DAVE EVANS signs an exclusive deal with Rocksector Records for the UK release of Judgement Day . Release date is planned for April 12th.
Dave Evans, founder member and original vocalist with rock titans AC/DC . He formed AC/DC with brothers Angus and Malcolm Young before leaving, replaced by Bon Scott in late 1974.
After his time with AC/DC Dave went on to success with bands such as RABBIT and THUNDER DOWN UNDER to name but two. His solo work has received further acclaim especially in Australia where Dave has been based for many of the past few years, although he's also done well in the United States.
He's toured the States, Australia and Europe with THUNDERSTRUCK and his own backing band for his solo work, THE BADASSES. His music has always been underpinned by a dramatic and energetic balls-out rock n roll live performance.
This very brief history brings us to 2010 and a UK exclusive signing to Rocksector Records, ready for the UK release of Dave's album Judgement Day. A UK version of the Baddasses is being formed to tour the UK on the back of the album release before turning attention once again to Europe.
Judgement Day was released in Australia in July, 2008 via MGM .
AEROSMITH guitarist Brad Whitford will take part in the "Guitar Legends of Rock n' Blues" concert which is being held tonight (Friday, January 15) at Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts. Also scheduled to appear are Johnny Winter and Johnny A. Backing these guitar legends will be THE JAMES MONTGOMERY BLUES BAND. Barry Goudreau, former member of the platinum-selling band BOSTON, will also take part in the event. This guitar virtuoso will heat up the stage and bring back the good old days when he played with one of the biggest rock bands ever to come out of Boston. Adding to this entourage of talent is 20 year old R&B sensation Ayla Brown, brilliant vocalist who was an "American Idol" semifinalist in 2005.
Former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno has issued the following update:
"I am touring Brazil for the first time with the Brazilian band HANGAR (featuring [ex-ANGRA drummer] Aquiles Priester) and this is going to be the 30th-anniversary, limited-edition tour. This is a one-off tour (once in a lifetime) featuring all of the MAIDEN classic songs that everyone is waiting to hear. So May 2010 Paul Di'Anno and HANGAR are gonna blitz Brazil. You better get ready for the storm."
According to Dallas-based music immigration attorney Matt Gallagher, Paul Di'Anno's visa was approved by the U.S. State Department, making it possible for Di'Anno to embark on his first U.S. tour in over 15 years. Tour producer Gabe Reed commented, "Matt Gallagher's securing of this visa for Paul after so many failed tries by others is an awesome development that all IRON MAIDEN fans should be grateful for. We will finally see the return of the 'Beast' to the U.S."
Di'Anno is scheduled to begin his tour on January 26 at Dingbatz in Clifton, New Jersey.
Support on the trek will come from Pittsburgh traditional metallers ICARUS WITCH.
Paul Di'Anno took part in the Classic Rock Jam on October 11, 2009 at Shinjuku Koseinenkin-Kaikan in Tokyo, Japan. Professionally filmed video footage of his appearance can be viewed below. Other musicians that took part in the event included Keiko Terada (SHOW-YA), Masashi Nishida (EARTHSHAKER), Minoru Niihara (LOUDNESS) and Eizo Sakamoto (ANTHEM).
When asked by Vue Weekly in a recent interview about the possibility of releasing a new studio album in the not-too-distant future, Di'Anno replied, "We did five new tracks in Germany last year — it's very industrialized — but we got in a bit of an argument with the record company and we told them to piss off, basically. So I kept them songs and a friend of mine where I am right at the minute in Salisbury down in Southwest England, has just handed me 16 pieces of music so I'm going to go away when I have a bit of time and see what I can come up with for that."
METALLICA have issued the following update:
"We're pretty darn excited to report that our first ever show in Vilnius, Lithuania is now sold out! Looking for tickets for night number two? There are still tickets available for the show on April 21 . . . check it out here.
A big thanks to all who helped make our first ever indoor show in Lisbon, Portugal on May 18 another sell out ... we know that we're going to have such a great time there that a second show has been added on May 19! Tickets go on sale this Saturday, January 16, at 10 AM local time. Met Club members should check www.metclub.com for pre-sale info.
Keep watching here for more updates this month . . . we have a few more shows up our sleeve."
Upcoming Metallica dates include:
January
19 - Lima, Peru - Estadio San Marcos
21 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - River Plate Stadium
22 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - River Plate Stadium
24 - Cordoba, Argentina - Orfeo Superdomo
26 - Santiago, Chile - Club Hipico
28 - Porto Alegre, Brazil - Zequinha Stadium
30 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Morumbi Stadium
31 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Morumbi Stadium
March
1 - Guadalajara, Mexico - Estadio Tres de Marzo
3 - Monterrey, Mexico - Estadio Universitario
5 - Guatemala City, Guatemala - Estadio Mateo Flores
7 - San Jose, Costa Rica - Saprissa Stadium
8 - Panama City, Panama - Plaza Figali
10 - Bogota, Colombia - Park Simon Bolivar
12 - Caracas, Venezuela - La Rinconada
14 - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Coliseo de Puerto Rico
April
13 - Oslo, Norway - Telenor Arena
14 - Oslo, Norway - Telenor Arena
17 - Riga, Latvia - Riga Arena
18 - Tallinn, Estonia - Saku Suurhall
20 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Siemens Arena
21 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Siemens Arena
24 - Moscow, Russia - SK Olimpiisky
25 - Moscow, Russia - SK Olimpiisky
May
11 - Belfast, Ireland - Odyssey Arena
12 - Belfast, Ireland - Odyssey Arena
14 - Budapest, Hungary - Puskas Ferenc Stadium
16 - Zagreb, Croatia - Zagreb Hippodrome
18 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
19 - Lisbon, Portugal - Pavilhao Atlantico
23 - Lyon, France - Halle Tony Garnier
June
16 - Warsaw, Poland - Sonisphere - Bemowo Airport
18 - Zurich, Switzerland - Sonisphere - Jonschwil Degenaupark
19 - Prague, Czech Republic - Sonisphere - Mimon Airport
According to LivingInPeru.com, the organizers of METALLICA 's January 19 concert in Lima, Peru are hoping for a turnout of 50,000 people or more at the Universidad Mayor de San Marcos Stadium.
If ticket sales meet the organizer's expectations, METALLICA's appearance in Peru could turn out to be the most massive concert in Peruvian history.
Businessman Coqui Fernandez, who is promoting the event, told RPP radio that the band will play an unprecedented concert in Lima, "because METALLICA puts on great live heavy metal shows."
"They never stop playing," he added. "METALLICA doesn't need to rehearse the 25 songs they usually play in concerts. Lars Ulrich [METALLICA drummer], for example, prepares the setlist two hours before the show."
When asked about security precautions for the event, Fernandez said that in addition to the 380 policemen outside the arena, there will be 90 officers at each door.
After being told that METALLICA's concert in Lima may turn out to be the biggest musical event ever staged in Peruvian history, bassist Robert Trujillo told The Pulse of Radio, "Wow. The largest concert in Lima, Peru. I didn't know that, so this is special. For me going down there is special anyway. The fans are always next level. Getting down into Lima and further down into Brazil, Argentina — we've got three shows at Argentina Riverplate Stadium — to get into that region of the world and check out the culture down there is very exciting for us."
Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke's MySpace page has been updated with the following message:
"Gilby is recovering now at the hospital from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run accident on his motorcycle Sunday, January 10. He suffered three broken bones in his left foot/ankle and a broken bone in his right foot. He had one successful surgery Tuesday, but he still has at least one more surgery next week. There is no further information on the pick-up truck that caused the accident, by making a left hand turn into oncoming traffic.
"Gilby would like to thank everybody that has expressed their concern and well wishes."
Former MTV "Headbangers Ball" host Riki Rachtman posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday asking people to contact him if they know anything about the accident.
According to Riki, the incident occurred at around 5 p.m. PT when Clarke was making his way through Sherman Oaks, California. "He was riding south on Woodman and at the intersection of Moorpark, some idiot turned left right in front of him," Rachtman explains. "Gilby hit the passenger side of the vehicle . The driver took off."
He adds, "Here is what we know so far. [The vehicle was a pickup] truck, light color tan perhaps silver. There was a male driver and possibly a female passenger [who] could be Hispanic, but not sure. The truck looked fairly new and has damage on the passenger side."
TARSHA, the band led by former ADLER'S APPETITE vocalist Sheldon Tarsha, will support Canadian metal legends ANVIL on February 4 at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California.
"I met up with with ANVIL when I sang for ICON at Rocklahoma last year," stated Tarsha. "We ended up riding back to the hotel from the venue in the same limo. Hearing [ANVIL members] Lips [Steve Kudlow, guitar/vocals] and Rob [Reiner, drums] tell their story in person was almost better than the movie !
"I'm looking forward to opening for them. It's gonna be a great show!"
TARSHA also has another show scheduled at House of Blues in West Hollywood, California opening for STEEL PANTHER on February 22.
After completing a U.S. tour singing for ADLER'S APPETITE last year, Tarsha independently released "The Singles EP", complete with a music video for the song "Second Life" (see below).
In 2007, Tarsha independently released his first full-length album "Prophecies", which became a worldwide Internet radio hit, reaching No. 2 and remaining on the Internet Live 365 Rock Top 30 chart for 77 weeks.
Filmmaker and musician Rob Zombie will bring his unique style of filmmaking to the streets of Miami on an episode of "CSI: Miami", to be broadcast Monday, March 1 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS television network. The episode begins production today and is Zombie's television directorial debut.
In the episode, the CSI team discovers that a listening device has been covertly planted at a crime scene, capturing a terrifying soundtrack of the murder and, possibly, the voice of the killer. However, when it's revealed the bug was planted by the team's own Jesse Cardoza, the State's Attorney tosses the taped evidence and uncovers accusations of evidence tampering by Jesse on a murder case in Los Angeles. With the integrity of his team at stake, Horatio Caine and Eric Delko travel to Los Angeles to dig into that murder and clear Jesse's name. While in Los Angeles, Horatio find himself face to face with secrets from Jesse's past and a dangerous element within the LAPD.
"As writers, we were really pushing to create an interesting backdrop that could lend to Rob Zombie's visual style," says Marc Dube, co-executive producer. "We thought opening the episode at a macabre party, with Miami attendees all wearing stylized masks (a la 'Eyes Wide Shut') would be a fun kick-off point for Rob do to what he does best — conveying the cruel and creepy underbelly of humanity."
"I am very excited to be working on a show that has such an intense and unique visual angle on the classic crime drama formula and look forward to putting my own bizarre stamp on the world of 'CSI: Miami'," says Zombie.
A prolific musician, Zombie has multiple gold and platinum records, sales of over 15 million albums worldwide, and has directed over 25 music videos. His next album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2", will be released on February 2. His re-imagining of "Halloween" claimed the highest-grossing Labor Day weekend opening ever, followed by the 2009 success "Halloween 2". His film accomplishments also include the critically acclaimed "The Devil's Rejects" and the cult classic "House of 1000 Corpses". Zombie has made a distinct mark in the music and film worlds with his uniquely sinister point of view that has resulted in success in both arenas.
"CSI: Miami" ranks among the top 20 programs, averaging 13.6 million viewers and continues to dominate its Monday (10:00-11:00 p.m.) time period in viewers and key demographics.
ContraCostaTimes.com reports that Sammy Hagar has announced he'll play a benefit concert for Tessa Ulvestad, a 3-year-old Mill Valley girl who is recovering from a life-saving kidney transplant.
Sometimes even an icon needs a facelift! The City of West Hollywood's legendary Sunset Boulevard, one of the most famous streets in the world, is undergoing major roadway and infrastructure improvements as part of the Sunset Strip Beautification Project. The City of West Hollywood, Sunset Strip Business Association and Gibson will hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Sunset Strip Beautification Project on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Whisky A Go-Go, 8901 Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood.
Gibson Guitar artists and friends of the Sunset Strip Billy Morrison (THE CULT and CAMP FREDDY) and Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY) will join members of the West Hollywood City Council and Sunset Strip business leaders in the Groundbreaking Ceremony. Others scheduled to participate include Mikeal Maglieri, President of the Sunset Strip Business Association, and Nic Adler, Sunset Strip Music Festival organizer.
The six-month improvement project will include roadway resurfacing with rubberized asphalt; replacement of broken and damaged sidewalks; traffic signal upgrades; newly-landscaped medians; creation of flowering tree districts; sidewalk widening at Sunset Plaza; and pedestrian enhancements.
The Sunset Strip Beautification Project marks the first time the roadway along Sunset Boulevard has been repaved since the street was converted from a dirt road to an asphalt street in the late 1930s, more than 75 years ago. The Sunset Strip is one of the most heavily-travelled streets in Southern California.
"We are thrilled to begin this important beautification project on the world-famous Sunset Strip," said West Hollywood Mayor Abbe Land. "It is important to us to make this kind of investment to improve an area of our city that is iconic. Once completed, these improvements will make it easier to access all that we love about The Sunset Strip, including our wonderful businesses and entertainment venues. This project will bring even more energy and excitement to the legendary Sunset Strip."
"The Sunset Strip is one of the most visited tourist attractions in all of California. It is the economic engine of West Hollywood where premiere fashion, music, entertainment, dining and a unique history collide," said West Hollywood Mayor Pro Tempore John Heilman. "It is an honor that such a treasured historic and cultural icon is located in West Hollywood. The Sunset Strip Beautification Project is the realization of the City's vision to protect this extraordinary international destination. The Sunset Strip rocks!"
"The Sunset Strip has been at the epicenter of nightlife and entertainment since the current road was laid more than 75 years ago. This important construction project will create a marvelous new facelift for West Hollywood's internationally known Crown Jewel of Boulevards, ensuring its vitality for decades to come," said Councilmember Jeffrey Prang.
"The cleaner, greener enhancements that West Hollywood is giving The Sunset Strip will ensure its iconic status for decades to come," said Councilmember Lindsey Horvath. "With its award-winning hotels, legendary nightclubs, and exceptional restaurants, it is no wonder that The Sunset Strip remains one of the most sought-after vacation destinations in the world," said Councilmember Horvath.
The Sunset Strip Beautification Project will take place within the City of West Hollywood along the entire Sunset Boulevard, from the west City limit near Cory Avenue to the east City limit near Harper Avenue.
The project will be constructed in three separate phases which will each take approximately two months to complete.
* Phase I of the construction encompasses the eastern portion of Sunset Boulevard between Alta Loma Road and the City limit east of Harper Avenue.
* Phase II of the construction will be the western most section of Sunset Boulevard from the City limits west of Cory Avenue to San Vicente Boulevard.
* Phase III of the construction will be from San Vicente Boulevard to Alta Loma Road.
The estimated cost of the project is $5.4 million. The City of West Hollywood obtained some of the project's funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. West Hollywood's share of this disbursement is $1,105,000 and will be used to cover a portion of the construction costs for the Sunset Boulevard Beautification Project. The City will receive the Recovery Act funds on a reimbursement basis after the project completes construction.
Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records has set an April 20 release date for "Infestation", the new album from Californian rockers RATT. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Look Out Below", "A Little Too Much", "Garden Of Eden" and the album's first single, "Best Of Me".
The band's first studio CD in 10 years, "Infestation" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, whose credits include PUDDLE OF MUDD, CHEVELLE, SALIVA, LIMP BIZKIT , ALTER BRIDGE and THREE DAYS GRACE, to name a few. The effort — which has been described by singer Stephen Pearcy as a cross between 1984's "Out Of The Cellar" and 1985's "Invasion Of Your Privacy" — marked the first time the group had stepped outside of Los Angeles to track a new CD in 20-plus years.
"The best part was having pre-production in Virginia, and getting away from our families and our personal shit and the L.A. scene," Pearcy told AOL's Noisecreep. "While we were recording, we actually all lived in the same compound. It was great. It was the first time we had ever done that. It was almost like when we lived in a one bedroom apartment we called Ratt Mansion West back in the old days."
Regarding the recording process, drummer Bobby Blotzer told Noisecreep, "It was a great experience, but there are always speed bumps in RATT. It's never an easy job to get to the finish line. We're kind of a dysfunctional bunch in the way that we work. It's not an English tea party. It's more like a pirate ship with a bunch of salty dogs. We work hard, we play hard, and it makes the aggression in the music come out more. But when we finally get where we're going, it makes the ride more rewarding."
On the subject of Carlos Cavazo's (QUIET RIOT) addition to RATT, Pearcy said, "He's perfect for the band. He co-wrote a couple songs and he plays like a motherfucker on this thing. Great live, great guy and great integrity for what he does. And as far as the double solos thing goes, he and Warren [DeMartini] knew exactly what they were doing. It was like the old days."
"Playing together was just like being old friends hanging out," Cavazo said. "Doing the record was fun and very easy. It was one of the easiest records I've recorded in my life. No one was arguing or yelling at each other in the studio. It went really smooth."
BLACKIE LAWLESS INTERVIEW:
January 15, 2010
Websites: www.waspnation.com - www.myspace.com/wasp
Interviewer: Ruben Mosqueda
Blackie Lawless is the heart and soul of W.A.S.P. and currently he's the only original member left in the band which will celebrate it's 28th year in 2010. You could say that after The Headless Children it has been the Blackie Lawless show. While there have been some missteps since that time there have been some great albums too, two recent examples are Dominator and the new album Babylon. I got an opportunity to talk with Blackie about the new album, the upcoming tour, why "Animal" disappeared from the setlist, micro chipping, steroids and The Raiders. I've been blessed to have gotten an opportunity to interview some of my idols and Blackie didn't disappoint. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed doing it.
Sleaze Roxx: W.A.S.P. entered it's 28th year of existence in 2010.
Blackie Lawless: We've been around for a longtime.
Sleaze Roxx: What do you think has been the key to W.A.S.P.'s longevity?
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. Sleaze Roxx Interview Blackie Lawless: A lot of vitamins and steroids!
Sleaze Roxx: For real?!
Blackie Lawless: (Laughing) Yeah! Yeah I've been watching this whole Mark McGwire thing and I've thinking to myself if people only knew the truth. There's a lot more of that that goes on than you might think.
Sleaze Roxx: Would it be fair to say that after The Headless Children W.A.S.P. has been more or less been the Blackie Lawless show? Are you comfortable with that?
Blackie Lawless: Well there was period of time during the period of time that you're talking about...let's just say that a lot of it had fallen on my shoulders. If you look at what we've done for the last few years now, this band has been together for about six years now; the records that we've made are far, far and away much more of a group effort than anything I've done in the past. I'll go on record to say that it also includes from day one and all the early records too. The guys that are in this band now are far superior musicians than anything W.A.S.P. has done before. They guys can compete with anybody in the world, they are world class musicians but equally as important is their level of creativity. They bring a lot to the dance and when we sit down to do preproduction for records it's like a think tank in there as far as ideas that are being thrown around. To give you an idea, when you asked how much of this is me? On the last album we just did,
Babylon, Doug Blair our guitarist... if someone made the statement that his contribution was larger than my own on Babylon you'd have a fair argument.
Sleaze Roxx: So Babylon is clearly a collective band effort then?
Blackie Lawless: Oh yeah, no doubt.
Sleaze Roxx: "Animal" is a popular song from the back catalog and is one of your signature songs. It certainly helped get the band noticed in the early 80's. How do you feel about the song today and is it still a song that you perform live?
Blackie Lawless: We haven't performed that song is several years now. A lot of it has to do with me personally. I was born again when I was 11 years old; I was in church actively through my teens. No one made me go, I reached a point where I became disillusioned with the church and left. I went for about 20 years when I kept bumping into walls and I had one of those epiphany moments in life where I came to the conclusion that I thought I was mad at GOD, but as it turned out I was not mad at GOD, I was mad at man for institutionalizing my thinking to a large degree. When I came to that conclusion I then put my guard down and I turned to my faith. That in large part is why I don't do that song anymore. It's interesting because silence, or the absence of not doing something, screams much louder than doing it. This then brings up the question, 'why don't you do it', and I tell them.
Sleaze Roxx: The album that preceded Babylon, Dominator, was never issued in the United States. Will that ever see the light of day domestically?
Blackie Lawless: Well actually it is in America but through import. We did just strike an agreement where all that stuff will be available shortly.
Sleaze Roxx: What's the theme behind Babylon?
Blackie Lawless: It just happened. I didn't set out to go a certain direction or sound, I didn't predetermine anything. The only thing that I predetermine is putting down in song where I am and what I'm thinking right now in my life. That's the truest way to make a record, forget what is on the charts or what is hot in the market place. You can't do that, or at least I don't. I have to make records that reflect where I am today; who I am at this moment will not be who I will be in 5 years or who I was 10 years ago. In my opinion the only way you'll be able to carry an audience as an artist is to get the band to know you. I think for them to know me I have to be intimate with them and that happens with my lyrics. As a writer I have to be willing to expose myself to them and a lot of people aren't willing to do that. They don't want to know what is going on in the nooks and crannies, you have to be able to crack your skull open and allow people to walk
around bare foot in your head to really find out what is going around in there. If you're going to carry that audience for your career the only way you'll be able to do that if they think they know you and that is through your lyrics.
Sleaze Roxx: I like the visual of cracking your skull open and allowing people to walk inside your head.
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. Sleaze Roxx Interview Blackie Lawless: Well you're trying to create art. If you're going to create art, if it's music, sculpture, painting or movies they are used to provoke thought. If you're not making people think then you're just a guy making records, there's a room for that. If you're going to make art, like I said you've got to make people think. You make them think of who they are and where they are in their own lives.
Sleaze Roxx: Prior to your call I got a chance to watch the video for "Babylon Is Burning" on youtube and you have all sorts of footage from stock Adolf Hitler clips, Saddam, Gaddafi and the '89 Tiananmen Square protest. It's pretty intense stuff.
Blackie Lawless: If you look at the lyrics of the song it gives you a pretty good idea of what it's about. When I started working on the record it was toward (George W.) Bush's last term and people were screaming about this global financial meltdown. The term they were using at the time was crisis which is code for 'we're going to try to take away some freedom away from you.' When you hear politicians using words like crisis you'd better run for cover man because they are coming after your wallet. I was listening to them and also to some of the guys in Brussels in the E.U. One was talking about having a one world government and system. Then the second guy spoke up and said that if we're going with a one world system then we should have a one world currency, the third one was the icing on the cake. He said that by the year 2017 that they would have the entire E.U. micro chipped. I stood there with my mouth open and thought "do these guys know what they
are potentially suggesting here?" It was pretty shocking; this was essentially 666 what they were suggesting. I went online, you should do this yourself. Get on Google or another search engine and look up micro chipping and see what comes up. You'll be astonished as to what is already happening right now and how far along this already is. When I saw that it literally had me shaking in my boots. I remember 20 years ago when I wrote "The Headless Children" there's the line that says "four horsemen sit high up in the saddle in waiting and ride the bloody trail of no return." From a prophetic point of view I look at that and say are we closer to that now than we were then? I went and did a deep detailed study of The Book of Revelation and other books in The Bible and compared it to what the guys in the E.U. were saying and it was astonishingly accurate and that's where the premise of the record came from.
Sleaze Roxx: Two tracks that are standouts are the single "Crazy" and "Godless Run", what are those two tracks about?
Blackie Lawless: "The Godless Run" is a basically a brief synopsis the journey that I was talking about earlier. I started out in the church then I got away from my faith, then I came back. At the same time all of us are on some kind of a journey, for me it's about a man's search for his destiny and salvation. "Crazy" when you first hear it you think that it's about a man talking to a woman, in reality it is about a performer talking to an audience. The premise is this; it's the performer talking to his audience telling them not to put him on a pedestal and not to worship me because if you do you'll kill me. When I wrote it I was thinking about the idea of what happens when a performer is given too much and the whole idol worship thing that happens. They give to the audience then the audience gives back to them and it begins to create this vicious circle. The end result is what happened to Elvis Presley or a Kurt Cobain; humans aren't designed to have
that level of admiration out on them because if you do you'll kill them.
When we were in the middle of making the record last year we had to head over to Europe for about one month and while we were there Michael Jackson died. We have a vacation place that's about five miles from Neverland Ranch, I remember while I was in Europe that they had a live satellite feed, here I was watching this half way around the world watching what was taking place about five miles from where my place is at. There's like a thousand people there outside of the gates at Neverland and I'm thinking to myself "hey that's my neighborhood that were I live." I got home a few weeks later, you have to keep in mind this is in a very remote location and there's only one road that leads you there. To get there you must make an effort because it's not something that you'll happen to stumble across. These thousand people they had to make a pilgrimage to get there. So I was driving by his place (Michael Jackson), I had never paid much attention. I just stopped,
I was by myself, I got out and I stood and I looked at the gates. It's was interesting because one of the gates reads "Neverland" and the other reads "Once Upon A Time." I stood there thinking two weeks ago, right where I stand, there were all these people and now there's no one here. It's just me and the birds chirping in the trees. It was so peaceful and so surreal, I was thinking to myself "how did this juts happen? How did we get to this point?" The song "Crazy" comes to mind and then there's another song "Into The Fire" which is about the same subject. This is what happens to these guys when they get too big, that rabid fan base can kill you. As humans we're not designed to handle that kind of level of admiration.
Sleaze Roxx: What's your favorite track on the album and why?
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. Sleaze Roxx Interview Blackie Lawless: Honestly I couldn't tell you. When I finish a record it takes me about a year to get away from it, I'm too close to it. I'll say this about the song "Crazy", when we wrapped up the record I must have listened to that track about 100 times. That's very unusual for me to do. That song was just killing me. We were in Europe for three months and when we played that song it just destroyed the audience each and every time. That is difficult to do because every time you have a new album that record becomes the opening act. Songs from that new album that you're promoting is going up against songs that people are there to hear and those songs 15, 20, 25 years old and people have had all those years to romance those songs. So when people are there to hear those classic songs they don't want anything to come between them and those songs, so in a sense those new songs become like your own opening
act. So I say that to say this, for a song to get the reaction that "Crazy" has received, that song has to be something really special. To watch a new song get the affect on an audience night after night I said to the guys "oh boy we have a big fish on the hook with this one."
Sleaze Roxx: So it's safe to say that "Crazy" will be in the set list when you kick off your American Tour in the next few weeks?
Blackie Lawless: You can count on it.
Sleaze Roxx: You also have two covers on Babylon, how did you go about selecting Deep Purple's "Burn" from the Coverdale/Hughes era and Chuck Berry's "Promised Land?" Both of turned out fantastic in my opinion.
Blackie Lawless: "Promised Land" was the first track we cut for the record, figuring that it probably wouldn't go on the record. When you haven't been in the studio for a while you need to get into the routine. So we were thinking about doing something easy and putting on the training wheels and that was doing a cover. It was something to ease our way into the recording process, so it wasn't anything serious or that we thought would make the record. The "Burn" thing came at the end of the record. It was a song that we had played around with when we were doing Dominator but we never seriously gave it much consideration. It wasn't until we got to the mastering process, and for those people who are reading this that don't know what that is, it's the last chance gas station for sonic improvements before it heads out for pressing. I was sitting there and because we had made this album at a break-neck pace, then we headed out to Europe for festivals we didn't
really have a lot of time to do this record. I wasn't really looking at this record as a whole, I was only looking at individual tracks. It wasn't until mastering that I was looking at tracks listing and I thought "wow! There's a lot of fire on this record!" So then I started to think about the "Burn" thing again, we went back, recorded it, and put it in there and I think it works brilliantly. We recorded like 15 things for the album, as you know not everything made it. At the end of the day I'm not looking for the origin of the songs or where it came from I was just looking at what works best for the record. I don't care if it's two covers, one cover, three covers or no covers, I don't care. Whatever works best for the record.
Sleaze Roxx: Babylon has a great flow to it and "Promised Land" is just a great way to close it out. I find it interesting that the closer was the first thing recorded and it wasn't even meant to be used on the album.
Blackie Lawless: (Laughing) I would love to take credit for the way that "Promised Land" came together at the end of this thing. I'd love to tell you that there was this master plan there this record would take you to this dark place and then at the end it would bring you hope and take you to the promised land but it was one of those things where it started to reveal itself toward the end and it was just being controlled by something else that was bigger than us. It was just too perfect. It was really one of those great mistakes.
Sleaze Roxx: Initially you only had a handful of live dates for the United States, somewhere in the area of 4 to 5. I was looking last night on a site and you've added another 15 or so.
Blackie Lawless: Presently there are 25 in total.
Sleaze Roxx: Could you share what we can expect in W.A.S.P.'s set on this particular tour? Will the set list span your entire career?
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. Sleaze Roxx Interview Blackie Lawless: The show will run about one hour and forty-five minutes and it's pretty interesting because we have this big movie screen behind us. We have taken a lot of the promo videos and we play to the videos in synch with the video behind us. This creates an interesting effect because it's literally eight different people playing at the same time. You get four in the video and then the four live on stage, we're synched up live so you see my singing live on the screen behind me and then you see me singing live in front of you at the same time. It's interesting to watch the affect it has on the audience, they'll watch me, then they'll watch the video screen, then they'll watch me again. You can see the puzzled look on their faces, it's like they can't believe what they are seeing. It's like they are thinking, 'how did they do this?' It creates a really cool affect.
Sleaze Roxx: You've gotten asked this before, The Crimson Idol movie. I know it was shot and there's footage that's been used live and for music videos. Will we ever see its release?
Blackie Lawless: We did The Crimson Idol Tour two years ago with the movie playing in the background and to answer your question yes it will. It would seem fitting that it would be in a couple years that we do that for the 20th anniversary of the record. I'm not saying it will happen then but we will be releasing it in the future. It's not finished, there's a couple of things that need to be completed and then we'd need to edit it. There's also quite a bit of footage that people haven't even seen. For example when we shot the back cover of the album we did that inside the recording studio, there's a big studio where we cut the live tracks that's where we set up the shoot for the back cover, in that room. The next day we did a documentary that is about an hour long of me walking you through the studio; introducing you to the people that played and worked on the record and explaining how we got from point 'A' to point 'B'. I stumbled across that thing
about two years ago, I had forgotten all about it. It's quite an interesting little piece because it's almost like the making of the record. It's something from a fan's point of view that you'd find very interesting. All that stuff will be in there and it will literally take you back to the time where that record was released.
Sleaze Roxx: Would you ever consider doing an all covers album of stuff that you grew up on or that influenced you? I know you're a fan of music from the 50's, 60's, 70's and blues and you've done some great covers in the past, "The Real Me," "I Don't Need No Doctor," "Paint It Black," "Saturday's Alright For Fighting" and of course the two on Babylon.
Blackie Lawless: I don't know if anyone would be interested to be honest. You also have to remember that every time we did a cover it was never designed to be used for the record. In the early days for example with "Doctor," "The Real Me" and "Paint It Black" those were all supposed to be B-sides for singles. We didn't want to give our own original material away as B-sides. When we first recorded "Paint It Black" there was talk then that we were making a mistake, that we should include it on the record. I didn't take it seriously, I was like, "you've got to be kidding me we're not going to put that on the album." When we were doing Inside The Electric Circus and we did "Doctor" that was supposed to be a B-side and it turned pretty good and I remember it was given to Capitol (Records). Word got back to me later that day that they were having one of their round table meetings that they had every week and they played the song and when it was finished
everyone stood up and applauded. That's pretty unusual for record company people to do that, so when that got back to me I thought, "maybe we got a big fish on the hook here." So that's how that song ended up on the record and "The Real Me" was the same way. It was never intended to be on the album, but when it was done it was so good we had to use it on the record.
Sleaze Roxx: Have you ever thought about entering politics?
Blackie Lawless: Well when we first stated that in 20 to 25 years I'd probably like to be a senator I was not joking about that, but as time went by I started to realize if you had me there on Capitol Hill I'd be in jail a week after I got there (laughing). I couldn't stomach what goes on in that world. If it's true that politics is the art of compromise I wouldn't do well in a forum like that. If you go back to the idea that George Washington said that this is a country of laws and not of men, what he's saying is that your individual opinion doesn't really count it's what the law says. When you start screwing around with the law all hell breaks loose. If we don't like the law then we can change the law, but in the meantime you follow the letter of the law no matter what the argument is. It's not like a constitutional amendment that takes an act of congress to change it. Laws can be changed easier but in the meantime we stick to the law. When you stand
up and make an argument that we should bend here and make an exception there, then where do you stop? You can't get a little pregnant. I found out that I have far more freedom to do what I do now, and to say what I believe to be the truth without compromise, than I ever would in a forum like the U.S. senate.
Sleaze Roxx: I know you're a huge baseball fan but you also like football, I think you follow the Oakland Raiders specifically.
Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P. Sleaze Roxx Interview Blackie Lawless: A little bit yeah.
Sleaze Roxx: What do you think The Raiders need to do to turn it around?
Blackie Lawless: (Laughing) Oh, no! Not The Raiders question! Oh they're in sad shape! (laughing) We missed basically the whole season we were on tour in Europe. We'd follow the NFL while we were there via the internet but it's not the same. It's been said that Al Davis' (Raiders' owner) biggest problem is Al Davis. His departure is long overdue; he should not be running that team on a day to day basis. I don't know how true that is because unless you're on the inside of an organization like that you can never really know what is really going on. Then again the results speak for themselves, because something hasn't been right for years. This was a very proud and successful organization for a longtime with the greatest winning percentage in all sports until 10 years ago. It hasn't been the same since and like I said something is seriously wrong there.
Sleaze Roxx: Who do you like this weekend in the playoffs?
Blackie Lawless: I've only got the last two week so you're probably a lot further ahead than me. I saw the games this past weekend and I was impressed with Dallas (Cowboys) I didn't think they would do as well as they did. I think Kurt Warner (quarterback, Arizona Cardinals) looked really good in that game too. Looks like the so called experts that I've been seeing on TV seem to think that Dallas is going all the way but I don't know. I haven't seen enough of this season to give you an opinion. I've heard that New Orleans is really hot but I haven't been able to see one game. I really couldn't say. It's hard when you are overseas because you're really cut off. Over there the big thing is soccer. I kid you not I watched the World Series there on an iPhone. I wasn't getting pictures either I was getting text play by play! I'm going to bed at 5:00 AM by the time the games are over. That's how I watched the World Series, it was agonizing.
Sleaze Roxx: Last question and I'll let you go. Do you think Mark McGwire redeemed himself by copping to using steroids?
Blackie Lawless: No (laughing). I understand his argument by saying that they wouldn't give immunity five years ago when he was on Capitol Hill. There was probably a lot of truth to that but when you sit there and you say that you don't believe that steroids didn't affect your performance in any way I am here to tell you that it does. I know this personally, you'd be surprised what all performers do to get up on stage. We started this tour in the beginning of October 2009 and effectively this tour is going to until Christmas of this year. You're going to get beat up. I have a rotator cuff that's torn on my right shoulder, when you do a show like we do, we're running around it's like playing a basketball game every night. People come into the dressing room and they say it looks and smells like a locker room. You can smell the stuff that we're using, there's guys taping themselves up and stuff like that. This isn't a blues band just standing there playing,
guys get beat up. I've used things over the years to keep me going, especially if I have an injury where I have to repair. Stuff happens on the road that you'd never believe where you can get hurt. It's either taking something to keep going and mend or stop. There are times where you may need some help but for a guy to sit there and say that it doesn't affect their performance they are being less than honest.
Sleaze Roxx: Thank you so much Blackie best of luck on this leg of the tour.
Blackie Lawless: You're welcome and take care.
Hagar will perform with his band, the WABOS, at 8 p.m. Feb. 6. at the 142 Throckmorton Theatre. Tickets, priced at $150 and $250, go on sale at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 on the theater's web site at www.142throckmortontheatre.com.
"This is a community thing," said Hagar, a Mill Valley resident. "I'm here to help the family."
Drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN ) has joined forces with legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (ALICE COOPER, DREAM THEATER, KISS, BILLY IDOL) and guitarist Joe Bonamassa in a brand new project tentatively dubbed BLACK COUNTRY. The group is currently recording its debut album with producer Kevin Shirley (LED ZEPPELIN, JOURNEY, IRON MAIDEN, DREAM THEATER) for a tentative late 2010 release.
Commented Shirley: "So there it is folks — the cat is out the bag! This is BLACK COUNTRY.
"I am producing the debut album and we already have six tracks cut.
"We're going to do the next session in March when I'm through with my current project, and I hope to finish in early April.
"The band is Jason Bonham on drums, Derek Sherinian on keyboards, Glenn Hughes on bass and vocals and Joe Bonamassa on guitar and vocals. The songs are all original and what a lineup! They are all the very best players in the world, for my money!
"Jason Bonham is a totally unique drummer and a supreme, yet oh-so-tasty powerhouse. Derek Sherinian is super-versatile, and is playing mostly overdriven Hammond organ in this ensemble and is the color on the palette. Glenn Hughes plays bass and sings with a range VERY, VERY few can even get close to, and Joe Bonamassa, perhaps the best blues guitarist around, plays hard riffing guitar as well as adding his signature vocals alongside Glenn.
"You'll just have to wait — we're planning to get this out late summer, and it's promising to be phenomenal!"
After a few months since the formation of the new band UNISONIC with bassist Dennis Ward, guitarist Mandy Meyer, drummer Kosta Zafiriou, Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN) is hard at work. Not only being a part of a new band which is composing its debut album, he is also involved in another collaborations. He's appearing on the next GAMMA RAY's album To The Metal singing the chorus of 'All You Need To Know', singing the bonus track 'The Ethereal Dream' by TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK, on the new AVANTASIA albums, and the duet-album for KISKE/SOMERVILLE.
Michael took a break from his work to answer a short interview of questions made by the fans the Kiske Official Fanclub Q&A section. A few excerpts from the first interview with Kiske are as follows:
Kiske: "Unisonic won't be just a mix of PLACE VENDOME and KISKE. You will certainly recognize the musicians . Dennis will always be Dennis. The same goes for me and Mandy etc. A bit of Place Vendome you will also here, just less eighties like produced, but we are working on our own fresh sound. UNISONIC will have more colours and less limitations."
Kiske: "We will play songs from Place Vendome, Unisonic and probably two of my older songs I re-recorded on Past In Different Ways album. I guess 'Kids Of The Century' and maybe 'A Little Time'. Especially Place Vendome deserves some live playing. But it will only be songs we have written."
Kiske about the new collaboration with Gamma Ray:
"I simply like Kai Hansen's personality. As we say here in Germany: He will always have a 'Stone In My Heart'. I connect the best Helloween years with him. When he asked me to sing a Song-Chorus and I heard the song , I liked some other songs on his album a bit more, but he wanted me to do that one. It's all typical Kai Hansen. Energetic, played with fun, and not negative at all."
Kiske about the new project KISKE/SOMERVILLE:
"Amanda Somerville is so good, that I very often thought, she should really sing it all... I wouldn't mind to step down and give her MUCH more parts to sing... Love her voice! I have no doubts that this will be a killer-album especially because of her."
American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT will embark on their first North American tour in two years this fall. Support on the trek will come from LEAVES' EYES and BLACKGUARD.
KAMELOT's upcoming tour will finally bring the band to cities it never played before in its career, including Philadelphia and Milwaukee. As an added treat, KAMELOT will offer special VIP ticketing in select cities. These tickets will include:
* Meet-and-greet with the band
* Early entrance to venue 60 minutes prior to door
* VIP laminate
* Signed poster
* VIP t-shirt
* One special VIP item yet to be determined
Fans with VIP tickets will gain entrance one hour prior to door times and will be permitted to stay in the venue once the meet-and-greet is finished.
The dates are as follows:
Sept. 08 - Lake Buena Vista, FL @ House of Blues *
Sep. 11 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx *
Sep. 14 - Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero
Sep. 15 - New York, NY @ Nokia Theatre *
Sep. 17 - Worcester, MA @ Palladium *
Sep. 18 - Montreal, QC @ Club Soda *
Sep. 19 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House
Sep. 21 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
Sep. 22 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave
Sep. 24 - Chicago, IL @ Logan Square Auditorium *
Sep. 25 - Minneapolis, MN @ First Ave
Sep. 27 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theatre
Sep. 29 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
Oct. 01 - West Hollywood , CA @ House of Blues *
Oct. 02 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues
* VIP tickets available
Tickets go on sale today exclusively at EnterTheVault.com until February 27, at which point they will be made available through all normal ticketing systems.
KAMELOT recently spent time at various studios — including the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany — under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth and Miro as producers working on the highly anticipated follow-up to "Ghost Opera". A spring release is expected.
"The new songs are really inspiring," stated guitarist Thomas Youngblood. "We feel the long touring and time away from writing has been perfect for new ideas and an aggressive approach to the new songs."
Bassist Glenn Barry left KAMELOT in December and was replaced by Sean Tibbetts.
KAMELOT will tour Europe with LEAVES' EYES in March and April 2010.
Melissa Auf der Maur (MAdM) is set to unveil the first chapter of her multimedia solo project OUT OF OUR MINDS (OOOM) with a new album set for release on March 16. Dynamic, multilayered and independently produced, OOOM is a 21st-century concept project that includes a solo album, short film, comic book , live performances, gallery presentations and several viral components. A "choose your own adventure" — one can collect and consume all the parts, or each part can exist on its own.
The album's lead single & title track is currently available now for free download via MAdM's web site. Fans will see the rest of the project unfold in various forms throughout 2010.
Melissa Auf der Maur said of the project, "OOOM began as a song. It was mid-first-decade of the 21st Century and technology had just begun to dismantle the music business towers. It was the best thing that could've ever happened to me. The landscape changed and I began to morph my roots in visual arts with the music. The many portals of OOOM invite listeners and viewers to discover on their own, at their own pace and in their own space. If you're listening, Come in…"
The OOOM album consists of 12 powerful tracks produced and mixed by top-flight creative collaborators including Jordon Zadorozny (SAM ROBERTS), Chris Goss (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE , UNKLE), Alan Molder (DEPECHE MODE, SMASHING PUMPKINS), and Mike Fraser (FRANZ FERDINAND, AC/DC). The album features a notable special duet with legendary Goth rocker Glenn Danzig on "Father's Grave". Other standout tracks are "Meet Me On The Dark Side" and "22 Below", which highlights MAdM's ability to fuse her bass rifts with captivating melodies.
Veteran Massachusetts metallers MELIAH RAGE have just announced a last-minute show as the support act for ANVIL at Boston's House of Blues this Saturday, January 16. "We are excited to play with ANVIL," stated MELIAH RAGE guitarist Anthony Nichols. "We share a similar history with them and both bands have been playing power metal for many years." MELIAH RAGE also has a show scheduled at Whiplash in Stoughton, Massachusetts on February 20.
"Masquerade", the new album from MELIAH RAGE, was released in September 2009 via Screaming Ferret/Metro City Records. The CD was recorded at The Outpost in Stoughton, Massachusetts and was mastered in November 2008 by producer Rich Spillberg (WARGASM), who has worked with everyone from STEEL ASSASSIN to JOSH GROBAN. According to the group, "The music on the record is much faster and heavier than the past few records and features a guest appearance by METAL CHURCH frontman Ronny Munroe."
After singer Paul Souza exited the band in late 2007, a six-month search for a suitable replacement began, which led to a dead end. That is, until producer Rich Spillberg suggested that they contact Munro and get back to their roots.
Having left MELIAH RAGE over a decade ago, Munro is back for more, joining bandmates Anthony Nichols (guitar), Jim Koury (guitar), Darren Lourie (bass), and Stu Dowie (drums).
Originally formed in 1985, MELIAH RAGE was often associated with the then-burgeoning thrash metal scene, which resulted in a major label contract and their 1988 metal classic, "Kill to Survive". In the ensuing years, the group played with some of metal's most renowned names — SLAYER, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, MANOWAR, MORBID ANGEL, METAL CHURCH, and NUCLEAR ASSAULT. The group also included GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna in their ranks (as a drummer) during the early '90s.
"The Evolution Of Chaos", the long-awaited new album from reactivated San Francisco Bay Area thrashers HEATHEN, has had its U.S. release date moved forward to February 16 from the previously announced March 31. It can now be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.
"The Evolution Of Chaos" was released in Japan on December 23, 2009 via King Records. The CD will be made available on January 25 in Europe via Holland's Mascot Records.
"The Evolution Of Chaos" cover artwork can be viewed below. Photos from the recording sessions are available in the "Pics" section of the band's MySpace page (free registration required to view pictures).
The band's current lineup includes Lee Altus (guitar; EXODUS), Kragen Lum (guitar; PROTOTYPE), Dave White (vocals), Jon Torres (bass; ANGELWITCH) and returning drummer Darren Minter.
"The Evolution Of Chaos" track listing:
01. Dying Season
02. Control By Chaos
03. No Stone Unturned
04. Arrows Of Agony
05. Fade Away
06. A Heroe's Welcome
07. Undone
08. Bloodkult
09. Red Tears Of Disgrace
10. Silent Nothingness
FnA Records is excited to finally be releasing the first three albums (and EP) from the DIRTY LOOKS catalog. The albums consist of the self-titled EP released in 1984 combined with the band's self-titled full-length release from 1985; the second full-length album, entitled "In Your Face" and originally released in 1986; and the third of the pre-major label albums, entitled "I Want More" and originally released in 1987. All three of the albums and the EP were released on vinyl only and in extremely limited quantities, but have now been fully remastered for digital and compact disc release.
FnA Records has spent countless man hours and resources to bring the die-hard fan a fully remastered and truly enjoyable and listenable end product. Those lucky few fans that own the original vinyl recordings (and those that have had to suffer with lackluster bootleg copies over the decades) will truly notice the enhanced sound. Additionally, all three albums contain a never-before-released-bonus track(s), lyrics, and new album cover art.
** "Dirty Looks": As if it wasn't hard enough to find this mega-rare album on its vinyl-only release, FnA Records ups the anty by adding a never-before-released bonus track "And I Do" and then takes it one step further by giving you the impossible to find original 1984 fou- song EP (originally pressed in extreme limited quantities). All 15 tracks have been digitally remastered to enhance the listeners enjoyment. Lastly, this first release will be released in digipack format.
** "In Your Face": Originally released in 1986 as a vinyl-only release, "In Your Face" was the album that helped DIRTY LOOKS become acquainted with both American radio and the underground hard rock fan. FnA Records makes this very rare vinyl-only release available to the fans for the first time on CD and adds a bonus track "Nevermore".
** "I Want More": Originally released in 1987 as a vinyl-only release, "I Want More" was the album that helped lead to a bidding war by the majors for DIRTY LOOKS. FnA Records makes this very rare vinyl-only release available to the fans for the first time on CD and adds TWO never-before-released bonus tracks — "Smell The Gasoline" and the very unlike DIRTY LOOKS tune "Narcissist". The "I Want More" tracks have been digitally remastered to enhance the listener's enjoyment. For those that are familiar with these early recordings, they might recall that some of the tracks were a little tough to listen to due to the constraints of the time. However, a full remastering job by a hard rock engineer and the lyrics included in the artwork will help the listener to enjoy DIRTY LOOKS like they never have before.
All three albums are slated for release in the second week of January 2010. Fans have the option of buying each album individually, as a three-pack at a discounted price, or as an autographed collector's fan edition (limited to 100 signed copies of each album and includes a DIRTY LOOKS T-shirt or laminate. The albums are available directly from the label at www.fnarecords.net, digitally through Sony , and at fine retail outlets like Impulse Music.
FnA Records, LLC is a new record label formed in 2009 to bring rockers and metalheads some of the best unreleased and hard-to-find music from the '80s and early '90s.
EXHORDER and CROWBAR will team up for a special concert on February 12 on Mardi Gras weekend at The Hanger (1511 South Rendon Street) in New Orleans, Louisiana. This will mark the first time these two bands have played together since December 1991. Doors open for 9 p.m. and support comes from recently reunited New Orleans grind band FLESH PARADE.
For more information, see the poster below.
Video footage of EXHORDER's November 14, 2009 concert at Southport Hall in Jefferson, Louisiana can be viewed below (courtesy of "Holderbeast666"). The show marked the band's first live performance since its March 2001 reunion appearances at Zeppelin's in Metairie, Louisiana.
The group's encore consisted of a medley of S.O.D.'s "March of the S.O.D.", "Sargent D and the S.O.D." and "United Forces", a cover of the punk rock classic "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight" (by THE REZILLOS) and "Ripping Flesh" from EXHORDER's 1986 "Get Rude" demo — a song they hadn't played since 1989.
EXHORDER's lineup for the show was as follows:
Kyle Thomas - Vocals
Vinnie Labella - Guitar
Jay Ceravolo - Guitar
Chris Nail - Drums
Frankie Sparcello - Bass
Poland's Metal Mind Productions re-released the two albums (1990's "Slaughter in the Vatican " and 1992's "The Law") from EXHORDER in May 2008. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) was made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
CROWBAR will support Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA on their upcoming European tour. Also scheduled to appear are HAMLET and GAMA BOMB.
CROWBAR recently parted ways with guitarist Steve Gibb and replaced him with Matthew Brunson, bassist of KINGDOM OF SORROW (the band featuring CROWBAR guitarist/vocalist Kirk Windstein). Windstein states, "We, of course, all remain very good friends with Steve Gibb, but his personal training business and gym are doing great, I'm happy to report, but that, and his family at home, simply do not give him the time to play with CROWBAR any longer. We love him dearly and thank him for his dedication while he was jamming with CROWBAR."
CROWBAR's November 20, 2009 concert at the City Club in Houma, Louisiana was recorded for an upcoming live album. The CD is expected to be released later this year via DOWN/ex-PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo's record label Housecore Records.
CROWBAR's forthcoming box set, which will also be released via Housecore, will include the full self-titled demo from the pre-CROWBAR band THE SLUGS that was recorded in April 1990. Songs include "Subversion", "A Breed Apart", "My Agony", "No Quarter" (LED ZEPPELIN cover), "My 4 Walls" and the unreleased track "Brain Freeze".
CROWBAR will re-release the majority of its back catalog through Housecore Records. Also planned is a CD of new material.
Florida metallers TRIVIUM will enter the studio this coming week to record a new song, entitled "Shattering The Skies Above", for the digital extended play (EP) soundtrack for the highly anticipated PlayStation3 (PS3) exclusive videogame "God of War III". The EP, titled "God of War: Blood & Metal", will be released in March via Roadrunner Records as a part of the "God of War III Ultimate Edition", and will feature four other previously unreleased songs from Roadrunner artists — KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DREAM THEATER, OPETH and TAKING DAWN.
"Shattering The Skies Above" will mark the recording debut of drummer Nick Augusto, a former TRIVIUM drum tech and a member of the band MARUTA (Willowtip Records), who appears to have permanently replaced TRIVIUM's longtime skinsman Travis Smith (although this has not yet been officially confirmed by the group).
Smith sat out the second leg of the band's North American "Into The Mouth Of Hell" tour in order to take care of "some personal business" at home.
"['Shattering The Skies Above'] has been in the works for a bit, actually," TRIVIUM bassist Paolo Gregoletto told U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine back in December. "The first main riff I came up with on the SLIPKNOT tour we did in the U.S. in February 2009. I was having trouble coming up with anything that followed it well. Once I heard we had the chance to be a part of the game's EP, I really wanted to give this riff a chance to be in the song. We started collaborating on the riffs, structure, and started jamming it at rehearsals."
He continued, "Everyone keeps asking what it sounds like, more like 'Shogun' or 'Ascendancy', and the only way I can really describe it is as being very intense and energetic."
Consumers who purchase the "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will receive a voucher code to download the tracks, as well as downloadable music in the form of the "God of War Trilogy" soundtrack. Fans will also receive a special code to download a director's cut of "God of War: Unearthing the Legend", a full-length movie documentary depicting the history of the "God of War" franchise, access to an exclusive "God of War Challenge Arena" environment with up to seven unique challenges, an exclusive Kratos skin, and a limited-edition art book.
The "God of War III Ultimate Edition" will retail for $99.99 (MSRP).
"When we were initially asked to write an original song for the game, we were slightly perplexed since we've never actually written a track for something other than a TRIVIUM record," said TRIVIUM guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy. "But we answered the call as we are fans of the game. Writing the song was a fun experience. We started piecing riffs together on tour and then we really put time into the song when we got home and had the chance to go into the practice space to work on our ideas as a group. This new song captures a certain energy we've been trying to harness on record as well, as it will show all our fans worldwide where TRIVIUM is heading musically in the future."
For more information about "God of War", visit www.GodofWar.com.
SPV/Steamhammer has set a March 1 European release date for "Anger, Roots & Rock N' Roll", the new EP from the German "punk 'n' roll" band ENGRAINED.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Traitor
02. Pretty City
03. Leave You Behind
04. Rock n Roll Scum
05. Plastic Bomb (POISON IDEA cover)
ENGRAINED was formed in Sarstedt (near Hannover), Germany in the early Nineties as a three-headed hardcore band. Originally consisting of Axel Niklowitz on drums, Jens "Fenne" Fennekohl bass/vocals and Olaf "Stoffi" Krebs on guitar, the band's first relevant release was a six-track CD called "Capricious" in 1992. This recording was followed by many different smaller releases and loads of appearances on samplers, including a HÜSKER DÜ tribute album.
ENGRAINED is:
Fenne - Vocals/bass
Schorse - Guitar
Carlos - Guitar
Gonkel - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/engrained.
Chicago's NOVEMBERS DOOM will embark on the 20th Anniversary European Tour next month. Support on the trek will come from KATHAARSYS.
The dates are as follows:
Feb. 19 - Lisboa, Portugal - Side B
Feb. 20 - Madrid, Spain - Ritmo Y Compas
Feb. 21 - Valencia, Spain - Xy Rock
Feb. 22 - Barcelona, Spain - Mephisto
Feb. 25 - Antwerp, Belgium - Pandemonium
Feb. 26 - Uden, Holland - De Nieuwe Pul
Feb. 27 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
NOVEMBERS DOOM's seventh studio album, "Into Night's Requiem Infernal", was released last July 7 through The End Records. The CD was recorded at Belle City Sound, tracked by Chris Djuricic (engineer and NOVEMBERS DOOM bassist), and mixed by Dan Swanö at Unisound in Örebro, Sweden.
"Into Night's Requiem Infernal" track listing:
01. Into Night's Requiem Infernal
02. Eulogy for the Living Lost
03. Empathy's Greed
04. The Fifth Day of March
05. Lazarus Regret
06. I Hurt Those I Adore
07. The Harlots Lie
08. When Desperation Fills the Void
NOVEMBERS DOOM is:
Paul Kuhr - Vocals
Larry Roberts - Guitar
Vito Marchese - Guitar
Chris Djuricic - Bass
Sasha Horn - Drums
England's VIKING SKULL has been rejoined by the band's original guitarist Frank Regan. According to a posting on the group's MySpace page, "[VIKING SKULL] are hard at work writing the next album at the moment, due to be released later in the year and it's shaping up to be the best yet. Going back to the roots on this record — balls-out, meat-and-potatoes riffs (as always), but having the humour of [2003's] 'Chapter One' and [2005's] 'Born in Hell'."
VIKING SKULL's lineup for the forthcoming record will be as follows:
Roddy Stone - Vocals
Jess Margera - Drums
Kevin "Waldie" James - Bass
Dom Wallace - Guitar
Frank Regan - Guitar
VIKING SKULL's video for the song "Hair of the Dog" can be viewed below. The clip was filmed at The Note and various locations in and around the West Chester, Pennsylvania area where director, "Jackass" creator/mastermind Bam Margera, lives. The song comes from the band's latest album, "Doom Gloom Heartache & Whiskey", which was released in November 2008 via Powerage Rock/Candlelight.
As the lone American in the band, Jess Margera remembers his initial introduction to the 'SKULL. "I think [six] years ago was the first time I heard VIKING SKULL get played on the jukebox at the Crobar in London. The whole place went insane. It was kind of like when I was a kid hearing 'Back in Black' for the first time. I bought everyone there a shot of Makers mark and a beer."
With limited support and resources, VIKING SKULL have single-handedly created their own early opportunities. Independently recording their first release for a whopping $500, their 2003 mini-album titled "Chapter One" remains the only album to score 11 out of 10 in England's Metal Hammer. The band's full length debut, "Born in Hell", was released in 2005. While finding limited stateside exposure in Europe the band continued to build on a growing fanbase and profile. Tours with CLUTCH and CKY would see them through the year setting up the recording of their second album. "Chapter Two" would be released in early 2007 and featured guest appearances from members of FIREBALL MINISTRY. It would also feature the first contributions from Margera (also a member of CKY and stoner super-group THE COMPANY BAND).
THE FYREDOGS, the German rock and roll band fronted by GRAVE DIGGER vocalist Chris Boltendahl, has completed work on its debut album at the Comude Studios in Cologne, Germany. Entitled "Hellfyre Rock 'n' Roll", the CD will released on March 12 via Golden Core / Zyx Music.
According to a press release, THE FYREDOGS' music can best be described as "an explosive mixture between SOCIAL DISTORTION, RAMONES and MOTÖRHEAD."
A video for the song "Down By Law" will be filmed in early February and will make its online debut later that same month.
THE FYREDOGS will perform live at a record-release party on March 6 at the Sonic Ballroom in Cologne.
THE FYREDOGS is :
Chris "The Reaper" Boltendahl - Vocals
Doc B.Danger - Guitar
Pete O'Haira - Guitar
Randy Starr - Drums
Anger - Bass
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/fyredogs.
Ulterium Records has announced the signing of the Swedish melodic metal band AUDIOVISION. The group's new album, "Focus", will be released in the spring.
AUDIOVISION is:
Christian Liljegren (DIVINEFIRE, ex-NARNIA) - Vocals
Simeon Liljegren (ex-MODEST ATTRACTION) – Bass, Vocals
Torbjörn Weinesjö (VENI DOMINE) - Guitars & Vocals
Thomas Weinesjö (VENI DOMINE, SAVIOUR MACHINE) - Drums
Olov Andersson (GRAND STAND) – Keyboards , Vocals
AUDIOVISION will support STRYPER on the following European dates:
Jan. 26 - Markthalle - Hamburg, Germany
Jan. 27 - Trädgårn - Gothenburg, Sweden
Jan. 28 - KB - Malmö, Sweden
AUDIOVISION's two new songs from "Focus" — "Invitation" and "Keep The Fire Burning" — will be performed live for the very first time at these shows.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/audiovisionsweden.
Swedish melodic rockers M.ILL.ION will enter the studio in February to begin recording their next album, tentatively due before the end of the year via Metal Heaven in Europe. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Test Of Time", "Everyday Hero", "Sane And Insanity" and "I Raise My Glass".
Commented the band: "Songwriting has been going really well. The new lineup — with Angelo Modafferi on keys and Andreas Grövle on guitar — rocks big time! The energy and genuine band vibe is there and it's smiles all around. We're all very excited and intend to deliver one mother of an album!"
M.ILL.ION's sixth studio album, "Thrill Of The Chase", was released in May 2008 via Metal Heaven. The CD was recorded between November 2007 and January 2008. Mixing was done in February 2008 at the world-class Bohus Studio (ABBA, STATUS QUO) in Sweden by Tobias Lindell and B.J Laneby.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/millionized.
KILL ALL, the Norwegian thrash band which features in its ranks former members of DISIPLIN, has issued the following update:
"After a couple of silent years, we're finally back! Due to education and other commitments KILL ALL have more or less been on ice for a LONG time. New songs are in the making, and the demo will be out during spring time. We are aiming for a four-piece lineup so if you possess the gift of a brutal voice and decent bass/guitar-skills please contact us at kkorrupt@yahoo.no!! Burning ambitions, hunger for conquest and will to KILL ALL!"
KILL ALL's first demo, "Urge to Annihilation", featured the tracks "Hatecrime", "Coldblooded Revolution" and "Hunting the Deceiver". Check it out on the band's official MySpace page.
According to KILL ALL's official bio, the band "formed in 2004 after Marius, Stefan and Lars Stian left their former band DISIPLIN. The band found a [suitable] name for their world view: KILL ALL! In 2006 a demo was recorded entitled 'Urge to Annihilate'. Three tracks of blistering groovy, thrashy, twisted metal . In search for a singer for the demo the band asked longtime friend Secthdamon (ZYKLON, MYRKSKOG, ODIUM, EMPEROR), he accepted, and did one hell of a job!"
Estonian metallers METSATÖLL have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
1349
ALICE COOPER
ARCH ENEMY
AMORPHIS
ATROCITY
BROILERS
CALIBAN
CANDLEMASS
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORVUS CORAX
CRUCIFIED BARBARA
DEBAUCHERY
DELAIN
DESPISED ICON
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DIE KASSIERER
EDGUY
EQUILIBRIUM
END OF GREEN
ENDSTILLE
EVILE
FIDDLER'S GREEN
GHOST BRIGADE
GRAVE DIGGER
HACKNEYED
IHSAHN
IMMORTAL
IRON MAIDEN
KAMPFAR
KATAKLYSM
LAKE OF TEARS
LETZTE INSTANZ
MAROON
METSATÖLL
MÖTLEY CRÜE
NIGHTMARE
ORDEN OGAN
ORPHANED LAND
PRIMAL FEAR
SCHELMISH
SECRETS OF THE MOON
SLAYER
SÓLSTAFIR
STRATOVARIUS
SUICIDAL ANGELS
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
THE OTHER
TIAMAT
TYR
U.D.O.
VARG
VOIVOD
W.A.S.P.
Due to a medical condition that is currently restricting his playing, Lord Tim of long-running Australian metallers LORD has been forced to forego guitar-playing duties with his band for up to a year. The group is currently seeking a stand-in.
"We're after a guitarist to fill in temporarily for me while I rest my hands, and I take the mic as a singer only," he writes on the group's official forum. "Not sure how long it'll be for, but the doctor suggested at least six months to a year to get them back on track. I'd like to think it won't take anywhere near that long, but I need to do what I need to do at the end of the day.
For more information, go to this location.
LORD's video for the song "New Horizons" can be viewed below. The track comes off the band's latest album, "Set In Stone", which was released in the band's home country in late August 2009 via Riot! Entertainment. According to Lord Tim, the clip "has footage from all of the touring we've done this year so far and I think it really gets across the idea of how much travelling and endless waiting around we do between shows."
The cover art was once again created by Felipe Machado Franco, who has previously worked with ICED EARTH, BLAZE BAYLEY and AXEL RUDI PELL, among others.
Lord Tim previously stated about the new CD, "Every artist says their new album will be their best work yet, but in this case rather than saying that, I would describe this as not necessarily better than our last album, but more so this is more true to what LORD is about; the definitive LORD album as it were. If I were to draw comparisons between LORD and DUNGEON [the band that spawned LORD when it disbanded in 2005], 'Ascendence' would be the equivalent of the 'Resurrection' album, and 'Set In Stone' would be the equivalent of 'A Rise To Power' — the album where most people would agree DUNGEON really hit its stride."
LORD was born from the ashes for DUNGEON, one of Australia's longest-running and most well-known metal bands until their dissolution in 2005. The band has gone on to tour with QUEENSRŸCHE, NIGHTWISH , SAXON, NEVERMORE, GAMMA RAY and more, and have released two albums — "A Personal Journey" and "Ascendence" — and an EP, "Hear No Evil", which contained a cover of the KYLIE MINOGUE song "On A Night Like This", which has gained national mainstream Australian radio airplay.
Germany's DEADLOCK will support LACUNA COIL on the German leg of the Italian band's upcoming headlining tour.
Commented DEADLOCK: "This tour marks a perfect finish for the 'Manifesto' album cycle just to start working with high pressure on the next album after returning home from the trek. There are already some very promising and surprising new ideas, so stay tuned."
Upcoming DEADLOCK shows:
May 19 - Lörrach, Germany - Altes Wasserwerk
May 20 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club *
May 21 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust *
May 22 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal *
May 24 - Cologne, Germany - Essigfabrik *
May 25 - Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage *
May 26 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle *
May 27 - Erfurt, Germany - Unikum
Jun. 25-27 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Metal Meeting
* With LACUNA COIL, DOMMIN
DEADLOCK's "The Brave / Agony Applause" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Philipp Hirsch (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, AMON AMARTH, DISILLUSION). The track comes off the group's latest album, "Manifesto", which was released in Europe in November 2008 via Lifeforce Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Wolves" was mixed by Jacob Hansen (MERCENARY, VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY) and was released in several different formats. The artwork and design for "Manifesto" was handled by Adam Wentworth, who had previously worked with BEYONCÉ, COHEED AND CAMBRIA and A LIFE ONCE LOST.
SARKE, UNDER THAT SPELL and MILKING THE GOATMACHINE have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Party.San Open Air festival, set to take place August 12-14, 2010 in Bad Berka, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AURA NOIR
CANNIBAL CORPSE
DEMONICAL
DEVOURMENT
MÅNEGARM
MERRIMACK
MILKING THE GOATMACHINE
MONSTROSITY
NECROPHAGIST
OFERMOD
SARKE
SUFFOCATION
SUICIDAL ANGELS
THE CROWN
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
TRIBULATION
UNDER THAT SPELL
VARG
WATAIN
More acts will be announced soon.
California' metallers THROWDOWN will host an episode of MTV2's "Headbanger's Ball" on January 19 at 3:00 a.m. They will debut two brand new music videos for the songs "This Continuum" and "The Scythe" from their latest full-length album, "Deathless". Frontman Dave Peters will also answer questions about the new record, where the band has been and where it is headed in 2010.
The clips for "The Scythe" and "This Continuum" are more than just traditional music videos. Instead, they are two "scenes" from a shortform feature film inspired by "Deathless" directed by Cale Glendening, who had made acclaimed documentaries for DEMON HUNTER and RELIENT K. "We stepped back and asked ourselves what would we'd appreciate from our favorite bands," Peters explained. "And we wanted to offer [something unique] to our fans."
"Deathless" sold 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD came out in the U.S. on November 10 through E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The CD, which will be made available in Europe on January 22, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced by Mudrock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK, POWERMAN 5000) and was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and SHADOWS FALL, among others. The artwork was created by Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature and DEMON HUNTER.
"Deathless" is the band's fourth album with Dave Peters as frontman and primary songwriter, its second with guitarist Mark Choiniere (who joined the band in 2005) and first with bassist Mark Mitchell. Drummer Jarrod Alexander (ex-DEATH BY STEREO), who performed on the band's breakthrough "Haymaker" album in 2003, returned to work on "Deathless".
BareBonesMusic.com conducted an interview with Dave Peters when THROWDOWN played Covington, Kentucky on December 6, 2009. Watch the chat below.
New Jersey metallers GOD FORBID are back with a vengeance kicking off the New Year with a bang as they have just replaced THROWDOWN on the upcoming FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH North American tour. This massive trek, which kicks off on January 21, will now lead the band directly into their final run of the "Earthsblood" album cycle with KITTIE this March.
Commented guitarist Doc Coyle: "This is quite a surprise to announce GOD FORBID's participation in the FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, SHADOWS FALL and 2CENTS tour.
"This was a tour we were looking at when it was first being put together, so the fact that we eventually landed it, even though it was a last-minute thing, is a stroke of good fortune. We do wish our friends in THROWDOWN well, and hope whatever happened turns out OK in the end.
"Big thanks to FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH for bringing us out! We have become good friends with them over the last couple years, and the fact that they are making this huge gesture is awesome.
"We go all the way back with our brothers in SHADOWS FALL to our first tour in 2000, so this will be another trip around the rodeo with some old friends.
"We've never toured with 2CENTS, but know Adair from MANTTIS and the other guys seem super cool. Combined with the spring tour with LAMB OF GOD and the summer [Rockstar] Mayhem Festival, this will be the most successful U.S. touring cycle GOD FORBID has ever had, so it's a big reason to be positive in 2010!
"In other news, we will be heading out with our friends in KITTIE for a few weeks in March mainly focusing on the Northeast. One of the sickest new bands around, PERIPHERY, will open the first part of the tour, and GWEN STACY will open the second part. This will more than likely be the last tour before getting back to working on a new album.
"This past fall and winter has been a refocusing period on a personal and business level for GOD FORBID figuring what the next phase of this band will be.
"Another announcement is that Matt Wicklund (WARREL DANE, ex-HIMSA) is our new guitar player . He relocated to New Jersey and immediately started contributing new material. Along with being a great guy, he fit in with all of us really well, and it seemed like a no-brainer.
"It's hard to say what the new material will be like, but so far I can say it's going to be very hook-oriented, and obviously without [former guitarist] Dallas [Coyle], it will have a different vibe. Matt and I have very similar musical tastes, but he comes from a more trained background in theory which should create an interesting dynamic. He is also a very good lead guitar player, so there will probably be more solos.
"As soon as we do a new photo shoot, we will update all of our websites with Matt."
GOD FORBID's last album, "Earthsblood", sold around 5,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan, to land at position No. 110 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD debuted at No. 2 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.
GOD FORBID's previous album, "IV: Constitution of Treason", entered The Billboard 200 chart at No. 119 in September 2005 after shifting 8,300 units.
Veteran Swedish metallers ENTOMBED are the final band to be confirmed for the Close-Up Båten cruise.
For the fourth time, Close-Up Båten will sail from Stockholm, Sweden to Finland on February 25, 2010 and return the following day.
Confirmed bands:
BULLET
CALIBAN
CULT OF LUNA
DEATHSTARS
ENTOMBED
SONIC SYNDICATE
TRIBULATION
CULT OF LUNA is currently taking an extended break from touring, but will make an exception for Close-Up Båten and two additional dates in Finland.
"I don't see a tour in the foreseeable future," says guitarist Johannes Persson (also of KHOMA). "We've done quite a lot of touring in support of 'Eternal Kingdom'. There won't be a European tour for quite some time and that's a promise."
For more information, go to www.closeupmagazine.net.
Boris Randall (formerly of HALLOWMAS) has joined NECROPHAGIA and will appear on the band's long-awaited new album, "Deathtrip 69", which is now scheduled for a Halloween 2010 release. Boris and NECROPHAGIA frontman Frank "Killjoy" Pucci have been working on material for the CD, which will mark the group's first all-new release in over five years. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Suffering Comes in Sixes", "Reborn Through Blackmass", "Celluliod Screams" and "Bleeding Eyes of the Eternally Damned".
NECROPHAGIA's forthcoming CD will feature contributions by Opal Enthroned. She was originally a member of the band during the period when her now ex-husband Philip Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN) was playing guitar for NECROPHAGIA.
Opal made her NECRO debut on the "Cannibal Holocaust" EP in 2001. She also worked with Pucci and Anselmo in the now-defunct raw black metal project VIKING CROWN.
ZONARIA and CARACH ANGREN have been confirmed as the support acts for DARK FUNERAL's upcoming European tour . On the U.K. leg of the trek, AKERCOCKE will also appear. Another band that will participate in the entire tour will be announced shortly.
Commented DARK FUNERAL guitarist Lord Ahriman: "I can't wait to hit the road throughout Europe again. It feels like ages ago since we last toured here (2005/2006). And to make up for this rather long absence from our European fans, to support and celebrate the release of our latest masterpiece, 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus', we are going to bring out and offer you our biggest and most professional production yet! And as you perhaps can tell, I'm really excited about this. This will be insane! I'm also glad we have managed to put together a truly strong and musically interesting bill for this tour. And I am totally convinced that this will be a killer tour in all aspects. So raise those metal horns high. And we will see you in March/April!!!
For a complete list of dates, visit www.myspace.com/darkfuneral.
"Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus", the new album from DARK FUNERAL, will be released in North America on January 26 via Regain Records. The CD , which was made available in most European countries between November 18 and November 27, was recorded at Abyss Studio in Grangärde, Sweden with famed engineer and legendary producer Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY). Nine songs are featured on the effort, which is being described in a press release as "the band's most technical and varied album to date. And while still being true to their roots, they have taken a great step forward in the evolution of their brand of fine Swedish black metal. 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus' is, from the very beginning to the end, a hell ride you simply don't want to miss!"
The "Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus" cover artwork was created by Morbid (Daniel Valeriani).
"Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus" was released in a couple of different formats, including a two-disc limited edition containing one CD and one live DVD. The bonus live DVD features approximately 55 minutes of previously unreleased material professionally filmed with six cameras during the band's 15th anniversary show at the Peace & Love festival on June 28, 2008 in Borlänge, Sweden. The album will also include two versions (soft and hardcore) of the band's brand new video, "My Funeral".
Danish extreme metallers CORPUS MORTALE are currently writing material for their third album, tentatively due before the end of the year. The band states, "The early 2010 recording plan has been broken; instead a good bet will be around April and May. No hurry, no stress, no compromise. We still need to finish off a few songs before we're ready, so nothing has been booked yet." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Feasting Upon Souls", "Tempt Not The Knife" and "Enthralled".
CORPUS MORTALE released its second full-length album, "A New Species of Deviant", in September 2007 via Neurotic Records. The CD features the artwork of the label's in-house artist Joel Sta.
Finnish death/thrash metallers HATEFORM have issued the following update:
"A couple of years of playing gigs, little lineup changes and other shit hitting the fan, and again it's time for a new HATEFORM album to emerge.
"The recordings for the upcoming album just started at the Ansa studio and the release date is set for spring 2010. The new guy behind the drums, Tuomo Latvala [TORTURE KILLER, DEMIGOD], already took charge and blasted in some amazing drum work.
"This far the album consists of such working titles as 'Flight Attendants Biological Clock' and 'RailCripple'. The ten tracks will be laid down on an open schedule this time, as the extra stress set by a tight deadline doesn't seem to help in getting the best result. Although the idea is to get the album done before the summer.
"The papers have been written with 7:45 Records once again and the co-operation will continue from where we left off last time, which happened to be the Newcomer of the Year 2008 award at the Finnish Metal Expo last year."
HATEFORM's debut album, "Dominance", was recorded and mixed at Palmgren Conservatory and Ansa Studios by Jori Haukio and Teemu Heinola. It was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox. The cover art was created by Ville Hautaluoma.
Formed in 2004, HATEFORM previously recorded two demos and received "Demo of the Month" accolades from all major Finnish music publications (Imperiumi, Inferno and Soundi). In addition, it performed dozens of gigs with such acts as DIABLO, PAIN CONFESSOR and MOKOMA.
HATEFORM is:
Tomy Laisto (guitar)
Petri Nyström (vocals)
Tom Gardiner (guitar)
Tuomo Latvala (drums)
Joni Suodenjärvi (bass)
For more information, visit www.hateform.net.
Candlelight Records has announced the signing of U.K.'s WODENSTHRONE.
Commented the band: "WODENSTHRONE are very excited to be working with Candlelight Records; a label that has always embraced quality black metal and pioneered many artists we hold in high esteem. To be on the same label as one of our biggest influences, EMPEROR, is an incredible and humbling achievement for us. We hope this new alliance with one of metal's most recognizable labels will take us to a new level in our musical careers and give us the opportunity to expose our art to a wider audience and finally take our live performances beyond the shores of Albion. The band hope this is the start of a lasting relationship with Candlelight and we are convinced that U.K. black metal is heading for a renaissance under their banner."
WODENSTHRONE was formed in Winterfylleð of 2005, in the Sundered Lands of North Eastern England, by founding members Brunwulf, Wildeþrýð, Gerádwine, and Hréowsian.
In these formative days, the clan's sound was raw and primitive, but still hinted at a sense of sorrow, with lyrics focusing on the darker aspects of England's history.
However, by Eostremonað of 2006, the clan's music had developed both technically and melodically, and so Æðelwalh was recruited on synths. It was at this point that WODENSTHRONE truly began to resemble their current incarnation, growing both musically and conceptually.
After a number of live assaults, the clan self-recorded the song "A Tribute To Our Glorious Dead" on a 16-track, and thus the split seven-inch single with fellow kinsmen NIROTH was born. The clan also entered the studio to record two more songs, "Scinlaeca" and "These Isolated Lands", which would eventually emerge on the "Over The Binding Of The Waves" split CD with FOLKVANG (Belarus) on Ancient Nation Records.
However, the clan still felt incomplete, and so comrade Eldbeorn joined the clan on guitar in the Blotmonað of 2006, completing the lineup and adding further depths of melody and savagery to the clan's sound.
At the dawn of 2007, despite being hindered by personal circumstances, the clan re-entered the studio to record "The Scouring" and to put the finishing touches to their material for the split with FOLKVANG.
In Ðrimilcemonað of 2007, the clan were greatly honoured to appear live alongside NEGURA BUNGET and Fen in the Sundered Lands; one of the defining moments in the band's history. Later that month the clan also confirmed their alliance with Bindrune Recordings, and began focusing on their debut full-length.
During the Weodmonað of 2007, Eldbeorn decided to leave the clan for personal reasons, and so Rædwalh, of THAT HIDEOUS STRENGTH, was asked to join in his stead. His addition to the band has cemented the twin-guitar approach WODENSTHRONE values and feels best captures their spirit in the live setting.
While spending time with NEGURA BUNGET in Ðrimilcemonað of 2007, the clan were made an offer to record their then-written debut album, "Loss", in Romania. The Liða of 2008 saw that opportunity realized when "Loss" was recorded during a two week period at Negura Studios in Timisoara. With Huppogramos and Arioch at the studio helm, the band worked arduously in the oppressive heat of a Transylvanian summer to craft the album, ensuring that no fine details of their musical vision were undeveloped. During that fortnight, with no time to even begin to mix their opus, the clan worked late into every night to record their performances ready for the final masterstrokes, which were provided by Huppogramos, lasting into early 2009.
Like any work of art carefully crafted over a long period of time, "Loss" represents a journey as cathartic and rewarding as it was tiring and testing. And now it finally stands as a bold testament not only to the aforementioned journey itself but also as a majestic threnody to Old Albion. With its release, WODENSTHRONE intend to carve their own path through black metal and, while paying homage to the many muses of old, shed new light on the progressive wave of art they have come to represent.
Upon the clan's return to their homeland, and after much consideration since their journey to Romania, it was decided that Æðelwalh would leave WODENSTHRONE due to personal differences with the band. After searching for a suitable replacement, Árfæst has now joined the clan to provide keys and ambience as well as add to the lore of WODENSTHRONE due to his involvement with the enigmatic THE AXIS OF PERDITION, AUREOLIS (also featuring Hréowsian and Rædwalh) and PHALEG, among others. The band will develope their sound and strengthen their unity even further with the addition of Árfæst.
Swedish technical death metallers SOREPTION will release their debut album, "Deterioration Of Minds", on March 3 via Ninetone Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and produced by Tommy Rehn (ANGTORIA) at Sidelake, Ninetone and Blue Oyster Studios.
"Deterioration Of Minds" track listing:
01. 5
02. 6
03. 7
04. 8
05. 9
06. 10
07. 11
08. 12
SOREPTION's debut MCD/DVD release, "Illuminate the Excessive", was issued in June 2008 via Cube 1 Records. The effort was recorded, mixed and produced at Sidelake Studios by Tommy and Chris Rehn from ANGTORIA. The CD also featured artwork by Chris Rehn.
Formed in 2005, SOREPTION specializes in "technically and artistically advanced riffs topped with in-your-face brutal vocals," according to a press release. "These twenty-year old guys perform their songs quickly, brutally and highly technical with musicality and finesse. A very unusual combination especially for a band as young as SOREPTION."
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/soreption.
German progressive black metallers SECRETS OF THE MOON have recruited their live guitarist Ar as a permanent member of the band.
Commented mainman sG: "After nearly 60 shows with this guy, we can assure that he's the right person for this job.
"We always wanted the band to be complete again but we were careful. He went through a lot of highs and lows, through darkness and light with us. He succeeded and became a grand fellow. The time has come to offer him a permanent position within our circle. Welcome!
"I started working on on the follow-up of '2009's] 'Privilegivm' (working title: 'Seven Bells'). We are going to enter the studio in summer 2010.
"I feel it will become a very special album for the band. Much is going to change, much is getting even deeper and disruptive. We are alive. Moreover, I worked on some special releases with Stefan Belda (Prophecy Productions).
"People might not believe in the releases of 'Antithesis' and 'The Ambience Of A Dead Star' on our all-beloved format any longer, but it's going to happen soon. And there's even one more oddity to be released.
"Everything occurs at the right time... ."
SECRETS OF THE MOON is:
Ar - Guitar
LSK - Bass
sG - Guitar and Vocals
T. Thelemnar - Drums
"Privilegivm" was produced by Markus Stock and was mastered by Peter in De Betou at Stockholm, Sweden's Tailor Maid Production.
SECRETS OF THE MOON belongs to the most prestigious group of bands in the German black metal underground, with their first demo release dating back to 1995. The band was formed out of the ashes of one of the very first black metal outfits stemming from German scene, MARTYRIUM.
Montreal progressive death metal act AUGURY is seeking a drummer for its upcoming tour with THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, OBSCURA and HATESPHERE. The trek will run from February 24 to March 24. Interest parties can contact the group at info@augurymetal.com.
Drummer Antoine Baril announced his departure from AUGURY last November. He stated at the time, "Some personal and professional reasons made multiple touring impossible for me at the moment." He added, "I wish all the best for AUGURY because those wonderful guys are making incredibly good music . I will never forget those memorable shows and I would like to thank everyone for their support on the road everywhere we've been on tour."
AUGURY's first new album in five years, "Fragmentary Evidence", was released internationally on Nuclear Blast and has been licensed for release at home in Canada through Goodfellow/Sonic Unyon.
Fan-filmed video footage of AUGURY's Canadian CD-release show on August 15, 2009 at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec can be viewed at this location. One of the clips is available below.
"Fragmentary Evidence" was produced by Hugues Deslauriers (CLEARWATER DEATHBLOW), Yannick St-Amand (DESPISED ICON) and AUGURY, and was mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-Francois Dagenais (MISERY INDEX, DESPISED ICON, MALEVOLENT CREATION). It was mastered by James Murphy (DEATH, OBITUARY, DISINCARNATE). The artwork and layout was handled by Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED). The CD features guest vocals by Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED, SYSTEM DIVIDE), Syriak and Leilindel (UNEXPECT), Youri Raymond (CRYPTOPSY, UNHUMAN), Sébastien Croteau (NECROTIC MUTATION), Filip Ivanovic (AGONY) and Eric Fiset (OBSCENE CRISIS, NERVOUS IMPULSE).
AUGURY was described in a recent Nuclear Blast press release as "a band for all the fans out there who like their music really progressive! Think NECROPHAGIST meets DREAM THEATER meets OPETH, but with lots of other influences as well! What you should do is to check out the amazingly cool bass playing by Forest!! Their new album . . . contains some of the most versatile musicianship you will ever hear! Canada has always delivered some cool technical and progressive bands and AUGURY is a prime example for this! Their new songs . . . blew us away and there was only one logical thing for us to do — sign them!"
------------------------------------
For MetalHeads Who Want To Have there say!
Long Live The Power Of METAL!!!
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
HeavyMetalHeaven-digest@yahoogroups.com
HeavyMetalHeaven-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
HeavyMetalHeaven-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment