Adam Lawton, Author at MediaMikes

ALTER BRIDGE ANNOUNCE SPRING HEADLINE TOUR WITH SPECIAL GUESTS BLACK STONE CHERRY AND SAINT ASONIA

WALK THE SKY TOUR 2020 Continues This MayWith More Dates Worldwide To Be Announced

On the heels of their successful winter headline tour that wraps next week, Alter Bridge are announcing a spring run that is set to kickoff this May. The next headline run will include select festival appearances as well as headline shows with special guests Black Stone Cherry and Saint Asonia. The tour kicks off on May 1^st in Atlanta and wraps up on May 24^th at Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK. The tour will make stops in Huntington, NY; Sayreville, NJ; New Orleans, LA and Houston, TX to name a few. Artist presale begins Wednesday, February 19^thfrom 10AM – Thursday, February 20^th 10PM local time and the public on sale is Friday, February 21^st at 10AM local time. Previously announced festival appearances include Epicenter Festival in Charlotte, NC; Welcome to Rockville in Daytona Beach, FL; Sonic Temple Festival in Columbus, OH and Rocklahoma in Pryor, OK. Ticket information for all shows can be found at: https://alterbridge.com.

The new tour announcement comes on the heels of their recently released second single from Walk The Sky, “Godspeed.” The song has become a fast favorite amongst fans and critics alike and is currently moving up the charts at Active Rock radio. Written in memory of a friend of the band who passed away, “Godspeed” is an uplifting musical memorial for anyone who has lost someone. The lyric video for the song can be seen here: https://youtu.be/UND4qN0baL0.

Alter Bridge recently released their latest album Walk The Sky (Napalm Records) to critical acclaim and career milestone chart success. The latest album brought the band comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips their first ever #1 on Top Current Albums chart. The band’s newest release found a home at #1 on over a dozen charts around the globe including: Top Current Albums (US), Billboard Top Albums (US), Current Hard Music Albums (US), Current Rock Albums (US), Current Alternative Albums (US), Record Label Independent Current Albums (US), Record Label Independent Current Album Consumption (US), Internet Albums (US), Top Albums – Market Share – ADA (US), Top Albums with TEA (US), Hard Music (Canada), Top Hard Music Albums (Canada), 100 Independent Albums (UK), Rock & Metal Chart (UK), Top 100 Swiss Albums (Switzerland). Walk The Sky entered the official album Charts at #3 in Austria, Scotland and the Swedish Hard Rock Charts, at #4 in the UK and Canada at #5 in Germany, at #7 in Australia and #16 on the US Billboard 200. Walk The Sky is produced by longtime collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette and is available in various configurations at https://smarturl.it/WalkTheSky.

Alter Bridge burst onto the music scene in 2004 with the release of their gold-selling debut, One Day Remains. In 2007, the band released Blackbird, the album that elevated the band’s profile worldwide. The epic solo in the title track “Blackbird” was voted “Greatest Guitar Solo Of All Time” by Guitarist Magazine. ABIII was released in 2010 and the single “Isolation” gave the band their first #1 single. In 2013, the band reached an elevated creative and critical plateau with Fortress. It bowed at #12 on the Billboard Top 200, moving over 30,000 copies first-week and earning unanimous tastemaker praise. The record garnered perfect scores from Total Guitar and KERRANG! as well as acclaim from Billboard, The Guardian, Loudwire, Ultimate Guitar, and many more. In between sold out tours in Europe and North America, the guys appeared on VH1 and graced the cover of Classic Rock Magazine who labeled Fortress, “The best thing they’ve ever done,” while Eddie Trunk called it, “A top 10 album of the last 10 years.” 2016’s The Last Hero gave the band their first Top 10 album since their debut. Alter Bridge has appeared on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live and their music has been used by the WWE, Major League Baseball and NASCAR to name a few. The band recently released the video and audio of their career highlight, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, featuring Alter Bridge backed by the 52-piece Parallax Orchestra led by conductor Simon Dobson. In December 2019, Guitar World magazine voted Mark Tremonti the Guitarist of the Decade and the latest album Walk The Sky ended up on numerous year end lists signifying Alter Bridge are showing no signs of slowing down.

For more info visit:www.alterbridge.comwww.facebook.com/alterbridge Twitter: @alterbridge

Walk The Sky Tour 2020
5-1 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle (No Saint Asonia)
5-2 – Charlotte, NC – Epicenter Festival (AB Only)
5-4 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
5-6 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
5-7 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
5-9 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome To Rockville
5-10 – Destin, FL – Club LA (AB Only)
5-12 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theatre
5-13 – Niagara Falls, NY – Rapids Theatre
5-15 – Rama, ONTARIO – Casino Rama
5-16 – Columbus, OH – Sonic Temple Festival
5-18 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore
5-20 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
5-21 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Pavilion
5-23 – Herrin, IL – Herrinfesta Italiana (AB Only)
5-24 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma (AB Only)

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED
2-18 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
2-20 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
2-21 – Lake Tahoe, NV – Montbleu Resort
2-23 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
2-24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
2-26 – Seattle, WA – Moore Theatre
2-27 – Spokane, WA – Knitting Factory

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FOO FIGHTERS 25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BEGIN

THE VAN TOUR TO REVISIT STOPS ALONG 1995 TOUR
All Shows To Feature Sneak Peek of Dave Grohl’s New Documentary WHAT DRIVES US

Tickets On Sale to the Public Friday, February 21 at 10am Local Time

Congratulations: You’re old! You’ve been going to see Foo Fighters shows for 25 years now! What better way to celebrate than joining the band in commemorating its silver anniversary in some of the same cities where the first FF shows took place in 1995? Beginning April 12 at the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix AZ, the Foo Fighters’ 2020 Van Tour will do just that, hitting a number of the same spots that Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel and Pat Smear trailblazed in a Dodge van all those years ago—in arenas this time, because aside from many of those clubs on that 1995 trek having since ceased to exist, squeezing a 2020 FF show into the few that are still around would just be too insane…

… or would it? Stay tuned for the answer to that question. Or answers…

In addition to customary all-night rock n roll marathons from 1995 Van Tour veterans Grohl, Mendel and Smear and their longtime comrades Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee, each and every 2020 Van Tour show will feature a very special opening attraction: A sneak peek at an excerpt from Dave Grohl’s brand new documentary WHAT DRIVES US. Foo Fighters’ 2020 Van Tour will feature a short preview from Dave’s deep dive into what possesses a particular tribe of human beings to leave behind jobs, families, relationships and any semblance of sanity to climb into a busted ass econoline and take their music to the people–or at least a dozen or so of them here and there. WHAT DRIVES US explores motivations, recounts personal anecdotes, and explores the physical and psychological toll of touring in vans via interviews with members of van tour veteran bands ranging from Black Flag and Dead Kennedys to Metallica and The Beatles, and many, many more.

Citi is the official presale credit card of The Van Tour 2020. As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets beginning Tuesday, February 18 at 12pm ET until Thursday, February 20 at 10pm local time through Citi Entertainment®. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com. For further information, stay tuned to FooFighters.com.

FOO FIGHTERS
THE VAN TOUR 2020

4/12/2020
Phoenix, AZ
Talking Stick Resort Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/Phoenix

4/14/2020
Albuquerque, NM
Santa Ana Star Center
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/ABQ

4/16/2020
Oklahoma City, OK
Chesapeake Energy Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/OKC

4/18/2020
Wichita, KS
INTRUST Bank Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/WKS

4/20/2020
Knoxville, TN
Thompson-Boling Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/KTN

5/10/2020
Green Bay, WI
Resch Center
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/GBWI

5/12/2020
Grand Rapids, MI
Van Andel Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/GRMI

5/14/2020
Cincinnati, OH
Heritage Bank Center
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/Cincy

5/18/2020
Cleveland, OH
Rocket Mortgage Arena
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/Cleveland

5/20/2020
Hamilton, ON
FirstOntario Centre
https://FooFighters.lnk.to/HON

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METALLICA: ALL WITHIN MY HANDS FOUNDATION HELPING HANDS CONCERT RESCHEDULED TO SEPTEMBER 12, 2020

Time to update the calendar as the second installment of the All Within My Hands Helping Hands Concert has been rescheduled for September 12, 2020, still at the Masonic in San Francisco. A few of you may recall that in September as we were riding high on all the positive vibes that came out of the two S&M² shows, we were excited to announce that we had set aside March 28th to celebrate AWMH with all of you again. However, we may have been a little too ambitious with that date in terms of getting our shit together and giving you an experience that matches or surpasses the first event held in November of 2018.

We apologize for inconvenience that this change may cause and thank you for all the support and love that you’ve given All Within My Hands. We’ve had some incredible accomplishments in the last two years, including the launch of the innovative Metallica Scholars program (more on year two here: https://www.allwithinmyhands.org/news-media/news/metallica-scholars-year-two.html) and are excited to share all the details—and a kick-ass show—with you later this year.

More information and ticketing details coming very soon.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 12, 2020, concert, foundation, hands, helping, ...

STEEL PANTHER TO APPEAR ON TONIGHT’S EPISODE OF TRUTV’s HIT SHOW IMPRACTICAL JOKERS

200^th Episode Airs This Evening At 10PM (Check Local Listings)

Band Wraps First Leg Of Successful European Headline Tour In Support of Latest Release Heavy Metal Rules Next Week

On the eve of the most romantic holiday Hallmark has ever created, heavy music’s medically-cleared lovers and partiers Steel Panther are adding another career milestone to their ever-expanding resume. Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia joined up with Q, Murr, Joe and Sal for an appearance on the 200^th episode of their hit TV show, Impractical Jokers. Impractical Jokers airs on TruTV and the Steel Panther episode is set to air this evening at 10PM (check local listings).

“What says good times, rock and roll, and making your buddies look like jerks in front of other people more than Steel Panther and Impractical Jokers getting together in one killer episode????? Well, nothing. Seriously, nothing says it more. This 200th anniversary episode was a blast to film, and we were so excited to be asked to be a part of it!” exclaims Steel Panther.

Steel Panther is currently in the middle of the first leg of their 2020 year-long world tour in support of their latest release Heavy Metal Rules. The tour has seen the band play to sold out rooms across Europe and the guys were even joined by their friends in Five Finger Death Punch during a show last month in Helsinki. Shows in Canada were recently announced with plans for more dates in the United States and Australia to be announced in the future. Information on all shows can be found at: https://www.steelpantherrocks.com/pages/tour.

Confirmed 2020 World Tour Dates (So Far):
Feb 15: Belfast, UK – Ulster Hall
Feb 16: Dublin, Ireland – Vicar Street
Feb 17: Cork, Ireland – Cyprus Ave
Mar 12: Coquitlam, BC, Canada – Hard Rock Casino
Mar 13: Coquitlam, BC, Canada – Hard Rock Casino
Mar 14: Coquitlam, BC, Canada – Hard Rock Casino
Jun 10-13: Nicklesdorf, Austria – Nova Rock
Jun 13: Krakow, Poland – Studio
Jun 14: Budapest, Hungary – Barba Negra Track
Jun 16: Milan, Italy – Alcatraz
Jun 18-21: Dessel, Belgium – Grasspop Metal Meetin
Jul 1-4: Ballenstedt, Germany – Rockharz festival
Jul 10: Mansfield, OH – Inkcarceration Festival 2020

Recently Steel Panther released their latest video, the NSFW clip for the title track “Heavy Metal Rules.” The video picks up right where the video for their hit “Death To All But Metal” leaves off. The video then follows the band on the road to stardom from small clubs to some of the largest festivals in the world filled with copious amounts of beauties, blow, and boobs. The video set new records for the band in terms of engagement until the fun police at YouTube got wind of the video and slowed it down.

“Heavy Metal Rules,” directed by Frankie Nasso, can be seen here: https://youtu.be/uvubIgC9zi0.

The song comes from their “now available everywhere” latest album, Heavy Metal Rules (https://lnk.to/HeavyMetalRules).

ABOUT STEEL PANTHER:

For the uninitiated, Steel Panther was formed in 2000 and is comprised of Michael Starr (lead singer), Satchel (guitarist), Lexxi Foxx (bass) and Stix Zadinia (drums). Hailing from Los Angeles, the epicenter for rock n’ roll in all its debauchery and glamour, Steel Panther has established themselves as the world’s premier party band, melding hard rock virtuosity with parody and criminally good looks. Steel Panther is a global phenomenon with four full-length albums, touring across the world, platinum-level You Tube status and high-profile television appearances such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, Larry King Now, and FOX NFL Sunday.

Rolling Stone avowed, “There’s a reason Steel Panther have transcended their origins as a cover band playing the Sunset Strip,” while Metal Sucks declared, Steel Panther’s concept is genius…their songwriting is…preposterously snappy – and relatable.”

Connect with Steel Panther: www.steelpantherrocks.com

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines, TV, TV Headlines Tagged With: episode, hit, impractical, jokers, panther, show, ...

MYRKUR REVEALS “LEAVES OF YGGDRASIL” VIDEO

FOLKESANGE OUT MARCH 20 ON RELAPSE RECORDS

Today Danish composer and multi-instrumentalist, Myrkur has revealed her new video and single, “Leaves of Yggdrasil“. Amalie Bruuns’s delicate and sweeping vocals paired with the violin, piano, lyre and nyckelharpa make for a lullaby-like song which she notes, “is very dear to my heart.” She continues, “I wrote Leaves of Yggdrasil about being apart from the one you love because of circumstances that are completely out of your control. The Norns weave the fates of Gods and man and sometimes that means very tough life situations. I wanted to create a song with the feeling of an old folk-tale, but with words that resonated with my own life today.”

For the video, Amalie rejoined forces with filmmaker Mats Ek to create something entirely different from anything she’s ever done. Watch below as they take you into a visual universe somewhere outside of nature and more into the otherworldly.

Listen & Share: “Leaves of Yggdrasil” (Official Music Video)

Listen & Share: “Leaves of Yggdrasil” on all digital platforms

Myrkur’s Amalie Bruun has always paved her own path and challenged underground preconceptions of heavy genres. Just after newfound motherhood, Bruun set out on a journey into the very heart of the Scandinavian culture that marked her own childhood with the release of her new album, Folkesange. Due out March 20 via Relapse Records, Folkesange relinquishes black metal for a refined yet far-reaching evocation of traditional folk, combining songs ancient and new to sublimely resonant effect.

Storytelling, rites of passage, and the invocation of a continuity that passes through time and generation are all part of folk music’s tapestry, and Folkesange taps into all these currents in their most essential form. In part a purist’s approach to the genre, free from over-interpretation and fusion, the use of Kulning (an ancient Scandinavian herding call) and traditional instruments throughout, such as nyckelharpa, lyre and mandola offer a deeper, more tactile connection to their source, an unbroken line of communication back to the past.

But the album is no museum piece; it resonates in the here and now, aided by the spacious production of Heilung member and musical collaborator Christopher Juul. Cinematic yet intimate, Folkesange exists in a state of boundless reverie, bourne by string-led drones, cyclical, elegiac rhythms and Bruun‘s frictionless voice, all carrier signals for deep-rooted, ancestral memories, and associations felt on an elemental level.

An immersive experience in its own right, but also belonging to a wider, pagan folk-based renaissance that has attracted a devoted following worldwide, Folkesange answers a need that has become ever more pressing in turbulent times. A zeroing in on a resonance that is both intrinsic and enduring, it’s a rediscovery of personal grounding, and an experience that reaches beyond culture to remind us of a shared, deeply rooted inheritance. A tuning fork that binds the personal and the universal, Folkesange is a reminder that the most transcendent experiences are those closest to home.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: leaves, myrkur, reveals, video, yggdrasil

HATEBREED Set To Perform at LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival on Saturday, May 2nd 2020 at Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster, PA

LaunchMusicConference.com

Event Being Held April 30-May 3, 202015+ Hours of Panels, One-on-One Industry Mentoring, 170+ Live Performances Across All Genres, on 12 Stages Over Three Nights

Submit to perform, register to attend, and book your stay now at LaunchMusicConference.com

LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival has announced the addition of metal/hardcore giants HATEBREED to the list of performers slated to appear at this year’s event. The GRAMMY® nominated quintet will play on Saturday, May 2nd 2020 at Chameleon Club in Downtown Lancaster, PA.

LAUNCH director and founder Jeremy L. Weiss says, “The LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival parent company, The CI Companies, has had the pleasure of producing Hatebreed shows several times over the last couple decades. They are a colossal force in Metal & Hardcore music, and a big-time personal favorite! Easily some of the best dudes in the business, to boot. Love what they add to LAUNCH, and how this year’s event has such incredible musical diversity, and choice for attendees, top-down!”

Tickets now available at: http://bit.ly/LMCF20ALL.

The announcement follows on the heels of the previously-announced addition of Smokepurpp, The Juliana Theory and more to the list of artists performing.

Celebrating its 12th year, The LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival will once again take over Historic Downtown Lancaster April 30-May 3, 2020.
____________________________________________________

About HATEBREED:

With steadfast determination, drive, and dedication, Hatebreed have cemented themselves as one of heavy music’s strongest institutions. Since 1994, the Connecticut quintet—Jamey Jasta [vocals], Chris Beattie [bass], Wayne Lozinak [guitar], Frank Novinec [guitar], and Matthew Byrne [drums]—has risen to the ranks of hardcore and heavy metal elite with a GRAMMY® Award nomination, main stage slots on festivals, and countless fans worldwide.

www.facebook.com/hatebreed

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, 2nd, chameleon, club, conference, downtown, ...

Megadeth and Lamb Of God Announce Massive 2020 Co-Headline Tour Across North America Presented by SiriusXM

Special Guests Trivium and In Flames Will Join Summer and Fall Legs

Tickets Go on Sale to General Public Starting Friday, February 14 at Livenation.com

Two of the biggest bands in heavy metal – Megadeth and LAMB OF GOD – will be joining forces on a co-headline tour across North America this year, presented by SiriusXM. And to add to the firepower of this already formidable tour, Trivium and In Flames are joining, making this THE must-see heavy music package of the year. Tickets will go on general sale Friday, February 14 from livenation.com

Megadeth, fueled by Dave Mustaine’s triumphant return to the stage following his diagnosis and recovery of throat cancer, will embark on their first North American tour since 2017. Speaking on the epic announcement, Megadeth’s leader and frontman, Dave Mustaine says, “Hello me! I’m back again, better than ever and coming to a town near you with Lamb of God, Trivium and In Flames. If you want high octane metal madness this is the tour for you.

“LAMB OF GOD released their first new music in five years last week with the single “Checkmate.” The track is the first to be released from the band’s self-titled eighth studio album, due out May 8^, which is one of the most anticipated and important metal records of the year. Commenting on their upcoming co-headline run, Mark Morton, lead guitarist of LAMB OF GOD, adds, “The world has never needed heavy more than it does today and top to bottom, this tour delivers! LAMB OF GOD has toured with and been friends with all of these bands for years, but for all of us to be on the same bill is something extra special. Come early and stay late. This is THE metal tour of the year.”

Trivium’s Matt Heafy adds, “We are happy to be a part of the biggest real metal tour of the year. This tour is the main event and represents heavy metal and the culture that goes with it.“

With In Flames singer, Anders Fridén stating, “We were honored to be asked to join this package. We were actually supposed to take this summer off, but of course we couldn’t say no. After playing shows with all of these guys for years, 2020 is going to feel like a kick ass reunion. See you on the road, Jesterheads!”

Produced by Live Nation, this epic 55-city tour will stretch across summer and fall, kicking off June 12 in Bristow, VA, and hit every region of the U.S. before wrapping November 13in Reno, NV. Multiple Canadian shows are scheduled as well. See full itinerary below.

Tickets and VIP packages for all four artists go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, February 14 at 10 a.m. local time at LiveNation.com. Citi is the official presale credit card of the tour.

As such, Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets & VIP packages beginning Tuesday, February 11 at 10 a.m. local time until Thursday, February 13 at 10 p.m. local time through Citi Entertainment^®. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.

Megadeth and LAMB OF GOD NORTH AMERICAN tour dates:

Summer 2020:

6/12 – Bristow, VA @ Jiffy Lube Live

6/13 – Charlotte, NC @ PNC Music Pavilion

6/14 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater

6/16 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater

6/17 – Wantagh, NY @ Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

6/18 – Camden, NJ @ BB&T Pavilion

6/20 – Holmdel, MA @ PNC Bank Arts Center

6/21 – Boston, MA @ Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion

6/23 – Syracuse, NY @ St. Joseph’s Heath Amphitheater at Lakeview

6/24 – Providence, RI @ Bold Point Lake Amphitheater

6/28 – Burgettstown, PA @ S&T Bank Music Park*

6/29 – Toronto, ON @ Budweiser Stage

7/1 – Detroit, NI @ DTE Energy Music Theater

7/2 – Mount Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre

7/3 – Indianapolis, IN @ Ruoff Music Center

7/5 – Atlanta, GA @ Ameris Music Center

7/7 – Cincinnati, OH @ PNC Pavilion

7/8 – Cleveland, OH @Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica

7/10 – Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago, IL

7/11 – Sgt. Louis, MO @ Chicago, IL @ Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis, MO*

7/12 – Nashville, TN @ Nashville Municipal Auditorium

7/14 – Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP*

7/16 – Austin, TX @ Germania Insurance Amphitheater

7/17 – Houston, TX @ The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

7/18 – Irving, TX @The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory+

7/20 – Albuquerque, NM @ Isleta Amphitheater

7/21- Phoenix, AZ @ Isleta Amphitheater

7/23 – Irvine, CA @ FivePoint Amphitheatre

7/25 – Auburn, WA @ White River Amphitheatre

7/26 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center

7/29 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre

7/30 – Pocatello, ID @ Portneuf Health Trust Amphitheatre

8/1 – Concord, CA @ Concord Pavilion

Fall 2020:

10/2 – West Palm Beach, CA @ iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre

10/6 – Birmingham, AL @ Oak Mountain Amphitheatre

10/7 – New Orleans, LA @ UNO Lakefront Arena

10/9 – Corpus Christi, TX @ American Bank Center Arena

10/11 – El Paso, TX @ Don Haskins Center

10/14 – Springfield, MO @ JOH Arena

10/16 – Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center

10/21 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center

10/23 – Huntington, WV @ Mountain Heath Arena

10/24 – Bethlehem, PA @ The Wind Creek Event Center

10/27 – Quebec City, QC @ Centre Videotron

10/28 – Laval, QC @ Place Bell

10/30 – St, Paul, MN @ Armory

10/3 – Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center*

11/2 – Omaha, NE @ Baxter Arena

11/3 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

11/5 – Denver, CO @ Pepsi Center

11/7 – Las Vegas, NV @ Mandalay Bay Events Center

11/10 – Spokane, WA @ Spokane Arena

11/11 – Nampa, ID @ Ford Idaho Center Arena

11/13 – Reno, NV @ Reno Events Center

*on sale starts 11 a.m. local time

+on sale starts 12 noon local time

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, america, announce, coheadline, god, lamb, ...

Third Annual INKCARCERATION Music and Tattoo Festival Announces Daily Lineups

Ohio’s Rock Event of The Summer is Back July 10-12, 2020 at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory

Headliners Include Limp Bizkit, Weezer and Blink-182

The third annual INKCARCERATION Music and Tattoo Festival has revealed the daily lineups for its three-day event, scheduled for July 10, 11 and 12 at the famous Ohio State Reformatory, a.k.a. Shawshank prison, in Mansfield, OH.

As previously announced, Limp Bizkit, Weezer and Blink-182 will headline a diverse lineup featuring over 40 bands on two outdoor stages. In addition to music, INKCARCERATION Festival will host 60 tattoo artists, reformatory tours, gourmet food trucks, the best drinks, camping and the return of the popular haunted house attraction Escape from Blood Prison.

INDIVIDUAL DAILY LINE-UPS:

Friday July 10:

Limp Bizkit

Papa Roach

Steel Panther

Candlebox

Atreyu

All That Remains

We Came As Romans

Escape the Fate

The Aquadolls

Stitched Up Heart

Paralandra

MissYou

Saving Escape

Saturday July 11:

Weezer

Haelstorm

Underoath

Badflower

Static-X

Puddle of Mudd

New Politics

Emmure

Stick to Your Guns

New Years Day

September Mourning

Along Came a Spider

Dead Engine

Mollo Rilla

Sunday July 12:

Blink-182

Mastodon

Hollywood Undead

Falling in Reverse

The Devil Wears Prada

Attila

Cold

Carnifex

Band-Maid

Damn Nation

A Killer’s Confessions

Sink the Ship

Single day tickets are now available, starting at just $65, and two-day tickets are available for $139. Weekend Field Passes, which include three-day General Admission, Field Passes to the concert for the entire weekend and self-guided reformatory tours, start at just $220. See below for additional ticket information.

Ohio State Reformatory’s historic building and grounds provide a perfectly eerie setting for the INKCARCERATION Festival. The massive, awe-inspiring locale is recognized as not only one of the most haunted reformatories in the country, but also as the filming location for multiple Hollywood films. The most famous of these films is the 1994 cinematic classic and IMDB highest rated movie of all time, The Shawshank Redemption, starring Hollywood legends Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.

Once again, it will be Halloween in July at the INKCARCERATION Festival as Escape from Blood Prison makes an early appearance. The annual Halloween haunted house attraction typically runs from the end of September through early November at the Ohio State Reformatory, but this spooky experience will be open all weekend long for festival goers. Once Blood Prison takes over the reformatory, it is filled with bloodthirsty inmates waiting for victims to enter and try to make it through the facility alive.

The Ohio State Reformatory is centrally located, about an hour away from Cleveland, Columbus and Canton/Akron, and within a three-hour driving radius of Toledo, Dayton, Cincinnati, Youngstown, parts of West Virginia and Michigan, making it the perfect destination festival! Tent and RV camping packages are available on the grounds. Nearby hotel and ticket combo packages are also available.

TICKETS:Single day tickets start at just $65. Two day General Admission tickets are just $139. Weekend Field Passes include three-day General Admission, Field Passes to the concert for the entire weekend and self-guided reformatory tours that start at just $189.

Attendees can further accent their experience with a Weekend VIP Pass, which starts at just $369. This pass includes: VIP wristband, Field Passes for the entire weekend, self-guided reformatory tours, air conditioned VIP lounge with seating and tables, free lunch and dinner catering each day, access to locker storage and cell phone charging, private bar and game area and outdoor lounge, an elevated covered grandstand, and dedicated Hydration Station, flushable restrooms and portable restrooms, entrance to the event and the Reformatory.

Tickets are available at https://inkcarceration.frontgatetickets.com/.

CAMPING:Weekend Camping Packages are available for both tents and RVs. General Weekend Tent Camping starts at $199 and includes 1,000 square feet of space for up to four people, access to the A/C Camping Lounge, optional breakfast, lunch and drinks available for purchase, dedicated shuttles to and from the festival, re-entry during the festival via the camping shuttles, live entertainment after the festival, access to Camping Hydration Station, and access to showers and restrooms. There are five different lots available within the grounds. General Weekend RV Camping starts at $299 and includes the same amenities as Tent Camping plus hookups for electric and water. Admission to the festival is not included in Weekend Camping Packages and must be purchased separately.

Hotel and ticket combination packages are also available. All tickets, including Field, VIP, Hotel Packages and Camping, may be purchased at www.inkcarceration.com/tickets.

In its second year, INKCARCERATION Festival nearly tripled the inaugural year’s attendance numbers, drawing 45,000 fans from nearly all 50 states, and worldwide as far as New Zealand. INKCARCERATION Festival has been awarded Mansfield’s prestigious Tourism Award of Excellence, and has been recognized by the United States House of Representatives, Ohio Senate, State of Ohio Representatives and Congressional Proclamation.

For more information, visit www.inkcarceration.com.

Follow INKCARCERATION online at:

www.facebook.com/Inkcarcerationfestival

https://twitter.com/InkcarFestival

www.instagram.com/inkcarcerationfestivalInkc

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: announces, annual, daily, festival, inkcarceration, lineups, ...

LAMB OF GOD Releases First New Music in Five Years, “Checkmate,” from Upcoming Self-Titled Album, Due Out May 8

Watch the Video for “Checkmate” Now via lamb-of-god.com

Pre-Order Lamb Of God at http://lambofgod.lnk.to/LOG

LAMB OF GOD has revealed a brand new single and video, “Checkmate,” from the band’s first release in five years and the first to feature new drummer Art Cruz. The self-titled Lamb Of God is due out May 8 via Epic Records.

Watch “Checkmate” now at: http://lamb-of-god.com.

“‘Checkmate’ brings together all the components of the LAMB OF GOD sound that we’ve been developing over the last two decades, but with the ambition and ferocity that comes with the start of a new chapter for our band,” says guitarist Mark Morton. “Re-energized and reignited, this is LAMB OF GOD 2020. We’ve never been more excited.”

The fact that the band’s eighth studio effort would warrant ‘self-titled’ status is a testament to the band’s pride and satisfaction with these songs and this period in their creativity.

“Putting only our name on it is a statement,” Blythe says. “This is LAMB OF GOD. Here and now.”

A true collaboration between all members of the band, LAMB OF GOD’s eighth studio album is an amalgam of each individual’s contributions, blended to create a singular style. Guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler fuel the album with a mountain of riffs, taking what Lamb of God are known for, and unbelievably, upping the ante to new levels. The rhythm section of John Campbell, looming large as a rhythmic shadow, and drummer Art Cruz, who makes his studio debut with LAMB OF GOD here on this record, underpin the proceedings with passion, sweat and expansive dynamics. Vocalist D. Randall Blythe is as angry, insightful, and informed as ever. Never one to shrink from facing the darker aspects of our nature head-on, Blythe delivers with no punches pulled, and as only he and Lamb of God can in 2020.

In celebration of the release of “Checkmate” and the announce of the new album, LAMB OF GOD will appear at a special show at the House of Vans in Chicago on February 14. The event is free and fans can RSVP beginning at 12 noon CST today at HouseOfVans.com The event will include a photography exhibit featuring photos from D. Randall Blythe that will be included in the new LAMB OF GOD album artwork. Harm’s Way will open the show.

In the midst of writing the ten songs that appear on Lamb Of God, the group hit pause on the works-in-progress to man the stage as main support Slayer’s “The Final Campaign.” After months of playing their best-known songs nightly, LAMB OF GOD returned to the new tracks and began to work with longtime producer Josh Wilbur (Korn, Megadeth, Gojira, Trivium). Special guests Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Chuck Billy (Testament) also make appearances on Lamb Of God.

Lamb Of God pre-orders are available at http://lambofgod.lnk.to/LOG.

Lamb Of God tracklisting:

1. Memento Mori

2. Checkmate

3. Gears

4. Reality Bath

5. New Colossal Hate

6. Resurrection Man

7. Poison Dream (feat. Jamey Jasta)

8. Routes (feat. Chuck Billy)

9. Bloodshot Eyes

10. On The Hook

The Richmond, Virginia, quintet propelled heavy metal into the new millennium two decades ago with the prophetically titled New American Gospel. They followed with 2003’s As the Palaces Burn, which made the Rolling Stone list of the Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. Ashes of the Wake, released in 2004, was the first LAMB OF GOLD album to be certified gold by the RIAA, as was 2006’s Sacrament, which also made a Top 10 Billboard 200 chart debut. In 2009, LAMB OF GOD released Wrath, their first with Wilbur at producer, and earned the number one album spot on Billboard’s Hard Rock, Rock, and Tastemaker charts, with a number two position on the Billboard 200.

Those number one positions were repeated with 2012’s Resolution, which swung effortlessly between thrash, traditional metal, sludgy doom, with flashes of crust punk swagger and bravado. LAMB OF GOD’s last album, VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) made its debut on the Billboard 200 at number three and finished number 2 in the world charts, reaching Top 5 in five countries and six addition Top 15 positions.

In 2020, LAMB OF GOD is re-energized and unrelenting, ready to lay claim to the metal throne.

LAMB OF GOD tour dates:

2/14- Chicago, IL @ House of Vans *Headline show

European tour with Kreator and Power Trip:

3/27 – Stockholm, SE @ Fryshuset Arenan

3/28 – Copenhagen, DK @ Forum Black Box

3/30 – Oulu, FI @ Club Teatria

3/31 – Helsinki, FI @ Ice Hall Black Box

4/2 – Kraków, PO @ Tauron Arena

4/3 – Berlin, DE @ Columbiahalle

4/4 – Oberhausen, DE @ Turbinenhalle

4/5 – Wiesbaden, DE @ Kulturzentrum Schlachthof

4/7 – Zurich, CH @ Samsung Hall

4/8 – Munich, DE @ Zenith

4/9 – Ludwigsburg, DE @ MHP Arena

4/11 – Hamburg, DE @ Sporthalle

4/14 – Barcelona, ES @ Razzmatazz

4/15 – Madrid, ES @ Sala Riviera

4/17 – Paris, FR @ L’Olympia Bruno Coquatrix

4/18 – Saarbrücken, DE @ Saarlandhalle

4/19 – Brussels, BE @ Ancienne Belgique

4/21 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy Bristol

4/22 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy

4/23 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy Glasgow

4/24 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham

4/25 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton

5/9 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome to Rockville *US Festival

LAMB OF GOD is:

D. Randall Blythe – Vocals

Mark Morton – Guitar

Willie Adler – Guitar

John Campbell – Bass

Art Cruz – Drums

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 8, album, checkmate, due, god, lamb, ...

JINJER Releases Live Video for Hit Single, “On The Top”

Filmed in Kiev, Ukraine | Watch HERE

Touring Worldwide this Spring | US Headline Tour Begins April 23

New Album, Macro, Out Now via Napalm Records – Get Your Copy HERE

“A cocktail of modern prog metal, ‘Macro’ is the album where Jinjer show us what the future of heaviness sounds like.” – Loudwire

After an incredibly successful 2019 that saw the band tour North America as well as Europe (the latter even twice) and release their worldwide charting new album, Macro, Ukrainian modern metal frontrunners JINJER return with a live video for their hit single, “On The Top”.

The footage was shot by PicOi! Live Production during the band’s first show of their most recent European tour in Kiev – the capital of their native country, Ukraine – with Oleg Rooz (www.olegrooz.com) handling direction and editing and Ilya Prizenko as director of photography.

Never failing to deliver an unforgettable hook, “On The Top” slinks along a punishing groove before soaring into melodic passages. The song was originally released on their latest full-length album, Macro, out now via Napalm Records.

“While one is climbing, the rest is falling down in the name of profit –
Is it lonely on the top?”

Watch “On The Top Live In Kiev” HERE:

Stream the album version of “On The Top” via all platforms HERE!

Catch JINJER on tour their extensive world tour this spring:

29.02.20 IL – Tel Aviv / Reading
3 03.03.20 AU – Adelaide / Lion Arts Factory SOLD OUT
04.03.20 AU – Belconnen / The Basement Canberra
05.03.20 AU – Melbourne / Max Watt’s SOLD OUT
06.03.20 AU – Sydney / Manning
07.03.20 AU – Brisbane / The Zoo
10.03.20 SV – San Salvador / Buhos
11.03.20 GT – Guatemala City / Rock Ol Vuh
13.03.20 MX – Monterrey / Cafe Iguana
14.03.20 MX – Guadalajara / Foro Independencia
15.03.20 MX – Mexico City / Hell & Heaven Festival
17.03.20 CR – San Jose / El Grinch
18.03.20 CO – Bogota / Ace Of Spades
19.03.20 PE – Lima / La Oficina
21.03.20 CL – Santiago de Chile / Blondie
22.03.20 AR – Buenos Aires / Teatro Flores
24.03.20 UY – Montevideo / Music Box
27.03.20 BR – Limeira / Bar Da Montanha
28.03.20 BR – Sao Paulo / Carioca Club
10.04.20 AT – Vienna / Impericon Festival
11.04.20 DE – Leipzig / Impericon Festival
12.04.20 DE – Oberndorf / Eastercross Festival
14.04.20 FR – Besancon / La Rodia
15.04.20 FR – Strasbourg / La Laiterie
16.04.20 FR – Dunkerque / 4 Ecluses SOLD OUT
17.04.20 BE – Durbuy / Durbuy Rock Festival
18.04.20 DE – Oberhausen / Impericon Festival 19.04.20 DE – Munich / Impericon Festival

Tour Of Consciousness 2020 w/ Suicide Silence, Toothgrinder
23.04.20 US – San Francisco, CA / The Filmore
24.04.20 US – Los Angeles, CA / Belasco Theater
25.04.20 US – Las Vegas, NV / House Of Blues
26.04.20 US – Phoenix, AZ / The Pressroom
28.04.20 US – Houston, TX / House Of Blues
29.04.20 US – Dallas, TX / House Of Blues
30.04.20 US – Memphis, TN / Minglewood Hall
02.05.20 US – Charlotte, NC / Epicenter *Festival*
03.05.20 US – Norfolk, VA / The Norva
05.05.20 US – Brooklyn, NY / Warsaw
06.05.20 US – Boston, MA / House Of Blues
07.05.20 US – Silver Spring, MD / The Filmore Silver Spring
09.05.20 US – Daytona Beach, FL / Welcome To Rockville *Festival* 10.05.20 US – Pensacola, FL / Vinyl
12.05.20 US – Atlanta, GA / Buckhead Theater
13.05.20 US – Nashville, TN / Brooklyn Bowl
15.05.20 US – Columbus, OH / Sonic Temple *Festival*
16.05.20 US – Milwaukee, WI / Rave II
17.05.20 US – Chicago, IL / House Of Blues
19.05.20 US – Minneapolis, MN / The Filmore Minneapolis
20.05.20 US – Lawrence, KS / Granada Theater
22.05.20 US – Lincoln, NE / Bourbon Theater
23.05.20 US – Denver, CO / Summit 23-25.05.20 US – Pryor, OK / Rocklahoma *Festival*

European Festivals
12.06.20 CH – Interlaken / Greenfield
13.06.20 AT – Nickelsdorf / Novarock
20.06.20 DK – Copenhagen / Copenhell
21.06.20 FR – Clisson / Hellfest
25.06.20 ES – Madrid / Rock The Night
26.06.20 NO – Oslo / Tons Of Rock
27.06.20 FI – Helsinki / Tuska
28.06.20 CZ – Spalene Porici / Basinfire Fest
02.07.20 ES – Viveiro / Resurrection Fest
03.07.20 DE – Ballenstedt / Rockharz
04.07.20 BE – Ieper / Ieper Fest
09.07.20 SE – Gävle / Gefle Metal Fest
17.07.20 NL – Eindhove – Dynamo Metal Fest
27.07.20 FI – Oulu / Qstock
30.07.20 SI – Tolmin / Metal Days
01.08.20 AT – Lustenau / Szene Open Air
07.08.20 ES – Villena – Leyendas del Rock
08.08.20 UK – Walton On Trent / Bloodstock
12.-15.08.20 DE – Dinkelsbühl / Summer Breeze
15.08.20 DE – Sulingen / Reload

Devastating riffs, aggressive vocals, powerful melodies and astonishingly deep lyrics are what make their new album, Macro, JINJER’s most advanced and undeniable album yet – taking the listener on a journey of trauma, power struggle and greed with a progressive groove metal backdrop.

Order Macro HERE, and watch three new music videos below:

“Judgement & Punishment”: WATCH
“On The Top”: WATCH
“Pit Of Consciousness”: WATCH

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: hit, jinjer, live, releases, single, top, ...

Album Review: ASH “Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years of Ash”

“Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years of Ash”

Ash

BMG

Tracks: 22/2 LP’s

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

In celebration of their 25^th anniversary Irish rockers Ash have released a 22 song retrospective of the bands career thus far. “Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years of Ash” was compiled by the band themselves and features various songs from the groups eight studio albums along with one newly released track titled “Darkest Hour of the Night”. Since debuting in 1994 the band which has consisted of Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton, Rick McMurray and Charlotte Hatherley have turned out a catchy stream of garage/alternative rock earning them praises and recognition from all over the globe.

Having first heard of Ash back in the late 90’s amidst bands like Pavement, Blur and Weezer I never really got into the band aside from the songs “Kung Fu” and “Jack Names the Planets” which were featured in a couple popular movies from that time. Thankfully now with the release of “Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years of Ash” I was able to go back and discover some really great songs I inadvertently skipped over during their initial release. Tracks like “Girl From Mars”, “Burn Baby Burn” and “Shining Light” we definite highlights that had me reminiscing about my late teen years. Being this release was compiled by the band themselves it gave the album a more person feel as knowing that this wasn’t just another stock label compilation gave it extra value along with some great songs that may otherwise have been over looked without the bands input.

The 2 LP set that we checked out had really great packaging which was printed on high quality card stock and included heavy weight sleeves for each record that featured additional photos and stories from the each era of the band. Though no remastering/mixing was noted each song had a bright mix which really stood out and the inclusion of the band’s latest single “Darkest hour of the Night” was a solid choice giving fans just a taste of the bands latest works. Available in a variety of formats including limited edition lenticular vinyl and a special 3 CD that includes an 18 track rarities CD. Needless to say there are plenty of ways to get your hands on this and we strongly encourage you to do so as “Teenage Wildlife: 25 Years of Ash” is a fresh breath of nostalgia that has been long overdue.

Track Listing:

Side A

1.) A Life Less Ordinary

2.) Arcadia

3.) Darkest Hour of the Night

4.) Kung Fu

5.) Cocoon

6.) You Can’t Have It All

Side B

1.) Girl From Mars

2.) Wildsurf

3.) Shining Light

4.) Starcrossed

5.) Buzzkill

6.) Goldfinger

Side C

1.) Burnbaby

2.) Dare to Dream

3.) Annabel

4.) Machinery

5.) Sometimes

Side D

1.) Oh Yeah

2.) Angel Interceptor

3.) Jesus Says

4.) Orpheus

5.) Jack Names the Planets

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: 25, album, ash, review, teenage, wildlife, ...

TESTAMENT Announces New Album Titans Of Creation & Release Music Video For “Night Of The Witch”

Pre-Order Available Here: https://nblast.de/TestamentTOC

The time has arrived for legendary bay area thrash metal giants TESTAMENT to unleash new thunder to the masses and reveal their thirteenth studio album, Titans Of Creation, which will be released on April 3 via Nuclear Blast.

Today, the band releases the lyric video for the first single, “Night Of The Witch” here: youtu.be/cF2hIrXq2ss

Chuck Billy comments, “It has been months since the final mixing of ‘Titans Of Creation’ and we are eager for fans to hear it. We feel that we put a lot into this record and at the end of the day it is a TESTAMENT record that stands on its own. We are very proud of ‘Titans Of Creation.’”

“’Night Of The Witch’ uses old school lyrics about witches chanting in the moonlight and casting spells. The beauty of this song is that I worked Eric’s vocals into the chorus. I wanted to incorporate him as he does Dragonlord and this song was a perfect match. It is a heavy song and a great way to introduce everyone to ‘Titans Of Creation.’”

Titans Of Creation was produced by Chuck Billy and Eric Peterson while Juan Urteaga of Trident Studios handled co-producing, recording and engineering. Andy Sneap was responsible for the mixing and mastering of the album. Eliran Kantor stepped up once again to create a new masterpiece of artwork for the cover of this release.

Titans Of Creation will be available in the following formats:

CD Digipak
Light Blue Cassette (Limited to 250)
DLP + CD Mail-order Box Set (Limited to 1500)
Includes Earth Element Vinyl
Vinyl
Fire Element Edition Vinyl (Limited to 2150)
Air Element Edition Vinyl
Water Element Edition Vinyl
Blue Vinyl (Limited to 500; Retail)
T-shirt
TS+ DLP bundle

Pre-order your copy of Titans Of Creation in the format of your choice here: https://nblast.de/TestamentTOC

Pre-save the album on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer: nblast.de/TESTAMENTpreSave

Below is the track listing:

Children Of The Next Level
WWIII
Dream Deceiver
Night Of The Witch
City Of Angels
Ishtar’s Gate
Symptoms
False Prophet
The Healers
Code Of Hammurabi
Curse Of Osiris
Catacombs

Just as the elements of this planet thrive within all living creatures, each musician in TESTAMENT represents a necessary component of this latest musical creation. Still filled with a massive and unstoppable energy since their last release, TESTAMENT has taken their style to the next level and present an album that is loyal to the roots of traditional thrash metal while still including the alluring, brilliant and progressive ingredients they are known for.

TESTAMENT is:

Chuck Billy | Lead Vocals

Eric Peterson | Rhythm/Lead guitar & Vocals

Alex Skolnick | Lead Guitar

Steve Di Giorgio | Bass guitar

Gene Hoglan | Drums

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: album, announces, creation, music, night, release, ...

Super7 Releases “Toxic Crusaders” Reaction Figures

Brand new from Super7, the brand that knows retro! “It’s clean-up time!” Straight outta New Jersey comes Wave 1 of the new Toxic Crusader 3.75-inch ReAction Figures: Toxie! Headbanger! Junkyard! Dr. Killemoff! Major Disaster! Radiation Ranger! All come with a variety of accessories on vision-searing card backs that pull you into Toxie’s animated world! The ultimate 90s vinyl collectible, all six figures are available now on Super7.com.

Toxie, the Likeable, Lumpy-Headed Hero includes:

-Toxic Bandolier with Toxic Waste Drum Grenades

-Clean-Up or Die Seeping Mop

Headbanger, the Hideous, Two-headed Hero includes:

-Dual Dude Surfboard

-Bromo Blaster

Dr. Killemoff, the Evil Alien Leader of Apocalypse, Inc. includes:

-Toxic Glow-In-The-Dark Proton Energizer

-Toxic Glow-In-The-Dark Plutonium Canister

Junkyard, the Trashed-Out Hideous Hound includes:

-Anti-Garbage Gun

-Dog Bone Brainer

Major Disaster, the Plant Powered Hero includes:

-Mulch Machine Gun

-Muddy Machete

Radiation Ranger, the Nuclearized Sinister Stormtrooping Soldier includes:

-Radiation Rifle

-Nuclear Waste Drum Shield

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Filed Under: Misc, Toys Tagged With: crusaders, figures, reaction, releases, super7, toxic, ...

Namm 2020, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA

2020 Winter Namm

Thursday, January 16^th – Sunday, January 19^th 2020
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, CA

Our Score: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

The multi story Anaheim Convention Center was over flowing with musical buzz recently as the venue once again played host to the annual Namm (Nation Association of Music Merchants) Convention. The trade show which showcases the latest and most innovative editions to the music instrument market is the place to be for dealers, vendors, artists and anyone else lucky enough to be able to attend the industry only event. Over the course of four days the biggest companies in music instrumentation pull out all the stops to ensure their respective products and brands get noticed amongst the ever growing sea of competitors.

As we made away into the towering Anaheim Convention Center we quickly devised a plan as to how we were going to tackle this at times overwhelming environment. This year we decided to work our way from the top down. Housed on floors two and three were some of the industry’s biggest companies which consisted of Fender, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith and Marshall to name just a few. The Gibson area was easily the most impressive as not only did it sport rows and rows of guitars from its three brands Gibson, Epiphone and Kramer, the large space also sported multiple player stations complete with headphones allowing attendees to check out the instrument of their choice in a somewhat isolated space. Having set ups like this are a must in an environment where the outside din of noise causes even standard person to person conversation to become difficult. At the end of the room was a full performance stage which over the course of the four days was graced by several Gibson artists including Slash, Lzzy Hale and Phil X of Bon Jovi.

Fender also sported a noteworthy space which took on more of a museum type approach complete with velvet ropes and ornate framing of some of its premier instruments. Attendees also could catch a glimpse on the new George Harrison “Rocky” Stratocaster guitar which was showcased upon a spinning day-glow background which teased the viewer’s senses. Making our way down the escalators to the main floor we casually passed the likes of Dave Amato of Reo Speedwagon and Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult talking with attendees about some of their latest projects and happenings.

Floors two and three are tame compared to the main floor which houses not only stringed instruments but also percussion, brass instrumentation and various other musical odds and ends. You never know who or what you will stumble upon when wandering around the cavernous hall. Trekking from front to back we took in displays by companies such as Ace Products Group, Keisel guitars, Kemper Profiling, SJC Drums and Zildjian cymbals. While navigating the semi-chaotic walks ways to each of these booths we inadvertently bumped into the likes of Skidrow bassist Rachel Bolan and guitarist Dave “Snake “Sabo, as well as Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, guitarist Devin Townsend and bassist Victor Wooten who was dazzling onlookers during one of several demo’s he had scheduled.

As the weekend slowly came to a close we left the Anaheim Convention center with tired legs, ringing ears and wish list’s a mile long. Year after year Namm continues to raise the bar not only with the amount of exhibitors they showcase but also in how the event organizers handle the ever growing crowds. Security checks were fast and efficient as was badge registration and pick up resulting in very few if any lines to wait in. You would think with an event this big there would be a few hiccups along the way and, if there was anything like that attendees were unaware as the event had a comfortable, somewhat stress free feel that even the city of Anaheim itself was in on as many area business’s were offering discounts to convention attendees which was really great.

Needless to say MediaMikes.com had a great time covering this year’s event and the only thing we would change is to be able to find more time during the next event to take it all in as there is just so much cool stuff going on you don’t want to miss anything.

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Filed Under: Concert Reviews, Conventions, Music Tagged With: 2020, anaheim, ca, namm

Amberian Dawn Keyboardist Tuomas Seppala Discusses new album “Looking For You”

Amberian Dawn will release their eighth studio album, “Looking For You” on January 31st via Napalm Records and enter a new, but still familiar sounding musical universe, mixing the best of both worlds into a new genre: ABBA-Metal! The album’s multi-faceted and emotional lyrics provide a suitable background for soaring guitars and elegant classical interludes which showcase the bands shift from power metal to a more symphonic metal sound. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with the bands keyboardist Tuomas Seppala recently about the band’s new album, the changing of their style and working with Finnish artist Kebu.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some background on the new album “Looking For You”?

Tuomas Seppala: “Looking For You” is a really nice album with a new and fresh sound. After releasing our previous album, I had a long writers block. I just couldn’t write good stuff with the “old style” anymore. After six or seven months or something, I realized that I need to change something so that I would be able to compose good stuff again. Then I started to compose a kind of synthesizer – disco music and that felt really good. Then I introduced a couple of those new songs to band mates and I was surprised that they liked the songs and also said that those songs could be easily converted to AD songs. That’s how I started to make music again and with a different kind of style. Now there’s only one “traditional” AD song on this album, a symphonic metal song “Symphony Nr.1 Part 3 – Awakening”. I got Fabio Lione of Rhapsody to make a guest appearance on that song. It was great.

AL: The band’s sound has gone through changes over the over few years. Was that a natural transition or something that was done by design?

TS: It’s been a natural transition, but it’s not been easy all the time. I’ve had several writer’s blocks after I’ve finished with an album and trying to start working with new songs. I always write music based on the feeling I have for it and I usually can’t force myself to do anything else. For example, if I’m not in the mood for power metal, I simply cannot write any good power metal material. Maybe some average stuff, but that’s never good enough for me. All the stuff I’ll write and publish must be just perfect to me (at that time). But it’s obvious that my point of view for music has changed during all these years and I wouldn’t be happy with the stuff I wrote 10 years ago, if I had been writing that exact same stuff right now.

AL: Where did the term “ABBA Metal” come from?

TS: That’s just something we came up with. I’m not sure whether I invented the term or if I just saw the term used on chats and social media first. Anyways, I like the term and it’s really a good genre to describe AD’s current style.

AL: Was the decision to cover “Lay All Your Love On Me” made before or after the creation of ABBA Metal? and why did you choose this song?

TS: I had been preparing this cover song for many years before we actually decided to record it. Also, the ABBA-metal genre came up at some point after I had all of the songs ready for new album. I knew that we really need to start using this ABBA-metal genre because it’s really what this music is all about.

AL: Being a keyboardist what was it like working with fellow instrumentalist Kebu? And what was that process like?

TS: We had really good co-operation with this album. Kebu has this huge arsenal of vintage keyboards and together we finalized the keyboard sounds with his gear. Some of the sounds and tones are made by Kebu and some of those are made by me. It’s a good combination and I think we can work together in the future too. In short, the process was like that – I first made the arrangements for keyboards and then we decided that which parts were going to be played with my gear and which parts were going to be played with his synthesizers. Kebu used a lot of time to develop those keyboard sounds and presets. I also used ABBA’s Benny Andersson’s personal synthesizers on some songs. I recorded some parts at his studio in Stockholm.

AL: Are there any plans in place to tour behind the release?

TS: We’re planning to tour later in 2020 but we don’t have anything confirmed yet. We’re probably going to tour in Europe again because that’s doable. Touring in the US is much harder to make happen.

For more info on Amberian Dawn click here:

To Order your copy of “Looking For You” click here:

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, amberian, dawn, discusses, keyboardist, seppala, ...

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