Extreme Announces Dates For New Global Headlining Tour

Posted on May 22, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran rock band Extreme has announced the schedule for its new world tour in support of its forthcoming album, Six.

The tour, which will see Living Colour and The Last Internationale serve as support, is scheduled to launch June 2 in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the Best of Blues and Rock festival. After the performance at the festival before fully jumping into the tour Aug. Aug. 2 in Portland, ME. The North American leg of the tour is scheduled to run though Aug. 29 in Seattle, WA.

After wrapping the North American leg of the tour, Extreme will head down under for the Australian leg of the tour, starting Sept. 6 in Perth, Australia. The Australian leg of the tour runs through Sept. 13 in Brisbane, AU.

A brief run through Japan from Sept. 19-26 will follow the Australian dates. Two of the band’s dates in Japan are already sold out. A run through Europe and the United Kingdom will wrap the band’s global tour from Nov. 27 to Dec. 16.

Tickets for the band’s tour go on sale Friday here. The tour’s schedule is noted below:

EXTREME – “THICKER THAN BLOOD” GLOBAL Tour Dates

6/2 Sao Paul, BR – Best of Blues and Rock Festival

8/2 Portland, ME – State Theatre #

8/3 Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom # **SOLD OUT**

8/5 Boston, MA – Roadrunner #

8/6 Huntington, NY – The Paramount #

8/8 Reading, PA – Santander Performing Arts Center #

8/10 Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom #

8/11 Hartford, CT – Webster Theater #

8/12 Glenside, PA – Keswick Theater #

8/14 Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall # **SOLD OUT**

8/15 Milwaukee, WI – Pabst Theater #

8/17 Gary, IN – Hard Rock Live #

8/18 Minneapolis, MN – Skyway Theatre #

8/19 Cedar Rapids, IA – The Paramount #

8/21 Denver, CO – The Ogden #

8/22 Albuquerque, NM – Revel Entertainment Center #

8/24 Anaheim, CA – House of Blues #

8/25 Reno, NV – Silver Legacy Resort Casino #

8/26 San Francisco, CA – The Regency #

8/28 Portland, OR – TBD #

8/29 Seattle, WA – The Showbox #

9/6 Perth, AU – Regal Theatre #

9/8 Adelaide, AU – Hindley Street Music Hall #

9/10 Melbourne, AU – Forum #

9/12 Sydney, AU – Enmore Theatre #

9/13 Brisbane, AU – Fortitude Music Hall #

9/17 Sendai, JP – Sendai Gigs

9/19 Yokohama, JP – KT Zepp Yokohama **SOLD OUT**

9/21 Tokyo, JP – Hitomi Memorial Hall **SOLD OUT**

9/22 Tokyo, JP – Hitomi Memorial Hall

9/25 Nagoya, JP – Shimin Kaikan Hall

9/26 Osaka, JP – Zepp Namba

11/27 Newcastle, UK – O2 City Hall #

11/28 Glasgow, UK – O2 Academy #

11/30 Manchester, UK – O2 Academy #

12/1 Wolverhampton, UK – Civic Hall #

12/3 Bristol, UK – O2 Academy #

12/4 London, UK – O2 Forum #

12/8 Pratteln, CH – Z7 Konzertfabrik *

12/10 Berlin, DE – Huxleys *

12/11 Cologne, DE – Live Music Hall *

12/12 Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg Max *

12/14 Antwerp, BE – Trix *

12/16 Milan, IT – Alcatraz *

# with Living Colour

* with The Last Internationale

Six has already produced three singles, ‘Rise,’ ‘Banshee,’ and ‘Rebel.’ The album is scheduled for release June 9 through earMusic.

More information on Extreme’s new album and tour is available along with all of the band’s news at:

Website: https://extreme-band.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/extremeband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ExtremeBand

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Blackmore’s Night To Re-Issue ‘Shadow Of The Moon’ Friday

Posted on March 9, 2023 by philspicks

Blackmore’s Night’s 1997 debut album, Shadow of the Moon, will get the re-issue treatment Friday.

The record is scheduled for re-issue in a new 25th anniversary Edition through earMusic. The re-issue will feature the original album in its entirety with fully remastered audio converted to high definitional audio. The album’s cover artwork is the same but has also been restored and reworked.

The record will re-issue on a variety of platforms, each of which will include two previously unreleased acoustic songs, ‘Spirit of the Sea’ and ‘Shadow of the Moon.’ The physical platforms will also feature a bonus DVD that presents a “making of” documentary.

As an added celebration of the record’s re-issue, two copies of the album’s Limited Black LP Edition pressings will feature “Golden Tickets.” The tickets will give their owners an original Fender Ritchie Blackmore Olympic White Stratocaster guitar signed by Blackmore and his band mates in Blackmore’s Night. More information on the tickets and contest is available here.

Late last month, Blackmore’s Night premiered the re-worked version of ‘Wish You Were Here’ as another way to build anticipation for the album’s re-issue. The song’s video is streaming here.

The full track listing for the new 25th anniversary re-issue of Shadow of the Moon is noted below.

TRACK LISTING:
CD:
“Shadow of The Moon” (25th Anniversary New Mix) (Vinyl Side A)
“The Clock Ticks On” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Be Mine Tonight” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Play Minstrel Play” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Ocean Gypsy” (25th Anniversary New Mix) (Vinyl Side B)
“Minstrel Hall” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Magical World” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Writing on The Wall” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Renaissance Faire” (25th Anniversary New Mix) (Vinyl Side C)
“Memmingen” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“No Second Chance” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Mond Tanz” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Spirit of The Sea” (25th Anniversary New Mix) (Vinyl Side D)
“Greensleeves” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Wish You Were Here” (25th Anniversary New Mix)
“Shadow of The Moon” (Ritchie & Candice Anniversary Home Session) (7″ Single, Track A)
“Spirit of The Sea” (Ritchie & Candice Anniversary Home Session) (7″ Single, Track B)

DVD:
Documentary: The story of “Shadow of The Moon” (30 min)
Music Video Clips “Shadow of The Moon,” “No Second Chance,” “Renaissance Faire” (with optional audio commentary by Candice Night + Ritchie Blackmore)

More information on the re-issue is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.Blackmoresnight.com

Facbeook: https://www.facebook.com/blackmoresnightofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruCandiceNight

Blackmore’s Night Debuts New Take Of ‘Greensleeves’, Video Ahead Of Classic Album’s Re-Issue

Posted on January 21, 2023 by philspicks

Blackmore’s Night is set to re-issue its 1997 debut album, Shadow of the Moon this spring, and in anticipation the band has released an updated take of the timeless standard ‘Greensleeves‘ this month, along with a companion lyric video. The song was featured as part of the album in its original release, though the band has been performing the song live for more than 40 years.

The album’s re-issue is scheduled for March 10 through earMusic. The take on the song featured in the forthcoming re-issue is the exact same as the original performance in terms of its general presentation. The only difference between the two takes is that the new take has been fully remixed and presented in HD audio. The same applies to the rest of the record’s songs.

Shadow of the Moon will be available on CD and vinyl. Its track listing is noted below. The CD will also feature a companion DVD that follows the creation of Shadow of the Moon and a handful of music videos for songs from the album.

As an added bonus, two copies of the album’s vinyl re-issue will have “golden tickets” that will give those who find them, a free signed Ritchie Blackmore Olympic white Fender Stratocaster guitar.

More information on the re-issue is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.Blackmoresnight.com

Facbeook: https://www.facebook.com/blackmoresnightofficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TruCandiceNight

Stratovarius’ ‘Survive’ Has Plenty of Staying Power

Posted on November 24, 2022 by philspicks

Late this past September, veteran power metal band Stratovarius returned with what is now its 16th album in the form of Survive. Released Sept. 23 through earMusic, the record more than seven years after the release of the band’s then latest album, Eternal (2015). The new album’s release has given audiences reason to be excited as is. The recent announcement of a scheduled performance April 23 at Metal Fest alongside the likes of Kreator, Testament, and Accept in support of Survive has given audiences even more reason to be excited for the band. Survive is a welcome addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums and proves it was well worth the wait. This is proven in part through the record’s features musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical arrangements are just as important in the album’s appeal as its musical arrangements and will be examined a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make Survive another powerful offering from Stratovarius that is also among the best of this year’s new hard rock and metal albums.

Survive, the latest album from Stratovarius, is an impressive new offering from the veteran power metal band that will appeal to a wide range of hard rock and metal audiences, including the band’s established audience base. Its appeal comes in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are once again a variety of fully engaging and entertaining power metal compositions for the most part. The only time when the band pulls back at all comes late in the record’s 57-minute run as the band makes its way through the contemplative opus, ‘Breakaway.’ Even in that moment, the contemplative approach is limited to the song’s verses. The choruses meanwhile are just as energetic and fiery as the rest of the album’s content. As with so much of Stratovarius’ existing work, the arrangements featured here immediately lend themselves to comparison to works from the likes of Sabaton, Visions of Atlantis, and Dragonforce in the best way possible. Stylistically, the arrangements are similar but in terms of the general sound, each song still boasts its own identity separate from those of the other noted bands and even from other songs that Satratovarius has crafted throughout its extensive catalog. To that end, the arrangements featured in this record are unquestionably important to this album.

The musical arrangements featured in Survive are just part of what makes the album appealing. The lyrical themes that accompany that content add even more to that appeal. That is because of their diversity and accessibility. Right from the record’s outset, the band delivers an uplifting, encouraging message of determination and perseverance in the album’s title track. The band noted in an interview about the song that it was inspired by everything that the band has been through over the course of its life and that it is by connection, a song about survival. Longtime front man Timo Kotipelto sings on the theme in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “I have seen the truth/I’ve seen it in my dream/I have found my voice/But don’t know what to say/Oh, I have lost my way/And no one’s here to find me/I loathe my loneliness/I hate the emptiness/I’m hanging on a wire/Ablaze and set on fire/Waiting for the crack to come/I snap and let it go/I fall through the darkness/About to lose it all/I fall against the odds/I played and lost it all/Saw the future/Now it’s gone/Only the strong will survive/I will try to find the strength inside/Only the strong will survive/I will not give up/As long as I’m alive/Only the strong will survive.” The self doubt and eventual determination exhibited here in the first verse and chorus is continued in the song’s second verse, furthering the encouragement to push on as Kotipelto sings, “An eternal road where demons go to die/Runs through this barren land/Where my madness lies/Have I now lost my mind/Am I mute, deaf and blind/I scream without a sound/I just can’t let it out.” From there, he returns to the chorus, which presents the noted determination of the song’s subject, reminding audiences once again that they can overcome those personal doubts. When this clearly delivered message of inspiration is paired with the song’s equally powerful musical arrangement, the message is delivered even more strongly, making for quite the impact.

The uplifting message delivered through the album’s opener/title track is just one example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes. The seeming theme featured in the album’s midpoint, ‘We Are Not Alone’ continues to exhibit that importance. In the case of this song, the overall picture comes across as a theme of unity over divisiveness. It does this by reminding listeners how insignificant we as a race are in the universe. This is most clearly inferred in the song’s chorus as Kotipelto sings, “In the end/We’re the same/On a universal scale/The world moves on/We just have to go along/In the end/All we are/Is a speck of dust/Among the stars/And we all hope/That we’re not here all alone/We are not alone.” So again, what audiences get is a deep, welcome theme promoting unity against an interesting bigger discussion on whether there is intelligent life out there. It is a unique way of delivering such a familiar theme that makes the theme all the more engaging and entertaining here. The message is furthered in the verses as the song’s subject waxes existential about his place in the world, which we all do. This makes the theme even more accessible to audiences and further shows the importance of the album’s lyrical themes even more.

‘World On Fire,’ which comes even later in the album’s run, is yet one more example of the diversity in the album’s lyrical themes and its overall importance. In the case of this song, the band noted in an interview that it is a commentary about the impact that humans are having on the fate of the planet’s environmental status. The topic is illustrated throughout the song, beginning with its lead verse and chorus, which state, “Our world is on fire/Don’t you dare to close your eyes/It’s time to realize/We lost the game/And are to blame/Mankind will expire/Better start to think/’Cause the ship’s about to sink/The storm is here/The end is near/Our world is on fire/Every day we saw the signs/Every day we closed our eyes/Now we pay for every choice that we’ve made/This is the moment that defines/Is all we’ll ever leave behind/A world we betrayed/Our world is on fire/Destruction/Now burning/Our world is on fire/Warning/Now the heat is rising/There’s no returning/Our world is on fire.” That mention at the end of the chorus about the heat rising sounds like it could be a reference to the world’s overall temperature rising, a direct reference to human’s role in the natural process that is climate change. The mention of burning happening could be a reference to the wildfires that have charred so many thousands of acres of forests the world over in the century-plus. The direct finger pointed at the human race, saying humans closed our eyes in a damning but true indictment of human’s role in what has happened to the planet. That mention of this moment being that which defines what we leave for the next generations is a warning to humans that if we do nothing, there will be nothing to leave behind. It is a familiar overall theme that is clearly presented without being preachy. The second verse continues in similar style as the fist and the chorus. To that end, there is no real need to examine its content. Simply put, the overall theme here is its own, separate from the rest of the lyrical content presented in Survive and also hits hard through its accessibility. It even further shows the importance of the album’s lyrical themes as part of the record’s whole. When it and the other themes examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s lyrical content, the whole pairs with the album’s overall musical content to make the record’s overall content more than reason enough to hear this presentation.

While the content featured in Survive is unquestionably important to the album’s presentation, it is just part of what collectively makes the album so appealing. The production that went into the record’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because it creates such a positive general effect. The production that went into the album ensured the vocals and instrumentations in each song were expertly balanced. The result is that there is zero problem understanding the lyrics being sung, and what’s more there is no problem actually hearing the vocals. At the same time, there is also no problem hearing the best of each band member’s performance. Each musician gets his own attention in each song to the end that every line comes together for a whole that is fully engaging and entertaining if only through its general effect. Of course as noted, the general effect is not all that this record has going for its presentation. That content examined works with the production thereof to make the album in whole a successful offering and new addition to this year’s field of new hard rock and metal albums.

Survive, the 16th new album from Stratovarius, is a strong new offering from the veteran power metal band. The record’s success comes in part through the record’s featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are another collection of powerhouse power metal compositions that are easily comparable to works from the likes of Sabaton, Visions of Atlantis, and Dragonforce. The lyrical themes that accompany the album’s musical arrangements are important to the album in its own way in their diversity and accessibility. The production that went into the album creates a positive general effect thanks to the attention and time spent balancing the vocals and instruments in each song. The positive general effect that results from that attention works with the album’s overall content to give audiences so much to enjoy here from start to end. The end result is that Survive becomes a record that will appeal equally to Stratovarius’ established audiences and hard rock and metal fans alike. They make Survive a record that will easily survive for the foreseeable future.

Survive is available now through earMusic. More information on the album is available along with all of Stratovarius’ latest news at:

Website: https://stratovarius.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stratovarius

Twitter: https://twitter.com/strato_official

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Skid Row’s ‘The Gang’s All Here’ Is All There

Posted on November 6, 2022 by philspicks

Veteran rock band Skid Row has been making music in some form or fashion for more than 30 years. Over the course of that time, the band has released only six albums. Most bands that have been around for such a long time have released well over that total, leaving one to wonder if perhaps the high turnover in the band’s lineup (and a three year hiatus in the late 90s) played into that surprisingly low number of albums. The only band that even comes close to the number of lineup changes that Skid Row has seen is L.A. Guns, and in their case, the matter goes even deeper and will be saved for another discussion at another time. Getting back to Skid Row, the band released its sixth album, The Gang’s All Here Oct. 14 through earMusic, and on its latest record, the current lineup has offered rock fans and Skid Row’s most devoted fans plenty to appreciate. That is proven in part through the musical arrangements that make up half of the album’s body. It will be discussed shortly. The lyrical content that accompanies the album’s musical arrangements make for their own share of interest and will be discussed a little later. The record’s production puts the finishing touch to the whole and brings everything full circle. It will also be addressed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make The Gang’s All Here an enjoyable addition to this year’s field of new rock albums.

The Gang’s All Here, the sixth new album from Skid Row, is a mostly successful new offering from the veteran rock band. The record’s appeal comes in part through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are of note because by and large, they feature so much of the adrenaline-fueled, guitar-driven styles and sounds that made Skid Row (and other hair metal bands of the late 80s) so popular. At the same time, there is also something about the arrangements that gives them a modern touch, too. That something is something that is difficult to put into words. It really is something that audiences must hear for themselves in order to fully understand that style and sound for themselves. Whether it be the controlled vocals of front man Erik Gronwall, the crunching guitar riffs, or something else, the fact of the matter is that each arrangement offers its own unique blend of vintage hair metal and modern rock/hard rock that really is surprising in its ability to engage and entertain audiences. The simple truth is that the approach that the band took with this record’s overall musical body is that it keeps the band fully relevant and is certain to appeal not just to Skid Row’s most devoted audience base, but to even the most casual rock and hard rock fan.

As much as the musical content featured in The Gang’s All Here does to make it appealing, it is just one part of what makes the album worth hearing. The record’s lyrical themes make for their own interest. They range from typical hair metal fare to more thoughtful, defiant statements to matters in-between that are familiar in their own right to audiences from one to the next. One of the most notable of those in-between works comes late in the album’s run in the form of ‘October’s Song.’ In the case of this song, Gronwall seems to wax existentially as he asks in the song’s chorus, “How do we get down the mountain we climb day by day?/What do we do when the light that we shine fades away?/We leave the prayers and confessions behind/Day by day/Waiting on fate to bring something divine and be saved.” He also notes of being “scared of what cannot be seen” even though “I’ll see you again in-between.” He gets even more existential early in the song as he sings that “Winter’s on the rise/Autumn still in my eyes.” This certainly comes across as metaphor for the stages of life and death. Winter is that end while autumn is close to death but not quite there. The reference to “the night of the longest goodbyes” could certainly make even more reference to this concept. This is all just this critic’s own interpretation of things, but the song certainly seems to point toward a theme of contemplating one’s mortality. If in fact that is the case then this song is, lyrically, quite an intriguing presentation that will engage audiences.

On the exact opposite end of things, lyrically, is the album’s title track, which comes far earlier in the album’s run. Specifically, it is the album’s second track. In the case of this celebratory, high-energy composition, the song comes across as being just about the joy of being with friends. This is inferred right from the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “I’m burning down the city and I’m getting with the gang/Street fight/Car crash/Starting with a bang/Working up the money/’Cause someone’s getting busted/Looks like we’re walking/’Cause the car got jacked/’Don’t worry about it ‘cause we got your back,’ he said/Alright, alright/The gang’s all here/The gang’s all here/The gang’s all here tonight.” This comes across as being that noted statement that while yes, things can and do get bad, it’s all OK when you’ve got friends you can be with, because those friends make everything better. That celebration of friends gets even clearer in the second verse, which finds Gronwall singing, “Got a bloodshot sun is rising/Jumping in the fire/I’m falling out/Shutting down/Preaching to the choir/Donny’s drinking nitro/Hanging from the ceiling/Everybody’s dizzy/And they’re losing all the feeling/That’s right.” This just seems to be an illustration of the over-the-top good time that those friends bring before Gronwall returns to the song’s chorus, celebrating that joy of being with said friends. It is a light, loose theme that, when paired with the song’s high energy musical arrangement, makes this song all the more enjoyable and just one more example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes.

‘Resurrected’ is one more song that really seems to hint at the album’s lyrical themes. In the case of this song, the theme comes across (at least to this critic) as being that all too familiar topic of defiance and standing up to naysayers and anyone who would try to be an obstacle in whatever way. That includes those in power at any level. This is inferred early on in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “Yeah, brothers and sisters/Listen to me say/The world’s on fire/But not the end of days/It’s not religion/I’m not the voodoo child/Don’t bless my heart or curse my soul/Just lead me to the wild/The judge and jury in suits and power ties/Stone cold and living out their lives/We’re not playing dead/That’s all in their head/Now’s the time to see/We’re resurrected/No one can bring us down/Or push us underground/We’re back where we should be/We’re resurrected/Yeah.” Now to a point, one could argue that maybe just maybe this is also a reference to everything that has happened with the band through its life, what with all of the lineup changes and possibly people wondering if the band even has any relevance. At the same time, even if that is the case, then it still serves as its own unique starting point for the bigger theme of not letting people or anything in life get and keep anyone down. The song’s second verse adds even more to that seeming theme as Gronwall sings, “Got to remember to look them in the eye/And watch their smile crack/As they bleed the system dry/Drunk with power without a soul to save/I know that you know/That we know what they know/Crossing fingers that I fall on my face/But they’re still jumping in my grave.” Again, this sure seems personal, and perhaps has something to do with the band’s career. At the same time, the overall theme of defiance and standing up to those in power and those who would rather try to hold people down is still there. To that end, it is still just as powerful and accessible to audiences and yet another example of why this record’s lyrical content is just as important to its presentation as its musical content. When this seeming theme and the others examined here are considered alongside the rest of the album’s lyrical content, the whole makes clear why the album’s overall lyrical theme is so important to its presentation.

As much as the overall content does to make The Gang’s All Here so important, it is not all that audiences should note. The record’s production also plays into the album’s engagement and entertainment. The production is important because the result of that work is an expect balance between the record’s vocals and instrumentations, and the instrumentations themselves. Gronwall’s vocals are perfectly balanced with the work of his band mates from one song to the next, making understanding of the words he sings so simple. Believe it or not, that does not happen with every album out there from every act. There are some records that suffer because of this aspect, where the balance between vocals and instrumentation is simply not there. Thankfully that is not the case with this record. At the same time, the balance of the guitars, bass and drums gives each work so much fullness to each overall work. It also is to thank for helping to really bring out that blend of classic hair metal and modern rock/hard rock. The result of the work there and with the vocals is an overall general effect that ensures audiences’ engagement and entertainment just as much as the record’s content itself. When all of this is considered together, the whole makes The Gang’s All Here a record that is in fact all there.

The Gang’s All Here, the latest album from Skid Row, is an enjoyable new offering from the veteran rock band that casual rock fans and the band’s more devoted fan base alike will enjoy. Its appeal comes in part through its musical arrangements, which blend the band’s late 80s/early 90s sounds and style with a more modern touch for a unique whole that is engaging and entertaining in its own right. The record’s lyrical themes are of their own interest. That is because of their diversity. From the serious to the far less so, the lyrical themes offer a range of topics for audiences to take in. The album’s production puts the finishing touch to its presentation, bringing everything full circle. Thanks to the production, the album’s general effect is just as appealing for audiences as its content. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make The Gang’s All Here a welcome addition to this year’s field of new rock albums.

The Gang’s All Here is available now through earMusic. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://skidrow.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skidrow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialSkidRow

Stratovarius Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s lead single

Posted on June 5, 2022 by philspicks

Stratovarius is scheduled to release its latest album this summer.

The band is scheduled to release its new album, Survive Sept. 23 through earMusic. In anticipation of the record’s release, the band debuted the album’s lead single Thursday in the form of the record’s title track. It followed up the single’s release Friday by debuting the single’s video.

The song’s musical arrangement is a heavy ,driving composition whose guitars form its foundation. The guitars, alongside the keyboards and the rest of the instrumentation makes the song an engaging power metal piece that is easily comparable to works from the likes of the band’s fellow power metal acts, Symphony X and Blind Guardian.

The song’s lyrical theme is meant to be a social commentary on the state of the world according to comments made by front man Jen Johansson.

“We spent five or six days solid, trying to come up with the lyrics for that song,” Johansson said. “When we finally settled on that punchline for the chorus, it was a good song about survival, and it all just seemed to fit. It fits with the history of the band, too, because we managed to survive as long as we have.

“This band has been through some strange days! The original lineup formed in 1984, so it’s been a long story. It was the middle of the summer, there were forest fires everywhere, there was a global pandemic, and all kinds of crazy shit was going on. Some of the lyrics are perhaps less uplifting than they could have been, but that reflects our mood at the time. There’s a lot of positive stuff on there, as well!”

The video for ‘Survive’ couples the song’s lyrics with footage of events that have happened around the world in recent years. The visualization, complete with the lyrics, drives home the message which Johansson addressed in his comments.

The track listing for Survive is noted below.

SURVIVE TRACK LISTING:
“Survive”
“Demand”
“Broken”
“Firefly”
“We Are Not Alone”
“Frozen in Time”
“World on Fire”
“Glory Days”
“Breakaway”
“Before the Fall”
“Voice of Thunder”

More information on Stratovarius’ new single, video, and album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://stratovarius.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stratovarius

Twitter: https://twitter.com/strato_official

Joe Satriani’s New Album Is Among The Top New Rock Records Release So Far This Year

Posted on April 9, 2022 by philspicks

Early this year, veteran virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani started building the hype for his latest album, The Elephants of Mars. As time passed, Satriani released three singles from the record, and then this week, a fourth, the record’s title track. All four songs are excellent representations of the new record, and just a sampling of how much this record has to offer. The 14-song record offers a wide range of sounds and musical styles from beginning to end. Case in point is the late entry, ‘Dance of the Spores,’ which will be discussed shortly. ‘Blue Foot Groovy,’ which comes early in the album’s one hour, four minute run time, is another way in which the noted variety is exhibited. It will be examined a little later. ‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede’ is yet another example of the diversity in the record’s arrangements and will also be examined later. When it and the other songs noted here are considered alongside the album’s singles and the rest of the record’s works, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars easily one of the best of this year’s new rock albums so far.

Joe Satriani’s brand new album, The Elephants of Mars, is another clear example of why he is one of the most respected and revered figures in the rock community today. From the album’s opening to its end, Satriani and his fellow musicians paint one rich sonic canvas after another. the four singles that the record has already produced already do well to make that clear. They are just a sample of what makes the record so strong. As noted, the rest of the record is loaded with engaging and entertaining content, too, not the least of which is ‘Dance of the Spores.’ This six minute-plus composition is a truly unique work. The use of the electronics and subtle keyboards alongside the rich guitar and less is more approach from the drums makes the song everything that audiences have come to expect from Satriani and company while also boasting its own identity. The quirky carnival style sounds that make up the song’s mid-section, what with the choral backing, adds even more to the musical picture here. One can almost see the tiny spores of various plants “dancing” in the air, the wind currents blowing them in various directions and ways. The energy that builds up until the song’s end paints a picture of them being blown all around. The whole of the song proves itself a fully engaging and entertaining work and just one more of the songs that makes the album so enjoyable.

‘Blue Foot Groovy’ is another example of the diversity exhibited in the record’s arrangements. Coming early in the album’s run, it clocks in at five minutes, 10 seconds. The opening bars throw back to the R&B sounds of the 1960s before Satch’s familiar guitar work kicks in with the layering. What is interesting is how the guitar lines were in fact layered. The verses show at least three layers, each complimenting one another so well. The choruses, meanwhile, display more of a pop sensibility. From there, it gradually builds into a more rock-oriented sound, the transition made so smoothly along the way. The whole makes the song yet another wonderful, fully immersive presentation that paints its own picture. It certainly is not the last of the record’s standout entries. ‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede’ is yet another notable entry in the record.

‘Sailing The Seas of Ganymede,’ which comes in at just under six minutes, stands out because it is just unlike the other songs examined here as they are from it and from the rest of the album’s entries. The song is a bass-driven composition in reality. Satriani just adds to the unique sense that the bass line establishes alongside the drums. The addition of the electronics and keyboards adds to the song’s sci-fi sense and in turn makes the song even more unique from its counterparts. The string arrangements that enter into the mix as the song progresses adds even more to the engagement and entertainment. Not having liner notes for this record, it is difficult to know the inspiration for any of the record’s songs, but regardless, the song still ensures audiences will develop their own pictures from this composition, too. To that end, it is yet another solid example of how much the album in whole gets right. When it is considered alongside the other songs examined here and with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars another successful offering from Joe Satriani.

The Elephants of Mars is a successful new offering from veteran guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Its success was already clearly shown, leading up to its release Friday, through each of its singles. Those songs are just part of what makes the record enjoyable. The album is loaded with diverse sounds and styles, as has been evidenced here. When the songs examined here are considered along with the rest of the record’s entries, the whole makes The Elephants of Mars, one more of the year’s top new rock albums so far.

The Elephants of Mars is available now through earMusic. More information on the album is available along with all of Joe Satriani’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.satriani.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesatriani

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chickenfootjoe

Joe Satriani Gets Funky In His Latest Single

Posted on March 19, 2022 by philspicks

Joe Satriani premiered the latest single from his forthcoming album this weekend.

Satriani debuted his new single, ‘Pumpin’‘ Friday. The song is the third single from his forthcoming album, The Elephants of Mars, which is scheduled for release April 8 through a partnership between Satriani’s own new independent label and earMusic. Pre-orders are open. The album has also produced the singles, ‘Faceless‘ and ‘Sahara.’

‘Pumpin” is as unlike the album’s existing singles as they are from one another and from ‘Pumpin”. This single takes Satriani in a funky direction. The use of the keyboard line alongside Satriani’s performance on the guitar gives the song something of a disco approach and a touch of funk, taking listeners back to the 70s. The work on the drums adds even more to that sense of vintage funk. It is a song that will engage and entertain audiences just as much as the album’s other singles.

The track listing for The Elephants of Mars is noted below.

THE ELEPHANTS OF MARS Track Listing
1.         Sahara 8. E 104^th St NYC
2.         The Elephants of Mars 9. Pumpin’
3.         Faceless                                              10. Dance of the Spores
4.         Blue Foot Groovy 11. Night Scene
5.         Tension and Release                           12. Through a Mother’s Day Darkly
6.         Sailing the Seas of Ganymede            13. 22 Memory Lane
7.         Doors of Perception 14. Desolation

The Elephants of Mars will be Satriani’s 19th album and will come less than two years after the release of his most recent album, Shapeshifting, which was released April 10, 2020 through Sony Music.

Joe Satriani released the third issue of his limited edition graphic novel, Crystal Planet in August. The graphic novel series is based on his 1998 album by the same name.

More information on Joe Satriani’s new album is available along with his latest news at:

Website: https://www.satriani.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesatriani

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chickenfootjoe

Joe Satriani Debuts “Visualizer” For New Single, ‘Faceless’

Posted on February 19, 2022 by philspicks

Famed guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani unveiled the visualizer for his new single this week.

Satriani debuted the video for his new single, ‘Faceless’ Friday. ‘Faceless’ is the second single from Satriani’s forthcoming album, The Elephants of Mars, which is scheduled for release April 8 through a partnership between Satriani’s own new independent label and earMusic. Pre-orders are open. Satriani premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Sahara‘ last month.

‘Faceless’ is vastly different from ‘Sahara.’ Where ‘Sahara’ boasts an infectious groove along the lines of works from his 2004 album, Is There Love In Space?, ‘Faceless’ is more reserved and subtle. The controlled use of the piano line, bass, and drums alongside Satriani’s performance on guitar proves that less really is more.

The track listing for The Elephants of Mars is noted below.

Joe Satriani released the third issue of his limited edition graphic novel, Crystal Planet in August. The graphic novel series is based on his 1998 album by the same name. The Elephants of Mars will be Satriani’s 19th album and will come less than two years after the release of his most recent album, Shapeshifting, which was released April 10, 2020 through Sony Music.

More information on Joe Satriani’s new album is available along with his latest news at:

Website: https://www.satriani.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joesatriani

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chickenfootjoe

Annihilator Debuts ‘Couple Suicide’ Lyric Video

Posted on February 18, 2022 by philspicks

Annihilator premiered the video for its latest single this week.

The band premiered the lyric video for its single, ‘Couple Suicide’ Thursday. The song is featured in the band’s new album, Metal II, which is a re-issue of the band’s 2007 album, Metal. The song is the third single from the re-issue behind the newly added cover of Van Halen’s ‘Romeo Delight‘ and ‘Downright Dominate.’

The re-mastered take of ‘Couple Suicide’ features guest appearances from Angela Gossow (ex-Arch Enemy) and Danko Jones.

‘Couple Suicide’ and its lyric video are meant to tell the story of a couple that is on the verge of its end, but still has one last chance to survive, according to information presented in the press release announcing the video’s premiere. The video features the song’s lyrics over images of couples in their happy and not so happy moments as the song plays over the visualization.

The musical arrangement featured in the song is a unique presentation. It incorporates elements of 80s hair metal with late 80s/early 90s thrash a la Anthrax for its overall presentation. It makes for plenty of engagement and entertainment in its own right.

Metal II is available now through earMUsic. More information on Annihilator’s new album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.annihilatormetal.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annihilatorband

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annihilatorband

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Tag Archives: earMusic

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