METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE release debut album, In The Name Of The Father:
Press Release / International recording act ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE, the brainchild of Italian guitarist, vocalist & composer Enzo Donnarumma (MEMBERS OF GOD), has signed with Underground Symphony for the December 24, 2015 release of its debut album, In the Name of the Father.
Hailed as "the most ambitious Christian metal project ever made”, In The Name Of The Father features guest appearances from Marty Friedman (ex-MEGADETH), Kobi Farhi (ORPHANED LAND), Ralph Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR), Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING & WARLORD), Gary Wehrkamp (SHADOW GALLERY), Brian Ashland (SHADOW GALLERY) and Nicholas Leptos (WARLORD).
In The Name Of The Father was mixed and mastered by Gary Wehrkamp at New Horizon Studios and will be made available as an exclusive digipak. Jahn Carlini contributed the cover art.
Musically, ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE should appeal to fans of LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY, MYRATH & SYMPHONY X.
In The Name Of The Father album teaser: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD_DspSBBEE
ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE line up:
Enzo Donnarumma - Vocals & Guitars
Kobi Farhi - Vocals
Ralph Scheepers - Vocals
Brian Ashland - Vocals
Nicholas Leptos - Vocals
Marty Friedman - Guitars
Mark Zonder - Drums
Gary Wehrkamp - Guitars
In The Name Of The Father track listing:
1. “In The Name Of The Father”
2. “Psalm 63”
3. “The Lord’s Prayer”
4. “Anima Christ”
5. “Glory Be To The Father”
6. “Benedictus”
7. “The Apostle’s Creed”
8. “Hail Holy Queen”
9. “Guardian Angel Prayer”
10. “Psalm 3”
11. “Hail Mary”
12. “Maybe You”
Enzo Donnarumma online: www.enzodonnarumma.com/en
LEAH - “Winter Sun” Lyric Video Premier:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
As the winter solstice arrives, TESTAMENT guitarist Eric Peterson and Canadian Celtic songstress LEAD are revealing a brand new symphonic metal track, "Winter Sun". Featuring soaring soundscapes, blazing guitar solos and ethereal, operatic vocals, the track sounds like it could have taken weeks to complete. In reality, "Winter Sun" was written and recorded in three days by incorporating app technology.
"Winter Sun" was recorded by five musicians between three different countries, so in order to quickly communicate internationally for free and have the track released by the holidays, the group incorporated the cross-platform communications app WhatsApp to pen the track.
Listen to the track via the official lyric video above.
As veteran yet tech-savvy musicians, Peterson and LEAH feel that this new technology is completely revolutionizing the way they can pen tracks efficiently during their hectic schedules.
"Leah and I orchestrated the vocals, drums, guitars and bass by leaving each other voice messages that you can record and can leave/make decent recordings of clips of music through WhatsApp," states Peterson. "Also, the sound quality is sharp enough that you can actually hear the dynamics well. It's truly amazing! It's a free app, so between Canada and Germany and Slovenia, that's some savings, for sure! Pretty awesome!"
LEAH adds: "I'm so excited about how technology has changed the music industry. Suddenly people are able to collaborate from all around the world and produce incredibly high-quality material. The possibilities are endless. Even something as simple as an app on a smart phone has completely revolutionized the way we write music. As a busy artist and mother of five kids, it was vital for me to be able to quickly record my vocal and lyric ideas and literally sing them into WhatsApp and fire it off to Eric in seconds. It made this song entirely possible."
"Winter Sun" is performed by Eric Peterson (guitars and percussion) and LEAH (vocalist, piano, harp and keys), featuring guest musicians Alex Bent (drums), Tilen Hudrap (bass), and Lyle Livingston (additional keys). Bent and Hudrap performed with TESTAMENT this year at Heavy Montreal, and all three gentlemen perform on the upcoming DRAGONLORD album, Dominion (Livingston is a full-time member of the band).
"Winter Sun" is a delicate blend of Peterson's melodic side of his thrash metal background and LEAH's Celtic metal fusion. This song is all about balance, with Peterson's signature guitar-playing style right up front and center, yet complimentary to LEAH's feminine vocals. The song later takes a surprise change of pace in which the listener will experience less of a holiday-type vibe, and more of the original styles of each artist: haunting operatic choirs and full heavy metal; no compromises.
Eric Peterson and LEAH first displayed their prowess as a songwriting duo with the track "Dreamland", which appeared on LEAH’s 5 song EP Otherworld from 2013.
“Winter Sun” can be downloaded at: http://leahmchenry.com/track/winter-sun
LEAH online www.leahmusic.net & www.facebook.com/LEAHthemusic
NEWS BRIEFS
* TOMMY WALES- “Have Mercy / Mercy Train” live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0YFp3zloOU
* New THEOCRACY album sneak peek: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNYbtuocSSM
* Former JACOBS DREAM vocalist has joined forces with current JACOBS DREAM guitarist John Berry to form a new group, VICIOUS SYMPHONY. The two, who are looking for other musicians, have performed a pair of acoustic gigs covering JACOBS DREAM classics and WHITE LION’s “When The Children Cry”. Musically, VICIOUS SYMPHONY is reported to be very much like JACOBS DREAM.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
INNERWISH - New Album Announced:
Press Release / The Greek melodic metallers INNERWISH will release their new album entitled InnerWish on March 18, 2016 in Europe and North America via Ulterium Records. The artwork for the album was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, RHAPSODY OF FIRE, XANDRIA) and the design was done by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, APOCALYPTICA, MANOWAR).
Commented the band regarding the new album: "This is the first album with our new lineup, and we hope this lineup will be unchanged for many years since we now feel stronger, more confident and sure about ourselves than ever before. For those reasons we chose InnerWish as the title of our new album, because it represents us in the most exact way. We are very proud of this album. It might sound very common, but it's the truth for us: this is the best INNERWISH album so far! Heavy, aggressive, modern, melodic and diverse at the same time, with all the classical INNERWISH elements, combined with some new ones. It might have been 6 years since the release of (our last album) No Turning Back but all the difficult times we've been through made us stronger and the result is this new, fifth album of INNERWISH. We are back for good!"
More details about the album will be announced early next year.
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
INNERWISH online: www.facebook.com/innerwishofficial
New Song From LEAH - “Winter Sun”:
As recently reported by the Vancouver, British Columbia based symphonic metal singer and songwriter:
Winter is.... HERE!
Introducing my brand new song for the winter season!
The song is called "WINTER SUN" featuring TESTAMENT's Eric Peterson on guitars with guest musicians Alex Bent on drums, Tilen Hudrap on bass, a little help from DRAGONLORD's Lyle Livingston on additional keys. Mixed by Spacelab Studios & mastered by Eroc's Mastering Ranch.
This song is about turning a new leaf, even in the dead of winter. You know how I like to use metaphors in my lyrics. :) Whatever you might be going through, sometimes you have to let go and move on, which can be hard during the holidays or in a certain season of life. But also knowing that Spring is around the corner, and so is a new chapter in one's life, hence the beauty of the sun even during a cold, bleak season.
I hope you enjoy this song! It was a really fun time making it :)
“Winter Sun” can be downloaded at: http://leahmchenry.com/track/winter-sun
LEAH online: www.leahmusic.net & www.facebook.com/LEAHthemusic
PASTOR BRAD - Storm The Gates 1 & 2 Update:
Courtesy of www.guitarjams.net:
Storm The Gates 1 & 2 is a collection of 20 Classic Hard Rock & Hair Metal Songs from the 1970s and 1980s- re-covered by PASTOR BRAD with lyrics that honor Jesus Christ and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel Loud & Proud! Legally, these are "parody" projects, but "musically" & "spiritually" they are tributes to the musicians who inspired me to become a musician, and to my Savior to whom I owe everything!
98.6% of the Instrument Tracks are completed. The next step: I plan/hope to begin recording vocals in January!
Storm The Gates 1 track listing:
1. “Son of Man” - “Iron Man”, Sept. 18, 1970, BLACK SABBATH
2. “Living Fountain” - “Man On The Silver Mountain”, Aug. 4 1975, RAINBOW
3. “Jesus Rock Solid” - “Detroit Rock City”, March 15 1976, KISS
4. “His Touch Of Love” - “Touch Too Much”, July 27, 1979, AC/DC
5. “Rockin’ For The Good News” - “Living After Midnight”, April 14, 1980, JUDAS PRIEST
6. “Passover 3pm” - “Dallas 1pm”, Sept. 1, 1980, SAXON
7. “The Dragon’s Slain” - “Crazy Train”, Sept. 12, 1980, Ozzy
8. “Help Me Jesus” - “Hold On Loosely”, 1980, 38 SPECIAL
9. “Jesus Said” - “Metal Health”, March 11, 1983, QUIET RIOT
10. “Use Your Free Will” - “Say What You Will”, May, 1983, FASTWAY
Storm The Gates 2, track listing:
1. “The Prophet” - “The Trooper”, May 16, 1983, IRON MAIDEN
2. “Rock For The Rock” - “Balls To The Wall”, Dec. 5, 1983, ACCEPT
3. “You Know Messiah Is Commin’” - “You've Got Another Thing Commin'”, 1982, JUDAS PRIEST
4. “Knockin’ On Your Heart Again” - “Rock You Like A Hurricane”, March 27, 1984, SCORPIONS
5. “I'm Somebody” - “I Wanna Be Somebody”, Aug. 17, 1984, WASP
6. “Without Warning” - Sept. 13, 1984, DOKKEN
7. “Storming Hell” - “Tooth & Nail”, Sept. 13, 1984, DOKKEN
8. “He’s The Way” - “Crazy Nights”, Jan, 21, 1985, LOUDNESS
9. I'm Not Lyin’” - “Peace Sells”, Sept. 19, 1986, MEGADETH
10. “I Hear Your Prayer” - “Enter Sandman”, Aug. 12, 1991, METALLICA
PASTOR BRAD online: www.guitarjams.net, http://pastorbradrocks.com & www.facebook.com/pastorbradrocks
Michael Sweet - “Livin’ On A Prayer” live:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
Fan-filmed video footage of STRYPER front man Michael Sweet performing an acoustic version of the BON JOVI classic "Livin' On A Prayer" on December 12 at Spire Center for the Performing Arts in Plymouth, Massachusetts can be seen above. While introducing the track, Sweet called it "the greatest song ever written about prayer."
Sweet's next solo album is 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.
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.
Sweet has endured heartbreaking tribulations throughout his life and career, including the 2009 passing of his wife of more than 22 years, Kyle. In 2010, Sweet remarried to Lisa Champagne-Sweet, a woman he describes as "a Godsend and the one who fits perfectly by my side."
Sweet continues to record and tour with STRYPER, as well as touring and recording as a solo artist.
Michael Sweet online: www.michaelsweet.com & www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet
FEATURED REVIEWS
SIR LORD BALTIMORE - III Raw
Any discussion in regards to the origin of heavy metal as an art form almost inevitably revolves around several pioneering bands - with Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple being the most noteworthy – that by and large define the genre. One lesser-known act that deserves equal consideration, however, is Sir Lord Baltimore. Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
In Memoriam John Garner:
Press Release / Hard music world mourns passing of SIR LORD BALTIMORE vocalist & drummer (courtesy of www.ultimateclassicrock.com):
John Garner, who became one of the unheralded bricklayers at the foundation of heavy metal in his role as lead singer and drummer for cult ‘70s powerhouse SIR LORD BALTIMORE, has died of liver failure.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Garner was barely out of high school when he teamed up with schoolmates Louis Dambra (guitar) and Gary Justin (bass) in 1968, later answering an ad in The Village Voice placed by aspiring producer Mike Appel (who would soon discover and guide the early career of a young singer songwriter named Bruce Springsteen) that read “Heavy band needed for recording.”
Within months, the newly christened SIR LORD BALTIMORE were being managed by industry mover and shaker Dee Anthony (Joe Cocker, FACES, etc.), were under contract to Mercury Records, and found themselves knocking songs into shape under Appel’s and engineer Jimmy Creteco’s supervision in a studio in West Orange, New Jersey. Mixing followed at Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Studios by none other than Eddie Kramer.
The resulting LP, Kingdom Come, would become a cornerstone of the fledgling heavy metal movement (albeit not recognized as such until decades later), making SIR LORD BALTIMORE one of America’s first legitimate answers to British pioneers like LED ZEPPELIN and BLACK SABBATH. They were described in Creem magazine as having all the “heavy metal tricks in the book.”
Indeed, there was a wanton savagery to SIR LORD BALTIMORE’s musical attack quite unlike almost anything yet captured on tape by 1970: Louis Dambra’s riffs and solos exploded with kinetic power, Gary Justin’s bass rumbled with bowel-churning intensity, and John Garner’s athletic, flamboyant drumming was matched only by his unrestrained vocal histrionics, pushing the ensemble’s performance to rare heights of excitement.
But Garner and his band mates’ general career inexperience started catching up with them when they got the chance to open a few shows (including one at New York’s own legendary Fillmore East) for the fast-rising BLACK SABBATH, and largely failed to impress the assembled fans and critics. Not long after releasing their eponymous sophomore album in 1971, SIR LORD BALTIMORE’s backers lost faith and Mercury dropped the group, effectively closing their brief glimpse of potential rock stardom.
Over the ensuing years, band members tried but failed to resurrect their career and then slowly drifted apart, with Garner resuming a “normal” life, working for New York’s department of sanitation, while managing wedding bands and playing with several bands to keep his chops up.
By the time heavy music fans started retroactively singing SIR LORD BALTIMORE’s praises in the late 1990s (thanks in no small part to the information-dredging powers of the Internet), Garner’s gratitude for this delayed recognition could barely make up for his lingering resentment over how things had deteriorated. “A few years back I got (a magazine) interested in doing a story on SLB,” said longtime Roadrunner Records and Nuclear Blast A&R executive, Monte Conner, a Garner acquaintance and longtime, “but John refused to be interviewed unless they paid him. I guess this was the result of his bitterness over SLB getting screwed by the music biz. I convinced him to let go of the anger and that he should celebrate his legacy and keep it alive for new fans.”
Eventually, Garner and Dambra (now a born again Christian, and living in California) reconciled long enough to compile and finish rough demos originally recorded in the early ‘70s for release on CD as Sir Lord Baltimore III: Raw. Subsequent plans for an on stage reunion at a 2008 European festival unfortunately fell apart, but Garner later found contentment as the keeper of the SIR LORD BALTIMORE’s flame until his passing peacefully on Saturday (Dec. 5), after a few final days spent in a coma.
Editors Note: The 85% Angelic Warlord review of III Raw offered the following summary:
“Now, the definition of “heavy metal” has gone through its share of transformations over the years; with that in mind, the bands earlier material could easily fall under the label of heavy metal- as defined by the times. But its most recent outing, the bluesy Zeppelin influenced hard rock of its 2006 release III Raw, certainly features the heavier sound but might not be classified as heavy metal by today’s standards. Close in places, but that is not the point. Regardless, if you are searching for a retro-seventies hard rock sound reflecting a heavy Zeppelin vibe then look no further than III Raw.”
The faith of BOTH Garner and Dambra influences the III Raw lyrical direction, particularly on the tracks “Love Slave” -
I heard a voice from above
He said, “I want to know that it’s you that I love
I am that I am, The God of true love
- and “Rising Son”:
Victorious persistence,
Will crush resistance
Unleash the rivers of your mind
Spirit resolution, find a solution
You could be the chosen
living beneath the rising’ Son
III Raw track listing:
1. “(Gonna) Fill the World With Fire”
2. “Love Slave”
3. “Wild White Horses”
4. “Rising Son”
5. “Cosmic Voice”
6. “Mission”
SIR LORD BALTIMORE online: www.facebook.com/Sir-Lord-Baltimore
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
GLORIAM DEI - “Rest In You” Lyric Video:
“Rest In You”, the new lyric video from Finland’s GLORIAM DEI, can be seen above. The song is taken from the group’s full-length debut The Covenant, which it independently released on November 13, 2015.
GLORIAM DEI features former WINGDOM front man Sami Asp, who is joined by guitarist Jarmo Happonen (ex Oratorio), drummer Ville Karhu (Miseria) and bassist/keyboardist Johannes Häkämies (ex Norman).
Johannes Häkämies composed, arranged and produced The Covenant, while Samu Oittinen handled all engineering, mixing and mastering duties. Cover artwork is attributed to Matti Halén.
GLORIAM DEI delivers on The Covenant a basis of neo-classically influenced power metal with strong doses of melodic metal, AOR and straightforward hard rock.
The Covenant track listing:
1. “Bethlehem”
2. “Treasures Of Heaven”
3. “Sins Of The World”
4. “Rest In You”
5. “11, 000”
6. “The Covenant”
7. “Blindmen”
8. “Jokainen”
9. “Look To The Cross”
10. “John 6”
11. “We Will See Again”
GLORIAM DEI online: www.facebook.com/GloriamDeiMusic
ULTIMATUM - Into The Pit Vinyl Re-Issue:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to be announcing the second in our brand new limited edition series entitled the Roxx Underground Series. The series kicked off earlier this year with a Limited Edition pressing of the WONROWE VISION album 2-Headed Monster on vinyl with a limited edition hand numbered pressing of only 150 copies.
The second in the series will continue in the same fashion as the first and feature a one- time Limited Edition pressing of only 150 hand numbered pieces. But what you really want to know is who is it? Well for this edition we are extremely excited to announce and bring you New Mexico’s very own thrashers ULTIMATUM and this special pressing will be of their classic 2007 ‘thrashterpiece’ Into The Pit.
Again, this album will ONLY be pressed in a quantity of 150 copies, and this pressing is extra special as it will be on a clear with blood splatter vinyl. This pressing will be individually hand numbered, and distributed by the time of your purchase. Each pressing will also include a limited edition printing of a classic Ultimatum concert handbill.
Here is something a little extra special just for you hardcore ULTIMATUM fans. For those of you buying this as a Christmas gift we will be sending out a Limited Edition postcard from ULTIMATUM and Roxx Records to everyone that purchases the pre-order throughout the month of December, letting them know what is coming their way by the official release date which is scheduled for March 18, 2015
Our only regret with this pressing is that we probably should have pressed more as we have been getting a lot of requests for this blood splatter vinyl and it was already off to the pressing plant by the time the decision to print 150 was made.
Into The Pit track listing:
Side A:
1. “One For All” (5:24)
2. “Exonerate” (3:43)
3. “Deathwish” (5:52)
4. “Blood Covenant” (3:22)
5. “Heart Of Metal” (4:40)
Side B:
1. “Wrathchild” (2:53)
2. “Transgressor” (3:20)
3. “Blink” (2:44)
4. “Blind Faith” (4:21)
5. “Into The Pit” (3:09)
6. “Game Over” (5:18)
You will want to get in on this one quick because, as usual, when these are gone there will not be anymore! Also we move on to release number 3 and we already have it in the works!
Pre-orders are up now: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/15396441-ultimatum-into-the-pit-vinyl-2016
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 the titles we have planned you are gonna love!
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
ULTIMATUM online: www.facebook.com/Ultimatum
NEWS BRIEFS
* The new album from SCANDINAVIAN METAL PRAISE, Glory & Power: Part 1, is available for streaming or free download: www.scandinavianmetalpraise.com
* OBLIVION MYTH has made available for streaming live versions to two new songs, “Beyond This Home” and “Blinding The Darkness”: www.reverbnation.com/oblivionmyth
Both are scheduled to appear on the upcoming OBLIVON MYTH album scheduled to be released in early 2016.
FEATURED REVIEWS
DIVINER - Fallen Empires
Classic heavy metal nuances and melodies. Soaring lead vocals of a robust kind. And just plain powerful, crushing riffs in an overall up to date framework. These are just a few of the hallmark characteristics that identify, Athens, Greece based Diviner and its Ulterium Records fall of 2015 (November 20 release) full-length debut Fallen Empires. Read Full Review >>
IMARI TONES - Revive The World
Imarii-Tones-The-First-Christian-Metal-Band-From-Japan. It’s got a certain ring to it, and this Yokohama based power trio is convinced of its dual role to “reach beyond their culture to make the music they love, and to reach beyond their music to bring Jesus into their culture” (as taken from the Imari Tones press material). Read Full Review >>
MAD DRAGZTER - Master Of Space And Time
While I hesitate to label Mad Dragzter ‘melodic thrash’, it imbues much of the Master Of Space And Time material with enough melody to garner my interest, keeping in mind I am not a connoisseur of the thrash segment. Read Full Review >>
BILL MENCHEN - Blues Metal Trance
If you are into instrumental rock in all its forms, guitarist Bill Menchen’s fall of 2015 Roxx Records solo offering Blues Metal Trance makes sense. Read Full Review >>
SIGNUM REGIS - Chapter IV: The Reckoning
Chapter IV: The Reckoning is all-new to Senec, Slovakia based Signum Regis as a follow up to the memorable Ulterium Records spring of 2015 EP Through The Storm and even better late 2013 full length effort Exodus (also Ulterium). Read Full Review >>
STRYPER - Fallen
Still fresh from its 2013 Angelic Warlord album of the year (95% review) and successful recapture of its eighties prime form in No More Hell To Pay, Stryper returns in the fall of 2015 with its ninth full length studio offering entitled Fallen. Read Full Review >>
W.A.S.P. - Golgotha
Those that suggest Golgotha represents a musical extension of the previous two W.A.S.P. releases, including Babylon but also 2007’s Dominator, have the right idea. Read Full Review >>
WAKEN EYES - Exodus
Waken Eyes can trace its origin to the early 2013 demo material of founding member and guitarist/keyboards Tom Frelek, who had developed inspiration to form a progressive metal band characterized by ‘catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements’. Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
INFIDEL RISING - “Reflections” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas based INFIDEL RISING released a lyric video for the track “Reflections”. The song comes off the group’s debut album The Torn Wings Of Illusion, which it independently released on October 9, 2015.
INFIDEL RISING draws upon the influence of KAMELOT, FATES WARNING, WINTERSUN & SYMPHONY X to join a basis of power and progressive metal with classical, symphonic and ethnic overtones. Lyrically, the groups thought provoking and positive prose speaks of power, truth, hope and change.
INFIDEL RISING Biography:
Sometimes people find bands and sometimes bands find you. The concept for INFIDEL RISING was always inside Travis Wills before he even realized it. Growing up in Houston as a drummer it wouldn't be until he moved to Dallas as a vocalist that the calling would take hold.
Playing in cover bands and trying to find the right people with the right vision would not be easy. After several false starts with various line ups, enter drummer Wayne Stokely (MILLENNIAL REIGN) . Looking to get out of the Hollywood scene and back to his metal roots, Stokely and Wills set out to find the right people to complete what in their minds was a very special project; little did they know that search would last nearly 2 years.
Finally, after almost giving up hope fate would intervene in the form of guitarist Rafael Quintana (PARALLEL DIMENSION). Originally from Puerto Rico, he too had given up hope on finding power/progressive players in the DFW area.
The line up was finally completed with keyboardist Aaron Walton, "The Doctor" as he's known who is a music major, and bassist Daniel Almagro (MILLENNIAL REIGN), also a native of Puerto Rico and long time friend of Rafael.
The Torn Wings Of Illusion track listing:
1. “1932-1933 (Passacaglia)”
2. “Holodomor”
3. “Exodus To Kadesh”
4. “The Torn Wings Of Illusion”
5. “Alive”
6. “Reflections”
7. “Power Of Goodbye”
8. “Cloning Appearance”
9. “Finding Nevermore”
10. “Talitha Kourn”
11. “The Great Discover”
INFIDEL RISING online: http://alandeleon.com/infidelrising & www.facebook.com/infidelrisingmusic
LIPSTICK Announces Charity Campaign for Victims of Mass Shootings:
Press Release / The American glam rock band LIPSTICK has announced a special charity campaign for the month of December. All of the profits from sales of the special edition of their self-titled debut album will go to International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). LIPSTICK has chosen this charity in order to help victims of mass shootings in their native United States, but also to help the victims of the recent terrorist attacks in France.
“We really wanted to do something to help the victims of these mass shootings,” states lead vocalist Greg Troyan. “We were already planning on doing this charity fundraiser when we heard the news of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, which makes this all the more poignant. The Red Cross is consistently there in these times of needs to help victims of these attacks, and we want to do our part in helping them.
“We're a smaller, independent band, so we have to pay out-of-pocket to print and press our albums. But, just because we're a smaller band, doesn't mean we don't want to help. So, all of the profits from the new album during the month of December will go directly to the IFRC, which will not only help victims of the Paris terror attacks, but victims of other mass shooting tragedies as well. The only money not going directly to the IFRC are the Paypal fees, the cost of printing the album, and the cost of shipping the album. Otherwise, all of the money is going to the charity. We're not making any money off of these album sales: we just want to help out in whatever way we can.”
The special edition of the debut album is $10, plus $5 for shipping and handling. The album is available both as a physical CD and digital download. Those buying the digital version of the album will receive two additional tracks by world-famous nerd rockers NUCLEAR BUBBLE WRAP.
“Obviously, if you buy the digital version of the album, you'll end up donating more to the charity because there's no shipping or printing costs, so we decided to offer a special bonus to the people buying the digital version. Our friends in NUCLEAR BUBBLE WRAP have graciously donated two of their songs to be part of this charity promotion, so if you buy the digital version of our album, you'll also get two of their songs. One of them is their classic tune, “Sharktopus”, and another is a song called “The Fault In Our Death Stars” from their upcoming album Multiverses. Whatever way you buy the album, you're helping out a great cause.”
LIPSTICK are currently at work on its second album, Lipstick II.
LIPSTICK's charity campaign shall run throughout the entire month of December. To purchase the special edition of LIPSTICKS's debut album and contribute to the charity campaign, go to www.lipstickgeneration.com/merch
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
New Project From RAZORIGAMI, Embracing A Temporal Exile:
As posted by vocalist Luke Richard Weber at the RAZORIGAMI website (November 21, 2015):
“The third installment of the RAZORIGAMI project is fully underway and will be titled Embracing a Temporal Exile. Once again, Joseph Giampa has agreed to apply his professionalism and mastering touch to this, which I am extremely grateful for. At this point I think a 2016 Valentine’s day release is a reasonable expectation, which will be exactly 3 years after the first album.
“I will say there was a little bit of a delay on my part because after recording 2014’s Truths From Beyond The Machine, I lost my upper register for a while and didn’t know if it would ever come back. I remember reading an article in which Tim “Ripper” Owens related a similar experience and it is truly humbling. The awesome thing is that God is faithful in spite of our doubts, even when outcomes are not what we expect, and so I find myself with renewed perspective and vision for this release!
“I’ve been really trying to stretch my own boundaries and I think this will easily be the most diverse of the three. My sister, who is a music teacher and a brilliant pianist in her own right, is even contributing a brief piano piece to one of these songs so that’s pretty special. I hesitate to say too much because nobody likes the movie trailer that literally shows you all the best parts of the movie… but I think it’s safe to say that style-wise this will be nothing like what people would expect and yet it will encompass everything people would expect at the same time.
“One thing I will push a little further up the road at this point is a definitive track list, only because titles and arrangements are still very much in flux right now, but I’m excited, my voice is feeling great, I have God’s word, and a head filled with ideas once again! What more can you ask for? So praise the Lord… and that’s what I intend to do!”
RAZORIGAMI released its full-length debut Weathering The Winter Of The Soul in 2013 prior to putting out the aforementioned Truths From Beyond The Machine a year later.
RAZORIGAMI online: https://razorigami.wordpress.com & www.facebook.com/razorigamimusic
NEWS BRIEFS
* “Eternity”, rehearsal room music video from ANCIENT PROPHECY: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8D7EgUzIllY
The song comes of the group’s sophomore album Pounded By Our Sins released earlier in the year.
* LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE is due to release two different 5 song EPs. The first, Better Than Maroon 5, takes an acoustic funk heading, while the second, Life Songs, traverses plugged in melodic rock territory.
* UK traditional metal act STAIRWAY is planning to release an EP of its early demo material from the eighties. More details as they become available.
“Not Under Law” is a song off the upcoming demo EP: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-qazd33azw
* Demo of a new song from Finland’s VENIA, “Riipuvainen”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHp0DI6O2_M
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
PROMISE LAND - “C.I.U.” Video Premier:
Press Release / “C.I.U.”, the official lyric video from Western Pennsylvania symphonic metal act PROMISE LAND, can be viewed above. The song is taken off the group’s full-length debut Harmony In Ruins, which was released via XNilo Records on August 5, 2014.
Guitarist David Michael produced the album in addition to creating the cover artwork. Recording, mixing and mastering took place at Ahorm Production Studio with drums and 1st lead vocals recorded at TRP Recording Studio.
Standing for Christ In Us, “C.I.U.” focuses on taking advantage of our opportunities to share the faith. The song originally appeared on the PROMISE LAND self-titled demo EP from 2005, but was re-worked by the group for Harmony In Ruins with its new lead vocal team of Rod Kozikowski and David Michael.
The Angelic Warlord review (75%) summed up Harmony In Ruins by stating, “What I hear is a band perfectly in step with the symphonic genre, reflected in its use of atmospheric keyboards, choir vocals, classical overtures and orchestral arrangements. Yet, Promise Land stays true to the metal side of things with an intrinsic guitar emphasis that plays every much the defined role.”
Harmony In Ruins track listing:
01. “In the Beginning”
02. “Harmony In Ruins”
03. “C.I.U.”
04. “The Piper Illusion”
05. “Leviathan’s Voyage”
06. “Before The Dawn”
07. “Hiding Place”
08. “Her Name”
09. “Holy”
10. “Eclipse”
11. “Harmony In Ruins” (orchestration bonus track)
12. “Hiding Place” (instrumental bonus track)
PROMISE LAND online: http://promiselandx.com & www.facebook.com/PromiseLandX
MILLENNIAL REIGN - “Way Up High” Music Video Released:
Press Release / The US heavy metal band MILLENNIAL REIGN just released a music video for the track "Way Up High". The song comes off the group’s new album Carry The Fire, which was released on October 30th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Formed as a solo project of ASKA bassist Dave Harvey, MILLENNIAL REIGN independently released its self-titled debut album in 2012. After rounding out its line up with new members, the decision was made to turn MILLENNIAL REIGN into a full band as opposed to a recording project.
Carry The Fire was mixed and mastered at Nomad Studio (KING DIAMOND, SOLITITUDE AETERNUS, ABSU), while artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, ICED EARTH, THEOCRACY).
Fans of IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRYCHE, JUDAS PRIEST and CRIMSON GLORY will not be disappointed in Carry The Fire, an album that should be in the collection of any fan of melodic or traditional heavy/power metal.
Link to the lyric video for "Men Stand Alone": https://youtu.be/sVbuPhSjxK4
Link to the album teaser for Carry The Fire: https://youtu.be/4oSf1zYpv-s
Carry The Fire track listing:
1. “Forever Changed”
2. “Way Up High”
3. “Millennial Reign”
4. “Men Stand Alone”
5. “Save Me”
6. “This Day”
7. “Will You”
8. “Innocent Cry”
9. “Not On My Own’
10. “I'll Try”
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
MILLENNIAL REIGN online: www.millennialreign.com & www.facebook.com/millennialreign
TRUE STRENGTH Announces International CD Distribution Through Underground Power Records:
Press Release / The debut album of the classic US power metal act TRUE STRENGTH, The Cross Will Always Prevail, is now available internationally for purchase in CD format through Underground Power Records Metal Distribution out of Germany! The album was only available in digital format since its initial release in the summer of 2014.
Future TRUE STRENGTH album releases are expected to be available through Underground Power Records as well, including the upcoming sophomore album Steel Evangelist. Updates regarding these releases will be available through Underground Power Records website, The TRUE STRENGTH Facebook page and here on Angelic Warlord.
You can purchase The Cross Will Always Prevail on CD at the following link: http://underground-power.de
TRUE STRENGTH was formed in October of 2012 by rhythm guitarist Ryan "The Archangel" Darnell and drummer Chris Clark, who “envisioned a Christian metal band that honored God, spread the Word of Jesus Christ and dedicated 100% of their music sales to charity” (as taken from the groups press material). The two later hired lead guitarist Josh Cirbo and proceeded to record the music for The Cross Will Always Prevail over the latter half of 2013. After recruiting vocalist Rus Gib, TRUE STRENGTH completed the final mix in April of 2014 and mastering a month later.
The Cross Will Always Prevail was records at Josh Cirbo Studios by Josh Cirbo. Josh Cirbo also produced the project, while Ryan Mey for Darkwave Media handled mastering duties.
Commented the group: “It has been a long road this year, with a lot of delays and setbacks but the cross has indeed prevailed! We give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving us the strength to release our first album! All glory and honor belongs to Christ alone! We hope you all enjoy this album as a lot of blood, sweat and tears went into making it, we love you all!”
TRUE STRENGTH draws its musical inspiration from IRON MAIDEN, SAINT, BLOODGOOD, MEGADETH, LEVITICUS, BRIDE, BARREN CROSS, JUDAS PRIEST, ZION, METALLICA, DELIVERANCE, STRYPER, JACOBS DREAM, HELLOWEEN, STAIRWAY, BLUES OYSTER CULT, SAMSON, BOSTON and DIO.
The Cross Will Always Prevail track listing:
1. “Exorcism (Intro)”
2. “The Cross Will Always Prevail”
3. “Christian Battle Cry”
4. “Under The Scimitar”
5. “Starve The Fires Of Moloch
6. “Michael The Archangel”
7. “When We Meet At Armageddon”
8. “Key To The Abyss”
TRUE STRENGTH line-up:
Rus Gib - Lead and Backing Vocals
Ryan "The Archangel" Darnell - Rhythm Guitar & Bass
Josh Cirbo - Lead Guitar
Chris Clark - Drums
TRUE STRENGTH online: www.facebook.com/pages/True-Strength
New Band From Dale Thompson, THE WORLD WILL BURN:
Courtesy of Angelic Warlord & http://classicchristianrockzone.blogspot.com:
In the two years since BRIDE released its most recent and final album Incorruptible, founding member and front man Dale Thompson has moved to New Zealand, remarried, made paintings and formed his new band, THE WORLD WILL BURN.
THE WORLD WILL BURN is a unique collaboration between Thompson and multi-instrumentalist Alan Zaring, who have been working together remotely to create music that transcends culture, language, and genres while focusing on emotion and passion rather than commercial success.
The groups soon to be released debut album Severity promises to change the way you look at hard rock music: New, fresh sounds combined with classic influences and thoughtful lyrics; power merged with grace; explosiveness married to innocence; rage fused with compassion.
Commented Thompson: “My vocals are the heaviest I have ever recorded with slaughtered screams, heavy airy backgrounds and guttural intentions that will raise the hair on the back of your neck. Yeah I am very happy and positive that if you are a fan of "the heavy" you are going to dig this crunchy roll of ‘slambastic’ groove and wonderstruck.”
Dale Thompson has over 20 studio releases to date, and is best known as front man for the well known band BRIDE. His vocals are legendary and he is consistently considered one of the top singers in heavy music worldwide. Dale takes his talents to new heights with THE WORLD WILL BURN.
Alan Zaring is a multi-instrumentalist who has been a part of numerous projects of all genres through the years. He has focused his efforts into the music of his passion, heavy, hook-filled, guitar driven rock. Alan plays or programs all of the instruments on the first album called Severity, which will be released at Christmas 2015.
Two songs off Severity, “The Me Dying” and “Absolute Power”, can be streamed at:
http://theworldwillburn.com/music
THE WORLD WILL BURN online: http://theworldwillburn.com
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Roxx Records Best of 2015 Sampler Details:
Christian Metal Distro online: http://christianmetaldistro.storenvy.com
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com, www.facebook.com/Roxx.Productions & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
IMPELLITTERI - “Face The Enemy” Video Released:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
"Face The Enemy", the new video from IMPELLITTERI, can be seen above. The band creates one of the heaviest and most haunting riffs of its career with this new song, which was recorded at NRG studios where Slash, LINKIN PARK and LAMB OF GOD tracked some of their recent albums.
IMPELLITTERI guitarist and main man Chris Impellitteri states: "NRG had such an amazing vibe that allowed us to really capture the live power of our band.”
IMPELLITTERI's latest studio album, Venom, was released on April 17 in Europe and April 21 in North America.
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.
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 online: www.facebook.com/chris.impellitteri
DIVINER - “Kingdom Come” Streaming Online:
Press Release / The Greek heavy metal band DIVINER will release their debut album Fallen Empires on November 20th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records. The song "Kingdom Come" is available for streaming at YouTube above.
Fallen Empires is a very strong heavy metal album that keeps the legacy from the genre but at the same time sounds new and inspired. Perfect for fans of bands like ACCEPT, DIO, JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH! Mastered by Peter In de Betou (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, AMON AMARTH).
Check out the lyric video for the song "Come Into My Glory" at YouTube: https://youtu.be/UVbxT0w3ZKo
Check out an album teaser for Fallen Empires at YouTube: https://youtu.be/HojjtXQTTvk
Fallen Empires track listing:
1. “Fallen Empires”
2. “Kingdom Come”
3. “Evilizer”
4. “Riders From The East”
5. “The Legend Goes On”
6. ”Come Into My Glory”
7. “Seven Gates”
8. “The Shadow And The Dark”
9. “Sacred War”
10. “Out In The Abyss”
Fallen Empires (CD/LP/SHIRT) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
DIVINER online: http://divinerband.com & www.facebook.com/Divinermetalband
SIGNUM REGIS - “Voice In The Wildness” Streaming Online:
Press Relase / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS will release their new album Chapter IV: The Reckoning on November 20th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records. The song "The Voice In The Wilderness" is available for streaming at YouTube above.
Chapter IV: The Reckoning was mastered by Jens Bogren (SYMPHONY X, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
Check out the lyric video for the song "Lost And Found" at YouTube: https://youtu.be/M9V_5GMODCI
Check out an album teaser at YouTube: https://youtu.be/RHPA0i5ZaC0
Chapter IV: The Reckoning track listing:
1. “Lost And Found”
2. “The Secret Of The Sea”
3. “The Voice In The Wilderness”
4. “Prophet Of Doom”
5. “The Magi”
6. “Quitters Never Win”
7. “Tempter Of Evil”
8. “When Freedom Fails”
9. “The Kingdom Of Heaven”
10. “Bells Are Tolling”
Upcoming SIGNUM REGIS shows:
November 7th: Blast Of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
Novmeber 13th: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 29th: Metal Church - Switzerland
March 5th: Fullmetal Osthessen - Niederjossa, Germany
Chapter IV: The Reckoning pre-order: www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis
NEWS BRIEFS
* GLORIAM DEI, a new melodic power metal from Finland, released its debut album The Covenant on November 13, 2015. An album teaser for The Covenant is streaming at YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmD35fFDqDQ
GLORIAM DEI also features Sami Asp, formerly of WINGDOM but now on rhythm guitar as opposed to lead vocals.
The Covenant track listing: “Bethlehem”, “Treasures Of Heaven”, “Sins Of The World”, “Rest In You”, “11,000”, “The Covenant”, “Blindmen”, “Jokainen”, “Look To The Cross”, “John 6”, “We Will See Again!”
GLORIAM DEI online: www.facebook.com/GloriamDeiMusic
* Former BRIDE vocalist Dale Thompson and multi-instrumentalist Alan Zaring formed a new band called THE WORLD WILL BURN. The group plans to release its full-length debut Severity in the near future.
“Absolute Power”, a song from Severity, is streaming online: http://theworldwillburn.com/music
THE WORLD WILL BURN online: www.theworldwillburn.com
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE - The Vow Re-issue On Retroactive Records:
Press Release / Most hard music fans identify with LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE as an “all star project” due to the recent history of founding member Justin Murr. Starting with Welcome To The Revolution from 2005, Murr has recruited some of the best musicians and vocalists in the business (both past and present) to assist with the songwriting and recording of each LNJ album. Welcome To The Revolution, for instance, featured eighteen different vocalists, including Michael Sweet (STRYPER, Ken Tamplin (SHOUT), Jamie Rowe (GUARDIAN) and Lou Gramm (FOREIGNER). The trend continued over the next eight years, with LNJ releasing five full-length studio albums, one EP and two compilations before culminating with the 2013 2-CD set The Cigar Chronicles in which 76 guest musicians participated.
What many do not know, however, is that LNJ actually got its start as a two-man band in which Murr joined forces with vocalist Patrick Marchand. The pair recorded four albums over a nine-year span, starting with Armed With The Cross (1992) but also encompassing Big Guns (1994), Forever Till The End (1996) and Bargain Bin (2000). The Vow, the fifteenth LNJ album from the summer of 2014, finds Murr relinquishing his all star project ways and returning LNJ to its full-fledged band roots. This reveals itself in how for the first time since 2000 Murr has recorded an LNJ album with the same nucleus of musicians: Joining Murr on bass is vocalist David Cagle, guitarist JK Northrup (KING KOBRA, XYZ), keyboardist Eric Ragno (CHINA BLUE, Graham Bonnett, FAITHS EDGE) and drummer Michael Feighan (WHITE CROSS, KING JAMES).
What has not changed is musical direction in that LNJ stays true to its eighties influenced melodic rock, commercial hard rock and melodic metal roots. Those that have followed LNJ over the years know there are some variances therein, ranging from the lighter touches of the acoustic based Independence Day (2007) and AOR influenced Chasing A Cure (2011) to the driving metal of Hell Is Coming To Breakfast (2012). In between LNJ settles into a steady groove of melodic hard rock on Light It Up (2010) and The Cigar Chronicles (2013). The Vow presents with a best of both worlds scenario in featuring a delectable selection of heavier and lighter cuts I see appealing to fans of all eras of LNJ’s history.
Now housed in a 4 panel full color digipak, the December 1, 2015 Retroactive Records CD re-issue features two tracks previously not included with the digital download.
The Vow track listing:
1. “Forever Starts” Tonight (featuring Gunnar Nelson of NELSON)
2. “For Sure Thing” (featuring Kelly Keeling of BATON ROUGE)
3. “Honeymoon Is Over” (featuring Richard Kendrick)
4. “That's Gonna Leave A Mark”
5. “Gone”
6. “Every Night She Cries”
7. “Promises to God” (featuring Fergie Frederiksen of TOTO)
8. “Pucker Up” (featuring Richard Kendrick)
9. “Sting Of Her Kiss”
10. “Two Or More”
11. “Another Goodbye” (featuring Gunnar Nelson of NELSON)
12. “Prince Charming In Disguise”
13. “Can't” (bonus Track)
14. “Amaze Me” (bonus track featuring Donnie Vie of ENUFF ZNUFF)
Pre-order information: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/15078690-liberty-n-justice-the-vow
LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE online: www.libertynjustice.net
TILES Signs With Laser’s Edge:
Press Release / American progressive label collective, Laser's Edge Group, has completed a deal with long-running Detroit progressive hard rock quartet, TILES, for the upcoming release of the band's sixth studio full-length, the double CD Pretending To Run.
Since 1995, TILES has issued six prior albums, including their debut on Dream Circle Records, a record on Standing Pavement Recordings, and four albums on Inside Out. The band's first studio album since 2008's Fly Paper, and their first for Laser's Edge, Pretending To Run clocks in with over ninety-six minutes of incredibly expansive, brand new material, spanning two discs. Pretending To Run is an ambitious and richly crafted concept album that spins the tale of a man blindsided and disillusioned by betrayal. Brooding and expressive, TILES explores the dark subject matter by weaving stylistically diverse musical elements throughout their progressive hard rock platform. Lyrical string arrangements, haunting choir performances and reflective soundscapes coexist with hard rock heaviness to create a tapestry of emotional drama as the songs chart a path from isolation to redemption.
Pretending To Run was produced by Terry Brown (RUSH, FATES WARNING) and features a remarkable collection of guest musicians, including Ian Anderson (JETHRO TULL), Mike Portnoy (FLYING COLORS, WINERY DOGS,ex-DREAM THEATER), Adam Holzman (STEVEN WILSON BAND), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Colin Edwin (PORCUPINE TREE), Kevin Chown (Tarja Turunen, Chad Smith), Matthew Parmenter (DISCIPLINE), Mark Mikel (PILLBUGS), Joe Deninzon, Max Portnoy (NEXT TO NONE) and many others.
Laser's Edge released the following statement on bringing the band onto the label's roster: "TILES has long been one of the standard-bearers of American progressive rock. I first saw the band perform back in 1999 and they've been on my radar ever since. It's a pleasure to add them to our roster and I'm looking forward to our collaboration. When I first heard Pretending To Run it was clearly and unmistakably TILES but infused with a more expansive sound. The contributions from the guest artists take Tiles into new directions that will please their fans old and new."
Collectively issues TILES in a statement about the signing, "We are extremely pleased to partner with the Laser's Edge to release our long-awaited new double album, Pretending to Run. For over twenty years, progressive rock and metal aficionados have come to rely on the label's discerning judgment for releasing the finest in new progressive music - so joining their roster is indeed a gratifying compliment! We are confident they will put the full force of their expertise into bringing Pretending to Run to the attention of progressive hard rock fans everywhere."
Pretending To Run will feature artwork by Hugh Syme and is scheduled for a March 4th release through Laser's Edge. Stand by for the album's track listing, cover artwork, production/studio videos, audio samples, several official music videos, TILES tour dates and much more to be announced throughout the coming months.
Laser’s Edge online: www.lasersedgegroup.com/labels & www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge
TILES online: www.tiles-music.com & www.facebook.com/Tiles
NEWS BRIEFS
* “Running”, official lyric video from JUPITER VI: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YemEauOst2g
* “My World” is a new song from LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE featuring vocalist Larry Worley (FEAR NOT): https://soundcloud.com/highvolmusic/my-world
“Look for the new LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE EP Life Songs to be released in the near future.
* Michael Sweet (STRYPER) solo album update (as quoted from an online interview the aritst recently conducted with Canadian music journalist Carl Begai):
“I’m actually going to start work in a few weeks on a solo album. It should come out in April or May next year. I’m going real old school with that one; no keyboards, no big background vocals, guitar driven, metal a la “Run To The Hills”. It’s going to be really different for a Michael Sweet solo album. It’s the sort of thing where it’s really what I want to do, and I’m kinda tired of hearing ‘I like your solo stuff but the STRYPER stuff is way heavier…’ for the past 20 years. This solo album is going to be as heavy or heavier than STRYPER. Imagine when you heard “Yahweh” the first time; every song on my solo album is going to be that epic kinda stuff.”
Read the full interview at: http://carlbegai.com/2015/11/05/stryper-the-sound-of-sweet-rebellion
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
IMARI TONES - Christian Metal from Japan
Of the long list of factors that make IMARI TONES stand out from the world around them, it is their drive and reach that tops it all. IMARI TONES members Tak “Tone” Nakamine, Yuki “Hassy” Hashimoto and Hide “Jake” Yamazaki have a passion to reach beyond the music they love to bring Jesus into their culture. While drawing comparisons to legends like VAN HALEN, RUSH and STRYPER with their hybrid of old school metal/glam/Brit/70’s prog rock, they are one of very few bands in the world that can claim true originality. How so? They are the first Christian heavy metal band ever to come out of Japan.
“There are very few Japanese bands who say ‘Hey, we’re a Christian band.’ A Christian band from Japan almost sounds like a joke, since most people in Japan are Buddhists, or Atheists,” says Tak, founder, guitar/vocalist, and front man of IMARI TONES. Things didn’t start out Christian for Tak, though. Having started playing electric guitar at age 14 and joining his first band at 15, Tak gained local teen success in his hometown of Toyohashi and won awards for his songwriting. However, he quit the band at 17 to pursue a career as a lawyer. Music stayed with him, though, and while playing an acoustic show in Harajuku Tokyo in December of 2007, Tak was impressed by several Christian performers who were playing as well. Feeling that Jesus may be the larger meaning behind music that he always felt was there, his mind and heart opened to Christianity.
Breaking many written and unwritten rules of Japanese culture, Tak, Hassy on bass/background vocals, and Jake on drums/background vocals, are reaching upward and forward to see changes happen in the world. Currently based in Yokohama, their astonishing 15-album discography includes Hero of the Lights, Color of Hers, Fireworks, Japanese Pop (produced by metal legend Sascha Paeth), Welcome to the School, Victory In Jesus and their most recent release Revive The World. Not content to play the standard soft pop/rock of the major label Christian industry, their music is 100% heavy metal and 100% independently recorded and produced. Victory in Christ hit the street in October 2010 with the single “Faith Rider” leading the charge. Originally written as a parody of the big 80’s metal of JUDAS PRIEST and STRYPER, it quickly became a fan favorite. Revive The World followed in 2014.
With both their commitment to making stellar heavy metal music and their driving passion to share Jesus with their native Japan and the rest of the world, IMARI TONES is always reaching to join these two primary goals together. “Since we are a Christian band, our goal is not business success,” says Tak. “We are not chasing glory in this world. We are chasing the glory of God.” Staying independent and record label-free is an important part of the process for them. “We don’t believe in ‘music business’, especially in Japan, and have chosen to go independent, looking for our own way. We really want to change something about society and about what people think and believe. That’s our ultimate goal.”
That ultimate goal, to see their native Japan embrace Christianity, is what they reach for most of all, even while their sights are set on the USA and the rest of the world. Some think they’re a joke, or a contradiction, that Christianity, Japan, and heavy metal just don’t belong together. Some think they’re ahead of their time. But if you ask Tak, Hassy, and Jake, they’ll say they’re doing exactly what they love at exactly the right time, and they’re never going to stop reaching for more.
Revive The World track listing:
1. “Unlimit”
2. “The Imaginary Number Boy 3”
3. “Victory”
4. “Unknown Road”
5. “”Falling”
6. “Steel Wheels”
7. “Heaven’s Gate”
8. “Ripping Through Hell”
9. “Invisible Rain”
10. “Hometown”
11. “Born To Ride”
12. “17 Years”
IMARI TONES online: www.imaritones.net, www.facebook.com/imaritones & www.reverbnation.com/imaritones
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
W.A.S.P. - “Golgotha” Lyric Video Released:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net & Angelic Warlord:
The official lyric video for the song "Golgotha" from W.A.S.P. can be seen above. The track is taken from the band's fifteenth studio album of the same name, which was released on October 2 via Austria's Napalm Records.
Lawless previously stated about the making of the Golgotha CD: "The rehearsals for this album started in the spring of 2011. A lot of time was spent just talking about the direction of the songs and really trying to turn the songs inside out to see exactly where they wanted to go.
"One thing you learn over the years in the songwriting process is that after the songs begin to take shape, they will eventually start to talk back to you and they will tell you where they wanna go. The trick is learning to listen when they speak.
"This process of writing and arranging and the demos went on for several months before we even began to record the album for real.”
At the 2014 edition of the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, Lawless stated about the lyrical inspiration for the new W.A.S.P. 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."
Golgotha track listing:
1. “Scream”
2. “Last Runaway”
3. “Shotgun”
4. “Miss You”
5. “Fallen Under”
6. “Slaves Of The New World Order”
7. “Eyes Of My Maker”
8. “Hero Of The World”
9. “Golgotha”
W.A.S.P. online: www.waspnation.com & www.facebook.com/W.A.S.P.Nation
STRYPER Video Premier, “All Over Again”:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
"All Over Again", the new video from STRYPER, can be seen above. The song is taken from the band's new album, Fallen, which entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 43 with first-week sales of just over 10,000 units- nearly all from pure album sales. The set follows the No. 35-peaking No More Hell To Pay, which was released in 2013.
The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).
Fallen was released on October 16 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and includes a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".
In a recent interview with Audio Ink Radio, STRYPER front man Michael Sweet stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "It's similar to the last album but a little different. We tuned the guitars down on a few more songs than on the last album. It's a heavier vibe. I did a co-write with Clint Lowery of SEVENDUST on 'Yahweh', and that song turned out really different in a great way. We're never going to be as heavy as METALLICA, but STRYPER's roots are tied to heavy metal. We grew up on IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST and VAN HALEN and the SCORPIONS. Over the years, we ventured a short distance from that background with pop songs and ballads, which we love doing, but we like to be heavy."
Asked if he feels STRYPER has influenced other Christian hard rock and metal bands to stay true to their faith and musical vision, Sweet said: "I hope so. We've always been a band that's gone out of our way to wave the flag that God is cool, and not only cool, but the Creator of all things. Aside from that, people say it's an oxymoron to mix metal with Christian lyrics, and we're trying to break that apart and destroy that mentality because it's just not true. I feel God created all things, and therefore, He created music. So, it makes perfect sense to me to mix the two. It should be done more than the devil and metal being mixed, in my opinion, but for some reason, people have this thing that metal is all about the devil. It's ridiculous."
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
GIDEON’S ARMY Re-Issues On Retroactive Records:
GIDEON’S ARMY - Rock N’ Rock For Your Soul
Press Release / GIDEON’S ARMY was born in 1973, during the early years of CCM. Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, the band worked to support the prison ministry that is now known as Follow Up Ministries, Inc. GIDEON’S ARMY worked closely with juvenile halls, the CA Youth Authority, and CA State and Federal prisons. Their sound started out as acoustic, laid back gospel similar to the Maranatha! bands out of L.A. Before long, the band would morph into a full-fledged aggressive Christian rock act. The change was better suited for their outreach which included street ministry (Jews for Jesus, S.O.S. San Francisco), Christian coffee houses, and concert ministry (Great America, Oakland Civic Auditorium, H.P. Pavillian San Jose) among many other ministry opportunities.
It wasn’t until 1982 the band recorded and independently released Rock N’ Roll For Your Soul. The debut record reflected what was happening in the S.F.B.A. music scene at the time - dual lead guitars, horns and an R&B feeling. The 1986 release of the now iconic Warriors Of Love brought big changes both in personnel and sound. Gone were the horns, dual guitar leads and most notably there was a more aggressive rock format. The new sound stood shoulder to shoulder with bands like VAN HALEN, NIGHT RANGER, PETRA & 38 SPECIAL. The album sold like crazy at shows, but with no formal distribution many people never got their hands on the now high dollar collectible vinyl of this legendary classic rock release.
Retroactive Records has re-mastered this essential 1982 AOR album, and it is now available in digital format for the first time ever. The 2015 reissue is a four-panel full color digipak, and is part of the Retroactive Records Legends Re-mastered Series.
Rock N’ Roll For Your Soul track listing:
1. “Light”
2. “Dream”
3. “Lift Your Heart”
4. “What Is Love”
5. “Better Days”
6. “On The Move”
7. “New Man”
8. “Can You Still Turn Away”
GIDEON’S ARMY - Grace
Press Release / San Francisco Bay Area based rockers GIDEON'S ARMY was one of the first bands from the CCM movement starting its activities in 1973. Their debut released in 1982, followed by the now cult classic Warriors Of Love released in 1986. The band’s now iconic third album, Grace, released in 1990 on the short-lived Pan Trax Records. This was their first and only album to be released on CD. As many bands from that era, they embraced the glossy Melodic Rock sound that dominated the airways in the 80’s.
Grace rocked hard with plenty of sharp guitar riffs, vintage & modern keyboards (including synths) and elaborated harmony vocals. The band hit all the sweet spots with Grace, with collectors and critics hailing it as an AOR Classic Rock masterpiece. Original issue CDs rarely show up on auction sites, but when they do collector’s regularly pay $200!
The 2015 Retroactive Records reissue is packaged as a four panel digipak, with greatly enhanced artwork, fully re-mastered audio, and as part of the Legends Re-mastered Series. This essential AOR album has never looked or sounded better! For fans of JOURNEY, NIGHT RANGER, PETRA & 38 SPECIAL:
Pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/15079008-gideons-amy-grace-legends-remastered
Grace track listing:
1. “Knowing You”
2. “Lonely Lover”
3. “Christina”
4. “Grace”
5. “Make Up Your Mind”
6. “Open Arms”
7. “Tough Love”
8. “With The One I Love”
9. “Turn Up The Heat”
10. “Sending You”
Guest Musicians Revealed for Upcoming LIPSTICK album, Lipstick II:
Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com:
LIPSTICK frontman Greg Troyan has revealed to Sleaze Roxx the extensive list of special guest musicians that will be appearing on the glam rock band’s upcoming sophomore album, Lipstick II:
Former guest LIPSTICK guitarists:
Billy Morris (WARRANT, QUIET RIOT, TUFF)
Eric Penticoff (THE STOVES)
Chase McCutcheon (TRIGGER DIGIT)
Chris Lambrick
Corey Linden (ROXY MAE)
Other guest musicians:
Igz Kincaid (HESSLER) - Guitar
Phil Shouse (Rodney Atkins, John Corabi) - Guitar
Tom Pappas (SUPERDRAG) – Guitar
Steven Edwards (BLUE MATCHES) - Guitar
Dougie Lixx - Guitar
Josh Dent FABLE CRY) - Cello
Greg Loyacano (REGDAR & THE FIGHTERS) - Drums
Amanda Dobra Hope - Vocals
Morgan Bosman - Vocals
Kyle Hebert (DRAGONBALL Z) - Vocals
Jace McLain (NUCLEAR BUBBLE WRAP) – Keyboards
LIPSTICK is currently comprised of Greg Troyan (vocals), Stephen Smith (vocals, bass), Casey Horn (guitar) and Jack Stark (drums).
Speaking exclusively to Sleaze Roxx, Troyan stated: “To me, friendship is one of the most important aspects of life. I love and value my friends. We’ve shared so many memories, through good times and bad times, and it just so happens that a lot of my friends are musicians. This album, in a way, is a snapshot of my friendship with these people, so whenever I listen to a certain song, I can say, “My buddy Tom Pappas is playing guitar on this. I remember hanging out with him at the 5 Spot and that was the day my fiance and I got together,” or, “I remember when Corey Linden and I used to jam in my grandparents’ basement when we were teenagers.” This album is a way of solidifying those great friendships and great memories into a recording that will exist forever, but unlike a photograph, a song has the ability to change and breath over time, so the life and energy of that friendship will forever thrive. So, in a lot of ways, this album is a celebration of friendship.
“This album features every live guitarist Lipstick has ever had, except for one. Even when people leave LIPSTICK, for personal reasons or for other artistic pursuits, they’re still part of the family. They still come to jam on albums and still come to do shows with us, and it’s great that we can still create great music as friends. We’ve also got cool guests from friends of mine who have never played with LIPSTICK, but were still kind enough to lend their talents.
“There are so many great guests appearing on this album, and I’m truly humbled that all of these people want to share in helping me achieve my dreams. From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you to all of them. And to the fans, the people anticipating this album, let me tell you this: It’s going to rock. You will not want to miss this.”
Troyan also provided a recent update in regards to Lipstick II: “The album is being co-produced by Stephen Smith and myself, and we're making excellent progress. The bass and drum parts are completely done, we've got a good chunk of the guitars done and have done a few lead vocal tracks, so we're making great progress on the album.”
LIPSTICK online: www.lipstickgeneration.com & www.facebook.com/lipstickgeneration
NEWS BRIEFS
* DESYRE update (Facebook - November 3, 2015): “This is Mazi, the founder and singer/guitarist of DESYRE. At this time I'm basically alone in the band. DESYRE has been more or less inactive since the release of the Glamtron album. I came this close to form a new band. I was going to go with the name Saboteur. But no worries, people. I have been very active this year with songwriting and there is almost album full of new songs (one of them titled aforementioned Saboteur). I will not drop the DESYRE name. DESYRE is not done yet. Wait for the new website. God bless!”
* Track listing for the upcoming LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE EP Life Songs:
1. “Does Love Have You?”
2. “Gangster Of love”
3. “My World”
4. "Only Choice”
5. "And Again”
More details forthcoming in terms of a release date and announced second EP from LNJ.
* The Ulterium Records Label Sampler 2015 is available for free download at Bandcamp: http://ulteriumrecords.bandcamp.com/album/ulterium-label-sampler-2015
The sampler contains 10 songs off Ulterium albums that released between 2014-2015. The physical version will feature 3 additional songs.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
ENERGEMA - “The Lion’s Forces” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / Columbia based power metal act ENERGEMA would like to announce the signing of a deal with the Greek label Sleaszy Rider Records. ENERGEMA recently released the first single, “The Lion’s Forces”, off its debut album of the same name scheduled for release in January of 2016.
The ENERGEMA lyrics are based upon The Chronicles of Narnia written by C.S. Lewis.
ENERGEMA was founded by composer and guitarist Nicolas Waldo, who has recorded six full-length albums and two EP releases as a solo artist. He also has one full-length album, one EP and three singles to his credit as part of the power metal band VORPAL NOMAD.
The Lion’s Forces was recorded at Yara Records and Meggido Records Studio in Armenia City and Bogota City in Columbia. Nicolas Waldo and ENERGEMA produced the album.
Rounding out the ENERGEMA line up is vocalist Alejandro Pinzon, rhythm guitarist Andres Parada and bassist Daniel Pinzon.
The Lion’s Forces includes nine powerful tracks for fans of GAMMA RAY, HELLOWEEN and IMPELLITTERI.
The Lion’s Forces track listing:
1. “Virtus Autem Divina (Overture)
2. “Eternity”
3. “The Lion’s Forces”
4. “It’s Time”
5. “Fall’s Of Babylon”
6. “Exodo”
7. “Gog & Magog”
8. “Ancient Rebellion”
9. “Getsemani”
Sleaszy Rider Records online: www.sleaszyrider.com/index2.html
ENERGEMA online: www.facebook.com/energemaband
MILLENNIAL REIGN - “Forever Changed” Streaming Online:
Press Release / "Forever Changed", the opening track from the new MILLENNIAL REIGN album Carry The Fire can be streamed at YouTube. Carry The Fire is scheduled to be released on October 30th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Formed as a solo project of ASKA bassist Dave Harvey, MILLENNIAL REIGN independently released its self-titled debut album in 2012. After rounding out its line up with new members, the decision was made to turn MILLENNIAL REIGN into a full band as opposed to a recording project.
Carry The Fire was mixed and mastered at Nomad Studio (KING DIAMOND, SOLITITUDE AETERNUS, ABSU), while artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, ICED EARTH, THEOCRACY).
Fans of IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRYCHE, JUDAS PRIEST and CRIMSON GLORY will not be disappointed in Carry The Fire, an album that should be in the collection of any fan of melodic or traditional heavy/power metal.
Upcoming MILLENNIAL REIGN shows:
November 21st: Acadia - Houston, TX
December 19th: TC's Midtown - Conway, AR
Link to the lyric video for "Men Stand Alone": https://youtu.be/sVbuPhSjxK4
Link to the album teaser for "Carry The Fire": https://youtu.be/4oSf1zYpv-s
Carry The Fire track listing:
1. “Forever Changed”
2. “Way Up High”
3. “Millennial Reign”
4. “Men Stand Alone”
5. “Save Me”
6. “This Day”
7. “Will You”
8. “Innocent Cry”
9. “Not On My Own’
10. “I'll Try”
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
MILLENNIAL REIGN online: www.millennialreign.com & www.facebook.com/millennialreign
WAKEN EYES - “Palisades” Music Video Released:
Press Release / The all-star progressive metal band WAKEN EYES just released a music video for the track "Palisades". The song is taken off the groups debut album Exodus, which is scheduled to be released on October 30th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Exodus is a very impressive and diverse album that will surely appeal to fans of progressive metal, prog-rock and melodic metal. The album has a great mix of catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements that will surely capture the attention of the musical community. Everything comes together perfectly in the title track that ends the album with its 18 minutes long epic filled with melodies, progressive parts and a good dose of feeling.
Exodus track listing:
1. “Cognition”
2. “Aberration”
3. "Deafening Thoughts
4. “Back To Life”
5. “Palisades”
6. “Cornerstone Away”
7. “Still Life”
8. “Arise”
9. “Across The Horizon”
10. “Exodus”
Exodus was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, SYMPHONY X, KREATOR) in Sweden and the layout was made by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, KORPIKLAANI, APOCALYPTICAL).
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WAKEN EYES online: www.facebook.com/wakeneyes
NEWS BRIEFS
* THE SACRIFICED released an Un-mastered Edition” of its third album III from 2012. According to the band, “Ever since the release of (our third album entitled III), there have been complaints about the vocals being buried in the mix. Now that the band has the rights to the album back, we are releasing a special Un-mastered Edition” of III. Now our fans can hear it the way we did in the studio, before sending it off to the mastering house, with the vocals nice and loud/ front and center!”
The Un-mastered Edition to III can be downloaded at: https://sellfy.com/p/G1jL/
* Michael Sweet update regarding upcoming solo album (Facebook – October 26, 2015): “I'm pumped about Fallen but I have to say, I'm really excited about the new solo album too! I officially start recording it 11/15 and turn it in by mid January for a May/June of 2016 release! It's going to be more focused in terms of style and I will surprise you. The songs that are finished are heavy all around and making me wish 2016 was here. I finish writing this coming week. It will be a balls to the wall, guitar driven, rocket ride from start to finish and you will never utter the words - "typical MS album" Get some good speakers, you're gonna need them.”
* Due to technical issues in post production, TRUE STRENGTH has delayed the release of its sophomore album Steel Evangelist to December 1, 2015.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
DIVINER - “Come Unto My Glory” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The Greek heavy metal band DIVINER just released a lyric video for the track "Come Into My Glory" online. The DIVINER debut album Fallen Empires will be released on November 20th in Europe and North America on CD, LP and digital through Ulterium Records. The vinyl edition of Fallen Empires is strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide.
Fallen Empires is a very strong heavy metal album that keeps the legacy from the genre but at the same time sounds new and inspired. Perfect for fans of bands like ACCEPT, DIO, JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH! Mastered by Peter In de Betou (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, AMON AMARTH).
Check out an album teaser for Fallen Empires at YouTube: https://youtu.be/HojjtXQTTvk
Diviner line up:
Yiannis Papanikolaou (ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CHILDREN, ex. INNERWISH) - Lead Vocals
Thimios Krikos (INNERWISH) - Guitar
George Maroulees (4BITTEN) - Guitar
Herc Booze (SIXFORNINE) - Bass
Fragiskos Samoilis (INNERWISH) - Drums
Fallen Empires track listing:
1. “Fallen Empires”
2. “Kingdom Come”
3. “Evilizer”
4. “Riders From The East”
5. “The Legend Goes On”
6. ”Come Into My Glory”
7. “Seven Gates”
8. “The Shadow And The Dark”
9. “Sacred War”
10. “Out In The Abyss”
Fallen Empires (CD/LP/SHIRT) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
DIVINER online: http://divinerband.com & www.facebook.com/Divinermetalband
BLUES METAL TRANCE - 1.5 update:
Press Release / CD's are almost done! Roxx Records still has copies available of the Deluxe Edition with the bonus disc for the first 100 people only! Check out the track listing (below) on the bonus CD entitled The Best of Bill Menchen. Each of its 15 tracks was specially re-mastered and even some parts re-recorded.
The Best Of Bill Menchen track listing:
1. “Christ Died” - The Seventh Power - The Power (2006)
2. “Dominion And Power” - The Seventh Power - Dominion And Power (2008)
3. “Everlasting Fire” - The Seventh Power - Dominion And Power (2008)
4. “Far From Fear” - The Seventh Power - The Power (2006)
5. “The Hand Of God” - Rev Seven (1991)
6. “He Made Me” - Rev Seven - 747 (1999)
7. “Human Sacrifice” - The Seventh Power - The Power (2006)
8. “King Of Glory” - Redeemer - One Way (2011)
9. “The King Of The Light” - Redeemer - One Way (2011)
10. “Let The Light Shine On” - Redeemer - One Way (2011)
11. “Majesty On High” - The Seventh Power - Eternal Power (2012)
12. “New Creation” - The Seventh Power - Eternal Power (2012)
13. “No Other Name” - The Seventh Power - Power And Glory (2012)
14. “Over And Out” - Rev Seven - 747 (1999)
15. “Sabbath Breaker” - Rev Seven - Hell And Back (1994)
Pick up your Limited Edition copy of 1.5, the new Blues Metal Trance album along with this special bonus disc for a Limited Time!
Pre-order 1.5 at: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/14465061-bill-menchen-blues-metal-trance-1-5-dlx-2015
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
Bill Menchen online: www.facebook.com/bill.menchen
New covers album from PASTOR BRAD, Storm The Gates:
As taken from an update by the artist at Christian Hard Music:
“This started as a "covers" album, but when I learned that even with a license you can't even tweak lyrics without permission, I opted for a parody album. So now the title is Storm The Gates, which is teken from Matthew 16 where Jesus said, "I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." As God' people, we are called to crash through the gates - into dark places - with the power, love and grace of God.
“That title perfectly captures the spirit that has inspired this project. My desire is to REDEEM these classic songs and breath into them new purpose (via a Christ-honoring message).
“I have 98% of all instrument (drums, bass, guitars) finished- just a couple small things to do. I have lead vocals from Luke Weber (RAZORIGAMI) "in the can" for “Bang Your Head” (now known as “Jesus Said”) & “The Trooper” (now known as “The Prophet). When complete, every song will have a “new name.
“The next step in the process is to finish the 2% yet to be tweaked on a couple of instrumental tracks and then begin laying vocal tracks.”
Storm The Gates is scheduled for release in the spring of 2016.
Storm The Gates track listing:
1. “Without Warning” (DOKKEN)
2. “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. “Iron Man” (BLACK SABBATH)
7. “Rock You Like A Hurricane” (SCORPIONS)
8. “Hold on Loosely” (38 SPECIAL)
9. “Living After Midnight” (JUDAS PRIEST)
10. “Crazy Train” (OZZY)
11. “The Trooper” (IRON MAIDEN)
12. “Man On The Silver Mountain” (RAINBOW)
13. “Crazy Nights” (LOUDNESS)
14. “I Wanna Be Somebody” (W.A.S.P.)
PASTOR BRAD online: www.guitarjams.net, http://pastorbradrocks.com & www.facebook.com/pastorbradrocks
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
STRYPER - “Pride” Video Premier:
"Pride", the new video from STRYPER, can be seen above. The song is taken from the band's new album, Fallen, which was released on October 16 via Frontiers. The CD was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and includes a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".
In a recent interview with Audio Ink Radio, STRYPER front man Michael Sweet stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "It's similar to the last album but a little different. We tuned the guitars down on a few more songs than on the last album. It's a heavier vibe. I did a co-write with Clint Lowery of SEVENDUST on 'Yahweh', and that song turned out really different in a great way. We're never going to be as heavy as METALLICA, but STRYPER's roots are tied to heavy metal. We grew up on IRON MAIDEN and JUDAS PRIEST and VAN HALEN and the SCORPIONS. Over the years, we ventured a short distance from that background with pop songs and ballads, which we love doing, but we like to be heavy."
Asked if he feels STRYPER has influenced other Christian hard rock and metal bands to stay true to their faith and musical vision, Sweet said: "I hope so. We've always been a band that's gone out of our way to wave the flag that God is cool, and not only cool, but the Creator of all things. Aside from that, people say it's an oxymoron to mix metal with Christian lyrics, and we're trying to break that apart and destroy that mentality because it's just not true. I feel God created all things, and therefore, He created music. So, it makes perfect sense to me to mix the two. It should be done more than the devil and metal being mixed, in my opinion, but for some reason, people have this thing that metal is all about the devil. It's ridiculous."
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
BLOODGOOD & WHITECROSS Re-issues On Retroactive Records:
Classic Christian Metal albums set for release on November 12, 2015:
BLOODGOOD - Rock In A Hard Place
Press Release / Originally released in 1988, the third album by Christian Metal giants BLOODGOOD shocked metal heads that were used to full-on head bangin’ tracks like “Black Snake” and “Crucify.” Instead, Rock In A Hard Place showcased some of the most melodic hard rock on the planet! “She’s Gone” was haunting, while “Shakin’ It” rocked with reckless abandon, and “Seven” was a resounding, thunderous finale that hearkened back to the first two albums. While the band no longer sounded like Maiden or Priest, the tracks on RIAHP were undeniably tasty, addictive, and as good as any the band had ever written.
The 2015, Retroactive Records re-mastered reissue corrects some of the original album’s flaws in mastering (almost no bass!), and is housed in a 4 panel, full color digipak. This album is released as part of the Legends Re-mastered series for a reason - it’s a Christian Hard Rock masterpiece that sounds better now than ever! For fans of IDLE CURE, STRYPER and KISS!
Rock In A Hard Place track listing: "Shakin' It", "Never Be the Same", "The Presence", "What Have I Done?", "Heaven on Earth", "Do Or Die", "She's Gone", "The World (Keeps Movin' Around)", "Seven"
BLOODGOOD - Out Of The Darkness
Press Release / There are some bands that specialize in melodic metal anthems - those songs that make you want to stand up, raise your hands in the air, sing at the top of your lungs, and jump around the room playing your finest air guitar! KISS is one; MOTLEY CRUE is another; STRYPER specialized in it. And with Out of the Darkness, BLOODGOOD showed they could write anthemic riffs with the best of them! One metal anthem after another, with the trademark Les Carlsen vocals, and the return of the bombastic Michael Bloodgood bass lines, the band’s fourth album necessitates some serious head bangin’ metal!
The 2015, Retroactive Records re-mastered reissue substantially enhances the original album, which is housed in a 4 panel, full color digipak. This album is released as part of the Legends Remastered series for a reason - it’s a Christian Metal masterpiece that sounds better now than ever!
Out Of The Darkness track listing: "Out of the Darkness", "Let My People Go", "America", "It's Alright", "Top Of the Mountain", "Hey! You", "Mad Do World”, "Changing Me", "New Age Illusion"
WHITECROSS - Nineteen Eighty Seven (Gold Edition)
Press Release / In 1987 WHITECROSS took the Christian Metal Scene by storm, delivering what would soon become one of the most talked about and highly collectible recordings in the Christian metal market. Scott Wenzel and Rex Carroll created a duo like few before them, breaking ground in the Christian metal scene that opened up the door for a flurry of bands. Often compared to the secular mainstream band RATT, Scott's vocals were new and fresh in Christian music, and Rex's blazing guitar work put WHITECROSS on the map for good. WHITECROSS continued throughout the 80's and 90's, making music and releasing some 12 recordings with drummer Mike Feighan, as well as many other musicians.
Now Rex, Scott and Mike would like to take you back to a time when metal still reigned. Nineteen Eighty Seven is a completely new recording of the original WHITECROSS self-titled debut but bigger, louder and better than ever.
Nineteen Eighty Seven track listing: “Who Will You Follow”, “Enough Is Enough”, “He Is The Rock”, “Lookin’ For A Reason”, “No Way I’m Goin’ Down”, “Seein’ Is Believing”, “All I Need”, “Nagasake”, “Signs Of The End”, “Love On The Line”, “Animate”, “Angel Wings”
Roxx Records to Re-issue Classic ANGELICA, DELIVERANCE & SACRED WARRIOR Albums:
Press Release / Roxx Records in conjunction with Meis Music Group are preparing to bring you in July of 2016 the first in a series of classic Intense Records reissues!
ANGELICA - Angelica
Press Release / Up first, we have the debut album from ANGELICA! ANGELICA is a project of Canadian born guitarist Dennis Cameron, who recorded a pair of demo tapes under the ANGELICA name. Later he faced the option to join either HOLY SOLDIER or BLOODGOOD or to sign with Intense Records. Dennis chose the latter and released four albums on the label, including this one, the band's self-titled debut release in 198,9 which also was the only album to feature the vocal talents of Rob Rock of IMPELLITTERI fame and a guest appearance and co-producer credit for Ken Tamplin.
Angelica is set to be released in a Limited Edition Pressing of 300 copies on vinyl, with the first 100 only being a special (yet to be determined) color variation and 200 on black vinyl with all the original tracks being fully re-mastered for vinyl. As well it will be released on CD in a one time Limited Edition pressing of only 300 copies fully re-mastered and restored with additional bonus tracks working in conjunction with the and only Dennis Cameron to bring you a truly collectible archive of the debut Angelica release.
Angelica track listing: "There’s Only One Hero" (4:05), "Are You Satisfied" (3:30), "I Believe" (3:45), "Danger Zone" (3:42), "Shine On Me" (3:05), "Only A Man" (3:40), "One Step At A Time" (3:31), "Will I Ever Learn" (3:20), "Take Me" (3:32), "Ahh!" (3:00), "S.O.S." (3:50), "Face To Face" (3:23)
DELIVERANCE - Deliverance
Press Release / Second, we have the one and only debut from Southern California’s very own DELIVERANCE! DELIVERANCE first appeared on the metal compilation project called California Metal. In its early days, the speed metal band was often compared to mainstream counterpart METALLICA, although the group experimented with several different metal styles over the years. Signed to Frontline Records in 1989, the band released its self-titled debut and garnered instant attention in Christian metal circles. The album was also produced by Bill Metoyer.
Deliverance is set to be released in a Limited Edition Pressing of 300 copies on vinyl, with the first 100 only being a special (yet to be determined) color variation and 200 on black vinyl with all the original tracks being fully re-mastered for vinyl. As well, it will be released on CD in a one-time Limited Edition pressing of only 300 copies fully re-mastered and restored with additional bonus tracks working in conjunction with Jimmy P Brown II to bring you a truly collectible archive of the debut DELIVERANCE release.
Deliverance track listing: "Victory" (3:44), "No Time" (4:28), "Deliverance" (3:03), "If You Will" (4:43), "The Call" (3:40), "No Love" (3:20), "Blood Of The Covenant" (4:50), "Jehovah Jireh" (3:35), "Temporary Insanity" (5:25), "Awake" (6:03)
SACRED WARRIOR - Master’s Command
Press Release / For our third and final release we have the sophomore release from SACRED WARRIOR! Many Christian metal musicians began playing secular music and finding faith along the way, and as is often the case, these new Christians wanted to express their newfound faith through their music. The newly formed group decided upon the name SACRED WARRIOR because it reflected not only that their commitment to Christ is sacred, but that as warriors they needed to put on the armor of God and prepare themselves for battle on a daily basis. SACRED WARRIOR signed with Intense Records in 1987 and recorded four albums with the label. Their debut release entitled Rebellion which was recently re-mastered and reissued in 2010 through Intense Millennium Records and this their second release from 1989 entitled Master’s Command is now going to go through the same re-master and reissue treatment.
Master’s Command is set to be released in a Limited Edition Pressing of 300 copies on vinyl, with the first 100 only being a special (yet to be determined) color variation and 200 on black vinyl with all the original tracks being fully re-mastered for vinyl. As well it will be released on CD in a one time Limited Edition pressing of only 300 copies fully re-mastered and restored by Steve Watkins of Sacred Warrior himself.
Master’s Command track listing: “Master’s Command” (4:53), “Beyond The Mountain” (4:25), “Evil Lurks” (4:26), “Bound In Chains” (3:45), “Unfailing Love” (5:31), “Paradise” (5:21), “Uncontrolled” (3:47), “Many Will Come” (3:53), “Onward Warriors” (3:13), “The Flood” (4:15), “Holy, Holy, Holy” (4:27)
There you have it, our goal is to get all three of these 1989 reissues off to the presses once this campaign is funded and then turn around and do 3 more! And then keep them coming as long as you the fans can help us support this venture! Thank you all for your past support and help us spread the word to achieve this goal!
To view the campaign: www.indiegogo.com/projects/angelica-deliverance-sacred-warrior-vinyl#/
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
SIGNUM REGIS - “Lost And Found” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS just released a lyric video for the track "Lost And Found" online. The song comes off the group’s upcoming album Chapter IV: The Reckoning, which will be released on November 20th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Founding member and bassist Ronnie König comments about the new album: “It was the plan since the get go, to make our best album so far. After releasing the EP (Through The Storm) earlier this year, it was clear that the bar was set pretty high. We worked very hard and we believe that we managed to lift the bar even higher in every aspect. Some of the songs on the album will become the classics of SIGNUM REGIS, that's for sure. There will be 10 new songs on the album, none of them appeared on the EP, which makes both the album and the Through The Storm EP a good buy for the fans.”
Chapter IV: The Reckoning was mastered by Jens Bogren (SYMPHONY X, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
Chapter IV: The Reckoning track listing:
1. “Lost And Found”
2. “The Secret Of The Sea”
3. “The Voice In The Wilderness”
4. “Prophet Of Doom”
5. “The Magi”
6. “Quitters Never Win”
7. “Tempter Of Evil”
8. “When Freedom Fails”
9. “The Kingdom Of Heaven”
10. “Bells Are Tolling”
Upcoming SIGNUM REGIS shows:
November 7th: Blast Of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
Novmeber 13th: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 29th: Metal Church - Switzerland
March 5th: Fullmetal Osthessen - Niederjossa, Germany
Chapter IV: The Reckoning pre-order: www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis
NEWS BRIEFS
* Michael Sweet (STRYPER) offered insight regarding his next solo album in a recent interview with The Metal Voice:
"I start recording a new solo album in the next three weeks. It's gonna come out on Rat Pak Records next year, probably maybe May or June at the latest. It's gonna be a metal album. There's not gonna by any poppy stuff or ballady stuff. It's gonna be real heavy. Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE) is drumming on it. I think it's gonna blow a lot of people away. They're gonna be, like, 'What?' Dude, it's gonna be a really pumping… I'm gonna do a lot of guitar stuff on it, but I'm gonna try to steer clear of the STRYPER-esque stuff. So, in other words, no big background vocals. There will be background vocals, but not the big angelic spreads. There's not gonna be a lot of harmony guitar solos. There's not gonna be a lot of that stuff that you expect from a STRYPER album that makes it sound like STRYPER, if that makes any sense."
* According to vocalist Christian Liljegren, NARNIA has completed recording all songs for its next album. Half of the lyrics and vocal melodies are finished as well, while vocal recordings will take place late this year. The group’s is planning for a spring of 2016 release.
FEATURED REVIEWS
ANCIENT PROPHECY - Pounded By Our Sins
Melodic thrash. Is there a bigger misnomer than that? Read Full Review >>
ARMAGEDDON USA - Up In Flames
It is refreshing to hear Armageddon USA return after such a lengthy hiatus and sounding as inspired and energetic as ever. Read Full Review >>
GX PROJECT - Raze Some Hell
Hence, how Raze Some Hell finds the group continuing to reside at the junction of straightforward hard rock, high-energy melodic metal and the bluesy aesthetic. Imagine ample doses of barbed muscle and swagger fused with good old-fashioned streetwise, heart, guts and soul. Read Full Review >>
HB - Pääkallonpaikka
One way to consider Pääkallonpaikka, the summer of 2010 fifth full-length album from Forssa, Finland based HB, is a heavier, darker and more impassioned version of the group. Read Full Review >>
KINETIC ELEMENT - Travelog
Here’s yet another album aimed at the ever-creative, artistically minded progressive rock crowd. Read Full Review >>
MESSENGER - Perfect Storm
Messenger isn’t a band with one outstanding selling point; instead, it has many highly convincing ones. Starting with musical direction, the Alunda, Sweden based act embodies the best elements of eighties influenced melodic metal and hard rock on its 6-song summer of 2014 sophomore EP Perfect Storm. Read Full Review >>
MILLENNIAL REIGN - Carry The Fire
Musically, Carry The Fire, the fall of 2015 Ulterium Records sophomore release of Arlington, Texas based Millennial Reign, is not that far removed from the groups self-titled debut full length from 2012. Read Full Review >>
ORDAINED FATE - Demo Anthology
I like to think of Ordained Fate as a ‘crossover metal band’, which translates as a cross between straightforward heavy metal, classic US power metal and the thrash genre. Read Full Review >>
New Dave Harvey interview online:
Angelic Warlord recently conducted an interview with MILLENNIAL REIGN guitarist Dave Harvey, who shares his thoughts about the groups soon to be released sophomore album Carry The Fire. He also goes into detail about the background to MILLENNIAL REIGN, how it signed to Ulterium Records and future plans as well. Following is an excerpt:
What is the meaning behind the Millennial Reign name?
Millennial Reign is actually a Biblical term from the Book of Revelation. It refers to the thousand-year reign of Christ after the tribulation. I heard the term many years ago and I always thought it sounded like a powe rmetal band name. It was the name I decided to use when I released the first album, even though it was more classic 80s metal.
Read full interview: HERE
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
MAD DRAGZTER returns with third album, Master Of Space And Time:
Press Release / São Paulo, Brazil based MAD DRAGZTER has been a prominent player within the thrash metal genre for over a decade. Originally known as BULLDOZER and later DRAGSTER, the group got off to a strong start in 2001 with its demo release New Times, which helped gain it prominence in the Brazilian metal scene. The MAD DRAGZTER 2003 full-length debut Strong Mind was released to favorable reviews worldwide, while follow up sophomore effort Killing The Devil Inside from 2006 garnered the group further acclaim.
In its earlier days, MAD DRAGZTER did a lot of gigs and shows. Its performances with KORZUS, OVERDOSE, PAUL DIANNO, SHAMAN, NECROMANCIA and CLAUSTROFOBIA earned MAD DRAGZTER a well-deserved reputation for its high-energy live performances.
The summer of 2015 finds MAD DRAGZTER returning with its third full-length offering, Master Of Space And Time, in which it continues to showcase an old school thrash sound with speed metal and melodic tendencies. The album reveals the lower register but powerful vocal range of front man Tiago Torrez, who also combines with Gabriel Spazziano for the aggressive dual guitar attack. Bassist Armando Beneditti and drummer Eric Claros anchor the persuasive rhythm section.
Lyrically, the group touches upon Biblical themes, while eye catching cover art is of an apocalyptic nature.
Master Of Space And Time track listing:
1. “Almighty”
2. “Valley Of Dry Bones”
3. “Master Of Space And Time”
4. “5708”
5. “Megiddo”
6. “Gehenna: The Second Death”
7. “King Of Kings”
8. “Army Of Truth”
9. “Sons Of Thunder”
10. “The Man By The Pool Of Bethesda”
11. “One Nation, One Church”
12. “From Emptiness To Infinity”
13. “Vox Spiritus Sancti”
14. “Wrath Of God”
15. “New Heaven And New Earth”
MAD DRAGZTER online: www.maddragzter.com.br & www.facebook.com/MAD-DRAGZTER
MILLENNIAL REIGN - “Men Stand Alone” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The US heavy metal band MILLENNIAL REIGN just released a lyric video for the track "Men Stand Alone". The song comes off their new album Carry The Fire, which will be released on October 30th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Formed as a solo project of ASKA bassist Dave Harvey, MILLENNIAL REIGN independently released its self-titled debut album in 2012. After rounding out its line up with new members, the decision was made to turn MILLENNIAL REIGN into a full band as opposed to a recording project.
Carry The Fire was mixed and mastered at Nomad Studio (KING DIAMOND, SOLITITUDE AETERNUS, ABSU), while artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, ICED EARTH, THEOCRACY).
Fans of IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRYCHE, JUDAS PRIEST and CRIMSON GLORY will not be disappointed in Carry The Fire, an album that should be in the collection of any fan of melodic or traditional heavy/power metal.
Upcoming MILLENNIAL REIGN shows:
October 16th: Wits End - Dallas, TX
November 21st: Acadia - Houston, TX
December 19th: TC's Midtown - Conway, AR
Check out an album teaser for Carry The Fire at YouTube: https://youtu.be/4oSf1zYpv-s
Carry The Fire track listing:
1. “Forever Changed”
2. “Way Up High”
3. “Millennial Reign”
4. “Men Stand Alone”
5. “Save Me”
6. “This Day”
7. “Will You”
8. “Innocent Cry”
9. “Not On My Own’
10. “I'll Try”
MILLENNIAL REIGN line up:
James Guest - Vocals
Dave Harvey - Guitars
Jason Donnelly - Guitars
Daniel Almagro - Bass
Wayne Stokely - Drums
Carry The Fire (CD/LP) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
MILLENNIAL REIGN online: www.millennialreign.com & www.facebook.com/millennialreign
NEWS BRIEFS
* “Cries The Viking”, lyric video to new song from JACOBS DREAM: www.youtube.com/watch?v=89n90dYr8TA
Look for “Cries The Viking” to appear on the groups upcoming album Where Vultures Gather.
* NARNIA is looking at a spring of 2016 release of its seventh studio album, untitled at the time of this writing. Look for the group to continue to head in a melodic metal with neoclassical elements musical direction.
* The melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE posted live footage from their show in Kosice, Slovakia last month in which they perform the track "Emptiness of Night": www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJczsqGoTNE
The WITHIN SILENCE debut album entitled Gallery of Life was released through Ulterium Records earlier this year.
INTERVIEWS
New Blackie Lawless interview online:
Ultimate Class Rock recently conducted an interview with W.A.S.P. vocalist & guitarist Blackie Lawless, who goes into detail about his Christian faith and the group’s new album Golgotha. Following is an excerpt:
What does the title of the new album Golgotha mean to you personally?
That’s a good one. Coming from a perspective of being a born-again Christian, it’s the center of my universe. Without that we have nothing.
Read full interview: HERE
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
DIVINER Signs With Ulterium Records:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the Greek heavy metal band DIVINER to the label. Their debut album Fallen Empires will be released on November 20th in Europe and North America on CD, LP and digital. The vinyl edition of Fallen Empires is strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide.
Fallen Empires is a very strong heavy metal album that keeps the legacy from the genre but at the same time sounds new and inspired. Perfect for fans of bands like ACCEPT, JUDAS PRIEST and ICED EARTH! Mastered by Peter In de Betou (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, AMON AMARTH). Their sound influences cover a very wide range of metal paths having classic heavy origins and melodies, blended with modern crushing riffs, groovy rhythm sections, powerful vocals and an overall up to date approach.
Fallen Empires track listing:
1. “Fallen Empires”
2. “Kingdom Come”
3. “Evilizer”
4. “Riders From The East”
5. “The Legend Goes On”
6. “Come Into My Glory”
7. “Seven Gates”
8. “The Shadow And The Dark”
9. “Sacred War”
10. “Out In The Abyss”
DIVINER line up:
Yiannis Papanikolaou (ROCK ‘N’ ROLL CHILDREN, ex. INNERWISH) - Lead Vocals
Thimios Krikos (INNERWISH) - Guitars
George Maroulees (INNEWISH) - Guitars
Herc Booze (SIX FOR NINE) - Bass
Fragiskos Samoilis (INNERWISH) - Drums
Fallen Empires (CD, LP & SHIRT) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
DIVINER online: www.facebook.com/divinermetalband
WAKEN EYES – “Back To Life” Lyric Video Released:
Press Release / The all-star progressive metal band WAKEN EYES just released a lyric video for the track "Back To Life". The song is taken off the groups debut Exodus, which will be released on October 30th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Exodus is a very impressive and diverse album that will surely appeal to fans of progressive metal, prog-rock and melodic metal. The album has a great mix of catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements that will surely capture the attention of the musical community. Everything comes together perfectly in the title track that ends the album with its 18 minutes long epic filled with melodies, progressive parts and a good dose of feeling.
Exodus track listing:
1. “Cognition”
2. “Aberration”
3. "Deafening Thoughts
4. “Back To Life”
5. “Palisades”
6. “Cornerstone Away”
7. “Still Life”
8. “Arise”
9. “Across The Horizon”
10. “Exodus”
Exodus was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, SYMPHONY X, KREATOR) in Sweden and the layout was made by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, KORPIKLAANI, APOCALYPTICAL).
Exodus can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WAKEN EYES online: www.facebook.com/wakeneyes
NEWS BRIEFS
* DYNASTY OF METAL, “Too Late For Living” (SAINT tribute): www.youtube.com/watch?v=kA3ljHyfQVM
* Michael Sweet (STRYPER) interview with Hawkesbury Gazette: www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/3384995/stryper-rocks-righteous-rebels/?cs=3951
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BRIDE Vinyl Re-issues Announced:
Press Release / Blastzone Entertainment have obtained the rights to re-release the entire BRIDE catalog on vinyl over the next 2 years. The groups first three album, Show No Mercy, Live To Die and Silence Is Madness, are currently in the crowd funding stage at IndieGogo:
Show No Mercy is the 1986 Pure Metal Records debut album by the American heavy metal band BRIDE. Less commercial than the groups later works, the album received a mixed reception in its time, as it was somewhat more extreme and darker than many Christian releases coming out at the time.
Only 500 copies of Show No Mercy will be pressed on mixed vinyl, with the demo version to “Missing Children” included as a bonus track along with the original ten songs.
IndieGogo crowd funding link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/bride-show-no-mercy-vinyl-re-release#/story
Show No Mercy track listing:
Side A:
1. “Evil That Men Do”
2. “Now He Is Gone”
3. “Fly Away”
4. “Forever In Darkness”
5. “Follow Your Heart”
6. “Show No Mercy”
Side B:
1. “I Will Be With You”
2. “Thunder In The City”
3. “No Matter The Price”
4. “The First Will Be Last”
5. “Missing Children” (demo)
Released in 1988, Live To Die is the Pure Metal Records sophomore release by the American heavy metal and BRIDE. The album is considered by critics to be the groups finest from its mid to late eighties heavy metal era, with songs such as “Hell No” and “Heroes” turning into Christian metal anthems and concert staples alike.
The 500 copies to Live To Die pressed on mixed vinyl will include demo bonus tracks "Who Killed The Rock Hero", "He's The Flyer" and "Heroes".
IndieGogo crowd funding link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/bride-live-to-die-vinyl-re-release#/story
Live To Die track listing:
Side A:
1. “Metal Might”
2. “Hell No”
3. “In The Dark”
4. Out For Blood”
5. “Live To Die”
6. “Fire And Brimstone”
Side B:
1. “Whiskey Seed”
2. “Here Comes The Bride”
3. “Heroes”
4. “Who Killed The Rock Hero” (demo)
5. “He’s The Flyer” (demo)
6. “Heroes” (demo)
Silence Is Madness is the third album by the American heavy metal band Bride, released on Pure Metal Records 1989. It marked the end of the bands heavy metal era, as BRIDE started to pursue a bluesy hard rock direction starting with its early nineties albums Kinetic Faith and Snakes In The Playground.
With only 500 copies pressed on mixed vinyl, Silence Is Madness will include the demo bonus tracks "Dirty", "Good Rock "N" Roll" and "Help".
IndieGogo crowd funding link: www.indiegogo.com/projects/bride-silence-is-madness-vinyl-re-release#/story
Silence Is Madness track listing:
Side A:
1. “Fool Me Once”
2. “Hot Down South”
3. “Silence Is Madness”
4. “Until The End We Rock”
5. “Evil Dreams”
6. “Under The Influence”
Side B:
1. “All Hallows Eve”
2. “No More Nightmares”
3. “Rock Those Blues Away”
4. “Dirty” (demo)
5. “Good Rock ‘N’ Roll” (demo)
6. “Help” (demo)
BRIDE online: www.bridepub.com & www.facebook.com/BridebandOn
SIGNUM REGIS - Chapter IV: The Reckoning Details Revealed:
Press Release / The melodic metal band SIGNUM REGIS will release their new album entitled Chapter IV: The Reckoning on November 20th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Founding member and bassist Ronnie König comments about the new album: “It was the plan since the get go, to make our best album so far. After releasing the EP (Through The Storm) earlier this year, it was clear that the bar was set pretty high. We worked very hard and we believe that we managed to lift the bar even higher in every aspect. Some of the songs on the album will become the classics of SIGNUM REGIS, that's for sure. There will be 10 new songs on the album, none of them appeared on the EP, which makes both the album and the Through The Storm EP a good buy for the fans.”
Chapter IV: The Reckoning was mastered by Jens Bogren (SYMPHONY X, OPETH, ARCH ENEMY) and the artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
SIGNUM was formed in 2007 by bassist Ronnie König. Highly respected vocalist Göran Edman (ex. Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) joined the band and they started to work on their self-titled debut album, which was released in 2008 through Locomotive Records and received great reviews from around the world.
In 2010 SIGNUM REGIS signed with Inner Wound Recordings and released the impressive concept album The Eyes Of Power with Göran on vocals. The album was received really well, especially in Europe. With this album, it was clear that SIGNUM REGIS had found their own sound within the melodic/neoclassical metal scene.
The third Signum Regis album Exodus was released in 2013 and it featured many different vocalists like Göran Edman (ex. Yngwie Malmsteen), Lance King (ex. PYRAMAZE, BALANCE OF POWER), Matt Smith (THEOCRACY), Michael Vescera (OBESSION), Daisa Munhoz (VANDROYA, SOULSPELL) and others. Exodus was a bit more straight melodic metal than the previous album, but the classic SIGNUM REGIS elements were still there.
Early 2014 the band decided to make Mayo Petranin their new lead vocalist. Mayo had already done many shows with the band, and he also contributed the vocals to one of the songs on Exodus so it felt like a natural move. During 2013 and 2014 SIGNUM REGIS did some shows in their home country Slovakia, but they also performed in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
During 2014 SIGNUM REGIS started to work on new material and it was decided that a 6 track EP would be released in May 2015 and the fourth full-length album during the fall 2015. The EP entitled Through The Storm received excellent feedback from fans and media, with many of them calling it the best SIGNUM REGIS release so far. Two music videos were also recorded and released for the tracks “Living Well” and “Come And Take It”.
Both Through The Storm and Chapter IV: The Reckoning prove 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. SIGNUM REGIS will surely win over many new fans in the melodic metal scene with these releases.
Chapter IV: The Reckoning track listing:
1. “Lost And Found”
2. “The Secret Of The Sea”
3. “The Voice In The Wilderness”
4. “Prophet Of Doom”
5. “The Magi”
6. “Quitters Never Win”
7. “Tempter Of Evil”
8. “When Freedom Fails”
9. “The Kingdom Of Heaven”
10. “Bells Are Tolling”
Upcoming SIGNUM REGIS shows:
November 7th: Blast Of Eternity - Neckarsulm, Germany
Novmeber 13th: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, Netherlands
November 29th: Metal Church - Switzerland
March 5th: Fullmetal Osthessen - Niederjossa, Germany
Chapter IV: The Reckoning pre-order: www.signum-regis.com & www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
SIGNUM REGIS online: www.signum-regis.com & www.facebook.com/signum.regis
STRYPER - New Song “Let There Be Light” Available For Streaming:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
"Let There Be Light", a brand new song from STRYPER, can be streamed above. The track is taken from the band's new album, Fallen, which 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 cover artwork for Fallen 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."
Sweet recently stated about the musical direction of Fallen: "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.
"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."
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
NEWS BRIEFS
* SARDIS released a limited edition cassette tape entitled Reel Live Metal that encompasses the groups live performance on September 6, 2014 at Solace Music Venue in Joplin, Missouri. In addition to live versions to six of the tracks off the groups 2014 debut Escape, the tape includes one new song recorded with the current SARDIS line up entitled “Satisfied”.
Reel Live Metal can be streamed at: http://sardisband.bandcamp.com/album/reel-live-metal
* Retroactive Records update:
Retroactive Records is not over! We are currently hoping to release the following before the end of 2015:
BLOODGOOD - Rock In A Hard Place (Legends Re-mastered)
BLOODGOOD - Out Of The Darkness (Legends Re-mastered)
LIBERTY 'N JUSTICE - The Vow
GIDEON'S ARMY - Rock & Roll For Your Soul
GIDEON'S ARMY - Grace
WHITECROSS - Nineteen Eighty Seven the re-recorded version with a new 2015 bonus guitar solo)
And next year we will be reissuing 5 classic albums on vinyl!
Bombworks Records will be reissuing all the CRIMSON THORN albums, including one on vinyl!
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Bill Menchen signs with Roxx Productions:
Press Release / Roxx Records are excited to announce the signing of veteran guitarist Bill Menchen. This fall the master axe man behind some of the most classic and influential Christian metal bands of all time, including FINAL AXE, TITANIC, SEVENTH POWER and many others, will be releasing his first ever solo album, 1.5, under the BLUES METAL TRANCE moniker . It will be an entirely instrumental album and it is set to feature tons of awesome guitar licks, melodies, ballads and rockers alike. So get ready as your ears are about to embark on a wonderful journey that will rock you from your head to your soul! This holiday season Blues Metal Trance is sure to be on the top of every Christian rockers Christmas wish list!
1.5 will be released digitally at all of your favorite retail outlets worldwide. As well, there will be a strictly Limited Edition CD, which will be made available in an exclusive digipak format and limited to 300 copies. The album will never be released in this format again.
In addition, the first 100 special Deluxe Package pre orders will come with a free limited edition Bill Menchen guitar pick. Not enough for you? Well it gets even better in that those that get in on the Deluxe Package pre order are going to get a very special bonus disc!
This bonus disc will be a compilation or retrospect of ‘The Best of Bill Menchen’, which will highlight tracks from throughout his long career of putting out great quality Jesus Metal. That’s right the one and only way you can get this very special compilation is right here and right now and only for those first 100 Deluxe Package Pre-Orders!
So get ready as this November 13th, 2015, 1.5 will be released everywhere!
Pre-order 1.5 at: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/14465061-bill-menchen-blues-metal-trance-1-5-dlx-2015
1.5 track listing:
1. “Ball Peen Hammer”
2. “Concentric”
3. “Dual Overhead Cam”
4. “Fuel”
5. “Gearbox Grinding”
6. “Hot Patch”
7. “Hydraulic Pump”
8. “Ignition Module”
9. “Impact Gun”
10. “Jacks”
11. “Monkey Wrench”
12. “Nutz & Boltz”
13. “Pinion Shaft”
14. “Radiator Grill”
15. “Slo Wrenchen”
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
Bill Menchen online: www.facebook.com/bill.menchen
LIPSTICK to appear alongside members of TESLA, CINDERELLA and STRYPER in new film:
Press Release / Casting continues for the new Rossetti Productions movie God Gave Rock n' Roll To You, which already features members of TESLA, CINDERELLA, STRYPER, PETRA & CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE, with the casting of Nashville based glam band LIPSTICK. The film takes place on the sunset strip in the 80's and tells the story of a band called Tyger, whose members decide rename their band Iron Cross and become a Christian glam band.
The members of LIPSTICK - Greg Troyan, Steve Smith, Jack Stark and Casey Horn - will be portraying a rival band in the movie hoping to see IRON CROSS fail. They will bring a comedic sense to the era of over-the-top, glam metal. “We want to bring in people that epitomize that era of music, and the guys from LIPSTICK are out there right now, rocking the glam, hair-band style music of the late 80's," says Writer/Director Chip Rossetti. “We want authenticity and era specific accuracy throughout the entire movie, from the music, as well as the look.”
"LIPSTICK is excited to be a part of this wonderful film” LIPSTICK founder Greg Troyan said. “The script is excellent, and to be working alongside members of TESLA, CINDERELLA, STRYPER, PETRA & CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE was more than enough reason for us to say yes. The movie has a great message about not letting ego and pride control your life, and giving your life to something bigger than yourself. It's a Christian film, but the lessons of this movie can be applied to any faith and walk of life. It's truly something special."
LIPSTICK is a glam rock band based in Nashville, TN. The band was formed in 2012 by lead vocalist and principal songwriter Greg Troyan. After recording a series of demos in Cleveland, Ohio with Billy Morris (WARRANT/QUIET RIOT) Troyan relocated to Nashville and joined forces with bassist Stephen Smith to perfect the LIPSTICK sound. The band released their self-titled debut in 2014 and released a special deluxe edition of the album in 2015. The band is currently recording their second album, which is scheduled for an early 2016 release.
Production of God Gave Rock n’ Roll To You is slated to begin in early November in and around the Nashville, Tennessee area. Rossetti Productions has produced 15 feature films, all in the Christian, Faith Based and Family genres.
God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You online: www.rossetti-productions.com/in-development/god-gave-rock-n-roll-to-you & www.facebook.com/GodGaveRocknRollToYouMovie
LIPSTICK online: www.lipstickgeneration.com & www.facebook.com/lipstickgeneration
W.A.S.P. performs title track to new album Golgotha in Leeds:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
Fan-filmed video footage of W.A.S.P. performing the title track of the band's new album, Golgotha, on September 12 at O2 Academy in Leeds, United Kingdom can be seen above.
Golgotha will be released on October 2 via Austria's Napalm Records.
Lawless previously stated about the making of the Golgotha CD: "The rehearsals for this album started in the spring of 2011. A lot of time was spent just talking about the direction of the songs and really trying to turn the songs inside out to see exactly where they wanted to go.
"One thing you learn over the years in the songwriting process is that after the songs begin to take shape, they will eventually start to talk back to you and they will tell you where they wanna go. The trick is learning to listen when they speak.
"This process of writing and arranging and the demos went on for several months before we even began to record the album for real.”
Regarding the song "Last Runaway", Lawless said: "Forty years ago I came to Hollywood as a teenager. Terrified and scared out of my mind, I had no idea what waited there for me. The song 'Last Runaway' is an intensely personal account of what happened to me, not only then but over the years and the success that followed after. Be it a kid looking for success in the music business or any life-challenging endeavor that someone would 'run away' from in life, I'm certain that everyone can relate to this story one way or another. It's another kid 'chasing the dream' and trying to survive it in the process. We've all been there."
At the 2014 edition of the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, Lawless stated about the lyrical inspiration for the new W.A.S.P. 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."
Golgotha track listing:
1. “Scream”
2. “Last Runaway”
3. “Shotgun”
4. “Miss You”
5. “Fallen Under”
6. “Slaves Of The New World Order”
7. “Eyes Of My Maker”
8. “Hero Of The World”
9. “Golgotha”
NEWS BRIEFS
* Detonation Magazine interview with Rosanna Palmer of ROSANNA’S RAIDERS: www.detonationmagazine.co.uk/2014/09/29/rosanna-palmer
* STRYPER - “Big Screen Lies” guitar tutorial video: www.youtube.com/watch?t=2&v=0ko6TDKyw2E
* Commentary from vocalist Dale Thompson regarding his new band, THE WORD WILL BURN (Facebook - September 16, 2015 & August 31, 2015): “THE WORLD WILL BURN is the name of my new band. We are currently recording new material and soliciting outlets for distribution and promotion. The music is slammin' - my vocals are the heaviest I have ever recorded with slaughtered screams, heavy airy backgrounds and guttural intentions that will raise the hair on the back of your neck. Yeah I am very happy and positive that if you are a fan of "the heavy" you are going to dig this crunchy roll of ‘slambastic’ groove and wonderstruck.
“We plan on saying it. We may not become the most popular band on the planet but we will be remembered and our message heard. The band has nothing to do with religion.’‘This band is about identity. Identifying with the listener on a level where the message of the band is not drowned out and overshadowed by some sort of expectation from the listener. Being a listener means to…. LISTEN.”
FESTIVAL UPDATES
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Chris Dickens (MISSION OF ONE) at work on news blues album:
As taken from Christian Hard Music (July 27, 2015):
“Sure Mission Of One is fun, but I am just spinning my wheels with it. I don't see it going anywhere. I doubt there will ever be a full band, and I just don't enjoy playing like I used to…
“Well, until someone introduced me to a three-string cigar box guitar! This has inspired me to just plug in a play and see what happens without any regards to style, fan base, etc. I've been able to start making music without caring if it is metal enough or if it is too country or whatever. I've just thrown everything into a blender and stirred it with either a 3 or 4 string cigar box (or trophy) guitar. The songs I've written move me unlike any that I've done before. I've even started messing with some old MO1 songs that need to be reinterpreted. With the old songs and the new ones I've written, I have enough to record around 20 tunes. I plan on doing that! If I have a double album or release two albums at the same time, that's cool.
“I had my brother come in and work on some drums today. We now have rhythm guitars, bass, vocals, and drums finished for 5 songs. I have to do leads or find guest players to finish three songs. I have a whole slew full of others to get recorded, but we are well under way!
“The blues album(s) are happening, Lord willing!
“I haven't decided for sure what to name the project but it will not be MISSION OF ONE. This isn't a metal or even a hard rock project - it is blues with rock overtones (think SRV, GLENN KAISER, ZZ TOP, SKYNRD, etc. I'm tossing around the project names of DARKEST NIGHT or possibly HEAVENSOUND. Both could work well within the blues genre.
“I will be working on the songs as I can. There are a lot and I just need to make time for this. I have three guitars I am building right now that I want to get done before I do much else in the studio.”
Son of Mike Portnoy to guest on next TILES album, Pretending to Run:
Press Release Detroit-based progressive rockers TILES have announced drummer Max Portnoy (NEXT TO NONE) to make a guest appearance on their upcoming double album Pretending To Run.
Guitarist Chris Herin reports:
"Max is the son of Mike Portnoy – and clearly the drumming acorn didn’t fall far from the tree! When I first approached Mike to guest on our album I also asked him if Max might be interested in playing too. After sending Mike several tunes to consider, he came back with the epic "Stonewall" as his choice and suggested that "Fait Accompli" would be perfect for Max. I was actually a little surprised since "Fait Accompli" has a straight ahead Badfinger/Supertramp groove. But Mike knew what he was doing and said it was a chance to take Max out of his complex prog-metal comfort zone and nurture his versatility. Plus they both really liked the song.
Max definitely delivered the goods. He was very well-prepared and totally dialed into the pocket, playing tasty fills in all the right places and moving seamlessly through the meter changes. But what makes Max’ appearance extra special is he teams up with Mike during the song’s instrumental bridge sections. It was heart-warming watching the father/son bond at work - especially as they worked out their duet parts. Many thanks to Max and Mike for their great playing - and for making their Portnoy family debut on ‘Pretending to Run’."
Max Portnoy rounds out an impressive list of notable guest musicians on Pretending To Run, which includes Ian Anderson (JETHRO TULL), Mike Portnoy (WINERY DOGS, FLYING COLORS, Ex-DREAM THEATER), Mike Stern (Miles Davis), Kim Mitchell (Max Webster), Adam Holzman (STEVEN WILSON BAND, Miles Davis), Kevin Chown (Chad Smith, Sebastian Bach) and Colin Edwin (PORCUPINE TREE).
Pretending to Run is produced & mixed by Terry Brown (RUSH, FATES WARNING) and is slated for an early-2016 release. Stay up-to-date with all the latest developments by visiting the ‘Tiles Files Newsletter’.
Pretending To Run is a 95-minute song cycle about unexpected and unwanted change. The ambitious double album recounts the tale of a person disillusioned by betrayal, descending into darkness and struggling to cope with unpleasant realities that redefine their life. The storyline is reinforced using musical reprises and recurring themes - and expanding our horizons is a top priority.
TILES online: www.tiles-music.com & www.facebook.com/Tiles
NEWS BRIEFS
* MetalPulseRadio interview with Jarrod Grumblatt (guitars) and Kari Stein of REIGN: http://metalpulseradio.com/interview-reign
* MetalpPulseRadio interview with Benny Bodine (guitars) of FOUR STAR REVIVAL: http://metalpulseradio.com/four-star-revival-interview-2
* Teaser for new SCANDINAVIAN METAL PRAISE album, Glory & Power: Part 1: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcS0SWXAfZc
Further reading: www.facebook.com/Scandinavian-Metal-Praise-Official
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
STRYPER - New Song “Big Screen Lies” Available For Streaming:
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 song "Big Screen Lies" can be streamed above.
The cover artwork for Fallen 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."
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."
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
STRYPER - Fallen Limited Edition Vinyl Announced:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the release of a limited 2LP gatefold vinyl edition of the upcoming STRYPER album Fallen. A deal was inked with Frontiers Records and the release dates are set to November 13th for Europe and December 4th for North America. The edition is strictly limited to 1554 copies worldwide. 389 copies comes with white discs and 1165 copies with standard black discs.
Fallen is available for pre-order at the Ulterium Records Store and from the band at the links below:
Ulterium Records Store: http://ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Stryper Store: http://stryper.portmerch.com/stores/home.php?cat=288
Fallen track listing:
Side A
1. “Yahweh”
2. “Fallen”
3. “Pride”
Side B
1. “Big Screen Lies”
2. “Heaven”
3. “Love You Like I Do”
Side C
1. “All Over Again”
2. “After Forever”
3. “Til I Get What I Need”
Side D
1. “Let There Be Light”
2. “The Calling”
3. “King Of Kings”
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
NEWS BRIEFS
* Righteous Rock TV interview with guitarist Bill Menchen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Inbe7aXmelk
* ‘Rough Cut’ preview of new song from DEATH IS GAIN, “Black River”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJT9a-YPmgM
According to the artist, lyrics are about suicide as well as rescuing those that are on the edge.
* Acoustic version of PILGRIMSPROG song “Savior” with Scott Miller on guitar and Garrett Weaver vocals: http://pilgrimsprog.bandcamp.com/track/savior-acoustic
The song is a bonus track off the upcoming PILGRIMSPROG album Here I Am, which will be released September 18, 2015.
* SIGNUM REGIS live performance at More Than Fest on August 22, 2015: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SVmtmseurA
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
KINETIC ELEMENT release sophomore album, Travelog:
Press Release / On June 1, 2015, KINETIC ELEMENT released Travelog, its first album of new material since its critically acclaimed full length debut Powered By Light from 2009.
KINETIC ELEMENT is a neo-symphonic progressive rock band from Richmond, Virginia that is influenced by the musical roots of classic artists such as EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, YES, ASIA and GENESIS and blends those influences with philosophical and spiritually powerful and uplifting lyrics. KINETIC ELEMENT was formed as a platform to perform the music of keyboardist Mike Visaggio’s solo album, Starship Universe, which was released in 2006 after Mike was selected to perform at the 2006 Pop Montreal festival. Powered By Light was nominated for Best Debut album of 2009 by “The Prog Awards,” which was at that time an Italian reviews website.
Travelog is an opulent collection of ear candy that will certainly ignite your senses. Everything from beautiful acoustic guitar passages to majestic keyboards to baselines worthy of any late-night jazz club to vocals filled with social commentary. One moment your marching into war and the next seated in a cathedral, all swept along by beautiful percussive elements. Travelog is cohesive and beautifully set before you as though you were at the finest feast fit for king and court.
Travelog contains 74 minutes of music within five tracks:
1. “War Song”
2. “Travelog”
3. “Into The Liar”
4. “Her”
5. “Vision”
KINETIC ELEMENT line up:
Mike Visaggio - Keyboards & Vocals
Todd Russell - Guitars
Mark Tupko - Bass
Michael Murray - Drums & Vocals
Travelog guest musicians:
Demitrius LaFavors (ODIN’S COURT) - Lead Vocals on “War Song”, “Travelog” & “Vision”
Michelle Schrotz (BRAVE) - Lead Vocals on “Into The Lair”
Mike Florio (Solo Artist) - Lead Vocals on “Her”
Recorded at “The Garage” Richmond, VA
Recording Engineer - Michael Murray
Mixed and Mastered at Sound Resources, Chattanooga TN
Mixing and Mastering Engineers - Fred Schendel and Steve Babb
Layout and Graphics - Man In The Mountain
KINETIC ELEMENT online: www.kineticelement.com/home.html & www.facebook.com/pages/Kinetic-Element-Official-Site
TRUE STRENGTH announce sophomore album, Steel Evangelist:
Press Release / TRUE STRENGTH are set for the digital release its sophomore album Steel Evangelist on October 30, 2015. The album will be made available through CD Baby, Amazon, iTunes, Spotify, Rhapsody, XBOX Live and many other fine digital retailers. Similar to its predecessor, 2014 debut The Cross Will Always Prevail, all sales of the album will be donated to the International Christian Concern (www.persecution.org), which assists persecuted Christians and their families around the world. Steel Evangelist will feature 10 songs, with nearly 70 + minutes of music.
Notable changes to the TRUE STRENGTH line up include the departure of lead vocalist, Rus Gib and drummer Chris Clark, both of which appeared on the debut but due to prior commitments were unable to participate on Steel Evangelist. Taking over lead vocalist duties is Ryan "The Archangel" Darnell, the current rhythm guitarist, bassist and primary songwriter of TRUE STRENGTH. The extra duties are admittedly stressful for him as he hopes to live up to the expectations set by previous vocalist Rus Gib. Steel Evangelist will also feature Ryan Mey on drums, who most recently served as audio mastering engineer on The Cross Will Always Prevail. Josh Cirbo returns as the TRUE STRENGTH lead guitarist.
Robert Sands recorded, produced, mixed and mastered Steel Evangelist.
Steel Evangelist track listing:
1. “No Cheek Left to Turn”
2. “Steel Evangelist”
3. “Cilician Gates”
4. “Don't Take the Mark of the Beast”
5. “The Fall of the Ripest Apple”
6. “Gabriel the Archangel”
7. “Woe to the Sons of Ishmael”
8. “Blood Waters the Cedars of Lebanon”
9. “Twenty-One Martyrs Clothed in Orange”
10. “The War We Fight”
TRUE STRENGTH line up:
Ryan "The Archangel" Darnell - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar & Bass
Josh Cirbo - Lead Guitar
Ryan Mey - Drums
TRUE STRENGTH online: www.facebook.com/pages/True-Strength
WAKEN EYES Signs With Ulterium Records:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of the all-star progressive metal band WAKEN EYES to the label. Their debut album Exodus will be released on October 30th in Europe and North America.
Exodus is a very impressive and diverse album that will surely appeal to fans of progressive metal, prog-rock and melodic metal. The album has a great mix of catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements that will surely capture the attention of the musical community. Everything comes together perfectly in the title track that ends the album with its 18 minutes long epic filled with melodies, progressive parts and a good dose of feeling.
WAKEN EYES Biography:
WAKEN EYES was started early 2013 by Tom Frelek after his old band had gone on hiatus. Tom was still playing in his own instrumental band but wanted to create a prog album that was heavy, melodic, cinematic and included vocals.
The inspiration for writing the album came from many different sources such as music, paintings and movies. Musically the inspiration came mainly from classical composers like Chopin, Mozart, Stravinsky and soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer, James Newton Howard, Danny Elfman and others. Tom’s inspiration, when it comes to guitar players are Joe Satriani, Paul Gilbert, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Al Di Meola, Michael Romeo, John Petrucci and B.B King.
When Tom finished writing all the demos for the album he already had musicians in mind to play on this record. Marco Minnemann was one of those guys he wanted to get after hearing him play on Paul Gilbert's spaceship one DVD. Hearing how amazingly talented Marco was struck him to send him an email with a few demos attached. He complimented the demos and agreed to play. He completely added so much life to the songs and Tom was almost in tears at one point! The rest is history!
After Marco recorded all the drums (in 3-4 days!) he sent upgraded demos to Mike Lepond of SYMPHONY X as he’s an amazing musician. He recorded his parts fairly quickly. Needless to say Mike's playing was superb and brought the tracks to life!
As for vocals, Tom got Henrik Bath to sing on the album. Tom heard of Henrik and his band DARKWATER from a good friend of his. Tom was instantly blown away by his vocal ability. He contacted Henrik and sent him the demos with Marco and Mikes' parts on them. The recording process started shortly after. The life that Henrik brought to this album is indescribable. There is so much passion and honesty in how Henrik sings. Tom had many “wow” moments when Henrik sent over his vocal takes.
The theme of the album is about being fearless and every song has something to do about fearlessness. The theme came from the struggles of everyday life that everyone deals with. How people, emotions, media, governments can enforce fear upon you to make you think a certain way to more or less control you. It's an album for those who struggle to stand up for themselves and can't let their voice be heard. Certain songs have lyrical ideas about war, media, falling in and out of love, spirituality and faith, good and evil. To sum it up, it is an album about hope. Sounding dark at times but with hope at the end of the tunnel.
Exodus track listing:
1. “Cognition”
2. “Aberration”
3. "Deafening Thoughts
4. “Back To Life”
5. “Palisades”
6. “Cornerstone Away”
7. “Still Life”
8. “Arise”
9. “Across The Horizon”
10. “Exodus”
WAKEN EYES line up:
Henrik Båth (DARKWATER) – Lead Vocals
Tom Frelek – Guitars, Keyboards & Orchestration
Mike Lepond (SYMPHONY X) - Bass
Marco Minnemann [THE ARISTOCRATS, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani] - Drums
Exodus was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (OPETH, SYMPHONY X, KREATOR) in Sweden and the layout was made by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, KORPIKLAANI, APOCALYPTICAL).
Exodus can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WAKEN EYES online: www.facebook.com/wakeneyes
W.A.S.P. Premier Lyric Video To New Song “Scream”:
The official lyric video for the song "Scream" from W.A.S.P. can be seen above. The track is taken from the band's fifteenth studio album, titled Golgotha, which will be released on October 2 via Austria's Napalm Records.
Commented W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless: "’Scream’ was the track we felt really opened the album with the kick we were looking for. The animation on the video is outstanding and truly takes you on a trip. 'You're gonna cry if you want me, You're gonna lie if you love me!' It's enough to make you wanna scream!"
Lawless previously stated about the making of the Golgotha CD: "The rehearsals for this album started in the spring of 2011. A lot of time was spent just talking about the direction of the songs and really trying to turn the songs inside out to see exactly where they wanted to go.
"One thing you learn over the years in the songwriting process is that after the songs begin to take shape, they will eventually start to talk back to you and they will tell you where they wanna go. The trick is learning to listen when they speak.
"This process of writing and arranging and the demos went on for several months before we even began to record the album for real.”
Regarding the previously released song "Last Runaway", Lawless said: "Forty years ago I came to Hollywood as a teenager. Terrified and scared out of my mind, I had no idea what waited there for me. The song “Last Runaway” is an intensely personal account of what happened to me, not only then but over the years and the success that followed after. Be it a kid looking for success in the music business or any life-challenging endeavor that someone would 'run away' from in life, I'm certain that everyone can relate to this story one way or another. It's another kid 'chasing the dream' and trying to survive it in the process. We've all been there."
At the 2014 edition of the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden, Lawless stated about the lyrical inspiration for the new W.A.S.P. 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."
Golgotha track listing:
1. “Scream”
2. “Last Runaway”
3. “Shotgun”
4. “Miss You”
5. “Fallen Under”
6. “Slaves Of The New World Order”
7. “Eyes Of My Maker”
8. “Hero Of The World”
9. “Golgotha”
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
MILLENNIAL REIGN Signs With Ulterium Records:
Press Release / Ulterium Records are proud to announce the signing of US heavy metal band MILLENNIAL REIGN. The group’s new album Carry The Fire will be released on October 30th in Europe and North America on CD, LP and as a digital download. The vinyl edition of Carry The Fire is strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide.
Formed as a solo project of ASKA bassist Dave Harvey, MILLENNIAL REIGN independently released its self-titled debut album in 2012. After rounding out its line up with new members, the decision was made to turn MILLENNIAL REIGN into a full band as opposed to a recording project.
Carry The Fire was mixed and mastered at Nomad Studio (KING DIAMOND, SOLITITUDE AETERNUS, ABSU), while artwork was created by Felipe Machado Franco (BLIND GUARDIAN, ICED EARTH, THEOCRACY).
Fans of IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRYCHE, JUDAS PRIEST and CRIMSON GLORY will not be disappointed in Carry The Fire, an album that should be in the collection of any fan of melodic or traditional heavy/power metal.
Carry The Fire track listing:
1. “Forever Changed”
2. “Way Up High”
3. “Millennial Reign”
4. “Men Stand Alone”
5. “Save Me”
6. “This Day”
7. “Will You”
8. “Innocent Cry”
9. “Not On My Own’
10. “I'll Try”
MILLENNIAL REIGN line up:
James Guest - Vocals
Dave Harvey - Guitars
Jason Donnelly - Guitars
Daniel Almagro - Bass
Wayne Stokely – Drums
Upcoming MILLENNIAL REIGN shows:
September 30th: The Rail - Ft Worth, TX
October 16th: Wits End - Dallas, TX
November 21st: Acadia - Houston, TX
December 19th: TC's Midtown - Conway, AR
Carry The Fire (CD/LP) can be pre-ordered at the Ulterium Records Store: www.ulteriumstore.bigcartel.com
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
Millennial Reign online: www.millennialreign.com & www.facebook.com/millennialreign
TERAMAZE announce new album, Her Halo:
Courtesy of www.bravewords.com:
Melbourne, Australia’s progressive metal ensemble, TERAMAZE, has signed to Music Theories Recordings, which is a part of the Mascot Label Group. The band’s first release for the label, Her Halo, will hit stores on October 30.
TERAMAZE was originally formed during lead guitarist/producer Dean Well’s teenage years. The band put out a couple albums in the early years, but it wasn’t until the release of Anhedonia in 2012 that Wells felt the modern version of TERAMAZE actually began. That third album was met with critical acclaim, as was the follow up of 2014’s Esoteric Symbolism, which saw the quartet making a bolder statement and taking no prisoners to flex their musical muscle even further. Now with new vocalist Nathan Peachey and a new record deal with Mascot Label Group, TERAMAZE have arrived with their cinematic Her Halo. These new beginnings not only brings about more potential, but promise as well.
A press release states: “Wells will tell you himself that the TERAMAZE sound is assembled within the framework of the songwriting. Regardless of that focus, there is certainly a lot more than simply a faint slither of technicality due to the intricate musical bravado brushing up against the melodies, tunefully brandishing a smoothly executed sound scape while retaining the sheer loudness minus the belligerent anxiety. No wasting time trying to figure out where a solo should be, what type of insane time signature can be put in, and so on. The music shines, not blinds. Even with that melodic sensibility in tow, these guys don't limit themselves to the confines of what stereotypical prog-metal is, as their catchy sonatas emphasize both the precision minded musicianship and melodies with divine harmonious vigor.”
"It was very much a conscious decision to focus on the songs," elaborates Wells, "Our music is all about the song as a whole. If a melody only needs a slow guitar solo with only three notes, then so be it. There's no need to add anything else that might take away from the track itself. If we focus on the songwriting, we can appeal to musicians or anybody who loves good music."
The first single off Her Halo will be “Out Of Subconscious” which features fierce tempos, poignant touches of darkness, soaring axe attack, angelic harmonies, and a hauntingly dramatic music video.
Her Halo track listing:
1. “An Ordinary Dream”
2. “To Love A Tyrant”
3. “Her Halo”
4. “Out Of Subconscious”
5. “For The Innocent”
6. “Trapeze”
7. “Broken”
8. “Delusions Of Grandeur”
Her Halo can be pre-ordered at the Mascot Label Group store: http://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com/teramaze
Mascot Label Group online: http://usa.mascotlabelgroup.com & www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
TERAMAZE online: http://teramaze.com.au & www.facebook.com/teramaze
NEWS BRIEFS
* Roxx Records RECON & ULTIMATUM vinyl re-issue update: “Both releases are at the pressing plant! Pre Orders coming very soon as we get closer, but they wont be done for months!
RECON - Behind Enemy Lines (25th Anniversary): 300 piece pressing, 100 on Limited Orange Vinyl and 200 on Black Vinyl.
ULTIMATUM - Into The Pit (Roxx Underground Series #2): This will be a limited pressing of 150 copies only on clear blood splatter vinyl”
Expect the CD version to Behind Enemy Lines to be released at around the same time and to include bonus material in form of the original four song RECON demo and the two tracks, “Light The Fire” and “Dreams”, from the California Metal II compilation. Several new songs are in the works as well.
* Vocalist Dale Thompson (BRIDE) has joined forces with Alan Zaring to form a new band called THE WORLD WILL BURN. Details regarding any potential recording project to feature the two are forthcoming.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
THE FINITE BEINGS Are “Spirit Driven” With New Single:
Press Release / Two piece Christian Hard Rock band THE FINITE BEINGS have released a new track "Spirit Driven", which is available as a free download on their website at www.thefinitebeings.com. The song takes a direction similar to classic hard rock bands from the 70's like BLACK SABBATH and THIN LIZZY but combined with a Christian message.
The song comes out following the 2014 release of TFB's second full length release A Life To Come, an album that blends classic with contemporary. While headbangers can appreciate the heaviness in certain tracks, others will lean towards the more psychedelic sounds reminding people of PINK FLOYD. TFB consists of Donny DePaola (vocals, guitar, bass, piano) and Mike Nicholas (vocals, drums). Both members handle the compositions of the tracks while Nicholas is the primary lyricist for the band.
When asked about the recording and songwriting process for "Spirit Driven", Nicholas states that "Donny had a riff he had been wanted to use and kept telling me it had a major Black Sabbath vibe to it. He wanted to do a track with that kind of feel being that he is a major classic rock guy. And I loved it. From there we just built around it."
While discussing the lyrics to the track, Nicholas explains "I wanted to share my story about my life before coming to faith and how I was living in darkness. I was a sight for sore eyes. In my mind the light wouldn't shine. Erased my horizons. I lay desolate on this beach of mine. In the chorus I wanted to sum up that if you had told me that I would believe what I believe with the Bible, I never would have fathomed it. I was so far from God that I felt like a lost cause. Little did I know that He was working through me in the darkness. I conclude the song talking to my Creator by simply saying. "Forgive me I knew nothing. Guide me Home. Forgive me I knew nothing."
For more information about THE FINITE BEINGS visit www.thefinitebeings.com & www.facebook.com/thefinitebeings. Fans can go to www.cdbaby.com/cd/thefinitebeings3 to purchase or download tracks from A Life To Come.
KING’S X - Gretchen Goes To Nebraska & Faith Hope Love Re-issues Available:
Progressive masters KING’S X have re-released two of their classic albums. Gretchen Goes To Nebraska and Faith Hope Love are both available now via Metal Blade Records as a double vinyl. Additionally, Faith Hope Love has been repackaged on CD with two bonus live tracks recorded in Cleveland in 1992.
The band's second studio album, 1989's Gretchen Goes To Nebraska, is based loosely on a short story by drummer Jerry Gaskill and is considered a landmark album. The album contains many fan favorites such as the power ballad "Summerland", "Mission", and "The Burning Down". The song "Pleiades" is credited by Ty Tabor as being the genesis of the KING’SX X sound when he presented the demo to the other band members a few years earlier. Significantly, the song "Over My Head" received considerable play on MTV and radio, and ultimately set the band up for broader success on subsequent albums.
In 1990, KING'S X released Faith Hope Love. At the time, it was band's highest charting release and it broke into the Billboard Top 100. Led by the radio hit "It's Love", King's X garnered well deserved success on the U.S. singles chart hitting #6 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, their highest chart position. Faith Hope Love proved to be KING’S X's most commercially successful album, reaching gold status in the U.S.
Gretchen Goes To Nebraska track listing:
1. "Out of the Silent Planet"
2. "Over My Head"
3. "Summerland"
4. "Everybody Knows a Little Bit of Something"
5. "The Difference (In the Garden of St. Anne's-on-the-Hill)"
6. "I'll Never Be the Same" (Pinnick, Tabor, Gaskill, Marty Warren)
7. "Mission"
8. "Fall on Me"
9. "Pleiades" (Pinnick, Tabor, Gaskill, Dale Richardson)
10. "Don't Believe It (It's Easier Said Than Done)"
11. "Send a Message"
12. "The Burning Down"
Faith Hope Love track listing:
1. "We Are Finding Who We Are"
2. "It's Love"
3. "I'll Never Get Tired of You"
4. "Fine Art of Friendship"
5. "Mr. Wilson"
6. "Moanjam"
7. "Six Broken Soldiers"
8."I Can't Help It"
9. "Talk to You"
10. "Everywhere I Go"
11. "We Were Born to Be Loved"
12. "Faith Hope Love"
13. "Legal Kill"
KING’S X online: www.kingsxrocks.com & www.facebook.com/KingsXFanPage
WALES ROAD - “Why Does It Always Rain (On The Sad Days)?” Video Released:
Press Release / “Why Does It Always Rain (On The Sad Days)?””, 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 it independently released via Spun Records on June 17, 2015.
Although the WALES ROAD lineup has varied down through the years, one thing has remained consistent: Vocalist & guitarist 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)
WALES ROAD online: www.walesroad.com & www.facebook.com/walesroad
NEWS BRIEFS
* Latest from HERO regarding new album, Passion: “Recording of the bass tracks for the new album began back in March 2014; after an intense year of adding keyboards, loops, backing vocals, cello, etc, HERO is now ready to start mixing of the album. Mixing will be done with the help of long-time live engineer Simon “Midas Touch” Hinny.”
A sample of a new song off Passion entitled “Broken Hearted” can be streamed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=T839h_-nKDg
* INNERSIEGE vocalist Jeremy Ray recently recorded a cover of the CRIMSON GLORY track “Painted Skies” (off Transcendence from 1988): www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KAlD21NDn4
A ‘sneak peak’ of a new INNERSIGE song, “Echoes Into Eternity”, off the groups yet to be titled second album can be streamed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy11npmFGAE
* Guitarist/keyboardist Kerry Livgren is almost finished with the re-mixed version to the PROTO-KAW sophomore release The Wait Of Glory. The artist is also working on new material with vocalist John Elefante for a future un-named project.
*Video to new instrumental track from BILL MENCHEN, “Concentric”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeVLdxKgB7k
The song will appear on the artist’s upcoming album Blue Metal Trance.
* PledgeMusic interview with STAIRWAY: www.pledgemusic.com/blog/stairway-interview
* “Le Rue De Ciel” is a new song from SWEET CRYSTAL: www.reverbnation.com/sweetcrystal
* MICHAEL SWEET update (Facebook - August 17, 2015): “Everyone knows (hopefully) that I'm recording a new solo album soon. It will be released on Rat Pak Records in the spring/summer of 2016. I'm also recording another Sweet & Lynch album with George (Lynch) and it will be released late next year and I'm recording a new "Super Group" album with a potential lineup of Joel Hoekstra (guitars), Robbie Crane (bass) and Troy Luccketta (drums)with a potential late early 2017 release!”
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
INNERWISH - IN Studio Recording New Album:
Press Release / Greek melodic metal band INNERWISH entered the studio on the 5th of August and began recording their fifth studio album scheduled to be released in early 2016 through Ulterium Records.
Drums are being tracked at Devasoundz Studios (of SEPTIC FLESH fame) in Athens, Greece, with Fotis Benardo (ex- SEPTIC FLESH drummer and current SIXFORNINE vocalist) handling the recordings.
The as-yet-untitled new album is the first with the two newest members of the band, George Eikosipentakis on vocals and Fragiskos Samoilis on drums.
Regarding the musical direction of the new material, the band stated, “This time things worked a bit differently, still maintaining the basic core. New members, fresh ideas were blended to our music characteristics and we believe this is the more diverse album we have ever created. Yet powerful, melodic, heavy, lyrical and full of energy. All the INNERWISH elements are still here, but expanded in a way that came naturally through this long and difficult period, during which we were composing and trying to guarantee the best possible result. In the end though, we are proud with these new songs, the sound of INNERWISH of today and feel confident that you will love them too! Let’s roll the dice again”.
Song set to appear on the album include “Broken”, “Zero Ground”, “Through My Eyes”, “Serenity”, “Roll The Dice” and “The Sins Of The Past”.
INNERWISH’s latest album, No Turning Back, was released in May 2010 via Ulterium Records.
Ulterium Records online www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
INNERWISH online: www.innerwish.gr & www.facebook.com/pages/InnerWish
STRYPER - Fallen Title Track Available For Streaming:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
Fallen, the new album from STRYPER, will be released worldwide on Friday, October 16 via Frontiers. The album was tracked at SpiritHouse Recording Studios in Northampton, Massachusetts and will include a cover version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "After Forever".
The Fallen title track can be streamed above. STRYPER guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet says about the song: "'Fallen' is about Lucifer before he became Satan. It's the story of how he got kicked out of Heaven. He tried to overthrow God and take over. The song talks about how beautiful he was. When he walked, there was music. He was the angel of worship and this incredibly powerful and beautiful being."
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”
"Yahweh" was co-written by SEVENDUST guitarist Clint Lowery.
The cover artwork for Fallen, which can be seen below, 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."
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."
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
NEWS BRIEFS
* Footage of WITHIN SILENCE drummer Peter Gacik preparing for a show and staying fit at the same time: https://youtu.be/fVdbCfjsXRk
* Frontline Rewind: Episodes 48 & 49 Featuring host Les Carlson interviewing former BLOODGOOD band mate David Zaffiro: www.roxxproductions.com/roxxcast/frontline-rewind-episode-48 & www.roxxproductions.com/roxxcast/frontline-rewind-episode-49
FEATURED REVIEWS
CARLSEN CROMWELL - The Lucky Side
If you want something a bit different - or at the very least on the laid back and reserved side of things - consider the spring of 2015 debut full length of Carlsen Cromwell, The Lucky Side. Read Full Review >>
LEAH - Kings & Queens
On Kings & Queens LEAH continues to coalesce Celtic and World music influences with a symphonic metal basis but also branches out by taking the overall heavier and more progressive heading. Read Full Review >>
MAESTAH - Maestah
Hailing from Curitiba in the Southern Brazil state of Parana, Maestah is in its relative infancy as far as metal bands are concerned from having formed only a few short years ago. By no means, however, does this imply the individual Maestah members lack experience; rather, the opposite holds true. Read Full Review >>
PASTOR BRAD - Lemonade
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”, says Bay City, Michigan minister and veteran guitarist ‘Pastor Brad’ Windlan. Hence, the self-explanatory title to the artists independently released thirteenth full-length album (download only) from the spring of 2015, Lemonade. Read Full Review >>
REIGN - Reign
The independently released spring of 2015 self-titled sophomore album of Clarkston, Michigan based Reign draws deeply on past and present. Read Full Review >>
WALES ROAD - Wounds & Whispers
Wales Road, self-described as ‘blues based metal with Christian frosting’, is the project of founding member Tommy Wales, who in addition to lead vocals contributes acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica and all songwriting duties. Read Full Review >>
THOBIAS WIKLUND - To Remember The Forgotten
To Remember The Forgotten breaks down evenly (four each) between instrumental cuts and vocal tracks in resting upon a foundation of melodic hard rock with period leanings towards the metal and progressive side of things. Read Full Review >
WONROWE VISION - 2-Headed Monster
Wonrowe Vision. As the name suggests, it’s the new side project of Steve Rowe, better known as vocalist, bassist and founding member of the groundbreaking Christian extreme metal band Mortification. Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
W.A.S.P. - The Making Of Golgotha, Part 1:
Courtesy of www.bravewords.com:
Almost six years have passed since the world saw a new studio album from W.A.S.P. On October 2nd, the wait ends, as Blackie Lawless and co. will release their new album, and Napalm Records debut, Golgotha.
Installment #1 of The Making Of Golgotha, written by Blackie Lawless, reads as follows:
"The recording of this album began in Spring of 2011. It continued on over the next 4 years with various interruptions, some were planned, some were not.
“After the 2010 World Tour I was scheduled for reconstruction surgery on my right shoulder, which was done in January of 2011. After all the years of sports and touring the thing was an absolute mess. I had the left one operated on after the '89 Headless tour and it too was hanging by a thread at the time. If you’ve never had any kind of reconstruction surgery I strongly recommend that you don’t!! I had a torn rotator cuff, a torn labrum and the shoulder head and joint were cracked and broken in 3 places. I was living on cortisone shots throughout the entire tour to get me through it and deal with the pain. I did the same thing on the '89 tour getting shots once a week to keep going. We were in Switzerland toward the end of the 2010 tour and a doctor came to the dressing room before the show. He gave me 7 shots of cortisone in that shoulder and it had zero effect!! He could hit none of the spots in my shoulder that were inflamed. Honestly, I don’t think that poor man could have hit water if he fell out of a boat!! The last 2 weeks of that tour was a LOT of fun!!
“I guess I should have been thankful because the right one lasted about 20 years longer than the other. The rehab was insane on this one and lasted 3 months but I was able to start writing in about half that time. The first song written was 'Last Runaway'. We went through a number of possible songs early on and then over the next year started to narrow down which ones we would actually record. In the Spring of 2012 we started preparing for the 2012 '30 Years of Thunder' Anniversary tour. We felt it was important to put a lot of attention into that tour because anytime any band can make it that far into a career, it’s something to celebrate!!
“We started work again on the record in early 2013 but had a little problem in May. Specifically May 22nd. I was moving some stuff on the ranch property we have here in California and I got knocked out of the back of my pickup truck into a pile of bricks. When I hit the ground I knew I was in bad shape. I tried to get up but my right leg wouldn’t move. I laid there for 2 or 3 minutes without moving because sometimes if you get hit really hard the body will respond after it’s had a chance to recover the shock of the impact. Then tried to move again and to say it hurt was a gross understatement. I tried to get up but my leg was like rubber, like it had no bone in it. I found out later why. I knew then I was in big trouble. An ambulance was called and when they put me in, it I felt like I had been hit by the truck I was just in. Now the property here is fairly large with many dozens of acres and the roads have no pavement. On the way out the driver told me he had to drive over a cattle grate. For those that don’t know what a cattle grate is, it’s a set of metal rails in the ground with open spaces in them which create holes that keep cows from walking over them. It acts like a fence and they’re used on roads where a fence stops and lets cars go through but cows won’t cross over them for fear they will BREAK THEIR LEGS!!!!!
“Wow, how ironic!!!! I looked up on the inside of the ambulance where I was lying and saw there was a plastic net hanging from the inside of the roof. I asked the paramedic if it would support my weight if I pulled up on it to take the pressure off my leg when the driver drove over the grate. He said it would, so just before the driver went over the grate I reached up and tried to pull myself up. He was only going about 5 miles an hour and I’ve never screamed from pain before in my life but when he hit that grate I screamed louder than I’ve every screamed before in my life!!!! I pulled myself up to take the pressure off the leg but the leg was totally dead and wouldn’t move, so pulling myself up had no effect and I felt every rail a hundred times over. Pain…..I’ve broken about 10 bones in my body over the years doing one crazy thing or another, take all of them and put them together and it STILL would not equal that pain!! It was unlike anything I ever experienced before. I got to the hospital and when the x-rays came back I then understood why the pain was what it was. My right femur was broken and completely detached from just under my hip. The femur itself was split length wise, from just below the hip all the way down to the knee. The surgery lasted 6 hours and when it was over I was then the proud owner of an 18 inch titanium rod that will now be with me for the duration!! I’m big fun in Airport security now!!!"
Blackie Lawless on Golgotha: "There are times in any band's career that somehow all things mesh together. Their experiences, influences, and personal timing bring them into a common space. This has happened with this record. Four years in the making has provided direction, but even greater reflection. Golgotha, where Christ was crucified - Hebrew for "the Place of the Skull"."
Golgotha is available for pre-order from the Napalm Records webstore in North America HERE and Europe HERE.
Golgotha track listing:
1. “Scream”
2. “Last Runaway”
3. “Shotgun”
4. “Miss You”
5. “Fallen Under”
6. “Slaves Of The New World Order”
7. “Eyes Of My Maker”
8. “Hero Of The World”
9. “Golgotha”
Golgotha will continue down the path that 2007's Dominator and 2009's Babylon started on, both in production style and theme. Years in the making, Golgotha will undoubtedly lead the listeners on the emotionally epic undertaking that W.A.S.P. has become acclaimed for.
NEWS BRIEFS
* JACOBS DREAM update regarding new album, Where Vultures Gather (Facebook - July 12, 2015): “So with the exception of a few minor tweaks, the album is pretty much done. We have to mix and master, do some photos and artwork yet, but it's all coming together!”
* SHINING FORCE, By The Blood early mix review: http://brettstewart.net/independent-spotlight/14158727/shiningforce
Un-mastered versions of two tracks off By The Blood, “By The Blood” & “Demon Fighter”, are available for streaming at:
www.reverbnation.com/shiningforce
* Guitarist Greg Bishop departs X-SINNER (Facebook - July 26, 2015): “Greg Bishop, founding member and lead guitarist of X-Sinner, is retiring from the band and the music scene. Greg will be selling off some of his guitar gear as well at some later date. The band has not made any decision as to continuing on with a live replacement or not as vocalist Rex Scott is also very busy now days with his GX Project band. X-Sinner has two new songs tracked to be released this year digitally only.”
* X-TERRA has re-issued its second album, Experience The Power from 1992, via CD Baby: www.cdbaby.com/cd/xterra7
In order to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the group is in the process of re-releasing some of its older material.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
THEOCRACY - Drummer For New Album Announced:
Press Release / Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band THEOCRACY is happy to announce that original drummer Shawn Benson will record the drums on their highly anticipated fourth album. Benson played drums on 2011's As the World Bleeds and 2008's Mirror of Souls, as well as the 2013 re-release of THEOCRACYS's self-titled debut album.
The band are in the early stages of recording, and are excited to showcase Benson's unique style on their upcoming release, which will be their third on Swedish label Ulterium Records. Above is studio footage of Benson playing one of the new songs.
THEOCRACY recently returned from a brief tour in Scandinavia, including their first performance in Sweden, with HALCYON WAY drummer Ernie Topran filling in on the drums.
Former drummer Patrick Nickell quit THEOCRACY last November after recording the Christmas single "Night of Silence,” and the band wishes him well in his future endeavors. No decision has been made regarding a permanent replacement.
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com
THEOCRACY online: www.theocracymusic.com & www.facebook.com/theocracyband
W.A.S.P. - Golgotha Details Revealed:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
W.A.S.P.'s fifteenth studio album, titled Golgotha, will be released on October 2 via Austria's Napalm Records. The cover artwork for the CD can be seen above.
Commented W.A.S.P. mainman Blackie Lawless: "There are times in any band's career that somehow all things mesh together. Their experiences, influences, and personal timing bring them into a common space. This has happened with this record. Four years in the making has provided direction, but even greater reflection."
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, it has definite overtones of the last two records."
Golgotha track listing:
1. “Scream”
2. “Last Runaway”
3. “Shotgun”
4. “Miss You”
5. “Fallen Under”
6. “Slaves Of The New World Order”
7. “Eyes Of My Maker”
8. “Hero Of The World”
9. “Golgotha”
Drummer Mike Dupke recently left W.A.S.P. after a nine-year stint with the band. A replacement drummer has not yet been announced.
NEAL MORSE announces new live album, Morsefest 2014 Testimony & One Live:
Press Release / Progressive rock icon Neal Morse, (also of FLYING COLOURS and TRANSATLANTIC and ex-SPOCK’S BEARD) is pleased to announce his new live album, Morsefest 2014 Testimony And One Live.
Scheduled for release on Friday, August 21, the album will be available as a 2-Blu-Ray or Special Edition 2DVD/4CD set. Pre-orders start Tuesday July 21 at: www.radiantrecords.com/products/580-neal-morse-morsefest-2014-testimony-one-live.aspx
The album was recorded live in Nashville on November 14 and 15, 2014. Long-time collaborators drummer Mike Portnoy and bassist Randy George, as well as NEAL MORSE BAND anchors Bill Hubauer and Eric Gillette, joined Neal to perform his renowned classic albums Testimony and One. Complete with 4-piece horn section, 6-member female background vocal section, violin and cello, full orchestra percussion with timpani and chimes, dancers, special guests and special staging; this is the most elaborate live release of Neal’s career.
This stunning live album concert features over 5 hours of great performances including the entire Testimony and One albums, plus special encores of the SPOCK’S BEARD classic “The Light” featuring Alan Morse, and the TRANSATLANTIC epic “Stranger In Your Soul”. Also included is a behind-the-scenes documentary with footage of Neal's exclusive acoustic concert, the rehearsal footage, "Name That Prog Tune" game with Mike Portnoy, and lots more.
Neal even flew out Rich Mouser who mixed the original studio albums to do the front of house mix! Neal says "We really went all out this time. I wanted it to be the quintessential presentation and performance of this music." And so it was...and is!
Says Mike Portnoy - "I've got to say... as a fan of this wonderful music, how incredible this is! I am so happy to see this come to fruition. This music really deserves this… everything from the incredible presentation, and all these amazing musicians...it's great to hear this music come to life on stage like this. To be doing it in his hometown with all his friends and family present and to be doing it here in this building that has such incredible importance to him and his story, it's elevated the music to a whole new level. This is just been an amazing experience!"
Samples of footage can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hWricZGGLE & www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjFTdZ_cr6o
NEAL MORSE online: www.nealmorse.com & www.facebook.com/nealmorse
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BROKEN RAIN – “Strong” video premier:
Press Release / “Strong”, the official video of Banská Bystrica, Slovakia based hard rock act BROKEN RAIN, can be seen above. The song is taken from the group’s debut full length Here Comes The Pain, which was independently released in May of 2015.
Daniel Gális directed the video.
BROKEN RAIN got its start in 2006 as a cover band, with its early set list comprising songs from Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, prior to making the gradual transition to original material. The group’s debut self-titled demo saw release in 2009.
BROKEN RAIN is the latest band to come out of the metal hotbed that is Slovakia in joining countrymen SIGNUM REGIS and WITHIN SILENCE.
The Angelic Warlord review of Here Comes The Pain (85%) describes BROKEN PAIN as “(drawing) upon the best elements of classic seventies hard rock, albeit not without reflecting its share of metal based moments that pay tribute to the eighties (and beyond).” On “Strong”, “the group does the unremitting and happy, feel good power metal thing as well as anyone- and does countrymen Signum Regis and Within Silence proud in the process!”
Here Comes The Pain track listing:
1. “Burn The Witch”
2. “Seize The Fire”
3. “Forgotten Heroes”
4. “Wanna Love My Girl”
5. “Burning Eyes”
6. “Here Comes The Pain”
7. “So Far Away”
8. “I Want To Play Rock”
9. “Tonight”
10. “Prisoners In The Wasteland”
11. “Strong
12. “Broken Rain”
BROKEN RAIN online: http://broken-rain.webnode.sk
PILGRIMSPROG release new single, “Savior”:
Press Release / "Savior” is the latest single from the upcoming PILGRIMSPROG CD Here I Am, which will be released in September 2015.
With Garrett Weaver on lead vocals and founding member Scott Miller handling all instrumentation except drums, the song features a tasteful progressive change up in time signatures between 7/8 and 4/4 along with a great message.
Following is a snippet of the lyrics from “Savior”:
I come and lay my life before you
I die a little every day
And now my soul is thirsty for you
To come and make my heart brand new
From the beginning, all we have heard, salvation seen with our eyes
I once was blind, now I see the truth
I need a Savior
You need a Savior
We need a Savior
We need a Savior today
“Savior” is available at https://pilgrimsprog.bandcamp.com/track/savior
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
STRYPER - New Song “Yahweh” available for streaming:
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 includes 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, can be streamed above.
Speaking about how the collaboration with Lowery came about, Sweet said: "I met Clint Lowery of SEVENDUST on a plane last year. He said hello and when we got off the plane we took a photo and he mentioned the influence STRYPER was on him when he was younger. It was surprising to hear due to the obvious talent that Clint is blessed with. We started following each other on Twitter and Instagram and then we exchanged contact info. I reached out to Clint and asked him if he would like to co-write a track or two for the new STRYPER album. Clint agreed and sent me a few riff ideas. I was instantly drawn to the riff that he sent which eventually became 'Yahweh'. I took his original idea and somehow created this 6:30-minute song, which is quite epic and honestly may be one of the most powerful songs we've done in a long time. I sent it to Chris Jericho (FOZZY) and he texted me, writing, "'Yahweh' is your best tune, maybe since you reunited.'
"Clint is a very great and gifted writer so I wanted to have him involved in one way or another.
"Once the song was mixed, I sent it to Clint and he responded with, "The tune is amazing, man. It's got that old-school spirit with this modern take. That choir vibe on chorus is beautiful. Vibe change for the solo. Epic, my man. Solos are stellar. I don't remember sending anything near this cool.'"
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
NEWS BRIEFS
* Samples to the new GX PROJECT album Raze Some Hell: https://soundcloud.com/ituneaudio/gx-raze-some-hell-samples
* LEAH, “We Will Go Home” single: http://leahmchenry.com/track/we-will-go-home-single
Ranking The Rez Band Albums:
What is there to say about Resurrection Band that hasn’t already been said? Well, for starters it bears repeating the group’s legacy, which when factoring output and longevity places them alongside Petra, Barnabas, Daniel Band and Jerusalem as forefathers of the modern Christian hard music scene. Read Full Article >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
New Album From ARMAGEDDON USA, Up In Flames:
As reported by guitarist Robert Bussey in an e-mail update:
“Yes it has been awhile. We live in such a social media world now that it's easy to get so caught up in the ‘Twitterverse’ and Facebook and neglect the actual nerve center of all things Robert Bussey... my official website.
“But I have some big, big news and I would be remiss to not let you, my loyal subscribers, know firsthand. Things are about to get hot!
“Tomorrow or tonight at 12:05 AM, July 4th, almost three years after we first set foot into Polar Bear Lair studio, The new ARMAGEDDON (USA) album Up In Flames will hit i-tunes! Finally!!!! This is a "metal for the masses" kind of album in the classic sense.
“Produced by Joe Hasselvander from the band RAVEN and also featuring his pummeling drum work, Joe brought in RAVEN bassist John Gallagher to help lay the foundation for the triple guitar attack of Robby Lee, Joe and myself as well as the formidable vocals of Mike Vance. My guitar work tends to be more sharp, precise and composed, Joe's is more whammy filled and to quote Mike's observation, Robby's guitar tends to scream "you young metal-snappers get off my lawn!" lol. Speaking of Mike Vance, his singing covers the metal gamut at times reminiscent of Rob Halford, Ozzy, Jon Oliva, Lemmy, King Diamond, Axel Rose, Johnny Rotten, Danny Joe Brown (MOLLY HATCHET) and yet is distinctly Mike Vance. The combined effort makes for a well oiled metal machine that was very gratifying for us to create and will most likely instigate much ‘headbanging’ by you the listener Smile
“One song that I'm particularly fond of is "Allie", a melancholy ballad performed by Mike and myself where I combine finger style guitar with Mellotron and a reverse echo on the solo interplay, creating a haunting music tapestry as Mike sings about the reunion with his long lost daughter. This will surely resonate with all you Dads out there in a personal way.
“There's so much about this album to talk about, but I will refrain from getting long winded and just simply state, if you love classic metal, you need to hear this. So don't forget starting at 12:05 am ARMAGEDDON USA Up In Flames will be available on I-tunes or you prefer, ordering info for the CD and Vinyl LP will be available next week and I will update you when that becomes available.”
Up In Flames is the first album from ARMAGEDDON USA since putting out its full-length Talkingtown Records debut The Money Mask in 1989.
Up In Flames track listing:
1. “All Over The World”
2. “Spinner”
3. “Hypnotized”
4. “Wanted Man”
5. “In Your Face”
6. “Satisfaction”
7. “Allie”
8. “Crazy”
9. “Time Divider
10.“Revolution (Peace Of Mind)”
11. “Up In Flames”
The tracks “Spinner” and “Time Divider” are available for streaming at the groups ReverbNation page: www.reverbnation.com/Armageddonusa
ARMAGEDDON USA online: www.armageddonusa.com & www.facebook.com/Armageddonmusic777
STRYPER - Audio Samples Of Entire Fallen Album:
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".
30-second audio samples of all the tracks that are set to appear on Fallen have been posted on Amazon and can be streamed in the YouTube clip above.
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”
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 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!!!"
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
NEWS BRIEFS
* Audio sample of the track “Without Warning/Tooth & Nail” from the upcoming PASTOR BRAD album Covers: www.nechog.com/000CoversSampleToothAndNail.mp3
Angelic Warlord Update Archives: HERE
