For their 20th band anniversary in 2022, Symphonic metal titans EPICA have prepared a massive celebration from January to December, with plenty of surprises, new projects and of course some new music too that will all be revealed throughout the year.
After recently relaunching their first three albums, the now classic, “The Phantom Agony”, “Consign To Oblivion” and “The Score 2.0” via Nuclear Blast, with an extensive physical re-release on CD, vinyl, as well as strictly limited earbooks and boxsets later this year. EPICA have started the year with launching nothing less than, well, their own universe: “We truly feel like there’s a universe within the band, a world of our own, and we want to invite our lifeblood to be citizens—Epicans, if you will”, the band explains. “Think of it as a sequel to past Epica fan clubs like “The Fantom Agony” and “The French Crusade” but updated for the modern era; it’s more fan community than club. Epica Universe will give Epicans insight into our lives, both personal and professional, through exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, podcasts, polls, vlogs, live hangouts and much more. There’s even a (super limited) tier that includes one-on-one video calls with a band member each month!”
Or get a first glimpse of what’s to expect via this trailer presented by the whole band:
And what would a 20th anniversary be without a proper celebration live and in full colour? The massive anniversary show is taking place at the same venue as EPICA played their first show back in the day, supporting Anathema: the 013 in Tilburg, The Netherlands. Tickets are moving fast, so get yours here
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI (solo, BAD AS, NATURAL BORN MACHINE, Bassists Alliance Project, Vivaldi Metal Project etc.) will release on January 15th 2022, his new album “Songs for Souls”, in memory of his Father.
Now Alberto has posted online a stunning performance video for ‘Keep on Fighting‘, featured by EDOARDO TADDEI on guitars, MARK ZONDER on drums & ALBERTO RIGONI on bass.
Watch ‘Keep on Fighting’ video here:
On this video @EBSSweden @DingwallGuitars @Ibanez Guitar
Just recently Alberto released the video for “L’Origin du Monde”, feat. Jordan Rudess, Mark Zonder and Alberto Rigoni, in case you missed it, watch at https://youtu.be/LLJS6IordMk
The guest artists on “Songs for Souls” album are Jordan Rudess, Mark Zonder, Fabrizio Leo, Marco Sfogli, Tommaso Ermolli, Enrico Taddei, Alessandro Bertoni and Jennifer Batten.
Born in 1981, Alberto Rigoni is an Italian bass player and composer, internationally known for his career as a solo artist and as a member of the metal band BAD As, The Italians, Natural Born Machines Lady & THE BASS, co-producer of the Vivaldi Metal Project and member of progressive rock band TwinSpirits (no more active).
Between 2008 and 2020 Alberto has released worldwide 9 solo album (Something Different, Rebirth, Three Wise Monkeys, Overloaded, BASSORAMA, Duality, EvoRevolution, Prog Injection, Odd Times), spanning from progressive rock metal to fusion. His albums also featured legendary musicians such as Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree, King Crimson), Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), Göran Edman (ex Yngwie Malmsteen), Michael Manring and many others.
His tenth album “For The Love of Bass” feat. all star bassists such as Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Michael Manring, Doug Wimbish and many others HAS BEEN released on April 2nd 2021.
Alberto has been featured on the cover of magazines such as Bass Magazine (Japan), Bass Musician Magazine (USA), Bajos Y Bajistas (Spain), Basistas (Poland), TOP BASS (Poland). Moreover, in March 2015 the prestigious Bass Guitar Magazine (UK) released Alberto’s CD anthology called “Into THE BASS.”
Alberto has also recorded for several international artists such as Italian pop singer Alexia and he is also playing bass for Canadian rock singer and songwriter Kim Bingham (ex-Nelly Furtado) and The Italians, sharing stages with artists such as Alan Parson, Suzanne Vega, Jørn Lande, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore and others.
In 2016 founded a new metal band called BADASS (now called BAD As) which released three albums (More Pain More Gain, Midnight Curse and Crucified Society.
On December 15th 2017, Rigoni together with bassist Jeff Hughell (Six Feet Under) released a new studio project called Bassists Alliance. The first album “Crush” featured top notch bassists such as Michael Manring, Adam Nitti, Steve di Giorgio, Colin Edwin, Mark Mitchell, Scott Reeder, Dmitry Lisenko, Brandino BassMaster, Ryan Martini, Leonid Maksimov, Tony Grey.
In 2019 founded a new AOR band called “Natural Born Machine” featuring famous Pink Cream 69 singer David Readman. Their debut album “Human” was released on February 19th 2021 by Pride and Joy Music.
Currently he is also collaborating with famous producer Hiro Furuya (Elton John, Eric Clapton, etc.) as session bassist.
His tenth album “For The Love of Bass” feat. all star bassists such as Nathan East, Lee Sklar, Michael Manring, Doug Wimbish and many others will be released on April 2nd 2021.
June 6th 2022 marks the 40th Anniversary of the band that has rocked and shocked, thrashed, trashed and blasted its way into shock and roll history. Your band, the world’s band… my band W.A.S.P.
To celebrate, the band will embark on their first U.S tour in a decade and take fans back through 40 years of madness. Coming along for the trek are L.A.’s ARMORED SAINT, who are also celebrating their 40th Anniversary. And as a special treat, MICHAEL SCHENKER will appear on the Texas and Tulsa shows.
Blackie Lawless discussing the U.S. tour dates:
Blackie Lawless commenting on the U.S. tour, “For over 10 years we have not toured on U.S. soil. But starting Oct. 28th, 2022… we return.
10 years I’d want, 10 years I’ve cussed, 10 years I’d lust to return…. To my home land… and be a Wild Child, a Love Machine, to be Blind in Texas, On Your Knees and Headless.”
Joined by bassist Mike Duda, and Doug Blair whose time in the band is 26 and 18 years, along with drummer extraordinaire Aquiles Priester, they will take the band and the fans back to where it all started, complete with the stage show extravaganza that many fans never saw live.
“So join me and the band, and very special guests Armored Saint, as we celebrate W.A.S.P 40th Anniversary Tour… Back in the U.S…. Back to the Beginning. I’m gonna scream, cause I wanna feed, cause I wanna bleed, cause I Wanna Be Somebody. W.A.S.P. 40th Anniversary Tour… Back in the US…. Back to the Beginning.” — Blackie Lawless
W.A.S.P. 40 YEARS LIVE WORLD TOUR 2022 – U.S DATES 29 Oct – Anaheim, CA – The Grove 30 Oct- Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theater 31 Oct – Albuquerque, NM – Sunshine Theater
02 Nov – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall w/ MICHEAL SCHENKER, ARMORED SAINT 03 Nov – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Pavillion w/ MICHEAL SCHENKER, ARMORED SAINT 04 Nov – San Antonio, TX – Eaton Arena w/ MICHEAL SCHENKER, ARMORED SAINT 05 Nov – Dallas, TX – Bomb Factory w/ MICHEAL SCHENKER, ARMORED SAINT 06 Nov – Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Theater w/ MICHEAL SCHENKER, ARMORED SAINT 09 Nov – Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater 10 Nov – Ashwaubenon, WI – EPIC Event Center 11 Nov – Detroit, MI – Harpo’s 12 Nov – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater 13 Nov – Pittsburgh, PA – Palace Theater 16 Nov – Boston, MA – Big Night Live 17 Nov – Montclair, NJ – Wellmont Theater 18 Nov – Huntington, NY – Paramount Theater 19 Nov – Jim Thorpe, PA – Penn’s Peak 20 Nov – Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater 23 Nov – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium 25 Nov – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theater 26 Nov – Orlando, FL – Plaza Live 29 Nov – Leesburg, VA – Tally Ho Theater 30 Nov – Columbus, OH – The King Of Clubs
02 Dec – St Charles, IL – Arcada Theater 03 Dec – St Charles, IL – Arcada Theater 05 Dec – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater 07 Dec – Reno, NV – Grand Sierra Theater 09 Dec – San Francisco, CA – The Regency
Canada’s The Metal Voice spoke to Former Black Sabbath Tony Martin about his upcoming solo album ‘Thorns’ that will be released on January 14, 2022 via Battlegod Productions and Dark Star Records.
Excerpt from Interview On his time in Black Sabbath, “I think the sound guy got paid more than me (laughs). But I can’t complain too much after all Black Sabbath is what got me out into the world and it’s the reason why people know my name, my voice and ultimately it’s the reason why I am here doing ‘Thorns’ now. That voice has carried me from what I developed way back when. Sabbath is important, it’s got a great story and lot’s of great people have been involved in it and I have nothing bad to say about any of them really.”
Norwegian metal legend ABBATH will drop its third full-length album, ‘Dread Reaver,’ on March 25 via Season of Mist! Album artwork, tracklisting, and other details can be found below! The band is now premiering the official music video for the fiery first single, “Dream Cull,” which is available at THIS LOCATION.
The video was created by Francisco Munoz.
Pre-orders for ‘Dread Reaver’ are available in the Season of Mist shop HERE. Pre-save the album on streaming services HERE.
The album artwork for ‘Dread Reaver’ was created by Bjørn Stian Bjoarvik.
Tracklist: 1. Acid Haze (04:51) 2. Scarred Core (03:29) 3. Dream Cull (04:15) WATCH HERE 4. Myrmidon (04:33) 5. The Deep Unbound (04:05) 6. Septentrion (04:30) 7. Trapped Under Ice (03:59) 8. The Book of Breath (04:35) 9. Dread Reaver (04:43) 10. Make my day (04:16)
The ravens gaze ominously from above. The seas roar in anticipation. The mountains creak yet again. Abbath’s remarkable new album, Dread Reaver, is upon us all. Two years in the making, Abbath’s third full-length is the culmination of everything before it. A fusion of debut Abbath (2016) and follow-up Outstrider (2019), the aptly titled Dread Reaver extends its fantastical fangs outward and drives its cloven hooves onward. Indeed, there’s nothing like an Abbath record. This is the darkest metal for epic journeys and ancient battles. Comprised of eight riveting tracks and a red-hot cover of Metallica’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver shows Abbath triumphing over all trials and tribulations, riding hard into merciless glory as the one and only “Lemmy of black metal.”
Abbath was formed by Olve Eikemo (aka Abbath) in Bergen, Norway, in 2015. After splitting with vaunted extreme metallers Immortal, the beguiling frontman and storied songwriter only had one path: Abbath. Years before, he had proven that venturing out of the Immortal constellation was not only plausible but doable with the I project, a short-lived, one-album (Between Two Worlds) band featuring notable musicians from Immortal, Enslaved, and Gorgoroth. Indeed, once Eikemo was free of Immortal’s shackles, he was able to assemble a cadre of like-minded conspirators for his solo debut album, Abbath. So crucial was Abbath that the Norwegian Embassy in the UK ran a music/culture piece, while in Norway, the album was nominated for a Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy). Metal Hammer Germany even gonged Abbath with its Best Debut award. Follow-up album, Outstrider, was equally lauded. Billboard’s coverage sent shockwaves through the rock/metal scenes, while Kerrang! labeled it “dominating and creative,” awarding it 4Ks. Decibel also heaped praise on Outstrider, giving it the Best New Noise trophy. New album Dread Reaver will yet again lionize Abbath as leader of the frost-bitten pack.
Powered by Abbath’s creative musical imagination, Dread Reaver runs riotously out of the gate. The album’s edifice affords tracks like “Acid Haze,” “Scarred Core,” “The Deep Unbound,” and the album’s closing title track ample room to champion the extremes of black metal, heavy metal, and hard rock. While there are nods to NWOBHM greats, thrash metal’s luminaries, and black metal icons, Dread Reaver is unmistakably Abbath. There is no other fingerprint. Paired with thought-provoking lyrics based on the historical figure of Othryades, Abbath’s new album not only shouts exultant but reads like an ancient pyrrhic tale steeped in violence, sorrow, and grit. The idea of a Dread Reaver—a fearless duelist—can also be read as a metaphor for life’s actions and subsequent struggles. Be warned: Dread Reaver is Abbath at his most menacing and accomplished.
Dread Reaver was produced by Endre Kirkesola, Abbath, and Dag Erik Nygaard at Dub Studio in Kristiansand and Bergen Lydstudio, respectively. Kirkesola and Nygaard also engineered. Mixing was performed by Abbath and Kirkesola, while the mastering was done by maestro Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Rob Halford) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering in Los Angeles. The goal was to field a storming production that sat firmly at the crossroads of Abbath’s heroes Kiss, Motörhead, Manowar, and Bathory. From the anthemic thrust of opener “Acid Haze” and the epic pound of “Dream Cull” to the rampaging “The Book of Breath” and the wicked cover of Metallica’s “Trapped Under Ice,” Dread Reaver sounds as massive as Norwegian mountain and as fiery as the depths of Hell. Truly, the recording lineup of Abbath (guitar, bass, vocals), Ukri Suvilehto (drums), Ole André Farstad (guitars), and Mia Wallace (bass) found their sonic muse.
The album features a Bjørn Stian Bjoarvik (Immortal) cover and will be supported by singles “Dream Cull”, “Dread Reaver” and “The Book of Breath.” Of course, it’ll all be powered by Abbath’s wry, larger-than-life persona. If “Ace of Spades” catapulted Motörhead to fame and notoriety, then Dread Reaver will find Abbath atop extreme metal’s gigantic heap, the spoils of icy blood, scorching sweat, and steely tears at his feet. As “Myrmidon” states, “Die with a smile, stare glassy-eyed up / At boiling skies! / Valkyries descend to gore-caked fen / Fallen warriors arise!” Lightning strikes thrice with Abbath’s incredible Dread Reaver!
Recording line-up: Abbath – Guitar, bass & vocals Ukri Suvilehto – Drums Ole André Farstad – Lead & acoustic guitars Mia Wallace – Bass on Acid Haze, Scarred Core, The Deep Unbound & Dread Reaver
Recording studio: Recorded in Dub Studio / Additional recordings: Bergen LydstudioProducer / sound engineer: Endre Kirkesola / Dag Erik Nygaard
Mixing studio and engineer: Abbath and Endre Kirkesola
Mastering studio / engineer: Maor Appelbaum at Maor Appelbaum Mastering – California – U.S.A
The “Samurais From Hell”, Japanese Thrash Metal veterans SURVIVE announce the impending release of their first ever live album! After more than 20 years of activity and 7 official studio albums, the 4 Tokyo based Thrash Metal samurais decided it’s time for another venture, a live material to display their full power and energy! “Live At Death Valley” is set to be released via Pest Records this Spring on Jewel-case CD format and will feature 8 tracks plus 4 bonuses.
“It is easy to be technically brilliant metal band in the studio but the true trial by fire is a Live album! With this “Live At Death Valley” album SURVIVE proves they are truly the “Samurais From Hell”! The album was mixed live so it is 100% authentic, no studio gimmicks! Great songs, fantastic technical skills! On top of that you get great new bonus tracks! Brilliant!” – Kimmo Kuusniemi, Band Manager, Sarcofagus Guitarist
Album title : LIVE AT DEATH VALLEY
Track list: 01_Degenerate 02_Wrath 03_Fuck Against Authority 04_Obey Your Own Army Corps 05_Rules Of Lies 06_Immortal Warriros 07_Human Misery 08_the Road to hell is paved by goodwill
+bonus tracks from EP ‘The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will’: 1.The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will (Featuring Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan/Venom Inc)
Rules Of Lies (Orchestra Ver)
Seize The Victory
The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will (Live@Club Citta Metallization Festival 2020)
The band stated: “We lost the place to work with this pandemic. It’s a concert or a tour. This pandemic stopped our band from gigging and touring. We decided to use the time we have now to create new music in the studio. We will share this studio experience with our fans over the coming months as a Vlog. We are also looking for a label to release this new album in Europe and Russia. We are still composing the songs so there are jam sessions to help us to compose the final songs. The plan is to have this album out 2022. We are looking forward to see you all very soon live!”
Tokyo’s Thrash Heroes SURVIVE – active in the world for over 20 years – have forged their own indelible path within the jmetal scene. It was back in 1998, when former Death File guitarist and mastermind Nemo decided to form a thrash metal band of his own which soon became the juggernaut known as SURVIVE. Over the next two decades the band have played many big festivals (Loud Park, Beast Fest, Multiplex-motorbike event, Korean Live Rock, Formoz Festival, Asia Metal Festival, Dongducheon Rock Festival, Trendkill Extreme Feast, etc) and toured all over the world with acts such as Behemoth, United, Killswitch Engage, Dope, Pulling Teeth, Testament, Outrage, Anthrax, Hatebleed, Napalm Death, Amon Amarth, Venom Inc, At The Gates, to name just a few, cementing their place in Japanese metal history. Still going strong, SURVIVE‘s latest album “Immortal Warriors” was released to the Japanese market on September 12th, 2018 and a year later, on September 24th 2019, the album is out worldwide via Sliptrick Records. SURVIVE have lost none of their verve and “Immortal Warriors” is an absolute must for fans of this fantastic, often overlooked band.
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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 