Judas Priest announce new studio album- Redeemer of Souls

British heavy metal legends Judas Priest have announced today that they will be releasing a brand new studio album. The album, Redeemer of Souls, will be the band's first studio album since 2008's conceptual Nostradamus.  This will be Priest's first album without co-founding member and guitarist KK Downing, who left the band in 2011 before the band embarked on their Epitaph Tour which had been promoted as their farewell tour and/or the last world tour. The band seems to have changed their mind, now with guitarist Richie Faulkner taking Downing's place. The album will be released in the US on July 15 and in the UK the day before.

I'm happy to see that Priest are back. I think the whole "farewell" thing was going to be a farewell tour, but I remember Rob Halford saying that they might remain a recording band only. I wouldn't be surprised if their next tour has a small amount of tour dates. As for the new song, it's pretty good. I'm not blown away by it or anything but Halford sounds pretty good at his age, I must admit. I will be getting this album for sure.

You can listen to the new song right here.

AC/DC confirm ill bandmate and deny retirement

Despite the rumors, AC/DC will continue although without one of their founding members. 

At the beginning of this week, it was rumored that AC/DC rhythm guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young had suffered a stroke three weeks ago- making him unable to perform. As a result, the band would retire. 

Singer Brian Johnson shot down the rumors of retirement yesterday, saying the band are still going into the studio to possibly record material for a new studio album. Earlier this year, Johnson stated that the band would go into the studio and arrange a tour to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Johnson did confirm that a band member was seriously ill, though he did not identify who this member was. He also stated that a 40th anniversary tour- 40 dates in 40 cities- would be a nice way to go out. 

Hours after Johnson's interview, AC/DC's Facebook page made a statement saying that Malcolm Young would be "taking a break" from the band. The rest of the band, however, will go on without him and start recording new material.

I try my best to not have any rumors on my blog. I wait until I hear from a reliable source. I waited to see how this one played out and this is what it looks like. It's sad to hear that Malcolm will not be with the band for sometime. Still, the way the Facebook post was written makes it sound like he's not coming back to the band. If Malcolm has suffered from a stroke, I would think he'd decide to retire- even though he and Angus are the sole original members left. 

However, I will look forward to seeing a new AC/DC album in the future. 

Whether or not he returns, get well soon Malcolm. 

Steel Panther- All You Can Eat album review

 

Steel Panther

All You Can Eat

Rating: ****

Whether you’re ready or not, Steel Panther are back with a brand new studio album. The comedic head bangers have released their third studio album, All You Can Eat. Like their first two albums, Steel Panther deliver the goods with catchy hooks 1980s style while still managing to be funny. Though their humor is very explicit, Steel Panther have found their audience within the last couple of years.

            The album opens with a surprisingly thrash metal sounding “Pussywhipped”. Guitarist Satchel opens the track with a small acoustic instrumental bit before the band gets down and dirty. It’s a monster of a track, with Metallica-like drumming. The lyrics warn fellow male listeners, as their “balls don’t have a chance.” This is followed by “Party Like Tomorrow Is The End of the World”, the lead single off the album. The song is a typical “party-hardy” glam metal track that suggests to “bone your step sister” or even “don't worry ‘bout the HIV” as the end is near.

            While the band are trying to be funny, this does not stop them from creating/composing actual music. “Bukkake Tears” is an example of this: it has a very melodic feel and sounds pretty at times. The lyrics and subject matter, however, are gross (if you don’t know get the song title, you’ll find out by the end of the song). Another example is “F*cking My Heart In The Ass”: the chorus is catchy but the same can’t be said about the lyrics (although not as bad as “Bukkake Tears”). The band can certainly chug out some heavy tunes. The opening for “Gloryhole” is downright heavy while the Van Halen guitar work on “Ten Strikes You’re Out” is impressive.

            Steel Panther can be very funny, though you have to be in the right mood to fully appreciate the jokes. “Gangbang at the Old Folks Home” tells an outrageous story of a pizza delivery gone wrong (“These golden girls have been around the block/I got a rim job from one while knitting some socks”) while “B.V.S.” warns listeners to avoid the titular latest disease (apparently meaning Big Vagina Syndrome). The album’s closer, “She’s On the Rag”, is simply flat-out hilarious hard rocker about how much periods suck.

            My favorite song from the album, however, is “The Burden of Being Wonderful.” The song sounds similar to Def Leppard’s “Hysteria”, given the string section featured. In the song, singer Michael Starr wonders why he’s so beautiful when everyone else isn’t. “I’m just a Maserati in a world of Kias” sings Starr. “Genius would describe any of my ideas.” This is an impressive song coming from Steel Panther overall for one particular reason: there aren’t any dirty jokes.

            All You Can Eat is simply a good album. I think people who were fans of the glam metal scene of the 1980s will get a kick out of this album. However, Steel Panther isn’t for everyone. As mentioned before, Steel Panther’s humor is explicit. Those who are easily offended by this humor are best off not listening to them. As for everyone else, feel free to explore the world of Steel Panther.