Canadian singer/songwriter RICK LABONTE And The Band of Brothers have a new single (and video) out. A rockin’ tune with a easily likeable and memorable title and chorus – “Born Ready” was written & produced by Rick. It features plenty of guitar, a bit of harmonica (from Rick), and special guest Derek Sherinian (Black Country Communion, Planet X) on Hammond organ. The new song is one of a few Rick (and The Band of Brothers – Tim King, John Kersey, Paul Richard) have recently recorded, with the songs likely being part of a new album for 2025. *Check out the video below, as well as more info and links in the description. “Born Ready” is also available on all streaming services. Also check visit www.ricklabonte.com for further news, releases, interviews, etc…
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THEIGNS & THRALLS – release 2nd album
The Keep & The Spire is the 2nd album from THEIGNS & THRALLS, lead by Kevin Ridley of folk-rock act SKYCLAD. Quite a mix of folk, celtic, rock, and metal – like you go to see your favorite Irish folk band at the local pub and a classic metal band joins them! Very unique, with memorable tunes and choruses, and some big rock & metal guitar performances and solos. Cool album: now I gotta check out the debut from 2022. Love the cover art. *Check out the press info below, as well as videos, and links.
“The Keep & The Spire” is the second album from the band, but it is the first album to be recorded as a band – though there are a few guest musicians on it. The title is taken from the song ’Theigns & Thralls’ and refers to the keep and the spire being considered as the twin towers of control (i.e. the state and religion).
Kevin Ridley started writing new material for this album as soon as the first album was released and had a few tracks together when he was contacted by Per Ablinsson (the Swedish lyricist) about the possibility of working together. This was something different for him because, while he has worked with lots of different musicians, he normally writes the lyrics. But he thought it was an interesting idea and decided to give it a go. This changed the shape and feel of the album, in that (after some discussion). Per quickly, came up with some lyrics that had strong Anglo-Saxon or Viking themes.
Ridley then had the idea of combining some of these lyrics to form a ‘suite of tracks’ (something he had never done before), so that these songs would take up the whole side of an album. Those songs became ‘The Maldon Suite’, and the album could be viewed as ‘The Maldon Suite’ and other songs.
A lot of the other album tracks are based on poems and ideas that Ridley had for a while, like ‘The Harrowing’ and ‘Interrogativa Cantilena’ (which he did with Korpiklaani). And, as they didn’t want to make the whole album dark and serious, they added a few more up-tempo and fun tracks like ‘the Seeker’, ‘The Mermaid Tavern’ and ‘The Grape And The Grain’.
Pushing the boundaries of their sound, Theigns & Thralls cements their position in the global music scene. The new album not only reflects their artistic growth but also offers fans a deeper and more immersive experience.
The new album “The Keep And The Spire” is due out on September 20th, 2024, and will be available on CD / VINYL (Black and Orange/Marble editions) from Rockshots Records.
PRE-ORDER VINYL – https://bit.ly/46dJeEd
PRE-ORDER CD – https://bit.ly/3WvOFeF
Track Listing
The Battle of Maldon Suite
1. Overture
2. A Single Beam
3. Fight And Lay Your Bones
4. The Battle of Maldon
5. Aftermath
6. Pagan Song
7. The Harrowing
8. The Seeker
9. Now My Life Is Done
10. The Grape And The Grain
11. Interrogativa Cantilena
12. The Mermaid Tavern
Rockshots.eu | Theignsandthralls.com | Facebook.com/theignsandthralls | Instagram.com/theignsandthralls
URIAH HEEP announce farewell tour ‘The Magician’s Farewell’
With URIAH HEEP’s 55th Anniversary coming up, the band have decided to wind things down with the upcoming ‘The Magician’s Farewell’ tour starting next year. Watch Mick Box’s announcement below.
STRYPER ‘When We Were Kings’ out now
STRYPER’s new album When We Were Kings‘ is now out. These guys seem to sound better with age, and the title track and video are classic! *Check out the clips already posted, as well as the press info and 40th anniversary tour dates.
The legendary, long-running metal band STRYPER has released its twelfth studio album ‘When We Were Kings’ alongside a new single, “Rhyme of Time.” STRYPER’s current lineup includes original members Michael Sweet, Robert Sweet, and Oz Fox, along with bassist Perry Richardson.
“The new single ”Rhyme of Time” is definitely a rock ballad with dark overtones musically, but lyrically it’s a love song. It definitely has its own signature sound compared to all the other songs on the album in the best of ways. Very excited about this one.” – Michael Sweet.
With ‘When We Were Kings’ STRYPER feel they are creating their finest and most powerful music yet.
About ‘When We Were Kings,’ Sweet adds:”We couldn’t be more excited about this new album. I feel that it really captures our classic sound, but also captures our most recent sound. We’ve definitely grown as a band and evolved quite a bit so it’s important to have both. We’re 40 years into our career and releasing the best music of our career.”Looking ahead, STRYPER is also working on a Kickstarter-funded documentary film directed by Chris Atkins. With career album sales exceeding 10 million worldwide and a history of Billboard Top 40 hits, STRYPER continues to record, tour, and perform for devoted fans globally.
https://ffm.to/stryperwhenwewerekings
Paul Di’Anno records new take of IRON MAIDEN classic
Paul Di’Anno, who sang on the first few IRON MAIDEN albums has recorded a new version of the Maiden classic “Wrathchild”, as a duet with ZP Theart (Dragonforce). It also features Cliff Evans (Tank) on guitar, and Russell Gilbrook (Uriah Heep) on drums. The song is part of an upcoming retrospect release of Di’Anno’s post Iron Maiden recordings titled The Book Of The Beast.
DANGER ZONE – new album ‘Shut Up!’
Another band new to me, but this is a great intro. DANGER ZONE from Italy, is another band that dates back to the 80s, but returned in the last decade. An easily likable hard rock release, with a bit of AOR, some keyboards, but really guitar driven & heavy, with a number of good riffs. The band’s melodic rock doesn’t soften much, and I like the vocals, kinda reminds me of Biff from Saxon at times. These guys wouldn’t have sounded out of place in the 80s LA ‘metal’ scene. Standout tunes being the first single “Evil”, lead off track “I Like It”, big 80s type anthem “I Don’t Care”, and closing rocker “Straight Down The Line”. Lots of cool stuff to check out here. Well worth checking out.
*Check out the videos, press info below, links…..
Danger Zone, one of the most popular, veteran Italian Hard Rock bands, began their musical journey in the early 1980s. After releasing several demos and undergoing numerous line-up changes, they debuted with their EP, “Victim Of Time,” in 1984 and four more studio albums to follow (“Line Of Fire” recorded in 1989 but released in 2011); “Undying” (2012), “Closer To Heaven” (2016) and “Don’t Count On Heroes” (2019).
The pandemic in 2020/21 hindered the band’s ability to fully promote their album, leading to a temporary hiatus. They reconvened in 2022, resuming live performances and writing sessions. During this time, they decided to return to a sound reminiscent of the golden era of American melodic hard rock, characterized by catchy choruses, loud guitars, pounding drums, and dreamy keyboards. This new chapter in their musical journey is encapsulated in their upcoming album, “Shut Up!” set for release on September 20, 2024, by Pride & Joy Music.
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/dangerzoneweb
https://www.shop.prideandjoy.de/en/home/16472-danger-zone-shut-up-cd.html
Sweden’s HYDRA to release 2nd album
Well, this HYDRA isn’t the Southern rock band from the 70s, but a newer Swedish AOR/hard rock band. There seems to be lots of these types of bands over there, but they seem to all put out good albums, and keep the genre alive (see also ECLIPSE, NESTOR….). and well, if you like melodic rock ala Journey, Europe or Praying Mantis you’ll want to check this out. Rehydration is Hydra’s 2nd album, and starts out rockin’ with “We Belong”, and bigger rocker “Marionette”. Lots of varied rock, and ballads here with cuts like the synth heavy pop-rocker “Out In The Cold”, the rockin’ “Eye Of The Storm” (which really kicks in after a soft vocal/piano intro), and the ballad “Two Of A Kind” all stand out on first listen here, but it’s a solid album really; well written and produced. Love the cover art too! 🙂
*Check out the press info below, as well as the video, and links.
Swedish AOR group Hydra returns on September 20th, 2024 with their sophomore release “ReHydration”!
With a stable line-up, the band still consists of long-time friends from the Swedish rock scene, i.e. song-writer/ musician Henrik Hedström (First Signal, Angelica), drummer/ producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, First Signal etc.), bassist Jonny Trobro (First Signal, Find Me) and singer Andi Kravljaca (Aeon Zen, Seventh Wonder).
Hydra once again delivers a high-class AOR release with some obvious influences from the Westcoast genre as well.
Line-up: Henrik Hedström – keyboards, backing vocals; Andi Kravljaca – lead vocals, guitars; Daniel Flores – drums, keyboards, backing vocals; Jonny Trobro – bass
LINKS:
https://www.facebook.com/henrikhydra
https://www.shop.prideandjoy.de/en/home/16470-hydra-rehydration-cd.html
Canadian metal band INFRARED release new album
Canadian thrash metal band INFRARED have a new album out now. Check out the 3 videos from it below. From Ottawa, these guys formed in the 80s, broke up in 89, then reformed in 2014, and Manifestation is there 4th album since coming back.
Having emerged from the 80s thrash scene, Infrared‘s music is steeped in the same intensity that defined the genre’s pioneers. “Manifestation” continues this tradition, offering a streamlined, intense listening experience that captures the essence of classic thrash. It is recommended for fans of Anvil, Exciter, and Sacrifice.
Manifestation is available at https://infraredmetal.bandcamp.com
MAGNUM to regroup for live tribute to Tony Clarkin
Members of MAGNUM have announced that they will reform to perform the band’s classics. Following the passing of guitarist/songwriter Tony Clarkin in January, the singer and co-founder announced that Magnum couldn’t carry on, but with time Bob Catley took to social media to announce that the band would get back together to play tribute shows to their late guitar player. Some UK dates are already announced with tickets on sale.
JUDAS PRIEST Announce 50th Anniversary remixed & remastered version of ‘Rocka Rolla’
Friday, September 13th, 2024 is the US and Canadian release date for digital, pre save here Friday, November 22nd, 2024 is US and Canadian release date for CD and Vinyl “It’s great to look back and see our future unfurl — from little metal acorns mighty metal oaks do grow. One small step for metal, one giant leap for metalkind — a lifelong metal journey began with these songs. This album lit the eternal metal flame — as real and fresh as ever five decades on” — Rob Halford. In 1974 before the eternal metal flame was ever lit – Judas Priest were simply 5 young musicians in their 20’s – Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill, KK Downing and John Hinch – from the Black Country an area of working-class towns in England – excited to have signed a record deal. With limited funds, the band recorded during the less expensive night shift hours. The album Rocka Rolla was born during these sessions, under the guidance of producer Roger Bain who was brought in by the label and who had previously produced Black Sabbath. Judas Priest learnt over time how to record an album – and the experience of working in a professional recording studio helped prepare them for the next album to come – one of the most definitive and foundational heavy metal albums of all time – Sad Wings of Destiny. But with Rocka Rolla the band was not there for the mixing, the mastering process or any final approvals — they didn’t have a say when it was finished or how it ultimately sounded. Although the band felt positive about how the songs sounded in the studio, they were particularly disappointed when they received a finished copy of the album in the mail to listen to for the first time….. “I took the record… and I put the needle onto the groove, and I sat back. And I just slowly started to deflate, deflate.” said Rob Halford. “I was so disappointed with the way it was sounding… All of us were – we’d all worked so hard to get to this place. And now this music that we know when we play live is roaring – the heavy metal is roaring even in those early primitive days – none of that was coming out of the speakers”. The band never had a future say in Rocka Rolla in the intervening decades — the re-releases and early-era compilations… but that was about to change…. During Judas Priest’s 50 Heavy Metal Years tour in 2022, something remarkable was happening behind the scenes. The label that originally signed Judas Priest in 1974, Gull Records and it’s owner David Howells, decided to sell the masters and publishing rights for the two albums the label owned, Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny — and he contacted Glenn Tipton’s music publisher, Michael Closter of Reach Music Publishing. After discussing this opportunity and collaborating with Judas Priest’s manager Jayne Andrews, a compelling offer from Reach Music was made to Gull Records. Terms were accepted. An acquisition agreement was prepared, and after almost 50 years from the release of these albums, Reach Music and it’s label Exciter Records – in partnership with Judas Priest, was now the owner of Rocka Rolla and Sad Wings of Destiny. The first order of business was to retrieve the original multitrack tapes from storage (which miraculously still existed and kept in usable condition for all these decades) — and to begin the process of resurrecting Rocka Rolla from these multitrack recordings…..With the task of delving back into time and putting the tapes of Rocka Rolla back on the recording studio console, Judas Priest put their full faith in Tom Allom — known in the Judas Priest world for producing the iconic British Steel and Screaming For Vengeance albums among many others. As Tom Allom stated, “What we did with the multi-tracks is quite unusual, to completely remix an album from that era, from scratch. So, to clarify what we’re doing, we’re not adding anything musically. We’re not re-recording any of the musical parts… We’re remixing them, rebalancing them using the technology we have, the modern tools we have now, to sonically upgrade them, and make them sound more powerful.” The results of this remixed version are now available for posterity — the artist-approved version of Rocka Rolla is finally here for fans to add to their Judas Priest collection. Rob Halford: “I’m just thrilled… because it just goes to show you when you get an expert involved in a project, it’s likely that you have a second chance. And I think that Tom Allom is giving us a second chance here with the way that a lot of the elements were lost in Rocka Rolla. And it’s also nice, like a really nice feeling, especially to attach it to what will be a 50th anniversary moment. It’s just a beautiful feeling.” Glenn Tipton: “This is where it all started for us and 50 years later, we have a great re-mixed and re-mastered version of the original…and the band are still going strong!” Ian Hill: “Recorded during nighttime sessions to save costs, over a few weeks in June and July 1974, on a shoestring budget, Rocka Rolla was always going to have its flaws! But walking into my local record store and seeing it on a shelf amongst all your idol’s records was the proudest feeling in the world, and I thought, ‘Whatever happens now, nothing can change that!’ Now re-mixed by Tom Allom and re-mastered, Rocka Rolla has finally got the production it deserved!” KK Downing: “At last! This! The first Judas Priest album can be listened to and enjoyed in the way it was always intended to be!” Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) track listing: 01 One For The Road Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 04:44 02 Rocka Rolla Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 03:24 03 Winter Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 02:59 04 Deep Freeze Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 02:07 05 Winter Retreat Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 01:32 06 Cheater Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 03:01 07 Never Satisfied Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 04:50 08 Run Of The Mill Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 08:21 09 Dying To Meet You Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 06:17 10 Caviar And Meths Judas Priest: Rocka Rolla (50th Anniversary Remixed & Remastered) 02:09 |
Outsider Rock 