*This is a part of our State Of The Art series, showcasing bands every Monday from the featured state*
This month’s state is New Jersey!
_________________________________________
Make way for the moshpit-inducing, high-speed and wicked intense death metal band, ExoVoid! Previously known by their fans as Asphyxiating, ExoVoid are a technical death metal/prog band from Trenton, New Jersey.
Since 1999, A Perfect Circle have become giants in the music industry thanks to three very successful studio releases – ‘Mer De Noms’ (2000), ‘Thirteenth Step’ (2003), ‘Emotive’ (2004). They’ve acquired one of the most loyal fan bases, as well as selling out countless arenas and headlining some of the biggest music festivals in the world. The band’s current lineup consists of vocalist Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Puscifer), guitarist Billy Howerdel (Ashes Divide), rhythm guitarist/keyboardist James Iha (Smashing Pumpkins), drummer Jeff Friedl (The Beta Machine, Puscifer), and bassist Matt McJunkin (The Beta Machine, Puscifer), all of which bring exactly what A Perfect Circle’s sound calls for musically. A Perfect Circle has recently announced signing with a new label, BMG Rights Management, and began touring with supporting act The Beta Machine in mid-2017, playing new material from their newly-announced upcoming fourth studio album. In the midst of their ongoing tour, the band made a stop in Knoxville, TN on October 30th, 2017 at the Thompson-Boling Arena and I was there. Continue reading
The beast has arrived. Iron Maiden will be touring around the EU with Killswitch Engage on the support from the 26th of May till the 10th of August. They will be hitting Norway, Germany, Holland, Poland and many more. So turn your tv of and get right in!
The long-anticipated full-length debut from Welsh hard rockers Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, The Age of Absurdity, will see worldwide release via Nuclear Blast Records on January 26, and the band is offering fans a glimpse into the album’s creation with the first episode of their official studio diary. The brief video shows the group, led by veteran Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, working on drum sounds with producer Romesh Dodangoda, discussing song structure and lyrics, and tightening the songs up in rehearsal.
Formed in 2011 Blues Pills originally founded by half-brothers Zack Anderson (bass) and Cory Berry (drums), formerly of Radio Moscow. The brothers then added powerful blues vocalist Elin Larsson and then adding then 16-year-old guitarist Dorian Sorriaux. Cory has since left the band and was replaced by current drummer André Kvarnström. In July 2013, Blues Pills signed a contract with Nuclear Blast and released their ‘Devil Man’ EP. In total the band has released 3 EP’s, 2 studio albums and now 2 live albums. Now the Sweden based blues rockers Blues Pills have announced the release of their first ever DVD/Blu Ray, entitled ‘Lady In Gold Live In Paris’, on November 3, 2017. The release features the band’s sold out performance at Le Trianon in Paris, France on October 30, 2016 in front of 1.200 euphoric fans.
Commented the band: “We are stoked to share with you that we will release a live record/ DVD which was recorded and filmed during our show in Paris at le Trianon last October on the ‘Lady in Gold Tour’. We decided to do this because we want to share our live experience with all our fans and also those fans who might have never had the chance to see us live. The live interpretation of our songs differs a lot from the studio record versions. We would call it a bit more rock ‘n roll, more heavy, more jam parts, more psychedelic parts simply another experience . Playing live is what we’ve always enjoyed most. In no other situation can you connect as deep with your fans. We tried to catch the magical moments and emotions of the live atmosphere on DVD/ record for your living rooms, cars and wherever you will rock out to it. Paris was chosen because it means a lot to us to play in this beautiful city and also ‘Le Trianon’ is one of the most beautiful venues in Europe, this needed to get shared with you. Continue reading
French progressive death metal combo Right To The Void have just released the official video “Lines” taken from their forthcoming EP ‘Lūnātĭo’. The long awaited release will be the first of an EP trilogy and marks a new and exciting direction for the band. ‘Lūnātĭo’ is out November 17th via international label Wormholedeath Records and is available to preorder on itunes here.
In 2010 Right To The Void released their first EP ‘It Has To Be Done’ recorded by Rakan Musics, and have since played extensively in France; sharing the stage with grind legends Napalm Death as well as Immolation, As They Burn and E-force and many more. In 2012 they signed with Wormholedeath, on which they released their debut album ‘Kingdom Of Vanity’ in 2013. The album was recorded at MathLab Recording Studios, Italy with the producer Jonathan Mazzeo (The Way Of Purity, Mechanical God Creation) and was mixed/mastered by Christian Donaldson (The Agonist, Beneath The Massacre, Cryptopsy et al) in Canada. The following year saw the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album ‘Light Of The Fallen Gods’ which received rave reviews. Both records can be ordered here with both available to stream on Spotify. Since then the band have been touring all over Europe and have been working on material for the upcoming EP which they teased with a 56 second video on July 3rd this year. “Lines” is the first single to be taken from the ‘Lūnātĭo’ EP. The video was directed and produced by Spotcase. Watch the official video below:
Not too long ago American Head Charge announced that Chad had been diagnosed with a terminal illness. The exact illness wasn’t specified but the band began to plan a memorial and benefit show to pay for Chad’s final expenses. Sunday, November 26th at First Avenue in Minneapolis, MN. American Head Charge will be rocking the mainroom for a very special cause. All the profits from their merchandise that day will go to Chad Hanks and his family towards his medical expenses. It was announced that Chad had passed away this weekend after his battle with a terminal disease. School Of Rock Eden Prairie stated “Chad Hanks, a dear man, wonderful person and former teacher passed away this morning after a health battle he’s been fighting. He touched the lives of more people than anyone could imagine. He was a kind and patient teacher, an incredible musician and he cared deeply about everyone in the School of Rock family. Though I am tremendously sad that the world has lost such a great person I am also happy that he is no longer suffering.” Our thoughts are with his friends, family and bandmates. RIP Chad Hanks! Continue reading
They just couldn’t stay away. Just 18 months after calling it quits, California hardcore veterans Lionheart are back with their brand new album ‘Welcome To The West Coast II’. Formed in 2004 in Oakland the beatdown hardcore band couldn’t lay the lion to rest. Hardcore bands strive to get the sound that Lionheart has been unleashing for over a decade, and the band just premiered a music video for the single “Cursed” which gives an exclusive look into their world, and why they decided get back to business. “We fucked up,” vocalist Rob Watson told Alternative Press. “Everybody missed it immediately. That’s life. That’s how it goes; people make bad decisions all the time. We should never have broken up. We should have just taken a break.” ‘Welcome To The West Coast II’ is available now via Fast Break Records. Continue reading
leo is back with another metal cover and this time he covered ”I FINK U FREEKY” by probably the most bizare and crazy couple on Earth called Die Antwoord. Seriously though, Ninja and Yo-Landi may not be the best but they are as unique as it gets and definitely a little weird but enough about them. Let’s get right into the cover!
Christmas is just around the corner and this has to be the perfect way to hop into your festive mood, as WIZARDS OF WINTER release an all new single aptly titled, “A Christmas Dream“. WIZARDS OF WINTER – featuring former members of the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, RAINBOW and the bands of ALICE COOPER and TED NUGENT are a 12-member ensemble performing classical and progressive-influenced rock music woven throughout a theatrical holiday-themed show. While the group’s style is undoubtedly inspired by the genius of the TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA (TSO), the WIZARDS OF WINTER offer a diverse array of unique, original material with broad audience appeal performed in a more intimate setting.
