauget, IL 10/07/2022 Des Plaines Theater – Des Plaines, IL 10/08/2022 Arcada Theater – St. Charles, IL 10/09/2022 Pabst Theater – Milwaukee, WI 10/11/2022 The Art Theater – Hobart, IN 10/12/2022 Piere’s – Ft. Wayne, IN 10/14/2022 The King Of Clubs – Columbus, OH 10/15/2022 Agora Theater – Cleveland, OH 10/16/2022 Harpo’s – Detroit, MI 10/17/2022 Jergels – Pittsburgh, PA 10/19/2022 The Vault – New Bedford, MA * MSG only 10/20/2022 Flying Monkey – Plymouth, NH 10/21/2022 Cabot Theater – Beverly, MA 10/22/2022 Sony Hall – New York, NY 10/23/2022 Newton Theater – Newton, NJ 10/25/2022 Keswick Theater – Glenside, PA 10/26/2022 Tally Ho – Leesburg, VA 10/27/2022 Sherman Theater – Stroudsburg, PA
w/ Damon Johnson & The Get Ready, Images Of Eden: 10/29/2022 Bogarts – Cincinnati, OH 10/30/2022 Brooklyn Bowl – Nashville, TN w/ W.A.S.P., Armored Saint: 11/02/2022 White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX 11/03/2022 Concrete Street Pavilion – Corpus Christi TX 11/04/2022 Eaton Arena – San Antonio, TX 11/05/2022 Amplified Live – Dallas, TX 11/06/2022 Tulsa Theater – Tulsa, OK
MSG – USTour2022Lineup: Michael Schenker – lead guitar Ronnie Romero – vocals Bodo Schopf – drums Steve Mann – keyboards, guitars BarendCourbois – bass
MSG’s Universal will feature all the strengths of this exceptional musician: first-rate songs with anthemic melodies, catchy guitar riffs, and inspiring solos. As fans have come to expect, SCHENKER has once again enlisted a number of prestigious fellow musicians for the recording of his new studio production, among them, as main vocalist, Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Vandenberg), who will also be MSG’s frontman on their upcoming tour, Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), keyboard player Steve Mann (Lionheart), drummers Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner), Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow), and Bodo Schopf (Eloy), as well as legendary bassists Bob Daisley (Black Sabbath), Barry Sparks (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken) and BarendCourbois (Blind Guardian, Zakk Wylde), with Tony Carey as a very special guest.
Heavy Metal pioneers ANVIL have announced the release of a brand new studio album, entitled ImpactIsImminent, due out on May 20, 2022 via AFM Records!
The Canadian trio belongs to one of the most distinctive bands of their genre, often cited as having influenced notable metal acts such as Slayer, MEGADETH, Metallica and Anthrax. After 40 years in the music industry, touring the world in sold-out venues, and garnering critically acclaim for Anvil! TheStory Of Anvil – the number 1 music documentary of every metalhead – the iconic band returns with their nineteenth album.
On ImpactIsImminent, ANVIL fires off merciless riff attacks, relentlessly driving drums and impressive bass grooves, complemented by vocal melodies and lyrics that inevitably drill themselves into the listener’s aural tract. As always, Kudlow and founding member and drummer Robb Reiner, are at the epicentre of this heavy metal extravaganza. For the past eight years, they have been supported by bassist Chris Robertson, who not only complements the ANVIL fold on a personal level, but also enhances the tracks with his powerful low frequency bass parts and backing vocals.
Today, ANVIL shared a first single alongside a music video for the full pedal-to-the-metal anthem ‘Ghost Shadow’! Says charismatic frontman Lips: “Ghost Shadow is my 6th sense telling me I’m being watched! Could be internet trolls or paranormal phenomenon! Either way the song is heavy as fuck!!“
“None of our previous albums blends music and lyrics into as tight a unit as ‘Impact Is Imminent’,” enthuses Lips on the fourteen songs on the group’s new album. “Everything comes together homogeneously. As a result, the new material sounds monolithic, right down to the very last details, both in terms of rhythm and harmonies. In the past, our studio sessions were sometimes like a little like jumping in at the deep end, with us having to improvise a lot and making decisions at short notice. Working on ‘Impact Is Imminent’, not only was there plenty of time for the songwriting process in the run-up to the recordings, but I also had the leisure to put all my ideas to the acid test and work on them until they were perfect.”
Like its three predecessors ‘Anvil Is Anvil’ (2016), ‘Pounding The Pavement’ (2018) and ‘Legal At Last’ (2019), ‘Impact Is Imminent’ was produced by Martin ‘Mattes’ Pfeiffer (U.D.O., among others) and Jörg Uken at Uken’s Soundlodge studios, so the successful combination consisting of Anvil/Pfeiffer/Uken has struck again.
The album pre-sale of ImpactIsImminent, available as CD, Vinyl and Digital formats on May 20, 2022, has just started at THIS LOCATION!
Tracklist:
Take A Lesson
Ghost Shadow
Another Gun Fight
Fire Rain
Teabag
Don‘t Look Back
Someone To Hate
Bad Side Of Town
Wizard´s Wand
Lockdown
Explosive Energy
The Rabbit Hole
Shockwave
Gomez
ANVIL: Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow – Vocals/Guitar Robb Reiner – Drums Chris Robertson – Bass/Vocals
This year’s Monsters of Rock Cruise was captained by none other than Alice Cooper. Due to the size, the amount of guests on the cruise and the size of the room in which Alice would be performing, the cruise decided to split guests into two groups. The red group would see Alice perform on the 12th while the blue group would see him on the 13th. The red group’s show started at 7:30 PM and the crowd packed in quickly.
The stage was hidden by a beautiful curtain that would rise revealing a scaled down, yet still highly decorated, version of Alice’s normal stage set up. The crowd roared as the intro of “Feed My Frankenstein” began. Members of the band walked on stage and began to play. Right after the first strum all sound in the house vanished. Fans began pointing at their ears trying to let the band know we could not here them. The band finished the song and they all exited the stage, Alice leaving with noticeable anger.
Ryan Roxie informed a group of fans, who attended an unannounced Rock N’ Roll Parking Lot (on a boat), what had happened that night. According to Roxie, Alice was the first band to use the curtain on this cruise. As the curtain lifted it pulled the main cable to the PA system out completely. The crew worked hard and fast to figure out the issue and sound was restored within five minutes. Roxie also let fans know that because everyone on stage was wearing a monitor and could hear what they were playing, they did not realize what was going on. It was not until the second verse of the song that they noticed something was wrong. Roxie said they all looked out trying to find the devoted fans and did not understand why everyone was not singing along.
Once the technical difficulty was fixed the show continued without a single problem. Even though the stage and set up were smaller than normal, that did not stop Alice from pulling out all the stops. Props were used as normal including crutches, knives, and canes. During “Billion Dollar Babies” a giant baby paraded on stage meeting Alice’s minions who brought out a giant confetti cannon that shot gold, silver, and green pieces of confetti, as well as fake money with Alice’s face on it into the audience.
The fun continued all through the show as Alice and his gang of ghouls wowed the audience with their fine-tuned sound and silly stage antics. During “Teenage Frankenstein” Alice chased his band around the stage with arms stretched out in frontof him and knees locked like Frankenstein. It did not stop there. As Alice and his band walked back on stage for the famous encore of “School’s Out” one extra musician joined them. Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat came out to sing and enjoy the pleasure of popping many confetti filled balloons over the crowd with one of Alice’s knives.
Alice has been performing for over 50 years and at the ripe age of 74, is still performing with as much heart and soul as he did when he first began. His voice has not changed and everything you have heard about Alice Cooper you get times 10.
There are few rock guitarists on this planet who’ve had such a lasting influence on so many renowned musicians as MICHAEL SCHENKER. With his outstandingly fluid style, inexhaustible wealth of ideas, and instinctive feel for hooks and melodies, MICHAEL SCHENKER is a living legend who, despite his longstanding and distinguished history, still impresses with his unflagging energy and drive.
The blond stringsman from Sarstedt, Germany began his international career in the early 1970s with the Scorpions, achieved worldwide fame after joining British rock group U.F.O., and then seamlessly continued his exceptional global success story under his own name, as well as with acts such as MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (otherwise known as MSG), Temple Of Rock, and MICHAEL SCHENKER Fest. SCHENKER and his career, which has spanned more than five decades, are absolute exceptions in the otherwise short-lived music industry.
Now his latest MSG album is about to be unleashed, scheduled for release on Atomic Fire Records on May 27th under the programmatic moniker of Universal. His latest offering will feature all the strengths of this exceptional musician: first-rate songs with anthemic melodies, catchy guitar riffs, and inspiring solos.
As we have come to expect from him, SCHENKER has once again enlisted a number of prestigious fellow musicians for the recording of his new studio production, among them, as main vocalist, Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Vandenberg), who will also be MSG’s frontman on their upcoming tour, Michael Kiske (Helloween), and Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), keyboard player Steve Mann (Lionheart), drummers Simon Phillips (Toto, The Who), Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Foreigner), Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow), and Bodo Schopf (Eloy), as well as legendary bassists Bob Daisley (Black Sabbath), Barry Sparks (Yngwie Malmsteen, Dokken), and BarendCourbois (Blind Guardian, Zakk Wylde), with Tony Carey as a very special guest. But more about that later.
First, let’s talk about the basic parameters of the new recording: Like its predecessor Immortal (2021) and the MICHAELSCHENKERFest albums Resurrection (2018) and Revelation (2019), Universal was produced by MICHAEL SCHENKER and Michael Voss (Lessmann/Voss, Mad Max) at Voss’s Kidroom Studio, which has become something of a creative home-away-from-home for SCHENKER. “Michael Voss is happy to wait until I have worked out an idea and takes the time to really get to know the song, simultaneously developing ideas for the vocals,” SCHENKER describes of the fruitful collaboration which has one cog intermesh with the other. “Then we work out the drums, bass, and some keyboard parts together. He always has plenty of great ideas up his sleeve.” Compositional highlights abound on Universal, from the haunting opener “Emergency” and the subsequent “Under Attack” with its casually driving groove to “The Universe,” featuring an atmospheric duet by Ronnie Romero and Gary Barden, “Wrecking Ball,” performed as brilliantly as ever by Ralf Scheepers, and “London Calling” with its homage to the British capital’s musical spirit.
The rock anthem “A King Has Gone” and its intro “Calling Baal” both have a special significance: The track, sung by Helloween frontman Michael Kiske, is a tribute to the immortal Ronnie James Dio, in particular to his performance on the 1976 hard rock classic RainbowRising. For this reason, SCHENKER has brought together an original Rainbow rhythm section consisting of Bobby Rondinelli and Bob Daisley, additionally enlisting keyboardist Tony Carey, who also played on Rainbow Rising, for a terrific Moog synth intro – a direct reference to the iconic intro of the 1976 album opener “Tarot Woman.” The impressive result “Calling Baal / A King Has Gone” is already considered to be one of the most important and successful songs in SCHENKER’s career to date, both musically and lyrically.
In line with all these highlights, the spectacular MSG album cover designed by ZsofiaDankova (Powerwolf, among others) features SCHENKER in a futuristic spaceship, floating high up in orbit. The artwork is based on the guitarist’s own visions, “I had the original idea for the album cover a few years ago, but only now does it seem to fit perfectly. So, I sent some older sketches to my label Atomic Fire Records and based on this the final artwork and album title were created.”
No doubt about it: The title, artwork, and new songs suit MSG as perfectly as his characteristic Flying V suits MICHAEL SCHENKER! Stand by for more from MSG in the weeks to come.
MNRVA venture further into the descending darkness with their debut full-length, Hollow which will be released on may 20th via BlackDoombaRecords. Conjuring gloomy atmospheres with funeral doom and fuzz tones, the heavy trio are unafraid to unveil what’s lurking in the shadows.
Forming in 2018, MNRVA made their debut with the EP Black Sky giving fans a tantalizing taste of their unconventional sludge fueled doom sound. Hollow builds further on their exploration of heavy music with groove-laden riffs, mid-slow tempo tracks and vocals which range between soaring melodies and those of guttural demons.
“Not the One” introduces the new album with ludicrously overdriven instruments, impactful percussion and vocals that appear to be reaching out of the abyss. The title track falls further into the gloom evoking an intense dark mood. Melodic motifs and riffs punctuate the black with an experimental twist, adding something extra to the sound without breaking the nightmarish illusion. “The Way” concludes the album with the wrath of the void, fusing the sinister and sombre.
Hollow is a melting pot of sludge drawing upon the guitar grind of MELVINS, the vocal interplay of MASTODON, and the post-doom heaviness of Wisconsin’s BEREFT. Embracing their influences while cultivating their own distinctive edge, MNRVA manipulate these dynamic musical elements to manifest an enticing atmosphere.
LIMITED-EDITION, 5X LP COLLECTION FEATURES NEW ARTWORK AND ETCHINGS
Feb 25, 2022, LOS ANGELES – The eagerly-awaited vinyl version of TOOL’s critically-acclaimed fifth album, FearInoculum, arrives on April 8 via RCA Records, with the GRAMMY®-Award winning release spread over 5 LPs and paired with new, extensive artwork.
Adam Jones reconceptualized the already impressive album packaging with each of the 180g vinyl discs emblazoned with a unique etching and accompanied by an elaborate pictorial booklet including never-before-seen artwork. The limited-edition set, which also features a new cover, is housed in a hard shell box
TOOL has consistently elevated the concept of album art, from the groundbreaking Fear Inoculum CD release fronted by a 4” HD rechargeable screen with exclusive video footage (“Recusant Ad Infinitum”) to 10,000 Days’ integrated stereoscopic lenses to Ænima’s lenticular jewel case, Jones has pushed the boundaries of what is possible. He has been twice nominated in the GRAMMY®-Awards Best Recording Package category, taking home the trophy in 2007 for 10,000 Days.
Quite possibly the era’s most highly-anticipated album, Fear Inoculum arrived in August of 2019. Debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200, the album earned heaps of critical praise with NPR saying, “Fear Inoculum was worth the 13 year wait,” Revolver proclaiming the album “a masterpiece to be dissected for years to come” and Consequence saying the release finds “Tool in peak performance.”
Nearly three years since first setting foot in the studio, Austin, Texas stoner rocker frontrunners GREENBEARD will unveil their long-awaited new full-length, Variant, on April 1st via Sailor Records in the US and Kozmik Artifactz in Europe.
The serendipitously named album was subject to a long incubation period, due largely to Covid-related challenges, as well as lineup changes and industry-wide delays in vinyl production. Nevertheless, Variant emerges as a valiant tribute to new directions, creative experimentation, and engagement with the wider musical community. The album represents a departure in sound for the group, which has traditionally been situated squarely at the intersection of desert and stoner rock. Songs incorporate significant soul and R&B influences, with crooning vocal interludes and surprise instrumentation, while still tapping into their heavy stoner roots.
“Wanting to blend stoner rock and soul, we entered into the recording process with a collaborative mindset, leaving room for the process to unfold in the studio,” remarks GREENBEARD frontman, Chance Parker.
In advance of the record’s release, the band unveils, “Exodus,” the first in a trilogy of singles leading up to Variant’s drop date. Notes Parker, “We chose ‘Exodus’ as the first single because it works as a Trojan horse for all the weird stuff we are about to unload on this album.”
View GREENBEARD’s “Exodus” at THIS LOCATION or below:
Having begun production in 2018, GREENBEARD set forth wanting to depart from the stereotypical derivatives of stoner rock and chose to take elements of soul music with them into the studio. They broughtin layers of strings, slide guitar, horns, and sonorous melodies to realize this vision.
Suddenly Covid-19 struck. The band was unable to play live shows, and their support tour with Texas legends …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of The Dead was cancelled. Their former bassist departed, another was hired, then left to look for work in Hawaii. However, in the midst of all these changes, PatSeals (Flyleaf, Kimberly Dunn, Belle & The Dragon) joined the band, bringing signature energy to their stage performances. The band then brought on Joe Samson as second guitarist, rounding out their lineup. The new album represents an openness to change and a melding of minds.
Stand by for Variant artwork, preorders, and further info to be announced in the coming weeks.
Heavy psychedelic rockers DESERTCLOUDS are pleased to announce that they will release their album Planexit via MandroneRecords on March 25 2022.
The band comments:
“This new album is a journey throughout the inner side of the human being, represented by a nameless man who is trying to escape the surrounding environment that overwhelms him.”
Drawing inspiration from all genres and influences from the likes of SYD BARRETT to LED ZEPPELIN to NIRVANA and TOOL. Lyrically they explore the darker side of the human condition and draw on interests such as the Italian artistic movement Decadentism, along with existentialism. Opening the album is the dynamic title track “Planexit”, taking a humorous twist on Brexit delivers a theatrical and genre mixing experience. Classic, psychedelic rock styles fuse with overdriven guitars and progressive elements to create a distinctive soundscape. From the high-energy, fast-pace of “Mamarse” to the serene, atmospheric “Deceivers”, the new album delves into dystopian themes aptly explored through compelling composition.
Venture on a thrilling voyage with Planexit. Melodicriffs and hard hitting rhythms fuel the powerful impact of the music. DESERTCLOUDS‘ experimental sound produces colourful musicality enhanced with a heavy intensity.
Raised during the 80’s debauchery on the Sunset Strip and still going strong in 2022, JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE recently released their third single titled ‘Gonna Take You Higher’ on all digital platforms. ‘Gonna Take You Higher’ comes from the upcoming albumHELL, CA.which is available to pre-order/add/save now and out on March 11, 2022, through Golden Robot Records.
‘Gonna Take You Higher’ was preceded by two absolutely cracking singles ‘Wanna Be Somebody’ and ‘Soul Mama’ which both show Jizzy in fine form and gives a strong indication as to what to expect from Hell, CA.
HELL, CA. is a collection of 10 hard-hitting rock anthems, all with that distinctive Love/Hate style, with Jizzy Pearl’s trademark vocals taking the songs up and beyond and the heavy guitars doing the rest.
JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE has been a staple on the rock scene since their first record BLACK OUT IN THE RED ROOM earned them “Best Record of the Year 1990” from Kerrang! and Metal Hammer magazines.
LOVE/HATE has been a fixture on the Hollywood Sunset Strip since they released their debut album on Columbia Records BLACKOUT IN THE REDROOM in 1990. BLACKOUT IN THE RED ROOM received much critical acclaim and was awarded “Best Record of the Year” from both Kerrang! and Metal Hammer magazines. The original LOVE/HATE released five records in the 1990’s and toured with such bands as Skid Row, Dio, Ozzy Osbourne & AC/DC.
Since that time, singer Jizzy Pearl has kept the band alive with his own version, JIZZY PEARL’S LOVE/HATE, and at the same time played, recorded and toured with such platinum artists as RATT, L.A. Guns, Steven Adler and currently Quiet Riot. Jizzy Pearl has released five solo records as well, including 2018’s Frontiers record ALL YOU NEED IS SOUL.
OPETH will return to the stage this Spring on the second leg of their North American co-headlining tour with Mastodon. The journey will commence April 21st in Montreal, Quebec and make its way through sixteen US and Canadian cities, coming to a close on May 11th in Riverside, California. See all confirmed dates below.
Comments OPETH mainman MikaelÅkerfeldt, “We’re excited to come back to North America for the second leg of shows together with our ‘brothers from other mothers’ in Mastodon. And… hello, Canada! It’s been too long, we know! We’ll soon dust off the ole guitars etc. and get in shape for this run. The last tour was quite splendid; the only downside being the restrictions. We don’t know for sure how it’s going to pan out this time around, but we’re hoping for a bit more freedom to move around. Crossing fingers here. See you semi-soon! Signing off from a rainy, gloomy Stockholm, Mikael (on behalf of OPETH).”
Blabbermouth and Knotfest.com ticket presales will be available Tuesday, February 8th at 10:00am EST through Thursday, February 10th at 10:00pm local time. General on sale date is Friday, February 11th at 10:00am local time. Visit the band’s official tour page HERE for tickets!
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