Heavy Metal
Aftershock 2021 Lineup: Metallica, My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit, Mastodon, Rancid, Gojira, and More
Metallica (photo by Amy Price), My Chemical Romance (photo by David Brendan Hall) Aftershock Festival has unveiled its 2021 lineup, and it’s stacked with metal and punk heavyweights. Metallica, My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit, Mastodon, Rancid, Gojira, and more are on the four-day bill. It was previously announced that Metallica and MCR would headline the 2020 edition of Aftershock. When that fest was canceled due to the pandemic, it was revealed that both bands would be back for the 2021 edition. Now, the rest of the lineup has been announced. The festival will take place October 7th through 10th at Discovery Park in Sacramento, California, with metal titans Metallica headlining the Friday and Sunday lineups by playing unique sets on each night. Reunited emo heroes My Chemical Romance wi...
Dale Crover (Melvins) Announces New Solo Album Rat-A-Tat-Tat!, Shares “Tougher”: Stream
Melvins drummer Dale Crover will release his sophomore solo album, Rat-A-Tat-Tat!, on January 15th via Joyful Noise. Along with announcing the new LP, Crover has shared the lead single, “Tougher”, which showcases the stickman’s guitar skills. Crover has often been the background collaborator and drummer for the projects of others, whether it be Kurt Cobain’s earliest home recordings as Fecal Matter, drumming for Mexico stoner band Low Flying Hawks, or his long-held position in the Melvins. That said, Crover has plenty of great musical ideas beyond his fantastic percussion. It’s actually a shame we haven’t heard more from solo Crover. His 1992 EP as part of the Melvins’ KISS-style solo releases might be the strongest of the bunch, but he didn’t follow it up until 2016’s Skins EP and the 201...
Architects Announce New Album For Those That Wish to Exist, Share “Animals”: Stream
Metalcore veterans Architects will return with their ninth studio album, For Those That Wish to Exist, on February 26th. To tide fans over, the UK band has shared the lead single, “Animals”. The track showcases Architects progressive approach to metalcore, which melds idiosyncratic lyrics with beguiling songcraft. No metalcore band sounds quite like Architects, and they seem intent on keeping it that way. The hints of chugging industrial rock are a welcome addition to their sonic repertoire. For Those That Wish to Exist also features a few high-profile guest spots, including Parkway Drive singer Winston McCall, Royal Blood frontman Mike Kerr, and Biffy Clyro vocalist Simon Neil. As for the motifs behind the album, the band looked toward the modern world and its many flaws. For Those T...
Ministry Unveil New “Git Up, Get Out ‘N Vote” Video, Promote “Soundtrack to Your Election” Playlist: Stream
Ministry frontman Al Jourgensen has been an outspoken critic of the status quo in U.S. politics, as evidenced by the band’s politically charged 2018 album AmeriKKKant. Now, the band is encouraging its fans to vote in this upcoming election with a new lyric video for the 2012 song, “Git Up, Get Out ‘N Vote”. The track first appeared on Ministry’s 2012’s album, Relapse, gaining some notoriety for its outright direct message of encouraging people to vote. Atypical subject matter for most metal bands, but right in the wheelhouse for Jourgensen and company. Ministry first started its 2020 voting campaign back in July, enabling fans register to vote through the band’s website and other means. The band also created a 30-song “Soundtrack to Your Election” Spotify playlist to raise voter awareness ...
Members of Refused, Mastodon, Korn, Run-DMC, Anthrax, and More Cover Faith No More’s “We Care a Lot”: Watch
There has been a plethora of impressive all-star quarantine performances during the pandemic, but this latest one is especially ambitious. Thirteen musicians from bands such as Refused, Mastodon, Korn, Run-DMC, Anthrax, Filter, and more have joined forces to cover the Faith No More song “We Care a Lot”. The collaboration was organized by Slaves on Dope members Jason Rockman and Kevin Jardine, who contribute vocals and guitar to the performance, respectively. Refused frontman Dennis Lyxzén handles the first verse, while other vocalists include Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of Run-DMC; Richard Patrick of Filter; Walter Schreifels of Quicksand; Kevin Sharp of Brutal Truth; rapper Escoteric of Czarface; and Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace. In addition to Jardine, the core instrumental band is made up o...
Motörhead’s Lemmy and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford Turned Into Retro Action Figures
Two legends of heavy music have been immortalized with new retro-looking action figures. Late Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister and Judas Priest singer Rob Halford are now available as 3.75-inch “ReAction” collectibles from the toy company Super7. Super7 specializes in creating new action figures in the popular style of the ’70s and early ’80s, or as the company puts it, “creating figures we wished we’d had when we were growing up.” The Lemmy figure depicts the rock & roll icon with a removable bass in hand, complete with muttonchops and a Motörhead T-shirt. The Halford figure portrays the Judas Priest vocalist in a studded-leather outfit with whip and microphone accessories. Equally cool as the figures is the packaging in which they come. The artwork features throwback illustrations ...
GWAR Announce “Scumdogs XXX Live” Streaming Concert
GWAR have announced an upcoming streaming concert dubbed, “Scumdogs XXX Live!”, which will see the intergalactic barbarians performing their 1990 debut album, Scumdogs of the Universe, in its entirety Taking place on Halloween Eve, October 30th, at 8 p.m ET, the concert comes in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Scumdogs of the Universe. Though some as-yet-unnamed special guests will make an appearance during the livestream, there will be no in-person audience. Snger Blōthar the Berserker doesn’t seem to mind, however. “We always wanted to do a concert without an audience in the room,” Blōthar said in a press release. “The audience is always the worst part. Well, that and the fact that we’re constantly being attacked by a bunch of assholes while we try to get through a set. Man, I hop...
Tommy Lee Fires Back at Ted Nugent: “Is That Guy Even Still Alive … I Thought He Shot Himself”
Forget Trump vs. Biden — the nastiest right wing vs. left wing feud is brewing between veteran rockers Ted Nugent and Tommy Lee. Following some disparaging remarks by Nugent about the Mötley Crüe drummer, Lee has fired back at the guitarist with a vengeance. As we reported Wednesday, Nugent seemingly went out of his way to call Lee “a convicted felon, domestic violence heroin addict” during a recent appearance on the political podcast Blunt Force Truth. It was just a matter of time before Lee retaliated, and he did just that on Wednesday night. The drummer tweeted, “Ted Nugent? ….Is that guy even still alive? ….. I thought he shot himself like 20 yrs ago.” A little harsh, indeed, but Lee is playing off the fact that Nugent has long been a proud gun-toting member of the NRA. When the M...
Code Orange Announce “Back Inside the Glass” Halloween Livestream Show
Code Orange mastered the art of the livestream during the pandemic, having already delivered two unique virtual concerts this year. The band has now announced a new Halloween event, “Back Inside the Glass”, which is billed as an “environmental experience.” The event streams at 4:00 p.m. ET on October 31st. Tickets start at $15 and also grant access to a previously unreleased track, “The Cutter”, an outtake from Code Orange’s 2020 album, UNDERNEATH. What’s more, Code Orange won’t be alone, as the stacked bill also features Jesus Piece, Year of the Knife, and Machine Girl. “We are very excited to present the next chapter of the Code Orange live streaming experiment,” vocalist Jami Morgan said in a press release. “We are hoping to deliver something on a whole new level with ‘Back Inside ...
Do Five Finger Death Punch Take an Anti-Mask Stance with “Living the Dream” Video?
Five Finger Death Punch have released a music video for the single “Living the Dream” that is rife with political symbolism. One aspect of the video appears to take an anti-mask stance, although there’s some ambiguity in the band’s intentions. In the video, civilians who wear masks are given a button that says “Compliant” emblazoned with a hammer and sickle (a longtime communist symbol). A sinister female leader who gives out the masks doesn’t have to wear one, as her button reads “Exempt”. There are also zombies hoarding toilet paper and Pulp Fiction-like gimps who are walked on a chain by the “Exempt” leader. The American flag is seen in the video with the stars replaced by the hammer and sickle, as well. When a masked ice cream truck worker is spotted with an actual American flag, Mrs. ...
Alice Cooper Enters 2020 Presidential Race with New “Elected” Video: Watch
Every four years since Alice Cooper released the iconic single “Elected” in 1972, the rocker has “satirically” run for president. Just in the nick of time, Cooper has thrown his hat into the 2020 race, releasing an updated video for “Elected” and a ton of “Alice Cooper for President” merch. Running on the “Wild Party” ticket, Cooper’s campaign platform says it all: “I can do nothing as well as they can do nothing.” With his official website adding, “I have absolutely no idea what to do.” The new “Elected” video takes a humorous and lighthearted approach to the campaign process, which is much appreciated considering the real-life campaign has been anything but. Cooper sings the song through a loudspeaker from a podium, and the words remain as relevant as ever. Fans can show their support wi...
Alice in Chains to Release Facelift 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
Alice in Chains’ seminal debut album, Facelift, is getting the deluxe treatment in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The band has announced a box set that is due to arrive on January 29th. The album actually turned 30 on August 21st. As we detailed in a recent feature, it helped give rise to the ’90s alternative-rock movement. Led by single “Man in the Box”, the 1990 LP’s success paved the way for albums like Nirvana’s Nevermind and Pearl Jam’s Ten, which came the following year. The deluxe box set should have Alice in Chains fans salivating, as it’s jam-packed with collectibles. Housed in an acrylic deluxe box with gel transparencies, the set includes a remastered 2-LP vinyl picture-disc edition of the album; a cassette version of the LP; a custom hardcover photo book; a two-sided post...
