Press Pass will release the first trading card set for one of the best-selling and most popular bands of all time, AC/DC. Dubbed "AC/DC High Voltage", the product features:
* 100-card base set (24 packs per box, 5 cards per pack) takes you on a journey from AC/DC's Austalian beginnings through the recent "Black Ice Tour".
* Subsets based on some of AC/DC's best-known songs, including "It's A Long Way To The Top", "Back In Black", "Thunderstruck" and "Rock 'N Roll Train".
* Foil inserts: "We Salute You" and "On The Highway to..."
* Autographed memorabilia
According to The Quad-City Times, Ozzy Osbourne will perform at the i wireless Center in Moline, Illinois on February 14, 2011. Support at the show will come from VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash.
Tickets are $65, $48.50 and $29.50, and go on sale at 10 a.m. on October 16 at Ticketmaster outlets, including the i wireless Center box office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com. Two premium packages also are available — the meet-and-greet package for with seats in the first three rows and a picture with Osbourne and autograph for $999; and the "possessed party package" with tickets in the first 10 rows and admission to a preshow party for $333.
So far the following Ozzy / Slash dates have been leaked:
Jan 16 - Omaha, NE - Qwest Center
Jan. 22 - Kansas City, MO - Sprint Center
Feb. 14 - Moline, IL - i wireless Center
Slash told Philadelphia radio station WMMR last month that he will likely be playing a gig with Ozzy Osbourne in the city in January, apparently as part of a tour together. The guitarist did not elaborate further. Slash ended his current U.S. tour on October 6 in Los Angeles, while Ozzy begins a month-long North American run in early November. Neither has announced plans for 2011 yet.
According to Ticketmaster.com, tickets to the following OZZY OSBOURNE shows — with support from VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash — will go on sale this week:
Jan. 16 - Omaha, NE – Qwest Center
Jan. 22 - Kansas City, MO – Sprint Center
Feb. 01 - Universal City, CA - Gibson Amphitheatre
Feb. 03 - San Jose, CA - HP Pavilion
Feb. 05 - Tacoma Dome - Tacoma, WA
Feb. 14 - i wireless Center - Moline, IL
According to The Quad-City Times, tickets for the i wireless Center in Moline, Illinois on February 14 are $65, $48.50 and $29.50, and go on sale at 10 a.m. on October 16 at Ticketmaster outlets, including the i wireless Center box office, by phone at (800) 745-3000 and online at Ticketmaster.com. Two premium packages also are available — the meet-and-greet package for with seats in the first three rows and a picture with Osbourne and autograph for $999; and the "possessed party package" with tickets in the first 10 rows and admission to a preshow party for $333.
Slash told Philadelphia radio station WMMR last month that he will likely be playing a gig with Ozzy Osbourne in the city in January, apparently as part of a tour together. The guitarist did not elaborate further. Slash ended his current U.S. tour on October 6 in Los Angeles, while Ozzy begins a month-long North American run in early November. Neither has announced plans for 2011 yet.
According to Ynetnews, GUNS N' ROSES will perform two shows in Israel before the end of the year — on December 18 and 19 at the Nokia Arena in Tel Aviv.
Israeli concert promoters have reprotedly been trying to secure a performance by GUNS N' ROSES for two years.
GUNS N' ROSES last performed in Israel 17 years ago at Hayarkon Park.
The call from Town of Kwinana comes a week after 20 bikies from three outlaw motorcycle gangs - the Finks, Coffin Cheaters and Club Deroes - clashed at the Kwinana Motorplex in front of children and families at the Harley Street Bike Drags.
Three Finks were wounded in the violent confrontation, including one man who reportedly had three fingers severed and another with a gunshot wound to a leg. Several Coffin Cheaters bikies also turned up at hospitals asking for treatment after the incident, police said.
The Guns N' Roses concert will be held at theMotorplex on December 11.
Yesterday Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams said council officers would be instructed to liaise with the event manager to ensure bolstered security and screening measures were in place at the concert.
She also wanted thorough searches of people entering the venue. "I think it would be prudent for police to maintain a presence in light of what has happened," Ms Adams said.
"I can only anticipate that Guns N' Roses would attract a wide range of people, but they may well be a band that also attracts a lot of bikies.
"We would certainly be asking for extra security just to ensure that, if people are attending the event for reasons other than wanting to enjoy a good band, then steps would need to be in place to ensure they are turned away from the venue.
"I will be asking our council to liaise with the event manager and the local police to seek a reassurance that an incident of this nature doesn't happen again, predominantly through upgraded security.
"(Kwinana Motorplex) have been very responsible managers and I would like to think that (last Sunday's episode) was an unfortunate one-off."
Police this week raided 20 outlaw motorcycle gang properties from Geraldton to Mandurah as part of their investigation into the brawl.
Several bikies were arrested and charged with firearms and drug offences, but police said charges were yet to be laid over the Motorplex clash.
Det-Insp Paul McMurtrie, from the Gang Crime Squad, said officers would assess intelligence and make a decision about any police presence at the Guns N' Roses gig closer to the date.
"Certainly, if you look at concerts held previously, like AC/DC, we did have a presence there because of the high number of outlaw motorcycle gang members, but that all depends on our intelligence prior to the event," he said.
Det-Insp McMurtrie said police were continuing their investigation into the Kwinana Motorplex brawl.
Guns N' Roses promoter Andrew McManus could not be contacted for comment yesterday.
DALTON — In 1987 I was 16-years-old, driving a new red Fiero, wearing mini-skirts every day and doing my part to help keep Aqua Net in business. Across the country, a group of five primal rockers had risen from the streets of Los Angeles and were ripping apart glam rock and its big hair to resurrect rock's truer blues roots. They were Guns N Roses (GNR) and I was way into them.
The original line up was Axl Rose on vocals, Slash and Izzy Stradlin and Duff McKagan on guitar and Steven Adler on drums.
I still dig the older tunes — and I've recently found I like the new stuff by the original guys. too. That's why I was super excited to have the opportunity to talk to Steven Adler recently. He, along with his new band, Adler's Appetite, will perform at 37 Main Rock Cafe in Buford on Wednesday.
Adler was in New York when we spoke by phone, preparing for a performance at Carnegie Hall the upcoming day. I liked him immediately — and not just because he's one of my favorite rockers but because he has a way of making you feel like you've been friends for years. He's boyish, flirtatious and charming.
"I saw GNR in Chattanooga with a couple of my girlfriend and our boyfriends of the time back in 1987," I told him. "You guys were amazing!"
"Yeah, 'Appetite for Destruction'... If you enjoyed that," he offered, "Wait till you see us next week. It's the same show. I've got some great guys and the music is great. I'm bringing back the excitement of a kick ass rock 'n' roll band."
Home-based in Los Angeles, Adler's Appetite is composed of Rick Stitch, lead vocal; Alex Grossi (Quiet Riot) on guitar, Michael Thomas (Faster Pussycat) on guitar, Chip Z'nuff (Enuff Z'Nuff) on bass, and, of course, Steven Adler on drums.
"We start off with 'Reckless Life' and pretty much go through everything from 'Appetite for Destruction,' ending with 'Welcome to the Jungle.' We do everything I wrote and recorded with those guys (GNR)."
Adler's Appetite recently released their first single, "Good to be Alive." It's about Adler's experiences in rock 'n' roll before he found success, to being successful, to when he lost it and got it back. You can check it out on YouTube.
It's no secret that Adler had a crazy bad heroin and cocaine habit that cost him his career with GNR and untold other problems. Not too long ago he starred on VH1's hit series "Celebrity Rehab 2" and "Sober House." Now, he's completely sober and on top of his game.
"It's great to be off drugs and alcohol," he said. "It's so nice to have money in my pockets. I wish I had put 1 percent of the energy I put into getting high into doing positive things for myself ... Drugs got to be everything. It was all 'When am I gonna get it? How am I gonna get it? Where will I get the money? When will the dealer be here?' Now, off the drugs, I have so much energy! It's about the music again."
Both Slash and Izzy Stradlin have taken the stage with Adler's Appetite as guests. I asked Adler if there was any way, any way at all, that the original five Gunners could ever do a concert together again.
His answer was immediate. "I would really like that. I would love to work with those guys — all of them — but I'm not going to wait. I've wasted enough of my life, the past 20 years with the drugs and all. It's time to do the right thing — which is get the band (GNR) together and do a reunion. We owe it to the fans and everybody who supported GNR for so long... and I got Adler's Appetite, but when those suckers want to do something, I'm ready."
The holdup, it seems, might be Axl Rose. "I put prayers in with Jesus and God all the time. 'Please just go talk to Axl,' I say," Steven added. "I love the stuff we did together in my heart and my soul. It needs to be taken out of the shell and put back in the world. Two generations of people have already missed it. I think it's unfair. I love those five guys — they mean more to me than anyone except my grandmother and my dogs. But there was so much fighting all the time (in GNR), but like my grandpa said, time heals all wounds. My wounds are healed."
It's my personal belief that Steven Adler's dismissal from GNR was the beginning of the end for the group. Even Slash, in his autobiography titled "Slash" said, "To Steve's credit, and unbeknownst to most, the feel and energy of 'Appetite' was largely due to him. He had an inimitable style of drumming that couldn't really be replaced, an almost adolescent levity that gave the band its spark."
"I know a guy who has opened for you, and also for Slash, who said you kill on the drums these days," I said. "How is your playing different now than it was then?"
"Well, nine months ago I started lessons because I wanted to be a better and stronger player and a better and stronger person," he shared. "I'm learning new techniques, rudiments, it's very exciting. I wish I had done that 30 years ago but I was so God-dang rebellious! I was like, 'I'm going to learn on my own!' I'm a better and stronger player now."
Adler actually learned to play drums by going around to all the clubs in LA and watching other bands play.
"In the '70s everything was different. I was 11, 12, 13 years old, hanging out in night clubs," he laughed. "Nobody said a thing to me. It was like 'Come on in, Stevie!' Me and Slash would hang out in discos."
"My 12 year-old son, Adam, has asked for an electric guitar for his birthday next month," I shared. "What's your advice to him?"
"He needs practice — every afternoon, every night — he needs to take lessons," Adler said. "When me and Slash were kids, Slash took his guitar everywhere he went. If we went to the 7-11, we'd be walking down the street and he would be playing. Tell Adam he's got to believe in himself, never doubt himself, and he will be the best — No. 1 — but it's practice, practice, practice!"
"What does the future hold for Steven Adler?" I wanted to know.
"Peace, love, happiness, and rock 'n' roll." I could actually hear him smiling. "And, you know, traveling around the world. I love doing what I do."
Tickets to the Oct. 13 show in Buford can be purchased online at the 37 Main Rock Cafe website or at the door.
To learn more about Steven Adler, pick up a copy of "My Appetite for Destruction: Sex & Drugs & Guns N Roses," the autobiography he published earlier this year. For more info on Adler's Appetite, log onto www.adlersappetiteonline.com.
Connie Hall-Scott is a contributor to The Daily Citizen and Dalton Magazine
Pollstar magazine, which tracks the concert business, has released a third-quarter recap of top touring artists and concert industry developments in the first nine months of 2010.
The following hard rock/heavy metal artists appear on the Top 100 "Third-Quarter Year-To-Date Worldwide Ticket Sales" list for 2010:
01. AC/DC - 1,820,962
02. BON JOVI - 1,368,734
18. METALLICA - 540,637
33. RUSH - 350,342
38. GUNS N' ROSES - 319,302
45. IRON MAIDEN - 285,146
50. KISS - 210,082
61. FOREIGNER / STYX - 173,395
64. RAMMSTEIN - 166,533
71. TOOL - 147,025
77. AEROSMITH - 137,417
87. TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA - 118,429
89. ALICE IN CHAINS - 114,883
92. SCORPIONS - 106,081
Note: All figures are for tickets sold worldwide as reported to Pollstar for shows played between January 1, 2010 and September 30, 2010.
http://www.pollstarpro.com/specialfeatures2010/2010ThirdQuarterYTDTicketSalesTop100Tours.pdf
ROB ZOMBIE is set for a return to the U.K. stage after a 12-year hiatus. Rob and his band — featuring John 5 (guitar), Piggy D (bass) and Joey Jordison (drums) — will play a string of six dates this coming February, finally bringing their visually-arresting, high-octane, pyro-laden, monster stage show to U.K. shores.
Rob is looking forward to the visit, saying, "I am thrilled to be finally heading back to the UK. I have been away far too long, but trust me it will be worth the wait. The band is in top form and completely ready to destroy."
The dates are as follows:
Feb. 16 - London, UK @ O2 Academy Brixton
Feb. 17 - Manchester, UK @ Academy
Feb. 18 - Newcastle, UK @ O2 Academy
Feb. 20 - Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy
Feb. 21 - Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy
Feb. 22 - Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy
Tickets, priced £26.50 regionally and £29.50 in London (subject to booking fee), go on sale 9 a.m. this Friday, October 15 from box offices, all usual agents and online at www.livenation.co.uk and www.kililive.com.
Support comes from SKINDRED and Rob Zombie's Roadrunner U.K. labelmates REVOKER.
The CD/DVD edition of Zombie's latest album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2", arrived in stores on September 28 via Roadrunner Records. The expanded version of the album features three brand new tracks recorded with the band's current touring lineup, including SLIPKNOT drummer/MURDERDOLLS guitarist Joey Jordison, along with a reworked version of the song "The Man Who Laughs". A bonus DVD featuring live footage and a 30-minute touring documentary, dubbed "Transylvanian Transmissions", are also included.
Rob Zombie's fourth solo album, "Hellbilly Deluxe 2", debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard album chart on February 10, selling 49,000 copies in its first week of release. That total is less than 50 percent of the number of copies that his previous effort, "Educated Horses", sold in its first week back in April 2006, when it moved 107,000 copies to land at No. 5 on the chart.
Zombie was originally supposed to issue the album last November through his longtime label, Geffen Records, but delayed its arrival to February 2 after abruptly leaving to sign with the Roadrunner label. He admitted to The Pulse of Radio that he was a little unsure at first whether that was the right thing to do. "Well, I mean, it was weird because at first you think like, well, you know, you're on Geffen, do you want to make the switch, should you just change next time on the next record, you know, just ride out what you started," he said. "I struggled with it but I thought, you know, my gut is telling me this is the thing to do because I have a feeling if I put it out in November, the label's not gonna support it, and by December the record will be dead. And I just said, you know, screw it. Whatever the repercussions, let's just do it."
Steven Patrick of Uweekly.com recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Uweekly.com: So how is the healing process going between you and Dave (Mustaine)?
Ellefson: It's been good. Yeah, it's been really good. You know, he and I have talked several times over the years and I think of it like we got to develop a friendship we never got to have the first time around (Ellefson left MEGADETH in 2002 and rejoined in 2010). The first time around, it was always about the band so the band came first and the friendship suffered. This time around, we're putting the focus on the friendship and the band stuff comes pretty easy and falls into place.
Uweekly.com: You've played with so many different lineups of MEGADETH. How does this one stack up to the rest?
Ellefson: It's really good. I love the way Shawn Drover plays drums especially on this "Rust In Peace" stuff. He's got a really good, laid-back pocket which makes the music sound really good live. And Chris Broderick, he emulates the past guitar players so well. [He plays] with such perfection, and of course his own original stuff that he's been doing with MEGADETH is just ferocious.
Uweekly.com: How did the whole 20th anniversary of the "Rust In Peace" live album/DVD project come about?
Ellefson: It was cool. Originally, the "Rust in Peace" tour was put on sale to just be a one month sale in March, and so very early on, the reviews were just great. Everybody was so thrilled that I was back and that me and Dave were playing together again. Doing it was kind of the one-two punch. We thought we need to "record this and capture that." Then it turned out, as the tour carried on, the next bunch of dates we were going to be doing in South and Central America. Over in Europe, everybody's requesting "Rust In Peace", so we just started playing it everywhere because that became the fan-favorite setlist for the whole tour this year. That's why we've carried on playing the whole "Rust In Peace" album throughout the whole year.
Uweekly.com: I'm sure this question is on every MEGADETH fan's mind, but when can we expect another MEGADETH record with the mighty David Ellefson back on bass?
Ellefson: Well, we've started working on some stuff already. We started to work on some new tunes, you know, just over the course of the last few months. Just cataloging some ideas away, which is how the process starts. It's been cool. There's been some good things coming up and we're gonna finish the touring through the rest of this year, but then as we flip the calendar into 2011, we're going to start to get more serious about cutting a new record at some point.
Steven Patrick of Uweekly.com recently conducted an interview with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Uweekly.com: So Charlie, when exactly will the recording process be completed for the upcoming album, "Worship Music"?
Charlie: [laughs] Um ... I don't know. I can't give you an accurate date or an accurate answer. All I can tell you is we are working on it out here on the road, and we will have it out by next year — probably summer or spring.
Uweekly.com: Are the songs totally changing now that Joey (Belladonna) is back on vocals?
Charlie: It's totally changing, yes. It's totally changing. Joey's already laid down vocals on one of the songs in a demo form and it totally sounds like ... kinda like "Spreading the Disease" or "Persistence". Around that time. It just took on that sound, right away.
Uweekly.com: How in the hell did you manage to keep what was recorded of "Worship Music" with ex-vocalist Dan Nelson from being leaked on the Internet?
Charlie: Because I was smart. As soon as the label in Europe said, "We want it. Send us the tracks," I said "Absolutely not." Ninety-five percent of the leakage comes from Europe and if a journalist has it, they're gonna put it up there. So Scott (Ian) went over to Europe and played it for everyone, individually and sometimes in a group. So, no one actually got a copy of it.
Uweekly.com: Do you think that the whole rap/metal thing you guys did with PUBLIC ENEMY back in the '80's and early '90s overshadowed your contributions to thrash metal in any way?
Charlie: No, we're considered one of the "Big Four" and that whole thing has gone ... it's like this whole entity in and of itself, you know? So, we're a metal band. We've always said that we are a metal band. We started out as a metal band. If we wanted to continue in the rap/metal genre then "Sound of White Noise" would have been, you know, a totally different record. But as you can see, we didn't want to do that. We pretty much stuck to what we know.
Uweekly.com: So how are things different now with Joey compared to the reunion tour back in 2005?
Charlie: For me, the reunion tour was not done in the proper way. We didn't have a chance to just get to know each other again, and it was like boom, boom, boom. You're on tour and fix your relationships out there. In the beginning of it, it was okay. It was like the honeymoon period but then the weirdness shit started to show again. I don't think we were prepared mentally for that. The difference between that and now is that we did that already. Now it feels like the ANTHRAX of 1987, like that period, because it just seems to be gelling easier with Joey and things are moving together a lot quicker.
Former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson has slammed the band's performance of the new song "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" with Joey Belladonna on vocals, saying that the original version of the track — which was first written and recorded while Nelson was in ANTHRAX — was "the way it was meant to sound."
ANTHRAX performed "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" with Belladonna for the first time during this past Friday night's (October 8) concert at at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York as part of the Jägermeister Music Tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH.
Writing on his Twitter profile the next morning, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about the Uniondale concert, "NY show didn't disappoint. Craziest pit of the tour! We played new one 'Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't' for the first time in the States."
A short time later, Nelson took to his own Twitter profile to correct Ian, writing, "'Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't' for the first time in the States, eh?? Wouldn't that be at the Double Door in Chicago when we played the song WE ALL wrote together?? I guess Chicago is no longer in the States??" and linking to a YouTube clip of the Nelson-fronted version of the song as performed on May 28, 2008 at the Double Door in Chicago, Illinois. A subsequent tweet from Nelson included a link to a YouTube performance clip [see below] of "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" from June 30, 2009 in The Hague, The Netherlands, featuring Nelson on vocals, with an accompanying message, "The way it was meant to sound… METAL."
Earlier today, Nelson made another posting on his Twitter profile, writing, "There really is no honor among THIEVES. Back to real life, with true family and friends who won't STEAL or stab you in the back for MONEY!"
In a recent interview with the Orlando Rock Music Examiner, ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante was asked about the circumstances that led to the end of the group's collaboration with Nelson. "I can't even begin to tell you what happened because it's so...you wouldn't believe it, anyway! Even if I told you!" he said before adding, "We've all taken this approach to this that, really, we're not talking about him. We're not giving him any, any attention at all. . . I'll just say it was a very bad emotional rollercoaster for all of us. I never want to be reminded of that again."
"Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" was recorded with Dan for what was supposed to be the next ANTHRAX album, "Worship Music", but ended up getting shelved — along with the rest of the CD — following the departure of Nelson and return of Belladonna.
Since returning from their recent European tour, the members of ANTHRAX have begun writing and rehearsing for their new album which is expected out in early 2011.
Former ANTHRAX and current BLACKGATES singer Dan Nelson will take part in a reunion of his previous band INSIDE HOLLOW on Saturday, December 11 at Ace Of Clubs in New York City.
INSIDE HOLLOW is:
Dan Nelson - Vocals/Guitar
Dan "Shaggy" Hoffman - Bass/Vocals
Frankie "Calzones" Apicelli - Drums/Vocals
Roy Nelson - Guitar/Vocals
Regarding his split with ANTHRAX in July 2009, Nelson told The Metal Den, "I never live my life with any regrets and never look back and wish I did something different. I chose instead to look forward to the future. We did some great things in the time we wrote and performed together, and I am very proud of that."
Nelson's new band BLACKGATES also features drummer Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, ex-EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN), guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Uriah Duffy (WHITESNAKE). Dan previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, "It's thrashy and heavy, so it will appeal to ANTHRAX and TESTAMENT fans. But has the groove and brutality of PANTERA, and is also very melodic. The guitarist is a kid from the Bay Area named Jeremy Epp, who's an unknown, but sensational. People are gonna love him."
According to Nelson, he has also been working on his own music on his home turf in Long Island, New York with his drummer of the last seven years from INSIDE HOLLOW, Frankie Apicelli. Dan said, "The project will be called CHILDE OF HALE. The music is very dark, ala BLACK SABBATH/THE DOORS meets something pissed off at everything!"
Tim "Ripper" Owens (CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, HAIL!) has confirmed the following solo dates in South America:
October
28 - Rosario, Argentina
29 - Cordoba, Argentina
30 - San Francisco, Argentina
November
3 - Montevideo, Uruguay
4 - Montevideo, Uruguay
6 - Cinco Saltos, Argentina
7 - Bariloche, Argentina
Venues and Ripper's band line-up will be announced soon.
According to RadarOnline.com, MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil will be formally arraigned today (Monday, October11) for DUI and speeding charges — both misdemeanors — stemming from his recent arrest.
At the hearing, Neil is expected to enter a plea to the charges.
Neil failed three field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol level almost three times the legal limit during his June 27, 2010 Las Vegas arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
TMZ.com obtained the Las Vegas Police Department report (view report as PDF file), which indicates that Neil was pulled over for driving 60 mph in a 45 mph zone and for "weaving between the lanes."
According to the report, the arresting officer detected the odor of alcohol on Neil's breath and asked the singer to perform a variety of field sobriety tests, three of which Vince failed. Neil — who admitted to having consumed three glasses of champagne at the Hilton hotel earlier in the night — eventually gave up by saying, "I can't do this," the report states. Vince was then asked by the officer to take two breathalyzer tests and, according to the report, he registered .215 and .216 — nearly three times the .08 limit.
Vince was previously arrested in 2007 for suspected DUI but worked out a deal in which he pleaded no contest to reckless driving in exchange for having the DUI charge dropped, according to TMZ.com.
Nevada state law says that people convicted of DUI twice within seven years face anywhere from 10 days to six months in jail.
The singer lives in Las Vegas, where he owns a chain of tattoo shops and a restaurant at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Neil was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation in 1984 after an accident in which he crashed his car, killing passenger Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley of the band HANOI ROCKS. Neil was driving under the influence at that time.
Neil also pleaded no contest to a charge of assaulting a music producer in 2002, and again pleaded no contest in 2003 to charges he attacked a prostitute at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch in Nevada. In 2004, an arrest warrant was issued after he allegedly hit a sound engineer at a show in Texas.
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.
Below is Vince Neil's mug shot — taken right after he was arrested in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 27, 2010 on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
According to KVVU Fox 5, MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil will go to trial on January 6 on drunken driving and speeding charges stemming from his recent arrest.
Neil's attorney entered not guilty pleas during a hearing Monday morning (October 11). The 49-year-old singer did not have to appear in person.
In an interview conducted two days after his arrest, Neil admitted he was drinking and said, "I shouldn't have been driving. I should have gotten a limo from the Hilton."
Neil failed three field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol level almost three times the legal limit during his June 27, 2010 Las Vegas arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
Vince was previously arrested in 2007 for suspected DUI but worked out a deal in which he pleaded no contest to reckless driving in exchange for having the DUI charge dropped, according to TMZ.com.
Nevada state law says that people convicted of DUI twice within seven years face anywhere from 10 days to six months in jail.
Neil was sentenced to 30 days in jail and five years probation in 1984 after an accident in which he crashed his car, killing passenger Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley of the band HANOI ROCKS. Neil was driving under the influence at that time.
Neil also pleaded no contest to a charge of assaulting a music producer in 2002, and again pleaded no contest in 2003 to charges he attacked a prostitute at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch in Nevada. In 2004, an arrest warrant was issued after he allegedly hit a sound engineer at a show in Texas.
According to a posting on the official Facebook pageof Birmingham, Alabama's WorkPlay theater, Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD have postponed the remaining dates on their current U.S. tour "due to unforeseen cirumstances." The band has also released a statement announcing that its European tour, whcih was supposed to kick off in early November, has been called off for the same reason.
"Warp Riders", the third full-length album THE SWORD, sold around 8,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Warp Riders" marks the first release where the group has worked with an outside producer. Helmed by Matt Bayles (PEARL JAM, MASTODON, ISIS), the album is anchored by an epic science-fiction narrative. The storyline is a psychedelic space opera that explores temporal themes of death and rebirth. "Warp Riders" also finds THE SWORD expanding its range from pure metal to include bone-crunching hard rock at large. Rather than dampening its sound, the band actually sounds more amplified than ever, spewing out some of its most scalding riffs to date and channeling an unearthly bellow from its low end.
In a recent interview with Decibel magazine, THE SWORD guitarist/vocalist John "J. D." Cronise stated about the new effort, "This is what you'd technically call a 'concept album,' though I'd describe it as more of a soundtrack to a story I came up with. All the songs are about aspects of the story, but they don't cover every detail from beginning to end. It's a science fiction story, and it deals heavily with themes of light and dark and perceptions of time. One of the main settings is a planet, which has experienced tidal locking, creating a side of perpetual day and a side of perpetual night. The reason for creating a narrative to base the songs around was essentially to provide interesting and varied lyrical subject matter with a core theme to tie it all together."
On the heels of the cancellation of their European tour, Austin, Texas luminaries THE SWORD are also regretfully canceling the remainder of their scheduled U.S. dates due to the departure of their drummer, Trivett Wingo. The split is amicable and both Trivett and the rest of the band wish each other the best of the luck with their respective plans. THE SWORD is already working diligently to reschedule its European and U.S. dates.
Commented Trivett: "It is with deep sadness that I am announcing my departure from THE SWORD.
"After nearly seven years and some of the most amazing adventures of a lifetime, I have arrived at a place where I am physically and emotionally unable to continue on as part of THE SWORD. If I could go any further, I would as I love the music and JD, Bryan and Kyle are people that I deeply respect, but I have reached a point where I just can't do this anymore.
"I would like to thank the wonderful people who made this experience what it has been: the fans, the people that I have worked and all of the bands and musicians that have inspired me over the years. I thank you and apologize for any disappointment that this may cause anyone, not least of which THE SWORD."
The remaining members of THE SWORD have released the following statement regarding Trivett's departure:
"We wish Trivett nothing but the best, and it is with heavy hearts that we bid him farewell. He is a phenomenal musician and has been an integral part of this band's success. He helped to lay the foundation that we will continue to build upon, and we wouldn't be where we are without him. We wish he could continue the adventure with us, but we understand that the life of a touring musician is not for everyone. It's been a hell of a ride, and we're sad to see this part of the journey end. The show must go on, though, and will be back on the road as soon as humanly possible."
"Warp Riders", the third full-length album THE SWORD, sold around 8,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 47 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Florida metallers TRIVIUM will enter Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida on Decemebr 1 with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford to begin recording their new album for an early 2011 release via Roadrunner Records.
In a July 18, 2010 interview with the WMHB 89.7 FM metal radio show "Metal Mutilation", TRIVIUM guitarist Corey Beaulieu stated about the songwriting process for the follow-up to 2008's "Shogun", "We got done [touring in support of 'Shogun'] at the end of March [2010], and we weren't planning on the [new] record coming out until February or March of next year, so we had the rest of the year to just work on it. And it's worked out really good for us — we didn't feel rushed and we were able to take the time to make sure everything is right." He added, "We did more work on this record than we've done on any other record. The stuff is sounding really awesome and we're having a lot of fun doing this."
Regarding how the addition of drummer Nick Augusto has changed TRIVIUM's sound, Beaulieu said, "I think he fits more of our writing style, 'cause we play a lot of fast, heavier stuff and his drumming is kind of really on the heavier, aggressive side, so, really, just writing the TRIVIUM songs we [normally] do it, his drumming style adds a lot of energy and intensity to the music — he adds a lot of really cool, creative stuff that makes it really interesting and brings the music to the next level. And just working with him, everything is moving pretty fast. He's like a sponge, like the rest of us — he can grasp new songs really fast. If we have a new song, we can start jamming it really quick and kind of move forward and get to the point where we can just focus on the details of the song instead of just trying to get the song down in the first place. It's really helping propel the songwriting to another level where we can move along quicker and get a
lot more work done in a shorter amount of time.
"When people actually get a chance to hear the record, I think they'll be pretty impressed with what's going on, 'cause he's doing some really cool stuff and adding a new flavor to what we do and giving it a new twist. Compared to the last couple of records, the intensity and the energy has really gone up a lot."
When asked if the new tracks are as "shred-happy" as some of TRIVIUM's recent material, Corey replied, "We've been concentrating more on [making] more to-the-point, catchier songs without going off too much — there's no seven- or eight-minute songs on this one. There's a lot of really cool riffs and a lot of really cool parts, and, obviously, there's guitar solos all over the place. It doesn't sound like 'Shogun', but it sounds like TRIVIUM. It's a got a different feel than 'Shogun' — it's a lot more in your face and heavier and faster. It kind of balances out everything — we've got four or five songs that are all screaming, we've got a couple of songs that are all singing, and huge songs that are kind of a mix — kind of 'Acendancy' [2005] kind of vocal style, [with both] screaming and singing, so there's a good variety, which makes it really interesting to listen to, because each song has its own thing going on, so they all stand out really well
and fit together, too. It's got a good balance of everything, but the energy and the intensity is just a lot more up there. I guess if you compare it to anything as far as being aggressive, it's probably more towards 'Ascendancy' than anything else."
With regards to the direction of the new TRIVIUM lyrics, Corey said, "Everything is not finished, but [guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy is] further along in the lyrics than he has been on the last few records. I think there are six or seven songs where the lyrics are pretty much there and then there's some of the newer songs that we've put together that he's still piecing together and figuring out what the songs are. All the lyrics are really cohesive and really kind of all fit together, have the same kind of vibe. It makes the whole record one cohesive piece instead of each song being just randomly about something else."
A new TRIVIUM song, "Shattering The Skies Above", appeared on the extended play (EP) soundtrack for the highly anticipated PlayStation3 (PS3) exclusive videogame "God of War III". The EP, titled "God of War: Blood & Metal", was made available on March 2 via Roadrunner as part of the "God of War III Ultimate Edition", and featured five exclusive unreleased songs from Roadrunner artists, including KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, DREAM THEATER, OPETH and TAKING DAWN.
Three-time Grammy-winning country/folk singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams has recorded a guest appearance on the as-yet-untitled new album from Michael Monroe, the iconic rock and roll frontman and founding member of hugely influential Finnish outfit HANOI ROCKS. Due on February 21, 2011 via Universal Music subsidiary Spinefarm Records, the CD will also feature MOTÖRHEAD's Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister.
Monroe's new album is being recorded at a Los Angeles studio with legendary producer Jack Douglas (AEROSMITH, JOHN LENNON, CLUTCH, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, NEW YORK DOLLS) and will be mixed by Jay Messina (THE ROLLING STONES, SLASH, PATTI SMITH).
Michael Monroe's brand new live album, "Another Night In The Sun/Live In Helsinki", is set for release on November 1 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.
"Days Of Defiance", the new album from Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND — who feature in their ranks current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. — will be released in Japan on October 18 through Avalon/Marquee. The Japanese edition of the CD will contain two bonus tracks — "Halcyon Days" and a cover of the JUDAS PRIEST classic "Breaking The Law".
FIREWIND's version of "Breaking The Law" originally appeared on volume 1 of the "Metal Forge" series by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, which saw nine bands covering the nine tracks on PRIEST's "British Steel" album to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
"Days Of Defiance" is scheduled for release in North America on October 26 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD's striking cover artwork was designed by the band's longtime partner in all design matters, Gustavo Sazes, and can be viewed below.
"Days of Defiance" track listing
01. The Ark Of Lies
02. World On Fire
03. Chariot
04. Embrace The Sun
05. The Departure
06. Heading For The Dawn
07. Broken
08. Cold As Ice
09. Kill In The Name Of Love
10. SKG
11. Losing Faith
12. The Yearning
13. When All Is Said And Done
14. Riding On The Wind (iTunes exclusive)
"Days Of Defiance" is described in a press release as "a truly ambitious and dynamic opus featuring some of the most brilliant guitar playing the genre has seen in many years."
The "World On Fire" single was made available for purchase on digital platforms starting on August 17. The video for the track was once again directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among many others. Ullaeus oversaw all of FIREWIND's visuals on the band's last two albums.
FIREWIND's 2010 lineup (from left to right in photo below):
Michael Ehre - Drums
Petros Christo - Bass
Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals
Gus G. - Guitar
Bob Katsionis - Keyboards
THE WILDHEARTS mainman Ginger has just released "10", a 16-track compilation album featuring the best of the first ten years of his solo work. In addition, the CD includes two brand new tracks exclusive to this release — "No Way Out But Through" and "This Too Will Pass".
Writing of the LP in his blog, Ginger says: "This album represents ten years of recording outside of THE WILDHEARTS family, but for me it represents even more than that. This album tells the story of the first steps I took alone in creating an independent personality for myself as a writer and as a father."
"10" track listing:
01. Sonic Shake
02. Yeah Yeah Yeah
03. How Hard Can You Make It
04. Mother City
05. Any Way But Maybe
06. Black Windows
07. Church Of The Broken Hearted
08. Drinking In The Daytime
09. The Man Who Cheated Death
10. This Is Only A Problem
11. When She Comes
12. I Knew You
13. Girls Are Better Than Boys
14. Jake
15. No Way Out But Through (new track)
16. This Too Will Pass (new track)
"10" is available via Round Records as a CD or download from all the usual outlets and can be ordered now direct from Cargo.
Although their guitarist was a long-time member of QUEENSRŸCHE, don't assume that the music of THE STICK PEOPLE is based in challenging prog metal. While they do indeed have elements of metal in their sound, it's more of a "party-hearty" metal vibe, with energetic punk rock added to the mix as well. For the proof, all you have to do is surf on over to iTunes and give a listen to the group's digital single "Think About That".
Comprised of Stephen Duffy on lead vocals/guitars, Mike Stone on vocals/guitars (the group's aforementioned "QUEENSRŸCHE connection"), Billy Close on bass, Bernie Godwin on lead guitar, and Frankie Anthony on drums, THE STICK PEOPLE recently signed with EFM/Bungalo, which issued "Think About That". A video for the song was also completed.
"The band wasn't calculated, it just happened," explains Duffy. "Bernie, Frankie, and I were in the studio working on promotional material, and we clicked. Stone called in, roped in Billy, and suddenly, we were 'THE STICK PEOPLE.'"
Adds the band's producer, Dito, "THE STICK PEOPLE is a 'bands' band.' Great players, great chops, great songs and they love each other. How often do you find that?!"
THE STICK PEOPLE recently signed on with Ashley Talent International, LLC and is gearing up for live dates before the end of the year. Godwin says the band can't wait to hit the road. "THE STICK PEOPLE is a band of diverse musicians and walks of life," he says. "Together, we make a statement that is universally seen and heard by all people in our music. We use everyday life for inspiration. We can't wait to give you the show of your life!"
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/thestickpeople.
Denmark's sludge metal three-piece RISING has just posted two new tracks on their MySpace page. The first pieces of music from the band since 2009's critically acclaimed self-titled debut EP will appear on a seven-inch vinyl single, to be released via Red Tape on November 29. According to a press release, the two tracks — "Legacy of Wolves" and "Daughter of The Sun" — display "an even fiercer and aggressive side" of the band than heard on their debut EP.
In other news, RISING's debut EP will finally be released on vinyl on November 29 via the German metal/punk-label Pain of Mind. The effort will be a 12-inch release in a limited edition of 500 copies, 150 of which are on white vinyl. Both vinyl releases will be available through RISING's MySpace page, the labels and various mailorders and record dealers throughout the world.
Since the release of the self-titled debut EP, RISING has had a high level of activity: a nomination in the "Best New Talent" category at the Danish Metal Awards 2009, two European tours and one Irish tour in 2010 as well as shows in Sweden and their native homeland of Denmark, including a performance at this year's Roskilde Festival. Apart from releasing the forthcoming seven-inch vinyl and the 12-inch EP vinyl edition, RISING is hard at work writing its debut album, to be recorded in March/April next year and released on an as-yet-undisclosed German label in September 2011
KING'S X is back and better than ever, currently wrapping up a co-headlining run with reformed heavy metal legends ACCEPT. In 2011, the rock titans will unleash a brand new album on the masses but — just in time for the holidays — the band will release "Live Love in London", a 2CD/DVD package featuring some of the greatest hits from the past 30 years. This release features two hours of KING'S X's best material performed live, including such classics as "Over My Head", "Goldilox" and "Pray".
The first-ever official KING'S X concert DVD, "Live Love in London" was recorded in January 2009 at the Electric Ballroom in London, England. On October 25, the 2CD version of "Live Love in London" will be available in stores everywhere while the "deluxe edition" featuring both CDs as well as the DVD will be available exclusively through CMDistro.com. The DVD-only edition will be released to stores everywhere on November 23. A pre-order is available through CMDistro.com and fans that order the deluxe edition will receive a FREE autographed poster while supplies last.
"Live Love in London" track listing:
01. Groove Machine
02. Alright
03. Pleiades
04. Move
05. What Is This?
06. Lost In Germany
07. Black Flag
08. Pray
09. Dogman
10. Go Tell Somebody
11. Julie
12. Looking For Love
13. Summerland
14. Over My Head
15. It's Love
16. We Were Born To Be Loved
17. Goldilox
18. Visions
19. Moanjam
In a brand new interview with Consequence Of Sound, FAITH NO MORE bassist Billy Gould spoke about the possibility of the influential '90s alt-metal act playing more shows after the final concert of its current reunion tour on December 5 in Santiago, Chile. "I personally can't see us not doing any more shows again, I just don't see it," he said. "There's no point in not to do it. Why quit now? I think it's just this tour… We did this tour and that's what we decided to do. And we did it. We accomplished this goal, it worked out for all of us, and then we look at each other and say, 'Hey what do you want to do now?' And I think that's how it's got to be."
Regarding how the reunion tour has gone so far, Gould said, "I was probably the guy who dragged his feet the most in doing this, and I've got to say it exceeded my expectations 100 percent. It was much better than my best-case scenario, and my worst case didn't even come into play."
FAITH NO MORE made a comeback in June 2009 with a headlining performance at the Brixton Academy in London, England and has been playing sporadic shows ever since.
After FAITH NO MORE completes its reunion tour, all of the group's members are expected to resume work on their own individual projects.
Dave Wedge of BostonHerald.com recently conducted an interview with GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
On whether the release of his new solo album, "Avalon", means the Massachusetts hard rockers are teetering on the brink of a split:
"I want to make this clear. I love GODSMACK. I am not trying to kill GODSMACK. I have no reason to do that. They're my brothers.
"It's a yin and a yang. You need to be mellow to want to be wild and when you're wild too long you need to be mellow. I need this (solo work) as much as I need GODSMACK."
On the musical direction of his solo effort:
"GODSMACK has taught me to open up and be vulnerable. With this record I really cracked myself open and poured it all out. I'm a fairly private person. But in music, I've learned this is who I am and this is what I do. People enjoy hearing me be this vulnerable. It helps them heal in their own ways.
"For me music has always been a healer. It's always been this therapeutic vehicle for me. I think what people appreciate is the honesty. I don't think I could be any more vulnerable than this."
On how his solo album has been received by GODSMACK fans:
"I knew there would be GODSMACK fans that would embrace this, but I also knew there would be GODSMACK fans who would be like, 'Why's he playing the piano? What the (expletive) is this?' But it was about something I had a calling to do. Even if it was the last thing I did. Love it or hate it, it's something that was a necessity."
On his bandmates' feelings about his solo album:
"I do sense there's a little fear with them because they know I'm passionate and I'll do everything I can to break this (solo) thing and be successful. But I have no reason to kill GODSMACK. It's not about that. This is about me being a musician and an artist. It was really important for me to get this out."
On his nearly two-decade rock 'n' roll journey:
"It sure is fun to ride the road and see where it takes you. All the pit stops we make along the way are the things we'll take to our grave and will put a smile on my face when I finally close my eyes for the last time."
According to Roadrunner Records, STONE SOUR has teamed up with MTV and Gift Music for one of their exclusive "MTV Presents" live shows at London, England's Dingwalls venue on Tuesday, October 19, just around the corner from MTV's U.K. headquarters in Camden. The show is part of a series of special, one-off gigs featuring the best of both established and emerging global talent.
STONE SOUR kicks off its major co-headline U.K. tour in Glasgow on October 26 with AVENGED SEVENFOLD and with the majority of tickets already sold out, the "MTV Presents…" STONE SOUR gig is the perfect chance to catch the band, up close and personal, before it heads out on its U.K. arena dates.
Tickets are £12 and available exclusively to STONE SOUR "Dead Generation" fan-club members today (October 8). Any remaining tickets will go on general sale from Monday, October 11.
'80s rockers XYZ return to Denver after a 17-year absence to play the legendary club Bangles on Friday, October 22. In what promises to be an amazing night, the band has decided to document the evening.
Commented singer Terry Ilous: "We will shoot a live DVD and record a live CD that night. XYZ live in Denver. So it's simple. In order to be 'in' that night, you will have to dress up totally '80's. It should be a lot of fun. Girls, mini-skirts and white pumps. Guys, well, I don't know... Hide your beer guts, ha ha".
XYZ's current lineup also features Pat Fontaine on bass, Tony Marcus on guitar and Joey Shapiro on drums. Joey is a veteran of the Denver hard rock scene and was a regular at Bangles playing with his band DIRTY BOYS. In fact, it was playing there that landed him the gig with XYZ when they were touring the country as a three-piece doing acoustic shows back in 1992.
Sharing the bill at Bangles on October 22 will be some of Denver's top hard rock acts: THE DARK, LIL' DREAMER and BONE CIRCUS.
Tickets are $12.50 online or $15 day of the show. You can buy them at davidbproductions.com until October 21.
Northern Irish rockers MILLION $ RELOAD have inked a deal with Powerage Records. The label will release a remixed version of the band's 2008 debut album, "Anthems Of A Degeneration", with new packaging.
From blistering, cocksure sing-a-longs like "Livin' In The City", "Tattoos & Dirty Girls" and "Give It All" through to irresistible bluesy ballads like "The Last Icon" and "Keep Holding On", "Anthems Of A Degeneration" is "a flawless exercise in smart, sassy songwriting and a superb showcase for the electrifying chemistry that exists between these five musicians," according to a press release.
Formed five years ago in Belfast, Northern Ireland, these steely-eyed purveyors of balls-out, barnstorming classic rock are on a mission to put a smile back on your face and few thousand volts up your holiest of holies. Ultimately, it's all about getting the basics right and giving the people what they want.
"All we ever wanted to do was write proper frickin' rock songs!" laughs powerhouse vocalist Phil. "Songs that people could relate to in the way we do, and that we can perform and make rock fans say 'You know what? Here's a band playing genuine rock 'n' roll with no bullshit and no frills, and they're having a blast doing it!' That's all we want to do…write and perform kick-ass rock 'n' roll and stick to our principles. We're not trying to re-invent the wheel. The bottom line for us is that a good song is a good song! That's what it's all about."
"Anthems Of A Degeneration" seemed to arrived fully-formed and immaculate; a tour-de-force of vast hooks, killer riffs and moments of joyous, snake-hipped abandon, with shades of everyone from AC/DC and AEROSMITH through to THE BLACK CROWES and BUCKCHERRY, confirming that these young Irishmen know their history and salute it with style, while also displaying a powerful and compelling character and atmosphere that is all their own.
Unfortunately, despite receiving numerous glowing reviews and seeming poised to make a huge impact, the album's upward ascent was brought to an abrupt and damaging halt when the label's distributor, Pinnacle, experienced a financial collapse and went out of business only a few weeks after the record was released, ensuring that MILLION $ RELOAD's remarkably assured and undeniably thrilling first effort sank without trace.
"When that deal ended we were looking around for specialist rock label to make a new album with but everyone who heard 'Anthems…' just loved it and thought it had real potential," recalls Phil. "So the idea came round that we might have another go! We approached Powerage, and right from the start they were totally into it and wanted to release it and work with the band. We were able to get the rights back from the old label and now the album has been remixed, remastered and repackaged so it sounds totally killer and better than ever! We can't wait to get back on the road and tour until we drop!"
"Anthems Of A Degeneration" track listing:
01. Superslave
02. Tattoos And Dirty Girls
03. Livin' In The City
04. Goodnight New York
05. The Last Icon
06. Freeloader
07. You Can't Stop Me From Flying
08. Give It All
09. Keep Holding On
10. Fire Your Guns
11. International Anthem
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/milliondollarreload.
The current lineup of the legendary hardcore band CRO-MAGS — featuring John Joseph on vocals, Craig Setari (SICK OF IT ALL) on bass, A.J. Novello (LEEWAY) on guitar and Mackie Jayson on drums — is planning on releasing a new album in 2011. In a recent interview with Nettverk For Dyrs Frihet, Joseph stated about the timetable for the band's next CD, "We are looking to release something next year." He added, "We always just roll with the punches. We want to release something with this lineup. My philosophy is, 'I don't talk about shit; I just do it.' When it's getting ready to come out, you will hear about it. That's what I did with my books. I just wrote a film. There is no need to 'big-talk' something. I think everybody knows what to expect, so when it's getting ready to come out people will hear about it."
CRO-MAGS' most recent studio album, "Revenge", came out in 2000, but did not feature Joseph.
The band's last LP with Joseph on lead vocals was 1993's "Near Death Experience".
An influential band from New York City, the original CRO-MAGS was among the first acts to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal and was associated with the birth of a tougher attitude within the hardcore scene in the late 1980s. They were also one of the first hardcore punk bands involved with the Hare Krishna movement.
Long-running Oakland, California-based industrial/alternative/metal pioneers NEUROSIS have scheduled two shows in Seattle at the end of December:
Dec. 30 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
Dec. 31 - Seattle, WA - Neumos
Support at the Dec. 30 show will come from WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM and BLACK BREATH. Opening the Dec. 31 concert will be YOB and LUDICRA.
In a recent interview with Shannon Joy of the LA Music Blog, Scott Kelly stated about NEUROSIS' new live album, "Live At Roadburn 2007", which came out in August, "We listened to [all the live recordings we made] — we just kind of went through everything we had, and this just seemed like the best one, the best overall. You just have to take into account the performance, the recording itself, and then the content, and just make a decision. And the fact that it was at Roadburn probably played into our decision at some point too, just because we have some loyalty to those guys; they're good people that run that festival. It's a really great event, and doing something to kind of honor them and their work, it kind of came into play as well. Had it been a crappy performance with a bad recording, we probably wouldn't have put it out, but we just felt like it was a good representation of a live show. Oftentimes, we're pretty sloppy, but that was a pretty good
performance."
When asked if there any plans for a live DVD to accompany the album, Kelly said, "Nah, I don't think that'd be too nice. [Laughs] For us, it'd be kind of weird. That's never really been our thing; it's always been quite the opposite, actually. I mean, a video of us performing live — there's enough of those out there if you want to see what we look like playing, but we've never been willing to basically sacrifice a performance in order for there to be camera people all over the stage. I think the only time that anyone ever got away with it was in Brooklyn a couple of years ago, and they happened to be really, really good at it, so that we didn't really notice that they were there. Because otherwise, to me, there's no way that you can justify that: I can't justify sacrificing one live performance for a video shoot, you know? That, to me, is just sacrilege."
On the topic of NEUROSIS' next studio album, Kelly said, "We're just trying to finish it right now. We're trying to get it to the point where we can step into the studio. And it's getting close, but we have more work to do. Our schedules are pretty ridiculous. We all work regular jobs, so we just have to find time to get together and work on this stuff. The winter is usually a good, creative time for us, so hopefully we'll come out of the winter with the record completed and then we can have a more solid release date in mind."
Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Snowy Shaw (real name: Tommie Helgesson; THERION, DREAM EVIL, KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, MEMENTO MORI, NOTRE DAME) about his short stint as a session musician for DIMMU BORGIR and his eventual return to THERION. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal-Rules.com: It surprised many people when it was first rumored you were joining DIMMU BORGIR but it was even more surprising when, just a day after you officially announced you had joined the band, it was reported you had left DIMMU and rejoined THERION. DIMMU has said nothing officially of your involvement with the band despite a promo picture being released and the only statement came from Christofer Johnsson of THERION that you were back. Can you clarify to fans of all parties involved exactly what happened with DIMMU and the chain of events that led to you leaving so quickly? Was it an amicable split, the proverbial "musical differences" or what…?
Snowy: I'm fully aware that people must be wondering just what the hell happened between DIMMU and I that made me quit the way I did. I wish I could openly talk about it, but I'm sorry, I'm not allowed to really discuss or give out any details in the matter, so for the moment let's just say that there were major misunderstandings and a severe lack of communication that eventually led to my departure from DIMMU BORGIR. I've been extremely upset and sad that things took such an ugly turn, when at first, it seemed to be the most perfect spot for me. But… well, no use crying over spilled milk, as the Swedish saying goes. I guess everything happens for a reason and I'm just delighted to be back with my THERION family and to start the world tour for our new album in just about two weeks' time.
Metal-Rules.com: Did you pursue the vacant bassist position in DIMMU or did the DIMMU camp ask you to join? When did you actually start working with the band?
Snowy: I think it was in February this year, I knew the guys and had previously been working with them making props and stuff for their videos when I was working with my friend Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, and we would bump into each other every now and then playing festivals and so on. Then you could say there were a number of incidents coinciding, Silenoz wrote me and shared some comedy link on my Facebook page. I was temporarily playing bass and singing in a rock/metal covers band who'd be off to play in some ski resort in Lillehammer, Norway the following week. I saw on Blabbermouth that DIMMU was in the middle of doing pre-production for a new album and was a keyboard player and bassist short after having fired Mustis and Vortex, so suddenly it just hit me… Fuck! No one could be more perfect for this band than me. So I sent a mail to Silenoz and a few days later they called me up. Besides I had heard they contemplated hiring me to
design and supervise stage props and visual designs, so I thought it'd be both convenient and idyllic to keep it all in the family, so to speak, if they could hit two birds with one stone, just like I'd previously been hired to do with THERION, on the side of my singing duties.
Metal-Rules.com: Having now heard the track and seen the video for DIMMU's first single, "Gateways", you are seen mostly in the background. Agnete Kjølsrud seems to have taken over what, in my opinion, would have been the clean vocal part that Vortex — or in this case, you — would have sung. Any idea why the band chose to incorporate female vocals in place of clean male vocals?
Snowy: I love what Agnete did on this track…sounds like some wonderfully insane witch! Like I tried saying before, they didn't expect to be so lucky as to find a bass player who could also do clean vocals, so before I got into the picture, they decided to have a guest vocalist on a track or two to keep that style of contrasting voices they had before with Shagrath and Vortex, I suppose.
Metal-Rules.com: The other members of DIMMU play in secondary active bands. Galder has OLD MAN'S CHILD, Shagrath splits between OV HELL and CHROME DIVISION and Silenoz just debuted his new band, INSIDIOUS DISEASE. Why did you first decide to leave THERION instead of playing in both bands?
Snowy: Believe me, I had every intention of continuing playing in both bands but there couldn't possibly have been a worse case time-wise. Both bands release new albums in September — and on the same record label — and will be touring at almost the exact same time. I mean, it's not like I could pick and choose what tours I want to do, and tell DIMMU, "OK guys, I'm going to sit out the tours this year to tour with THERION instead and then get back on the train after the Christmas break, OK?" Either you're in or you're not. So, what the hell could I do? I was left with no other choice than to make a choice between the two.
Metal-Rules.com: I suppose an obvious question is...why did you return to THERION again after leaving just a few months earlier? Did Christofer approach you to re-join or did you seek him out?
Snowy: Like I just explained, due to the circumstances and the way things developed, I was forced to choose between DIMMU and THERION. Unless I could quickly come up with a way to clone myself, I obviously couldn't be in two places at the same time. One day I spoke with THERION singer, Thomas Vikström, who confided to me the difficulties they've had finding a replacement for me and he said, "Listen, Snowy, just so you know, in case things doesn't work out with DIMMU for one reason or another, you are more than welcome back — ANYTIME." Look, I have no intention of starting any shitstorm here and I'm not going to violate the contract I've signed which prevents me from revealing any further details about all the events and incidents. For now, all I can say is, I think my actions speak for themselves. I'm back to the original plan and will be touring all over South America and Europe with THERION until Christmas.
ATHEIST, EXHUMED, MACABRE, GENERAL SURGERY and NOX have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Neurotic Deathfest, set to take place April 29-30, 2011 at 013 and MIDI theatre in Tilburg, Holland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
ATHEIST (US)
AUTOPSY (US)
CRIPPLE BASTARDS (IT)
EXHUMED (US)
GENERAL SURGERY (SE)
GRAVE (SE)
MACABRE (US)
NOX (NL)
PROSTITUTE DISFIGUREMENT (NL)
WORMED (ES)
A total of 42 bands will perform at the event on four stages.
A new addition to the Neurotic Deathfest is a campsite which gives visitors an opportunity to get affordable accommodation near the festival. The campsite is located on Safaricamp Beekse Bergen, just outside Tilburg, and is limited to 600 people. Transportation from and to the campsite will be available during the festival.
Ticket sales will commence on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. CET.
For more information, visit www.neuroticdeathfest.com.
According to the Orphaned Disciples web site, ORPHANED LAND's December 9 and December 10 concerts at Reading 3 in Tel Aviv, Israel will be professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming DVD release. The band will be joined by two very special guests during the shows — PARADISE LOST guitarist Greg Mackintosh will appear at the December 9 gig; and famous Israeli singer Yehuda Poliker will perform with ORPHANED LAND on December 10. Poliker reportedly inspired the band to choose the name ORPHANED LAND from the lyrics of one of his songs.
ORPHANED LAND will continue to tour massively in support of its new album, "The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR", with plans to return to European stages in November with AMORPHIS and GHOST BRIGADE. Until then, ORPHANED LAND will be busy playing several major European festivals this summer (including Wacken Open Air and Summer Breeze) as well as taking part in a U.S. tour, supporting KATATONIA from September 8 to October 7.
On May 22, ORPHANED LAND performed at the Ramat Gan stadium in Tel Aviv as the support act for METALLICA.
"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 80 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.
"The Never Ending Way Of ORwarriOR" was released in Europe on January 25. Mixed by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE, OPETH), who is also responsible for several keyboard parts on the new CD, the effort — which was made available in the U.S. on February 9 via Century Media Records — is a sophisticated concept album which takes ORPHANED LAND's unique brand of exotic, heavy music to soaring new heights in terms of complexity and catchiness. The CD's artwork was created by Zen Two and Native.
ÅRABROT is a Norwegian noise-rock band from Haugesund, Norway named after the city garbage disposal at which local authorities found it appropriate to place a school for troubled youths. In the same way these garbage disposals are a yeasty oasis of scents and liquids that through the years will mutate into indefinable masses, ÅRABROT is a band that continuously develops into something more raw and intriguing.
Since starting out in 2001, ÅRABROT's main core has been Kjetil Nernes (songwriter, guitar and vocals) and Vidar Evensen (drums and visuals), and in recent years, has added noise artist Stian Skagen as a regular on-and-off contributing member of the band. Collaborating with producers such as Billy Anderson (MELVINS, NEUROSIS), Emil Nikolaisen (SERENA MANEESH) and Steve Albini (NIRVANA, HIGH ON FIRE) the band has released three full-length albums and a grotesque bouquet of singles and EPs. 2009 alone produced two critically acclaimed EPs, "AbsoluteNegativisM" and "I Rove", together with a double LP with side project NERNES/SKAGEN, and last but not least the masterpiece "The Brother Seed", the latter earning international attention and a Norwegian Grammy-equivalent nomination.
ÅRABROT is about to represent for this generation what the sum of the MELVINS, BIRTHDAY PARTY and SWANS were to the generation before them; a source of pleasure from both auditory and moral excesses. The band's foundation is noise-rock, but has strong elements of industrial music and noise. In ÅRABROT there is also a dramatic component few other bands in history possess: histories are told and emotions are laid out in a way that's closer to the compositional techniques of experimental film and theatre than traditional song structure. Last but not least they are drawn to the lyrics that combine elements of two of the most stimulating works of human kind: The Bible and Pornography.
In November 2010, ÅRABROT's new album, "Revenge" (available on both CD and double LP, and through all major digital retail outlets), will be released in the U.S. by Fysisk Format with distribution through Stickfigure. A record best described as a final closure but at the same time the beginning of a new era: ÅRABROT's revenge on music in general and their secret vendetta against one special person...
"Revenge" track listing:
01. The Most Sophisticated Form Of Revenge
02. Interim Me
03. The Wretched Child
04. The Dolorous Years
05. Murder
06. End Of First Chant I
07. The Pilgrimage
08. End Of First Chant II
09. The Primrose Path
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/arabrot.
San Diego, California metallers SEA OF TREACHERY have inked a deal with the BlkHeart Group for the release of their new album, "Wonderland". The follow-up to 2008's "At Daggers Drawn" (Sumerian Records) will be made available in early 2011 through Hot Topic stores and digitally through BlkHeart's new distribution partnership with Sony RED / Good Fight. The CD was recorded earlier this year at Lambesis Studios in San Marcos, California with producer Joseph McQueen and was mixed by Zack Ohren.
Commented SEA OF TREACHERY vocalist Alex Huffman: "I feel very relieved; there was so much effort put into this record by so many people and as an artist, it was terrifying to be in a situation where you thought such a project could sit and gather dust. Almost a year after the fact, I can still listen to this record and see it as a wonderful body of work from five people of different backgrounds coming together and creating something special."
SEA OF TREACHERY is:
Alex Huffman - Vocals
Chris Paterson - Bass, Vocals
Voice Gajic - Guitar
Chris Simmons - Guitar
Adam Pierce - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/seaoftreachery.
SEVENDUST frontman Lajon Witherspoon has recorded a guest appearance on (HED)P.E.'s new album, "Truth Rising", which lands in stores October 26 through Suburban Noize Records. Witherspoon appears on the track "Stand Up".
"Working with Lajon from SEVENDUST was a dream come true," commented Jahred from (HED)P.E. "I have always loved Lajon's voice, and was waiting for the right song to get him on. When I wrote the chorus for 'Stand Up' I immediately knew it was one that Lajon would be perfect for.
"I have been a fan of SEVENDUST since the beginning, and this track was a long time coming. Finally after 10-plus years we collaborated and I love what came out of it."
(HED)P.E. has been added as direct support on select dates of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' upcoming headlining tour in October.
(HED)P.E. is currently offering fans the exclusive five-song "Skull & Bonus" bonus CD, which also contains a 30-minute interview with Jahred discussing The Truth Movement. You can obtain it by pre-ordering the the forthcoming album online at this location.
The track listing for "Truth Rising" is as follows:
01. Silence is Betrayal
02. Truth Rising
03. It's All Over
04. The Capitalist Conspiracy
05. No Rest For The Wicked
06. This Fire
07. Takeover
08. Stand Up
09. Beijo Na Boca
10. Menina
11. Universal Peace
12. Forward Go!
13. Bad News
14. Deepthroat
15. Murder
16. The Hed Honcho
17. Children of the Fall
18. Enough Secrecy
19. No More Secrets
20. Whitehouse
21. We Are the Ones
22. It's Alright!
Los Angeles, California-based three-piece bleak ambient black doom act WELTER IN THY BLOOD has inked a deal with the Italian label Dusktone Records. The group will enter the studio later this month in Portland, Oregon to record the follow-up to "Through The Fields Of Mourning".
"Through The Fields Of Mourning", an epic six-panel digipak CD, was released in January via Shadowgraph Records. The set was the follow-up to 2009's "The Transference Of Misery" LP, which was released through the Dutch label Todesstunde. This LP featured hand silkscreened cover and poster.
WELTER IN THY BLOOD's debut album, "The Grim Visage of Death", a one-sided bloodsplattered EP, came out in 2008 and was limited to only 200 copies which were numbered in the bandmembers' blood.
WELTER IN THY BLOOD was formed in 2006 with the intent of giving a soundtrack to the extinction of the human race. Their elegies speak of their virulent hate for the human existence and the lauding of death and solitude. Revealed through a staggering funeral cadence and guttural ululations is the feeling of absolute torment and despondency. WELTER IN THY BLOOD musically coalesced self mutilation and misanthropy with the urge for voluntary human extinction, coining the term "Suicide is a Virtue."
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/welterinthyblood.
Swedish black metallers INFUNERAL have released the first single from their upcoming second album, to be released this winter. The track is entitled "The Circle Master" and is described in a press release as "nothing but fast and supreme black metal directly from the cold lands of Sweden."
According to the band's label, Blackcrowned Records, INFUNERAL will appeal to fans of ONDSKAPT, IXXI and WATAIN."
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/infuneral.
French "sophisticated black metal" band ORAKLE has issued the following update:
"After seven years spent within ORAKLE, Amaury a.k.a. Amar ru (guitars) decided to part ways with the band, willing to focus on different activities and musical insipirations. Of course, his decision won't compromise the future of the band, as we are currently working on the next album, following 2008 'Tourments & Perdition'. As things stand, the guitar duties on this next recording will be handled by Eithenn and Achernar; however, perfect candidates are free to knock at our door. Be patient, and rendez-vous when the fruit reaches maturity."
"Tourments & Perdition" was released in May 2008 via Holy Records. The follow-up to 2005's "Uni Aux Cimes" follows "an epic, sophisticated" direction "yet blended with more experimentations, avantgarde parts and ambiances," according to the band.
Black metallers FROSTMOON ECLIPSE have signed a worldwide deal with Osmose Productions for the release of their fifth full-length album, "The End Stands Silent". The follow-up to 2007's "Another Face of Hell" will be released on CD and limited-edition vinyl before the end of the year.
"The End Stands Silent" track listing:
01. Heaven Outside, Hell Within
02. I Am The Absence
03. Corridors
04. Under Pale City Lights
05. Unnatural Isolation
06. A Clandestine Freedom Between Shadows
07. The End Of Everything
Formed in the autumn of 1994, FROSTMOON ECLIPSE is one of the original and longest-serving, members of the Italian black metal scene with four previous full-length albums as well as several limited-edition releases and appearances on tribute albums to its name. With a lineup that includes Claudio Alcara on guitars, Lorenzo Sassi on vocals, Gionata Potenti on drums and Davide Gorrini on bass, FROSTMOON ECLIPSE is known for its use of melodic acoustic interludes mixed with raw old-school black metal to create a highly atmospheric sound.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/frostmooneclipse.
"Killing The Eternal", the new album from Swiss thrashers CATARACT, has entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 55. The group's previous CD, "Cataract", landed at No. 79 back in March 2008.
"Killing The Eternal" was released in Europe on September 27 (three days earlier in Germany) via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded at Antfarm studios in Aarhus, Denmark with longtime producer Tue Madsen. The limited first digipack edition of "Killing The Eternal" features 13 songs, including the bonus track "Spawned By Illusions".
"Killing The Eternal" track listing:
01. Never
02. Lost Souls
03. Reap The Outcasts
04. Killing The Eternal
05. Failed
06. Urban Waste
07. Makind's Burden
08. Hollow Steps
09. Drain, Murder And Loss
10. The Faith You Have Misused
11. Black Ash
12. Spawned By Illusions (digipack bonus track)
13. Allegory To A Dying World
CATARACT will play a CD-release show on October 22 at the Dynamo Club in Zürich.
Swedish melodic death metallers CIPHER SYSTEM will enter the studio tomorrow (Sunday. October 10) to begin recording their sophomore album, "Communicate The Storms", for a tentative early 2011 release. According to the band, "The music direction hasn't changed that much since [the release of 2004's debut, 'Central Tunnel Eight'], so it's still melodic death metal we are talking about." Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "A Lesson Learned", "End My Path", "Forget To Forgive", "Objection", "The Failure Start" and "Project Life Collapse".
CIPHER SYSTEM is:
Carl Obbel - Vocals
Johan Eskilsson - Lead Guitar
Andreas Allenmark - Lead Guitar
Henric Carlsson - Bass
Emil Frisk - Drums
Peter Engström - Keyboards
"Central Tunnel Eight" was released in November 2004 through Lifeforce Records.
FLESH PARADE, MIASMAL, NOISEAR and SHITSTORM have been confirmed for Maryland Deathfest IX, set to take place May 26-29, 2011 at Sonar in Baltimore.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ACID WITCH (USA)
AURA NOIR (Norway)
AVULSED (Spain)
BAD ACID TRIP (USA)
BLOOD FREAK (USA)
CIANIDE (USA)
CITIZENS ARREST (USA)
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (USA)
CREATIVE WASTE (Saudi Arabia)
CRETIN (USA)
CRIPPLE BASTARDS (Italy)
DEAD CONGREGATION (Greece)
DEFEATED SANITY (Germany)
DEVOURMENT (USA)
DROPDEAD (USA)
EXHORDER (USA)
EXHUMED (USA)
FLESH PARADE (USA)
FUNEBRARUM (USA)
GOATSNAKE (USA)
GRAVEHILL (USA)
HAIL OF BULLETS (Netherlands)
HATRED SURGE (USA)
HOODED MENACE (Finland)
IMPALED NAZARENE (Finland)
INNUMERABLE FORMS (USA)
INQUISITION (USA)
THE KILL (Australia)
KYLESA (USA)
LAST DAYS OF HUMANITY (Netherlands)
LOCK UP (UK)
MACHETAZO (Spain)
MALIGNANT TUMOUR (Czech Republic)
MAMMOTH GRINDER (USA)
MARDUK (Sweden)
MASAKARI (USA)
MIASMAL (Sweden)
NAILS (USA)
NEUROSIS (USA)
NIGHTBRINGER (USA)
NOCTURNAL (Germany)
NOISEAR (USA)
NOKTURNEL (USA)
ORANGE GOBLIN (UK)
SHITSTORM
PULLING TEETH (USA)
REGURGITATE (Sweden)
REPUGNANT (Sweden)
WORMED (Spain)
The concept of Maryland Deathfest is simple: to bring to the United States the best and most extreme bands the underground has to offer. Never conforming to trends, or being limited by genre restrictions, Maryland Deathfest is a showcase of what extreme music, both new and old, is capable of. With an emphasis on diversity, the festival brings together the very best death metal, grindcore, black metal, thrash, experimental and hardcore bands from all around the world. With bands from all over the U.S. and Canada, and exclusive fly ins and rare appearances from some of the most in demand bands from Europe, Australia, and Japan, the diversity of the lineup is only surpassed by the diversity of Maryland Deathfest's rabid fan base, who annually travel from all over the world for a weekend of fun and music.
Since Maryland Deathfest's inception in 2003, festival organizers Ryan and Evan have continued to strive to bring together some of the most legendary bands in the scene and some of the most talked about up-and-coming bands in the underground for an unparalleled experience. Combining the DIY attitude of two young metal fans who are actually part of the scene instead of trying to exploit it, with a refreshing professional touch, Maryland Deathfest is year after year given high marks for being one of the best-run and most organized festivals around.
For more information, visit www.marylanddeathfest.com.
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