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Acclaimed Rockers ALTER BRIDGE Release Epic Album Track “Sin After Sin”

New Lyric Video | Watch HERE

Third Track from Upcoming Album, Pawns & Kings
Album Scheduled for Worldwide Release on October 14 | Pre-Order HERE

Get Tickets for Pawns & Kings Tour Global Tour Dates HERE

[Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann]As the band’s current single, “Silver Tongue,” moves up the Active Rock radio charts and its music video crossed a million plays in less than a month, acclaimed rockers ALTER BRIDGE are back with another track from their upcoming seventh studio album, Pawns & Kings – scheduled for worldwide release on October 14 via Napalm Records. “Sin After Sin” is the latest epic track released by the quartet comprised of Myles Kennedy on vocals/guitars, Mark Tremonti on guitars/vocals, Brian Marshall on bass and Scott Phillips on drums. The song clocks in at 6:43 and is the second longest song on the new album. The lyric video was created by ALTER BRIDGE visual collaborator Wayne Joyner and can be seen below.

Watch the lyric video for “Sin After Sin” HERE:

From the opening riffs of “This Is War” to the title track album closer “Pawns & Kings,” ALTER BRIDGE returns with an album of intense tracks that were born after the cycle for their last album was cut short by the global pandemic. Songs like “Dead Among The Living,” “Holiday” and “Last Man Standing” showcase the signature songwriting the band is known for. The album offers numerous epic adventures, with three songs clocking in over six minutes each. The opus “Fable Of The Silent Son” clocks in at 8:29 and is the longest recorded song in the band’s catalog – a distinction held by “Blackbird” until now. Mark Tremonti steps out of his backing vocal role to take the lead on “Stay,” an introspective ballad that is sure to become a fan favorite live. The band released a lyric video for the title track that can be seen here: https://youtu.be/aTqN0nh7Avk.

Known for its signature dual-guitar attack backed by a driving rhythm section, the album’s fast-rising chart-climber “Silver Tongue” is one of the harder songs in the band’s recent catalog. Its animated music video was created and directed by Ollie Jones of Better Feeling Films (Myles Kennedy, Prodigy, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets) and can be seen here: https://youtu.be/snl8OANQ948.

Pawns & Kings found ALTER BRIDGE reuniting with longtime collaborator and producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette to create a collection of memorable new additions to the band’s impressive catalog.

The track listing for Pawns & Kings is:
1) This Is War
2) Dead Among The Living
3) Silver Tongue
4) Sin After Sin
5) Stay
6) Holiday
7) Fable Of The Silent Son
8) Season Of Promise
9) Last Man Standing
10) Pawns & Kings

ALTER BRIDGE’s Pawns & Kings is now available for pre-order in the following configurations:
-CD Digisleeve
-1 LP Gatefold BLACK Vinyl
-1 LP Gatefold INKSPOT BLACK/GOLD Vinyl w/Slipmat and Record Butler (Napalm mail order only, limited to 500 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Napalm mail order only, limited to 400 worldwide)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED ORANGE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold MARBLED WHITE/BLACK Vinyl (Band Shop only)
-1 LP Gatefold CRYSTAL CLEAR Vinyl (Band Shop only, limited to 300 only)
-Deluxe Box Set w/ CD Digisleeve, Pendant, Tote Bag, Guitar Pick tin (Napalm mail order only, limited to 700 worldwide)
-Music Cassette BROWN TRANSPARENT (Napalm mail order only, limited to 150 worldwide)
-Digital Album

Pre-Order Pawns & Kings HERE:

ALTER BRIDGE will tour extensively in support of Pawns & Kings. The band announced a tour of Europe that will make 25 stops over the course of six weeks, kicking off November 1 in Germany and making stops in Denmark, Sweden, Spain and others before ending on December 12 at O2 Arena in the United Kingdom. Longtime friends Halestorm and Mammoth WVH will lend their support on the upcoming European tour. The band also just announced a North American tour for 2023 – their first in the market in almost three years. The 30-city tour – split into two legs – kicks off on January 25 in Tampa, FL and wraps up April 1 in Highland, CA, making stops in Nashville, TN (January 30); Toronto, ON (February 11); Kansas City, MO (March 11) and Seattle, WA (March 23). Mammoth WVH will join them as direct support on the entire tour, with rockers Red playing on the first leg of the tour and newcomers Pistols At Dawn playing on the second leg. Tickets for all shows are now available and more information on tickets and VIP experiences can be found at https://alterbridge.com/pages/tour. European Tour DatesNov 1 – HAMBURG, GERMANY – SporthalleNov 2 – COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – FalconerNov 4 – PARTILLE, SWEDEN – Partille ArenaNov 5 – OSLO, NORWAY – Sentrum SceneNov 7 – KATOWICE, POLAND – MCKNov 9 – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG – RockhalNov 11 – BERLIN, GERMANY – ColumbiahalleNov 12 – HLAVNÍ MĚSTO PRAHA, CZECH REPUBLIC – O2 UniversumNov 14 – BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – Budapest ArenaNov 16 – PARIS, FRANCE – Palais Des SportsNov 18 – MADRID, SPAIN – VistalegreNov 20 – BARCELONA, SPAIN – Razzmataz1Nov 22 – MUNICH, GERMANY – ZenithNov 23 – ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – Samsung HallNov 25 – ASSAGO, ITALY – Mediolanum ForumNov 26 – ZAGREB, CROATIA – Dom SportovaNov 28 – VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Wiener StadthalleNov 30 – KÖLN, GERMANY – PalladiumDec 1 – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Ziggo DomeDec 5 – NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – Motorpoint ArenaDec 6 – GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – OVO Hydro ArenaDec 8 – DUBLIN, IRELAND – 3 ArenaDec 9 – MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AO ArenaDec 11 – BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – Resorts World ArenaDec 12 – LONDON, ENGLAND – O2 ArenaNorth American Tour Dates:Jan 25 – TAMPA, FL – Seminole Hard Rock *Jan 27 – ORLANDO, FL – Hard Rock Live *Jan 28 – ATLANTA, GA – Coca Cola Roxy *Jan 30 – NASHVILLE, TN – Ryman Auditorium * Feb 1 – MONTCLAIR, NJ – The Wellmont Theater *Feb 2 – HUNTINGTON, NY – The Paramount *Feb 4 – SILVER SPRING, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring *Feb 5 – PHILADELPHIA, PA – Franklin Music Hall *Feb 7 – WALLINGFORD, CT – The Dome at Toyota Oakdale Theatre *Feb 8 – BOSTON, MA – Roadrunner *Feb 10 – WATERLOO, NY – Del Lago Casino Resort (On sale soon) ^Feb 11 – TORONTO, ON – HISTORY ^Feb 14 – DETROIT, MI – The Fillmore *Feb 15 – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre *Feb 17 – PRIOR LAKE, MN – Mystic Lake Casino Showroom *Feb 18 – CHICAGO, IL – The Riviera Theatre *Mar 10 – QUAPAW, OK – Downstream Casino Resort #Mar 11 – KANSAS CITY, MO – Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland #Mar 14 – CHESTERFIELD, MO – The Factory #Mar 15 – OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Criterion #Mar 17 – HOUSTON, TX – 713 Music Hall #Mar 18 – DALLAS, TX – South Side Ballroom #Mar 20 – DENVER, CO – Mission Ballroom #Mar 21 – SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Union Event Center #Mar 23 – SEATTLE, WA – The Paramount Theatre #Mar 25 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^Mar 26 – AIRWAY HEIGHTS, WA – Northern Quest Resort & Casino ^ Mar 28 – ANAHEIM, CA – House Of Blues #Mar 29 – TEMPE, AZ – Marquee Theatre #Mar 31 – RENO, NV – Silver Legacy’s Grande Expo Hall #Apr 1 – HIGHLAND, CA – Yaamava Theater at Yaamava Casino Resort ^^ ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH * ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Red# ALTER BRIDGE – Mammoth WVH – Pistols At Dawn

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LAMB OF GOD Reveals New Album & Tour Details

Omens Arrives October 7
Tickets For The Omens Tour On Sale
Friday, June 10 At 10 AM Local

Photo: Travis Shinn

LAMB OF GOD follows 2020’s No. 1 Hard Rock Album with a vicious new testament. Riding high on a creative renaissance saluted by the likes of Rolling Stone and NME, the Grammy-nominated goliath returns with the gloriously unhinged Omens, produced by longtime collaborator Josh Wilbur (Korn, Megadeth).

The first single, “Nevermore,” arrives on Friday, June 10. Omens follows on October 7 via Epic Records.

The New Wave Of American Heavy Metal architects will support the new album with a massive Live Nation produced U.S. headlining tour, The Omens Tour, featuring special guests Killswitch Engage on all dates. Different legs will also see support from Baroness, Motionless In White, Spiritbox, Animals As Leaders as well as Suicide Silence and Fit For An Autopsy. The tour kicks off September 9 in Brooklyn and runs through October 20, see full routing below. Tickets go on sale starting Friday, June 10 at 10am local time on lamb-of-god.com.

Citi is the official card of the The Omens Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, June 7 at 10am ET until Thursday, June 9 at 10pm local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit Citi Entertainment®

“Two decades ago, Lamb of God, along with Killswitch Engage, were a part of a new wave of American heavy metal music. Our scene grew from a small, loosely connected network of underground shows in basements and warehouses, into a global phenomenon that helped define an entire generation of modern heavy metal. We are thrilled to announce The Omens Tour, which celebrates not only the perseverance and impact of that original movement, but also the creativity and originality of the bands that it influenced. Heavy metal is alive and well.

The Omens Tour proudly showcases the depth and diversity of our scene. This is not a tour to miss.” – Mark Morton

Densely muscular, soaked in unnerving spite, with a pessimistic eye toward inner struggles and global affairs alike, Omens is a furious entry in the Lamb Of God catalog, perhaps their angriest album yet. “The world is crazy and keeps changing. Omens is a reaction to the state of the world,” explains vocalist D. Randall Blythe. “It’s a very pissed-off record.” He pauses for emphasis. “It is extremely pissed-off.”

Omens is also Lamb Of God’s most diverse affair. The band tracked live in the room together at Henson Recording Studios (formerly A&M Studios) in Los Angeles, California, a location that birthed classics from The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Ramones, and Soundgarden, among others. “The inner workings of the band have never been better,” explains guitarist Mark Morton. “You can hear it in Omens. You can see it in our performances, and if you’re around us for five minutes, you can feel it.”

The Omens album pre-order is live now at Lamb-Of-God.com, boasting several exclusive items, including a signed colored vinyl variant, shirt, hoodie, and signed CDs with an alternate color cover. All physical CD and Vinyl releases will include a free access code to watch the livestream viewing of “The Making of Omens” documentary, which will premiere the week of album release.

Pre-order link: https://lamb-of-god.lnk.to/Omens

Omens tracklisting:

1.) Nevermore
2.) Vanishing
3.) To The Grave
4.) Ditch
5.) Omens
6.) Gomorrah
7.) Ill Designs
8.) Grayscale
9.) Denial Mechanism
10.) September Song

The Omens Tour dates are as follows:

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Baroness, Suicide Silence

Sep 09 – Brooklyn, NY – Coney Island
Sep 10 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
Sep 11 – Alton, VA – Blue Ridge Music Festival
Sep 13 – Youngstown, OH – Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater
Sep 14 – Baltimore, MD – Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena
Sep 16 – Atlanta, GA – Coca Cola Roxy
Sep 17 – Jacksonville, FL – Daily’s Place
Sep 18 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sep 21 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – Louder Than Life Festival *No KSE, No Suicide Silence
Sep 24 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Sep 25 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amp at Freedom Hill
Sep 26 – Indianapolis, IN – TCU Amphitheater at White River State Park
Sep 30 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Motionless In White, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 01 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great SaltAir
Oct 02 – Grand Junction, CO – Amphitheater at Las Colonias Park *
Oct 04 – Fresno, CA – Exhibit Hall at Selland Arena
Oct 07 – Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival *No Fit For An Autopsy

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Spiritbox, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 09 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
Oct 10 – Kent (Seattle), WA – Accesso ShoWare Center *
Oct 11 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds

Lamb of God w/ Killswitch Engage, Animals As Leaders, Fit For An Autopsy

Oct 13 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
Oct 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theater
Oct 15 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Oct 16 – El Paso, TX – UTEP Don Haskins Center
Oct 18 – San Antonio, TX – Freeman Coliseum
Oct 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Oct 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
* Not A Live Nation Date

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ARCADE FIRE WE NEW ALBUM OUT TODAY

WORLD TOUR ANNOUNCED — NORTH AMERICAN DATES TO FEATURE A SPECIAL ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE BY BECK, EUROPEAN DATES TO FEATURE SPECIAL GUEST FEIST

APPEARING ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE MAY 7

Following the universally rapturous reception to singles “The Lightning I, II” and “Unconditional I (Lookout Kid),” Arcade Fire’s “excellent sixth album” (The New Yorker) WE is released to the world in its entirety today, May 6th 2022, via Columbia Records at http://af.lnk.to/_we.

WE’s release coincides with the announcement of Arcade Fire’s fall world tour. In the wake of surprise underplays including New Orleans’ Toulouse Theatre, New York’s Bowery Ballroom, Coachella’s Mojave Tent and KOKO in London, the WE world tour will bring the full production of Arcade Fire’s “must-see live act” (Variety) experience to global stages, launching in Dublin on Tuesday, August 30th and running through December 1st in Toronto. The North American leg of the WE tour — featuring very special guest Beck playing a nightly acoustic set — will kick off October 28th in Washington D.C., while Europe will include special guest Feist for all shows.

Tickets for all dates will be on sale to the public beginning Friday, May 13th at 10am local time. Arcade Fire has partnered with PLUS1 (http://www.plus1.org) so that $1/£1/€1 per ticket goes to KANPE (http://www.kanpe.org), and their work bringing support to the most vulnerable communities in Haiti. For further information on this initiative, visit www.arcadefire.com.

Make sure to tune into SNL tomorrow as Arcade Fire join the Saturday Night Live 5-timers club.

ARCADE FIRE
WE
European Tour 2022

08/30/22 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena *
09/02/22 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena Birmingham *
09/03/22 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena *
09/05/22 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro *
09/08/22 – London, UK – The O2 *
09/11/22 – Lille, FR – Zenith*
09/12/22 – Antwerp, BE – Sportpaleis *
09/14/22 – Cologne, DE – Lanxess Arena *
09/15/22 – Paris, FR – Accor Arena *
09/17/22 – Milan, IT – Mediolanum Forum *
09/18/22 – Munich, DE – Olympiahalle *
09/21/22 – Madrid, ES – WiZink Center *
09/22/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *
09/23/22 – Lisbon, PT – Campo Pequeno *
09/25/22 – Bordeaux, FR – Arkea Arena *
09/26/22 – Nantes, FR – Zenith de Nantes *
09/28/22 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggo Dome *
09/29/22 – Berlin, DE – Mercedes-Benz Arena *
10/01/22 – Warsaw, PL – COS Torwar *

North American Tour 2022
10/28/22 – Washington, DC – The Anthem ^
11/01/22 – Camden, NJ – Waterfront Music Pavilion ^
11/04/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center ^
11/08/22 – Boston, MA – MGM Fenway Music Hall ^
11/10/22 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena ^
11/12/22 – Chicago, IL – United Center ^
11/13/22 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory ^
11/16/22 – Los Angeles, CA – The Kia Forum ^
11/19/22 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium ^
11/22/22 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena ^
11/25/22 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena ^
11/27/22 – Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place ^
12/01/22 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena ^

* with special guest Feist
^ with special guest Beck (acoustic)

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: album, arcade, fire, today

Bowling For Soup’s Jaret Reddick Discusses The Bands New Studio Album “Pop Drunk Snot Bread”

Jaret Reddick is the lead vocalist and guitarist for the Pop-Punk band Bowling For Soup. The group has been turning out tongue and cheek hits like “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” and “1985” since the early 2000’s. On April 22nd the band released their 11th studio album titled “Pop Drunk Snot Bread”. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Jaret recently about the album, what it was like working with WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss and how he balances both performance and production roles.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us background info on the new album “Pop Drunk Snot Bread”?

Jaret Reddick: Our last studio album came in 2016 which is crazy that it’s been that long. We did do a greatest hits and a couple live records between now and then, but it’s been a while since we went into the studio. Honestly are plan was never really to release or make a record now. When quarantine hit this album ended up becoming a reaction to not being together with everyone. We thought the best and safest way for us to all get together was to create our own bubble and make this record. In August of 2020 we took a tour bus to the Pocono Mountains and stayed in an Air B and B which was only about a mile from the studio we were recording in. This album came out of all that. There is a lot of reflection in this material which I feel has to do largely with how it was all conceived.

AL: The album’s first single “Alexa Bliss” was released in 2020. Can you tell us about that?

JR: “Alexa Bliss” was originally intended as a bonus track for our second greatest hits album which is still not out. When the new record came to be, we felt this song fit the vibe of that well. It’s funny because this song existed long before there were any talks of a new album.

AL: Alexa also appears in the video for the song. How did that relationship come to be?

JR: My son is a big wrestling fan. I was a fan in the 80’s but I wasn’t really up to date with any of the new stuff. I didn’t know anything about her, but I had been sent some photos of her wearing a Bowling For Soup shirt. I told my son about the photos and he told me that I should send her a message. I ended up sending a message and she replied and from there we became good friends. When we were talking, I told her she needed a pop-punk song as most of the other wrestlers have these cock-rock type songs which is great as it fits the brand. I didn’t write the song with intentions of it being her walk out song. It’s just a tribute to her being a cool individual and great character on the show. She’s a great friend.

AL: Was it difficult working with the WWE to make all this happen?

JR: Alexa helped navigate those things quite a bite. This was something she really wanted to do. I would have never asked her to be in the video as much as she. That was all her. I was cool with just getting a look alike and have this be more of a dream for the kid. She loved the project so much that she walked it into Vince McMahon’s office and got me hooked up with all the right people. Whenever I would hit a snag, she would help me out. The WWE was very gracious and happy. There were a few rules with what we could and couldn’t have in the video but for the most part it was simple. WWE ended up sending out one of their digital media staff to film a bunch of behind-the-scenes stuff which was cool.

AL: “Alexa Bliss” was the first of four singles you have released from the new album. How does the band go about selecting which songs will be released as singles?

JR: “Getting Old Sucks” was the next track we chose to release. We picked that one because the song is about us and I had already had the video made. I found this guy on Instagram by the name of Mike Roche whose daughter made these cool little puppets. I always wanted to do a puppet video for the band, and these were just perfect. I didn’t want the puppets to be so good that it wasn’t funny anymore. I do voice over work and some of those puppets are insanely good. That’s good for that type of platform but for it to work in this context where we are singing about getting old the beards had to be stringy and they had to bring some humor to this thing. Mike’s daughter nailed the puppets. I think at the time she was around 13. Her and her family ate up six weeks of their quarantine working on this project for us. They all appear in it and they knocked it out of the park. For the next single which was “Killin’ ‘Em With Kindness” it was getting close to the time of the album’s release before being pushed back a third time. The band has a character called “Super Rob” and he is featured in that video. We have a comic book centered around the character that is coming out as well. That video was made almost entirely by Rob and his brother. They shot most of it around where they live in the Pocono’s and then came out and shot some band footage where we are located. Our fourth and most recent single is titled “Brad Pitt”. We took more of a traditional route with that as we hired a director and then flew out to the location to shoot which was a lot of fun.

AL: Do you think big budget production Music Videos are making their way back around in popularity?

JR: I don’t think its that they are coming back around more as they have been around and never really left. The viewing platform has shifted. You used to see music videos on television now you watch them on YouTube. Every video released doesn’t need to be a professional quality video but there needs to be a visual representation of your music this day and age. Video is king! Its starting to get to be where places like Instagram which weren’t originally video based are now predominantly videos. I miss when you had different apps for different things like Vine was for mainly video and Instagram was just a quick snap of what you were doing in that moment. Those big budget videos only really disappeared for a couple years as you still have artists like Taylor Swift putting big budget material out and getting millions of hits.

AL: You mentioned that the album was pushed back three different times. When that keeps happening does it affect the bands mindset at all?

JR: Luckily for us we were on a major label for nine years. During those years we got used to these types of things as nothing ever happened on time. It’s always hurry up as there are deadlines which need to be made and then when you meet those you are told things are getting pushed back for some reason. For this record and for the first time since 2009 we let our managers and distribution company have some input on the release. The record just came out on the 22nd so we will have to see if it worked.

AL: Being that you also produced the record how do you go about balancing your production duties and your musician duties?

JR: From the beginning I have always co-produced our stuff. I think a lot of that comes from when you are working through the songs and arranging that’s all considered production. I take my songs in pretty much done. From the standpoint of when is it done? I am the worst. Once I have something recorded and I get it back and say that’s fine then I am good with it. Unless something completely horrible jumps out at me I tend not to want to make any changes. Thankfully I have been working with Linus of Hollywood for the last thirteen years as it takes having another person to help me with these types of decisions. He is the guy that decides if it needs more bass or treble. I am usually ready to move on to something else by that point.

AL: Now that the album is out what are the bands plans going forward.

JR: We just got back from the UK and I will be heading back there again soon to do some make up shows for an acoustic tour which never was able to happen because of the pandemic. Once we wrap those dates up, we will be mostly caught up except for one or two dates. This summer we will be out in the United States with Less Than Jake and then in October I will be heading to Hawaii for a solo show there.

For more info on Jaret and Bowling For Soup head over to www.bowlingforsoup.com and www.jaretreddick.com

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, bands, bowling, bread, discusses, drunk, ...

Ville Valo to Release New Single “Loveletting” + Announces Debut Solo Album “Neon Noir” + 2023 Tour Plans

VILLE VALO OF HIM WILL RELEASE NEW SINGLE “LOVELETTING”

VV’S DEBUT ALBUM NEON NOIR DUE FOR RELEASE IN EARLY 2023

2023 HEADLINE TOUR SET FOR EUROPE, UK, + NORTH AMERICA

Finnish Love Metal pioneer, Ville Valo, will release a new single, “Loveletting,” on April 8 under the VV banner. “Loveletting” is taken from VV’s forthcoming debut album Neon Noir.

He explains, “As fun as the funeral rites for HIM were, it took me more than a few moons to lick my wounds in the shadow of the Heartagram and come up with an excuse to strum and hum again. Eventually, I decided to put a leash on my beloved black dog and we started howling together instead of barking at each other. That’s how ‘Loveletting’ was born.”

“Loveletting” will be made available across all digital platforms from midnight (local time) tonight.

An official video clip will follow tomorrow 11am ET here.

VV’s debut album Neon Noir is scheduled for release in early 2023; belonging to the same forlorn world of woe and whimsy once conceived and governed by Valo in HIM, VV arrives with additional nuanced notes of a fine aged Cabernet.

Valo adds, “Artistically speaking, the main difference between HIM and VV is the extra line in the Heartagram, but what an exquisite line it is! It’s the Mamas and the Papas dressed up as Metallica on their way to a Halloween bash at the Studio 54, and now who wouldn’t want to witness that?”

Further details around Neon Noir will be released in due course. In the meantime, fans are invited to any number of VV’s headline tour dates taking place next year across Europe, the UK, and North America. Naturally starting in Helsinki, Finland, the 2023 extensive run reaches the UK in March, before heading toAmerica come April.

U.S. tickets will be available for purchase from Friday, April 15 at 10am local time.

NORTH AMERICAN 2023 TOUR DATES:
4/1—Philadelphia, PA—Theatre of Living Arts
4/2—Boston, MA—Big Night Live
4/4—Pittsburgh, PA—Roxian Theatre
4/5—Cleveland, OH—House of Blues
4/6—Detroit, MI—St Andrews Hall
4/8—Cincinnati, OH—Bogarts
4/9—Chicago, IL—House of Blues
4/11—Minneapolis, MN—Varsity Theater
4/13—Denver, CO—Summit
4/14—Salt Lake City, UT—The Depot
4/16—Sacramento, CA—Ace of Spades
4/17—San Francisco, CA—The Fillmore
4/18—Los Angeles, CA—The Belasco
4/21—Las Vegas, NV—House of Blues
4/22—San Diego, CA—House of Blues
4/23—Phoenix, AZ—The Van Buren
4/25—Dallas, TX—House of Blues
4/26—San Antonio, TX—Aztec Theater
4/27—Houston, TX—House of Blues
4/28—New Orleans, LA—House of Blues
4/30—Orlando, FL—House of Blues
5/1—Ft Lauderdale, FL—Revolution
5/3—Atlanta, GA—Buckhead Theatre
5/4—Nashville, TN—Brooklyn Bowl
5/5—Charlotte, NC—Underground
5/7—Silver Spring, MD—The Fillmore
5/8—New York, NY—Irving Plaza

ABOUT VILLE VALO:
In the annals of 21st century alternative rock history, there are few artists who cast a longer or more peculiar shadow than Finnish Love Metal pioneer Ville Valo. After all, his band HIM was easily among the most iconic and idiosyncratic groups of the millennium. Zealously revered, gleefully reviled, but impossible to ignore, their music left an indelible mark on a worldwide legion of fans. The scarlet letters stood for His Infernal Majesty. Their founder stood for something delightedly out of step with the status quo. “We only hoped to temporarily redirect hard rock’s blood flow from the nether regions towards the heart,” reminisces Ville Valo, the singer, songwriter and primus motor of HIM. Judging by the monolithic presence of the Heartagram in any account of music this side of the millennium it’s apparent that he succeeded. Inspired by everyone from Poe to Bukowski, and tinged by a penchant for perfumed Sabbathian gloom, Valo’s creative lovechild would produce eight era-defining studio releases and over 10 million record sales, not forgetting a Grammy nomination, countless magazine covers, critical acclaim, and the veneration of a generation. Thus it came as no surprise that the news of a farewell tour in 2017 was greeted with shock and disbelief among devotees and endless speculation as to what or who was to take up the velvet mantle.

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: 2023, album, announces, debut, loveletting, neon, ...

Artist/Musician Chloe Trujillo Discusses Her New Solo Album “Mothers of a New Nation”

Chloe Trujillo is a visual artist, fashion designer and musician. Her latest solo release titled “Mothers of a New Nation” blends a variety of styles and influences some of which are pulled directly from her art works while others pay homage to her experiences as a young woman growing up around the world in places such as New York City, Paris, and Berlin. Media Mikes had the chance to speak with Chloe about the new album, what it was like working with veteran Producer Tommy Daughtery and how she balances her work on so many different projects.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some background on the new album “Mothers of a New Nation”?

Chloe Trujillo: I started the writing of this album years ago. I am always writing and recording ideas. A lot of times I start by just recording them into my phone. Things started piling up as I wasn’t really doing anything with all these ideas. I always had this feeling of dependency on the need for a producer or engineer who knew how to use recording software. I could do some basic recording with Garage band but that was really it. I had been working on another project with an artist who introduced me to a producer by the name of Tommy D. I showed him the song “Light & Love” which was mostly finished but still needed some instrumentation and mixing. This was all just prior to the pandemic. Every week that I met with him we kept moving forward and sharing ideas. He helped me bring all of those to life and get them on Pro Tools. I had always been a little reluctant to use technology because I enjoy the physicality of all that and working on a computer was just not appealing to me. When the pandemic hit, and things were at a stand still I got to the point where I couldn’t take things not moving. I ended up getting a good microphone and recording interface and learned how to use logic pro which is the program I use now. The title of the album itself “Mothers of a New Nation” signifies in a way a new birth for me creative wise. I wrote an entire second album which I am holding on to for now. Learning all this has really sparked my creativity.

AL: Have you ever pulled musical inspiration from one of your art pieces or possibly an artwork idea from your music?

CT: Both ways totally! Most of the time when I paint, I have lyric ideas or melodies come to me. The same when I am working on music and I get a visual idea. The two work very much together in that a song can inspire a painting and a painting can inspire a song.

AL: With this being your second solo album were there certain things you wanted to accomplish that you maybe weren’t able to do on the first record?

CT: I usually let my creative flow lead me to where I am going. With the second record I wrote that’s not out yet which I am calling “Spell Book” I learned to do so much on my own that there is very little outside influence. On my very first album “Ivresse” I worked with a really nice producer who loved instruments. Every time I would go into the studio there were new instruments for me to try and I just recorded everything. That album has a gypsy vibe because of all that was added.

AL: Were you aware of Tommy Daughtery’s background prior to working with him?

CT: Yes, I was aware of his work, but I didn’t know what to expect. Tommy worked with Death Row Record artists like Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and NWA. He had all these great beats and I thought it ended up being a cool combination. I had a lot of fun working with Tommy. “Light and Love” was the first song I showed him, and I had written that with heavy bass and a hip-hop beat in mind. He took that and ran with it.

AL: Can you tell us about some of the musicians you were with on the album?

CT: I originally would have never asked my husband (Robert) in any way to help me out as we both are very busy and independent; however, He came in and recorded all the bass for me and had a great time doing so. It was cool to have him play on the record and he complimented some of the bass lines I had demoed. My son Tye played some guitar on a couple tracks as well which was great. Tommy D had suggestions to bring in other artists such as Chris Poland who I knew from Megadeth and OHM. Stephen Perkins (Jane’s Addiction) was another mutual friend who we had come in and do some drums on a few tracks. A lot of the time Tommy would be working on a track and there would be any number of artists coming through the studio and he would just ask them. Everyone was always more than happy and excited to help.

AL: Was it difficult balancing the role of artist along side Wife/Mom when working with Robert and Tye?

CT: It wasn’t that difficult really. We are all musicians or artists and everyone in our house is very creative and doing their own things. We have respect for each other and are independent. Tye has been a professional musician since he was 9 years old and we have always let him do his thing which came very naturally to him. It is the same with our daughter who is an awesome drummer. She is a little bit more shy but great. When I needed something, it wasn’t difficult to work with Tye and Robert. I would show them the usually badly played riff and they would take it from there. The only real trouble I had was actually asking for help. Robert is always very busy and at the time was doing stuff for Ozzy Osbourne, Infectious Grooves and of course Metallica so I didn’t want to bother him. I needed a bass player and knowing I had two amazing bassists at home rather than going to look for someone I finally asked for help. Robert and I did a lot of recording at night after the kids went to bed. I didn’t feel like the wife asking but more so the artist asking for a bassist. That’s just how we are with one another.

AL: Can you tell us about some of the other projects you have been working on lately?

CT: I have been working on a few different art shows for the Tracy Park Gallery who represents me. I just had some art appear at Art Basel in Miami. During a charity event last year, I met Mark Dalbeth from the band Bellusira and he and collaborated on a single titled “Mana”. We now are working on a couple EP’s and have plans for a full-length release as well. The name of the group is Chloe Trujillo and Rev Medic. I released an EP just prior to the pandemic with Dan Stein and Chris Westfall titled “What Are We” and the group is called Chloe Trujillo’s Mystery Ride. We all live near one another, so we just got together and worked on a bunch of ideas I had. That was a lot of fun. There is also a bunch of newly designed “Mothers of a New Nation” merch which is based off some of my artwork.

For more information on Chloe Trujillo, you can follow her on Instagram at @chloetrujillo

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, artistmusician, chloe, discusses, mothers, nation, ...

VOLBEAT’S EIGHTH STUDIO ALBUM, “SERVANT OF THE MIND” OUT TODAY VIA REPUBLIC RECORDS

Photo Credit: Ross Halfin

Today, multi-platinum Danish band Volbeat release their eighth studio album, Servant Of The Mind, which Revolver calls “excellent… the darkest and heaviest Volbeat offering yet,” via Republic Records. For Servant of the Mind, the band, which consists of Michael Poulsen (guitars/vocals), Jon Larsen (drums), Rob Caggiano (guitars) and Kaspar Boye Larsen (bass) took their signature heavy metal, psychobilly and punk ‘n’ roll sound up a notch while showcasing Poulsen’s keen ability for songwriting and storytelling. “Rarely has such a successful band sounded so ravenous,” says Kerrang! Magazine of the album. The new album is now available in standard CD, deluxe 2LP vinyl (in various limited-edition variants, full info below) and a deluxe digital edition here.

Today, Volbeat also share their lyric video for album opener “Temple of Ekur.” Watch it here. The band previously shared music videos for “Shotgun Blues” and “Wait A Minute My Girl”, which became the band’s ninth number one single on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and recently spent 4 weeks at number one on the Mediabase Canada Active Rock chart, giving the band their first Canadian number one song.

“I wrote the whole album in three months,” recalls Poulsen, “I was in a good place and mood while at home, and had a captive audience of myself… There are a lot of Volbeat signatures in it. If you go back to the first record and compare it to where we are now, you can hear how the band has developed its style, while keeping the signature sound.”

Other songs on the album weave intricate and fascinating tales. “The Sacred Stones” tells the story of “an earthly being who has committed himself to the dark side. He is on a mission, speaking to darker forces and fallen angels.” Meanwhile, “The Devil Rages On” looks at the idea of the devil taking human form. “Temple of Ekur” returns to the ancient themes explored in past songs such as “The Gates of Babylon,” while the epic album closer “Lasse’s Birgita” explores the story of the first witch burnings to occur in Sweden in 1471.

Volbeat will be returning to the road in January when they co-headline with Ghost across the US with special guests Twin Temple, and the Servant of the Road World Tour comes to Germany, France and the UK this Spring alongside multiple European festival appearances. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at volbeat.dk.

Since forming in 2001, Volbeat has gone from the clubs of Copenhagen to headlining stages around the world, including the famed Telia Parken stadium in Denmark (becoming the only domestic artist to ever sell out the venue). Over the course of seven record-breaking albums the band has picked up number one songs (including nine #1s on the US Mainstream Rock chart and counting, the most of any band based outside of North America), multi-platinum certifications, awards and accolades all over the planet. Their latest album, Rewind, Replay, Rebound, was released on August 2nd, 2019 and has spawned the hit singles “Last Day Under The Sun,” “Die To Live (feat. Neil Fallon)” and “Leviathan.” They recently contributed a cover of “Don’t Tread on Me” to The Metallica Blacklist, with all proceeds from the track benefiting the All Within My Hands Foundation and the Børne Cancer Fonden of Denmark.

SERVANT OF THE MIND Standard Edition Tracklisting:
1. Temple of Ekur
2. Wait A Minute My Girl
3. The Sacred Stones
4. Shotgun Blues
5. The Devil Rages On
6. Say No More
7. Heaven’s Descent
8. Dagen Før (feat. Stine Bramsen)
9. The Passenger
10. Step Into Light
11. Becoming
12. Mindlock
13. Lasse’s Birgitta

Deluxe 2 CD/2 LP and Digital Deluxe Bonus Tracks:
14. Return To None (Wolfbrigade cover)
15. Domino (The Cramps/Roy Orbison cover)
16. Shotgun Blues (feat. Dave Matrise from Jungle Rot)
17. Dagen Før (Michael Vox Version)

Vinyl variants (Europe)
Standard 180g black vinyl 2 LP
Crystal Clear 2 LP, volbeat.dk exclusive, limited to 2,000
Glow In The Dark 2 LP, EMP exclusive, limited to 2,000
Orange and Blue 2 LP, UMG exclusive, limited to 3,100
Danish Red and White 2 LP – only available in Denmark, limited to 2,000 – SOLD OUT

Vinyl variants (North America)
Standard 180g black vinyl 2LP
Translucent Rust 2 LP – Volbeat.dk exclusive, limited to 550 – SOLD OUT
Transparent Yellow 2 LP – Revolver Magazine exclusive, limited to 400 – SOLD OUT
Mystery Color LP2 – indie retail exclusive, limited to 100

VOLBEAT/GHOST COHEADLINE TOUR DATES:
Tue, Jan 25, 2022 – Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
Thu, Jan 27, 2022 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Fri, Jan 28, 2022 – Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Arena
Sat, Jan 29, 2022 – Portland, OR – Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Mon, Jan 31, 2022 – West Valley City, UT – Maverik Center
Wed, Feb 02, 2022 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Fri, Feb 04, 2022 – Lincoln, NE – Pinnacle Bank Arena
Sat, Feb 05, 2022 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
Mon, Feb 07, 2022 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Tue, Feb 08, 2022 – Hershey, PA – GIANT Center
Thu, Feb 10, 2022 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Fri, Feb 11, 2022 – Worcester, MA – DCU Center
Sat, Feb 12, 2022 – Camden, NJ – BB&T Pavilion
Mon, Feb 14, 2022 – Pittsburgh, PA – Petersen Events Center
Tue, Feb 15, 2022 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
Wed, Feb 16, 2022 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
Fri, Feb 18, 2022 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
Sat, Feb 19, 2022 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
Sun, Feb 20, 2022 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
Mon, Feb 21, 2022 – St. Louis, MO – Chaifetz Arena
Wed, Feb 23, 2022 – Independence, MO – Cable Dahmer Arena
Fri, Feb 25, 2022 – Houston, TX – Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land
Sat, Feb 26, 2022 – Dallas, TX – Fair Park Coliseum
Mon, Feb 28, 2022 – El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
Tue, Mar 01, 2022 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
Thu, Mar 03, 2022 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center

VOLBEAT SERVANT OF THE ROAD 2022 TOUR DATES:
21 May – London, UK – O2 Islington
24 May – Strasbourg, FR – La Laiterie
25 May – Rouen, FR – LE 106
27 May – Clermont, FR – La Coop
28 May – Toulouse, FR – Le Bikini
30 May – Lille, FR – Le Spendid
31 Mat – Nancy, FR – L’Autre Canal
02 June – Hannover, DE at Expo Plaza
03-05 June – Rock Am Ring/Rock Im Park*
07 June – Bergen, NO – Bergenjus Fortress
08 June – Solvesborg, SE – Sweden Rock Festival*
09 June – Interlaken, CH – Greenfield Festival*
11 June – Nickelsdorf, NO – Nova Rock 2022*
12 June – Castle Donington, UK – Download*
14 June – Berlin, DE at Wuhlheide
16 June – Dessel, BE – Graspop Metal Meeting*
17 June – Clisson, FR – Hellfest*

*Festival Appearance

http://www.volbeat.dk/us/
http://www.facebook.com/volbeat
Tweets by VOLBEAT
https://www.instagram.com/volbeat/
http://www.youtube.com/user/VolbeatVEVO

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: album, eighth, mind, records, republic, servant, ...

Dashboard Confessional announce new album; share first song “Here’s To Moving On”

DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL LOOK TOWARDS THE FUTURE
WITH “HERE’S TO MOVING ON” – LISTEN

OPTIMISTIC NEW SINGLE HERALDS EAGERLY-AWAITED NINTH STUDIO ALBUM,
ALL THE TRUTH THAT I CAN TELL

EARLY-ALBUMS PRODUCER JAMES PAUL WISNER BACK IN THE FOLD

ALBUM TRAILER STREAMING NOW – WATCH

ALL THE TRUTH THAT I CAN TELL ARRIVES
VIA HIDDEN NOTE RECORDS/AWAL ON FEBRUARY 25

(Photo Credit: Lupe Bustos)

Dashboard Confessional is setting out towards a brighter tomorrow with today’s premiere of an inspiring new single. “Here’s To Moving On” is available now at all DSPs and streaming services. “Here’s To Moving On” heralds the eagerly awaited arrival of the first all-new Dashboard Confessional LP in four years, All The Truth That I Can Tell, due via Hidden Note Records/AWAL on February 25. The album is available to pre-save and pre-order now. An album trailer premieres today via YouTube.

“I think in this song I find myself understanding what brought me to the mat and what it takes to get up off the mat,” says DC founder, frontman, and songwriter Chris Carrabba. “Sometimes what brought you to the mat are outside forces and sometimes it’s you, yourself. Or it can be all those things. But it does seem the only thing that gets you up off the mat isn’t outside forces – it’s always you.”

LISTEN TO “HERE’S TO MOVING ON”
WATCH ALL THE TRUTH THAT I CAN TELL ALBUM TRAILER

All The Truth That I Can Tell will be available in a variety of formats including digital, CD, cassette, standard black vinyl, an exclusive limited edition “Burning Heart” transparent red and black vinyl at the DC official store, a “Cold Night” transparent blue/green vinyl exclusively at participating indie retail, a baby pink vinyl with limited edition “Burning Heart” Flexi disc exclusively at Walmart, a limited edition “Sunshine State” opaque gold nugget vinyl exclusively at Urban Outfitters, and Bandbox will be releasing an exclusive variant of All The Truth That I Can Tell on “Starting to Storm” cloudy dark green vinyl, which is accompanied by the record club’s signature artist fanzine, featuring an interview with Chris Carrabba, his track-by-track guide to the new album, rare photos and much more.

PRE-SAVE/PRE-ORDER ALL THE TRUTH THAT I CAN TELL

Written and recorded pre-Covid, Dashboard Confessional’s ninth studio album, All The Truth That I Can Tell is both a remarkable renewal and fortunate step forward for Chris Carrabba. Having ascended great heights over the past 20 years, Carrabba found himself at a distinct crossroads as the last decade came to an end. Running on fumes, unsure if he’d ever release another album, he waited. The songs eventually came, and though the project might’ve easily come to a screeching halt following a near-fatal motorcycle accident in June of 2020, All The Truth That I Can Tell stands among Carrabba’s finest – both an achievement of vision and a vital burst of artistic clarity, a strikingly potent musical look at Dashboard Confessional through a rediscovered keyhole. For the album’s production, Carrabba tapped James Paul Wisner who produced the band’s first two studio albums, The Swiss Army Romance and The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most.

“Honesty was at the heart of the writing process, at the heart of the recording process, and at the heart of this collection of songs,” Carrabba says. “I had the rare opportunity to be unflinchingly honest. But I think I would have thought in the early days that that would be commonplace. Now, I realize it’s some kind of cycle within your life and there’s great personal reward in accepting that.”

“All The Truth That I Can Tell” Tracklist:
Burning Heart
Everyone Else Is Just Noise
Here’s To Moving On
The Better of Me
Southbound and Sinking
Sleep In
Me and Mine
Sunshine State
Pain Free in Three Chords
Young
All The Truth That I Can Tell

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Filed Under: Music, Music Headlines Tagged With: album, announce, confessional, dashboard, moving, share, ...

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE RELEASE SELF-TITLED SEVENTH STUDIO ALBUM TODAY, NOVEMBER 5

Today, British metal giants Bullet For My Valentine, have released their explosive,self-titled album!

Launched on the Spinefarm/Search and Destroy label, Bullet For My Valentine’s seventh studio offering marks their heaviest, most visceral yet.

“We’re beyond excited for our new self-titled seventh record to finally be released,” says Bullet For My Valentine frontman Matt Tuck. “So much love, passion, creativity and energy went into making this record and it’s hands down our best and most ferocious record to date. We hope you all enjoy it as much as we do, we can’t wait to see you all at a show near you. Thank you so much for all your support. Turn it up!!”

Check out the album with accompanying visuals, here.

Tuck’s exclusive interview at SiriusXM’s Octane runs this weekend, while the band will also go live with Nik Nocturnal on Twitch this morning.

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE TRACK LISTING:
“Parasite”
“Knives”
“My Reverie”
“No Happy Ever After”
“Can’t Escape The Waves”
“Bastards”
“Rainbow Veins”
“Shatter”
“Paralysed”
“Death By a Thousand Cuts”

BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE ARE:
Matt Tuck — Vocals + Rhythm Guitar
Michael “Padge” Paget — Lead Guitar
Jamie Mathias — Bass
Jason Bowld — Drums

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Album Review: Every Time I Die “Radical”

“Radical”

Every Time I Die
Epitaph
Producer: Will Putney
Tracks: 16

Our Score: 5 out of 5 stars

Buffalo-based hardcore band Every Time I Die have released their ninth studio album titled “Radical”. Produced by Will Putney (Acacia Strain) and released via Epitaph Records “Radical” is the follow up to the bands 2016 release “Low Teens”. Consisting of 16 brand new tracks which could be described as a swampy summoning of southern rock and coarse poetry and clever wordplay.

Chants of LET’S GO BUFFALO! will undoubtably be raining down across the Queen City on October 22nd however not for its football team but instead for its native sons, hardcore legends Every Time I Die and in celebration of the bands newest studio album simply titled “Radical”. Packed with 16 mind melting tracks the band consisting of vocalist Keith Buckley, Guitarists Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley, Bassist Steve Micciche and drummer Clayton Holyoak put all their cards on the table and swing for the fences with this new album. Opening “Radical” is the track “Dark Distance” which begins with the wail of a warning siren which then fades into the background as the lyrics “Spare all the ones I love and slay the rest” are belted out via Buckley’s signature rasp only seconds before the rest of the band kicks in with a bombastic break down capable of doing mass damage if played in a confined space. As the album progresses listeners are treated to a unique variety of tones, noises and verbiage that is both frantic and thought provoking. Tracks like the catchy “Post-Boredom”, the hauntingly delightful “Desperate Pleasures” and “Distress Rehearsal” are all in your face, riff heavy bangers while tracks like the laid back, sonic landscape titled “Thing With Feathers” and the sludgy bass heavy “White Void” showcase the band stretching their musical legs while not straying to far from the sounds they are synonymous with.

No matter if you’re an early era ETID fan or you are into the more recent releases “Radical” is the album to unite all fans into one joint faction. Mind boggling guitar riffs and overdriven, grindy bass runs mix perfectly with bombastic drum beats and razor like vocals which will captivate listeners while punishing their senses. Don’t be left out in the cold this fall as “Radical” may not the album you want but it’s the album you NEED!

“Radical” Track Listing
1. Dark Distance
2. Sly
3. Planet Shit
4. Post-Boredom
5. Colossal Wreck
6. Desperate Pleasures
7. All This and War
8. Thing With Feathers
9. Hostile Architecture
10. AWOL
11. The Whip
12. White Void
13. Distress Rehearsal
14. SexSexSex
15. People Verses
16. We Go Together

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Filed Under: CD Reviews, Music Tagged With: album, die, radical, review, time

Guitarist Gus G Discusses His New Solo Album “Quantum Leap”

Gus G is the guitarist for Greek power metal band Firewind. Gus has also played with Kamelot, Arch Enemy and Ozzy Osbourne. Gus’s latest release is an instrumental solo album titled “Quantum Leap”. Media Mikes had the chance recently to speak with Gus about the creation of the album and his progression as a guitarist.

Adam Lawton: Can you give us some background on the creation of “Quantum Leap”?

Gus G: This is my first fully instrumental record. I had the idea to do an album like this in the back of my mind for awhile however just never decided to do it until now. With all the lock downs I knew I was going to be stuck home for a while. I was doing press for the latest Firewind record and we were gearing up to start touring and then everything got cancelled. In between all of those interviews I started writing down different thoughts and ideas. Before I knew it, I had seven or eight new ideas. This was around springtime and I knew it was still going to be awhile until we could do any live shows. I figured now was the time do a solo record on my own. My plan was to not have any outside collaboration. I spent all of last summer working on this record.

AL: Did the effects of the pandemic help mold this material in any way?

GG: It could be! I think it had a lot to do with it. To me when you are making albums it’s like a snapshot in time of where you are at. The material reflects my psychology and where I was at during this time. Like everyone dealing with this I had a lot of ups and downs where some days I had a lot of energy while others I had none. This is not your typical metal album as there are a lot of different styles and vibes.

AL: Do you have a different approach for working on an instrumental record compared to one with vocals?

GG: It is a different process. Making music without vocals in general is a whole different process in because you must fill that gap. I wasn’t really used to that. It was an interesting learning experience. I had made instrumental music in the past, but I never really dug deep into that. With this I wanted to find a balance. I wasn’t interested in making a shred album as I wanted to make an album that had cool songs with good music. I wanted there to be a musical statement instead of just a collection of guitar licks and riffs.

AL: Did you build the songs around vocal melodies, or did you add those passages later?

GG: It usually starts with riffs. This part of the process was the same for me as when I am writing for Firewind as it all starts with the riffs. The big difference was where to go after the initial riff starts. You could go any where be it a melody or certain key change. Those are the things I had to find out and build from scratch. At the end of the day, it was about balance as well as the hooks and melodies. At the time I didn’t really have vocal ideas but now looking back maybe I did have ideas about big vocal melody parts that would grab the listener.

AL: What was your process like for producing and editing being it was just you working on the record?

GG: That’s one of those things where how do you really know when something is done. A track is done when you have listened to it enough times through that you are happy with it and you send it on for mixing. There were a few tracks that went through many re-writes and edits. You just get a feeling when you are writing something that it is done. This can be a double-edged sword though because you can always think it could be better. I try and keep a little bit of a distance with the music I make. When I think something is finished, I will not listen to it for a few days and then come back to it with fresh ears. That’s when if I need to, I will make changes. It’s really all a feeling.

AL: Was this all newly written material or did you have some of the material prior to deciding to make the record?

GG: It’s both. I always have riffs laying around. I keep a file of different ideas. Some stuff I didn’t use for other projects and other ones are ones that I came up with at that moment with no specific place for them in mind. I never know what these will end up being used for, but I do go back and listen through them for ideas. Sometimes its weeks or months later that I go back but that folder tends to be a great starting point. I might use things as they are or completely start from scratch.

AL: How do you decide what material to keep for yourself and what to use for other projects?

GG: Sometimes it is hard to do that. It is all my writing and my style. There are times I set out to write something specifically for Firewind or for my solo stuff and during the process that material goes the opposite direction and ends up on something it was originally intended for. Firewind has a certain sound and style so I am less likely to experiment with that material but like I said things have a way of working their way into places they were not originally intended for.

AL: You worked by yourself and provided all the instrumentation for this record. Is that how you prefer to work, or do you prefer the more traditional route of recording with other musicians?

GG: I have always done things on my own for the most part. Firewind actually started out as a file exchanging band in the early 2000’s. I have become very used to putting together a complete and good sounding demo that it was a pretty natural process for me when it came time to record the parts for “Quantum Leap”.

AL: Looking at your guitar playing do you feel it has progressed more naturally or have you taken conscious steps to ensure it has progressed in a specific direction?

GG: I think I am sort of somewhere in the middle. The last few years I don’t think I have practiced as much as I would have liked to. When I do go into practice mode, I really get into it. I try and learn or develop new techniques and licks. Then there are times where I don’t pick the guitar up as much. I don’t allow myself to get sloppy, so I am on top of things, but I am not putting in ten-hour practice days like I did as a teenager.

AL: Now that “Quantum Leap” is out have you started thinking about your next project yet or are you giving yourself a little breathing room?

GG: I did a side project with Rob Chapman from Chapman Guitars and Youtube. It’s called “Criterium” and we did a three song EP. We are not sure when its going to be coming out, but we have been recording and Rob is getting ready to do the vocals for it very soon. I have known Rob since 2006 or 2007 so it has been great working with him on music after being friends for so long.

For more info on Gus G visit www.gusgofficial.com or on Instagram and Twitter @gusgofficial

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Filed Under: Interviews, Music, Music Interviews Tagged With: album, discusses, guitarist, gus, leap, quantum, ...

PROGRESSIVE MUSIC TITANS DREAM THEATER RELEASE MUSIC VIDEO FOR DEBUT SINGLE “INVISIBLE MONSTER” FROM THE UPCOMING ALBUM A VIEW FROM THE TOP OF THE WORLD

Watch the Video For “Invisible Monster” HERE:

THEIR 15th STUDIO ALBUM SCHEDULED FOR WORLDWIDE RELEASE ON OCTOBER 22nd NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER HERE:

Part 1 of the In-Depth Behind The Scenes Interview About The New Album Can Be Seen Here:

As anticipation grows for the release of their 15th studio album, GRAMMY-nominated and millions-selling progressive music titans Dream Theater are releasing the music video for the first official single “Invisible Monster.” The song comes from their upcoming InsideOutMusic / Sony Music album A View From The Top Of The World scheduled for release worldwide on October 22nd. The new track clocks in at 6:27 and showcases the musicianship and creativity that has garnered the band fans around the globe. The video for the song was directed by William “Wombat” Felch (Mudvayne, HellYeah, Crobot, Static-X, Nefariant) and follows the story of an artist’s internal struggles as the band is showcased performing the track. The piece of art created by Felch in the video now lives inside DTHQ. The video for the song can be seen here: https://youtu.be/s0Wmg7Tq4Pk.

“It was written after we’d written a bunch of material. A lot of the music was super energetic and upbeat tempo-wise. Mike suggested we do something a little different though. So, we started working on a more mid-temp song. The hook, riff, and melody changed so naturally. I equate it to ‘Pull Me Under’ back in the day where we’d just start playing, something would come out, and we’d be like, ‘Whoa, that’s cool’. There’s a serendipitous moment where it happens. Lyrically, it’s about how anxiety plagues people. It’s like there’s an invisible monster beating you. You don’t see it, but it’s haunting you all of the time,” explains John Petrucci.

Dream Theater recently released an in-depth behind the scenes interview about the making of A View From The Top Of The World. The interview is a 3-part docuseries hosted by ProgReport Editor In Chief Roie Avin as he interviews the band about creating the new album. The interview takes place at the band’s new headquarters DTHQ – the space where the band recorded their latest album. Part 2 of the interview will be released on September 29th and the final part will be out on October 10th. The first part of the interview is now live and can be seen here: Also, an animated video for album opener “The Alien” (viewed over 1.4 million times) that clocks in at 9:32 was released last month and can be seen here:

A View From The Top Of The World is now available for pre-order in various configurations including a limited Deluxe Box incl. Gatefold 2LP (180g bright gold vinyl) with exclusive alternate cover, limited deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook with exclusive alternate cover, Zoetrope Slipmat, Beanie, Enamel Keychain, 8 x Artcards, Poster, Hand-Numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a Lift-off Lid Box. The album is also available in a limited Deluxe 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, Special Edition CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD+LP-booklet. The Blu-ray contains a 5.1 surround sound mix with full album animations, plus ‘Digging For A Spark – A View From Inside DTHQ’, a specially filmed documentary that gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the band’s new home-base and the making of the new album. The album is also available for pre-order digitally and fans that pre-order the digital version will receive an instant download of “The Alien.” A View From The Top Of The World was produced by John Petrucci, engineered and additional production by James “Jimmy T” Meslin and mixed/mastered by Andy Sneap and available for pre-order here:

Dream Theater – comprised of James LaBrie, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, John Myung and Mike Mangini – was in the middle of a sold-out world tour in support of their last release Distance Over Time and the 20th anniversary of Scenes From A Memory when a Global Pandemic brought the world to a stop. The musicians found themselves at home with LaBrie in Canada and the rest of the group in the States. As fate would have it, they’d just finished construction on DTHQ (Dream Theater Headquarters) —a combination live recording studio, rehearsal space, control room, equipment storage, and creative hive. With LaBrie in Canada, he initially wrote with the band via ZOOM on a monitor in DTHQ. In March 2021, he flew down to New York, quarantined, and recorded his vocals face-to-face with Petrucci. The album ultimately threaded together lean and uncompromising hooks with tried-and-true technical proficiency.

The track listing for A View From The Top Of The World is:

1) The Alien (9:32)
2) Answering The Call (7:35)
3) Invisible Monster (6:31)
4) Sleeping Giant (10:05)
5) Transcending Time (6:25)
6) Awaken The Master (9:47)
7) A View From The Top Of The World (20:24)

L to R: John Petrucci, Mike Mangini, James LaBrie, John Myung, Jordan Rudess Photo Credit: Rayon Richards

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METALLICA: Three More New Tracks Available With Album Pre-Orders

METALLICA

THE BLACK ALBUM REMASTERED

THE METALLICA BLACKLIST ALBUM FEATURING 53 ARTISTS

Join Jason Newsted in Unboxing the Black Album Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set HERE

Celebrate The 30th Anniversary Of The Black Album Your Way September 10th

Two New Instant Gratification Tracks Now Available With The Metallica Blacklist Album Pre-Orders:

“Of Wolf and Man” by Goodnight, Texas

“Sad But True” by Royal Blood

New Instant Gratification Track Now Available With The Black Album Pre-Orders:

“Of Wolf and Man (Mannheim, Germany – May 22, 1993)”

100% of The Metallica Blacklist sales will benefit 52 charities.

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EVERY TIME I DIE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM “RADICAL” AND TOUR

RADICAL
OUT OCTOBER 22

SHARE NEW TRACK “POST-BOREDOM”
WATCH | LISTEN

Buffalo-based hardcore heroes Every Time I Die have just announced their highly anticipated ninth studio album Radical out October 22 via Epitaph. Produced by Will Putney (Acacia Strain, Body Count, The Amity Affliction), Radical is the follow-up to 2016’s acclaimed Low Teens.

Today, the band shares “Post-Boredom,” a mixture of the nihilistic realism and persistent irritated optimism that powered punk rock in the late ‘70s and post-hardcore in the early ‘90s. “’Post-Boredom’ was the first song I ever wrote that gave me the feeling of real Truth,” explains vocalist Keith Buckley. “I wasn’t hiding any secret confessions in metaphors, I was very much fed up with living an unfulfilling life and felt that I needed a death (either figuratively or literally) in order to have a fighting chance at finding new meaning. I see this song from a distance. It’s reflective but also, finally, detached. not a full ego death, but indicative that the process needed to start immediately in my own life. If you read the lyrics and it resonates with you, then you also need to recognize that you might be feeling unseen in your current form. So, what are YOU going to do about it if given the gift of death?”

CHECK OUT “POST-BOREDOM” NOW
WATCH | LISTEN

While inspired by the unrest and upheaval around the world over the past five years, Radical focuses on humanity, decency, self-worth, and even a bit of spirituality more so than politics.

“I’m dealing with difficult matters this time that isn’t only personal for me but are also universal and more communal experiences,” Keith explains. “The songs are realistic in that they acknowledge that things require a lot of work. But it’s ultimately a very hopeful and uplifting record.”

Radical is 16 tracks of peak-ETID, alchemized by a swampy summoning of southern rock and coarse poetry, the music swirls beneath sardonic and clever wordplay, cementing the band as leaders, not followers.

TRACK LISTING
1.    Dark Distance
2.    Sly
3.    Planet Shit
4.    Post-Boredom
5.    A Colossal Wreck
6.    Desperate Pleasures
7.    All This And War
8.    Thing With Feathers
9.    Hostile Architecture
10.  AWOL
11. The Whip
12. White Void
13. Distress Rehearsal
14. sexsexsex
15. People Verses
16. We Go Together

Every Time I Die has a handful of tour dates throughout the rest of 2021 including their holiday extravaganza, ‘TID The Season taking place in their hometown of Buffalo, NY on December 10 & 11. The band has also just announced that they will support post-hardcore band Underoath on the road early next year. Tickets are on sale Friday, August 20 at 10am local time. For more information, visit https://everytimeidie.net/.

EVERY TIME I DIE TOUR DATES 2021
8/28           Worcester, MA      The Palladium*
9/23           Memphis, TN        Growlers
9/24           Birmingham, AL    Furnace Fest
12/10-11   Buffalo, NY            ‘TID The Season
* supporting The Ghost Inside

2022
supporting Underoath
2/18         Dallas, TX                    Southside Ballroom
2/19         Houston, TX                 Bayou Music Center
2/20         San Antonio, TX           The Aztec Theatre
2/23         Phoenix, AZ                 The Van Buren
2/24         Los Angeles, CA          The Wiltern
2/25         Anaheim, CA                House of Blues
2/26         San Francisco, CA       The Warfield
2/28         Seattle, WA                  Showbox SODO
3/1           Vancouver, BC             The Vogue Theater
3/2           Spokane, WA               Knitting Factory
3/4           Salt Lake City, UT        The Complex
3/5           Denver, CO                  The Ogden Theatre
3/7           Minneapolis, MN          The Fillmore
3/8           Chicago, IL                   Radius
3/9           Detroit, MI                    The Fillmore
3/11         Toronto, ON                 History
3/12         Cleveland, OH              Agora
3/13         Wallingford, CT            The Dome
3/14         Boston, MA                  House of Blues
3/15         Pittsburgh, PA              Stage AE
3/17         Brooklyn, NY                Brooklyn Steel
3/18         Silver Spring, MD         The Fillmore
3/19         Philadelphia, PA          The Fillmore
3/20         Sayreville, NJ               Starland Ballroom
3/22         Cincinnati, OH              ICON
3/23         Charlotte, NC               The Fillmore
3/25         Atlanta, GA                   Tabernacle

Every Time I Die is Keith Buckley (vocals), Jordan Buckley (guitar), Andy Williams (guitar), Steve Micciche (bass), and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak (drums).

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Album Review: Stone Temple Pilots “Tiny Music…Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop” Super Deluxe Edition

“Tiny Music…Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop” Super Deluxe Edition

Stone Temple Pilots

Rhino

3 Cd’s, 1 LP

Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Released originally on March 26, 1996, “Tiny Music…Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop” was Stone Temple Pilots third studio release and the follow up to the bands 1994 sophomore release “Purple”. “Tiny Music…” would was a huge success achieving double-platinum status and yielding three #1 hits – “Big Bang Baby,” “Lady Picture Show,” and “Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart.” To celebrate these achievements Rhino Records have release a “Super Deluxe Edition” of the album which includes a newly remastered version of the original studio album on both CD and vinyl, plus unreleased early versions of tracks, instrumentals, and alternate takes along with a complete concert recording from 1997 which all come housed in a colorful chromatic gatefold.

Easily one of the biggest bands of the nineties Stone Temple Pilots churned out hit after hit across four different albums, with three of those hits coming specifically from “Tiny Music…”. Given the albums achievements a special re-release was certainly fitting. Housed in a reflective gatefold adorned with the album’s original artwork the releases instantly grab’s the listener even before playing its first note. Upon opening the album, the release is separated into two sections. On the left you have the newly remastered LP of the record along with an oversized version of the liner notes which include lyrics and some great photos of the band from this era. The 180g LP remaster is crisp and pronounced which pairs nicely with the broad instrumentation and sounds on tracks like “Pop’s Love Suicide”, “Lady Picture Show” and the instrumental track “Daisy”.

On the right side of the collection are 3 different colored CD’s. Disc 1 is the remastered CD version of the album which includes all the same qualities of the LP version but in a more portable format. Disc 2 features previously unreleased, alternate versions of each of the albums 12 tracks including one additional song (“Kretz’s Acoustic Song”). What I really enjoyed about this was that the track listing remained virtually the same as the studio release however, the alternate versions of each song brought a newness to the album that made it fresh while still retaining the structure and feel of the original. Often “previously unreleased” material is kept from the public for a reason and then when it is finally released often it’s done so as sort of an afterthought and it is lacking structure. This was not the case here. Disc 3 was easily my favorite of three as it is home to a previously unreleased live show from Spring break 1997. The band sounds strong and it’s great to hear the “Tiny Music…” songs performed live alongside other classic STP songs like “Crackerman”, “Vasoline” and “Interstate Love Song”. The only downside here is that I wish they had chosen a different show to include. Don’t get me wrong the one chosen is great however having been fortunate enough to see the band on the “Tiny Music…” tour it would have been great to have been able to relive more of that live show experience especially the mid-show acoustic sets they were doing at the time.

From front to back the “Tiny Music…Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop” Super Deluxe Edition is a nicely put together piece for Stone Temple Pilot fans. Even if you already have a copy of the original “Tiny Music…” album the newly re-mastering is certainly worth checking out but, where you will really find interest is the two discs containing brand new unreleased material. This is where the release really shined and the only thing I found lacking in this section was unlike the original album which included the liner notes and photos which accompanied the release in 1997 there was nothing visual to correspond with the studio outtakes and live performance. Had something additional like that been included this set would have been an instant homerun.

TINY MUSIC … SONGS FROM THE VATICAN GIFT SHOP: SUPER DELUXE EDITION

3-CD/1-LP Track Listing

Disc One: Original Album 2021 Remaster

“Press Play”
“Pop’s Love Suicide”
“Tumble In The Rough”
“Big Bang Baby”
“Lady Picture Show”
“And So I Know”
“Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart”
“Art School Girl”
“Adhesive”
“Ride The Cliché”
“Daisy”
“Seven Caged Tigers”

Disc Two: Early Versions, Instrumentals, & Alternate Mixes

“Press Play” – Full Length Version *
“Pop’s Love Suicide” – Early Version *
“Tumble In The Rough” – Early Version *
“Big Bang Baby” – Early Version *
“Lady Picture Show” – Early Version *
“And So I Know” – Early Version *
“Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart” – Early Version *
“5 Or 4 Times (Art School Girl)” – Early Version *
“Adhesive” – Instrumental *
“Ride The Cliché” – Instrumental *
“Seven Caged Tigers” – Early Version *
“Big Bang Baby” – Alternate Version *
“Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart” – Percussion Mix *
“Art School Girl” – Jaw Harp Version *
“Kretz’s Acoustic Song” *

Disc Three: Live at Club La Vela, Panama City Beach, FL (3/14/97)

“Crackerman” *
“Meatplow” *
“Tumble In The Rough” *
“Vasoline” *
“Wicked Garden” *
“Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart” *
“Plush” *
“Big Empty” *
“Interstate Love Song” *
“Lady Picture Show” *
“Unglued” *
“Big Bang Baby” *
“Dead & Bloated” *
“Sex Type Thing” *

* previously unreleased

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