London’s finest purveyors of heavy occult rock, GREEN LUNG,are pleased to unveil another batch of EUROPEAN live dates for this Summer. The live run titled “Midsomer Tour 2024” will have the band play at huge Summer festivals like Hellfest (FR), Bloodstock (UK), Resurrection Fest (ES), Alcatraz (BE) and Reload (DE) and contains a few support shows for legends Opeth and Clutch, as well as a few headline club shows across Europe. Please scroll down for all dates. Tickets are available now!
GREEN LUNG – MIDSOMER TOUR 2024 27-Jun-2024 France – Clisson, Hellfest 29-Jun-2024 Spain – Viveiro, Resurrection Fest 05-Aug-2024 Germany – Frankfurt am Main, Batschkapp * 06-Aug-2024 Germany – Dortmund, FZW Dortmund * 07-Aug-2024 Netherlands – Tilburg, 013 Poppodium * 09-Aug-2024 United Kingdom – Derbyshire, Bloodstock Open Air 10-Aug-2024 United Kingdom – Southampton, Papillon 11-Aug-2024 Belgium – Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival 13-Aug-2024 Germany – Karlsruhe, Substage Karlsruhe ** 14-Aug-2024 Luxembourg – Luxembourg City, Den Atelier ** 15-Aug-2024 Germany – Erfurt, Bandhaus 16-Aug-2024 Germany – Siegen, Vortex Surfer Musikclub 17-Aug-2024 Germany – Sulingen, Reload Festival 18-Aug-2024 Netherlands – Eindhoven, Dynamo Metalfest
* supporting OPETH ** supporting CLUTCH
GREEN LUNG‘s third studio album This Heathen Land is the most complete manifestation of the band’s vision to date, fulfilling their long-held goal to, in the words of vocalist Tom Templar, “create the definitive soundtrack to the folk horror film in our heads.” On This Heathen Land, the band have forged a sound and identity that is entirely their own, while maintaining the Sabbathian heaviness and addictive songcraft which made their previous albums so beloved in the metal underground. From the cover art to the vinyl inserts and lyrical themes, This Heathen Land is a painstakingly-researched and executed heavy metal love letter to the folkloric landscape of the UK.
This Heathen Land was produced by Wayne Adams at Bear Bites Horse Studios and was mixed by Tom Dalgety (Opeth, Clutch, Ghost).
Acclaimed New England death metal band FUMING MOUTH has released a new single, ‘Daylight Again,’ in anticipation for their upcoming US Tour with August Burns Red and festival performances at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple.
The furious new death-sludge track was produced with Kurt Ballou (Full Of Hell, Code Orange, Nails) at GodCity Studios during the band’s Last Day of Sun recording session and is part of the critically acclaimed record’s concept of perseverance, survival and resurrection inspired by vocalist/guitarist Mark Whelan’s battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The single features artwork by sci-fi/fantasy legend Bruce Pennington and is accompanied by the b-side track ‘Timeless,’ an alternate version of ‘Out of Time’ from Last Day of Sun.
Commenting on the new track, Whelan says: “‘Daylight Again’ expresses that the future is bright. It got so dark for the band behind the scenes. We had so many friends die, so many issues. It felt like it would never end. The song was supposed to be the final track on our album Last Day of Sun but it didn’t fit on the vinyl so we threw it in the vault. It feels appropriate that a song called “Daylight Again” finally gets to see the light of day.”
Overcoming cancer in 2022, Whelan and crew rebounded in late 2023 with Last Day of Sun, setting a new pace for death metal in the process. Featuring the raw, brutal tracks ‘The Silence Beyond Life,’ ‘I’ll Find You’ and ‘Kill The Disease’ the record unravels with cataclysmic riffs and dire, ferocious vocals that take fans on a tumultuous journey through the arduous process of suffering and healing.
FUMING MOUTH is currently touring in support of Last Day of Sun, and will hit the road for headlining dates, festival appearances and shows with August Burns Red in May. Tickets are available now at https://fumingmouth.com/pages/tour.
FUMING MOUTH North American Tour Dates: May 7 – Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506 May 8 – Savannah, GA – El-Rocko Lounge May 9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville May 10 – Birmingham, AL – Iron City* May 11 – Dothan, AL – The Plant* May 13 – Columbia, SC – The Senate* May 14 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall* May 15 – Chattanooga, TN – The Signal* May 16 – Indianapolis, IN – Hoosier Dome* May 17 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival May 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Smiling Moose May 19 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s Brewing Co May 20 – Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance May 21 – Hartford, CT – The Webster June 1 – Colorado Springs, CO – Olympic City Dissonance Fest @ Monument Valley Park June 15 – Boston, MA – Storm Fest @ Big Night Live *w/ August Burns Red
Today Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. — Sonny Sandoval [vocals], Marcos Curiel [guitar], and Traa Daniels [bass] — release their 11th album VERITAS via Mascot Records. To celebrate, they have revealed the official video for “I GOT THAT” – watch the video HERE
Talking about “I GOT THAT” and the new album, the band say, “After five years, a new dawn is finally upon us. Our latest creation, ‘VERITAS,’ shall breathe life and see the light of day. To say we are “excited” would be an understatement. We are overflowing with joy, knowing that you all will get to experience what we have been working so passionately on for the past few years. With our latest release, ‘I GOT THAT,’ you get the very essence of our roots, groove, and energy. This is the foundation, the core, of what P.O.D. is all about. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. With love, P.O.D.”
Tracks from the album have already picked up spins on BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show and BBC Radio 2 as well as playlisting on Kerrang! and Primordial radio. Recently, Kerrang! caught the band on tour with Skindred and said, “It’s little surprise that Boom, Youth Of The Nation and Alive go down a storm. All three hail from the same album, 2001’s Satellite.” They went on “New cuts Drop and Afraid To Die, from forthcoming album Veritas, are similarly well received and pack the same almighty choruses, powered by the convulsing momentum of their frontman, the seemingly ageless Sonny Sandoval.”
From the album they’ve released the videos for “DROP,“ which features a vicious vocal cameo from Lamb of Godsinger Randy Blythe. It earned quick press accolades from Metal Injection, Consequence, Revolver, Idioteq, The Pit, Yahoo!, and Knotfest. They followed with the video for equally eruptive single “AFRAID TO DIE,“ featuringJinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk. Last month the band also shared the video for “I WON’T BOW DOWN,” another banger that further introduced VERITAS and most recently LIES WE TELL OURSELVES. The tracks combined have garnered 17 million streams!
Track Listing “DROP” (Feat. Randy Blythe) “I GOT THAT” “AFRAID TO DIE” (Feat. Tatiana Shmayluk) “DEAD RIGHT” “BREAKING” “LAY ME DOWN” (Roo’s Song) “I WON’T BOW DOWN“ “THIS IS MY LIFE” (Feat. Cove Reber) “LIES WE TELL OURSELVES” “WE ARE ONE (OUR STRUGGLE)” “FEELING STRANGE”
They are currently on a North American tour. Bad Wolves, Norma Jean, and Blind Channel will serve as support. The “I Got That Tour” itinerary includes several festival stops along the way. Get tickets here.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the renowned rock supergroup featuring Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, proudly presents “Enlighten,” the latest single from their much -anticipated fifth studio album, ‘V,’ set for release on June 14th. Now available on all major streaming platforms, “Enlighten” is a masterpiece of lyrical depth and musical innovation, penned by Hughes and Bonamassa. The production, helmed by long-time collaborator Kevin Shirley, captures the essence of the band’s dynamic sound and evolving artistic expression.
“Enlighten” explores themes of self-awareness and spiritual awakening, conveyed through Hughes’ emotive lyrics and the intricate guitar work of Bonamassa. Resonating with the band’s signature fusion of hard rock and soul-stirring blues, the song stands as a testament to Black Country Communion’s growth and mutual admiration, symbolizing their commitment to producing music that is authentic, heartfelt, and reflective of their shared experiences and vast musical expertise.
Formed by some of the most respected names in rock and blues and deeply rooted in both British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock traditions, Black Country Communion has earned a formidable reputation over the past 15 years, not only as phenomenal songwriters but as a compelling live act, renowned for their commitment to musical excellence and innovation. Released on the heels of their first U.S. concert in over 11 years, “Enlighten” serves as an exciting glimpse into the full spectrum of what the album promises, heralding a vibrant new chapter for the band and their fans globally.
‘V’ by Black Country Communion 1. Enlighten 2. Stay Free 3. Red Sun 4. Restless 5. Letting Go 6. Skyway 7. You’re Not Alone 8. Love And Faith 9. Too Far Gone 10. The Open Road
Pre-order New Studio Album ‘V’ from the UK & Europe HERE Pre-order New Studio Album ‘V’ from North America HERE
Album cover artwork by Hugh Syme
About Black Country Communion BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION is a powerhouse supergroup fusing the incredible talents of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), Joe Bonamassa (Blues Rock Legend), Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Foreigner) and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo). Their brand of earth-shattering rock is heavily influenced by both British and American classic hard-rock and blues-rock music. The reputation they’ve cultivated after 15 years since their inception, not only as amazing songwriters, but as a powerful live act, is only exceeded by their dedication to their craft and willingness to challenge each other to make the best music imaginable.
To coincide with the Friday May 3rd release of legendary British AOR rock band FM‘s fourteenth studio album Old Habits Die Hard, the band have released their new single “Whatever It Takes.” Both album and single celebrate FM’s 40th Anniversary (1984-2024).
The album and single coincides with FM’s 40th Anniversary “Old Habits Die Hard” Anniversary Tour which continues at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham on Friday May 3rd. Tickets for the UK tour are available from www.thegigcartel.com. Full tour dates are listed below.
“Whatever It Takes is a classic FM style ballad, and very much looks back to the sound of the band during the ‘Tough It Out’ era,” says FM’s guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick.
Continues Jim, “It has the big FM chorus that our fans know and love. It’s a song that will definitely go down well at live shows. It’s already a favourite amongst the fans and critics who have heard it.”
Released to coincide with the band’s 40th Anniversary (1984 – 2024), vocalist, guitarist and founding member Steve Overland says, “the new album encompasses the best melodic elements of the band’s illustrious 40-year spanning career.”
“We really looked at what made the most popular FM albums great and tried to focus on that,” says Steve about the new album Old Habits Die Hard.
FM are known by many for their big choruses, twin lead guitars and Steve Overland’s intimate, yet powerful vocals, and clean guitar sound.
Following 2022’s Thirteen album, Old Habits Die Hard was delayed slightly by keyboard player Jem Davis’ cancer diagnosis (thankfully he’s now received the all-clear) and then by the sudden passing of FM’s founding guitarist Chris Overland (Steve’s brother), which hit the band hard.
Over the past 12 months, during their extensive touring schedule, FM produced the album themselves and recorded the bulk of it at their own Dale View and Electric Pepperland recording studios.
Opening track and first single “Out of The Blue” was a song that originated from keyboard player Jem Davis. Says Jem, “the band love the music of Toto and Foreigner and so I tried to put those influences into one track. ‘Once Steve got involved and started singing it, I knew that we were onto something special.”
“Out Of the Blue is a song that old school FM fans will really latch on to,” says Steve. “So far, the reaction to the track has been amazing.”
“Whatever It Takes” and “No Easy Way Out” are typical FM melodic tracks and could fit seamlessly on to one of the bands earlier classic albums. Bass player and founder member Merv Goldsworthy explains, “No Easy way Out has the big typical FM chorus. It’s a massive hook. The kind of thing that we’ve become known for. It’s one of my favourites on the album.”
The heavier side of the album is represented by “Lost,” “Another Day in My World,” and “Leap of Faith.” Whilst more hard hitting, these songs embody the catchy melodic choruses that FM are known for.
“Cut Me Loose,” “California,” and “Blue Sky Mind” are poppier, more feelgood tracks. “Blue Sky Mind” was conceived again by keyboard player Jem Davis who originally wrote the song about his experience with his cancer diagnosis. ‘That song really was therapy for me. It was important that I got it out of my system and into music,” says Jem.
“Black Water” is a brooding, bluesy track that grows and grows. ‘This is a real favourite of mine,” says FM guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick. “I could hear Brian May playing the guitar solo, so I pulled out my Brian May signature guitar and tried to do my best impersonation of him. Hopefully I got somewhere close.”
Track Listing
1. Out of the Blue (4.21) 2. Don’t Need Another Heartache (4.35) 3. No Easy Way Out (3.54) 4. Lost (5.20) 5. Whatever It Takes (4.37) 6. Black Water (4.52) 7. Cut Me Loose (4.34) 8. Leap of Faith (4.05) 9. California (5.17) 10. Another Day in My World (4.14) 11. Blue Sky Mind (5.06) Production Credits
Old Habits Die Hard Produced by FM Mixed by Jeff Knowler Mastered by Jim Griffiths at Principal Audio Photography by Paul Stuart Hollingsworth
Recorded at West3 Productions, Tremelo, Electric Pepperland, Morsecode Studios, JK Studios
All songs written by – Overland/Goldsworthy/Jupp/Davis/Kirkpatrick
Track by Track Out of the Blue – “I wrote this song in Lanzarote, says FM’s keyboardist, Jem Davis. “It’s about a guy who is completely happy in his own little world, and suddenly his partner declares she’s not, and is calling it a day! This comes to him out of the blue, but he’s not going to give in and lose her without a fight.”
Don’t Need Another Heartache – “This is one of the bluesier tracks on the album, kind of early Foreigner/Bad Company vibe,” says Steve Overland. “It’s about a guy that’s been in a bad relationship for too long, but he’s finally had enough.”
No Easy Way Out – “This was one of the first songs written for the album,” says Steve. “It’s about a guy that’s been down on his luck and knows it won’t be easy but is determined to pick himself up.” Lost – This is a real AOR groove rocker,” says Steve. “It’s about someone who had it all, lost it, and wants it all again.”
Whatever It Takes – “This is the ballad of the album, really,” says Steve. “It’s a song about a guy who worships a girl from a distance but doesn’t have the words to tell her… a familiar story.”
Black Water – “This initially had the working title of Havana, says Jem. “It turned out to be about a someone from Deep South, USA. No matter how far he travelled, the strong pull of home was always going to draw him back.”
Cut Me Loose – “This song is about a relationship that’s faded,” reflects Steve. “It’s time to move on, but how hard that can be if you’ve been together for a long time?”
Leap Of Faith – “This one is the opposite to Cut Me Loose,” explains Steve. “it’s a great riff to open the track. The story tells how if you lose the spark, and you both want to, you can get it back if you both want it.”
California – Musically, I was looking for an old school Indiscreet vibe in the style of Other Side Of Midnight or American Girls,” says Merv. “As a kid I’d watch the Beverly Hillbillies and 77 Sunset Strip. It all seemed so different to where I grew up in the North of England. Sun, beaches, surfing, great weather and, of course, all the great movie studios. I wasn’t even sure it was real or make believe.
Another Day in My World – “This tells the story of a guy who has always gone unnoticed and has spent his life in the shadows,” explains Steve. “Suddenly, he wants to change that and make his mark in life.” Blue Sky Mind – “No one knows how they will react when being diagnosed with cancer, “Says Jem. “When I was diagnosed January 2023, I found my way of dealing with it was just to stay positive. Nothing you can do. I received the all-clear in September. It’s about staying positive and leaving the neg behind. I like this being the last track. It’s a positive message to everyone dealing with cancer!”
FM – “OLD HABITS DIE HARD” 40TH ANNIVERSARY UK TOUR 2024
FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS BRAVE RIVAL*, COLLATERAL**, ROMEO’S DAUGHTER***, & HAND OF DIMES****
May 31, 2024 will see symphonic melodic metal overlords Rhapsody Of Fire release their hotly-anticipated, new studio epos ‘Challenge The Wind’ via AFM Records. A new music video for their latest colossal single, “Diamond Claws” (now available on https://rhapsodyoffire.bfan.link/diamond-claws), is premiering today! Watch the band’s new clip below, and pre-order your album copy now at https://rhapsodyoffire.bfan.link/challenge-the-wind.
For more than thirty years, Rhapsody Of Fire have been able to rely on one thing: there’s nothing half-hearted about this band. The Italian masters of their craft can look back at an impressive catalogue of 14 studio albums, three EPs and two live recordings to date, all marked by lots of heart and soul, passion and a virtually inexhaustible wealth of ideas. Since 1993, mastermind and founder Alex Staropoli has been hailed as the creator of the film score metal genre and his band as one of the most charismatic acts worldwide. In addition, Staropoli has enlisted a highly creative first-rate guitarist in Roby De Micheli, who joined the fold in 2011, contributing lots of gritty metal riffs and virtuoso solos to contrast the band’s symphonic orchestral style.
‘Challenge The Wind’ will mark Rhapsody Of Fire‘s most fast-paced rager to date, as the composer and keybordist Staropoli recently revealed: “Compared to all previous Rhapsody Of Fire releases, the current album consists exclusively of up-tempo numbers, not a single ballad in sight. None of our other records have featured as much pure, unadulterated metal as ‘Challenge The Wind’!”
In support of their forthcoming album, the band is gearing up for a busy touring schedule in 2024, with many more shows to follow soon. Find all upcoming Rhapsody Of Fire dates listed below!
‘Challenge The Wind’ was produced by Alex Staropoli and mixed by Seeb Levermann (Orden Ogan), who is responsible for the homogeneous sound of the ten songs’ elaborate arrangements. As all of the band’s first single releases prove, one can be sure: Rhapsody Of Fire’s fast-paced adventure is set to continue with undiminished intensity! Pre-order ‘Challenge The Wind’HERE!
‘Challenge The Wind’ tracklist:
Challenge the Wind
Whispers of Doom
The Bloody Pariah
Vanquished by Shadows
Kreel’s Magic Staff
Diamond Claws
Black Wizard
A Brave New Hope
Holy Downfall
Mastered by the Dark
Rhapsody Of Fire Live: 05.05.2024 (MX) EL CONDE, Foro 360 07.05.2024 (CO) BOGOTA, Astor Plaza 09.05.2024 (BR) SAO PAULO, Caricoa Club 10.05.2024 (CL) SANTIAGO, Blondie 11.05.2024 (AR) COMUNA 1, El Teatrito 18.05.2024 (IT) TREZZO SULL’ ADDA MI, Live Club 29.06.2024 (FR) CLISSON, Hellfest 13.07.2024 (BG) MOGILOVO, Midalidare Rock in the Wine Valley 2024 19.07.2024 (FI) PERUNKA, John Smith Rock Festival 07.11.2024 (SE) MALMOE, Plan B 08.11.2024 (SE) GOTHENBURG, Surr Arena 09.11.2024 (SE) STOCKHOLM, Fryshuset Klubben 10.11.2024 (SE) GAVLE, Centralteatern
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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