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[black-arcana]

WITHIN TEMPTATION's SHARON DEN ADEL: 'It's Important To Keep On Talking About The Subjects Which Matter'

In a new interview with TotalRock's "Louder With Ore B" radio show, WITHIN TEMPTATION frontwoman Sharon Den Adel spoke about why she and her bandmates have chosen to voice their political views in some of their recently released songs, including "Wireless" and the title track of their new album "Bleed Out", which have highlighted such current topics as the war in Ukraine and the suspicious death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman "detained" for not wearing a hijab. Asked if she feels like music and art in general can break down walls and end wars, she said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, I don't think we can end wars, but what I do think is it's important to keep on talking about the subjects which matter. And the thing is, I think it's good to have that conversation with everyone. Everybody should have this conversation. What kind of world do we wanna live in? And I think sometimes when you're a politician, it's more difficult to get the message across even, as they are seen as politicians and they always have a certain agenda, which is logical in a way. But I think as musicians, we don't have an agenda — we are just one of those people feeling a bit powerless, maybe. And just talking about it and finding common ground with people who think differently, but also common ground with people who think the same way, it gives a feeling of, like, you can exchange ideas. And hopefully, as long as we keep on talking to each other, that might bring some change in the future, hopefully. I think that's the only way, because I think although we're so separated from each other, so polarized as the moment as we all are, we have to find those common grounds, and that's the only way to get forward because we have to find where we do agree with each other and where we can work both on changing things for the better. Yeah, it sounds almost like a hippie talking, but that's not what I am. But it's more like I do think that's the only way to get forward."

Asked if she, as a musician, as a fan and as a citizen of the world, expects more artists to be more outspoken about social, political and economic themes, Sharon said: "Well, you can't ask people to do that, but when they do, I'm really happy to see that, when people are more expressive, even if they have a different voice, like Roger Waters, for instance, he is completely pro Putin and those kinds of things, which I was very surprised about. But on the other hand, he has a different voice. I don't agree with him, but it's good for both sides that people speak out and that we have a discussion about why are we thinking like that? Because he's not alone in his way of thinking. And as long as we try to understand why they're thinking [that way], where their anger or where their motivation comes from, why they support certain people in politics, then we might get closer to each other again. And yeah, like I said, that's the only way forward."

Asked if she is ever scared to voice her opinion so publicly, whether on stage with a song or in interviews, for fear of threats, Sharon said: "I didn't it in the past. I am a little bit more aware of it nowadays because the tension is so high and people, even in our own fanbase, our people are divided about it because we have fans over the whole world, of course, with a different background, different situation. And when they tell their story, I understand sometimes their frustration. But voting for certain people because of that frustration doesn't make the problem go away, [in] my opinion. But again, I think, to have that debate on forums and those kind of things and just as we keep on listening because we forgot how to listen to each other. And that's a sad thing, but I think there is progress and I think there is so much to gain from it. And I think, yeah, to answer your question, I hope there will be more musicians who will speak up and speak out because it is important."

Last December, Den Adel told Mexico's Summa Inferno about WITHIN TEMPTATION's decision to voice their political views in some of their recently released songs: "We are musicians. And what do musicians do? They're storytellers, in my opinion. At least that's how I see myself, as a storyteller.

"Back in the day when there were castles, hundreds of years ago, when the musicians were traveling from country to country, what they did is bring the news from one country to another country," she explained. "If there was a war far down South, then half year later, people would know up North because then the musicians came and they make music, telling the stories of what's happening in the world. And I think that essence of being a musician, I think that's important. I think the essence of keeping certain subjects alive in a different way than in the past, of course, but now more like the news goes so fast in our time, because we have Internet and everything, we know what's happening in every country, more or less. And the thing is it becomes old news very fast. But certain things you need to keep addressing and talking about, like what's happening in Iran, for instance, but also the war in the Ukraine, and of course now that what's happening in Gaza and in Israel. Those topics are important to talk about.

"For us, we've written songs about certain of these topics, like Ukraine and Iran," Sharon added. "We did write something about that. We were inspired by that. So that's why we're talking about it in our interviews. And because it becomes old news very quickly here in Europe. I don't know how it's in your country, but nobody talks that much anymore about the Ukraine or what's happening in Iran. Not at all, because it's not in the news anymore. Ukraine is, because we are, of course, supporting them, but in different ways from a European point of view. But Iran, it's already very much old news since Mahsa Amini died because she resisted the morality police and died in a horrible way after being beaten to death, just because she wore her clothes in an incorrect way, to them. And it's very important to talk about these topics because otherwise it becomes old news and their fight is still going on. And that's in many subjects. We could have written about so many things in the world, even about South America where certain things are happening. But these were the things that inspired us when we were in the studio. At that moment, the war broke out in Ukraine. At that moment, Mahsa Amini had just died and we watched the news, and before we knew it, it was integrated in our music. But it could have been also other topics that are just as much needed to be talked about, of course. But these were the things that were happening in the moment when we were writing music."

Asked if she is afraid of the backlash and criticism she and the rest of WITHIN TEMPTATION might receive for publicly voicing their political views, Sharon said: "Well, I believe in democracy. And I think also we have a voice, and I believe in debating. What I hope to do with this — we're not lashing out or criticizing anything. It's more like we try to keep the subject alive because just by talking about it, we can bring other people to new ideas or get a little bit deeper into the subject or start being interested in the subject and thinking about what is the right thing to do. What kind of world do we wanna live in? I think that's a good question. So I'm not afraid of feeling attacked because of the fact that we take a certain point of view because I think… Well, I think it's, that's the thing of democracy. We can all be a voice and we can all contribute to the debate on what kind of world do you wanna live in and what do you accept from each other and what don't we accept from each other. There should be a certain pressure from other countries trying to help certain people in need. And I think it's most important that we support those who are in oppression, who are oppressed, and to let them know there's people thinking about them and supporting them."

WITHIN TEMPTATION's latest album, "Bleed Out", came out in October 2023.

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

LZZY HALE: HALESTORM Has 'Started To Buckle Down And Write With A Purpose' For Next Album

In a new interview with TotalRock's "Hobo On The Radio" show, HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's follow-up to 2022's "Back From The Dead" album. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're always working on new music, but we've actually kind of started to buckle down and really kind of write with a purpose as to whatever we wanna kind of put out in the world next. It's kind of an exciting time because I feel like even since the last record, even beyond 'Back From The Dead', I feel like we're kind of shedding our skin in a way that's kind of beautiful where we all kind of feel like different people than who we were when we were writing the last record. So it's time for whatever that next chapter is. So it's very exciting."

She continued: "I've been writing in a lot of subjects that I haven't necessarily touched on before and been kind of exploring those things. And I've become even more of a serial eavesdropper. I will be sitting at a pub or something and I will kind of zone out, and it's amazing the conversations you hear other people talking about. And so sometimes those leech their way into the songs. But, yeah, we'll probably have something by next year."

[mefi-boset]

Aca normal como siempre. Preparándonos con los @demianlevi antes de un show. Demian's angels (? 💁🏼😽👊🏻 Buen lindo momento del genio de @fobljubek 👏🏻 Ya tenemos otra fecha y es en quilmes, pronto data. Hoy? Al @manijacosmica No duermas BUEN VIERNES #chautodo • • • • #godisgood #voice #theroots #guitar #bass #drums #contoda #vivatodo #viernes #daleplay #demianlevi #demianleví #quienesdemianleví #totalrock #rockout #powertrio #falsotbt #musicaligera #losangelesdecharlie #charlysangels #delcho #hashtag (en Zadar Club) https://www.instagram.com/p/BvUQkhDF6Rl/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4op9neacwyh5

[theheartlandcollevtiveblr]

Many thanks!!! Listen to Total Rick and The Matt Cave tonight and hear My Deepest Darkest Friend https://open.spotify.com/album/1syi8ybw7crmWKdNC9Co6L?highlight=spotify:track:09jYcrXTntE2b0TZeTCL33 Watch the video https://youtu.be/P5WwknP9cc8 . . . . . #altrock #rockmusic #darkwavemusic #gothmusic #comicbooks #dirtyrock #newmusicalert #newrelease #preorder #sanpruk #whitelightningpr #vexryan #musicvideo #themattcavetotalrock #totalrock https://www.instagram.com/p/CQjLv_VI8wp/?utm_medium=tumblr

[attictheoryband]

THEORISTS! Catch ‘Keep It Rock’ with the legend, Dunk Mackellar, Monday (TONIGHT) from 10pm for two hours of new and classic rock. This week's show will feature tracks by Mortland, Attic Theory, Volbeat and Dirty Honey.. classics from Iron Maiden, WASP and more. There's a brand New Relate The Rock listener participation teaser and Dunk gives it a go, trying to relate every track in each section of the show! Mondays from 10pm, Tuesdays 6am and Saturdays 2pm on TotalRock (UK time) Listen here 🤘👉 http://www.totalrock.com/popup-player #tonight @keepitrockwithdunk @totalrockers @totalrockradio @dirtyhoneyband @volbeat @volbeat.uk @ironmaiden @brucedickinsonofficial @mortlandrocks #10pm @blackielawless.w.a.s.p #keepitrock #rock #totalrock #bigdunk (at Decades of Rock Music) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3CVK_-neL9/?igshid=fxi8zo245ggl

[walkway-blog]

INTERVIEW

Here's what we had to say to TotalRock at November's Hard Rock Hell: http://totalrock.com/interview-with-walkway-at-hrh/

[metaladdicts]

DAVE MUSTAINE Teases New Signature GIBSON Guitars

DAVE MUSTAINE Teases New Signature GIBSON Guitars

MEGADETH has posted a teaser video of what appears to be presenting Dave Mustaine‘s new guitar models. In the video, you can see a blurry V shaped guitar model with a date February 23, which is when the models assumably will be revealed. In a recent interview with U.K.’s TotalRock Radio, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson discuss how global pandemic will impact on releasing band’s upcoming…

[highvolmusic]

Dawn Osborne Speaks With Ron Keel

TotalRock's Dawn Osborne speaks with Ron Keel of the RON KEEL BAND about the bands new release 'SOUTH X SOUTH DAKOTA'.

TotalRock’s Dawn Osborne speaks with Ron Keel of the RON KEEL BAND about the bands new release ‘SOUTH X SOUTH DAKOTA’. Ron talks about the unplanned and unscripted SxSD, his years in the business, and the new music video ‘Red, White & Blue’. Listen to the interview below:

As the new album ‘SOUTH X SOUTH DAKOTA’ thundersdown the tracks, Ron has recently announced a few dates as life begins to…

[devondanncast-blog]

Press people assemble. • • • • • • • • • #teamMJRS #mjrs10 #communitynotcompetition  #somethingnewthatswhatwedo #mikejamesrockshow #mjrs #ramzine #totalrock #pressarea #press #journalism #musicindustry #downloadfestival #DL2018 #waiting (at Download Festival)

[black-arcana]

ANDREA FERRO On LACUNA COIL's Visual Presentation: 'It's Very Important To Have These Theatrical Kind Of Images'

In a new interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, LACUNA COIL vocalist Andrea Ferro spoke about the importance of the band's visual presentation, particularly as it relates to the stage clothes he and the rest of LACUNA COIL wear during each album cycle. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, for us it's important that everything is tightened together. The artwork of the album, all the ideas around the promotion, obviously the stage clothes, the backdrop, all the gear on stage. And so we pay some attention. We like to draw a lot of ideas and then pass it to some artists that can develop it in a more professional way. And we work with Roberto Toderico, which is an Italian artist from Naples, for all the artwork."

Referencing LACUNA COIL's latest album, "Sleepless Empire", which was released last month via Century Media, Andrea said: "We gave [Roberto] some basic inputs in the beginning, especially for the cover, the crow skull. We gave him a very basic version of it and then he developed it into this fantastic image. And we use it on our uniforms. And in the beginning we wore all these uniforms because we wanted a tight image to support the cover and the message of the new album. And now we're developing some different clothes, especially for me and Cristina [Scabbia, LACUNA COIL co-vocalist], that we're gonna give you on the tour that is coming up next month in South America. And so we've got some newer stuff, but we're also gonna develop it more and more along the cycle of the album, because for our band, it's very important to have these theatrical kind of images. It's important that we offer to the people — we drag them into the vibe of the record also on the live show. It's very important. I'm not saying everybody has to do the same. If you play maybe more hardcore music, maybe you don't need that kind of image — you need more of a street credibility kind of image, tattoos and bandanas and other stuff — but for us, it's important to have this more theatrical, strong impact."

Inspiration to create "Sleepless Empire" came during the sessions for "Comalies XX" (2022),the acclaimed remake of LACUNA COIL's breakthrough third record "Comalies". Writing and recording took place in northern Italy between Milano (the band's hometown) and Como, where SPVN Studios are located. As with their previous albums, production was done in house with LACUNA COIL bassist Marco "Maki" Coti Zelati at the helm, and artwork was hand curated by the talented Italian artist Roberto Toderico. Two other very special talents enrich the album, namely the guest vocalists: LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe on the song "Hosting The Shadow" and NEW YEARS DAY's Ash Costello on "In The Mean Time".

Last October, Italian guitarist/producer Daniele Salomone confirmed that he has joined LACUNA COIL as the replacement for the band's longtime guitarist Diego Cavallotti.

Salomone made his live debut with LACUNA COIL on August 4, 2024 at the Rockstadt Extreme Fest in Râșnov, Romania.

In June 2024, LACUNA COIL announced Cavallotti's departure. Diego, who joined LACUNA COIL in 2016, initially as a fill-in guitarist following the exit of Marco "Maus" Biazzi, later said in a social media post that "this decision is not the result of my dissatisfaction or desire to explore new opportunities."

Cavallotti and Salomone played together in the Italian metal band INVERNO, which released its debut album, "Stasis", in December 2023.

Photo credit: Cunene

[x--daughters-of-darkness--x]

STITCHED UP HEART Is 'Already About 20 Songs Into The Next Record'

In a new interview with TotalRock's "Louder With Ore B" radio show, STITCHED UP HEART frontwoman Alecia "Mixi" Demner spoke about the band's plans for the follow-up to 2023's "To The Wolves" album. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think the more we create music, the happier we wanna go. Part of it is [guitarist Merritt Goodwin's] fault, and my fault. 'Cause I feel so brutal — I feel so brutal when I scream. But now the next record — we're already about 20 songs into the next record. We're just going for it. And I'm just, like, 'Just write a breakdown after a breakdown after a breakdown.'"

Added Merritt: "I grew up like listening to melodic death metal from Sweden and Finland and stuff. So, back in America when people are, like, 'Oh yeah, this is metal,' but it's just, like, AC/DC or whatever, I'm, like, 'No, no, man.' We have to really, really downtune and do all the cool pedal notes and stuff.

"But yeah, so the next album, we're just trying to get it the next step to go a little bit heavier and a little bit heavier," he explained. "We're just gonna continue to try to push that boundary a little bit."

Elaborating on when fans might be able to expect new music from STITCHED UP HEART, Mixi said: "Yeah, we're just writing [right now]. We were writing before the record came out. We were ready. [Merritt's] super inspired, and we've got a home studio set up. And so we're just having all the pre-production done now. We haven't decided on a full-on producer yet, but as soon as we figure out who's gonna fully produce the record, then we're just gonna go for it."

[hamerex]

Listen to Blackdiamond’s Metal Mayhem 24/04/2018 on Mixcloud

In case you missed us on Blackdiamond's Metal Mayhem the last couple of weeks over on TotalRock, you can hear the second half of the show featuring 'Crucifixion' on Mixcloud.

Listen here.

[homerik]

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"Into the pits of oblivion" We are getting #radioplayed at totalrock.com right now! And then at 12pm eastern time we come on LA ROCKS RADIO!!!!! Thanks so much for the #support !! Homerik.org #homerik #soundtrackofhumanity #thisishomerik #totalrock #larocksradio #newmusic #epicmetal #epicmusic #symphonicprogressivedeathmetal

[don-lichterman]

AVATAR Wants To 'Save Heavy Metal' With Upcoming Album

AVATAR Wants To ‘Save Heavy Metal’ With Upcoming Album

Vocalist Johannes Eckerström of Swedish metallers AVATAR has confirmed to TotalRock that the band’s next album has already been recorded and mixed for an early 2023 release. Regarding what fans can expect to hear on the LP, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “The short version is we will make you see the devil, and we will make you dance. You’ve heard every band say it’s their best…