P.O.D. release video for their new single "Afraid to Die" (featuring Tatiana Shmayluk from Jinjer).

Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. — Sonny Sandoval [vocals], Marcos Curiel [guitar], and Traa Daniels [bass] — kicked off the fall with the video for their new single "DROP," which features a vicious vocal cameo from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. It earned quick press accolades from Metal Injection, Rock Hard, Revolver, Rolling Stone, Metal Hammer, Rock Sound and Knotfest. 

Now the band is back with another blast and is sharing the video for the equally eruptive single "AFRAID TO DIE," featuring Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk.

It's an anthemic song with an edge — and the collaboration was born of P.O.D. and Jinjer's Fall 2022 tour.
"AFRAID TO DIE is a combination of cryptic and triumphant melodies," says Curiel. "It has storytelling rhymes and chugged verses, and a wide open, melodic yet semi-morbid, chorus. It's anthemic In every sense of the word." He continues, "Our dear friend Tatiana Shmayluk offers her unique approach and we had incredible musical chemistry with her. This is P.O.D. hitting the human core of our existence and dealing with love, fear, integrity, and most of all, family and friends. It's ultimately an abundance of love and life."

ABOUT P.O.D.: 
They've been a band — and a vital one at that — for more than 30 years. But ask rock icons P.O.D. what still inspires them after all this time, and they'll tell you they still operate as if they're perpetual underdogs. Yes, with every new album they release, with every show they play, these musical lifers still feel they have something to prove. "We're still here and we're still creating some of the best music we've ever made," says guitarist Marcos Curiel. "When it comes to heart, grit and soul, P.O.D. is your band." Adds vocalist Sonny Sandoval: "We're always still proving who we are — always having that punk-rock mentality."
 
It's this mindset, this unrelenting grit that has long defined the platinum-selling P.O.D. and continues to do so as they march proudly into the next era of their long-winding journey of a career. Now, they are nearly five years removed from their previous studio album, Circles, which to date has been streamed more than 50 million times and spawned the hit "Listening to Silence." Earlier this year, the band returned with new single "DROP." The track is a sonic boom of a cut, and features a thrilling vocal turn from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. "Dude, it's the sickest thing ever," Curiel said of "DROP," which was inspired by the guitarist's longtime love of electronic music. "When that drop hits, everyone knows it," he adds. "We needed to create a song in that way…P.O.D. style."
 
P.O.D.'s audience has always been at the core of everything the band does, and to that end, their live shows remain essential to who they are. They've played major festivals including the Sick New World, INKcarceration and Hell and Heaven Fest, and have shared stages with the likes of KORN, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Evanescence and Seether.

 

LIONHEART are going to release their new studio album, "The Grace Of A Dragonfly", on February 23rd 2024 via Metalville Records.

As soon as the previous album “The Reality Of Miracles” hit the shelves in 2020 Lionheart knuckled down to record the next one. deciding early on that this time they would produce a concept album. The record centres around WW2, but the band very much wanted to make this an anti-war album, while at the same time remembering those who fought for our freedom.

The songs on the album are sensational, with Lee Small’s emotional lyrics reflecting not only the pain and grief inflicted by war on ordinary, innocent people in every conflict zone, but also their strength, resilience and determination. Supported by Lionheart’s superb songwriting, soaring backing vocals, beautiful twin guitar harmonies, and atmospheric keyboards, Lionheart’s sheer power shines brightly from every one of the eleven songs, culminating in a heartfelt prayer for peace in the world.

Each new Lionheart album has brought with it a leap in the quality of the songwriting and production and this album is no exception. “The Grace Of A Dragonfly” is nothing short of epic and is by far Lionheart’s finest work to date.

TRACK LISTING

Declaration

Flight 19

V Is For Victory

This Is A Woman's War

The Longest Night

The Eagle's Nest

Little Ships

Just A Man

UXB

The Grace Of A Dragonfly

Remembrance, Praying For World Peace

 

LINE UP

Lee Small (The Sweet, ex-Shy) - lead vocals.

Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden) - lead guitar/backing vocals

Steve Mann (MSG, ex-Liar) - lead guitar/backing vocals

Rocky Newton (Grand Slam, ex-MSG) - bass guitar/backing

Clive Edwards (ex-Pat Travers, Uli Jon Roth & Wild Horses) - drums,percussion

 

ELVENKING presents Venom cover "Prime Evil", featuring Tony Dolan and Snowy Shaw! 

Following the release of their latest, eleventh studio album, “Reader Of The Runes – Rapture” (released in April 2023 on AFM Records, order HERE!), heavy metal, pagan, folk and melodic death metal fusionists Elvenking have suprised fans with a stunning cover version of VENOM's "Prime Evil"! But, this isn't just another cover, the Elvenking version also features guest appearances of former VENOM singer and bassist Tony Dolan, and Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate, ex-King Diamond)!

 As ELVENKING revealed, "it is a special song in many ways, starting from the fact that it is a love letter to a band and to a specific moment in time when metal was in fact imprinting our lives indefinitely. The second special aspect of this recording is the lineup. It is a surprise and a metal-dream come true for us since it sees Tony Dolan "Demolition Man" on vocals + bass (he was the original singer and bass player of Venom in the era in which this album was released and now he is still kicking with Venom Inc.), Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate, ex-King Diamond, ex-Memento Mori, etc.) on drums, Damna on vocals + rhythm guitars, Aydan on solo guitar + keyobards and Lethien on the violin." 

Ever since their inception in 1997, Elvenking mastered their way to their own identity with courage and bravado, leaving behind the shackles of genres step by step before they truly broke out with their 2014 monument “The Pagan Manifesto”. Elvenking have been defying all genres, now feeling quite at home in their very own enchanted realm. With “Rapture”, the Italian collective has unleashed part two of their monumental Reader Of The Runes trilogy, and an epic metal quest of woe and despair, wrought with mysterious figures, dark magic and an altogether mesmerizing autumnal flair reminiscent of a forest glade during an Indian Summer. It’s more than just a metal album. It’s a moving story set to fabulous songs, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality. Many times before, Elvenking have weaved powerful magic into the world. This time, they truly came into their own, wresting their best effort yet from a global pandemic.

The band is currently in the studio, working on a new album to be released in the hopefully not so distant future. Furthermore, ELVENKING just recently announced an extensive US and Canadian tour as special guests of ALESTORM. Find all upcoming live dates listed below!

Ever since their inception in 1997, Elvenking mastered their way to their own identity with courage and bravado, leaving behind the shackles of genres step by step before they truly broke out with their 2014 monument “The Pagan Manifesto”. Elvenking have been defying all genres, now feeling quite at home in their very own enchanted realm. With “Rapture”, the Italian collective has unleashed part two of their monumental Reader Of The Runes trilogy, and an epic metal quest of woe and despair, wrought with mysterious figures, dark magic and an altogether mesmerizing autumnal flair reminiscent of a forest glade during an Indian Summer. It’s more than just a metal album. It’s a moving story set to fabulous songs, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality. Many times before, Elvenking have weaved powerful magic into the world. This time, they truly came into their own, wresting their best effort yet from a global pandemic.

The band is currently in the studio, working on a new album to be released in the hopefully not so distant future. Furthermore, ELVENKING just recently announced an extensive US and Canadian tour as special guests of ALESTORM.

ELVENKING Live:
Dec 3, 2023 (NL) Eindhoven - Effenaar (w/ ALESTORM)

US & Canada 2024, w/ ALESTORM
Mar 19 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's
Mar 20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation
Mar 22 - Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall
Mar 23 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS
Mar 24 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place
Mar 26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE
Mar 27 - Detroit, MI @ The Majestic
Mar 29 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Mar 30 - Omaha, NE @ The Admiral
Apr 02 - Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre
Apr 03 - Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre
Apr 05 - Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall
Apr 06 - Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theater
Apr 08 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom
Apr 09 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory
Apr 10 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
Apr 12 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades
Apr 13 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory
Apr 15 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater
Apr 16 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theatre
Apr 18 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
Apr 19 - St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag
Apr 20 - Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Centre
Apr 21 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works

 

 

The upcoming release of Steve Hackett's "The Circus And The Nightwhale" undoubtedly marks a significant moment for fans of progressive rock. Hackett, a legendary guitarist with an illustrious career, appears to be embracing a rite-of-passage concept with a central character named Travla, adding a compelling narrative layer to his 30th solo album.

The autobiographical angle introduces a personal touch to the 13 tracks, suggesting that Hackett is using this album as a platform to express sentiments he has long wished to convey. The anticipation surrounding the release on February 16, 2024, through InsideOut Music only adds to the excitement within the rock and metal community.

"The Circus And The Nightwhale" is Steve's first new music in over two years. It follows the beautiful acoustic LP "Under A Mediterranean Sky" from January 2021 — which rose to No 2 in the U.K. Classical chart — and, in September of that year, his metallic masterpiece "Surrender Of Silence", which hit the U.K. Top 40. His 2023 live album, "Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton", reached No 2 in the Rock & Metal chart. Steve's new LP promises ballads, blues, blistering progressive rock… and healthy measures of theatre and fantasia.

Tracklisting

01. People Of The Smoke
02. These Passing Clouds
03. Taking You Down
04. Found And Lost
05. Enter The Ring
06. Get Me Out!
07. Ghost Moon And Living Love
08. Circo Inferno
09. Breakout
10. All At Sea
11. Into The Nightwhale
12. Wherever You Are
13. White Dove

 

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