"Boom. A Film About The Sonics" TO BE RELEASED DIGITALLY IN NORTH AMERICA
The documentary about 60s garage rockers The SONICS, "Boom. A Film About The Sonics", will finally be released digital and as VOD on January 21, but only in North America it seems.facebook.com/sonicsfilm
EXODUS PARTS WAYS WITH STEVE SOUZA, ROB DUKES RETURN
American thrash legends EXODUS have parted ways with singer Steve "Zetro" Souza, and former frontman Rob Dukes return as the band's new vocalist.facebook.com/exodusattack
WARBRINGER ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN CO-HEADLINE TOUR WITH ALLEGAEON
American thrash band WARBRINGER are going on a North American co-headline tour with ALLEGAEON in March/April. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 17.WARBRINGER will release a new album, "Wrath And Ruin", on March 14.
More info: warbringermusic.com
NEW SINGLE WITH RESCÜE CAT
Italian hardcore band RESCÜE CAT have released a brand new single, entitled "Flesh & Weapon". The song is the title track of the band's upcoming debut EP, due out February 14 via Time To Kill Records.youtu.be/xCbXhGcJLnQ?si=otz6kBr5xHrAx8ni | rescuecat.bandcamp.com | timetokillrecords.com
SEX PISTOLS TO RELEASE U.S. CONCERTS FROM 1978
SEX PISTOLS will for the first time release 3 full live albums from the band's legendary 1978 U.S. tour.The shows in Atlanta (South East Music, January 5, 1978), Dallas (Longhorns Ballroom, January 10, 1978) and San Francisco (Winterland Ballroom, January 14, 1978) will be released on colored vinyl before all 3 are made available in a 3-CD set and for digital download. More info about release dates etc. here: sexpistols.lnk.to/live78
The concert in San Francisco was the band's final show until they reformed in 1996.
facebook.com/sexpistolsofficial
SWEDEN vs SPAIN
ALFAVRAK: Kass Kontroll (rock in Swedish)RETADOR: Earëndel (thrash metal in Spanish)
SKUNK ANANSIE ARE BACK
British rock icons SKUNK ANANSIE have released their brand new single "An Artist Is An Artist", their first new music in almost 3 years."An Artist Is An Artist" is the surprising first taste of what's to come from the band in 2025. The band is also going on a European and UK headline tour, which kicks off in Portugal on February 28 and continues through Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Czechia, Poland, Denmark, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Belgium before ending in the UK with 14 shows.
youtu.be/QjzZqHc0ZfI | skunkanansie.com
NEW BOOK ABOUT BON JOVI IN JUNE
British family-owned publishing house Genesis Publications will release BON JOVI's first-ever authored anthology.With unlimited access to BON JOVI's extensive archive and narrated by Jon Bon Jovi, "Bon Jovi: Forever" chronicles the band's remarkable 40-year history.
The book will ship in June 2025, with the limited edition now available to pre-order at: thebonjovibook.com
RAVEN SHARES TITLE TRACK FROM UPCOMING EP
U.K. heavy metal legends RAVEN have released the title track from their upcoming "Can't Take Away The Fire" EP, due out February 14 via Silver Lining Music.youtu.be/M3XQYUAJiaE | raven.tmstor.es
A SINGLE AND 2 ALBUMS
Thomas Carlsen's TRANSMISSION: Midnight Queen (80s hard rock)RIGORIOUS: Kingdom Unfold (power metal)
CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE: Exempting Reality (re-issue) (old school U.S. death metal)
IGGY POP AND QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE CONFIRMED FOR WAY OUT WEST
Iggy Pop and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE have been confirmed for the Swedish pop festival Way Out West at Slottsskogen in Göteborg. The festival happens between August 7-9.
wayoutwest.se
OZZY OSBOURNE AND BILLY MORRISON TO RELEASE RE-RECORDED VERSION OF "Gods Of Rock N Roll"
The brand new single from Ozzy Osbourne and Billy Morrison, "Gods Of Rock N Roll", will get its world radio premiere on SiriusXM Ozzy's Boneyard channel 38 this coming Friday, January 17 at 3 p.m. ET / 12 noon PT."Gods Of Rock N Roll" is said to be "a re-recorded version of the track from 2015 complete with a 61-piece orchestra and choir" and featuring a guest appearance by longtime Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens.
The original version of "Gods Of Rock N Roll" was the closing track on Morrison's sophomore album, 2015's "God Shaped Hole".
Billy Morrison is a British guitarist, singer, and songwriter primarily known as Billy Idol's rhythm guitar player for the past 15 years alongside Stevens, and for his previous role as bassist in The CULT.
facebook.com/ozzyosbourne | facebook.com/BillyMorrisonOfficial
VÄRLDEN BRINNER CONFIRMED FOR REBELLION
VÄRLDEN BRINNER have been confirmed for British punk festival Rebellion, which happens at Winter Gardens in Blackpool on August 7-10.
Confirmed since earlier are The DAMNED, PUBLIC IMAGE LIMITED, MILLENCOLIN, The UNDERTONES, The EXPLOITED, UK SUBS, ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE, SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS, RUTS DC, The BABOON SHOW, CONFLICT, The AVENGERS, NO FUN AT ALL, 999, CHELSEA, M.D.C., GIRLSCHOOL, The HEADLINES etc. etc.
rebellionfestivals.com
DEATH AND THRASH METAL
INFESTED ANGEL: Threnodies To Eternal Despair (death metal)HIERARCHIES: Hierarchies (twisted technical/dissonant death metal)
HAZZERD: The 3rd Dimension (old school thrash metal)
NEW SONG WITH MOLOSSER CRUDE
Swedish power duo MOLOSSER CRUDE celebrates the new year with "Slave to the Voices", a grunge-smelling stoner blues track that is first out of a string of singles leading up to an album in late Spring. The song will be available on January 31.molossercrude.bandcamp.com
DELUXE EDITION OF BON JOVI's "Slippery When Wet" IN FEBRUARY
BON JOVI will release a Deluxe Edition of their 1986 album "Slippery When Wet" on February 28. It will include live recordings from Detroit, New York and Cincinatti among other things.facebook.com/BonJovi
2 ALBUMS AND 2 SINGLES
AFTER LAPSE: Pathway (progressive metal)
THUNDERMOTHER: Bright Eyes (hard rocking)
TROLD: Mod Den Endeløse Skov (folk metal power ballad)
TUMENGGUNG: Back On The Streets (classic heavy metal)
SLÖA KNIVAR CONFIRMED FOR DALFESTIVALEN
Southern Swedish hardcore/punk band SLÖA KNIVAR have been confirmed for Dalfestivalen, which happens on August 30 at Folkets Park in Dalsjöfors (outside Borås), Sweden.Confirmed since earlier are CONFLICT, TWIN PIGS, CHARTA 77, DEAD POLLYS, Fou, DOGFIGHT, The STOMPING ACADEMY, ALLIGATOR and KAMPEN.
Tickets go on sale January 25.
facebook.com/dalfestivalen
THE HAUNTED IN THE STUDIO
Swedish death/thrash veterans The HAUNTED are currently in the studio to record something new.
Follow the process: facebook.com/officialthehaunted
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's "Killing In The Name" SURPASSES 1 BILLION STREAMS ON SPOTIFY
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's classic track "Killing In The Name" has surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify.twitter.com/tmorello | spotify.com
BAD RELIGION AND PENNYWISE TO HEADLINE PUNK IN THE PARK ARIZONA
Punk In The Park returns to Arizona on Saturday, April 12 for a day of music from punk rock legends along with craft beer tasting at Wild Horse Pass Festival Grounds in Chandler, Arizona, just outside Phoenix.
Punk In The Park Arizona will feature sets from headliners BAD RELIGION, along with more fan favorites, including PENNYWISE, FACE TO FACE, STRUNG OUT, The CASUALTIES, ADOLESCENTS, GUTTERMOUTH, MANIC HISPANIC, The DWARVES etc.
More info: punkinthepark.com
HEAVY METAL AND HARDCORE/PUNK = LOVELY STUFF
GRAVE DIGGER: Bone Collector (old school German heavy metal)GASMIASMA: At War With Punk (noisey and chaotic hardcore/punk)
LIV SIN PARTS WAYS WITH GUITARIST
Swedish metal band LiV SiN's guitarist Jay has decided to leave the band. They are currently recruiting new members and have been working on a new album.
Singer Liv Sin (real name Liv Jagrell) is also doing shows with her old band SISTER SIN.
Read more: facebook.com/livsinofficial
NEW ALBUM WITH JETHRO TULL IN MARCH
After 2 consecutive new JETHRO TULL album releases in 2022 and 2023, a new record, "Curious Ruminant", will be unleashed on Friday, March 7. Consisting of 9 new tracks varying in length from 2 and half minutes to almost 17 minutes, this is an album of mostly full band music.To coincide with this announcement, the album's title track has been launched digitally, alongside a video.
youtu.be/sFOv9HHe19c
SIENA ROOT ANNOUNCES ACOSTIC TOUR
Swedish root hard rockers SIENA ROOT are going on a acoustic tour in March. They will play in Germany and Denmark.Dates and tickets: sienaroot.com/shows
3 VERY DIFFERENT BANDS
DEATHCONTROL: The Endless Echo Of His Own Litany (grindcore)LAMBRINI GIRLS: Who Let The Dogs Out (British punk rock)
LOWMIST: Custodians Of Pain (atmospheric black metal)
EX DEO RELEASE NEW VIDEO
Symphonic death metallers EX DEO has released a lyric video for "Vitellius", a song from their brand new EP, "Year Of The Four Emperors", which is out today (Jan. 10) via Reigning Phoenix Music.youtube.com/watch?v=Www3VXe0wak | exdeo.rpm.link/yotfePR | reigningphoenixmusic.com
NEW SINGLE WITH ALIEN
Swedish melodic rock band ALIEN is back again with a new single, "If Love Is War". The song is taken from the album "When Yesterday Comes Around", which will be released via Pride & Joy Music on March 21.youtu.be/ULVdrPpvrc4 | facebook.com/Alien.Sweden
A BOX FULL OF DAVID LEE ROTH
Rhino will unveil a very special David Lee Roth box set, "The Warner Recordings 1985-1994", on February 21. It includes the first 5 solo releases recorded by the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and original VAN HALEN lead vocalist in 1 comprehensive collection for the very first time."The Warner Recordings 1985-1994" arrives in multiple configurations.
Pre-order: dlr.lnk.to/TWR8594
MIMIKRY ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR DATES
Swedish melodic punk rockers MIMIKRY will do some shows in Sweden and Norway between February to May.
Dates here: facebook.com/mimikrysverige
NEW SINGLE WITH THE HELLACOPTERS
Swedish action rockers The HELLACOPTERS will release a new single, "Do You Feel Normal", on Friday, January 10.
Pre-save: hellacopters.bfan.link/dyfnsg
linktr.ee/thehellacopters
NEW SINGLE WITH ROBIN MCAULEY
Legendary rock vocalist Robin McAuley (MSG, BLACK SWAN, SURVIVOR) will release his new solo album, "Soulbound", on February 28 via Frontiers Music Srl. The official lyric video for the LP's title track can be seen here: youtu.be/P8pUfnpDlFYCLASSIC ALBUMS IN A BOX
W.A.S.P.: The 7 SavageMadfish Music on Jan. 17 - 7CD Box Set
This collection was previously released as a LP Box Set in 2023. But due to a huge demand for a CD edition, it will now also be available in that format as well in January 2025.
It's like the press release says "the ultimate tribute to a legendary band". Spanning W.A.S.P.'s influential Capitol Years, this 7-CD set includes their first 5 groundbreaking studio albums: "W.A.S.P." (1984), "The Last Command" (1985), "Inside the Electric Circus" (1986), "The Headless Children" (1989) and "The Crimson Idol" (1992). Fans will also find a CD full of rare demos, B-sides and live tracks, as well as the "Live... In The Raw" (1987) CD. This box also includes a meticulously crafted 60-page hardback book with exclusive photographs, new liner notes from Amit Sharma (Kerrang!, Planet Rock) and exclusive commentary from frontman Blackie Lawless himself.
Now I didn't get more than 12 tracks, but I have heard the studio albums before, so I know that this is really good stuff and something that you really should get if you're a hardcore fan and rich enough. It could have been interesting to hear the whole record with rare demos, B-sides and live tracks though. Beacuse just like many other bands, W.A.S.P. used to have exclusive tracks on the B-side of their singles. And it was often a cover of some other band, like ROLLING STONES or MOUNTAIN for example.
Led by frontman Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P. has been kicking ass for 4 decades now. The only original member left is Blackie.
waspmadfish.lnk.to/7_Savage_CD | waspnation.com | madfishmusic.com
More reviews from 2025
VENESSA WARWICK BACK WITH NEW RADIO SHOW
MTV's "Headbangers Ball" presenter, Vanessa Warwick, return as a radio DJ and interviewer with a new radio format ready for delivery early 2025.Vanessa is an iconic presenter with a huge and loyal following from her 10 years at MTV in the 90s and you can now tap into that by syndicating her new rock show "RockDrop". You can expect classic rock and metal with news, interviews, a "metal memory" segment by Vanessa or one of her guests, and new bands showcase.
The proposed frequency is monthly.
Pilot/Showreel: entertainmentproductionservice.se/rockdrop-pilot
CHARTA 77 ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR DATES
Swedish punk rock veterans CHARTA 77 has announced the first dates of their touring in 2025. The shows will happen from February to August in Sweden and Norway.
More dates will be announced soon, but confirmed dates can be found here: facebook.com/charta77band
NEW SINGLE WITH LACUNA COIL
Italian band LACUNA COIL kick off the new year with their latest single, "Gravity".It's the fifth single from their upcoming record "Sleepless Empire", which is set to be released on February 14 via Century Media Records.
youtu.be/062UUabHif4
W.A.S.P. ANNOUNCE NEW TOUR DATES
W.A.S.P. have updated the itinerary for their "Album ONE Alive" tour, marking the 40th anniversary of the release of the band's first album. To celebrate this classic metal album, W.A.S.P. are, for the first time in 40 years, playing the entire album from top to bottom, start to finish. The tour includes dates in Mexico, South America, Europe and UK. At some of these shows they will perform a greatest hits set.The updated itinerary can be found here: waspnation.com/tour
MEGADETH AND QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE CONFIRMED FOR BONNAROO MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
MEGADETH and QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE are among the confirmed artists for this year's edition of the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, set to take place June 12-15 on the Bonnaroo Farm, located 60 miles southeast of Nashville in Manchester, Tennessee.Bonnaroo tickets go on sale tomorrow, Thursday, January 9 at: bonnaroo.com
PARADISE LOST ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST will embark on "The Devil Embraced" North American tour in May 2025. The trek will kick off on May 16 at the Milwaukee Metal Fest and conclude on May 24 at Maryland Deathfest.3 of the shows will be together with doom legends TROUBLE.
Tickets for the dates go on sale this Friday, January 10 at: paradiselost.co.uk/tour-dates
facebook.com/TroubleMetal
AMBITIOUS METAL
SORCERESS OF SIN: Ennea (ambitious heavy/power metal)MEZMERIZER: Whispers Of Leviathan (progressive/experimental metal)
DÉTENTE ANNOUNCES EUROPEAN TOUR DATES
Reunited thrashers DÉTENTE have announced tour dates in Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands in September.Dates: facebook.com/officialdetente
Hard Rock Info's playlists on Spotify: New Hot Rock Old Hot Rock
NEW ALBUM WITH WARBRINGER IN MARCH
Los Angeles thrashers WARBRINGER will release a new album, "Wrath And Ruin", on March 14 via Napalm Records.Alongside the album announcement, WARBRINGER has unleashed the breakneck speed metal ripper "A Better World". The track arrives with a high-octane official music video.
youtu.be/KAZE-Y8-1b0 | facebook.com/Warbringermusic
DEAD KENNEDYS ANNOUNCES NEW U.S. TOUR DATES
DEAD KENNEDYS are playing on the U.S. East Coast in the spring. They got 5 dates lined up, starting in late March, and they run from Boston down to DC. H.R. of BAD BRAINS opens the shows and so does RAGING NATHANS.Dates: instagram.com/eastbayray1
6 REVIEWS
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT: 50th Anniversary Live - Third Night (classic rock/hard rock)CRIMSON STORM: Livin' On The Bad Side (heavy metal)
EX DEO: Year Of The Four Emperors (symphonic death metal)
ICE SUCKERS: The Second Coming (melodic hard rock)
ILLUSION FORCE: Halfana (epic power metal)
NECROMANIAC: Sciomancy, Malediction & Rites Abominale (black metal)
RAGNE WAHLQUIST OF HEAVY LOAD IS DEAD
Ragne Wahlquist, singer and guitarist for Swedish heavy metal legends HEAVY LOAD, has quickly passed away at the age of 69.HEAVY LOAD was formed in 1976 and was one of the first heavy metal bands in Sweden. They went seperate ways in the mid-80s, but came back again in 2018. They were working on a new studio album, and the plan is to finish it.
Read more in Swedish: svt.se/kultur/ragne-wahlquist-dod....
Read more in English: blabbermouth.net/news/heavy-loads-ragne-wahlquist....
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Post address: Jimmy Blom, Vintergatan 21A, 504 60 Borås, Sweden | E-mail: blom@hardrockinfo.com | Facebook: facebook.com/HardRockInfo