The bands will perform at all three of AC/DC's New Zealand tour dates: January 28 and 30 at Westpac Trust Stadium in Wellington; and at Western Springs in Auckland on February 4.
Promoter Garry Van Egmond said the bands were an "awesome fit" for AC/DC.
"New Zealand will never have and probably never will again see a rock extravaganza of this caliber," he said. "It's huge. It's not just a concert . It's an event."
British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN will headline the Swedish and Finnish installments of next year's Sonisphere festivals in August 2010. The details are as follows:
Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Stora Skuggan Park in Stockholm, Sweden:
IRON MAIDEN
HEAVEN & HELL
MÖTLEY CRÜE
IGGY & THE STOOGES
SLAYER
ANTHRAX
ALICE COOPER
Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8, 2010 at Pori, Finland's Kirjurinluoto:
IRON MAIDEN
HIM
HEAVEN & HELL
THE CULT
ALICE COOPER
MÖTLEY CRÜE
IGGY & THE STOOGES
SLAYER
ANTHRAX
Legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) was diagnosed with the early stages of stomach cancer and is currently receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic. His wife/manager Wendy Dio has issued the following update on Ronnie's condition:
"Well, it has been a very exhausting month. After all the never-ending tests in Los Angeles, we flew to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and as soon as we arrived, we got a call from the MD Anderson Hospital that they had an appointment for us with the doctor we originally wanted, so we then flew to Houston to the clinic, and, of course, MORE tests, but Ronnie finished receiving his first chemo treatment on Wednesday, and all is going very well.
"I would like to thank Tony Martell from the T.J. Martell Foundation, Dr. Stuart Aaronson from Mount Sinai, Lindsay Brown and Mike Carden from Eagle Records, and our very own Dr. Sandeep Kapoor, for all your help in getting us into MD Anderson, and also our friends Geezer and Gloria Butler, who flew to Houston to be with Ronnie while he had his chemo.
"Ronnie and I are totally overwhelmed by the amount of well wishes that we have received from friends and fans — we are reading them all. Some make us laugh, some make us cry, but all of them are so filled with love that it gives us so much support and makes Ronnie even more determined to fight this battle and win.
"Thank you all for the positive energy and prayers."
According to a posting on the BLACK SABBATH fan site Black-Sabbath.com, fans can send get-well cards to Ronnie James Dio through the official fan club address:
Dio Fan Club
12400 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 624
Studio City, CA
91604
Additionally, if you'd like to send an email to Ronnie, you can do so via getwellronnie@black-sabbath.com. After a short time, Black-Sabbath.com webmaster Joe Siegler will print them out and pass them over to Ronnie and Wendy Dio.
Dio, 67, has performed with ELF, RAINBOW, BLACK SABBATH, and his own band DIO. Other musical projects include the collective fundraiser "Hear 'n Aid". He is widely hailed as one of the most powerful singers in heavy metal, renowned for his consistently powerful voice and for popularizing the "devil's horns" hand gesture in metal culture. He is currently involved with HEAVEN & HELL, a project which also includes Iommi and other former BLACK SABBATH bandmates Geezer Butler and Vinny Appice. Their first studio album, "The Devil You Know", was released on April 28, 2009.
I Heart Guitar blog recently conducted an interview with Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
I Heart Guitar: Zakk! How ya been?
Zakk: Everything's going good, man. We did an in-store the other day, now I'm just hanging out with the rest of the Sydney chapter of BLACK LABEL. Just chillin' out today, doing a batch of interviews, hanging out with the guys from Guitarist magazine over here. So everything's cool, man. Heading back to the States tomorrow, have the holidays with the kids, then fire up the BLACK LABEL machine in January, start working on the new album. So that's about it, brother.
I Heart Guitar: I saw your posts on Twitter from China. That looked awesome!
Zakk: Oh, yeah! We actually had one day that we could actually go sightseeing, so we went up to the Great Wall and then the Forbidden City. But usually there's never any time to go anywhere because you're workin', you know what I mean? Most of the time, especially when I was drinking it was like, "Let's go sightseeing," but it's like, "Dude, if we've got a day off, you and I are gonna go hit an Irish pub," you know what I mean?
I Heart Guitar: You gave us quite a scare a few months ago!
Zakk: Oh, yeah. Totally, man. Between the blood clots and all that shit… we were out on the road with MUDVAYNE and STATIC-X on the Pedal to the Metal tour and we were having a blast out on that thing. Then next thing you know I'm sitting there hanging out and my leg was friggin' killing me, my left leg behind my knee. I just figured maybe I'd pulled my calf muscle, I'd pulled something behind my knee. It wasn't like I fell or anything, like maybe I dislocated my knee or fucked up my ankle up or anything. It wasn't like I was doing David Lee Roth splits off the drum riser. I'd be icing down my leg and everything like that… just in the middle of the night it was a major production to take a leak. After that, we had like a 24-hour drive and I said, "Before we do this, I just wanna get an ultrasound…" The guy goes, "Dude, you've got two huge blood clots behind your knee." I was like, "Dude, you fuckin' kidding me?" He says, "No, do you do a lot of
travel?" I said, "Well, yeah, of course. I'm either on a tour bus or I'm flying or I'm on a ferry or something. I'm always travelling. I'm a musician, that's what we do for a living." He said usually airline pilots get this shit, or truck drivers, you know what I mean? I said I'm not usually stationary, I can move around on a tour bus — it's not like I'm driving the damn thing. But he said that's probably where I got it from. I said, "Would drinking have anything to do with this?" He just goes, "No, dude, if anything drinking was thinning your blood." I said, "Well, good, alcohol is a good thing," and my wife says, "You're fuckin' dreaming, buddy-boy. The bar's closed for you, jackass." So I'm takin' this Coumadin shit, and I had to get myself shots and everything. I haven't even been drinking the last three months or whatever. I haven't even had a beer, because if you drink alcohol on this shit you start pissin' blood out your ass and your dick.
Ruben Mosqueda of Sleaze Roxx recently conducted an interview with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Sleaze Roxx: I was looking at your website and I saw that you attended the KISS show in Anaheim. So I imagine you have heard "Sonic Boom"? What are your thoughts on it?
Bruce Kulick: I have heard it. It's not a record that I have heard a lot. I think I've heard it twice. I knew when it came to the live show they were only going to do two songs live anyway. I think they did two that night, I actually couldn't stay for the whole show as I had a flight the next day to Europe and I still needed to pack. I think it was wonderful that they did a new record, I'm proud of Paul [Stanley] for taking charge and producing the record. It was great that they didn't bring in anyone from the outside and he went for it. The end result was a fine record.
Sleaze Roxx: You and Eric Singer stepped aside when Peter Criss and Ace Frehley came back, Eric eventually returned and now Tommy Thayer is in the band. Were you offered the opportunity to wear the Ace paint? Would you have ever done that?
Bruce: Great question. I do get asked [that] on occasion... To be honest, I'm relieved that I wasn't asked. Honestly, playing the Ace role would be very awkward for me. It was very natural for Tommy to walk into that role, eventually being in KISS ran its course with Ace. If you followed KISS since the reunion with Ace and Peter, there were a number of times where it looked like Ace was going to miss the show, so the band had Tommy dressed up as Ace backstage ready to go. They did a private gig that Ace didn't take part in, Tommy played and then they did the promo for "That '70s Show", Ace didn't want to do it and Tommy stepped in. Tommy played Ace in a KISS tribute band that was very successful. He's a great guitarist and it was very natural for him to be Ace. For me, I think after spending all those years establishing myself as the guitarist in KISS in the non-make-up era, to then put on the paint wouldn't be a good match. Of course, I miss the guys
and miss being in the band, but I think Tommy is able to do much more for them than I would be able to right now. Playing that role would not be as comfortable for me as what I used to do. If they did a "Revenge"-era version of the band and I wasn't there I'd be hurt, I'd be very hurt. I'm not hurt now and I think you can understand that sentiment.
According to LiveDaily.com, GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose got into a scuffle with a paparazzo at Los Angeles International Airport while waiting to board a flight to Taipei to start the band's tour that will take them through Asia this month with Canada and South America to follow next year. Although the report states that the altercation "ended up with a few bloodied participants," airport police tell RollingStone.com they have no record of the incident.
Tommy Stinson, Dizzy Reed, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Chris Pittman, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus and new member DJ Ashba traveled to Taipei earlier in the week and have already done a soundcheck without Rose.
After Taipei, GUNS N' ROSES is scheduled to play Seoul, Korea on Dec. 13 then Osaka, Japan (Dec. 16) and Tokyo (Dec. 19). The 16-date Canadian tour starts in Winnipeg on Jan. 13.
Levine Communications Office, the Los Angeles public-relations firm which represents Axl Rose and GUNS N' ROSES, has released the following statement:
"Axl Rose, lead singer for the legendary rock group GUNS N' ROSES, was unhurt last evening when he was accosted by an unruly group of paparazzi at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
"At the time of the incident, Mr. Rose was en-route to Taipei, Taiwan, to kick off GUNS N' ROSES' tour of Southeast Asia including shows in Taiwan, Korea and Japan.
"Mr. Rose, who was about to enter a security checkpoint at LAX when the altercation took place, was approached by a group of unchecked and unruly photographers who became aggressive with the singer and female members of the traveling group.
"Mr. Rose was not injured during the unprovoked attack and was able to board his flight without further incident."
The rest of the current GUNS N' ROSES band — Tommy Stinson, Dizzy Reed, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, Chris Pittman, Frank Ferrer, Richard Fortus and new member DJ Ashba — traveled to Taipei earlier in the week.
After Taipei, GUNS N' ROSES is scheduled to play Seoul, Korea on Dec. 13 then Osaka, Japan (Dec. 16) and Tokyo (Dec. 19). The 16-date Canadian tour starts in Winnipeg on Jan. 13.
According to the official GUNS N' ROSES web site, the band will be touring South America between March 10, 2010 and April 10, 2010. Exact cities/countries and dates have not yet been announced.
The upcoming worldwide tour promotes the band's latest album, "Chinese Democracy", which debuted at #1 on the charts in thirteen countries including Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, as well as the European Top 100 Albums survey.
"Chinese Democracy" was released on Black Frog/Geffen Records in November 2008 and reached three times platinum in Canada, platinum in Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, U.K., Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa. The album is gold in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Holland, Sweden, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Brazil and Colombia. In the U.S., the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009.
GUNS N' ROSES last toured the world in 2006-2007, performing 60 concerts in 26 countries, playing to more than a million fans.
"Chinese Democracy", the sixth and most recent album from GUNS N' ROSES, was released in its entirety to the Rock Band Music Store catalog of downloadable content on April 14.
The tracks are available for purchase as an album or individual tracks for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system. The tracks are available for purchase as individual tracks only for Wii.
Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".
A paparazzo claims he has footage of Axl Rose punching him in the head during a scuffle at LAX Wednesday night.
According to the photog, Rose arrived to the airport with a woman in tow. As they were walking in, we're told the woman got into a confrontation with a couple of paparazzi trying to take her photo.
The photog, an employee of the National Photo Group, tells TMZ Rose saw the woman scuffling with the photogs and instantly started throwing punches.
The paparazzo claims the whole thing was caught on tape -- though we haven't seen it yet.
We're told several members of Axl's entourage dragged the singer away from the fight and ushered him through airport security. We're told no cops -- not even airport security -- got involved.
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/11/photog-axl-rose-punched-me-in-the-head/#ixzz0ZMfqDzNO
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine recently talked with PrisonPlanet.com's Alex Jones — a syndicated radio personality and conspiracy theorist — about his own personal awakening to the new world order, his recent conversion to Christianity after formerly dabbling with occultism, and how is he now using his music, namely MEGADETH's recent critically acclaimed album, "Endgame", to educate his fans and the general public about the conspiracy behind the march towards global government.
Mustaine explains how the artwork featured on the "Endgame" album symbolizes the enslaved masses being driven towards oblivion, and how America is disintegrating as a country, a fact which has forced Mustaine to prepare to move to Canada as a safer haven.
Mustaine and Jones cover a plethora of subjects in the interview, including the primary reasons behind the assassination of JFK, and the meaning of some of Mustaine's songs, including those influenced by his training as a stockbroker. Mustaine discusses how he has tailored his art towards what eminates from his conscience rather than what is demanded of him from record labels and huge corporations, a compromise that the vast majority of people in the music industry constantly make.
Mustaine tells Jones that the purpose of his music is about showing his fans how to become better people, by thinking more deeply about the world around them and what their own purpose in life really is.
On how MEGADETH's current "Endgame" tour with MACHINE HEAD, SUICIDE SILENCE and ARCANIUM is going:
Mustaine: "The tour's been going really great. MACHINE HEAD is a great band. Played them on my [radio] station [Megadeth Radio]. And SUICIDE SILENCE is a new band that a lot of people are finding a lot of interest in. And the guys in the opening band, ARCANIUM. Very interesting band, too. I like the frontman. He's very timid backstage. But when he gets out on stage, he really — besides the fact that he looks like he weighs about 80 pounds — he really has got a great persona, and I was surprised. So I think that band's gonna have some good things... if he eats a couple of cheeseburgers. [chuckles]"
On how the "message" from MEGADETH's albums is getting out:
Mustaine: "I had a guy from the UN [United Nations] actually call me up... Well, not call me up, but he said something about [MEGADETH's 2007 album] 'United Abominations', and this shows you how pea-brained this guy was. At the very end, after he tried to discredit me, he says, 'Besides, I'm a METALLICA fan anyways.' And I thought, 'What a twat.' 'Cause, I mean, I am part METALLICA, so what are you saying?! That's like going up to somebody who is mulatto and saying they don't have white or black in them. I am part METALLICA. So for him to say that, it just shows you why most of the people up there don't know what they're doing, 'cause you have people that are representing stuff saying childish things like that. That's sandbox mentality. You know what I mean?!"
On what he believes the "endgame" is:
Mustaine: "Well, me as a Christian, I believe that it's a one-world government, one-world currency. It's part of... My belief — and I said so in [MEGADETH's classic song] 'Holy Wars' — is that it's part of the master plan. It's what I believe. I ascribed to that when I became a Christian. I know that there's gonna be a cataclysmic ramping up of all of these things we're seeing right now, and it gets worse and it gets worse and it gets worse. We're watching our country disintegrate right now, and it's scary. You know, when I start thinking that I'm gonna be moving with [MEGADETH's Canadian-born drummer] Shawn Drover back up to Canada, that's scary. And that's what 'Endgame' is all about — it's about educating our fans and showing them a little bit about what's going within the previous administration and that things haven't changed at all; it's just more of people being run by the people who have the money."
On Friday, January 8, 2010, punk legend Eerie Von (DANZIG, SAMHAIN) will make a special in-store appearance at New York's Generation Records in support of his new photography book, "Misery Obscura: The Photography Of Eerie Von (1981-2009)". He and designer Tom Bejgrowicz will sign copies of the book, and Eerie Von will take part in a rare acoustic performance with Lyle Preslar (MINOR THREAT) and Mike D'Antonio (KILLSWITCH ENGAGE).
The one-night-only event starts at 7:00 p.m.
If you want to secure your place at the event, you can pre-order a copy of "Misery Obscura" at GenerationRecords.com and be guaranteed entrance.
***Please note that only copies of "Misery Obscura" will be signed during this event. No outside material may be brought into the store.***
From the deepest depths of punk rock's 1970s primordial wastelands, through the stygian goth swamps of the 1980s, and on into the bloodstained arenas of 1990s heavy metal, Eerie Von witnessed it all.
Canadian thrash metal pioneers EXCITER are writing songs for a new studio album and are developing a documentary with an Ottawa, Ontario-based film company called Neuron Mirror. They hope to have the movie finished sometime next year.
EXCITER will make several German and American festival appearances in April and May of 2010. More details will be made available soon.
EXCITER's latest album, "Thrash Speed Burn", was released in North America in November 2008 via Blistering Records, the new label formed by industry veterans Tomas Sunmo and Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE). It marked EXCITER's recorded debut with new singer Kenny Winter, who joined the band in October 2006.
The 1988 critically maligned self-titled album from EXCITER was reissued with new artwork on January 20, 2009 via Magnetic Air/MVD.
Beginning as the unofficial photographer for punk legends the MISFITS and later taking charge of the bass guitar as a founding member of underground pioneers SAMHAIN and metal gods DANZIG, the evil eye of Eerie's camera captured the dark heart of rock's most vital and bleeding-edge period, a time when rock and roll was not only dangerous, but downright menacing. Eerie Von's "Misery Obscura" offers firsthand insight into everything from the MISFITS' humble beginnings in Lodi, New Jersey, to the heights of DANZIG's stadium-rock glory alongside metal superstars METALLICA.
"I've been planning this book for twenty years," Eerie Von stated. "The fans have been begging for it almost as long. It's been a great ride, and I'm glad to be able to share some of it with those who were there, and those who wish they were."
"Misery Obscura" is not only an essential visual document of music history; but Eerie's scrapbook-style stories of triumph and damnation bring to life an era the likes of which will never again be seen. Featuring layout and design by Tom Bejgrowicz, who conceived and executed the release of the infamous MISFITS "Coffin Box," Eerie Von's "Misery Obscura: The Photography of Eerie Von (1981-2009)" arrives on shelves on December 30 via Dark Horse.
Austin, Texas' THE SWORD has issued the following update:
"We're nearing completion of the writing process for our upcoming third album. Recording is planned for early 2010, to be preceded by a short regional tour showcasing the new songs ."
Video footage of METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich performing the song "Freya" with THE SWORD on May 17, 2009 at Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany can be viewed below.
RollingStone.com last year asked Lars Ulrich to name his favorite album of 2008. "We're fortunate to have this heavy-metal band from Austin out playing with us, and we've got them playing shows on our days off so that we can go see them," he responded. "I'm a product of British metal — IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, ANGEL WITCH — and THE SWORD sound like the definitive new wave of British heavy metal, which is interesting coming from four guys from Texas. The arrangements, the intros and outros, the middle eights and that type of stuff, it reminds me of DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH or JUDAS PRIEST. They're not really a young METALLICA, but that's because they're cooler than we were."
THE SWORD's latest album, "Gods of the Earth", was released on April 1, 2008 via Kemado Records. The follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed debut "Age of Winters" was recorded at Folkvang Studios in Austin, TX, and is said to be "more ambitious, more accomplished and simply bigger."
Former WARRANT singer Jani Lane has been added to the list of performers at next year's Thunder Mountain Rockfest, set to take place July 8-10, 2010 just 14 miles southwest of Minot, North Dakota off Highway 52 at the Rock Dakota Ranch.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Thursday, July 8:
FOGHAT
THE SWEET
BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS (w/ Chuck Negron of 3 DOG NIGHT)
THE GUESS WHO
Friday, July 9:
NELSON
JANI LANE (ex-WARRANT)
KIX
SURVIVOR
NIGHT RANGER
Saturday, July 10:
HINDER
Thunder Mountain Rockfest will host bands from the '70s, '80, '90s and today for three days of rock 'n' roll hysteria in North Dakota — and you're invited to the party!
Thunder Mountain Rockfest is special because acts will be grouped together by decade. The fest opens on Thursday, July 8 with '70s day, featuring FOGHAT, BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS, Chuck Negron of THREE DOG NIGHT, THE GUESS WHO and THE SWEET! On Friday, July 9, bands from the '80s will hit the main stage, including KIX and NIGHT RANGER. In total, 12 acts will play the main stage over the course of the festival. Twenty national acts will play a second stage. On Wednesday, July 7, promoters will host a special pre-party featuring bands on the second stage plus other special activities.
Tickets are available now for Thunder Mountain Rockfest. Simply visit www.tmrockfest.com to purchase your pass to the ultimate summer rock n' roll bash! It's easy to charge by phone! Just dial 701-757-7625. Three-day passes are available at the recession-friendly price of $120 plus tax and handling. Camping passes also available now. Pass prices vary on site selected. All campers must possess a multi-day ticket to enjoy the 24-hour fun.
Thunder Mountain Rockfest is proud to honor mother earth. Promoters encourage festival attendees to go green and limit waste. One effective way is to purchase a "TMRF Green Team Membership." For just $50, attendees receive a T-shirt, reusable mug and special discount card for use at concession stands during the run of the festival. Most important, Green Team members help the environment by allowing the fest to utilize recycling bins, recycled products and green cleaning supplies.
Thunder Mountain Rockfest will take place at the Rock Dakota Ranch located at 13101 153rd Street in Sawyer, North Dakota. All tickets and camping passes are non-refundable. Thunder Mountain Rockfest is a rain-or-shine event. Event is open air. Festival and camping passes sold prior to this announcement for Bottineau, North Dakota event honored at gates.
FEAR FACTORY — the newly revamped band featuring original FF members Dino Cazares (guitar) and Burton C. Bell (vocals) alongside bassist Byron Stroud (who was credited on the last two FEAR FACTORY albums in addition to touring and recording with STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and ZIMMERS HOLE) and legendary drummer Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, TESTAMENT) — has scheduled two headlining shows in between dates on the 2010 Big Day Out festival tour of Australia and New Zealand. The details are as follows-
Jan. 18 - Manning Bar - Sydney, Australia
Jan. 27 - The Prince Bandroom - Melbourne, Australia
Big Day Out will have day-long events running in Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth from January 15 to January 31.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 15 - Auckland MT Smart Stadium
Jan. 17 - Gold Coast Parklands
Jan. 22 - Sydney Showground
Jan. 23 - Sydney Showground
Jan. 26 - Melbourne Flemington Racecourse
Jan. 29 - Adelaide Showground
Jan. 31 - Perth Claremont Showground
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BLOWFLY
BLUEJUICE
CALVIN HARRIS
DEAD PREZ (NZ & East Coast)
DECODER RING
DEVENDRA BANHART
DIZZEE RASCAL
DJ CHUCUCHU
ESKIMO JOE
FEAR FACTORY
GIRL TALK
GRINSPOON
GROOVE ARMADA
GRRILLASTEP (East Coast)
HILLTOP HOODS
ITCH-E AND SCRATCH-E
JET
KARNIVOOL
KASABIAN
KISSCHASY
LADYHAWKE
LILY ALLEN
LISA MITCHELL
MAGIC DIRT
MASTODON
MAYA JUPITER
MDX
MIAMI HORROR
MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS
MUSE
PASSION PIT
PEACHES
PHRASE (East Coast)
POIRIER feat. MC ZULU
POWDERFINGER
RISE AGAINST
SAM LA MORE
SASHA
SILENT DISCO
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO
SUGAR ARMY
TAME IMPALA
TELEPROMPTER
THE DECEMBERISTS
THE HORRORS
THE MARS VOLTA
THE MIDDLE EAST (East Coast)
THE SCARE
THE TEMPER TRAP
TUMBLEWEED (Syd 2, Mel)
WAGONS
For more information, visit www.bigdayout.com.
The new FEAR FACTORY lineup played its second show ever this past Sunday night (December 6) at Teatro Teletón in Santiago, Chile.
Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below (courtesy of "Ansuz793").
FEAR FACTORY will release its new album, "Mechanize", in the U.S. on February 9, 2010 via Candlelight Records and February 5, 2010 in Europe via AFM Records. The CD, which was co-produced by the band with Rhys Fulber (FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, PARADISE LOST), was recently mixed by Greg Reely (PARADISE LOST, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY, SKINNY PUPPY).
Regarding the new album's lyrical approach, Bell stated, "In the past, the lyrical concept was of a futuristic, 'sci-fi' nature. An attempt to protect the ideas and logic of those involved in FEAR FACTORY; because those who incite progressive thought are always chastised and persecuted. By placing the 'story' into a futuristic, fictional narrative, the words and ideas may not have seemed threatening. Not so for 'Mechanize'. These are the words of a reality that once seemed distant, that are now apparently, and evidently real. These are the words of the world in which we live; for what once seemed like a story of another time, has come to be our reality today. Welcome to the world of 'Mechanize'."
Regarding "Mechanize"'s musical direction, Bell told Sergio Alvite of Mexico's Search & Destroy, "It has the raw aggression of what 'Soul Of A New Machine' [1992] was but it has... I would say it has the maturity of 'Obsolete' [1998]. When I say 'maturity,' I mean that it has the songwriting skills that 'Soul Of A New Machine' did not have whereas 'Obsolete' did."
Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Rockharz Open Air festival, set to take place July 8-10 at Flugplatz in Ballenstedt/Harz, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BURNING SKIES
DELAIN
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DORO
EISBRECHER
END OF GREEN
ENSIFERUM
EQUILIBRIUM
FEUERENGEL
GERNOTSHAGEN
KRYPTERIA
MONO INC.
SONATA ARCTICA
SUBWAY TO SALLY
THERION
UNZUCHT
More acts will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rockharzopenair.
ORDEN OGAN, the melodic/power/folk metal band from Arnsberg, Germany, has been confirmed for next year's edition the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ARCH ENEMY
CALIBAN
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORVUS CORAX
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
EDGUY
GHOST BRIGADE
IMMORTAL
ORDEN OGAN
STRATOVARIUS
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
U.D.O.
In 2008, Wacken Open Air festival was honored with a Live Entertainment Award in the "Festival Of The Year" category. This award recognizes distinguished achievements in live entertainment and is given out by Live Entertainment Award (LEA) committee. The winners were announced on March 11, 2008.
Reunited Atlanta-based thrashers HALLOWS EVE have tapped Patrick "Scooch" Pascucci (SHANK 456, J.F.K.F.C., DICK DELICIOUS, SUPERJAK) to play drums on the band's forthcoming album. Scooch will also be touring with HALLOWS EVE next spring in Europe.
HALLOWS EVE plans to start production on the new record at the end of February for a tentative late spring release.
Commented Scooch: "The new record is going to blow people's minds. The new material is the heaviest to date, with thrash-laden grooves, ripping guitar crunch, and a old-school attitude that's bringing back the skank, so the pit can slam once again."
Guitarist Chris Abbamonte recently left HALLOWS EVE "for personal reasons." His replacement is longtime Atlanta musician Evan Bartelson (THE DESPISED, LAS TREGAS NOSFERATU, BLACK DANIELS) who "brings not only over 25 years in the Atlanta music scene but, more importantly, his unique playing, writing and live performance skills," according to a press release.
HALLOWS EVE's latest album, "The Neverending Sleep" — which featured original HALLOWS EVE members Stacy Andersen (vocals) and Tommy Stewart (bass) alongside Doyle Bright (guitar), Jim Gorman (drums) and Abbamonte — was produced by Doyle Bright of RIGOR MORTIS and was said to be "a conscious effort to achieve the feel and sound of 'Tales of Terror' (1985) and 'Death and Insanity' (1986)."
CIRCLE II CIRCLE — the band led by ex-SAVATAGE singer Zak Stevens — has cancelled its previously announced shows in Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio due to what it calls "unprofessional representation of the promoter and improperly executed contracts." The group adds in a statement, "Rest assured that from this point forward CIRCLE II CIRCLE will only associate itself with credible, professional people who will fulfill both their obligations and promises and that after the first of the year the band will find its way back through Texas and give the fans a show they will not forget."
Affected dates are as follows:
Dec. 10 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's
Dec. 11 - San Antonio, TX @ Zombie's
Dec. 12 - Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theater (w/ HELSTAR)
CIRCLE II CIRCLE recently parted ways with drummer Tom Drennan and replaced him with Johnny Osborn (X-THIRTIEN, DR. BUTCHER).
CIRCLE II CIRCLE has also decided to carry on as a four-piece. "Bill Hudson [guitar ] is no longer with us," the group said. "He is pursuing his own band, WRITTEN IN BLOOD, which is an AMAZING band! Be on the lookout for them.
"There have been rumors of a new guitarist. That is what they are... rumors.
"We are happily moving forward as a four- piece and wish Tom and Bill much luck in their future endeavors."
CIRCLE II CIRCLE will begin recording its fifth album in early 2010 and is featured on the Triton Power Cruise, setting sail April 30, 2010. The band is coming off of a very successful showing at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, Georgia.
San Diego, California heavy metal band CAGE is confirmed to take part in the previously announced Texas Metal Alliance tour that was to feature prog-power metal act CIRCLE II CIRCLE as co-headliners.
Commented CAGE vocalist Sean Peck: "We are sorry to hear that CIRCLE II CIRCLE pulled out of the Texas Metal Alliance tour. We want to assure everyone attending the shows that all of us in CAGE are packing our bags now and will be coming to Texas with all of our metal fury. We have added three additional songs to the set in anticipation of the legendary rabid Texas metal crowds!
"The Texas Metal Alliance promoter has been excellent in every way since the initial planning of the tour dates, and as they say, the show must go on. We cannot wait to land in Houston and begin the metal madness!!"
The dates are as follows:
Dec. 10 - Fitzgeralds - Houston, Texas
Dec. 11 - Zombies - San Antonio, Texas
Dec. 12 - Ridglea Theater - Ft. Worth, Texas
CAGE's fifth album, "Science Of Annihilation", was released in Europe on May 22 through Music Buy Mail (June 7 in the rest of the world). The follow-up to the epic "Hell Destroyer" sees CAGE "pushing its boundaries yet again in every department," according to a press release. "With tracks like 'Planet Crusher', 'Speed Kills', and 'The Scarlet Witch', be prepared to feel the need to turn it up, get in your car and drive fast as Hell! All of the classic CAGE heavy metal sound is intact and found all throughout this 12-track smasher! Like all previous CAGE offerings, these songs will stick in your mind and cause many sleepless nights! If you love classic metal anthems, vocals that soar to the heavens and shatter glass, riffs that crunch your spine, and drums that blaze with thunder then behold…the science of annihilation!!"
Long-running Italian power metallers SECRET SPHERE entered the new Authoma Studios on December 6 to begin recording their sixth album, "Archetype". The band will spend two months working on the CD, which is being produced by guitarist Aldo Lonobile and Federico Pennazzato. The album will be mastered at Massive Arts Studio, while the artwork will be handled by Gustavo Savez.
Comments Aldo: "The musical direction will keep strongly the SECRET SPHERE trademark, with lots of melodies, orchestration and heavy riffs and great solos. It's not a big departure from what we have done in the past, but we feel that we've integrated some new elements that enhance upon everything we've ever done, making this one of our (if not THE) strongest albums to date. Some of the songtitles are 'Mr. Sin', 'All In A Moment' and 'The Scars That You Can't See'. We're ready to deliver a great album, and show you what our new members Marco [Pastorino; rhythm guitars] and Gabriele [Ciaccia; keyboards and piano] can bring to our music."
SECRET SPHERE will be the opening act on the upcoming GAMMA RAY "To The Metal" European tour with FREEDOM CALL. Lonobile states, "It's an honor for us to be supporting GAMMA RAY. They are one of the main exponents of all things power metal, and they have definitely been a big inspiration on our music in the past. Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY's band leader) is known worldwide for his importance on the metal scene, through his time in HELLOWEEN till his own band GAMMA RAY, and for us to be touring with him and his band is something we've only been dreaming of one day happening. We're looking very much forward to this tour, and to see all our loyal fans out there around Europe and hopefully make new friends and fans."
"Sweet Blood Theory", the latest album from SECRET SPHERE, was released in October 2008 via Dockyard 1. The CD was recorded between December 2007 and February 2008 at Authoma Studios by Federico Pennazzato and mixed in March 2008 at Germany's Indiscreet Audio by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, BRAINSTORM).
According to a press release, "Sweet Blood Theory" is a concept album based on the novel "The Vampire", written by John William Polidori in 1814. The book is widely considered to be one of the earliest novels to include a vampire character.
To embrace the concept and create the music for this fantasy epic, the band took inspiration from the famous movie director Tim Burton ("Nightmare Before Christmas", "The Corpse Bride", "Edward Scissorhands" etc) in trying to re-create the typical atmospheres of his most famous movies in both the orchestral score (reminiscent of that of Danny Elfman, who did the music for the aforementioned Tim Burton movies) and for the artwork. The result is huge step forward for the band — the music is as aggressive as before yet keeping the typical SECRET SPHERE melodic touch.
Los Angeles rockers NIGHT HORSE will enter the studio in January to begin recording their sophomore record with esteemed producer, engineer and mixer Matt Bayles at Infrasonic Studios. Bayles is known and highly regarded for his work with bands such as MASTODON, ISIS, PEARL JAM, BOTCH and THE MURDER CITY DEVILS. Matt excitely stated his main intention in recording NIGHT HORSE is " to capture their rock n roll swagger." NIGHT HORSE is eager to work with Bayles as well, in hopes he will continue to expose the band's heavier elements while keeping their love for rock and roll alive and vital.
NIGHT HORSE has a unique "birth by fire" story surrounding them. Exploding onto the Los Angeles rock scene in 2008 only after a few short months of rehearsing together, they played their first live show ever while mixing their critically acclaimed debut EP, "The Dark Wont Hide You", for Tee Pee Records.
NIGHT HORSE has caught the ears and eyes of critics and fans alike with their unique ability to blend the greater aspects of rock music with a much-needed breath of contemporary fresh air. As British rock journalist Malcom Dome explains, "If SONIC YOUTH had been immersed in an ocean of ALLMAN BROTHERS inspiration, or SOUNDGARDEN had been steeped in late '60s FLEETWOOD MAC, then they might have turned out something like this. NIGHT HORSE take traditional blues-rock, spark it up with riotously noisy flashes and drag the rhythms through an early-90s grunge experience. Moreover, they're cohesive, charismatic and compelling."
NIGHT HORSE has hardly stood still in the last year. Gaining notoriety not only with their rollicking and visceral live shows, they have released three split singles since their EP debut, not to mention having songs featured on MTV, Fuel, Sony's MLB 2009 and more. With Matt Bayles on board for their sophomore record, they show no signs of slowing down yet.
NIGHT HORSE's new album is slated for a summer 2010 release via Tee Pee Records. A teaser EP of "odds and sods" will precede the full-length album in the spring.
Upcoming NIGHT HORSE shows:
Jan. 15 - Spaceland - Los Angeles, CA
Jan. 16 - Royal Dive - Oceanside, CA
Jan. 30 - Bar Pink - San Diego, CA
Apr. 15 - Roadburn Festival - Tilburg, Holland
"Mentalize", the second solo album from Brazilian singer André Matos (ex-ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER), will be released in Europe on February 1, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer (three days earlier in Germany)
"Mentalize" was released in Japan on August 26 via Avalon/Marquee Inc. The Japanese edition of the album includes two bonus cuts.
The complete track listing is as follows:
01. Leading On!
02. I Will Return
03. Someone Else
04. Shift The Night Away
05. Back To You
06. Mentalize
07. The Myriad
08. When The Sun Cried Out
09. Mirror Of Me
10. Violence
11. A Lapse In Time
12. Powerstream
13. Forever Is Too Long
14. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)
The band is as follows:
André Matos - Vocals, Piano
André Hernandes - Guitars
Hugo Mariutti - Guitars
Luís Mariutti - Bass Guitar
Eloy Casagrande - Drums
Fabio Ribeiro – Keyboards
FOR SELENA AND SIN, MANZANA and TEARDOWN will team up for next year's edition of the "Finnish Female-Fronted Rock/Metal Tour" in January. The dates are as follows:
Jan. 06 - Ballroom - Hamburg, Germany
Jan. 07 - Bikers Café - Lübeck, Germany
Jan. 08 - Club Amnesie - Berlin, Germany
Jan. 09 - Rock Club Strojovna - Hradec, Czech Republic
Jan. 10 - Exit Chmelnice - Prague, Czech Republic
Jan. 11 - Bunkr - Prague, Czech Republic
Jan. 12 - Club Madness - Wroclaw, Poland
Jan. 13 - Alaus Namai - Vilnius, Lithuania
Jan. 14 - Roxy Club - Klaipeda, Lithuania
Jan. 15 - Club Depo - Riga, Latvia
Jan. 16 - Rockiklubi - Valga, Estonia
FOR SELENA AND SIN is without a doubt one of the more promising names on the female-fronted rock scene. Performing a unique mixture of metal, rock and pop, FOR SELENA AND SIN established a distinctive sound on its debut album, "Overdosed on You", in 2007. The band's follow-up effort, "Primrose Path", is due on January 25.
MANZANA is a rock metal band from Tampere, the working- class, industrial center of Finland. The band combines heavy guitars with punky rock vocals as well as "gothically darkened" BON JOVI-style melodies, ice-cold loops and touching lyrics. MANZANA's third album, "Industrial Hippies", is scheduled for release in February 2010. The CD's first single and video, "Everything But You", will precede the full-length effort just before the start of the tour.
TEARDOWN is ready to make its international live debut following the release of three EPs. The band's latest CD, entitled "Cyanotic", was voted "Demo Of The Month" in various metal magazines. The group is currently preparing material for its full-length debut as well as seeking a label home.
Charleston, South Carolina rockers MADAM ADAM have inked a deal with Roadrunner Records. The band is currently recording its new album in Nashville, Tennessee with producer/mixer Skid Mills (SAVING ABEL, SICK PUPPIES, 12 STONES, SALIVA, SKILLET) for a mid-2010 release.
Playing catchy rock and roll influenced by bands like the FOO FIGHTERS, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, THE POLICE and NIRVANA, among others, MADAM ADAM's high-energy live show is a must see.
MADAM ADAM is:
Scott Gould - Lead Singer/Guitar
Drew Reindollar - Guitar
Matthew Reindollar - Drums
Kenny Varner - Bass
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/madamadammusic.
Chicago's SWEET COBRA has released the following statement:
"It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce that [SWEET COBRA guitarist] Matthew Allen Arluck passed away on November 26, 2009 after a hard-fought battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family at their home near Seattle. He was 39 years old.
"Our deepest condolences go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. There simply are not words to express the loss we are all feeling during this difficult time. He was a truly inspirational person and his ambition for creating music, even in the face of the obstacles that his illness and treatments brought on, was unparalleled. His passion for writing, recording, and playing shows remained steadfast until the end.
"A brief history: SWEET COBRA was lucky enough to have Mat Arluck join our band as second guitar player after the departure of Neeraj Kane during the recording of 'Praise' in late 2003. The plan at that time had originally been to continue on as a trio, but once we jammed with Mat, we knew that we had to play music together. There was an instant musical chemistry, and a common love for records, skateboarding, and good times. He joined SWEET COBRA in early 2004 and we began playing shows right away and started working on our second album, 'Forever'. Mat's creativity and songwriting was an amazing thing to be a part of and we feel honored to have been able to play with him. He was a great musician and an even better friend.
"Unfortunately, in late 2004 Mat was first diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer. Over the next few years he continued to battle his illness with a positive outlook and we continued to write music, record and play shows. Even during some of his sickest moments, he would be the last one sitting at the soundboard, or loading out gear after a show, or wanting to rehearse — while always having an amazing sense of humor. His tireless work ethic is an inspiration to us and he had a musical vision that was so focused.
"Early 2009 saw the release of the 'Bottom Feeder' EP, and the recording of our forthcoming album, 'Mercy'.
"After recording 'Mercy' this past spring, Mat informed us that he would not be able to accompany us on our East Coast tour with RUSSIAN CIRCLES due to his treatments, but urged us to play as a trio. Upon our returning home, he continued to play with us locally throughout the summer, and mixing and mastering of the new album was completed. Once tour plans came together for our West Coast/Midwest tour with PELICAN this past fall, Mat once again was not able to join us due to his health issues relating to the spreading of his cancer. He once again urged us to continue our tour plans and wanted people to hear the music that we had created together.
"In early November Mat moved to Seattle to live with his family and explore further treatments, which sadly proved to be ineffective.
"Our last shows with Mat were in September of 2009.
"SWEET COBRA will continue on as a three-piece. This music is a huge part of his legacy and it deserves to live on fully. There is no doubt that this is what he would have wanted. We also have unrecorded material written with Mat that we look forward to recording this winter.
"The family suggests donations in Matthew's name be made to Grind for Life at www.grindforlife.org, an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to cancer patients in need."
The "Arluck Time: A Memorial for Mat Arluck & Benefit for Grind For Life" will be held on Thursday, February 4 (Mat's 40th birthday) at Beat Kitchen in Chicago, Illinois. It will feature the music of Mat's bands:
COOLER BY THE LAKE
SWEET COBRA
DEMINER
CRASH COURSE
CLOSING IN
LYNYRD'S INNARDS (BLACK FLAG set)
For more information, visit www.beatkitchen.com.
North Carolina's DAYLIGHT DIES has issued the following update:
"All may have been quiet for a while on these pages, but it has not been quiet on the writing front. We are currently focused on writing new material for the next release and will be able to comment on it once we're further along."
MUSICA DIABLO — the São Paulo, Brazil-based thrash metal project featuring SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, guitarist André NM (NITROMINDS) and bassist Ricardo Brigas — has announced the addition of guitarist André Curci (KORZUS, THREAT) to the group's ranks.
Commented André NM: "We could not imagine that it would be so hard to find a guitarist. Normally the offer is huge, haha! But I think that's exactly why it was so hard — too many good guys around making our decision by far the hardest thing we have done so far!
"We knew that a second guitar was needed and after some rehearsals we cannot believe how vicious this band is sounding now!
"We met André at the ONSLAUGHT show in São Paulo last month. He was supporting them with his other band THREAT. Brigas and I were quite impressed with his stage performance and with his skills. We had a good talk after the show and we invited him to make a test, needless to say, and he was just amazing! We are so glad that he felt the same so we can finally hit the studio in January with him!"
MUSICA DIABLO recently parted ways with drummer Marcão (AÇÃO DIRETA, DEAD FISH) and replaced him with Edu Nicollini (NITROMINDS).
The band will enter the studio in January to begin recording its debut album for a 2010 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. 13 songs will be laid down during the sessions, including "Live To Buy", "Twisted Hate", "Work Out" and "The Flame Of Anger".
Singer Julie Westlake of Ashland, Kentucky rockers HYDROGYN will play several solo shows in the next couple months while taking a break from the recording of the band's next album and her own solo CD. She will perform live tonight (Thursday, December 10) in South Charleston, West Virginia at Quaker Steak And Lube from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
HYDROGYN is about halfway through the recording process for its new CD. It has been a very creative situation and so they have continued to write and record anything and everything they are coming up with along with some very cool covers as well.
Upcoming Julie Westlake shows:
Dec. 10 - Quaker Steak and Lube - South Charleston, WV
Dec. 19 - Quaker Steak and Lube - Mentor, OH
Jan. 16 - Quaker Steak and Lube - Canton, OH
Florida-based death metallers SIX FEET UNDER have issued the following update:
"We are sorry to inform our fans who were planning to see us perform at Satans Convention [festival on December 12] in [Lengerich] Germany, we are forced to cancel due to the local promoter not responding to our communications, emails or phone calls by us or our booking agency. It is unfortunate but hopefully understandable. Our apologies."
Satans Convention will still feature performances by the following acts:
ARCH ENEMY
GOD DETHRONED
TAAKE
DESTRÖYER666
DESTRUCTION
ABIGAIL WILLIAMS
TRIOSPHERE
UNLIGHT
SIX FEET UNDER is back with the third installment of the band's cover series, "Graveyard Classics 3", due out via Metal Blade Records on January 19, 2010. "Graveyard Classics 3" was recorded at D.O.I. Digital Audio in Tampa, Florida, was mixed at Audiohammer Studios by Mark Lewis, and was produced by vocalist Chris Barnes.
Metal Blade Records is offering fans the chance to pre-order the CD at a special low rate. In addition to this pre-order, fans will also have the option to order "Graveyard Classics 3" with a SIX FEET UNDER t-shirt for a special low rate.
Head over to Metal Blade's online store to check out details on the album, view the t-shirt, and purchase your copy of "Graveyard Classics 3".
"Graveyard Classics 3" track listing:
01. A Dangerous Meeting - MERCYFUL FATE
02. Metal On Metal - ANVIL
03. The Frayed Ends Of Sanity - METALLICA
04. At Dawn They Sleep - SLAYER
05. Not Fragile - BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE
06. On Fire - VAN HALEN
07. Pounding Metal - EXCITER
08. Destroyer - TWISTED SISTER
09. Psychotherapy - RAMONES
10. Snap Your Fingers, Snap Your Neck - PRONG
Commented Barnes: "We went about picking the tracks for this installment of 'Graveyard Classics' by really just trying to search out songs from early on in our musical upbringing, as well as tracks from when we were just fans of heavy music, before we started playing in a band. Once again choosing songs that have really stuck with us over the years, also choosing the songs that we felt would sound interesting when played in the SFU 'death groove' style.
"Through the years of doing covers, many of our fans have inquired about us covering a SLAYER or a METALLICA song. It was really something we wanted to do for some time, those two bands being our biggest influences, as well as influencing a generation of death metal musicians.
"To sum it up... this is a tribute to honor the great teachers that have influenced us as well as the world of metal we all belong to. We hope our fans will enjoy."
SIX FEET UNDER covered AC/DC's entire "Back In Black" album for "Graveyard Classics 2", which came out in October 2004.
The original "Graveyard Classics" LP, was released in October 2000. It included cover versions of BLACK SABBATH's "Sweet Leaf", DEEP PURPLE's "Smoke on the Water" and JIMI HENDRIX's "Purple Haze".
"Death Rituals" (2008), the latest album from SIX FEET UNDER, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64. The CD sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The LP debuted at No. 14 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
The Canadian branch of Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of London, Ontario, Canada-based metal outfit BAPTIZED IN BLOOD.
BAPTIZED IN BLOOD, a pack of rowdy 20-somethings hailing, formed in the latter months of 2004 and has since wreaked havoc on its ever-growing throng of loyal fans.
Known for its punishing metal-meets-skate-punk influenced sound and their over-the-top live shows, this band is sure to stomp their way into your veins... and tear them apart.
BAPTIZED IN BLOOD was signed by Joe Kresta, Director, A&R at Roadrunner Records Canada, who was quick to express his excitement, saying, "From the moment I heard BAPTIZED IN BLOOD, I was blown away. They continue to amaze me by constantly elevating their craft to new heights. With their jaw-dropping live show, hard hitting sound, and captivating hooks, BAPTIZED IN BLOOD have all the ingredients for success."
Added BAPTIZED IN BLOOD lead vocalist Johl Fendley: "We could not be more stoked! It's an honor to join forces with an incredible company, and become a part of a roster full of so many stellar bands, past and present, that we look up to, admire and love."
The band will record its Roadrunner Records debut early next year, with a tentative release scheduled for the fall of 2010.
BAPTIZED IN BLOOD is:
Josh Torrance (Guitar /Backing Vocals)
Nick Bertelsen (Guitar)
Matthew Harris (Bass)
Alex Johnston (Drums/Backing Vocals)
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/baptizedinblood.
Carlsbad, New Mexico-based metallers KRYOBURN have announced the addition of guitarist Allen Scott (BLESSED DISEASE) and keyboardist Sam Logan to the group's ranks. In addition, Les Huber has moved from guitar to the bass to replace Hunter Correll, who left the band in August with keyboardist Kelly Bogues.
The follow-up to 2005's "Enigmatic Existence" (Candlelight), KRYOBURN's sophomore album, "Three Years Eclipsed", was produced by vocalist/guitarist Todd Brashear and KRYOBURN at the KryoLab in Carlsbad and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (HALFORD, THE HAUNTED, MNEMIC, SICK OF IT ALL, AUGUST BURNS RED) at Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark. The artwork was created by Bill Reid and can be viewed below.
Regarding the band's collaboration with Tue Madsen, Brashear says, "When we heard Tue wanted to work with us, we were extremely excited. We feel his sound is going to fit perfect with the direction of our new material. He has done some amazing albums and we are all big fans of his work."
"Three Years Eclipsed" track listing:
01. Broken Hero
02. Burning The Doubt
03. Event Horizon
04. Slaughtered With Lies
05. Introspective
06. Season Of Suicide
07. Reinvention
08. Mortal Instinct
09. The Sickening
BORN FROM PAIN and THE DEVIL'S BLOOD has been confirmed for next year's edition of the With Full Force festival, set to take place July 2-4, 2010 at Flugplatz Roitzschjora in Löbnitz, Germany (near Leipzig).
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BORN FROM PAIN
DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR
EKTOMORF
ELSTERGLANZ
EVERGREEN TERRACE
LETZTE INSTANZ
NOFX
TEXAS IN JULY
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
TOXPACK
UNLEASHED
For the first time, organizers are announcing bands on the official With Full Force advent calendar; each day in December a new band is being confirmed for the festival.
For more information, visit www.withfullforce.de.
HAIL OF BULLETS, LONG DISTANCE CALLING and WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2010 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AHAB
ANATHEMA
ASPHYX
BARREN EARTH
BEHEMOTH
CALLISTO
CUMULO NIMBUS
DARK FUNERAL
DARK TRANQUILLITY
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DYING FETUS
EISREGEN
FIDDLER'S GREEN
FREI.WILD
HAIL OF BULLETS
HYPOCRISY
INSOMNIUM
KORPIKLAANI
KYLESA
LONG DISTANCE CALLING
OBITUARY
ORIGIN
ORPHANED LAND
POISONBLACK
SEPULTURA
SUBWAY TO SALLY
WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER
For more information, go to this location.
MAROON and THE DEVIL'S BLOOD have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2010 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AHAB
ANATHEMA
ASPHYX
BARREN EARTH
BEHEMOTH
CALLISTO
CUMULO NIMBUS
DARK FUNERAL
DARK TRANQUILLITY
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DYING FETUS
EISREGEN
FIDDLER'S GREEN
FREI.WILD
HAIL OF BULLETS
HYPOCRISY
INSOMNIUM
KORPIKLAANI
KYLESA
LONG DISTANCE CALLING
MAROON
OBITUARY
ORIGIN
ORPHANED LAND
POISONBLACK
SEPULTURA
SUBWAY TO SALLY
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER
SANCTIFICATION's Tomas Elofsson will play second guitar for Swedish death metallers HYPOCRISY on their upcoming "Long Time, No Death… Europe 2010" tour with SURVIVORS ZERO and HATESPHERE starting on January 24 in Hamburg, Germany. He says, "I'm in full practice mode and I will be busy for a while with this, to say the least, but SANCTIFICATION will not die because of this, we will just be on hold. The rest of the band will continue with their other bands/projects and maybe some new SANCTIFICATION stuff will be made? Who knows?"
SANCTIFICATION's latest album, "Black Reign", was released on May 12 via the Singapore-based label Pulverised Records.
"Black Reign" was recorded at Abyss studio in Sweden on with producers Tommy and Peter Tägtgren and was mastered by Dan Swanö.
HYPOCRISY was recently forced to pull out of its North American tour with ENSIFERUM because it was unable to secure the proper U.S. working visas for all members of the band.
"A Taste Of Extreme Divinity", the new album from HYPOCRISY, sold 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 23 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"A Taste Of Extreme Divinity" recently entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 62.
The CD was released in the U.S. on November 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.
ORDER OF ENNEAD, the Florida extreme metal band featuring Steve Asheim (drums; DEICIDE), Scott Patrick (bass; RESURRECTION), Kevin Quirion (guitar, vocals; COUNCIL OF THE FALLEN) and John Li (guitar), has finished recording its sophomore album, "An Examination Of Being", at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, TRIVIUM). An April 2010 release via Earache Records is expected.
Commented Li: "So what can I say about this new album? In my honest opinion, it's much heavier and darker than our self-titled debut, more cohesive, thematic, melodic, but not completely over the top. In a nutshell, the works. To me, the songs sound totally different than the demos and I was blown away after the songs began to take form. They sound BIG.
"The recording process went as smooth as ever and the results were spectacular, due in part to the genius of our producer/engineer Mark Lewis. He's got an ear like a bat and can spot an out of tune guitar a mile away; a real no-bullshit kind of guy who can really get it done in there.
"Kev's guitars sound heavy as hell, Steve's drums are tight and powerful, and I must say at the risk of tooting my own horn, I played some great stuff as well (shameless, I know)."
"An Examination Of Being" tentative track listing:
01. This Mortal Journey
02. Conduits To Eternity
03. Scriptures Of Purification
04. Lies Upon The Lips Of Judas
05. A Portal To Rapture
06. A Betrayal Of Self
07. ...In The Mirror
08. Concepts Of Our Extinction
09. An Examination Of Being
Stockholm, Sweden-based extreme metallers MACHINERY have announced the addition of drummer Dennis Ekdahl (RAISED FIST, SIEBENBÜRGEN) to the group's ranks. The band states, "He is a GREAT drummer and fits MACHINERY like a glove!! And also a really GREAT guy!"
MACHINERY recently spent time writing material for the band's third album, tentatively due in early 2010. Guitarist/vocalist Michel Isberg previously described the new songs as having "a bit more landscape feeling in it, something which I personally think we've never done before. Well, we have slow parts, as in 'Bloodline' or in 'The Passing', but not like this. If we choose to put that on the album remains to be seen though."
"Cold", the latest video from MACHINERY, can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's sophomore album, "The Passing", which was released on April 28, 2008 via Regain Records. The CD was recorded in June 2007 at Black Lounge Studio with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY).
According to a press release, "The Passing" can be described as "an intense journey in epic and diverse metal. An album with great songs and an unique style that covers heavv, death, black and thrash metal! A perfect blend of what should truly appeal to every metalhead!"
Commented producer Kjellgren: "It's a truly epic and diverse metal album with great songs and an unique style that covers everything I love about metal: heavy metal, death metal, black metal, thrash metal! Superb drums, guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals... all you need, hehe. It was really fun to work with the band since they're all truly amazing musicians and have a very professional attitude towards making music!"
For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.
Israeli extreme metallers SALEM have inked a deal with in Pulverised Records. The band's seventh full-length album, "Playing God And Other Short Stories", is currently being mixed for a 2010 release.
Commented the band: "We are thrilled to join the Pulverised team. The label is very attentive to our needs and puts us as a top-priority act. It is something we have been yearning for years. We feel confident that together we can achieve goals that have alluded us in the past few years. The band's seventh album, 'Playing God', is scheduled to be released mid-2010 and will include 12 scorching new tracks from the band, one of which is the head-turning cover of BOB MARLEY's 'Exodus'."
Stated Pulverised Records A&R Manager Calvin: "Personally, I have been a SALEM fan for a good number of years and this is definitely a dream coming true, to be able to work hand-in-hand with one of my favourite bands. The SALEM guys are all about pure dedication, as well as very meticulous and professional in every aspect. We are very anxious to see what new grounds SALEM will break this time with the new album!"
SALEM recently took part in a brand new promo photo shoot related to the concept of the upcoming, with the entire band donning "superhero costumes."
Commented SALEM drummer Nir Nakav: "The opening track on the new album, 'Drums of the Dead', is inspired by a Hellboy graphic story by the same name. It is the first time that Abe Sapien goes on a solo mission and in the promo picture I am wearing a shirt that carries the insignia of his bureau. Remaining true to form, the other guys in the band took on characters that 'play God'; Superman with his ability to reverse time (that is why he can be seen in three different places at the same time on the promo shot) and the Punisher who kills evildoers.
"As the lyricist of SALEM, I feel obligated to add that this album will mark the first time in the band's history that we are not touching on political subjects. The album texts are all inspired by either stories I read or movies I watched in the past couple of years.
"I think that after a quarter of century, it is important for a band to keep moving forwards, feel fresh, innovative and vibrant. I believe that once the album is out, the world will witness a tighter than ever band with a new twist."
A three-minute clip featuring footage from the recording sessions for "Playing God And Other Short Stories" can be viewed below. The clip includes the percussion session for the song "Drums of the Dead".
DARK FORTRESS, SERPENTCULT, FARSOT and SARDONIS will team up for a European tour in February. The dates are as follows:
Feb. 12 - Belgium, Hasselt @ Muziekodroom
Feb. 13 - Germany, Oberhausen @ Helvete
Feb. 14 - Germany, Landshut @ Rocket Club
Feb. 15 - Czech Republic, Prague @ Exit Chmelnice
Feb. 16 - Austria, Wien @ Arena
Feb. 17 - Switzerland, Zürich @ Dynamo Werk 21
Feb. 18 - Germany, Aalen @ Rock It
Feb. 19 - Germany, Bischofswerda @ Eastclub
Feb. 20 - Belgium, Ostend @ Ostendfest
Feb. 21 - Holland, Arnhem @ Willemeen
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