EP REVIEW: Four Stroke Baron – Monoqueen


When I first heard Four Stroke Baron, I had no idea they were going to be one of my favorite finds of the year. “What kind of a name is that?” I thought, bracing for the worst. Man, was I floored by what I found. A pummeling barrage of progressive metal with crushing riffs and a blazing 1980’s synth crescendos that just don’t quit, yet really lit my fire was the vocals. Bucking the metal cliche of trying to come off as heavy and bröötal as possible, vocalist Kirk Witt delivers powerful lyrics in a meek and almost anxious style that puts you on edge and adds a sense of forlorn urgency to many of the tracks.

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Listen to Mike Portnoy’s Isolated Acapella Version of The Beatles’ “Because”


 

Mike Portnoy (Sons of Apollo, Neal Morse Band, Flying Circus, ex Dream Theater) has been a busy guy during the coronavirus quarantine. He just shared his contribution to an as-yet to be unreleased acapella cover of The Beatles classic “Because” from Abby Road. The final track will include his Sons of Apolla bandmates Jeff Scott Soto, and Bumblefoot!

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Rock N Roll Originator Little Richard Has Died at Age 87


Arguably the architect of the Rock music genre that spawned Rock N Roll as a cultural phenomenon, Little Richard, has passed away. He was 87 years old. The musician’s son, Danny Penniman, confirmed the pioneer’s death to Rolling Stone but said the cause of death was unknown. Born Richard Wayne Penniman in Macon, Georgia in 1932, Richard’s incredible songwriting, unmatchable singing voice, and flamboyant androgynous, yet taboo-shattering mix of sexual energy and religious music in his personality became the playbook for all young rockers to follow. Rolling Stone Magazine eloquently said his “fervent shrieks, flamboyant garb, and joyful, gender-bending persona embodied the spirit and sound of that new art form.” His influence can be felt from The Beatles, to The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Elton John, Billy Joel, Keith Emerson, KISS, Motörhead, MotörheadLed Zeppelin, Tom Jones, Van Morrison, as far back as Elvis, and even into the early stages of Heavy Metal with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow, and Pentagram, his musical touch will be eternal. Starting a string of hits to start his career with ‘Tutti Frutti’, ‘Long Tall Sally’, ‘Rip It Up’ all in 1956,’Lucille’, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’ those early hits shaped generations of fans. We send out sympathy to Little Richard’s family, friends, and fans at this time.

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Ten Years Gone: Peter Steele – 1962 – 2010


It’s hard to believe it has been a decade since Peter Steele passed away in 2010. His death has left a gaping wound in the soul of the music world that can never be repaired. Peter’s memory lives on in his music and the iconic moments that he created with Type O Negative and Carnivore. We created a detailed memorial post last year, which you can read below. Jam some of Peter’s music today in his honor. Rest in Power Peter! Continue reading


Metallica, Tool, and Queen Top The Lists of Most Consumed Rock and Metal Artists


According to a newly published report by music industry data leader BuzzAngle Music’s and their 2019 year-end report, Metallica is the biggest selling band for the last five years when compared with any other rock group. Queen was the top-selling rock artist of 2019, while Tool’s record-breaking Fear Inoculum album was the best selling rock album of the last calendar year. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Silvertomb – Edge of Existence


One of the most anticipated albums of 2019, Silvertomb is made up of some pretty famous alumni of pretty legendary bands. Flying behind the sails of creativity from the talents of Kenny Hickey and Johnny Kelly of Type O Negative fame, the pair have played together since their were teens, and in other bands as well. But this time with help from some other stellar musicians, they have really coalesced sound of their influences, mainly classic Doom, Prog Rock, and Stoner Rock, into a signature style, to create the music that makes up their full-length debut album, Edge of Existence (Longbranch/SPV).Continue reading


NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: September 27th New Music Releases


Check out the new music releases from around the world today.

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CLASSIC ALBUMS REVISITED: The Beatles “Final” Album “Abbey Road” Turns 50


Fifty years ago, The Beatles released what was their final recording together, Abbey Road (Apple Records). Even though the ‘Get Back’ single sessions and the massive Let it Be (also Apple). Let it Be is always remembered as the swansong and has the epic title track ear-wormed into our souls, but Abbey Road was the last time the band would work together collectively on music. Although they were the biggest band on the planet at the time, and their relationships were disintegrating, the group made some of its best music ever on this album. Continue reading


Mötley Crüe’s Smash Hit Record “Dr. Feelgood” Turns 30 Years Old


With the movie adaptation of Mötley Crüe’s biography The Dirt released on Netflix this year and corresponding album, memories of famous Hair Metal band have flooded back to old fans. The bands’ best-selling, best-sounding album found them at the top of their game musically and at the possible height of their popularity was Dr. Feelgood (Elektra) released thirty years ago today. It certainly is the best selling album of their career and has the most music on one release that holds up the best outside of Shout At The Devil (also Elektra).Continue reading


Ozzy Osbourne Shares Trailer for End the Silence Charity Campaign


Ozzy Osbourne At Ozzfest Meets Knotfest, by Stephanie Cabral (with permission MSOPR)

Ozzy Osbourne has shared a video recalling the very first time he heard the song that changed his life, ‘She Loves You’, by The Beatles. The video is for a campaign supporting the “End The Silence” charity, supporting children in orphanages worldwide. Ozzy continues to recuperate from his various injuries and illnesses of the last year and is looking forward to the final solo tour of his career in 2020, The “No More Tours 2” Tour. Info on donating can be found below.Continue reading