Bill Hudson’s NORTHTALE In Studio: Working On Basic Guitar And Bass Tracks

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
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Swedish-American power metal supergroup NORTHTALE – who entered the studio 2 weeks to record their new album – are currently working on basic guitar and bass tracks.

Bill Hudson stated:
“At this point, we have drums completely tracked. We’re currently working on basic guitar and bass tracks simultaneously. We really had not intended on recording this album remotely, but it is what it is.
As cliché as it is to say, I can positively state that this album will be much better than our first. There are many reasons for this: The songs are better written, the melodies are catchier, we have been a band for longer, as well as two very special words: Dennis Ward. Holy shit does that guy make a difference! Makes me really wish we had him when we did the first album.
As far as the guitars go, I chose a very analog setup at home, with a real amp and real cabinet blasting and moving air in the room. While yes, we will still reamp guitars like everyone else, the feel of a real amp and tubes pushing air cannot be replaced with an amp modeler. I’d say that fact alone would make a huge difference when it comes to the guitars, compared to our first album.
Once we’re done with all this, we will move on to the most delicate part of the process: The vocals. This time around, the vocal melodies are much more melodic, catchy and mature. The lyrics will also be a whole different monster. We have songs about self improvement, history, environmental concerns, religion and much more. Still no dragons, unicorns or wizards though 🙂
And of course, the elephant in the room: Our new singer has delivered some mind blowing demos that had me listening to them on repeat, just for the enjoyment of it. His voice is so clean (if you were expecting us to go more aggressive, forget it) with a beautiful top range and rich, powerful lows. Our fans will not be disappointed, the vocal style will not change. The only disappointed people will be the ones who expected us to go bluesy/raspy on the vocals. Not gonna happen!
In summary, this album will 100% live up to and shatter your expectations. We can’t wait to finish it and show it to the world.
Bill, Patrick, Mikael, Jimmy and our new singer
NORTHTALE”

Just recently NORTHTALE tapped the producer DENNIS WARD (Pink Cream 69, Angra, Unisonic, Gus G, Adagio, Helloween and much, much more) to produce the bands as of yet untitled upcoming album! Earlier this year, the band parted ways with singer Christian Eriksson (ex-TWILIGHT FORCE) and has recently hired his replacement, although his name is still to be announced. The new album is expected to be released in the first half of 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records.

Watch the announcement of Dennis Ward, here:

NorthTale are:
Bill Hudson (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, DORO, I AM MORBID, ex-U.D.O): Guitar
Patrick Johansson (ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P): Drums
Mikael Planefeldt: Bass
Jimmy Pitts (TIMO TOLKKI’S INFINITE VISIONS, ETERNITY’S END): Keyboards
TBA: Vocals

NORTHTALE released their successful debut album “Welcome To Paradise” on August 2nd 2019, via Nuclear Blast. Order the album, here: http://nblast.de/NorthtaleWTP

More on »Welcome To Paradise«:
‘Higher’ official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0Bh4xKrC5k
‘Shape Your Reality’ official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_eXrfdrWYs
‘Sirens’ Fall’ official lyric video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxulHqM4_QE
‘Sirens’ Fall’ guitar playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxngpECcgus
‘Bring Down The Mountain’ guitar playthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZeqWRx_LRI
‘Everyone’s A Star’ official music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1gX6t66RH4
‘Time To Rise’ official live video: https://youtu.be/yLUwS9OlSJw
‘Shape Your Reality’ guitar playthrough: https://youtu.be/mh8QAb39lgE

Please Note, BILL HUDSON is available for studio sessions and guitar clinics. For further information, please contact Alpha Omega Management.

Los Angeles-based guitarist/songwriter Bill Hudson (NORTHTALE, I AM MORBID, former DIRKSCHNEIDER, TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, Circle II Circle, Jon Oliva’s Pain and more) has become a very sought after name in the hard rock world in recent years. Whether he is in Germany headlining the biggest heavy metal festival in the world or in the studio recording guitars for a video game soundtrack, there’s never a dull moment in the life of the Brazilian musician. In the summer of 2015, he made history in Germany, headlining Wacken Open Air, performing in front of 80,000 fans with the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA. Hudson joined the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA also for their winter tour in 2015, performing 52 shows in 6 weeks throughout the US and Canada for an average of 15,000 fans a day. From April 2017 to April 2018 Bill Hudson made part of the DIRKSCHNEIDER line-up, touring widely both America and Europe. In February 2018 Bill launched his new power metal band, NORTHTALE, releasing the debut album “Welcome To Paradise” on August 2nd 2019, via Nuclear Blast.

Watch Bill Hudson – E.G.O: https://youtu.be/RsPSY4B9PPI

More information at:
BILL HUDSON: http://billhudsonofficial.com
NORTHTALE: https://www.facebook.com/NorthtaleOfficial
MANAGEMENT: https://alphaomega-management.com | https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlphaOmegaManagement

ABERTOOTH LINCOLN Release Official Video ‘Hell House’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Bobby Tewksbury

Fronted by the charismatic person Edith Coleslaw aka Ashley Pooler, Abertooth Lincolnrecently dropped their debut single for Riot Records, Hell House, and now the accompanying music video.

Hailing from Dayton, Ohio Abertooth Lincoln are an aggressive, spacey hardcore progressive punk band. Their music is heavy, weird, complicated and can flip genres within seconds. But the bottom line is they are unique and refreshing.

“This is the story of two naive but rebellious teenagers that magically get transported to a world within a comic book, in which they are subjected to the horrors of an evangelical hell house attraction. To save others from experiencing the same trauma and judgement, the teens take matters into their own hands, waging a bloody battle against the “demons” of Hell House. Hell Houses are a real thing, managed by evangelical churches in every state. They are run by people who get off on judging and condemning their neighbors, and pretending to be actual demons dragging sinners to hell. It’s violent indoctrination and fear tactics used on teens, and we thought it’d be fun if the people that do this sorta thing got sent to hell for a change.” – Abertooth Lincoln

Stream/buy Hell House HERE

THE OCEAN Premiere “Siberian Traps” Tour Documentary

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
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The Ocean recently released their 8th full-length album via Metal Blade Records (CD / digital) and the band’s own Pelagic Records (vinyl);  Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic is their most successful album to date with the highest chart entries in the band’s history, including a phenomenal Top 10 entry in the Official German Album Charts.

Now, the band is releasing a stunning tour documentary from their 2019 Siberian Traps tour, which the band shot themselves. Presented by CVLT Nation, it can be viewed at: cvltnation.com

Robin Staps comments: “One of the greatest adventures with this band was the 5 weeks ‘Siberian Traps’ tour last summer, which started in Belarus, Armenia and Georgia, then took us on a 10.000km ride from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, all across Russia and Kazakhstan from west to east, before concluding in Japan. We lived on trains for weeks. We had to leave half of our gear behind at the airport of Nur-Sultan, Kazachstan. We experienced the solitude of lake Baikal, the solemnity of Armenian monasteries, the exuberance of Georgian hospitality and the silent anonymity of Shibuya crowds.
Some of these moments were captured on film, by band members. We had no camera guy with us, nor any crew: this tour was just us. Our sound guy had second thoughts and bailed a week before the tour. Alex Kraudelt compiled these self-made snapshots into a silent documentary, after our return home.
We found the instrumental version of ‘Triassic’ to be the perfectly fitting soundtrack: also because parts of it were recorded during our one week stay in Yerevan, Armenia with traditional flutes and woodwinds player Hayk Karoyi Karapetyan, whom you will see in the opening and closing section of the film. The song itself was inspired by my own backpacking trips through the Middle East 15 years ago, long before the current wars ravaged the region.”

Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic can be streamed and purchased here: metalblade.com/theocean

Tracked in Iceland, Spain and Germany and produced by esteemed studio guru Jens Bogren, Phanerozoic II is underpinned by some of the most imaginative and challenging music that The Ocean – completed by drummer Paul Seidel, keyboard maestro Peter Voigtmann, bassist Mattias Hagerstrand and guitarist David Ramis Åhfeldt – have made yet. Divided into two sections – Mesozoic and Cenozoic – the album once again showcases the detail and depth that have become two of The Ocean‘s most enduring trademarks. While ostensibly delving into the extraordinary realities of the Earth’s shifting temporal tides, Staps and his comrades have long drawn hazy parallels between their chosen subjects and the emotional experiences that their music strives to convey. Phanerozoic II is essentially an album about time, with some very poignant and pointed allusions to the modern world woven into the new music’s spiritual fabric.

Staps explains, “The outcome is a record that is a real journey. It starts in one place, and concludes in a totally different place. In a way, it relates to 2013’s ‘Pelagial‘, which was similar in that it was also a journey: but a more guided, focused and predictable one. ‘Phanerozoic II‘ on the other hand is closer to the experience of free fall.”

Phanerozoic II: Mesozoic | Cenozoic track-listing
1. Triassic
2. Jurassic | Cretaceous
3. Palaeocene
4. Eocene
5. Oligocene
6. Miocene | Pliocene
7. Pleistocene
8. Holocene

The Ocean tour dates
w/ pg.lost, Hypno5e, Svalbard
Jan. 7 – Wiesbaden, Germany – Schlachthof
Jan. 8 – Colmar, France – Grillen
Jan. 9 – Paris, France – La Machine
Jan. 10 – Nantes, France – Ferrailleur
Jan. 11 – Toulouse, France – Le Rex
Jan. 12 – Bilbao, Spain – Stage Live
Jan. 13 – Lisbon, Portugal – LAV
Jan. 14 – Madrid, Spain – Caracol
Jan. 15 – Murcia, Spain – Gamma
Jan. 16 – Barcelona, Spain – Boveda
Jan. 17 – Bordeaux, France – Krakatoa
Jan. 18 – Lyon, France – CCO
Jan. 19 – Fribourg, Switzerland – Fri-Son
Jan. 20 – Lucerne, Switzerland – Sedel
Jan. 21 – Vienna, Austria – Viper Room
Jan. 22 – Prague, Czech Republic – Nova Chelmnice
Jan. 23 – Berlin, Germany – Festsaal
Jan. 25 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Pumpehuset
Jan. 26 – Hamburg, Germany – Bahnhof Pauli
Jan. 27 – Leipzig, Germany – Conne Island
Jan. 28 – Munich, Germany – Backstage
Jan. 29 – Essen, Germany – Zeche Carl
Jan. 30 – Osnabruck, Germany – Kleine Freiheit
Jan. 31 – Zwolle, Netherlands – Hedon
Feb. 1 – Cologne, Germany – Volta
Feb. 2 – Brussels, Belgium – Botanique
Feb. 3 – Utrecht, Netherlands – De Helling
Feb. 4 – Bristol, UK – The Fleece
Feb. 5 – Glasgow, UK – Slay
Feb. 6 – Manchester, UK – Club Academy
Feb. 7 – London, UK – 229
Feb. 8 – Brighton, UK – Patterns

KILFEATHER Release New Single ‘Beneath The Silence’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
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Beneath the Silence is the new single from Kilfeather and the follow up to the recently released singles Never Stop and King Creep both out now via Riot Records, released on 2 November.

Beneath the Silenceisabarreling punk rock anthem explodes like a Molotov cocktail. With a catchy hook, screaming guitars, and a runaway train style rhythm section, this track is definitely poised to get heads banging and bodies moving. The lyrics feel like a shot of adrenaline and its musical sneer amplifies the songs rebellious attitude. 

Stream/buy Beneath The Silence HERE

Watch the offical video for King Creep HERE

Kilfeather is a known multi-instrumentalist but specializes in guitar, vocals, and songwriting. He has written and released over 30 records and counting since 2006 and performs with a power trio under his own name.

Kilfeather’s music has been referred to as “Psych Garage Punk”, a sound that best describes a concoction of Garage Rock & Roll mixed with elements of Punk, Classic Metal, and Pop music.

He has shared the stage with a wide variety of artists and bands all across the west coast such as: Wayne Kramer (MC5), Kyle Gass (Tenacious D), Danny Carey (Tool), Steven Adler (Guns N Roses), HR (Bad Brains), John 5 (Rob Zombie), The Obsessed, Supersuckers, Death Valley Girls, LA Witch, WAAVES, Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Vibrators, and many more.

With his latest batch of records, Kilfeather caught the attention of Golden Robot Global Entertainment and was signed to their punk rock division, Riot Records. His new full-length album Island of Forgotten Toys is due out 2020 worldwide on GRGE/Riot.

“Arguably Vegas’ most prolific musician” – Las Vegas Review Journal

“Gritty, breakneck punk rock, taking influence from bands like Motorhead, Misfits and Dead Kennedys” – LV Weekly

STEVE HACKETT To Release New Acoustic Album ‘Under A Mediterranean Sky’ On January 22nd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
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Iconic guitarist STEVE HACKETT, will release his new acoustic album  Under A Mediterranean Sky on 22nd January 2021 as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet and Digital Album via InsideOut Music. Under A Mediterranean Sky is Steve Hackett’s first acoustic solo album since Tribute in 2008 and takes inspiration from Steve’s extensive travels around the Mediterranean with his wife Jo.

Working closely with long-time musical partner Roger King, Hackett has used his time during 2020’s lockdown to take us on an extraordinary musical journey around the Mediterranean, painting vivid images of stunning landscapes and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region. Famed for his rock roots with Genesis, and through his extensive solo catalogue, Hackett demonstrates the exquisite beauty of the nylon guitar at times venturing into the exotic ethnic and often supported by dazzling orchestral arrangements.

“A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album,” notes Hackett, “a time to contemplate the places we’ve visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination.

“Because we can’t really travel, substantially at the moment, I hope that the album will take people on that journey. Whether you sit down and listen to it or drift off to it with a glass of wine…”

Track Listing:

Mdina – The Walled City (Steve Hackett / Roger King)
Adriatic Blue (Steve Hackett)
Sirocco (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King)
Joie de Vivre (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett)
The Memory of Myth (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King
Scarlatti Sonata (Domenico Scarlatti)
Casa del Fauno (Steve Hackett / Roger King)
The Dervish and the Djin (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King)
Lorato (Steve Hackett)
Andalusian Heart (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King)
The Call of the Sea (Steve Hackett)

Our journey around the Med begins on the island of Malta, in Mdina – The Walled City.  It’s imposing strength is portrayed by Roger King’s dramatic orchestration while Hackett’s guitar weaves through the atmospheric streets describing the creativity, love and strength that held Malta together between all the waves of conflict.

With Hackett’s delicate guitar work, Adriatic Blue paints an enchanting view of stunning scenery as tall cliffs of forested mountains plunge into the deep blue sea along the Croatian coastline. Sirocco is altogether more atmospheric, inspired by the winds playing through the imposing structures of Egypt.

The lively Joie de Vivre expresses the unique sense of joy the French have through their wine, food and folk music, with paintings reflecting family gatherings, spectacular vistas and the vibrant colours of their cities. The art of dreaming is embodied in their sensual love of life.

“At first hand, I’ve marvelled at the mystical whirling Dervishes,” says Hackett.  Along with otherworldly beings such as the Djin (Genie) they sprang from Persia’s dreaming past. The Dervish And The Djin captures the extraordinary atmosphere of this most exotic of civilisations with the help of Hackett’s touring band regular – Rob Townsend’s soprano sax, the tar of Malik Mansurov (from Azerbaijan) and Armenian Arsen Petrosyan’s duduk. “Of course, those countries are virtually at war with each other,” Hackett adds, “and there has been something like a thousand casualties (at the time of writing) on both sides. Again, it’s a case of music being able to do things that politicians fail to do – something constructive.”

The Memory of Myth embodies the deep and rich history of Greece and features the violin of Christine Townsend (no relation) while Lorato – ‘love’ in the language of the African Tswana tribe – is a pretty folk tune.  Love is the force that heals and links all disparate peoples of the Mediterranean.

Hackett and his wife Jo were enchanted by the little Faun statue in the House of the Faun, Pompeii. “The villas there seemed to come back to life as we walked through those wonderful atriums and gardens,” inspiring Casa del Fauno and featuring the light and airy flute of Hackett’s brother John and Rob Townsend on flute.

The only non-original piece is Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata. This embodies the Baroque music of Italy, a sensitive interpretation embellished with cross-string trills, a technique introduced to Hackett by the fine classical guitarist, the late Theo Cheng.

Hackett also expresses his admiration for the flamenco guitarists of Andalucía who are celebrated on Andalusian Heart. “One of the flamenco guitarists was showing me the extraordinary things they are able to do,” Hackett explains. “Seeing the gypsies playing and dancing in caves there, you get the feeling that these people are dancing for their lives.”

Our journey comes to an end with The Call Of The Sea, a gentle and peaceful reflection of the vast body of water that unites the many civilisations both ancient and modern.

Under A Mediterranean Sky features Steve Hackett playing nylon, steel string and twelve string guitars, charango and Iraqi oud. Keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements are by Roger King. Featured musicians are John Hackett and Rob Townsend, flute (Casa del Fauno); Malik Mansurov, tar and Arsen Petrosyan, duduk & Rob Townsend, Sax (The Dervish And The Djin); Christine Townsend, violin (The Memory of Myth and The Call Of The Sea).  All tracks were produced by Steve Hackett and Roger King with all tracks recorded and mixed by Roger King at Siren.

“I had a great time doing this album, seeing it take shape, and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I’m very proud of it,” says Hackett. “The nylon guitar has a very individual sound but, within the compass of what the nylon-strung guitar can do, there are a lot of different tones. You can do the full-on attack, the kind of salvo that you expect from the flamenco players but, at the same time, it can also be very gentle, gentle as a harp. It’s shades of black and white.  It’s also exciting to play alongside instruments from around the world, as well as a wide range of orchestral sounds.”

RADIO REJECTS Release New Single + Video ‘Monsters’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 5, 2020
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In a world where punk rock seems to change definition more times than most people change their minds, Australian NSW South-Coast based Radio Rejects stick to the true definition of the genre. Influenced by old school 4-Chord and 90s skate punk, the Rejects push the true ideology that punk rock is all about fun and dare we say rad times – but sometimes music can be used to address a darker side. 

Their new single Monsters, was written as an anti-bullying song by Radio Rejects singer Smith. At a young age Smith was bullied and picked on a lot, which over the years ended up with him developing some inner demons and mental health issues.

These issues contributed to him being somewhat of an introvert and shy, which was often mistaken as being arrogant, when truth is, his inner head space would cause him to think people didn’t like him without giving them a chance to prove otherwise. This gave off an impression of him being “cold”. The song focuses on the long term effects bullying can cause, and as in a lot of cases, the people you consider to be a “Monsters” were made over the years of being treated like garbage.

Stream/buy Monsters HERE