Tuesday, April 6, 2010

[HeavyMetalHeaven] Jon Lord, Thin Lizzy, Rush, Iron Maiden, Guitar show, Accept and tons more news

According to a posting at JonLord.org, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord
will be back in Trondheim, Norway on Sunday, May 23. He will perform an intimate
church concert at Vår Frue Kirke with a small string section consisting of
members of the Trondheim Soloists.

The evening's program is still not finalized, but expect to hear Jon Lord on
piano playing some of his solo pieces, possibly even from his new album, "To
Notice Such Things".

Jon Lord has a long history with Trondheim and the nearby Hell Blues Festival.
In 2003, he was made Ambassador of Hell, and at his most recent visit to
Trondheim he performed his (yet-to-be-recorded) string and choir piece "From
Darkness to Light" at Trondheim's imposing Nidaros Dome in 2007.

His return visit to Trondheim coincides with Trondheim Rock 2010, which will
feature GLENN HUGHES, GARY MOORE and others.

According to Rte.ie, THIN LIZZY legend Phil Lynott is one of the Top 10 people
on the Ireland's "Greatest" list, as revealed on "The Tubridy Show" on RTÉ
Radio 1.

Speaking about the results of the poll, broadcaster Myles Dungan said, "It's a
snapshot of where we are at as a country â€" a celebrity-obsessed culture and
we're in a dark place economically so it's interesting that two socialists made
it into the Top 10."

The top five figures, as nominated by voters, will later become the subject of
five brand new hour-long documentaries, each charting the individual's impact
and contribution to Irish life, as interpreted and championed by a well-known
personality.

According to a posting on the RUSH fan site RushIsABand.com, RUSH has launched a
countdown clock splash page on the band's official web site formatted by HHMMSS
where the first two digits are the hours, the next two are the minutes and the
last two are the seconds. It began ticking with a reading of 480000 at 7 a.m.
EST this morning and will count down to this Thursday, April 8 at 7 a.m. There
is no word on the exact nature of the announcement, but new tour dates are said
to be a good guess.

RUSH has reportedly commenced work on the follow-up to 2007's "Snakes & Arrows"
at Cherry Beach Sound in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Guitarist Alex Lifeson is
believed to be engineering the sessions, although this information has not yet
been corroborated by an official source.

RUSH drummer Neil Peart told The Canadian Press at the end of March that the
band was planning to complete pre-production on two new songs in the coming
weeks, with a possible tour to follow.

"We're going to put those (songs) together and if they turn out well, we'll
maybe even release them (on their own)," he said. "We're saying, what if we do a
little songwriting and then a little touring to play those songs, and then get
back to the songwriting again? It would be an interesting way to shake up our
usual way. There's nothing I can confirm yet ... these things are immensely
complicated and so much involved, all I can say is that we're considering that."

Producer Kevin Shirley has confirmed that he has finished mixing the new IRON
MAIDEN album, "The Final Frontier", at his studio for a late summer release. The
CD was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas with Shirley at the
helm.

Shirley previously worked on the last three MAIDEN albums â€" 2000's "Brave New
World", 2003's "Dance of Death" and 2006's "A Matter of Life and Death".

The next IRON MAIDEN album will be the band's fifteenth studio record, and they
face a challenge to follow up "A Matter of Life and Death", which was received
well critically and saw the group play the whole album on tour.

Speaking at last year's premiere of the band's documentary film "Iron Maiden:
Flight 666", guitarist Adrian Smith stated, "There's always a bit of pressure to
follow up the last album. In a way, it's good, because it motivates you.

"We never get complacent; we always try our best for our own sake as much as
anything else. As far as pressure for another album, we just do what we do â€"
we've been doing it long enough now; we know what we're doing. [laughs]"

IRON MAIDEN guitarist Janick Gers revealed to BBC News in November that the band
was on its way "to Paris for three weeks to work on some new stuff." He added,
"The most important thing for a band is to create new music, otherwise you're
not valid â€" you become a parody."

IRON MAIDEN will kick off a North American tour with very special guests DREAM
THEATER in Dallas, Texas, on June 9 and finish in Washington D.C. on July 20,
making it MAIDEN's most extensive North American tour in many years.

Following these shows in USA and Canada, "The Final Frontier World Tour" will
travel back to Europe for a few selected major festival and stadium shows with
the band planning to continue to many other countries in 2011.

IRON MAIDEN will guest on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" with
host Bob Coburn on Monday, June 7 at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET. Fans are
encouraged to speak with IRON MAIDEN by calling 1-800-344-ROCK (7625).

For more information, visit RocklineRadio.com.

Legendary rocker Ted Nugent will have a booth and will participate in an
all-star jam session at the the 33rd annual Dallas International Guitar Festival
at Dallas Market Hall on April 16-18. Also appearing at the event are KING'S X
(Friday, April 16th) and JOURNEY's Neal Schon (Saturday, April 17). Joining
Nugent at the jam on Sunday, April 18 will be George Lynch (LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF
WE, ex-DOKKEN)

For more information, visit GuitarShow.com.

Reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast
Records. Due late summer, the band's 15th album, "Blood Of Nations", was
recorded at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British
producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY,
NEVERMORE). The CD â€" which will mark the recording debut of the band's latest
addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK) â€" will contain around 14
tracks, including "Shades Of Death", "Blood Of Nations", "Pandemic", " Teutonic
Terror" and "The Abyss".


Commented Gaby Hoffmann and Deville Schober of ACCEPT's management company, "We
really appreciate the cooperation with Nuclear Blast. ACCEPT finally found a
powerful partner to create a big international impact. Nuclear Blast got a lot
of experience and the power to push ACCEPT into new dimensions!"

Added Andy Siry, label manager of Nuclear Blast: "We are very proud to declare
the signing of ACCEPT!

"Like a lot of people out there, employees of Nuclear Blast have grown up with
songs like 'Restless And Wild', 'Breaker' and 'Balls To The Wall'. It's an honor
to us!

"ACCEPT found a new voice with Mark Tornillo and working together with sucessful
producer Andy Sneap will cause an amazing record â€" a gift for the fans out
there! This album will become a milestone in the history of ACCEPT!"
Legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES) will play a
special "surprise" show at the Roxy in Hollywood, California on Saturday, April
10 at midnight. Click here to get tickets . If you are asked for a password,
type in "slashrox." You can also call 310.278.9457, or go to the Roxy at 9009
West Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, California.

As previously reported, Todd Kerns (SIN CITY SINNERS, STATIC IN STEREO, AGE OF
ELECTIC) has replaced Dave Henning (BIG WRECK) on bass in Slash's touring band.
The rest of the group consists of rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck (WEEZER, GREEN
DAY), drummer Brent Fitz (ALICE COOPER, VINCE NEIL) and vocalist Myles Kennedy
from ALTER BRIDGE.

Slash's solo album came out today (April 6). To kick off the release, Slash will
be the featured performer at Revolver Golden Gods Awards, with several of his
album collaborators making special guest appearances. Slash will also make a
series of late-night performances with talk show hosts Jay Leno, George Lopez
and Craig Ferguson.

Slash TV dates to watch (check local listings):

* Tuesday, April 6 - "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (NBC)
* Thursday, April 8 - "Lopez Tonight" with George Lopez (TBS)
* Thursday, April 8 - Revolver Golden Gods Awards ceremony from Hollywood (airs
May 22 on VH1)
* Friday, April 8 - "Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson" (CBS)

The first single from the set, called "By The Sword", features vocals from
WOLFMOTHER frontman Andrew Stockdale.

The guitarist uses a different guest vocalist on each track, including Fergie,
M. Shadows, Kid Rock, Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Lemmy Kilmister, Iggy Pop and
others.

Veteran New Jersey thrashers OVERKILL will join forces with reactivated San
Francisco Bay Area metallers FORBIDDEN for the second leg of the "Killfest" U.S.
tour in November. The full tour lineup and exact cities/dates will be announced
on May 2, with tickets going on sale that day.

OVERKILL's new album, "Ironbound", sold 4,100 copies in the United States in its
first week of release to debut at position No. 192 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The CD landed at No. 4 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.

OVERKILL's previous album, "Immortalis", opened with 2,800 units back in October
2007 .

OVERKILL's top-selling album of the SoundScan era (1991-) is "Horrorscope",
which has shifted more than 120,000 copies in the U.S. since its 1991 release
(there is no SoundScan data available for LPs sold prior to 1991).

"Ironbound" was released on February 9 via E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The
CD, which was issued in Europe on January 29 via Nuclear Blast Records, was
mixed by PAIN/HYPOCRISY mainman Peter Tägtgren and is described in a press
release as "a true thrasher-piece."

OVERKILL filmed a video for the song "Bring Me The Night" on January 9 in
Brooklyn, New York with director Kevin Custer (HATEBREED, TESTAMENT,
SUFFOCATION).

FORBIDDEN recently entered Sonic Room/Audio Voyage studios in Livermore,
California to begin recording its as-yet-untitled fifth studio album for a late
2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records.

Working songtitles set to appear on the new CD include:

* Intro (not final title)
* Swine
* Immortal Wounds
* Omega Wave
* Hopenosis
* Adapt Or Die
* Forsaken At The Gates
* Inhuman Race
* Beyond The Mask
* Dragging My Casket
* Overthrow

Check out the band's ongoing studio report at this location.

FORBIDDEN 2010 is:

* Russ Anderson - Vocals
* Craig Locicero - Guitar
* Steve Smyth (NEVERMORE, TESTAMENT) - Guitar
* Matt Camacho - Bass
* Mark Hernandez (HEATHEN, DEFIANCE, VIO-LENCE) - Drums

Demo versions of two new FORBIDDEN songs â€" "Adapt or Die" and "Hopenosis" â€"
were recorded and mixed last year by Tim Narducci (SPIRALARMS, SYSTEMATIC) and
assisted by Brad Barth at Sonic Room/Audio Voyage studios in Livermore,
California.

FORBIDDEN's last studio LP, "Green", was released in 1997 on the G.U.N. label.


AVANTASIA/EDGUY mainman Tobias Sammet was interviewed this past weekend by his
webmaster, Harmon Caldwell. The question-and-answer session follows in its
entirety below.

Q: Tobias, the day has come: Your two new AVANTASIA albums, "The Wicked
Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon", have hit the record stores. They seem to be
considered the "most ambitious project you have ever done." Are you excited or
even nervous now that your fans can hold the albums in their hands?

Tobias: As far as the "most ambitious project" goes, I have always been
ambitious and very enthusiastic with whatever I did or am doing. Only this time
around we've got two albums and a running time of 120 minutes. Everything was
twice as intensive, it has taken twice as long to record, twice as much sweat,
twice as many sleepless nights and of course: Now I am twice as happy.

Q: The list of guest musicians is really impressive once again. Klaus Meine, Jon
Oliva, Russell Allen, Jorn Lande, Ripper Owens... At some point, weren't you
afraid that you might become just another guest on your own albums? Not as a
composer, of course, but as a performer?

Tobias: When you put such an epic together, you don't put your own performance
front and center. You focus on the project as a whole. Of course, I wanted to
perform my vocals as good as I possibly could. But I didn't do this project to
boost my ego, I did this because it makes me feel like a kid in a toy store.
Believe it or not, when you're in the studio with all these great performers,
you are nothing but thankful and happy. It's all for the sake of creating music
together, music that I love. You don't start a dick-waving contest. I am just
happy to create music I want to listen to myself. This is not the Olympics. It's
all about the joy of doing it and listening to the final results afterwards!

Q: Everybody talks about the great guest vocalists' performances. How would you
rate your own singing? How has your style changed over the years in your
opinion?

Tobias: I am much more happy with my voice nowadays. When I listen to some of
the stuff I did on early albums, I scratch my head, haha! I hate my vibrato on
those old albums. Mikko Karmilla (engineer of EDGUY's early albums â€" from
"Vain Glory Opera" to "Hellfire Club") once said that it sounds like somebody is
shaking me while I try to keep a tone. Thank God my producer Sascha cured me
from it. Whenever I start to sing with high clean opera vocals, Sascha throws up
on the mixing desk. At some point I couldn't stand the smell of his vomit in the
studio anymore. I don't wanna be in a fucking Alessandro Moreschi tribute band
(laughs). The range is still there, which feels great, but I would rather focus
on feeling and emotion than competing with the sound of a sharply braking
freight train. If you listen to the new AVANTASIA material like "Your Love Is
Evil" or the chorus of "States Of Matter", without blowing my trumpet, I guess
that's not too bad. But,
of course, there are so many outstanding singers who did a great job on
AVANTASIA, it would be out of place to speak about my performance in that
context. If you listen to the last EDGUY album, "Tinnitus Sanctus", you can hear
the essence of my singing. This is just me on vocals. Having enough distance
from that album now, I can rightfully say that it is the strongest EDGUY album.
It's a killer album, maybe some people didn't understand it, but "Sex Fire
Religion" or "Pride Of Creation" are killer tracks. That's what metal has to
sound like, in my opinion. On "929" I think I gave my best vocal performance in
ten years, maybe. The album didn't have the success it deserved in all
territories, but that's the price we are willing to pay in order to follow our
hearts. "Tinnitus Sanctus"... What an album! Wow, off topic. Back to AVANTASIA
(laughs).

Q: I really liked "Tinnitus", but the two new AVANTASIA albums seem to be a
little more epic and some people even think you are going back to the roots with
those albums. Was that intentional? Some people have even said or implied that
you put more work into AVANTASIA than EDGUY. What is your counter argument to
that claim?

Tobias: It's bullshit! "Tinnitus Sanctus" is the perfect EDGUY album, even if
some people hate it or not. I can judge, I am IN this band! It's funny, whenever
I speak to the press or fans I get the feeling that a lot of people out there
know more about our insidious plans and intentions than we do. I have heard it
all: commercial sell-out, back to the roots, burnt out, you name it. But we
don't think about it, we're just out to have fun and play the music we love.
Again, "Tinnitus Sanctus" embodies the essence of EDGUY, it has got some of the
strongest songs we have ever done. It kicks ass, it's mean and dirty and yet
bombastic and it's got some of the most anthemic melodies. And it's got great
songwriting, the greatest performance of each musician in the history of EDGUY.
I know it, I am actually a member of this band (laughs). I respect every
opinion, but I am in the position to eventually judge! As far as selling out
goes, we didn't even release a
single. If we would be out for a hit single, it would be rather dumb to not
release one at all.

Q: Okay, back to AVANTASIA: If an alien came down to earth: How would you
describe the two new albums in your own words, briefly?

Tobias: I think it's just a magnificent piece of work, but in press language I'd
tell the alien it's a six-point-four out of a six-and-a-half-point-two. And the
deduction is only because it sounds like BON JOVI (laughs)! If the alien didn't
understand what I meant, then nobody would. Sane music lovers surely don't
understand the music press. I'd say it's great and epic music. I'd tell the
alien: Listen, parts of the drums have been played by one of your kind! Now give
it a listen or two and you will hear how honest we were and how we constantly
tore down limits and boundaries. The honesty, the diversity, the elemental force
and the grandeur will drip out of your stereo... And finally melt your
spaceship!

Q: You produced two albums at once; it must have been a lot of work. Was there a
point during the production, that you regretted recording such a massive amount
of material?

Tobias: No, when I realized how much material it was, it was already produced!
The secret is quite easy, it's like a life motto to me: "Do what you love!" I
focus on things that make me happy. On the two new AVANTASIA albums, for
example, all I want to do is play the music I love and seize my time on this
beautiful planet with something that fills me with joy. And believe me, I live
the happiest life on the planet. So it's my duty to pass it on. I know I have
had a lot of luck, more luck than talent for sure. And I know that many people
can not live by that motto 24 hours a day, seven days a week (me neither, by the
way.). But if we really want it we can optimize the happy aspects in our lives.
Just take a look around: There are so many people who waste their energy on
giving someone else a hard time. Take music journalism: Some people look out for
music they love and some people wait for bands they can hate and bash. You have
to be perverse to choose to
be miserable and surround yourself with such a negative, angry, and unfair
vibe. Or neighbours: Some people call the police and complain about noisy
couples in the flat above, and others take the opportunity and fuck themselves.
Relax! Follow your dreams and enjoy life! Wasting your energy for something
negative is disrespectful towards those who really need your support and energy.
I try not to waste precious time and energy: I seize the day to make people
smile, me included. You'll be surprised of how much you can work out if you live
by that motto.

Q: So what are the future plans of Tobias Sammet? Any new dreams to dream?

Tobias: I don't think about that right now, I just enjoy having recorded two
amazing new chapters in my personal discography. Life is what happens to you
while you are making plans. 20 years ago I had the dream of becoming a rock
musician. I wanted to record my own albums and make just enough money to earn a
living. Today I am looking back on chart-breaking albums, a tour with AEROSMITH,
stadium shows with IRON MAIDEN and the SCORPIONS. I was given the great
opportunity to start AVANTASIA and to work with Alice Cooper, musicians from
KISS and the SCORPS whose posters I had on my wall. I have been given the chance
to play various world tours, travelled from Israel to China and from the USA to
Brazil. I still can't believe this is all true, so please don't wake me up! And
all my life I have just worked on future plans. Now is the time to recall the
past, enjoy it, and relax. I deserve that after these two new albums, I really
deserve being able to not
think about the future for a few weeks.

New Orleans, Louisiana sludge metal icons EYEHATEGOD will embark on a U.S. tour
in June following an appearances at this year's edition of the Maryland
Deathfest. The 18-date trek will kick off at Blackbooth in Orlando, Florida on
June 3 and will rage through 16 more cities before coming to a close in Chicago,
Illinois at the Empty Bottle (where they play two nights). Support will come
primarily from psychedelic black metallers NACHTMYSTIUM (June 4-15) but will
also feature a rotating roster of crushing openers throughout the tour,
including BRUTAL TRUTH, WITHERED, BLACK ANVIL, TOMBS, HOWL, THE ATLAS MOTH,
BLACK TUSK and STRONG INTENTION.

The dates are as follows:

Jun. 03 - Backbooth - Orlando, FL
Jun. 04 - Ground Zero - Spartanburg, SC **
Jun. 05 - Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
Jun. 06 - Headliners - Louisville, KY
Jun. 07 - Fubar - St Louis, MO
Jun. 08 - Muse - Nashville, TN
Jun. 09 - Alley Katz - Richmond, VA
Jun. 10 - Krug's - Frederick, MD
Jun. 11 - Unitarian Church - Philadelphia, PA
Jun. 12 - Europa - Brooklyn, NY
Jun. 13 - Club Hall - Providence, RI
Jun. 14 - Daniel St - Milford, CT
Jun. 15 - Rocko's - Manchester, NH
Jun. 16 - Big Jar â€" Rochester, NY
Jun. 17 - Now That's Class - Cleveland, OH
Jun. 18 - Blondie's Detroit, MI
Jun. 19 - Empty Bottle - Chicago, IL
Jun. 20 - Empty Bottle â€" Chicago, IL

** VIP package available; 50 tickets are available for $40 and include
soundcheck access, BBQ, meet-and-greet with the band and a signed poster.

Maryland rockers CLUTCH will release a new two-DVD set, "Live At The 9:30", on
May 11 through their own Weathermaker Music label. The first disc features a
high-definition, seven-camera shoot of the band's December 28, 2009 concert at
the 9:30 club in Washington, D.C. â€" including a performance of the group's
entire 1995 self-titled CD â€" helmed by director/producer Agent Ogden. The
second disc will contain a documentary-style feature dubbed "Fortune Tellers
Make A Killing Nowadays" clocking in at 110 minutes and spanning CLUTCH's entire
career. Included will be footage of the band's second-ever show in October 1991
as well as appearances by members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN, CKY, THE COMPANY BAND and
FU MANCHU, among others. There will also be a rare 1992 performance of the track
"Wicker" at the 9:30 club and live renditions of the tracks "Eight Times Over
Miss October", "Immortal", "Burning Beard", "Abraham Lincoln" and more.

The track listing for the first DVD is as follows:

01. Intro
02. 50,000 Unstoppable Watts
03. Struck Down
04. Minotaur
05. Let A Poor Man Be
06. Big News 1
07. Big News 2
08. Rock & Roll Outlaw
09. Texan Book Of The Dead
10. Escape From The Prison Planet
11. Spacegrass
12. (I Have the Body of) John Wilkes Booth
13. Tight Like That
14. Animal Farm
15. Droid
16. House That Peterbilt
17. 7 Jam
18. Tim Sult vs. The Greys
19. Regulator
20. Gravel Road

"Strange Cousins From the West", the ninth studio album from CLUTCH, sold 13,000
copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position
No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

"Strange Cousins From the West" was made available both digitally and through
retail on July 14, 2009. Produced by CLUTCH and J. Robbins at Magpie Cage
Studios in Baltimore, the effort is the first CLUTCH studio LP to be released on
the band's own Weathermaker Music, through RED Distribution.

KNIVES OUT, the new Baltimore, Maryland-based project featuring current/former
members of HELLYEAH, NOTHINGFACE, DOG FASHION DISCO and POLKADOT CADAVER, will
perform at the Ottobar in band's hometown on April 17.

"April 17th will be our first show performing without Tom [Maxwell, guitar], who
is busy with HELLYEAH," states guitarist Jasan Stepp. "Tom is still a member of
KNIVES OUT, which is why we have chosen to not have some guy come in to play his
parts. It has taken a ton of practice and a pretty elaborate, multi-amplifier
guitar rig to make this a one-guitar band, but we feel like it has worked
incredibly well. Adding another personality to our band didn't seem like the
right thing to do."

KNIVES OUT recently finished recording its debut album at Wrightway Studios in
Baltimore. The CD is currently being shopped to interested labels for release in
late 2010. The band independently released a four-song EP, "Rough Cuts", online
through iTunes and digital retailers earlier this year.

"The new album is our crowning achievement and exactly what we set out to be and
sound like," says vocalist Todd Smith. "Heavy with groove and full of melody,
KNIVES OUT is a fresh, unique and completely original force ready to lead the
heavy hard rock genre into the future."

Formed in 2008, the group says, "It isn't pretty and it isn't safe. In a world
of copy cat bands KNIVES OUT! stands up to deliver to the world a breath of
fresh air to a stagnant, plagiaristic genre. Go hard or go home...horns up and
KNIVES OUT!"

KNIVES OUT! is:

Todd Smith (DOG FASHION DISCO, POLKADOT CADAVER) - Vocals
Jasan Stepp (DOG FASHION DISCO, POLKADOT CADAVER) - Guitar
Tommy Sickles (NOTHINGFACE) - Drums
Dave Cullen (POLKADOT CADAVER) - Bass
Tom Maxwell (HELLYEAH, NOTHINGFACE) â€" Guitar

BENEDICTION, WITCHSORROW, ENFORCER and STEELWING have been confirmed for the
Sophie Lancaster Stage at the 10th-anniversary edition of the Bloodstock
festival, set to take place August 13-15, 2010 at Catton Hall, Derbyshire,
United Kingdom.

Commented BENEDICTION bassist Frank Healy: "Bloodstock were the first festival
in the U.K. to take notice of BENEDICTION in 2007 and booked us to play. Since
that show our profile in the U.K. has gone from strength to strength so when
they asked us back it was a no-brainer. They showed a lot of faith in us at the
time when no one else did and we owe them a lot for that. We would be at
Bloodstock 2010 anyway, but we will now get in free!"

Stated WITCHSORROW guitarist/frontman Nick Ruskell: "We're delighted to be
bringing doom metal to Bloodstock. It's an honor to be part of such a killer
festival that we go to as fans anyway, and a particularly special occasion for
us to be sharing a bill with HEAVEN & HELL. We had a great time when we played
on the unsigned stage in '08, and we're looking forward to once again bringing
our riffs and darkness to the U.K.'s best metal festival. If the sun puts his
hat on, brilliant, if there's wind, rain, mud and biting cold, so much the
better for us."

The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

AMORPHIS
ANDROMEDA
BEHEMOTH
BENEDICTION
BLACK SPIDERS
BLOODBATH
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CHILDREN OF BODOM
DEVIN TOWNSEND
DORO
EDGUY
ENFORCER
ENSIFERUM
FEAR FACTORY
GOJIRA
GORGOROTH
GWAR
HEAVEN & HELL
HOLY MOSES
KILLING MACHINE
KORPIKLAANI
LEAVES' EYES
OBITUARY
ONSLAUGHT
RAGE
ROSS THE BOSS
SNAKEBITE
SONATA ARCTICA
STEELWING
SUFFOCATION
TWISTED SISTER
WITCHSORROW

For more information, visit www.bloodstock.uk.com.

DEATHDESTRUCTION â€" the new Swedish metal "supergroup" featuring members of
EVERGREY, HAMMERFALL and DEAD BY APRIL â€" entered IN FLAMES' IF Studios on
February 15 with producer Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK,
SONIC SYNDICATE) to begin recording its debut album.

The band has since issued the following update:

"We've almost finished the album now. The only thing remaining is the mastering,
which we will do in about three weeks or so.
"Everything has been just awesome, and Roberto Laghi has been just great and
perfect for DEATHDESTRUCTION! He managed to get the exact right sound and
feeling for the album that we wanted. And musically, he pulled out the best of
each one of us. He's a huge part of that the album turned out the way it did.

"Big thanks and love to you, Roberto, you're awesome!!"

DEATHDESTRUCTION is:

Jimmie Strimell (DEAD BY APRIL) - Vocals
Henrik Danhage (EVERGREY) - Guitar
Fredrik "Loppan" Larsson (HAMMERFALL) - Bass
Jonas Ekdahl (EVERGREY) - Drums

Formed in late 2003 by Danhage, Ekdahl and EVERGREY keyboardist Rikard Zander
(who was handling the vocals in the band's earliest incarnation),
DEATHDESTRUCTION began as an innocent "hobby project" before Henrik and Jonas
realized they wanted to pursue the band more seriously. They eventually parted
ways with Rikard and enlisted Larsson and Strimmell, both of whom were "very
excited to join the band," according to the group's official bio.

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

STV's John Kilbride conducted an interview with TRIVIUM guitarist/vocalist Matt
Heafy and bassist Paolo Gregoletto when the band played the Glasgow Barrowlands
on March 12, 2010. Watch the chat at this location.

Heafy and Gregoletto revealed some of their plans for their next album which
looks set to be recorded in the band's hometown of Orlando, Florida.

Matt said: "Things are great and its definitely preparing us for our next record
which is what we have been prepping for and we have been writing for it.

"It's going to be and has to be the best record we have ever done. Every record
we say that but this is going to be definitive, this is going to be the one."

Paulo added: "We have been rehearsing full new songs at soundchecks and stuff.
We have a lot of new ideas and every year we talk about what we want the album
to be and we are still in the stages of finding where I think it's going to be
and it's starting to shape up right now. We just have tons of material written
already and after this tour, [we'll] take a small break and then we're hitting
the warehouse where we rehearse and write the music and we're going to start
demoing and hopefully we'll get it started by the summer and finished by the
fall."

With new drummer Nick Augusto joining the band, Matt commented: "He is the best
drummer we have ever played with, and with all three of us saying that fans are
realizing that as well."

Paulo added: "He wants people to know that he can handle the job and also he's
really anticipating making a full album with us so that he can really truly feel
â€" we feel he's 100% of the band already - but I know the feeling that you want
to make an album and get it out so you can totally feel 100%."

Speaking about the two tracks that were recently released â€" "Shattering the
Skies Above" and a cover of SEPULTURA's "Slave new World" â€" and whether these
gave any indication to the sound of the forthcoming album, Matt said: "The
SEPULTURA cover not at all, but the 'Shattering' song definitely gives an
indication of where we are going, but that is just a start, and everything from
there. We have two and a half songs fully ready that completely top that song;
they're amazing."

Chicago glam rockers THE LAST VEGAS have been selected to open for AC/DC at the
Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa on April 17.

Dubbed the "Best Discovery" by Spin magazine and armed with the iTunes critics
pick for the "Best Single of 2009" (Rock), "I'm Bad", THE LAST VEGAS quickly
built an impressive touring history throughout arenas, clubs and theaters, which
included playing shows with MÖTLEY CRÜE, BUCKCHERRY, HINDER, THEORY OF A
DEADMAN, PAPA ROACH, SMILE EMPTY SOUL and AC/DC.

THE LAST VEGAS made history as the first band to win Guitar Center's On-Stage
new music program when they were hand selected by MÖTLEY CRÜE at the
world-famous Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. The band's acclaimed album,
"Whatever Gets You Off", was recorded in Los Angeles with veteran rock producers
Nikki Sixx of MÖTLEY CRÜE and SIXX: A.M., D.J. Ashba (producer of SIXX: A.M.,
MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Marti Frederiksen (producer of AEROSMITH, MÖTLEY CRÜE, OZZY
OSBOURNE) and features the top iTunes rock track for 2009.

According to a posting on the official web site of reactivated late '80s/early
'90s hard rockersCIRCUS OF POWER, the band's frontman, Alex Mitchell, and Billy
Tsounis (UNCLE MAX, FAT NANCY) are collaborating on a new "space pop" project
together called CAPTAIN ZAPPED. A song from the band will be posted on
Mitchell's MySpace page shortly.

Commented CIRCUS OF POWER's webmaster: "I have heard a couple tracks and it's
very cool. It reminds me of 'Lost In Space' from the short-lived CANDY PIGS
project.

"Alex and Billy have an impressive body of work under their belts and I'm happy
to see new music from this eccentric pairing."

Argentinean rock journalist Lucas H. Gordon, who currently resides in Hollywood,
California, conducted an interview with Mitchell when CIRCUS OF POWER played the
Knitting Factory in Hollywood on June 27, 2009. Watch the chat below.

CIRCUS OF POWER last year had its classic 1988 self-titled debut album reissued
through Rock Candy Records. The LP, which was originally issued through RCA
Records, was remastered and includes a 14-page booklet as well as a 4,000-word
essay about the band.

A tribute album to CIRCUS OF POWER entitled "Working For The Machine" was made
available via the band's official web site, CircusOfPower.net.

In 2006, CIRCUS OF POWER played two 20th anniversary shows â€" the first in
Austin, Texas at Elysium on June 3 during the Republic of Texas Biker Rally, and
the second in New York City at Don Hill's on September 27. The NYC performance
included Queen Vixen and Honey 1Percenter from CYCLE SLUTS FROM HELL on backing
vocals, with Daniel Rey (RAMONES) and Phil Caivano (MONSTER MAGNET) as guest
performers. It was CIRCUS OF POWER's first New York performance in 12 years.

SPIRALARMS, the San Francisco Bay Area-based band featuring Craig Locicero
(FORBIDDEN, ex-MANMADEGOD) on guitar, Tim Narducci (ex-SYSTEMATIC) on vocals,
Chris "Cornbread" Lombardo on bass, Brad Barth on keyboards, Greg Narducci on
rhythm guitar and Ron Redeen on drums, has completed work on its full-length
debut, "Highest Society", which will be released in Europe in June through
Luxury Buzz, the new label started by Narducci and Barth, in association with
Apache Productions. A U.S. release date has yet to be announced. Songtitles set
to appear on the CD include "Blood And Wine", "Sleep Of The Just", "Bottom
Rung", "Later On", "Live Another Day", "Scorpio", "Silver Sky", "All That You
Seek", "Dirty Bomb" and "Got It All Wrong".

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


JANE'S ADDICTION guitarist Dave Navarro has commented on the departure of
founding bassist and the addition of VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES member
Duff McKagan.

When asked by a fan on Navarro's official web site why JANE'S ADDICTION isn't
continuing under a different name now that Eric â€" who was such a huge part of
the band's sound and songwriting on 1988's "Nothing's Shocking" and 1990's
"Ritual de lo Habitual" â€" is no longer a member of the group, Dave replied,
"Eric was and remains a huge part of JANE'S. He has decided to leave for his own
reasons.

"The three [remaining members of JANE'S ADDICTION] have spent the majority of
our careers in this band and have had several lineup changes over the years.
Changing the name wouldn’t make sense for us. It would be another situation
entirely had Eric been asked to leave or if we didn’t intend on playing music
from 'XXX', 'Nothing's Shocking' and 'Ritual'. Had that been the case, I would
totally agree.

"I have had experience being the 'new guy' in an already existing band that had
only two founding members. Never in a million years would I have expected them
to change their name."

Regarding McKagan's addition to JANE'S, Navarro said, "We have been going over
back catalogue and writing with Duff several days a week. However, the process
of introducing a new member requires more than that. There is a musical and
personal education that must take place. Learning dynamics, sensibilities,
personalities and many other details is essential. We have been having a great
time with all of this and have been expanding on what we can do individually and
as a group. It's deeper than just learning some songs for Duff. He has to learn
about us and we have to learn about him. Playing the older stuff is like a crash
course on JANE'S while writing is an accelerated class for all of us. It's
pretty great to be in both classes at once, something we have really never done
in the past with a new member."

The new lineup of JANE'S ADDICTION made its live debut on March 30 at singer
Perry Farrell's 51st birthday celebration at Les Deux in Los Angeles,
California. The band's set included a cover version of LED ZEPPELIN's "Whole
Lotta Love", fan-filmed video footage of which can be viewed below.

McKagan stepped in when Avery dropped out of the group for a second time earlier
this year.

Several photos of JANE'S ADDICTION working in the studio with McKagan can be
viewed at JanesAddiction.org.

After JANE'S reunited for a third time in late 2008 â€" with bassist Eric Avery
on board for the first time since the band originally broke up in 1991 â€" and
toured last spring with NINE INCH NAILS, the group began feuding once again as
it tried to record new music.

Avery did not participate in the 1997 and 2001 reunions, but was replaced at
different points by Flea, Martyn LeNoble and Chris Chaney.

JANE'S ADDICTION completed its participation in Australia's Soundwave Festival
on March 1 in Perth.

Nightmare Records has announced the signing of Florida-based, female-fronted
power metallers SEVEN KINGDOMS. The band's self-titled debut album will be
released on July 13.

According to a press release, Nightmare Records owner and prog-power vocalist
Lance King "was impressed with the band's vocal siren, Sabrina Valentine. Her
unique, warm and melancholic melodic sense combined with this speedy power metal
band should please fans that are into the sound of BLIND GUARDIAN, EVANESCENCE,
NIGHTWISH, ICED EARTH, WITHIN TEMPTATION, EPICA."

Formed in Deland, Florida in 2007 by Camden Cruz and Bryan Edwards, SEVEN
KINGDOMS entered Morrisound Recording in Tampa in August 2007 to record its
debut self-financed independent release, "Brothers of the Night", which was
lyrically inspired by the literary works of George R. Martin.

After playing shows throughout the Southeastern region of the United States with
such bands as SONATA ARCTICA, THE AGONIST, STEPHEN PEARCY and CIRCLE II CIRCLE,
SEVEN KINGDOMS returned to Morrisound in 2009 to begin work on its self-titled
sophomore effort.

"Seven Kingdoms" track listing:

01. Prelude
02. Somewhere Far Away
03. The Ones Who Breathe The Flame
04. Open The Gates
05. Venegeance By The Sons Of A King
06. Wolf In Sheep's Clothes
07. A Murder Never Dead
08. Into The Darkness
09. Eyes To The North
10. Thunder Of The Hammer
11. Seven Kingdoms (feat. Wade Black of CRIMSON GLORY)

SEVEN KINGDOMS is:

Sabrina Valentine â€" Vocals
Camden Cruz â€" Guitar
Kevin Byrd â€" Guitar
Miles Neff â€" Bass
Keith Byrd – Drums

DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE, the new band featuring former/current members of STEREOMUD, FOZZY and STUCK MOJO, has set "Set The World On Fire" as the title of its full-length debut, due on May 25 via the TuneCore is a digital music distribution service. The CD was produced by DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE and Rusty T. Cobb (AVRIL LAVIGNE, BOWLING FOR SOUP, SEVENDUST).

Commented singer Erik Rogers: "We are very excited to be working with Rusty.

"Our goal as a unit is to put out the best record possible for both us and our fans.

"We are working hard, but we just haven't finished yet. This one track in particular, entitled 'Bulletproof Hero', is by far my favorite."

DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE has uploaded a two-minute video clip (see below) featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the band's recent photo shoot. The clip also features an unmixed sample of a brand new track entitled "Shut Up".

"Set The World On Fire" track listing (in no particualr order):

01. Feel Alive Again
02. Bulletproof Hero
03. Life Gets in the Way
04. My Sins
05. I Wish
06. Burn
07. Shut Up
08. What's Your Name
09. Lets Talk About Sex
10. Push It

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


Finnish metallers SHADE EMPIRE have issued the following update:

"SHADE EMPIRE has ended co-operation with Dynamic Arts. Cooperation ran for the last two albums. Now it was time to denounce and to direct all eyes to the future.

"Terminating the contract took place at the end of last year but for technical reasons is informed only now.

"SHADE EMPIRE wishes Dynamic Arts and its bands a safe trip and all the best to meet future challenges.

"SHADE EMPIRE is currently preparing for the fourth album. By whom and when is the publishing going to take place, we don't know yet. The band intends to look at all the cards safely and carefully through and be open to all potential offers (contact information can be seen at the official website). Interest, however, has already been showed also abroad..."

SHADE EMPIRE released its third album, "Zero Nexus", in March 2008 via Dynamic Arts Records. Most of the recording sessions took place at Studio 33 in Kuopio, Finland and this time the band used a real choir to boost the sound. The vocal recordings at Perkele Studios were overseen by producer and AJATTARA mastermind Ruoja (a.k.a. former AMORPHIS frontman Pasi Koskinen). The CD was mixed by Sami Niittykoski.

According to a press release, SHADE EMPIRE has created a sound which cannot be easily categorized. Their music contains industrial and symphonic elements while still staying true to its death/black metal roots.

Illinois-based extreme metallers NACHTMYSTIUM, led by mastermind Blake Judd, will release their new album, "Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II", on June 8 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Volume Studios (RWAKE, MINSK, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, PELICAN) in Chicago with producer Sanford Parker (MINSK). The band also enlisted the talents of Wrest (LEVIATHAN, LURKER OF CHALICE, TWILIGHT) to lay down all drum tracks, as well as Will Lindsay (WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, MIDDIAN) to handle the bass duties on the CD.

"Addicts: Black Meddle Pt. II" track listing:

01. Cry For Help
02. High on Hate
03. Nightfall
04. No Funeral
05. Then Fires
06. Addicts
07. The End Is Eternal
08. Blood Trance Fusion
09. Ruined Life Continuum
10. Every Last Drop

There will also be a limited-edition, double gatefold vinyl featuring the bonus track "Macrocosmic" and an iTunes-exclusive bonus track, "Every Last Drop", remixed by James Plotkin (KHANATE, PHANTOMSMASHER). Artwork was created by Jimmy Hubbard and Seldon Hunt and the album features guest vocals by Bruce Lamont (YAKUZA) and guitar solos by Russ Strahan (PENTAGRAM) and Matt Johnson (PHARAOH).

Commented Judd: "Our love for post-rock and industrial (a la MINISTRY, KILLING JOKE, etc.) is even more present this time around. We're hoping to make a record that will continue to push extreme music into uncharted territories."

NACHTMYSTIUM has been confirmed for this year's Roadburn festival, set to take place April 15-18, 2010 at the 013 and Midi Theatre venues in Tilburg, Holland. The band's show — which will take place on Saturday, April 17 — will pan hard towards NACHTMYSTIUM's more psychedelic-inspired material, taking black metal and the Roadburn attendees to a musical place that they've never gone before.

NACHTMYSTIUM's latest full-length album, "Assassins: Black Meddle Part I", was released on June 10, 2008 via Century Media Records in North America and June 23, 2008 through Candlelight Records in Europe.

The "Assassins..." full-length was recorded in December 2007 at Sanford Parker's Volume Studios (RWAKE, MINSK, LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, PELICAN) and showcases NACHTMYSTIUM's most prolific and expansive sounds to date. The record features Tony Laureano (ANGELCORPSE, NILE, DIMMU BORGIR) on drums, and guest appearances by members of PHARAOH and YAKUZA.

HAIL OF BULLETS — the Dutch death metal band featuring GOREFEST drummer Ed Warby, THANATOS guitarists Stephan Gebédi and Paul Baayens, former PESTILENCE/ASPHYX singer Martin Van Drunen and former HOUWITSER bass player Theo van Eekelen — has been confirmed for this year's FortaRock festival, set to take place July 3, 2010 at Park Brakkestein in Nijmegen, Holland.

The festival billing is shaping up as follows:

BEHEMOTH
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
DEICIDE
DECAPITATED
ENSIFERUM
EX DEO
FEAR FACTORY
HAIL OF BULLETS
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE
KREATOR
SUICIDAL TENDENCIES

For more information, visit www.fortarock.nl.


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