Finnish 2017 founded heavy metallers WOUNDSTRIPE have released their debut EP “Primis”.
The mini album was recorded at Kuopio Rock Academy studios by Tupi Tuomainen who has worked also with bands like Tarot, Wintersun and Sonata Arctica. It is produced by Sakari Hietala from Tarot and Euge Valovirta from Cyhra. Valovirta also mastered the EP.
Woundstripe doesn’t like to categorize their sound too strictly but their music has been compared to bands like Alice in Chains, Thin Lizzy and Pantera. From this background the band creates their hard grooving heavy metal sound. “The EP has some raw sounds and catchy rhythms” the band describes their debut EP. “Lyrics leads the listener towards some quite gloomy state of mind.”
The current line-up was formed in 2019. Woundstripe has played live shows in Finnish festivals like Kuopio Rock and Metallivuori. And they have also toured in Russia. “Our objective is to go as far as it’s possible and of course: play as much live shows as it’s possible!” the band tells about their future plans.
LINE-UP Jalmari Salmela – Vocals Aleksi Korhonen – Guitar, Backing Vocals Miro Paasineva – Guitar Roope Kajaan – Bass Jukka Huotari – Drums
California rockers ALO have shared a track “Sparrow” out everywhere now ahead of the release of their ninth studio album, SilverSaturdays due out March 3, including a limited run of clear 180g vinyl, via BrushfireRecords andavailable for pre-order now. All orders through this weekend will include an autographed four postcard set from the band. Get an exclusive look at the making of the forthcoming album as the band brings listeners behind the scenes here.
Alongside the track, the band shares an accompanying animated visual that becomes increasingly more detailed as it develops. Plus, ALO will hit the road this spring on the Tour d’Amour XVI around the Western U.S. with support from Rainbow Girls on several dates, and other dates featuring HotButteredRum, ORGŌNE, RonArtisII and TheMooreBrothers. Tickets are on sale now.
“Sparrow,” out today, celebrates the power music has to make one feel understood and its ability to carry one through a difficult time. Explaining the meaning behind the track, Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz shares, “Who amongst us has not been knocked to the floor, or lifted to the clouds by the power of a song that hit them at just the right moment in their life? ‘Sparrow’ is an ode to this goddess of music. She is not bound by time or space, and she always shows up right on time… but only if you let her.”
The latest visual sees the band reunite with animator and director Deren Ney (Tom Petty, Grace Potter, Marcus King) who was behind the previously released “HotDamn” video. Ney explains, “Lebo had the idea of this amorphous, eternal power that can materialize as a sparrow, an arrow, or a musical goddess, but it’s always this propulsive energy that keeps moving forward and affecting things along the way.”
Adding more context behind the video, Ney adds, “The video is a creation myth for the record, starting at the inception of the universe — ‘A Brief History of Silver Saturdays.’ The animation design evolves along with the story, starting very minimalist and building until it’s a full-on cosmic freakout.”
The forthcoming album Silver Saturdays celebrates an ongoing journey that began in Saratoga, California in the late eighties when Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz (guitar/vocals), ZachGill (keyboards/vocals) and SteveAdams (bass/vocals) met in grade school. It stands out as the first full-length studio release featuring drummer/vocalist EzraLipp—a fixture in the Northern California creative scene where he cut his teeth with the likes of PhilLesh, SeanHayes and countless others. Meanwhile, the title nods to the band’s recent penchant for silver attire at their Saturday shows, which became a costume theme amongst their fan base and an acknowledgment of their silver “25th” anniversary.
Today’s release follows the previously shared, irresistible “HotDamn,” a feel-good track that alternates between moments of lush instrumentation, fluid fret-simmering guitar leads, and a hypnotic high register-inflected hook perfect to sing along to with the windows down (and funkified enough to move and groove to!). It highlights both their musical intricacies and downright undeniable knack for a chorus. Keyboardist and vocalist Zach Gill explains, “‘Hot Damn’ is the eureka moment, the soulful epiphany, the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. As we behold our respective treasures, be they love, wisdom or an actual chest full of gold, we say to ourselves “Hot Damn!” Animator and director Deren Ney delivered a video to accompany the song’s release and adds, “The song explores the theme of digging around for the good stuff in life, so we reimagined the ALO origin story as a Goonies-style suburban adventure where the kids discover the greatest treasure of all: the power of rock and roll.”
Recorded at Sun Machine studio—nestled in the hills of northern Marin County, CA—the album is a fully collaborative effort written by the band and co-produced alongside longtime engineer David Simon Baker. For Gill, Lebo, Adams and Lipp the session was both a return to their roots and a new beginning – a chance to reconnect and immerse themselves in the creative process.
“There’s always a moment in the making of an ALO record when we ask ourselves, “Why make another record?” Gill reflects, “For me, the answer comes in waves over time. It has to do with the spirit of musical adventure and the rhythms of laughter. It’s about the sweet release of a Lebo guitar lead over an Ezra drum beat as Steve and I weave the bass and keys around each other. Call it a jam, call it a song, call it a feeling, but it has to do with connection. For me, it feels like coming home.”
Lebo adds, “It’s a palpable feeling when the four of us are in a room together creating music—having our individual sound waves collide as they transform and morph into one before even getting captured by the microphones. My hope for the listeners of ALO’s ‘Silver Saturdays’ is that they get to experience a bit of this invigorating feeling—and better yet, that it stirs up some inspiration of their own!”
The result is ten new original songs, recorded mostly live, that pay direct homage to the journey and the artistic process and further refine ALO’s singular and self-ascribed “jam-pop” genre—which Lebo fondly describes as “human music for humans.”
The sounds captured on Silver Saturdays are fresh and mercurial, but they are also fun, thoughtful, dreamy and articulate. All four members lend their distinctive lead and background vocals throughout. Their concise, meticulously-crafted songwriting and storytelling is interwoven with Lebo’s soaring, seemingly effortless leads as he draws impossible, ever-evolving tones from his signature acoustic-electric guitar. Gill’s tasty comping on keys and Adams’ bass groove perfection provide deep pockets sewn by a lifetime of mutual experience, and Lipp’s jam-informed rhythmic flourishes breathe new energy into the mix while also maintaining stylistic continuity with ALO’s earlier body of work.
Following the album’s arrival, the band dons their best silver and sets out on the Tour d’Amour XVI – to support the release and celebrate 25 years together – with good friends Rainbow Girls, Hot Buttered Rum, ORGŌNE, Ron Artis II and The Moore Brothers joining on various dates.
The Tour d’Amour XVI kicks off on March 10 & 11th with two consecutive dates at Crystal Bay Club in Crystal Bay, NV. The band will then make its way through California for six dates including Belly Up in Solana Beach and The Fillmore in San Francisco. At the end of March, the band will play Portland, OR’s Doug Fir and complete the tour in Seattle, WA on April 1st. Tickets are on sale now via alomusic.com/#tour.
“Sparrow,” and its accompanying visual, isout everywhere now, sees ALO embrace the power that music has to heal, uplift and propel one forward. Silver Saturdays, the ninth studio album from the band, is due out March 3, along with a limited run of clear 180g vinyl, and isavailable for pre-order now via Brushfire Records. All orders through this weekend will include an autographed four postcard set from the band. Watch the making of Silver Saturdays with an exclusive behind the scenes look here. Hear the new music and longtime fan favorites as ALO put on their best silver suits and celebrate 25 years on the Tour d’Amour XVI across the West Coast this spring with ticketson sale now. Find ALO onInstagram,Facebook, and YouTube to stay up-to-date with much more to come.
Silver Saturdays (LP) Tracklisting 01. Make It Back Home 02. Oil 03. Sparrow 04. Hot Damn 05. Keep On Giving Jane 06. Growing Your Hands Back 07. Rewind 08. Rare Air 09. Divine Fall 10. Goodnight Song
ALO Live on Tour West Coast Spring 2023
Mar. 10 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Casino* Mar. 11 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Casino** Mar. 12 – Grass Valley, CA – Center For The Arts*** Mar. 15 – Carmel, CA – Folktake Winery # Mar. 16 – Santa Barbara, CA – Soho # Mar. 17 – Venice, CA – Venice West # Mar. 18 – Solana Beach, CA – Belly Up # Mar. 25 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore ## Mar. 31 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir # Apr. 01- Seattle, WA – Nectar Lounge #
*w/ Hot Buttered Rum **w/ Orgone ***w/ The Moore Brothers #w/ Rainbow Girls ##w/ Ron Artis II
left to right: Michael Devin, Michael Staertow, Leonard Shaw, Derek Sharp, Garry Peterson
THE GUESS WHO is a legendary Canadian band who enjoyed chart topping hits in the late 60s and early 70s with an impressive catalogue of songs including “American Woman,” “These Eyes,” and “No Time.” During the course of its career, the band has released 11 studio albums, all of which charted in Canada and the United States. The Guess Who is best known internationally for its 1970 album, American Woman, which hit number one in Canada and number nine in the United States, with five other albums also hitting the top ten in Canada. All in all, the Guess Who boasts 14 top-40 singles in the United States and more than 30 in Canada.
Following its critically acclaimed 2018 recording, The Future IS What It Used to Be, the band is currently gearing up to release its latest creation,Plein D’Amour. Band members Derek Sharp, Michael Staertow, Leonard Shaw, Michael Devin, and founding member, Garry Peterson have crafted a collection of songs that raises the bar and continues to take things up a notch both musically and sonically.
The Guess Who is primed to take its stunning new music to even greater heights with its spectacular live show. The band is ready to start the newest chapter of its illustrious career in partnership with Deko Entertainment (ADA/Warner Music Group) commencing with the forthcoming release of Plein D’Amour. Bandmate Michael Staertow expressed it best when he said, “We couldn’t think of a better time to introduce the world to an exceptional collection of songs that exude positivity and cohesive energy, a much needed cultural antidote. Now we ARE love — Plein D’Amour!”. Founding member, Garry Peterson continues, “After recording this album, and living with it for a while, I believe this is the best album that I have played on.” Deko Entertainment president, Bruce Pucciarello, comments on the new album, “This new song collection is a progressive-pop blend of well-written material and the musicianship is over the top. Decades later, this band still blows me away!”
Derek Sharp, songwriter and lead vocalist, says, “The King” is a nod to ‘all the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again’ … however, loving kindness is a universal balm, which can not only put Humpty together again, but turn him into a Prince!
In addition to the first single “The King” the album Plein D’Amour includes seven more new tracks. The album Plein D’Amour was recorded at Villa Sound in Singhampton, Ontario, Canada, with Adam Fair.
Stay tuned for more details coming soon–and be sure to catch the Guess Who when it gets to a city near you!
2023 Tour Dates Feb 17, 2023 – Bally’s Twin River Casino – Lincoln City, RI Feb 18, 2023 – The Carolina Opry Theater – Myrtle Beach, SC Feb 21, 2023 – Bologna Performing Arts Center – Cleveland, MS Feb 23, 2023 – Oxford Performing Arts Center – Oxford, AL Mar 11, 2023 – Riverside Casino and Golf Resort – Riverside, IA Mar 17, 2023 – Golden Nugget Casino – Las Vegas, NV Mar 21, 2023 – The King Center – Melbourne, FL Mar 22, 2023 – RP Funding Center/Youkey Theatre – Lakeland, FL Mar 24, 2023 – Alan Jay Wildstein Center for the Performing Arts – Avon Park, FL Mar 25, 2023 – Mahaffey Theater – St. Petersburg, FL Mar 26, 2023 – The Parker Playhouse – Ft. Lauderdale, FL Mar 28, 2023 – Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hall – Ft. Myers, FL Mar 30, 2023 – Peabody Auditorium – Daytona Beach, FL Mar 31, 2023 – Viterbo University – La Crosse, WI Apr 02, 2023 – The Arcada Theatre – St. Charles, IL Apr 13, 2023 – The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts – Lebanon, IL Apr 14, 2023 – Newlin Hall – Danville, KY Apr 15, 2023 – The Ritz Theatre – Tiffin, OH May 12, 2023 – Admiral Theatre – Bremerton, WA May 14,2023 – Pantages Theater – Tacoma, WA May 18, 2023 – Blue Ocean Music Hall – Salisbury, MA May 19, 2023 – Tilles Center/Long Island University – Brookville, NY May 20, 2023 – American Music Theatre – Lancaster, PA Jun 02, 2023 – Osage Casino Hotel – Tulsa, OK Jun 28, 2023 – The Kenley Amphitheater – Layton, UT Jun 30, 2023 – The DECC – Duluth, MN Jul 01, 2023 – The Wade Davis Estate – Hastings, MN Aug 17, 2023 – Erie County Fair Grandstand – Hamburg, NY Oct 07, 2023 – Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Onamia, MN Oct 12, 2023 – Egyptian Theatre – Park City, UT Oct 20, 2023 – Golden Nugget Casino – Las Vegas, NV Oct 21, 2023 – Ameristar Casino – Kansas City, MO Oct 27, 2023 – Andiamo Celebrity Show Room – Warren, MI Oct 28, 2023 – The Arcada Theatre – Des Plaines, IL
SALIVA’s latest single “High On Me” debuted on the Rock Radio charts this past week and has reached over 1 million streams! The band announced the Spring Mayhem Tour with Through Fire and Any Given Sin that begins on March 17th in Amelia Island, FL at Saddler Ranch.
“‘High on me’ is about a day in the life of someone’s opioid addiction. Is it me or the drugs that keep you sticking around? The opioid epidemic is something so many struggle with and most never make it out the other side. I’ve had many friends die from it and it saddens me when I hear of someone losing that battle,” says Bobby Amaru, vocalist of the band.
Saliva will continue to release tracks and ultimately a full album. The new music has a contemporary feel but sticks to the blue collar roots that their fans love.
After acquiring front man Bobby Amaru in 2011, Saliva became infused with new blood, energy, and spirit. The same energy launched Saliva’s career in 2001 with the release, _Every Six Seconds – a certified Double Platinum-selling album, containing the hits, “Click Click Boom” and 2002 Grammy nominated, “Your Disease.” Saliva’s in-your-face, anthemic writing style continued with a certified Gold-selling album *Back in to Your System_ with hits: “Always,” “Raise Up,” and the Nikki Sixx co-written, “Rest In Pieces.”*
Upon adding former Shinedown and Fuel bassist, Brad Stewart, as a permanent member, Saliva solidified their new lineup consisting of: Wayne Swinny, Sammi Jo Bishop and Amaru.
Spring Mayhem Tour Dates:
3/17 – Amelia Island, FL – Saddler Ranch 3/18 – Orlando, FL – The Beacham Theatre ^ 3/20 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl 3/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Jergel’s 3/23 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s 3/24 – Wyandotte, MI – District 142 3/25 – Joliet, IL – The Forge 3/26 – McHenry, IL – The Vixen 3/27 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s 3/29 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios 3/30 – Fort Collins, CO – The Coast 3/31 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl (w/Puddle of Mudd) 4/1 – Agoura Hills, CA – Canyon Club * 4/2 – Phoenix, AZ – Marquee Theatre 4/4 – Amarillo, TX – Hoot’s Pub * 4/5 – Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall 4/6 – New Orleans, LA – The Parish *Only Saliva ^Only Saliva and Through Fire
Since their inception in the early 00’s, EXCALION have regularly dispensed some flawless melodic power metal with a prog angle.
Pillars of the keyboard-oriented Finnish style, they are currently enjoying a second artistic youth: ‘Once Upon a Time’ is simply their best work to date. The album will come out on March 24th, via Scarlet Records.
Each song of the new album is a different masterpiece of its kind, meticulously crafted and very well refined in every single detail – including a clever lyrical approach.
Emerging from the massive and yet pristine wall of sound, Marcus Lång’s extraordinary voice, range and interpretation are just the icing on the cake of a modern, mature power metal classic.
It’s not about reinveinting the wheel; it’s about making it spin wonderfully!
sixth studio-album for the Finnish melodic power metal maestros
mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio
artwork by Piotr Szafraniec
first edition will be released in a 4-panel digipak
for fans of Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Dream Theater, Symphony X, Threshold, Tarot, Royal Hunt
EXCALION is: Marcus Lång – vocals Aleksi Hirvonen – guitar Jarmo “Jappe” Myllyvirta – keyboards Onni “Hot Nutz” Hirvonen – bass Henri Pirkkalainen – drums
THE FUNERAL PORTRAIT are thrilled to announce the release of their brand new single “Alien” via Better Noise Music. The track is accompanied by a music video, which can be watched here.
“Alien” further showcases the band’s songwriting capabilities and ethos. In their own words: “The Funeral Portrait stands to represent the outcasts from all walks of life. The misunderstood, the different, the neurodivergent, LGBT+, marginalized, and any others given an unfair hand in life. To offer a sense of community, a place to belong, a space where they can feel safe and accepted for their differences. We all grew up “the weird kid” who was saved by music & the alternative culture, so we feel obligated to return this to the younger generation”.
Lee Jennings comments: “’Alien’ is a track that talks about a character feeling ostracized by their peers. The feeling that everyone gets the joke but them. It is so easy to feel disconnected and alienated when surrounded by ‘normal’ people who don’t struggle in the same ways as yourself. I spent many years growing up feeling like I was not just an outsider but an “alien”. It was so hard to find where I belonged on this earth until one day I decided that none of that mattered and just kept living my life as me and stayed true to myself.”
Their message runs deep and throughout their forthcoming debut album, which is due out in 2023. The Funeral Portrait’s theatrics and dramatic presentation is yet another way to underline the band’s core values.
Already drawing critical acclaim, The Funeral Portrait has been featured in Alternative Press’ “100 Bands You Need To Know”, alongside key mention in UK’s staple magazine Rock Sound; their song “Holy Water” was recently featured on multiple episodes of All Elite Wrestling.
Since their inception, The Funeral Portrait has been touring relentlessly and opened for acts such as Shinedown, Underoath, Skillet, From Ashes To New, Starset, Pvris and also played the main stage at Inkcarceration Fest.
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 ) 