Jimmy Kay and Allan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to Dream Theater singer James LaBrie who is releasing his new solo album ‘Beautiful Shade of Grey‘ on May 20, 2022 via InsideOut Music. Watch the full interview below.
When asked about the significance of the title on the new album “The significance of the title is the human condition, so a lot of my lyrics are dealing with what it means to grow up, to exist and to operate as a human being. I have always said we are a fascinating entity. The construction of us, the complexity of us, it is a beautiful creation. But at the same time why I brought in Shade of Grey because there always seems to be a certain level of sadness that we always carry around with us. To know that we don’t know what happens when the lights go out is something that we contend with and everyone on this planet thinks about from time to time. So I wanted to talk about that, the ups and downs, the challenges, the victories, the tribulations and all that .”
When asked if he will tour with his solo band “I’m hoping to take this incredible line up out on the road next May. Promoters are already ringing my bell and we are talking about trying to get out and do some live shows in May of 2023. Dream Theater can be out at least a year from now, so I am finding out from management if there is going to be a window of opportunity in May 2023 so that I can get out and do two three weeks, maybe in Europe. Then find out when the next window is and maybe do three weeks in North America, in select cities. What they are trying to schedule for me in Europe right now for next May is that they want to put me in Cathedrals, Churches and small castles. I told them I want it to be intimate so I said 500 people, maybe 1000 at the most and so that it is just going to be a really exclusive experience for the fans and to retain that acoustic notion that we have been doing since the beginning of this album. “
When asked about the Dream Theater winning a Grammy “That was ridiculous, I guess a third time is a charm. The fact that we won was an amazing feeling, we were all just absolutely thrilled.”
Following the release of their last two incredible hard rock singles “Eve of Destruction” and cover of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, iconic powerhouse drummer Stet Howland, (current drummer of Metal Church & formerly of WASP), along with long-time friend John Hyatt and crew release a brand new full-length debut album with their killer new rock band HOWLAND HYATT.
HOWLAND HYATT’s debut album H2 was released worldwide on May 13th, 2022 on all major music platforms through the newly formed Mindsnap Music record label, distributed by Von Artists, Ltd. (via The Orchard).
“We’re super excited to finally release this new bad boy of a record. When friends get together to simply have fun and make music, sometimes magic just happens. That’s what this entire album is all about. We hope you guys dig it as much as we do! Special shout out & thanks to Opus from Mindsnap Music & the metal band Dead By Wednesday, for not only believing in us & our new record but for helping put this out through his kick ass new indie label Mindsnap Music. We are proud to be a part of the team!” – says Stet Howland (Drummer Howland Hyatt / Metal Church).
Mindsnap Music has recently put out music from the likes of Bomber Alley, Dead By Wednesday,Joetown,Soldiers of Solace, Joey Concepcion, and Opus (solo acoustic), with more new music coming!
“While most might agree that little good came from our recent lockdown, my bandmate Johnny Hyatt and I have an uplifting tale to the contrary. We used that time to pool our resources to record some music that suited our personal tastes. We had absolutely no expectations, catered to no genre and simply recorded songs. Our final product is an eclectic collection. We feel we pretty much turned friendship into music (if that’s possible). We figured instead of letting our recording studios sit unused, we would invite some friends over and hit the record button. Today we are thankful to announce that we will be releasing this 10 song collection as ‘Howland Hyatt’ via Mindsnap Music. Words can’t express how excited we are to be associated with these top companies [Von Artists; The Orchard/Sony] and staff. None of this would have happened had I not reached out to my bestie ‘Opus’ (Christian F Lawrence) for his opinion on whether we should shop this stuff or just release it ourselves. His confident response was ‘I got you, bro‘. I know exactly what to do, trust me.’ So knowing this man’s reputation, I trusted him. And sure enough, in a matter of days he single-handedly pulled all of this together. I speak proudly on behalf of Johnny, Livio, Jerome, Michael and myself when I say ‘Thank you all.’ We look forward to seeing you on the road,” adds Stet.
MADMAN’S LULLABY announce the release of their brand new EP “Nocturnal Overdrive Part 2” on Australia’s MR Records. Along with the video for the first single “Falling.” You can watch the video below.
You can purchase and stream Madman’s Lullaby at this location.
The first single “Falling” is picking up action at radio, debuting at #207 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and the #7 Most Added track on the Metal Contraband chart.
Top 20 specialty radio shows are charting “Falling” as well, WORT in Madison, WI (#19), The Foundry online (#20) and Metal Authority Radio online (#20).
“Love the sound of the band.” – Don Fredette, KSSI – Palmdale/Lancaster, CA
“Love them.” – Shawn Hardesty, ICED OUT RADIO
Madman’s Lullaby delivers another smash hit to Spidy’s web, Their latest single “Falling” needs to be in your rock music library, it will find its way to your favourite playlist as it did to mine, – Al Matchett, Spiderwebradio
Madman’s Lullaby’s EJ talks about his battle with COVID which presented a new set of hurdles in getting the new EP release, “As some of you know I was hospitalized with the Delta Variant. At one point I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, let alone ever be able to play music again. It was honestly two of the hardest months I’ve ever experienced. Today I’m beyond thankful for my health and my family that got me through it, and of course to finally be back on my drums. It’s gifted me with a bigger appreciation for everything like making music for all of you. I hope these songs will bring some good vibes in the midst of this crazy world we live in.”
“This EP contains five cracking tracks that is sure to extend their fan base world wide. The band have received excellent reviews for Part 1 and we know this release will see an increase of interest and demand in 2022. Once again, the overall package is complimented by some incredible cover artwork by world renown graphic designer,‘Nello Dell’Omo’. — Peter Naylor, MR Records.
Madman’s Lullaby‘s Nocturnal Overdrive Part 1 is easily my most played CD. – Sleaze Roxx
The passion Madman’s Lullaby exudes within their sonic art is insanely addictive and well worth seeking out. – Highwire Daze
If you like bands like Judas Priest and Queensryche and you like your metal melodic yet heavy at the same time, check these out. They will not disappoint. – Rock Media UK
Track Listing
Thick And Thin
Inside Out
Falling
Tell Me I’m Right
Ask For Nothing
All songs written and recorded by Madman’s Lullaby Recorded at Suspect studios in San Jose, Ca and Blue Room Studios in Brentwood, CA. Produced by Eric Hill and Madman’s Lullaby.
Italian legendary metallers PERPETUAL FIRE have released a new videoclip for ‘A Place In Heaven’ taken from the album “Virtual Eyes”, out now via Wanikiya Record.
This time the band presents a power ballad whose lyrics tell the desperation of not being able to go back and get back loved ones or simply ourselves, in a period of life that we regret.
The video was premiered on May 17 within the historic broadcast ‘Linea Rock’ conducted by Marco Garavelli on Radio Lombardia and can be watch on YouTube below:
Music by Steve Volta and Roby Beccalli Lyrics by Steve Volta Arranged by Perpetual Fire Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Steve Volta Director of Photography: Mauro Palma Video Editor: Roby Beccalli
‘Virtual Eyes’ is the fourth album, coming after ‘Bleeding Hands’ that was released in 2017 by Sleazy Rider Records. The new work was recorded in the studio of the guitarist Steve Volta (Pino Scotto, Pandaemonium), the lyrics (all written before the pandemic) are about dealing with difficult times, loss of loved ones, technology used in a negative way. There is also a fast instrumental track entitled ‘Sirio’, an acoustic ballad, and several power metal songs that will delight the lovers of the genre!
‘Virtual Eyes’ track list: Never Fall – music and lyrics by Steve Volta Stop – music by Steve Volta/Roby Beccalli lyrics by Steve Volta A Place In Heaven – music by Steve Volta/Roby Beccalli lyrics by Steve Volta Burn The Sky – music by Steve Volta/Roby Beccalli lyrics by Steve Volta Sirio – music by Steve Volta Virtual Eyes – music and lyrics by Steve Volta Death And Glory – music by Steve Volta/Roby Beccalli lyrics by Steve Volta Trust Yourself – music and lyrics by Steve Volta Dunes – music by Steve Volta/Roby Beccalli lyrics by Steve Volta The Final Battle – music by Steve Volta
Line up: Roby Beccalli – Vocals Steve Volta – Guitars and backing vocals Mark Zampetti – Bass Guitar Mauro Maffioli – Keyboards Sergio Serz Gasparini – Drums
Tempe, Arizona-based deathgaze unit KARDASHEV today unveils “Glass Phantoms,” the latest single from their stirring new full-length Liminal Rite set for release June 10th via Metal Blade Records.
Liminal Rite boasts eleven deeply rousing, poignant, and musically grandiose tracks. Opening with the gorgeous drones of “The Approaching Of Atonement” before launching into the densely layered, surging “Silvered Shadows,” an air of tragedy looms over much of the record’s proceedings demanding an emotional response at every musical turn. The record follows a narrative laid out by drummer Sean Lang’s spoken word parts. Elaborates guitarist Nico Mirolla of the record’s weighty theme, “Liminal Rite explores how the past can both wound and seduce, leading us down a path of self-destruction. It’s an anecdotal tale from a fictional man’s perspective late in life on how perception and reality do not always coalesce. His experience tells a larger message of how our minds often create a false view of the past. Sean’s narration is him expressing the man’s perception and recollection of life. The failure of his memory, the nature of dementia, and how it plays into his experience are all encapsulated by the narrative sections.“
Relays Mirolla of “Glass Phantoms,” “The Lost Man’s addiction to control fails him. He ascends the stairs, exits the house, and finds himself standing in the spot where his father knelt so many years ago. Guilt masked by anger grabs him by the chest and he curses the earth beneath him. The death of his brother rises to the surface of his mind like a cloud of locusts swarms a field, ripping and tearing until hunger is satiated. He clutches a stone and sees the ghostly effigy of his father’s hand doing the same. Images of the tragedy that took his brother away flood The Lost Man, and he remembers the fury of his father as the truth was laid bare. But what was it that grave mistake that manifested by his own actions? The memory is too far in the ground, buried under broken glass and isolation. But this time will be different. This time he will not be cast aside. He is home, and he would rather die than suffer the loss of his past for a second time.“
View KARDASHEV‘s “Glass Phantoms” video below.
View KARDASHEV‘s previously released video for first single, “Compost Grave-Song,” at: youtu.be/SqhaihR0vT4
With drums tracked in Lang’s home studio, KARDASHEV returned to Endless Gate Audio in Arizona to track guitar, bass, and vocals. They then gathered at The Sound Lair in Tennessee – the first time this lineup has ever been in the same room together – to work with producer/mixer Miah Lajeunesse. The album was mastered by Ryan Williams. The band also brought in Bohren & Der Club Of Gore‘s saxophonist Christoph Clöser — which was a life goal checked off for Mirolla — to add an extra flavor to haunting, epic closer “Beyond The Passage Of Embers,” and Christopher Blaney added some piano parts alongside those of Rieth. The members also pushed themselves into new territory: Garrett recorded his own vocal harmonies rather than relying on a vocoder as on previous releases, Rieth recorded some piano parts, and Lang penned and recorded the spoken word story that haunts the record. The album comes cloaked in the cover art of Faith Veloro.
Find pre-order options at: metalblade.com/kardashev. Fans of The Contortionist, Rivers Of Nihil,Devin Townsend, and Alcest, pay heed.
Forged in 2012, KARDASHEV‘s mission statement could best be described as, “Attempting to create the most beautiful, heavy music through themes of love, loss, and altruism in the metal spectrum.” The band dropped their debut full-length Peripety in 2015 and has since focused on short form concept records, most recently 2021’s stirring The Baring Of Shadows. Rarely approaching the creation of a record with any preconceptions or plans as to what form it will take, they work until what they generally envisaged manifests itself.
German medieval folk rock greats SCHANDMAUL will release their upcoming 11th full-length, Knüppel aus dem Sack, out June 10, 2022 via Napalm Records.The adventurous new offering once again demonstrates the unit’s inimitable talent as songwriters and storytellers and invites everyone to enter a thrilling and captivating world of sound. Today, the third single and album closing track “Niamh” opens the gates to the aforementioned ride.
A gripping interlude presented through medieval instruments paves the way for the distinctive vocal offering of Thomas Lindner, who immediately manages to bring stories to life in once mind through his remarkable talent of presenting words like a cinematic happening. Additionally, “Niamh” is highlighted through an atmospheric official video that captivates the spirit of the band and heats up the anticipation for upcoming live shows.
Thomas Lindner on “Niamh”: “‘Niamh’ is a journey into the world of Irish legends and myths, into the land of eternal youth! ‘Heart, what do you desire more?’, one would like to ask. But mankind would not be mankind if we were satisfied with something. So we strive for more and the story takes its course… A song to dive in and let yourself be carried away!”
With six top 10 albums on the German charts (with their 2016 highlight Leuchtfeuer reaching #1 and most recently, 2019’s Artus, at #2), successful tours and numerous festival appearances, as well as millions of streams on digital platforms, SCHANDMAUL have proven that they stand at the top of their genre with good reason. Since their debut, Wahre Helden, released in 1999, SCHANDMAUL has been a reliable force of top-notch, high-level folk rock full of exciting, captivating storytelling, performed by genre-trademarked instruments such as bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy and folk flutes, all topped with the unmistakable skills of vocalist Thomas Lindner. With the title of their upcoming masterpiece, Knüppel aus dem Sack, the Munich-based outfit refers to a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, “The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack” (original German name: “Tischlein deck dich, Goldesel und Knüppel aus dem Sack”). Knüppel aus dem Sack shows the band at their undeniable peak as songwriters, storytellers and entertainers and embodies another high that is not only directed to die-hard fans but to everyone keen on diving into the magnificent universe of the German frontrunners.
SCHANDMAUL on the album: “With the eleventh album we announce ourselves loud and clear back after the forced silence!” (Thomas Lindner)
“We report back! A rocking album, nevertheless unmistakably SCHANDMAUL. Fresh wind came additionally by producer Simon Michael, who tickled unexpected sides from the band…” (Martin Duckstein)
“The new SCHANDMAUL album is really on fire and with the first single we literally take the “cudgel out of the sack”! Look forward with us to a fantastic video, and that we can finally rock together again at concerts. We have the music for it in our luggage.” (Stefan Brunner)
“Out of the cultural lockdown, out of the cold of winter, out of rigidity. Time to go out again, to meet and move. To new music, peacefully united. May the album be a ray of hope, especially now in these sad times. Peace.” (Matthias Richter)
Dive into the band’s unmistakable sonic universe, where sounds of medieval times harmonize with modern influences and create catchy anthems, as only SCHANDMAUL can create it. Atmospheric bustle “Königsgarde” (featuring guests FEUERSCHWANZ and Saltatio Mortis) sets off a brilliant firework and proves – along with tracks like the haunting “Niamh” and the buoyant, cheeky performances “Das Gerücht”, “Der Pfeifer”, “Der Quacksalber” and “Glück auf!” (featuring Fiddler’s Green) – that there is a hit lurking at every corner of this exciting offering! Another collection of haunting stories awaits with “Der Flug”, “Tatzelwurm” or “Der elfseitige Würfel, allowing you to escape from everyday life and lose yourself in a sonic universe of words and music. Packed with atmospheric folk rock, SCHANDMAUL’s Knüppel aus dem Sack is yet another exclamation mark and sparkling jewel full of lightheartedness and bewitching adventures in their almost 25-year band history!
Knüppel aus dem Sack tracklisting: 1. Knüppel aus dem Sack 2. Königsgarde (feat. Saltatio Mortis, Feuerschwanz) 3. Das Gerücht 4. Der Pfeifer 5. Tatzelwurm 6. Der Flug 7. Der Quacksalber 8. Luft und Liebe 9. Glück auf! (feat. Fiddler´s Green) 10.Irgendwann 11.Niamh 12.Der elfseitige Würfel (Bonus Track) 13.Long John Silver (Bonus Track)
Knüppel aus dem Sack Tour 2022 Presented by Sonic Seducer, Kulturnews, Piranha, Start, Folker, EMP, Radio Bob & metal.de
11.06.22 DE – Gelsenkirchen / Amphitheater* 28.10.22 DE – Bielefeld / Lokschuppen 29.10.22 DE – Berlin / Huxley´s Neue Welt 30.10.22 DE – Dresden / Alter Schlachthof 05.11.22 DE – Oberhausen /Turbinenhalle 06.11.22 DE – Nuremberg / Löwensaal 11.11.22 DE – Bremen / Aladin Music Hall 12.11.22 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann 18.11.22 DE – Wiesbaden / Kulturzentrum Schlachthof 19.11.22 CH – Pratteln / Z7 24.11.22 DE – Munich / Muffathalle 26.11.22 AT – Vienna / Arena 02.12.22 DE – Hanover / Capitol 03.12.22 DE – Erfurt / Central Club 04.12.22 DE – Hamburg / Fabrik *Folkfield Festival
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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
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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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