After just making it home from the last European tour before the world went into a shutdown GOST pulled back into his nucleus and started working on a new album, âRites of Love and Reverenceâ, which is due for a release on Friday 13th in August of this year.
âI have recently been fixated on the subject of witchcraft and its effect on women throughout historyâ, says GOST. âI myself practice rituals to help clear my mind and focus on my day to day endeavors. This curiosity into witchcrafts history and my own traditions, combined to inspire the new album.â
Once the concept of the album was clear there was only one artist that GOST could picture working with â the Dutch photographer Nona Limmen. âI have been a fan of Nona Limmenâs work for some time now. The inspiration for the new album is much about witchcraft from the feminine perspective. For women, throughout history, witchcraft has been negative, empowering, poisonous and beautiful. The moment I saw this photograph by Nona, I could not imagine using anything else to convey the albums content as beautifully and powerfully as this image does.â
In the past GOST has toured with diverse artists such as Perturbator, Carpenter Brut, 3TEETH, Author & Punisher, Mayhem, Gaahls Wyrd, Power Trip, Ghoul, The Black Dahlia Murder, Midnight, Khemmis, Skeletal Remains, Havok and many more. If youâve followed his creative output you know that he isnât the type of artist who likes to repeat himself and follow well-trodden paths. Be prepared for a new jinxing song that will be out soon.
Napalm Records is pleased to present the next chapter in psychedelic rock icons MONSTER MAGNETâs rabbit hole deep dive, A Better Dystopia (out May 21, 2021): a delightfully (and psychotically) curated collection of 60âs and 70âs proto-metal and late-era psych obscurities covered by the heavy New Jersey legends themselves.  While the album marks a new frontier for MONSTER MAGNET as their first covers record, this is not your typical set of standards released to pass time. A Better Dystopia sees the band pay homage to some of their favorite songs of all time, while reflecting on the paranoia, dystopia and revolution of both now â and then.  Today, fans can get a second glimpse into the album with a video of the bandâs cover of classic Dust track, âLearning To Die.â  Of the song selection, frontman Dave Wyndorf says: ââLearning To Dieâ blew me away when I was 15 and it still blows me away. Man, do I LOVE to sing this song. Dust was one of the greats.”
Watch the new official video for âLearning To Dieâ HERE
Dave Wyndorf says about the birth of A Better Dystopia: âWe all agreed that we would be bored out of our minds within a month of lockdown. MONSTER MAGNET loves the road. Itâs a lifestyle. So, I considered our options. Rather than panhandle on the internet, hawking masks and Zoom-rocking practice sessions for dollars, I suggested we record a âbunker recordâ. A total DIY affair (band only) recorded and mixed in Bob Pantellaâs small but potent Freak Shop Studios/rehearsal space right here in New Jersey. But what to record?  I didnât feel much like writing, but working on anything was better than watching the news as hospitals filled up, people died, and American politics went bat-shit crazy. The world roared âDystopia! Apocalypse! Revolution!â. Iâd heard those words before, and they brought to mind my childhood in the late 60âs/early 70âs⊠and the music⊠and short playlist of songs (just one of many) that Iâd been carrying around with me on my whatever device to listen to before shows. Of course, these tunes have also been in my head for more or less my whole life. These were not the popular hits of the time. This was like a playlist from the 4th dimension⊠strange bits of musical obscurity, mostly dredged up from that inglorious and freaky âtwilight zoneâ time that preceded Arena Rock, Heavy Metal, Reggae and Disco. A no-manâs land of hard rock that still had remnants of psychedelia and garage punk but had abandoned any notion of âflower powerâ or frat house fun. And of course, they rocked.  Yeah, these songs were it.â  Wyndorf is at the top of his game on A Better Dystopia, delivering each lyric in his own inimitable style, and musicians Phil Caivano, Bob Pantella, Garrett Sweeney and Alec Morton own the sound â vintage and old school, dense and heavy, with searing fuzz leads and pounding bass and drums all played in a deft style that’s almost been lost in modern music. The album opens with âThe Diamond Mineâ, as Dave Wyndorf recites a classic monologue by Dave Diamond, an American radio DJ whose programs in the late 60âs and early 70âs helped popularize many psychedelic and acid rock bands. At this point the real trip begins, as the opening chords of the Hawkwind classic âBorn To Goâ gear up for launch. Tracks like standout âMr. Destroyerâ (Poo-Bah) spur visions of some untold Freak revolution â or perhaps dinosaurs battling on a burning planet at the end of time â creating a perfect blend of hard rock and psychedelia. Feverish âMotorcycle (Straight To Hell)â (Table Scraps) is pure punk fury of the old school tradition, evoking a cross between Iggy Pop and Motörhead as Wyndorf wails “I’m gonna drive it straight to HELL!” Falling even further down the mind-bending rabbit hole, Magnet offers their stunning, whirlwind take on the often-overlooked hard rock classic “Learning To Die” (Dust) and a masterful version the Stooges meets Goth epic, “Solid Gold Hell” (The Scientists). The album closes with a bonus nuclear cover of Morgenâs âWelcome To The Voidâ, inviting you to restart the ride again and again.
A Better Dystopia tracklisting: 1. The Diamond Mine 2. Born to Go 3. Epitaph for a Head 4. Solid Gold Hell       5. Be Forewarned      6. Mr. Destroyer        7. When the Wolf Sits 8. Death         9. Situation    10. Itâs Trash  11. Motorcycle (Straight to Hell)       12. Learning to Die    13. Welcome to the Void – Bonus Track
Canât get enough MONSTER MAGNET? Pre-orders are now available for limited edition vinyl represses of both Mindfucker and Mastermind in the Napalm Records store! Visit HERE to order your copies before theyâre gone.
Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of blackened heavy metal band NITE! The San Francisco outfit will be releasing its second full-length via the label at a later date. Stay tuned for more!
NITEÂ comments, “All of us in the circle of NITE are very excited to announce our signing with Season of Mist. We look forward to working with their talented and experienced team to bring our music to the unsuspecting masses. We are thrilled to join the label’s echelon of innovative artists whose legacy looms large over the history of modern heavy music.”
For a glimpse of what’s to come, check out NITE‘s Bandcamp and stream their 2020 debut album, ‘Darkness Silence Mirror Flame,’ HERE.
The San Francisco Bay Area has a history steeped in forward-thinking, technically dazzling metal, and NITE carries that torch with pride. Founded in 2018, their blackened heavy metal brand barrels towards the peril of an unknown future, while keeping one eye on the days when blistering leads once ruled the land. Guitarists Van Labrakis (Satanâs Wrath, Mencea) and Scott Hoffman (Dawnbringer, High Spirits) let loose galloping riffs and harmonies that evoke the classic sounds of the N.W.O.B.H.M., with Labrakisâ grizzled voice driving their dark, melodic metal into the modern era.
With Avinash Mittur (Wild Hunt) replacing founding bassist Bryan Coons in early 2021, he and drummer Patrick Crawford (Serpents of Dawn, Older Sun) make up a rhythm section thatâs fierce yet breathlessly precise: a freewheel pounding reminiscent of the early days of heavy metal, with a Rickenbacker-powered roar fueling the low end. NITEâs debut full-length Darkness Silence Mirror Flame, released in March 2020 by Creator-Destructor Records, earned widespread praise. It showcased their fist-raising classic heavy metal that nearly every fan of the genre once fell in love with, but with a twisted and shadowy edge that the titans of old could never imagine. NITE is the flame of the past illuminating the darkness of tomorrow.
Last year when COVID-19 put the live touring industry on hold, guitar hero JOE BONAMASSA did something unprecedented for his fans â he put together a one-night-only show at the iconic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN to be livestreamed for fans everywhere. That night he united people across 44 countries worldwide for a phenomenal live music presentation of his brand-new album âRoyal Teaâ before it was even released. The concert was re-mixed and mastered for physical release as âNow Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Rymanâ on June 11th and will be available to own on CD, DVD, Blu-Ray and Double LP. The DVD will include a film introduction narrated by actor Jeff Daniels. The stellar performance includes 12 incredible live tracks, featuring the best from his latest studio release Royal Tea, Joeâs 24th #1 record on the Billboard Blues chart, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London. It also includes 3 electrifying tracks from his 20th anniversary album A New Day Now. Get your serving and relive the excitement time and time again with this once-in-a-lifetime release from one of the most celebrated Blues Rock entertainers!
Recalling the magical night, Bonamassa shares, âI have always wanted to film a show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Our band has had the honor of playing there now 8 1/2 times over the past 10 years. The audience is always alive and electric, hanging on every word and phrase. It feels like the greatest, most intimate gig you will ever do but there are 2,300 people sharing this joy and musical journey. I love the place as it is a national treasure and selfishly close to my house. Hereâs where I get to the 1/2 part. We missed you. As great as it is to be on that stage in any capacity, YOU the fans make it special. You are part of the show and a big part of it. As this show was being filmed live, almost 100,000 eyes were on us in various forms around the world in front of TVs and computers alike. But you were not in the room with us.â
In normal times, the legendary venue typically seats 2,300, but for one night only, the real crowd was the size of a major stadium, and in-house nearly every seat was filled with a custom cardboard cutout of a fan. The event sold over 17,000 tickets, reaching a global audience and bringing people of all different cultures together during a time when it often felt like the world was falling apart. Considering the number of households watching concerts together from home, one ticket could actually account for an entire family, so the true number of viewers would likely skyrocket.  Joe continues, âWe played as good as we could in front of those 1700 cardboard cut outs of your faces and tried to imagine you there. For split seconds I would catch a glimpse of the room and it almost felt normal. Then the song would end and there would be dead silence. Only the footsteps of our crew could be heard. With all of that said, this DVD is a snapshot of a concert performance within the confines a vast sea change of the world. A world that had temporarily deemed us unnecessary. Nobody knows when I will ever get back to this stage in front of a full house again, but I sure do know that I do love it and miss you greatly. This show counts as a 1/2.â
The night at the Ryman should also be celebrated as an event that brought the music industry together. Between ticket sales and donations during his After Party Showcase, the event raised $32,000 for Bonamassaâs Fueling Musicians program, presented by his non-profit Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation (KTBA). Supporting artists for over a year amid the pandemic, to date the program has secured $460,000 in funding for qualifying touring musicians who are suffering financial hardship since their careers have been put on hold. The program provides immediate $1,500 cash payments for essential living expenses to help musicians stay afloat until they can get back out on the road. This past weekend Joe hosted his 2nd Annual Stream-A-Thon event, featuring over 35 stunning performances and 3+ hours of music to continue raising money for the cause. The event featured a star-studded lineup including Bonamassa, Toto, Dion, Ana Popovic, Warren Haynes, Bobby Rush, Jared James Nichols, Emily Wolfe and many more.  As for the amazing set list for âNow Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Rymanâ, Bonamassa has made a career out of taking risks and venturing into uncharted territory throughout his wide-ranging career and outstanding live shows, and the delivery at Ryman Auditorium was nothing short of perfection. Bonamassa shines brighter than ever, always adding new genre-bending flavor in his guitar playing and his trademark spin on the vocals. Itâs no wonder heâs often praised for bringing new audiences to the Blues Rock universe. Bonamassa already has an incredible catalogue of live and studio releases that continue to evolve over the years and catch the ears of music critics far and wide. âNow Serving: Royal Tea Live From The Rymanâ provides much needed invigoration for live music fans and will give them back the unbelievable feeling of being at a live concert event. With the audio/visual experience theyâll get with this release, theyâll get front row seats for one of the best touring acts around!
The three founding members of legendary New York hard rock/proto-punk rockers THE DICTATORS â singer/bassist/songwriter Andy Shernoff, rhythm guitarist Scott Kempner, and lead guitarist/Manowar icon Ross the Boss â are back, with legendary Blue Oyster Cult drummer Albert Bouchard on board! New single âGod Damn New Yorkâ out now!
Called by critic John Dougan as “one of the finest and most influential proto-punk bands to walk the earth.â the Dictators are releasing their first new music in 20 years. The groupsâ three founding members, Andy Shernoff, Ross Friedman and Scott Kempner are joined on drums by founding Blue Ăyster Cult member Albert Bouchard, the man who played the infamous cowbell on âDonât Fear The Reaperâ. The Dictators and the Blue Ăyster Cult have known each other since the early days when they both shared the patronage of producer/manager Sandy Pearlman.
âScott and I had lost touch with Ross but we were brought together by some Dictators businessâ, explains Andy. âOnce it was settled, Ross suggested we play together again. It was literally the last thing on my mind, but Scott was enthusiastic, so I sat on it and eventually said ok and damn, I am so glad I did as it’s kept me busy during the pandemicâ.
âI wrote âGod Damn New Yorkâ with my wife before we got married for a video that never got made. When I was presenting new song ideas to everybody, this one got a thumbs up. So I changed the key, re-wrote the lyrics to give it some Dictators swagger, and voila, the first new Dictators song in 20 years. Itâs sort of a love/hate letter to New York Cityâ.
And the bandâs next single will be released on April 21st (with a music video for the track here:
âMy buddy Jesse Bates had a song called âLetâs Get The Band Back Together.â I thought it was really clever and funny so I asked him if I could fool around with it and put my spin on it. He said go for it, so I made few changes and recorded it on my own a few years ago but it was just so perfect for the Dictators that we couldnât resist.â
âFor me, âLetâs Get the Band Back Togetherâ has the same exuberance and joy âGo Girl Crazyâ has!â adds Ross.
Known for their sarcastic lyrics and aggressive sound, The Dictators released what Uncut Magazine called âthe first punk rock albumâ, The Dictators Go Girl Crazy, in 1975 â a full year before The Ramones. Having played shows early on with the Stooges and New York Dolls, they became regulars at CBGBâs, while influencing bands around the world.
The Dictators released 2 more records (Manifest Destiny and Bloodbrothers) in the 70âs before breaking up. Ross went on to found heavy metal overlords Manowar, while Scott started roots rock pioneers The Del Lords. Andy worked as a producer and songwriter while also performing with Joey Ramone and The Fleshtones.
An early â80s get-together produced the classic live album Fuck âem If They Canât Take a Joke, and the band performed sporadically until 1995 when, realizing the extent of its fan base and influence, once again reformed full time. Numerous international tours culminated in 2001âs D.F.F.D., the bandâs last studio album. After playing the final weekend of CBGBâs in 2006, they once again went their separate ways.  It took a worldwide pandemic to once again unite the band. After a socially distanced recording session, the band finished the new recordings by trading files over the internet. The first release is âGod Damn New Yorkâ â a love/hate song to the bandâs home town. The reunited Dictatorsâ second single release, âLetâs Get The Band back Togetherâ, had its debut on Little Stevenâs Underground Garage Radio show on April 12. More music will come out later in 2021 and the band looks forward to touring in 2022!  âWe have a song ready to be released in July and a special seasonal song about the holidays set up for December. We hope to record 4 more tracks in June and just keep on releasing cool new tunes and videos, until things are completely open.â
The album will be available as CD Digipak as well as in digital formats, and is available for pre-order here » https://lnk.to/firewingresurrection
Resurrection tracklist
Prelude: Moonlight Of Despair
Obscure Minds
Chapter I: Acheronâs Ritual
Demons Of Society
Far in Time
Chapter II: Temple Of Helios
Resurrection
Time Machine
Chapter III: Transcending Souls
Eternity
Tales Of Ember & Vishap: How Deep Is Your Heart?
Tales Of Ember & Vishap: The Meaning Of Life
The Essence Of Your Heart
Epilogue: Sacred Journey
Chief Shock Video
Kimmo Kuusniemiâs 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 Kuusniemiâs SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
Ads
Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released âAurora Nuclearisâ, 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 ) 