Counting down the days, Armed With Despise will be the only pre-album release before the new ANCST album Culture Of Brutality drops on May 3rd via Yenohala Tapes/ Lifeforce Records.
With 12 years of mayhem under their belt, Ancst returns to the basics on their 4th album “culture of brutality”. While their last effort “Zorn” took them into trve black metal territory, “culture of brutality” strips that away and sucker punches you right in the throat with its very own brand of grindcore and death metal infused metallic HC, with pieces of crust, scramz and sludge thrown into the mix. 20 songs, delivered in under 34 minutes about gentrification, wage slavery & capitalism, sexism, mental health and the issues of modern western society. if its rage that you wanted, “culture of brutality” will deliver.
As the previous albums “culture of brutality” is again a split label release between the band’s own label Yenohala Tapes and Lifeforce Records.
Canadian punks The Bloody Hell are sharing their new music video for their instrumental saxophone track “G” off their latest album “Nobody Cares”.
For the new video, the band decided to tap into the depths of internet stock footage archives and the results are tantalizing, breaking down great G words from gorgeous to gruesome with expressional faces!
The band comments:
“G is a song we had kicking around for a while but it never felt complete. We struggled to find the right vocal approach and had back burnered the song for a few years. When putting together the “Nobody Cares” album we decided to give it another go and called in our good friend Adam Nelson to lay down a saxophone melody in place of the vocal melody. The saxophone did the trick and became a total outta left field kinda track for us, and to our surprise has resonated with a lot of listeners.”
Since forming in 2017, Halifax, Nova Scotia’s The Bloody Hell has gotten dirtier and more polished at the same time, with the band infecting fans with their pop-cultural hooks and concepts, while the guitars keep getting louder and the vocals becoming uglier. The Bloody Hell is pretty much what would happen if George Thorogood sang for the Misfits, but all the songs were written by Tom Petty.
With their super catchy horror rock songs about drinking and heartache, The Bloody Hell play at a punk rock speed with a lineup that features vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean (guitar, vocals), guitarist and pianist James Densley also known from Bubbles and The Shit Rockers, the band fronted by the character Bubbles from the hit TV show The Trailer Park Boys, and bassist Joe Woods (Root Cellar).
In November 2022, the band released their long-awaited follow-up to their 2018 debut self-titled album. Entitled “Nobody Cares”, the sophomore record took about 3 years to complete due to Covid restrictions, lockdown, and all the madness that was the pandemic. This latest album features The Bloody Hell’s signature sound of raspy aggressive, catchy horror, and politically charged antics over nine tracks that clock in at just over 28 minutes. From tracks like “Hide Away” with its fast punky driving riff and slick earworm guitar lead to “Barbra” a cover of an old Canadian punk song by Vancouver legends Modernettes to even having saxophone on “G” along with added piano on “As Above” and “So Below”, punk fans will find it to be an energetic and passionate sonic experience that conveys stories from lived experiences that many can relate to.
“With this album, we feel our sound has evolved nicely from the previous record released in 2018. We have worked hard to shape our songwriting and storytelling abilities and that is thoroughly displayed over the nine tracks on this album. Our songwriting has progressed and we hope that people hearing us for the first time will find something in our sound to relate to or sing along with.” adds vocalist/guitarist Ian Kean.
Suitable for a variety of fans, The Bloody Hell cites influences ranging from Misfits, Nirvana, and Motorhead, anyone who enjoys a fun and dirty romp with a bull horn of grungy vocals.
Track Listing: 1. As Above – 1:10 2. Hide Away – 3:47 3. When You’re Gone – 3:20 4. Barbra – 2:09 (Modernettes cover) 5. G – 6:00 6. Nobody Cares About America Anymore – 3:38 7. Rulers of the Night – 3:34 8. Dead to Me – 3:01 9. So Below – 1:38 Album Length: 28:20
Album Recording Credits: • All songs performed by: The Bloody Hell • All songs were written by: The Bloody Hell • Produced by: Ian Kean • Mixed by: Alex Burris • Mastered by: Alex Burris • Album Artwork by: James Densley • Canadian Content (MAPL)
Album and Live Band Lineup: Ian Kean – Guitar / Vocals James Densley – Lead Guitar / Piano Kyle Cantfell – Drums Joe Woods – Bass
Alan Dixon from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently interview Armored Saint Singer John Bush and Bassist Joey Vera.
In the chat the two gave an update on their up and coming new studio album and the bands documentary. Plus went into the band’s legacy.
The band is currently on tour with Queensryche.
When asked about their upcoming documentary Armored Saint – A Band of Brothers “A movie was made by a friend of ours who we’ve known a long time who’s been a fan of us for a very long time Russell Cherrington, he’s from the UK. He completed his vision this movie and he’s still looking for a home for it as in terms of distribution. I haven’t heard anything about where that’s going to be but apparently it’s getting very close. Obviously the place for it (film) is in streaming services which is where most people watch things anyway. It (documentary) was part of a circuit of the film festivals last year so some things out of that have resulted in him getting closer to finding a home for it. So hopefully we know something in the next couple of months.” John Bush
When asked about the new upcoming studio album “Yeah we started writing, we have about five to six songs done. It’s sounding cool, it’s just more growth. We kind of go a little slow, we probably should have a little urgency just cuz you know our ambition is to get a record out next year and that’ll still be 5 years after the last one, which seems to be our Pace. So we have to work hard to get it done by next year but it’s gonna be cool, there’s always progression and growth with Armored Saint. We know what the foundation of the sound of the band is but we always are trying to expand on that and push ourselves. I said this before so I’ll say it again. Heavy metal can almost be borderline conservative because people say well that’s what they want (fans), so I’m going to give them what they want. Well that’s safe to me .We try tp put a little Edge in there and little twists just so fans aren’t going know what they get, cuz then it sounds like 10 records that sound like themselves. And the bottom line there’s no way that you could say Armored Saint record sound the same. “John Bush
When asked about the musical direction of the new music “I don’t want to put too much of an emphasis on it because it should be a natural organic development because once you start making this intended sound then that’s a problem and you’re getting methodical about it and then and then it probably will backfire. I just think we kind of feel like the sky’s the limit and we could do anything we want. ” John Bush
“Speaking of the music, It’s always a stamp or or a snapshot as to where we are at that moment when that record was recorded or made or written. Maybe it’s a good thing, we have a 5-year period in between because if we made it every single year it (the music) would then start to blend into one another and they might all sound the same, Each record we make is not vastly different but they’re different from each other. No two records really have the same vibe or sound something about them is their own Island and so that is that’s kind of like a subconscious goal for us is to have have on every record. Also we recorded a single in January and it’s coming out this June 12th (2024) on Metal Blade Records and it’s a digital only single. It also has a video that we shot for it and it’s really cool. We did a cover of a Four Tops song we are huge R&B fans. We just thought again slightly outside of our comfort zone but things that I think we can handle and as a group we have the ability to straddle that line of heavy and funky and groovy at the same time. John killed it with the vocals the track came out so good, so we’re stoked about that coming out and I think it just shows another side of us that’s maybe not so serious. We had a lot of fun making the video it came out really really cool we’re looking sharp. ” Joey Vera
Armored Saint – A Band of Brothers had it’s world premiere in the band’s hometown of Hollywood on Tuesdayf May 2023 at the Harmony Gold Theatre in Hollywood, CA.
The film celebrates the 40 year career of Armored Saint and the 50 year friendship the band have shared from school in El Sereno, a Los Angeles suburb.
Many friends of the band have given interviews, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich from Metallica tell tales of their early days touring, Scott Ian of Anthrax talks about seeing Armored Saint in 1985, Queensryche members Eddie Jackson and Todd LaTorre talk about the shared history. Key music industry figures and producers, A&R men, roadies, record label executives and family share thoughts and stories about the band’s 40 year history.
Using royalties from their first ever-single, Savage Lands recently protected 60,000 square feet of Costa Rican rainforest from getting chopped down. But on their new single, “Black Rock Heart”, these angry metalheads are warning us that if we don’t listen up, the world as we know it might not be around much longer.
Watch the video for “Black Rock Heart” featuring Kai Uwe Faust from Heilung and ChloéTrujillo on Season of Mist’s YouTube channel.
Just listening to “Black Rock Heart” helps support Savage Lands. 100% of the song’s royalties fund the musician-run non-profit’s preservation efforts in Costa Rica. Donations can also be made at https://savagelands.org/donation/
Savage Land’s first single was a fitting tribute to the endangered howler monkey. But even though it’s still plenty heavy, “Black Rock Heart” aims at more spiritual concerns. The video begins with an ominous warning: the spirits of nature are reaching out to us… Of course, who else could represent these magical beings but visionary artist Chloé Trujillo and Heilung’s chief of ceremonies Kai Uwe Faust.
Channeling the protective powers of an Obsidian stone, Chloé sends Kai to warn of the doomsday scenario that’s unfolding right before our eyes. Don’t mistake the derelict buildings or rusted heavy metal machinery that dot this deserted landscape for the work of AI. Savage Lands shot this video on location in Salton Sea, which is the site of the biggest environmental disaster in California history.
“That we tried to create an ocean just shows our own ignorance” says guitarist Sylvain Demercastel, who co-founded Savage Lands alongside Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren. “The Salton Sea is a very symbolic area. It was the perfect place for us to shoot this video. Sadly, there’s hardly a tree in sight”.
Kai bangs on his hand drum. Still, even when he’s screaming in the band’s face, the message falls on deaf ears. Black Bomb A’s Sebastian Poun strains his voice into a bat-like shriek before exploding on a room full of TVs, computers and other man-made creations that are supposed to make us happy.
“We wanted this song to reflect our mounting frustration with the way the real estate heat wave is destroying Costa Rica’s ecosystem”, says Sylvain. “Black Rock Heart” does sound angrier and more aggressive than what we’ve previously heard from Savage Lands. Sylvain shoots off a guitar solo that howls away like a flare gun, but the riff is a wicked stroke of downpicking that’s only sharpened by the low end’s blackened groove. “It’s got a bit more black ‘n’ roll to it, which plays into the title”.
But “Black Rock Heart” isn’t all doom and gloom. Just as Chloé’s clean singing cuts through those venomous shrieks like a salve, the song ends with a positive sign. The black arrow that falls from the sky is a final message for us to act on the benefit of our planet, before it’s too late.
“That’s the reason why we started Savage Lands”, says Sylvain. “It’s up to us to do something”.
Heilung Donating to Savage Lands:
Kai and his fellow Heilung warriors are continuing to support Savage Lands on their 2024 tour dates. The Nordic collective are donating $1 for every ticket sold to the non-profit’s ongoing forest preservation efforts in Costa Rica.
“The question is: ‘Do you like to breath’?”, Kai asks. “Do you like trees. Then you really should follow Savage Lands”.
Savage Lands are planting their eco-friendly flag at Hellfest! They’ll play the main stage on Friday, June 28, with help from some very special guests.
Stop by the Savage Lands booth to learn more about the green zones, nature sanctuaries and other preservation projects that they’re building in Costa Rica. Make a donation and receive the chance to win a one-of-a-kind guitar.
Tracks 1. “The Last Howl” (5:48) [WATCH] 2. “Black Rock Heart” (4:54) [WATCH]
Artists occasionally support causes through donations to organizations. With SAVAGE LANDS, Megadeth drummer Dirk Verbeuren teamed up with his guitar-wielding friend Sylvain Demercastel to create their own US 501(c)3 non-profit.
Savage Lands raises money for reforestation and the creation of sanctuaries free of human destruction in Costa Rica. Using their own royalties, donations and other fundraising efforts, the organization builds nature sanctuaries, establishes green zones and other land preservation projects. They partner with other non-profits, scientists and forest engineers, as well as Decibel Magazine and Season of Mist.
“If you want to make a difference, take action! Our greatest hope with Savage Lands is that it will inspire you to join us, and if you can, to start your own initiative to help preserve animals, forests, and our planet”, says Dirk.
Time To Kill Records is pleased to announce the signing of Finnish dark metallic hardcore act SARS to a worldwide deal, which will see the first release for the label, the new album “Nothing Hurts Quite Like Life”, out this summer.
More details on the album, including the first single, artwork, tracklisting, and pre-orders are coming soon.
Originating from the vibrant music scene of Turku, Finland, SARS emerged in 2016 as a collective vision to forge a sound rooted in “Hatebreed inspired metallic hardcore”. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that the band took its definitive form, with the foundational trio of Timo Heikkilä (drums), Sami Leinonen (guitar), and Juuso Linsamo (guitar) laying the groundwork for what would become a powerful musical force.
The ensemble gained further momentum in 2020 with the addition of the dynamic vocalist, Antti Honkanen, bringing a visceral energy to their evolving sound. The final piece of the puzzle fell into place later that year when bassist Vilho Laaksonen joined, solidifying the band’s lineup.
SARS‘ initial foray into the music scene saw them collaborate with the legendary Keijo Niinimaa (known for his work with Rotten Sound, Morbid Evils, and Goatburner). This collaboration resulted in the release of their first three singles, during which Keijo shared vocal duties with Antti. Notably, Keijo also took on the roles of tracking and producing the first two singles, contributing his wealth of experience to shape the band’s early sonic identity.
However, the journey took an unexpected turn in 2022 when Keijo, facing scheduling conflicts and commitments to his other well-established projects, had to step away from SARS. Despite his departure, the band continued to evolve, drawing on the foundation laid during their collaboration with Keijo. SARS stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of collaboration and evolution within the music scene, carving their path with a blend of metallic hardcore and unapologetic intensity. As they forge ahead, the band remains poised to leave an indelible mark on the global heavy music landscape.
Line-up:
Antti Honkanen – Vocals Juuso Linsamo – Guitar & backing vocals Sami Leinonen – Guitar & backing vocals Vilho Laaksonen – Bass Timo Heikkilä – Drums & backing vocals
KK’S PRIEST – featuring Judas Priest alumni K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals) – are set to launch their very first European headline tour. Joining them will be special guests including Burning Witches, Xandria, DIETH and Tailgunner. Additionally, the band will perform live at major European festivals, including the legendary Wacken Open Air, for the first time!
This tour follows their highly praised studio album, The Sinner Rides Again, promising to bring that same energy to the stage, offering fans an unforgettable experience of heavy metal at its finest.
K.K. Downing states:
“Hello Metalheads! We are really pumped up and raring to go back to Europe this summer when we play some of our favorite cities and countries. Also, the festival season is upon us and we can’t wait to play Wacken, Rock Hard, Fezen, Stonedead and other great festivals. And if you don’t see your city now, don’t worry as we will soon announce more European shows for later in the year. The band and I are ready to go and we will bring you the KK’s Priest metal thunder. Don’t miss it! KK”
11.05.24 BE – Bomal-sur-Ourthe / Durbuy Rock Festival 12.05.24 NL – Utrecht / Tivoli 14.05.24 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn 15.05.24 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colossaal 16.05.24 DE – Hamburg / Grünspan 18.05.24 DE – Gelsenkirchen / Rock Hard Festival 19.05.24 DE – Munich / Backstage 15.06.24 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Festival 05.07.24 ES – Barcelona / Barcelona Rock Fest 07.07.24 ES – Bilbao / Santana 27 10.07.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7 12.07.24 AT – Leoben / Area 53 Festival 13.07.24 PL – Wroclaw / A2 14.07.24 CZ – Vizovice / Masters Of Rock Festival 01.08.24 DE – Wacken / Wacken Open Air 03.08.24 HU – Szekesfehervar / Fezen Festival 04.08.24 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme Fest 16.08.24 FR – Carhaix / Motocultor 18.08.24 UK – Cardiff / Tramshed 20.08.24 UK – Belfast / Limelight 21.08.24 IE – Dublin / Academy 23.08.24 UK – Newcastle / NX 24.08.24 UK – Nottinghamshire / Stonedead Festival
This past September, KK’S PRIEST unveiled their blistering sophomore offering, The Sinner Rides Again, to rave reviews! Blabbermouth dubbed it “an absolutely ripping metal record”, while Paste stated, “…with all respect to Rob Halford and co., nothing they’ve produced in recent years feels as dynamic and as heavy as the material that their former guitarist has been forging with his project KK’S PRIEST.” The album debuted at #1 on the US Hard Music Albums chart, #3 on the Top New Artist Albums chart and #6 on the Current Rock Albums chart, as well as reaching several high chart entries in Europe.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 