German metal institution GRAVE DIGGER have released a lyric video ‘Battle Cry’ as a Christmas surprise.
The band shared: “Merry Christmas Metalheads! As seasonal salute to all their fans and big thank you for a fantastic year 2022, German Heavy Metal institution Grave Digger release this lyric video for the track “Battle Cry” … Enjoy!”
Music by Axel Ritt Lyrics by Chris Boltendahl Mixed and mastered by Chris Boltendahl @ Graveyard Studio in Cologne/Germany Lyric video created by W Designer (https://www.facebook.com/wdesignerbr)
“Battle Cry” is taken from the successful and chart-topping longplayer “Symbol Of Eternity” (#7 in the official German album charts), released this summer and available as CD, Vinyl, Boxset, Download and on all streaming platforms via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records!
It’s SLEIGHER the sequel! Members of Haken, Dream Theater and Protest the Hero have once again ventured South of Lapland for a festive mash-up of two Slayer classics.
“South Of Lapland (Santa’s Gory Yuletide)” features alternate lyrics and music written and arranged by guitarists Charlie Griffiths of Haken and illustrator Dan Goldsworthy (Corpsegrinder, Accept, Cradle Of Filth), with lead vocals courtesy of Rody Walker of Protest the Hero. Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) and Ray Hearne (Haken) return for synth and tuba madness, and Jeramie Kling (Inhuman Condition, Venom Inc) has swapped his drum sticks for a microphone. Joining the expedition are Becky from Fury (and recently of Mercyful Fate live), the mysterious Delta Empire on drums, and a host of a 80s toys/characters.
Santa beware – this time… it’s Judgment Sleigh!
The video recently premiered via Metal Injection and the feature can be found here.
VIS MYSTICA come from the mind of Pennsylvania’s Connor McCray, who is a massive fan of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and its various lore. So far, all of his lyrics have been his retelling of the Dawn of the Jedi comics from Dark Horse Comics. Vis Mystica has recently debuted the album “Celestial Wisdom” upon the galaxy, and they now present a playthrough video for the single “Whispering Winds of Fate” (feat. Jonas Heidgert). McCray comments on the single:
“As the intro song and shortest song on the EP I made Winds a sort of guide to the main world in which our story takes place; Tython. This song describes the sentient world calling out telepathically to beings spread throughout the galaxy to board 9 ships and come bask in the planet’s knowledge and secrets. It was the final song written for the album and in our opinion possibly the best. All parties came together to combine catchy melodies with great vocal lines and a powerhouse effort from Jonas Heidgert”
The eight-track album is a fantastical journey into a world full of mystic powers and sprawling landscapes, with a classic “Good vs. Evil” battle and many memorable locations and detailed stories. It was produced, mixed, and mastered by Chad Anderson (Helion Prime) and the album art was done by Cody Bucher.
Despite writing all of the music himself, McCray (guitar, bass, orchestration) relies on the talents and input of drummer Dillon Trollope and vocalist Devin Dewyer to make the songs as strong as they can possibly be. McCray will think up the initial riffs on guitar, program a basic drum outline, complete a rough draft with no orchestration, send that project to Trollope, receive his refinements on the drum parts, add orchestration, and then finally write the lyrics and vocal patterns for Dewyer to breathe life into.
Epic, catchy, and technical, “Celestial Wisdom” is recommended for fans of Twilight Force, Rhapsody, and Blind Guardian.
Watch the guitar playthrough for “Whispering Winds of Fate” (feat. Jonas Heidgert) via its premiere on TechnicalMusicReview HERE.
JADED TRUTH have unleashed a new Christmas track “Stay Frosty” to help the world get into the Christmas spirit. The track recently premiered via Metal-Rules and can be found here.
Many people find winter and the Christmas season to be a very stressful time of year. So in saying that “Stay Frosty” is heavy track about coping with those stresses – Kyle Woodland
Eclectic hard rock band THE LUCID, which features vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge), actor/guitarist Drew Fortier, bassist David Ellefson, and drummer/producer Mike Heller have joined forces with legendary underground rap icon Violent J (Insane Clown Posse) for the band’s first single and title track from their upcoming E.P., Saddle Up and Ride, due out digitally January 27th from SpoilerHead Records. CD, vinyl, and cassettes are available via Limited Edition pre-order bundles that will ship at a later date.
From the ferocious vitriolic sonic assault of the title track, “Saddle Up and Ride”, to the epic off the wall and out of left field, “Sweet Toof”, Saddle Up and Ride showcases The Lucid feeding into their eccentric tastes spanning across Thrash, Country, Rap, Radio Rock, Metal, and Funk.
Violent J, one half of the legendary rap duo, Insane Clown Posse, is featured on the E.P.’s title track, “Saddle Up and Ride” as well as the album closer “Sweet Toof”.
Listen to the “Saddle Up and Ride” single featuring Violent J right here:
Fortier states, “We are thrilled to join forces with an iconic artist like Violent J. He added such a kick ass and dangerous element to “Saddle Up and Ride” and “Sweet Toof”. J has without a doubt taken The Lucid to another level.”
“As far as live shows go, we had to cancel those shows back in May 2021 due to my cancer situation resulting in surgery which I have fully recovered from but with David and Mike looking to have a busy 2023 with Kings of Thrash/Dieth and Raven/Fear Factory respectively, it’s looking like the most pragmatic route would be if Vin and I team up for some acoustic shows to promote The Lucid so be on the lookout for that.”
The E.P. features artwork by Alex Sarabia and was produced by Mike Heller and mixed/mastered by Lasse Lammert.
Saddle Up and Ride track listing:
Deep Country
Saddle Up and Ride (Featuring Violent J)
Mumps
Risk Machine
Sweet Toof (Featuring Violent J)
The Lucid began in mid 2020 as an idea between frequent collaborators Drew Fortier and Mike Heller which led to David Ellefson (ex Megadeth) jumping on board on bass along with vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (Sponge) rounding out the lineup resulting in their debut self-titled album which featured 9 heavy hitting and emotionally charged tracks showcasing this eclectic quartet’s unique sonic approach. To promote the album, 3 music videos were released, the Fortier directed “Deaths of Despair”, “Maskronaut” directed by Michael Sarna, and “Hair” which was directed by Hannah Fierman and has gone on to win multiple awards from various film festivals.
JOE STUMP’s TOWER OF BABEL ARE BACK! The band announced new activities earlier this year and is currently in the studio recording their second album. Joe Stump´s Tower of Babel lifted the dark clouds after the pandemic and returns with a new album in progress to its successor “Lake of Fire”, which had been released in 2017.
In 2021 the band announced their new singer Jo Amore (Nightmare/King of Crown) and celebrated their first concert after three years at the “Mennecy Metal Fest 2022” in France.
Jo Stump stated: “It was not easy to find the right vocalist and to be honest, we were very fortunate this time. We were of course looking for the tone that matches our music, which is, as you all know a classic rock mixture with strong Rainbow, Dio, etc. elements. That being said, it´s now full speed ahead!”
Drummer Mark Cross adds: “It´s been a rough time for every musician being absent from the scene and live playing for so long. Nevertheless, we are back and have been working on this album for quite some time now and still do. I guess the pandemic slowed us all down a bit but now it´s full speed ahead. We´re looking forward to the future and a release with new music.”
Here you can see a reel of fan footage from the Mennecy Rock Festival, France from September 16, 2022, featuring Jo Amore (vocals), Joe Stump (guitar), Mistheria (keyboards), N I c Angileri (bass), Mark Cross (drums):
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 ) 