ROBERT JON & THE WRECK Release ‘Hate To See You Go’ Bonus Track from “Red Moon Rising” Album

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by Allison Morgan

Southern California powerhouse Robert Jon & The Wreck have just unveiled their latest single, “Hate To See You Go,” now available on all digital platforms. As a special bonus track from their critically acclaimed album Red Moon Rising, “Hate To See You Go” delivers a poignant and emotionally charged narrative about the pain of parting from loved ones. Frontman Robert Jon Burrison explains, “‘Hate To See You Go’ reflects on the hardships of someone needing to leave the people they love. No matter what area of work it might be, or other reasons, it’s always hard to leave, but it’s just as hard to watch someone leave. Which is the side that we wanted to emphasize in this classic rock feeling song with guitar harmonies and a chorus that’s hard to forget.”

This new release follows the success of their eighth studio album, Red Moon Rising, which has been lauded for its fresh take on Southern rock. Produced by the legendary Kevin Shirley, the album blends funk-infused rhythms with thought-provoking lyrics, signalling a bold new chapter in the band’s evolution. Tracks like “Give Love”,  “Down No More” and “Ballad of A Broken Hearted Man” have already resonated deeply with fans, with the latter amassing over 1 million views on YouTube.

“Red Moon Rising is a new chapter for Robert Jon & The Wreck,” shares frontman Robert Jon. “We as a band are very excited for its release and for everyone to hear it! We want to thank Kevin Shirley, all the co-writers on this record, and everyone at Journeyman Records for helping us in making this record.”

Red Moon Rising has already garnered critical acclaim. Planet Mosh praised it as “ground breaking” and awarded it 5 stars, highlighting the band’s consistent delivery of innovative music since their formation in 2011, while Vintage Rock noted that “the album captures the essence of the band’s transformative years, setting a new course for their musical odyssey.”

Since their debut in 2011, Robert Jon & The Wreck have captivated audiences worldwide with their unique take on Southern rock, blending influences from blues, country, and classic rock. With Robert Jon Burrison on lead vocals and guitar, Andrew Espantman on drums and vocals, Henry James Schneekluth on lead guitar and vocals, Warren Murrel on bass, and Jake Abernathie on keyboards, the band’s synergy on stage is undeniable.

Robert Jon & The Wreck are beginning their tour across the US, bringing their electrifying live performances to fans in support of their new album. Known for their high-energy shows filled with soulful guitar solos and powerful vocal harmonies, their concerts are immersive experiences not to be missed. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit robertjonandthewreck.com.

RED MOON RISING – ROBERT JON & THE WRECK

1. Stone Cold Killer
2. Trouble
3. Ballad Of A Broken Hearted Man
4. Red Moon Rising
5. Dragging Me Down
6. Hold On
7. Down No More
8. Help Yourself
9. Worried Mind
10. Give Love
11. Rager (CD Bonus Track)
12. Hate To See You Go (CD Bonus Track)

Summer-Fall US Dates:
Tuesday, July 30 – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille – Warrendale, PA
Wednesday, July 31 – Don’t Tell Shirlee Concert at The Pines – Sherman, NY
Thursday, August 1 – Lima Crossroads Festival – Lima, NY
Friday, August 2 – Musikfest – Bethlehem, PA
Saturday, August 3 – The Iridium – New York, NY
Sunday, August 4 – Daryl’s House – Pawling, NY
Monday, August 5 – Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club – Portsmouth, NH
Wednesday, August 7 – Beachland Ballroom – Cleveland, OH
Thursday, August 8 – Magic Bag – Ferndale, MI
Friday, August 9 – Smoke & Irons Music Festival – Bartlett, IL
Saturday, August 10 – Old Rock House – St Louis, MO
Sunday, August 11 – Knuckleheads – Kansas City, MO
Tuesday, August 13 – Bourbon Theatre – Lincoln, NE
Wednesday, August 14 – xBk Live – Des Moines, IA
Thursday, August 15 – 7th St Entry – Minneapolis, MN
Friday, August 16 – Summer Sounds – Cedarburg, WI
Saturday, August 17 – Big Bull Falls Festival – Wausau, WI
Friday, September 6 – Big Bender Blues Festival – Las Vegas, NV
Saturday, September 7 – Big Bender Blues Festival – Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, September 10 – Marquis – Denver, CO
Wednesday, September 11 – The Black Sheep – Colorado Springs, CO
Friday, September 13 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO
Saturday, September 14 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO
Sunday, September 15 – Telluride Blues & Brews Festival – Telluride, CO
Tuesday, September 17 – TempleLive Wichita – Wichita, KS
Wednesday, September 18 – The Vanguard – Tulsa, OK
Friday, September 20 – Bourbon & Beyond 2024 – Louisville, KY
Saturday, September 21 – Americana Fest – Nashville, TN
Friday, October 4 – Mempho Music Festival – Memphis, TN

Fall EU Dates:
Wednesday, October 30 – Tivoli – Utrecht, NL
Thursday, October 31 – Roma – Antwerp, BE
Friday, November 1 – Bosuil – Weert, NL
Saturday, November 2 – Ziegelei – Twistringen (Bremen), DE
Sunday, November 3 – Harmonie – Bonn, DE
Tuesday, November 5 – Kreuz – Fulda, DE
Wednesday, November 6 – Lido – Berlin, DE
Thursday, November 7 – Burgerweeshuis  – Deventer, NL
Friday, November 8 – Blues Garage – Isernhagen, DE
Saturday, November 9 – Blues Heaven Festival – Frederikshavn, DK
Sunday, November 10 – Nochtspeicher – Hamburg, DE
Tuesday, November 12 – Airport Hall – Regensburg, DE
Wednesday, November 13 – Zentrum Altenberg – Oberhausen, DE
Thursday, November 14 – Piano – Dortmund, DE
Friday, November 15 – DasHaus – Ludwigshafen, DE
Saturday, November 16 – Trabendo – Paris, FR
Sunday, November 17 – Bolwerk – Sneek, NL
Wednesday, November 20 – The Appleyard – Sittingbourne, UK
Thursday, November 21 – Komedia – Brighton, UK
Friday, November 22 – Komedia – Bath, UK
Saturday, November 23 – The 1865 – Southampton, UK
Monday, November 25 – Boiler Shop – Newcastle, UK
Tuesday, November 26 – St Luke’s – Glasgow, UK
Wednesday, November 27 – Junction – Cambridge, UK
Thursday, November 28 – Islington Assembly Hall – London, UK
Friday, November 29 – Planet Rockstock – Porthcawl, UK
Saturday, November 30 – O2 Academy Oxford – Oxford, UK
Sunday, December 1 – Rock City – Nottingham, UK

More information: Website | Facebook | Spotify | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

CATEGORY 7 Celebrate Release of Self-Titled Debut Album with ‘Apple Of Discord’ Video

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Rob Shotwell

Yesterday marked the official unveiling of CATEGORY 7‘s long anticipated, self-titled debut full-length, out now on Metal Blade Records!

CATEGORY 7 is a heavy metal supergroup featuring the iconic lineup of John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax), Mike Orlando (Adrenaline Mob, Sonic Universe, Noturnall), Phil Demmel (Machine Head, Kerry King, Vio-Lence), Jack Gibson (Exodus), and Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall, Overkill). Named in honor of the numerical designation for the most powerful windstorms, the band was forged by a batch of musicians who strived to play music they loved and with bandmates they enjoyed being with. The result is sonically rewarding and lives up to the storied histories of its members. Meticulously structured songs skillfully balance thrash beats, NWOBHM-inspired rhythms, a punk metal attitude, and ferocious dual guitar work ultimately establishing an eclectic musical backdrop for vocalist John Bush’s instantly identifiable vocals.

CATEGORY 7 has already earned considerable praise from Metallica‘s James Hetfield who added the band’s “Exhausted” single to the playlist of Metallica‘s official podcast, The Metallica Report, Liquid Metal has given the band’s last three singles regular airplay, Aardschok gave the record “Album Of The Month” accolades, while Decibel Magazine raved, “Supergroups frequently feel forced and sterile while side projects sometimes lack seriousness or depth. CATEGORY 7, in spite of the deck being stacked against them, knocked out a barnstorming ten-song debut that needs no qualifiers. It’s a damn good album regardless if it’s a one-off or whatever happens down the road…“

“It’s all about big verses and big songs, and it has a lot of the elements we’ve explored in our other bands,” notes guitarist and main songwriter Mike Orlando.

“The sound of this band really comes down to the odd connection that all of us have,” adds drummer Jason Bittner. “We’ve known each other for years as friends and peers. And we’ve all looked up to each other and know that one day we’d have to work together. It’s taken almost two decades for that to happen, but lo-and-behold, once it did there was no stopping us.”

In celebration of the record’s official release, the band has dropped a video for “Apple Of Discord.”

Comments Bush, “More social commentary. I marvel at how people are willing to make dumb decisions based on others. ‘Apple Of Discord’ questions these strange solidarities. Are you really willing to go down with them? The second verse plays on the willingness to go into the Hoosegow as a result of those choices. Hardheadedness and machismo rounds out the chorus lyrics. With of course always a sarcastic wink and a smile.”

Watch CATEGORY 7‘s previously released videos for “In Stitches” HERE, “Exhausted” HERE, and “Mousetrap” HERE.

Category 7 was produced, engineered, mixed, and mastered by Mike Orlando at Sonic Stomp Studios with art and layout by Carlos Fides at Artside Studio (Angra, Evergrey, Kamelot).

Find orders at: metalblade.com/category7

CATEGORY 7 is in the planning stages of extensive worldwide touring in 2025. Stay alert.

CATEGORY 7:
John Bush – vocals
Phil Demmel – guitar
Mike Orlando – guitar
Jack Gibson – bass
Jason Bittner – drums

https://category7official.com
https://www.facebook.com/category7band
https://www.instagram.com/category7band

ERADICATOR Release New Single And Video ‘Kill Cloud’

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

ERADICATOR have released “Kill Cloud”, the new single from the forthcoming new studio album to be released on 20.09.2024 on Metalville Records.

The term Kill Cloud stands for the military use of the civilian internet and the information that our networked smart devices collect and transmit. The song lyrics are explicitly inspired by an interview with a female drone pilot who participated in several real theatres of war at the same time. She killed de facto people on the other side of the globe from her home office, in a country whose culture was foreign to her. The metaphors are reminiscent of a computer game and, together with the pilot’s greatest concern, whether her hot coffee will be on her desk in the morning, represent the absurdity of the situation – the abstract military dehumanisation of killing.

The hammering, Tyrolean tom runs and double bass rhythms in the intro, verse and bridge are a special musical stylistic device here. In the choruses, ERADICATOR slow down in favour of the melody and groove. The attentive listener will certainly not miss the jazzy vibes in the drumming before the accelerator pedal is pressed down again in the bridge and the vocal line that closes the chorus brings you back into the world of unbridled thrash metal. The extended C section contains a special guitar solo that you immediately want to hear several times and reminds you of megadethesque compositions. ERADICATOR’s joy of playing sweeps you away in the instrumental interlude of Kill Cloud, until the musical finale triumphs in thrashy style at the end of the song with increased drum and guitar parts.

The cover of the single shows a uniformed fighter from an elite unit, surrounded by ominous drones that only know the command ‘KILL’. The bombed-out backdrop visualises the cruelty of war. The young Ukrainian artist Alina Volnianska is responsible for the illustration, having created this work of art with an awareness of the sad reality of a destructive war of aggression to which her homeland is falling victim. The single, as well as the entire album, was mixed/mastered by Sebastian ‘Seeb’ Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm) and produced together with Seba Stöber. 

“The Paradox” is undoubtedly the most versatile album by thrashers ERADICATOR. It will be released in the year of the band’s 20th anniversary. The ten new songs deal lyrically with the contradictory nature of being human and present many musical facets, not only of thrash metal. 

“The Paradox” bears the signature of ERADICATOR and shows their unbroken joy of playing. The band has now also made a name for itself live. However, the four guys from the Sauerland region in Western Germany are not afraid to refine and develop their new compositions stylistically. 

The lyrical themes on “The Paradox” reflect the dichotomy and ambivalence of human action and thought. 

Like its predecessor, the album was mixed and mastered by Sebastian “Seeb” Levermann (Orden Ogan, Asphyx, Brainstorm), who once again managed to give ERADICATOR an authentic sound. After 20 years, the four musicians know what they want to sound like and that’s exactly what “The Paradox” sounds like. 

TRACK LISTING

  1. Beyond The Shadow‘s Void
  2. Drown In Chaos
  3. When The Shooting Begins
  4. Kill Cloud
  5. The Paradox
  6. Hell Smiles Back
  7. The Eleventh Hour (Ramble On)
  8. Perpetual Sacrifice
  9. Fake Dealer
  10. Debris Of Demise

LINE UP
Sebastian “Seba” Stöber – guitar/vocals
Robert “Robb” Wied – guitar
Sebastian Zoppe – bass
Jan-Peter “Pitti” Stöber – drums

https://eradicator.de/
https://www.facebook.com/EradicatorThrash/
https://www.instagram.com/eradicator_thrash/
https://www.youtube.com/c/ERADICATORThrash
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/0UBGlKfktOOBbNjvGpvvQU

IZZY REIGN Releases New Single + Video ‘Sandman’

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 27, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Boundaries will be crossed, genres will be pushed, crushed, and turned inside out in this latest single, a potent blend of synth, drums, guitar, and bass that hits both the stable and chaotic energies inside of us. There is no escaping this latest single “Sandman” from cyber pop / metal Queen Izzy Reign, which was premiered at Spill Magazine, out now from FiXT. 

Purchase/Stream: https://link.fixtmusic.com/sandman

Drawing inspiration from her horror roots, the third single from her upcoming album, “Sandman” is equal parts brutal and equal parts ethereal, with an official music video that is so whimsically macabre you’d have to see to believe. Energetic and fierce, the song showcases Izzy Reign’s ability to jump from a calm and serene vocal performance to screaming vocals that only add fuel to the fire that is “Sandman.” The electrifying soundscape manages to capture the essence of metalcore, pop rock, and alternative while smashing through each genre and bending them to her will. All hail the Queen.

Bold. Eclectic. Rebellious. Izzy Reign thrives on originality and thinking outside the box. Her music is nothing short of a reflection of this. Her father was an avid drummer and she grew up singing to Alanis Morissette, Jewel, and Madonna with her mother. Inspired by Enter Shikari’s music video “Sorry You Are Not A Winner” and the musical stylings of Imogen Heap, Izzy took the plunge into the industry and played her first live show when she was 15 years old.
 
Since then she’s taken a deeper dive into production, songwriting and performing, working with a variety of artists that come through the production house she shares with producers Jon Eberhard (I Prevail, Skillet, Sleeping With Sirens) and Nick Matzkows (Wind Walkers, Until I Wake, ENMY, Attack! Attack!). Over the past four years she has released a myriad of covers, originals and music videos on her YouTube channel racking up millions of views. She has received notable attention for her popular The Nightmare Before Christmas cover of “This Is Halloween”, which has over 10 million streams across Spotify and YouTube along with 70,000 videos using the sound on TikTok.
 
In 2023 Izzy came to the attention of the US-based record label FiXT, through the discovery of her independent release, “Broken By Design”, which showcased a new edge to Izzy’s sound. Signing on for a multi-album deal, Izzy Reign is now set to release her debut album with FiXT in 2025. 

https://www.facebook.com/i.zzyreignmusic/
https://twitter.com/i_musicc
https://www.instagram.com/i.zzyreign
SPOTIFY
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNo1XsdeANKwsGtCpJiPaA

VIRGIN STEELE’s David DeFeis Talks Anniversary Album Remixes & Upcoming New Studio Albums

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 26, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Jimmy Kay from The Metal Voice recently spoke to Virgin Steele‘s main man David DeFeis about the bands upcoming remixed anniversary albums (Debut and Guardians of the flame).

Hot on the heels of last summer’s brand new Bombastic Epic release “THE PASSION OF DIONYSUS” coming this summer in addition to the re-release of the very first VIRGIN STEELE album, the second VIRGN STEELE album, “GUARDIANS OF THE FLAME”, will also be re-released in tandem with the first album, on August 23, 2024, via Steamhammer/SPV in a very special edition, as a digi-CD and as a Gatefold Double Vinyl LP, and also in digital format.

When asked about the upcoming remixed anniversary albums (Debut and Guardians of the Flame)
“It was done the old school way of taking the actual physical tapes and putting them in the convection oven and baking them. It worked pretty well they actually held up pretty darn well, more so the second album than the first album. They’re definitely clearer. My goal was to preserve the fire, the feeling of the Ambiance of those records but make it sonically more understandable to the ear. There are some little keyboard flourishes things in the there not like very high in the mix. “

“I edited along the way because I would have done that had we made the record today knowing what I know, so it’s like well this could benefit from that. But in a way that’s subtle not so over the top. You can still hear Jack (Starr) of course everywhere and that’s what’s important to be heard is all there. I tried to balance it a bit more whereas the original mix was very edgy, very trebly. Kind of like you wouldn’t want to listen to the record more than once in one sitting kind of a thing your ear gets like fatigued after a while. I tried to make it so l you could put the record on all day and and you can enjoy it.”
 

When asked about any upcoming new music and or studio albums?
“Yes, there’s lots of songs. I’m always writing and we’ve actually got probably about 20 somewhat songs in various stages of completion on tape. There are more songs that are just living on cassette because that’s where they start with me. I write on the cassette first and the stuff that’s just in my brain. So yeah all these things will be explored fully before I choose what would be on the next record. The next record probably and all honestly is a double situation like Act one, Act two probably. If we don’t want to release it all together it would be something like the The Marriage of Heaven and Hell was or The house of Atreus was that kind of a thing. Like part one will be released first and then later on. (part 2). I think the way I understand from my conversations with the label it’s they’re more about one disk at a time right now. You never know it might change. There is a conceptual idea but all the lyrics aren’t completely written yet. But at the moment it’s more conceptual in the way that ‘Age of consent’ was or ‘Noble savage’ was, well there’s an overarching theme. “

BILL WARD Confirms He Would Like to Play One Last Show with BLACK SABBATH

Posted by metalshockfinland on July 26, 2024
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment
Image: Black Sabbath – Official Press Photo [Universal Music]

Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward recently took to X/Twitter to announce his willingness to play one last concert with Black Sabbath. Find his exact statement here:

On September 4, 2005, Osbourne, Iommi, Butler, and Ward played their last full-length Black Sabbath concert at an Ozzfest at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida. Their last live performance together was later that year at the UK Music Hall Of Fame induction ceremony at Alexandra Palace in London, where the metal pioneers played only one song, “Paranoid”.

Twelve years later, in 2017, Black Sabbath ended their decades-long career with an 81-date world tour called “The End Tour”. Bill Ward’s place was taken by drummer Tommy Clufetos after a bitter fallout between Ward and Osbourne. The tour concluded with a final show in the band’s hometown of Birmingham, England.

Since then, the members of Black Sabbath can’t give interviews without being asked about a possible last show with the original lineup.

Now, drummer Bill Ward has joined the discussion, announcing his willingness for such an event on X/Twitter:

The other members have also expressed their willingness for a final concert together multiple times in the past. Whether Ward’s statement will finally lead to such an event remains to be seen.