July Program Titles Released This Week:

Abbath – Outstrider CD/LP/Cassette (Season Of Mist)

Abbath, the solo project of former Immortal frontman Abbath (real name Olve Eikemo), releases its second album, Outstrider. Consisting of eight tracks, Outstrider promises to raise the bar even higher in contemporary Norwegian black metal. Abbath’s debut album came off with huge appreciation following his departure from Immortal, with excruciatingly ravaging riffs, much of which can be related to black ‘n’ roll, a black metal sub-genre that includes hard rock elements. Outstrider contains a cover of Bathory’s “Pace Till Death”.

Turilli / Lione Rhapsody – Zero Gravity (Rebirth and Evolution) CD (Nuclear Blast)

About ten years ago, the band Rhapsody Of Fire split into two. Guitarist and songwriter Luca Turilli went on to form Luca Turilli’s Rhapsody while vocalist Fabio Lione carried on under the name Rhapsody Of Fire moniker. Now, both previous members – as well as former Rhapsody members Dominique Leurquin, Patrice Guers, and Alex Holzwarth – have come together to form Turilli / Lione Rhapsody. Their new album Zero Gravity (Rebirth And Evolution) is a collection of ten incredible tracks that maintain the band’s theatrical and symphonic metal roots while bringing the genre to new plateaus.

CDs + Vinyl:

1782 – 1782 CD/LP (Heavy Psych Sound)

On their debut album, 1782 deal with macabre themes: from spells to ruthless torture, from the pleasure of sex to the most perfidious revenge. Seven tracks of pure doom metal sound with mega-riff stoner doom intervals, accompanied by a rhythm section of powerful drums, intense bass, and super-fuzzy guitars. [Limited colored vinyl pressing also available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for July 5, 2019

July Program Titles Released This Week:

The Alarm – Sigma CD/LP (Twenty First Century)

Sigma acts as a sequel to 2018’s Equals and features musical contributions from original Alarm guitarist Dave Sharp and Billy Duffy from The Cult. The album features a vast array of instrumentation that The Alarm currently has at its disposal, with guitarist James Stevenson playing both guitar and bass through a unique combination of pedals, double neck, six and four string instrumentation. Charismatic drummer Smiley drives the rhythm unit with a traditional acoustic drum kit augmented by electric percussion and diverse tribal beats. Pianist Jules Peters deploys a wide-ranging palette of orchestral string and synthesized tones, along with pure pianoforte for some of the stripped down sections the songs demand. Throughout, Peters is at the forefront with his impassioned vocal delivery and ever changing use of electro-acoustic instrumentation, custom developed by British luthiers Auden Guitars, to represent the beating heart of the group’s signature sound.

The Allman Betts Band – Down To The River CD (BMG)

Led by Devon Allman, son of founding Allman Brothers Band keyboardist and singer, Gregg Allman, and Duane Betts, son of founding Allman Brothers Band guitarist and singer, Dickey Betts, Down To The River was recorded at the famed Muscle Shoals Sound Studios with producer Matt Ross-Spang (Jason Isbell, Margo Price, John Prine and Elvis Presley). The beginning of the partnership between Devon Allman and Duane Betts goes back to the Gregg Allman tribute show at the Fillmore in San Francisco. It was time, in that historic venue, to pass the spirit to the next generation. It was time to take all the lessons of the past, all their collective experiences, and make something new.

The Black Keys – Lets Rock CD/LP (Nonesuch)

The Black Keys’ long-awaited album ninth album Lets Rock – the band’s first in five years – is a return to the straightforward rock of singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney’s early days. Auerbach says, “When we’re together we are The Black Keys, that’s where that real magic is, and always has been since we were sixteen.” The 12-track collection was written, tracked live, and produced by Auerbach and Carney at Easy Eye Sound studio in Nashville and features backing vocals from Leisa Hans and Ashley Wilcoxson. “The record is like an homage to electric guitar,” adds Carney. “We took a simple approach and trimmed all the fat like we used to.” Rolling Stone said that with lead single “Lo/Hi”, “The Keys have officially returned, louder than ever” while the New York Times hailed it as “the kind of garage-boogie stomp that the band never left behind.” Equally as infectious follow-up single “Eagle Birds” is anchored by some stellar blues guitar work from Auerbach. [Indie-exclusive vinyl pressing also available.]

[Read more…] about New Releases for June 28, 2019