Have you got several hundred dollars burning a hole in the pocket of your leather pants? Well, Judas Priest are here to help. On their upcoming tour, the metal gods are offering what they call The Soundcheck Experience. Assuming you’ve already ponied up for a tickets — and then dug deeper for their Backstage Experience — you can level up by shelling out even more money to watch them rehearse for a few minutes. Plus, you get to meet two members of the band. Nope, not Rob Halford or Ian Hill. For your giant wad of cash, you get the privilege of shaking hands with drummer Scott Travis and guitarist Richie Faulkner. Wow. What a thrilling … um, experience. Hey, here’s a better option: Spend that money on some of the bands below:
Infrared | Manifest Nation
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ottawa’s Infrared proudly present their new video for Manifest Nation, from their brand-new album Manifestation. As purveyors of classic thrash, Infrared’s roots run deep, having first gained acclaim in the ’80s with the hit Thoughts Caught (in Between). Since then, they have released three albums and two EPs leading up to their fourth full-length Manifestation. They share their excitement: “With life as busy as it is and some life challenges plaguing the band, the release has been delayed a few times. This is the longest we have sat on a finished album. With determination, we ramped up and filmed four videos and did all it takes to put together what the fans want, new classic thrash metal with a modern feel.”
Spread Thin | Gaslit
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After unleashing their debut album World Of Snakes this summer, Wisconsin hardcore quartet Spread Thin return with a new video for their explosive track Gaslit. The song speaks of the frustration of watching someone you love struggle and when you try to help, it blows up in your face every time. Vocalist Ben Deml adds: “They will constantly blame things wrong with them on everyone else and eventually you just reach this point where you really start to believe you might be the problem. The cycle repeats.” World Of Snakes is Spread Thin’s introduction to the scene and they are looking forward to the reception of this no-filler, straightforward hardcore album with pungent power-violence and grind influences.”
The Wring | The Nail
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Sudbury’s The Wring continue to build anticipation for their upcoming album Nemesis with the release of their new single The Nail. This track is a hard-hitting showcase of the band’s ability to blend heavy rock with progressive influences, delivering a sound that is both aggressive and intricate. The Nail features a compelling mix of rhythmic complexity and melodic intensity, as guitarist Don Dewulf comments: “I stumbled on a song by The Offspring called Behind Your Walls of Pain. For some reason, that song stuck with me. Once I broke it down, it was the I-VI—IV progression that I found interesting. This is uncommon without the V chord. I twisted it up for the chorus and added a bunch of different parts to make the song. Lyrically, there is no disguising my disdain for the unprecedented lack of decency, honesty, and respect in the world right now.”
WarlocK A.D. | Ancient Dragon of Storms Flüffir Mighty Guardian of Valley (Techno Wyrmhole)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Set to unleash their sophomore album Book II: The Valley of Vâgené on Sept. 27, U.K. fantasy power metal outfit WarlocK A.D. offer the lyric video for their third single Ancient Dragon of Storms Flüffir Mighty Guardian of Valley (Techno Wyrmhole). “Enter the Caverns of Nave at your peril…for you risk awakening the Ancient Dragon of Storms Flüffir — Mighty Guardian of The Valley of Vâgené!” add the band. Over two years in the making, this entry into the WarlocK A.D. saga is bigger, thicker, and more powerful than anything they have brought you before! The album is 12 tracks of interwoven musical storytelling implementing the use of motifs, themes, and callbacks. From the sweeping orchestral movements of The Golden Showers of Prestønia to the frantic folk metal flavorings of Rothgar Warsong, the album combines various iterations of melodic metal, culminating in what feels like a fully fledged D&D-style epic.”
Mexican Standoff | Denver Omelette
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Italy’s Mexican Standoff are delighted to announce the release the song Denver Omelette. “This our take on ’80s glam rock — with less hair metal and more Cheap Trick-style melodies,” they say. “The chorus revolves around a stop-and-go that emphasizes its open melody.” The track is featured on the band’s upcoming album Raiders of the Dutch Rudder, which is due Oct. 4. Showcasing their blend of classic rock energy, metal aggression and punk rebellion for a groovy musical experience, Raiders of the Dutch Rudder draws from metal, glam and punk, for a sound that is both fresh and familiar with lyrics ranging from imaginative storytelling to personal reflections.”
Lay Of The Autumn | Flowing Tears
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Lay Of The Autumn are a new metal band led by Davide Scuteri (Ravenword, Choirs Of Veritas) and featuring Iryna Boyarkina (ERIA, Mysterya), Michele Olmi (Chronosfear, Embrace Of Souls), Cesare Ferrari and Davide Lovecchio. Their debut album, featuring 10 emotionally charged tracks, merges the intensity of power metal with the grandeur of symphonic metal, creating a deeply evocative listening experience. Flowing Tears encapsulates the full spectrum of the band’s sound, blending sorrow with beauty in a way that is uniquely Lay Of The Autumn. Their album Of Love And Sorrow captures the melancholic and powerful essence of the band.”
Sun And Sail Club | Tumble
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “U.S. heavy supergroup Sun & Sail Club (with members of Adolescents, Fu Manchu and Fireball Ministry) present the second track from their upcoming album Shipwrecked, due Oct. 18. About the song, guitarist Bob Balch says: “Tumble was written with a jazz scale in mind. It’s based on a jazz minor mode named super locrian but played in fourths. Dork fest! I was studying that style of playing because of a jazz guitar player named Sid Jacobs. When I was playing through the chords he uses I thought to myself ‘this sounds like something Voivod would use,’ so a song came out of that. There are two Tonys and two Scotts on this track. Tony Adolescent killed it on vocals and Tony Reed (Mos Generator, Big Scenic Nowhere) added some prog synth. Scott Reeder (Kyuss) added low end madness and Scott Reeder (Fu Manchu) provided the beats. I think this is a good song to check out if you wanna see what the album is all about. Frantic but grounded by songwriting.”
