Warner Music Group Intends to Buy French Digital Music Company Believe SA, Owner of Nuclear Blast Records and Tunecore


One of the largest record labels in the world, Warner Music Group (WMG) has announced it intends to purchase Believe SA, a French digital music company. Among the many companies Believe owns includes a controlling stake in Nuclear Blast Records (acquired in 2018) and its offshoot Blood Blast Distribution, as well as Tunecore a Brooklyn, New York–based digital music distribution, publishing and licensing service founded in 2006. Tunecore distributes music through online retailers such as iTunes, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, Google Play, Tidal, Beatport. According to the press release you can read below, Warner “would provide Believe with strategic support and financial stability to help the development and growth of the Company, including by accelerating its expansion into new geographies.” Nuclear Blast founded in 1987 in Germany, is home to some of the greatest bands in Metal such as, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, C.O.C., Nightwish, Sepultura, Sabaton, In Flames, Lamb of God (Europe), and countless others. In addition to their legendary main brand known for Rock, Pop, Country, and Dance music, WMG owns a ton of sub labels boasting some of the biggest names in Hard Rock, Metal and Punk like 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment (Highly Suspect, Waterparks), Asylum, Atlantic (Shinedown, Halestorm) Big Beat, Elektra Entertainment (formerly: Metallica, Slipknot & Paramore – current: twenty one pilots, Brandi Carlile, Sturgill Simpson) Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen (Fall Out Boy, Jimmy Eat World, A Day To Remember), Nonesuch, Parlophone (Iron Maiden), Reprise (Lamb of God in the USA, Deftones, Disturbed, Crosses), Rhino (boxed sets, vinyl and CD reissues, and countless legacy releases), Roadrunner (Gojira, Turnstile, Motionless In White, Trivium, newly signed Deafheaven, Coheed and Cambria, Stone Sour), Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG’s music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, as well as artist management and services divisions. If the sale goes through, it remains to be seen what shape the deal would have and what impact is might have for Nuclear Blast and Tunecore. Stay tuned for more news on this story.Continue reading


Watch Sabaton Announce New Guitarist Thobbe Englund, Returning to the Band to Replace Tommy Johansson


Sabaton have announced that former guitarist, Thobbe Englund, is rejoining the band. This news comes hot on the heels of Tommy Johansson’s departure announcement less than a month ago on 20th January. The band will open the upcoming US tour for Judas Priest, along with their own shows and 25th anniversary celebrations all year. Watch the announcement video with comments from the band here.Continue reading


Sabaton Shares a New Video Message, Celebrating 25 Years as a Band in 2024


Sabaton has shared a new message to fans, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the band in 2024. The band is promising special events and plans to mark the occasion, including online listening parties of their entire discography, once per month. The band will tour extensively this year, including a coveted opening slot for Judas Priest’s upcoming headline tour! Watch the video now.Continue reading


Sabaton Successfully Wrap “History Rocks” Museum Project


 

Swedish metal giants, Sabaton, recently concluded their worldwide History Rocks museum charity project. The initiative revolved around the global premiere of the band’s animated film, The War To End All Wars – The Movie, and was said by participating museums to be a a resounding success. Read more about History Rocks from curators, managers, and the band in the article below.

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Judas Priest Announces “The Invincible Shield” Tour 2024 with Support from Sabaton


MGM Music Hall, Boston, MA 10/16/22

Heavy metal titans Judas Priest have announced their Invincible Shield Tour with special guest Sabaton. The all-time greats will take over the U.S.A. this spring with 14 shows. Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT making stops in Reading, PA; Boston, MA; Rosemont, IL; Washington, DC and more before wrapping up in Syracuse, NY at Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview on May 22. Full ticketing and tour dates are available below. Metalheads are in for the show of a lifetime as few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest. Also, on Friday November 17, Judas Priest will release “Trial By Fire,” the second song from their highly-anticipated new album Invincible Shield after the acclaimed lead single “Panic Attack.”

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Sabaton Book Worldwide Museum Premiere of Their New Film


Swedish metallers, Sabaton, have teamed up with no less than 119 museums around the world, for the global premiere of The War To End All Wars – The Movie. Part of the band’s History Rocks charity project, it aims to help museums by boosting their visibility and introducing them to a new, untapped audience of Sabaton fans and history buffs. Find out more below.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Nanowar of Steel – Dislike To False Metal


 

Once upon a time in a faraway land called The Eighties, heavy metal fans had long hair, wore denim and leather, possessed a fierce aversion to all forms of hygiene products, and had absolutely no sense of humour whatsoever. So what? if your favourite bands wore assless chaps, furry loincloths, or looked like an explosion in a clown factory. That was fine. It was metal and metal was serious.

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BABYMETAL Partners with Rough Trade Records for “The Other One” Listening Events


BABYMETAL, who are releasing their new album, The Other One, due 24th March via Cooking Vinyl, the Japanese metal group have announced they have partnered with Rough Trade in the United Kingdom for Early Listening Events on Wednesday 22nd March. Fans in attendance will be able to hear the new concept album in full before its official release on 24th March at Rough Trade East (London), Rough Trade Bristol and Rough Trade Nottingham. You can secure your tickets at the link below, as well as watch recent music videos and pre-order the album:

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BABYMETAL Shares a New Single and Video for “Light and Darkness”


BABYMETAL, who had been sealed from the world since October 2021, have finally made an official return with the announcement of BABYMETAL Returns – The Other One, after about a year and 9 months since their last appearance. Today, they’ve also released the album’s third single and video – “Light and Darkness!”

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BABYMETAL Shares a New Live Performance Video of “Metal Kingdom”


BABYMETAL, who had been sealed from the world since October 2021, have finally made an official return with the announcement of BABYMETAL Returns – The Other One, after about a year and 9 months since their last appearance. Today, they’ve also released a live performance music video of the album’s third single “Metal Kingdom.” taken from their Japanese show last week.

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