The man behind Valontuoja, Jal’zoroth comments the single: “This haunting track channels the raw, primal force of exile and unrelenting longing, set against the desolate beauty of Finland’s unyielding wilderness. The lyrics, dripping with sorrow and defiance, narrate the torment of a soul exiled from its homeland, aching for the harsh cliffs, icy lakes, and untamed rivers that once offered solace.”
1. Kodistani karkoitettu 2. Jään tulen alle 3. Loista silloin kun muu maailma tuhoutuu 4. Vanhan valtakunnan raunioilla 5. Läpi läpinäkyvän 6. Sokeus joka hallitsi on pois pyyhitty 7. Kasva siellä, missä kaikki on tuhkana 8. Hengitä vihdoin puhdasta ilmaa
Valontuoja, meaning “Bringer of Light” in Finnish, is the one-man black metal entity forged in the icy depths of Helsinki by the Jal’zoroth. Formed in 2024, Valontuoja channels the primordial essence of black metal, weaving a sonic tapestry that is both ferocious and hauntingly melodic. Valontuoja’s soundscape is a maelstrom of raw, unyielding black metal fused with ethereal and melodic elements. Valontuoja conjures an atmosphere that is as brutal as it is beautiful, guiding listeners through the desolate realms of human despair and nature’s unforgiving majesty.
November 1, 2024 will see Swedish metal vikings BROTHERS OF METAL release their forthcoming album, entitled ‘Fimbulvinter’, via AFM Records. You can now pre-order your album copy at:
Following the previously-released first album appetizer “Heavy Metal Viking”, today, BROTHERS OF METAL are premiering a lyric video for their latest single “Nanna’s Fate”! Vocalist Mats Nilsson reveals: “‘Nanna’s Fate is very special for me since some parts of the song was written already 25 years ago. The intro I wrote when I was 15 but I never found the right song to connect it with until me, Ylva Dawid started writing the song. The lyrical theme is about a love so strong that it persist even through death. The god Balder dies and on his funeral ceremony his wife Nanna dies from sorrow as his ship is set ablaze. She is put together with him on his ship so that they can reunited in death.”
BROTHERS OF METAL are a spectacular phenomenon on the international metal scene, their catchy yet powerful songs and martial outfits, including archaic weaponry, paying homage to both heavy metal and the Norse gods. Their first two album releases ‘Prophecy Of Ragnarök’ (2017) and ‘Emblas Saga’ (2020) have earned the Swedish band an outstanding reputation, and now BROTHERS OF METAL are ready to take the next step: Their forthcoming studio album ‘Fimbulvinter’ showcases all of the eight-piece’s strengths, but also includes some significant new elements. “The core sound is still there, but we’ve also evolved as songwriters, so the songs have more depth and width than before,” Nilsson points out. “Our songs follow the same themes as before even though we’ve ventured into new territories and explored new stories, as it were. We always aim to have one song that fits everyone on each album, with the result that our hymns tend to sound like a lot of different genres of metal. That’s how we like it. We’re Brothers of Metal, we can play whatever we want to!”
About the album title, Nilsson explains: “Fimbulvinter is ‘the great winter’ in Norse mythology. A winter that is colder and darker than all other winters and lasts for three years. It’s one of the first significant indications that Ragnarök is coming.”
Most of the songs for the record were penned by guitarist Dawid Grahn and singer Ylva Eriksson. The other band members were also involved in the songwriting process, namely Mats Nilsson and Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson (both vocals), guitarist Pähr Nilsson, bassist Emil Wärmedal, drummer Johan Johansson and some additions from new live guitarist Christian Larsson. ‘Fimbulvinter’ was recorded at the Massiv Musik’s Studio in Mockfjärd, Sweden and, like its predecessors, produced by Erik Berglund. Artist Sallai Péter contributed the cover design again, emphasising the tracks’ Nordic flair visually. Speaking of which, if you can’t wait to see BROTHERS OF METAL live on stage, you will have the chance to do so from November 1, 2024, when the band will embark on an extensive European headline tour through nine countries. Find all tour dates below!
BROTHERS OF METAL Live: 17.08.24 – GER, Summerbreeze 01.11.24 – PL, Krakow, Kamienna 12 02.11.24 – CZ, Prague, Club Storm 03.11.24 – HUN, Budapest, Barba Negra 04.11.24 – A, Vienna, Szene 06.11.24 – GER, Munich, Backstage 07.11.24 – GER, Frankfurt, Batschkapp 08.11.24 – GER, Leipzig, Hellraiser 09.11.24 – GER, Berlin, Hole 44 11.11.24 – GER, Hamburg, Markthalle 12.11.24 – GER, Bochum, Zeche 13.11.24 – GER, Cologne, Live Music Hall 14.11.24 – GER, Stuttgart, Im Wizemann (Sold Out) 15.11.24 – CH, Solothurn, Kofmehl 17.11.24 – F, Paris, La Maroquinerie 18.11.24 – F, Lille, Le Black lab 20.11.24 – UK, London, 02 Academy Islington 21.11.24 – NL, Tilburg, 013 (Sold Out) 22.11.24 – NL, Heerlen, Parkstad Theater
BROTHERS OF METAL Line-Up: Ylva Eriksson (vocals) Joakim Lindbäck Eriksson (vocals) Mats Nilsson (vocals) Dawid Grahn (guitar) Pähr Nilsson (guitar) Emil Wärmedal (bass) Johan Johansson (drums) Christian Larsson (live/guitar)
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Greg Kihn, an iconic figure in the realm of rock music. Greg lost his battle with Alzheimer’s disease on 8/13/24 at the age of 75. Known for his magnetic stage presence and unique storytelling that captivated audiences around the globe. He was not merely a musician but a cultural phenomenon whose influence will resonate for generations to come.
Born on 07/10/49 in the vibrant city of Baltimore, Maryland. Greg discovered a passion for music early in life. He burst onto the scene with the release of Greg Kihn, which quickly garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. With a unique songwriting style that blended folk, classic rock, blues and pop, his sound helped define a rich musical legacy in the San Francisco Bay Area scene. Greg rose to worldwide fame in the 1980s and left an indelible mark for generations to come.
Throughout his illustrious career, Greg received a multitude of accolades, awards and recognition, celebrating his artistic contributions and unwavering dedication to his craft. As a pioneer with the legendary Beserkley Records, Greg helped write the book on revolutionary West Coast Rock and Roll. He toured the world, had hit records, and won several awards for his hit songs “Jeopardy”, “The Breakup Song”, “Remember” and “Lucky”. He was celebrated not only for his musical genius, but also for his ability to connect deeply with fans through powerful lyrics and unforgettable storytelling. As a former Morning Radio host for KFOX for 17 years, as well as a syndicated night time radio host across the country, Greg related to and captivated his audiences with real world issues and hysterical tales from his Rock Star escapades.
Beyond the world of music and radio, Greg was renowned as a great storyteller and novelist with 6 published novels and a multitude of short stories. He had a unique hobby of breeding rare praying mantis and he also spent time and raised money for Operation Care and Comfort. His kindness and generosity extended far beyond the stage, as he engaged in initiatives to support Operation Care and Comfort as well as other organizations. Friends and family remember him not just as a Rock Star, but as a warm-hearted individual who brought joy and inspiration to everyone he encountered.
Greg is survived by Jay Arafiles-Kihn (Wife), Ryan Kihn (Son), Alexis Harrington-Kihn (Daughter), Samora Harrington (Son-in-Law), Nate Harrington-Kihn (Grandson), Zuri Harrington-Kihn (Grandson), Laura Otremba (Sister), Lou Otremba Jr. (Brother-in-Law), Larry Otremba (Nephew), Lou Otremba III (Nephew), Matthew Otremba (Nephew). All of whom will forever cherish the memories and moments shared with him. A private memorial celebration of his extraordinary life and legacy will take place with friends and family. A public celebration of life concert for fans and fellow musicians will be announced in the near future.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Greg Kihn’s name to The Alzheimer’s Association to help end Alzheimer’s Disease.
Rest in peace, dear Greg. Your music, your voice, your stories, your spirit and your passion will forever echo in our hearts and inspire countless souls.
Rock Kihn Roll Forever!
{ Special thanks to Greg’s longtime management team and friends Joel Turtle and Skyler Turtle for their continued dedication and commitment to Greg’s legacy. }
Photo by Jay Gilbert Eulogy Written by Skyler Turtle Social Media Michael Brandvold
Canadian rockers Lions in the Street release their new single “Moving Along” on Friday 16 August 2024. The single is available on all streaming platforms LISTEN HERE. Watch the music video HERE.
“Moving Along” is taken from the band’s upcoming album Moving Along released Friday 8 November 2024. Pre-order the digital edition of the album HERE. Pre-order the album in CD and vinyl formats HERE.
Comprising the Brothers Kinnon (Chris on vocals and guitar; Jeff on drums), riff-master Sean Casey (guitar), and classically educated bass player Enzo Figliuzzi, the Canadian/California-based band has played with everybody from garage legends like the Dirtbombs to arena stars Kings of Leon, making SXSW best-of lists numerous times, and in between hanging out with the Rolling Stones’ legendary manager Andrew Loog Oldham. But putting integrity first had a cost: obscurity.
Lions in the Street began their career by signing and then walking away from the troubled TVT Records (NIN, Pitbull, Little Jon), Nickelback’s 604 Records (Carly Rae Jepson), and legendary manager Allen Kovac (Motley Crue, The Cars, Blondie, The Bee Gees), earning them a spot on the music industry’s blacklist. Years in the wilderness resulted—working as a garbageman for almost a decade, surviving cancer, serious workplace injuries, and almost deadly car accidents, and going back to school.
Yet, despite experiencing the best and worst of the of old music business—from hanging out with Todd Rundgren, Bob Ezrin, and R.E.M.’s Peter Buck, to seeing an A&R guy almost fired just for going to see them play—the band somehow kept going, releasing music piecemeal.
For example, Lions in the Street released an EP in 2013 on British legend Sandy Roberton’s label. Roberton ran Blue Horizon, the English label that launched the 60s British Blues rock movement with John Mayall, Fleetwood Mac, and Rory Gallagher.
“Anyone who’s ever worn out a copy of the Stones’ It’s Only Rock & Roll or The Black Crowes’ Shake Your Moneymaker is going to find LOTS to love. This is rock with a direct line back to the nasty blues, jump tunes, and country boogie that birthed the whole damn genre. Untamed, direct, and bristling with hairy masculinity, Lions in the Street play rock like the cause it is… that is when you do it right.” – Jambase
Now the streaming platforms revolution has given Lions in the Street a new life an audience, allowing them to release largely-unheard music—finally finished and remixed/remastered.
LITS’ upcoming album Moving Along captures their trademark swing and swagger. The title track, mixed by Rick Parker (Beck, BRMC, Scott Weiland), is a menacing, harmonica-driven vamp “worthy of Mick and Keith at their sticky fingered best” (Jambase.com). “Moving Along” is also the lead track in the upcoming Paramount film “Cassino In Ischia”, starring Prison Break’s Dominic Purcell.
Never to rest on their laurels, Lions in the Street are also putting the finishing touches on a live album and a record they made with multi-Grammy-Award winning producer Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, Greta Van Fleet, Brandi Carlile, Rival Sons).
Album Track Listing 1. Moving Along (4:57) 2. Mine Ain’t Yours (3:47) 3. Walking Back to You (4:12) 4. Gold Pour Down (2:48) 5. Lady Blue (3:45) 6. Waiting on a Woman (3:51) 7. Already Gone (3:04) 8. Shangri La (3:47) 9. Hey Hey Arlene (3:07) 10. All For Your Love (3:38) 11. Truer Now (4:13) 12. You’re Gonna Lose (5:59)
Lions in the Street – Line-Up Sean Casey – Guitar Enzo Figliuzzi – Bass Chris Kinnon – Lead vocals, guitar Jeff Kinnon – Drums
Production Credits Engineered, Produced, Mixed by Shawn Cole Mixed by Rick Parker, Mark Rains, Shawn Cole Recorded at Mushroom Studios and Blue Wave Studios Artwork by Sean Casey Band photos by Gregory Crowe All songs written by S. Casey, C. Kinnon, A. Kinnon
Track By Track with Chris Kinnon
Moving Along* Relentless locomotive groove and harmonica with a message of resilience. Getting up after you’re knocked down, again and again. “When I was poor, I was a harder man I tell you. Worked 47 hours a week. But with holes in my shoes, I didn’t have no blues. Now I’m in an awful place.”
*Featured in upcoming Paramount film Cassino in Ischia starring Prison Break’s Dominic Purcell.
Mine Ain’t Yours A fierce rock’n’roller with heart-on-its-sleeve Stones/Rod Stewart and the Faces influences, this song’s about standing up for yourself when people take something that doesn’t belong to them. “That isn’t how you make it. Mine ain’t yours for taking.”
Walking Back To You A southern rock jam a la Allmans, Derek and Dominoes, and Delaney & Bonnie, this is a song about forgiveness. Sometimes people are good to you even when you don’t deserve it. The outro guitar and piano sound like they could have been taken from a lost Layla session.
Gold Pour Down A short, up-tempo rocker with R&B horns over top of a chugging guitar groove, this song encourages people to stay hopeful, faithful, and positive, and to always let the good prevail even when things seem hopeless.
All For Your Love A modern take on Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, this is mid-tempo, minor electric blues rock with edge. A song about both despair and sacrifice.
Lady Blue This wistful ballad would fit on a Skynyrd or Eagles album. A classic northern take on a southern rock, a la Neil Young or the Band. A song about regret, with organ swirls, languid vintage guitar tones, and a James Burton-inspired guitar solo setting the tone.
Waiting On A Woman A saxophone solo over top of a guitar riff that’s all Keef attitude—say no more!
Already Gone A Chuck Berry by-way-of Johnny Thunders stomper, this features a half-time chorus that invokes Rod Stewart and the Faces at their sloppy, countrified best.
Shangri La Vancouver might be the world’s rainiest city. Try spending months in sunny Los Angeles making a record then coming back to 40 straight days of rain in “Shangri-La.” The instant-classic guitar riff that starts the song grows like a ’70 big-block Camaro.
Hey, Hey Arlene Another Chuck Berry and rockabilly-inspired throwback to 50s rock’n’roll, but when you grow up listening to the first Clash album.
Truer Now Pedal steel and acoustic guitars, with a chorus that invokes Zeppelin III influences.
You’re Gonna Lose Hey, you can fight a garbage man, but you’re gonna lose! As mean a guitar riff as anything since the James Gang, and with an outro Albert King-inspired jam that will keep the Cream fans happy!
New York City’s Tanith – Russ Tippins (guitars, vocals), Cindy Maynard (bass, vocals), and Keith Robinson (drums) – have just announced another European tour, kicking off November 1st!
“Our tour this fall takes us to some new territories. We can’t wait to play for our fans in those cities as well as at our regular haunts. We are also so excited to share the stage with Lucifer and The Night Eternal. This package is gonna be hard to beat. See you in Europe!“
TANITH live: 11-01-24 | BE | Bree | Ragnarok° 11-02-24 | DE | Hamburg | Bambi Galore° 11-06-24 | DE | Stuttgart | Der Schwarze Keiler° 11-08-24 | DE | Hildesheim | Kulturfabrik^ 11-09-24 | DE | Oldenburg | MTS Records^ 11-10-24 | DE | Dresden | Blauer Salon^ 11-12-24 | PL | Poznan | 2Progi^ 11-13-24 | CZ | Ostrava | Barrak Music Club^ 11-14-24 | PL | Warsaw | Klub Hybrydy^ 11-15-24 | PL | Krakow | Hype Park^ 11-16-24 | HU | Budapest | Barba Negra^ 11-17-24 | AT | Salzburg | Rock House^ 11-19-24 | IT | Milan | Legend Club^ 11-20-24 | CH | Monthey | Pont Rouge^ 11-21-24 | DE | Freiburg | Artik^ 11-22-24 | DE | Köln | Club Volta^ 11-23-24 | NL | Amstelveen | P60^ 11-24-24 | NL | Eindhoven | The Jack° ^w/ Lucifer & The Night Eternal °headline
Tanith released their latest album Voyage in April last year via Metal Blade. You can stream the album, watch videos and purchase copies from here.
The album was recorded and mastered on 24-track analog tape and has never been digitized from recording to pressing. Also, fans will recognize Tippins from NWOBHM legend Satan.
ABOUT TANITH: There is perhaps no band keeping the spirit and sound of ’70s hard rock and heavy metal alive more so than Tanith.
Formed in 2017, the band embraced that era wholeheartedly, resulting in 2019’s aptly titled In Another Time, which instantly earned cult status and put them on the map. Now, they return with Voyage, picking up where they left off and once again demonstrating their mastery when it comes to this niche. “I wanted more of the same but different in some marginal way,” explains vocalist/guitarist Russ Tippins (also of Satan). “Voyage is the sound of the universe speaking to mankind through the medium of Tanith. Or, if you like, twin-guitar heavy rock with dual singers which, if you grew up in the 1970s, will make you want to bounce over to the nearest record store. On a space hopper.”
While their debut came together easily, this time around there were hurdles to overcome, first and foremost the COVID-19 lockdown, which geographically split up the band, Tippins living in the UK while vocalist/bassist Cindy Maynard and drummer Keith Robinson dwelt in Brooklyn. Once life finally returned to “normal” and they were ready to record, they were hit by another bombshell with guitarist Charlie Newton abruptly bowing out of the band the day before tracking began.
“Speaking as one part of a two-guitar band, it felt like trying to fly with one wing,” says Tippins. “It happened so suddenly we were dumbstruck. I guess we sat around for a few days thinking he was sure to walk through the door at any moment. But soon enough we realized we’d have to try to find a way to make this record without Charlie and I’m not just talking about laying down his lines. It’s about the shared dream we had with him. The conviction he brought to that dream. The four-way belief now reduced to three.”
Returning to Brooklyn’s Excello Recording and engineer Hugh Pool – the same combination used for tracking In Another Time – the band produced the album themselves, with Pool mixing. The sessions were a fun time for Tanith, again recording to tape rather than digital and utilizing vintage amps and speakers to find the best possible sounds for the instruments. “Just having the time every day all day to be in the music was a big deal and all of our energy went into this project even after leaving the studio,” says Maynard. “We were thinking and breathing the music, constantly working on parts and ideas. We came in well prepared overall, and that gave us time to try out different sounds for different parts to get just the thing we were looking for.” Given that they established themselves as a twin-guitar band on their debut they also brought in an extra player, Andee Blacksugar, best known for touring with Peter Murphy and as a member of KMFDM, now also a member of Blondie, who Robinson had played with before.
With the record fully realized, the band are eager for people to hear it, and they are confident that it is worth taking the time to listen to it – and experience it – in all its old school glory. Tippins says, “I can think of only two other rock bands in the entire world right now that records onto 24-track analog tape. If all you’ve ever known is digitally produced music you really need to listen to Voyage on vinyl and experience the difference. And I’m not talking about vinyl pressed from masters recorded on Pro Tools. At no point from tracking to pressing has any of the music on Voyage been digitized. It will open your eyes.”
As previously announced, Chicago, Illinois-based metallers REPENTANCE will provide direct support for the Swedish metal act ORBIT CULTURE on August 19 at Majestic Theater in Detroit, Michigan and August 20 at the Bottom Lounge in Chicago, Illinois. In order to celebrate and prepare their fans for the upcoming dates, today the band released a brand new lyric video for their album track “Light It Up”. Video done by Andrea Mantelli.
Vocalist Adam Gilley says about the song: ” ‘Light It Up’ is a great live song with all the elements needed to make it a heavy hitter. It’s about the dismantling of a corrupt kingdom imploding from the inside out. Exposing the truths that lie behind closed doors and giving a voice back to the people.“
REPENTANCE is promoting its sophomore album, “The Process Of Human Demise”, which came out last September via Noble Demon and is available to listen to and to purchase here: https://music.nobledemon.com/process.
Founded in 2018 by former SOIL and DIRGE WITHIN guitarist Shaun Glasss, REPENTANCE is a primal aggressive metal band; laden thick with heavy slabs of groove mesh that bleed intensity. Having played numerous gigs with high profile acts such as Trivium, Devildriver, Jinjer, Skull Fist, Toxic Holocaust, Sacred Reich and others, the band soon became known for their distinctive heavy yet dynamic sound, loaded with details and tension. In September 2021 REPENTANCE have announced their worldwide signing to Noble Demon, followed by the release of the band’s critically acclaimed latest EP “Volume I – Reborn” (2021). Five tracks of aggressive, fast-paced and technical compositions, enhanced by tight and sharp production, delivered an impressive Noble Demon debut and served as the perfect appetizer for the band’s sophomore full-length record. “The Process Of Human Demise” features 12 brand new tracks showcasing REPENTANCE at their strongest yet – With guest contributions from the likes of TRIVIUM‘s Corey Beaulieu and FEAR FACTORY‘s Milo Silvestro, the band’s latest album has become a relentless and intense maelstrom not to be missed!
Repentance are: Adam Gilley – Vocals Shaun Glass – Guitars Eric Burns – Guitars Eric Karol – Bass Brandon White – 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 ) 