Tuesday 17 February 2015

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE Signs to Napalm Records! New Album Tango Umbrella Due Later This Year!



Hot on the heels of announcing that they will be taking part in the upcoming North American COAL CHAMBER tour, Minneapolis, Minnesota’s AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE has inked a new deal with Austrian metal label Napalm Records.

The band commented about signing with Napalm Records: “AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE are extremely excited to announce our signing with Napalm Records for the 2015 release of our new album, Tango Umbrella. We'd like to thank all the fans, friends and family who contributed to make the recording process possible; we're very proud to be delivering a DIY record to you all!

Working with Napalm will allow us a much broader reach for promoting and distributing the record and let us focus on what we love and do best: making music and playing shows.

We look forward to 2015 being a very busy and productive year, and we thank you all again for your continued and fanatic support!”

Napalm A&R representative Sebastian Muench added: “Having lived in Upstate New York for a couple years I was right there when epic albums like ‘The War of Art’ and ‘The Feeding’ were released and the incredible effect they had on the music world back then! Napalm is determined and pumped to release a new AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE album after almost a decade of hibernation... and I can tell you the new songs will blow your mind!”

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE burst onto the national scene in 2001 with their Rick Rubin produced American Recordings debut The War of Art. Aggressive, strange, cathartic, dangerous and, perhaps most importantly, different, they blended the industrial grind of Ministry and Marilyn Manson with the tripped-out melodic experimentation of Faith No More. OZZFEST 2001 and a worldwide tour with Slipknot followed. During that time, The War of Art went on to sell in excess of 250,000 units, and it propelled the band to international acclaim with the singles "All Wrapped Up" and "Just So You Know."

After dissolving in 2008 the band reconvened four years later in 2012 and recently supported the late Wayne Static on a few select dates of his 15th Anniversary Wisconsin Death Trip Tour and returned to the UK to perform at the Download Festival along with a performance in London with Kill Devil Hill. AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE entered the studio in the summer of 2014 to begin recording with producer, Dave Fortman (Ugly Kid Joe, Evanescence, Eyehategod, Slipknot, Mudvayne, Godsmack) at Third Sky Studio, in Richmond, KY. What came of this is the band’s forthcoming album Tango Umbrella.

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE will embark on an upcoming US tour supporting Combichrist, Filter and Coal Chamber in March and April of 2015.

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE has literally survived it all, and is back to show that they are the stuff rock and roll is made from.

AMERICAN HEAD CHARGE Live:

3/3: Lincoln, NE @ Vega 3/6: Tempe, AZ @ Marquee 3/7: Los Angeles, CA @ House of Blues 3/8: San Francisco, CA @ Regency Grand 3/9: Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades 3/11: Seattle, WA @ Showbox at the Market 3/12: Portland, OR @ Roseland 3/13: Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory 3/14: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory 3/16: Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall 3/17: Wichita, KS @ The Cottillion 3/18: Tulsa, OK @ Cains Ballroom 3/20: Milwaukee, WI @ Rave 3/21: Detroit, MI @ Harpos 3/22: Joliet, IL @ Mojoes 3/23: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue 3/25: Columbus, OH @ Newport Music Hall 3/26: Toronto, ON @ Opera House 3/27: Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theater 3/28: Worcester, MA @ Palladium 3/29: New York, NY @ Webster Hall 3/31: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live 4/1: Hartford, CT @ Webster Theater 4/2: Patchogue, NY @ The Emporium 4/3: Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom 4/4: Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero 4/5: Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live 4/6: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls 4/7: Norfolk, VA @ The Norva 4/8: Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte 4/9: Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 4/11: Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live 4/12: Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Live 4/14: Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room 4/15: Waterloo, IA @ Reverb 4/17: Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews 4/18: Eau Claire, WI @ Hipps Pub

BLACK STAR RIDERS - Band releases official video for 'Finest Hour'



BLACK STAR RIDERS are set to release their forthcoming album The Killer Instinct on the 23rd of February but until then, the band are whetting the appetites of eager fans by releasing the official video for new track 'Finest Hour'. The track was premiered on BBC Radio 2's Ken Bruce show yesterday morning, followed by another play on Simon Mayo's BBC Radio 2 Drivetime Show. Watch the video here:



The second studio album by BLACK STAR RIDERS is a rich collection of story-based tracks ('Soldierstown', 'Finest Hour', 'Blindsided', 'Sex, Guns & Gasoline') rooted in master craftsman performances by vocalist Ricky Warwick, guitarist Damon Johnson, guitarist Scott Gorham, drummer Jimmy DeGrasso and bassist Robbie Crane.

The Killer Instinct will be released on the 23rd of February.

Steve Saluto Releases The Silver Skull Legend



Guitarist, musician/songwriter, producer, audio engineer and avid music fan Steve Saluto releases "The Silver Skull Legend"

Steve Saluto has given to the music market another rock solid creation from his solo career with "The Silver Skull Legend". The Ep will be available on and only for the digital music market - Jan 10th 2015.

On this Ep, Steve played every instrument following everything from recording to mixing, mastering and production as its a showcase for his new Manne Signature Guitar called "The Silver Skull Legend". Residing in Treviso (Italy), Steve Saluto began playing guitar at the age of fifteen. After taking jazz guitar lessons, he was inspired by the Eddie Van Halen solo in Michael Jackson's "Beat It" to take up playing rock. The guitar whiz has never looked back... The seed was planted and the rest is music history in the making.

In addition to being a talented guitar player and band leader, Steve is an in-demand writer and producer for up-and-coming artists as well as working with legendary musicians alike. As a recording artist, Steve has written and produced 12 solo / band recordings featuring his diverse guitar styles ranging from jazz to rock and playing and recording with musicians such as Buddy Miles, Darryl Jones (Sting/Rolling Stones), Danny Gottlieb (Pat Metheny Group), Jeff Berlin, Doug Wimbish (Living Colours), Brian Tichy (Billy Idol/Foreigner), Richie Kotzen (Poison/Mr Big), Oni Logan (Lynch Mob) just to name a few. And, he also owns a recording studio in San Biagio di Callalta (TV).

"The Silver Skull Legend" feature 4 diverse songs that while the foundations are rock, Saluto isn’t afraid to add colors of R&B, funk and hard-hitting provocative melodic rock too. Starting it off, we have the rousing song "Take Me Home (The Return)" with it's spellbinding lyrics and hypnotic groove. The guitar sounds are bewitching with bawdy guitar riffs, flirtatious hooks and salacious lead solos. "Doing You Again" is a real funky rhythmic number with a touch of R&B stylings. The commanding vibe called "My Wish" is a marching progression full of energizing moments. And at last but not least, we have the velvety smooth "Frozen" with its effortless sound and mesmeric melody. Steve's vocals on this celebrated EP are alluring with his impassioned and provocative story telling lyrics.

"The Silver Skull Legend" is a short but sweet introduction to Steve Saluto’s musical world. Come check it out for yourself.

This Is Not A Love Song by Afflicted By Design



On February 25, 2015, Afflicted By Design will make their third release with the single, “This Is Not A Love Song;” a goth-industrial inspired version of the classic song by Public Image Ltd. “This Is Not A Love Song” is the second single from Afflicted By Design's cover song project. The new single will be available on iTunes, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Spotify, Rdio, Deezer.

For "This Is Not A Love Song" Michael J. Carrasquillo (Slick Idiot, isol8ed) returns on drums, and reunites Sebastian with former Otto's Daughter bandmates Jacqueline Van Bie​rk on vocals and Jim Robbins on guitar solos.

Afflicted By Design is an Austin, TX-based, guitar-driven Industrial rock band founded in 2012 by S.A. Sebastian Gnolfo. For each Afflicted By Design release Sebastian is joined by different musicians and former bandmates from the New York City, Los Angeles and Austin Industrial, metal and punk scenes.

More information about Afflicted By Design and "This Is Not A Love Song" at afflictedbydesign.com.

Video Preview: "This Is Not A Love Song" Public Image Ltd Cover by Afflicted By Design

ARCH ENEMY continue to spread War Eternal announce new live dates for 2015



2014 was a busy year for Swedish extreme metal band ARCH ENEMY: New singer announced in early 2014, new album out in the summer, extensive press trip all over the world from LA to London to Berlin and Tokyo, followed by conquering the biggest summer festival stages. A US tour supported by Kreator in fall was the next step on their busy schedule, new guitar player Jeff Loomis (ex-Nevermore) came in and joined the massive winter tour supporting Kreator. But hard work pays off and 19 years after their formation, ARCH ENEMY are on a new level of their career – with no end in sight!

2015 started with a fun trip on the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise to Jamaica, followed by a Latin America tour. March sees them busy with shows in Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Thailand. European fans will see ARCH ENEMY again in late April. The band is coming back with support from US metal force UNEARTH who will present their new album “Watchers Of Rule”, and DRONE from Germany who released their self-titled fourth album in April 2014. During the summer months, ARCH ENEMY will be headlining the Dynamo Metal Fest and play on further high profile festivals like Hellfest (France), Graspop (Belgium), With Full Force (Germany) and many more.

While other bands would finally go on holiday to take a break after more than a year on the road, ARCH ENEMY already announced the first shows for the second half of 2015. On December 19th they will join Nightwish to play the Wembley Arena in London. And there is even more news to come!

02.03.2015 O-East, Tokyo, Japan 03.03.2015 O-East, Tokyo, Japan 04.03.2015 Bottom Line, Nagoy, Japan 05.03.2015 Big Cat, Osaka-Shi, Japan 06.03.2015 Club Quattro, Hiroshima, Japan 08.03.2015 MUV Hall, Seoul, Republic of Korea 10.03.2015 Yu Gong Live, Beijing, China 11.03.2015 Mao Live House, Shanghai, China 12.03.2015 Music Zone Kitec Center, Hong Kong, China 14.03.2015 Hollywood Hall Ratchada, Bangkok, Thailand 15.03.2015 Hana Live House, Taipei, Taiwan

30.04.2015 Hexentanz Festival, Losheim, Germany 02.05.2015 Karmoygeddon Festival, Kopervik, Norway

05.05.2015 Le Splendid, Lille, France* 06.05.2015 L’Empreinte, Savigny-Le-Temple, France* 07.05.2015 Le Fil, St Etienne, France* 08.05.2015 Le Moloco, Audincourt, France* 09.05.2015 JUZ Live Club, Andernach, Germany 10.05.2015 ZAK, Uelsen, Germany* 11.05.2015 Komplex 457, Zurich, Switzerland* 14.05.2015 Les Docks, Lausanne, Switzerland* 15.05.2015 Audiodrome, Torino, Italy* 16.05.2015 Rock Planet, Pinarella di Cervia (RA), Italy* 21.05.2015 Paradise Garage, Lisbon, Portugal* 22.05.2015 Hardclub, Porto, Portugal* 03.06.2015 Orpheum, Graz, Austria* 04.06.2015 Komma, Wörgl, Austria*

(* supported by UNEARTH and Drone)

05.06.2015 Out & Loud Festival, Geiselwind, Germany 06.06.2015 Metalfest Open Air, Pilsen, Czech Republic 19.06.2015 Nummirock Metal Festival, Nummijarvi, Finland 20.06.2015 Graspop Metal Meeting, Dessel, Belgium 21.06.2015 Hellfest, Clisson, France 25.06.2015 Bravalla Festival, Norrköping, Sweden 05.07.2015 With Full Force Festival, Roitzschjora, Germany 18.07.2015 Dynamo Metal Fest, Eindhoven, Netherlands 20.07.2015 Metaldays, Tolmin, Slovenia 24.07.2015 Lanzenanger Festival, Burglengenfeld, Germany 25.07.2015 Barcelona Rock Fest, Barcelona, Spain

19.12.2015 Wembley Arena, London, UK**

(** supporting NIGHTWISH)

Blue Stahli - New Single, "Not Over Til We Say So" (ft. Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies)



Detroit-based electronic rock wizard Blue Stahli has returned with the release of his thrashing new single, "Not Over Til We Say So." The song, which features Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies on bass and backing vocals, is a triumphant melting pot of genres —mixing undeniable hooks atop explosive guitar work and revolutionary electronics.

This latest single from Stahli comes directly off of his upcoming sophomore LP, The Devil. The track hoists the sophistication of AWOLNATION, while culminating the energy of The Prodigy and the power of Periphery. "Not Over Til We Say So" is a song that captures the best of both the electronic and heavy rock 'n' roll world.

"'Not Over Til We Say So' is pretty much what Blue Stahli is all about — taking a bunch of disparate genres and smashing 'em all together into a cohesive track," said Blue Stahli. "In the overall electronic rock umbrella of this song, it jumps from thrash metal to glitch hop to straight up pop with catchy vocal hooks galore."

Listen to "Not Over Til We Say So" now:



In an exclusive interview via FiXT Online, Emma Anzai opened up about working with Stahli on the track. "Bret wanted some funky bass on the song so he sent it over to me and I listened to it non-stop and just played along to it. I loved how up tempo it was, that was the first thing I noticed and immediately got excited. Bret then asked if I could do some backing vocals as well and so I got into listening to the vocals more and just thinking of harmonies and anything else that I could add."

About Blue Stahli:

The sole member of Blue Stahli, Bret, comes from a background of fetish burlesque troupes, drag queen fronted punk bands andbelieves that he is visited in his dreams by the ghost of William S. Burroughs. The pure visceral feeling of Blue Stahli is a getaway drive into oblivion, cutting a jet-black swath down midnight asphalt. Clawing, scratching and tearing through to catharsis with the hyperstylized jagged edge of revenge. Art is a weapon. Use it. Blue Stahli’s music has been featured in hundreds of films, television shows, and video games — including: Seventh Son, X-Men: Days of Future Past, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, The Wolverine, Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into Darkness, R.I.P.D., Expendables 2, Premium Rush, Underworld Awakening, Sucker Punch, Robocop, Arrow, Victoria’s Secret, Tron Legacy, Predators, American Horror Story, The Big Bang Theory, America’s Next Top Model, Access Hollywood, FOX Sports and more.