METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
DELIVERANCE - The Subversive Kind Release Date Announced:
Press Release / DELIVERANCE are pleased to announce they have officially signed with Roxx Records and 3 Frogz Records for the February 23, 2018 release to their brand new album The Subversive Kind.
Earlier this year the band launched a very successful campaign to help with funding the new album. All contributors to that campaign will be receiving their campaign items this December. Vinyl contributors will be happy to know they will be receiving an exclusive green Vinyl version of the album that will not be available to anyone else outside the campaign. Campaigners will get first listen of the brand new album well in advance of the street date.
The Subversive Kind is a true return to form for these Christian thrash pioneers, boosting 8 brand new tracks that truly bring the thrash back. Bill Bafford of Roxx Records had this to say about the new partnership 'We are very excited to once again be partnering with 3 Frogz, Jimmy Brown and DELIVERANCE to bring you this awesome new thrash release. The fans that have been requesting a Weapons Part 2 will be ecstatic with this new release and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this new album is the bands Reign In Blood.
The Subversive Kind also marks the return of original DELIVERANCE guitarist Glenn Rogers, whom last performed with the group in its 1989 Intense Records self-titled debut. “We are so excited about who has joined the ranks, and is with the ‘Big D’ once again, “states Brown. “Who better to call than the guy that came in (in) 1986 and 1987 and did the Greetings Of Death demo with us and worked with me on the first album. Brought us the likes of (producer) Bill Metoyer, who produced SLAYER, DRI, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SACRED REICH. I’m talking about none other than Glenn Rogers. That’s right- Glenn Rogers is back with DELIVERANCE! We are really, really excited about this!”
Rounding out the DELIVERANCE line up on The Subversive Kind is drummer Jim Chaffin and bassist Victor Macias. Musically, the group is promising a ‘thrash project that will bring back the classic DELIVERANCE sound’.
Brown comments further regarding the musical direction to The Subversive Kind: “We’re going to give you the fan what you’ve been asking for and what you want- the old school thrash days of DELIVERANCE. We are so excited. We’ve been writing great material (and) were getting great tones. It’s going to be crunchy, fast (and) thick. Everything you’ve always loved about DELIVERANCE since the Greetings Of Death days you’re going to get it with this record”.
Stay tuned as we prepare to bring you The Subversive Kind in February 2018.
The Subversive Kind track listing:
1. “Bring ‘Em Down”
2. “Concept Of The Other”
3. “Center Of It All”
4. “The Black Hand”
5.”Epilogue”
6. “Listen Closely”
7. “The Subversive Kind”
8. “The Fold”
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
DELIVERANCE online: www.facebook.com/DeliveranceRocks
Roxx Records To Release Long Lost MAX BLAM JAM Album:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to be bringing you a very limited edition one time CD pressing of a long lost rock n roll GEM of an album from MAX BLAM JAM featuring Glenn Rogers and Brian Khairullah of DELIVERANCE fame. This is not your typical Christian Metal album though, it is a very diverse rock n roll album that has never been officially and fully released, until now. Check out the original press promo the band used back in 1991 when this album was first recorded:
“In March of 1991, Brian Khairullah, dissatisfied with his relationship with his record company, Intense Records, left the band DELIVERANCE in pursuit of artistic freedom. At the same time, Glenn Rogers was writing music on the side while he was playing lead guitar for STEEL VENGEANCE (Black Dragon Records of France). Brian and Glenn came together at that time and found the collaboration to be fiercely productive. They sought to create music that could be felt in the heart as well as the gut. What they created was a crunchy funky blues groove with an affinity for the soul.
They then enlisted former STEEL VENGEANCE bassist Cesar Ceregatti and multi-instrumentalist Dan Ceregatti for drums and keyboards. Cesar’s aggressive funk groove combined with Dan’s diversity and willingness to experiment provided a rich addition to MAX BLAM JAM.
MAX BLAM JAM’s musical influences are eclectic ranging from Elton John, PRIMUS and AEROSMTIH, to THE BEATLES, Jimi Hendrix, METALLICA and MOZART. This mixture and the energy generated on stage make MAX BLAM JAM a new answer to the question… Are You Experienced?”
This is a very special one-time pressing of this long lost classic Christian rock record originally recorded in 1991. It features all new artwork and layout courtesy of Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal and all ten original tracks fully re-mastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound. Beautifully packaged in a jewel case with 8-page booklet and all lyrics enclosed.
Pre Order the MAX BLAM JAM album entitled Blow Up Man now to get a very special limited edition sticker for the first 50 pre orders only. Street Date for this release is January 26, 2018.
Blow Up Man pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/22788345-max-blam-jam-blow-up-man-cd
ROXX RECORDS online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
METATRONE - “Regina Coeli” Lyric Video Premier:
A lyric video of the track “Regina Coeli” from the Catania, Italy based melodic power progressive metal act METATRONE, can be seen above. The song comes off the group’s fourth full-length album Eucharismetal, which it released via Rockshots Music on March 11, 2016. The group produced the video in order to celebrate the North American release of the album.
Eucharismetal, similar to past METATRONE albums, reflects the group’s Catholic Christian worldview. METATRONE roughly translates as “God is since, now and forever”,
Commented guitarist Stefano Calvagno regarding Eucharismetal: “We are very satisfied, we’ve worked hard for many months on this record and it sounds great. It’s the best album we’ve ever recorded, we felt relaxed and confident during the songwriting process thanks to the help of Dino (Fiorenza/bass) and Salvo (Grasso/drums). We paid a lot of attention on the arrangements, we grew up a lot musically, it’s a mature album and I think it could be a masterpiece of White Metal”.
Nello Dell’Omo contributed the Eucharismetal cover art.
METATRONE line up:
Jo Lombardo – Lead Vocas
Stefano "Ghigas" Calvagno – Guitars
Davide Bruno - Keyboards
Dino Fiorenza (Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, John Macaluso) - Bass
Salvo "T-Metal" Grasso (HYPERSONIC, DENIED) - Drums
Eucharismetal track listing:
1. “Alef Dalet Mem”
2. “Molokai”
3. “Beware The Sailor”
4. “Wheat And Weeds”
5. “Latest News From Light”
6. “In Spirit And Truth”
7. “Mozart's Nightmare”
8. “Keep Running”
9. “Salva l'Anima”
10. “Una Parte Di me”
11. “Regina Coeli”
12. “Alef Dalet Mem” (Italian Version - Bonus Track)
13. “Lascia Che Sia” (Bonus Track)
METATRONE online: www.metatrone.net & www.facebook.com/metatroneband
Neal Morse Debuts “He Died At Home” Video:
Press Release / To many fans, Neal Morse is synonymous with extensive song structures and richly intricate arrangements; after all, his own solo outings - as well as his earlier work with SPOCK’S BEARD - are considered paramount entries in modern American progressive rock. However, beneath all of that has always lied an earnest and reflective singer/songwriter, an artistic identity that he's continuously delves into at least partially - if not fully, as on 2014's Songs for November - within each release. On 16 February 2018, Morse will release the next entry in his singer/songwriter style, Life & Times, and if his newest single, "He Died at Home", is any indication, it'll be filled with plenty of heartfelt stories and introspective music.
Focused on "a mother's grief over the loss of her soldier son", the idea for the track came when Morse was researching soldier suicides and found "an article about a young soldier named William Busbee. He came back from Afghanistan in 2012, and then committed suicide". (You can read more about Busbee in this article from The Guardian.) In addition, Morse confesses just how personal the song is:
“I had been praying for a roommate of a friend of mine, who was a troubled ex-military guy. The day we were playing in Paris, I woke up to a text saying that sadly, he had died. As I began formulating ideas for a song about him, I remembered that many years ago, I had been at a meeting at a military base in Tennessee. They asked us to pray for their men because almost every week they were going to the funeral of those who had 'died at home.”
It's fitting, then, that the piece is a sparse ode that finds Morse's typically raspy pensiveness complemented only by delicate strings and acoustic guitar strums. As you'd expect, it left quite an impression when it premiered at Morsefest 2017 (an annual celebration of his music). Likewise, the black and white video features photographs of Busbee (provided by his mother, Libby) intercut with Morse performing, yielding a perfectly understated yet impactful complement to the music.
Commenting on the album as a whole, Morse says that it's about him "looking around and taking stock" of things now that he's in his mid-50s, with grown children. He adds, "I've come through a lot of difficult times, and I'm in a fairly content place now." Interestingly, a lot of Life & Times was crafted during his time on the "Road Called Home" tour earlier this year, "with some of the songs being inspired by the places he visited, while others are from spending time with his family".
No matter the inspiration, there's no doubt that the other eleven tracks on the disc will pack a comparable yet varied kind of elegance and honesty that makes "He Died at Home" so powerful. As a recent review from Sonic Perspectives concludes, "Neal Morse has the ability to take the listener in any emotional direction with straightforward songs and meaningful lyrics".
You can check out the video for the song above, as well as pre-order the LP from Radiant Records here: www.radiantrecords.com/products/697-neal-morse-life-times.aspx
Life & Times track listing:
1. “Livin’ Lightly”
2. “Good Love Is On The Way”
3. “JoAnna”
4. “Selfie In The Square”
5. “He Died At Home”
6. “She’s Changed Her Mind”
7. “Wave On The Ocean”
8. “You + Me + Everything”
9. “Manchester”
10. “Lay Low”
11. “Old Alabama”
12. “If I Only Had a Day”
Radiant Records online: www.radiantrecords.com/default.aspx & www.facebook.com/RadiantRecord
NEAL MORSE online: www.nealmorse.com & www.facebook.com/nealmorse
NEWS BRIEFS
* Classic Christian Rockzine article discussing the formative years of GUARDIAN, whom got its start under the monikers FUSION & GARDIAN: www.classicchristianrockzine.com/2017/12/fusion-pre-guardian-era.html
* ”Elixir Of Life”, new song from LEAH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCDOuaLSF1E
The song is available for free download at: https://leahmchenry.lpages.co/elixir
According to the symphonic metal songstress, “(The) song started out as a demo for Kings & Queens. I originally thought it might make a cool interlude, but as I already had way too many songs for K&Q, it quickly didn't make the cut. Some of my VIP fans have already heard that original demo in its original form, as a rough home recording.”
* Guitarist Bill Menchen plans to re-issue the 2007 TITANIC album Full Steam Ahead under the new moniker MENCHEN and re-titled as The White Metal Album. Robert Sweet (STRYPER) replaces original drummer David White. Further details as they become available.
The artist previously released two albums under the name MENCHEN, including Red Rock from 2008 (95% Angelic Warlord review) and In The Light from 2011 (80% review).
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Retroactive Records To Re-issue First Six JERUSALEM Albums:
Press Release / It all started in 1975 when Swedish rockers, JERUSALEM launched as the very first Christian metal band in all of Europe! The band's first album released in 1978, and by 1988 JERUSALEM had released 6 albums that had effectively placed them as Christian metal pioneers and legends. In the mid 90's fans were elated that all the albums from the band's early years were reissued on CD… but disappointed the record label crammed two albums on each CD and did the unthinkable… left off some of the tracks from every album! Ugh!
Those CDs have been out-of-print for well over a decade and the CDs sell at highly collectible prices. Well, Retroactive Records is thrilled to announce our master plan to change all that! Boone's Overstock / Retroactive Records has agreed with the band to reissue their first six albums on CD in early 2018. Each CD will be digitally re-mastered, and feature 12 page booklets (hopefully) with band pics and lyrics packaged in a protective jewel case! All albums will include 100% of the original tracks and Dancing On The Head of the Serpent will include all 11 tracks that released in Europe (only 10 tracks released in the USA).
Watch for Pre-orders Coming Soon for 2018 releases of:
JERUSALEM - Volume 1 (originally released 1978)
JERUSALEM - Volume 2 (originally released 1980)
JERUSALEM - Warrior (originally released 1982)
JERUSALEM - Can’t Stop Us Now (originally released 1983)
JERUSALEM - In His Majesty's Service (originally released 1985)
JERUSALEM - Dancing On The Head Of The Serpent (originally released 1988)
JERUSALEM online: http://www.jerusalem.se & www.facebook.com/jerusalemsweden
GUARDIAN, First Watch Re-issue Announced By Retroactive Records:
Release date of January 9, 2018:
Press Release / First Watch is the 1989 GUARDIAN debut release on the Enigma Records label. Oz Fox (STRYPER) produced and mixed the album in addition to contributing backing vocals. Its still amazing that this eventual classic sold 30,000 units in just the first month of its release!
Expect hook-laden melodic metal that combines huge STRYPER-like vocal harmonies with a top-notch display of musicianship. Front man Paul Cawley contributes a gritty but clean sounding mid-octave ranged vocal in addition to handling rhythm guitar duties. Guitarist Tony Palacios is a wonderful talent who brings out the best in the band's sound with his melodic flavored and fast-paced lead guitar work. Drummer Rikk Hart and bassist David Bach comprise a tight sounding rhythm section. David Bach also contributes exclusive liner notes regarding the recording and release of First Watch.
GUARDIAN has been a household name in Christian hard rock and metal circles, contemporaries with STRYPER, BRIDE and WHITECROSS.
The re-issue comes with 14 total tracks, including two from the California Metal compilation produced by John & Dino Elefante (KANSAS, MASTEDON). This Retroactive Records 2017 Legends Re-mastered version of First Watch differs from the now out of print 2009 re-issue due to having been re-mastering by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound in addition to being a jewel case release including a 12 page insert with band pictures an lyrics.
This is the definitive CD reissue for one of the most epic and beloved melodic metal releases of all time! This is a “One of a Kind” re-issue that will usher you into the “Kingdom of Rock” like never before!
First Watch track listing:
1. “I'll Never Leave You”
2. “Mystery Man”
3. “Livin' For The Promise”
4. “Miracle”
5. “Saints Battalion”
6. “Kingdom Of Rock”
7. “The Good Life”
8. “One Of A Kind”
9. “World Without Love”
10. “Rock In Victory”
11. “Hyperdrive”
12. “Marching On”
13. “Spiritual Warfare” (California Metal bonus track)
14. “Marching On” (California Metal bonus track)
First Watch pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/22642116-guardian-first-watch-legends-remastered-new-cd-2017-retroactive-reco
IMAGES OF EDEN - New Single Release & Music Video, “Shield Me”:
Press Release / IMAGES OF EDEN is releasing their first single, “Shield Me” on January 5, 2018 as an unsigned band while they shop record labels for a 2018 release of their full length album titled Soulrise, the long-awaited follow up to the 2011 release of Rebuilding The Ruins on Nightmare Records. The brand new album Soulrise was just recently completed December 2017 and was produced by the legendary Bill Metoyer at Skull-Seven Studios in Hollywood, Ca. and is ready for pressing.
When asked why there was such a delay between releases, vocalist Gordon Tittsworth replied, “There were so many changes within IMAGES OF EDEN, lineup and beyond, that it took some time to reform and regain our bearings. But, I can assure our fans that this is the strongest, most solid lineup ever and there will no longer be long delays in between releases. We even have the follow up album to Soulrise well on its way.”
The music video is set to be unveiled at the same time of the track's release, which will feature a new, fine-tuned lineup of IMAGES OF EDEN with a huge video production as well as a more modern, updated sound. Tittsworth also states, “Our songwriting has evolved far beyond where I felt we were in 2011 and before. The earlier IMAGES OF EDEN releases were primarily progressive hard rock/ metal, but our natural vibe/ feel has much more of a heavier, modern edge to it now, but still with our classic hard rock/ metal roots. We feel our sound is more accessible now to new fans and also to our current fan base. You will still know it is IMAGES OF EDEN right away.”
Manager Steve Dorssom promises this latest news is only the tip of the iceberg with a new record label search underway, and that the band has already completed the writing for the 5th release, tentatively titled, Angel Born and will be recording the album over the course of 2018 alongside the release of Soulrise and 2018 supporting tour. Fans should expect to hear even bigger news from IMAGES OF EDEN in the very near future, and should check in at the band's official website and social media for the latest announcements.
IMAGES OF EDEN line up:
Gordon Tittsworth - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Carlos Urquidi Perez - Lead Guitar
L. Dean Harris - Piano & Keyboards
Eric Mulvaine - Bass Guitar
Steve Dorssom- Drums & Percussion
IMAGES OF EDEN online: www.imagesofeden.com/index2.htm & www.facebook.com/Images-of-Eden
Reunited GALACTIC COWBOYS Release “Zombies” Official Video:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
"Zombies", the new video from '90s progressive metal adventurers GALACTIC COWBOYS, can be seen above. The song is taken from the band's first album in seventeen years, Long Way Back To The Moon, which was released on November 17 via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group. The group's reunited original lineup - lead vocalist Ben Huggins, drummer/vocalist Alan Doss, guitarist/vocalist Dane Sonnier and vocalist/bassist Monty Colvin - descended upon Doss's studio in Houston, Texas in early 2016 to write and record.
GALACTIC COWBOYS has always been a musical enigma. Hailing from Houston, Texas, the band combined melodic thrash, progressive metal, and BEATLES-esque harmonies into a genre of its own creation. Blending these considerable musical chops with a quirky sense of humor, the band quickly distinguished itself from anyone else in the world, garnering fans amongst some of music's biggest stars. Their first time around, though, they were the right band at exactly the wrong time. On this outing, they shoot for the moon again, and celebrate the journey back.
The COWBOYS' most notable fan base became other musicians - an exclusive club that included other 1990s musical misanthropes such as JELLYFISH, KING'S X and Kevin Gilbert. Reflecting both the musicality and diversity of the band, GALACTIC COWBOYS toured with two hard rock/metal legends, ANTHRAX and DREAM THEATER.
Said former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy: "The GALACTIC COWBOYS were (and still are) one of my favorite bands to emerge from the '90s. Great songwriting, killer players and euphoric harmonies. They were always criminally underrated and overlooked, which led to their premature demise in 2000. My last seventeen years have had a hole in my musical palate without them and I couldn't be happier at the announcement of their return! Welcome back boys... I missed you!"
The eleven new tracks (and two bonus tracks) included on Long Way Back To The Moon harken back to the COWBOYS' iconic songs, but are infused with a contemporary hard rock sound. In the tradition of ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, Steven Wilson and PERIPHERY, the album is completely organic: engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by the band - even all the artwork. One trapping of contemporary production set aside by the band was an over-reliance on studio trickery - no Pro Tools, drum triggers or even vocal tuning. Just real music by real musicians.
The album's sound is alternately heavy, whimsical, charging, and crunching, combining inescapable atmosphere with the drive of a band on a mission. Old fans will feel at home, but hard rock fans who have never heard GALACTIC COWBOYS before will also be instantly hooked. As with all GALACTIC COWBOYS albums, the songs are emotional in topic, and often including a large dose of ironic humor. Each song is performed, sung, and written with intense passion.
Said Colvin: "It was an absolute pleasure getting back together with the guys to record this album. I think we've all grown as musicians and as people since we first got together in '89, and I think our fans will really love this new stuff."
The song "Zombies" is a tongue-in-cheek study on finding love on the last day of human existence, blended with social commentary regarding modern society's obsession with its electronic screens. Timely topics continue with "Next Joke": from kids' sports in which everyone gets a trophy to Disney telling kids to wish upon a star and all their dreams will come true, our unrealistic expectations have set us all up for failure: the joke is on us. "Internal Masquerade", the album’s first single, examines the turmoil endemic to the human experience and the difficulties in keeping self-generated darkness at bay, themes revisited in darker "Blood In My Eyes".
A special treat for fans both old and new is "In The Clouds", the album’s leadoff track and also the first GALACTIC COWBOYS song ever written. Penned in 1989 by Doss and Colvin after the demise of their previous outfit, THE AWFUL TRUTH, the song explores leaving the banal confines of this world behind and ascending to a higher plane of existence. It's also the song Huggins sang to earn his spot in the band!
Said Sonnier: "We can't wait for everyone to hear this, and it's great to be back. Back from the Ranch on Mars and onward to the moon."
Long Way To The Moon track listing:
1. “In The Clouds”
“2. “Internal Masquerade”
3. “Blood In My Eyes”
4. “Next Joke”
5. “Zombies”
6. “Drama”
7. “Amisarewas”
8. “Hate Me”
9. “Losing Ourselves”
10. “Agenda”
11. “Long Way Back To The Moon”
12. “Believing The Hype” (bonus track)
13. “Say Goodbye To Utopia” (bonus track)
Mascot Label Group online: www.mascotlabelgroup.com & www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
GALACTIC COWBOYS online: www.galacticcowboys.com & www.facebook.com/galacticcowboys
NEWS BRIEFS
* Back To The Rock II is the new album from CPR (Classic Petra Revisited). Further details from lead vocalist Greg X. Volz:
“It all started when a friend of Louie’s (Weaver, drummer) approached him one day and said, "Louie, I believe God wants you guys to do another CD. Here’s the money to get you started." And we got started. Then another person came in to help, then another… and here it is, with the talent of our producer, John Lawry. After re-recording nine classic PETRA songs and one AEROSMITH song (which is one of my favorites by the way), the CPR album has finally arrived. Enjoy!”
In addition to Volz and Weaver, CPR consists of keyboardist John Lawry, bassist Ronny Cates and guitarist Kirk Henderson.
Back To The Rock II track listing: “Hollow Eyes”, “The Coloring Song”, “Not Of This World”, “Dream On” (AEROSMITH cover), “Judas Kiss”, “Beat The System”, “For Annie”, “All Over Me”, “Praise Ye The Lord”, “It Is Finished”
CPR online: www.cprband.rocks
* Retroactive Records plans for next year re-releases of classic DANIEL BAND albums Straight Ahead & Run From The Darkness, which originally came out on Refuge Records in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Both will be jewel case releases with 12 page inserts.
* EVANS & STOKES uploaded a teaser to a new song, “Afterlife”, that will appear on its next album Valley Of The Kings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3ea6NX99dY
* In a recent e-mail update, LEAH advised that she has wrapped up vocals on her as of yet titled new album. Jacob Hansen (AMARANTH, EPICA, PRIMAL FEAR) is scheduled in late January to mix and master the album, which is not anticipated to be released until the second quarter of 2018. The symphonic metal songstress advises there will be a crowd funding campaign as the album wraps up in addition to an epic music video.
She recently posted to Instagram a sneak peak of a song to appear on the album: HERE
* “Heaven” is a new twelve-song compilation from REV SEVEN, the traditional metal project of guitarist Bill Menchen (FINAL AXE, TITANIC, THE SEVENTH POWER) and Robert Sweet (STRYPER). Sweet selected the songs, which come off the four albums REV SEVEN released between 1991-1993. Vocals were redone for three songs with new lyrics. Additional lead guitar added as well.
Heaven track listing: “2025”, “Cast Down Crowns”, “Father Of Lights”, “Fire”, “Harms Way”, “Love”, “Power & Authority”, “Sabbath Breaker”, “Sweet And Sour”, “Tell”, “Tomorrow”, “Who Is To Come”
A compilation of the twelve Heaven tracks is streaming at YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PeNDsV5RX0
Bill Menchen online: https://billmenchen.com
FEATURED REVIEWS
BARNABAS - Hear The Light (Retroactive re-issue)
Prior to assessing the Barnabas legacy, one must first consider the late seventies to early eighties Jesus Movement era in which it came out of, a musically mellower period in which ‘the whole harder rock thing was still not considered compatible with Christianity by a majority of the church’ (as taken from the groups press material). Read Full Review >>
BARNABAS - Find Your Heart A Home (Retroactive re-issue)
Hence, it was with great surprise that I found the group - as many do between their debut and sophomore releases - to have made significant steps and strides musically by abandoning its punk/new wave ways for a more mature joining of classic rock and progressive rock that runs the gamut from heavy rocking to blues infused to even funk driven. Read Full Review >>
BARNABAS - Approaching Light Speed (Retroactive re-issue)
With the release of its Light Records 1983 third album Approaching Light Speed, the group delivered the type of consistent guitar sound to push the boundaries past the metal threshold and then some. Read Full Review >>
BLACK WITH STARS - Black With Stars
With ‘Lunar Base Camp’ listed as its hometown (as noted in its Facebook page), Black With Stars formed when three musicians whom had previously worked together in Gothic rock outfit Vladimirs came together with the goal of pursuing a ‘different musical direction’: vocalist/guitarist Brian Day, bassist crank! and drummer Erick Tuffendsam. Read Full Review >>
EVANS & STOKES - Beyond The Gates
If you're in the market for a female fronted Gothic influenced hard rock band, then one option stands out from the crowd: multinational act Evans & Stokes and its summer of 2017 independent debut full length Beyond The Gates. Read Full Review >>
FEAR NOT - Fear Not (Roxx Records re-issue)
Fear Not has a storied history that traces to 1991 when it formed initially under the name Love Life and released its debut album Goodbye Lady Jane via Blonde Vinyl Records. Read Full Review >>
ROMEO RIOT - Sing It Out
What I hear in Romeo Riot is much of the same with a joining of melodic hard rock and AOR I can see fans of Guardian (Fire & Love era), Fear Not, Novella, Liberty N’ Justice, Giant and fellow Kivel Records artist Adriangale embracing. Read Full Review >>
WITHIN SILENCE - Return From The Shadows
Musical comparisons, as a result, remain unchanged - Sonata Arctica, Stratovarius and Theocracy - in that Within Silence stays true to a European influenced sound with its emphasis on keyboards, classical elements and overall faster tempos. Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Michael Sweet - Trailer For Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music Solo DVD:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
A trailer for STRYPER front man Michael Sweet's new solo DVD, Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music, can be seen above. The set was filmed on June 2 at the Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts and will be made available at Sweet's official web store.
With a running time of 102 minutes, Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music will include the above-mentioned acoustic performance, a brand new interview and never-before-seen archive footage.
The track listing for the acoustic performance is as follows:
1. “You Know What to Do”
2. “Honestly”
3. “Always There For You”
4. “All For One”
5. “Someday”
6. “Real”
7. “Save Me”
8. “I'm Not Your Suicide”
9. “Strong”
10. “Dying Rose”
11. “Calling On You”
12. “To Hell With the Devil”
Sweet's seventh solo album, One Sided War, was released in August 2016 via Rat Pak Records. Backing Michael on the record were WHITESNAKE guitarist Joel Hoekstra, EVANESCENCE drummer Will Hunt, bassist John O'Boyle and East Coast shred-master Ethan Brosh.
Sweet told Screamer Magazine last year that One Sided War turned out to be "the heaviest album I've ever done. A lot of times, STRYPER fans expect heavy and when STRYPER doesn't do it, that's really a big issue. But when I don't do it, it's not as big an issue because fans typically expect a lighter side of Michael Sweet when I do solo albums, and they say that all the time. This is the album that I kind of wanted to put all those remarks to rest and I wanted to do something that was edgier and that compares to STRYPER on that level. It holds its own against anything STRYPER's done, for sure."
In a 2016 interview with The Aquarian Weekly, Sweet said that he enjoyed making solo albums "because it's an opportunity to free myself up a little bit more, experiment a little bit more, and try some things that STRYPER may not be able to try. So I just enjoy doing it. I love it. I've got a lot of music, a lot of solo music that I'd like to go out and play live that I think a lot of people would like to hear."
STRYPER recently finished recording all the basic tracks for its new album for an early 2018 release. The follow-up to 2015's Fallen will be the band's first disc since the addition of former FIREHOUSE bassist Perry Richardson. Perry joined the band as the replacement for STRYPER's longtime bassist Tim Gaines, who was fired from the group earlier this year.
Michael Sweet online: www.michaelsweet.com & www.facebook.com/TheMichaelSweet
NEWS BRIEFS
* Vocalist Dale Thompson on his recording projects for next year (Facebook - December 7, 2017): “Musical adventure update. Yes BRIDE is recording, and Troy (Thompson,guitars) is smokin’ the groove rock. Heavy but cool and delightful. Then I have THE WORLD WILL BURN. With two albums out Alan (Zaring, guitars) and I are writing a concept album for the third. Then there is NO OTHER GOD my insanely masterful Brazilian metal CD where we visit the old school sounds. N.O.G. is being mixed as we speak. And there is more! I have teamed up with a great songwriter guitarist from Brazil who is living in California and together we have started writing for another release, which is yet to be titled. Maybe I should just start my own record company? So in 2018 expect at least 4 different projects from my camp.”
* Retroactive Records plans for next year a jewel case re-issue (with 12 page insert to include pictures and lyrics) of the 1989 GUARDIAN Enigma Records debut First Watch. Bonus material will come in the form of the two tracks GUARDIAN recorded for the California Metal compilation from 1987, “Marching On” and “Spiritual Warfare”. Lone difference is that whereas Steinhaus did the re-mastering for the 20th anniversary digi-pak re-issue of First Watch from 2009 (also Retroactive), Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) will be handling re-mastering for the 2018 re-issue.
* Kerry Livgren released in early December a re-recorded version of his 1989 Sparrow Records instrumental album One Of Several Possible Musiks under the new title Several More Musiks. In addition to the 10 appearing on the original release, Several More Musiks features three new written and recorded songs. As noted by the artist:
“In early 2017 I had one remaining album on 2” analog master tape, One of Several Possible Musiks. I no longer had a machine to play (the album) on, so I took it to Kansas City to be transferred to digital. I had never contemplated re-mixing this album (much less re-recording it), but when I began listening I was convinced that it could be greatly improved. Most of the original tracks, except the guitar parts, have been totally re-recorded, and of course the album has been re-mixed and re-mastered.”
Several More Musiks is available for purchase at: www.numavox.com/cd.htm
* Two clips from the upcoming VISUAL CLIFF album Refuge, “Footprints For The Lost” & “Anathema”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYhOeM4X2CU & www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLTTsBpRuq4
* Valley Of The Kings, second album teaser from EVANS & JOKES: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tgEqO5nW5Y
ARTIST COMMENTARY
Michael Sweet in regards to the musical direction of any solo album he might record in the future (Facebook = December 4, 2017):
“I've always had a soft side. I'm a ‘balladeer’ as much as I am a ‘metal head’. My last solo album (One Sided War) was a straight ahead metal/hard rock album. The last two STRYPER albums (and the new one we're working on now) are consistently heavy as well.
“My question is this: is it time for me to do an album of primarily ballads? It seems as though metal heads don't like ballads and balladeers don't like metal. Am I wrong or does everyone here appreciate both sides? I grew up with some of my favorites bands being JUDAS PRIEST, JOURNEY, IRON MAIDEN, SURVIVOR, VAN HALEN, FOREIGNER- a combination of both that I've always been drawn to. As a kid, I would hear THE BEE GEES and then BLACK SABBATH and absolutely love both!
“So, as I prepare to start mapping out my next "project", what would make you say "yes! It's about time!!" - metal or ballads? Or both?”
Bassist Gene Simmons in regards to what he thinks of critics, who over the years have not been very kind to KISS (from a November 26, 2017 Fortt Knox Podcast interview with Jon Fortt):
"Critics mean well, I'm sure, but living in your mother's basement doesn't qualify you to have an assessment about anything, especially if you've never done it. I think sorely lacking from critics in general is journalistic ethic... As a journalist, you still have to report on the facts. Invariably, the opposite tends to be the case. The pen is mightier than the sword, and Machiavelli was right- to have power is to abuse it. Critics become delusional, and they actually think that they're important. You really aren't. Consider this- if there was never such a life form as critics, do you think it would affect life as we know it on planet Earth? Not in the least."
Editors Note: As a critic, I would like to offer a polite rebuttal as I type this from the studio apartment located in my mothers basement. In all seriousness, Mr. Simmons has many of the right ideas, particularly as it pertains to journalistic ethic. All reviewers (not just music critics) in a sense are journalists and have an obligation to ‘report on the facts’ as they suggest. Where Mr. Simmons potentially misses the point - and this is an area in which things get both problematic and a bit grey - is the ‘critics become delusional’ part. Fact is, writing a review is not just about facts but also opinion. As a critic, am I delusional by offering an opinion that ‘album A’ from ‘artist B’ is an inferior work that deserves improving upon in certain areas? If ‘power is to abuse it’, then is it an abuse of power to point this out even if in a diplomatic sense, while keeping the artists best intentions at heart? Is a critic in violation of the journalistic ethic by writing a negative review while still reporting on the facts?
Fact is opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one. Hence, if you do not like someone’s opinion, take the high road but do not take it personal either. Beside, a critical reviewer might have some good points in which an artist could potentially learn and ultimately improve. The point being - and this is where I disagree with Mr. Simmons - is that not all critics are to be dismissed.
Where I do agree with the artist, however, is that as a critic I am not that important. The least I can do is help point Angelic Warlord readers in the direction of their hard music purchases and hope to have a positive impact on their lives in light of the truth the artists in which I cover convey. Outside of that perhaps I am not that particularly important. But what is? I cannot help but think Colossians 1:10 sums things up succinctly in this regard:
…live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…
The meaning here is that what counts is HOW I run the site: in a manner worthy of the Lord and pleasing Him in every way. Hence, I am obligated to the journalistic ethic and to report on the facts but without abusing any power I might have as a critic at the same time. Yes, as a reviewer I can offer a constructive comment - or even write an overall critical review - but not be disrespectful of the artist either.
The best manner in which to sum up is to quote the passage that (in my opinion) forms the benchmark for said journalistic ethic in which all critics must adhere: ‘speak the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15)
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BRIDE In Pre-production For New Album, Snake Eyes:
Classic Christian metal band BRIDE are currently in pre-production for its upcoming comeback album, which according to founding member and vocalist Dale Thompson has been entitled Snake Eyes. The bands fifteenth CD and first since 2013’s Incorruptible will also feature co-founding member and guitarist Troy Thompson in addition to drummer Alexandre Aposan and bassist Nenel Lucena.
Further detail from Dale regarding the bands new line-up: (Facebook - December 1, 2017): “You might ask: where did these musicians come from? Well, BRIDE has a long and great relationship with Brazil and these intense talented players are from this incredible country. You are going to dig these amazing grooves. Troy himself is the groove master of guitars. With him as conductor and composer and me doing whatever I do, the Brazilian team will bring the best possible Bride to the surface.”
Dale continues in regards to how BRIDE is self-financing the new album (Facebook - November 29, 2017): “This is a labor of love, and we are happy and honored that we have been called out of retirement by the Lord to take on this task. In order for us to produce this new CD, we are asking for your help with contributions, which all go toward the cost or recording, mixing and mastering this project. We have sent out this call a few times now and unfortunately, we are only half way to what our (estimated) budget. No pressure but I do not want finances to impede the release of this CD. I sound like a preacher on Sunday morning don't I? Sad but it is what it is.
“(Please visit) www.bridepub.com for any and all contributions toward the production of the new BRIDE release. Thank you kindly.”
He further summarizes (Facebook - November 24, 2017): “BRIDE is back at it writing and recording for another CD. Troy and I waited around for the inspiration wondering if it would ever come to bring us out of retirement. We are busy in preproduction now preparing for the studio. We will have some surprises for everyone for sure. This will be the BRIDE you have wanted. We are self-financing this work and it does take money to pay everyone involved. If you feel so led to contribute we are still not even close to the amount we need to make this happen. We will get there with God's help but I am just letting you know that now is the time to show us you really want this new work. Thank you for your continued support of our work.”
BRIDE online: www.bridepub.com & www.facebook.com/BridebandOn
IMARI TONES - Jesus Wind Details Revealed:
Japanese Christian metal band releases new album entitled Jesus Wind to discover the unknown spiritual history of Japan:
Press Release / Japanese Christian rock band (virtually the only active Christian metal band in the Buddhist nation), IMARI TONES released their new album Jesus Wind on November 9, 2017. According to the band, Jesus Wind is a concept album about Japanese history from a Christian point of view. IMARI TONES formed in 2004 and became a Christian rock band with its current line up consisting of Tak (vocals & guitars), Hassy (bass) and Jake (drums). The band has toured both in Japan and USA, while recording many albums independently.
After the release of the previous IMARI TONES album Revive The World in 2015, Tak was interested in Japanese history and came up the idea for the album. States Tak: “We wondered if it’s possible to make a concept album that focuses on Japanese history from a Christian point of view. So many Japanese people think Christianity is a Western/European religion. But we don’t’ necessarily think that way. In fact, Christianity was carried to Japan in many ways. For example, if you read the book Bushido by Inazo Nitobe, you can see Bushido (Samurai’s code) has much in common with Christianity. Also, it is widely known that Japanese Buddhism from medieval times was influenced by Christianity”. After intense rehearsals and five months of recording, Jesus Wind was finally finished.
The album consists of three parts: Past, Present & Future. This is because the band decided to write not only about the past, but also the future, in order to convey the message of hope. The Present part gives the listener a feeling of tension and reality through the songs about the ongoing evens like Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant incident in 2011 and political turmoil in the current world. The Future part has almost prophetic like overtones with spiritual utopian songs such as “Revolution” and “New Jerusalem”.
Although categorized as Christian metal, IMARIT TONES is also known for its diverse styles, often progressive with similarities to RUSH and YES. On Jesus Wind, however, the group focuses more on straightforward head metal. As a result, Jesus Wind is the heaviest and most intense metal album IMARI TONES has released. “Repent”, the lead single and first music video from the album, is nothing short of a loud and clear statement as a Christian metal band from the East. It is not a coincidence that Tak quotes Isaiah 42 in the song “Revolution”: Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the ends of the earth. You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them.
Jesus Wind is available on iTunes and BandCamp, as well as on digital streaming outlets such as Spotify, Google Play and Apple Music. Physical CD’s can be purchased directly from the band via BandCamp.
Jesus Wind track listing
1. “Jee-You”
2. “Dying Prophet”
3. “God’s People”
4. “Saint’s Seeking Salvation”
5. “Bushido”
6. “The War”
7. “The Peace”
8. “Remembrance”
9. “The Way”
10. “When The Nation Falls”
11. “This Is How Freedom Dies”
12. “Repent”
13. “Don’t Stop Walking”
14. “Revolution”
15. “New Jerusalem”
IMARI TONES online: www.imaritones.net & www.facebook.com/imaritones
NEWS BRIEFS
* According to vocalist Greg X. Volz, the new album from CLASSIC PETRA REVISITED, Back To The Rock II, will be released this week. Producer and keyboardist John Lawry put together a sneak preview on Soundcloud: HERE
* Valley Of The Kings, new album teaser from EVANS & STOKES: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCXNnkMdXsU
* Classic Christian Rock online interview with drummer Michael Feighan (WHITECROSS, KING JAMES): www.classicchristianrockzine.com/2017/11/interview-with-michael-feighan-drummer.html
* Texas Monthly online article about THE GALACTIC COWBOYS, whom recently released its comeback album Long Way Back To The Moon: www.texasmonthly.com/articles/almost-famous-galactic-cowboys
* Artists In Action online article about IMAGES OF EDEN and its upcoming album Soulrise: http://artists-in-action.biz/people-of-action/ioe
ARTIST COMMENTARY
Bassist Andy Robbins (HOLY SOLDIER) in regards to the cover by HOLY SOLDIER of THE ROLLING STONES classic “Gimme Shelter” (Facebook - November 28, 2017:
“Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in 1969 and originally recorded by THE ROLLING STONES and released on their Let it Bleed record.
“In 1991, HOLY SOLDIER wanted to record a great, classic and meaningful cover song for our sophomore release. After exploring this track and also David Bowie's “Rock N Roll Suicide” from his 1972 release Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars with Myrrh Records A&R Cool Guy Mark Maxwel,l we decided this track best fit our new record.
“Add in amazing backing vocals by Jackie Gouche and here you have our (1992) remake of the Stones' classic “Gimme Shelter” from (the HOLY SOLDIER sophomore album) Last Train.”
The song is available for streaming at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ3JVSA7Iw8
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
New SOLO DVD From Michael Sweet, Sole: Songs & Stories From A Life In Music:
STRYPER front man Michael Sweet is set to release a new solo DVD, entitled Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music. The set was filmed on June 2 at the Narrows Center For The Arts in Fall River, Massachusetts and will be made available at Sweet's official web site. In addition to the concert, the DVD comes with the following features:
• A Brand New Interview!
• Never Before Seen Archive Footage!
102 Minutes / 16:9 Widescreen / Region 1 DVD (Must have a Region 1 or Region-Free/Region 0 DVD Player to watch)
It will be available at the "A Michael Sweet Christmas" event on December 14th at the Spire Center For The Performing Arts in Plymouth, Massachusetts (tickets HERE).
Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music track listing:
1. “You Know What to Do”
2. “Honestly”
3. “Always There For You”
4. “All For One”
5. “Someday”
6. “Real”
7. “Save Me”
8. “I'm Not Your Suicide”
9. “Strong”
10. “Dying Rose”
11. “Calling On You”
12. “To Hell With the Devil”
Sole: Songs And Stories From A Life In Music pre-order: http://stores.portmerch.com/michaelsweet/featured-products/sole-songs-and-stories-from-a-life-in-music-dvd.html
CHOIRS OF VERITIS Debut “Ask Him” Official Video:
Italian symphonic power metal band CHOIRS OF VERITIS has premiered a lyric video for the track “Ask Him”, which comes off its debut full length I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life released March 27, 2017 via Underground Symphony Records.
CHOIRS OF VERITIS is a Christian Metal project that literally means “Choirs Of Truth”, to symbolize the union between music and spiritual truth attributable to Jesus Christ. The brainchild of keyboardist and composer Davide Scuten, CHOIRS OF VERITIS seeks to unite the love of God and metal music, while offering thanks to God for the wonderful gift of music. According to the group, lyrics draw inspiration from the Holy Bible with the goal of understanding God’s message through His Word.
I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life was mixed and mastered by Larsen Premoli at Rec Lab Studios, while cover art and mini booklet attributes to Mattias Norén, whom has previously worked with KAMELOT, EPICA, SABATON & EVERGREY.
CHOIRS OF VERITIS is certain to appeal to fans of THEOCRACY, STRATOVARIUS, NIGHTWISH and SONATA ARCTICA.
CHOIRS OF VERITIS line up:
Davide Schiavi - Lead Vocals
Eliana Sanna - Mezzosoprano
Roberto Curtoni - Guitars
Davide Scuteri - Keyboards
Cesare Ferrari - Bass
Alessandro Baglioni - Flute
I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life track listing:
1. “God First”
2. “Ask Him”
3. “The Searching”
4. “Thank You”
5. “Vanitas Vanitatum”
6. “Miracles”
7. “Religiosity”
8. I Am The Way, Tthe Truth And The Life”
9. “A New Commandment”
10. “The Passion And The Cross”
11. “He Has Come to Forgive”
12. “Grace” (MEHIDA cover)
CHOIRS OF VERITIS online: www.facebook.com/ChoirsOfVeritas
NEWS BRIEFS
* CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE - “Riot Anthem” Official Live Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8esMk9s7L8
“Riot Anthem” was filmed live on October 15th in Joplin, MO at Victory Sports Complex as part of the Long Live The Rebellion tour.
* INNERSIEGE video update (November 17, 2017): www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhRfMiRJnGA
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
RAINFORCE Release New Christmas Song, "Bring Back Christmas":
Press Release / It’s that time of year again, time to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, a truly awesome time of year! This year Roxx Records and RAINFORCE want to wish you a very Happy Holiday season, and as it has been a tough year for many across the US and all over the world, we want everyone to truly remember why we celebrate this time of year. This year we hope to truly bring back the focus to the true meaning of Christmas.
We are very happy to debut and share with you the brand new RAINFORCE original Christmas tune "Bring Back Christmas" so first sit back and enjoy this world premiere new lyric video and remember He is the reason for the season!
"Bring Back Christmas" will be available on a limited edition hard copy CD format on this years exclusive Roxx Records ‘Best of 2017’ sampler. It will also be made available digitally directly from the band. Watch the band’s site to buy the download track here: https://store.cdbaby.com/Artist/RAINFORCE
For this years sampler, as always, it will be given out for free with all Black Friday weekend purchases from Roxx Records and Christian Metal Distro sites during their annual sales! Watch for more info and access codes for the sale shortly.
This years sampler starts off with the new RAINFORCE track and then leads in to the Best of 2017 sampler from ROXX Records as we visit brand new singles from bands like DELIVERANCE, THE HERO , RAINFORCE and BIOGENESIS as well as revisiting some classic Vinyl re-mastered tracks from this years reissues from artists such as HOLY SOLDIER, SACRED WARRIOR and FEAR NOT to name a few. Then we end with a very special remaster celebrating the 5th anniversary of the classic third album from THE SACRIFICED entitled III. The track "Falling" and the Christmas single "The Little Drummer Boy" have been given a bit of a re-master by Bombworks as we remember that classic album that just turned 5 years old this year!
Roxx Records Best of 2017 track listing:
1. RAINFORCE - "Bring Back Christmas" (previously unreleased)
2. RAINFORCE - "Lion’s Den" (off the debut album Lion’s Den)
3. DELIVERANCE - "Black Hand" (off the new album The Subversive Kind)
4. VENGEANCE RISING - "He Is GOD" (off the 2017 reissue Human Sacrifice)
5. HOLY SOLDIER - "Last Train" (off the 2017 reissue Last Train)
6. SACRED WARRIOR - "Master’s Command" (off the 2017 reissue Master’s Command)
7. RANSOM - "WINDOWS OF MY HEART" (off the 2017 reissue Soul Asylum)
8. BIOGENESIS - "Land Of Confusion" (off the new album A Decadence Divine)
9. THE HERO - "Corpus Christi" (off the album Miracles)
10. D.O.G - "No One Rides For Free" (off the new album Unleashed)
11. FEAR NOT - "Give it Up" (off the 2017 reissue Fear Not)
12. DELIVERANCE - "No Time" (off the 2017 reissue Deliverance)
13. CONSECRATOR - "Meaningless" (off the 2017 reissue Image Of Deception)
14. SUNROAD - "White Eclipse" (off the new album Wing Seven)
15. THE SACRIFICED - "Falling" (5th Anniversary re-master, off the 2012 album III)*
16. THE SACRIFICED - "Little Drummer Boy" (previously unreleased)
*Re-mastered 2017 5th Anniversary edition courtesy Rob Colwell (Bombworks)
Stay tuned for full Black Friday sale information coming soon. ROXX Productions wants to wish you and your family a very warm and happy holiday season this year!
ROXX RECORDS online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
RAINFORCE online: www.facebook.com/rainforce.ch
NEAL MORSE Announces New Solo Album, Life And Times:
Press Release / "I didn't get into music because I wanted to be a big success…I originally went after music because I simply loved it. There wasn't anything else for me. Nothing moved me like music did, and my hope had always been to move people as I had been moved." – NEAL MORSE
Truer words never spoken by MORSE, who will prove his own personal theory right with his latest solo album, Life & Times, which will be released February 16 on Radiant Records via Metal Blade Records/SONY on all digital outlets, as well as CD and vinyl. Pre-orders will be available on Radiant Records' website starting December 12.
Widely regarded as one of the world's leading progressive rock ("prog") musicians, there is now no doubt that NEAL MORSE is a "big success," but his desire to move people through his music burns brighter than ever. Now in his mid-fifties and his children grown up, there is a sense on Life & Times that MORSE is looking around and taking stock.
"I've come through a lot of difficult times and I'm in a fairly content place now," he says. "You can feel that on some of the songs." Much of this 'acoustic-orientated, singer/songwriter' album was written while he was travelling around the world on "The Road Called Home" tour in 2017, with some of the songs being inspired by the places he visited, while others are from spending time with his family.
For example, "Manchester By the Sea" is a musical portrait of that notorious rarity - a sunny day in Manchester, England - when MORSE was sitting in a coffee shop watching the world go by. "Selfie in The Square" captures what he saw walking around Luxembourg City, hearing the cathedral bells and children playing, but realizing what a difference it makes to share these experiences. "Luxembourg was really nice, but I knew that if my wife was there, it would feel like a holiday, so I wrote a song about it to send to her," he explains.
Some of these slice-of-life portraits also resonate with other people's heartaches, such as "JoAnna," which focuses on MORSE's son dealing with the loss of a relationship and - most poignantly - "He Died At Home," about a mother's grief over the loss of her soldier son. As MORSE says, "I had been praying for a roommate of a friend of mine, who was a troubled ex-military guy. The day we were playing in Paris, I woke up to a text saying that sadly, he had died. As I began formulating ideas for a song about him, I remembered that many years ago, I had been at a meeting at a military base in Tennessee. They asked us to pray for their men because almost every week they were going to the funeral of those who had 'died at home.'"
The power of the song that MORSE eventually crafted has moved people in ways that he could never have imagined: "Because of the idea for the song, I was researching soldier suicides online and found an article about a young soldier named William Busbee. He came back from Afghanistan in 2012, and then committed suicide. The video director contacted Libby Busbee, his mother, who listened to the song and was so moved that she is contributing photos of William to put in a video we'll be sharing very soon." The song also had quite an impact when it was premiered at Morsefest 2017, where it was very much the talk of the festival.
Born in 1960 to a musical Californian family, MORSE played in many bands during his youth. He learned and mastered several instruments along the way. In 1995, he wrote and recorded The Light with his new band, SPOCK’S BEARD. It was an album grounded strongly in the then-unfashionable progressive rock genre. The album and title song became modern prog classics, and began to bring MORSE and the band global recognition. In 2000, he also joined forces with Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAN THEATER), Pete Trewavas (MARILLION) and Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS) to form TRANSATLANTIC, a prog supergroup that went on to win the PROG Magazine Award for "Album of the Year."
NEAL MORSE's solo work has focused almost entirely on music with a strong message of redemption, beginning with 2003's Testimony - a two-disc musical account of his spiritual journey - and most recently with THE NEAL MORE BAND's PROG Magazine Award nominee, The Similitude Of A Dream, based on John Bunyan's classic allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress.
In touring news, MORSE is hoping to move more people with these songs at some "absolutely solo" shows in cafes and small venues throughout the U.S. and Europe in 2018. Check out NEAL MORSE at the following tour stops (with more dates to be added in the coming weeks on his official website: www.nealmorse.com/livesolo.asp
Radiant Records online: www.radiantrecords.com/default.aspx & www.facebook.com/RadiantRecord
NEAL MORSE online: www.nealmorse.com & www.facebook.com/nealmorse
NEWS BRIEFS
* EVANS & STOKES released a lyric video to a new song entitled “Dark Skies”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zwOdfbXapY
Please note that “Dark Skies” does not come off the groups full length debut Beyond The Gates released this past summer.
* “Next Joke ”, new song from GALACTIC COWBOYS off its comeback album (release date November 17, 2017) Long Way Back To The Moon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSl3OMSlpwo
* According to an update at Blabbermouth (November 18, 2017), STRYPER finished recording all the basic tracks for its new album (everything except lead vocals and guitar solos) a few days ago. States front man Michael Sweet, "It went much faster than expected and it sounds absolutely killer! We were all just having fun making music again with a new spirit and attitude. It felt like 1985 all over again. There's a new groove to the music that has to be experienced, not described."
He goes on to add, "We're all incredibly excited and feel that this may very well be the best album we've ever recorded. It's very special and has an energy unlike any other. We can't wait for you to hear it. April can't come soon enough."
ARTIST COMMENTARY
Vocalist Dale Thompson (BRIDE) in regards to his musical beginnings (Facebook – November 21, 2017):
“In 1981 I met a man named Michael Glenn Sherrad. Glenn introduced me to Kerry Livgren's Seeds of Change CD, which is still the greatest Christian rock album of all times. I was just coming out of southern gospel music and formed a band called CORBAN. That did not last for long. My brother Troy and I then formed a named called MATRIX and my influences began to expand. It was not long until BRIDE was formed from the ruins of MATRIX. From Seeds of Change, I was introduced to Ronnie James Dio, and from there it was my prayer, "If you want me oh Lord to pursue this heavy metal path then use me as an instrument of peace with the same conviction as Dio." Needless to say, the Lord has encouraged me to reach the lost with the gospel with this style of music. Otherwise I am positive that Satan would have used me to lead many more astray. Bride lasted 25 years then retired and then the fans demanded a rebirth and yes now we are back. Thank you Glenn. You may be gone but I have carried your torch this far. Praise God!”
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BARNABAS Re-issues Announced By Retroactive Records:
Press Release / In honor of the 40th Anniversary of BARNABAS, each of its five albums will be reissued by Retroactive Records in 2017, with the first three, Hear The Light, Find Your Heart A Home and Approaching Light Speed, released on November 14, 2017. Retroactive will be re-releasing the group’s final two albums, Feel The Fire and Little Foxes, on December 12, 2017.
The 2017 reissues feature a complete digital re-master by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound guaranteeing each album has never sounded better. These treasured classics will be packaged in a jewel case with a 12-page booklet insert and feature write-ups, band history, band pictures, and lyrics that make sure the album has never looked better! Must-have for fans of AGAPE, RESURRECTION BAND, DANIEL BAND, MOTORHEAD and JERUSALEM!
BARNABAS developed a style of music that straddled the fence between energetic, aggressive power metal (like IRON MAIDEN, DIO, or BLACK SABBATH) and experimental progressive rock (like RUSH, STYX, or MARILLION). On top of the music soared the vocals of a chain-chompin' banshee lead singer who was all about putting her boot up the dark one’s back side. The overriding question for Feel The Fire was obvious. Considering the artistic and commercial success of 1983’s Approaching Light Speed, could the band capture lightning in a bottle twice?
BARNABAS was an amazing band, both because they were the heaviest Christian band of their era, and also one of the most creative lyrically and musically. They were as musically adventurous as RUSH, but they would also put the hammer down and at any moment to grind out some extremely heavy metal - which they were doing a couple of years before the likes of BARREN CROSS, PHILADELPHIA, SAINT, MESSIAH PROPHET and STRYPER appeared. And, while the band proved even more progressive in their metal for this release, the trademark foundations remained intact - smokin' guitars and top-notch instrumentation.
With Feel the Fire, the band expanded the boundaries of Christian metal. Not satisfied with creating art by numbers or being a cookie-cutter band, it would be many years before anyone in Christian metal circles would touch the depth and creativity of BARNABAS. With Feel The Fire, fans were treated to a mesmerizing magic slab of metal. One that couldn't be ignored or shaken. One that was impossibly irresistible and memorable. Indeed, Barnabas was unique in the truest sense.
Feel The Fire track listing:
1. “Prelude”
2. “The Dream”
3. “Breathless Wonderment (The Dream Becomes Reality)”
4. “Hearts”
5. “Feel The Fire”
6. “Northern Lights”
7. “Follow You Up”
8. “Suite For The Souls Of Our Enemies (Part I - Hammer & Sickle)”
Feel The Fire pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/22267475-barnabas-feel-the-fire-new-cd-2017-retroactive-records-pre-order
On 1986’s Little Foxes, Brian Belew's pyrotechnic guitar leads continued to push the sound of BARNABAS over the top. He was well known as a human dynamo of an axe man, one who routinely wow’d audiences by combining in-concert acrobatics with the fact that he never missed a note! Brian had an amazing ability to use tapping techniques, (pioneered by Eddie Van Halen), in incendiary ways that had never been heard before in Christian rock. Gary Mann's bass style was heavily influenced by bassists Geddy Lee of RUSH and Dave Hope of KANSAS. Gary drove the band from beneath, his playing coupling beautifully with the powerhouse drumming of Kris Klingensmith. Kris emerged as a talented lyricist, writing the words to nearly all of the band's songs on the last three albums as well as the notable words on the back cover of the Little Foxes album.
A lyrically harsh and distinct album, Little Foxes also contains some of Belew's most notorious guitar work, along with Nancy Jo Mann’s most convicting vocals (her performances on “China White” and “Destroy After Use” are soul haunting!). Little Foxes marks the next step of BARNABAS moving beyond the experimental and progressive sounds of Approaching Light Speed and Feel The Fire to embrace an all-out metal assault. “Auschwitz 87” is so fast and aggressive that the guitar riffs could have come from a METALLICA or early SLAYER album. “Destroy After Use” hammers away with monster metal riffs and terrifying passionate vocals that let you know in no uncertain terms: - “the devil has a line on you.”
Gone are most of the complex progressive pieces with keyboards that gave the listener moments to breathe on previous albums. Little Foxes is overflowing with urgency and is nothing less than full-on bombastic heavy metal at it’s finest! The band seemed to know their final collective voice needed music as heavy as the message. Even in 2017, the message and the in-your-face metallic riffage remain engaging and mesmerizing. For fans of JERUSALEM, PHILADELPHIA, METAL CHURCH, SAINT, TESTAMENT and ACCPET!
Little Foxes track listing:
1. “Gospel Maniac”
2. “Little Foxes”
3. “Destroy After Use”
4. “Auschwitz '87”
5. “China White”
6. “Sins Of The Fathers”
7. “All Alone”
8. “Suite For The Souls Of Our Enemies (Part Two - Lover)”
Little Foxes track listing: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/22267421-barnabas-little-foxes-new-cd-2017-retroactive-records-pre-order
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
IMAGES OF EDEN - Soulrise Album Update:
York, Pennsylvania based melodic progressive metal act IMAGES OF EDEN announced the past week that it has completed work on its fourth full-length album, Soulrise.
According to vocalist and founding member Gordon Tittsworth (Facebook - November 10, 2017), “The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind. IMAGES OF EDEN finished filming the video to our single, “Shield Me” from the upcoming CD, Soulrise as well as a pro photo shoot and video interview. After that, Steve Dorssom (drummer) and I traveled to North Hollywood to wrap up the CD mix with the legendary producer, Bill Metoyer at Skull Seven Studio (Hollywood, CA), then the last 3 days have been spent editing the video/ interview and basically “coming back down to Earth”. This was many years in the making and an absolute dream come true for the band. Now, it is time to secure label distribution and a release date.”
As for the album mix, Gordon said, “Bill Metoyer took the production to a new level! We are blessed/ grateful (and a bit amazed) all at the same time. Bill was a total pro to work with and it was amazing to watch him in action after listening to his work for 30-ish years. You exceeded our expectations, brother!”
The release of Soulrise, however, is pending: “So now that everything is being wrapped up, we “hurry up and wait” until we can work out the CD release details. Once this is solidified, we can finally unleash this and start promoting it to the world. We will keep you posted.”
IMAGES OF EDEN (as noted in its press material) is a fearless concept band that brings together familiar, well-loved elements of metal and rock combined with their own unique vision, message and delivery. The result is a distinct musical hybrid that speaks directly to the struggles and tribulations of the listener. Musically, the group draws its inspiration from a hybrid of modern hard rock combined with classic metal, creating a modern sound rife with progressive elements and impassioned, unfeigned vocal delivery.
IMAGES OF EDEN independently released its full-length debut Chapter I in 2001 and Nightmare Records sophomore effort Sunlight Of The Spirit five years later. The group’s most recent effort Rebuilding The Ruins (also Nightmare) followed in 2011.
IMAGES OF EDEN line up:
Gordon Tittsworth - Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Carlos Urquidi Perez - Lead Guitar
L. Dean Harris - Piano & Keyboards
Eric Mulvaine - Bass Guitar
Steve Dorssom- Drums & Percussion
IMAGES OF EDEN online: www.imagesofeden.com/index2.htm & www.facebook.com/Images-of-Eden
Update from Michael Sweet Regarding New Bassist Perry Richardson & Upcoming STRYPER Album:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
STRYPER front man Michael Sweet spoke to ListenIowa (in a recent online interview) about the band's latest addition, former FIREHOUSE bassist Perry Richardson. Perry joined the band as the replacement for STRYPER's longtime bassist Tim Gaines, who was fired from the group earlier this year.
Regarding how STRYPER hooked up with Richardson, Michael said: "Our co-manager mentioned (Perry]). We were talking with Sean McNabb (LYNCH MOB) and I had a brief conversation with Chris Wyse, who plays with Ace Frehley and THE CULT. I love James LoMenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), who could have been a great fit, too. But there's so much to think about, so when Perry's name got thrown out there, it was one of those, 'I never thought of that' things. I reached out him, and scheduled a flight. We jammed, and it felt right. No one was uncomfortable. We haven't known him long, but from what we have heard from the people who have known him all their lives is that he's a great person. He came in, learned five of our songs, and locked right into the pocket with Rob (Sweet), who is one of those drummers who adds a lot and is a little more difficult to follow. Perry nailed it. We sang harmonies, and it sounded like the album."
According to Sweet, STRYPER "originally made the decision over the phone" to hire McNabb. "He's a wonderful guy," Michael explained. "Talented. But he's got the LYNCH MOB gig, and they're going to be very busy next year. We just fell like that, after talking to George (Lynch) and Oni (Logan), we just didn't want to go there. We're really trying hard to run away from any kind of drama. Any time we feel any form of drama is coming our way, it's, 'Boom! We're out,' believe it or not."
Michael also talked about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for STRYPER's follow-up to 2015's Fallen album. He said: "It's all done. I came home from a recent four-show acoustic run in California, took a day off on Monday, and then Tuesday I set up all my gear. I had my computer, my speakers, my little iPad with my guitar rig in it, and I started writing. Within a week, I had everything. I've been tweaking since - a chord here or a lyric there - but everything was done within a week. Oz (Fox, guitar) sent me some ideas, two of which ended up being used for the album. It's like a puzzle and fitting the pieces together and getting things to flow. We have a title and a title track. It's shocking, moreso than with 'To Hell With The Devil'. When people hear it, they're going to go, 'What? Can you tell me that again?' A lot of the lyrics on the album have been kind of therapeutic, coming from the last two or three years."
Sweet went on to clarify that both the title of the album and the lyrics of the title track will be "shocking" to STRYPER fans. As for the music, he described it as "straight-up STRYPER and a little AC/DC and a little (JUDAS_ PRIEST in a blender… It's an anthem with a straight-ahead, memorable, sing-along chorus, and people will be like, 'Yes!'"
You can read the full interview with Michael at: http://listeniowa.com/a-peace-of-mind-a-conversation-with-michael-sweet-of-stryper
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
WHITECROSS Returns To Guatemala In December 2017:
Press Release / Following a nine-year absence, legendary Christian Metal band WHITECROSS will be returning to Guatemala this December. WHITECROSS is scheduled to perform two concerts in the Central American country, with the first held on Saturday 9 December in the city of San Marcos and second on Sunday 10 December in the province of Sumpango.
Consisting of vocalist Scott Wenzel, guitarist Rex Carroll, drummer Michael Feighan and bassist Benny Ramos, WHITECROSS first performed in Guatemala in 1992 and later in 2008 and 2009.
Joining WHITECROSS in San Marcos will be Argentine vocalist Mario Ian. Ian got his start in the eighties with the band ALAKRAN only to later front RATA BLANCA starting in 1994. Subsequent to making a decision of faith, he has gone on to become one of the more influential vocalists within the Latin American Christian metal scene. Local band SACRIFICIO will be opening the show. Opening for WHITECROSS in Sumpango is Guatemalan based Christian metal band SANGRE INOCENTE, whom feature former VOX DEI guitarist Saul Aragon.
With nine studio albums, one EP and seven compilations to its credit, WHITECROSS has won three Dove Awards in being considered one of the leading players within the Christian metal scene between the late eighties to the mid nineties. The group’s repertoire includes such well-known songs as “He Is the Rock”, “Because Of Jesus”, “Love On The Line”, “No Second Chances” among others.
WHITECROSS online: www.facebook.com/Whitecrossmusic
NEWS BRIEFS
* Update from vocalist Dale Thompson regarding upcoming BRIDE album (Facebook - October 10, 2017):
“Yes it is true, Troy (Thompson, guitars) and I are writing again and we promise not to be experimenting with new styles and sounds. Our goal is to rock your face off with some scalding BRIDE for the 90's sound. We won't be rapping, playing new metal, thrash or dance, we will be rocking with massive grooves, power vocals and screams and delivering the album you would expect veterans of 30 years to bring you.
“Our fundraising, contribution fund is slowly getting there but we are far off the mark recently projected by you... the listener. Yep if you can give toward this work we accept PayPal at briderocks@gmail.com”
* ”My Life”, new song from KIDD ROBIN: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWxlkQKplsE
* Many will recognize the name Jerome Mazza, whom fronted the second ANGELICA album from 1990, Walkin’ In Faith. Mazza returns to perform a duet with Steve Walsh (ex KANSAS) on the track “Born In Fire” off Walsh’s forthcoming solo album Black Butterfly (release date November 17, 2017): www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrXCOxdW5CQ
Mazza, who makes a guest appearance on three other Black Butterfly tracks, reportedly has signed with Escape Music and has a solo album in the works.
* Power Rock Podcasts interview with guitarist Bill Menchen (scroll to bottom of page): https://powerrockpodcasts.com/interview-bill-menchen-2016
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
EVANS & STOKES, Beyond The Gates Details Revealed:
An international act consisting of US based guitarist John Evans and New Zealand based vocalist Jenny Stokes, EVANS & STOKES released on September 29, 2017 its debut album, Beyond the Gates
A concept album, Beyond The Gates is divided into two parts, with the first telling the story of an individual at the end of her life with no hope. The songs are reflections on a lifetime of poor choices, and family and friends lost. In the second, hope comes with the vision of an angel. As death approaches, the angel's offer of peace is accepted and her journey ends at Heaven's Gate with her last breath.
Musically, Beyond The Gates is a metal album reflective of Gothic and progressive tendencies but also with softer elements to emphasize the mood throughout.
A video for a song off the album entitled “Forgiven” can be seen below.
EVANS & STOKES Bio:
We met online back in October of 2016 and right from the beginning we seemed to click musically. Although we come from completely different backgrounds, our musical tastes meshed well, as did our desire to put our creations out there for others to hear. We started with collaborating on one song, which turned out to be the song “Kingdom”, which is on our first album. The music had already been written by John but was in need of lyrics and vocals, and Jenny was eager to contribute. The experience we had finalizing this song was enough to know that our partnership was solid. So we decided to go full on and make the metal concept album Beyond The Gates.
The album took over 10 months to complete and with the two of us being literally on opposite sides of the planet it was a huge undertaking. The fact is that Jenny and I have only spoken to each other one time! One time we had a Skype call to discuss the vision for the album. The rest of the process was done through thousands of emails, sharing files on Dropbox, etc. Back and forth, and back and forth, until each song was complete. An exhausting but very rewarding process. So that’s our story through today, but it is still evolving as we create more music together. Stay tuned!
Beyond The Gates track listing:
1. “Alone I Lie”
2. “My Lullaby”
3. “Defy The Demons”
4. “The Devil’s Ride”
5, “Sadness”
6. “Psalm 23”
7. “Kingdom”
8. “In Your Silence”
9. “Angel Eyes”
10. “Forgiven”
11. “I Cry No More”
12. “Beyond The Gates”
EVANS & STOKES online: www.evansandstokes.com/home.html & www.facebook.com/evansandstokes
STRYPER Announces New Bass Player, Perry Richardson:
Press Release / After months of speculation, multi-platinum rock band STRYPER is excited to announce the addition of iconic bass player Perry Richardson to the band lineup. Richardson joins original members Michael Sweet (vocals and guitar), Robert Sweet (drums) and Oz Fox (guitar), all of whom are currently in pre-production on their upcoming album due in 2018 from Frontiers Music SRL.
The bass player position became available following last year's highly successful 30th Anniversary To Hell With The Devil tour, which saw record crowds and featured STRYPER’s largest sound and lighting production in nearly two decades. Perry becomes only the third bass player to fill that slot in the band’s 34 year career.
Richardson is best known as a founding member of the multi-platinum band FIREHOUSE, who exploded onto the scene in the early 1990s with hit singles like “Don’t Treat Me Bad,” “Love of a Lifetime” and “When I Look Into Your Eyes.” In 1992, the band took home an American Music Award for Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist, beating out both NIRVANA and ALICE IN CHAINS. Since departing FIREHOUSE, Richardson has remained active touring with various artists including Trace Adkins and Craig Morgan.
“The first time I met the guys in STRYPER was in 1985, when my first band, MAXX WARRIOR opened for them in Charlotte, NC,” says Richardson. "From that first meeting, they have always been one of my favorite bands and a huge influence on me personally and musically. To have the honor of becoming a member of STRYPER today, is an indescribable experience for me. I am so overwhelmed I can’t put it into words. To be asked to be a member of one of my favorite all-time bands is one of the greatest honors of my career. I’m so looking forward to being a part of this next chapter in STRYPER’s legacy. I’m ready to rock the world with my new brothers!”
"Perry is a perfect fit within our band," adds STRYPER frontman Michael Sweet. "He's an amazing singer, an excellent bass player and just a great human being. The moment we first rehearsed with Perry we knew that it was right. We sang harmonies and the vocals sounded awesome. He shared stories of how STRYPER was one of his favorite bands and that he's always respected us. It meant a lot to hear him say that. He has brought a kind and humble spirit to the band. He is a professional and an absolute gentleman. His resume is quite extensive and as impressive as it gets. We're honored to have him on our team and we're extremely excited about the future!"
STRYPER continues to dominate the hard rock/heavy metal scene. Their ninth studio album, Fallen (Frontiers Music SRL), was released in October 2015 and debuted at the top of the Billboard charts including #2 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart, #2 on the Top Contemporary Christian Albums chart, #2 on the Top Christian/Gospel Albums and #5 on the Top Current Rock Albums chart.
Rocking since 1984, STRYPERr is responsible for such classic '80s metal albums as Soldiers Under Command, To Hell With The Devil and In God We Trust. In fact, STRYPER is the first band to ever have two songs in MTV’s Top 10 simultaneously with their hits “Free” and “Honestly.” After a sabbatical for much of the 1990's, STRYPER returned strong in the early 21st century. To date, the Dove Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated band has sold over 10 million records worldwide.
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
SWEET & LYNCH Premier New Video, “Walk”:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
"Walk", the new video from SWEET & LYNCH - the band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet (STRYPER), legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), bassist James LoMenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Brian Tichy (THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE) - can be seen above. The song is taken from SWEET & LYNCH's sophomore album, Unified, which will be released on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Sweet offers his thoughts about Unified in a recent online interview with That Drummer Guy: "This album, to me, sounds a little bit more focused. It's a little bit more raw and in your face. The first album was a little more slick, had a little bit more production and effects and things going on and more tracks, too. This album doesn't have as many tracks. It's a little bit more scaled-down and bare bones, but I think it works. I really do. We experimented a little bit more. Like the song “Walk”, George sent me that. I went 'Wow, this is cool. I don't know what to do with it, but it's really cool.' It sounds like if you merged AEROSMITH and QUEEN, STRYPER and DOKKEN together, you're going to get “Walk”. It's kinda cool."
Regarding the increased diversity of the songs found on Unified, Sweet said: "That's all you can hope and pray for when you make an album. That people are going to connect with it and they're going to get it. Sometimes it doesn't happen. Sometimes a band makes an album that they feel is the best album of their career and the fans just don't get it. It's happened with us. We made a couple of albums that we were really excited about and they got released and they didn't do so well. It's probably happened with anything. It's really nice to see and hear the band be so excited and the fans and the critics seem to be equally as excited about that album as well. So far, that's the result of this album. I'm hearing a lot of good things. I think it's going to be a winner, man. I do. Granted, we're limited because of the times we live in. Rock isn't at the top of the charts. It's a struggle, it's a battle, it's a fight for bands from our era and for us to go out there and get it out to the masses and do it the right way, it's very tough. But man, we're still trying. We still love what we do. Hopefully that shows."
Speaking about the work put into the creation of Unified, Michael said: "We were all, our hearts and our souls and our bodies to the core were completely into this album. We put everything we had into this album and gave our all. We all wanted it to be the best. There's no doubt, you're right on the money with that. You know, it's just again, it's hit-or-miss, especially when you start experimenting. When you start trying different things, as an artist, you have to do that and have the freedom to do that. That's what makes some of the best bands in history so good because they took the risk and they experimented and they did something really unique. We tried a little bit of that on this album. Like I said, songs like “Walk”, there's a song called “Afterlife”. For typical, what people expect to hear from George and Michael, collectively or individually, that ain't it. Those are the songs people are going to listen to and go 'Oh wow, this is different' for them. It really is. We enjoyed doing that. It was a lot of fun."
SWEET & LYNCH's debut album, Only To Rise, was released in January 2015 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Unified track listing:
1. “Promised Land”
2. “Walk”
3. “Afterlife”
4. “Make Your Mark”
5. “Tried & True”
6. “Unified”
7. “Find Your Way”
8. “Heart Of Fire”
9. “Bridge Of Broken Lies”
10. “Better Man”
11. “Live To Die"
Frontiers Music SRL online: www.frontiers.it/index.php & www.facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl
SWEET & LYNCH online: www.facebook.com/SweetLynch
NEWS BRIEFS
* New album on the way from CHAOTIC RESEMBLANCE (Facebook - October 30, 2017):
“Just because we have been a bit quiet doesn't mean things still aren't going on behind the scenes. We released the 2 song EP back in April, but the long awaited new album will come out in 2018! Artwork for the album cover is being worked on, raising funds for mastering the full album, and a live video is also in the works right now. Once again this record has been produced by Sir Oz Fox (Uncle Oz to us) and we are so blessed to have him on this project with us. Here is a video we did earlier this year for those of you who wonder why we do what we do: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mKI2hciQYI”
* THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY update: Work has begun on our 3rd CD, The Solution, a 5 song EP due out by August, 2018. Track listing and lyrics (to come) very soon. 4 out of the 5 songs are already started. It will precede a live album entitled Crankin’ The Gospel in 2019 or early 2020.
* PASTOR BRAD announces a hard rock Christmas music special: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDF6D1_ZWok
ARTIST COMMENTARY
* From bassist Perry Richardson in regards to joining STRYPER (Facebook - November 2, 2017:
“Hello everyone… just wanted to stop in and say hi, and thank everyone for welcoming me to the family! The band and everyone on their team have made me feel right at home. Love them already! I’ve been reading many of your posts, and I totally understand your concerns about my background and whether or not I’m a Christian. I’m proud to say that I am, and have been since I was a kid. I even sang in a southern gospel quartet until I was 14! Lol
"STRYPER has been a huge influence on me since our first meeting in 1985, and I’m finding it hard to express how honored I am to be a part of family. I hope all of you will give me a chance to prove myself. I’m so excited for the future, and can’t wait to get on the road and meet you guys!”
* From Torbjorn Weinesjo in regards to the legacy of VENI DOMINE (Facebook - October 30, 2017):
“Why not remember 30 years ago or so when we formed this band, you know time moves so fast and there’s so much to be grateful of. ICC studios in Eastbourne, UK. 5 fresh lads from this little country went to record a debut album a few years later. I’d moved from drums to guitars like five/ six years earlier and everything was so exciting and the future held only promises. Did we make it all the way, no not really (depending on how you see things), did we always make the right decisions, no not really. But hey, that’s life and life moves on .Here’s a track from the analog days, 24 tracks, no graphic editing or click track or auto tune or...you pick one. What you hear is what you got live… at that time: www.youtube.com/watch?v=20N9_JsVJ_0"
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BRIDE Accepting Funds To Finance New Album:
As noted by vocalist Dale Thompson (Facebook - October 27, 2017):
“Ever heard of putting your money where your mouth is? Well now is the time. Troy (Thompson - guitars) and I are now accepting funds to finance the new BRIDE CD. He will have a link up soon at www.bridepub.com where you can send your contribution. We are looking for 30 - $100 contributors, but we will accept higher and lower funds as well. If you are ready and anxious to send us finances so we can get this CD up off the ground use our PayPal account: briderocks@gmail.com
“Thank you ahead of time. Let's make this a successful campaign. God Bless”.
Dale offers further detail (Facebook - October 28, 2017):
“I want to thank all of you that have committed to the BRIDE raise funds for one more album. But there are still a few of you who gave the verbal commitment but we have not seen it. Troy and I have done BRIDE for close to 30 years just for you. We are buying new gear and working apart for the very first time this is challenging but very doable. I am so stoked at the songs Troy has given to me to work on. We are truly aiming for this to be the most incredible BRIDE experience for everyone involved.
“As BRIDE reforms for the finale of all finale's we have to rebuild, restructure everything. Buying certain gear, getting our head wrapped around the new songs, feeling out the market and getting to the heart of what we should do and what people need to hear. Thank you for your prayers, financial support and your patience as Troy and I begin writing. I will keep you updated. Don't worry, it will be fantastic!”
BRIDE is even considering signing with a label (Facebook - October 28, 2017):
“BRIDE has been offered a few record contracts this week to return to the arena in which we love. Pray that we are led by the Spirit to the one that we ought to sign with. This is not a game; this is real life; this is life or death for some. We all have our part to play in God's Kingdom and I take nothing for granted. Thank you for your intersession.”
Lyrics have been completed for the new album as well (Facebook - October 2, 2017):
“I have finished all of the lyrics for the new BRIDE CD and Troy has sent me over 20 major riffs. Now we will put this all together and create a monster heavy groove CD with the riffs you want and the brutal vocals you expect. Going to be awesome.”
BRIDE online: www.bridepub.com & www.facebook.com/dalethompsonthewriter
DELIVERANCE Debuts New Single, “The Black Hand”:
Melodic thrash act DELIVERANCE has released a lyric video for the song “The Black Hand”, the debut single from its upcoming eleventh full-length album The Subversive Kind. Look for The Subversive Kind to be released on Roxx Records and 3 Frogz Records in early 2018.
The Subversive Kind is a true return to form for these Christian thrash pioneers, boosting 8 brand new tracks that truly bring the thrash back. Bill Bafford of Roxx Records had this to say about the new partnership, 'We are very excited to once again be partnering with 3 Frogz, vocalist and founding member Jimmy Brown and DELIVERANCE to bring you this awesome new thrash release. The fans that have been requesting a ‘Weapons part 2’ will be ecstatic with this new release and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this new album is the bands Reign In Blood.
Earlier this year the band launched a very successful campaign to help with funding the new album. All contributors to that campaign will be receiving their campaign items this December. Vinyl contributors will be happy to know they will be receiving an exclusive green vinyl version of the album that will not be available to anyone else outside the campaign. Campaigners will get first listen of the brand new album well in advance of the street date.
The Subversive Kind also marks the return of original DELIVERANCE guitarist Glenn Rogers, whom last performed with the group in its 1989 Intense Records self-titled debut. “We are so excited about who has joined the ranks, and is with the ‘Big D’ once again, “states Brown. “Who better to call than the guy that came in (in) 1986 and 1987 and did the Greetings Of Death demo with us and worked with me on the first album. Brought us the likes of (producer) Bill Metoyer, who produced SLAYER, DRI, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SACRED REICH. I’m talking about none other than Glenn Rogers. That’s right- Glenn Rogers is back with DELIVERANCE! We are really, really excited about this!”
Rounding out the DELIVERANCE line up on The Subversive Kind is drummer Jim Chaffin and bassist Victor Macias. Musically, the group is promising a ‘thrash project that will bring back the classic DELIVERANCE sound’.
Brown comments further regarding the musical direction to The Subversive Kind: “We’re going to give you the fan what you’ve been asking for and what you want- the old school thrash days of DELIVERANCE. We are so excited. We’ve been writing great material (and) were getting great tones. It’s going to be crunchy, fast (and) thick. Everything you’ve always loved about DELIVERANCE since the Greetings Of Death days you’re going to get it with this record”.
The Subversive Kind track listing:
1. “Bring ‘Em Down”
2. “Concept Of The Other”
3. “Center Of It All”
4. “The Black Hand”
5.”Epilogue”
6. “Listen Closely”
7. “The Subversive Kind”
8. “The Fold”
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
DELIVERANCE online: www.facebook.com/DeliveranceRocks
LEAH - Vinyl Editions Announced:
Press Release / Vinyl editions of the first three albums from the symphonic metal artist LEAH will be released on December 15th, 2017 through Inner Wound Recordings.
The releases:
* Kings & Queens: 2LP gatefold edition - limited to 300 copies
* Otherworld: LP edition including insert with lyrics - limited to 300 copies
* Of Earth & Angels: LP edition including insert with lyrics - limited to 300 copies
From the rugged coast of British Columbia, Canada, metal songwriter LEAH is turning heads across the globe. Fans describe her as "the metal Enya" and describe her songs as "Loreena McKennitt meets Delain". In a sea of mediocre symphonic metal, LEAH stands out not only with her magnetic twist of Celtic and World influences, but also her well-known ethereal vocals.
Dabbling in worldly Celtic, Middle Eastern, and New-Age flavors, while lyrically laced with epic imagery of dystopias, fallen empires, spiritual warfare, love and destiny, Kings & Queens was received by fans and critics as one of the top symphonic metal albums of the year.
Kings & Queens vinyl pre-order: https://theleahshop.com/collections/vinyl-lps/products/kings-queens-lp-physical
This 5-song Celtic-metal masterpiece from Canadian artist LEAH takes you from the stormy shores of an ancient era... to fantasy landscapes... to the battlefield of love and loss. Cinematic character vocals from metal god Eric Peterson (TESTAMENT/DRAGONLORD) leave you electrified in his wake with an "echo's breath, a romance death!" Otherworld is where the ethereal and the brutal collide.
Otherworld vinyl pre-order: https://theleahshop.com/collections/vinyl-lps/products/otherworld-lp-pre-order
Experience Of Earth & Angels as it takes you through the corridors of castle walls to angelic folklore and beyond.
Of Earth & Angels vinyl pre-order: https://theleahshop.com/collections/vinyl-lps/products/of-earth-angels-lp-pre-order
Inner Wound Recordings online: www.innerwound.com & www.facebook.com/innerwoundrecordings
LEAH online: www.leahmusic.net & www.facebook.com/LEAHthemusic
Michael Sweet On Next STRYPER Album: “It's Very Controversial And Shocking”:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
STRYPER will enter the studio in early November to begin recording its new album for a tentative April 2018 release via Frontiers Music Srl. Frontman Michael Sweet told XS Rock in a new interview about the band's planned follow-up to 2015's Fallen: "Oz (Fox, guitar)and Rob (Sweet, drums) are coming out on Monday and they'll be here for about eleven or twelve days and then we'll go into the studio on the 5th of November. The holidays will slow us a bit, but the plans are to turn the album in by mid-January, so you're going to be looking at an April release, probably. It'll be through Frontiers Records again. We've got a title track already and an album title. It's very controversial and shocking and when people hear it, their heads are going to spin right off of their shoulders."
Sweet also talked about a possible replacement for bassist Tim Gaines, who was recently dismissed from STRYPER due to his allegedly ‘erratic and hostile behavior’. "We do have a guy in mind (for the bassist position) that we're flying out next Monday," Michael said. "We've already talked with him and we're very familiar with him. We're going to jam with him and see how it feels in person. He's a great bass player. He's got a great look, he's a great singer. He's well known and comes from a very successful band and everyone will know who he is. I just can't announce it at this time. The most important thing about him is he's a great guy. And we really need someone who's going to be a team player and just be inspirational and go out there with a smile on their face."
Michael recently revealed that STRYPER was working on a "career-spanning" documentary, which will focus primarily "on the good that STRYPER has done. All the people we have influenced and the lives that have been changed — people who were once drug addicts [and] alcoholics who are now pastors or they really moved on to do great things," he told music writer Joel Gausten. "People in other bands who you might not ever imagine are STRYPER fans. It's going to be really cool, man. We've got it all laid out, and we're going to start work on that really soon. It's going to take us a couple of years to complete, but it's going to be a big deal. It's not going to be just some typical documentary like most. It's going to be really unusual and interesting in a really cool way. I think when people see it, they're going to be completely mind-blown."
STRYPER in 2016 completed a tour celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of its multi-platinum album To Hell With The Devil.
Fallen 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 followed the No. 35-peaking No More Hell To Pay, which was released in 2013.
The full interview can be read at: http://xsrock.com/michael-sweet-talks-xs-rock
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
NEWS BRIEFS
* “Zombies”, new song from GALACTIC COWBOYS off its upcoming album (release date November 17, 2017) Long Way Back To The Moon: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7G1hRWzfTgY
* Guitarist Bill Menchen plans to release a 12 track REV SEVEN compilation entitled Heaven featuring three songs from each of the four REVEN SEVEN albums recorded between 1991-1999. Robert Sweet (STRYPER) handles drums on all tracks. Vocals will be redone on several songs as with some lyrics in addition to a few guitar leads added.
Heaven track listing: “2025”, “Cast Down Crowns”, “Father Of Lights”, “Fire”, “Harms Way”, “Love”, “Power & Authority”, “Sabbath Breaker”, “Sweet And Sour”, “Tell”, “Tomorrow”, “Who Is To Come”
* New lyric video from S91, “Martin Luther”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=65jz54rdf6k
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
BARNABAS Re-issues Announced By Retroactive Records:
Press Release / In honor of the 40th Anniversary of BARNABAS, each of its five albums will be reissued by Retroactive Records in 2017, with the first three, Hear The Light, Find Your Heart A Home and Approaching Light Speed, scheduled for release on November 14, 2017. Retroactive will be re-releasing the group’s final two albums, Feel The Fire and Little Foxes, on December 12, 2017.
The 2017 reissues feature a complete digital re-master by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound guaranteeing each album has never sounded better. These treasured classics will be packaged in a jewel case with a 12-page booklet insert and feature write-ups, band history, band pictures, and lyrics that make sure the album has never looked better! Must-have for fans of AGAPE, RESURRECTION BAND, DANIEL BAND, MOTORHEAD and JERUSALEM!
When BARNABAS embarked on their musical journey with the now critically acclaimed debut release, Hear the Light (1980), there were few bands doing anything like them in the faith community. There was RESURRECTION BAND in Chicago, BILL MASON BAND and ISHMAEL UNITED in the UK and ANDY MCCARROLL & MORAL SUPPORT in Ireland. When Hear The Light came out in 1980, it was truly unique punk-esque with a Christian identity. BARNABAS, in their early formation, had guitarist Monte Cooley, who could write fast numbers with infectious distortion like no other. What placed BARNABAS on top of the rock pile were Nancy Jo Mann’s soaring vocals, backed by a beefy and intricate rhythm section. Songs such as “Savior”, “Directory Assistance”, “B.C.” and “Playin’ For Him” are reckless and melodic, trademarks of the first album. Hear The Light started it all for a band that would go on to have an immeasurable impact on Christian rock and metal.
Hear The Light track listing:
1. “Saviour”
2. “There's A New World Coming”
3. “Directory Assistance”
4. “Little Faith”
5. “He Loves You”
6. “B.C.”
7. “Playin' For Him”
8. “No More Blues”
9. “Father Of Lies (A Song About The Other Guy)”
10. “It's Up To You”
Hear The Light pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21858965-barnabas-hear-the-light-new-cd-2017-retroactive-records-pre-order
On Find Your Heart A Home, the re-mastered sound gives the album a second wind. The guitars and bass get their due place in the recording. This second album finds BARNABAS losing Monte Cooley and gaining two guitarists, Mick Donner and Kris Brauminger, who play quite proficiently. Keyboards become a staple element due to bassist Mann’s love for full arrangements. Find Your Heart A Home has a myriad of rock variation, from the hard rollicking to the blues-infused and even a bit of funkiness.
Drummer Kris Klingensmith shows a growing maturity in his lyrics. From “The Conflict Of Desire”:
Fornicate with millions through the lens of the camera eye
Open wide for children as they stand in the grocery line
Get it on with pictures till the loneliness goes away,
Disbelieving anyone knows…
The holy life eludes us, a mirage upon the sand,
The passions that torment us
We jump at their command
Like the tiny fragrant flower that traps the hungry fly
To set our soul on things below will choke us ‘til we die
“Swordsman” and “Way Of Destruction” are a couple progressive rockers that still sound stellar even after repeated listening. The album ends off with the memorable “Southern Woman”, reminiscent of JEFFERSON STARSHIP at their finest. Find Your Heart A Home is a solid album; consistent yet diversified.
Find Your Heart A Home track listing:
1. “Find Your Heart A Home”
2. “The Conflict Of Desire”
3. “Way To Destruction”
4. “Boogie Tyme”
5. “Swordsman”
6. “Southern Woman”
7. “Star”
Find Your Heart A Home pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21858995-barnabas-find-your-heart-a-home-new-cd-2017-retroactive-records-pre-o
With the 1983’s Approaching Light Speed, BARNABAS released what many still consider to be one of the very best albums in Christian progressive metal. With this release, the band pulled everything together and upped the “wow-factor” to a new level. With the raging guitars of “No Freedom” launching the album to new heights, the album continued to progress and show artistic growth and maturity in astounding ways. Combine that with cutting-edge lyrics, spacey keyboards interlaced throughout, and textured guitars building to new sonic extremes, and metal heads everywhere were hooked. The recording and the mix of the album also went to new levels, allowing the depth of the music and songs to shine. Each instrument can be heard perfectly, and Nancy Jo’s vocals penetrate the soul. Did we mention the guitars? They are LOUD! They are METAL. And, from this point on, they would define the BARNABAS sound.
Any band is lucky to make one album that is truly elite. When I say "elite," I don’t just mean great songs and great execution. What I mean by "elite" is that this album is something that strikes a chord deep within the souls of many people... that steals the hearts of fans in sweeping fashion... that adds up to much, much more than the sum of it’s parts... something that is truly transcendent. With Approaching Light Speed, BARNABAS nailed it. They nailed it with an album that is just as musically, lyrically, and spiritually transcendent in 2017 as it was in 1983. And, let’s get one thing clear: there was NOTHING like this album in Christian music in 1983! The good news at the time was that fans were ready. They were ready for something quality, something authentic, something real. And, with this release BARNABAS did what they did on every single album - they wore their hearts of love for God and people on their sleeves. Their new record label, Light Records, encouraged the band to “tone it down a little bit.” Thank God BARNABAS chose to be more radical than ever. Their courage and conviction would go on to help them achieve critical acclaim and widespread popularity amongst a growing population of people who needed exactly what they were offering.
Approaching Light Speed track listing:
1. “No Freedom”
2. “Stormclouds”
3. “If Love Brings Love”
4. “Waiting For The Aliens”
5. “Warrior”
6. “Never Felt Better”
7. “Subterfuge”
8. “Crucifixion”
Approaching Light Speed pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21858725-barnabas-approaching-light-speed-new-cd-2017-retroactive-records-pre
FEATURED REVIEWS
DELIVERANCE - Weapons Of Our Warfare (Bombworks Records re-issue)
Another album that has gained a well-deserved iconic reputation within speed metal and melodic thrash circles is 1990 Intense Records Deliverance sophomore album Weapons Of Our Warfare. Read Full Review >>
DISCIPLES OF GOD - Unleashed
Wiki defines a ‘super group’ as ‘a music group whose members are already successful as solo artists or as part of other groups or well known in other musical professions’. Furthermore, ‘Super groups are sometimes formed as side projects and thus not intended to be permanent, while other times can become the primary project of the members' careers’. Read Full Review >>
HOLY SOLDIER - Last Train (Roxx Records re-issue)
I hesitate to describe Last Train, the Holy Soldier Myrrh Records sophomore release from 1992, as a ‘step down’, but in a sense it is, at least in light of the brilliance to the groups iconic (95% Angelic Warlord graded) 1990 self-titled debut full length. Read Full Review >>
GUARDIAN - Fire & Love (Retroactive re-issue)
Another example of an album in which ‘all the stars align’ - again, the type deemed as career defining and that fans come to identify a band - is Guardian 1990 Pakaderm Records sophomore release Fire & Love. Read Full Review >>
JACOBS DREAM - Sea Of Destiny
With newcomer Wright on board, however, Sea Of Destiny finds Jacobs Dream has returned to the power metal laced with progressive elements of its first two albums. Read Full Review >>
MINIER - Minier (Retroactive re-issue)
Minier recorded the EP on a budget of just $400 over a two-day period, but when he ran out of funds, decided to forgo recording bass tracks, figuring if Metallica could produce an album without bass (referring its 1988 release …And Justice For All) then so could he! Read Full Review >>
NOZANOPRA - Peace In Our Hearts
Of all the surprises at Angelic Warlord this year, the summer of 2017 full-length debut of guitarist Thobias Wiklund’s Nozanopra project, Peace In Our Hearts, ranks at the very top. Read Full Review >>
XALT - Dark War (Retroactive Records re-issue)
Xalt came roaring out of the late eighties Christian metal underground following the commercial success of Stryper in joining a host of other ‘white metal’ bands both signed (Barren Cross, Guardian, Bloodgood & Whitecross) and unsigned (Soldier, Paradox, Apostle & Revelation). Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
FEAR NOT - 25th Anniversary Vinyl & CD Pre-orders Now Up:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to announce our next Limited Edition reissue of the much sought after self-titled debut release from US rockers FEAR NOT!
That’s right one of the long, lost out of print titles that has never seen a proper reissue, original CD copies are very scarce to find these days, if you can find one at all! But even better this will be the first time this title has ever been released on vinyl!
We are just getting started though, the music for this reissue has been completely re-mastered for vinyl and for a special CD pressing by our very own Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound). So join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of FEAR NOT with this very cool limited edition reissue.
FEAR NOT the self-titled album will be issued on vinyl for the very first time with a special run of only 300 copies, featuring 100 copies on purple vinyl and 200 on black vinyl. It will feature all 10 of the original tracks as they originally appeared on the CD. Also we will be pressing 500 copies on limited edition CD featuring all 10 original tracks and 2 brand new previously unreleased tracks on CD!
Release date is scheduled for December 15, 2017, just in time for the Holiday season.
Fear Not track listing:
1. “Give It Up”
2. “We Have A God”
3. “Mr. Compromise”
4. “Till The End Of My Days”
5. “Suicide Sunshine”
6. “Money, Money”
7. “Easy Come Easy Go”
8. “There Is Love”
9. “Mad World”
10. “Take Hold”
11. You Got Love (CD Bonus Track)*
12. “Love Is Alright” (CD Bonus Track)**
* Previously released digital only on the LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE EP Life Songs
** Previously unreleased track recorded for this 25th anniversary release
Fear Not purple vinyl pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/21900128-fear-not-fear-not-purple-lp-2017
Fear Not black vinyl pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/21900176-fear-not-fear-not-black-lp-2017
Fear Not CD pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/21900194-fear-not-fear-not-cd-2017
Roxx Records Announce 25th Anniversary Reissue Of Sophomore RANSOM Album, Soul Asylum:
Release Date: November 24, 2017
Press Release / Classic Christian rockers RANSOM are up next to receive a very special Limited Edition re-master and reissue from Roxx Records as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the bands second and final album Soul Asylum.
RANSOM burst on to the Christian music scene in 1990 featuring the fiery female fronted vocals of Lisa Faxon, the amazing guitar work of Tony Ortiz and the beautiful bass sounds of Michael Preciado as its core members. In a male dominated world of hard rock and metal bands, Lisa would rise above bringing the polished vocal sounds of RANSOM to the forefront of the Christian rock world throughout the early 90’s.
Releasing their self-titled debut album in 1991 on Intense Records, the band was ready to take the Christian rock world by storm. Hot on the heels of this critically acclaimed release, the band began working immediately on their sophomore follow up album. In 1992 the band would release Soul Asylum, again receiving accolades and critical acclaim throughout the industry. Alas, the turn of the hard rock and metal community was upon them with grunge starting to overturn the hard rock world in the early 90’s and this would ultimately be the final release from RANSOM.
Soul Asylum was a masterpiece of an album being produced by Lanny Cordola , who also played on several tracks and handled some of the writing duties, as well as a very special guest appearance from Oz Fox of STRYPER. The original pressing of this album has been long out of print and tough to find for fans. Copies of the original CD are scarce and the album is definitely in need of a re-master to bring it up to today’s standards and volume levels.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Soul Asylum, and Roxx Records is set to help breath some new life in to this very special hard rock release. Soul Asylum has been completely re-mastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks) and the artwork and layout has been updated and refined by Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal).
This very special re-master will be extremely limited to only 300 pieces on the CD format only. Each CD will come with a special hand numbered CD insert, packaged in a jewel case with an 8-page booklet with lyrics and some special liner notes from RANSOM bassist Michael Preciado. Lower numbers will be issued based on time of purchase and pre orders are available now. As this is a truly small run of CD’s it will ONLY be available through Roxx Records direct outlets and a very small handful of retail partners depending on remaining quantities after presale. Pre orders are up and live now.
Soul Asylum track listing:
1. “Soul Hymn”
2. “Exit (Euthanasia)”
3. “Windows Of My Heart”
4. “The Lies”
5. “Prayer Asylum”
6. “Only The Just Let Go”
7. “Not That Kind Of Girl”
8. “Watching Over Me”
9. “Higher Ground”
10. “Sister Blue”
Soul Asylum pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/21893201-ransom-soul-asylum-25th-anniversary
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
New Album From XT, Saved By The Blood:
Release Date: October 20, 2017
Guitarist Björn Stigsson (LEVITICUS) and vocalist Sonny Larsson (MOTHERLODE) founded XT in 1991 and released the melodic hard rock of its self-titled debut the following year. In 1993, XT put out its sophomore effort Taxfree, an album featuring the heavier sound albeit without sacrificing melody. The Taxfree song “The Silent Cry” was awarded the most powerful song of the year by Aftonbladet, Sweden’s biggest evening newspaper with 3.5 million readers. XT’s third and final album Extended Empire saw release in 1995 with the band choosing an even heavier and more experimental sound. By the end of 1995, XT made their last performance and have not been active for the last 22 years.
All three XT albums were released worldwide and sold very well, especially in Japan.
In the spring of 2017 XT announced its comeback, which resulted in its Talking Music October of 2017 fourth full length album entitled Save By The Blood. An album with a heavy sound and powerful melodies, it includes the single “I Will Follow You” that came out in September and which the band recorded a video (below). Saved By The Blood will be released on both CD and vinyl.
In addition to Stigsson and Larsson, the current XT line up includes bassist Peter Carlsohn (JERUSALEM), keyboardist Dan Tibell (JERUSALEM) and drummer Mick Nordström (MODEST ATTRACTION).
Talking Music online: www.talkingmusic.se & www.facebook.com/talkingmusic
NEWS BRIEFS
* Further commentary from vocalist Dale Thompson regarding the possibility of a new BRIDE album (Facebook - October 19, 2017):
“Here is an update on discussions between Troy (Thompson – guitars) and I about another BRIDE CD. We have both agreed that we would love to write and record a very heavy ‘Snakes Part 2’, but the cost of doing so is high. In the past, we have used Kickstarter and fan financed ways of financially making records, but they have been disasters and failures as far as revenue.
“Realistically we would need at the very least 30 people to contribute $100 each to the project to make it happen. All that would do is pay for the studio and engineering and such. Our time and effort would be free.
“Troy has played me some of the many, many dozens of songs he has worked on for the past 4 years and ‘Snakes 2’ is there to be recorded. Because of the financial beatings we have taken on the last three BRIDE CDs, both Troy and I agree that we would have to have firm commitments and solid financial support to put a new project together.”
* Update from vocalist Michael Sweet regarding upcoming STRYPER album (Facebook - October 20, 2017):
“The new STRYPER album is complete! It's incredibly powerful and a perfect follow up to Fallen! These songs are going to absolutely rock live! Rob (Sweet - drums), Oz (Fox - guitars) and I will be taking you on a journey throughout the recording process. We start preproduction on 10/23 and we start recording on 11/5.
“We're going into this believing it's going to be our best recording to date with a powerful message and music that will move mountains. We've been through a lot and we have faced many obstacles throughout our 35 years and we will stand strong through it all. No matter what is done, said or speculated, we will prevail. How?
“God is in control! He always has been and always will be, despite our weaknesses and faults. You can't stop God. You can't manipulate God. You can't change or alter Gods plans. There is a plan and a calling for STRYPER and we'll answer to that on this album just as we have on every album.
“Thank you all for supporting us and standing by our side. We wouldn't be here without you. The future is going to be incredible and we can't wait to experience it with you.”
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
PHILADELPHIA Announce Multiple New Releases & A Very Special Contest:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to announce a multi album release project where we will be reissuing some very cool limited edition releases from the catalog of classic Christian rockers PHILADELPHIA!
2018 will see several very cool pieces come back to life featuring all new re-masters and revised artwork on vinyl and CD of the classic second album from PHILADELPHIA entitled Search And Destroy as well as a very special pressing on vinyl of the bands most recent album Warlord!
Search And Destroy was originally released in 1985 on vinyl and cassette only, and eventually on CD for the first time in 2000 with a Limited Edition pressing on M8 records. Those original tracks will be re-mastered from the original source and reissued on a limited edition full vinyl pressing of 500 pieces along with a special re-mastered CD edition of only 500 pieces, containing all of the original tracks just as they appeared in 1985.
Roxx is going to do something very special with the cover art for Search And Destroy as we are going to recruit all of you artists out there to assist us with this one. We want YOU to take that original album cover which we have stripped down to bare bones and color it and add to it and bring new life in to that original artwork! The band and the label will judge all of the entries and select a winner. The winner will be given a VERY nice vinyl and CD special prize package that you will not be disappointed with.
Those wanting to enter the contest must email bill@roxxproductions.com to receive the file and begin working on it. This contest will run until December 15, 2017 and the winning entry will be announced before year end as we start to work on the packages for a 2018 release date.
If that is not enough for you we will also be pressing a special run of only 150 copies of the latest album Warlord on vinyl as a part of the Roxx Records hand numbered Underground Series. This will be a very limited run also coming out in 2018 you won’t want to miss out on this one either!
So stay tuned into 2018 as we celebrate PHILADELPHIA and revisit the music and legacy of a band that would make an incredible impact on the Christian music world!
Be sure and sign up on our email list to stay up to date on all the releases and pre order information first by visiting www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777.
PHILADELPHIA online: www.phillymusic.us & www.facebook.com/PhiladelphiaMetal
Kivel Records Announce Debut Album From ROMEO RIOT, Sing It Out:
Disclaimer: For those who like faith-based bands, ROMEO RIOT is a band with Christians in it, not a Christian band (just like another Kivel Records artist ADRIANGALE with lead vocalist Jamie Rowe of GUARDIAN).
Hard hitting arena rock. The album BON JOVI never made! Think NIGHT RANGER, Slippery… era BON JOVI with a wall of guitars and vocals. This is a 10-song album that is begging to be played on a big stage or cranked in your stereo, car or iPod. ROMEO RIOTis a band of now bringing back the sound of then with the production of today. Best of both worlds. Most importantly, this is a FUN record that will put a smile on your face and want you to hit repeat as the last chord rings out.
Who is this band? Well this is what their label has to say: “What sort of fun happenstance did we just have land at our feet? Well, forgive us for using such a term, but Kivel Records now has its own super group. NO, we do not mean this with arrogance or to appear boastful with a laundry list of a who's who of platinum selling musicians. What we mean is, to "us", this is OUR Super group. This is our A-Team! These are our All-Stars, this is our own DAMN YANKEES! Five Musicians that have contributed to the last 5 years of our success. Now all together working as one unit, and as one band. They have all produced, written, and released some of the best records in Kivel Records two decade history. So it is time we let them throw a party of their own.
Sing It Out is scheduled to be released on October 16, 2017.
ROMEO RIOT line up:
Mark Giovi - Lead Vocals (ex HIGH GEAR)
Scott Miller - Guitars (TANGO DOWN)
Erik Johnson - Guitars and Vocals (BOMBAY BLACK)
Jace Pawlak – Keyboards and Vocals
Ty Sims - Bass (BOMBAY BLACK)
Sing It Out track listing:
1. “Room To Run”
2. “Streets Of Babylon”
3. “Sing It Loud”
4. “Twist Of Fate”
5. “What If We Were Wrong”
6. “Same”
7. “Cry”
8. “I Want To Try”
9. “Every Now And Then”
10. “Best Nights of our Lives”
Kivel Records online: www.kivelrecords.com & www.facebook.com/Kivelrecords
Sing It Out pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21811205-romeo-riot-sing-it-loud-new-cd-2017-kivel-records
WITHIN SILENCE - “Children Of The Light” Music Video Released:
Press Release / Slovakian melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE has released a music video for the song "Children Of The Light", the second single from its upcoming sophomore album Return From The Shadows. Return From The Shadows is scheduled to be released on October 27th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Return From The Shadows represents the perfect follow up to the groups 2015 Ulterium debut Gallery Of Life as it feels like a more mature and focused album. The same impressive songwriting and melodies are still present, and together with heavy riffs, symphonic arrangements and epic parts, the result is a real strong album!
The album was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex. HELLOWEEN), while artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
WITHIN SILENCE has created the perfect album for fans of THEOCRACY, SONATA ARCTICA and STRATOVARIUS!
Link to the music video of the first single from the album, "Heroes Must Return": www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6RQQWS0t5U
Return From The Shadows track listing:
1. “We Are The Ones”
2. “Heroes Must Return”
3. “Children Of Light”
4. “Calling From The Other Side”
5. “In the Darkness”
6. “The Final Victory”
7. “You & I”
8. “Master”
9. “Return From The Shadows”
WITHIN SILENCE tour dates:
Nov 03: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, NL
Mar 24: Lindenkeller (with BRAINSTORM & SIGNUM REGIS) - Freising, DE
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WITHIN SILENCE online: www.within-silence.com & www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband
NEWS BRIEFS
* “GLORIAM DEI - Rhythm guitar practice for new album Midnight Sun: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFpQ32cSRUc
* Joshua Perahia - “It Must Be Love” (Mopar Tribute): www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qEs1EAbnPQ
*The track "A Call To Arms" from the latest THEOCRACY album Ghost Ship is now available for streaming at YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQaK6WyO504
ARTIST COMMENTARY
* From vocalist Dale Thompson regarding the possibility of a new BRIDE album (Facebook - 10/14/17):
“Troy (Thompson - guitarist) confided in me that he has written many songs in my absence. However, when we weigh the cost of doing another BRIDE CD with estimated CD sales it makes no sense in actually recording these new songs. On the other hand, if we felt there was a real demand for another BRIDE CD, Troy may be convinced of one more venture. I think what many people believe is this: "if a band wants to write and record a CD they just do it." The reality is a CD is timely, costly and there is a lot of sacrifice involved in the creation of such a piece of art.
“Deep down BRIDE never wanted to go away; nevertheless, BRIDE had to say goodbye because the audience just stopped supporting the work. Some might say they stopped supporting the work because they no longer felt that BRIDE was putting out the quality music that (it) produced in past years. I will not argue that point, but what I will argue is, Troy nor I have ever lost the enthusiasm, (or) the desire to create music for the Kingdom. Today when I go into a department store, an elevator and such I do not hear music, I hear a thin, dumb downed version of what music was. The art has been replaced by the formula, and the raw sound has been replaced by the machine”.
* From vocalist/guitarist Michael Sweet regarding the upcoming SWEET & LYNCH album, Unified (Facebook - 10/14/17):
“It's very interesting to hear from people that SWEET & LYNCH sounds like a MS project or even a STRYPER project. I'm scratching my head on that one. George (Lynch – guitarist) wrote ALL the music on this new album. I wrote the melodies and lyrics and produced it but again, he wrote ALL the music.
“Unless George is secretly a closet STRYPER fan and purposely writing songs that sound like STRYPER (insert extreme sarcasm here), I'm just getting it. Of course, with me singing and writing the melodies then to some degree it's going to take on a bit of the MS/STRYPER thing but I gotta laugh when I read comments like "it's just another MS solo album" and "it sounds just like STRYPER". I'm not to blame this time around”.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Retroactive Records to Rerelease All Five BARNABAS Albums In 2017:
Discography:
Hear The Light (1980 Tunesmith / Light Records)
Find Your Heart A Home (1982 Tunesmith / Light Records)
Approaching Light Speed (1983 Light Records)
Feel The Fire (1984 Light Records)
Little Foxes (1986 Light Records)
About The Band:
BARNABAS started when bass player Gary Mann and guitarist Monte Cooley hooked up in Santa Monica, CA, in 1977. The two formed the band later the same year, with the lineup eventually including Nancy Jo Mann (vocals) and Kris Klingensmith (drums). "I was living east of L.A.," remembers Klingensmith, "and I had put an ad in a local rag called The Recycler. Musicians use it to find gigs and sell equipment. Monte found my ad looking for other players, and he invited me to come audition for BARNABAS."
BARNABAS quickly got things organized and recorded a demo tape featuring the song "Directory Assistance" with "Nicodemus" on the B-side. "We shopped these demos around," Klingensmith says. "Everyone rejected them because it was too ridiculous, too outlandish to everyone except for a small Canadian label called Tunesmith, a part of Praise (Industries)."
The band's first album, Hear the Light, was released in 1980. On the advice of fellow rock artists SERVANT and its Highway Missionary Society, BARNABAS hightailed it out of L.A. in 1981. After a few weeks of living in the Jesus People, USA community in Chicago, the band set up shop in Schaumburg, Illinois. "The move was prompted so we would be more accessible to tour," says Nancy Jo. It was the first of many moves for this transient pack of musicians.
Founding member Cooley left the band and was replaced by guitarists Mick Donner and Kris Brauninger for sophomore effort Find Your Heart A Home, which found BARNABAS living in Des Moines, Iowa. On the next album, 1983's Approaching Light Speed on Light Records, the band replaced Donner and Brauninger with guitarist Brian Belew, forming the line-up most people envision as Barnabas. The Manns, Klingensmith and Belew created 1984's Feel the Fire and then moved to Edmond, OK where the members would go on to release their final album, Little Foxes, in 1986.
Though plagued by constant change in location or personnel, BARNABAS richly contributed to Christian music's emerging diverse landscape. "There really wasn't a whole lot of that type of smash mouth music going on," Klingensmith says, "particularly when Monte formed the band with Gary back in L.A. It was all sort of Chuck Girard (acoustic) sounding. (Our sound) was new, and it bothered a lot of people. The stage presence overwhelmed them. We had our share of detractors, that's for sure."
Celebrating 40 Years of BARNABAS:
Two core values at Retroactive Records are to support and celebrate the bands and to release the best quality product possible! With Christian metal legends BARNABAS, we were never convinced the past CD reissues reflected those two core values. In 2017, we cherish the opportunity to work with band vocalist Nancy Jo Mann and make things right for the band and their many fans across the world!
The impact of BARNABAS cannot be minimized. Starting in 1977 and disbanding in 1987, BARNABAS went through more changes and challenges in ten years than most experience in a lifetime. It was a love for God, the music, and a deeply compassionate heart for hurting people who needed to know someone cared that drove this pioneering band to be a cutting-edge voice for love, for God, and for justice!
More progressive musically than RESURRECTION BAND, and MUCH harder edged than SERVANT, BARNABAS embarked on a tremendous journey worthy of a Christian Metal Hall of Fame induction. One of the most popular Christian Metal bands of the late 80’s/early 90’s confided in BARNABAS that their founder’s introduction to Christian music was BARNABAS, and BARNABAS inspired him to start their band.
The BARNABAS ministry lives on long after they stopped playing concerts. The ministry lives on through the members and through the fans who put faith into action, just like BARNABAS did for ten critical years. That’s why Retroactive Records is honored to celebrate 40 years of Barnabas in 2017, culminating with all five albums being re-mastered (with the greatest of care by Rob Colwell at Bombworks Sound) and reissued on CD this year. All albums will be re-mastered from virgin sealed vinyl or cassette because all master tapes have been destroyed and are unavailable. All releases will be packaged in jewel cases with 12-page booklet inserts. These are must-have reissues for all Christian metal fans! For fans of AGAPE, JERUSALEM, DANIEL BAND and RESURRECTION BAND.
First BARNABAS Release Schedule and Pre-Order Incentive:
Tuesday November 14th is the worldwide release date for:
1. Hear The Light
2. Find Your Heart A Home
3. Approaching Light Speed
***Anyone that PRE-ORDERS all three albums will receive a FREE autographed (by at least Nancy Jo Mann) 8x10 of the band. The band picture comes from the liner notes of Feel the Fire.
Second Barnabas Release Schedule and Pre-Order Incentive:
Tuesday December 12th is the worldwide release date for:
1. Feel The Fire
2. Little Foxes
***And, anyone who PRE-ORDERS both albums will receive a FREE 5x5 sticker of Feel the Fire…
Sign up for news and pre-order information (coming soon) at the official Retroactive Records store at: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com
BIOGENESIS Drops New Promo Video For "Land Of Confusion":
Press Release / Dayton, Ohio based ‘hybrid metal’ band BIOGENESIS has released as the third single off its critically acclaimed third album A Decadence Divine a cover of the classic GENESIS song “Land Of Confusion”. The single has been serviced to radio and is doing well, currently holding the #2 spot on the LOUD chart for internet radio. Request the new single at your local Christian and Rock radio stations.
A Decadence Divine saw release via Roxx Records on May 26, 2017.
Having gotten its start in 1996, BIOGENESIS has created a metal style almost all their own. While very hard to categorize, a good description of BIOGENESIS might be a mix of thrash/death/power/progressive/Goth and aggressive nu-metal. As far as a band comparison, it’s probably what you would get if you mixed DELIVERANCE, MEGADETH, SAVIOUR MACHINE and threw in some DREAM THEATER and maybe a little DISTURBED.
This is technically only the bands third full length original release, starting with The Mark Bleeds Through (2001 Rowe Productions) followed up 11 years later with The Rise, The Fall, The Rebirth (2012 Soundmass). Also, two years later a re-mastered and expanded edition of their first album would be released entitled The Mark Bleeds Through: First Blood (2014 Soundmass)
A Decadence Divine features almost a completely brand new and youthful line up, hosting an improved sound both musically, lyrically and sonically. BIOGENESIS is ready to take the metal world by storm with this brand new Rebirth! This release also boasts brand new apocalyptic cover artwork that was designed by graphic designer Tim Murray, and helping make A Decadence Divine a must have metal release for 2017.
A Decadence Divine track listing:
1. “Prelude (Nocturnal Images)”
2. “A Decadence Divine”
3. “Inside The Beast”
4. “Bet Your Soul”
5. “As Empires Fall”
6. “Lines In The Sand”
7. “The Pain You Left Behind”
8. “Tears Of God”
9. “Land Of Confusion”
10. “In the Darkness I Dwell”
11. “Brood Of Vipers”
12. “Silence” (CD bonus track)
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
BIOGENESIS online: www.facebook.com/BiogenesisProgressiveMetal
WARLORD Signs With Frontiers Music SRL; New Album Due In 2018:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the signing of legendary U.S. epic metal act WARLORD for the release of a new studio album in 2018.
Long admirers of the band and having gotten to know drummer Mark Zonder through his work with GRAHAM BONNET BAND and the upcoming group SPIRITS OF FIRE (which also features Tim "Ripper" Owens, Chris Caffery and Steve DiGiorgio), Frontiers approached Zonder about the prospect of doing a new WARLORD disc. Luckily for the label, Zonder and co-founder/guitarist William J. Tsamis were very much open to the idea.
Says Zonder: "After all of these years, WARLORD is with a 'real label. It will be great to have WARLORD music shared with a worldwide audience, which is something that has been missing for many years. With my prior working experiences with Frontiers, I know WARLORD is in the right place and I am very appreciative of this great opportunity. We thank everyone at the label for their belief in WARLORD!"
In September 2013, Tsamis and Zonder announced that they had tapped vocalist Nicholas Leptos of ARRAYAN PATH and ASTRONOMIKON to be the new WARLORD singer. This lineup, along with bassist Philip Bynoe, will be featured on the upcoming album.
Zonder says: "This WARLORD release will be like all of the previous ones- 100% WARLORD. No changing of direction to keep up with the current fad, just good ol'-school WARLORD music. Maybe leaning back a touch to the early days and we promise a high-energy album that features the classic Bill Tsamis compositions and his classic guitar melody lines. As I always try to do, I'll give it my all in tandem with my favorite bass player Philip Bynoe, working together to create a solid foundation.
"This will be the first studio recording with Nicholas Leptos on vocals. We have performed live with him several times and are eagerly awaiting to capture his dynamic performances on tape. A classic WARLORD album in the making…"
Founded in 1980 by guitarist/composer William J. Tsamis and drummer/percussionist Mark Zonder, WARLORD is considered a pioneer in power metal thanks to their now classic 1983 six-song EP, "Deliver Us". Kerrang!, Sounds, Burrn! and Music Connection all featured the band and praised the release thanks to their outside the norm, semi-progressive style that was inspired by such diverse acts as RAINBOW, SCORPIONS and JETHRO TULL. Adding further intrigue to the WARLORD mystique was the band members' use of pseudonyms such as Destroyer (Tsamis), Thunderchild (Zonder), Damien King (vocalist Jack Rucker) and Sentinel (keyboardist Diane Kornarens). The band also refused to become just another L.A. club act and opted to present themselves on a grander scale. They famously rented The Raymond Theater out to stage what would turn out to be the only WARLORD live performance in the USA, prior to August 2013. It was filmed and recorded for the group's first full-length release, And The Cannons Of Destruction Have Begun..." , issued in October 1984, accompanied by a home video release of the same name.
While the band disbanded in 1986, they amassed a cult-like following in Europe despite their inactivity. This was largely due to rave reviews in metal the press, continuous airplay, and the circulation of many demos via "tape trading," as well as positive word-of-mouth promotion among metal fans. With the onset of the Internet, the music of WARLORD spread worldwide and thus helped secure WARLORD a place in the history of heavy metal as one of the great metal forefathers of the ‘80s.
After the band dissolved, Zonder joined prog metal pioneers FATES WARNING and went on to release numerous albums with them as well as others thanks to his skills then and now being in high demand. It was during one of FATES WARNING's European tours that Zonder realized that WARLORD's following had grown considerably with multiple fans asking him to sign WARLORD albums and demanding new music from the band. Zonder contacted Tsamis and, as soon as schedules permitted, WARLORD was once again an active band. Vocal duties were assigned to HAMMERFALL vocalist (and massive WARLORD fan) Joacim Cans. Thus, in 2002, a new album, Rising Out Of The Ashes, was recorded and released worldwide to rave reviews. This was followed by the first ever WARLORD live performance in Europe at the prestigious Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.
A string of mishaps and serious family health issues plagued WARLORD after these performances and the band was once again put on a hiatus, which lasted for almost nine years. WARLORD returned to active status formally in March 2012. Vocal duties would be handled by one of the original '80s WARLORD singers, Rick Anderson, and Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai, RING OF FIRE) joined the band on bass. That lineup released The Holy Empire to much critical and fan acclaim. In the meantime, mounting pressure by promoters and fans bore fruit and WARLORD announced that they would headline the April 2013 German Keep It True XVI festival. This announcement was followed by two headlining dates in Greece - Thessaloniki and Athens - which sold out, thus leading to a second headlining show in Athens which sold out as well.
Frontiers Music SLR online: www.frontiers.it & www.facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl
WARLORD online: www.facebook.com/OfficialWarlord
NEWS BRIEFS
* New lyric video from PASTOR BRAD, “Crush”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=24BigYClKp4
The song comes off the artist’s summer of 2017 album of the same title.
* “I Will Follow You”, official video from XT off the upcoming album “Saved By The Blood” (release date October 20, 2017): www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GFGGGHyYaI
XT consists of guitarist Björn Stigsson (LEVITICUS), vocalist Sonny Larsson (MOTHERLODE) bassist Peter Carlsohn (JERUSALEM), keyboardist Dan Tibell (JERUSALEM) and drummer Mick Nordström (MODEST ATTRACTION).
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Thrash Outfit DELIVERANCE Sign With Roxx Records:
Press Release / DELIVERANCE are pleased to announce they have officially signed with Roxx Records and 3 Frogz Records to officially release their brand new album, The Subversive Kind.
Earlier this year the band launched a very successful campaign to help with funding the new album. All contributors to that campaign will be receiving their campaign items this December. Vinyl contributors will be happy to know they will be receiving an exclusive green vinyl version of the album that will not be available to anyone else outside the campaign. Campaigners will get first listen of the brand new album well in advance of the street date.
The Subversive Kind is a true return to form for these Christian thrash pioneers, boosting 8 brand new tracks that truly bring the thrash back. Bill Bafford of Roxx Records had this to say about the new partnership, 'We are very excited to once again be partnering with 3 Frogz, Jimmy Brown and DELIVERANCE to bring you this awesome new thrash release. The fans that have been requesting a ‘Weapons part 2’ will be ecstatic with this new release and I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this new album is the bands Reign In Blood.
Stay tuned as we prepare to bring you The Subversive Kind in early 2018.
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
DELIVERANCE online: www.facebook.com/DeliveranceRocks
GALACTIC COWBOYS Return With Comeback Album, Long Way Back To The Moon:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group has announced the signing of '90s progressive metal adventurers GALACTIC COWBOYS. The band's reunited original lineup - lead vocalist Ben Huggins, drummer/vocalist Alan Doss, guitarist/vocalist Dane Sonnier and vocalist/bassist Monty Colvin - will release its first album in seventeen years, Long Way Back To The Moon, on November 17. They descended upon Doss's studio in Houston, Texas in early 2016 to write and record.
A video for the track "Internal Masquerade" can be seen above.
GALACTIC COWBOYS has always been a musical enigma. Hailing from Houston, Texas, the band combined melodic thrash, progressive metal, and BEATLES-esque harmonies into a genre of its own creation. Blending these considerable musical chops with a quirky sense of humor, the band quickly distinguished itself from anyone else in the world, garnering fans amongst some of music's biggest stars. Their first time around, though, they were the right band at exactly the wrong time. On this outing, they shoot for the moon again, and celebrate the journey back.
The COWBOYS' most notable fan base became other musicians - an exclusive club that included other 1990s musical misanthropes such as JELLYFISH, KING'S X and Kevin Gilbert. Reflecting both the musicality and diversity of the band, GALACTIC COWBOYS toured with two hard rock/metal legends, ANTHRAX and DREAM THEATER.
Said former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy: "The GALACTIC COWBOYS were (and still are) one of my favorite bands to emerge from the '90s. Great songwriting, killer players and euphoric harmonies. They were always criminally underrated and overlooked, which led to their premature demise in 2000. My last seventeen years have had a hole in my musical palate without them and I couldn't be happier at the announcement of their return! Welcome back boys... I missed you!"
The eleven new tracks (and two bonus tracks) included on Long Way Back To The Moon harken back to the COWBOYS' iconic songs, but are infused with a contemporary hard rock sound. In the tradition of ALAN PARSONS PROJECT, Steven Wilson and PERIPHERY, the album is completely organic: engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by the band - even all the artwork. One trapping of contemporary production set aside by the band was an over-reliance on studio trickery - no Pro Tools, drum triggers or even vocal tuning. Just real music by real musicians.
The album's sound is alternately heavy, whimsical, charging, and crunching, combining inescapable atmosphere with the drive of a band on a mission. Old fans will feel at home, but hard rock fans who have never heard GALACTIC COWBOYS before will also be instantly hooked. As with all GALACTIC COWBOYS albums, the songs are emotional in topic, and often including a large dose of ironic humor. Each song is performed, sung, and written with intense passion.
Said Colvin: "It was an absolute pleasure getting back together with the guys to record this album. I think we've all grown as musicians and as people since we first got together in '89, and I think our fans will really love this new stuff."
The song "Zombies" is a tongue-in-cheek study on finding love on the last day of human existence, blended with social commentary regarding modern society's obsession with its electronic screens. Timely topics continue with "Next Joke": from kids' sports in which everyone gets a trophy to Disney telling kids to wish upon a star and all their dreams will come true, our unrealistic expectations have set us all up for failure: the joke is on us. "Internal Masquerade", the album’s first single, examines the turmoil endemic to the human experience and the difficulties in keeping self-generated darkness at bay, themes revisited in darker "Blood In My Eyes".
A special treat for fans both old and new is "In The Clouds", the album’s leadoff track and also the first GALACTIC COWBOYS song ever written. Penned in 1989 by Doss and Colvin after the demise of their previous outfit, THE AWFUL TRUTH, the song explores leaving the banal confines of this world behind and ascending to a higher plane of existence. It's also the song Huggins sang to earn his spot in the band!
Said Sonnier: "We can't wait for everyone to hear this, and it's great to be back. Back from the Ranch on Mars and onward to the moon."
Long Way To The Moon track listing:
1. ““In The Clouds””
2. “Internal Masquerade””
3. ““Blood In My Eyes””
4. ““Next Joke””
5. ““Zombies””
6. ““Drama””
7. ““Amisarewas””
8. ““Hate Me””
9. ““Losing Ourselves””
10. ““Agenda””
11. “Long Way Back To The Moon””
12. “Believing The Hype” (bonus track)
13. “Say Goodbye To Utopia” (bonus track)
Mascot Label Group online: www.mascotlabelgroup.com & www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
GALACTIC COWBOYS online: www.galacticcowboys.com & www.facebook.com/galacticcowboys
Retroactive Records Announce KILLED BY CAIN Self-Titled Vinyl Release & CD Re-issue:
Release date is November 21, 2017:
Press Release / Louisville, KY based KILLED BY CAIN started out as the infamous 80’s classic metal band, Whiteray that released 4 highly sought after demos! By 1993 the group had signed with R.E.X. Records and changed their name to KILLED BY CAIN. Featuring a much more aggressive metal sound with distinctive METALLICA meets G’N R-styled vocals and killer heavy metal more in line with the thrashing grooves of 90’s MEGADETH. Listen for the album’s producer Dale Thompson's (BRIDE, THE WORLD WILL BURN) signature screams in “Sin City”, and “Introduction to Hypocrisy”. Bassist Steve Curtsinger went on to play on several BRIDE albums as well as releasing a hard music masterpiece with the band, ZOOBABIES.
KILLED BY CAIN is full on metallic anger and rage at it's finest. The music is hard, and the message is socially relevant even in 2017! In all seriousness, Killed By Cain is the album METALLICA should have made after the Black album! These songs sound like they could have been the follow up to GUNS ‘N ROSES Use Your Illusions! For fans of METALLICA, BRIDE, TOURNIQUET (Vanishing Lessons era), GUNS ‘N ROSES, MOTORHEAD!
The 2017 Retroactive Records reissue of this album comes fully re-mastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) on CD (limited to 300 copies) and vinyl (limited to 150 copies). The vinyl release is the first release on the new Retroactive Records “From the Vaults” vinyl series all limited to 150 copies or less!
Killed By Cain track listing:
1 “Intro To Hypocrisy”
2 “Burn The Church”
3 “Violence”
4 “Thou Shalt Not Kill”
5 “Gasoline”
6 “Jezebel”
7 “Father”
8 “Sin City”
9 “Walk The Line”
10 “Gun Control”
Killed By Cain CD pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21702566-killed-by-cain-killed-by-cain-retroarchives-edition-cd-2017-retroacti
Killed By Cain vinyl pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21701858-killed-by-cain-killed-by-cain-vinyl-2017-retroactive-pre-order
WITHIN SILENCE - “Heroes Must Return” Music Video Released:
Press Release / Slovakian melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE has released a music video for the song "Heroes Must Return", the first single from its upcoming sophomore album Return From The Shadows. Return From The Shadows is scheduled to be released on October 27th in Europe and North America through Ulterium Records.
Return From The Shadows represents the perfect follow up to the groups 2015 Ulterium debut Gallery Of Life as it feels like a more mature and focused album. The same impressive songwriting and melodies are still present, and together with heavy riffs, symphonic arrangements and epic parts, the result is a real strong album!
The album was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex. HELLOWEEN), while artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
WITHIN SILENCE has created the perfect album for fans of THEOCRACY, SONATA ARCTICA and STRATOVARIUS!
Return From The Shadows track listing:
1. “We Are The Ones”
2. “Heroes Must Return”
3. “Children Of Light”
4. “Calling From The Other Side”
5. “In the Darkness”
6. “The Final Victory”
7. “You & I”
8. “Master”
09. “Return From The Shadows”
WITHIN SILENCE tour dates:
Nov 03: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, NL
Mar 24: Lindenkeller (with BRAINSTORM & SIGNUM REGIS) - Freising, DE
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WITHIN SILENCE online: www.within-silence.com & www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband
NEWS BRIEFS
* Two new songs from Chris Dickens’ rocked our blues project BIG CHRIS & D’BARE BONES BAND, “Yes I Know” & “Bootegger’s Prayer”: www.reverbnation.com/bigchrisdbarebonesband
Further details from the artist:
“The first song is an acapella track that sounds like it should be on a Gaither Homecoming video. It's old school 4 part harmony. I wanted more of the barbershop quartet sound but ended up with a smoother southern gospel sound. I am doing all the vocal work.
“The second song is called "Bootlegger's Prayer". It's a story of a guy making moonshine who gets raided. The still explodes and he is badly burned. He ends up dying and burns again if you catch my drift. I am doing all the guitars, bass, vocals, and mixed/mastered this one. Kelly Matthews of LORDCHAIN is on drums”.
Both songs come off his upcoming sophomore album Man Overboard.
* Eric Clayton talking about new SAVIOUR MACHINE album: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktkDEmT2noM, www.youtube.com/watch?v=at4Fko7CHPI & www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI1LJAyUYmc
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
S91 Premier “Wandering Souls” Lyric Video:
Press Release / Montecarlo, Italy based progressive metal band S91 has debuted a lyric video to the track “Wandering Souls”, which comes off its fall of 2016 Underground Symphony Records sophomore album Behold The Mankind. A group whose name is short for Psalm 91, S91 independently released its full-length album Volonta Legata in 2011.
Fans of DELAIN, DARKWATER and SHADOW GALLERY will appreciate how S91 mixes modern shades, psychedelic nuances and complex time signatures with a progressive basis.
The album was produced by Cristiano Bertocchi (VISION DIVINE, LABYRINTH, WIND ROSE).
Behold The Mankind is a concept album about the history of mankind based on Christian theology. Further details from the group:
“In this album we talk about how since mankind's beginning, it has undergone rapid corruption by creating communities with strong social imbalances. This is because men and women carry an incurable evil within themselves that is only curable through the intervention of the Creator. Throughout history, we often see revolutionary movements that tend to open the door to even more ferocious regimes. God seeks to redeem humanity by calling an insignificant man to himself, from whose offspring will be born a man that will be God's incarnate and with him he will die and be resurrected. The story of the land of Israel and Christ is a metaphor of the story of humanity. Today individuals are called to die and resurrect as members of a group.”:
S91 line up:
Mari - Lead Vocals
Franz - Lead Vocals & Guitar
Frank - Keyboards
Jack - Bass
Giacomino - Drums
Behold The Mankind track listing:
1. “The Cry Of Life”
2. “Wandering Souls”
3. “Slaves And Kings”
4. “The Calling”
5. “Blind Revolutions”
6. “The Son Of God”
7. “Sacrificed”
8. “The Bloody Revelation”
S91 online: www.facebook.com/S91band
Tour With STRYPER, LYNCH MOB & SWEET & LYNCH Is In The Works For 2018:
Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com:
STRYPER and SWEET & LYNCH front man Michael Sweet was recently interviewed on EVH Gear TV and spoke about the possibility of a tour featuring STRYPER, LYNCH MOB & SWEET & LYNCH.
Sweet stated (as transcribed by Sleaze Roxx): “We are working on that. We’ve all talked – LYNCH MOB, STRYPER, George (Lynch) and I and the plan is to go out and SWEET & LYNCH do a set, and then LYNCH MOB does a set, and then STRYPER does a set. And we are going to try to share a bus, a crew and everything, and go out and make that happen. It would be a crime for that not to happen. So count on that next year. It’s just a matter of when and where…. It’s very difficult to facilitate. Everybody is really busy. Many times, our schedules are as far away from each other as they can possibly be. But now that George and I are ‘homeboys’ - you know, in a band together so to speak, we’re going to make that happen. We’ve got to get out there and play these SWEET & LYNCH songs live. We have to!”
Sweet added: “And you know, it’s a great band. You don’t have a better rhythm section than (drummer) Brian Tichy and (bassist) James Lomenzo… It’s really hard to improve upon that. And then you have one of the greatest guitar players of all time - it’s George Lynch - and then you throw a heavy metal Dennis DeYoung in there and there you have it!”
As far as playing guitar with Lynch as well, Sweet stated: “Absolutely. I’ll play guitar live for sure but you know, when you’re in a band with George Lynch, you want George to shine… Yeah, I’ll do that. I feel naked without a guitar.”
SWEET & LYNCH will be releasing their second studio album Unified via Frontiers Music Srl on November 10, 2017.
The group has already released the song “Promised Land” for streaming: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3KsWifXpdA
A video for the track “Afterlife” has been uploaded as well: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ErnZeGPHNRI
An abbreviated version to the interview can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nx70Sg18lQ
Full version to the interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP-8u5Wa2bw
New SWEET & LYNCH Song Available For Streaming, ”Bridge Of Broken Lies”:
Courtesy of www.blabbermout.net:
The song “Bridge Of Broken Lies” from SWEET & LYNCH - the band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of STRYPER, legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), bassist James LoMenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Brian Tichy (THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE) - can be streamed above. The track is taken from the SWEET & LYNCH' sophomore album Unified, which will be released on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Says Sweet: "George and I couldn't be more excited about this album! We've worked very hard to bring you the best of both worlds - a throwback of the chart-topping STRYPER/DOKKEN days yet with a modern production that fits right in with anything out there now in the rock world today.
“We couldn't be more proud than to be working with Brian Tichy and James LoMenzo again as they are the best rhythm section you'll ever hear. If you liked SWEET & LYNCH I, you're going to love Unified."
Michael previously said that SWEET & LYNCH was formed when Frontiers president Serafino Perugino approached him "to sing and write for what (Serafino) was referring to as a 'super group' project - (one of the first) that Frontiers would be putting together and releasing. I was, of course, not only intrigued by the idea but also humbled that he would ask me! Jon Levin (DOKKEN) was suggested as the possible guitarist and I suggested to Serafino getting the man himself, Mr. Scary (George Lynch) involved. Serafino was, of course, excited about the idea. Frontiers has told me how happy they are with my production on the new STRYPER albums, so I immediately suggested producing as well. Serafino also agreed. I contacted George (as soon as possible) and he quickly agreed to be a part of this exciting project. It was decided that he and I would co-write everything together and that I would produce."
SWEET & LYNCH's debut album, Only To Rise, was released in January 2015 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Unified track listing:
1. “Promised Land”
2. “Walk”
3. “Afterlife”
4. “Make Your Mark”
5. “Tried & True”
6. “Unified”
7. “Find Your Way”
8. “Heart Of Fire”
9. “Bridge Of Broken Lies”
10. “Better Man”
11. “Live To Die"
Frontiers Music SRL online: www.frontiers.it/index.php & www.facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl
SWEET & LYNCH online: www.facebook.com/SweetLynch
NEWS BRIEFS
* Roxx Records 2018 Release Schedule:
CRYSTAVOX - Crystavox (LP + CD)
CRYSTAVOX - The Bottom Line (LP + CD)
PHILADELPHIA - Warlord (Underground Series LP)
PHILADEPHIA - Search & Destroy (LP + CD)
SOLDIER - Babylon & Beyond (The Collective Works) (Underground Series LP + CD)
* Vocalist Nancy Jo Mann announced via Facebook (09/18/17) that all five BARNABAS albums are going to be re-issued on Retroactive Records within the next six to eight weeks.
* ”Dead Come Alive”, new instrumental hard rock cut from Dennis Cameron (ANGELICA): www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQE5VVsKQRU
* Video update from DELIVERANCE front man & rhythm guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II (uploaded September 18, 2017): www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TK03vZB5KA
* SHINING FORCE new album update (Facebook - 09/17/17):
“Hello SHINING FORCE fans and friends. I'm excited because the mix is completed on the new soon to be released album By The Blood. Yes its true, the CD is finally mixed. The last thing to do is to master the album. I will start the mastering process on Tuesday with Mike Heald. Mike and I have been at it all day today trying to get things finished. We will be mastering on Tuesday and a few more days after that and it will be completed. Our self titled CD Shining Force is also going to be worked on next. Mike will be re-mastering the self-titled CD and it will be available soon as well.”
* XT uploaded to Spotify an new song, “I Will Follow You”, that will appear on its upcoming album Saved By The Blood.
New DELIVERANCE Interview Online:
Original Heaven’s Metal Editor Doug Van Pelt conducted a recent online interview with DELIVERANCE front man and guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II. In the interview, Brown offers his thoughts regarding the group’s upcoming album The Subversive Kind, the return of original guitarist Glen Rogers and the current state of the hard music scene. Following is an excerpt:
So, Jimmy, thanks from all of us fans for making new music. We so enjoy your talent, voice, style and songwriting. What do we owe this proliferation of musical activity? What made you get busy all of a sudden and what all are you working on?
The musical activity was sparked by my making the decision to quit the Casino Industry after 14 years, and take a job as lead engineer for 3 Frogz Studios. Being in a fully functional, state of the art studio is like locking the drug addict in a pharmacy! (laughs) After the initial shock of moving back to the Deep South again, I began writing again… And, Deliverance was invited to play the Exido Festival in Mexico, in which the super group was formed with Jim Chaffin on Drums, Victor Macias on Bass and George Ochoa on guitar. This naturally led to talks of recording again. George had a lot going on in his musical world with Worldview and other projects, and Jim, Victor and I decided to work together to write a record that reflected our roots in why we started this in the first place! Victor having gone on the road with us for our first US tour in 89-90, and Jim being an honorary member of the Big D, it seemed only natural for the 3 of us to devise and write a full blown thrash album!
Read full interview: HERE
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Roxx Records Reveals FEAR NOT CD Re-issue & Vinyl Release Details:
Release date is December 8, 2017:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to announce our next Limited Edition reissue of the much sought after debut release from US rockers FEAR NOT!
That’s right one of the long, lost out of print titles that has never seen a proper reissue, original CD copies are very scarce to find these days, if you can find one at all! But even better this will be the first time this title has ever been released on vinyl!
FEAR NOT was formed in 1992 coming out of the remnants of LOVE LIFE with their one and only release entitled Lady Jane. After the release of Lady Jane, the band felt they needed a change and to somewhat reinvent their sound and style, the band would change their name to FEAR NOT, sign on to Pakaderm Records and embark on to a very successful ride with this, their self-titled debut.
Unfortunately in the mid 90’s the music scene was starting to take a turn, and when a band like FEAR NOT should have been on top of the charts, the sounds of grunge were coming in and hard rock in the vein of FEAR NOT was pushed to the side. Alas, FEAR NOT would call it a day before ever recording a sophomore release.
Today 25 years later we are excited to once again revisit and celebrate the music and story of FEAR NOT. Featuring a very beautiful new cover, that stays true to the original release while highlighting the hand painting of Ronald Wall, who assisted in the beautiful pin stripped logos on the cover and the beautiful updated hand painting of the cross on the back cover. Together with Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal), they turned the artwork and layout in to a work of art.
We are just getting started though, the music for this reissue has been completely re-mastered for vinyl and for a special CD pressing by our very own Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound). So join us as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of FEAR NOT with this very cool limited edition reissue.
FEAR NOT the self-titled album will be issued on vinyl for the very first time with a special run of only 500 copies, featuring 150 copies on purple vinyl and 350 on black vinyl. It will feature all 10 of the original tracks as they originally appeared on the CD. Also we will be pressing 500 copies on limited edition CD featuring all 10 original tracks and 2 brand new previously unreleased tracks on CD! Release date is scheduled for December 8, 2017, just in time for the Holiday season.
Stay tuned for updates and pre-order information by signing up on our email list at: www.roxxproductions.com
Retroactive Records Announce HAVEN Your Dying Day Vinyl Release:
Release date is November 14, 2017:
Press Release / HAVEN was a Christian heavy metal band from the United States that released Your Dying Day on the legendary R.E.X. Records in 1990. The album was, and still is, an example of a Christian band getting it right in terms of releasing music that stood apart from other heavy metal bands through their artful progressive bent. This debut release showed its impact immediately by transcending the metal label, while sealing the band's reputation for cerebral compositions.
The 80's metal scene celebrated excessive use of drugs and alcohol, and that influence resulted in alienation and hardship. Those hardships would open the gateway to Grunge and Alternative - but in 1990 we weren't there just yet! QUEENSRYCHE set the bar for metal that moved beyond cliche' with 1988's Operation Mindcrime. Your Dying Day, is a stellar brand of progressive power metal with subtle thrash influences that provided musical and spiritual depth in the face of cultural shallowness. It was the perfect album, released at just the right time.
This 2017 Retroactive Records reissue see this classic progressive metal album on vinyl for the very first time! Limited to just 300 copies. with 200 Black vinyl and 100 Red vinyl, don’t wait to snag your copy! Re-mastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound, you know your ears are in for some elite metallic ear candy! For fans of DELIVERANCE, RECON, SACRED WARRIOR and QUEENSRYCHE. Be sure to pick up the 2012 Retroactive reissue of Your Dying Day on CD as well!
Your Dying Day track listing:
1. “On Judgment Day”
2. “Deliver Me”
3. “Murder”
4. “Below the Grave”
5. “The Calling”
6. “America”
7. “Escape”
8. “Help Me Follow”
9. “I Found Love”
10. “Your Dying Day”
Your Dying Day pre-order (Black vinyl): http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21509837-haven-your-dying-day-black-vinyl-poster-2017-retroactive-records-pre-o
Your Dying Day pre-order (Red vinyl): http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21509657-haven-your-dying-day-red-vinyl-poster-2017-retroactive-records-pre-ord
Retroactive Records Announce HAVEN Age Of Darkness Vinyl Release & CD Re-issue:
Release date is November 14, 2017:
Press Release / 1991's Age Of Darkness is the second (and final) album from Christian metallers HAVEN. Before you conjure up images of STRYPER, you'd do well to give this one a chance. Where a band like BARREN CROSS drew its influences from DIO and IRON MAIDEN, HAVEN's sound owes more to a certain Seattle sound (no, not that one). I'm talking about bands like QUEENSRYCHE, FIFTH ANGEL and METAL CHURCH.
Age Of Darkness is a very impressive traditional/power metal album, full of great melodies, shredding guitars, and a Geoff Tate-inspired vocal style. There are a couple instances of DOKKEN-style balladeering, but for the most part this is a fast paced power metal album that should please fans of APOCRYPHA, POWERSURGE, and CRIMSON GLORY, and any of the bands mentioned earlier. HAVEN is a Christian band, but they're not overly "churchy" with their lyrics, so Age of Darkness shouldn't alienate the average metal fan. Believe me; this one's much more likely to induce headbanging than Bible-thumping!
The 2017 reissue of Age of Darkness on Retroactive Records sees this classic album on vinyl for the very first time! We pressed 200 Black vinyl and 100 Blue vinyl. Get them while they last! The CD is packaged with an 8-panel insert in a jewel case with lyrics - and we only pressed 500 of them! Both vinyl and CD have been digitally re-mastered to perfection by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound!
Age Of Darkness track listing:
1. “Tenacious Volition”
2. “Divination”
3. “When You Said Goodbye”
4. “Holly”
5. “Exaltation”
6. “The Witching Hour”
7. “Séance”
8. “Spend My Life With You”
9. “Unchanging Love”
10. “Blood Of The Lamb”
11. “Once Upon A Time”
Age Of Darkness pre-order (CD): http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21510842-haven-age-of-darkness-retroarchives-edition-cd-poster-2017-retroacti
Age Of Darkness pre-order (Black vinyl): http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21510746-haven-age-of-darkness-black-vinyl-poster-2017-retroactive-records-pre
Age Of Darkness pre-order (Blue vinyl): http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21510533-haven-age-of-darkness-blue-vinyl-poster-2017-retroactive-records-pre-o
NEWS BRIEFS
* MILLENNIAL REIGN update regarding its third album (Facebook - 09/05/17): “Writing for the forthcoming album is finished and production will begin soon. Several awesome things are going on behind the scenes and we will be announcing those as we go.”
* SHINING FORCE is putting the final touches on its sophomore album By The Blood. The group plans to return to the studio later in the year to begin work on its next album entitled Seven, which it hopes to release in 2018.
* The title to the debut album from NO OTHER GOD, Take It By Storm, is drawn from Ezekiel 38:9: You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.
NO OTHER GOD is the new band to feature vocalist Dale Thompson (BRIDE, THE WORLD WILL BURN). Rounding out the NO OTHER GOD line up is bassist Raphael Dafras, guitarist, Anmol Lucena and drummer Alexandre Aposan.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Tim Gaines Out Of STRYPER:
We would like to begin this weeks news update by stating the official Angelic Warlord position regarding the Tim Gaines matter, which has generated a great deal of recent online controversy. It has always been the Angelic Warlord policy to present hard music news in as neutral and objective manner as possible but also without going into detail about the personal lives of individual artists, particularly when we do not know the facts as it pertains to all sides of any potential issue at hand. In staying true to its mission to support Christians creating art within the metal and hard rock genres, the sites name IS Angelic Warlord and NOT Angelic Inquirer.
After mulling the topic over, we boiled the following down from several recent updates issued by both parties involved:
Bassist Tim Gaines is officially no longer a member of STRYPER. Fans, however, can look forward to a new solo record from Gaines in addition to him contributing bass to the next album of Orange County, California based melodic metal band FAITHSEDGE. He will also be performing in an (as of yet unnamed) ‘super group’ with several ‘80’s MTV rockers’.
The remaining members of STRYPER, lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Sweet, guitarist Oz Fox and drummer Robert Sweet, recently put out several statements via Facebook in which we draw the following:
“We wish Timothy Gaines nothing but the best, and we will always remember the history and the good times that we all shared together.
“We're excited about the future and we will be making an official announcement very soon about our new album, tour and bassist. We love our fans and we appreciate your support and patience as we work through these changes. God is good and positivity prevails. We'll stay faithful and keep moving forward no matter what. The best is yet to come!”
Michael Sweet also provided his thoughts as it pertains to the groups search for a new bassist (Facebook - September 2, 2017):
“We just want a great player/singer and someone who is a team player and respectful of our band and history, with a good heart and attitude. We won't compromise who we are and we'll make the right decision.”
STRYPER is scheduled to enter the studio this fall to begin work on its new album, which tentatively is scheduled to be released in the spring of next year. Fallen, the groups most recent album from 2015, entered The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 43 with first-week sales of just over 10,000 units. The album followed the No. 35-peaking No More Hell To Pay, which was released in 2013.
Tim Gaines released his debut solo album Breakfast At Timothy’s in 2009.
CONSECRATOR Full Release Details Announced:
Press Release / Roxx Records and No Life til Metal Records are very excited to bring you another classic Christian thrash reissue. This time hailing from the Lone Star state of Texas, we welcome classic thrashers CONSECRATOR to the family as we give the band our signature re-master treatment.
This killer new release is coming your way on limited edition vinyl and a special CD/DVD package. The vinyl release will be part of the Limited Edition Roxx Underground Series as #7 with each piece being hand numbered through 150 copies only. Each vinyl comes with a special 8 x 10 promo photo and a very special print of a brand new interview featuring James Chavez original Consecrator guitarist.
Also there will be a very special 500 piece 2 disc set made available featuring a 13 track re-mastered CD and a very special DVD. The 13 track CD features every recorded track from CONSECTRATOR and a brand new previously unreleased recording that will leave you wanting even more. The DVD is a special recording from the bands archive; it contains a live performance captured at the The Refuge from August 17, 1992. This package will be a limited edition pressing of only 500 pieces.
CONSECRATOR Image Of Deception is coming your way on October 13, 2017 and pre orders are up now with many limited edition special packages including a special run of shirts and a free bonus sticker for the first 50 orders only!
Image Of Deception demo track listing:
1. “Submission”
2. “Image Of Deception”
3. “Mindlessly Betrayed”
4. “Vision Ignored”:
5. “Sayings Of The Wise”
6. “Free From Death”
Previously unreleased track:
7. “Meaningless” (2005 recording)
Debut demo track listing:
8. “Make Me Laugh”
9. “Satan Lies”
10. “Saving Song”
11. “Messiah Calls”
12. “Troubled Years”
13. “Cast Out”
Check out a lyric video to the track “Meaningless”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bWeVL3DEDY
Image Of Deception pre order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com
CONSECRATOR online: www.facebook.com/Consecrator-Official-band-Page
Glenn Rogers Rejoins DELIVERANCE:
As noted by the group’s original lead guitarist (Facebook - August 28, 2017):
“OK BIG ANNOUNCEMENT… To my friends I have been holding this back, but now there's " No Time." I have rejoined DELIVERANCE. This does not mean an end to FINAL DECREE, but when a door opens I had to step on through. So I will do double duty. I'll be headed into the studio to track some guitar solo's for the new ‘D’ (album) The Subversive Kind. There is some exciting things in the future. Stay Tuned…”
Founding member and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II provided a recent YouTube video update (above) regarding the bands progress on its new album The Subversive Kind:
“The record is 98% done, but we have run into some snags. Biggest thing is we want to make sure it is right. Greg Minier was so warm and kind enough to lend his amazing guitar playing- to putting solos on the record. Those of you who have followed DELIVERANCE know that I don’t like playing solos very much- so that is why I like to hire a lead player. I’m a rhythm guy, but I love amazing solos. And Greg is fantastic And so Greg is fixing up some stuff on the record he wanted to clear up and get done. We wanted it very aggressive and very powerful in its presentation. So he’s doing that right now.”
He offers further detail about Rogers re-joining DELIVERANCE:
“But Greg is not going to be able to play full time with us. He won’t be able to do shows. Greg has a career as a teacher now. It’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to join us, but that left the door open… We are so excited about who has joined the ranks, and is with the ‘Big D’ once again. Who better to call than the guy that came in (in) 1986 and 1987 and did the Greetings Of Death demo with us and worked with me on the first album. Brought us the likes of (producer) Bill Metoyer, who produced SLAYER, DRI, FLOTSAM & JETSAM, SACRED REICH. I’m talking about none other than Glenn Rogers. That’s right- Glenn Rogers is back with DELIVERANCE! We are really, really excited about this!
“He wanted to let you guys know (in a message to me today) that he is super glad to be back with the ‘Big D’ and as he has said ‘there is some unfinished business there.’ And we’re going to do our best to put together a great live show. He is going to be playing live with us, but he should (also) play on the record. So Glenn is actually going into the studio this weekend and he is going to be doing some solos on the record. Then after that, I am going to drop them (his solos) into the mixes; the mixes are ready to go. And then off to mastering, then we’ll have the record done. That will happen no later than next week.”
Rounding out the DELIVERANCE line up on The Subversive Kind is drummer Jim Chaffin and bassist Victor Macias. Musically, the group is promising a ‘thrash project that will bring back the classic DELIVERANCE sound’.
Commented Brown during the groups Indiegogo crowd funding campaign from earlier in the year: “We’re going to give you the fan what you’ve been asking for and what you want- the old school thrash days of DELIVERANCE. We are so excited. We’ve been writing great material (and) were getting great tones. It’s going to be crunchy, fast (and) thick. Everything you’ve always loved about DELIVERANCE since the Greetings Of Death days you’re going to get it with this record”.
DELIVERANCE was last heard from in December of 2013 when it released (jointly via Roxx Records and 3 Frogz Records) its tenth studio album Hear What I Say! The fall of 2014 also saw the fourth DELIVERANCE album from 1992, Stay Of Execution, re-mastered and re-issued on Roxx Records, while the same year Brown put out the sophomore album of his Pink Floyd influenced progressive rock side project Moveable Walls (also Roxx). Brown is currently at work on a solo album entitled Eraserhead that musically hearkens back to the progressive sounds of River Disturbance (the sixth Deliverance album).
DELIVERANCE online: www.facebook.com/DeliveranceRocks
NEWS BRIEFS
* BIG CHRIS & D’BARE BONES BAND reveal new drummer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ukh7IN9dsY
* Reanimated Radio interview with Andy La Morte of RAINFORCE: www.reanimatedradio.com/interview-andy-la-morte-rainforce
* VISUAL CLIFF, lyric video to new song “Casualty Of Words”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=byTeAUivnCo
“Casualty Of Words” will be appearing on the groups upcoming album Refuge.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Retroactive Records Update:
Retroactive Records has secured the licensing to re-issue the following titles in 2018:
* ETERNAL DECISION - Eternal Decision (Original Release 1996), 500 CD / 200 Vinyl Units (thrash ala Metallica)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyVIzrt0WTo
* ETERNAL DECISION - Ghost In The Machine (Original Release 1999), 300 CD / 200 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL7ADunXbNY
* ETERNAL DECISION - E.D. 3 (Original Release 2002), 300 CD / 200 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TO_FT9IULbY
* KILLED BY CAIN - Killed By Cain (Original Release 1993 / R.E.X.), 300 CD / 200 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE42rV3Pzuw
* SACRAMENT - Testimony Of Apocalypse (Original Release 1990 / R.E.X.), 300 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNUN4cYc2L0
* SACRAMENT - Haunts Of Violence (Original Release 1992 / R.E.X.), 300 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqELegMh-kk
* SIX FEET DEEP - Struggle (Original Release 1994 / R.E.X.), 200 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSVGRP6OtW0
* SIX FEET DEEP - Road Less Travelled (Original Release 1997 / R.E.X.), 200 Vinyl Units
www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1IybcFPBP8
* WHITERAY – Demo Collection (not official title), CD 500 Units (melodic metal ala early BRIDE - later changed name and style to KILLED BY CAIN)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=seI40Lz3f1s
Retroactive also provided a recent update (Facebook - August 22, 2017) regarding the HAVEN vinyl re-issues:
“Retroactive Records has received the HAVEN Your Dying Day & Age Of Darkness vinyl test pressings from manufacturing. Approved them. It's been decided each will be a 300 unit pressing, with 100 of Your Dying Day as Red vinyl, and 100 of Age of Darkness as transparent blue. It should be about 3 months until they ship to us. We will have pre-orders up in about 2 weeks or so. There will be pre-order incentives of full posters for each release and a signed band photo (by lead vocalist Kevin Ayers). We will also be releasing Age Of Darkness on CD (8 panel insert, jewel case, re-mastered)
NOZANOPRA Reveal Details For Debut Album, Peace In Our Hearts:
NOZANOPRA is the new project of Stockholm, Sweden based guitarist Thobias Wiklund, whom formed the group in 2013 after spending several years in different bands and working as a freelance musician. His goal in putting together NOZANOPRA was to create something new in hard rock music by integrating oriental melodies and rhythms inclusive to (individual songs) instrumental parts.
Peace In Our Hearts is scheduled to be released via TWMusic Productions on September 15, 2017.
Similar to his independently released 2015 solo album To Remember The Forgotten, Wiklund will be again working with renowned vocalist Peo Pettersson (LEVITICUS, AXIA). Also joining Wiklund in NOZANOPRA is drummer Mauritz Petersson, whom also performed on Remember the Forgotten, and vocalist and keyboardist Chris Lanto (ex GAFFA).
Guest performers include drummer Mats (Mally) Hoxell, keyboardist Paul Artinian, bassist Tomas Lundqvist, percussionists Hagop Artinian & Emanuel Demir on Saz.
Peace In Our Hearts contains seven songs composed and produced by Wiklund. Mixing and mastering duties attribute to Petersson.
The plans for NOZANOPRA are to tour and continue to record more albums in the future.
NOZANOPRA line up:
Thobias Wiklun - Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic Guitar & Bass
Peo Pettersson - Lead & Background Vocals
Chris Lanto - Lead & Background Vocals & Keyboards
Mauritz Petersson - Drums & Percussion
Guest Musicians:
Mats (Mally) Hoxell - Drums on track 1
Tomas Lundqvist - Bass on track 1
Paul Artinian - Keyboards on track 1
Hagop Artinian - Percussion on tracks 3 & 5
Emanuel Demir - Saz on tracks 1 & 3
Peace In Our Hearts track listing:
1. “Druidic Fire Never Dies” (6:45)
2. “Now Is The Time” (5:44)
3. “Peace In Our Hearts” (5:15)
4. “Save The World” (5:30)
5. “Land Of Paradise” (7:42)
6. “So Many Miles” (6:22)
7. “Soul Searcher” (6:29)
NOZANOPRA online: www.nozanopra.com & www.facebook.com/nozanopra
SWEET & LYNCH Premier “Afterlife” Lyric Video:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
The official lyric video for the song "Afterlife" from SWEET & LYNCH - the band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet of STRYPER, legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), bassist James LoMenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Brian Tichy (THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE) - can be seen above. The track is taken from the SWEET & LYNCH' sophomore album Unified, which will be released on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Says Sweet: "George and I couldn't be more excited about this album! We've worked very hard to bring you the best of both worlds - a throwback of the chart-topping STRYPER/DOKKEN days yet with a modern production that fits right in with anything out there now in the rock world today.
“We couldn't be more proud than to be working with Brian Tichy and James LoMenzo again as they are the best rhythm section you'll ever hear. If you liked SWEET & LYNCH I, you're going to love Unified."
Michael previously said that SWEET & LYNCH was formed when Frontiers president Serafino Perugino approached him "to sing and write for what (Serafino) was referring to as a 'super group' project - (one of the first) that Frontiers would be putting together and releasing. I was, of course, not only intrigued by the idea but also humbled that he would ask me! Jon Levin (DOKKEN) was suggested as the possible guitarist and I suggested to Serafino getting the man himself, Mr. Scary (George Lynch) involved. Serafino was, of course, excited about the idea. Frontiers has told me how happy they are with my production on the new STRYPER albums, so I immediately suggested producing as well. Serafino also agreed. I contacted George (as soon as possible) and he quickly agreed to be a part of this exciting project. It was decided that he and I would co-write everything together and that I would produce."
Sweet, who is a devout Christian, also talked about his working relationship with George, who considers himself to be a freethinker/atheist:
"You may ask how does an atheist and a Christian work together in a band situation? The answer is respect. Although I don't agree with George's spiritual/religious views (and he doesn't agree with mine, assumedly), we respect each other as musicians, friends and human beings. I'm free to do many things with the hope that maybe, just maybe, my life might have a profound effect on people I come in contact with.
"I've spoken with George many times over and he always strikes me as a genuine soul and someone who cares for and loves people. Bottom line? He's a great guy and I'm proud to be a part of this with George. Although we don't see eye to eye in our beliefs, we respect each other enough to not let that come between us."
SWEET & LYNCH's debut album, Only To Rise, was released in January 2015 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Unified track listing:
1. “Promised Land”
2. “Walk”
3. “Afterlife”
4. “Make Your Mark”
5. “Tried & True”
6. “Unified”
7. “Find Your Way”
8. “Heart Of Fire”
9. “Bridge Of Broken Lies”
10. “Better Man”
11. “Live To Die"
Frontiers Music SRL online: www.frontiers.it/index.php & www.facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl
SWEET & LYNCH online: www.facebook.com/SweetLynch
WITHIN SILENCE Announce Sophomore Album, Return From The Shadows:
Press Release / The new album from Slovakian melodic metal band WITHIN SILENCE, Return From The Shadows, will be released October 27, 2017 in Europe and North America via Ulterium Records.
Return From The Shadows represents the perfect follow up to the groups 2015 Ulterium debut Gallery Of Life as it feels like a more mature and focused album. The same impressive songwriting and melodies are still present, and together with heavy riffs, symphonic arrangements and epic parts, the result is a real strong album!
Return From The Shadows was mixed and mastered by Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex. HELLOWEEN), while artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (DELAIN, APOCALYPTICA, KORPIKLAANI).
WITHIN SILENCE has created the perfect album for fans of THEOCRACY, SONATA ARCTICA and STRATOVARIUS!
Return From The Shadows track listing:
1. “We Are The Ones”
2. “Heroes Must Return”
3. “Children Of Light”
4. “Calling From The Other Side”
5. “In the Darkness”
6. “The Final Victory”
7. “You & I”
8. “Master”
09. “Return From The Shadows”
WITHIN SILENCE tour dates:
Nov 03: Brainstorm Festival - Apeldoorn, NL
Mar 24: Lindenkeller (with BRAINSTORM & SIGNUM REGIS) - Freising, DE
Ulterium Records online: www.ulterium-records.com & www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords
WITHIN SILENCE online: www.within-silence.com & www.facebook.com/withinsilenceband
FEATURED REVIEWS
CHOIRS OF VERITIS - I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life
It’s easier to find an honest politician these days than a symphonic metal band with a male lead vocalist, but Milan, Italy’s Choirs Of Veritis and its spring of 2017 Underground Symphony Records debut I Am The Way, The Truth And The Life defies the trend. Read Full Review >>
THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY - Choices
Does it suffice to suggest that the ‘sophomore jinx’ rarely if ever rears its ugly head in the hard music world? Read Full Review >>
PASTOR BRAD - Crush
Crush, the most recent (July of 2017) album from Bay City, Michigan minister and guitarist Pastor Brad Windlan, has all the ingredients needs to appeal to both the classic metal faithful and those looking for melodic hard rock hooks. Read Full Review >>
RESURRECTION BAND - Colours (Retroactive re-issue)
What is your favorite Resurrection Band album? Ask a dozen hard music aficionados and chances are you will receive a dozen different answers, a total that equates to the number of studio albums of unique material released by the blues based hard rocking Chicago, Illinois based five piece throughout its three-decade career. Read Full Review >>
RESURRECTION BAND - Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore
The Resurrection Band 1981 fourth full length album Mommy Don’t Love Daddy Anymore is often overlooked in hard music circles, probably because it lives in the shadows of its widely acclaimed (by critics and fans alike) predecessor Colours from 1980. Read Full Review >>
RESURRECTION BAND - DMZ (Retroactive re-issue)
If your experience has been similar to mine, then many if not most of your favorite band’s have that one album in their repertoire that (for whatever reason) has failed to grow on you. Read Full Review >>
ROSE - Songs For The Ritually Abused
Randy Rose, better known as drummer and co-lead vocalist for the at times techno and modern and others hard rocking but always inventive Southern California based group Mad At The World, released in the spring of 2017 his fifth solo album, Songs For The Ritually Abused. Read Full Review >>
THE 3 - Gospelbilly
A power trio hailing from the Oklahoma City metro area, The 3 (according to its press material) ‘records and performs an exciting mixture of modern classic hard rock, rockabilly (and) blues rock with the type of Christian themes found on the recordings of such artist as Johnny Cash, The Bryds, Hank Williams Sr. and others’. Read Full Review >>
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
ANGELICA Self-Titled Debut Re-issued:
Official re-release of Angelica for the first time in August of 2017 on Mexican label EMI Distro:
Born out of the demo material of Ontario, Canada based guitarist and founding member Dennis Cameron, Angelica signed to Intense Records and released four-full length albums, of which the self-titled debut from 1989 is often the most highly regarded. Many attribute this to the presence of vocalist extraordinaire Rob Rock, whom at the time was renown in mainstream circles for his work in M.A.R.S. and its Project Driver release in addition to fronting the third Joshua album Intense Defense. It could also relate to the melodic metal and commercial hard rock hooks infusing Angelica not to mention the virtuoso guitar abilities to Cameron.
Angelica actually acted as more of a project as opposed to a full time band in that per Cameron, “(Angelica) was more of an idea for a band than anything with my songwriting, my direction, and me financing everything from the demos to whatever” (referencing an interview from back in the day). More specifically, “The whole existence of Angelica only revolved around making the records. As hard as I tried to make it a 'band', it never came to fruition” (as noted in a recent online interview).
He further summarizes the Angelica mission: “(Angelica) was only meant to be a vehicle for me to present some Christian oriented music and use it to glorify God instead of trying to get myself on center stage and in the spotlight using the secular music model.”
Limited to a pressing of 300 CD copies, the EM Distro re-issue features the original Angelica cover art and track listing. Cameron handled re-mastering.
Angelica track listing:
1. “There's Only One Hero”
2. “Are You Satisfied”
3. “I Believe”
4. “Danger Zone”
5. “Shine On Me”
6. “Only A Man”
7. “One Step At A Time”
8. “Will I Ever Learn”
9. “Take Me”
10. “Ahh!”
11. “S.O.S.”
12. “Face To Face”
EM Distro online: www.facebook.com/EM-Distro
ANGELICA online: www.denniscameron.com & www.facebook.com/Angelicatheband
ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE Reveal Track Listing To New Album, In The Name Of The Son:
In The Name Of The Son is the Rockshots Records sophomore album of founding member Enzo Donnarumma’s project ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE. Appearing are many of the same artists that performed on his 2015 debut In The Name Of The Father, including Marty Friedman, Kobi Farhi (ORPHANED LAND), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL EAR), Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING, WARLORD, GRAHAM BONNET BAND), Gary Wehrkamp & Brian Ashland (SHADOW GALLERY), David Brown (METATRONE) and many more.
Enzo Donnarumma‘s sound explores and unifies different genres: progressive metal, classical music, symphonic soundtrack, musical, ethnic music and world music. In The Name Of The Son accordingly delivers a Gospel metal sound thanks to the “Weza Moza Gospel Choir” from Congo.
In The Name Of The Son was produced by Enzo Donnarumma and Gary Wehrkamp, mastered by Simone Mularoni while featuring the impressive cover art by Nello Dell’Omo (Art For Music). Set to be released in Europe on September 29, 2017 via Rockshots Records on all the major record and digital stores, the album will mark another important milestone in the band’s career.
In The Name Of The Son track listing:
1. “Waiting For The Son”
2. “The Tower Of Babel”
3. “Luke 1: 28”
4. ““Psalm 8”
5. “Glory To God”
6. “Psalm 133”
7. “Magnificat”
8. “Isaiah 53”
9. “Matthew 11: 25”
10. “The Trial”
11. “Eternal Rest”
12. “Te Deum”
13. “If Not You”
In The Name Of The Son pre order: http://enzoandtheglory.bigcartel.com
Rockshots Records online: www.rockshots.eu & www.facebook.com/rockshotsrecords
Enzo Donnarumma online: www.enzodonnarumma.com/intro/index.html & www.facebook.com/Enzo-Donnarumma
GALACTIC COWBOYS Return With Original Line Up And First Album In 17 Years:
Press Release / Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group are thrilled to announce the signing of 90’s progressive metal adventurers GALACTIC COWBOYS who return with the original line up and their first album in 17 years.
Dane Sonnier (guitar), Ben C. Huggins (vocals), Alan Doss (drums/keyboards) and Monty Colvin (bass) are strapped in, heading back to the Ranch on Mars and are recording together for the first time since 1993’s Space In Your Face, to rain down a sonic meteor shower later this year.
The Houston, Texas quartet caught the attention of Geffen Records with their eclectic blend of melodic vocals, thrashing riffery and progressive explorations to release their self-titled debut in 1991, the same year label mates NIRVANA released Nevermind. Though the antithesis of grunge, the ‘COWBOYS’ none the less chalked up videos in heavy MTV rotation, and a memorable appearance in 1994’s ‘Airheads’. Tours followed with DREAM THEATER, KING’S X, ANTHRAZ and OVERKILL. Going on to release an additional 5 albums, the group disbanded after 2000’s Let It Go. Their music left a lasting mark on many musicians, including fans Mike Portnoy, Kerry Livgren (KANSAS) and Eric Singer (KISS).
Talking about joining Music Theories Recordings (AYREON, FLYING COLORS, Don Airey, Neal Schon, Paul Gilbert), Monty Colvin shares, "I am very excited to restart the artistic engine of GALACTIC COWBOYS and bring the universe new music! We're looking forward to a great working relationship with Mascot!”
"We said we'd only come back if the world needed us. When Mascot sent out the distress call we knew it was time to return. Get ready world. Here come Galactic Cowboys!" adds Ben C Huggins.
Talking about the addition to the label, CEO Ed Van Zijl went on to say, “Every music enthusiast has a favourite band that they dream would reunite one day. Fans worldwide will be stoked to see GALACTIC COWBOYS back in their original line-up, and so are we. We’re excited to have them be part of our growing Mascot family!”
Mascot Label Group online: www.mascotlabelgroup.com & www.facebook.com/mascotlabelgroup
GALACTIC COWBOYS online: www.galacticcowboys.com & www.facebook.com/galacticcowboys
SOCAL METAL FEST 2017 VIDEOS
* RECON, full performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wUmceQTb1c
* SAINT, “In The Night”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkICDQdGUxI
* WORLDVIEW, “Mortality”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_y-fFsNnOg
NEWS BRIEFS
* IMARI TONES, IndieGogo campaign to fund new album “Jesus Wind”: www.indiegogo.com/projects/concept-album-about-japanese-christian-history-japan#
* YouTube interview with STRYKEN drummer Joey Knight: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hITW45yW14
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Retroactive Records Announce DELIVERANCE Weapons Of Our Warfare Re-issue:
Classic DELIVERANCE sophomore album scheduled for re-release on September 12, 2017 (limited to 500 CD copies):
Press Release / Only a year after releasing its historic self-titled debut, DELIVERANCE followed up with their 1990 tour de force: Weapons of Our Warfare. METALLICA created Master of Puppets, SLAYER bludgeoned the world with the classic Reign In Blood, FLOTSAM & JETSAM had Doomsday..., and EXODUS boasted Bonded By Blood - all albums that would create the standard for all other speed metal releases. Weapons of Our Warfare was that album for DELIVERANCE! It cemented the band's place as iconic speed metal royalty. To this very day, Weapons… is still mentioned with hushed reverence among Christian metal heads as one of the elite speed metal albums of all time.
Guitarist Glenn Rogers had exited the band and former RECON guitarist George Ochoa had joined in his place. Weapons Of Our Warfare turned out to be one monster of a record, a genuine speed metal classic. Each and every song is played with a feverish fury, and once again the song writing is outstanding. Since 1985, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, Jimmy Brown had been crafting some of the tastiest techniques for complex rhythms and highly technical rhythm guitar. Brown’s guitar mastery drives the album from start to finish, setting new standards of power, precision, and stamina. The album shows marked musical growth with several adrenaline-driven, extended, multi-sectioned compositions foreshadowing the band's later progressive epics. And the trade-off guitar leads by Brown and Ochoa provide first rate riffage that will satisfy even the most skilled guitar hero addict.
A video version of the title track became the first Christian metal song to gain airplay on MTV, and it placed among the top three on that network's Headbanger's Ball countdown for twelve weeks in a row! In 1999, Lars Ulrich (Metallica) hosted a show in which he named DELIVERANCE "Weapons..." as one of his top ten favorite metal videos of all time.
Weapons Of Our Warfare (The Originals: Re-mastered) takes all the magic from the original release and magnifies it! Featuring a complete 2017 digital re-mastering, J Powell at Steinhaus worked hard to make it sound substantially better than the original, while still keeping the character of it. The original artwork is expanded to a 12 panel booklet (many Weapons… era photos and lyrics!) and packaged in a jewel case to make sure this reissue delights all Mighty “D” fans, as well as fans of BELIEVER, SLAYER, EXODUS, METALLICA, TOURNIQUET and ANTHRAX.
Weapons Of Our Warfare track listing:
1.“Supplication”
2 “This Present Darkness”
3 “Weapons Of Our Warfare”
4 “Solitude”
5 “Flesh And Blood”
6 “Bought By Blood”
7. “23”
8 “Slay The Wicked”
9 “Greetings Of Death”
10. “If We Faint Not”
Weapons Of Our Warfare pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/21097133-deliverance-weapons-of-our-warfare-the-originals-remastered-cd-2017
THE WORLD WILL BURN Premier “We All Die Alone” Lyric Video:
International hard rock act THE WORLD WILL BURN has released a lyric video for the track “We All Die Alone”, which comes off its April 11, 2017 Retroactive Records sophomore album RuiNation. Consisting of American guitarist Alan Zaring and New Zealand based vocalist Dale Thompson (BRIDE), TWWB got its start in January of 2016 when it independently released its debut full length Severity.
The two have been working together remotely to create music that transcends culture, language, and genres. Hence, how TWWB focuses on emotion and passion instead of commercial pressure.
With over 20 studio albums released to date, Thompson, is best known as front man for the 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 TWWB.
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, which is heavy, hook-filled, guitar driven rock. On RuiNation he handles guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and drum programming.
“There are a lot of songs about war and soldiers, but "We All Die Alone" is a little different,” states Zaring. “It really wraps up all of the emotions and feelings about the armed services, including the confusion, frustration, and fear that they often feel. We are blessed every day by those that face these threats and those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. In the end, we all take our last breath and slip into eternity by ourselves. My hat is off in tribute to these brave men and women.”
“My two oldest sons Alex and Zachary both served in the military,” says Thompson. “I had uncles that served in WWII. My biggest regret is that I did not serve myself, but God has other plans. This song is dedicated to all the men and women and even service animals that have served in the U.S. military. As a patriotic American, I am in awe of the bravery and sacrifice that has been given to keep America free. Our freedom means freedom for other countries and people as well. For a lot of American blood has been spilled on foreign soil to liberate people we hardly knew. Thank God for blessing the United States military. And thanks to all who have served. This song is my anthem for all of them.”
According to its press material, the goal of TWWB is “to create modern metal music that sounds different than most of the other offerings currently available. It seems heavy music fans have two choices: either bands from twenty years ago that haven’t changed musically or newer bands that all sound alike. TWWB, in contrast, successfully captures the groove of classic rock bands but with a modern approach.”
RuinNation track listing:
1. “Love To Hate”
2. “Welcome To The Freak Show”
3. “We All Die Alone”
4. “King For A Day”
5. “Child Of Tomorrow”
6. “Burn”
7. “Time”
8. “Nothing At All”
9. “What Goes Around Comes Around”
10. “All Things”
THE WORLD WILL BURN online: www.theworldwillburn.com & www.facebook.com/twwbband
NEWS BRIEFS
* Joshua Perahia is planning in the near future a re-issue of the 1988 JOSHUA album Intense Defense. As noted by the artist (Facebook - 08/08/17):
“I just heard from our mastering house… and soon this incredible sounding album will be ready for sale. We will begin the “Limited & Autographed” CD’ with improved original "cover artwork" as well as the newly re-mastered sound CD to be sold in a few weeks on eBay & Facebook. I will happily announce the release here on Facebook first. This 30 Year anniversary record will truly touch your hearts.
“It sounds so wonderful, warm tones, full, rich, & modern. Wyn Davis from "Total Access Studios" here in Redondo Beach did the work. He is the same producer for Dio, Dokken, Great White, Guns & Roses, Y&T, and so many bands getting a fantastic sound. I went through dozens of recording studios & only ran into people who had no concept how to Re-Master an album then add a bass guitar together while blending them perfectly to sound natural. You won't believe how it sounds.”
* Guitarist Chris Impellitteri is at work on material for a new IMPELLITTERI album scheduled for release the spring of next year. Rob Rock will be handling lead vocals.
* SWEET & LYNCH, behind the scenes footage to the making of Unifiied: www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgAi7p5msg8
* Re-mastered version to WALES ROAD song, “Glimpses”: www.reverbnation.com/play_now/28384770
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
DELIVERANCE Contemplating Camelot In Smithereens Re-Record:
In a recent post on Facebook (July 31, 2017), DELIVERANCE founding member and vocalist/guitarist Jimmy P. Brown II spoke about the possibility of re-recording the groups Camelot In Smithereens album:
“I have a quick question, and yes I suppose it could be viewed as poll taking, but it's a fair question for those who have followed Deliverance for all these years:
“If you have followed, then you know that the official 7th album Camelot In Smithereens (from 1995 on Intense Records) was not released in the manner in which it was intended. It was a concept album from start to finish. But, unfortunately (it) was hacked to pieces by the label because of lawsuit fears of sampling, voice over recordings that helped tell the story of Lindsey, and the modern church world. It was also to be accompanied by a small book to help follow along the story.
But it was all done away with, and an incomplete record was released with little coherency. So, I would like to know, how many would like the entire album, to be "re recorded" and re-released as intended (with dialogue, the booklet, etc)? I have pondered this over many years, but it really has been coming to mind over and over lately. Not that I want to rehash the past, but it's more of "righting a wrong" since the original concept was destroyed.
“If you know of any ‘D’ fans that may or may have not seen this post, pass along if you would be so inclined... and let me know your thoughts on if this would be a worth while venture to see through for 2018.”
The nine Camelot In Smithereens cuts focus around a character named Lindsey and how her life experiences are influenced by her interactions within the church. Further details from Brown regarding the concept behind Camelot In Smithereens (from an interview with HM magazine in 1995):
“The message is about Lindsey, who is in love with an unbeliever, and through the counsel that she receives from the church, she decides to leave him. Once Lindsey comes to Christ and grows in her faith, she then meets someone in the church. However, she becomes pregnant and, as a result, gets kicked out of the house and becomes excommunicated from the church.
“Then Lindsey meets other characters in the story, but in essence, the father of the child forsakes her. Finally, when she gives birth to the child, she dies (during childbirth) and her unsaved boyfriend adopts the child and finds faith in God”.
Brown also offers his thoughts regarding the Camelot In Smithereens title: “Camelot In Smithereens is a metaphorical type title. Camelot represents a perfect world, and Smithereens means being blown to bits. We as Christians are in a dream world and it’s time we blow it to bits.”
He further expounds upon the albums musical direction: “Stylistically, Camelot In Smithereens is different from (1994 release) River Disturbance and previous albums. The overall vibe of River Disturbance had more of a funk feel; it was more of an epic album. Camelot is more straight ahead musically; it is more progressive rock. Camelot has a more loose, live feel, while River Disturbance was more structured and super clean.”
Camelot In Smithereens track listing:
1. “Somber Theme (Where Are You)”
2. “Lindsey”
3. “Not Too Good 4 Me”
4. “Anymore”
5. “Book Ends”
6. “Beauty & The Beast”
7. “Make My Bed In Hell”
8. “The Red Roof”
9. “In-U”
“Beauty & The Beast” is a cover of the David Bowie classic (off Heroes from 1977).
Reference List
McCabe, Ginny. “Deliverance.” HM 58 (1995): 26.
Further discussion: www.facebook.com/JPBII
NEWS BRIEFS
* The debut ATOMIC OPERA album For Madmen Only from 1994 is pending a September 1, 2017 re-issue on Rock Candy Records.
* NARNIA's self-titled seventh album, originally released in September of last year, has been re-mastered and re-issued with two bonus tracks, one of which is a re-recorded version of “Living Water”. Originally appearing on the group’s 1999 sophomore album Long Live The King, “Living Water 2017” features the keyboard work of Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS, RAINBOW).
* SARDONYX, new album Sons Of The Kingdom video update: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjij0NVp00A
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
ENZO & THE GLORY ENSEMBLE Sign Worldwide Deal With Rockshots Records:
Press Release / ROCKSHOTS RECORDS are thrilled to announce the signing of the Christian metal opera “ENZO AND THE GLORY ENSEMBLE”!
In The Name Of The Son is the sophomore album of founding member Enzo Donnarumma’s project and confirms the stellar line-up that appeared on his 2015 debut album In The Name Of The Father, including Marty Friedman, Kobi Farhi (ORPHANED LAND), Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL EAR), Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING, WARLORD, GRAHAM BONNET BAND), Gary Wehrkamp & Brian Ashland (SHADOW GALLERY), David Brown (METATRONE) and many more.
Enzo Donnarumma‘s sound explores and unifies different genres: progressive metal, classical music, symphonic soundtrack, musical, ethnic music and world music. The new album In The Name Of The Son delivers a Gospel metal sound thanks to the “Weza Moza Gospel Choir” from Congo, and follows up the critically acclaimed In The Name of The Father by pursuing the “sign of the cross” chronology.
In The Name Of The Son, produced by Enzo Donnarumma and Gary Wehrkamp, mastered by Simone Mularoni with the addition of the impressive cover art by Nello Dell’Omo (Art For Music), is set to be released in Europe on September 29, 2017 via Rockshots Records on all the major record and digital stores and will mark another important milestone in the band’s career.
The 85% Angelic Warlord review described In The Name Of The Father as “(giving) rise to a ‘metal opera’ feel in resting upon a foundation of the power and progressive while also yielding nuances of classical music, symphonic & art rock, theatrical soundtrack, New Age and World & Ethnic Music. Despite such a wide array of styles, In The Name Of The Father comes across as a unified and concise whole in directly reflecting both the efforts of the artist - that also includes guitar and songwriting - and numerous guests in question.”
Rockshots Records online: www.rockshots.eu & www.facebook.com/rockshotsrecords
Enzo Donnarumma online: www.enzodonnarumma.com/intro/index.html & www.facebook.com/Enzo-Donnarumma
SUNROAD - “White Eclipse” Lyric Video Released:
Brazil’s SUNROAD debuts lyrics video for the track “White Eclipse”. The song comes off the group’s seventh studio album Wing Seven, which was released via Roxx Records on April 14, 2017.
SUNROAD started out in 1996 and have been playing their brand of melodic hard rock now for over 20 years, with six previous albums, a best of collection and live DVD under their belt these guys show no sign of slowing down.
Having just finished recording their seventh studio album entitled Wing Seven, SUNROAD is ready to get back at it, playing shows, maybe hooking up as part of a tour and just play their music to the people wherever they can go.
The sound of SUNROAD could be defined as a very dynamic hard rock band with some blues and progressive rock influences thrown in. They have toured extensively, and have played with many great bands and artists through the years, including shows with LA GUNS, WHITECROSS, PETRA, JOE LYNN TURNER and STRYPER to name a few.
Wing Seven contains 13 new songs, including the first single “In The Sand” that has just been released as part of a fund raising compilation entitled Metal Pulse: A Tribute to Dale Huffman.
SUNROAD lineup:
Andre Adonis - Lead Vocals & Keyboards
Netto Mello - Guitars
Akasio Angels – Bass & Backing Vocals
Fred Mika - Drums, Percussion & Backing Vocals.
Wing Seven track listing:
1.”Destiny Shadows”
2. “White Eclipse”
3. “In The Sand”
4. “Misspent Youth”
5. “Tempo”
6. “Whatever”
7. “Skies Eyes”
8. “Day By Day”
9. “Craft Of Whirlwinds”
10. “Drifting Ships”
11. “Brighty Breakdown”
12. “Plot Of Your Heart”
13. “Last Sunray In The Road”
Roxx Records online: www.roxxproductions.com & www.facebook.com/RoxxRecords777
SUNROAD online: www.facebook.com/sunroadofficial
Michael Sweet & George Lynch Complete Work On Second SWEET & LYNCH Album, Unified:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net:
SWEET & LYNCH - the band featuring guitarist/vocalist Michael Sweet (STRYPER), legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB), bassist James LoMenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and drummer Brian Tichy (THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE) - will release its sophomore album, Unified, on November 10 via Frontiers Music Srl. The first single from the disc, "Promised Land", can now be streamed above.
Says Sweet: "George and I couldn't be more excited about this album! We've worked very hard to bring you the best of both worlds - a throwback of the chart-topping STRYPER/DOKKEN days yet with a modern production that fits right in with anything out there now in the rock world today.
“We couldn't be more proud than to be working with Brian Tichy and James LoMenzo again as they are the best rhythm section you'll ever hear. If you liked SWEET & LYNCH I, you're going to love Unified."
Michael previously said that SWEET & LYNCH was formed when Frontiers president Serafino Perugino approached him "to sing and write for what (Serafino) was referring to as a 'super group' project - (one of the first) that Frontiers would be putting together and releasing. I was, of course, not only intrigued by the idea but also humbled that he would ask me! Jon Levin (DOKKEN) was suggested as the possible guitarist and I suggested to Serafino getting the man himself, Mr. Scary (George Lynch) involved. Serafino was, of course, excited about the idea. Frontiers has told me how happy they are with my production on the new STRYPER albums, so I immediately suggested producing as well. Serafino also agreed. I contacted George (as soon as possible) and he quickly agreed to be a part of this exciting project. It was decided that he and I would co-write everything together and that I would produce."
Sweet, who is a devout Christian, also talked about his working relationship with George, who considers himself to be a freethinker/atheist:
"You may ask how does an atheist and a Christian work together in a band situation? The answer is respect. Although I don't agree with George's spiritual/religious views (and he doesn't agree with mine, assumedly), we respect each other as musicians, friends and human beings. I'm free to do many things with the hope that maybe, just maybe, my life might have a profound effect on people I come in contact with.
"I've spoken with George many times over and he always strikes me as a genuine soul and someone who cares for and loves people. Bottom line? He's a great guy and I'm proud to be a part of this with George. Although we don't see eye to eye in our beliefs, we respect each other enough to not let that come between us."
SWEET & LYNCH's debut album, Only To Rise, was released in January 2015 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Lynch told Guitar World about the sound of "Only To Rise": "There are so many elements to it. Even though we're both legacy players who have influences that go so far back, the album doesn’t sound dated. At the same time, we've also matured as writers, and that really comes out in our music. If you can construct really great songs, it doesn't matter what era or what genre it's from. In the end, a good song is a good song. One of the examples on this album is 'Dying Rose', which has a country-esque, Nashville element to it. I could hear a modern country outfit do it as well as a rock band. It's a beautiful melody and chorus with a nice hook. There's also some showing off and old-school metal kind of stuff on this album as well."
Unified track listing:
1. “Promised Land”
2. “Walk”
3. “Afterlife”
4. “Make Your Mark”
5. “Tried & True”
6. “Unified”
7. “Find Your Way”
8. “Heart Of Fire”
9. “Bridge Of Broken Lies”
10. “Better Man”
11. “Live To Die"
Frontiers Music SRL online: www.frontiers.it/index.php & www.facebook.com/frontiersmusicsrl
SWEET & LYNCH online: www.facebook.com/SweetLynch
NEWS BRIEFS
* ESSENCE OF SORROW update (Facebook - July 26, 2017):
“We just want to share some details about the release plan (for the new album) and everything. We are working hard on getting the album done. During the spring we've been working on the vocal arrangements. We'll begin the drum tracking mid autumn due to some tours that intervened. Bare with us. Slowly but surely we'll get there”.
* RESURRECTION BAND, entire concert from Trenton, New Jersey in 1984: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL7r2jdJ-t0
* ROSE has made its 4 song Witchburner EP (originally released in 2010) available for download at Bandcamp: https://rose.bandcamp.com/album/witchburner-single
Metal & Hard Rock News
DISCIPLES OF GOD (D.O.G.) To Release Debut Album At So Cal Metal Fest:
Christian Metal super group debuts in August with new album, Unleashed:
Press Release / How about some killer Christian Metal in the vein of METALLICA or MOTORHEAD? If that sounds like something up your alley you’re gonna want to check out the newest addition to the Roxx Records roster! Making its official debut this August at So Cal Metal Fest 2 - A Tribute to Dale Huffman is the debut release from D.O.G. or DISCIPLES OF GOD, which was started as a true ministry based band out there playing anywhere and everywhere they can to spread God’s word through heavy metal!
As much as the band would probably not like you to say this, you could classify this release as a Christian Metal super group! When you have pro players like Terry Russell of HOLY SOLDIER and NEON CROSS on drums and singing lead vocals as well as Larry Farkas of VENGEANCE RISING and DIE HAPPY on guitars alongside Don Webster of NEON CROSS on guitar and lastly featuring the talents of Terry’s son Colton Russell on bass, one might say it’s got a bit of that going on here. BUT, the sound here is something completely different then all the aforementioned bands, this music is on the straight up heavy metal side with vocals from Terry tending to sound a little like a cross between Lemmy and James Hetfield.
Check out the first single and brand new lyric video courtesy of Kruse FX titled “No One Rides For Free” off the debut album Unleashed (link above).
You will want to pick this up as it is a special one time pressing of only 300 pieces on CD featuring 8 brand new tracks to rock you all the way to Heaven’s door! Again if you’re at the BIG show this August you will have your first opportunity to pick one up, the official street date is August 25, 2017.
Unleashed track listing:
1. “No One Rides For Free”
2. “Seeking Your Face”
3. “Pay The Piper”
4. “Into Thin Air”
5. “Aliens And Strangers”
6. “Armageddon”
7. “Life or Death”
8. “Hey You”
D.O.G. Unleashed pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/20851181-d-o-g-disciples-of-god-unleashed-2017
D.O.G. online: www.facebook.com/DOG
HOLY SOLDIER 25th Anniversary Of Last Train Re-issue Announced:
Press Release / Roxx Records is very excited to announce a very special re-issue from one of Christian rock’s most instrumental and influential artists of the late eighties and early nineties, HOLY SOLDIER.
Formed by bassist Andy Robbins and guitarist Jamie Cramer, HOLY SOLDIER burst on to the scene in 1985 taking the Christian rock world by storm. The band played all over the US but very quickly built a large following in their home state of California. At one point, the band held the largest attendance records at the famous Hollywood night club Gazzarri's. By 1990, the band would release their debut self-titled album which would draw even more attention and success to the band allowing them to continue to tour and record. By 1992 the band would release their highly anticipated sophomore effort titled Last Train, which would even further their success and broaden their market reach across the world. The band would play live relentlessly, touring all over, winning two Dove awards and building an amazing following all over the world.
“Last Train shows a band at the peak of their prowess. With grit and determination, HOLY SOLDIER shows that they were not followers in a narrow glam scene but were an exceptional hard rock act that worked hard to create a unique sound that deserved more recognition than they received. All the years of slugging it out in the L.A. club scene were not lost on this talented five piece, producer David Zaffiro pulled out the best they had and helped to craft an under rated gem.”
- Keven Crothers (White Throne / Heaven’s Metal)
This year marks the 25th anniversary of that sophomore release Last Train and with that we are going to celebrate and give this classic release a much needed re-issue, giving it that special Roxx Records treatment. The music on this re-issue will be exactly as it originally appeared in 1992 track by track, but featuring a complete and new re-master done by J Powell at Steinhaus Re-mastering, and it sounds amazing! In addition,n this reiissue will feature some slightly updated artwork; however, but keeping the integrity, look and feel of that classic original pressing. This brand new interpretation of the artwork as well as the full layout and design was done by Scott Waters (Roxx Records / No Life Til Metal).
This limited edition pressing will come in a 500 piece vinyl pressing with 150 on red vinyl and 350 on black vinyl marking the very first time this album has ever been pressed on vinyl! In addition, we will also be releasing a very cool 500 piece limited edition re-mastered re-issue on CD. Official street date for this re-issue will be August 25, 2017 but this release will be making its official debut at this year’s SoCal Metal Fest 2 - A Tribute to Dale Huffman on Saturday August 12th.
Last Train track listing:
1. “Virtue & Vice”
2. “Crazy”
3. “Hallow's Eve”
4. “Gimme Shelter”
5. “Love Is On The Way”
6. “Dead End Drive”
7. “Tuesday Mourning”
8. “Fairweather Friend”
9. “Last Train”
Last Train pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
PASTOR BRAD Uploads ‘Rockumentary’ On New Album Crush:
Bay City, Michigan minister and guitarist Pastor Brad Windlan released on July 21, 2017 a new album in Crush exclusive to ten original vocal tracks. The artist’s sixteenth full-length album, Crush is a celebration of 80’s Christian rock and metal music designed to ‘rock you up’ for Jesus.
In order to celebrate its release, PASTOR BRAD recently uploaded to YouTube (link above) a ‘Rockumentary’ that goes into further detail in regards to Crush.
Crush “Rockumentary” table of contents:
“Intro & Welcome”
“Crush” (2:22)
“Get Away” (7:28)
“Holding Me Together” (14:06)
“Mean Machine” (18:25)
“Mighty Fortress” (23:29)
“Your Love” (28:03)
“My Jesus” (34:34)
“Rip Tide” (40:43)
“I’m In You” (45:45)
“Coming Home” (50:38)
Grab a cup of coffee or a snack and settle in for nearly an hour of inspiration and head-banging praise, worship and testimony! Prepare to be CRUSHED by an onslaught of love, grace, encouragement, blessing, challenge and faith building truth!
Be sure to visit and subscribe to the Pastor Brad Rocks Channel today at: www.youtube.com/user/pastorbrad1985
PASTOR BRAD description: If you tossed Stryper, KISS, Iron Maiden, Whitecross, AC/DC, Barren Cross, Metallica, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, SAINT, Ozzy Osbourne, Theocracy, Van Halen, Scorpions, Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads, Angus Young, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, into a Christian blender--you get Pastor Brad 80s style Christian Hair Metal Music!
PASTOR BRAD online: www.guitarjams.net & www.facebook.com/pastorbradrocks
Re-mastered XALT Dark War Track “God In A Box” Unveiled:
Retroactive re-issue of XALT cassette only album Dark War (from 1988) set for release on August 15, 2017:
Press Release / Dark War is an unabashedly "old school" metal record, and for as much as collectors have sought out this near impossible find, this 1988 cassette only album was an independent release put out by a band that was leading a Christian metal movement in Michigan, Ohio and the surrounding areas! The band would not have the support of a label (Pure Metal) until their 1990 sophomore release, Under the Ruins.
A re-mastered version to the song “God In A Box” is available for streaming (above).
Dark War has consistently been on the most requested (and bootlegged) Christian Metal re-issues list because the songs are nothing less than lumbering beasts with monolithic slabs of rhythm guitar, and hooks that bring to mind 1980’s DIO- especially his work with BLACK SABBATH during their Heaven & Hell era. It’s literally impossible to listen to such epic tracks as “The Cross,” “God In A Box,” and “Dark War” and not imagine how easily XALT could have become the next MTV sensations right alongside STRYPER, JUDAS PRIEST and DOKKEN. Yes, Dark War is THAT good!
And, for almost 30 years it’s never been officially available in any format but cassette... until now! The official 2017 Retroactive Records, Dark War (Retroarchives Edition) features a complete re-master at the hands of Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound), as well as 6 previously unreleased bonus demo tracks the band recorded in preparation for their Under the Ruins release on Pure Metal Records. We packaged this metal masterpiece in a 12-page booklet / jewel case with lyrics, including six pages of detailed liner notes and reflections from XALT’s elite axeman, James Erdman. This 500 unit CD pressing resurrects one of Christian Metal’s greatest moments. Enjoy!
Dark War track listing:
1. “Ariel”
2. “The Cross”
3. “God In A Box”
4. “Where Victory Storms”
5. “Angry Fire”
6. “Ready For The Fight”
7. “A Warrior's Honor”
8. “Looking Down A Loaded Gun”
9. “Palace Daydream”
10. “Soldiers In The Mist”
11. “Dark War”
1989 Demo track listing:
12. “Under The Ruins”
13. “Wounded Heart”
14. “The Kingdom Within”
15. “Lift Him Up”
16. “The Fortress”
17. “Through The Night”
All pre-orders come with a free 6X6 sticker of the album cover.
Dark War pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/20677676-xalt-dark-war-retroarchives-edition-cd-2017
NEWS BRIEFS
“ Altered Peace”, clip of new VISUAL CLIFF song off its upcoming album Refuge: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmlv0DOIxWE
* The new SWEET & LYNCH album (untitled at the time of this writing) is scheduled for release later in the year on Frontiers Music. It will include the same line up of vocalist & guitarist Michael Sweet, guitarist George Lynch, bassist James Lomenzo and drummer Brian Tichy.
* ”Have Mercy”, official music video from TOMMY WALES: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqOkS6kSaZ8
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY Release Sophomore Album, Choices:
San Diego, California based THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY announce the July 5, 2017 digital release of its sophomore album Choices. The CD version is to follow on July 20, 2017.
The group recently uploaded a Choices album teaser to YouTube (above).
With musical influences including IRON MAIDEN, KISS, AC/DC, CHEAP TRICK VAN HALEN, RANDY RHOADES, SCORPIONS, THE CULT, CAMELOT, RESURRECTION BAND and BARREN CROSS, THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY released its debut full length Remnant Rock in January of 2016. According to the 75% Angelic Warlord review, Remnant Rock represents a joining of ‘classic to traditional metal and good old fashioned blues based hard rock’ that ‘plays tribute to its musical influences in question’.
THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY was born directly out of founding member Norm Campbell's decision to accept the un-earned gift of salvation paid for by Jesus on the cross. Further details from the groups press material:
“The music he had been writing and performing for so many years reminded him how lost, empty and unfulfilling his efforts had been. From that day forward, he would take all he had learned from his strong Bible teachers, Pastor Joe Schiavone and Pastor Mike Mills, and relate it into the music he still loved, hard rock.
“Along with longtime friend, engineer and drummer Jeff Forrest, they created the sounds you hear now for the prodigal sons and daughters whom have come back to accept God's word but still need to crank up some tasty hard rock! And for those still sitting on the fence, a safe haven of positive influence to make the choice easier".
The Choices cover art attributes to Jeremy Antoine.
Choices track listing:
1. “Black Sheep”
2. “Charmed Life”
3. “Never Letting Go”
4. “Drown Your Pain”
5. “The Great Divide”
6.”That Old Man”
7. “Steal Your Thunder”
8. “Cornerstone”
THE CRIMSON BRIDGE MINISTRY online: www.thecrimsonbridgeministry.com & www.facebook.com/CrimsonBridgeMinistry
VENGEANCE RISING Celebrates 30th Anniversary:
Press Release / It was 30 years ago in 1987 when Pastor Bob Beeman of Sanctuary International would be led to call together a very special group of musicians that would come together to form a new ministry minded band out of Southern California. With a lot of prayer and faith, the players were assembled and the full band would come together to record and distribute their very first demo tape. That tape would be what many people still consider to be the beginning of a movement, one thing was certain it was about to make a lasting impression on the Christian music community.
That band was one of the very first in the genre of Christian thrash, that band was called VENGEANCE and that tape was their original 5-song self-titled cassette only demo. That tape would lead them to signing a multiple album record contract on Intense Records which ultimately led to the release of their first full length album entitled Human Sacrifice.
Human Sacrifice was one of the most controversial releases of the time. Many Christian record stores would ban the album from their shelves completely. The album featured the hand of Pastor Bob himself portraying the bloodied hand of Christ nailed to the cross. The music was harsh and in the vein of bands like DARK ANGEL and SLAYER, it definitely took the Christian ‘White’ Metal scene to a whole new level.
This classic album has been long out of print outside of a Limited Edition CD reissue (1000 pieces) on the defunct Intense Millennium Records in 2010 and a Limited Edition vinyl picture disc (300 pieces) on Roxx Records in 2013, all of which are long sold out and now collector’s items themselves. With the album still in high demand we are very happy to bring to the public a new and very special pressing adding a few twists as we celebrate 30 years of VENGEANCE.
Roxx Records is proud to bring you a very special pressing of Human Sacrifice. This special package includes brand new liner notes from original VENGEANCE bassist Roger Dale Martin. It has been completely re-mastered by J Powell of Steinhaus Mastering and features a brand new layout done by our very own Scott Waters (Roxx Records/No Life til Metal). This limited edition pressing will feature the newly designed artwork as originally featured on the vinyl picture disc version from 2013 and comes packaged in a beautiful glossy 6 panel wallet. Last but not least we have added 5 special bonus tracks from that original demo tape that started it all 30 years ago.
Official release date for this pressing is August 25th with pre-orders going live now. Pre-orders only will come with a very special limited run 6” x 6” sticker as a pre-order bonus item. But this title will be making its official debut first at this year’s largest Christian Metal Fest called SoCal Metal Fest 2 in Orange California on August 12th.
Where there will also be a very special performance from 4 of the original members of VENGEANCE. If that’s not enough for you we will also be making another very special release announcement regarding VENGEANCE first that day at the show! You will not want to miss anything, the new CD, this very special one time performance or the special release announcement we will be making first at the show!
Human Sacrifice track listing:
1. "Human Sacrifice"
2. "Burn"
3. "Mulligan Stew"
4. "Receive Him"
5. "I Love Hating Evil"
6. "Fatal Delay"
7. "White Throne"
8. "Salvation"
9. "From the Dead"
10. "Ascension"
11. "He is God"
12. "Fill This Place With Blood"
13. "Beheaded"
Demo bonus tracks:
1. "White Throne"
2. "He is God"
3. "Salvation"
4. "Human Sacrifice"
5. "Beheaded"
Human Sacrifice pre-order: http://roxxrecords.storenvy.com/products/20693465-vengeance-human-sacrifice-2017
NEWS BRIEFS
* ENERGEMA, 2017 version to the song “The Lion’s Force”: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j1jb4_Yo4s
“The Lion’s Forces” is the title track to the groups full length debut released last year on Sleazy Rider Records.
* “Jee-You” music video from IMARI TONES: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvQI1imavqg
“Jee-You”, which comes off the groups upcoming album Jesus Wind, means freedom in Japanese. According to the Yokohama, Japan based group ‘freedom is in the relationship between Jesus and You! It's a song about changing the world with your faith’.
* THEOCRACY, “Castaway” official audio: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2CKlRYTrnY
The song is from the groups Ulterium Records fall of 2016 fourth full-length album Ghost Ship.
I would like to start this weeks update by thanking George Fox University, of which I am an alumni, for including the following write up about Angelic Warlord in the most recent edition of the "George Fox Journal”:
Andrew (Rockwell) (G87) is administrator of Angelic Warlord, an online (angelicwarlord.com) music magazine that focuses on heavy metal and Christian rock music. He is responsible for all design and content coordination, including record reviews, news updates, artist interviews and current release dates. In its 11th year, it has the mission “to support Christians creating art within the metal and hard rock genres.” He lives in Glendale, Arizona.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
Michael Sweet Wants To Start Composing Next STRYPER Album This Month:
Courtesy of www.blabbermouth.net & Angelic Warlord:
STRYPER will enter the studio this fall to begin work on in its new album for an early 2018 release. Front man Michael Sweet told Good Company in a new interview about the band's planned follow-up to 2015's Fallen (see link below): "We're gonna start recording a new album in October - we start pre-production - and we'll probably be done by before Christmastime, at the latest just after Christmas. It will come out - if I had to guess - probably around April."
Asked if he feels any pressure having to come up with an album's worth of material in such a short period of time, Sweet said: "I do, but I don't (start writing well ahead of time), actually. I procrastinate a lot. So if I'm traveling and I'm busy doing other things, I'll put off (until) two, three weeks before the album writing the album. I've done that on the last three albums- No More Hell To Pay (2013), Fallen and (2016 solo disc) One Sided War. Those were all written just a few weeks before recording. It's not the way I like to do things, it's not the way things should be done, but I seem to be - for whatever reason - in that mindset. And hopefully for this new STRYPER album, I can break that. I wanna start writing in July, 'cause I'm gonna have some time to do that, and try to come up with a good number of ideas long before we start recording them."
On No More Hell To Pay (per the 95% Angelic Warlrod review), ‘Stryper continues to pay tribute to its eighties roots but takes things to the next level and then some. It starts with how the group merges the darker heaviness of To Hell With The Devil with the metallic edges to Soldiers Under Command- all the while emphasizing its trademark vocal melodies and duel soloing abilities.’
Fallen, also graded at 95%, ‘(Picks) up where No More Hell To Pay leaves off in maintaining the classic melodic metal and hard rock leanings while upholding similar levels of consistency and continuity- no skip buttons or filler tracks, just one ballad and emphasizing the heavier aspect to the groups sound.’
Both No More Hell To Pay and Fallen were included as part of a recent article at Angelic Warlord that outlined the top ten albums released the past ten years. Further reading: www.angelicwarlord.com/articles/toptenalbumsofthepasttenyears.html
Fallen 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 followed the No. 35-peaking No More Hell To Pay.
Good Company interview with Michael Sweet (STRYPER): www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iTAWRxPKMo
STRYPER online: www.stryper.com & www.facebook.com/Stryper
Retroactive Records Announce GUARDIAN Fire & Love Black & Yellow Vinyl Releases:
Press Release / Fire & Love should come packaged with a rubber mat to prevent your jaw from shattering when it drops to the floor. Response to the albums release (1990) was overwhelming, and the video for the song "Power Of Love" was included in the MTV's Headbangers Ball rotation. The shredding melodic metal of their previous album, First Watch, is replaced by red-hot, fired-up commercial hard rock that is belted out with emotive power to spare by the awesome Jamie Rowe. Adding to the album's appeal is the legendary production talents of John & Dino Elefante (KANSAS,/MASTEDON). If you love big guitars (Palacios rips!), big hooks (MOTLEY CRUE would be jealous), big choruses (BON JOVI would approve), big vocals (can you say wall of sound?), and big production (it's the Elefantes...what else do you need to know?), then you'll love this album, a true Christian hard rock classic.
Fire & Love earned GUARDIAN a well-deserved place at the top of the Christian hard rock/hair metal scene, nudging STRYPER slightly over to share a bit of the spotlight:
*#28 on the Top 100 Christian Metal Albums of All Time (2010, HM Magazine)
*#61 on the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of All Time (2010, HM Magazine)
*#18 on the Christian Metal Realm’s 100 Greatest Christian Metal Albums of all time
*#11 on the Top Albums of the 90’s by Angelic Warlord
Fire & Love offers elite Christian metal that still knows how to win the hearts, and touch the lives of fans across the world! Fire & Love has been digitally re-mastered for this 2017 reissue, further enhancing the pure magic that has been thrilling fans since its release in 1990!
Available on CD and vinyl! Retroactive pressed 200 Yellow Vinyl, 300 Black Vinyl. All Vinyl releases come housed in a full color jacket with a spine and a color insert with lyrics. The CD release is packaged in a 6-panel jewel case with lyrics and a bonus track featured only on the CD version of the reissue - the track “Take Up Your Cross” previously only available on the Pakaderm Records CD sampler Portrait Of A Spirit.
Fire & Love track listing:
1. “Power Of Love”
2. “Send A Message”
3. “Time Stands Still”
4. “Forever And A Day”
5. “Takin' On The World”
6. “Fire And Love”
7. “Turn Around”
8. “Time And Time Again”
9. “The Rain”
10. “Never Say Goodbye”
Fire & Love Black Vinyl pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/20676845-guardian-fire-love-legends-remastered-black-vinyl
Fire & Love Yellow Vinyl pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/20676770-guardian-fire-love-legends-remastered-yellow-vinyl
Retroactive Records Reveals XALT Dark War Re-issue Details:
Press Release / Dark War is an unabashedly "old school" metal record, and for as much as collectors have sought out this near impossible find, this 1988 cassette only album was an independent release put out by a band that was leading a Christian metal movement in Michigan, Ohio and the surrounding areas! The band would not have the support of a label (Pure Metal) until their 1990 sophomore release, Under the Ruins.
Dark War has consistently been on the most requested (and bootlegged) Christian Metal re-issues list because the songs are nothing less than lumbering beasts with monolithic slabs of rhythm guitar, and hooks that bring to mind 1980’s DIO- especially his work with BLACK SABBATH during their Heaven & Hell era. It’s literally impossible to listen to such epic tracks as “The Cross,” “God In A Box,” and “Dark War” and not imagine how easily XALT could have become the next MTV sensations right alongside STRYPER, JUDAS PRIEST and DOKKEN. Yes, Dark War is THAT good!
And, for almost 30 years it’s never been officially available in any format but cassette... until now! The official 2017 Retroactive Records, Dark War (Retroarchives Edition) features a complete re-master at the hands of Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound), as well as 6 previously unreleased bonus demo tracks the band recorded in preparation for their Under the Ruins release on Pure Metal Records. We packaged this metal masterpiece in a 12-page booklet / jewel case with lyrics, including six pages of detailed liner notes and reflections from XALT’s elite axeman, James Erdman. This 500 unit CD pressing resurrects one of Christian Metal’s greatest moments. Enjoy!
Dark War track listing:
1. “Ariel”
2. “The Cross”
3. “God In A Box”
4. “Where Victory Storms”
5. “Angry Fire”
6. “Ready For The Fight”
7. “A Warrior's Honor”
8. “Looking Down A Loaded Gun”
9. “Palace Daydream”
10. “Soldiers In The Mist”
11. “Dark War”
1989 Demo track listing:
12. “Under The Ruins”
13. “Wounded Heart”
14. “The Kingdom Within”
15. “Lift Him Up”
16. “The Fortress”
17. “Through The Night”
All pre-orders come with a free 6X6 sticker of the album cover.
Dark War pre-order: http://boonesoverstock.storenvy.com/products/20677676-xalt-dark-war-retroarchives-edition-cd-2017
NEWS BRIEFS
* BIOGENESIS California tour GoFundMe fundraiser: www.gofundme.com/biogenesis-california-tour
* DYNASTY, “Sad Faces” lyric video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_sudlyKgt0
The song comes off the Brazilian groups recently released third full-length album Step By Step.
* GOLIATH’s 2001 debut album The Gate is schedule for a September 11, 2017 re-release via Roxx Records. Along with being re-mastered, it will feature three alternate tracks and a video to the song “Welcome To My Nightmare”.
* WYTCH HAZEL has released its 2016 Bad Omen Records debut full-length Prelude on cassette: http://fillyourhead.bigcartel.com/product/wytch-hazel-prelude
The UK based group has gained renown for its ability to combine the hard rock twin guitar attack of THIN LIZZY and folk-rock eccentricity to JETHRO TULL with facets of sacred medieval music.
METAL & HARD ROCK NEWS
THE 3 Debut “Sinner Train” lyric video:
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma power trio THE 3 has debuted a lyric video to the track “Sinner Train”, which comes off its March of 2017 independently released sophomore album Gospelbilly. THE 3 debut full length Into The Light came out in June of 2015 (also independent).
According to its press material, THE 3 ‘writes, records and performs an exciting mixture of modern classic rock, rockabilly, blues rock, often with Christian themes found on the recordings of such artists as Johnny Cash, The Byrds, Hank Williams Sr. and others’. Musically, the group compares favorably to GLENN KAISER BAND, STEVIE & THE SAINTS, BIG CHRIS & D’BARE BONES BAND and THE REX CARROLL BAND.
The 70% Angelic Warlord review of Gospelbilly) describes THE 3 as ‘(taking) a foundation of blues-rock and (imbuing) it with aspects of hard rock, classic rock and traditional blues.’
THE 3 consist of three seasoned pro musicians that possess substantial live and studio experience: vocalist and guitarist Dave Sharo, drummer Mark Hine and bassist Colin Stewart.
Gospelbilly track listing:
1. “Shine”
2. “Sinner Train”
3. “Don’t You Go”
4. “Every Time You Rock”
5. “Forgiven”
6. “Gave My Soul”
7. “Have Mercy”
8.”Solitude”
THE 3 online: http://the3rock.com & www.facebook.com/The-3
NEWS BRIEFS
* Apart from vocalist Sonny Larsson (MOTHERLODE) and guitarist Bjorn Stigsson (LEVITICUS), the new XT line up consists of keyboardist Dan Tibell, bassist Peter Carlsohn (JERUSALEM), and drummer Mick Nordström (MODEST ATTRACTION). XT is set to begin recording its next album, which it hopes to release the fall of this year.
XT got its start in 1992 with its self-titled debut full length prior to releasing follow up efforts Taxfree (1993) and Extended Empire (1995).
* Good Company YouTube interview with Michael Sweet (STRYPER): www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iTAWRxPKMo
