Opeth, Mastodon Launch Co-Headlining Tour; Opeth To Re-Issue Latest LP Next Month

Courtesy: Atomic Fire Records

Opeth and Mastodon officially launch their new co-headlining tour today.

The tour opens in Montreal, QC tonight and is scheduled to run through May 11 in Riverside, CA. The brief run also features scheduled performances in cities, such as Philadelphia, PA; Seattle, WA and Chicago, IL.

Opeth’s new tour with Mastodon is in support of the forthcoming re-issue of its latest album, In Cauda Venenum. The original album was released in 2019 through Nuclear Blast Records. The re-issue is scheduled for release May 13 through Atomic Fire Records.

The album’s forthcoming re-issue features new art in its companion booklet, and a third disc that features three previously unreleased songs. The songs will be presented in English and Swedish. Additionally, the album will re-issue in an exclusive vinyl box set that will also feature the noted bonus content.

Mastodon’s new live run is in support of its latest album, Hushed and Grim (2021), which was released through Relapse Records.

The bands’ tour schedule is noted below.

OPETH w/ Mastodon, Khemmis:

4/21/2022 Place Bell – Montreal, QC

4/22/2022 Queen Elizabeth Theatre – Toronto, ON

4/23/2022 The Agora Theater & Ballroom – Cleveland, OH

4/24/2022 Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA

4/26/2022 The Met – Philadelphia, PA

4/28/2022 Riviera Theatre – Chicago, IL

4/29/2022 The Masonic Temple Theatre – Detroit, MI

4/30/2022 The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI

5/01/2022 Myth Live – St. Paul, MN

5/03/2022 TCU Place – Saskatoon, SK

5/04/2022 Grey Eagle Events Centre – Calgary, AB

5/05/2022 EDM Expo Centre – Edmonton, AB

5/07/2022 Thunderbird Sports Centre – Vancouver, BC

5/08/2022 Paramount Theatre – Seattle, WA

5/09/2022 Keller Auditorium – Portland, OR

5/11/2022 Municipal Auditorium – Riverside, CA

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

Website: https://www.opeth.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/officialopeth

More information on Mastodon’s new album and live dates is available along with the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://mastodonrocks.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mastodonmusic

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Lockjaw Debuts New Single, ‘Living In My Head,’ Companion Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Independent hard rock band Lockjaw debuted its latest single and video this month.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Living in my Head‘ and its companion video Jan. 9 through Spaceuntravel. The song came more than five months after the band debuted its then latest single, ‘Silence The Fear.’

The musical arrangement featured in ‘Living in my Head’ is largely unlike that featured in ‘Silence The Fear.’ Where ‘Silence The Fear’ is a heavy, pounding work a la compositions from Machine Head, Amon Amarth and others, this song is more of a melodic hard rock work. The combination of instrumentation and vocals likens this arrangement more to works from the likes of Trivium and Devildriver.

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

“‘Living in My Head’ was a song we felt had to be released early on this album because it really hits home with what the world is going through now,” the statement reads. “We felt we could connect with fans, and let them know, we are with you. We are all struggling together. We feel the pressure of this world, with the pandemic and uncertainty, it really causes stress, anxiety, mental health issues all around. I don’t think anyone is immune to it. We are really proud of the final product and are glad to send our brand of heavy music into the world. We hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do!”

The video for the band’s new single is a simple presentation. It features the band performing its single on a sound stage. Various, high-speed cuts and fades pair with the video’s darkened look to heighten the song’s emotion.

More information on Lockjaw’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/Lockjawlive.

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.

Lockjaw Premieres New Single, ‘Silence The Fear,’ Companion Video

Courtesy: TAG Publicity

Independent hard rock band Lockjaw premiered its new single and video this month.

The band premiered its new single, ‘Silence The Fear‘ and its video Aug. 6. The song’s musical arrangement is a composition whose heavy shredding, scathing vocal delivery style, bass and drums easily lends it to works from the likes of Machine Head, Amon Amarth, and Opeth.

No information was provided about the song’s lyrical theme in the press release announcing the song’s premiere. However in listening to the song, it would seem that the song delivers a message of overcoming the mental and emotional obstacles that stand in our way each day. That includes the fears and self-doubt that enters our minds, as the song’s lyrics hint.

The video that accompanies ‘Silence The Fear’ is a simple presentation. It features the band performing its single on a darkened soundstage. Various camera angles and effects are used to heighten the effect of the song’s musical and lyrical content. Meanwhile an unidentified man sits bound to a chair, his face covered and his hands chained to the chair’s arms. He is the representation of those things holding a person back.

More information on Lockjaw’s new single and video is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/Lockjawlive.

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.

Viking Metallers Amon Amarth Are Victorious In Phil’s Picks 2018 Top 10 New Live DVDs & Blu-rays List

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

As the final few days of 2018 wind down, there is still some work to be done by critics putting in their year-ender lists.  That includes this critic.

This critic’s most recent year-ender focused on the year’s top new live CDs.  In a gradual transition to movies and television, there is still one more music list to present — the year’s top new live DVDs/BDs.  As has been noted previously, there are some live recordings that translate in  relatively acceptable fashion, but there are also others that can and should only be experienced with the full audio-visual experience.

Keeping this in mind, it is only fair to examine the year’s best new live DVDs and Blu-rays.  Topping this year’s list is Amon Amarth’s The Pursuit of Vikings: 25 Years in the Eye of the Storm.  There is nothing negative to say about this presentation.  The extensive documentary outlines the band’s career from the band’s own mouths, showing the group as a hard-working, blue-collar outfit that has earned its place in the metal and music communities.  The equally expansive two-night, 30-song set pulls from almost every one of the band’s albums.  The performance is great, as are the production values.

Second Place in this year’s list of the year’s best new live DVDs/BDs goes to Devin Townsend Project’s Ocean Machine Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv.  This performance features Townsend performing Ocean Machine live in its entirety along with an equally extensive by-request set.  That combination makes for a great set list.  As with Amon Amarth’s live recording, the group’s performance ensures audiences’ maintained engagement and entertainment, even at home.  The same can be said of the production values.  The whole makes the recording yet another that is best experienced with the full audio-visual presentation versus just the audio alone.

Third Place in this year’s list of the top new live DVDs and Blu-rays goes to The Rolling Stones’ San Jose, California ’99 show from Eagle Rock Entertainment.  The recording is everything that audiences have come to expect from one of the elite of the elite acts in the music industry today.  The extensive 20-song set list doesn’t play it safe, instead giving audiences material that is less common in the band’s previous live recordings from Eagle Rock Entertainment.  The group’s performance (including that of the touring musicians) couples with the production values to make the performance yet another must have for any true fan of The Rolling Stones.

Also featured in this year’s list are the new live recordings from Anthrax, The Robert Glasper Experiment and Opeth, just to name a few more acts.  As always, the first 10 titles in the last are the best, while the next five are honorable mention titles.  Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2018 Top 10 New Live DVDs & Blu-rays.

PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW LIVE DVDS & BLU-RAYS

1. Amon Amarth — The Pursuit of Vikings: 25 Years in the Eye of the Storm
2. Devin Townsend Project — Ocean Machine Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv
3. The Rolling Stones — No Security: San Jose ’99
4. The Rolling Stones — Voodoo Lounge Uncut
5. Accept — Symphonic Terror
6. Opeth — Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks
7. Anthrax — Kings Among Scotland
8. The Sound of Music Live
9. Steven Wilson — Home Invasion Live at the Royal Albert Theatre
10. Norah Jones — Live at Ronnie Scott’s
11. Tommy Shaw & The Contemporary Youth Orchestra — Sing For The Day!
12. The Moody Blues — Days of Future Passed Live
13. Overkill — Live in Overhausen
14. Robet Glasper Experiment — Live
15. Lacuna Coil — The 119 Show Live in London

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Eagle Rock’s Mingus Montreux Show Shines In Phil’s Picks’ 2018 Top New Live CDs List

Courtesy: Eagle Rock Entertainment

Going to live shows is neither easy nor inexpensive nowadays.  Between the collective cost of tickets — which is itself oftentimes bank-breaking — transportation, food, potential lodging and souvenirs, and of course planning around work and family schedules, getting out to live shows is not easy for anyone.

Those barriers make the availability of live recordings something critical for audiences everywhere, regardless of genre.  To that end, live CDs deserve their own consideration just as much as studio recordings, each year.  Keeping that in mind, Phil’s Picks has developed once again a list of the year’s Top 10 new live CDs.

This year has been an interesting one for live CDs.  Some notable live CDs were featured as part of bigger bundles (E.G. The Rolling Stones’ San Jose ’99 and Voodoo Lounge ’94 shows) while others, such as Alice Cooper’s A Paranormal Night @ The Olympia Paris and Marty Friedman’s One Bad M.F. Live were standalone offerings.

Some were standout offerings for all of the best reasons.  Others had some problems to note.  Keeping all of this in mind, this year’s crop of live CDs deserves just as much attention as the vast sea of studio recordings released throughout the year.

Topping this year’s list is yet another live CD from the people at Eagle Rock Entertainment in the form of Charles Mingus’ classic 1975 Montreux Jazz Festival show.  This recording presents Mingus at one of his finest moments, and why his live performances were — and still are today — such powerful presentations.

Coming in second in this year’s list is the new Jimi Hendrix live CD, Live at the Hollywood Bowl.  This CD was released as part of the bigger Electric Ladyland box set, and stands out so strongly because of its set list, Hendrix and company’s performance and the production values.

Third place in this year’s list of the year’s best new live CDs goes to veteran viking metal outfit Amon Amarth.  The 30-song set list spans two nights and quite an expansive portion of the band’s catalog.  That set list is directly mirrored on its DVD and BD presentation, and sounds just as good.  Though because of the intensity of the show, it is still better appreciated being seen and heard and not just heard.  That’s not to say the CD presentation is bad, but audiences will agree that hearing it makes for far more appreciation for the concerts’ DVD and BD presentations.

Also featured in this year’s list of top new live CDs are those noted new offerings from Marty Friedman, Alice Cooper and The Rolling Stones alongside new offerings from Opeth, Devin Townsend and John 5 to name just a few more titles.  As always, this critic’s list features 10 of the year’s top new offerings plus five honorable mentions, which follow, for a total count of 15.  Without any further ado, here is Phil’s Picks’ 2018 Top 10 new Live CDs.

PHIL’S PICKS 2018 TOP 10 NEW LIVE CDs

1. Charles Mingus — Live at Montreux 1975
2. Jimi Hendrix — Live at the Hollywood Bowl: Aug. 14, 1968
3. Amon Amarth — The Pursuit of Vikings: 25 Years in the Eye of the Storm
4. Devin Townsend Project — Ocean Machine: Live at the Ancient Roman Theatre Plovdiv
5. Opeth — Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
6. The Rolling Stones — No Security; San Jose ’99
7. The Rolling Stones — Voodoo Lounge Uncut
8. John Mclaughlin & The 4th Dimension and Jimmy Herring & The Invisible Whip — Live in San Francisco
9. Marty Friedman — One Bad M.F. Live
10. Accept — Symphonic Terror: Live at Wacken 2017
11. Alice Cooper — A Paranormal Night at The Olympia Paris
12. Fates Warning — Live Over Europe
13. Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow — Memories in Rock II
14. John 5 and The Creatures — It’s Alive
15. Overkill — Live in Overhausen

Opeth Debuts ‘Ghost of Perdition’ Live Clip

Courtesy: Moderbolaget Records/Nuclear Blast Records

The wait is finally over for Opeth’s new live recording, and in celebration, the band has debuted another live clip from the recording.

Opeth officially released its new live recording Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphiteater on Friday.  In celebration of the recording’s release, the band debuted one more live clip from the presentation in conjunction with the album’s release.  The clip features a full performance of the band’s single ‘Ghost of Perdition.’  

The band has also released a special limited edition 10-inch vinyl pressing of the live performance as an additional bonus for its most devoted fans.  The band’s performance of ‘Sorceress,’ which is also included in the band’s new live recording, serves as the record’s b-side.

The record is available now in four different color pressings, which are listed below.  It can be ordered via Nuclear Blast America’s online store and at Opeth’s own store.

— 10″ pink sparkle in sleeve (limited to 700)
— 10″ violet sparkle in sleeve (NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 300)
— 10″ toffee in sleeve (US NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 250)
— 10″ summer bronze in sleeve (US NB mailorder exclusive, limited to 250)

‘Ghost of Perdition’ is the third live clip that Opeth has released from Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks.  The band has also released clips featuring full performances of ‘Sorceress,’ and ‘Demon of the Fall.’

Three separate trailers for the recording have also premiered leading up to the recording’s release. They are listed below.

Trailer 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhbDDBdvgpl

Trailer 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul648fFDvRw

Trailer 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhtE-bcCXk8

More information on Opeth’s new live recording, video and more is available online now at:

 

Website: http://www.opeth.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/officialopeth

 

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.

Opeth Premieres ‘Garden Of The Titans…’ Second Live Clip

Courtesy: Moderbolaget Records/Nuclear Blast Records

Opeth premiered another new clip this week from its forthcoming new live recording Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

The band premiered the clip of its performance of ‘Demon of the Fall‘ on Friday.  The performance was originally recorded May 11, 2017 at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado.  It can also be streamed without video and downloaded here.

‘Demon of the Fall’ is the second clip to be released from the recording, which is currently scheduled to be released Nov. 2 via Nuclear Blast Records and Moderbolaget Records.  The band debuted the recording’s first clip — ‘Sorceress‘ — Aug. 17.

Pre-orders are open now for Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre via Nuclear Blast Records’ online store and via Opeth’s own store.

More information on Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is available online now along with all of Opeth’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.opeth.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/officialopeth

 

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.

 

Opeth Announces Release Date, Specs For Upcoming Live Recording

Courtesy: Moderbolaget Records/Nuclear Blast Records

Veteran progressive metal outfit Opeth will release its next live recording late this fall.

The band announced this past Friday, August 17, that it will release its new live recording Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater on Friday, November 2 via Moderbolaget Records/Nuclear Blast Records.  Originally recorded May 11, 2017 at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, it will be available on 2CD/DVD, 2CD/Blu-Ray/DVD expanded combo packvinyl and earbook (import only).

The vinyl pressings will be available in separate red, blue, white, brown and black pressings as well as a limited number of red and green swirl pressings.  The red and green swirl pressings will be limited to only 500 copies.  Pre-orders are open now for each platform.

In anticipation of the recording’s release, the band has debuted a full clip of its performance of the song ‘Sorceress.’  The clips runs just over six minutes in length.

The Deka Brothers (Carpenter Brut, The Prodigy) helmed the recording.  David Castillo (Katatonia, Bloodbath) mixed the recording’s audio.  The recording’s package art was crafted by Travis Smith (Nevermore, Katatonia, testament).  The recording’s track listing is noted below.

Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater track listing:
01.           Sorceress (live)
02.           Ghost Of Perdition (live)
03.           Demon Of The Fall (live)
04.           The Wilde Flowers (live)
05.           In My Time Of Need (live)
06.           The Devil’s Orchard (live)
07.           Cusp Of Eternity (live)
08.           Heir Apparent (live)
09.           Era (live)
10.           Deliverance (live)

More information on Opeth’s upcoming live recording is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and more at:

 

Website: http://www.opeth.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/officialopeth

 

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.

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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Suicidal Tendencies Added To Ozzfest Meets Knotfest Lineup

Courtesy: Adrenaline PR

Organizers with the 2016 Ozzfest Meets Knotfest have added another band to the mega-festival’s lineup.

Veteran hard rock band Suicidal Tendencies has been added to the lineup for the inaugural Ozzfest Meets Knotfest.  It marks the first time that the band has ever taken the stage at Ozzfest in any capacity.  The band will take the place of Children of Bodom, which was originally scheduled to perform on the first day of the double-header festival. The updated lineup for the festival is noted below. Audiences will note that there is even a stage dedicated to late Motorhead front man Lemmy Kilmister at this year’s festival.

 

OZZFEST Line-up

Saturday, September 24

 

MAIN STAGE:  Black Sabbath, Disturbed, Megadeth, Opeth, Black Label Society, and Rival Sons.

LEMMY STAGE:  Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, DevilDriver, Goatwhore, Huntress, and Dead Cross.

NUCLEAR BLAST STAGE: Municipal Waste, Kataklysm, Nails, The Shrine, and Still Rebel.

KNOTFEST Line-up

Sunday, September 25

 

MAIN STAGE:  Slipknot, Slayer, Amon Amarth, Anthrax, and Trivium.

LEMMY STAGE:  Sabaton, Suicide Silence, Overkill, Emmure, Butcher Babies, and Man with A Mission.

NUCLEAR BLAST STAGE:  Whitechapel, Combichrist, Carnifex, Loathe, SIM, and ONI.

 

Ozzfest Meets Knotfest is currently scheduled to be held Saturday, September 24^th and Sunday, September 25^th at San Manuel Amphitheater and Festival Grounds in San Bernardino California.  As a special holiday celebration, fans can purchase single 4-day ticket packs for $84.  The limited-time special is going on now and ends July 4^th at 11:59pm PT.  Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ozzfest.com and http://www.knotfest.com.  More information on the inaugural Ozzfest Meets Knotfest is available online at:

 

 

OZZFEST

 

Website: http://www.Ozzfest.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/theozzfest

 

 

 

KNOTFEST

 

Website: http://www.knotfest.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/knotfest

 

 

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