2020 Archives - MediaMikes

REB BEACH ANNOUNCES NEW SOLO ALBUM “A VIEW FROM THE INSIDE” DUE NOVEMBER 6, 2020

FIRST SINGLE, ‘INFINITO 1122’ OUT NOW

Reb Beach has announced that his long in the works instrumental solo album will now see the light of day. “A View From The Inside” is slated for a November 6^th release via Frontiers Music Srl. A new single and video, ‘Infinito 1122‘ is out today. See the video HERE: https://youtu.be/cN_m-jz772k

Pre-order/save “A View From The Inside” HERE: https://orcd.co/rebbeach

An album that showcases the dynamic talents of the guitar virtuoso, hard rock fans will be transported back to the days when giants like Steve Vai and Joe Satriani dominated the mainstream consciousness (and airwaves), while also simultaneously being shown a guitarist ever pushing himself forward into the future.

Reb Beach is one of the indisputable guitar giants of the current hard rock scene. His resume with ‘80s/’90s mega-stars Winger alone would earn him this distinction, but his legacy is cemented by his current membership and work with the legendary Whitesnake, his past efforts with Dokken, and his recent release with supergroup Black Swan, also featuring Jeff Pilson, Robin MacAuley, and Matt Starr.

Influenced by the legendary hard rockers of the ‘70s, Reb spent his teen years jamming along with the greats of that era like Aerosmith and Montrose, but it was when he discovered more progressive players like Steve Morse, Allan Holdsworth, and Larry Carlton that his musical world really opened up. The complexity and the speed of the more prog style of playing was a unique challenge compared to the blues-based playing of most musicians of that era. The discovery of these players was ultimately the catalyst that drove his playing to the level he is now so well known to music fans the world over for. Beach eventually graduated from his home practice space to the Berkeley School of Music, but after a couple of semesters he moved on and soon became one of the most sought-after session players in the music industry, working with such all-time great talents as Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Roger Daltrey, Chaka Kahn, Howard Jones, and Twisted Sister.

While living in NYC, he hooked up with his future bandmate, bassist and frontman Kip Winger. Reb and Kip formed the band Winger and the rest is history. The two proved to be incredible writing partners, crafting multiple platinum records that featured no less than six Top Forty singles. with music that was commercial yet complex.

After Winger went on a hiatus in the ‘90s, Beach’s career continued thanks to collaborations with Alice Cooper, Dokken and Night Ranger and he debuted as a solo artist in 2002 with the album “Masquerade”.

Following the Winger reunion in the ‘00s, Reb heard that David Coverdale was looking for a new guitarist for Whitesnake. He reached out to him and since 2003, Reb has toured the world with the band as well as released multiple albums with them, including “Good to Be Bad,” “Forevermore,” “The Purple Album,” and the recent “Flesh & Blood,” plus a number of live albums.

Reb Beach will now release his first instrumental album, but this is not a mere exercise of self-indulgence. It is the culmination of over 30 years of study and extremely hard work on his craft. Fans of Steve Morse and Joe Satriani will find a lot to love in the 11 songs on offer here, but while there is certainly a lot of ear candy for the musician types, fans of hard rock in general will find a wealth of melodies and transcendent moments where the songs simply make you forget there are no vocals.

Tracklist:

1. Black Magic

2. Little Robots

3. Aurora Borealis

4. Infinito 1122

5. Attack Of The Massive

6. The Way Home

7. Whiplash

8. Hawkdance

9. Cutting Loose

10. Sea Of Tranquility

Line-up:

Reb Beach – guitars, bass on 4, 9, keyboards on 4, 6, 11, strings on 10

David Throckmorton – drums (except on 6)

Robert Langley – drums on 6

Michele Luppi – piano on 3, 10

Phillip Bynoe – bass on 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 11

John Hall – bass on 5, 6, 7

Paul Brown – keyboards on 1, 2, 5, 7

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BAD RELIGION RECREATES CLASSIC TRACK AS SYMPHONIC PLEA FOR REASON “FAITH ALONE 2020”

Acclaimed Los Angeles band Bad Religion have just released a radically reimagined version of their 1990 humanist anthem “Faith Alone.” The re-recording uses an uncharacteristic orchestral arrangement to further accentuate the song’s remarkably relevant lyrics. It is a philosophy Bad Religion have extolled since their very formation and has inspired songs like “The Answer,” “Atheist Peace,” and “American Jesus” that rail against religious hypocrisy and anti-intellectualism.

While the original “Faith Alone” was delivered as a propulsive guitar fueled punk track on the band’s album Against The Grain, the new interpretation begins with singer and co-songwriter Greg Graffin’s plaintive vocals accompanied on acoustic piano, before building to an unabashedly symphonic crescendo complete with sophisticated string arrangement. The result is a startling sonic departure from the band’s patented melodic punk sound and only serves to emphasize the song’s emotional power and intensely relevant message that, in times like these, “faith alone won’t sustain us anymore.”

LISTEN TO “FAITH ALONE 2020”

As the band’s singer and co-songwriter Greg Graffin explains, “I have always written songs on piano. Some of our earliest songs were written on my mom’s piano. I’ve been home a lot and so I started recording a bunch of our songs that way. Brett (Gurewitz) thought ‘Faith Alone’ was particularly relevant for this moment. For me, it exemplifies what’s special about the band, which is that we write songs that go to the spiritual and intellectual aspects of human existence.”

The recording of the song was done remotely. Graffin’s initial vocal and piano tracks augmented by the band’s co-songwriter Brett Gurewitz who added additional instrumentation including guitar. The strings were added by Stevie Blacke (Beck, Lady Gaga, Garbage) and the drums played by Bad Religion drummer Jamie Miller while producer Carlos de la Garza added additional production and a mix.

Gurewitz explains, “I think the message of ‘Faith Alone’ really resonates with everything that’s happening right now. Racial injustice, Trump, the COVID pandemic, the rejection of science, none of these things can be solved by burying our heads in the sand. We’ve always believed problems can be solved through reason and action, not faith and prayer. It’s what we’ve been writing about since the band started.”

With this release, Bad Religion have added yet one more powerful work to an already formidable canon of intellectually provocative protest songs. Since forming as leather clad intellectual teens amidst the raucous Southern California punk scene, the group has served as unflinching advocates for reason and humanism. It is a message that has never been more necessary.

Greg M. Epstein, Humanist Chaplain at both Harvard and MIT, as well as the NY Times best-selling author of ‘Good Without God’, offers, “If I could take the frustration, grief, longing, and moral outrage rattling around in my brain these past few months and somehow turn it all into a single rock track that could help me stay human in this mess, that track would be ‘Faith Alone’ by Bad Religion. Sure, it’s a stylistic departure for one of the greatest punk bands of all time. But the message is as true to the band’s core ethic as anything in their decades-long catalog. It might just be the anthem we need to maintain our faith—not in religion, but in each other—as we try to get through the rest of this year.”

ABOUT BAD RELIGION
Bad Religion, formed in 1980 in the suburbs of Los Angeles, has become synonymous with intelligent and provocative West Coast punk rock and are considered one of the most influential and important bands in the genre. Bad Religion has continually pushed social boundaries and questioned authority and beliefs armed only with propulsive guitars, charging drumbeats, thoughtful lyrics and an undying will to inspire and provoke anyone who will listen.

The band’s critically acclaimed 17th studio album Age of Unreason offers a fiery and intensely relevant musical response to the times, with songs that address a myriad of socio-political maladies, including conspiracy theories, racist rallies, Trump’s election, the erosion of the middle class, alternative facts and more. There is a stylistic consistency to the band’s iconic and influential sound – hard fast beats, big hooks and rousing choruses, yet each new song remains distinctive, utilizing composition, melody and lyrics to deliver a unique narrative consistent with the band’s longstanding humanist worldview.

On August 18, Bad Religion will release their autobiography, DO WHAT YOU WANT: The Story of Bad Religion, written with their full cooperation and support. It reveals the ups and downs of the band’s 40-year career, from their beginnings as teenagers experimenting in a San Fernando Valley garage dubbed “The Hell Hole” to headlining major music festivals around the world. The book predominantly features the four principal voices of Bad Religion in a hybrid oral history/narrative format: Greg Graffin, Brett Gurewitz, Jay Bentley, and Brian Baker. It also includes rare photos and never-before-seen material from their archives.

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THE B-52s: LIVE AT US FESTIVAL TO ARRIVE ON DVD AND DIGITAL ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

Travel back in time to a carefree Labor Day weekend in 1982, when The B-52s: Live At The US Festival comes to DVD and digital platforms on September 4^th, from Shout! Factory. The performance features all five founding band members, and the film is dedicated to Ricky Wilson, who passed away 5 years after the US Festival performance. In brand-new interviews included in The B-52s: Live At The US Festival, band members Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, and Cindy Wilson talk about Ricky, and what he meant to their unique sound, along with memories of performing at the US Festival.

Dance this mess around with the all-time, good-time party band The B-52s in a wild and unforgettable live performance. This hour-long set, recorded at the inaugural US Festival in 1982, had the crowd dancing from start to finish, and was considered to be one of the best of the entire festival.

“It was hot as hell in the desert but as soon as we got going we had the audience dancing up a dust storm,” says Fred Schneider.

This rare footage shows off the joyous energy and unique spirit that has been a hallmark of their music and live performances for over 40 years.
Packed with 13 hits and favorites from the group’s early years, including “Rock Lobster,” “Planet Claire,” Private Idaho,” and others, Live At US Festival is the first-ever live concert DVD release from The B-52s’ classic era, and a tasty slice of rock history that’s an absolute must-see for anyone who likes to party out of bounds!

The B-52s: Live At The US Festival is available for pre-order now at Shoutfactory.com and amazon.com.

The B-52s: Live At The US Festival Performances:

Party Out Of Bounds

Give Me Back My Man

Planet Claire

Throw That Beat In The Garbage Can

Lava

Mesopotamia

6060-842

Big Bird

52 GirlsDance

This Mess Around

Private Idaho

Rock Lobster

Strobe Light

About Shout! Factory: Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Shout! Factory Films, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

About The B-52s: Selling over 20 million albums worldwide, The B-52s—Fred Schneider [vocals], Kate Pierson [vocals], Cindy Wilson [vocals], — have quietly impacted alternative music, fashion, and culture over the course of four-plus decades. They count John Lennon, Madonna, James Murphy, and Michael Stipe among their disciples. Panic! At The Disco, Blood Orange, The Offspring, Pitbull, Roger Sanchez, and DJ Shadow have sampled classics from the band’s discography as Seth MacFarlane’s FamilyGuy, The Simpsons, Sugarland, and more offered up covers of their own. They inched towards the forefront of the post-punk movement in America codified by 1979’s self-titled The B-52s. Not only did the record go gold, but it also placed at #152 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” and #99 on VH1’s “Greatest Albums of All Time.” The gold-selling Wild Planet arrived hot on its heels in 1980. With Keith Strickland brilliantly filling the void in with music composition and live show guitar duties, 1989’s watershed Cosmic Thing elevated the B-52s to another galaxy altogether. It moved 5 million-plus units and spawned a string of Top 10 smashes in the form of the GRAMMY®-nominated “Roam” and “Love Shack”—which Rolling Stone lauded on the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

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Filed Under: Film Headlines, Movies, Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, 4, arrive, b52s, digital, dvd, ...

8 Top-Preferred Educational Tools for Students to Use in 2020

More than 5,000,000 students worldwide are enrolled in online courses. These statistics from educational experts prove the efficiency of such an approach to learning. The demand for study apps grows every day. Software developers create more and more new solutions for both tutors and students and even parents. We have picked several of the best options for students to review. Here are the top-recommended applications for you.

Projeqt

The most effective way to study and memorize things is through presentations. Visual elements help to understand the world around better. That is why students may benefit from using Projeqt. It is an application designed to assist students and tutors by introducing different topics to the audiences. If you wish to develop multimedia presentations easily and fast, this tool is your chance. The app makes it possible to insert links, images, quizzes, videos, and other elements.

Buncee

Sharing multimedia lessons is simpler when you use a special online tool. One of such solutions is Buncee. This software is designed to gain and develop these skills:

Critical thinking & analysis
Communication
Collaboration
Creativity

The software offers more than 10,000 graphics for students of different academic levels. Also, the app allows recording video and audio, integrating with the various social platform, etc. The software helps users to communicate stories and show excellent learning acquisition.

Buncee is a great way to present your project in class in front of the tutor and classmates. Teachers also benefit from using this instrument. The application was built based on the curriculum standards of the top colleges and universities.

Edmodo

There are social platforms that help job seekers meet their employers. There are social networks that connect musicians around the world. Thus, there is a place for the gathering of tutors and their students. Edmodo functions as a social platform form for mentors and learners. It is possible to:

Come up with collaborative teams
Create and share study materials
Evaluate individual performance
Interact with parents, etc.
Find help if you ask yourself – “How to write my paper properly?”

The local educational processes are based on tech innovations. The approaches are highly personalized based on the user’s questionnaire.

AdmitHub

A college paper for admission is one of the most important documents a student will ever develop. An application essay can become a winning ticket to a higher educational institution. However, a student should know some tips and tricks that professional essay writers consider useful in the process of writing.

This app is basically introduced as a user-friendly chatbot. With the help of this tool, users can get free, professional guidance and tutorials. This application integrates well with many social platforms. For example, you can connect your Facebook account to AdmitHub. The service is full of talented tutors from real colleges and universities. They will inform you about the requirements of different institutions and how to submit a successful application paper.

Your personal mentor will lead you through the admission process. It is a great helper for young applicants.

FluentU

Many students who come to the United States from different regions of the world face language barriers. This application is one of the ramping language instruments used by young people and professionals around the world. The tool offers help with the following:

English
Spanish
Chinese
French
German
Japanese

You will study the language and enrich your vocabulary with the help of online videos, audios, film trailers, etc. The tool also assists in getting acquainted with different cultures.

Udemy

Udemy is like an online academy with plenty of educational opportunities. The main focus of the service is language learning. This application offers a great variety of languages. In addition, students may apply for such courses as:

Design
Business administration
Management & Marketing
Web development, etc.

Students can take some courses free of charge. The prices of the paid classes may achieve up to $200. The tool makes it possible to learn right what you need at the professional level with the minimum of investments.

Khan Academy

This website is similar to Udemy. It is a non-profit organization. This service offers some basic academic disciplines as well as more narrow ones. You can pick one of the following courses to get enrolled:

Computer Science
Engineering
Construction
Natural Sciences
Math
Arts
Humanities
Finance
Economics

Disabled students or other young people who cannot attend physical classes for some reason will benefit from using this online resource. It is possible to obtain professional diplomas that will be recognized by various authoritative organizations.

EduClipper

This website is a perfect place for students and tutors to share sources for their works like research papers and dissertations. In every academic project, pupils have to cite and reference various materials. Users who find useful pieces of content on the web share it with others using different categories. The search system here is very simple and clear. The app allows:

Managing content
Improving research methods
Having a digital record of the achievements

It is possible to have a virtual class. One can also create an educational portfolio.

As you can see, a great variety of online services offers effective assistance with various subjects. You can study a subject in full, overcome language barriers, make new friends, and more. We recommend starting with the tools that propose free trials.

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2020, 8, educational, students, tools, toppreferred, ...

Best Rated Online Casinos 2020

If you have been on the search for the best online casinos, then here ends your search. You will find the Eldorado of online casinos on this page. These casinos have consistently been exceeding the expectations of players for the year. Players are always asking the questions ‘what are the elements of the best online casinos?’ and ‘how do the best casinos differ from all other casinos?’ The casinos listed below seem to have gotten the formula for success. You need not also worry about your safety and security when playing at these casinos because they are guaranteed.

With numerous awesome online casinos to pick from, we have made a shortlist of the best 5 online casinos for 2020. The online casinos on this list are picked based on their fast payouts, game selection, bonuses and promotions, safety and security, efficient customer support as well as available currencies and languages. You can check every online casino rating here.

888 Casino

888 Casino needs no introduction when we talk about the world of online casino. It is known by all and sundry as one of the best in the gambling industry. 888 Casino operates in almost all countries of the world and has technically no rival. It is referred to as a ‘top dog’ amongst its peers. 888 has got all it takes to satisfy bettors betting thirst. Its services range from live casino to video poker and online slot. For over 22 years, 888 Casino has been serving both sportsbook bettors and casino players with positive gaming experience. If your dream has always been to play awesome online casino games at one of the best casino sites, then search no further, 888 has got you covered. You cannot find better services elsewhere as 888 offers you with the highest quality casino games alongside lucrative bonuses, promotions and rewards, including thrilling casino challenges. Their customer support system is top-notch, and you don’t need to worry about your safety while playing there.

Leovegas Casino

Barely 10 years into its existence, Leovegas has become one of the fans favorite in the world of gambling. The casino was launched in 2011 with the major purpose of taking care of the needs of mobile players. It is one of the most reliable desktops and mobile casinos that we have today. If you are a player who loves playing a series of games or you are a player whose muse is an awesome bonus, or speedy payout rates is your thing, then Leovegas is the place to be. This casino is powered by the best game developers in the industry, the likes of WMS, Netent, Microgaming, IGT and many more supply Leovegas with the best of games. Leovegas obtained its license from the Malta Gaming Authority and the United Kingdom Gaming Commission. Their customer support system is on another level.

Betsafe Casino

Betsafe is an online casino that offers you a wide range of first-class games. The best developers of casino games supply the games offered by this casino. Betsafe game providers include Play n Go, Nextgen, WMS, Microgaming, Netent and so on. Betsafe provides you with the safest and most secure platform to enjoy a positive gaming experience. This casino also provides you with so many languages and currency options, from which you can choose from, to enhance your experience while playing at the online casino. Betsafe is not left out of the offer of fabulous bonuses including the 100% welcome bonus and very fast payouts.

Genesis Casino

Genesis can be described as a new planet filled with awesome slots and many other fantastic casino games. In fact, Genesis is a world of all possibilities when it comes to an online casino. If you are new to this casino, start your betting journey with the casino’s fantastic welcome offers and move on to its wide array of slot games including live dealer games. We are sure you can never miss the beauty of Genesis casino. Become a VIP member of Genesis today to stand a chance of winning that dream trip to the sin city of Las Vegas.

Jackpot Village

If winning big is your motivation, then Jackpot Village is the right place to be. You can find all you need at Jackpot Village. Is it a cool welcome bonus or numerous game selection or fast payment options, all are offered at Jackpot Village. Over 60 game providers provide this casino with games, so you cannot complain of lack of games. The site’s interface is designed to give you the best betting experience. Become a VIP of Jackpot Village today to enjoy luxurious VIP packages.

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2020, casinos, online, rated

What to expect from the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles when they are released in 2020

While using Funzpoints to play free casino games online is a great way to kill time, you just can’t beat also playing your favorite video console games. The two leading players in the console market are still Sony’s PlayStation and Microsoft’s Xbox. Both companies are due to release new machines soon with the PS5 and Xbox Series X already getting lots of headlines. These next-gen consoles look set to push the envelope in terms of what video gaming offers and they have lots of gamers very excited.

But just what can we expect from the PS5 and Xbox Series X when they launch?

PS5

First up, why don’t we take a look at the next flagship console from Sony? While an exact release date is not known, it is expected to drop around the latter part of 2020 – possibly in time for the holiday season. With a price tag that many predict will be around the $500 mark, it seems inevitable that some cool new tech will be inside.

One thing you will notice right away is that you have more control in configuring what is stored on the machine and which parts of which games will take up precious memory. That is down to Sony using SSDs in the PS5, rather than hard drives as in previous machines. 825GB of SSD for storage should mean you always have plenty of room for that crucial saved game. The PS5 is also due to run on an AMD CPU chip. It is the latest in the line of AMD’s Ryzen processors, and it is an eight-core monster chip custom-made for Sony.

Gorgeous graphics will come as standard

The net result of such a powerful CPU capacity is a console that will deliver amazing graphics to players. There is the facility to support ray tracing, which is a Hollywood style effect of making everything look that bit more realistic. It is thought that this console will also support 8K resolution to give games truly eye-popping, smooth visual appeal. In terms of audio, 3D sound tech will make for crystal-clear soundtrack.

When you also add in the faster load speeds which the SSD technology offers, it is evident that the PS5 is a real step forward from the PS4. Of the details Sony has released to date, the last significant change is the introduction of new DualSense controllers. They have cool new looks and features like built-in microphones to enhance the gameplay.

What about the Xbox Series X?

In console wars, Mircosoft’s Xbox is still the main rival to Sony’s PlayStation. That makes the planned release of the new Xbox Series X around the same time as the PS5 major news. Microsoft has been quick to promote its new machine, and the company claims it will be the most powerful and advanced console ever. But what does it have to allow it to compete successfully with the new PlayStation?

The first thing you will notice is how it looks. Microsoft has gone for a funky tall tower design, which certainly catches the eye. There is also a newly redesigned Xbox controller to enjoy with textured dots on the triggers for a more tactile feel. 8K resolution has been mentioned by Microsoft with up to a mind-boggling 120 fps rate to tempt players!

What else does the Xbox Series X look to include?

This looks to be a machine with some serious firepower under the hood. 1TB SSD tech will give very fast load speeds while there will be 16 GB of RAM that will also provide support to external storage devices. The graphics may be slightly better than the PS5 as the Xbox has 12 teraflops of graphics muscle compared to the 10.3 the Sony machine includes. That, along with dynamic latency input tech and awesome CPU power, will give some truly astonishing 3D visuals.

The games that Microsoft has in store look set to make the most of all this tech, with Halo: Infinite, Assassins Creed: Valhalla and Scorn, set to thrill when released. They should certainly be a big step up from older games like ‘Star Trek: The Game’ on the Xbox 360! Many think it will be at a similar price point to the PS5, and this, along with full backward compatibility, makes it a serious competitor for the title of the best console.

PS5 v Xbox Series X – a titanic battle for late 2020

As the above shows, both consoles will be coming out around the same time and are likely to cost around the same money. With both also having seriously impressive specs to enjoy, the battle for supremacy between them will be exciting for anyone who loves gaming. Which one you choose will be a personal thing, but it is unlikely you will be disappointed with either.

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2020, consoles, expect, ps5, released, series, ...

Blu-ray Review: “The Invisible Man” (2020)

DIrected by: Leigh Whannell
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen
Distributed by: Universal Home Video
Running time: 124 minutes

Film: 4 out of 5 stars
A/V: 5 out of 5 stars
Extras: 3 out of 5 stars

There’s a great joke I first heard in the eighth grade that deals with a mishap involving Superman, Wonder Woman and the Invisible Man. I can’t relate it hear but believe me, the punchline is killer. So is the latest incarnation of the Invisible Man.

We open on a couple in bed. As Adrian (Jackson-Cohen) sleeps, Cecilia (Moss) gets up, gathers some things and makes her way quietly out of the state of the art house. Doing her best to avoid cameras and not set off alarms, she makes her way to the road, where a ride is waiting. But she will soon find out that you can’t run away from some things, no matter how hard you try.

Genuinely terrifying, with a tour-de-force performance by Ms. Moss, “The Invisible Man” starts off slowly and clumsy. 20-minutes in I resigned myself to the fact that I was going to see a rehash of “Sleeping with the Enemy,” only with a Patrick Bergin that I couldn’t see. But just as that thought came into my head, writer/director Whannell flipped the switch, taking the film into directions I never would have imagined.

There have been many attempts at filming H.G. Wells’ story of a man with the power of invisibility, from the 1933 Universal Horror Classic “The Invisible Man” starring Claude Rains to the 2000 Kevin Bacon-starrer “Hollow Man.” Heck, even Kurt Russell and Chevy Chase have taken comedic shots at the story. But here, the main theme is terror, especially to an audience who is on the edge of their seats, intently staring at the screen and looking for the slightest hint the bad guy is there.

Moss is a revelation here. Best known for her television and streaming work (“Mad Men,” “The Handmaids Tale”) and a strong supporting turn in last year’s Jordan Peele horror masterpiece, “Us,” she has the unenviable job of basically interacting with a character that the audience never sees. Whether arguing, pleading or physically fighting with our villain, it’s just her on the screen, yet you feel her terror, especially when she is violently struggling with an entity that she (nor the audience) can see. Mr. Whannell, no stranger to horror thanks to his involvement in the “Saw” and “Insidious” film series, keeps the pace moving (after the first half-hour) and uses his camera as an almost additional character. The musical score, by Benjamin Wallfisch (“IT,” “Bladerunner: 2049), helps set the mood as well. The result is the most terrifying film since the aforementioned “Us.” If you’re a fan of horror, you definitely need this one in your collection.

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Filed Under: DVD/Blu-Ray Reviews Tagged With: 2020, bluray, invisible, man, review

SIXTHMAN POSTPONES REMAINING 2020 FESTIVALS ALL TO RETURN FOR A STRONG 2021 ON SAND & SEA

2021 Dates Already Set For The Following Festivals:

All The Best Fest moves to May 19 -23, 2021 returning to the Breathless + Now Onyx Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic celebrating the life and music of John PrineJoe Bonamassa’s Keeping the Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean IInow sailing the Greek Isles August 17 – 22, 2021 on board Norwegian Pearl The Broadway Cruise moves to November 13 – 17, 2021 sailing from New York City to Bermuda on board Norwegian Gem

KNOTFEST at Sea Rescheduled for August 2021 from Athens, Greece; Kesha’s Weird & Wonderful Rainbow Ride 2, The Melissa Etheridge Cruise IV, Coheed and Cambria’s S.S. Neverender and The KISS Kruise X are Rescheduled mid-October to mid-November 2021 from Miami with Dates To Be Announced

Sixthman’s ‘Looking After Our Communities’ Program incorporates enhanced health and safety measures, new policies for event refunds, transfers and credits and additional guest benefits on all festivals.

In light of recent global events due to the unprecedented Covid-19 situation, Sixthman, the global leader in destination vacation festivals, regretfully announces the postponement of all remaining 2020 festivals. Select festivals have already been rescheduled for 2021 including Joe Bonamassa’s Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II (sailing August 17-22, 2021 from Athens, Greece on board Norwegian Pearl), The Broadway Cruise (sailing November 13-17,2021 from New York City to Bermuda) and the resort based All The Best Fest (May 19-23, 2021 returning to the Breathless + Now Onyx Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic). Knotfest at Sea (sailing August 2021 from Athens, Greece on board Norwegian Pearl) hosted by Slipknot will also be returning with exact dates and ports to be announced. Kesha’s Weird & Wonderful Rainbow Ride 2, The Melissa Etheridge Cruise IV, Coheed and Cambria’s S.S. Neverender, and The KISS Kruise X will also move to October / November 2021 with new dates to be announced soon. Invitations have been extended for all currently booked 2020 artists to return in 2021.

Each event’s full lineups, which will feature some returning and new acts for next year, to be announced when complete.

More information on all festivals can be found at www.sixthman.net.

Sixthman CEO Anthony Diaz has released the following update:
Going above & beyond to create moments and memories that last a lifetime is why we do what we do. We see something incredibly special happen when communities come together to celebrate shared passions. Serving them on vacation is what has driven us for the past 20 years and 145 immersive events on land, sand and sea. We recognize we’re in the midst of uncertain times right now—times that call for extra flexibility, special value and an absolute assurance that the health and safety of our guests is being closely looked after.

With that, we hope our new ‘Looking After Our Communities’ assurance program gives peace of mind to our guests by offering the following:

1.     New Safety Protocols:

a.     Sixthman is working closely with Norwegian Cruise Line and our partners to support the enhanced health and safety measures being put in place in preparation for when the time is right for sailings to resume.

2.     Flexibility in Refunds and Transfers:

a.     Transfer Policy__________i.     For all guests currently booked on a 2020 festival who want to keep their festival reservation, they can transfer their reservation to the rescheduled 2021 dates.

b.     New Cruise Credit Policy __________i.     If a festival’s new 2021 dates do not work for a guest currently booked on a 2020 festival, they have the option to cancel their reservation and receive a credit for a future Sixthman festival OR Norwegian Cruise Line sailing.

c.      New Refund Policy__________i.     If a festival’s new 2021 dates do not work for a guest currently booked on a 2020 festival, they now have the option to receive a full refund of all monies paid if they cancel their reservation through August 31^st, 2020.

d.     Looking After Our Communities__________i.     Giving all guests currently booked or looking to book on a 2021 event the option to change or cancel festival reservations for any of Sixthman’s 2021 events. Guests who decide to alter their reservation through August 31^st, 2020 will receive an event credit that can be used on any Sixthman festival (land or sea) or any Norwegian Cruise Line sailing through 12/31/2022

3.     Onboard Incentives and Benefits:

a.     Free Beverage Package__________i.     As a thank you to our communities—all current and future guests who book through August 31^st, 2020 on any 2021 cruise will have the option to select a Free Beverage Package –with only the associated gratuities to be charged.

b.     Additional Event Specific Experiences__________i.     To further give back to our trusted communities, we are actively working with our partners and hosts to craft unique experiences for our guests on each of our 2021 sailing. These event specific experiences will be announced on a rolling basis throughout the next few months.

While our guests, artist partners and the Sixthman team are all sad the time is not right this year to come together as a community, we know how special it will be to return together on vacation next year and are already counting down the days.    -Anthony Diaz | CEO Sixthman

All The Best Festival To celebrate the remarkable legacy of stories and songs left behind with the recent passing of John Prine, Sixthman and Oh Boy Records are honored to host All The Best festival.

All The Best (originally scheduled for November 16-20, 2020) is a four-day celebration of amazing music and community taking place at the world class Breathless + Now Onyx Resorts in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic now scheduled for May 19 – 23, 2021.

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, John Hiatt, Steve Earle, I’m With Her, Margo Price, Todd Snider, Iris DeMent, Paul Thorn, The Jerry Douglas Band, The War and Treaty, Watkins Family Hour, Ian Noe, Ana Egge, Jeremy Ivey, Tré Burt, and John Prine’s backing band with more to be announced will be joining fans in the Dominican to celebrate John Prine’s lasting impact on the music industry.

Fans who are interested can book their spot for the 2021 festival now. – allthebestfest.com

Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean IIGuitar legend Joe Bonamassa, in conjunction with partners Keeping The Blues Alive Foundation and Sixthman have made the decision to postpone the sailing of Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea Mediterranean II. The second voyage is now scheduled to sail aboard the Norwegian Pearl out of Athens, Greece traveling to Mykonos, Greece and Kusadasi, Turkey on August 17-22, 2021. Many talented artists will be joining Joe Bonamassa onboard the blues rock festival including

Ian Anderson presents Jethro Tull, Walter Trout, Marc Broussard, Ana Popovic, King King, Jimmy Vivino, Terry Reid, The James Hunter Six, The Suffers, Kris Barras Band, Selwyn Birchwood, The Cold Stares, Daddy Long Legs, Jade MacRae, Elles Bailey, Ben Levin, Lakota John and Toby Lee. Fans who are interested can book their spot on the 2021 sailing now. – bluesaliveatseaeurope.com

About Sixthman- Since 2001, Sixthman has set the stage for moments that make life rock, serving over 300,000 guests’ unforgettable vacations on sand and at sea with their favorite artists, athletes, actors, comedians and brands. These carefully curated, intimate events bring non-stop performances, artist collaborations, in depth panels and Q&As, fan-artist activities, museums and overall truly immersive experiences that celebrate community and change expectations of what a vacation could be. Sixthman’s domestic home port of Miami takes guests to dream destinations in the Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, Mexico, and The Bahamas. In 2019, Sixthman expanded their festivals at sea to Europe, sailing from Barcelona, Spain to exotic Mediterranean ports. 2021 brings sailings through the Greek Isles. In addition to festivals at sea, in 2019 Sixthman began bringing their innovative vacation concept to world class, all-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic. Sixthman also powers the events of other producers and brands through their experience and suite of in-house services. For more information, visit sixthman.net and connect with us @SXMLiveLoud. LIVE LOUD.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, 2021, festivals, postpones, remaining, return, ...

Film Review “Valley Girl (2020)”

Who knew that we needed a remake of the 1983 Nicolas Cage starred cult classic “Valley Girl”, let alone a musical remake of it…but very glad we did. This long delayed film which was originally scheduled to be released in 2018 finally gets a release date available in select Drive-Ins and on Digital on May 8, 2020. Packed with 80’s nostalgia, great songs and a solid cast, this film definitely did not disappoint.

Official Premise: Julie (Jessica Rothe) is the ultimate ’80s Valley Girl. A creative free spirit; Julie’s time is spent with her best friends shopping at the Galleria mall and making plans for senior prom. That is, until she falls hard for Randy (Joshua Whitehouse), a Sunset Strip punk rocker, who challenges everything the Valley and Julie stand for. Despite push-back from friends and family, Julie must break out of the safety of her world to follow her heart and discover what it really means to be a Valley Girl.

Jessica Rothe, known best for the “Happy Death Day” horror franchise, stars in this musical remake. She does have musical experience after co-starring in “La La Land” and definitely can sing. Also co-starring singer/actress Chloe Bennett (“Marvel’s Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.”) and even Alicia Silverstone (“Clueless”) makes an appearance in a “Princess Bride” story-telling role. Wrapping up the cast, Judy Greer (“Jurassic World”) and Rob Huebel (“Children’s Hospital”) play Julie’s parents.

The songs in the film include Queen “Under Pressure”, a-ha “Take on Me”, The Go-Go’s “We Got The Beat” and Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” just to name a few. They are backed by fun all-out dance sequences with choreography by none other than Mandy Moore (“This is Us”, “Tangled”). The music is so fun, fresh and gets you re-living the 80’s.

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Filed Under: Film Reviews, Streaming Tagged With: 2020, film, girl, review, valley

Launch Music Conference & Festival Rescheduled for July 23rd – July 26th, 2020 in Lancaster, PA

LaunchMusicConference.com

The 12th annual LAUNCH Music Conference has been rescheduled for July 23-July 26 due to the recent global pandemic.

Statement from LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival organizers:

These new dates are both in an abundance of caution, and with an abundance of hope 🙂

This is a crazy time we are all living through. Uncertainty seems to be at the center of our lives. We are proceeding with this timeframe, with a true spirit of positivity, and in the sincerest hope that life will be liveable the way we had all come to know and love, by July.

Because no one really knows where we will be, with respect to gatherings, over the next couple months, we are concurrently organizing a virtual version of LAUNCH 2020.

Should we find that 3+ months from now, we’re still not quite out of the woods, LAUNCH will be fully prepared to stage the entire event; daytime live panels and Q&A, mentoring, and nighttime festival performance schedule, in real time, on the web.

We will broadcast the virtual version either way!If you have made hotel arrangements through http://www.launchmusicconference.com/where-to-stay , your reservation is good for the new dates.

In the event that the in-person rendition of the event is canceled, attendees will be fully refunded on lodging, of course. People can continue to make your lodging arrangements through www.launchmusicconference.com/where-to-stay.

LAUNCH Founder & Director, Jeremy Weiss, states:

“What we are facing…we will adapt to. We will not lose contact with each other, or commitment to our craft. One way or another (or both!), we will come together July 23rd-26th, 2020. We will forge new relationships, and reinforce current ones. We will tweak older ideas, and introduce new best practices. We will think, and grow; bond, and not break.

LAUNCH is a community, and our mission will continue!”+++++Now entering its TWELFTH year, LAUNCH Music Conference has redefined what a start-up music conference could be, bringing together musicians, music industry professionals and music lovers from all over the world to downtown Lancaster, PA, for a weekend of instruction, networking, and entertainment. Showcasing artists ranging from Grammy-nominees to high school upstarts, from regional touring acts to major label veterans.

LAUNCH has attracted a wide swath of respected, relevant industry experts who speak on panels, mentor musicians and attend conferences, from label reps to booking agents to managers, instrument sponsors, publicists, and manufacturers– In short: every type of contact a working artist needs in order to function in the current music business landscape.

The mission of LAUNCH Music Conference & Festival is to serve aspiring musicians and industry professionals from across the country & around the world, employing the expertise of an array of elite industry professionals, while maintaining unparalleled low pricing for all attendees, even FREE attendance for those who submitted for performance consideration.

Each year LAUNCH Music Conference strives to redefine what a music conference can be, bringing together musicians and industry professionals for a weekend of instruction, networking and entertainment.

LAUNCH Music Conference and Festival is only made possible by the support of our many generous brand partners, including Bud Light, Stella Artois, Goose Island, Bon & Viv, Reverbnation, City of Lancaster, PA, Atomic Design, PRS Guitars, GHS Strings, York College, D’Addario, SoundRink, SJC Drums, and more.Despite its historically low attendance fees, LAUNCH is repeatedly ranked as one of the Top 5 music conferences in the world.

We have grown exponentially since the pilot year in 2009.Past performers and panelists include Atreyu, August Burns Red, Dredg, The Early November, Emarosa, Felice Brothers, Foxy Shazam, Ice Nine Kills, Meaghan Trainor, Panic! At The Disco, Rusted Root, Twenty One Pilots, Whitechapel, Holly Williamsand more.

Former panelists include Kevin Lyman (Vans Warped Tour), Randy Nichols (Force Management), Talinda Bennington (320 Changes Direction), Mike Mowery (Outerloop Management), Vince Edwards (Metal Blade Records), Lou Plaia (ReverbNation), Nick Storch (Artist Group International), David Silbaugh (Milwaukee Summerfest) Kyla Lombardo (Firefly Festival, Riot Fest)and many more.

2020 Single-Day, Weekend and VIP passes are available for purchase at www.LaunchMusicConference.com.Bands/artists/media/industry can also register, submit to perform and book lodging atwww.LaunchMusicConference.com.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, 23rd, 26th, conference, festival, july, ...

Hackers, Army of Darkness to Be Released on Vinyl & Mortal Kombat, the Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, to Be Released as Picture Discs on Record Store Day 2020 from Varèse Sarabande Records

(Los Angeles, CA, March 9, 2020) — As part of Record Store Day 2020, Varèse Sarabande Records will release five amazing soundtrack LPs: Hackers and Army of Darkness will be available as double LPs and Mortal Kombat and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance get the picture disc treatment, (Age of Resistance in two different variants), on April 18, 2020, at thousands of independent record stores. A list of participating stores can be found at recordstoreday.com and for more info about these special LPs visit VareseSarabande.com.

HACKERS – Various Artists (Double LP)
On vinyl for the first time, the definitive soundtrack to the film Hackers is being released in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the film. The double LP features never-before-released tracks including “Hackers Suite” performed by composer Simon Boswell, as well as two pieces by Guy Pratt, “One Combination” and “Grand Central Station” featuring David Gilmour.

“This was such a fun thing to do, had to quickly knock it up at home and then David swung by and did his inimitable thing in one take.” – Guy Pratt

Additionally, tracks that were not on the original soundtrack release in 1995, including “Protection” by Massive Attack, and “Open Up” by Leftfield, are part of this special album edition. The commemorative package includes two black vinyl LPs in a gatefold, new notes from director Iain Softley, and unreleased photos of the cast.

TRACK LISTINGS
Side A

“Halcyon and On and On” Performed by Orbital
“Hackers Suite” Performed by Simon Boswell
“Open Up” Performed by Leftfield

Side B

“Cowgirl” Performed by Underworld
“Voodoo People” Performed by Prodigy
“Connected” Performed by Stereo MC’s

Side C

“Original Bedroom Rockers” Performed by Kruder & Dorfmeister
“One Love” Performed by The Prodigy
“Good Grief” Performed by Urban Dance Squad

Side D

“Protection” Performed by Massive Attack
“One Combination” Performed by Guy Pratt
“Grand Central Station” Performed by Guy Pratt, featuring David Gilmour
“Heaven Knows” Performed by Squeeze

ARMY OF DARKNESS – Joe LoDuca (Double LP)
This double LP soundtrack for Sam Raimi’s 1990’s classic Army of Darkness film (a continuation of Raimi’s Evil Dead series, which also starred Bruce Campbell as Ash) features the original cover graphics with new notes and images, and a newly remastered score by composer Joe LoDuca. Years later, LoDuca continued to score Evil Dead projects through the Starz series, Ash vs The Evil Dead. The latter series ran from 2015 – 2018. Army of Darkness is musically distinct, however, in having a secondary contributing composer: Danny Elfman’s (Batman, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, The Simpsons) killer theme “March of the Dead.”

TRACK LISTINGS
Side A

“Prologue”
“Building The Deathcoaster”
“Give Me Some Sugar / Bone’Anza”
“Time Traveller”
“Ash Splits”

Side B

“Little Ashes”
“Ash In Chains”
“Night Court”
“The Forest Of The Dead / Graveyard”
“The Pit”

Side C

“God Save Us”
“Foul Thing”
“March Of The Dead” Theme Composed by Danny Elfman
“Whites Of Their Skulls”
“The Deathcoaster”
“On Parapet”

Side D

“Ash Bucklers”
“Skeletor”
“Soul Swallower”
“Manly Men”
“End Titles”

MORTAL KOMBAT – George S. Clinton (Picture Disc)
Originally released on CD only in 1995 and currently unavailable in any physical format, this score to the first film ever developed for the massive gaming franchise will get the LP treatment in conjunction with the film’s 25th anniversary. Side A of this two-sided picture disc features the iconic Mortal Kombat logo, while Side B features Goro, a fan favorite from the game and film who is generally considered by gamers to be one of the most memorable and difficult bosses in gaming culture. In fact, the four-armed fighter did not lose a battle for 500 years before a first-ever loss to Mortal Kombat hero, Johnny Cage. The music was composed by George S. Clinton with a heavy assist from the guitarist, Buckethead (Guns N’ Roses, Primus), who appears on 10 of the 26 tracks.

TRACK LISTINGS
Side A

“Taste Of Things To Come”
“Liu Vs. Sub-Zero”
“It Has Begun”
“The Garden” featuring Buckethead
“Goro Vs. Art” featuring Buckethead
“Banquet”
“Liu Vs. Katana”
“Liu’s Dream” featuring Buckethead
“Liu Vs. Reptile” featuring Buckethead
“Stairway”
“Goro Goro”
“Kidnapped”
“Zooom”
“Johnny Vs. Scorpion” featuring Buckethead

Side B

“Hand And Shadow” featuring Buckethead
“Scorpion And Sub-Zero” featuring Buckethead
“Soul Snatchin’”
“On The Beach”
“Johnny Cage” featuring Buckethead
“Goro Chase” featuring Buckethead
“Evening Bells”
“Monks”
“Friends”
“Flawless Victory” featuring Buckethead
“Farewell”
“Kids”

THE DARK CRYSTAL: AGE OF RESISTANCE, The Aureyal & The Crystal Chamber – Daniel Pemberton, Samuel Sim (Picture Discs)
Two truly special picture disc editions featuring imagery unavailable anywhere else! The Aureyal, a symbol representing the unity of the seven Gelfling Clans, presents itself in the visions of various important Gelfling characters and is formally identified as “the sigil of great power” by skekGra the Heretic. The Aureyal picture disc is complemented on the other side with the cover art from the Volume 1 CD and digital release. The Crystal Chamber disc depicts the floor of the Dark Crystal’s chamber; a circle of 18 arcane symbols, one for each of the urSkeks that came to Thra during the first Great Conjunction. The Crystal Chamber picture disc is complemented on the other side with the cover art from the Volume 2 CD and digital release. Consumers should note that the track selections on the two picture discs are completely different. Although available for individual purchase, they are thematically a set.

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a 10-episode prequel to the groundbreaking 1982 fan-favorite The Dark Crystal, and stars Taron Egerton, Star Wars’ Mark Hamill, Harry Potter’s Helena Bonham-Carter, Tomb Raider star Alicia Vikander and Outlander’s Caitriona Balfe. The show’s composer Daniel Pemberton reveals, “I wanted the music to be as magical as Thra itself – organic, imperfect, strange, mystical, otherworldly and wonderful. I wanted to create new sounds that felt like they came from the world itself, as well as using thematic largescale orchestral elements to bring an emotion to the journey of the characters.”

The Aureyal Picture Disc

TRACK LISTINGS
Side A

“Dzenpo!” – Daniel Pemberton
“Remember Your Oath” – Samuel Sim
“Puppet Show” – Samuel Sim, Daniel Pemberton
“Song Of Thra” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Skeksis Arrive” – Samuel Sim
“Outcast” – Daniel Pemberton
“Outside Podling Wayhouse” – Daniel Pemberton

Side B

“An Old Story” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Three Brothers Rise” – Daniel Pemberton
“Attack Of The Arathim” – Samuel Sim, Daniel Pemberton
“Our Sister Is Gone” – Samuel Sim
“The Dark Crystal: End Credits” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Dark Crystal: The Age Of Hope” – Daniel Pemberton

The Crystal Chamber Picture Disc

TRACK LISTINGS
Side A

“The Dark Crystal: Age Of Resistance” – Daniel Pemberton
“Another World, Another Time” – Daniel Pemberton
“Story Of The Dark Crystal” – Daniel Pemberton
“Rian + Mira Dreamfast” – Daniel Pemberton
“Aughra Awakes” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Crystal Chamber” – Daniel Pemberton
“Essence Draining” – Daniel Pemberton

Side B

“What Lies At The Dream’s End” – Daniel Pemberton
“Together We Fight” – Daniel Pemberton
“The Blue Flames Part 1” – Daniel Pemberton
“Deet In The Woods” – Samuel Sim
“Speak For The Dead” – Daniel Pemberton
“Brea And The Library” – Samuel Sim
“Her Light Faded” – Daniel Pemberton

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ABOUT VARÈSE SARABANDE RECORDS
Founded in 1978, Varèse Sarabande is the most prolific producer of film music in the world, releasing the highest quality soundtracks from the world’s greatest composers. From current box office hits and top television series to the classics of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Varèse Sarabande’s catalog includes albums from practically every composer in every era, covering all of film history; from Bernard Herrmann, Alex North and Jerry Goldsmith to Alexandre Desplat, Michael Giacchino and Brian Tyler. Varèse Sarabande is a part of Concord.

Follow: twitter.com/varesesarabande
Watch: youtube.com/varesesarabande
Listen: open.spotify.com/user/varesesarabanderecords
Like: facebook.com/varesesarabanderecords
Buy: varesesarabande.com

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Filed Under: Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, age, army, crystal, dark, darkness, ...

JUDAS PRIEST ANNOUNCE 50 HEAVY METAL YEARS TOUR 2020

One of heavy metal’s all-time greats, Judas Priest will be celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a world tour coming to the US in the fall. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Sabaton as openers and is being fueled by the highest charting album of Priest’s career ‘Firepower’ which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200.

“Judas Priest are primed and ready to deliver the goods with our 50 Heavy Metal Years anniversary celebration stage show spectacular! Performing a blistering cross section of songs from our lives in metal – we can’t wait to raise horns with you again at this once in a metal lifetime event!” – Judas Priest

Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians – Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, KK Downing & Ian Hill (along with several different drummers over the years) would go on to change the face of heavy metal. Throughout the 70’s Priest were responsible for helping trail blaze metal with such classic offerings as ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ (1976) ‘Sin After Sin’ (1977) and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ (1978) as well as one of the genre’s top live recordings ‘Unleashed in the East’ (1979) among others.

But it was during the 80’s that Priest conquered the world, becoming a global arena headliner on the strength of such all-time classics as ‘British Steel’ (1980) and ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ (1982), as well as being one of the first metal bands to be embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, plus performing at some of the decades biggest concerts (1980’s Monsters of Rock, 1983’s US Festival, and 1985’s Live Aid) and being the first to exclusively wear leather and studs – a look that began during this era and would eventually be embraced by metal heads throughout the world. Priest’s success continued throughout the 90’s and beyond with the addition of drummer Scott Travis, as evidenced by such additional stellar offerings as ‘Painkiller’ (1990) ‘Angel of Retribution’ (2005) and ‘A Touch of Evil: Live’ (2009) the latter of which saw Priest win a Grammy Award for a killer rendition of the classic ‘Dissident Aggressor’

In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the previous guitarist who had left in 2010 – the move seemed to have reinvigorated the band, as evidenced by a show-stealing performance on the ‘American Idol’ TV program that also served as Faulkner’s debut performance with the band (also in 2011 was the release of a new compilation ‘The Chosen Few’ which included Priest classics selected by some of metal’s biggest names) and the ‘Epitaph’ concert DVD in 2013.

Priest’s next studio effort would arrive in 2014 ‘Redeemer of Souls’ which was supported by another strong tour.

In 2017 (and again in 2019) Judas Priest received a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and got ready to unleash their latest studio album ‘Firepower’ (produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim.

Few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest. And the forthcoming 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will undoubtedly drive this point home.

CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

9/9/2020 in Oxon Hill, MD at MGM National Harbor
9/11/2020 in Uniondale, NY at Nassau Coliseum
9/12/2020 in Ledyard, CT at Foxwoods Casino Arena
9/14/2020 in Philadelphia, PA at The Mann Center
9/15/2020 in Newark, NJ at Prudential Center
9/17/2020 in Charlotte, NC at PNC Music Pavilion
9/18/2020 in Orlando, FL at Central Florida Fair – Rebel Rock Fest
9/21/2020 in Grand Rapids, MI at Van Andel Arena
9/23/2020 in Detroit, MI at Fox Theatre
9/24/2020 in Youngstown, OH at Covelli Centre
9/26/2020 in Chicago, IL at Rosemont Theatre
9/27/2020 in Minneapolis, MN at The Armory
9/29/2020 in Milwaukee, WI at Miller High Life Theatre
9/30/2020 in St. Louis, MO at Saint Louis Music Park
10/2/2020 in Oklahoma City, OK at The Zoo Amphitheatre
10/3/2020 in Dallas, TX at Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/5/2020 in Austin, TX at HEB Center
10/6/2020 in San Antonio, TX at Freeman Coliseum
10/8/2020 in Albuquerque, NM at Sandia Resort and Casino
10/9/2020 in Denver, CO at The Mission Ballroom
10/11/2020 in Salt Lake City, UT at Vivint Smart Home Arena
10/13/2020 in Phoenix, AZ at Arizona Federal Theatre
10/15/2020 in Los Angeles, CA at Microsoft Theater
10/17/2020 in Las Vegas, NV at Zappos Theatre at Planet Hollywood

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT: judaspriest.com

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2020, 50, announce, heavy, judas, metal, ...

Ten Most Anticipated Movies of 2020!

New Year – New Excitement – New Entertainment! Get ready to be mesmerized as stunning women of Marvel and DC take over the theaters. Not only that, get ready to be spooked because 2020 offers a good deal of horror thrillers as well. Don’t be surprised if nostalgia hits because this year Sonic and SpongeBob are coming to the big screens too.

Let’s take a timeline-view for some of the most anticipated movies this year:

Birds of Prey

The month of love i.e. February is all about girl power this year – a crazy angry foursome! Margot Robbie is seen on the screen again reprising her role as the fantabulous Harley Quinn – narrating a tale only she can relate. The twisted tale of the Birds of prey brings you a team of anti-hero women who get together to save a young girl, causing mayhem in the city. Harley Quinn, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya cross paths for an epic adventure. People have long waited to see what happens when the crazy meet the volcano, the storm and the hunter. So get ready for a viewing, which is if you have not already, and always remember not to mess with an angry woman!

Sonic The Hedgehog

The trailer and the first impression of the movie caused an outrage among fans. By making Sonic look realistic, the creators had drifted away from the classic Sonic look, leaving fans disappointed around the world. The studio resorted to the decision of redrawing the character and changing the look following the reaction to the first trailer. The release of the movie was held back until the redesign shown in a new trailer was welcomed. Sonic is now back with the more classic look making fans nostalgic all over again. People had been waiting for this movie for a long time. Inclusion of Jim Carrey, who appears as the villain Dr. Robotnik, has pushed expectations of fans still higher. Thousands of tuned-in fans, long eager to find if the movie does justice to the famous American comic series, will take to the theatres in February.

Black Widow

The Marvel Women are loved and hailed by all. After the record breaking success of the Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel Studios is back with another action packed presentation starring Scarlett Johansson as the Black Window, tapping into her past life as a spy and her broken relationships from before she became an important member of the Avengers. The trailer came in December making fans extremely curious and eager for a full viewing of the new Marvel movie that is due to hit theatres in May this year.

Wonder Woman 1984

Another Marvel Woman will be hitting theaters this year in June 2020. After a massive success on the box office, leading to 821.8 million dollar business worldwide, and ranking as the second best super hero movie of all times on Rotten Tomatoes, the Wonder Woman is back with the next iteration rather than a sequel – exactly as Patty Jenkins, the director intended Wonder Woman 1984 to turn out. The movie is set in the 1980s Cold War context and the Wonder Woman stands up against the Soviet forces as she takes on the main villain – Cheetah!

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the run

SpongeBob finds himself on another adventure that aims to rescue his dearest cat Garry – and along with his best friend Patrick, they set out in their iconic “patty wagon”. The trailer shows all the important characters – Squidward, Mr. Krabs and Sandy Cheeks – as SpongeBob searches for his precious Garry on another exciting trip to The Lost City of Atlantic. On their way they see many new faces, including Snoop Dog, the Sage (played by Keanu Reeves) and more. We can be sure this movie is bound to make summer 2020 absolutely breathtaking.

A Quiet Place (Part 2)

A Quiet Place turned out to be a smashing hit in 2018 and got set up for a sequel due to release this year. The movie revolves around a mother of two as she survives post-apocalyptic times with extraterrestrial beings that respond to the slightest sound infesting the land. Having lost her husband and son, this mother tries her best to protect the remaining family and meet up with more survivors.

Purge (2020)

The Purge, an American media franchise, revolving around a series of action horror films, is due for the fifth one in line i.e. The Purge 5 to release this year. Following the success of the previous four i.e. The Purge, The Purge: Anarchy, The Purge: Election Year, The First Purge, fans are looking forward to the fifth feature film of the franchise. Though not much information has been released about the plot, it will most likely tie in with that of the television series, so get ready for what may be the last of Purge that you will get to view this summer.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

After the huge success of the first two parts, The Conjuring 3 is on its way to hit the cinemas in September 2020. This time with a little twist in the plot, instead of the movie revolving around a particular haunting, the focus is the aftermath of an old and infamous case, one of the most sensational in the Warrens’ files. This would be the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim “the devil made me do it”. Fans can’t wait to see how mystery, suspense and thrill come together on the big screen when the movie releases on September 11, 2020.

Mulan (2020)

As we said earlier, this year is all about girl power! Live action of the famous Disney movie Mulan is on its way to take you on a ride packed with adventure and drama. Taking place of her ailing father, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior is ready to fight for her country. Join Hua Mulan on her journey and watch her harnesses her inner strength as she becomes the pride of her family, and an honored warrior of the nation.

Free Guy

Ryan Reynolds is back with his naturally witty, sarcastic and energetic character in his new movie, Free Guy. Living in a violent world of videos games, his NPC character becomes self-aware and decides to take his destiny into his own hands. Join Ryan Reynolds as he embarks on an adventure to spell change; expect a lot of fourth-wall breaking, self-referential and ironic humor.

Exciting isn’t it?

Here is a pro tip in case you are low on budget. Get Charter Spectrum today and subscribe to the best internet packages that will allow you to stream online or even create your own home theatre!

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Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: 2020, anticipated, movies, ten

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, ...

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.
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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, ...

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