Friday, March 19, 2010

[HeavyMetalHeaven] Paul Rodgers, AC/DC, Megadeth, Motorhead, Rammstein, Cinderella, Stone Temple Pilots, Testament, Armored Saint, Dream Evil, Gamma Ray, and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

Legendary singer PAUL RODGERS (BAD COMPANY, FREE, ex-QUEEN) has updated his Solo Dates 2010 tour as follows:

April
30 - Shaw Conference Centre - Edmonton, AB Canada

June
5 - Temecula Balloon & Wine Festival - Temecula, CA
17 - Tachi Palace Casino - Lemoore, CA
18 - Chumash Casino - Ynez, CA
25 - Northern Lights Casino - Walker, MN
26 - Northern Lights Casino - Walker, MN

July
3 - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom - Hampton Beach, NH
4 - WMGK Let Freedom Rock Fest - Cooper River Park - Pennsauken, NJ

The Very Best Of FREE And BAD COMPANY featuring Paul Rodgers is a new compilation being released by Rhino UK on March 29th.

Celebrating Paul Rodgers' career spanning four decades, The Very Best Of Free And Bad Company featuring Paul Rodgers album collects 15 of the very best of his catalogue as a songwriter and recording artist including his chart-topping works in Free and Bad Company.

"This collection captures the essence of my music career over the last forty years," said Rodgers. "I hope that it serves as thanks to all our fans for their incredible support."

The Very Best Of Free And Bad Company Featuring Paul Rodgers tracklisting:

'Can't Get Enough' - Bad Company
'Rock Steady' - Bad Company
'Feel Like Makin' Love' - Bad Company
'Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy' - Bad Company
'Ready For Love' - Bad Company
'Run With The Pack' - Bad Company
'Seagull' - Bad Company
'Shooting Star' - Bad Company
'My Brother Jake' - Free
'Wishing Well' - Free
'Be My Friend' - Free
'Hunter, The' - Free
'Little Bit Of Love' - Free
'Fire And Water' - Free
'All Right Now' – Free

A concert by Australian rock legends AC/DC at an Austrian airport could be cancelled because of unexploded WWII bombs.

State broadcaster ORF reported yesterday (Weds), that the concert venue - the airport in Wels, Upper Austria - had been the target of heavy bombing by the Allies during the war.

It added that Helmut Track, the city official responsible for protection from catastrophes, had informed the city government last month of the danger the bombs would pose to the thousands of people who would attend the concert on 22 May. Up to 80,000 are expected.

Hermann Wimmer, the Social Democratic (SPÖ) deputy mayor of Wels, told ORF that no decision on the choice of the airport grounds as the venue of the concert would be made until after experts on bomb defusing and de-mining had presented their reports to the city government.

Environmental groups had protested against the concert because of its apparent venue last January.

Environmentalists also said holding the gig at the airfield would pose a risk to a number of endangered birds.

Upper Austrian Nature Protection Association, WWF Upper Austria and BirdLife Upper Austria wanted the concert relocated or postponed and said it would endanger the second-biggest colony of curlews in the province and 200 pairs of endangered birds that nest on the ground.

But local authorities said after a meeting with concert organisers and environmentalists that "a positive solution" had been found and gave the green light for the concert, which was already sold out.

Under the agreement, 90 per cent of the airfield's area will remain undisturbed by the concert, light and sound will be restricted to a minimum, and the grassy area near the hangar will be re-laid after the event.

In addition, experts will conduct ecological "audits" of the concert area before and after the band's performance.


MEGADETH , MOTÖRHEAD and RAMMSTEIN are among the confirmed bands for this year's Rock In Rio Lisbon festival, set to take place May 21-30 at Bela Vista Park in Lisbon, Portugal. also scheduled to appear is HAIL! — the supergroup featuring David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER), Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH).

Rock in Rio was founded in Rio de Janeiro in January 1985, and subsequent events in Lisbon and Madrid have been arranged by Brazilian founder Medina.

On March 16, Chris Dahlberg of Cosmos Gaming conducted an interview with MEGADETH guitarist Chris Broderick. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

Cosmos Gaming: You're about halfway into the "Rust in Peace 20th Anniversary Tour". How has it been going so far?

Broderick: It has been awesome. Even from the first couple of shows it started already feeling like we had been out on tour for a month. You know, we were just really getting into the groove of things. Things have been going real smooth, there haven't been any major hiccups. You know, sometimes you roll into venues and the system that they have for the show wasn't the correct one and you're dealing with all these constraints in terms of sound or lighting, whatever it may be. You run into those constraints frequently, but I think this tour has been rolling real smooth. It has been great. (Editor's Note: On this show MEGADETH encountered major sound problems and had to cut their set short for the night.)

Cosmos Gaming: So you joined the band in 2008 right?

Broderick: Right.

Cosmos Gaming: Had "Endgame" been started at all at that point?

Broderick: No. "Endgame" wasn't started until around August of 2008. So two thirds of the way through 2008 or somewhere around that time we started looking at it, but it was a little bit of a drawn out process because at the same time that we started looking at creating that CD we were moving into Vic's Garage which is Dave's [Mustaine] recording studio. The studio had to totally be built up, there were no walls where you wanted them as it was just an open warehouse. So we were going down there and trying to do some recording and riff ideas while all of this construction is happening at the same time. So it was a little more drawn out than I'm sure it had to be but under those constraints I think it turned out really well.

Cosmos Gaming: How involved were you in the writing process? Was it equal with you and Dave and everybody else?

Broderick: In a sense, it could have been because we all submitted potential songs and ideas, things of that nature for the CD. But at the end of the day we have to live up to the name of MEGADETH, we have to be true to that sound. So what better person to go to than Dave for that kind of stuff? Ultimately, it was mostly his material that made it on the CD but both Shawn [Drover, drums] and I had tidbits, parts that made it onto the album.

Cosmos Gaming: Do you think if [MEGADETH] were to somehow end in the near future you would get back together with NEVERMORE or JAG PANZER?

Broderick: No. I love all those guys a lot, I talk with Mark, Richard, and Jeff all the time and we all remain friends. JAG PANZER has moved on with Christian Lasegue and NEVERMORE, Jeff's doing his solo project right now and so is Warrel. So I don't see myself rejoining either of these bands.

Cosmos Gaming: What kind of music do you listen to when you have free time?

Broderick: I listen to a variety of things, but I'm really particular within individual categories. I listen to a lot of flamenco, classical music, very virtuosic metal such as Greg Howe, Paul Gilbert, all the shredder stuff like that. I also listen to jazz and a lot of other kinds of music, so that's what I listen to.

Cosmos Gaming: Do you try to pick up guitar styles from the different types of music and then see how you can incorporate them into metal?

Broderick: Absolutely, I have some songs that work well with flamenco guitar on top of some very heavy metal riffs. So yeah, I always try and do that. I remember I used to play this song that was kind of jazz metal, and I know other people have done that as well but I do try to amalgamate all of these different styles.

Cosmos Gaming: Do you have any tips for any up and coming guitarists or people who are in bands?

Broderick: Definitely just play out as much as you can and try and expose yourself. In music in general, trying to get to where you can actually make a living doing what you love takes a lot of luck. It isn't just what you can do on the instrument, but also the people you meet and how good your social skills are and all of that. Take every chance you can and keep playing, and try and stay humble because there are tons of great players out there.


CINDERELLA singer Tom Keifer spoke with AOL's Noisecreep recently about a number of topics including the possibilities of recording a new studio album.

Says Keifer: "We always feel like a band when we get back together and tour so the plan right now is to not put any pressure on ourselves and to just get back out and have some fun, do shows and be a band again and we'll see where it leads. It's definitely a possibility we could make a record at some point, I just don't know when that would be. I would say it's gotta be right place, right time. It's gotta feel right."


On Monday, March 22nd, the new STONE TEMPLE PILOTS single, 'Between The Lines', will be made available. The band states, "You've likely already heard the 20-second clip floating around the Internet , but it's nothing compared to the real thing!"

At 11am EST on Monday, March 22nd, the single will debut on the Official Stone Temple Pilots Twitter page which can be accessed by clicking here.

The artwork for the band's new self-titled album, due in stores on May 25th, can be seen above.

Stone Temple Pilots tracklisting:

'Between The Lines'
'Take A Load Off'
'Huckleberry Crumble'
'Hickory Dichotomy'
'Dare If You Dare'
'Cinnamon'
'Hazy Daze'
'Bagman'
'Peacoat'
'Fast As I Can'
'First Kiss On Mars'
'Maver'


According to Billboard.com, Robbie Krieger of THE DOORS hit the stage with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS last night at Austin Music Hall in Austin, Texas for a spirited rendition of "Roadhouse Blues" and joined the band, and bassist Robert DeLeo's son, in the show-closing bows.

STP performed four songs from its upcoming self-titled album during the concert that kicked off a nine-city tour timed to the launch of the band's first single, "Between the Lines". Besides "Between the Lines", STP also previewed "Hickory Dichotomy", "Bagman" and "Huckleberry Crumble".

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Vasoline
02. Crackerman
03. Wicked Garden
04. Hollywood Bitch
05. Between the Lines
06. Hickory Dichotomy
07. Big Empty
08. Sour Girl
09. Creep
10. Plush
11. Interstate Love Song
12. Bagman
13. Huckleberry
14. Sex Type Thing
15. Dead and Bloated
16. Roadhouse Blues
17. Trippin' on a Hole in a Paper Heart

Nikki M. Mascali of Weekender recently conducted an interview with vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.

On surviving lineup changes, the grunge movement of the early '90s and major health battles:

Billy: "We've been through all that stuff. Experiencing all that stuff and still being here today, I think it was all really about the music. So we really had time to focus on the band and just write the songs because at the end of the day, 10, 20, 30 years down the line, we're the ones that have to live with these songs, not the A&R guy telling us what he wants. We have to be happy with ourselves and what we do."

On performing TESTAMENT's debut album, 1987's "The Legacy", in its entirety on the current tour with MEGADETH and EXODUS:

"We did (the album) before in Europe, and it went over pretty well. (So we said) 'We had a good time doing it that time, let's do it again for this tour.' I think people will dig it."

On seeing the genre's demographic get younger over the years:

"Especially in Hollywood. When we go down there, it's like the old '80s scene almost — especially the way kids are dressing these days: the tight stretch pants and denim jackets with all the patches on it. It's like, 'Wow.'"

On whether he has any trepidation about spending so much time on the road with MEGADETH and its notoriously volatile frontman Dave Mustaine:

"Not at all. We've toured with them, shit, twice last year, and we've known Dave and toured with him back in 1989, before Clash of the Titans, so we've known him for a long time. And we've known every Dave … and all Dave's personalities."

On whether fans should expect to hear any new songs performed live this summer:

"We're going to save it for the record. It's kind of too soon to judge it — we want everybody to judge it by the whole thing. We're going to try to finish it and get it released this year, definitely."

On offering a VIP package for fans which includes autograph opportunities, meet-and-greets and more:

"The fans were so appreciative (that) every single day someone would say, 'Thanks for giving us the opportunity to do this.' We decided to just keep doing it, that if fans are digging it, and if they want to come hang out, let's give them the opportunity."

Joey Vera from ARMORED SAINT and FATES WARNING recently spoke to "Inside Heavy" about encounters with METALLICA in the early years that could have landed ARMORED SAINT/ANTHRAX vocalist John Bush and himself in METALLICA as members. Listen to the six-minute audio excerpt below.

ARMORED SAINT released its new album, "La Raza", on March 16 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Burbank, California's Tranzformer Studios, which is owned by Dave Jerdan (ALICE IN CHAINS, JANE'S ADDICTION), who produced ARMORED SAINT's 1991 classic "Symbol of Salvation" and Bryan Carlstrom, who engineered the same album. The band's first new release since 2001's "Nod to the Old School" was produced by Joey Vera and engineered by Carlstrom and his assistant John Nuss.

"La Raza" track listing:

01. Loose Cannon
02. Head On
03. Left Hook From Right Field
04. Get Off the Fence
05. Chilled
06. La Raza
07. Black Feet
08. Little Monkey
09. Blues
10. Bandit Country

The song "Left Hook From Right Field" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.

Vera comments on the unique recording process for "La Raza": "We used nothing but analog gear, most of which was custom-built by Rupert Neve for Bryan Carlstrom. We hit every signal (drum mics, guitars, vocals) with custom or vintage analog gear before recording into Pro Tools. We even used rare vintage amps for most of the guitar overdubs. At mix time, we mixed on an SSL 4000E console and went to a one-inch tape reel (one of only two on the West Coast) for our final masters. Uh…you DO know what tape is, don't you?

"What does this all mean? It means we spit in the ear of the age of the mp3, teenie, tiny ear bud listening culture that has turned its back on what it means to experience music. This record is FAT. We mean, obese! Full-on cardiovascular failure stuff! Old school, baby!"

Vera previously stated about ARMORED SAINT's new LP, "The result is just amazing, and I may be hasty when I say that this may be our best record ever. But all dopes in bands say that right? Well, this time I think it's true and although my reasons may be purely personal, I still deem it truth. The songs are great and it sounds great."

The band's current lineup is the same as the one on 2000's "Revelation" and 1992's "Symbol of Salvation" LPs:

John Bush (vocals)
Jeff Duncan (guitar)
Phil Sandoval (guitar)
Joey Vera (bass)
Gonzo Sandoval (drums)
Swedish heavy metallers DREAM EVIL have been confirmed for this year's Sweden Rock Festival festival, set to take place June 9-12, 2010 in Sölvesborg in southern Sweden.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

AEROSMITH (US)
ALDO NOVA (CAN)
ALESTORM (UK)
ANVIL (CAN)
BACHMAN & TURNER (CAN)
BEHEMOTH (PL)
BIGELF (US)
BILLY IDOL (UK)
BLACKBERRY SMOKE (US)
CINDERELLA (US)
D-A-D (DK)
DAMN DELICIOUS (S)
DANZIG (US)
DEATH ANGEL (US)
DREAM EVIL (S)
DUNDERTÅGET
F.K.Ü. (S)
FATES WARNING (US)
GARY MOORE (UK)
GRAVE DIGGER (D)
GUNS N' ROSES (US)
JORN (N)
MAGNUM (UK)
MASTODON (US)
MICHAEL MONROE (FIN)
MOTHER'S FINEST (US)
NAZARETH (UK)
OPETH (S)
PENDRAGON (UK)
POINT BLANK (US)
RATT (US)
RAVEN (UK/US)
RICK SPRINGFIELD (AUS/US)
SABATON (S)
SAGA (CAN)
SATOR (S)
SLAYER (US)
STEEL PANTHER (US)
STEELWING (S)
STONE SOUR (US)
STRATOVARIUS (FIN)
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES (US)
THE ITCH (S)
THE QUIREBOYS (UK)
U.D.O. (D)
UNISONIC (D)
W.A.S.P. (US)
WATAIN (S)
WINGER (US)
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.


German power metallers GAMMA RAY have tapped Kasperi Heikkinen of AMBERIAN DAWN and the Finnish GAMMA RAY tribute band GUARDIANS OF MANKIND as the temporary replacement for guitarist/keyboardist Henjo Richter, who underwent surgery on Tuesday (March 16) for a "retinal detachment."

Affected dates:

March 19 - Lichtenfels, GER @ Stadthalle
March 20 - Prague, CZR @ KD Vltavska
March 22 - Langen, GER @ Stadthalle (rescheduled from March 18)
March 23 - Saarbrücken, GER @ Garage (rescheduled from March 16)

Henjo is expected to rejoin his GAMMA RAY bandmates in time for the March 25 concert at KB in Malmö, Sweden.

A retinal detachment is a disorder of the eye in which the retina peels away from its underlying layer of support tissue.

Kasperi previously filled in for Henjo for a few shows in 2006.

According to Nightwatcher's House Of Rock, the new supergroup featuring guitarist Joe Bonamassa, bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH , TRAPEZE), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER) and drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, UFO, FOREIGNER) made a surprise debut appearance during the encore at Bonamassa's March 17 concert at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, California. The band performed two songs — "One Last Soul" and a cover of the DEEP PURPLE classic "Mistreated".

Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below.

In an exclusive interview with Dave Lewis for the forthcoming Tight But Loose magazine, Hughes revealed the future plans for the band formerly known as BLACK COUNTRY.

"You might think with Joe involved it's going to be a bluesy record, and while there are elements of that, it's developed into a classic modern rock album ," he said. "There's a real groove to it all, but with a Bonham involved, that's to be expected!

"Jason's drumming is amazing. He really feels the music and knows exactly what's going on in the songs. This is his best playing on an album ever, in my view. It's an honor to be in a band with him. His father helped me so much in my early days in TRAPEZE and was a real mentor to me. He really championed my music. It's amazing to think back and remember being at John's house and seeing him tutoring Jason when he was really young and now I'm playing in a band with him."

Talking about recording the project's debut album, Glenn recalled the sheer buzz of performing in this lineup.

"I remember we were recording the second track, 'One Last Soul', on January 3; it was a Sunday. We were doing it all live and I had this overwhelming feeling that this is the way it should be now. This is what I'm supposed to be doing.

"I'm back in a band and I feel totally rejuvenated. I need, for my own sake, to be involved in this. I love the variety we have and there's a real focus that allows us to grow musically. It's a real 'black country'-sounding album, too. Kevin Shirley's production is typical of his style; there's a rawness and lots of live solos and not a lot of overdubs. There's a light and shade there, too, but as I said, it's also a very gutsy vocal record ."

The Pulse of Radio reports: Former JOURNEY frontman Steve Perry is defending himself after a joke by Sara Silverman allegedly made him out to be a racist. Rolling Stone reported that in the new issue of Playboy on stands today (March 19) Silverman says in an interview: "The onetime lead singer of a very popular band from the 1980s" came backstage after a show and said, "You're my favorite comedian. You have the best n***er jokes." Although Silverman didn't come outright and say it was Perry, the button of her "joke" was: "I'll just say this: "After that, I stopped believin'" — which appeared to be a poke at the band's classic hit "Don't Stop Believin'".

Perry, who's a fan of Silverman's and has met her several times said, "I'm really shocked. She was so friendly and so nice. I don't understand why she would go there, it's so bizarre. I don't use that word, are you kidding? That's so derogatory."

He went on to explain the basis of where he thinks Silverman's "joke" came from: '"I walked up to her after the show and I said, 'I can't believe that somehow you seem to be getting away with all these slurs and the n-word, I just can't believe how you're doing this,' and I looked at my friend and I said, 'I can't believe how she's getting away with this,' and she looked at me and kind of smiled. It wasn't like I was condemning her or condoning her, it was just that I can't believe how somehow creatively she was making everybody in that club of all colors and all ethnic backgrounds laugh. That's what it was."

Despite the fun at his expense, Perry says he remains a fan: "You've gotta see her show because she uses every ethnic slur known to man that historically has been very unforgivable. I'm Portuguese, that's the only ethnic background she left out, but maybe after this article she'll come after me now."

BANG TANGO has added several new dates to their current live run, dubbed The Back From The Dead Tour. The complete itinerary is listed below. Expect a new, as yet untitled album from the band this summer.

March
18 - Ramona Main Stage - Ramona, California
19 - The StarLine - Fresno, California
20 - The Whisky - Hollywood, California
21 - Cheyanne Saloon - Las Vegas, Nevada
26 - The Rock - Tuscon, Arizona
27 - Club Red - Phoenix, Arizona
31 - The Railyard - Billings, Montana

April
1 - Bushwhackers - Denver, Colorado
2 - Club Vegas - Salt Lake City, Utah
3 - Diamondz - Jerome, Idaho
14 - Penny Road Pub - Barrington, Illinois
16 - The Back Bar - Janesville, Wisconsin
17 - Pickle Park - Fridley, Minnesota
18 - Phoenix Lounge - Harrisburg, South Dakota

May
20 - Drink - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
21 - Smith's Old Bar - Atlanta, Georgia
23 - The Limelight - Nashville, Tennessee

June
19 - M3 Fest - Merriwether Post Pavilion w/SCORPIONS, CINDERELLA , VINCE NEIL, KIX - Baltimore, Maryland
20 - Hard Rock Cafe - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

AMERICAN DOG frontman Michael Hannon has issued the following update:

"Greetings Dog People,

Lots of stuff going on.

Next week we have two Ohio shows with THE DAVE RUDE BAND, Thursday the 25th in Columbus and Friday the 26th in Cambridge.

We will then go into the studio to record a cover of AC/DC's 'Givin' The Dog A Bone', for a Classic Rock Magazine CD.

Then we'll have two weeks of practicing up a new set, followed up by shows with NASHVILLE PUSSY and RHINO BUCKET. Then it's off to Europe.

We have added a couple of posters to the merchandise page, they will be sent seperate of anything else you may order, as they will be shipped in tubes, so they aren't folded.

We've also reduced the price on the Japanese tour shirt to $10.00.

For more: americandog.us

New York-based rock/electronic artist ACEY SLADE AND THE DARK PARTY, featuring Acey Slade (MURDERDOLLS, DOPE, TRASHLIGHT VISION), has been tapped as support for former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley on his upcoming East Coast dates.

"I am thrilled beyond belief to support one of my idols, Mr. Ace Frehley ," says Slade. "His live shows and new album truly show that Ace is 'back in the New York groove.

"I'm honored to be a part of the shows that mark his return to form."

Acey Slade released "The Dark Party" album this past January. In an effort to stretch artistically and musically, Acey worked with legendary English drum-and-bass producer Shaun Morris. TOILET BOYS guitarist Shawn Pierce directed the video for the song "She Brings Down the Moon", which can be viewed below.

Upcoming ACEY SLADE AND THE DARK PARTY shows:

Mar 20 - House of Blues - Atlantic City , NJ (w/ ACE FREHLEY)
Mar 21 - Nokia Theater - New York, NY (w/ ACE FREHLEY)
April 24 - The Brick House - Dover, NH
April 25 - Middle East - Boston, MA
April 28 - Santos Party House - New York, NY (w/ HANZEL UND GRETYL, COMBICHRIST)

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/aceyslade69.

The long-awaited new solo album from EUROPE guitarist John Norum, entitled "Play Yard Blues", is scheduled for release on May 27 via Mascot Records. According to a press release, the CD is "full of steaming bluesy hard rock with great guitarwork and vocals."

"Play Yard Blues" track listing:

01. Let it Shine
02. Red Light Green High
03. It's Only Money
04. Got My Eyes on You
05. When Darkness Falls
06. Over and Done
07. Ditch Queen
08. Travel in the Dark
09. Born Again
10. Play Yard Blues

John is on the road extensively with EUROPE but is expected to embark on a solo tour later in the year or early next at the latest.

In other news, Mascot Records has released the compilation "Where Blues Meets Rock", featuring John's new solo track "Let It Shine".

Also on the Norum-related front, Norwegian guitarist Håvard Pedersen's new album (working title "Mobile Dreams") features John Norum (on lead guitar and vocals) on the track "Still In Love With You". The CD will be released by Cinematicworld Records on June 1.

Meanwhile, the second of guitarist Janne Stark's tributes to the Seventies was released on Grooveyard Records in February. The album, simply entitled "Volume Two", features John Norum showing his love for Frank Marino in a guitar-overdriven cover of "Talkin' 'bout A Feeling".

Ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach rejoined his former bandmates last night (Thursday, March 18) at The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza to perform five songs with the group during its regular set — "My Last Serenade", "Numbered Days", "Self Revolution", "Vide Infra" and "Temple From The Within". For the encore, Jesse returned with yet another surprise — the original KILLSWITCH ENGAGE lineup, featuring Adam Dutkiewicz on drums, Joel Stroetzel on guitar, Mike D'Antonio on bass and Leach on vocals! The encore included the songs "Prelude", "Life To Lifeless" and "Fixation On The Darkness".

MAMBO KURT, the German artist who does covers of various mainstream and classical/modern rock hits, has been confirmed for this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 5-7, 2010 in Wacken, Germany.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

1349
ALICE COOPER
ARCH ENEMY
AMORPHIS
ASTRAL DOORS
ATROCITY
BROILERS
CALIBAN
CANDLEMASS
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORVUS CORAX
CRUCIFIED BARBARA
DEAD MEANS NOTHING
DEBAUCHERY
DEGRADEAD
DELAIN
DESPISED ICON
DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER
DIE KASSIERER
EDGUY
EQUILIBRIUM
END OF GREEN
ENDSTILLE
ETERNAL LEGACY
EVILE
FEAR FACTORY
FIDDLER'S GREEN
GHOST BRIGADE
GOJIRA
GRAVE DIGGER
HACKNEYED
HANGGAI
HELLS BELLES
HOLY GRAIL
IHSAHN
ILL NINO
IMMORTAL
IMPERIUM DEKADENZ
IRON MAIDEN
JOB FOR A COWBOY
KAMPFAR
KATAKLYSM
KILLING MACHINE
LAKE OF TEARS
LETZTE INSTANZ
LIZZY BORDEN
MAD MAX
MAMBO KURT
MAROON
METSATÖLL
MÖTLEY CRÜE
NIGHTMARE
ORDEN OGAN
ORPHANED LAND
OVERKILL
PRIMAL FEAR
RAVEN
SCHELMISH
SECRETS OF THE MOON
SKANNERS
SLAYER
SMOKE BLOW
SÓLSTAFIR
STRATOVARIUS
SUICIDAL ANGELS
TARJA
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
THE NEW BLACK
THE OTHER
TIAMAT
TYR
U.D.O.
UNLEASHED
VARG
VOIVOD
W.A.S.P.

According to a brief update from Swedish bashers WOLF, the band has been confirmed to play the Rock Hard Festival Warm-Up Party in Dortmund, Germany on April 30th. More details will be revealed soon.

The band's schedule is currently as follows:


April
1 - Stockholm, Sweden - Harry B James
2 - Gävle, Sweden - Club Monster
23 - Haugesund, Norway - Karmoygeddon Festival
30 - Dortmund, Germany - Rock Hard Festival Warm-Up Party

June
2 - Ibiza, Spain - HRH Roadtrip Fest
12 - Leito, Finland - Hammer Open Air Festival

July
8 - Gävle, Sweden - Getaway Festival
15 - Arvika, Sweden - Arvika Festivalen
29 - Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany - Headbangers Open Air Festival


Rock Choice recently issued a new audio interview with Wolf's Niklas Stålvin
St. Louis-based metallers STRIKEFORCE have been added to the MelodicRockFest 2, taking place in Elgin, Illinois on the weekend of April 30th - May 2nd. Strikeforce will perform on Sunday, May 2nd. Following is the official press release for the event:

Some of the biggest and best names in melodic rock will once again gather for the biggest party of the year when MelodicRockFest 2 comes to Chicago for .

Heading to the newly opened Roadhouse venue in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, MelodicRockFest 2 is the second major concert event organized by the popular hard rock website MelodicRock.com.

MelodicRock.com's first show in October 2007 was held in South Bend and featured an audience made up of fans from 8 countries and 34 US states. And now its Chicago's turn!

Spread over two full days (Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd); with an additional VIP ticket holder night on Friday April 30th; the event will feature 20 bands and additional special guests in a display of classic melodic and hard rock music .

Saturday, May 1stSaturday's show will be headlined by San Francisco hard rock legends Y&T. The band will be taking a break from the studio, preparing the release of their new studio album due mid-year to rock Chicago.

DANGER DANGER is one of the most popular hard rock acts to come out of the late 80s and in 2009 the band delivered one of the genre's best new albums. They'll be playing all their biggest hits and some new tracks too.

PRIDE OF LIONS needs no introduction - featuring Chicago's favourite rock legend Jim Peterik (ex-SURVIVOR, IDEAS OF MARCH, WORLD STAGE) and vocalist Toby Hitchcock, plus members of the World Stage band, Pride Of Lions will appear for one of their rare live appearances.

EDEN'S CURSE features members from 4 different countries, but they will converge on the USA for the very first time to perform the best tracks from two acclaimed albums and maybe even preview the upcoming third opus. And they'll record and film the set for a DVD release!

TERRY BROCK has been in the business for 20 years and is the current lead vocalist for much loved AOR act GIANT and classic rock band LE ROUX. But Terry has a solo career also and in his feature set, he will cover all the favourites and perhaps a surprise or two. His backing band will be popular New York melodic rockers VALENTINE.

ROCK SUGAR might just be one of the most talked about bands of the weekend. Their unique take on twisting songs into each other, or 'mashing them' together will have everyone talking. Fast becoming a YouTube sensation with their METALLICA/JOURNEY mash-up, these guys are going to rock the house.

US rockers TALON are another band bubbling under and will debut their new vocalist and film a live DVD at the same time.

Opening the day is FARCRY - a band with the attitude of any stadium act of the 80s.

Sunday, May 2nd - Headlining Day 2 of MelodicRockFest is multi-platinum rockers WINGER. Famed for their musical prowess and fresh off a European tour , the band are supporting the release of their latest hard rock masterpiece Karma.

For the first time in 14 years, acclaimed NJ rockers TRIXTER will return to the mid-west to perform a true greatest hits set as they continue the tour that commemorates the 20th Anniversary of their debut album.

Pulling double duty for the show is Danger Danger frontman TED POLEY. Ted will do his own set, concentrating on some D2 rarities and solo material, plus tunes from his Poley/Rivera release. Ted will be joined by guitarist Vic Rivera and band.

JIMI JAMISON (ex-Survivor) returns from a guest appearance that brought the house down at MRF1 to perform a solo set of new solo tracks and some much loved Survivor classics. Who knows what guests might join him on stage.

VOICES OF ROCK RADIO are just that. Kevin Chalfant (THE STORM, TWO FIRES) and Derek St. Holmes (TED NUGENT) and the Two Fires Band perform their best known hits before inviting former Survivor vocalist Jimi Jamison to join the fun.

CROWN OF THORNS, featuring Jean Beauvoir and Tommy Lafferty will play a rare US soil live show in support of their latest studio album and a catalogue of much loved tunes that go back to the Paul Stanley (KISS) produced debut album.

No Chicago based show would be complete without local legends 7TH HEAVEN - the hardest working band in the Midwest and recently featured on American Idol.

Opening up Day 2 is melodic hard rockers BOMBAY BLACK, a heavy duty live act that will get the day off to a thunderous start.

Friday, April 30th - The Friday VIP Meet & Greet night is open to VIP ticket holders and will feature some acoustic performances from more melodic rock stars.

Headlining the night will be a rare special 30 minute set from ALIAS, featuring vocalist Freddy Curci and guitarist Steve DeMarchi.

Chicagoland rockers MECCA made an immediate impact with their debut album in 2000, but has never played live - until now. This will be a very special set not to be missed.

Rock Sugar couldn't help but get involved again and will warm up for Saturday with some acoustic tracks.

And joining us again from MRF1 is US melodic rock band GOODBYE THRILL, who might just ignore the acoustic night premise to deliver some rocking tunes. A number of the weekend guests will be on hand to meet and greet fans and sign autographs and share a drink or two.

Tickets for this very special only event are on sale now. Purchase tickets online at the festival website: melodicrockfest.com or call Revolution Tickets for credit card phone sales on 312-675-8025.

German pagan metallers EQUILIBRIUM have announced the addition of an Israeli drummer called Hati to the group's ranks.

Stated Hati: "I feel extremely lucky and honored to play with EQUILIBRIUM. It's a dream come true for me and a great opportunity. And I would like to thank Nasha Nocturna for connecting us!"

Commented EQUILIBRIUM mainman René Berthiaume: "When we made officially announced being on the hunt for a drummer, we received lots of applications of really good drummers every day. We feel honoured also renowned artists were among them. Eventually we chose this guy from Israel. Hati has the ambition and the talent to kick major ass with us!"

EQUILIBRIUM recently announced the addition of vocalist Robse to the group's ranks.

The band is currently recording its new album, "ReKreatur", for a summer release.

In February 2010, EQUILIBRIUM parted ways with vocalist Helge Stang and drummer Manuel Di Camillo "due to personal reasons." The band stated at the time, "There is no bad blood between us and we wish them the best of luck for all future endeavours. We shared some really special moments on stage. Nevertheless, this will in now way affect the music of EQUILIBRIUM. The songs will still be written and composed by René Berthiaume."

EQUILIBRIUM's second album, "Sagas", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 30 back in July 2008. The album features a guest appearance by Ulrich Herkenhoff, who is said to be "one of the most famous pinpipe players and can be heard on the soundtrack of 'The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King'." "Sagas" also features a violin solo by Agnes Malich, deputy concertmaster of the Augsburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/equilibrium.

Former TROUBLE and BLACKFINGER frontman Eric Wagner is producing the new album from the Chicago, Illinois-based metal band SMASH CORPS, entitled "Rotten To The Corps". The CD is tentatively due this summer.

The band states in its official bio, "SMASH CORPS started out as a recording project.

"Most of us have known each other for years and have played in various bands together.

"When the recording was done, we decided to see how it came across live. The response was overwhelming from new and old fans alike.

"We are now looking for a record deal and working on new material for the next recording.

"We are metal artists looking to bridge the gap between all the genres. We would like to see metal music unified instead of segregated."

SMASH CORPS is:

Ed Brongiel - Lead Guitar, Vocals
Tim Smith - Vocals
Travis Williams - Bass
Kevin Nelson - Lead Guitar
Toby Nickels - Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/smashcorps.

Sheffield, U.K. metallers BRING ME THE HORIZON have entered Studio Fredman in Västra Frölunda, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL) to begin recording their third album for an August release via Visible Noise.

Commented frontman Oli Sykes: "2009 was one hell of a year — non-stop for us, really! Our second album, 'Suicide Season', has taken us further than we ever thought was possible. I think we found our unique sound with that album and the next is going to be using 'Suicide Season' as a base, but pushing it further in every single way imaginable. It's happening with Fredrik Nordström again, since he made us sound so amazing last time."

On the subject of the recording itself, guitarist and resident Australian Jona Weinhofen adds: "We've spent the last few months writing new material for the third album and we are stoked as hell on what we've penned! This will also be my first recording with the band and I'm definitely excited to be working on something new and so different to my previous works.

"We've taken in a broad array of influences during the writing period and I think it will show on this album more than ever before. Fans can expect new ideas, experimentation and more adventurous production. We've really focused on our song structures and keeping the songs catchy and listenable. But don't freak out! It's still the BRING ME THE HORIZON you know and love, and there will be plenty of heavy, fast riffing and plenty of breakdowns to keep your fists pounding and your heads banging!"

BRING ME THE HORIZON is currently at week 1 in its recording schedule, having almost completed drum tracking. The band will also film a series of studio diaries and short documentaries which will be released soon and will be available to view on the band's MySpace page and web site.

Montreal extreme metal purists ION DISSONANCE have completed the recording process for their new album, "Cursed", for an early summer release via Century Media Records. The CD was tracked at .357 Productions with ION guitar player Antoine Lussier (who also produced EMMURE's latest LP) at the production helm.

According to a press release, "Fans can expect a more refined and streamlined approach that just goes straight for the jugular with a frenetic assault of the band's trademarked mathematic brutality."

Commented frontman Kevin McCaughey: "We only have a few more days of mixing left and we will be hitting up Wild Studios in the coming weeks to master our efforts and finally put an end to this horribly long and arduous recording process.

"We have been hacking away at this thing for the past three months and are down to our last few days. To see the light at the end of the tunnel and to hear what we have put together is motivating as hell for us. We all had high hopes for this record and feel that we have undoubtedly delivered the goods."

Sumerian thrashing black metal act MELECHESH will enter Babajim Studios in Istanbul, Turkey on April 10 to begin recording its as-yet-untitled fifth album for a summer release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Commented mainman Ashmedi: "We have been looking for a place to record that can offer us an inspiring surrounding. We also decided to stay true to our spirits, to break the mold (again) and also to defy the norm, hence we will record in Istanbul.

"You see, the norm is to record westwards. It is rather customary. [However] we want to head eastwards. So, Istanbul seemed the best place since this is the city where the east and west meet, mesh, clash, blend, collide etc. and has been as such for milleniums.

"The music is definitely MELECHESH and as always, this album has its own characteristic."

MELECHESH is currently in rehearsal mode, with guitarist Moloch scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam next week from Virginia.

Video footage of MELECHESH performing a brand new song on January 23, 2010 at the Baroeg club in Rotterdam, the Netherlands can be viewed below.

A number of high-quality photos of the can be found at Metal-Experience.com.

MELECHESH in December announced the addition of bassist Rahm to the group's ranks.

Commented Rahm: "I am honored and proud to be the new bass player of the Mesopotamian metal band MELECHESH. The last year I played nine shows [with MELECHESH as a session bassist] and I am ready for what is coming in the future. I think this is a big chance for me to do new things with excellent music and musicians!"

Added MELECHESH mainman Ashmedi: "After several shows with Rahm, he proved to be a very good musician, and he has shown outstanding energy and positive attitude both on stage and off stage. And believe me, offstage matters a lot when you are travelling and spending a lot of time together on the road. I am very glad he is a part of the MELECHESH order."

MELECHESH's latest album, "Emissaries" — the follow-up to 2003's "Sphynx" — was released January 23, 2007 on Osmose Productions/The End Records.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based epic black/death metal band WILL OF THE ANCIENTS has set "To Our Glorious Dead" as the title of its second album, tentatively due late summer/early fall via an as-yet-undetermined record label.

The tentative track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. The Trapper
02. Shield of Stone
03. Where Men Fear to Build
04. Devonian Ascension
05. The Stars Like Dust
06. Lake of the Sun
07. Currents of Magma
08. To Our Glorious Dead

Commented the band: "We're currently looking for a record label to develop a relationship with and release this album, so if you're a label rep and see this, get in touch! We're estimating a release somewhere around late summer or fall this year if all goes well, but for now, we're working hard on recording, getting some new merch ideas rolling, and getting some seriously awesome artwork together."

WILL OF THE ANCIENTS' self-titled debut was released in 2006 via Northern Storm Records.

WILL OF THE ANCIENTS is:

Stephen Walton - Vocals
Tristan Biggar - Guitar
Ryan Sequeira - Guitar
Jeff Kurkowski - Bass
Colin Attlesey - Keyboards
Dave Black - Drums

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/willoftheancients.


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