MAYHEM – SANGUINE SODOMY HITS MONTREAL!

The Sanguine Sodomy of North America finally hit Montreal on March 22 at Club Soda. Even if Watain had to cancel their performance only a few days before the start of the tour, Mayhem and Midnight were ready to set the stage on fire!

INTERVIEW: Thomas Youngblood – Kamelot

Power metal maestros KAMELOT have gained the reputation of being on of the most innovative acts in metal through their unique blend of melodic, progressive and doom/gothic influences that have ensured some solid releases. They are set to release their latest creation titled The Shadow Theory and it will do more than open minds. Distorted Sound‘s Lotty Whittingham speaks to guitarist and founding member Thomas Youngblood about the deep rooted messages within the song’s lyrics, their processes put in place when creating the record and what to expect on their upcoming world tour to promote The Shadow Theory.



Your upcoming release The Shadow Theory will be released next month, I found the lyrical content to be a little bit different to the fantasy concept albums you have released previously whereas this one the content is more contemporary.

Thomas: I think that’s probably accurate but we still use a lot of the romantic tragedy aspect to the lyrics and the music that we’ve always done. There’s a lot of metaphoric connections. The album is kind of a step further into the future from where Haven was and it’s this idea of where we see the world going is where we saw the record going. You’re also probably referring to some of the lyrics in Amnesiac that actually talks about beautifying filters and things like that. It’s important to always try new things with this record where we’re able to continue that balance of keeping the KAMELOT sound and also trying new ideas.

When you say beautifying filters, could that also refer to technology like Photoshop and Instagram where you can manipulate what people see?

Thomas: There’s a concept around the album but it’s not a concept record with a storyline. Amnesiac is a take on the way on how society is dumbed down to what’s really going on so you’re not thinking or noticing what’s happening and they’ve upped the level on Beauregard’s and super rich people that make the decisions for everybody. The point of this is all the diversions from your smart phones, Facebook, these wars that distract us from what’s really happening. So that’s what the song is about in a rough way but if you were to listen to the song and not overthink it, which I hope a lot of people do. The song is a similar vibe to Insomnia, it’s from that kind of world in the KAMELOT frame.

Speaking of being dumbed down, it got me thinking of something that British comedian Russell Howard said about all these reality shows placed on the TV to keep us thick as the government continue to pass those laws or something along those lines.

Thomas: What I have seen over the last fifteen years of touring the United States is this anti-intellectual approach to everything. It’s really frustrating, I mean I don’t consider myself to be Mr. Intellectual but I do feel like I am this normal, curious guy who likes to assess things on an intellectual level. I can even imagine how these super-duper smart people can even deal with going to the store with some of these idiots. It’s kind of sad because what it does is enable decisions to be made, whether it’s leaders of each country to doing things and nobody really questions it. It’s frustrating. In terms of KAMELOT, we want to make to have songs that always question things and make you think about what’s happening and how you’re living in life. We always have some kind of message in our music that hope our fans either consciously or subconsciously kind of get.

Kevlar Skin talks about not wanting to be vulnerable but then realising that opening up is the best way to deal with your problems. It reminded me of struggling with a mental illness but I can see it applying to those who have struggled with an addiction or coping with a huge life change.

Thomas: Definitely. It’s a personal lyrical song for Tommy [Karevik], I don’t specifically know what he’s referring to in the song. I always came from the camp of trying things like taking your foot off the shore to discover new islands and the worries come from that mindset. A lot of people play it safe, they never want to let themselves out to fail. It’s important in your growth as a person, whether that’s in music or business you are going to have a tonne of mistakes and failures before you have any successes. I always come from that camp where I say go for it and you should make calculated risks on everything. I love the idea of trying things, doing things whatever that might be in life. I think it’s part of how we evolved and the way we are stuck doing a job because of mortgages, debts and things like that. Before I did KAMELOT full time, I was sat in the cubicle for ten years and just wasted all this time. It was because I had a rent, a car and a home I had to have so you kind of get trapped. At some point I sold everything I had and bought a bike, this was around the time of Fourth Legacy. I started fresh with zero debt and it was the most, amazing freeing experience. So, I talk to people and say it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you spend. In term of what I have learnt about taking risks if you don’t have all this debt, you can afford to take a year off and start a new career.

Given your musical career started in the 90s and you would have seen a lot of changes within the music industry over the past two decades, would you say these changes in the music industry and in general influenced your decisions on the theme of the album? Particularly how we can access different information.

Thomas: I think all these things influence the record but in general I’ve always kind of had the philosophy of a certain type of song writing where I include new things with each record whilst it stayed within the time period. That’s one of the most important things we do on tour, we always bring out new songs; a lot of bands that have been around for more than ten years basically stick to their old set list and play one or two songs from the new record but we’ve always been the kind of band that are always forward thinking and living in the moment. That’s why I love these songs and why I love the songs from Haven, that’s why the set is usually heavy with new material from the new record.

I noticed you’re starting your tour a week after The Shadow Theory’s release date, I know some bands release it so the fans can hear the new songs on record before hearing them live. Was this a similar intention for KAMELOT?

Thomas: Usually our albums are so delayed. The tour has been planned for a year and half, usually the album comes out in the middle of a tour but this time it’s definitely coming out ten days before the tour. The fact the fans will have a chance to listen to all the songs on the album before we get there, the video songs will be out before we get there so that’s an important part of it. A lot of the time, people who have never heard of the band come to the show and they get their picture after the show. So, there’s different models and philosophies to releasing an album but we release a week or two before the tour.

Speaking of video releases, which songs off the album are you going to be releasing as singles?

Thomas: We’re planning on doing what they call an instant gratification track for pre-orders so we’re releasing a lyric video for the song Ravenlight then we’re doing a full blown massive video for The Phantom Divine which will come out a month later. We will then do a third single for around the middle of May for one of the other tracks which I can’t say yet.

RECKLESS LOVE - TURBORIDER

 

This is going to be a divisive record. Reckless Love dives deep into synth-based, ‘80s retro rock on their fifth full-length, Turborider. Their mission statement stated proudly and defiantly in closer “Prodigal Songs” with charismatic singer Olli Herman proclaiming “we’ve been there, we’ve done that, now let us synth!”

It’s commendable the Finns are 100% in on going in this direction and yes, the guitars take a back seat, but guitarist Pepe still is able to show off his skills and flourishes rhythmically and in loud and proud soloing. Turborider could easily sputter with poor songwriting, but Reckless Love excels at creating this blend of synth-pop metal by keeping the tracks short and to the point. They have always had this sugary side to them (“Scandinavian Girls”, “On The Radio”, “Hot”) and it’s turned up a notch with big and catchy choruses. On the “heavier” side of the coin, opener and title track wears the crown and is unique with this determined, speedy guitar meshing with synth and electric drums. Turning the Ozzy classic “Bark At The Moon” into a synth-based song is also gutsy, but it works, and while it may sound like heresy, the danceable drum beat is hard not to get into.

“Kids Of The Arcade” is like listening to a soundtrack of a classic movie with its motivating lyricism and build up in the verse that explodes into a huge, rocking chorus. Pepe let’s loose on short instrumental “Prelude (Flight Of The Cobra)” which then segues into the burst of fire “Like A Cobra” with its menacing vibe while “Future Lover Boy” is a seductive dance rocker made for the club. The Lover Boys turn it up on a notch with “’89 Sparkle”, drowning in sugar and sweetness with that high-pitched chorus and it’s a little too much with its pop sensibilities. “For The Love Of Good Times” is pure ‘80s cheese that will be an eye-roller for some, it’s that track you listen to with your boys while in the limo partying or sneer at because of its charming rhythm and commercial sensibilities.



Turborider blasts the past into the future and its bold direction is worthy of applause. It’s not what fans are used to hearing from them and some are absolutely going to knock the rider into the ditch, but if any band was capable to make a successful shift like this, it’s the boys from Reckless Love.

SMITH/KOTZEN, VIXEN BASSIST JULIA LAGE RELEASES NEW SOLO SINGLE / VIDEO “WAKE UP”

 

Internationally acclaimed artist Julia Lage has released her infectious new single, “Wake Up”. The multi-instrumentalist Lage wrote, recorded, and produced this mid-paced hard rocker, showcasing her versatility as both a songwriter and musician, taking on all vocal, guitar and bass duties, with drums provided by Michael Odabashian. “Wake Up” is available digitally and can be streamed and downloaded, here.

Recorded earlier this year, “Wake Up” carries a positive message to anyone feeling they are stuck in their lives and encourages everyone to look around and see that there are ways to move on and to change, but YOU must be that change. No one else can help you if you don’t want to “Wake Up” for your own life.



“This song has been on my hard drive incomplete for a few years now,” says Julia Lage. “I was recently struck with inspiration and felt it was the right time to finish and release it. I believe we are living in very complicated times after the pandemic and other issues in the world in general. I believe that the change starts with us and “Wake Up” represents that “push” some might need. ‘Wake Up for your life, Wake Up for your rights, Wake Up do it right, Wake Up you’re alright!’ Let’s be the change folks!”

To accompany the single, Julia Lage filmed and released the official video for “Wake Up”. Conceived and directed by both Lage and cinematographer Jose Andres Cortez, the video portrays her trying to “clean” and fix a place that is in ruins and looking outside wondering what it would be to get out of that reality. At a certain point she decides to leave that “inner place” and face her life! “The King is on the ground and you’re standing tall and proud.”

“I always loved the whole creative process,” says Lage. “The music. The writing. The video conception. All of this makes me so happy. I love watching an idea take shape into something concrete.”

Julia Lage has played and recorded alongside such diverse artists as Grammy Award winner Alejandra Guzmán, pop star Janelle Monáe and rapper Jidenna, as well as rock legends such as Pat Travers, Elliot Easton (The Cars) and Nuno Bettencourt (Extreme). She is currently the bassist of the platinum selling rock band Vixen and has recently joined Smith/Kotzen, featuring Richie Kotzen and Adrian Smith, as the band’s touring bass player performing sold out shows throughout England as well as west coast dates in the U.S. including a sold-out show at The World Famous Whisky A Go-Go.

SERJ TANKIAN, DO SYSTEM OF A DOWN, LANÇARÁ O ÁLBUM AO VIVO “LIVE AT LEEDS” EM ABRIL

 

O vocalista do System Of A Down, Serj Tankian, lançará um álbum ao vivo de sua carreira solo com sua banda de apoio The FCC. Intitulado “Live At Leeds”, o álbum parece ter sido gravado durante sua aparição em 2008 no ‘Leeds Festival’ anual. Este passeio ao vivo chegará aos provedores de serviços digitais em 08 de abril e pode ser pré-salvo aqui.




Por enquanto, Tankian compartilhou uma prévia da apresentação ao vivo de “Empty Walls” desse conjunto abaixo:

Foo Fighters divulga novo comunicado após morte de Taylor Hawkins e cancela turnê

 

Banda lamentou a perda do baterista e o cancelamento dos shows

O Foo Fighters divulgou nas redes sociais o primeiro comunicado oficial após a morte do baterista Taylor Hawkins, que aconteceu na última sexta, 25.

Nele, a banda anuncia o cancelamento de todos os próximos shows e pede desculpas pela “decepção de não entrar com os fãs como estava planejado”.

A banda finaliza dizendo que eles irão tirar esse tempo para “ficar de luto, nos curar, ficar perto de nossos entes queridos e apreciar toda a música e as memórias que criamos juntos”.

Um exame toxicológico divulgado no último sábado, 26, encontrou a presença de substâncias na urina de Taylor Hawkins, porém chegando a um resultado inconclusivo sobre a causa da morte. A investigação continua ativa. O baterista do Foo Fighters faleceu aos 50 anos em um quarto de hotel em Bogotá, na Colômbia, onde ele se apresentaria com a banda naquela noite.

SKID ROW: SAIBA MAIS SOBRE O NOVO TRABALHO COM NOVO VOCALISTA

A banda de Hard Rock chamada Skid Row lançou recentemente seu novo trabalho. Trata-se de um single e se chama The Gang’s All Here (2022). A novidade é que, além de ser um novo trabalho da banda, a banda agora tem novo vocalista: seu nome é Erik Grönwall.


A banda fez muito sucesso no fim dos anos 80 e início dos anos 90. Com grandes músicas no estilo Hard Rock, além de boas baladas, o Skid Row ganhou notoriedade na cena do Rock com seu trabalho. Porém, o vocalista Sebastian Bach nunca fora uma pessoa fácil de se lidar e certamente gerou muitos problemas na banda, saindo em 1996. Com o novo vocalista Erik Grönwall, agora a banda espera seguir com seu trabalho e fugir daqueles antigos problemas.