Bavarian thrashers BATTLECREEK, founded in 2004, have signed with MDD Records and will release the follow-up to their 2015 album “Hate Injection” in spring!
The work on the third longplayer of the band, which also appears in the scene documentary “Total Thrash”, is almost complete. If you haven’t heard the quartet yet, you can get a first impression of the thrash thunderstorm that’s coming your way in 2024 on Bandcamp and the usual streaming portals! Stay tuned!
RUFF MAJIK, the notorious heavy stoner rock band known for their thunderous riffs and explosive performances, release their tribute to Scott Pilgrim vs. The World today. The band, led by the indomitable Johni Holiday, have recorded versions of Threshold and Black Sheep, two iconic tracks from the movie’s soundtrack in anticipation of the new Netflix series launching on November 17th.
Johni has long been an ardent fan of both the Scott Pilgrim vs. The World movie and the original graphic novel by Bryan Lee O’Malley. These influences played a pivotal role in shaping the band’s identity and musical direction from the very beginning.
Commenting on the project, Holiday expressed his deep connection to the source material “I saw Scott Pilgrim v.s. The World at the tender age of 18 – a high school loser with high hopes for getting my band out of the garage one day. My teenage mind completely missed the plot of the movie (or the fact that there was even any graphic novels before it) and just cared about the gnarly garage rock emanating from the soundtrack, thanks to fictional bands ‘Sex-bob-omb’ and ‘The Clash At Demonhead’. My fate was pretty much sealed after that, as I dug into every last piece of novelisation and memorabilia, I could get my hands on. Weird as it may be to say, I think the soundtrack of Scotty P. is one of my greatest influences of all time – we still say “we gotta play now & LOUD!” to each other before Ruff Majik takes the stage. So here you go, a love letter to my favourite fictional universe.”
The release features Ruff Majik’s unique take on two tracks that have become anthems in their own right.
Buy and stream Threshold HERE and Black Sheep HERE.
The horned infant known as Ruff Majik emerged from the primordial ooze when the band moved from the historical town of Lydenburg in 2012 to the capital city of Pretoria, where they honed their craft for a few years before finally entering the studio to record for the first time. Now, with a number of EP’s and two lauded albums under their belt, not to mention a megaton of local and international touring, they return with what might be their defining work in the shape of ‘Elektrik Ram’.
Multi-platinum hard rock powerhouse, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have announced a LIMITED EDITION GOLD VINYL REISSUE of their eighth studio album, titled “F8”, as well as on cassette for the first time. The album was originally released globally on February 28th, 2020 and is available HERE
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory said, “We had an extremely successful, yet tumultuous couple of years as a band. We didn’t just weather the storm but came out on the other side better than ever. It was a focused sober group recording its most important album to date and without a question it shows. This album represents rebirth, progression, transcendence both personally and musically.”
Vocalist Ivan Moody adds, “This record to me is ‘absolution’ – everything I’ve done in my life has led up to this moment.”
“F8” was produced by FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH with long time producer KEVIN CHURKO (Ozzy Osbourne, Disturbed, Slash, etc). See the full tracklisting for “F8” below.
AVAILABLE ON GOLD VINYL REISSUE, and for the first time CASSETTE with ORIGINAL ARTWORK
TRACKLISTING FOR F8 BELOW:
F8
Inside Out
Full Circle
Living The Dream
A Little Bit Off
Bottom Of The Top
To Be Alone
Mother May I (Tic Toc)
Darkness Settles In
This Is War
Leave It All Behind
Scar Tissue
Brighter Side Of Grey
Making Monsters (BONUS)
Death Punch Therapy (BONUS)
Inside Out (Radio Edit) (BONUS)
Line-up Andy James (Guitar) Chris Kael (Bass) Ivan Moody (vocals), Zoltan Bathory (Guitar) Charlie Engen (Drums)
Brooding ethereal rock visionaries GENE LOVES JEZEBEL have returned with a brand new studio album, X – Love Death Sorrow, set for release on December 1. This is the band’s first studio album since their heavily praised 2017 album Dance Underwater. GLJ leader Jay Aston once again calls on acclaimed long term guitarist James Stevenson (who has also played in The Alarm, Gen X, The Cult, Chelsea) and longtime bassist Peter Rizzo as well as welcoming back producer Peter Walsh, who helped create some of the band’s classic albums like 1987’s The House Of Dolls, which included the monster singles “The Motion Of Love” and “Suspicion.”
Together, this team has crafted an album of superb original tracks as well as a handful of outstanding cover songs by the likes of Magazine, The Cure, and The Only Ones to name a few. In fact, the first single to be shared from the new album is a cover of the worldwide hit by fellow Brit, Edwyn Collins, “A Girl Like You.” This catchy, retro-sounding piece of pop is transformed in Gene Loves Jezebel’s hands into a gorgeously atmospheric rocker with guitars that chime and sustain, and a spectacular vocal from Aston. Check out the track below!
Legendary rock musician and songwriter Dave Mason has unveiled a new version of the timeless Traffic hit, “Dear Mr. Fantasy,” breathing new life into the classic song with the help of modern blues rock icon Joe Bonamassa. The collaborative effort delivers a fresh yet reverent take on a piece that has captivated audiences since its original release in 1967. The single is available on all streaming platforms via Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records. Watch the new animated music video NOW.
“Dear Mr. Fantasy” has been a cornerstone in Mason’s live sets, a testament to its enduring brilliance and his personal connection to the song. “’Fantasy’ has been a favorite song of mine since its release in 1967,” Mason shared. “I’ve played it live for years in a number of different arrangements. As I’ve often said, there are no old songs, just good songs, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy,’ in my mind, is one of the finest examples around.”
In an exciting turn for fans, Mason has joined forces with Joe Bonamassa, whose guitar mastery and vocal prowess are well-suited for the complexity and depth of the iconic track. Mason’s enthusiasm about the collaboration is palpable: “To have the opportunity to incorporate one of the modern-day great guitar players, Joe Bonamassa, is as exciting to me as playing with Jimi Hendrix. He is the first person I wanted to include on this new version of ‘Fantasy.'”
The synergy between Mason’s seasoned artistry and Bonamassa’s fresh perspective has culminated in a rendition of “Dear Mr. Fantasy” that honors the original while standing firmly with a foot in the contemporary music scene. “The combination of talent with great song structure is exhilarating to me, and I knew Joe would play it like nobody else,” Mason expressed. “He has a uniquely keen sense of precise timing, unobstructed by a bluesy groove that’s perfect for this song.”
This collaboration is more than just a revisit to a beloved classic; it’s a fusion of tradition and innovation. Bonamassa’s contribution is not limited to his guitar genius; his vocal ability adds a new dimension to the track. Mason celebrates this, saying, “He brings everything up, and ‘Dear Mr. Fantasy’ is both classic and current, an exceptionally difficult balance to do but Joe Bonamassa pulled it off powerfully with grace and genius.”
The new version of “Dear Mr. Fantasy” featuring Dave Mason with Joe Bonamassa is available now on all major streaming platforms. It serves as a poignant reminder of Traffic’s musical genius and as a bridge connecting generations of rock enthusiasts.
ABOUT DAVE MASON Fans and critics alike hail Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason as one of the most talented songwriters and guitarists in the world – which is why he is still performing over 100 shows a year to sold-out crowds. Best known for his soulful voice and unsurpassed guitar playing, Dave founded two bands by the age of 15: The Deep Feeling, and The Hellions. At 18, the Worcester, England native teamed up with Steve Winwood, Jim Capaldi, and Chris Wood to form the legendary band Traffic. At 19, Mason penned the song “Feelin’ Alright.” The rock anthem, first recorded by Traffic and then covered by dozens of other artists (including Joe Cocker), cemented both Dave’s and Traffic’s legacy, and had a profound influence over rock music that continues today. www.davemasonmusic.com IG – @davemasonmusic FB – @DaveMasonMusic YouTube – @davemasontv Twitter – @davemasonband
ABOUT JOE BONAMASSA Blues-rock superstar Joe Bonamassa is one of the most celebrated performing musicians of today. As a three-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and 13x Blues Music Award Nominee (4 wins), he achieved his 27th No. 1 album on the Billboard Blues Chart with his latest release, Blues Deluxe Vol. 2. Only in his mid-40s, Bonamassa has become a living legend with an astounding multi-genre catalogue. He has released more than 40 albums, including studio and live recordings, as well as collaborative albums with his adventurous side projects: Black Country Communion and Rock Candy Funk Party. www.jbonamassa.com
Rock and blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter Philip Sayce is excited to announce the release of his new single, “Lady Love Divine,” on November 10, 2023. This track is the second single off his highly anticipated new album, The Wolves are Coming (Atomic Gemini / Forty Below Records), and will be released on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Stream “Lady Love Divine” HERE. Stream on YouTube HERE. Pre-order The Wolves Are ComingHERE.
“Lady Love Divine” explores the light in contrast to the darkness on the new album with an uplifting, foot-stomping, funk groove that delivers hooks in all the right places. Philip states, “It’s a funky, upbeat song about that feeling you get when you instantly fall in love with someone forever. Finding the courage to talk to this person and win their love.”
“The song represents a bridge — a connection between despair and hope — that invites broken spirits to be transformed and healed.” The Wolves Are Coming, Philip’s new album, is more powerful, unique, and bold than anything he has written or recorded. “These songs and stories came into focus during my darkest times,” says Philip.
Produced by Philip at Station House Studio in Los Angeles, and engineered by GRAMMY Award-winner Mark Rains (Rival Sons, Shooter Jennings, Tanya Tucker), mixed by Brian Moncarz (Fantastic Negrito, Alice Cooper, Ian Moore), and mastered by Brian Lucey (Lizzo, The Black Keys, Michael Bublé), features drummers Aaron Sterling (John Mayer, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift) and Michael Leasure, (The Moody Blues, Melissa Etheridge), and was co-written with GRAMMY award winner and multi-platinum singer-songwriter Richard Marx, with Philip providing the guitars, bass, and lead vocals.
ABOUT PHILIP SAYCE Born in Wales and raised in Toronto, Canada, Philip’s love of the guitar started early. As a teen, Philip was plucked from the Toronto blues scene by the legendary Jeff Healey, who took the young guitarist under his wing and showed him the ropes, touring the world and recording as a member of Healey’s band. From 2004 – 2009, Philip toured internationally and recorded with Melissa Etheridge, including performances at The Oscars and The Grammys. He then kick-started his solo career establishing a rabid fan base in Europe and beyond. During this period, Sayce recorded his first solo album, Peace Machine. Buoyed by guitar fans’ response to the album, Philip returned his attention to his full-time solo artist career, and subsequent releases garnered high praise in both the blues, rock, and guitar worlds. To date, he has released six studio albums and the Live EP, Scorched Earth: Volume 1.
PHILLIP SAYCE NOVEMBER 2023 UK TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUEST TROY REDFERN TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM WWW.THEGIGCARTEL.COM
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 ) 