Rockshots Records is proud to unleash France’s STONE HORNS third studio album “Chimaira”, now available as of January 26th. The full-lengthfeatures seven groove-laden hell-bent tracks, that tell the story of an odyssey of being rejected by all and thirsting for revenge. It explores life’s thirst for recognition, whatever its form. Through its various acts, the story continues in different states, colors, and landscapes. A raw, merciless finality that leaves little room for breath in this torment of violence. We’re all chasing a chimera, but isn’t it the chimera that’s chasing us? That’s the question this album tries to answer, combining freshness and warmth, violence and peace, waves, and digressions.
With their headbanging groove, this third studio offering “Chimaira” is a culmination of all the band’s experiments to date. This is the band’s most accomplished album to date, both in terms of composition and production. The band’s long-time fans will be satisfied, but they also hope to bring in new fans with this record, with a slightly more modern production. Each track has its own universe on this full length, but it’s also part of a whole, because like their previous albums, “Chimaira” is a concept album.
“There’s something for every metal taste and color. The aim of this album is for fans of every sub-genre of metal to be able to say to themselves at some point when listening to it: “I really like that beat”. “Chimaira” is a bit like the child of “The Beast Inside” (2018) and “Rise of Apophis” (2021)”. says the band.
For the album’s release day, Stone Horns is sharing their new music video for the track “In the Clutches of the Abyss”, a raging song inspired by Slipknot and Machine Head and treated to a guitar solo reminiscent of diabolical melodies. The final chorus might remind some fans of a bit of a Gojira sound.
Recommended listening for fans of Machine Head, Devildriver, Slipknot, Lamb of God, and Jinjer, Stone Horns’ third full-length is available from Rockshots Records on CD at https://bit.ly/ChimairaCD and digitally at https://lnk.to/stonehorns.
Track Listing: 1. Grasping the Embers of Exile – 7:51 2. No Mercy – 3:58 3. Terra Genesis – 3:31 4. Age of Chimairas – 4:10 5. Chrysalis – 4:52 6. In the Clutches of the Abyss – 5:29 7. Echoes of a Fallen Empire – 5:24 Album Length: 35:18
Album Credits: Music: David Viard, Antoine Roszak, Mathis Lakermance, Damien Servais Lyrics: David Viard Guitars: Mathis Lakermance, Damien Servais, Antoine Roszak Bass: Antoine Roszak, David Viard Drums : Maël Taguelmint Vocals: David Viard Production, Antoine Roszak, David Viard Mix and Mastering, Antoine Roszak Covers & Arts : David Viard, helped by IA Cover « Age of Chimairas » : Mrdrfckr Art and David Viard
Guitar great Vincenzo Grieco has released his new single ‘Eddie’, the anticipation of his next album! The single is accompanied by the video, watch it below.
‘Eddie’ is a real reverence to the legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen (born on the 26th of January), who greatly influenced Vincenzo Grieco’s musical growth, and for the single they collaborated: GIULIO GIANCRISTOFARO on bass and ALESSANDRO INOLTI on drums. The single, is available on all worldwide music stores, on Wanikiya Record’s Japanese storefront and the label’s storefront, inside the Crash Sound Distribution shop!
‘Eddie’ is also a sneak peek of the guitarist’s new album, which really hints, that it will be a mega work full of great compositions, great sound and will completely immerse you in the world of Guitar Hero! So, enjoy this amazing “EDDIE” and get ready for the arrival of the new record work, because really, it will be something unique!
Vincenzo Grieco: Guitarist, composer, arranger and teacher with more than 20 years of musical experience graduated in pop guitar from the Conservatory of Frosinone, Vincenzo Grieco has now become a reference point in the Roman guitar environment.
In his musical activity he has often crossed different musical genres, favoring an Anglo-American sound and repertoire. Always passionate about Rock Blues, he currently performs with the band “Vincenzo Grieco and T.H.E. Rome Blues Authority” and with the Jimi Hendrix/Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute “Little Wings” and other bands of Blues extraction such as the Nails & Rocks. For more than 15 years he has been passionately dedicated to intense teaching activities through lessons, master classes and video courses. After several musical productions of instrumental tracks and soundtracks (Rai TV, Rai Trade), in 2019 he will debut his first album of unreleased tracks titled “Misleading Lights of Town” and in 2020 with his second record work titled “Outer Space.”
Deathcore juggernaut CARNIFEX released their latest album Necromanteum last fall followed by a U.S. run in support of the new music. Continuing the momentum, the band is kicking off the new year with a music video for the single ‘Torn In Two’ followed by a European/UK run this March and a U.S. tour in May.
CARNIFEX’s Scott Ian Lewis states, “We had an amazing time on the Necromanteum US tour and we’re happy to catch some of the good times on that tour in this ‘Torn In Two’ music video.”
Watch the music video for ‘Torn In Two’ directed by Tyler Kosec and Nox Nohi, here:
This Spring, CARNIFEX will showcase tracks from their latest record, Necromanteum, to European and UK fans for the first time. The band will be joined by labelmates ABORTED, as well as REVOCATION and VEXED.
Necromanteum EU/UK Tour 2024 16.03.24 DE – Köln / Essigfabrik 17.03.24 DE – Berlin / SO36 19.03.24 SE – Stockholm / Slaktkyrkan 20.03.24 SE – Gothenburg / Brewhouse 21.03.24 DK – Copenhagen / Amager Bio 22.03.24 NL – Hengelo / Metropool GZ 23.03.24 UK – London / Electric Brixton 24.03.24 UK – Manchester / Club Academy 25.03.24 UK – Bristol / SWX 27.03.24 FR – Paris / Le Machine Du Rouge 28.03.24 BE – Sint-Niklaas / Casino 29.03.24 CH – Pratteln / Z7 30.03.24 DE – Karlsruhe / Substage 31.03.24 DE – Munich / Technikum 01.04.24 IT – Milan / Legend 02.04.24 AT – Vienna / Arena 03.04.24 CZ – Prague / Palac Akropolis 04.04.24 PL – Wrocław / Zaklęte Rewiry 05.04.24 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser 06.04.24 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
CARNIFEX recently released their latest album, Necromanteum, through Nuclear Blast Records. The album is available to stream and purchase on various formats at https://carnifex.bfan.link/necromanteum
Known for their hooky post modern sound, Shropshire’s finest first emerged in 2012 headlining local festivals promoting their debut self funded EP ‘Standing on the edge’. They quickly gained a good following and learnt their stagecraft, going from strength to strength.
The Bartells are led by the affable, charismatic Alfie Edwards with a split lead vocal set up with Mr Jonny Milano, the coolest rock n roll name in history. With The Dazzler thumping out his bass lines alongside drummer Robby ‘Ringo’ Evans, they create a wonderful eclectic sound that is like everything you’ve ever heard, but like nothing you’ve ever heard.
Their debut EP has been played on radio stations all over the world and they have fun whenever and whatever they play, which is part of their charm. With well over a half million views on their videos across their platforms the band is going from strength to strength breaking records on social media platforms such as ‘The Narrowboat Sessions’
In 2021, The Bartells added lead guitarist Ian ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne to the line up to strengthen their sound, changing the band to a five piece guitar driven outfit. Out from the starting blocks following lockdown, the band have gathered momentum supporting 90s heroes Cast and The Inspiral Carpets. The band have played numerous festivals around the UK and have recently played at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
The latest chapter for the band sees them hooking up with Nick Brine at Flip Flop Records to launch their debut album. The recording sessions were held at the legendary Rockfield Studio in Monmouth; The Motor Museum, LIverpool; The Forge Studio, Oswestry; and The Bee Barn Studio, Snowdonia – owned by Cast and Robert Plant guitarist Liam ‘skin’ Tyson, who features on three of the tracks.
Keen as mustard, daft as a brush, loveable lads, but sharp musicians who really know how to put on a show and take the audience along on a journey where you can let your hair down forget your troubles and sing along to simple, but catchy anthems arm in arm with people who know how to enjoy themselves.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice Spoke to KK’s Priest (former Judas Priest) singer Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens on Jan 24, 2024 at the 7th annual Metal Hall of Fame Gala in Anaheim California.
Ripper spoke about his recent induction into The Metal Hall of Fame, upcoming tour with KK’s Priest as well as his time in Judas Priest.
Anticipation continues to build for the March 8 release of Girl Friends, the new album from rock and blues legend Dion that finds him collaborating with a stellar array of female musicians. This week sees the release of “I Aim To Please,” a duet with Danielle Nicole and an accompanying video.
The song, like 11 of the album’s 12 tracks, was written by Dion with Mike Aquilina; one other song in the set was written by Dion and the late Scott Kepner (The Dictators, The Del-Lords). “I Aim To Please” is a mirthful look at relationships and the chorus includes reference to an issue making news these days: “no strings attached, no hidden fees, I aim to please.” The video features Dion and Danielle in performance as well as vintage silent film footage that underscores the good nature of the piece. Dion commented, “On this song, she lets the good times roll.” Listen to the single HERE. Watch the music video NOW.
Danielle Nicole first emerged from the Kansas City music scene as part of the group Trampled Under Foot that she formed with her brothers Nick and Kris Schnebelen, going solo to great acclaim thereafter. Apart from having been nominated for a Grammy, she’s won four of the Blue Foundation’s Blues Music Awards to date. Dion unabashedly calls her “one of the greatest singers on the planet.”
Girl Fiends is Dion’s third album in recent years to be released through Keeping The Blues Alive, the imprint founded by Joe Bonamassa and Roy Weisman to do just what the label’s name implies. Two tracks with accompanying videos have been released earlier and are now streaming; they are “Soul Force” with Susan Tedeschi and “An American Hero” with Carlene Carter. Dion’s other collaborators on the album are Rory Block, Shemekia Copeland, DebbieDavies, Randi Fishenfeld, Sue Foley, Christine Ohlman, Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Valerie Tyson.
The album includes liner notes by Darlene Love who writes, “I’ve been a huge fan since I was a young girl. In fact, when I sang ‘He’s a Rebel’ I was singing about outsiders like Dion. I’m a bigger fan today. I’m still trying to emulate his unique bluesy overtones. Now I’m thrilled again with these new collaborations — not just friends, but all girl friends — great women vocalist and musicians. This is just what the world needs now. These duets are riveting.”
The new album is emblematic of Dion’s renewed creative output over the past few years continuing a storied career that now touches eight decades. He kicked off this decade with 2020’s Blues With Friends and followed with 2021’s Stomping Ground. Those two albums, with liner notes by Bob Dylan and Pete Townshend, respectively, include musical contributions from, among others, Joe Bonamassa, Brian Setzer, the late Jeff Beck, John Hammond, Van Morrison, Joe Louis Walker, Jimmy Vivino, Billy Gibbons, Sonny Landreth, Paul Simon, Samantha Fish, Rory Block, Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Boz Scaggs, Eric Clapton, G. E. Smith, Keb’ Mo’, Marcia Ball, Mark Knopfler, Peter Frampton and Rickie Lee Jones. All three of Dion’s album releases for KTBA were produced by the artist, and Wayne Hood.
Girl Friends includes a commentary by Dion titled “The Feminine Genius” in which he notes, “I write about my preoccupations, and I know no better preoccupation than the female of the species. A friend of mine is a philosopher, and he talks often about ‘the feminine genius’ — the undeniable difference that’s in women and the difference that they make in the world. I’m grateful to my friend for giving it a name, because the fact has always been plain to me, but I could never put it into words.”
He goes on to explain his mother was his family’s breadwinner, and that he had two sisters. He’s been married for 60 years to the former Susan Butterfield, who is name checked in the album’s “Hey Suzy,” and they are the parents of three daughters, who in turn produced four more girls. He writes, “I’ve always been surrounded by the feminine genius — always living off it. Even my music has kept a tight focus on the ladies: ‘Runaround Sue,’ ‘Donna the Prima Donna,’ ‘Little Diane,’ ‘Ruby Baby.’ All those women, real and imagined, have made all the difference in my life.” He chronicles his female musical collaborators including those who joined him on his previous two albums, as well as Darlene Love, Ronnie Spector, Cher and Patty Smyth.
Dion observes, “I’ve noticed that men play a different tune when there are women in the room — and it’s a different kind of jam when women are in the mix. I don’t know why this is so, but it is. Maybe we men, at some primitive level, are competing for their attention. As I said, I don’t know why or how. I do know it makes better music and we’re all better for it.” He concludes with an encapsulation of vision for Girl Friends, “I wanted the best music possible. So, I wrote up a batch of duets for me and my ‘girl friends,’ the women who inhabit my headphones — the women who make me turn up the volume when they drop into my radio. I invited them to join me, one by one, and here they are, wailing on the guitar and into the microphone. You’ll hear the feminine genius in every groove of this record, and you won’t forget any of it”.
There’s more from Dion on the horizon. Last year, The Wanderer, a musical based on his life debuted at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ and is expected to arrive on Broadway next year. Directed by Kenneth Ferrone and based on Charles Messina’s book, the initial run was the subject of critical acclaim with Broadway World calling it “a moving, no-holds-barred new musical about the glow of the spotlight, the shadow of addiction, and the triumph of the human spirit against all odds, set to the iconic sound of an incomparable era in American music.” The New York Times review noted the show “succeeds on sheer sonic strength,” with reviewer Juan A. Ramírez adding, “I was continuously charmed by this throwback-y musical and its angel-voiced ensemble.”
1. Soul Force with Susan Tedeschi 2. I Aim To Please with Danielle Nicole 3. Stop Drop And Roll with Valerie Tyson 4. Do Ladies Get The Blues with Christine Ohlman and Debbie Davies 5. An American Hero with Carlene Carter 6. Don’t You Want A Man Like Me with Rory Block 7. Sugar Daddy with Christine Ohlman 8. Endless Highway with Randi Fishenfeld 9. I Got Wise with Maggie Rose 10. Hey Suzy with Sue Foley 11. Mama Said with Shemekia Copeland 12. Just Like That with Joanne Shaw Taylor
All songs written by Dion DiMucci and Mike Aquilina except #10 written by Dion DiMucci and Scott Kempner.
Dion’s “Girl Friends” collaborators:
Susan Tedeschi, the female focus of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band is a Grammy-winner, Americana Music Award winner and six-time Blues Music Award winner. She has released 14 albums both as a solo artist and with the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. Dion writes, “It’s amazing that someone so unassuming can play with such grit.”
Rory Block has been recognized for her focus on the country blues idiom and is winner of the Blues Foundation’s prestigious Koko Taylor Award for Traditional Female Blues Artist. She appeared with Dion on his Blues With Friends album. She is a seven-time Blues Music Award winner and has released albums through Stony Plain, Telarc, Chrysalis, Rounder and RCA. “She has a style that’s all her own,” writes Dion who adds, “She always manages to surprise me,” citing her “Greenwich Village attitude.”
Danielle Nicole gained prominence in her native Kansas City as part of the group Trampled Under Foot. She has gone on to pursue a solo career and is a Grammy-nominee and winner of five Blues Music Awards, three of which are for Best Instrumentalist/Bass. Dion calls her “one of the greatest singers on the planet.” Valerie Tyson has long been a fixture on the South Florida music scene recognized in her home state as its Queen of Soul. She fronts the Valerie Tyson Band and has been lauded for her “flamethrower vocals” by the Miami Herald. Dion commented, “I call her up when I have a tune that’s 100% fun. This kind of groove requires that kind of company and it’s why I got into this business in the first place.” Christine Ohlman is nicknamed The Beehive Queen in recognition of her distinctive platinum hairstyle, fronts NY-based Christine Ohlman and Rebel Montez. She is familiar to the national TV audience for her role as vocalist with the Saturday Night Live band for more than 30 years. Dion sees a kindred spirit in her, noting, “Christine Ohlman has Bronx soul. I have it too, so I know it when I see it . . . She’s steeped in blues and American roots music, and I’ve always loved her vibe.”
Debbie Davis is widely recognized as one of the leading guitarists, irrespective of gender, in the blues field. She has released 14 albums to date and Dion is an unabashed admirer; he calls her the “reigning queen of Chicago blues.”
Carlene Carter is the Nashville based singer/songwriter who is responsible for numerous hit songs, both recorded by other artists including Emmylou Harris, Robert Ellis Orrall, and on her own, including the Grammy-nominated “I Fell In Love,” “Come on Back” and “Every Little Thing.” She is a third-generation member of The Carter Family, and daughter of June Carter Cash and County Music Hall of Fame inductee Carl Smith. “Carlene’s voice can turn your head, and it can break your heart,” writes Dion.
Randi Fishenfeld is a classically trained violinist who performs with the Wildfire Band and has worked with numerous name artists including Bruce Springsteen, Air Supply, Foreigner, Journey, B.B. King and Larry Harlow. Dion calls her a “violinist full of fire, passion, expression, and improvisation,” and admits to being “in awe of what she can do.” Maggie Rose has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry more than 50 times, though she is not wedded to the country format, exploring soul music and beyond. Dion calls her “A grand master of country, soul, and R&B,” and admits, “I had to have her on this album.”
Sue Foley has released 16 albums over the course of her career is a two-time Blues Music Award winner. The Canadian-born, Austin-based guitarist/singer appears annually at Antone’s in Austin as part of The Jungle Show that includes Billy Gibbons, Jimmie Vaughan, Chris Layton and Mike Flanigin. “It’s a dream come true to work with her,” writes Dion, adding, “I felt like I was one of the Everly Brothers.”
Shemekia Copeland is the most celebrated contemporary female blues artists, having won eight Blues Music Awards, releasing 10 albums, and being named Blues Artist of the Year in the annual DownBeat Critics Poll. The daughter of Texas blues legend Johnny Clyde Copeland has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. Dion has long been smitten and notes, “One conversation with Shemekia Copeland you fall in love with her. And this girl can sing! Girl has got the blues in her blood.”
Joanne Shaw Taylor is the English singer and guitarist who was “discovered” at the age of 16 by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart. She is a two-time Female Vocalist of the Year at the British Blues Awards. Taylor recorded and released her last three albums for Keeping The Blues Alive Records and gaining two #1 Billboard Blues albums. Dion calls her a “one-woman British Invasion” and wrote that he’s long been “a crazed fan” of hers.
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 