Alice Cooper, Queensrÿche, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Skid Row, Lit, L.A. Guns, and More Booked for Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2022


 

Rock and metal cruises are coming back post-lockdown. Monsters Of Rock Cruise 2022 will set sail February 9-14 Miami, Florida aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Of The Seas ship, visiting Cococay, Bahamas, and Lababdee Island. The all-star lineup features Alice Cooper and over 35 Artists including Queensrÿche, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Skid Row, Lit, L.A. Guns, Kix, Winger, Michael Monroe, Great White, H.E.A.T, Loudness, Pat Travers, Y&T, and many more. Hosted by Eddie Trunk, Don Jamieson, Jim Florentine, Keith Roth, Lüc Carl, Nikki Blakk, Izzy and Brian, Metal Dj Will, and Ginger Fish. The public on-sale begins today, at the link below.

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REVIEWS ROUNDUP: Haunt, Witchseeker, and Significant Point


HauntBeautiful Distraction

Having released six full-lengths and other assorted releases in just five years, it’s only inevitable for Haunt’s output to start getting samey. Their first (and probably not last) album in 2021, Beautiful Distraction carries on the polished, synth-laden variant of Heavy Metal last seen on 2020’s Mind Freeze and Flashback. Fortunately, the formula is still enjoyable with tracks like ‘In Our Dreams’ and ‘Face Of Danger’ offering uplifting hooks while ‘Imaginary Borders’ hits. It’s rather strange to see new versions of ‘Hearts On Fire’ and ‘It’s In My Hands’ considering their appearances on prior albums, but their later placements in the track order ultimately amount to inoffensive inclusions. As interchangeable as these albums have become lately, fans will still find their favorite pleasantries on full display.

7 / 10


Witchseeker Scene Of The Wild

Like 2017’s When The Clock Strikes before it, the second album from Singapore’s Witchseeker offers high octane Speed Metal with a certain Hard Rock sensibility. That latter element is especially pronounced on Scene Of The Wild (Dying Victims Productions) as songs like ‘Rock This Night Away,’ ‘Sin City’ (Not an AC/DC cover), and ‘Tokyo Nights’ among others are packed with catchy singalongs and frolicking beats. Fortunately, there’s still enough rawness to go around with the tempos often opting for total intensity, the vocals having an endearingly untrained quality and a filthy as hell bass tone. It may not be a serious gamechanger but another fun listen for fans of Enforcer and White Wizzard.

8 / 10

Significant PointInto The Storm

Significant Point’s debut album follows in the footsteps of their countrymen in groups like Loudness and Anthem, but their approach to Speed Metal ends up feeling more German than Japanese. Songs like the opening ‘Attacker’ and ‘Riders Under The Sun’ show strong influence from Running Wild and Walls Of Jericho-era Helloween with their blazing guitar runs, flamboyant harmonies, relentless drumming, and unhinged yet melodic wails.

There’s also room for more Classic Metal leaning fun with ‘You’ve Got The Power’ and ‘Night Of The Axe’ offering some in your face optimism. The more epic touches on ‘Running Alone’ also make for another highlight of a closer. Into The Storm (Dying Victims Productions) may be rather rough and tumble for some fans, especially when it comes to the vocals, but comes strongly recommended to those who like their Power Metal with extra grit.

8 / 10

CHRIS LATTA


Iron Maiden, Slayer, King Diamond, Anthrax and Twisted Sister To Play Rock Fest Barcelona


rock fest barcelona 2016 ghostcultmag

Rock Fest Barcelona, the premier metal festival of Spain has announced is full schedule for this years’ event. Taking place from July 15th to 17th, the fest features music legends Iron Maiden, King Diamond, Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Slayer, Anthrax and Doro. Joining them are other notable acts such as Amon Amarth, Kreator, Coroner, Michael Schenker, Moonspell, Obituary, Blind Guardian, Thin Lizzy, Barón Rojo, de Boni, ’77, Thundermother and more. One of the best features of the fest is the rotating side by side stages with no overlapping bands. Tickets and passes can be bought at this link:

Rock Fest Barcelona Schedule

Friday 15th July

Open Doors — 11:00 AM

13:00 Nonsense

13:20 Orphaned Land

14:10 Grave Digger

15:15 Moonspell

16:20 Dragonforce

17:30 Coroner

18:35 Tyketto

19:35 Heaven Shall Burn

20:40 Mägo De Oz

21:45 Kreator

22:50 Michael Schenker

23:55 Blind Guardian

01:15 King Diamond

Rock Tent

02:50 Boni

Saturday 16th July

Open Doors — 12:00 PM

13:30 Wild Lies

14:00 The Raven Age

14:35 Battle Beast

15:40 Leize

16:40 Armored Saint

17:45 Unisonic

18:50 Overkill

19:55 Baron Rojo

21:15 Iron Maiden

23:20 Loudness

00:25 Rata Blanca

01:30 Doro

Rock Tent

02:30 77′

Sunday 17th July

Open Doors — 12:00 PM

13:00 Alyanza

13:30 Eclipse

14:25 The Answer

15:15 Candlemass

16:15 Ciclonautas

17:00 Obituary

18:05 Impellitteri

19:10 Anthrax

20:15 Amon Amarth

21:20 Thin Lizzy

22:25 Whitesnake

23:40 Twisted Sister

01:00 Slayer

Rock Tent

02:00 Thundermother


Tuska Music Festival Adds More Bands, Tickets On Sale Now


tuska banner

Finland’s #1 metal festival of summertime, Tuska 2015, has announced a slew of new acts to join the bill. Among the additions are Stormwarrior, Architects, Alfa Hanne, Dr. Living Dead!, Mokoma, Alfa Hanne, At The Hollow, Tryer, The Cold War, Adamantra and many more to come. The show takes place June 26th to June 28th in Suvilahti, Helsinki.

Single day tickets and passes are on sale now from the festival website, with VIP packages to be announced soon. The full bill will be announced later this spring with the line-up for each day so far

Friday June 26th
Sabaton, Lamb Of God, Architects, Exodus, Krokodil, Blues Pills, Ghost Brigade, Alfa Hanne, Enforcer, Foreseen, Death Toll 80k, Ape

Saturday, June 27th
In Flames, Amorphis, Loudness, Ne Obliviscaris, Bloodbath, The Sword, Einherjer, Bombus, Atomic Rotta, Morbid Evils, Tryer, Red Moon Architect, Adamantra, Dark Side Of The Mime

Sunday June 28th

Alice Cooper, Opeth, Stratovarius, Stormwarrior, The Sirens, Warmen, Dr. Living Dead !, At The Hollow, The Cold War

For more information:
http://www.tuska-festival.fi
http://www.fme.fi
http://www.facebook.com/TuskaOpenAir
https://twitter.com/tuskafestival
http://instagram.com/tuskafestival