2112 is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on 1 April 1976 (or March 1976, according to some sources) by Anthem Records.
Seventh Son of a Seventh Son is the seventh studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 11 April 1988 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records and in the United States by Capitol Records.
Catch diamond-selling alternative outfit AWOLNATION on a headlining tour this fall across the U.S. with special guests Badflower and support from British alternative rockers The Mysterines. The “Falling Forward” tour kicks off October 6 in Salt Lake City, UT and includes stops in NYC, LA and Austin before wrapping November 18 in Seattle, WA. A full list of dates is below.
Tickets will go on sale to the public Friday, May 6 at 10am local time at this location: https://www.awolnationmusic.com/. A fan club exclusive presale will run starting at 10am local time on Tuesday, May 3 to Thursday, May 5.
The on-sale date coincides with the release of AWOLNATION’s new covers and compilations album, MY ECHO, MY SHADOW, MY COVERS AND ME, via Better Noise Music. Featuring collaborations with Beck, Jewel, Portugal. The Man, Taylor Hanson of Hanson, Brandon Boyd of Incubus and more, the album was conceived by AWOLNATION mastermind Aaron Bruno as a way of escaping the reality of 2020 and to act as “a palate cleanser for releasing new, original music,” according to Bruno in a recent interview with Billboard.
Three cover tracks have been shared in advance of its release along with corresponding music videos including Scorpions’ “Wind of Change” featuring Portugal.The Man and Brandon Boyd of Incubus; Midnight Oil’s “Beds Are Burning” featuring Tim McIlrath of Rise Against; and Madonna’s “Material Girl” featuring Taylor Hanson of Hanson.
AWOLNATION “Falling Forward” Tour Dates: Thursday, October 6 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex – Rockwell Friday, October 7 – Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium Saturday, October 8 – Omaha, NE @ Barnato Monday, October 10 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore Tuesday, October 11 – Kansas City, MO @ Uptown Theater Thursday, October 13 – Chicago, IL @ Riviera Theatre Friday, October 14 – Columbus, OH @ KEMBA Live! Indoor Pavilion Saturday, October 15 – St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant Sunday, October 16 – Newport, KY @ PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION Tuesday, October 18 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Wednesday, October 19 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theater Friday, October 21 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE Saturday, October 22 – New York, NY @ The Rooftop at Pier 17 Sunday, October 23 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues Tuesday, October 25 – Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore Wednesday, October 26 – Silver Spring, MD @ The Fillmore Friday, October 28 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle Saturday, October 29 – Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Monday, October 31 – Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl Nashville Wednesday, November 2 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom Friday, November 4 – Houston, TX @ Bayou Music Center Saturday, November 5 – Dallas, TX @ South Side Ballroom Sunday, November 6 – Austin, TX Stubb’s @ Waller Creek Amphitheater Tuesday, November 8 – Albuquerque, NM @ Revel Wednesday, November 9 – Tempe, AZ @ Marquee Theatre Friday, November 11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium Saturday, November 12 – Las Vegas, NV @ Brooklyn Bowl Las Vegas Sunday, November 13 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Theater Wednesday, November 16 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater Friday, November 18 – Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre
The Trinity of Terror tour featuring the incredible lineup of Ice Nine Kills, Black Veil Brides, and Motionless in White descended upon Norfolk, VA. Even as the final stop on the tour, the bands brought everything they had and then some to the eager crowd.
Kicking off the show was West Palm Beach, FL band Fame on Fire. As they mentioned on a Twitter post, this show was their first-ever arena show, but you would never have been able to tell with how they owned the stage. The energy was contagious, and they truly had the crowd amped up and ready to go for the other bands.
Ice Nine Kills was up next. If you’ve never seen Ice Nine Kills live, you really need to remedy that. This band not only sounds incredible live, but they truly make it a performance. Between costume changes to utilizing props to a different video visual behind the set for every song, there is a lot to take in. Kicking off their set with “Welcome to Horrorwood,” this set the tone for the entire evening, one of energy, mayhem, and horror (but fun!). Playing songs from both The Silver Scream and Welcome to Horrorwood: The Silver Scream 2, concert goers were treated to multiple theatrical performances. Vocalist Spencer Charnas had several outfit changes in order to match the song being performed at the time, ranging from Patrick Bateman during “Hip To Be Scared” to Pennywise during “IT Is The End” to Freddy Krueger during “American Nightmare.” The crowd jumped, rocked, and crowd surfed their way throughout the entire set, the energy never-ending.
Following this incredible performance was Black Veil Brides. This was my first time seeing this band live, and I was not disappointed. Much like the first two bands, the momentum continued, and the energy flowed from the stage into the crowd. The set included older and newer tracks alike with the band performing favorites, such as “Knives and Pens” and “Fallen Angels,” to newer songs, like “Crimson Skies” and “Scarlet Cross.” The set closed out with my personal favorite song, “In The End,” which left the crowd wanting more.
The final act of the evening was Motionless In White, a band I’ve seen numerous times, ranging from smaller venues to arenas to festivals. This is a band that never disappoints, but something felt different this time. I was even more blown away by their performance than I have been in the past, the entire band was fired up and ready to go. Their setlist ranged from older favorites, such as “Disguise,” “Brand New Numb,” and “Another Life,” to their fantastic cover of “Somebody Told Me,” to new releases, like “Cyberhex.” During “Necessary Evil,” characters came on stage to toss candy to the crowd as Chris Motionless sang eating his cake and, well, you know the rest. Even when Chris had to stop the performance of “Voices” to address an issue in the crowd, the band didn’t miss a beat in resuming the show, starting the song over and continuing on.
The Trinity of Terror tour concluded on this date in Norfolk, VA. Even after being on tour for well over a month, the energy and enthusiasm from the bands was never lacking. All band truly came to slay and slay they did. This tour was one for the books and one of the most entertaining shows I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending. As Chris Motionless mentioned during their set, he thanked the crowd for helping not put just a period on the end of the tour, but an exclamation point.
Ice Nine Kills Setlist Welcome to Horrorwood Wurst Vacation Hip to Be Scared Stabbing in the Dark Rainy Day IT Is the End Take Your Pick Ex-Mortis The Shower Scene Funeral Derangements The American Nightmare
Black Veil Brides Setlist Faithless Coffin Crimson Skies Shadows Die Wake Up Scarlet Cross Knives and Pens The Legacy Fallen Angels In the End
Motionless in White Setlist Disguise Reincarnate Necessary Evil Voices Brand New Numb Thoughts & Prayers Rats Cyberhex Another Life Somebody Told Me Eternally Yours
Photos of Ice Nine Kills, Black Veil Brides, Motionless In White, and Fame On Fire. All photos taken by Gretchen Smither on April 27, 2022 in Norfolk, VA.
Streamed on New Music Night and voted on by Rocked viewers, this is a playlist of songs allgiven the highest percentage of positive votes through April of 2022. Each song was played to a live audience and voted on with a thumbs up or thumbs down by each viewer on Twitch.
You can listen to new music live and join the discussion every Sunday at 7PM EST on Twitch. Click here to follow and for go-live notifications. http://twitch.tv/rockednet
Best New Music April 2022
Featuring (in order of time added to the list): Lamb Of God & Megadeth – “Wake Up Dead” BRKN LOVE – “Like A Drug” Blu DeTiger – “Hot Crush Lover” Errorr – “Sixxx” Red Hot Chili Peppers – “Here Ever After” Rammstein – “Zick Zack” Apocalyptica, Franky Perez, Geezer Butler – “I’ll Get Through It” Electric Callboy, FiNCH – “Spaceman” Clutch – “Red Alert (Boss Metal Zone)” Stick To Your Guns – “Weapon” Kreator – “Strongest Of The Strong” Alestorm – “Magellan’s Expedition” Pattern-Seeking Animals – “Only Passing Through” The Midnight – “Change Your Heart Or Die” Classless Act ft. Justin Hawkins – “This Is For You” Grey Daze – “Saturation (Strange Love) LIMBS – “Coma Year” Sigrid & Bring Me The Horizon – “Bad Life” Kirk Hammett – “High Plains Drifter” Of Monsters And Men – “This Happiness” Boston Manor – “Foxglove”
Thanks to everyone that tuned in live on Twitch every Sunday for New Music Night. Click here to follow the Twitch channel and get go-live notifications for New Music Night every Sunday at 7 PM EST: HTTP://twitch.tv/rockednet
Originally announced in 2019 with a different lineup and subsequently postponed while the world was shut down, WDHA’s Rock the Rock Fest has been three years in the making. The day finally arrived this past Thursday, April 28 and Newark’s Prudential Center welcomed a stacked radio fest featuring Godsmack, Three Days Grace, Black Veil Brides, Wage War and Lilith Czar.
Photos of Godsmack:
A household name for the past couple of decades, Godsmack needs absolutely no introduction. Lighting up the stage – literally – the band played a beefy 90 minute set that was worth any amount of Newark traffic it might have taken to get there. While the band pulled more heavily from 2018’s When Legends Rise, (“Bulletproof,” “Under Your Scars,” “Unforgettable” and “When Legends Rise,”) the setlist was perfectly balanced so that both dedicated and casual fans had at least a couple of songs to sing along to.
Three Days Grace is back with a new tour and new music from the upcoming album Explosions due May 6th. The Canadian rockers sounded crisp, clean and full of an intoxicating energy that – I totally admit it – had me singing in the photo pit. While it’s fun to joke that Three Days Grace awakes the emo kid inside all of us, the fact is that the band continues to perform (and create!) accessible earworms.
Black Veil Brides just wrapped up a massive tour with Ice Nine Kills and Motionless in White one night before returning to New Jersey to play Rock Fest. Having just toured in support of 2021’s The Phantom Tomorrow, the band played a much too quick 7 track well-balanced set featuring some old favorites like “Knives and Pens” and “In The End.” Always a ton of fun to watch, Thursday’s performance was no difference. Black Veil Brides knows how to work a crowd, who in turn was more than happy to reciprocate the band’s seemingly endless energy in turn.
Definitely the heaviest hitting act on the lineup, Wage War came on hard and did a fair job of riling up the crowd with the energy needed to last the remainder of the night.
With an early 5:30pm star time, the crowd was admittedly a little slow to arrive, which is a shame because Lilith Czar is a force to be reckoned with. Performing songs from 2021’s Created From Filth and Dust, Lilith Czar sings of darkness and rebirth with an undeniably gritty rock edge. Despite technically being the opening act, this was one of the bands I was most excited to finally experience live. It’s exciting to see her transformation and I can’t wait to see where Lilith Czar will take us next.
Today, Multi-GRAMMY-nominated rock act NOTHING MORE released their new single “TIRED OF WINNING” via Better Noise Music, which serves as the first official radio single from their long-awaited new studio album. The song is a high-energy rock anthem unapologetically confronting the state of humanity with lyrics like “ So will we steer this ship straight through the void / Or turn on ourselves and die out/ Are you tired of winning? / Cuz it’s already over.” “TIRED OF WINNING” is now available to download or stream across platforms HERE. The official music video for the track also premiered today, giving fans thought-provoking, sci-fi inspired visuals that amplify the poignant lyrics. WATCH HERE.
For more background on “TIRED OF WINNING,” the band’s frontman Jonny Hawkins gives context behind the song’s origin in the below Q&A.
Last month, the band gave fans the first official preview of the new album by dropping a new song and music video titled “TURN IT UP LIKE (Stand in the Fire).” Co-written by all four band members, the song is a sonic rejection of the divisive, digitally-drowned state of the world with lyrics like: “All my friends are dead / They all got fucked by the internet / All my friends are dead / Our brain’s bein’ bugged by the media.” Billboardgave an exclusive look at the music video, including some statements from Hawkins. He said, “Something we’ve always pushed for as a band is to question everything. And I think we’ve just gone through a period where it had been unfashionable to question things. Because if you did, you were the pariah, you were the outcast, the other. For the last few years, I’ve felt like an animal in a cage, just pacing, and my teeth are showing more. I had nowhere to vent that rage and that frustration until we put it into this song. I think a lot of people feel this way. You saw it spill over into riots and protests. There’s all this stuff just pent up inside people. Thankfully, we’re going back out on the road soon, so I’ll have somewhere to put it.”
The forthcoming album is the highly anticipated follow-up to the band’s 2017 album The Stories We Tell Ourselves, which earned them three GRAMMY nominations, including Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Recording for the single “Go To War.”
Fans will be able to hear the new music live on the band’s recently announced co-headlining U.S. tour this spring, with Better Noise Music label mates Asking Alexandria, with support from Atreyu and Eva Under Fire . The tour is set to kick off in Kansas City, MO on May 13 and end in Houston, TX on June 19, with other stops planned in Nashville, Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, and more – see full list of dates below. Tickets, VIP Meet & Greets and additional information are available at: http://nothingmore.net/
JONNY HAWKINS on “TIRED OF WINNING”
“TIRED OF WINNING” is a compelling song with lyrics that underline the very precarious position that humankind is in right now: “So will we steer this ship straight through the void/ Or turn on ourselves and die out?” What inspired the song and how it mocks the phrase “winning”?
“We find ourselves in the same position humanity has found itself over and over again… at the end of a series of self made problems. When we wake up to this, we realize that we are our own worst enemy, yet we focus so much of our energy on externalizing our problems. This song is a bird’s eye view of human nature”
Vocally, the performance is stadium-size and intimate all at once, putting across the urgency of the song’s lyrics. What was going through your mind as you sang with this level of intensity? How will you translate this message into your live performance?
“This may sound a bit lofty, but when I sing this song I feel as if the entire universe is coursing through my veins. I get goosebumps because I feel in line with something I can’t quite describe… like an old familiar spirit shows up.”
The song ends with the lines: “Are we going to live this life?” How do you feel we as a people got it all wrong–and where do you think we might all be headed?
“I think we all tend to lose the meaning in life by hyper focusing on it and romanticizing it. It’s a paradox… It’s like trying to grasp water in your hand; the tighter you hold, the less you have. The more weight you put on the “meaning” of your life, the less you feel connected to it. The purpose of life might be as simple as life itself… nothing more, nothing less.”
Musically, the song is very intense with unique sounds + a jarring rhythm that underline the chaos of this moment we are living in. Can you talk about the recording of the song and how you wanted it to sonically capture the song’s theme?
“We wanted it to sound like aliens had a baby with a 90’s rock band. That baby grew up, dropped out of college and made our music video.”
NOTHING MORE Spring U.S. Tour Dates (with Asking Alexandria): May 13 – Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater May 14 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion May 15 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom May 17 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle May 18 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans May 20 – Birmingham, AL – Avondale Brewing Company May 21 – Daytona Beach, FL – Welcome to Rockville* May 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE* May 24 – Rochester, NY – Main Street Armory* May 25 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore May 27 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater May 28 – Wallingford, CT – The Dome at Oakdale May 29 – Reading, PA – Theatre at Santander Arena* May 31 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center June 1 – Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works June 3 – Chicago, IL – The Riviera* June 4 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room @ Old National Centre June 5 – Cleveland, OH – Agora Theater* June 7 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit June 8 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee June 9 – St. Louis, MO – The Pageant June 12 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium June 13 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex June 15 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues June 16 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren June 18 – San Antoni, TX – Tech Port Center + Arena June 19 – Houston, TX – House of Blues
Billy Howerdel releases his eagerly-awaited debut solo album, What Normal Was, on June 10 via Alchemy Recordings/Rise Records/BMG.
The A Perfect Circle co-founder/guitar player has simultaneously released a video for “Poison Flowers” with the Rizz (from VOWWS)-directed clip offering both an aural and visual preview of what’s to come on the 10-song, self-produced collection.
“This is me stepping back into my early teen self and making the record I would’ve made if I had the means and the knowledge when I first picked up a guitar—just in 2022,” Howerdel explains. “It’s that moment as a kid when you hear a record, close your eyes, and go somewhere else. That was the time I found my lane, so to speak.”
The news is accompanied by the announcement of a Summer tour, kicking off on June 11 in Ventura, Calif. The six week trek includes an appearance at Milwaukee’s Summerfest and two shows where Howerdel finds himself on the same bill as his APC bandmate Maynard James Keenan, who will be performing with Puscifer: June 12 at the Greek Theatre (Los Angeles) and July 1 at Meadow Brook Amphitheatre (Rochester Hills, Mich). Tickets for all headlining dates are on-sale this Friday, April 29 at 10 am local time. For tickets and ticket info, including VIP packages, please visit www.billyhowerdel.com.
Tour dates: June 11 Ventura, CA Ventura Music Hall June 12 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre * June 14 Solana Beach, CA Belly Up June 15 San Francisco, CA The Independent June 16 Roseville, CA Goldfield Trading Post June 18 Portland, OR Wonder Ballroom June 19 Seattle, WA Neumos June 21 Salt Lake City, UT Metro Music Hall June 22 Denver, CO Gothic Theatre June 24 Minneapolis, MN Fine Line Music Café June 25 Milwaukee, WI Summerfest June 26 St. Louis, MO Delmar Hall June 28 Chicago, IL Cabaret Metro June 29 Columbus, OH Newport Music Hall July 1 Rochester Hills, MI Meadow Brook Amphitheatre * July 2 Toronto, ON Axis Club July 3 Montreal, QC Café Campus July 5 Allston, MA Brighton Music Hall July 6 New York, NY Gramercy Theatre July 8 Philadelphia, PA Theatre of the Living Arts July 9 Baltimore, MD Baltimore Soundstage July 10 Charlotte, NC The Underground July 12 Atlanta, GA Masquerade July 14 New Orleans, LA House of Blues July 15 Houston, TX White Oak Music Hall – Inside Downstairs July 16 Dallas, TX The Echo Lounge & Music Hall July 17 Austin, TX Emos July 20 Phoenix, AZ Crescent Ballroom
*-w/Puscifer
What Normal Was tracklist: Selfish Heart Free And Weightless Ani Beautiful Mistake The Same Again Poison Flowers Follower Bring Honor Back Home EXP Stars
Pre-save What Normal Washere. Album pre-orders for the June 10 release will be available soon.
New Jersey-born and Los Angeles-based vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Billy Howerdel has quietly asserted himself as an alternative music auteur whose knack for massive hooks believes a keen emotional understanding and sonic acuity. Devoting his life to music after witnessing Pink Floyd live, he acted as something of a behind-the-scenes journeyman, working as an in-demand touring and studio tech for the likes of David Bowie, Guns N’ Roses, and Nine Inch Nails. Striking up a friendship with Maynard James Keenan when Tool opened for Fishbone (for whom Billy served as a tech), he occupied a room in a North Hollywood cottage with Maynard. Billy founded A Perfect Circle with Maynard in 1999. The group’s seminal full-length debut, Mer de Noms, went platinum and made history as the “highest Billboard Top 200 bow for a rock band’s debut.” They followed it with the platinum Thirteenth Step [2003] and gold Emotive [2004]. The group made their return with 2018’s Eat The Elephant, marking their fourth consecutive Top 5 debut on the Top 200. In between, Billy’s music has also appeared in video games and on the big screen. During 2008, he made his first solo statement under the moniker Ashes Divide with Keep Telling Myself It’s Alright. In the next decade, the album quietly pervaded as a cult favorite with millions of streams and the odd sold out “reunion” show. On his 2022 proper full-length solo debut, What Normal Was [Alchemy Recordings/Rise Records/BMG], he inhabits a space that’s reverent of his past, present, and future all at once. After all of these years, songs, and shows, Billy is ready to introduce himself.
Caledonian metal pioneer SAOR will be releasing its fifth full-length album, ‘Origins,’ on June 24 via Season of Mist! The album artwork, tracklist, and other details can be found below! Inspired by the myths and tales of the Scottish highlands, ‘Origins’ takes the listener deep into the Scottish heartlandswhile delivering SAOR‘s signature hybrid of atmospheric black metal and folk.
In conjunction with the album announcement, SAOR is now sharing the title track along with a music video! The clip was created by Guilherme Henriques and can be found at THIS LOCATION.
SAOR mastermind Andy Marshall comments, “It’s been a long wait and an unpredictable few years but I’m very happy to finally be sharing this song with everyone! A lot of hard work went into making Origins and I can’t wait to let you all here the full album in June.”
Pre-orders for ‘Origins’ are live in the shop HERE. Pre-save the record across all streaming services HERE.
Tracklist: 1. Call of the Carnyx (06:58) 2. Fallen (05:04) 3. The Ancient Ones (07:54) 4. Aurora (08:24) 5. Beyond the Wall (06:13) 6. Origins (06:44) [WATCH] Total: 0:41:17
SAOR means free, without obligations, unconstrained. All of these characteristics are intrinsic to the music of SAOR, the musical entity spearheaded by sole member Andy Marshall. As a lone wanderer proudly shouting the tales and myths of his people, his culture and his region from the tops of misty Caledonian mountains for the wind to carry, Andy has carved a solitary, yet strikingly inspiring path with SAOR ever since Roots, his first album laid deep… roots, indeed!, way back in 2013.
A decade about to be completed which is now about to witness the release of a fifth full-length, a decade in which Andy and SAOR have almost single-handedly made us all feel a little bit like Scots at heart, regardless of our own individual origins, such is the passionate and almost visual way that this musician delivers his profoundly atmospheric hybrid of black and folk metal, peculiarly described as Caledonian metal. “I used to play in some local bands, but I never really liked writing music with other people,” Andy recalls of his initial, formative times as a musician, beginnings that already hinted at the future road that would be taken. “There were too many opinions and arguments about the direction of the music. I have always preferred writing music alone.” As such, his musical and conceptual vision could be developed steadily, undiluted and unrestrained. Free, without obligations, unconstrained. “I was really into black metal and folk metal at the time I wrote Roots,” the Scot reveals, somewhat unsurprisingly. The components for his musical edifice are clear – it’s in the personality of their seamless mix, and in the Scottish fog that surrounds it, that the unique magic lies.
“There were plenty of Scandinavian bands singing about their history, culture, roots… but there were no Scottish bands. I thought this was kind of weird because we have such an interesting history, and quite gloomy and epic landscapes, much like the Scandinavians. Since I grew up around traditional Scottish music and was a huge fan of film soundtracks, I used those influences and tried to merge them with atmospheric black metal, folk metal and other sounds. It was quite a natural fit for me. I live very close to mountains, beautiful forests and lochs, and I spend a lot of time on the Isle of Skye, so you can guess where my inspiration comes from. I’ve also been interested in Scottish history from a young age. I’m no expert, but I take inspiration from reading about the past and always feel connected to it.”
Established as a singular voice and presence in the metal and folk underground with Roots (“it might sound corny, but it’s the ‘roots’ of SAOR and the Caledonian metal sound,” Andy jokes. “You can hear some of the typically Scottish melodies on it that would become more prominent in future albums.”), Andy Marshall forged on, and follow-up Aura appeared less than a year later. Though it contains some of the most appreciated hymns in his entire discography, the Scottish musician, ever a perfectionist, has mixed feelings about it. “I was never a huge fan of the production and performances on this one,” he shrugs. “It felt rushed. Funnily enough, it became one of the most popular and well received SAOR albums. People seem to love the somewhat ‘muddied production’ because it gives the album character. We still play songs from this live and they go down really well. ‘Pillars of the Earth’ is one of my favourite SAOR songs.” With apologies to Andy, we do side with the masses on this one – and would even throw the hallowed name of Bathory as an example of how “muddied production” and “character” are two concepts that can indeed go hand in hand, treading a fine but clear line throughout the history of metal.
Perhaps avoiding another rushed effort, Guardians took two years to appear as the third chapter in the ongoing saga that is the SAOR discography. Definitely leaning even more to the side of folk, it’s a work of rare emotional depth within the genres it touches, even if our man is, once more, rather unfazed and focused on the technical aspects of the recording. “I think it’s a natural progression from Aura, but with a slightly improved sound. It focuses more on my folk/Celtic influences. Some would say the folk metal element is more prominent due to the amount of bagpipes, tin whistles and other folk instrumentation used on this album,” he muses. However, not even his author can deny the power of this album’s highest moments. “’Hearth’ is one of the most popular SAOR songs and ‘Tears of a Nation’ always goes down well in a live setting.” Sound considerations aside, it was clear by then, circa 2016, that SAOR was a living, breathing entity, evolving and exploring. Like that recurring metaphor of the lone wanderer that seems so perfect we cannot let go of it. Free, without obligations, unconstrained.
The period between albums ever-lengthening, as if each step into the world of SAOR requires a bigger period of reflection and maturing to take the next one, Forgotten Paths would only appear in 2019. A worthy wait, however, as the evolutionary step was by far the boldest, bravely defying imaginary style constraints and showcasing an atypical and engaging approach to the overall “folk” super-genre. “My most open and accessible album,” Andy admits without hesitation. “There’s definitely a hint of post-metal creeping in on this one and a little less black metal. Neige from Alcest provided guest vocals on the title-track, which was an honour. This is around the time I started using the term Caledonian metal to describe my sound. I think it sums up my music and the themes perfectly.”
As live appearances were beginning to be much more frequent and SAOR a constantly demanded name on more notable events, the world decided to throw us all a pandemic curveball, which halted the victorious march of Andy and his stage cohorts for a while. However, you wouldn’t expect a period of isolation to ever hold back a musician and a project that are, by definition, and even by many of the feelings by them evoked, isolated, would you? And it most certainly did not. “From 2019-early 2020 we had a pretty hectic time touring and playing festivals, so I actually really liked the first few months of lockdown. I got a chance to relax,” Andy says. “But when the government decided to stop us from travelling, even leaving our local area, it was horrible.” Also, the end of 2020 brought an unexpected gift of recognition, as SAOR won the “Best Metal” Category at the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMAs). Humble as ever, Andy thanked the band’s manager Joe, his stage comrades and Season of Mist, and added that “it’s been a tough year, so this award means a lot.”
Even better than recognition and accolades, from these difficult times, the new album, Origins, appeared. And for their first album in three years, and their premiere for Season of Mist, we wouldn’t expect anything other than… the unexpected. A counter reaction of sorts to the more meandering and even “accessible” direction of the previous records, perhaps inspired by its main theme of the Picts (a group of peoples who lived in what is now northern and eastern Scotland during Late Antiquity and the Early Middle Ages) and their fierce battles, Origins comes across as a more raging, black metal-infused effort, copiously evocative in its imagery and even melancholic in places, but decisively strong and abrasive at the same time. “This album is a lot more guitar driven,” Andy confirms.
“During the pandemic I listened to a lot of classic heavy metal and I think you’ll hear the influences on the dual lead guitars and solos. I also wanted this to be my heaviest album with emphasis on the riffs. My harsh vocals have changed from deep growls to more of a black metal style. Since the subject of the album is the Picts, I wanted a pagan theme throughout, and so that aspect is a lot more prominent than in the previous albums. I also used instruments such as the Carnyx and tribal drumming to convey that feeling.” One of the strongest songs on offer, the opener in fact, “Call of the Carnyx”, is in fact about the Carnyx itself, the ancient Celtic war horn, and it conveys like never before the feeling that it must have been to hear its resounding bellow, calling the Pictish warriors to battle. A moving homage to the legacy of the Picts, Origins guides us through their gods, their fallen heroes who died protecting their families and land, and what still remains of their identity in the Scottish people of today.
As much as we have food for thought, assured and guaranteed entertainment and inspiration for the months to come as we listen to and explore Origins and its themes, its creator is naturally already moving on. Andy doesn’t need much to create the worlds SAOR albums inhabit, and his most powerful tool is always with him. “I don’t need to be in one particular place to write or be inspired,” he explains. “I do have my own little office/studio in my home where I write music and lyrics, but it’s nothing special. My imagination is the most powerful tool for SAOR.” Not only do we vehemently agree, we would even say that imagination is the most powerful tool, always, for everyone. The one untamed weapon we all possess and can use at all times. Free. Without obligations. Unconstrained.
Don Broco have announced their brand new single “Fingernails” via SharpTone Records. The incendiary new track takes aim at the violent nature of the world with gargantuan riffs, punchy beatdowns and a huge anthemic chorus and is accompanied by epic animated sci-fi / dinosaur / disaster-movie style music video that Don Broco excel at. Fans can stream “Fingernails” now at https://bfan.link/fingernails
Alongside the new single, Don Broco have announced a headlining arena tour for March 2023 with support from Papa Roach and Dance Gavin Dance. The four-date run will start at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena (March 21st), followed by Leeds First Direct Arena (March 23rd), Birmingham Utilita Arena (March 24th) and finish at London’s Alexandra Palace (March 25th). Tickets go on sale on April 29 at 10am local time via www.myticket.co.uk
“Beyond pumped to announce the Amazing Things arena tour featuring a line up only the sweetest dreams are made of,” shares Don Broco frontman Rob Damiani. “There’s no two ways about it, we wouldn’t be the band we are today if it wasn’t for the legends that are Papa Roach so as you can imagine we’re super excited to have the guys out with us as well as our ridiculously talented friends Dance Gavin Dance. See you next year!” Always unique, and forever pushing boundaries, Don Broco are never ones to follow the trend and the new album Amazing Things is very aptly named. It’s yet another genre-bending masterpiece with electro, rock, pop, metal and more all wrapped up in their own unique blend, bringing to mind the likes of Deftones, Beastie Boys and Linkin Park amongst others… but simultaneously sounding like nobody else on earth. When talking about Don Broco’s live show, The Mic Magazine in the UK shared “It had everything you could ask for: stunning visuals, infectious energy, and some of the catchiest and most anthemic rock songs that I have heard in a long time.”
Amazing Things topped the UK Official Album Chart in February this year, marking the band’s third consecutive UK Top 10 album release. The album features the Radio 1 playlisted hit single “One True Prince.”
Amazing Things saw Don Broco expand their sound further than ever before, creating a masterpiece melding electro, rock, pop, metal and more all wrapped up in their own unique blend. “Fingernails” sees the band continue to expand their sonic horizons into uncharted territories once again to astonishing effect as they continue to prove just why they are one of the most important UK rock bands today.
You can stream the album and purchase physical copies here.
Don Broco + Special Guests Papa Roach and Dance Gavin Dance UK Tour Dates March 21, 2023 – Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena March 23, 2023 – Leeds – First Direct Arena March 24, 2023 – Birmingham – Utilita Arena March 25, 2023 – London – Alexandra Palace
The heavy metal ‘n’ roll dark madcap visionaries collectively known as AVATAR— vocalist Johannes Eckerström (vocals), guitarists Jonas Jarlsby and Tim Öhrström, bassist Henrik Sandelin, and drummer John Alfredsson — will return to North America this summer for a headline tour. The tour kicks off on July 6 in Toronto and runs through July 31 in Tucson. Light the Torch and Otep will also appear. Pre-sale tickets are available today, Tuesday, April 26, at 12pm ET. The regular on-sale is set for Friday, April 29 at 10am local time. Get tickets here.
All dates are below.
Avatar are currently sequestered deep in a Swedish forest, working on their ninth studio album with Jay Ruston. They have briefly emerged to issue the following statement.
“They don’t let us out much while we make our albums, so this summer will most likely turn out very dangerous for everyone involved,” the band says. “For all the tours we’ve done in North America, we have spent very little time there in the summer. Surely this must have led to a lot of unnecessary suffering that we are adamant on setting straight by applying necessary suffering. We know people crave some light-hearted tunes for their make out sessions on the beach, and some sweet melodies as they watch the sun set over the lake. We are here to destroy every single moment of summer time serenity. The sun will be the second hottest thing you’ll see in July. To finally do something with Otep feels great, and to once again hit the road with Light the Torch will be awesome, as well.”
AVATAR ON TOUR: WITH LIGHT THE TORCH + OTEP: 7/6 — Toronto, ON — Danforth Music Hall 7/7 — Montreal, QC — Corona 7/8 — Portland, ME — AURA 7/9 — Hartford, CT — Webster Theater 7/10 — Norfolk, VA — The Norva 7/12 — Buffalo, NY — Town Ballroom 7/13 — Indianapolis, IN — Deluxe 7/14 — Cadott, WI — Cadot Rockfest* 7/15 — Grand Rapids, MI — Upheaval Festival* 7/16 — Mansfield, OH — Inkcarceration Festival* 7/17 — Knoxville, TN — Concourse 7/19 — Charlotte, NC — The Underground 7/20 — Louisville, KY — Mercury Ballroom 7/22 — Fargo, ND — Outdoors at Fargo Brewing 7/24 — Calgary, AB — The Palace 7/25 — Edmonton, AB — Midway Bar 7/27 — Vancouver, BC — The Vogue 7/29 — Sacramento, CA — Ace of Spades 7/30 — Santa Ana, CA — Observatory 7/31 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto Theatre *Festival Dates
Last fall, Avatar, who are known to smash the boundaries between band, theater troupe, and cinematic masterminds with a series of celebrated albums and videos, and the immersive world of Avatar Country, a fantastical land where metal rules supreme, released four new songs. Avatar also previously announced they signed to Thirty Tigers and have launched their own Black Waltz Records imprint.
