Legacy Recordings and Experience Hendrix LLC have announced the highly-anticipated release of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology", featuring more than four hours of rare and previously unreleased Jimi Hendrix music on a five-disc (4 CD/1 DVD) deluxe box set, available Tuesday, November 16.
The long-awaited career-spanning box set tracks Hendrix's remarkable journey from little known R&B sideman to international stardom through an unprecedented assemblage of previously unavailable recordings. "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" is not a collection of existing Jimi Hendrix albums but instead 45 unreleased Jimi Hendrix live and studio recordings including demos and alternate versions of songs from "Are You Experienced", "Axis: Bold As Love", and "Electric Ladyland". "West Coast Seattle Boy" includes Hendrix's never-before-heard version of Bob Dylan's "Tears Of Rage", solo acoustic recordings of "Electric Ladyland" favorites like "Long Hot Summer Night" and "1983 (A Merman I Shall Turn To Be)" as well as never-before-heard live performances from Berkeley and the legendary BAND OF GYPSYS Fillmore East concert on New Year's Eve 1969 combined together with such new Hendrix songs as "Hear My Freedom", "Hound Dog Blues", "Lonely
Avenue" and more.
A centerpiece achievement in Legacy Recordings' monumental Jimi Hendrix catalog project, "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" is the first Hendrix collection to bring fans access to a comprehensive treasure trove of fresh material — including demos, alternate takes, live concert jewels and more — from all phases of the artist's recording career (1964 -1970).
"West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" offers the most complete collection of Jimi's pre-EXPERIENCE R&B performances (including his singles with the Isley Brothers, Little Richard, Don Covay, King Curtis and more) to ever be officially anthologized, while bringing together the most comprehensive and revelatory set of fully realized songs, never before heard live performances, alternate studio takes, acoustic and electric demos, and other rarities drawn from every chapter of Jimi Hendrix's remarkable life and career.
The newly curated and assembled "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" includes "Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child", a new 90-minute documentary directed by the multiple Grammy Award-winning Bob Smeaton ("Beatles Anthology", "Festival Express", "Beatles: The Studio Recordings", "Band of Gypsys"). An autobiographical journey told in the legendary musician's own words as read by PARLIAMENT-FUNKADELIC's Bootsy Collins, the film incorporates interviews with Hendrix, coupled with the artist's letters, writings and recordings to provide new insight into one of the most enduring icons of popular culture. The documentary features some of Jimi's greatest performances as well as rare and never-before-seen footage and photos including — for the first time ever — examples from the Hendrix family archive of the late guitarist's personal drawings, postcards home to his father, song drafts, sketches, and lyrics.
"Who better to tell the incredible story of a man's life than the man himself? Jimi was amazing and only his music, with tones and textures that he conjured, can capture the colorful and expansive essence of his time here on earth. I am enthralled with this all-encompassing new anthology which not only illuminates his years on both sides of the Atlantic and beautifully reveals his versatility as a performer, from his R&B origins to his explosion on the pop culture scene, but highlights who he was for those who knew and loved him," said Janie Hendrix, President and CEO of Experience Hendrix and co-producer of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology". "This vast exploration of my brother's musical and life experiences leaves no stone unturned and is sure to broaden our understanding of who Jimi really was, not only as a legendary musician, but also as a timeless messenger of love."
"Jimi Hendrix changed the world with his music and 'West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology' honors that achievement with an unprecedented collection of rarities and never-before-heard tracks from the Hendrix vaults that show the breadth and depth of this extraordinary artist," said Adam Block, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Legacy Recordings. "'West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology' is a comprehensive overview of Hendrix's career told through fresh materials and provides remarkable new insights into one of music's greatest geniuses."
An essential and historic addition to the Jimi Hendrix catalog, "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" brings together, for the first time, many of Hendrix's earliest commercial recordings, providing a rare glimpse of the rising rock guitar hero through a series of stellar sideman performances on a set of highly collectible pre-EXPERIENCE R&B singles.
Included on Disc One of "West Coast Seattle Boy" are:
01. Isley Brothers - Testify (1964)
02. Don Covay & the Goodtimers - Mercy, Mercy (1964 - #1 Cashbox R&B - #35 Billboard Hot 100)
03. Don Covay & the Goodtimers - Can't Stay Away (1964)
04. Rosa Lee Brooks - My Diary (1965 - written by Arthur Lee)
05. Rosa Lee Brooks - Utee (1965)
06. Little Richard - I Don't Know What You Got But It's Got Me (1965)
07. Little Richard - Dancing All Around The World (1965)
08. Frank Howard & The Commanders - I'm So Glad (1966 - written by Billy Cox)
09. Isley Brothers - Move Over And Let Me Dance (1965)
10. Isley Brothers - Have You Ever Been Disappointed (1965)
11. Ray Sharpe - Help Me (Get The Feeling) (Part I) (1966)
12. The Icemen - (My Girl) She's A Fox (1966)
13. Jimmy Norman - That Little Old Groovemaker (1966)
14. Billy Lamont - Sweet Thang (1968)
15. King Curtis - Instant Groove (1969)
Disc Two of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" focuses on 1967-68 and Hendrix's breakout sessions with the JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE:
01. Fire (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
02. Are You Experienced (1967) - Previously Unreleased Recording
03. May This Be Love (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
04. Can You See Me (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
05. Love Or Confusion (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
06. Little One (1967) - Previously Unreleased Recording (featuring Dave Mason on sitar)
07. Mr. Bad Luck (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
08. Cat Talking To Me (1967) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
09. Castles Made Of Sand (1967) - Previously Unreleased Recording
10. Tears Of Rage (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
11. Hear My Train A Comin' (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
12. 1983 (A Merman I Shall Turn To Be) (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
13. Long Hot Summer Night (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
14. My Friend (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
15. Angel (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
16. Calling All The Devil's Children (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
17. New Rising Sun (1968) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
Disc Three of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" revisits 1968-1969, both a peak and pivotal period for Hendrix in which the artist was exploring bold new directions on stage and in the studio:
01. Hear My Freedom (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
02. Room Full Of Mirrors (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
03. Shame, Shame, Shame (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
04. Messenger (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
05. Hound Dog Blues (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
06. Untitled Basic Track (1968) - Previously Unreleased Recording
07. Star Spangled Banner (1969) - Previously Unreleased Original Mix
08. Purple Haze (1969) - Previously Unreleased Original Mix
09. Young/Hendrix (1969) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
10. Mastermind (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
11. Message To Love (1969) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
12. Fire (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
13. Foxey Lady (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
Opening with Hendrix's incendiary New Year's Eve performance of "Stone Free" at New York's Fillmore East on December 31, 1969 and closing with a previously unheard recording from Hendrix alone in his Greenwich Village apartment in 1970, Disc Four of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" provides a fascinating portrait of an artist at his fiery best, working on the future:
01. Stone Free (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
02. Burning Desire (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
03. Lonely Avenue (1969) - Previously Unreleased Recording
04. Everlasting First (1970) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording (featuring Arthur Lee)
05. Freedom (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
06. Peter Gunn/Catastrophe (1970) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
07. In From The Storm (1970) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
08. All God's Children (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
09. Red House (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
10. Play That Riff [Thank You] (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
11. Bolero (1970) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
12. Hey Baby (New Rising Sun) - Previously Unreleased Alternate Recording
13. Suddenly November Morning (1970) - Previously Unreleased Recording
"West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" is the centerpiece of Legacy Recordings/Experience Hendrix LLC's second wave of Hendrix catalog releases. Also arriving on November 16 from the artist Rolling Stone magazine called "the greatest guitarist of all time" are deluxe editions of "Jimi Hendrix Experience: BBC Sessions" and "Jimi Hendrix: Blues", his legendary "Live At Woodstock" performance, and "Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year", the highly collectible Jimi Hendrix Christmas EP.
A single disc "best-of" edition of "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" will be available, with or without the "Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Child" DVD documentary. "West Coast Seattle Boy - The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" will also be available in a deluxe edition featuring eight 12-inch vinyl LPs.
Experience Hendrix Tour 2010, the fourth edition of the biennial concert tour that features an all-star line up of music greats paying homage to the music and legacy of Jimi Hendrix, is currently underway with performances across the country.
LED ZEPPELIN legend Robert Plant tells Billboard.com in a new interview that his new band BAND OF JOY — an updated version of his pre-LED ZEPPELIN group which also featured the late John Bonham — will likely write original material next after releasing an album of cover songs.
"We're talking. We have to write songs now," Plant says. "It's all very well celebrating other people's songwriting, and I know there are artists who actually have an entire career doing that, whether it be Elvis or Sinatra or...a lot of country artists who never write. But we're gonna be heading that way soon."
He added, "I haven't got a great deal of self-esteem when it comes to writing. I have no idea how it will work out, and also it will be the first time I've ever written a song...with the Americana psyche in full flight, so we'll see. I'd like to think we can keep this going and just make JOY where it's appropriate."
The first official release from Niji Entertainment Group, the label formed by the late Ronnie James Dio and his wife/manager Wendy Dio, will be " the double-disc set "Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987". The first disc was recorded at the first-ever U.K. performance by Dio's solo group, while on tour supporting their classic debut, "Holy Diver". And the setlist does a superb job reflecting DIO's debut (featuring such classics as "Rainbow in the Dark", "Stand Up And Shout", etc.), as well as classics from both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH ("Man on the Silver Mountain", "Heaven and Hell", etc.) — resulting in a thoroughretrospective of Dio's career, from RAINBOW to BLACK SABBATH to solo hits.
The second disc of "Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" features guitarist Craig Goldy's debut — recorded in 1987, in support of the "Dream Evil" album, and contains highlights from Dio's career.
The first disc represents "a new, young band coming out of the box," Wendy tells RollingStone.com, "and then the [second disc] is a more seasoned band."
The set will be released as a deluxe digipak including a booklet filled with rare photographs and liner notes, and original replica all-access laminates from both shows.
Ronnie was the executive producer on the Donington project, and was very much looking forward to the release.
"Dio At Donington UK: Live 1983 & 1987" track listing:
CD 1: 1983
01. Stand Up And Shout
02. Straight Through The Heart
03. Children Of The Sea
04. Rainbow In The Dark
05. Holy Diver
06. Drum Solo
07. Stargazer
08. Guitar Solo
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. Starstruck
12. Man On The Silver Mountain (Reprise)
CD 2: 1987
01. Dream Evil
02. Neon Knights
03. Naked In The Rain
04. Rock And Roll Children
05. Long Live Rock 'n' Roll
06. The Last In Line
07. Children Of The Sea
08. Holy Diver
09. Heaven And Hell
10. Man On The Silver Mountain
11. All The Fools Sailed Away
12. The Last In Line (Reprise)
13. Rainbow In The Dark
Check out the cover artwork below.
The Niji Entertainment Group is a full-service record label, and will be releasing rare and unreleased recordings from Dio and other artists.
November 23 will see two additional releases from the Niji Entertainment Group — a deluxe limited edition picture disc of Dio's classic solo debut, "Holy Diver", and "Bitten By The Beast" from David "Rock" Feinstein.
"Rock" is Ronnie's cousin, and was a member of ELF, and the leader of the legendary New York band THE RODS. "Bitten By The Beast" features the single "Metal Will Never Die", with lead vocals by Ronnie James Dio. This single will be heavily worked to active rock and metal radio this fall.
In 2011, the Niji Entertainment Group has many other Dio-related projects planned, including an extensive vinyl box set (an idea that Ronnie himself came up with), "For The Record: The Complete Dio Vinyl Collection", which will feature 16 LPs in a deluxe carrying case, with "all-access tour laminates" from every tour. All of the LPs will be on 180-gram colored vinyl. Also, being released for the first time on DVD will be "Super Rock Japan 1985" (which was only ever released in Japan on VHS). Another forthcoming DVD release will be a collection of every Dio MTV promotional video, plus live concert footage including bonus features, including interviews with Ronnie, his band, and crew. A Dio bootleg box set is on the horizon as well, featuring never-before-released sound board recordings and audience recordings. Other releases from the Niji Entertainment Group in 2011 will include all four RAINBOW Dio-era LPs in their original gatefold sleeves on 180-gram
colored vinyl, and all three ELF LPs will be issued on 180-gram colored vinyl. 2011 will also see deluxe reissues from Tim "Ripper" Owens, a fantastic new CD from Oni Logan (LYNCH MOB vocalist), and Rowan Robertson (DIO guitarist), as well as live ELF.
Between Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, the Dio social media followers now numbers over one million.
The Niji Entertainment Group is in the process of starting the official Dio webstore, which will give fans worldwide opportunity to purchase t-shirts, limited edition items, and CDs/DVDs that fans have been requesting.
While Ronnie was alive, he always wanted to have his own action figure/statue. And now, this has become a reality — KnuckleBonz has created the Ronnie James Dio Rock Iconz statue, which will be available in late fall 2010. These statues are only produced in limited edition runs of 3,000, which make them highly collectible and sought-after from fans.
A portion from the sales of the Dio statue will go to the Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, in honor of Ronnie James Dio. Pre-orders are available by visiting www.knucklebonz.com.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/diodonington.jpg
Keyboardist Timothy Drury has left the legendary rock band WHITESNAKE in order to "pursue a solo career."
"For over seven years now I have been fortunate enough to travel the world, to play and sing my heart out and to share the stage with David Coverdale as a part of WHITESNAKE," Drury said in a statement.
"I've learned so much from David Coverdale and this experience, about following one's heart, about being authentic, about never letting fear prevent one from pursuing one's destiny. More than ever, I see the value of what I can express as a composer and producer, photographer, songwriter, singer... as an artist. That is why I must now say my goodbyes to you all and take my leave to pursue some very important creative projects that have been brewing for some time now.
"I am currently preparing for my first photography show in the Winfield Gallery in Carmel where I will be performing my cinematic music at the opening and projecting my images and video on screens. The event will be happening as part of the Carmel Art and Film Festival, October 6th through the 10th."
WHITESNAKE singer David Coverdale said: "We are sad to lose such a valued member of the band, but, we understand, support and sincerely wish Timothy every success in his solo career & thank him for a great, fun journey together."
At this time WHITESNAKE is focusing on finishing the new studio album before seeking a replacement keyboard player.
WHITESNAKE recently announced the addition of bassist Michael Devin to the group's ranks.
Devin, 35, most recently played in LYNCH MOB alongside new WHITESNAKE drummer Brian Tichy (FOREIGNER, BILLY IDOL, OZZY OSBOURNE, VELVET REVOLVER).
WHITESNAKE's current lineup is rounded out by guitarists Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach, and keyboardist Timothy Drury.
WHITESNAKE is in the studio recording the follow-up to 2008's "Good To Be Bad" for a spring release via Frontiers Records. A worldwide tour in support of the CD will follow the album's release.
According to a press release, WHITESNAKE's next CD will be "a solid, natural progression from the band's last opus, which was awarded by the influential Classic Rock magazine as 'Best Album of the Year' in 2008." "As always, we want to take it to the next level," stated David Coverdale. "I feel that with the last album we achieved a strong WHITESNAKE 'cocktail' that comfortably embraced and mixed all the previous musical aspects and styles of the band's history, while taking our identity a little further... all on one album."
Coverdale said the production team for the new album will most likely be the infamous Brutal Brothers, or Los Bros Brutalos, who handled the recording of "Good To Be Bad".
"The new songs are in the very familiar and recognizable WHITESNAKE territory of soulful, bluesy, melodic power rock, with a couple of ballads thrown in for good measure," the singer said. "It can't be a WHITESNAKE album without ballads, mate!"
WHITESNAKE was forced to cancel a number of shows on its 2009 summer U.S. tour with JUDAS PRIEST due to David Coverdale being diagnosed with "severe vocal fold edema and a left vocal fold vascular lesion."
According to JonLord.org, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord has revisited his "Sarabande" suite from 1975 and plans to perform it live this fall. "Sarabande" is one of Jon Lord's most successful and most loved orchestral works.
"In Budapest on the 18th of this month, I am playing the 'Sarabande' suite for the first time ever live," Lord says. "That is, in its entirety, and in the same running order as the original recording.
"I have, of course, played 'Gigue' and 'Bourrée' many times and occasionally 'Pavane' and 'Sarabande', but this is the first time the suite has been done 'whole.'"
Recorded in Oer-Erckenschwick near Cologne, Germany in 1974 with the now-defunct Philharmonica Hungarica orchestra conducted by Eberhard Schoener, the full suite comprises:
* Fantasia
* Sarabande
* Aria
* Gigue
* Bourrée
* Pavane
* Caprice
* Finale
The original recording also featured Andy Summers on guitar (later with THE POLICE), Pete York on drums, Mark Nauseef on percussion (later drums with IAN GILLAN band and THIN LIZZY) and Paul Karass on bass.
"I have taken the opportunity to brush-up the 1975 orchestrations, and have therefore also orchestrated 'Aria' — which was played on piano and synthesizers on the recording, and 'Caprice' which was just the group," Lord adds. "The 'Finale', too, has had a make-over to allow the 'parade of themes' section, which was done with tape-loops on the recording, to be played live. Had a lot of fun doing it, too."
The complete "Sarabande" suite will be premiered in Budapest on September 18 and later performed also in Sofia on October 30 and in Essen on November 15.
"I will play it in the first half instead of Concerto for Group and Orchestra," says Lord. "I also have a couple of interesting surprises for the second half."
GUNS N' ROSES fans who attended the band's ill-fated September 1 concert in Dublin where the band walked off the stage just 22 minutes into its set — after keeping fans waiting for well over an hour for the group to begin playing — wil not receive a refund.
GUNS came on more than an hour after the opening act finished playing and leading members of the audience to boo and throw water bottles at the stage. More bottles arrived onstage after the group finally did start their show, leading singer Axl Rose to announce, "One more bottle and we're going home, we're here to have fun and we hope you are too, but one more and we are gone."
Three songs later, another object was hurled onstage. Rose said goodnight, the group stopped the show and left the stage at 10:50 p.m. By 11:10 p.m., the house lights had come on and most of the crowd had left, despite staff members saying that they were trying to get the group to return.
The crowd were told they were experiencing "technical difficulties" before Denis Desmond from the Irish concert promotion company MCD came on stage and asked the crowd for patience.
"We're trying hard to get Axl to come back on stage," he said, according to IrishTimes.com. "I'm trying hard to get Axl to come back on stage. I'd ask you please to refrain from throwing items at him. I promise a great show, but you have to calm. I'm sorry about that."
After a short interval, the lights came on and thousands of fans left the arena.
The band appeared back on stage at 11:20 p.m. to complete their set. Rose said to the crowd: "Let's try this again". He did not say another word to the crowd other than to thank them at the end of the show.
According to IrishTimes.com, the band played until 12:52 a.m., by which stage more fans had left.
A spokesperson for MCD has since issued a statement saying, "Despite his [Axl Rose] continued appeals, having tried to continue performing for 22 minutes, people continued throwing unknown substances leaving the artist with no choice but to leave the stage.
"While the artist has a long history for being late on stage, no artist should be subjected to missiles and unknown substances being thrown at them.
"Once people stopped throwing items, GUNS N' ROSES returned on stage and performed their full set list of songs, so the issue of refunds does not arise."
This latest drama followed last month's controversial GUNS N' ROSES gigs at England's Reading and Leeds festivals, where the band came onstage late despite warnings from the promoters, and had both sets cut short.
Rose posted a series of messages on Twitter claiming that the band was under the impression that their curfew was to be extended, although promoters had clearly said prior to the concerts that GUNS had to abide by local curfew regulations.
Michael Monroe, iconic rock and roll frontman and founding member of hugely influential Finnish outfit HANOI ROCKS, has entered a Los Angeles studio with legendary producer Jack Douglas (AEROSMITH, JOHN LENNON, CLUTCH, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, NEW YORK DOLLS) to begin recording Monroe's new solo album, tentatively due in early 2011 via Universal Music subsidiary Spinefarm Records.
Commented Monroe: "We're busy working away here in L.A. and it's going great! After five days of pre-production with Jack, we did our first day of actual recording [on Saturday, September 11]. What made it extra-special was that Lemmy [Kilmister of MOTÖRHEAD] came by to collaborate on a song, which he also sang on with me. A huge honor and great fun, too, of course. We had a real cool time and at the end of the evening he played us the new MOTÖRHEAD album, which sounded totally amazing, although it wasn't even the final mix.
"Lemmy is THE MAN! I can't wait for the U.K. tour in November with us opening up for MOTÖRHEAD!
"Yesterday [Sunday, September 12], our second day of recording, we've gotten down the basic tracks (bass, drums and guitars) for nine songs, out of the 15 we are recording. If we'll finish the basics for the remaining six songs tomorrow, we'll be nicely ahead of schedule.
"Everything's sounding brilliant already.
"Working with our producer Jack Douglas is absolutely fantastic!"
Michael Monroe's brand new live album, "Another Night In The Sun/Live In Helsinki", is set for release on September 27 via Spinefarm. Mixed in Los Angeles by Niko Bolas (whose credits include NEIL YOUNG, FRANK SINATRA, KEITH RICHARDS, KISS, SPINAL TAP and more) and mastered by Grammy winner Richard Dodd (the man behind TOM PETTY and DIXIE CHICKS), the CD — recorded on July 6 at the Tavastia Club in Helsinki, Finland — features key tracks from Monroe's solo career spiced up with selected HANOI classics, some well-chosen covers, plus two brand new, previously unreleased songs — "You're Next" and "Motorheaded For A Fall".
In the wake of the album's release, Monroe (plus regular band: THE WILDHEARTS mainman Ginger on guitar, ex-HANOI member Sammy Yaffa on bass, Steve Conte of NEW YORK DOLLS and COMPANY OF WOLVES fame on guitar, and Karl "Rockfist" Rosqvist on drums, a Swedish/Finnish drummer who has played with both CHELSEA SMILES and DANZIG) will head out on tour in Finland and Sweden before heading over to the U.K. to support MOTÖRHEAD on their 35th-anniversary tour in November.
The first SOUNDGARDEN release in 13 years, called "Telephantasm", arrives later this month, featuring an assortment of studio cuts, rare live tracks, alternate takes and one previously unheard song, "Black Rain". While many of the band's hardcore fans will be familiar with most or all of the material, guitarist Kim Thayil told The Pulse of Radio why the band thought putting the set out makes sense. "It's been 13 years, so it's like, hey, this retrospective ultimately is sort of a memory slap on the side of the head," he said. "It's like, here's what we've done. I think when we broke up, there might have been some five-year-olds and 10-year-olds who probably never saw us or didn't care, and maybe still don't. But we figured, well, let's just give a little bit of an education about what SOUNDGARDEN's about and where we've been, and start with that."
Thayil also told The Pulse of Radio that a long-rumored collection of B-sides and a compilation of live material could also surface at some point.
"Black Rain", which is already a Top 10 track at rock radio, was recorded during the sessions for 1991's "Badmotorfinger" album but never finished.
SOUNDGARDEN has partnered with gaming company Activision Publishing to release the single-disc, 12-song edition of "Telephantasm" inside one million copies of the new video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock".
"Telephantasm" will also be issued in three expanded editions, including a double-disc set containing 12 additional tracks — five of which have never been released — and SOUNDGARDEN's first DVD. The DVD will contain 20 music videos, 13 of which have never been released.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS/ex-VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland has set "Not Dead & Not For Sale" as the title of his long-awaited autobiography, tentatively due in March 2011 via the Simon & Schuster imprint Scribner. Weiland, 42, collaborated on the project with David Ritz, the "Sexual Healing" lyricist who has co-written autobiographies for the likes of Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and more recently Don Rickles. The book will reportedly include stories about Weiland's rise to rock stardom, his battles with drugs, and his life now that he's "sober."
In a November 2007 interview with Reuters, Weiland said that he was feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of chronicling his eventful life to date.
"It's a weird thing," he said. "You make a lot of records, write a lot of songs, but all of a sudden you go into a whole different vein, and it's a little bit scary to dive into."
On August 29, 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."
Legendary British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar alongside three new recruits, ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White, ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale and ex-ZODIAC MINDWARP drummer Dave "Grav" Cavill — will release their new album, "War Machine", on October 25 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions (December 7 in the U.S. through MVD). The production was handled by Pedro Ferreira (THE DARKNESS, THERAPY?, MEAT LOAF) and the bulk of the recording was done at Pedrock Studios in London. Drums were laid down by Tony Newton at Steve Harris' (IRON MAIDEN) Barnyard Studios.
Mick and Cliff are really excited about the release of "War Machine" and are looking forward to shifting TANK up a few gears, back to the forefront of British metal.
"The new lineup has allowed us to push the musical boundaries of what had become a very stale and outdated sound," the band says in a statement posted on the official TANK web site.
"Our loyal fans have been demanding new material for a very long time and we're confident that this new album will more than make up for all those years of being starved of our music.
"In order to carry on and move TANK forward we had to make a drastic lineup change which has now given birth to a new era of TANK which is better equipped with more than enough firepower to blast through anything that gets in our way.
"Some of you will not agree with this lineup change but all we ask is that you listen to the new songs, the classic Tucker/Evans Gibson Les Paul through Marshall stack combination, plus new band members that are legends in their own right and decide for yourself if you are friend or foe."
"War Machine" will be released in four different versions: as a jewel case CD, a limited-edition digipak CD including two bonus tracks and LP with one bonus track. The Japanese edition of the album will include two exclusive bonus tracks which won't be available elsewhere.
The track listing for the standard CD edition is as follows:
01. Judgement Day
02. Feast Of The Devil
03. Phoenix Rising
04. War Machine
05. Great Expectations
06. After All
07. The Last Laugh
08. World Without Pity
09. My Insanity
In his upcoming autobiography, "Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen", MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil slams Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager Sharon over the way she allegedly acted towards the CRÜE during the band's 1984 tour as the support act for Ozzy.
On page 151 of the autobiography, excerpts from which are available on the Hachette Book Group web site, Neil writes, "It just really sickens me today to watch everybody fawning all over Sharon Osbourne. She's a talent judge on TV and she has her own show and this and that. This is the most evil, shittiest woman I've ever met in my life. She would fucking have you killed if it was to her advantage. She's just... it's just... if people really knew."
According to Jessica Pressler of New York magazine, Neil appeared to have accepted or buried his resentment towards Sharon Osbourne while MÖTLEY CRÜE was on tour with Ozzy as part of this year's Ozzfest. Pressler writes in the magazine that Vince "ran into" Sharon in the parking lot of the Susquehanna in Camden, New Jersey at the August 22, 2010 stop of the Ozzfest tour. "Sharon," he said, embracing her, according to Pressler.
"Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen" is scheduled for release on September 23 via Grand Central Publishing.
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's new solo album, "Tattoos & Tequila", sold 7,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 57 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Tattoos & Tequila" was issued in Europe on June 4 via Frontiers Records and was made available in the U.S. on June 22 through Eleven Seven Music.
After the tragic passing of co-founding QUIET RIOT singer Kevin DuBrow in 2007, many figured that the band was over. But while going through the vaults of vintage video material for an upcoming documentary of the band's history, the spark was reignited once more for drummer Frankie Banali to kick QUIET RIOT back in gear. The easy part was filling the guitar and bass slots — as former members Chuck Wright (bass) and Alex Grossi (guitar) promptly signed on. However, having to fill DuBrow's large shoes was no small task.
A longtime fan of heavy metal, singer Mark Huff came to Banali's attention while fronting a California-based VAN HALEN tribute band (that focused on the "Sammy Hagar era"). A true Cinderella story, Huff auditioned via a cattle call audition, promptly blew Banali away, and got the gig. After getting the blessing from DuBrow's mother to carry on with QUIET RIOT (and to celebrate her son's music), the group was ready to rock once more.
QUIET RIOT hit mega-success with their first-ever U.S. release in 1983, the classic "Metal Health". Spawning two hit singles that have gone on to become synonymous with heavy metal — "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Metal Health" — the "Metal Health" album went on to become the first-ever metal U.S. debut to hit the No. 1 spot on the Billboard album chart, and resulted in a solid year of sold-out arena shows and non-stop MTV video airplay. However, it was the DuBrow-Banali-Wright-Grossi lineup that proved to be DuBrow's favorite touring line-up (and also, most stable).
QUIET RIOT is currently firming up plans for a full U.S. tour — their first in three years. And with the aforementioned documentary on the horizon, and the band's music being used in hit films ("The Wrestler", "Tropic Thunder"), video games ("Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks The '80s"), and even musicals ("Rock of Ages") — as well as QUIET RIOT being name-checked in songs by WEEZER and BEN FOLDS — QUIET RIOT remains a major force in heavy metal. And soon, you will get a chance to bang your head once more to QUIET RIOT, at a concert venue near you!
Check out a sample track featuring recorded versions of "Cum On Feel The Noize", "Metal Health" and "Slick Black Cadillac" with Mark Huff on vocals.
Keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has posted the following statement on his official blog regarding the departure of drummer Mike Portnoy, the band's co-founder and leader for 25 years:
"Closing this chapter is difficult because Mike and I are really close friends, have been great musical partners and he has been a vital part of DREAM THEATER. Still, opening up the next chapter is really exciting because DREAM THEATER is full of ideas and energy about the future.
"Mike is the ultimate rock drummer and I know he will be successful at whatever he does. Meanwhile, DREAM THEATER is moving forward quickly and looking forward to creating some great new music."
Rudess previously stated about Mike's decision to quit DREAM THEATER, "Everyone is asking me to comment on my thoughts about Mike Portnoy leaving DREAM THEATER and this huge change that has happened in all of our lives. I have always been able to express my feelings and do my best 'talking' through music, so I decided to voice my statement in this improvisation [see video below]. Hope you 'understand.'"
Portnoy, who is currently out with AVENGED SEVENFOLD as their touring drummer, said of his decision to quit DREAM THEATER, "Please believe me that it is not a hasty decision . . . it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so . . . After having had such amazing experiences playing with HAIL!, TRANSATLANTIC and AVENGED SEVENFOLD this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in DREAM THEATER."
Portnoy added, "I love the DREAM THEATER guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them — it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break."
The drummer said that DREAM THEATER's "endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years" was the main factor in his decision. He said he wanted a "break," not a "split," but that the band decided to move forward without him.
Portnoy added in a separate post on Facebook that his current gig with AVENGED SEVENFOLD had nothing to do with his departure from DREAM THEATER, writing, "They are just as shocked as you guys."
AVENGED recruited Portnoy to play on its new album, "Nightmare", following the death last December of the band's drummer, James "The Rev" Sullivan. Portnoy was Sullivan's favorite drummer.
DREAM THEATER said in its own statement, "All of us in DREAM THEATER wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."
Guitarist Henny Wolter has quit German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR because — in his words — "it just didn't feel like a band anymore." Wolter, who is also no longer a member of SINNER (led by PRIMAL FEAR bassist Mat Sinner), is focusing on his new band NITROGODS, also featuring ex-PRIMAL FEAR drummer Klaus Sperling and vocalist Oimel Larcher. The group's self-titled debut album is expected in early 2011.
KISSIN' DYNAMITE, ELVENKING and CIRCLE II CIRCLE will support PRIMAL FEAR on their upcoming European headlining tour, which is scheduled to kick off on September 18 in Warsaw, Poland.
PRIMAL FEAR recently released a new live DVD, "16.6 - All Over The World" (recorded in various locations between September and November 2009), and a live CD, aptly titled "Live In The USA". Frontiers Records issued the two products separately and as a limited-edition combo on June 22 in the USA. The DVD is filled with an abundance of extra materials, such as an entire bootleg section with funny moments on the road, bootleg footage from various festival appearances and other concerts, all of PRIMAL FEAR's most recent promotional videos, plus the making-of footage for "16.6" and a brand new interview section about the past, present and future of PRIMAL FEAR.
A special U.S.-exclusive show from Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION, a rare appearance from pre-NEVERMORE cult band SANCTUARY, and the first confirmed reunion show of Norwegian avant-garde metal originators ARCTURUS have been announced for the ProgPower USA XII festival, set to take place September 14-17, 2011 at Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
"ProgPower USA is definitely one of the better organized festivals we have attended and was a highlight on our first U.S. tour. We feel honored to have been invited again, and will prepare something special for the event, as this is the one and only chance for our US-fans to see us live in their country," comments THERION's Christofer Johnsson.
ARCTURUS vocalist ICS Vortex (real name Simen Hestnæs) adds, "ProgPower USA 2011 will host the first ARCTURUS concert in five years. This is our first performance in the United States, and since we're all retarded, probably the last."
ProgPower USA XII confirmed bands:
THERION (Sweden)
SANCTUARY (USA)
ARCTURUS (Norway)
DREAM EVIL (Sweden)
LABYRINTH (Italy)
MOB RULES (Germany)
ELDRITCH (Italy)
WHILE HEAVEN WEPT (USA)
RED CIRCUIT (Germany)
VOYAGER (Australia)
HAKEN (UK)
CREATION'S END (USA)
For more information, visit www.progpowerusa.com.
On Wednesday, September 8, singer Anette Olzon of Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH began laying down vocal tracks on a demo recording of the songs that will appear on the group's next studio album. The pre-production sessions for the new CD are taking place in "the deepest countryside of Finland," where most of the band spent several weeks finalizing the song arrangements and recording their instrumental parts. The actual recording process for NIGHTWISH's follow-up to 2007's "Dark Passion Play" is slated to begin on October 15 for a late 2011 release.
On July 30 at 4:28 p.m. Swedish time, Olzon gave birth to her second child (and first with her current boyfriend, bassist Johan Husgafvel of the Swedish metal band PAIN). He was 52 centimeters tall and he weighed in at 3930 grams. Olzon, 39, also has a nine-year-old son, Seth, with her now-ex-husband.
NIGHTWISH played a special homecoming show in September 2009 at the sold-out, 11,000-capacity Hartwall Arena in Helsinki to mark the end of the band's colossal "Dark Passion Play" two-year world tour.
NIGHTWISH is not expected to play any more concerts until the release of the band's next studio album.
SOILENT GREEN, PLACE OF SKULLS, ALCEST, IN SOLITUDE, BLOOD CEREMONY and GHOST have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Roadburn Festival, set to take place from Thursday, April 14 to Saturday, April 16 at the 013 venue and Midi Theatre in Tilburg, Holland. There will be an additional Afterburner event on Sunday, April 17, 2011.
Louisiana math-sludge merchants SOILENT GREEN's Roadburn performance will be part of the band's 2011 European tour, their first appearance on the continent in over 10 years!
PLACE OF SKULLS' founding member is none other than Victor Griffin, he of doom legends PENTAGRAM and DEATH ROW. In terms of emotive, dense, groovy riff-o-rama he's truly one of the great heavy vibe architects.
Musician and former peste noire guitarist Stéphane "Neige" Paut's solo project alcest gracefully walks a pastoral, innocent, melancholy and devastatingly beautiful line between shoegaze and atmospheric black metal in a way that nobody has previously managed to pull off.
Formed in 2002 in the city of Uppsala, IN SOLITUDE are regarded as one of the hottest heavy metal bands to emerge from Sweden during the past decade.
Devoted to celebrating all aspects of cinematic Eurotrash, Sixties saturnalia and occult miscellanea, BLOOD CEREMONY's band name was inspired by the 1972 Spanish horror flick "Ceremonia Sangrienta". This adaptation of the Elizabeth Bathory legend is heavy on atmosphere and dread, with stunning visuals and a bleak ending. BLOOD CEREMONY's doomy vibes conjure up the very same imagery, embodying heavy riffs, paranoia-inducing trills and '70s fills.
Delivering litanies of sexually pulsating and satanic rock glorifying and glamorizing the perverted and profane, Sweden's GHOST is a devil-worshipping ministry currently making black, oppressive waves in the underground.
In other news, VPRO 3voor12, which is the leading cultural media network in the Netherlands, has posted additional on-demand audio streams for your Roadburn 2010 listening pleasure. Performances by SARKE, featuring DARKTHRONE's Nocturno Culto, YOB, JARBOE and Victor Griffin's DEATH ROW, among others, are currently available on-demand for free.
For more information, visit www.roadburn.com.
Greg Maki of Live-Metal.net recently conducted an interview with KORN drummer Ray Luzier. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Live-Metal.net: Have you guys ever discussed situations of reuniting with old members? Let's say, one day David [Silveria, drums] did want to come back, or Head [Brian Welch, guitar].
Ray Luzier: It's weird 'cause my career, I got replaced by Alex Van Halen in a little band called VAN HALEN. Even with my eight years with David Lee Roth, I got let go, quote, four times because they were trying to write. And then the brothers would get in a fight with Dave, and they'd call me back — "We're on tour." Alright. And I would get severance checks in the mail, and I'm like, "Oh no, I'm fired." He's like, "No, you're not fired. Eddie and Al are back into the fold." I'm like, "Shit." And even with Robert and Dean DeLeo — I was in a band called ARMY OF ANYONE and I'm a huge STP fan. I had the fortunate experience of filling in for (STONE TEMPLE PILOTS drummer) Eric (Kretz) on a couple shows. Even with that entity, I knew that ARMY OF ANYONE was a side project to them and STP would eventually get back together. And they did. So with this band, the only thing that I've got going good for me is that I heard that David sold all his drums; he
doesn't play drums anymore. That's great for me. [laughs] But on the Head side of it, they are in communication with him. Time will tell if it's the right time. I think it's all timing. Right now, there's still a lot of stuff going on with it. Ultimately, that would be awesome for me some day to have the four up there and me.
Live-Metal.net: Is that why they've never added a permanent other guitarist?
Ray Luzier: I don't know, man, to be honest. That chair, from Clint Lowery to Rob Patterson to Shane (Gibson) now — he's phenomenal. They've had so many. That chair's been such an iffy thing.
Live-Metal.net: Shane's never pictured, and you were never in the press photos up until this album.
Ray Luzier: I was sworn in, yeah.
Live-Metal.net: Did they do anything when you became an official member?
Ray Luzier: Yeah, they took our blood, like KISS. [laughter] No, they just didn't want me going anywhere. They were like, "We really dig you in here. We understand that you're used to doing like nine bands at once." 'Cause I am. I told you, I was the drum slut of L.A. I literally would go play on someone's record, go teach a drum lesson and I'd go play a show at night. I was doing anything from disco wigs, playing weddings, to stadiums with Ozzy. So I did everything. They've never done that. Those guys, they know KORN and that's it. There was nothing crazy. They just said, "We don't want you going anywhere. We want to make a member and cut you in." That's all it took to make me OK.
Live-Metal.net: You've got some huge personalities in KORN — Jonathan [Davis], Fieldy and Munky. With their documented troubles and overwhelming success, what's the current state of the relationships between everybody in the band?
Ray Luzier: It's awesome. I don't know if I could've been in this band 10 years when everyone was messed up. There was a lot of partying going on. I can honestly say I've gone my whole career without doing one drug, and I'm quite proud of it. I just watch what it does to other people. When C.C. DeVille got canned from POISON, I was actually the drummer, they put me on salary and I was in his side band. The debauchery and the drugs — the stuff I saw, and I saw what it did to people's lives and careers. They're still really good people. The chemicals, the artificial crap they put into their bodies alters their entire lifestyle, it fucks up families, it messes up everything. It's kind of a bummer when you see it. People are like, "Come on, you did something." I'm like, "No." My wine, but I've got control over it. I don't need to have a drug. I'm living proof that you can be successful and not have to have that crap. To answer your question, now it's
great. Jonathan puts his kids to bed on Skype, and they call their wives. It's such a cool vibe. I hear stories about how they used to be and whoa. I don't know if I could've hung.
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN, the new band featuring former BRAND NEW SIN members Joe Altier and Brian "Slider" Azzoto, will release its debut album, "The Last Days Of Planet Earth", on September 17. The CD was recorded at Moletrax Studios in Syracuse and engineered and co-produced by Jeff Moleski and Azzoto. It was mastered at More Sound in Syracuse by Jocko. The cover art and layout was handled by Billy White Jr., who previously worked with Joe in BRAND NEW SIN, doing the layouts and artwork for both the "Tequila" and "Recipe For Disaster" albums.
The entire CD is now available for streaming on the group's ReverbNation site.
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN will play a CD-release show on September 17 at The Lost Horizon in Syracuse. Also scheduled to appear are GRAIN ELEVATOR, AMERIKAN PRIMITIVE, MANDATE OF HEAVEN and DRYLUNG WHISKEY BINGE.
ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN is:
Joe Altier - Vocals
Brian "Slider" Azzoto - Guitar, Backing Vocals
John Hanus - Guitar
Lewk Detor - Drums
Dave Hoyt - Bass
In an interview with D.T.D. Entertainment, Altier stated about ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN's musical direction, "I think its gonna be tough to NOT sound a little like BRAND NEW SIN considering it's my voice and Slider's riffs (which were a big part of the first BRAND NEW SIN CD)… but we wanted a more ROCK feel. In BRAND NEW SIN we always teetered on the fence of rock and metal. Slider and I really wanted to just be a true rock band. We had no idea what exactly it would sound like but as the year has rolled on we have found a 'sound,' I think. In my opinion, it is very classic-sounding. '70s rock and roll — very bluesy and just plain old no-frills rock and roll!"
LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — has issued the following update:
"We were scheduled to play on the upcoming North America tour with KAMELOT.
"We are really sad about everything that happened leading up to KAMELOT having to cancel their tour, and we wish Roy [Khan, KALEMOT singer who was taken ill] all the best.
"Yesterday we played the ProgPower USA festival in Atlanta for a awesome audience!
"Thanks to the fans and the organization for a great experience! We came a long way and we are here to play for the American fans.
"At this moment, the promoters are doing everything possible to keep this tour going on in North America for LEAVES' EYES, and some shows have been confirmed.
"If you already have a ticket for a KAMELOT / LEAVES' EYES / BLACKGUARD show, you can refund where you purchased it and you can get a new discounted ticket for the LEAVES' EYES / BLACKGUARD show!
"We hope to announce more news on this soon."
LEAVES' EYES / BLACKGUARD dates:
Sep. 11 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
Sep. 12 - Raleigh, NC @ Volume 11
Sep. 13 - Newport News, VA @ Budda's Place
"Take The Devil In Me", the new video from LEAVES' EYES, can be viewed below. The song comes off the group's latest album, "Njord", which was re-released in May as a "special fan edition," containing three previously unreleased tracks — "At Heaven's End", "Angus and the Swan" and an acoustic version of "Irish Rain". The set also features an appearance by Liv's sister, Carmen Elise Espenaes from MIDNATTSOL, as a guest vocalist on "Irish Rain". The special fan edition comes with a noble matt and glossy foil printed slipcase, which is strictly limited.
The "special fan edition" of "Njord" consists of the "Njord" digipack, including two bonus tracks, as well as the brand new bonus CD "At Heaven's End", which contains seven non-album tracks, and the "My Destiny" video.
"Njord - Special Fan Edition" contents:
"Njord" (limited-edition digipak)
01. Njord
02. My Destiny
03. Emerald Island
04. Take the Devil in Me
05. Scarborough Fair
06. Through Our Veins
07. Irish Rain
08. Northbound
09. Ragnarok
10. Morgenland
11. The Holy Bond
12. Frøya's Theme
13. Landscape of the Dead (bonus track)
14. Les Champs de Lavande (bonus track)
"At Heaven's End" (bonus CD)
01. At Heaven's End (non-album track)
02. Angus and the Swan (non-album track)
03. Irish Rain (acoustic version - non-album track)
04. The Battle of Maldon (non-album track)
05. Scarborough Fair (acoustic version - non-album track)
06. Nine Wave Maidens (non-album track)
07. My Destiny (remix - non-album track)
08. My Destiny (video)
LEAVES' EYES recently entered Mastersound Studio in Germany to begin recording its new album for a tentative late 2010/early 2011 release.
Metalodic has announced the signing of Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based power metallers INSTANZIA. The band's debut album, "Ghosts", will be released on November 22.
Recorded between 2008 and 2010, "Ghosts" was produced by Alexis Woodbury and Francis Gagné, and was mastered by Peter In de Betou (DRAGONLAND, STEEL ATTACK, FIREWIND, MESHUGGAH). The CD artwork was created by Jean-Pascal Fournier (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, DRAGONFORCE). According to a press release, the album "contains mostly fast stuff with melodic riffs and themes, orchestrations and big catchy choruses that sure will please fans of bands like EDGUY, POWER QUEST, SECRET SPHERE and more! They've had the participation of HIBRIA's guitarist Diego Kasper who contributed a solo on the last piece of the album, three guest singers singing choirs on every chorus and Mathieu Fiset who helped with keyboard arrangements and also contributed two solos."
"Ghosts" track listing:
01. Omen
02. Ghosts of the Past
03. Power of the Mind
04. Charmin Deceiver
05. Heavenly Hell
06. A Genius Who Believes
07. The Key
08. The Desert Fox
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/instanzia.
For diehard fans of traditional heavy metal, German outfit ATLANTEAN KODEX's upcoming album, "The Golden Bough", is one of the most anticipated releases of 2010. Due in October via the Italian metal label Cruz Del Sur Music, the powerful CD boasts nine tracks of pure heavy metal packed with raging solos, plenty of melody but with a serious underlying heaviness, all fueled by soaring, triumphant vocals.
Since its inception in 2006, this tight German band has built a strong and devoted fanbase over a series of limited edition releases, as well as participation in some of the most important European metal festivals, including Keep It True, Hammer of Doom, Up the Hammers and more.
Taking its next leap forward on "The Golden Bough", the magic of ATLANTEAN KODEX's heavy metal is more bold and apparent than ever, before, already being praised by Germany's Rock Hard magazine as "maybe one of the best metal albums from Germany ever." With references to early MANOWAR, "Hammerheart"-era BATHORY and SOLSTICE, "The Golden Bough" should not leave any fan of epic heavy metal unmoved.
"The Golden Bough" track listing:
01. Fountain of Nepenthe
02. Pilgrim
03. The White Goddess
04. Temple of Katholic Magick
05. Disciples of the Iron Crown
06. Vesperal Hymn
07. The Atlantean Kodex
08. A Prophet in the Forest
09. The Golden Bough
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/atlanteankodex.
According to EADT.co.uk, vocalist Dani "Filth" Davey of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH has been named one of the top 10 icons of the U.K.'s Suffolk county.
When Suffolk residents were asked to identify their icons of the county, nearly 200 visitors to the Suffolk Icons web site voted for Davey.
The site was launched by Choose Suffolk, a partnership aimed at putting the county "on the map," and tourism manager Alex Paul told EADT.co.uk that the submission of Dani as an "icon" showed that there was more to Suffolk than just the traditional beauty spots.
"The web site has produced a great range of images and features of Suffolk," he said. "It's a creative tool. We didn't know what to expect because nothing like this has ever been done before.
"What's great is it's not just the obvious ones, there are unusual ones that are just as valid.
"There's no right or wrong here, although we are going to pull a few out.
"It's about everyone's voices being heard. It's not about going for the obvious and people feel that Dani Filth is an icon and is as important to people as a pint of Adnams."
TRIPTYKON, the group formed by former HELLHAMMER/CELTIC FROST singer, guitarist, and main songwriter Tom Gabriel Warrior, will support norwegian symphonic black metallers DIMMU BORGIR on the following dates:
Sep. 27 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
Sep. 28 - Zagreb, Croatia - Boogaloo Club
Sep. 30 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - Den Atelier
TRIPTYKON will follow its highly acclaimed debut album, "Eparistera Daimones", with the release of "Shatter", an all-new five-track EP, on October 25 (Europe) and October 26 (North America).
At a playing time of approximately 28 minutes, "Shatter" will consist almost entirely of previously unreleased music.
The EP's track listing is as follows:
01. Shatter
02. I Am The Twilight
03. Crucifixus
(Recorded during the "Eparistera Daimones" album sessions in 2009. "Crucifixus" appears in a newly mixed and mastered version.)
04. Circle Of The Tyrants (live)
05. Dethroned Emperor (live)
(Cover versions of CELTIC FROST songs, recorded live during TRIPTYKON's headliner performance at the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, The Netherlands, on April 16, 2010. "Dethroned Emperor" features guest lead vocals by Nocturno Culto of DARKTHRONE/SARKE.)
TRIPTYKON's "Shatter" EP will be available through Century Media Records (under license from Prowling Death Records Ltd.) as CD, digital download, and 12" vinyl (at 33? rpm). The EP will further contain the lyrics to all songs as well as detailed liner notes and credits.
TRIPTYKON will tour North America with 1349 and YAKUZA in October.
"Eparistera Daimones", the debut album by TRIPTYKON, registered the following first-week chart positions in Europe:
Germany: #81
Switzerland: #73
Finland: #28
"Eparistera Daimones" sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 27 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.
"Eparistera Daimones" was released as a deluxe mediabook CD edition (including a 28-page booklet and extensive liner notes) as well as a gatefold double LP via Century Media Records under exclusive license from Prowling Death Records Ltd..
TRIPTYKON consists of V. Santura (guitar, vocals), Norman Lonhard (drums, percussion), Vanja Slajh (bass), and Tom Gabriel Warrior (voice, guitars). The group has unambiguously stated that it pursues the continuation and further development of the path Warrior began in HELLHAMMER and CELTIC FROST.
For further information, visit www.triptykon.net.
Finnish gothic metallers UNSHINE have issued the following update:
"After two albums with Low Frequency Records, we have decided to go separate ways. There are no hard feelings between the band and the company. At the moment, we're recording our third album and we are looking for new options."
Interested parties can contact UNSHINE by sending an e-mail to band(at)unshine.com.
UNSHINE's "My King" video can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Toni Salminen. The song comes off the band's second album, entitled "The Enigma Of Immortals", which was released in April 2008 via Low Frequency Records.
UNSHINE is:
Susanna Vesilahti (vocals)
Harri Hautala (guitar, synth)
Jari Hautala (guitar)
Jukka "Stibe" Hantula (drums)
Teemu "Teemal" Vähäkangas (bass)
For more information, visit www.unshine.com.
Philadelphia thrashers RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have officially changed their name to THE DEVIL.
The band will make its live debut at a free show on October 28 at Kung Fu Necktie in Philadelphia.
Two new songs from THE DEVIL — "Run Through The Bastards" and "Ghostmaker" — are available for streaming at this location.
More information on THE DEVIL will be posted at www.myspace.com/thedevilband.
RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER's latest album, "Living For Death, Destroying The Rest", was released in January 2009 via Relapse Records.
Norwegian extreme metallers SWORN have issued the following update:
"Regarding our third album, we're making a lot of progress. The songwriting is pretty much finished, same goes for lyrics. Also the album title is set, but we will not reveal it at this point — so stay tuned for that!
"Some words about the material so far: Earlier there's been a mix between very melodic/atmospheric tracks and straight forward almost thrash-like tracks on our albums. We do this because we have a passion for both styles, and love to incorporate them into the SWORN sound.
"What we've done on this third album is to make each song represent our sound alot more, with both melodic and hard-hitting parts, while still being unique in themselves. This defines us a lot more, and the pre-productions so far sound killer, to say the least."
Working songtitles set to appear on the next SWORN CD:
* The Silver Asylum
* Corridors of Dark Salvation
* The Keeper
* Mot Stupet (Norwegian lyrics)
SWORN's sophomore album, "Bastards And Conquerors", was released on October 30, 2009 via Twilight-Vertrieb.
According to a press release, "Bastards And Conquerors" sees SWORN bringing "the expression 'melodic extreme metal' to a level beyond your imagination. Nine tracks of melancholic metal, mixed with powerful rhythms and aggressive instrumental abuse. All enclosed with that haunting atmosphere you can expect from SWORN. . . [It was] mastered at Cutting Room (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, WITHIN TEMPTATION) and mixed by Bjørnar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR), who also has a guest appearance on the album."
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/swornband.
TERROR SYNDROME, the Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada-based band featuring THE DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND members Ryan Van Poederooyen (drums), Dave Young (guitar) and Mike Young (bass), along with ANNIHILATOR frontman Dave Padden, has written two new songs for the group's forthcoming second album.
Commented Ryan Van Poederooyen, "I was practising and learning drums for the new THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT album and took a break from learning songs and finally decided to write two new TERROR SYNDROME songs for the next album.
"Dave Padden is a busy man with touring, Dave Young and I are busy as well with touring and recording with THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT.
"When will the new TERROR SYNDROME album will be recorded and released? I don't know, when time allows BUT it will happen.
"Our debut [self-titled] album has been released world-wide through iTunes and other online distributors for a while now and thanks to all of you who support the band and have purchased the album online. We've played a few rare shows, when time allowed.
"Trying to tour TERROR SYNDROME is very difficult with our commitments to THE DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT and ANNIHILATOR.
"This project was self-funded by yours truly from the beginning. We did look at label offers and such but nothing made sense. TERROR SYNDROME was either going all out with the right support from a label or it was going to be released as a side project for the listening pleasure of our fans. We did not want to settle with a deal that wouldn't get us in the right situation for touring and promoting the band.
"With the second record, things will be just as intense, brutal and catchy as the first album. You will also get to hear Dave Padden's influence on the band. It won't disappoint, trust me. As for live.... there WILL be more shows and touring could be a possibility if time and the right situation should arise. We WILL be back on stage. Mark my words!"
TERROR SYNDROME made its live debut on October 28, 2008 at the Tom Lee Music Hall in Vancouver as part of the Vancouver International Drum Festival presented by Tom Lee Music. A one-and-a-half-minute clip of the band's performance can be viewed below.
"Terror Syndrome" was mixed by Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and was mastered by Greg Reely (DEVILDRIVER, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, MISERY SIGNALS, FEAR FACTORY).
Guest musicians on TERROR SYNDROME's debut CD include Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT), Trevor Dunn (MR. BUNGLE, FANTOMAS), Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, DEVIN TOWNSEND BAND), Byron Stroud (FEAR FACTORY, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Christofer Malmström (DARKANE).
Metal Mark of SkullsNBones.com recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Erik Rutan of Florida-based death metallers HATE ETERNAL when the band played at the Masquerade in Atlanta, Georgia on August 24, 2010. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
SkullsNBones.com: The first date of the tour was here in Atlanta. What did you think of the show?
Rutan: It was alright for a first show. It was really hard to hear, and it was a Tuesday-night show, but overall I thought it was good. We played well, and the tour has a really good package with all the bands. I like playing with CANNABIS CORPSE and ORDER OF ENNEAD because they are great bands and really good guys.
SkullsNBones.com: With this being the last tour of 2010 for HATE ETERNAL, what is the plan for the rest of the year?
Rutan: We are going into pre-production for a month when we get home. We already got twelve or thirteen songs written, so we are going to finish those up and start recording the new album in October. That's the plan for now, and then we should be back in the spring to start up touring again.
SkullsNBones.com: With every album that HATE ETERNAL has released, it seems that you always create a new level of heaviness. What is the new stuff sounding like?
Rutan: Man, this record is really expanding the boundaries. The fast, complex stuff is super-fast and super-complex, and then some of the heavy stuff is unbelievably heavy. I guess I would just say it's expanding the horizon from what we've previously done, but still keeping the intensity that we have always had, ya know?! We are just trying to do different things without changing the mold. We are always going to be a brutal, extreme death metal band. That's never going to change. A lot of the focus of this record is on really heavy, evil dissonant stuff like we've done in the past, but with a different vibe. It still has the same HATE ETERNAL feel, for sure, so I'm excited for people to hear it.
SkullsNBones.com: When it comes to you personally, with all your production work and the band, do you ever have time off?
Rutan: No, that's my problem. I need to hire some more people at the studio to get some time off. It'd be nice to have more time to relax, but in all seriousness, I love what I do. I live near the beach, ya know, so I see the beach to and from work, so I guess that's my vacation time. I love playing and I love producing, so I'm happy right where I am. It's really hard to say no to someone in the studio, because I'm recording such great bands all the time. All of the bands I've worked with I greatly respect and admire, and I love getting the chance to jam with them when we get the opportunity. But yeah, I can't really complain about not having much time off, because I really do love my job.
SkullsNBones.com: MORBID ANGEL was recently down at your studio. How is their material coming together?
Rutan: It's awesome, man. They are working on some really great stuff, and it all sounds like MORBID ANGEL. That album is going to be really sick when it's completed.
SkullsNBones.com: You've had tons of great metal bands in and out of your studio, but do you have a favorite to work with?
Rutan: That's a tough question, man. I wouldn't say favorite necessarily, because I've enjoyed every band that has come to the studio. Some of the bands I've been working with for years, like CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOATWHORE, and SOILENT GREEN, and they are great friends of mine now. I'm getting set up to do my third records with some of them, so I'm really excited to hang with those guys again. We recently worked with MADBALL and that was awesome. They are great guys, and a remarkable band, so that was a ton of fun. I've worked with some great bands ya know, so it'd be hard to name a favorite.
Dutch death metallers ROTTEN — who feature in their ranks members of RADICAL NERVE DISTORTION, REBORN and HACKSAW — have postponed the release of their debut album, "Quality Killings". The CD was originally due in the summer of 2010, but will now be made available in the winter.
According to ROTTEN, the reason for the delay is that the band has entered the studio again. ROTTEN decided to record four new songs and add them to the forthcoming album. "We weren't happy with the result of some older songs, so we've cancelled them," stated bassist Tommy. Vocalist Robbert added, "The new songs represent the new ROTTEN in a better way and we wanted them on 'Quality Killings'."
"Quality Killings" will feature 11 or 12 songs. The final track listing will be revealed soon.
ROTTEN recently recorded a cover version of GAMMA RAY's "Leaving Hell" for an upcoming tribute album to HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY. The CD, entitled "HelloRay - A Tribute To Helloween & Gamma Ray", will be made available via Epicus Records.
ROTTEN can be heard on the "One Foot in Fire (Tribute to Cirith Ungol)" and "The Riddle Masters (Tribute to Manilla Road)" compilations, both on Solemnity Records, as well on "Blown to Pieces 4" (FearSome Records).
For more information, visit ROTTEN's MySpace page.
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