Blackjacket, the dynamic ensemble of seasoned musicians from the vibrant Los Angeles music scene, is thrilled to announce the release of their electrifying hard rock rendition of Weezer’s iconic hit, “Say It Ain’t So” via TLG|ZOID. This high-energy cover is set to captivate audiences with its modern twist on a beloved 90s classic.
Inspired by the timeless appeal of Weezer’s original masterpiece, Blackjacket embarked on a musical journey to reimagine “Say It Ain’t So” with their signature style and flair. The result is a dynamic fusion of raw power and infectious melodies, showcasing the band’s unparalleled talent and creativity.
“The search for a song to cover led us to Weezer – ‘Say it Ain’t So!’ Great track with an incredibly catchy hook. We had a blast putting a modern spin on a true 90’s classic!” exclaimed the band, reflecting on their exhilarating collaboration.
Join Blackjacket on their musical journey as they continue to push the boundaries of rock music and inspire audiences around the globe.
The Plague‘s latest pop punk ballad, “Living In The Past,” delves into themes of introspection and healing, touching on regret, grief, and the desire for redemption. The Plague explains, “I’ve lost a lot of close people to me in the past years. I hope this song can help anyone struggling with grief.”
The song opens with haunting synthesizers, setting the stage for a journey through the complexities of feeling lost and pondering what could have been. Throughout the lyrics, there’s a raw portrayal of the human experience, with references to loss, addiction, and missed opportunities alongside a yearning for forgiveness and understanding. Amidst the sadness, there’s a message of moving forward, suggesting that embracing change and moving forward is possible. Through its heartfelt reflection and relatable themes, “Living In The Past” offers comfort to those struggling with their past while hinting at the possibility of renewal and growth.
“Living In The Past” showcases The Plague‘s signature blend of rock and pop punk, with elements of modern and alternative rock woven seamlessly throughout into a ballad that journeys through despair and aspires to hope.
The Plague is the brainchild of producer/engineer David Adam Monroe, a pioneer of Future Punk. The Plague’s post-apocalyptic themes portray the struggles of being human, encouraging people to break free of the superficial and to know they are not alone.
David has been playing music from an early age, highly encouraged by his parents, he received an electric guitar at age ten and took off emulating his favorite bands at the time; Greenday, Smashing Pumpkins, and other 90’s rock bands. His career took off at age 16 when a promoter got his high school band on the Van’s Warped Tour.
As a producer/engineer, David has produced records with many artists including Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols and multi-platinum engineer Earl Cohen. As a musician, he has toured internationally–including 4 years on Van’s Warped Tour— and has played with bands such as Tony Levin, My Chemical Romance, Story of the Year, NoFx, The Used, Yellow Card, Three Days Grace, and many more. ThePlague‘s debut album Hope For the F.U.T.U.R.E. was released independently in 2017.
In 2018 The Plague remixed Circle Of Dust’s “Embracing Entropy” (feat. Celldweller), through artist-owned record label FiXT. The Plague eventually signed to FiXT in 2022, and re-released the debut album with remastered tracks, new art as well as bonus tracks throughout the 2023, ahead of a new album slated for release in 2024.
“My goal with The Plague was to make futuristic Christian rock, when I was producing bands in Boston, my assistant showed me Celldweller and said, “This guy is dope and reminds me of you!” I chased Celldweller’s blend of synths and guitars, and that exploration process helped me discover my own sound. When I finished the record I emailed James (FiXT Manager) with the spirit of a little brother and said, “Hey James, look! I self-produced a futuristic rock record that I’m releasing on my label! You guys inspired this!” By some wonderful miracle he was excited too!” – The Plague
[Photo by Robert Eikelpoth / Photo editing by Blake Armstrong]
Closely following their recently wrapped and highly successful tour of North America, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS are back at sea to release their stunning second single, “Monsters”, taken from their upcoming album, Pirates II – Armada, set for release on July 5, 2024 via Napalm Records. The pirates of VISIONS OF ATLANTIS are about to take listeners on their heaviest symphonic adventure yet with their new studio album and successor to their high-charting previous release, Pirates (2022). The album reaches as high as the waves cresting the Jolly Roger – taking everything that has been achieved to date to another level.
The new track, “Monsters”, is a haunting musical adventure illustrating the confrontation with inner monsters, beginning with calm passages that burst into a rhythmic refrain, showing off the full musical power of the pirate queen Clémentine Delauney and brave captain Michele Guaitoli. With this preview of the second chapter of the pirates’ saga, VISIONS OF ATLANTIS prove that they are more than ready to claim the crown of symphonic metal and are eager to take stages by storm on their European tour this fall. Their raid will begin with their fulminant album release show in Aschaffenburg on July 6, 2024 and will be continued in the fall with the extensive Armada tour boasting 33 shows all over Europe – the biggest headliner tour of their promising career so far. Brace yourself and get ready for this unique symphonic metal spectacle!
Vocalist Michele Guaitoli comments: “We fought the raging storms, the most dreadful foes and the darkest nights. Yet the worst enemy appears to be something we cannot face with cannons and sabers. This battle will be the hardest, as it’s time to look straight the eyes of the ‘Monsters’ inside of us. Proud and without fears, we’re ready. Are you?”
Ship’s log: July 5, 2024; High Seas A new day of sailing begins, the wind on our side, and the sea speaks of recent battles. The air feels fresh – Hypocrisy, greed, envy – hearts of the old world finally disclose their deluded truth. Old leaders are losing ground, their lies are getting worse, and darkness creeps in. Each sunny day hides a coming storm, nature testing our strength for the last battle.
We’ve become pirates as their counterparts, free-spirited and true at heart. Navigating storms that try to make us doubt, we see the light in the darkness. The old truth is fading, making room for a new story. Our destiny is in our hands, in our hearts, in every step we take. Reconnecting with ourselves, we touch the essence of life we share with all creatures. Together, unstoppable, connected to the truth, guided by the sun and storms.
We’ll rule the oceans, the mainland, every street, every house, spreading hope. Our pirate cries will last for centuries, with ancestors humming our tunes, our words sung in the new world we create. Our glory will live on forever. United as one force, one army, under a final ARMADA.”
Emotions, depth, richness of sound. Not only a record, but a true hurricane of feelings is what VISIONS OF ATLANTIS delivers with the new album, Pirates II – Armada. The uplifting “Tonight I’m Alive” surprises and captivates with the rhythms of a pirate party on the eve of combat, with the electrifying rumble of a hurricane – a unique, uncharted showcase of talent from VISIONS OF ATLANTIS. The burning flames of “Hellfire” enchant the listener before the sweetness of delicate melodies accompany them “Underwater”. The cinematic adventure of 7-minute-plus masterpiece “The Dead of the Sea” conjures the salty scent of the sea, making the listener feel – in every melodic twist and theatrical orchestral hit – the cannons firing and the battle raging. Listeners will shed a tear while mourning under the melody of “Ashes to the Sea”.
Pirates II – Armada track listing: 1. To Those Who Choose to Fight 2. The Land of the Free 3. Monsters 4. Tonight I’m Alive 5. Armada 6. The Dead of the Sea 7. Ashes to the Sea 8. Hellfire 9. Collide 10. Magic of the Night 11. Underwater 12. Where the Sky and Ocean Blend
Pirates II – Armada features stunning cover artwork by Blake Armstrong, who is also responsible for bringing the fantastic photos of Robert Eikelpoth into VoA’s universe. Produced by Felix Heldt, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, and orchestrated by Lukas Knoebl and Simon Edward Pirates II – Armada will reach stages this summer, continuing to deliver a truly cinematic live event. The first North American tour was already a big
success and for their next adventure VISIONS OF ATLANTIS sail back to conquer Europe this fall and your only choice is to join their Armada!
Experience VISIONS OF ATLANTIS on tour in 2024:
Album Release Show w/ Blackbriar 06.07.24 DE – Aschaffenburg / Colos Saal
Visions of Atlantis Present Armada w/ Illumishade 19.09.24 AT – Vienna / Szene 20.09.24 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 21.09.24 CZ – Zlin / Masters of Rock Cafe 22.09.24 CZ – Prague / Meet Factory 24.09.24 PL – Warsaw / Proxima (venue upgrade) 25.09.24 DE – Berlin / Frannz 26.09.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle 27.09.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 28.09.24 DE – Essen / Turock 29.09.24 DE – Frankfurt / Das Bett 01.10.24 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat 02.10.24 NL – Tilburg / O13 03.10.24 BE – Kortrijk / DVG Club 04.10.24 UK – London / The Dome (venue upgrade) 05.10.24 UK – Manchester / Rebellion 07.10.24 UK – Bristol / Exchange 09.10.24 FR – Lyon / La Rayonne 10.10.24 FR – Toulouse / Metronum 11.10.24 ES – Barcelona / Sala Boveda 12.10.24 ES – Madrid / Sala Revi Live 13.10.24 PT – Lisbon / RCA Club 14.10.24 ES – Vitoria / Urban Rock Concept 15.10.24 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 16.10.24 DE – Munich / Backstage Halle 17.10.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7 18.10.24 CH – Wil / Gare de Lion 19.10.24 IT – Milan / Legend Club 21.10.24 DE – Nürnberg / Hirsch 22.10.24 DE – Cham / L.A. 23.10.24 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann 24.10.24 AT – Wörgl / Komma 25.10.24 IT – Roncade / New Age 26.10.24 AT – Graz / PPC
Festivals: 17.05.24 DE – Wir leben Laut / Loburg 02.06.24 CZ – Metalfest Open Air / Plzen 14.06.24 RO – BikeFest / Mangalia 28.06.24 SK – Topfest / Žilina 29.06.24 SK – Rock Pod Kamendom / Snina 05.07.24 DE – Castle Rock / Mülheim an der Ruhr 07.07.24 SE – Time To Rock Festival / Knislinge 18.07.24 FI – John Smith Rock Festival / Laukaa 10.08.24 DE – Das Grosse Treffen / Aach 23.08.24 DE – Rock im Hinterland / Obrigheim 24.08.24 DE – Lammer Open Air / Braunschweig 07.09.24 DE – Bongert Open Air / Brüggen
VISIONS OF ATLANTIS are: Clémentine Delauney – Vocals Michele Guaitoli – Vocals Christian Douscha – Guitars Herbert Glos – Bass Thomas Caser – Drums
Ahead of its release this Friday on the twisted Time To Kill Records roster, Everything Is Noise today presents an exclusive stream of “Hellhole”, the brooding new LP from Finnish post-hardcore unit RATS WILL FEAST.
The album will be released via Time To Kill Records this Friday, May 17th 2024.
RATS WILL FEAST draws their musical landscape from extreme aggression and hallucinatory chaos. Hailing from Jyväskylä, Finland, the band has been touring actively in its current form since 2018. Varying between crushing hardcore, noisy psychedelia and more mellow post-rock sounds on their 2019 album “Scarcity”, 2020 EP “Songs of a Racehorse” and 2021’s “Malady”, the band’s new album “Hellhole” continues the development of the bands destructive chaotic hardcore sound.
“Hellhole” is the culmination of the band’s all the previous work. It’s a bruising demonstration of the bands core sound: chaotic rhythms, battering drums, screeching vocals, varied guitar melodies and crushing riffs with gritty low frequencies. Characteristic of the band, the album is defined by the twisted song structures and desolate, emotional lyrics which deal with the artificiality of the modern world.
Tracklist:
01. Penetration 02. None Fated 03. Dog Technology 04. Hellhole 05. Lukewarm Futures 06. Goodbye John Wayne 07. Tourmaline 08. Replacement
After the rather intimate power ballad Shadows (Walking Through), NOTURNALL are now back with another, even more ambitious music video. In a suitably fast-paced fashion, the album title track Cosmic Redemption is set to put the power back into metal. Starting off with a demonically speedy yet highly melodic guitar solo, the song is indeed a deep bow to the crazy days of good old silly fast power metal. And it’s kinda paradox, too! Because yes, Cosmic Redemption bears the chance of making us feel nostalgic – but it does not, however, sound like new old stock. Instead, NOTURNALL take a transparent and clean, almost futuristic approach while maintaining all the warmth you need: Both the composition and its interpretation emit it en masse from captivating melodies, full-bodied harmonies and, once again, from the heart and soul that speak through singer Thiago’s powerful yet relatable voice.
So that’s what we have. Now, what shall we do with it? Hack it to pieces! You’re not being kidded, that’s exactly what our Brazilian pranksters did – and skillfully, too, mind you! But Why?, you might ask, and What’s the outcome? The answer is pretty straight forward, so everyone should be able to come to the same conclusion: SCIENCE FICTION METAL SPACE OPERA SHORT FLICK, of course! You should totally check out NOTURNALL’s brand new video, if the following statements apply to you: 1) I love metal. 2) I know some science fiction. 3) I may or may not suffer from meteorophobia. 4) I love me some good old-fashioned Lithotripsy*.
Alright, here we go – watch NOTURNALL take on a massive asteroid that’s headed for earth by performing a ginormous Lithotripsy on the damn thing, featuring scientists, o presidente, space travel and all the good stuff mentioned above:
Also, don’t miss out on the song in all its catchy shortness as the title track for the international release of their latest album Cosmic Redemption, which marked a pathway for NOTURNALL into global metal territory by the end of last year. On the CD, 13 magnificent tracks, including features from renowned artists, such as James LaBrie, Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater) and others, deal with the cosmic turns the world takes – on the micro level, as the struggles of individuals, as well as on the macro level, in the shape of corruption and battles in society. The term Cosmic Redemption represents the objective for each human to grow as a person and leave the world as a better place than it was. The album was written during the disruptive time of the pandemic and motivated the band members to keep going. And they did, as they even made it onto 70000TONS OF METAL for two remarkable shows with guitar hero Mike Orlando, who greatly contributed to the album. With their trip back to Brazil after the cruise, the band has closed the great circle that led them lapping around the world: Brazil – Europe – Australia – USA – Brazil.
Shadows (Walking Through) (feat. Orchestra by Michael Romeo)
Cosmic Redemption
Scream! For!! Me!!! (feat. Mike Portnoy)
O Tempo Não Para (feat. Ney Matogrosso)
Take Control (feat. David Ellefson)
The Great Filter
Never Again (Bonus Track)
Hey! (Live Bonus Track feat. James LaBrie)*
Scream! For!! Me!!! (Live Bonus Track feat. Mike Portnoy)*
*The digital Release contains bonus track Shallow Grave (Edit) instead
About NOTURNALL
NOTURNALL. This is the name of the young group that, in less than 10 years on the road, is already considered one of the biggest and most important bands in Brazilian Heavy Metal history. Starting in 2014, the band’s brief but intense history brought some legends of the Brazilian metal scene together that left their marks on worldwide renowned bands, such as Shaman, Angra and Project46. They also have in their line-up legendary North American guitarist Mike Orlando, who sold hundreds of thousands of album copies with ADRENALINE MOB and was listed a Top 100 guitar Player Of All Time and also a Top 10 Superstar Of The Year 2008 by Guitar Player Magazine. Iconic concerts, bold tours, thrilling music videos and guest appearances by Heavy Metal legends from all over the world, such as Michael Kiske (Helloween, Unisonic), Mike Portnoy, James Labrie (Dream Theater), Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob), Michael Romeo (Symphony X), Edu Falaschi, among others, consolidate the band as a true jewel of Brazilian Heavy Metal. In 2022, after almost 2 years away from stage, NOTURNALL started the year with a nostalgic concert in SESC 24 de Maio, presenting classic songs. They also released their fourth studio album, entitled Cosmic Redemption, showcasing the band’s best shape and also featuring very special guests: bassist DAVID ELLEFSON (former MEGADETH), founding SYMPHONY X guitarist MICHAEL ROMEO, the internationally renowned prog metal drummer MIKE PORTNOY (DREAM THEATER, THE WINERY DOGS, SONS OF APOLLO), who previously toured with the band and appeared in the video for their single SCREAM! FOR!! ME!!!, as well as Brazilian MPB legend NEY MATOGROSSO.
As the frontman of legendary Swedish maniacs Nifelheim, Hellbutcher stands among the most elite figures of the black metal underground, and with his eponymous new band, HELLBUTCHER, his frenzied mission continues conjuring sounds of pure blasphemy and absolute musical Armageddon. Nothing less than total metal devastation will do!
Following the end of Nifelheim, who played their final show in late 2022, Hellbutcher wasted no time in forging forward. Teaming up with old compadres in evil, guitarists Necrophiliac and Iron Beast, bassist Eld, and drummer Devastator (ex-Nifelheim), HELLBUTCHER quickly set about bringing their new vision to life. Together, they had quickly amassed enough material to record their raging, hellish, self-titled debut album, set for release on May 31st through Metal Blade Records.
Recording in various locations around Sweden, such as Devastator’s own Red And Black Hall Drum Studio and Iron Beast’s Chrome Studios, and producing and mastering everything themselves – “No need for an outside producer since we knew exactly how our band should sound” – it is a record that stands proud and unambiguous as a work or pure, metallic mayhem.
From the album’s opener, the crazed “The Sword Of Wrath,” HELLBUTCHER‘s intent is loud and clear: Channeling the spirit of Venom, Bathory, Iron Maiden, Exciter, Motörhead, Mercyful Fate, and the aggressive spirit of true heavy metal. It’s an explosion of diabolic evil, performed relentlessly by true masters of the form.
Elaborates Hellbutcher of the band’s latest single, “The title ‘Hordes Of The Horned God’ was inspired by an old Dissection song where Jon [Nödtveidt] mentions ‘my god has horns.’ I crafted the song with an epic yet raw and thrashing feel. The intro riff recurs in various forms, shaping both the chorus and the end of the mid-section of the song. Additionally, our great guitarist, known as Iron Beast, delivers some fantastic guitar solos on this track.”
Stream HELLBUTCHER‘s “Hordes Of The Horned God” at THIS LOCATION.
Watch the band’s previously released video for first single, “The Sword Of Wrath,” HERE.
With an enviable musical pedigree and a killer album to their name, HELLBUTCHER are certain to scorch a mark onto the black metal scene. “I believe this band has the potential to surpass Nifelheim; we’ve accomplished more in a year than I did in the last decade with Nifelheim,” Hellbutcher states. “The key difference lies in the fact that this band shares a common goal. I am now filled with tremendous inspiration, and I plan to create new songs, records, and gigs at a completely different pace than before.“
Insisting in so many words that posers should die, and promising that their live shows “will be a neck-breaking experience,” the underground is about to be hit with an outbreak of evil unlike anything it has seen for a long time. Time to turn the cross upside down: HELLBUTCHER is here, and they mean evil business.
Hellbutcher Track Listing: 01. The Sword of Wrath 02. Perdition 03. Violent Destruction 04. Hordes of the Horned God 05. Death’s Rider 06. Possessed by the Devil’s Flames 07. Satan’s Power 08. Inferno’s Rage
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 ) 