DISMEMBER GUITARIST ROBERT SENNEBÄCK UNVEILS NEW SOLAR XF1.6 SIGNATURE MODEL IN PLAYTHROUGH VIDEO

Robert Sennebäck, a founding member of the legendary death metal band Dismember, has been instrumental in shaping the iconic sound that put Swedish death metal on the global map. As a key player in the genre’s development, his influence extends beyond Dismember, having also co-founded Unleashed and contributed to bands like Necrophobic. Known for his crushing riffs and raw, uncompromising style, Robert’s contribution to extreme metal is undeniable.

Now, in collaboration with Solar Guitars, Robert brings his experience and craftsmanship to the creation of his first signature model, designed to meet the demands of heavy, fast, and intricate playing. Check out his new Solar XF1.6 signature model in the playthrough video below.

For information on the guitar and to purchase, go to Solar Guitars here.

MÖTLEY CRÜE – CANCELLED

This new, three-song EP from Mötley Crüe is significant for a few reasons. Most notably, it’s their first recorded output with guitarist John 5, who previously played with Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, and David Lee Roth. John 5 replaced original six-stringer Mick Mars in 2022. It’s also the Crüe’s first new music since The Dirt Soundtrack, released in 2019. And it marks Mötley’s initial collaboration with new label, Big Machine Records. Furthermore, it’s produced by Bob Rock, who was at the helm for Dr. Feelgood, as well as the self-titled Mötley Crüe, with John Corabi on vocals.

Up first is the title track, “Cancelled”. Kicking off with a thick and meaty riff, it quickly cascades into a lyrical waterfall, that vocalist Vince Neil will most likely never be able to replicate live. Taking aim at cancel culture as well as social media, “Cancelled” calls out “Monkeys on the Internet” and “Tik Tok videos” that “Smell like landfill.” Then the band mutes themselves while Vince sings, “Bang your head against a motherf**kin wall!” That being the catch phrase of the song. The second verse mirrors the first, this time highlighting a “Supermodel sandwich, selfie in the back seat. She said yes then they arrest me.” After some noodling by John 5, the song ends unexpectedly with a solemn piano outro. Not a great Mötley Crüe song by any means, but far and away, the best tune of this trio.

Another new original, “Dogs Of War” follows, reeking of familiarity. It begins with Vince Neil whispering “Bastards”. If you remember, Mötley Crüe had a song called “Bastard” on their second album, Shout At The Devil. After a bout of chunky guitar, the bottom end drops out completely, allowing Vince the space to clearly annunciate, followed by a series of uninspiring whoa, whoa filler. The line, “A black wolf is standing at our back door, staring at the blood stain on the floor,” instantly takes fans back to 1983, fists in the air chanting, “He's the wolf screaming lonely in the night, he's the blood stain on the stage.” Unintentional coincidence or planned parallel? Only bassist / lyricist Nikki Sixx knows for sure. John 5’s dazzling fretboard dance is unlike anything his predecessor Mick Mars would have done, and it takes some getting used to.

LOVEBITES – LOVEBITES EP II

The ladies keep on rolling and shredding – fresh off 2023 magnificence in Judgement Day is a new live release and a new EP – Lovebites II, a call back to their debut release, The Lovebites EP, in 2017.

At five tracks and 25 minutes, Lovebites juggles the modes in the power metal spectrum with unrelenting thrashing speed (“Where’s Identity”), the standard speedy, anthemic attitude in “Soul Defender”, catchy chorus work in opener “Unchained”, dabbling in AOR-infused leanings in “The Bell In Jail”, and twin melodic stormer “Someone’s Dream”.

The last two tracks accentuate the talents of Fami’s bass work with jumping lines and Haruna drum work is in fine form, a complete menace behind the kit blending melody and intensity. Asami is as bright as ever with her vocals with “The Bell In Jail” highlighting her strengths and Midori and Miyako own the guitars with outstanding lead work – speed, melody, shredding, and some neo-classical

GRAND MAGUS - SUNRAVEN

In a recording career that spans nearly 25 years, with a new opus arriving every couple of years, seems like eternity since we heard anything from the Swedish trio fronted by guitarist/vocalist JB Christoffersson. Actually, there was a pre-pandemic North American tour, in '19, for the Wolf God album, but the longevity of said disc was blunted by the global shutdown. So now JB, Fox (bass) and drummer Ludde are back, with nine new sonic weapons in their arsenal.

Some call it stoner, others doom. The truth? Both are (partially) correct, but Grand Magus offer so much more. The album revolves around the classic Beowulf tale and his adversary Grendel, re-imagined through JB's lyrical lens (the title character re-christened Sunraven herein).

The music chugs along, at varying speeds, from trudge to full-out sprint, but always with that requisite, thundering heaviness. "Skybound" opener bounces and bristles with life, despite the subject matter (relating a flight to the after-life). A "welcome back" calling card moment. More metered and mid-tempo "The Wheel Of Pain" follows. First single/titular tune, "Sunraven" sticks to a similar pace, punishingly, yet melodically, working its way into your head. A recurrent guitar break, courtesy of Christoffersson, does the heavy work. Classic doom, mixed with traditional metal, such is the construct of "Winter Storms".

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT – 50TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE: SECOND NIGHT

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT – 50TH ANNIVERSARY LIVE: SECOND NIGHT



Rating: 9.0

review classic rock blue oyster cult



Blue Öyster Cult has certainly issued their fair share of live recordings over the years. 1975's On Your Feet or on Your Knees and 1978's Some Enchanted Evening will probably forever be their best-known live offerings, but quite a few additional in-concert documents have been issued thus far in the 21st century.

And 2024 saw the release of 50th Anniversary Live - Second Night, which features the band performing their classic 1973 effort, Tyranny and Mutation, in its entirety, with quite a few additional BÖC classics tacked on the end for good measure.

Despite the band being in business for well over 50 years and only two original members still remaining on board (Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma), the group still sounds great live, as evidenced by solid versions of such tunes as 'The Red & the Black,' as well as the two songs that immediately proceed it ('OD'd on Life Itself' and 'Hot Rails to Hell').

FORMER IRON MAIDEN SINGER PAUL DI'ANNO DEAD AT 66

Former Iron Maiden vocalist and frontman, Paul Di’Anno, has passed away. Di’Anno's manager, Stjepan Juras, has issued the following statement:

"On behalf of his family, I am very sad to confirm the death of Paul Andrews, professionally known as Paul Di'Anno. Paul passed away at his home in Salisbury at the age of 66.

Born in Chingford, East London on 17th May 1958, Paul first came to prominence as lead singer of English Heavy Metal band, Iron Maiden between 1978 and 1981. He sang on their groundbreaking debut album Iron Maiden, and the influential follow up release, Killers. Since leaving Iron Maiden, Paul Di'Anno had a long and eventful recording career with Battlezone and Killers as well as numerous solo releases and guest appearances.

Filme – Os Cabeças de Vento (Airheads) 1994

 

Executivos de gravadoras usando rabo de cavalo e cavanhaque. Groupies com vestidos justíssimos e cabelos descoloridos. Uma rádio chamada ‘rebelde’. Uma fita demo perdida por aí e uma banda tentando o sucesso.

Chazz (Brendan Fraser), Rex (Steve Buscemi) e Pip (Adam Sandler) são os Cavaleiros Solitários, uma banda de hard rock como aquelas que costumavam fazer sucessos nos idos da década de 1990. Eu sei, vendo hoje este filme soa um tanto datado. Apesar disto ele passou no teste do tempo e vale a pena conferi-lo.

Rex trabalha em uma loja de brinquedos de onde costuma subtrair bonecos e armas de brinquedo. Chazz bate de porta em porta à procura de uma gravadora que os aceite, enquanto sua namorada exige que ele arranje um emprego de verdade.

O sonho deles é assinar um contrato, gravar um disco e fazer sucesso. Nem que para isto precisem invadir uma estação de rádio e fazê-los tocar sua demo na marra fazendo os funcionários reféns.

Na trilha sonora, Motorhead, Ramones, Anthrax e Primux além de participações pra lá de especiais de Lemmy, Beavis and Butthead e White Zombie. Uma comédia divertida com atores que ainda eram promessas em atuações competentes. Um prato cheio pra quem curte rock n’ roll – desde que não copiem a iniciativa (acreditem, alguém já teve esta infeliz idéia).

Ficha Técnica:
Fox Records – produzido por Lonn Friend

01 Born to Raise Hell – Motörhead com Ice-T e Whitfield Crane – 4:57
02 I’m The One – 4 Non Blondes – 3:58
03 Feed the Gods – White Zombie – 4:05
04 No Way Out – D Generation – 4:26
05 Bastardizing Jellikit – Primus – 4:11
06 London – Anthrax – 2:54
07 Can’t Give In – Candlebox – 3:15
08 Curious George Blues – Dig – 4:03
09 Inheritance – Prong – 2:11
10 Degenerated – Lone Rangers – 3:53 *
11 I’ll Talk My Way Out Of It – Stuttering John – 3:40
12 Fuel – Stick – 4:57
13 We Want the Airwaves – Ramones – 3:21