ART OF ANARCHY– feat. Scott Stapp of Creed, Bumblefoot of Guns N Roses, John Moyer of Disturbed and the Votta twins, Jon and Vince – have announced new tour dates in support of their new album The Madness, released on March 24, 2017 Worldwide via Century Media/Sony. The tour will kick off on July 15th in Clarksville. TN at The Warehouse and will conclude on August 12th at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs, CO.
Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, June 7 at 11am CST
VIP upgrades and Meet & Greet packages are available for all shows here.
The band’s single ‘The Madness’, including a new music video for the song is currently out now.
On March 10th, EVOCATION will celebrate their return to death metal with the stunning new album, The Shadow Archetype! While honoring their Swedish death metal roots, The Shadow Archetype also adds thrash metal elements to their addictive, heavy sound. For a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album, Evocation has now released a video with excerpts from the studio and in-depth explanations from guitarist Marko Palmen:
For a preview of The Shadow Archetype, the single “Children of Stone” can be heard at: metalblade.com/evocation – where the record can also be pre-ordered in the following formats:
–Digipak CD
–180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
–grey-marbled vinyl (limited to 300 copies – EU exclusive)
–salmon clear vinyl (limited to 200 copies – EU exclusive)
–clear/black-marbled vinyl (limited to 100 copies – USA exclusive)
*exclusive bundles with a shirt, plus digital options are also available!
Featuring a cover and layout by Xaay (Behemoth, Nile, etc.), The Shadow Archetype was recorded at three different studios. Backing vocals, mixing and mastering were done at Dugout Productions. Daniel Bergstrand handled the recording of backing vocals and mixing. George Nerantzis handled the mastering. Drums were recorded at Crehate Studios together with studio engineer Oscar Nilsson. The Shadow Archetype also features veteran drummer Per Moller Jensen (ex-The Haunted, ex-Invocator) on session drums. Per sets a new death metal standard on the new Evocation album with his complex, yet groovy drumming, which we know well from his time in The Haunted. Guitars, bass, and lead vocals were recorded by the band in their own studio, Acacia Avenue Recordings. “We started recording the drums in late June 2015 and did the last recordings with vocals in June 2016. So, we spent roughly a year in the studio with ‘The Shadow Archetype‘,” explains Palmen. “In my opinion, the production is our strongest so far. It has all the elements I want in a production; raw brutality with a distinctive punch!”
The Shadow Archetype track-listing:
1. Into Ruins
2. Condemned To The Grave
3. Modus Operandi
4. Children Of Stone
5. The Coroner
6. The Shadow Archetype
7. Blind Obedience
8. Survival Of The Sickest
9. Sulphur And Blood
10. Imperium Fall
11. Dark Day Sunrise
Evocation line-up:
Thomas Josefsson – vocals
Marko Palmen – guitar
Simon Exner – guitar
Gustaf Jorde – bass
Per Moller Jensen – session drums on the album
Band: ANCIENT Album: “Back To The Land Of The Dead” Label: EMP Underground/EMP Label Group, Soulseller Records Release Date: September 16th, 2016
[see the tracklisting below]
Norwegian extreme metal titans ANCIENT released their long awaited 7th studio album, “Back To The Land Of The Dead” on September 16th in North America via (Megadeth bassist David Ellefson’s) EMP Underground/EMP Label Group, and in the rest of the World by Soulseller Records. “Back To The Land Of The Dead” is a comeback for ANCIENT, 12 years after the previous release “Night Visit”. The album was recorded in 7 different locations, in Norway, Denmark, Italy and Greece, mixed in Elfo Studios in Italy, and mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The album was produced by Ancient.
Being the band’s first album in 12 years, it’s safe to say that the level of expectation was huge to listen to this 66 minutes effort, divided in 12 original songs plus a Bathory cover. ANCIENT‘s genre, since the beginning was defined, by fans and media, as (melodic) black metal with roots in Norway, but I dare to say that with “Back To The Land Of The Dead” the musical style moves towards extreme; spiced with fragments of mysterious and sinister. A great amount of clean guitars, and various dark atmospheres are the band’s trademark! Zel‘s voice has the right sharp edge that slides along music as a beast of prey. And no need to say, that the contribution of Nick Barker on drums, brings an added impetus to the album, with his ferocious and recognizable drumming work, making so this album the most aggressive and fastest album of ANCIENT, so far. The new line-up sounds good, and it has gained the confidence, melting together the years’ experience, taking the best out of it.
Thematically“Back To The Land Of The Dead” speaks about the devil, the spirit of the devil and how it influences us in various devastating and destructive ways. The album cover shows a hooded figure coming back to “the land of the dead” to wake up the “spiritually dead people there”.
All the tracks on the album work well together in harmony; varying between the top speed and slowdowns, using also lighter parts with acoustic guitars, creating so the mythical atmospheric concept of “Back To The Land Of The Dead”. I personally got hooked to this album, right after the first listening. I had the privilege to get it already some months before the release, and since then, I’ve consumed the tracks over and over again, trying even to “get enough of it” but instead each time the album takes my breath away, like it did months ago.
To be able to detail my thoughts on this album, I have to “slice” it between the different atmospheres it creates in me. Each part has its own different charm, and all parts are linked harmoniously together, so that one part cannot lack the other one, otherwise the album wouldn’t be complete. It’s like a sequence that leaves in you a full and enjoyable harmony.
Overall. “Back To The Land Of The Dead” is like a logical and distinctive movie, you have to see it fully, several times, to get the right taste of it. If somebody should have any hint of doubt on this album, I challenge you to listen to this masterpiece, without comparing to earlier ones… without doubts, this one will hit you with its magic!
Rating 10/10
Check out the album teaser here:
The new ANCIENT line-up is:
Zel (aka Aphazel) on vocals/guitars/keyboards
Dhilorz on guitars/bass
Nick Barker on drums
Live sessions:
Ghiulz Borroni (Bulldozer) on guitars
“Back To The Land Of The Dead” track listing:
1. Land of The Dead (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Dhilorz and Zel)
2. Beyond The Blood Moon (Music and lyrics by Zel)
3. The Sempiternal Haze (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
4. The Empyrean Sword (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
5. The Ancient Disarray (Music and lyrics by Zel)
6. Occlude The Gates (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
The Excruciating Journey
7. Part I Defiance and rage (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
8. Part II The Prodigal Years (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
9. Part III The Awakening (Music by Dhilorz, lyrics by Zel)
10. Death Will Die (Music and lyrics by Zel)
11. The Spiral (Music and lyrics by Zel)
12. Petrified By Their End (Music by Dhilorz and Zel, lyrics by Zel)
Bonus track :
13. 13 Candles (Music and lyrics by Quorthon)
Stream “Death Will Die” and “Land Of The Dead” here:
Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW Genting Arena UK 25th June 2016
Years have passed since I last went to a big show at the NEC, Birmingham, (I think it was MEGADETH in ’92), so what a band to make it back there for, arriving for the gig of the century on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon, to see The Man In Black’s return to rock! The area was packed full of happy looking RAINBOW fans wandering around the Resort World complex, eating, drinking and watching Euro 2016 on the big screen outside.
Walking into the Genting Arena, we were faced with a great band playing on a small stage, going by the name of DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, with quite a crowd watching their set. After of course buying TShirts to mark this legendary event, we went to find our seats, on the side block next to left of the stage was a pretty good view. I hadn’t heard of English rockers MOSTLY AUTUMN prior to them being announced as support for this show, but they put on a great performance at what must have been the biggest show they have played. It’s easy to see why they were chosen for this gig, they fitted in very well with the whole theme of the night and went down really well with the packed out arena.
Slightly later than scheduled, at 8.45pm, the lights went down and ‘Land Of Hope And Glory’ then ‘Over The Rainbow’ started blasting over the PA, signalling the entrance of the band and guitar GOD Ritchie Blackmore! So many fans have been waiting for this ‘return to rock’ moment for the last twenty years and they greeted the band and of course main man Ritchie with deafening cheers as they launched straight into ‘Highway Star’, setting the excellent tone for the night.
Ronnie Romero 25th June 2016
I’ve known vocalist Ronnie Romero since the return of RAINBOW was announced last year and his work with his own band LORDS OF BLACK. Ronnie was a great choice to be the new singer, his voice is exceptional and suits all the material, whether it be DEEP PURPLE or RAINBOW. Ronnie is also a commanding front man and interacted well with the crowd throughout the show.
The other musicians supporting Ritchie consisted of Bob Nouveau on bass, David Keith on drums and Jens Johansson on keyboards, along with two backing singers, one being Candice Night. Even though I know all the previous incarnations of RAINBOW well on recordings, I had never seen the band live before and it did not matter one bit to me that there were no other original musicians playing these shows. I feel the band worked extremely well as a unit and though not very animated (except for Ronnie) that was okay, the musicianship shone through. Not sure if it was just me, but I couldn’t really hear the backing vocals much.
After a few DEEP PURPLE tracks, the band launched into ‘Man On The Silver Mountain’, one of my favourites of the show. Of course nobody could or even wants to replace Ronnie James Dio, but I’m sure would he have loved Ronnie Romero’s vocals on this song, absolutely excellent!
Ritchie Blackmore 25th June 2016
Let’s just get this bit out of the way – as we all know, Ritchie is now 71 years old, so of course combined with his recent surgery, has slowed down since the days of RAINBOW past! Personally, for me it was unbelievable to see such a legend up on that stage, it felt like a momentous and historic occasion where every moment had to be savoured. And Ritchie looked in fine shape, he made his Strat sing all night long! (no pun intended ;)). There were some very cool moments – not once, but twice Ritchie suddenly lay down at the front of the stage and passed a drink to a lucky member of the front row and we heard him speak just once, to introduce Ronnie. He really looked to be having a great time throughout, waving his arm sometimes. The only tiny criticism I have (which isn’t really!) is that he didn’t go to the other side of the stage so I could get a decent photo ;).
‘Soldier Of Fortune’ was another shining moment, full of emotion from both Ronnie and Ritchie, with the crowd singing along in fine voice. ‘Difficult To Cure’ was up next, followed by brilliant bass, keyboard and drum solos.
‘Child In Time’, what can I say, it was absolutely outstanding! Ronnie could easily match Ian Gillan’s voice, this song particularly showcased his amazing vocal range and he has one hell of a scream on him!
Last month we had a special tribute week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the RAINBOW “Rising” album and as I had listened to it so much recently and gathered other artists thoughts on it, it seemed to make it even more special when the drum intro to ‘Stargazer’ kicked in, then that riff! A definite favourite of the whole show, Ronnie delivered the vocals with all of his heart and soul and Ritchie’s slightly changed solo was brilliant. The icing on the cake was to see this classic performed under the 21st century rainbow lighting rig, just stunning!
The night ended all too quickly (unfortunately without ‘Gates Of Babylon’, maybe next time!) with two more DEEP PURPLE classic tracks for the encores, ‘Burn’ and ‘Smoke On The Water’, I’m sure leaving most people feeling the same way as me – we would love to see more from Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW!
Set List:
Recordings – Land Of Hope And Glory
Over The Rainbow
Highway Star
Spotlight Kid
Mistreated
Since You Been Gone
Man On The Silver Mountain
Soldier Of Fortune
Difficult To Cure
Catch The Rainbow
Perfect Strangers
Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
Child In Time
Stargazer
Black Night
Encores:
Burn
Smoke On The Water
Show Rating: 10/10
Ritchie Blackmore’s RAINBOW 25th June 2016
Also, you can watch this short video below, conducted by Metal Shock Finland Chief Editor Mohsen Fayazi, to find out my opinion on the show:
Band: SRDJAN BRANKOVIC’S EXPEDITION DELTA Album: “Expedition Delta 2” Release date: May 27th, 2016 Label: Perris Records
“Expedition Delta 2” Tracklist:
Spectacular
Break The Rules
Thank You for The Good Times
Fly With Me
Canis Major
Without You
The One Who Lives A Dream
House of God
Don’t Believe
Remember Me
Connected
The return of the Serbian supergroup of progressive metal.. Srdjan Brankovic is back with the new album “Expedition Delta”!
Formed by Srdjan Brankovic, featuring in the past, artists such as Sabine Edelsbacher, Rene Merkelbach, Andrea De Paoli, Joost van den Broek, Gary Wehrkamp, Richard Andersson, Nikola Mijic, Santiago Dobles, Borislav Mitic, Vivien Lalu, Torsten Röhre, Erik Norlander and others. And today: Bobby Koelble, Andjela Isic, Santiago Dobles, Nicola Di Già, Dario Esposito..
The album is an excellent piece which doesn’t lack of its own style, with an incredible composition. In every track we appreciate the remarkable work that led the composition and its recording.
The first track «Spectacular» having a heavy and solid beat on drums as a real Hard Rock son has given start to the album Expedition: Delta 2. «Break The Rules» gives a slight impression of listening to Iron Maiden at its beginning, as the bridge comes we can appreciate the change of pace to a song with a gloriously melodic instrumental ending.
«Thank You for the Good Times» is a song which we can easily connect with its lyrics, a good partner who we could have had at some point and right now we yearn and weep, has an incredible structure in their chords which will make you addicted to the song easily.
Advancing, just like a mixture of ’70s rocks with 2000 alternative we have «Without You» a track with many details on its composition and sung with an incredible voice, short but beautiful!
«The One Who Lives a Dream» has a relaxing intro and then it becomes a little dark but melodic at the same time, with extraordinary arrangements. In the «House of God» we have a peculiar song, nothing on the album resembles to its sound, loaded guitar chords with the great metal taste in it! In fact, it’s endlessly-playable.
Indeed, the second half of the album is loaded with action, and continues with «I Don’t Believe» which makes us think about do we really have to believe? Will we ever believe again in love?
«Remember Me» Absolutely lovely, it is the time when we think about all of the above and reconsider, do we really want this? A soft guitar solo as charming as the pace of the bass when you detail them together. To its ending, «Connected» which I would say was the best option to leave it as last track, we can see how each instrument works on every fragment of the song, giving the highlights of each of them, it seems the final result of a jam session and then was recorded into the album, just rock! Genious!
You can connect with many of the songs, as if they were really made to catch you – isn’t it supposed to be? … trapped in their netting and then they’ll be stuck on your mind, there are no words to describe this feeling, when it’s made with the heart.
The album leaves you wishing more of this desirable work in the future: soulful, fascinating lyrics and addictive melodies, clearly understandable diction in singing. “Expedition: Delta 2” is grandly a good job of Srdjan and his musicians. Magnificent.
Artist: PUNKY MEADOWS Album: Fallen Angel Label: Main Man Records Release Date: 20th May 2016
Track List:
01. Descent
02. The Price You Pay
03. Straight Shooter
04. Breathless And Jaded
05. Loaded Gun
06. Lost And Lonely
07. Home Wrecker
08. I Wanna Be Your Drug
09. Leavin Tonight
10. Searchin’
11. Something Strange
12. Shadow Man
13. Shake Shake
14. Summertime Love
15. Fallen Angel
PUNKY MEADOWS, guitarist from the 70’s legendary cult band Angel, has released his first piece of music in about 35 years since the breakup of his former band. He also brings along the band member Felix Robinson to join in on bass. Now I’ve always been a fan of Angel, having all their music on vinyl but not necessarily liking all their music. I’m really into their first 3 albums with “Helluva Band” being my favorite. A hard rocking album with a semi-progressive feel to it much in vein of Uriah Heep. On the last two albums, the prog-rock style was altogether missing with a pop-rock feel taking its place. Their last studio album “Sinful” should have been called “Awful” as it sided more toward bubble-gum rock. With Angel vocalist, Frank Dimino releasing a real good, hard rock album last year, it’ll be cool to see what Punky has in store with his band. This is one album I’ve been looking forward to listening to since the announcement a few months ago that he was back to writing music again. And so the review of Punky’s new CD, “Fallen Angel” with a short description of each song, begins.
With a foot in the past, the album leads off with ‘Descent’ which was actually the introduction to Angel’s concerts. With some editing, it now pertains to Punky alone. It may be a little cheesy and over dramatic but it’s cool that he leads off the album and gives a nod to his past. It brings back a nostalgia feel to those who saw Angel live and it gives a little bit of what was, to the new listeners.
The first full track, ‘The Price You Pay’ starts out the album right. A good straight melodic rock song with some forceful vocals supplied by Chandler Mogel followed with a meaning guitar solo from Mr. Meadows. As the sound and first chords came in, it reminded me very much of ‘Magic Touch’ from KISS but soon the song found its own legs and that thought was soon forgotten.
Following in those footsteps is the song and first official video, ‘Straight Shooter’. Another solid song with melodic representation and it seems the album is off and running in the right direction.
The first bump in the road comes in the name of ‘Breathless and Jaded’. Am I listening to the Bay City Rollers??? A bouncy and way too happy piece of music that doesn’t really fit with the first two but I understand Punky has various musical tastes so it is to be expected. The highlight..Punkys solo.
One of my favorites from this album is the hard hitting, ‘Loaded Gun’. This is the kind of stuff that I was expecting… solid, driving and with a catchy, melodic chorus and forceful vocals. Good, good song here.
With the album boasting loads of melodic vocal melody, ‘Lost and Lonely’ is a song that you would find on the radio, if they still played new music. With this in mind, I’m finding that the song writing, especially the chorus melodies, have an ear to the 70’s pop bands such as Badfinger, The Raspberries, Sweet and so on.
Does anyone remember that awful band from MTV during the 80’s called Autograph? If not, you’re lucky but if you do, this next song, ‘Home Wrecker’ is right out of their playbook. A bad song with thumping keyboards and the obligatory vocals “alright”, “oh yeah”, “yeah, yeah” overlapping the beginning rhythms.
The eighth track is called ‘I Wanna Be Your Drug’. After listening to this song, all I can say is that you have to be on drugs to like this one.
The only thing close to a ballad on this album is ‘Leavin Tonight’. Singer, Chandler uses a different vocal technique to accomplish a different feel to the song. I do like the song but feel there is a piece missing from it, melody wise. With all the melodic vocal melodies abundant on this album, you would expect it here on this one but it’s missing in action. The one thing that really stands out is Punkys’ guitar playing. Thoughtful, stylish and very emotional, his playing is brilliant and a good stand out point on this CD.
Oh god..another happy, bouncy song with a huge 70’s pop rock influence on the next number, ‘Searchin’. I thought I would never see the day when the bands Autograph and the Bay City Rollers would merge into one, but here it is. I can see the band members singing back up with that painful look on their faces singing the “Yeah, yeah, yeah’s” I’m losing faith.
Ok, ‘Something Strange’ has a hard, good even keeled rock tempo to it. It does have a catchy melody but not to the point where it’s too “poppy”. Another radio friendly song.
With a beginning drum beat, similar to Queen’s ‘We Will Rock You’, ‘Shadow Man’ is probably the most different song in this collection. Gang vocals are the focus here and it I find it really refreshing to hear. This is a cool song.
Starting off like Van Halen’s ‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor’, ‘Shake Shake’ is a real solid rocker. The vocals and the song itself, sound eerily familiar to another 70’s hard rock band that I still listen to called Starz. Chandler is conjuring his very best Starz vocalist, Michael Lee Smith impersonation here. A combination of good hard rock and melody. The one thing though, on some of these songs, is that I wish the vocalist would stop talking over the beginning guitar rhythms like those crappy bands i.e. Poison did in the ‘80’s. It serves no purpose and is just annoying.
I don’t know what to say on the next song called ‘Summertime Love’. It has a laid back, toe tapping rhythm but the beginning vocals are way too nasally and the chorus hits me the wrong way. The melody itself isn’t bad, it’s the repeating of the ”Summertime, Summertime Love” line pulls the song out of whack.
The final song, ‘Fallen Angel’ is my favorite. An instrumental that has punch, drive and hard rock/metal guitar tome and rhythm that I love. Great way to end this album and hope in the future, stays on this course.
Now the band can write good songs but they are missing one ingredient and that is excitement or the thunderbolt that can take it over the top. I can see this band being in the style of the early 70’s band, UFO, who could not only write some of the catchiest, sing along type of melodies but also rock the fuck out of a song. This album falls short of that.
I have always seen Angel as having three types of fans. There are those who like that semi- progressive sound and are into albums 1 thru 3, like myself. There are those that like the pop-rock style that Angel got into later and these fans would be into albums 3 thru 5. And then the rest just like anything that the band put out no matter what. If you are the pop-rock fan and like anything they did, then you’ll love this album. There is nothing wrong with the writing, production or performance. I myself wanted more rock oriented music. Hell, this guy co-wrote songs such as ‘Pressure Point’, ‘Tower’ and ‘Chicken Soup’ which are great songs. I can compare this album to when you were young and you ask Santa Claus to bring you a G.I. Joe figure. You wait all year and finally on Christmas morning, you get a made-in-China, knock-off called Corporal Ken….close but not what you wanted. The album was big letdown for me. Punky should get rid of the fluff and feathers and get his halo dirty a little bit.
Chandler Mogel (OUTLOUD) – Vocals Punky Meadows (THE CHERRY PEOPLE, BUX, ANGEL) – Lead Guitar
Danny Anniello (LORDS OF MERCY) – Rhythm Guitar Felix Robinson (ANGEL) – Bass
Bobby Pantella (MONSTER MAGNET) – Drums
Charlie Calv (SHOTGUN SYMPHONY, THE BRONX CASKET CO., LIBERTY N’ JUSTICE) – Keyboards
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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
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Band: SRDJAN BRANKOVIC’S EXPEDITION DELTA
Artist: PUNKY MEADOWS
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