This week's round-up includes a William Blake inspired track from Bruce Dickinson, 80s AOR from Revolution Saints and electro/industrial metal from Death X Destiny
Bruce Dickinson - Rain On The Graves
‘Rain On The Graves’ is the second single to be taken from Bruce Dickinson’s forthcoming solo album The Mandrake Project which will be released on March 1st, via BMG. Riding on a towering guitar riff, with dramatic keyboards and a commanding vocal performance, it was inspired by a rainy visit to Romantic poet William Wordsworth’s grave in the Lake District. The song grew into a rumination on the nature of mortality and the deal with the Devil that artists have come to feel themselves making ever since Robert Johnson proved it worthwhile back in the 1930s.
“I had the chorus lyric since I visited Grasmere for a wedding back in 2012,” explains Bruce, “and it wasn’t difficult years later to create the rest of the song with so much rich imagery in my head!” It is a classic Dickinson/Roy Z collaboration; a catchy but heavy piece – full of melody but stripping out the spoken vocals of the verses in almost poetic fashion – maybe a further ode to the great wordsmith who inspired the title, somehow juxtaposed with music fit to raise the ghost of Robert Johnson at his metaphorical crossroads.
With a video shot entirely in a wintery Cornwall – again with Director Ryan Mackfall – we get to see Bruce the actor, a preacher no less, making his own deal with the Devil and dragging his ‘House Band from Hell’ into the bargain.
Revolution Saints - Changing My Mind
Joined by fellow rockers bassist Jeff Pilson (known for his work with Foreigner and formerly of Dokken) and guitarist Joel Hoekstra (of Whitesnake and formerly of Night Ranger) the new iteration - REVOLUTION SAINTS MKII - have gifted fans a captivating album that sits poised to rekindle the fervor for melodic rock.
'Against the Winds,' primarily produced and composed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (who also contributes on keyboards and background vocals), delivers what you would expect: captivating vocals, enchanting melodies, and hooks that will linger in your mind for days.
With this album, REVOLUTION SAINTS exhibit a heightened sense of cohesion, energy, and emotion. They solidify their status as giants in the genre, and this album unquestionably reaffirms why they belong at the pinnacle once again.
Death X Destiny - Eternal (what do you See?)
DEATH X DESTINY returns with fierce second single "Eternal" (what do you see?) with an ethereal official music video to match.
With a soulful start Moon's vocals are captivating seamlessly moving into fierce guitars, peppered with hard hitting rhythms, and Jonny McBee's heavy vocals. The release captures elements of Electronic-Rock/Metal, Industrial, fusing the genres with synthesizers for an eerie yet gritty soundscape. Carefully shifting between brutal to serene "Eternal" (what do you see?) is another testament to the duos prowess.