"A Dying God Coming Into Human Flesh" is a tune on the fifth studio album "Monotheist" by the Swiss extreme metal band CELTIC FROST. The album was released in May 2006 and was the first new recording released by the band in sixteen years. Upon its release, the album was met with critical acclaim.
The work for the project had been ongoing since 2000. The first recording sessions for the album started in late October 2002. The band consisted of founding members Martin Eric Ain (bass/vocals) and Tom Gabriel Fischer (voice/guitars/keyboards), along with guitarist/producer Erol Unala, Fischer's long-time songwriting partner. Unala became an increasingly significant part of CELTIC FROST during the songwriting. The music is melded elements from doom metal to gothic metal to symphonic metal.
A video was made for the song "A Dying God Coming into Human Flesh", see it below and enjoy today's tune.
Norwegian black metal vet and EMPEROR founder/vocalist IHSAHN has released a new EP, "Telemark", February 14 via Candlelight. It features three new originals and two covers of IRON MAIDEN's "Wrathchild" and, perhaps more surprisingly, Lenny Kravitz's "Rock and Roll Is Dead". Maybe one will be here on one of the Thursday Covers in the future, who knows. IHSAHN has announced two EPs dedicated to his home region of Telemark, where the first one is out now.
For the EPs, he is drawing inspiration from Telemark, the scenic, mountainous southern region in Norway where EMPEROR was formed and IHSAHN has remained throughout his lengthy career. For the first time, his lyrics will be in Norwegian, and he’s let some of those early black metal aesthetics creep back into his songcraft for this first EP.
“The title of the EP is Telemark,” IHSAHN said in a press release. “It’s the county I grew up in and still live in, so the whole thing is situated there and very much inspired by that. So you could say it’s a roots-orientated album. I decided early on that I wanted this to be very purely related to black metal aesthetics. I wanted to distill the basic, bare bones black metal influences of my musical roots, given the overall concept, writing something for and from Telemark. I decided to do Norwegian lyrics for the first time, too. It feels very much closer to home in many ways.”
“My idea all along was that I would perform all the contents of this EP live, but to build the live set, piecing songs from my catalogue that fit with the aesthetics of the EP,” IHSAHN said. “I was very lucky to be able to collaborate with the Inferno Festival, so I’ll be premiering this show at Inferno in 2020. The plan is to then follow up this EP with its aesthetic and musical counterpart, wherein I can distill all those more progressive, experimental and mellow elements of my music.”
Norway's avantgarde metal heroes ENSLAVED continue to exist as one of the most dependable components in extreme metals indestructible backbone. Possessing the reputation as one of the most riveting live acts in metal, they once again offer us talent of the highest calibre with eight new songs, rightly doing justice to their signature extreme/black/Viking/progressive metal sound.
ENSLAVED will be releasing the new single on a Limited Edition 7" vinyl format, limited to 500 pieces. The single will be out on June, 26th and can be pre-ordered here: http://nblast.de/HomeboundVinyl
ENSLAVED's upcoming album "Utgard", will be released in fall 2020.
The tracklist reads as follows:
1. Homebound [A-side]
2. Knights Of The Thunder (TNT Cover) [B-side] - will be played later as a Thursday Cover.
The B-side of the "Homebound" Vinyl is an exclusive to this format.
The band states: "Homebound' is about the greatest reward of exploring and traveling into unknown territory - to "go viking" if you will, turning Homebound at the end of the journey. It is a song that takes Enslaved on a musical journey that is as much an homage to those who dared so we could play our very own style of music: from nurturing blackened roots to nodding at zeppelins in the sky, beholding teutonic thrash titans and watching speeding motorpsychos take off into the futures."
The band recently revealed new details about the upcoming record - propelling the listener deep into their world, the musicians explain:
"Utgard bears countless meanings to us; an image, metaphor, an esoteric 'location', a word on its own etc. – on different levels and layers. From Norse mythology we know it as a landscape where the giants roam; where the gods of Asgard have no control; dangerous, chaotic, uncontrollable and where madness, creativeness, humour and chaos dwell.
The album is a journey into and through Utgard. It is a place of unification of that which is above and that which lies below. It is not about avoiding fear of the pitch-black darkness (it will keep on growing until the next confrontation), but to go into the darkness itself. This is the rebirth of the individual. In a world that has become so obsessed with the false lights of greed, jealousy and egotism this is a necessary journey.
Utgard is not a fairytale, it is a vital part of both your mind and your surroundings, and it has been since the dawn of mankind. Acknowledging that this realm exists and is a vital part of the self, has inspired us deeply since the early days of our lives. Enjoy our journey to the outer limits."
Enjoy today's tune "Homebound", taken from the upcoming album "Utgard".
"Orgasmatron" is a tune by MOTÖRHEAD, it's the title track on the seventh studio album, released 9 August 1986.
"Orgasmatron" is with incendiary lyrics by frontman Lemmy, this song takes on different but related topics in each of the three verses, all written from the first-person perspective. The first verse is about organized religion, which he calls "obsequious and arrogant" and a "sadistic, sacred whore." The second verse deals with politicians, who twist the truth and "revel in your pain." The third verse is about war, which speaks of valor but leads to death. In this verse, Lemmy takes the voice of Mars, the Roman god of war.
"Orgasmatron" is the title track to the group's seventh album, their first album of new material since "Another Perfect Day" in 1983 and their first with guitarist Phil Campbell. It was produced by Bill Laswell, who had previously worked with Herbie Hancock "Sound-System", 1984), Mick Jagger "She's The Boss", 1985 and Yoko Ono "Starpeace", 1985 - not names that bring MOTÖRHEADs sound to mind. According to Phil Campbell, the band wasn't happy with Laswell's production, as it wasn't heavy enough for them.
Today's tune and cover "Orgasmatron" is made by the Brazilian heavy metal SEPULTURA, the tune was on the fourth studio album "Arise", released in 1991, enjoy!
Almost five years after the release of their latest long-player "Sovran", the Swedish DRACONIAN announce the release of their new epos, "Under A Godless Veil", out October 30, 2020 via Napalm Records. The first taste is the new tune, titled "Lustrous Heart".
Once again bringing agony to an end, “Under a Godless Veil” is set to be released in October 30th, 2020 and it's by far the most diverse album the band has created. From traditional Doom to scaled-down, Gothic rock-inspired pieces and more, some will perhaps describe the songs as more refined and meditative. Some ambient elements have been added to the mix without overshadowing the traditional characteristics that are Draconian.
Resonating with the compositions, Anders’s lyrical direction is ambiguous and a progression of the first two-three albums, yet more subtle while embracing the Gnostic philosophy more directly. One could say “Under a Godless Veil” is an act of contemplation; About living and dying and remembering who we are in a strange, abrasive world far from home.
The press release states: The upcoming full-length delivers a captivating mélange of dreary doom and contrasting vocals and is the second offering featuring stunning singer Heike Langhans. The first notes of the opener will immediately draw the listener into a void of interweaving beauty, coalescing with paralyzing depression that leaves nothing but the desire of total immersion in the whole record. Under a Godless Veil carries the legacy of gothic doom metal à la MY DYING BRIDE into a new decade of the genre.
DRACONIAN states:
“To DRACONIAN, Under a Godless Veil is by far the most diverse album we have created. Inspired by some of the music closest to Johan’s heart; everything from traditional Doom to scaled-down, Gothic rock-inspired pieces and more. Some will perhaps describe the songs as more refined and meditative. Some ambient elements have been added to the mix without overshadowing the traditional characteristics that are DRACONIAN.
Resonating with the compositions, Anders’s lyrical direction is ambiguous and a progression of the first two-three albums, yet more subtle while embracing the Gnostic philosophy more directly. One could say Under a Godless Veil is an act of contemplation; About living and dying and remembering who we are in a strange, abrasive world far from home.“
British doom metal veterans MY DYING BRIDE did release their new studio album, "The Ghost Of Orion", on March 6 via Nuclear Blast. An album that I haven't added so much time yet, soon I hope as the single sounds really good.
The cover artwork for "The Ghost Of Orion" was created by artist Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH, SODOM).
MY DYING BRIDE are an English doom metal band formed in Bradford. Since their inception in 1990, The band has released thirteen full-length studio albums, three EPs, one demo, one box set, four compilation albums, one live album, and one live CD/DVD release.
Along with ANATHEMA and PARADISE LOST, MY DYING BRIDE were a forerunner of the death-doom metal and gothic metal genres during the early 1990s. The band is considered part of the "Peaceville Three" as all three bands were signed to Peaceville Records at the time.
Featuring:
Aaron Stainthorpe - Vocals
Andrew Craighan - Guitar
Shaun MacGowan - Keys - Violin
Lena Abe - Bass Guitar
Jeff Singer - Drums
Neil Blanchett - Guitar
Special appearance Jo Quail - Cello
Today's tune "Your Broken Shore" is taken from the album "The Ghost Of Orion", "Your Broken Shore" is the first song from MY DYING BRIDE for five years that comes laced with passion, power and their unyielding desire to create the most thoughtful and heavy music possible. Enjoy!
Monday, it's time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
"Obsidian" is the sixteenth studio album from Halifax’s finest gothic metal band PARADISE LOST. It was released on 15 May 2020 via Nuclear Blast.
Over the past 32 years, PARADISE LOST have never got stuck in one genre, always developed and willingness to try a different path without taking an excessive step to finally lose themselves in something unknown that they do not master, they have somehow always sounded like PARADISE LOST.
With the new album PARADISE LOST continues to keep the excellent shape and form they have mastered on the last two records while the reaches out to the past and bring on plenty of gothic roots that they first got recon with, here they mix it up with heavier and doomier roots stuff, with sprinkles of progginess and dark melodicism.
"Obsidian" is an excellent album release, all from the elegant and emotionally crushing opener "Darker Thoughts", followed on the same path in "Fall From Grace" to the more gothic dreamy "Ghosts" is real swing filler, until it's time for the album to really get going with more heavy and doomier riffage and tormented solos in tunes like "The Devil Embraced", "Serenity" and the doomy "Forsaken". There are a few other dark beauty's like the "Ending Days" with an excellent performance of the drummer Waltteri Väyrynen and the melancholy gothic piece "Hope Dies Young". There are two bonus tunes on the deluxe version, "Hear The Night" and "Defiler", both are slightly weaker tunes comparing to the rest of the album. The band sounds really good and continue to impress, yes, they shake hands with classic bands like THE SISTERS OF MERCY and MISSION as an influence to their own creation to make it surprisingly refreshing and it's a pure pleasure to spin this album, it's damn good and deserves to be played.
Sum: "Obsidian" is a new quality release by PARADISE LOST
Today's tune "Ghosts", taken from "Obsidian", enjoy!
"Private Sorrow" is a tune by the English rock band THE PRETTY THINGS, it's taken from the fourth and one of the first rock operas/ rock concept album "S.F. Sorrow" released in 1968. An excellent album that is a must-have in the album collection of British history in "Rock" music.
THE PRETTY THINGS was formed in September 1963 in Sidcup, Kent. They took their name from Willie Dixon's 1955 song "Pretty Thing". A pure rhythm and blues band in their early years, with several singles charting in the United Kingdom, they later embraced other genres such as a psychedelic rock in the late 1960s (with 1968 "S.F. Sorrow" being ), hard rock in the early 1970s and new wave in the early 1980s. Despite this, they never managed to recapture the same level of commercial success of their very first releases.
Based on a short story by singer Phil May, the album is structured as a song cycle, telling the story of the main character, Sebastian F. Sorrow, from birth through love, war, tragedy, madness, and the disillusionment of old age.
Although the album is a rock opera, it has been stated by members of THE WHO that the record had no major influence on Pete Townshend and his writing of "Tommy" (1969). THE PRETTY THINGS, however, have suggested otherwise, as have some critics.
"S.F. Sorrow's" narrative is different from others in the rock opera/concept album genre: while "Tommy" and PINK FLOYDs "The Wall" relay their concept through the lyrics of their songs, THE PRETTY THINGS tell the bulk of the story through small paragraph-like chapters which were printed in the liner notes of the LP and the CD, alternating with the song’s lyrics. These explanatory notes were read aloud between song performances by Arthur Brown during THE PRETTY THINGS' first of two known live performances of the opera.
Like "Tommy", "S.F. Sorrow" opens with the birth of the story's protagonist at the turn of the 20th century. Sebastian F. Sorrow is born in a small nameless town to ordinary parents in a house called "Number Three." The town is supported by a factory of some sort, referred to as the "Misery Factory."
Like today's tune is a phase in the life of S.F.Sorrow, when he joins a light infantry ("Private Sorrow") and goes off to fight in a war, possibly World War I. Sorrow sinks into a daze, living out the entire war in a funk. Soon the sounds of gunfire and artillery become the rhythm to his life in a daydream.
Phil May, the vocalist and the founding member of THE PRETTY THINGS was one of the band's main lyricists. He was the primary lyricist for the album "S.F. Sorrow". He died on 15 May 2020, aged 75, in a hospital in King's Lynn, from complications following hip surgery after a cycling accident. R.I.P.
Enjoy today's tune "Private Sorrow", the clip is filmed on French TV 1968.
The Vermont-born artist Grace Potter has released a new single "Eachother", made during the early days of quarantine.
The ballad features vocals from Jackson Browne, Marcus King, and Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig of Lucius, listen below. Produced by Eric Valentine with everyone’s parts recorded in isolation, the track also features Eric on drums, Alex Proctor on bass, and Jonathan Wilson, Dylan Day, Marcus King and Grace on guitar.
"The chorus of the song just kind of exploded out of my heart all at once. It was about five days into the quarantine, and I had just gotten off the phone with a friend who was having a really tough time with the isolation. I was in our living room, watching my son & husband fixing our broken train set and found myself flooded with an overwhelming sense of gratitude & contentment. The onset of COVID-19 was a shock to humanity's system and has brought on so many reality checks. We may not all be affected in the same ways, but we are all going through this pandemic together as a human race. It is incredibly humbling. It's invited me to really take account of the things that matter most, which aren't things at all...they're people." - Grace
Today's tune "Eachother" with Grace Potter featuring Jackson Brown, Marcus King and Lucius, enjoy!
Grace Potter – “Eachother” – Monday Night Twilight Hour (5.18.20)
In 2010, the Upper Big Branch coal mine in Raleigh County, West Virginia exploded, killing twenty-nine of the thirty-one miners present at the time. It's been called one of the worst mining disasters in American history. And it inspired the latest album from veteran singer/songwriter Steve Earle, titled "Ghosts Of West Virginia".
The project originated with the off-Broadway play Coal Country, written by playwrights Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, who approached Earle to compose the score. While the play had to cancel its run in New York City due the coronavirus, Earle did release the songs as his 20th studio album today on May 22nd via New West Records.
Steve Earle examines the physical strength and life-risking bravery of Appalachian miners in today's tune “Devil Put The Coal In The Ground”, a blusey piece with droning fiddle and banjo with a hypnotic chant about the Devil, the tune is taken off the new album "Ghosts Of West Virginia", released May 22nd, 2020 via New West Records. Enjoy!
"No Shelter" is a song by American rock band RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, released in 1998 on the "Godzilla" soundtrack. It can also be found as a bonus track on the Australian and Japanese release of #The Battle of Los Angeles# in 1999. The song is about how the mass media distracts the public from more important issues in the world and manipulates people's minds.
The song discusses consumerism and criticizes the feigned rebelliousness of teenaged consumerism, mentioning Nike and Coca-Cola particularly. Its central theme, however, is media control over public sentiment. In particular it attacks the historical inaccuracy of Steven Spielberg’s film Amistad.
Despite appearing on the Godzilla soundtrack, the song contains the following line: Godzilla, pure motherfucking filler; to get your eyes off the real killer.
"No Shelter" made its live debut on January 28, 1999, at the Continental Arena in East Rutherford, NJ. That show was a benefit show for Mumia Abu-Jamal.
The Big-band brass collective and heavy music aficionados BRASS AGAINST have done a badass cover of "No Shelter," and the outfit manages to stay true to the spirit of the original while infusing it with some jazzed-up elements and an impressive display of rapping and singing from frequent collaborator Sophia Urista.
BRASS AGAINST said in a video message about the band's mission, "We created this band to play songs by our favorite bands that have a political message to hopefully inspire you to get out and vote, give money to charity, or just rock the fuck out."
BRASS AGAINST are:
Sophia Urista - Vocals
Andrew Gutauskas - Baritone Saxophone/Musical Director
Darius Christian - Trombone
Mariel Bildsten - Trombone
Wayne Tucker - Trumpet
Oskar Stenmark - Trumpet
Nathan Ellman-Bell - Drums
Brad Hammonds - Guitar
Kenneth Bentley - Sousaphone
Enjoy the spirited cover of "No Shelter" (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) – ft. Sophia Urista. The tune can be found on "II" with BRASS AGAINST, released 2019.
RÁN (Kati Ran) is a Dutch vocalist that sings mostly in Nordic languages and performs Nordic folk music rooted in Scandinavian history, uses poetic and historical texts, and both modern and historical instrumentation. RÁN aims to reconnect people back to nature, to each other, and to their roots.
In her work, she utilizes a variety of historical folk instruments, such as the Swedish Nyckelharpa, Hammered Dulcimer, Norwegian Kraviklyra, (overtone & bone) flutes, Finnish Kantele, percussion instruments, and skin-drums. Kati Ráns work features collaborations with artist as HEILUNG, GAAHL and FAUN.
Today's tune "Suurin" is taken from Kati Ran's debut solo album "Lys" is filled with Nordic songs deeply embedded and connected to ritual and historical Scandinavia. The album was recorded with Christopher Juul on board as her producer, recorder, and arranger at LAVA studios in Denmark. LYS features several guest musicians, including members of HEILUNG and members of the former ensemble L.E.A.F. Released October 15, 2015
"Lys" means light and in essence, is about learning to follow your heart and dreams. To trust your vision and to draw on your own strength despite uncertainties coming your way.
It is about finding light and daring to let it go, while trusting the process.
It is about knowing darkness and light are both part of the wheel of Life, ever turning, ever changing, but always intrinsically connected.
It is about becoming and standing strong in your own light.
It is 'sjalfr sjalfom mér' from Hávamál, meaning: yourself given yourself.
The text used in written form and dialect is the Karelian dialect are redirected to this source.
Lyrics:
Mie suusi suurin - I am the greatest wolf
Suveks syömää - A wolf to eat them
Muut lampaaks lautsan alle - Others will be sheep under the bench
Mie suusi suurin - I am the greatest wolf
Mie karhu kankahalla - I am a bear on the heath
Miun veret pieälimmäisinä - My blood above all others
Mie suusi suurin - I am the greatest wolf
Suveks Syömään - A wolf to eat them
Muut lauhtuoh lampahaksi - Others grow weaker to be sheep
Minä sudeksi - May I be a wolf
Muut lampahiksi - May others be sheep
Mie suusi suurin - I am the greatest wolf
Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik are Norwegian musicians/composers known from their main musical outputs; ENSLAVED and WARDRUNA.
Their collaboration started when commissioned by the Norwegian state to write a musical piece for the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution. This resulted in the work entitled "Skuggsjá" which premiered at Eidsvoll, Norway in September 2014, and the music was ultimately recorded and released as an album in 2016. In 2017 the Ivar and Einar teamed up once again for a new piece carrying the name "Hugsjá" (released in 2018); this time commissioned by the prestigious Bergen International Festival as part of a wider and still ongoing project called Nordvegen. And the Saga continues…
Thanks to extensive research and use of a wide range of old Nordic instruments and lyrics placed in a contemporary soundscape, Einar Selvik has moved musical genre boundaries as well as given a new voice to the thoughts and tools of the past.
WARDRUNA has gained worldwide recognition for its innovative musical expression, and Einar Selvik has even provided music for the popular TV-series "Vikings" and has recently been revealed as the composer writing the game’s original songs for Assassin's Creed Valhalla, alongside the game’s composers Sarah Schachner and Jesper Kyd.
Together with Ivar Bjørnson, Einar Selvik was also the architect of the multi-year, critically acclaimed festival project Nordvegen.
During this year's festival, Einar Selvik will take part in the opening ceremony on 20 May together with an orchestra interpreting one of his most iconic songs “Voluspá” as well as play a full concert in the medieval Royal Hall Håkonshallen in Bergen on Thursday 21 May where he will perform songs over the span of his career including the new Song “Grà”.
The streams will take place as follows:
Opening Concert: 20 May, 08.30pm CET
Einar Selvik: 21 May, 9.00pm CET
Einar Selvik will perform with the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian vocal ensemble Edvard Grieg Kor on 20 May. On 21 May he will be joined by numerous outstanding artists including members of Enslaved, Ivar Bjornson & Einar Selvik and of course Lindy-Fay Hella of WARDRUNA!
The concert will take us on a musical journey outside Wardruna's usually massive soundscape, and instead present a more stripped-down and direct expression where song and instruments such as Kravik-lyre, Bowed Lyre and Hardanger-fiddle play key roles.
Monday, new week and it's time to present "Record Of The Week".
"Kindred" is the 5th album by the British/Finish psychedelic forest folk-rockers HEXVESSEL. The album was released on April 17 on Svart Records. The band was formed by English/Irish singer/songwriter Mat McNerney in 2009 after he moved to Finland. Also known for his work with BEASTMILK (now known as GRAVE PLEASURES), THE DEATHTRIP, guest spots with CARPENTER BRUT and ME & THAT MAN and his earlier work with Norwegian Black Metal bands CODE & DØDHEIMSGARD, McNerney is a both highly eclectic and critically acclaimed musical artist. Across the years, it is McNerney’s work with HEXVESSEL which has been his most brave, exploratory, honest, and impossible to categorize, unique and idiosyncratic in a world all of their own.
The album was made in their original studio in Tampere, Finland, where they recorded their cult classic "No Holier Temple". It was mastered by John Davis (THE KILLERS / GORILLAZ / LED ZEPPELIN / LANA DEL REY) in the UK. Adorned by cover artwork by artists Thomas Hooper (who has worked for NEUROSIS, CONVERGE and DOOMRIDERS) and Richey Beckett (who has created work for METALLICA, FOO FIGHTERS, ROBERT PLANT)
"Kindred" is a nature-mystic opus that is taking a darker and more esoteric path, the album sees HEXVESSEL re-forge their eclectic melting cauldron or "Vessel" of sound into a potent "Hex" of spell-binding songcraft. Through "Kindred’s" 10 song rites of passage, folk roots with an occult undercurrent with a dark earthen balladry reminiscent of early NICK CAVE and the doom-laden atmospheres of DEAD CAN DANCE.
With magnificent and spooky guitars does the album opens up a delicious piece in "Billion Year Old Being", before the march takes its steps towards the unknown of progressive folkish psych-rock where the structures harken back to KING CRIMSON. Followed by the groovy 60's feel in "Demian" and a cover of COILs "Fire Of The Mind" live from a mental institution and delve into the Druidic sacrificial swamps with songs like "Bog Bodies", which conjures the deep Lynchian night with muted trumpet and foggy Rhodes piano. "Sic Luceat Lux" is an instrumental experimental piece that marks that we are halfway thru in its own way and opens up the doors for "Phaedra", a dark piece about decorating the heroin with blood, until it's time for a short interlude "Family" that opens up for "Kindred Moon", a heartfelt tune with a quirky melody of piano chords and strings. "Magical & Damned" is a spellbinding beauty with a warm and tender feeling and excellent vocals that follow up with the closing acoustic lullaby "Joy Of Sacrifice". "Kindred" is a well-cooked mix of psychedelic progressive rock and folk roots. It's an album that calls you on a journey, both intimate and richly enlightening. The album is filled up with a great deal of passion and spirit that makes it so easy to fall in love with.
Sum: A magical, damned dark sweet record.
HEXVESSEL is:
Mathew Kvohst McNerney - Vocals, Guitar
Kimmo Helén - Piano, Keys, Viola, Violin, Trumpet, Backing Vocals
"Shame On The Night" is taken from the debut studio album "Holy Diver" by American heavy metal band DIO, released in 1983. Vocalist Ronnie James Dio had just finished his first tenure in BLACK SABBATH, whose drummer, Vinny Appice, he took with him to put together his own band. The roster was completed by his former bandmate from RAINBOW, Jimmy Bain, on bass and by the young guitarist Vivian Campbell, coming from the NWOBHM band SWEET SAVAGE. The album was acclaimed by the music press and is the band's most successful effort.
"Shame On The Night" is also released on the latest live album by DIO named "When Darkness Falls"
It's already 10 yrs since Ronnie James Dio left us, miss you man. So today's tune is in memory of him. Today's clip is filmed live in holland 1983. Enjoy!
Is it Halloween yet? Silly question, it’s Halloween all year round for BLOODY HAMMERS!
The American hard rock band, founded in 2010 by Anders Manga in Transylvania County, North Carolina. Manga is the primary producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist. BLOODY HAMMERS music straddles a range of genres including heavy metal, gothic rock, doom metal, and psychedelic rock. The touring band features a revolving lineup with Manga and keyboardist Devallia being the only permanent live members. Devallia also contributes keyboard parts to recordings and is sometimes credited as a co-producer.
BLOODY HAMMERS has prepared a wonderfully creepy horror musical experience that pays homage to classic flicks such as today's tune "Let Sleeping Corpses Lie" (1974). The band's idea of a soundtrack for your favorite video nasties holds some surprises on their fifth album Frontman Anders Manga infused the new album tracks with epic metal and hard rock nuances. But don’t fret, the lumbering doom riffs deliver massive doses of goth rock and very catchy and present ever-still, and turn their latest effort "The Summoning" into a well-balanced, lush and highly infectious affair.
MOONS, a horror slayers band that plays doom/sludge metal, hailing from Pennsylvania have released their debut album "Go Out Swinging". MOONS unleash 30 minutes of dirty, dark Sludge/Doom chaos that is loaded with riffs, groove, intensity, and shocking lyrics. "Go Out Swinging" is the perfect apocalyptic soundtrack for true hell raisin’, metal maniacs! For fans of BONGZILLA, HIGH ON FIRE, DOWN, and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY.
The album was released at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions on April 10, 2020. Recorded and mixed by Red Water Recording, cover art by Morbid Sorcery.
MOONS are:
Jordan Baro - Vocals, Guitar
Raymond Figueroa - Bass, Vocals
Nick Salerno - Drums
Enjoy today's tune "AA/Join The Cult" taken from the debut album "Go Out Swinging".
SYSTEM OF A DOWN drummer John Dolmayan has released his first-ever solo album, "These Grey Men". Ostensibly, on the surface it’s a covers album, but, as John told Loudersound, it’s more of a collection of songs that have been reimagined and reworked by the stickman. “I wanted people to think “Oh, John just came out with a new bunch of songs,” he says. “But, no it’s a cover. That’s what I wanted.”
The record was inspired both by John’s craving for more artistic output and by the long drives he takes whilst listening to the radio. “It had been a good decade since I recorded something with SYSTEM OF A DOWN. I had done the SCARS ON BROADWAY album, but it was not enough artistic output to keep me interested and satisfied” he sighs.
“It’s hard not being a songwriter, but I always enjoyed covers, I was doing these three-hour drives from my family to LA, and I’m listening to all these songs and thinking ‘how would I play that song?’ There was a cartoon that I used to watch when I was young, and it was about this kid used to just daydream, and the whole show would be his daydreams come to life. I guess I’m kind of like that kid, so I would daydream about what I’d do if I was in that band was listening to.”
From that initial idea, the seeds of the record started to grow, and John roped in everyone from bandmate Serj Tankian to the likes of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitar-god Tom Morello and AVENGED SEVENFOLD frontman Matt Shadows to get involved with helping reimagine a genuinely eclectic set of songs.
“I started thinking who would be a good vocalist for each song,” he smiles. “This guy would be good for that song and this for this song, and I have a lot of friends in the industry as I’ve been touring for so long. So, we got, not everyone we wanted, but we got a real good amount of musicians that added so much to these songs. I love doing covers, I might do more, I wouldn’t rule out another album, I had so much fun doing it.”
The record covers many interesting pieces of music and some cool guests behind the vocals and instruments, to name a few tunes like "Road To Nowhere" by TALKING HEADS featuring Serj Tankian, "Runaway" by Del Shannon featuring Franky Perez, "Hung Up" by Madonna featuring Sirusho, "Rock Bottom" by EMINEM, "What I Know" by TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB featuring Jonathan Dorr to David Bowie's "Starman", featuring Serj Tankian.
Today's tune "Street Spirit" (Originally by RADIOHEAD) The Bends is a record; you have to listen to the whole thing. Taking a song as iconic as this, it’s not daunting for me, I don’t think I those terms. If I did, I never would have got anywhere, I’d be too scared to be in a rock band. So, I’m not scared to come to something as big as this song and put my own personal spin on it, like, I always loved the song in its original form, but wished the drums came in earlier.
"I would listen to it and think ‘what would John Bonham do with it?’ That’s what I do a lot ‘How would I play it?’ You listen to systems ballads and I try and do something different to set us apart. Tom Morello came in and knocked it out of the park, of course he did, everything he does is exceptional, everyone knows that.
"As did M Shadows, we’ve become really good friends, he’s not aloof he’s really down to earth. Some singers have quite an ego and Matt doesn’t. He was up for it straight away, as soon as I put it to him he was there.”
