Weekly Music News 12.01.25
Updated: 9 hours ago
As part of the 30th-anniversary celebrations for the debut album Sahara by "Orphaned Land", the band decided to re-record the first song it ever wrote and recorded, an exceptional, one-of-a-kind piece and its only love song: "The Beloved's Cry". The band shared the release on social media:
"Alongside celebrating the album's milestone, two deeply significant events inspired us to record two new and distinctive versions of this timeless song. The Hanukkah show after October 7 was emotionally overwhelming for us. We even asked on social media whether performing was appropriate. After a wave of support, we went ahead with two concerts full of hope..."
"In August, I traveled to Berlin on behalf of the band to attend the Metal Hammer Awards, held by Europe's biggest metal magazine. To our joy and surprise, Orphaned Land won the prestigious Attitude award for our work bridging audiences and spreading unity over the years."
"When I went up to receive the award, I wore a Bring Them Home shirt that I had managed to find in Berlin. Onstage, I called for an end to the war and the immediate return of all the hostages. That evening filled me with pride and happiness, feelings that faded very quickly.
The next morning, we received the devastating news of the horrific murder of six hostages, including Eden Yerushalmi, who had been kidnapped from the Nova music festival. After 11 months in captivity, she was found dead, weighing just 36 kilograms, in conditions of unimaginable neglect."
Finally, more than six years after the band's last album, "Ember", came out in 2018, "Breaking Benjamin" releases a new single, "Awaken", and it sounds so good!
Italian gothic-metal band "Lacuna Coil" releases a new song, "Gravity".
The song is the fifth single from their upcoming album, "Sleepless Empire", due February 14 through Century Media Records.
Even Ozzy Osbourne, at 76 and living with Parkinson's disease, releases a new-old single with Billy Morrison. "Gods of Rock N Roll" is a re-recorded version of a 2015 song that closed Morrison's second album, "God Shaped Hole". The new single expands the song with a 61-piece orchestra and choir, and features a guest appearance by Billy Idol's longtime guitarist Steve Stevens. It is worth remembering that Ozzy and Billy are old friends who co-host "Ozzy Speaks" on SiriusXM.
The band "Architects" has been putting plenty into its videos lately, and here is another new one!
The song comes from "The Sky, the Earth & All Between", due next month. Vocalist Sam Carter says: "I'm so excited Blackhole is out. It's one of my favorite songs from the album. The video is as intense as the song. We filmed in an incredible location, and we really are on top of the buildings you see. This is the band at our most powerful."
Veteran progressive-rock band "Coheed And Cambria" releases a new single this week.
Following the release of the covers album "Claudio Covers" in December 2024, the band releases an amazing new single, "Someone Who Can", from its upcoming album "The Father of Make Believe", due March 14, 2025.
The band "Skunk Anansie" releases its first new single in almost three years, "An Artist Is an Artist". In a press release, the band describes it as "a surprising first taste of what is to come from the band in 2025". The song was produced by David Sitek, who reportedly helped Skunk step outside its comfort zone this time.
"He basically reminded us that making music doesn't have to be so complicated," adds guitarist Ace. "When you start a band, it is never complicated, so that was a good reminder, and he made us strip things right back."
The band "4Non Blondes" reunites for its first performance in 30 years!
For now, it is a one-off reunion at the BottleRock Napa Valley festival in May.
Vocalist Linda Perry said she had received reunion offers before but felt the time was not right. When the offer came from BottleRock's organizers, all the band members felt the time was right and jumped at it. For anyone who needs a reminder, the band released the huge hit "What's Up?".
Here is a reminder...
The song "Killing in the Name" by "Rage Against The Machine" joins Spotify's billion-stream club!
The song appeared on the band's debut album in 1992. One of its most popular songs, and perhaps one of the most influential of the 1990s, it passed one billion streams on the music service this week!
The magazine Rolling Stone published its list of the 250 best albums of the 21st century so far. The list includes several rock albums but very few metal albums. We were especially happy to see two albums we love: "Toxicity" by System of a Down and "Collide with the Sky" by "Pierce The Veil". The list also includes Mastodon, The Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie and more.
Brad Delson explains in an interview this week why he decided not to join his band "Linkin Park" on tour. The much-anticipated, widely publicized reunion came with the surprising news that Alex Feder would tour with the band. Brad said that when the band decided to work together again, they did not want to pick up where they had left off. Instead, they wanted to look back and move forward only with what suited each member. Brad explained that creating in the studio is what drives and excites him. That is where he feels fulfilled and flourishes, rather than onstage, so he decided to give that role to Alex.
The band "Metallica" and its charity foundation, All Within My Hands, once again support their local community.
This time, the California metal heroes announced on social media that they are donating $500,000 to Los Angeles wildfire relief. A statement on the AWMH website said the California Community Foundation and Pasadena Community Foundation will each receive $250,000 to support their recovery efforts.
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