TotalRock Newsletter: May In Rock
Written by Kahmel Farahani on May 10, 2021
TotalRock Newsletter May
From the best shows to the biggest interviews we have you covered: welcome to this month in the TotalRock Newsletter.
Band Of The Month – May
Hailing from deepest, darkest Suffolk, symphonic and progressive extreme metallers continue the tradition and staple of the Witch County trademark sound, encompassing all that is dark, brooding, and macabre. In addition, the band takes different singing approaches, with poetic spoken word elements, full choirs, and memorable choruses to guttural destruction carried forth through the main vocals. On the debut album, ‘3.6.2.4’, Ghosts of Atlantis build the lore around the mythology of ancient Greece and the lost city of Atlantis while narrating their own story, weaving historical findings and fantasy storytelling into one epic journey. The lore contains relevance to both this world and the mythological world of Atlantis. There is a valid reason behind the title, ‘3.6.2.4’. However, the band would like the listeners to try and work out the relevance. May will see the band come full circle with TotalRock, having had their first ever airplay and interview with Mighty Matt Mason, a follow up with Ron with the album release on Black Lion Records, now nominated by Xander and voted our May Band of the Month!
Biggest and Best Stories of the Month
Billy Gibbons announces new solo Album `Hardware`
A release sure to thrill all lovers of southern and classic rock from London to Texas, ZZ Top legend Billy Gibbons has announced his third solo album! Set for a June 4th 2021 release , `Hardware` is named in honour of long-time ZZ Top engineer Joe Hardy. The new album also features long time collaborator and former Guns N’ Roses drummer Matt Sorum handling the backbeat. Billy Gibbons told TotalRock “We holed up in the dessert for a couple of weeks in the heat of the summer of 2020 and that in itself was pretty intense. To let off steam we just `Let It Rock` and that’s what `Hardware` is all about”. The 10 track album will be released via Concord Records and you can watch the latest video and single above.
RIP Jim Steinman
This month we said farewell to legendary songwriter Jim Steinman, who passed away aged 73. The New York born composer, arranger, playwright and lyricist was best known for penning the seminal `Bat Out Of Hell` album for Meatloaf. It went on to become one of the biggest selling records of all time. Steinman enjoyed a highly successful yet often turbulent relationship with Meatloaf, leaving the partnership in the 80s to write hits for other artists, including `Total Eclipse Of The Heart` which became a smash hit for Bonnie Tyler. Steinman would work with many other artists, including The Sisters Of Mercy and Air Supply, before finally reuniting with Meatloaf for the triumphant comeback single `I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)`. “We Belonged heart and soul to each other” Meatloaf told Rolling Stone remembering Steinman, “we didn’t know each other, we were each other”.
Kiss Launch New Archival Live Series
Kiss have announced the launch of a new live soundboard collection next month, on June 11th. A band with a famously celebrated history of live albums, this new series promises to be a treat for die-hard Kiss Army members. Kicking off with their performance at the Tokyo Dome in 2001, this set covers the band’s celebrated reunion tour with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss back in the fold. As Always with Kiss, there are several format optiosn available, from double CD to a triple crystal swirl vinyl set available on the official Kiss website. Watch the launch video above.
Bruce Dickinson Announces Spoken Word Tour
The voice of Iron Maiden has announced his special `Evening With` shows, his first UK tour of this kind. The highly acclaimed show will be made up of two parts: the first part made up of Dickinson’s anecdotes and stories about his years of touring as well as his other pursuits while part two will be a Q & A session with the audience. A rare opportunity for Iron Maiden fans as well as music fans in general, the tour promises to be something special and certainly out of the ordinary. The tour runs through early August and tickets are on sale now.
Gun launch new single and announce UK tour
Glasgow’s favourite sons have just announced a full UK tour in November/December and released a new single to sweeten the deal! `Whisky and A Prayer` was originally a bonus track on the Japanese edition of Gun’s critically acclaimed `Favourite Pleasures`album. It should also serve fans as a taster of things to come as the band plan on recording their upcoming 8th studio album this year.
Tickets and a full list of tour dates can be found here – https://www.gunofficial.co.uk/tour
Interview Of The Month
In this month’s featured interview, Tracii Guns spoke to TotalRock’s own Dawn Osborne about his new Sunbomb project, what the future holds for L.A. Guns, lockdown recording and his life in Norway. Check out the full chat above !
Show of The Month
The Metal Messiah Sunday Service brings you two hours of heavy metal thunder at 7pm every Sunday night with an ample dose of Thrash, Heavy and Power Metal. The show is hosted by The Metal Messiah…the man who, with nerves of steel and the power of denim and leather, strives to search the land for the best in hard rock and heavy metal.
A new feature on the show is the “Battle Of The Thrashers” where 2 thrash bands are pitted against each other and voted for by the public in our Total Rockers Facebook Group. The winner advances on to the next round. Tune in to find out who will win and bask in Thrash glory.
Some of bands that have had Interviews featured on the show are Judas Priest, Helloween, Evil Invaders, UDO and Alien Weaponry. The Metal Messiah Sunday Service are always looking for new, underground bands, partially UK Thrash metal, so get in touch!
Listen to the latest Sunday Service here
Swag Of The Month
After the success of their debut 2017 album Syteria released their sophomore album Reflection in early 2020. Once the pandemic hit any plans for press and touring came to a halt. “We released it on the 21st of February 2020. Almost immediately after the release we we’re put into a lock down. It was going to be a great tour. We sold lots of tickets – it was quite frustrating.” Chambers explains. Syteria blend classic rock styling with punk fuzz and fun four part harmonies that you’ll want to sing along to. “It’s a different style but it’s still Girlschool-ish. When I write for Syteria it’s a completely different feeling. I use a lot of harmonies that we wouldn’t necessarily use for Girlschool.” Renaissance Records has announced that they will be releasing a reissue of Reflection onto 180g vinyl on May of 2021. This deluxe gatefold LP will include extra incentives such as a poster and lyric sheet.
For your chance to win this fabulous LP. click here
Upcoming Shows
DJ Force X – The Dirtchamber
May
7th – Ultrakiller (Polish electronic synth wave metal)
14th – Nothing Noble (all 4 members of the Danish Metal Band)
21st – Joe James (co-director of Radar Festival)
28th – Punk Rock Factory
June – 4th – Go Ahead and Die (Igor Amadeus Cavalera)
Matt Mason – The Mattcave
Interview with 9 year old Princess Beast -singer from Grindcore band Animal Schoolbus. She was 2 years old when most of the tracks from debut album “Going to Grammy’s House?!” was recorded.
Tina Saul – The Noiseletter
10th May – My chat with Lars Nedland from White Void
Ron Morrow – The Moshpit
8th May – Artillery interview
Anne – Audio Ink
May 10th will be all about guilty pleasures! What guilty pleasure bands do you crank when nobody else is listening?
