Alternative rock quintet HIGHER POWER have revealed a new single titled ‘Stillpoint‘, that sees them tap into their hardcore roots with a bruising feature from NEVER ENDING GAME. The new single lands just in time for the bands appearance at Outbreak Festival this month.
Vocalist Jimmy Wizard comments: “Old school HP rocker for the mosh pit freaks, Mikey from Never Ending Game making the middle 8 harder than I could ever make it sound, keep on rocking in the free world
Following the breakout success of their eighth studio album and Napalm Records debut, 2020’s A Wonderful Life, Cleveland, OH, USA based masked metal masters MUSHROOMHEAD return with 2024’s cinematic Call The Devil– laying waste to any preconceived notions of where the band is headed in their third decade of reign.
Returning after a 12 year hiatus, longtime guitarist Dave “Gravy” Felton – who performed on several of the band’s biggest albums and is credited as a primary songwriter on classic anthems like “Along The Way”, “Sun Doesn’t Rise” and “The Dream Is Over” – contributes his trademark skills to two Call The Devilalbum tracks. The album once again features production by band mastermind/drummer Steve “Skinny” Felton, as well as the return of Matt Wallace (Faith No More, 3 Doors Down) on mixing, also recognized for his work on MUSHROOMHEAD’s iconic album XIII. The album is also the band’s first to feature mastering from Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Arch Enemy).
Alongside today’s announcement, MUSHROOMHEAD have revealed the album’s hard-hitting first single, “Fall In Line”, with an unnerving music video offering a first-person look at the band’s new masks, featuring design elements and sculpting by Jordan Patton and guitarist Joe Gall. The track pummels with electro-industrial injections and spine-tingling keys, boasting a twisting vocal attack balancing both brutal and melodic sounds from vocalists Scott Beck and Jackie LaPonza.
MUSHROOMHEAD mastermind Steve “Skinny” Felton says about “Fall In Line”: “One of my favorite things about the ‘Fall In Line’ video is the use of the color red. It’s a powerful and emotional color palette. ‘Fall In Line’ was actually the last song we recorded for the LP. It came together really fast. Upbeat, aggressive and fun.”
Resulting in debuts at #2 on the US Current Hard Music Albums chart and #8 on the Current Rock Albums chart, and with the unveiling of the band’s first woman vocalist, Jackie LaPonza, MUSHROOMHEAD introduced a whole new slew of accessible, hard-hitting anthems on the “artistic breakthrough” (Loudwire), A Wonderful Life, and have only aimed to expand on it with their ninth auditory onslaught.
Bursting with ominous intensity, album opener “Eye To Eye” launches with warning sirens and a grooving riff provided by Gravy, proving the band wastes zero time with filler on Call The Devil. Eclectic tracks like the emotive, surprisingly jazzy anthem “Emptiness”, dramatic carnival creeper “UIOP (A Final Reprieve)” and haunting “Hallelucination” showcase the more experimental side of MUSHROOMHEAD, while heavy burners such as the gripping “Prepackaged”, charging and melodic “Hideous” and aggressive drum-forward “Torn In Two” cement the band’s lauded metal renown. Featuring guitar work and writing from Gravy, the winding, dark “We Don’t Care” proves to be a future live favorite with its chanting chorus and earworm hook as vocalists Steve Rauckhorst and Jackie LaPonza split leadership duties. Call The Devil brings the cinematic, signature style of musical mastermind and bassist/keyboardist Ryan “Dr. F” Farrell to the forefront, exploring piano-driven balladic auras and compelling with eerily Vaudevillian three-part vocal achievements on songs like “Decomposition”, “Grand Gesture” and “Shame In A Basket”, eventually veering into welcomed bizarre territory with album closer “Doom Goose”.
Steve “Skinny” Felton says about the album title: “We played around with a few different album titles, and apparently ‘Shout at the Devil’ was already taken… so we figured we’d just try calling.”
30 years into their groundbreaking history, MUSHROOMHEAD show no signs of slowing down, proving innovative without losing sight of their trademark sound and imagery. Call The Devil boasts everything from bangers to ballads, providing a strong variety that every heavy music fan will have on repeat!
Call The Devil track listing: 1. Eye To Eye 2. Fall In Line 3. Emptiness 4. We Don’t Care 5. UIOP (A Final Reprieve) 6. Prepackaged 7. Decomposition 8. Grand Gesture 9. Hallelucination 10. Hideous 11. Torn In Two 12. Shame In A Basket 13. Doom Goose
MUSHROOMHEAD recently announced a slew of tour dates. See below for all currently booked performances!
INKcarceration Festival 2024 19.07.24 OH – Mansfield / Ohio State Reformatory
EU/UK 2024 Tour w/ Dymytry* & Silenzer**: 09.08.24 DE – Bochum / Rockpalast Bochum * 10.08.24 FI – Kotka / Dark River Festival 11.08.24 UK – Southampton / EngineRooms * / ** 12.08.24 UK – Birmingham / O2 Institute2 * / ** 13.08.24 UK – London / O2 Academy Islington * / ** 14.08.24 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat * / ** 15.08.24 DK – Sullingen / Reload Festival 16.08.24 CZ – Moravsky Krumlov / Rock Castle 17.08.24 PL – Warsaw / Proxima * 18.08.24 PL – Kraków / Klub Kwadrat * 19.08.24 DE – Berlin / Cassiopeia *
USA 2024 Tour w/ Upon a Burning Body, There Is No Us und Mind Incision: 04.10.24 NY – Buffalo / Rec Room 05.10.24 NH – Hampton Beach / Wally’s 06.10.24 MA – Worcester / Palladium Upstairs 08.10.24 VA – Leesburg / Tally Ho 09.10.24 NJ – Sayreville / Starland Ballroom 10.10.24 PA – Lititz / Mickey’s Black Box 12.10.24 PA – Pittsburg / Preserving Underground 13.10.24 OH – Cincinnati / Bogarts 15.10.24 MI – Grand Rapids / The Intersection 16.10.24 IL – Belvidere / Apollo Theater 18.10.24 WI – Green Bay / Epic Events Center 19.10.24 IL – Joliet / The Forge 20.10.24 WI – Milwaukee / The Rave 22.10.24 IL – Moline / The Rust Belt 23.10.24 IL – Bloomington / Castle Theater 24.10.24 OH – Columbus / The King of Clubs* 25.10.24 MI – Flint / Machine Shop 26.10.24 OH – Cleveland / Agora Theater* * without Upon A Burning Body
MUSHROOMHEAD is: Steve Rauckhorst – Vocals Scott Beck – Vocals Jackie LaPonza – Vocals Dave Felton – Guitar Joe Gall – Guitar Ryan Farrell – Guitar, Bass, Keys Aydin Kerr – Drums, Percussion Robert Godsey – Drums, Percussion Steve Felton – Drums, Percussion, Keys, Vocals
The Metal Voice recently interviewed Armored Saint, now Category 7 singer John Bush.
Debut Category 7 album will be released July 26, 2024 via Metal Blade records.
When asked about losing his voice temporary on the last Armored Saint Tour ” I’m back to being better and you know that was really annoying and sucks but uh part of life, it happens. What are you going to do? But you just keep going. I pretend like I’m an athlete who got injured and you’re just fighting to get back into the game. It’s all good, it’s a lot better. It was really annoying. It probably was the beginning of a cold that I got. I didn’t really think too much of it at the time but then it kind of goes into the chest area and when that happens it becomes really difficult to have any power and sing and it sucks, it’s a drag. But all in all we played this whole long tour of seven weeks and it was a lot of work. So I don’t want to beat myself up too much because I did a lot of work on it. I’m not the last singer to have a voice problem, I wont be the first I won’t be the last.”
When asked if Category 7 can also be a vehicle to play Bush era Anthrax “Another guy asked me that, even Phil Demmel has asked me that. I don’t know. I guess that’s something that we could discuss. I had this idea although I haven’t told anybody about it in regards to doing the Anthrax thing which I’ve been wanting to do. I don’t want to go out and do 30 dates. I don’t want to do that but I do want to do some selective shows at some point because I think it would be cool and again time is slightly of the essence based on my age and the realities of life. I have a couple of ideas but it’s possible.”
When asked about the musical style of the Debut Category 7 album “When people ask me I trying to generalize it in a paragraph. It’s Rift Mania because there’s Rifts everywhere. There’s incredible rhythms. Rhythms that are supplemented by really well orchestrated songs, with big hooks. You have really amazing players. And there’s no denying that everybody is very skilled. Then having like really cool songs and that’s the key component.”
When asked about social media is a big problem today in society “I don’t have social media at all, neither does my wife. We decided that a long time ago. The label is like dude are you kidding you can’t, like come on? You’re like no, I’m not going to do it, I’ll do as many interviews as you want but I I’m just not getting an Instagram account or Facebook account because to promote myself I can’t because I think so low of it. Yeah I think it’s actually one of the biggest problems in the last 20 years for society to be honest. That’s just my opinion I can’t stand social media, I hate it. I think it’s done way worse for society than any positives. So yes I think they’re a big problem.”
CATEGORY 7, the new band featuring former MACHINE HEAD and current KERRY KING guitarist Phil Demmel, ex-ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando, ARMORED SAINT/ex-ANTHRAX singer John Bush, OVERKILL/SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner and EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson, will release its self-titled debut album on July 26 via Metal Blade Records.
Wormholedeath Records is thrilled to announce the signing of Swiss industrial progressive death metal force, Lethal Technology, for their highly anticipated album “Mechanical Era,” set for a global release on August 2nd, 2024.
Lethal Technology is a band that defies categorization, blending elements of industrial, death, and progressive metal into a unique and potent sonic assault. Their forthcoming album, “Mechanical Era,” promises a genre-bending journey through post-apocalyptic and futuristic soundscapes.
“We are very happy to present you our first album Mechanical Era!” says the band. “You will travel through post-apocalyptic and futuristic worlds. It will also continue among the different sounds used by the group which passes by different types of Metal: Indus Metal, Death Metal, Progressive Metal.”
1. Forbidden Flesh 2. Factory 3. Mechanical Era 4. Steel Body 5. New Hope 6. The Final Day 7. Programmed World 8. You Are MY Target 9. Iron and Ice 10. Digital God
Get a taste of the band’s crushing sound with the album’s teaser:
Formed in Collombey, Switzerland in July 2017 by guitarist Cédric Ferret, Lethal Technology has undergone a complete lineup overhaul in 2024. The band’s current incarnation features Cédric Ferret (guitars, programming, bass), Yu Chen (vocals), Benjamin Fievez (vocals), Michael Pascale (guitars), Fabrice D’Agostini (lead guitars), and Loris Larue (drums).
Lethal Technology draws inspiration from a wide range of musical influences, including Devin Townsend, Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory, Dying Fetus, Dream Theater, video game soundtracks, and even 80’s giants like Genesis. This diverse palette of influences allows the band to create a truly unique and experimental sound that transcends the boundaries of traditional metal genres.
With the release of “Mechanical Era” on the horizon, Lethal Technology is gearing up for a series of live shows and festival appearances throughout 2024 and 2025. The band is also already in the early stages of songwriting for their next studio album.
Lethal Technology is: Cédric Ferret: Guitar, Programming, Bass Yu Chen: Vocals (Lyrical) Benjamin Fievez: Vocals (Growl) Michael Pascale: Guitar Fabrice D’Agostini: Lead Guitar Loris Larue: Drums
Album Line Up Cédric Ferret: Guitars, drum programming, keyboards Programming Julien Dulex: Bass, keyboards programming Sofiane Thoulon: Vocals (Lyrical) Jade Hänni : Vocals (Guttural) Xavier Boscher: Lead guitars
Century Media Records and InsideOutMusic have recently announced the upcoming “First Chapter” of a comprehensive catalog reissue campaign for legendary and groundbreaking Death Metallers EDGE OF SANITY as well as versatile Prog/Hardrock outfit NIGHTINGALE, who were both fronted by Swedish vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and acclaimed metal producer Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA, DISSECTION, etc.).
Long out of print, never previously available in certain formats or in any properly re-worked re-issue version, as well as enhanced by tons of exciting extra-material, these definitive re-issues come efficiently all re-mastered by Swanö himself and partly even shine in a new light via additional remix efforts as bonus.
The following re-issues will kick off the “First Chapter” of the re-issue campaign on June 21st, 2024: EDGE OF SANITY – Purgatory Afterglow (Re-issue) EDGE OF SANITY – Until Eternity Ends – EP (Re-issue) NIGHTINGALE – Nightfall Overture (Re-issue)
In order to support the start of the reissue campaign as well as to showcase the new treatment given to some of the material, you can now also check out the EDGE OF SANITY digital single and video clip for EDGE OF SANITY’s “Black Tears (Remaster 2024)”, taken from the upcoming Purgatory Afterglow reissue, on all DSP’s as well as in a relaunched video clip here:
Dan Swanö checked in with the following comment about “Black Tears”: “What kind of album “Purgatory Afterglow” should be took many turns and at one point it was gonna be an “all growls and back to the roots pure metal album”. So it’s quite strange that this track ended up on it in the end, and that it then even became the biggest “hit single” Edge Of Sanity ever had. There’s zero Death Metal going on here, but I still love it and always had a blast playing it live with both Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale”.
A cover version of the track “Black Tears” made popular by EDGE OF SANITY’s CMR labelmates Heaven Shall Burn can also be checked out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PtfyRjkn40
And the previously launched EDGE OF SANITY single “Twilight (Remix 2024)”, taken from the 2CD and Digital Album format from the upcoming Purgatory Afterglow reissue, is also available on all DSP’s as well as in a brand-new video clip created by Costin Chioreanu / Twilight13Media here: https://youtu.be/RPKMHlyAo9U and as part of the “Death Metal” streaming playlist on Spotify here: https://centurymedia.lnk.to/DeathMetal
Dan Swanö – who has not only had a long tradition of co-operating with mix/mastering roles for many CMR artists like ASPHYX, SKELETAL REMAINS, INSOMNIUM, but also last became musically active in Metal with the band WITHERSCAPE via CMR (Two albums and a mini album between 2013 and 2016) and also released his latest Nightingale album Retribution in 2014 on the IOM label – had checked in with the following comment about the re-issue campaign:
“It’s hard to describe in words exactly how excited we all are about these re-issues for both Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale. It’s incredible that these albums are finally available again, with the attention to detail they always deserved and with a label like Century Media Records / InsideOutMusic behind us, we know that these releases will turn out amazing in the end and not be so hard to get a hold of like they used to be, and hopefully reach a new audience as well as the old!
Personally, I always hoped that there would come a time when I could revisit all these albums and have the time and budget to remaster or even remix them and be able to present them the way I wish they had sounded all along. A lot of time, work and money have been put into making sure we have the best possible version of the original artwork to work with, and we searched everywhere for photographs and memorabilia. Endless hours have been spent talking and writing about these albums, resulting in super detailed liner notes for the Deluxe CD edition. Also, the lyrics have been double and tripled check, and it was quite amusing to see just how wrong most of them were both in the original booklets and online. The lyrics are in the booklets and on the inner sleeve of every re-issue!
I wholeheartedly hope you appreciate these new, improved and definitive versions of the entire Edge Of Sanity and Nightingale back catalogues!”
The “First Chapter” of the reissue campaign will cover the following all-remastered releases and formats in June/August:
EDGE OF SANITY – Purgatory Afterglow (Re-issue) Out June 21st, 2024 (CMR) – Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. “Until Eternity Ends” EP songs and remix of all songs on bonus disc) – Black LP (180g vinyl, unlimited) – Ltd. transp. red LP (180g vinyl, limited to 500x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers) – Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de) – Digital Album / Remaster 2024 – Digital Album / Remix 2024 Note: The seminal 4th album, originally released in 1994, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary.
EDGE OF SANITY – Until Eternity Ends – EP (Re-issue) Out June 21st, 2024 (CMR) – Black 12″ EP (180g vinyl, unlimited) – Ltd. blue 12” EP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers) – Digital EP / Remaster 2024 – Digital EP / Remix 2024 Note: The companion 4-track EP to “Purgatory Afterglow”, originally released in 1994, now celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Never available on vinyl before, including remix versions on Side B.
EDGE OF SANITY – Nothing But Death Remains (Re-issue) Out August 23rd, 2024 (CMR) – Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. remix and rare 1991 rough mix versions on bonus disc) – Black LP (180g vinyl, unlimited) – Ltd. transp. blue LP (180g vinyl, limited to 500x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de & various other retailers) – Ltd. lilac LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.cmdistro.de) – Digital Album / Remaster 2024 – Digital Album / Remix 2024 Note: The intense debut album, originally released in 1991.
NIGHTINGALE – Nightfall Overture (Re-issue) Out June 21st, 2024 (IOM) – Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. 16-track live bonus disc) – Black LP (180g, unlimited) – Ltd. transp. light blue LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.insideoutshop.de & various other retailers) – Digital Album / Remaster 2024 Note: Special compilation album, originally released in 2005 for the band’s 10th anniversary, including re-imagined and re-recorded songs from the band’s first four albums as well as 2 additional songs.
NIGHTINGALE – I (Re-issue) Out August 23rd, 2024 (IOM) – Ltd. Deluxe 2CD Jewelcase in O-Card (Incl. 7 additional songs and 18-track bonus disc) – Black LP (180g, unlimited) – Ltd. transp. sun yellow LP (180g vinyl, limited to 300x copies, available from www.insideoutshop.de & various other retailers) – Digital Album / Remaster 2024 Note: The 3rd album, originally released in 2000, available on vinyl for the first time ever.
Stay tuned for further news about this catalogue campaign and look out for the “Second Chapter” of EDGE OF SANITY and NIGHTINGALE re-issues coming late 2024 / early 2025…
Finnish rock band MOFFAT releases their debut album later this year. Now they present the first single from the album. Cloud of Sound is a powerful rock song that tells the story of a dangerous person who once held a high social status. However, he has lost his status and now suffers from eternal shame. Stylistically, the song represents a unique form of hard rock and features speed, danger and a surprising ending.
MOFFAT is a rock band founded in Jyväskylä, Finland in 2020. Their music is mostly inspired by 1990s grunge, hard rock and progrock. The lyrics of the songs often deal with social themes.
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 ) 