Prophecy, the new full-length from slasherwave phenom GOST, is out now on Metal Blade Records!
GOST exists in the dark crack between black metal and the most shadowy end of electronic music. Since the release of the Radio Macabre EP at the start of 2013, and the remorseless digital nightmare of their Skull debut album six months later, Texas-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and main-brain James Lollar has become an increasingly singular force in music. Far more aggressive and sinister than the synthwave he’s often grouped with, GOST is a harsh and unique digital nightmare that takes the listener right into the heart of the abyss.
Prophecy serves as Lollar’s most exhilarating and dangerous sounding work to date. It’s a record that perfectly reflects the horror and grim anxieties of a world beset with religious and political overreach, and progress, “being rolled back to the fucking 1950s.” Prophecy was recorded by Lollar alone in Texas during a burst of creativity at the end of 2022. Following the experimentation and more melodic touches of 2019’s Valediction, the record also acts as something of a return to older roots, to recapture the spirit of GOST.
From the industrial scrape of “Death In Bloom,” the doomy “Decadent Decay,” and the demonic pulse of “Golgotha,” Lollar welds together elements of pulsing synthwave, the otherworldly nastiness of black metal, and the pound and snarl of Ministry at their most unhinged to create a whole that sounds genuinely dangerous, somewhere between metal and a rave in Hell.
Notes Kerrang of the release, “The world his music inhabits is nocturnal and sinister, bathed in crimson neon; while its electronic beats might point a bony finger in the direction of the dancefloor, the environment it portrays is more ritual than rave…Prophecy continues in this established trajectory, with Satanic soundbites and Biblical artwork conjuring an end-of-days vibe altogether in keeping with the horror movie synths reverberating throughout.” Writes Metal Temple, “the melody creeps through the darkness, each note tinged with a sinister edge. The storm outside mirrored the turmoil within, as the keyboard danced under the musician’s fingers. The music told a story of shadows and secrets, drawing the listener into its dark and stormy depths. If this is Satan coming back to move us forward, I say welcome him with a smile.” Observes The Metal Pit, “Prophecy is rife with drum and bass, dubstep, dark industrial metal, classic techno, and much more. It is a journey into the dark and evil side of life done with electronics and some guitars and live drums. GOST recreates the metal-ness with synths, distortion, and a helluva lot of grandiose sound design.”
Check out a lyric video for closing track, “Leviathan,” now playing at THIS LOCATION.
Watch GOST‘s previously released video for “Judgement/Prophecy” HERE and a lyric video for “Widow Song” HERE.
Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Dion follows up the release of his much-lauded recent albums Blues With Friends (2020) and Stomping Ground (2021) with a new full-length album Girl Friends out now. This new album finds Dion in the company of twelve accomplished female musical collaborators on just as many new songs. Tracks featuring Susan Tedeschi, Danielle Nicole and Carlene Carter had been previously released as singles on digital streaming platforms. New single “Mama Said” with blues queen Shemekia Copeland is available now.
Dion noted, “When I wrote this song, I knew she was the one who could turn it into a standard. Girl’s got the blues in her blood.” The latter part of his comment is a reference to the fact that Shemekia is the daughter of the late Johnny “Clyde” Copeland whose playing and singing have long been admired by Dion.
Dion’s new album Girlfriends is available to order HERE. Stream the new single “Mama Said” HERE. Watch the official music video for “Mama Said” HERE.
Shemekia Copeland said, “Dion is so special to me; it’s an honor and thrill to have been asked to collaborate with him. I mean, what woman wouldn’t want to sing with Dion? Name me one! It’s every woman’s dream to sing with Dion and my dream just came true.”
Girl Friends is Dion’s third consecutive album through Joe Bonamassa’s label Keeping The Blues Alive Records. The previous two albums saw Dion collaborate with a range of luminaries including 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.
Dion explains the album’s raison d’être in a commentary titled “The Feminine Genius” that is included with Girl Friends. “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, whose 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.
He 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”.
Girl Friends finds Dion keeping musical company with a line-up of stellar female artists who are heard on the album’s 12 original tracks, 11 of which were composed by Dion and Mike Aquilina, with one written by Dion and the late Scott Kempner (The Dictators, The Del Lords). Joining Copeland, Tedeschi, Nicole and Carter are Rory Block, Debbie Davis, Randi Fishenfeld, Sue Foley, Christine Ohlman, Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Valerie Tyson. The album was produced by Wayne Hood and Dion, who were also producing partners on Blues With Friends and Stomping Ground. Blues With Friends includes liner notes by Bob Dylan, and Pete Townshend contributed the notes for Stomping Ground. The liner notes for Girl Friends are by Darlene Love, who wrote, “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.”
There’s more from Dion on the horizon. He will be saluted next month by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University at its second annual American Music Honors event. Dion’s fellow honorees are Mavis Staples, Jackson Browne and John Mellencamp. 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.”
Girl Friends – Track Listing
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 Davis 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” are:
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 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.” She 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.
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, 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’s 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. Two years ago, Taylor recorded The Blues Album, produced by Joe Bonamassa for Keeping The Blues Alive Records. Dion calls her a “one-woman British Invasion” and wrote that he’s long been “a crazed fan” of hers.
Luke Fortini‘s “The Beginning Of Creation” album will be released on March 30, 2024! The album truly full of grit, technique and passion for music! The album, will be available, on all the best music stores worldwide, on Wanikiya Record’s Japanese shop and on Crashsound Distribution in digital format.
Born in Mirandola on March 4,1977. As a child no particular interest in music,but during adolescence,precisely in seventh grade he was impressed by Guns N’Roses and more specifically by the guitar playing of Slash. In the eighth grade he discovers Iron Maiden and from then on he will never break away from metal. He began playing guitar at the age of 15,playing over Maiden records. The very first guitar was a DIY stuff,with a wooden board and wires,where he then connected to an old radio turned into an amplifier. Later came the real guitars and from there began the study and the musical journey.
From then to now a lot has happened,but one stage to remember in particular is the period from 2002 to 2005,where there was the collaboration with the first singer of Iron Maiden,namely Paul Di Anno. During that period there were several tours,both in Italy and in various parts of Europe. Just before the Covid period a nice experience was with the band Imago Imperii,for a mini tour in Croatia.
Currently in addition to the solo project, he is dedicated to Imago Imperii, power epic metal band from Bologna. All the experiences he had were useful,but some times he had to give up the continuation of some musical groups.
Of sufficient prominence are two albums recorded with the band Hyperion,which have gained acclaim in various parts of the world, with notable reviews. He also played in local commercial cover bands for some time,but that period ended by personal choice. The previous solo album entitled Technical Supremacy was released in 2022 in digipack cd,with the Finnish label Lion Music. The passion is great and you continue to play, record,make videos and a few live shows with the band.
It is with great excitement that we announce the ROCK’N’ROLL EXPERIENCE (GOES TO BARCELONA) 2024: An Epic Crossing between Music, Sea and Passion for Rock!
In collaboration with WiTravel – Rock’n’roll Production, from June 22 to 25, the Mediterranean will become the extraordinary location of the first travel event dedicated to Rock culture! An unprecedented experience, a traveling Rock Festival on board a Grimaldi Lines flagship.
THE JOURNEY: In June 2024, from Saturday 22 to Tuesday 25, we will embark on an epic journey aboard a flagship: the Grimaldi Lines’ “Cruise Barcelona,” on which there will be a crew composed of Rock legends who will capture the souls of the participants! Departing from the port of Civitavecchia and heading to the legendary Barcelona, the ship will be the stage for a one-of-a-kind event. Nationally and internationally renowned musicians, many Bands and concerts, several personalities including insiders, entertainment, social who share the same passion, will join the experience between talks, Mega Jam Dj Set and much more.
THE CAST 2024 CHRIS HOLMES (MAIN MAN / WASP) – SPIKE (THE QUIERBOYS) – MARCO MENDOZA (THIN LIZZY / WHITESNAKE) – MICHELE LUPPI (WHITESNKE / KILLING TOUCH) – ANDREA SCAGLIA (TRIBAL RHYTHM ) – DEATHLESS LEGACY – TREVOR (SADIST) – MAURO PALERMO (VASCO ROSSI) – MARIO RISO (REZOPHONIC) – REEPO (OCTOPUS BAND) – ALEX MARCHESCHI (TRIBAL RHYTHM) – SKW – ELYNE – FRAGNMENT OF SORROW – MR. JACK – MINDAHEAD – PROLIFERHATE – BROKEN WINGS – NASTYVILLE – INFECTION CODE – LA STANZA DI IRIS – WIDTHOUT – SHULLTED – MICHELE VINCI
HOSTS, DJ’s & AMBASSADORS: NYVA – ELL’N ROCK – ANGEL DEVIL – ROCK FOR ROOKIES – DANNY METAL – INNOCENT COOL – DAVE BIRMINGAHAM –
SPECIAL CONTENTS: FAUSTO DONATO (Musician and Writer of the book ROCKERS) – ARMITANO (Cartoonist of the famous Dylan Dog – Cassidy – Batman)- CHITARRA FACILE.it – ARIELE FRIZZATE (Specialist in Karaoke rock) – SHEILA FRANCO (Illustrator covers of metal bands ) – ALGA SIMONETTA (Specialized in Yoga Rock and Metal and writer of the book: The syndrome of the Metallaro) – ALBERTO MORI (Photographer specialized in the field of entertainment)
is there anything else? YES!!! Live Show and Beyond: In addition to live performances, the event offers the opportunity for passengers to “Jammare” with professional artists by becoming their protagonists, and a wide range of other activities including: Meet and Greet with guest artists, Demonstration Clinics, Interviews, Rock Disco, Karaokee, Rock & Metal Yoga, Rock Market with vinyls, CDs, clothing, jewelry and a display of memorabilia autographed by the greatest ROCK legends!
Day Off in Barcelona: Once in Barcelona, passengers and musicians will have a free day to explore one of Europe’s most fascinating cities together.
Who It’s Designed For: The event welcomes all lovers of Rock, Hard Rock and Heavy, from passionate fans to professional solo artists and producers.
Partners: 106.6 RADIO ROCK – ROCK HARD MAGAZINE – BAM BOOKING – ROCKER TV – SOUNDROCK – ROCKNROLL RADIO – WE FUCKING ROCK – CHITARRA FACILE – ROCK N ROLL Mi – ROCKNROLL Rho – BLACKCIRCUS – WANIKIYA RECORD
Aim: ROCK’N’ROLL EXPERIENCE aims to offer a total experience, combining vacation, fair and festival, focusing on live music in an unprecedented setting. Join the Epic Odyssey!
French heavy metal pioneers NIGHTMARE have unleashed new details about their upcoming, brand new studio offering entitled Encrypted! The band’s twelfth album is slated for a release on June 7 2024 via AFM Records, the pre-sale has just started at https://shop.afm-records.de/nightmare/
Following the re-recorded, 2023 version of “Eternal Winter”, today, NIGHTMARE are premiering a music video for their new album single “Saviours of the Damned”! The track is out now on all digital services via https://nightmare.bfan.link/saviours-of-the-damned, watch the video clip streaming here:
Founded in 1979, NIGHTMARE have been an integral part of the European metal scene for the past three decades, and have been prolific with their album releases, all the while updating and evolving their sound.
The band released eleven much acclaimed studio albums and toured worldwide, playing some of the biggest metal festivals like Wacken, Hellfest, 70,000 Tons Of Metal, Motocultor Open Air or Gods Of Metal, and supporting the likes of Def Leppard, Sabaton, Saxon, Grave Digger and Blind Guardian to name just a few. 2020 seen NIGHTMARE release their latest album, Aeternam, via AFM Records. At the end of 2022, the band parted ways with singer Madie and welcomes their new, exceptional vocalist: Barbara Mogore!
As the band states: “With the arrival of Barbara transcending NIGHTMARE in new dimensions, we have decided to move to new heights in terms of musical approach to make Encrypted our most ambitious album to date in terms of production, musical direction and achievement… You can find here some traditional power metal riffing in the trademark of NIGHTMARE but also extreme metal parts and some highlights even reaching melodic death metal… making Encrypted our most varied opus so far, beyond all boundaries and expectations…”
Encrypted was produced by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio, the artwork was created by Franck Jeannin. Pre-order your copy of this must-have album – one that belongs into every well-sorted heavy metal record collection – now at THIS LOCATION!
Tracklist: 01 – Nexus Inferis 02 – The Blossom of my Hate 03 – Voices from the Other Side 04 – Saviours of the Damned 05 – Wake the Night 06 – Encrypted 07 – Incandescent 08 – White Lines 09 – Borderlines 10 – Eternal Winter (2023 Version)
NIGHTMARE is: Barbara Mogore Franck Milleliri Matt Asselbergs Yves Campion Niels Quiais
THE MAGOGAS have unleashed a brand new music video for their latest single “Lunar Seal”. The track is taken off the band’s upcoming album “48 Moons,” set to be released on March 29 through Go Down Records.
“Lunar Seal is the most representative track on the album, like a manifesto of our own“, the band comments. “It features a powerful 70s riff, a fast tempo, a psychedelic interlude, and a hard-hitting ending. We love it because it contains everything we enjoy hearing and playing.”
The band’s upcoming album “48 Moons” collects the music composed by THE MAGOGAS in the time frame of forty-eight moons. Packed with 9 brand new tracks, the record offers a musical journey filled up with mesmerizing riffs, cosmic atmospheres, and rhythmic fluctuations, like a rocket launched without a destination, guided just by instinct!
Formed in 2020, THE MAGOGAS consists of drummer Lisa Cappellazzo, guitarist Jacopo Nava, and bassist Fabio Cester, each bringing their own musical inspirations and experiences to the table. The power trio plays instrumental stoner rock with heavy psych, space rock, and desert rock influences, creating a unique sound that features loud valve guitar sounds, hypnotic grooves, powerful riffs, grunge rhythms, and psychedelic solos.
“48 Moons” will be released digitally on March 29 via Go Down Records. You can pre-save the album at THIS LOCATION
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
