I bought this BENEDICTIONThe Grotesque / Ashen Epitaph [Picture Disc 7″ Single] this past week for $8.58 (including tax). Not a shabby price at all! I love the artwork on both sides.
I’ll admit, I did find this wonderful slab of vinyl goodness on Amazon at 2 in the morning. However, nine out of ten of my physical music purchases are from 2 of my local indie record stores: Omega Music and Catacomb Records.
Gotta dig that “Beer For All” tee the dude is wearing in the above artwork! I want that tee.
This 7” picture disc was released on February 21, 2025, via Metal Bastard Enterprises, under license from Nuclear Blast GMBH. It’s a limited edition and I have no info on the print run. These 2 songs were originally released on the five song The Grotesque / Ashen Epitaph EP from 1994 on Nuclear Blast Records.
BENEDICTION:
Peter Rew – Guitars Darren Brookes – Guitars Dave Ingram – Vocals Nik Sampson – Bass Giovanni Durst – Drums
Some of you may have already come across it, but we’re excited to share that a new strictly limited 7” picture vinyl for “Kyrie Klitorem” is on the way! These special collector’s editions tend to go fast, so we wanted to give you a heads-up. It’s set for release on February 28th and is available now through EMP (Europe) and Napalm Records (worldwide).
On October 4th, the complete discography of Mantic Ritual will be reissued in a beautifully repackaged and expanded 2LP for the band’s debut album’s 15th Anniversary, officially licensed from Nuclear Blast Records. Plus, we’re adding the 2022 ‘Heart Set Stone’ EP and a unreleased bonus track – the band’s take on the Scorpions classic “Blackout” recorded during the ‘Executioner’ sessions. Limited to 300 copies on Clear with Black Splatter vinyl. Includes 4-panel insert with lyrics, credits, extra photos and personal liner notes from the members recalling memories of the time.
MANTIC RITUAL originally formed as Meltdown in Pittsburgh in 2005. Building a buzz with Northeast heavy metal fans over the next two years they moved across the country to Los Angeles in 2007, where performances alongside leaders of the budding Southern California thrash revival such as Warbringer, Fueled By Fire, and Merciless Death earned them attention from discerning metal audiences and a record deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Changing their name to MANTIC RITUAL, the quartet flew to Germany to record with producer Andy Classen, and released their full-length record ‘Executioner’ in March 2009. Cover artwork provided by Colin Marks (Aborted, Exodus, Allegaeon).
The album received critical acclaim at the time of its release, with MetalSucks praising the band’s “ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness,” Blabbermouth taking note of their “passion, chemistry and intensity,” and the Washington Post noting that “MANTIC RITUAL’s old-school sensibilities act like a group hug that brings punks and headbangers together.”
MANTIC RITUAL fell apart after tours with Rotting Christ and Destruction in 2010. But reformed in 2021, with Carlos Cruz (Warbriner, Exmortus, Hexen) on drums, to release the 6-song ‘Heart Set Stone.’ Now both albums, plus their unreleased cover of the Scorpions classic “Blackout” has been compiled in one set for your (re)discovery and enjoyment.
THE FOURTH STUDIO ALBUM OF SUPREME DEATH METAL FROM SWEDEN’S MASTERS OF HORROR
Photo credit: Ester Segarra
“Apart from being really sinister, cruel and dark, Grand Morbid Funeral was also the album that kicked Bloodbath into a higher gear. The hunger and determination behind it, made us go from a rather passive side/studio-project to a real active live band, for the first time.” – Blakkheim
Swedish death metal titans Bloodbath’s fourth studio album ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ turns 10 this year. To mark the anniversary, Peaceville will be reissuing the album on limited edition silver/black marble-effect vinyl. Recorded at Ghost Ward Studios and the City of Glass Studios in Stockholm and mixed by David Castillo, ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’, was undoubtedly the band’s darkest and dirtiest opus upon its release in 2014; an organic collection of filth-ridden tracks straight from the grave, boldly eschewing the approach of somewhat over-produced modern death metal in favour of something altogether more rotten to the bone.
“When A class songwriting meets supreme death metal played by and for fans, don’t even try to resist” 8/10 METAL HAMMER
“Bloodbath have perhaps never sounded quite so sinister as they hammer, bash, kick and spit at anyone getting too close to the aural war they declare from the outset” KERRANG
Formed in 1998 with a mutual fascination for horror & the glory days of death metal (especially the old Florida & Stockholm ‘Sunlight’ scenes), the band has remained a leading light of extreme metal since their ‘Breeding Death‘ EP was unleashed back in 2000, and a formidable force in the metal world for over twenty-five years, notable for the inclusion of Katatonia, Opeth and Paradise Lost members.
With doom-like melodies mixed with raw and savage riffing, and featuring a number of guest appearances including Chris Reifert and Eric Cutler from US gore-masters Autopsy, ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ marked a new high-point of brutality for Bloodbath.
A.1. Let The Stillborn Come To Me [04:37] A.2. Total Death Exhumed [03:51] A.3. Anne [04:01] A.4. Church Of Vastitas [03:37] A.5. Famine Of God`s Word [04:56] A.6. Mental Abortion [03:48] B.1. Beyond Cremation [04:41] B.2. His Infernal Necropsy [03:36] B.3. Unite In Pain [03:53] B.4. My Torturer [04:17] B.5. Grand Morbid Funeral [05:36]
This limited edition of ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ marks the album’s tenth anniversary and is presented on limited silver/black marble-effect vinyl, with printed inner sleeve. Released on 14th June.
SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION TRIPLE VINYL SET CONTAINING A COMBINATION OF SPELLBINDING PERFORMANCES OF THE ‘EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS’ AND ‘NIGHTFALL’ ALBUMS FROM SÖDRA TEATERN, SWEDEN.
As Candlemass quickly approaches a new milestone of four decades of existence, this special triple vinyl set, ‘Tritonus Nights’, includes stellar recent performances of both the ‘Epicus…’ and ‘Nightfall’ albums in their entirety, which took place at the esteemed Södra Teatern in Stockholm, Sweden in November 2021, with the double-night event a fitting platform to celebrate the 35th anniversaries of both iconic titles.
With a line-up consisting of Lars Johansson, Mappe Björkman, Leif Edling, Janne Lindh, & Johan Längquist, Candlemass captivates a spellbound audience with renditions of numerous classic doom tracks such as ‘Solitude’, ‘Demon’s Gate’, ‘The Well of Souls’ & ‘Bewitched’, plus also notable is the inclusion of the pre-‘Epicus…’ track ‘Battlecry’ as a rare live treat. With professionally recorded & mixed sound, & with mastering work undertaken by Patrick Engel at Temple of Disharmony, ‘Tritonus Nights’ is Candlemass captured at their magnificent best.
“Those two nights at the Södra Teatern in Stockholm were amazing! Level of Magic – 200%! We sounded great and the god of Doom smiled upon us those cold, but very special November nights. Lights, sound, atmosphere, party, crazyness – all the right elements were there to perfect the Doom stew! And here’s the essence of these Magical evenings – TRITONUS NIGHTS!” – Leif Edling
Candlemass was formed by bassist and songwriter Leif Edling in Stockholm, Sweden in the mid-80s. With a healthy influence primarily coming from bands such as UK heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath, Candlemass quickly became established for their epic brand of atmospheric doom metal, with undisputed genre classics such as 1986’s debut album ‘Epicus Doomicus Metallicus’ & 1987’s follow-up opus, ‘Nightfall’ inspiring subsequent generations of the genre’s metal heroes.
Tritonus Nights is presented on limited edition triple coloured vinyl in a slipcase plus additional booklet, with Side D of the double ‘Nightfall’ vinyl containing a special etched design.
DISC 1 – Epicus Doomicus Metallicus A.1. Solitude (live) [06:53] A.2. Demon`s Gate (live) [09:43] A.3. Crystal Ball (live) [06:58] B.1. Black Stone Wielder (live) [08:30] B.2. Under The Oak (live) [07:01] B.3. A Sorcerer`s Pledge (live) [12:06]
DISC 2 – Nightfall A.1. The Well Of Souls (live) [08:40] A.2. Codex Gigas (live) [02:18] A.3. At The Gallow`s End (live) [05:57] B.1. Samarithan (live) [06:39] B.2. Dark Are The Veils Of Death (live) [05:33] B.3. Battlecry (live) [08:25]
IV: Constitution of Treason out Oct. 20th on Limited 2LP Gatefold Colored Vinyl
Pre-orders now available; Upcoming touring in Oct.
Seminal New Wave of American Heavy Metal act GOD FORBID have announced a vinyl reissue of their 2005 groundbreaking conceptual album IV: Constitution of Treason on Oct. 20th. Anticipated and requested by fans, M-Theory Audio is pleased to announce a proper vinyl release of this landmark and critically praised album. Housed in a gatefold jacket this 2LP set is further expanded with a 4-panel insert with liner notes from singer Byron Davis and personal pics, flyers, etc. reworked by original designer and A+R man Tom Bejgrowicz (Misfits, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains), plus the bonus track, “We are No More.”
While the album is available from retailers worldwide Oct. 20th, pre-orders are available now HERE
IV: Constitution of Treason comes available as the retail 700 copy run on Ashes of Liberty splatter, or the mail-order/band direct variant format in a limited 300 copies on Dead, White and Blue colored vinyl.
“We are very proud to announce the release of God Forbid’s IV: Constitution of Treason on vinyl. Although there was a small picture disc pressing released almost 20 years ago, the fan’s demand for vinyl is so much more passionate now,” states guitarist Doc Coyle. “Many consider Constitution the best God Forbid album, and I couldn’t be happier to give everyone a chance to re-experience this classic album in the best way possible.”
The concept behind the IV: Constitution of Treason album told the story of a futuristic society that destroys itself, reforms many years later, and eventually destroys itself again in the same way as originally. Produced by Jason Suecof (Trivium, All That Remains, Death Angel), Eric Rachel (Black Dahlia Murder, Municipal Waste, Symphony X), and guitarists Doc and Dallas Coyle the album was a significant undertaking. The statement was further visualized by the wraparound artwork of Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Overkill, Nevermore). GOD FORBID’S fourth full-length was the first to chart on the Billboard 200, and the band toured relentlessly in Europe and the US in support of this album with bands such as The Haunted, God Dethroned, Meshuggah, Mnemic, Full Blown Chaos, and more.
While God Forbid disbanded in 2013 a recent slate of reissues in recent years of Determination and Gone Forever prompted renewed interest in the band, as well as guitarist Doc Coyle’s success in BAD WOLVES, leading to an invitation to reform for the Blue Ridge Festival, in addition to some headliners in the northeast. Next month GOD FORBID have announced a special run of shows in support of former labelmates LACUNACOIL, as well as their participation on the Headbangers Boat alongside names like Lamb of God, Mastodon, Testament, Shadows Fall, Hatebreed, GWAR and more.
10/26 – Chelsea’s Live – Baton Rouge, LA
10/28 – Club LA – Destin, FL
10/29 – Janus Live – St. Petersburg, FL
10/31-11/4/23 Headbangers Boat – Miami, FL to Nassau, Bahamas
GOD FORBID signed with Century Media Records shortly after the release of their 2000 self-released debut, Reject the Sickness. GOD FORBID would go on to release four albums in cooperation with the label including Determination, Gone Forever, IV: Constitution of Treason, and Earthsblood, before recording Equilibrium at Victory Records. Watch for the M-Theory Audio reissue of Earthsblood in early 2024, while copies are still available of Determination and Gone Forever in stores or direct via Bandcamp or our webstore
Sept. 6, 2023, PHOENIX – Holy Fawn, the Phoenix-based band who Stereogum said “build giant, cresting waves of uplifting brutality… without really sounding like anyone else,” give Realms, their independently-released, debut EP, the vinyl treatment for the first time ever, with Wax Bodega releasing the six-song collection on Oct. 20.
Ryan Osterman explains how the EP came to be: “Realms was a project that was created in my old apartment that was just a happy mistake if I’m being honest. Personally, I just wanted to record some new ideas as I felt a bit creatively stifled. I didn’t have a name or any sort of plan, just recording music that really resonated with me.”
“We figured we needed some sort of name as it was manifesting quicker than any of us expected. We landed on HOLY FAWN and just decided to go wherever that would take us. We played basically anything that was thrown at us, house shows, DIY tours, just any opportunity to perform. It just felt really different from any of our other musical experiences we had to that point. We would just play completely in the dark besides some random laser lights and the reaction was really pure after each show.”
“It felt that people were enjoying it, especially in the post rock/atmospheric community but it pretty much fell completely under the radar as a whole. We loved what we were doing and just wanted to share it with as many people as possible. It doesn’t matter if a project receives label interest or outside validation, as long as you press forward doing what you love, it’ll always bring you joy.”
“We all really believed in Realms and wanted to give it a proper release on vinyl as it’s become really requested live in the past few years and it’s nice to revisit how everything started. It feels very emotionally cathartic to play these songs and we still love them today as much as we did so many years ago.”
Holy Fawn set out on a Fall headlining tour this October:
October 2 Austin, TX Empire Control Room October 3 Dallas, TX Tulips October 4 Houston, TX Bronze Peacock October 6 Orlando, FL Will’s Pub October 7 Atlanta, GA Masquerade Purgatory October 8 Carrboro, NC Cat’s Cradle Back Room October 9 Baltimore, MD Metro Baltimore October 10 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Made October 11 Worcester, MA Palladium Upstairs October 13 Philadelphia, PA First Unitarian Church October 14 Columbus, OH Ace of Cups October 15 Ferndale, MI Loving Touch October 16 Chicago, IL Cobra Lounge October 17 Kansas City, MO RecordBar October 18 Denver, CO Meow Wolf October 19 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge October 21 Seattle, WA Vera Project October 22 Portland, OR Mississippi Studios October 24 San Francisco, CA Café du Nord October 25 San Diego, CA Soda Bar October 26 Los Angeles, CA The Echo October 27 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
Holy Fawn is Ryan Osterman (guitar, vocals), Evan Phelps (guitar), and Austin Reinholz (drums). The Arizona-born band have released two albums: Dimensional Bleed (2022), Death Spells (2018), as well as a pair of EPs: The Black Moon (2020) and Realms (2015).
Stereogum said Holy Fawn band are “impossible to ignore,” Paste noted that they “hold the sublime and the saturnine in equal reverence,” and Revolver said with Dimensional Bleed, the foursome reached “…a high-water mark for music that combines the skyscraping atmospheres of post-rock with the heavy breadth of textured metal.”
This past May, British Thrash Metal force ONSLAUGHT were inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame – being characterized as “one of the most ferocious, explosive and controversial Metal bands ever to come out of the UK.”
2022 sees one of the most influential and respected bands of their genre, led by Nige Rockett, celebrating its 40th anniversary and is doing so in style. Today, ONSLAUGHT are re-issuing their latest three studio albums “Sounds Of Violence“ (2011), “VI” (2013) and “Generation Antichrist” (2020) as red 180 gram Vinyl editions in gatefold sleeve. ONSLAUGHT have also released a special “Anniversary Edition“ of “Sounds Of Violence”, which now comes as a 2-CD digipak including a bonus CD.
Watch the new, official music video for the band’s classic “Godhead”, now streaming HERE
The band recently commented: “It’s great to see AFM re-releasing these albums to help celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band. Some new Sounds of Violence artwork, new videos and bonus tracks too?…yea, this is fucking killer!”
The ONSLAUGHT anniversary editions, which belong into every well sorted Thrash Metal record collection are now available via the AFM Records store at THIS LOCATION!
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.”
Seattle (WA) – Hot off the heels of 2020’s no-holds-barred Spectral Devastation, Pacific Northwest Speed Metallers Sölicitör return with the stopgap AllDebtsonDeath 7-inch that charts new territory, while still offering fist-pumping speed metal anthems! The 7-inch is available for immediate shipping from Gates of Hell Records.
Shortly after the release of 2020’s SpectralDevastation, the members of Pacific Northwest speed metallers Sölicitör took a long, hard look at the process that went into the album’s creation. The band raced to finish Spectral Devastation with an eye toward their first-ever appearance at the legendary Keep it True festival in Germany and European dates that would follow, shows, that, unfortunately, were canceled due to the global pandemic. In doing so, Sölicitör felt they rushed some of the key elements of the album’s songwriting, even though the reaction to the songs was almost universally positive. Going into 2021, Sölicitör decided to push themselves to write songs that were even more aggressive and formidable. Enter the searing two-song ALLDebtsonDeath 7-inch.
AllDebtsonDeath was recorded in late February 2021 at Sentinel Studios with producer/engineer Detto, who has recently gained attention for his organic production jobs for death metal bands Cerebral Rot, Mortiferum and Oxygen Destroyer. Detto tracked the band on half-inch tape, then recorded the tape to a digital program where guitars and vocals were laid down, ensuring a full and heavy sound.
As a natural function of their collaboration with Detto, Sölicitör ventured into new territory regarding production values. The two songs are devoid of effects, albeit some minor reverb on the chorus on the vocals, although vocalist Amy Lee Carlson opted to completely forego doubled harmonies. However, the “less is more” approach for studio production doesn’t hinder the two songs. “Killer for Hire” is a classic Sölicitörs speed-burner, complete with a fist-bumping chorus, while “Megalomaniac” ventures into new territory, including riffs that bring to mind legendary Norwegian black metallers Darkthrone, topped off by Carlson’s soaring vocals.
As positive signs gradually start to emerge from the pandemic, Sölicitör is chomping at the bit to return to the live stage. In the meantime, the band is slowly assembling the pieces for their next studio album — due sometime in 2022. Consider AllDebtsonDeath a sign of what’s to come!
Track Listing:
Killer for Hire
Megalomanic
Line-Up:
Amy Lee Carlson – Vocals PatrickFry – Guitar Matt Vogan – Guitar Damon Cleary – Erickson – Bass Johann Waymire – Drums
MANTICORE’s history has been paved with blasphemous abominations since its inception 15 years ago. While still & always faithfully holding their distinctive vicious ferocity, MANTICORE’s 7+ minute track on this 7″ EP is also heavily doom-ridden.
At the other end of the spectrum, RITUAL SLAUGHTER are debuting with severe and virulent venom that will rapidly establish these heretics as a brute force to be reckoned with. This 7″ EP is limited to 300 hand-numbered copies and comes with a 2-panel-foldout-cover & 14″x14″ poster. Depraved cover artwork by Daniel Desecrator. The split is due to be released on November 6 2015.
Hamburg’s GRIM VISION will release new EP War Agony on limited edition 7″ vinyl through Bastardized Recordings August 28th. A furious mix of hardcore and dark metal, the three songs of War Agony featured poem-based lyrics about the destruction, WAR and AGONY caused by humanity in the 19th and 20th centuries.
LOS ANGELES, Signing Alert! The melodic Death Metal masters At The Gates (Official) will be at VACATION VINYL on March 27th from 4-5:30 for a pre-show signing session. Bring your copy of “At War with Reality” or buy one at the shop, for a meet-and-greet with the Swedish Death Metal legends – and don’t miss them live as part of the Decibel Magazine Tour with Vallenfyre, Converge, and Pallbearer!
Parlophone Records (BMG/INgrooves Music Group for the USA) will follow the 2012/13 IRON MAIDEN vinyl picture disc reissues of the first eight Iron Maiden albums, which spanned the 1980s, with brand new pressings of the albums in heavyweight 180g black vinyl.
In conjunction with these premium album releases, a strictly limited one-off run of the 7” singles from each respective album will be made available. These highly collectable black vinyl singles will be cut from the original analogue master tapes. Released in replica artwork packaging, they are sure to become a must-have item for fans, collectors and anyone who missed out the first time round.
The albums will also be cut from the original analogue master tapes and packaged in identical artwork to the initial 1980’s releases. As a bonus, the first batch of album releases (Iron Maiden/Killers/The Number Of The Beast) will also be made available in a Collector’s Box sized to house all 8 albums. This package will be a strictly limited edition and available while stocks last.
The records will be released chronologically across a two month periodstarting October 13th (14th USA) with the first 3 albums (Iron Maiden/Killers/The Number Of The Beast) and the seven corresponding 7” singles:
Running Free b/w Burning Ambition
Sanctuary b/w Drifter (Live) and I’ve Got The Fire (Live)
Women In Uniform b/w Invasion
Twilight Zone/Wrathchild double A side
Purgatory b/w Genghis Khan
Run To The Hills b/w Total Eclipse
The Number Of The Beast b/w Remember Tomorrow (Live)
Followed by:
October 27th (28th USA): Piece Of Mind, Powerslave and Live After Death and the six corresponding 7” singles:
Flight Of Icarus b/w I’ve Got The Fire
The Trooper b/w Cross-Eyed Mary
2 Minutes To Midnight b/w Rainbow’s Gold
Aces High b/w King Of Twilight
Running Free (Live) b/w Sanctuary (Live)
Run To The Hills (Live) b/w Phantom Of The Opera (Live)
November 24th (25th USA): Somewhere In Time and Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son and the six corresponding 7” singles:
Wasted Years b/w Reach Out
Stranger In A Strange Land b/w That Girl
Can I Play With Madness b/w Black Bart Blues
The Evil That Men Do b/w Prowler ‘88
The Clairvoyant b/w The Prisoner (Live)
Infinite Dreams (Live) b/w Killers (Live)
The release of these high quality, black vinyl records offers optimum choice to fans who would like to own a piece of Maiden’s authentic 1980’s vinyl sound, or for those simply wanting to rediscover this much loved, iconic format. Coupled with the end of the Maiden England World Tour which began in North America in 2012 and finished last month at Knebworth Park’s Sonisphere Festival, this now completes Maiden’s 1980’s touring and catalogue reissues cycle, so the band are free to focus on their dynamic future plans.
The box set gathers all of Rainbow’s classic singles
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As one of the cornerstones of British Rock, Rainbow, led by the never-predictable but ever-astonishing guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, became synonymous with some of the most well-regarded and popular charting Rock songs of the seventies and eighties. From the mystic and quasi-religious ‘Man On A Silver Mountain’ to the solid gold anthems of ‘All Night Long’, ‘Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll’ and ‘Since You Been Gone’, each year in the decade of Rainbow was marked by some of the best songs and performances captured both on record and in-concert.
The box set gathers all of the band’s classic singles from the era in replicas of the original release, alongside a book featuring details on each of the titles.
Passing through the band were some of the best the genre had to offer. Vocalists Ronnie James Dio and Graham Bonnet, bass player and producer Roger Glover and drummer Cozy Powell, each brought their individual talent to the table to record some of Rock’s best-loved Hard Rock on those timeless singles.
Decibel Magazine today hurls forth three exclusive tracks from Isolation Room, the forthcoming new limited edition vinyl release from THE GUILT OF…. Influenced by the streets, the sick, the lower class, the woods, wine, the hedonistic criminal bliss of New Orleans, and the destruction of time signatures, THE GUILT OF… is propagated by the demented duo of EyeHateGod’s Mike IX Williams and former Wolvhammer evildoer Ryan Mckern. Together they spew a dark, angst-ridden sound implosion of industrialized filth and audio decay.
Think Skinny Puppy on steroids, infused with tortured punk rock vocals, blackened guitar decomposition and power electronics. Isolation Room delivers seven tracks in over thirty minutes all mastered for vinyl by James Plotkin and will be issued by Last Hurrah Records on June 8th.
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Check out the limb-severing goodness of the title track, “Social Recall Rewind,” and “The Ides Ballot” courtesy of Decibel Magazine atTHIS LOCATION.
Isolation Room – Track Listing:
Side A
1. Social Recall Rewind
2. Isolation Room
3. Probation Addiction
4. Force Fed Militant
Side B
1. The Ides Ballot
2. Lie Detector
3. Shriek of the Arabic Poems
Isolation Room is limited to 500 copies in translucent green splashed with double mint and black and features cover art by Lindsey Kuhn. Claim your copy now HERE.
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(Source: Earsplit PR)
* For more info on THE GUILT OF…, click on the link below!
Norwegian sons of northern darkness, IMMORTAL, will release a limited 10“ vinyl box set of their last masterpiece, All Shall Fall.
The prestigious box set will consist of 4 high quality 10“ vinyl discs including the amazing album artwork poster.
The All Shall Fall 10“ vinyl box set will be limited to only 3x 333 copies (black, white, silver) and will be released July 5, 2013, via Nuclear Blast.
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* For more info on IMMORTAL, click on the links below!
That’s it above! I bought this Christopher Cross album for a whopping 50 cents (U.S.) at a thrift store, at the beginning of this Summer. There is only minimal (normal) wear to the right-hand corners of the album jacket. The vinyl itself looks and sounds like it was never played!
The debut and self-titled album from the legendary Christopher Cross was released on Warner Bros., back in December of 1979. This album has become a beacon, within the pages of Rock Music history. Christopher Cross boasted three Billboard Top 40 songs: Ride Like The Wind, Never Be The Same and Sailing. (Sailing reached #1 status as a single).
Christopher Cross also had won a Grammy Award for Album Of The Year, back in 1981. Here is a Rock history shocker for you: Christopher Cross beat out Pink Floyd’s The Wall for Album Of The Year. Whoa. A Soft Rock performer was chosen over an already proven and justifiably iconic Rock band such as Pink Floyd for that prestigious Grammy, back in ’81. Regardless, I’ve never been a fan of how the Grammy Awards are structured anyways.
If I had to choose one album over the other, I’m choosing The Wall; only this post is about my celebrating Christopher Cross. I like this Christopher Cross album a great deal. This album not only exhibits extremely memorable songs since I first heard them so many years ago; these songs are also timeless for me.
Here is what the back cover of the album jacket looks like:
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Take a listen below to Ride Like The Wind, as performed by Christopher Cross; while you listen, keep an ear out for the backing vocals of the legendary Michael McDonald.
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Take a listen below to the Hard & Heavy cover version of Ride Like The Wind,performed by the legendary Jorn. This song is from Jorn’s 2012 studio album, Bring Heavy Rock To The Land, released on Frontiers Records.
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If you have listened to both of these versions of Ride Like The Wind, which one do you prefer? I’ll always embrace the original from Christopher Cross, yet, Jorn’s version does psyche the living hell out of me! Metal be thy name, it does.
Here is what the inner sleeve for this Christopher Cross debut S/T album looks like (below). Notice the liner notes and lyrics are printed on it… that’s old school.
Thanks for checking out my Christopher Cross album that I scooped-up on a recent Rock ‘N Metal hunting trip. As always, I’ll continue to post more Rockin’ treasures that I stumble upon!
Rock Steady out there this coming week and remember: “leave a penny, take a penny” at your neighborhood convenience stores.
KISS – Sometime back in 1982 or 1983, I bought the KISS KILLERS album. I can vividly recall when I first saw this album though, it was at a small pop culture store that sold plenty of cool Heavy Metal albums from the 1970’s right up to those early 80’s. My cousin Randy worked at this store, he was always astute at Rock ‘N’ Roll history and what the newest album releases of the day were.
I didn’t hesitate about buying this KISS album then, knowing at the time it was an import, KILLERS was not a mass release within the United States. It was quite an impressive find for any KISS fan back then, even more so today, (see used prices below). The asking price for KILLERS set me back around $7 (U.S.) all those years ago. $7 back in ’82/’83 for a teen Metalhead like me was still a chunk of cheese.
Still having this KISS album in my collection is quite a thrill. I am proud of myself for not selling or trading away this piece of KISStory after all these years. (There are some KISS albums and KISS Kollectibles that I have moronically let go during my lifetime). My copy of KILLERS is in as near perfect condition as you could ever ask for, with no wear to the album jacket or vinyl. I truly took great care of this album over the years.
KILLERS was released a year after The Elder and is the first album cover to have Eric Carr pictured as a member of KISS, being released months before the amazing CreaturesOf The Night album. This album is a greatest hits of the time, with four new studio tracks. Those tracks being: I’m A Legend Tonight, Down On Your Knees, NowhereTo Run and Partners In Crime.
KILLERS never came with any inside liner notes, nor are there any musician credits listed on the back cover. I’ve read throughout the years, from many sources, that Bob Kulick, (Bruce Kulick’s older brother), was the guitarist on the four new tracks. Obviously, Eric Carr was the drummer on the four new tracks.
Track Listing For KILLERS:
SIDE I:
I’m A Legend Tonight
Down On Your Knees
Cold Gin
Love Gun
Shout It Out Loud
Sure Know Something
SIDE II:
Nowhere To Run
Partners In Crime
Detroit Rock City
God Of Thunder
I Was Made For Loving You
Rock & Roll All Nite (live version)
* KILLERS was released on Casablanca Records, with their parent company phonogram having their logo at the bottom right corner on the back cover.
* As of January 8, 2011, there are 7 used KISS KILLERS albums (vinyl) for sale on Amazon.com. The prices range from $26.98 to $106.04 in U.S. funds.
* KILLERS was produced by Michael James Jackson, (no, not the Michael Jackson). The album cover design is by Howard Marks Advertising, Inc.
There’s definitely better images out there of this KISS KILLERS album cover. I just wanted to show the world the exact copy that I own. The colors on the album cover I own, are much more vibrant than shown. The back cover design is very simple and it never impressed me. You just can’t beat owning any KISS vinyl. Check it out below:
Boy, would I just love to have a sit down conversation with the scholar or scholars who back in the late 1980’s, decided that vinyl records along with turntables, were no longer considered a technological advancement. What did the album ever do to anyone? How about the turntable? Sure, once the CD technology was introduced, (I will not lie), I was the first dude on my side of town to own a CD player and the very 2 CD’s that were currently being sold at the time. I just loved the selection of CD’s that were out there for the first decade, wow. It took about 10 seconds to peruse the 12 titles that were currently being sold. Well, like anyone else, I did sell/and or ditch quite a few albums due to the fact I could not upgrade my turntable for 15 years or so. However, I was smart enough to keep enough of the vintage Heavy Metal vinyl, plus I have obtained most of the vinyl that I parted ways with years ago.
Oh, what a sweet Metal feeling it is to now walk into Hot Topic and see real deal vinyl being sold, Metal vinyl too. Turntables are being sold just about everywhere, hmmmmm, where is that person or people now that basically put the death nail into the heart of vinyl records in the ’80’s? The return of vinyl is not just a fad or gimmick, it is real. Anyone who truly listens to music knows the vinyl quality of sound is far superior to digital any day of the week. I remember when DAT tapes were supposed to be the next big thing. I have accumulated over the years, many, many, many CD’s and for good reason. Vinyl was no longer available! I have become quite attached to my CD collection thank you, so once a brand new technology scholar comes up with the plan to abolish the CD, I have my stock and will not make the same mistake twice. Well, I am not going to say welcome back vinyl, for it never went away for this tried and true Heavy Metal fan of vintage albums. I will say ha, ha , to the hi-tech genius(s) who probably now cringe at the sight of brand new vinyl for sale. Oh, what am I thinking, those dudes would never venture into a Hot Topic anyway.
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Metal Odyssey's Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Hall of Fame! These Are The Rock And METAL Legends Wrongfully Ignored By "The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame"
Boy, would I just love to have a sit down conversation with the scholar or scholars who back in the late 1980’s, decided that vinyl records along with turntables, were no longer considered a technological advancement. What did the album ever do to anyone? How about the turntable? Sure, once the CD technology was introduced, (I will not lie), I was the first dude on my side of town to own a CD player and the very 2 CD’s that were currently being sold at the time. I just loved the selection of CD’s that were out there for the first decade, wow. It took about 10 seconds to peruse the 12 titles that were currently being sold. Well, like anyone else, I did sell/and or ditch quite a few albums due to the fact I could not upgrade my turntable for 15 years or so. However, I was smart enough to keep enough of the vintage Heavy Metal vinyl, plus I have obtained most of the vinyl that I parted ways with years ago.
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