Michael Monroe, one of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic frontman, was presented with the coveted ‘Inspiration’ Award at Metal Hammer’s annual ‘Golden Gods’ event, held last night – June 16th – at Indigo (at the O2 Arena) in London; he accepted the Award on behalf of legendary Finnish outfit, Hanoi Rocks. Monroe first came to fame as frontman of the ground-breaking group, renowned for their strong song-writing, flamboyant image (onstage and off), explosive live performances and punk spirit; over the years, Hanoi Rocks have come to be recognised as a huge influence on the more colourful / abandoned side of rock, with many of the genre’s biggest names citing them as a prime source of inspiration.
Sweden's pack of Heavy Metal stalwarts, WOLF return with their seventh studio album entitled simply, Devil Seed. The album will be released on August 25th in Europe and on September 2nd in North America via Century Media Records. This time around, the wolves have teamed up with Jens Bogren (Kreator, Paradise Lost, Opeth) over at Fascination Street Studios and have delivered not only a heavy sounding release but also one chock full of clarity and complexity. With cover artwork being created once again by legendary designer Thomas Holm (Mercyful Fate, King Diamond), all the elements are aligned for this fierce slab of pure Heavy Metal mayhem.
After crushing UK's Download Festival last weekend MONUMENTS are releasing "Atlas", another brand new track taken from their upcoming album "The Amanuensis": www.youtube.com (people in Germany please click on: www.soundcloud.com). In case you missed them you can still check out: "The Alchemist": www.youtu.be (people in Germany please click on: www.soundcloud.com). "Origin Of Escape" including its lyrics by viewing the outstanding lyric video: www.youtu.be (fans in Germany please click on www.muzu.tv).
Goldfrapp announce details of a very special Tales Of Us Deluxe Edition, released digitally on 30 June 2014 (8 July in the US). Tales Of Us Deluxe Edition features the original Tales Of Us album, plus the audio from a very special live performance, Live from Air Studios. This performance was originally broadcast alongside the short film, Tales of Us, as part of a global cinema event in March 2014. The performance from the iconic Air Studios in London features classic Goldfrapp favourites, Train, Utopia, Strict Machine and Clowns with stunning versions of Clay, Alvar and Thea from Goldfrapp’s spellbinding new album.
On September 5th (Sweden: 03.09., UK: 08.09., US: 09.09.) the new BULLET album called 'Storm Of Blades' will hit the stores. It is their fifth longplayer and the first featuring the band's new guitar player Alexander Lyrbo, who replaced Erik Almström in 2012. "This is a fast and heavy back to the roots album", the band comments. A lot of the feeling, BULLET had in the beginning, is there but with a up-to-date sound and craftsmanship. "Now with the young blood Alex on the guitar, always thirsty for metal, the songs ended up just like that: Heavier, faster and more raw than on previous albums. We can now at last truthfully say; this is our best album this far and most likely the rawest since the 'Heavy Metal Highway' recording in 2002"