A video album review on Heartwork, the eighth studio album from The Used. Get ready to have your emotions played with all over again.
The Used – Heartwork | Album Review
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah that formed in January 2001. The group consists of vocalist Bert McCracken, bassist Jeph Howard, drummer Dan Whitesides, and guitarist Joey Bradford. They have enjoyed much success with their albums achieving gold and platinum statuses in many countries worldwide. Heartwork is the eighth studio album by American rock band the Used. It was released on April 24, 2020. In addition to the new album, the band plans to release another album within a year because they recorded about 27 songs during the recording session.
Click below to hear music from the new album.
“Blow Me” (ft. Jason Aalon Butler)
“Paradise Lost, a poem by John Milton”
“Cathedral Bell”
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With a new election on the horizon and America still on the brink, Ministry’s Al Jourgensen has re-entered the studio to create his missives that will become material for a to-be-announced new album on Nuclear Blast Records. The first taste comes today with the bold new track “Alert Level” accompanied by a provocative lyric video, created by Agent Ogden.
The song is the first new material from Jourgensen in two years and has a timely message as America—and the global population—faces epidemics, environmental crises, political corruption and one of the biggest elections of our lifetime. Regarding “Alert Level,”Jourgensen says, “We finished the song in January and it sounded great during rehearsals for our Australia/Japan tour dates, before we went into quarantine. The original plan was to finish the new record before the July ‘Industrial Strength’ US tour so we could have an Election Day release, but in lieu of the circumstances—and how relevant the song feels for these bizarre times—we decided to release ‘Alert Level’ now. Considering that this song features the question ‘How concerned are you?’ I’ll be interested to see how folks answer it themselves.”
Hear Jourgensen discuss more about “Alert Level” on Bill Burr’s latest episode of his “Monday Morning Podcast”.
With the release of “Alert Level,” fans are asked to be a part of the larger conversation by answering the question posed by the song’s central message, “How concerned are you?” Fans should upload videos, 30 seconds or less, to their social media profiles with the hashtag #MinistryAlertLevel. All the members of Ministry will be watching from home and selecting the videos most meaningful to them, which will be later shared.
Ministry also encourages fans to voice their concerns by voting in the upcoming 2020 elections and has partnered with Head Count to help voters to become registered in time. More info can be found here.
“Alert Level” will be included on Ministry’s upcoming 15th full-length release and the follow-up to the acclaimed 2018 record, “AmeriKKKant,” which was a return to form for the industrial juggernaut and garnered international tour dates, a collaboration with Wax Trax! and a support slot on Slayer’s final tour.
The long wait is over, Katatonia’s new opus City Burials is out today through Peaceville Records!
Having delighted fans earlier this week with the release of their 3rd single “The Winter Of Our Passing” the band, on release day, are premiering the accompanying stunning animated video, created by the incredibly talented artist Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media.
”The Winter of Our Passing – masterly percieved by Costin Chioreanu. The letting go of what once was of great importance, now reduced to just another loss. Let’s bow before the flame we’ve all deserted. But thank you for listening.” Jonas Renkse
Three years in the making, City Burials is another huge statement from the legendary band that are eleven albums into a career that spans three decades. City Burials stands as Katatonia’s new triumph of deep, progressive rock with what has come to be a rejuvenating, stirring and profound chapter in the band’s legacy – a catalyst for the burdens of its creators, a collection of moments constructed out of the fragments of an evolving life, all compiled into one of the band’s most important modern works and statements to date, with the voice of Jonas Renkse guiding us through these latest trials of loss and ruin.
The album was recorded at Soundtrade Studios, Tri-Lamb Studios & The City Of Glass, throughout October & November 2019, with engineering work handled by Karl Daniel Lidén. The album also features a guest appearance by Anni Bernhard, the voice behind Stockholm based act Full of Keys. Artwork appears courtesy of Lasse Hoile, the image itself representing the ongoing era of the Dead End King.
City Burials is available now on CD, deluxe mediabook CD with bonus tracks, black and coloured vinyl LPs with a bonus track and digitally. The album is available to purchase HERE.
As the current Covid-19 virus has meant that many of festivals and shows Katatonia were due to play over the summer have been forced to be postponed, the band, not wanting to disappoint their fans worldwide have confirmed they will perform a live show on May 9th from Sweden’s Studio Grondahl. The band will be performing the live premiere of 3 new songs from City Burials.
Australian metalcore outfit IN HEARTS WAKE will release their fifth studio album KALIYUGA on August 7 via UNFD, marking their first new music in three years. Known throughout their career for their passion and dedication to environmental awareness, the band have minimized their environmental footprint on the release by carbon offsetting the entire process and using recycled materials to create physical products for the music.
IN HEARTS WAKE today have shared a new single/music video for the track “Son Of A Witch” (see below) that follows the previously released debut single/video for “Worldwide Suicide” for which the band vowed to plant one native tree per every 1,000 views it receives.
“Son Of A Witch” is influenced by IN HEARTS WAKE frontman JAKE TAYLOR‘s experience of the devastating Malibu Fires in 2018. This experience kindled the creation of the single, which was penned before the great burning of the Amazon Rainforest and the destructive 2020 wildfires in Australia. Filming for the song’s live action clip was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Coronavirus turned our video cartoon,” says TAYLOR of the animated video. “These challenging times are forcing us to adapt, evolve and discover new ways of doing things. I scoured the internet for an animation team who could bring to life this emotive, sensitive and archetypal narrative about humanity’s neglect and mistreatment of Mother Earth. I’ve never written or directed animation before, but it opened up new possibilities and for that I’m grateful.”
IN HEARTS WAKE calculated the recording process of the album to be 26.37 tonnes of CO2e which has been entirely offset through the purchase of carbon credits in the Yarra Yarra Biodiversity Corridor of Western Australia. The album will also be packaged and manufactured plastic free.
“During the recording process for ‘Kaliyuga’ we measured every power socket, counted every light, pound of freight, food consumption, driving mile and airfare taken,” says TAYLOR. “We were then able to find the total carbon footprint and offset it by supporting a rewilding project in Australia on First Nations land.”
He continues, “Our mission to help support and sustain life on Earth has made us realize that less is more. Many industries are evolving, and as musicians we feel it’s time to do our part. It’s been challenging to navigate the retail hurdles, find sustainable materials and successful companies that embody our ethos, but through a bit of research we’ve discovered that there are many solutions out there.”
KALIYUGA is accompanied by a brand-new website, https://thehouseofkali.com/, which is now live. The site offers album news, insights, exclusive content and clues as well as a host of important information.
IN HEARTS WAKE are long time champions of the earth, with their last three albums themed around the natural elements that make life here possible. Earthwalker (2014) explored the element of Earth, Skydancer (2015) explored air, and Ark (2016) focused on water. All three albums debuted in the Top 5 of the ARIA charts with the themes of social and environmental justice and self-accountability steady throughout. It is uncanny that the band’s fourth album, KALIYUGA, would be born of fire, inspired and bookended by the devastating fires that occurred in California and Australia throughout 2018, 2019 and 2020.
KALIYUGA takes a surgeon’s scalpel and a sledgehammer to cut and smash through dysfunction. A ruthless scrutiny of self and the social and eco injustices and abuse at play today blazes throughout the album as IN HEARTS WAKE aim to break the barriers of apathy, distraction, disinformation, anxiety and despair to spread the band’s purpose and passion like wildfire.
“Ancients from different cultures spoke of Four Ages of Humanity,” says TAYLOR. “The Hindu ancients called the Age we are in right now, ‘KALIYUGA’ – a time when negativity such as discord, greed, materialism and fear create strife and imbalance for life on earth. We’re seeing this in the world around us and in the chaos of recent events. But I believe we were born into this age for a reason-that we can transform the challenges we face by seizing the opportunity to grow and change the way we live on the earth and with each other.”
KALIYUGA is geared for inciting widespread positive action and breaking new ground in order to tackle the most pressing crises on the planet today. This is inspiring conscious heavy music for these times.
Live stream interview with Bryan Richie of The Sword, talking about the upcoming tour in 2020 with Primus and Wolfmother (that hopefully will still happen), Conquest Of Kingdoms and recordings all the way back from 2005 being available now, homeschooling in isolation, and more. Click below to hear “Freya” live at Stubbs in 2011, coming on the upcoming Conquest Of Kingdoms.
Live Stream Interview With The Sword (Bryan Richie)
The Sword is an American heavy metal band from Austin, Texas. Formed in 2003, the band is currently composed of vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt, bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Santiago “Jimmy” Vela III.
ALESTORM has just released their second single, “Tortuga”, off the upcoming album Curse of the Crystal Coconut – out on May 29 via Napalm Records. Live the devious buccaneer’s life with ALESTORM as they deliver their smashing homage to the most notorious pirate capital of the world. Exploring both electronic and even rap influences doused in the signature ALESTORM flavor – you’ve surely never heard a pirate’s shanty quite like this before!
The accompanying audiovisual has it all: palm trees swaying in the Caribbean breeze, the sunshine beaming down… and with Captain Christopher Bowes stealing rum, the British Crown is on the hunt – a manhunt to be exact! Captain Bowes is joined by the legendary pirate Captain Yarrface of RUMAHOY, and together, they finally emerge victorious and celebrate that by… well, see for yourself! Watch the official video below!
ALESTORM on the new video:
“Oh wow! Chris from Alestorm here. We’re really excited to release our new vi- IT’S ME, CAPTAIN YARRFACE! GET OUT OF MY WAY LITTLE BOY BOWES! THIS SONG IS TERRIBLE EXCEPT FOR THE BIT WHERE I SING! I’M THE GREATEST PIRATE IN THE WHOLE WORLD! WELCOME TO THE SEA!”
The “Pirate Metal Drinking Crew” is back to show all the filthy landlubbers what they’re made of. ALESTORM’s sixth long-player, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, will be released on May 29, 2020 via Napalm Records! Eleven tracks presented in ALESTORM’s signature unadulterated, chaotic fashion will pull the rug out from under your feet. Adding to that are guest performances from musical greats like Ally Storch of SUBWAY TO SALLY (violin on the entire album) and Captain Yarrface of RUMAHOY!
A must-have, riff-laden anthem at any party, “Treasure Chest Party Quest” takes the listener onto a journey into the depths of the darkest taverns of “Tortuga” and Christopher Bowes’ unique sense of humor. The smashing, lively track “Chomp Chomp”, featuring vocals of Vreth of FINNTROLL, may make you never want to enter the open waters again, but will definitely entice you to dance along with its addictive melodies. “Pirate Metal Drinking Crew” is yet another foot-stomping anthem on the album that excels with a catchy rhythm and indelible hook. Be careful to not anger the great pirate Scurvy, or he might just unleash the Curse Of The Crystal Coconut with the brutal riffs of the “Pirate’s Scorn” upon you.
Whether the album makes you want to grab a fresh coconut and sip it or open up a nice bottle of beer – it will definitely lead to a wild piratical escapade. For the extra-adventurous pirates amongst you, ALESTORM will release a 2-CD Mediabook with ground-breaking 16th century interpretations of the songs. Be sure to get yours.
Pre-Order Curse of the Crystal Coconut NOW and automatically enter the giveaway for an ALESTORM-branded N64!
LAMB OF GOD have unleashed another track from their forthcoming self-titled album (now due June 19 via Epic Records) in the form of “New Colossal Hate” – a song which finds the band at the height of their formidable powers – unrelenting, unstoppable, and as always, setting the standard for aggressive modern music.
Where now-classic LAMB OF GOD slabs As the Palaces Burn (2003) and Ashes of the Wake (2004) zoomed in on specific issues, Lamb Of God (2020) takes a broader view, calling attention to and laying out an argument against intolerance, apathy and injustice, both in the United States and abroad.
The album tackles a broad range of issues, including the opioid crisis (“On the Hook”), school shootings (“Reality Bath”), and vocalist/lyricist D. Randall Blythe’s time protesting alongside native peoples at Standing Rock (“Routes”).
“New Colossal Hate,” which hits all digital and streaming services as a single and lyric video today – watch now at www.lamb-of-god.com – digs into the exploitative rhetoric and persistent “othering” of marginalized people that continues to divide.
Guitarist Willie Adler speaking on the composition of the song:
“’New Colossal Hate’ came out of our very first writing session in Maine. Mark, our producer Josh Wilbur and I were at a super cool studio in South Windham called Halo. An absolutely beautiful spot run by some of the best people I’ve ever met. I’m pretty sure ‘New Colossal Hate’ grew from a few different demos I had. You know, like parts of car. However, as it started to take shape, it quickly became my favorite song on the record. Please enjoy this banger of a tune. It holds a very special place in my heart.”
“New Colossal Hate” follows the official music video for “Memento Mori,” which has been viewed more than 3.5 million times since its late March debut. Executed from a narrative treatment written by Blythe, “Memento Mori” features a blistering performance from guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, drummer Art Cruz, and Blythe, juxtaposed against a grim storyline costarring Sinisteria, a dark performance troupe led by fellow Richmond, Virginia, natives Sabrina Elliotte and Gwooki.
Audiences got a taste of the first new LAMB OF GOD music in nearly five years with “Checkmate” back in February. All three songs will appear on Lamb Of God, the follow-up to VII: Sturm und Drang (2015). The album was once again produced by collaborator Josh Wilbur (Gojira, Korn, Megadeth, Trivium), fueled by a mountain of riffs and looming rhythmic shadows. It’s also the band’s first record with Cruz, who sat behind the kit with LAMB OF GOD in 2018 and became an official member the following year.
LAMB OF GOD propelled heavy metal into the new millennium two decades ago with the prophetically titled New American Gospel. They followed with 2003’s As the Palaces Burn, which made the Rolling Stone list of the Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. Ashes of the Wake (2004) was the first LAMB OF GOD album to be certified gold by the RIAA, followed by Sacrament (2006), which debuted in Billboard’s Top 10. Wrath (2009) earned the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hard Rock, Rock, and Tastemaker charts and was No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Those No. 1 positions were repeated with Resolution (2012). VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) debuted at No. 3 in North America and in the Top 5 in several countries. The single “512” from VII: Sturm und Drang received a Grammy nod for the “Best Metal Performance,” making it LAMB OF GOD’s fifth Grammy nomination.
The new album features guest appearances from Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Chuck Billy (Testament). Blythe sounds more driven and insightful than ever on Lamb Of God, offering up the angriest and most comprehensive diatribes, addressing modern life in the current landscape, of his storied career thus far.
The Podcast That Rocked episode for April 22, 2020 featuring Geaux Gretchen. Discussion on Lamb Of God’s delay and other potential album delays, COVID-19 affecting tours going forward, new music from The Used, Trivium, and AWOLNATION, top three mainstream rock songs, and more. Click below for discussion topics and links to music and videos discussed.
COVID-19 Ruined Live Music | TPTR
The Podcast That Rocked on Spotify
Discussion Topics: -Top 3 Billboard mainstream rock songs -Tragedy for Falling In Reverse -Lamb Of God album delay -American Airlines was awful last year -Knotfest Japan -Explosions In The Sky 20th Anniversary in Iceland is cancelled and I’m heartbroken -Opinion on new albums from Trivium, The Used, and AWOLNATION -Trapt is still being Trapt -Quick recap on the Puddle Of Mudd cover nightmare
As the world continues to battle the recent Covid-19 outbreak, recent changes across the United States and its impact on communities are causing ALTER BRIDGE to postpone their upcoming headline tour with special guests Black Stone Cherry and Saint Asonia.
ALTER BRIDGE explains:
“To the entire Alter Bridge family:
We hoped that it wouldn’t come to this, but as some of you have already heard; unfortunately, due to recent changes around the globe created by the recent Covid-19 situation, the May headline tour of the United States with Black Stone Cherry and Saint Asonia will be postponed. The health and safety of everyone attached to these shows (fans, artists, crew members, venue staff, etc) is our main priority. More information regarding rescheduled dates will be available in the future. We look forward to the time when we can all come together and celebrate music as the community and family we are. Until then, Stay Home, Stay Healthy and Stay Safe…”
In an effort to show support to everyone being affected by the global pandemic, Myles Kennedy recently performed acoustic in partnership with American Songwriter for their Behind The Mic series. Aside from discussing songwriting and his musical inspirations in front of a live global audience on Facebook, Myles performed songs from various projects including ALTER BRIDGE, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, and from his critically acclaimed debut solo album from 2018.
The live event has been viewed over 470K times on Facebook and is now live on YouTube here:
Alter Bridge burst onto the music scene in 2004 with the release of their gold-selling debut, One Day Remains. In 2007, the band released Blackbird, the album that elevated the band’s profile worldwide. The epic solo in the title track “Blackbird” was voted “Greatest Guitar Solo Of All Time” by Guitarist Magazine. ABIII was released in 2010 and the single “Isolation” gave the band their first #1 single. In 2013, the band reached an elevated creative and critical plateau with Fortress. It bowed at #12 on the Billboard Top 200, moving over 30,000 copies first-week and earning unanimous tastemaker praise. The record garnered perfect scores from Total Guitar and KERRANG! as well as acclaim from Billboard, The Guardian, Loudwire, Ultimate Guitar, and many more. In between sold out tours in Europe and North America, the guys appeared on VH1 and graced the cover of Classic Rock Magazine who labeled Fortress, “The best thing they’ve ever done,” while Eddie Trunk called it, “A top 10 album of the last 10 years.” 2016’s The Last Hero gave the band their first Top 10 album since their debut. ALTER BRIDGE has appeared on The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live and their music has been used by the WWE, Major League Baseball and NASCAR to name a few. The band recently released the video and audio of their career highlight, Live At The Royal Albert Hall, featuring ALTER BRIDGE backed by the 52-piece Parallax Orchestra led by conductor Simon Dobson. In December 2019, Guitar World magazine voted Mark Tremonti the Guitarist of the Decade and their latest album Walk The Sky ended up on numerous year end lists signifying ALTER BRIDGE are showing no signs of slowing down.
Metalcore band The Ghost Inside will release their fifth studio album on June 5 via Epitaph Records. The self-titled album arrives as the follow-up to the band’s 2014 release Dear Youth, which debuted #63 on the Billboard 200, and will be the first release since their tragic bus accident in 2015. The road to recovery has been extensive both mentally and physically but all things considered, they’ve shown a positive and inspiring attitude through the entire process of recovery. They will not stop fighting to do what they love and are excited to return.
Today, the band shares the first single off the forthcoming record “Aftermath.” According to bassist Jim Riley, “We went into the writing process knowing full well that every song and every lyric would be influenced by what we’ve been through, but we tried our best for them to be relatable to everyone. With Aftermath we let it be much more personal – this one is us telling OUR story. So when it was time to choose a first song to share with the world, it felt right for it to be Aftermath. It allows anyone that listens into our world, but it also lets us put final punctuation on that chapter of our lives. Aftermath is a total catharsis for us. We let it all out in the song so that it’s not bottled up inside us anymore and we can heal and move on, since after all, the beat goes on.”
Created with producer Will Putney (Every Time I Die, The Amity Affliction, Knocked Loose) and longtime friend/collaborator Jeremy McKinnon of A Day To Remember, The Ghost Inside is 11 songs of determination, deep resolve, reflection, and newfound hope.
The band had worked on material for their fifth album prior to the accident that claimed the lives of their driver, the lives of everyone in the other vehicle, and resulted in multiple injuries for all of the band members. Jonathan Vigil (vocals) suffered from a fractured back, ligament damage, and two broken ankles. Zach Johnson (guitar) has since had 13 surgeries for a femur injury. Andrew Tkaczyk (drums) ultimately lost his leg. The band collectively came to see the ordeal as a moment to put their inspirational lyrics to the test. Songs that were once more philosophical in origin had become autobiographical.
The accident will always be a defining moment for The Ghost Inside, but never what defines them. The album taps into the raw emotional things they’ve been through, but the songs are not about reliving the worst day of their lives. “This isn’t about what happened to us,” Riley insists. “We won’t get lost in that one day. This is about our journey, our growth, and who we are.”
The ultimate victory for The Ghost Inside is their triumphant new self-titled album.
THE GHOST INSIDE TRACK LISTING 1. 1333 2. Still Alive 3. The Outcast 4. Pressure Point 5. Overexposure 6. Make Or Break 7. Unseen 8. One Choice 9. Phoenix Rise 10. Begin Again 11. Aftermath
