Image: Kirk Hammett, Metallica Live In Madrid 2024 [Credit: Bratt Murray]
In an interview with Metal Hammer UK, Kirk Hammett recently spoke about his departure from Exodus to join Metallica and admitted that he felt a bit guilty about it.
Although he has made a name for himself as the lead guitarist of the world’s biggest metal band, Metallica, Kirk Hammett’s musical career was already well underway before he joined the band in 1983. In 1979, at the tender age of just 16, he founded the Bay Area thrash band Exodus along with singer Paul Baloff, guitarist Tim Agnello, bassist Geoff Andrews, and drummer Tom Hunting.
The Switch to Metallica
But four years later, in 1983, Hammett had to make a serious decision. Before the recording of Metallica‘s debut album “Kill ‘Em All,” founding guitarist Dave Mustaine was kicked out of the band due to various behavioral issues and drug abuse. Mustaine then went on to form Megadeth, perhaps Metallica’s greatest thrash metal rivals.
When the lead guitarist position became available, Metallica called Kirk Hammett and invited him to audition for the band. Kirk flew to New York a few days later, and the rest is history.
The guitarist speaks in the Metal Hammer UK interview about the “guilt” he felt when he left his first band to join Metallica, but ultimately admitted it was the right decision.
“I have known Tom Hunting since I was 16 years old, I’ve known Gary Holt since I was 17. We’re all close to this day, but there was a lot of guilt there for a while. A little bit of remorse. But I really felt that Metallica was my calling. I feel more comfortable playing in Metallica than I ever did in Exodus, so go figure.”
Hammett’s Influence on “Kill ‘Em All”
As he further explained, some of the ideas he wrote during his time with Exodus were used on “Kill ‘Em All.”
“The [riffs] came from songs that I had written, music that I had written,” he says. “I consider them my parts. I didn’t feel guilty about that, but I did feel guilty about leaving the band I started in high school.”
These remarks are particularly interesting since Hammett was never credited as a songwriter for “Kill ‘Em All.” The album was officially written by frontman James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, with Mustaine credited for “The Four Horsemen,” “Jump In The Fire,” “Phantom Lord,” and “Metal Militia.” And then, of course, there was “(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth,” which was all the majesty of Cliff Burton.
New hard riffing guitar, new solo, completely remixed and remastered! “Hell Is My Purgatory”, one of the most popular tracks of GRAVE DIGGER‘s latest album “Symbol Of Eternity” and an integral part of their live setlist, comes in a new guise and lets string wizard TOBIAS KERSTING shine with his impressive skills as one of Germany’s top axemen. Teutonic old school Heavy Metal at its finest from one of the most legendary German metal bands!
“Hell Is My Purgatory (Hellfire 2024)” is out now on all popular and well-known download & streaming platforms. Single’s smartlink: https://bfan.link/hell-is-my-purgatory
Italian alternative metallers AvenueLie release a new video clip ‘The Hole’, a song from the new album EVA, available on all streaming platforms.
The video, filmed and directed by Daniele Persoglio at Sonic Factory studios (Pavia, Italy), is the first clip of the three-video collection “Eva Studio Session”, that includes Vellum (out on August 30th) and Puppets of Chaos (out on September 27th).
Alternative rock band KLOGR is excited to announce the release of their new single “The Twisted Art” (featuring guest Alber Eno) and their European tour in November/December supporting Evergrey.
After a long wait due to personal issues of band members, KLOGR is finally back on the scene with a powerful and decisive sound – a mix of alternative rock, metal, and grunge with electro influences that make the sound modern and captivating. The song addresses themes of mental manipulation and denial of reality, which gain even more value with the feature of Alber Eno (singer of Kismet and currently pursuing his solo project), given the collaboration that ties the artist and the band together in production.
Regarding this collaboration, Alber Eno explains: “I was delighted to be involved by Rusty to work with him on the vocal production, and right from the start, I found a special synergy with the sound and lyrical concept of the new songs. In the song ‘The Twisted Art,’ we decided to blend our voices together, and I must admit I had quite a bit of fun roaring my vocal cords in the final chorus!”.
The artwork is by Charli Aldrighi, an illustrator and artist well-known in the music scene for designing artwork and merchandise for many international bands. Produced by Rusty himself, co-produced and recorded by Jarno Bellasio, and mixed/mastered by Federico Ascari, “The Twisted Art” marks a powerful return for a band that has made a lot of noise in recent years.
As announced, the band will be part of Evergrey‘s European tour, hitting the road for 7 weeks and 45 shows. Here are the initial dates, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
03.11.2024 Herford (DE) @ Kulturwerk 05.11.2024 Bochum (DE) @ Zeche 06.11.2024 Siegburg (DE) @ Kubana 07.11.2024 Sarnen (CH) @ Urrock Musik Festival 08.11.2024 Monthey (CH) Pont Rouge 09.11.2024 Barcelona (ES) @ Sala Boveda 10.11.2024 Madrid (ES) @ Revi Live 11.11.2024 LISBON (PT) @ RCA Club 12.11.2024 Porto (PT) @ Hard Club Room 2 13.11.2024 Mos (ES) @ Sala Rebullon 14.11.2024 Valladolid (ES) @ Porta Caeli 15.11.2024 Vitoria-Gasteiz (ES) @ Urban Rock Concept 16.11.2024 Nantes (FR) @ Le Ferrailleur 17.11.2024 Paris (FR) @ Petit Bain 19.11.2024 Würzburg (DE) Posthalle 20.11.2024 Hannover (DE) @ Musikzentrum 21.11.2024 Leizpig (DE) @ Hellraiser 22.11.2024 Hamburg (DE) @ Bahnhof Pauli 24.11.2024 Berlin (DE) @ Lido 25.11.2024 Poznan (PL) @ 2Progi 26.11.2024 Cracow (PL) @ Kwadrat 29.11.2024 Sofia (BG) @ Mixtape 5 30.11.2024 Thessaloniki (GR) @ Principal Club Theater 01.12.2024 Athens (GR) @ Kyttaro Live 03.12.2024 Belgrade (RS) @Dorcol Platz 04.12.2024 Zagreb (HR) @ Mochvara Club 05.12.2024 Banja Luka (BH) @ Sports Hall Obilicevo 06.12.2024 Budapest (HU) @ Barba Negra 07.12.2024 Burglengenfeld Vaz (DE) @ Pfarrheim 08.12.2024 Dornbirn (AT) @ Conrad Sohm 10.12.2024 Munich (DE) @ Backstage Halle 11.12.2024 Mannheim (DE) @ 7er Club 12.12.2024 Trier (DE) @ Mergener Hof 13.12.2024 St. Nilkaas (BE) @ De Casino 21.12.2024 Andernach (DE) @ Live Club 22.12.2024 Helmond (NL) @ Cacaofabrik
POWERWOLF, renowned for their multiple #1 album chart entries, gold and platinum records, and huge sold-out arena shows, have just released the official music video for their newest single, “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints”, cut from their latest album, Wake Up The Wicked – out today, July 26, 2024, via Napalm Records!
POWERWOLF‘s cinematic new video showcases their iconic style, combining striking church visuals with sinful, sacral atmosphere, shot in the same monastery, where classic movie “The Name of the Rose” was filmed. This high-quality production captivates the senses, perfectly complementing the release of Wake Up The Wicked and indulging in a taste for sin.
Matthew Greywolf on the new album Wake Up The Wicked and new single “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints”: “Wake Up The Wicked is not only the next POWERWOLF album, but also a chapter of the band where we focus even more on perfecting our trademarks, especially within the individual songs. The orchestral side of us is still omnipresent, but this time the heaviness of the album is given even more space. We’ve also tried out completely new elements, such as in “We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints”, which features a children’s choir for the first time and underlines the theme and atmosphere of the song in a completely new way. In general, there’s a hell of a lot to discover on Wake Up The Wicked, so get ready for a wild listening experience!”
POWERWOLF is undoubtedly one of the most successful current heavy metal bands worldwide. Headline and premium slots at premier rock and metal festivals like Wacken, Hellfest and Graspop, as well as massive sold-out arena shows have further solidified the Wolfpack’s standing at the very top of the scene. POWERWOLF’s high-quality releases are steadily praised by critics and fans alike, building upon the successful reach of their songs and impressive official music videos, which have been streamed tens of millions of times across platforms to date.
Order Your Version of the New Album, Wake Up The Wicked, HERE – First Formats are Sold Out Already!
Wake Up The Wicked – the highly anticipated successor to the extremely successful previous studio album, Call Of The Wild (2021) – is out just in time for the award-winning band’s first ever full North American tour, starting next month in August, followed by their biggest European headline tour to date, the Wolfsnächte 2024. Wake Up The Wicked is once again produced by the outstanding Joost van den Broek at Sandlane Recording Facilities and marks a new benchmark and undisputed career highlight for the band. The new album is hard, surprising and full of variety. While staying true to their established, loved sound, POWERWOLF go one step further and showcase a different facet of their deft musical and technical skills.
20 years after their formation in 2004, POWERWOLF are expanding their repertoire with the highest quality and adding many future live hits to their extraordinary discography. Wake Up The Wicked is yet another statement cementing the status of the band as a leading force in the world of heavy metal!
Wake Up The Wicked Tracklisting: 1. Bless ’em With the Blade 2. Sinners of the Seven Seas 3. Kyrie Klitorem 4. Heretic Hunters 5. 1589 6. Viva Vulgata 7. Wake Up the Wicked 8. Joan of Arc 9. Thunderpriest 10. We Don’t Wanna Be No Saints 11. Vargamor
POWERWOLF 2024 North American Tour: w/ Unleash The Archers 08.29.24 US – Los Angeles, CA / The Hollywood Palladium 08.31.24 US – Denver, CO / The Ogden Theatre – SOLD OUT! 09.03.24 US – Chicago, IL / The Riviera Theatre 09.04.24 US – Cleveland, OH / The Agora Theatre – LOW TICKETS! 09.05.24 US – Silver Spring, MD / The Fillmore 09.07.24 US – Tampa, FL / Jannus Landing 09.08.24 US – Atlanta, GA / The Masquerade – SOLD OUT! 09.09.24 US – Charlotte, NC / The Fillmore 09.12.24 US – Philadelphia, PA / The Fillmore 09.13.24 US – Worcester, MA / The Palladium 09.14.24 US – New York City, NY / Brooklyn Paramount 09.15.24 US – Laval, QC / Place Bell
POWERWOLF Wolfsnächte 2024: w/ HammerFall, Wind Rose 04.10.24 DE – Hamburg / Barclays Arena 05.10.24 NL – Amsterdam / AFAS Live – SOLD OUT! 06.10.24 BE – Antwerp / Lotto Arena– LOW TICKETS! 09.10.24 FR – Nantes / Zenith 10.10.24 LU – Esch Sur Alzette / Rockhal 11.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle 12.10.24 DE – Frankfurt / Festhalle 14.10.24 IT – Milan / Alcatraz – LOW TICKETS! 16.10.24 CH – Zurich / The Hall – LOW TICKETS! 17.10.24 FR – Paris / Zenith – SOLD OUT! 18.10.24 DE – Oberhausen / Rudolf Weber Arena 19.10.24 DE – Berlin / Velodrom 21.10.24 PL – Krakow / Tauron Arena 22.10.24 HU – Budapest / MVM Dome 23.10.24 AT – Vienna / Gasometer – SOLD OUT! 25.10.24 DE – Munich / Olympiahalle 26.10.24 CZ – Prague / Sportovni Hala Fortuna
POWERWOLF are: Attila Dorn – vocals Falk Maria Schlegel – organ Charles Greywolf – guitar Matthew Greywolf – guitar Roel van Helden – drums
Metal quintet For The Fallen Dreams have released a remix version of the song ‘Searching’, which is taken from their latest self-titled album, via Arising Empire.
This new version of the track has been polished and enhanced, offering a fresh take that stays true to the original, while adding an extra layer of depth and intensity.
The remix of ‘Searching’ retains the powerful vocals and intricate instrumentals that fans love, but with improved production quality and subtle enhancements that bring a new dimension to the track. The band’s attention to detail and commitment to their craft are evident in this reimagined version, making it a must-listen for both new listeners and long-time fans.
What’s that old saying? “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” When it comes to Michigan-based metal outfit For The Fallen Dreams, perhaps a more fitting – but just as timeless – adage would be “change is the only constant.”
For The Fallen Dreams‘ career is defined by constant progression and a dedication to refining and rejuvenating their unique brand of aggressive, passionate metal. The five-piece have consistently demonstrated an ability to adapt and evolve their sound and dynamic, despite overwhelming adversity, all without sacrificing the core components of their sound.
Built around explosive breakdowns, gut-wrenching grooves and lyricism that touches on everything from an introspective glimpse into the human condition to brotherhood and camaraderie, these Midwestern masters of metal have made themselves a staple within the international heavy music community.
For The Fallen Dreams formed in 2003, but their story starts in earnest with the release of 2008’s Changes – a record that would greatly impact the footprint of heavy music. Following Changes, For The Fallen Dreams went on to release five more remarkable full-length records, from the atmospheric and moody Relentless to chart-topping comeback record Heavy Hearts, which landed at #162 on the Billboard Top 200 and #3 on Billboard Heatseekers lists. Six saw the band venture into more metallic territory, with over 20 million views on YouTube and tens of millions of streams across various streaming platforms.
While For The Fallen Dreams have been through their fair share of changes, one thing has remained constant: their dedication to growth while never failing to deliver primal-yet-emotional music, which has made them a staple in modern metal.
For The Fallen Dreams are:
Chad Ruhlig | vocals Jim Hocking | guitar & vocals Damon Tate | guitar Kalan Blehm | bass Marc Esses | drums
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 