With Halloween around the corner, BLOODSTOCK has some early treats to share, by way of some fiendishly good bands to announce! No tricks here. Hot on the heels of the recent reveal of special guests BODY COUNT, today BLOODSTOCK can tell you another 10 bands who’ll be treading the boards at Catton Park next summer, and if you’re quick, you might just manage to snap up the last of the standard weekend tickets before the box office goblin swoops in with the giant sold out stamp.
Black Label Society, the powerhouse of hard rock led by the legendary Zakk Wylde, has announced the release of their new single, “Lord Humungus”. This track is a sonic sledgehammer brimming with pounding rhythms, blistering guitar riffs, and anthemic energy, and is set to drop Friday, February 21, 2025, across all major digital streaming platforms.
AHEAD OF NEW SIX-TRACK EP, SURFACING, DUE OUT 3rd MAY, the Multi-platinum NZ rockers wear their hearts on their sleeve and offer up a devilishly masterful performance of one of classic rocks most beloved tunes!
Prepare to be swept away by a tidal wave of raw power and adrenaline as multi-Platinum-selling New Zealand rock icons DEVILSKIN unleash their latest musical masterpiece: a heart-pounding cover of HEART’s timeless classic, “Barracuda.” With their unmistakable blend of ferocious energy and unparalleled musicianship, DEVILSKIN pays homage to the legendary rock anthem while injecting it with their own signature intensity and passion.
Originally released by HEART in 1977, on their third studio album Little Queen, “Barracuda” has long been hailed as one of the most iconic tracks in rock history. Known for its infectious guitar riff, soaring vocals, and unforgettable chorus, “Barracuda” continues to resonate with audiences of all ages. DEVILSKIN’s cover of “Barracuda” pays homage to the original while infusing it with their own unique style and energy, resulting in a rendition that is both timeless and fresh.
Lead vocalist JENNIE SKULANDER’s powerhouse vocals ascend over the epochal chugging riff, harmonics, and shimmering, layered guitars courtesy of NAIL VINCENT, and thunderous fusion of father and son rhythm section PAUL (bass) and NIC MARTIN (drums), capturing the essence of the original while adding a modern edge that is distinctly DEVILSKIN. From the opening notes to the explosive climax, DEVILSKIN’s cover of “Barracuda” is a masterclass in rock reinvention, showcasing the band’s unparalleled talent and passion for their craft.
“This is one of those songs that so many people have tucked away in their favourites and for good reason too – the song is a masterpiece! We hadn’t played it live for a few years, but we all still felt a sweet connection with it. So we thought we’d have some fun, and record it as a bonus for our faithful, and of course, to honour our musical heroes. Releasing ‘Barracuda’ for us, is like a gift back to our audience and the really amazing people we’ve had the good fortune to meet over the years. It’s a thank you, from the heart.” – PAUL MARTIN
Devilskin formed in June 2010 in Hamilton New Zealand and features the spectacular Jennie Skulander on lead vocals. Her powerful and compelling voice and alluring stage presence sets her apart from any vocalist New Zealand has put up so far. With an unerring gift for melody, Jennie’s incredible voice sweeps from whisper to roar, rips with power, drips with melody and captivates with sincerity.
Jennie previously fronted Rotorua band Slipping Tongue garnering a swathe of fans with their videos, EPs and album. Slipping Tongue also impressed many when they opened for Coheed & Cambria in 2008.
On lead guitar is Nail from the popular Waikato band Chuganaut who won the NZ Battle of the Bands and the World Battle Of The Bands in 2004. Played BDO in 2005 and opened for Iron Maiden at Mt Smart stadium in 2009. Chuganaut has played numerous national tours and released several singles, EP’s, videos and an album. Nail’s searing guitar work and high energy performance bring real intensity to the live show.
Paul Martin is the founder of the popular radio show, the Axe Attack. Lead guitarist and vocalist for World War Four, Paul’s previous bands include Knightshade and Blackjack. He has opened for Black Label Society (2006), Heaven & Hell (2007) and Motorhead twice (2008), and played BDO (2009). Paul’s powerful and aggressive bass style is a propulsive force in the Devilskin sound.
Nic Martin joined Devilskin as drummer in August 2011 at the age of 15. Paul’s son, Nic is the youngest artist to ever play the BDO when he performed with World War Four in 2009 at the age of 13. Nic adds to the show with a real display of power and passion on the drums. With a fierce style all his own and the inexhaustible energy of youth, Nic’s truculent style and showmanship are fast becoming a talking point on the NZ live music scene. Not to mention making Devilskin one of the few bands featuring a father and son in their line-up.
Together, Devilskin have the ability to write songs that have depth and passion. They create a compelling and irresistible sound and perform a stunning, explosive, live show. The art of song-writing is back.
Black Label Society have announced a full UK & Europe headline tour schedule for summer 2022, taking in major festivals along the way.
Starting with Finland’s Rockfest on June 2nd, Zakk and the gang soon arrive in London to play two shows at Camden’s Electric Ballroom on June 7th & 8th. The run of headline & festival shows see the band hit Germany, Spain, France, Italy and more.
New Jersey based heavy rock artist KENNY DUBMAN has released the official music video for “Old Dog,” the debut single with CHARLIE STARR (BLACKBERRY SMOKE) off of his upcoming LP, Conflicted. Produced by Kenny Dubman and Steve Deauctis, Conflicted was recorded at Sound Spa Productions in Edison, NJ, and features additional guest appearances by Zakk Wylde (OZZY OSBOURNE, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) and SCOTTI HILL (SKID ROW), with a release fat 4/29/2022.
“Conflicted is really an album of observations of human nature and behavior…every single track is about things that people do, and the impact these things have on both themselves and others in their sphere. Human emotion drives human behavior, which ultimately shapes our worlds, for better or worse. Every single person is conflicted, in one way or another, at some point in their lives.” – KENNY DUBMAN
Track List: 1. Old Dog 2. Modern Day Jesus 3. Beautiful Like You 4. Robbing You Blind 5. Toeing the Line 6. You Belong 7. Stuck on Replay 8. Cruelest of Them All 9. Winter Wind 10. Pitiful Fool 11. For the Taking 12. Wool Over Your Eyes
Kenny was raised in a house where music played all the time, and it was his mom’s Hendrix and Santana records that etched their way into his psyche…he had to know how to make those sounds. By age 9 he had started guitar lessons, and by 12, had begun to unravel the mysteries of real rock guitar playing on his own, courtesy of Ace Frehely on the first Kiss Alive album. Ace was playing the Jimmy Page licks…but he played them slowly and methodically enough for a kid to digest and be able to repeat them, albeit clumsily at first. Over time, the pentatonic scale layout of the neck revealed itself, and he was off to the races, never looking back.
By Kenny’s senior year in high school, he had joined a newly minted band called Prophet with a bunch of Jersey guys several years his senior. They busted their asses learning progressive rock covers by Kansas, Yes, Rush, Genesis, Pink Floyd….as well as hard rock like Scorpions, Van Halen, Sabbath and AC/DC. By 1982, Prophet was one of the kings of the NJ club band circuit, playing 5 nights per week to packed houses all over the tri state area. In 1985, Prophet would release the first of their 3 albums; the self-titled “Prophet” (1985), followed by “Cycle Of The Moon” (1988), and “Recycled” (1991). All records met with critical acclaim, yet Prophet would never rise above cult following status…a following which still remains today.
A few original music projects followed in the early 90’s, but he was growing weary of the music business and all of it’s fickle whims. He lost his passion for creating and trying to forge ahead, and channeled those passions elsewhere.
In 2013, Kenny found himself at an all-time low, having gone through quite a few years of real trauma in his personal life. He had finally shed all his baggage, and was slowly regaining himself and learning to stand again…gradually finding his footing. It was during this period that he stumbled on to an album that would set the course for a whole new musical re-birth for him…”The Whippoorwill” by Blackberry Smoke. Just happened to click on it by chance one day while looking for an album to play while at work. A year later, he was still listening to the whole record every day. A few months after that, song ideas that he thought were worth capturing started to appear for the first time in years. And on July 4th, 2016, Kenny released “Reckless Abandon”, his very first 100% solo record. And THAT…is where this awesome journey started for the second time…and he’ll never look back again.
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