Big Scenic Nowhere (Fu Manchu, Yawning Man, etc.) have announced that they will be releasing a new EP titled “Lavender Blues” on October 23. The effort, which can be pre-ordered HERE, will feature Per Wiberg (Kamchatka, ex-Opeth), Daniel Mongrain (Voivod), and Chris Goss (Masters Of Reality). Here’s the track listing:
01. “Lavender Blues”
02. “Blink Of An Eye”
03. “Labyrinths Fade”
Sammy Hagar & The Circle recently performed Van Halen’s “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)” as part of their “Lockdown Sessions.” You can see footage of that below. Hagar said the following:
“When I heard that Kurt Cobain had taken his own life, the first thing I thought of was I wish I were there and could have tried to save him. The original title for these lyrics were ‘I want to show you what love can do,’ but because it was such a dark horrible thing I just couldn’t shine a light on it. So I changed the final line to ‘Don’t tell me what love can do.’ P.S. It was also the time of the breaking up of Van Halen, our last album and tour so it added a lot of emotion, negativity and pain in the original vocal performance which surfaced the second I started singing this song for the first time since 1995.”
Muse have shared an official trailer for their “Simulation Theory” film. That movie will be released in IMAX theaters around the world on August 17, before receiving a digital release on August 21.
The following information was also provided with the preview:
“From February to October of 2019 MUSE took their Simulation Theory Tour to over 28 countries and played in front of more than 1 MILLION people. Now fans will be able to experience the spectacle and more, beginning August 17th when “MUSE – Simulation Theory: The IMAX Experience” will be available exclusively in select IMAX Theaters around the world and August 21st when the Simulation Theory movie will be available for rent or download on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play (distribution will be via Eagle Rock Entertainment). For more information please go to http://muse.mu/film
Conceived and filmed at London’s O2 Arena in September 2019 the film directed by Lance Drake, (who also directed all the promo videos for Simulation Theory album) and Produced by Muse, Pulse Films, Lance Drake, Jesse-Lee Stout and Matthew Bellamy, follows a team of scientists as they investigate the source of a paranormal anomaly appearing around the world. Blurring the lines between narrative and concert film, virtual and reality, Muse’s most theatrical tour to date launches the viewer through a supernatural spectacle, questioning the world around us.
Says Drake, “the goal for Simulation Theory was to capture the scale of the electrifying live show and to expand upon its connection to the DNA of the world we built for the past three years in music videos for Muse. In a strange turn, the film’s alternate reality eerily started to mirror our own.”
Fans can pre order tickets for the IMAX showings http://imax.com/muse
The film has also undergone IMAX’s cutting-edge proprietary Digital Media Re-Mastering (DMR) and sound mixing process to take advantage of the stunning visuals and precision audio of the IMAX® Experience. In IMAX, MUSE fans will be immersed in a cinematic world of unmatched scope and clarity, surrounded by next-generation precision audio that delivers pitch-perfect tuning and pin-point accuracy in custom-designed IMAX theatres.
Theater safety measures will comply with governmental and exhibitor guidelines. Examples of typical measures taken may include but are not limited to use of masks by employees, social distancing and capacity constraints, as well as increased sanitation efforts. Please contact your local exhibitor for more information on their specific precautions.
Available for pre order on the same day will be 2 different limited edition deluxe box sets which will be available via muse.mu and physical retail. To celebrate the release of the Deluxe box sets, MUSE also teamed up with Marvel Comics to create and release a custom Simulation Theory comic book and limited-edition poster.”
Papa Roach have shared a new live video for their song “Last Resort.” The footage was taken from the band’s recent “Infest” 20th anniversary livestream set.
The 2021 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite this, organizers will still be launching a week-long virtual event on January 18 via BelieveInMusic.tv.
NAMM president and CEO, Joe Lamond, issued the following statement:
“While it remains unsafe for us to gather in person in January, Believe In Music week will use new, intuitive technology to connect us all to harness the incredible energy that happens when we come together.
With a robust marketplace to launch new products and share your brand story, Believe In Music will also feature networking and matchmaking for our buyers and our sellers, education for all segments of the industry, and live music and concerts. And just like at all NAMM events, these activities will raise awareness and financial support to serve our NAMM family across our Circle of Benefits model. Believe In Music week will be a critical step for our industry to help us prepare for the new year and new opportunities.
If there’s any one common vision, it’s that as a global community, we believe in music. We believe in the future of music and in the future of our industry, and in this moment, we will unite and support music makers around the world.”
Time for the next edition of Metal Anarchy’s “new music showcase,” the feature where I introduce you to bands that readers of this site may find interesting. This time I have an exclusive Q&A with Random Ties.
METAL ANARCHY: Tell me a little about your band:
RANDOM TIES: Hey everyone I am Youssef the frontman for Random Ties, a heavy hitting rock band based in Detroit.
First let me take you back to 2019 which was when I moved to the US from Lebanon, I didn’t know anyone or how the music scene was, so I started going to open mics with my acoustic guitar and meeting other musicians. Then one thing led to another and me the rest of the guys.
We have, KD who plays the drums thunderously bringing that heavy hitting power with amazing fills and breaks, Thew whose on the second guitar, compliments my playing with his fills that are all over our EP and Steven originally from Nirvana’s hometown brought a grunginess to the album with some great baselines.
METAL ANARCHY: Who are your main influences?
RANDOM TIES: My first exposure to music was listening to my grandad sing the Opera, which sounded so melodic yet powerful, and I thought I would follow in his footsteps.
When I was 8 years old, I started listening to the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. That’s where my love for music grew.
The sound that changed my life was the 90’s bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters. Their music shaped who we are as a generation honestly growing up listening to them it was.
METAL ANARCHY: What is your latest release and why should readers of this site check it out?
RANDOM TIES: There’s a saying in “Art is never completed, it’s just abandoned.” Our latest EP “Believe” was released recently on Spotify and all other major streaming platforms. This was the EP I put on hold for years. I wrote and did a lot of the stuff myself as opposed to previously, I would work with a group.
Comprised of 6 songs, I wanted each one to have a catch and touch on sensitive topics such as losing a loved one, struggles of starting a family, faith and making things work in a relationship.
I wanted to have an honest message with lyrics people could relate to & licks they can dance to.
Our next single “Thawra” which will be released on August 14 on our YouTube channel is about the humanitarian crises in Lebanon so this song is my way to support the people & hopefully shed some light at the end of that tunnel.
This is the art work for the single and your audience is the first to get a glimpse of it done by the Talented Layal @ipr1ncess:
METAL ANARCHY: What can people expect when they go to your live shows?
RANDOM TIES: Our interaction with fans starts before our show. We do a treasure hunt game where we hide a case of beer and the fans that show up early get a chance at claiming it and we try and meet as many as we can via meet & greets or just hanging out in our merch area.
When the lights are on, its high energy from the first chord. Our fans are usually jumping up on stage with us and every time we sing our song “Liar” we invite a few fans to do the backup vocals.
We want them to have a great experience and to be able to take something home with them once the lights are out and the bar is closed.
METAL ANARCHY: Where do you see your band heading in 5 years?
RANDOM TIES: We’d like to be a band that gives a voice to the less fortunate and oppressed. We’d like to be defiant vs. those that are corrupt or abuse their power. We want to remain consistent by providing quality music to our audience and reach a wider fan base geographically, so a big thanks to you for giving us this interview and a voice.
We are turning to social media more to connect with our fans and new listeners, keeping them engaged with good content on Instagram and Facebook.
Nomad Stones, the band featuring Cave In‘s Adam McGrath and JR Conners, have released a Joe Walsh covers EP titled “Barnburners – A Tribute To Joe Walsh.” The effort, which can be found on Bandcamp, features their takes on “Turn To Stone,“ “A Life Of Illusion,” and “Rosewood Bitters.“
DJ Ashba (Sixx:A.M., ex-Guns N’ Roses) has posted a teaser for his new song/video “Hypnotic.” The full track, which features Cali Tucker, will be released on August 13 at 9:00 p.m. PDT. Ashba will also be hosting a special watch party and a Q&A session with other celebrities that night as well. He said the following:
“My debut single, ‘Hypnotic’, is a high intense EDM track with big rock guitars. When I perform live along with my DJ, the futuristic AI visuals will take the crowd on a journey to the unknown. I will be featuring a different singer on each track. This music will have no boundaries.”
Michael Schenker has revealed that he his currently finishing up a new Michael Schenker Group album titled “Immortal.” That effort will be released on January 8, 2021.
The following was said on Schenker’s Facebook page:
“Michael Schenker is currently in the final stages of recording a brand new MSG album, which is set to be released on Nuclear Blast on January 8th, 2021. The album title will be “Immortal“, a perfect statement to describe Michael Schenker’s legacy and to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a musician.
“Immortal” will feature a big list of friends and guests, including the the album’s main vocalist Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords of Black), alongside Michael Voss (Mad Max), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple, Rainbow) singing on two tracks each. The new album line-up includes Steve Mann on keyboards, Barry Sparks (Dokken) on bass, three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Philipps (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake), as well as the brilliance of the man himself, Michael Schenker, on guitars. Guests also include keyboard virtuoso Derek Sherinian on the opening track.
This super team recorded ten tracks, including the magnum opus “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind”, the first song ever written by Michael Schenker and previously recorded on Scorpions’ debut “Lonesome Crow”. The song was recorded to celebrate Michael’s 50th anniversary and features even more surprises, with singers Gary Barden, Doogie White, Robin McAuley and drummer Simon Phillips joining in this epic celebration.
The limited first edition of this upcoming MSG album will feature another unique extra: a Blu-ray of Michael Schenker Fest performance recorded during their headline show at Bang Your Head Festival two years ago.”
Martin Birch has sadly passed away at the age of 71. The legendary producer is known for his work with Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Whitesnake, Blue Öyster Cult, and more. You can find various tributes for Birch below:
