British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN have posted another graphic on their official web site (see below) — featuring the Union Jack flag as a backdrop — prompting speculation that they will reveal U.K. dates as part of their "Final Frontier World Tour". The official announcement will be made at 11:00 a.m. GMT on Thursday, November 11.
Last Tuesday (November 2), IRON MAIDEN confimed that it will once again be boarding Ed Force One in February 2011 to fly 50,000 miles round the globe on its continuing mammoth "Final Frontier World Tour", playing 29 shows and visiting 26 cities in thirteen countries across five continents, with the band's lead singer, Bruce Dickinson, again in the pilot's seat.
Since its release in August on EMI (UME in the US), "The Final Frontier" — the band's 15th studio album — has proved their most successful chart album to date, registering the No. 1 sales chart slot in 28 countries around the globe; from Lebanon, Arabia and India in the East, to Canada in the West, New Zealand down South, throughout Europe and across Latin America, as well as reaching No.1 in Billboard's European, Tastemaker and Rock charts, and No. 4 in the USA, which is the band's highest position ever there.
Having already played an extensive 25 date North American Tour and some selected European shows this year, MAIDEN will undertake a full European tour in the summer of 2011.
METALLICA will wind down the touring cycle behind its 2008 album "Death Magnetic" later this month in New Zealand, with the band having been on the road for more than two years. While there are possibilities for more live work in 2011, drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse of Radio that the band is starting to get the songwriting itch too. "There's a bunch of balls in the air for 2011, but I think the main one is we really want to get back to writing again," he said. "We haven't really written since, what, '06, '07, and we want to get back to kind of just being creative again. Right now we are going to just chill out and then probably start up again in, I'd say, March or April, and start probably putting the creative cap back on and start writing some songs."
Ulrich recently told England's Classic Rock magazine that more "Big Four" shows, featuring METALLICA along with SLAYER, ANTHRAX and MEGADETH, could happen in 2011 or 2012. Ulrich said, "The vibe on this thing is so big, we'd be stupid to ignore it. You know on your iPhone, you can move the weather maps up and down? Well, the 'Big Four' is quickly moving up to the top in terms of potential occurrences for the next couple of years."
The "Big Four" package played festivals across Europe throughout the early part of summer, with the four veteran speed metal bands sharing the stage together for the first time ever. Although there were no U.S. dates, one of the shows in Bulgaria was beamed via satellite to U.S. movie theatres.
The possible recurrence of the "Big Four" tour may put plans on hold for METALLICA to stage a massive live show next year that co-manager Peter Mensch said last March would rival PINK FLOYD's "The Wall" and would play just 10 dates.
Ulrich admitted that such a project has been on the band's minds, saying, "We have been kicking some ideas around about doing some stuff that — how shall I say it — is pretty theatrical . . . We might incorporate a lot of different ideas, instead of it being one particular thing. It would be a multitude of theatrical elements, maybe as an idea for a one-off tour or something."
Although Ulrich says that he's looking forward to taking "at least six months off" once the band completes its current tour this fall, he added, "I would champion trying to do (the 'Big Four' tour) in 2011 or 2012, obviously in England and the United States. It's just a matter of logistics."
METALLICA has issued the following update:
"We know it's pretty nutty to announce a show almost a year in advance . . . certainly not something we've ever done before! However, when we were asked to headline the original Rock in Rio, the one actually in Rio de Janeiro (!!), we just couldn't say 'no.' After playing at other Rock in Rio festivals in Lisbon and Madrid years past, it seemed like it would make for a fun break from whatever (??!!) we might be doing a year from now. So we hope you'll dig up a 2011 calendar and mark off September 25, 2011 for a date with 'TALLICA in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil."
Tickets go on sale on November 19, 2010 only at the Rock in Rio official web site, www.rockinrio.com.br. Other points of sale will be available only after July, 1, 2011.
As previously reported, Brazilian metal acts SEPULTURA and ANGRA have also been confirmed for next year's edition of the Rock In Rio festival, set to take place at the end of September – beginning of October 2011 in "The City Of Rock" in the Olympic Park, in Barra da Tijuca/Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Both bands will perform on the "heavy metal night" of the event, which debuted in 1985 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and had subsequent editions in 1991 and 2001. The first version of the fest featured performances by OZZY OSBOURNE, QUEEN, AC/DC and others. The 2001 edition featured BRITNEY SPEARS, BECK, DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, R.E.M., STING, JAMES TAYLOR and SHERYL CROW.
The Rock In Rio festivals are massive events, drawing millions of people and a diverse roster of local and international artists.
VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash says in a new interview with Backstage Axxess that the band has tried out a few new singers but has yet to find the right replacement for departed frontman Scott Weiland. Slash reveals in the interview, "We had a couple of guys in the week before last. We have some more guys coming in next week or the week after . . . For the most part, there have been some really good singers. (But) trying to find the right guy for this thing is a lot more complicated than one would probably think. So we will keep on toiling away until we hit that magic and when that happens then everything will start rolling."
VELVET REVOLVER has been without a vocalist and on hiatus since dismissing Weiland in April 2008, although there have been rumored candidates to take the job from time to time.
Slash recently finished a tour in support of his debut solo album and will work with VELVET REVOLVER for the rest of this year, before heading out on the road again in January with OZZY OSBOURNE.
The legendary guitarist told The Pulse of Radio that even when he has time off, there's one thing he likes to do: "Work (laughs). Really, downtime, you know -- unfortunately for most people around me, I don't relax well. So I have to be busy and I have to be focused on something. For me, it's fine. It keeps me out of trouble, but for everybody else, it's sort of like, 'Can't you just sort of chill, you know?' But it doesn't work."
Meanwhile, VELVET REVOLVER will release its first concert DVD on November 16, titled "Live In Houston". The 12-song, 78-minute disc was filmed in 2005 while the band was touring behind its 2004 debut album, "Contraband". In addition to tunes from that record, the DVD also includes songs from its members' other bands, GUNS N' ROSES and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, along with interviews with all five band members at the time.
MOTÖRHEAD debuted a brand new song, "I Know How To Die", at the opening show of the band's 2010 tour before 7,000 frenzied fans at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in Aberdeen, United Kingdom on Monday, November 8.
The U.K. release of MOTÖRHEAD's new album, "The Wörld Is Yours", will be a two-fold affair. On December 14, following MOTÖRHEAD's U.K. tour, a Classic Rock Presents Motörhead fan pack will hit news-stands across the country. This is a 132-page magazine featuring not only brand new interviews with the band alongside a complete career overview, but also the entire album on CD. It will retail at £14.99 and is the perfect way for U.K. fans to purchase the album in the run up to Christmas. Following this four-week exclusive period, the album will then be released on January 17 in a standard CD format and available to buy in all usual retailers at the price of a regular CD.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION — the Anglo/American rock supergroup featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER) and blues rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa — has confirmed that its will perform two long-awaited U.K. concerts in December.
Fittingly, the first concert will take place right in the heart of the Black Country at the legendary Wolverhampton Civic Hall on Wednesday, December 29, followed by a concert at London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire on Thursday. December 30.
Planet Rock radio will launch an exclusive four-day ticket pre-sale from Monday, November 15. Tickets will then go on sale to the general public from 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 19, via Seetickets.com, Eventim.co.uk.
Marko Syrjälä of Metal-Rules.com recently conducted an interview with GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall. An excerpt from the chat follow below.
Metal-Rules.com: What is going on with GREAT WHITE at the moment?
Kendall: Well, our singer Jack [Russell] got really sick. He got, I guess it's called a perforated bowel, which is in the large intestines. He had to have surgery and we had about 15 shows left and out managers were talking to the promoters and we talked about getting a fill-in singer, so we got Terry Ilous who is from XYZ. We just wanted to fulfill our obligations and not cancel on everyone where the shows were booked already. We just had a few shows left, we'd done about 70 shows this year and we have about 15 to go. So a lot of the promoters are saying, "That's fine, Terry Ilous" at first…and then another promoter goes, "That name is not big enough." Our manager manages Jani Lane from WARRANT and he wasn't doing anything, so he goes, "What about Jani Lane?" So he [the promoter] goes, "OK, that's a bigger name so OK, we'll take Jani Lane." So we went and rehearsed with Jani and he did a great job.
Metal-Rules.com: Can't hesitate to ask… is Jani Lani actually any bigger of a name than Terry Ilous, actually...and how you ended up doing this Sweden show with Paul Shortino on vocals?
Kendall: Well, I don't know… it is according to him [the promoter]. We like Jani, you know…. and Terry, I think he brought a little bit more, more of his own thing, instead of just singing the songs perfectly. He did them right but put his own touch on it. It was just fun; he really knows how to put on a good show. So we were really loving that, but the promoter was still like, "Jani Lane is a bigger name." So we said, "Fine," and we went and did two shows in Texas last week with him. He did great, he sang fine, he did the songs verbatim just like Jack, note for note. So then, we're going to Sweden and they don't want Jani or Terry (laughs). So somehow the name Paul Shortino came up and they go, "Oh, yeah, we love Paul Shortino and he's never been here before…" and I guess ROUGH CUTT is known more in Europe or something, I dunno. But I know Paul from years ago and we're friends so we called him up and he came up from Las Vegas and we jammed. He
learned the songs and stuff and came and jammed for one day. This was a lot of information for the guy, you know. So he got through it but the others guys were, I think were…and nothing against Paul, he's a great guy and I love him and he has a great blues voice, but the other guys were a lot more prepared and they really handled it and got the crowd crazy and it was just smoother. So we're just finishing this and waiting for Jack to get well. The last we heard, it was gonna be at least eight weeks and it could be longer, so we're just hoping he has a speedy recovery so we can get back on board next year and we want to make a new record.
Metal-Rules.com: Well, about Jack's state of health, there are some rumors with people saying that he might be out for one year or two years or even forever. How do you see the situation with him at the moment?
Kendall: Well, you know, I think it's up to him. There has been a lot of self-abuse over the years. His addictions are no secret, along with mine. I've been an alcoholic my whole life, but I was able to go through enough pain before I did too much damage to myself and then got away from it. I had 11 years of sobriety and I had one slip and it was only like two days, then I was right back in the program. I just lost my head and threw an excuse in the air to drink and immediately realized that no, this ain't working. Gotta get back in the program. Some people, some of the addicts I've met, they don't have a bottom. Death is their bottom sometimes. I've done everything I can to help Jack but I'm just praying that this is enough for him.
Metal-Rules.com: So you're saying this is like the last chance for him …
Kendall: You see, he's taken a drug over the years called…. it's a steroid, it's a…what do you call it…it's for the voice... prednisone. It's OK to take a little bit of it, maybe on the fourth show where maybe your voice is rough so you just take a small amount. But he's been abusive with it over the years and it does a lot of damage. I kind of [did] a quick study on it. I went on the Internet asking about side effects and almost everything that is wrong with him stems from this drug. It's all the side effects like weak bones — I mean, if the guy falls down, he gets like 13 breaks in the leg. His bones are brittle… and now it's starting to attack his organs. Then he takes other medication for pain, so that becomes a rut, because he's an addict. He takes pills that would make you and I fall down, but when he falls down, because of his brittle bones… you know what I mean. So now he's got this damage, this stuff attacks your pancreas, your
intestines, all kinds of stuff… and now that's starting to happen. So we're just hoping that this is his bottom, and that he does get well. He's admitted that this is the reason, that's a good start. So we're finishing out our obligations for these shows and then we'll see where we are at next year and how he's doing and if it looks like he's coming back. He seems to be optimistic and he wants to get better so time will only tell if he's going to get sober, get well, get skinny, and go out and be the rock god that he is or is he gonna become this other guy that just lays there ill. I don't understand. Like I said, addicts are different. Some need to die before they get it. Some get it sooner. Hopefully this is enough for him to wake up and change his life because that's what we're hoping for.
Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD have been confirmed for the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which is set to sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will appear at the event.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AGENT STEEL
AMON AMARTH
BLACKGUARD
BLIND GUARDIAN
CRIPPER
DARK TRANQUILLITY
DEATH ANGEL
ENSIFERUM
EPICA
EXODUS
FEAR FACTORY
FINNTROLL
FORBIDDEN
GAMMA RAY
ICED EARTH
KORPIKLAANI
MARDUK
MOONSPELL
NEVERMORE
OBITUARY
RAGE
RAVEN
SABATON
SANCTUARY
SAXON
SODOM
SONATA ARCTICA
SWASHBUCKLE
TESTAMENT
TROUBLE
TÝR
ULI JON ROTH
UNLEASHED
VOIVOD
WITCHBURNER
SAXON will play two unique shows. One night they will perform the "Wheels Of Steel" LP in its entirety and on a different night, for the second show, they will play "Strong Arm Of The Law" from start to finish.
70000 Tons Of Metal will sail Monday, January 24, 2011 aboard the Royal Caribbean "Majesty of the Seas" from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico and will not return you to the real world for four days until Friday, January 28, 2011.
Make no mistake, 70000 Tons Of Metal is not your grandma's cruise. It's also not one of the cruises that share the ship with normal cruise guests. This is an all-ship heavy metal cruise! Can you imagine that? A whole luxury cruise ship full of metalheads? And since there is no backstage area you will have the opportunity to mingle side-by-side with the artists in this incredibly fan-friendly scenario that has no comparison. It's like everyone has a backstage pass and you might even need a vacation from this vacation when all is said and done!
Ticket prices start at US$666 plus US$249 taxes and fees per person and include all on-board entertainment, all meals and non-alcoholic and non-carbonated drinks at the on-board restaurants and 24-hour room service!
For more information, go to www.70000tons.com.
Sweden's Metalshrine last week conducted an interview with MONSTER MAGNET mainman Dave Wyndorf. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metalshrine: How much stuff was recorded [for the new CD]? Was it just the songs on the album or did you have like a ton of stuff and you picked from that?
Dave Wyndorf: I wrote like fifteen songs when I got back from England last year. We were under a deadline, of course, the mystery deadline that I didn't know. "Yeah, you can make the record whenever you want!" And I was like, "Sure, OK." "Well, if you want to have it out in 2010, you have to have it done immediately!" I was like, "What are you talking about?" "Yeah, you can make it whenever you want, but if you don't mind it coming out in late 2011." And I was like, "Fuck that shit! We're gonna have a record out in 2010!" I went in and wrote as fast as I could and it took about a week. Between Christmas and New Year's. It was quick! I kind of knew what I wanted to do, so that made it easy. I was like, "I'm gonna take very cool riff that I've ever learned and just turn it backwards!" What I wanted to do was make a record that we could play live real easily. You look around you and go, "What do I have to use here?" I'm really enthusiastic about making a
record and trying to make it sound the best ever and come up with hairy bass lines and I want fuzz bass and I want old-school MAGNET shit but I'm gonna put a Strat band on the record, it's all gonna be Gibsons. All kinds of weird ideas like that! It's like from the mind of a teenager. "It's gonna really sound cool!" (laughs). That's what I was saying and it was almost like the material was second. That was the last thing I had to worry about. When we got in there, we did it really fast and we met the deadline and wrote the songs really fast and made demos of them. Two-minute demos. Intro, verse, chorus and maybe a midsection. Melody lines, no words. Brought it to the band and just sat there, "Try this three times, try this four times!" and everybody was just great. There are no dummies there and we got it together and those guys learned all the parts in six days and I was freaking out, so we moved to it right into the studio, recorded it, made some
minor changes inside the studio, but really most of the time was just about getting sounds. It took about a month, but for all the time we were in there it was more nailing down specific guitar sounds. When you try to make a record and try to make a hard rock record that has so many different kinds of fuzz on it and you try to make that audible, it's one thing to make a cool rock record with all different fuzz, but I wanted people to be able to hear, "Look, there is a YARDBIRDS fuzz! There's a SABBATH fuzz!" Yeah, I want people to hear it. It's harder than it actually seems. But those guys played their ass off and it turned out pretty cool.
Metalshrine: I was reading an interview with Vince Neil and he was talking about his new book and he said that the reason for getting into music is "getting laid and drinking free beer." When you got into music, did you have those thoughts or was it just trying to be creative? When you're young, is that the main reason?
Dave Wyndorf: Yeah! What he's really saying is acceptance, you know. He's trying to be funny with the girls and the free beer, but yeah, totally! As a teenager you want girls to like you and you need an angle. I was a nerd, so I didn't have an angle. I basically think you want people to like you on your own terms and if you can't fit in traditionally with the terms that the school offers or society offers and you kind of have to go the rock and roll route where you can kind of make your own rules as you go along to find yourself. You redefine yourself, it's always been the biggest power in rock and roll, is that people can redefine themselves after the time that most people would give up on you. "This is who you are!" and it's like, "I'll show you! I'll go in like a mad scientist to reinvent myself!" The whole thing with girls and stuff was huge and has been huge my whole life with rock and roll. I always remember not being able to talk to anybody. I was
completely shy and a complete nerd, but the rock and roll thing was like, "Ah, I'm meeting women! It's the best!"
Metalshrine: These days it seems like every rock and roller is writing their autobiography and all kinds of guys are coming out with their own stories. Have you ever thought of doing that? I mean, you must have led an interesting life so far?
Dave Wyndorf: Well, there's a couple of things that have kept me from doing that. One, a lot of people would come and kill me if I did it. If I'm really gonna tell the truth, it's gonna be some bad stuff. And two, I didn't want to embarrass my family and my daughter was really young. But now my daughter is 19, so I don't think I'm gonna surprise her, so I'm getting closer to actually writing the book. The other thing is that I want to do it well. I wanna learn how to write, so the past couple of years I've actually been learning how to write. Practicing myself and I don't think anybody's good at anything unless they do it for at least five years or ten years. So the last five I've been practicing and at one point I will do it.
Los Angeles thrashers WARBRINGER will headline Thrashgiving, the heavy metal benefit concert to feed the needy, on Saturday, November 20 at Cheyenne Saloon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Commented the event organizers: "Two years ago we debuted the concept of Thrashgiving bringing together out-of-state and local artists performing thrash metal music for the benefit of the needy and we're doing it again. Even bigger and better this year in an attempt to make this an event held annually in Las Vegas. All proceeds from the show will go to the Rescue Mission and Boys Town. So attend a good show and know that your charitable ticket price will be donated to these organizations to help the less fortunate have a nice holiday.
"This year's lineup will be headlined by WARBRINGER. This band closes out a two-year touring cycle for their sophomore album, 'Waking into Nightmares' (Century Media), which has seen them share the stage with MEGADETH, KREATOR, EXODUS, HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, SLIPKNOT, and many more in that time. Joining WARBRINGER is a hand-picked bill of quality up-and-coming thrash metal from California and Arizona, featuring HATCHET, HEXEN, VEKTOR, and SACRIFIAL SLAUGHTER as well as buzz-worthy local openers CONTROL THE CHAOS and MALUS REX!"
Tickets are only $8 in advance or $10 at the door ($1 off if you bring a sealed can of food).
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/salemrosemusic.
FIREWIND bass player Petros Christo was forced to sit out of the band's recently completed North American dates due to a family emergency. Filling in for him at the shows was FIREWIND/OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G.'s ex-axe partner in NIGHTRAGE, Marios Iliiopoulos. Marios will also be playing with FIREWIND on the upcoming European and Japanese dates before Petros returns to the band in 2011.
FIREWIND's new album, "Days Of Defiance", sold around 700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 53 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 European limited-edition mediabook CD version of "Days Of Defiance" doesn't only come with special packaging, alternate cover artwork and expanded booklet features, it also contains three special bonus tracks, a Gus G. / ESP guitar pick as well as a quality FIREWIND sticker.
"Days Of Defiance" was released 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.
"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.
New Jersey's progressive metal masters SYMPHONY X will embark on a North American headlining tour in April/May 2011. Support on the trek will come from Seattle's NEVERMORE, Sweden's SOILWORK, Boston's POWERGLOVE and Montreal's BLACKGUARD. The trek will launch on April 21 in Philadelphia and wrap on May 22 in West Springfield, Virginia.
The dates are as follows:
Apr. 21 - The Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Apr. 22 - Best Buy Theatre - New York, NY
Apr. 23 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Apr. 25 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC - CANADA
Apr. 26 - Salle Albert Rosseau - Quebec City, QC - CANADA
Apr. 27 - The Opera House - Toronto, ON - CANADA
Apr. 29 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Apr. 30 - Blondie's - Detroit, MI
May 01 - Bottom Lounge - Chicago, IL
May 02 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN
May 04 - Ogden Theater - Denver, CO
May 06 - Showbox - Seattle, WA
May 07 - Hawthorne Theatre - Portland, OR
May 08 - The Grand Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
May 10 - The Wiltern - Los Angeles, CA
May 11 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
May 13 - Trees - Dallas, TX
May 14 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX
May 15 - Backstage Live - San Antonio, TX
May 17 - The Club at Firestone - Orlando, FL
May 18 - Culture Room - Ft. Lauderdale, FL
May 19 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
May 20 - Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC
May 21 - Tremont Music Hall - Charlotte, NC
May 22 - Jaxx - W. Springfield, VA
Exclusive pre-sale tickets are available now at EnterTheVault.com. VIP tickets/packages are available for select shows and will include early entry and a meet-and-greet. After December 1, tickets can be purchased via regular ticketing outlets.
SYMPHONY X are currently recording their Nuclear Blast debut and follow-up to 2007's "Paradise Lost", which has sold over 60,000 copies in North America.
Formed in 1994 in New Jersey, SYMPHONY X has seven studio albums and one live album to its credit.
Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH entered the studio late last month to begin recording the follow-up to 2007's "Dark Passion Play". Regarding the musical direction of the forthcoming album, NIGHTWISH singer Anette Olzon writes on her official blog, "I think it's a great and varied CD. The feelings in it are great and there are a lot of elements in it, so I am sure it will have many different favorite songs for the listeners since the songs are so different in styles and sound. 'Dark Passion Play' is a great album and this one, too, so I don't know yet which one I like more, but, of course, for me personally, this one feels better to do since the songs are more adjusted to my voice and my style."
NIGHTWISH guitarist Emppu Vuorinen, who just started laying down his tracks on the band's new CD, writes on the band's official web site, "Last time [when we recorded 'Dark Passion Play'] it was more like working nine to five, busting my ass in the studio, but this time I took the recording equipment home and will try to maintain that laid-back, jamming feeling I had during the whole summer, when we were rehearsing and demoing the [new] songs with the guys. In a way, I guess I have succeeded — I have now been laying down rhythm tracks for a week . . . and I've now completed about half of the rhythm tracks. It's hard to say whether my job is 30% or 5% done, because if old signs hold true, the guitar parts just keep on increasing. Meaning that just when you're about to pop open that bottle of champagne, you realize that, damn, this and that part still need something. In other words, having learnt something from previous sessions, I'll keep the champagne
on ice at least for another six months."
The pre-production sessions for the new NIGHTWISH CD took place in "the deepest countryside of Finland," where most of the band spent several weeks finalizing the song arrangements and recording their instrumental parts.
On July 30, Olzon gave birth to her second child (and first with her current boyfriend, bassist Johan Husgafvel of the Swedish metal band PAIN). He was 52 centimeters tall and he weighed in at 3930 grams. Olzon, 39, also has a nine-year-old son, Seth, with her now-ex-husband.
NIGHTWISH played a special homecoming show in September 2009 at the sold-out, 11,000-capacity Hartwall Arena in Helsinki to mark the end of the band's colossal "Dark Passion Play" two-year world tour.
NIGHTWISH is not expected to play any more concerts until the release of the band's next studio album.
SYMFONIA, the new melodic metal project featuring former members of HELLOWEEN, STRATOVARIUS, ANGRA and SONATA ARCTICA, will enter Studiomega in Varberg, Sweden later this month to begin recording its debut album for a spring 2011 release.
A press release reads as follows: "They are all legends among the melodic metal community. By sheer coincidence, they all found themselves living on the same continent, in Scandinavia. They decided to join forces and express their talents in the form of a new melodic metal project: SYMFONIA.
"Honoring the heritage of their previous bands STRATOVARIUS, HELLOWEEN, ANGRA and SONATA ARCTICA, SYMFONIA continues their superb melodic metal tradition with an incredible musicianship that is a match made in heaven. This is a force that no serious melodic metal fan will be able to ignore."
SYMFONIA is:
* Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE) - Guitar
* André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER) - Vocals
* Jari Kainulainen (STRATOVARIUS, EVERGREY) - Bass
* Mikko Härkin (SONATA ARCTICA, KOTIPELTO) - Keyboards
* Uli Kusch (MASTERPLAN, HELLOWEEN) - Drums
SYMFONIA will make its live debut on February 18, 2011 at the Finnish Metal Expo (part of the Helsinki Metal Meeting) in Helsinki, Finland.
For more information, visit www.symfonia.fi.
MOONSPELL will embark on the "Sombra" (English translation: Shadow) tour of Portugal in November-December. The band will perform acoustic and semi-acoustic versions of its best-known songs while backed by the Crystal Mountain Singers female choir and the Opus Diabolicum quintet composed of four cellists and a percussionist.
The dates are as follows:
Nov. 13 - Arcos De Valdevez - Casa Das Artes
Nov. 19 - Guimarães - Cae S. Mamede
Nov. 23 - Porto - Casa Da Música
Nov. 30 - Alcochete - Forum Cultural
Dec. 02 - Leiria - Teatro José Lúcio Silva
Dec. 03 - Ilhavo - Centro Cultural
Dec. 04 - Caldas Da Rainha - CCC
Dec. 07 - Guarda - Teatro Municipal
Dec. 09 - Portalegre - Caep
MOONSPELL is working on material for a new studio album, which it expects to release sometime in 2011. According to vocalist Fernando Ribeiro, the new songs are "the most exciting, sexiest, darkest, heaviest and catchiest stuff we've written in ages!"
MOONSPELL released a DVD, "Lusitanian Metal", in December 2008 in Europe via Century Media Records. The first disc features one complete live show recorded live in Katowice in 2004, all video clips (from "Opium" to "Everything Invaded"), an in-depth interview with all current band members and a detailed discography. The second disc offers a historical overview of the Portuguese metal group's period as a Century Media recording artist, with no less than 50 live tracks, starting with some very old-school live rehearsal recordings back in 1992 and ending with live footage from the "Spreading The Eclipse Tour".
The band's latest album, "Night Eternal", entered the national chart in Portugal at No. 3 and in Germany at No. 62. The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).
Swiss progressive metallers APPEARANCE OF NOTHING will release their second full-length album, "All Gods Are Gone", on January 21, 2011 via Escape Music. The CD features guest appearances by Devon Graves (a.k.a. Buddy Lackey; PSYCHOTIC WALTZ) and Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, NIGHTINGALE) and is said to be "considerably more aggressive" than 2008's "Wasted Time".
APPEARANCE OF NOTHING was formed in 2004 by Pat Gerber (vocals/guitar), Yves Lüthi (drums), Omar Cuna (bass) and Marc Petralito (keyboards). Guitarist Peter Berger joined the band prior to the recording of the group's first full-length CD.
"Wasted Time" was produced by Markus Teske, who has previously worked with VANDEN PLAS and SYMPHONY X, among others.
For more information, visit www.appearanceofnothing.com.
Los Angeles thrashers HEXEN have inked a deal with Singapore's Pulverised Records. The band is preparing to enter the studio to begin recording its second full-length album for a 2011 release.
According to a press release, HEXEN's brand of blistering thrash metal caught the metal community by storm with their intellectual and thought-out songwriting, and showcasing the fretboard virtuoso twin-axe attack of Ronny Dorian and Tak Arayan; very much reminiscent of MEGADETH during their heyday. Having already proven that they are not your average thrash band, their upcoming sophomore release will promise that the border is going to be pushed once again."
Having recently wrapped up a massive 30-day "Thrash & Detoured 2010" tour trekking across USA with RATTLEHEAD and MANTIC RITUAL, the band is now preparing another extensive tour in support of Bay Area thrash legends DEATH ANGEL on their "North American Retribution 2011" tour, alongside BONDED BY BLOOD, LAZARUS A.D. and EARLY MAN.
States HEXEN singer/bass player Andre Hartoonian: "We have a lot of plans, the first order of business being entering the studio in a few short weeks. We cannot wait to unleash the album we have been working on for a long time and even though we usually don't like to over-hype, the fact that it will blow you all away is still an understatement. Another thing is going on tour January-February with our friends BONDED BY BLOOD, EARLY MAN, LAZARUS A.D., and the outstanding... DEATH ANGEL. 2011 is going to be an extravagant year for us. We cannot wait."
Comments Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin: "HEXEN's mighty debut, 'State Of Insurgency', along with some of their demo tracks were sent to the Pulverised's office sometime ago and we were jaw-dropped by HEXEN's sound, and we knew in an instant that we had to pick these guys up. I had the pleasure of meeting former Century Media Records president Marco Barbieri when he was in Singapore with WARBRINGER as their tour manager, who also highly recommended HEXEN during our previous discussions a few months back. Needless to say, signing the HEXEN deal became a hell lot quicker with Marco representing the band! We are very confident that HEXEN has gathered enough demons for the upcoming new album, and the HEXEN boys definitely know their thrash metal inside out!"
HEXEN is:
Andre Hartoonian - Vocals/Bass
Ronny Dorian - Guitars
Tak Arayan - Guitars
Carlos Cruz - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/hexen.
Guitarist Dave Navarro of alt-rock legends JANE'S ADDICTION attended this past Thursday's (November 4) premiere party for Jamie Kennedy's Showtime special "Uncomfortable" at Drai's in West Hollywood, California. Two separate interviews with Navarro conducted by PopStop TV and Hollywood TV on the event's "red carpet" can be viewed below.
When asked what JANE'S ADDICTION is currently doing, Navarro told PopStop TV, "We're actually writing quite a bit and getting ready to go into the studio in December and start recording tracks and hopefully have something by early next year."
JANE'S ADDICTION — featuring Chris Chaney on bass — headlined the musical program on October 17 at Tony Hawk: SHRED Presents Stand Up For Skateparks, the annual fundraiser benefitting the Tony Hawk Foundation and its mission to create free, quality skateparks for at-risk youth throughout the U.S.
Bassist Duff McKagan parted ways with JANE'S ADDICTION in September after just five months of playing with the group. The VELVET REVOLVER and ex-GUNS N' ROSES member joined the band earlier this year after it split with founding bassist Eric Avery.
JANE'S ADDICTION quietly reunited in late 2008 for a third go-round, only with Avery on board for the first time since the band originally split in 1992. However, Avery left late last year and McKagan stepped in to play a few gigs and work on the band's new album.
JANE'S ADDICTION recently released its first-ever concert DVD and Blu-ray, titled "Live Voodoo".
There's no word yet on when the new JANE'S ADDICTION album will come out or what it will be called.
Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED entered Antfarm Studio in Århus, Denmark on October 18 with the band's longtime producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL) to begin recording their seventh full-length album for an early 2011 release via Century Media Records.
Commented singer Peter Dolving: "Recording vocals for this record really has been a trip. In the writing process, I really never ever stopped to think if I'd ever be able to reproduce and actually top the many ideas, tight harmonies and different vocal techniques and styles of singing. But with only a few songs left, I feel confident that I am actually pulling it off and making it work. Tue is a great part of it, of course. The patience it takes to intonate a certain passage, or achieve a sonic effect through tone modulation is pretty demanding.
"This last year I've focused more than ever on just how a song is more than just music and words, how [a] really well-crafted [song] gives something more to me as a listener. Both me and Anders [Björler, guitar] have felt strongly about really taking our time with building subtle layers of harmonies. Textures to give the listener a real audio soundscape within the song.
"I really hope to have more recording time on the next record because I'm understanding just how cool an instrument the human voice is.
"We have two and a half songs left, and after that we're going back to see if there's anything we feel we could add, or do better. All in all, so far I'm feeling that it's really turning out awesome."
A studio report can be found at this location and includes frequent updates from the band about the recording process.
THE HAUNTED recently signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records for the release of the group's next CD.
THE HAUNTED's last three albums — "rEVOLVEr", "The Dead Eye" and "Versus" — were all issued through the German label.
THE HAUNTED released a live DVD/CD, "Road Kill", in North America on June 8 via Century Media. This crushing live release, which was issued in Europe on April 19, was made available as a DVD+CD as well as a stand-alone CD and digital download. The audio-only release contain the full live-show as well as five previously unreleased or rare studio tracks from the "Versus" recording sessions.
According to a press release, "Road Kill" features an in-depth, very unique on-the-road documentary, footage of THE HAUNTED's intense live performance and the band's recent promotional video clips. The live show was captured on February 13, 2009 at Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland by Fabchannel and its sound was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen.
"Road Kill" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 29 (album chart) and in Finland at No. 3 (Music DVD chart).
Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH have tapped KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist and renowned producer Adam Dutkiewicz to helm their next studio album, tentatively due in early 2011 via Metal Blade Records. The pre-production phase of the process officially started last week.
As previously reported, UNEARTH has recruited drummer Branden Morgan of MISERY SIGNALS to sit behind the kit for the band's upcoming European dates as part of the Persistence Tour. The group says, "Branden is a great drummer and has been nailing all the tunes in rehearsal. Everyone headed to the Persistence Tour can expect UNEARTH to be as solid as ever during this run."
The Persistence Tour — which also features SICK OF IT ALL, D.R.I., BLOOD FOR BLOOD, EVERGREEN TERRACE, CRUEL HAND, CASEY JONES and VERA CRUZ — will kick off on December 3 in Deinze, Belgium.
UNEARTH recently parted ways with drummer Derek Kerswill due to "creative differences." The band stated at the time, "The differences between Kerswill and the band started off as subtle, but became increasingly obvious over the past few months and it was time for both parties to go their separate ways."
The deluxe version of UNEARTH's latest album, "The March", was released in November 2009. The CD comes with a bonus DVD containing a tour documentary entitled "The Three Day March", featuring footage shot by acclaimed director Doug Spangenberg (LAMB OF GOD, EVERY TIME I DIE, JOB FOR A COWBOY) during UNEARTH's recent tour of the northeastern U.S. The DVD also features footage from inside the studio during the band's recording sessions for "The March" as well as party footage from the group's tour with TESTAMENT, entitled "Gig Life". In addition to the candid behind-the-scenes material, live footage of four songs are included from the Wacken Open Air festival in 2008. Rounding out the DVD are the three music videos shot for "The March" — "My Will Be Done", "Grave Of Opportunity" and "Crow Killer".
Norwegian thrash metal band DEAD TROOPER has released a brand new EP, entitled "Sickening". The four-song effort contains two new DEAD TROOPER tracks and two cover versions — HATEBREED's "Proven" and BLACK DEBBATH's "Problemer Innad I Høyre". The song "Sickening Serenity" features guest appearance by ZYKLON's Secthdamon.
"Sickening" is the first recording from DEAD TROOPER to feature Tor (1349, PANTHEON I) on bass and Bokn (ZEROZONIC) on drums. Sverre from Norwegian old school-thrashers AUDIOPAIN also makes an appearance on the EP.
"Sickening" track listing:
01. Sickening Serenity (3:40)
02. Inner Riot (5:34)
03. Proven (HATEBREED cover) (2:38)
04. Problemer Innad i Hyre (BLACK DEBBATH cover) (4:29)
The two new DEAD TROOPER songs can be streamed at the band's MySpace page.
Los Angeles hardcore/metal band TERROR will embark on a European headlining tour in January/February. Support on the trek will come from FIRST BLOOD, 50 LIONS and BACKTRACK.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 14 - Bochum, Germany - Zwischenfall
Jan. 15 - Hasselt, Germany - Muziekodroom
Jan. 19 - Manchester, UK - Moho Live
Jan. 20 - Derby, UK - Old Bell
Jan. 21 - Dublin, Ireland - Fibber Magees
Jan. 22 - London, UK - Underworld
Jan. 23 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
Jan. 26 - Katowice, Poland - Arkady
Jan. 27 - Bydgoszcz, Poland - Estrade Stage Bar
Jan. 29 - Magdeburg, Germany - [to be announced]
Jan. 30 - Trier, Germany - Ex Haus
Jan. 31 - Paris, France - [to be announced]
Feb. 01 - Nantes, France - Le Floride
Feb. 02 - Bask, Spain - [to be announced]
Feb. 06 - Badalona, Spain - [to be announced]
Feb. 07 - Montpellier, France - Secret Place
Feb. 08 - Belfort, France - La Poudriere
Feb. 11 - Mezzago (MB), Italy - Bloom
Feb. 12 - Wil, Switzerland - Remise
Feb. 13 - Graz, Austria - Explosiv
Feb. 15 - Cham, Germany - LA
"Keepers Of The Faith", the fifth album from TERROR, sold around 2,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.
"Keepers Of The Faith" was released on August 30 in Europe and September 14 in North America via Century Media Records. Doom Patrol issued the album in Japan on September 1. The CD contains 13 new tracks produced by Chad Gilbert of NEW FOUND GLORY at Buzzbomb Studios in Orange County, California. It was engineered by Paul Miner (DEATH BY STEREO, ADAMANTIUM) and mixed by Matt Hyde (SLAYER, HATEBREED).
"Keepers of The Faith" was made available in three different versions worldwide, with the U.S. and European editions each released as a digipak with a special fold-out poster.
Commented Scott Vogel: "This is the record we put everything we have into, from the music to the lyrics, the layout to the title and to the direct hand-to-hand street marketing approach, we are putting it all on the line. We took all the rules of what's going on in the industry today and washed them from our minds. We wanted to capture those early days of hardcore. This is the record we were destined to make. This is TERROR at its best and I'm so excited to get this out and start touring surrounding its energy and passion."
Florida melodic metal group EKOTREN will release its sophomore album, "The Dead Of Night", on January 25, 2011 via the Chicago-based record label Burnhill Union Records. The CD was once again recorded with producer Paul Trust, who has previously worked with ENDO, DIECAST andATOM SMASH.
A track from the new album, "Mask Of Lies", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
EKOTREN's debut album, "Light The Fire", was released by in February 2008. The CD's lead single, "Light The Fire", spent 32 weeks as one of the most requested songs on Sirius Satellite Radio, Hard Attack's "Devil's Dozen," peaking at No. 3. The band toured relentlessly since the release of the album and has shared the stage with the likes of STAIND, CHEVELLE, NONPOINT, FLYLEAF, SALIVA, ILL NINO, DIECAST, BOBAFLEX, STRAIGHT LINE STITCH and others.
Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 12-14, 2011 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, United Kingdom.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
IMMORTAL
MORBID ANGEL
RHAPSODY OF FIRE
THERION
TRIPTYKON
The Bloodstock Open Air heavy metal festival was established in 2005 to bring a wider choice of heavy metal bands to the U.K. and provide a venue for the best established and unsigned metal bands to perform in front of a large an enthusiastic audience of true metalheads.
Bloodstock Open Air features three days of diverse international heavy metal bands across three stages, a large selection of merchandise stalls, metal karaoke, campsite and a wide selection of food, bars and other refreshments.
Adam "Nergal" Darski, the 33-year-old leukemia-stricken guitarist/vocalist of the Polish extreme metal act BEHEMOTH, has released the following statement regarding his treatment:
"I'm still in the hospital, but in quite a good shape so I write to let you know about my health and the further stages of treatment.
"I've been through four planned chemotherapies and have stayed in hospital for over three months now. I've gone through the whole therapy smoothly, though I also had a couple of difficult moments. All this means I have finished the stage of pharmacological treatment and I am about to start the irradiation and then the marrow transplant.
"Yes, we've found a donor! Having searched for months, the foundation has found a person whose genotype is identical to mine. It would have been difficult to achieve if it wasn't for the support of so many people. Most of all, I want to express my admiration for [26-year-old Polish pop singer] Dorota [Rabczewska; a.k.a. Doda] — my wonderful and devoted fiancée. She did everything she could to help me and many other people, regardless of adversities and comments which were often unfair. Your help is invaluable! Thank you! I love you.
"On behalf of me and all other ill people, I thank everyone who registered in the bone marrow bank regardless of origin, skin colour or religion. The concerts for charity have been organized all over the world and people of show business, bands and, most of all, the fans got deeply involved. You are beyond great! One of you made my transplant possible, but remember, your attitude may save many others in need. So I appeal to everyone: don't stop the madness! The march for victory continues! Horns up!"
Every year, more than 10,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with leukemia or lymphoma, and a bone-marrow transplant from an unrelated person is their best or only hope for survival. There is no data available on how many people die waiting for a match, but only four out of 10 patients receive the needed transplant.
BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika" DVD will be released in the U.S. on November 9 via Metal Blade Records, in Poland via Mystic Records, and in the rest of Europe through Nuclear Blast. It contains three discs featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD.
"Evangelia Heretika", the new DVD from Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH, has reportedly already been certified platinum in the band's home country for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.
"Evangelia Heretika" DVD content: Three discs featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD.
DVD I
Live In Warsaw 2009 E.V.
Recorded on September 25, 2009 At Stodola, Warsaw, Poland
01. Intro
02. Ov Fire And The Void
03. Demigod
04. Pan Satyros
05. Shemhamforash
06. Conquer All
07. Decade Ov Therion
08. Wolves Guard My Coffin
09. Christians To The Lions
10. At The Left Hand Ov God
11. Slaves Shall Serve
12. As Above So Below
13. Drum Solo
14. Lam
15. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
16. Antichristian Phenomenon
17. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V.
18. Lucifer
Live In Paris 2008 E.V.
Recorded on February 17, 2008 At La Locomotive, Paris, France
01. Rome 64 C.E.
02. Slaying The Prophets Ov Isa
03. Antichristian Phenomenon
04. Demigod
05. From The Pagan Vastlands
06. Conquer All
07. Prometherion
08. Drum Solo
09. Slaves Shall Serve
10. As Above So Below
11. At The Left Hand Ov God
12. Summoning Ov The Ancient Ones
13. Christgrinding Avenue
14. Christians To The Lions
15. Sculpting The Throne Ov Seth
16. Decade Ov Therion
17. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V.
18. I Got Erection
19. Pure Evil & Hate
DVD II
Documentaries
01. Evangelia Nova
02. De Arte Heretika
Videos And Bonus Material
01. Decade Ov Therion
02. As Above So Below
03. Conquer All
04. Slaves Shall Serve
05. Prometherion
06. At The Left Hand Ov God
07. Inner Sanctum
08. Ov Fire And The Void
09. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
CD III
Bonus Audio CD - Live In Warsaw 2009 E.V.
01. Intro
02. Ov Fire And The Void
03. Demigod
04. Pan Satyros
05. Shemhamforash
06. Conquer All
07. Decade Ov Therion
08. Wolves Guard My Coffin
09. Christians To The Lions
10. At The Left Hand Ov God
11. Slaves Shall Serve
12. As Above So Below
13. Drum Solo
14. Lam
15. Alas, Lord Is Upon Me
16. Antichristian Phenomenon
17. Chant For Ezkaton 2000 E.V.
18. Lucifer
Commented BEHEMOTH vocalist/guitarist Adam "Nergal" Darski: "We've been through hell and back to make this release happen.
"I know we only have a few DVDs in our catalogue so far but they are not even close to what you are gonna experience with 'Evangelia Heretika'! Expect approximately five hours of essential BEHEMOTH. Longtime BEHEMOTH artistic collaborator Graal has provided us with some of his most disturbing and completed visuals to date."
"Evangelia Heretika" was released in the U.S. via Metal Blade Records, in Poland via Mystic Records, and in the rest of Europe through Nuclear Blast.
Abyss Records has announced the signing of Norwegian nihilists HINSIDES. The band's as-yet-untitled third album is tentatively scheduled for relese in late 2011.
HINSIDES's recently self-released "Universe Aspire In Mysticism" CD (limited to 500 copies) is now available exclusively through Abyss Records.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Dark Matter Dawn
02. 666 to Nero
03. Black Witchery Ritual
04. Within Infinite Mysteries
05. Dødenatt
06. The Passage
07. Universe Aspire
08. Moonlights Path to Darkness
Formed in 2005, HINSIDES "is about the ancient myths and the search for the universe of all times, the mysteries of the universe, and the parallels to the nature forces that surround us," the band states in a press release. "We stress the false and lying ways of Christianity throughout time, which are also used today to suppress knowledge and wisdom.
"HINSIDES performs anti-Christian misanthropic black metal. We also use dark gloomy atmospheric elements to manifest our dark visions in our music."
HINSIDES is:
Gravkald - Vocals
Saksen - Guitar
Glaurung - Bass
Stian – Drums
Japan's LOYAL TO THE GRAVE has inked a deal with Eulogy Recordings. The band's new album will be released sometime next year.
LOYAL TO THE GRAVE formed in 1998. They released their debut mini album, "North Truth", on Devil's Head Records (U.S.) and a split EP with THE ACACIA STRAIN. This was followed by the band's first full-length album, "Abstract Sensations", and an EP titled "Indistinct" on Imperium Recordings (Japan). The group has toured consistently in Japan sharing the stage on occasion with HATEBREED, TERROR, CONVERGE and many more.
LOYAL TO THE GRAVE's latest album, "Still Climbin' Still Believin'", is one of the most important albums released in the history of Japanese hardcore. This LP received a worldwide release with the help of Surprise Attack Records (U.S.), Skull and Bone Records (Australia) and Towhall Records (Korea). They also released a two-way split on Seventh Dagger Records (U.S.) with WINDS OF PLAGUE and XAFBX.
LOYAL TO THE GRAVE will visit the U.S. this winter as part of the December Decimation festival.
LOYAL TO THE GRAVE is:
Hiroyuki Kobayashi - Vocals
Hiroyuki Kohama - Guitar
Hiroyuki Shinohara - Guitar
Wataru Ogura - Bass
Masayuki Ishii - Drums
For more information, visit www.loyaltothegrave.com.
Oakland, California extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH have commenced the songwriting process for their fourth album. Guitarist Ben Orum states, "After two very successful tours at home and abroad, we are now home writing the new ALL SHALL PERISH record! The writing process is flowing very naturally, and so far the material itself is very impressive. It is safe to say this will be one of the most aggressive, epic, groovy records we have ever written. I cannot wait to start playing this material live"
ALL SHALL PERISH earlier in the year parted ways with original drummer Matt Kuykendall and replaced him with Adam Pierce. The group stated at the time, "It's always tough to part ways with a longtime member and friend, but it was absolutely necessary in order to maintain forward progress."
ALL SHALL PERISH's most recent lead guitarist, Jason Richardson, left the band and joined BORN OF OSIRIS. He has since been replaced by Francesco Artusato from Treviso, Italy.
"Awaken The Dreamers", the latest CD from ALL SHALL PERISH, was released on vinyl for the first time on March 16 via Pure Noise. An extremely limited pressing, it is available in two eye-striking patterns; 300 copies are clear with red splatter and 600 are half black/half red, literally split in half between the two colors.
METALLICA's Kirk Hammett named "Awaken The Dreamers" as one of his 25 favorite albums of the past decade in an issue of Rolling Stone magazine.
"Awaken The Dreamers" sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 126. The follow-up to "The Price of Existence" was recorded once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren.
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