Mike Patton and company prove they are still as wild as ever. That’s one thing you can count on no matter what happens over the years. II has some intense and fairly clear political overtones that don’t pull punches with plenty of intensity. In THAT respect, it’s a bit less chaotic than the first Dead Cross album. Dead Cross II has a small club energy that sounds like the dirtiest but also most fun concerts you could ever go to. Dave Lombardo’s drumming is still a blast. The tracks where there is back and forth in the vocals and the energy is cut loose like Ants & Dragons and Christian Missile Crisis are great. Punk, Thrash, Chaos, it’s here. Does it go too far at points? Yes. It is still fun? Yes. 8/10.
Dead Cross II Album Review
Dead Cross are an American hardcore punk supergroup formed in Southern California. The band consists of guitarist Michael Crain (Retox), bassist Justin Pearson (the Locust, Head Wound City and Retox), drummer Dave Lombardo (Slayer, Mr. Bungle and Fantômas) and vocalist Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle and Fantômas).
An album that Devin wrote over the last few years and is advertised as his most inspired work to date. After hearing Lightwork, I understand why. It’s definitely more song-oriented instead of one massive, sprawling, connected album, and it works well. The mixing and production are top-notch as always. Lightwork is not overly aggressive but it’s still engaging. It’s more experimental for the man but it also is upbeat and peaceful while still having complicated guitar work at moments. This is for people who wanted to check out Devin Townsend’s material but were intimidated by the extreme metal. Lightwork is much calmer. Prog at heart but more resembling arena rock and much more lighthearted and optimistic. It’s as creative as it is inspiring. 8/10
Devin Townsend Lightwork Album Review
Devin Garrett Townsend (born May 5, 1972) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He founded extreme metal band Strapping Young Lad and was its primary songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist from 1994 to 2007. He has also had an extensive solo career and has released a total of 25 albums across all of his projects as of 2020.
Charismatic chanteuse DIAMANTE has today dropped her new EP ‘The Diamond Covers’ (via Anti-Heroine) weaving her distinctive magic into a variety of popular hits including Madonna’s iconic “Like A Prayer“ and pop high priestess Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill“. In celebration of today’s release, DIAMANTE has also dropped a new music video for her take on “Maniac“. Speaking on today’s news, she comments:
“‘The Diamond Covers’ is a collection of my favorite songs and my homage to everything I love about the 80s: glam and rock n’ roll. In the inspiration and process of reimagining these songs, I untapped a new sound that defines who I am artistically: a mixture of sparkle and grit… and with that, this EP now serves as a sneak preview of what my next body of work will be sonically.”
Prior to today, DIAMANTE released a freshly reimagined take of her song “American Dream” featuring rock band Lit which has amassed nearly 380,000 views on YouTube and counting. Stream ‘The Diamond Covers’here, watch the video for “Maniac“here or at the link below and be sure to stay tuned for more DIAMANTE news coming soon.
THE DIAMOND COVERS DIAMANTE Track Listing: 1. Maniac 2. Dancing On My Own 3. Paparazzi 4. Like a Prayer 5. Running Up That Hill
In rock and metal history, many songs have been targeted as using evil messages through backmasking. This video looks at 10 songs accused of backward messages.
“Stairway to Heaven” is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971.
“Another One Bites the Dust” is a song by the British rock band Queen. Written by bassist John Deacon, the song was featured on the group’s eighth studio albumThe Game (1980).
Piece of Mind is the fourth studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released on 16 May 1983 in the United Kingdom by EMI Records and in the United States by Capitol Records. It was the first album to feature drummer Nicko McBrain, who had recently left the band Trust and has been Iron Maiden’s drummer ever since.
Frankenstein Girls Will Seem Strangely Sexy (often abbreviated as FGWSSS or simply Frankenstein Girls) is the second studio album by New York City band Mindless Self Indulgence released in 2000.Ultramega OK is the debut studio album by American rock band Soundgarden, released on October 31, 1988 by SST Records.
Superstar guitarist and unstoppable force of nature, “Hurricane” NITA STRAUSS, has dropped brand new single and accompanying music video, “TheWolf You Feed“, today. The epic, headbanger of a track features huge, chunky, metallic riffs and the insane vocal talent of ALISSA WHITE-GLUZ of Arch Enemy. Stream the new track on your platform of choiceHERE and watch the music video HERE or by clicking the image below.
Speaking on her new release, NITA shares
If you look back at old interviews from the last ten years, any time I was asked about collaborating with a vocalist in the future, Alissa White-Gluz was always the first name out of my mouth. She is truly one of my favorite vocalists and performers in the industry and creating this track together was everything I hoped it would be!
I’m very proud to release this track, especially now with everything else that’s going on. This time in history, whether in politics, music, social media, or our personal lives, has been an eye opening look into the two wolves of a lot of people out there, and maybe this song will be a reminder that we all have the ability to choose how we respond to things.
The lyrics of this song were inspired by “The Story of the Two Wolves”, a legend widely attributed to Native American storytellers.
An old grandfather was teaching his grandson about life:
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil–he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”
He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you–and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: “Which wolf will win?”
The grandfather simply replied, “The one you feed”.
ALISSA adds
Nita and I finally got to collaborate – something we have both wanted to do for years! The Wolf You Feed is a kickass, catchy metal track with a really cool vibe. I kept the “two wolves” analogy as a foundation throughout the song while playing up the dichotomy of the two sides of the tug-of-war we all have inside us. I recorded my parts in my home studio and it was an absolute pleasure to build this song with Nita. I am honoured to be a part of it! Can’t wait to do this again!
“Wolf You Feed“, is the second song Nita has released featuring a star guest vocalist, the first being the enormously successful “Dead Inside” which featured guest vocals from Disturbed’s David Draiman and saw NITA become the first ever solo female to have a #1 hit at Active Rock Radio. She also returned to her instrumental roots earlier this year with the release of single “Summer Storm“, a fast-paced, emotive shred-fest. Combined, the two singles have had 3.5 million YouTube views and over 10 million streams on Spotify alone.
NITA has been hard at work on her second solo studio album. More news to come on that soon.
Australian metal juggernauts PARKWAY DRIVE — Winston McCall (vocals), Luke Kilpatrick (guitar), Jeff Ling (guitar), Jia O’Connor (bass), and Ben Gordon (drums) — are returning to the U.S. for a headline tour in Winter 2023.
The trek is special for several reasons. It’s Parkway Drive’s first U.S. tour support of their seventh album Darker Still,out now via Epitaph Records. Listen here.
It’s also the first time the band has toured the U.S. since April 2019 — so it is a welcome and triumphant return for U.S. fans eager to see Parkway Drive on stage, doing what they do best.
Memphis May Fire and Currents will also appear. All dates are below.
PARKWAY DRIVE ON TOUR: WITH MEMPHIS MAY FIRE + CURRENTS: 1/22-1/28 — Shiprocked* 1/31 — Los Angeles, CA — The Wiltern 2/1 — Phoenix, AZ — Marquee 2/3 — San Antonio, TX — Tech Port Center 2/4 — Houston, TX — House of Blues 2/5 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues 2/7 — St Louis, MO — The Pageant 2/8 — Newport, KY — MegaCorp Pavilion 2/10 — Huntington, NY — The Paramount 2/11 — Sayreville, NJ — Starland Ballroom 2/13 — Columbus, OH — KEMBA Live! 2/14 — Nashville, TN — Marathon Music Works 2/15 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore 2/16 — Myrtle Beach, SC — House of Blues 2/18 — Orlando, FL — HeartSupport Festival* *Festival Dates
Rock music’s most exciting debut of 2022, Classless Act, are giving listeners a different, unplugged take on the amped-up, energetic anthems that make up their acclaimed album, Welcome To The Show, which was released June 24 via Better Noise Music and has already racked up more than two-million streams.
Starting todayat 12:01AM local, the L.A.-based five-piece will launch a series of acoustic versions of the record’s hit singles, beginning with the self-titled song “Classless Act” alongside a new video.
Classless Act singer Derek Day recently appeared at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concert at L.A.’s Kia Forum on September 27 where Day joined Dave Grohl and members of the Foo Fighters as well as Mötley Crüe for a special two-song set. He was personally recommended for a spot on the all-star lineup by The Darkness’ Justin Hawkins who also appears on the Classless Act track, “This Is For You.”
In December, Classes Act will head out on the road again with Billboard chart toppers Giovanni & The Hired Guns for a U.S. tour that begins in Mobile, AL and wraps in Richmond, VA, with more dates to be announced. Tickets are on sale now at https://classlessact.com/#tour
Over the next two months, Classless Act will release a new acoustic take and a new video every two weeks, culminating in a five-song collection, Welcome To The Acoustic Show, on December 16. The additional releases will include unplugged versions of “This Is For You,” “Time To Bleed,” “All That We Are,” and “Storm Before the Calm.”
Recorded live at Sunset Sound, with no overdubs, the new takes hone in on the talent of frontman Derek Day and the musicianship of the talented-beyond-their-young-years ensemble that includes Dane Pieper (guitar), Griffin Tucker (guitar), Franco Gravante (bass), and Chuck McKissock (drums). Gravante personally mixed the acoustic tracks himself.
“Every song on the album pretty much started out this way. And we thought it would be cool for you to hear where we started. And we decided if we were going to do this, it needs to be LIVE; no f***ing around,” says Derek Day.
Upon Welcome To The Show’s release on June 24, Classless Act immediately garnered critical acclaim, with press hailing them as “the next big thing in music”(Next Mosh) and “very reminiscent of when rock reigned supreme”(Loudwire).The Rock Pitdeclared the songs on the album “break like Queen used to so well into flamboyant guitar [with] Supertramp meets Muse aplomb,” and New Noise also said it’s a record “that feels most easily summed up as ‘powerful’” from “a new-ish band who sound like the greatest hits of ‘70s and ‘80s rock eras, with a grace and vibe that’s more modern.”
The album reviews echoed the positive reviews the band has received for their live show, having shared the stage with Dorothy and Dirty Honey as well as an opening slot on the summer’s biggest tour, the $173.5 million grossing Stadium Tour that graced major stadiums across the country and Canada.
Seeing Classless Act live, Bravewords said they “sealed their place among hard rock’s new elite.” Splice affirmed, “While the band may be new, they performed like seasoned pros.…their music was filled with driving beats, big hooks, great guitar work, and equally as important tons of rock n’ roll attitude.” And DreadMusic said, “Classless Act absolutely made their presence known as they served up high-octane rock music on a platter to everyone in the park.…I was a fan before they finished their first song. This band is another in the army of acts that are the future of rock ‘n roll, and I have no doubt that Classless Act will be out there headlining their own tour soon enough.”
In addition to the Stadium Tour that featured Def Leppard, Joan Jett and Motley Crue, Classless Act is fresh off appearances at Aftershock Music (Oct. 9), the West Coast’s Biggest Rock Festival, where they shared the bill with Muse, Bring Me The Horizon and The Struts.
CLASSLESS ACT SUPPORTING GIOVANNIE & THE HIRED GUNS TOUR DATES: Dec 1 – Mobile, AL @ Soul Kitchen Dec 2 – Destin, FL @ Club LA Dec 7 – Orlando, FL @ House of Blues Dec 8 – Chattanooga, TN @ Barrel House Dec 9 – Louisville, KY @ Mercury Ballroom Dec 10 – Johnson City, TN @ Capone’s Dec 14 – Asbury Park, NJ @ Wonder Bar Dec 16 – Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon Dec 17 – Harrisonburg, PA @ Stage on Herr Dec 18 – Richmond, VA @ The Broadberry
L.S. Dunes — guitarist Frank Iero (My Chemical Romance), guitarist Travis Stever (Coheed & Cambria), vocalist Anthony Green (Circa Survive), bassist Tim Payne (Thursday), and drummer Tucker Rule (Thursday) — have shared “Bombsquad,” an explosive new track from their upcoming debut album, PAST LIVES, due November 11 via Fantasy Records. Pre-order it here.
The band also released a blazing live performance video for the track. Watch “Bombsquad: Live at Dreamland” here.
“The lyrics for ‘Bombsquad’ came from a poem that I wrote around the time of the January 6 insurrection,” says Green. “In the midst of the pandemic, people were trying to take down the government because a ConMan politician couldn’t admit that he had lost the election, not for any legitimate grievance or protest. The song is a rage against society’s depressing and destructive forces.”
The performance clip “Bombsquad – Live at Dreamland” was recorded at Dreamland Studios in Woodstock, NY, where some of the band’s favorite ever records (from Sunny Day Real Estate to The National to The Hold Steady) were created. L.S. Dunes channeled the power of the former church’s iconostasis into spiritual osmosis via the song’s “Leora” refrain in the chorus.
Green elaborates, “‘Leora’ is an age-old word meaning ‘of the light’ or ‘compassion,’ which I think is something we need to call and reflect on for growth and unity.”
“Bombsquad” follows the band’s previously released tracks, “2022″ and “Permanent Rebellion,” which have drawn praise from Stereogum, NME, Consequence, Ones to Watch, Brooklyn Vegan, Revolver, Alternative Press, and Loudwire, among many others.
L.S. Dunes made their highly anticipated debut performances at Chicago’s RIOT FEST on September 15 and Sacramento’s AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL on October 8. Both dates featured songs from the new album, a taste of the energetic, cathartic shows fans will experience on their upcoming headlining U.S. tour which begins November 12.
Louder Sound singled out their set an AFTERSHOCK highlight, adding, “There’s no pretension or theatrics — they’re just cool.” Find the complete tour itinerary, including recently announced first-ever European shows here and below. In addition, the band will celebrate the release of Past Lives with a special, release day in-store performance at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach, CA. Go here for more information.
L.S. DUNES ON TOUR: 11/12 — Garden Grove, CA — Garden Ampitheater 11/13 — San Francisco, CA — Bimbo’s 365 11/14 — Los Angeles, CA — Troubadour (SOLD OUT) 11/18 — Mexico City, Mexico — Corona Capital (SOLD OUT) 11/22 — Toronto, Ontario — Velvet Underground (SOLD OUT) 11/25 — Asbury Park, NJ — Lanes (SOLD OUT) 11/26 — Philadelphia, PA — First Unitarian Church (SOLD OUT) 11/27 — Boston, MA — The Sinclair (SOLD OUT) 11/29 — Brooklyn, NY — Music Hall of Williamsburg (SOLD OUT) 11/30 — Baltimore, MD — Ottobar (SOLD OUT) 1/27 — Glasgow, UK — The Garage 1/28 — Camden, UK — Electric Ballroom 1/29 — Manchester, UK — Manchester Academy (SOLD OUT) 1/30 — Birmingham, UK — 02 Academy Birmingham
Metalcore giants take a side step into a more stadium rock feel with big hooks and choruses. The stand-out moments are big with tracks like A New Moral Low Ground and When We Were Young really having an enormous arena feel. Much of the album however is standard rhythms and riffs. It sets up a strong beat and repeats. The repetition is noticed in many songs. The album itself is fine but it also strays slightly further away from the metalcore origins, or at least a lot of the guitars and drums just sound like the same old song and dance. Good moments. A decent album with big scream-along moments. Even if not Architects’ best, it still works. 6/10
Architects The Classic Symptoms Of A Broken Spirit Album Review
Architects are a British metalcore band from Brighton, East Sussex, formed in 2004 by twin brothers Dan and Tom Searle. The band now consists of Dan Searle on drums, Sam Carter on vocals, Alex Dean on bass, and Adam Christianson and Josh Middleton on guitars. They have been signed to Epitaph Records since 2013.
Some bands rely on one style and stick with it, while others try to improve or change with each release. This video looks at 10 bands that evolved after their debut album.
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million copies of their albums, and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in the latter half of the 1970s, the band had struggled with indifferent record production and a lack of major commercial success until 1980, when they rose to commercial success with the album British Steel.
Deftones are an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California in 1988. They were formed by Chino Moreno (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Stephen Carpenter (lead guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Dominic Garcia (bass). During their first five years, the band’s lineup changed several times, but stabilized in 1993 when Cunningham rejoined after his departure in 1990; by this time, Chi Cheng was bassist. The lineup remained stable for fifteen years, with the exception of keyboardist and turntablist Frank Delgado being added in 1999.
Bring Me the Horizon are a British rock band formed in Sheffield in 2004. The group consists of lead vocalist Oliver Sykes, guitarist Lee Malia, bassist Matt Kean, drummer Matt Nicholls and keyboardist Jordan Fish.
Chevelle is an American rock band formed in Grayslake, Illinois, in 1995. The band was originally composed of two brothers, Pete Loeffler (lead vocals and guitar) and Sam Loeffler (drums and percussion), along with Matt Scott (bass and backing vocals). Scott was replaced by Sam and Pete’s brother, Joe Loeffler, in 1996. When Joe left the band in 2005, Geno Lenardo subbed in as the touring bassist until he was replaced by Pete and Sam’s brother-in-law, Dean Bernardini.
Shinedown is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida, formed by singer Brent Smith in 2001 after the dissolution of Dreve, his previous band.
AFI (abbreviation for A Fire Inside) is an American rock band from Ukiah, California, formed in 1991. Since 1998, it consists of lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backing vocalist Adam Carson, bassist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Hunter Burgan, and guitarist, backing vocalist and keyboardist Jade Puget.
