Alien Weaponry Debuts ‘Hatupatu’ Video

Courtesy: Napalm Records

Alien Weaponry premiered the video for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Hatupatu‘ Friday. The single is the third from the band’s new album, Tangaroa. The album, which is available now through Napalm Records, ahas also produced the singles, ‘Tangaroa‘ and ‘Buried Underground.’

The video for ‘Hatupatu’ features the band — Lewis de Jong, Henry de Jong, and Ethan Trembath — performing its new single in a forest setting as a young Maori warrior faces off a beast. The story of that young warrior is tied directly to the song’s lyrical content.

Henry de Jong talked about that lyrical content in a prepared statement.

“The story of ‘Hatupatu’ is one Lewis and I grew up with – our father was the first person to tell us as children,” he said. “Having a family connection with it only made creating a song more intriguing for us. Traditionally, Māori legends were passed down through families by re-telling them, not by having them written down in books. It only makes sense for us to be re-telling this story as our tūpuna (ancestors) did for generations. We cannot wait to share with the rest of the world.”

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Hatupatu’ is a heavy, rich, guitar-driven composition. Its sound and stylistic approach is similar to that of much of the songs from the band’s debut album, Tu.

In other news, Alien Weaponry is scheduled to launch a new tour alongside Gojira and Knocked Loose beginning Oct. 8 in Boise, ID. The tour features performances in cities, such as Asheville, NC; Cleveland, OH and Tucson, AZ.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Tickets are available here.

ALIEN WEAPONRY Tour Dates with Gojira & Knocked Loose:
^ = ALIEN WEAPONRY ONLY/HEADLINER

October 8 – Boise, ID @ Revolution Center
October 9 – Sacramento, CA @ Aftershock (festival)
October 11 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Union
October 13 – Kansas City, MO @ Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland
October 14 – Wichita, KS @ The Cotillion
October 15 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom
October 16 – Houston, TX @ Bronze Peacock @ House of Blues^
October 17 – New Orleans, LA @ Civic Theatre *SOLD OUT*
October 19 – Tampa, FL @ Jannus Live
October 20 – Orlando, FL @ Hard Rock Live
October 22 – Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works *SOLD OUT*
October 23 – Asheville, NC @ Thomas Wolfe Auditorium *SOLD OUT*
October 25 – Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
October 26 – Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus^
October 27 – Portland, ME @ State Theatre
October 28 – Rochester, NY @ Main Street Armory
October 29 – Cleveland, OH @ The Agora *SOLD OUT*
October 30 – Albany, NY @ Albany Capital Center
November 1 – Richmond, VA @ The National
November 2 – Knoxville, TN @ Civic Auditorium
November 3 – Chattanooga, TN @ The Signal *SOLD OUT*
November 5 – Madison, WI @ The Sylvee
November 6 – St. Louis, MO @ The Factory at The District
November 7 – Ft. Wayne, IN @ The Clyde Theatre
November 9 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line^
November 10 – Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge^
November 12 – Cincinnati, OH @ Madison Live^
November 13 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl^
November 14 – Daytona Beach, FL @ Welcome To Rockville (festival)
November 16 – Austin, TX @ 3 Ten @ ACL Live^
November 17 – Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill^
November 19 – Tucson, AZ @ Encore^
November 20 – Window Rock, AZ @ Navajo Nation^
November 21 – Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater^

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

Website: https://alienweaponry.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlienWeaponry

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Mark Morton Plots Release Of New EP, ‘Ether’

Courtesy: Rise Records/BMG

Mark Morton has another record on the way.

Morton, who spends most of his time with metal outfit Lamb of God, is scheduled to release his new EP Ether in January through Rise Records/BMG. The EP’s release date will be announced soon. The five-track record’s lead single ‘All I Had To Lose,’ which features a guest appearance by Mark Morales (Sons of Texas) is scheduled to debut Jan. 10.

The EP’s release comes almost a year after the release of his solo debut Anasthetic, which was released March 1 through Spinefarm Records.

Morton talked about the EP’s impending release in a recent interview.

“I’m thrilled to announce the upcoming release of my new, five-song EP Ether on Rise Records!,” he said.  “Once again I’ve had the great pleasure of working with some amazingly talented artists and friends to assemble this collection of tunes, all of which feature a strong acoustic guitar component.  Inspired by the acoustic sets I had the opportunity to perform last spring and summer in support of Anasthetic, I began writing some new songs to reflect that more mellow vibe.  I’m stoked with the results and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been putting together.  I’ll be debuting these tunes on my upcoming U.K. acoustic tour, so you can hear them live before they’re released anywhere else!”

Morton also discussed working with Morales and the EP’s other guests — Lizzy Hale, John Carbone and Howard Jones — on the EP.

“I continue to be honored to have the chance to work with so many incredibly talented people and I remain beyond grateful to the fans that have come alongwith me and supported these projects.  Thanks so much, everyone!”

Ether‘s track listing is noted below.  The record was produced by Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Soulfly, Gojira).

Ether tracklisting:

1. All I Had To Lose (featuring Mark Morales)

2. The Fight (featuring John Carbone)

3. She Talks To Angels (featuring Lzzy Hale)

4. Love My Enemy (featuring Howard Jones)

5. Black (featuring Mark Morales)

The U.K. dates that Morton mentioned are listed below.

MARK MORTON UK tour dates:

1/8 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla

1/9 – Manchester, UK @ Academy 3

1/10 – Glasgow, UK @ Cathouse

1/11 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy 2

1/12 – London, UK @ Camden Underworld

More information on Morton’s new EP, tour dates and more is available online at:

 

Website: http://markmortonmusic.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/markmortonmusic

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MarkDuaneMorton

 

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Devin Townsend Project Announces New Live Dates

Courtesy: InsideOut MUsic

Devin Townsend Project announced a new string of live dates this week that is set to begin in April.

The band announced Wednesday it will embark on a two-week tour in support of its latest album Transcendence.  The tour is scheduled to begin April 28 in Pamona, CA and run through May 14 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joining the band as support on select dates will be Gojira, Opeth and Mastodon.  Thank You Scientist and Oni will be co-headliners along with DTP on other select dates.  The bands’ complete tour schedule is noted below.

DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT – Upcoming US Dates
Friday, April 28th – Pomona, CA @ The Glass House*
Saturday, April 29th – Flagstaff, AZ @ The Orpheum*
Sunday, April 30th – Albuquerque, NM @ Sunshine Theater*
Tuesday, May 2nd – St Louis, MO @ The Ready Room*
Thursday, May 4th – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues*
Friday, May 5th – Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr Smalls*
Saturday, May 6th – Philadelphia, PA @ Electric Factory^^
Sunday, May 7th – Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom^
Tuesday, May 9th – Chicago, IL @ The Vic Theatre^
Thursday, May 11th – Denver, CO @ Red Rock Amphitheatre^
Friday, May 12th – Kansas City, KS @ Arvest Bank Theatre^
Saturday, May 13th – Indianapolis, IN @ Egyptian Room^
Sunday, May 14th – Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart’s**

* – Headlining with Thank You Scientist & ONI
** – Headlining with Thank You Scientist
^ – Supporting Opeth & Gojira
^^ – Supporting Mastodon, Opeth & Gojira

Transcendence was recorded at The Armoury Studios in Vancouver, Canada with Townsend and Adam “Nolly” Getgood (Periphery, Animals as Leaders).  The band recently unveiled the video for the album’s latest single ‘Stormbending,’ which can be seen here.

Courtesy: InsideOut MUsic

More information on Devin Townsend Project’s new tour schedule is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.hevydevy.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dvntownsend

 

 

 

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2017 Rock On The Range Festival Lineup Announced

Courtesy: Danny Wimmer Presents/AEG Live

The lineup for the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival has been announced, and once again it has proven to be quite the collection of acts.

The three-day festival will be headlined by Metallica, Soundgarden and Korn.  It will feature more than 50 bands over the course of that time along with some of the country’s top comics at the festival’s Rock on the Range Rolling Rock Comedy Tent.

The lineup for the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival includes: Metallica, Soundgarden, Korn, The Offspring, Volbeat, Primus, Bush, Chevelle, Papa Roach, Seether, Coheed & Cambria, Alter Bridge, The Pretty Reckless, Taking Back Sunday, Thrice, Amon Amarth, Pierce The Veil, Sum 41, Skillet, Dillinger Escape Plan, In Flames, Gojira, Biffy Clyro, Motionless In White, Nothing More, Beartooth, Starset, Every Time I Die, The Story So Far, Deafheaven, Zakk Sabbath, Rival Sons, The Amity Affliction, Attila, Norma Jean, Suicide Silence, Whitechapel, I Prevail, Turnstile, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Red Fang, Dorothy, Kyng, Radkey, As Lions, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Sylar, Fire From The Gods, Badflower, Wage War, Goodbye June, Cover Your Tracks, DED, Bleeker, Royal Republic, Mother Feather, Aeges and One Less Reason.

Rock on the Range—fueled by Monster Energy—is billed as America’s largest and most acclaimed rock festival.  The festival will also feature in 2017 “The Music Experience,” art installations, and unique on-site activities over the course of the festival’s three days.

Tickets for the 2016 festival sold out more than two months in advance of the festival.  It marked the fourth consecutive year the festival has sold out in advance.

Weekend Field, new Weekend Field VIP, Weekend Stadium and a limited number of Weekend Stadium 4-packs are available now for purchase.  A layaway option is also available for concert-goers.  That option allows audiences to split the cost of their ticket/ticket packages into four separate monthly payments.

Fans can get a pre-sale password for Weekend Field VIP, Weekend Field GA, Weekend Stadium GA and Weekend Stadium GA 4-packs on the official Rock on the Range website, Facebook page and Twitter page.  The ticket prices are listed below.

 

• Weekend Field VIP: starting at $349.50* + fees
• Weekend Field GA: starting at $199.50* + fees
• Weekend Stadium GA: starting at $99.50* + fees
• Weekend Stadium GA Ticket 4-Pack: $380.00 + fees
• * Phase One prices listed
• *** Ticket prices automatically move to the next price level once the allotment sells out ***

General on-sale for tickets is Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. EST.  Tickets will be available online at the festival’s website, at Ticketmaster locations and the MAPFRE Stadium box office.

Audiences who want an even more special concert experience can purchase the new Uber Ranger Camping Package.  The package includes amenities for four people such as luxury RV on a double campsite at the Ohio Expo North Campground (May 18 – 21), a dedicated concierge with golf cart shuttle, 4 Weekend VIP Field Admission Tickets, a backstage tour, access to the stadium club (with catered lunch and dinner), access to the Side Stage Viewing Platform, access to the VIP Lounge and more.  More information on the new Uber Ranger Camping Package is available here.

Rock on The Range celebrated its 10^th anniversary in 2016.  More than 120,000 people attended the festival from around the world.  As part of its 10^th anniversary celebration, Columbus, OH mayor Andrew J. Ginther and the Columbus, OH city council presented festival organizers with awards of recognition.  A resolution was also announced from the Franklin County Board of Commissioners acknowledging the festival’s economic impact on the city.

The commissioners pointed out in their resolution pointed out the festival brought in more than $140 million for the city over the course of its ten years in the city.

Rock on the Range is produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, AEG Live and MAPFRE Stadium.  It is supported by Monster Energy, Bud Light and Zippo.  They and other partners will feature interactive experiences, meet & greets, and other special fan engagement opportunities throughout the festival.

More information on the 2017 Rock on the Range Festival is available online now at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.RockontheRange.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rockontherange

Twitter: http://twitter.com/rockontherange

 

 

 

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Like A Storm Unveils New Single

New Zealand hard rock outfit Like A Storm released its latest single this week.

The band released the song ‘Pure Evil’ this week.  The song is a brand new offering from the band.  Guitarist Matt Brooks explained the religious and political commentary contained within the song in a recent interview.  He said it takes on the contrary nature of so many of the world’s political and religious leaders.

“Those members of our society who are supposed to be a shining example of morality are so often revealed to be corrupt, immoral and even dangerous,” Brooks said.  “The cover-ups, scandals and exploitation that pervade the highest levels of church and government are just sickening.  So ‘Pure Evil’ seemed like the perfect way to sum up this absolute hypocrisy – these people appear so righteous, but at their core they are the worst of the worst.”

Courtesy: Century Media/Century Media Records

Brooks said the inspiration for the hard-edged approach to the song’s arrangement came from the band’s time on the road.

“After playing festivals to crowds like Download and Graspop, we started approaching music in terms of what we could envision seas of people rocking out to in unison,” he said.

He added the band’s current tour of Europe played a part in its new approach to songwriting, too.

“From all of our touring here we got turned onto a lot of heavier music coming out of Europe/Scandanavia like Dimmu Borgir and Gojira.  We’ve always loved writing music that’s layered and epic, and wanted to keep pushing that.”

Brooks said the band was especially excited to perform live in Europe.

“From the very first time we came over, we knew that this was a special part of the world to come and play,” he said.  “Rock and metal are definitely not dead here!  People wear their hearts on their sleeves.  We’ve never had a bad show here, so we’re very stoked to be back.”

Like A Storm’s new sound has not gone unnoticed.  Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti, who recently shared time on stage with Like A Storm, had high praise for the band and its new single.

“‘Pure Evil’ is totally killer!,” said Tremonti.  “This song will be so badass live!”

Tremonti’s band mate, Myles Kennedy, praised the band’s work ethic.  He said the band has earned its success.

“They’re hardcore,” he said.  “I see them show up on stage every night and give it 10,000 percent.  They definitely have proved that they deserve every bit of success that they have coming to them.”

The band recently filmed a video to accompany its new song.  The video will be unveiled later this month.  The video, filmed in an abandoned church, required the band to hire armed security for the shoot, said Brooks.  He said the security was necessary because of the reputation of the unnamed city where the video was shot.

“We actually filmed in a place considered to be one of America’s most dangerous cities,” Brooks said.  “We had to hire armed police officers as security – that was a different experience, coming from New Zealand!”

Like A Storm’s current European tour schedule is noted below.

 

LIKE A STORM – Europe/UK Tour with Alter Bridge & Special Guests

Nov. 8th – Paris, FRANCE @ Zenith
Nov. 9th – Brussels, BELGIUM @ AB
Nov. 10th – Amsterdam, HOLLAND @ HMH
Nov. 13th – Berlin, GERMANY @ Columbiahalle
Nov. 14th – Vienna, AUSTRIA @ Gasometer
Nov. 16th – Katowice, POLAND @ Spodek
Nov. 18th – Stockholm, SWEDEN @ Annexet
Nov. 20th – Oslo, NORWAY @ Sentrum Scene
Nov. 21st – Copenhagen, DENMARK @Falconer Theatre
Nov. 23rd – Manchester, ENGLAND @ Manchester Arena
Nov. 24th – London, ENGLAND @ O2 Arena
Nov. 26th – Nottingham, ENGLAND @ Motorpoint Arena
Nov. 27th – Birmingham, ENGLAND @ Genting Arena
Nov. 28th – Cardiff, WALES @ Motorpoint Arena
Dec. 1st – Glasgow, SCOTLAND @ Hydro
Dec. 2nd – Leeds, ENGLAND @ First Direct Arena
Dec. 4th – Frankfurt, GERMANY @ Jahrhunderthalle
Dec. 5th – Cologne, GERMANY @ Palladium
Dec. 6th – Hamburg, GERMANY @ Mehrl Theater
Dec. 9th – Bologna, ITALY @ Unipol Arena
Dec. 10th – Munich, GERMANY @  Zenith
Dec. 11th – Basel, SWITZERLAND @ St Jakobshalle

 

More information on Like A Storm’s new single is available online along with all of the band’s latest tour updates, news and more at:

 

 

 

Website: http://www.likeastorm.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/likeastormofficial

Twitter: http://twitter.com/RealLikeAStorm

 

 

 

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TesseracT Joining Gojira For Upcoming North American Tour

Courtesy: Roadrunner Records/eOne

TesseracT is returning to the U.S. this fall.

The U.K.-based progressive metal band has announced that it will serve as support for Gojira on its upcoming U.S. tour.  The tour is in support of Gojira’s upcoming album Magma, due out Friday June 17^th via Roadrunner Records.  As TesseracT front man Dan Tomkins noted in a recent interview, the tour will be the band’s last in support of Polaris, its latest full-length studio recording.  Polaris was released September 18^th, 2015.  He also discussed touring with Gojira, noting, “We are thrilled to announce that we will be back in the U.S. and Canada throughout September and October.”  He went on to say, “This will be the final tour of the ‘Polaris’ cycle and we couldn’t think of a better way to do it! This will be our first support tour in a long time and we are very excited to be touring with such a groundbreaking and unique band; it will be an honour to share the stage with them. Gojira have a great and loyal fanbase and we look forward to presenting our live show to them and of course for our own dedicated fans and friends. We will again be running our VIP meet and greets, which are always so much fun, so we hope to shake hands and chat with even more new faces this time around!”

This fall’s upcoming North American tour will mark the first time since last year’s run with The Contortionist, Erra, and Skyharbor.  Tickets for the band’s upcoming live dates go on sale this Friday, May 6^th.  They can be purchased online here at each venue’s ticket office.  Special bundle packs can be purchased online here.  Full album streams of Polaris are currently available online now via YouTube at the band’s official website.  Audiences can also view the video for the song ‘Survival’ online via Kscope’s official YouTube channel now.

More information on TesseracT’s upcoming tour is available now online along with the band’s latest news, links to purchase Polaris and more at:

 

Website: http://www.tesseractband.uk.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tesseractband

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tesseractband

 

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ROTR Organizers Announce Early Details For 2014 Festival

Courtesy: MSO PR

The 2013 edition of the annual Rock on the Range festival was one of the biggest that organizers of the annual event have ever experienced.  2013 saw the annual event completely sell out.  Seeing the success that the festival had in 2013, festival organizers have announced that the festival will now expand to three full days this year. The festival, which will run from May 16^th – May 18^th this year, will be headlined by three very big name acts.  Those acts are Guns N’ Roses, Avenged Sevenfold, and Kid Rock.

While the trio of aforementioned bands will headline the once again expanded festival (last year saw the festival expand to three nights) are big names in themselves, they won’t be the only bands to perform at this year’s show.  Also scheduled to perform this year are: Seether, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Staind, Motorhead, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, Mastodon, Black Label Society and Killswitch Engage among many others.  The complete lineup of bands scheduled to perform at this year’s ROTR Festival is listed below.

2014 ROCK ON THE RANGE BAND LINEUP

Guns N’ Roses, Avenged Sevenfold, Kid Rock, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Staind, Motorhead, Seether, Chevelle, Alter Bridge, Mastodon, Black Label Society, Killswitch Engage, Bring Me The Horizon, Theory of a Deadman, Down, Black Stone Cherry, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Pop Evil, Of Mice & Men, Adelitas Way, Trivium, Gojira, Suicidal Tendencies, The Pretty Reckless, We Came as Romans, Fuel, Redlight King, Miss May I, Reignwolf, Thousand Foot Krutch, Texas Hippie Coalition, Rev Theory, Skindred, Kyng, Fozzy, Heaven’s Basement, Butcher Babies, Nothing More, Exodus, King 810, Devour the Day, We As Human, We Are Harlot, Kvelertak, Jim Breuer Band, One OK Rock, Twelve Foot Ninja, Avatar, WERM, Monster Truck, Wilson, Crobot and Truckfighters with comedians Jim Breuer, Jim Florentine and more.

Audiences will note that along with the lineup up some of the biggest names in the rock world, this year’s festival also boasts the return of the ROTR Comedy Tent.  Jim Breuer, Jim Florentine, and a number of up-and-coming comedians will perform at the ROTR Comedy Tent.

Weekend passes including Field General Admission, Stadium General Admission, hotel and VIP packages and a stadium four-pack go on sale Friday, January 24^th at 10am ET.  More ticket information is available online at http://www.RockOnTheRange.com.  Additional information and updates on this year’s festival is available online at http://www.facebook.com/rockontherange and http://twitter.com/rockontherange.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.