“Generation Now” is the first single from NIGHTHAWK‘s new album “Vampire Blues”, set to be released on August 30th via Pride & Joy Music.
Nighthawk was formed during the pandemic by bass player Robert Majd (Metalite, Captain Black Beard) as a project where he got to play some guitar and work with different musicians.
2024’s “Vampire Blues” is the third album and features Linnea Vikström (Thundermother) on vocals, Robban Eriksson (The Hellacopters) & Peter Hermansson (220 Volt) on drums, Nalle Påhlsson (Treat) on bass and Richard Hamilton (Houston) on keyboards.
It’s a compilation of fast paced, spontanious, action rock n roll songs with two covers; Aerosmith’s S.O.S. (Too Bad) and Sam & Dave’s Hold It Baby (featuring Danny Hynes from Weapon).
Nighthawk’s second album was called “Prowler” and was recorded at the world famous Abbey Road Studios. It was hailed in the press and featured Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra) on vocals.
A fourth album was recorded together with Björn at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales, late 2023, and will be ready for release soon…
ENUFF Z’NUFF, the revered melodic rock band hailing from the heart of Chicago, is set to unveil a treasure trove of their musical origins with the release of a captivating collection of demo recordings. These recordings, crafted prior to the band’s iconic self-titled debut album, offer a raw and impassioned glimpse into the genesis of Enuff Z’nuff’s illustrious career.
The forthcoming collection, entitled The 1987 Demos, showcases the band’s classic lineup of Chip Z’nuff, Donnie Vie, Derek Frigo, and Vikki Foxx, exuding a fervor and authenticity that transcends even their acclaimed major label releases. Fans worldwide have long revered these early compositions, recognizing the embryonic stages of Enuff Z’nuff’s signature sound. Now they get to experience these songs as never before!
Among the gems featured in this collection are early renditions of beloved classics such as the chart-topping single “Fly High Michelle,” alongside anthems like “New Thing” and “I Could Never Be Without You.” These early versions offer a unique perspective, capturing the essence of the band’s evolution and the raw talent that propelled them to international acclaim. Check out the demo version of “New Thing,” which has been released as a single to all music platforms today!
“Before we got our first record deal,” explains EZ’s founding lead vocalist Donnie Vie, “Chip and I had written and demoed at least 50 pretty good songs. It was hard to choose which ones to shop. We basically put together what we felt would be a great record and shopped it as that. Needless to say, the label loved it, so we went to work re-recording it on a grander scale (and waste $200K. Haha). I personally think we could’ve just had this mixed, because most of it was recorded and produced exactly the same way. The songs stand on their own, and this was the way it was done – on our own.”
Chip, who oversaw this project and composed liner notes for the album, declares “ Here are the warts, scars, and tattoos of our labor, when it all started over 3 decades ago!”
The 1987 Demos will be available on both CD and vinyl starting on May 31! The CD version includes two bonus tracks not available anywhere else – a cover of Hendrix’s “Manic Depression” and an original song “Runaway!”
Also be sure to catch the band performing live at select venues across the US! May 18 – Teaneck, NY – Debonair Music Hall May 19 – Reading, PA – Reverb May 22 – St. Louis, MO – The Golden Record May 23 – Beaver Dam, WI – Stormy’s May 24 – Minneapolis, MN – Cabooze May 25 – Webster, WI – St. Croix Casino Hertel May 28 – Parker, CO – Wild Goose Saloon May 30 – Grapevine, TX – Glass Cactus May 31 – San Antonio, TX – Fitzgerald’s Bar & Live Music June 1 – Eagle Pass, TX – Cooter’s Pub June 2 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Midtown June 4 – Sarasota, FL – Big Top Brewing Company June 12 – St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre July 3 – Duluth, MN – Bayfront Festival Park
DARK is the the new album from the Brazilian Shredder Luis Maldonalle. After the amazing album “FURIA” in 2023 he cames with another Great and blasting high sound new album called DARK which is gonna be released on May 2024. DARK have 10 Powerful songs and was produced by Lucas Arbalest. The First Single “DAWN OF THE BLACK HEART” And the official video is available out now!
1- Arrow Wounded Heart 2- Hammer of Gods 3- Dawn of the Black Heart 4- Blood Stained Wings 5- Spellcraft 6- And Death Shall Come 7- Behind Everything Beautiful Lies the Dark 8- Dead World Gone 9- Helvete 10- Crucify
Italian bassist and composer ALBERTO RIGONI has unveiled his new single ‘Ocean Traveler’, the last song composed by Vitalij Kuprij before passing away.
Alberto had this to say; “It’s a very sad story… at the end of January I asked Vitalij Kuprij to compose an instrumental track for my upcoming girl (Vittoria Parini Rigoni – born on March 12th, 2024).. he did this amazing tune, together with guitarist Josh Sapna… and he completed it the day before passing away (February 20th, 2024). I didn’t want to add bass on this masterpiece because it sounds amazing as it is in my opinion. Rest in peace and in power Vitalij! Your music will never die.”
‘Ocean Traveler’ is out now via Sliptrick Records.
Just recently, Alberto released “Strangers In The Night” single and video, a daring reimagining of Frank Sinatra’s classic. This hard rock cover, part of his upcoming album “Unexpected Lullabies,” offers a fresh perspective on a beloved song that has stood the test of time. Featuring the esteemed Göran Edman on vocals (known for his collaborations with Yngwie Malmsteen) and the exceptional talents of Emiliano Tessitore on guitars (notably from Ehfar, Vinnie Moore, and Mark Boals) alongside Emiliano Bonini on drums, this rendition diverges from the original, delivering a captivating journey filled with powerful guitar riffs and vocals that encapsulate the essence of rock.
This album promises to be a collection of auditory wonders, each track a testament to Rigoni’s genius and his ability to transcend musical boundaries. Featuring a symphony of guest musicians alongside Rigoni’s virtuosic bass, Unexpected Lullabies is poised to be a beacon for lovers of music, an invitation to explore the depths of creativity and emotion. What makes ‘Unexpected Lullabies’ even more exciting is the assembly of musical titans. The album features the legendary bassist Michael Manring, the keyboard wizardry of Alessandro Bertoni (of the Graham Bonnet Band) and Vitalij Kuprij (known for Artension and Trans-Siberian Orchestra), and many more yet-to-be-revealed guest artists.
Alberto Rigoni is: Alberto Rigoni – Bass | Plus various guest musicians
PAIN have released their brand new album I Am via Nuclear Blast Records. Filled with anthems like ‘Don’t Wake The Dead‘ and the hit single ‘Party In My Head‘, alongside atmospheric tracks such as ‘I Am‘ and ‘Fair Game,’ the album seamlessly blends uplifting catchiness with introspective moments, marking Tägtgren’s most personal and boldest work to date. To celebrate the album release PAIN also shares their brand new music video for ‘Don’t Wake The Dead‘, which was written by Peter´s son Sebastian Tägtgren.
Peter Tägtgren comments: “The first time Seb showed me the song I was blown away, from the beginning to the end, so dark, yet so beautiful. After I heard the song I had a panic attack: “How do I sing on this? And what?”
It’s 2021 and a pandemic is strangling the world – and no one seems to be having fun. Seemingly tireless music freak Peter Tägtgren couldn’t care less as he hits the jackpot with – pardon the harsh language – a fucking catchy… well, party anthem. We are of course talking about the song ‘Party in My Head’ by Tägtgren’s synth-infused metal project PAIN.
“I don’t really know what it is about ‘Party in My Head’ that made – still makes – people go crazy for it… But what I do know for sure is that the song has already been enjoyed millions and millions of times. The numbers are pretty crazy! Of course, PAIN is no stranger to writing danceable and catchy, albeit metallic shit… It’s always been in the DNA of this project. But let’s face it: if the world really needs ‘party anthems’ from a cynical geezer like me, something’s seriously wrong”, Peter laughs.
Our beloved planet may be screwed, but there still doesn’t seem to be much wrong in PAIN‘s world as 2024 ticks fast on the calendar. There simply can’t be, because PAIN‘s eagerly awaited new studio album ‘I Am‘ is soon here – yes, after eight years of devoted waiting.
“The previous record “Coming Home” came out in 2016 – and of course there was a tour after that. In 2019, I released an album called “F & M” with Rammstein singer Till Lindemann, a project I left in 2020. In 2021, it was time for my death metal band Hypocrisy to get active with a new album “Worship” – and of course we toured again. If that wasn’t enough, let’s add that there was a studio album with Joe Lynn Turner in 2022… In other words: the last eight years have passed in the blink of an eye”, Peter sighs.
“After all this, it was the perfect time for PAIN to go full force again. I felt excited to say the least. Needless to say, the success of ‘Party in My Head’ gave the album process an explosive start!”
Let’s get one thing straight: the powerful-sounding I Am is truly a versatile – if not the most versatile – musical missile in PAIN‘s rich discography. The new songs go everywhere with heavy industrial riffs, haunting melancholic vibes and groove-filled rhythms – without forgetting surprises, of course.
“There’s no boundaries with PAIN. I just get an interesting idea for a song and along the way it can turn into anything. Sometimes I also like to deliberately surprise people by following an exciting musical path where unexpected things happen”, Peter describes.
“If I had one big goal this time, it was to add more intensity and edge to the songs. “Coming Home” turned out great, but looking back now, I was maybe a little too deep into my ‘David Bowie worship’ with the orchestral stuff and the acoustic guitars. This time around, I definitely wanted more tempo, aggressiveness and an industrial atmosphere. Going back towards the old times of PAIN? Maybe a bit…”
“I Am” is also more of a family affair than ever before. My son Sebastian – also a PAIN drummer – wrote the music of ‘Revolution’ and ‘Don’t Wake the Dead’. These absorbing songs add width to an already versatile album. All in all, completing “I Am” required a lot of composing, writing, thinking, experimenting, doing and re-doing. It was a long and sometimes challenging process, but never painful!”
Speaking of surprises… What song will give fans the biggest wow effect this time?
“It must be ‘Go With the Flow’. I dare to insist that when it starts rolling, even the deep connoisseurs of PAIN music are wondering what the heck is going on here. I would say it’s my ‘Depeche Mode in the 80s’ song'”, Peter laughs.
“Lyrically, ‘Go With the Flow’ represents a slightly brighter moment in the darkness. I always tend to think that everything is going to hell, but with this song I tell myself, ‘come on dude, let things be for once and go with the flow’.”
There may be these rare rays of light from the beacon, but darkness still prevails.
“The album’s title track starts with the line ‘there’s no hope in the valley of death’. And if I look at the lyrics, I could dig up a lot other examples of similar sinister moods. But hey, a sarcastic guy like me and such gloomy times we live in… Are you expecting some sunny faces here? Well, sunny or not, PAIN is going to be busy for the foreseeable future. There will be a lot of touring to support the record. Summer festivals, extensive tours here and there and more”, Peter says.
“And what about the future anyway? Ask me again in eight years and there have been a few studio albums from different bands, a lot of gigs and something else. Yes, I am what “I Am”…”
Founded in late 2015 by mastermind Manny Watts, extreme prog merchants VOIDGAZER released their debut EP »Years Of Exile« the following year. The band jammed around the Midwest over the next three years, naturally evolving the music and band until the current line-up. Although they first jammed together in 2019, the covid pandemic forced them put their live performances on ice as well as hit pause on release of their second EP, »Dance Of The Undesirables.«
Initially planning a large release campaign, the band pressed up only enough copies to cover their last few scheduled live performances. It was during this down time that Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) took interest in VOIDGAZER‘s vision and offered them an international recording contract.
Recorded at Bird Cloud Recording (USA) Produced by Ryan Wasoba & Voidgazer Mastered by Noah Buchanan Artwork & layout by Jason Spencer
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 ) 