"Isle Of Wisdom" is the latest release by the Swedish 70's progressive rockers HÄLLAS. "Isle Of Wisdom" is the follow up to the near flawless full lengths, "Excerpts From A Future Past" (2017) and "Conundrum" (2020). The new album follows the same root they once have created but with a minor upgrade, the sound is much better than the previous one, neeter production so all of the grandiose harmonies really sees the light. They seem more determined than ever and that really seeps out of the cracks. Traversing through an evocative, feel-good blend of nostalgic 70’s hard rock, proto-metal, folk and psychedelic influences - "Isle Of Wisdom" emerges as the anticipated third studio album. The new album is produced in collaboration with Linn Fijal and Vilma Colling at Riksmixningsverket studio, which has hosted the diverse likes of ARCH ENEMY, ABBA and Celine Dion, HÄLLAS experienced the rare chance to once again use ABBA’s unique synthesizers for the production of "Isle Of Wisdom".
"Isle Of Wisdom" is a eight track album with a play time of fourtyfive minutes. They really serves the listner with another marvelous journey, the melodies are like earworms where all songs have their own characteristics. The album opens up with "Birth / Into Darkness" and "Advent Of Dawn" two of HÄLLAS heaviest tunes they ever have recorded. Marvelous riffing and great vocals from the unique voice of Tommy Alexandersson. The mystical first single "Earl’s Theme" slows down slightly, but have a big atmosphere that almost knocks you down. "Gallivants (Of Space)" is a real grandious beauty with it's marvlous melody and vertiginous keys by Nicklas Malmqvist. The dramatic "Elusion’s Gate" dreamy "The Inner Chamber" and "Stygian Depths" are few other great tunes before the final "The Wind Carries The Word" that ends this magical album in a epic way, with it's seven minutes it's really demonstrate the band’s virtuosity and the song-writing skills that the band possesses. I can only congratulate you on another magical chapter in this saga. Well done! Hope to see them live soon.
Sum: "Isle Of Wisdom" provides an incredible journey.
Today's tune "Elusion's Gate", taken from "Isle Of Wisdom", enjoy!
Catch HÄLLAS live on tour:
06.05.22 DE – Hamburg / Logo
07.05.22 FR – Strasbourg / La Maison Bleue
08.05.22 FR – Paris / La Maroquinerie
09.05.22 DE – Hanover / Chez Heinz
10.05.22 DE – Leipzig / UT Connewitz
11.05.22 DE – Berlin / Frannz Club
12.05.22 DE – Munich / Strom
13.05.22 DE – Stuttgart / Club Zentral
14.05.22 CZ – Praha / Klub 007 Strahov
15.05.22 DE – Cologne / Club Volta
16.05.22 BE – Aarshot / De Klinker
17.05.22 FR – Lyon / Rock N’Eat
18.05.22 NL – Tilburg / Little Devil
19.05.22 DE – Wiesbaden / Kesselhaus
20.05.22 DE – Nuremberg / Der Cult
22.05.22 AT – Vienna / Szene
30.07.22 NL – Amsterdam / Melkweg
It's the Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and a public holiday in some countries. It is the second day of Eastertide. In Western Christianity, it is also the second day of the Octave of Easter, and in Eastern Christianity, it is also the second day of Bright Week.
But still it's Monday so it time to introduce "Record Of The Week". "The Eldorado Spell" is the second album release by the Norwegian four-piece KRYPTOGRAF.
This four old souls is inspired by the heavy sound of the late 60's, and they will hex you with their collective vocals, destructive riffs and inventive songwriting. "The Eldorado Spell" is a beauty by it self, where the sound is very 60's inspired with a foot in the psychedelic folk rock and riff heavy doom, nothing orginal at all, but the love for the past and creative minds is what makes them so good. Somehow I just adore when the Scandinavians makes music like this, the joy in thier craftmanship shines true the production and that is something which can be heard immediately from the opening "Asphodel", a marvelous rocker with heavy riffing and amazing vocals, especially the chorus. "Cosmic Suicide" the next tune in line keep the up the quality and deliver a great pace with some cool echos and a great solo. The pace slows down a notch in the more doomier piece "Lucifer’s Hand" while in the groovy "Creeping Willow" the pace is restore a bit and serves us with some cleaver riffing and melody along with a nice jam in the middle. A short folkish interlude of "Across The Creek" paves the way for the title tune "The Eldorado Spell", with a light marching tempo it moves forward determined and cohesive until it fades away and opens the door for the more doomiah and slowly "The Spiral", and after it reaches it's half mark it switches and pushes down the gas for a wile until it falls back in the end. "When The Witches" is an odd one, acid drenched piece that takes out the swing. "Wormwood" is another folkish interlude that makes the way for the final tune "The Wall" that rounds off this work in a really nice way.
Sum: "The Eldorado Spell" is the psychedelic doom buzz you need right now, check this up!
"Unlimited Love" is the first full-length release in six years for the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, is also the first with John Frusciante since 2006's "Stadium Arcadium".
"Unlimited Love" is the twelfth studio album, released through Warner Records on April 1, 2022. Produced by Rick Rubin, the album reunites the band with both Rubin, who did not take part in the recording of their previous album, "The Getaway", and guitarist John Frusciante, who left in 2009 and rejoined in 2019, replacing Josh Klinghoffer. The band have gone through countless iterations during the years, although their core lineup of frontman Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith and guitarist John Frusciante are responsible for their biggest tunes. So it's with a warm welcome to hear Frusciante’s magical style of playing again.
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS formed 1983 and now almost 40 years later, the band has nothing more to prove, they are in a position to do what pleases them instead.
The album contains seventeen tunes with a clock time over seventy minutes of playtime can almost be a little overwhelming, but hey it's the Peppers so it's fine. Overall I do like what I hear, old school sounds mixed with a little new attempt at renewal, the album just flows nicely and is full of surprises along the way. From the first powerful anthem "Black Summer", the lead single and opening track gives the album a kickstart. The rest of the songs on "Unlimited Love" are not quite as moving and direct, but oh so interesting. "Whatchu Thinkin" and "Let ‘Em Cry" do possess the great flow and groove. The glittering funk piece "She’s A Lover" and Flea's licks in "Aquatic Mouth Dance". The moody and half paced "Not The One" is a great love song and "Bastards Of Light" is an intressting tune with a cool groove and some heavier riffings in the middle of the track. "These Are The Ways" is a song that stands out a bit and offers some sonic experiments with some breakdowns and feels very progressive. The funky "Poster Child" offers fast vocal licks with a great lyrics by Anthony Kiedis... lol. The album "Unlimited Love" is a great listen where you can still hear their enthusiasm burning after all these years and it sounds like they had a great time in the studio, looking forward to catch them live soon.
Sum: Great grooves from Flea, Frusciante, Smith and Kiedis, you need this!
Today's tune "Poster Child", taken from "Unlimited Love", enjoy!
Upcoming Tour
Sun May 1
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Sat Jun 04
With Beck and Thundercat
Seville, Spain
Estadio La Cartuja De Sevilla
Tue Jun 07
With Nas and Thundercat
Barcelona, Spain
Estadi Olimpic
Fri Jun 10
With Nas and Thundercat
Nijmegen, Netherlands
Goffertpark
Sun Jun 12
Bratislava, Slovakia
Lovestream Festival
Wed Jun 15
With Nas and Thundercat
Budapest, Hungary
Puskas Stadium
Sat Jun 18
Firenze, Italy
Firenze Rocks
Wed Jun 22
With A$AP Rocky and Thundercat
Manchester, UK
Emirates Old Trafford
Sat Jun 25
With Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
and Thundercat
London, UK
London Stadium
Sun Jun 26
TBA
and Thundercat
London, UK
London Stadium
Wed Jun 29
With Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
and Thundercat
Dublin, Ireland
Marlay Park
Fri Jul 01
With Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
and Thundercat
Glasgow, UK
Bellahouston Park
Sun Jul 03
Leuven, Belgium
Rock Werchter
Tue Jul 05
With A$AP Rocky and Thundercat
Cologne, Germany
RheinEnergieStadium
Fri Jul 08
With Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
and Thundercat
Paris, France
Stade de France
Sat Jul 09
With Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals
and Thundercat
Paris, France
Stade de France
Tue Jul 12
With A$AP Rocky and Thundercat
Hamburg, Germany
Volksparkstadion
Sat Jul 23
With HAIM and Thundercat
Denver, CO
Empower Field at Mile High
Wed Jul 27
With HAIM and Thundercat
San Diego, CA
Petco Park
Fri Jul 29
With Beck and Thundercat
Santa Clara, CA
Levi's Stadium
Sun Jul 31
With Beck and Thundercat
Los Angeles, CA
SoFi Stadium
Wed Aug 03
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Seattle, WA
T-Mobile Park
Sat Aug 06
With The Strokes and King Princess
Las Vegas, NV
Allegiant Stadium
Wed Aug 10
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Atlanta, GA
Truist Park
Fri Aug 12
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Nashville, TN
Nissan Stadium
Sun Aug 14
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Detroit, MI
Comerica Park
Wed Aug 17
With The Strokes and Thundercat
East Rutherford, NY
Metlife Stadium
Fri Aug 19
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Chicago, IL
Soldier Field
Sun Aug 21
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Toronto, ON
Rogers Centre
Tue Aug 30
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Miami, FL
Hard Rock Stadium
Thu Sep 01
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Charlotte, NC
Bank of America Stadium
Sat Sep 03
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Philadelphia, PA
Citizens Bank Park
Thu Sep 08
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Washington, DC
Nationals Park
Sat Sep 10
With St. Vincent and Thundercat
Boston, MA
Fenway Park
Thu Sep 15
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Orlando, FL
Camping World Stadium
Sun Sep 18
With The Strokes and Thundercat
Arlington, TX
Globe Life Field
Sun Sep 25
Louisville, KY
Louder Than Life Festival
"Eyes Of Oblivion" marks the first time THE HELLACOPTERS had released a full-length album of new material since 2008's "Head Off", and the first full-length album with Dregen since 1997's "Payin' the Dues". It's with a warm welcome back to one of Sweden’s best rock bands
Remember when the last HELLACOPTERS shows were played at Debaser Medis in Stockholm on 25 and 26 October 2008; I was working at that venue and actually shared more than one tear then. The concerts were filmed and streamed live on the band's MySpace page, read about it here!
"Eyes Of Oblivion" and fourteen long years have passed since the last album, we lost the guitarist Strängen, so I was a little bit apprehensive about a new album, but when I heard the album's lead single, "Reap A Hurricane", my mind got changed, as this tune is a real rocker with a catchy melody, a true high class that falls into the typical sound that they once created. Then the band released the album's title track as its second single and holy Moses this new album will kick some ass as the single is amazing. This was followed by the third single, "So Sorry I Could Die", on March 4, 2022, and they serve us with a slow bluesy number that I do really love, it got that magical feeling that lance your soul. (Lance is a pole weapon designed to be used by a mounted warrior or cavalry soldier). "Eyes Of Oblivion" contains ten new tunes with a playtime of just under thirty-five minutes, where all the tracks are highly enjoyable, tunes that have that classic HELLACOPTERS sound that covers the early and the later era, which eventually becomes a very varied album, with a hungry and very playful band. As Andersson described the album as "THE BEATLES meets JUDAS PRIEST, or LYNYRD SKYNYRD meets THE RAMONES, but the best way to describe this album is that it sounds like THE HELLACOPTERS today". And I can only agree with that. “Can´t Wait” follows the more classic sound that could fit any of the older albums. “A Plow And A Doctor” is a groovy piece that waves to the old KISS nerv, great rocker that follows by “Positively Not Knowing”, where they pick up the pace a bit, strong rocker with a catchy chorus. The guitar-driven "Tin Foil Soldier" takes us back in time where their idols get hailed. The very catchy "Beguiled" is probably next in line as a single, excellent tune with a groove to kill for. "The Pressure´s On" has a nice old-school Swedish pop flavor over it, with a great swing in the guitars and vocals. The album closes up with heavy riffs in the bombastic "Try Me Tonight", magic infectious hooks, an excellent tune to round off this marvelous release. I'm sure this one will end high when the year is going to be summarized. Today is a great day to be Swedish!
Sum: Best album for 2022 is already here, welcome back HELLACOPTERS!
Today's tune "Reap A Hurricane" taken from "Eyes Of Oblivion", released April 1st on Nuclear Blast
Monday, new week and it's time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
"Never Let Me Go" is the long-awaited 8th studio album by the British veterans PLACEBO, their first album in almost a decade, nine years on from the release of their last outing "Loud Like Love", "Never Let Me Go" was released on March 25th, 2022.
PLACEBO has returned as a duo, the core songwriting pair of founders Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal looks like they're more focused than ever, delivering a reliably artsy and modern set of tunes that fits this time period perfectly.
"Never Let Me Go" spans over thirteen tunes and a play time just under 60 minutes. The music is full of energy and falls somewhere between cyber-punk fuzz and electrified scuzzy rock. The barrier sets already with the opener "Forever Chemicals", electronic distortion and the distinctive PLACEBO brand vocals with his typical nihilism. A grand opening that is followed by the great single "Beautiful James", a powerful and grand tune with a spacey synth atomsphere and so goes with the stellar "Happy Birthday In The Sky". "Hugz" is an energic rocker with a chaotic punkish feel while the "The Prodigal" is a orchestral beauty, the turns are large and wide on this album, which also satisfactory the listening hour. Some true paranoia is served with "Surrounded By Spies" and a cool groove on "Sad White Reggae" and the chugging riffs in "Twin Demons" is a true delight, one of my favorites on the record, followed by the post punkish "Chemtrails" and the halfpaced tunes "This Is What You Wanted" and "Went Missing" before it's time to close the album with electronic "Fix Yourself", a tune about take care of your own business before you start fiddling with someone else.
"Never Let Me Go" is a great album that really showcase the band on higher level of songwriting and it's so contemporary and emotional.
Today's tune "Beautiful James", taken from "Never Let Me Go", enjoy!
PLACEBO TOUR DATES
MON, MAR 28
MELKWEG
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
THU, MAR 31
ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
FRI, MAY 27
CATTON HALL & PARK
WALTON ON TRENT, UNITED KINGDOM
FRI, JUN 17
VISARNO ARENA
FIRENZE, ITALY
WED, JUN 22
SIGULDAS PILSDRUPU ESTRĀDE
SIGULDA, LATVIA
SAT, JUN 25
TW CLASSIC FESTIVAL 2022
WERCHTER, BELGIUM
MON, JUN 27
SRC SALATA
ZAGREB, CROATIA
WED, JUN 29
MANTOVA
MANTOVA, ITALY
FRI, JUL 1
ARSENAL FESTIVAL 2022
KRAGUJEVAC, SERBIA
SAT, JUL 2
HILLS OF ROCK FESTIVAL 2022
PLOVDIV, BULGARIA
WED, JUL 6
MAD COOL FESTIVAL 2022
MADRID, SPAIN
THU, JUL 7
BILBAO BBK LIVE 2022
BILBAO, SPAIN
WED, JUL 13
ROMEXPO
BUCURESTI, ROMANIA
SAT, JUL 16
MACEDONIA
SKOPJE, MACEDONIA
MON, JUL 18
ZORLU CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
İSTANBUL, TURKEY
THU, AUG 25
VILAR DE MOUROS
VILAR DE MOUROS, PORTUGAL
SUN, SEP 4
COMMODORE
VANCOUVER, CANADA
TUE, SEP 6
MOORE THEATRE
SEATTLE, WA
WED, SEP 7
CRYSTAL BALLROOM
PORTLAND, OR
FRI, SEP 9
WARFIELD
SAN FRANCISCO, CA
SAT, SEP 10
GREEK THEATRE
LOS ANGELES, CA
MON, SEP 12
PALACIO DE LOS DEPORTES
MEXICO, MEXICO
WED, SEP 14
EMO'S
AUSTIN, TX
SUN, SEP 18
BROOKLYN STEEL
BROOKLYN, NY
SAT, OCT 1
FESTHALLE
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY
SAT, OCT 8
VEGA
KØBENHAVN, DENMARK
MON, OCT 10
SENTRUM SCENE
OSLO, NORWAY
TUE, OCT 11
CIRKUS
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
THU, OCT 13
BLACKBOX, HELSINGIN JÄÄHALLI
HELSINKI, FINLAND
FRI, OCT 14
SAKU SUURHALL
TALLINN, ESTONIA
MON, OCT 17
WARSAW EXPO XXI
WARSZAWA, POLAND
WED, OCT 19
QUARTERBACK IMMOBILIEN ARENA
LEIPZIG, GERMANY
MON, OCT 24
ZIGGO DOME
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
WED, OCT 26
OLYMPIASTADION MÜNCHEN
MÜNCHEN, GERMANY
THU, OCT 27
MEDIOLANUM FORUM
ASSAGO, ITALY
SAT, OCT 29
SAMSUNG HALL ZÜRICH
ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND
MON, OCT 31
O2 UNIVERSUM
PRAHA 9, CZECHIA
WED, NOV 2
STADTHALLE D
VIENNA, AUSTRIA
FRI, NOV 4
ROCKHAL
ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LUXEMBOURG
MON, NOV 7
LANXESS ARENA
COLOGNE, GERMANY
THU, NOV 10
ZÉNITH DE NANCY
MAXEVILLE, FRANCE
FRI, NOV 11
ACCOR ARENA
PARIS, FRANCE
SUN, NOV 13
ARKÉA ARENA
FLOIRAC, FRANCE
FRI, NOV 18
PORTSMOUTH GUILDHALL
PORTSMOUTH, UNITED KINGDOM
SAT, NOV 19
THE BRIGHTON CENTRE
BRIGHTON, UNITED KINGDOM
MON, NOV 21
LIVERPOOL OLYMPIA
LIVERPOOL, UNITED KINGDOM
TUE, NOV 22
VICTORIA WAREHOUSE
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
THU, NOV 24
MOTORPOINT ARENA
CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM
SAT, NOV 26
O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
SUN, NOV 27
O2 ACADEMY BRIXTON
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
TUE, NOV 29
DE MONTFORT HALL
LEICESTER, UNITED KINGDOM
WED, NOV 30
O2 ACADEMY
LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM
FRI, DEC 2
O2 CITY HALL,
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, UNITED KINGDOM
SAT, DEC 3
O2 ACADEMY
GLASGOW, UNITED KINGDOM
MON, DEC 5
3ARENA
DUBLIN, IRELAND
WED, DEC 7
CORN EXCHANGE
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED KINGDOM
THU, DEC 8
O2 ACADEMY
BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM
"We Are The Apocalypse" is the seventh full-length studio album by the Swedish Black Metal’s most genuine and unvarnished, pioneers DARK FUNERAL, the band continues to reach for new heights to bring audiences into its otherworldly & unholy visions. The new record, which was written almost entirely during the Coronavirus pandemic, sees the Satanic vanguards deliver their most aggressive and expansive songs to date. Guided by the fortitude and musical ambition of lead guitarist, songwriter & founding member Lord Ahriman, the new album promises a satisfying number of ‘firsts’ for the band, while still pushing to improve upon the aural marriage of sinister atmosphere and technical ferocity that distinguishes DARK FUNERAL amongst their peers.
The album marks the band’s first record with bassist Frederik Isaksson (Adra-Melek) and drummer Janne Jaloma (Jalomaah), the latter of whom has some colossal shoes to fill after the departure of Nils Fjellström (Dominator). Adra-Melek & Jalomaah have been in the band since 2018, are more than up to the task and they do a great job on "We Are The Apocalypse", an album that follows the same path that was made on the previous album "Where Shadows Forever Reign", but here with some few changes, like the drumming is a bit different, but fall in great to music and gives that wall of thunder that is needed for the band to work. The riffs are a bit different and the harmonies, not any big changes but overall the update works great in my ears.
The album kicks off in furious eruption with "Nightfall", where the classic DARK FUNERAL sound is intact, frosty and brutal, marvelous guitars, great drumming and bass lines, and Heljarmadr’s rasping growls have a great bite over it. "Let The Devil In" is a creepy piece but has some brilliant harmonies that kick you in the face and stand out as one of the top tunes on this album. A great and notably thing is that in "When I’m Gone" they dare to slow things down a bit and gives the listener some time to take a breath, the tune itself is a true beauty, the brutality is high, the vocals are scary and venomous heartbreaking, like a horror movie. To be honest, this is a brilliant effort that I hope they continue within the next chapter. Not to be a couch potato, but it's offered a lot of hellfire and blast beats like the thrashing tunes "A Beast To Praise", "Beyond The Grave", and the title tune "We Are The Apocalypse". "Leviathan" is another piece that lurks with a softer side, but only partly before the band throws itself into the pit of vicious brutality where the old school black metal influences sweep over the track. The legendary Swedish producer Daniel Bergstrand really squeezing out the best of everyone involved and pushes out their delicious evilness that gives us forty-five minutes of feral aggression and brutality that is higher than ever. This is the strongest album in the book of DARK FUNERAL, get it!
DARK FUNERAL is:
Lord Ahriman – Guitars
Heljarmadr – Vocals
Chaq Mol – Guitars
Jalomaah – Drums
Adra Melek – Bass
Today's tune "Leviathan", taken from "We Are The Apocalypse", enjoy!
Upcoming Dates:
16.04. Stockholm, Sweden – Fållan
07.05. Camden, United Kingdom – Electric Ballroom
10.06. Esbjerg, Denmark – Death Coast Festival 2022
11.06. Leeuwarden, Netherlands – Into The Grave 2022
24.06. Oslo, Norway – Tons Of Rock 2022
30.06. Viveiro, Spain – Resurrection Fest 2022
07.07. Ballenstedt, Germany – Rockharz Open Air 2022
15.07. Kristianstad, Sweden – Kristianstad Rockfest
10.08. Jaromer, Czech Republic – Brutal Assault 2022
11.08. Walton On Trent, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air 2022
12.08. Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz 2022
13.08. Obermehler, Germany – Party San Open Air 2022
14.08. Walton On Trent, United Kingdom – Bloodstock Open Air 2022
19.08. Saint-nolff, France – Site de Kerboulard
20.08. Dinkelsbühl, Germany – Summer Breeze Open Air 2022
03.09. Tel Aviv-yafo, Israel – Gagarin Club TLV
10.09. Hüttikon, Switzerland – Meh Suff! 2022
New week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
"Impera" is the fifth full-length studio release for the Swedish rock band GHOST, twelve years as a band and they really have establishes them self as a commercial hard rock force and they finally reached the top-tier mainstream heavy metal/hard rock act that they were aiming at. "Impera" is themed mainly on "the rise and fall of empires". It is described to take place hundreds of years forward from the 14th century Europe Black Plague era of GHOSTs previous album, "Prequelle".
The album is a well crafted catchy piece that flows between heavy metal, rock and catchy pop ,much depends on the magic team they have surrounded them self with, thinking of the very talent Swedish writers and producers, namely pop producer Klas Åhlund and songwriting team Tobias Forge, Joakim Berg (KENT), Salem Al Fakir, Vincent Pontare and Peter Svensson (CARDIGANS) and for the musical parts we have the marvelous guitar playing by Fredrik Åkesson (OPETH), drummer Hux Nettermalm (INFINITE MASS, PAATOS), and on Piano, keybords Martin Hederos (THE SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, TONBRUKET).
The albums opens up with an instrumental intro in "Imperium", dual lead guitars, marching drums that gives a powerful feeling and give a great start to the next tune "Kaisarion", i high driven catchy piece. The tune is titled for the son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, the last Pharoah. "Spillways" is a bombastic popish tune, written by Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare. Keys that bings the mind to ABBA, yes keep it Swedish. The second single out of the album is "Call Me Little Sunshine" and "Hunter's Moon" are two powerful tunes where the both have a 80's feeling. The guitar heavy "Watcher In The Skies", heavy riffing and a great melody keeps the tune up. "Dominion" an instrumental interlude to prebuild "Twenties", another heavy riffing piece, that takes the band out of the normal comfort zone and serves us with a head banger. "Darkness At The Heart Of My Love" is a power ballad with some beautiful harmonies. "Griftwood" gives a nod to WHITESNAKE. The album closes up with a short interlude "Bite Of Passage" before the half pace "Respite On The Spitalfields" closes the book for this time. A story about Jack The Ripper, where the arrangement sounds partly as DEEP PURPLE and ALICE COOPER. The album is a pleasant listen, where they successes to keep the interest high. This is a grand step for GHOST. Now it will be interesting to see where it goes.
"Impera" was released by Loma Vista Recordings on 11 March 2022. The cover art by Zbigniew Bielak is a reference to English occultist Aleister Crowley.
Sum: GHOSTs fifth album have a history that strangely enough fits into today's events.
Today's tune "Call Me Little Sunshine", taken from "Impera", enjoy!
This week, it is not a newcomer who is visiting, but a very experienced rock musician. Eddie Vedder (born December 23, 1964) is an American singer, musician and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and one of four guitarists of the rock band PEARL JAM. He also appeared as a guest vocalist in TEMPLE OF THE DOG, the one-off tribute band dedicated to the late singer Andrew Wood. Vedder is known for his powerful baritone vocals.
"Earthling" is the third solo studio album by Eddie Vedder. The album was released on February 11, 2022, by Republic Records and Seattle Surf.
"Earthling" is a showcase of defiance and loss, and above all, of acceptance, forgiveness, and perseverance. The album follows up the "Ukulele Songs" where this album sounds nothing at all like the previous one. Where "Earthling" serves a few righteous rockers like "Power Of Right" where we hear Chad Smith on drums, heavy riffing by Josh Klinghoffer (RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS). Tunes like "Brother The Cloud", "Rose Of Jericho" and "Good And Evil" follows the same pattern where the later have a bit of PJ Punkinesh over it. The speedy rocker "Try" have some cool harmonicas by Stevie Wonder.
There are a few powerful pop rockers, like the opening "Invincible", the Tom Petty like "Long Way", the beautiful "The Haves" to the more college rockers like "The Dark" and "Fallout Today". Some cool guest in "Picture" where Elton John is on vocals and piano, Abe Laboriel Jr. on drums and on the tune "Mrs. Mills" we find Ringo Starr behind the drums and it even have some horns to boost the pop tune up. The album is really a varied project by Eddie Vedder, really fun listen and yes it's worth your time. To bad that we have to wait to the summer for the Vinyl.
Sum: An unexpected and fun release by Vedder.
Today's tune "Brother The Cloud", taken from "Earthling", enjoy!
Monday, new week and it's time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
This week I take out the turns a bit and offer a bit of Pop with Arabic Folk Music, something out of the ordinary.
In addition to the big TV shows jobs, Gina Dirawi always dreamed of recording an album. Already seven years ago, she released a couple of singles, but it was only when she came in contact with Björn Yttling and Freja Drakenberg that she found home. "It has been like seeing yourself in sound," Dirawi said after meeting them.
Dirawi was born on 11 December 1990 in Sundsvall, Sweden, the second of four children. She is of Palestinian descent and her family comes from Lebanon. Dirawi's paternal grandparents convinced her father to move to Sweden.
"Meet Me In Jannah" is Gina Dirawi's debut album, produced by Björn Yttling and Freja Drakenberg, got released February 18th. In Juli 2021 she released the excellent singles ”Sunday” and ”Live And Die”, both of them was included in the Netflixserie ”Young Royals”. They got followed by "Blame It On Me" and Dirawi's first tune on Arabic, "Bmoot", that means "I die". The music on the album sounds magnificent, it's raw and feels spontaneous, partly improvised and the voclas are just marvelous, she intertwines Arabic folk music with alternative pop and creates a sound that is completely its own and she does it with such a confident, like she was born to do this full time. Her voice flows nicely, it's intimate and raw, like an instrument by it's own. The opening track "Sunday" she sings about praying to Allah: "Catch you on a Sunday / When you got the weekend off". It does not matter that it is a holiday and that no one may listen, the need for inner peace is too great to wait. The final and closing tune "Live And Die" is recorded in a single recording and the end of the song has been completely improvised. It is one of many moments on "Meet Me In Jannah" that remains long after the last notes have sounded out. I really enjoy this, after working with Gina, I never thought she would possess this knowledge, quite magically I must say, nicely done Gina! Now make sure to release this on Vinyl, because I want this.
Sum: ”Meet Me In Jannah” a rare confident debut, get it.
Today's tune "Meet Me In Jannah" is the title track from her debut album, "Jannah" is Arabic for "Paradise". TRIGGER WARNING, violent video.
Here is a excellent clip from the TV show "Nyhetsmorgon" a few days ago.
Monday, new week, it's time for us to introduce the "Record Of The Week".
"Mad Gone Wild" is the seventh studio album by the Swedish duo JOHNOSSI since the formation of 2006, this Stockholm-based duo consists of guitarist/vocalist John Englebert and drummer Ossi Bonde.
A band that always has had a great blend between rock and pop and got the eye and feeling to create catchy and mesmerizing tunes. On "Mad Gone Wild" they continue on the path they created fifteen years ago, but they take out the turns a little more, dares, and tries to create something new and interesting, something I think they succeed with well as here the tunes are both raucous and rousing, spacey and very energetic, catchy and electronic. On this record, the duo has dug deep into their own psyches and imaginations to realize something part-concept album, part catharsis, and entirely exhilarating and hypnotic. "Is there an exact point where reason turns into madness?" is one of the questions they brought with them during the creation process. "Are we not all completely insane in our very own unique way?" is another. Drawing on influences and inspiration from thier own periods of depression and anxiety, including Franz Kafka’s "Metamorphosis" and Scorcese’s "Taxi Driver", and Joaquin Phoenix in the role of Joker. The character Roscoe who appeared a bit here and has been in the duo's music since 2010 is also returning.
"Mad Gone Wild" is a dark piece to dig into, raw and still so haunting something that flows over all eleven tracks. The record has a great feeling and atmosphere that sounds refreshing, even if it sometimes results in some songs blending into each other and passing unnoticed. The lyrics are deep with a big heart and when the pace slows down and the words come out very powerful and tunes really hit hard. As in the title tune "Mad Gone Wild" or in the ending "Screaming". There are a few other tracks that need to be noticed like opening punk rocker "Give Me The Knife", the noise rocker "Something = Nothing", the garage rocker "Yeah Yeah", which has a great piano part that is led by their third and new member Mathias Franzen, who get some great space in the short instrumental interlude "Wizards Of Os". The new wave tune and the second single "Koala Before The Storm", is a really powerful tune. and the straight-ahead noise-punk of opener and paean to knife-play and three-day-benders ‘Give Me The Knife’. "A Passenger" tickles every time thanks to its rhythmically interesting arrangement. Overall JOHNOSSI have created another great album that will get some spins over here and I recomend that you let this record loose on your turntable aswell.
Today's tune "Give Me The Knife" is taken from "Mad Gone Wild", enjoy!
Monday, new week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
Four decades, it's a long time of survival, something that few bands can handle. The French Canadians VOIVOD is one of them that continue to put out material that still keeps a high-quality stamp year after year. Amazing and very powerful and yet follow the trail of development from early origins of Punk, via trash path to the more progressive and technical ground where they are atm, a band that always played by their own rules.
"Synchro Anarchy" is the band's 15th studio release and, as fans have come to expect, it is yet is again an incomparable concoction of wild, quirky, and imaginative heaviness. Absolutely wonderful and not a hint of predictability. This record feels very well made, where the band has taken their time to create a proper album without letting go of the reins. Nine tunes that clock in just under fifty minutes.
The album opens up with "Paranormalium" where bizarre riffs and quirky tempos just fall in to the of VOIVOD's trademark. The melodic layers of 70s psychedelia and 80s thrash metal and progressive metal which creates a fun and very enjoyable foundation for Denis "Snake" Bélanger’s nasal vocal who marries in a nice way. The following title tune and "Planet Eaters" continues in the same path of oddly charming and great arrangements which creates a magical flow in the listening nerve. "Mind Clock" opens up with some half paced guitar picks, that slowly build up and the speed incres and the punk attitude winds its way in. The guitar friendly piece "Sleeves Off" has a great groove, partly Scandinavian garage rock mixed up with some MASTEDON progginess. "Holographic Thinking" is a catchy tune with some cool riffing and it's followed by the bass heavy "The World Today" with it's surf-rock vibe gives the album some spice and the bassist Rocky gets the spotlight. The album closes up with "Memory Failure" that wraps up the bag with some heavy riffing and thunderous drums and well written lyrics. "Synchro Anarchy" is a really nice album from the band, well worth the time you will spend with VOIVOD, an album that increase dramatically after each listen. The album was produced by Francis Perron. Released by Century Media Records on February 11th, 2022.
Sum: “Synchro Anarchy” is a great thrashed progressive metal album, get it!
VOïVOD is:
Drums: Michel “Away” Langevin
Voice: Denis “Snake” Belanger
Guitar & backing vocalist: Daniel “Chewy” Mongrain
Bass & backing vocalist: Dominic “Rocky” Laroche
Today's tune is the title tune from "Synchro Anarchy", enjoy!
The British heavy metal icons SAXON, the true NWOBHM veterans have released the band's 23rd studio album, "Carpe Diem", which easily picks up this fine award.
The band's albums releases during the last 20 years have remained consistent, with a new album every few years mixed with a tour. The quality is always been high and kept a steady stream of well-written anthems. "Carpe Diem is business as usual for British metal institution SAXON, and business is good.
"Carpe Diem", really shows off that SAXON still has it, the sound, the tunes are true to their legendary status and keep a good flow true out the whole album. Biff Byford's vocal range is still in full bloom and it's remarkable that it still is in such good shape since his heart attack in September 2019. Paul Quinn guitars are as amazing as always and he really gives us some great solos here Nigel Glocker keeps the pace and he really knows how to do it. There are several great tracks on this record. Like the opening title tune "Carpe Diem (Seize The Day)" that really follows the SAXON blueprint, heavy riffs along with catchy lyrics. "Age Of Steam" is a powerful piece that stands out a little, with really cool riffs, and historical lyrics. "The Pilgrimage" is a slower tune, half pace harmonies that could be filed under "ballad", to then be replaced by the tempo booster with the brilliant "Dambusters", excellent guitars in a high speed to be followed up by "Remember The Fallen", "Super Nova", "All For One" and "Black Is The Night" that keeps the chugging high. The album closes up with the 10th track "Living On The Limit", which throws us back to the band's history. Great ending to a nice release by SAXON.
"Carpe Diem" is was released on February 4th via Silver Lining Music. Produced by Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, EXODUS, ACCEPT among many others) at Backstage Recording Studios in Derbyshire with Byford and Sneap mixing and mastering, "Carpe Diem" strikes the ear as one of the most essential British metal statements of the last few years and not lacking in pace or bite, an album which will ignite the joy in stalwart supporters and attract a whole new legion to the Saxon fold.
Sum: If you like SAXON, then you will love “Carpe Diem”!
Today's tune "The Pilgrimage", is taken from “Carpe Diem”. “Pilgrimage is a fantastic word. People go on pilgrimages all the time, not just in a historical or religious sense, but it’s about going and visiting either a place that you feel is special in your life or somebody that’s meant something in your life. You can go on a pilgrimage to go see your great grandfather who died in the First World War for instance. They’re journeys of great weight and importance.” Enjoy!
Monday, a new week, it's time for "Record Of The Week".
"The Monster Roars" is the 22nd studio album by English rock band MAGNUM, released on 14 January 2022. A band that get's my full respect, a band that has a long history as they is impressive, when they look back at a career which started as early as 1972 and still continue to make great songs and keep the quality up is freaking amazing. To celebrate 50 years in business they now released their 22nd studio album "The Monster Roars". MAGNUM have struggled same as many other band with this pandemic with concert cancellations and the uncertain perspectives for the whole music industry and hopefully it will soon change and they will be able to play the new tunes live.
MAGNUM have been notably consistent with their outputs over the past decades, "The Monster Roars" feels like their strongest in a long time. They have created a vibrant, homogeneous album with great melodies, catchy choruses, marvelous solos and amazing vocals, I am really impressive how they manage this kinda quality so long into thier career.
"The Monster Roars" opens up with the title tune, like a smooth ride the song starts off with a soft piano along with Catley’s vocal until the rest joins up with some power. The vocal parts by Bob Catley is as we are used to, excellent, the Tony Clarkins guitar, Dennis Ward on bass, Lee Morris on drums and keys by Rick Benton sounds amazing. "Remember" is a catchy piece, marvlous guitar, nice piano. "All You Believe In" is a beautiful tune where Rick Benton really shines with his work. Where the keys goes straight into the heart, so nice! "I Won’t Let You Down" stands out a bit in style, but still very powerful. Time to turn back the time in "The Present Not The Past", a tune that could be picked from any of the bands 80's album, cool strings and some flavour to it. "No Steppin’ Stones" the album's first single features a brass intro, didn't see that comming, kinda cool and gives the tune some sparks. "That Freedom Word" serves us with some killer guitars, the solos are insanely beautiful. "Your Blood Is Violence" is a great rocker that follows by "Walk The Silent Hours", a great half ballad until it's time to rock again in "The Day After The Night Before", powerful with a big chorus. The guitar heavy "Come Holy Men" continues the powerful tracks until it's time to wave good bye with the closing tune "Can’t Buy Yourself A Heaven", half acoustic guitars surrounds Catley's vocals the long walk to then round off with a magical guitar solo like no other. To sum this up, "The Monster Roars" is a very good album by a band, they have mastered the craftmanship over 50 years and still continue to serve us listners with classy and hook laden rockers and this is really shows that the monster MAGNUM still roars. The only down side I can see is the artwork, I do miss Rodney Matthews fantasy!
Throughout those five decades the band mainstays have been vocalist Bob Catley and songwriter Tony Clarkin on guitar. The current line up is made up of more recent recruits bassist Dennis Ward, Rick Benton on keyboards and drummer Lee Morris.
Sum: MAGNUM shows that “The Monster Roars”.
Today's tune "I Won't Let You Down", taken from “The Monster Roars”, enjoy!
Monday, new week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".
Oregon goth-metallers UNTO OTHERS is back with the second album "Strength".
Yes I know, I'm late for the ball again, but I was waiting for Vinyl which would have been released a long time ago, but has been postponed, now at the end of February and now I can not wait any longer, haha So for today you get the album and here is my review on it.
IDLE HANDS or UNTO OTHERS as they are called today really shows thier "Strength" that they are the finest band in goth-rock today.
A band that mixes the classic heavy metal and goth rock in a excellent way, almost like CURE did distort them self up to THE SISTERS OF MERCY and added some chilli with some power to boost everything up and at least the lyrical themes that deals with life, death, fantasy, mysticism and some personal issues.
"Strength" kicks on with the furious and dark piece "Herion", were the lyrics tells a story of addiction, the music is marvelous and fantastic, the same dark theme continues "Downtown". The same theme continues throughout the album where they handle the rhythms and melody in a wonderfully way, they mixes styles and tempos to keep up the intresst and almost create a freeway for what's to come when they take the next level on the follow up album. Gabriel Franco vocals part is just brilliant in my ears, incredibly mesmerizing with his baritone voice, something that really take place on the next tune "When Will Gods Work Be Done", a powerful anthem. On "No Children Laughing Now" the sound is a bit diffrent here, still a dark piece, heavy riffing, furious doublebass drumming, which then shifts up the tempo in "Destiny", heavy riffing, heavy drumming and some softer vocal parts. The light punkish "Why" is another brilliant step to widen their views. They even manage to add a cover to the album, a fantastic version of Pat Benatar’s 1980 classic "Hell Is For Children". Some rumbling bass in the slightly more polished "Summer Lightning". The title tune really summarizing everything the album has offred during it's play time of forty-six minutes and twenty-two seconds as my digital album shows. "Strength" really have some well-written lyrics, marvlous lead guitars, excellent vocals, hard and heavy doublebass drumming and a rumbling bass lines. The album needs more of me and was not as direct as "Mana", but if you give it time, dive into what it wants to convey, you will be rewarded, I promise, you’ll love it.
Sum: "Strength" is something you need now and UNTO OTHERS will provide it to you!
US Tour Dates - With BEHEMOTH, ARCH ENEMY, NAPALM DEATH, And More
Apr16
Marquee Theatre
Tempe, AZ, US
Apr18
Aztec Theatre
San Antonio, TX, US
Apr19
Amplified Live
Dallas, TX, US
Apr21
Jannus Live
St Petersburg, FL, US
Apr22
The Eastern
Atlanta, GA, US
Apr23
The Fillmore Charlotte
Charlotte, NC, US
Apr25
REBEL
Toronto, ON, Canada
Apr26
MTELUS
Montreal, QC, Canada
Apr28
Terminal 5
New York (NYC), NY, US
Apr29
The Fillmore Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA, US
Apr30
Palladium
Worcester, MA, US
May02
Riviera Theatre- IL
Chicago, IL, US
May04
Odgen Theatre
Denver, CO, US
May07
The Depot
Salt Lake City, UT, US
May09
Showbox SoDo
Seattle, WA, US
May10
Vogue Theatre
Vancouver, BC, Canada
May11
Roseland Theater
Portland, OR, US
May13
The Uc Theater
San Francisco, CA, US
May15
Hollywood Palladium
Hollywood, CA, US
European Festivals
Jul13
Metal Hammer Festival 2022
Spodek
Katowice, Poland
Aug02- Aug06
Beyond The Gates 2022
USF Verftet
Bergen, Norway
European Tour Dates - With BEHEMOTH, ARCH ENEMY, CARCASS, And More
Sep27 Olympia Theatre
Dublin, Ireland
Sep29
O2 Academy Glasgow
Glasgow, UK
Sep30
O2 Apollo
Manchester, UK
Oct01
O2 Academy Birmingham
Birmingham, UK
Oct02
O2 Academy Brixton
London, UK
Oct04
Zénith Paris - La Villette
Paris, France
Oct05
Le Bikini
Ramonville St Agne, France
Oct07
Sala Tejo, Altice Arena
Lisbon, Portuga
Oct08
Palacio Vistalegre
Madrid, Spain
Oct09
Palau Sant Jordi
Barcelona, Spain
Oct11
Radiant Bellevue
CALUIRE ET CUIRE, France
Oct12
Alcatraz
Milan, Italy
Oct14
Columbiahalle
Berlin, Germany
Oct15
Tipsport Arena
Prague, Czech Republic
Oct16
Barba Negra
Budapest, Hungary
Oct18
Planet.Tt Bank Austria Halle Gasometer
Vienna, Austria
Oct19
Spodek
Katowice, Poland
Oct21
MHP Arena Ludwigsburg
Ludwigsburg, Germany
Oct22
Mainstage
'S Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
Oct23
Forest National / Vorst Nationaal
Brussels, Belgium
Oct25
The Hall Zürich
Dubendorf, Switzerland
Oct26
Jahrhunderthalle
Frankfurt, Germany
Oct28
Zenith, Die Kulturhalle
Munich, Germany
Oct29
Mitsubishi Electric HALLE
Düsseldorf, Germany
Oct30
Edel-Optics.De Arena
Hamburg, Germany
Oct31
Partille Arena
Gothenburg, Sweden
Nov02
Black Box, Helsingin Jäähalli
Helsinki, Finland
Nov04
Annexet
Stockholm, Sweden
Nov05 Forum Black Box
Frederiksberg, Denmark
Nov06
Rockefeller
Oslo, Norway
Today's tune "Downtown" is the second single from "Strength", enjoy!
