Joseph Michael Music

In support of their new album “Escape Of The Phoenix” via AFM Records on February 26th 2021 Swedish progressive metal band EVERGREY will be hitting the road for an extensive tour throughout Europe in 2021.

As special guest EVERGREY invited no less than dark melodic heavy metal juggernaut from Los Angeles WITHERFALL. Bringing along their third opus “Curse Of Autumn” (to be released March 5th, 2021 via Century Media Records), the quintet are blazing new trails and weaving new tales, offering a genuine metal classic with an expressive song-writing and a refined and perfectionized sound of their distinguished and musically-adept dark melodic heavy metal.

Opening support comes from the Modern Metal quintet DUST IN MIND, one of the most up and coming French bands today.

EVERGREY Front-man Tom Englund states: "We are really happy to announce a tour of Europe next fall and let's all hope that the world is in a better place by that time so we get to see all you lovely people again!“

WITHERFALL comment: “After a long and tense year WITHERFALL are extremely happy to announce the very first tour dates in support of our soon to be released Album ‘Curse of Autumn’ as special guests with the brilliant Evergrey. We look forward to seeing all of our European friends and are excited to make some new ones in these new and uncharted waters.”

Rock Hard, Eclipsed, MusiX and metal.de present:

Recharging Europe Tour 2021

EVERGREY

+ special guest: WITHERFALL

+ DUST IN MIND

08.10.21 (DE) Oberhausen - Resonanzwerk

09.10.21 (GB) London - 229 venue

10.10.21 (GB) Nottingham - Rescue Rooms

11.10.21 (GB) Bristol - The Fleece

12.10.21 (GB) Manchester - Academy 3

13.10.21 (GB) Newcastle - St Dom’s Social Club

14.10.21 (GB) Glasgow - Cathouse

15.10.21 (IE) Dublin - Voodoo Lounge

16.10.21 (GB) Birmingham - The Asylum 2

17.10.21 (NL) Leiden - Gebr. De Nobel

19.10.21 (DE) Stuttgart - Im Wizemann Club

20.10.21 (DE) Hamburg - Bahnhof Pauli

21.10.21 (DE) Berlin - Columbia Theater

22.10.21 (NL) Eindhoven - Dynamo

23.10.21 (BE) Vosselaar - Biebob

24.10.21 (DE) Mannheim - 7er Club

25.10.21 (DE) Nürnberg - Hirsch

26.10.21 (DE) Lindau - Club Vaudeville

27.10.21 (DE) Munich - Backstage Halle

29.10.21 (DE) Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal

30.10.21 (DE) Andernach - Live Club

31.10.21 (CH) Luzern - Schüür

01.11.21 (FR) Colmar - Le Grillen

02.11.21 (FR) Lyon - CCO Villeurbanne

03.11.21 (ES) Barcelona - Boveda

04.11.21 (ES) Madrid - Shoko

05.11.21 (ES) Pamplona - Totem

06.11.21 (FR) Toulouse - L'Usine

07.11.21 (FR) Paris - Petit Bain

WITHERFALL have already released 3 songs taken from “Curse Of Autumn”. Don’t miss the cinematic video for “As I Lie Awake” that was directed by Zev Deans (Ghost, Behemoth…): https://youtu.be/KFbrq-n17Gs

Make sure to check out as well:

“Another Face (Lyric Video)”: https://youtu.be/jUDgiOskP0g

“The Last Scar (Visualizer Video)”: https://youtu.be/qybjieZibRU

“Curse Of Autumn” will be available as Ltd. CD Digipak, a luxurious Gatefold 2LP that is coming with a poster and etching on Side D as well as Digital Album. Click here for preorder options including coloured vinyl: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/CurseOfAutumn/

(photo by Stephanie Cabral)

WITHERFALL are:

Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards (also in Sanctuary)

Jake Dreyer - Acoustic and Electric Guitars (also in Iced Earth/Demons & Wizards)

Anthony Crawford - Bass (Chon, Shalmor, Allan Holdsworth, Justin Timberlake, Kirk Whalum…)

Marco Minnemann - Drums (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson, Tony Levin, Jordan Rudess, Necrophagist…)

Alex Nasla - Live Keyboards

Follow WITHERFALL:

https://www.witherfall.com/

https://www.facebook.com/witherfall

https://www.instagram.com/witherfallofficial/

https://twitter.com/witherfall

https://www.youtube.com/witherfall

Click Here to buy merch/cds/vinyl etc

Witherfall release new single "Another Face”, off their new album “Curse Of Autumn” out March 5, 2021

“Another Face” is the third single taken from “Curse Of Autumn”, the upcoming album from Los Angeles-based dark melodic metallers WITHERFALL. Helmed by vocalist/keyboardist Joseph Michael (Sanctuary), guitarist Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth), bassist Anthony Crawford (Chon), and drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats), WITHERFALL’s new configuration aligns the brightest stars.

WITHERFALL enlisted Bradley Cook (Slash) to track the drums at Doghouse Studios and Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth/ Demons & Wizards) to produce (with Michael/Dreyer) at Independence Hall. Jim Morris (Savatage) engineered and mixed, while Tom Morris (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) mastered at Morrisound Recording. Adorned by a striking Kristian Wåhlin cover and supported by a visually stunning Zev Deans (Ghost, BEHEMOTH!…) video for “As I Lie Awake,” the “Curse of Autumn” is peak WITHERFALL.

Stream and Pre-order here

https://witherfallband.lnk.to/CurseOfAutumnID

Watch The Video for "As I Lie Awake"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFbrq-n17Gs

WITHERFALL – release cinematic “As I Lie Awake” video clip directed by Zev Deans

The moon, an autumnal atmosphere, fog in the woods, vampires and a wicked storyteller – as an 80s horror fan you’ll get everything you desired by watching the cinematic new video clip for WITHERFALL’s “As I Lie Awake”. The video was directed by the renown director Zev Deans who didn’t just do spectacular videos for the likes of Ghost, Behemoth or Chelsea Wolfe, but also Denzel Curry and St. Vincent.

Dim the lights, sit back and enjoy “As I Lie Awake (Official Video)”: https://youtu.be/KFbrq-n17Gs

p p

Stream on your favorite platform here:

https://witherfallband.lnk.to/AsILieAwake-Single

Buy Merch Here!

Http://www.witherfall.com/merch

Use Code blackfriday20 for 20%off thru Nov

WITHERFALL comments: “’As I Lie Awake’ is the catchiest WITHERFALL song to date. It was created with much arguing and loud drunken chicanery. Early on the band and producer Jon Schaffer agreed that this should be the lead single. Director Zev Deans who had directed Ghost’s ‘Dance Macabre’ was enlisted for the job and the video for ‘As I Lie Awake’ features a great ‘Lost Boys’ styled treatment. Thanks again to Duffs in Brooklyn, we didn’t mean to spill blood and wine on your carpet…”

Director Zev Deans about the video: “When Joseph sent me the song, it immediately transported me to an era when both heavy metal and horror movies were all about sex, blood and ultimately, a good time! Movies like ‘The Lost Boys’ were in the movie theaters and long-format music videos like ‘Thriller’ were on MTV.”

“As I Lie Awake” is the second single taken from “Curse Of Autumn”, the upcoming album from L.A.’s finest WITHERFALL that is scheduled for a worldwide street date on March 5th, 2021 with the US vinyl being available April 2nd, 2021. Preorders will be launched shortly.

What could possibly be a better time of the year to dive headfirst into dark melodic metal? While the shadows of winter are creeping up upon us and the nights get longer it is the perfect time for “Curse Of Autumn” to unfold.

The album art is once again another hand painted masterpiece by the legendary Kristian Wåhlin, the fourth painting in the WITHERFALL series.

“Curse Of Autumn” was produced by Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards) for Ravencraft Productions, Joseph Michael (vocals, keyboards, also in Sanctuary) and Jake Dreyer (guitar, also in Iced Earth, Demons & Wizards). For the recording and mix they teamed up with Jim Morris (Savatage, Iced Earth, Kamelot, Death) while Tom Morris took over mastering duties. After most WITHERFALL songs were written with just an acoustic guitar, pen and paper and copious amounts of red wine, it was the group effort of the full production team that made a difference. “Jon Schaffer and Jim Morris really brought a lot of energy to these sessions”, Michael comments.

(photo by Stephanie Cabral)

WITHERFALL are:

Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards (also in Sanctuary)

Jake Dreyer - Acoustic and Electric Guitars (also in Iced Earth/Demons & Wizards)

Anthony Crawford - Bass (Chon, Shalmor, Allan Holdsworth, Justin Timberlake, Kirk Whalum…)

Marco Minnemann - Drums (The Aristocrats, Joe Satriani, Steven Wilson, Tony Levin, Jordan Rudess, Necrophagist…)

Alex Nasla - Live Keyboards

Follow WITHERFALL:

https://www.witherfall.com/

https://www.facebook.com/witherfall

https://www.instagram.com/witherfallofficial/

https://twitter.com/witherfall

https://www.youtube.com/witherfall

For your Consideration Witherfall - I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty Cover)

Witherfall - I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty Cover) is up for Grammy Consideration this year for Best Rock Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards! If your a voting member head over to your portal and vote: https://bit.ly/2SKMT7F

If Video Doesn't Play Click Here:

Listen on Spotify here:

Buy The CDS/Shirts/Vinyl here

Sanctuary Into The Mirror Black 30th Year Anniversary TOUR!

SANCTUARY coming to Europe for their “Into The Mirror Black 30th Anniversary” tour in the fall 2021 with support from HALCYON WAY!

Seattle, Washington based metal veterans SANCTUARY will be coming back to Europe in the fall 2021 to celebrate the 30^th anniversary of their classic record ‘Into The Mirror Black’ (1990) and its remastered special edition release, due October 9^th, 2020 via Century Media Records.
Even though the initial plans to commemorate this big anniversary live in 2020 with current singer Joseph Michael (Witherfall) had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, fear not, because the band will still be playing ‘Into The Mirror Black’ in its entirety in 2021 and the anniversary of this great album will still be celebrated accordingly.

GET YOUR OFFICIAL SACNTUARY PATCHES HERE:

Originally formed back in 1985 SANCTUARY are one of the most unique and captivating acts to emerge. After quickly having established the band as a household name for high-class metal and having gathered supporters all around the globe with their first two albums ‘Refuge Denied’ (1988) and ‘Into The Mirror Black’ (1990) the band´s commercial career came to an unfortunate halt, leading to the creation and rise of Nevermore. In 2011 though, Sanctuary reformed again, celebrated its live comeback, put out their third album, ‘The Year The Sun Died’ in 2014 and are now more than eager to start a new chapter in the band´s history. Both by staying true to their roots and fans from back in the days and by still being at the ravages of time when it comes to the remastered sound of their most successful album ‘Into The Mirror Black’ attracting new fans all over the world.
The album was carefully remastered by Zeuss (Queensrÿche, Iced Earth, Overkill) to make it sound a bit fuller and heavier without losing the original feel and the extra tracks are real gems for SANCTUARY devotees. Its gloomy atmosphere and thought-provoking lyrics, its brilliant mix borderlining heavy and thrash metal, its stellar guitar work and the expressive vocals of the one and only Warrel Dane (R.I.P.) are just some of the reasons why this record stood the test of time.
And why this tour will be one for the books for sure!

Support will be coming from Atlanta, Georgia based progressive power metal band HALCYON WAY.

Rock Hard, MusiX and Metal.de present:

Into The Mirror Black 30th anniversary tour 2021
SANCTUARY
+ support HALCYON WAY

16.09.2021    (DE)            HAMBURG    Kronensaal
17.09.2021    (BE)             AARSCHOT    De Klinker
18.09.2021    (NL)            LEIDEN    Metal Experience Fest
19.09.2021    (CH)            LUZERN    Schüür
21.09.2021    (DE)            MANNHEIM    7er Club
22.09.2021    (DE)            MUNICH    Backstage Halle
23.09.2021    (DE)            ASCHAFFENBURG    Colos-Saal
24.09.2021    (DE)            LUENEN    Lükaz
25.09.2021    (DK)            AALBORG    Studenterhuset
26.09.2021    (NO)           OSLO    Krøsset
28.09.2021    (FI)              HELSINKI    On the rocks
30.09.2021    (SE)             STOCKHOLM    Slaktkyrkan
01.10.2021    (SE)             GOTHENBURG    Valand
02.10.2021    (SE)             MALMÖ    Babel
03.10.2021    (DE)            OLDENBURG    MTS Record Store *** special record store show ***

Line-up (current):
Joseph Michael – Vocals
Lenny Rutledge – Guitars
George Hernandez – Bass
Dave Budbill – Drums

Sanctuary Into The Mirror Black 30th Year Anniversary Edition

SANCTUARY – to release 30th Anniversary Edition of “Into The Mirror Black” on October 9th, 2020. Presales are available now!

Pre-order your copy on CD or vinyl now: https://sanctuary.lnk.to/IntoTheMirrorBlack30Anniversary

Into the Mirror Black T-shirts can also be found at http://www.Sanctuaryofficial.com

“Into The Mirror Black”, originally released in 1990, is a truly special, much revered metal record, which received massive critical acclaim back when it came out and is still loved dearly to the very day.

Its gloomy atmosphere and thought-provoking lyrics, its brilliant mix borderlining heavy and thrash metal, its stellar guitar work and the expressive vocals of the one and only Warrel Dane (R.I.P.) are just some of the reasons why this record stood the test of time.

In 2020, “Into The Mirror Black” celebrates its 30th anniversary and while the plans to commemorate this event live with current singer Joseph Michael (Witherfall) had to be postponed, these limited triple vinyl and double CD deluxe editions created with guitarist Lenny Rutledge, honour the timeless grandeur of “Into The Mirror Black” extremely well and will be released through Century Media Records as strictly limited formats on October 9th, 2020.

Lenny Rutledge comments:

“We are so excited to finally be releasing this special edition of “Into The Mirror Black”! The remaster of the original songs sounds awesome and the 1990 “Black Reflections” live concert is finally going to be released in all its authentic live glory. The live material was mixed and mastered by Zeuss and is presented as recorded. No re-recordings or overdubs. Look for Sanctuary on tour in Fall of 2021 playing the entire “Into The Mirror Black” set. We cant wait to bring the live show to Europe, USA and South America in 2021.”

The album was carefully remastered by Zeuss (Queensrÿche, Iced Earth, Overkill) to make it sound a bit fuller and heavier without losing the original feel and the extra tracks are real gems for SANCTUARY devotees: Three previously unreleased studio demos (incl. ‘I’m Insane’) and an entire, newly mixed 10-track live album from 1990, which was only partially released on a rare promo-EP. “The concert from 1990 is a total snapshot in time,” says Zeuss, “when the band was at its peak. It’s captured before the initial breakup which led to Warrel and Jim forming Nevermore. Hearing it brought me right back to the first time I personally saw them.”

Apart from its sonic treasures, this new edition also offers tons of rare and previously unpublished photos as well as liner notes from Lenny Rutledge and bassist Jim Sheppard, who share memories, good and bad, tour stories and give insight into the creation of this opus resulting in a companion release to 2017’s “Inception”.

“Into The Mirror Black (30th Anniversary Edition)” will be released as limited LP edition containing three 180 gram vinyls housed in a widespined Gatefold sleeve and includes an 8-page LP-sized booklet, and the 2CD format comes in a digipak and slipcase packaging.

The tracklisting is below:

DISC 1 (60:53)

1. Future Tense (5:07)

2. Taste Revenge (5:03)

3. Long Since Dark (5:06)

4. Epitaph (6:03)

5. Eden Lies Obscured (5:23)

6. The Mirror Black (5:06)

7. Seasons of Destruction (4:51)

8. One More Murder (4:20)

9. Communion (5:38)

10. Future Tense (Demo 1989) (5:16)

11. I Am Insane (Demo 1989) (4:04)

12. Mirror Black (Demo 1989) (4:56)

DISC 2 (49:26)

1. Eden Lies Obscured (Live 1990) (5:15)

2. Seasons of Destruction (Live 1990) (5:01)

3. Die For My Sins (Live 1990) (4:05)

4. Future Tense (Live 1990) (5:15)

5. White Rabbit (Live 1990) (5:37)

6. Taste Revenge (Live 1990) (5:09)

7. Long Since Dark (Live 1990) (5:08)

8. Sanctuary (Live 1990) (4:25)

9. One More Murder (Live 1990) (4:13)

10. Battle Angels (Live 1990) (5:18)

The “Into The Mirror Black (30th Anniversary Edition)” will be also available as limited lilac vinyl (200 copies, exclusively available through www.cmdistro.de) and limited grey vinyl (300 copies).

Pre-order your copy on CD or vinyl now: https://sanctuary.lnk.to/IntoTheMirrorBlack30Anniversary

Line-up (on this recording):

Warrel Dane - Vocals

Lenny Rutledge - Guitars

Sean Blosl - Guitars

Jim Sheppard - Bass

Dave Budbill – Drums

Line-up (current):

Joseph Michael - Vocals

Lenny Rutledge - Guitars

George Hernandez - Bass

Dave Budbill – Drums

SANCTUARY online:

www.sanctuaryofficial.com

New Witherfall Clip

A sneak peak into the latest Witherfall Production can be watched here... Special guest producer announcement soon!

https://youtu.be/HRlQP3ZAKXc

A special gift will be given to anyone that pre-orders the new album package from now until July 31st... Only 1000 will be available. Order now at

http://www.witherfall.com

Witherfall Tempest Red Blend T Shirts and New Music...

Hey there, Witherfall are hard at work isolating ourselves in a recording studio to produce the next epic release. We cannot divulge too many details at the moment but we can say that it will be the most epic recording to date, with some surprise guests.

For now until July 31st you can pre-order a couple of packages that will include a free gift that no-one else will receive after that date. Order Here:

Witherfall III Packages are Vinyl or CD...

Witherfall Shirts come in S-XXXL

order your bottles of Witherfall "Tempest Red Blend" Vintage 2020 here:

Witherfall Tempest Red Blend Wine Now Available

WITHERFALL ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE TEMPEST RED BLEND WINE

BAND IN THE STUDIO RECORDING NEW ALBUM

(Los Angeles, CA – March 30, 2020) – US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL announce Tempest Red Blend wine. The band partnered up with one of their favorite California wineries, Carlie & Echo, to bring fans their very own limited edition red blend. The wine will be shipping starting May 1st and is available for purchase HERE.

“With the amount of red wine that various members of Witherfall consume on a daily basis, it is only fitting that we partnered up with one of our favorite California Wineries Charlie & Echo to introduce our very own Witherfall ‘Tempest Red Blend’. Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael met with Charlie & Echo chief Eric Van Drunen during an event and sampled some of the wines,” states Witherfall about the announcement. During these apocalyptic times, with everyone now shuttered inside, the best way we can think of to cope and escape the madness is to become comfortably numb with a nice bottle of ‘Tempest Red Blend’ accompanied by attractive company and your favorite Witherfall tracks spinning in the background.”

"I was instantly in love with the dark variety of reds i sampled. They perfectly matched my palate. We spoke for a few months and finally we are able to bring you this collaboration,” states Witherfall frontman Joseph Michael.

"We were thrilled when Witherfall approached us about teaming up on a wine, and we're really pleased with the Tempest Red Blend that we've created. A blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Nebbiolo and Zinfandel, it exudes depth, complexity and richness, while maintaining a melodic vibrancy. The wine was made completely naturally from a vineyard farmed using only organic methods, so there's an honesty to it that I think reflects the values of the music,” states Charlie & Echo winemaker, Eric Van Drunen.

Witherfall is currently back in the studio working on their new album. Stay tuned for more details on the band’s forthcoming third full-length album by following the band on socials.

Vintage, Witherfall’s recent EP, was released Spring 2019 to much anticipation from the metal world. Vintage includes acoustic interpretations of tracks from the band’s previous acclaimed releases A Prelude to Sorrow and Nocturnes and Requiems. It also includes covers of Helloween’s “A Tale That Wasn’t Right” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. Vintage is available to stream and purchase HERE.

WITHERFALL is Joseph Michael (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards), Jake Dreyer (Guitars), Anthony Crawford (Bass), Alex Nasla (Keyboards), and Bruno Valverde (Live Drums).

Purchase/Stream A Prelude To Sorrow:

Purchase/Stream Nocturnes and Requiems

Watch “Ode To Despair”:

Watch “Vintage”:

RIP Paul Sternquist

Today i learned that one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away from cancer. Paul was one a kind. Some how managing to be both curmudgeon yet good spirited at the same time. Paul was one of the first people i met when i came back to Los Angeles in the mid 2000's we played in a few ridiculous cover bands. In 2007 he joined my psuedo-goth prog band Midnight Reign...

I'm most proud of this song We wrote together while working on his 2nd Solo CD... His solo is really special on this one.

Anyone that knows me, knows that i have little time for friends and zero time for acquaintances... I can count on my left hand my great friends... Paul was one of them. I love and will miss him. Travel on...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaYNWI0p9nA

RIP Paul Sternquist

Paul is survived by his wife and co-curmudgeon Teresa Sternquist. Per his wishes she will have him cremated. If you'd like to contribute the Cancer fund is still up and taking donations to pay for this final expense.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/paul-sternquist-cancer-fund

His cremation expenses are due today and anything that you can do helps...