Sound & Vision, which is now in its fifth year and has so far raised more than £700,000, will take place at the celebrated studios on February 25 and will be hosted by Radio 2 DJ and Cancer Research UK patron Bob Harris.
Plant, whose set will feature US singer-songwriter Beth Nielson Chapman and the London Oriana Choir, will be joined on the bill by David Gray and Newton Faulkner. The evening will be broadcast live on Absolute Radio.
Tickets for the event, which is sponsored by Shepperton, are now on sale via the Sound & Vision eBay site, www.soundandvisionebay.com. VIP tickets being sold will include a meet and greet with all the performers, while a selection of music memorabilia will be auctioned for the charity, including a Gibson guitar signed by all members of the Prodigy, a drumskin signed by Kaiser Chiefs and handwritten lyrics from artists including Robert Gillespie, Tori Amos, Doves and Mumford & Sons. On the night bids will also be taken for a Robert Plant memorabilia package to include Led Zeppelin images and a platinum disc of his Grammy-winning Raising Sand album with Alison Krauss.
Plant says, "Performing at Sound & Vision is something I'm really excited about. Cancer Research UK is a very worthwhile cause and when Bob asked me to get involved I didn't hesitate. My set is quite different from anything I've ever done before, as I'll be performing with Beth and a full choir on stage. Cancer is a disease that affects so many people and Sound & Vision is a great way to raise money to fight it."
The auction will also take in signed and limited-edition prints by photographers including John Rankin, Brian Aris, Gered Mankowitz and Nadav Kander, a rare Paul McCartney painting, a one-off Blur gig map signed by all the members of Blur and an exclusive set of signed album covers including signatures from Pink Floyd and Jimmy Page.
Meanwhile, event sponsor Shepperton has agreed to donate 5% of revenue from new clients to the charity during the next 12 months.
German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS will release their final studio album, "Sting In The Tail", in North America on March 23 via Universal Music Enterprises. The CD was recorded at a studio in Hannover, Germany with Swedish producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen (the team behind THE RASMUS' "Dead Letters" CD).
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Raised On Rock (3:57)
02. Sting In The Tail (3:12)
03. Slave Me (2:44)
04. The Good Die Young (feat. Tarja Turunen) (5:14)
05. No Limit (3:24)
06. Rock Zone (3:17)
07. Lorelei (4:31)
08. Turn You On (4:25)
09. Let's Rock (3:21)
10. SLY (5:15)
11. Spirit Of Rock (3:43)
12. The Best Is Yet To Come (4:34)
After the release of the album and a three-year mammoth tour, which will take the SCORPIONS across five continents, the band will end its career. The group broke the news on its web site last month.
Guitarist Rudolf Schenker tells Billboard.com that the prospect of ending SCORPIONS is indeed "really sad, and I don't even want to think about it." But he explains that the band and its management ultimately feel it's the right move to end the band on a high note with its new album, "Sting in the Tail", rather than risk a slow decline.
"You can't think about SCORPIONS at 70, not moving on stage, playing 'Rock You Like a Hurricane' — but on stage it's not like a hurricane, it's a very small wind," he says. "There's no stinger, and that's not good. You're going back down hill, from big hall to small how, small how to club...Everything has it's end; the question is it a good end or bad end? In this case we want to do these things and make it a good end."
Regarding the SCORPIONS members' future plans, Schenker says that guitarist Matthias Jabs has a musical instruments store in Munich, while drummer James Kottak has his own band, KOTTAK. Rudolf himself intends to publish his book, "Rock You Live", in the U.S. and plans a collaboration with his brother a Michael Schenker — which may include SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine on some songs.
Rushisaband.com is reporting a big rumor: that RUSH will be performing at the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Vancouver next Friday, February 12th. The word is that they'll be playing a version of 'YYZ' as part of a larger performance showcasing Canadian music. The opening ceremony will air on NBC beginning at 7:30PM EST on Friday, February 12th. There's been no official confirmation of this or of who any of the performers will be; the organizers are being very tight-lipped about the whole affair.
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Virginia State Police Lt. Joe Rader is asking for help from residents of the North Garden/Red Hill area and confirmed what many have suspected, that the spot where Morgan D. Harrington's remains were discovered is one of the best clues in the search for her killer.
Rader spoke at a press conference this afternoon.
He said the person who disposed of her body in a pasture must have known that specific part of Anchorage Farm off U.S. 29 but doesn't necessarily live in the area. Investigators believe the person:
--may have "traveled, worked, recreated, or lived in close proximity" to the farm or another nearby property;
--may return to the farm location during a period of stress;
--is comfortable operating in the area, which is some distance from the nearest roadway, because one would have to be familiar with the peculiarities of the terrain such as fences and streams.
Police hope locals will help to educate them about the area's history and quirks, Rader said.
Harrington, 20, disappeared Oct. 17 after attending a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena. Her skeletal remains were found Jan. 26 in the farm field.
The Medical Examiner in Richmond ruled her death a homicide, but the cause and time of her death have not been determiend.
State Police have established a tip line specifically for information about the Anchorage Farm property: (434) 709-1685.
Other information and tips about the Harrington case can be called into State Police at (434) 352-3467 or U.Va. Police at (434) 924-7166. The e-mail address is bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov . --Media General News and Staff Reports
MEGADETH , BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, AIRBOURNE and IMMORTAL are among the confirmed bands for this year's Norway Rock festival, set to take place July 7-11, 2010 in Kvinesdal, Norway.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
TWISTED SISTER
MEGADETH
IMMORTAL
QUEENSRŸCHE
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
AIRBOURNE
EPICA
GAMMA RAY
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY
U.D.O.
AMON AMARTH
ANVIL
RATT
OVER THE RAINBOW
ENSLAVED
JÖRN
SABATON
TONY HARNELL
SYBREED
CHROME DIVISION
THE CUMSHOTS
BACKSTREET GIRLS
BLACK DEBBATH
TÖMMERMENN
CYANEED
THE CARBURETORS
For more information, visit www.norwayrock.no.
Somebody asked me last week if I could open up for discussion the difference between "mainstream" success for a band or artist, and "underground" success. So here goes:
Back when I was a lad and punk rock was all the rage, the movement itself was self-supporting and eventually made its way to college FM radio, which was then a new and burgeoning way of spreading musical ideas.
In the early '80s, bands like R.E.M. and U2 were gaining speed on college radio as underground successes. They were selling records for their indie labels, and selling out shows on college campuses around the world. Of course, when you put the word "success" or "sales" up against a marketplace, nothing can really sustain its core underground-ness.
Major labels tried to capitalize on the success of the underground dollar by creating imprint indie labels. That is to say, the same major-label muscle with a new street cred name (GN'R's label, Geffen, created DGC sometime in 1986 or '87 just for this purpose. The Muffs or the Waterboys on Geffen Records would seem like a sellout to their fan base, but DGC? Well, that was fine!).
Mainstream success is basically the same deal. Artists and bands sometimes, and more commonly, want to be a mainstream success. This is where the possibility of the major dough can roll in, especially if one is unabashed by what commerce looks like to their public. Someone like Beyonce actually uses her fan base to sell perfume, clothes, makeup, and anything else. It's not a bad thing, either. She doesn't let her music suffer as a result, and can get away with it (a female audience like hers LIKES all these extras). Jay-Z, on the other hand, while achieving mainstream superstardom, stays far away from being perceived as selling out. Jay-Z WAS once a fairly underground rapper from Brooklyn. It seems that he wants at least a part of his art to still be perceived as underground and edgy.
Silversun Pickups and MGMT have an image of being underground, but both are on major labels, sell tons of records, and were up for major Grammy categories. "Alternative music" used to actually mean something. College radio WAS the alternative to, well, everything else. "Alternative" is now just another selling-tool catchphrase (kind of like "change" in politics!).
I still think that there are stalwarts in our industry who blend a good bit of mainstream and independence. Foo Fighters kind of do what they want, right? Nine Inch Nails for sure do. Alice in Chains paid for this latest record themselves, and licensed it out to a major label, enjoying the marketing that only a major label can afford.
Underground success, though, will soon be redefined, and, I am sure, become more of an indicator of overall success. Major labels are dying because of their shortsightedness, brought on when they introduced a digital format just to sell the catalogs of certain acts all over again. Little did they know in 1989 that every home would have a computer some five short years later. When Napster tried to make a deal with the majors on revenue-sharing through advertising on that site at the time (hundreds of millions of dollars in 1997), the majors buried their head in the sand and continued their lawsuit with Napster. Napster lost, and the floodgates of free content to everyone have never stopped, and never will. Artists are the smartest people when their backs are against a wall. Free music will serve as the new loss leader to bands trying to attract a larger audience.
Ross Romaniuk of the Winnipeg Sun reports that video has surfaced allegedly showing a man and woman — or perhaps another woman — engaging in a raunchy act of sexual nature at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada last Friday (January 29) night during a MÖTLEY CRÜE concert.
After the video — shot by another patron — was posted on YouTube, MTS Centre spokesman Scott Brown confirmed Wednesday the incident happened early in the rock band's show before security staff ushered a man and woman out of their seats in the upper bowl and ejected them from the building.
"We were made aware of it as soon as people were able to," Brown said. "It's disappointing that someone would engage in that kind of behaviour in such a crowded forum, like an arena during a concert."
The Tracii Guns-led version of L.A. GUNS has inked a deal with the Steve Vai -owned label Favored Nations/Jibboom, which is Favored Nations Entertainment's rock/metal division. This division stands separate from Favored Nations Entertainment and will be the label's home for all things hard rock and metal.
Favored Nations/Jibboom will reissue the 1999 L.A. GUNS album "Shrinking Violet". The LP will be completely repackaged with new artwork and five brand new, never-before-heard, live bonus tracks. It will be released in late May 2010.
The Favored Nations/Jibboom label was born when Vai brought in industry veteran Dean Schachtel as General Manager of Favored Nations Entertainment over a year ago. Schachtel oversees all aspects of the label and reports directly to Vai and, with his hard rock/metal background, it made sense to start the Favored Nations/Jibboom division.
"When Steve mentioned to me that he wanted to start a hard rock and metal division, I knew I was the right guy for the job. Having grown up in Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of these bands in their early incarnations. I'm a huge hard rock and metal fan myself — my son's godfather is Ronnie James Dio — so, naturally, I'm thrilled to be working with Tracii and L.A. GUNS," said Schachtel.
L.A. GUNS has recently been touring in two competing lineups: one featuring Tracii Guns, and another led by his Eighties bandmates, singer Phil Lewis and drummer Steve Riley. "Tracii's L.A. GUNS is bogus," Riley told Rolling Stone magazine. "People want to hear the songs sung by the original lead singer." Guns countered, "Those guys are a couple of dirty motherfuckers. I hired them for my band — if you get hired as a manager at McDonald's, you don't take over the McDonald's."
Guns told Rolling Stone that he was going to court, and he hoped to get the name back. "I just want to put it to bed and start a new band," he said. "This has proved beyond 'Spinal Tap' ridiculous. The next chapter would be us trying to book a convenience store and battling over the $300 they'd pay us."
The Tracii Guns-led version of L.A. GUNS is:
Tracii Guns - Guitar
Jeremy Guns - Bass
Jizzy Pearl - Vocals
Chad Stewart – Drums
Scott "Wino" Weinrich (SAINT VITUS, THE OBSESSED, THE HIDDEN HAND, SHRINEBUILDER) and Revolver magazine editor Brandon Geist will guest on this weekend's (February 5-7) edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show.
To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.
David Pehling of KTVU.com recently conducted an interview with Weinrich. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
KTVU.com: You've had a particularly busy year between the WINO album, the SHRINEBUILDER debut and the SAINT VITUS live gigs. Is it a challenge keeping the different aspects of your career and life balanced with so much going on?
Weinrich: The SHRINEBUILDER thing is actually really fun for me in a couple of ways. First of all it's just different for me; This is a band where I'm not the sole lead singer. I've always been the singer in my bands. It's interesting because everybody writes, everybody contributes and everybody sings. To me that's just amazing. I've also never played in a two-guitar band before. It's pretty cool. As a matter of fact, I think it's one of the best times I've had in a band.
We just played a round of shows recently and it was a lot of fun. And that brings it home for me, because sometimes you can lose sight of why you do it and why you're in it when you start to have hardships and drudgery and are struggling. People were really receptive and I think the songs came together really well live. So that was cool.
The VITUS thing is kind of a surprise because — bottom line — I never expected in a million years we'd have this resurgence of heavy rock, you know? Did anybody see this coming? Super heavy rock is back in vogue right now. I'm not complaining. VITUS did its first reunion in 2003. We played one show in Chicago and one show in Germany [the With Full Force festival]. We almost sold out the venue in Chicago. It was just shy of 500 people. And I thought, "Wow, people really wanted to see VITUS." And then we did another round of shows [on the East Coast] recently and we were drawing that many people and more.
I'm starting to see all these young kids in VITUS shirts. I guess most of what I'm hearing from people is, "Hey, I never thought I'd get to see this band in my lifetime." And then the younger kids are saying, "I never thought I'd get to see this band." It's just amazing. I think it's really cool.
KTVU.com: It seems like all the SAINT VITUS concerts have focused on the classic era material since the initial reunion you did since 2003. Is there any talk about writing new material or recording together again?
Weinrich: We have and we are. We're writing some stuff right now. Everybody's pretty busy. I know I've been busy. The WINO band is pretty much on hiatus right now. So it looks like we'll be doing some recording in the near future. The bottom line is we would like to do a new record. There's talk about it. We've already been floating around a couple ideas. So yeah, somewhere down the line there will be a new VITUS record in the cards.
KTVU.com: Given that you're an accomplished guitarist, I've always thought it was unusual that you stuck with singing in SAINT VITUS. Was the idea to just stick to the template of power trio with vocalist that the band started with?
Weinrich: The thing about it is there were some logistics involved too. To me, I feel really comfortable just singing in SAINT VITUS and I think that it just ended up working out better. I played guitar on a couple of tunes back in the day. But for me to just sing seemed to be the way to go. And actually to be honest with you, I'm happy to do that because it's a change for me. So I can just focus on the vocals and I don't have to worry about anything else. Playing guitar is really intense, and then there are all the equipment and tuning issues. It's nice for me to have a breather where I can just focus on my singing.
When I first joined SAINT VITUS, I felt like that was when I really learned to sing. I no longer had a guitar to hide behind and I really had to focus on my voice and my delivery. My singing style developed and my technique got better. So I'm happy just to sing in this band. Chandler's the king of noise, so that's all we need.
Canadian metal legends ANVIL will embark on a short tour of Japan in April. The dates are as follows:
April 19 - Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan
April 20 - Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan
April 21 - Club Quattro - Osaka, Japan
April 22 - Club Quattro - Hiroshima, Japan
Performance and question-and-answer footage from ANVIL's October 2009 trip to Japan to promote the band's acclaimed documentary, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", can be viewed below.
ANVIL's acclaimed documentary, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", has been named one of 2009's best documentaries by a slew of film critics associations across the continent, including critics in Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, and Las Vegas, as well as the International Documentary Association, the Online Film Critics Society, and the National Society of Film Critics. It also made the year-end Top 10 lists in publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek, and Village Voice.
ANVIL's "The Anvil Experience" North American tour kicked off on January 7 in Cleveland, Ohio. "The Anvil Experience" concerts were going to open with a screening of the "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" documentary followed by the band playing a live set. However, according to Lips, "We've been so fortunate with the success of the film and then the DVD, so many people have already seen it, so we've decided that this tour is going to be all about the music, we're just going to play our set, and just ROCK with the fans. 'The Anvil Experience' will be an evening of pure, unadulterated rock'n'roll." Local bands will open the shows.
The 27-date concert tour — the band's first major tour in more than a decade — is in support of "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", as well as the band's latest album, "This Is Thirteen", which one rock critic called ANVIL's "best record in over two decades."
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON have been confirmed for this year's Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 9-12, 2010 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ALDO NOVA (CAN)
ALESTORM (UK)
ANVIL (CAN)
BACHMAN & TURNER (CAN)
BEHEMOTH (PL)
BIGELF (US)
D-A-D (DK)
DANZIG (US)
FATES WARNING (US)
JORN (N)
MAGNUM (UK)
MASTODON (US)
MOTHER'S FINEST (US)
NAZARETH (UK)
OPETH (S)
RICK SPRINGFIELD (AUS/US)
RATT (US)
RAVEN (UK/US)
SABATON (S)
SAGA (CAN)
SLAYER (US)
STEEL PANTHER (US)
STRATOVARIUS (FIN)
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES (US)
UNISONIC (D)
W.A.S.P. (US)
WATAIN (S)
Y&T (US)
Last year's festival was attended by 35,200 people, but in 2010 the maximum number of visitors will be limited to 33,000.
For more information, visit www.swedenrock.com.
Reunited U.S. rockers WARRIOR SOUL will embark on a European tour this spring. The dates are as follows:
Mar. 25 - Hamburg, GER - Knust
Mar. 26 - Berlin, GER - Columbia Club
Mar. 27 - Bochum, GER - Zeche
Mar. 28 - Frankfurt, GER - Batschkapp
Mar. 29 - Munich, GER - Backstage
Mar. 30 - Stuttgart, GER - Röhre
Mar. 31 - Saarbrücken, GER - Garage
Apr. 02 - London, UK - Islington Academy
Apr. 04 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
Apr. 05 - Sheffield, UK - Academy 2
Apr. 07 - Weert, NETH - Bosuil
Apr. 08 - Hengelo, NETH - Metropool
WARRIOR SOUL's first album in 15 years, "Destroy The War Machine", will be released March 19 through FRW Records. The eight-song album, which was originally released in 2008 under the title "Chinese Democracy", includes a cover of IGGY POP 's "Knocking 'Em Down (In The City)". This time around, you won't hear any hidden meanings or agendas in the lyrics, controversial frontman Kory Clarke tells it like it is and calls a spade a fucking shovel. His ever-present vocals make the band unique and immediately identifiable.
WARRIOR SOUL bassist Janne Jarvis previously stated about "Destroy The War Machine": "[This album] has everything a WARRIOR SOUL fan should expect from a WARRIOR SOUL record. It has an ear for an argument, puke on its shoes and remains untouched by trends or the long-arm of the corporations."
"Destroy The War Machine" track listing:
01. Fuck The Pigs
02. The Fourth Reich
03. Motor City
04. Don't Believe
05. Burning Bridges
06. Bad News (Rock 'n' Roll Boyfriend)
07. She's Glaswegian
08. Knocking 'Em Down (In The City)
WARRIOR SOUL's current lineup is as follows:
Kory Clarke - Vocals
Rille Lundell - Guitar
Johnny H - Guitar
Janne Jarvis - Bass
Billy Williams – Drums
Swedish glam-rock band CRASHDIET will perform its debut album, "Rest in Sleaze", in its entirety at this year's edition of the Rest In Sleaze festival, which will take place tonight (Saturday, February 6) at Fryshuset in Stockholm, Sweden.
Rest In Sleaze was launched in 2007 as a tribute to former CRASHDIET singer David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard), who committed suicide in January 2006.
Hellman was found dead on January 20, 2006 at his apartment in the Swedish city of Uppsala, north of Stockholm. It was reported in several places that he hanged himself, although this was never officially confirmed.
"Rest in Sleaze" entered the Swedish national album chart at position No. 12 back in 2005.
For more information on Dave's passing, click here.
More details on the Rest In Sleaze festival can be found at this location.
"Generation Wild", the new single from CRASHDIET, premiered on January 29 on Sweden's Bandit Rock radio.
The single will be released exclusively with Sweden Rock magazine in the last week of February. If you're a subscriber of the magazine, you are guaranteed a copy!
CRASHDIET's new album, also entitled "Generation Wild", will be released through Gain/Sony Music on April 14. The 10-song CD was helmed by RamPac, the production and songwriting team formed by Johan Ramström and Patrik Magnusson, in Gröndal, Sweden and was mixed by Tobias Lindell.
"Generation Wild" track listing:
01. Armageddon
02. So Alive
03. Generation Wild
04. Rebel
05. Save Her
06. Down With The Dust
07. Native Nature
08. Chemical
09. Bound To Fall
10. Beautiful Pain
Commented the band: "We are extremely satisfied with this album. After writing over 50 songs, we have chosen the 10 absolute finest for the album. Now we're ready to tour the world!"
CRASHDIET last year announced the addition of Simon "Simme" Cruz from the Stockholm act JAILBAIT as the group's new lead singer.
The band parted ways with its last vocalist, the Finland-based H. Olliver Twisted, in July 2008.
CRASHDIET's sophomore album, "The Unattractive Revolution", entered the Swedish chart at position No. 11 back in October 2007. The CD was mixed in the United States by Kevin Churko.
"The Unattractive Revolution" featured a guest appearance on two tracks by MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars, who flew into Stockholm, Sweden in June 2007 to help CRASHDIET write some of the material.
ARMS OF THE SUN, a project featuring Rex Brown (PANTERA , DOWN) on bass, John Luke Hebert (KING DIAMOND) drums, Lance Harvill on vocals and guitar, and Ben Bunker (GRYN) on guitar, has completed work on thirteen tracks that were produced and mixed by Terry Date (DEFTONES , PANTERA, SOUNDGARDEN ). The material is set for a late February release through Extreme Music, which provides class-A production music to all major networks and studios, ad agencies and production companies, including FOX, HBO, NBC, BBC, MTV, SKY, ABC, Discovery, Nickelodeon, Turner Entertainment Networks, Universal, Lions Gate, Miramax , Sony Pictures, Touchstone and Disney, to name a few.
ARMS OF THE SUN recorded the music, written by Lance Harvill, late last year at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Recording Studio in Austin. The project is executive-produced by Sir George Martin (THE BEATLES) and Mark Ross for the Grandmaster Series, which celebrates four of the world's top producers spanning from the '60s through the '90s, including Sir George himself, Terry Date, Jack Douglas (AEROSMITH), and Hugh Padgham (THE POLICE).
Texas metal veterans HELSTAR have parted ways with drummer Russell De Leon and replaced him with Mikey Lewis. The band states, "Some of you may remember Mikey from last summer's Headbangers Open Air festival [in Germany] or even the last four shows we played here in Texas back in September and December.
The group adds, "Mikey is not new to the HELSTAR family. We've all known him for many years, and in fact, he toured Europe with James's [Rivera, vocals] HELSTAR reunion shows in 2004.
"Mikey is a solid drummer with impeccable timing and sense for what a song needs! He grew up on HELSTAR and was also heavily influenced by the major thrash drummers of the '80s. He is a very welcome addition to the family and we can't wait for you all to hear him!"
HELSTAR's "Pain Will Be Thy Name" video can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "The King of Hell", which received a North American release in January 2009 via Locomotive Records. The CD was issued in Europe in September 2008 on AFM Records.
Due to "scheduling conflicts," MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil has cancelled his appearance at the inaugural edition of the Stockholm Rock Out festival, set to take place April 30 - May 1, 2010 at Gamla Tryckeriet in Alvik, Sweden. Replacing Neil on the bill is SLAUGHTER, who will be making a very rare appearance in Europe and will be back in Sweden for the first time in many years. Also newly added to the bill are TUFF and SHAMELESS.
The festival billing is now shaping up as follows:
SLAUGHTER
JANI LANE
STEELHEART
KEEL
DIZZY REED
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
BULLETBOYS
VAINS OF JENNA
NASTY IDOLS
TUFF
SHAMELESS
CHRIS LANEY
BADMOUTH
DYNAZTY
KILLER CLAN OF F.U.N.
For more information, visit www.sthlmrockout.com.
Finnish metallers AMORPHIS were honored in the "Metal Album Of The Year " category (for 2009's "Skyforger") at this year's Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammy equivalent), which was held February 4 at Peacock-Teatteri in Linnanmäki. Other artists that were nominated in the "Metal Album" category were ENSIFERUM, SONATA ARCTICA and KOTITEOLLISUUS. Elsewhere, THE 69 EYES won the "Export" award athe annual event, which was televised on the Finnish TV channel YLE and can be streamed online in its entirety at the YLE Areena web site.
For a complete list of this year's winners (in Finnish), visit www.emmagaala.fi.
AMORPHIS was nominated in two categories at this year's Emma Gaala — "Metal Album Of The Year" and "Domestic Artist Of The Year".
The "Metal Album Of The Year" nominees were as follows:
* ENSIFERUM - "From Afar"
* AMORPHIS - "Skyforger"
* SONATA ARCTICA - "The Days of Grays"
* KOTITEOLLISUUS - "Ukonhauta"
AMORPHIS will release its first-ever live DVD in the spring of 2010, in time for the band's 20th anniversary. The filming took place on November 20, 2009 at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland, where AMORPHIS was supported by STRATOVARIUS and BEFORE THE DAWN. In addition to the full-length live show, the anniversary DVD will include plenty of bonus material documenting the band's impressive career.
"Skyforger" sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 33 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Skyforger" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 1. Released on May 29, 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records (May 27 in Finland), the follow-up to the "Eclipse" and "Silent Waters" LPs, both of which were certified gold in the band's native Finland, was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki.
THE 69 EYES's new album, "Back In Blood", was issued in Europe (excluding Finland) in August 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records (September 2009 in the U.S. through The End Records). It was tracked with the Grammy-winning producer Matt Hyde (SLAYER, MONSTER MAGNET, FU MANCHU) and features a guest appearance by MONSTER MAGNET's Ed Mundell. The recording process took place both in Helsinki and Los Angeles.
THE 69 EYES took part in a North American headlining tour in October/November. Support on the five-week trek came from DOMMIN and THE BECOMING.
SMILE EMPTY SOUL will hit the road with SOIL and special guests BLACK SUNSHINE this spring. The tour will start in Tempe, Arizona on March 26 and run through May 15 in Springfield, Missouri.
"This upcoming spring tour with SOIL is going to be a blast," says SMILE EMPTY SOUL's Sean Danielsen. "This is going to be a no-gimmick, no-bullshit, badass, hard rock tour. Everyone come out to the shows and party, while rocking out to some awesome music."
SOIL bassist Tim King added, "It will be great to finally get back on tour in the States and hit every market. We're looking forward to touring with SMILE EMPTY SOUL, a band I've been a fan of for years."
"BLACK SUNSHINE is beyond stoked to be on tour and share the stage with SMILE EMPTY SOUL and SOIL," says BLACK SUNSHINE frontman Matt Reardon. "This will be our first major U.S. tour and to be on such a world class line-up is going to be amazing. This tour is going to be no-frills, just badass rock n' roll."
SMILE EMPTY SOUL is currently touring in support of their recently released new album, "Consciousness", which was released through F.O.F Label Group/EMI. The album was recorded in Los Angeles, California by producer by Eddie Wohl (ANTHRAX, ILL NINO) and mixed by Jay Baumgardner (THREE DAYS GRACE, GODSMACK, PAPA ROACH).
SMILE EMPTY SOUL will re-release their previously unreleased sophomore album, "Anxiety", in a new special edition format in stores on March 9. The special edition, entitled "More Anxiety", will feature a DVD containing live and behind-the-scenes footage, as well as the group's new video for "Don't Ever Leave". "Anxiety" was originally recorded in 2005 as the follow-up to the group's gold certified 2003 self-titled debut, but was never released.
SOIL's new album, "Picture Perfect", was produced by Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND), Ulrich Wild (DEFTONES , INCUBUS ) and SOIL, with Dave Fortman (MUDVAYNE, EVANESCENCE ) handling mixing duties.
BLACK SUNSHINE, which features professional extreme athlete Matt Reardon, along with drummer Matt "Toast" Young, bassist Christopher Serafini and FILTER/THEORY OF A DEADMAN guitarist Charles Lee, will unleash their debut album on April 13 through BreakSilence Recordings.
SMILE EMPTY SOUL, SOIL and BLACK SUNSHINE tour dates:
Mar 26 - Tempe, AZ - Clubhouse
Mar 28 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
Mar 29 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
Apr 01 - Waterloo, IA - Spicoli's Rock Garden
Apr 02 - Madison, WI - The Annex
Apr 03 - Milwaukee, WI - Rave Bar
Apr 07 - Traverse City, MI - Streeters
Apr 08 - Dayton, OH - MCGuffys
Apr 09 - Columbus, OH - Al Rosa Villa
Apr 10 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's
Apr 11 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Apr 12 - Toronto, ONT - The Wreck Room
Apr 14 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon
Apr 16 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Apr 17 - Allston, MA - Harper's Ferry
Apr 18 - Farmindale, NY - Crazy Donkey
Apr 20 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend
Apr 21 - Jacksonville, NC - Rock Shop
Apr 22 - Beaufort, SC - House Of Tunes
Apr 24 - Jacksonville, FL - Brewster's Pit
Apr 27 - Shreveport, LA -Riverside Warehouse
Apr 29 - Sauget, IL -Pop's
Apr 30 - Louisville, KY - Phoenix Hill Tavern
May 01 - Flint, MI - Machine Shop
SACRED REICH and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will perform at a memorial show in honor of their late soundman Nino Notaro (who also worked with SEPULTURA for over 10 years) on February 20 at Club Stratus in Phoenix, Arizona.
The following acts are scheduled to appear at the event:
SACRED REICH
FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
N17
PELVIC MEATLOAF
ALTERED SILENCE
CASTLES IN SPAIN *
* Nino's sister's band from San Francisco
Nino passed away November 22, 2009, a victim of cirrhosis (scarring of the liver and poor liver function as a result of chronic liver disease). He left behind his 5-year-old daughter, Sophia.
Due to a "bad illness," singer Ramon R. Messina of long-running Italian power metallers SECRET SPHERE is sitting out the first three shows of the band's European tour with GAMMA RAY. His temporary replacement is Alessandro Conti, singer of the Italian band TRICK OR TREAT .
Affected dates:
Feb. 06 - Dock's - Hamburg, Germany
Feb. 07 - Biebob - Vosselaar, Belgium
Feb. 09 - Zeche - Bochum, Germany
SECRET SPHERE entered the new Authoma Studios on December 6, 2009 to begin recording their sixth album, "Archetype". The band spent two months working on the CD, which is being produced by guitarist Aldo Lonobile and Federico Pennazzato. The album will be mastered at Massive Arts Studio, while the artwork will be handled by Gustavo Savez.
Comments Aldo: "The musical direction will keep strongly the SECRET SPHERE trademark, with lots of melodies, orchestration and heavy riffs and great solos. It's not a big departure from what we have done in the past, but we feel that we've integrated some new elements that enhance upon everything we've ever done, making this one of our (if not THE) strongest albums to date. Some of the songtitles are 'Mr. Sin', 'All In A Moment' and 'The Scars That You Can't See'. We're ready to deliver a great album, and show you what our new members Marco [Pastorino; rhythm guitars] and Gabriele [Ciaccia; keyboards and piano] can bring to our music."
Regarding SECRET SPHERE's participation in GAMMA RAY's European tour with FREEDOM CALL, Lonobile stated, "It's an honor for us to be supporting GAMMA RAY. They are one of the main exponents of all things power metal, and they have definitely been a big inspiration on our music in the past. Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY's band leader) is known worldwide for his importance on the metal scene, through his time in HELLOWEEN till his own band GAMMA RAY, and for us to be touring with him and his band is something we've only been dreaming of one day happening. We're looking very much forward to this tour, and to see all our loyal fans out there around Europe and hopefully make new friends and fans."
"Sweet Blood Theory", the last album from SECRET SPHERE, was released in October 2008 via Dockyard 1. The CD was recorded between December 2007 and February 2008 at Authoma Studios by Federico Pennazzato and mixed in March 2008 at Germany's Indiscreet Audio by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR , BRAINSTORM).
For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.
JANE'S ADDICTION frontman Perry Farrell tells Spinner that it's "very likely" the band will have a new member following original bassist Eric Avery again leaving the fold after last year's hugely successful reunion tour. The three remaining original members — Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins — have begun writing new music with a "mystery bassist," who has been identified by the JANE'S ADDICTION fan web site Xiola.org as VELVET REVOLVER and ex-GUNS N' ROSES bass player Duff McKagan. Songs for the first new album under the JANE'S moniker since 2003's "Strays" are starting to come together. "We've got one great song so far called 'Top Dog'," Farrell tells Spinner.
After JANE'S reunited for a third time in late 2008 — with Avery on board for the first time since the band originally broke up in 1991 — and toured last spring with NINE INCH NAILS , the band began feuding once again as it tried to record new music.
Avery did not participate in the 1997 and 2001 reunions, but was replaced at different points by Flea, Martyn LeNoble and Chris Chaney.
McKagan's band DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED issued a new album last year called "Sick". He also has a second career as a weekly financial columnist for Playboy.com and a general interest columnist for SeattleWeekly.com.
Heavy Metal Records has announced the signing of the U.K. metal band HELLFIGHTER. The group's debut album is scheduled for release in spring/early summer 2010.
HELLFIGHTER's origins can be traced back to XENTRIX, one of the foremost British exponents of thrash metal in the '80s and '90s.
Former XENTRIX members Kristian Havard (guitar), Den Gasser (drums) and Simon Gordon (vocals) reformed in 2007, recruiting Pete Stone (guitar, ex-KILL II THIS) and bassist Mel Gasser to complete the lineup of HELLFIGHTER. In 2008/9 the band played a number of U.K. shows, including the Bloodstock and Metalfest festivals as well as recording a demo.
Commented HELLFIGHTER vocalist Simon Gordon: "We're delighted to be working with such an established British label. We've known Paul Birch (Managing Director, Revolver Records and Heavy Metal Records) for ten years or so, since the XENTRIX days, so it was natural for us to speak to him about HELLFIGHTER. We're looking forward to a successful partnership."
Birch added, "HELLFIGHTER are in the studio at the moment and the album is sounding killer, with strong elements of the thrash sound but also some of their wider influences thrown in. We're pleased to be bringing HELLFIGHTER to a wider audience. The album is a priority release for us in 2010, and with Heavy Metal Records celebrating its 30th year we're confident HELLFIGHTER will help to make it a memorable one for the label."
HELLFIGHTER will support the release of the album with U.K. dates and European festival appearances, details of which will be announced soon.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/hellfightermetal.
American stoner/doom metallers CORTEZ have entered New Alliance Audio (SCISSORFIGHT, CAVE IN, KEELHAUL, TRAP THEM, THE RED CHORD) in Cambridge, Massachusetts to begin recording material for their second album with engineer Ethan Dussault. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Monolith", "Northlander", and "Beyond the Mountain". This will be the first CD to feature vocalist Matt Harrington.
CORTEZ's latest album, "Thunder In A Forgotten Town", was released in 2006 via Buzzville Records.
Below is a live video from September 2009 of CORTEZ performing "Monolith" at the Stoner Hands of Doom Festival in Frederick, Maryland.
Guitarist Frédéric Caure of SERPENTCULT — the Belgian band featuring former members of THEE PLAGUE OF GENTLEMEN and WELKIN — has issued the following update:
We have some important news for you.Times of change for the band! Change means dynamics, changes are good!
"In the last few months we have been working very intensively on our new album, 'Raised By Wolves'. It was and still is a very strong period, in which we more or less 'rediscovered' ourselves. It was also a period of evaluation for all of us in the band about what we are actually doing in the band, what we want from it, and where we want to go.
"It went so far that about two months ago, we even discarded about 80% of the new material just to start again from scratch. We don't want to make 'Weight Of Light 2', we want to make something exceptional.
"Creativity, vision, future, motivation and other very personal related topics are things we often discussed in the last series of months.
"As a consequence of all this, our singer Michelle [Nocone] has decided to leave SERPENTCULT a few days ago for both personal and band related reasons. Cozy [drummer Frederik Cosemans], Steven [Van Cauwenbergh, bass] and myself agreed with her decision.
"I speak for the whole of the band when I say that the material we have been writing for 'Raised By Wolves' recently is by far the best stuff we have ever made. The music comes straight from the guts, has clear vision, and in comparison with our previous material, is far more avant garde and experimental. However, the music still retains the typical tone and heavyness of SERPENTCULT.
"The more the new songs were taking actual shape, the more we were wondering what position the vocals would be taking on this new material. Together with Michelle, we also concluded that the traditional setup of three musicians and a front vocalist does not work anymore for us.
"Therefore, we have decided with SERPENTCULT to make some drastic changes. For a while already, I was playing with the idea of redefining the concept of a 'band'. The departure of Michelle was the trigger for me to make these plans actually happen.
"This is what will follow:
"First of all, Michelle will not be replaced! This would be pointless to us, and would only be a weak attempt to continue what we've been doing on 'Weight Of Light'. However, let it be clear that SERPENTCULT is NOT turning into an instrumental band!
"From now on, the band will consist of a creative core of a limited amount of people, which are Cozy, Steven and myself, as permanent members. This 'core' will lay out the vision and the basics for all the future SERPENTCULT happenings.
"The band will expand with a few other musicians, who will join us in the realisation and creation of our visions and music. These members will be very close to the band, but will not be permanent SERPENTCULT members.
"We do not limit ourselves to an amount, nor to certain instruments. Vocals and lyrics will still play an important role in SERPENTCULT, however, the approach will be totally different from what is commonly accepted and expected in modern music.
"This new concept will allow us to spread our wings, and touch new horizons. We are extremely excited to start working within this new setup, and we see it as one of the most challenging things we have ever done in music.
"These changes obviously have their impact on the short-term future.
"First of all, we have to cancel all the one-off gigs in the coming two months. We would like to apoligize to the bookers of these gigs for the trouble this has caused them.
"For the European tour with DARK FORTRESS, SARDONIS and FARSOT; Michelle and the band have agreed to make it happen. This will be the last opportunity to see SERPENTCULT in the 'old' lineup.
"After this tour, the band will start working intensively on the new concept, and we will be proud to present you the new material at Tom G Warrior's 'Only Death Is Real' — Roadburn Festival, April 16th.
"Due to these events, we also postponed the recordings of 'Raised By Wolves'. We haven't set up a new timeframe yet, but we hope to still make it happen this year.
"We would like to stress that the friendly relations between SERPENTCULT and Michelle remain unaffected, and that we are still good friends. These four years together in the band have been awesome, and we wish her all the best for the future in her new projects and personal life.
"We know that the steps we are taking now will create strong reactions amongst the fans. SERPENTCULT, however, has never been a band you know what to expect from. We do this because it's our minds and hearts speaking. We follow the path that we think is right, and we'll be the only ones to judge this.
"But this is what it's all about for us; we do what we want and what we feel we must do. We do not seek acceptance, our lives will be free…"
SERPENTCULT's full-length debut, "Weight of Light", came out in North America on January 27, 2009 via Rise Above Records.
Hailing from Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, SERPENTCULT delivers punishing, downtuned music that transcends the standard doom fare into a maze of monolithic, molten metal. SERPENTCULT's massive sound, a self-described "neck-breaking, down tuned riffing apocalypse," has drawn parallels to CELTIC FROST, CATHEDRAL and ELECTRIC WIZARD and met with much critical acclaim within the underground metal community since the band's formation in 2006.
Finnish gothic metallers CHARON have issued the following update:
"New decade brings changes to CHARON and now it's good time to update the situation.
"There have been rumours among CHARON fans and followers about the future of the band. Playfully it could be said that CHARON was not able to escape the cold grip of ongoing recession and had to go through re-organization and layoffs.
"After taking some time out last summer, we were not able to tune our engine to the needed pace for the studio sessions.
"We had written a bunch of new songs during the last couple of years but were not able to put them on record. After a long pondering and going through different alternatives, it was inevitable that we cannot output the next album in this mood of confusion. As a consequence, guitarist Pasi Sipilä has left CHARON.
"CHARON will continue playing and writing songs as a quartet. At the moment we are looking forward to new working methods and finding new ways to surprise our fans and to challenge bandmates with no boundaries on style or sound.
"We would like to thank Pasi for all his work for CHARON during the years and wish him good luck with music!
"We were glad to notice on our November gig that fans still believe in our work. It really kicks us forward and gives us a reason to continue. Hopefully we will meet again soon!
"CHARON will be entering the studio in March to record couple of new songs. Brand-new track will be released in March at our website in free Internet dowload!"
CHARON's latest CD, "Songs for the Sinners", debuted on Finland's national album chart at position No. 6 back in September 2005. The follow-up to 2003's "The Dying Daylights" was recorded at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki with producer Mikko Karmila.
Swiss death metallers REQUIEM have issued the following update:
"After 13 years vocalist Michi Kuster has decided to leave the band due to family reasons. It's not possible for him anymore to take part of the busy band schedule.
"Michi will play his last show with REQUIEM on February 11, 2010 at Dynamo, Zurich (Switzerland) supporting HYPOCRISY (Sweden).
"The whole band wishes him and his family all the best for the future. REQUIEM made the decision to continue as a three-piece band from now on.
"REQUIEM is currently in negotiations for another European tour in October/November 2010. More information to be announced soon."
A photo of REQUIEM's new lineup can be viewed below (from left to right): Phil Klauser (guitar), Ralf Winzer Garcia (vocals/bass) and Reto Crola (drums).
REQUIEM's "Marked By The Signs Of Chaos" video can be viewed below. The clip was shot on March 14, 2008 at a sold-out show in Berne, Switzerland.
"Marked By The Signs Of Chaos" comes off REQUIEM's latest album, "Infiltrate... Obliterate... Dominate", which was released in July 2009 via Twilight Vertrieb. The CD was recorded at Stage One studio in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DEW-SCENTED, TANKARD, HOLY MOSES, DISBELIEF, KRISIUN, CALLENISH CIRCLE). The follow-up to 2007's "Premier Killing League" was laid down between December 8, 2008 and December 26, 2008 and features 11 tracks with "some musical and lyrical surprises." The artwork was created by Dan Seagrave, who who has previously worked with such bands as MORBID ANGEL, MALEVOLENT CREATION, SUFFOCATION, PESTILENCE, BENEDICTION, GORGUTS and DISMEMBER.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/requiemdeathmetal.
Frontman Voldamares of the Canadian epic black metal band ECLIPSE ETERNAL has issued the following update:
"The wait is over — we began recording our new album, 'The Essence Of Hopelessness', on January 31st 2010 at Eclipse Studios. The recording engineer will be Glen Drover (ex-MEGADETH , KING DIAMOND), who engineered our first album, 'Reign Of The Unholy Blackened Empire'.
"We are extremely pleased to be recording with Glen again; it has been several years since we recorded our debut and we still hold good memories of our time with him in the studio. His talent with the guitar is only equalled by his talent behind the board.
"Because of Glen's upcoming tour [as the stand-in guitarist for] TESTAMENT, we will be recording in two instalments: we'll be in the studio for the month of February and will resume when Glen returns in April. In the time we have before he leaves, we will be recording two new songs, 'Ancient Voices On The Wind' and 'Writing With A Razor Upon The Blue Lines', which he will also mix and master. These will be available for sale in a special black-disc version at our upcoming show with IMMORTAL on March 27th (where we will also be performing these songs). As there will not be a second printing and these songs will eventually be remixed and remastered to fit with the rest of the album, this will be your only chance to hear these new songs in this format.
"Now that I've announced the recording of the album, let me speak briefly about its direction.
"With this album we've thrown away any rules (either self-made or scene-generated) and have instead focused on making the best songs possible. In so doing, we have probably written the most varied and expansive album of our career to date. The songs range from fast mind-fucks to depressive epics, from melodic odes to extinction to raging, bile-filled thrashers. The thread that binds all these together is the lyrical theme of the senselessness and hollowness of life and the exploration of death in its many forms. Of course, all the songs are still black metal, but this time we're added quite a few new elements that felt right for the music. You have not heard this before.
The current working songtitles are:
* Ancient Voices On The Wind
* Writing With A Razor Upon The Blue Lines
* Deathbound
* You Will Remember Me
* Know That I Am (The Noose )
* The Essence Of Hopelessness
* Ode To A Time Long Gone
* Universe To Abyss
* Your Life Is Worth Nothing
"We are currently seeking label representation for this album. If you are interested, please contact us at hellknowsmyname@hotmail.com. If you are press and interested in acquiring one of our limited edition two-song pre-release CDs, please email us your info. For booking inquiries, please contact mzsteele@yahoo.ca."
ECLIPSE ETERNAL's "The Dragon Has Come to Blot out the Stars" video can be viewed below. According to the group, the clip was shot during October/November 2007 by Dark Frame Pictures with director Adrian Kent and "was financed by the band and by Dark Frame Pictures exclusively."
"The Dragon Has Come to Blot out the Stars" comes off ECLIPSE ETERNAL's most recent album, "Ubermensch: Evolution beyond the Species", which was mixed in Sweden by Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR , ZYKLON, OLD MAN'S CHILD). The CD is available through The End Records distribution.
Dutch death metallers THE LUCIFER PRINCIPLE have parted ways with bassist Michael Grunwald and have replaced him with Sander Keuls. The band states, "Sander is the personification of death 'n' roll itself, [and] we couldn't wish for a better substitute."
THE LUCIFER PRINCIPLE is currently working on material for its third album. According to the band, "the songs that are close to completion sound very intense already."
THE LUCIFER PRINCIPLE's second album, "Welcome To Bloodshed", was released in May 2009 via Apache Productions in collaboration with Suburban distribution. The follow-up to 2007's "Pitch Black Dawn" features artwork by Sieger Miedema and a guest appearance by GOD DETHRONED vocalist Henry Sattler. The digipack version of the CD includes the "Graveyard Ave." video.
GORGOROTH, LOCK UP and BLEED FROM WITHIN 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:
BLEED FROM WITHIN
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CATAMENIA
CONVERGE
DEMONIC RESURRECTION
DESPISED ICON
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DEVOURMENT
DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA
DYING FETUS
GOJIRA
GORGOROTH
GRAVEWORM
GOJIRA
GWAR
HYPNOS
CHILDREN OF BODOM
IHSAHN
ILL NIÑO
KYLESA
KYPCK
LOCK UP
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.
GODFLESH, the industrial metal band from Birmingham, England which formed in 1988 by Justin K. Broadrick (guitar, vocals, and programming) and G.C. Green (bass) and disbanded in 2002, will perform at this year's installment of the Hellfest, set to take place June 18-20, 2010 in Clisson, France. This will mark the reunited group's only appearance in Europe.
According to Justin, the band's lineup for the Hellfest performance will consist of Broadrick and Green, accompanied by various "machines and projections."
Justin explained to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine the reasons behind the band's return to the live stage.
"It wasn't remotely planned," he said. "Whenever it's been mentioned previously, I'd stated categorically not, regardless of the color of the offers. But, somehow, this started to make sense late 2009, and once I put it to Ben 'G.C.' Green in no unceertain terms, it made sense to him, too. Not having to support a record or a label and just do as we wish on our terms is exciting, and to play as GODFLESH were originally designed is even more thrilling. Not that this may be repeated at all after Hellfest; we're literally taking it as it comes."
Terrorizer: What else have you got planned?
Justin: "GODFLESH will not commit to anything but Hellfest currently. I am unsure as to where we will go from there, if we go anywhere at all."
Terrorizer: Obviously, I've got to ask, what are the odds of any new GODFLESH material?
Justin: "That is fairly minimal. We are more than happy to return to our old sound for a show, but uncertain how we could do this in the context of new material. We've both moved on so much, but we will not rule out any possibility currently."
Terrorizer: What do you think makes a reunion worthwhile?
Justin: I consider it more worthwhile for those who never got the chance to experience the band live, especially under great conditions, as in projections and big stage/sound."
GODFLESH split up in April 2002 — six months after Green announced his departure from the group. "Regrettably it took until the day of leaving for a lengthy U.S tour for the realization [that the band was over] to finally take its toll on me," Broadrick stated at the time. "Unfortunately, the finality of the decision and the responsibilities of making the decision proved too much for me to bear, and I collapsed under the weight. I found that without G.C. Green, GODFLESH is not GODFLESH, and him leaving proved to be an omen for me. I also feel that everything we originally intended or even imagined with GODFLESH we have done."
Swiss death metallers REQUIEM have issued the following update:
"After 13 years vocalist Michi Kuster has decided to leave the band due to family reasons. It's not possible for him anymore to take part of the busy band schedule.
"Michi will play his last show with REQUIEM on February 11, 2010 at Dynamo, Zurich (Switzerland) supporting HYPOCRISY (Sweden).
"The whole band wishes him and his family all the best for the future. REQUIEM made the decision to continue as a three-piece band from now on.
"REQUIEM is currently in negotiations for another European tour in October/November 2010. More information to be announced soon."
A photo of REQUIEM's new lineup can be viewed below (from left to right): Phil Klauser (guitar), Ralf Winzer Garcia (vocals/bass) and Reto Crola (drums).
REQUIEM's "Marked By The Signs Of Chaos" video can be viewed below. The clip was shot on March 14, 2008 at a sold-out show in Berne, Switzerland.
"Marked By The Signs Of Chaos" comes off REQUIEM's latest album, "Infiltrate... Obliterate... Dominate", which was released in July 2009 via Twilight Vertrieb. The CD was recorded at Stage One studio in Borgentreich, Germany with producer Andy Classen (LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DEW-SCENTED, TANKARD, HOLY MOSES, DISBELIEF, KRISIUN, CALLENISH CIRCLE). The follow-up to 2007's "Premier Killing League" was laid down between December 8, 2008 and December 26, 2008 and features 11 tracks with "some musical and lyrical surprises." The artwork was created by Dan Seagrave, who who has previously worked with such bands as MORBID ANGEL, MALEVOLENT CREATION, SUFFOCATION, PESTILENCE, BENEDICTION, GORGUTS and DISMEMBER.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/requiemdeathmetal.
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