The Calgary Herald conducted an interview with AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry ahead of the band's September 10, 2010 appearance at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
On when fans will have a chance to see the Boston hard rock band in action again:
"Technically speaking, after the gig in Vancouver (on Sept. 16), I don't have a job with AEROSMITH. We know these are the last shows for awhile. And I really do mean awhile. I don't know when we'll be out there again, the five of us, so we'll be playing with everything we've got."
On learning through the media that singer Steven Tyler was up for a second job as a judge on the reality TV singing competition "American Idol":
"(The whole group) sat down not too long ago, when we decided to do this tour, and we basically laid out plans for the next two years. And when you're sitting there talking about that and one of the band members knows full well he's signed a contract that's taking him out of the music business for up to seven months of the year — that kind of throws a wrench into things . . . It's all very well to say, 'I'm going to go off and do this and it won't interfere with the band . . .' but there's only so many weeks in the month and so many months in the year."
On what Perry and the rest of AEROSMITH plans to do while Tyler gets busy on the side with a variety of projects, including "American Idol" and his long-awaited autobiography:
"I'm not going to sit around for two years waiting for him to come back to AEROSMITH. (You've got) four guys that are great together, and if you find the right singer, there's no reason you can't go and entertain people."
On the incident at AEROSMITH's Toronto show at Air Canada Centre where Tyler hip-checked Perry and Perry responded with a bump of his own, causing Tyler to lose his balance, falling from the stage:
"He's got this thing in his head that it's cool when the guys in the band bump into each other. Nobody else in the band feels that way. . . . Leave me alone when I'm playing."
On his thoughts on "American Idol":
"It's a reality show designed to get people to watch that station and sell advertising. It's one step above ('Teenage Mutant') 'Ninja Turtles'.
"I'll tell you one thing, when we put this band together, this is not something that (Steven Tyler) would do.
"It's his business, but I don't want AEROSMITH's name involved with it. We have nothing to do with it."
PARIS — Heavy metal fans revel in their image as outcasts. For the music industry, however, followers of the British metal band Iron Maiden have become model citizens.
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Balazs Mohai/MTI, via Associated Press
Dave Murray, left, and Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden performed in Budapest in August.
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Iron Maiden's "The Final Frontier" album.
As music sales plunge and record companies face the future with angst, so-called Maiden heads are still flocking to record stores. Like the band's zombie mascot, Eddie the Head, Iron Maiden refuses to die, and its continued vitality may offer the troubled music industry some tips on survival.
Iron Maiden's 15th studio album, "The Final Frontier," shot straight to the top of Billboard magazine's European album chart when it was released in late August and held that spot for a second week. The record also made its debut at No. 1 in other countries from Saudi Arabia to Japan, giving a much-needed lift to EMI Music, which owns the international rights. In the United States, where it was released by Universal Music Enterprises, "The Final Frontier" opened at No. 4.
By the end of last week, more than 800,000 copies of "The Final Frontier" had been shipped to retailers around the world, said Rod Smallwood, Iron Maiden's longtime manager. That is a far cry from the 12 million-plus sales of Lady Gaga's first album, "The Fame." But Iron Maiden has a longevity that many pop acts can only envy; in its 30-year career, the band has sold about 85 million records.
"A lot of bands could learn a lot from Maiden," Mr. Smallwood said. "Maiden is essentially about the relationship with the fans, and nothing comes between that. They don't want to be rock stars. They just enjoy playing for the fans."
The six members of Iron Maiden, who are all in their 50s, are not the only veteran metalheads still on the road and in the studio. Bands like Metallica are also going strong, and hard rockers like AC/DC and Guns N' Roses have also found renewed success.
"In its tribal image and extreme parameters, metal offers a complete home for those who follow it in a way that pop, hip-hop or any other genre does not," said Joel McIver, a London-based writer who is the author of "Justice for All: The Truth About Metallica," and other books about heavy metal.
A close connection to fans, reinforced by a relentless touring schedule, has been a necessity for the band since its early days, when the music industry's main marketing tool, radio airplay, was largely off limits to Iron Maiden. Its songs were too long and too loud to fit conventional radio formulas, and some Christian parents' groups protested that they were laced with Satanic messages — a charge that the group has always denied.
A lack of radio exposure may have created challenges, but these prepared Iron Maiden for the digital era, when the industry's traditional business model has broken down. Now, a hot radio single is more likely to send listeners to the Internet in search of a free, pirated copy than into the record stores.
Because Iron Maiden's songs do not fit the mold of a radio single — three of them, on the newest release, are more than nine minutes long — the band does not suffer as much from this problem.
Even as "The Final Frontier" hit the top of the charts last month, digital tracking services showed only small levels of illegal downloading of the album, said David Kassler, chief operating officer of EMI for Europe.
"You'd expect some people to be pirating, but they don't," Mr. Kassler said. "They want the physical album. They love the artwork, the lyrics. It's something they want to show their friends and family."
Digital sales of "The Final Frontier" are low, probably accounting for only 10 percent to 15 percent of its overall sales in the United States, Mr. Smallwood said. Over all, digital sales account for close to half of the U.S. recorded music market.
Yet Iron Maiden is no analog-era anachronism, Mr. Smallwood insisted. The lack of radio airplay and a reliance on word of mouth prepared the band well for the nuances of digital marketing, he said.
"When the Internet came in, we were probably one of the first to understand the potential," he said.
Before the release of the album, Iron Maiden revamped its Web site, created a Facebook page and offered a free digital single, "El Dorado," for fans to download. There is even a free "Final Frontier" video game.
To encourage sales of records, T-shirts and other goods linked to "The Final Frontier," EMI has set up special Iron Maiden sections in European record stores like HMV, Media Markt and FNAC.
Sales of such merchandise can account for more than 20 percent of a record label's earnings from a band, Mr. Kassler said, though he did not provide specific figures for Iron Maiden.
Despite these efforts, it seems unlikely that Iron Maiden will regain the sales success of the 1980s, when a record like "The Number of the Beast" sold 14 million copies. Because fans are so loyal, they tend to snap up releases quickly, but sales tail off after a few weeks.
Still, Mr. McIver, the writer, said there were plenty of lessons for the music industry in Iron Maiden's continued success: "Invest in the long term. Apply an image. Give the fans what they want. Tour and keep touring. Play the festival circuit. Embrace new technology. Be innovative. Be honest. Be original. Write good songs."
According to Billboard.biz, METALLICA's two sold-out shows this month in Christchurch, New Zealand will proceed as scheduled despite the earthquakes which hit the city over the weekend.
METALLICA is slated to play the 9,000-capacity CBS Canterbury Arena (formerly known as Westpac Arena) in Christchurch on September 21 and September 22 with support from FEAR FACTORY and THE SWORD.
"Blood Of The Nations", the new album from reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT, has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:
Germany: #4
Sweden: #7
Hungary: #7
Finland: #9
Billboard European Chart: #12
Austria: #19
Czech Republic: #27
Commented guitarist Wolf Hoffmann: "This really swept us off our feet! Of course, you dream about being on top of the charts, but this was pretty much out of the question. We tested new waters with our new singer Mark [Tornillo, ex-TT QUICK] and emerged as winners! But even more than that, this is the reward for our unique collaboration with our label Nuclear Blast, Brainstorm Music Marketing, and all the others who gave their everything for ACCEPT. But most of all, we want to thank our fans without whom we would be nothing! THANK YOU!"
Due in North America on September 14 via Nuclear Blast Records, "Blood Of The Nations" was recorded at Backstage Studio in Derbyshire, England with acclaimed British producer and SABBAT guitarist Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, ARCH ENEMY, MASTERPLAN). The CD marks the recording debut of the band's latest addition, vocalist Mark Tornillo (ex-TT QUICK).
Nuclear Blast Records' USA webshop is now taking pre-orders for the exclusive North American mail-order digipak edition of "Blood Of The Nations". This exclusive release features the bonus track "Time Machine".
The pre-order bundle includes an ACCEPT "Teutonic Terror" t-shirt and can be ordered here.
"Blood Of The Nations" digipak track listing:
01. Beat the Bastards
02. Teutonic Terror
03. The Abyss
04. Blood of the Nations
05. Shades of Death
06. Locked and Loaded
07. Time Machine (North American bonus track)
08. Kill the Pain
09. Rollin' Thunder
10. Pandemic
11. New World Comin'
12. No Shelter
13. Bucketful of Hate
After debuting their new lineup to a sold-out audience in New York this past May and then traveling to Europe to devastate the masses with shows in 16 different countries in 80 days (including two shows opening for AC/DC), ACCEPT will return to tour the U.S. for the first time in 14 years on a co-headlining tour with KING'S X. ACCEPT's first show will kick off the eleventh annual ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta.
ACCEPT 2010 is:
Wolf Hoffmann: Guitar
Peter Baltes: Bass
Herman Frank: Guitar
Mark Tornillo: Vocals
Stefan Schwarzmann: Drums
The equipment US rock band Guns N' Roses will use to hold a concert in the Belgrade Arena on 23 September will be arriving in 12 lorries, while the rider includes Axl Rose's requirements for the his wardrobe to all-black and decorated with fresh roses.
Furthermore, the controversial front man of the popular band has asked to have champagne, vodka, tequila, red wine and beer all available in the wardrobe.
Axl's wardrobe will have to be in dark shades, while the interior furnishing will include a bed, a sofa, a coffee table, six lamps and a rug. To break the dominant dark tones, Axl has insisted on the band's private quarters to be decorated with fresh roses – 18 of red and white each.
The rider precisely states what the organisers need to provide when it comes to catering, and the list includes black napkins, a blender, a juice maker, a tea kettle, paper tissues, 18 glasses for wine and champagne, 15 glasses for stiff drinks, 40 paper glasses, six cutlery sets, two bottle openers and corkscrews, as well as one large and two smaller bread knives.
As for food, and especially drinks, the requirements are even more precise, while Axl has demanded salt and pepper mills, olive oil, Balsamico vinegar, soy sauce, two bear-shaped tubes of honey, exact brands of white, red wine and vodka, Patron Anejo tequila and Jose Cuervo mixed cocktail drink. Moreover, the organisers will need to come up with six bottles of Lucky Budha beer and as many bottles of Grolsch and Checkvar beers. As for non-alcoholic drinks, the rider includes Red Bull, Coca-Cola, 7 Up, a carton of orange juice, as well as Pellegrino mineral water and Smart Water. Besides fresh fruit – bananas, apples, strawberries, raspberries, water melons, mangos and grapefruits – the band will have at their disposal carrot, celery, cucumbers, various kinds of crackers, seven kinds of cheese, strawberry jam, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, white bread, while the rockers will be enjoy a dinner with the menu comprising roast chicken, two portions of
medium rare filet mignon, Cesar salad, four cheeseburgers and a spinach salad.
The Guns N' Roses concert is organised by Jelen Live and the Belgrade Arena, while the tickets are priced at 3,100 dinars, 3,450 dinars, 4,450 dinars, 4,950 dinars and 5,450 dinars and can be purchased through Eventim, Card Service, Dom Omladine box office, Delfi bookshop at the SKC, and at the Belgrade Arena box office. The organizers stress any recording equipment will be strictly forbidden at the gig.
Bryan Pearson, CEO of locally-based management company Vbase, said in a memo to clients that it does not appear that either its 50,000-capacity AMI Stadium or CBS Canterbury Arena have sustained structural damage, confirmation on which will be announced when engineers have completed their assessment this Wednesday (Sept. 8).
ADLER'S APPETITE — the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler — was forced to cancel its performance last night (Sunday, September 5) at the Iron Horse Bike and Music Festival in Sabula, Iowa after "an over-excited fan jumped on [Adle following] the show [at The Canyon club in Agoura Hills, California on September 3] and caused [him] to throw out [his] back," according to a Twitter posting by Steven.
ADLER'S APPETITE was scheduled to film video for its new single, "Alive", during the group's August 28 performance at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California as part of this year's Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF).
Following the band's current tour, ADLER'S APPETITE plans to enter the recording studio to record more material with longtime fiend and producer Anthony Focx (VINCE NEIL, BUCKCHERRY) for a late fall release.
Fans can get "Alive" for a limited time when they buy a copy of Adler's tell-all autobiography, "My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N' Roses", before October 27, 2010.
"We are really excited to be moving forward with original material," said ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist Alex Grossi (ex-QUIET RIOT). "I think people are really going to like the direction we are going in."
ADLER'S APPETITE's current lineup is rounded out by guitarist Michael Thomas (FASTER PUSSYCAT), bassist Chip Z'nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) and vocalist Rick Stitch (LADYJACK).
In "My Appetite for Destruction", Adler tells all, fearlessly addressing his struggles with heroin and crack addiction; his financial ruin after being kicked out of GN'R; his shattered marriage; and the severe health problems that nearly claimed his life on several occasions.
Steven finally appears to have beaten his epic twenty-year addiction. He has remained clean and sober for over the last few months under the watchful eye of family friend Dr. Drew Pinsky.
The other members of GUNS N' ROSES threw Adler out in 1989, saying his drug use was harming his performance. In 1993, the band agreed to pay him $2.3 million to settle Adler's lawsuit claiming a 1990 agreement by which he gave up his interest in the band was read to him and signed without his attorney present.
On August 29, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman Scott Weiland told ExploreMusic host Alan Cross in Toronto that he is working on a Christmas album. He said, "It'll be very traditional. You know, strings, upright bass, jazz horns, piano, and guitar." While he was unsure about the exact track listing for the CD, he revealed that he is recording a reggae version of "The Little Drummer Boy". "I'm sort of picking various versions of these songs, because they've been covered so many times, but my favorite versions — with a little twist," he said.
The upcoming album isn't Weiland's first foray into holiday music. Last December he released his cover version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" — made famous by Judy Garland in "Meet Me in St. Louis" — as a single. He also performed the song on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" back in 2006.
Weiland's rendition of the song is available for purchase via iTunes.
Regarding Weiland For English Laundry, his clothing collaboration with English Laundry designer Christopher Wicks, which features rock-inspired wovens, vests, t-shirts, pants, hats, ties and scarves, Weiland told Cross, "I think that fashion and music really go hand-in-hand. If you look at Elvis Presley through the '60s where it really took off — Jimi Hendrix, THE BEATLES, THE ROLLING STONES, THE WHO — fashion influenced rock and roll, which influenced fashion. Whenever they're synonymous with each other, that's when there's a real possible movement that can happen. The last real movement that happened in rock and roll was grunge. It may not have been the most glamorous of fashion movements, but it was a real movement within rock and roll."
Weiland also told Cross that he hopes to turn his passion for fashion design into a long-term career as he doesn't want to be "a slave to the road" anymore. "I'd like to tour when I want to tour, but I really prefer making albums," he said. "I love performing when I want to, I detest the feeling when it comes down to punching in the clock every night. It's difficult in the rock business for everyone, so I am trying to branch out into other artistic endeavors like fashion."
DANZIG will headline the 2010 edition of the "Blackest Of The Black" tour in October.
The complete billing for the trek is as follows:
DANZIG
POSSESSED
MARDUK
TOXIC HOLOCAUST
WITHERED
The dates are as follows:
Oct. 23 - Pala, CA - [to be announced] (DANZIG warm-up show) *
Oct. 25 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Oct. 27 - Little Rock, AK - The Village
Oct. 29 - San Antonio, TX - San Antonio Live
Oct. 30 - Houston, TX - Warehouse
Oct. 31 - Dallas, TX - Palladium
Nov. 02 - Knoxville, TN - Valarium
Nov. 03 - Louisville, KY - Expo Five
Nov. 04 - Buffalo, NY - Town Ballroom
Nov. 05 - Columbus, OH - Alrosa Villa (no DANZIG)
Nov. 06 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theater
Nov. 07 - Chicago, IL - Congress Theater
Nov. 09 - Minneapolis, MN - The Cabooze
Nov. 10 - Fargo, ND - The Venue
Nov. 12 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
Nov. 14 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory Concert House
Nov. 15 - Seattle, WA - Showbox SODO
Nov. 16 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
* This show is not part of the "Blackest Of The Black" tour.
Glenn Danzig recently spent time editing the music video he directed for DANZIG's new single, "On A Wicked Night", which was shot on location in early June at the infamous BatCave in the Hollywood Hills.
"On A Wicked Night" comes off the first new DANZIG studio album in six years, "Deth Red Sabaoth", which sold 11,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
DANZIG's last album, "Circle of Snakes", opened with 6,400 units back in September 2004 to enter the chart at No. 183. That number was in line with the 6,900 first-week tally registered by 2002's "Danzig 7:77 I Luciferi", which debuted at No. 159.
"Deth Red Sabaoth" was released on June 22 via Evilive/The End Records. Produced by Glenn, the CD was recorded in Los Angeles over the course of 2009.
Joining Glenn in the studio for the recording of "Deth Red Sabaoth" were guitarist Tommy Victor (PRONG, MINISTRY), a Danzig cohort on and off since 1996, and drummer Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE , SEVENTH VOID). While Kelly has toured with Glenn intermittently since 2002, this is the first time he has recorded with the band. Glenn handled the bass chores for most the album, and played drums on "Black Candy".
DANZIG — Glenn, guitarist Tommy Victor, drummer Johnny Kelly and bassist Steve Zing (also an original member of SAMHAIN with Glenn) — plans to tour extensively to support "Deth Red Sabaoth".
W.A.S.P. have issued the following update:
"Due to the huge success of the Babylon album and tour, the band are returning to European shores for another trek. The Return To Babylon tour is coming to decimate you all! England, Norway, Scotland, Poland , Germany, Sweden, Spain and more! No corner unturned! Tickets on sale NOW!"
Confirmed shows are as follows:
October
13 - Bergen, Sweden - Kvarteret
14 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
15 - Örebro, Sweden - Club 700
16 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Rock Out Gamla Tryckeriet
17 - Malmö, Sweden - Kulturbolaget
18 - Göteborg, Sweden - Trädgarn
20 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin Music Hall
21 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
22 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Masters Of Rock Cafe
23 - Burglengenfeld, Germany - VA Zentrum
24 - Wörgl, Austria - Komma
25 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik
27 - Sofia, Bulgaria - Festivalna Hall
29 - Athens, Greece - Fuzz Club
31 - Treviso, Italy - New Age Club
November
1 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
2 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
3 - Toulouse, France - Le Bikini
4 - Marseilles, France - Le Cabaret Aleatoire
5 - Pamplona, Spain - Sala Totem
8 - Granada, Spain - Sala El Tren
9 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Heineken
10 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
12 - Memmingen, Germany - Kaminwerk
13 - Uden, Holland - De Pul Live
14 - Tuttlingen, Germany - Stadthalle
15 - Zürich, Switzerland - Volkshaus
17 - Bad Arolsen, Germany - Outback
18 - Langen, Germany - Stadthalle
19 - Antwerpen, Belgium - Trix
20 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
21 - Glasgow, Scotland - Garage
24 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
25 - Cardiff, Wales - Millenium Music Hall
26 - Dudley, UK - JBs
27 - Dublin, Ireland - The Academy
28 - Belfast, Ireland - Mandela Hall
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
December
1 - Stuttgart, Germany - Lonhghorn
2 - Wien, Austria - Halle Gasometer
3 - Budapest, Hungary - Diesel
4 - Krakow, Poland - Kwadrat
5 - Warszaw, Poland - Progresja
7 - Vilnius, Lithuania - Forum Palace
8 - Tallinn, Estonia - Rock Cafe
9 - Helsinki, Finland - House Of Culture
10 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahuone
11 - Oulu, Finland - Teatria
12 - Moscow, Russia - Milk Club
14 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Kosmonaut Club
Grand Central Publishing has set a September 23, 2010 release date for MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil's 320-page hardcover autobiography, "Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen".
Neil's coauthor, Mike Sager, a journalist and novelist who didn't know much about Neil and MÖTLEY CRÜE, told PublishersWeekly.com, "Interestingly, I approached it as a person who has taken up a new area of study . . . [After sitting with him for many interviews], I got to know Vince and his music, and eventually I decided to try to replicate the sound of his voice in the book." Sager also admitted that he referred to "Mötley Crüe: The Dirt: Confessions of the World's Most Notorious Rock Band", an oral history of the band compiled by Neil Strauss of The New York Times. "In the end, I was evoking Studs Terkel — placing ancillary interviews, many with conflicting stories, alongside one another," he told PublishersWeekly.com.
Regarding his autobiography, Vince Neil said in a recent interview with Sonic Shocks, "'The Dirt' was written by four guys; this is MY story. I touched a lot of things in 'The Dirt', but I really didn't get into details; me growing up, my neighbourhood... I grew up in Compton and there were murders and such… It's the story of me growing up, getting into rock 'n' roll, the tragedies in my life, things in and out of MÖTLEY, and it's also ten years on so a lot of things happened since then. It's not only my perspective on my life, a lot of other people are in there: my mom and dad, ex-wives, managers, friends, band members from other bands…"
Vince Neil's official description of his autobiography, as released by the publisher:
"So where do we start?
"I remember when we did 'The Dirt', the MÖTLEY CRÜE book, I was interviewed at The Grand Havana Room in Beverly Hills.
"A lot of people think I didn't get to say much in 'The Dirt'. It's probably true. I didn't read it. I'm not that big a talker. Some people can fuckin' talk ... eat up all the oxygen in a room in no time flat. I don't tend to run my mouth. It's bullshit.
"All those years in rehab and counseling — the talking cure? I can't say I really got that much out of it. All that cure and I should be cured by now, don't you think? All this talking...
"So forgive me if it's a bit hard for me to slice open a vein and let my blood run red all over this page for you. I'll fight you or I'll fuck you but chances are I'll be hard-pressed to sit there and talk to you.
"War stories. War wounds.
"I know, I know.
"Old rock stars fall hard.
"I'm forty-nine years old. I'm five-foot-nine, 170. The spandex is over. I've had three plastic surgeries. Still, who do you think gets laid more, me or you? But time does change a man. I ain't twenty-one anymore.
"It's a miracle we survived at all. A bottle of Jack Daniel's and uncooked hot dogs do not make for a particularly well-balanced diet. We are all very lucky we didn't kill ourselves. It might look like we were trying to do that, but speaking for myself, death was never my intent. I just wanted to feel good, you know? I was just looking for that kick, that high...
"These days I've got businesses to run. I like the action. Something to get your heart pumping. Healthier than a syringe full of cocaine powder like I was doing back in '81 with my girlfriend Lovey, that's for sure...
"But you got to admit...those days are a lot more fun to talk about..."
GAMMA RAY/ex-HELLOWEEN guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen will perform with AVANTASIA, the project led by EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet, on the group's upcoming tour. Also scheduled to appear are Bob Catley (MAGNUM), Jorn Lande (MASTERPLAN), Amanda Somerville, Olli Hartmann and Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN).
Kicking off in Pratteln, Switzerland on November 30, the three-week trek will bring the prestigious metal-opera event to three different continents around the planet.
Commented Tobias: "Kai will have a vocal role and play some guitar, too.
"We've been friends for quite a while now.
"I remember I was a little kid when I first heard HELLOWEEN's 'Keeper' albums. And that was the instant that lit a spark in me. Unfortunately I never got the chance to see HELLOWEEN with Michael and Kai on stage, but they'll make up for it now! Both have played an important role for me personally and for the history of AVANTASIA and its 'Metal Opera' in particular.
"I am looking forward to sharing the stage with them and play some of our old AVANTASIA classics together."
So far the following dates have been announced:
Nov. 30 - Switzerland - Pratteln, Z7
Dec. 01 - Switzerland - Pratteln, Z7
Dec. 03 - Germany - Lichtenfels, Stadthalle *
Dec. 04 - Germany - Kaufbeuren, All Karthalle *
Dec. 05 - Sweden - Stockholm, Arenan
Dec. 10 - Mexico - Mexico City, Circo Volador
Dec. 15 - Argentina - Buenos Aires, [venue to be announced]
Dec. 18 - Germany - Fulda, Esperantohalle *
Dec. 19 - Germany - Essen, Grugahalle*
* Due to the fact that this is not a regular or annual tour but an extensive AVANTASIA event and experience, these shows will begin promptly at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets for the German dates are available at www.metaltix.com.
"It's gonna be a once-in-a-lifetime affair!" said Sammet when the all-star project first set off on a world tour a few years ago. And although it seemed impossible to bring the project onto the stage after an extensive preparatory time, AVANTASIA headlined some of the biggest summer festivals in 2008. To this day, many fans recall the AVANTASIA live shows as magical, once-in-a-lifetime concert experiences.
Added Sammet: "There has always been the desire to do it again, but, of course, there is always a risk. It requires a huge amount of time and energy; there are no figures based on experience, because I don't know anybody who has taken an all-star metal opera on the road to play indoor venues. The stage production is abnormally expensive and you must not forget the many people who are involved and who come from different parts of the world. It requires a good timing.
"At some point we sat together and checked if and how we could possibly do it once again and we soon found out that December 2010 would be the right period to do a real tour.
"I admit that four weeks [is] not really a long time frame, but it's better to do a short tour than no tour at all. And if we hadn't taken that chance, it would have never happened because we will come with a lot of musicians and vocalists and it's a nightmare to mind all our individual schedules with our main bands."
Unlike AVANTASIA's festival tour of 2008, the band's upcoming dates will be full-fledged headlining performances, with the group performing longer sets than has been the case in the past.
"It was great to play Wacken and Sweden Rock Festival, but playing a festival you only have so much time," explained Sammet. "You play ten songs and people have a party and everybody's got fun. But doing our own tour, we can really create an atmosphere, we can play a lot longer and take people on a journey through the history of AVANTASIA. We can actually take people to the world of AVANTASIA itself.
"Fans can expect a bombastic concert experience.
"Many so-called 'metal operas' have been released on albums recently, but AVANTASIA will bring it on stage and take fans around the globe with them.
"You can't compare a normal band to what we are going to do. If all your favourite singers appear on one stage at the same night to take you on a musical journey, then this isn't just great, it's über-great!"
AVANTASIA released its new epic masterpiece on April 3 as regular CDs ("The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon"), two separate double picture vinyls, and as a beautiful collector's edition with an AVANTASIA picture book. The deluxe box set features two CDs in two digibooks with impressive booklets, codes for online content (like bonus tracks, etc.) and the AVANTASIA book "The Wicked Trilogy", including many never-before-seen photos from the tour and from photo sessions, etc. An exclusive interview, liner notes, and a biography is also included. All the album versions were released simultaneously on April 3, so no one ise forced to buy everything piece by piece; instead everyone is able to choose a version of his/her choice right from the release date.
"Dying For An Angel", the new video from AVANTASIA, can be viewed below. The clip was shot in late January at the ancient town hall in Hannover, Germany and features a special guest appearance by SCORPIONS singer Klaus Meine.
"The Wicked Symphony" and "Angel Of Babylon" are the continuation of the trilogy that began with the 2008 album "The Scarecrow".
The cover artwork for the two CDs (see below) was created by Thomas Ewerhard, who also worked on EDGUY's "Hellfire Club" and AVANTASIA's "The Scarecrow" albums.
Kiske has appeared on every AVANTASIA album so far, including the first two full-length releases, "The Metal Opera" (2001) and "The Metal Opera Pt. II" (2002).
San Francisco Bay Area metallers DEATH ANGEL will embark on their first North American headlining tour in support of their new album, "Relentless Retribution", in early 2011. Joining them on the trek will be some of the best names in the new wave of thrash metal, including LAZARUS A.D., EARLY MAN, BONDED BY BLOOD, and HEXEN.
Commented DEATH ANGEL vocalist Mark Osegueda: "We are so excited and proud to finally be doing our first headlining tour of North America since the now-infamous 'Act III' tour of 1990! We have put together a lineup of bands that we feel will give all the fans what they deserve! An all-out blow showcasing all the best elements of thrash metal found today! Ending, of course, with a full headlining set by DEATH ANGEL that we promise will leave everyone feeling relentlessly and sonically ravaged!
"See you on the road! In the pit! And at the bar!"
"North American Retribution 2011" tour featuring DEATH ANGEL, LAZARUS A.D., EARLY MAN, BONDED BY BLOOD, HEXEN:
Jan. 30 - Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
Jan. 31 - The Cabsbah - Charlotte, NC
Feb. 01 - Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
Feb. 02 - Crazy Donkey - Farmingdale, NY
Feb. 03 - Rocko's - Manchester, NH
Feb. 04 - Club Hell - Providence, RI
Feb. 05 - Montage Music Hall - Rochester, NY
Feb. 06 - Mod Club - Toronto, ON - CANADA
Feb. 07 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Feb. 08 - Blondie's - Detroit, MI
Feb. 09 - Reggie's Rock Club - Chicago, IL
Feb. 10 - Phoenix Hill Tavern - Louisville, KY
Feb. 11 - Riot Room - Kansas City, MO
Feb. 12 - Conservatory - Oklahoma City, OK
Feb. 13 - Numbers - Houston, TX (w/ D.R.I.)
Feb. 14 - Emo's - Austin, TX (w/ D.R.I.)
Feb. 15 - White Rabbit - San Antonio, TX (w/ D.R.I.)
Feb. 16 - Rail Club - Ft. Worth, TX
Feb. 18 - Club DV8 - Tucson, AZ
Feb. 19 - Clubhouse - Tempe, AZ
Feb. 20 - Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA
Feb. 21 - Cheyenne Saloon - Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 22 - The Key Club - Hollywood, CA
Feb. 23 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
Feb. 24 - The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
Feb. 25 - Lost on Main - Chico, CA
Feb. 26 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA
Reduced-service charge tickets go on sale today exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until September 25 at which point they will be made available through all major ticketing services. Meet-and-greet packages — which will include a concert ticket, meet-and-greet, photo, autograph, merchandise and more — will also go on sale on September 25.
DEATH ANGEL's new album, "Relentless Retribution", will be released on September 14 in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with producer Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, AUGUST BURNS RED, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, ALL THAT REMAINS, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER). The cover artwork was created by Brent Elliot White (JOB FOR A COWBOY, CARNIFEX, WHITECHAPEL) and can be viewed below.
"Relentless Retribution" track listing:
01. Relentless Revolution
02. Claws In So Deep
03. Truce
04. Into The Arms Of Righteous Anger
05. River Of Rapture
06. Absence Of Light
07. This Hate
08. Death Of The Meek
09. Opponents At Sides
10. I Chose The Sky
11. Volcanic
12. Where They Lay
The song "Claws In So Deep" features an appearance by the popular acoustic guitar duo RODRIGO Y GABRIELA while "Truce" contains a guest guitar solo by Suecof.
American/Norwegian melodic metallers KAMELOT have released the following statement:
PORCUPINE TREE's Steven Wilson and Mikael Åkerfeldt from OPETH have set "Storm Corrosion" have set as the working album title of their much-anticipated collaboration project.
In a brand new interview with U.K.'s Classic Rock, Åkerfeldt revealed that the writing process for the CD is now well under way.
"I got together recently with Steven at his house, and we wrote a new tune straight away," says Åkerfeldt. "Of course, with the two of us involved, it was 10 minutes long. And it came out so well that we started working on a second one as well."
Although DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy was initially supposed to be part of the project, it now appears that he will no longer be involved.
"To be honest, there's just no room for drums on what we've done so far. I called Mike up, and he was cool about it. He's got so much going on anyway, and I'm sure we will work together in the future."
Regarding the overall musical direction of "Storm Corrosion", Wilson wrote in a recent Twitter posting, "Don't expect any metal on this one."
"As many of you know, [KAMELOT vocalist] Roy [Khan; full name: Roy Sætre Khantatat] has fallen ill and could not make the North American tour.
"We have been rehearsing like madmen here in Tampa — the band is tighter than ever and [previously announced replacement vocalist] Michael [Eriksen] from CIRCUS MAXIMUS is truly an amazing singer; if there is one male vocalist in this world who is on par with Roy, it is Michael! However, after today's rehearsal, we all decided that we do not feel right about doing the North American tour as anything less than a 100% KAMELOT experience.
"We appreciate that many fans have waited more than two years for new material and to see us perform together.
"Our new album, 'Poetry for the Poisoned', represents a labor of love from us, and to present it at anything less than full strength seems a disservice to all involved.
"Though we will suffer financial losses on this late-hour cancellation, we still feel it's the right decision for us as a band to make.
"We regret disappointing all those who worked so hard to shape this tour, and especially those fans who were still so willing to come through and support us despite Roy's absence. We are humbled by that type of support, and we sincerely hope that our return in full-form KAMELOT strength will be more reward for your unwavering loyalty!
"We will reschedule all shows in the near future, once Roy is able to return.
"Refunds can be obtained at the point of purchase.
"To thank Michael for his effort, the band will still appear at the sold-out ProgPower [USA] festival, as a one-off show with him and many special guest singers from the festival.
"Again, we want to thank all of you for your amazing support!!"
KAMELOT's first North American tour in two years was scheduled to kick off on September 8 at the House Of Blues in Lake Buena Vista, Florida with support from LEAVES' EYES and BLACKGUARD.
"Poetry For The Poisoned", the highly anticipated ninth studio album from KAMELOT, will be released in North America on September 14 via the group's own label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings), and in Europe on September 10 through earMUSIC/Edel. Marquee/Avalon Records will make the CD available in Japan.
Recordings took place in the familiar Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro. Additional tracking also took place in Tampa, Florida as well as various studios in Sweden, Greece and the U.S.
"Poetry for the Poisoned" features guest appearances by Simone Simons (EPICA), Gus G. (OZZY OSBOURNE, FIREWIND), Björn "Speed" Strid (SOILWORK) and Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN). The artwork was created by many great artists, including Seth Siro Anton, Natalie Shau and Michal Loranc.
"Poetry For The Poisoned" will be available in three versions:
* Regular CD edition
* Digipak CD with bonus DVD
* Two-LP gatefold vinyl edition
DVD bonus material:
* "The Great Pandemonium" video
* Exclusive and in-depth interviews with each KAMELOT member
* "Pick and Play" for the song "The Great Pandemonium"
* "Poetry For The Poisoned" background images
* Exclusive video footage from Norway Rock festival 2010
* Bonus song "House On A Hill" (uncut version)
KAMELOT recently tapped Swedish director Owe Lingvall of Village Road Films for the video shoot and production of the song "The Great Pandemonium". The clip can be viewed below.
KAMELOT is:
Roy Khan - Vocals
Thomas Youngblood - Guitar
Casey Grillo - Drums
Oliver Palotai - Keyboards
Sean Tibbets - Bass
VOODOO SIX, the British hard rock band formed by ex-DIRTY DEEDS bassist Tony Newton, will release its new album, "Fluke?", on October 18 via Powerage Records. The CD was engineered and produced by Tony Newton and was mixed by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA, AEROSMITH).
"Fluke?" track listing:
01. Take The Blame
02. Something For You
03. Take Aim
04. Like The Others Did
05. Killer
06. Underneath My Skin
07. Live Again
08. Body & Soul
09. Mountain
10. Doing Me Wrong
11. Long Way From Home
EBC ROXX — the "musical racing project" featuring German singer Ela; American rock and blues singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer Tony Carey (RAINBOW, OVER THE RAINBOW); and Jürgen "J.R." Blackmore (guitar), son of former DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW guitar legend Ritchie Blackmore — will release its debut album, "Winners", on September 17. According to a press release, "the songs [on] 'Winners' not only talk about Formula 1 ('Silver Arrow' and 'Big Livin''), but generally about living in the fast lane on two or four wheels. 'Winners' is about the bright side, [and] 'Your Last Dance' [is about] the dark side of motor racing. The two 'drivin' songs' as well as the opener 'Rolling' depict the intoxication caused by speed. 'Fly' is dedicated to the legendary speed weeks of the Bonneville salt flats (USA). 'Red Dirt Devils' is about the thunderous motocross bikers."
Tony Carey produced a couple of Ela's songs for her latest solo record, "Make My Day", in 2008. He and J.R. Blackmore toured in early 2009 in with OVER THE RAINBOW, also featuring fellow ex-RAINBOW members Joe Lynn Turner on vocals and Bobby Rondinelli on drums.
VOODOO SIX's first album, "First Hit For Free", was released on Universal Music in Japan in 2007 and in the Europe on White Knuckle/Locomotive Records in March 2008, with a new song, "Faith", added and a brand new remix by Fraser. Following the album's release, the band toured extensively in the U.K., gaining new friends and fans everywhere they played. Summer slots at the Download and Bloodstock festivals followed these dates. Then a full six-week headline tour of the U.K. in September 2009 ensued before the band travelled on to Europe where they were the opening act for reformed Boston rockers EXTREME in October/November 2008. 2009 saw the band playing at the Hammerfest in March and followed soon after by a sold-out performance at the Scala in London for their homecoming end-of-tour gig after a hectic twelve months of almost non-stop touring. In April 2009, vocalist Luke Purdie replaced Henry Rundell. Hailing from a blues/rock background, Luke had been
playing guitar and singing since he was 10 years old and toured the world in his parents' band when he was 15. His distinct vocals and remarkable voice fit perfectly with the VOODOO SIX sound, bringing rockier and raunchier vocals to the lyrics. A digital EP was released in March 2010 — "A Little Something For You". To tie in with this, VOODOO SIX played their first live shows with the new lineup, in London and Southampton — both sold out. On the strength of this — and with the support of Planet Rock radio — VOODOO SIX was then asked to be special guests on THE UNION (Luke Morley) U.K. tour and UFO on their European tour in March/April.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/voodoosix.
U.K.'s Guitarist magazine recently conducted an interview with OPETH/ex-ARCH ENEMY guitarist Fredrik Åkesson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Guitarist: You're at the end of the summer festival season now. How is the material for the next OPETH album coming along?
Fredrik: Mikael [Åkerfeldt, OPETH mainman/singer/guitarist] recently showed me a riff that he's working on right now. Very different and very interesting! That's probably going to end up on the new OPETH album. He's working on two tracks for the next one at the moment. [Martin] Mendez [bass] and I are working on material at my house. We'll see what happens, but we'll try and squeeze some material in there — see what the master says! [laughs]
Guitarist: What's been the highlight of your time in the band so far?
Fredrik: Some gigs are magic — playing the Royal Albert Hall with the band was incredible. I saw the DVD and it looks very cool. I was a little unfortunate with the camerman stepping on my power though! I went silent in the last song — the whole rig died. A bit stressful standing in front of all those people.
Guitarist: If you weren't a guitar player what do you think you'd be doing for a living?
Fredrik: Maybe I'd be a singer! Normal job? I've done a lot of shity jobs. I've been a construction worker, I've cleaned up after dead people… I don't want to go back to anything like that. Maybe I'd be working in a studio — close to music. Actually, I'd be a guitar tech. I've done it once before. One show with DOKKEN when [EUROPE guitarist] John Norum was in the band.
Guitarist: When you first joined OPETH, a lot of people may have seen you as a shredder. But there's a lot more to you than that, as Mikael has said. Do you think people have realized that now?
Fredrik: Yes and if you listen to Watershed there isn't that much shredding. It's a couple of runs — I had to squeeze something in! [laughs] But I hope people see that I try to be diverse. On the solos from 'Burden', for example, it's more of a vintage approach — Gilmour, Knopfler, early Blackmore. I try to play what's right for the song rather than getting in as much shred as possible to impress people. Shredding is fun, but you have to be tasteful.
Brendan Crabb of Utopia.com.au recently conducted an interview with guitarist Dan Donegan of Chicago heavy rockers DISTURBED. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Utopia.com.au: A lot has been said about the new album ["Asylum"] — some members have claimed it's in a similar vein to 2002's "Believe", while others have claimed it's darker and heavier than your previous releases. Where do you think this album sits within the DISTURBED back catalogue?
Donegan: I don't know, I think we just try to take the strong points from each album and grow off of that and kind of blend those things that we liked about each one. There's melodic moments on this album, there's definitely a little bit more attitude and just the delivery of it, I think, is a little bit… It has those moments of just that in-your-face delivery. Just the overall body of work; we're very proud of what we've become musically, the band has really evolved over the years and we're just trying to continue to grow the sound of the band by still having those signature things that are us. I mean, there's an identity; when people hear David's [Draiman] voice or they hear a riff, they can identify that it's DISTURBED. So there's going to be those things that are always trademark us, but we just try to grow off of that and evolve the sound.
Utopia.com.au: Now, your previous album, "Indestructible", debuted at No. 1 in a number of countries, including Australia. More than a decade into your career, is the pressure of following up a hit album just not even a factor for DISTURBED?
Donegan: The pressure for us [is] to really… We put pressure on ourselves to really deliver, to really push our music and evolve as a band, to try to deliver something that's going to be fresh for us. We don't really second-guess what we do; there's no secret formula to why it works or why it's successful other than we just stay true to ourselves. We write music that moves us, that feels right to us and we're just fortunate that since these subject matters are real and [about] emotions, real things that have affected us [and] other people have connected with that. We're just fortunate that they've found some kind of connection with what we do.
Utopia.com.au: You are one of the most popular heavy bands in the world and some would say have little left to prove from a commercial success standpoint. What is it that drives you to keep creating music and not just rest on your laurels?
Donegan: Performing, being on stage. When we're off tour it's nice to go home and not live out of a suitcase, but then when we're home we don't know what to do with ourselves, you know? We know that the writing process and recording is great, but we know that at the end of the day, it just gets us closer to being back on the stage again and performing. That drives us, when we have that connection on stage with the fans. When we see the way that our music is connecting with so many people emotionally; when I can make eye contact with somebody in the crowd and see that they're living in that moment, that's motivational. That's just such a powerful feeling, to be up there seeing thousands of kids out there and the looks on the faces when they're connecting with something that we created. It's a drug to us.
Utopia.com.au: Does the band have any aims for this album — sales, chart positions, tours — or is it just take it as it goes?
Donegan: We just try to deliver the best body of work that we can come up with and whatever happens it with it happens. I don't know what the expectations are; I hope that the fans continue to connect with the new material and I think they will. We're proud of it, we wouldn't put it out if we didn't think we had something to offer. The fans have always stepped up and they've always been there for us. For many years it was mostly the U.S., but other countries are really peaking out, too, Australia being one of them. We had a high debut last time in Australia and we know that the fans are waiting for this release. I hope and I feel that they'll be pleased when they hear the whole body of work.
ARTISTdirect.com editor Rick Florino recently conducted an interview with DISTURBED bassist John Moyer. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
ARTISTdirect.com: Did you have a complete vision for [the new DISTURBED album] "Asylum" from the get-go?
Moyer: There's never a master plan that all of the songs are going to fit together under, but it is important to us that the album flows. We usually go in and record anywhere from 15 to 17 songs. The 12 that make the record don't necessarily make the cut because they're the obvious standout tracks. They make the cut because they're the songs that make the most sense for the flow of the whole album. We can't wait until certain B-sides see the light of day. Our B-sides aren't the typical throwaway songs. For some reason though, the B-sides didn't fit the theme of the record when we started putting it together. David [Draiman, vocals] usually comes up with the concept and names. He came up with the "Asylum" title almost right off the bat. It was the first song. Coming into it, he already had a vision of what he wanted to go for and what the overall record would be from a lyrical standpoint.
ARTISTdirect.com: What's the story behind the album opening combo "Remnants" and "Asylum"?
Moyer: Really, it's all one song. That's the initial way it was written, and that's how you're supposed to listen to it, with "Remnants" going right into "Asylum". However, we realized there was a point there where we could separate the two tracks if someone doesn't want to listen to the beginning instrumental section and instead go right to the aggressive part. To us, it's one song, and we perform it that way live. It's from the master mind of Dan Donegan! He's a great songwriter; he wanted to start somewhere different for us. He has no intention of writing the same song twice. You're never going to hear us write another "Down With The Sickness". In his quest to expand what we do as a band, this is a natural progression. We've never done a song with a slow beginning that kicked into this aggressive metal epic. It takes you on a journey, and that was Dan's goal writing it. Lyrically, it was one of the first songs that David was inspired by. It sets the
tone for the record and the live show. In our show, we're incorporating aspects of video and imagery that we've never done before. We're trying to take what people think they know about DISTURBED to the next level. It's something we've never done before and our audience has never seen us do. "Asylum" really lends itself well to that.
ARTISTdirect.com: Is Uproar the perfect place for you to debut this new stage show?
Moyer: We feel good about it. The promoter of the tour, John Reese, said he doesn't think anything's been done like this production-wise in the rock/metal world. Between us and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, you're seeing production values and performances that rival what you'd see at a pop concert. The big stage is good for that. Our fans have been loyal to us over the years. They keep buying the records and coming to the shows. We feel like it's our responsibility to up our ante and give them something new and powerful to sink their teeth into.
ARTISTdirect.com: Do you feel like this is your most epic offering yet?
Moyer: We think so, but it's always up to the fans to decide. For some records, we decided that we wanted them to be more aggressive than anything we'd done in the past. On this record, we didn't want to over-think it. We simply wanted to take it wherever it felt right musically and push ourselves in directions we'd never gone before. I don't know if it's our fastest record, heaviest record or most lyrically dark record — although it might be [Laugh]. Like you said, for us I think it's our most epic record to date.
Brendan Crabb of Utopia.com.au recently conducted an interview with SEVENDUST frontman Lajon Witherspoon. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Utopia.com.au: Have you kept in touch with Sonny [Mayo, former SEVENDUST guitarist] since he [was kicked out of] the band?
Lajon: You know what, man, the odd thing about that? I still have not talked to Sonny… I love Sonny. He went back to his original band SNOT, so I think things worked out for him. I think it was hard to say goodbye, but I think he understood because this is our original player. Sonny did a great job, we love him and he will be a force, but I personally have not talked to Sonny. He's talked to a couple of the guys in the band, but not everyone has. Sometimes things suck in life, right? And maybe that was one of those things, but I think that he's fine and he went on to do his thing and over that time, since then we've kind of lost contact and I hate it. I wish him the best; he's still my brother and he kicked ass when he was in the band.
Utopia.com.au: One of the other bands on the bill [at next year's Soundwave Festival in Australia] is, of course, DEVILDRIVER. I know some members of SEVENDUST had a falling out with frontman Dez Fafara during COAL CHAMBER's last days (SEVENDUST drummer Morgan Rose allegedly wrote the track "Enemy", from 2003's "Seasons", about Fafara), but I'm assuming that's all been settled by now.
Lajon: Oh, man, all that stuff was young, crazy, Morgan was married to Rayna [Foss, ex-COAL CHAMBER bassist], [and they since] got divorced. We grew up, man. Dez and I, we hang out with DEVILDRIVER and I think they're one of the baddest bands as far as bringing it live. You can't deny it; they drop it like it's hot. I'm friends with those guys. I can't wait to see Dez again. That whole silly stuff back in the day… It was crazy, but we went on, we were able to do a song and get our angst out. I think we've all grown up, we got kids now, and you know what?! That was just a page in our lives.
Utopia.com.au: How does the band feel when you perform that song live these days?
Lajon: To be honest with you, I never… I think the press really made that more about that than we did. That song was more just about the fact that someone being just that way anyway. Whether it was meant solely about Dez… You know, the press ran with it and you know, whatever. Dez and I have never had any issues — ever. (Laughs) It's always been nothing but, "What's up? Let's have a glass of wine, let's kick the smoke and see what happens." And I promise you it's always been that way, brother.
Utopia.com.au: SEVENDUST are more than ten years into your career and are still successful. What do you think has enabled you to remain a viable band?
Lajon: I think the realness. We're not rock stars. We've been very blessed and everyone out there has made our dreams come true and we still deal with things like everyone else. I feel like music is a magic thing and to be able to take your mind away from when life gets to you, the boss is getting on your damn nerves and not being able to pay the bills, because we deal with the same shit. But you know what? For some reason, we're still here and it's the music that's magic and the people, they keep us going. I can't believe they still buy the tickets to see us, you know what I mean?! It's so crazy in the times that we're dealing with, but I honestly feel like, for a few hours, that you can come out and you're letting your aggression out; that's what music does. If you can forget about all the bullshit in the crazy world — from the wars, the killing, to not everybody being on the same page and level-headed — I think that the medium that brings us all
together is music, if that makes sense. I love music, man; I just love it all. It's something that's always been in my life and growing up with horses in Tennessee and going up to the farm, you had rock 'n' roll and country music blasting through the barn. You'd get back to the house and you listen to R&B, so it was always everything and that's what music to me is, it's a beautiful thing, it's a part of life. It's in my blood — I don't think you have to have the best voice in the world, as long as you have conviction.
SEVEN THE HARDWAY, the new Southern California-based progressive rock/metal band featuring guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine (STEVE VAI, PLANET X, CAB), legendary drummer Virgil Donati (PLANET X, STEVE VAI, SOUL SIRKUS), renowned vocalist Mark Boals (ULI JON ROTH, ROYAL HUNT, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), bass player Doug Shreeve and 21-year-old Argentinian newcomer Stefania Daniel on guitar, has canceled its previously announced European tour. The groups states, "Due to the delayed release of the [SEVEN THE HARDWAY self-titled debut] album (August instead of April) and the booking of the tour immediately following European summer vacation, there has not been adequate opportunity to properly promote the record or the tour." The band adds, ""We plan to re-book in the future, once the new album has had a chance to be heard by our fans."
"Seven The Hardway" was released on August 23 in Europe via Mascot Records. Due in the USA on September 14, the CD was mixed by Roy Z. (HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, JUDAS PRIEST, HELLOWEEN) and was mastered by Maor Appelbaum.
According to a press release, SEVEN THE HARDWAY's live show will consist of tracks from the new album, along with well-known selections from MacAlpine's and Donati's solo work, and their previous band project with Boals — RING OF FIRE. The performance will appeal to both followers of MacAlpine, Donati and Boals' previous collaborations and solo work, as well as drum and guitar enthusiasts and fans of progressive hard rock and metal.
"Seven The Hardway" track listing:
01. Liar
02. Guilty
03. Solitary Man
04. Where I'm Going
05. All I Had
06. Blame
07. The Wall
08. Good And Evil
09. Happy Ending
10. The Cage
German/Greek metallers MYSTIC PROPHECY are currently writing material for their seventh studio album, tentatively due in 2011.
The band recently announced the addition of drummer Claudio Sisto to the group's ranks.
MYSTIC PROPHECY mainman/producer R.D. Liapakis previously stated about the songwriting process for the next CD: "'Fireangel' has been a big success and our fans were very pleased by the result so the new one has to be better or at least equally good.
"I admit that I am always anxious about how people will react to our music. However, so far playing music that comes from our hearts has always led us to good releases and I am confident this album will be no exception to the story so far.
"This is our seventh studio album, and I am confident that with our current lineup, and Claudio behind the drum kit, we will make your heads bang."
"Fireangel", the sixth album from the MYSTIC PROPHECY, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 77. Released on May 22, 2009 via Massacre Records, the follow-up to 2007's "Satanic Curses" was recorded at Prophecy Studios and was mixed in Sweden under the direction of Fredrik Nordström (DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES) and R.D. Liapakis (FIREWIND, CHASTAIN, ELDRITCH).
MYSTIC PROPHECY in 2008 announced the addition of DESCENDING/ex-NIGHTRAGE guitarist Constantine to the group's ranks.
Italian progressive metallers MIND KEY have announced the addition of drummer Mirkko De Maio to the group's ranks. The band states, "We're happy because we think that Mirkko is the right man for his musical background, his experience (although he's quite young) and mainly for his incredible energy and taste in playing drums. We think he's the right musician to continue MIND KEY's musical path and we can't wait to return on stage to show you what an amazing musician Mirkko is. He's a fuckin' metal drummer guys, you'll notice!"
MIND KEY's second album, "Pulse For A Graveheart", was released in July 2009 via Frontiers Records.
MIND KEY debuted in 2004 with "Journey Of A Rough Diamond", an album that showed the excellent potential of the Neapolitan combo. With a colourful sound, akin to such prog metal giants as DREAM THEATER, SYMPHONY X, EVERGREY and PAIN OF SALVATION, MIND KEY's music also leaned towards a more mature and song-oriented approach inspired by '80/'90s hard rock. Right before the release of the album, the original frontman Mark Basile left the group and in preparation of the tour dates, the guys met for the first time Aurelio Fierro Jr., a singer with a vast experience especially in theatres. He was able to give some splendid performances especially in the gigs that the band landed as support of DREAM THEATER for the Italian "Train Of Thought Tour 2004".
MIND KEY played more live dates in support of VISION DIVINE and PENDRAGON and also appeared at the Progpower Europe festival, with shows in Poland, Switzerland, Holland, Germany and France. During the Polish dates, a live DVD, "Habemus Poland", was recorded, with Giorgio Adamo as frontman. However he soon left to make space for the return of Aurelio Fierro. Founding member and keyboardist Dario De Cicco explains: "We decided to go for Aurelio at the end of the songwriting sessions. Note after note, chord after chord, we realized that the songs begged for Aurelio's voice and it seemed almost a necessary decision to make. I think we did the right choice as only with his astonishing performances we were able to reach what we really wanted from the new material."
The band began the recording of the second album, "Pulse for a Graveheart", simplifying their songwriting and giving the chance to Fierro to showcase his immense vocal potential which can be described as a powerful mix of Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale and Jorn Lande. The album was later mixed and mastered by none other than Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, ANGRA, KROKUS, PLACE VENDOME) to ensure the best sounding quality. According to guitarist Emanuele Colella, "We knew from the beginning that Dennis was the right choice! Since the first communication together a perfect synergy was built. He could understand our need and desire to combine a modern melodic metal sound with our progressive roots and an heavier edge. He could totally deliver what we and the music needed, he's just great."
"Pulse for a Graveheart" features guest appearances by Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER), who plays a keyboard solo on "Citizen of Greed", Reb Beach (WHITESNAKE, WINGER) on "Now Until Forever", and Tom Englund from EVERGREY, dueting with Elio Fierro on "Graveheart".
Chile's PROCESSION is the final confirmed band for the Hammer Of Doom 4 festival, set to take place October 23, 2010 at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany.
The festival billing is now as follows:
SOLITUDE AETURNUS (USA)
IRON MAN (USA)
PLACE OF SKULLS (USA)
SORCERER (SWE)
JEX THOTH (USA)
GRIFTEGARD (SWE)
MIRROR OF DECEPTION (D)
PROCESSION (CHL)
ETERNAL ELYSIUM (JPN)
GHOST (S)
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/hammerofdoomfestival.
THE RODS — the classic '80s metal band led by Ronnie James Dio's (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL) cousin, guitarist/vocalist David "Rock" Feinstein — will headline the Metal 'Cuse festival, set to take place on November 6 at Fusion in North Syracuse, New York. Also appearing on the bill are TITANIUM BLACK, VOODOO TERROR TRIBE and ZADOC… AND THE NIGHTMARE. A portion of all ticket sales (as well as all fan donations) will go to the Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund".
For more information, visit www.powerandfuryfestival.com.
THE RODS recently played several 30th-anniversary shows, tailored especially for the band's true fans. One half of each special show featured brand-new, original songs from THE RODS' forthcoming album, "Vengeance", as well as songs from Feinstein's new CD, "Bitten by the Beast". The other half of the show consisted of fan favorites, selected by RODS fans themselves.
Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM will embark on their first-ever tour of South Africa at the end of October. Main support on the trek will come from the South African melodic death metal outfit RIDDARE AV KODEN. Each show will also feature a number of local support acts, including WARTHANE, AGRO, PLEDGE DEFIANCE and HAGGIS & BONG.
Confirmed dates and venues:
Wednesday, October 27 - Burn Nightclub (Durban, KZN)
18:00 - PLEDGE DEFIANCE
19:00 - THEATRE RUNS RED
20:00 - CONTRAST THE WATER
21:00 - ALL FORLORN
22:00 - RIDDARE AV KODEN
23:00 - ENSIFERUM
Thursday, October 28 - Cool Runnings (Fourways, JHB, Gauteng)
19:00 - WARTHANE
20:00 - AGRO
21:00 - ALL FORLORN
22:00 - RIDDARE AV KODEN
23:00 - ENSIFERUM
Friday, October 29 - Rumours (Weltevreden, JHB, Gauteng)
17:00 - HAGGIS & BONG
18:00 - EREBUS
19:00 - BILE OF MAN
20:00 - STRIDENT
21:00 - ALL FORLORN
22:00 - RIDDARE AV KODEN
23:00 - ENSIFERUM
Saturday, October 30 - The Black Dahlia - Halloween Party (Boksburg, JHB, Gauteng)
15:00 - HAGGIS & BONG
16:00 - EMPERY
17:00 - SATHERN
18:00 - WARTHANE
19:00 - STRIDENT
20:00 - AGRO
21:00 - ALL FORLORN
22:00 - RIDDARE AV KODEN
23:00 - ENSIFERUM
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday, September 8 through Computicket.
ENSIFERUM last year filmed a video for the song "Twilight Tavern" with director Denis Goria.
Goria is a popular French photographer whose recent works include PAIN's "Monkey Business" video, the artwork for HYPOCRISY's latest, NIGHTWISH's "Made in Hong Kong" booklet, as well as promo shoots and video trailers for AMORPHIS.
"Twilight Tavern" comes off ENSIFERUM's fourth album, "From Afar", which sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 44 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.
"From Afar" was released on September 9, 2009 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was produced by Tero Kinnunen (NIGHTWISH, AMORPHIS) and Janne Joutsenniemi ('Victory Songs' producer) and was mixed by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED, AMORPHIS).
Belgian metallers AFTER ALL have been added to the European Killfest 2011 Tour, also featuring OVERKILL, DESTRUCTION and HEATHEN.
The dates are as follows:
March 03 - London, UK - O2 Islington Academy
March 04 - Köln, Germany - Essigfabrik
March 05 - Geiselwind, Germany - Music Hall
March 06 - Stuttgart, Germany - Longhorn
March 07 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
March 08 - Zürich, Switzerland - Volkshaus
March 09 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
March 10 - Wörgl, Austria - Komma
March 11 - Budapest, Hungary - Petofi Hall
March 12 - Brno, Czech Republic - Fleda
March 13 - Warsaw, Poland - Stodola
March 15 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Club
March 16 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
March 17 - Braunschweig, Germany - Meier Music Hall
March 18 - Antwerpen, Belgium - Trix
March 19 - Enschede, Netherlands - Atak
AFTER ALL recently re-recorded three songs from its latest album, "Cult Of Sin", at guitarist Christophe Depree's Silent Survive Sound studios. Dan Swanö mixed and mastered the tracks at Unisound in Sweden.
"My Own Sacrifice", "Betrayed By The Gods" and "Land Of Sin" mark the first recordings to feature new vocalist Sammy Peleman and bass player Frederik Vanmassenhove. They can now be streamed on AFTER ALL's MySpace page.
AFTER ALL parted ways with vocalist Piet Focroul and bassist Erwin Casier and have replaced them with Sammy Peleman (SEPTEMBER SYN) and Frederik Vanmassenhove (ex-ABORTED), respectively.
AFTER ALL 2010 is:
Sammy Peleman - Vocals
Dries Van Damme - Guitar
Christophe Depree - Guitar
Frederik Vanmassenhove - Bass
Kevin Strubbe - Drums
AFTER ALL's latest album, "Cult Of Sin", was released in early 2009 via Dockyard 1 in Europe (Locomotive Records in the U.S.).
"We Rule The Night", the new album from the Swedish modern rock/metal act SONIC SYNDICATE, has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:
Germany: #22
Switzerland: #42
Austria: #44
Commented the band: "Today we received great news that our third album on Nuclear Blast Records titled 'We Rule The Night' has entered the music charts along side some of the biggest and best bands in the world that we grew up listening to, watching on TV and even shared the same stage with over the years.
"When we sat down to write this album we had one thing in mind: we wanna make the biggest , baddest, hottest damn record we've ever made and give all our amazing fans something fresh and exciting to listen to.
"What can we say more than our fans have spoken once again showing that the syndicate is stronger then ever and we're proud to consider all of you one of our family.
"We're all looking forward to getting this 'We Rule The World Tour' started on September 15, so fasten your seat belts and get ready to rule the night because we're coming to burn down your city."
Released in Europe on August 27 via Nuclear Blast Records, the CD was recorded at Bohus Sound studios in Kungälv, Sweden with producer Toby Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.
"We Rule The Night" track listing:
01. Beauty And The Freak
02. Revolution, Baby
03. Turn It Up
04. My Own Life
05. Burn This City
06. Black And Blue
07. Miles Apart
08. Plans Are For People
09. Leave Me Alone
10. Break Of Day
11. We Rule The Night
In addition to the album's standard version, "We Rule The Night" was made available in a limited-edition digipack featuring two bonus songs and a DVD.
The cover artwork for "We Rule The Night" was created by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, GOD FORBID) of Abstrata Art and can be viewed below.
SONIC SYNDICATE's "My Own Life" video was shot with director Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES and KAMELOT, among many others.
Frontiers Records has announced the signing of VEGA, the new U.K.-based melodic rock band featuring former KICK vocalist Nick Workman alongside the successful and respected songwriting partnership of Tom and James Martin (HOUSE OF LORDS, TED POLEY, KHYMERA, SUNSTORM) and drummer Dan Chantrey.
According to a press release, "VEGA are set to bring back the reputation of British melodic rock music with a strongly original sound approach that while obviously influenced by the genre's greatest names (from BON JOVI to DEF LEPPARD and JOURNEY) adds a strong personal element that will definitely bring the band to the attention of a very wide audience."
VEGA's debut album, "Kiss Of Life", was recorded with producer John Greatwood (engineer for Tom Lord-Alge of QUEEN fame), with the band selecting a total of 12 songs out of a total of 25 that were written for the effort. Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69) stepped up to the plate to put the finishing touches on the album, having mastered it at his studio in Germany. The band also recently finished filming a video for the CD's title track, which will be launched as first single in the fall.
Commented Workman: "We are pleased and excited to be signed to Frontiers Records. We are very proud of this album and believe that it brings new vibe to the rock scene whilst maintaining the roots of all of the bands that have inspired us over the years!"
"Kiss Of Life" will be released before the end of the year.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/vegaofficial.
Long-running Venice Beach, California thrash/punk band SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has scheduled the following dates:
Oct. 15 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Oct. 16 - Portland, OR - Roseland
Oct. 17 - Seattle, WA - Showbox
Oct. 20 - San Francisco, CA - Fillmore
Oct. 22 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
Oct. 26 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
Oct. 29 - Detroit, MI - Harpo's
Oct. 30 - Milwaukee, WI - Eagles
Oct. 31 - Cleveland, OH- Peabody's
Nov. 02 - St. Louis, MO - Pops
Nov. 04 - Houston, TX - Meridien
Nov. 06 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Showroom
Nov. 07 - Austin, TX - Fun Fun Fun Fest
Nov. 09 - Tampa, FL - State Theatre
Nov. 10 - Orlando, FL - Firestone
Nov. 12 - Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
Nov. 13 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
Nov. 17 - Chicago, IL - Metro
Nov. 18 - Minneapolis, MN - Cabooze
Nov. 20 - Denver, CO - Summit
Nov. 21 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theatre
Another treat from the Suicidal Records stable, "No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family", features re-recorded tracks from SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' second album, "Join The Army", as well as tunes from the second full-length from NO MERCY, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' guitarist Mike Clark's speed metal band (which found SUICIDAL TENDENCIES vocalist Mike Muir on vocals) from 1986.
Since its beginnings in Venice, California in the early '80s, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES has led the charge in the skate punk/thrash metal movement, consequently influencing an entire generation of bands along the way. Now, over two decades later, the time is right to unleash these lost gems, re-recorded and released for fans old and new to enjoy for the very first time. Also included is a new version of the classic SUICIDAL TENDENCIES track "Possessed To Skate". A video for the song is also in the works.
"No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family" will be released via Suicidal Records on September 7.
"No Mercy Fool!/The Suicidal Family" track listing
01. Suicidal Maniac
02. Possessed To Skate
03. The Prisoner
04. I Feel Your Pain...And I Survive
05. Join The ST Army
06. No Name, No Words
07. Born To Be Cyco
08. Come Alive
09. Something Inside Me
10. No Mercy Fool!
11. We're F'n Evil
12. Crazy But Proud
13. I'm Your Nightmare
14. Widespread Bloodshed...Love Runs Red
The original lineup of Swedish AOR masters ALIEN has reunited after some 22 years and will release a new single, "Ready To Fly", on October 10 via Manora Records. The track features "up-to-date production by Mårten Eriksson and Mats Lindfors" and is described in a press release as "melodic rock at its best."
ALIEN 2010 is:
Jimmy Wandroph: Keyboards
Toby Tarrach: Drums
Jim Jidhed: Vocals
Tony Borg: Guitar
Ken Sandin: Bass
ALIEN is a Swedish rock band formed in Gothenburg in 1986 by guitarist Tony Borg and vocalist Jim Jidhed. They are best known today for their single "Only One Woman", a cover of a MARBLES song, and "Brave New Love", which was featured in the 1988 movie "The Blob".
"Absolute Power", the thirteenth full-length album from crossover veterans PRO-PAIN, will now be released in North America on September 28 via Regain Records. According to a press release, the CD "explores several sides to the tried-and-true American unit's somewhat patented sound. While a vast chunk of the album immediately recalls standard PRO-PAIN New York City-style metal/hardcore crossover attacks, many elements at play on 'Absolute Power' infiltrate totally new ground for the band. Recorded at Little Creek Studio in Gelterkinden, Switzerland, the record features ten thunderous anthems, bridging the gap between the hardcore club and the massive rock arena."
Formed by vocalist/bassist Gary Meskil (ex-CRUMBSUCKERS), PRO-PAIN has over the years benefited from substantial support from an ever-growing and loyal fanbase as well as metal media and radio. Rounded out by longtime guitarist Tom Klimchuck, as well as newer members Marshall Stephens on rhythm guitar and Ricky Halverson (ex-NARCOTIC SELF, CELLADOR, STEPHEN PEARCY) on drums, the band's worldwide catalog sales approach one million units.
"Absolute Power" track listing:
01. Unrestrained
02. Destroy The Enemy
03. Stand My Ground (feat. Schmier of DESTRUCTION)
04. Road To Nowhere
05. AWOL
06. Hell On Earth
07. Divided We Stand
08. Gone Rogue (I Apologize)
09. Rise Of The Antichrist
10. Hate Coalition
Plans exist for the band to tour the U.S. and Europe extensively in support of "Absolute Power".
MAROON, AFTER THE BURIAL, THE EYES OF A TRAITOR and THE AGONIST will team up for a European tour in October/November. Confirmed dates are as follows:
Oct. 15 - Schweinfurt, Germany - Alter Stattbahnhof
Oct. 16 - Bochum, Germany – Matrix
Oct. 17 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
Oct. 18 - Birmingham, UK - Eddies Rock Club
Oct. 19 - Derby, UK - The Old Bell Hotel
Oct. 20 - Reading, UK - The Face Bar
Oct. 21 - London, UK - Underworld
Oct. 22 - Hannover, Germany - Musikzentrum
Oct. 23 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
Oct. 24 - Houthalen, Belgium - JH The Bassment
Oct. 25 - Koblenz, Germany - Dreams
Oct. 26 - Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg - Kulturfabrik
Oct. 27 - Zürich, Switzerland - Abart
Oct. 29 - Cham, Germany - LA
Oct. 30 - Bologna, Italy - Blogos
Oct. 31 - Graz, Austria - PPC
Nov. 01 - Wien, Austria - Szene
Nov. 02 - Trnava, Slovakia - Art Club
Nov. 03 - Stuttgart, Germany - Juha West
Nov. 04 - Aachen, Germany - Musikbunker
Nov. 05 - Leipzig, Germany - Conne Island, (w/ WINDS OF PLAGUE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS, FOR TODAY, MONUMENTS)
Nov. 06 - Lingen, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
Nov. 07 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
"Order", the latest album from MAROON, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 63 back in April 2009. The follow-up to 2007's "The Cold Heart Of The Sun" was recorded at Klangschmiede Studio E (EISREGEN, THE VISION BLEAK, SECRETS OF THE MOON) and was mixed at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden by Fredrik Nordström (ARCH ENEMY, AT THE GATES, DARK TRANQUILLITY). The mastering duties were handled at West West Side Studios (MASTODON, UNEARTH, EARTH CRISIS) in New Windsor, New York.
German death metallers DISBELIEF have parted ways with drummer Kai Bergerin and guitarist Witali Weber. According to the band, Kai left DISBELIEF due to "private" reasons which make it "impossible" for him to embark on long tours. Weber, on the other hand, exited the group "because of personal differences."
DISBELIEF'd 20th-anniversary album, "Heal", was released on May 21 via Massacre Records. The CD contains eight songs, including three cover versions and a remake of the classic track "Shine". The first album to be recorded and mixed by the DISBELIEF members themselves, "Heal" also features four original compositions which "are meant to be a tribute to bands who influenced us a lot over those two decades concerning their music and attitude!!" according to the group.
"Heal" track listing:
Covers
* KILLING JOKE - "A Love Like Blood"
* KING DIAMOND - "Welcome Home"
* CRIMSON GLORY - "Red Sharks"
Originals
* Certainty Of Reality
* The Eyes Of Horror
* The Last Force: Attack!
* Isolation
* Shine (title track of 2002 album)
"Heal" was released with a bonus DVD containing footage of a complete DISBELIEF show from the Walpurgis Metal Days in 2009.
DISBELIEF's "Protected Hell" album was released in April 2009 via Massacre Records. The LP, which was recorded at MX studio in Buchen, Germany with producer Michael Mainx, was made available as a limited-edition digipack and regular jewel case CD.
Guitarist/vocalist Mika Penetrator has left GALLHAMMER — the Japanese extreme metal group that draws on black metal, doom metal, and crust punk — to concentrate on her other band. The remaining members of GALLHAMMER — Vivian Slaughter (vocals, bass) and Risa Reaper (drums, vocals) — plan to continue the band as a duo.
GALLHAMMER is currently working on material for the follow-up to 2007's "Ill Innocence" and will enter the studio in October to record what Slaughter describes as a collection of "strange and psychedelic experimental sounds of doom."
You can now follow GALLHAMMER at the band's new Twitter page which will be constantly updated with news and progress reports.
Although GALLHAMMER had been known primarily as a black metal/punk act, "Ill Innocence" is impressively diverse, showing their implementation of many influences and moods from both metal and non-metal genres. The themes are based around isolation, oppression, a world without colour, with Vivian describing the imagery like "Delirium - as being in a midday nightmare under the scorching sunshine"; all wrapped in a poetic disparity. "Ill Innocence" also features recordings of the tracks "Speed of Blood" and "At the Onset of the Age of Despair" as previewed in demo form on "The Dawn of…" The CD release of the album was met with great critical acclaim, particularly in the U.K., with the band even given the honor of cover stars in Zero Tolerance, Terrorizer and Organ magazines.
GALLHAMMER's DVD release, "Ruin of a Church", captured the band live and in scintillating form at Colchester Arts Centre, a stunning venue on the site of a deconsecrated church, on their 2007 European tour. The DVD includes additional footage from the tour, plus promo videos, gallery, and an intriguing video interview with the band. The audio mix and production was executed by Justin Broadrick (NAPALM DEATH, GODFLESH, JESU).
Swedish death metallers UNLEASHED have been confirmed for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which is set to sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will appear at the event.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AGENT STEEL
AMON AMARTH
DEATH ANGEL
ENSIFERUM
EPICA
EXODUS
FEAR FACTORY
FINNTROLL
FORBIDDEN
ICED EARTH
KORPIKLAANI
MARDUK
MOONSPELL
OBITUARY
RAGE
RAVEN
SAXON
SODOM
SONATA ARCTICA
SWASHBUCKLE
TESTAMENT
TROUBLE
ULI JON ROTH
UNLEASHED
WITCHBURNER
SAXON will play two unique shows. One night they will perform the "Wheels Of Steel" LP in its entirety and on a different night, for the second show, they will play "Strong Arm Of The Law" from start to finish.
70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 24, 2011 aboard the Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas" from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, January 28, 2011.
Make no mistake, 70000 Tons Of Metal is not your grandma's cruise. It's also not one of the cruises that share the ship with normal cruise guests. This is an all-ship heavy metal cruise! Can you imagine that? A whole luxury cruise ship full of metalheads? And since there is no backstage area you will have the opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done!
Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$249 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, all meals and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks at the on-board restaurants and 24-hour room service!
For more information, go to www.70000tons.com.
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