Due to overwhelming demand and a sold-out show at the Grand Ole Opry House on Dec. 18, GRAMMY® Award-Winning Duo for KING + COUNTRY have added a second show on Dec. 19 as part of their “Drummer Boy Christmas Tour: The 2022 LIVE Experience.” Join for King + Country for this special LIVE experience presented in a festive and high-energy fashion that the duo has become known for. Tickets are on sale now at ryman.com. The Dec. 18 concert event will also be available worldwide via ticketed livestream through Mandolin.
Brothers Joel and Luke will be bringing holiday cheer to audiences nationwide this season, performing Christmas classics and brand-new songs such as their fan favorite “Little Drummer Boy” from A Drummer Boy Christmas, #1 hit single “For God Is With Us” from their recently released Billboard Top 200 album, “What Are We Waiting For?, and many more. Fans will also have the chance to see for KING + COUNTRY perform their No. 1 charting, world renowned version of the Christmas classic “Little Drummer Boy.” To get a taste of what to expect, check out the duo’s sparkling performance of “Little Drummer Boy” on ABC’s CMA Country Christmas HERE.
ON SALE NOW AT THE GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE
FOR KING & COUNTRY
Dec. 19 at 7pm CT
FOR KING + COUNTRY is one of the music industry’s most respected and decorated duos. Brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone have be awarded four GRAMMY® Awards, seven GMA Dove Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and 16 K-LOVE Fan Awards; and their 11 No. 1 songs have produced an astonishing 1.8 billion career streams. The RIAA Platinum-selling act’s live show has been hailed as a must-see concert event that continues to wow sold-out crowds whether in the U.S., Australia, Germany, Netherlands, or New Zealand. FOR KING + COUNTRY’S WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?, released this year, became the duo’s second Top 10 album on the Billboard 200; following their RIAA Gold certified album, BURN THE SHIPS, which also debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. The duo has had seven consecutive No. 1 songs including “For God Is With Us,” “joy.,” “TOGETHER” (feat. Kirk Franklin & Tori Kelly),” and the 11-week Platinum smash, “God Only Knows.” The global hitmakers have collaborated with a diverse list of artists including Hillary Scott, Dolly Parton, NEEDTOBREATHE and Timbaland, amongst others. Joel and Luke Smallbone are committed to numerous philanthropic efforts focused on human trafficking, children in need, as well as numerous programs in support of the arts. For more information about FOR KING + COUNTRY visit: www.forkingandcountry.com
WHERE: Grand Ole Opry House, 2804 OPRYLAND DR., NASHVILLE, TN 37214
ON SALE NOWAT RYMAN AUDITORIUM
VINCE GILL RESIDENCY
Aug. 5-7 at 8pm CT
One of the most popular artists in modern country music, Vince Gill is famous for his top-notch songwriting, world-class guitar playing and warm, soaring tenor, all wrapped up in a quick and easy wit. Gill achieved his big breakthrough in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” which won both the Country Music Association’s (CMA) Single and Song of the Year awards as well as a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Since then, Gill has won 17 additional CMA Awards, including Song of the Year four times–making him the most-awarded artist in that category in CMA history, and a total of 22 Grammy Awards, his most recent one for Best Country Solo Performance–“When My Amy Prays.” The Academy of Country Music has conferred on Gill eight awards, including its Home Depot Humanitarian Award and the Career Achievement Award. A gifted songwriter, Gill’s compositions earned him the prestigious BMI Icon award in 2014, and entry into theNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005. In 2007, Gill was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame which was placed in cement right next to his wife Amy Grant’s star. In 1991, Gill was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a position he treasures. He continues to perform on that historic stage on a regular basis. Throughout his career he has released 20 albums, sold over 30 million albums, and charted 45 singles.Known for his many collaborations, Gill has made guest appearances on more than 1000 albums, and has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Sting, Emmylou Harris, Diana Krall, Jimmy Webb, Bruno Mars, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and George Jones. His collaborative efforts also include albums he has produced for Amy Grant, Ashley Monroe, The Time Jumpers and Wendy Moten. Always considering himself a musician above all else, Gill has over the years been a part of some iconic bands including Pure Prairie League, The Cherry Bombs, and The Time Jumpers. In 2017 Vince was asked to join the Eagles on the road and continues to be a part of that historic band’s tour. Gill’s current album, the critically acclaimed OKIE, is his most personal album, as he sings about his wife in prayer, about kindness and forgiveness, about his heroes in death, and about his own loves, joys, and regrets. For a complete bio, full list of tour dates, news, images and more, visit VinceGill.com.
CONCERT FOR CUMBERLAND HEIGHTS WITH STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES
Sept. 21 at 7:30pm CT
The Concert for Cumberland Heights is an annual fundraiser that began in 1996 to raise much needed funding for adolescent and young adult programs. The event at The Ryman Auditorium has featured artists like Trisha Yearwood, John Hiatt, Josh Turner, Here Come The Mummies, and more. Since its inception, the concert has raised over $3.4 million for families struggling. About 2,400 people attend the concert each year, and more than 330 guests attend the pre-concert party.
YELAWOLF & SHOOTER JENNINGS INTRODUCE SOMETIMES Y
November 17 at 7:30pm CT
“The first time Yelawolf and I connected on a track, it was like this fire exploded in my mind,” says Shooter Jennings. “It confirmed my long-held suspicion that there was something really special between the two of us.” Special, it turns out, is a serious understatement when it comes to Jennings and Yelawolf’s extraordinary new collaboration, Sometimes Y. Recorded in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the duo’s self-titled debut is a bold and intoxicating rock and roll hybrid, one that fuses past and future sounds to conjure up some alternate universe where David Bowie fronted Thin Lizzy or Axl Rose sang with The Cars. The songs here are as addictive as they are unpredictable, mixing ’80s bombast and arena rock energy with country earnestness and hip-hop swagger, and the performances are thrilling to match, fueled by the pair’s undeniable chemistry and irrepressible joy. Jennings’ production work is lush but never crowded, and Yelawolf’s lyrics are utterly arresting, grappling insightfully with purpose and perseverance, struggle and triumph, pain and transcendence. Weighty as the record can feel at times, it’s ultimately a work of liberation and release, an ecstatic declaration of creative freedom fueled by adventure, discovery, and a little bit of chaos, which is precisely what Sometimes Y is all about.
BRETT ELDREDGE
November 25, 26 & 27 at 8pm CT
With holiday album Mr. Christmas released last year, platinum-selling recording artist Brett Eldredge is set to perform three back-to-back nights at the historic Ryman Auditorium as part of his Glow LIVE Holiday Tour. Mr. Christmas features the classics we all know and love alongside two originals, including the title track “Mr. Christmas.” Written by Eldredge and frequent collaborator Ross Copperman, “Mr. Christmas” showcases the celebrated singer/songwriter’s “rich, smooth vocals” (Forbes) backed by orchestral strings, a warm big band sound and pops of jingle bells, giving the listener a musical wink and a nod as though from Santa himself.
ANDREW PETERSON: BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD
December 4 & 5 at 7pm CT
Join storied Nashville singer-songwriter and author Andrew Peterson as he presents the Advent song cycle Behold the Lamb of God: The True Tall Tale of the Coming of Christ. Now in its 23rd year, Behold the Lamb brings the singing and playing of Peterson’s original folk-roots infused rendition of the Christmas story as it is foreshadowed in the Old Testament and brought to bear in the New.
ALLMAN FAMILY REVIVAL
December 9 at 8pm CT
The Allman Family Revival is a celebration of the life, spirit, and music of Gregg Allman, hosted by his son, Blues Music Award winning Devon Allman and anchored by his group, The Devon Allman Project. On what would have been Gregg Allman’s 70th Birthday, Devon decided to gather his talented friends to pay homage musically. Musicians that had toured with Gregg, jammed with Gregg & inspired by Gregg turned up to throw down. Legends like Robin Zander of Cheap Trick showed up, wunderkind Marcus King tore the theater down, Orbison’s were in the house … a who’s who of musical talent have taken part.Now … It’s a yearly tradition, and it’s grown from an annual celebration in San Fransisco to a full fledged coast to coast tour. Based on the format of “The Last Waltz” concert featuring up to a dozen marquee names in music, it’s an epic 3 hour show unlike any other. This year we welcome Duane Betts, Donavon Frankenreiter, Maggie Rose, Jimmy Hall, Larry McCray, Alex Orbison and The River Kittens, plus, of course, more surprises to come. Don’t miss this incredible celebration of life and music, you’ll be part of the family too.
CORY WONG
February 17 at 8pm CT
As much as he treasures his roles as a guitarist, composer, and producer, Cory Wong fashions himself “a hype man,” first and foremost. Living up to this classification, he slings a Stratocaster and hurls “dad jokes” from the stage with the same panache, poise, and power. “For me, it’s all about the listener’s experience,” he explains. “I want them to have a visceral response like: ‘I feel better,’ ‘That was really fun,’ or ‘I got to escape for an hour.’ You’ll hear my voice through the guitar, but I’m just a hype man. To uplift audiences with instrumental music that has no singing or lyrics is a fun challenge. I’m trying to solve the riddle. If I can get one person to feel good this way, it’s a success. Straight out of Minneapolis, Cory positioned himself as music’s answer to motivational speakers like Tony Robbins since emerging in 2011. Head-spinning rhythm guitar wizardry, technical ebullience, laugh-out-loud jokes, and radiance on stage established him as both a sought-after collaborator and celebrated solo artist alike. He lent his talents to television programs such as The Voice at the dawn of his career. After an impromptu meeting at the weekly jam hosted by Prince’s rhythm section (where the Purple One often either performed or watched), he crossed paths with Vulfpeck who welcomed him as a frequent collaborator and member of the band. Solidifying a fruitful partnership, the group named their most popular instrumental track “Cory Wong,” in tribute. Lighting up the stage in the band everywhere from Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Madison Square Garden, he remains a cornerstone of Vulfpeck’s storied gigs.
WHERE: Ryman Auditorium, 116 REP. JOHN LEWIS WAY N., NASHVILLE, TN 37219
For additional upcoming shows and to purchase tickets, please visit ryman.com.
MALEVOLENCE - RELEASE NEW VIDEO FOR'HIGHER PLACE'+ ALTERNATIVE ACOUSTIC VERSION
With their critically acclaimed new studio album Malicious Intent, MALEVOLENCE has staked out their place as one of contemporary metal's heavyweight acts.
These rising UK stars are now out to conquer the world, undertaking a huge run of major live dates this summer and into 2023. After blowing away audiences at the likes of Download Festival UK, Knotfest Germany, and the Bring Me The Horizon Malta Weekender, following on from a UK arena tour with ARCHITECTS and SLEEP TOKENl, the British bruisers are pleased to announce more shows.
Malevolence has revealed two new headline shows this August, in Colchester (UK) and Paris (FR), before they launch into two German shows supporting LAMB OF GOD, followed by an Australian run in September with THY ART IS MURDER, CARNIFEX, and I AM. The band will also be accompanying TRIVIUM on their extensive EU tour leg, with HEAVEN SHALL BURN and OBITUARY, following on from the UK shows.
To support these dates, the band has today released a brand new video to accompany the album highlight "Higher Place". Showing off their creative breadth, the single breaks with their usual aggressive metal swagger. "Higher Place" is a show-stopping, southern groove-flavored ballad.
Front-man Alex Taylor commented,
"'Higher Place' focuses on a subject that everyone will deal with at some point in loss; death/bereavement. This is one most heartfelt songs we have written as a band, however, once we began writing this song, it came together very naturally. This song is a huge step outside our comfort zone, we hope you enjoy it!
The visuals for this song were our first venture into a narrative-driven video, filmed in our hometown of Sheffield. We worked closely with Enon Films to bring the concept to life.
Video Director Gabriel Fernández-Gil commented,
"The song inspired sorrow, drama, and a dark epicness, which is what guided us in the making of this video.
In the story, you'll be able to identify themes of loss, revenge, and the UK's knife-crime epidemic.
As the lyrics and instrumentation, our characters "ascend" to different metaphorical planes of existence or lack thereof."
To accompany the video, the band has released an alternative acoustic version of "Higher Place" digitally, giving fans yet another glimpse into MALEVOLENCE's bottomless artistic flair.
Watch the video for "Higher Place" below.
Download/stream the "Higher Place" acoustic version: https://bfan.link/Malevolence-higher-place.ema
Order Malicious Intent: https://bfan.link/Malevolence-malicious-intent.ema
Malicious Intent was recorded at Tree House Studios, UK. The record was produced by Jim Pinder and co-mixed by Jim Pinder and Carl Bown. The Malicious Intent artwork was created by renowned artist Eliran Kantor.
The undisputed Heavy Metal Kings of the UK.
In early 2020 came the highly anticipated EP release, The Other Side, introducing a brand-new side of MALEVOLENCE. Although only 3 tracks, each song showcased a depth and diversity that is uncommon in modern metal. Heart-wrenching ballads are blended perfectly with technical shredding and crushing breakdowns, effortlessly showcasing the band's talent as genuine songwriters. Despite the hard-fought success, MALEVOLENCE remains an autonomous crew. Operating from their Sheffield-based HQ, a previously derelict warehouse the band transformed themselves, MALEVOLENCE handles as much of their in-house operations as they possibly can. Including the formation and operation of MALEVOLENCE’s own label, MLVLTD Music. It was through this label that the band self-released The Other Side and although it was a first for the band, the release was a resounding success - racking up close to half a million streams on Spotify and Apple Music in its first few weeks of release.
MALEVOLENCE fans will know that their records come few and far between. Emerging onto the scene in 2013 with their debut album Reign of Suffering, which is currently climbing above 2.15 million streams on Spotify. Released as teenagers, the level of song crafting skill stands the test of time and remains a defining moment in the band’s career. The next four years had MALEVOLENCE grinding their way through the European continent, gaining recognition as one of the hottest prospects in this new wave of international heavy metal. 2017’s Self Supremacy saw the Sheffield quintet selling out club shows all over Europe, the USA, and Southeast Asia/Japan. This in turn has earned them a cult-like following of die-hard fans, who wear the MALEVOLENCE logo on their clothing like a medal of honor.
Now waiting with brand-new album Malicious Intent and plans to tour amongst some of the biggest names in heavy music, MALEVOLENCE is poised to become the next legacy name in all of heavy music.
MALEVOLENCE is:
Alex Taylor | Vocals
Konan Hall | Guitar / Vocals
Josh Baines | Guitar
Wilkie Robinson | Bass
Charlie Thorpe | Drums
KURT DEIMER FINISHES NEW FILM, ‘HELLBILLY HOLLOW,’ ANNOUNCES SHOWS WITH TESLA
Rocker Kurt Deimer continues to further his fast-rising career.
In addition to recently wrapping up live shows in support of his debut EP ‘Work Hard Rock Hard’ - which he recorded with his bandmate, creative partner and Bon Jovi guitarist Phil X – the multi-talented Deimer will soon unleash his horror film franchise on the world. “My debut feature film, which I star in, is called ‘Hellbilly Hollow’,” says the actor/singer. “I was in ‘Trading Paint’ with John Travolta, and I was in ‘Halloween’ in 2018, where I was killed by Michael Myers. I had so much fun on those movies, I decided to flush out these ideas I had and do my own franchise – now ‘Hellbilly Hollow’ is finally ready for the world!”
Fans of Deimer’s music shouldn’t be concerned with him focusing solely on film, as he is impatiently waiting for the next tour to be lined up. “I cannot stand sitting at home not knowing when my next show is, I’m ready to play! This is rock n’ roll, and the best way to build our fanbase is to be out there in front of them. It’s so hard to grab people’s attention over social media and amidst all the chaos of the world – the best way to turning them on to what we do is getting people out to live shows.”
The feedback from the audiences that Deimer has played in front of has been outstanding. “Every time we play, we turn folks in the crowd into our fans. I go to the merch booth and sign autographs, take pictures and selfies, and people are always saying how refreshing we are, how unique we are. The biggest challenge I face in this business is everybody tells me I have to fit in this kind of niche, and I’m my own guy, we’re our own band, and we have our own unique sound – but we’re still a rock band, like AC/DC and Van Halen. All we need to do is play for people, and they realize what we’re all about.” And in September, Deimer will be opening a string of shows for Tesla in the US. Ticket info can be accessd here: https://kurtdeimer.com/pages/tour
Deimer’s new single, “Hero,” recently went to mainstream rock radio and received early support from WIIL in Chicago and saw regional success in the northeast. Additionally, there are more than 1.5 million combined YouTube views across his five official video releases.
Although it’s been less than a year since Kurt made his debut, he’s already amassing quite the highlight reel. “I met Geoff Tate, he gave me a chance and gave me my first tour, and he was in a music video with me. He was on the song ‘Burn Together’ on ‘Work Hard Rock Hard,’ and he totally gave me an opportunity – like somebody probably gave him back in the day. Second highlight: going out on the Yngwie Malmsteen tour and winning over fans. He’s a shredder, and we came out and did our brand of rock, and I think we complimented each other very well. Another highlight was bringing my demo to L.A. and Chris Lord-Alge thinking it was good enough and seeing potential in me. He discovered me and took me under his wing. And yet another highlight was Chris bringing me and Phil X together to do our first song as a team, a cover of Pink Floyd’s ‘Have a Cigar.’ Now, Phil X and I are great friends and we’re on a mission together for the rest of our lives.”
Kurt’s future plans? “Tour, tour, tour, tour... We’re working on some really cool stage productions. We want to continue towards our goal of bringing our unique style around the world and play for people and make differences in people’s lives. We want to give back to the communities we play in, give back to those who risk their lives for us - veterans, our military and first responders - and just continue to build as a rock band, grow, and mature.”
TESLA/KURT DEIMER TOUR DATES
Fri, SEP 09 House of Blues Dallas Dallas, TX
Sat, SEP 10 House of Blues Houston Houston, TX
Mon, SEP 12 Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center Midland, TX
Tue, SEP 13 Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Lubbock, TX
Thu, SEP 15 Aztec Theatre San Antonio, TX
Sun, SEP 18 House of Blues New Orleans New Orleans, LA
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
https://kurtdeimer.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Kurtdeimer/
https://www.instagram.com/kurtdeimer/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6KPMciDWxiJ9WWq8EnqPAhttps://twitter.com/KurtDeimer
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5t1tBb8ShSZEzTLswotwPN?si=oqDKYB7WTxuuZ4mi6vUjgA
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kurt-deimer/1452104095
LORD OF THE LOST Releases New Video for Cover of Iron Maiden’s “Children Of The Damned”
Featuring Footage of European Summer Tour with Iron Maiden!
German genre-fusing visionaries LORD OF THE LOST recently finished up their summer tour of Europe with the legendary Iron Maiden! As one their biggest performances so far, the band conquered the stages of Europe’s largest metropolises. Now, to round off the end of the tour, the band has revealed a brand new video for their recent cover of Iron Maiden’s “Children of the Damned”, cut from their The Heartbeat Of The Devil EP released earlier this year. The video includes footage of some of the tour’s most electrifying moments, paying homage to Iron Maiden and their experiences together on tour. In total, LORD OF THE LOST played 18 concerts with Iron Maiden in 16 countries for over half a million people. Fans can celebrate this great achievement and experience the band’s thrilling road adventures with the “Children of the Damned” video - out now!
Watch the Video for “Children of the Damned”
The Heartbeat Of The Devil EP begins with the single version of “The Heartbeat of The Devil”, and closes with a striking piano version of the same song. Rounding out the center of the EP are three cover versions of iconic songs: “Children Of The Damned” by Iron Maiden, who LORD OF THE LOST supported on 18 dates of the band’s European tour after the release of the EP, “Judas” by Lady Gaga and “Wig In A Box” from famed rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. These iconic songs are reinvented and transformed by the dark atmosphere of LORD OF THE LOST’s trademark sound.
The Heartbeat Of The Devil follows both JUDAS (2021, #2 GER) and Thornstar (2018, #6 GER), which repeatedly solidified LORD OF THE LOST as visionaries unafraid to express themselves outside of the norm. Their nonconformism is undoubtedly a key point of their attraction and distinction, and their sophisticated sonic universe sets them apart from all other bands in the genre -- manifesting as controversial in the best possible way.
LORD OF THE LOST on The Heartbeat Of The Devil:
“With the pandemic and the unplanned free time – you can spontaneously record three cover versions of songs that move you at the moment. But why these three songs? "Judas" by Lady Gaga should be self-explanatory due to the title overlap with our current album. "Children Of The Damned" is a nod to our summer tour hosts Iron Maiden, who booked us as a support band. And "Wig In A Box"... well, if you don't know the movie musical 'Hedwig And The Angry Inch', you should definitely change that. We saw the movie one day and one of us yelled, 'let's cover that song!' - and as it always is with us, every spontaneous idea is put into action. Or at least it's tried."
Order The Heartbeat Of The Devil NOW
LORD OF THE LOST are:
Chris Harms - vocals, guitar, cello
Pi Stoffers - guitar
Class Grenayde - bass
Gared Dirge - piano, synthesizer, percussion, guitar
Niklas Kahl - drums
LORD OF THE LOST online:
BELPHEGOR - Release Bizarre Video For Title Track Of New Album The Devils!
Diabolical black/death metal squadron BELPHEGOR are proud to unveil a bizarre music video for the punishing title track of their recently released new album, The Devils.
YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO FOR "THE DEVILS" BELOW
BELPHEGOR's twelfth full-length proves to be one of the strongest and most elaborate records in the group’s career. Mixed & mastered at renowned Fascination Street Studiosby Jens Bogren, The Devils sounds absolutely crushing and dynamic, sonically pushing the immense variety of the eight tracks to new heights.
Rounded off by impressive artwork created by Seth Siro Anton, The Devils marks the band’s fourth collaboration with one of metal’s most talented and prolific art workers. Ultimately, The Devils is an album that musically builds upon BELPHEGOR’s trademark sound, in essence, a combination of traditional death and black metal deeply rooted in the 90s, yet boasts intricate compositions and detailed arrangements underlining their outstanding position within the international extreme metal circuit.
Blending German, Latin, and English lyrics, the lead single 'Totentanz – Dance Macabre' is as ferocious as it gets with its insane barrage of blast beats, spiteful lyrics, and sinister guitar melodies. 'Glorifizierung des Teufels' (‘Glorification of the Devil’) and 'Virtus Asinaria –Prayer' offer epic, mid-paced grandeur, chanted vocals, and choirs adding new shades of black to their stylistic palette. The title track or 'Damnation – Höllensturz' proves to be a more complex piece, shifting moods and tempos with ease and expanding BELPHEGOR’s blasphemous onslaught with fascinating twists and turns.
BUY OR LISTEN TO THE ALBUM "THE DEVILS": https://belphegor.bfan.link/the-devils
HELMUTH comments:
„Hail! I think the greatest strength of this twelfth BELPHEGOR album is the many new elements incorporated into our unrelenting sound wall, which illuminates the offering shine with an evil ritualistic light. We tried to push the boundaries as musicians and as a band to bring the eight sound collages to a new level of “Diabolical Black Death Metal” extremity. An intense atmosphere was our goal.
"THE DEVILS” is the perfect demonstration of how we wanted to sound in the year 2022, every aspect expressing what we seek within BELPHEGOR! In Musick, Helmuth"
DIOSA Premiere Lyric Video for New Single "Waves"
Hard Rock outfit DIOSA are thrilled to share the first single from their soon-to-be-announced EP. The Houston-based quartet dropped their new track, "Waves", last Friday – and have partnered with Ghost Cult Magazine to premiere the lyric video. Fans can check out the video premiere for "Waves"
About DIOSA:
Born from a series of eclectic tastes over time to form the sound they have today, the boys Justin (vocals, guitar), Tyler (bass), and Luis (guitar) knew from a young age that music was something they always wanted to pursue. While the band's rocky journey has been constantly tried and tested, DIOSA made those life-changing moments count by sharing them through their music.
DIOSA isn't the kind of band that serves to please others when it comes to shaping their sound. The band has a vast range of influences that span artists like Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Avenged Sevenfold, ZZ Top, BadReligion, Blink 182, Danzig, Def Leppard, Volbeat, Alice In Chains, HIM, Velvet Revolver, STP, Bryan Adams, and Brian Setzer - to name a few. From these artists, the band drew inspiration from their wide-ranging tastes and molded them together within the realm of modern alternative with stabs of classic rock.
DIOSA Lineup:
Justin Vincent Estrada – Vocals, Guitar
Julian Cruz – Drums
Luis Torres – Lead Guitar
Tyler Rix – Bass
MOONSPELL To Embark on 30th Anniversary North American Tour This Month!
Kicking Off August 25th in New York City
Portuguese dark metal masters MOONSPELL are returning to North America for the first time in five years! Celebrating three decades of evocative and mesmerizing music, the band will bring their "American Full Moon" tour to the US and Canada. Joining the band for the North American leg of shows are Swallow The Sun and Witherfall, with the trek kicking off in New York City on August 25th and concluding on September 18th in Boston, MA. A complete list of dates can be seen below.
Watch the video for "Entitlement" from the upcoming live BluRay/DVD 'From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep' (Out September 23 - PRE-ORDER)
MOONSPELL are touring North America in support of their upcoming BluRay/DVD and album release via Napalm Records! September 23, 2022 will see the release of their latest studio album, Hermitage (2021), in its live form, entitled From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep. Recorded live at Grutas de Mira D'Aire, one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders, From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep invites you on a memorable adventure worthy of a Guinness Book record. The recording boasts a one of kind sound and visual sensation, with its heavy dose of cinematic flavor, unreal atmosphere and the encircling, resounding nature in its raw form. Tracks such as "Entitlement", "Hermitage" and “Apoptheghmata” perfectly settle in with the album‘s unique environment.
From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep is not only an epic live momentum of Hermitage - one of the deepest, heaviest and most sincerely heart-breaking records the band has ever written - but a truly revolutionary experience, as MOONSPELL brought along a select number of fans and a production team (literally) underground. Brilliantly directed by Guilherme Henrique, From Down Below – Live 80 Meters Deep is something truly special that you have never, ever seen or heard before.
MOONSPELL "American Full Moon" Tour Dates:
Aug 25 - New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge
Aug 26 - Baltimore, MD @ Baltimore Soundstage
Aug 27 - Greensboro, NC @ The Blind Tiger
Aug 28 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Heaven)
Aug 29 - Orlando, FL @ The Haven
Aug 31 - Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
Sep 1 - Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live
Sep 2 - Dallas, TX @ Trees
Sep 4 - Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater
Sep 5 - San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick
Sep 6 - Los Angeles, CA @ 1720
Sep 7 - Sacramento, CA @ Goldfield Trading Post
Sep 8 - Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom
Sep 9 - Seattle, WA @ Substation
Sep 11- Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
Sep 12 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theater
Sep 13 - Joliet, IL @ The Forge
Sep 14 - Indianapolis, IN @ Irving Theater
Sep 15 - Toronto, ON @ Lee's Palace
Sep 16 - Montreal, QC @ Cafe Campus
Sep 17 - Quebec City, QC @ Source de la Martinière
Sep 18 - Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
Sleep Signals Announce First Tour After Devastating Bus Crash..... 'The Return Of' Tour This Fall!
Minneapolis hard rock quintet, Sleep Signals have announced that they will be hitting the road this fall on 'The Return Of ' tour. This is the first tour for the band since their devastating bus wreck that happened a year ago leaving some of the band members will debilitating injuries. The tour will kick off on September 29, 2022 in Redmond, OR at General Duffy's Waterhole.
"I'd be lying if I said we're excited to be in a bus again after severity of the wreck and our injuries a year ago, but I know the second we step back on stage and feel the love and energy of the crowd, it will be worth it. The most amazing part of tour has been and always will be meeting our fans and sharing that short moment together on stage and it's something we've all been looking forward to as we heal and deal with all obstacles the wreck presented us with. We cannot wait to see all of you very soon," says the band's frontman Robert Cosgrove.
Recently, the band released their haunting new video for single "The Return." The single is from their EP, Ethereal.
WATCH "The Return" below
Stream/Download "The Return" here:
Sleep Signals have garnered a dedicated following through relentless touring, their explosive live performances, and their ability to blend catchy hooks with their high-energy songwriting style.
In 2021 the band released a new EP, Ethereal, featuring the single, "Fireproof,"which garnered the band's first commercial radio success. The single was featured on Sirius XM's Octane and received spins on 80+ US FM radio stations, spending 11 weeks on the Billboard Active Rock radio chart.
Unfortunately, 2021 also saw the band experience a severe bus accident on tour with POD, From Ashes To New, and All Good Things that left several members in the hospital and rehabbing injuries for months. The band released the music video for "The Return" to commemorate their comeback from the accident and look to get back to the touring circuit as soon as late 2022.
Founded in 2014, the band hit the road in early 2015 and has since played over 500 shows in 45 states. Prior to the accident, the band was coming off of major full US tours with heavy hitters Hellyeah and Nonpoint, as well as Atreyu, Memphis May Fire, Ice Nine Kills, All That Remains, Attila, Escape the Fate, and Like A Storm.
“Sleep Signals embodies the same DIY hustling ethic that Ice Nine Kills has used since the beginning. Great songs, and a work ethic that is quickly making this band stand out" says Spencer Charnas of (Ice Nine Kills).
Alex Varkatzas (Ex-Atreyu) adds, “Seeing Sleep Signals' tireless work ethic and energetic live shows nightly, it’s only a matter of time before this band is a household name."
Sleep Signals are:
Robert Cosgrove
Grant Evans
Jay Lucero
Travis Wheeler
Wyatt Henderson
Sleep Signals - The Return Of Tour:
9.29.22 Redmond, OR
9.30.22 Kennewick, WA
10.2.22 Salt Lake City, UT
10.6.22 Grants Pass, OR
10.7.22 Vancouver, WA
10.8.22 Takoma, WA
10.9.22 Okanogan, WA
For More Information Please Visit:
https://www.facebook.com/sleepsignals/
CROWNE ANNOUNCES NEW LIVE EP "LIVE FROM STUDIO GRÖNDAHL"
CROWNE ANNOUNCES NEW LIVE EP
"LIVE FROM STUDIO GRÖNDAHL" OUT AUGUST 19, 2022
PREVIEW SINGLE & VIDEO, 'KINGS IN THE NORTH' OUT NOW
SECOND ALBUM CURRENTLY BEING PREPARED
Sweden's Crowne will release a special new live EP, "Live From Studio Gröndahl" on August 19, 2022. The release is a little treat to hold fans over while they await the release of the band's second album, which is currently in the works. A live performance of 'Kings In The North' from the EP is available now on all digital platforms. Watch a video of the performance below.
Pre-order/save "Live From Studio Gröndahl", a digital only release, HERE: https://orcd.co/crownelive
In 2021, Sweden's Crowne unleashed their debut album “Kings In The North”, which fully delivered on the promise of the combination of the members' pedigrees. Comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitarist/keyboardist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe), and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles), the debut was a true tour de force of Scandinavian melodic hard rock. The debut album also featured Love Magnusson (Dynazty) providing guitar solos and as the band commences work on a follow-up, Magnusson has fully joined the fold as the band's lead guitarist.
While fans eagerly await the arrival of the band's follow-up album, the band gathered in the studio to record a special live EP, "Live From Studio Gröndahl". Featuring the now five-piece band tearing through five incredible tracks from "Kings In The North", this EP allows the fans to hear (and see, in the accompanying video performance) a glimpse of the band playing live together in an intimate setting.
Crowne is hands-down the most exciting, thrilling supergroup ever created out of the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. This stellar cast of some of the most outstanding musicians from the scene gathered together to create an absolute beast of a debut album, "King In The North". And now they are working diligently to best themselves with a follow-up. We have no doubt they will succeed....
Be sure to follow the band's social media for updates about the forthcoming new album.
Line-up:
Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Love Magnusson – Guitar
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums
Introducing Of Sullivan, New Single "Apologies" + Official Music Video Out Now via TLG/INgrooves
"Apologies takes you on a journey through the eyes of regret. You feel every emotion from sadness to rage as the story seems to be stuck in a vicious cycle. With soaring melodies and intricate flowing guitar riffs, the story unfolds into a feeling of a hope that is lost and a love that was torn away," says Scottie Somerville, producer.
While seeking purpose during the worldwide pandemic, a passion project quickly grew into a serious undertaking by previous tour mates, Trent Sullivan and David Redding Jolly. Of Sullivanproduces dynamic songs, drawing influence from rock, jazz,metal, and even electronic sounds. Down-tuned guitars, melodic piano, gritty vocals, and big-room drums lay the musical foundation for You Never Know. Arriving in 2022, the debut EP is a unique approach to popular music, with no regard for genre-specific dogma.
"Apologies" is available at:
For more Information Please Visit:
Restless Road Named Opry NextStage Artist for August
First Band To Join NextStage Program
New Performances and Interviews Featured All Month on Opry Channels
Today, the Grand Ole Opry announced the latest addition to its Opry NextStage Class of 2022 with breakthrough trio Restless Road, who will be the first band to be part of the NextStage program. Restless Road is the fourth act to join the 2022 class that includes Elvie Shane, Morgan Wade and BRELAND. Restless Road will make their NextStage debut with an Opry performance on August 20.
Developed by the Grand Ole Opry, NextStage is an artist discovery program that spotlights Country music’s rising talent and highlights one artist per month with featured original content created by Opry Entertainment Groups award-winning team, an Opry performance and support across the Opry Entertainment platforms, which include the Opry, Ryman Auditorium, WSM Radio, Ole Red and Circle Network. Additional artists will be announced in the coming months to complete the year with a total of seven artists.
Made up of three different but complementary voices, Restless Road is a powerhouse country band with one of the most auspicious breakout stories of 2020. Capturing the ear of country superstar Kane Brown, he signed the trio to his own label imprint, 1021 Entertainment. Praised by People, Taste of Country, Billboard and more, the trio’s powerhouse harmonies and soul-baring lyrics put them on numerous 2021 “Ones to Watch” lists, as members Zach Beeken, Colton Pack, and Garrett Nichols continue to rack up millions of on-demand streams.
Restless Road said, “We’re are beyond grateful to be chosen as an Opry NextStage Artist. Growing up we watched our country music heroes perform on the Opry stage, and that inspired us to keep going and chase our dreams even when it felt impossible. It means the world to us to be recognized by the Grand Ole Opry family, and we couldn’t be more excited to be a small part of Opry history.”
With a pulse on what is next in the Country music format and a deep commitment to supporting burgeoning talent, the program has cemented a strong track record in just three short years. The two previous NextStage classes have featured artists such as Parker McCollum, Lainey Wilson, Riley Green and Tenille Townes who all went on to earn ACM New Male and Female Artist of the Year trophies following their Opry NextStage debuts.
NextStage launched in 2019 with an inaugural class that included Green, Tegan Marie, Townes and Travis Denning. Last year’s class included Priscilla Block, McCollum, Niko Moon, Jameson Rodgers, Hailey Whitters, Wilson and Yola. For more information on Opry NextStage, visit opry.com/nextstage.
About Opry NextStage
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage, presented by Geico, invests in the discovery of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month with featured original content, an Opry performance and support across the brand’s platforms to tell their stories and expand their audiences. For nearly a century, the Grand Ole Opry has created opportunities for artists throughout the Country music spectrum to make strong connections with fans and fellow artists – on its stages and across its channels – from terrestrial radio to network television to the digital universe and to Circle Network. Audiences around the world look to the Opry to showcase the very best in Country music.
About the Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, Tenn. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties (NYSE:RHP). For more information, visit opry.com.
About Restless Road
Made up of three different but complementary voices, country band Restless Road is “one of the most intriguing and exciting acts of the year” (Wide Open Country). Praised by People, Taste of Country, Billboard, and more, the trio’s powerhouse harmonies and soul-baring lyrics put them on numerous 2021 “Ones to Watch” lists, as members Zach Beeken, Colton Pack, and Garrett Nichols continue to rack up millions of streams. As NBC’s Today Show host Hoda Kotb put it: “That harmony…you feel it in your soul.” Since Zach and Colton joined forces after meeting on a singing competition (where they met future collaborator Kane Brown), Restless Road has stood out as one of the genre’s premier vocal forces. When Garrett came onboard in 2015, they knew they had something special. In February 2020, the trio unveiled their debut self-titled EP, which includes “Take Me Home,” featuring Kane Brown. A short year later, they dropped their track, “Took One Look At Her Momma,” which American Songwriter praised for its “captivating melody and lyrics that those in a relationship could benefit from hearing.” They recently released their tracks “Bar Friends,” “Hometown Tonight,” and “Headlights.” On January 21, 2022 they released “Growing Old With You” which topped the U.S. iTunes Country Charts for over 1 week, which they also performed as a feature on ABC’s The Bachelor. 2021 saw Restless Road on the road with Kane Brown as support on his “Blessed & Free Tour,” and their first headline tour, the “Bar Friends Tour” will commence on April 6, 2022. With all signs indicating Restless Road is a contender for best new vocal group, its members continue to write, sing, and perform together as they take the next steps down country music’s long and winding road.
BLACK ANVIL Announces New Album, Unveils First Single
New York City black metal collective BLACK ANVIL will be releasing their fifth full-length, 'Regenesis,' on November 4, 2022 via Season of Mist, making it the band's debut to the label! The band is now revealing the tracklisting, artwork, and additional album details, which can be found below! In conjunction with the announcement, the band is now sharing the pummeling first single from the offering, "Castrum Doloris," along with a disorienting visualizer! The song can be heard below.
BLACK ANVIL comments on the track:
"A reckoning of the final order avoiding the tunnel vision of fear when releasing into the void & utmost holy channel.
"Wear the funeral crown with pride thus-forth."
Pre-orders for 'Regenesis' are now live HERE while the album can be pre-saved on all streaming services HERE.
In addition, BLACK ANVIL will be supporting CANNIBAL CORPSE along with DARK FUNERAL and IMMOLATION later this year! The trek will kick off on November 3 in Silver Springs, MD and will conclude on December 10 in Tampa, FL. The band will also be performing at the Denver, CO edition ofDecibel Magazine's Metal & Beer Fest on December 2!
Tickets are on sale now! The full run of dates and ticket links can be found below!
BLACK ANVIL Live Dates (w/ CANNIBAL CORPSE, DARK FUNERAL, IMMOLATION)
11/03: Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore [TICKETS]
11/04: Albany, NY @ Empire Live [TICKETS]
11/05: Montreal, QC @ MTelus [TICKETS // BILLETS]
11/06: Toronto, ON @ Danforth Music Hall [TICKETS]
11/08: Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre [TICKETS]
11/09: Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's [TICKETS]
11/10: Ft Wayne, IN @ Piere's Entertainment Center [TICKETS]
11/11: Joliet, IL @ The Forge [TICKETS]
11/12: Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave II [TICKETS]
11/15: Calgary, AB @ Palace Theatre [TICKETS]
11/17: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre [TICKETS]
11/18: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre [TICKETS]
11/19: Seattle, WA @ The Showbox [TICKETS]
11/21: San Francisco, CA @ The Regency Ballroom [TICKETS]
11/22: Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [TICKETS]
11/23: San Diego, CA @ The Observatory [TICKETS]
11/25: Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues [TICKETS]
11/26: Tucson, AZ @ Encore [TICKETS]
11/28: Austin, TX @ Empire Garage [TICKETS]
11/29: Dallas, TX @ House of Blues [TICKETS]
11/30: Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom [TICKETS]
12/02: Denver, CO @ Decibel Metal & Beer Fest* [TICKETS]
12/03: Lawrence , KS @ The Granada [TICKETS]
12/04: Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre [TICKETS]
12/05: Belvidere, IL @ The Apollo Theater [TICKETS]
12/06: Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue [TICKETS]
12/08: Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse at the International [TICKETS]
12/09: Athens, GA @ Georgia Theatre [TICKETS]
12/10: St. Petersburg, FL @ Jannus Live [TICKETS]
*Festival date
New York City has always served as a cultural epicenter for musical innovation. Even more so than incubating genres in their infancy such as hardcore and even glam metal, for which bands like Twisted Sister and KISS long set the stage before the Sunset Strip took the reigns, the empire state has a storied and unique history of taking genres whose roots lie elsewhere and making them its own; whether it be Anthrax reinventing Bay Area thrash, Suffocation and Immolation planting their flag as death metal purveyors at a time when it was a primary export of Florida, or bands like Blondie and the Ramones rivaling the British punk scene, the city has always been at the forefront of musical excellence. And when it comes to New York’s answer to black metal, Black Anvil have not only been a driving force for USBM, but have taken the black metal genre as a whole and made it entirely their own. Now, with full-length number five, the band has once again leveled up their game, presenting a “regenesis” of black metal.
Here you have 12 tracks of unrelenting yet thought provoking evil, sure to have you take a second & thoroughly re-examined view of what you thought black metal was supposed to be. “This is a more stripped down and aggressive song writing approach. Having time to digest ‘As Was,’ to understand where we were then versus where we are now was key. We always focus inward with our writing, never wanting to repeat ourselves, while also not losing our identity in a stretch to sound different,” explains Black Anvil bassist/vocalist P.
Challenging the norm has always been a core part of Black Anvil’s DNA since their formation in 2007. Upon the release of their debut full-length, Time Insults the Mind, the band quickly garnered the attention of Relapse Records and were presented with a deal. When it came to album number two, the band diverged from the typical approach of their contemporaries and sought an unlikely counterpart to render their vision, tapping engineer “General” George Fullan (The Rolling Stones, Dream Theater) at Mark “The Animal” Mendoza’s (Twisted Sister) Diamond Drop Studio on Long Island, NY. Released in September 2010, sophomore offering Triumvirate received much critical acclaim, notably being revered as an "all-around monster metal album."
Four years after its release, Triumvirate was followed by Hail Death, a 70-minute journey of intensity that further established Black Anvil as a modern black metal powerhouse. The album was met with praise by publications including Noisey, Pitchfork, Stereogum, Metal Injection, and many more. With the album’s success, the band’s profile rose as they were tapped to participate in numerous prominent tours with black metal legends such as Mayhem, Watain, Urfaust, Marduk as well as dates with Aura Noir, Nachtmystium, Immortal, Eyehategod, Cannibal Corpse, etc. Additionally, the band has appeared at various prestigious festivals including the Scion Rock Fest, Beyond The Gates in Bergen, Norway and the renowned Roadburn Festival in The Netherlands.
In 2017, Black Anvil dropped their fourth studio-album, As Was. Atmospheric and melodic without relenting on any of the ferocity that the collective has always been known for, As Was seamlessly weaves through eight monumental passages of extreme metal art, more diverse, complex, and thought-provoking than anything they've done before. The record proved itself to be a stellar representation of modern black metal and of Black Anvil’s continuous progression and songcraft.
Now, nearly six years after As Was made its mark, Black Anvil is returning with its aptly titled fifth full-length, Regenesis. With a new record label, a new album, and a newfound exploration of dark and black metal, Regenesisrepresents a new dawn for the New York City collective. “The concept is renewal, as well as the process/journey to get here outgrowing our past,” explains P. “Black Anvil has always been a departure from our past, a vehicle for us to grow as individuals, like a snake constantly shedding its skin. We don’t look back, but never forget.”
Make no mistake, Regenesis is not a departure from Black Anvil’s identity, but rather serves as the latest progression in the band’s ever-evolving sound. The record takes what As Was did best and does it even better. The unrelenting and polished aggression hangs in the balance above dark melodic passages, presenting a dynamic soundscape that serves as the band’s most devastating and existential offering to date. As it’s evident that the band pulls inspiration from unlikely corners, they defy all genre standards and make one thing clear - this isn’t just black metal, this is NYBM.
Genre: New York Black Metal
Line-up:
R: Drums
P: Bass/Vocals
J: Guitar
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/BlackAnvil/
https://www.instagram.com/blackanvil/
https://twitter.com/BlackAnvil
https://blackanvil.bandcamp.com/
https://blackanvilmerch.bigcartel.com/
Recording: Colin Marston at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves
Mixing + Mastering: by Tore Stjerna at Necromorbus Studio
Guest vocals:
Danny “Ezec” Diablo on “NYC Nightmares”
Artwork: Metastazis, Paris
Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/BlackAnvil
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/blackanvilregen
Kingsmen Drop New Single + Music Video For "Bitter Half" via Sharptone Records
Providence, RI quintet Kingsmen have unleashed their latest single and music video for "Bitter Half" via Sharptone Records. Speaking on today's release, the band shares:
"There’s always a good guy and bad guy.
Every story has one.
Every person has an inner voice speaking on behalf of each side.
Every idea you create involves them.
More often than not, the bad guy in our minds seems like a big scary monster.
They’re intimidating.
They can be enticing.
They can make things seem too easy.
They can cheat you out of a great opportunity by offering the coward's way out.
They can make you feel weak.
'Bitter Half' is about knowing you’ve been taken advantage of by that 'devil on your shoulder’.
It’s about standing up and saying enough is enough.
It’s time to move on.
It’s time to become better.
It’s time to say “fuck you” to your bitter half.“
Prior to today's drop, Kingsmen have previously released the music video for "Trial By Fire", the band's first new, original release since their 2020 debut album, 'Revenge. Forgiveness. Recovery'. Watch the music video for "Bitter Half" below, stream the track here, and be sure to stay tuned for more Kingsmen news coming soon.
ABOUT KINGSMEN
Setting their sights on achieving what they’ve dubbed a “big metal sound that fills up your whole brain when listening to it between the headphones,” Providence, RI five-piece Kingsmen are back, ushering in the dawning of a new era for the band.
Returning with new influences, locations, producers, and creative process compared to their 2020 debut, 'Revenge. Forgiveness. Recovery', things were naturally bound to change. The point of a successful evolution is becoming the best version of oneself. And to do so, remaining true to one’s core elements is a vital factor. As a result, the band didn’t aim for a trend, they made a point to return to their roots. Reflecting on his classical training, frontman, Tanner Guimond even found himself rediscovering a singing voice he felt he had left in the past long ago but was destined to revisit.
Choosing to return to their roots, the band embrace the fighting spirit at the core of Kingsmen, connecting with listeners through universal themes and lyrical stories ranging from championing positivity to coming together in the face of adversity. Shining light and hope into all they do is something the band has no intention of changing. As Guimond eloquently puts it,
“To be a kingsman is to be someone that has the courage to endure the worst, but still reflect the best parts of humanity. So, with all of our songs, that’s what we try and showcase. There’s no way that anyone will go through life without experiencing some terrible things. But to grow from that… to become a better person after the fact is, we believe, one of the true purposes of life. Maybe someday we’ll do something wild like a concept album with ogres and elves. But we really believe that when you’re conveying your emotions through music, it comes across when you’re being honest. So as often as we can, and as many different ways possible, there’s no doubt that you’ll see a lot more of that kind of attitude through our music in the future.”
Kingsmen Are:
Tanner Guimond - Vocals
Tim Lucier - Guitar
Nick Gilbert - Guitar
Adam Bakelman - Bass
Mike Perrotta - Drums
TRAUMA PARTS WAYS WITH BASSIST GREG CHRISTIAN, NEW MUSIC RELEASE ‘AWAKENING’ SET FOR SEPTEMBER 9TH
Bay Area thrash metal band TRAUMA has parted ways with bassist, Greg Christian, after both parties came to a mutual decision and wish Greg all the best in his musical undertakings. Greg played bass on the band’s last two albums ‘As The World Dies’ and ‘Awakening’. TRAUMA’s new album ‘Awakening’ will be coming out on September 9th via Massacre Records and can be pre-ordered via this link: https://lnk.to/trauma-awakening
Michael Spencer, formerly with Flotsam and Jetsam/Sentinel Beast, has stepped in for the band’s appearances at the Little Devil Club on August 13th and the Alcatraz Festival on August 14th.
“I’ve done shows in the past with both Brian and Joe and had a copy of ‘As The World Dies’, the band’s 2018 release,” says Spencer, best known for being the bassist to fill the unexpected void in Flotsam, after Jason Newsted quickly left the band for Metallica. “So when Brian called to see I’d be interested in helping the band fill their open bass spot for some European dates, after sending me few advanced tracks off TRAUMA’s new album ‘Awakening’, I was in. Pretty impressive music coming from the guys that will be a blast to play live at Alcatraz Metal Festival, hopefully hanging with a few of my Belgian and Dutch friends.”
And TRAUMA is excited about playing on stage with Michael. "We are delighted to have Michael Spencer onboard for these shows."
In addition to Brian Allen (vocals), TRAUMA’s line-up that recorded ‘Awakening’ features Joe Fraulob (guitar), Steve Robello (guitar), Greg Christian (bass), and Kris Gustofson (drums). ‘Awakening’ was produced by Juan Urteaga and features artwork by Ioannis.
Originally formed in 1981 in San Francisco, TRAUMA was one of the first heavy metal bands – along with Exodus, Metallica, and Testament – to trailblaze the style now known as “thrash.” And the thrash metal band’s original bassist was none other than the late/legendary Cliff Burton (who would later join Metallica). 1984 saw the release of the group’s debut album ‘Scratch and Scream,’ before the band parted in 1985. But in 2013, Trauma reunited and have been back in business ever since.
“I am very excited that we are at a point of new music coming out to the metal fans,” says Gustofson. “This album was recorded during a very strange time and was almost off the table. We were lucky to have Brian Allen join the band and make the new album possible. Am hopeful the fans of thrash metal will sink their teeth into the AWAKENING! It is a feast for all!”
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:
Norwegian Viking Metal Veterans EINHERJER Release Live Version of “Dragons of the North” + Artwork Video
Upcoming Live Album, Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends), out August 5, 2022 via Napalm Records
Pre Order NOW!
Entering the last powerful round before its release, EINHERJER reveal the third single from their upcoming live album, Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends). “Dragons of the North” stands as one of the band’s trademark songs. Originally released over 25 years ago on their debut album, Dragons of the North (1996), it offers powerful, husky live vocals and heavy drum and guitar elements, marking another featured staple of the band.
Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends) was recorded in the band’s hometown of Haugesund in February of last year at their North Star album release shows, and follows the release of said full length, which was acclaimed both by fans and media alike (Spark 5/5 [CZ], Deaf Forever 8/10 [DE], Hardline 8.5/10 [DE], Metal Hammer 8/10 [UK]).
Watch the artwork video for the live version of “Dragons of the North”
Viking Metal pioneers EINHERJER unleash incredible live power!
World-renowned Norsemen EINHERJER have returned to unleash their fantastic, grim sound once more! Founded in 1993, the metal veterans have spent nearly 30 years making their mark on the Viking metal genre with eight studio albums and two EPs. This year, the band even reached another benchmark, earning a nomination for a Spellemann Award – the most important music prize in their home country of Norway!
Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends) sets off with great opener “West Coast Groove” from their most recent studio album, North Star. Next, “The Spirit Of A Thousand Years” showcases EINHERJER’s technical songwriting sophistication with the finest guitar solos, while “The Blood & The Iron” offers bursting, intense energy and “Kill The Flame” lures with its characteristic riffage. But the band doesn’t stop with more recent songs! After visiting several other favorites, the band soon returns to days of yore with tracks like “Dragons Of The North” and “Ballad Of The Swords” from their 1996 debut full-length Dragons Of The North, before closing with turn-of-the-century banger “Ironbound” and classic tune “Far Far North”. The live contrast between their formative hits and more recent orchestrations clearly proves that the band has remained true to themselves throughout the decades, continually delivering an authentic sound.
EINHERJER on the live album Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends):
"With no gigs in a year and new blood in our ranks, we recorded the two hometown release shows just to get an idea of what we sounded like live in 2021. It only took one listen to realize that our fans would appreciate this as much as we did. EINHERJER live is an energetic experience. We want to let everyone hear that, so here's our first live album, recorded live on our home turf in front of many familiar faces. The document of a great evening!"
Pre-Order “Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends)” NOW:
Norse And Dangerous (Live... From The Land Of Legends) will be available in the following formats:
- 2LP Gatefold Marbled Crystal Clear Sky Blue VInyl & Poster (strictly limited to 300 copies)
- Digital Full Length Live Album
EINHERJER is:
Gerhard Storesund - Drums, Keyboards
Frode Glesnes - Vocals, Guitar & Bass
Ole Sønstabø - Lead Guitars
Tom Enge - Guitars, Backing Vocals
Scott and Sandi Borchetta’s Music Has Value Fund Issues Grant to Music Health Alliance
Scott and Sandi Borchetta’s Music Has Value Fund Issues Grant
to Music Health Alliance
The Borchettas’ $150,000 Donation will Help Provide Healthcare Support to the Music Industry
Photo Credit: Nick Rau
Big Machine Label Group Founder/President/CEO Scott Borchetta and his wife Sandi Borchetta, who is BMLG's Executive Vice President of Creative, announced today that they have issued a $150,000 grant to the Nashville-based Music Health Alliance, an organization that provides free healthcare advocacy and support to more than 18,000 music industry members across 49 states. The Borchetta’s contribution was issued through their Music Has Value fund that was established in 2015 to provide financial support to organizations which support those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music. In 2020, the Music Has Value Fund provided fifteen $10,000 grants to music programs throughout the United States.
“For over 30 years, Scott and Sandi Borchetta have made a profound impact on Nashville and the music industry through their leadership, entrepreneurship, and philanthropic endeavors,” says Music Health Alliance Founder & CEO Tatum Allsep. “We are overwhelmed by their generous contribution today through their Music Has Value fund. This grant will greatly help us in our mission to Heal the Music.”
“Access to healthcare is something every human deserves and the work that Music Health Alliance does to help those working in music gain access to medicine, mental health resources or even COVID-19 relief, is nothing short of heroic,” says Scott and Sandi Borchetta. “In order for those working in the music business to create and produce their best work, they must be healthy and well. We are proud to know that this Music Has Value grant will provide healthcare to so many people in our music community.”
The Borchettas’ announcement today arrives days before the second annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix takes over downtown Nashville. The leading entertainment and spirits company became the title sponsor of the IndyCar race last summer which drew in over 110,000 spectators to Music City. The three-day event is a highlight for both race and music fans alike. Big Machine superstars like Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce, Brantley Gilbert, and Midland will all perform throughout the weekend. Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix can be purchased at www.MusicCityGP.com
To learn more about the Music Has Value, visit www.MusicHasValue.com
For those looking to learn more about resources offered by Music Health Alliance, visit www.MusicHealthAlliance.com
ABOUT MUSIC HAS VALUE: The Music Has Value fund was created in 2015 by Scott and Sandi Borchetta to provide funds to organizations which support those who make music, aspire to make music, and access and appreciate music. The fund, administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, continues to target K-12 schools needing instruments and resources, with an emphasis on rural areas that are often overlooked. In 2020, the Music Has Value Fund provided fifteen $10,000 grants to music programs throughout the United States. Additionally, Music Has Value aims to enrich lives both young and old, and a portion of the dollars pledged will support music therapy programs for seniors and those battling Alzheimer's. Additionally, the Music Has Value fund has provided support to CreatiVets, non-profit organization that provides combat veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and brain injury with opportunities to use art, music and creative writing to heal their unseen wounds of war. For more information, visit www.MusicHasValue.com.
ABOUT MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE: Founded in 2013 and based in Nashville, Music Health Alliance (MHA) has provided free healthcare advocacy and lifesaving support and resources to more than 18,000 music industry members across 49 states in the non-profit’s first nine years. MHA has supported songwriters, musicians, performers, producers, engineers, venue operators, artist managers, agents, publishers, business managers, and more by providing access to medicine, mental health resources, COVID-19 relief, diagnostic tests, lifesaving transplants, end of life care, and many other necessary services, saving more than $85,000,000 in healthcare costs for the nationwide music community in less than a decade. Entirely funded through grants and individual and corporate donations, financial support from the music community is critical to continue MHA’s advocacy and free services. For every $1 donation, MHA is able to provide $30 in life-saving healthcare resources to Heal the Music. MHA fights so those in our industry never have to feel alone in a health crisis and removes obstacles so patients can receive lifesaving care. All MHA services are free to any person who has worked in the music industry for three or more years or who has credited contributions to 4 commercially released recordings or videos. Spouses, partners, and children of qualifying individuals may also receive access to the non-profit’s services from birth to end of life. More info at https://www.musichealthalliance.com/.
Toronto power trio ON presents 'Underdog' single, gears up to kick off tour dates
Alternative / indie rockers ON - a trio comprised of Toronto music scene veterans, formerly of popular 90’s outfits Acid Test, Danko Jones and Rocket Science - present their brazen new single 'Underdog' as they reveal dates for their impending Ontario tour.
The band will be embarking on their 'Underdog' Tour throughout August, hitting venues in Kingston, Ottawa, Baldwin, Toronto, Barrie, Paris, Niagara Falls, Cambridge, Hamilton, and London.
'Underdog' is the first taste of the band's new 'ON' album, scheduled for release on September 20 via Indiestructable Records. This is a song about hope, love, angst and dreams. It's about the temptation to get back in the ring once more when the world no longer makes any sense and you have nothing to lose. The accompanying video was filmed by Lindi Gordon and edited by Michael Gucciardi.
ON creates sonic guitar-based landscapes and is centered around the undeniable chemistry of its core members Lucy Di Santo (vocals, bass), Dan Cornelius(drums) and Steve Fall (guitars). While ON was active through the 1990’s and 2000s as the members’ side project, it has since taken on greater meaning at the forefront of the members' musical plans.
"This record deals with where we are today and what we’ve overcome, persevering as a society and as individuals. I found myself as part of a genuinely authentic creative, human experience with Steve and Dan in various geographical locations including NYC, Florida and Toronto and felt the need to document it melodically. It’s about pain, hope, reframing and overcoming. It’s about survival. The songs are an authentic and complete collaboration of the triad and soul connection that is ON," says frontwoman Lucy Di Santo.
Always pushing forward with an eye on the rear-view mirror, ON pays homage to its roots in timeless classics, post-punk, grunge, old-school funk and 90s college rock. Well-crafted songs with an attention to arrangement, groove and performance a la carte, ON's music connects with an audience seeking out impactful and genre-defying music.
With infectious guitar riffs with a dash of p-funk groove, ON's music recalls a listening journey of classic albums on vinyl. While some songs are carried by emotional weight, some are ripping mini-audio trips with invigorating twists and turns. Lucy’s signature vocal phrasings, infectious ear-candy melodies and harmonies meet with a driving rhythm section and powerful poignant guitar artistry.
"This record is a document of friendship navigating explores in pain, and hope. Looking at the world with a collaborative effort to document what we see, witness and feel through songwriting and chemistry as band," says ON guitarist Steve Fall.
"The three of us have been great friends for years and we have deep respect for each other‘s talents and songwriting abilities. We all decided to make some music in a rehearsal space in Manhattan when Steve n Lu were visiting Manhattan a couple years back. Instead of making it a one time thing, we had such a blast that we continued writing music online via video calls. As soon as there were opportunities to get together, we met up and, one by one, we started to chip away at the songs until we were happy," says ON drummer Dan Cornelius.
ON has previously toured across the USA, as well as playing various pockets of Mexico and Canada. Their recordings are found on various CFNY and CMW New Music Compilations, as well as a limited cassette tape releases via the Opcion Sonica label with sales at over 6,000 in just one weekend at an open-air market in Mexico City.
While Toronto is still home for Di Santo and Fall, Cornelius currently resides in NYC. The trio collaborated and wrote the material for this album in Toronto and New York City, their work culminating with pre-production recording in Fort Meyers during the winter of 2021 with Drew Howard at Star Sound Studios. The band has since been working out of Phase One Studios with sound engineer Darius Szczepaniak (Sum 41, Black Crowes, Big Sugar, Bare Naked Ladies, Jann Arden, Moxy Früvous).
'Underdog' is out now, available everywhere online, including Bandcamp. The full 'ON' album will be released on September 16 and can be pre-ordered at https://indiestructablerecords.com. The band kick off their 'Underdog' Tour on August 12.
ALBUM CREDITS
Written, arranged by ON (Di Santo, Fall, Cornelius)
Lucy Di Santo - vocals, bass
Dan Cornelius - drums
Steve Fall - guitars
Produced by ON and Darius Szczepaniak
Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Darius Szczepaniak at Phase One Studios, Toronto
Preproduction & original engineering by Drew Howard at The Star Sound Studios, Cape Coral, FL
Additional drum programming (FLA) by Jay Aitch / The Star Sound Studios
Video for 'Underdog' filmed by Lindi Gordon and edited by Michael Gucciardi
TOUR DATES
August 12 - NIAGARA FALLS (supporting The Trews)
August 13 - Paris Fairgrounds, BAJC Jeep Festival, PARIS
August 14 - NIAGARA FALLS (supporting Said The Whale)
August 18 - Toucan, KINGSTON
August 19 - CafeDekcuf, OTTAWA
August 20 - Baldwin Festival, BALDWIN
August 20 - Dakota Tavern, TORONTO
August 23 - Flying Monkey (acoustic set), BARRIE
August 25 - Rhythm and Brews, CAMBRIDGE
August 26 - Doors Pub: Taco Joint & Metal Bar, HAMILTON
August 27 - The Richmond Tavern, LONDON
Keep up with ON
Website | LinkTree | Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music
NYC indie-folk songstress Jessie Kilguss presents 'Great White Shark' with new video
"Kilguss artfully pulls us into her wistful nostalgia with a bit of twang and a strummy, well arranged instrumental accompaniment" ~ Guitar World
“Stellar, pure, inspired and inspiring… her voice is as clear as her vision and every element of her music is perfectly placed. While performed with impeccable precision” ~ The Spill Magazine
"Finely-wrought, deep, dark valentine... well-crafted” ~ American Songwriter
“Artfully beautiful, full of radiant harmonics, stylish rhythms, and Jessie Kilguss’ enchantress-like tones. Imaginative and numinous" ~ Seattle Post-Intelligencer
"She uses her songs to probe possibilities that lie just below the surface, allowing them to resonate in ways that allow for greater interest and intrigue" ~ Goldmine Magazine
"Fluid and poised... Her flawless lyrical and melodic aesthetic relays uncompromising emotion in a light and flowing style" ~ The Aquarian
NYC-based cinematic folk-rock artist Jessie Kilguss is back to offer a pure dose of her magical realism with the single 'Great White Shark'. The first single of her new album 'What Do Whales Dream About at Night?', this is a welcome taster, four years since her latest studio album 'The Fastness'.
This song with remarkable narrative is complemented by a endearing animated video, produced and directed by Deborah Magocsi with film footage by Magocsi, Rick Putnam and Jason Boyd.
Inspired by storytelling and emotion, Kilguss is a former actress, whose acting highlights include the film adaptation of Arthur Miller’s 'The Crucible', starring Daniel Day Lewis and Winona Ryder, and the UK production of 'As You Like It', directed by Royal Shakespeare Company founder Sir Peter Hall.
She made the switch to songwriting after working with her musical hero Marianne Faithfull in the London and Sydney productions of 'The Black Rider', a musical written by Tom Waits and William Burroughs, which was directed by Robert Wilson and also featured Mary Margaret O'Hara.
Produced by Adam Lasus (Yo La Tengo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Helium)along with Kilguss and her band members, Lasus also engineered the recordings, which were mixed and mastered by Charlie Nieland (Debbie Harry, Rufus Wainwright, Blondie).
This album also features Brian Griffin (Patti Smith, Brandi Carlisle, Lana Del Rey), Whynot Jansveld (The Wallflowers, Butch Walker, Sara Bareilles), LA-based award-winning composer and producer Naren Rauch, and Nathan Schram (Bjork, David Crosby, David Byrne, The Attacca Quartet), with whom Kilguss runs Musicambia, a nonprofit that brings music programs inside prisons.
"In 2018, I was helping teach a 3-day songwriting workshop at a correctional facility for girls (aged 11-14) in upstate NY with the nonprofit Musicambia. We were writing a collective song, going around the circle and everyone was adding a line. I had just read in the news that a man had been eaten by a shark and I thought it would make everybody laugh so I added my line “a Great White Shark ate a man off Cape Cod”. Even though it’s horrendous, it was so far out of left field that everyone did laugh. I got home and decided to turn my line into a song," explains Jessie Kilguss.
"For help, I turned to 'Technicians of the Sacred', an amazing anthology of ancient poetry from around the world, which I came to through Nick Cave’s newsletter 'The Red Hand Files', having recommended it as inspiration for songwriters. There’s an incredible poem in there that’s actually a spell to create gangrene of the nose. It inspired the repetitive nature of the lyrics of this song. Even though the subject matter is truly awful, it’s meant to have a light touch. It’s meant to be funny… Even though I have irrational shark fears when at the beach, I think that sharks get a bad rap. There’s this guy on Instagram (the Malibu Artist), who takes drone footage of Great White Sharks off the coast of Malibu. They’re always out there and they often come very close to people but it’s very very rare that they attack."
In addition to writing and performing her own music, Kilguss also sings with Gramercy Arms, Jim Andralis and the Syntonics and Benjamin Cartel, having previously performed at the Sundance Film Festival and with Freddie Stevenson, supporting The Waterboys during their European tour.
On July 20, 'Great White Shark' will be released across digital platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. The full album 'What Do Whales Dream About at Night?' will be released on September 23. That same evening (starting at 8:30), Kilguss celebrate her album with a release show at Rockwood 3 in New York.
CREDITS
All songs written by Jessie Kilguss
Recorded at Studio Red in LA in 2021
Produced by Adam Lasus, Brian Griffin, Naren Rauch, Whynot Jansveld & Jessie Kilguss
Engineered by Adam Lasus at Studio Red in North Hollywood
Mixed & mastered by Charlie Nieland
Jessie Kilguss - vocals and harmonium
Brian Griffin- drums, percussion, piano strings & backing vocals
Whynot Jansveld - bass, keys & backing vocals
Naren Rauch- guitars, keys, piano strings and backing vocals
Nathan Schram – strings
Artist photography by Shervin Lainez
Video produced and directed by Deborah Magocsi
Filmed by Deborah Magocsi, Rick Putnam and Jason Boyd
LIVE SHOWS
Aug. 23 - Pete’s Candy Store with Gary Burton and the Highland Shatners
Sept. 23 - Rockwood Music Hall, Stage 3 - Album release show
Keep up with Jessie Kilguss
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music
Sea of Tranquility and VisionMerch.com are thrilled to announce Sea of Tranquility Fest 2022
Sea of Tranquility and VisionMerch.com are thrilled to announce Sea of Tranquility Fest 2022 live at the Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY on October 1, 2022.
Sea of Tranquility is a web portal for information, news, and reviews related to the worlds of progressive rock, various forms of metal, and fusion music with a large following on social media and YouTube. The Sea Of Tranquility team organized an online event, Sea Of Tranquility Fall Fest, in 2020 that was very well received and had some great bands involved (Uriah Heep, Doro Pesch, Mark Kelly from Marillion, Andy Powell from Wishbone Ash and many more).
Inspired by the success of the online version, Sea of Tranquility founder Pete Pardo decided to take the next step and hold a live in person version of the event. “SoT Fall Fest 2022 will bring together many of the elements that make our YouTube Channel & Webzine a daily destination for so many people-progressive rock, classic rock, hard rock, heavy metal, and insightful conversation. Join us for a jam-packed day of music & talk! Break away from your television, computer, tablet, and phone as the Sea of Tranquility crew break away from Zoom for a day full of music & discussion at The Chance Theater in Poughkeepsie, NY. You are all welcome!” – Peter Pardo, SeaOfTranquility.org
Sea of Tranquility Fest 2022 will feature live version of popular Sea of Tranquility panels in the afternoon and a Q&A with Chris Caffery of Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
The evening portion will feature performance from Nektar, Vanilla Fudge (featuring original members Mark Stein, Vince Martell, Carmine Appice and Pete Bremy), Pat Travers Band, Epic Tantrum and Sonus Unbra. There will also be a live Q&A with Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash between sets.
"We're happy to be headlining the Sea Of Tranquility Festival on Saturday, October 1,” says Nektar’s Derek "Mo" Moore. “Hope you can join us for what's sure to be a great evening! We are looking forward to seeing and meeting you there!"
Lastly, respected author and SOT recurring guest Martin Popoff is also honored to be a part of the festival and looking forward to participating.
“It’s an honor for me to be part of the Sea of Tranquility Fall Fest. Pete Pardo, through his encyclopedic music knowledge and easy manner delivering it many times a week for years, has built up an impressive like-minded community of fully 76,000 subscribers, many of who have
been clamoring for something like this certainly for at least the nearly two years since it’s become a rumor. It’s going to be a huge pleasure meeting in person so many of them along with many of the fellow speakers Pete calls up to share in the Sea of Tranquility experience day after day, across all his many shows, each celebrating some aspect of the rock ‘n’ roll experience.”
“Discussion, debate and possibly a few drinks will be the order of the day, as Pete has planned live on-stage versions of many of the shows we see on the channel, followed by generous Q&As. I’m looking forward to the vendors as well, and then once into the evening, the esteemed slate of classic rock, heavy metal and progressive rock bands Pete has gotten to be part of entertainment across two simultaneously humming stages. All told, this is the ultimate celebration of the extended Sea of Tranquility family under one roof, analyzing and celebrating music. And once all our voices are hoarse, we get to settling in for a dance card of legendary rock bands—many of whom have been discussed on the channel repeatedly through the years—all doing their thing in the spirit of communion Pete has effortlessly fostered through his remarkable channel.”
Tickets:
$60 General Admission (general admission tickets get entrance to evening and afternoon sessions)
$75 Reserved Seats in the Chance theater (Reserved Tickets get entrance to evening and afternoon sessions)
Tickets are available at https://www.ticketweb.com/event/sea-of-tranquility-nektar-vanilla-the-chance-tickets/12342675?pl=chance
More about Nektar:
For more than 50 years, Nektar has taken legions of fans on audio-visual journeys to far reaches of the universe and the depths of the ocean with their immersive blend of sight and sound. These prog-rock pioneers have been champing at the bit to get back on the road and are excited to announce they will tour America’s Northeast and Midwest this autumn, with many more dates scheduled through Spring 2022. The “Vinyl Sides Live” Tour marks Nektar’s eagerly awaited return to the road, spotlighting some of the best-loved “album sides” from their evergreen catalog, as well as 2020’s acclaimed release, “The Other Side,” plus new material.
Formed in Germany in 1969 by British expats, Nektar soaked up the musical freedom they found in their new home, favoring extended compositions and concept albums over the constraints of pop. They were among the progenitors of the progressive rock movement of the 1970s as well as the jam-band scene that arose in the late 1990s. Their sound traveled well to the States, where they enjoyed Top 40 success with “A Tab in the Ocean” (1972) and “Remember the Future” (1973). Nearly 20 albums and a half-century later, the band’s artistic and personal charisma has earned them masses of devoted fans, who have flocked to festivals such as NearFest and ProgStock, and venues like the Wildey Theatre (where they perform multi-night sold-out shows) to indulge their passion for the Nektar experience.
Currently, Nektar features three of the original members – Derek ‘Mo’ Moore (bass guitar, vocals), Ron Howden (drums, percussion, vocals) and Mick Brockett (visual environment). Ryche Chlanda (guitar, vocals) and Randy Dembo (bass guitar, bass pedals, 12-string guitar, vocals) are alums of previous Nektar incarnations. World-class multi-instrumentalist Kendall Scott completes the lineup on keyboards; his performance credits include Project/Object and Ryche Chlanda’s Flying Dreams. They will be joined onstage by Maryann Castello on backing vocals.
More about Vanilla Fudge:
Vanilla Fudge is an American rock band known predominantly for their slow extended heavy rock arrangements of contemporary hit songs, most notably "You Keep Me Hangin' On". The original line–up Featured Mark Stein, Tim Bogert , Vince Martell and Carmine Appice.
The Fudge is currently touring with three of the four original members: Stein, Martell, and Appice with Pete Bremy taking over for Tim Bogert when he retired in 2009.
Vanilla Fudge has been cited as "one of the few American links between psychedelia and what soon became heavy metal." Vanilla Fudge also is known to have influenced other major bands such as The Nice, Deep Purple, Yes, Styx, Led Zeppelin, and Uriah Heep.
More about Pat Travers Band:
Patrick Henry Travers is a Canadian rock guitarist, keyboardist and singer who began his recording career in the mid-1970s and has released such popular albums as 1979’s “Live! Go for What You Know” and 1980’s “Crash and Burn,” and such classic rock tunes as “Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)” and “Snortin’ Whiskey.” Some of the very best rock musicians have backed Travers over the years, including bassist Peter “Mars” Cowling, and drummers Nicko McBrain and Tommy Aldridge, while Travers has shared bills with some of the greatest rock acts of all-time, including Rush, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Motörhead, and Ozzy Osbourne, among many others.
More about Epic Tantrum:
Syracuse based Epic Tantrum released their critically acclaimed debut album, “Abandoned in the Strangers Room” in January of 2020. The release has been praised around the world for their first rate songwriting and stellar musicianship.
"A perfect blend of prog and metal" - Mike Portnoy, (Dream Theater, Sons Of Apollo and more)
"this band is a force to be reckoned with" - Pete Pardo, Sea of Tranquility
More about Sonus Umbra:
Sonus Umbra is a prog rock group made up of some of the most accomplished veteran musicians of the Chicago rock music scene. The band which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary traces its roots back to early 90’s Mexico City, followed by a stint in the late 90’s and early 00’s in Baltimore. Sonus Umbra has released six critically acclaimed albums, toured extensively throughout North America, and appeared at major music festivals including RoSfest (USA), Progtoberfest (USA), Terra Incognita (Canada) and Rompiendo Fronteras/Breaking Borders (Mexico). The band includes Rich Poston on guitar/keyboards/vocals, Tim McCaskey on guitar/vocals, Steve Royce on flute/vocals/holophonics, Roey Ben-Yoseph on lead vocals/percussion, Brittany Lee Moffitt on lead vocals, Bill Harrison on drums, with Andy Tillotson on drums/guitar/vocals and Luis Nasser on bass the last two standing from previous incarnations. Sonus Umbra plays dark, symphonic prog rock that is equally influenced by bands like Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Rush, Jethro Tull, Iron Maiden and King Crimson.
More about Chris Caffery:
Chris Caffery an American musician, best known for his work as a member of Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
More about Andy Powell:
Andy Powell is an English guitarist and songwriter. He is a founding member of the British band Wishbone Ash, whose use of twin lead guitars was influential. Wishbone Ash are noted for their extensive use of harmony twin lead guitars, which had been attracting electric blues bands since Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page had played together in the Yardbirds in 1966 Their contributions helped Andy Powell and Ted Turner to be voted "Two of the Ten Most Important Guitarists in Rock History" (Traffic magazine 1989), and to appear in the "Top 20 Guitarists of All Time" (Rolling Stone). Melody Maker (1972) described Powell and Turner as "the most interesting two guitar team since the days when Beck and Page graced The Yardbirds". Several notable bands have cited Wishbone Ash as an influence, including Iron Maiden, Van Halen, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thin Lizzy, Metallica, Dream Theater, Overkill and Opeth.
Check Out BLACKTOP MOJO Cover of AUDIOSLAVE "Getaway Car" with DYLAN WHEELER ; Catch BLACKTOP MOJO LIVE! FFO: Lynyrd Skynyrd, ZZ Top, Pantera, Blackberry Smoke, Soundgarden
Texas Rock Band BLACKTOP MOJO, led by front-man MATT JAMES, has teamed with fellow Texas vocal powerhouse DYLAN WHEELERto release their potent cover of AUDIOSLAVE's "Getaway Car." Inspired during the band's 2022 tour, the vocal heavyweights teamed up upon BLACKTOP MOJO's return, showcasing that Texas is fast dominating the New Wave Of Classic Rock movement!
"Dylan and Nathan were talking on the phone as we were rolling down the road on our spring tour and got to chatting about Chris Cornell. Dylan said, 'Dude we should do ‘Getaway Car’ together.' Nathan responded saying 'Dude! We just started messing around with throwing that song in our set.' We booked the studio right then and made it happen when we got back from the tour."
”We teamed up with our buddy Dylan Wheeler to honor a mutual hero of ours on his birthday with a rendition of one of our favorite songs he ever made. Chris Cornell has inspired and will continue to inspire so many long after we're all gone. ” - Matt James
Catch BLACKTOP MOJO Live!
07/24 @ Strummer's - Fresno, CA
07/26 @ Goldfield Trading Post - Sacramento, CA
07/28 @ Dante's - Portland, OR
07/29 @ Perham Hall - Zillah, WA
07/30 @ Snake River Rock Festival - Lewiston, ID
08/01 @ The Urban Lounge - Salt Lake City, UT
08/02 @ Lost Lake Lounge - Denver, CO
08/16 @ Rose Music Hall - Columbia, MO
08/17 @ The Cavalier Theater - La Crosse, WI
08/19 @ Northwoods Rock Rally - Glen Flora, WI
08/20 @ The Stache - Grand Rapids, MI
08/21 @ Hi-Fi - Indianapolis, IN
08/23 @ The Winchester - Lakewood, OH
08/24 @ Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center - Harrisburg, PA
08/26 @ Montage Music Hall - Rochester, NY
08/27 @ Brew York 2022 - Sackets Harbor, NY
08/30 @ Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
08/31 @ The Crafthouse Stage & Grill - Pittsburgh, PA
09/02 @ Ottawa Tavern - Toledo, OH
09/03 @ Wisconsin Harley-Davidson - Oconomowoc, WI
09/04 @ The Forge - Joliet, IL
09/06 @ Ace of Cups - Columbus, OH
09/07 @ Riverfront Live - Cincinnati, OH
09/09 @ Blue Ridge Rock Festival 2022 - Alton, VA
09/10 @ Scorpions MC Annual Pig Roast - South Lyon, MI
09/11 @ Castle Theatre - Bloomington, IL
09/17 @ Texas State Railroad - Rusk Depot - Rusk, TX
Click for Additional Dates & Ticketing Information.
Formed in late 2012 by vocalist Matt James and drummer Nathan Gillis in the small East Texas town of Palestine, Blacktop Mojo’s fiery blend of sludgy grooves, classic rock guitar riffs, and southern metal shredding falls somewhere between Soundgarden and Lynyrd Skynyrd to form a sound deemed by some as "Texas Grunge". The music draws on a multitude of genres and styles to form a hodgepodge of dirty, heavy rock and roll mixed with sensual and at times even, carnal blues.
After their debut album I Am” in 2014, The band spent a few years cutting their teeth in dive bars, dancehalls, and honky tonks around Texas. In 2017, during the recording of their sophomore record Burn The Ships the guys quit their day jobs, moving into a small house together in Palestine, TX. The house created an unbreakable fellowship between the band and a culture of constant creativity.
Released via their label Cuhmon Records, Burn The Ships yielded two Billboard Top 40 singles on the Mainstream Active Rock charts including “Where The Wind Blows” (#27) and a cover of the Aerosmith classic, “Dream On” (#31). After the album cycle and touring for Burn The Ships concluded, the guys returned home in 2018, where they locked themselves in the band house for six months to write their third record, Under The Sun. The record yielded them another top 40 single in "Can't Sleep" (#27) and the band continued touring in the US through the beginning of 2020.
Locked down with the rest of the world and unable to continue touring, the guys began work on their fourth, self-titled album, which released August 13th, 2021 to rave reviews, reaching #3 on the iTunes Rock Chart and #17 on the all-genre Albums Chart.