earMUSIC issues: We must admit it’s hard to not feel some pride when we hold an official release by ERIC CLAPTON with our earMUSIC CLASSICS logo in our hands…
‘Planes, Trains And Eric Clapton’ covers one of the most revered guitarists of all time, during the Far and Middle East leg of his 2014 world tour. This in-depth documentary contains unbeatable live footage, interviews with Clapton and the rest of the band, rehearsals, soundchecks, and of course – travel on planes and trains. A distinctly beautiful impression of tour life, you’ll feel like you were along for the ride.
Lena Scissorhands announces “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the magic behind the camera for ‘Beneath The Surface.’”
CC McKenna adds “We are very delighted to show you the work and fun that we had and making this video last year in Beverly Hills”.
Watch Behind The Scenes of Beneath The Surface here:
After announcing the official addition of vocalist Lena Scissorhands (Infected Rain) to the band last month, Los Angeles, CA’s Death Dealer Union released ” Beneath The Surface” on August 11, and says, “We are very proud and excited to release our second single and first song from our upcoming self titled debut LP. This song is the culmination and product of a true collaboration between all members of the band and which represents our unique sound for melodic alternative metal.”
Finnish Love Metal pioneer, VILLE VALO (VV) of HIM, will release his debut solo album, Neon Noir, on January 13th.
“Neon Noir is a sonic step-by-step guide on how to survive, and perhaps even enjoy, the realm of VV with its abundance of things that go bump in the night,” says Valo. “It’s a teary mascara marathon between Robert Smith and Ozzy, with a dash of hope.”
Here’s the album artwork and tracklist:
NEON NOIR TRACKLIST:
01: Echolocate Your Love 02: Run Away From the Sun 03: Neon Noir 04: Loveletting 05: The Foreverlost 06: Baby Lacrimarium 07: Salute the Sanguine 08: In Trenodia 09: Heartful of Ghosts 10: Saturnine Saturnalia 11: Zener Solitaire 12: Vertigo Eyes
Album & merch pre-orders for Neon Noir are now live, HERE.
Head to Kerrang.com to read their cover feature, in which Ville discusses the album in-depth.
Meanwhile, watch the video for current single, ‘Echolocate Your Love’, HERE.
VV’s headline tour – taking place next year across Europe, the UK and North America – has already sold-out across a number of cities. Get your tickets now to avoid disappointment. Tickets available, HERE.
JAN – MAY 2023 ‘NEON NOIR TOUR’
EUROPE 13.01 – Tavastia, Helsinki (sold out) 14.01 – Tavastia, Helsinki (sold out) 15.01 – Tavastia, Helsinki (sold out) 14.01 – Stodola, Warsaw 15.02 – Studio, Krakow 16.02 – LMB, Prague (sold out) 17.02 – Huxley’s Berlin (sold out) 18.02 – Fabrik, Hamburg (sold out) 20.02 – Paradiso, Amsterdam 21.02 – Batschkapp, Frankfurt (sold out) 22.02 – Komplex, Zurich 24.02 – Razzmatazz, Barcelona 25.02 – La Riviera, Madrid 26.02 – Cineteatro Capitolio, Lisbon 27.02 – Hard Club, Porto 02.03 – Alcatraz, Milan 03.03 – Backstage Werk, Munich (sold out) 04.03 – Barba Negra, Budapest 05.03 – Arena, Vienna (sold out) 07.03 – Rockhal, Esch-Sur-Alzette 08.03 – LMH, Cologne (sold out) 09.03 – Le Trabendo, Paris
UNITED KINGDOM 10.03 – O2 Academy, Bristol 11.03 – Rock City, Nottingham 13.03 – Garage, Glasgow (sold out) 14.03 – O2 Ritz, Manchester 15.03 – O2 Forum Kentish Town, London
NORTH AMERICA 31.03 – Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia 01.04 – Theatre of the Living Arts, Philadelphia (sold out) 02.04 – Big Night Live, Boston 04.04 – Roxian Theater, Pittsburgh 05.04 – House of Blues, Cleveland 06.04 – St. Andrew’s Hall, Detroit 08.04 – Bogart’s, Cincinnati 09.04 – House of Blues, Chicago (sold out) 10.04 – House of Blues, Chicago 11.04 – Varsity Theater, Minneapolis 13.04 – The Summit Music Hall, Denver 14.04 – The Depot, Salt Lake City 16.04 – Ace of Spaces, Sacramento 17.04 – The Fillmore, San Francisco 18.04 – The Belasco, Los Angeles (sold out) 19.04 – The Belasco, Los Angeles 21.04 – House of Blues, Las Vegas 22.04 – House of Blues, San Diego 23.04 – The Van Buren, Phoenix 25.04 – House of Blues, Dallas 26.04 – Aztec Theatre, San Antonio 27.04 – House of Blues, Houston 28.04 – House of Blues, New Orleans 30.04 – House of Blues, Orlando 01.05 – Revolution Live, Ft. Lauderdale 03.05 – Buckhead Theatre, Atlanta 04.05 – Brooklyn Bowl, Nashville 05.05 – The Underground, Charlotte 07.05 – The Fillmore, Silver Spring 08.05 – Irving Plaza, New York 09.05 – Irving Plaza, New York
ABOUT VV / Ville Valo:
In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo. After all, his band HIM were easily among the most iconic and idiosyncratic groups of the millenium. Zealously revered, gleefully reviled but impossible to ignore, their music left an indelible mark on a worldwide legion of fans. The scarlet letters stood for His Infernal Majesty. Their founder stood for something delightedly out of step with the status quo.
“We only hoped to temporarily redirect hard rock’s blood flow from the nether regions towards the heart”, reminisces Ville Valo, the singer, songwriter and primus motor of HIM. Judging by the monolithic presence of the Heartagram in any account of music this side of the millennium it’s apparent that he succeeded.
Inspired by everyone from Poe to Bukowski and tinged by a penchant for perfumed Sabbathian gloom, Valo’s creative lovechild would produce eight era-defining studio releases and over ten million record sales, not forgetting a Grammy nomination, countless magazine covers, critical acclaim, and the veneration of a generation. Thus it came as no surprise that the news of a farewell tour in 2017 was greeted with shock and disbelief among devotees and endless speculation as to what or who was to take up the velvet mantle.
“As fun as the funeral rites for HIM were, it took me more than a few moons to lick my wounds in the shadow of the Heartagram and come up with an excuse to strum and hum again. Eventually I decided to put a leash on my beloved black dog and we started howling together instead of barking at each other. That’s how VV was born”.
POWERWOLF have truly established themselves as a global phenomenon: They are on top of the European heavy metal scene and have managed to ensure that their success continues to grow, which can be seen with the release of the band’s current album Call of the Wild (2021). Now, following a highly successful 10th Anniversary re-issue of POWERWOLF‘s “Blood Of The Saints” album last year and in order to celebrate the 15th Anniversary of POWERWOLF‘s 2nd studio album Lupus Dei (from 2007), a special deluxe edition will be released on November 11th, 2022 via Metal Blade Records. The special reissue includes (demo) bonus material as well as stunning new front cover artwork by Zsofia Dankova. The reissue’s street date also matches the start date of POWERWOLF‘s huge and comprehensive “Wolfsnächte 2022” tour across Europe with Dragonforce and Warkings as support acts.
“Wrapped in between the Latin Ave Maria in the intro, and the Pater Noster in the outro, this album probably was our most important one as for me it defined POWERWOLF. If “Return In Bloodred” was birth, this was the rite of passage“, commented POWERWOLF‘s Matthew Greywolf as part of the liner notes for Lupus Dei (15th Anniversary Edition).
Lupus Dei (15th Anniversary Edition) is available in multiple limited deluxe editions such as a Gatefold 2LP (Clear w/ black smoke vinyl – 500x copies via EMP, Bloodred black marbled vinyl – 500x copies via Napalm Records and Clear grey-blue w/ black smoke vinyl – 300x copies via POWERWOLF‘s webshop), 2CD Earbook, 2CD Digibook or as Gatefold LP (Black vinyl, Gold black melt vinyl – 500x copies, Silver black splatter vinyl – 500x copies and Clear orange brown w/ black smoke vinyl – 300x copies) with Poster.
CD 1: “Lupus Dei” (43:30) 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (01:17) 02. We Take It From The Living (04:04) 03. Prayer In The Dark (04:20) 04. Saturday Satan (05:19) 05. In Blood We Trust (03:03) 06. Behind The Leathermask (04:35) 07. Vampires Don’t Die (03:09) 08. When The Moon Shines Red (04:25) 09. Mother Mary Is A Bird Of Prey (03:16) 10. Tiger Of Sabrod (03:54) 11. Lupus Dei (06:08)
CD 2: “The Lupus Dei Demos” (22:02) 1. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (Demo Version) (01:33) 2. We Take It From The Living (Demo Version) (04:02) 3. Saturday Satan (Demo Version) (04:56) 4. Behind The Leathermask (Demo Version) (04:26) 5. Vampires Don’t Die (Demo Version) (03:05) 6. Tiger Of Sabrod (Demo Version) (03:58)
2LP – Tracklisting:
LP 1: “Lupus Dei” (43:30) Side A (22:38): 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (01:17) 02. We Take It From The Living (04:04) 03. Prayer In The Dark (04:20) 04. Saturday Satan (05:19) 05. In Blood We Trust (03:03) 06. Behind The Leathermask (04:35)
Side B (20:52): 07. Vampires Don’t Die (03:09) 08. When The Moon Shines Red (04:25) 09. Mother Mary Is A Bird Of Prey (03:16) 10. Tiger Of Sabrod (03:54) 11. Lupus Dei (06:08)
LP2 – “The Lupus Dei Demos” (22:02) Side A (22:02): 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (Demo Version) (01:33) 02. We Take It From The Living (Demo Version) (04:02) 03. Saturday Satan (Demo Version) (04:56) 04. Behind The Leathermask (Demo Version) (04:26) 05. Vampires Don’t Die (Demo Version) (03:05) 06. Tiger Of Sabrod (Demo Version) (03:58)
Side B: Etching
2CD Digibook – Tracklisting:
CD 1: “Lupus Dei” (43:30) 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (01:17) 02. We Take It From The Living (04:04) 03. Prayer In The Dark (04:20) 04. Saturday Satan (05:19) 05. In Blood We Trust (03:03) 06. Behind The Leathermask (04:35) 07. Vampires Don’t Die (03:09) 08. When The Moon Shines Red (04:25) 09. Mother Mary Is A Bird Of Prey (03:16) 10. Tiger Of Sabrod (03:54) 11. Lupus Dei (06:08)
CD 2: “The Lupus Dei Demos” (22:02) 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (Demo Version) (01:33) 02. We Take It From The Living (Demo Version) (04:02) 03. Saturday Satan (Demo Version) (04:56) 04. Behind The Leathermask (Demo Version) (04:26) 05. Vampires Don’t Die (Demo Version) (03:05) 06. Tiger Of Sabrod (Demo Version) (03:58)
LP – Track Listing:
“Lupus Dei” (43:30) Side A (22:38): 01. Lupus Daemonis (Intro) (01:17) 02. We Take It From The Living (04:04) 03. Prayer In The Dark (04:20) 04. Saturday Satan (05:19) 05. In Blood We Trust (03:03) 06. Behind The Leathermask (04:35)
Side B (20:52): 07. Vampires Don’t Die (03:09) 08. When The Moon Shines Red (04:25) 09. Mother Mary Is A Bird Of Prey (03:16) 10. Tiger Of Sabrod (03:54) 11. Lupus Dei (06:08)
POWERWOLF – “Wolfsnächte” Tour 2022 w/ Dragonforce, Warkings 11.11.22 DE – Berlin / Velodrom 12.11.22 DE – München / Zenith 13.11.22 CZ – Prag / Tipsport Arena 14.11.22 PL – Katowice / MCK 16.11.22 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 17.11.22 AT – Wien / Gasometer 18.11.22 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle 19.11.22 CH – Zürich / Samsung Hall 21.11.22 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz 22.11.22 ES – Madrid / Riviera 24.11.22 IT – Mailand / Alcatraz 25.11.22 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle 26.11.22 DE – Oberhausen / Rudolf-Weber-Arena 27.11.22 FR – Paris / Zenith 29.11.22 UK – London / Roundhouse * 01.12.22 NL – Amsterdam / Afas Live 02.12.22 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle 03.12.22 DE – Saarbrücken / Saarlandhalle 04.12.22 BE – Antwerpen / Lotto Arena * Without Dragonforce
Michigan’s THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER have announced a show in Detroit on October 28 at Saint Andrew’s Hall, which will be a celebration of the life and legacy of Trevor Strnad. The concert marks the band’s return to the stage after the untimely passing of their beloved frontman, Trevor Scott Strnad, on the 11th of May this year. Founding member, Brian Eschbach will be putting down his guitar and taking on the role of lead vocals moving forward. A decision that wasn’t made lightly when the band got together to discuss their future after they started to work through the initial shock and grief of losing their best friend. Stepping back into the BDM family is guitarist Ryan Knight. Support for the show will come from Darkest Hour and Plague Years.
Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 16 at 10am ET and can be purchased here at that time.
Decibel Magazine has interviewed all members of the band to discuss what’s next, which will be the cover of the magazine’s November 2022 issue out this month.
Excerpt from Decibel Magazine: “We spent many days thinking things like, ‘Is this over?’” Eschbach tells Decibel. “None of us wanted it to be over. We still feel like there is a lot left to do. I know Trevor would keep this band going if I went down a deep, dark path and weren’t here. It’s bigger than us. When we finally started talking about it, we thought, ‘Let’s remake it from within and see if Ryan wants to return. And I’ll take a crack on the vocals and see how it goes.’ I can’t go out there and do Trevor’s voice or try to be him. I can only execute the music of the Black Dahlia Murder with respect and try to do it the most justice I can. I’ve heard Trevor perform more than anyone else alive.“
Knight says the decision to return was easy despite the difficult circumstances. “The time I’ve spent with this band is the best time I’ve ever had,” he says. “Being away has given me a lot of time to reflect, and it always occurred to me that being in BDM is the best use of my time. I’ve thought a lot about the band while I was away and realized how much value this band has. I almost feel like I let some opportunities slip, being away from the band. So, it feels great to be back and like everything has come full circle. I’ve realized how much I love being in this band.“
Albert Mudrian of Decibel Magazine has been kind enough to post the interview in its entirety on the Decibel site for fans to read. View the article here.
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to guitarist of N.WO.B.H.M. Diamond Head Brian Tatler about meeting Metallica’s Lars Ulrich in 1981 and the bands Re-release of ‘Lighting to the Nations’ (The White Album) [Remastered 2021]” on 30th September via Silver Lining Music.
When asked about meeting Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich for the first time in the early 80’s “I think he (Lars) wrote to the fan club um probably1980-81 and then he appeared at a gig in London, when we all first met him. I think he’d already sent for the album ‘Lightning to the nations’ and he got it by mail order because that came out in about March or May 1980. So I think he (Lars) sent for a copy, then I think he came over the following summer 81 and we met him. So we sort of knew he was sort of coming. I’m sure we’d had a message saying I’m coming over to see you guys and we just thought it was brilliant that we got this fan in America. He (Lars) was just a big fan of the band when he was 17 and he must have gotten some money from his dad to come over from L.A. to London. Then he came straight from the airport to the gig and we spoke to him after the gig. We liked him because he was enthusiastic and he loved Diamond Head. Of course he never once mentioned playing drums or being in a band or anything like that, he just seemed like a fan. He stopped with me and then he stayed with Sean (Harris) the singer and we got to know him over the years and so that friendship’s been going on over well 40 years since 81 really. “
When asked what was his first impression of Lars “Full of enthusiasm, definitely but as I said he never mentioned being in a band or anything we just thought he was a sort of driven fan you know who had to collect. He wanted to collect all the New Wave of British Heavy Metal songs you know. He was buying singles and albums. He seemed to have plenty of cash on him and he would just buy anything. I’m sure he bought about 40 records while he stayed with me and Sean because we’d be looking at him. You know we’d be reading the details and listening to them on my record player. And he’d be going yeah that’s good or I don’t like that but uh yeah he was super enthusiastic. He had more energy than any of us, he’d want to stay up all night listening to records and stuff. So we took him to gigs with us. He came to three Diamond Head gigs and he just sat in the car next to us. Like there used to be three of us on the back seat and now there’s four of us on the backseat all squashed in. We just liked him, we thought he was good fun.”
Lightning To The Nations (The White Album) [Remastered 2021] is the ultimate version of this ultimate album, which is set for release via Silver Lining Music on 30th September 2022. The release will feature not only the original album from ¼ inch master tapes which Lars Ulrich helped Brian Tatler retrieve back in 1990, but also alternative mixes of classic cuts “Lightning To The Nations”, “The Prince”, “Sucking My Love”, “Am I Evil?” and “Sweet And Innocent” never publicly released (or heard) before. There is also brand-new cover artwork based on an idea Brian Tatler had, to show a character referred to as ‘The Lightning God’.
Later this year, Diamond Head will embark on a string of shows when they will be joining Saxon as special guests for the European and UK dates on their Seize The Day world tour.
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 