Ozzy's next album, his first since 2007's "Black Rain", will feature songs such as "Let It Die" and "Diggin' Me Down" and "Soul Sucka". The record will be the first to feature Ozzy's new guitarist, Greek native Gus G., who replaced longtime axeman Zakk Wylde in Ozzy's band last year.
"People are going to say, 'Oh, you're falling out with Zakk,'" Ozzy tells RollingStone.com. "No, I haven't fallen out with Zakk. I mean, he does need me anymore, Zakk. He actually has his own fucking thing, you know. I knew I had to get another guitar player for a while. I just kept putting it off and putting it off."
"Black Rain" was certified gold on December 14, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.
"Black Rain" was reissued on November 20, 2007 as a "Special Limited-Edition Tour Package" featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides. The bonus CD includes the following cuts:
01. I Don't Wanna Stop (live)
02. Not Going Away (live)
03. Here For You (live)
04. Nightmare
05. Can't Save You
06. Love To Hate
"Black Rain" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, with first-week sales of 152,000 copies.
Ozzy Osbourne will appear on NBC-TV's "Today Show" on Monday, January 25 in support of his long-awaited memoir, "I Am Ozzy". He'll drop by the program again on Wednesday (January 27), when his wife/manager Sharon co-hosts the latter part of the show.
As previously reported, Ozzy will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Wednesday, February 3 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Ozzy by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625). The program will be rebroadcast on Monday, February 8.
For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.
"I Am Ozzy", which was originally slated to arrive almost two years ago but was delayed twice, will be released in the U.S. on January 24 via Sphere Publishers (the book was published in the U.K. on October 1, 2009).
"I Am Ozzy" chronicles the star's humble beginnings in the U.K. to his current position as international music and TV celebrity.
In a statement, he revealed what fans can expect from the bio, explaining: "They've said some crazy things about me over the years. I mean, okay: 'He bit the head off a bat.' Yes. 'He bit the head off a dove.' Yes. But then you hear things like, 'Ozzy went to the show last night, but he wouldn't perform until he'd killed fifteen puppies…' Now me, kill fifteen puppies? I love puppies. I've got eighteen of the fucking things at home. I've killed a few cows in my time, mind you. And the chickens. I shot the chickens in my house that night.
"It haunts me, all this crazy stuff. Every day of my life has been an event. I took lethal combinations of booze and drugs for thirty fucking years. I survived a direct hit by a plane, suicidal overdoses, STDs. I've been accused of attempted murder. Then I almost died while riding over a bump on a quad bike at fucking two miles per hour.
"People ask me how come I'm still alive, and I don't know what to say. When I was growing up, if you'd have put me up against a wall with the other kids from my street and asked me which one of us was gonna make it to the age of 60, which one of us would end up with five kids and four grandkids and houses in Buckinghamshire and Beverly Hills, I wouldn't have put money on me, no fucking way. But here I am: ready to tell my story, in my own words, for the first time.
"A lot of it ain't gonna be pretty. I've done some bad things in my time. I've always been drawn to the dark side, me. But I ain't the devil. I'm just John Osbourne: a working class kid from Aston, who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time."
Sharon Osbourne published her own best-selling memoir in 2005, called "Extreme: My Autobiography". A second volume was rushed out in 2008 after Ozzy's book was delayed.
Ozzy's next album, his first since 2007's "Black Rain", is tentatively slated to come out in June and will feature songs such as "Let It Die", "Diggin' Me Down" and the title track. The record will be the first to feature Ozzy's new guitarist, Greek native Gus G., who replaced longtime axeman Zakk Wylde in Ozzy's band last year.
"Black Rain" was Ozzy's first all-new solo effort in six years and debuted on the Billboard album chart at No. 3.
Ozzy Osbourne is planning on releasing a concert DVD later this year featuring never-before-seen footage of his band — including late guitarist Randy Rhoads — performing in 1981. Ozzy wrote yesterday (Friday, January 22) on his Twitter profile after viewing the Randy-era material, "I'm speechless."
Osbourne is currently recording his new studio album for a tentative July release. Bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson tweeted on Friday, "Been in the studio all week tracking the new Ozzy record. Should be done with my parts by Sunday."
Ozzy's next album, his first since 2007's "Black Rain", will include such songs as "Let It Die" and "Diggin' Me Down" and "Soul Sucka". The record will be the first to feature Ozzy's new guitarist, Greek native Gus G., who replaced longtime axeman Zakk Wylde in Ozzy's band last year.
"People are going to say, 'Oh, you're falling out with Zakk,'" Ozzy tells RollingStone.com. "No, I haven't fallen out with Zakk. I mean, he does need me anymore, Zakk. He actually has his own fucking thing, you know. I knew I had to get another guitar player for a while. I just kept putting it off and putting it off."
"Black Rain" was certified gold on December 14, 2007 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for shipments in excess of 500,000 copies in the United States.
The album was reissued on November 20, 2007 as a "Special Limited-Edition Tour Package" featuring a bonus CD of live tracks and B-sides.
"Black Rain" debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard album chart, with first-week sales of 152,000 copies.
According to The Pulse of Radio, AEROSMITH plans to begin auditioning new singers next month, with guitarist Joe Perry telling Canada's QMI Agency that the band is "already getting the word out there." He added that they will "start having some auditions, making some phone calls. Hopefully, we'll have found a new singer by the summer, and AEROSMITH will be able to go back out on the road." The group aims to replace original frontman Steven Tyler, who announced last fall that he was taking two years off to pursue a solo project before later checking himself into rehab for an addiction to painkillers.
Although Tyler stated that he planned to be "writing, recording and performing with AEROSMITH" once his stint in rehab was completed, Perry said that the rest of the group is not sure what Tyler's status is: "It's kind of hard to get a straight answer about what's going on. He has to have leg surgery and foot surgery and it's basically going to take him out of the picture for about a year, year and a half. So, in the meantime, the rest of the band wants to play."
Perry pointed out that the band hired fill-ins for bassist Tom Hamilton and guitarist Brad Whitford last year when both were ill, saying, "That's basically how I look at it; we need another singer to fill in."
Perry has said in other interviews that AEROSMITH might lean toward hiring an established "name" vocalist to tour with the group, and there were a few people they already had in mind.
But he also told QMI that the door is open for Tyler to return: "I'm ready to write with him, to play on stage with him anytime he's physically ready and wants to do it. But it's really up to him . . . the last things he said to the press were that he wanted to work with the band and sing with the band, so we'll see."
Meanwhile, Palm Springs, California newspaper the Desert Sun reported that Tyler made a surprise appearance at a local bar called the Tilted Kilt on Tuesday night (January 19), not far from the Betty Ford Center where he is in rehab. Tyler, accompanied by a publicist and management rep, reportedly sang the AEROSMITH hit "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" during a karaoke competition. One witness claimed that he only drank Shirley Temples and left after singing.
Former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno will embark on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in June/July. The dates are as follows:
Jun. 17 - Bar On The Hill - Newcastle, Australia
Jun. 18 - Waves - Wollongong, Australia
Jun. 19 - Gaelic Theatre - Sydney, Australia
Jun. 20 - ANU - Canberra, Australia
Jun. 24 - Republic Bar - Hobart, Australia
Jun. 25 - Corner Hotel - Melbourne, Australia
Jun. 26 - Fowlers Live - Adelaide, Australia
Jun. 27 - Amplifier - Perth, Australia
Jun. 29 - Rosies Live - Brisbane, Australia
Jul. 01 - Al's Bar - Christchurch, New Zealand
Jul. 02 - Bodega - Wellington, New Zealand
Jul. 03 - Transmission Room - Auckland, New Zealand
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."
On 1/12/2010, it was announced that famed searcher Monica Caison would be joining the hunt for Morgan Harrington. Harrington is the 20 year old Virginia Tech student who went missing on 10/17/2009, while attending a Metallica concert in Charlottesville, VA.
Monica Caison, of The CUE Center, is a welcome addition to the team of volunteers that have searched tirelessly since Morgan's disappearance in October 2009. According to the CUE Center web site, Ms. Caison founded the non-profit CUE Center for Missing Persons, in 1994. The organization is focused on finding the missing, advocating for their causes, and supporting their families. They offer a wide range of free services; CUE has since helped more than 8,700 families in what is often the most confusing and desperate times of their lives. In addition to providing services for the missing and their families, CUE offers college internships and youth mentoring programs. CUE is entirely donation funded and staffed by volunteers, including Mrs. Caison, who takes no salary from the organization.
Caison and her crew will begin the search for Morgan in late February 2010. The hope will be to either find Morgan or find evidence that will lead to her whereabouts. I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Caison and posed to her some questions about the search for Morgan:
Where do you begin in a case like Morgan's?
We will construct search plans under the theory of a possible abduction and also if Morgan happened to wander and possibly made have been taken over by the outside cold conditions and or may have fallen and not survived the fall. So you begin by looking at all that has been cleared by other searches that have taken place and first look beyond that as you take all areas that have been eliminated, then put your theory into play.
How much preparation is needed before you start a search?
Most always we have a logistical plan in place and arrive a day or so early to add finishing touches, we come prepared.
Do you work directly with Law Enforcement?
In all of our cases of missing persons we are required to be an aid to law officials and work in coloration with them in all efforts to benefit the missing person and their families. We are just an added tool to the effort.
Do you or the CUE Center develop your own leads?
All information received in cases of the missing are handed over directly to the investigators on the case at hand and all information brought in by way of our efforts, we do have an obligation to the victims to see it is followed through, every lead has to be ruled out in order to have a sound case.
When do you think you will be able to launch your first search for Morgan?
We are planning as of right now to conduct the search on the last weekend of February but will return to the area prior for planning and other efforts concerning the search.
How long will you stay on this case?
Until Morgan is located. once CUE Center is ask to aid a case we will be their long term and provided many efforts to bring awareness all in an effort to help identify another location to search and aid investigators in possible new information, all in an effort for a resolution to her whereabouts. we can never promise to locate a missing person, however we can promise to take the journey with our families, no matter the length of that road maybe.
It is clear that Ms. Caison is truly an expert in her field and is dedicated to her work as a tireless advocate for the missing and their families. She brings to this case a renewed sense of hope that we will, at long last, bring Morgan Harrington, home.
If you have any information you can contact the lead investigator with The Virginia State Police, Lt. Joe Rader, by calling the tip line at 434-352-3467 or email information to bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. The reward for any info leading to the wherabouts of Morgan now officially stands at $150,000. You can also send tips through the Find Morgan website, The Laura Recovery Center, The CUE Center or by contacting our agency, The R.D.D.Detective Agency, at mailto:ratdogdetective@aol.com You can remain anonymous.
http://findmorgan.com
http://www.ncmissingpersons.org/
http://www.facebook.com/people/Monica-Caison/707443031
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/contact.shtm
Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke is recovering now at home from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run accident on his motorcycle on 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 last week, which "went well," he writes on his blog. He adds, "If everything looks good Friday, I can have the second surgery next week."
Former MTV "Headbangers Ball" host Riki Rachtman posted a message on Twitter last week 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 explained. "Gilby hit the passenger side of the vehicle . The driver took off."
He added, "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."
"Sick Bubblegum", the new video from ROB ZOMBIE, can be viewed below. The song comes off the singer's new album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2", which is scheduled for release on February 2 via Roadrunner Records' Loud & Proud imprint.
"Hellbilly Deluxe 2" track listing:
01. Jesus Frankenstein
02. Sick Bubblegum
03. What?
04. Mars Needs Women
05. Werewolf, Baby!
06. Virgin Witch
07. Death and Destiny Inside The Dream Factory
08. Burn
09. Cease to Exist
10. Werewolf Women of the SS
11. The Man Who Laughs
Zombie hinted in an online post that his new CD could be his last, saying, "Well, pretty soon the CD will be dead. All you will have left is digital downloads. So before we say goodbye to the almighty CD, I thought I would give it a big send-off. I love being able to get great artists involved on my CD artwork and this time is the best yet. Since this may be the last true CD I make, I thought I would gather three of the top artists around to contribute some killer new Zombie art for the booklet."
The artists contributing work to the CD's booklet are Nocturnals comic book creator Dan Brereton, animation and storyboard artist David Hartman and Italian artist Alex Horley, who has worked for Image Comics and DC Comics.
Rob Zombie will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with host Bob Coburn on Monday, February 1 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are encouraged to speak with Rob by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).
For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.
Rob Zombie will take part in this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, which is scheduled to kick off on July 10 in San Bernardino, California.
Zombie's recent "Hellbilly Deluxe 2" tour marked his return to the road after moderate box office success as the writer and director of "Halloween II" (Dimension). His R-rated, animated feature, "The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto", was made available everywhere on DVD and Blu-ray September 22.
"Halloween II", the follow-up to Zombie's successful 2007 remake of the original 1978 horror classic, came in at No. 3 in its opening weekend, earning $17 million at the box office. That's far less than the $31 million his first "Halloween" flick did two years ago.
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According to BornRich.org, the Gibson Zakk Wylde Bulls Eye has been stripped down to become the definitive bling instrument. Commissioned by an anonymous Monaco-based British celebrity, this limited edition Gibson guitar is encrusted with 4,000 individual Swarovski crystals — each measuring exactly 4mm in diameter and covered in 24-carat gold. This rock work of art is done by Kim Webber Guitars and gold-plating specialist from Gold2U, who imported the instruments 24-carat gold strings from Germany. Also featuring the maple neck plated with 24 carat gold frets, the stunningly unique final product is estimated to cost around $24,200.
CINDERELLA and JETBOY have been confirmed for this year's M3 Rock Festival, set to take place Saturday, June 19 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Also scheduled to appear are MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil, WARRANT and KIX. More acts will be announced soon.
Former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe has issued the following update:
"I've been in Los Angeles now for almost two weeks rehearsing with my new band and it's going great! The band is sounding killer and we're having a really good time working and stuff. I'm really happy and excited about this. Next week you also will know who's in the band.
"We've already got about an album's worth of material written and rehearsed, but we're still gonna write some more, as we're in no hurry to get into the studio until sometime during the spring to record the album. We do wanna release something
before the summer, though. If not the whole record, at least a couple of songs or so. We're also rehearsing the live set and I must say I've really missed playing a lot of my solo stuff over the past few years. Especially songs from 'Not Fakin' It' and 'Demolition 23'. The plan is to start playing live shows in March.
"Of course, the weather in L.A. has been horrible just for this time that I'm here. Apparently it hasn't rained like this for over 20 years or so, but what the hell — you gotta love it! Surely it's a bit scary with the storm warnings and stuff. The Haiti disaster is really disturbing too. I'm glad so many rich people here are actually doing a lot about it to help.
"Other than that, Hollywood is Hollywood and you do see a lot of interesting characters on the streets around here."
"Buried Alive", the latest DVD from HANOI ROCKS, entered the "Music DVD" chart in the band's home country at position No. 1. The disc was filmed at the band's final show on April 12, 2009 at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland. Monroe previously stated about the effort, "It's sounding pretty good. Surely it's got some rough spots, but what the hell, it's live — no overdubs! Considering that it was the eighth show in six days, my voice was holding up quite well..."
HANOI ROCKS' final album, "Street Poetry", was released in September 2007 in Finland by WolfGang Records and in Europe by U.K.-based Demolition Records.
Former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe will unveil his new band at a press conference on Monday, January 25 at Swing House Studios in Los Angeles, California beginning at 12:00 noon PST. Monroe will be in attendance along with Sami Yaffa (HANOI ROCKS, DEMOLITION 23, NEW YORK DOLLS) and the rest of Michael's new bandmates. The new group will perform two songs at the event, which will be hosted by pro skater, video director and MTV personality Bam Margera. Details about the Michael Monroe Mobile Backstage application for mobile devices will be announced as well.
The press conference only will be streamed live via Ustream.tv at
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/michael-monroe-press-conference-in-la
Monroe previously stated about his new group, "The band is sounding killer and we're having a really good time working and stuff. I'm really happy and excited about this.
"We've already got about an album's worth of material written and rehearsed, but we're still gonna write some more, as we're in no hurry to get into the studio until sometime during the spring to record the album. We do wanna release something
before the summer, though. If not the whole record, at least a couple of songs or so. We're also rehearsing the live set and I must say I've really missed playing a lot of my solo stuff over the past few years. Especially songs from 'Not Fakin' It' and 'Demolition 23'.
"The plan is to start playing live shows in March."
"Buried Alive", the latest DVD from HANOI ROCKS, entered the "Music DVD" chart in the band's home country at position No. 1. The disc was filmed at the band's final show on April 12, 2009 at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland. Monroe previously stated about the effort, "It's sounding pretty good. Surely it's got some rough spots, but what the hell, it's live — no overdubs! Considering that it was the eighth show in six days, my voice was holding up quite well..."
HANOI ROCKS' final album, "Street Poetry", was released in September 2007 in Finland by WolfGang Records and in Europe by U.K.-based Demolition Records.
Hollywood rockers BANG TANGO have revealed their tour plans. Confirmed dates are as follows:
March
3 - Big Ed's - Amelia, Ohio
4 - California Brew Haus - Rochester, New York
5 - Bourbon St. Station - Baltimore, Maryland
6 - Crocodile Rock - Allentown, Pennsylvania
7 - The Studio at Webster Hall - New York, New York
8 - Peabodys Down Under - Cleveland, Ohio
12 - Phoenix Hill - Louisville, Kentucky
18 - Ramona Main Stage - Ramona, California
19 - The StarLine - Fresno, California
20 - The Whisky - Hollywood, California
21 - Cheyanne Saloon - Las Vegas, Nevada
26 - The Rock - Tuscon, Arizona
27 - Club Red - Phoenix, Arizona
BACHMAN TURNER and JOE BONAMASSA (BLACK COUNTRY) are the latest acts confirmed for Britain's High Voltage Festival, scheduled for July 24th - 25th, 2010 at Victoria Park in London.
Acts now scheduled for the festival include: ARGENT, ASIA, BACHMAN TURNER, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, JOE BONAMASSA, CLUTCH, EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER, FOCUS, FOREIGNER, STEVE HACKETT, HEAVEN & HELL, MARILLION, PENDRAGON, THE REASONING, TOUCHSTONE, URIAH HEEP, WISHBONE ASH, ZZ TOP .
More acts to be announced. Further festival details at this location.
PRIMAL FEAR and former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin have been confirmed for the Sweden Rock Cruise, departing from Stockholm on April 8, 2010 and returning the next day.
Scheduled performers:
ABRAMIS BRAMA (S)
DEATH ANGEL (US)
H.E.A.T. (S)
PRIMAL FEAR (D)
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD (NL)
TONY MARTIN (UK)
With hard rock DJs, tax free shops, bars, restaurants, a gaming room, swimming pool and saunas, the 12-deck, 200 meter long M/S Silja Galaxy is pure heaven for everyone into hard music and partying. And as usual, there is no backstage area so you have the possibility to talk to your favorite bands over a beer or two.
Swedish progressive metallers OPETH have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Paaspop festival, set to take place April 3-4, 2010 in Schijndel, The Netherlands.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ACDA EN DE MUNNIK
ARCH ENEMY
BOB WAYNE & THE .357 STRING BAN
BONAPARTE
DAVE CLARKE
DI-RECT
ENTOMBED
EROL ALKAN
HANS KAZÀN
FAKKELBRIGADE
INFECTIOUS GROOVES
ILSE DE LANGE
JOOST VAN BELLEN
JOSH WINK
KANE
KARMA TO BURN
KILLER QUEEN
LA CARAVANE PASSE
MAD MANOUSH
MOKE
MONOTONIX
NOVASTAR
OTTO ORGEL
OPETH
PETER PAN SPEEDROCK
RASTI ROSTELLI
RIO
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES
SUPERSUCKERS
THE ACCELERATORS
THE REVEREND HORTON HEAT
THE VOICE OF ELVIS
WAYLON
For more information, visit www.paaspop.nl.
Swedish/Finnish progressive metal "supergroup" SOLUTION .45, which features in its ranks former SCAR SYMMETRY vocalist Christian Älvestam, and Jani Stefanovic (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW), has parted ways with keyboardist Mikko Härkin (ex-SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO). The band states, "Mikko, unfortunately, did not want to contribute to SOLUTION .45 as a full time member and since this is a full-time band, we decided to part ways with him. Mikko still contributed keyboards to the [debut SOLUTION .45 album], but he will be regarded as a guest musician on the album rather than a band member."
The group adds, "We are not quite sure what the future will hold as far as the keyboard situation, but we will back-track Mikko's parts for the live setting and continue as a five-piece for now."
Oakland, California extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH have cancelled their participation in "The Black Procession" European tour alongside MACHINE HEAD, HATEBREED and BLEEDING THROUGH.
A posting on the ALL SHALL PERISH Twitter profile reads: "ALL SHALL PERISH has dropped off the MACHINE HEAD tour, more detail to come. Our apologies to the fans, we will be back soon!"
"The Black Procession" tour is scheduled to kick off tonight (Saturday, January 23) in Stuttgart, Germany.
"Awaken The Dreamers", the latest CD from ALL SHALL PERISH, will be released on vinyl for the first time on March 16 via Pure Noise. An extremely limited pressing, it will be available in two eye-striking patterns, 300 copies will be clear with red splatter and 600 will be half black/half red literally split in half between the two colors.
SOLUTION .45's debut CD was recorded at Panic Room studios in with producer Tomas "Plec" Johansson. The album, which features lyrics written entirely by Mikael Stanne of DARK TRANQUILLITY, will be released in Europe via AFM Records and in Japan through Marquee/Avalon. The cover artwork was created by Pär Olofsson.
Commented the band: "We are beyond relieved to have finished this album, which took about three months of pre-production, three months of recording and an extremely hectic month of mixing and mastering. However, we are very pleased with the results."
Regarding Mikael Stanne's contribution to the CD, Älvestam previously stated, "I've personally been a huge fan of [Stanne's] earlier work and writing skills for quite some time now, so it's a great honor and privilege to have him aboard. However, I still compose[d] the vocal arrangements and melodies for the album, so do not fear in that regard.
"Why don't I write the lyrics myself, you may wonder? The thing is, over the years I've kind of lost the spark, or the driving force (or whatever you'd like to call it), needed in order to write lyrics good enough to satisfy my inner critic. However, on an impulse, I can still write some decent stuff every now and then, but unfortunately, these occasions have grown further and further apart over the last couple of years. Therefore I rather delegate this duty to more suitable people nowadays, who I know can deliver the goods, so to speak."
Älvestam previously stated about SOLUTION .45: "Since I'm responsible for introducing the multi-vocal style in SCAR SYMMETRY, as well as writing like 75% of all the vocal-melodies and 90% of all the growled parts, you will most likely recognize the style and hooks in SOLUTION .45. I've been writing and doing these multi-vocals since the early '90s in several bands (such as UNMOORED, SOLAR DAWN and SCAR SYMMETRY, to name a few) and since this style very much reflects who I am, musically, I have no plans abandoning it any time soon! All the aforementioned bands have vocally been a lengthening of my urge to write and experiment with these different vocal styles and hooks and SOLUTION .45 feels very much like the next natural step, in this 15-year long journey, starting back in 1993 with the birth of UNMOORED! It's been a while since it felt this inspiring and rewarding though!"
SOLUTION .45 is:
Christian Älvestam (SCAR SYMMETRY) - Vocals
Jani Stefanovic (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW) - Guitar
Tom Gardiner (HATEFORM) - Guitar
Anders Edlund (ANGEL BLAKE) - Bass
Rolf Pilve (MISERATION, ESSENCE OF SORROW) - Drums
Former QUIET RIOT drummer Frankie Banali will perform a LED ZEPPELIN classic with the ZEPPELIN tribute band LED ZEP AGAIN on Friday, January 22 at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, California. He says, "Not only will this be a pleasure for me, but it will also include 'Mr. Jimmy' Sakurai-San from Tokyo, Japan. He is the single greatest and closest guitarist to the legendary Jimmy Page that I've ever heard and had the pleasure of recently jamming with."
FRANKIE BANALI & FRIENDS's "24/7/365 - The Tribute to Led Zeppelin" was honored in the "Tribute CD Of The Year" category at last year's Mavric Independent Music Awards, which celebrates the music community of Ventura County, California.
"24/7/365 - The Tribute to Led Zeppelin" is Banali's labor of love. Frankie invited many of his friends to join him on making a heartfelt tribute to his favorite drummer John Bonham and his band LED ZEPPELIN.
Former AFTER FOREVER vocalist Floor Jansen's new project called REVAMP has announced the following shows in Holland:
May 07 - Kelder - Amersfoort
May 09 - Brogum - Zierikzee
May 14 - Manifesto - Hoorn
May 28 - Waerdse Tempel - Heerhugowaard
Jun. 04 - Bibelot - Dordrecht
Jun. 05 - Escape - Veenendaal
Jun. 18 - Fenix - Sittard
Jun. 19 - De Piek - Vlissingen
As previously reported, REVAMP has also been confirmed for the Metal Female Voices Fest VIII, set to take place October 23-24, 2010 at Oktoberhallen in Wieze, Belgium.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ARCH ENEMY
LEAVES' EYES
REVAMP
DEJAFUSE
BARE INFINITY
DIABULUS IN MUSICA
DYLATH-LEEN
SKEPTICAL MINDS
For more information, visit www.metalfemalevoicesfest.be.
REVAMP entered the studio on January 3 to begin recording its debut album for a tentative May release.
A short audio sample of the song "Head Up High" from REVAMP is available for streaming using the audio player below.
After the breakup of AFTER FOREVER, Jansen decided she wanted to start over and present a new band to the public as soon as possible. To accomplish this, she joined forces with two additional songwriters to first compose, then record an album. A live band is soon to be formed after the CD's completion, which will get her back on stage where she belongs.
The first composer to join this new collaboration was found when Waldemar Sorychta (GRIP INC., ENEMY OF THE SUN) contacted her to inquire about her current activities and potential future cooperation. Being a fan of GRIP INC., Floor was honored by the possibility of working with Waldemar. Sorychta's unique style , combined with his experience as songwriter/producer, made Jansen's dream come closer to reality.
The second composer was found in AFTER FOREVER colleague Joost van den Broek. Asking Joost to join seemed logical because of his great keyboards and arrangements, and therefore his potentially valuable contribution. Despite his busy schedule, he wanted to join and get started immediately. With him on board, the songwriting team was complete!
The REVAMP sound is described as "a unique blend of the personal style listeners will recognize from these musicians."
For more information, visit the band's web site.
ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, the experimental band led by TESTAMENT/ex-SAVATAGE guitarist Alex Skolnick, will support the Mexican acoustic rock duo RODRIGO Y GABRIELA on the following dates:
Feb. 28 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
Mar. 01 - 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
Mar. 02 - Byham Theater - Pittsburgh, PA
Mar. 05 - Phoenix Concert Theater - Toronto, ON
Mar. 06 - Royal Oak Music Theatre - Royal Oak, MI
Mar. 07 - Brown Theatre - Louisville, KY
Mar. 09 - The Pageant - St. Louis, MO
Mar. 10 - Madison Theatre - Cincinnati, OH
Mar. 12 - Ryman Auditorium - Nashville, TN
Mar. 13 - Center Stage Theatre - Atlanta, GA
Mar. 15 - Orange Peel - Asheville, NC
Mar. 16 - North Charleston PAC - North Charleston, SC
Mar. 18 - House Of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Mar. 20 - The Fillmore - Miami Beach, FL
Mar. 21 - The Ritz - Tampa, FL
CANNIBAL CORPSE, VOIVOD, BRUTAL TRUTH and D.R.I. are among the confirmed bands for the Scion Rock festival, set to take place Saturday, March 13 in Columbus, Ohio. This free event will be held across four different venues (Circus, Skully's, Newport Music Hall, and Bernie's Distillery) along Columbus' N. High St., near the Ohio State University campus.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
CANNIBAL CORPSE
SHRINEBUILDER
VOIVOD
D.R.I.
BRUTAL TRUTH
HATE ETERNAL
YOB
PELICAN
3 INCHES OF BLOOD
ABSU
LUDICRA
ACRASSICAUDA
TRAP THEM
MAGRUDERGRIND
LANDMINE MARATHON
THOU
SAVIOURS
LITURGY
STRUCK BY LIGHTING
BLACK TUSK
DEADSEA
LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH
LULLABYE ARKESTRA
For more informaiton, visit www.scion.com/rock.
New York hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL have set "Based On A True Story" as the title of their new album, due on April 20 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Death To Tyrants" was recorded Antfarm Studios in Århus, Denmark with Danish producer Tue Madsen (HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED).
Commented SICK OF IT ALL drummer Armand Majidi: "We're starting a new chapter in SICK OF IT ALL history by signing a worldwide deal with Century Media for the release of our next album, 'Based On a True Story'. We had a great European experience with them on our last record, so we're psyched to continue that relationship, as well as expand the scope of the deal by including the USA and Canada. The head of the label has been very supportive since we first met him back in the early days, and it's great to know that we have someone at the helm who really understands what we're about.
"We had an inspired recording session and the album sounds great, so we hope it brings hardcore pride back in a big way!"
Regarding the direction of the new material, SICK OF IT ALL singer Lou Koller told the LimeWire Music Blog, "It's typical us. It's a mixture of what we love — old-school sing-along Oi! music mixed with modern hardcore. That's what we do."
SICK OF IT ALL will kick off a European tour this week with DROPKICK MURPHYS. This will be followed by an extensive U.K. run with AFI.
Century Media Records in November 2006 released a limited, specially priced version of SICK OF IT ALL's latest album "Death to Tyrants", celebrating the band's 20th anniversary as still one of the leading old-school hardcore acts. Apart from very special packaging, the "Death to Tyrants – Persistence Tour Edition" contained a whole bunch of extras, like live footage (recorded in 2006 in Germany), the video clip for "Take The Night Off" and two exclusive bonus cover versions of classic SICK OF IT ALL songs by MADBALL ("Give Respect") and WALLS OF JERICHO ("Us Vs. Them").
New York extreme metal legends SUFFOCATION will perform on the Nuclear Blast label night during this year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2010 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. The Nuclear Blast night will take place on Wednesday, August 18 at the Party Tent and will feature additional appearances by UNLEASHED, RAGE, EQUILIBRIUM, SUICIDAL ANGELS, ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY and MILKING THE GOATMACHINE.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
1349
AGNOSTIC FRONT
AHAB
ANATHEMA
ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY
ASPHYX
BARREN EARTH
BEHEMOTH
CALLISTO
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHILDREN OF BODOM
CUMULO NIMBUS
DARK FUNERAL
DARK TRANQUILLITY
DESPISED ICON
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DYING FETUS
EISBRECHER
EISREGEN
END OF GREEN
ENSIFERUM
EQUILIBRIUM
FEJD
FIDDLER'S GREEN
FREI.WILD
FEUERSCHWANZ
GORGOROTH
GWAR
HACRIDE
HAIL OF BULLETS
HEAVEN SHALL BURN
HYPOCRISY
ILL NINO
INSOMNIUM
KORPIKLAANI
KYLESA
LEAVES' EYES
LETZTE INSTANZ
LONG DISTANCE CALLING
MACABRE
MAROON
MILKING THE GOATMACHINE
MONO INC.
MY DYING BRIDE
NECROPHAGIST
OBITUARY
ORIGIN
ORPHANED LAND
PANTHEON I
POISONBLACK
RAGE
RAISED FIST
REBELLION
SEPULTURA
SOLSTAFIR
SUBWAY TO SALLY
SUFFOCATION
SUICIDAL ANGELS
SWALLOW THE SUN
THE 69 EYES
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
THE CROWN
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
TRACEDAWN
UNDERTOW
UNLEASHED
WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH
WATAIN
WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER
For more information, go to this location.
Finnish metallers NOWEN will release their full-length debut, "Nothing But Hate", on February 10 via Violent Journey Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Intro
02. The Sick Weakness
03. Dead Meat
04. Fragile
05. Bleed, Suffer And Die
06. Sofia
07. Nothing But Hate
08. After The Suicide
09. From Time To Eternity
NOWEN's "Where Hell Begins" MCD was released in 2005.
NOWEN is:
Lappis (WITHERIA) - Guitar, Vocals
Kusmar Rotten (WITHERIA) - Guitar
Ville Vehviläinen (WALTARI) - Drums
Jarno Nurmi (SLUGATHOR) - Bass
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/nowenband.
Two members of the U.K. metal outfit AFTER DEATH drowned on Thursday (January 21) while swimming at the Atalaia beach in Aracaju, in the northeastern part of Brazil. 21-year-old guitarist Leon Villalba and 18-year-old bassist Timothy Kennelly, along with the rest of their bandmates, were in the middle of an extensive tour of Brazil as the support act for MASTER when the incident occurred.
According to the local lifeguard rescue team, Villalba and Kennelly were swimming at the beach around 2:30 p.m. when another beachgoer noticed a floating body and alerted the rescue team. An attempt was made to resuscitate Villalba using CPR, but he didn't respond. Kennedy's body is still missing.
The search for Timothy's remains will continue on Friday with air support, since the area to be covered is very wide.
Atalaia is considered to be the fourth most dangerous beach in Brazil, even though it's one of the most popular in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, which is the smallest Brazilian state by area.
In spite of the tragedy, which is being investigated by the homicide division of the Department of Public Safety, the 17 remaining dates of the "Masters of Hate Tour 2010" will take place as scheduled. The surviving AFTER DEATH members have stated that they are "all in mourning and still shocked by everything that happened," but that they "are sure that [Leon and Timothy] would want the shows to go on. We'll complete the tour in their honor," they are quoted as saying by the local media.
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. Suppressing The Mute
02. The Hypocrite, Undying
03. Breeding Exile
04. ...To Dim The Aching
05. A Wolf Among Men
06. Deterioration Of Minds
07. By Venom Entitled
08. March Of The Tyrants
A clip of the track "March Of The Tyrants" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
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.
Norwegian black metallers RAGNAROK will embark on a tour of Russia in February. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Feb. 13 - Moscow, Russia - Plan B
Feb. 14 - Rostov-on-Don, Russia - Podzemka
Feb. 16 - Voronezh, Russia - Tarantul
Feb. 18 - Nizhny-Novgorod, Russia - Rocco
Feb. 19 - Tjumen, Russia - Berloga
Feb. 20 - Ekaterinburg, Russia - Nirvanna
Feb. 22 - Cheljabinsk, Russia - Iskra
RAGNAROK is streaming two new songs — "Collectors Of The King" and "In Honour Of Satan" — on the band's MySpace page. Both cuts will appear on the group's new album, "Collectors Of The King", which will be released in February/March via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at Endarker Studios in Norrköping, Sweden and features the following track listing:
01. Resurrection
02. Stabbed By The Horns
03. Burning The Earth
04. In Honour Of Satan
05. Collectors Of The King
06. Eternal Damnation
07. The Ancient Crown Of Glory
08. May Madness Hunt You Down
09. Wisdom Of Perfection
Check out the cover artwork below.
The label says, "Expect true Norwegian black metal the way it should be played. It's authentic, true as fuck and old school!"
The band's current lineup is as follows:
Jontho - Drums
Brigge - Guitars
Decepticon - Bass
HansFyrste - Vocals
RAGNAROK's most recent album, "Blackdoor Miracle", came out in 2004 via Regain Records. The group's fifth CD featured "demonic" singer Hoest (TAAKE), who replaced Lord Arcamous in 2003. The album was recorded and mixed at Abyss Studio in Sweden with engineer/mixer Tommy Tägtgren and was mastered at The Mastering Room in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Moribund Records has announced the signing of Finland's WYRD, one of the underground's preeminent pagan metal bands.
Formed and fronted by erstwhile AZAGHAL guitarist Narqath, WYRD has released eight full-length albums over the past decade, each one more celebrated than the next, on a number of cult underground labels, including Avantgarde, Solistitium, Millenium Metal Music, Omvina, and Naga Productions. Now, Narqath brings his muse and WYRD to Moribund Records, and is currently working on the band's ninth full-length album, to be titled "Death of the Sun". Narqath also intimates that plans are afoot for a professional promo video, and that mixing/mastering duties for "Death of the Sun" will likely be handled by a high-profile metal producer.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/wyrdfinland.
Floridian black metallers KULT OV AZAZEL have issued the following update:
"It's our misfortune to announce that after 10 years with KULT OV AZAZEL, Xul [bass, vocals] has taken an indefinite hiatus from the band and therefore will not be doing any touring or recording during 2010. We respect his decision but we must continue to forge on.
"From this point forward, all vocal duties will be taken over by Xaphan and session guitarist Armanen (TENEBROUS) has been added as a permanent member of the band. Former/session member VJS is back as touring bassist. However, due to prior commitments, VJS will not be able to do the March Metal Massacre V Fest in Allentown, Pennsylvania on March 27, so Gio Geraca (EVIL AMIDST, MALEVOLENT CREATION) will be handling bass duties.
"Touring begins with the Nihilistic Terror Across Texas campaign in March. We'll be storming the West Texas Death Fest II in Amarillo, Texas on Friday, March 12. The other two days will be spent with TERATISM, WITCHAVEN and HATCHET destroying San Antonio, Texas on the 13th and Houston, Texas on the 14th with two deadly nights of devastating black/thrash metal. In July we will headline the main stage of the 20th anniversary of the Michigan Deathfest on the 17th then embark on a 16-day tour with WOLVEN ANCESTRY. More 2010 dates are forthcoming and will be posted as confirmed.
"Preparation for the yet-untitled DVD release is underway. We have combined the soundboard audio with a three-camera mix of our show as direct support for DEICIDE filmed [in] September 2004. We should have video from the Puerto Rico show[filmed on December 12, 2009] very soon. Once in our hands, we'll begin editing the video footage while we wait for the sound board recordings to arrive.
"The DVD will be released later in the year through Arctic Music and will also include a CD of covers and unreleased material ranging from 1999 to the present.
"We are also pleased to announce we have joined forces with Frank Watkins (GORGOROTH, Back From The Dead Productions) as direct management for the band and that the VENOM cover is mixed and has been sent to Noise Farm Studio in Texas for mastering. Once mastered, it is just a matter of the label setting a release date.
"'In League With Satan' will be a tribute to VENOM limited to 666 copies. This is a split effort with TERATISM, to be released through Negativity Records."
KULT OV AZAZEL's latest album, "Destroying The Sacred", was released in June 2009 via Arctic Music. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida between October 28, 2008 and November 11, 2008.
CHTHONIAN, the black metal act featuring FINNTROLL frontman Vreth (real name: Mathias Lillmåns), will release its new album, "The Preachings Of Hate Are Lord", on February 18 via the Finnish label Woodcut Records.
According to the group, "The Preachings Of Hate Are Lord" features "eight new songs of CHTHONIAN-style black metal."
"The Preachings Of Hate Are Lord" track listing:
01. Scoff At The Benign
02. You Should Be Ashamed Of Yourselves
03. Might Makes Right
04. You Will Not Lie To Me, Christ!
05. As We Grow Horns
06. The Filthmonger
07. Oppose, Enlighten
08. The Preachings Of Hate Are Lord
Two songs from the CD — "You Will Not Lie To Me, Christ!" and "The Filthmonger" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
CHTHONIAN's last album, "Of Beatings and the Silence in Between", came out in March 2007 through Woodcut.
CHTHONIAN is:
Mathias Lillmåns - Vocals & Bass
Markus Rosenberg - Drums
Jonas Frilund - Guitar
Staffan Holmnäs – Guitar
------------------------------------
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