Alternative Music
Without Randy Blythe, Lamb of God Perform with Singers of Chimaira, Trivium, and In Flames: Watch
As reported yesterday, Randy Blythe tested positive for COVID-19, leading Lamb of God to announce that Chimaira singer Mark Hunter and a “few friends” would handle vocals for the band at Tuesday night’s show in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those “few friends” included Matt Heafy and Anders Fridén of support acts Trivium and In Flames, respectively. Blythe contracted COVID after just six shows on Lamb of God’s co-headlining “Metal Tour of the Year” with Megadeth. Instead of canceling any gigs, Lamb of God are proceeding for the time being with Hunter and company helping out on vocals. Last night saw Lamb of God play an abbreviated 10-song set (they had been playing 12 songs with Blythe), with Hunter handling vocals on seven of the tunes, including newer tracks like “Memento Mori” and classics li...
Purity Ring Announce New EP Graves, Share Title Track: Stream
Purity Ring have announced their new EP, Graves, out June 3rd via the band’s own label The Fellowship. As a preview, the duo have shared the title track after it was premiered at a virtual listening party earlier this week. Not much else is available in the way of details, but vocalist and songwriter Megan James revealed in a statement that “graves” was nearly a decade in the making. “This song has been haunting us for eight straight years so we’re very glad to let it be heard,” she said. “We hope it brings you as much joy as it has now brought us. Thank you for listening and please enjoy the beautiful music video about human cells.” Featuring the catchy melodies for which Purity Ring has become known, “graves” builds toward a dark chorus contrasting with James’ sweet vocals. “We’ll w...
Spirit Adrift Announce 20 Centuries Gone Collection, Share New Song “Sorcerer’s Fate”: Stream
Spirit Adrift have announced a new collection of songs titled 20 Centuries Gone. The eight-song release arrives August 19th and includes two new original tracks and six cover songs. One of those originals is “Sorcerer’s Fate,” which the band have offered up as the lead single. The song melds melodic guitar leads with propulsive riffing in a modern-yet-classic style. There’s a distinct Euro power metal flavor to the sound, while the lyrics are inspired by filmmaker William Friedkin (The Exorcist). “Musically, I would say it’s one of our heaviest and most straightforward songs,” singer-guitarist Nate Garrett said via a press release. “Inspired equally by New Orleans sludge, flipped-cap crossover, and Scandinavian metal, but with the distinct Spirit Adrift sound and approach.” Advertisement R...
SLIPKNOT Partners With The Sandbox To Create Knotverse
The Sandbox, a leading decentralized gaming virtual world and a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, announced today that it has partnered with SLIPKNOT, the most enigmatic, provocative and aggressive band of the modern era, to bring Knotfest into the metaverse — creating Knotverse, a Web3 home for SLIPKNOT/Knotfest metaverse experiences, concerts, and lifestyle in The Sandbox. The collaboration brings together innovators in their respective fields to create a one-of-a-kind meeting place for heavy music culture in the metaverse. Knotverse will host Web3 experiences curated by Knotfest and SLIPKNOT specifically for the culture. The Knotverse roadmap will see unique NFTs and generative collections, plus metaverse concerts, gaming experiences, fan experiences, unique collaborations, wearables and mu...
DAVID ELLEFSON’s Post-MEGADETH Project THE LUCID Releases Music Video For ‘Hair’
THE LUCID, the four-piece hard rock band featuring bassist David Ellefson (ex-MEGADETH), vocalist Vinnie Dombroski (SPONGE), guitarist Drew Fortier and drummer Mike Heller (RAVEN, FEAR FACTORY), has released a music video for the song “Hair”. The clip, which was directed by Hannah Fierman, can be seen below. This past December, THE LUCID filmed four new music videos. Three of the tracks are taken from THE LUCID‘s self-titled debut album, which was released in October via SpoilerHead Records. Ellefson announced the completion of the videos in a social media post. He wrote at the time: “THE LUCID knocked out 4 music videos in L.A. over the weekend. 3 songs from our debut album and one that is a total off the wall cover that will see the light of day in a few months. W...
RAINBOW Singer RONNIE ROMERO Doesn’t Think There Are Plans For The Band To Do Anything In Near Future
In a new interview with Jeff Gaudiosi of MisplacedStraws.com, RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero was asked about the current status of the band, six years after the Ritchie Blackmore-led outfit first reformed to play sporadic shows. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “We normally keep in contact — not very often, because, obviously, Ritchie is a very insulated person. But I don’t think there’s gonna be any plan in the near future because the pandemic was way complicated, obviously, for all the music business. And now it’s like everything is getting back to normal but delayed two years. So there is a lot of shows happening. And until it gets completely back to normal, it’s gonna happen at least a couple of years. So I think Ritchie is not too much into the...
Watch LAMB OF GOD Perform With Guest Singers From CHIMAIRA, IN FLAMES And TRIVIUM
LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe was forced to miss the band’s concert Tuesday night (April 19) in Grand Rapids, Michigan after testing positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Filling in for him at the gig were singers of two of the groups who are currently on tour with LAMB OF GOD, TRIVIUM‘s Matt Heafy and IN FLAMES‘ Anders Fridén, as well as Mark Hunter of CHIMAIRA, which supported LAMB OF GOD on a U.S. tour back in 2003. Fan-filmed video of the concert is available below. After the gig, Hunter shared several photos from backstage and soundcheck, and he included the following message: “I had the honor of singing for LAMB OF GOD tonight. @drandallblythe was unavailable due to having COVID. It was an absolute honor and I’m ext...
Outside Lands 2022 Lineup: Green Day, Post Malone, SZA, Phoebe Bridgers & More
Green Day, Post Malone, and SZA are set to headline San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music Festival in 2022. The San Francisco-based festival returns to its late summer slot at Golden Gate Park from August 5th-7th after 2021’s COVID-delayed Halloween weekend event. Other notable acts include Phoebe Bridgers, Weezer, Jack Harlow, Mitski, Lil Uzi Vert, Kali Uchis, Disclosure, Pusha T, Anitta, Mac DeMarco, Wet Leg, 100 gecs, Best Coast, Kim Petras, Local Natives, Washed Out, Sam Fender, Rostam, Robert Glasper, Zoe Wees, Faye Webster, Briston Maroney, Amber Mark, Pussy Riot, Duckwrth, and more. Advertisement Related Video General admission and VIP passes go on sale starting Wednesday, April 20th at 10:00 a.m. PT. Click here for more details. This year’s Outside Lands will also see the the re...
Andrew Bird Announces New Album Inside Problems, Shares “Underlands”: Stream
Andrew Bird has announced the new album Inside Problems. It’s out June 3rd via Loma Vista Records, and as a preview Bird has shared the new single “Underlands.” Produced by Mike Viola, Inside Problems was recorded by Bird and his four-piece band, with additional vocal overdubbing from Madison Cunningham. Some of the album’s themes were influenced by the great American writer Joan Didion, who inspired the lead single ““Atomized” and whose presence can be felt in other tracks on the album, such as “Lone Didion.” “Underlands” is the LP’s opening statement, beginning with slow-plucked strings before shifting into an upbeat shuffle. “Stars don’t owe you anything,” Bird sings. “Don’t give a damn about your nations/ Feel the slightest obligation. Advertisement R...
Little Simz Cancels US Tour Citing Financial and Mental Strain
Little Simz has cancelled an upcoming US tour, saying such a trek would leave her “in a huge deficit” with too much “mental stress.” The British-Nigerian rapper added that the tour would be rescheduled at a later date. “Hey guys, due to unforeseen circumstances I’ve been left with no choice but to reschedule my US tour,” she wrote in a social media statement. “I take my live shows seriously and would only want to give you guys nothing but the best of me. Being an independent artist, I pay for everything encompassing my live performances out of my own pocket and touring the US for a month would leave me in a huge deficit. As much as this pains me to not see you at this time, I’m just not able to put myself through that mental stress.” The tour was meant to kick off in Portl...
Zola Jesus Unveils New Single “Desire”: Stream
Zola Jesus has released “Desire,” the second single from her upcoming album, Arkhon. Stream it below. Although singer-songwriter Nika Roza Danilova announced her solo project’s first full-length in five years by acknowledging that she had embraced an unfamiliar, collaborative spirit and “needed new blood,” her latest song is a sparse, completely internal quest for closure. “‘Desire’ was written in one sitting at my piano at home. The song was an exorcism for my pain and lack of closure around heartbreak,” she shared in a statement. “Sometimes songs are written simply for the cathartic effect of playing them. This is one of those songs. Performing it feels like the most tangible way to experience that closure for myself.” Advertisement Related Video Danilova’s emotional release is...
Killer Mike Says Run the Jewels Have Begun Recording New Album: Exclusive
It’s been seven years since Run the Jewels announced their intention to “run them jewels fast,” and the veteran hip-hop duo show no signs of slowing down. In a new interview with Consequence, Killer Mike says that he and El-P have been in the studio working on Run the Jewels 5, even though they only dropped Run the Jewels 4 in 2020. “I say this with a smile and a wink — me and El-P were in the studio together,” Mike says. “We may have messed around and started Run the Jewels 5. So we’ll see what happens.” He also hints at more music both as a duo and as a solo artist. “I would say look for Run the Jewels to pop up on some guest appearances,” he says. “I’ve done some solo guest appearances as well. So just look for more music to be coming out period.” Advertisement ...
