"Band of Joy", the new album from Robert Plant and BAND OF JOY — a new version of his pre-LED ZEPPELIN group which also featured the late John Bonham — is likely to sell between 40,000 and 45,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on September 14.
Plant's first release since recording the six-time Grammy-winning bluegrass album "Raising Sand" with collaborator Alison Krauss in 2007, the "Band of Joy" CD enlists the help of an array of U.S. musicians, all of whom are performing with Plant on tour.
Plant previewed the album at a low-key gig in New York earlier in the summer, and amongst the 12 tracks are covers of a rare TOWNES VAN ZANDT track "Harm's Swift Way", as well as two tracks — "Silver Rider" and "Monkey" — from indie band LOW, both from their 2005 album "The Great Destroyer".
Plant says on his web site of "Band of Joy" that "It's been a blast working on these new songs ... and I'm enjoying such creativity and vitality. It's been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove."
The new lineup of BAND OF JOY includes: Patty Griffin on vocals; Darrell Scott on multiple instruments and vocals; Byron House on bass and vocals; Marco Giovino on drums, percussion and vocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller on guitar and vocals.
"Band of Joy" track listing:
01. Angel Dance
02. House Of Cards
03. Central Two-O-Nine
04. Silver Rider
05. You Can't Buy My Love
06. Falling In Love Again
07. The Only Sound That Matters
08. Monkey
09. Cindy, I'll Marry You Someday
10. Harm's Swift Way
11. Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down
12. Even This Shall Pass Away
Ozzy Osbourne has been forced to postpone tonight's (Thursday, September 16) concert at Oberhausen, Germany's König-Pilsener-Arena after he was diagnosed with a pulled muscle in the back. His doctors have prescribed a period of rest lasting 3-4 days in order for him to undergo ultrasound treatment.
Osbourne regrets any inconvenience that he has caused his fans and thanks them for their support.
"To my German fans — I am very sorry that I have had to postpone this week's concert in Oberhausen," says Ozzy. "But I promise that I will make up to you when I come back with a great show."
Additional details regarding a rescheduled Oberhausen date will be made available shortly.
Ozzy Osbourne will return to North America for a month-long arena tour launching November 12 in Victoria, B.C. and concluding December 12 in Minneapolis. These shows — in support of his album "Scream" (Epic Records) and latest single, "Life Won't Wait" — are part the of the rock legend's in-progress 18-month world tour on which he's earning some of the best live reviews of his career (including raves for new guitarist, Gus G.). HALFORD, featuring legendary JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford, will perform on all dates. The first leg of arena dates will mark Ozzy's first headlining North American tour since 2007's trek for his "Black Rain" album. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour go on sale beginning Friday, September 17.
Ozzy is now on a run of acclaimed festival appearances and headlining overseas performances, including two Ozzfest dates: London at O2 Arena September 18 and Tel Aviv, Israel at Heyarkon Park September 28. This overseas trek includes stops in Russia, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, Romania and Turkey, before wrapping October 4 in Hungary. Ozzy then heads to Japan (October 13, 16 and 17) before returning to the U.S. to headline the Voodoo Experience festival Halloween weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The fall dates will coincide with the October 5 release of an expanded two-CD version of the "Scream" album. This "Tour Edition" package will feature seven bonus songs: a mix of previously unreleased tracks and live recordings. Epic will also issue a four-sided vinyl edition that includes five bonus tracks: the three aforementioned songs from the "Scream" sessions and the live version of "Let Me Hear You Scream", along with the single version of "Life Won't Wait".
OZZY OSBOURNE drummer Tommy Clufetos has commented on the cancelation of tonight's (Thursday, September 16) concert at Oberhausen, Germany's König-Pilsener-Arena after Ozzy was diagnosed with a pulled muscle in the back. As previously reported, Ozzy's doctors have prescribed a period of rest lasting 3-4 days in order for him to undergo ultrasound treatment.
Clufetos tells MusicRadar.com: "I haven't spoken to him [Ozzy] yet, but I know he's had some back trouble and I think the doctors have advised him to take a break. He's had back trouble for the last two or three weeks where he's in agonizing pain. I see it because when he turns around to me I see he's in pain but the second he turns back out to the audience he's Mr. Showman.
"He really cares about the audience. The only reason the show would be canceled is that he can physically not make it. He's a trooper."
Ozzy Osbourne will return to North America for a month-long arena tour launching November 12 in Victoria, B.C. and concluding December 12 in Minneapolis. These shows — in support of his album "Scream" (Epic Records) and latest single, "Life Won't Wait" — are part the of the rock legend's in-progress 18-month world tour on which he's earning some of the best live reviews of his career (including raves for new guitarist, Gus G.). HALFORD, featuring legendary JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford, will perform on all dates. The first leg of arena dates will mark Ozzy's first headlining North American tour since 2007's trek for his "Black Rain" album. Tickets for the Live Nation-produced tour go on sale beginning Friday, September 17.
Ozzy is now on a run of acclaimed festival appearances and headlining overseas performances, including two Ozzfest dates: London at O2 Arena September 18 and Tel Aviv, Israel at Heyarkon Park September 28. This overseas trek includes stops in Russia, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Finland, Norway, Germany, Romania and Turkey, before wrapping October 4 in Hungary. Ozzy then heads to Japan (October 13, 16 and 17) before returning to the U.S. to headline the Voodoo Experience festival Halloween weekend in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager Sharon has responded to MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil's comments about her in his upcoming autobiography, "Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen", in which he slams 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."
In an exclusive statement sent to PerezHilton.com, Sharon Osbourne responded to Neil by saying, "I was saddened to hear about the quote from Vince Neil's forthcoming book in which he calls me 'the most evil and shittiest woman I've ever met in my life' for trying to stop my husband from hanging around with him when MÖTLEY CRÜE opened for Ozzy on his '84 U.S. arena tour.
"Guilty!
"Vince, of course I tried to keep my husband away from you at all costs as I truly felt that you were a danger to Ozzy, yourself and everyone around you. I didn't want him to end up like Razzle from HANOI ROCKS who died in a car accident because you were driving drunk, or like the two innocent people who ended up with severe brain damage and whose lives were ruined as a result of your actions.
"Today I see you as a pathetic 50-year-old party boy who continues to put innocent people's lives at risk by getting behind the wheel of your car and driving drunk and being arrested for assaulting women.
"Enough said."
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.
Ozzy Osbourne's wife/manager Sharon told Maxine Shen of the New York Post that she was "absolutely heartbroken" after learning that the MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil called her the "most evil, shittiest woman I've ever met in my life" in his upcoming book — especially since the CRÜE completed a short run of dates with Ozzy late last month as part of this year's Ozzfest tour.
"I am very, very saddened by it," Osbourne said. "My husband called him and said, 'What's the problem?' and [Neil] kind of back-tracked.
"[It's] a case of 'I need names in this book. I need to shock,' " she added. "It is sad when people do that. They want to sell you out.
"I think he is probably very jealous of Ozzy, but he dare not pick on him because the fans will turn on him, so he goes after me."
Vince's gripe with Sharon dates back to CRÜE's 1984 support slot on Ozzy's 'Bark at the Moon' tour when Ozzy's wife allegedly imposed a number of backstage restrictions which — Neil believes — killed everyone's buzz.
"We couldn't do this and we couldn't do that," Neil writes in his book. "There was a whole set of rules we had to follow."
Regarding Neil's claim that Sharon "would fucking have you killed if it was to her advantage," Osbourne said, "He's the murderer, not me [referring to Neil's infamous 1984 DUI accident, which resulted in the death of Finnish glam band HANOI ROCKS' drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley, and a vehicular manslaughter charge. In 1986, a judge sentenced Neil to 30 days in jail, five years probation, 200 hours of community service and $2.6 million in restitution to the crash victims.] He has murdered somebody in a car. He crippled two other people and he is still driving drunk. And that is why I used to keep my husband away from him. And if that makes me a bad person, then I am a bad person."
Sharon told the New York Post that, with the exception of running into Neil backstage at Ozzfest this past summer, she hasn't had a conversation with or seen the MÖTLEY CRÜE singer since 1984.
SAXON, ONE DAY AS A LION (the project featuring Zack De La Rocha [vocalist for RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE] and Jon Theodore [former drummer of THE MARS VOLTA]), BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, MURDERDOLLS, BRING ME THE HORIZON and DIMMU BORGIR are among the newly confirmed bands for the 2011 edition of Australia's Soundwave festival, set to take place in late February/early March.
Newly added acts:
BRING ME THE HORIZON
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
COHEED & CAMBRIA
DIMMU BORGIR
FEEDER
FUCKED UP
H2O
MILLENCOLIN
MURDERDOLLS
ONE DAY AS A LION
SAXON
SILVERSTEIN
THE AMITY AFFLICTION
THE ROCKET SUMMER
WE THE KINGS
The dates are as follows:
Feb. 26 - Brisbane, Showgrounds
Feb. 27 - Sydney, Eastern Creek Raceway
Mar. 04 - Melbourne, Showgrounds
Mar. 05 - Adelaide, Bonython Park
Mar. 07 - Perth, Steel Blue Oval
The official Soundwave 2011 lineup:
30 SECONDS TO MARS
36 CRAZYFISTS
A SKYLIT DRIVE
ALESANA
ALL THAT REMAINS
ANBERLIN
ASKING ALEXANDRIA
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
BAYSIDE
BREATHE CAROLINA
BRING ME THE HORIZON
BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE
DEVILDRIVER
DOMMIN
EVERY AVENUE
FEEDER
FOXY SHAZAM
FUCKED UP
GANG OF FOUR
H2O
HIGH ON FIRE
I SEE STARS
ILL NINO
IRON MAIDEN
KYLESA
LESS THAN JAKE
MAD CADDIES
MAYDAY PARADE
MELVINS
MILLENCOLIN
MONSTER MAGNET
MURDERDOLLS
MXPX
NEVER SHOUT NEVER
NEW FOUND GLORY
NONPOINT
ONE DAY AS A LION
PENNYWISE
PRIMUS
PROTEST THE HERO
QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
RISE TO REMAIN
ROB ZOMBIE
SAXON
SEVENDUST
SILVERSTEIN
SLASH
SLAYER
SOCIAL DISTORTION
STONE SOUR
SUM 41
TAKING DAWN
TERROR
THE AMITY AFFLICTION
THE ATARIS
THE BLACKOUT
THE BRONX
THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM
THE MAINE
THE ROCKET SUMMER
THE STARTING LINE
THE SWORD
THERE FOR TOMORROW
THIRD EYE BLIND
TRASH TALK
VEARA
WE THE KINGS
HOLY RAGE, the U.K.-based band led by original JUDAS PRIEST frontman Al Atkins, will release its self-titled debut album on October 25 via Z Records.
A track from the CD, "Kingdom Of Hell", is available for streaming on the Z Records MySpace page.
HOLY RAGE recently announced the addition of guitarist Vince O'Regan (ex-BOB CATLEY, EDEN) and bassist/vocalist Steve Mercy (ex-ABIGAIL'S MERCY) to the group's ranks.
Commented Chris Johnson: "At the begining of the year, Al began writing some new songs with the help and ideas of two other writers for the HOLY RAGE debut album and shocked us all by announcing that he wanted both of them to play a part in the band, too.
"After listening to the new songs that they had written (which, by the way, are awesome), and rehearsing together for the first time, it really did sound like a killer idea and only not are we sounding even heavier, but also it seems like we have played together forever.
"We would also want to wish Scott Dallow all the best for the future and wish to thank him for all his input and contribution while playing for us and by telling everyone that there is no ill feeling with him leaving the band and we will all be having a beer or two again with him very soon."
HOLY RAGE's current lineup:
* Al Atkins (vocals)
* Chris Johnson (guitar)
* Mick Hales (drums)
* Vince O'Regan (ex-BOB CATLEY, EDEN) (guitar)
* Steve Mercy (ex-ABIGAIL'S MERCY) (bass, vocals)
Atkins is the co-writer of several PRIEST songs which are included on the band's first two albums "Rocka Rolla" and "Sad Wings of Destiny", both of which eventually went gold. Atkins co-penned the heavy metal classic "Victim of Changes", which was a combination of Rob Halford's song "Red Light Lady" and Atkins' own "Whiskey Woman". He also co-wrote "Winter", "Never Satisfied", "Dreamer Deceiver" and "Caviar and Meths".
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Eventful Inc., the leading digital service connecting consumers with entertainment and local events, and Billboard, the world's premier music brand, today announced the launch of the third annual Eventful Fans' Choice Award, which will allow music fans across the country to vote for the artist they think should win the 2010 Billboard award for Best Concert Tour of the Year.
The twenty-five artists up for the award include AC/DC, ALICIA KEYS, BON JOVI, BLACK EYED PEAS, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, THE EAGLES, IRON MAIDEN, JAY-Z, JOHN MAYER, LADY GAGA, MICHAEL BUBLE, NICKELBACK, TIM MCGRAW, and TAYLOR SWIFT. Fans can access the complete list of nominees and help their favorite artist win when they "Demand it!" via Eventful's unique social media platform by logging on to eventful.com/fanschoice. They can also spread the word virally across Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace by inviting their friends to Demand their favorites.
The artist who receives the most demands through Eventful's service will be announced as the winner at the seventh annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awards, presented by ShowClix and in association with Music Networx, taking place at the Sheraton in New York City on November 3-4, 2010.
This distinct award, purely based on fan votes, will be presented at the close of the conference along with the rest of the Billboard Touring Awards, which honor the concert industry's top artists and professionals based on actual data compiled through the Billboard Boxscore chart. The conference also includes panel sessions, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities for touring industry power players and decision makers.
"There have been some incredible touring successes in 2010, and fans have shown that they still love to watch their favorite artists perform live," said Ray Waddell, Billboard's Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment. "With their strong connection with the concert-going public, Eventful is uniquely qualified to gauge fan demand and determine the winner of the 2010 Fans' Choice Award."
"We're excited to work with Billboard to honor the leading touring acts of 2010," said Eventful CEO Jordan Glazier. "We love helping fans discover and enjoy live music and by working with Billboard we're able to let the fans voice their opinion regarding which artist put on the best tour of the year."
Eventful and Billboard are providing a glimpse into how technology can create a better and more compelling experience for the new digital generation of concert-goers. This comes at a time when artists and promoters are utilizing new platforms that have the ability to develop closer relationships with consumers and greatly enhance the overall end-to-end experience surrounding live music. Eventful's "Demand it!" service helps facilitate this connection by regularly empowering fans to influence the content and location of all types of events and entertainment including concerts, movie releases, and broadcast radio and television content. Over 100,000 performers use "Demand it!" to engage with millions of their fans to find out where they are in Demand, and then utilize this essential data to optimize future tour routing and make informed decisions about where to appear.
The complete packaging design of The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria DVD and Blu-ray featuring METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX has been revealed.
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In addition to the two-DVD set and the corresponding Blu-ray, there will be a limited-edition "super deluxe" box set including the DVD set, five CDs with ALL the music, a 24-page booklet, a poster, photos of each band, and a Big Four guitar pick.
The deluxe set can be pre-ordered in the official Metallica Store and the Universal Store UK, all orders from the official Metallica store will include a limited edition RED Big 4 guitar pick with one of four different print colors (white, black, silver or gold - see below), not available in stores!
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The tracklistings:
Metallica
'Creeping Death'
'For Whom The Bell Tolls'
'Fuel'
'Harvester Of Sorrow'
'Fade To Black'
'That Was Just Your Life'
'Cyanide'
'Sad But True'
'Welcome Home (Sanitarium)'
'All Nightmare Long'
'One'
'Master Of Puppets'
'Blackened'
'Nothing Else Matters'
'Enter Sandman'
Encore:
'Am I Evil?' (with the Big Four)
'Hit The Lights'
'Seek and Destroy'
Slayer
'World Painted Blood'
'Jihad'
'War Ensemble'
'Hate Worldwide'
'Seasons In The Abyss'
'Angel of Death'
'Beauty Through Order'
'Disciple'
'Mandatory Suicide'
'Chemical Warfare'
'South of Heaven'
'Raining Blood'
Megadeth
'Holy Wars... The Punishment Due'
'Hangar 18'
'Wake Up Dead'
'Head Crusher'
'In My Darkest Hour'
'Skin O' My Teeth'
'A Tout Le Monde'
'Hook In Mouth'
'Trust'
'Sweating Bullets'
'Symphony Of Destruction'
'Peace Sells'/'Holy Wars Reprise'
Anthrax
'Caught In A Mosh'
'Got the Time'
'Madhouse'
'Be All, End All'
'Antisocial'
'Indians'/'Heaven And Hell'
'Medusa'
'Only'
'Metal Thrashing Mad'
'I Am The Law'
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Andrew Murfett of The Age conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett earlier tonight (Wednesday, September 15) in Melbourne just before the band hit Rod Laver Arena's stage for the first of five huge shows and a vast Australian tour. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
On METALLICA's current tour:
"This tour has been a lot easier and more laid-back than the last ones. Musically and mentally, we are in a much better place. We're playing a lot better than the last tour. Everyone is in good moods."
On touring as parents:
"On this tour, all of us are now fathers. We all have families. Which wasn't the case on the last tour. The new schedule allows us to spend more time with our families which means we're a lot happier and more consistent and we are seeing our family on a regular basis. There is a good balance in-between. It's great to know and feel we are all on the same page."
On the METALLICA documentary "Some Kind of Monster" which detailed a period in which inner-band turmoil meant they felt the need to attempt to record an album with the help of a therapist:
"We are not that band any more. The band you see in that movie, we have not been for five years or so now. We have a better relationship with each other. We have moved on. The state of the affairs feel like it did in the 1980s. We're back to that vibe, which is a great thing."
"We're brothers. We love each other and hate each other and everything in between. I feel very fortunate we still have the relationship we had. Sometimes I feel like they are my other wives."
On METALLICA's setlist for the Australian tour:
"Basically, Lars [Ulrich, drums] gets all the statistics of what set we played in Australia in 1989 and 1993 and 2004. He pulls together a set that comprises all the songs that we have to play ('Nothing Else Matters', 'One', 'Enter Sandman') all the new songs we want to play (from 'Death Magnetic'), and then there's a certain amount of songs we haven't played here yet."
MEGADETH's "Rust In Peace Live" CD — which captures the final night of the band's historic month-long "Rust In Peace" 20th anniversary tour — sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 161 on The Billboard 200 chart. Meanwhile, the DVD version of "Rust In Peace Live" shifted around 2,600 units to land at No. 3 on the Top Music Videos chart.
On March 31, 2010, at this incredibly special show at the legendary Hollywood Palladium, not far from where Dave Mustaine formed the band in 1983, MEGADETH played their landmark, genre-defining 1990 "Rust In Peace" album in its entirety, in addition to other MEGADETH favorites. "Rust In Peace Live" also marks the return of original bassist David Ellefson (MEGADETH 1983-2002) to the iconic multi-platinum group after eight years. Ellefson (bass), joins Mustaine (lead vocals, guitar), Shawn Drover (drums) and Chris Broderick (guitar).
"Rust In Peace Live" features the entire "Rust In Peace" track listing, including all-time classics "Holy Wars...The Punishment Due" and "Hangar 18" along with bonus fan favorites from various other MEGADETH releases such as "Symphony For Destruction", "Peace Sells" and "Skin O' My Teeth".
MEGADETH founder/frontman/guitarist Dave Mustaine explains, "We are pumped to be able to share the 'RIP Live' concert with you all around the world. The anniversary and David Ellefson coming back was better than a facelift and a bottle of Viagra for old [MEGADETH mascot] Vic."
The 80-minute "Rust In Peace Live" DVD (5.1 Dolby Surround 16:9 Widescreen) and Blu-ray (5.1 DTS Master Audio 1080p High Definition) were directed by Kerry Asmussen (GREEN DAY, JAY-Z, Coachella). The DVD and Blu-ray also includes behind-the-scenes footage, including a rare glimpse of the band rehearsing in their dressing room as they prepare to take the stage.
"Rust In Peace" is considered one of the best metal albums of all time by fans and critics and debuted at #23 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart in the U.S. and #8 in the U.K. The album showcased a much tighter sound, with Mustaine's writing style adopting a rhythmically complex progressive edge, prompting All Music Guide to cite "Rust In Peace" as "MEGADETH's strongest musical effort." The album received Grammy nominations in 1990 and 1991 for "Best Metal Performance." Emphasizing the massive impact of "Rust In Peace" in the July 2010 issue of Guitar World, writer Richard Bienstock calls it "one of the pinnacles of the first wave of thrash metal." He continues, "A defining quality of MEGADETH's sound — and the one that perhaps most sets them apart from their 'Big Four' thrash brethren, METALLICA, SLAYER and ANTHRAX — has always been the band's fiery mix of speed-metal ferocity and progressive instrumental virtuosity… nowhere has this combination
been displayed better than on 'Rust In Peace'."
The full track listing for the "Rust In Peace Live" CD, DVD and Blu-ray is as follows:
"Rust In Peace" Live:
01. Holy Wars...The Punishment Due
02. Hangar 18
03. Take No Prisoners
04. Five Magics
05. Poison Was The Cure
06. Lucretia
07. Tornado Of Souls
08. Dawn Patrol
09. Rust In Peace...Polaris
Bonus Content:
10. Skin O' My Teeth (Countdown To Extinction)
11. In My Darkest Hour (So Far, So Good…So What!)
12. She-Wolf (Cryptic Writings)
13. Trust (Cryptic Writings)
14. Symphony Of Destruction (Countdown To Extinction)
15. Peace Sells (Peace Sells…But Who's Buying?)
16. Holy Wars – Reprise (Rust In Peace)
San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT have wrapped up the "American Carnage" tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH and are ready to head into writing and recording mode for their upcoming follow-up to 2008's "The Formation Of Damnation".
"The 'American Carnage' tour was great for us, but now is the time for us to hold off on performing and go full steam ahead on getting the record finished," states vocalist Chuck Billy.
"We currently have studio time booked at the end of this year, and we're shooting for a mid-2011 release.
"The new album will most likely be a culmination of 'The Gathering' [1999] and 'The Formation of Damnation', but we're definitely not going to forget who we are or our roots. I think we've found a comfortable spot in our writing style."
Adds guitarist Eric Peterson: "I think the tour went really well for us. It's the first time we had a stage set to our live performance, which was a lot of fun, and it brought the band to a whole new level in regards to performing.
"Playing with MEGADETH and SLAYER again was a lot of fun.
"We're going to be home during the fall and winter working on new material.
"As we speak, I'm working on new music, and we're shooting to record by the end of the year. That's our plan, but we're not going to just put out a record to put out a record. We have standards, and we're picky as to what exactly we want to put out."
Regarding the band's continued collaboration with acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY, EXODUS, NEVERMORE), Billy said in a recent interview with LoudTrax.com, "He's a musician first of all before being a producer, and so he understands the style of music and what it takes. If you get a producer who hasn't produced a metal band before, it won't sound good even though he does a good job with big bands that aren't metal. There's a real art to making fast drums and heavy guitars sound clean. So there is a challenge for mixing metal bands and I think Andy's really got a grasp on that as a musician."
TESTAMENT performed its first-ever album, "The Legacy", in its entirety during the month-long trek that found these thrash titans crisscrossing the nation on the "Rust in Peace" 20th anniversary tour.
"The Formation Of Damnation" was reissued on February 23 in a deluxe tour edition. The two-disc edition includes the band's comeback album plus bonus footage of classic tracks and more.
The Pulse of Radio reports that Rob Zombie is collaborating with Universal Studios Hollywood to create a new 3D maze called "Rob Zombie's House Of 1000 Corpses In 3D ZombieVision" as part of Universal's annual "Halloween Horror Nights" event. According to a press release, "fans will be treated to a nightmarish world of carnage and chaos Rob Zombie-style based upon Zombie's cult hit film 'House Of 1000 Corpses'." The attraction is one of five mazes based on popular horror movies at the event. "Halloween Horror Nights" kicks off on Friday, September 24 and runs through the end of October.
While supervising construction of the maze, Zombie is also gearing up for his co-headlining "Halloween Hootenanny Tour" with Alice Cooper. The three-week run follows a shorter trek earlier this spring and Zombie told The Pulse of Radio why touring with the legendary Cooper has been a blast. "Doing shows with Alice has just been the best thing ever," he said. "I mean, I've known Alice for a long, long time, for 16 years or so, and, you know, I love Alice and I love watching him play and his show is better than ever, and everything about it was great. I mean, this is no disrespect to anybody but, you know, I've played a million shows with a million people, but that's the only person I've ever played with that it was really meaningful to me."
Zombie and Cooper's co-headlining tour kicks off on September 30 in Los Angeles and wraps three weeks later on October 20 in Nashville.
Zombie recently wrote on Twitter that he'll be making an announcement soon about his next movie project as a director.
A deluxe edition of Zombie's latest album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2", will arrive on September 24. It contains three new tracks called "Everything Is Boring", "Michael" and "Devil's Hole Girls And The Big Revolution", plus an alternate version of "The Man Who Laughs", a brand new video for "Mars Needs Women", a live version of Cooper's classic "School's Out" performed with Cooper, and a 30-minute DVD featuring a tour documentary.
Martin Bandyke of the Detroit Free Press recently conducted an interview with ALICE IN CHAINS singer William DuVall. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Detroit Free Press: And how difficult was it to step into the shoes of Layne Staley as a featured singer?
DuVall: Oh yeah, it was difficult to fit in, but that's understandable. Most of it was skepticism on the part of the audience, and that was to be expected. It was a daunting task, a tall order the moment we started playing shows. There wasn't a road map or grand plan to an album or tour, we just set off down this road with no destination. You start a debate once you go out again as ALICE IN CHAINS; fans are going to read a lot into every move you make. My way of dealing with all of that was to be myself, let the chips fall where they will, just go out with the purest of intentions. The more shows we did the more we dug it, and we were so honored and amazed at the audiences showing up that we realized this band had a life of its own. Some people were saying things that were untrue and inflammatory, but that's just part of the times we live in. We can grouse and complain but that's just what everyone deals with now. This incarnation of ALICE grew up in
public, and has character, intensity and strength that it wouldn't have otherwise. In terms of internal workings, it's not dissimilar from the way most bands start up. Friendships came first; then we started playing music together. We came to rely on each other on stage, and that momentum led us into the studio to make "Black Gives Way to Blue". The fact that we get to play music together and pay respect to Layne Staley means everything to us.
Detroit Free Press: Did you grow up listening to any of the great Detroit rock bands from the '60s?
DuVall: Oh my God, don't even get me started! I am a lifelong fan of the STOOGES and the MC5, to say nothing of Motown. I'm also a great fan of everything that Jack White does. I actually fronted the MC5 in London at the Royal Festival Hall in 2008. That was one of the greatest moments of my life. I met Wayne (Kramer of the MC5) at one of Tom Morello's benefits that he does in L.A. He does these charity shows that are at a small venue, the Hotel Café. You run into all sorts of people there: Tim Robbins, Alanis Morissette, Perry Farrell. Slash has done them, (Jerry) Cantrell has done them. So I met Wayne backstage in 2007 between ALICE tours at one of those benefits. We got along great and we have a lot of commonality in our tastes. Wayne and I are rockers who love avant-garde jazz — Coltrane, Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor, people like that. We both love music from all parts of the world, Indian, Pakistani artists and much more; we came together around
that. At some point he passed the word through Cantrell about having me come over to play with the MC5 in London. Cantrell called me and I said, "Are you kidding me?" We did stuff off of all their albums, from "American Ruse" to "Over and Over" to "Black to Comm".
U.S. metallers VIRGIN STEELE will release their new album, "The Black Light Bacchanalia", via SPV/Steamhammer on the following dates:
Germany, Austria, Switzerland: October 22
Rest of Europe: October 25
USA, Canada: November 9
The effort will be made available as limited-edition digipak, standard CD, limited-edition LP box set and as a digital download. The limited-edition LP box set will be released on November 23 in North America. Each version will have its own unique artwork.
Commented vocalist David DeFeis: "It will be a long album... close to 80 minutes. The album (to be really brief) concerns the reversal of all things. Once conquered by invading cultures, older Pagan deities become the demons of the new religion. The Black Light Bacchanalia is a reversal of the sacred sexual customs, and the final desecration of the 'Goddess Principle,' switching from matrilineal descent to patrilineal descent, with the rise of the idea of the Mountain-Fire God.... And it also has to do with ancient fears such as the fear of the sun not rising...Lyrically it is a kind of continuation of the story I told on the last album... Musically it is quite something else..."
Standard Jewel Case Edition:
01. By The Hammer Of Zeus (And The Wrecking Ball Of Thor)
02. Pagan Heart
03. The Bread Of Wickedness
04. In A Dream Of Fire
05. Nepenthe (I Live Tomorrow)
06. The Orpheus Taboo
08. To Crown Them With Halos (Parts 1 & 2)
09. The Black Light Bacchanalia (The Age That Is To Come)
10. The Tortures Of The Damned
11. Necropolis (He Answers Them With Death)
12. Eternal Regret
Limited-Edition Digipak:
CD 1
01. By The Hammer Of Zeus (And The Wrecking Ball Of Thor)
02. Pagan Heart
03. The Bread Of Wickedness
04. In A Dream Of Fire
05. Nepenthe (I Live Tomorrow)
06. The Orpheus Taboo
07. To Crown Them With Halos (Parts 1 & 2)
08. The Black Light Bacchanalia (The Age That Is To Come)
09. The Tortures Of The Damned
10. Necropolis (He Answers Them With Death)
11. Eternal Regret
CD 2
01. When I'm Silent (The Wind Of Voices) (bonus track)
02. Silent Sorrow (bonus track)
03. From A Whisper To A Scream (The Spoken Biography) (spoken by David DeFeis)
Limited-Edition LP Box Set:
LP 1
Side 1
01. By The Hammer Of Zeus (And The Wrecking Ball Of Thor)
02. Pagan Heart
Side 2
01. The Bread Of Wickedness
02. In A Dream Of Fire
LP 2
Side 1
01. Nepenthe (I Live Tomorrow)
02. The Orpheus Taboo
Side 2
01. To Crown Them With Halos (Parts 1 & 2)
02. The Black Light Bacchanalia (The Age That Is To Come)
LP 3
Side 1
01. The Tortures Of The Damned
02. Necropolis (He Answers Them With Death)
Side 2
01. Eternal Regret
02. When I'm Silent (bonus track)
Bonus Materials
* Book in LP format with the complete history of VIRGIN STEELE (written by David DeFeis)
* Extra-large full-color poster
* Sticker
* Postcard
* Jewel case version of the album
All LPs come in printed inner sleeves.
VIRGIN STEELE's new worldwide deal with SPV/Steamhammer includes the reissue of the band's entire back catalogue — from "Noble Savage" onwards. The back catalogue will be made available throughout 2011, with faithfully restored covers and booklets, bonus tracks and liner notes.
VIRGIN STEELE re-released its albums "Life Among The Ruins" (1992), "The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell Part I" (1994) and "The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell Part II" (1995) in October 2008 in Europe through the German label Dockyard 1. All three CDs contain bonus tracks, new booklets and liner notes. The bonus tracks for the "The Marriage Of Heaven & Hell Part II" album consist of two live performances recorded in Germany, while the "Life Among The Ruins" bonus cuts comprise several live acoustic tracks that were recorded in the living room of David DeFeis' house during rehearsals.
VIRGIN STEELE's eleventh album, "Visions Of Eden", entered the Greek national chart at position No. 37 back in 2006. The CD was previously described as "quite epic," clocking in at 79 minutes and 57 seconds.
Montreal, Quebec, Canada-based power metallers ICEWIND have inked a deal with Metalodic Records. The band's second album, "Again Came The Storm", will be released on November 15.
Former 3 INCHES OF BLOOD bassist Nick Cates has teamed up with former members of Seattle band BLACK HOUSES - Christiaan Morris and Patrick Taylor - to form the new band CURSE OF THE NORTH.
The band is entering the studio in November with producer/engineer Matt Bayles (MASTODON, ISIS, THE SWORD) to begin recording their debut record.
Four-fifths of the original lineup of PSYCHOTIC WALTZ, the cult early 1990s progressive metal band from El Cajon, California, has reunited.
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ 2010 is :
* Devon Graves (a.k.a. Buddy Lackey) - Vocals
* Brian McAlpin - Guitar
* Steve Cox - Guitar
* Ward Evans - Bass
* Norman Leggio - Drums
Original guitarist Dan Rock is not taking part in the reunion and is being replaced by Steve Cox, who previously played with PSYCHOTIC WALTZ on the band's 1996 tour.
PSYCHOTIC WALTZ's last studio album, "Bleeding", was released in 1996. Scott Burns engineered the effort, which was mixed by Dan Rock and Woody Barber.
In the years that followed PSYCHOTIC WALTZ's demise, Rock recorded two instrumental albums with his project DARKSTAR. In the meantime, Norm Leggio and Steve Cox created the band TEABAG, while Buddy Lackey launched his own group, DEADSOUL TRIBE, where he performs using his real name, Devon Graves.
Former HANOI ROCKS guitarist Andy McCoy is producing the debut album from EMBER'S FLAME, a Finnish band playing "modern and melodic classic rock mixed up in year 2010 blender," according to a press release. Pre-production for the CD begun in April and recordings kicked off in the beginning of August at 5K Studios in Helsinki. A late 2010 release is expected.
"Already at the early stages of the project we decided to get an external producer," says EMBER'S FLAME frontman Sami Toivonen. "We browsed through different alternatives and somehow came up with Andy's name. After discussions with Andy, it was easy for us to make the decision."
EMBER'S FLAME has been working very hard to prepare for the upcoming recordings. "We are pushing it to the limits," the group states. "It's going to be our debut longplay and there's no room for compromises."
EMBER'S FLAME previously released a single, "She Said", in 2009.
EMBER'S FLAME is:
Sami Toivonen - Vocals
Pete Tarkanmäki - Bass
Jouni Sipilä - Drums
Teme Virtanen - Guitars
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/embersflameband.
LOUDNESS, TURISAS and HOLY GRAIL have been confirmed for the Loud Park 10 festival, set to take place October 16-17, 2010 at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Saturday October 16:
KORN
HALFORD
STONE SOUR
ACCEPT
RATT
HELLYEAH
DIR EN GREY
EDGUY
AMON AMARTH
CHTHONIC
ENGEL
HOLY GRAIL
Sunday, October 17:
OZZY OSBOURNE
MOTÖRHEAD
AVENGED SEVENFOLD
LOUDNESS
ANGRA
SPIRITUAL BEGGARS
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH
KUNI
HALESTORM
TURISAS
TRASH TALK
3 INCHES OF BLOOD
For more information, visit www.loudpark.com.
LACUNA COIL's October 9 concert at the Borderline in London, England will be a special "an-evening-with" show which will see the band performing one half acoustic, one half best-of/rarities set.
On this run of dates, which kicks off on September 26 in Oxford, LACUNA COIL will, for the first time, offer U.K. fans a special VIP ticket package option. This includes a pre-show meet-and-greet with the entire band, exclusive VIP ticketholders shirt, autographed posters plus more.
VIP ticket information is available at this location.
LACUNA COIL's new album, "Shallow Life", sold 21,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.
LACUNA COIL's previous CD, "Karmacode", opened with just under 34,000 copies back in April 2006 to land at No. 28. It has since sold more than 200,000 units in the U.S.
The band's 2002 album, "Comalies", has shifted more than 300,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Shallow Life" was released in the U.S. in April 2009 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded in September/October 2008 at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Don Gilmore, who has previously worked with LINKIN PARK, TRAPT, AVRIL LAVIGNE, GOOD CHARLOTTE , THE VERONICAS, PEARL JAM, TRUST COMPANY and DURAN DURAN.
LACUNA COIL released a special double-disc "deluxe edition" of "Shallow Life" for the price of a single CD, featuring alternate artwork, a disc full of rare and previously unreleased material (studio, acoustic and live tracks) and an expanded booklet.
San Francisco Bay Area power/thrash metallers IMAGIKA have commenced writing material for their eighth album for a spring 2011 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The follow-up to the band's critically acclaimed "Portrait Of A Hanged Man" effort will once again be engineered by guitarist Steve Rice and mixed by Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND guitarist). The CD will mark the recording debut of new members Rob Kowolski (guitar) and Wayne DeVecchi (drums).
Commented Rice: "The band is definitely ready to kick ass with the new material that has been developing since we've been back from our U.S. tour this past summer. 13 new songs are in the works, and as usual, it will be a departure from our past releases.
"The original idea was to approach this as a concept album, but we agreed that it's been beat to death by so many other bands that there is no point. I mean, how can you top some of the great metal concept albums like 'Operation: Mindcrime' [QUEENSRŸCHE] or 'Abigail' [KING DIAMOND]? It's very hard to accomplish and not really our thing at the end of the day. But, after hearing our singer's seemingly endless collection of fruity, flowery Euro power metal while on the tour bus and sparing his iPod a horrible asphalt death, I definitely knew what I didn't want to do! HA! A CD full of progressive, complex and melodic thrash metal is more appealing to me and the band at this point and decidedly the definitive goal for this next release.
"By bringing new blood into the band, there's an aggressive attitude for making a bold statement with a lot to prove! Also being able to approach the recordings as a two-guitar band is inspiring since we haven't done that since our 'My Bloodied Wings' 2006 release.
"It'll be cool to kick it up a notch and bring more shred and harmony to the table this time. All in all, I'm expecting nothing but the best from the band."
"A Portrait In Metal" was released in the U.S. on May 11 via Metalville. The CD was recorded at Fang Studios in San Mateo, California by IMAGIKA guitarist Steve Rice and was mixed at KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque's Sonic Train Studios in Varberg, Sweden. In addition to mixing the effort, La Rocque makes a guest appearance on the instrumental "A God No More".
Metalville is the band and label pool launched by the Cologne, Germany-based company Flying Dolphin Entertainment Group UG.
According to EADT.co.uk, vocalist Dani "Filth" Davey of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH is leading the race to be named one of the top 10 icons of the U.K.'s Suffolk county.
As of this morning, the 37-year-old had 1,622 votes on the Suffolk Icons web site — almost 600 ahead of second-placed Broomhill Swimming Pool in Ipswich.
A pint of Adnams, a Suffolk Punch and the Middy Train complete the top 5.
The Suffolk Icons 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."
There has been a lot of speculation as to who was behind the clean vocals on the new DIMMU BORGIR single, "Gateways". Some people have even suggested that former bassist/singer I.C.S. Vortex's voice was pitched up to sound like a woman. However, it has since been revealed that DJERV/ex-ANIMAL ALPHA frontwoman Agnete Kjølsrud is responsible for adding the melodies to "Gateways".
Agnete, who is also featured in the "Gateways" video (see below), had this to say about the DIMMU BORGIR collaboration: "I feel being asked by DIMMU BORGIR to perform on their album was a big vote of confidence, and I'm very proud to be a part of this album.
"Working with them in the studio was very easy. They had ideas on what they wanted me to do, but they also gave me room to add my own melodies to the songs.
"Before getting involved in this album I had a lot of respect for DIMMU BORGIR, and this experience made me realize even more how extremely well-worked-through their music is.
"Not only are they true professionals, but they are also really great guys. I had a really great time doing this!"
The "Gateways" video was created by Katapult Films director Sandra Marschner (MARILYN MANSON, CHILDREN OF BODOM, MANDO DIAO) and it features regalia by Tod Waters and Giuliana Mayo of Junker Designs ("In Sorte Diaboli", "The Serpentine Offering", "The Sacrilegious Scorn"). Also making appearances in the clip are Geir Bratland, the Oslo, Norway-based keyboardist who has previously played with APOPTYGMA BERZERK and THE KOVENANT, and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (real name: Tommie Helgesson; THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME).
Shaw announced his departure from DIMMU BORGIR's touring lineup on August 25 — just one day after confirming that he was tapped by the band to replace bassist/vocalist ICS Vortex during the recording sessions for "Abrahadabra" and the subsequent world tour. Shaw has since rejoined Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION.
"Abrahadabra" will be released in Germany on September 24, in the rest of Europe on September 27, and in North America on October 12 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Agnete is currently wrapping up the songwriting for the DJERV debut album, which will be recorded starting later this month. A February 2011 release it expected.
DJERV released the "Headstone EP" on August 3.
EYE EMPIRE, the new band featuring former/current members of DARK NEW DAY, STUCK MOJO, SWITCHED and SUBMERSED, has tapped Morgan Rose (SEVENDUST) to record the drums on the band's debut album, "Moment of Impact".
Commented guitarist Bradley Chester "B.C." Kochmit, "There have been a few curves and twists in this whole story but the truth is, it has ended up right where it began.
"Three years ago, Corey [Lowery, bass] and [I] got together to form what would end up being EYE EMPIRE and guess who was there on the skins to help set it all in motion? Morgan Rose. Now in the bottom of the 9th, Morgan has once again stepped up to the plate to knock this thing out of the park and we couldn't be more excited!"
EYE EMPIRE started with a phone call from Corey Lowery (DARK NEW DAY, STEREOMUD, STUCK MOJO) to B.C. Kochmit (SWITCHED, DARK NEW DAY, RIKETS). The two, who have been jamming off and on for about seven years (Lowery was briefly the bassist in Kochmit's band SWITCHED in 2003), got together to write some material. That first session eventually yielded what was to become the song "More Than Fate". "I knew the second I heard that music that we were on to something" says Kochmit. "I just kept flying down to Atlanta every month or so to get with Corey and write and record more demo songs."
As more and more material was written and the music (particularly the guitar parts) got more extensive, Lowery and Kochmit decided to add an additional guitarist to the lineup. The two eventually chose guitarist Dixie Duncan. "I knew Dixie from around the Atlanta scene for years," says Lowery, "He was looking to get back into a heavy rock band, we were looking for someone who was extremely talented, and it just worked out perfectly for everyone." "Dixie brings a lot to the table," explains Kochmit, "He's got great chops, can sing backups, and his style on the guitar is completely polar opposite from mine."
Next began the search for a lead singer. The band tried out several people, but eventually settled on ex-SUBMERSED frontman Donald Carpenter. "I remember Corey calling me and saying he heard this dude from SUBMERSED was interested," explains Kochmit. "Honestly I didn't think too much of it because at that point we had tried out about 10 people over a four-month period and I was getting rather discouraged. Donald came up to Atlanta for a few days to sing on some of the music and as soon as I heard him get to the first chorus of the first song I knew this was the singer I wanted to be in a band with for the rest of my life."
Now it was clearly obvious that the band needed a permanent, 100-percent dedicated drummer. Lowery and Kochmit had ridiculously high standards from years of jamming with some of the best drummers in the world, including Morgan Rose, Will Hunt, Chad Szeliga, Bevan Davies, and Rich Ward. After trying several people out to no avail, Carpenter brought up the name of his old friend (and longtime drummer for SUBMERSED) Garrett Whitlock. "Garrett's young, solid as a rock, has an unprecedented need to play music, and is a great guy," says Carpenter. "He fit in this band like a glove".
So enter what is now EYE EMPIRE. Between the five members, they have released over 11 albums, nine-plus singles, been part of six-plus movie soundtracks and multiple video games. They've toured the world with countless bands, been part of some of the most prestigious tours such as Ozzfest, Vans Warped Tour, and the Jägermeister Music Tours through cities across the U.S. but feel there is so much left to learn and much more room to grow.
With the past behind them and the future dead in their sights, EYE EMPIRE looks to breakout with their unique blend of musicianship, experience and songwriting finesse. Looking to reach new heights and beyond, EYE EMPIRE is justifying years of hard work, dedication and faith.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/eyeempire.
LD/50, the San Francisco, California-based band featuring Glen Alvelais (TESTAMENT, FORBIDDEN) on guitar, Clark Brown (GEEZER) on vocals, and Terry Goss (SCORCHED-EARTH POLICY) on bass, has recruited drummer Tony Providence (pictured below; A BAND CALLED PAIN).
Commented Alvelais: "The first time I saw Tony play with his band I was blown away by his power and prowess. There's something about watching a drummer play with confidence that can't be denied.
"It took awhile to get a hold of Tony as he was busy touring, recording and working on movie soundtracks. But the word got out that he had left A BAND CALLED PAIN and I began the search.
"We have begun rehearsals and are planning on putting the rehearsal videos on our website, www.ld-50.com. Along with preparing for upcoming shows, we are planning on getting in the studio to record another CD in October.
"Busy, busy, busy...
"Tony's first show [with LD/50] will be on October 30 in Livermore, California. We are headlining a Halloween show/party that is sure to be a huge hit. Not only do we have SERPENT & SERAPH, THE VENTING MACHINE and RELIC playing, there will be a $10.00 admission and a $25.00 VIP which includes free drink tickets, free meal, and seating in the mezzanine that includes snacks and drinks and CDs from all the bands. First-place winner of the costume contest will win a plasma TV. If that's not enough, a Dean guitar will be raffled off and the first 25 people in will get a free event t-shirt.
"This is the beginning of a West Coast mini-tour that we are very excited about.
"We're looking forward to getting the show on the road."
According to a press release, LD/50 (which is the abbreviation for "Lethal Dose at 50%") is "like a culture of extreme that has steadily built their fan base to the point of iconic recognition. . . The band has a unique style of perfecting the groove. Mixed with thrash explosive guitar and solos, LD/50 is a band that is not afraid to go into a ballad-style song with growling, screaming vocals and then run into a melodic guitar solo and end with a tricky syncopated rhythm."
Brown, who sang on the last two solo albums from BLACK SABBATH bassist Terry "Geezer" Butler — 1997's "Black Science" (released under the GEEZER banner) and 2005's "Ohmwork" (under G/Z/R) — previously stated about involvement with LD/50, "I tell ya, when Glen called me up to get this thing going, I was fuckin amped!!! I was a big fan of FORBIDDEN back in the day. I remember covering 'Forbidden Evil' in one of my old bands."
He added, "This new stuff we are writing has really brought the best outta me. Every new song Glen hands me is getting better and better. I am constantly blown away. It makes my job so easy as a singer. The vocals just flow outta me like fuckin' water!
"I love the dynamics that we are creating; it can be heavy as fuck, to melodic and mellow but always moving and pulling the listener from one end of the spectrum to the other.
"This first album is gonna flatten the fuck outta the norm and really give the people something to chew on...no bullshit!!"
For more information, visit www.ld-50.com.
Extreme metallers BRUJERIA have scheduled the following dates:
Oct. 13 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
Oct. 14 - The Ruby Room - San Diego, CA
Oct. 15 - Tia Juana's - Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
Oct. 16 - La Huerta del Stick - San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
Oct. 17 - Festival Hell and Heaven Metal Fest - Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
BRUJERIA is putting the finishing touches on a new EP, tentatively due before the end of the year.
BRUJERIA's current touring lineup includes CARCASS frontman Jeff Walker (a.k.a. El Cynico) on bass, ex-CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Adrian Erlandsson (a.k.a. El Podrido), and NAPALM DEATH bassist Shane Embury (a.k.a. Hongo) on guitar.
BRUJERIA is:
Juan Brujo - Garganta
Fantasma - Lengua Pesado y Bajo
Hongo - Guitara
Pinche Peach - Lengua Mamon y Gritos
Podrido - Bateria
El Cynico - Bajo
Pititis - Voz Vieja
Relapse Records has announced the signing of Portland, Oregon's RED FANG. The band recently completed recording its as-yet-untitled sophomore album with producer Chris Funk (THE DECEMBERISTS) for an early 2011 release. The CD was mixed by Vance Powell (THE RACONTEURS).
RED FANG (Brian Giles on guitar, vocals; Aaron Beam on bass, vocals; David Sullivan on guitar, vocals; and John Sherman on drums) formed in 2005 and has released a critically acclaimed self-titled debut full-length in 2009.
RED FANG commented on the signing: "We are f'ing stoked to sign a deal with Relapse.
"We had a great time recording with Chris Funk.
"Mixing was finished back in February/March and now we are ready for it to hit the streets.
"We're still brainstorming a title for the unnamed beast. ...and holy shit, get ready for new videos!"
RED FANG's video for the song "Prehistoric Dog" was one of the more buzzed about videos on the web last year. The clip was directed by Whitey McConnaughy (THE GOSSIP, MUDHONEY, FLOGGING MOLLY, TUBRONEGRO) and can be viewed below.
RED FANG will embark on three-week U.S. tour next month alongside VALIENT THORR.
After releasing the "Time Waits For No Slave" album via Century Media Records in 2009, British grindcore gods NAPALM DEATH have been busy travelling around the globe to massively promote the CD.
Commented vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway: "Having just returned from a string of dates in Thailand, Australia and Japan, it's a great feeling to know that NAPALM is able to get out far and wide.
"Despite the fact that NAPALM has trail-blazed across the world, I still hope next year there will be a few new places that we can set foot in where other bands just don't go. That's still a great source of excitement.
"Back in Europe, we're pleased to be coming back on tour again in November. There are old mates in MACABRE and IMMOLATION especially, and so it'll be good to round off the touring for 'Time Waits'. with a real blowout amongst friends. We'll be turning the setlist on its head, I think, so expect a few things you haven't heard perhaps from the mists of time. Hopefully we'll know what the fuck we are doing when we come to play all that stuff.
"Which leads us into a new album, which we'll begin to piece together in January next year. Expect even more short, sharp shocks from what Shane [Embury, bass] and Mitch [Harris, guitar] have told me so far on the music front, and lots of stop-start spontaneity. No finished lyrics as yet — I'm waiting with baited breath on the first nasty-sounding MP3 roughs so I can lock myself away and get going."
Fan-filmed video footage of NAPALM DEATH's August 28, 2010 performance at the Elsrock festival in Rijssen, The Netherlands can be viewed below (courtesy of "letthedeathmetalflow").
"Time Waits For No Slave", the latest album from NAPALM DEATH, entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95. The CD, which was released in the U.S. in February 2009 via Century Media Records, was recorded with producer Russ Russell. Drums were tracked at Parlour Studios in Kettering and guitars, bass and vocals were done at Foel Studios in Wales. The band then returned to Parlour for the mixing sessions.
Greenway told Rock Sound magazine about "Time Waits For No Slave", "Each album appears to have got progressively better and better. There was no great master plan, really. We're just a very organic band, very spontaneous, and we just try to write the best songs possible. If there is anything in the back of our minds, then I think it's that we always try to make each album differ without losing the thread of what should be there and I think we've done that with this album."
Veteran Italian metal band EXTREMA has announced the addition of bassist Gabri Giovanna (FUZZ FUZZ MACHINE) to the group's ranks.
Giovanna previously filled in for bassist Mattia Bigi during EXTREMA's last summer tour.
The setlist for EXTREMA's next club tour will once again focus on the band's latest album, "Pound For Pound", but it will also include highlights from the band's 1993 classic, "Tension At The Seams".
In other news, EXTREMA will be featured on the soundtrack to the western/horror movie "Undead Men", in which guitarist Tommy Massara also has a small role.
"Pound For Pound" came out in May 2009 via Scarlet Records.
Following the group's 2005 effort "Set The World On Fire", the CD saw EXTREMA going back to its thrash metal roots, displayed in 13 powerful tracks which have already been described as some of the best ever written by a band that has been active in the scene since 1986. "Pound For Pound" consists of 13 tracks of groovy thrash metal with plenty of attitude, including a stunning version of KISS's classic "Deuce". The CD also features a very special guest apearance by HELMET's Page Hamilton on the track "You Make Me Sick".
Braunschweig, Germany-based metal/hardcore act FOREVER IT SHALL BE has released the following statement:
"It is not easy for us to announce that FOREVER IT SHALL BE is dead.
"After four years and two released records, we decided to pack our bags and move on.
"There is no spectacular story behind this, no bad blood within the band or anything like that — there's just no motivation left to continue the band.
"We've had a great time, toured Europe with awesome bands like THE HAUNTED, ALL SHALL PERISH and NEAERA, and met some really nice and cool people down the road.
"We'd like to thank everybody who was involved in making this possible!
"There will be a final farewell show in our hometown; we will release more info on that as we have it!
"Some of us will surely be seen in new bands/projects in the near future, so keep your eyes and ears open!"
FOREVER IT SHALL BE released its sophomore album, "Sonic Death Squad", in March via Maintain Records. The 12-song CD was recorded at Rape of Harmonies studio (HEAVEN SHALL BURN, MAROON) in Triptis, Germany and features cover artwork (see below) by Justin Osbourne of Slasher Design.
"Sonic Death Squad" track listing:
01. Hardcover
02. The Art Of Deflection
03. Origin
04. Ancestor's Scorn
05. World On Fire
06. Whatever Doesn't Kill
07. Thunderation
08. Forever It Shall Be
09. Sonic Death Squad
10. Abraxas
11. King Of The Flies
12. Funeral Feast
FOREVER IT SHALL BE's debut album, "Reluming the Embers", was released in June 2007 via Maintain Records. The CD was produced by Ralf Mueller and Alexander Dietz (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) at Rape of Harmonies and features a guest appearance by John Gahlert (FALL OF SERENITY).
Montreal-based death metallers NEURAXIS have set "Asylon" as the title of their sixth studio album, due in North America on February 15, 2011 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded at Wildsound Studio with producer Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY, THE LAST FELONY, THE AGONIST).
A major tour announcement is coming next week, in the meantime; the band is playing Metalfest at Batisse Industrielle in Trois-Rivieres Quebec on Saturday, October 16.
NEURAXIS' latest album, "The Thin Line Between", was released in July 2008 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded by Jeff Fortin (ANONYMOUS) and features guest vocals from Luc Lemay (GORGUTS), as well as artwork by Dennis Sibejin (CHIMAIRA, JOB FOR A COWBOY).
Three days after announcing via their MySpace page that they were changing their name to THE DEVIL, Philadelphia thrashers RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER have released the following statement:
"RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER is not changing its name even though 'the Internet' said we were.
"We will have a new album in 2011.
"RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER is elusive and its true motives are unknown.
"RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER is bigger than 'The Devil.'"
RUMPELSTILTSKIN GRINDER's latest album, "Living For Death, Destroying The Rest", was released in January 2009 via Relapse Records.
Dubai-based death/thrash metal band NERVECELL have confirmed their first Indian tour, dubbed "Preaching Venom India Tour 2010".
Commented the band: "It is with great pleasure to confirm NERVECELL's debut appearance in India over three headlining shows taking place in the cities of Bangalore, Hyderabad and Mumbai on September 25th, 26th and October 3rd, respectively. This has been a long time coming and needless to say we are completely looking forward to finally playing to our Indian fans!
"Seeing the Indian metal movement on the rise over the last few years and being the first Middle East based metal band to tour India is an absolute honor!
The dates are as follows:
Sep. 25 - Bangalore @ Kyra Theatre
Sep. 26 - Hyderabad @ Excess (Novotel)
Oct. 03 - Mumbai @ Blue Frog
NERVECELL is also scheduled to play a couple more Middle East/Asian one-off shows towards the end of the year. This will mark the band's final run as part of the "Preaching Venom" album cycle.
NERVECELL last year inked a deal with Lifeforce Records. The band's "Preaching Venom" CD was released in Europe on October 26, 2009.
Released in April 2008 in the Middle East (via Spellbind Records), "Preaching Venom" features PSYCROPTIC's David Haley (also of THE AMENTA, RUINS) on drums. The CD was mixed at Hertz Studio (VADER, DECAPITATED, HATE) in Poland by Wieslawscy Bros. and was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (SEPULTURA, SUFFOCATION, UNEARTH) in New Windsor, New York.
Fore more information, visit www.myspace.com/nervecell.
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