Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame inductees LILLIAN AXE have been releasing top quality hard rock albums since bursting onto the scene back in 1988 with their acclaimed debut album on MCA Records. 2022 sees the band back in top form, with a recent celebrated anthology release “Psalms For Eternity”, high profile live festival dates Stateside, along with an upcoming UK headlining tour, Lillian Axe are in for one of their biggest years in some time.
The new album “From Womb To Tomb” is sure to please long-time fans and impress many newcomers with its superb songcraft and first-rate musicianship. The band has an ongoing rabid cult fanbase worldwide.
Guitarist and songwriter Steve Blaze adds the following:
“I believe the basic idea behind the creation of “From Womb to Tomb” has been in my head for many years. The time just needed to be right to express it. This album is a different type of concept record, whereas it does not contain a story-based theme. Rather, it is a timeline from the birth of a child to the ascension of the soul, with each song emphasizing a specific time of one’s life and the lessons learned therein. These observations are based on my life and the witnessing of the growth and development of the human condition through my eyes. The wonderful part is that these life experiences seem to exist in each and every one of us, even though the paths and events may greatly differ. This is the most emotional and powerful music I have ever written, and by the reactions of the few people close to me who I have played it for, it will hit a deep and resounding chord with all those who hear it. I ask one thing: listen from the start to finish in solitude, with no distractions, as if you are reading a book or watching a movie. It is not a collection of 16 individual, nonrelated pieces. But instead, it is a complete work of highs and lows, colors and shades, and emotional fluctuations. It will take you through the light of our greatness and the darkness of our failures. The band performed with beautiful power and grace, and I feel it is our best achievement to date.”
“From Womb To Tomb” track-list, released August 19th on Global Rock Records.
Breathe I Am Beyond Neverending Me (Dempsey’s Kick) A The Golden Dragon Piercing The Veil Migrating North No Problem Dance Of The Maggots Fall Of The Human Condition The Great Deception Endless Green Fields Feelings Of Absinthe Finally, Clarity From The Mountaintops Ascension
Lillian Axe are starting their support of the album with a full UK tour in August, their first there since 1993.
There’s no rest for the wicked! After releasing a beautiful orchestral version of their power ballade ‘Crystalline’, Swedish metal heroes AMARANTHE turn up the heat and deliver a spicy variation of ‘Adrenaline’. ‘Adrenalina’ transforms the modern metal anthem into a seductive summer hit featuring new Spanish lyrics and virtuoso acoustic guitar pickings.
AMARANTHE comment on ‘Adrenalina’: “At the very tail end of the “MANIFEST” sessions, we were looking into the traditional bonus tracks and wanted to do something special for these ones. “Adrenaline” already had a slightly latin sounding C-part, and after breaking out the classical guitar and a glass of Rioja, the flamenco vibes were filling the studio. The result is “Adrenalina”, and it might very well be our own favourite bonus track we have done so far! Enjoy!”
03. – 05.08.2022 | SE – Sabaton Open Air, Falun 05. – 06.08.2022 | FI – Himos Metal Festival, Jämsä 12. – 14.08.2022 | BE – Alcatraz Festival, Kortrijk
In October and November of 2022, AMARANTHE will be on tour together with BEYOND THE BLACK. Since the tour had to be postponed, both bands can’t wait to hit the road again and spend unforgettable nights with their fans all around Europe! Furthermore, both BUTCHER BABIES and AD INFINITUM will join the tour as special guests. See the list of dates below:
AMARANTHE & BEYOND THE BLACK EUROPEAN CO-HEADLINE TOUR 2022
06.10.2022 | AT – Vienna, Arena 07.10.2022 | DE – Leipzig, Haus Auensee 08.10.2022 | DE – Ludwigsburg, MHP Arena 09.10.2022 | BE – Antwerp, Trix 11.10.2022 | UK – Manchester, O2 Ritz 12.10.2022 | UK – London, Forum Kentish Town 14.10.2022 | FR – Lyon, Ninkasi Kao 15.10.2022 | ES – Barcelona, Salamandra 16.10.2022 | ES – Madrid, Mon Live 18.10.2022 | FR – Bordeaux, Rock School Barbey 19.10.2022 | FR – Paris, Elysée Montmartre 21.10.2022 | DE – Berlin, Columbiahalle 22.10.2022 | DE – Offenbach, Stadthalle 23.10.2022 | CH – Zürich, X-Tra 25.10.2022 | IT – Milan, Live Club 26.10.2022 | CH – Lausanne, Metropole 28.10.2022 | DE – Geiselwind, Event Hall 29.10.2022 | CZ – Zlin, MOR Cafe 30.10.2022 | HU – Budapest, Barba Negra 31.10.2022 | DE – Munich, Zenith 02.11.2022 | PL – Warsaw, Progresja 04.11.2022 | DE – Oberhausen, Turbinenhalle 05.11.2022 | DE – Hamburg, Zeltphilharmonie 06.11.2022 | NL – Utrecht, Tivoli Ronda 08.11.2022 | DK – Copenhagen, Amager Bio 09.11.2022 | NO – Oslo, Sentrum Scene 11.11.2022 | SE – Gothenburg, Pustervik 12.11.2022 | SE – Stockholm, Klubben Fryshuset
The tickets remain valid for the new dates above. For refunds, please contact your ticket seller.
AMARANTHE have spent the last decade establishing themselves as a formidable, positive and fervently melodic force for metallic good. From their explosive self-titled debut in 2011 to the more sophisticated, streamlined likes of 2014’sMassive Addictiveand its immaculate follow-up Maximalism (2016), AMARANTHE have masterfully blurred the lines between melodic metal, crushing brutality, cinematic sweep and futuristic sparkle. Led by the endlessly ingenious songwriting of guitarist OlofMörck and powerhouse vocalist Elize Ryd, their rise to prominence has been a joy to behold.Widely acclaimed as a dazzling live act, the Swedes reached a new peak of creativity on 2018’s hugely successfulHelix: an album that pushed the band’s vision to new heights, breadths and depths, while showcasing the brilliance of Elize and her co-vocalists, Henrik Englund Wilhelmsson and recent recruit Nils Molin. Not just a glorious return but a wholesale upgrade for their exuberant sound, Manifest is simply the most daring, dynamic and unforgettable album that AMARANTHE have released to date. The perfect antidote to the nagging anxieties plaguing us all in these troubled times, it’s a Technicolor celebration of metal’s ageless power, blazing with all of life’s colours and chaos, but delivered with utmost artistry and skill.
Since 2004, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE have been known for their memorable riffs, infectious vocal melodies and dueling guitar attack that has garnered them critical and fan acclaim around the globe. Now the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums are back with their most-aggressive collection of songs to date. The band’s seventh album Pawns & Kingsis scheduled for worldwide release on October 14 via Napalm Records.
Pawns & Kingsis comprised of 10 all-new epic tracks that are sure to garner the band new fans around the globe while satiating their fervent supporters that have been patiently waiting for new music from the band. Pawns & Kingsfound ALTER BRIDGE reuniting with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to create a collection of memorable new additions to band’s impressive catalog.
From the opening riffs of “This Is War” to the title track album closer “Pawns & Kings,”ALTER BRIDGE returns with an album of intense tracks that were born after the cycle for their last album was cut short by the global pandemic. Songs like “Dead Among The Living,” “Silver Tongue” and “Holiday” showcase the signature songwriting the band is known for. The album offers numerous epic adventures, with three songs clocking in over six minutes each. The opus “Fable Of The Silent Son” clocks in 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band’s catalog – a distinction held by “Blackbird” until now. Mark Tremonti steps out of his backing vocal role to take the lead on “Stay,” an introspective ballad that is sure to become a fan favorite live.
The epic closing title track “Pawns & Kings” is now available via all digital service providers around the globe and a lyric video for the song can be found here:
The track listing for Pawns & Kings is:
1. This Is War 2. Dead Among The Living 3. Silver Tongue 4. Sin After Sin 5. Stay 6. Holiday 7. Fable Of The Silent Son 8. Season Of Promise 9. Last Man Standing 10. Pawns & Kings
Alter Bridge will be touring extensively in support of Pawns & Kings. The band has already announced a tour of Europe for November and December that will make 25 stops over the course of six weeks. The tour kicks off November 1 in Germany and will make stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before it wraps on December 12 at O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends Halestorm and Mammoth WVH will lend their support on the upcoming European tour. More information on all tour dates and links to tickets can be found at www.alterbridge.com.
Nov 1 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – Sporthalle Nov 2 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – Falconer Nov 4 – PARTILLE, SWEDEN – Partille Arena Nov 5 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum Scene Nov 7 – KATOWICE, POLAND – MCK Nov 9 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – Rockhal Nov 11 – BERLIN, GERMANY – Columbiahalle Nov 12 – HLAVNÍ MĚSTO PRAHA, CZECH REPUBLIC – O2 Universum Nov 14 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Budapest Arena Nov 16 – PARIS, FRANCE – Palais Des Sports Nov 18 – MADRID, SPAIN – Vistalegre Nov 20 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmataz1 Nov 22 – MUNICH, GERMANY – Zenith Nov 23 – ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – Samsung Hall Nov 25 – ASSAGO, ITALY – Mediolanum Forum Nov 26 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Dom Sportova Nov 28 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Wiener Stadthalle Nov 30 – KÖLN, GERMANY – Palladium Dec 1 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo Dome Dec 5 – NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – Motorpoint Arena Dec 6 – GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OVO Hydro Arena Dec 8 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3 Arena Dec 9 – MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AO Arena Dec 11 – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – Resorts World Arena Dec 12 – LONDON, ENGLAND – O2 Arena
ALTER BRIDGE have steadily climbed to the forefront of hard rock worldwide. They’ve exceeded all expectations and benchmarks with over a billion streams, millions of units sold, glowing critical acclaim, real estate on the covers of Classic Rock Magazine and Guitar World, and storied sets at Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and Download Festival. On this journey, 2004’s debut LP One Day Remains bowed in the Top 5 of the Billboard Top 200 and went gold. In 2007, Blackbird’s title track took flight on the wings of the “Greatest Guitar Solo of All Time,” as voted in Guitarist Magazine, while countless fans etched its lyrics and logo onto their bodies. That album also recently went gold in the United Kingdom. Critical plaudits surrounded the 2013 opus Fortress with “5-out-of-5 stars” from KERRANG! and Total Guitar, as well as Eddie Trunk’s declaration of, “A Top 10 album of the last 10 years.” 2016’s The Last Hero saw them return to the Top 10 on the Top 200. Maintaining this momentum, Walk The Sky made impressions around the globe when it reached #1 on the US Billboard Top Albums, Top 200 Alternative Albums, Top 200 Hard Rock Albums and Top 200 Rock Albums charts, as well as #1 on Canada’s Top Hard Music Albums chart. The album also hit #1 on the Swiss Album charts, landed in the Top 5 on the Canada, UK, Germany, Austria, Scotland and Switzerland charts and closed out the year on Loudwire’s “The 50 Best Rock Albums of 2019.” These musicians have unassumingly done all of this with a quiet dedication to writing meaningful songs and performing unforgettable shows (and they’ve delivered both with almost alarming consistency). Still, the influential quartet—Myles Kennedy [vocals, guitar], Mark Tremonti [guitar, vocals], Brian Marshall [bass], and Scott Phillips [drums]—ascend to yet another level on 2022’s Pawns & Kings [Napalm Records]. It is the culmination of almost two decades together soaked in blood, sweat, tears, and the triumph earned through never giving up. It represents the bandmates’ dedication to one another and their collective devotion to a devout fanbase.
BOBAFLEX released a new single “I’ll Blow Your Dreams Into the Sky” to all major platforms last Friday. Today they released the official music video for it. The band announced a new show date of July 23rd at Newport Music Hall with South of Eden, The Lonely Ones and Lost Past Everest.
Born out of the ashes of record label bankruptcy and the loss of the rights to their name, Bobaflex found themselves lost at sea when they started their own label BFX Records for the release their first independent full album Hell In My Heart in 2011. The album spawned two charting singles and set the mold for Bobaflex’s fiercely independent way of life.
Since Hell In My Heart Bobaflex has begun to solidify themselves as the model for independence. They have released two further independent albums under their BFX label (Charlatan’s Web – 2013 and Anything That Moves – 2015). These two resulted in another 2 charting singles and multiple self produced music videos with one million or more views. Bobaflex released Eloquent Demons (2017), before going on an indefinite touring hiatus. After years of inactivity, Bobaflex released a surprise reunion single, “I’ll Blow Your Dreams into the Sky” (2022) and have have rare select reunion shows scheduled.
To clear up any confusion, The Lonely Ones are members of Bobaflex, minus Shaun and Jake. Both bands are releasing new music, but The Lonely Ones will continue to tour nonstop, while Bobaflex will only play a few select shows a year.
RETURN TO DARKNESS (ex Out Of Darkness) have released their new single + official music/lyric video ‘Pain’, taken from the band’s new album “Eternal”.
From the mid-eighties to the early nineties the NY/NJ area had a wealth of original bands playing heavy metal and thrash. Out Of Darkness was one of those bands. While never securing the coveted record deal, Out Of Darkness did have some success. Opening for bands such as Pantera, Danzig, Biohazard and Overkill, Out of Darkness gained a cult following in the tri-state area. Then life happened. After thirty years the band still had what they considered unfinished business.
Vocalist Ron Roshong, bassist Sean Weiss, drummer Forrest Leighton, guitarists Greg Paravati and Jonny Rod had an “in”. Jonny Ciorciari ( “JROD” to some) has become a much sought-after engineer/producer since the band’s inception. “Every time we went into the recording studio it never came out the way we envisioned it. I knew at some point I would need to get it right”, stated Ciorciari.
The band changed their name to RETURN TO DARKNESS and have got it “right” this time. Blistering production, killer vocals, great riffs and a tight rhythm section are immediately apparent with the release of their single ‘Pain’. Great production and a big budget looking video produced by Craig Cefola can be viewed below.
RETURN TO DARKNESS are: Jonny Rod – GUITAR Greg Paravati – GUITAR Ron Roshong – VOCALS Sean Weiss – BASS Forrest Leighton – DRUMS
The time to swill is now! After three fests in California, Decibel – North America’s only monthly metal magazine – is officially relocating the western edition of the world’s loudest, heaviest, most extreme craft beer festival to Denver, CO, tapping the Summit to host the festivities on Friday and Saturday, December 2-3, 2022.
Fresh off their recent east coast Metal & Beer fest domination, undisputed heavyweight death metal kings Cannibal Corpse are back for another headlining round on Friday night, while legendary grind force Pig Destroyer will close the festivities on Saturday evening with their first Denver performance in over three years.
If that wasn’t enough, for the first time since 2019, Swedes Dark Funeral will bring their black arts back to the U.S., Immolation will unleash their patented New York death metal out west, brutal death metal marauders Skinless will make an increasingly rare appearance, local heroes Wayfarer will explore Americana black metal frontiers, Black Anvil will deliver their signature NYBM reality, Toronto mystery men Thantifaxath will captivate with their avant-garde black metal bombast, and fellow Canadians Wake will unearth a post-everything, cross-genre aural assault.
The already loaded bill, presented by Metal Blade Records, will be rounded out by some of the most essential acts that the Denver metal scene has to offer including death metal heathens Of Fear and Bone, sludge doom destroyers Oryx, black/death misanthropes Glacial Tomb and planet-swallowing doomsters In the Company of Serpents.
“We’re very excited to be teaming up with Decibel magazine again,” says Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel, in the midst of his legendary label’s 40th anniversary celebration. “It’s going to be a lively weekend filled with incredible bands and amazing beer!“
Not to be outdone by the onstage heaviness, North America’s most metal breweries will indulge in a weekend of mile-high malt madness in the craft beer capital of the States! Local legends and Presenting Brewery TRVE Brewing (CO) will join Featured Breweries Black Sky Brewery (CO), 3 Floyds Brewing (IN), WarPigs Brewing (IN), Kings County Brewers Collective (NY), Wake Brewing (IL), Brimming Horn Meadery (DE), Metal Monkey Brewing (IL) and Bone Up Brewing (MA) to lead a pour ensemble of brewtality, which also includes breweries Adroit Theory (VA) and New Level Brewing (Canada), delivering the most extremely extreme beer and band pairings to ever annihilate your eardrums and enthrall your palette!
“When we were approached to be the Presenting Brewery for Decibel’s Metal & Beer Fest, it was a complete no-brainer,” says TRVE Brewing founder and co-owner Nick Nunns. “After a couple of years of having to sit out this festival for a variety of reasons, we are excited to be able to participate, and equally excited to show all the bands, breweries and attendees what Denver hospitality is all about. We’re ready for the maniacs to descend on the Mile High City!“
Tickets for Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Denver are on sale on Friday, July 22 at 10 am MT. Ticket option details can be found below.
“Just Metal” Ticket (21+) Admittance to the day’s event, but as the name suggests, you just get to see the show-no beer samples (You can still buy select beers a la carte if you’re 21+).
“Metal & Beer” Ticket (21+) Admittance to the day’s event plus unlimited* sampling from our diverse lineup of international breweries presented by TRVE Brewing. Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest: Denver 2022 sampling cups provided. Limited to 350 tickets per day.*Please note: In extremely extreme cases, certain high-ABV pours will be ticketed, with attendees receiving a limited number of tickets available to redeem for each offering.
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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