The debut album from Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks, “TRUE”, has been released. The nine-song album, produced by Jon and Richie Castellano (also of Blue Oyster Cult), is the album YES fans worldwide have been waiting for since Jon’s departure from the band in 2008.  The album’s centerpieces are two epic tracks, the 16 and a half minute “Once Upon a Dream” and the nearly 10 minute “Counties and Countries”.  To celebrate a video for “Counties and Countries” has been issued. The video was created by Jon’s co-producer and Band Geek member Richie Castellano and Jon’s long-time videographer Michael Byrne.

Also check out the previous videos for “The Messenger” and the epic ‘Shine On”.

LINKS:

Jon Anderson’s official website: www.JonAnderson.com
Band Geek official website: https://richiecastellano.com/bandgeek/
Jon Anderson YES Epics and Classics:
Website – http://jonandersonyesepicsandclassics.com/
Facebook – Jon Anderson YES Epics & Classics – https://www.facebook.com/jonandersonyesepicsandclassics/
Twitter – @JonYesEpic
Instagram – @jonandersonyesepicsandclassics

American metal band WARLORD have just released a new album titled From The Ashes to Archives. The band has a new line up and their new single is a remake of their classic track “Invaders”, originally from their 2002 album Rising Out Of The Ashes. (as are a number of tracks here). *Check out the video and bio below, as well as the links.

When William J. Tsamis, founder of legendary Epic Metal masters Warlord, sadly passed away on the 13th of May 2021 at the age of only 60, it looked as if the premature death of one of the most creative forces in American metal had come.

However, Warlord bounced back, with a new line-up and a brand-new studio album entitled »Free Spirit Soar« (on High Roller Records) to huge critical acclaim.

With guitar and bass parts of Bill Tsamis saved from original recordings, the current team of Mark Zonder (drums), Jimmy Waldo (keyboards) and Giles Lavery (vocals) (plus Eric Juris on guitars and bass on two of the songs) is now following »Free Spirit Soar« with an additional album called »From The Ashes To The Archives – The Hot Pursuit Continues« A limited edition release to mark the occasion of the bands summer dates in 2024.

Singer Giles Lavery explains: “What we wanted to do with some of these songs was to revisit some of the songs from the »Rising Out Of The Ashes« record with this line-up (and using Bill’s guitar and bass tracks) – to give fans an idea of how they are going to sound live this year. Please don’t get me wrong, i think Joacim Cans did a brilliant job on the »Rising Out Of The Ashes« originals, so these new versions are to be seen very much as a companion to the 2002 versions, rather than any kind of ’replacement’ for them. However, the mixes this time around are a little heavier and rawer, and to me it sounds more sonically like it’s the 1980s era Warlord, (a sound which really suits the band) ironically the 1980s is when most of these songs on this new collection were written, long before they were recorded for Lordian Guard… “Winds Of Thor” for example was part of the very first Warlord Demo back in 1982 It may require a little bit of imagination, but it’s almost like, in an alternate reality, IF there had been a follow-up EP to »Deliver Us« and if we can imagine these songs had been recorded and released in 1986 or so, rather than hearing them for the first time as Lordian Guard recordings or later as Warlord in 2002… this could be a look at “what could have been” from a sonic perspective.

The vinyl of »From The Ashes To The Archives – The Hot Pursuit Continues« contains eight songs whereas there are fourteen tracks on the CD version. Once again, Giles Lavery has all the details: “Tracks 9-14 are tracks that have appeared on the various expanded reissues and compilation albums over the years, some of which are now out of print, and thus we wanted to consolidate what we thought were the best of these unavailable rarities for this collection on the CD format. Of note are the pre-production recordings of some of the »Deliver Us« tracks from 1983, recorded mere days before the EP was tracked … so these are every bit as good quality wise as what ended up on the EP, however, you can hear many differences between the two versions. In addition, and as mentioned, we wanted to have a special compilation for the Warlord live dates in 2024, something that celebrated the band’s past together with the present line-up”.

Warlord–“From the Ashes to the Archives – The Hot Pursuit Continues” 
Pre-Order HERE

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWarlord

Canada’s STRIKER have a new video out in time for their upcoming US tour. They also have a few dates in Ontario & Quebec prior to that. *Check out the new video for “Live to Fight another Day” from their latest album Ultrapower, and dates & bio below.

“ULTRAPOWER” is available at https://www.striker-metal.com/shop/ 

STRIKER has a new music video “Live To Fight Another Day” to announce their upcoming USA and Canada tour dates with Floridian power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS, Hamilton, ON’s melodic metallers LUTHARO and Calgary, AB’s thunderous progressive symphonic metallers OSYRON whom will support select dates.

Striker will kick off preliminary dates with a performance at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, GA on September 4th followed by Canadian shows with Lutharo in September, and then push things into full gear in November to start the “Shredding North America Tour” in Corpus Christi, TX on November 9th and wrap up the month-long tour in Orlando, FL on December 8th (dates listed below).

“Live To Fight Another Day” is off the shred master’s new album “ULTRAPOWER” produced with Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810) released this past February. The band explains the track:

“Originally this was just a regular Striker song. Tim had the idea that we should just try turning it into a synth-wave track. It fits like a glove. We’ve always been into Synthwave but never had the guts to do it ourselves. Until now! This is our first attempt at it and we are stoked about how it turned out. This one is another track about keeping it together and taking on life one day at a time.”

Tour Dates:​
Sept 4 – Center Stage – ProgPower USA – Atlanta, GA
​
​Striker, Lutharo​
Sept 11 – La Source de la Martinière – Quebec City, QC
Sept 12 – Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
Sept 13 – Overflow Brewing Company – Ottawa, ON
Sept 14 – Lee’s Palace – Toronto, ON

More info: Striker-metal.com

Swedish metal band ASTRAL DOORS will release their 10th album on October 18. The End Of It All features 10 cool rockers, full of catchy riffs, big solos, and memorable choruses, with songs like “Masters Of The Sky”, “Temple of Lies”, “Heaven’s Gate”, and “A Night In Berlin”. Solid production and lots of energy. Love the cover art as well. Check out the bio and links below for more info.

ASTRAL DOORS the legendary metal band, founded in Borlänge, Sweden in 2003 – returns with a brand-new studio album five years after their chart success Worship Or Die. After nine albums released so far, the guys were keen to record a tenth, their anniversary album.

The band decided to call the album The End Of It All as a reflection on what the world is like today and also to somehow say that this might be the last album in ASTRAL DOORS’ career.

The recording of The End Of It All took place once again in Borlänge, and the band found the inspiration and creativity to present the world with a new classic ASTRAL DOORS album.

Nils Patrik Johansson’s lyrics and vocal melodies are outstanding, as has always been the case with ASTRAL DOORS. In addition, the two songwriters Johan Lindstedt and Joachim Nordlund prove once again that they have the exact feel for what catchy heavy metal should sound like.

So, is this the end of everything or a new beginning?

LINEUP:
Nils Patrik Johansson – lead and background vocals
Ulf Lagerström – bass
Jocke Roberg – keys
Mats Gesar – guitar
Johan Lindstedt – drums
Joachim Nordlund – guitar

LINKS: www.astraldoors.com
www.facebook.com/astraldoorssweden
www.metalville.de
www.facebook.com/metalville

Legendary rock drummer NEAL SMITH has posted the title track to his new ‘KillSmith’ album, the 5th under that name. The track (and album) ‘Hard In A Rock Place’ sees Smith return to a heavy rock sound after his previous album KillSmith Goes West. *Check out the video below and read the details in the video description.

Metalville (record label) has posted that TRAPEZE ‘Lost Tapes Vol. 2 will be released on November 15th! These will be songs never released (or presumably heard) from the 70s British band. ‘Vol. 1’ was issued last year, and is a must-have for any fans of classic British rock – lots of great lost gems, and performances from Glenn Hughes, Dave Holland, Mel Galley, Peter Goalby, etc… Love the artwork as well, again created by Marcus Galley who is (if you have ‘Vol.1’) “carrying on the theme of vintage tape box art.” *More details, track-listing, and ordering info to come.

LOST TAPES VOL.2: The Album once again brings together great songs that were created in the context of various album releases but have never been published until now. But now it’s time to finally present these hidden gems to the world.

When rock band Trapeze called it a day, they left behind them a series of now classic albums. Their influence on other groups has been immense; individual members themselves going on to join heavy weight rock acts such as Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Judas Priest & Uriah Heep. But their story’s not over, as TRAPEZE – LOST TAPES VOL. 2 continues to prove!

Recorded either side of album releases these are great songs, stockpiled, but never released; some with the intention of developing them even further later, as Trapeze hit the ground running, playing live relentlessly; honing their craft while rarely seeing home. Here too you’ll find rare lineups featured – previously only rumoured at, often considered fable at best – but now revealed proudly for the first time & given their deserved day in the sun.

Hard-wired guitars, wailing synthesisers, rhythm sections that kick-ass then get the funk out, with out-of-sight vocal performances throughout guaranteed. Be that on hard rockers such as Fighting and Loser, ballads like the exclusive early rendition of Coast To Coast, even near-country rock asides in Must Be In Love through to progressive AOR rock explorations on Welcome To the Real World. Then of course there’s their pioneering brand of funk rock on tracks like Can You Feel It? & Way Back To The Bone among others. Plus, the song that tells you exactly what made this English band tick; the heartfelt rush of Homeland.

Poignantly, TRAPEZE – LOST TAPES VOL. 2 also features Live Fast, Die Laughing, the last song ever recorded by founding member, band leader & guitarist/vocalist Mel Galley before his passing in 2008.

Having practically retired from the music business, except for the odd session, Galley had a change of heart. “He got his hunger back!” revealed his brother, songwriter & producer Tom Galley. “We started working on various things and he was very much up for putting Trapeze back together; we’d got the players he wanted to use, and were recording again.” The guitarist also played a sold out local solo gig, unaware what destiny had in store when he was later diagnosed with cancer. “He was still up for it. It was so special just to get him in the studio – What you hear is pretty much live single takes of him singing, laying down guitars and bass, with drum programming by Gary Alkins done out at Bloxwich in the UK.”

Rocking out with urgent vitality, in Live Fast, Die Laughing you feel Mel Galley’s zest for life; play it loud and he’s here with us again, offering sound advice with Trapeze style pizzaz.

TRAPEZE – LOST TAPES VOL. 2 was collated by Tom Galley with assistance from band manager Tony Perry, alongside Marcus Galley once more honouring his father’s legacy by designing this very special collection that features rare & exclusive photos by Carl Dunn.

(Bio courtesy of Paul H. Birch)

LINKS:

https://www.facebook.com/Metalville

https://www.facebook.com/groups/melgalleytrapeze

Canada’s GODDO will return for a 50th anniversary show October 31, in Oshawa, Ontario. The band lead by singer/bassist/ songwriter Greg Godovitz, will feature a new line-up, which includes original drummer Marty Morin, as well as guitarists Steve Jensen and Steve Macpherson.

Greg Godovitz posted to Facebook: ‘GODDO again? Coming up to our 50th anniversary. Original drummer Marty Morin and myself with Steve Jensen & new guy Steve Macpherson plus the odd special guests. Rehearsals are sounding great. First official date is Thursday October 31 at the Regent Theatre in Oshawa. ‘Two For The Show’ will be joining us to kick things off. Hope to see you there…Presented by Blackrose Entertainment. For ticket info please visit Blackrose Entertainment Canada ‘

A new compilation titled ‘Decades: The Best Of Goddo‘ will also be released later month on CD, and vinyl soon after. This will include tracks chosen by Greg, including a re-recording of the band’s hit “Pretty Bad Boy”, the Eddie Kramer remix of the classic “Under My Hat”, and a remix of the rare B-side “Fortune in Men’s Eyes”. CDs & LPs can be ordered (including signed copies) at: Rockpapermerch.com

TRACK LISTING:

So Walk On
Sweet Thing
Cock On
Tough Times
Under My Hat – (Eddie Kramer Mix; *LP contains the original studio version)
Oh Carole (Kiss My Whip)
Drop Dead (That’s Who)
Too Much Carousing
Pretty Bad Boy – (Decades Version)
Chantal
*CD BONUS TRACKS:
Was It Somethin’ I Said?
The Bus Driver Blues
Rock Star
Fortune In Men’s Eyes (2024 Remix)

Terry Luttrell was the original lead singer in REO SPEEDWAGON, having sang on the band’s debut album in 1971. He left soon after, later recording a number of albums with the American YES influenced band STARCASTLE. REO’s debut featured the single & longtime fan favorite “157 Riverside Avenue”. The best thing about those early REO album’s is Gary Richrath’s playing & writing. So, for however many years now Luttrell has been out singing those early REO songs (as well as including tracks from the next few albums which he was not on) with his ‘REO Classics Band’. This brand new release captures Luttrell & company performing a number of early REO favorites, including 3 from the first album, and 4 from following albums, including his takes on classics like “Roll With The Changes” and “Ridin’ The Storm Out”. I’ve never been an REO fan, partly due to Kevin Cronin’s vocals and the band’s post-1980 catalogue of soft rock. My favorite REO song would be “Back On The Road Again”, a rocker which Cronin didn’t sing (and doesn’t appear on Luttrell’s album). But it is interesting to hear Luttrell revisit songs he sang on over 50 years ago, as well as stuff from Kevin Cronin’s era (I like “Roll With The Changes” but admit this is more suitable to Cronin’s much different voice). Standout for me is “Golden Country”, from REO TWO (which Luttrell didn’t originally sing either, but sounds good here), I also dig the band’s takes on “Ridin’ The Storm Out” and “157 Riverside Avenue”. An interesting release, recommended for REO fans, and fans of 70s US hard rock. Haven’t seen much promo for this, but you can check it out on YouTube, order on Amazon & other online shops.

LINKS:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/reo-speedwagons-original-singer-terry-luttrell–michael-mesey-chuck-berryhead-east-release-reo-classics-album—june-28th-2024-on-song-haus-musicmetallic-blue-records-302184424.html

https://reoclassicsband.com/

Canada’s THE WRING have a new album coming out next month, and the band has just released a cool new track for “The Sword”. These guys are heavily influenced by RUSH (the guitar player also plays in a Rush tribute band), and recommended to fans of DREAM THEATER, OPETH, and PORCUPINE TREE. *Check out the new video, the bio. and links below.

Sudbury, Ontario’s intrepid prog act The Wring is thrilled to announce the release of their latest single “The Sword” from their upcoming album “Nemesis” slated for a September 27, 2024 release on WormHoleDeath Records. This track exemplifies the band’s signature blend of heavy rock with progressive elements, showcasing their ability to craft intricate compositions that resonate with both metalheads and prog enthusiasts alike. “The Sword” is an intense sonic journey that combines relentless guitar riffs with dynamic shifts in tempo, as commented on by guitarist Don Dewulf:

“I’ve had the main riff and structure for a long time, but it never felt right. I tried it with other drummers and bass players and always put it to the side. I came back to it again for Nemesis. With Reggie’s vocals and bass and Kyle’s drumming, suddenly it felt great. Almost Megadeth-y. Super fun to play. I actually used a Dave Mustaine signature King V to play it because I was getting too much spring noise from my Floyd guitars while picking the fast parts. Reggie used a pick (which he rarely does) for an extra attack. The bass lines are killer. Probably the most ‘metal’ song I’ve recorded.”

“The Sword” is more than just a heavy track; it’s a narrative-driven piece that explores themes of conflict and confrontation. Dewulf’s powerful riffs set the stage for a musical battle, while Reggie Hache’s bass and vocal work add depth and intensity to the song’s atmosphere.

This single is a taste of what’s to come on The Wring’s fourth album. The music is juxtaposed, with hard rock and metal mixed with jazz and prog elements.

Listen to “The Sword”: Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4cqFbGn​

“Nemesis” is available for pre-save at  https://orcd.co/nemesispre-save

LINKS:

www.thewring.ca | https://www.facebook.com/thewringband | https://www.instagram.com/wringband

https://www.youtube.com/@thewringband