ACCEPT UNVEIL TITLE TRACK FROM UPCOMING ALBUM,”HUMANOID,” OUT APRIL 26TH

ACCEPT unleash the first single, the title track of their upcoming album Humanoid, out on April 26th. The hard-hitting first single features razor-sharp riffs in true Accept style and comments on our reliance on technology. The dystopian atmosphere of the accompanying official music video compliments the track perfectly, depicting a stark contrast between a video wall and the band performing live in front of it.
 
Accept was the first heavy metal band from Germany to explode internationally, influencing an entire generation of bands. Founded in 1976, Accept has remained at the top of the scene with countless sold-out shows, headline slots at all major international festivals, Gold certifications, #1 chart positions and a colossal number of albums sold throughout the years.
 
Fans will get their chance to hear the new songs live soon after the release of Humanoid on Accept’s South American tour, kicking off at the end of April, as well as at many big European summer festivals – including Hellfest, Wacken and Masters of Rock. Tickets for Accept’s autumn 2024 European headline tour are also already on sale. Watch the video below and secure your copy of Humanoid now by going here.
 
Accept on Humanoid, The song plays with the omnipresent topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In a strange way, we have entered exciting times now… This Digital Revolution has a huge impact, probably bigger than anything humankind has ever gone through. The Industrial Revolution was huge, but this might be even bigger, and we’re just at the beginning of it. However, I’m also a little afraid that humanity gets lost and pushed aside in all this stuff. The song is pretty impactful and provoking.”

Tracklisting Humanoid:
1          Diving Into Sin
2          Humanoid
3          Frankenstein
4          Man Up
5          The Reckoning
6          Nobody Gets Out Alive
7          Ravages Of Time
8          Unbreakable
9          Mind Games
10        Straight Up Jack
11        Southside Of Hell

Humanoid will be available in the following formats:
– Ltd Box incl. CD Mediabook + Flag, Keytool in Guitar Look, Lighter, Photo Card, Textile Sticker – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 1000 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Splattered Cristallo, Black, Blue, Green, Yellow White Die-Hard Edition + 12 inch Booklet + Slipmat + Patch + Record Butler – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 666 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Solid Baby Blue – Napalm Records Mailorder exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Translucent Turquoise – Napalm Records North America exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Cristallo – JPC exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Translucent Orange – EMP exclusive (strictly limited to 300 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Silver – Platekompaniet exclusive (strictly limited to 400 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Solid Royal Blue – North American Indies exclusive (strictly limited to 1100 copies worldwide)
1-LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
1-CD Mediabook w/ 28 pages booklet + 1 Bonus Tracks – limited edition
1-CD 6 pages Digisleeve + 12 pages booklet
World exclusive 7“ vinyl incl. ”Humanoid” and “The Reckoning”, physically unreleased – only available with METAL HAMMER Germany May issue incl ACCEPT cover story (street date April 12th), before the new album drops
Digital Album

To see Accept’s tour dates, please click here.

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DEF LEPPARD CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF “PYROMANIA” WITH DELUXE EXPANDED EDITION

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of their iconic album Pyromania, veteran British rockers DEF LEPPARD will release a deluxe expanded edition in April 2024.

Fans can listen to Photograph – Rough Mix Version (Unfinished Vocal) on all streaming platforms on March 1st. The track is an unreleased demo version from the band’s vaults of one of their most celebrated songs, taken from the forthcoming taken Pyromania anniversary edition.

Originally released in 1983, Pyromania launched Def Leppard into rock legend status. The album featured global hit singles PhotographRock! Rock! (Till You Drop) and Rock Of Ages and it went on to achieve platinum status across the globe (including a No. 2 chart entry in the USA). Pyromania has since become one of the biggest-selling rock albums of all time and alongside its follow up, Hysteria, has made Def Leppard one of only five rock bands in history to have two albums with a coveted RIAA diamond certification (over 10 million sales in the USA alone) — a massive feat within the music industry still to this day. The album also saw Phil Collen replace guitarist Pete Willis and the first of the classic Def Leppard lineups was born.

In tribute to this milestone, this deluxe edition has been executive produced by Def Leppard lead singer Joe Elliott and longtime producer/engineer Ronan McHugh, with mastering by Andy Pearce.

Elliott says, “A labor of love, and I loved every minute of it!…. Rediscovering dusty old cassettes which were brilliantly restored by Ronan and finding the long-lost, unfinished ’11th track’ was a journey only few of us are lucky enough to take … what a trip!!”

Collen says, “Pyromania is a really special album for obvious reasons. It was the first time we all worked together with Mutt Lange, and I was able to play with my incredible friend Steve Clark — who was such a gifted and wonderful guitarist. I am incredibly proud of the album and what we collectively achieved.”

Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage says, “Right from the very early days, we had a specific idea of how we wanted to sound. A massive wall of guitars and drums supporting huge vocals and melodies. That vision came to fruition with the making of Pyromania. Even now it still has that special quality that made it such a ground-breaking record. It’s a testament to the songs that they remain the fans’ favorites and true cornerstones of any Leppard show. 40 years?? It doesn’t even seem like 40 days.”

This deluxe edition has been prepared in conjunction with Elliott, who has acted as executive producer.

Pyromania, the anniversary edition, will be released on 4-CD / Blu-ray box, 1LP half speed master, 2LP black vinyl, 2LP colored vinyl (D2C exclusive),2CD and digitally.

This deluxe set comes with four CDs consisting of the original album, a whole disc of unheard demos recently re-discovered by Elliott while combing through the vaults, an unreleased demo, No You Can’t Do That, and two defining live shows from the era — from the Los Angeles Forum (USA) and Westfalen Halle in Dortmund (Germany).

The Blu-ray contains an Atmos mix of the album (overseen by Giles Martin) as well as 5.1 / stereo and instrumental mixes. Also included are five promo videos from the time. The album also appears as a half speed master for the first time.

The book contains the history of the album written by Mojo and Classic Rockwriter Paul Elliott (who has conducted new interviews with bandmembers),as well as rare and unseen photos by noted photographer and longtime band collaborator Ross Halfin.

For more information, visit Def Leppard‘s official webstore.

The 4-CD / Blu-ray box track listing is as follows:

CD One: Album Re-Mastered

1.  Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2.  Photograph
3.  Stagefright
4.  Too Late For Love
5.  Die Hard The Hunter
6.  Foolin’
7.  Rock Of Ages
8.  Comin’ Under Fire
9.  Action! Not Words
10.  Billy’s Got A Gun

CD Two: Rarities

1.  No You Can’t Do That – Outtake
2.  Untitled 1 – Demo
3.  Untitled 2 – Demo
4.  Untitled 3 – Demo
5.  Untitled 4 – Demo
6.  Untitled 5 – Demo
7.  Untitled 6 – Demo
8.  Rock Rock Till You Drop – Demo
9.  Too Late For Love – Demo
10. Comin’ Under Fire – Demo
11. Billy’s Got A Gun – Demo
12. No You Can’t Do That – Demo
13. Rock Rock (Til You Drop) – Rough Mix Version
14. Photograph – Rough Mix Version (Unfinished Vocal)
15. Stagefright – Rough Mix Version
16. Too Late For Love – Rough Mix Version
17. Die Hard The Hunter – Rough Mix Version
18. Foolin’ – Rough Mix Version
19. Rock Of Ages – Rough Mix Version
20. Comin’ Under Fire – Rough Mix Version
21. Action! Not Words – Rough Mix Version (Chorus Only)
22. Billy’s Got A Gun – Rough Mix Version

CD Three: Live Westfalen Halle, Dortmund, Germany / December 18, 1983:

1. Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
2. Billy’s Got A Gun
3. Foolin’
4. Rock Of Ages
5. Let It Go
6. Wasted

CD Four: Live at the Los Angeles Forum / September 11, 1983:

1.  Rock! Rock!! (Til You Drop)
2.  Rock Brigade
3.  High And Dry (Saturday Night) 
4.  Another Hit And Run
5.  Billy’s Got A Gun
6.  Mirror Mirror (Look Into My Eyes)
7.  Foolin’
8.  Photograph
9.  Rock Of Ages
10. Bringing Back The Heartache
11. Switch 625
12. Let It Go
13. Wasted
14. Stage Fright
15. Travellin’ Band

Blu-ray: Atmos / 5.1 / New Stereo / Instrumental

1.  Rock Rock (Til You Drop)
2.  Photograph
3.  Stagefright
4.  Too Late For Love
5.  Die Hard The Hunter
6.  Foolin’
7.  Rock Of Ages
8.  Comin’ Under Fire
9.  Action! Not Words
10. Billy’s Got A Gun

Videos

Photograph – Official Video
Rock Of Ages – Official Video
Foolin’ – Official Video
Too Late For Love – Official Video / Supersonic (Historia)
Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop) – Official Video / Japanese Show (Historia)

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OZZY REFUSES KANYE WEST’S REQUEST TO SAMPLE A BLACK SABBATH SONG

Ozzy Osbourne felt like he had to make a stand earlier this month when Kanye West asked to sample Iron Man for a song on the rapper’s new album. “Well, nobody else would fu-king do it, did they?” he tells Rolling Stone‘s Kory Grow.

Ahead of West and Ty Dolla $ign’s doomed Vultures 1 album rollout, Osbourne posted to his social media that he had denied West’s sample request “because he is an antisemite and has caused untold heartache to many.” To make matters worse, Osbourne wrote at the time that West “used the sample anyway.” But after Osbourne went public with the issue, West eventually replaced the sample on the song Carnival before it hit streaming services.

Osbourne has no regrets about going public with his disdain for the rapper. “With the current state of affairs, you don’t need anybody starting people on discrimination of any kind,” he says. “It’s wrong. It’s just wrong.” Osbourne’s frustration with the incident still comes through in his voice as he chastises West.

There’s enough fu-king aggravation, and he shouldn’t say anything [like what he has],” Osbourne says. “It’s wrong if you don’t say anything about him. I don’t want any of my work in any shape or form to be associated with anything like that.”

Wife/manager Sharon explained to Billboard, “We get so many requests for these songs, and when we saw that request, we just said no way.”

“The simple thing is, we don’t want to be associated with a hater,” Sharon added. “To spread hate the way he does, it shouldn’t be allowed. All the excuses — he’s bipolar or whatever — doesn’t change that. It’s like, fu-k you, basically.”

Sharon went on to say that because Iron Man is credited to the entire original Black Sabbath band — Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward — all four songwriters would need to agree before West could use the sample, anyway.

[Dana’s note: I applaud Ozzy for taking a stand. Bravo to the Prince of Darkness.]

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IRON MAIDEN BRUCE DICKINSON DISCUSSES HIS FAVORITE SINGERS, AND SAYS IRON MAIDEN’S “ACES HIGH” IS ONE THE HARDEST SONGS TO SING LIVE

 Greg Prato for Songfacts spoke with Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson, portions of the interview appear below.

Songfacts: To go back a ways in your solo career, was the song Tattooed Millionaire written about anyone in particular? Or was it an amalgamation of people?

Bruce Dickinson: Everybody likes to think it was all about [Mötley Crüe bassist] Nikki Sixx. And whilst he was kind of the frame, it was actually an amalgamation of a whole generation of stuff. Of course now, tattooed millionaires are absolutely the mainstream. Nothing to do with music.

Songfacts: What song is the most challenging to sing live?

Bruce Dickinson: The song I find the most challenging to sing in the Maiden repertoire would be Aces High. That’s not just because I’m 60-something years old. Trust me, when I was 26, it was equally challenging. I always said, “If we’re going to do Aces High, can we put it towards the front of the set please?”

But we still do all the songs in the original key. I’m sure it would be easier if we dropped the key, but then it wouldn’t sound as good. That’s the most challenging Maiden song to sing…

Songfacts: Which modern-day metal singers do you admire, or singers overall?

Bruce Dickinson: Singers overall, one who is unfortunately no longer with us, Chris Cornell, was one of the finest voices I’ve ever heard of any generation. And sadly, he’s gone. The guy from Angra [Andre Matos], he’s also gone. So, all of these guys have gone, and they had the ability to really move people. They could yell and scream like the best, but they had the ability to move people with their voices.

One of my favorite performances of Chris Cornell, to show just how damn good he was, was doing the James Bond Theme [You Know My Name from the 2006 film Casino Royale]. That’s a great vocal performance. And funny enough, he shares that honor of great vocal performances with Tom Jones, who did Thunderball.

If anybody wants to hear an amazing, balls-out metal voice, go have a listen to Tom Jones and imagine if that voice was doing metal or rock. Obviously back in the day, he wasn’t. But, oh my God, he’s just awesome. Power, resonance, tone… fabulous.

Songfacts: Did you ever get the opportunity to meet Chris Cornell?

Bruce Dickinson: Not in any meaningful sense, no. Not “sit down and have a nice chat with him.” I mean obviously, Ronnie Dio… there must be something wrong with me that all the singers that I love unfortunately are not on the planet anymore. I also have grown into loving Johnny Cash and his delivery, as well. He’s just something extraordinary, the way he delivers lines and stuff like that. That version that he did of Hurt – he owns that song. It’s the most extraordinary performance.

Songfacts: You just mentioned Ronnie James Dio, and I sometimes hear a correlation between Chris Cornell and Dio‘s singing with Black Sabbath and Rainbow.

Bruce Dickinson: Yeah. The thing about Chris, for me, was that he had a greater emotional range than Ronnie, if I’m honest. Ronnie did the Stargazer-type thing really beautifully, and then he did these medieval-type things like Temple Of The King, which is just gorgeous, to die for. That’s just lovely.

One of my favorite Ronnie Dio performances is on The Butterfly Ball: Love Is All. God. You can hear that is the younger-voice version of Ronnie, because Ronnie‘s voice got darker over the years, but all the power was still there. I remember listening to Love Is All and going, “Oh my God, his voice is like crystalline. Crystalline with this furry bit underneath.” It was gorgeous. I’m a huge Ronnie fan.

And Chris Cornell was taken away from us before he’d even begun to give his best, I think. Very sad.

Dickinson’s new solo album, The Mandrake Project, was released on January 17th. Read details about it here, and purchase tickets to his live shows, here.

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LEGENDARY GUITARIST ULI JON ROTH RETURNS ON TOUR OF NORTH AMERICA WITH INCREDIBLE THREE HOUR EXTRAVAGANZA

Music enthusiasts, get ready for a night of true musical passion and inspiration as legendary guitarist Uli Jon Roth takes us on a 360-degree journey into his unique world of artistic imagination.  Uli Jon Roth is thrilled to announce his exclusive 2024 world tour Interstellar Sky Guitar.

The three-hour-plus integrated multi-media show will be split into two parts with an intermission. The first half of the concert will feature a wide gamut of new and old pieces written by Uli Jon Roth, including excerpts from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, and Uli’s Metamorphosis Concerto. It will also include a brief TED Talk by Uli introducing his new book In Search of the Alpha Law.

The second part of the concert will accompany the worldwide vinyl release of all three Electric Sun albums, alongside all five Uli-era Scorpions albums. This will see Uli perform a breathtaking set with his full band, showcasing songs from each Electric Sun album, as well as tracks from his time with the Scorpions. It’s set to be an unforgettable experience for all Uli and Electric Sun enthusiasts.

Don’t miss the chance to experience an evening of true musical passion and inspiration with Uli Jon Roth and his full band.

Tickets for the 2024 world tour are on sale now and can be purchased, here.

Tour dates are as follows: 
4/2    Mesa, AZ The Venue at The Canyon
4/3    Hollywood, CA at The Whisky 
4/4    Ramona, CA at Ramona Mainstage
4/5    San Juan Capistrano, CA at The Coach House
4/6    Concord, CA at Vinnies 
4/7    Santa Rosa, CA at The Flamingo Resort  
4/9     Santa Cruz, CA at Moe’s Alley 
4/10    Sacramento, CA at Goldfield Trading Co
4/12   Seattle, WA at Tractor Tavern 
4/13   Portland, OR at Bossonova Ballroom 
4/16    Minneapolis, MN at Granada Theater
4/17    Eau Claire, WI at JAMF at The Pablo
4/18    Hobart, IN at Hobart Arts Center
4/19    St. Charles, IL at Arcada Theater
4/20    Chicago, IL at Reggies
4/21    Detroit, MI at Token Lounge 
4/24    Sellersville, PA at Sellersvile Theater 
4/25    Fall River, MA at Narrows Center for The Arts 
4/26    Derry, NH at Tupelo Music Hall   
4/27    New York, NY at Iridium  
4/28    New York, NY at Iridium 
5/1      West Yarmouth, MA at The Music Room
5/7      Quebec, CAN at Imperial Bell
5/8      Montreal, CAN at Fairmount Theatre
5/9      Ottawa, CAN at Overflow Brewery
5/10    Toronto, CAN at Lee’s Palace
5/16    Lubbock, TX at Cactus Theater 
5/17    Arlington, TX at Arlington Music Hall
5/18    Houston, TX at Dosey Doe

Uli Jon Roth’s signature tool of expression is the legendary Sky Guitar which he invented. The name of the tour, Interstellar Sky Guitar is  reflecting the fact that we are celebrating 40 years since the first one of these ground-breaking instruments was built. The tonal range of Sky Guitars far exceeds that of traditional guitars, effectively turning the electric guitar into a six-octave instrument as opposed to the three-and-a-half octave ones, which are industry standard. The ingenious, striking, body-shape of Sky Guitars which makes the extra frets possible, enables Uli to equal the registers of the violin and the cello. The main stars of the evening are the state-of-the-art Excalibur 7-string Sky Guitar, alongside Uli’s famous Mighty Wing.”

Follow Uli online at: Official Website, Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook.

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“IS IT LOUD ENOUGH? MICHAEL SCHENKER: 1980-1983,” SIX CD RETROSPECTIVE, WITH BOOKLET, OUT MARCH 29TH

Is It Loud Enough? Michael Schenker: 1980 – 1983, a newly remastered 6CD, 66 track boxset, brings together Michael Schenker material recorded from 1979 – 1983. It will be released on March 29th through Chrysalis Records and be pre-ordered, here.

A turbulent time for Michael, following his exit from UFO via Scorpions, features the studio albums Michael Schenker Group, MSG, Assault Attack, Built to Destroy (both UK and US versions) as well as a disc of demos & alternative versions featuring the entire 1979 demo tape, rare monitor mixes and single versions and a disc of completely unreleased material, with early studio takes and rough monitor mixes. At the centre of this package is a 52-page booklet which includes newly conducted interviews with Michael Schenker, Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet, with extensive liner notes by Jerry Ewing of Classic Rock, neatly annotated with rare photographs and imagery. This stylish set comes housed in a two-piece slipcase box with all original album art reproduced as mini-LP sleeves with inner sleeves. All music has been remastered from original tape transfers at AIR Mastering.

Following Schenker’s departure from UFO and Scorpions and having gained a reputation as one of the most exciting guitarists in hard rock, anticipation was high for Michael’s own band – MSG did not disappoint. Leading the burgeoning heavy metal scene, this string of albums solidified their position as one of the most important figures on the scene.

Format: 6-CD two-piece slipcase box set with all material newly remastered at AIR Studios. 52-page booklet with liner notes from Jerry Ewing and interviews with Michael Schenker, Gary Barden and Graham Bonnet. Featuring two bonus discs of previously unreleased and rare music.

Tracklisting:

Disc 1 – Michael Schenker Group: 1. Armed and Ready 2. Cry for the Nations 3. Victim of Illusion 4. Bijou Pleasurette 5.  Feels Like a Good Thing 6. Into the Arena 7. Looking out from Nowhere 8. Tales of Mystery 9. Lost Horizons

Disc 2 – MSG: 1. Ready to Rock 2. Attack of the Mad Axeman 3. On and On 4. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie 5. But I Want More 6. Never Trust a Stranger 7. Looking for Love 8. Secondary Motion 

Disc 3 – Assault Attack: 1. Assault Attack 2. Rock You to the Ground 3. Dancer 4. Samurai 5. Desert Song 6. Broken Promises 7. Searching for a Reason 8. Ulcer

Disc 4 – Built To Destroy: Original Mix: 1. Rock My Nights Away 2. I’m Gonna Make You Mine 3. The Dogs of War 4. Systems Failing 5. Captain Nemo 6. Still Love That Little Devil 7. Red Sky 8. Time Waits (For No One) 9. Walk the Stage U.S. Mix: 10. I’m Gonna Make You Mine 11. Time Waits (For No One) 12. Systems Failing 13. Rock Will Never Die 14. Red Sky 15. Rock My Nights Away 16. Captain Nemo 17. The Dogs of War 18. Still Love That Little Devil

Disc 5 – Demos & Alt. Versions: 1. Just A Lover (1979 Demo) 2. Looking Out From Nowhere (1979 Demo) 3. Get Up And Get Down (1979 Demo) 4. After Midnight (1979 Demo) 5. Breakout (1979 Demo) 6. Cry For The Nations (Radio Edit) 7. Armed and Ready (Guitar Hero: Metallica) 8. Dogs Of War (Edit) 9. Never Trust A Stranger (Monitor Mix) 10. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Sounds Flexi Edit) 11. Girl From Uptown (Single Version) 12. Dancer (DJ 7” Edit) 13. Don’t Take It Out On Me (Non-Album Track)

Disc 6 – Unreleased: 1. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Rough Monitor Mix) 2. Attack Of The Mad Axeman (Alt. Version – Monitor Mix) 3. Never Say Die (Live Rehearsal Take) 4. On And On (Rough Monitor Mix) 5. Looking For Love (Monitor Mix) 6. But I Want More (Rough Monitor Mix) 7. Girl From Uptown (Alternate Version) 8. Rock You To The Ground (Rough Alt. Mix) 9. Ulcer (Early Studio Take) 10. Captain Nemo (Early Studio Take).

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