It’s official: ODESZA are back. After torturing fans via a series of cryptic posts and leaks last week, the duo have finally released “The Last Goodbye,” their first new original music since 2018. The soulful electronic tune samples 1965’s “Let Me Down Easy” by fabled Detroit R&B singer Bettye LaVette, who is credited as a featured artist. “This song was born out of the concept of trying to bring these lasting, defining musical pieces like the 1965 release of ‘Let Me Down Easy’ by Bettye LaVette into a modern and contemporary electronic setting,” Odesza explained. “The idea of bringing two worlds together, that at first seem distant, has always been something we’ve been drawn to. It was an absolute honor to be able to work with ...
This September, Wilco is celebrating 20 years since the release of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. To start the celebration several months early, because why not, the band just announced two limited runs in honor of the record this April at New York City’s United Palace and Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Tickets for the rare performances go on sale at 10 a.m. local this Friday, Feb. 11. They’ll perform four nights (April 15, 16, 17, and 19) in New York and two (April 22 and 23) in Chicago. Wilco will rock out to the entirety of the original album, and play a mix of concert favorites and rarities. Not only will the shows celebrate the legendary 2001 record, but they will also prepare Wilco fans for the archival Yankee Hotel Foxtrot re-releases that are set to arrive later this year...
There is a calm, serene spirituality about Ann Wilson in 2022 which instantly draws you to her. She feels like a warm, wise someone who has seen enough bullshit to know how to avoid it calmly, and someone who is at peace with whatever she needs to be at peace with. Perhaps that is why the soul (and, indeed title) of her latest album, “Fierce Bliss” (set for release April 29 via Silver Lining Music) offers such universally entertaining, engaging, honest and safe harbor from these unpredictable times. Take “Greed”, the powerful first single. “‘Greed’ is that thing in our animal nature that makes us want MORE,” Wilson declares. “Whether it be money, sex, power or ecstasy, it fires our craving. It happens with all of us. When you turn aroun...
Swedish metallers SABATON were recently forced to postpone their European arena tour, which was supposed to happen in March/April 2022, “due to continuing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on global live events and travel.” However, SABATON frontman Joakim Brodén told Finland’s Tuonela magazine that he and his bandmates are still expecting to return to the road later this year. “That’s our main priority,” he said. “And the only reason that we are not on tour is that we physically can’t or aren’t physically allowed. It will take the threat of prison or bankruptcy to stop us from doing that. Unfortunately, when it comes to touring, dealing with a tour in several countries is much more complicated than a single one because of governments. So ...
German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION will not only will celebrate their 40th anniversary by dropping their mind-blowing grenade of a new album, “Diabolical” (out April 8, 2022 via Napalm Records), they will also hit the road in North America on a 26-date headline tour this spring. Featuring direct support from prime thrash metal force and labelmates NERVOSA, the tour will also feature special guests SUNLORD and VX36. The run will kick off on April 28 in Brooklyn, New York and hit a slew of cities before coming to a close with a DESTRUCTION-only performance at Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore, Maryland on May 29. Tickets are on sale now via individual venues. DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Schmier says: “Yes — we are super thrilled: the first tour of the new record, ̵...
In a brand new interview with Metal Edge magazine’s “Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley”, Nita Strauss, the Los Angeles-based guitar shredder for the ALICE COOPER band, was asked why it took her so long to incorporate vocals into her solo music, as she is doing on her upcoming sophomore solo album. She responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Honestly, I didn’t really imagine it happening it at all. I wasn’t planning on ever doing a solo record that wasn’t an instrumental shred thing. Instrumental shred is kind of my passion; it’s what I’ve always wanted to do. And it wasn’t really what I set out to do, doing radio stuff — I wanted to kind of stay true to my identity as a guitar player and just make guitar music. But the...
Fill your Letterboxd watchlist: Oscars season is officially here. The nominations for the 2022 Academy Awards were announced today (February 8), and Jane Campion’s measured but smoldering western The Power of the Dog leads the pack with 12, the most of any film. Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic Dune — anchored by performances from Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya — received 10, while Steven Spielberg’s sweeping West Side Story update and Kenneth Branagh’s black-and-white reflection on his Irish childhood Belfast earned 7 each. All four of those films are nominated for Best Picture, along with coming-of-age tale CODA, dark apocalypse comedy Don’t Look Up, storytelling drama Drive My Car, Williams family biopic King Richard, nostalgic jaunt Licorice Pizza, and n...
Sharon Van Etten is back with her first solo song since 2020 with “Porta.” The anthemic, but calm, song details feelings of loss of selfhood and security. Van Etten sings, “Want to hold head up, donʼt want to stay down/I want to live my life/But you wonʼt allow.” [embedded content][embedded content] “Porta” was written in 2020 “at one of my lowest lows,” Van Etten said in a statement. “For most of my adult life I have struggled with bouts of depression and anxiety and coping mechanisms, and I sometimes let those dark moments get the best of me. During this time I felt very dissociated. Not connected to my body and I felt out of control.” The accompanying video shows her in a state of cathartic healing, practicing pilates. The video was inspired by Van Etten’s weekly meetings with her ...