VAMPS ANNOUNCE THE RELEASE OF NEW STUDIO ALBUM, ‘BLOODSUCKERS’ VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS FOR MARCH 2015

VAMPS, THE Japanese rock band formed by and featuring HYDE (L’Arc~en~Ciel) and K.A.Z (Oblivion Dust), will release a new studio album, ‘BLOODSUCKERS’, through Spinefarm Records on March 23rd in the UK/EU and March 24th US.

This 13 track release – produced by VAMPS and Josh Wilbur (whose previous credits include Gojira and Lamb Of God) and housed in the artwork of mysterious Japanese artist Rockin' Jelly Bean – is the follow-up to ‘SEX BLOOD ROCK N’ ROLL’, also issued via Spinefarm in 2013.

Songs on ‘BLOODSUCKERS’, which will be available on CD & download, include ‘WORLD’S END’ (a UK single in 2014, and used in the Sony campaign for the Xperia UK mobile,), ‘GET AWAY’, ‘REPLAY’, ‘THE JOLLY ROGER’ & ‘VAMPIRE’S LOVE’ – not just a Top 3 single in Japan but also the song selected to launch Hollywood blockbuster, ‘Dracula Untold’, in that market.

In addition, ‘REPLAY’ was the theme song of ‘Dark Labyrinth’, one in a series of a world-famous smartphone apps from ‘Dark Summoner’ (the app has been downloaded over six million times), whilst ‘THE JOLLY ROGER’ features in the TV commercial for Nissan’s X-Trail SUV… no surprise then that the album has already been a Top 5 success in Japan…

Says HYDE, who launched VAMPS with K.A.Z in 2008: “‘Bloodsuckers’ is a record that we spent almost one year putting together. For me, this is the best work we’ve done so far, and we would love to tour around the world with these songs…”

‘BLOODSUCKERS’ sees VAMPS pushing their take on contemporary hard rock to exotic new heights, blending melody and message over 50 minutes of dramatic, impassioned music…

“Our aim was to build on the excitement of our headline show at Koko in London last year, and of course our appearance at the Download Festival in the UK,” explains HYDE…

ON THE live front, VAMPS have played over 300 dates around the world in the past five years, including shows in North America; they have also visited the South American continent, where their second album, ‘BEAST’(2010), charted in the Top 4 – a unique achievement for a Japanese act.

Most recently, they completed a run of dates in Japan (33 shows to 65,000 people), climaxing with a worldwide webcast of their Zepp Tokyo show on January 25th.

Next, on February 18th / 19th, VAMPS are hosting & headlining their own festival, ‘VAMPARK FEST’, at the legendary Nippon Budokan in Tokyo – the bill is completed by Special Guests SIXX:A.M., plus Buckcherry, Gerard Way and Nothing More.

Outside of Japan, VAMPS will tour the US with SIXX:AM in April; this major run of dates – which also features Finland’s Apocalyptica – kicks off in in San Francisco on April 8th at The Regency Ballroom.

Says Nikki Sixx of SIXX:A.M. "SIXX:A.M. just played our first Japanese show ever with VAMPS in Tokyo at Budokan. They really gave us our first opportunity to play in front of so many rock fans in Japan. We now want to extend the same to them by bringing them out on tour with us. We can't wait for our fans to discover them all across the US."

VAMPS ‘BLOODSUCKERS’ (International Edition) is available for pre-order via iTunes now.

Track list

1.REINCARNATION 2. ZERO 3. LIPS 4. WORLD'S END 5. EVIL 6. GHOST 7. VAMPIRE'S LOVE 8. DAMNED 9. GET AWAY 10. REPLAY 11. BLOODSUCKERS 12. THE JOLLY ROGER 13. INSIDE MYSELF

ZEBRAHEAD ANNOUNCE 'ZEBRAHEAD- THE EARLY YEARS- REVISITED' APRIL 21 VIA RUDE RECORDS

Beloved Orange County, CA rockers Zebrahead will release 'The Early Years- Revisited ' on April 21 via Rude Records. The full length album features re-recorded versions of all the fan favorites, classic party anthems that we all know and love including ‘Playmate Of The Year’ and 'Falling apart' , plus a bonus track and one new song.

Bassist Ben Osmundson says; 'We're excited for everyone to hear The Early Days - Revisited! It is 11 of the fan favorites from the past re-recorded with Matty singing on them.... and 2 new songs for everyone to check out. It was fun to go back and re learn these old songs from the first 3 albums. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we did making this!"

Co-vocalist Matty Lewis, adds, "I'm also excited to release one new song that we have been working on for a while, as well as a song that wasn't on 'Call Your Friends' It is a good pre-cursor to our next album, and hope you enjoy them!"

"It was great to have the early songs recorded with with Matty and Dan. The recording process was seamless because we play a lot of the songs live. I am looking forward to the fans listening to the new versions. I think they are going to be excited to hear what we have put together." states co-vocalist Ali Tabatabaee.

Formed in 1996, Grammy-nominated Zebrahead has released a total of 10 studio albums and is known for their eclectic music style that incorporates punk, rap and alternative rock. Over the years the band has toured with the likes of Less Than Jake, Green Day, Blink -182, MxPx, The Bloodhound Gang, Bowling For Soup and many more.

Having graced the UK with their unrepeatable touring antics many a time, which include an on stage tiki bar that trust me, is fully functional, Kerrang! gave the band 5K’s for their performance at last years Slam Dunk festival stating “Zebrahead see the room at capacity for the first time today. The California pop punkers bring the party-literally!”

About Zebrahead: Many bands make an entrance into a particular scene, make a statement, and are suddenly yesterday's has-beens after an album or two. But after a dozen years, half a dozen albums, scores of countries, countless miles, a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance for their blistering cover of Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' and immeasurable faces rocked, it's not entirely surprising that Orange County-based rock act Zebrahead have been able to not only maintain a distinct relevancy to the core fan base that grew up with the act, it's also been able to consistently break new ground and appeal to newer generations of audiences.

"What's strange is that kids are getting younger and younger every time we tour," says Zebrahead vocalist Ali Tabatabaee. "I really don't know where they hear us or where they get our music from, but it truly is inspiring for us to keep writing and making music to see these kids showing up to the show and being such hardcore fans. I can't explain it. We're really fortunate."

So, what's the big secret to such great fortune? Credit the quintet's truly innovative and ingenious meld of punk, hip-hop and alternative rock, which crosses over musical bounds, not to mention songwriting that's infallibly infectious. When Zebrahead first broke ground, erupting into the Southern California rock scene in the mid-'90s, the act was instantly recognized as a pioneer of a hybridized genre that, to this day, has not only lasted, but continues to flourish both domestically and internationally. And with members Ali Tabatabaee, Dan Palmer (guitar), Matty Lewis (vocals/guitar), Ben Osmundson (bass) and Ed Udhus (drums) fully engaged in their craft, Zebrahead's continued drive has no chance of letting down anytime soon.

Track Listing:

1. Check 2. Get Back 3. Jagoff 4. Someday 5. Playmate of The Year 6. Now Or Never 7. Wasted 8. Rescue Me 9. Into You 10. Hello Tomorrow 11. Falling Apart 12. Sex, Lies and Audiotape (bonus physical only) 13. Devil on My Shoulder New Song

HANG THE BASTARD announce tour dates with Corrosion Of Conformity & UK headline dates

HANG THE BASTARD are stoked to announce their first UK headliner tour of 2015! Furthermore the band was confirmed as direct support for Corrosion Of Conformity in the UK in March. HANG THE BASTARD can't wait to get back on the road supporting their album 'Sex In The Seventh Circle'.

The band comments: “We are more than excited to be back playing shows and to be back on the road in the UK after a tough couple of months. Tom is feeling a lot better after his back problems and we are ready to play some riffs! Coupled with that, we are honoured beyond belief to be a part of this historic COC tour. We really can’t wait to visit some of the places we haven’t been to in a long time. It’s gonna be heavy and it’s gonna be loud!!! Bang your heads, we are coming for you!”

You can watch the video for 'Sex In The Seventh Circle' here:



'Sex In The Seventh Circle' is available in the following formats (all pictured above!): Ltd Edition, CD Digipak (incl. 2 additional tracks) 180g Gatefold black Vinyl + CD 180g Gatefold red Vinyl + CD (limited to 600 copies)

HANG THE BASTARD live:

with Corrosion Of Conformity

Mar 7 Manchester - Academy 2 Mar 8 Glasgow - Garage Mar 9 Nottingham - Rescue Rooms Mar 11 Bristol - Bierkeller Mar 12 Colchester - Arts Centre Mar 13 London - Electric Ballroom

Headline dates:

Mar 16 Liverpool - The Shipping Forecast Mar 17 Milton Keynes - Craufurd Arms Mar 18 Sheffield - Corporation Mar 20 Birmingham - Oboleck Mar 22 Southampton - The Firehouse

2015 festival dates

Mar 14 Hammerfest Apr 25 Desertfest London

Debut EP from Concepts Out Now

The Houston post-hardcore band Concepts released their debut EP Transitions today! The record marries the aggressiveness of Woe, Is Me with clean vocals that would win over any Jonny Craig fan. You can currently stream it in full via Revolver Magazine.

Transitions was produced by the band themselves and the mastering was handled by Kris Crummett (Sleeping With Sirens, Alesana, Issues). The track "Mirrors" features Aaron Kadura of Fit For A King.

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.