celebrating the (belated) anniversary of DOKKEN's Lightning Strikes Again

I like the sound of this album. It's such a fun album! According to The Metal Archives, April 11 is the release date for the tenth full-length from long-running American heavy metal band DOKKEN.

In this particular case, this album features uptempo melodic rockers—the trademark sound of the band—with those very pleasant vocal lines. The rhythm section sounds great, keeping the songs together very well; both the bass and drums are a treat to listen to in the context of the songs. The guitar work is awesome, featuring hard-rock riffs, tons of melodies, and shredding. The songs go from headbanging rockers with driving drums to anthems, with a little bit of variety found in the mellower moments.

A reviewer over at The Metal Archives says about this album: "There’s no attempt at pandering to the mainstream here, no begging for a bigger fan base, just good old fashioned guitar oriented metal with zero apologies." I agree with such a sentiment. It's an accurate assessment.

Dokken - Lightning Strikes Again

April 11, 2008 - Frontiers Records

Don Dokken (vocals) - Jon Levin (guitars) - Barry Sparks (bass) - Mick Brown (drums)

1. Standing on the Outside 03:54; 2. Give Me a Reason 03:52; 3. Heart to Stone 03:58; 4. Disease 03:32; 5. How I Miss Your Smile 04:03; 6. Oasis 03:42; 7. Point of No Return 04:25; 8. I Remember 04:50; 9. Judgement Day 04:04; 10. It Means 04:44; 11. Release Me 05:47; 12. This Fire 04:41. Total time 51:32.

DOKKEN - Heart to Stone

celebrating the anniversary of STRYPER's album God Damn Evil

The Metal Archives shows April 11 as the release date in Japan for this album. Could this be the band's heaviest album ever?! It is an album with massive crunch and features a curveball opening song that might shock you the first time you hear its extreme metal energy: "Take It to the Cross." Throughout the album, the guitars are down-tuned with a heavy crunch, and the drumming has a thunderous, percussive, and weighty feel. Below is what I think is a representative track from the album. This song is the second song on the album.

Stryper

God Damn Evil

Avalon

April 11, 2018 (Japan)

Stryper - "Sorry" (Official Music Video)

https://www.facebook.com/Stryper

remembering 1980s German heavy metal STORMWITCH guitarist Lee Tarot

Harald Spengler ("Lee Tarot") (1963 - April 11, 2013)

Stormwitch is a cult heavy metal band from Gerstetten, Baden-Württemberg, according to The Metal Archives, which shows their activity as follows: 1979-1981 (as Lemon Sylvan), 1981-1996, 2002-present. They have 11 albums listed on The Metal Archives.

The Metal Archives shows: "In 1989, after spending many years as lead guitarist and main composer of Stormwitch, he decided to leave the band to focus on his managing career. He remained with the band as manager until early 1990s." Harald was with Stormwitch from 1981 to 1989 for the following studio albums: (1984) Walpurgis Night, (1985) Tales of Terror, (1986) Stronger than Heaven, (1987) The Beauty and the Beast, and (1989) Eye of the Storm.

STORMWITCH - Rats In The Attic (from the 1986 album Stronger than Heaven)

celebrating the black metal anniversary of MESARTHIM's EP Vacuum Solution

MESARTHIM is an anonymous duo from Australia, formed in 2015, with themes of astronomy, physics, and outer space. On The Metal Archives, the members are listed simply as "." and ".". Their sound is a mix of atmospheric black metal and electronic music, featuring extreme vocals and soaring synth melodies. According to reports, they performed live for the first time in September 2024 at the Cosmic Void Festival in London, wearing futuristic clothing and LED masks. They frequently use NASA telescope imagery and star charts for their aesthetic.

On this particular EP, they blend black metal with electronic trance elements. It is very likely that the EP will offer something new to the first-time listener. It feels like an unexpected and unusual combination, but it's a fun adventure. It is not really black metal per se, but it is not purely electronic/dance music, either. Is it danceable black metal? If you are up for an adventure—and something a bit strange—give this EP a try. The release consists of four songs with vocals and a final instrumental track.

Mesarthim

Vacuum Solution

April 11, 2021

1. Vacuum Solution 07:48

2. Matter and Energy 04:38

3. Heliocentric Orbit 03:18

4. A Manipulation of Numbers 06:44

5. Absence 05:20 (instrumental)

total time 27:48

Vacuum Solution (E.P.) by Mesarthim

OUT NOW: VoidChaser — science fiction progressive metal from Earth

With all the news of people going into outer space, and all the talk of the Moon and Mars—add to that the news of corruption, power, politics, and weaponry—I wonder if VoidChaser is making the music of the present and future all at once. I think I have read that certain bands are ready to play a concert on the Moon or in a space station, but maybe I should give this Human/Canadian/Swedish/Cyborg band a phone call and see if they want to join this new project of playing in space? I can call NASA and see what we can work out. Okay, while I work on those phone calls, why don't you check out the exciting space-story, exploration-corruption metal of this album? It is eight tracks in 48 and a half minutes, but it is actually a ticket for a trip. I recommend a safety belt.

VoidChaser

Interstellar I

9 April 2026

ABOUT THE BAND: Montreal (QC) / Stockholm (SE) - International Progressive Metal band, Voidchaser, have announced the April 9th release of their second full-length album, titled Interstellar I. Depicting themes of technological overreach, mass corruption and personal struggles related to identity, love and survival, the narrative unfolds within a vast, lore infused deep space universe. Interstellar I balances a dense and layered wall of sound with high-energy choruses and memorable melodies, where every moment serves the storytelling. Musically, the album brings to mind the style of Devin Townsend’s Ziltoid the Omniscient and Dream Theater’s Systematic Chaos, while reinterpreting those influences through Voidchaser’s own modern and distinctive sound, also drawing from classic foundations found in Deep Purple’s Machine Head and Black Sabbath’s Paranoid. With this release, Voidchaser returns with a level of maturity that defines their most ambitious and fully realized work to date. Recommended for fans of Devin Townsend, Haken, Dream Theater, Scar Symmetry, Ayreon, Pagan's Mind, and science fiction!

Interstellar I (LP) by Voidchaser

TELOMYRAS (Seattle) — sophomore album out May 8, 2026

The Seattle metal retaliation battalion TELOMYRAS is ready for May 8, 2026, when their second album will be released. I see that right now on Bandcamp, they have the song "Attrition" available for your listening pleasure. This band is from the state of Washington, USA. Today is a rainy, wet, cold, and grey day in our part of Washington State, but cheer up, we have TELOMYRAS to bring the metal! I recommend jogging in the rain with TELOMYRAS music on. Get you in shape for May 8.

Telomyras

Duskfall

8 May 2026 (independent)

ABOUT THE BAND: Seattle (WA) - Heavy Metal bangers TELOMYRAS are back! Three years after releasing their self-titled debut EP, the band is primed for the release of their first full-length album, Duskfall! Since the release of their debut EP, Telomyras have been hard at work honing their unique blend of classic heavy metal and extreme metal with the songs that make up Duskfall. Telomyras delivers a riff driven metallic assault with aggressive guitars in the vein of bands like Sanctuary and Megadeth, and a dual lead guitar attack inspired by classic and progressive metal. SammieGorham’s classically trained opera vocal technique shines through the record with soaring highs, contrasted by her guttural screams that accentuate the brutality of the record. With the addition of the power and technique of new drummer Gavynn Peterson, Telomyras is here to define a new era of heavy metal with Duskfall.

Duskfall by Telomyras

celebrating the black metal ABBATH single "Harvest Pyre"

The Metal Archives shows April 10 as the release date for this single. Taken from the 2019 album Outstrider, "Harvest Pyre" with Abbath’s signature frostbitten riffing and mid-paced driving black metal energy.

Abbath

Harvest Pyre

Season of Mist

April 10, 2019

Abbath - Harvest Pyre (official music video)

in memory of MOLLY HATCHET bassist Banner Thomas (1956-2017)

Published by AL.com (Mobile) on Apr. 14, 2017.

Banner Thomas, a musician who was the original bassist for the platinum-selling Southern rock band Molly Hatchet, died Monday, April 10, 2017, of a heart attack, according to multiple news sources. He was 60. The band, founded in 1975 by guitarist Dave Hlubek in Jacksonville, Florida, is known for its hit song "Flirtin' With Disaster."

The group announced Thomas' death via its official Facebook page: "Molly Hatchet bassist, Banner Thomas passed away this morning. From 1978 - 1983, Banner played on the first four MH albums, including the hit Flirtin' With Disaster. He left the band and was replaced by Riff West, also deceased, who played on the next 5 albums. Tim Lindsey has been the bassist for nearly fifteen years and continues to carry the torch forward. Our prayers and condolences extend to Banners family and friends. RIP"

According to posts on his own Facebook page, Thomas had been treated for pneumonia just days before he died. He had plans to resume playing concerts with his current band, Those Guys, also based in Jacksonville. Thomas, who was born Sept. 6, 1956, in Orange Park, Florida, played on Molly Hatchet's first four studio albums: "Molly Hatchet" (1978), which went platinum; "Flirtin' With Disaster" (1979), which sold more than 2 million copies; "Beatin' the Odds" (1980), another platinum success; and "Take No Prisoners" (1981), which peaked at No. 36 on the U.S. albums chart.

Thomas left Molly Hatchet in 1983, moving on to co-found the group Big Engine. In a 2002 interview, he explained to Philippe Archambeau why he quit the band. "We all started thinking we were stars, and that drove wedges into the cracks that started forming," Thomas said. "I was as guilty as anybody else. I got into an argument with Dave, got mad, and quit. Do I regret it today? Yes and no. I'm sorry I quit the way I did, when I did, but it looks like I picked a good time to get out. Not long after, under pressure from management and the record company to produce more hit singles, the band started to lose its identity, and started to look like Loverboy. I'm glad I wasn't there for that." Published by AL.com (Mobile) on Apr. 14, 2017.

Molly Hatchet - Bounty Hunter - 11/10/1978 - Capitol Theatre

celebrating the anniversary of DEMON HUNTER's True Defiance

Wikipedia and Amazon Music show April 10 as the release date for the sixth studio album by DEMON HUNTER (2000–present). The general consensus is that this is one of their most high-energy metal albums; it's as if the band wanted to get down to the business of metal music and focused entirely on that energy. The next thing you know, they had an album that turned out awesome. Wikipedia mentions that some critics were upset with the band's faith-based lyrics and outlook on life, and it looks like some of them gave the album vindictively low scores. Whatever. It's their loss! I like the album, and it sounds like DEMON HUNTER to me. Here is the music video for the song "My Destiny" from the album.

Demon Hunter

True Defiance

Solid State Records

April 10, 2012

Wikipedia has the following quote by vocalist Ryan Clark:

"This record is without a doubt our most aggressive. Every Demon Hunter record must be a step up from the last. I know that's a goal for every band, but it seldom works that way - especially today, especially in metal. It seems like most band's prime years are long behind them. I refuse to let that be the case for us. We've been extremely underwhelmed with metal for the last five years or so, and that's been the fuel to create this record. With an extreme over-saturation of false, fleeting, trend-hopping noise in today's metal scene, we had to make something we've been longing to hear. Something truly meaningful and artistic. Something our fans would love and something that will turn the heads of those who have ignored us for the past decade." (Ryan Clark, Main Vocalist on the band's direction with True Defiance.)

Demon Hunter - My Destiny

https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter

celebrating British metalcore band CONFESSIONS OF A TRAITOR's "Rai" single

Amazon Music shows that this single was released on April 10, 2020. Amazon Music also shows October 18, 2019 as the release date for the album Guided, where "Rai" appears as track number seven. The song, in my opinion, is a great example of the band's emotional brand of mid-paced metalcore. It appears the band released the single after the album's debut, which likely explains the slight confusion for me regarding the release dates.

By the way, here is something exciting for American fans of metalcore: In May, the band will be touring the USA. See the tour dates in the picture here!

Confessions of a Traitor

Rai

APR 10 2020

Confessions of a Traitor - Rai

https://www.facebook.com/confessionsofatraitor

OUT NOW: IMPENDING DOOM (deathcore) — "Glory and Immortality" single

Amazon Music shows that April 10th is the release date for this new song: a mid-tempo, almost minimalistic groove track featuring guttural lows and piercing high shrieks. The guitar is a brick wall, thick, down-tuned, and locked in with the bass and drums for a massive percussive sound. There is a bit of a dissonant vibe toward the latter part of the track, I would say. Overall, it’s heavy and groovy in a sicko kind of way. The song has a big, simple, percussive beat, a deathcore-meets-industrial style that calls out for physical-body movement.

Impending Doom

Glory & Immortality”

April 10 ", 2026

IMPENDING DOOM - Glory & Immortality

https://www.facebook.com/impendingdoom

OUT NOW: BATTLEGRAVE — fast, ferocious thrashing death from Australia

This album caught my attention because I have been listening to a bunch of new/new-to-me bands that get all weird and experimental—playing music like Pablo Picasso does paintings. But man, I do appreciate metal that gets to the point quickly and stays on point: headbanging metal music. Play fast, be intense, have good riffs, good songs, and good vocals, and avoid the 20-minute bass solo, and I'm good. This is why I immediately liked this album. It’s as if the band said to themselves: "Why don't we make our own Battlegrave version of The Haunted's 1998 debut? Let's play pounding, thrashing death metal and keep it there." Battlegrave brings no-nonsense, fierce death-thrash. That’s what they did. To the point. This works for me. I don't need a 20-minute bass solo, and I don't need any slowpoke songs. Just give me thrash riffs, and we'll call it a good deal. Abrasive.

Battlegrave

Enslavement

10 April 2026

Rohan Buntine - vocals, lyrics

Clint Patzel - all strings

Robin Stone - session drums

1) Soul Chasm

2) There Is Only Death

3) Bonesaw

4) Eyes Of Enslavement

5) Venom

6) The Grand Machine Of Despair

7) Asylum

8) Marked By Evil

9) Under The Banner We March

10) US Outpost 31

ABOUT THE BAND: BATTLEGRAVE are a two-piece death/thrash project from Melbourne, Australia, formed in 2017 following the release of their debut demo track, “Mortar Fire,” which quickly generated strong underground buzz. The duo followed with the EP To Hell with War (2017) and full-length albums Relics of a Dead Earth (2018) and Cavernous Depths (2022, via Bitter Loss Records), establishing a reputation for blending savage thrash intensity with punishing death metal weight.

Enslavement by Battlegrave

The black metal anniversary of APPALACHIAN WINTER's Winter Always Returns

The Metal Archives shows April 9 as the release date for this symphonic black metal album. The Metal Archives also shows that this project began in 2008 and is highly prolific, with ten albums and three EPs released so far. I recommend this album for die-hard fans of solo projects themed around the winter black metal sound and aesthetic!

Appalachian Winter

Winter Always Returns

April 9, 2019

Randy Smith - guitars

Mike O'Brian - midi choirs

D. G. Klyne - all instruments, Vocals

1. Endless 06:40

2. Desolation 06:11

3. Darkness 07:25

4. Coldness 05:46

5. Echoes 07:15

6. Entrancement 05:58

7. Beautiful 06:18

8. Fierce 04:38

9. Eternal 06:54

10. Into the Abode on Wolves (2019) 04:25

total time 01:01:30

Appalachian Winter - Entrancement

Celebrating the anniversary of THE AMBOY DUKES (featuring TED NUGENT) album Journey to the Center of the Mind

Both Wikipedia and the record label Mainstream Records show April 1968 as the release month for this album (although the YouTube channel DashGoTV shows May 8, 1968 as the release date). This was the second album by the American classic rock band The Amboy Dukes (formed in 1964), a pionnering band playing a cauldron of rock music, incorporating the psychedelic rock of its time, but also hard rock and proto-metal. FYI: Wikipedia shows that Ted Nugent (born in 1948) was still in high school at St. Viator High School when The Amboy Dukes played their first show in 1965 in Chicago!

The Amboy Dukes

Journey to the Center of the Mind

Mainstream Records

April 1968

Wikipedia says:

According to Ultimate Classic Rock, the Journey to the Center of the Mind album "bridged psychedelia and hard rock". Singers Room described the album as "a blend of garage rock and psychedelic influences" ... The album also showcases Ted Nugent's guitar skills, with Ultimate Classic Rock writing, "His lead on 'Flight of the Byrd' [is] down and dirty, while his playing on 'Scottish Tea' is highly melodic and inventive".

Amboy Dukes - "Journey to the Center of the Mind" - Detroit Music Awards 2009

Journey to the Center of the Mind

celebrating the anniversary of the classic SEPULTURA album Beneath the Remains

This album was Sepultura's breakthrough into the U.S. market. It came out at a time when a new wave of thrash/death metal bands had honed their skills from lower-quality demos and were finally able to make serious albums. By 1989, the technology and personnel were available to make the music sound clearer. Record labels were willing to take a chance on this sound, and people like producer Scott Burns knew how to bring out the music much more clearly so that it didn't sound like one big, loud blur.

By 1989, the Brazilians had come a long way from the demo-like sound of their 1985 EP and 1986 album, sounding even tighter than their 1987 show of force, Schizophrenia. 1989's Beneath the Remains and the band's high-energy live performances created an incredible buzz in the U.S. underground that, within a few years, would have them seriously touring the world, and would leave audiences thinking that they had just watched the best metal music show that they had seen.

Metal Archives shows April 7 as the release date.

Sepultura

Beneath the Remains

Roadracer Records

April 7, 1989

1. Beneath the Remains 05:14

2. Inner Self 05:10

3. Stronger than Hate 05:52

4. Mass Hypnosis 04:25

5. Sarcastic Existence 04:46

6. Slaves of Pain 04:03

7. Lobotomy 04:58

8. Hungry 04:30

9. Primitive Future 03:10

total time 42:08

Sepultura (live) - The Axiom, Houston, TX (Nov. 23, 1989)

It is said that in the old days of making albums, when putting together the sequence of your songs, you should put your "worst" song in the next-to-last position. With that in mind, let's listen to the "worst" song on this classic of classics! If this is the "worst" song, then we're doing more than okay!

Sepultura - Hungry

Happy birthday to GUARDIAN vocalist Jamie Rowe!

Metal Archives shows that Earl Wilson Rowe, Jr. was born on April 7, 1970. Metal Archives notes that he has been with the "Heavy Metal/Hard Rock (early); Pop Rock (later)" band since 1990. He first sang on the band's second album, the arena-rock sounding Fire and Love, which Metal Archives says was released in 1990 but Wikipedia says was released in 1991. The song below is the opening track from the album Fire and Love.

GUARDIAN - POWER OF LOVE VIDEOCLIP HD

Happy birthday to SKILLET singer John Cooper!

According to the band's Facebook page, April 7 is John's birthday! Wikipedia shows that John Landrum Cooper was born on April 7, 1975.

Wikipedia observes about the history of the American heavy rock band:

"Cooper was in experimental rock group Seraph from 1989 to 1995. The band released a four-song demo, titled Silence E.P., before disbanding."

"Cooper formed Skillet in 1996 with Ken Steorts. Both had met while touring for previous bands; Cooper as vocalist for the Tennessee progressive rock band Seraph and Steorts as guitarist for Urgent Cry. The bands disbanded soon after, so Cooper and Steorts' pastor encouraged them to form their own band as a side-project. Coming from different styles of rock music, they decided to name the experiment Skillet. Soon afterward Trey McClurkin joined the band as a temporary drummer. Skillet was only together for a month when they received interest from major Christian record label ForeFront Records and were signed soon afterward. Ken Steorts left the band in 1999 and Trey McClurkin left the band in 2000 leaving Cooper as the only founding member of the band and primary songwriter."

Skillet - Unpopular (Official Music Video)

https://www.facebook.com/skillet

Celebrating the anniversary of OCEANO's album Depths

Wikipedia shows that April 7 is the release date for the first album by Chicago deathcore band Oceano (2006–2025). "Oceano was an American deathcore band from Cook County, Illinois. Formed in 2006, the band signed to Earache Records and released their debut album, Depths, on April 7, 2009. They released three more albums under Earache Records before Revelation was released on May 19, 2017 with Sumerian Records. Their sixth and final studio album, Living Chaos, was released on August 30, 2024." "The band's final show took place on December 6 (2025) at the West Chicago Social Club in Chicago."

Years later, the album still sounds pretty sick!

Oceano

Depths

Earache Records

April 7, 2009

Wikipedia observes about this album: "Depths is the debut studio album by American deathcore band Oceano, released April 7, 2009 through Earache Records. Music videos were made for the songs 'District of Misery' and 'A Mandatory Sacrifice'. The song 'District of Misery' is featured as downloadable content in Rock Band 2 via the Rock Band Network. This album is also the band's only album to feature guitarists Jeremy Carroll and Andrew Mikhail. In celebration for the 15th anniversary of this album, the band toured in early 2024 with The Last Ten Seconds of Life, A Wake in Providence, By the Thousands, Within the Ruins and I Declare War. In 2021, Joe Smith-Engelhardt of Alternative Press included the album in his list of '30 deathcore albums from the 2000s that define the genre'".

Oceano - A Mandatory Sacrifice [Official Video]

Oceano - District Of Misery (Official Video)

Happy birthday to TETRARCH guitarist Diamond Rowe!

According to the band's Facebook page, April 7 is the birthday of Diamond Rowe, guitarist for American road warriors of the groove Tetrarch.

Wikepedia shows about the band: "Tetrarch is an American nu metal band originally from Atlanta, Georgia, now based in Los Angeles. They have released three EPs, five singles and three albums."

"Tetrarch was formed in Atlanta in 2007 by Diamond Rowe and Josh Fore. According to lead guitarist Diamond Rowe, 'Tetrarch began their live shows in the local scene, playing their first show at the 7 Venue in Douglasville, Georgia. They spent the rest of 2007 perfecting their live performance by playing close to 100 shows, which started a buzz in the Atlanta area. They released their first EP, Pravda in the summer of 2008, which was recorded at Ledbelly Studios by Matthew Washburn. To support their first release, Tetrarch continued to play in Atlanta while expanding their reach regionally with mini tours in the south east ...'"

They've been building the band ever since!

TETRARCH - Cold (Live at Resurrection Fest EG 2025)

TETRARCH - Never Again (Parasite) (Official Video) | Napalm Records

Tetrarch - Never Again [Parasite] (Josh Fore and Diamond Rowe Guitar Playthrough)

https://www.facebook.com/tetrarchmusic

remembering BILLIE HOLIDAY on her birthday

Before rock and roll, before heavy metal, in the 1930s Billie was singing with a voice of misery, melancholy, and bleakness—it's no wonder some doom bands have found their way to her music!

Wikipedia shows: "Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed 'Lady Day' by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday made significant contributions to jazz music and pop singing. Her vocal style, strongly influenced by jazz instrumentalists, inspired a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Holiday was known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills."

"Holiday's vocal delivery made her performances instantly recognizable throughout her career. Her improvisational prowess compensated for her lack of formal musical education. Holiday stated that she had always wanted her voice to sound like an instrument, and some of her influences included trumpeter Louis Armstrong and singer Bessie Smith. Early in her career, she was said to have had her accompanying instrumentalists stop and repeat an improvised line if she believed she could use it for a vocal line."

Billie Holiday & Her Orchestra - Strange Fruit (1939) (Audio) [gruesome lyrics about racist lynchings]

OCEANS OF SLUMBER - Strange Fruit (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

Billie Holiday - Gloomy Sunday (1941) (Take 1 - Official Audio)

Pallbearer - Gloomy Sunday

Celebrating the Anniversary of MARY'S BLOOD's compilation Queen's Legacy

The Metal Archives shows April 6 as the release date for the power metal band Mary's Blood best-of compilation, Queen's Legacy. They were active from 2009 until 2022, and they have three EPs and seven studio albums. They were awesome. I hope that they will return. Musically, I do not think that they were done yet.

Mary's Blood

Queen's Legacy

Tokuma Japan Communications

April 6th, 2022

1. アルカディア 04:18

2. World's End 03:37

3. Counter Strike 04:44

4. Bite the Bullet 05:32

5. Blow Up Your Fire 04:06

6. Believe Me 05:24

7. Marionette 04:53

8. Without a Crown 03:38

9. Moebius Loop 05:01

10. Queen of the Night 05:16

11. Burning Blaze 05:11

12. Wings 05:18

13. ペガサス幻想 (Make-Up cover) 03:46

14. 女神の裁き～Death Queen's March～ 06:08

15. Starlight 04:47

16. Take a Chance 04:01

total time 01:15:40

Mary's Blood - アルカディア Arkadia (Live ♥)

Mary's Blood / Marionette (MV/Full version)

Celebrating the Anniversary of SAINT's In the Battle

The Metal Archives shows April 6 as the release date for Saint's fourth album, In the Battle.

Saint [1979 (as Power Faith), 1979-1982 (as The Gentiles), 1982-1989, 1999-present] plays classic-style traditional heavy metal. The Metal Archives says that they are from Salem, Oregon, USA. During the 1980s they released classic albums like Time's End (1986) and Too Late for Living (1988), which are highly rated by fans on The Metal Archives. After a break in the 1990s, the band returned in 1999 and has been active ever since. They have released many full-length albums over the last twenty years, including In the Battle (2004) and their 2024 release, Immortalizer. With album and song titles like Heaven Fell, In the Battle, Warriors of the Son, "Phantom of the Galaxy," "Legions of the Dead," and "Blood of God," their heavy metal lyrics read like epic, biblical, or apocalyptic events—wars and battles between the forces of good and evil, be it spiritual or warfare. There is fire, explosions, battles, guitars, and some more fire by these Warriors of the Son.

Saint

In the Battle

Armor Records

April 6th, 2004

1. In the Battle 04:08

2. Star Pilot's Return 03:51

3. Here We Are 04:01

4. Sacrifice 07:16

5. Holy Rollin' 04:04

6. Ryders 06:05

7. The Choice 03:38

8. When 04:35

9. Acid Rain/Armor On 03:17

total time 40:55

Saint - Star Pilot Return

Happy birthday to the legend UDO DIRSCHNEIDER!

I have never heard an album with Udo that I don't like! Udo is one of my all-time --all-time!-- favorites. The Metal Archives shows that Udo was born on April 6, 1952.

With Accept, I recommend the albums Restless and Wild (1982), Balls to the Wall (1983), and Metal Heart (1985). With Accept, my favorite is Restless and Wild.

With U.D.O., I like all the albums, too, each and every single one of them. I think I would especially recommend Animal House (1987), Mean Machine (1989), Holy (1999), and Man and Machine (2002). If there were only one U.D.O. album to recommend, I would recommend Holy.

The 2025 album Babylon by Dirkschneider & the Old Gang is also rather full of anthems.

UDO - Raiders of Beyond

(from the 1999 album Holy)

Happy birthday to SUFFOCATION guitarist Terrance Hobbs!

The Metal Archives shows that Terrance Raymond Hobbs was born on April 6, 1970. He has been a constant member of the great death metal band Suffocation since their first release titled Reincremated in 1990. The Metal Archives notes that the band's debut EP, "Human Waste (1991), was the first CD ever released on Relapse Records, though they weren't the first band released on the label (Relapse first released a bunch of 7" singles). It is the first printed and distributed CD by Relapse." On The Metal Archives, the 1991 debut full-length Effigy of the Forgotten has a whopping 30 reviews for an average score of 94%. The 1993 follow-up, Breeding the Spawn, has 14 reviews for 90%. The 1995 album Pierced from Within has 21 reviews for 91%. Suffocation!

Suffocation - Infecting the Crypts

(from the 1991 album Effigy of the Forgotten)

in memory of SAVATAGE/TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA producer Paul O'Neill (1956-2017)

For metal music fans, Paul's name is associated with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and rightfully so. However, the following Wikipedia information shows that there was a lot more to Paul. The Wikipedia information says, in part:

Paul O'Neill (February 23, 1956 – April 5, 2017) was an American composer, lyricist, record producer, and guitarist. He was the producer of the progressive metal band Savatage, and the founder of Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

Among other bands, O'Neill helmed Aerosmith's Classics Live I and Classics Live II albums before beginning a fortuitous relationship with the band Savatage that led to conceptual pieces such as Hall of the Mountain King, Gutter Ballet, Streets: A Rock Opera and Dead Winter Dead. It also introduced him to Jon Oliva, Bob Kinkel and Al Pitrelli, as well as reconnecting him with studio engineer Dave Wittman, who all became original collaborators in O'Neill's next group, Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

"I wanted to take the very best of all the forms of music I grew up on and merge them into a new style," O'Neill said in 2011. "Basically I was building on the work of everybody I worshipped: the rock opera parts from bands like the Who; the marriage of classical and rock from bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Queen; the over-the-top light show from bands like Pink Floyd... I always wanted to do a full rock opera with a full progressive band and at least 24 lead singers.

O'Neill took the idea to Atlantic Records which, to his surprise, went for it and financed the creation of Romanov which was initially to be TSO's first release. "We were very fortunate," he says. "It was one of the only labels left that still did an "old school" kind of artist development." My original concept was; "We were going to do six rock operas, a trilogy about Christmas and maybe one or two regular albums."

However, when Romanov got temporarily put on the back burner, the first installment of the Christmas trilogy, Christmas Eve and Other Stories became TSO's debut album. Fueled by the single "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24" (originally released on the Savatage concept album Dead Winter Dead) the album went double platinum. More platinum certifications followed with 1998's The Christmas Attic, and the final installment of the Christmas trilogy, The Lost Christmas Eve in 2004. In the midst of completing the trilogy, TSO released their first non-holiday rock opera, Beethoven's Last Night.

Savatage - 24 Hours Ago (Official Music Video) [HD]

(from the 1987 classic album Hall of the Mountain King produced by Paul O'Neill)

in memory of RAINBOW/BLACK SABBATH drummer Cozy Powell (1947-1998)

Colin Trevor Flooks (December 29, 1947 - April 5, 1998) (according to The Metal Archives)

Cozy was with Rainbow from 1975 to 1980 for the following albums: Rising (1976), Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (1978) and Down to Earth (1979). He was with Black Sabbath for the following albums: Headless Cross (1989), Tyr (1990), and Forbidden (1995). Cozy worked with a tremendously long lists of projects, bands and artists, some of which are, according to The Metal Archives: Tony Martin, Yngwie Malmsteen, Bedlam, Big Bertha, Blue Murder, Cajo, Cozy Powell, Cozy Powell's Hammer, Emerson, Lake & Powell, Forcefield, Gary Moore, Graham Bonnet, Jeff Beck's Group,Michael Schenker Group, Pete York / Cozy Powell, Peter Green Splinter Group, Phenomena, The Ace Kefford Stand, The Brian May Band, The Corals, The Snakes, The Sorcerers, Tipton, Entwistle and Powell, Tony Joe White, Whitesnake, Youngblood, amongst others.

For fans of classic rock, hard rock and heavy metal, somewhere in their collection of records and cds, or in their playlists, there's a song with Cozy playing drums on it, whether they know it or not. What a drummer!

Rainbow Still Im Sad Cozy Powell drum solo Live 1977 HD

Black Sabbath – Headless Cross (Official HD Video)

remembering FIREHOUSE singer C.J. Snare (1959-2024)

Carl Jeffrey Snare (December 14, 1959 – April 5, 2024, according to Wikipedia) was the singer for the long-running American hard rock band Firehouse (1984-present). Wikipedia says that CJ co-wrote most of the band's songs. Firehouse has been a commercially successful band with seven songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts. Four of those were top 40.

His work with FireHouse is as follows, taken from Wikipedia:

FireHouse – August 21, 1990 – No. 21 US

Hold Your Fire – June 16, 1992 – No. 23 US

3 – April 11, 1995 – No. 66 US

Good Acoustics – October 8, 1996

Category 5 – September 2, 1998

O2 – November 7, 2000

Prime Time – August 12, 2003

Full Circle – June 2011

Live album: Bring 'Em Out Live – December 1999

Check out a couple of the hits from the debut album. This album was huge for the band! The record was certified double platinum in the United States and gold in Canada, Japan and Singapore, says Wikipedia. The second song below, the ballad, has 114 million views on YouTube. In the old days of the music industry, this big popularity of the song alone would be enough for the songwriters to make house mortgage payments and send their kids to college ha ha! The comments on YouTube for this song show that it has been used at weddings more than a few times.

Firehouse - Don't Treat Me Bad

Firehouse - Love Of A Lifetime

celebrating anniversary BELORE's album Eastern Tales

BELORE (2019-present) is an epic and atmospheric black metal project from France. Originally a solo project by Aleevok, it is a duo with drummer Charlie Videau. According to The Metal Archives, the band’s music is centered on a medieval fantasy universe created by the band, with lyrical themes focusing on nature, mythology, and imaginary landscapes. The sound is compared to artists like Summoning and Caladan Brood, blending raspy black metal vocals with lush synthesizers, flutes, and folk-inspired melodies. There are three albums: Journey Through Mountains and Valleys (2020), Artefacts (2021), and Eastern Tales, released on April 5, 2024. Some sources say that as of April 2026, BELORE is active in the European festival circuit, having recently performed at events such as the Cernunnos Pagan Fest in France and the Heathen Strike over Brno in Czechia in February 2026.

Aleevok (Alexandre Ardisson [Continuum, DXS, Hamka, Darkenhöld (live), ex-Evok'hate]) - all instruments, Lyrics

Charlie Videau (ex-Nydvind) - drums (2021-present)

Belore

Eastern Tales

Northern Silence Productions

April 5th, 2024

1. To the Eastern Lands 00:55

2. Sons of the Sun 07:47

3. Storm of an Ancient Age 09:51

4. The Hermit Awakens 09:07

5. Denelïor's Betrayal 02:09

6. Battle for Therallas 07:16

7. The Rise of a Sovereign 06:19

total time 43:24

Eastern Tales by Belore

EASTER - RESURRECTION SUNDAY

Today on Facebook bands like Stryper, Demon Hunter, Narnia and others have posted in celebration of Easter. What is Easter?

The Resurrection of Jesus

1. Who was Jesus?

Jesus of Nazareth was a first-century Jewish teacher. He said that he was the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah. He said that he and the Father were one and that he held the authority to forgive sins. This claim viewed by his contemporaries as either divine truth or ultimate blasphemy.

2. The Execution: Friday

Jesus was executed through the torture of Roman crucifixion after being interrogated by both religious and political leaders. During his trial before the religious council, they asked him point-blank: "Are you then the Son of God?" (Luke 22:70). Jesus replied:

"It is as you say."

Due to this admission, they charged him with blasphemy. He was then handed over to the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, who asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus again answered:

"It is as you say." — Matthew 27:11

3. The Resurrection: Sunday

According to the accounts, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as he had told his followers. This event is the foundational pillar of the Christian faith, signaling a definitive victory over death and the fulfillment of his claims.

4. The Proof and the Scripture

The Gospels claim a physical, bodily resurrection where Jesus ate food and could be touched by his friends. This is famously illustrated by the disciple Thomas, who initially stated:

"Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." — John 20:25

Upon seeing and touching the wounds of the risen Jesus, Thomas responded:

"My Lord and my God!" — John 20:28

The claim of a historical person dying and returning to life in the same body is unique to this account. The verse for the discovery of the empty tomb is found in Matthew 28:6:

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay."

5. The Purpose and the Promise

God took human form in the person of Jesus, the Son of God, to voluntarily sacrifice his body because only a perfect sacrifice without blemish could suffice. Since all humans are sinners, no human can save another; only a perfect sacrifice can bridge that gap. According to the scriptures, without the shedding of blood, no salvation is possible. Because the wages of sin is death, the punishment required was death: Jesus took that place because no other human could.

Jesus promised that same resurrection to those who believe in him. He also promised that he will return, not as a suffering servant when he was a voluntary sacrifice, but in a glorified, physical form as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Upon his return, he will judge the living and the dead, destroy death entirely, and establish an eternal kingdom where he will make all things new.

6. The Importance of the Resurrection

The Apostle Paul made it clear that the resurrection is not just a metaphor; it is the absolute foundation of the faith. He argued that if the resurrection did not happen, then the entire message is a lie and faith is useless. He wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:13, 14 & 17:

"If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith... And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."