The Metal Voice recently interviewed Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow from Anvil to talk about the bands upcoming studio album ‘One and Only’ which will be released June 28, 2024 via AFM Records.
When asked about the lyrical meaning of the track ‘Fight for your Rights’ off the new album “It was inspired by the death of the President and Vice President of Attic Records. That’s what inspired me to write that. It was cathartic. I was young, I signed a contract that I shouldn’t have signed, so it’s becomes my fault. But at the same time the idea that here I am in my late 60s and I still don’t get paid for the my first my first three albums it’s ridiculously and unfair. In today’s day and age there’s no such thing as contracts like that. This was done in a day and age when they could get contracts forever. The blood will never dry. That’s basically the foundation of the whole thing, you signed a contract for life. That’s what you did and there really wasn’t really a choice. It’s not like there was a whole bunch of labels that were there to sign. It’s what we were given and was our opportunity and we had to take it, plain and simple.”
When asked about the musical direction of the new album “Yeah it’s probably the most we’ve been like the old Anvil than we’ve ever been. If you stop and think about the ‘Metal on Metal’ and the ‘Forged in fire’ albums. this is probably the closest we’ve ever come to it.”
‘One And Only’ track listing: 01 – One And Only 02 – Feed Your Fantasy 03 – Fight For Your Rights 04 – Heartbroken 05 – Gold And Diamonds 06 – Dead Man Shoes 07 – Truth Is Dying 08 – Rocking The World 09 – Run Away 10 – World Of Fools 11 – Condemned Liberty 12 – Blind Rage
‘One And Only’ was produced by Martin ‘Mattes’ Pfeiffer (U.D.O., among others) and Jörg Uken at his Soundlodge studio.
ANVIL are: Steve ‘Lips’ Kudlow (Vocals/Guitar) Robb Reiner (Drums) Chris Robertson (Bass/Vocals)
Legendary South African blues rock, country, and Americana singer-songwriter and guitarist, Steve Louw’s highly anticipated third solo album Between Time will be released Friday September 6th.
Released as a 2-CD digipack, double vinyl, and digital, the double album is available to pre-order and pre-save from https://orcd.co/SteveLouwBetweenTime.
“Giants Walk The Land” (co-written and feat. Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie) is the first single from South African roots rocker Steve Louw’s new album Between Time.
“Two great songwriters and musicians blend inspiration and craft into something mystical,” says producer Kevin Shirley(John Hiatt, the Black Crowes).
Released Friday June 7th, “Giants Walk The Land” is available on all streaming platforms HERE. Watch the official music video for “Giants Walk The Land” on YouTube HERE.
Between Time, arrives decades into a long career, stretching back to the 1990s, when Louw partnered with South African record producer Kevin Shirley while fronting Big Sky, his vehicle to acclaim in his native South Africa.
Louw broke back into the music scene rousingly with his 2021 solo album Headlight Dreams, which Shirley helped push into existence, telling Louw after a decade of silence that it was time for him to make another record. He assembled a crack band, including keyboardist Kevin McKendree (John Hiatt), drummer Greg Morrow(Billy Gibbons), bass player Alison Prestwood (Buddy Miller), guitarists Rob McNelley (Hank Williams Jr), and Doug Lancio(Bob Dylan).
Headlight Dreamsreceived solid reviews and earned him his third South African Music Award nomination. Thunder and Rain followed hot on its heels, a rich and natural album of muscular folk and insistent rock, a blend that Louw has refined throughout his career.
With Between Time, Louw explores those moments that fall outside the strict constructs of time with songs that have past, present, and future, while using imagery that’s both timeless and present. Cut live in the studio with his same band; the music has a transcendent quality, a chemistry that blends craft and inspiration into something mystical.
The stars align on three songs recorded back-to-back on the same day. The heartfelt “Killers”, where ‘Killers with numbers not names, came killing across the plains’, flows into, ‘In the Badlands, sand turned to dust, outsiders stand, steel turned to rust’, on the driving “Giants Walk The Land” (co-written with Midnight Oil’s Jim Moginie), and to a new beginning on “Time to Get On”, ‘As we face to the sun, it’s time to get on’.
Hearing the band discover the inherent passion and tenderness within the songs is part of the pleasure of Between Time. Their chemistry is evident on the low-down shuffle of “Do Me Good” and the country honk of “Alibi”. They swing hard on “Get Real Gone” and ratchet up the tension on “Flowers on The Graves of Doves”, a ringing, roiling number that conjures the mystery of early R.E.M.
You feel the band as much as you hear them, as on “Highway to the Sun”, the eight-minute exit to the 20-song collection. Louw is as much a member of the band as he is its leader. His steady, propulsive guitar playing providing as much of a connective tissue as his unguarded voice.
Collaborative energy is a crucial element of Between Time, extending to guest appearances by Joe Bonamassa, who accentuates the Blues on “Cruel Hand of Fate” with an explosive country-style solo. Added to that is Jim Moginie, whose eclectic guitar sound and creative force evoke the natural world’s power on “Giants Walk The Land”, and Hammond maestro Lachy Doley, who teases out the reassuring comfort lurking within “Streets of Rain”.
Between Time is a record filled with compassion and heart, a defining album for an artist who has consistently delivered great-sounding music over several decades.
Track Listing
CD1 Alibi (4:07) We Had It All (3:37) Beggar Tonight (4:40) Giant’s Walk The Land (4:45) Killers (4:40) StreeJanes Dream #3 (5:24) Do Me Good (4:06) Flowers From The Graves Of Doves (4:07) Don’t Leave A Heart Alone (3:22) Time To Get On (5:38)
CD2 Get Real Gone (3:33) The Way Your Heart Beats (2:05) Take Me For A Ride (3:56) Streets Of Rain (4:07) Cruel Hand Of Fate (5:19) Free To Fly (2:10) You ‘n Me Tonight (3:08) Cold Cold Rails (3:45) Ever Be Undone (4:44) Highway To The Sun (7:59)
Album Credits Produced by Kevin Shirley. Recorded and mixed at Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, TN Tracks 4,14 and 18 mixed at The Cave, Sydney. Engineered by Austin Atwood Mixed by Kevin Shirley Mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering, Portland, ME.
Musicians Steve Louw: Acoustic Guitar and Vocals Doug Lancio: Electric Guitar and Mandolin Kevin McKendree: Keyboards Alison Prestwood: Bass Greg Morrow: Drums and Percussion
Additional Musicians Jim Moginie: Electric guitar, keyboards (Track 4) Joe Bonamassa: Lead Electric Guitar (Track 15) Randy Flowers: Electric Guitar (Tracks 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 19, 20) Rob McNelley: Electric Guitar (Tracks 2, 3, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15, 16) Lachy Doley: Hammond Organ (Track 14)
Steve Louw – Biography Steve Louw (born 16 September 1955) is a South African musician and singer-songwriter who specialises in album rock, blues rock, country rock and Americana music. He was born in The Hague and has been active as a musician since 1981. He was inducted in the South African Rock Hall of Fame in 2003.
Louw, who was born Stephen Geoffrey Louw, learnt to play the guitar after being inspired by the music of Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young, and formed his first band, Atlantic Rose, while in high school in Cape Town in the late 1960s. While a student at Stellenbosch University in the 1970s he became involved in the local music scene, playing his own songs in various line-ups.
His career as a professional musician began in the early 1980s when he formed the band All Night Radio with fellow former Stellenbosch University students Nico Burger (guitar) and Rob Nagel (bass). The group recorded two albums – The Heart’s the Best Part (1984) with US producer John Rollo, and The Killing Floor (1986), on which Louw began a partnership with producer Kevin Shirley that continues to this day.
Louw then formed the band Big Sky and in 1990 released their debut album, Waiting for the Dawn, again produced by Shirley. The album arrived just as South Africa began moving away from apartheid rule and the group’s music helped soundtrack a decade of positive revolution. The title track is today considered a South African rock classic. Big Sky released another five albums over the next 15 years: Horizon (1995), Going Down with Mr Green (1997), Best of the Decade (1999), Beyond the Blue (2002) and Trancas Canyon (2008); as well as the concert DVD Heart and Soul, filmed at Cape Town’s Little Theatre in 2008.
Louw and Big Sky achieved considerable success in South Africa with sell-out tours and several major radio hits including “Kathleen”, “Mr Green”, “One Cut With A Knife”, “Strange Room” and “Diamonds and Dirt”. In 1996 the band won the FNB South African Music Award for “Best Pop Music Performance” and “Best Rock Album” for the album Horizon.
In 1998 Big Sky opened for US singer-songwriter Rodriguez on his triumphant debut tour of South Africa, with the musicians in the band also backing the US artist. The tour is chronicled in the 2012 Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugar Man.
Louw gained an international profile after he collaborated with Brian May (Queen) and Dave Stewart (the Eurythmics) on the track “Amandla”, recorded for the 46664 Aids awareness project inspired by the work of Nelson Mandela.
In 2021 Louw returned with the album Headlight Dreams, produced by Shirley, and recorded in Nashville with crack studio musicians and featuring a guest appearance by US guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. The album has received critical acclaim and the first single, “Wind in Your Hair”, has become a popular Spotify hit.
Louw released his sophomore solo release Thunder and Rain on November 11, 2022, through BFD. The album was produced by Kevin Shirley and features Joe Bonamassa and Doug Lancio.
On September 6th, Louw will release his third solo album Between Time, produced by Kevin Shirley.
Continuing the thematic journey established in the first single ‘Deathlike Silence,’ ‘When The Fire Dies’ serves as a poignant exploration of the darker realms within Finnish-Australian metal quartet THE ETERNAL‘s sonic landscape. Graced by the stellar performances of Dutch cellist Elianne Anemaat (CELESTIAL SEASON) and Russian vocalist Emily Saaen, a long-time collaborator of the group, this third single delves deeper into the doom aspects of their sound, crafting a slow-burning and emotionally charged narrative. The poetic storytelling of the track is accompanied by a band video of haunting beauty, scripting the transformation and renewal amidst the ashes of fading flames.
Drummer Jan Rechberger (AMORPHIS) notes, “Imbued with an ethereal quality, Mark’s vocals serve as a beacon of hope amidst the dense and atmospheric soundscape. His haunting delivery adds layers of complexity, evoking a sense of vulnerability and introspection.”
“Lyrically, ‘When The Fire Dies’ confronts the profound emotions of loss and confusion that accompany the gradual drift between two individuals. The song serves as a cathartic expression of grief, delving into the raw and tumultuous journey of acceptance and letting go,” adds mastermind Mark Kelson.
THE ETERNAL‘s long-awaited new album, “Skinwalker,” will be released on June 28, 2024 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM). Pre-order it in the physical format of your choice (CD-digi, transparent/black marbled 2LP), pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally to receive ‘When The Fire Dies,’‘Skinwalker’ and ‘Deathlike Silence’ instantly now, here: https://theeternal.rpm.link/skinwalkerPR
“Skinwalker,” promises a continuation of their rich musical legacy and yet is set to be a defining moment creatively for the band. The album features several notable guest appearances including Tomi Joutsen (AMORPHIS), Santeri Kallio (AMORPHIS), Sami Yli-Sirniö (KREATOR) and award-winning Tuvian throat singer Albert Kuvezin (YAT-KHA) to name a few. Recorded at guitarist/singer Mark Kelson‘s Lucidity Sound Studios and Jan Rechberger‘s Moon Unit Studios and produced by Kelson, Rechberger as well as guitarist Richie Poate, the record was mixed by Mark and Jan at Moon Unit before sending it off to Crystal Mastering in Melbourne, Australia. In the end, creative force Kelson was even responsible for the artwork, supported by the prominent skills of Travis Smith (OPETH, AMORPHIS etc.).
Don’t forget to subscribe to Reigning Phoenix Music on YouTube to stay updated & to listen to ‘When The Fire Dies’ as well as other new tracks in the “RPM New Releases” playlist on Spotify: https://rpm.link/spotifynewreleasesPR
About THE ETERNAL
The distinctive sound of THE ETERNAL is a fusion of dark, melancholic, and emotive metal with influences from both doom and progressive genres. The most recent incarnation of the band includes Jan Rechberger (AMORPHIS) and Niclas Etelävuori (ex-AMORPHIS, FLAT EARTH) along with long-time members Mark Kelson and Richie Poate. Having evolved into a truly international collaboration, with half of the members being based in Melbourne, Australia, and the other half in Helsinki, Finland, THE ETERNAL will release their next album “Skinwalker” via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
THE ETERNAL are: Mark Kelson | vocals, guitars Richie Poate | guitars Niclas Etelävuori | bass Jan Rechberger | drums, percussion
On July 12, 2024, VOICE return with a record that will make every metal fan’s heart beat faster! “Holy Or Damned” will be released by Massacre Records, and will be available as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats; pre-order your copy of this must-have heavy metal album now at: https://lnk.to/holyordamned
Following the previously-released, first single “The Silence Of Prescience”, today, VOICE present us another thunderous track taken off their “Holy Or Damned”! About their new single “Schizo Dialogues”, Thommy Neuhierl (guitars/keyboards) tells us:
“This song is about people in the community who feel compelled to exercise power. Who are convinced that they were born to rule over others. Who are convinced that this power was given to them by dark forces to fulfill a supernatural mission. On the other hand, when they are alone and on their own, they fear the darkness, their own weaknesses and are consumed by doubt. This insecurity then drives them to become more and more extreme in their exercise of power, which ultimately ends in a spiral of violence and fear that engulfs them and the people around them.”
After their successful comeback in 2017 with the album “The Storm”, VOICE now return to their roots and present a multi-faceted new album, in which each song seamlessly flows into the next, while the arc of suspense is continuously maintained. This work undoubtedly belongs in the collection of every metalhead who appreciates catchy hook-lines, a well thought-out musical concept and an impressive production!
With “Holy Or Damned”, the band captures the essence of over 30 years of musical creativity. Particularly noteworthy are the guest musicians that VOICE has invited on this album: Guitarist Ragnar Zolberg (Sign, ex-Pain Of Salvation), Hans-Jürgen “Jäcki” Reznicek (Silly) and Fredy Adler. “Holy Or Damned” was mixed by Mirko Hoffmann and was mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde at Virtalähde Mastering; the album artwork was created by Thommy Neuhierl.
At a time when music is often only consumed in a rush and on the fly, VOICE encourages listeners to consciously take their time, because “Holy Or Damned” is more than just an album – it is a journey that should be experienced with all senses!
“Holy Or Damned” CD Tracklist:
Nevermore
The Silence of Prescience
In This World
Dream On
Schizo Dialogues
Tears in the Dust
Chatroom Whispering
Privateer (Bonus Track)
Let’s Go Ahead (Bonus Track)
Only Grey Remain (Bonus Track)
Petrified Dreams
VOICE is: Oliver Glas – Vocals Thommy Neuhierl – Guitars, Keyboards Rainer Wild – Guitars Sören Glas – Bass Sven “Leo” Leonhardt – Drums
Finnish folk/black metal band WOLFHORDE is set to release their third studio album ‘Bloodmoon Symphonies’ on August 30th 2024 via Inverse Records. The first single ‘Tormented (Beyond Apprehension)’ is out now and also music video is done which can be seen below.
The band comments: “Tormented is a song about loss of focus and seeing darkness in the light of day. It’s about realizing you’ve passed the point of no return and are spiraling out of control.”
The video production took place in Central Finland – in the city of Jyväskylä and in the mossy forests of Keuruu during the winter of 2024.”
M-Theory Audio is proud to present the second album, and first for M-Theory Audio, from VERNI. If that name sounds familiar it is the solo project of legendary bassist DD Verni, better known as the bassist and a founding member of thrash metal legends OVERKILL. DD has held the bottom-end of OVERKILL for four decades and been key in writing the band’s material and overseeing much of their business over the years. VERNI gives DD the chance to step more into the spotlight and express himself without limitations. Much like his first solo album, 2018’s ‘Barricade,’ DD wrote all the songs while singing, and playing guitar and bass. While this album bears some resemblance to ‘Barricade’, DD lets his punk roots shine through on this album, which leads to 11 blistering tracks chock full of electrified songs and infectious sing-alongs.
“This one has been a long time comin’, so psyched to finally do a punk-ish record. The best thing about these solo ventures is to be able to try out different stuff. When Covid came I found I had a lot of time in the studio, which is not normally the case, so I used it to really ramp up on writing stuff and getting to some things on my bucket list done…this was one of ‘em,” explains DD. “The mantra for the record was write it like a punk band and play it like a metal band. So, when I was writing there was no palm mutes or metal twinged anything, all wide-open Ramones chords and then big melodies, then I came back later and started to add in the metal flavor, and more how I typically play guitar. I asked Jason Bittner (OVERKILL, SHADOWS FALLL) to do the drums ‘cause I knew he would kill it, and told him the same thing — play it like you would do it… only parameter I had was no double-kick, which I think kind of made it interesting for him too, because that’s out of his norm too.”
The first single, “Lunkhead,” premieres today on all streaming/download platforms or watch the lyric video below. “Lunkhead” gives you a good idea of the direction of the album, plus it includes a special musical guest.
“I did most of the solos, but I knew I didn’t want to do ‘em all. I thought about the last solo record I did where I had kinda a lot of shredders, and that didn’t make sense on a lot of these songs. So, I started to think outside the box, who do I know who can slip from punk to metal easily? I’m driving scanning thru stuff that is kinda punk/metal mix, like Volbeat, Motorhead, some of those Metallica Misfits cover tunes etc and SOD comes on… and I’m like, oh yeah forgot about them and I love that SOD record! Who doesn’t? I remember the credits saying Charlie Benante – drums and one solo and so I thought… I wonder if Charlie would do it? I reached out and he was into it, so I send him a few tunes. He gravitated to ‘Lunkhead’ and just went for it. It’s great, I think! I wish he had the time to do more of ‘em. So, for the lead song of the album, it’s a bass player and 2 drummers doing all the tracks hahaha! Awesome!”
In addition to Benante, Verni have enlisted a few more famous friends throughout the forthcoming record, including the diverse bunch of Virus (DOPE), Michael Romeo (SYMPHONY X) and Charlie Calv (ANGEL, THE BRONX CASKET CO.) on a few more select tracks. The album, entitled ‘Dreadful Company,’ is truly a glimpse into another side of DD who even produced and engineered, with mixing and mastering by Zeuss (Hatebreed, Municipal Waste, Soulfly) and cover artwork/design by Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Nevermore). ‘Dreadful Company’ will be released July 26th on Digital, CD and limited-edition vinyl (either black/white marble or traditional black) with insert and digital download card. As a bonus, if you preorder via our webstore or through Bandcamp you’ll get an individually signed DD Verni photo, while supplies last.
“It was great doing a deal with M-Theory Audio, too. They are just good people and have a good (and believe it or not) a fair system for artists to be able to release product. It’s nice to work with people that actually get it! Back in the day a label supported their artists with whatever venture they were pursuing. It’s just not that way anymore, labels approach everything as a math problem instead of an art project, which is a shame because so many of the so-called “side-projects” like SOD for instance, were just amazing stuff. Megaforce got behind it because Anthrax was their artist, as they should, and the result is we all got these great records.”
More information on VERNI and the upcoming album release will be revealed in the weeks to come at www.facebook.com/ddverni and by M-Theory Audio.
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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