And here we go again for a new year! Every Sunday at the end of the afternoon, find a compilation of some of the main news which punctuated the past week and which may have passed under your radar. Which obviously does not exempt you from following the HARD FORCE site and its Facebook page daily! Zapping sequence.
TEASING
To formalize his signing with Reigning Phoenix Music, CYHRAwhich counts in its ranks the singer Jake E (ex-AMARANTHE…), the guitarists Jesper Strömblad (THE HALO EFFECT, ex-IN FLAMES…), Euge Light current (ex-SHINING…) et Marcus Sunesson (ENGEL, THE CROWN…), as well as the drummer Alex Landenburg (KAMELOT) – there is still no official bassist – offers a brand new title, “Superman”. The musicians are currently working on their 4th album.
We don’t know if this elf king inherited one of the 3 rings of power, but in any case, ELVEN KING The final part of his “Reader Of Runes” trilogy will be released on April 11. First extract from “Reader Of The Runes – Luna”, 12th LP from the Italian pagan/folk power metal band: “Luna”.
SORTIES
Scheduled for early April, the new CRADLE OF FILTH will be titled “The Screaming Of The Valkyries”. To be continued.
A non-exhaustive selection of January album releases and other EPs, reissues, live and DVD/Blu-ray? Just ask!
A STUDIO
We had to wait 18 years for DOWN is working on a new studio album which will succeed “Down III: Over The Under”, even if the latest EP from the NOLA quintet, “Down IV, Part 2”, was released in 2014. To be continued.
It is under the leadership of Jacob Hansen thatAMORPHIS entered the studio to record his 15th production. Probably expected this year, it will succeed “Halo” (2022).
STUDIOUS
Three months after the meltdown in the middle of a concert by Perry Farrell, frontman of JANE’S ADDICTION, who physically attacked Dave Navarrothe guitarist, leading to the cancellation of all dates of the reformation tour, Eric Averythe bassist, announced that the drummer Stephen Perkinsthe guitarist and himself were working on a new project.
SIDE-PROJECTS
Second album for Dave Lombardo and his wife Paula under the name of VENAMORIS“To Cross Or To Burn” will be in stores on February 28. Third extract with a cover of SCORPIONS“Animal Magnetism”, and, as a guest, Gary Holt with whom Dave played at SLAYER. As for guests, we also find on the LP the bassist Ra Diaz (KORN, ex-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES), Alex Skolnickguitarist of TESTAMENT, as well as bassist Trevor Dunn (MR. BUNGLE), all musicians with whom the drummer has worked over the years.
FESTIVALS
SOLITARY ADVENTURES
Ex-bassist/vocalist of NIGHTWISH, Marko Hietala offers a 3rd single taken from “Roses From The Deep”, his new solo LP expected on February 7: “Rebel Of The North”.
ANNIVA’
THEY WILL NOT AGE TOGETHER
Jan-Sören Eckert having left IRON SAVIORIt is Patrick Opitzwho had already replaced him, who becomes the new official bassist of the German power metal band.
JUST FOR YOUR EYES… (AND YOUR EARS)
R.I.P.
The first group to proudly claim its Viking roots at the end of the 70s (“Full Speed At High Level”, the Swedes’ calling card, was released in 1978), HEAVY LOAD was in the middle of recording his 5th album when Ragne Wahlquistthe singer/guitarist, joined Valhallah at the age of 69. After a 40-year hiatus, the heavy metal band returned in 2023 with “Riders Of The Ancient Storm”. His brother Steering beardrummer and singer of the group, expressed his intention to finish the record and continue. Fans of the era will be able to rewatch “Death Or Glory”, released in 1982 to pay homage to Rage.
Original guitaristUNLEASHED from 1989 to 1995, with whom he recorded 4 albums and 2 live performances before playing in several Swedish groups (ATLANTIC TIDE, LOUD PIPES, CELESTIAL PAIN, TERRA FIRMA, BORN OF and WAY), Fredrik Lindgren passed away at the age of 53. The causes of his death have not been revealed.
CONCOURS
PARTNER CONCERTS
ANNIVA’
Good news: PRONG will embark from the end of June to mid-August on a European tour to celebrate the 31st anniversary of its essential “Cleansing”, with headlining concerts and appearances at festivals. Bad news: no date is planned in France…
AWARDS
And a new reward for the tandem Trent Reznor–Ross Atticusa ! The two men, already Oscar winners and “goldenglobed” for The Social Network et Soulhave a new trophy to place on the fireplace. Nominated in 2 categories at the 82nd Golden Globes, they walked away with the “Best Film Score” award for Challengers. Next expected film music (and guaranteed success?): Tron: Ares next October. A new LP from NINE INCH NAILS is also in tune with the times…
NUMBERS
“Killing In The Name”, one of the flagship tracks in the discography of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE present on his first eponymous album released in 1992, has just passed the bar1 billion streams sour Spotify.
INTERVIEWS
Find all the interviews by clicking on this link.
LIVE REVIEWS
Find all the concert reports by clicking here.
PORTFOLIOS
Find all the portfolios by clicking here.
RANKINGS
In partnership with the SNEP and the SCPP, HARD FORCE et HEAVY1 present to you the Top 100 French Rock & Metalwith a reminder of the best album sales that concern us in Germany, Belgium/Wallonia and Great Britain.
TOP 20 SINGLES
TOP ALBUMS 2024
We continue with the editorial staff’s 2024 favorites for a second salvo.
DIVERS
Sacrilege! Despite its presence on the National Register of Historic Australian Homes since 2013, the siblings’ childhood home Young, Angus, Malcolm et George (THE EASYBEATS), located in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, at 4 Burleigh Street, into which they moved in 1965 and which saw the formation ofAC/DC in 1973, was razed. The developer said the previous owner had failed to tell him this crucial “detail” and promised that with the salvaged “material” (the rubble?), he would build a bar, a café or a concert hall to celebrate the immense cultural heritage of the group. History of trying to replace this place of pilgrimage for fans from all over the world…
Marek “Ashok” Šmerda et Zoë M. Federoffrespectively guitarist and keyboardist of CRADLE OF FILTHsaid yes in Tucson, Arizona. All our best wishes.
And always, for lovers of musical discoveries: Noiseweek on HEAVY1 with “March Of The Unheard”, 2nd LP from THE HALO EFFECT in album of the week and many new releases. (Podcast)
