The 2010 inductees will be honored at the CSHF's 6th annual gala, presented by BMO Nesbitt Burns, on Sunday, March 28 at the George Weston Recital Hall, Toronto Centre for the Arts. The full lineup of performers for the 6th annual gala will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2010 Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame inductees include 11 influential songwriters, 16 timeless songs and two Legacy Award recipients. It was also announced today that the CSHF/PACC and the Toronto Centre for the Arts have established a strategic partnership that will help expand the CSHF/PACC's mandate by presenting regular and diverse music programming, ongoing educational initiatives and will create a permanent "bricks-and-mortar" home for the Hall of Fame located at the TCA.
Tickets for the March 28 CSHF gala, starting at $110.00, are now on sale and are available through Ticketmaster at 416-870-8000 or online at Ticketmaster.ca.
For more information, visit www.cansong.ca.
Eagle Rock is the hub for capturing spectacular sets at the Montreux Jazz Festival and bringing them to the home entertainment market. On February 23, they will deliver another helping of GARY MOORE when the "Definitive Montreux" 2DVD/CD set hits stores.
Not long after the release of "Essential Montreux", the five-CD set released in July 2009, Eagle is ensuring that Gary Moore fans get the ultimate live Montreux experience. Jam-packing four hours of music into this pristine package, this 2DVD/CD set extracts highlights from five concerts, ranging from 1990 to 2001. Prominently displaying his unmatched guitar style, mastery in both rock and blues, and his straight-from-the-soul stage prowess, "Definitive Montreux" features classic hits such as "Parisienne Walkways", "Still Got The Blues", "Out In The Fields" and "The Stumble".
Arguably one of the best rock and blues guitarists to come out of Ireland, Gary Moore, mentored by Peter Green, studied the likes of John Mayall, Jimi Hendrix , and Elvis to develop his versatile sound. He did time with COLOSSEUM II, SKID ROW, and the legendary THIN LIZZY before establishing his successful solo career in the '80s with his wailin' brand of rockin' blues. He eventually developed a solid relationship with the celebrated jazz festival. As evidenced by "Definitive Montreux", Gary Moore and Montreux are truly a perfect pair, and the Swiss festival is the perfect stage to showcase Moore's unparalleled talent.
"Definitive Montreux" track listing:
Disc #1:
1990:
01. Midnight Blues
02. Texas Strut
03. Moving On
04. Cold Cold Feeling
05. Stop Messing Around
06. The Blues Is Alright
07. The Messiah Will Come Again
1995:
01. If You Be My Baby
02. Long Grey Mare
03. Merry-Go-Round
04. The Stumble
05. You Don't Love Me
06. Key To Love
07. All Your Love
08. Still Got The Blues
09. Since I Met You Baby
10. The Sky Is Crying
11. Jumping At Shadows
Disc #2
1997:
01. One Fine Day
02. Cold Wind Blows
03. I've Found My Love In You
04. Always There For You
05. Business As Usual
06. Out In The Fields
1999:
01. Pretty Woman
02. Need Your Love So Bad
03. Tore Down
04. I Loved Another Woman
05. Too Tired
06. Further On Up The Road
07. Parisienne Walkways
2001:
01. You Upset Me Baby
02. Cold Black Night
03. Stormy Monday
04. Walking By Myself
05. How Many Lies
06. Fire
07. Enough Of The Blues
08. The Prophet
CD track listing:
01. Midnight Blues
02. Moving On
03. All Your Love
04. Still Got The Blues
05. Out In The Fields
06. Over The Hills And Far Away
07. Oh Pretty Woman
08. Too Tired
09. Parisienne Walkways
10. Stormy Monday
11. Walking By Myself
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has issued the following update:
"Last night after the Chargers loss, I drove home dejected and dropped off the guys that rode with us, picked up my car, and headed back to Temecula.
"It was about an hour later that I left my apartment and drove to TGIF in Temecula and met up with Kerry King [SLAYER guitarist], and hung out for about 45 minutes, had some drinks, he ate (I got sick from the Margaritas at the game), and we just talked about the past, about the future, and a lot about stuff that is just private talk between two old friends that are trying to get to know each other again.
"I really, really had a good time seeing KK last night, although not as much as the bartenders that were serving two of the Four Horsemen . I thought that the guy was going to start crying when we started talking and the guy realized who we were. I had a beanie and my hair tied up, and KK was in a hoodie with a beanie on top. So it wasn't like we were trying to be noticed.
"We were pretty well disguised and we left, shook hands, did a bro hug, and I walked off to my car and he to his.
"I feel sorry for the first couple of Carnage shows. Because we are really pissed and ready to play!
"Come on American Carnage!"
MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick has issued the following update:
"How many times have you been told safety first? I always felt like I was being nagged, but now I am the one advocating safety.
"Last night I was breaking down boxes to put in the recycling bin, and the unthinkable happened. I cut my thumb on my right hand with a box cutter (razor blade). Instantly I knew I needed to get to the emergency room to make sure I hadn't cut my career along with my thumb. Luckily I didn't cut any tendons and will only have to lay off the guitar for a couple weeks.
"If you are squeamish at all, don't look at the pictures [below].
"I'm bummed I didn't get to play with my brothers at the 'NAMM Jam' [on Friday, January 15 at The Grove of Anaheim in Anaheim, California]. I was told no one in MEGADETH was playing and decided not to go to that party. Needless to say, I missed out on a great time."
VELVET REVOLVER /ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash's debut solo album, "Slash", will be released in Japan on March 24 via Universal Music. A special edition of the CD will include a bonus DVD featuring making-of-the-album footage and a free poster in the first pressing.
"Slash" is scheduled for release in the U.S. on April 6. The CD will be made available in Europe via Roadrunner Records.
"Slash" will see Roadrunner Records enter into a unique and innovative association with a U.K. media partner — the special-interest media group Future. In a brand new concept in record distribution, the standard album release will be preceded by a "Fan Pack," in which the Roadrunner Records album will be bundled together with a highly collectable, 132-page special issue of Future Publishing's Classic Rock magazine dedicated to Slash's career. This will be the first format of the album available anywhere in the world.
The partnership is a first for music and media industries, marking the first-time a major new album has been released this way. The partnership ensures that Slash's new album is available through over 4,000 U.K. retailers that stock Classic Rock — sidestepping the issue of dwindling high street music outlets and top 20 only stocking in supermarkets. Classic Rock is one of the U.K.'s biggest rock music magazines and this year recorded its eighth consecutive circulation increase, the only paid-for music magazine to grow.
The Slash "Fan Pack" featuring his debut solo album from Roadrunner Records, along with a 132-page "Classic Rock Presents: Slash" special will have a cover price of £14.99.
Among the guests appearing on the album are BLACK EYED PEAS singer Fergie's (a.k.a. Stacy Ann Ferguson), Dave Grohl, Flea, Chris Cornell, Duff McKagan, WOLFMOTHER's Andrew Stockdale, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Nicole Scherzinger, Meat Loaf, MAROON 5's Adam Levine and Ozzy Osbourne, who contributes vocals to the first single.
In 2008, San Diego alt-rockers Stone Temple Pilots ended a five-year split and reunited for a massive U.S. tour, kicking off with a rockin' extravaganza at Harry Houdini's old Hollywood mansion. And then the magic really started to happen: the quartet began jamming during sound checks and soon had an album's worth of demos.
This May, STP -- singer Scott Weiland, bassist Robert DeLeo, guitarist Dean DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz -- will return with a new yet-to-be titled album, their first since 2001's Shangri-La Dee Da. To get the 411 on how the recording process was coming, we rang up the main songwriting force behind the band: the DeLeo Bros.
MORE STP ON SPIN.COM
Here the siblings discuss the hardships and awards of reuniting, Wii bowling, Weiland's sobriety, and the '60s vibe of STP's upcoming album. "If [fans] are expecting another 'Plush,' they are going to be let down," says Dean DeLeo.
Where are you guys in the recording process now?
Dean DeLeo: We're done recording and will start mixing Monday.
Robert DeLeo: Yep, we just finished the last two songs at my home studio, and we're going through the editing process and getting everything sounding tasty. A gentleman by the name of Chris Lord-Alge, who actually mixed a song of ours back in early 2000 called "All in the Suit That You Wear," will mix the new album.
What should fans expect from this record?
Robert: Fans are going get a great STP record. We know what STP sounds like -- we have a sonic blueprint. It's always worked for me to put myself in the ears of the listener. I ask myself, "What kind of STP record would I want to hear?" The answer is a really cohesive record with songs that are going to be lasting. Fans don't necessarily want to hear songs from me being the best person I can be. Those songs are for a solo record. STP fans don't want that side of me. This band is attractive because we bring it to the edge of a cliff and write songs that have attitude.
Can you tell me about a few songs from the album?
Robert: There's a song called "Between the Lines," which musically is like Paul Revere and the Raiders, with that '60s sound that I've always been a fan of. It's a '60s rockin' basher! There's another song called "Huckleberry Crumble." It's funny: these were actually working titles from when Dean, Eric [Kretz], and I were writing the music at Eric's studio. Scott has gravitated toward them and we're officially using those titles, "Huckleberry Crumble" included. [Faux British accent]: "And it's another good rocker baby!"
Does STP have traditions or pastimes in the studio? Or is there anything you can't live without while recording?
Robert: If you have your laptop you're set. We have a good work ethic in the studio -- and it's a lot of work. You're writing, arranging, producing, and paying attention to the tones and sounds, and making the best record you can.
Dean: We've made a few records in houses and there's usually a tennis court or a pool. One time we filled up a pool with lime jello and jumped in naked. Another time we played tennis on horseback. This time we got really into Wii bowling! Eric's studio is in the dregs of downtown Los Angeles, and there were three things to pass the time when we weren't working: a pool table, a ping-pong table, or Wii bowling. And the Wii bowling really grabbed us, man.
Dean: A dear friend who helped us out, Bruce Nelson. He bowled a 299. There was definitely some competition. He was one pin shy of a perfect game. Pretty spectacular, huh?
I understand the DeLeo Bros took on a larger role with producing this record. Why?
Dean: Well, it's a different ball game when you are taking on that aspect of it. We were very spoiled from making our records with Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen). He's extraordinarily great at what he does. I'm not so good at walking around the control room with a pen and clipboard in my hands, marking down what takes are the best. It's a lot of work. But I like being the very best I can be, and when you're producing you are taking on everyone's performances and wanting it to be the best it can be.
Robert: We decided to do this record ourselves and it's been a great learning process. It's going to be something we look back at and are definitely proud of. We did most of the work, musically speaking, at Eric's studio. But we have the luxury of using three studios, including Scott's and my home studio. We we're just kind of tag-teaming the duties.
When and where did most of these songs come together?
Dean: They just began as things that I've stumbled upon. That's what music is for me. I never sit down to write. I'm just hit with something and it happens very fast, very easy. If I try to sit down and write, it doesn't really happen. The album is a mix of songs we've been kicking around for a little while and others that we've written more recently, most on while on tour.
Robert: There's no rules to writing songs. I try to be the best person I can be in life, but there's always times when I feel like I want to walk off a cliff. And if I don't walk off the cliff, at least I go visit the cliff and that's where I choose to write songs. It makes for good songs. There are many different aspects in life to absorb from and extract from. Being on the cliff always seems to be the best place for me.
What is the songwriting process in STP and has it changed at all since reuniting?
Dean: Robert and I will usually bring in a piece of music completely finished. As far as Scott goes, he's hearing these songs for the first time. These are all songs that Robert and I have played one another over the past several months. Scott has to come up with melodies and lyrics for songs he's hearing for the first time. It's a lot to digest.
Robert: Well… I'm only on my first cup of coffee right now -- my brain is just kicking in. My fuckin' dog got skunked last night and he stunk my whole house up, so I didn't get much sleep. Have you ever smelled fresh skunk? OH. SHIT. Fresh skunk is like boiling onions, tar, and ass together. That shit woke me out of my sleep. My wife and I were up all night cleaning. [Laughs]
But, seriously, we definitely did this record differently. The fact that Scott, Eric, and I have our own studios gives us the luxury of working at home. We recorded at Eric's studio, then would send songs to Scott and he'd record vocals at his studio. The band wasn't in the same room as much as we could have been, but I think we've been making records long enough to know what to expect from each other. Plus, it added an extra bit of excitement to see what that person was going to record.
Did STP plan on recording an album from the beginning of the reunion?
Robert: It was talked about from the beginning. We're in our 40s now, you know, and there are many other aspects to life: kids, wives, all kinds of shit. STP is a piece of my life that I have to learn how to work with. When I was in my 20s it was all I had. Now, STP is a piece of what I do, so it's definitely cherished more. I feel really great about being in this position to be able to make an STP record after all this time.
How has being in your 40s and partying less affected the record?
Robert: It hasn't changed the music at all. We certainly haven't gone soft.
What about Scott's sobriety? How has that affected the recording process?
Dean: Sobriety? What the fuck are you talking about? Scott does what he does.
So, what's next?
Robert: We'll be touring into 2011. And I've got another baby coming at the end of May. It's another son, so it's going to be a juggle! Also, I have 30 acres of property in Upstate, New York. I don't know if my wife would enjoy living back there full time, but I get back there as much as I can. It's my happy place. It's so mellow and beautiful up there. I'd love to record an acoustic album up there. It would be a fuckin' amazing place to record.
As the Musink Tattoo Convention And Music Festival fast approaches, more big names have been added to the various and extensive lineups. Presented by Affliction, Inc., the third annual Musink at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center will take place February 19, 20 and 21 in Costa Mesa, CA.
Confirmed bands for the Orange County festival include THE CULT and THE HEADCAT (featuring Lemmy Kilmister from MOTÖRHEAD and Slim Jim Phantom from STRAY CATS) with many more to be announced.
Musink will also showcase world renowned tattoo artists including: Jack Rudy & the G.T.C's crew, Mike Brown, Corey Miller, Filip Leu & The Leu Family's Family Iron, Mick Tattoo, Bill & Junii Salmon's Diamond Club, Forever Tattoo, Spotlight Tattoo, Bob Roberts, Charlie Roberts, Brian Everett, Hori Taka, Hori Mitsu, Hori Masa and Toshihide (from the Horitoshi Family), Sunset Strip Tattoo, Greg James, Rick Walters, Catfish Carl, Mark Mahoney, Freddy Negrete, Isaiah Negrete, Shamrock Social Club, Gill Monte, Eddie Deutsche, Clay Decker, True Tattoo, Richard Stell, Mike Pike, Jo Jo Ackerman, Hori Sho, Hori Tsuki Kage aka Shad, Opie Ortiz, Steve Boltz, Jason McAfee, Temple Tattoo, Robert Hernandez, Eric Blair, Bryan Burk, Black Heart Tattoo, Juan Puente, Tim Lehi, Kore Flatmo, Oliver Peck, Mike Roche, Permanent Mark, Mike Wilson, Lindsey Carmichael, Matt Shamah, Jim Miner, Ron Earheart, Mike Roper, Eiland Hogan, Chris Danley, Robert Atkinson, Lil Tokyo
Jiro, Kim Saigh, Shawn Barber, Kari Barba, Hori Yuki, State of Grace, Gold Rush Tattoo, Colin Dowling, Harley Goodson, Dr. Claw, Shawn Warcot, Nikko Hurtado, Mike Furgeson, Ben Corn, Grant Cobb, Mike Godfrey, Bob Tyrrell and more TBA.
In addition to the stages, artists, tattoo contests and fine art exhibits, the festival will host the 2010 Miss MusInk Pageant, live paintings, and a Legends Skate Jam featuring professionals Original Z-Boy Tony Alva, Christian Hosoi, Steve Olson, Mike V, Eric Dressen, Duane Peters and more.
Tickets are only $30.00 in Orange County and $25.00 in Dallas and available now via Ticketmaster.
For more information, visit www.musink.org..
Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records has set an April 20th release date for Infestation, the new album from Californian hard rock legends 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'.
Singer Stephen Pearcy told BraveWords.com recently that "the new record is fucking great, best yet. Sounds like (Out Of The) Cellar meets Invasion (Of Your Privacy)!"
It's been ten years since Ratt's last studio album and the band will soon announce dates for their World Tour 2010.
Infestation was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who's credits include PUDDLE OF MUD, CHEVELLE, SALIVA, LIMP BIZKIT, ALTER BRIDGE, THREE DAYS GRACE .
Ratt's current line-up features: Stephen Pearcy on vocals, Warren DeMartini on lead and rhythm guitar, Carlos Cavazo (ex-QUIET RIOT) on lead and rhythm guitar, Robbie Crane on bass and Bobby Blotzer on drums.
According to M3RockFest.com, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil and KIX will perform at this year's M3 Rock Festival, set to take place Saturday, June 19 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. More acts will be announced soon.
According to MotleyCrueStore.com, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil and his solo band performed the SEX PISTOLS song "No Feelings" at a free concert this past Saturday (January 16) in West Palm Beach, Florida, to celebrate the two-year anniversary of his bar Feelgood's. The track will apparently be featured on Neil's upcoming solo album, "Tattoos And Tequila", which is expected to be released in April. The CD was recorded with bassist Dana Strum and Jeff Blando (both of SLAUGHTER) and drummer Zoltan Chaney. Another track being laid down during the sessions was a cover version of the CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL classic "Who'll Stop The Rain?"
In a recent interview with The News Tribune, Vince stated about the upcoming CD's title, "It's rock 'n' roll . That's it. It has nothing to do with MÖTLEY CRÜE. Tattoos and tequila is basically my life."
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Neil is also writing a book akin to MÖTLEY's autobiography, "The Dirt", with Esquire writer Mike Sager.
DOKKEN have added a number of new dates to their 2010 tour schedule - check out the band's itinerary below:
February
12 - San Juan Pueblo, NM Ohkay Casino
13 - Las Vegas, NV Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino
19 - Denver, CO Grizzly Rose
20 - Dubuque, IA Diamond Joe Casino
26 - De Pere, WI The Grand (with FIREHOUSE)
March
4 - Midland, TX Horseshoe Arena (with GREAT WHITE)
19 - Grapevine, TX Grand Cactus (with SKID ROW)
20 - San Antonio, TX Backstage Lounge
27 - Rapid City, SD Pennington County Events Center
April
9 - Lincoln, RI Twin River Events Center
10 - Roanoke, VA Roanoke Civic Center - Blue Ridge Bike Fest
Dokken, who recently signed with Cleopatra Records and are gearing up for the release of Greatest Hits package, will issue a new single entitled 'Almost Over' in early 2010. According to guitarist Jon Levin, who spoke with Bravewords.com correspondent back in November, the track is one of two new songs featured on the album, along with two cover songs and newly recorded versions of 'Just Got Lucky', 'Dream Warriors', and the band's debut hit 'Breaking The Chains'. More details will be revealed soon.
OVERKILL, VARG, UNDERTOW, EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS, BLACK MESSIAH and VAN CANTO have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Rockharz Open Air festival, set to take place July 8-10 at Flugplatz in Ballenstedt/Harz, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BLACK MESSIAH
BURNING SKIES
DELAIN
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DORO
EISBRECHER
END OF GREEN
ENSIFERUM
EQUILIBRIUM
EXCREMENTORY GRINDFUCKERS
FEUERENGEL
GERNOTSHAGEN
KRYPTERIA
MONO INC
OVERKILL
SONATA ARCTICA
SUBWAY TO SALLY
THERION
UNZUCHT
VAN CANTO
VARG
More acts will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/rockharzopenair.
Chile's greatest metal export CRIMINAL has beeen confirmed to support METALLICA at their January 26 open-air concert at Club Hípico in Santiago de Chile.
Comments CRIMINAL vocalist/guitarist Anton Reisenegger: "There are no words to describe how proud and happy we feel about being chosen to support METALLICA and given the thumbs up by their management. To me personally, it's like a dream come true. I started listening to METALLICA in 1983 when 'Kill 'em All' had just come out, and, although I have been critical of some of their later albums, I have always respected and admired them as the true innovators and great musicians they are. Without them, metal as we know it wouldn't exist."
Replacing drummer Zac O'Neil, who won't be able to do the show due to unavoidable prior commitments, the band has tapped Nick Barker (ex-CRADLE OF FILTH, DIMMU BORGIR , TESTAMENT) to play as a stand-in. Barker and Reisenegger are bandmates in the extreme metal supergroup LOCK UP.
"We are very excited and proud to have Nick Barker do this show with us", continues Reisenegger. "As gutted as we are that Zac can't make it, we feel really privileged to be able to count on the services of one of the best drummers in extreme metal. This is going to be a very special evening for us and all our Chilean fans!"
Nick Barker had the following to say: "I feel extremely proud and honored that my good friend and fellow bandmate Anton asked me to stand in and man the drum throne for CRIMINAL, supporting none other than the mighty METALLICA in Santiago next week. I have always had an amazing time with some wonderful people when I've visited Chile in the past, the fans are simply the craziest and I can't wait to play there again... METAL UP YOUR ASS!!!"
In their 19-year career, CRIMINAL have released consistently great albums and played with some of metal's biggest names such as SLAYER, SEPULTURA, KREATOR, EXODUS, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, LAMB OF GOD , CHIMAIRA, SIX FEET UNDER, CANDLEMASS, MOTÖRHEAD and BRUCE DICKINSON, to name a few. In 2001, the creative core of the band, vocalist/guitarist Anton Reisenegger and lead guitarist Rodrigo Contreras, relocated to the U.K. The lineup is completed by British musicians Zac O'Neil (ex-EXTREME NOISE TERROR) on drums and Dan Biggin on bass.
CRIMINAL's latest album, "White Hell", was released in February 2009 by Massacre Records to great critical acclaim. The band is currently booking a tour of the U.K. for the spring, as well as several festival appearances for the summer.
FAITH NO MORE , THEM CROOKED VULTURES, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, BARONESS, COHEED & CAMBRIA, LES CLAYPOOL and PORCUPINE TREE are among the confirmed bands for the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, set to take place Friday, April 16, Saturday, April 17 and Sunday, April 18 at the beautiful Empire Polo Club in Indio, California —the same grounds where Coachella debuted in 1999.
The Coachella 2010 lineup will feature more than 130 acts.
This year's Coachella will feature a variety of options to make the concert experience an enjoyable one. In addition to expanded camping options — including car, RV and traditional tent camping — Coachella will allow, for the first time, in-and-out privileges for all attendees. Festival goers will once again have the ability to purchase three-day festival tickets and various onsite camping options via an easy layaway payment plan.
For those looking to streamline the weekend's experience, Coachella has teamed with Valley Music Travel to provide exclusive travel packages, local hotel shuttle transportation and private home rentals with VIP Coachella access.
Tickets for Coachella go on sale Friday, January 22 at 10:00 a.m. at all Ticketmaster locations and www.coachella.com. Three-day weekend passes are $269.00, plus surcharges.
A new supergroup has been formed with Jason Bonham, Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa and Derek Sherinian. They are calling themselves BLACK COUNTRY, taking their name from the industrial area in England from which Bonham and Hughes both hail. The band is currently in the studio with producer Kevin Shirley (BLACK CROWES , AEROSMITH, LED ZEPPELIN) cutting tracks for an upcoming album to be released in late 2010 or early 2011.
With Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN , FOREIGNER) on drums, Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, BILLY IDOL, ALICE COOPER) on keyboards, Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE) on bass and vocals and Bonamassa on guitar and vocals, the band already has six tracks cut. The next recording session will take place in March and the band hopes to finish recording in early April. Shirley made the announcement on his web site: "So there it is folks — the cat is out the bag! This is BLACK COUNTRY. The songs are all original and what a lineup. They are all the very best players in the world, for my money!"
Shirley added, "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 rock 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!"
Recently named "The Blues Rock Titan" by Guitar World magazine, Bonamassa's new solo album, "Black Rock", will be arriving March 23, 2010. Produced by Shirley, who has produced Bonamassa's last six solo albums, it will be released on Bonamassa's own J&R Adventures label.
According to The Pulse of Radio, the original lineup of JANE'S ADDICTION headed into the studio on Monday (January 18) to begin writing new material, although it's too early to say whether this will result in the band recording its fourth full-length studio album. According to Stereokill.net, singer Perry Farrell revealed the news by responding to a fan's question about whether the group would write new songs at the band's Facebook page, writing, "Monday we get together to write new music and craft a future."
This is the second time since reuniting in the fall of 2008 that JANE'S ADDICTION has attempted to begin work on a new project. The band entered a studio last spring, but Farrell told The Pulse of Radio that it didn't work out too well that time. "You know, I'll be honest with you," he said. "We started to record and things got kind of ugly (laughs). You know, it's one of those things where the headbutting really came out when we tried to write and people were like, 'Well, I don't like that . . . ' But you know what? I'm very patient, because it's only been, what, 18 years, so I can't expect things overnight to be perfect."
The original lineup of JANE'S ADDICTION, which features Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro , drummer Stephen Perkins and bassist Eric Avery, regrouped in the fall of 2008 and toured last spring with NINE INCH NAILS.
It was the first time the original quartet had performed together since 1991. Two other reunions in 1997 and 2001 did not include Avery.
Avery's participation in the new recording sessions has been thrown into doubt as well, following his non-appearance at a JANE'S ADDICTION gig on New Year's Eve and his absence from a recent band photo. He has been confirmed to perform with the group on an Australian tour next month.
Massachusetts metallers SHADOWS FALL have announced their first-ever headlining tour of Canada. The trek will kick off on Wednesday, February 24 in Calgary, Alberta. Support on the tour will come from BISON B.C. and BAPTIZED IN BLOOD. Special guest GOATWHORE will be on the first six West Coast dates only.
Before they cross the border to the Great White North, SHADOWS FALL will play a headlining show at The Knitting Factory in Spokane, Washington with support from BISON B.C., BAPTIZED IN BLOOD and GOATWHORE.
Commented SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair: "All of us in SHADOWS FALL are very excited to finally be heading to Canada for a full headlining tour!! We look forward to rocking with all the metalheads in the Great White North and sharing a few extra strong beers with you all!!"
SHADOWS FALL headlining shows:
Feb. 23 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory *
Feb. 24 - Calgary, AB - Republik *
Feb. 25 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite *
Feb. 27 - Regina, SK - The District *
Mar. 01 - Winnipeg, MB - WECC *
Mar. 02 - Thunder Bay, ON - The Roxy*
Mar. 04 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Mar. 05 - London, ON - Music Hall
Mar. 07 - Ottawa, ON - Mavericks
Mar. 08 - Montreal, QC - National
Mar. 09 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial
* With GOATWHORE
SHADOWS FALL's new album "Retribution", sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on September 15, 2009 via Everblack Industries, the label SHADOWS FALL created in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment.
"Retribution" was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE), with vocal production by Elvis Baskette (INCUBUS, ALTER BRIDGE). The cover artwork was created by Sons of Nero (UNEARTH, EVERY TIME I DIE, BRING ME THE HORIZON).
NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane has scheduled the following solo shows in March:
March 04 - Santa Ana, CA @ Galaxy Theatre
March 05 - Ramona, CA @ Ramona Mainstage
March 06 - Las Vegas, NV @ Cheyanne Saloon
March 07 - West Hollywood , CA @ Whisky A Go Go
March 08 - Mesa, AZ @ U.B.'s
March 09 - Tucson, AZ @ The Rock
March 12 - Portland, OR @ Peters Room
March 13 - Vancouver, BC @ Red Room
All dates go on sale today exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until January 31, at which point they will be made available through all regular ticketing systems
Dane made his solo live debut on December 19, 2009 at Studio Seven in Seattle, Washington. He was accompanied by Matt Wicklund (HIMSA, GOD FORBID) on guitar plus Willis Mathiasen (drums), Dagna Barrera (bass) and Jonny Smokes (guitar).
Dane's show encompassed material spanning one of metal's most defining and revolutionary vocalists' entire catalog, focusing on his inaugural solo effort, "Praises To The War Machine", as well as featuring SANCTUARY tracks for the first time in over a decade.
His setlist was as follows:
01. When We Pray
02. The Day The Rats Went To War
03. Let You Down
04. August
05. Your Chosen Misery
06. Obey
07. Patterns
08. Everything Is Faiding
09. This Old Man
10. Lucretia My Reflection
11. Taste Revenge (SANCTUARY)
12. Eden Lies Obscured (SANCTUARY)
13. Brother
14. Equilibrium
15. Messenger
Cleveland, Ohio-based metallers ETERNAL LEGACY 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
ETERNAL LEGACY
EVILE
FIDDLER'S GREEN
GHOST BRIGADE
GOJIRA
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.
Swedish thrashers CARNAL FORGE have parted ways with drummer Stefan Westerberg and have replaced him with Chris Barkensjö (CONSTRUCDEAD, ex-GRAVE).
Commented Stefan: "Thanks to all the fans, but now it's time for me to move on. I have joined a new band called HEADSTONE! We have also started STEEL ATTACK again with the original members and will do at least one reunion show soon. We will only play songs from the two first albums."
CARNAL FORGE returned to the studio in June 2009 to record the vocals for a new track called "Blood War" (formerly "Non Existence"). The song will appear on the band's next album, tentatively due later this year. An accompanying music video (produced and directed by guitarist Dino Medanhodzic) was filmed in October 2009.
"Blood War" was written, recorded and produced by CARNAL FORGE in the band's own studio in Sala, Sweden. The track was mixed by Medanhodzic.
CARNAL FORGE is:
Peter Tuthill - Vocals
Dino Medanhodzic - Lead Guitar
Petri Kuusisto - Lead Guitar
Lars Lindén - Bass
Chris Barkensjö - Drums
CARNAL FORGE's latest album, "Testify for My Victims", was released in the U.S. in May 2007 via Candlelight Records.
Guitarist Jeff Potts of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based old-school metallers MANTIC RITUAL has issued the following update:
"For the first time in a year, we're at home and we're doing something other than planning our next heavy-metal-family-roadtrip: We're writing and rehearsing new material (some of which was heard on the MARDUK tour) for our second album. I don't want to create any false hopes or break any promises down the road, so I'm not going to say when the writing will be done or when the recording will take place, BUT, I can tell you that we're all really excited about the new songs and that old and new fans alike will agree that they're a step up from what we've done so far.
"Going on six tours (with 13 other bands) in one year has done a lot to inspire and educate us, so we're all pretty full of new ideas, lyrics, riffs, licks, songs, etc., and we can't wait to share them with all of you. As soon as we're done, we'll be in the studio and back on the road as soon as possible!"
Video footage of MANTIC RITUAL performing the song "Souls" on October 31, 2009 at the Smiling Moose in the band's hometown can be viewed below. The clip was shot by Jon Orner and Todd Kappelt.
MANTIC RITUAL last year completed a tour of North America with MARDUK, NACHTMYSTIUM, MERRIMACK and BLACK ANVIL.
MANTIC RITUAL's debut album, "Executioner", was released in the U.S. on March 10, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records (February 27 in Europe). The CD was recorded at Andy Classen's (LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DEW-SCENTED, NEAERA, BELPHEGOR, ASPHYX) Stage One Studio in Germany.
Former PARADISE LOST/MARSHALL LAW drummer Lee Morris will make his return to the heavier end of the musical spectrum when he appears on the debut album, "Methods To End It All", from Northern Ireland's melodic melancholy metallers CREATION'S TEARS. The CD is being recorded with producers Jens Bogren and David Castillo (OPETH, KATATONIA, AMON AMARTH, SOILWORK) for a spring release.
Commented CREATION'S TEARS frontman Brian "Eddie" Reynolds: "For me, Lee Morris was responsible for bringing a whole new dynamic to PARADISE LOST's sound on 'Draconian Times' on songs like 'The Last Time' and 'Forever Failure', but especially on tracks like 'Enchantment' and 'Shadowkings', where he had a unique sound, so we're excited about what he's going to bring to the table within CREATION'S TEARS."
Following his departure from PARADISE LOST in 2004, the sticksman — who appeared on such classics as PARADISE LOST's "Draconian Times" and "One Second" — has been involved in teaching drums to aspiring young musicians as well as keeping active on the session circuit.
Stated Lee Morris: "When I was first contacted by CREATION'S TEARS about playing on their album, I'll be honest and say that I didn't really have any great desire to re-visit this style of playing again, as after nearly a decade of touring and recording with PARADISE LOST, I'd kinda just about exhausted my enthusiasm for this scene. However, after hearing this band's demos and being really impressed by the new fresh ideas they had, plus their incredible ambition, it became a bit of a no-brainer, really, on my involvement on this record.
"I am looking forward to tracking the drums with the band! I think CREATION'S TEARS will certainly impress quite a few people when this album is released."
When quizzed on influences and musical direction, Reynolds stated, "We draw influences from bands as diverse as HIM and ANATHEMA to METALLICA and IN FLAMES, but I like to think of CREATION'S TEARS more as music for the emotionally disturbed, the suicidal, and those who have been oppressed by the female of the species."
For more information, visit www.creationstears.com.
Finnish metallers KALMAH will play the following shows in their home country:
March 04 - Lutakko - Jyväskylä, Finland ("12 Gauge" release party)
March 05 - S-Osis - Turku, Finland
March 06 - Dante's Highlight - Helsinki, Finland
March 19 - Nuclear Nightclub - Oulu, Finland
KALMAH will release its sixth album, "12 Gauge", on March 3 via Spinefarm Records. The CD , which which will be made available in Japan on February 24, was recorded between June and August 2009 at Tico Tico studio in Kemi, Finland and was mastered at the Cutting Room in Sweden. Nine new songs and one cover version were laid down during the sessions which "went [smoothly], as always, even though this time the recordings were done in three different time periods within a half a year," according to the band.
"12 Gauge" track listing:
01. Rust Never Sleeps
02. One of Fail
03. Bullets Are Blind
04. Swampwar
05. Better Not To Tell
06. Hook The Monster
07. Godeye
08. 12 Gauge
09. Sacramentum
The Japanese version of the CD will include a cover version of THIN LIZZY 's "Cold Sweat".
Regarding the new album's musical direction, lead guitarist Antti Kokko stated, "It is very KALMAH-like, but we haven't forgot to introduce new tuning here and there."
KALMAH's fifth studio album, "For The Revolution", was released in the U.K. in July 2008 via Spinefarm.
"For the Revolution" in May 2008 landed at position No. 17 on the Finnish national album chart. This was the band's strongest chart showing to date in Finland. The CD's cover artwork was designed by former SENTENCED drummer Vesa Ranta, who was also responsible for the artwork of KALMAH's previous album, "The Black Waltz".
Iann Robinson of CraveOnline.com recently conducted an interview with frontman Mike Muir of the long-running Venice Beach, California thrash/punk band SUICIDAL TENDENCIES. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
CraveOnline.com: I've heard whispers of a new SUICIDAL record. Why wait so long to put one out?
Mike Muir: We waited to do new stuff because we wanted it to be right. When I was laid up with my back problems all these people wanted me to a record and put it out really fast before it was too late. I didn't want to do that, none of us did, that's not what SUICIDAL is all about. We've spent the last few years showing people why they love SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and we didn't feel the need to rush new material.
CraveOnline.com: Is the new material written? Where are you with it?
Mike Muir: The new stuff is all written but we're putting out some other stuff first. The first thing is we're releasing a new recording of the old NO MERCY and some of the "Join The Army" songs . This is album I call the Mike (Clark, guitar) record. See, the second NO MERCY album was actually half of the songs that went on "How Will I Laugh" ("Tomorrow When I Can't Smile Today", third SUICIDAL TENDENCIES album). I told Mike we should go back and but a spotlight on those songs but not repeat them, rather take the playing to a new level. Mike's challenge here was to play the stuff better than he had before, which isn't easy. The second thing we're re-releasing the first NO MERCY CD, which is out of print. After that the new album will come out.
CraveOnline.com: How has the writing process been?
Mike Muir: Over the years we've been recording stuff and then putting it off to the side. When we were ready to record the new album we came back to the songs and re-evaluated them. We did changes to them, fixed stuff, re-worked aspects we didn't like. It's like a girlfriend; when you first get with her, you love her because you don't really know her and then you get to know her better and all the things you don't like come out. We were looking at these songs the same way. Sometimes when you first write something you love it and then later when we'd re-examine it, I would think that I still love the song but it's not for a SUICIDAL record. Some of the other stuff we hated early on but now we love it. That's how it goes, y'know. The other thing is that we're doing this for us. We're not worrying about record sales, we never have and we don't have to.
CraveOnline.com: Has the perception or sales of punk and metal affected you or how the band writes music?
Mike Muir: No. When we came out, the punk rock purists were bragging if they sold 5,000 copies. Once bands starting getting more success, they started worrying about SoundScan and what to do to sell. I never looked at it that way; to me, I make the music I want to. I love when people love our music, but you can't make it for that reason, you can't just try to make music people will like. It's not really about sales; it's about how many people are listening to it 10 or 15 years down the line. We're not a lottery band. We don't have to worry about how many we sell. There are very few bands that have the amount of fans that have the kind of the fans we have.
Montreal extreme metal purists ION DISSONANCE are currently holed up at .357 Productions recording their new album for an early summer release via Century Media Records. The CD is being helmed by the band's guitarist Antoine Lussier, who also produced EMMURE's latest effort. According to a press release, fans can expect "a more refined and streamlined approach that just goes straight for the jugular with a frenetic assault of the band's trademarked mathematic brutality."
Commented vocalist Kevin: "We are currently wrapping up our third week in the studio. The drum tracks have been completed and we are now halfway through recording guitars. Everything is going a hell of a lot better than we could ever expect. As a result, we are all stoked beyond belief at how retarded these new tracks sound.
"Have you ever noticed that every band recording lately tends to release the exact same quote? 'This recording is the best ever put out, and the songs are the best ever written, and blah blah blah.' Well, we want to switch it up a little bit and mention that this recording will be what you make it out to be.
"You have all noticed that ION DISSONANCE has been off the road at home for the last few years. This gave us the opportunity to work out new tracks and take them in a new direction. We wanted to make sure everything was well polished before recording a single note. The end result is astonishing. It's exactly what you would expect from us — a band who is pissed off and ready to take this game to a whole new level.
"'The Breathing Is Irrelevant' [2003] and 'Solace' [2005] albums brought about a solid fanbase of tech heads that whine and complain about 'Minus The Herd' [2007] being too simplistic. What we wanted to do with this new effort is to find the perfect balance between both without being categorized in a single genre. Once that was achieved, we wanted to turn up a notch in terms of extremeness. That's pretty much where we're at. More news to follow soon."
NAPALM DEATH, GWAR and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER have been confirmed for the 15-year-anniversary edition of the Brutal Assault festival, set to take place August 12-14, 2010 in Josefov, Czech Republic.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHILDREN OF BODOM
CONVERGE
DEMONIC RESURRECTION
DESPISED ICON
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DEVOURMENT
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA
DYING FETUS
GRAVEWORM
GWAR
HYPNOS
IHSAHN
ILL NINO
KYLESA
KYPCK
MNEMIC
MY DYING BRIDE
NAPALM DEATH
NECROPHAGIST
ORIGIN
ROTTEN SOUND
SARKE
SEPULTURA
SIGH
SYBREED
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
TRAIL OF TEARS
More acts will be announced soon.
LACRIMOSA and RHEMORHA have been confirmed for this year's Masters Of Rock feastival, set to take place July 15-18, 2010 in Vizovice, Czech Republic.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
MANOWAR (USA)
TARJA (FI)
ACCEPT (D)
UNISONIC (D)
SABATON (S)
LORDI (FI)
DORO (D)
ANNIHILATOR (CAN)
QUEENSRŸCHE (USA)
MASTERPLAN (D)
EPICA (NL)
BEHEMOTH (POL)
PRIMAL FEAR (D)
MIKE TERRANA (USA)
DESTRUCTION (D)
LACRIMOSA (D/CH)
DELAIN (NL)
HOLYHELL (USA)
METALFORCE (D)
RHEMORHA (RUS)
TUBLATANKA (SK)
HORKYZE SLIZE (SK)
DOGA (SK)
LEGENDY SE VRACI (CZ)
MILOS DODO DOLEZAL AND BAND (CZ)
SALAMANDRA (CZ)
Santa Cruz, California's over-the-top technical metal phenoms BRAIN DRILL have completed work on the follow-up to 2008's tech "Apocalyptic Feasting". The band will again take fans on a mind-melting voyage through the boundaries of exactly how incredibly technical death metal can be. "Quantum Catastrophe" continues to push the band to their physical limits while somehow still exhibiting their trademark and infectious hook-laden riffs.
Guitarist Dylan Ruskin adds some insight into the musical process: "The album was definitely a huge accomplishment in the chronicling of the drill. The musical dynamics and skill level of everyone in the band have improved much more than the previous album. The songs are more technical and musically diverse but are also well balanced and catchy, including several bass breaks by Ivan Munguia and two songs written and recorded on guitar by him, entitled 'Awaiting Eminent Destruction' and 'Mercy To None'."
"Quantum Catastrophe" again features cover art by Pär Olofsson. The over-the-top cover art (which will be released shortly) perfectly complements the nearly unbelievable musicianship present on the record.
Fans can get a taste of what the new material is like, as well as new drummer Ron Casey, on a recently uploaded YouTube video. In the video, Dylan and Ron play the new track "Monumental Failure". Check it out below.
Vocalist Steve Rathjen explains the concept behind "Quantum Catastrophe": "Universal decimation (black holes, galactic cosmic radiation), pandemic disease and zombie re-awakenings — mankind is entering an age of mass speculation as foreseen by numerous ancient cultures. Space to all humanity still primarily remains a mystery even in our days of immense technological advancements. We know this void is filled with infinite extremities which could occur at any instant; easily decimating all habitations. We also know our planet has fulfilled these mass extinctions time and again centuries in the past. The question which remains, are we due for another apocalyptic transition?"
BRAIN DRILL is:
Dylan Ruskin - guitar
Steve Rathjen - vocals
Ivan Munguia - bass
Ron Casey - drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/braindrill.
VOID OV VOICES, the new project from iconic TORMENTOR and MAYHEM frontman Attila Csihar based only on his processed voice, will support post-black metal titans ULVER at London, England's Scala on February 10.
VOID OV VOICES made its live debut in late 2008 in Moscow.
Performing since 1986 when he co-founded cult-metal band TORMENTOR, Attila is best known for his contribution to MAYHEM's "De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas" album in 1993, a milestone for the black metal genre. Csihar is, or has been, a member of various groups such as PLASMA POOL, ABORYM, and KOROG. He has also done guest vocals (and toured) with SUNN O))), BURIAL CHAMBER TRIO and GRAVETEMPLE.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/voidovvoices.
Metalfan.nl recently conducted an interview with guitarist Cory Scheider of the Southern Wisconsin quintet LUNA MORTIS. An excerpt from the question-and-answer session follows below.
Metalfan.nl: This month you received some bad news as you were dropped by your label Century Media . How much of a disappointment was this to you and your bandmates?
Cory Scheider: It is a little disappointing being dropped by a bigger label like Century Media. But it isn't as disappointing knowing that we can now pursue a label that will put some time into our band. So the news is not bad. I'm not sure why it was announced that we were dropped anyway. Most bands don't announce these kinds of things. Splitting from Century Media will work out better for us in the long run. When we were on the label they didn't do a lot to help push the band and get us started. They did some good album promotion for a while but that was as far as they pushed. We are unsure of their reasons for this. They were very nice people but it was not the right home for LUNA MORTIS. 2010 will be a great year for us. We have a tour coming up and will start writing the next album.
Metalfan.nl: Have other labels shown interest in signing LUNA MORTIS. Could you give an update on the situation?
Cory Scheider: There have been other labels interested in the past, but we can't really say what will happen in the future. I can tell you that the band will keep moving forward. It's a very hard time for bands and especially metal. The only thing we can do is keep going and keep getting our music out to our fans.
Metalfan.nl: Have you been writing new songs lately? When do you expect another album to come out?
Cory Scheider: The writing process has begun but it is in its very early stages. We will be working on song arrangements in the next few months. The ideas that are in the early stages now sound great. We don't have an idea when the next album will come out but we will be keeping everyone updated.
Metalfan.nl: What are you most looking forward to do on the next album?
Cory Scheider: I think the next album will be raw and a bit more aggressive given our current circumstances. We are all ready to kick some ass on the next album. It's not going to be as "polished" as the last album. I think it will hopefully catch the vibe of us as a band as a whole. We are a live band and that is where we shine. I hope we can catch that energy on the next album.
Wes Cambron of the Tampa Metal Music Examiner recently conducted an interview with former DEATH/CONTROL DENIED guitarist Shannon Hamm. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Tampa Metal Music Examiner: Late last year you suffered a serious heart attack. How are you feeling today?
Shannon: Actually, I feel better today than I did before the heart attack. I have much better blood flow now that the blockages have been removed. Unfortunately, it will be an ongoing process for the rest of my life, blood work, medications, doctors, cardiologist, etc. Considering I would've been dead within an hour of 911 being called, it's truly amazing how advanced our technology has become in the medical field.
Tampa Metal Music Examiner: Let's back pedal a few years. Can you tell us what it was like being part of DEATH and CONTROL DENIED?
Shannon: I could write a book on this question alone, but to stay within the context of this interview I'll keep it to a bare minimum. Being a member of such an influential band was the high point in my life, and also introduced me to the greatest people I've ever been associated with. It was almost surreal, a dream that somehow became a nightmare as I witnessed the breakdown of the most incredible and personable human being I've ever known, Chuck Schuldiner, R.I.P.
Tampa Metal Music Examiner: Not to name drop, but the late "Dimebag" Darrell said that back in the day you outshred him. Was he just being modest or did you really out shred the Shakespeare of shredding?
Shannon: This is another question that could easily turn into a book, but for the interview I'll try to keep it brief. In the late 1980s, I was in a band called METALSTORM based out of Houston, while PANTERA was based out of Dallas. At that time, PANTERA was basically a glam band and METALSTORM was pretty heavy by comparison. Terrance Lee was their singer, and Darrell was known as "Diamond" Darrell. It wasn't until Phil [Anselmo] joined in 1989 that they began to get heavy with a release titled "Power Metal" and "Diamond" Darrell became "Dimebag" Darrell. Both bands covered the same circuit and I was at the peak of my ability, my solos were much hotter than anything I ever presented in DEATH or CONTROL DENIED. Darrell's comment was accurate because that's all I did back in the day, 24/7. When I joined up with Chuck in late 1995 at the end of the "Symbolic" tour, I hadn't even picked up a guitar in about two years due to my college schedule, and he hired
me based on some bootleg METALSTORM videos he had seen.
Tampa Metal Music Examiner: Dimebag and Chuck Schuldiner, both are influential guitarists, and both had jammed with you. Were you close with any of them?
Shannon: Absolutely, they were both very close friends, and there are no words to describe the realization that I live with every single day of knowing how quickly life can be taken. They are both gone, forever, and I will never see or speak to either one of them again. They were two of the greatest people that anyone could ever have the pleasure of knowing.
Tampa Metal Music Examiner: Is there anything you'd like to say to the readers?
Shannon: I'd like the readers to know that Chuck was more than just a friend to me, he was my best friend, my brother. I keep the final letter that he wrote under lock and key, which explains the entire album, titles, order, as well as his final wishes. I will never be at peace until these things have all been carried out. I've been anxiously awaiting the completion and release of the sophomore CONTROL DENIED effort for almost a decade now, but due to legal issues it hasn't become a possibility yet. Richard Christy recorded all of the drum tracks in 2000, Chuck recorded all of his guitar tracks, and I recorded three of my guitar tracks before the remainder of the budget had to be put towards Chuck's medical expenses. Ultimately, this created extensive legal issues between the Schuldiners and the label. I still need to finish my guitar tracks, Steve DiGiorgio needs to record the bass tracks, and Tim Aymar needs to record the vocals. From what I
understand, those legal issues are finally coming to an end, and I can't wait to see Chuck's final work reach the public. I truly believe that this CD will stand up against anything in the market today, regardless of its age or when it was written, because it is Chuck's soul screaming out to be heard!
Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Norwegian black metallers 1349.
1349 rose from the ashes of ALVHEIM in 1997, and in 2003 they released their debut album, "Liberation". Since then, 1349 has added three more albums to its critically acclaimed catalog and this spring the band will return with its fifth full-length effort.
1349 will embark on a big tour later this year. Summer festival appearances at Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze are also confirmed.
Commented 1349 guitarist/composer Archaon: "Finally, after a long wait, much planning and with equal amounts of anticipation, we're proud to announce that we have chosen Indie Recordings as cooperation partner. We are extremely eager to set things into motion with them, and are looking into the future with a great deal of excitement. This will be the ultimate team in bringing our fans aural terror in the next years to come."
1349 is:
Ravn - Vocals
Archaon - Guitar
Seidemann - Bass
Frost – Drums
Reformed Dutch death metal outfit ASPHYX has issued the following update:
"It seems that there is a lot of confusion and misunderstanding due to the fact that ASPHYX and Wannes [Gubbels, bass] have split ways. The other blog was perhaps not clear enough about this and was interpretated wrongly by some people.
"Wannes and us both agreed that it was better to split as friends and go our own way again. Wannes can concentrate on his own band, PENTACLE, and his family.
"Wannes and us are still good friends; we've known each other for ages, and there is NO bad blood at all. Wannes' heart and thoughts are 100% PENTACLE and that just didn't work out for ASPHYX. We are both two old-school death metal bands, but with different approaches and personal cultures.
"By 'non-compromising' we meant that ASPHYX does not stand open for 'newer things' or elements in our music . Perhaps we are even more conservative then the Bush government ever was.
"We, again, wish Wannes all the best in his musical career and with his family and want to thank him for the great past three years! So we say Proost!
"Our new bass player, Alwin [Zuur, PULVERIZER, ESCUTCHEON] can be heard on the upcoming split 7" with Finnish doom masters HOODED MENACE."
ASPHYX's new lineup will make its live debut at this year's edition of the Hammer Of Doom festival, set to take place February 6, 2010 for at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany. ASPHYX will play a "special doom set" at the event.
ASPHYX 2010 is:
Martin van Drunen (vocals)
Alwin Zuur (bass)
Paul Baayens (guitar )
Bob Bagchus (drums)
ASPHYX's "Death...The Brutal Way" video can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by Oliver Barth of Visions In Fear.
"Death...The Brutal Way" is the title track of ASPHYX's comeback album, which was released in Europe on June 22, 2009 via Century Media Records (September 1 in the U.S. via Ibex Moon Records). The CD was recorded at the Sonic Assault studio and engineered by Frank Klein Douwel (who is also the band's live sound engineer). Mixing duties were handled Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.
The limited-edition version of "Death...The Brutal Way" contains additional slipcase packaging as well as a bonus DVD featuring the band's entire, unforgettable reunion show from 2007's Party.San festival in Bad Berka, Germany.
Peaceville Records has set a February 15 release date for the "collector's edition" of "With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness", the second studio album from the Swedish melodic death metal band AT THE GATES.
Regarded as a highlight of the band's career by many who followed them from their earliest incarnation, "With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness" was originally released in 1993. The album was known for its breakthrough style at the time, with highly complex melodic arrangements retaining a dark and brutal edge mixed with slight black metal overtones and poetic, philosophical lyrics suiting the tracks perfectly. The album also featured a guest appearance by Matti Kärki of DISMEMBER.
Along with the album and bonus tracks (consisting of two live tracks and an early demo version of "The Architects"), this release includes new insightful liner notes by vocalist Tomas Lindberg, reflecting on the early days of the band, scene, and the making of the album. This package also includes a DVD containing a live show recorded in Groningen, Holland in 1992 during the band's European tour with MY DYING BRIDE; featuring many early classics from the band's first two albums and debut EP and giving a rare glimpse of a band on their way to great heights as a key influence in melodic death metal.
"With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness" collector's edition track listing:
CD :
01. Beyond Good & Evil
02. Raped By The Light Of Christ
03. The Break Of Autumn
04. Non-Divine
05. Primal Breath
06. The Architects
07. Stardrowned
08. Blood Of The Sunsets
09. The Burning Darkness
10. Ever-Opening Flower
11. Through The Red
Bonus tracks:
12. Neverwhere (live)
13. Beyond Good & Evil (live)
14. The Architects (demo)
DVD :
01. Raped By The Light Of Christ
02. Through Gardens Of Grief
03. Within
04. Souls Of The Evil Departed
05. Windows
06. Kingdom Gone
07. The Architects
08. The Red In The Sky Is Ours
09. The Nightmare Continues
------------------------------------
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