Spanish technical death metal masters WORMED are now streaming a brand new play-through video for the track ‘Bionic Relic’, which is taken from their latest EP ‘Metaportal’. The new sci-fi offering was released on July 19, 2019. Check out the play-through HERE!
WORMED comment: “We’re not fans of play-throughs, but since this world is changing and we haven’t played anywhere for a year (!!!) we thought you would like to enjoy a display of a ‘Metaportal’ track, ‘Bionic Relic’ with the full band. This was recorded on different planets. We live light years from each other and it’s quite hard to be all together for recording any footage. Become a ‘Bionic Relic’ with us!“.
‘Bionic Relic’ is taken from the bands latest EP ‘Metaportal’, which can be listened to in full HERE.
Legendary Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist BILL CHAMPLIN – who just recently signed a record deal with Imagen Records – has released his first single, “Reason To Believe,”, check it out HERE!
The single is off of his new record Livin’ For Love that will release on January 22, 2021.
“Hey everyone, this is Bill Champlin. I just wanted to letcha’ know that my new album Livin’ For Love has got a new home. Bob Winegard, at Imagen Records, loved the music and we’ve decided to work together on the Digital Release of the new album. We’re both hard at work coming up with ways for people to know that it’ll be available in the usual places: Spotify, I-tunes, etc etc. Bob has Steve Nathan working on opening up my visibility factor. I’m very happy that Bob’s team is “Taking the bull by the horns” and working on getting this record heard. Imagen has great world wide distribution in place and I’m sure it’s gonna’ be a good thing. My wife Tamara and I will be simultaneously releasing CD versions at billchamplin.com/shop. I know some of my friends really like CD’s with info about the songs in the booklet. I’m sure we’ll be putting a link out that you can use to get lyrics and credits if you just do a digital thing. Now, the music. Many of you have heard my stuff over the years and may think you know what this one sounds like. I think it’s the best album I’ve ever made and anyone who’s heard it agrees. Imagen Records will be releasing a single, right around New Year’s Day, so you can get an idea what “Livin’ for Love” is about. A lotta’ good songs and great playing. Anyway, I digress; I want to say how proud I am to be doing this with Bob Winegard and his whole team on Imagen Records. Onward and Upward. Be safe, Be good, Be Baaaaaaad.”
Bill Champlin started his career very early on in Marin County, CA. In 1965, his band “Sons Of Champlin” released a single on Verve Records and got a little AM radio play. The band then recorded a double album in 1968, Loosen Up Naturally, that got more than local notice but little “Top 40” airplay. Over the next 10 years the Sons released a total of 8 records on 3 different labels, but still not a lot of “Top 40” play. The band, and Bill in particular, got a lot of notice from industry people and, for sure, other musicians across the country. After the Loving Is Why album Bill left the Sons and moved to LA and started working on 2 solo albums, as well as various studio background vocal dates. His two solo albums Single and Runaway were produced by David Foster, who has proven to be a major league player/writer/arranger/producer over the years. One of the songs written for Single was covered by Earth, Wind. and Fire. The single “After the Love has Gone” became a big hit for EWF and Bill replaced the song on the Single album with something else after EWF cut it.
Two years later, Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather called Bill in to co-write “Turn Your Love Around,” which Bill did along with backgrounds on the song for George Benson. It was a big #1 hit for George. Bill, Foster and Graydon wrote “Friends in Love” for Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis, as well as “Smile Again” for Manhattan Transfer. Bill was also a co-writer for Lee Ritenour’s “Is It You” and was on backing vocals for it as well.
As a singer and ensemble arranger he was on numerous hits which included “Little Jeannie” by Elton John, as well as a lot of Donna Summer songs. Bill and Chicago cohort, Jason Scheff, did pretty much the whole chorus of “20 Years Ago” for Kenny Rogers. Bill has arranged and sung background vocals for numerous artists that we’ve all heard, as well as some TV and movie vocals. The TV show “In the Heat of the Night” had Bill on the theme and is still playing regularly in living rooms all over the world. Bill was also a member of the musical group “Chicago” and sang on numerous hits like: “Hard Habit to Break”, “I Don’t Want to Live Without your Love” and one of the band’s bigger radio hits, “Look Away”. He was with the band for 28 years but still made CD’s during that time, which were mostly released in Japan, Scandinavia, Europe etc. Through it All, He Started to Sing, Mayday and No Place Left to Fall were all well received CD’s.
Bill has just finished his first solo album in almost 10 years and is very excited about this music. The title of the album is Livin’ For Love. He’s inked a deal with Bob Winegard’s Imagen Records, who will be in charge of digital sales. Bill will also have CD’s available for mail order at www.billchamplin.com/shop. According to Bill and some of the awesome players on the album, they all think that this music is as good as it gets. If you think you know what this album sounds like based on past albums you’ve heard of Bill’s, you’re wrong. This thing is really raising the bar for any singer/player/producer/songwriter albums, even Bill’s past albums. Bill Champlin has a long career of great music and Livin’ For Love is the cherry on the cupcake.
Finnish hypermodern metallers EXTERNAL have released their new EP “Stillness”. Each song was released individually once a month starting from September and now ending with “Motion In Stillness”, which is also accompanied by a music video.
The band tells: “Stillness” was born in the uncertain spring of 2020. We were supposed to work on our second album, but when the pandemic hit, we all quarantined in our homes. During that time, completely out of nowhere, this set of songs was manifested.Musically, it’s quite different from anything we have done before. The songs ended up in more of an alternative direction, embracing many of our influences outside of metal, such as third stream jazz and the British jazz scene, contemporary classical music such as Ólafur Arnalds and Nordic visionaries like the legendary Björk.” “Four of the songs have been previously released as singles, and now the final one, ”Motion in Stillness”, pieces together the entire puzzle. Accompanied by a music video, the song works as a thematic centerpiece for the EP, representing the core and soul of the music that was born in silence and isolation. It embraces people’s ability to find beauty in smaller things, meaning from meaninglessness and sources of light in the dark, even (and especially) during weird times like these.” “Each track on the EP is embodied by a beautiful painting by Teemu Mikaél. His artistic vision definitely breathed some new life to the songs.”
EP credits:
“Motion in Stillness” video shot, directed and edited by Aleksi Yli-Somero and Roger Lundberg Concept and acting by External
Music and lyrics by Samuel Järvinen and Julius Lehtonen Recorded by Roger Lundberg Drums recorded by Samu Oittinen (Fantom Studio) Mixed and mastered by Samu Oittinen (Fantom Studio) String arrangements by Elias Nieminen
Cover art by Teemu Mikaél
Aleksi Haukkaluoma – vocals, guitar Julius Lehtonen – drums, programming, FX guitar Samuel Järvinen – bass guitar, synth bass, ukulele bass, programming Roger Lundberg – guitar, sound design
Jimmy Kay from Canada’s The Metal Voicerecently spoke to legendary guitarist Michael Schenker as he is getting ready to release his MSG (MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP) album “Immortal”, on on January 29, 2021 via Nuclear Blast. Schenker also talk about Eddie Van Halen and why he declined so many major bands over the years as lead guitarist.
Why did you decide to use different artists on the new album Immortal? “Everything in my life happens by circumstances and so I live in the moment. My original idea was to have guest musicians of friends and fans to celebrate the 50 year anniversary. Getting musicians lined up and together it is very very complicated and it was dragging on. So I decided to have a compact band.”
A 50 year anniversary? “My agent said the Lonesome Crow album was released in 1972 so I said that gives me two years to celebrate.”
Tell me why you chose singer Ronnie Romero for this new album “I discovered Ronnie Romero when he sang on the first Michael Schenker Fest first album. I always wondered why Ritchie Blackmore chose him and today I understand why. I understand what Ritchie was up too as we are both in similar situations. Ritchie needed to find a singer who has the ability to sing like everyone, Joe Lynn Turner, Ronnie James Dio and Graham Bonnet. So because I am in the same situation with so many different signers it would be great to have Ronnie Romero as the main singer and to continue live and have a compact band. Ritchie and I have lots of parallels and an endless amount of similarities over the years.”
Tell me how the virus may or may not have affected the recording of the new album “The virus showed up and I call the virus a bittersweet experience, it kind of directed me back to my original idea but without me planning it was just by circumstances. I got all of these incredible new musicians on this album. How it all happened is just a miracle, it’s unbelievable.”
What was it like revisiting and re-doing the Scorpions’ song ‘In Search of peace of mind’, off the band’s debut album Lonesome Crow “It is the best song on that album and is the very first piece of music that I wrote. I was 15 years old and I wrote it in my mothers kitchen. There was nobody there. The original song credits of Lonesome Crow says Michael Schenker and Rudolf Schenker lyrics, we had zero knowledge of English so how could we have been done the lyrics? Misinformation completely. Rudolf cannot even play that song, it’s actually pretty complex if you get into the details of the original version. But it was such an incredible start for myself to put the first note on a record with a song like this. I couldn’t have wished for a better result.”
What was your feeling about Lonesome Crow when it was released officially “I was absolutely excited, I was listening to Led Zeppelin on the radio just a year before in my bedroom when I was 14 years old and then one year later Lonesome Crow was coming through the same radio, it was a great feeling.”
Did Rudolf Schenker contribute musically to Lonesome Crow album “Nothing at all, he can’t even play it. The thing is I wrote most of Lonesome Crow but because I was 15 the rest of the band was 21 the band took advantage of me and wanted a piece of the pie and they wanted to be involved in their first experience of an album that was recorded for the first time for everybody.”
Tell me about the time you were asked to join Deep Purple “In 1993 I got a phone call, I was the first person to be chosen. You have to remember me and Ritchie Blackmore have so many parallels, everyone that leaves Ritchie Blackmore joins the Michael Schenker, it’s the funniest thing. There was always a conversation in Deep Purple and Ozzy, that’s why Ozzy called me up and asked me to join. I was always the first choice but I declined and I must say I’m the kid in the sandbox just enjoying playing. When I get these offers from Thin Lizzy, Motorhead I always decline because I don’t want to copy, I want to do pure self expression. I declined all these bands because I had the vision of focusing on pure expression. I cannot follow a bunch of people looking for something that I have already finished with. My own vision is more important.”
Tell me about Eddie Van Halen and his influence on the world “The weirdest thing is actually Van Halen was supporting UFO at the Starwood (Club), I was 19 years old and it was 5 years before Van Halen broke out with Van Halen One. When I heard Eddie I was like WOW this is amazing. But I didn’t know that he was actually doing the tapping technique. I was wondering how on earth does he get such a smooth guitar sound. Everyone copied him doing the tapping style later on. It was something easy for guitarists to do for overnight success. So there were thousands of guitarists going to guitar school learning tapping to be a star in one or two years. But the thing with Eddie Van Halen was he had rhythm and style. My brother Rudolf told me that he actually heard something Eddie did earlier on that sounded like Eddie was a bit influenced by me. But Eddie took it so far forward that I was blown away by what he did . His sense of Rhythm, his sense of melody, his sense of sound and tone quality. The way he actually entertained was so complete, he was the best.”
“Immortal” track listing:
01. Drilled To Kill- 02. Don’t Die On Me Now – 03. Knight Of The Dead 04. After The Rain 05. Devil’s Daughter 06. Sail The Darkness 07. The Queen Of Thorns And Roses 08. Come On Over 09. Sangria Morte 10. In Search Of The Peace Of Mind
One of the most renowned guitarists in the world, ALEXI LAIHO, has passed away. The musician, most notably known as the front man of Children of Bodom, died in his home in Helsinki, Finland, last week. Laiho had suffered from long-term health issues during his last years.
[photo credit: Terhi Ylimäinen]
Alexi Laiho and drummer Jaska Raatikainen founded Children of Bodom in 1993, and the band was one of the most internationally acclaimed metal acts in Finland up until their very last farewell concert in December of 2019. Last year Alexi Laiho put together Bodom After Midnight, who recorded three songs and shot one music video, which will be released later on posthumously.
Besides Children of Bodom, Laiho was known for acts such as Warmen, Sinergy, Kylähullut and The Local Band. Awarded with a Metal Hammer Golden Gods and several other international prizes, the guitarist was also the main star, leading a group of one hundred guitar players at Helsinki Festival in 2015 in “100 Guitars From Hel” – a massive concert piece he composed.
“We are crushed by the sudden passing of our dear friend and band member. Words cannot describe this shock and the profound sadness that we feel”, Daniel Freyberg, Mitja Toivonen and Waltteri Väyrynen from Bodom After Midnight state.
The talented guitarist and musician relished his roles as stepdad in his patchwork family, and as uncle and godfather. Especially during the last years, the important family ties brought a welcomed balance to his life and the active touring. Laiho was particularly close with his big sister, parents and his sister’s daughter. Laiho’s sister says:
“We are all absolutely shocked and devastated. We ask for privacy and understanding during these hard times. My little brother’s funeral will take place privately.”
Alexi Laiho will also be deeply missed by his family in Australia.
“Alexi was the most loving and magnificent husband and father. Our hearts are eternally broken”, Kelli Wright-Laiho says.
On New Year’s Day, SAINTED SINNERS ushered in the new year with another video from the current album “Unlocked & Reloaded”. Directed & edited by Volker Thiele, who was responsible for the videos on the first two albums:
“Stone Cold Sober” is the story on reality and (another) fantasy. It’s about the pub scene how it has been until this year and how we have to deal with it in recent times. It’s the story about real life and a sobering couchpotato existence.“
SAINTED SINNERS celebrated on New Year’s Day via an online Meet & Greet with their fans, who then experienced the premiere together.
Call it love 10.Wall of sound 11.Farewell to kings
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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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 