Author: fgt

Metallica’s journey from a fledgling Los Angeles metal band to global rock titans is one of resilience, innovation, and unyielding energy. Formed in late 1981, the band was born from a newspaper advertisement placed by Lars Ulrich, a Danish drummer with a love for the emerging thrash metal genre. James Hetfield, a guitarist and vocalist with a raw, commanding presence, answered the ad, creating the foundation of what would become one of the world’s most influential heavy metal bands. The original lineup also included lead guitarist Dave Mustaine and bassist Ron McGovney, though both positions would soon change as the band evolved.

In 1982, bassist Cliff Burton replaced McGovney, bringing a unique compositional approach that would define Metallica’s early sound. A year later, Kirk Hammett replaced Mustaine, marking the final change to their classic lineup. Burton’s untimely death in a 1986 bus accident was a devastating blow, but the band persisted, welcoming Jason Newsted as their bassist. Newsted remained with Metallica until 2001, when Robert Trujillo joined, solidifying the current lineup of Hetfield, Ulrich, Hammett, and Trujillo.

Metallica’s studio discography spans 11 albums, each showcasing their evolution. Their debut, Kill ‘Em All (1983), laid the groundwork for thrash metal with its aggressive riffs and relentless energy. Albums like Ride the Lightning (1984) and Master of Puppets (1986) expanded their thematic and musical scope, earning critical acclaim. The watershed moment came with Metallica (1991), also known as The Black Album, which catapulted them to global stardom. Tracks like “Enter Sandman” and “Nothing Else Matters” became anthems, bridging the gap between metal and mainstream rock.

The band has released several multi-platinum albums, including Reload (1997), Death Magnetic (2008), and Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016). Their most recent release, 72 Seasons (2023), demonstrates their continued relevance and ability to captivate audiences with innovative soundscapes. Singles such as “The Unforgiven,” “One,” and “Sad But True” have become synonymous with their legacy, celebrated for their intricate musicianship and emotional depth.

Metallica’s accolades include nine Grammy Awards, recognition from MTV, and their 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their 1999 collaboration with the San Francisco Symphony, documented in the S&M album, showcased their versatility and willingness to explore new frontiers in music. This spirit of reinvention has kept them at the forefront of the industry for over four decades.

Outside of music, Metallica has made a profound impact through philanthropy. Their All Within My Hands Foundation has provided millions of dollars to support workforce education, disaster relief, and hunger alleviation. The band’s commitment to giving back reflects their understanding of the powerful platform they occupy.

(A – B)

“2 X 4” – Load (1996)
“53rd & 3rd” – We’re a Happy Family: A Tribute to Ramones (2003)
“72 Seasons” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Ain’t My Bitch” – Load (1996)
“All Nightmare Long” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“All Within My Hands” – St. Anger (2003)
“Am I Evil?” – Creeping Death (1984)
“Am I Savage?” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“…And Justice for All” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“(Anesthesia) – Pulling Teeth” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Astronomy” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Atlas, Rise!” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Attitude” – Reload (1997)
“Bad Seed” – Reload (1997)
“Battery” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“Better Than You” – Reload (1997)
“Blackened” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Bleeding Me” – Load (1996)
“Blitzkrieg” – Creeping Death (1984)
“Brandenburg Gate” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Breadfan” – Harvester of Sorrow (1988)
“Broken, Beat & Scarred” – Death Magnetic (2008)

(C – D)

“The Call of Ktulu” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Carpe Diem Baby” – Reload (1997)
“Chasing Light” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Cheat on Me” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Commando” – St. Anger (2003)
“Confusion” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Crash Course in Brain Surgery” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
“Creeping Death” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Cretin Hop” – St. Anger (2003)
“Crown of Barbed Wire” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Cure” – Load (1996)
“Cyanide” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“Damage Case” – Hero of the Day (1996)
“Damage, Inc.” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“The Day That Never Comes” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“Devil’s Dance” – Reload (1997)
“Die, Die My Darling” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Dirty Window” – St. Anger (2003)
“Disposable Heroes” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“Don’t Tread on Me” – Metallica (1991)
“Dragon” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Dream No More” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Dyers Eve” – …And Justice for All (1988)

(E – H)

“The Ecstasy of Gold” – We All Love Ennio Morricone (2007)
“The End of the Line” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“Enter Sandman” – Metallica (1991)
“Escape” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Eye of the Beholder” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Fade to Black” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Fight Fire with Fire” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Fixxxer” – Reload (1997)
“For Whom the Bell Tolls” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“The Four Horsemen” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Frantic” – St. Anger (2003)
“The Frayed Ends of Sanity” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Free Speech for the Dumb” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Frustration” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Fuel” – Reload (1997)
“The God That Failed” – Metallica (1991)
“Halo on Fire” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Hardwired” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Harvester of Sorrow” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Hate Train” – Beyond Magnetic (2011)
“Hell and Back” – Beyond Magnetic (2011)
“Helpless” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
“Here Comes Revenge” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Hero of the Day” – Load (1996)
“Hit the Lights” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Holier Than Thou” – Metallica (1991)
“The House Jack Built” – Load (1996)

(I – L)

“I Disappear” – Mission: Impossible II (2000)
“Iced Honey” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“If Darkness Had a Son” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Inamorata” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Invisible Kid” – St. Anger (2003)
“It’s Electric” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“The Judas Kiss” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“Jump in the Fire” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Junior Dad” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Just a Bullet Away” – Beyond Magnetic (2011)
“Killing Time” – The Unforgiven single (1991)
“King Nothing” – Load (1996)
“Last Caress/Green Hell” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
“Leper Messiah” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“Little Dog” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Lords of Summer” – Lords of Summer single (2014)
“Loverman” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Low Man’s Lyric” – Reload (1997)
“Lux Æterna” – 72 Seasons (2023)

(M – P)

“Mama Said” – Load (1996)
“ManUNkind” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Master of Puppets” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“The Memory Remains” – Reload (1997)
“Mercyful Fate” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Metal Militia” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Mistress Dread” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“The More I See” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Moth into Flame” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Motorbreath” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Murder One” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“My Apocalypse” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“My Friend of Misery” – Metallica (1991)
“My World” – St. Anger (2003)
“No Remorse” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Nothing Else Matters” – Metallica (1991)
“Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” – St. Anger (2003)
“Now That We’re Dead” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“Of Wolf and Man” – Metallica (1991)
“One” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Orion” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“The Outlaw Torn” – Load (1996)
“Overkill” – Until It Sleeps single (1996)
“Phantom Lord” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Poor Twisted Me” – Load (1996)
“The Prince” – Harvester of Sorrow single (1988)
“Prince Charming” – Reload (1997)
“Pumping Blood” (with Lou Reed) – Lulu (2011)
“Purify” – St. Anger (2003)

(Q – S)

“Rebel of Babylon” – Beyond Magnetic (2011)
“Remember Tomorrow” – Maiden Heaven: A Tribute to Iron Maiden (2008)
“Ride the Lightning” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Ronnie” – Load (1996)
“Ronnie Rising Medley” – Ronnie James Dio: This Is Your Life (2014)
“Room of Mirrors” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Sabbra Cadabra” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Sad but True” – Metallica (1991)
“Screaming Suicide” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Seek & Destroy” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Shadows Follow” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Shoot Me Again” – St. Anger (2003)
“The Shortest Straw” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Sleepwalk My Life Away” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Slither” – Reload (1997)
“The Small Hours” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
“So What?” – The Unforgiven single (1991)
“Some Kind of Monster” – St. Anger (2003)
“Spit Out the Bone” – Hardwired… to Self-Destruct (2016)
“St. Anger” – St. Anger (2003)
“Stone Cold Crazy” – Rubáiyát: Elektra’s 40th Anniversary (1990)
“Stone Dead Forever” – Hero of the Day single (1996)
“The Struggle Within” – Metallica (1991)
“Suicide & Redemption” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“Sweet Amber” – St. Anger (2003)

(T – Z)

“That Was Just Your Life” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“The Thing That Should Not Be” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“Thorn Within” – Load (1996)
“Through the Never” – Metallica (1991)
“To Live Is to Die” – …And Justice for All (1988)
“Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World” – St. Anger single (2003)
“Too Far Gone?” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“Too Late Too Late” – Hero of the Day single (1996)
“Trapped Under Ice” – Ride the Lightning (1984)
“Tuesday’s Gone” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“Turn the Page” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“The Unforgiven” – Metallica (1991)
“The Unforgiven II” – Reload (1997)
“The Unforgiven III” – Death Magnetic (2008)
“The Unnamed Feeling” – St. Anger (2003)
“Until It Sleeps” – Load (1996)
“The View” – Lulu (2011)
“The Wait” – The $5.98 E.P.: Garage Days Re-Revisited (1987)
“Wasting My Hate” – Load (1996)
“We Did It Again” – Swizz Beatz Presents G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories (2002)
“We’re a Happy Family” – St. Anger single (2003)
“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)” – Master of Puppets (1986)
“When a Blind Man Cries” – Re-Machined: A Tribute to Deep Purple’s Machine Head (2012)
“Where the Wild Things Are” – Reload (1997)
“Wherever I May Roam” – Metallica (1991)
“Whiplash” – Kill ‘Em All (1983)
“Whiskey in the Jar” – Garage Inc. (1998)
“You Must Burn!” – 72 Seasons (2023)
“You Really Got Me” – See My Friends (2010)

Check out our fantastic and entertaining Metallica articles, detailing in-depth the band’s albums, songs, band members, and more…all on ClassicRockHistory.com

Complete List Of Metallica Albums And Songs Discography

Complete List Of Metallica Band Members

Top 10 Metallica Albums

Top 10 Metallica Songs

Top 10 Metallica Album Covers

Metallica To Take Over San Francisco In December

Metallica’s Black Box Project Launch A Game Changer

Metallica Continues Their Round Of Surprise Theater Concerts

Metallica Tour to Hit All Major Cities In America

Metallica, Hardwired … To Self-Destruct New

Album Announced With Video Release

Metallica’s Sensational Iron Man Cover of Black Sabbath’s Masterpiece

Metallica’s Master of Puppets Honored by U.S. Library of Congress

Metallica …And Justice For All : Album Review

Why Ride The Lightning is Metallica’s Best Album

Read More: Artists’ Interviews Directory At ClassicRockHistory.com

Read More: Classic Rock Bands List And Directory

Complete List Of Metallica Songs From A to Z article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2024

Australian guitarist, Orianthi, has two records in the works and recently spoke to Guitar World about them, as well as the way her career has shaped up since releasing her pop rock hit, “According To You”, in 2009. Following is an excerpt:

Guitar World: You’ve dialled in your sound over your last couple of records. What’s been the key to that?

Orianthi: “I’m trying to get better. I’ve never stopped learning and want to be a better guitar player. I also want to be a better singer and songwriter because everyone has their own mind, fingerprint and journey. There were quite a few records where I was told the parameters, like, ‘This is what you have to do. You have to make a heavy record,’ or ‘You have to make a pop record.’ I was told what to do, but I wanted to play guitar. There’s freedom in that. You learn that there’s people out there that you’ll find who think they own you… but the label I’m working with now (Woodward Avenue Records) truly believes in me as an artist.”

Guitar World: Are your two latest tracks, “First Time Blues” and “Ghost”, indicators of where you’re going?

Orianthi: “Yes. And soon we’re putting out ‘Some Kind Of Feeling’ (available now), which is quite different. I wrote ‘Some Kind Of Feeling’ a while ago on acoustic and it’s got a soul kind of feel. People might think it’s quite a departure, but I figured, ‘You know what? I put out enough heartbreak songs. Why not put out a happy song to manifest some good shit? I don’t want to be a person who only writes songs about a horrible relationship. This is about love, connection, what music does and what somebody can do when they come into your life. It can be love, a friend or a person… It’s just about feeling good. Life is all about connections for me, and this song represents that. I really dig the new vibe… it’s really different.”

Read the complete interview via Guitar World here.

Alice Cooper recently announced that guitarist Orianthi will be joining his band for shows January 31 through February 16, filling in for Nita Strauss, who has conflicting obligations of her own. Orianthi toured with Alice from 2011 to 2014, along with longtime band members Chuck Garric, Glen Sobel, Tommy Henriksen, and Ryan Roxie.

“Working with him was such a blast, and it’s such an honor. Alice is a legend,” Orianthi tells Guitar World. “I know the shows are going to be really fun. It’s going to be just a whole different dynamic and sort of a change from Nita.”

The invitation came via an email that cut straight to the chase. “It basically said, ‘Hey, Alice would love for you to join him because Nita [Strauss] is busy.’ I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ Well, actually, at first, I said, ‘I’m not sure because I have my own stuff going on right now with my tour.’ But we moved things around and made it work.”

Read more at GuitarWorld.com.

Announcing Orianthi’s return, Alice Cooper said, “When Orianthi moved on to pursue her own career in 2014, we were lucky to find Nita. Over the past decade, Nita, Chuck, and Tommy have also launched their own projects, and we always try to coordinate our schedule so we can keep the band together, but these shows came up after Nita had already committed to another tour. So I reached out to Orianthi, and thankfully she was available to jump back in, so we’re all really looking forward to doing these shows with her. I’m so fortunate to always have such great musicians to work with.”

The tour schedule for these shows is as follows.

January
31 – Augusta, GA – Bell Auditorium

February
1 – Cherokee, NC – Harrah’s Casino Resort Event Center
2 – Greensboro, NC – Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts
4 – Mobile, AL – Saenger Theatre
6 – Orlando, FL – Hard Rock
7 – Ft Myers, FL – Barbara Mann Performing Arts Hall
8 – Clearwater, FL – Coachmen Park
11 – St. Augustine, FL – Amphitheatre
13-17 – Miami, FL – Rock Legends Cruise

Alice Cooper will be announcing further 2025 tour dates, with Nita Strauss back in the fold, including the already-annnounced shows May 9 at the Sonic Temple festival in Columbus, Ohio and August 15 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Lincoln Financial Field with My Chemical Romance.

More information, including ticket and VIP package purchases, can be found here.

It was announced over the weelend that English guitar legend John Sykes (Tygers Of Pan Tang, Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Blue Murder) has passed away at 65 years of age following a battle with cancer. The following message was posted via his official Facebook page:

“It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room.

“He certainly marched to the beat of his own drum and always pulled for the underdog. In his final days, he spoke of his sincere love and gratitude for his fans who stuck by him through all these years.

“While the impact of his loss is profound and the mood somber, we hope the light of his memory will extinguish the shadow of his absence.”

Guitar Meets Science has shared a new video focusing celebrating Sykes’ career:

“Today, we pay tribute to the legendary guitarist and vocalist John Sykes, who left an indelible mark on rock and metal. From his blistering solos to his iconic riffs, Sykes’s influence resonates throughout the world of music. We explore his journey, his triumphs, and his lasting legacy. This is the story of a true guitar hero, who never fully got his due.”

Multi-platinum, chart-topping band, Shinedown, has announced their upcoming Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. Co-produced by FPC Live and Live Nation, the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour kicks off on April 25 in Des Moines, IA making stops across the US in Nashville, New York and more before wrapping up in Memphis, TN on August 30. The 30+-city trek will feature special guest Beartooth on the spring dates and legendary band Bush on the summer dates with Morgan Wade opening all shows.

Fans can expect megawatt sets from all acts including fan-favorite hits and classics. In addition, Shinedown has teamed up with Musicians On Call, donating $1 for every ticket sold on the tour. Musicians On Call, the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals, has delivered the healing power of music to patients, families, and caregivers for 25 years.

Shinedown continues to demonstrate that they are one of the most forward-thinking powerhouses in music, forever pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a modern-day rock band. The tour not only kicks off a new era for Shinedown but continues to celebrate the momentous acclaim the band received from their juggernaut song “A Symptom of Being Human” off their 7th studio album Planet Zero (Atlantic Records). The song, which has reached over 100 million streams and counting, crossed over not only to Alternative but Top 40 radio and resonated with fans across the globe for the unifying message of its lyrics: that it is our human connections that matter the most. Recently the band have been teasing possible new music online and getting fans even more excited for all things Shinedown in 2025.

Coming off their hottest tour in 15 years, Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum band, Bush, will join Shinedown on the summer leg of the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. The band recently released Loaded: The Greatest Hits 1994-2023 (Round Hill Records), a 21-track retrospective celebrating nearly three decades of hits, including “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine,” “Swallowed,” and their latest single, “Nowhere To Go But Everywhere.” Frontman Gavin Rossdale will also debut Dinner with Gavin Rossdale, a new series premiering February 13, 2025, on VIZIO’s free streaming service, WatchFree+. The show features intimate, celebrity-filled dinners at Gavin’s Los Angeles home, with guests such as Serena Williams, Common, Tom Jones, where they share candid conversations and a three-course meal designed and prepared by Gavin himself.

Beartooth has solidified their place as a powerhouse in rock, with their latest album The Surface debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Alternative and Hard Rock charts and earning top spots in Current Album Sales and Vinyl. With multiple #1 hits like “Might Love Myself” and “I Was Alive,” as well as a Platinum certification for their breakout single “In Between,” they continue to dominate rock radio, ranking as the 8th most-played artist and landing “I Was Alive” as the #6 most-played song.

An ACM, AMA, and CMT Awards nominee, Morgan Wade has earned acclaim from the The New York Times, Rolling Stone, NPR, Garden & Gun, Billboard, No Depression, Vulture, and more. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Wade’s latest album Obsessed puts the focus on her storytelling abilities and singular voice. She writes with incredible force about the ache for home and the emotion of being reunited with loved ones, of feeling dangerously preoccupied with someone, and of being in situations that society might consider outside the norm. Produced by her touring guitarist Clint Wells, Obsessed is an entirely self-written, stripped-down 14-track collection that showcases Wade at her rawest and most vulnerable. She recently toured with Alanis Morissette and Joan Jett on the Triple Moon Tour and has hit the road with Eric Church, Chris Stapleton, and Lucero, among others.

Tickets will be available starting with Citi and Verizon presales (details below) beginning Tuesday, January 21. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, January 24 at 10 AM, local at LiveNation.com.

Citi is the official card of the Dance, Kid, Dance Tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Tuesday, January 21 at 2 PM, ET until Thursday, January 23 at 10 PM, local time through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit citientertainment.com

Verizon will offer an exclusive presale for the Shinedown Dance, Kid, Dance Tour in the US through Verizon Access, just for being a customer. Verizon Access Presale tickets for select shows will begin Tuesday, January 21 at 2 PM, ET until Thursday, January 23 at 10 PM local time. For more details visit Verizon.com/Access.

Tour dates:

April
25 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
26 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
28 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena

May
1 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
2 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
4 – Little Rock, AR – Simmons Bank Arena
6 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
9 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
10 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
13 – Birmingham, AL – The Legacy Arena at The BJCC

July
19 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
20 – New York City, NY – Madison Square Garden
22 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
23 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
25 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
26 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
28 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Center
29 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

August
2 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
5 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
7 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
8 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
11 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
12 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
15 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
16 – Rosemont, IL – Allstate Arena
18 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
19 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
21 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
23 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
24 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
27 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
28 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
30 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum

Germany’s dark metal masters, Nachtblut, have released the energetic “Stirb Langsam” [Eng: Die slowly] today, taken from their upcoming seventh studio album Todschick [Eng: Dead chic], which will be released on February 21 via Napalm Records.

At first glance, “Stirb Langsam” may seem like an exuberant party anthem and an ode to alcohol, but it quickly reveals itself as a sharp social critique of excessive drinking and binge culture. Despite its profound message, the track’s driving rhythm, catchy chorus, and, not least, Askeroth’s distinctive vocals make it irresistibly engaging. The single is accompanied by an impressive music video that perfectly captures and enhances the song’s atmosphere.

Nachtblut on their new single “Stirb Langsam”: “The most intellectual drinking song the world has ever heard, with poetic forays into the masterpieces of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. And, of course, in true Nachtblut fashion, behind the apparent drunkenness lies a razor-sharp message .. Because ‘Stirb Langsam’ is far more than just a drinking song – it only disguises itself as one.”

Following their successful album Vanitas (2020), which reached #19 in the official German album charts, the quartet is expanding its sound with a multi-faceted mix of stylistic elements and synthesizer sounds that pay homage to the 80s, among other things. Produced by Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost), the album will also be released as an exclusive wooden box set with a bonus CD containing seven additional tracks and exciting collaborations with scene greats.

The melancholic track “Das Leben der Anderen” criticizes modern societal ills like doom-scrolling through social media, overlaying the seemingly perfect lives of others with guttural screams. Meanwhile, the dark, new-wave-synth track “Manchmal kommen sie wieder” explores the eternal cycles of creation, destruction and war. Tracks like “Kinder des Zorns” invite headbanging with especially hard riffs and tempo. With “Schneller als der Tod,” the band ventures into entirely new musical territory, seamlessly merging epic wild west elements with the powerful sounds of dark metal. Energetic melodies blend perfectly with Askeroth’s characteristic vocals, creating a unique atmosphere that brings the album to a striking conclusion, offering an unexpected musical twist.

With Todschick, Nachtblut not only masterfully enriches dark metal with captivating, genre-spanning sounds that set new accents, but also addresses contemporary societal issues, striking a chord with the times. This new masterpiece is an invitation to view the dark beauty of life and its challenges in a new light, and to join the band on their 2025 headline tour to experience it live.

Nachtblut on the new album: “Todschick is an album where death sets the rhythm, a musical blood kiss, in which the line between fiction and reality fades with every note.”

Todschick will be available in the following formats:

– Wooden Box (Digipak CD, Digisleeve Bonus CD, Hand Mirror, Autograph Cards) – 500 copies
– 1 LP Gold/Black Marbled – 300 copies (Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive)
– Vinyl Black
– 1 Digipak CD
– Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Todschick tracklisting:

“Von Hass Getrieben”
“Todschick”
“Nachtgeweiht”
“Das Leben Der Anderen”
“Manchmal Kommen Sie Wieder”
“Mein Ist Die Hölle”
“Götterstille”
“Kinder Des Zorns”
“Stirb Langsam”
“Schneller Als Der Tod”

“Todschick” video:

 
Nachtblut “Todschick” Tour 2025:

February
21 – Hanover, Germany – Musikzentrum
22 – Osnabrück, Germany – Rosenhof
27 – Wien, Austria – Szene
28 – Munich, Germany – Backstage – Sold Out

March
1 – Stuttgart, Germany – ClubCann – Sold Out
2 – Stuttgart, Germany – ClubCann *Additional Show
6 – Nuremberg, Germany – Hirsch
7 – Leipzig, Germany – Hellraiser
8 – Berlin, Germany – Hole44
13 – Oberhausen, Germany – Kulttempel
14 – Frankfurt, Germany – Das Bett
15 – Luzern, Switzerland – Konzerthaus Schüür

Get your tickets here.

Nachtblut are:

Askeroth – Vocals
Ablaz – Bass
Skoll – Drums
Greif – Guitar

(Photo – Andreas Schieler)

Phil X & The Drills are back and ready to blow minds with their electrifying new album, POW! Right In The Kisser, set for release via Frontiers Music Srl on March 28. Known for their unique fusion of punk, classic, and modern rock infused with guitar virtuosity, Phil X & The Drills have carved out a distinctive spot in the rock world – and they’re kicking it into high gear with this upcoming release.

To celebrate this announcement, the band shares the album’s second single, “Moving To California”, following up “Don’t Wake Up Dead”, alongside a new visualizer available to view below. The track features Jeremy Spencer on drums.

On the new single, Phil X comments: “‘Moving To California” was always a dream of mine when I was a young guitar player going up in Toronto, Canada. From a distance, it always seemed like the place to be. When I moved there in ’97, a lot of the ROCK glamor was gone, but I stayed and stuck to my goals. The song is a reflection of my story & other stories I had heard along the way.”

The band – featuring guitar hero Phil X (Bon Jovi) on lead vocals and guitar and Daniel Spree on bass and backing vocals – is pulling out all the stops on POW! Right In The Kisser, with an all-star lineup of guest drummers including Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe), Ray Luzier (Korn), and Tico Torres (Bon Jovi), among others.

About the album, Phil X shared: “POW! Right In The Kisser was a good 10 years in the making. ‘Battleship’ was tracked in 2014. I just kept writing & we’d record & then kept the whole ‘different drummer on every song’ thing going. It became a very special collection of songs & vibes. It’s very exciting for me to share something like that with the world.”

The journey of Phil X & The Drills is one of relentless passion and perseverance. From their early days stirring up the Hollywood rock scene in 2003, to their breakout EP Kick Your Ass in 17 Minutes (2009), the band has always kept fans hooked with their high-energy sound and jaw-dropping performances. As Phil X became a YouTube sensation through his work demoing vintage guitars for Fretted Americana, the band’s visibility skyrocketed, eventually evolving into the powerhouse known as Phil X & The Drills.

Over the years, the band has worked with an incredible roster of guest drummers, including Josh Freese ( Sting, Foo Fighters), Abe Laboriel Jr. (Paul McCartney), and Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), among others. Their most recent release, Stupid Good Lookings Vol. 1, showcased the band’s knack for pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable rock tracks.

In 2024, Phil X & The Drills hit a new career milestone, opening for Mötley Crüe at Summerfest in Springfield, IL, where their performance left 10,000 fans and industry professionals in awe. Now, with POW! Right In The Kisser, they’re set to take the next big step in their musical journey.

Pre-order POW! Right In The Kisser here.

POW! Right In The Kisser tracklisting:

“Don’t Wake Up Dead” (Drums: Ray Luzier)
“Fake the Day Away” (Drums: Tommy Lee)
“Heal” (Drums: Brent Fitz)
“Find a Way” (Drums: Tico Torres)
“Moving to California” (Drums: Jeremy Spencer)
“You Sunk My Battleship” (Drums; Brian Tichy)
“Seemed Like a Good Idea” (Drums: Tosh Peterson)
“Broken Arrow” (Drums: Liberty Devitto)
“I Love You on Her Lips” (Drums: Gary Novak)
“Feel Better” (Drums: Ryan Macmillan)
“Way Gone (Beam Me Up, Scotty)” (Drums: Kenny Aronoff)

“Don’t Wake Up Dead” lyric video:

Phil X & The Drills lineup:

Phil X – Lead Vocals & Guitars
Daniel Spree – Bass & Background Vocals
Brent Fitz – Drums & Background Vocals

In 2013 – marking the return of Camel when many fans believed they’d heard the last of them – Prog asked five musicians of the moment to choose their favourite album by Andy Latimer’s band.

Mirage (1974) – John Mitchell, Lonely Robot, Frost*, Asia

“When I was but a snip of a lad there were only a few musicians that inspired me to pick up a guitar and have a go myself. Andy Latimer was one such person and Mirage was the album responsible.

I was heavily drawn to the singy front pickup sound that both Dave Gilmour and Latimer embraced, the main difference being that Latimer opted for a Gibson guitar, and Gilmour a Fender Strat.

Mirage was only the band’s second album but was technically a vast step forward from their debut, considering their age and ambition. I love it – particularly songs such as Freefall and The White Rider, not to mention the closing 12-minute opus Lady Fantasy, which shows the band at their most proggy and determined best.

From here I drew a line to Floyd and painted my room black! Who knows where I would be now if I’d never heard Mirage?”

The Snow Goose (1975) – Matt Stevens, The Fierce And The Dead

“Pastoral… that’s what people say about The Snow Goose. One guy reviewed my Ghost album and said he hated it because it was pastoral. Well, The Snow Goose is pastoral squared! None more pastoral!

It’s like early Crimson meets some weird 70s library music. It’s lovely and quintessentially English. The story it’s based on is heartbreaking and it really comes across in the music. I know how hard it is to make an interesting instrumental prog record, and The Snow Goose really works.

It really does feel like an imaginary soundtrack, with some lovely guitar from Andy Latimer – the thing that made Camel so unique. It makes you think of kids’ TV from the 70s for some reason. It’s full of autumnal melancholy and very odd. And La Princesse Perdue is a lovely ending.”

Moonmadness (1976) – Mikael Åkerfeldt, Opeth

“This, ladies and gentlemen, is one of the best records ever released. 1976 was, in my book, a rather weak year for prog; not so much here, of course.

Andy Latimer – who’s like royalty to me – has been mysteriously overlooked throughout the years. As I see it, he’s right up there with the absolute cream of rock guitar players. People familiar with Camel’s catalogue would only tip their hats in agreement.

Camel’s artillery of fantastic tracks in 1976 speaks for itself: Song Within A Song, Air Born, Lunar Sea (dat guitar solo!), Peter Bardens’ ethereal and beautiful Spirit Of The Water and Chord Change are all beyond top notch.

Even the weakest track, Another Night, is superb. In fact, that’s a good way to end this review: even the weakest song is a bloody masterpiece!”

Breathless (1978) – Eivind Johansen, Kosmoratic

“This album always brings me back to a time when my girlfriend and me rather unofficially spent a week together in my mother’s apartment in a stoned and blissful state of mind.

Listening to it now, I still sense the uplifting and joyous feeling, the joie de vivre that Camel’s music could bring. The breezy title track is progressive rock with a pop sensibility that is warm and with plenty of hooks – I guess that’s what they were aiming for.

Echoes has some great interplay between Peter Bardens’ synthesizers and Latimer’s guitars; it’s Camel at their free-flowing best. The Sleeper is another strong track with a fabulous keyboard intro; and I like the ballad Starlight Ride, with its classical touches in the instrumental sections.

Breathless is not always successful; sometimes it’s jazz-funk, or lightweight. But it’s from a time when everything was still possible.”

Stationary Traveller (1984) – Bruce Soord, The Pineapple Thief

“As a kid struggling to get to grips with the guitar, I had two heroes: Ian Bairnson and Andy Latimer. Andy is a wonderfully melodic player who can really make his guitar weep. And, of course, he’s also a great songwriter.

Stationary Traveller is a weird one, because it plays more like a Latimer solo album as opposed to the ‘classic’ line-up of the 70s. But as soon as you hear Andy’s guitar, you’ve got your Camel.

The album also features musicians from the session world who played in The Alan Parsons Project – David Paton, Mel Collins, Chris Rainbow and Haydn Bendall – and I think that all comes across sonically on this record. The production is really tight.

The opening track, Pressure Points, has a guitar lick that I blatantly stole for a solo on The Pineapple Thief’s album Variations On A Dream. There – I’ve said it!”

2024 was the year Ouija-pop necromancer Bambie Thug clawed their way out of the underground and into the spotlight, thanks to a retina-searing appearance at Eurovision. The County Cork-born singer came sixth with their gothy electro-metal banger Doomsday Blue, giving Ireland their highest placing in more than 20 years and proving once again that metal deserves a place on the Eurovision stage. 

Well, someone had a very exciting year. How are you feeling in the wake of it all? 

“It’s flashed before my eyes! I can hardly keep track of the milestones I’ve ticked off. Eurovision was incredible, but then the year just kept getting better. Playing the main stage at Download Festival was a real pinch-me moment, and my first headline tour sold out in so many places. We did 43 days on the road, 19 countries, 26 shows – my brain still hasn’t caught up, if I’m honest.” 

How was Eurovision? 

“It’s probably because of my theatre background, but I feel so free on a big stage. I’m small, but I love running around and trying to fill the space. As a kid, I would dream of putting on really magical performances; with all these effects and visuals, and the level of production, the make-up and the outfits allowed me to bring my dreams to life. Eurovision reignited my sense of self-belief again. It just felt like this weight off my shoulders, a reminder that I’m doing the right thing. All those years of grinding have paid off.” 

What was it like representing Ireland? 

“Qualifying for the final was such a proud moment – Ireland hadn’t qualified in a long time, and knowing I’d done it felt incredible. Some people didn’t want me to succeed, but I felt so much love from my people. I’m from Cork, and it’s funny because there’s this joke that Cork people think we’re the best. But I really did feel so proud about my Cork heritage.” 

Did you do anything wild to celebrate your big Eurovision performance? 

“We definitely went drinking, but I barely remember. It’s a blur. This whole year has felt like a celebration, though. It’s like a victory lap, getting to perform all year.” 

What were the crowds like on your Crown The Witch tour? 

“Eurovision gave me a platform to reach a huge range of people, so my community is all-encompassing; there’s the usual goths of course, but there’s also older metal bros, people who love Taylor Swift. And the kids… they love me. They dress up like me, it’s so adorable. During Eternal Sunshine, I interact with the audience, and I have started noticing these teeny, tiny hands reaching out to me. Not all of my shows are all ages, so I have no clue how they are getting in.” 

Any memorable fan interactions? 

“Fans love bringing me gifts! I’ve had so much fan art – someone even made me a sword! Sometimes people panic, like they have to present ‘the witch’ with an offering. They’ll rip things off their outfits and try to pass it to me, and I’m like, ‘You need to keep your own things!’” 

Do you ever worry about younger fans discovering what some of your more explicit tunes are about? Like Kawasaki (I Love It) being about blow jobs? 

“Ha ha! I don’t worry too much. Unless people know what Kawasaki (I Love It) is about, it can fly under the radar. It was a BBC Radio 1 track of the week a few years ago. I just cackled to myself, because I’d gotten something so vulgar onto the radio. But I am aware of the younger crowds. I don’t play Birthday live anymore, for example. I don’t want to promote drugs to the tiny hands in the audience. I think it’s a sick track, but I was in a completely different place back then.” 

How have you grown over the last few years? 

“I’m much healthier, and I’ve healed a lot. I think I’ve learned to have a lot more compassion for people, even those who aren’t very nice to me. I look back on when I wrote Tsunami (11:11), and I wrote that on top of a bin, in a very bad place. It’s always been my manifestation song, and it’s completely come to fruition. I feel renewed. I’m proud of myself, and I’m so grateful.” 

What does the future hold for Bambie Thug? 

“This year I’m touring stadiums with Babymetal and Poppy. My dancers are gonna think I forgot the choreography because I’ll just be running loose on those huge stages! I’ll be playing all my heaviest, screamy tracks. Hopefully Babymetal can teach me their dance routines, and I’ll teach them mine. I also can’t wait to write and experiment with my sound more, too. I’ll probably have to start working on an album…”

Bambie Thug supports Babymetal at the O2 in London on May 30. They also play 2000 Trees in July.