The independent record label Massacre Records, known for its focus on heavier metal genres, is set to launch a cover album titled “New Wave Gone Metal” by James Rivera‘s Metal Wave in late August. This venture marks a new direction for the Germany-based label, introducing the concept of ‘metal wave’.

James Rivera, an American vocalist known for his role as the lead singer of the heavy metal band Helstar, is the brain behind this project. Rivera, who also lent his voice to Seven Witches from 2002 to 2005, has been part of numerous tribute bands throughout his career, which provides some context for this latest album.

Rivera, who has also been associated with bands like Helstar, Killing Machine, Seven Witches, and formerly Flotsam and Jetsam, shares, “I have always loved each of these songs in their original versions, but after reimagining them in our unique metal style, it’s challenging for me to listen to them as they once were. I believe that once these new wave classics grab hold of you in their metal wave form, you’ll never hear them the same way again!”

The album will feature ‘metal wave’ renditions of songs from bands such as Depeche Mode, The Cure, Tears for Fears, Echo & the Bunnymen, Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, The Psychedelic Furs, Peter Gabriel, Ramones, and The Cult.

Here’s the video for the project’s ‘metal wave’ interpretation of Depeche Mode’s “Black Celebration”. The video was directed and edited by Larry Barragán for Hombre Malo Studios.

The release will be available in 3 formats, a black and red vinyl (250 copies) and on CD.

Tracks:

1. Black Celebration (Depeche Mode)
2. Love My Way (The Psychedelic Furs)
3. Lovesong (The Cure)
4. Shock The Monkey (Peter Gabriel)
5. Black Planet (The Sisters Of Mercy)
6. Everybody wants to rule the World (Tears For Fears)
7. Bela Lugosi’s Dead (Bauhaus)
8. The Killing Moon (Echo & The Bunnymen)
9. Pet Sematary (Ramones)
10. Rain (The Cult)

For more on The Cure, see The Cure has top grossing tour and gives the middle finger to… on Side-Line.

About James Rivera

James Rivera (born 15 April 1960) is an American heavy metal vocalist best known as frontman of Helstar, a power metal band formed in Houston, Texas, in 1982 by guitarist Larry Barragan, which Rivera joined shortly after formation. Helstar’s debut album, “Burning Star” (Combat Records, 1984), placed the band within the emerging US power metal scene, and Rivera and Barragan remain the band’s only original members across its subsequent lineup changes. Rivera has also fronted or guested with Vicious Rumors, Destiny’s End and Seven Witches, and performs with the project Distant Thunder.

Rivera’s covers project, credited to James Rivera’s Metal Wave, released the album “New Wave Gone Metal” via Massacre Records, reimagining 1980s new wave and post-punk songs in metal arrangements, including Depeche Mode’s “Black Celebration,” the Cure’s “Lovesong” and Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” alongside covers of the Psychedelic Furs, Peter Gabriel, the Sisters of Mercy, Bauhaus, Echo & the Bunnymen and the Cult. “New Wave Gone Metal” reworks songs originally by Depeche Mode, the Cure and Tears for Fears, among others, in metal arrangements.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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