Melbourne based SHOTGUN MISTRESS have released the official music video for their latest hard rock onslaught, Collide, out nowvia Crusader Records.
Collide highlights the band’s now trademark style of combining stupefying guitar riff grenades, a combustible rhythm section and soaring vocals wrapped in a melodic maelstrom. Shotgun Mistress is as hard to define as it is difficult to ignore – Ignore them at your peril.
This quartet of consummate rock tune craftsmen is riding high on the success of their previous releases, including Save Me from Myself, which bulleted to No1. on the iTunes Australian Rock Charts and smashed into the Top 40 chart, and their last single Glorious Machine, which left charts smouldering in its wake for weeks on end.
The new track is another fiery affair; a blistering tumult of distortion led full tilt with a heart on the sleeve lyric and sly, endearing hooks that don’t let up. Collide is one more tantalizing preview of their forthcoming debut album, due to set the rock world ablaze late in 2020.
Shotgun Mistress was formed by Matt Wilcock (The Berzerker, Akercocke, Abramelin), internationally renowned death-metal demon guitarist best known for playing at light speeds. He hooked up with “Diamond” David Lee on drums to jam out LA Strip-era rock. Ben Curnow (EARTH) joined on bass along with vocalist Glenn Patrick (of Collegians, featuring members of Pseudo Echo and Invertigo).
Shotgun Mistress is the first Australian band to join Golden Robot’s new metal label Crusader Records.
Legendary Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist BILL CHAMPLIN (formerly of Chicago) has signed a record deal with Imagen Records. Bill’s first single, “Reason To Believe,” is due out on January 1, 2021. The single is off of his new record Livin’ For Love that will release early in the new year.
“Hey everyone, this is Bill Champlin. I just wanted to letcha’ know that my new album Lookin’ 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. Imagine 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.”
“As a long time fan of Chicago, I am huge fan of Bill’s voice and songwriting. We are so honored to be working with Bill and absolutely love his new music” says Bob Winegard, President of Imagen Records.
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.
It’s Christmas Time! THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA heralds the time of cosy evenings, hot chocolate and snowy fields. The Swedish Classic Rock cabin crew welcomes their fans musically with a sparkling champagne to the open fire and release their Christmas single ‘Paper Moon’ today! So, put on your best holiday outfits, turn your radio up to eleven and watch the video for THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA‘s Christmas present here:
The band states: So, just in time for the Christmas Holidays, The Night Flight Orchestra are releasing their new single Paper Moon. A moody Swedish melodrama over an enticing discobeat, the song is about all those emotions that you usually are able to repress, but which come bubbling up to the surface whenever sentimental times like Christmas are approaching. It’s a song about the ones you love, but also about the ones you loved and lost, and the ones you loved from a distance, but who disappeared from your life before you ever had a chance to tell them how you really felt. And you’ve tried so many times to silence those voices in the back of your head with Champagne and painkillers, but it never really worked, did it? Paper Moon is the soundtrack to all your past failures, but also to new, shaky, hungover beginnings.
The song, featuring Rachel Hall on the violin, was written and composed by Björn ‘Speed’ Strid, recorded and produced by THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA, mixed by Sebastian Forslund and mastered by Thomas Plec Johansson. The video for ‘Paper Moon’ was directed and produced by René U. Valdes.
Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD return with a much overdue new live release. Entitled “Lost Machine – Live”, the album was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for the band’s latest studio album “The Wake” and is being released today worldwide via Century Media Records.
A new video for the live-track “Overreaction” is being launched today here:
VOIVOD’s drummer Michel “Away” Langevin comments as follows: “And last but not least, ‘Overreaction’, the new single/video from our brand new release ‘Lost Machine – Live’. This old classic from ‘Killing Technology’ has been on the setlist since 1987. It really gets the crowd going, and us too! Once again, splendid video direction by Felipe Belalcazar and thanks to Jaan Silmberg for animating my artwork. Enjoy our new live album!!“
Previously, VOIVOD released single/video clips for two other live-tracks:
The video clips feature audio recorded in Québec City (07/13/2019), video filmed in Montréal (06/30/2019) and material processed in Morgöth (2020). The album’s audio material was recorded and mixed by Francis Perron and the videos were directed and produced by Felipe Belalcazar / Mental Pictures.
“Lost Machine – Live” consist of 13 tracks across 74 packed minutes of playing time by one of the best live-acts in this day and age. Here is the track-listing for the release:
Previously this year, VOIVOD have released a 3-track 12” Vinyl and Digital EP entitled “The End Of Dormancy”. The EP is centered around a special “Metal Section” version of the title track “The End Of Dormancy” (Off VOIVOD’s latest, Juno Award winning album “The Wake” from 2018) with added trumpets, saxophone and trombones. Check out a remarkable video-clip for “The End Of Dormancy (Metal Section)” directed by Syl Disjonk and produced by Igor Simonnet here: https://youtu.be/iv321MReYW4
Also check out videos off VOIVOD’s latest and much acclaimed 14th studio album “The Wake” from 2018 here:
“The Wake” and “The End Of Dormancy – EP” are still available in various physical editions here.
In other news, VOIVOD’s appearance as part of Century Media’s “Isolation Festival” online event is available here to be re-watched: https://youtu.be/v92HSqUPJVU?t=12181
Greek melodic metal masters NIGHTFALL will be releasing their back catalogue on vinyl and CD formats! The band’s five most influential albums will be released via Season of Mist in the first two months of 2021. The exact releases are as follows:
January 29, 2021 ► ‘Parade into Centuries’ (1992) ► ‘Macabre Sunsets’ (1993) ► ‘Athenian Echoes’ + ‘Eons Aura’ EP (1995)
February 12, 2021 ► ‘Lesbian Show’ (1997) ► ‘Diva Futura’ + ‘Electronegative’ EP (1999)
The reissues are now available for pre-orders HERE. The original albums are already available on all digital platforms. Check out the special ‘This is Nightfall’ playlist HERE.
Vocalist Efthimis comments on the re-issues: “The glorious decade of the 90s is never outdated. It is the mother of all good music and rebellious styles rooted deep in the heart of the death and black scene. Nightfall have been an active part of this movement, and we are more than excited to have the chance to see these releases coming out again. And some of them, never printed on vinyl before; ‘Athenian Echoes,’ ‘Lesbian Show’ and ‘Diva Futura.’ This is wonderful. As band we decided to keep the original artwork and the original sound to let old fans remember the greatness of those times and the younger ones to taste the real thing. There is nothing better than maintaining originality in a reissue. And these releases do exactly this to the favor of the listener who wants to travel back in times of wonder and pure creativity. It is a cult relic that well preserves the powerful mysticism of the enchanting atmosphere of the 90s’ magic era!“
In celebration, the band has also released a brand new performance video of the track “As Your God is Failing Once Again,” which is taken from the album ‘Macabre Sunsets.’ The video was shot at the Sierra Studio’s last summer and can be viewed HERE.
NIGHTFALL will release their brand new album in March 2021. Stay tuned for more info and a new track!
NIGHTFALL have previously announced new European tour dates together with Draconian in March 2021! A full list of confirmed shows can be found below.
NIGHTFALL (w/ Draconian): 03/11: Warsaw (PL) @ Hydrozagadka 03/12: Gdansk (PL) @ Drizzly Grizzly 03/13: Berlin (DE) @ Nuke 03/14: Leipzig (DE) @ Hellraiser 03/15: Prague (CZ) @ Black Pes 03/16: Regensburg (DE) @ Eventhall Airport 03/17: Mannheim (DE) @ MS Connexion Complex 03/18: Dortmund (DE) @ Junkyard 03/19: Hamburg (DE) @ Kronensaal 03/20: Enschede (NL) @ Metropool 03/21: Rotterdam (NL) @ Baroeg 03/22: Antwerpen (BE) @ Zappa 03/23: Rennes (FR) @ Ubu 03/24: Paris (FR) @ Petit Bain 03/25: Wetzikon (CH) @ Hall of Fame 03/26: Paderno (IT) @ Slaughter Club 03/27: San Donà di Piave (IT) @ Revolver 03/28: Vienna (AT) @ Viper Room
It has been seven long years since the world was last blessed with new music from the melodic blackened death metal stalwarts of NIGHTFALL. While the band has been absent from the scene since the release of 2013’s Cassiopeia, their legacy has not been forgotten. Comprising the holy trinity of Greek metal – along with ROTTING CHRIST and SEPTICFLESH – NIGHTFALL was the first extreme act in the country to sign an international deal, introducing the world to the burgeoning Mediterranean scene in the early 90s. Now, the band is plotting a triumphant return.
During the first decade of NIGHTFALL’s lifespan, the band headlined stages across Europe. Thereafter, went on to dominate international festivals such as Brutal Assault, Sonisphere, and Wacken, the latter of which the band solidified their legacy as the first ever Greek band to earn an envied spot at the renowned festival. The band eventually made the decision to switch to a studio act before they went completely silent. When reflecting upon the sudden disappearance after a steady rise from the underground, vocalist and founding member Efthimis Karadimas explained that it was due to an all too familiar beast – depression. “It’s because of depression that kicked in as early as mid-00s. I can write for hours and get into details about stuff gone wrong or mistreated situations, but the basis of all discouragement to move on has been depression and the effort required to get over it.” Despite the dark days, Karadimas did not abandon music entirely, moving on to form THE SLAYERKING, a gothic doom metal band that has released two agonizing full-length records between 2016-2019.
Alas, the abrupt departure of the band was not the final “goodbye” as NIGHTFALL has been reinvigorated with a new lineup and coveted deal with Season of Mist. Karadimas has reunited with original NIGHTFALL guitarist Mike Galiatsos, who helped define the band’s sound during the early years. With the addition of drummer and producer Fotis Benardo (ex-SEPTICFLESH) as well as guitarist Kostas Kyriakopoulos (THE SLAYERKING), the band is finally ready to release the tenth studio album. In addition to the long-awaited new music, Season of Mist will also be re-issuing the band’s original albums that were produced by Holy Records back in the 90s. This is not the only news the band has to share as NIGHTFALL has also vowed to finally perform again. “We are gonna play these live, including stuff never played live before,” says Karadimas.
ICED EARTH have released “The Funeral (Remaster 2020)”, another track from their upcoming 30th anniversary edition of their legendary self-titled debut album “Iced Earth”, due to be released on December 18th, 2020, via Century Media Records.
Check out the new mix and mastering sound of “The Funeral (Remaster 2020)” HERE!
“Iced Earth (30th Anniversary Edition)”, originally released in 1990, returns in a brand-new edition featuring high class remixing and remastering courtesy of Zeuss (Overkill, Queensrÿche etc.) and is available as 180 gram vinyl, limited CD digipak and digital album and can be pre-ordered here: https://icede.lnk.to/IcedEarth30thAnniversaryEdition
Tracklisting:
Iced Earth (Remaster 2020)
Written On The Walls (Remaster 2020)
Colors (Remaster 2020)
Curse The Sky (Remaster 2020)
Life And Death (Remaster 2020)
Solitude (Remaster 2020)
Funeral (Remaster 2020)
When The Night Falls (Remaster 2020)
ICED EARTH Line-Up (on this recording): Jon Schaffer – Rhythm & Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals Gene Adam – Lead Vocals Dave Abell – Bass Guitars Mike McGill – Drums Randy Shawver – Lead Guitar
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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
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