Just before the kick-off their ENVY TOUR for promoting their new album “Envy”Fortress Under SIege offering a new video clip for their song “Spartacus” captured during their performance at Midalidare Rock In The Wine Valey, on July 2, 2023, supporting HELLOWEEN, EPICA and BATTLE BEAST.
“Envy” released on October 13, 2023 through ROAR Rock of Angels Records, as Digipack CD, Black / Yellow Splatter Vinyl limited to 500 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.
Hard rock band A-Z has just released the 11th and final video for the band’s debut, self-titled release, for the song “Sometimes“, created by one of the band’s fans.
Mark Zonder had this to say about the video and how it came to be:
“When we did our 9th video for the debut A-Z album, ‘Run Away’, we asked fans to send in clips that we would incorporate into the video. We thought this would be a cool way to see how the fans were interpreting the songs.
One of our fans, Ryan, turned in all kinds of clips that were very well thought out and he put a lot of time and energy into it…Really good stuff.
We became friends and he asked if it was cool to create an entire video for the final video from the album, ‘Sometimes’. We said ‘yes!’ and Ryan came up with a very, very cool concept that really has a lot of cool hidden gems within it. This is not a Spielberg production, but an absolutely impressive video from a dedicated fan.
We really appreciate all of his effort and hard work and we hope our fans enjoy the video as much as the band does.“
A-Z‘s current self-titled album can be streamed in its entirety at: metalblade.com/a-z – and videos for each of the songs can be seen below.
“With the prog metal pedigree here one might expect that style to rear its head on occasion, but it really doesn’t. Restraint is key across A-Z, with the band displaying a high level of talent while keeping overt noodling in check. Wolters drops a number of excellent guitar solos, and Zonder’s fills remain complex but not distracting. The key to A-Z’s success isn’t the musical complexity, though; in fact, it is the relatively simple yet effective arrangements combined with the classic, memorable vocal hooks that will keep listeners coming back. With Zonder producing the overall album, and each member responsible for recording their own parts (the members live in different countries), the songs sound excellent and the mix is aggressive and engaging.” Angry Metal Guy
“What this is NOT, in the strictest sense, is prog. What it IS can certainly be classified as “prog adjacent” or at minimum, a great sounding melodic hard rock album with progressive undertones. And given the band members’ pedigree, it’s not surprising that it contains at least some of those elements…Rounding out the lineup you have the supremely talented, and 3 time Grammy nominated Philip Bynoe (Steve Vai) on bass, the namesake & keyboard wizard of French prog band Lalu, Vivien Lalu and the Dutch prog/jazz fusion guitarist Joop Wolters. If not yet household names, each one is certainly highly regarded in the prog genre. The musical chemistry between all these players is undeniable on the A-Z debut.” Prog Report
9.3/10 review on Sonic Perspectives
“The band’s self-titled debut certainly is a far more digestible and accessible trip than anything Zonder (or even Alder) has done before.” Blabbermouth interview
“Now, we really don’t like to use the term “supergroup” these days, because doing so often invokes works that come across better on paper than they do drifting from our speakers, so let’s simply refer to A-Z as… A very auspicious gathering of powerful sorcerers.” Last Rites
“A-Z is a brand-new band (not project) featuring former Fates Warning members Mark Zonder and Ray Alder on Drums and Vocals (respectively,) Philip Bynoe on Bass (former Steve Vai and Warlord,) Joop Wolters on Guitar, and Vivien Lalu on keyboards. One would expect a line-up like this to be a powerhouse Prog Metal buffet of awesomeness, and though there are some moments of Prog on their s/t debut, for the most part, this is a straightforward Hard Rock album but handled in a massively unique way. The first thing I noticed, and as a lifelong fan of Ray Alder, was that the usually melancholic Alder is inspiring and upbeat for the most part on this album. The best part of that? It is perfect!!…Zonder has always been one of the tightest and most skilled drummers on the scene so it’s no surprise that his skills are on point, and since he and Bynoe have previously worked together with Warlord they have built-in chemistry that is clear on the album. Wolters, a name I am unfamiliar with until now (he’s a Dutch multi-instrumentalist who has done mostly solo work and worked with Lalu on his project,) is a brilliant guitarist! His solos work for the song and his solos are liquid gold and so smooth. Lalu adds perfect keyboard accents to the songs that again accent the music perfectly.” 10/10 My Global Mind
Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton, the two acclaimed songwriters and modern-day guitar heroes behind the chart-topping album Death Wish Blues, have received a GRAMMY® Award nomination in the Contemporary Blues Category. The 2024 GRAMMYs will be held on February 4th at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles, with Death Wish Blues in the running for “Best Contemporary Blues Album.”
Full of swagger, bravado, and superb musicianship, Death Wish Blues was released by Rounder Records in May 2023 and instantly found its way to the top of the Billboard Blues charts. A Number 1 hit in multiple countries, Death Wish Blues captures the synergy and free-flowing nature of Fish and Dayton’s musical partnership as they work with producer Jon Spencer to expand beyond the boundaries of blues, rock, soul, and Americana.
“Jesse, Jon, and I worked so hard to bring this album to life,” says Fish. “It was a true collaboration. I have been so proud of this work since we left the studio. I felt like we had something special, and I’m thrilled that the GRAMMYs are recognising it. Thank you, it’s such an honour.”
Dayton concurs, “Samantha, our producer Jon Spencer, and I, all worked hard to create something that could take blues guitar in a new direction. I’m so humbled our record is being recognized by the GRAMMYs.”
The pair have been spreading their gospel since the December 2023 release of The Stardust Sessions. The E.P. kicked off a year of unforgettable sold-out shows in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Australia, making them international sensations. In late November, they will hit the road with Jon Spencer and Eric Johanson for the ‘Shake ‘Em All Down’ tour. Tickets available from www.samanthafish.com/tour.
ABOUT SAMANTHA FISH & JESSE DAYTON Hailing from Kansas City, MO, Samantha Fish is one of the most dynamic blues forces in the world today, headlining festivals and captivating audiences with her guitar prowess and power vocals. The Kansas City Hall of Famer and Blues Music Award-winner performs 200 shows yearly, domestically, and abroad. Death Wish Blues is her 7th album. Austinite Jesse Dayton’s multi-decade career highlighting his work as a chart-topping songwriter, guitar hero, author, movie director, screenwriter, frontman, sideman, producer, and road warrior. The roots-rock renaissance man has collaborated with artists of all stripes, from Samantha Fish to country music icons (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings), rock & roll hell-raisers (Guns ‘N Roses’ Duff McKagan, Glenn Danzig), and even horror movie filmmakers (Rob Zombie). Jesse, has played on hundreds of albums, has released 14 solo records and is looking forward to releasing a new L.P. this Spring on Blue Elan Records.
British Blues rock guitar prodigy Joanne Shaw Taylor is pleased to announce ten UK concerts in February 2024. Planet Rock will start a 48-hour ticket pre-sale at 10am GMT on Wednesday 15 November via Planetrock.com.
The tour kicks off on Saturday 17 February 2024 at Manchester Royal Northern College of Music, takes in London’s O2 Indigo on Thursday 22nd February, and finishes on Thursday 29 February at the Palace Theatre in Southend-on-Sea.
Joanne will perform songs from her recent critically acclaimed albums “Nobody’s Fool,” and The Blues Album which topped Billboard Magazine’s Official Blues Album Chart. She will also perform new songs from her forthcoming album including “Sweet ‘Lil Lies” and “Black Magic.”
The Blues Album was voted #1 Most Played Blues Album of 2021 by the Independent Blues Broadcaster’s Association. Joanne will also dig deep into her rich back catalogue where she will hand-pick songs from her albums Reckless Heart, Wild, The Dirty Truth, Almost Always Never, Diamonds in the Dirt, and White Sugar.
Her latest single, crafted alongside Kevin Shirley, the iconic producer, at the legendary RCA Studio A in Nashville, “Black Magic” is the fruit of a collaboration with stellar artists such as Rob McNelly, Doug Lancio, Alison Prestwood, Jimmy Wallace, and Anton Fig. Watch the official music video NOW.
“I originally wrote ‘Black Magic’ for my album ‘Nobody’s Fool’ and intended for it to be an instrumental called ‘Butterbeer Blues,’” Joanne recalls. “But then, I decided to give it lyrics and transform it into a fun, traditional acoustic blues song. Hopefully I succeeded and you’ll enjoy the rootsy vibe!” The lyrics unfold a tale of entrancement, spellbinding love, and the mystique of attraction, all delicately wrapped in Joanne’s signature guitar brilliance.
Always one to push boundaries, Joanne’s union with Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Recordscontinues to flourish, ensuring that her music reaches her global fanbase, uncompromised and pure. This relationship, alongside her innate creativity, guarantees a stream of sensational releases that cut through the industry noise.
Discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics when she was a mere 16 years old and subsequently invited to tour the world, Joanne’s rise to stardom, propelled by endorsements from music giants like Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox, remains unmatched.
With a discography boasting chart-toppers like Reckless Heart, The Blues Album, and most recently Nobody’s Fool, Joanne is unstoppable. As she readies her next studio album, fans can expect a cocktail of her signature guitar riffs, emotive vocals, and inspired songwriting.
JOANNE SHAW TAYLOR – BIOGRAPHY
Joanne Shaw Taylor was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at the age of 16 who, having watched her play, immediately invited her on the road with his supergroup D.U.P. – a career in music was born and in the proceeding years, her incredible guitar playing saw her build an army of plaudits including Jimmy Cliff, Joe Bonamassa, Stevie Wonder and Annie Lennox.
Still only in her 30’s, she has become one of the most sought-after guitarists in the world of rock. She released her first album on Ruf Records entitled “White Sugar” (2009), unleashing her distinct soulful voice on the world, and demonstrating a song writing prowess way beyond her years – the world of blues rock had a new star! Over the next few years, she released critically acclaimed albums including her sophomore album “Diamonds In The Dirt” (2010), “Almost Always Never” (2012) which featured the UK radio hit “Soul Station”, plus her final album for Ruf Records – the live album “Songs From The Road” (2013).
In 2014 she released her fourth studio album “The Dirty Truth” on Axehouse Records that featured the singles “Mud, Honey” and “Wicked Soul”. In 2016, Joanne followed up with the release of her fifth album “Wild” (Produced by Kevin Shirley) which saw her perform songs “Dyin’ To Know” and “Summertime” on BBC Two Television’s popular music show “Later With Jools Holland”. Three years later, in 2019 she signed to Silvertone Records via Sony Music and released her sixth studio album, “Reckless Heart.”
Over the past two decades, Joanne has proven herself as a prolific songwriter, releasing seven acclaimed albums under her belt, each increasingly more successful with her 2019 “Reckless Heart” breaking into the UK Top 20 Album Chart and cementing herself as one of the most important exports in British blues-rock.
Her seventh studio album “The Blues Album”, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith at Oceanway Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee, was her first released on Bonamassa’s independent label KTBA Records in 2021 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Charts.
On April 20, 2022 Joanne received her 2nd #1 Billboard Blues album with “Blues From The Heart Live”. On October 28, 2022, she released her critically acclaimed eighth studio album “Nobody’s Fool” produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The album was released on Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records to rave reviews.
In 2023 Joanne released “Sweet ‘Lil Lies” and “Black Magic” – two new tracks produced by Kevin Shirley at the legendary Studio A at RCA Studios in Nashville. The songs will appear on Joanne’s forthcoming studio album released by Journeyman Records in 2024.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice recently spoke to Lynch Mob and former Dokken guitarist George Lynch. In the interview Lynch explains Lynch Mob’s farewell retirement plans, Tour setlists and new album Babylon.
When asked about the current version of the Lynch Mob Band “It’s a killer version of the band, it’s solid so and I am afraid of this falling apart. So what we are doing is, this is going to be it. This is going to be the final version of the band. We will have this record (Babylon), we will go out and tour for a year, it will be our final ride and that will be it. We will go out on our terms rather than somebody steering away our singer or our bass player and having to start over. Ok here is the 27th version of Lynch Mob. So this will be the last version of Lynch Mob. Last tour, last record and that will be the final chapter and the end of the story. We will go out with a bang instead of a whimper. “
When asked if this is going to be a never ending farewell, like the Scorpions “This will be it, we put a date on it, the last show will be Monsters of Rock cruise 2025.”
When asked if Lynch Mob will tour with Dokken again or has that door been shut “It’s kind of run it’s course, yeah I think so. That’s fine. It was something I was pushing to do for many years and I have been proposing the idea with different agents I have had with over the decades. And I never found anyone to pick up the ball and run with it until I found my present agency which also represents Dokken. Don and I are on relatively good terms and so it worked. He agreed to it, so we went out. I always thought the competitive kind of thing, the story, back story, if people were aware of it would bring some interest and it worked and I think that is healthy. That is entertainment. “ When asked how truthful or exaggerated was it that he and Don Dokken could not get along over the years. “Well I’m not pointing any fingers that just generally human beings have a tendency, maybe to mimic the narrative. So you repeat a lie long enough it becomes the truth, not the truth . Listen I don’t have any problems with people, generally I am fine and I am also very forgiving if I do have problems with people, that is water under the bridge. Life is too short and too precious. I like people and I like making things work and fixing things. But not everybody feels the same way I do. “
When asked if Dokken’s guitarist Jon Levin guitar tone and sound is a compliment or insult as he kind of sounds like him “Somebody’s got to sound like me. I think that is the whole point of him, that is kind of what he is supposed to do. Insulting no. I feel it’s absolutely a compliment. I am not insulted by that.”
Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the newest studio album from Lynch Mob, “Babylon”. The band is known for their high energy, guitar driven, hard rock vibe, while featuring elements of classic rock, blues, and metal, with a propensity for improvisation. Joining revered guitarist and band founder George Lynch (The End Machine, The Banishment, ex-Dokken) for this newest Lynch Mob album are vocalist Gabriel Colón, bassist Jaron Gulino (Tantric, Heavens Edge), and drummer Jimmy D’anda (ex-Bulletboys).
“There’s been so many iterations of Lynch Mob since the first line-up in 1989 of Oni Logan, Mick Brown, Anthony Esposito, and myself. Putting Lynch Mob together was just an extension of what I’d always strived for in a band: the best possible musicians, chemistry, and brotherhood. My bands have not only been my best friends, but also family. When we come up together and work hard and struggle together, we create a bond that lasts a lifetime. I think that’s the thing I love the most about my musical journey…creating music in the studio, stepping on stage, and sharing that bond with my friends through music. Thank you to everyone who has been in my band. I really feel it’s ours”, says Lynch. Lynch Mob was formed in 1989 after George Lynch parted ways with his former band Dokken. Their debut release “Wicked Sensation” was met with critical and fan acclaim and went on to be certified gold in sales by the RIAA. The band would continue on through the years with a cast of talented players joining Lynch throughout their musical journey over the course of six more studio albums. “Babylon” is Lynch Mob’s eighth studio album overall and the first since 2017’s “The Brotherhood”.
“Babylon” tracklisting:
Erase
Time After Time
Caught Up
I’m Ready
How You Fall
Million Miles Away
Let It Go
Fire Master
The Synner
Babylon Time: 0.49.59
Line-up: Gabriel Colón: Vocals George Lynch: Guitars Jimmy D’anda: Drums Jaron Gulino: Bass
Formed in 1981, SLAYER assaulted the world with a new hybrid of metal and punk – heavier, faster and darker than the rest – and set a new standard, defining not only a genre, but an attitude. Throughout Slayer‘s history, the band never faltered in unleashing their extreme and focused aural assault, and repudiating temptations, Slayer always chose to remain crushing and brutal, steadfastly refusing to cater to the mainstream.
Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Show No Mercy is the debut studio album by American thrash metal masters, Slayer. The album was initially released on December 3, 1983, by Metal Blade Records, who, in honor of Show No Mercy‘s 40th anniversary, will be unleashing two unique pieces of vinyl for fans: A limited edition “Blood” filled liquid vinyl – limited to 250 worldwide, and the Show No Mercy (40th Anniversary Edition) vinyl set that includes a Gold Black Dust LP mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY, a slipmat, poster, show flyers, signing card, and an LP booklet featuring the story of Show No Mercy, written by J. Bennett.
Show No Mercy (40th Anniversary Edition) • Slipcase with gold hot-foil embossing • Gold Black Dust LP mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in May 2023 • 12″ LP booklet • Slipmat • Poster • Show flyers • Signing card
Show No Mercy “Blood” Filled Liquid Vinyl: • Blood filled liquid vinyl mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY in May 2023 • Limited to 250 copies worldwide!
Tracklisting: SIDE A 01. Evil Has No Boundaries 02. The Antichrist 03. Die by the Sword 04. Fight Till Death 05. Metal Storm / Face the Slayer
SIDE B 06. Black Magic 07. Tormentor 08. The Final Command 09. Crionics 10. Show No Mercy
Album Lineup: Tom Araya: vocals, bass Kerry King: guitars Jeff Hanneman: guitars Dave Lomabardo: 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
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