Magnetic Eye Records reveal more artists for the upcoming »Back In Black Redux« / »Best of AC/DC« tribute compilations
Magnetic Eye Records share some massive band reveals for their upcoming »Back In Black Redux« / »Best of AC/DC« tribute compilations.
Red Fang, Howling Giant featuring original Accept members Udo Dirkschneider and Peter Baltes, Besvärjelsen, Jakethehawk, Earthride, Kal-El, Blue Heron, are now joining Heavy Temple, Domkraft, Supersuckers, Early Man, Witchskull, and Smoking Lightning.
The label comments: “In case you wondered who some of the heaviest hitters on this ambitious project would be, then wonder no longer and prepare to be floored. A band who needs almost no introduction, Red Fang’s penchant for tongue-in-cheek attitude mixed with driving rock energy and unbridled power makes them the perfect band to open our Redux of the greatest rock album of all time. We can’t wait for you to hear how they twisted and crunched one of AC/DC’s most iconic tunes ever into something recognizable yet completely their own!”
“Our next »Back In Black Redux« reveal is someone who’ll come as no surprise because everything they do is delivered at such an impossibly yet consistently high level. But this time, they’re part of the most staggeringly cool collaboration we’ve ever had.” They continue, “Honestly, we almost didn’t invite Howling Giant to be part of this album, because we think the world has been spoiled by the immensity of their talent and their unassailable takes on songs from across rock history. However, things changed when the chance to feature their always-stunning efforts in conjunction with a pair of absolute legends arose. We are beside ourselves with excitement to reveal that Howling Giant are taking on an AC/DC monster alongside two original members of classic German metal band Accept – bassist Peter Baltes and frontman Udo Dirkschneider. That’s right, UDO, the charismatic singer whose eminently recognizable voice has been echoing through our brains across time and space for 40 years, is teaming up with Howling Giant to cover AC/DC. If you were the least bit on the fence about whether this project was for you, this ought to seal the deal with finality!”
Red Fang / Photo by James Rexroad
From Magnetic Eye Records:
Leaping into the spotlight as Magnetic Eye’s latest roster signing, Swedish forest-rocking five-piece Besvärjelsen took on the challenge of re-imagining possibly the most singular rock ‘n roll song ever laid to tape. With their unique blend of doom riffage and spellbinding vocals, they’ve set a new benchmark for Redux renditions evermore, and we can’t wait to share their monster track with the world.
On the heels of their titanic debut album earlier this year, we grabbed this self-styled Appalachian desert rock act Jakethehawk at the perfect moment to funnel their creative energies into a transformational take on a true staple of radio rock. Roping in singer Patrick Waters from our own Pittsburgh punk rock crusher T-Tops, these guys have turned in an AC/DC tune that’s like a cross between Joy Division, Explosions In The Sky and Minor Threat. To believe it, you’ll have to hear it!
Like a well-seasoned backwoods smokehouse, Earthride have spent the past two decades cementing their brand as doing it low, slow, and full of character. That’s why they were the first band we locked down to help us re-imagine one of the greatest rock records ever, because only a band of their stature and weight could truly do it justice. No surprise, they did not disappoint.
Always looking to cover a wide swath of known scene icons and newer blood, we reached into the frozen Scandinavian north to find Kal-El, whose high-energy mix of sci-fi themes, psychedelic metal and wall of sound groove made them an easy choice to take on a classic cut from the Bon Scott era. So many bands on this project raised the bar, but this one will make for repeat listens from heavy fans everywhere.
Injecting our »Best of AC/DC« companion album with the sweltering hum of desert rock from the actual desert, New Mexico’s Blue Heron have merged an anthemic Bon-era tune with drive, swing and low-end thrum, perfectly crystallizing the type of out-there re-imaginings we encourage when we invite bands to take part in our Redux projects. Blue Heron establish themselves quickly as a band to watch, deploying equal parts swaggering confidence and syrupy fuzz with this bombastic take.
Philadelphia psych-doom trio Heavy Temple just unleashed their acclaimed debut album »Lupi Amoris« on the world and are eager to rock the planet even more. And, for their first Redux appearance, they’ve pulled in the titanic talents of friend and fellow rocker Valient Himself of Valient Thorr to share the vocal attack with High Priestess Nighthawk. It’s a collaboration that demands attention and truly sets the tone for these records.
Sweden’s doom-monsters Domkraft are also in great shape to take on the Aussie masters after hitting the world hard with their acclaimed third full-length »Seeds« this spring. Expect monolithic and psychedelic twists to be liberally applied.
Seminal punk-tinged rockers Supersuckers have been proclaimed by many (including by themselves) as the greatest rock and roll band in the world, which makes them the perfect addition to pay homage to the greatest rock and roll band of all time, bringing their legendary swagger and energy to two tracks on the project.
From Los Angeles by way of Brooklyn, Early Man‘s high energy, rapid-fire riff-metal has seen them on tour with High On Fire and 3 Inches Of Blood among many others. This appearance marks their return to activity after several years’ composing music for Cartoon Network, and they haven’t lost a step.
There simply has to be an Australian contribution, and NWOBHM-laced doom blended with a healthy dose of aggression makes Witchskull the perfect 3-piece to shepherd AC/DC into the heavy rock underground.
Last but not least in this enumeration are Smoking Lightning from Texas. This new heavy rock outfit featuring Clayton Mills (ex-Dixie Witch), Henry Vasquez (Saint Vitus) and Kyle Juett (Mothership) is making their worldwide debut with a dinosaur-stomping take on AC/DC studded in fuzz-sludge glory. Big things are expected from these guys, but you’ll hear them here first!
Pre-order now via Magnetic Eye Records’ Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/magneticeye/back-in-black-redux-best-of-ac-dc/
With last year being the 40th anniversary of the AC/DC classic »Back In Black«, we’ve chosen to re-imagine this undeniable rock ‘n’ roll masterpiece from end to end as the latest homage in our acclaimed Magnetic Eye Redux Series.
»Back In Black Redux« presents new takes on all ten cuts from AC/DC’s seminal seventh album. This was the first record to feature new singer Brian Johnson following the death of original larger-than-life frontman Bon Scott, and music historians agree that there was massive pressure on both the new singer and the band to deliver. Even so, nobody could have anticipated that they’d create one of the most important and impactful rock albums ever, and we can’t wait for you to hear what your favorite bands from the stoner/doom/riff-rock scene have done with some of the most iconic rock songs of all time!
Along with »Back In Black Redux«, we also present our »Best of AC/DC« companion album, a 2xLP extravaganza featuring 13 bands offering their renditions of all-time classics and deep cuts from across the AC/DC catalog. Featuring an array of absolute heavyweights and hungry up-and-comers from the heavy rock underground, we’ve got no doubt you’ll be stoked to experience these massive interpretations like you’ve never heard AC/DC before.
The Magnetic Eye Redux Series features hand-picked classic albums from across the history of rock and metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish by bands we love. Hand-picked artists from throughout the rock and metal world each pick a track to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy. To date, we’ve produced Redux versions of Pink Floyd’s »The Wall«, Helmet’s »Meantime«, Black Sabbath’s »Vol. 4«, Hendrix’s »Electric Ladyland«, and »Alice In Chains’ Dirt«, which have included artists like Matt Pike, Pallbearer, The Melvins, All Them Witches, Khemmis, ASG, Zakk Wylde, Mark Lanegan, Scott Reeder and tons more.
Join us for our sixth foray into Redux territory as we pay proper respect to the Australian legends. More artist announcements coming shortly.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well