SANTA CRUZ Premiere “Shred Til You Drop Vol. 2” on Guitar World
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!
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.
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 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 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 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!
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:
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?
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.
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.
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.”
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.
UFO Reveal Track Listing to new Album A Conspiracy of Stars
Available March 3rd in North America on Steamhammer/SPV
Of course you don’t need to attach more importance to this piece of news than it necessarily has, but it certainly deserves to be mentioned: for the first time in more than 20 years, one of the most British rock bands in music history has recorded a studio album in their native country. Their latest offering is entitled AConspiracy Of Stars, was cut by rock legend UFO and breathes that typically British easy-going confidence for which this band has been known for over 45 years. A strong release consisting of eleven songs which combine everything that the group surrounding frontman Phil Mogg stands for: meaty riffs, distinctive hooks, diverse songwriting, intelligent lyrics and that generally laid-back attitude which we have associated with UFO from the start. The fact that A Conspiracy Of Stars was produced and mixed by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore, among others) may be considered another successful element in a thoroughly consistent release. To cut a long story short: their 22nd studio recording to date sees UFO prove that past and present can be blended in a homogeneous whole.
A Conspiracy Of Starspresents UFO’s current line-up for the first time: along with the original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar) and Andy Parker (drums), lead guitarist Vinnie Moore has been a permanent member of the group since 2003, American bassist Rob De Luca joining the fold in 2012. De Luca is not only a brilliant instrumentalist but has also contributed two of the album tracks as a songwriter. The majority of the new material was composed by Vinnie Moore, the album also featuring a song by Paul Raymond and a collaboration between Raymond and De Luca. The lyrics were penned by frontman Phil Mogg.
Track Listing Digipak:
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
04. Sugar Cane
05. Devils In The Detail
06. Precious Cargo
07. The Real Deal
08. One And Only
09. Messiah Of Love
10. Rolling Rolling
11. King Of The Hill (Bonus Track)
Track Listing Jewel Case:
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
04. Sugar Cane
05. Devils In The Detail
06. Precious Cargo
07. The Real Deal
08. One And Only
09. Messiah Of Love
10. Rolling Rolling
Track Listing LP:
Side 1
01. The Killing Kind
02. Run Boy Run
03. Ballad Of The Left Hand Gun
Side 2
01. Sugar Cane
02. Devils In The Detail
03. Precious Cargo
Side 3
01. The Real Deal
02. One And Only
03. Messiah Of Love
Side 4
01. Rolling Rolling
02. King Of The Hill (Bonus Track)
23 February 2015 will see the European release (Scandinavia: 18 February 2015 / Germany: 20 February 2015 / US: 3 March 2015) as Digipak (including poster and bonus track), jewel case, vinyl colored double LP and download.
TOUR DATES 2015
FEBRUARY
Fri 20 Germany, Barby – Rautenkranz
Sat 21 Germany, Berlin – K17
Sun 22 Germany, Hagen/Osnabrück – Saal Stock
Mon 23 Germany, Hamburg – Downtown Blues Club
Wed 25 Germany, Mannheim – Alte Seilerei
Thu 26 Germany, Bochum – Zeche
Fri 27 Germany, Siegburg – Kubana
Sat 28 Germany, Affalter – Zur Linde
MARCH
Mon 02 Germany, Rostock – Mau Club
Wed 04 Poland, Warsaw – Stodola
Thu 05 Lithuania, Vilnius – Forum Palace
Fri 06 Poland, Krakow – Kwadrat
Sat 07 Czech Rep., Zlin – Masters of Rock Café
Mon 09 Germany, Burgrieden/Ulm – Riffelhof
Tue 10 Germany, Osterode – Dorster Festhalle
Wed 11 Germany, Freiburg – Jazzhaus
Thu 12 Switzerland, Zug – Choller Halle
APRIL
Thu 16 England, Norwich – Waterfront
Fri 17 England, Cambridge – Junction
Sat 18 England, Wolverhampton – Wulfrun Hall
Sun 19 England, Manchester – Ritz
Tue 21 Ireland, Dublin – The Academy
Wed 22 N. Ireland, Belfast – The Limelight
Fri 24 England, Glasgow – O2 ABC
Sat 25 England, Newcastle – O2 Academy
Sun 26 England, Leeds – O2 Academy
Tue 28 England, Nottingham – Rock City
Thu 30 England, Bristol – O2 Academy
MAY
Fri 01 England, Falmouth – Pavilion
Sat 02 England, Exeter – Phoenix
Sun 03 England, Salisbury – City Hall
Tue 05 England, Brighton – Concorde 2
Wed 06 England, Oxford – O2 Academy
Thu 07 England, London – HMV Forum
Photo from left to right:
Rob De Luca (bass), Phil Mogg (vocals), Andy Parker (drums), Vinnie Moore (guitar), Paul Raymond (keyboards, guitar)
“Hailing from the Kenosha, Wisconsin area, PRODUCT OF HATE have been crafting their vicious blend of groove, thrash, and new-wave metal for the past few years. Sharing the stage with some of the biggest bands in metal including TESTAMENT, LAMB OF GOD, GWAR, CHIMAIRA, UNEARTH, MESHUGGAH, JOB FOR A COWBOY & LAZARUS A.D. PRODUCT OF HATE is now set to take on the world.
PRODUCT OF HATE have signed with Austrian Metal Powerhouse Label Napalm Records, and will release their debut album in early 2015.Their new album is being currently being mixed and mastered at SafeHouse Production by James Murphy (Death, Testament, Obituary)
Vocalist Adam Gilley on signing with Napalm Records:
“On behalf of PRODUCT OF HATE we are proud and thankful to be apart of the Napalm team. We look forward for all to hear our new album & touring til we drop!!!”
the Hellion Rocks 