started work on a brand new studio album â€" the follow-up to 2008's "Along Came
A Spider".
Speaking on his radio show, "Nights With Alice Cooper", Alice said, "(Our new
album) hasn't been recorded yet but we've got ten demos done already on it. I
think it's gonna be called 'The Night Shift'."
For the first time ever, the Gruesome Twosome â€" ALICE COOPER and ROB ZOMBIE
â€" will play an exclusive limited run of North American tour dates in April and
May.
Alice is playing in North America until July when he heads to Europe to play a
few Sonisphere festivals, including the U.K. leg, which takes place on the
weekend of 30 July 30 - August 2.
British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN will headline this year's Pukkelpop
festival, set to take place August 19-21, 2010 in Hasselt-Kiewit, Belgium.
2010 is the 25th anniversary of Pukkelpop which has grown in popularity over the
years to become one of the biggest alternative open-air festivals in Belgium.
Located approximately 70 kilometers from Brussels, this friendly festival prides
itself on its progressive musical programme; eight stages featuring 200 acts
encompassing not just metal bands but also contemporary, alternative and local
bands attracting an audience from across Europe and beyond.
Festival tickets go on sale on April 20.
For more information, visit www.pukkelpop.be.
Due to illness, drummer Lawrence "Larry" Paterson will be unable to make the
South American leg of BLAZE BAYLEY's "Promise and Terror Tour", which kicks off
on April 1 in Teresina, Brazil. The band will go ahead and play the dates with a
replacement drummer.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/blazebayley.
Blaze's new album, "Promise and Terror", was released on February 1.
The singer's double live album and live DVD, "The Night That Will Not Die" â€"
recorded on December 13, 2008 at Z7 in Pratteln, Switzerland â€" were released
on Blaze Bayley Recordings; the concert was filmed by director Kris McManus and
all audio mixed and mastered by producer Jase Edwards.
Mark Eglinton of The Quietus recently conducted an interview with guitarist Gary
Holt of San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS. A couple of excerpts from the
chat follow below.
The Quietus: Have the big labels killed music?
Gary Holt: Maybe they have something to do with it, but technology is more to
blame. At the same time as technology has made it easier to make really high
quality albums for a lot less money, it's that same technology that allows
everybody to take it for free and put it on a little MP3 player and walk away.
The Quietus: Something of a double-edged sword, then?
Gary Holt: Exactly. I'm a fan of high-speed Internet as much as anybody, but to
me the MP3 player and the CD burner are what's killing things. Without those
two, even if you downloaded a record, it's confined to your computer. So if you
wanted to throw it in your car you still had to buy the fuckin' CD. Now you buy
it, burn it, take it and soon CDs will be a thing of the past anyway, and it
will all be MP3 downloads.
The Quietus: We're all doomed...
Gary Holt: I think within the next 10 years there will be no albums and that
will be a crime. I think back to when I was a kid and I couldn't wait to get
that vinyl and tear into it, and just listen to it and read the lyrics along
with the song until I had all that shit memorised. And then there was the
artwork and it was all part of the experience, and all you might get now is some
little picture that pops up on your iPod. They'll miss out on what I consider an
integral part of the record-buying experience. Personally I don't like listening
to albums on little ear buds, I like listening to this shit with good hard watts
of fuckin' power behind it...sub-woofers, you know? I want to feel it. I
remember when I'd bring home one of my favourite albums in the middle of the
afternoon, and nobody's home and I'd be just CRANKING this shit. I'd sit in that
one spot on the couch where I've got maximum bass response. Who wants to have
this shit pumped into your
ears through some tiny microscopic speakers?
The Quietus: All of this must add emphasis to the need to tour?
Gary Holt: Oh sure, I mean now we depend on it. I look back to, like, the '80s
and I always thought that we didn't tour enough back then. Now you have to stay
out on the road as much as possible and try to generate enough income that way.
Then when you're done touring an album you've got to get your ass back in the
studio as soon as possible for the next one.
The Quietus: Do you actually make money?
Gary Holt: You know, we manage to do it...I make a living at this, but sometimes
it's feast or famine; one minute you're doing those really profitable tours and
then you're doing tours where you just try and increase your audience, but
you're not making anything. I can only imagine how hard it is for younger bands.
The Quietus: The "Big Four" tour this summer...do you think it's all too late?
Gary Holt: I don't think it's too late, but my whole take on this whole thing is
that I don't get pissed off with it but look: we were there before anybody but
METALLICA. I guess if you're basing it all on sales then Dave [Mustaine] and
METALLICA should be there certainly, you know. SLAYER were right there. Maybe
I'm biased but I think we had as big a hand in it as anybody. I think it's good
for the fans that want to see it, and it's cool that METALLICA are open to such
a thing now.
The Quietus: Are they open to it because they have made so much money, though?
Gary Holt: Yeah, maybe. People ask me what it's like to play with metallica but
we haven't played with them since 1986. There are lots of bands who have played
with them way more than us. We were there together in the beginning so people
always want to hear all the tales and how it all started. I'm that guy to call
on when you want to hear about the old Bay Area days.
The Quietus: Tell us your most outrageous Paul Baloff story.
Gary Holt: Oh gosh, I think there are more outrageous Paul Baloff tall tales
than there are stories. Paul has a million of them. People would come up to me,
right after his passing, with these great stories and I'm like, "Man, that shit
never happened." There was a big rumour going around that at one of the old
Ruthie's Inn shows where Paul said "Kill a poser," that somebody slashed some
poser's throat outside. There is no way I would not know about that, you know...
The Quietus: Presumably the police would know about it too!?
Gary Holt: Exactly. I should just let everyone believe that one, though.
[laughs]
While funding for music and arts programs are being cut across the country,
notably in New York City, Little Kids Rock, a leading nonprofit provider of free
musical instruments and free lessons in the United States, is teaming with
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and rock stars to put music education
back into public schools.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has revealed in his latest TheLiveLine
"audioblog" that the band will play its classic 1990 album "Rust In Peace" in
its entirety on the group's upcoming tour of Mexico and South America.
"We are so excited to be heading down to South America," he said.
"We're gonna keep playing the 'Rust In Peace' record on our way down there.
"We haven't decided what we're gonna do in Europe yet [on the upcoming tour that
kicks off May 30 in Lisbon, Portugal] because we feel that if we continue to
[keep playing 'Rust In Peace' on its entirety], we're gonna distract ourselves
from [the latest MEGADETH album] 'Endgame', and also we're not gonna be able to
play anything else BUT ['Rust In Peace'] in some situations if [our allotted set
time at various festivals] is only 45 minutes. But we love you, we love the way
the way you've been responding to this record, to the 'Rust In Peace' tour, the
combination of 'Endgame' and 'Rust In Peace', and it's been a great year so
far."
MEGADETH Mexico/South America tour dates:
Apr. 17 - Mexico City, Mexico - Sports Palace
Apr. 22 - Brasilia, Brasil - Ginasio Nilson Nelson
Apr. 24 - Sao Paulo, Brasil - Credicard Hall
Apr. 26 - Porto Alegre, Brasil - Pepsi on Stage
Apr. 30 - Santiago, Chile - Movistar Arena
May 02 - Lima, Peru - Explanada del Monumental
May 06 - Caracas, Venezuela - CIEC Metropolitan University
May 13 - Guatemala City, Guatemala - Mundo e Pavillion
On Friday, March 26, ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello donated Fender electric basses
and amps to 15 New York City public city schools to complement the Little Kids
Rock guitar classes that are already thriving.
"We are so proud to have Mr. Bello as a champion of our cause," said David Wish,
Little Kids Rock founder and executive director. "With his help, and the
continued support of our longtime partner Fender, we will be able to reach even
more children in New York City.
In addition to delivering a free Fender electric bass and amp to the students of
P.S. 11 Highbridge School, Mr. Bello answered all of the kids' questions and
jammed with them on some of their favorite songs.
Little Kids Rock launched in New York City in 2002 and has delivered nearly a
million dollars-worth of free instruments, curriculum and resources that
currently reach thousands of New York City public school children.
Frank Bello is the powerhouse bassist for the groundbreaking New York City-based
speed-thrash metal institution ANTHRAX. Born and raised in the Bronx, Bello
started playing when he was 12, learning bass parts on guitar; idolizing bass
heroes such as Geddy Lee, Steve Harris and Geezer Butler; and frequently jamming
with his uncle, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. Bello joined ANTHRAX in time
for 1985's "Spreading the Disease", and fans loved his high-energy stage
presence and deftly inventive bass style. Since that time, ANTHRAX quickly
reached the upper echelons of metal stardom with a series of classic punk/speed
metal albums fueled by Bello's ferociously riffing bass work. On stage and off,
Frank Bello is a veritable bass ambassador who doesn't pull any musical punches.
Bello continues to play with a ferocity and finesse that has won him acclaim far
and wide.
MetalSucks' Axl Rosenberg recently conducted an interview with Philip Anselmo
about the DOWN/ex-PANTERA frontman's record label, Housecore Records, ARSON
ANTHEM's first full-length release, and his upcoming autobiography, which will
be co-authored by MetalSucks' own Corey Mitchell. An excerpt from the chat
follows below.
MetalSucks: I know you're going to start working on your autobiography soon with
a writer that we work with, Corey Mitchell... I was just wondering if you could
tell us anything about that and what you have in store for the book.
Anselmo: Well, as opposed to what most people may figure or think or imagine
that I'm going to write about, this is not a book that's in any way, shape or
form really like your average rock book. It's not a pissing contest when it
comes to the death of my guitar player. [correcting himself] The murder of my
guitar player. Honestly, it's coming from my perspective of being a guy that has
fought through chronic pain his entire career, and what it's like to be in my
situation with all the pitfalls, all the crooked fucking doctors out there, all
the things that can go wrong. It's well documented how many things have gone
wrong in my career. So, it's kind of my take on that, and a lot of the lessons
I've learned from pain - chronic pain itself. You can win or lose, straight-up.
Anyone who deals with chronic pain can attest that it fucking creeps into the
mind, y'know?
MetalSucks: So do you think that you'll not be concentrating on your music
career at all? Is it going to be more about the chronic pain and less about the
music?
Anselmo: There is going to be some [discussion of my music]. If I didn't talk
about some of the music career, I think it would be a little bit of a fucking
gyp for the fans. People want to know certain things. Of course, yeah it's going
to be about it, but then again, I've been carrying pain around with me since I
was 24. I've been through major back surgery. I've had knee surgery. I broke
both my wrists. I've broken my ribs twice. All of my fucking fingers, two of my
toes, I've had a hernia. Man, you name it. I'm like a fucking football player.
Once again, pain comes with every step of my fucking life - chronic pain. There
are ways to fight it, and there are ways to submit to it. I'm going to show both
sides of that, and hopefully shed some light on the drug world, the evils of the
drug world, the helpful drugs, certain doctors, and hopefully shed some light on
how you can cope with chronic pain through a regimen and through will power -
unabashed,
undivided motherfucking will power. There's a strength there that needs to be
untapped. I'm going to give a couple of keys, and it's up to people to find
their own locks and unlock that motherfucker.
Riot! Entertainment has announced the signing of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY for
Australia and New Zealand.
Commented Riot! Entertainment owner/CEO John Howarth: "Riot's and my history
with Zakk Wylde and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY goes way back to the beginning of BLACK
LABEL SOCIETY's career. We have released every BLS album down here ever since,
except for one.
"Zakk is like family and it's an honor to work with BLS again.
"We are really excited about the reports we are receiving and can't wait to hear
the finished product.
"We are getting ready to fire up the machine and really push the new album over
the top here in Australia. Zakk knows we will get down and dirty again to push
this album.
"We are really looking forward to Zakk and the boys touring again here in 2011!"
Zakk Wylde added, "John and the Riot team have done the BLS camp proud Down
Under.
"We're glad to be back with our Aussie brothers and sisters and look forward to
tearing it up in Australia in early 2011."
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's longtime drummer Craig Nunenmacher recently left the band
and was replaced by veteran rock skinsman Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE, STATIC-X, DARK
NEW DAY, TOMMY LEE, STUCK MOJO).
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's as-yet-untitled studio album is due for release this
summer via Roadrunner Records in Europe and E1 Music in North America.
With the new flexibility of having a studio literally outside his home, Wylde
expects to deliver his best material yet.
"With the home studio I have this flexibility when inspiration hits to lay down
new ideas at anytime â€" day or night â€" for re-recording later," he said.
"This freshness should prove inspiring â€" and some of these first takes might
even make it on the album," he enthused.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's last studio album, "Shot to Hell" (2006), sold just under
32,000 copies in the United States during its first week of release â€" less
than the 45,000 copies shifted by BLS's "Mafia" (Artemis) back in March 2005 â€"
to land at position No. 21 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Jesse Capps of Rock Confidential recently conducted an interview with vocalist
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth of New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL. An excerpt
from the chat follows below..
Rock Confidential: I'm gonna jump in and say you must be pleased with the
promotion for "Ironbound".
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: I am. It's fuckin' huge, man. We've never taken this
lightly. Love us or hate us or if you think one record is better than the other,
that's just normal. When you put everything into a record and then hand it over
to someone who takes it lightly, it's not a good working relationship. With E1
in North America and Nuclear Blast for the rest of the world, we're just
overwhelmed with the response we're getting for this record. That's due to the
fact of the record's strength and both of those labels are heavy hitters when it
comes to getting the word out. It's a good relationship, here. It's a weird
world now. I've been in the business for so long now that I can look at it
objectively from a distance. I know how it was pre-Al Gore's Internet. I
remember putting fliers on windshields to promote yourself and even using faxes.
It's quite a different time. Promotion was much different then. The modern
technology has changed the industry
but it's also positively changed the promotion, too. You can get the word out
through your website and any of the social networking tools that are out there.
Any label that wants to stay current has got to use that stuff.
Rock Confidential: What about doing interviews. Does it ever get old or
redundant to you or do you relish every bit of it?
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: Obviously it's repetitive. A lot of questions fall into
certain categories. There is opportunity in this. I think that's one of the
reasons OVERKILL has attained longevity. We recognize opportunity, no matter how
big or small. That's what keeps us grounded to understanding those
opportunities. They're all necessary regardless of size. You have to look at
each opportunity as a chance of broadening your metal horizons. I look back and
count the years now and not the days. It's kinda cool.
Rock Confidential: How long has "Ironbound" been finished?
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: We finished it in September. I was still dropping a few
vocal things in. You're never really finished until there is a final mix done.
We were finished September 15 but I still recorded bits and pieces here and
there up until the first week of October. It was mixed in about 2 1/2 weeks. It
was delivered prior to November 1.
Rock Confidential: Was anything done differently in the studio this time around
or have you guys pretty much got your formula nailed down?
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: We're always open to new ideas. In regards to
technology you don't have to work together. There's always a point where we
choose to work together. You need everybody there when drum tracks are being
done, for instance. Maybe someone will disappear after that. There is that
old-school recording principle of being in the room with each other. There's
also a cool thing of not being there in the day but getting a rough mix that
night of what they've done in the studio. I could pop into a studio I use that's
40 minutes from here because what they've done is awesome and I could change
what I'm doing. We adapt as time goes on. We keep the principle that makes metal
what metal is, what makes rock and roll what rock and roll is. That being in the
same room and creating it together, especially in the beginning. Then we really
embrace the technological end of it and can have privacy to ourselves. Our
formula is ever-changing.
Rock Confidential: Was there anything you decided upfront that you wanted to
change before you entered the studio? Maybe a certain sound you wanted to work
with as far as guitar tones or drums go?
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: You want a certain cohesive feel between guitars and
drums. That's what you want in metal. I know it's weird coming out of the
singer's mouth. Whenever I mix it's really about the drum sound and building
from that point up. When it comes to production you have to start with the best
sounding drums that you have. Yes, there's a conscious effort. Our initial
vision was changed when it got to Peter (Tägtgren, producer). He could hear it
for the first time. He turned some of our original visions and got us on board.
You hire a guy for a reason. The reason he hired him is because of his ears and
what he's been doing in the industry for the last 10 years or so. Sure, there's
an initial vision. It changes as the recording develops. The initial as compared
to the final can be two totally different things.
Rock Confidential: I've read countless pieces recently where the writer will say
something about OVERKILL sounding more and more old-school with each release.
I'm pretty sure that's just what comes out. There may be obvious hints here or
there but I think you guys sound just as contemporary as ever. What some people
call old-school is simply just OVERKILL. What do you think?
Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth: That's a cool take on it. A person's definition of
old-school is different to everybody. One of the things OVERKILL is â€" first
and foremost â€" is OVERKILL. That's what makes it unique. Sure, it's within a
genre. Maybe even pigeonholed to some degree. With us it's about progress and
evolution. That evolution is about reinventing yourself. If you've read
interviews with me recently that "reinvent" word always comes up. It's really
about taking a step. If you can really establish the fact that this is your vibe
and your style but present it differently without rehashing it, there's your
contemporary value. It's really a combination of both. It's rooted in old-school
and us knowing who we are. We are what we are. Let the evolution happen.
DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, the band led by VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist
Duff McKagan, has issued the following update:
"We are still ass deep in writing songs for the next record. We have a ton of
stuff and more just keeps pouring out. Like we have said before, we can't wait
for all of you to hear it. More so, we can't wait to rock, sweat and laugh with
all of you soon! Along with with writing new songs, we here in LOADED don't fuck
around! Whether it's writing much-anticipated novels, playing music or just
hanging with Mickey Mouse, none of us are just sitting around getting massages
and eating grapes? I guess you just never know when and where one of us is gonna
pop up?"
DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED recently parted ways with Century Media Records after
releasing one EP (2008's "Wasted Heart") and one full-length album (2009's
"Sick") through the label.
Drummer Isaac Carpenter (LOUDERMILK, GOSLING, OURS, THE EXIES) joined DUFF
MCKAGAN'S LOADED as the replacement for Geoff Reading, who left the band last
year.
"Sick" sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of
release. The CD landed at position No. 43 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.
"Sick" was released in North America on April 7, 2009 via Century Media Records.
An e-card for the CD, which was produced by Martin Feveyear (PRESIDENTS OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, KINGS OF LEON), is available at this location.
In addition to McKagan and Carpenter, LOADED features bassist Jeff Rouse
(VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME
SYNDICATE).
LOADED released "Live Episode" (1999) and "Dark Days" (2001), before other
commitments meant LOADED were put on the back burner to some extent, although
they never split up.
DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's five-song EP, "Wasted Heart", was released in September
2008 via Century Media Records.
MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars has revealed via Twitter that he is working on
his first solo album at his home studio. No further details are currently
available.
Mick Mars' signature guitar sound has become a staple of American music and Mars
has been deemed one of the world's greatest guitar players from critics around
the globe to many recording artists and musicians who credit Mars as an
influence, which include such notables as Slash, Joe Perry from AEROSMITH,
Carmine Apice, Alice Cooper, BUCKCHERRY, and Marilyn Manson, just to name a few.
In August 2008, Cherry Lane Music Publishing Company, Inc. published "Hooks That
Kill - The Best Of Mick Mars & Mötley Crüe", a collection of Mick Mars-approved
notes and guitar tabs for 15 songs from the legendary guitarist of MÖTLEY CRÜE.
It includes:
* Dr. Feelgood
* Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)
* Girls, Girls, Girls
* Kick Start My Heart
* Hell on High Heels
* Looks That Kill
* Primal Scream
* Smokin' in the Boys Room
* Wild Side
Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has been added to the following GUNS N' ROSES shows:
Mar. 30 - Bogota, Columbia - Parque Jaime Duque
Apr. 01 - Quito, Pichincha Ecuador - Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa
Apr. 04 - Rio De Janeiro, Brasil - Apoteose (rescheduled show)
Apr. 07 - Panama City, Panama - Estadio Fifali
Bach has issued the following update from the road:
"Something fascinating is going on in rock. Just as rock is ceasing to exist in cetain formats, i.e. the CD, rock video, rock radio and magazines all but disappearing, rock n' roll itself is growing exponentially in other areas; for this band, playing live concerts is becoming an overwhelming, incredible, mind-blowing situation that is making all of our dreams come true.
"I am talking about the tour we are on right now, with GUNS N' ROSES in South America. In all my 25 years of touring, this tour ranks right up there with the biggest and best tours I have ever been a part of, or seen other bands do. The amount of people we are playing to each night is simply staggering. No show has had less than 35,000 people in attendance, and we have played to crowds of over 60,000 people a night in Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires and Lima as well. The other shows have averaged around 45,000 tickets sold each night. The reception of the crowds has been the most insane, loud, passionate display of love for rock n' roll I have been a part of in my whole life.
"Ever since I posted about the Sao Paulo show, it seems like each subsequent crowd has been out to prove that they are the most kick-ass rock crowd on the planet! Porto Alegre was the next show after Sao Paulo and was off the chain. It was the last show in Brazil and about 40,000 of you in Porto Alegre let us know we better be coming back to Brasil real soon! We have already got offers to come back to South America soon, so hey, we're on the case!
"Montevideo, Uruguay was next and after we were greeted at the airport and hotel by hundreds of fans, we were honoured to play the biggest ever rock concert in the history of the country of Uruguay. The promoter told us that VAN HALEN played here in the early Eighties to around 10,000 people and were the first-ever rock band to play Uruguay. Thanks to them, 30 years later we get to pack out the stadium for around 50,000 people and the show was incredible!
"Had a great time running on the beach in Uruguay and we can't wait to come back there!
"Next up was Santiago Chile and we filmed this show with five cameras, pro-shot, for future release. The feeling of energy from the city that was just pummeled by the biggest earthquake in the history of all time was palpable. You just can't imagine 40,000 people going more nuts or jamming into an arena so packed. The show was complete mayhem from the opening chords of 'Slave To The Grind'.
"This show will be coming out someday and I can't wait for the world to see how the country of Chile kicks total ass and how rock n' roll means so much to a country ravaged by natural disaster. I said in Spanish on the stage, 'Tonight the only earthquake in the this town is called ROCK 'N' ROLL' and I swear the reaction from the crowd registered on the Richter scale, for sure.
"Bach in Chile, comin' your way to Blu-Ray ASAP!
"CHILE ROCKS !!! We can't wait to get Bach to Chile as soon as possible!!!
"Next up was Buenos Aires Argentina, a country where we had played more than once with the old band, but never to more than 5,000 people a show. This year, we played to around 60,000 people in Buenos Aires and when we went on stage it looked like the whole town was in the stadium. We tore it up with an 1.5-hour full headline set and without a doubt kicked the ass of Argentina like never before. Went out with Axl Rose and GUNS N' ROSES to some clubs after the gig, then ended up staggering out of Axl's hotel the next day around 12 noon! Good times had by all! 'Till the next day that is, ouch!!
"On to Lima, Peru! Had an insanely georgeous beach run on the shores of Lima, trailed by security the whole way, no matter how hard I tried to lose 'em! These guys were good! Felt totally safe and protected the whole time we were in Peru due to these huge guys in combat gear surrounding us at all times, it was hard not to! Then we played the biggest rock concert EVER in the history of the country of Peru. Around 60,000+ people jammed the stadium and again it was like playing to the whole city. I've played this-size crowd a couple of times before, but NEVER to this reception. Every word of every song, every hand in the air, 'Angel Down' songs standing their ground next to the old classics, it's all good in 2010.
"The Internet is not all bad. It is quite obvious countries like Peru and Chile are getting into this music from the Internet... and absolutely hilarious that major label record companies take bands like mine for granted while we pack out stadiums every night!! Their loss for sure!
"We are going into the studio in April to start on our next CD, and we have the awesome knowledge that millions of fans around the world are waiting to crank the CD as soon as we put it out.
"This tour from November 'till now has meant so much to us.
"Next show is Bogota and we can't wait to play Colombia for the first time.
"We were asked to play Venezuela but unfortunately could not procure government visas in time. So we have had four days off in Bogota, which has been interesting! We tried to go out for dinner at the Hard Rock Bogota, but around 1000 fans were told we were gonna be there, which made eating dinner impossible! So we went to an authentic Colombian restaurant that was a great experience.
"Been running in Bogota and hope to see some historical sites today & tomorrow. Then we play the biggest venue in Bogota on Tuesday, see at Parque Jamie Duque!
"We have now been added to the Ecuador, Panama, and rescheduled Rio De Janeiro shows!!! Awesome!!
"Thanks Europe Canada USA and South America for the greatest tour of our careers, we cannot thank you enough!
"See ya Tuesday night Bogota!!!!"
U.S. metallers KILLING MACHINE 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 (in alphabetical order):
AMORPHIS
ANDROMEDA
BEHEMOTH
BLACK SPIDERS
BLOODBATH
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHILDREN OF BODOM
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DORO
EDGUY
ENSIFERUM
FEAR FACTORY
GOJIRA
GORGOROTH
GWAR
HEAVEN & HELL
HOLY MOSES
KILLING MACHINE
KORPIKLAANI
LEAVES' EYES
OBITUARY
RAGE
ROSS THE BOSS
SNAKEBITE
SONATA ARCTICA
SUFFOCATION
TWISTED SISTER
For more information, visit www.bloodstock.uk.com.
Veteran Massachusetts metallers MELIAH RAGE have 14 new songs "ready to go" for
a possible late 2010 release. In addition, the band will likely embark on a
European tour in 2011. The group states, "It's been a long time since we've been
overseas and we're very excited about this."
"Masquerade", the new album from MELIAH RAGE, was released in September 2009 via
Screaming Ferret/Metro City Records. The CD was recorded at The Outpost in
Stoughton, Massachusetts and was mastered in November 2008 by producer Rich
Spillberg (WARGASM), who has worked with everyone from STEEL ASSASSIN to JOSH
GROBAN. According to the group, "The music on the record is much faster and
heavier than the past few records and features a guest appearance by METAL
CHURCH frontman Ronny Munroe."
After singer Paul Souza exited the band in late 2007, a six-month search for a
suitable replacement began, which led to a dead end. That is, until producer
Rich Spillberg suggested that they contact Munro and get back to their roots.
Having left MELIAH RAGE over a decade ago, Munro is back for more, joining
bandmates Anthony Nichols (guitar), Jim Koury (guitar), Darren Lourie (bass),
and Stu Dowie (drums).
Originally formed in 1985, MELIAH RAGE was often associated with the
then-burgeoning thrash metal scene, which resulted in a major label contract and
their 1988 metal classic, "Kill to Survive". In the ensuing years, the group
played with some of metal's most renowned names â€" SLAYER, MEGADETH, TESTAMENT,
MANOWAR, MORBID ANGEL, METAL CHURCH, and NUCLEAR ASSAULT. The group also
included GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna in their ranks (as a drummer) during the
early '90s.
POWERMAD, TORCH, MELIAH RAGE and EVIL ONE have been confirmed for next year's
edition of the Headbanger's Open Air festival, set to take place July 28-30,
2011 in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany.
More acts will be announced soon.
For more information, visit Headbangers-Open-Air.de.
KREATOR, SODOM, ACCEPT, PRIMAL FEAR and TARJA TURUNEN are among the confirmed
artists for Bulgaria's now-traditional Kavarna Rock Fest, which will take place
June 23-25 at the Black Sea coast's town stadium.
According to Novinite.com, the lineup of bands has not yet been finalized, as
the organizers expect more groups to confirm their participation.
In another first for Bulgaria, Kavarna will have its own festival rock radio,
broadcasting interviews and sounds from backstage. There will also be festival
fun events, such as bungee jumping.
Tickets for the event are available from Tuesday, and are being distributed by
Ticketstream. A single-day pass will cost BGN 40, and a three-day ticket BGN 90.
Kavarna Rock Fest billing:
Friday, July 23:
TARJA TURUNEN
DORO PESCH
EPICA
LEAVES' EYES
ATROCITY
Saturday, July 24:
KORPIKLAANI
SODOM
KREATOR
Sunday, July 25:
ANNIHILATOR
ACCEPT
PRIMAL FEAR
VOIVOD
Chicago progressive metal band MINDWARP CHAMBER, has inked a deal with Dark Star
Records. According to a press release, Scott Huffman (TWELFTH GATE, SYRIS, LORDS
OF MEAT), Ed "Shreddy" Bethishou (SCEPTER, DAVID SHANKLE GROUP), Paul Kilkenny
(GENERAL PATTON, DARKER), Mike Cerna (AURAL ECSTACY, BEYOND SOVEREIGNTY) and
Marc Malitz (IMPERIAL RAGE, THE HEART ATTACK) "have all joined forces, blending
their unique styles to create a very heavy and progressive style of music that
comes from the very depths of their souls."
MINDWARP CHAMBER will release its new album, "Supernova", this summer. A
CD-release party will be held on June 4 at Chicago City Limits in Schaumburg,
Illinois.
For more information, visit www.mindwarpchamber.net.
Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY will play their first-ever show on
the Faroe Islands at the 2010 edition of the G! Festival. ARCH ENEMY will
headline the event on July 16.
Nestled in the heart of the North Atlantic, the solitary and spellbinding Faroe
Islands lie midway between Iceland, Norway and Scotland. G! Festival is situated
in the picturesque seaside village of Göta and has redefined the whole musical
landscape of the Faroe Islands with its international scale and visionary scope.
Comments ARCH ENEMY guitarist Michael Amott: "Over the last couple of years we
have been fortunate enough to play a lot of new exciting territories for the
band and we're extremely pleased to add the Faroe Islands to that ever-growing
list!"
For more information, visit www.gfestival.com.
Long-running U.K. glam rockers TIGERTAILZ will perform their classic 1990 album
"Bezerk" in its entirety on Friday, July 2 at Legends in Newcastle, England.
Support at the gig will come from NEW GENERATION SUPERSTARS and BONE IDLE.
TIGERTAILZ will make its live debut with new bassist Sarah Firebrand on
Saturday, April 17 at the rock club Fuel in Cardiff. The concert will pay
tribute to band co-founder Pepsi Tate, with all proceeds going to Amser Justin
Time, the cancer charity set up in the bassist's memory. As if that wasn't
enough, the show is also set to be recorded for inclusion on a forthcoming
TIGERTAILZ live album. Due for release later in 2010, the CD will mark 20 years
since the legendary "Bezerk", the band performing all of its classic tracks
while naturally adding its own modern and constantly evolving twist.
Frontman Kim Hooker comments: "This is gonna be massive. It's a chance for all
you TAILZ maniacs to scream yourself hoarse and be a real part of our new
record. It's gonna be an emotional hometown show and we need you all there â€"
nice."
Guitarist Jay Pepper, who started the band with Tate back in 1986, says: "We
always wanted to do a special show for Amser Justin Time, the charity started by
Pepsi's wife Shân Cothi, which does such great work in raising both awareness
and funds to tackle pancreatic cancer. This is the perfect opportunity.
Hopefully our fans, who've already proven how generous they are with their own
'Boys Night Out' event last year, will help the charity by buying tickets and
help us by singing their hearts out."
As the U.K.'s answer to POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE, TIGERTAILZ was the only
U.K.-based band of this ilk to dominate the U.K. charts at the end of the '80s
with "Bezerk" hitting the U.K. Top 40 and a U.K. Top 5 live video release filmed
in their hometown Cardiff, "Bezerk Live" and "Video Frenzy". With songs that
became Top 40 hits and were so catchy you couldn't stop singing them for days,
"Love Bomb Baby", "Noize Level Critical", "Heaven" and "Living Without You" all
became good time party anthems of a generation, and have influenced some of the
contemporary acts of today.
Columbus, Ohio-based band AMERICAN DOG, featuring former SALTY DOG bassist Michael Hannon, has issued the following update:
"On Wednesday [March 31] we are going in to Sonic Lounge Studios (in Ohio) to record a cover of AC/DC's 'Givin' The Dog A Bone' for Classic Rock magazine's tribute CD to 'Back In Black'. There will be a different band doing each song, and will come with the May issue. While we're in there, we're going to record a new original we've written as well. It's about getting laid in the ladies room at a bar!!! Tentative title? 'Good Time'!!!"
AMERICAN DOG's fifth full-length studio LP, entitled "Mean", came out late last year. The CD features ten all-new original tracks along with a cover of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's "This Ain't The Summer Of Love".
01. Just One More
02. Cat Has Got You By The Tongue
03. Drivin' Down The Sidewalk
04. Mean
05. Boozehound
06. Gonna Stop Drinkin' Tomorrow
07. Mine All Mine
08. This Ain't The Summer Of Love
09. Sunshine/Moonshine
10. Ain't Dead Yet
11. Motherfucker
Legendary Finnish thrashers ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION have inked a deal with Violent
Journey Records. The band's new album, "Gallery Of Pain", will be released on
April 28.
The "Gallery Of Pain" artwork (see below) was created by Juha Vuorma, who also
designed covers for the first three KALMAH albums and for USURPER and METUJA,
among others.
"Gallery Of Pain" track listing:
01. Altars Of Destruction
02. Aggression
03. Children Of Misfortune
04. Guilty Or Not
05. Cross The Line (Of No Return)
06. Heroes Of The New World
07. Suicide…Are You Fucking Insane?
08. Gallery Of Pain
09. Day Of Judgement
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION is:
Mika Luoma: Vocals
Kimmo Osmo: Guitars
Pasi Osmo: Bass
Jussi Samppala (TYRANT DISCIPLE): Drums
Formed in 1986 by the brothers Kimmo and Pasi Osmo, along with Jukka Sandberg,
ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION went through several lineup changes before releasing an
EP, "Painful Awakening", in 1989. Due to personal issues, the band split up a
short time later. In 2005, ALTARS OF DESTRUCTION regrouped and started writing
new songs and reworking old material. Their intention was to "make a couple of
new songs and pick out our favourites from the past and make a record that cuts
through two decades of metal the way we lived and loved it." Jussi Samppala from
TYRANT DISCIPLE also stepped in as the band's new drummer.
INTERNAL NIGHTMARE has inked a deal with the Australian record label High Voltage Records (BLOODDUSTER, EARTH, SIN CITY)
Workhorses of the Australian metal scene, INTERNAL NIGHTMARE have generated impressive local and international interest since their inception, and are currently terrorizing metropolitan and regional Victoria in preparation for their upcoming EP's release.
INTERNAL NIGHTMARE's 2009 promotional disc exceeded all expectations and lead single "The Term is Frustration?" was featured in compilations such as Blunt magazine's "Loud Noises" and Welkin Entertainment's "Euphony Fusion 3" and will also feature in Stop Time Media's upcoming "Melbourne Metal Unleashed" DVD, along with the accompanying debut film clip.
The promotional disc substantially raised public interest (along with an appearance on the ABC's national TV show "Spicks And Specks"), with its unique blend of extreme genres and groove orientated thrash metal proudly displaying the band's roots, while also providing a clear indication of the band's direction.
INTERNAL NIGHTMARE's upcoming debut EP, "Segregation", is a testament to the band's ability to combine dirty-yet-technical riffs, thunderous drums and aggressive vocals with a sense of musicality that has been missing since the heyday of bands like PANTERA, SEPULTURA, DEATH and CATARACT (among many others)!
The five-track EP includes a re-recorded version of "The Term is Frustration" and new live favorite "Annexation".
"Segregation" is due for release late May/early June.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/internalnightmare.
ORGY, the "death pop" band from Bakersfield, California, is planning to reunite later this year for a possible tour. The news was revealed earlier today via a video message from the group's guitarist Ryan Shuck, who is also a member of DEAD BY SUNRISE and JULIEN-K.
"I probably shouldn't say a lot of about this, but I've kind of got a stick up my ass about doing something with ORGY," Ryan can be heard saying in the clip, which is available for viewing below. "We're gonna be doing a tour — JULIEN-K — most likely, I'd say, in June, maybe after, in Europe, and if we do something with ORGY, that means we will have played a full tour with three different bands in one year. Pretty awesome. All original bands, all original content. It's starting to become a sort of a challenge and something I really wanna do."
ORGY — drummer Bobby Hewitt, singer Jay Gordon, guitarists Ryan Shuck and Amir Derakh, and bassist Paige Haley — were shot out of the hard-rock cannon in 1998 with their platinum album "Candyass". Its ear-candy hooks, crushing riffs and razor-edge electronic sonics laid the scorched-earth groundwork for 2000's gold "Vapor Transmission" and 2004's "Punk Statik Paranoia". The videos for "Blue Monday", "Stitches" and "Fiction (Dreams in Digital)", meanwhile, created an indelible visual impression of post-punk artifice; the hair, the makeup, the costumes — all conspired to shroud the band in a cloak of dark menace.
After the release of 2000's "Vapor Transmission", ORGY left Reprise Records and had already severed ties with KORN's Elementree Records, which issued ORGY's first two albums. Gordon then started his own independent record label, D1 Music, which released the band's third album, "Punk Statik Paranoia", in 2004.
ALTER BRIDGE has issued the following update:
"We are pleased to inform you that the recording of our third album has been
completed. It was an amazing journey and we believe that the songs that we have
created are our most inspired and dynamic work to date.
"We all worked very hard on these songs, over a long period of time, and we are
all fiercely proud of what we have recorded.
"We have played some of the rough mixes of the songs to a few of our 'trusted
ears' and they are telling us that we have absolutely topped the 'Blackbird'
album. The true test will come when we get to hear what all you fans think and
we are very much looking forward to that day.
"The next step in the process will be mixing, which will begin in mid-April, in
New York. The mixing will probably take a few weeks and once that is finished,
we will begin the difficult task of deciding which songs will make the album.
The goal is to release the album in September, before our planned October tour
in Europe that will start in the U.K."
ALTER BRIDGE's sophomore effort, "Blackbird", sold 47,000 copies in the United
States in its first week of release in October 2007 to debut at No. 13 on The
Billboard 200 chart.
ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott
Phillips all play in CREED, which announced its reunion in 2009 after a
five-year hiatus.
ALTER BRIDGE also features singer Myles Kennedy, who is a member of legendary
VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash's new touring band.
SICK OF IT ALL, EARTH CRISIS and H20 are among the confirmed bands for the East Coast Tsunami Fest, set to take place June 11-12, 2010 in Phoenixville and MOnte Clare, Pennsylvania.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Friday, June 11 - 328 High Street in Phoenixville, PA:
DEATH THREAT
CDC
BARRICADE
XREPRESENTX
LIFELESS
AGITATOR
CONCRETE REALITY
Saturday, June 12 - St Mikes Park - Jacob Street - Monte Clare, PA:
SICK OF IT ALL
H20
EARTH CRISIS
MUSHMOUTH
FURY OF FIVE JAM
ALL OUT WAR
DYSPHORIA
BOXCUTTER
STRENGTH FOR A REASON
CRUEL HAND
FOOSE
BULLDOG COURAGE
OUTTA HAND
DOUBLE DEALER
TROUBLESOME
For more information, go to this location.
Danish extreme metallers PANZERCHRIST have issued the following update:
"The recording and mixing of our next album is now complete and we are currently in the process of finding the right label for this release. We have also begun rehearsal sessions with live shows in mind. These will be the first in more than a decade."
One of the new tracks, "For The Iron Cross", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
PANZERCHRIST is:
Magnus Jørgensen: Vocals
Panzergeneral: Bass
Lasse Bak: Guitars
Rasmus Henriksen: Guitars
Mads Lauridsen: Drums
PANZERCHRIST's last full-length album, "Battalion Beast", was released in August 2006 via Neurotic Records. The band recorded the drums, guitars and bass for "Battalion Beast" at Smart N' Hard studio with Jacob Bredahl (HATESPHERE) during February/March 2006. Vocals and keyboard were recorded by Ziggy at Zigsound. The latter was also responsible for mixing and mastering the album.
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION have issued the following update:
"We are sorry to announce that [drummer] Stephen [van Haestregt] and WITHIN TEMPTATION will go their separate ways after the upcoming theatre tour.
"It isn't easy to say goodbye after all we've been through together. In this period of time many dreams have become reality for all of us and exceeded our highest expectations. Through the good and bad it has created a bond; we've had a wedding, a funeral and have seen each others kids being born and growing up. Everything passed in a flash and we are looking back on it with a smile.
"We would like to thank him and Veroniek for all the great moments, passion and devotion.
"We wish you the best for the future!
"You can still see Stephen on stage with the upcoming theatre tour and in the future with his band MY FAVORITE SCAR."
Stephen's statement regarding his decision to leave the band reads as follows:
"This may come as a surprise, but after ten great years the time has come for me and WITHIN TEMPTATION to go our separate ways.
"WITHIN TEMPTATION was an unstoppable train.
"I remember well the time that I got involved with WITHIN TEMPTATION as a studio technician. 'Mother Earth' marked the beginning of a successful era. I couldn't have imagined that I would be their drummer in two years' time.
"WITHIN TEMPTATION developed from an underground band to Holland's best selling musical export product. A childhood dream came true: I toured over 40 countries, shared the same stage with heroes like IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA and RAMMSTEIN and performed in a sold out Ahoy with the Metropole Orchestra. In short, it's been an incredible time. The things we experienced will stay with me forever.
"But on April 29 in Antwerp, Belgium, I'll be on stage with WITHIN TEMPTATION for the last time.
"From the start of our sabbatical year (end of 2008) I started producing, recording and mixing other bands again. I found a great working spot at the Swamp Studio in Raamsdonk (NL). Very close to where I live, so I can spend more time with my family.
"As a musician, you have not seen the last of me though! On the contrary. As some of you may have read in our fan magazine a while ago, I have been involved with another project for quite a while now, MY FAVORITE SCAR. In this band I feel right at home, musically as well as personally. I believe this band is at the beginning of a bright future, yet all depends on the support of the fans, as always. Hopefully you'll love and support MY FAVORITE SCAR as much as you do WITHIN TEMPTATION!
"In July 2010 MY FAVORITE SCAR will release its debut album. In March 2010 we will release our first single, 'Waste', as a free download and we'll be starting a Dutch tour in March too. We will be playing as many Dutch and foreign shows as we possibly can. Hopefully I'll see you guys again somewhere at a festival or a clubshow!
"I've always found it hard to say goodbye and this time it's no different. I've enjoyed a great time with our crew and the band. So thanks to Debbie, Pim, Guus, Bennie, Arwin, Marco, Rob, Guido, Rene, Paul and all other crew members who worked with us in the past, Raymond, Martijn, Iris and everyone at AT, Sharon, Robert, Jeroen, Ruud and my roommate Martijn and last but not least, the fans all over the world.
"Thank you all for an unforgettable time. Hopefully our paths will cross again soon."
"An Acoustic Night At The Theatre", the new live album from WITHIN TEMPTATION, was released in North America on December 15, 2009 via Roadrunner Records. The release was made available via all digital music providers, while physical copies were made available exclusively at the newly launched Roadrunner Records web store.
"An Acoustic Night At The Theatre" contained the brand new song "Utopia", written during the rehearsals for the theatre tour. A duet with U.K. singer-songwriter Chris Jones (whom Sharon met while working with world-famous DJ Armin van Buuren on his track "In And Out Of Love"), "Utopia" is about two lovers who can't be together because they are separated by their contrasting dreams of the ideal life.
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "An Acoustic Night At The Theatre" can be viewed below.
Sharon den Adel and WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt welcomed their second child, Robin Aiden Westerholt, on June 1, 2009. The couple also has a four-year old daughter named Eva Luna den Adel.
WITHIN TEMPTATION released a double-DVD, titled "Black Symphony", on September 22, 2008. It is also available as a double-CD.
Danish industrial metal band THE INTERBEING recently entered the studio to begin recording its debut album, "Edge Of The Obscure", for a late 2010 release. The CD will be mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen, who has previously worked with VOLBEAT, MERCENARY, NIGHTRAGE, HATESPHERE and RAUNCHY, among others.
Faroese melodic death/metalcore band SYNARCHY is putting the finishing touches on its debut album, "Scars of Gratitude", due in early April through Tutl Records.
SYNARCHY features in its ranks members of Heri Joensen's (TÝR) progressive metal side-project HELJAREYGA, whose debut album was released on February 12.
The CD artwork was designed by Fernando Ruiz Garcia, who has previously worked with the Finnish power metal band EXCALION and spanish doom masters WARCHETYPE.
"Scars of Gratitude" features 12 songs with a running time of just over 57 minutes:
01. Mirror Miles (5:01)
02. Turning Memory (4:03)
03. Beyond My Wreckage (4:50)
04. Fair and Rights (4:15)
05. Keep Me Safe (4:55)
06. Collecting Sense (4:12)
07. Descending (4:11)
08. Scars of Gratitude (4:43)
09. The Perfect Enemy (5:26)
10. Breaking a Dream (5:29)
11. Confinement (4:48)
12. Place of Liberation (5:35)
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/synarchy.
MAYHEM, ALL ENDS, SPARZANZA, MARIONETTE and TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS have been confirmed for this year's Getaway Rock festival, set to take place July 8-10 in Gävle, Sweden.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AC4
ADEPT
AGGRESSIVE CHILL
AIRBOURNE
ALL ENDS
AMARANTHE
AMY'S ASHES
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CAVALERA CONSPIRACY
CORRODED
CRAZY LIXX
CRESCENDOLLS
CRUCIFIED BARBARA
DARK TRANQUILITY
DEATHSTARS
DEGRADEAD
DEICIDE
DEVILDRIVER
DREAMLAND
ENGEL
EUROPE
EXODUS
GRAND MAGUS
HEAVEN'S BASEMENT
ISOBEL & NOVEMBER
JORN
LAVETT
MARIONETTE
MAYHEM
MEGADETH
MOTÖRHEAD
MUSTASCH
OVERKILL
RAISED FIST
RAUBTIER
SNAKESTORM
SONIC SYNDICATE
SPARZANZA
SURVIVING THE CHARAD
SWITCH OPENS
TAYLOR HAWKINS AND THE COATTAIL RIDERS
THE CROWN
THE GENERALS
THE HAUNTED
THE QUIREBOYS
THERAPY?
VADER
WOLF
The festival will host three stages and over 60 bands.
For more information, visit www.getawayrock.se.
After a five-year absence, the mighty and legendary mega-beast CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN has re-emerged from the sewers of Pittsburgh with its new full-length album, "Psalm Of The Grand Destroyer".
According to a press release, CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN "bring with them a more focused and refined approach on their signature crusty, blackened, inhuman grindcore sound while still keeping their brutality and violence at the forefront. No triggers or drum samples. No guitar re-amping. No vocal processing, inhaling or microphone manipulations. None needed. Their thunderous music is as sincere and urgent as it ever was, but with a solid and complete line-up in tow, and with production from the masterful Scott Hull, CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN have never sounded or played better than this."
"Psalm of the Grand Destroyer" — which marks the first appearance of drummer Matt Francis alongside bassist Drew Haritan and founding members Jason Andrews (guitar) and Joe Horvath (vocals) — features 14 new tracks and one remake off the band's initial release from 1998.
CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN represent the audio end-times; a psychotic fast-forward nightmare into the sonic ash-heaps of humanity. CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN are the ultimate anti-everything band; anti-life, anti-death, anti-world, anti-music and anti-you. Critically acclaimed for lyrical concept and prose as much for their hyper-extreme approach to sound, CIRCLE OF DEAD CHILDREN possess the ability to both wretch and annihilate the listener as well rouse and intrigue. Never has this been the case more so than with "Psalm of the Grand Destroyer".
Commented Joe Horvath: "After what seemed to be an endless amount of setbacks over the past several years, it feels great to not only have this release finally becoming a reality, but for it to be in our opinions, the best overall release we've done to date. We're proud to continue our work with Willowtip Records and look forward to dropping this nasty bomb on the world soon."
"Psalm of the Grand Destroyer" is due out in stores June 8, 2010 in North America and June 7 in Europe via Candlelight/Willowtip.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Avatar Of Innocence
02. Ursa Major (1998 revisited)
03. When Human Compost Stains all Earth and Repels the Messengers of Love
04. Chaos Crawls Back
05. Earth and Lye
06. We Who Move with the Graven Worms
07. Bury the Ill Flock
08. Refuse to Kill the Same Way Twice
09. Obsidian Flakes
10. Last Words and Warning Signs
11. Jaracaca
12. Torches
13. Night of Morbid Psycho
14. Germinate the Reaper Seed
15. Starve, Beg & Die a.k.a. Fuck You Kill Me
German extreme metal outfit NEAERA has issued the following update:
"The songwriting process [for the next NEAERA album] is going fluently; we're focused and very close to wrapping this thing up! We are very confident about the song material; this one is going to be a beast.
"We will enter the studio in June to work on this next record which will be released in the fall of this year via Metal Blade Records. In compliance with the back-to-the-roots approach to this record, we will record the drums at Stage One Studio with the Mr. Myiagi among metal producers, Andy Classen, who already produced our first record, 'The Rising Tide of Oblivion'. Of course, we will also work again with our good friend Alexander Dietz, the self-proclaimed Brad Pitt among metal producers, on this one. The mixing/mastering will be done by none other than Tue Madsen."
NEAERA's "Prey to Anguish" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in May 2009 at the band's CD-release show at Sputnikhalle in Münster, Germany. The song comes off the band's fourth album, "Omnicide - Creation Unleashed", which entered the Media Control chart in the band's home country at position at No. 51. The CD was recorded at the Rape Of Harmonies studio with producer Alexander Dietz. The mixing and mastering was handled by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, WHITECHAPEL).
Swedish melodic death metallers DARK TRANQUILLITY will return to North America in May for headlining tour. So far the following dates have been announced:
May 11 - Raleigh, NC - Volume 11 Tavern
May 12 - West Springfield, VA - Jaxx
May 13 - Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero
"We Are The Void", the ninth album from DARK TRANQUILLITY, sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 15 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.
A track-by-track breakdown of "We Are The Void" by Mikael Stanne can be found on the MSN Music metal blog Headbäng. Stanne reveals that there are "several" fans of U.K. goth-rock band SISTERS OF MERCY among the members of DARK TRANQUILLITY, and owns up to being a major admirer of synth-pop band DEPECHE MODE. "Since I was 10 or so, I have been listening to them," he said. "Just saw them a couple of weeks ago and I am still amazed."
"We Are The Void" was released in North America on March 9 via Century Media Records. The LP was made available in Europe as a CD, digital download and strictly limited-edition die-cut digipak featuring two bonus songs ("Stars Of Nothingness" and "To Where Fires Cannot Feed") and a bonus DVD that contains the following material:
01. Studio Report - The Making of The Void (produced by Anders Björler of THE HAUNTED)
02. Making Of "Shadow In Our Blood" video
03. ThereIn (Live In Milan)
04. Final Resistance (Live In Milan)
05. "Where Death Is Most Alive" DVD trailer
The drums for "We Are The Void" were recorded at bassist Daniel Antonsson's studio, while the remaining instruments were tracked at Martin Brändström's (electronics) newly renovated Rogue music facility. The mixing duties were once again handled by Tue Madsen (HALFORD, BEHEMOTH, KATAKLYSM, THE HAUNTED) at his Antfarm studio in Århus, Denmark.
"Shadow In Our Blood", the new video from DARK TRANQUILLITY, was created by Vasara Films (TURISAS, DRAGONFORCE) who also filmed and edited DARK TRANQUILLITY's live DVD, "Where Death Is Most Alive".
DARK TRANQUILLITY will embark on a European headlining tour, dubbed "Where Death Is Most Alive Part II 2010", in September. Support on the trek will come from INSOMNIUM.
Montreal death metal quartet BENEATH THE MASSACRE is currently recording a new EP for a fall release.
The band will take part in the European edition of the "Thrash And Burn Tour", which is scheduled to kick off on April 9 in Karlsruhe, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are DYING FETUS, ORIGIN, MAN MUST DIE and REVOCATION.
A short video message from BENEATH THE MASSACRE regarding the upcoming tour can be viewed below.
"Dystopia" (2008), the latest album from BENEATH THE MASSACRE, debuted at position No. 22 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.
Recorded again with St-Amand (DESPISED ICON, ION DISSONANCE, NEURAXIS) and featuring artwork from Felix Rancourt, "Dystopia" was the follow-up to 2007's "Mechanics of Dysfunction", which was supported by tours with NECROPHAGIST, THROUGH THE EYES OF THE DEAD and ION DISSONANCE. The band also took part in 2007's inaugural Summer Slaughter tour and last year's Radio Rebellion Tour alongside BEHEMOTH, JOB FOR A COWBOY, and GOJIRA, among others.
Swedish death metallers SPASMODIC have inked a deal with Emrinc. The band's new four-track EP will be released later this year. The CD will be based on songs from SPASMODIC's 2009 self-released demo "Carve Perfection", and it will be mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (F.K.Ü., SCARVE, ENEMY IS US).
The track listing is as follows:
01. Carve Perfection
02. Cutting Room
03. Snip Snip Sweetheart
04. Self Starvation
SPASMODIC is:
Vocals - Alexander Högbom
Guitar - Johan Haglund
Guitar - Johan Kvastegård
Bass - Tommy Haglund
Drums - Jimmy Holmgren
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/spasmodicsound.
Former BLOODSIMPLE bassist Kyle Sanders has joined forces with ex-BLOODSIMPLE drummer Bevan Davies, ex-TORCHE guitarist Juan Montoya and guitarist/vocalist Charlie Suarez in a new band called MONSTRO. Two songs from the group — "Anchors Up!" and "April" — are available for streaming on the MONSTRO MySpace page.
MONSTRO is:
Bevan Davies - Drums
Juan Montoya - Guitar
Charlie Suarez - Guitar and Vocals
Kyle Sanders – Bass
Four years sine the release of "Madre, Protégenos", Duncan Patterson (ANTIMATTER, ANATHEMA), returns, leading the entity known as ÍON. On "Immaculada", the lone travelling musician has again collected instrumental and vocal souvenirs from his numerous destinations to illustrate the memoirs of his quest.
"'Immaculada' was written in a period I was travelling back and forth between Ireland and Greece," he says. "The album documents personal experiences of that time, set to introspective and reflective ballads."
Hypnotic and alluring, the album balances both the freshness of Irish landscapes and the warmth of Mediterranean sunbathed seashores, as its haunting Celtic vibe thrives and builds upon tribal rhythmic patterns. Much like its predecessor, the straightforward and minimalistic overall tone of the album is misleading, as its layered complexity and resonant harmonies reveal themselves at each listen, one mystery at a time, and one step closer to the end of this spiritual quest.
ÍON has gathered around it an enormous amount of talent, both in the many musicians that have taken part in "Immaculada" and in the group of singers that bring words to life, this time lead by the Irish Lisa Cuthbert. Her heartfelt performances are occasionally accompanied by her sister Aoife Cuthbert, with Mark Kelson (of THE ETERNAL) and gothic/alternative muse Vic Anselmo, providing additional outstanding contributions to the album, among other voices from Argentina, Mexico, Romania or Brazil.
Mostly recorded in the Portuguese countryside and in Dublin city, the intricate instrumental backbone is mainly constructed out of traditional instruments. With the mandolin family taking center stage, the tracks have been arranged to incorporate ethnic instrumentation (flutes, uillean pipes) which contrast with the sparse orchestration supplied by cello, violin, acoustic guitars, keyboard pads and piano, supported by the earthbound pulse of the percussion.
Due in May in deluxe digipak CD on Equilibrium Music, "Immaculada" is a collection of slow motion mysterious ballads, balancing light and shade, salvation and loss, beautifully crafted by gifted artists scattered over the world.
"Immaculada" track listing:
01. Immaculada (4:43)
02. Temptation (5:26)
03. Adoration (5:24)
04. Damhsa Na Gceithre Ghaoth (6:18)
05. Invidia (4:37)
06. Cetatea Cisnadioara (10:06)
07. The Silent Stars (7:42)
08. Return To Spirit (6:11)
For more information, visit www.duncanpatterson.com.
Stand and Deliver Records has announced the signing of the Lexington, Kentucky metal band SOCIETY'S PLAGUE. The group is currently recording its debut album, "The Human, The Canvas", at Spider Studios with Ben Schigel and Tony Gammalo, best known for their work with CHIMAIRA, IT DIES TODAY, WALLS OF JERICHO and many more.
According to a press release, SOCIETY'S PLAGUE "has been dropping jaws and moving bodies on the East Coast since early 2006. Since then they have been able to build a massive following with their unique blend of heavy breakdowns, fast metal riffs, powerful vocals, and symphonic keyboards. "
SOCIETY'S PLAGUE's debut EP, "The Mercy Untold", was released in 2008.
SOCIETY'S PLAGUE is:
Matt Newton: Lead Vocals
Roger Clem: Guitar/Backing Vocals
Joe Royer: Guitar
Mike Smith: Guitar/Backing Vocals
Kate Latham: Keyboard
James Doyle: Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/societysplague.
------------------------------------
For MetalHeads Who Want To Have there say!
Long Live The Power Of METAL!!!
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavyMetalHeaven/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
HeavyMetalHeaven-digest@yahoogroups.com
HeavyMetalHeaven-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
HeavyMetalHeaven-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment