Jag Panzer Premiere’s New Album’s Second Single, Lyric Video

Posted on April 21, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock outfit Jag Panzer opened the weekend with the debut of its latest single and video.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Stronger Than You Know‘ and its lyric video Friday. The song and its video are the second from the band’s forthcoming album, The Hallowed, which is scheduled for release June 23 through Atomic Fire Records. The band premiered the album’s lead single, ‘Onward We Toil‘ and the song’s companion lyric video last month.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is a full-on power metal composition. It immediately lends itself to comparison to works from the likes of Judas Priest, and to a lesser degree, Iron Maiden through its powerhouse guitar riffs, vocals, and equally strong rhythm section.

The lyrical theme featured in the band’s new single is a straight forward message about overcoming adversity. That is made clear through the lyrics presented in the video.

Audiences who pre-order JagPanzer’s new album now will receive an instant grat download of the album’s lead single. The record’s track listing is noted below:

The Hallowed Track Listing:

1. Bound As One

2. Prey

3. Ties That Bind

4. Stronger Than You Know

5. Onward We Toil

6. Edge Of A Knife

7. Dark Descent

8. Weather The Storm

9. Renewed Flame

10. Last Rites

In other news, Jag Panzer has announced a brief slate of live dates in support of The Hallowed. The new tour is scheduled to launch July 29 at the Headbangers Open Air Festival in Brande-Hornerkirchen, Germany and to run through Sept. 29 at the Blades of Steel Metal Festival in Madison, WI.

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

JAG PANZER – Welcome To The Hallowed Tour 2023:

7/29/2023 Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE

8/01/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE w/ Elvenpath

8/02/2023 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE w/ Generation Steel

8/04/2023 MTS – Oldenburg, DE

8/05/2023 Wacken Open Air – Wacken, DE

8/09/2023 Musigburg – Aarburg, CH

8/11/2023 De Pul – Uden, NL

8/12/02023 Alcatraz Festival – Kortrijk, BE

9/29/2023 Blades Of Steel Metal Festival 3.0 – Madison, WI

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

Website: https://www.jagpanzer.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jag_panzer

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.

Battle Born Debuts Video For Album’s Second Single

Posted on April 5, 2023 by philspicks

Up-and-coming power metal outfit Battle Born premiered the video for the second single from its new album, Blood, Fire, Magic, and Steel this week.

The band debuted the video for its new single, ‘Dragon Heart’ Wednesday through online music magazine, Distorted Sound. The single, the record’s second behind ‘Blood and Fire‘, is scheduled to be available by itself through all digital outlets Friday.

The video for Battle Born’s new single is presented like a vintage Sega Genesis game, right down to its graphics. It presents is main character, a bear warrior, facing off against the forces of evil. Eventually, the warrior is aided by a dragon, who becomes the warrior’s friend by the video’s finale.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s new single is somewhat different from that featured in the album’s lead single. The symphonic aspect of the band’s music is still there. However, where the album’s lead single is more akin to works from the likes of Judas Priest and Saxon, this single is more in line with works from the likes of Amaranthe and Beast in Black.

The band said in its interview with Distorted Sound, the lyrical theme featured in its new single is actually familiar.

“We can’t wait for everyone to hear ‘Dragon Heart,’ the latest single from our upcoming debut album,” the band said in its interview with the magazine. “A song that’s already become a fan favourite and staple of our live set, ‘Dragon Heart’ is at its core an emotive tale of forbidden love – and how love always conquers all. We’re looking forward to hearing you all singing your hearts out to the chorus when we hit the road in May!”

Speaking of touring, the band announced a tour of the United Kingdom Wednesday, in support of its forthcoming album, which is scheduled for release May 12 through Prosthetic Records. The tour is scheduled to launch May 17 in Cambridge, UK and to run through June 3 in London, UK.

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel UK Tour

17 May – The Six Six – Cambridge, UK

18 May – The Underground – Bradford, UK

19 May – Ivory Blacks – Glasgow, UK

20 May – Legends – Edinburgh, UK

21 May – The Fulford Arms – York, UK

22 May – Network – Sheffield, UK

24 May – Satan’s Hollow – Manchester, UK

25 May – The Underground – Stoke, UK

26 May – The Flapper – Birmingham, UK

27 May – The Hairy Dog – Derby, UK

28 May – Manorfest – Towcester, UK

29 May – Duffy’s Bar – Leicester, UK

31 May – The Gryphon – Bristol, UK

1 June – Fuel – Cardiff, UK

2 June – The Joiners – Southampton, UK

3 June – The Dome – London, UK

Battle Born’s debut album will come less than a year after the band re-issued its self-titled debut EP through Prosthetic Records. The re-issue produced the single, ‘Bring The Metal Back‘ and its video.

The track listing for the band’s new album is noted below:

Blood, Fire, Magic and Steel tracklist:
1. Wind Caller
2. Dragon Heart
3. Blood and Fire
4. Power Force
5. When Empires Die
6. The Endless Grey
7. Fire Storm
8. Down Your Drinks and Raise Your Swords
9. Meridia
10. Ride North for Winterhold
11. Sky Guard You

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

Website: https://battlebornuk.com

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

Jag Panzer Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s Lead Single, Lyric Video; Announces New Live Dates

Posted on March 24, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock outfit Jag Panzer is set to release its latest album this summer.

The band is scheduled to release its new album, The Hallowed June 23 through Atomic Fire Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, the band premiered its debut single, ‘Onward We Toil‘ and the song’s companion lyric video Friday.

According to information in a news release announcing the pending album’s arrival and debut of the new single and video, the album follows the theme of a comic book released by the band in 2022. The single’s musical arrangement is vintage hard rock and metal throughout. The collective instrumentation and vocals immediately lend the whole to comparison to the best works of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and others of that ilk, as well as some of Jag Panzer’s own works.

The band said in a prepared statement, the song’s lyrical theme follows the record’s overall story.

“‘Onward We Toil’ tells the story of the people and animals in the concept pushing through adversity to reach their goal of finding The Hallowed,” the statement reads. “The creatures known as ‘The Jaw’ can be heard in the beginning of the song and the epic chorus illustrates the team working together as one.”

The lyric video places the song’s lyrics over images seemingly taken from the band’s comic book.

Pre-orders are open now for Jag Panzer’s new album. Audiences who pre-order the album now will receive an instant grat download of the album’s lead single. The record’s track listing is noted below:

The Hallowed Track Listing:

1. Bound As One

2. Prey

3. Ties That Bind

4. Stronger Than You Know

5. Onward We Toil

6. Edge Of A Knife

7. Dark Descent

8. Weather The Storm

9. Renewed Flame

10. Last Rites

The tour’s schedule is noted below:

JAG PANZER – Welcome To The Hallowed Tour 2023:

7/29/2023 Headbangers Open Air Festival – Brande-Hörnerkirchen, DE

8/01/2023 Colos-Saal – Aschaffenburg, DE w/ Elvenpath

8/02/2023 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE w/ Generation Steel

8/04/2023 MTS – Oldenburg, DE

8/05/2023 Wacken Open Air – Wacken, DE

8/09/2023 Musigburg – Aarburg, CH

8/11/2023 De Pul – Uden, NL

8/12/02023 Alcatraz Festival – Kortrijk, BE

9/29/2023 Blades Of Steel Metal Festival 3.0 – Madison, WI

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

Website: https://www.jagpanzer.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jag_panzer

Grave Digger Debuts New Single’s “Visualizer”

Posted on March 22, 2023 by philspicks

Veteran hard rock band Grave Digger premiered the visualizer for its latest single this week.

The band debuted the visualizer for its new single, ‘Symbol of Eternity‘ Wednesday. The single is the title track from the band’s most recent album, which was released in 2022. The visualizer is relatively simple. It is a promotional picture of the band and a smaller picture of the album’s cover art that is static as the song plays over the presentation.

The musical arrangement featured in the band’s latest single is everything audiences have come to expect from the group. The heaviness is there as is the depth in the sound and style. Listeners familiar with the band’s work (and those less familiar) can easily make comparisons to works from the likes of Judas Priest and even to Rainbow, to a slightly lesser degree.

The song’s lyrical theme is just as straight forward as its musical arrangement and visualizer. it is a song about Jesus’ crucifixion, the Holy Grail, and the location of the holy item.

In other news, Grave Digger has a series of tour dates scheduled next month across Latin America in support of its new album. The brief run is scheduled to launch April 19 in Bogota, Columbia and to run through April 30 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

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

“Symbol Of Eternity” South America Tour ’23
19/04/23 · (CO) Bogota // Bogota Metal Fest
21/04/23 · (EC) Quito // The Metal Fest Ecuador
23/04/23 · (PE) Lima // C.C. Festiva
25/04/23 · (AR) Buenos Aires // Teatro Vorterix
27/04/23 · (BR) Curitiba // Tork n’ Roll
28/04/23 · (BR) Recife // Club International do Recife
30/04/23 · (BR) São Paulo // Summer Breeze Brasil

More information on Grave Digger’s new single, tour and album is available along with all of Grave Digger’s latest news at:

Website: http://www.grave-digger-clan/de

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/GRAVEDIGGERclan

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://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.

Battle Born Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s Lead Single, Video

Posted on February 19, 2023 by philspicks

Up-and-coming power metal outfit Battle Born will release its debut album this spring, and in anticipation of its release, debuted the record’s lead single this week along with a companion video.

The band’s new album, Blood, Fire, Magic, and Steel is scheduled for release May 12 through Prosthetic Records. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band debuted the record’s lead single, ‘Blood and Fire‘ Wednesday, along with the song’s video.

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Blood and Fire’ is a work that is sure to appeal to a wide range of metal fans. That is because it blends elements of the new wave of British Heavy Metal a la Judas Priest and Saxon with more modern power/speed metal in the vein of Dragonforce in a way to balances those influences so expertly.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the information about the new album, single and video. In listening to the song, it seems to have clear fantasy roots. That is just this critic’s interpretation.

The video that accompanies the song adds to that inference. That is due to the clear story of a knight battling his foes as the band, semi-bathed in blood, performs its single against a wall of what looks like a castle. That even more hints at the fantasy nature of the song’s lyrica ltheme.

‘Blood and Fire’ is one of 11 tracks that make up the body of Battle Born’s new forthcoming album. The record’s track listing is noted below.

More information on Battle Born’s new album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://battlebornuk.com

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

Telomyras’ Self-Titled Debut EP Offers Some Hope For THe Band’s Future

Posted on February 16, 2023 by philspicks

Independent metal band Telomyras is set to make its first mark on the metal community this weekend when it releases its debut self-titled EP. The five-song record is an interesting first impression from the fledgling metal act. That is due in part to its featured musical arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content is just as much of note as that musical component of the EP. It will be discussed a little later. The sequencing of that collective content rounds out the EP’s most important elements and will also be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered they make Telomyras a presentation that most metal fans will find worth hearing at least once.

Telomyras’ forthcoming debut self-titled EP, set for release independently Saturday, is an intriguing first offering from the young, independent metal act. That is due in part because of its featured musical arrangements. From beginning to end, the EP’s arrangements will find appeal among fans of vintage metal acts. ‘Cambion,’ which opens the 26-minute record immediately exhibits the influence of vintage Megadeth through its guitar work. The operatic vocal delivery of vocalist Sammie Gorham meanwhile lends itself to comparison to that of famed metal front man Rob Halford. This applies throughout the record, too. Interestingly enough, the combination of influences works in an interesting way here.

‘Colorless’ enhances that comparison to works from Judas Priest even more, what with the power metal approach taken through the overall instrumentation and the continued operatic style vocals. Much the same can be said of ‘First Blood,’ ‘Hydra’ and even the record’s closer, ‘Throne of Ruin.’ In the case of that finale, there is at least some variance, however, with an audible influence from Judas Priest’s fellow British metallers, Iron Maiden. Simply put, the musical arrangements featured throughout the EP do not necessarily break a lot of new ground in the metal community. At the same time, the arrangements do still manage to present their own identity at least to a point. To that end, they make for at least some reason for audiences to hear the record at least once.

While the musical arrangements will keep the appeal to Telomyras’ new EP limited to a certain point, the lyrical themes that accompany that content will broaden the EP’s appeal some. Case in point is the seemingly existential theme featured in ‘Colorless.’ According to the band, the song centers on the concept of “aging, the passing of time, and changing of perspective.” This is not a rare theme among any act across the musical universe, but is not overly approached, either. The poetic manner in which the theme is delivered makes for the interest. This as Gorham sings in the song’s lead verse and chorus, “Memories are lost in bliss/Long without a path/Eyes tinted with a rose/Grayed by reality/Casualty of vanity/A victim of the lies/Fate, she called/Yet tongue-tied/While teachers spout the same designs/Paralyzed in revelation/Just another wayward soul/A grain of sand in time’s hourglass/Universe’s shade/A tempest of gray/Light and shadows cease/Contrast is lost/Lines are all blurred/Colors all fade away/Rest within/The colorless.” This first verse and chorus paints a picture of someone seeing things a certain way at a given point in life and gives way to the change expressed in the song’s second verse, which continues the story of a person’s change. This as it states, “Life rushes past like misty breeze/Fate is yours to paint/Coin of dreamers/Time is not/Canvas standing empty/No purpose can be found/In existence groomed and trite/Bearing all the fiends of those/Who walk within your life/Fill the void with purpose now/Leave this fruitless reverie/Countless paths begin to unfold/It’s not for nothing/Don’t stop now/The fear you bear/Will not contain you/There’s no meaning unless you make it so.” In shorter terms, this is a message of hope and optimism. It is a message reminding people they can change and make their own paths and change their lives. It is a familiar theme that is certain to resonate with plenty of listeners.

On another note, ‘Hydra’ offers an even more familiar theme. According to the band, the theme here centers on “systems of power going out of control.” In reading through the lyrics, those systems of power are, in layman’s terms, the powers that be. This is pretty clearly inferred through the lead verse and chorus, which state, “The pit before me devours the sun/Like a shrine of our regret/I grip tight our only hope/The one for all/To heed the call/Down into darkness I tread/Through the chasm of our woes/Born of blindness and apathy/Too many heads/The hydra grows/Stake our lives/And all we have/On a beast made of our own/Guardian now consumes the world/Engorged with our labor and gold.” This is a relatively clear message. It is saying that we as people have created the very thing that is destroying us, that multi-headed beast that is the political system of the world. It is the same scenario in every nation’s government. That government meant to be a guardian now consumes the world, especially here in the United States. The song’s second verse expands on that commentary as it states, “Creature lays upon the heap/Treasure stained in patriot’s blood/Each head sports a razor grin/For every death/Two more revive/Faces old and lined with greed/Yet a single beating from below/Betrays the tyranny they wield/One heart to fuel the many heads.” Again, this is clear commentary about how the powers that be the world over are at the heart of this song. Such sociopolitical commentary makes up what is one of the most common lyrical themes in the rock and metal realm yet it is just as engaging here as in any other case.

‘Cambion,’ which opens the EP, presents yet another example of the importance of the EP’s lyrical content. According to the band, the theme here centers on “emotional repression and the fallout” that results from that repression. The theme is addressed in its own unique fashion here in the song’s lead verse and chorus, which state, “Torn between two lives/Suppress the hatred born of lies/We run around this maze/Rats racing into oblivion/Try to chain the shade inside/Ravenous and caged, it writhes/Anxiety, the mask, it slips/Release me!, it cries/It’s the end/Over the edge/Yellow eyes glare at me/Devil’s blood burns my veins/From within/Cambion!” This delivery is fully accessible to audiences because of its simplicity. It is addressing the all too familiar theme of dealing with mental health struggles. Considering how importance this matter remains today, hearing these words may come as comfort to so many audiences. The song’s second verse follows in similar fashion, leading little reason to touch further on the song. Simply put, taking on this topic in this fashion further shows the importance of the EP’s lyrical content. When this and the other themes examined here are considered along with the EP’s other lyrical themes, the whole makes clear why the lyrical themes featured here do just as much to make the EP worth hearing if not more.

While the overall content featured in Telomyras’ self-titled debut EP offers listeners reason enough to hear this record, there is still at least one more reason for audiences to give the record a chance. That reason is the sequencing of said content. From beginning to end, the sequencing ensures the record’s energy remains high throughout the presentation. As the record progresses into the brooding, semi-contemplative opening bars of ‘First Blood,’ that temporary reprieve actually helps the sequencing as it gives audiences a moment to catch themselves before the song picks back up again. ‘Throne of Ruin’ takes the same stylistic path as ‘First Blood’ and in turn does well to close out the EP, further showing the time and through that went into the record’s sequencing. All things considered, the record’s sequencing puts the finishing touch to its presentation and makes for all the more reason for metal fans to hear the record at least once.

Telomyras’ forthcoming self-titled debut EP, set for release Saturday independently by the band, is an interesting first offering from the group. It is a presentation that most metal fans will find worth hearing at least once. That is proven in part through the record’s musical arrangements. The arrangements show influence from a number of the band’s more well-known counterparts. That includes the likes of Iron Maiden, Megadeth, and Judas Priest. The comparisons will appeal primarily to fans of those specific bands and vintage metal style. The lyrical themes that accompany the record’s musical content add to the EP’s appeal due to the familiar topics broached through each song. The sequencing of that collective content rounds out the most important of the record’s content. That is because of the positive general effect that it ensures. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of the EP. All things considered they make Telomyras a start for the band that gives some hope for its future.

Telomyras is scheduled for release Saturday independently by Telomyras. More information on the EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://telomyras.bandcamp.com

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

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.

Telomyras Debuts New EP’s Second Single

Posted on February 2, 2023 by philspicks

Independent metal outfit Telomyras debuted the latest single from its new EP this week.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Colorless‘ Tuesday. The song is the second single from the band’s forthcoming self-titled EP, which is scheduled for release Feb. 18 behind the lead single, ‘Cambion.’

The musical arrangement featured in this song is a direct throwback to the great metal sounds of the 80s. The influence of greats, such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are on full display throughout the composition. The soaring vocals pair well with the instrumentation, too, to make the presentation wholly engaging and entertaining.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the news release announcing the song’s premiere.

More information on Telomyras’ new single and EP is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://telomyras.bandcamp.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/telomyras

Queensryche Announces New Album Details; Debuts Video For Album’s Lead Single; Announces Live Dates With Judas Priest

Posted on June 26, 2022 by philspicks

Things are picking up for Queensryche.

The band recently announced it will release its latest album, Digital Noise Alliance Oct. 7 through Century Media. In anticipation of the album’s release, the band premiered the video for the album’s lead single, ‘In Extremis’ Thursday.

The video is a familiar style presentation. It features the band performing its new single on a soundstage. The presentation is meant to give audiences a taste of what they can expect from the band live on stage. The song plays over the visualization.

The song’s musical arrangement is everything that audiences have come to expect from Queensryche throughout the band’s life. The trademark soaring vocals and semi-power metal riffs that take audiences back to the band’s early days are just as present as ever here.

The band talked about the song’s lyrical theme in a prepared statement.

“This song is about being on your deathbed surrounded by your loved ones,” the statement reads. “Clinging to the last sense available, letting them know you will still be hearing them after correspondence or perceived consciousness is visible. Other conceptual metaphors flash in and out, taking note of a world that will not bend to accommodate such suffering, a universe of mockery, and a universe void of such abilities.”

Queensryche is set to join Judas Priest on the road this fall in support of Digital Noise Alliance. Judas Priest’s upcoming tour is a new North American leg of its 50 Heavy Metal Years. The tour’s schedule is noted below.

QUEENSRYCHE Tour Dates:

Opening for Judas Priest

Oct. 13 Wallingford, CT – Toyota Oakdale

Oct. 15 Albany, NY – MVP Arena

Oct. 16 Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall Fenway

Oct. 18 Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans

Oct. 19 Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

Oct. 21 Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Event Center

Oct. 22 Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre

Oct. 24 Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center

Oct. 25 Waukegan, IL – Genesee Theatre

Oct. 27 Green Bay, WI – Resch Center Theater

Oct. 29 Moline, IL – TaxSlayer Center Moline

Oct. 30 Mankato, MN – Mayo Clinic Event Center

Nov. 01 Sioux City, IA – Tyson Events Center

Nov. 02 Rapid City, SD – The Monument

Nov. 07 Ontario, CA – Toyota Center

Nov. 08 Tucson, AZ – TCC Arena

Nov. 10 Loveland, CO – Budweiser Events Center

Nov. 12 Park City (Wichita),KS -Hartman Arena

Nov. 13 St. Charles, MO – The Family Arena

Nov. 15 Corbin, KY – The Corbin Arena

Nov. 17 Southaven, MS – Landers Center

Nov. 18 Baton Rouge, LA – Raising Canes River Center

Nov. 20 Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center

Nov. 22 San Antonio, TX – Tech Port Center & Arena

Nov. 23 San Antonio, TX – Tech Port Center & Arena

Nov. 25 Dallas, TX – The Factory – Deep Ellum

Nov. 26 Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street

Nov. 28 Edinburg, TX – Burt Ogden Arena

Nov. 29 Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall

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

Website: http://www.queensrycheofficial.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/queensryche

Judas Priest Announces New Dates For 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour

Posted on June 25, 2022 by philspicks

Judas Priest will return to America’s shores this fall to continue its “50 Heavy Metal Years Tour.”

The band will launch the next leg of its ongoing tour Oct. 13 in Wallingford, CT. The tour is scheduled to run through Nov. 29 in Houston, TX. It features performances in cities, such as Corbin, KY; Moline, IL and Loveland, CO.

The tour’s schedule is noted below. Queensryche will serve as support for the latest leg of the tour.

FALL 2022 U.S Tour dates:

October 13 in Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale
October 15th in Albany, NY @ MVP Arena
October 16 in Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall Fenway
October 18 in Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans
October 19 in Wilkes-Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
October 21 in Kalamazoo, MI at Wings Event Center
October 22 in Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre
October 24 in Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center
October 25 in Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
October 27 in Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center Theater
October 29 in Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center Moline
October 30 in Mankato, MN @ Mayo Clinic Event Center

November 1 in Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center
November 2 in Rapid City, SD @ The Monument
November 7 in Ontario, CA @ Toyota Center
November 8 in Tucson, AZ @ TCC Arena
November 10 in Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center
November 12 in Park City (Wichita), KS @Hartman Arena
November 13 in St. Charles, MO @ The Family Arena
November 15 in Corbin, KY @ The Corbin Arena
November 17 in Southaven, MS @ Landers Center
November 18 in Baton Rouge, LA @ Raising Canes River Center
November 20 in Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
November 22 & 23 in San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena
November 25 in Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum
November 26 in Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street
November 28 in Edinburg, TX @ Burt Ogden Arena
November 29 in Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall

More information about the band’s new live dates is available along with all of Judas Priest’s latest news at:

Website: https://www.JudasPriest.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/judaspriest

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

Evil Invaders’ Latest LP Is A Mostly Successful Record

Posted on April 2, 2022 by philspicks

Veteran metal outfit Evil Invaders released its latest album, Shattering Reflection Friday through Napalm Records. The band’s first third album and its first in nearly five years, it is a presentation that the metal masses will find worth hearing every now and then. That is due in large part to its wide range of metal arrangements, which will be discussed shortly. While the record’s musical arrangements do well for its presentation, their companion lyrical content sadly detracts somewhat from the presentation. This will be discussed a little later. The record’s production works with the arrangements to make for more engagement and entertainment. It will be discussed later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, they make the album a mostly successful new outing for Evil Invaders.

Evil Invaders’ new album, Shattering Reflections, is a mostly successful offering that most metal fans will find worth hearing every now and then. That is due in large part to its featured musical arrangements. From start to end, the album’s 10 separate musical arrangements take listeners on a nice ride. Right from the outset, ‘Hissing in Crescendo,’ listeners are presented with an arrangement that is full-on vintage thrash metal. Front man Johannes “Joe” Van Audenhove’s half-sung screams pair with the razor sharp guitar riffs and fully precise time keeping and rich bass line to lend the whole to comparison to works from a wide range of the band’s counterparts. At some points, vintage Overkill can be heard in the arrangement. At others, Slayer front man Tom Araya comes to mind thanks to Van Audenhove’s vocal style. What’s more, audiences can also make comparisons to works from Exodus through the combination. It is just one way in which the musical arrangements prove so pivotal to the whole of this record. ‘Die For Me,’ which immediately follows, immediately lends itself to the sounds of Iron Maiden with the harmonies and style in the guitars. The vocals meanwhile are still borderline Araya-esque. On yet another note, a song, such as ‘My World’ conjures thoughts of vintage Metallica and Megadeth to a point. Though as it progresses, really enters another realm, adding to the interest. Simply put, the musical arrangements that the band presents throughout the record offer listeners a relatively healthy sampling of vintage metal styles. That forms a strong foundation for the record and makes it worth hearing.

While the musical content featured throughout the album forms a solid foundation for the presentation, that content’s companion lyrical content detracts from the record’s presentation to a point. The lyrical content is familiar, as Van Audenhove has noted in interviews. He has pointed out that it features themes of personal, inner thoughts, as well as ruminations on things going on in the world. That is a good thing. The thing of it all is the way in which he approaches those topics. Van Audenhove wrote the songs’ lyrics in a way that does leave some room for misinterpretation. What’s more, because of the way in which they are presented, and the very heavy nature of those themes, it is going to require audiences to be in a very specific mindset when listening to the album. Case in point is the theme featured in ‘In Deepest Black’ and ‘Eternal Darkness.’ Both of those songs come across as being about being in that dark mental and emotional place. Everyone has been there at one point or another in life, but the way in which the lyrics are presented makes these presentations very deep. If someone is not in that required head space, he/she will not fully appreciate the songs. In the case of, say, ‘Die For Me,’ the song opens sounding like something about someone who is dealing with backstabbers, which again is relatable for audiences. From there though, the song then turns and starts sounding more like something about a cult leader and in turn can easily be misinterpreted. So this is an example of how the album’s lyrical content does prove somewhat problematic to the record’s presentation. The content overall is not enough to make the album a failure, but is still of note, regardless.

Keeping in mind that the record’s lyrical content does not do enough to make the album a failure, there is one more item to note in examining the album’s presentation. That item is the album’s production. The production of the musical arrangements is important because of its role in the record’s general effect. The utmost attention had to be paid to each song from the more intense moments to the more reserved compositions. The more intense compositions required attention to make sure that no one part overpowered the others and each line complimented the others. In the matter of the deeper, more emotional moments, the added attention was there so as to have the fullest impact on listeners. Those painstaking efforts paid off, too. The result is that from beginning to end, the album’s general effect does just as much to keep listeners engaged and entertained as the album’s musical content. When the content and production are considered together, they make the album, again, worth hearing occasionally.

Evil Invaders’ latest album, Shattering Reflection, is an interesting new offering from the band. Its appeal comes largely through its featured musical arrangements. The arrangements are of note because of the wide range of vintage metal styles presented throughout the album. From influences of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, to those of Slayer, Exodus and others, the arrangements will reach a wide range of metal fans. While the record’s musical arrangements for a solid foundation for its presentation, the album’s lyrical content detracts somewhat from the presentation. That is because on one hand, much of it leaves itself too open for misinterpretation in how it is presented. On another hand, it also requires listeners to be in a very specific mindset in order to fully appreciate said content. Luckily, even with all of this in mind, the record’s lyrical content is not enough to make the album a failure. Keeping that in mind, the album’s production works with the musical content to make the album more worth hearing. The production is important to note because it balances the vocals and instrumentation from beginning to end, ensuring each musician’s performance is expertly balanced with that of one another. What’s more it also ensures the emotional impact of each arrangement is its fullest through that balance. Each item examined here is important in its own way to the whole of the album’s presentation. All things considered, the album proves itself to be a presentation that a wide range of metal fans will find worth hearing every now and then.

Shattering Reflections is available now through Napalm Records. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://evilinvaders.be

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/evilinvadersbe

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