Italian guitarist/producer PIER GONELLA– with a long musical activity including Necrodeath, Mastercastle, Vanexa, Odyssea, Labyrinth, etc. – has announced the completion of his second instrumental album. Titled “667”, the album contains 9 tracks and follows the successful debut “Strategy” from 2020.
The line up includes Peso (Necrodeath) on drums and Giulio Belzer on bass.
The release date is April 24, 2023, in CD Digipack and digital format, and will be preceded by the release of a single and a music video on March 20.
Robb Weir is never a man to take what he has for granted. Having led TYGERS OF PAN TANG since their first album through a number of line-up changes, he recognises that the current Tygers are probably the strongest since they were at the forefront of the NWOBHM. The original band, who made four albums for MCA Records, survived the unexpected departure of Jess Cox to run Neat Records and later John Sykes, who was bound for Thin Lizzy and a multi-million seller with Whitesnake. What they didn’t survive was their greatest commercial success with the album “The Cage”. However, Weir, ever the optimist, formed a new version of the band to both play the old material and write songs that would represent this ‘new’ Tygers. The backbone of the band – Craig Ellis on drums, together with Jack Meille on vocals, have now been together for considerably longer than the first Tygers and were recently joined by Francesco Marras on guitar, and Huw Holding on bass. Francesco arrived via solo and session work that has made him a go-to guitarist, and Huw has history of working with NWOBHM bands such as Blitzkrieg, Avenger and Holosade.
Recording an EP (“A New Heartbeat”) to celebrate their re-signing with Mighty Music, the Tygers demonstrated just how potent the new lineup was becoming. Re-recording two songs from their first album to complement the two new songs on the EP gave listeners the chance to evaluate Francesco Marras’ contribution, and the reaction was entirely positive. Following this with a tour that took in six countries across Europe both Francesco and Huw have been amazed at the reaction to the new line-up. Fans old and new have turned up to lend their support to the continuing story of the Tygers.
Now the band are all set for the release of their new album, “Bloodlines”. Recorded entirely by the musicians who comprise the current line-up, it is a tour de force of what made the NWOBHM such a potent force in music. The songs, all self-penned, successfully demonstrate just how well the core of Weir, Meille and Ellis have blended with the new boys. New Danish producer Tue Madsen (The Haunted, Moonspell, Sick Of It All) has brought a contemporary edge to the traditional Tygers sound and immediately bonded with the band, recognising just what it was they were looking for. Still metal at its core, the melodic vocals and exemplary guitar solos ensure that the songs are worthy rivals to the very best of their back catalog.
The last word comes from Robb Weir, whose dream created the Tygers all those years ago. “I feel as confident with our new lineup as I did all those years ago when “Wildcat” appeared on the shelves and it was given a unanimous thumbs up. Our recent live shows have demonstrated a harmony within the band and, coupled with the quality of “Bloodlines”, the potential to create music and perform live shows for some considerable time to come.”
“Bloodlines” will be released on LP (black and red vinyl, with the latter being limited to 500), CD and digital formats via Mighty Music on May 5th, 2023. Pre-orders are available here.
Tracklist:
1. Edge Of The World 2. In My Blood 3. Fire On The Horizon 4. Light Of Hope 5. Back For Good 6. Taste Of Love 7. Kiss The Sky 8. Believe 9. A New Heartbeat 10. Making All The Rules
SCARLET AURA starts 2023 in full force by announcing the release of their latest single “Fire All Weapons” featuring the one and only Ralf Scheepers from Primal Fear.
Ralf was invited by the band to play together in October 2022 in an amazing performance at the Rock United event made by Scarlet Aura, in which the Queen of Metal Doro Pesch was also performing alongside Romanian heavy metallers.
Ralf dedicated a few days to Scarlet Aura event but also filmed with the band the video for this smashing heavy metal masterpiece that brings strong riffs, speedy drums and thunderous bass guitar under the flag of two of the most powerful and harmonious vocals of Aura and Ralf.
The song, written by Mihai Danciulescu combined perfectly these two heavy metal monsters and definitely could become a future anthem of the free genre.
Ralf Scheepers shares: “Aura and Mihai from the band Scarlet Aura have asked me if I want to join them singing a duet on their new track “Fire all weapons”, so I have asked them to send me the demo to decide this, they did it and I immediately liked the song!
I imported the files into my DAW and did the song in two hours and sent back my results. They liked it and so we had a great contribution.
Last year they asked me if I want to join for the video as well and I had time to do this. So I traveled to Romania to shoot the video. I got to know all the members of the band, they were kind and wonderful people! A very friendly and familiar atmosphere. I have also joined their show as a special event show including Doro and me. We all had a blast together!
You will like the results of the video and the song I’m very sure!”
The video was directed by Laurentiu Tomoroga and Paul Decu and filmed at the historic site near Bucharest.
The single will be released on 24th of February so, stay tuned! Follow Scarlet Aura on YouTube and subscribe for some great spoilers 🤘
SCARLET AURA are:
Lead Vocals: Aura Danciulescu Lead guitar & Vocals: Mihai Danciulescu Bass guitar & Vocals: Rene Nistor Drums: Spas Markov
Eclipse Records is excited to announce the signing of VONAVIBE to an exclusive worldwide deal. The band is a heavy modern rock band from Athens (GREECE) that redefines the sound barrier in terms of raw power, heart, and soul. Vonavibe was formed in 2016 and the band are anxiously preparing to release their debut full-length studio album Bleed to Life via Eclipse Records on May 26, 2023.
For a sample of the band’s past work, check out their music video for the song “Come Undone” (previously released via Panik Records) at this location.
“Watching something that started in a garage grow into Vonavibe, and having the pleasure of releasing our debut album with Eclipse Records is nothing less than thrilling” says rhythm guitarist & lead vocalist Dyon. “I couldn’t be happier than working with this label that is dedicated into bringing the best out of the band and all that we’ve worked on so hard for the last three years.” Drummer George Andrian adds “We are so excited that Vonavibe has earned a spot on the label that brought us bands such as Mushroomhead and Scum of The Earth”. Additionally, guitarist John Tass says, “The only thing that can measure up to the feeling of playing live in front of an audience post COVID is having your work published by a label such as Eclipse Records. I have nothing but sheer excitement for working with Chris and the label!”
The band’s debut full-length studio album Bleed to Life contains eleven amazing songs and is scheduled for release on May 26, 2023. See below for the full list of song titles. Pre-Save or Pre-Order the album at this location.
Bleed to Life track listing
Left For Dead
Run n’ Hide
Vonavibe
Hold On
Paint It Black
All That Remains
Beyond Tolerance
Break Your Sky
Song 9
Come Undone
Alive
Vonavibe lineup Dyon (rhythm guitars and vocals), John Tass (lead guitars), George Andrian (drums)
WHITECHAPEL will embark on a US headlining tour this Spring where the band will perform their critically lauded 2019 full-length, The Valley, in its entirety! The special month-long trek begins on April 14th in Atlanta, Georgia and runs through May 13th in Nashville, Tennessee. Support will be provided by Archspire, Signs Of The Swarm, and labelmates, Entheos.
Comments guitarist Alex Wade: “We are excited to announce our first headlining tour in four years in which we will be playing our album The Valley in full. The pandemic cut our album cycle for The Valley short and we never had the chance to do a proper headliner for it, so we are finally making that happen with a roster of extreme and brutal bands to support this effort. We will also play an extended encore of classic bangers in addition to The Valley set so this is surely one not to miss!“
Local presales will be available Wednesday, February 8th @ 10:00am EST – Password: At Local Discretion. General on sale date this Friday, February 10th @ 10:00am local time at: whitechapelband.com. See all confirmed dates below.
WHITECHAPEL w/ Archspire, Signs Of The Swarm, Entheos: 4/14/2023 Masquerade Atlanta, GA 4/15/2023 The Orpheum – Tampa, FL 4/16/2023 Revolution – Ft. Lauderdale, FL 4/18/2023 The Underground – Charlotte, NC 4/19/2023 The Canal Club – Richmond, VA 4/20/2023 Baltimore Sound Stage – Baltimore, MD 4/21/2023 The Gramercy Theatre – New York, NY 4/22/2023 The Palladium – Worcester, MA 4/24/2023 St. Andrews Hall – Detroit, MI 4/25/2023 The House Of Blues – Chicago, IL 4/27/2023 Granada Theater – Lawrence, KS 4/28/2023 Gothic Theater – Denver, CO 4/29/2023 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT 5/01/2023 Showbox Market – Seattle, WA 5/02/2023 Hawthorne Theater – Portland, OR 5/04/2023 Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, CA 5/05/2023 The Regent – Los Angeles, CA 5/06/2023 The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA 5/07/2023 The Nile Theater – Mesa, AZ 5/09/2023 Mohawk – Austin, TX 5/10/2023 Granada Theater – Dallas, TX 5/12/2023 Red Flag – St. Louis, MO 5/13/2023 Basement East – Nashville, TN
The Valley is WHITECHAPEL‘s seventh full-length studio offering, released in 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The record was mixed by David Castillo, mastered by Ted Jensen, and produced by Mark Lewis (Cannibal Corpse, The Black Dahlia Murder). Exclaim crowned The Valley, “the strongest release of [WHITECHAPEL’s] career…” In a 9/10 review, Metal Injection championed, “one of the most well-written metal albums I have heard in quite some time,” furthering, “The interplay of the heavy and the melancholy is done beautifully.” Added Consequence Of Sound, “Thanks to a unique blend of instrumentation, excellent vocal talent, and poetic lyricism, WHITECHAPEL’s The Valley takes its place among the upper ranks of the band’s discography.”
Ukrainian psychedelic rock trio STONED JESUS will release its new album, ‘Father Light,’ on March 3, 2023 via Season of Mist, making it the band’s debut to the label! The band is now sharing the sludgy new song, “Get What You Deserve,” which can be heard at THIS LOCATION!
Lead vocalist and guitarist Igor Sydorenko comments on the track: “We previewed ‘Get What You Deserve’ live on our autumn dates in 2022 and all the people absolutely loved it, even without hearing the studio version first! I love how the first and the last parts are almost the same riff, but then you also have this weird atmospheric breakdown in the middle. The lyrics were written with an environmental message in mind, but I guess they could be taken differently now…Either way, please enjoy this track and expect it to be the main set closer during our ‘Father Light’ tour!”
For those who might be unfamiliar with STONED JESUS, the band is well-known for their explosive single, “I Am The Mountain,” which reached a whopping 15 million views on YouTube! The iconic clip can be found HERE.
Pre-orders for ‘Father Light’ are now live and can be found HERE.
Pre-save ‘Father Light’ on your favorite streaming service HERE.
The artwork for “Father Light” was created by Anton Pcholkin.
Tracklist “Father Light” 1. Father Light 03:35 2. Season of the Witch 11:34 3. Thought and Prayers 06:22 [WATCH HERE] 4. Porcelain 08:09 [WATCH HERE] 5. CON 04:10 [WATCH HERE] 6. Get What You Deserve 09:08 [LISTEN HERE] Total: 43:00
STONED JESUS recently announced their appearance on the mighty Hellfest of 2023! More information on tours/festival for 2023 will be announced on a later stage.
Ukrainian prog-stoner trio STONED JESUS held their first rehearsal since the Russian invasion in the middle of July 2022. It was a moment the band dubbed as “surreal” and justifiably so — the regular ritual of band practice was made impossible by the war. The members of STONED JESUS — Igor Sydorenko (vocals/guitar), Sergii Sliusar (bass) and Dmytro Zinchenko (drums) — captured the moment for their social media channels. A broad smile of defiance and satisfaction can be seen on their faces. Regardless of the senseless havoc and destruction reaped upon their homeland, STONED JESUS would play on. It was the resumption of a music career temporarily thwarted but not defeated by evil.
Since 2009, STONED JESUS has served as one of Ukraine’s leading forces in heavy rock. Sydorenko, a veteran of the Ukrainian music scene, formed the band after stumbling upon some heavy and angry riffs that would become the song “Occult.” He fed off his Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin influences and was soon turned onto Electric Wizard and Sleep, two bands who mastered the art of bold, lurching heaviness, thus creating a sonic template to abide by.
The band was initially dubbed “STONED JESUS from the Outer Space” but shortened to the much crisper Stoned Jesus. The name was trimmed down out of necessity — Sydorenko wanted to legitimize the band immediately. “I realized that this may cause some problems,” he told the Psychedelic Baby webzine in 2010. “Some people wouldn’t take our music seriously, then. I don’t mind jokes and having fun, but music is always the most serious thing for me.”
Two demos ensued before STONED JESUS’s debut LP, 2010’s First Communion. Recorded in two hours, First Communion was a promising offering that dove headlong into the world of heavy stoner rock, with three songs going over the ten-minute mark for hypnotic effect. The album eventually saw a proper reissue in 2020, introducing it to a new group of fans. Seven Thunders Roar followed in 2012 and included “I’m the Mountain,” a 16-minute epic jam that has since become a live staple. The album also introduced a bevy of acoustic guitar and softer vocal approaches from Sydorenko.
The Harvest came next in 2015, deftly transitioning Stoned Jesus from sludge into new terrain, including alternative and progressive rock. This is a credit to Sydorenko’s evolving songwriting style and desire to never allow STONED JESUS to repeat itself. “It works brilliantly for the likes of Motörhead or AC/DC, but we’re not that legendary yet,” he told Outlaws of the Sun webzine in 2015. “So, let’s experiment, shall we? Let’s play with the genres, the sound, the song structures, the melodies, the timings — yes, my favorite trick!”
Pilgrim came next in 2018, which until now, has been the band’s career-defining moment. Stoned Jesus’s original plans were to record its follow-up in 2020. That, of course, was sidelined by the pandemic. The band then entered Spivaki Records in Kharkiv in July 2021 to record nine songs at 75 minutes. Two-thirds of the material was mixed and mastered before the invasion, leaving the final run-time of six songs at 43 minutes.
The result is Father Light, the band’s first for Season of Mist. The album catches Stoned Jesus in full bloom. The foundational elements of STONED JESUS’s sound remain (fuzzed-out rock, driving bass lines and maximum groove) and are once again augmented by the combination of Sydorenko’s gentle clean vocals and hook-laden chorus choices, along with an array of ornamental guitar melodies. And, in true STONED JESUS fashion, the journey is often the reward: The cuts on Father Light expand and shift — all the while, the band’s trademark heaviness serves as the guide.
STONED JESUS subsequently resumed live activity in July 2022 with European festival dates and runs with countrymen (and labelmates) Somali Yacht Club and then VOVK. The shows provided the band the opportunity to air two of the songs that would end up on Father Light: “Con” and “Porcelain.” Moreover, the dates were an outlet for the band to connect with waiting audiences who supported their music and cause of raising money to help those impacted by the war.
The idea that music is the ultimate escape has never rung truer in light of what happened to Ukraine in 2022. The prospect of brighter days lies ahead, making the Father Light album title even more appropriate.
As 2022 drew to a close, the members of STONED JESUS posted their final message for the year, epitomizing their resilience and optimism:
All the missiles in the world can’t destroy freedom. Nothing will stop truth.
Line-up: Lead-Vocals and Guitar: Igor Sydorenko Bass and backing vocals: Sergii Sliusar Drums and backing vocals: Dmytro Zinchenko
Recording studio – Spivaki Records, Ukraine Producer / sound engineer – Artem Altunin and Dmytro Zinchenko Mastering: Metropolis Studio, London, UK – Andy “Hippy” Baldwin
Recording line-up
Igor Sydorenko (Arlekin, Voida, Krobak, Snakerider) – lead and backing vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, organ on track 3
Dmytro Zinchenko (Doomed City, Orkectr Che, Sekunda Kota, Smeyushiysa Tigr, Small Depo) – drums and percussion, backing vocals
Sergii Sliusar – bass, backing vocals
Bio: David E. Gehlke
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