If you share this video of the US powerhouse Blameshift on YouTube you're in for a special treat. The band is raffling a handpainted PRS guitar among all those who participate. Be quick this only lasts 'til end of this month (March 2021).
This is how the guitar looks like.
As for the music: the song is a fine tuned track that combines straight rock patterns and riffing with female vocals that emphasize on the proper timings when the music reaches it's highs and softer points. I like the catchy style without losing it's power or the needed pressure.
The band recorded more tunes in the meantime with Erik Ron (Godsmack, New Years Day, Panic! At The Disco) on the helm. Make sure to keep a eye on Facebook so you won't miss out on what's to come.
A traditional metal release that reminds me of classic Judas Priest days (Screaming for vengeance) with slight thrash metal riffs every here and there.
This one goes in straight, grooves out a lot. It's not too hard soundwise so the listening is more of joy than having to fight through rough notes. Yet in all the riff-blasting there are breaks every here and there that bring in some fresh wind into the direct sound. It's mostly guitar-driven with a slighty edge on playing the six strings. "Warrior of Destruction" is a good example for this.
"Guiding Faith" shows the band's ability to go for more epic songwriting. The opening riff is already bolder and the song changes far more in it's duration. But don't worry the next track "Fade to black" already pumps in more heavyness and goes in straighter with more speed. It's high vocal screams are outstanding!
"Kingdom of the dead" is a riff-hacker and speed-run. This spreads out a lot of fun and feels like a reminder to thrash days. It doesn't fiddle around and that's what I love so much. Sounds great!
All in all this feels like a journey that has many stations in it. A travel through a rich landescape of metal riffs.
Metal lovers need to have this - but make sure to be a friend of the high notes. They occur often so you need to feel fine with them. It's available on Bandcamp as download, CD and vinyl (sadly the orange one is already sold out).
This particular movie could be worth a look at because it's told in a found footage format, something that the "Blair Witch Project" introduced for the first time in 1999.
Let's see if "Dwellers", produced by Ellefson Films (the new film company of Megadeth bassist David Ellefson) can bring something new into the horror genre.
A sign reveals that something has happend to these people...
Dwellers has been described as being, "C.H.U.D. if it were shot like The
Blair Witch Project." The film stars: Drew Fortier, James L. Edwards
(Her Name Was Christa), Douglas Esper (The Nutshell) and Omar Baig
(Let's Make a Movie).
Also featuring cameos from the film's producer,
David Ellefson, as well as former Mushroomhead vocalist, Jeff Hatrix. It has been written and directed by Drew Fortier.
The film's plot is as follows: While
shooting a documentary on the suspicious disappearances within the
homeless community, a filmmaker and his crew go missing while uncovering
a terrifying and vicious secret below the city's surface.
The first screening has been announced for this coming Saturday, March 20th 2021 as a
part of the HorrorHound Film Festival's Midnight Madness Feature and
will hold a special virtual Q&A after the screening that will
feature cast members from _Dwellers_.Tickets go just for 10 Dollars for the whole event with plenty more of content.
The trailer gives a first glimpse of what is about to come up.
Later in the year on October 12, 2021, a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital release will see the light of day. The physical release is planned to be packed with bonus features. More details to be released in the coming months along with pre-order information.
David Ellefson will also be making various appearances throughout the year at horror conventions and fan expos to screen Dwellers. Keep up with Ellefson's social media on Facebook for more details.
In these times many bands need to ask the fans for the money they need to produce a new album. One of the hardest parts surely is to offer something special that people will want to get their hands on.
New Bloody Times tunes are in the makings.
Bloody Times have chosen to give out even the pre-production demos as well as backing tracks to those who give more than the average amount. Any amount helps and the basic level already secures a download of the new song package. Here's a overlook:
Basic reward:
No matter what amount you support us with, you'll always get a free download of the new music as early access before the official release.
Full reward (25+ euros):
We’ll send you the official CD to your location plus you’ll get a special version of the album (“Story Edition”, exclusive only) as download. We also include your name as a supporter in the CD booklet.
Greater Reward (50+ euros):
We will share the pre-production demos with you, which are only meant for internal use. Plus, you’ll get exclusive backing tracks of the songs which is super interesting if you’re a musician or singer yourself.
Insane reward (75+ euros):
You’ll receive an artefact such as an used guitar string from us. This comes with a certificate that displays for what song the artefact was used. Artefacts are only available "while stock lasts" (first come, first serve; but we're using a lot of strings so we should have enough for all supporters).
Also you've the chance to be a part of our record! We’d like to include you into a radio message effect scene in one of our songs. If you want this, you’ll need to meet the requirements. You don’t need special equipment but only follow certain instructions. This special task will be granted and is limited to the three backers with the highest amount donated and thus gave us the highest support to finance this production."
You can listen to some music of the band in the short campaign video.
As for the vocal duties the band comments: "While the line-up regarding guitar and bass is still the same, the vocal slot will probably again be filled with some shining guests. After the break of John Greely, it’s planned that he’ll support us again on some songs, together with presumably some European singers, named Oddleif Stensland (Communic) and David Marcelis (Thorium, Black Knight). Nothing cast in stone yet, but you can expect something."
Uplifting - that's the feeling that came to my mind as I heard the first song of the Omaha based band. On the first look you can quickly spot that they have created a own optic for themselves. The music follows this idea to stand out.
Photo Credit: Mistress Desire.
Sure it is based on the Glam Metal genre but adds a slightly rougher shaped note to the melodies. The drums are also tighter and the whole package goes in straight without setting marks that leave a trace behind.
Who are the guys behind the album "Something Bigger" ? I felt the need to have a talk about the band's first tour that got cancelled in the first Corona wave, online shows, the burdens of today's generation and the new album that is in the works.
Heavy Metal Underdogs: I think your sound is outworked more in detail compared to similar bands. The guitar riffs are heavier and darker toned. How did you go along to create your own style ?
Sam Spade - Thank you very much. We have tried very hard to create a sound that is unique and exciting. The Midnight Devils are a new rock n roll band that is very heavily influenced by bands like KISS, The Ramones, and Van Halen yet we aren’t setting out to recreate anything from the past. Our music is familiar yet still unpredictable and fresh. We just combined all of our influences including Elvis, The Rolling Stones, and Motley Crue. It’s ass-shaking party rock n roll that is all about having the best time possible if only for just one night.
You were on tour in March 2020 as the Corona-Virus started to spread and had to stop the tour. How was the situation back in those days for bands ? Did the shutdown come fast or were there still some venues who held the doors open ?
Sam Spade - It was very interesting how it all happened. We got the call to join The Quireboys on as their support band on their US tour. We were blown away and had about a week to get ready and get out to Salt Lake City to start the tour. It was an incredible feeling being able to open for some of your heroes every night across the country. As we started the tour there were slight rumblings of this virus in China that was killing people. We didn’t think anything of it and kept playing shows like normal. About a week into the tour we heard that the virus made it into the USA and some of the cities might start shutting down. We started to get a little nervous and monitor the news more closely. About two weeks into the tour states started closing and we knew we were in trouble but we were going to stick it out as long as possible. Our last show was in New Orleans on March 15th and that night the entire city shut down at midnight. We got off stage The Quireboys manager took us outside and said he loved working with us and this was the hardest thing to do but he had to cancel the rest of the shows. They were worried about making it back to England let alone to the next stop. We were defeated and that hurt badly. We turned around and drove 20 hours straight home thinking this would all be over in a week or two. Here we are one full year later.
Do you think online or car shows are a alternative to real shows ?
Sam Spade - I personally don't think online streaming shows even come close to the real thing. The fact is that we don’t have many other options. I think some great things have been done over the last year but watching a band on your phone just doesn’t have the same sensory effect. You don’t get the lights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touch of an actually rock n roll party. That being said everyone is now exactly on the same level. We are all a captive audience sitting at home on our phones watching and listening. Streaming shows are cool but it pales in comparison to the real thing.
One of the tracks on the debut CD is called "Generation Durt". Do you think this generation has to take more burden than others ?
Sam Spade - Not necessarily. I think it’s really all about your goals and what you are willing to do to get there. Sure it seems like this generation has everything easier but on the other side nothing has been handed to us. Especially in the music business there are so many bands, agents, managers, and labels looking to make an easy dollar off of any artist. There are so many bands and shows that it’s more difficult now to sell records then it was 20 years ago. How do you separate this band from the rest of the guys out there? How do the great bands rise above every other dude with a guitar. There is no easy way and the business has made it more difficult then ever for artists to grow and nurture. Think about this though, what happens when bands like Motley, Alice Cooper, KISS, Poison, Def Leppard all retire? There needs to be another generation of rock n roll stars to step up and follow the guys that laid the blue print.
You are going to record a new album with Chip Z'Nuff on the helm. Do you think his influence will change your sound in some ways ?
Sam Spade - I am very excited to work with Chip on this new album. I am excited to bounce ideas off of him and let him get his hands in The Midnight Devils. We have done a ton of shows with Chip and the boys and he knows exactly what we are supposed to sound like. I think he is going to help us deliver a really incredible record with mega hooks and catchy sing-a-long choruses. We will be staying there in the studio with him in Chicago so it will be four days of hard work and lots of good times. I fully trust Chip and think he is going to help us knock this sophomore release out of the park.
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