Canadian rock band Coney Hatch is thrilled to announce that its live album, ‘Postcard from Germany’, will be available on vinyl via Anthem Records. The limited-edition vinyl pressing will be available for purchase on April 20, 2024, as part of Record Store Day. Each album has been autographed by the band, with only 300 units available. 

Recorded LIVE at HEAT Festival in Ludwigsburg, Postcard from Germany also features two newly recorded releases, “It’s About A Girl” and “Heaven’s on the Other Side”. A Cream Vinyl with Turquoise Splatter Variant will be a Record Store Day exclusive.

“So cool to have Coney Hatch part of Record Store Day for the first time ever,” says Coney Hatch bassist Andy Curran. “We’ve been a band for 40 plus years and ticked a lot of boxes …but not this one. We had a blast going to see our limited-edition vinyl being pressed real time at Microforum. It’s come full circle to when we started with vinyl releases, I guess everything old is new again!”

The band recently visited the Microforum facility to have a look at the test pressings of vinyl hot off the presses.

For more information, logos, full list of participating stores please visit: recordstoredaycanada.ca

LINKS:

http://www.coneyhatch.com

https://mailchi.mp/chipsterpr/coneyhatch1?fbclid=IwAR3unn5OaRfjrsYbOIvQT2IdXyzzNma9CigbUkNaJqPQD1FBOmEuIcBQjPg

Ken ingwersen’s solo project ‘Ken’s Dojo’ has a new single coming out later this month. Ingwersen, who is guitarist in the power trio WONDERWORLD, who were spun off from the late Ken Hensley’s band ‘Live Fire’, has recorded 2 previous albums under ‘Ken’s Dojo’. The new single is “Symphony Of Life”, and will be available April 23, with (hopefully) an album soon after. Check out the trailer below-

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/kensdojo/symphony-of-life

https://www.kens-dojo.com/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=100063380768920

www.

Ripple Music announces the release of an unprecedented anthology for American proto-metal legends POOBAH entitled “Burning In The Rain: A POOBAH Anthology”. A career-spanning collection of tracks of one of the underground’s best-kept secrets, to be released on June 7th and available to preorder now!

Thanks to an unprecedented fusion of early days Cream psychedelia and the fuzzed-out heaviness of Black Sabbath, American proto-metal legends POOBAH originated a sound that was both fresh and intense, epitomized by the release of their acclaimed debut album “Let Me In” in 1972. Their incendiary live shows led them to support major acts such as Canned Heat, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Foghat, and countless others over the years.

Following the successful reissue of the band’s 1972 debut “Let Me In and sophomore album “U.S. Rock”, Ripple Music teams up with POOBAH’s mastermind and guitar hero Jim Gustafson again for the special release of a quintessential and rifftastic 17-track anthology that will enchant all fans of proto-metal, heavy psych and 70s rock from Led Zeppelin, Cream, Foghat, Deep Purple to Cactus, Leaf Hound or Uriah Heep.

“Burning In The Rain: An Anthology” will be issued in a limited 2xLP edition, limited CD digipack and digital on June 7th, 2024, with preorders available now on Ripple Music. Listen to one of the anthology’s tracks with their all-time classic “Mr. Destroyer” –

POOBAH “Burning In The Rain: An Anthology”
Out June 7th on Ripple Music – PREORDER

TRACKLIST:
1. Burning In The Rain
2. C’mon Let It Go
3. Maximum Pleasure
4. My Name is Mud
5. Try It 6. It Out
7. Fear
8. Underground
9. Jump Through the Golden Ring
10. 2 Faced Liar
11. Keep on Rollin’
12. You Give Me Such Pleasure
13. Mr. Destroyer 06:00
14. I Want Peace
15. Thru These Eyes
16. Dirty
17. Destination Or Debris

When you hear the name POOBAH, you instantly remind of the whole 70s rock scene. Your feel the vibrations of Jimi Hendrix’ electric explorations, and the excitement of heavy music’s early stages. The band is more than just a witness of these times, they are true pillars. In 1972, guitarist/vocalist Jim Gustafson, like so many young rockers, put together a band. With the help of high school chum and bass player Phil Jones, they searched for and added drummer Glenn Wiseman. The band came to be known as POOBAH and recorded what would become one of the quintessential albums in the bands catalog, ‘Let Me In’.

With a completely new line-up, Gustafson led the band into the studio in 1976 to record the bands second LP, ‘U.S. Rock’. With the record selling exceptionally well, the bands cult status continued to strengthen, but poor management and the typical industry pitfalls hampered the band from finding the wider success that they so richly deserved. By 1979, their made their way to the recording studio for album number three, ‘Steamroller’.

Ten guitar-powered studio albums and thirty years later, POOBAH is still at it, playing his distinctive brand of heavy rock to clubs filled with fans, old and new. Over four decades, Gustafson has the distinction of playing the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame more than any other musician. In 2010, Jim Gustafson signed on with Ripple Music to re-release POOBAH’s debut album ‘Let Me In’, re-mastered by underground cult hero Tony Reed (Mos Generator).

Current lineup:
Jim Gustafson – Voice, guitar, songwriter
Lori Powers – Percussion, backing vocals
Mike Lewis – Bass, backing vocals
Mike Fortino – Drums, backing vocals

POOBAH links
Website | Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Spotify

RIPPLE MUSIC links
Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram

Graham Bonnet and guitar maestro Marty Friedman have joined forces to breathe new life into the classic rock anthem “Since You Been Gone.” This iconic single dates back to 1976, but its best-known version was recorded in 1979 by Bonnet during his tenure with Ritchie Blackmore’s megalithic metal band Rainbow for their Down To Earth album. The song was a massive hit in the UK and a moderate one in the US, but it has since become a classic rock radio staple and one of Rainbow’s most recognizable singles, even landing at #82 in VH1’s “Hard Rock Songs Of All Time.”

Now, 45 years later, Bonnet revisits the track that made him one of the most celebrated vocalists in rock history. Indeed, the song’s success is simply inconceivable without Bonnet’s bravado, powerhouse vocal performance. Incredibly, one listen to the new version shows that he hasn’t lost an ounce of that vocal power. And stepping into Blackmore’s mighty boots, guitar shredder Marty Friedman showcases his own undeniable talent, bringing both muscle and finesse to this new recording. Check out the new version of “Since You Been Gone,” which is available on all music platforms, at the link below: Stream/download the single:  https://orcd.co/bonnetfriedman_sinceyoubeengone

Bonnet shares these reflections on the song, “When we first began recording the album ‘Down to Earth,’ we had already created a new sound that was quite different from the Ronnie James Dio era. It was meant to be more radio-friendly, but it also had a more modern sound with lyrical content that dealt with real life. When manager Bruce Payne brought the song ‘Since You’ve Been Gone’ to the band, everyone was a bit dismayed. It didn’t sound anything like the other songs on the record and was almost pop-like in comparison. Some of the guys were very vocal about their negative feelings about the song. The original version that was presented to us was very different from the song we ended up recording. We received a version recorded by a South African all-girl band called Clout. We changed the chorus ad-libs to sound harder, more hard rock but even then, Cozy threatened to leave the band if we did the song. When the final product was complete, we were all excited by the outcome. It turned out much better than expected. Roger suggested an intro with multiple voices in the vein of a madrigal and it added an unexpected aspect to the song that was quite favorable. Even though we all were happy with the end result, we were stunned by how the song was received. Everyone seemed to love it and to this day, when we play the song live, there isn’t one single audience member not singing along with us. It has appeared in countless movies and TV shows, the most recent being the 3rd installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy series. Russ Ballard, who penned Since You’ve Been Gone, is an incredible songwriter and to this day, is the only outside writer whose material I will record. In essence, I have to acknowledge that SYBG kickstarted my career in rock and there is no end in sight.”

https://www.facebook.com/grahambonnetmusic

Groundbreaking pioneers of SoCal desert rock FU MANCHU, have announced details of their forthcoming, 14th album, The Return of Tomorrow, which will be released on June 14th via the band’s label At The Dojo Records.

FU MANCHU’s follow up to the critically lauded Clone of the Universe (2018) and their first ever double album is a sonic journey through massively heavy riffage, otherworldly space jams and mellow rock anthems divided into two records. 

A 4,000 unit limited edition double vinyl version of The Return of Tomorrow pressed at 45RPM and packaged in a glossy gatefold jacket with one “Space” colored LP and one “Sky” colored LP is available now for pre-order with an exclusive merch design here: https://lnk.to/FuManchu_HandsOfTheZodiac

Commenting on the impending record, founding guitarist and vocalist Scott Hill says: 

“When I listen to music, it’s either all heavy stuff with no mellow stuff mixed in or just softer stuff with no heavy stuff. I know a lot of bands like to mix it up and we have done that before, but I always tend to listen to all of one type of thing or the other. So, I figured we should do a double record with 7 heavy fuzzy songs on one record and the other record 6 mellow(er) songs fully realizing that maybe I’m the only person that likes to listen to stuff that way. We kept both the records to around 25-30 minutes each as to make it a full length release, but not have each record be too long. We don’t write a lot of mellow(er) stuff in Fu Manchu, but a lot of the riffs worked minus the fuzz. If you’re a vinyl person, both records are pressed at 45rpm to give it the best sound quality. If you’re a digital person, can make your own playlist and mix both the records together.“

The band recently revealed the album’s artwork, track list and first single, “Hands of the Zodiac,” a heavy, fuzzed out jam replete with scorching guitar solos meant to be cranked at maximum volume. 

Adding about the single, Hill states:

“‘Hands Of The Zodiac’ is about an astrologer friend of mine who would always ask if we wanted to know anything about our future whenever we would hangout. He would look to the stars at night and ramble off all these weird predictions, none of which ever came true. He would say ‘zodiac hands’ and face the palm of his hand at you. I would always try to remember the things he said and almost every line in the song is something he said. For example, ‘Wheels / Motion / So Impressed,’ is based on how he talked about my writing songs / practicing / touring with the band (‘you got those wheels in motion)’ and Fu Manchu’s accomplishments (‘so impressed.’) I guess I should have given him a writing credit.”

‘The Return of Tomorrow‘ Track List:

1. “Dehumanize”
2. “Loch Ness Wrecking Machine”
3. “Hands Of The Zodiac”
4. “Haze The Hides”
5. “Roads Of The Lowly”
6. (Time Is) Pulling You Under”
7. “Destroyin’ Light”
8. “Lifetime Waiting”
9. “Solar Baptized”
10. “What I Need”
11. “The Return Of Tomorrow”
12. “Liquify”
13. “High Tide”

Also announced today, FU MANCHU will embark on European tours in June and October, including performances at festivals Graspop Metal Meeting, Copenhell and Hellfest. All upcoming tour dates listed below. Tickets available at https://www.fu-manchu.com/tour-dates. 

FU MANCHU Tour Dates:
May 18 – Vancouver, BC – Modified Ghost 2024
June 15 – Tampere, FI – Tavara-asema
June 17 – Stockholm, SE – Slaktkyrkan
June 18 – Oslo, NO – Vulkan Arena
June 19 – Malmo, SE – Plan B
June 21 – Dessel, BE – Graspop Metal Meeting
June 22 – Copenhagen, DK – Copenhell
June 24 – Osnabruck, DE – Lagerhalle
June 25 – Cologne, DE – Stollwerck
June 26 – Frankfurt, DE – Batschkapp
June 28 – Clisson, FR – Hellfest (Valley Stage)
Oct 12 – Munich, DE – Keep It Low Festival @ Backstage
Oct 13 – Berlin, DE – Heavy Psych Sounds Fest @ Huxleys
Oct 15 – Vienna, AT – Arena
Oct 16 – Aarau, CH – KIFF
Oct 18 – Luxembourg City, LU – Atelier
Oct 19 – Antwerp, BE – Desertfest Belgium
Oct 21 – Manchester, UK – O2 Ritz
Oct 22 – Bristol, UK – Marble Factory
Oct 23 – London, UK – Electric Ballroom
Oct 25 – Masstricht, NL – Musiekgeiterj
Oct 26 – Hamburg, DE – Lazy Bones Festival @ Markthalle
Oct 27 – Dresden, DE – Heavy Psych Sounds Fest @ Chemiefabrik

LINKS:

https://www.fu-manchu.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FuManchuBand/
https://www.instagram.com/fumanchuband
https://twitter.com/fumanchuband
https://www.youtube.com/@fumanchuofficial

Canadian band SPELL have released a new recording, a cover “A Waxing Moon Over Babylon”, originally a b-side by Dutch occult band The Devil’s Blood. A cool track, love the guitar sound and the production of this. Hopefully the start of something more (like a new album?). “A Waxing Moon…” is coupled with Poltergeist’s “Fall To Ruin”. Poltergeist, from Alberta, deliver a haunting original tune, that sounds like something that could’ve came of the UK in the early 80s, post-punk, goth, metal… Features Al Lester of Spell on drums.

Spell, who are just beginning a European tour with Green Lung posted: “In 2009, when we were barely out of our teens, we flew over to Germany to see The Devil’s Blood. That night we slept in a graveyard. Here is our homage to them, immortalized on wax as a split 7″ with the amazing Pøltergeist- you’ll hear more from them soon.”

The songs can be purchased digitally or on 7 inch colored vinyl! To check out the tracks, find more info, and order: https://badomenrecords.bandcamp.com/album/a-waxing-moon-over-babylon-fall-to-ruin

Cool artwork by Annick Giroux.

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/spellspell

https://www.facebook.com/Poltergeistovdoom

https://www.facebook.com/thedevilsblood

North German heavy metal band MOB RULES share their new single, a cover version of Iron Maiden’s “Run To The Hills”. This is one of three new cover versions included in the upcoming 30th-anniversary compilation “Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules” out May 3, 2024, via Steamhammer/SPV.

Singer Klaus Dirks: “Iron Maiden was the band of my youth and ‘The Number of the Beast’ is the album that sparked my passion for heavy metal. Iron Maiden still fascinates me to this day. That’s why, after such a long time, I felt a real need to pay tribute to this band with our interpretation”.

With ‘Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules’, the band around singer Klaus Dirks announces an extensive compilation of MOB RULES classics with over 150 minutes of playing time spread over two CDs. Consisting of thirty hand-picked songs, including classics such as “Black Rain”, “Hollowed Be Thy Name” and “Rain Song”, but also songs that have previously seen less of a spotlight.

“I immediately have to think of ‘Way Of The World’, which was the last song on our ‘Hollowed Be Thy Name’ album from 2002,” explains Klaus. “We were able to get ex-Helloween/Masterplan guitarist Roland Grapow for a guest appearance and in the end the eight-and-a-half-minute track became one of the best in our repertoire.”

In addition to this amazing cross-section of the band’s career, they have included some tracks which were previously only available digitally (as examples, the latest single “Hymn Of The Damned” and the Amon Amarth cover “Raven’s Flight”). These tracks were carefully remastered by Markus Teske especially for this compilation.

With three brand new cover songs, ‘Celebration Day – 30 Years Of Mob Rules‘ also contains previously unreleased material. With great attention to detail, the band took on diverse songs such as “Run To The Hills” (Iron Maiden), “Fame” (Irene Cara), and “Square Hammer” (Ghost) and made them their own.

French artist Stan-W Decker (Primal Fear, Blue Öyster Cult, Rage) was enlisted for the visual design of the anniversary release, creating the perfect setting with a breathtaking cover illustration containing numerous cross-references to the MOB RULES band history.

*Pre-order- https://mobrules.lnk.to/CelebrationDay

MOB RULES:

PRAYING MANTIS have a new video out from their upcoming album Defiance. The song is “Standing Tall”, check it out below, and check out the links….

*Pre-Order / Pre-save: https://orcd.co/defiance

https://www.prayingmantis.rocks