Motor Sister Announces New Album Details; Debuts Album’s Lead Single

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Motor Sister will release its latest album this year.

The band — Scott Ian (guitar), John Tempesta (drums), Joey Vera (bass), Jim WIlson (vocals), and Pearl Aday (vocals) — is scheduled to release its new album, Get Off, May 6 through Metal Blade Records. Its release will come more than seven years after the release of the band’s debut record, Ride. That album is a covers collection.

In anticipation of the record’s release, the band debuted the album’s lead single, ‘Can’t Get High Enough’ and its video Wednesday. The song is a high-energy composition that is driven through its driving guitar line and time keeping. Its blues rock approach and sound will appeal to any rock and roll purist.

The lyrical theme featured in the new song is straight forward, too. It is sung from the standpoint of a man who is not exactly happy to know his romantic interest is not keeping her interest on him.

The video features the band performing its new single on what is meant to look like a live setting.

Get Off will release CD, 180-gram vinyl, and digital. The album’s crimson red w/ blue smoke vinyl pressing is exclusive to the United States. The pale blue grey marbled pressing is an EU exclusive and is limited to only 200 copies.

The album’s track listing is noted below.

Get Off Tracklisting:
01. Can’t Get High Enough
02. Coming for You
03. Right There, Just Like That
04. Sooner or Later
05. Excuse Me, Your Life Is Exposed
06. Lion’s Den
07. 1,000,000 Miles
08. Pain
09. Bulletproof
10. Bruise It or Lose It
11. Time’s Up
12. Rolling Boy Blues

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

Website: http://www.metalblade.com/motorsister

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MotorSister

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

Anthrax Discusses Its “Sixth Member” In New Behind-The-Scenes Video

Courtesy: Nuclear Blast Records

Anthrax is giving its fans another look behind the scenes in the making of its new album For All Kings.

The band released a new behind-the-scenes this week. This latest video sees the band switching gears from discussions on songwriting to working with producer Jay Ruston. Ruston manned the boards on the band’s most recent album, 2011’s Worship Music. He also helmed this new recording from the veteran thrash metal band. Over the course of the video, which runs just over three-and-a-half minutes, the band discusses working with Ruston on Worship Music and how that influenced their decision to have him on the boards again for this record. There are plenty of positive comments to be had as he is called the band’s “sixth member” and even the proverbial “Fifth Beatle.” As guitarist Scott Ian notes of Ruston, “He’s become an integral part of our process, that’s for sure. It’s cliche, but he really has become a sixth member.”

Ian’s comment is just one that stands out in the new discussion. There is also a note of Ruston’s ability to keep the band from going over the top in recording the songs featured in this record. In other words they trust him because of his ability to motivate the band yet also keep it from doing too much with any given song. Perhaps the best and most illustrative description of why Ruston helmed this record is Frank Bellow’s comment that he “knows how to make us shine.” There is much more discussion throughout the video. Audiences can check it out now online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1DEUJ-xGec&feature=youtu.be.

Courtesy: megaforce Records/Nuclear Blast Records

Anthrax is currently on the road in support of For All Kings. The album will be available in stores and online on Friday, February 26^th. The band will be in Nashville, TN today. It will then make its way East to Norfolk, VA, where for a show on Friday. Shows in NY and CT are currently slated to round out the weekend, weather permitting. The band’s current tour schedule is listed below.

 

JANUARY

20   Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN

22   Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA

23   Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

24   Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT

26   Starland Ballroom, Sayerville, NJ

27   Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH  (HEADLINE DATE)

28   Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI

29   Egyptian Room at Old National Center, Indianapolis, IN

30   Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

31   Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI

FEBRUARY

2   Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City, MO

3   George’s Majestic Lounge, Fayetteville, AR  (HEADLINE DATE)

4   Revention Music Center, Houston, TX

5   Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX

6   Concrete Street Pavilion, Corpus Christi, TX

8   ACL Live at the Moody Theatre, Austin, TX

9   Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK

10  Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque, NM  (HEADLINE DATE)

11  Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV

12  Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

 

More information on For All Kings is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news and tour updates at:

Website: http://anthrax.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/anthrax

 

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.

Fans Get Another Glimpse Into Anthrax’s Latest LP In New BTS Video

Courtesy: Megaforce Records

Anthrax is giving fans another glimpse into its upcoming album For All Kings.

The veteran hard rock outfit debuted its first official radio single ‘Breathing Lightning’ today. In celebration of its release, the band has also released another behind-the-scenes video, this one presenting a discussion on the song in question. Guitarist Scott Ian notes in the new video that the song was actually inspired by none other than author Stephen King, and that (for those that might not know) it is not the first Anthrax song to ever be influenced by the seminal writer. Charlie Benante opens the discussion noting that ‘Breathing Lightning’ is, in his view, “the accessible song on the record.” It makes sense that he would feel that way in hearing the song, which plays throughout the course of the video. Stylistically speaking it bears a similarity to music from both Megadeth and Metallica’s more mainstream material at least to a point. Audiences can hear the whole discussion for themselves now online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgMl5q0FXxE&feature=youtu.be.

Courtesy: Megaforce Records

‘Breathing Lightning’ will be available at independent retailers nationwide beginning Friday, January 15^th along with ‘Evil Twin.’ The songs will be available as a download card that will be included in a special customized, limited edition deck of Anthrax poker cards. The card will also allow fans to download For All Kings online on February 26^th, the album’s release date.

Also on January 15^th, Anthrax will hit the road alongside Lamb of God in support of its new record. The currently nineteen-date tour kicks off in Pittsburgh, PA and ends in Los Angeles, CA on Friday, February 12^th. The band’s current tour schedule is noted below.

 

JANUARY

15   Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

16   Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

17   The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD

19   Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

22   Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA

23   Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

24   Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT

28   Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI

29   Egyptian Room at Old National Center, Indianapolis, IN

30   Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

31   Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI

FEBRUARY

2   Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City, MO

4   Revention Music Center, Houston, TX

5   Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX

6   Concrete Street Pavilion, Corpus Christi, TX

8   ACL Live at the Moody Theatre, Austin, TX

9   Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK

11  Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV

12  Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

 

 

More information on Anthrax’s upcoming album and tour is available online now along with all of the latest Anthrax news at:

 

Website: http://anthrax.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/anthrax

 

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.

Anthrax Unveils For All Kings’ Cover Art

The time is near. Anthrax’s new album is coming.

On Friday, February 26th Anthrax will release its long-awaited eleventh full-length studio recording. First came its lead single ‘Evil Twin.’ Fans can hear the song online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPmLkF3e6Fc&feature=youtu.be. Then came the announcement of the title: For All Kings and the release date, noted above. Now the next step has been taken. The band has officially unveiled the cover art for its upcoming album. The artwork, developed by Charlie Benante–the band’s long time drummer–and Alex Ross is presented below.

Courtesy: Megaforce Records/Nuclear Blast Records

Along with the official unveiling, the band has also released a video featuring Benante in which he discusses how the album’s art came to life. It can be viewed online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd7WVZcPEZc&feature=youtu.be.

Courtesy: Megaforce Records/Nuclear Blast Records

The video also includes the album’s lead single accompanied by its socio-politically-charged lyrics. In regards to Benante’s discussion, fans will love the note of the kings featured on the cover and the tie-in to the band’s previous album Worship Music via the cover art. There is even a tribute to the victims of the recent tragedy in Paris in the video’s closing moments.

Anthrax will take to the road beginning January 15th for a tour in support of For All Kings. The tour kicks off in Pittsburgh, PA and currently runs through February 12th at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. The band’s current tour schedule is listed below.

JANUARY

15   Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA

16   Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA

17   The Fillmore, Silver Spring, MD

19   Tabernacle, Atlanta, GA

22   Constant Convocation Center, Norfolk, VA

23   Hammerstein Ballroom, New York, NY

24   Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT

28   Royal Oak Music Theatre, Royal Oak, MI

29   Egyptian Room at Old National Center, Indianapolis, IN

30   Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL

31   Orbit Room, Grand Rapids, MI

FEBRUARY

 2   Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland, Kansas City, MO

 4   Revention Music Center, Houston, TX

 5   Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX

 6   Concrete Street Pavilion, Corpus Christi, TX

 8   ACL Live at the Moody Theatre, Austin, TX

 9   Diamond Ballroom, Oklahoma City, OK

11  Brooklyn Bowl, Las Vegas, NV

12  Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

More information on For All Kings is available online now along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://anthrax.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/anthrax

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.

Every Anthrax Fan Will Want Band’s New “Disease”

Courtesy: Island Records

Early this week veteran metal act Anthrax announced the name and release date for its upcoming eleventh full-length studio recording. The album, For All Kings will be released Friday, February 26th, 2016. Considering that as of next Sunday, November will be halfway wrapped, it’s safe to say that February 26th is not that far off. While fans wait for the big day, Anthrax is giving audiences a special treat to tide them over. The treat in question is the re-issue of the band’s 182 sophomore album Spreading the Disease. The album will be released Friday, November 20th via Island Records. Whether or not fans already own this classic collection of songs, its new re-issue proves to be a great addition to the music library of any of the band’s fans. The main reason for that is its overall presentation. The band didn’t just phone it in per se and re-issue the original album and call it done. Along with the original album it features a complete concert that spans seventeen songs and runs for a total of an hour and sixteen minutes. This will be discussed at more length shortly. Speaking of the concert, its set list is just as worth mention in the overall experience. Last but not least worth noting is the concert’s audio mix. Considering that the concert was originally recorded in 1984 as part of the band’s tour in support of the then upcoming album, the audio quality in this recording stands well apart from so many other recordings. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Rather it makes the overall listening experience of this concert all the more interesting. In turn it makes the whole of Spreading The Disease’s re-issue that much more worth the listen among the band’s fans. All things considered, Anthrax’s new re-issue of its seminal 1985 album Spreading the Disease is one of the best of this year’s music re-issues.

Anthrax’s re-issued 1985 sophomore album Spreading the Disease is one of the best of this year’s music re-issues. The central reason for such honor is that it isn’t just another music re-issue. In other words, the band didn’t just simply re-issue the album and call it done. Instead it re-issued the album alongside a complete live performance recorded in 1984 ahead of the album’s original release. On the surface that might not be saying much. But in the grand scheme of things, it is in fact quite important to the record’s presentation here. The album itself was part of the movement of the rock world at the time away from the glam and hair bands that had dominated the rock community for the first half of the decade. Not only that but its brand of thrash separated it clearly from its counterparts on the west coast. It opted for substance instead of just speed and shredding. That is evident throughout the course of the album’s eleven tracks (nine of which come from the album’s original release and two that are bonuses) and forty-eight minute run time beginning with the Metallica style opener ‘A.I.R.’ ‘Medusa,’ ‘Lone Justice,’ and ‘The Enemy’ each exemplify that difference from the west coast thrash sound just as much. And they are not the only examples that could be cited as examples either. The combination of all ten tracks paints a vivid picture not only of Anthrax’s roots but those of so much of today’s thrash metal. In simple terms, it serves not only as a source of musical entertainment but as an important piece of music history, too. And it is just one part of the reissue’s whole that makes the album’s presentation so important. The bonus concert included with the record is just as important to the package’s presentation as the album itself.

The presentation of Spreading the Disease by itself is an important part of this album’s re-issue. It is just one part of what makes the album’s presentation so important to its overall listening experience. The bonus content included with the record’s re-issue is just as important to the package’s presentation as the album. The bonus material in question includes an eight-song performance that was originally recorded in 1987 during a performance by the band at Sun Plaza in Tokyo and nine isolated tracks. The bonus live material boasts songs from both Spreading the Disease and the band’s 1984 debut album Fistful of Steel. That element will be discussed shortly. What is truly important in regards to the concert’s recording is the fact that it displays the band in its younger days. This is especially important considering that front man Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello had joined the band only three years prior to the concert. That means that Spreading The Disease marked the first time that the pair had recorded with Scott Ian and Charlie Benante and at the time of the concert’s recording the group had obviously not been together all that long. Even having not been together but so long one would not know it from the band’s stage presence in the featured live performance. it is just one element of the bonus disc that makes this re-issue such a worthwhile addition to any Anthrax fan’s home music library. The bonus isolated tracks add even more enjoyment to the package’s overall presentation. That is because they give the featured songs (most of which were recorded in the sessions for Spreading the Disease) a whole new identity. They give fans a glimpse into the creative process at the time and in turn make the reissue’s overall listening experience even more interesting for fans. The combination of the live elements and studio elements together makes the reissue’s bonus disc a bonus in both name in content. They still are hardly all that should be noted in regards to the reissue’s overall presentation that makes it enjoyable for fans. The live songs included in the package’s bonus disc are just as important to the package’s presentation.

The overall collected bonus material featured in Spreading the Disease’s bonus disc is important in its own right to the reissue’s overall packaging. And while they are hugely important altogether, both elements in themselves play their own important role. Having noted the importance of the bonus disc’s featured isolated tracks the natural progression is to examine the featured live performance also included in the bonus disc. The live performance included in the bonus disc was originally recorded in 1987, three years after the original release of Spreading the Disease. And of its eight total tracks, five of those tracks were lifted from Spreading The Disease. The remaining three were lifted from the band’s 1984 debut record Fistful of Metal. The live performance paints a clear picture of the band both musically and personally at the time of the concert’s recording. In comparison to the band’s live show today it shows how far the band has come since that recording and how much its members have grown since then.

The set list featured in the live section of Spreading The Disease’s bonus disc is in itself an important portion of the disc and the performance. It is not the only aspect of the performance that should be noted however. The concert’s audio mix is just as important to the whole of the recording as the set list. What makes the audio mix so important is that unlike so many of today’s live recordings this recording’s audio mix sounds raw. It doesn’t have that, re-mastered, spit-shined sound of said recordings. Listeners will actually feel in listening to this performance like they are really there with the people who were there at the show’s original recording. This is obvious in the open, airy sound presented from beginning to end. Anyone that has ever been to a live concert in person knows exactly what that sounds like. It is different from when one hears it on disc. Even with that noticeably truer live sound, the concert still sounds surprisingly impressive. It never sounds like any of the band members are way off in the distance but that they are right up on stage. It makes for a truly interesting experience for audiences. Together with the concert’s featured set list, the performance in whole makes for a wonderful addition to Spreading The Disease’s new re-issue. The concert in whole, coupled with the album’s original presentation (and its bonus tracks), makes Spreading The Disease a great addition to any metal purist’s music library. Of course for all of the positives offered by the reissue’s noted elements one would be remiss to ignore the isolated tracks included in the presentation’s bonus disc. They play just as important of a role in the overall presentation as the album, its bonus tracks, and the bonus live recording included in the bonus disc.

Spreading The Disease’s full album presentation and its bonus tracks give plenty of reason for this re-issue to be added to any metal and rock purist’s home music library. The bonus concert gives those audiences even more reason to purchase this package. That is because it acts–together with the main album and its bonus tracks–as a complete look back at where Anthrax was then versus where it is now as a band. For all of their importance to the whole of this package, one would be remiss to ignore the isolated tracks included in the bonus disc alongside the concert. The isolated tracks add even more interest to said disc. That is because they give the featured songs new identities in whole. They also serve to give a glimpse into the work that went into bringing each song to life. From time to time, viewers get to see and hear behind-the-scenes featurettes on how bands’ albums come into being. The problem is that none of the noted featurettes give the kind of view as these isolated tracks. Rather they are typically short vignettes shot in guerilla style that do little if anything to illustrate the time and effort spent to create said albums. While the isolated tracks presented here are audio-only, they offer quite a bit more than so many of those “making of” featurettes included with so many of today’s albums. That being the case, the tracks featured here are quite the positive addition to Spreading The Disease in its new re-issue. And together with the bonus live recordings, the whole of the bonus disc proves to be a bonus in far more than just name. It is an extra that will not only entertain but enlighten fans regardless of their familiarity with Anthrax and its body of work. Together with the package’s main album and its bonus tracks, the bonus material included with the album makes Anthrax’s Spreading the Disease re-issue one of the best of this year’s music re-issues.

Anthrax’s Spreading The Disease reissue is one of the best of this year’s new music re-issues. That is because it doesn’t more than just present the original album and call it done. Anthrax, together with Island Records, has included a number of bonuses for audiences new and old alike. The main disc presents the original album and also includes a pair of bonus tracks for a total of eleven tracks. Along with the main album, the two have also included a bonus disc that is indeed a bonus in every sense of the word. It features an eight-song set recorded during the band’s 1987 tour of Asia and nine isolated tracks recorded in studio that display in-depth the work put into bringing Spreading the Disease to life. The bonus live set adds its own share of positives to the whole of the presentation. Each of the elements in their own right make Spreading the Disease’s new re-issue well worth the listen by any metal purist and Anthrax fan alike. Together with the package’s main disc the whole of this package makes it one of the best of this year’s crop of music re-issues. Spreading The Disease will be available in stores and online on Friday, November 20th. More information on this upcoming release is available online now along with all the latest updates on the band’s next new album and all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: http://anthrax.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/anthrax

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

Motor Sister, Steel Panther To Play Special One-Off Show This Friday

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Rock collective Motor Sister will play a special one-off show this week. Motor Sister will play a special one-time only performance this Friday, June 26^th alongside veteran rock band Steel Panther. The performance will be held at the Regency Theater in San Francisco, CA. Tickets for the concert can be purchased online now at http://www.axs.com/events/270262/steel-panther-tickets. In anticipation of the upcoming performance, the band has debuted the video for the song ‘Beg Borrow Steal’ from its Metal Blade Records debut album Ride. The video can be viewed online now via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTmeLKClb_w.

Along with its upcoming show this Friday, Motor Sister has also announced that it will take part in this year’s annual Motorhead “Motorboat Cruise.” The band will join the likes of Slayer, Anthrax, Hatebreed, Exodus, Suicidal Tendencies, Fireball Ministry, and others for the five-day cruise, which leaves port in Miami on Monday, September 28^th and returns Friday, October 2^nd. More information on the “Motorboat Cruise” is available online now at:

Website: http://www.motorboatcruise.com

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/themotorboat

In its first week of release Motor Sister’s Ride debuted on the Billboard charts at the #9 position on the Billboard New Artist (Heatseekers) Chart. It also reached #12 on Billboard’s Hard Music Albums chart, #40 on Billboard’s Rock Albums Chart, #27 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart and #163 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart. Motor Sister consists of Mother Superior founder, guitarist, and vocalist Jim Wilson at the helm, Scott Ian (Anthrax) on guitar, Ian’s wife Pearl Aday on backing vocals, Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint) on bass, and John Tempesta (White Zombie, Exodus, Testament) on drums. More information on Motor Sister’s upcoming concert, “Motorboat Cruise” appearance and all of its upcoming live dates is available online now along with all of the latest news from the band at:

Website: http://www.metalblade.com/motorsister

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MotorSister

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.

Motor Sister’s Debut Has A Big First Week On The Charts

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Rock super group Motor Sister’s debut album Ride has made a big impact on Billboard’s latest charts.

Billboard reported this week that Ride debuted at #12 on Billboard’s Hard Music Albums Chart in just its first week of release. It also came in at #40 on Billboard’s Rock Albums Chart and at #27 on the Billboard Independent Albums Chart. The album impressed even more in its first week out by cracking Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart, coming in at #163 in its debut.  It also came in at #9 on Billboard’s New Artist (Heatseeker) Chart. The album, the brainchild of Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, is a collection of classic Mother Superior sons re-worked by Ian and Mother Superior front man Jim Wilson. Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint) and John Tempesta (Prong, White Zombie, The Cult, Exodus) joined Ian and Wilson on bass and drums respectively for the recording. Ian’s wife Pearl Aday, who is also the daughter of rock superstar Meatloaf, added backing vocals to the album, too.

Motor Sister has already made available for streaming Ride’s lead single ‘This Song Reminds Me Of You’ and debuted the video for its new single ‘A-Hole.’ ‘This Song Reminds Me Of You’ can be streamed online via Metal Blade Records’ website at http://www.metalblade.com/motorsister. The brand new video for ‘A-Hole’ can be viewed online via YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvB0DlzLEc.

All of the latest news and updates from Motor Sister are available online now at:

Website: http://www.metalblade.com/motorsister

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

Twitter: http://twitter.com/MotorSister

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.

Motor Sister’s Ride Is A “Superior” Covers Album

Courtesy: Metal Blade Records

Covers albums in the music industry’s current age are not what they used to be. At one point many years ago, cover albums were something significant. That’s because they were not churned out as quickly and as effortlessly as they are today. They have today become little more than obligatory space fillers used to fill out contractual agreements for one act or another. It’s very rare in the music industry’s current era to find a covers albums that actually stands out and really catches any listener’s attention. Enter Ride, the debut album from rock super group Motor Sister. The band–Scott Ian (Anthrax), John Tempesta (Prong, White Zombie, The Cult, Exodus), Joey Vera (Fates Warning, Armored Saint), Jim Wilson (Mother Superior)– took on twelve classic Mother Superior tunes on this album. And it wasn’t because of any contractual obligation. It was because of a single, simple birthday wish from Scott Ian for his 50th birthday. Yes, Scott Ian is really that old. Though, he doesn’t look that old. He got his wish and then some as this compilation proves. And in turn, rock purists around the world have gotten a covers album that actually stands out, grabs audiences from its outset and keeps them engaged throughout the entire course of the album’s twelve tracks and forty-four minutes. This is obvious right from the album’s opener ‘A-Hole.’ Ths song is a straight forward, old school rock song both musically and lyrically. The punk style sound of ‘Fork in the Road’ will impress just as much. And the addition of the slower, bluesy ‘Fool Around’ serves to show the influence of Mother Superior on the band’s members as well as the members’ level of respect for Mother Superior. All three songs noted here are but part of the whole that is Ride. The remaining nine tracks that make up this “superior” covers record make this a record that every rock purist should hear at least once despite being a handful of covers instead of new, original material.

Motor Sister’s debut LP Ride may not be a collection of new, original material. That aside it still proves over the course of its twelve tracks and forty-four minutes to be a covers album unlike so many others. It isn’t just another space filler recording put out to fulfill contractual obligations. It was just a dream project for Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian. Because it was just a simple dream, it led to the album having an overall feeling that feels completely unlike almost every other obligatory space filler covers record currently cluttering store shelves and online retailers. There is a certain energy present throughout the album that doesn’t exist on those other covers albums. And it makes the album one that every rock purist should hear at least once. That is clear right from the album’s opener ‘A-Hole.’ On its musical side, ‘A-Hole’s’ pure, old school rock sound instantly grabs audiences by the ear thanks to [John] Tempesta’s timekeeping and Scott Ian’s guitar work. Its full-on driving energy is sure to have every listener on his or her feet dancing along. Lyrically, Jim Wilson adds to that energy in his delivery, singing “The venom of a rattlesnake ratting through my veins like a curse/If I live or die/Well I don’t know which one’s worse/Well I’m diggin’ a hole they can bury me in/Waste of a lifetime living in sin/Red lights flash as I ride right past.” The rebellious vibe of the song’s lyrics coupled with its full-on old-school rock and roll sound make the song the perfect choice with which to open the album. It is just one of the many positive additions to the album, too. The inclusion of the decidedly punk rock style song ‘Fork in the Road’ is another positive that every rock purist will appreciate about this compilation. Audiences can check out the song online now via Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvB0DlzLEc as the band recently debuted the video for the song.

‘A-Hole’ is a great first impression for Motor Sister on its debut album. The raw, almost garage rock vibe exuded by the song both musically and lyrically shows clearly why it was chosen to open the album’s twelve-track run. It isn’t the only part of the whole that listeners will like about the record, either. The punk rock sound of ‘Fork in the Road’ is just as much a positive n its own right. One could even argue that while it is a cover of a Mother Superior song, there is even a hint of Motorhead in this song, too. Again, Tempesta leads the song with his solid 2/4 time keeping and wild fills. Ian’s guitar work on this cover is just as tight in the song’s verses as in its slower yet just as hard rocking bridge. And coupled with Wilson’s powerhouse vocals, the song proves just as solidly yet in a different fashion why Ride is an album that despite being a covers collection, is one that every rock purist should hear. Wilson sings in this song, “thanks to my losing streak/ I never feel too lucky/There’s lots of strangers on the dark side of town/And if you’re seein’ ghosts/But ever get a picture/It’s a fact that candles never burn and let you down/The truth is the truth/And a lie is just a lie/Fork in the road/which way to go.” The whole thing comes across as Wilson singing in metaphors. It seems to say that we have to make choices all the time in life and that for the outcome in each situation, there are more decisions that must be made along the way. This is of course just this critic’s own interpretation of these words. It could be a wholly incorrect interpretation. Interpretation aside, one thing on which every listener will agree is that being so different from the likes of the album’s opener and its other tracks, it is another prime example of why this is a record that every rock purist should add to his or her own music library.

Both ‘A-Hole’ and ‘Fork in the Road’ are both prime examples of why every rock purist should have Ride in his or her personal music collection. The full-on, old-school rock sound of the prior coupled with the decidedly punk vibe of ‘Fork in the Road’ alongside both songs’ lyrical content shows a certain amount of variety among the album’s track listing. It would have been simple for the members of Motor Sister to just take one specific song and run it through the course of the album’s dozen tracks. But they didn’t do that. The two songs by themselves show that the band set out to really give listeners something worth hearing. Again this is totally apart from all of the obligatory covers albums released by other acts over the years. ‘Fool Around’ proves this just as much with its more reserved, blues-infused feel and thoughtful lyrics. It isn’t just another classic, old-school ballad. Rather, it is a song that will move listeners without the sappy element of those over-the-top ballads from rock’s past. Wilson sings alongside his band mates, “Sorry/I’m confused/You said some things/While we were drinkin’/Don’t get me wrong/It doesn’t bother me/Actually/I’m quite flattered/But you’re blind…get that gun away from your head/Do you want a fool around/do you really want a fool around/Do you really want this fool around?” It’s not exactly the standard blues piece by any means. But it also isn’t the stereotypical ballad, either. And that’s a good thing. It maintains its own identity. And together with both the likes of ‘A-Hole’ and ‘Fork in the Road’–along with the songs not noted here–it is one more piece that proves Ride as a whole truly is an album that every rock purist should have in his or her own music library.

‘A-Hole,’ ‘Fork in the Road,’ and ‘Fool Around’ are all excellent examples of what makes Ride such an impressive recording even for a covers album. They’re just part of the whole that makes it such a musically rich recording. ‘Doghouse’ boasts its own bluesy yet heavier sound that is sure to impress any fan of both rock and the blues. ‘This Song Reminds Me Of You’ and ‘Beg, Borrow, Steal’ both offer their own equally enjoyable blues-infused rock sound that audiences will enjoy. And then there’s the infectious groove of ‘Get That Girl’ that will have listeners moving just as much as any of the album’s other tracks. Whether for these tracks, the pieces previously noted or the remaining six pieces not discussed, every track on this record plays its own part in making Ride a must have for any rock purist. It is available in stores and online now. More information on Ride and all of the latest updates from Motor Sister is available online now at:

Website: http://www.metalblade.com/motorsister

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

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Chile On Hell Is A Hard Rocking Music History Lesson From Anthrax

Courtesy: Megaforce Records

2014 is almost over.  But even as the year’s last months start to wind down, things haven’t cooled down in terms of the year’s new live recordings. As the year’s final months wind by, critics everywhere will begin firming up their annual “Best Of” lists for publication later in December.  Most critics will focus mainly on the year’s best overall movies and music.  And then there will be those critics and writers that will focus on specific lists such as the year’s best new pop albums, rock albums, hard rock albums, etc. It would seem that among all of the lists that are compiled, one category that doesn’t necessarily receive the attention that it deserves is that of the year’s best new live recordings in terms of DVDs and Blu-rays.  This critic’s personal list of the year’s best new live recordings is already firming up quite well.  There are still at least a couple of spots left open on that list, though.  And one of those spots will most definitely be taken up by veteran hard rock/metal band Anthrax’s new live DVD Chile on Hell.  This new live recording is one that any long-time Anthrax fan will appreciate and enjoy first and foremost for its set list.  While this concert is not necessarily what one would call a “career-spanning” show, it is one that both the band’s original fans and its newest fans alike will appreciate.  The next aspect of the DVD that audiences will appreciate is the band’s stage presence.  Some might consider this something minor.  But in reality, it is just as important in keeping audiences at home fully engaged.  And last but most definitely not least of all worth noting is the concert’s collective audio and video mix.  The two together present a certain raw look and sound that are just as impressive as any more spit shined and perfected recordings that are currently available to audiences.    Each of the factors noted here play their own important role in the overall enjoyment of Chile on Hell.  Altogether, they make this DVD a dark horse candidate for a spot on at least this critic’s list of the year’s best new live recordings.

Far too often, the term career-spanning is tossed around when it comes to live recordings.  Sadly, very far too few of those recordings live up to such hype.  That isn’t to say that no recording lives up to that label.  Rather, far too few live recordings live up to said label.  Thankfully, neither Anthrax nor Megaforce Records make any attempt to call Chile on Hell one of that mass of overly hyped recordings.  Rather, they let the recording speak for itself.  And the statement made is loud and crystal clear as audiences will see in the show’s set list.  The nearly two-hour show includes some of the material included on Worship Music and the band’s recently released EP Anthems.  But by and large, the set list presented in Chile on Hell takes audiences back to the band’s earlier days.  To be more exact, the band largely reaches back to its 1985 and 1987 albums Spreading The Disease and Among The Living for this concert.  1990’s Persistence of Time of also represented here courtesy of the song ‘In My World.’  Such a mix of classics and more recent songs will bring in both the band’s original fan base and its newer and possibly younger fan base at the same time.  One could argue that in presenting such a set list, the band is paying respect to its original fan base while teaching a valuable music history lesson to those younger and newer fans.  Even if this was not the original intent on the part of the band or of Megaforce Records, it is one of the results.  It makes the set list even more solid as the DVD’s center.

The set list and the potentially latent function of said list are together a solid starting point in the success and enjoyment of Chile on Hell.  Just as important as the set list and its effects is the band’s stage presence.  It goes without saying that the band’s stage presence in this stage is full-on.  Front man Joey Belladonna and founding guitarist Scott Ian exude so much energy; so much in fact that even audiences at home will find themselves wanting to sing along and head bang with them.  Such a powerful translation even on-screen is quite a statement.  Belladonna’s band mates add their own energy through their performances.  Whether through Charlie Benante’s pounding drumming, the spot on shredding of Shadows Fall guitarist Jonathan Donais (who replaced Rob Caggiano) or even bassist Frank Bello, the band collectively keeps the audience in attendance at the recording fully engaged from start to finish.  And home viewing audiences will feel that energy themselves, leading them to be fully engaged throughout, too.  That the band’s stage presence could translate so well and have such impact even on home viewers is a tribute to the band itself.  And coupled with the show’s set list, the overall effect of the show is made even stronger, thus making the recording in whole all the more enjoyable for all of the band’s legions of fans.

The set list arranged for Anthrax’s show in Chile and the band’s stage presence combine to make Chile on Hell an impressive addition to any Anthrax fan’s personal collection.  The recording’s collective audio and video mix is the final touch to the whole presentation.  The video doesn’t have the spit shined look of so many other live recordings before it.  Rather, it has a grainier, more raw look.  Yet that look actually plays into the overall presentation.  That is because it actually serves to help heighten the energy exuded by both the band and the audience.  Staying on that topic, audiences will enjoy the camera attached to the end of guitarist Scott Ian’s guitar.  That angle and the others used throughout the concert are used at just the right moments to make for a wonderful impact.  And despite being recorded at an indoor venue, the concert’s audio mix turned out impressive in its own right, too.  Balancing audio levels at indoor venues always has and always will present its own challenges.  In the case of this concert, those charged with balancing the concert’s audio levels both at the show and in post-production are to be commended for their efforts.  The end result of their work is a concert recording in which neither the vocals nor the music overpowered the other.  And together with the equally professional work on the concert’s video mix, it proves to be a concert experience that any of Anthrax’s legions of fans will enjoy no less with each watch.

Those charged with handling the audio and video mix for Chile on Hell are to be highly commended for their high quality of work in this concert.  The band and its label are to be commended, too.  The set list serves a dual purpose.  And the band’s stage presence will keep audiences fully engaged from start to finish.  All three of these factors come together to make Chile on Hell a concert that while bare bones, is one that any hard rock fan and any Anthrax fan will appreciate and enjoy.  The DVD will be available Tuesday, September 16^th via Megaforce Records.  Fans can find out more about this upcoming live recording and keep up with all of the latest updates from Anthrax online at http://anthrax.com, http://anthraxarmy.com, http://twitter.com/anthrax, and http://www.facebook.com/anthrax.  To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Anthrax Guitarist Announces Departure From Band

Long-time Anthrax guitarist Rob Caggiano has left the band.  But he won’t be going very far from the music business.  While Anthrax legions the world over won’t be seeing his name on the band’s albums anymore, they may very well end up seeing his name on their albums, as he has decided to pursue his other love.  That other love is producing.  Proof of his abilities on the boards is a Grammy nod for the song, ‘I’m Alive’ from the band’s most recent full length studio release, Worship Music.  The song garnered the band a Grammy nod for “Best Rock + Metal Performance.”  While it would appear his immediate future is working behind the glass, Caggiano has hinted that he does eventually intend to get back on the road in some form or fashion.

Caggiano released a statement regarding his departure from the band.  The following is what he had to say.  “I’m extremely proud of my time in Anthrax.  Actually, that’s an understatement!  We accomplished so many great things together over the years and I shared some of the best times of my life with these guys.  As a band, we weathered quite a few storms along the way.  It’s been a wild ride (to say the least) from Day One and I wouldn’t change one single thing about the last 12 years.  This is an extremely difficult and emotional decision for me to make but my heart is just steering me in a different direction right now.  I’ve always been one to follow my heart in everything that I do and while this might have been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, it feels like the right one for me at this time.  Scott, Charlie, Joey, Frankie (and John Bush) will always be part of my family and this decision doesn’t change the way I feel about that in the slightest.  I would also like to say thank you to all the amazing fans I’ve met and hung out with worldwide over the years.  You guys always were and always will be the reason I make music!  In this day and age, being a musician isn’t always easy–also an understatement—but the fans truly make it worthwhile for me.  I hope to see each and every one of you again really soon.  The fact that Anthrax is at the top of their game right now and totally ‘out for blood’ after all these years is a testament to this band’s longevity and conviction!  I’m truly honored to have been a part of their brilliant legacy!

This isn’t all that Caggiano had to say with his statement.  He went on to discuss his future plans, including the possibility of recording and hitting the road again.  Here is what he had to say:  “I can’t wait to get back in the recording studio again!  Over the years, I’ve been blessed with the privilege of working with a wide range of great bands/artists from Anthrax and Cradle of Filth all the way to Bruce Springsteen, and I look forward to a hopeful continuation of that side of my career while I figure out my next move as an artist.  BTW in case anyone was wondering after reading all of this, I do FULLY intend to get back out there on the road very soon in some way shape or form…it’s in my blood!  Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @RobCaggiano for any and all updates on what I am up to.

“The band has also commented on Rob’s announcement in a statement.  The band responded to this announcement with its own statement saying, “Rob has been an integral part of Anthrax for so many years, as our lead guitarist, in a production capacity, but most of all as our close friend.  His contributions to the band have been enormous.  While we are sad that he is leaving, we wish him nothing but great success going forward, and hope to share the stage with him again sometime down the road.

 

With the Metal Alliance Tour on the horizon, we have been considering several lead guitarist options, and will be making an announcement on that shortly.”

ANTHRAX – Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Frank Bello, Joey Belladonna

 

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