Artist Interview
St. Louis, Missouri metal act Black Fast will release their new album, 'Terms of Surrender,' on August 7 via eOne. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song, "I Conspire." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
To get 'Terms of Surrender,' visit iTunes. For more on Black Fast, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Since Revolver's new issue is supervillain-themed, when we caught up with Anthrax backstage at Rock on the Range, we asked them what kind of villain they would be, what would be their kryptonite, and what kind of superpower Anthrax's music has. Check out the video below!
Since Revolver's new issue is supervillain-themed, when we caught up with Periphery's Spencer Sotelo and Adam "Nolly" Getgood backstage at Rock on the Range, we asked them what kind of villain they would be, what would be their kryptonite, and what kind of superpower Periphery's music has. Check out the video below!
Cattle Decapitation will release their new album, 'The Anthropocene Extinction,' on August 7 via Metal Blade Records. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song, "Mammals in Babylon." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
To get The Anthropocene Extinction,' visit Metal Blade's webstore. For more on Cattle Decapitation, follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to check out the band on the road during Summer Slaughter—tour dates below!
And in conjunction with the Summer Slaughter tour, Cattle Decapitation has also announced a special Halfway to Slaughter contest! Visit Summer Slaughter tour's Facebook page and share this streaming single post to enter. One random fan on Facebook will be selected on July 6 to win prizes courtesy of Indie Merch and Metal Blade Records. The mega prize pack will include:
- The Anthropocene Extinction T-shirt
- 30" x 60" full-color custom album art beach towel
- Aluminum water bottle with gold band logo print
- 4' x 2' full-color album art tapestry
- 4-count button pack with custom hangcard
- 5" square full-color album art sticker
- 5" embroidered patch with gold band logo
- Cassette copy of The Anthropocene Extinction
- CD copy of The Anthropocene Extinction
- Double LP copy of The Anthropocene Extinction
Prize package is expected to ship around August 3. Prize back details and image are available at IndieMerch.
CATTLE DECAPITATION:
7/10/2015 Bay Area Deathfest – Oakland, CA
7/11/2015 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
7/18/2015 Armstrong Metalfest – Armstrong, BC * CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining show
The Summer Slaughter Tour w/ Arch Enemy, Born Of Osiris, Veil Of Maya, The Acacia Strain, Obscura, …After The Burial, Beyond Creation:
7/28/2015 The Summit Music Hall – Denver, CO
7/30/2015 Val Air Ballroom – Des Moines, IA
7/31/2015 Skyway Theater – Minneapolis, MN
8/01/2015 Mojoe's – Chicago, IL
8/02/2015 The Agora Theatre – Cleveland, OH
8/03/2015 The Northland Performing Arts Center – Columbus, OH
8/04/2015 Chameleon Club – Lancaster, PA * CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining show w/ Beyond Creation
8/05/2015 Electric Factory – Philadelphia, PA
8/06/2015 Club 77 – Hamilton, ON
8/07/2015 Heavy MTL* – Montreal, QC
8/08/2015 The Palladium – Worcester, MA
8/09/2015 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
8/10/15 The Chance – Poughkeepsie, NY * CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining show w/ Beyond Creation
8/11/2015 Ziggy's – Winston-Salem, NC
8/12/2015 Webster Hall – New York, NY w/ The All Stars Tour
8/13/2015 Ram's Head Live – Baltimore, MD
8/14/2015 Gwar-B-Q Fest – Richmond, VA
8/15/2015 The International – Knoxville, TN
8/16/2015 Siberia – New Orleans, LA * CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining show w/ Beyond Creation
8/17/2015 Gas Monkey Live! – Dallas, TX
8/18/2015 Empire Control Room & Garage – Austin, TX
8/19/2015 Tricky Fall's – El Paso, TX * CATTLE DECAPITATION headlining show w/ Beyond Creation
8/20/2015 The Marquee – Tempe, AZ
8/21/2015 House of Blues – San Diego, CA
8/22/2015 City National Grove Of Anaheim – Anaheim, CA
8/23/2015 The Regency Ballroom – San Francisco, CA
8/24/2015 Regent Theater – Los Angeles, CA
Since The Devil Wears Prada's Mike Hranica appears on the cover of Revolver's new supervillain-themed issue, when we caught up with Hranica and Andy Trick backstage at Rock on the Range, we asked them what kind of villain they would be, if they would be sidekicks, and what kind of superpower The Devil Wears Prada's music has, and much more! Check out the video below!
Since Revolver's new issue is supervillain-themed, when we caught up with Of Mice & Men's Austin Carlile and Valentino Arteaga backstage at Rock on the Range, we asked them what kind of villain they would be, who would be their arch nemesis, and what kind of superpower Of Mice & Men's music has, and more! Check out the video below!
Cradle of Filth will release their new album, 'Hammer of the Witches,' on July 10 via Nuclear Blast. In anticipation, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song and lyric video, "Deflowering the Maidenhead, Displeasuring the Goddess." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
Frontman Dani Filth said, "'Deflowering the Maidenhead, Displeasuring the Goddess' is based on the ancient belief of the world personified as Mother Goddess, concerning itself with her self-preservative measures when assailed by her final abuse by the human race. Violated, poisoned and unknowingly left for dead, Gaia's is a pre-emptive, violent and justified retribution; without tears for creed or culture. Nature versus Mankind. A total renewal of species. The song spirals onward at a frenetic, apocalyptic pace to climax and was originally one of guitarist Ashok's contributions to the album, along with 'The Vampyre at My Side.'"
To get 'Hammer of the Witches,' visit Nuclear Blast's webstore. For more on Cradle of Filth, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Straight Line Stitch will release their new EP, 'Transparency,' on June 30 via Pavement. In celebration, the band has teamed up with Revolver to premiere their new song and music video, "Human Bondage." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
For more on Straight Line Stitch, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Slayer have premiered their new song, "Repentless." Check it out below and let us know what you think in the comments!
"'Repentless' is my Jeff tribute," said Kerry King. "I call it the 'HannemAnthem.' It's my perspective of Jeff's perspective, it's what I think...if Jeff wrote a song for himself 'Repentless' would be it."
'Repentless' is out September 11 via Nuclear Blast.
Jeff Scott Soto has one powerhouse voice. He has done time in Talisman, Journey, with Yngwie Malmsteen, and with TSO. But now, his laser-like focus has shifted to his Soto project—which is a real band, not a vanity project. They've just dropped 'Inside the Vertigo,' which is full of anthems and riffs, and driven by Soto's soaring vocals. Below, Revolver caught up with the vocalist to talk the new album, future plans and vocal tips.
REVOLVER Talk to us a little about the musicians in your band. Even though it's called Soto, you've noted that it's a real band and collaboration. What makes this group of guys so special?
JEFF SCOTT SOTO The lineup is actually compromised of my touring solo band: Jorge Salan [guitar], David Z [bass], Edu Cominato [drums] and BJ [keys/guitar], who I have a tight chemistry with both musically and personally. The new album was meant to be a solo album, but it sounded too band-oriented, so we decided to move the idea of it to being a new band. I asked my touring guys if they'd be into it first, before even thinking of others to step in. It was a no-brainer for all of us, especially since they were musically involved in the album. It all fell right into place.
Can you pick two songs off 'Inside the Vertigo' and walk us through them? What inspired them lyrically?
"The Fall" was a song that came in on the eleventh hour... I had enough songs to complete the album and this one dropped on my lap with so much potential, I couldn't dream of saving it for the next one. The music always drives the lyrics and this one wrote itself; it speaks of being let down by someone who filled you with delusions of grandeur.
"End of Days" is my "Bohemian Rhapsody." I asked my collaborator, Connor Engstrom, to write me an epic tune, something that has a little Pink Floyd, Queen, Iron Maiden and sci-fi movie soundtrack [sound]. He sent me the track as you hear it—nearly nine minutes of music, which I then thought, What the hell do I do with this now? I couldn't make heads or tails of what to do with it lyrically and vocally until one afternoon, at home, a rerun of 'Terminator 2' was on TV...the plot of the film became my vibe and I literally completed it in a half hour!
Was there any sort of impetus for the album sounding so huge?
I have been working loyally with my recording/mixing engineer John Ellis. He has mixed most of my career releases since 2002 from every solo release, Talisman, live DVDs to Soul SirkUS. I trust him and he truly gets the best of my work across better than most I have collaborated with. This was no different. I have many I could take my works to but John always delivers and every album sounds stronger.
Do you have any tips for aspiring vocalists?
Without preaching or sounding too paternal, it is true that "vices" are the things that will shorten your vocal shelf life in the long term. You already have the elements to contend with from touring, loads of interviews, climate changes, lack of sleep, etc. But if you're drinking alcohol a lot, smoking, or taking drugs, that's never gonna help with longevity. Hydration, exercise, and proper rest are key. Vocal warm-ups are another; think of it as an athlete about to compete. They never go on the court or track without warming up or stretching first!
You've always been a busy guy, with your voice in a lot of projects. What else is on the docket besides Soto?
I realize that some of my career or even releases can get a little convoluted because I have jumped around a bit—even while a new release was just out. This time around, I wiped the slate clean, I turned down any and all projects or bands, and I put other ongoing ones on indefinite hiatus and made sure the world knew I was dead serious about Soto. To answer your question, Soto is my only priority now, even now as I continue to promote 'Inside the Vertigo,' we are working on new material for the follow-up album. I am not one to rest on my laurels, so we want to attack with the next batch while the iron is hot.
What are your other plans for Soto in 2015?
At the moment, we're confirming some festivals for this and next year as well as a European tour in the fall. We're looking at squeezing in some U.S. dates and/or South America as well before I take off with Trans-Siberian Orchestra in November for the annual tour I do with them. 2016 will include a lot of shows and touring!
Anything else going on in your world or in SOTO's world that you'd like to discuss, the floor is yours!
I am blessed with being able to continue this amazing ride, its hard enough to get a decade of success in the business but I am on 30 years now of doing what I love. This IS my day job and I couldn't be more humbled. My only goal now is to put SOTO on the list with many who are continuing to burn the metal torch. I thank you the chance to help me reach out to more folks out there!