Showing posts with label new songs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new songs. Show all posts

10/23/2019

Chris Poland to release new solo album in 2020

The music that Chris Poland put out while he was playing the guitar for thrashers Megadeth has become iconic. A little lesser known is that he released a solo album in the time after the departure.This text tells the story of that time. It is a long read but all worth it - it's sort of mini-biography and holds many details unknown to me so far.

The very end of the text reveals that a brand new solo record will see the light of day in 2020. Let's have our fingers crossed that everything will turn out well until then.

Says Poland, “I was out of Megadeth, and went through rehab and had gotten clean. I had no gear, and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to ever play guitar again. Friends started bringing me gear; guitars, amps, pedals, telling me, “you have to play again.” So, I started playing. Andy Sommers, Megadeth’s agent, heard I was clean and doing well, and the Circle Jerks needed a bassist, so I toured with them for over a year, playing bass. And while I was doing that, I was in the back of a 16-passenger van, writing the songs that would become Return to Metalopolis.”

“I didn’t have a drummer, so I asked my brother Mark to play on it. I said, “We’re gonna make a record, and I need you to play drums.” He agreed, and we started doing demos. Janie Hoffman shopped it and we got a really good deal with Capitol Records, but shortly after we did the deal, for whatever reason, we get a call from the A&R guy who says they can’t do the deal on Capitol, but they offered me a deal on Enigma. So that’s where it came out.”

Poland continues, “I just feel like it’s timeless. I don’t listen to it and think that it’s some dated 80’s bullshit. It’s not like that for me. Of course, I’m super close to it, and I love it, but I really feel like it has held up well.”

The cover of Chris Poland's "Return To Metalopolis".


The Return to Metalopolis reissue will be released on November 22nd on double CD, and digital, and in December on limited edition double LP, and Cassette, remastered with bonus material, including live tracks that originally appeared on the out of print 2007 release Return to Metalopolis Live, plus 3 brand new tracks recorded in 2019, featuring the rhythm section of Carlos Cruz and Chase Bryant of Warbringer.

Pre-order now at the following location: http://empmerch.com/?submit=&s=chris+poland&post_type=product

Note of the author of the blog: The link seems to be down at the moment. Not sure what's happening there but no other link is available right now. As soon as I have more info I'll add it here.
Update 10/30/19: The page is back online again.

After over a decade with Metal on the backburner, despite guest appearances with Lamb of God, Tourniquet, Redemption, and more, with Poland focusing his energy on playing and recording with his Jazz fusion trio OHM, which also featured late former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, and the Chris Poland Resistance, another fusion project being released by the eclectic Modern Jazz-centric Ropeadope Records, Poland has also announced work on the long-awaited follow up to METALOPOLIS, to be released in 2020 on COMBAT.

“I never really got away from Metal, I’ve always been a Rock guy. And even the stuff we do with Ohm is really heavy and dynamic. But when I started playing with Nick (Menza) he really put a fire under my ass to write new, heavy music. I was over at his house every night after work, my wife told me I was having a “bro-mance”, but I couldn’t stop writing songs. Nick and I had hooked up with James Lomenzo (ex-Megadeth, White Lion), and we were actually going to start a band together, which didn’t work out, but I had literally hours and hours of ideas for songs that me and Nick were going to do together when he passed away. Now I’m working on putting them all together for a new solo release that will also come out on Combat.”

1/05/2017

Malice support fight against human trafficking on upcoming US tour

I love to see band's that say something against the bad things that are happening in our world. They use their power to bring topics to the table that many people surely would like to be kept in silence or ignored.

One of them are american true metal heads Malice who have announced to play a charity show in Las Vegas to raise money and awareness in the fight against human trafficking on their next touring cycle. Read the announcement to find out more about this and what you can expect of the upcoming Malice shows from bassist RayMan James directly:

"In a couple of weeks, Malice will bring the fight for heavy metal to the southwestern US on their "Slaying the Dragon" tour.


The tourposter for the "Slaying the Dragon Tour" from Malice, (c) by Malice, used with kind permission


We will be playing brand new songs off the band's upcoming 2nd album such as "Slaying the Dragon", "SwordMetal" and "Wheels of Steel", as well as songs that Malice fans have grown accustom to hearing at the live shows from our 2014 debut album "Triumph And Glory".

Along the way, Malice will be playing a charity show in Las Vegas to raise money and awareness in the fight against human trafficking, a cause that the members of Malice have been very passionate and outspoken about.

In addition, we will also be filming the new Malice music video while on tour. Malice is pleased to announce that power metal kings CAGE will be joining them for two shows on the tour, in their hometown of San Diego and the charity fund raiser against human trafficking in Las Vegas where they will showcase songs from their latest 7th album "Ancient Evil". This is a call to arms for all soldiers of steel to join Malice in the fight for pure heavy metal! Let the Battle begin."

"Slaying The Dragon" Southwest US tour dates

1/20/17 - House of Metal (Malone's) - Santa Ana, CA (with GRAHAM BONNET)
1/21/17 - Frogees - Apple Valley, CA (with KANTATION)
1/22/17 - The Lexington - Downtown Los Angeles, CA
1/23/17 - Brick by Brick - San Diego, CA (with CAGE)
1/25/17 - The Dive Bar - Las Vegas, NV (with CAGE)
1/27/17 - Club X - Salt Lake City, UT
2/13/17 - The Cabooze - Minneapolis, MN (with LORDI)

For updates make sure to see the homepage or Facebook site of the band.

Here's a video of the band in case you don't know them and / or to shorten the waiting time 'till the tour starts.


12/03/2015

Corners Of Sanctuary giving away free christmas album

It's christmas time again. While the days are getting shorter and the heaven darker with every day it starts to get more comfortable inside. I like to watch those strings of lights at houses and have one in my flat, too.

Many years ago there was a compilation called "Banging 'round the X-MAS tree". Does anybody of you guys out there remember this? It was a EP on vinyl that included four christmas tunes in metal versions performed by Axel Rudi Pell, Jörg Michael and even more musicians from underground acts such as Steeler, Lions Breed or Living Death. I liked that stuff, finally some metal tunes for the silent time of the year.

My copy of the Banging 'round the X-MAS tree vinyl EP
But what about these days? Corners Of Sanctuary, a traditional metal band from Philadelphia, PA has taken up this path and compiled a album full of Christmas music. Entitled "Driven Snow", A Merry Metal Xmas III" this 10 track Holiday album will be available as a free download during the entire month of December in mp3 or wave format! Besides christmas classics such as "Silent Night" or "Jingle Bells" it also includes four brand new tracks that were written from the band themselves.

Update 10.12.2015: If you'd like to give a little bit back to the band and / or would love to support them here's your chance: the band is currently running a little Crowdfunding campaign on their website.

Corners Of Sanctuary ask you for a little bit of support so they'll have the chance of making a Tour in 2016.  In return for your money you can receive a mention on the website, MP3 downloads, CDs, patches, T-shirts and autographed photos depending upon the level of support. The tour kicks off on January 2, 2016 in Providence, RI. Dates for Rhode Island, New York, Ohio, Virginia, California, Arizona, Canada and Europe are currently being worked on.


(c) by Corners of Sanctuary, used with kind permission
Corners of Sanctuary guitarist Mick Michaels has checked in with the following comment:

"We are excited to release our new Holiday bum "Driven Snow" for 2015. This album marks the fourth installment of this seasonal release. It is a great mixture of traditional favorites and modern arrangements capturing the metal style of COS. The album includes four all new, all original tracks. Driven Snow will definitely make your merry metal!"

Have a Merry Metal Xmas - COSnROLL!

For the latest band news and show dates, visit their official Facebook page