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


ALBUM REVIEW: Crosses – Goodnight, God Bless, I Love U, Delete


 

Chino Moreno has never been shy at exploring his mellower side away from Deftones, and over the years has dipped into the Post-Rock, Shoegaze and Trip-Hop genres providing us with some highly refined music by way of projects such as Team Sleep and Palms, his collaboration with three former members of Post-Metal kings Isis. Continue reading


ALBUM REVIEW: Royal Blood – Back to the Water Below


 

These days, it’s difficult to find Rock and Roll in its purest form, especially in an era where rock is not king. However, a wave of modern British Invasion bands have produced some acts that have reinvigorated the scene, most notably, Brighton-born rock duo, Royal Blood. Small but mighty, with an unconventional lineup, Royal Blood are fueled by the powerful pair Mike Kerr (vocals/bass) and Ben Thatcher (drums/vocals). Over the last decade-plus as a band, they have climbed the ranks with 3 albums: Royal Blood (2014), How Did We Get So Dark? (2017), Typhoons (2021), and now, they welcome their 4th studio album Back to the Water Below via Warner Music.

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ALBUM REVIEWS: Black Sabbath Reissues – Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules


Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

Photo credit: Mark Weiss with permission

When Ronnie James Dio joined metal legends Black Sabbath in 1980 the former Rainbow frontman’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. Sabbath were a sinking ship. A drowning vessel from which enigmatic frontman Ozzy Osbourne had been trying to escape for some time. However, even though it was painfully clear that new blood had to be added to halt the band’s alarming deterioration the hostility that greeted Dio from some corners was quite shocking.

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ALBUM REVIEW: Billy Talent – Crisis of Faith


If a change is as good as a rest, is a rest as good as a change? It has been over five years since the undistinguished Afraid of Heights (Warner Music) and over two years since the first single from this album, ‘Forgiveness I + II’. While delays could be justifiable and chalked up to the pandemic, the question is, on their sixth album and first for Spinefarm, are Canadian punk troupe Billy Talent facing their own Crisis of Faith and confidence?

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Slash, ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators – Living The Dream


As one of the most recognisable figures in music history (let alone just rock) and a figurehead and member of a couple of massive bands that you may have heard about, guitarist Slash hardly needs any introduction by now. Similarly, whilst not on the same level of notoriety outside of rock circles, Myles Kennedy and his main band Alter Bridge are on a commercial climb and are a certified arena-level band by now, whilst he has also found time to write and tour a solo album this year.Continue reading


Stream The Entire Iron Maiden Live Concert Right Now!


Out this Friday via Warner Music/BMG, Iron Maiden’s The Book Of Souls: Live Chapter is now streaming online at the links below. The package contains fifteen songs from over the course of the The Book Of Souls world tour over the last two years which covered which covered thirty-nine countries across six continents during 2016 and 2017, and was seen by over two million fans. The full package will be released physically in CD, deluxe CD and vinyl audio formats, with the concert film available to stream free online or as a digital download. Watch it below!Continue reading