News Round-Up Featuring GENE LOVES JEZEBEL, BLACK PEAKS, MAYDAY PARADE and More

Another busy week in rock which has seen System of a Down announce US shows, Killing Joke announce their 40th anniversary World Tour and shock rocker Alice Cooper extend his US tour. Here’s some more stories you might have missed.

1. Gene Loves Jezebel Announce First US Dates in Ten Years
Gene Loves JezebelTotally 80s Fest in Huntington Beach, CA which takes place outdoors on Saturday May 12, 2018 at Huntington State Beach. They‘ll be joined by The Human League, The Alarm, The Untouchables and more.

2. Skillet’s Jen Ledger’s New Band Ledger to Release Debut EP on April 13
Jen Ledger, drummer and vocalist of multi-platinum selling, Grammy nominated rock band Skillet has signed with Atlantic Records/Hear It Loud, the imprint encompassing the creative team of Skillet’s John & Korey Cooper and longtime manager, Zachary Kelm. The label will release Ledger‘s self-titled EP on 13 April.

3. Finnish Folk Metal Stars Korpiklaani Confirm Release of New Album ‘Kulkija’
Finnish folk metal superstars Korpiklaani have announced the release of their upcoming tenth studio album entitled Kulkija (“Wanderer”), on September 7th 2018 through Nuclear Blast. Its cover was designed by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Manowar) who has already created several artworks for some of the band’s previous albums and singles. Founding member Jonne Järvelä commented: “We’ve never been as satisfied with a final result as we are with Kulkija. We tried to keep it very natural, and that’s what you’ll soon clearly be able to hear. Like the wanderer, this album is a journey, one that makes you feel good. Stay tuned!”

4. Morag Tong Announce New Album ‘Last Knell To Om’
Psychedelic doom newcomers Morag Tong, have announced that their debut LP Last Knell of Om, is to be released May 18. The band have also released a new track in the form of “We Answer”.

5. Black Orchid Empire Release New Video for “Celebrity Summer”
London rockers Black Orchid Empire have released a video for “Celebrity Summer”, the first single taken from their forthcoming album Yugen out 25th May 2018 via Long Branch Records. “Making the video for “Celebrity Summer” was a blast – we shot the whole thing in our studio so everything is super in-your-face and intense,” says vocalist/guitarist Paul Visser. “Scott Canty from Dark North Media did an incredible job of pushing our performance to the limit as he captured it – he totally destroyed us!”

6. Prog Rockers Aisles Release In-Studio video for “Still Alive”
Acclaimed Chilean prog rockers Aisles have released a new in-studio video for their track “Still Alive”. The track is taken from their 2016 album Hawaii and “Still Alive” is from the band’s Live from Estudio del Sur sessions, and a new take on the original track.

7. Black Peaks Sign to Rise Records
Brighton’s Black Peaks have announced they have signed to Rise Records – home to PVRIS, At The Drive-In, Of Mice & Men and have released “Can’t Sleep”, their first single for the label.

8. Mayday Parade Sign to Rise Records
Rise Records has signed Tallahassee, Florida-based rock band Mayday Parade. The band will be playing this years Download Festival in June in the UK as well as headlining this year’s final Warped Tour, which kicks off June 21st in Pomona, CA and gearing up for the release of much-anticipated new album.

9. Janet Gardner Announces UK Headline Tour
After encountering a recent health scare, Janet Gardner has announced a UK tour at the end of May 2018 kicking off in Edinburgh on the 23rd. Janet plays five dates in Edinburgh, Nottingham, Manchester and Bridgewater before ending the run in London on May 28th at the London Underworld.

10. The Cartographer Announce April UK Tour Dates
Derby born metal quartet The Cartographer have released the new video for their band new single release “Hyde” and followed it up with the announcement of a run of UK shows which kick off on April 17th at the Old Blue Last in London, taking in Eastbourne, Birmingham, Abertillery, Darwen, Doncaster and Nottingham.