In a thrilling announcement for rock and metal fans, the legendary bands VOÏVOD and PRONG are delighted to confirm their much-anticipated co-headline tour, set to take place in 2024. This tour marks a reunion of sorts for the two bands, who have long admired each other’s work and have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to hit the road together once again.

The decision to embark on this tour was an easy one for both bands, united by their fresh and acclaimed new records. VOÏVOD, the Canadian heavy metal connoisseurs, recently released their latest album, Morgoth Tales, under the banners of Century Media, The Orchard, and Sony Music. This record is a testament to their enduring impact in the metal scene, showcasing their evolution and prowess.

Furthermore, Voïvod’s 2022 release, Synchro Anarchy, has garnered significant acclaim, winning the 2023 Juno Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Album in Canada. This recognition is a clear indicator of Voïvod’s undiminished skill and relevance in the genre.

The upcoming tour promises to be an exhilarating experience, as both VOÏVOD and PRONG are known for their dynamic and powerful live performances. Fans can expect a blend of new hits and classic favorites, delivered with the raw energy and passion that both bands are renowned for.

VOÏVOD and PRONG Full Dates:
Wed 2/28/24 – Columbus, OH – King of Clubs
Thu 2/29/24 – Milwaukie, WI – The Rave
Fri 3/1/24 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
Sat 3/2/24 – Kansas City, MO – recordBar
Sun 3/3/24 – Denver, CO – Oriental Theater
Mon 3/4/24 – South Salt Lake, UT – The Commonwealth Room
Wed 3/6/24 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom
Thu 3/7/24 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon
Fri 3/8/24 – Eugene, OR – John Henry’s
Sat 3/9/24 – Berkeley, CA – The UC Theatre
Sun 3/10/24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda Theatre
Tue 3/12/24 – San Diego, CA – Brick by Brick
Wed 3/13/24 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren
Fri 3/15/24 – Dallas, TX – Granada Theater
Sat 3/16/24 – Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom
Sun 3/17/24 – St. Louis, MO – The Golden Record
Wed 3/20/24 – Chicago, IL – Thalia Hall 
Thu 3/21/24 – Fort Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center
Fri 3/22/24 – Knoxville, TN – The Concourse
Sun 3/24/24 – Stroudsburg, PA – Sherman Theater

And more international dates to be announced soon…

VOÏVOD online:
http://voivod.com 
http://www.facebook.com/Voivod 
http://www.instagram.com/voivodofficial  
https://twitter.com/voivoddotnet 

Canadian sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD are celebrating 40 eventful years of existence in 2023 with a special Anniversary studio album entitled Morgöth Tales, released worldwide now via Century Media Records.

Upon release this week, Morgöth Tales has entered the official album sales charts in Germany at # 36 and in Switzerland at # 94. Congratulations!

To further support the album’s release and their 40th Anniversary, VOIVOD are now launching a new live video of the song “Thrashing Rage” recorded by the Rockpalast / WDR team at the band’s recent appearance at Germany’s Rock Hard Festival

VOIVOD drummer Michel “Away” Langevin checked in with the following comment about the clip: “At the end of the last USA tour in May, Rock Hard Festival asked Voïvod to fill in last minute for Discharge, who could not make it. We last played there in 2015 and love the outdoor amphitheater as well as the metal family atmosphere on the site and backstage. One of the highlights for me was watching Brian Downey’s Alive and Dangerous from the side of the stage. Here’s “Thrashing Rage”, a cut from our May 27th, 2023 Rock Hard Festival show, filmed by the legendary Rockpalast during our “Morgöth Tales” tour, which is not over yet! See you on the road soon…”

VOIVOD online:
http://voivod.com
http://www.facebook.com/Voivod
http://www.instagram.com/voivodofficial 
https://twitter.com/voivoddotnet

To celebrate their 40th anniversary, Canadian thrash/prog metallers Voivod have revisited and re-recorded earlier material from 1984 – 2003 and thrown it into a 2023 flavoured pot and called it Morgoth Tales. There is one brand new song, the album’s title track. The band have chosen some of their more obscure material to go back to and given the songs a new lease of life. I’m not really into bands re-recording/mixing old material, the reason we liked it in the first place is because of how it sounded back then. Voivod however, have done a great job here. Crystal clear production values and superb performances reminding us just how influential a band Voivod are.

The track listing is as follows:

Condemned To the Gallows (2023 Version) [Originally on Metal Massacre V Compilation, 1984]

Thrashing Rage (2023 Version) [Originally on “Rrröööaaarrr”, 1986]

Killing Technology (2023 Version) [Originally on “Killing Technology”, 1987]

Macrosolutions To Megaproblems (2023 Version) [Originally on“Dimension Hatröss”, 1988]

Pre-Ignition (2023 Version) [Originally on “Nothingface”, 1989]

Nuage Fractal (2023 Version) [Originally on “Angel Rat”, 1991]

Fix My Heart (2023 Version) [Originally on “The Outer Limits”, 1993]

Rise (2023 Version, feat. Eric Forrest) [Originally on “Phobos”, 1997]

Rebel Robot (2023 Version, feat. Jason Newsted) [Originally on “Voivod”, 2003]

Morgöth Tales [New Song]

It’s nice to hear ex band members Eric Forrest (E – Force) and Jason Newsted (Jasonic) on the tracks Rise and Rebel Robot respectively. This really is a quality album; the bands diversity is highlighted beautifully. Voivod can sound like Celtic Frost one minute and like Rush the next. The musicianship is other worldly at times, they really are masters of their craft.

Here’s what drummer Michel “Away” Langevin commented about Morgöth Tales: “’Morgöth Tales’ covers 40 years of space exploration. It was exciting for us to revisit a more obscure part of the Voïvod catalogue, from thrash-punk to prog-metal to…? The title track is a new song, which we started writing in the tour bus and hotels during the Opeth European tour in November/December 2022. It has the vibe of the experimental music we are doing nowadays, with a new twist, I think. We also had the great thrill of getting E-Force and Jasonic involved on this album. I hope you’ll dig it, Chewy, Rocky, Snake and I certainly had a blast recording it. All aboard and ready for take-off!“ Morgoth Tales is released via Century Media Records on July 21st on the following formats: Limited CD Jewel case in O-Card and Digital Album formats will also come with a cover version of the Public Image Ltd. track “Home” as bonus.

Buy Here

Author: Kenny Kendrick

Try these brand new bangers for size. Whilst the UK is enjoying some sizzling sunshine we’re sat indoors searching new tunes for you lovely lot. first up is this ripper from down under as Clowns prepare for the release of their new album ‘Formalydahide’ turns up the heat. Clowns Facebook

Next out of the traps is ‘Nuage Fractal’ From the forthcoming VOIVOD “Morgöth Tales” 40th Anniversary album, out July 21st, 2023. Pre order Here

FINALLY!!! THE DAY HAS ARRIVED AND HERE IT IS …....

 

DARKTHRONE – OLD STAR
order Here

 

New studio album out today on Peaceville
The Norwegian black metal legends mark their return with a sublime new slab of relentless riffing in the true spirit of the underground.

 

“more metal than ever” Fenriz
The legendary Norwegian longstanding partnership of Fenriz and Ted “Nocturno Culto” Skjellum, return with their first studio album since 2016’s hugely popular ‘Arctic Thunder’, in the shape of ‘Old Star’. With a mastery and endless dedication to the art of the riff, the Norwegian legends cut through 6 new epic tracks, taking in the best of the old school of heavy & extreme metal plus a large dose of doom-laden riffing, & channeling it through the grime of the underground.
Fenriz enthuses «Old star – again we are here with THE RIFFS! A while after our previous ARCTIC THUNDER album it became apparent that we would continue in that same style, BLACK OLD HEAVY METAL with slow thrash, classic doom, and slow death metal.
As many have focussed on the 70s sound over the last 20 years, the mix on our new album has ended up being more 80s than ever. The songs are more metal than ever! Ted’s songs have a lot of black metal in them, faster and slower but also doomier parts and recurring parts. My songs are more linear written, it’s an ancient 80s underground trick, with breaks, all slow heavy or slow thrash, classic doom or slow death.»
He continues “All in all it is our most 80s album so far and our most metal one to date with drum sound typical for the 80s USA/German market and damned lyrics, which are all written by me. We feel that ‘OLD STAR’ is the big brother of ARCTIC THUNDER. More solid and with even better riffs.”
‘Old Star’ was recorded at the band’s Necrohell 2 Studios, with engineering and production duties carried out by vocalist/guitarist Nocturno Culto, complemented with a perfectly organic mix courtesy of Sanford Parker (Voivod) at Hypercube Studios, & mastered once more by Jack Control at Enormous Door. The stellar cover artistry comes courtesy of Chadwick St John, titled “The Shepherd of the Deep”.
Over the course of 30 years, Norway’s Darkthrone has become a staple of the global black metal genre, forging a legacy as one of the most renowned and influential bands in its illustrious & often infamous history. In the formative years following their 1987 inception, Darkthrone initially started with a strong concoction of thrash & then death/doom metal experimentation, with broader musical influences spanning from the 60s to the 80s, before the debut album Soulside Journey was unleashed in 1991. Never ones to follow convention or stand still even then, the band soon embraced a much darker, more primitive form of expression with the now iconic second album A Blaze in the Northern Sky, & the rest became history.
OLD STAR will be released on the following formats with each featuring handwritten lyrics in the booklet or insert:
CD
Ltd Edition 7” vinyl box set – Old Star is presented on 3 coloured 7” (black, white, clear vinyl) 
Black 180g vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g purple vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g green vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g orange vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g red vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g gold vinyl LP
Ltd Edition 180g white vinyl LP
Cassette
Digital album
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“October The trees are stripped bare of all they wear but what do I care”

October

We’re building up a head of steam as RPM goes live and one of the first thing Craggy does is pick up the cowpunk noisemakers Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band and their ‘Poor Until Payday’ album (Oh yeah the one he didn’t review) That aside October saw Fraser jet off to warmer climates before chasing the Damned around the country and flying to Holland for Helldorado.  But more of that later.

Several of us bought ‘Speed’ no not the drug but the fantastic new album from Swedish action rockers Scumbag Millionaires it is a thoroughbred non-stop wall of noise a turbocharged ride of exciting punked up Rock n Fuckin’ Roll and it deservedly got a rave review round here.

Whilst we’re on the subject of new records it seemed pretty much everyone picked up a copy of the Primal Scream ‘Memphis Recordings’ and most scratched their heads wondering how the band ditched these swinging versions for the more straight rock versions that made the commercial release but we’re glad it did see the light of day that’s for sure.

Bringing up exciting new bands a promo for ‘You Say I’m Too Much’ by Estrons flew into our emails and proceeded to work its way around the review team as those that did hear it wanted to review it but the one pulling the lucky straw was Johnny Hayward who rushed out and picked up a copy and a ticket to see them live on the strength of the record that blew him away.  One of the reasons why we do this is because we are music fans and discovering new bands and albums still gives us a buzz when it happens and especially when it’s this good.Certainly a potential album of the year right there.

Other notable releases this month were the magnificent Virginmarys ‘Northern Sun Sessions’ and ‘Master Volume’ from the Dirty Nil. We also got stuck into a couple of fantastic interviews – firstly Gerald got Tyla to sit down long enough to tell us all about his new album as well as more in-depth responses to some burning questions Gerald wanted to ask someone he greatly admired it was the perfect time to get the exclusive lowdown on the new ‘In Vino Veritas‘ album that was due out in November which we were lucky enough to review first I do believe. As it goes Gerald also picked up the honour of reviewing that to which he gave it a glowing report and one that will certainly be near the top of his end of year list for best album.

Another album we got to review first and another that would easily be a contender for album of the year and that’s the debut solo album from Role Model frontman Rich Ragany.  ‘…Like We’ll Never Make It…’ is a beautiful, skillful master class in songwriting and showed another side to the guy we call Rags and we were the first to ask the question of how this guy isn’t everywhere? How he’s not on the cover of music mags? Seriously it’s a weird business sometimes but we get it and so do others such has been the response from people who’ve taken the time to sit down and listen. Anyway, Released via pledge it gets its CD birth in the new year with a release show that will sell out fast and it has a supporting cast that makes me blush thinking how good it’s going to be and RPM will be there too.


I also got to interview one of my favourite players the one and only Alvin Gibbs.  We chatted about his forthcoming album as well as his time with Iggy and Cheap and Nasty and found out about Alvin having a degree in History which isn’t something most musical artists can boast as well as a few choice stories about his love of the Subs as well as his book Neighbourhood threat (now entitled ‘Some Weird Sin’) having a makeover with a new chapter  and title and a book I can’t recommend highly enough.  It really is one of the finest books about touring and being in a band out there and absolutely captivating read and one you won’t want to put down.

Also if that wasn’t enough we also got the lowdown on The Hip Priests new album and it was exclusively revealed that the new album that’ll hit the shops in the new year will be called…Nah click the link and read it yourself.  As well as the new album we spoke about playing in a band on shit island and about the expansion to a five-piece.

 

We could go on and on about all the great records released in October this year but we’d run out of time and we need to review the live shows we took in. So Fraser made sure I mentioned his Kiss Kruise and the fact that he finally got to meet Vinnie Vincent but knowing the kiss set up I can’t see if its Vinnie or if he sent his mother instead with a note explaining.

There were so many shows in October Johnny went gig crazy taking in a diverse range of genres from the Canadian thrash-punks Voivod who RRRRooooared into Cardiff and put on a fantastic display then he headed East to Newport Rock City when he spent a rather splendid evening with Ancient Shapes where he declared the evening to be such a success that it was one of the best gigs he’d been to all year and the only thing missing was the sold out sign on the door. 

We also took in Classic rock when Leigh Fuge went to the Tramshed to see Glen Hughes where he was suitably impressed whilst Nev went across the river to see the finest in Americana done acoustically by none other than Chuck Prophet who was supported on the night by Jesse Malin a firm favourite of the team here. It was certainly all happening out West meanwhile in old London town Armitage happened upon a show where The Dirty Strangers followed a magnificent performance by Rich Ragany and the digressions but The headliners from Los Angeles The Brutalists made it a memorable evenings entertainment guvnor.

Sadly October wasn’t all wine and roses as we got the news that Biters were going on an indefinite Hiatus but Tuk later revealed he was heading into the studio to record a solo album which we look forward to in 2019. however, the real tragedy unfolded in California as the news swept social media that Our friend and incredible musician Todd (Youth) Schofield lost his life.  It was one of those news stories you hoped was fake news and just an internet trolls mischief but it was later confirmed by his good friend Skye Vaughan-Jayne.  Todd will be really missed by a lot of people most notably his daughters and close friends.  Todd was a gent we had the pleasure of meeting several times when he toured the UK as part of Jesse Malin’s band and also when out with Chelsea Smiles. When Johnny was the head honcho at Uber Rock he had the pleasure of interviewing the guy who was very supportive of an alternative website championing rock n roll and for all the records he played on we salute you, Mr Youth, you will never be forgotten.

Before the month was out we still found time to review some fine records most notably Martins breakdown of the new Nicotine Pretty EP ‘Real Life Glories’ whilst Dom forensically picked through the charred remains of Deathtraps ‘Gotta Get Some’ and I even managed to take in a couple of their live shows where the songs came to life and were subsequently throttled to death through the medium of  garage punk rock n roll it wasn’t pretty but I liked it – no I fuckin’ loved it! – great stuff!

Gerald flew in his Prophets Of Addiction album review which again impressed us at HQ whilst Ben was mightily Impressed with King Brothers and their wild Garage beats. There was even time for Jeff Dahl to drop by with a new mini album in tow which he recorded in Sweden with the excellent Demons.  It was next month when I got to put some questions about his work and plans.