British NWOBHM legends SAXON have announced via their official Facebook page that they will be appearing as special guests of JUDAS PRIEST on selected dates in the USA:
“Saxon 35th anniversary Special Guest Tour!!
Judas Priest / Saxon Tour
Due to their 35th anniversary tour Saxon will be Special Guest of Judas Priest at select shows in 2015.
See two legends of New Wave of British Heavy Metal in one concert!
Don’t miss it!!”
The Dates:
17 May, Cincinnati, OH
– Horseshoe Cincinnati-The Shoe
19 May, St Charles, MO
– Family Arena
20 May, Council Bluffs, IA
– Harrah’s Casino-Stir Cove
This October/November, metal icons ARCH ENEMY will be returning to North American soil to tour in support of their new, critically acclaimed album, War Eternal! To celebrate this momentous headlining trek, the band will be releasing a split 7″ with KREATOR, who are direct support on the run. Available starting at the Baltimore show tonight (October 23), be sure to purchase this exclusive transparent red 7″ (limited to 500 copies) at the merch table; a dark red 7″ (limited to 500 copies) will also be available on KREATOR and ARCH ENEMY’s European tour, which sees ARCH ENEMY as direct support.
ARCH ENEMY covered the JUDAS PRIEST classic “Breaking The Law” for this special release; to hear their version of the track, head over to Revolver Mag.com for the premiere, HERE. Michael Amott (guitar) comments: “When we do covers, we have a tendency to pick somewhat obscure songs. However, the iconic ‘Breaking The Law’ anthem by JUDAS PRIEST is anything but that of course! This just started with a fun jam in the studio, and during the process, we tried to make it sound as ARCH ENEMY as possible – it turned out pretty f’n cool, and here it is…Enjoy!”
ARCH ENEMY/KREATOR split 7″ track-listing:
Side A (ARCH ENEMY)
1. Breaking The Law (JUDAS PRIEST cover)
Side B (KREATOR)
1. Iron Destiny
ARCH ENEMY is currently touring the world in support of War Eternal, which was hailed as the band’s “strongest album in years” (DECIBEL MAGAZINE). To purchase War Eternal, head over to iTunes or AmazonMP3 for a digital copy with a bonus track; a variety of physical formats is also available at CM Distro and your local retailer.
For a preview of War Eternal, be sure to check out the following previously released videos:
A special Spotify playlist by ARCH ENEMY front-woman Alissa White-Gluz can be seen here:
October 6, JUDAS PRIEST performed at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Check out below the fan-filmed video footage of the concert.
The band’s setlist was as follows:
01. Dragonaut
02. Metal Gods
03. Devil’s Child
04. Victim Of Changes
05. Halls Of Valhalla
06. Love Bites
07. March Of The Damned
08. Turbo Lover
09. Redeemer Of Souls
10. Beyond The Realms Of Death
11. Jawbreaker
12. Breaking The Law
13. Hell Bent For Leather
Encore:
14. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’
15. Living After Midnight
JUDAS PRIEST vocalist Rob Halford admits he’d like to be able to hit the notes he could 40 years ago, according to Classicrockmagazine.com.
But the Metal God, who recently stated he could still scream his head off, says he’s not holding back on his vocal delivery and that the band are sounding “unbelievable.”
He tells One On One With Mitch Lafon: “I’d like to feel that what I’m trying to do on Redeemer Of Souls are the best examples of my abilities right now. I’m going to places that I can go to – I’m not pulling back in any areas.
“I get frustrated. I freely admit that I wish I could do the stuff I could do when I was laying down tracks in 1974 or 1975, but that’s just ridiculous – I don’t think any singer can requalify those moments again. You go out and do your best.
“We’ve been jamming in the UK, rehearsing the setlist for the band’s North American tour and it sounds unbelievable. The new material, especially, is just roaring out of the band.”
And with 17 albums under their belt, Halford reveals choosing a setlist has to capture the best of Judas Priest’s heritage.
He continues: “There’s the classics Living After Midnight, Breaking The Law and You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – these are things that are part of Priest’s heritage. Even though we have this massive back catalogue of songs, if we didn’t come out and play these really important, significant moments of Priest, then I think our fans would be disappointed.
“So this tour is our best attempt to cover a lot of ground again – play the new stuff, play the classics and give everybody a good night out.”
Earlier this month, Halford said he was excited at what’s to come from the band and revealed he’s open to more solo work – but only if it didn’t interfere with his Judas Priest commitments.
After the Success of their first two albums ‘Serpents Kiss’ and ‘Valley Of Shadows’, the ATKINS MAY PROJECT returns in grand style, with yet another Colossal Album of Gargantuan Proportions! Like its predecessors ‘Empire Of Destruction’ (out September 29th, via Gonzo MultiMedia) comes once again straight out of the heart of “Black Country” in the UK, the “Home of Metal”! The album continues its Classic Rock theme with enough metal moments to melt your face off, yet features an abundance of imagination and class to intrigue even the most progressive of tastes.
Says Al, “From ‘World at War’ to ‘Whisper to the Wind’ it will take you on a journey of battle fields to sombre tears…”
Again boasting a superb collection of immense Rock and Metal tracks with standout vocals throughout from Atkins (sounding like he’s gargled with razor blades for breakfast!) To the tasteful guitar work of musical virtuoso May, who still shreds the axe like the old guitar masters themselves. All in all another Authoritative release from these Classic British Rock Merchants.
Says Paul, “Our first album ‘Serpents Kiss’ set the bench mark for the second ‘Valley of Shadows’, a mature classic metal affair, that in turn set a much higher new bench mark for ‘Empire of Destruction’, which has evolved into something I believe will stand the test of time, an to be album to proud of.”
Al Atkins: Noted for forming UK’s Judas Priest and fronting them for four years and laying down the foundations which would see them eventually selling 40 million albums worldwide. He also wrote songs for them which went gold like “Dreamer Deceiver”, “Never Satisfied”, “Winter”, “Caviar and Meths” and Priest’s all time classic “Victim of Changes”. Al’s unique powerful vocal style sites influences by noted rock singers Roger Daltrey, Paul Rodgers and longtime friend Robert Plant. Al has done countless radio and TV interviews worldwide and recently featured in the BBC TV ‘British Heritage’. He has even written a book on his musical life about growing up in Birmingham, UK alongside Robert Plant and Black Sabbath called ‘Dawn of the Metal Gods’. Al has released 6 solo albums to date, and teamed up with brilliant Christian writer/guitarist Paul May to record their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Serpent’s Kiss’.
Paul May: Some people learn to play guitar, Paul was born to play guitar! Paul has become respected for his passionate, soulful guitar work and noted for his explosive and exciting solos. As a world class professional guitarist and songwriter, Paul has played and recorded sessions across the globe, touring and playing throughout the UK, Europe, USA and the Eastern block. Paul appears on around 50 albums to date, featured in both the secular and Christian arenas. Paul is also a record producer and has covered the entire spectrum of musical tastes in production.
Now with the release of the new Atkins May Project CD, the dichotomous duo are ready once again to bring their special brand of rock and metal to the masses. If standing in a Wind Tunnel and being hit in the stomach by a bowling ball is your kind of album … rush out and buy it!
The first 1,000 CD’s comes with a limited edition DVD!
Alongside the ‘Empire Of Destruction’ Album release, the video “Here Comes The Rain”(shortened version) has been unveiled, watch it below:
Also check out the ‘Empire Of Destruction’ CD sampler here:
Atkins May Project – ‘Empire Of Destruction’ is available through Gonzo MultiMedia and can be purchased at this location.
The largest metal festival in the world, Wacken Open Air, has announced the first bands who will be playing at the festival in 2015. The organisers stated via their official website:
The Hamburg Metal Dayz are running and we just presented five new names for the 26th W:O:A.
We think it was worth the wait!
JUDAS PRIEST
Judas Priest have just released their 17th studio album in July, which proofs that the band isn’t outdated at all.
We´re looking forward to their second W:O:A performance – legendary singer Rob Halford and his companions are coming to town!
ROB ZOMBIE Robert Bartleh Cummings is a very busy man. He is working as a film director, screenwriter, film producer, comic writer and last but not least: As a metal musician.
Better known as Rob Zombie, he is legendary for amazing stage performances as well as great music. And now the master of horror is going to hit Wacken
The BOSSHOSS
For the 4th time, country rockers The BossHoss return to W:O:A! Get your cowboy hats ready!
KHOLD
Listen up Black Metal fans! Khold are going to play one of their rare live shows at W:O:A 2015. The band already played at Wacken in 2011 and will now return for another battle.
BLACK lABEL SOCIETY
Black Label Society will return to Wacken after 15 years! The band of guitarist and singer Zakk Wylde has an outstanding reputation in the Metal scene. The last output of the group is called Catacombs of the Black Vatican and was released earlier this year.
Of course there is also a new trailer with the confirmed bands – have fun!
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video