METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

STRYPER - Fallen Cover Artwork Unveiled:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net

Fallen, the new album from STRYPER, will be released worldwide on Friday, October 16 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and will include a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".

The first song from Fallen, "Yahweh", which was co-written by SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery, will be made available the week of July 6, 2015.

The cover artwork for Fallen, which can be seen above, was designed by Stanis Decker, who worked with STRYPER on 2013's No More Hell To Pay. STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet says: "We sent Stanis the concept about Lucifer being cast out of heaven and he sent us this amazing illustration, capturing the original idea perfectly. We're excited to be able to finally show all of you!"

Sweet recently stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down- not like the modern Drop B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, 'Unchained' VAN HALEN kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

He added: "The album was written and arranged very quickly (9-10 days, actually). This by no means reflects on the quality of the album. It's some of our best material to date and so far those who have heard it have said the very same. Chris Jericho (FOZZY singer and WWE wrestling superstar) texted me and said that “Yahweh” may be the best song since reuniting.

"There are songs on this album that coincide with sitting down and reading the bible.

"The music is heavy and the lyrics are bold and powerful, some taken right from scriptures.

"Sonically, I think this is our best-sounding album to date! Everything is crystal clear. The highs are crisp and the lows are tight and punchy. The more I listen, the more excited I am for all of you to hear it!!!"

Fallen track listing:

1. “Yahweh”
2. “Fallen”
3. “Pride”
4. “Big Screen Lies”
5. “Heaven”
6. “Love Like This”
7. “All Over Again”
8. “After Forever”
9. “Till I Get What I Need”
10. “Let There Be Light”
11. “The Calling”
12. “King Of Kings”

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

SIGNUM REGIS - “Come And Take It” Video Released:
Press Release / Senec, Slovakia based melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS just released online a music video for the track “Come And Take It”.  The song is taken off the groups new EP Through The Storm, which was released on May 8, 2015 in Europe and on May 12, 2015 in North America through Ulterium Records.

There are four new tracks on the EP, as well as a re-recorded version of “All Over The World” from their debut album and a cover medley of the Yngwie Malmsteen classics “Vengeance/Liar”.  Through The Storm shows that SIGNUM REGIS is a band that is constantly developing and improving everything from song-writing and musicianship to production and the visual part of the band. With this EP and the full-length album that will be released later this year, SIGNUM REGIS will surely win over many new fans in the melodic metal scene.

The mastering of Through The Storm was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EVERYGREY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

Through The Storm track listing:

1. “Living Well”
2. “Through The Desert, Through The Storm”
3. “My Guide In The Night”
4. “Come And Take It”
5. “All Over The World”
6. “Vengeance/Liar”

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com

SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis

PASTOR BRAD - Covers Album Update:
As detailed by the artist at Christian Hard Music & Christian Metal Realm:

"If you grew up in the late 1970s & 1980s like I did, I think you'll relate with this project.  My love for guitar was birthed on Sept. 24, 1980 at Market Square Arena, in Indianapolis.  My dad took me to see AC/DC on the Back In Black tour.  I was 13.  That night - watching Angus - my life changed.  I know AC/DC are not Christian, but in a very real Romans 8:28 way, God used that night and all of the bands that I loved in the 70s & 80s to inspire me musically.

"So, I'm embarking on a great challenge- to try to COVER a set of Classic Hard Rock songs from "the day" that inspired my love for music.  There's no way I could ever cover every song I'd like to, but I think this list is a nice representation.

"I will tweak the lyrics - in order to honor Christ - but I do not want to do "parodies".  I want to keep as much of the lyrical content as possible. As I've read over the lyrics to these songs, it's amazing how just a couple small word changes radically "redeems" the message of each song.

"Guest musicians include lead guitarists Mario Barisic, Derek Corzine, Jeff Garner, Art Kalenda & Matt Eltringham.  Luke Weber (RAZORIGAMI) will be contributing both lead and backing tracks. I will lay a number of vocal tracks as well.

"I'm WELL INTO THIS:  I have 7 of the songs close to recorded (minus vocal tracks) and it's sounding amazing!

"MY GOAL is to: 1) create something special for Christian fans of the music from this time, 2) Honor Jesus & 3) Pay sincere tribute to the musicianship/artistry of the artists who created these songs.

"I covet your prayers for this project!"

Covers track listing:

1. “Without Warning/Tooth & Nail” (DOKKEN)
2. “You've Got Another Thing Comin'” (JUDAS PRIEST)
3. “Detroit Rock City” (KISS)
4. “Bang Your Head/Metal Health” (QUIET RIOT)
5. “Enter Sandman” (METALLICA)
6. “Crazy Train” (OZZY)
7. “The Trooper” (IRON MAIDEN)
8. “Man On The Silver Mountain” (RAINBOW)
9. “Crazy Nights” (LOUDNESS)
10. “I Wanna Be Somebody” (W.A.S.P.)
11. “We Will Rock You” (QUEEN)

PASTOR BRAD online: www.guitarjams.net, http://pastorbradrocks.com & www.facebook.com/pastorbradrocks

Roxx Records Announce New Limited Edition Vinyl Series:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to be announcing a brand new series and a unique idea in the realm of presenting truly Limited Edition vinyl pressings in the Christian Metal Underground! We are excited to be launching a brand new series of vinyl called the ‘Underground Series’ which will feature TRUE limited edition vinyl pressings that will cater to all those looking for truly Limited Edition pressings of both classic and new Christian Metal albums!

The series will feature a minimum of 100 pieces with a maximum of only 150 hand numbered pieces. In a unique way to keep this series going and alive Roxx Records is committed that EACH and EVERY time a title is sold out, the next title will be announced and it will continue on for as long as you, the vinyl collector, continue to buy and support the venture.

To kick off this unique one of a kind Underground Metal venture what better way to start then with the ‘Priest of the Underground’ himself , the one and only Steve Rowe, who is celebrating 25 years this year providing quality Jesus Metal music as only he can to the masses! So we are very excited to announce that our first release in the ‘Underground Series’ is none other than the brand new album from WONROWE VISION entitled 2 Headed Monster.

This album will be pressed in a quantity of only 150 copies. 100 will be sold exclusively through Roxx Records in the United States and 50 copies will be sold in Australia exclusively from Rowe Productions. This will be your only opportunity to get the latest offering from Steve Rowe on vinyl. And as a part of this very exclusive one time pressing Steve has very graciously donated copies of the brand new CD to go along with the vinyl pressing! So not only do you get this Limited Edition vinyl pressing you also get a copy of the brand new CD courtesy of Steve Rowe for FREE!

2-Headed Monster track listing:

Side A:
1. “Stone Elder” (3:50)
2. “Now Stand” (3:31)
3. “2-Headed Monster” (4:24)
4. “Commander” (3:51)

Side B:
5. “Ten 12 One & 2” (3:42)
6. “GPS” (3:17)
7. “100% Vision” (3:52)
8. “Made Of Rock” (3:18)
9. “I’m Gonna Be A Good Looking Corpse” (2:33)

You will want to get in on this one quick and as soon as these are gone, we move on to release number 2 and we already have a line up of very cool releases you are gonna love! So support this release and you will get a lot more in the near future! Release number 2 is set to feature Christian Thrash Masters ULTIMATUM!

Thank you all for your continued support of the Christian Metal underground! Sign up on our email list to hear of the next titles first as you will get an advance notice and we know some of the titles we have planned you are gonna love and will sell out!

Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777

Rowe Productions online: www.roweproductions.com

WONROWE VISION online: www.facebook.com/WonroweVision

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

WALES ROAD - “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not” music video released:
Press Release / “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not”, the official video of Rochester, New York based hard rock act WALES ROAD, can be viewed above.  The song is taken from the group’s most recent full-length album Wounds & Whispers, which was independently released via Spun Records on June 17, 2015. 

The video was filmed at Echo Tone Music in Rochester, New York.  The model appearing in the video is Haley Bissonette, who has also appeared in videos by mainstream bands Zo2 (“Painted Lady”), “Boneyard” (“Chosen One”) and “Rock N’ Roll Social Club” (“Get It Like This”).

Although the WALES ROAD lineup has varied down through the years, one thing has remained consistent: Tommy Wales is a man who is passionate about reflecting his Faith in the midst of a fallen world through his audio art.

WALES ROAD, which describes itself as ‘blues based metal with Christian frosting’, borrowed the Wounds & Whispers title from the track "Way" off the HB Frozen Inside album (released on Bullroser Records in 2008).  Former WALES ROAD bassist and keyboardist Thomas Sluberski conceived the album artwork. 

Current bassist Zane Knight shares the Wounds & Whispers lead guitar work with Tommy Wales.  Wales helped lead Zane’s parents to the Lord over twenty years ago and (in the words of the artist) “Now I have this musical prodigy 21 year old, playing amazing bass in my band, helping me with arrangements on my songs.....and amazing solos and shredding.”  Drummer Al Dinoto rounds out the WALES ROAD roster.

Angelic Warlord describes WALES ROAD (from the 75% review of the groups 2011 release Beyond The Shadow Of A Doubt) as “(taking) a foundation of straightforward hard rock and (aligning) it with heavy doses of blues based and melodic hard rock.  Throw in the occasional traditional blues and progressive aspect and the upshot is a band in which a lot is going on musically and that is difficult to pigeonhole as a result.”

Wounds & Whispers track listing:

1. “Tears In A Bottle”
2. “Wounds & Whispers”
3. “Your Words Are Killing Me”
4. “She Loves Me, She Loves Me Not”
5. “Leave Me Standing”
6. “Why Does It Always Rain (On The Sad Days)?”
7. “This Side Of Eternity”
8. “Tomorrow ‘N’ Today”
9.”The Shakedown Sessions Volume II” (Bonus Track)
 
“The Shakedown Sessions Volume II” features acoustic and harmonic renderings of the tracks “Pieces Of Poetry” and “Cold Photographs” recorded live on secular radio (from the Sunday Night Shakedown Show on WBZA 98.9 FM).

WALES ROAD online: www.walesroad.com & www.facebook.com/walesroad

NEWS BRIEFS

* MILLENIAL REIGN update regarding second guitar position and new album, Carry The Fire (Facebook - June 20, 2015): “After an extensive search and several auditions, Jason Donnelly has been chosen as the new second guitarist of MILLENNIAL REIGN... Jason is a perfect fit not only as a musician but also personally. We will be moving forward with show booking and our new album release in October.”

* Andreas Passmark will soon be adding his bass tracks to the upcoming seventh NARNIA studio album, untitled at the time of this writing.  Vocalist Christian Liljegren’s new solo album Kraft is currently available on CD.  It features Swedish versions of two NARNIA songs, “All ära till dig” (“Long Live The King”) & “Skydd för min själ” (“Shelter Through The Pain”). 

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE is Better Than Maroon 5:
Press Release / LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE has been turning out some of the most-talked-about records in the melodic rock market for years. The last LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE’s all-star album, The Cigar Chronicles, was their best yet. It featured 26 songs and over 70 guest musicians.

The upcoming release Better Than Maroon 5 is the second album since LNJ transformed from a project to full-fledged band.  Joining founding member Justin Murr on the new record is vocalist Larry Worley previously of FEAR NOT and Brent Stortzum.

The Vow, the most recent LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE band release, came out in 2014.  It is currently pending re-issue on CD by Retroactive Records.

In the past, LNJ’s projects have become a who’s who in rock music, featuring many artists in rock n’ roll. This next chapter will add another dimension to the already solidified legacy of LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE giving the rock world another world class release.

Better Than Maroon 5 is slated for release in Fall of 2105.

LIBERTY N’ JUSTINCE online: www.libertynjustice.net & www.facebook.com/libertynjusticerocks

LIPSTICK - “The Conan Song” video premier:
Press Release / LIPSTICK, an independent theatrical rock band from Nashville, TN, has just released their first music video- a homage to Conan O'Brien that pleads with him to invite the band to be his musical guest!

“Conan O'Brien has always been a hero of mine,” states lead vocalist and principal songwriter, Greg Troyan.  “I've been watching his show since I was thirteen years old. When he moved to LA to follow his dreams, it gave me hope and inspiration to move to Nashville to follow mine. He helped give me hope that dreams can come true. His words of 'work hard and be kind' is a mantra I truly believe in. So, I decided to write a song, telling him that I think he's cool and that I'd like to appear on his show, because it's always been a dream of mine.

“We're a positive band. We sing songs about rock n roll, time travel, true love, and following your dreams. We hope that this song spreads a little more positivity out there. Also, our mascot is an awesome dancing cat, and who doesn't love awesome dancing cats?”

The band is asking its fans to tweet their new music video at Conan O'Brien on twitter (@ConanOBrien) and to use the hashtag #TheConanSong.

“We're an indie band. We don't have major label support, we're young and hungry and out there trying to make our dreams come true, so we're just trying to get Conan to notice us. We're confident in the quality of what we do, and we think Conan will love the video...and so will you!”

“The Conan Song” comes off the LIPSTICK self-titled debut full length, which the group initially released independently in 2014 but re-issued with four bonus tracks in the spring of 2015. 

The Angelic Warlord review (80%) of Lipstick describes theatrical rock as “an open-ended statement, but as it applies to Lipstick encompasses a heavy eighties influence.  It starts with a basis of melodic metal of the hair and glam variety I see appealing to those into anything from Stryper to Poison (and all things in between) but also includes nuances of late eighties Sunset Strip sleaze hard rock not unlike Faster Pussycat, Junkyard, Kix and Main Line Riders.”

Lipstick track listing:

1. “We’re Here To Rock You”
2. “I Like The Way I Rock”
3. “Alone”
4. “Merle”
5. “Having Fun”
6. “The Conan Song”
7. “I Want The World To Know”
8. “The Flash”
9. “Tonight”
10. “Love One Another”
11. “Rock N Roll Forever”
12. “It’s Christmas (And You Don’t Want Me Here)”
13. “Having Fun (Alternate Mix)” (Bonus Track)
14. “Illium” (Bonus Track)
15. “Fight Club” (Bonus Track)
16. “I Want The World To Know (Alternate Take)” (Bonus Track)

 LIPSTICK online: www.lipstickgeneration.com, www.facebook.com/lipstickgeneration & @MrCoolRockNRoll

NEWS BRIEFS

* ARMAGEDDON USA (formerly ARMAGEDDON) has set a release date of July 4, 2015 for its sophomore album Up In Flames.  The group recorded Up In Flames in follow up to its 1989 Talkingtown Records debut The Money Mask.

Up In Flames track listing: “All Over The World”, “Spinner”, “Hypnotized”, “Wanted Man”, “In Your Face”, “Satisfaction”, “Allie”, “Crazy”, “Time Divider”, “Revolution (Peace Of Mind)”, “Up In Flames”

* PASTOR BRAD has a new covers album in the works.  Entitled Covers, it will include re-recorded versions of the following ten classics: “Without Warning” (DOKKEN), “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” (JUDAS PRIEST), “Detroit Rock City” (KISS), “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” (QUIET RIOT), “Enter Sandman” (METALLICA), “Crazy Train” (Ozzy), “The Trooper” (IRON MAIDEN), “Man On The Silver Mountain” (DIO), “Crazy Nights” (LOUDNESS) & “I Wanna Be Somebody” (W.A.S.P.).

* The Roxx Records 25th Anniversary re-issue of the RECON debut Behind Enemy Lines is scheduled for release in October.

* IMAGES OF EDEN remains at work on its next album, Soulrise, which it plans on releasing by end of the year.

* Insight from Michael Sweet regarding new STRYPER album Fallen (Facebook June 13, 2015): “The album was written and arranged very quickly (9-10 days actually). This by no means reflects on the quality of the album. It's some of our best material to date and so far those who have heard it have said the very same. Chris Jericho (sent me a text) and said that “Yahweh” may be the best song since reuniting. Kevin (our publicist) said that the ballad is our new "Honestly"!

“There are songs on this album that coincide with sitting down and reading the Bible. The music is heavy and the lyrics are bold and powerful, some taken right from scriptures. Sonically I think this is our best sounding album to date! Everything is crystal clear. The highs are crisp and the lows are tight and punchy. The more I listen, the more excited I am for all of you to hear it!

“We will be announcing a track listing/song titles soon and once we have a date to release the first song (and which one) you'll be the first to know.”

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

LEAH - “This Present Darkness” Music Video Released:
Press Release / “This Present Darkness”, the official lyrics video of Vancouver, British Columbia symphonic metal artist LEAH, can be viewed above.  The song is off her second full length album Kings & Queens, which was released through Inner Wound Recordings on January 30, 2015 (Europe) and February 3, 2015 (North America).

Kings & Queens, the anticipated new album from LEAH is sure to be loved by fans of symphonic metal and female fronted rock. This album is powerful, beautiful and often dances on the edge of progressive. Most of all it’s hard not to be drawn into and enchanted by LEAH's diverse vocals.

Featuring musicians such as Timo Somers and Sander Zoer of DELAIN, and Barend Courbois of BLIND GUARDIAN and VENGEANCE, as well as artwork by Jan Yrlund @ Darkgrove Studio (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, SIRENIA), this 14-track masterpiece emerges as the heaviest of all her releases.

Dabbling in worldly Celtic, Middle Eastern, and New Age flavors, while lyrically laced with epic imagery of dystopias, fallen empires, spiritual warfare, love and destiny, this album proves to be very promising and is expected to be received by fans and critics as one of the top symphonic metal albums of the year.

Artist commentary regarding the new album:

"Kings & Queens is an important album to me, as the songs cover a range of emotions, musical styles and lyrical themes. One theme in particular is the historical and metaphorical grip around our throats we feel from top-down agendas that threaten our freedoms. It seems to be a never-ending game of chess between those who demand power and those who would preserve freedom. It's the theme of every good fantasy book and film, and the message rings true for even our modern world. In addition, the the line-up and stellar musicianship of the guys who came on board this project heightened the sheer epicness and caliber of the music itself... This has been my most enjoyable and rewarding project to date."

Kings & Queens track listing:

1. “Arcadia”
2. “Save The World”
3. “Angel Fell”
4. “Enter The Highlands” 
5. “In the Palm of Your Hands” 
6. “Alpha et Omega” 
7. “Heart Of Poison” 
8. “Hourglass”
9. “Palace Of Dreams”
10. “This Present Darkness”
11. “The Crown”
12. “Remnant”
13. “There Is No Farewell”
14. “Siúil a Rún” (Acoustic Version)

Inner Wound Recordings online: www.innerwound.com & www.facebook.com/innerwoundrecordings

LEAH online www.leahmusic.net & www.facebook.com/LEAHthemusic

Debut solo album from Thobias Wiklund, To Remember The Forgotten:
Press Release / Swedish guitarist, musician and composer Thobias Wiklund received his first guitar as a gift at age three and quickly learned how to play.  After also learning to play bass, drums and some keyboards, Thobias started his first band when he was thirteen and began performing as a young musician in different churches.  Thobias moved to Umea (located in Northern Sweden) also at age thirteen to study music prior to relocating to Stockholm in the mid-nineties to join a local band in which he toured.

Subsequent years found Thobias performing with various bands and musicians.  In 2002, he formed Twilight Illusion with Richard Johansson (Fatal Smile, Jaggernaut), vocalist Niclas Lideskär (Fatal Smile, Full Strike, Jaggernaut) and bassist Hakan Andersson (Valiant).  Thobias recorded two EP’s with the band, Miracle of life (2003) and Remember My Name (2004).

Thobias left Twilight Illusion in 2006 and has since worked as a freelance musician, writing and producing new songs for upcoming projects.  He recorded his debut full-length solo album To Remember The Forgotten in late 2013, which he released via TWMusic Productions on October 16, 2014 (iTunes) and December 1, 2014 (CD).  Artists contributing to the project include Mauritz Petersson (Mats Ronander, Nanne Grönvall, Jan Johansen) on drums, Peo Pettersson (Leviticus, Kings & Dreams) on vocals, hammond organ and keyboard, Tomas Lundqvist on bass (in three songs), and Joaqim Lewerin on violin and keyboards.

Thobias has his roots in hard rock, metal, blues and classical music but also is inspired by flamenco, folk music, jazz, fusion and more.  He is already at work on a new metal project with different influences while also plans on releasing more albums, do other projects, gigs/tours and collaborations with different artists.

To Remember The Forgotten track listing:

1.  “Wisdom Leader” (4:02)
2.” To Remember The Forgotten” (4:09)
3. “Guardian Angel” (4:56)
4. “I Speak From My Heart” (5:13)
5. “Everything I Want” (6:30)
6. “When The Sun Will Rise” (5:03)
7. “She Has Returned” (5:00)
8. “Goodbye My Friend” (4:33)

Musicians:

Thobias Wiklund - Guitar, bass, keyboard
Peo Pettersson - Lead and background vocals, Hammond organ and keyboard
Mauritz Petersson - Drums and percussion.
Tomas Lundqvist - Bass
Joaqim Lewerin - Violin and keyboard

Thobias Wiklund online: www.Thobiaswiklund.com, www.facebook.com/thobiaswiklund & www.cdbaby.com/cd/thobiaswiklund

NEWS BRIEFS

* Glitter2Gutter interview with vocalist Rey Parra (WORLDVIEW, SACRED WARRIOR): www.glitter2gutter.blogspot.com/2015/06/talkin-trash-withrey-parra-of.html

 

FEATURED REVIEWS

BROKEN RAIN - Here Comes The Pain
While I enjoy the power and progressive segments as much as any hard music fan, credit Broken Rain for not having a ‘follow the herd’ mentality by stepping out on its own with a classic hard rock meet heavy metal sound that is not always as prevalent within the scene today.  Read Full Review >>

GREGORIAN ROCK - Gregorian Rock 2
Enter San Antonio, Texas based Gregorian Rock and its spring of 2015 independently released sophomore album Gregorian Rock 2, which, as its namesake implies, explores the previously uncharted musical waters of Gregorian chant and modern musical styles.  Read Full Review >>

HARMONY - Remembrance
A melodic metal band, a power metal band and a progressive metal band, all rolled into one.  That would be the best way to describe Borås, Sweden based Harmony and its spring of 2003 Massacre Records full length debut Dreaming Awake (85% Angelic Warlord review).  Read Full Review >>

LIPSTICK - Lipstick
It’s hard not to like, indeed love, the spring of 2015 self-titled debut full length of Lipstick and all the more so for the groups theatrical rock approach and retro glam image.  Read Full Review >>

SIGNUM REGIS - Through The Storm
With its six song spring of 2015 Ulterium Records EP (and fourth release to date) Through The Storm, Signum Regis has a clear winner on its hands.  The concise but well conceived work, based upon a similar melodic power metal foundation as the groups 2013 predecessor Exodus (also Ulterium), exceeds expectations and not just in terms of songwriting but also production.  Read Full Review >>

SWEET CRYSTAL - Quad
All of the Detroit, Michigan based Sweet Crystal’s chief qualities - AOR and commercial hard rock leanings, soaring lead vocals, tightly woven guitar harmonies and radio friendly catchy hooks - are present on its independently released spring of 2015 five song EP Quad.  Read Full Review >>

WITHIN SILENCE - Gallery Of Life
Musical comparisons vary, but the press material of the Slovakia based act, which shares the same label as countrymen Signum Regis, has the right idea when mentioning Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius and Theocracy.  The commonality shared by Within Silence with the three is the trademark European power metal sound with its emphasis on big melodies and occasional foray into the progressive.  Read Full Review >>

WORLDVIEW - The Chosen Few
There’s no question we’re fans of Worldview and its M24 Music Group spring of 2015 full-length debut The Chosen Few.  After all, the group is not without its share of star-studded appeal, as the likes of guitarist George Ochoa and vocalist Rey Parra grace its line-up.  Read Full Review >>

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

STRYPER - New Album Fallen Scheduled For October Release:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Fallen, the new album from STRYPER, will be released worldwide on Friday, October 23. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and will include a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet recently stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down - not like the modern Drop B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, “Unchained” VAN HALEN kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

Song titles set to appear on Fallen include "Let There Be Light", 'Big Screen Lies" and the title track.

The new STRYPER CD will include a song that was co-written by SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery.

STRYPER's original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Tim Gaines (bass) released a concert CD/DVD combination called Live At The Whisky on September 23, 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show in November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band's first show in support of their latest, critically acclaimed release, No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay sold around 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on November 5, 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records.

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

GX PROJECT - Raze Some Hell Details Revealed:
Press Relase / Gritty hard rockers GX PROJECT will independently release its third studio album, Raze Some Hell, in late June of 2015.

The Raze Some Hell cover artwork (above) was created by Robert “Death is Gain” Wilson, who was also responsible for the artwork of the GX Project 2014 sophomore release Sinner and debut Bite Stick from 2012.

GX PROJECT is the new band of vocalist Rex Scott, who gained initial renown as part of ZION and X-SINNER, fronting the formers 1989 full-length debut Thunder From The Mountain and latter’s 1991 sophomore effort Peace Treaty.  He returned with X-SINNER following the turn of the century for its third and fourth albums Fire It Up and World Covered In Blood from 2006 and 2008, respectively.

The Angelic Warlord review (85%) described Bite Stick as “(Staying) true to the AC/DC influenced sounds of X-SINNER” while also reflecting the “occasional bluesy hard rock moment hinting of early nineties BRIDE in addition to some eighties metal swagger not unlike MAIN LINE RIDERS and WHITECROSS.  In similar fashion, Sinner (80%) “(creates) a sound that can best be described as straightforward hard rock with incisive metal edges but in a bluesy rock ‘n’ roll package!”

According to the group, ‘raze’ is synonymous with ‘destroy’.  Hence the title Raze Some Hell.

GX PROJECT offers further details regarding the Raze Some Hell vocal direction: “The last album showcased Rex's high end gritty vocal ability so we decided to have him do more of his low growl on the new one to bring a different flavor this time and mix things up a bit - it's turning out great - (and) should be a treat for some of the old Zion fans out there.”

Raze Some Hell track listing:

1. “Raze Some Hell”
2. “Gonna Burn”
3. “Hard Workin’ Woman”
4. “Hungry Heart”
5. “Don’t Let Go”
6. “Give Em’ Hell”
7. “What I Need”
8. “Just Got Screwed”
9. “She’s Got Balls”
10. “Can’t Stop Rock N Roll”

GX Project online: www.facebook.com/pages/The-GX-Project

NEWS BRIEFS

* Swedish metal band DENIED recently announced Germán Pascual (ex-NARNIA) as its new lead vocalist.

* Update from HERO regarding new album, Passion: “HERO is now entering mixing stage of the upcoming album Passion. Recording of the base tracks of the new album began back in March 2014, and after an intense year of adding keyboards, loops, backing vocals, cello etc HERO is now ready to go into mixing of the album. Mixing will be done with the help of long-time live engineer Simon “Midas Touch” Hinny.

“Release date for Passion has not been decided but it will definitely be before end of 2015. We hope you stay tuned to our Facebook page for latest news.”

* “Waiting For The King”, official video by KING JAMES: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Sc0X-7tihU

* STAIRWAY update regarding progress of its new album (untitled at the time of this writing): “We're a good way through recording our 6th studio album and it's sounding great so far!  We laid down most of the drum parts a couple of weeks ago and have more drum sessions scheduled to come in the next few weeks when we shall finish off the bits and pieces; we’ll then move onto the lead guitar parts and finally lead vocals to finish.

“There are a few surprises with this one and we’re really excited and can't wait for you to hear the results.

“We are toying with the idea of a Kickstarter/ Pledge Music campaign to master, press and release the new album; is this something you would be interested in, if so what would you like to see included?”

 

INTERVIEWS

New George Ochoa interview online:
Angelic Warlord recently conducted an interview with WORLDVIEW guitarist George Ochoa, who shares his thoughts about the groups recently released debut album The Chosen Few.  He also goes into detail about his partnership with vocalist Rey Parra, his time spent with RECON & DELIVERANCE and future plans as well.  Following is an excerpt:

How and when did Worldview form?  What led you to work with vocalist Rey Parra?
Johnny Gonzales,Todd Libby and I were working together for some time and knew that we wanted to put out a record and play live.  At the same time Rick Macias (Sacred Warrior) and I talked about doing project together with his best friend and ex-band mate Rey Parra. I had met the guys in Sacred Warrior when I was on tour with Deliverance. Rick Macias and I struck up a friendship and kept in touch through they years. Rick ended up passing away and when that happened, Rey and I started talking.  We decided to form Worldview in honor of Rick's wish. Little did I know that Rick was hitting up Rey to call me and get this project going.  Funny how things workout sometimes. 

Read full interview: HERE

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

STRYPER - Live At The Whiskey Limited Edition Vinyl Edition Announced:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the release of a limited double gatefold vinyl edition of the STRYPER live album Live At The Whiskey". A deal was inked with Frontiers Records and the European release date is set for August 7th. The edition is strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide.

The Vinyl Edition features new artwork was ceated by Jan Yrlund of Darkgrove Design.

Live At The Whiskey track listing:

Side A
1. "Legacy"
2. "Marching Into Battle"
3. "You Know What To Do"
4. "Loud N' Clear"

Side B
1. "Reach Out"
2. "Calling On You"
3. "Free"
4. "More Than A Man"

Side C
1. "The Rock That Makes Me Roll"
2. "No More Hell To Pay"
3. "Jesus Is Just Alright"
4. "Always There For You"

Side D
1. "All For One"
2. "The Way"
3. "To Hell With The Devil"
4. "Soldiers Under Command"

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

Live At The Whiskey Vinyl Edition is available for pre-ordering at the Ulterium Records Store: http://ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

IMPELLITTERI - “We Own The Night” Music Video Released:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

"We Own The Night", the new video from IMPELLITTERI, can be seen above. Directed by John Logsdon, who has helmed videos for DEF LEPPARD, VAN HALEN and NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, the clip was filmed at the Mates rehearsal room in Los Angeles while VAN HALEN was preparing in the next room for its upcoming tour.

"We Own The Night" is described (by the band) as "the perfect anthem for all the rock fans that continue to live for the music." The song is taken from IMPELLITTERI's latest studio album, Venom, which was released on April 17 in Europe and April 21 in North America.

IMPELLITTERI have delivered in Venom a record filled with addictive and memorable riffs, guitar solos that feature Chris Impellitteri's blistering shredding technique coupled with strong melody and taste. Rob Rock's vocals are mesmerizing, melodic, and will make the listener sing along with each song long after the record is over. Lastly, the band boggles the mind with brutal drumming (featuring John Dette, formerly of TESTAMENT, SLAYER, etc.) filled with speed and groove and beastly bass playing (curtesy of James Pulli) that supports IMPELLITTERI's sonic madness! The result is a record that excites and musically satisfy every Metal and Rock fan, and every musician around the world. To add to their quest, IMPELLITTERI also wanted to create music that would take the listener on a musical journey thru different time periods of metal and rock.

Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world's greatest guitar shredders. He has won "Best Rock Guitarist" awards in several magazines during the years for his guitar soloing. He is the first guitarist to be called the fastest guitarist in the world by the international media. Impellitteri was recently officially voted second fastest guitarist in the world by Guitar One magazine; and Guitar World magazine listed Impellitteri within its top 50 fastest guitarists of all time!

Chris Impellitteri formed IMPELLITTERI in 1987, together with Rob Rock. That year, they released an EP called the Black Album which was well-received, and IMPELLITTERI went on to release the full-length album Stand In Line in 1988. As of today IMPELLITTERI have released a total of 9 acclaimed studio albums. The new record Venom follows 2009’s Wicked Maiden.

Venom track listing:

1. “Venom”
2. “Empire Of Lies”
3. “We Own The Night”
4. “Nightmare”
5. “Face The Enemy”
6. “Dominoe Theory”
7. “Jehova”
8. “Rise”
9. “Time Machine”
10. “Holding On”
11. “Rock Through The Night” (bonus track)
12. “Reach For the Sky” (bonus track)

Musicians:

Chris Impellitteri - Lead Guitar
Rob Rock - Lead Vocals
James Pulli - Bass
Jon Dette – Drums

IMPELLITTERI online: www.facebook.com/chris.impellitteri

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

KING JAMES - “Prisoner” video premier:
Press Release / "Prisoner”, the official video of Chicago, Illinois based melodic metal and hard rock act KING JAMES, can be viewed above.  The song is taken off the group’s third full-length album Maximus, which was released via Madison Line Records on June 11, 2013.

Guitarist Rex Carroll (WHITECROSS) and vocalist Jimi Bennett (SACRED FIRE) formed KING JAMES in 1993 as part of a ‘super group’ line up that also included bassist Tim Gaines and drummer Robert Sweet (both STRYPER).  KING JAMES released its Star Song Records self-titled debut full length in 1994 prior to returning three years later on Viva Records with sophomore outing The Fall.

KING JAMES describes Maximus as “classic rock, reminiscent of late 80's era WHITESNAKE, SCORPIONS, SANTANA and ZEPPELIN then sprinkled with some good old fashioned Southern Rock”.  Musically, the album features “soaring vocals, beautiful melodies, incredible guitars, stadium-sized drums and bass, and songs that simply WILL NOT leave your head.”

The line-up that recorded Maximus includes Carroll and Bennett in addition to drummer Michael Feighan (Whitecross) and bassist Benny Ramos.

Maximus track listing:

1. “The Void”
2. “Hard Road To Go”
3. “Black Stone Woman”
4. “Mississippi Kidd”
6. “X Maximus”
7. “Waiting For The King”
8. “A New Beginning”
9. “The Highlander – In Exile”
10. “The Prisoner”
11. “Just As I Am (Lamb of God)”
12. “Desperate”
13. “Miracles” (acoustic version)

Madison Line Records online: www.madisonlinerecords.com

KING JAMES online: www.facebook.com/kingjamesband

New album from PASTOR BRAD, Lemonade:
Press Release / I confess Lemonade is a different kind of title for a rock/shred guitar album… until you know WHY I chose the title.  After Cornerstone Festival in 2009, I suffered loss of motion in my index and middle fingers on my fret hand (due to nerve damage).  I pursued therapy, etc. but nothing touched it.  I suppose surgery may be a possible solution, but our current financial situation won’t allow for that kind of “elective” surgery.  So, I received my situation as a 2 Corinthians 12:9 opportunity:

“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.” 

The title Lemonade was inspired by the old adage, “When life give you lemons, make lemonade!”  This album is a compilation of some old (pre injury) recordings I had on my hard-drive and some new compositions created with my NEW “instruments”.  I sold much of my gear and reinvested to money in software (Pre Sonus Studio One Professional) that allows me, via midi-programming, to continue creating the music I hear in my heart.  And with good friends like Derek Corzine, Jeff Garner, Mario Barisic and others contributing tracks---I’m hopeful and confident in Christ that there will be many more PB releases to come!

PASTOR BRAD and his son Josh conceived the Lemonade cover design.  All songs written and arranged by Brad Windlan (PASTOR BRAD), who handles all instrumentation except where noted.

Lemonade track listing (with commentary from the artist):

1. “Prelude” - Derek Corzine played lead guitar on this track.
2. “Heaven’s Comin’ Down” - Mario Barisic Plays 2nd lead (from 4:18 forward).
3. “Fix”
4. “Splash” - This is a special song to me- simply because I so vividly remember where it came from.  I was standing in a auto-repair shop in Altoon, PA, in 2007 when I heard this cool little country lick on the radio.  It stuck with me all day at work, and when I got home I turned it into “Splash”.  So, this song has been hanging out on my PC for 8 years waiting to be shared.  Finally!
5. “Stuck In The Mud” - Jeff Garner (rhythm guitars), Pastor Brad (bass & lead guitar), Bruce Gaetke (drums).
6. “Light Of The World” - Much of the instrumentation for this song (piano, bass, drums and the bulk of the guitars) was provided via Big Fish Audio. I wrote “Light Of The World” in 2000 and was so thrilled when I found a nice piano loop and rhythm section that fit the song perfectly!  Derek Corzine played the lead in the middle.
7.  “Outer Limits” - Mario Barisic first lead from opening until Derek Corzine comes in on lead guitar at 1:22.  I handle the final lead coming in at 2:31.
8. “Grind” - This one dates back to 2006 or 07.  I just added a couple lead tracks to finish it up in 2014.
9. “Holy Lynch” - This riff is inspired by George Lynch (DOKKEN) and is an instrumental tribute to him.  Jeff Garner plays the 2nd lead guitar part from 1:41-2:41.
10. “Ready 422” - This song is a reference to the last chapter of the Bible, Revelation 22.  “Are your ready for 22 (i.e. the end of all things/Judgment?).

Lemonade purchasing information: http://pastorbradrocks.com/album/lemonade

PASTOR BRAD online: www.guitarjams.net, http://pastorbradrocks.com & www.facebook.com/pastorbradrocks

NEWS BRIEFS

* Clip from upcoming GX PROJECT album, Raise Some Hell: www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9sj41vEEYI

New cover artwork can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/thegxproject

* The Lucky Side is the debut release of CARLSEN CROMWELL: “Longtime friends, Les Carlsen (BLOODGOOD vocalist) and Don Cromwell (ex-Eddie Money/ex-AIR SUPPLY bassist) have finally teamed up to combine their extravagant talents to create the 70’s rock influenced, The Lucky Side!  Tight rhythms, big hooks, crisp production, and the trademark Les Carlson vocals are reminiscent of the best of 70’s era Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, The Eagles, and Steve Perry!  For fans of quality AOR and 70’s rock!”

Samples can be heard at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQIn_4MOCx

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

WITHIN SILENCE - "Silent Desire" Music Video Released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE just released a music video for the track "Silent Desire" online. The song is off the group’s debut album Gallery Of Life, which has a release date of May 8 in Europe and May 12 in North America through Ulterium Records.

3Media Productions directed the video.

Strong musicianship and the ability to write interesting songs with memorable melodies makes WITHIN SILENCE a band to be reckoned with for years to come. Gallery Of Life has everything from up-tempo power metal tracks like “Silent Desire” and “Emptiness of Night” to pounding metal tracks like “The Last Drop of Blood” to epic metal songs like “Road to the Paradise”.

Gallery Of Life is a perfect album for fans of SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIUS and THEOCRACY and those into melodic metal in general.  Cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund at Darkgrove Design (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

The group has also recorded a lyric video to the track “Road To The Paradise”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WXImPLQPrU

Gallery Of Life track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Silent Desire”
3. “Emptiness Of Night”
4. “Elegy Of Doom”
5. “The Last Drop Of Blood”
6. “Love Is Blind”   
7. “Anger And Sorrow”
8. “Judgement Day”
9. “The World Of Slavery”
10. “Road To The Paradise”
11. “Outro”

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

WITHIN SILENCE online: www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband

WORLDVIEW - "ILLUSIONS OF LOVE" Music Video Released:
Press Release / The US melodic metal band WORLDVIEW just released a music video for the track "Illusions of Love" online. The song is the group’s upcoming debut album The Chosen Few, which will be released on May 22 in Europe and on May 26 in North America through M24 Music Group.

VRE Multi-Media directed the video.

WORLDVIEW features members from iconic bands like SACRED WARRIOR, DELIVERANCE and RECON.

The Chosen Few is packed with a host of celebrity guest players: Oz Fox (STRYPER) playing a blazing lead guitar, Les Carlsen (BLOODGOOD) laying down a dramatic guest vocal, Jimmy P. Brown (DELIVERANCE) cutting some low and powerful background vocals.  Larry Farkas (VENGEANCE RISING, DIE HAPPY) also shreds with his tasty licks, Armand Meinbardis (Rob Rock) dazzling with his violin and piano playing, and Niki Bente gracing the record with her lovely voice on the title track.

Artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, JORN), while the album was mixed and mastered by Bill Metoyer (FATES WARNING, SLAYER, W.A.S.P.).

WORLDVIEW also recorded a lyric video to album opener “Mortality”: https://youtu.be/DZ2B2gaT4bo

An album teaser for The Chosen Few is also available for streaming: https://youtu.be/8oZTM-wCmZY

The Chosen Few can be pre-ordered at the bands website: www.worldviewmetal.com

The Chosen Few track listing:

1. “Mortality”
2. “Illusions Of Love”
3. “Back In Time”
4. “The Mirror”
5. “Why?”
6. “Prisoner Of Pain”
7. “Two Wonders”
8. “Walk Through Fire”
9. “The Chosen Few”
10. “The Last Cry”

WORLDVIEW line-up:

Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
George Rene Ochoa - Guitars, Keyboards & Background Vocals
Todd Libby - Bass guitar & Keyboards
Johnny Gonzales - Drums & Percussion

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

NEWS BRIEFS

* Track listing to sophomore ARMAGEDDON USA (formerly ARMAGEDDON) album, Up In Flames: “All Over The World”, “Spinner”, “Hypnotized”, “Wanted Man”, “In Your Face”, “Satisfaction”, “Allie”, “Crazy”, “Time Divider”, “Revolution (Peace Of Mind)”, “Up In Flames”

Further details in terms of release date and label as they become available.  The group is releasing Up In Flames in follow up to its 1989 Talkingtown Records debut The Money Mask.

* Free FOUR STAR REVIVAL download: In honor of those that have sacrificed all to protect our freedom, we are offering a free download of "Red" from our debut album Knights Of The Revival through Memorial Day.  Fans of Dio, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest will certainly love this song: www.reverbnation.com/fourstarrevival/songs

* LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE update regarding new album Elephant In The Room (Facebook - April 19, 2015): “All the songs for the new Liberty N Justice record had been written and now they are in the process of being recorded ! Really excited with these songs and so excited we are about to announce who lnj has signed with to release the new record!”

* NARNIA, full concert Elements of Rock 2015: www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDtzKR7d5X0

The group recently re-recorded two of its classics songs of the past with Swedish lyrics: “All ära till dig” (“Long Live The King”) and “Skydd för min själ” (“Shelter Through The Pain”).  Also look for vocalist Christian Liljegren to release a new solo album entitled Kraft in June.  You can visit his new Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Liljegren

 

MINI REVIEWS

ELEVENTH HOUR - Eleventh Hour

It’s Sombre by name and somber by natures, but never mind that; the Sombre Holiday project of brothers Terry (vocals, guitars & keyboards) and Trevor Friesen (drums & percussions) specializes in melancholic metal and hard rock that walks a fine line between Gothic influenced progressiveness, the swarthy subdued doom-like and immediately recognizable melodic.  Those that correspondingly identify with the group as an amalgamating of mid-period Deliverance and Saviour Machine with hints of Stryper have the right idea.

The Sombre Holiday 3 album output dates to its 2009 debut In Search Of Understanding but also includes 2012 sophomore album Four Shadows and most recent offering from 2014 An Hour Of Light.  What many do not know, however, is that brothers Friesen got their start in the mid-nineties under the Eleventh Hour moniker in which they released a lone self-titled EP that provided foreshadowing in terms of the musical direction it would later taker under the Sombre Holiday heading.

This best reveals itself on the more progressive Eleventh Hour material, with “Last Breath” and “Bleed” exuding creativity from their quiet atmospheric to heavier doom-like time signatures.  Immediately recognizable on both are Terry Friesen’s deep and lower register vocal abilities, a Sombre Holiday staple.  Haunting interlude “God’s Acre” highlights the darker side to Eleventh Hour, as does “Mercy” with its overriding blues based metal overtones.  When the group picks up the pace in hard rocking fashion on “Jerusalem”, “Nothing” and “Naked Tree” quality fails to diminish.  The Sombre Holiday penchant for the unpredictable stands out in an unnamed bonus track that starts to an acoustic Country Western flair before morphing into an all out hard rocker at the end.

Some slight thinness in production is more than offset by artistic creditability in terms of multifarious songwriting and varied musical influences that prove a Sombre Holiday trademark.  In the end, Sombre Holiday aficionados would do themselves a favor by checking out Eleventh in that the EP, again, hints of the musical direction later to from brothers Friesen.

Grade: 75%

ELEVENTH HOUR online: https://sombreholiday.bandcamp.com/album/eleventh-hour-ep

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

SIGNUM REGIS – “Living Well” Music Video Released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS just released a music video for the track "Living Well" online. Their upcoming EP Through The Storm will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Ulterium Records.

There are four new tracks on the EP, as well as a re-recorded version of “All Over The World” from their debut album and a cover medley of the Yngwie Malmsteen classics “Vengeance/Liar”. Through The Storm shows that SIGNUM REGIS is a band that is constantly developing and improving everything from song-writing and musicianship to production and the visual part of the band. With this EP and the full-length album that will be released later this year, SIGNUM REGIS will surely win over many new fans in the melodic metal scene.

The mastering of Through The Storm was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EVERYGREY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

A Through The Storm audio teaser is available at YouTube: http://youtu.be/i2aQIuwDzn8

Through The Storm track listing:

1. “Living Well”
2. “Through The Desert, Through The Storm”
3. “My Guide In The Night”
4. “Come And Take It”
5. “All Over The World”
6. “Vengeance/Liar”

Through The Storm can be pre-ordered at www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis

MICHAEL SWEET - New York Book Signing & US Solo Tour Schedule Announced:
Courtesy of http://bravewords.com/home:

STRYPER front man Michael Sweet will hold an author talk and book signing for his autobiography, Honestly, on June 16th at the Flushing Library in Flushing, NY. He will read excerpts from the book and take questions from attendees. This will be followed by a meet & greet / book signing. This is a free, all ages event.

The Flushing Library is located at 41-17 Main Street in Flushing, NY 11355. Click HERE for more information.

Sweet's solo tour schedule is as follows:

June:

16 - Flushing, NY - Flushing Library
19 - Lawrence, MA - Claddagh Pub
20 - Manchester, NH - Jewel Nightclub

August:

9 - Dallas, TX - Trees
13 - Pittsburgh, PA - Hard Rock Café
14 - Lansing, MI - Fahrenheit Concert Venue
15 - Westland, MI - Token Lounge

September:

4 - Wauconda, IL - Farm Rock (Kick Off Party) @ The Golf Farm
5 - Pekin, IL - Hat Tricks

Sweet recently checked in with the following update:

“I'm currently recording vocals (on and off) for the new Stryper album to be released later this year. I'm writing for a new solo album (it will be the best to date, I promise) and I start writing for an album I'll be producing/co-writing that will commence later in the year! Whew…

“The solo album most likely will be released in April/May of 2016 and I'm proud to say that I'll be working with Joe O'Brien and his team over at Rat Pak Records.

“I'm also doing select solo acoustic dates throughout the year as well as a Puerto Rico Stryper date in June and the 3rd Annual Stryper Fan Weekend in September. Each year gets more interesting :-)

“Regarding the solo album, Will Hunt (Evanescence, Black Label Society, Staind) will be joining me in the studio (drums) and we'll be doing something completely unconventional in terms of bass - we'll be announcing exactly what very soon.

“2016 will be a very busy year for Stryper Tours, Inc. and we look forward to seeing you all out on the road!”

Michael Sweet online: www.michaelsweet.com & www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

Roland Dale Benedict To Release Second GREGORIAN ROCK Project, Gregorian Rock 2:
Release date has been set for May 2, 2015:

From Whence GREGORIAN ROCK Came:

When Dale (the driving force behind Gregorian Rock) was a kid, his Dad would say the way to become successful in music is to come up with a new sound. His fathers point of reference was Glenn Miller and his "Miller Sound" which was so different from the other big bands at that time.

Gregorian Rock began with an inspired idea: what would be the result if Gregorian chant was combined with modern musical styles? Dale wrote and recorded the first song, "Sanctus", using a midi sequencer. An old friend sang it. He posted it on a songwriter forum and braced for the feedback. The criticism was all constructive. The tweaks were incorporated and the song reposted. Months passed and Dale felt that was the end of the line... until within a day of each other, two guys, on opposite sides of the planet, both chimed in with thoughts like, "Just listened to this - wow, you need to do more and pursue this further."

That looked like a sign.  So here it is, pursued further.

Gregorian Rock was the first all-original Gregorian rock album, combining Gregorian chant and rock influences into a serene, yet pummeling sound.  Gregorian Rock 2 will continue this pursuit, higher up and further in.

Biography:

Dale Benedict's first name is actually Roland. His parents had the foresight to name him after the well-known music equipment company in the hopes of securing an endorsement deal one day. Okay, that's not completely true, except his first name really is Roland and he really would like to get an endorsement deal. He was actually named after a French knight you can read about in the 12th century epic poem, "The Song of Roland".

Growing up, piano lessons were forced upon him for about eight years. He hated it. It wasn't until he stopped taking lessons that he discovered that playing piano was enjoyable.

Along the way, he discovered the Switched-On Bach records. Then a friend gave him the triple live albums Welcome Back My Friends (by ELP) and Yessongs (by Yes). There are lots of other musical influences, but those three run the deepest. As a result he bought his first keyboard, a Minimoog. After he played a paying gig in a band (a country band!) he had a new career goal.

So Dale earned his degree in music from the University of North Texas. He and a guitarist friend formed a band with some guys with similar musical taste. They spent more than three years playing sporadically and struggling to keep the band together. When the band disintegrated for the last time, Dale was left with the sound system and the debt.

He refers to these years as his "starving musician period".

Although keyboards are Dale's main instruments, today he also plays a WX7 midi wind controller and Chapman Stick.

Today, the radio in his car is usually found tuned in to the classical station. Some of the music that gets a lot of play on the iPod is Iona (a Christian Celtic prog band out of Ireland), Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard member), Frost (English prog) and Flying Colors.

Gregorian Rock 2 track listing:

1. “Deux Lux”
2. “Love Is Standing Near”
3. “I Call Your Friends”
4. “Where Did The Time Go”
5. “Reflections”
6. “O The Deep”
7. “The Good Guys Win”
8. “The Battle”
9. “Semper Et In Perpetuum”
10. “As Water Reflects”

GREGORIAN ROCK online: www.gregorianrock.com/index.html & www.facebook.com/gregorian.rock

WITHIN SILENCE - Photos From Video Recording Posted Online:
Press Release / The melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE will release a music video for the track "Silent Desire" in early May. Check out some photos from the video recording below.

Photo 1: www.ulterium-records.com/promo/within_01.jpg

Photo 2: www.ulterium-records.com/promo/within_02.jpg

Photo 3: www.ulterium-records.com/promo/within_03.jpg

Photo 4: www.ulterium-records.com/promo/within_04.jpg

The upcoming debut album from WITHIN SILENCE entitled Gallery Of Life will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Ulterium Records.

WITHIN SILENCE recently released a lyric video for the track "Road To The Paradise".  Check it out at YouTube: https://youtu.be/6WXImPLQPrU

WITHIN SILENCE are confirmed for the Made of Metal festival that takes place in Hodonin, Czech Republic on August 14-16th.

Strong musicianship and the ability to write interesting songs with memorable melodies makes WITHIN SILENCE a band to be reckoned with for years to come. Their debut album Gallery Of Life got everything from up-tempo power metal tracks like “Silent Desire” and “Emptiness of Night” to pounding metal tracks like “The Last Drop of Blood” to epic metal songs like “Road to the Paradise”.

Gallery Of Life will be a perfect album for fans of bands like SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIUS and THEOCRACY and fans of melodic metal in general.  Cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund at Darkgrove Design (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

Gallery Of Life track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Silent Desire”
3. “Emptiness Of Night”
4. “Elegy Of Doom”
5. “The Last Drop Of Blood”
6. “Love Is Blind”    
7. “Anger And Sorrow” 
8. “Judgement Day”
9. “The World Of Slavery”
10. “Road To The Paradise”
11. “Outro”

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

Within Silence online: www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband

NEWS BRIEFS

* According to vocalist Nancy Jo Mann (Facebook - April 24, 2015), all five BARNABAS albums are going to be re-mastered and re-issued on CD (at a rate of one per month).  Approaching Light Speed is first in line to be re-issued.  More details (in terms of label and order the groups remaining albums are to be re-released) as they become available.

* Details regarding M24 Music Group from WORLDVIEW guitarist George Ochoa (Facebook - April 19, 2015): “M24 Music Group is a new record company that is legit. There will be a press release on this label very soon. I will tell you this, that more than likely Deliverance will be the next release on M24 Music Group. We are in discussions with other acts. There are real veterans in the music industry that will be affiliated with M24 Music Group.

“The release schedule for this Worldview release is in conjunction with Ulterium Records. We are jointly releasing this release under the M24 Music Group label. M24 Music Group WILL have more releases. We are planning on developing new acts as well as working with veteran bands. Be on the lookout for the press release.”

* About Entertainment interview with Rob Rock (IMPELLITTERI): http://heavymetal.about.com/od/interviews/fl/Impellitteri-Interview.htm

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

SWEET CRYSTAL release new EP, QUAD:
Press Release / The return of eleven time Detroit Music Award winners SWEET CRYSTAL with their latest release QUAD finds the band sounding larger and more powerful than ever, thanks to the collaboration with award-winning mixer/engineer Chuck Alkazian (Christina Aguilera, R Kelly, Mitch Ryder, Pop Evil) and Pearl Sound Studios, Canton, MI.

From the opening flourish of “Fanfare” right into the slide-guitar driven progressive rock anthem “Foot Of The Cross”, these songs will satisfy the cravings for more SWEET CRYSTAL from even the most demanding fans.

Featuring performances by special guest vocalists Amy Susan Heard and David Perez , there are storylines and soaring musical lines on QUAD for every taste and situation.

“We’ve really upped our sonic onslaught with QUAD” says founding member Marq Andrew Speck. “There are songs here about desperation and redemption, asking questions of faith and finding real answers for our lives as well as some mighty sweet instrumentals.”

The physical CD also contains a 14-minute bonus track: an in-depth interview with the band, giving listeners more insight into SWEET CRYSTAL and what QUAD is all about; a must have for new and classic fans alike.

SWEET CRYSTAL is a very rare group of musicians. Not only has the band remained in existence for an impressive 40 years, but also the core trio of Marq Andrew Speck (lead vocals, keyboards), Bill Blatter (guitar, vocals) and Steve Wieser (drums) has remained intact for the entirety of that time. Perhaps most importantly, the band has remained standing strong on the front lines of the Michigan Christian rock scene, even before that music genre had a name.

SWEET CRYSTAL and QUAD - still “Reaching The World, One Song At A Time”.

Release date: March 31, 2015.

QUAD track listing:

1. “Fanfare”
2. “Foot Of The Cross”
3. “Some People May Ask”
4. “Anthem”
5. “Him Alone”

SWEET CRYSTAL online: www.sweetcrystal.com & www.facebook.com/SweetCrystalBand

SIGNUM REGIS – “My Guide In The Night” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS just released a lyric video for the track "My Guide In The Night" online. Their upcoming EP Through The Storm will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Ulterium Records.

There are four new tracks on the EP, as well as a re-recorded version of “All Over The World” from their debut album and a cover medley of the Yngwie Malmsteen classics “Vengeance/Liar”. Through The Storm shows that SIGNUM REGIS is a band that is constantly developing and improving everything from song-writing and musicianship to production and the visual part of the band. With this EP and the full-length album that will be released later this year, SIGNUM REGIS will surely win over many new fans in the melodic metal scene.

The mastering of Through The Storm was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EVERYGREY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

A Through The Storm audio teaser is available at YouTube: http://youtu.be/i2aQIuwDzn8

Through The Storm track listing:

1. “Living Well”
2. “Through The Desert, Through The Storm”
3. “My Guide In The Night”
4. “Come And Take It”
5. “All Over The World”
6. “Vengeance/Liar”

Through The Storm can be pre-ordered at www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis

SLEEPING ROMANCE – “December Flower” Studio Footage Posted Online:
Press Release / Symphonic metal band SLEEPING ROMANCE posted studio footage from the recordings of the "chamber music version" of the track "December Flower" online.

"December Flower (Chamber music version)” is available as part of the bands latest digital single, Fire & Ice.

Fire & Ice track listing:

1. “Fire & Ice”
2. “December Flower” (Chamber music version)
3. “Fire & Ice” (Cinematic version)

"Fire & Ice" music video: https://youtu.be/3fM0HYVsxDs

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com/news.html & http://ulteriumrecords.bandcamp.com

SLEEPING ROMANCE online: www.sleeping-romance.com & www.facebook.com/sleepingromanceofficial

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

WITHIN SILENCE - "Road To The Paradise" Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE just released a lyric video for the track "Road To The Paradise" online. Their upcoming debut album Gallery Of Life will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Ulterium Records.

Strong musicianship and the ability to write interesting songs with memorable melodies makes WITHIN SILENCE a band to be reckoned with for years to come. Their debut album Gallery Of Life has everything from up-tempo power metal tracks like “Silent Desire” and “Emptiness of Night” to pounding metal tracks like “The Last Drop of Blood” to epic metal songs like “Road to the Paradise”.

Gallery Of Life will be a perfect album for fans of bands like SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIUS and THEOCRACY and fans of melodic metal in general.  Cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund at Darkgrove Design (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

Gallery Of Life track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Silent Desire”
3. “Emptiness Of Night”
4. “Elegy Of Doom”
5. “The Last Drop Of Blood”
6. “Love Is Blind”    
7. “Anger And Sorrow” 
8. “Judgement Day”
9. “The World Of Slavery”
10. “Road To The Paradise”
11. “Outro”

Check out an album teaser for Gallery Of Life at YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fy2RiXsaESE

Gallery Of Life can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

WITHIN SILENCE online: www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

WORLDVIEW - "Mortality" Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The US melodic metal band WORLDVIEW just released a lyric video for the track "Mortality" online. Their upcoming debut album The Chosen Few will be released on May 22nd in Europe and on May 26th in North America through M24 Music Group.

WORLDVIEW features members from iconic bands like SACRED WARRIOR, DELIVERANCE and RECON.

The Chosen Few is packed with a host of celebrity guest players: Oz Fox (STRYPER) playing a blazing lead guitar, Les Carlsen (BLOODGOOD) laying down a dramatic guest vocal, Jimmy P. Brown (DELIVERANCE) cutting some low and powerful background vocals.  Larry Farkas (VENGEANCE RISING, DIE HAPPY) also shreds with his tasty licks, Armand Meinbardis (Rob Rock) dazzling with his violin and piano playing, and Niki Bente gracing the record with her lovely voice on the title track.

The artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, JORN) and the album was mixed and mastered by Bill Metoyer (FATES WARNING, SLAYER, W.A.S.P.).

Check out an album teaser at YouTube: https://youtu.be/8oZTM-wCmZY

The Chosen Few can be pre-ordered at the bands website: www.worldviewmetal.com

The Chosen Few track listing:

1. “Mortality”
2. “Illusions Of Love”
3. “Back In Time”
4. “The Mirror”
5. “Why?”
6. “Prisoner Of Pain”
7. “Two Wonders”
8. “Walk Through Fire”
9. “The Chosen Few”
10. “The Last Cry”

WORLDVIEW line-up:

Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
George Rene Ochoa - Guitars, Keyboards & Background Vocals
Todd Libby - Bass guitar & Keyboards
Johnny Gonzales - Drums & Percussion

WORLDVIEW online: www.worldviewmetal.com & www.facebook.com/worldviewmetal

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

NEWS BRIEFS

* Dead To Self Radio interview with former JACKYL guitarist Jimmy Stiff, who goes into detail about his faith and new band NOVEIL: www.deadtoselfradio.com/interview.php?artist=NOVEIL

*Michael Sweet commentary regarding next solo album (courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net - 04/09/2015): “STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet is writing material for his next solo album, tentatively due in April/May 2016 via Rat Pak Records. The CD, which Michael promises will be his "best to date," will feature Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) on drums. As for the bass, "We'll be doing something completely unconventional," Sweet says.

“Sweet's latest solo album, I'm Not Your Suicide, sold around 2,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 154 on The Billboard 200 chart.”

* “Light Of The World” is a new PASTOR BRAD song with a worship rock edge: http://pastorbradrocks.com/track/light-of-the-world

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

IMPELLITTERI – “Venom” video released:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Frontiers Music Srl will release the brand new IMPELLITTERI studio album, titled Venom, on April 17 in Europe and April 21 in North America.

The official video for the albums title track can be seen above.

Venom is described (in a press release) as "a record filled with addictive and memorable riffs, guitar solos that feature Chris Impellitteri's blistering shredding technique coupled with strong melody and taste. Rob Rock's vocals are mesmerizing, melodic, and will make the listener sing along with each song long after the record is over. Lastly, the band boggles the mind with brutal drumming (featuring John Dette, formerly of TESTAMENT, SLAYER, etc.) filled with speed and groove and beastly bass playing (courtesy of James Pulli) that supports IMPELLITTERI's sonic madness! The result is a record that excites and musically satisfy every Metal and Rock fan, and every musician around the world. To add to their quest, IMPELLITTERI also wanted to create music that would take the listener on a musical journey thru different time periods of metal and rock."

Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world's greatest guitar shredders. He has won "Best Rock Guitarist" awards in several magazines during the years for his guitar soloing. He is the first guitarist to be called the fastest guitarist in the world by the international media. IMPELLITTERI was recently officially voted second fastest guitarist in the world by Guitar One magazine; and Guitar World magazine listed IMPELLITTERI within its top 50 fastest guitarists of all time!

Chris Impellitteri formed IMPELLITTERI in 1987, along with vocalist Rob Rock. That year, they released an EP called the Black Album which was well-received, and IMPELLITTERI went on to release the full-length album Stand In Line in 1988. To date, IMPELLITTERI has released a total of nine acclaimed studio albums and Venom follows after 2009's Wicked Maiden.

Frontiers will release the album with two superb new exclusive bonus tracks.

Venom track listing:

1. “Venom”
2. “Empire Of Lies”
3. “We Own The Night”
4. “Nightmare”
5. “Face The Enemy”
6. “Dominoe Theory”
7. “Jehova”
8. “Rise”
9. “Time Machine”
10. “Holding On”
11. “Rock Through The Night” (bonus track)
12. “Reach For the Sky” (bonus track)

IMPELLITTERI line up:

Chris Impellitteri - Lead Guitar
Rob Rock - Lead Vocals
James Pulli - Bass
Jon Dette - Drums

IMPELLITTERI online: www.facebook.com/chris.impellitteri

NEWS BRIEFS

* Live clip of NARNIA performing “The Mission” at Elements of Rock in Switzerland last month: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbeLxoswB8c

* Roxx Records MORTIFICATION & RECON re-issue updates: “Mortification - Break The Curse vinyl is off to be pressed this week! We have not done a big press release or pre order yet. We will be putting it out to the world one month before it's release date! Stay Tuned as we help celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mortification and Break The Curse.

“Also still in the works is the 25th Anniversary of Recon Behind Enemy Lines and a very special SUPER Limited pressing of the brand new Wonrowe Vision album (2-Headed Monster) on vinyl! There will be only 100 of these made and they will also be packaged with the new CD! More on this in the coming weeks!”

* TRUE STRENGTH at work on next album, Steel Evangelist (Facebook - January 6, 2015): “We have been hard at work on the new album and we hope to release it in June or July of 2015, please pray for us. True Strength would like to thank each and every one of you who purchased our debut album, please know that your purchases have been donated to the International Christian Concern to help persecuted Christians around the world. Please remember all of the Christians around the world who are deeply suffering at the hands of evil people, please keep them in your prayers. We love you all, may Christ be always in your heart.”

 

FEATURED REVIEWS

EFRATA - Something Powerful Inside
How does Efrata, the most recent Christian metal act from Brazil, measure up?  Something Powerful Inside, the groups Conspiracy Records fall of 2014 full-length debut, comes across hit and miss.  Read Full Review >>

IMPELLITTERI - Venom
Where does Venom, Impellitteri’s tenth full-length album on Victor Entertainment (Japan) and Frontiers Music SRL (Europe & North America) from the spring of 2015, rate?  Read Full Review >>

KNIGHTS OF THE REMNANT - Dangerous Days
However, it is diversity in the positive sense in that this ‘hard rock/metal band with a message’ (as taken from the KOTR press material) exhibits the expertise to pull off so many varied styles regardless of direction or difficulty in execution.  In the end, versatility is the key word to describe what KOTR brings to the table.  Read Full Review >>

THE NEAL MORSE BAND - The Grand Experiment
Yes, The Grand Experiment delivers everything you would expect from Morse.  The artist’s penchant for lengthy songwriting persists, revealed in how the album includes over 50 minutes of music but only five songs.  Read Full Review >>

RITE OF PASSAGE - Angels & Demons
The commercial success of foundational acts such as Dream Theater, Fates Warning and Queensrche helped pave the way for a myriad of other progressive metal bands that came out of the woodwork and developed their own signature sound.  Detroit, Michigan based Rite Of Passage is one such group.  Read Full Review > >

SWEET & LYNCH - Only To Rise
Only To Rise, the groups January of 2015 Frontiers Records full length debut, draws heavily from the eighties with a melodic hard rock based sound in which commercial hooks and accessible melodies prevail.  Read Full Review >>

SYZYGY - Cosmos & Chaos: 20th Anniversary Compendium
Enter Cleveland, Ohio based Syzygy and its (mostly) instrumental progressive rock release from 2014 entitled Cosmos & Chaos, The 20th Anniversary Compendium.  Originally the groups full-length debut from 1993, Cosmos & Chaos has been ‘gently re-mastered’ with several of its original twelve tracks either re-interpreted or re-programmed in order to allow for a “(rediscovery and retrieval) of these first creative fruits (that have been) polished into what we believe is a delicious musical offering”, as noted by guitarist Carl Baldassarre.  Read Full Review >>  

WHITE LIGHTER - White Lighter
What do you get when you cross hard rock on the lighter side of things, nuances of modern and alternative rock and lead vocals that are a nod towards Ozzy Osbourne?  Besides a hugely fun listening experience, you get the fall of 2014 Northern Records self-titled debut full length of White Lighter.  Read Full Review >>

INTERVIEWS

New Michael Sweet interview online:
Cryptic Rock conducted a recent online interview with Michael Sweet, who goes into detail about the recently released SWEET & LYNCH debut album, Only To Rise, the reunion of STRYPER and how he also feels that STRYPER is not a Christian band.  Following is an excerpt:

You had mentioned about you not going to write something evil and that it is not you. Stryper had always been distinguished as a Christian Metal band. It seems that in the past ten or fifteen years, there has been an influx of Christian Hard Rock and Metal bands. It seems like it has really become a popular and something that really has taken off. What do you think about the current Christian Metal and Rock scene?
I do not really keep up with it.  I come from a different school of thought and I do not like all the labels. I do not like being referred to as a Christian Rock band. We are not a Christian Rock band, we are a Rock band comprised of Christians. Just like any other Rock band out there, you have Rock bands that are comprised of drug addicts, you have Rock bands that are comprised of Satanists, and you have Rock bands that are comprised of Catholics like Slayer. Black Sabbath, Geezer Butler has the song “After Forever,” which is about Christ, but they were not labeled a Christian band. Actually the opposite, they were labeled a dark, almost at times a Satanic, band, and they are not. My point is that I just do not like all the labels. If you are going to label a band a Christian band, then you got to label all the other bands. If U2 is made up of members that are Catholic, then are they going to be called a Catholic Rock band ? I do not know where the label Christian Rock band came from. It is hard for me to wrap my mind around it.

Read full interview: HERE

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

W.A.S.P. - Golgotha Album Due This Summer:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

W.A.S.P. has signed a new worldwide record deal with Austria's Napalm Records. The band's fifteenth studio album, titled Golgotha, will be released this August.

"W.A.S.P. are excited to announce they have signed an exclusive recording contract with Napalm Records," states W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless.

"We chose Napalm for their personal belief and professional commitment to our career.

"We're looking forward to years of great success together starting with the release of our upcoming album, Golgotha."

Adds Napalm vice president Thomas Caser: "It is a true honor to announce this signing today. A dream has come true.

"With their impressive career and ability to create musical masterpieces, W.A.S.P. have always been one of the most influential metal bands out there since the beginning of their career.

"We are thrilled about the upcoming album, Golgotha, which will be released this summer!"

At last year's press conference at the 2014 edition of the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, Lawless stated about the lyrical inspiration for the upcoming CD:

"'Golgotha' is Hebrew for place of the skull, and it's the hill where Christ was crucified. And it's interesting, when you see a lot of bands going around using Satanic images or images of death and things like that, and I'm thinking, all they need to do is look at the source, 'cause it's right there. I mean, if you want death, there's enough to go around there."

Regarding the musical direction of W.A.S.P.'s new material, Lawless said: "It sounds probably more similar to the last two that we've done (2007's Dominator and 2009's Babylon). And we've been working on this thing for four years now."

He continued: "I don't know if you guys heard, I had a little hiccup in 2013, and that delayed recording for almost a year. I broke my leg. And that, too, was an interesting trip.

"But there's one thing that I learned when I was doing (1992's) The Crimson Idol: if you make a record over too long of a period of time, you have to be very, very careful, because the record you start out making is not the record you end up finishing, because you've changed so much as a person over a three- or four-year period, you've gotta be very, very careful to hold on to that vision. But from what I'm hearing so far - and it's not completely mixed yet - it has definite overtones of the last two records."

Blackie also spoke about his early life as a born-again Christian and his decision to leave the church at age 18, only to return to his Christian faith 20 years later.

"Like a lot of people, organized religion was telling me things that I didn't see in the Bible," he explained. "And so, for 20 years after I left the church, I walked around with all these things that I had been taught, and I thought I was mad at God. And after 20 years, I realized I was not mad at God, I was mad at man for the institutionalized thinking that I had been indoctrinated with. And I discovered then, whether it's the Bible or anything else you ever wanna know in life, don't listen to somebody else telling you. You wanna find out, go find out for yourself, because ultimately you are going to be responsible for yourself. And so that's what I did. And when I did that, I realized, like, I wasn't mad at God anymore. These guys that had been telling me this stuff for the longest time, I realized that they had an agenda."

The artist talks more about his faith and the groups Babylon release in a 2010 online interview with Sleaze Roxx: www.sleazeroxx.com/interviews/blackielawless.shtml

HARMONY - Remembrance EP Details Revealed:
Press Release / The Swedish melodic metal band HARMONY will release a new EP entitled Remembrance on May 22nd in Europe and on May 26th in North America through Ulterium Records.

The 6 track EP includes four re-recorded songs from the HARMONY debut album Dreaming Awake as well as two new songs.  Remembrance features the legendary vocalist Daniel Heiman (ex. Lost Horizon) on vocals on all tracks. The EP was mixed at Studio Fredman (AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Remembrance track listing:

1. “Eternity”
2. “Dreaming Awake”
3. “Without You”
4. “She”
5. “In His Heart”
6. “Feed My Hunger”

Remembrance is being released in follow up to the group’s third full-length album (also on Ulterium) from the fall of 2014 entitled Theatre Of Redemption.  Angelic Warlord voted Theatre Of Redemption as its top album for 2014 in receiving a grade of 95%

Remembrance can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com

HARMONY online: www.facebook.com/harmonysweden

IMPELLITTERI – Venom Limited 12” Vinyl Edition Announced:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the release of a limited 12" vinyl edition of the upcoming IMPELLITTERI album Venom. A deal was inked with Frontiers Records and the release dates are set to May 29th for Europe and July 7th for North America. The edition is strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide and includes an insert with lyrics. 350 copies comes with a standard black disc and 150 copies with a white disc.

Venom is available for pre-ordering at the Ulterium Records Store: http://ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

Venom track listing:

Side A:

1. “Venom”
2. “Empire Of Lies”
3. “We Own The Night”
4. “Nightmare”
5. “Face The Enemy”
6. “Domino Theory”

Side B:

1. “Jehova”
2. “Rise”
3. “Time Machine”
4. “Holding On”
5. “Rock Through The Night”
6. “Reach For The Sky”

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com

ATKINS MAY PROJECT - Anthology Collection Released:
Press Release / ATKINS MAY PROJECT, the band featuring original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins and Christian guitarist and music artist Paul May, returns with a compilation, Anthology, available now through Gonzo MultiMedia.

For the last four years, the rock world has been buzzing about Atkins and May's music. Together the two have created three records available on Gonzo Multimedia. There are enough doses of melody and metal madness to entice all fans of the genre, and while it is solid, honest, working-class heavy metal, it also has its roots in contemporary metal with some fine axe-work and killer choruses.

This marriage of metal mayhem has earned them stunning reviews from the world's press and has seen them gain a steady momentum of fans globally since their initial release back in 2011. After the worldwide success of Serpents Kiss (2011), Valley Of Shadows (2012) and Empire Of Destruction (2014), ATKINS MAY PROJECT returns with Anthology. This collection of classic rock and British metal is an essential addition to all who love this genre that's no afraid to merge metal moments with progressive thought.
  
Al Atkins is known for being founder member and original vocalist with Judas Priest, notably writing such classics as “Victim Of Changes” and “Never Satisfied”, which the band still perform to this day. This laid the foundations for Priest to go on to sell over 40 millions albums. In 2010, Al teamed up once again with longtime friend, guitar virtuoso and producer Paul May to form AMP and record their critically acclaimed debut album, Serpents Kiss.

Respected for his passionate, soulful guitar work and his explosive, exciting solos, Paul May is a world class professional guitarist and songwriter playing and recording sessions across the globe, appearing on over 50 albums and featured in both the secular and Christian arenas.

Anthology also features a previously unreleased bonus track - a cover of Phil Collins’ "In The Air Tonight".

Paul says: "It was quite a task to choose which songs would make it onto this compilation as there's such a diversity in the styles of tracks, but I hope this reflects the wider view of the rock and metal we love doing."

Al adds: "The reviews from the first three albums were great and said it all, so it was difficult to select the songs for the album, but I think you'll agree that we made the right choices, and 'Anthology' for me ticks all the right boxes!"

Anthology track listing:

1. “Here Comes The Rain”
2. “Bitter Waters”
3. “A World At War”
4. “Dream Maker”
5. “Whisper To The Wind”
6. “Harder They Fall”
7. “The Shallowing”
8. “Enslaved To Love”
9. “Theatre Of Fools”
10. “Valley Of Shadows”
11. “In the Air Tonight” (bonus track)

ATKINS MAY PROJECT online: www.atkinsmayproject.com & www.facebook.com/pages/Atkins-May-Project-Official

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

WORLDVIEW - The Chosen Few Details Revealed:
Press Release / The debut album entitled The Chosen Few from the US melodic metal band WORLDVIEW will be released on May 22 in Europe and May 26 in North America through M24 Music Group.

WORLDVIEW features members from iconic bands like SACRED WARRIOR, DELIVERANCE and RECON.

The Chosen Few is packed with a host of celebrity guest players: Oz Fox (STRYPER) playing a blazing lead guitar, Les Carlsen (BLOODGOOD) laying down a dramatic guest vocal, Jimmy P. Brown (DELIVERANCE) cutting some low and powerful background vocals.  Larry Farkas (VENGEANCE RISING, DIE HAPPY) also shreds with his tasty licks, Armand Meinbardis (Rob Rock) dazzling with his violin and piano playing, and Niki Bente gracing the record with her lovely voice on the title track.

The artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, JORN) and the album was mixed and mastered by Bill Metoyer (FATES WARNING, SLAYER, W.A.S.P.).

WORLDVIEW formed in Los Angeles when George Rene Ochoa (DELIVERANCE, RECAON, VENGENACE RISING) and Rey Parra (SACRED WARRIOR) spoke soon after their mutual friend Rick Macias (SACRED WARRIOR) passed away. He had always encouraged them to form a band together and though they were miles apart, Rick thought that it would be a great collaboration.  Regrettably, he passed away before this would ever take place.  So George and Rey decided to form this union to honor their friend and thus WORLDVIEW was born. The lineup includes the addition of John Gonzales (RECON, DELIVERANCE) on drums and Todd Libby on bass guitar and keyboards. Ronson Webster also joined them as co-songwriter and background vocal guru.  The WORLDVIEW unit was now complete.

The band took to the studio and recorded two songs that received a tremendous response on the Internet, quickly reaching #3 on the Reverbnation Metal Charts. Soon after, they announced the release of their full-length record which was hailed the “Most anticipated release of 2014” by several critics and fans.  Various delays have set that date back to its 2015 release date.

The Chosen Few can be pre-ordered at the bands website: www.worldviewmetal.com

The Chosen Few track listing:

1. “Mortality”
2. “Illusions Of Love”
3. “Back In Time”
4. “The Mirror”
5. “Why?”
6. “Prisoner Of Pain”
7. “Two Wonders”
8. “Walk Through Fire”
9. “The Chosen Few”
10. “The Last Cry”

WORLDVIEW line-up:

Rey Parra - Lead Vocals
George Rene Ochoa - Guitars, Keyboards & Background Vocals
Todd Libby - Bass guitar & Keyboards
Johnny Gonzales – Drums & Percussion

WORLDVIEW online: www.worldviewmetal.com & www.facebook.com/worldviewmetal

NARNIA At Work On 7th Album:
Courtesy of www.melodicrock.com:

Swedish melodic metal band NARNIA made a great impact when they headlined Elements Of Rock festival last weekend in Switzerland. Fans from Switzerland, USA, Mexico, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Finland, Norway and even Swedish fans came to the festival to see a nearly 2 hour exploding show by NARNIA.

Guitarist CJ Grimmark (Rob Rock, EMPIRE 21), bassist Andreas Passmark (ROYAL HUNT, Rob Rock), drummer Andreas Johansson (Rob Rock), keyboardist Martin Härenstam and hard working front man Christian Liljegren (AUDIOVISION, GOLDEN RESURRECTION, MODEST ATTRACTION) proved they are one of the finest melodic metal band these days and still know how to rock the crowd. It was NARNIA’s first big show in 7 years with Christian Liljegren fronting the band again

The band si currently working on their 7th studio album (untitled at the time of this writing) but no deal is signed yet. Interested labels please contact info@narniatheband.com

Christian Liljegren also held a workshop about his career in the hard rock and heavy metal scene for over 25 years and together with guitarist CJ Grimmark they did an acoustic session of NARNIA songs from their biggest album Long Live The King.  The acoustic version of the track “Long Live The King” can be seen above.

Of note is how NARNIA has sold over 250,000 albums worldwide.

NARNIA online: www.narniatheband.com & www.facebook.com/narniatheband

NEWS BRIEFS

* Demo version of new LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE song, “Amaze Me”: www.reverbnation.com/libertynjustice

“Amaze Me” is set to be included as a bonus track on the upcoming CD re-issue (on Retroactive Records) of LNJ’s 2014 release The Vow.

* RADIANT is the new band vocalist Herbie Langhans (SEVENTH AVENUE, SINBREED) has put together with former SEVENTH AVENUE members guitarist Flo Gottsleben, bassist Markus Beck and guitarist Geronimo Stade.  Rounding out the RADIANT line up is keyboardist Dirk Riemer and drummer Manni Spalka.

The group is currently at work on new material for its debut album, which they hope to begin recording in May.

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

SIGNUM REGIS - Through The Storm EP Details Revealed:
Press Release / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS will release a new EP entitled Through The Storm on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America through Ulterium Records.

There are four new tracks on the EP, as well as a re-recorded version of “All Over The World” from their debut album and a cover medley of the Yngwie Malmsteen classics “Vengeance/Liar”. Through The Storm shows that SIGNUM REGIS is a band that is constantly developing and improving everything from song-writing and musicianship to production and the visual part of the band. With this EP and the full-length album that will be released later this year, SIGNUM REGIS will surely win over many new fans in the melodic metal scene.

The mastering of Through The Storm was handled by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, AMARANTHE, EVERYGREY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

Through The Storm track listing:

1. “Living Well”
2. “Through The Desert, Through The Storm”
3. “My Guide In The Night”
4. “Come And Take It”
5. “All Over The World”
6. “Vengeance/Liar”

Through The Storm can be pre-ordered at www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

WITHIN SILENCE Signs With Ulterium Records:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE to the label. Their debut album Gallery Of Life will be released on May 8th in Europe and on May 12th in North America.

Strong musicianship and the ability to write interesting songs with memorable melodies makes WITHIN SILENCE a band to be reckoned with for years to come. Their debut album Gallery Of Life has everything from up-tempo power metal tracks like “Silent Desire” and “Emptiness of Night” to pounding metal tracks like “The Last Drop of Blood” to epic metal songs like “Road to the Paradise”.

Gallery Of Life will be a perfect album for fans of bands like SONATA ARCTICA, STRATOVARIUS and THEOCRACY and fans of melodic metal in general.  Cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund at Darkgrove Design (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).

Gallery Of Life track listing:

1. “Intro”
2. “Silent Desire”
3. “Emptiness Of Night”
4. “Elegy Of Doom” 
5. “The Last Drop Of Blood”
6. “Love Is Blind”     
7. “Anger And Sorrow”  
8. “Judgement Day”
9. “The World Of Slavery”
10. “Road To The Paradise” 
11. “Outro”

Gallery Of Life can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com

WITHIN SILENCE online: www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband

NEWS BRIEFS

* LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE has a new album in the works tentatively entitled Elephant In The Room.  The new LNJ line up consists of founding member and bassist Justin Murr, guitarists JK Northrup (XYZ, KING KOBRA) & Brent Stortzum, drummer Michael Feighan (WHITECROSS) and vocalist Larry Worley (FEAR NOT).

A demo version of a new song entitled “Slow Dance” can be heard at: www.reverbnation.com/libertynjustice

According to Murr, LNJ has also reached an agreement with Retroactive Records for the CD re-issue of its 2014 album The Vow that will include two bonus tracks.

* MILLENNIAL REIGN is currently recording the last song for its new album, Carry The Fire.  Final production to follow once finished.  Following is a clip of the guitar solo being recorded for the song “Forever Changed”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rINtB1TPanI
 
* Update from Ulterium Records regarding the debut WORLDVIEW album The Chosen Few (Facebook - March 13, 2015): “We're really excited to let you know that the debut album from Worldview is finally coming out, in May! Due to differences in the vision for the album, we won't be releasing the album through Ulterium Records. We are still friends with the guys though and we will work with them and their new partners when it comes to distribution and promotion of the album. An official announcement regarding release dates, samples etc. will be made during the coming week. Keep your eyes and ears open!”

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

IMPELLITTERI confirm three Japan live dates:
Courtesy of www.bravewords.com:

Frontiers Music Srl has announced the release of the brand new IMPELLITTERI studio album, entitled Venom, on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America. The band has confirmed three shows for Japan, long considered one of their strongest markets:

May
28 - On Air East - Tokyo, Japan
29 - Quattro - Osaka, Japan
31 - Quattro - Hiroshima, Japan

Guitarist/founder Chris Impellitteri has issued the following update:

"Japan, we are coming on tour starting May 28th. We will be playing a lot of music from our new record Venom, and we will also play all of our classic songs from the black Impellitteri EP, Stand in Line, Answer To The Master, Screaming Symphony, Crunch, and Wicked Maiden. So learn the new songs “Venom”, “We Own The Night”, “Empire Of Lies” and “Nightmare” from the new record. The shows are going to be exciting for all of us!"

The complete tour schedule will be revealed soon.

With the release of Venom, IMPELLITTERI deliver a record filled with addictive and memorable riffs, guitar solos that feature Chris Impellitteri’s blistering shredding technique coupled with strong melody and taste. Rob Rock’s vocals are mesmerizing, melodic, and will make the listener sing along with each song long after the record is over. Lastly, the band boggles the mind with brutal drumming (featuring John Dette, ex-TESTAMENT, SLAYER, etc) filled with speed and groove and beastly bass playing (courtesy of James Pulli) that supports Impellitteri’s sonic madness. The result is a record that excites and musically satisfy every metal and rock fan, and every musician around the world.  To add to their quest, Impellitteri also wanted to create music that would take the listener on a musical journey thru different time periods of metal and rock.

Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world’s greatest guitar shredders. He has won Best Rock Guitarist Awards on several magazines during the years for his guitar soloing. He is the first guitarist to be branded as the fastest guitarist in the world by the international media. Recently and without any promotion, Impellitteri was officially voted second fastest guitarist in the world by “Guitar One” magazine; and “Guitar World” magazine recently listed Chris Impellitteri within their top 50 fastest guitarists of all time.

Chris Impellitteri formed Impellitteri in 1987, together with Rob Rock as vocalist. That year, they released an EP called the ‘Black Album’ which was well-received, and IMPELLITTERI went on to release the full-length album Stand In Line in 1988. As of today IMPELLITTERI have released a total of nine acclaimed studio albums and the new record, Venom, follows after 2009’s Wicked Maiden.

During the writing and recording of Venom, the band pushed the limitations of their artistic abilities in both performance and composition. All musical areas and ideas were explored with only the best recorded.

Frontiers will release the album with two superb new exclusive bonus tracks.

Venom track listing:

1. “Venom”
2. “Empire Of Lies”
3. “We Own The Night”
4. “Nightmare”
5. “Face The Enemy”
6. “Dominoe Theory”
7. “Jehova”
8. “Rise”
9. “Time Machine”
10. “Holding On”
11. “Rock Through The Night” (bonus track)
12. “Reach For the Sky” (bonus track)

STRYPER to record cover version of  “After Forever” by BLACK SABBATH:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Press Release / Christian hard rockers STRYPER are recording a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever" for inclusion on their new album, Fallen, to be released in late 2015 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts.

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet recently stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down — not like the modern Drop B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, “Unchained” VAN HALEN
kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

Songtitles set to appear on Fallen include "Let There Be Light", 'Big Screen Lies" and the title track.

The new STRYPER CD will include a song that was co-written by SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery.

STRYPER's original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Tim Gaines (bass) released a concert CD/DVD combination called Live At The Whisky on September 23, 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show in November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band's first show in support of their latest, critically acclaimed release, No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay sold around 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on November 5, 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records.

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

Tim Gaines: Me vs. Tracy:
Commentary from Tim Gaines regarding former STRYPER bassist Tracy Ferrie (Facebook - March 3, 2015):

“The subject keeps getting brought up about me vs. Tracy ("How do you feel about Tracy?").

“Guess what folks? I have much respect and admiration for Tracy Ferrie. Tracy is a smoking player as you can all hear on the recordings Reborn and Murder... but we are nothing alike. Two totally different players and people. Tracy is the better educated of us two. He had a music education from Berkeley. I had an education as a garage band musician...

“I first met Tracy when he was playing for Michael on Michaels solo stuff in the late 90s or early 2000s. We met but never hit it off.

“In '04 I left Stryper (my own choice) and Tracy was the guy to naturally take my spot (as he'd already been playing with MS for so many years.)

“The years between 2004 and 2009 I have nothing to say about Stryper. I wasn't in the band. I have no knowledge of the business of the band. I wasn't there. They toured, recorded and lived life... as I did.

“In '09 I'd been approached to participate with playing with Stryper on the 25th anniversary tour. The original plan was for me to play a set of the older original tunes, and Tracy play a set of the new material. For whatever reason (I don't know why) Tracy backed out of the tour just a few weeks before we were to start. I ended up playing both sets of the '09 tour and have continued on with Stryper ever since. Tracy has moved on to play with Boston...

“It's funny that I never had any intentions of re- joining Stryper after 2004. I was happy doing my own thing. I had toured and recorded with some great artists between 04 and 09 and had also started my own business. The last thing on my mind was rejoining Stryper, but I guess God had other plans....

“Anyhow, that's that and I hope it answers some questions.”

Tim Gaines online: www.facebook.com/StryperBassMan & www.timothygaines.com

NEWS BRIEFS

* ARMAGEDDON USA set to release new album, Up In Flames (Facebook - March 6, 2015): “We will have our mastered tracks next week, then sending it off to be pressed. Up In Flames will be out soon! Keep an eye opened for our special offers (signed CD's, vinyls and other merchandise) early this spring.

“We are also getting our website constructed to make ordering easier for everyone. We will announce our website here on this page this month! Thanks to all of our long-suffering fans and to those who are just finding out about us! We appreciate all of you more than you could imagine.”

* HARMONY, full track “What If” available for streaming: www.youtube.com/watch?v=btnvNVSz_og

“What If” comes off the group’s new album Theatre Of Redemption.

* TRUE STRENGTH hopes to release its next album, Steel Evangelist, in June or July of this year.  More details as they become available.

* ZAXAS completes work on new album, Returns The Machine (Facebook - December 16, 2014): “FINALLY… It's DONE! We just listened to the mastered version of the record last night, and we are really stoked with it and (cannot) wait to get it out to you all. The record Returns The Machine will be available as a CD as well as a downloadable version. We will let you know when they are available in either form as they become so. We want to thank the "ZAXAS Nation" for your faithfulness to the band and for your patience through all the waiting and working… In touch again soon.”

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

STRYPER confirms new album title, Fallen:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Press Release / Christian hard rockers STRYPER entered SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts earlier in the month to begin recording their new album, Fallen, for a late 2015 release via Frontiers.

STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet wrote: "Clint Lowery of SEVENDUST sent me this opening riff idea and it's epic! Yeah, STRYPER is wimpy :-."

Regarding the musical direction of the new STRYPER material, Michael Sweet told Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM satellite radio show, "Eddie Trunk Live": "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down — not like the modern Drop B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, “Unchained” VAN HALEN kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

Asked if there are still any religious references in the new STRYPER lyrics, Sweet told Canadian journalist Mitch Lafon: "Absolutely. Some of the words themselves are actually taken from the Bible, so that's still there. The lyrics are definitely on the bold and powerful side. They're not like the lyrics of old.

"A lot of our lyrics, I read back through the lyrics, and at times I'm a little embarrassed because they were just so repetitive and shallow at times - just real simplistic 'Rock, rock rock. Jesus, Jesus.' These lyrics are definitely a lot deeper. I'm pulling from the Bible at times."

He continued: "There's a song about God creating the heavens and the earth. It's called “Let There Be Light”. And it's about in the beginning, and it's taken right from Genesis. There's a song about the Devil; it's called “Fallen”. It just talks about how when the Devil, when he was Lucifer, an archangel in heaven, when he walked, he was the angel of music, and when he walked, there was music. It tells the story in that song of, basically, about how he's fallen, and why, and how. It's a real powerful song.

"I've got a song called “Big Screen Lies” that's about how the film industry portrays Christians as complete buffoons one million percent of the time. And that's just not the case. It is sometimes, but those buffoon Christians don't represent all of us."

STRYPER's original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Tim Gaines (bass) released a concert CD/DVD combination called Live At The Whisky on September 23, 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show in November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band's first show in support of their latest, critically acclaimed release, No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay sold around 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on November 5, 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records.

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

PILGRIMSPROG release new song, “Ordinary Time”:
Press Release / “Ordinary Time” is the latest song from the upcoming PILGRIMSPROG CD Here I Am, which will be released in 2015

Some people only know of Jesus from Christmas and Easter, but I want to know him every day.  This is inspired by a line from Between The Giants, a Christmas play by Rebecca Wimmer. In the play, the statement is made that if you only know of Jesus from Christmas and Easter then it is like knowing someone at his birth and his death without knowing any of his life between.

I was also amused to see the season/period of time between Lent/Easter/Pentecost and Advent/Christmas on the liturgical church calendar is called Ordinary Time. I want to know Him in the Ordinary Time, and the ordinary times in life.

"Ordinary Time", a textured song with acoustic guitars, organ, and choir, is available on Bandcamp at https://pilgrimsprog.bandcamp.com/track/ordinary-time

It will soon be available on iTunes and Amazon.

PILGRIMSPROG is a progressive rock project that is the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Scott Miller.  Here I Am will be the third studio album by PILGRIMSPROG.

The self-titled PILGRIMSPROG debut is a concept album released in 2010 based on John Bunyan’s Christian classic Pilgrim's Progress.  The 2013 sophomore release Do You Have Thanatophobia? had rich themes of forgiveness, the scandal of the Cross, and the fear of death (Thanatophobia).

PILGRIMSPROG online: www.pilgrimsprog.com & www.facebook.com/Pilgrimsprog

The Artist ONE to release third album in Exodus trilogy, 40 Years Of Wandering:
Press Release / He is the musical Moses/Prophet of this age:

The Artist ONE is one of the great visionary artists of this century. “The Moses” of this generation and I foresee the one who will lead this industry out of this proverbial desert. April 4th 2015 will mark the release the newest album 40 Years Of Wandering with a small but important tour of Rome, Egypt, Israel and Moscow Russia.

 Legendary music promoter Boyd Grafmyre, the “Mahatma of Rock” and Executive Producer of “MOSES”, is coming out of retirement for one last show. “I have always had an ability to hear the future in music” says Boyd.

Boyd Grafmyre is considered the last of the iconic rock promoters from the 60’s and 70’s, responsible for legions of bands and artists such as the late Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Chicago, Elton John and Alice Cooper and some of the largest outdoor festivals such as Seattle POP.

“MOSES” is a musical journey of the most read book in the world, “The BIBLE.” It is fresh, new, and not an album or a band that plays empty bars.  It has the sounds that I personally feel will fill stadiums once again.  The music has a blend of many possibilities, a theatrical experience blending sight, sound and spirituality.

This project is set to be a three hour, three set production, with a large film backdrop (synched with the show), as seen in many bigger live show theaters, adding actors and holograms into the performance. The Artist ONE composes and performs all the music for the albums alone but will enlist from ten to 50 musicians to perform the show live. (In some cities a large orchestra)

“I feel we are living in the last days and to focus on money is a waste, I am sure we will lose millions in this evangelistic production”.

We are currently in negotiations to play ROME Italy, An undisclosed location in Israel, Cairo Egypt and Moscow Russia. Exodus IV.3

40 Years Of Wandering is the third album from the Exodus trilogy with special guest performers by top Italian singer Dr. Veronica Vitale and highly acclaimed operatic singer Andrea Turner.

 DR. Malachi is the only artist to make music of the Bible and the only artist in my opinion to do it properly.

40 Years Of Wandering samples: www.reverbnation.com/onemalachi

The Artist ONE online: www.theartistone.com & www.facebook.com/theartistone

NEWS BRIEFS

* Latest from Roxx Records regarding MORTIFICATION and RECON re-issues: “We have had some people asking about the pre orders or for an update on the upcoming Mortification 25th Anniversary vinyl of Break The Curse and the 25th Anniversary vinyl and CD of Recon Behind Enemy Lines so here is a quick update...

“Both are coming along well! Mortification vinyl project is going to be at the pressing plant in less then two weeks!  Recon will probably be another month or two! Recon are recording two new songs for this project right now and we are gathering a lot of flyers and memorabilia to make a nice booklet for the CD version! This is going to be cool!  Everyone will love these! Problem is vinyl pressing vendors are all in HIGH demand! Once the Mortification vinyl gets to the pressing plant it will be almost 4 months for them to produce it! So it will be summer time!

“We are going to hold off on pre orders until we get about a month from having them in hand!”

* GLENN KAISER BAND at work on new album (as reported at the blog of vocalist Glenn Kaiser): “GKB is soon to woodshed on new songs, likely to release a few new tunes prior to our German/Swiss/Czech tour in early June. Roy’s written a ton of ‘em, I’ve several, we’ll just select a handful for starters, then pare ‘em down and record, play them some live prior to that tour. The concept is when we have a full project we’ll release it as such, publicizing it when that happens, same re. tour dates.”

* SOMBRE HOLIDAY update from vocalist and guitarist Terry Friesen: “Since summer, we have begun working on the fourth installment of Sombre Holiday.  It looks like we’re diving into yet another deep theme of mingled anguish and beauty, and we’re loving where the story and melodies are taking us… most definitely a concept album.”

 

ARTICLES

The Top 21 Christian Metal & Hard Rock Albums Of 2014:
While 2014 might not have had the star-studded power of 2013, in which revered eighties acts Bride, Stryper, Bloodgood, Deliverance and Sacred Warrior released new albums, it certainly was not without its share noteworthy moments.  Read Full Article >>

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

EFRATA: Something Powerful Inside lyric video released:
Press Release / The Curitiba, Brazil based heavy metal band EFRATA released its debut album Something Powerful Inside via Conspiracy Records in October of 2014.  The official lyric video for the track “Take My Heart Again” can be seen above.

Karim Serri (SEVEN ANGELS) handled production duties at Silent Music Studio.  The album was mastered by Adair Daufenbach, while Fernando L. Faria contributed cover artwork.

EFRATA formed in 2006 and after recording a four-song demo and sharing the stage with Stauros, Germán Pascual and Petra, signed with Conspiracy Records.  Something Powerful Inside joins elements of heavy metal, hard rock and progressive metal.

Something Powerful Inside track listing:

1. “Butterfly Effect”
2. “Growing Time”
3. “Words Of The Wise”
4. “Led By The Spirit”
5. “Take My Heart Again”
6. “Light Your Eyes”
7. “Sacred Blow”
8. “Come Back Home”
9. “Like The Book Said”
10. “My Hero”

EFRATA line up:

Rodrigo Godoy – Lead Vocals
Yeanpierre Caipo - Guitars
Ricardo Augusto – Keyboards
Leandro Paiva – Bass
Gê - Drums

EFRATA online: www.facebook.com/efratapage

NARNIA to headline Elements Of Rock:
Press Release / Swedish neo-classical metallers NARNIA recently announced that they will be headlining the twelfth edition of Elements of Rock Festival on March 13-15, 2015 in Switzerland. Commented the band: “We feel honored to return back again to this excellent festival. We are looking forward to meet You! Hope to see you all there!”

NARNIA has toured with the likes of DIO, STRATOVARIUS and SONATA ARTICA in addition to also having performed at other festivals such as Sweden Rock Festival and Gates Of Metal.

Since forming in 1996, NARNIA has released six studio albums: Awakening (1998), Long Live The King (1999), Desert Land (2001), The Great Fall (2003), Enter The Gate (2006) and Course Of A Generation (2009).

NARNIA‘s most recent album, Course Of A Generation, came out in Europe on July 24, 2009 via Massacre Records. The CD marked the recording debut of lead singer Germán Pascual (MIND’S EYE, MENDEZ), who replaced original front man Christian Liljegren.  Course Of A Generation was mixed by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman (IN FLAMES, SOILWORK, ARCH ENEMY, DIMMU BORGIR) in Gothenburg, Sweden.

NARNIA line up 2015:

Christian Liljegren - Led Vocals
CJ Grimmark - Guitars
Martin Härenstam - Keyboards
Andreas Passmark - Bass
Andreas Johansson  - Drums

Other booked band’s for Elements Of Rock 2015 include:

POLUTION (Hardrock, CH)
FROSTHARDR (Blackmetal, NO)
BLOODGWORK (Extreme metal, UK)
SLEEPING ROMANCE (Melodic Metal, IT)
MALCHUS (Melodic Death Metal, PL)
FREAKINGS (Thrash Metal, CH)
CHANGED (Hardrock, CH)
EMPIRE 21 (Melodic Metal, SW)
IMMORTAL SOULS (Winter Metal, FIN)
MORGARTEN (Black Metal, CH)

A few more bands will be announced in the coming weeks.  Also Pastor Bob Beeman (Sanctuary International) and Jim LaVerde (BARREN CROSS) will be there.

Elements Of Rock online: www.elementsofrock.ch & www.facebook.com/events/1497405893808246

In Memoriam Chris Hyde:
Chris Hyde (Born January 3, 1965), who was the first drummer in both HOLY SOLDIER (1985) and DELIVERANCE (1985-1990) in addition to also having worked with VENGEANCE RISING (1991), has died at age 50. Chris was dealing with a long-term illness, and he went home to be with the Lord at 11:45 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015) last night with a family friend by his side.

Further commentary by DELIVERANCE front man Jimmy P. Brown:

“I'm so shocked, and In a state of disbelief! Chris was a talented drummer and musician! I am saddened beyond words to hear of his passing... Rest In Peace Christopher (alien) Hyde. Find your rest in the arms of Saviour!

“I met Chris Hyde in 1985 when auditioning drummers to start a band. Chris showed up to my parents house with this huge double bass Gretsch kit and Paiste cymbals. Before he even played, I was like "he's in!" LOL... He told me he played in the band Holy Soldier, but had recently left the band and was looking for something new. We warmed up with a Stryper song, then I asked if he knew anything secular. We both cowardly admitted that we like Sabbath. So I broke into Mob Rules, and Chris followed suit and just owned it!

“We met again except this time, I showed him my own material. Without even planning it, Chris just started coming over and we would jam. We played our first show, only 3 songs. We opened for a band called 99 Times. We didn't have a name, so we went out under the name "Anointed". We later changed the name to Deliverance, and away we went...

“I was only 15 years old when we met. Chris was 20. I remember we got along so well despite the age difference. It was our love of music and God that brought us close. Chris was a tongue talking, Holy Spirit filled Bible believer, and wasn't ashamed to admit it! He always encouraged me to share from the stage and rain fire and brimstone at the audience! He would pray with me and for me! Such a great guy...

“I remember our first big concert, we wanted to make our presence known, so Chris picked me and my girlfriend Helen up at midnight 2 Saturday's before the show. He had 3 cans of spray adhesive, and we had 300 flyers and plastered high schools, bars, anything we could spray and stick! I remember months later the school where Helen went, they were still trying to scrape the flyers off the doors we had adhered them to. LOL. Chris called us "The Midnight Flyers"...

“I have a ton of memories flowing thru my mind, but just thought I would share those... Chris was one of the most thoughtful people I know. He stuck by my side thru the first 5 years of Deliverance through thick and thin. But life called, and he moved in another direction at the tail end of 1990... I knew then that I would look at those 5 years as special, magical, memorable, lots of laughter, lots of tears, but those early unsigned years were possibly the best in my musical career... Because it was about the music and the message! It consumed Chris, Brian Khairullah and myself and kept us going! We went thru guitar players like a recessive gene, but in 1987 we found Glenn Rogers! We recorded the infamous Greetings of Death demo, and it all seemed to fall into place from then on till we recorded our first record together.

“So it brings me today... I get the call from George Ochoa telling me the news that our brother had fallen ill and passed away. I was in the parking lot of Costco with my wife, and I told George I'd call him back. I looked on FB, checked some posts and verified that this was the case. I began to weep. Both my wife Helen and I together.

“I hadn't spoken to Chris in many years, and in an instant, I regretted not staying in contact. Even if to say hello. How are you? Life tends to get a hold of you, and tosses you around like a flower pedal caught in a wind storm. And you forget that staying touch means more than you can truly imagine. Especially with those whom you shared very special and enigmatic moments with!

“Chris, you will always be remembered for many things: Great drummer; Brother in Christ; Funny guy; Good father; Loving husband, etc. But I will always remember you as a comrade, a fellow soldier, and mostly a valued friend...”

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

IMPELLITTERI announce new album, Venom:
Courtesy of Frontiers Music srl

Press Release / We are excited to announce the release of the brand new IMPELLITTERI studio album entitled Venom on April 17th in Europe and April 21st in North America!

With the release of the new album Venom, IMPELLITTERI deliver a record filled with addictive and memorable riffs, guitar solos that feature Chris Impellitteri’s blistering shredding technique coupled with strong melody. Rob Rock's vocals are mesmerizing, melodic, and will have fans singing each song long after the record is over. Lastly, the band boggles the mind with brutal drumming filled with speed and groove, courtesy of John Dette (ex-TESTAMENT, SLAYER band, etc.) and beastly bass playing courtesy of James Pulli. IMPELLITTERI wanted to create music that would take the listener on a musical journey thru different time periods of metal and rock… MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

Chris Impellitteri is heralded as one of the world’s greatest guitar shredders. He has won Best Rock Guitarist Awards from several magazines during the years for his guitar soloing. He is the first guitarist to be branded as the fastest guitarist in the world by the international media. Recently and without any prompting or campaigning, Impellitteri was voted 2nd fastest guitarist in the world by “Guitar One” magazine; and “Guitar World” magazine recently listed Chris Impellitteri within their top 50 fastest guitarists of all time!

Chris Impellitteri formed IMPELLITTERI in 1987, together with Rob Rock. That year, they released an EP called the Black Album which was well-received, and IMPELLITTERI went on to release the full-length album Stand In Line in 1988. As of today IMPELLITTERI have released a total of 9 acclaimed studio albums. The new record Venom follows 2009’s Wicked Maiden.

During the writing and recording of the new album Venom the band pushed the limitations of their musical abilities in both performance and composition. All musical areas and ideas were explored with only the best recorded.

Frontiers will release the album with two superb, new exclusive bonus tracks as add-ons.

Venom track listing:

1. “Venom”
2. “Empire Of Lies”
3. “We Own The Night”
4. “Nightmare”
5. “Face The Enemy”
6. “Dominoe Theory”
7. “Jehova”
8. “Rise”
9. “Time Machine”
10. “Holding On”
11. “Rock Through The Night” (bonus track)
12. “Reach For the Sky” (bonus track)

Musicians:

Chris Impellitteri - Lead Guitar
Rob Rock - Lead Vocals
James Pulli - Bass
Jon Dette - Drums

Produced by: Impellitteri and Greg Reely

According to guitarist Chris Impellitteri, the group has signed with Frontiers for the release of Venom in Europe, United States and many other countries and JVC Victor for Asia and Australia.  There will be two different versions of Venom.  Japan will have one version and Europe, United States and the rest of the world will have an extended version with the two bonus tracks, “Rock Through The Night” and “Reach For The Sky”.

IMPELLITTERI online: www.facebook.com/chris.impellitteri & www.facebook.com/pages/Rob-Rock-The-Voice-of-Melodic-Metal

SLEEPING ROMANCE: “Fire & Ice” video released:
Press Release / The symphonic metal band SLEEPING ROMANCE have released a video for their new single "Fire & Ice" online.

"Fire & Ice" is available as a digital single and it also includes two additional tracks: a "cinematic version" of "Fire & Ice" as well as a re-recorded version of the track "December Flower" from their debut album Enlighten. The digital single is available at iTunes, Spotify and Bandcamp.

Fire & Ice track listing:

1. “Fire & Ice”
2. “December Flower” (Chamber music version)
3. “Fire & Ice” (Cinematic version)

SLEEPING ROMANCE will embark on a European tour in March. See below for all dates.

March 13th: Elements of Rock - Uster (CH)
March 15th: VolumeMax Fest IV - Brno (CZ)
March 16th: British Rock Star - Bratislava (SK)
March 17th: ExitUS - Prague (CZ)
March 19th: StudioGonz - Gouda (NL)
March 20th: The Mix - Wolvega (NL)
March 21st: Ukien - Kampen (NL)
March 22nd: De Pit - Terneuzen (NL)

Ulterium Records Bandcamp: http://ulteriumrecords.bandcamp.com

SLEEPING ROMANCE online: www.sleeping-romance.com & www.facebook.com/sleepingromanceofficial

NEWS BRIEFS

* Two new ARMAGEDDON USA tracks, “Spinner” & “Time Divider”, are available for streaming at: www.reverbnation.com/Armageddonusa

* TERAMAZE has signed a global record contract with Music Theories (Mascot Music Group): “We are so very excited and honoured to not only be aligned with this amazing label, but also to be working with and guided by Mr Jim Pitulski former Managing Director of Inside Out America and former manager of Dream Theater.  This is a truly amazing opportunity for us and we are all very excited about our forthcoming album and our relationship with Mascot and Jim moving forward.
Thank you to all our amazing fans and look forward to the official press release from Mascot Music Group soon!”

 

ARTICLES

The top 50 Christian metal & hard rock albums of the nineties:
All things added up, in my opinion, some of the best Christian metal and hard rock came out of the decade; I found it the great challenge to put together the nineties list as opposed to that from the eighties as a result.  Read Full Article >>

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

STRYPER: One On One with Mitch Lafon:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net

During a recent interview with Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast, guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of Christian hard rockers STRYPER was asked about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2013's No More Hell To Pay album.

"It's funny, 'cause I just went into STRYPER mode a little over a week ago," Michael responded. "I had no songs. And I just put a tweet out that I finished the songs. I wrote all the songs except for one cover. Oz (Fox, guitar) sent me a few riff ideas. And I put all the songs together in a little over a week. And I think that's a new record for me. I mean, No More Hell To Pay was a few-week process. This was a little over a week, and I'm pretty blown away. I'm still tweaking little things here and there."

He continued: "The (other) guys (in the band) come out next Thursday, so (in) less than a week, and we go in and start recording on the 1st of February. So it seems like it's really fast motion right now. But it's turning out fantastic. It's definitely a little more in a heavy sense. I've got some drop-D songs, a little more chuggy and dark and heavy. The lyrics are powerful and kind of scary, some of them. I think people are gonna hear it and go, 'Wow! That's STRYPER?' You know?"

Asked if there ae still any religious references in the new STRYPER lyrics, Sweet said: "Absolutely. Some of the words themselves are actually taken from the Bible, so that's still there. The lyrics are definitely on the bold and powerful side. They're not like the lyrics of old.

"A lot of our lyrics, I read back through the lyrics, and at times I'm a little embarrassed because they were just so repetitive and shallow at times - just real simplistic 'Rock, rock rock. Jesus, Jesus.' These lyrics are definitely a lot deeper. I'm pulling from the Bible at times.

"There's a song about God creating the heavens and the earth. It's called 'Let There Be Light'. And it's about in the beginning, and it's taken right from Genesis. There's a song about the Devil; it's called 'Fallen'. It just talks about how when the Devil, when he was Lucifer, an archangel in heaven, when he walked, he was the angel of music, and when he walked, there was music. It tells the story in that song of, basically, about how he's fallen, and why, and how. It's a real powerful song."

He continued: "I've got a song called 'Big Screen Lies' that's about how the film industry portrays Christians as complete buffoons one million percent of the time. And that's just not the case. It is sometimes, but those buffoon Christians don't represent all of us."

Sweet added: "There's some cool stuff on here. And musically speaking, it's heavy. It's just chugging and… people are gonna dig it."

STRYPER's original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Tim Gaines (bass) released a concert CD/DVD combination called Live At The Whisky on September 23, 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show in November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band's first show in support of their latest, critically acclaimed release, No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay sold around 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on November 5, 2013 in North America via Frontiers.

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

NEWS BRIEFS

* New ARMAGEDDON album on the way (as taken from the groups Facebook page - February 2, 2015): “We are happy to announce that we will be known as ARMAGEDDON USA from now on. We felt this was best on account of the many bands who have stolen our name and published without our permission. We are not a group that wishes to litigate this issue, so we will be known as ARMAGEDDON USA so we don't confuse the people who are following this band. Our new cd, called Up In Flames will be released in the next few weeks. We will keep you updated on the exact release date very soon. Thanks to all of our old fans and we Welcome all the new fans of ARMAGEDDON USA! Metal on!!!”

* BIOGENESIS disbands (Facebook – February 6, 2015): “After much work and deliberation Biogenesis members have decided to part ways. We have had an amazing time playing locally and abroad. And for those of you that were in the New line up James Riggs, Colin Glover, Ernest Lee Gehring. Thank you for your time and effort. You can all check out other projects that Bio's individual members are in and see some amazing musicians. Such as Assailant, Letters to the Blind, Mari Jayn, Horlet, 80Proof, Engraved Darkness and Coffin Birth Conspiracy. Thank you to our fans for all your support and attendance at our shows.  From Puerto Rico to the U.S. and our local Dayton OH. Fans you are all awesome. Keep rockin’ to real music made by people not electronics ! Metal still Rules !”

* HARMONY will soon be making available some extra tracks it recorded it recorded for its most recent album Theater Of Redemption.

 

FEATURED REVIEWS

ADRIANGALE - Defiance
Proving a single comeback album is no fluke, AdrianGale rebounded the following year with fifth album Defiance in which it continues to up the guitar driven proclivities - creating by far its heaviest work to date - while staying true to the same melodic framework we have come to embrace from the group.  Read Full Review >>

BLACK FATE - Between Visions & Lies
When not dreaming of moving out of mom’s basement, it’s about über-talented melodic power metal bands with virtuoso guitar players and near unlimited range vocalists that soar with the best of them.  Read Full Review >>

THE BRAVE - Rise
Helping lend to The Brave’s interpretation of its past material as well as re-defining its sound for the new is vocalist Amanda Z., who replaces Randy Roberts (soulful front man on Trust) and James Salters (soaring lead vocalist for Battle Cries).  Read Full Review >>

FOUR STAR REVIVAL - Knights Of The Revival
Maintaining the cool head of objectivity can sometimes be hard in the music review world, especially when something exciting comes up.  Read Full Review >>

JUPITER VI - Moveable Walls
Veteran Christian metal act Deliverance may be on extended (if not permanent) hiatus, but founding member and vocalist/guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II refuses to rest on his laurels, as the Roxx Records fall of 2014 sophomore album, Moveable Walls, of his Jupiter VI project aptly attests.  Read Full Review >>

SAINT - Broad Is The Gate
As many of you know, a new vocalist can potentially alter a bands sound, but much to its credit Saint stays true to its NWOBHM roots on Broad Is The Gate despite the addition of the talented Miller (the same smooth transition was made by Saint as Sacred Warrior when it recently replaced Rey Parra with Eli Prinson).  Read Full Review >>

TERAMAZE - Esoteric Symbolism
Teramaze maintains the momentum with its fourth full-length album in Esoteric Symbolism (also Nightmare) that finds it treading similar musical waters but with the heavier penchant for the progressive.  Read Full Review >>

X-TERRA - Wolves
Musically, Wolves finds X-Terra exploring similar musical territory as X-Nihilo in merging aspects of straightforward hard rock, melodic metal and hard rock and acoustic rock with the same seventies and eighties influences.  Where the albums sets itself apart is in the areas of songwriting from proving that much more consistent while also featuring the better all around material.  Read Full Review >>

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

JACOBS DREAM update for 2015:
As reported at the official JACOBS DREAM website:

“Happy New Year (every one. Best wishes to all. We took a little holiday break from the studio but we are ready and eager to get back to work. Kevin (Wright – lead vocals) has been working on vocal tracks at his own studio while we have been tracking guitars at the Anthem (JD) studio.

“So, you may be wondering what is taking so long to finish (the new album).  As you know, Kevin has only been with us a little while and shortly after he joined, we had a few gigs we were committed to performing so we had to push back the recording in order to get him up to speed on our live set. Now, having those gigs behind us we are concentrating our full attention on recording. We don’t want to lay this all on Kevin's shoulders though (in that) there are also a number of songs that need solos worked out for and a few lyrics yet to be written. These are a few of the loose ends that have yet to be tied up.

“So what can you expect to see and hear from us in 2015?

"As you all know, the music business is changing radically for what it was even 10 years ago. In order to be effective in this new climate we are looking at several options. Streaming music to consumers is the most popular way of reaching our fans currently. Another way is videos. Neither of these avenues requires a contract with a music label to achieve. So while not ruling out signing this album to a label, we don’t think that it is truly necessary. If anyone out there has any thoughts on the matter we would like to hear from you”.

You can contact JACOBS DREAM at: jacobsdreamusa@hotmail.com

Note: The new JACOBS DREAM album has a working title of Where Vultures Lie.  JACOBS DREAM released its last album, Beneath The Shadows, in 2009 on Retroactive Records.  Prior to that the group got its start on Metal Blade Records with its 2000 self-titled debut and follow up efforts Theater Of War (2001) and Drama Of The Ages (2005).  Dominion Of Darkness, the fourth JACOBS DREAM album, was independently released in 2008.

JACOBS DREAM online: http://jacobsdreamusa.wix.com/jacobs-dream & www.facebook.com/OfficialJacobsDream

STRYPER to begin recording new album:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Christian hard rockers STRYPER will enter the studio this weekend to begin recording their new album for a late spring/early summer release via Frontiers. The band's guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet told Eddie Trunk's SiriusXM satellite radio show, "Eddie Trunk Live": "The (other) guys (in STRYPER) come out here in three days, to my house, and they're gonna be here for eight days. I'm gonna teach 'em all the songs. We're gonna go through two songs a day and get 'em down — really, really get 'em down. Then we're gonna go in the studio. We load in on February 1 at the studio we always record at, SpiritHouse (Recording Studios) in Northampton, (Massachusetts). We've done the last five albums there. We're gonna load in on (February 1) and we start tracking on (February 2)."

Regarding the musical direction of the new STRYPER material, Sweet said: "It's gonna be… I don't wanna scare any fans away or anything, but it's gonna be the heaviest album we've done. Not in the sense that it's gonna be thrash metal or anything like that. It's definitely got a little bit of a darker vibe to it lyrically and musically. Some of the songs are tuned down — not like the modern dropped B stuff; I'm talking like the E dropped to D, 'Unchained' VAN HALEN kind of stuff. And it's just got a heavy sound to it. And I think when people hear it, in a good way, they're gonna go, 'That's STRYPER? What?' I think they're gonna be shocked."

STRYPER's original lineup comprised of Michael Sweet (vocals/guitars), Robert Sweet (drums), Oz Fox (guitars) and Tim Gaines (bass) released a concert CD/DVD combination called Live At The Whisky on September 23, 2014 via Frontiers. The live recording was captured at a sold-out show in November 2013 at the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. The 16-track collection documents the band's first show in support of their latest, critically acclaimed release, No More Hell To Pay.

No More Hell To Pay sold around 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.

Second Coming, a collection of re-recorded versions of STRYPER's classic songs, opened with around 4,400 units back in April to land at No. 117.

STRYPER's covers album, 2011's The Covering, registered a first-week tally of around 4,600 copies to enter the chart at No. 175.

The band's previous collection of new material, 2009's Murder By Pride, premiered with 5,900 copies to debut at No. 73.

No More Hell To Pay was released on November 5, 2013 in North America via Frontiers Records.

STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper

NEWS BRIEFS

* FOUR STAR REVIVAL interview with Metal Pulse Radio interview: http://metalpulseradio.com/four-star-revival-interview-2

* Roxx Cast Episode 008 features an interview with JUPITER VI members Jimmy P. Brown II and Jeff Ceybal): www.roxxproductions.com/roxxcast

* JAGUAR BLAZE January 2015 video blog: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJlIVAfeGPA

* New single from RAZORIGAMI, “The Practical Conclusion” (as taken from the groups Facebook page - January 2, 2015):  “Razorigami has released a new single titled “The Practical Conclusion”, available from Itunes and Amazon today! I don’t know what this year has in store for us, but I know Who this year belongs to and Who deserves the glory!

“Pursuant to the more modern leanings of 2013’s Weathering…, “The Practical Conclusion” was mastered by the illustrious Joseph Giampa, and has familiar lyrical roots that are based squarely in some of the writings and concepts of C.S. Lewis, along with a combination of scripture and recent events. This is a song I intend as a true herald for the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to God!!!”

Lyrics available at: https://razorigami.wordpress.com

* Guitarist David Wallimann is at work on a new instrumental project entitled Evolving Seeds Of Glory.  Further details from the artist:
 
“I am very excited to announce the soon to be released Evolving Seeds Of Glory.  The album features the great Randy George (NEAL MORSE BAND, AJALON) on bass and the incredible Nick D’Virgilio (SPOCK’S BEARD) on drums. The album is an instrumental story that will take the listener new far away lands. Are you ready for the journey?
 
“Evolving Seeds Of Glory is nearly completed. It only needs a few overdubs before being sent to Taylor Mesplé’s studio for mixing. A short limited edition of physical CDs will be made available. The project is currently being funded via Kickstarter.  All funds will go towards the mixing, mastering, and CD production.”

Further information and samples: www.kickstarter.com/projects/wallimann/full-length-epic-instrumental-prog-rock-album

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

We Are The Crowd: A Christian Music Festival with a ‘raw edge’ for young and old:
Press Release / The first edition of this rocking festival will be organized in the WRZV-hallen in Zwolle, The Netherlands, on September 25 and the headliner of this festival is one that will astound you for sure. “An old form with a new look” says Abhay van den Berg, one of the organizers. With “We Are the Crowd” the organizers hope to create an event on which both the old rocker as well as younger visitors will get revved up. For this, all stops have been pulled out and we are proud to announce that our headliner will be non-other than the Swedish rock band ‘Jerusalem’!

‘We Are the Crowd’: Power to the Crowd!

A new music festival that aims to offer a show to Christian rockers and youth on which they can feel safe. “Discontinued festivals like Winter Wonder Rock and Flevo Festival, as we know it, have been leading in the area of music with a raw edge, within the Christian pop culture, for years. ‘We Are the Crowd’ wants to offer this pop culture a new base within the festival.” With this, the organizers want to emphasize that the festival is open for both young and old, for anyone that feels at home with the alternative music genres, and hopes to reach a wider audience. The visitor is allowed to expect a varied evening on which artists like:

• Alive Again (NL)
• Frühstück (PL)
• Sacrety (DE)
• HB (FIN)
• Jerusalem (SE)

The last one hasn’t performed in the Netherlands for over 15 years!

The management wants to organize this event without intervention of a bank or loan. That’s why the tickets are sold with the aid of the so called ‘crowd funding’ concept. The purchase of a ticket is a direct compensation for the festival and an investment for a possible second edition. The management wants to be transparent in this and will publish the minimum amount required in advance. In this way, the initiators want to live up to their name: An evening on which everyone is a part of the crowd!

A ‘crowd funding’ ticket for the festival is purchasable for 30 Euros, from the 1st of February onward and will also give access to ‘We are Market’. A place where different Christian organizations will present themselves to the visitor to create a place of encounter.

We Are The Crowd online: www.facebook.com/wearethecrowdfestival

E-mail: wearethecrowdfestival@gmail.com

The We Are The Crowd website will be online from February 1st onward: https://www.wearethecrowd.nl/

JUPITER VI: “Face In The Sky” lyric video released:
Press Release / Progressive rock act JUPITER VI released its debut album Moveable Walls on December 16, 2014 via Roxx Productions.  The official lyric video for the track “Face In The Sky” can be seen above.

Moveable Walls features Jimmy P. Brown II (DELIVERANCE) on lead vocals, guitars, drums, bass and keyboards on all tracks.  Jeff Ceyba handles lead guitar.  The album was also produced by Jimmy P. Brown II and mastered by Ty Tabor (King’s X).

Commented Brown: “Movable Walls is a 50 minute album diving into thoughtful slightly progressive music ala Pink Floyd/Bowie with a psychological story of attaining success, but losing ones self, only to find it all again by losing everything.

“There's a bit more to it than that, but it's quite an accomplished record that I would like to invite all of you to experience.”

Movable Walls was released as part of a 2-disc set, with the second entitled Covered Stars & Undiscovered Planets.

Further details from the artist: "Covered Stars & Undiscovered Planets is a 5 song EP containing 3 cover songs from some of my favorite musical influences along with 2 new originals as well.  It is more in line with what Back from Mars (THE JUPITER VI debut from 2006) record was like.”

Movable Walls track listing:

1. “Sleepless End pt. I-IV” (19:54)
2. “Wasting Away” (6:53)
3. “Running’ (5:40)
4. “Face in the Sky” (3:42)
5. “A Message from Home Pt. I” (12:16)

Movable Walls can be ordered at: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com

JUPITER VI online: www.facebook.com/jupiterviroxx

MORTIFICATION and RECON 25th Anniversary reissues announced:
Press Release / 1990 was a seminal year for Christian Metal and some of those artists and albums that helped shape the Jesus Metal movement. Two of the most notable and relevant bands from that era who were at the Christian metal forefront of the music scene are both celebrating 25th anniversaries of their debut releases in 2015. Roxx Records is very excited to announce this year we will be celebrating these anniversaries with several very special Limited Edition re-mastered releases, on both vinyl and CD formats. Join us as we revisit and explore these two artists and their groundbreaking releases.
 
First we celebrate Australian metal legends MORTIFICATION with their debut album Break The Curse, which was actually the band’s very first demo originally recorded under the LIGHTFORCE banner, and it would take the death metal world by storm! This would be the world’s first introduction of the band that would go on to pave the way for Christian Death Metal bands to come!
 
Break the Curse was the initial release that would start it all, this release has long been out of print and it has NEVER been printed or released on vinyl!  In 2010 Roxx Records released a very special Limited Edition 20th anniversary 2 Disc Gold Edition CD/DVD of Break The Curse, which is now out of print. Now Roxx Records has a very special release planned to celebrate the 25th Silver Anniversary of Break The Curse with a one-time pressing of 300 VINYL copies of Break The Curse on both a colored and black vinyl edition.
 
Up next we have the smashing US power/speed metal debut from DELIVERANCE axe master George Ochoa with his explosive band RECON and their groundbreaking debut album Behind Enemy Lines. Released shortly after their debut tracks raised the bar for metal with the very well received tracks “Light The Fire” & “Dreams” which were released on the California Metal 2 compilation released in 1988.
 
The album was originally released on CD and cassette tape, both of which are extremely rare and hard to find today with a one-time CD reissue from M8 records, which is equally as rare these days. In addition, a very small limited amount of vinyl was originally released in Europe only, which is next to impossible to find or locate at all today, until now.
 
Roxx Records is releasing a one-time Limited Edition vinyl reissue of this classic metal album featuring all the original tracks completely re-mastered for vinyl on both colored and black vinyl. As well, the band is working on some very special brand new tunes to mark this 25th anniversary with a very special line up for a very special CD pressing of Behind Enemy Limes completely re-mastered and expanded!
 
2015 is set to be an excellent year for Christian metal fans and we are just getting started and have much more in store for you as this year goes on so stay tuned!
 
Visit www.roxxproductions.com and sign up on our email list to get all of the pre order details and hear the actual release dates first and as soon as they become available.

SWEET & LYNCH: “Dying Rose” video premier:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:

Press Release / SWEET & LYNCH - the new band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of Christian hard rockers STRYPER, legendary guitarist George Lynch (T&N, DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Brian Tichy (S.U.N., WHITESNAKE) - will release its debut album, Only To Rise, on January 27 via Frontiers Music srl. The CD was produced by Sweet, who also helmed the last STRYPER album, No More Hell To Pay.

The official video for the SWEET & LYNCH song "Dying Rose" can be seen above. Sweet states: "'Dying Rose' is the perfect representation of this album. It's heavy yet dynamic with a riff and melody that reminds you of the greatest era in rock.

"George and I are proud of this song and excited that you all have the opportunity to finally hear it in its entirety and to see it as well!"

Only To Rise track listing:

1. “The Wish”
2. “Dying Rose”
3. “Love Stays”
4. “Time Will Tell”
5. “Rescue Me”
6. “Me Without You”
7. “Recover”
8. “Divine”
9. “September”
10. “Strength In Numbers”
11. “Hero-Zero”
12. “Only To Rise”

"George and I are proud of how this album turned out and we're counting the days for the release," adds Sweet. "We're equally as proud of the fan base out there. So many people have been there through thick and thin and this album is a testimony to the perseverance of working hard and working even harder. George, Brian, James and myself gave 110% to every note played and sung and we hope that it shows."

Frontiers Records online: www.frontiers.it/home

SWEET & LYNCH online: www.facebook.com/SweetLynch

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

DYNASTY announce new covers album, Inspirations:
Press Release / Brazil’s DYNASTY pays homage to Christian metal and hard rock heroes of the past with its upcoming covers album, Inspirations.  A release date has been set for the first week of April 2015 to coincide with the Metanoia Festival.

According to vocalist Nahor Andrade, “We love the honored bands (we grew up) listening to (and that) to record covers is common in Dynasty’s history.  Also, (Inspirations) is a good preview to the next full-length album (of original material) to be released in 2016 in order to celebrate the 20 years of the band”.

The group is nearing the end of the recording process of Inspirations, with only bass parts, some vocals and guitars to complete.

DYNASTY debuted in 1997 with the Into Righteousness demo followed by EP releases The Angels Return and Following The Sign from 1999 and 2002, respectively.  The melodic power/progressive metal of the group’s initial full-length offering Motus Perpetuus came out in 2004 and six years later the traditional metal influenced sophomore effort Warriors Of The King.

Inspirations track listing:

1. “Too Late For Living” - SAINT
2. “Top Of The Mountain” - BLOODGOOD
3. “Ark Of Suffering” - TOURNIQUET
4. “Weapons Of Our Warfare” - DELIVERANCE
5. “Imaginary Music” - BARREN CROSS
6. “Only Yesterday” - JOSHUA
7. “Metal Might” - BRIDE
8. “Beat The System” - PETRA
9. “Minister By Night” - SACRED WARRIOR
10. “Eye Of The Hurricane” - IMPELLITTERI

DYNASTY line up:

Nahor Andrade – Lead Vocals
Filipe Otávio - Guitars
César Martins - Guitars
Tiago Vitek - Drums
Samuel Martins – Bass

DYNASTY online: www.facebook.com/DynastyMetal

HARMONY: “Son Of The Morning” lyric video released:
Press Release / The Swedish melodic metal band HARMONY just released a lyric video for the track "Son of the Morning" from their new album Theatre Of Redemption.

Theatre Of Redemption was released on November 28, 2014 in Europe and on December 2, 2014 in North America through Ulterium Records.

Theatre Of Redemption features Daniel Heiman (ex. LOST HORIZON, HEED) on vocals on all tracks. The album was mixed by Fredrik Nordström and Henrik Udd at Studio Fredman (AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL) and mastered by Thomas "Plec" Johansson (SCAR SYMMETRY, WATAIN).

The strong and diverse songs, the emotional and technical guitar playing by Markus Sigfridsson and the fantastic vocals provided by Daniel Heiman brings HARMONY up to the same level as the biggest bands in the melodic metal genre. Just listen and you will see. Follow HARMONY into the Theatre Of Redemption…

Theatre Of Redemption track listing:

1. “The Window Of My Soul”
2. “Inhale”
3. “Crown Me King”
4. “Son Of The Morning”
5. “What If”
6. “Theatre Of Redemption”
7. “Bloodbound”
8. “You Are”
9. “Hands Of Time”
10. “In Search Of”

HARMONY line up:

Daniel Heiman - Guest Lead Vocals
Markus Sigfridsson - Guitars, Voices, Additional Keyboards & Programming
John Svensson - Keyboards
Raphael Dafras - Bass
Tobias Enbert - Drums

HARMONY released their debut album Dreaming Awake through Massacre Records in 2003 that in addition to founding members Markus Sigfridsson (DARKWATER, 7 DAYS) and Tobias Enbert (DARKWATER, EMPIRE 21) also featured Henrik Båth and Magnus Holmberg from DARKWATER as well as Andreas Passmark (ROYAL HUNT, WORK OF ART, W.E.T., NARNIA).

The follow-up album Chapter II: Aftermath was released in 2008 through Ulterium Records. Kristoffer Gildenlöw (ex. PAIN OF SALVATION) performed all bass on the album, and Daniel Heiman (ex. LOST HORIZON) performed guest vocals on the track "Inner Peace".

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com

HARMONY online: www.facebook.com/harmonysweden

KING’S X CD & vinyl re-issues on the way:
Press Release / KING’S X are planning CD and vinyl re-issues of their classic first six albums:

Out Of The Silent Planet (LP)
Gretchen Goes To Nebraska (LP)
Faith Hope Love (CD & LP)
King’s X (CD & LP)
Dogman (LP)
Ear Candy CD & LP)

To help with the packaging and layout of the re-releases, the band are asking fans to get in touch if they have any photos, flyers, gig tickets or other merchandise between the years 1988 to 1996.

Commented the group: "King's X will be releasing a series of reissues in 2015 on CD and on vinyl. The band and Metal Blade Records are putting together packaging and track listings at this very moment, and the band would like to ask fans for a favor. King's X is looking for photos, show flyers, ticket stubs, etc. from the 1988-1996 era of the band. If you were there and have any photos from that time, they have a chance to be featured in the layout for one of the upcoming reissues.

“Disclaimer: It is acknowledged and understood that any and all material sent to the band will become the property of King's X and as such can be used for any and all purposes. By sending in photos, you are giving King's X full and total control to use any material sent in, for all uses, including and not limited to promotion and public dissemination of said material.”

Fans who think they have any relevant material are asked to get in touch with the band via the following e-mail address: kingsxphotos@gmail.com

Further reading: www.facebook.com/KingsXFanPage

NEWS BRIEFS

* Be sure to check out WGRK God Rocks Radio, your home for classic Christian rock: http://wgrk.net/forum

* Metal Resource interview with SAINT bassist Richard Lynch: http://mauce.nl/site/interview-with-richard-lynch-of-saint/#more-45968

* Another new song from PASTOR BRAD, “Stuck In The Mud”: http://pastorbradrocks.com/album/lemonade

 

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

BLACK FATE: "Rhyme Of The False Orchestra” music video released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band BLACK FATE have released a music video for the track "Rhyme of the False Orchestra" online. The track comes off their new album Between Visions & Lies that was released on November 28, 2014 in Europe and on December 2, 2014 in North America through Ulterium Records.

The video was directed by K. Besios and Jimmy Pats.

Led by the incredible vocals from Vasilis Georgiou and the technical playing from guitarist Gus Drax, BLACK FATE will surely gain attention in the scene with their new album Between Visions & Lies that could be described like a mix between KAMELOT, IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER and CONCEPTION.  The album was mastered by Erik Tordsson (ANTESTOR, END OF SEPTEMBER) at Solid Mix Studios.

Between Visions & Lies track listing:

1. "Rhyme Of A False Orchestra"
2. "Lines In The Sand"
3. "The Game Of Illusion"
4. "Into The Night"
5. "In Your Eyes"
6. "Call Of The Wild"
7. "State Of Conformity"
8. "Without Saying A Word"
9. "Perfect Crime"
10. "Weight Of The World"
11. "In Fear"

BLACK FATE line up:

Vasilis Georgiou - Vocals
Gus Drax - Guitars
Nikos Tsintzilonis - Drums
Vasilis Liakos - Bass

Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com

BLACK FATE online: www.facebook.com/blackfategreece

Update from Michael Sweet regarding new STRYPER album:
As reported by the artist on Twitter (January 7, 2015):

“I've been working hard for the past 4 days and so far 8 songs are ready to go! Aside from a few tweaks here and there over the next week, I'm loving the direction!!! I dropped the low E down to D on three songs and overall this album will be the heaviest yet. There is a ballad that's a straight ahead "rock" ballad and I may try for another as well but I have to tell you, I'm super excited about the style and I feel in my gut that this album will not only rival NMHTP but quite possibly surpass it. It would be very cool to make the "the best album" of our career (when many people have already stated that NMHTP was and is). I believe we're easily on that path right now.

“I'm taking two days off (Lisa and I will be celebrating our 5th year anniversary) and then I'll dive back in to finish everything up. Oz submitted a few riff ideas (I already completed one as a song) and I'll be getting to the other 2 soon and I have 2 other very cool ideas. As to that one cover (can't say what yet) and bam - we have a 12 song album with one bonus track.

“You may be thinking "man that was just too quick" and "I hope the songs are good" - trust me I wouldn't let it slide if it wasn't. These songs are going to kick the devils A-double-S and then some and I can't wait to hear it all take form.”

Source: www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sjq384

SYZYGY announce new album: Cosmos & Chaos, The 20th Anniversary Compendium:
Cleveland, October 24, 2014 – SYZYGY, the Cleveland, Ohio based progressive rock artists have announced their official release of Cosmos & Chaos, The 20th Anniversary Compendium. The release includes rare and never before heard tracks from the groups original line up (circa 1984) as well as some reinterpretations and re-programming of the original tracks (both studio and live). The package also features new artwork and thematic motifs, as well as detailed liner notes.

“From the very core of our being, we’ve rediscovered and retrieved these first creative fruits and have polished them into what we believe is a delicious musical offering,” says Carl Baldassarre, one of the founders and composers of the ensemble. “Although we’re currently immersed in the process of recording all new material as we speak, we felt it was also important for us as composers to be sure that we leave behind the most satisfying representation of our earlier works.”

In addition to this release, Baldassarre mentions that the group will be releasing a thoroughly re-worked version of their 2003 opus, The Allegory of Light some time in 2015. He adds, “By bringing both Cosmos & Chaos and The Allegory of Light into the present vernacular, we feel we’re properly setting the stage for what we strongly believe will be a career-defining release of the brand new, symphonic-progressive rock project we’ve been working on for the past couple of years tentatively entitled, The Picciotti Variations.”

About SYZYGY: Rising from the industrial heartland of America comes the magisterial, progressive-rock ensemble SYZYGY. With five decades of music making to their resumes, these composer-virtuosi have crafted their sound from an amalgam of styles spanning centuries. Drawing from the compositional intellect of the 19th century’s romantic school and combined with the varied dialects of the 20th century, Syzygy has created a stimulating elixir making them a potent voice for the 21st century. The members of Syzygy are Carl Baldassarre (guitars), Paul Mihacevich (drums), Al Rolik (Bass) and Sam Giunta (keys).

Cosmos & Chaos, The 20th Anniversary Compendium track listing:

1. “Cosmos (Guitar Prelude in E Major)”
2. “Poetry in B Minor (For Solo Piano)”              
3. “Guitar Etude No. 1 (D Major)”                       
4. “Guitar Etude No. 2 ( G Major)”                      
5. “Tautology (For Guitar & Bass)”                     
6. “The Tone Row (For Keyboard & Guitar)”                    
7. “Voyager”                 
8. “Circadian Rhythm”               
9. “Closure”                  
10. “Strange Loop II”                 
11. “Mount Ethereal”                 
12. “Chaos (Fantasia On Drums)”                       
13. “Opus No. 1 (Witsend Quartet - 1984)”                      
14. “Opus No. 3 (Witsend Quartet - 1984)”                      
15. “Strange Loop II (Syzygy - Live 2010)”
16. “Mount Ethereal (Syzygy - Live 2010)”          

SYZYGY online: http://syzygymusic.com & www.facebook.com/syzygyband

NEWS BRIEFS

* New song from PASTOR BRAD, “Heaven’s Comin’ Down:” http://pastorbradrocks.com/track/heavens-comin-down

* Commentary from Bill Roxx regarding Roxx Records upcoming re-issue of RECON debut Behind Enemy Lines: “Vinyl and CD are 25th anniversary Limited Editions (that will both) be re-mastered.  The M8 reissue was cool but its 10 years old and even that needs a proper re-master.  Vinyl will have all the original tracks; CD will be expanded with 2 or 3 new tracks from the members of Recon with Rey Parra handling the vocals. That’s about all I can share at the moment, but these are going to be cool.”

 

ARTICLES

The top 50 Christian metal & hard rock albums of the eighties:
Following is a list of what Angelic Warlord considers the top 50 Christian metal and hard rock albums of the eighties.  Please keep in mind that as my personal favorites the selections in question mirror the Angelic Warlord style guidelines. Read Full Article >>

METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS

DELIVERANCE update for 2015:
As reported at the groups Facebook page (January 1, 2015):

“Happy New Year to all you Big 'D' fans out there! Wow can't believe we are only 20 likes away from 8000 likes on this page! Our humblest thanks go out to each and every of you while wishing you a very Happy 2015!

“2014 saw some great activity from Deliverance! Including the Stay Of Execution re-mastered and expanded edition, a Limited Edition vinyl pressing of Weapons Of Our Warfare (which we understand is almost completely sold out already after only 3 months of being released), and just released was fron tman Jimmy P Brown II sophomore release from his alter ego side project Jupiter VI entitled Moveable Walls.

“But we still have much in store for you in 2015, including a 25th Anniversary CD version of Weapons Of Our Warfare with some brand new 'D' material!!!! Much more is still coming from Jimmy P Brown and Jupiter VI in 2015.

“Also from Deliverance, guitarist George Ochoa we will have a cool vinyl and CD reissue celebrating the 25th Anniversary of RECON in 2015 with some brand new tracks on the CD version, as well as the debut release of his new band Worldview!

“We also hear Deliverance guitarist Michael Phillips will have out some brand new thrash from his band Join The Dead coming to you some time in 2015!

“So stay tuned people= Deliverance and all of it's members are still very much hard at work to bring you some excellent new music in 2015!”

Further reading : www.facebook.com/DeliveranceRocks

Studio update from Chris Impellitteri:
The latest in regards to the upcoming IMPELLITTERI album Time Machine (courtesy of www.bravewords.com):

"I am thrilled by the writing, performance, and contribution of each Impellitteri band member for our new upcoming record, Time Machine. Rob Rock's vocals so far are mesmerizing. He is right in line with guys like Bruce Dickinson, Ronnie James Dio, and even Axl Rose. Bassist James Pullie is playing like a mad Geezer Butler and Steve Harris, and our new drummer Jon Dette is insane; I guess it helps that Jon had plenty of warm up for this new record when he recently toured as Slayer and Anthrax's drummer.

“These guys are definitely bringing their A-game to this new Impellitteri music. I am also pushing myself as a guitarist, musician and artist so that we can deliver the best music possible to anyone who will listen to us. Looking forward to Time Machine in 2015 and on!"

IMPELLITTERI previously issued the following message (Facebook – November 14, 2014):

"As we are in the mid-point of recording the new Impellitteri record, Time Machine, I am excited for our fans and friends around the world to hear this new music! At the same time I, like all artists, have fear of how we will be received. Will the critics try to discredit our style of music saying we play too many notes, sing too high, play too fast, are too metal, not metal enough, dated, or too polished with our big production? Will the media cover us, and will what's left of the music industry help us share this music with the masses?

“Either way, Impellitteri are making a KILLER new record because we love playing our style of music, sharing it with anyone who will listen to us, and challenging ourselves to make a record that everyone will want to listen to many times over! Time Machine to be released in 2015!"

Further reading: www.facebook.com/chris.impellitteri

NEWS BRIEFS

* A new SWEET & LYNCH song, “Strength In Numbers”, can be streamed at: HERE

Commented vocalist Michael Sweet: “Happy New Year! 2014 was an amazing year but we’re even more excited about 2015! To bring in the new year, George and I wanted to share another song with you, “Strength In Numbers”. It’s a throw back anthem that showcases a strong message as well as a powerful groove and classic GL solo. 1/27 is almost here, get ready for Only To Rise!”

* ”Millennial Reign”, new song uploaded from MILLENNIAL REIGN: HERE

The group is currently at work on its upcoming sophomore release The God Particle.

 

Angelic Warlord Update Archives: HERE