Ok, so I have had this track for a few days now and can’t get enough of it. Jeff and Mike will be releasing the lyric video to the world tonight 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page.
Let’s talk a bit about the track and the video. While it is an acoustic track it does not come off that way at all, in fact, it’s pretty damn heavy. Let’s talk about the bass first. Kurt Arft lays down a heavy, dirty bassline that, by itself, does not seem like it belongs in this song but it fits like a puzzle piece into it. Kurt gives it that groove that this song so rightly deserves. Chris Collier, who not played drums on this but produced it as well, put all of those puzzle pieces together into one solid track.
What can I say about Mike Araiza? The guitars on here are clean, and I mean CLEAN. Mike is so full of melody and it truly shows in his playing and style. I keep forgetting that this is an acoustic track.
Ahhh the vocal stylings of Jeff Sandoval. There are not to many vocalists out there that can still give me the chills, Jeff is one of them. You feel ALL of the emotion that Jeff is imparting into his vocals.
The video for “It’s All I Need” is an incredible piece of work as well. While it is a “lyric”video it leaves you with the images playing over and over in your head. You will find these images replaying in your mind every time you listen to this song.
Don’t miss out on the premier on 01/31/14 at 6pm mst right here: Jeff Sandoval & Mike Araiza on their Facebook page!
It’s always great to talk to Justin Manning. We had a great discussion about the new deal Crowned By Fire signed with the newly formed Chrome Mountain Records.
Make sure you go to Facebook and show Crowned By Fire and Chrome Mountain Records some love:
Frontiers Records has just released a video of Red Dragon Cartel members Jake E. Lee, Ronnie Mancuso, Darren James Smith, Jonas Fairley telling the tale of how Red Dragon Cartel came to be. Check it out it’s pretty cool:
(New York, NY) – Southern California rock trio Kyng will release their new studio album, Burn The Serum (Razor & Tie ) on April 15th. Burn The Serum was produced by Andrew Alekel(Foo Fighters, No Doubt, Queens of The Stone Age, Clutch) and James A. Rota (Sound City) and was recorded at Grandmaster Recorders LTD and Sword & Shield in Hollywood, CA as well as at Studio 606 in Northridge, CA.
Hear the first song off the album “Burn The Serum” now at Revolver.
Kyng’s Eddie Veliz explains the song, “Burn The Serum is one of the best songs that the guys and I have written so far. It’s extremely honest in the subject matter and the riff.”
On their second full-length album and first for Razor & Tie, the band harks back to the essence of heavy rock ‘n’ roll, forging thunderous percussion to lightning hot riffs driven by a divine vocal howl. At the same time, they keep their eyes wide open towards the future. Kyng find grandiosity in simplicity. The Los Angeles outfit may only boast three members—Eddie Veliz [vocals/guitar], Pepe Clarke [drums], and Tony Castaneda [bass/backup vocals]—but their collective roar could easily tip the Southern California Richter Scale.
Formed in 2008, Kyng broke out of the City of Angels in 2011 with the group’s independent debut Trampled Sun. The album landed shining critical acclaim for its “California Heavy” sound merging the metallic meanderings of Soundgarden and Queens of the Stone Age with the timeless scope of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. They hit the road with everybody from The Sword and Clutch to Trivium and Megadeth—even being picked to play at Metallica’s first-everOrion Music + More festival. Loudwire raved, “a hard hitting fusion of rocking goodness,” andUltimate-Guitar added, “if they keep churning out records as good as Trampled Sun, they will be mentioned right up there with Mastodon and the like.”
KYNG wrapped up 2013 with the Hellpop Tour with In This Moment, Motionless In Whiteand All Hail The Yeti and will hit the road in 2014 to support of Burn The Serum (tour dates below). .
KYNG Tour Dates
April 26 – Fort Meyers, FL – Fort Rock
April 27 – Jacksonville, FL – Metropolitan Park
May 2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Farm Bureau Live
May 3 – Concord, NC – Charlotte Motor Speedway
May 10 – Bangor, ME – Darlings Waterfront Pavilion
May 16– Columbus, OH – Columbus Crew Stadium Rock on The Range
Ever since I had my eardrums punched in by Crowned By Fire and their first release ‘Prone To Destroy’ in 2011 I have been behind them. I have since become friends with John Fitterer (vocals), Justin Manning (lead guitar), Michael Pacheco (rhythm guitar), Chris Breedlove (bass), J.P. Paschall (drums). They are a hard working bunch of guys that deserve their shot. I am happy to pass on the following to you, my beloved readers:
Music promoter and owner of Arkansas Rocks! Entertainment, Stephanie Shaw, announced last week the launch of her new record label, Chrome Mountain Records. Chrome Mountain Records (CMR), is a fresh new Indie label with plans to blaze a new trail in today’s music industry. To set things ablaze, Chrome Mountain Records has just inked a deal with LA-based metal band, CROWNED BY FIRE, to release a 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, in March 2014.
Crowned By Fire has been burning down the metal scene since 2006. As fate would have it, Stephanie, booked CBF a date on their Southern Horsepower Tour back in March 2013, in Little Rock, Arkansas. “I was already a fan, I had bought all of their music on itunes, but seeing them LIVE, brought on an intense passion for their music”, states Stephanie Shaw. “In December 2013, I found out that Crowned By Fire, was playing a gig at the World famous, Whisky a GoGo, out in LA. I booked a flight and was planning my first trip to California, before I knew it! It was then and there that I knew Crowned By Fire had to be the first band signed to Chrome Mountain Records”.
Chrome Mountain Records is setting a March 2014, release date for the new 6 song EP, Space Music For Cave People, recorded at Zakk Wylde’s THE BLACK VATICAN studio. Crowned By Fire are the only band besides Wylde’s Black Label Society, to have recording privileges there, to date. Crowned By Fire’s lead guitarist/founding member, Justin Neil Manning, was Wylde’s guitar tech/personal assistant off and on for 14 years, honing his craft from a very young age, under the guidance of Zakk’s watchful eye. Lead singer/founding member, John Fitterer, fronted the LA-based psyche metal band, Transultra, through the 90’s, before joining up with Manning and starting Crowned By Fire, in 2006. Fitterer’s unique and powerful vocals, paired with Manning’s phenomenal shredding, define the classic American metal sound. Chris Breedlove-Bass, Michael Pacheco-rhythm guitar, and JP Paschall-drums, round out the heavy-hitting line up ov doom.
Crowned By Fire are currently putting finishing touches on a couple of songs with Engineer, Chris Collier. The 6 song EP will be mixed by Pantera’s famous producer, Sterling Winfield, of Lewisville, Texas. Chrome Mountain Records has plans for this release on vinyl, CD and digital download, in March 2014. Actual release date will be announced soon. Shaw states that she is looking forward to this next step up the Chrome Mountain with Crowned By Fire, and invites everyone to, “come burn with us!”
“Chrome Mountain Records, shiny chrome on the outside, molten metal on the inside!”
Check out this cool video montage from their last tour the “Southern Horsepower Tour 2013” you might catch the Hellion in some of the pics! Thanks to CBF Lindz for putting it together:
Ok I admit it, I am biased when it comes to Black Label Society. I also admit to purchasing the new track “My Dying Time” the minute it became available. I have taken some time to absorb the track and see what the public thought of it as well. Give it a listen and we’ll talk about it:
So, some say it is a departure from the traditional BLS sound, I say it just reflects the progression of Zakk as a performer and a person. We cannot expect an artist to become pigeonholed by a “sound”. If we do, we get the same record over and over again.
“My Dying Time” imparts a heavy groove that combined with the hypnotic vocals takes us on a doom laden trip into the Catacombs Of The black Vatican. The track is nicely layered with great production quality. It reminds me of early Sabbath or a song from times gone by when music meant something. The naysayers have come out of the woodwork to cast their aspersions on Zakk and co. To the naysayers I say this: How many records have you sold? Where are you playing tonight? What have you done for the music world? What is stopping you from proving your point? Bring it on and I, for one, would love to hear it and give it a chance without prejudice. As Zakk would say GI/FD!
Thanks Father Zakk and we’re waiting patiently for the rest of the record!
it’s loud, it’s full of ‘roids, it’s laced with Viagra, it’s BLACK LABEL SOCIETY!!!
Another cool band I have recently been turned on to is CONQUEST (thanks Dave Tedder). I recently was given the chance to speak with lead guitarist/vocalist Derrick Brumely. Here’s the interview and enjoy:
I have known Mike Araiza for several years now. In fact I remember sitting in the parking lot of the Owl Cafe with him and Jeff Sandoval listening to the freshly minted tracks from the Of The Earth project they had just completed.
They moved on in their journey and the next step was an album of songs they had written that turned out to be the frank Hannon Band ‘Six String Soldiers. Which featured appearances by legendary guitarists Dickey Betts, Dave Meniketti, Rick Derringer, and Pat Travers.
Now, I am excited to say, Mike and Jeff are taking the next step in their musical evolution. They are going to be releasing a series of new tracks as single releases over the next year. The first of which is tentatively called “All I Need” or “It’s All I Need”. This first track features mutual friend Kurt Arft on bass guitar and Chris Collier pulling double duties on drums and production duties.
bassist Kurt Arft
drummer and producer Chris Collier
Mike and I had a nice conversation about all of these events and would love to invite you to listen to it right here:
STEEL PANTHER DEMONSTRATES “THE BURDEN OF BEING WONDERFUL” IN NEW MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTED BY KIRKER BUTLER
Video Premieres On Vevo Worldwide With New Album
All You Can Eat Out April 1st
(January 21st, 2014 – New York, NY) Steel Panther is releasing their second music video from their upcoming album, All You Can Eat. The latest track being brought to the screen is “The Burden Of Being Wonderful.” It will premiere worldwide on Vevo at http://www.vevo.com/watch/steel-panther/party-like-tomorrow-is-the-end-of-the-world-explicit/GBWWP1300151. The video was directed by Kirker Butler, who is best known for his work as a writer and producer on Family Guy and The Cleveland Show. Butler explains what drew him to direct the video, “I grew up on heavy metal videos. They were the best things on MTV (along with the Duran Duran videos with the naked girls). I wanted to make a heavy metal video the way they used to make them, but with better production values and less Tawny Kitaen.” Comedian Matt Braunger, who has been seen on MadTV and NBC’s “Up All Night”, plays the lead in the video that follows an average Joe throughout his day as he sees himself in situations that make him seem as wonderful as Steel Panther. All You Can Eat is slated for release on April 1st in the United States on Open E Records via Kobalt Label Services (KLS). The album is available for pre-order at http://steelpantherrocks.com/presale. Longtime Steel Panther producer Jay Ruston produced All You Can Eat.
From the opening acoustic riff of album opener “Pussywhipped” to final chord hit in the album closer “She’s On The Rag,” it is clear Steel Panther is back and better than ever. Songs like “Gloryhole,” “Gangbang At The Old Folks Home” and “BVS” all showcase Steel Panther’s incredible musicianship and ability to write memorable and sometimes educational songs. The band, comprised of Michael Starr on vocals, Satchel on guitar, Lexxi Foxx on bass and Stix Zadinia on drums, have made a name for themselves as one of the most entertaining acts out today.
The track listing for All You Can Eat is:
1. Pussywhipped
2. Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World
3. Gloryhole
4. Bukkake Tears
5. Gangbang At The Old Folks Home
6. Ten Strikes You’re Out
7. The Burden Of Being Wonderful
8. F@#king My Heart In The Ass
9. BVS
10. You’re Beautiful When You Don’t Talk
11. If I Was The King
12. She’s On The Rag
Steel Panther was, for a long time, rock’s best-kept secret: a cult legend on the LA scene. But in recent years due to the success of their albums (both debuted at #1 on the Billboard Comedy Album Charts), and live shows, the band has enjoyed huge acclaim from fans and peers alike. Steel Panther has been joined on stage by rock and roll icons such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Paul Stanley of KISS, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine/Audioslave, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park and Green Day to name a few. Steel Panther has also been seen on Dancing With The Stars, Bad Girl’s Club and most recently in a national web campaign for Warner Brothers Pictures hit film, Rock Of Ages.
RED DRAGON CARTEL RELEASE VIDEO FOR “DECEIVED” FROM BAND’S UPCOMING SELF-TITLED DEBUT OUT ON JANUARY 28th
Band Set To Hit The Road For The First Time This March
(New York, NY – January 21, 2014) – Red Dragon Cartel have been making waves since the band announced the release of their upcoming debut last year. Now, the band made up of guitar legend Jake E. Lee, bassist Ronnie Mancuso, singer D.J. Smith and drummer Jonas Fairley are unveiling their debut video for the song “Deceived.” The song comes from their soon-to-be-released Frontiers Records album Red Dragon Cartel out on January 28th. The video for the song can be seen at and fans that pre-order the album digitally on iTunes at http://smarturl.it/reddragoncartelreceive the song as an instant download. The album is also available for pre-order on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/1aYjMng.
Jake E. Lee is best known for his work in Badlands and as guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne on Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin albums. Red Dragon Cartel also features various guest appearances from some of music’s most notable faces including legendary Cheap Trick vocalist Robin Zander, original Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di’Anno, Kill Devil Hill/Pantera bassist Rex Brown, Sass Jordan, Slash’s Conspirators Todd Kearns and Brent Fitz and In This Moment front woman Maria Brink. The album was produced by Ronnie Mancuso and Jake E. Lee and was executive produced, mixed and mastered by Kevin Churko (In This Moment, Ozzy Osbourne, Five Finger Death Punch).
Red Dragon Cartel will be hitting the road in the road in March to showcase Jake E Lee’s return to the world. The tour kicks off March 5th in Tempe, AZ and runs all the way through April 6th, where it wraps up in Seneca, NY. The tour will make stops in Oklahoma City, Houston, Raleigh and Philadelphia to name a few. The band will also be heading over to Europe where they are confirmed to perform at this year’s Download Festival in Donnington, England and the famed Sweden Rock Festival. More dates are being added around the world as the band looks to bring the music of Red Dragon Cartel to every corner of the globe.
From the opening riff of “Deceived” to final sustained piano chord of “Exquisite Tenderness,” it is clear Red Dragon Cartel has created an album that stands amongst some of the greatest hard rock albums of all time. Infectious songs such as “Shout It Out,” “Wasted” and “Slave” showcase the band’s ability to write memorable hooks and vocal melodies. Robin Zander of Cheap Trick lends his voice to the track “Feeder” and a lyric video for the song can be seen athttp://tinyurl.com/FeederLyricVideo. Maria Brink of In This Moment lends her unique vocals to the track “Big Mouth.” Paul Di’Anno and Sass Jordan also lend their talents to the band’s debut. Jake E. Lee’s trademark playing style instantly shines through and picks up right where he left off.
the Hellion Rocks 