KKs Priest calls us to keep music alive and kicking

In these times we're living in it's quite easy to give up. So much seems to be lost and down. So I'm glad to see and hear that KKs Priest gives us a call not to let it all go to waste what we all love and believe in so much. 

The title track of the upcoming album has already been revealed.

"Stick further to the music and keep the flame burning" this video talks to me. 

Musically this track stems from all the classic material we all know but holds the power and pressure tight 'til the last second. The vocals Ripper Owens performs feel very concentrated and to the point without going on one's nerves with too many high notes. The more classic sort of production without overload on noise adds to the positive feedback the title track calls in me. 

The release of the Sermons Of The Sinner album via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records will come on August 20. Fans are able to pre-order the debut album in various configurations including an exclusive limited edition autographed Metal Vinyl (Silver Disc) with bonus CD Album, via the band’s online store here: https://found.ee/KKsPriest. The album can be pre-saved via all global digital streaming partners as well. 

 

With Downing on guitar, KK’s PRIEST also features ex-Judas Priest member Tim “Ripper” Owens on vocals, who fronted the band for eight years and recorded two studio albums, Jugulator, featuring the GRAMMY® nominated track “Bullet Train,” and Demolition, plus two live albums. 

 

They are joined by Tony Newton (Voodoo Six) on bass, A.J. Mills (Hostile) on guitar and Sean Elg (DeathRiders/Cage) on drums. Original drummer, Les Binks, unfortunately sustained a wrist injury, but will make special guest live appearances when the band tours. 

 

KK’S PRIEST is set to tour worldwide as soon as current restrictions are lifted. Details of touring to be announced. 

 

Connect with KK’S PRIEST via… 

Website - www.kkspriest.com 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/KKsPriest

CD Review: AlogiA - Semendria (Symphonic Power Metal, 2020)

Finally after some time a brand new AlogiA album see's the light of day. What happened in the four years since the last release?

The cover creates a positive feeling in me.

I think a lot of work and re-thinking has gone into the creation of "Semendria". First of all the sound underwent changes. This time around it's far more compact and dry. It's not that pumped and blown-up anymore. This makes the tunes lighter to enjoy. The new tunes are compact in duration. A eye was held on a limited tme frame so the tracks come to the point.   

New sound meets tradition

Most of the songs are sourced of traditional symphonic power metal sounds. This lays down a classic foundation to the sound. This impression continues with the vocals that add more high screams than ever before.  

But "Semendria" is far from being a "standard" or one of the many albums out there. This becomes evident on clearer moments that shine through. Just listen to the verses of "The Calling" - they slowly build from softer to faster/harder each verse-round.

The title-track is a good example for the evolution. While lyrically and in the basics a classic track it's the fine elements like the flute or the acoustic guitars that give it a special touch.

Refrains like the one on "Visantia" are outworked with a finetuned melody - leave your ears open and you'll recognize.
Finally piano passages make "From East to West" stand out of all of the tracks. A nice way to end the record in a softer style.
 
All in all I'd like to point out the newest output of AlogiA to your attention. It has more to offer than ever before. It has got a lot of variation in it that is a welcomed aspect. Listening becomes a joy. The shorter way to present the music prevents boring lengths and also gives the music a chance if you're cut short on time.   

Also guest performances of Tim "Ripper" Owens, Mark Boals and the fantastic organ of Fabio Leone make it a even bigger highlight than it already is.

CD and Vinyl available
Make sure to pick a phystical CD copy of the album directly of the online shop. Currently a limited vinyl edition of the record is up for pre-order through Elevate Records at a lower price (20 Euro, will be 24 Euro later. Both prices plus shipping and handling.

Album Review: Held Hostage (feat. Ripper Owens) - Epic (Classic Metal, 2019)

You can't keep a good man down! This goes especially for Tim "Ripper" Owens who thankfully refuses to give up. Instead he contributed guest vocals to a album for all the straight rockers out there that goes into the ears at the first listen already.

Held Hostage have shown themselves with a varity of guest musicians in the past. They also shared parts of the income they were able to earn this way with veterans in need. Both things combined sounded like a album well worth checking out to me.

The hammer comes down on us with Held Hostage's new record "Epic".

I wasn't disappointed giving my time to check "Epic" out. This record that is yet to be released (December 15th 2019. digitally, CD January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors) gives the good feeling of listening to classic metal from the first seconds of duration all the way to it's end.

To be precise it opens with "Lightning" going straight, short and to the point. "Tonights The Night" calls for sing-along and makes sure that every day is the right one to do what you ever wanted. I love the repeat of the refrain at the end. I'm still having it in rotation on my mind.

The album turns it's tides on the upcoming two tunes. Both a bit rougher, louder. The guitars make me nervous and shaking while the vocals show the darker, more subtile parts Ripper Owens voice is able to perform. This makes such a voice stand out in my ears.

"Turn The Light" brings the listener down back again with a little more relaxed atmosphere. This doesn't last long as already "It's all over you" turns out to be a riff-ladden song that shares a strong 80s AC/DC vibe but with more agressive vocals inside.

Number seven "Hot Night" is a solid one. Nothing too special here but you'll go along with a solid rock track. All the other tracks go a much riff-based way with excellent vocals on top. They all feature hooklines that invite you to sing along.

This album is a perfect fit for all those looking for straight Rock 'n' Roll that goes quickly into your minds and hearts. Ripper Owens performance gives the songs the extra something. I think the people out there will love this silver disc once they heard it. Please don't miss this one out.

As a preview here's the track "Lightning". Please check Held Hostage's Facebook page for more details on where exactly to order "Epic" on CD or how to get it digitally starting December 15th 2019. The CD will be released January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors).

Tour of The Month: The Three Tremors featuring Benedictum

Some tours completly surprise me. This particular one already starts this very wednesday and I've not been aware of before today.

Not only will it feature The Three Tremors, a band that is comprised of Ripper Owens, Harry Conklin and Sean Peck Hammer but also have various top notch opening acts.

The tourposter for the Three Tremors shows partly feat. Bendedictum

One of them are called Benedictum, a american heavy metal band featuring vocalist Veronica Freeman "The V". Looking up their music revealed to me that they are a killer band that won my heart in a rush. But there are more good news coming directly from the band. Just read on:

(Vocalist Veronica Freeman "The V") - Benedictum are getting ready to embark on a European tour. This time out new members Ed Mischke (guitar), Eddie Jucius (bass) and Mark Zapata (drums) will be joining me as we support The Three Tremors during a leg of their tour. The future will hold some new music from Benedictum as guitar player and co-founder Pete Wells will be joined by Ed Mischke for a twin guitar attack. Something The V has said she has wanted for Benedictum for a while.

(Guitarist Ed Mischke) - Eddie Jucius, Mark Zapata and myself (core members of New York power metal band SPIRITUAL SICKNESS) are super psyched to be a part of the new Benedictum and to bring this lineup to Europe with our good friends The Three Tremors. I’m personally looking forward to writing new music with founding guitarist Pete Wells and the boys and playing in front of as many people as we can. I think die hard Benedictum fans and new fans alike will be pleased by what’s heading their way

The Three Tremors European tour dates featuring Benedictum

Oct. 5 - Musigburg - Aarburg, Switzerland
Oct. 6 - The Rockpalast - Bochum, Germany
Oct. 7 - The Colosseum - Genk, Belgium
Oct. 8 - Titans Club - Lens, Belgium
Oct. 9 - Bambi Galore - Hamburg, Germany
Oct.10 - Anchor Club - Stockholm, Sweden
Oct. 11 - Bomber Bar - Motala, Sweden
Oct. 12 - Palatset - Linkoping, Sweden
Oct. 13 - Backstage Rockbar - Trollhattan, Sweden
Oct. 14 - High Voltage - Copenhagen, Denmark

Benedictum line-up 2018

Vocals - Veronica Freeman "The V"
Guitars - Pete Wells
Guitars - Ed Mischke (Spiritual Sickness)
Bass - Eddie Jucius (Spiritual Sickness)
Drums - Mark Zapata (Spiritual Sickness)

Here's a older tune for all of you to quickly get a idea of the band's sound.

Charred walls of the damned

Nowadays a lot of new bands are coming up. Often these are a result of a teaming-up of well known musicians.

Charred walls of the damned are one of these. This band features Tim 'Ripper' Owens (ex Judas Priest) on vocals,while Richard Christy (ex Death) has done the drums. You can check out their first album for free at the site of the german metal magazine Rock Hard:

http://www.rockhard.de/megazine/praesentationen/charred-walls-of-the-damned.html

For more info on this band go to:

http://www.metalblade.com/cwotd