Be-Bop Deluxe Expand Their "Modern Music" Album With New Deluxe Box Set

English progressive rock band, Be-Bop Deluxe found moderate success during the seventies, mixing together elements of glam rock, prog rock and just straight-up rock and roll. The band released a handful of studio albums between 1974-1978, with their album "Modern Music" being their highest charting release in the U.K. and in the U.S. As a celebration of Be-Bop Deluxe and their album "Modern Music," Cherry Red Records has released a new deluxe five disc limited edition box set. It is comprised of four CDs and a DVD that will allow fans to dive deeper into the album's unique sound with three mixes of the album (original stereo mix remastered, a new stereo mix & a 5.1 surround sound mix on the DVD).

The first two CDs are almost identical, as far as track listing, with the exception of early versions of the songs "Forbidden Lovers" and "The Bird Charmer's Destiny" on disc two. The remastered sound is exceptional, as you can hear the perfect balance of music and vocals, especially during the wonderful harmonies of "The Gold At The End Of My Rainbow" and the high-energy rocker "Bring Back The Spark." Be-Bop Deluxe also weave their magic through the eight-minute B-side "Shine" which has also been added. The first versions of "Forbidden Lovers" and "The Bird Charmer's Destiny" are also a nice addition, but their stark, raw sound only makes you wish that there was a whole disc of early versions of songs from the album, in order to see their development.

Fans will be diving straight for the third and fourth discs which features two of shows from Be-Bop Deluxe performed in 1976. The band was recorded for BBC Radio One "In Concert" during their performance at the Hammersmith Odeon, London. The nine-track set showcases the band playing live in front of their home crowd, mixing together songs from the recently release "Modern Music" album, along with classics, like "Ships In The Night." Highlights from this performance have to be the nearly 13-minute prog-rock masterpiece of "Modern Music" and the jam-filled set closer "Blazing Apostles."

The real undiscovered gem may be the previously unreleased show, recorded March 21st at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago, six month before the release of their "Modern Music" album. The recording is not professional and the sound of the show is missing the deep lows in the bass, but this is definitely very listenable and is worth the addition to this set for it's rarity factor alone. The band's sound is simply magical, as they deliver an edge to their music, as in "Life In The Air Age" and "Maid In Heaven." The amazing guitar work of Bill Neslon is on full display during "Bill's Blues," while a seventeen-minute "Blazing Apostles" showcases the talents of the full band.

The DVD not only features a new 5.1 surround sound mix of the album, but also a couple videos of the band performing "Forbidden Lovers" and "Down On Terminal Street" from BBC's "Old Grey Whistle Test" show. This new deluxe five disc box set from Be-Bop Deluxe also includes an illustrated book with tons of previously unseen photos and a new essay from Bill Nelson. Post cards and a replica poster are also included with this set. There is also a two-disc expanded version of this release which includes the original stereo mix of the album remastered from the original master recordings and the new 2019 stereo mix of the album. To find out more about this elaborate collection of Be-Bop Deluxe's "Modern Music" album, please visit cherryred.co.uk.

Craft Recordings Remasters Boysetsfire Albums For First-Ever Vinyl Release

Arriving today, December 6th are the first-ever vinyl releases of the albums "After The Eulogy" and "Tomorrow Come Today" from the hardcore punk band, Boysetsfire. The band released their first EP in 1994, but didn't break out into the mainstream until the release of their second full-length album "After The Eulogy" in 2000. The album featured the hit song "Rookie," which was featured in a couple video games and commercials. This album was a political push for the band that got them noticed in Europe, as not just another punk band, but one with a message of truth.

Their follow-up album "Tomorrow Come Today" carries a more melodic tone to their songs, with the help of producer Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Evanescence). Boysetsfire's energy and rage was still present on this album, but their edginess was smoothed out to make the songs more accessible for modern rock radio. Two of the songs ("Handful Of Redemption" and "High Wire Escape Artist") were featured in video games and movie soundtracks. Just three years later, the band would call it quits, before reforming in 2010 to play a handful of shows.

Boysetsfire are currently wrapping up their European fall tour with two more shows in Germany, before eventually heading into the studio to record their next studio album. These two new vinyl releases of "After The Eulogy" and "Tomorrow Come Today" were remastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Paul Blakemore and feature new liner notes and interviews from the band. Each album will also be released as a limited edition colored vinyl available on the band's website (endhitsrecords.com). To find out more about these two new vinyl releases from Boysetsfire, please visit the Craft Recordings website (craftrecordings.com).

New Heavy Metal Releases From Svarttjern, Porta Nigra, Rat King and Ironflame

As the beginning of a new year (and a new decade) quickly approaches, we will be receiving some new heavy metal music from Europe (Svarttjern, Porta Nigra) and from here in the U.S. (Rat King, Ironflame). Arriving on January 17th, is the new full-length album "Shame Is Just A Word" from Norwegian death metal band, Svarttjern. Their new eight song release kicks down the door with it's aggressive album opener "Prince Of Disgust," as the music comes blasting out of your speakers. The six-minute "Melodies Of Lust" showcases the band's more progressive side, switching between melodies to display the song's raw emotion. Svarttjern wrap up their new album with the steady pounding rhythm and growling vocals of "Ravish Me," along with the thrash metal guitar riffs of the title song, "Shame Is Just A Word." To find out more about Svarttjern and their latest release "Shame Is Just A Word," please visit facebook.com/svarttjern.

Next, from Germany comes the latest release from the Black Metal band, Porta Nigra. Their new album "Schopfungswut" features only six tracks, but each track is a epic blast of sonic aggression, beginning with the neck-breaking speed of "Die Kosmiker." Their energy continues to demand your attention, as in the eight-minute epic "Das Rad des lxion," while "Die Entweihung von Freya" is a wall of heavy metal sound that just punches you in the face with it's shear force. Porta Nigra close out their new album with the aggressive power of the title song "Schopfungswut," which is nearly nine-minute of quick-pounding rhythms and growling vocals. To find out more about Porta Nigra and their latest release "Schopfungswut," please visit facebook.com/PortaNigraBand.

Sticking closer to home, we have the return of the Seattle metal band Rat King and their latest release "Vicious Inhumanity." It features nine tracks, beginning with the build-up of "Matanza," that just explodes with controlled chaos that will make you take notice of this band. The trio continue with the two-minute intensity of "Borratanico" and the buzzing guitars of "Chaleco De Billetes," before arriving at their epic album highlight "In Quiet Sleep." Rat King finish with the death metal frenzy of "Zero" and the final high-energy attack of "Rotting From Inside." To find out more about Rat King and their latest release "Vicious Inhumanity," please visit facebook.com/ratkingseattle.

Finally we arrive at the February release of heavy metal warriors Ironflame's latest album "Blood Red Victory." This is the band's third full-length release, as they continue to carry the torch of classic thrash metal with this new eight-song set. Ironflame begin with the swift pace of "Gates Of Evermore," as you will fully appreciate the band's stellar musicianship. The album continues with the steady drumming and electrifying guitars of "Honor Bound" and the classic high-powered metal sound of "Seekers Of The Blade." Ironflame's influences come shining through on songs like "On Ashen Wings" and "Grace And Valor," before closing with the epic tale of the "Night Queen." To find out more about Ironflame and their latest release "Blood Red Victory," please visit facebook.com/IronflameUSA. 

New Releases From Metal Blade Records Artists Cattle Decapitation & Oni

It has been four years since we last heard from Cattle Decapitation and they have finally returned with their bleakest hope of our planet with "Death Atlas." Their new album was released on November 29th through Metal Blade Records and features fourteen new death metal anthems to behold. After the build-up of the introduction track "Anthropogenic: End Transmission," the album kicks it into high gear with the blow-back speed of "The Geocide." Cattle Decapitation keeps the intensity on full blast with "Be Still Our Bleeding Hearts" and the chugging thrash metal rhythm of "One Day Closer To The End Of The World." The screams and howls of "Finish Them" continue the album's death metal assault on your ears, before Cattle Decapitation wraps up their new album with the tempo changes of "Time's Cruel Curtain" and the nine-minute progressive metal closer "Death Atlas." To find out more about Cattle Decapitation and their latest release "Death Atlas," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/cattledecapitation.

Next, on December 13th is the arrival of the new five-song EP titled "Alone" from Oni. Led by vocalist Jake Oni, this new release follows the 2016 debut "Ironshore" and continues their exciting, modern hard rock sound. Beginning with the title song "Alone," Oni displays the perfect balance of aggression and melody to give the music an addictive edginess. The intensity grows on the heavy metal attack of "Dead Inside," before Oni finish up their new album with six-minutes of pounding rhythms and screaming vocals that should last until their next new release. To find out more about Oni, please visit facebook.com/TheOniBand. 

Check Out New Music From Indie-Artists The Phantom Broadcast, Cox's Army, Fever Joy

Back in November, The Phantom Broadcast released their second volume of "Antiquities," which follows the release of volume one back in April. The two EPs were brought together to create the band's new full length vinyl LP. The new nine-song full-length release begins with the melodic flow of "Warning" and the more pop-infused rock of "Amethysteria," which just finds its way into your musical heart. The Phantom Broadcast pick up the intensity with the "jam band" feel of "Mast," before the group slows down to showcase their quieter side with "Burrowing Owl." They finish up their new album with the addictive modern rock and wonderful harmonies of "Topaz." To find out more about The Phantom Broadcast and their latest release "Antiquities," please visit thephantombroadcast.com. 

Chicago bluegrass band, Cox's Army recently released their second full-length effort titled "New Richmond Town." This new thirteen song set begins with the wonderful banjo picking of "The Queen Bee," as the energy rises with the steady strumming flow of "Big Spoon, Little Spoon." The band's beautiful descriptive lyrics flow sweetly next to the melodic tones of the title song "New Richmond Town." The quiet acoustics of "Searching For Home" allows you to fully appreciate the bluegrass sound of Cox's Army, while "Leather, Wood and Nails" quickens the pace. This quartet wrap up their new album with finger-picking energy of "Sleeping In The Car" and "Treat Your Baby Kind." To find out more about Cox's Army and their latest release "New Richmond Town," please visit coxarmy.com. 

The alternative-pop band, Fever Joy recently released their new five song EP titled "Reflections." The album kicks off with the rhythm fueled "Bad, as singer Avery Robitaille delivers the perfect expression of emotion to lift the song's energetic beats. The album's title song "Reflections" has a quieter, more ambient sound, before the dance beats of "You're Losing Control" returns the energy back to the album. Fever Joy wrap up their new short release with the mainstream, modern rock enjoyment of "Crazy Love." To find out more about Fever Joy and their latest EP "Reflections," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/feverjoymusic.