NEW DREAM THEATER ALBUM NEXT MONTH
Dream Theater will release their new concept album The Astonishing on Friday January 29. It’s available for pre-order now, with all pre-orders accompanied by an instant download of the song The Gift of Music. The Astonishing will also be available in a wide range of versions, including standard 2-CD set, 4-LP vinyl box set and a limited edition deluxe box set, all of which are currently available for pre-order. The band recorded the album at Cove City Sound Studios in Glen Cove, New York, with guitarist John Petrucci producing, Richard Chycki (Aerosmith, Rush) engineering/mixing and legendary arranger, composer and conductor David Campbell orchestrating.
NEW AMITY AFFLICTION VIDEO
The Amity Affliction has premiered the video for their new single Shine On, which debuted at #19 on the ARIA singles chart recently (their highest ever peak). The video was directed by Mark Staubach (The Wombats, Simple Plan, Lupe Fiasco) and filmed in LA between the band’s touring commitments in October. The relatable narrative tells the story of two childhood friends who find love and freedom together when they run away from home and break away from their difficult upbringing. By the way, have you ever seen just how many songs are named Shine On? It’s up there with Promised Land, Sacred Ground, Time, Home and Judgement Day. Catch The Amity Affliction live in Australia this month as part of the Big Ass Tour at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday December 17. Following that, the band will head into the studio to record their fifth studio album due for release in 2016.
WEED ENFORCER
No drums, no vocals, just guitars. That’s Weed Enforcer. A band with no visual identity who choose to let their music do the talking. They have no social media presence, just Soundcloud and YouTube. This is truly underground and that’s exactly how they want it. The Weed Enforcer’s guitar hits a certain pitch, which makes you completely loose it. Reaching electrifying speeds, full of distorted emotions. It’s metal to the core, no drums or vocals at all, harness its dark presence. Visit soundcloud.com/weedenforcer or hunt down their YouTube channel.
RICHIE RAMONE FOR CHERRYROCK016
Cherry will host its tenth birthday edition of Australia’s only dedicated rock’n’roll street festival CHERRYROCK016 on Sunday May 1, 2016 in AC/DC Lane and at Cherry Bar. The first headliner for this massive event is Richie Ramone, legendary drummer for The Ramones, appearing exclusively in Victoria at Cherry Rock. As a Ramone, Richie received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. The late Joey Ramone said of the fastest and most powerful drummer who ever played with the legendary NYC punk rockers, “Richie saved the band as far as I’m concerned. He’s the greatest thing to happen to the Ramones.” Cherry owner and booker James Young adds, “Ten years is a hell of an achievement. Like Richie Ramone, Cherry is too tough to die. And I can’t wait to see AC/DC Lane jam-packed in a denim group-hug, all singing Somebody Put Something In My Drink with Richie Ramone of the Ramones.” Early bird tickets are available now for $69. Full lineup to be announced soon.
NEW SUNN O))) ALBUM AND TOUR
The mighty Sunn O))) are back with Kannon, the follow up to their recent successes in immersive collaboration (the group worked with Scott Walker on Soused, Ulver on Terrestrials). The album celebrates many Sunn O))) traditions – Kannon was recorded and mixed with Sunn O)))’s close colleague and co-producer Randall Dunn in Seattle, and the LP includes performances by long term allies and collaborators Attila Csihar, Oren Ambarchi, Rex Ritter, and Steve Moore to name a few. At the core, the composition centres on the dynamic and intense guitar and bass interplay of Sunn O))) founders Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson. The album is out now and you can catch them at Max Watt’s on Wednesday March 16.
DEAD CITY RUINS ON TOUR
Melbourne’s premiere hard rockers Dead City Ruins are on tour now through to the end of January, with a bunch of Victorian shows between now and then. The band has been in Europe since March of this year, but they are finally bringing their razor sharp live show back to their adoring fans here at home. Catch them on Saturday Jan 9 at Northcote Social Club.
