Category Archives: Music

RED SUN RISING SIGNS TO RAZOR & TIE

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RED SUN RISING SIGNS TO RAZOR & TIE

     (New York, NY) – Razor & Tie announces the addition of the Akron based rock band Red Sun Rising to its worldwide label roster. The band will work with producer Bob Marlette (Black Sabbath, Shinedown, Seether) in early 2015 and will release its debut album in 2015.  Red Sun Rising is confirmed to play Rock on The Range as well as a number of additional festivals.  Fresh off tour with Pop Evil the band will be hitting the road hard this year. 
Listen to the song “Abort” now on the band’s site here: www.redsunrisingmusic.com
Mike Protich of Red Sun Rising comments, “Red Sun Rising is what rock was built on but is not today’s rock, but a new rock alternative. Subtle touches of blues mixed with the dark minor tonality of today. Our music allows the listener to travel through a song that is anything but linear. With soaring vocals we strive to find melodies that convey the passion of our thought provoking lyrical content and push the boundaries that rock today has somewhat forgotten.” 
“From the minute we heard Mike Protich’s one-of-a-kind, huge voice to seeing Red Sun Rising take the stage and literally flatten the audience, we knew we watching a great band ready to take on the world. We left their packed hometown show in Akron, Ohio, convinced we had seen a true star on the rise,” adds Razor & Tie Senior Director of A&R Mike Gitter who signed the band.
Red Sun Rising is Mike Protich (vocals/guitar), Ryan Williams (guitar) and Tyler Valendza (guitar).  The trio, from Akron, Ohio, came together in 2012 and is quickly becoming an Active Rock/Alternative music force. Protich and Williams grew up together and have been songwriting partners for half their lives.  Valendza, the uber young, and once child prodigy guitarist has been with the band for the past 20 months and has become a key part of the songwriting team.  Additionally, Williams and Valendza have perfected their “twin guitar” vibe reminiscent of the Gossard/McCready and Delson/Shinoda partnerships.  RSR is perhaps best known for the live performance and have spent the last 18 months supporting bands including Pop Evil, Seether, Sevendust, Shinedown, Chevelle and others.   The band is managed by The Elevation Group & G&G Entertainment Consultants.
Red Sun Rising joins Razor & Tie at an exciting time in the label’s history as R&T finished 2014 as the #2 overall label at Rock Radio and the #1 indie label.  Led by breaking stars The Pretty Reckless, Starset and Attila and established greats All That Remains and The Sword, Razor & Tie is becoming the leading label in rock. 
Red Sun Rising Links
www.redsunrisingmusic.com
www.facebook.com/redsunrisingmusic
twitter.com/RSRrocks
youtube.com/user/RedSunRisingBand
     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N; ROLL!!!
     -the Hellion

SANTA CRUZ Premiere “Shred Til You Drop Vol. 2” on Guitar World

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SANTA CRUZ Premiere “Shred Til You Drop Vol. 2” on Guitar World

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Here’s one of life’s most critical questions. Who’s ready to shred?

The answer is quite simple.

It’s those Finnish rockers in SANTA CRUZ, a quartet of long-haired, leather-clad, Motorhead-shirt wearing young turks who aspire to one thing in life and that’s to R-O-C-K.

The band will release a new album via Spinefarm this year, but in the meantime, Guitar World is premiering “Shred Til You Drop Vol. 2” clip, which is exactly what the title implies. View the video :

The clip features the SANTA CRUZ boys knuckling down and totally improvising the solos on their Gibsons and shredding…hard. Fingers be damned!

For More Info Visit:

http://www.santacruz.fi/

https://www.facebook.com/santacruzband

https://twitter.com/SantaCruzBand

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCK N’ ROLL!!!

     -the Hellion

Guitar Maestro ULI JON ROTH to Release “Scorpions Revisited” – A Double-Disc Collection of Re-Imagined SCORPIONS Classics‏

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Guitar Maestro ULI JON ROTH to Release “Scorpions Revisited”

 

A Double-Disc Collection of Re-Imagined SCORPIONS Classics

 

Out March 10, 2015 (US) via UDR Music

 

…Feast your ears, heart and emotions on ULI JON ROTH’s unique return to his most famous musical legacy…

 

US Tour Dates Below – Jan/Feb 2015

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     UDR, The Home Of Legends, is set to release guitar legend ULI JON ROTH’s brand new double album of 19 re-invented Scorpions tracks, entitled Scorpions Revisited, on March 10, 2015. Pre-orders for the album will be available soon.

     For over four decades, ULI JON ROTH has forged new frontiers in the world of guitar, both in terms of approach and style. He even managed to invent the sky-guitar, a six octave lead instrument that remains unparalleled. But before he started to explore the creative worlds of music, philosophy and art, ULI JON ROTH was a member of European rock giants, the Scorpions, a band with which he helped create a new path in hard rock music. In 2013, venerated for his originality and dynamism at the time, Roth found himself intrigued by the memory of those early days which began 40 years ago, and specifically by the music he helped write, perform and occasionally sing on the albums Fly To The Rainbow, In Trance, Virgin Killer and Taken By Force. It lead to Roth deciding to spend a year re-visiting, exploring, performing and re-recording his favorite Scorpions songs.

     The first results of this magical, mystical journey into his own past can be heard on ULI JON ROTH’s Scorpions Revisited, a double-disc CD recorded in Hanover, Germany which sees the maestro re-harness all the collective power and poise of those original Scorpions classics, and re-imagine them as he feels today. No one in their right mind would dare call these mere re-recordings, as it’s clear that ULI JON ROTH reinvents these songs from the soul up.

Track listing – CD1:

1.       The Sails Of Charon

2.      Longing For Fire

3.      Crying Days

4.      Virgin Killer

5.      In Trance

6.      Sun In My Hand

7.      Yellow Raven

8.      Polar Nights

9.      Dark Lady

Track listing – CD2:

1.      Catch Your Train

2.      Evening Wind

3.      All Night Long

4.      We’ll Burn In The Sky

5.      Pictured Life

6.      Hell Cat

7.      Life’s Like A River

8.      Drifting Sun

9.      Rainbow Dream Prelude

10.  Fly To The Rainbow

     “The material for this double CD was recorded last year in the same hall in Hanover that we used for the Scorpions rehearsals 1973-1978,”explains Roth. “Together with an amazing bunch of very talented young musicians, I revisited my personal favourites from the early Scorpionsperiod, some of which were written in that same hall. It was an emotional few days and I am very pleased with the results in more ways than one. The idea was to stay truthful to the original spirit of the music, while also putting a new slant on it whenever it felt like the right thing to do. I feel we really succeeded in this and I’m very excited about this project. It was a intense journey into the past and I think we really managed to bring the songs back to life with a vengeance.”

     The band which performed with Roth for these historic shows was Nathan James (vocals), Jamie Little (drums), Ule W. Ritgen (bass), Niklas Turmann (guitar, vocals), Corvin Bahn (keyboards, vocals) and David Klosinski (guitar).

     As noted, this is the first fruit from a re-engagement with his history that left ULI JON ROTH enjoying a surge of fresh creativity and approach to this classic material. Expect a further announcement for 2015. But for now, feast your ears, heart and emotions on ULI JON ROTH’s unique return to his most famous musical legacy.

2015 ULI JON ROTH US Tour Dates:

JANUARY

21.01.2015 – California – Ramona – Mainstage
22.01.2015 – California – Anaheim – House of Blues

23.01.2015 – California – Hollywood – House of Blues
24.01.2015 – Nevada – Las Vegas – Vamp’d
25.01.2015 – California – San Josè – Rock Star Bar
26.01.2015 – Oregon – Portland – Tonic
27.01.2015 – Washington – Seattle – Studio 7
29.01.2015 – Minnesota – Moorehead – The Garage
30.01.2015 – Minnesota – Spring Lake Park – POVS
31.01.2015 – Illinois – St. Charles – Arcada Theatre

FEBRUARY

01.02.2015 – Illinois – Chicago – Reggie’s (& Sky Academy)
02.02.2015 – Michigan – Detroit – Token Lounge
03.02.2015 – Toronto – Mod Club
04.02.2015 – Ohio – Cleveland – Agora Ballroom
05.02.2015 – Connecticut – Hartford – Infinity Hall
06.02.2015 – New Hampshire – Londonderry – Tupelo Music Hall
07.02.2015 – New York – Poughkeepsie – The Chance
08.02.2015 – New York – Manhattan – BB King’s
09.02.2015 – Virginia – Springfield – The Empire

2015 ULI JON ROTH International Tour Dates:

19.02.2015 – Japan – Nagoya – Bottom Line
20.02.2015 – Japan – Tokyo – Nakano Sun Plaza Hall
22.02.2015 – Japan Osaka – Quattro

11.04.2015 – Full Metal Cruise II –
to                   Mediterranian Sea –
16.04.2015    Plama de Mallorca/Barcelona/Ibiza

24.04.2015 – Germany – Lauda-Königshofen – Keep it True Festival
22.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
23.05.2015 – Germany – Bocholt – Alte Molkerei
22.08.2015 – Germany – Balve – Balver Höhle

27.08.2015 – Full Metal Cruise III –
to                  North Sea –
31.08.2015   Kiel/Copenhaven/Gothenburg/Hamburg

 For more information, please visit www.ulijonroth.com and www.udr-music.com.

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s ROCKN N’ ROLL!!!

     -the Hellion

Stoner bands baby!

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     I’ve been feeling a little “groovy” lately and wanted to share a few stoner/heavy psych fuzz rock/sludge/doom bands I’ve been checking out. So “indulge” yourself and get your groove on with these four bands you might not have heard of.

     FACE ON MARS

https://www.facebook.com/faceonmars/timeline

http://faceonmars.bandcamp.com/

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     Founded in 2006, Face on Mars combines heavy rock with elements of psychedelic rock, desert rock, doom, and southern sludge. Hailing from the birthplace of rock n’ roll, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, the band remains as the area’s active force in keeping heavy rock and roll alive. At first, the band gathered most of its influences from the fuzzy grooves of Kyuss, the oddball heaviness of the Melvins, and the brutal onslaught of Electric Wizard and High On Fire. By the summer of 2008, a passion for 1970s rock emerged. Guitarist/Vocalist Drew Kern began to inject the soulful wailing of Mountain and Grand Funk Railroad, while the music was laced with traces of Pentagram and Deep Purple.

During the summer of 2011, “Jump the Gun” was released on a 7″ split record with Mississippi punk legends, Before I Hang. The song was also featured onStonerRock.com‘s Compilation Vol. 9. Maximum Rock N Roll Issue #347 labeled it “a mindbender…tweaked out stoner metal.” For the past 8 years, Face on Mars has remained active and played shows alongside many touring artists such as Before I Hang, Stellatone, Emerald Heavy, The Stovebolts, Cooze Hound, Royal Thunder, Slo Poke, Mothership, Bass Drum of Death, Cough, Dark Castle, Dax Riggs, The Unnaturals, Dummy Dumpster, Smoke & Feathers, Haarp, Vorpal Hand, That Yellow Bastard and many more.

In 2014, the long awaited, self-titled debut album was produced and self-released by Face on Mars. Engineered and mixed by Mark Black and mastered by Chris Goosman (Greenleaf, Mos Generator, Dixie Witch), the album showcases the band’s diverse range of styles in the hard rock realm. The album is highly influenced by 70s rock (Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd) as well as the modern take on heavy fuzzy rock (Fu Manchu, Queens of the Stone Age, Truckfighters).

SNOW WHITE

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Snow-White-Band/337331516326442?sk=timeline

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     Snow White is a band, proud to be out of Longview Washington. We are experienced professionals and are available for all of your parties and puke fests.

ROADKILLSODA

https://www.facebook.com/RoadKillSoda/timeline

http://roadkillsoda.com/

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     RoadkillSoda is the reflection of the 70s American hawk, of the dusty Dodge, ragged T-shirts, tattoos, beards, booze, naked chicks and good vibes.

The group started off as a jam session between Mihnea’s guitar and Para’s drums in the winter of 2010-2011, in a cold, dimly-lit room filled with smoke and music blasting through the walls.

And so, the stoner, sludge, psychedelic and rock’n’roll sounds fusion would become RoadkillSoda, a fresh, intense and unconventional project. Vava, Mihnea’s brother form the same mother, promptly took the, often underestimated, role of the bass player, adding a dirty bass sound that does not go unnoticed.

As spontaneous as the entire project, the debut EP “A Fucked Up Trip Gone Bad” pops up, basically live recording from the rehearsal room and was released in 2011, via Asiluum label.

In 2012, Sebi joins Mihnea, Para and Vava in their journey. The band consequently assumes, without compromises, its ideal form and color – a metamorphosis fuelled by the sound, atmosphere and by the people on stage and in front of it.

In less than a year, the band wrote, recorded and produced the first official album. “Oven Sun” embodies the experiences of a man who wakes up in the middle of nowhere, bound to wonder and to take in both the good and the bad. From mirages and oasis to the burning sun and the endless desert, the album envisages RoadkillSoda’s metaphor of life. The “happy-end” is depicted through sorrow, despair and bleak scenarios carried out with a mask displaying a caddish grin, an attitude that fittingly sums up “Oven Sun” by one line – “F**k’em with a smile”.

THUNDERS OF WRATH

https://www.facebook.com/Thunders.Of.Wrath/timeline

http://thundersofwrath.com/

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     Thunders of Wrath is an **unsigned** American rock band with a 11-song debut vinyl in post-production.

Described as “old school rules with a new-fangled yet reverent rock swagger”. Others have said “refreshingly classic”. To put it simply, we make rock, it’s who we are what we love and what we do.

School chums Mason Flippin and Cooper Farris form the rhythm core, meeting in junior high and growing up together as musicians. Guitarist Joe Papen joins in January 2012. Tom Vekakis joins on vocals in August 2012. Jake Fouts joins on keyboards in July 2014.

Ages 21-24, all born and raised in the Tacoma/Puyallup area, currently recording original music and playing shows to audiences along the west coast.

We strive for a sound that is timeless, yet always in the moment… all-killer, no-filler. ROCK GROOVES.

Released first EP – The Grand Alliance in August, 2013, available digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and other digital services, and in our favorite indie record stores all across the pacific NW.

Music Video for “Lighting the Lantern”, Nov 2013 on YouTube (SD), Vimeo (HD) and Facebook.

Played 54 shows in 2014.

Self-produced holiday special December 2014 previews the videos and mini-sodes in production for 2015 album release.

Full length album recorded 2014, currently in post, to be released around March 2015.

     There you have it! Some new bands for ya earholes. Help a band get heard!

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s Rock N’ Roll!

     -the Hellion

Top 10 releases of 2014!!!

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     Here is the list of the top 10 releases for the Hellion Rocks, Do yourself a favor and give these a listen, your earholes will thank you!

10: Monte Pitman The Power of Three

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9: Kix Rock Your Face Off

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http://www.kixband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialKIX/info

8: Graveyard BBQ The Road That Lies Ahead

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www.graveyardbbq.com

https://www.facebook.com/GraveyardBBQ/info

7: Tracii Guns League Of Gentlemen The Second Record

traciigunssecondrecord

http://www.traciigunsband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/traciigunsband/info

6: Down Down IV, Pt. II

downivpart2

www.down-nola.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/downnolacom

www.downboard.com www.myspace.com/downnola

https://www.facebook.com/down/info?tab=page_info

5: Red Dragon Cartel Red Dragon Cartel 

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http://reddragoncartel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/reddragoncartel/info

4: Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators  World On Fire

slash_wof

http://slashonline.com

http://bit.ly/1eaRGCg

https://www.facebook.com/Slash/info

3: Tesla Simplicity

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https://www.facebook.com/TeslaTheBand

www.teslatheband.com

2: Black Label Society Catacombs Of The Black Vatican

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https://www.facebook.com/blacklabelsociety

http://www.zakkwylde.com

http://www.twitter.com/zakkwyldebls

http://www.blacklabelsociety.com
http://www.johnjddeservio.com

1: Crowned By Fire Space Music For Cave People

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http://www.crownedbyfire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire/info

     it’s only Rock N’ Roll but I like it…

     -the Hellion

 

Catching up with Justin Manning of Crowned By Fire

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I have been fortunate and had several interviews with Justin. One had crows making a guest appearance, and another featured traffic altercation. Tonight we had an hour of uninterrupted conversation. Sit back and enjoy:

http://www.crownedbyfire.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CrownedByFire

     it’s loud, it’s dirty, it’s CROWNED BY FIRE

     -the Hellion

 

 

That one song…

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Here’s something I’ve been wondering about. Are there any songs out there that you just can’t listen to anymore? I mean songs that you once couldn’t get enough of but now cringe and change them when they come on . There are a couple of great songs that I am completely burnt out on and I’m sure I’ll catch hell from some people about them and here they are: “Stairway To Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, and “Dream On” by Aerosmith. I know, I know, they are iconic songs by iconic bands but listening to them makes me nuts. It could be that I was over exposed to them when they were on regular rotation on FM radio. Let me reiterate, these are great songs but are worn out to me. What are your thoughts, and songs that just don’t do it for you anymore?

-the Hellion

My conversation with John Lennon

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photo by Bob Gruen 1974

     Yes you read that right. Let me explain further.

     Some musicians become prophets and there are very poignant messages in their words. I often times find  myself “conversing” with them.

     Given the state of the world lately I found myself wondering what John would have to say. I thought of how John might view the world and was first reminded of my favorite photo of John which was taken by one of my photographic idols, Bob Gruen. To me it shows the playful, whimsical side of John and at the same time I feel it shows that John looked at the world in many different ways.

    I suffer from an overactive mind that leaves me fighting hard to try to sleep. On one of those evenings I found myself thinking of John and heard “Whatever Gets You Thru The Night” in my head. The answer was music and my love of it, that was usually what got me through the nights.  I continued to think about what John would think of how people were constantly thinking only of themselves with little regard to others and bam, “Instant Karma” was there.

     Even when nothing was seeming to go right one day I heard “Nobody Told Me” and I had to stop and smile at it. Yes John was talking to me beyond the grave. I could keep going on and on with examples that had relevance to situations, “Mind Games”, “Imagine”, “Woman”, there’s so many if you open your mind and ears.

     What kind of man could have written these songs that remain so pertinent? Someone who wrote from the heart and not for monetary gain. When someone writes from within and with feeling magic happens.

     I am lucky to be a part of several musicians who are going back to roots and making musical magic again, and I thank them.

     One of his songs that means the world to me is “Love”. The world needs more of it, I revel in it with my wife and family, and I share it with all of you.

     John you have been a good friend to me for so many years and I miss the light you shared with the world. I’ll talk to you soon.

     -the Hellion

A BREACH OF SILENCE release new documentary filmed during The Darkest Road recording sessions‏

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A BREACH OF SILENCE release new documentary filmed during The Darkest Road recording sessions

A BREACH OF SILENCE have released a new documentary video filmed during recording sessions for their latest album The Darkest Road, which was produced by Fredrik Nordstrom and Henrik Udd (Bring Me the Horizon, Arch Enemy, In Flames, Opeth). The documentary features candid interviews with members of the band about recording with the infamous production team, as well as their thoughts about the new album. The documentary may be watched at the Eclipse Records YouTube page.

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On October 17, A Breach of Silence teamed up with SiriusXM Octane, to host the world premiere of their emotional new music video for the band’s latest single The Darkest Road. The video quickly clocked in over 100,000 views and is currently approaching the 150,000 mark. The band recently completed their first US tour with Drowning Pool and Like A Storm, as support for the UnLucky 13 Anniversary Sinner Tour.

The Darkest Road was released on October 7, and debuted at #20 on theAustralian Independent Charts, and at #1 on the iTunes Australia Metal Chart. The album has received critical acclaim from the press as well:

  • Hysteria Mag says “The Darkest Road is one of the Top 25 Albums of 2014!”
  • Bro Metal gives the album 10/10 and says, “The Darkest Road is without a doubt the best album of 2014!”
  • Front Row Report gives the album 10/10 and says, “Infectious, captivating, and heart-stopping, are just a few words that can describe The Darkest Road!”
  • Starpulse gives the album an A rating and says, “A Breach Of Silence have proven themselves worthy of being tabbed one of the next big things in metal.”
  • Loud Mag gives the album 86/100 and says, “The Darkest Road is a triumph.”
  • Pure Grain Audio gives the album 8/10 and says, “the band work their way into the hearts of those metal fans who think metalcore is nothing more than Bring Me The Horizon and their ilk.”

he Darkest Road is available for download from iTunes, and GooglePlay, while CDs are available via Eclipse Records, BestBuy, Fye, and Amazon.  The full album is also streaming via YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, and Rdio.

For more information on A BREACH OF SILENCE, please visit these websites:
www.EclipseRecords.com/A-Breach-Of-Silence    www.Facebook.com/abreachofsilenceband     www.Twitter.com/breachofsilence

     bringing the news

     -the Hellion

BLACKLIST UNION SIGNS WITH DOUG GOLDSTEIN AND WHEN PIGS FLY ENTERTAINMENT

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BLACKLIST UNION SIGNS WITH DOUG GOLDSTEIN AND WHEN PIGS FLY ENTERTAINMENT

BAND READIES NEW SINGLE, VIDEO, AND ALBUM

Los Angeles hard rock act Blacklist Union have signed a management deal with Doug Goldstein and When Pigs Fly Entertainment.  Goldstein, who famously took on Guns N’ Roses in 1991 and Blind Melon, amongst others, will guide Blacklist Union through the next phase of their career.
The band has also brought in Alison “MetalBabe” Cohen to fill the role of Creative Director and Blacklist Union mainstay, Tony West, had this to say about the new relationship, “It’s great to finally have someone that delivers and the controversy doesn’t overshadow the music.” And per Cohen’s participation, “I’m super excited to be working with her.”
Doug Goldstein: “Back to Momo is the best rock record I’ve heard since “Appetite For Destruction” and remarked that  “Tony West is the hardest working rock star that I have ever known.”
Blacklist Union has also completed work on their new single, “Alive N Well Smack in the Middle of Hell.”  Produced by Chris Johnson, the song has a positive message and is about surviving amongst the madness and not letting the sex, drugs, and rock n’ roll kill you. No matter what, you will be okay and make it through. The single will be released on 11 January 2015.
A video for the track has been shot and was directed and produced by Matt Zane of Society 1. The band is really going to push the envelope with this high quality production video and showcase taboo and voodoo at its finest.
“Alive N Well Smack in the Middle of Hell” will be featured on the upcoming album, Back To Momo, which is due to be released on 24 April 2015.
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Relevant Links:
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     I love these guys
     -the Hellion