Queensrÿche singer Todd La Torre and Rock/metal long time producer Zeuss join The Metal Voice and ‘Weigh in’ on entertainment topics such as: sitting or standing during metal shows; filming at concerts and should bands self produce or hire a real producer?
Zeuss is best known in the worlds of hard rock, heavy metal music, hardcore punk, and metalcore. He has engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered albums by a number of high-profile acts, including Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Demon Hunter,Suicide Silence, Suffocation,Municipal Waste, Soulfly, Chimaira, Throwdown, Whitechapel, Bleeding Through, Kataklysm, and God Forbid.
He’s made over a half dozen records each with Shadows Fall (including the band’s most commercially successful album, The War Within) and Hatebreed. His relationship with Hatebreed extends to affiliated projects, including Kingdom of Sorrow,[Jasta, and numerous artists signed to singer Jamey Jasta’s Stillborn Records.
Rob Zombie, Joey Jordison, and Max Cavalera are among the musicians who have complimented Zeuss in the press. Wikipedia
Todd La Torre is the lead singer for band Queensrÿche, and a former lead vocalist of the bands Crimson Glory and Rising West.
As the world continues hanging on by a thread through pandemics, wildfires, climate change, social-political chaos and social media-fueled conspiracy theories, at least there’s MINISTRY to get us through. Industrial provocateur Al Jourgensen is ready to unleash his latest missives with MINISTRY’s groundbreaking 16th album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, slated for release March 1, 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Today, the six-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum act gives the first taste of the new material with the official release of ‘Goddamn White Trash’, featuring Pepper Keenan, a song that made its debut on MINISTRY’s headline tour earlier this year.
See the video for ‘Goddamn White Trash,’ directed by Dean Karr, here:
Over the course of 9 tracks, Jourgensen is righteously cantankerous as ever about a f***ed up world ripe for a boot up its ass. Like always, he’s merely looking around at the same dumpster fire we all are, but he’s got a microphone and uses it well to rage on about the state of the world.
“Just like you or anybody else, I’m simply a passenger in this lifetime,” says Jourgensen. “I’m watching social changes, political changes, and economic changes, and I comment on them because I do have a First Amendment right. A lot of people say artists and athletes should shut up and play ball. No, I’m on this trip too. If I see something, I say something. That reflects on where each album goes. Instead of staying sedentary and singing about broken relationships, inner turmoil, or whatever is hurting this week, I comment on what’s going on from the perspective of a fellow passenger.”
Joined by MINISTRY´s current frontline of musicians – John Bechdel (keyboards), Monte Pittman and Cesar Soto (guitars), Roy Mayorga (drums) and Paul D’Amour (bass) – HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES also has a slew of special guest contributors including Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hutz, long-time collaborator and Lard companion Jello Biafra and Corrosion of Conformity frontman Pepper Keenan.
Tracklist for HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES: B.D.E. Goddamn White Trash* Just Stop Oil Aryan Embarrassment TV Song 1/6 Edition New Religion It’s Not Pretty Cult of Suffering* Ricky’s Hand
HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES will be available in three vinyl variants, a CD jewelcase and digital/streaming platforms. The vinyl variants include: green with yellow splatter (in stores everywhere); blue with pink splatter (nuclear blast exclusive); red with white splatter (band/tour exclusive).
The release of HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES follows MINISTRY’s acclaimed 2021 album Moral Hygiene that kickstarted another era for the band. The critically acclaimed LP wound up on year-end lists from the likes of Consequence of Sound and Loudwire, as the band continued to sell out venues coast-to-coast on the Industrial Strength tour.
ABOUT MINISTRY Born in 1981 in Chicago, MINISTRY has been the lifetime passion project of founder Al Jourgensen, considered to be the pioneer of industrial music. In its early days, MINISTRYwas identifiable by its heavy synth-pop material in line with the new sounds and technology that were being developed in the ‘80s. MINISTRY´s output began with four 12” singles on Wax Trax! Records in 1981 before the first LP With Sympathyin 1983 via Arista Records. As time progressed however, so did MINISTRY, quickly developing a harsher, and more stylized sound that the band soon became infamous for on seminal albums Twitch(1986), The Land of Rape and Honey(1988), and The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste (1989). With the release of Psalm 69: The Way to Succeed and The Way to Suck Eggs (1992), MINISTRY hit an all-time high in the mainstream musical realm and received its first Grammy nomination. In total, MINISTRY has been nominated for a Grammy award six times. Eight more albums would follow before an indefinite break in 2013, only to be unearthed again in 2018 with AmeriKKKant, continuing to reflect Jourgensen’s views on the frightening state of society and politics. The 2021 album Moral Hygiene marked a new creative era of Jourgensen and the band. MINISTRY´s 16th studio album, HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES, will be released in early 2024 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Metal legends CAVALERA announce highly anticipated European/UK Tour for the end of the year. On July 14th the brothers released their re-recordings for Morbid Visions and Bestial Devastation via Nuclear Blast Records. Morbid Visions and Bestial Devastation were re-recorded at The Platinum Underground. The albums were produced by Max Cavalera and Iggor Cavalera while John Aquilino handled the engineering. Arthur Rizk was responsible for the mixing and mastering of both albums. CAVALERA enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the artwork for both albums.
Morbid Devastation Tour:
09.11.23 UK Wolverhampton, Steel Mill 10.11.23 UK Manchester, Academy 11.11.23 UK London, Shepherd’s Bush Empire 12.11.23 FR Lille, Aeronef 13.11.23 FR Paris, La Machine 15.11.23 NL Tilborg, 013 16.11.23 BE Ghent, Vooruit 17.11.23 DE Wiesbaden, Schlachthof 18.11.23 CH Pratteln, Konzerfabrik 20.11.23 DK Copenhagen, Pumphuset 21.11.23 NO Oslo, Rockefeller 22.11.23 SWE Stockholm, Debaser 24.11.23 DE Cologne, Kantine 25.11.23 DE Leipizg, Hellraiser 26.11.23 DE Berlin, Metropol 27.11.23 PL Warsaw, Stodola 28.11.23 PL Krakow, Studio 29.11.23 AT Vienna, Szene 30.11.23 HUN Budapest, Dure Kert 02.12.23 CZE Winter Masters of Rock, Zlin
West coast-based metal unit DEATH DEALER UNION – featuring Elena Cataraga (aka Lena Scissorhands of modern metal leaders INFECTED RAIN) – recently announced the upcoming release of their debut album, entitled Initiation, out September 22, 2023 via Napalm Records. Not only does Initiation offer fans the chance to witness Cataraga’s alter ego on raw display, it introduces the band as an intriguing force to be reckoned with.
Out today and following charging metal banger “The Vow of Silence”, second single “The Integument” turns the pace all the way up with traditional power metal flavor before transforming into a ghostly, hypnotizing soundscape. To add to the fiery energy of the track, the sizzling music video features heavy metal dance troupe Cherry Bombs!
DEATH DEALER UNION says: “We are proud to present to the world and our fans ‘The Integument’! A mix of old-school thrash, power and modern metal, ‘The Integument’ delivers an upbeat vibe with a positive message. Thanks to the amazing Cherry Bombs and Alicia Taylor for lending their unmatched talents to our visual spectacle!”
In 2019, metal musicians CC McKenna (drums) and Doug Weiand (lead guitars) set forth on a dark musical path – aligning diverse metal influences with otherworldly channelings of alchemy, the occult and all things esoteric. Little did they know, the final ingredient of their impending amalgamation was on the horizon, set to emerge as DEATH DEALER UNION.
After meeting acclaimed frontwoman Elena Cataraga, a musical pact was instantly formed – propelling the band into the studio with producer Valentin Voluta (also recognized for his work with Infected Rain). Now, with two new members – Hunter Havok (rhythm and lead guitars) and Jonny Heinz (bass) – in tow, the band is set to unleash their very first sacrificial offering to the masses, Initiation. The album brings forth the huge sound and exciting visuals fans experienced with the band’s debut offerings, plus an entire new trove of musical and lyrical elements. While no track is the replicant of another, they all weave a common thread of compelling essence that will have listeners clamoring to heed the word of DEATH DEALER UNION.
Initiation kicks off with its instrumental title track, droning deeply into electronic flourishes and spine-tingling organs. The track flows into first album single “The Vow of Silence” – a fast-paced burner featuring aggressive verses and a catchy chorus that fully showcases the album’s immense production, once again helmed by Valentin Voluta. “ILL FATED” juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Elena Cataraga displays her dynamic trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. Tracks such as “Ekphrasis” and “Mythos” – the latter boasting one of the album’s most heart-stopping guitar solos – are rife with chunky 90s heavy metal and even nu-metal-inspired riffage. “The Big Blue”, “Back To Me”, “The Downfall” and “Anew” dance with metal styles ranging from symphonic power to progressive, showcasing the band’s diverse macrocosm of musical skill, before potent, heavy ballad “Love Me When I’m Ugly” provides heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Initiation ends with “Beyond Heaven”, an opus of expansive harmonies and eerie embellishments, closing the album with its most theatrical cut.
Find your own power within DEATH DEALER UNION – your Initiation is only the beginning!
Initiation track listing: 1. Initiation 2. The Vow of Silence 3. ILL FATED 4. Ekphrasis 5. The Integument 6. Mythos 7. The Big Blue 8. Back To Me 9. The Downfall 10. Love Me When I’m Ugly 11. Anew 12. Beyond Heaven
DEATH DEALER UNION is: Elena Cataraga – Vocals CC McKenna – Percussion Doug Weiand – Lead Guitars Hunter Havokk – Rhythm & Lead Guitars Jonny Heinz – Bass
Italian melodic modern metallers SINHERESY have released ‘The Calling’, third single taken from the new album ‘Event Horizon’ to be released on August 25th via Scarlet Records.
The new SinHeresy effort ‘Event Horizon’ further enhances their unique sound made of punchy modern vibes, powerful riffing, captivating atmospheres and unforgettable melodies.
Each song is perfectly crafted around the crystalline voice of Cecilia Petrini and the strong vocals of Stefano Sain, which blend and duel from time to time while the rhythmic session is heavier and dynamic, showing touches of melodic metalcore influences.
The breathtaking 10-tracks ride leads the listener on a journey towards the unknown, representing the endless discovery of the innermost emotions, virtues and frailties that sometimes we keep hidden even from ourselves.
mixed & mastered by Joost van den Broek (Powerwolf, Epica, Blind Guardian)
artwork by Gustavo Sazes (Arch Enemy, Kamelot, Ad Infinitum)
SINHERESY are: Cecilia Petrini – vocals, piano Stefano Sain – vocals Lorenzo Pasutto – guitars Davide Sportiello – bass, keyboards Gabriele Boz – drums
Nottingham, UK’s OUTERGODS has today shared their new single, Flesh Prison, with an accompanying visualizer. Flesh Prison is the third track to be taken from the extreme metal group’s forthcoming album, A Kingdom Built Upon the Wreckage of Heaven, which is set for release via Prosthetic Records on September 1.Flesh Prison follows OUTERGODS‘ recent live appearance at Bloodstock Open Air, with the group also sharing upcoming UK tour dates to celebrate the release of A Kingdom Built Upon the Wreckage of Heaven – full details below.
Speaking on the single release, guitarist Nathe Sinfield comments: “This was the second OUTERGODS song that was written and, like our previous single Nothing But a Fetid Worm, it gets straight into the chaos. This song quickly descends into an abrasive, discordant wall of noise using a blend of FX pedals and electronics, before falling apart completely. I think it helps sum up the overarching theme of the album in that respect.”
Vocalist Sam Strachan continues: “This is probably one of the most personal songs I’ve ever written, lyrically. It’s about feeling trapped in your own mind and feeling helpless. When Nathe sent it over to me, I fell in love with it immediately. Although it was extreme, it had a hardcore element which I really gelled with. I was listening to a lot of bands like Vein.fm and Loathe at the time and told Nathe he needed to add a filthy breakdown riff to the end of the song. This is my favourite of ours to play live.”
The formative months of OUTERGODS‘ existence were marked by separation as they wrote what would become their first full-length release throughout 2020. Finding a route towards escapism, founding members Nathe Sinfield (Lost Outrider) and Sam Strachan (Raised By Owls) realised that many of their personal struggles and anxieties were being channelled into the writing process. In the face of inner turmoil and an uncertain world, the pair found solace in their love for extreme metal – in particular ‘90s death metal – and set about creating an album that recreated the adrenaline and obnoxiousness of the albums that helped shape their own tastes.
Lyrically the album uses dark and sinister metaphors to explore turbulence they were experiencing throughout the album’s creation. Specifically Nathe found himself in a situation where his family were staring down an immeasurable bereavement – the feelings of hopelessness, grief, and torment were poured into his writing. Finding comfort in nostalgia and seeking connections to the past, a rich seam of inspiration was found in the music that was key to his own musical development.
The resulting songs fuse together elements of death metal, black metal and grindcore – blending their abrasive early influences such as Morbid Angel and Strapping Young Lad with the intensity of more modern, expansive but intense bands like Full of Hell. A Kingdom Built Upon The Wreckage of Heaven was self produced, and stays true to their DIY ethic and underground attitude. The album was mastered by friend Kristofer Strandberg, and the album’s cover art was crafted by Nathe’s brother, Tim Sinfield.
Bringing OUTERGODS to life for the album recording and with designs on playing live meant assembling a full band – and Nottingham’s fertile scene didn’t disappoint. Having recruited Alex LeGrice (Raised By Owls), Dan Oldcorn (Antre) and Jordan Spencer (Evil Scarecrow) OUTERGODS are now set to become an unstoppable force of sonic devastation, weaving bleak tales of misery and woe.
A Kingdom Built Upon the Wreckage of Heaven tracklist: 1. Nocturnal Death 2. Into the Howling Void 3. Faceless Entities 4. Tangled in the Cogs of the Nightmare Machine 5. Abandoned At the Centre of a Celestial Hell 6. Nothing But A Fetid Worm 7. Catacombs of Madness 8. Flesh Prison 9. A Kingdom Built Upon the Wreckage of Heaven
Upcoming OUTERGODS tour dates: 1 September – Corporation – Sheffield, UK 2 September – The Chameleon – Nottingham, UK 3 September – The Dev – Camden Town, London, UK
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 ) 