"We're kinda doing a mashup of stuff," the guitarist tells Billboard. "A bit of 'Baba O'Riley,' a bit of 'Pinball Wizard,' a bit of the close of 'Tommy,' a bit of 'Who Are You,' and a bit of 'Won't Get Fooled Again.' It works - it's quite a saga. A lot of the stuff that we do has that kind of celebratory vibe about it - we've always tried to make music that allows the audience to go a bit wild if they want to. Hopefully it will hit the spot."
The annual Super Bowl half time concert has become one of rock's highest profile gigs.
Speculation about the set, conceived this year by the band's Roger Daltrey along with Pete's brother Simon Townshend, executive producer Ricky Kirschner and new director Hamish Hamilton , is always of huge interest to fans, and last year online sportsbook Bodog took bets on the set's opening number.
If the past is any indicator, The Who's halftime hits medley will give the band a big sales boost.
Super Bowl XLIV, between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, will be played Sunday, Feburary 7 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami.
The Calgary Herald recently conducted an interview with AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry . A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On whether AEROSMITH has a future with frontman Steven Tyler :
"I don't know what's going to happen. I never know. I still couldn't tell you what AEROSMITH is doing in two years. . . . Steven may get better and decide he still wants to go off and do his (solo) thing.
"I haven't talked to him. I just know what I've read in the paper, like everyone else."
On how galling it must be for him to suddenly have such limited access to the man who's been his key creative foil and business partner:
"I just look at it like another chapter in the long life of this strange band. We've had other times when we've had ups and downs, where we've gone without talking to each other. That's how life goes. I'm just kind of lying back. You can't trade in your brother for someone else, y'know what I mean?
"Bottom line — I hope he's getting better. . . . And that's it."
On whether he and the other members of AEROSMITH — guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer — are willing to trade Tyler in for another frontman:
"The four of us have no intention of stopping playing. Right now, we're kind of casting the net (for another singer) . . . Hopefully, whoever fills in . . . it won't be a permanent thing. But who knows? We'll have to see how it goes."
Andy Copping, the organizer of the U.K.'s Download festival, has told Xfm's "Rock Show" that a possiblity exists that AC/DC will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its landmark album, "Back In Black ", by performing the LP in its entirety when they headline this year's event.
Asked by Ian Camfield whether Copping had broached the idea of playing the "Back In Black" album in full, the festival chief said, "Absolutely, of course. You just never know what might happen on the day. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it's a possibility."
Through a unique collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia Records, AC/DC's music will be featured in Marvel Studios' "Iron Man 2", the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster film. In addition, Columbia Records will release the album "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" on Monday, April 19, 2010. "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" features 15 classic AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band's studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008. The complete track listing can be found below.
Pre-orders begin today, January 26 at Walmart.com for the "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" CD and at Amazon.com for a deluxe version of "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" CD+DVD and two LP vinyl packages. The film opens internationally beginning on April 28, 2010. In the U.S., the film will be distributed by Paramount Pictures and is scheduled for release on May 7, 2010.
The debut video from "AC/DC: Iron Man 2" is the AC/DC's classic album cut "Shoot To Thrill", which was filmed live last month in Buenos Aires during the band's highly acclaimed Black Ice World Tour, the second-highest-grossing world tour of 2009 according to concert industry trade publication Pollstar. The video also incorporates exclusive footage from "Iron Man 2" and debuts today worldwide.
"Shoot To Thrill" was originally recorded for the band's 50-million selling album "Back In Black", one of the best-selling albums of all time.
"Jon Favreau's vision and passion for AC/DC's music blend seamlessly into this incredible film" said Steve Barnett, co-chairman of Columbia Records. "The music really underscores the high energy and excitement of the film."
"Music is an integral part of the Tony Stark and 'Iron Man' experience, and we are pleased that Columbia and AC/DC are taking part in the franchise's phenomenon. Through this relationship, the band is delivering fans supercharged 'Iron Man' branded music through all our combined consumer touch points, from the movie to retail outlets and even virally with the debut of the new video," said Tim Connors, Chief Operating Officer, Marvel Studios.
Jon Favreau returns to direct "Iron Man 2", with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character, along with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson.
Based on Marvel's iconic Super Hero, "Iron Man 2" continues the story of 2008's box office smash hit "Iron Man", which grossed nearly $600 million worldwide, and was the first feature film produced independently by Marvel Studios. "Iron Man 2" is being produced by Marvel Studios' President, Kevin Feige.
"AC/DC: Iron Man 2" track listing:
01. Shoot to Thrill
02. Rock 'N' Roll Damnation
03. Guns for Hire
04. Cold Hearted Man
05. Back in Black
06. Thunderstruck
07. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
08. Evil Walks
09. T.N.T.
10. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
11. Have a Drink on Me
12. The Razor's Edge
13. Let There Be Rock
14. War Machine
15. Highway to Hell
ALBEMARLE COUNTY - Late Tuesday afternoon, Virginia State Police announced the discovery of the body of Morgan Harrington, saying they are "fairly comfortable with that conclusion."
An autopsy, now pending, will confirm her identity.
Col. W. Steven Flaherty said items and evidence found on site indicate the remains are those of Harrington. He said Morgan's parents, Dan and Gil Harrington, were on hand to make the tentative identification. He indicated the search for her, underway since October 17 of last year, was now over.
Lt. Joe Rader, the lead investigator in Harrington's disappearance, said the area where the remains were discovered had not been searched previously. He added that the missing person case was now most likely a homicide. He said investigators were combing the area carefully, saying it was "imperative to maintain the sanctity of the crime scene, since the perpetrator, or perpetrators," were still at large.
He would not characterize the state of the remains, nor what evidence may have been found at the scene.
The Harringtons arrived in the Charlottesville area in the early afternoon. They had told CBS 6 they were there to identify skeletal remains that had been found in Albemarle County Tuesday morning. When speaking, Morgan's father Dan was in tears, telling CBS 6 "this is a horrible day" for his family.
An Albemarle County resident found the remains Tuesday morning at a private residence called Anchorage Farm on Anchorage Farm Road in the southern region of Albemarle County. The farm is ten miles from the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville where 20-year-old Morgan Harrington was last seen at a Metallica concert October 17.
CBS 6's Catie Beck spoke to David Dass, who discovered the remains on his property. Dass, a farmer and owner of Anchorage Farm, says after the wind and rain last week there were several downed trees in his yard. He was out looking for possible damage to make repairs in a remote area of his property, when he spotted the body.
He said the area would be next to impossible to access from a road, since it's at least a mile and a half from the roadway.
He said at first he didn't know whether the remains were human or animal, describing them as very badly decomposed. "I looked down and saw what looked like a human skull and my first thought was that it was Morgan Harrington," said Dass. He said the skull had no hair on it and he couldn't tell from looking whether the remains were male or female.
He immediately went inside and called 911, telling a dispatcher, "I'm not even sure if this is a human body, but I think so."
Dass told CBS6, "We're a small, rural family and we've never had any trespassers. Now in dealing with this tragedy, of a dead person and at the same time [wondering] if this is Morgan Harrington, a part of me thinks this is something good for people to know."
He said police confirmed right away that it was a human body.
According to Bring Back Glam!, CINDERELLA 's manager Tim Heyne has confirmed that the band will embark on a full-fledged tour in 2010. Writing on the group's official web site this past weekend, Heyne said, "It is with great excitement that CINDERELLA announces the band's return to the concert road in 2010!!! The band has been in heavy rehearsal the past two months and has never sounded better...or Tom Keifer's voice stronger! Look for dates, and a tour, to be announced very, very shortly!"
CINDERELLA's U.S. tour with WARRANT, LYNCH MOB and LYNAM — which was supposed to take place in the summer of 2008 — was cancelled after frontman Tom Keifer's left vocal cord hemorrhaged during rehearsal, thereby making it impossible for him to sing.
CINDERELLA's "Live at the Mohegan Sun" album was released in Europe on November 6, 2009 via Frontiers Records.
Featuring the all-original line-up of Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar), Eric Brittingham (bass), Jeff LaBar (guitar) and Fred Coury (drums), the CD features a recording of the band's July 21, 2005 concert in Uncasville, Connecticut on the VH1-sponsored "Rock Never Stops" package tour, which included support from RATT, QUIET RIOT and FIREHOUSE.
CINDERELLA's "Authorized Bootleg: Live at the Tokyo Dome - Tokyo, Japan Dec. 31 1990" CD was released on March 31, 2009 via Island/Mercury.
Canadian guitarist Glen Drover (ex-MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND, EIDOLON) will fill in for Alex Skolnick on TESTAMENT's upcoming North American tour with MEGADETH and EXODUS. "My buddies in TESTAMENT called me up to see if I could help for the tour, as Alex will be away during this time," Glen writes on his MySpace page. "It will be great to get back out for a little bit and see all my friends in those bands, as well as the fans, and of course being a part of playing 'The Legacy' album, which has always been one of my faves!"
Glen is working on a full-length album of instrumental rock/fusion songs. The first track to be completed was a cover version of AL DI MEOLA's "Egyptian Danza", also featuring Jim Gilmour (SAGA), Chris Sutherland (KIM MITCHELL) on drums and Paul Yee on bass. Drover says, "Everyone is playing amazing and we will also have a few special guests lending their talents for guitar solo spots. So far we have Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE) and Fredrik Åkesson (OPETH, ARCH ENEMY) who have recently sent me their solos, which, of course, are no less than amazing. Just wait till you hear what they have done!!!!
"We have six out of eight songs recorded now and should have everything wrapped up in the next few months or so."
SAVATAGE/TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA guitarist Chris Caffery has confirmed via Twitter that he will join the all-star band HAIL! — comprised of bassist David Ellefson (F5, ex-MEGADETH ), guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA ), vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ex-JUDAS PRIEST , ICED EARTH) and newly appointed drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) — on stage tomorrow night (Tuesday, January 26) at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City to perform a couple of songs.
Upcoming HAIL! shows:
Jan. 26 - B.B. King Blues Club & Grill - New York, NY
Jan. 27 - Showcase Live - Foxborough, MA
While HAIL! has played all over the globe in the past year, the band has yet to grace a North American stage and now the much-anticipated event is here. "We can't hold all the rabid fans off any longer," said Owens. "We only have a few days together on the East Coast so we're bringing it to you!"
Added Kisser: "We're really excited! Although it's only a few shows, and obviously we'd love to play a full tour of the entire U.S., New York and Boston are two great cities to start with and the fans there are tremendous. Between Mike Portnoy playing drums with us and all the friends we know in this area (hint, hint) I'd ask Santa for a tent and start camping out now for my tickets! These shows are going to be sick!"
Professionally filmed video footage of HAIL! — Ellefson, Kisser, Owens and Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, ex-SLAYER, EXODUS) — performing the SEPULTURA classic "Territory" on November 20, 2009 at Hektic Hall in Beirut, Lebanon can be viewed below. The clip, which was mixed and edited by Roy Naufal, is said to be a sample of the "Hail! In Beirut" DVD that is currently being produced.
Drover left MEGADETH at the end of 2007 and was replaced by Chris Broderick, who has previously played with NEVERMORE and JAG PANZER.
Australian retro-rock combo WOLFMOTHER will support KISS on the following German dates:
May 25 - Leipzig, Germany - Arena
May 26 - Berlin, Germany - O2 World
May 31 - Hamburg, Germany - Colorline-arena
The Rad Report conducted an interview with WOLFMOTHER bassist Ian Peres when the band played at the historic Fox Theatre in Oakland, California on November 23, 2009. The three-and-a-half-minute clip, which includes performance footage, can be viewed below.
WOLFMOTHER's second album, "Cosmic Egg", sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on October 27, the group's first CD since the departure of drummer Myles Heskett and bassist/keyboardist Chris Ross was recorded in Los Angeles with heralded U.K. producer Alan Moulder.
WOLFMOTHER's 2006 debut sold more than 500,000 copies in the U.S. and featured the Grammy-winning single "Woman".
WOLFMOTHER's cross-country trek kicked off at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas on October 29 and wrapped up 20 cities later at the legendary Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles. Support for all shows came from THENEWNO2 and HEARTLESS BASTARDS.
Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), guitarist/singer extraordinaire Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON), and producer Ron Nevison (THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN ) are among the guest musicians and producers who will take part in the Hollywood session of Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, the phenomenon that's been pairing music fans with rock stars since 1997, in February 2010.
The following artsists are confirmed to appear:
Sammy Hagar (CHICKENFOOT, VAN HALEN )
Michael Anthony (CHICKENFOOT, VAN HALEN)
Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
Mark Farner (GRAND FUNK RAILROAD)
Ace Frehley (KISS)
Bruce Kulick (KISS)
Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT)
Mark Hudson (producer, songwriter AEROSMITH )
Kip Winger (WINGER)
Spike Edney (QUEEN)
Teddy Andreadis (GUNS N' ROSES)
Rami Jaffee (FOO FIGHTERS )
Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD)
Richie Kotzen (MR. BIG, POISON)
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp is the ultimate music experience that allows musicians and enthusiasts alike the once in a lifetime opportunity to jam with legendary rock stars, play live on stage at major concert venues, and live their rock 'n' roll dreams.
BANG TANGO, TRIXTER and WINGER have been confirmed for this year's M3 Rock Festival, set to take place Saturday, June 19 at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BLACK MAMBOOZA
CINDERELLA
DIZZY REED
JETBOY
KIX
L.A. GUNS
NELSON
SCORPIONS
TRIXTER
VINCE NEIL
WARRANT
WINGER
Z02
More acts will be announced soon.
PRETTY VACANTS, the rock covers band featuring Swedish vocalist Mats Levén (KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), has scheduled the following dates:
Feb. 04 - Helter Skelter - Stockholm, SWE
Feb. 06 - Wasteland - Gävle, SWE
Comments Levén: "We play some great rock music , including AEROSMITH, SEX PISTOLS and DEPECHE MODE ."
PRETTY VACANTS is:
Mats Levén (KRUX, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION) - Vocals
Jolle Atlagic (HANOI ROCKS, ANDY MCCOY BAND, THE QUILL) - Drums
Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT, E-TYPE) - Guitar
A.C. Christell (ELECTRIC BOYS, HANOI ROCKS) – Bass
Über Röck has conducted an interview with new TIGERTAILZ bassist Sarah Firebrand. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Über Röck: Let's start with the basics… You're in TIGERTAILZ. How does that feel?!?
Sarah: Pretty damn special! It's still rather new and surreal at the moment and I don't think it will properly hit me until I walk out onstage with the guys to play a show, but so far, it feels great! I'm very excited about being a member of TIGERTAILZ and looking forward to a very mad 2010.
Über Röck: Tell us how your recruitment to the TAILZ actually happened — what was the process of you getting asked and then accepting their offer?
Sarah: I recently discovered that I have the fabulous Matt Blakout to thank for recommending me to Jay and Kim. Their manager Mikey contacted me and I was invited down to Cardiff to play with the band. I learnt the "Bezerk" album and we played it through. I thought it all went well, but at the end Kim left and Matt wasn't far behind and I was left slightly bemused and wondering if I was in the band or not ... it turns out Matt had a gig to rush off to and Kim just mysteriously vanishes every so often. Jay told me later I was in the band. When I shared my thoughts with Matt recently, he said the same thing happened with him at his audition — he said to Pepsi Tate, "Do you want my number then?" to which he replied "Nah, it's OK..."
Über Röck: You have some pretty big shoes to fill, with Pepsi Tate being legendary not only for his role in TIGERTAILZ but also as a poster boy for a whole U.K. music scene . How do you feel about this?
Sarah: Well, to be honest, it's rather daunting. The day I met the guys to play through the songs, I was very nervous — not only because I didn't want to make any mistakes, but also because I still don't really know what the fans will make of me. You only need to look online to see the number of fan sites and tributes dedicated to his memory. There's no way I can ever have the presence and the persona that Pepsi Tate had, but I can do my best to show everyone me — Sarah Firebrand as the new bass player in TIGERTAILZ. He wanted TIGERTAILZ to continue as a band, and I am here to help the guys make him proud. I won't be trying to fill his shoes, but hope that people will accept me in my own.
Über Röck: Since Pepsi's sad passing the band have continued with a temporary bass player but would I be right in saying that your recruitment is a permanent one?
Sarah: Well, providing I don't make a monumental cock-up, yes, I believe so! Since the tragic passing of Pepsi Tate, TIGERTAILZ have been lucky to have the extremely talented Nailz on bass guitar , but to the best of my knowledge there was never any intention on the band's part or his part for him to be a full-time member. He helped them out at a difficult time. Nailz is a great musician and was happy to hand over duties to someone like me. Come to think of it, Nailz was very highly regarded by the fans too, so I've really got my work cut out here, haven't I?!
David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with FEAR FACTORY vocalist Burton C. Bell. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Blistering.com: If I were to tell you five years ago that you would be back with Dino [Cazares, FF guitarist] and also have Gene Hoglan in the band, what would you say?
Burton C. Bell: I don't know...strange things happen in this world [laughs]. It happens in its own course, I guess. If you would have said that to me five years ago, I definitely would have thought you were on drugs [laughs]. Never say never.
Blistering.com: Just by listening to your vocal performance on "Mechanize", it sounds like you have been invigorated. Is that stating the obvious?
Bell: Absolutely. The greater consciousness of this band is really strong right now and with Dino back in, it's like that history, that chemistry is working again and I missed it.
Blistering.com: Could you say that perhaps that chemistry wasn't there for "Transgression"?
Bell: Yeah, there was something... something lacking. There was a change going on in the music that was definitely a transgression of FEAR FACTORY, that's for sure.
Blistering.com: Has there been any progress on the legal battle over the band's name? Rather, are you concerned about it?
Bell: I'm not that concerned about it. We're using it. We have an album coming out, we toured under the name. Dino and I founded the band. I'm very confident that all parties can come to a resolution and we don't have to worry about it.
Blistering.com: The latest trend is for bands to play their classic albums in their entirety. Will we see that now that it's the 15th anniversary of "Demanufacture"?
Bell: Oh yeah. We've definitely discussed that — that could be cool.
Blistering.com: Some songs like "Dog Day Sunrise" you haven't played in a while I would imagine...
Bell: Yeah, it's been a while [laughs]. "Therapy For Pain", "Bodyhammer". "H-K" is in the set. "Flashpoint" is in the set. It will probably happen, yes.
Finnish melodic metallers SONATA ARCTICA have been confirmed for the 10th-anniversary edition of the Bloodstock festival, set to take place August 13-15, 2010 at Catton Hall, Derbyshire, United Kingdom.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMORPHIS
ANDROMEDA
BEHEMOTH
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHILDREN OF BODOM
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DORO
DREAM EVIL
FEAR FACTORY
GOJIRA
GWAR
KORPIKLAANI
LEAVES' EYES
OBITUARY
RAGE
ROSS THE BOSS
SONATA ARCTICA
SUFFOCATION
For more information, visit www.bloodstock.uk.com.
American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT have issued the following update:
"KAMELOT has enlisted renowned photographer Francisco Serralvo to chronicle the upcoming European tour that kicks off March 25, 2010 in Charleroi, Belgium and runs throughout Western Europe until April 17. The footage will be part of a future DVD release, KAMELOT's first live DVD since the critically acclaimed 'One Cold Winter's Night'. Francisco will be shooting live footage, photos, behind the scenes and lots of fan interactive during the new tour."
KAMELOT will embark on its first North American tour in two years this fall. Support on the trek will come from LEAVES' EYES and BLACKGUARD.
KAMELOT's upcoming tour will finally bring the band to cities it never played before in its career, including Philadelphia and Milwaukee. As an added treat, KAMELOT will offer special VIP ticketing in select cities. These tickets will include:
* Meet-and-greet with the band
* Early entrance to venue 60 minutes prior to door
* VIP laminate
* Signed poster
* VIP t-shirt
* One special VIP item yet to be determined
Fans with VIP tickets will gain entrance one hour prior to door times and will be permitted to stay in the venue once the meet-and-greet is finished.
Tickets are on sale exclusively at EnterTheVault.com until February 27, at which point they will be made available through all normal ticketing systems.
KAMELOT recently spent time at various studios — including the Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany — under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth and Miro as producers working on the highly anticipated follow-up to "Ghost Opera". A spring release is expected.
"The new songs are really inspiring," stated guitarist Thomas Youngblood. "We feel the long touring and time away from writing has been perfect for new ideas and an aggressive approach to the new songs."
Bassist Glenn Barry left KAMELOT in December and was replaced by Sean Tibbetts.
Massachusetts metallers SHADOWS FALL have been tapped to play on the Jagermeister Stage with HATEBREED , CHIMAIRA and WINDS OF PLAGUE at this year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.
This is the first time Shadows Fall will be a part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, and they cannot wait for what is sure to be the metal tour of the summer.
Frontman Brian Fair had the following to say about being on this year's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival: "We just wanted to thank all the fans that voted and spread the word about getting Shadows Fall on this year's Mayhem tour!! The support is much appreciated. It is going to be an absolutely sick tour with a ton of killer bands. Can't wait to destroy venues across America this summer. Don't miss the party!!"
Shadows Fall's new album, Retribution, is available everywhere now. The record debuted at #35 on the Billboard charts, #3 on Billboard's Hard Music Chart and #3 on Billboard's Independent Music Chart in the fall of 2009.
Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival pre-sale tickets go on sale April 2nd and tickets go on sale to the general public on April 16th at LiveNation.com. Check rockstarmayhemfest.com for more information.
California-based bassist Jerry Montano (HELLYEAH, DANZIG, NOTHINGFACE) has joined forces with Mark Zavon on guitar, Mike Dupke from W.A.S.P. on drums, and Matt James from PROGRAM THE DEAD on vocals to launch an as-yet-unnamed new project. "It's my main focus," Montano tells AOL's Noisecreep. "We are just finishing vocals now and should have something up in a month or so."
He adds, "I'm really enjoying writing and working with these guys. It's a miracle what can happen once you let go of ego, grudges and pride.
"I'm looking forward to a new beginning and a new start at an old game."
According to unconfirmed reports, it was during HELLYEAH's CD-release party in April 2007 that the group's then-bassist Montano got drunk and violent, allegedly threatening his bandmates. One week later he was dismissed from the band and was subsequently replaced by Bob "Zilla" Kakaha, who played with the Abbott brothers in their post-PANTERA group, DAMAGEPLAN, until Dimebag's death.
"I'm never going to be an angel, but I am more aware," Montano tells Noisecreep. "It basically got to a point where I had a choice: die or take my head out of the bottle and face the wreckage of my past and dust off. I took a few years away from music, went to college and majored in biology and nursing, if you can believe it, and realized that though I loved school, it just wasn't me."
Canadian thrash metal veterans ANNIHILATOR are looking for an experienced, skilled professional bassist. Applicants must be able to commit 100 percent to the band, be available for extensive global touring from April 2010 onwards (valid passport), preferably a resident of Canada, and have touring experience.
The audition "song" will be "Phantasmagoria" (live version), which can be heard on the band's MySpace page.
A link to a video of ANNIHILATOR mainman Jeff Waters showing the bass guitar parts can be viewed below.
To apply, please email the following to neverlandmusic@bell.net:
* Full name
* Age (between 21-35 need only apply)
* City/area of residence
* A quality link to a video of you playing (standing up) the bass guitar, along with the audio for the song "Phantasmagoria"; bass must be loud and clear
* 2-3 pics of yourself (on and off stage)
* Details of playing and gigging experiences
* Detail why you want to join the band
Applications/links must be received by February 22, 2010.
ANNIHILATOR recently signed a European deal with Earache Records. The band's 13th studio album is scheduled for release later in the year. A selection of back-catalog albums is also due to be reissued at a later date.
ANNIHILATOR released its latest album, "Metal", in North America in January 2008 via SPV.
STEELWING has replaced SIREN on the billing of this year's Keep It True XIII festival, set to take place April 23-24, 2010 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
ADX (FRA)
ANACRUSIS (USA)
CANDLEMASS (SWE / USA)
CRYSTAL VIPER (POL)
DEMON (UK)
FIFTH ANGEL (USA)
HADES (USA)
HEART OF CYGNUS (USA)
KALAPACS (HUN)
OBSESSION (USA)
RAM (SWE)
SATAN'S HOST (USA)
SAVAGE GRACE (USA)
STEELWING (SWE)
STRIKER (CAN)
THOR (CAN)
TYGERS OF PAN TANG (UK)
WATCHTOWER (USA)
WHIPLASH (USA)
WHITE WIZZARD (USA)
Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS will celebrate their 25th anniversary at the event by performing a very special two-hour show consisting of the entire "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" debut album with original singer Johan Langquist on vocals and a regular set featuring current frontman Robert Lowe.
German thrashers DEW-SCENTED have inked a European deal with Metal Blade Records. The band will enter Soundlodge Studios in Northern Germany in February with producer Jörg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, SINISTER) to begin recording its new album for a May release.
Commented the band: "We have known the European staff at Metal Blade for many years already and considering the label's massive history in metal, as well as the fact that their current repertoire includes several cool bands that we have toured with throughout the years, like AMON AMARTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE and GOD DETHRONED, we look forward to this new co-operation and are excited about the release of our next album, which we will be recorded in the coming weeks."
Added Andreas Reissnauer of Metal Blade Europe: "DEW-SCENTED is a driving force in European thrash metal. A band that delivered excellent records through the years and that is always giving 110 % on stage. Being fans and friends of the band since day one we are excited to finally be able to work with DEW-SCENTED in the future. The best is yet to come!"
DEW-SCENTED is:
Leif Jensen - Vocals
Michael Borchers - Lead Guitars
Alexander Pahl - Bass
Martin Walczak - Rhythm Guitars
Marc-Andree Dieken – Drums
DEW-SCENTED's video for the song "That's Why I Despise You" can be viewed below. The clip was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with acclaimed director Patric Ullaeus from the Revolver Film Company AB (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL).
"That's Why I Despise You" comes off DEW-SCENTED's latest album, "Incinerate", which was released in North America in April 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was mixed by Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, NEVERMORE, ARCH ENEMY) and features guest appearances by Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR), Gus G. (FIREWIND) and Mille Petrozza (KREATOR).
Southern California's female-fronted rock act IN THIS MOMENT will enter the studio mid-February with producer Kevin Churko (who worked with the band on 2008's "The Dream") to begin recording its third album for a tentative June release via Century Media Records. Guitarist Chris Howorth states, "As I write this, we are furiously working on new songs for our upcoming CD, due out this summer.
"We made a decision early on that this was gonna be a darker/heavier album than its predecessor, 'The Dream', and we are so stoked on the new ideas we have been coming up with. Some of these songs are pure groove metal — it's so heavy — and the best part is that Maria Brink [vocals] and I are actually agreeing on a lot of this heavy stuff, where in the past there was a lot of clashing between us.
"We can't wait to unleash the new material on our fans and everyone else around the world."
IN THIS MOMENT has been confirmed for this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, which is scheduled to kick off on July 10 in San Bernardino, California. Also scheduled to appear on the Mayhem Festival Stage are ATREYU, NORMA JEAN and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD.
States Howorth: "I can't even begin to tell you how honored and excited we are to be part of the Mayhem Festival this year. It's pretty mind-blowing that we were asked to be on yet another huge summer touring festival in the U.S. We owe Kevin Lyman a huge thank you for putting us on the Warped Tour last summer and now Mayhem in 2010.
"Mayhem is gonna be huge this year. The lineup is fucking killer, with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, ROB ZOMBIE , FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and HATEBREED, among others. It's a great mix of rock and metal.
"We are really excited to play some of our new, heavy songs and really make an impact on the Mayhem crowd. We are also the only female-fronted band on the tour and it should help us really stick out from the all the other acts, but it's our responsibility to throw down for the ladies (haha, I can't believe I just said that).
"It's shaping up to be a huge year for IN THIS MOMENT, and again, we are honored and so grateful for the opportunity to be on Mayhem 2010."
IN THIS MOMENT's sophomore album, "The Dream", sold more than 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 70 on The Billboard 200 chart.
IN THIS MOMENT video for the single "Forever" can be viewed below. The clip was directed and shot in Los Angeles, California by David Brodsky (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, OPIATE FOR THE MASSES) of MyGoodEye.
"Forever" was the first single off "The Dream", which was released on September 30, 2008 via Century Media Records.
IN THIS MOMENT is represented by Mercenary Management, which is headed up by OZZY OSBOURNE /ex-ROB ZOMBIE bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson.
Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of the Spanish female-fronted symphonic gothic metal band DIABULUS IN MUSICA.
According to a press release, DIABULUS IN MUSICA's musical style "can be [described] as symphonic metal with gothic elements, although their influences are quite diverse. The members of DIABULUS IN MUSICA are experienced young musicians who decided to leave other projects and commit themselves to this new band.
"All of the members of DIABULUS IN MUSICA know each other from the local metal scene in Pamplona and wanted to work hard to create a different and serious project that could give expression to all their ideas. A goal they definitely accomplished with their upcoming debut album, 'Secrets'!"
Comments DIABULUS IN MUSICA: "We all feel really excited about the fact we got signed by Metal Blade! Being part of a label made up of true and open-minded metal-lovers makes us feel wrapped and even more motivated. We are aware of the fact that it's not easy to find a proper label nowadays and when our manager Phil told us that Metal Blade was interested, we felt honored and happy they believe in our music.
"We are sure that all our common expectations will be fulfilled. We have plenty of ideas for future albums and it's great to know that we can continue making good music and have a strong label behind us pushing the band worldwide to a new level! We can't wait to get the album out and to start touring!"
Adds Andreas Reissnauer of Metal Blade Europe: "Symphonic metal with gothic elements is nothing you would expect from Metal Blade, would you? But then we always have our eyes and ears open and in the end it's the quality that matters, not the style. DIABULUS IN MUSICA deliver the sort of quality everyone is looking for! Their songs are simply the best we have heard in this genre for years; they have a fantastic style and a great concept. It makes us happy giving this extremely talented band the chance to present themselves worldwide!"
DIABULUS IN MUSICA is:
Zuberoa Aznárez - Vocals
Adrián M. Vallejo - Guitars and Screams
Gorka Elso - Keyboards and Grunts
Xabi Jareño - Drums
Alex Sanz - Bass guitar
"Secrets" is scheduled for release in May.
For more information, visit www.diabulusinmusica.com.
Finland's HOODED MENACE has completed work on its new album, "Never Cross The Dead" for an early April release via Profound Lore Records.
According to a press release, "Never Cross The Dead" "takes the HOODED MENACE sound of their 'Fulfill The Curse' debut into heavier and doomier terrain. And, of course, further into the depths of plodding brutal death metal terror."
A bludgeoning and sprawling mix of old-school death metal and heaving glacial sludge doom, "Never Cross The Dead" is a horror-filled journey through the eyes of HOODED MENACE mastermind Lasse Pyykko, one of the most notorious, productive and prolific musicians in the underground death metal scene. Known for taking inspiration from cult horror films when it comes to the thematic elements that embody and give character to HOODED MENACE ("Never Cross The Dead", lyrically, takes inspiration from such films as "Return Of The Evil Dead", "Night Of The Seagulls" and "Vampyres", along with paying homage to Hammer films in general), musically, Lasse Pyykko has developed the sonic landscape of HOODED MENACE with this new release and has slightly expanded it a bit more. Of course it still maintains the elements of old-school death metal and crushing doom like never before because "Never Cross The Dead" is the heaviest- and sickest-sounding thing that Lasse has
delivered to date. But on this new release, you'll hear a bit more BLACK SABBATH influence, along with more catchy dual guitar harmonics and more killer guitar leads, all while maintaining that classic ancient death metal/doom aura that bands like AUTOPSY, WINTER and CATHEDRAL (first album only!) had way back in the day.
"Never Cross The Dead" track listing:
01. Never Cross The Dead
02. Terror Castle
03. Night Of The Deathcult
04. The House Of Hammer
05. Rituals Of Mortal Cremation
06. As The Creatures Ascend
07. From Their Confined Slumber
08. Theme From Return Of The Evil Dead
HEATHEN's previously announced European tour dates in March have been cancelled. The San Francisco Bay Area thrashers state, "The band is disappointed that they will not be able to hit the road in March but is working hard to schedule tour dates in order to support the new album, 'The Evolution Of Chaos', worldwide. New tour dates will be [announced] as soon as they are confirmed."
Two new songs from ers HEATHEN — "Arrows Of Agony" and "Undone" — are available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. Both tracks appear on the group's long-awaited new album, "The Evolution Of Chaos", which will be released in the U.S. on February 16. It can now be pre-ordered at Amazon.com.
"The Evolution Of Chaos" was released in Japan on December 23, 2009 via King Records. The CD will be made available on January 25 in Europe via Holland's Mascot Records.
The band's current lineup includes Lee Altus (guitar; EXODUS), Kragen Lum (guitar; PROTOTYPE), Dave White (vocals), Jon Torres (bass; ANGELWITCH) and returning drummer Darren Minter.
"The Evolution Of Chaos" track listing:
01. Dying Season
02. Control By Chaos
03. No Stone Unturned
04. Arrows Of Agony
05. Fade Away
06. A Heroe's Welcome
07. Undone
08. Bloodkult
09. Red Tears Of Disgrace
10. Silent Nothingness
Akron, Ohio-based hardcore/metal band HATECORE INC has finished recording its new album titled "Rise Above All". The CD was tracked by Cole Martinez (SYSTEM DIVIDE) at Conquistador Studios in Cleveland, Ohio and is tentatively due this spring through guitarist/founder Kris Dann's soon-to-be-launched record label.
HATECORE INC is currently auditioning drummers before the band hits the road this summer in support of the new CD.
HATECORE INC's debut EP, titled "This Pure Hatred", came out in 2005 through Detained Records. The band spent much of 2006-2008 touring its region in support on the release.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/hatecoreinc.
Braunschweig, Germany-based metal/hardcore act FOREVER IT SHALL BE will release its sophomore album, "Sonic Death Squad", on March 5 via Maintain Records. The 12-song CD was recorded at Rape of Harmonies studio (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MAROON) in Triptis, Germany and will feature cover artwork (see below) by Justin Osbourne of Slasher Design.
"Sonic Death Squad" track listing:
01. Hardcover
02. The Art Of Deflection
03. Origin
04. Ancestor's Scorn
05. World On Fire
06. Whatever Doesn't Kill
07. Thunderation
08. Forever It Shall Be
09. Sonic Death Squad
10. Abraxas
11. King Of The Flies
12. Funeral Feast
The song "Ancestor's Scorn" is now available for streaming on the FOREVER IT SHALL BE MySpace page.
FOREVER IT SHALL BE's debut album, "Reluming the Embers", was released in June 2007 via Maintain Records. The CD was produced by Ralf Mueller and Alexander Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) at Rape of Harmonies and features a guest appearance by John Gahlert (FALL OF SERENITY).
Cleveland, Ohio-based metallers ETERNAL LEGACY have set "Seeking No Peace" as the title of their new album, due later in the year via Auburn Records. Gitarist/vocalist Jason Vanek will once again handle the production duties at the band's own Mercinary Studios in Cleveland.
In other news, the band's second and current album, "Lifeless Alive", will be released for worldwide distribution via Auburn Records in February. The album had been released on a limited basis locally last November.
"This next album is coming together very quickly," says guitarist Shaun Vanek. "Right after we mixed and mastered 'Lifeless Alive', we started writing another one. We have five songs ready and two more in the works.
"Tim (Frederick, bass) was added to the band after 'Lifeless Alive' had been finished. His energy and talent inspired us to kick out some more new music. The energy within the band and this next album is over the top.
"ETERNAL LEGACY is in domination mode. We are working non-stop to bring the heavy metal we love to all of our friends. We do not want to be a band that releases a new album every three or four years. We'd like to keep the new music coming out at a steady pace like bands used to do back in the '70s.
"Due to events and changes ETERNAL LEGACY has been through in the past couple of months, we decided to call this album 'Seeking No Peace'. It will be more of the heavier, traditional metal sound we have returned to writing as Jason and I were doing in our early MERCINARY band days."
ETERNAL LEGACY is the youngest band on the Auburn Records roster. Their first release, "The Coming Of The Tempest", was released in 2007.
The group has been confirmed for this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.
"Having the opportunity to participate in the world's biggest heavy metal festival is an honor and a gift," says Jason Vanek. "The kind of energy that comes from the fans is what drives and inspires me to write and play music. This is what I live for. I'm fired up and ready to kick some serious ass!"
This will be the band's second trip overseas. They performed in 2007 at the Headbangers Open Air festival in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany.
ETERNAL LEGACY, along with label mates LICK THE BLADE, were nominated for the "Best Metal Band" award in Cleveland Scene magazine's annual "Cleveland Music Awards 2010".
ETERNAL LEGACY is:
Jason Vanek - Guitar/Vocals
Shaun Vanek - Guitar
Steve Dukuslow - Drums
Tim Frederick - Bass
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/officialeternallegacy.
GOJIRA, CATAMENIA and MONSTROSITY 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
CATAMENIA
CONVERGE
DEMONIC RESURRECTION
DESPISED ICON
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DEVOURMENT
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA
DYING FETUS
GOJIRA
GRAVEWORM
GOJIRA
GWAR
HYPNOS
CHILDREN OF BODOM
IHSAHN
ILL NIÑO
KYLESA
KYPCK
MNEMIC
MONSTROSITY
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.
DARK TRANQUILLITY and RAUBTIER have been confirmed for this year's Metaltown festival, set to take place June 18-19, 2010 at Frihamnem in Gothenburg, Sweden
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
RAMMSTEIN (GER)
IN FLAMES (S)
DARK TRANQUILLITY (S)
SABATON (S)
NILE (US)
FINNTROLL (FIN)
CYNIC (US)
RAUBTIER (S)
More acts will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.metaltown.se.
IN SLUMBER, ASMODEUS, DISTORTED IMPALEMENT, EREBOS, BREWED & CANNED and V.P.O.A.A.W.A.M.C. have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Kaltenbach Open Air festival, set to take place July 15-17, 2010 in Spital am Semmering, Austria.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ABORTED
ASMODEUS
ASPHYX
BREWED & CANNED
DARK FUNERAL
DARKANE
DISTORTED IMPALEMENT
DYING FETUS
EPSILON
EREBOS
FLESHLESS
GOD DETHRONED
HAIL OF BULLETS
HARMANIC
HEATHEN FORAY
HOLLENTHON
HORNS OF HATTIN
IN SLUMBER
KEEP OF KALESSIN
MÅNEGARM
MASTIC SCUM
OBSCURITY
PARSIFALL
PRIMORDIAL
RIGER
SANATORIUM
SHINING
SKYFORGER
V.P.O.A.A.W.A.M.C.
VARULV
Swedish old-school death metallers SINNERS BURN have inked a deal with Khaosmaster Productions. The band's third album, entitled "Insanity Warmachine", is scheduled for a late spring/early summer release. The CD was recorded at The Undead Studios and was mixed and mastered by Patrick Bruss (CRYPTICUS).
Formed in 2007 by former members from PAGANIZER and influenced by bands like GRAVE, DISMEMBER and early ENTOMBED, SINNERS BURN has kept the old-school death metal spirit alive.
Comments Khaosmaster Productions manager Rafael Bracero: "It's a great day for me having a band of such quality in our roster. I have been a die-hard fan of the Swedish death metal scene since its early beginnings, so to have the chance to work with a band of this level is really an honor, and we're pretty confident that we will be a good team."
SINNERS BURN is:
Marcus Ankarberg - Vocals
Richard Karlsson - Guitar
Jocke Ringdahl - Drums
Fredrik Nilsson - Bass
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/sinnersburn.
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