…when you meet chaos, just go through it then run, run away from it… you will find the wind, you will find the tide…
BLACK PIE is a new musical project. The musicians (Elena “Hellen” Villa, lead vocals, bass and mandolin, Claudio “Clode” Cinquegrana, guitars and background vocals and Silvano “Syl” Bottari, drums and percussions) come from a variety of professional musical experiences to create and perform ‘Angels’.
The band formed in 2023 in order to revive classic rock songs, giving them a contemporary feel with an innovative sound led by the female vocals, a repertoire that saw them on tour in the summer of 2023.
As the tour ended, Black Pie began to experiment in the studio: Angels, their first original album came to life in a natural rush, a flow, an evolution of their individual compositional perspectives. Produced by the esteemed label ‘Black Widow’ and united by a magical moment, the band created 10 tracks that are closely linked by a concept, but also work as stand alone tracks.
The contemporary sound is unmistakable: pure rock with the daring nuances of their musical inspirations and influences…. The bands that inspired this “fusion” are mainly Led Zeppelin, Rush, Kansas and Porcupine Tree. Live concerts, Festivals, videoclip and publication on all the web platforms will be the main channels of promotion for this work.
CONCEPT – ANGELS: A soul’s journey into alchemy. It flies, gliding over our planet looking for a new adventure and a body to live in.
Angels will be available in the following formats:
Compact disc (Digipack with 20 pagg booklet)
Flexi Disc with an unerealed song
Tracklist: Off The Radar Kaos Night Little Lady Bright Borderline Your Fault Welcome Toxic People From The Sky From The Ashes Blanket Tide Lift It Follow
Line up: Elena “Hellen” Villa (Malcondita) Claudio “Clode” Cinquegrana (Of New Trolls) Silvano “Syl” Bottari (Vanexa) Stefano Genti “Special Guest” (Of New Trolls)
As anticipation builds for the September 6 release of UFO frontman and founder Phil Mogg’s Moggs Motel, Mogg himself raises expectations even higher with his second single from the album, “Sunny Side of Heaven.”
It’s over 50 years since Mogg and co convened the first ever line-up of UFO, but it did not take long at all for them to establishing themselves among the crowned heads of metal, performing before hundreds of thousands of fans and riding the highs of chart success with singles such as “Doctor Doctor,” “Lights Out,” and “Only You Can Rock Me.”
Now, at an age when most artists would be hanging it up, Mogg is looking forward to an entire new chapter in his historic career, a new band project and a full-length album that delivers everything a fan could hope – stellar songwriting, slick production courtesy of bassist Tony Newtown, and unmatched musicianship, including guitar from UFO alumni Neil Carter alongside guitarist Tommy Gentry and drummer Joe Lazarus!
The album’s first single, “Apple Pie,” has already previewed some of what lies in store, a dynamic blast of pure rock fury, complete with harmonizing guitar solos and heavy atmospherics, all topped off by that unmistakable Mogg voice.
“Sunny Side of Heaven,” if anything, is even more thunderous, a lascivious riff and blitzkrieg percussion. Mogg turns in a vocal for the ages, while guest vocalist Zoe Devlin Love sings her heart out behind him. It’s a devastating combination… but what else would you expect?
Mogg himself answers that question.
Well, hello,
Motel update: We have just employed a new chef for the Motel: James Ormsby. He’s from San Francisco and highly recommended.
And as the Tonka Town Bar has just opened for our latest single release, he has created a new cocktail called “Sunny Side of Heaven”.
I was figuring that after all that Apple Pie you might want to wash it down with something special, and as the Devil’s Angels in this particular song are related to a Mr. Way and a Mr. Chapman, it’s an ideal way to celebrate being on the Sunny Side.
I hope you enjoy it and don’t forget now drink responsibly.
Ever since their inception, NE OBLIVISCARIS have surged forth as titans of progressive metal. Their complex soundscapes push the boundaries of the genre, weaving together fierce riffs and ethereal, harmonic violins with a dual-vocal onslaught that’s as soaringly clean as it is crushingly harsh.
Ten years later, their second album still stands as a monumental achievement in the band’s discography. To celebrate their groundbreaking milestone, Ne Obliviscaris are releasing what’s now the definitive edition of Citadel. This new version was remastered by Mark Lewis, who mixed and mastered the band’s latest album, Exul. Together, they’ve meticulously resurrected the original’s power, ensuring every note, every growl and every whisper of the violin rings clearer and more haunting than before.
Starting today, fans can also pre-order this remastered version on CD and vinyl, including a limited-edition crystal clear, purple-and-white marbled color variant. The physical versions will be available on October 11, 2024.
Originally released in 2014, Citadel was an undisputed tour de force that carved a mark into the hearts of metal aficionados across the world. The album is split into three epic movements; each one covers an evocative landscape, spanning from ferocious storms on “Painters of the Tempest” to scorching mid-section “Pyrrhic” and the relentless awe of “Devour Me, Colossus”. Together, they’re a pillar of majestic fury and exquisite despair that captures Ne Obliviscaris’ brilliance in its most concentrated form.
Citadel (2014): 1. Painters of the Tempest (Part I): Wyrmholes (3:08) 2. Painters of the Tempest (Part II): Triptych Lux (16:35) 3. Painters of the Tempest (Part III): Reveries from the Stained Glass Womb (3:35) 4. Pyrrhic (9:50) 5. Devour Me, Colossus (Part I): Blackholes (12:36) 6. Devour Me, Colossus (Part II): Contortions (2:28) Total runtime: 48:12
Exul (2023): 1. Equus (12:13) [WATCH] 2. Misericorde I – As The Flesh Falls (7:33) 3. Misericorde Ii – Anatomy Of Quiescence (9:22) 4. Suspyre (10:09) 5. Graal (8:53) [WATCH] 6. Anhedonia (3:43) Total runtime: 51:53
Ne Obliviscaris will perform Citadel and Exul in full this fall while touring Europe and the United Kingdom. Their old friend Dan Presland – who drums for Vipassi and Black Lava – will join them on this special anniversary tour.
The band will also be making new memories later this year when they perform a career-spanning set for their fans in Latin America. Presland will also join them for this tour, bringing both a thunder and precision that only he can command.
Ne Obliviscaris Latin American Tour Career-spanning set featuring drummer Dan Presland
November 10: Santiago, CL @ CL Rock [TICKETS] November 12: Sao Paulo, BR [TICKETS] November 13: Bogota, CO [TICKETS] November 15: San Jose, CR November 16: Mexico City, MX @ MXMF Fest [TICKETS]
“First of all, we just wanted to thank Kevin Paradis who has done a wonderful job over the last 14 months as the band’s live drummer on our Exul world tour” Ne Obliviscaris says. “Kevin has been part of some of our best-ever tours and we are grateful for his contribution to creating some of our best-ever moments performing as a band. Reuniting with Dan on drums was not something we had in mind until quite recently. But after three years apart, and a rekindled friendship, the lure of performing Citadel, Exul and other fan-favorites with Dan behind the kit is something we are incredibly excited about. This exciting news, combined with our just-completed European summer festival tour, and the amazing new re-master of Citadel, sets up an amazing second half of 2024 for us. See you all on the road!”
09 October: Athens, GR @ Temple 10 October: Istanbul, TU @ Dorock XL 12 October: Helsinki, FI @ House of Culture 14 October: Stockholm, SE @ Bar Brooklyn 15 October: Oslo, NO @ John Dee 17 October: Copenhagen, DK @ Pumpehuset 18 October: Hamburg, DE @ Logo 19 October: Prague, CZ @ Rock Cafe 20 October: Warsaw, PL @ Proxima 22 October: Bucharest, RO @ Quantic 23 October: Cluj-Napoca, RO @ Form Space 24 October: Budapest, HU @ Instant Club 25 October: Zagreb, HR @ Mochvara 26 October: Milan, IT @ Slaughter Club 28 October: Zurich, CH @ Dynamo 29 October: Paris, FR @ Petit Bain 30 October: Cologne, DE @ Kantine 31 October: Eindhoven, NL @ Effenaar 01 November: London, UK @ The Garage 02 November: Manchester, UK @ Damnation Festival 04 November: Wasquehal, FR @ The Black Lab 05 November: Nantes, FR @ Le Ferrailleur 06 November: Lyon, FR @ Rock’N’Eat 07 November: Colmar, FR @ Le Grillen
Drum tracking for Exul, the fourth long-player from Australian extreme progressive metallers Ne Obliviscaris, started in March 2020. There is an ominous tone to that date: March 2020. The pandemic demarcation line. That month, Daniel Presland laid down his drums in Nashville, Tennessee, with American producer Mark Lewis. As flight cancellations increased and borders shuttered, Presland made it home literally hours before Australia closed theirs. Lewis, guitarist Benjamin Baret and bassist Martino Garattoni weren’t as lucky. They were due to land in Australia in the days that followed to continue tracking, but were forced to remain overeseas indefinitely. With recording studios shuttered throughout Melbourne, a slow, tedious, life-altering two-year grind to complete Exul ensued for Ne Obliviscaris.
What should have been the continued upward swing after 2017’s critically acclaimed Urn turned into the most fraught moment of Ne Obliviscaris’ career. Clean vocalist and violinist Tim Charles says the period “came close to breaking us completely.” It was a time filled with death, relationships breaking down, despair and financial loss. Presland, Ne Obliviscaris’ drummer since 2005, amicably parted ways in early 2022, throwing yet another wrench into the band’s plans.
There are, however, happy accidents scattered throughout the creation of Exul. The extra, unexpected downtime allowed the band to fine-tune and even re-write parts previously set in stone before the pandemic. Charles’s violin solo at the end of “Graal” is a prime example: His original idea wasn’t fully realized until he revisited the song in early 2021 and promptly came up with a new part. It was a classic “a-ha” moment that improved the song.
“Getting an opportunity to have a song mostly done for a year or so and then go back to it, find what you loved about it the first time and maybe even improve it in some ways was a nice silver lining from all the delays,” says Charles. “I think because we had so many delays that were out of our control, we were even more determined to take our time to make sure when the time came to record and to mix, that we ensured it was the absolute best it could be in every way.”
Seven additional studios and three more countries later, Exul was finally mixed and mastered in July 2022.
The album personifies Ne Obliviscaris’ distinctive, boundary-pushing ethos. The band’s trademark blend of emotion and beauty is as towering as ever, if not even more compelling, particularly how Charles’s violin lines carefully weave their way around Baret and fellow guitarist Matt Klavins’ riffing. The duality of Charles’s clean vocals and Xenoyr’s growls remains the narrative anchor, elevating songs that emanate sophistication and are a masterclass in composition.
“Our approach is always the same,” says Charles, “which is essentially to just write and see what comes out. Exul definitely had its challenges during the songwriting process. Part of the beauty of how our music comes together is that we are quite different individuals bringing an array of ideas together. From there, we work out how to combine them into something that is seamless and beautiful to us. We were determined to make this our best and most complete album yet, which definitely resulted in it taking longer. But we are so proud of this album and it’s exciting to finally share it with the world.”
The album’s centerpiece is the two-part “Misericorde I – As the Flesh Fails” and “Misericorde – Anatomy of Quiescence.” (A Ne Obliviscaris album is not complete without a multi-part epic!) According to Charles, Part II began by taking a song they thought was finished (Pt I) and asking, “What if after that…?” The band then wrote a section that took the piece in a new direction and what was a 7 minute song, became an almost 17 minute 2 part epic.
“The bulk of Part I was written more so by Benji and Martino,” notes Charles. “You can hear the very guitar-driven approach present throughout that track. Part II, by contrast, was written more so by myself in collaboration with others and the emphasis changes more towards expansive solos and slow-developing sections that build towards the epic finale. These two tracks are a great example of how it’s the combination of our different strengths as songwriters spread across an album that results in the sound that is ‘Ne Obliviscaris’.”
Charles’s violin parts, whether on “Misericorde II,” “Equus” or “Suspyre,” exude confidence. The instrument has always been central to the band’s sound. On Exul, Charles’s violin playing is taken to another level. “I think that over the years, in regards to how my violin interacts within NeO’s music, I’ve simply continued to add more strings to my bow, so to speak,” he says. “With Exul, I definitely explored even further the use of layers of violin and viola parts to create a more textured feel compared to other albums. ‘Mesericorde II’ was definitely a bit of a breakthrough song for me, where I felt I could utilize the strings in a way that hadn’t been done in NeO’s music before. In the end, whatever serves the song best is always the aim and having more ways of creating music makes it easier to serve the song.”
The Exul album title came to Xen when he was summing up the album’s feeling musically and lyrically. Coincidentally, it matched the experience of most people during the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “I think everyone at some point has felt at odds with the world around them, felt alone, cast out, or misunderstood,” says Xen. “Exul felt right to use in a broader sense and as a lone word, for we each have our own history and a story of exile.
“Overall, there’s a darker core to this album, perhaps more ominous than previous releases,” he continues. “However abstract the lyrics are, they involve some form of unwanted departure — all journeys into torment, passion, longing and even despair. They touch on the process of physical and psychological destruction that comes from that sense or reality of being exiled, whether forced from one’s land, ostracised from a community, shunned by a religion, or even simply being treated differently for being who they are.”
Touring factored heavily into Ne Obliviscaris’ 2023 plans. The band embarked on headlining tours worldwide that hit new territories. As luck would have it, the return to live show activity coincided with the release of Exul and the band’s 20th anniversary. As one of Australia’s leading extreme metal exports, there is a distinct sense of gratitude from Charles and his bandmates. They’re looking forward to sharing it with fans when they resume touring.
“Simply getting the opportunity to perform music that we’ve written on stages around the world to people that genuinely love and connect with it,” finishes Charles when talking about Ne Obliviscaris’ 20-year journey. “There is something incredibly special about the energy that exists between an artist and audience at a concert and it was an honor to get the opportunity to spend 2023 connecting with people in that way once more.”
Lineup: Xenoyr – Harsh Vocals James Dorton – Harsh Vocals (Live) Tim Charles – Violin & Clean Vocals Benjamin Baret – Lead Guitar Matt Klavins – Guitar Martino Garattoni – Bass Dan Presland – Drums (Live)
Strangers, the English rock quartet formerly known as George Sanders And The Parallels, released their highly anticipated debut single, ‘On the Outside,’ on August 16, 2024, via Golden Robot Records.
‘On the Outside’ is a powerful exploration of emotional instability and personal overthinking in modern relationships. The song delves into the fear many feel about real-world gestures, advocating that expressing emotions “on the outside” should overcome these internal doubts.
The track kicks off with high energy and maintains a dynamic intensity, climaxing in a piercing guitar solo. Vocalist George Sanders, delivers the lyrics with a compelling mix of power and grit, encapsulating the song’s melancholic yet hopeful emotional undertones.
Strangers have redefined their sound since their days as George Sanders And The Parallels, bringing a fresh and authentic rock edge to their music. ‘On the Outside’ is a testament to their evolved style and artistic growth.
Hot on the heels from from their blistering ‘White Trash Girl’, L.A. Punk rockers The Mary Tyler Whores have now released their second single, ‘American Sex Fiend’. Taken from their debut album As Filthy As We Wanna Be, the new video has recently been premiered on Vive Le Rock magazine, which you can check out here: https://vivelerock.net/blogs/news-1/the-tyler-gang
Produced by punk legend Greg Hetson (Circle Jerks / Bad Religion), this track delivers a raw, unapologetic punch that encapsulates the band’s signature sound and rebellious spirit.
‘American Sex Fiend’ is a visceral, no-holds-barred punk anthem, accompanied by an electrifying live performance video that showcases the band’s intense and chaotic energy. The single dives deep into the seedy underbelly of Hollywood, exploring themes of broken dreams and the dark side of the entertainment industry.
“‘American Sex Fiend’ spewed out of my thoughts because of true incidents that I have witnessed since I moved to California over a decade ago,” says frontman Frankie “Crime” Cassara. “I’ve seen so many people transplanted to Hollywood on their dreams to make it big like the wannabe actor, model, musician, just to get sucked into the dark underworld of false hope, in the hands of the creepiest scum on the planet. It’s the uncomfortable truth how little enforcement or regulation there is in California, and how Hollywood spawns an evil darkness in modern day even starting with creepy social media influencers.”
“My brother and drummer of many years, George ‘Korky’ Kokkoris, once had a serious relationship with a girl in Hollywood, and one fine day our mutual friend sent me shocking videos of his girlfriend in extremely filthy unprotected pornos she was doing for extra cash without even telling him. I mean totally insane shit, so of course I had to break the news to him that the love of his life had a secret identity as a smutty porno star in the underbelly of Hollywierd. I mean that’s what good friends are for! I mean the nerve hee hee hahahaha. To be continued…”
The ‘American Sex Fiend’ video was directed by Daryl Scott for Money $ Punk Productions, edited and VFX by Faust at Infinivision Media, and shot by Jose Rodriguez and Veneko Media.
Prepare yourself for an unapologetic journey into the raw, gritty world of The Mary Tyler Whores. ‘American Sex Fiend’ will be available on all major streaming platforms on August 16th. Don’t miss the accompanying live performance video to experience their unrelenting brand of madness firsthand.
Who can arouse the world with a smile? Who can take a miserable day and suddenly make it all seem worthwhile? Better still, who can sponsor an on-stage, punk rock, food fight, inviting fans to attend a show and pelt band members with fruits, vegetables, and yes… burgers? Better yet, did I also mention a prosthetic leg! And as the support for Iggy Pop, he is hysterically amused from the side of the stage! Well now, human evolution bred a twisted madness, leading to the undisputed batshit-craziest, punchy-punk rock band with a hint of sleaze, The Mary Tyler Whores… Howard Stern’s favourite band name, seriously. A brutal, yet melodic gut-punch that attacks you in the middle of a venue-wreckin’ concert! It’s aggressive, it’s intimidating, it’s provocative, it’s hilarious as hell, and all begins around 2000 and sumthin in South FlOr-i-DuH with Frankie “Crime” Cassara, vocalist and lead scoundrel, Doobie Tyler Whore on guitar, and the late Joey Image (R.I.P.), original drummer for proto-hardcore pioneers, The Misfits. They were destined to influence the masses from the start, and fans quickly became infatuated with The Mary Tyler Whores’ megaton blast of twisted punk fury and famous on-stage antics like nothing you’ve seen or heard. From food fighting to ripping it up live, The Mary Tyler Whores gratefully joined some friends a’ la The Misfits (R.I.P. Joey), Iggy Pop, U.S. Bombs, GBH, The Casualties, Murphy’s Law, and The Bouncing Souls on stages to further breed their intense brand of madness!
Fast forwarding to 2023, and transplanted for over a decade to Southern California, the timing was perfect for Frankie “Crime” Cassara to meet up with his best of friends again and reawaken the savagery of The Mary Tyler Whores! Frankie buzzed Doobie first in Vegas, and they brought back four of the five members from the original band, founder- vocalist Frankie “Crime” Cassara, MTW’s co-founder- rhythm guitarist “Doobie” Tyler Whore, master beater George “Korky” Kokkoris, lead guitarist Rob Deuce, and new addition, Frankies’ longtime henchman on bass, Aaron “The Proj” Miller, and now these vagabonds are revitalized and ready to tour the world and disrupt a city near you as true punk agents of chaos!
Prepare to be exorcised! Norwegian black metal upstarts ODIO DEUS are here to tear down the walls of hypocrisy with their blistering new lyric video for “The Con Man,” the latest single from their critically acclaimed album “Spiritual Syphilis,” out now via Wormholedeath Worldwide.
“The Con Man” is a sonic inferno that dissects the life and dark deeds of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism. The track exposes Smith’s alleged manipulation and controversial practices, culminating in his violent demise.
About “Spiritual Syphilis”
“Spiritual Syphilis” is a meticulously crafted assault on the dogma and corruption that festers within organized religion. The album is a brutal fusion of traditional Norwegian and Swedish black metal, infused with the raw power of American death metal.
The music on “Spiritual Syphilis” is a testament to the united will of ODIO DEUS. All three members poured their creative fire into the album, forging a cohesive and punishing sonic experience.
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 ) 