According to The Pulse Of Radio, it seems everyone wants to see BLACK SABBATH reunite one more time — everyone, that is, except the four original members of the band. While Ozzy Osbourne hasn't ruled it out, bassist Geezer Butler has and guitarist Tony Iommi has remained neutral. Ozzy told The Pulse Of Radio that he's heard talk of the group getting back together again, but isn't holding his breath. "Well, you know, there's rumblings about it. I'm sure eventually somebody will pop the question, and in a serious manner. I'm having such a good time with my band now, I don't want to go back and have an unhappy time, you know. I don't, I'm not in it for the money entirely. I would like to have some fun with it, you know."
Ozzy was asked by QMI Agency in a recent interview why the four members of SABBATH can't seem to agree on playing together again. Ozzy replied, "I haven't got a clue. If they want to call me, they can call me. I never say never. If it works, fine. If it don't, I'll move on. It ain't the end of the world. I ain't gonna get a box of Kleenex and cry my eyes out for the rest of my life."
Ozzy added, "I would love to do a great album with BLACK SABBATH. I would love to get the credit we so roundly deserve. At the same time, the pressure would be really intense. I could go tomorrow and make an album with them, but it wouldn't necessarily be something I would be proud of."
The original SABBATH lineup has not toured together since summer 2005, and last convened for their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in early 2006.
Ozzy himself is touring Europe this summer. He recently confirmed that there will not be an Ozzfest tour in the U.S. this year.
Deluxe, expanded reissues of Ozzy's classic first two solo albums, 1980's "Blizzard Of Ozz" and 1981's "Diary Of A Madman", arrive in stores on Tuesday (May 31).
There may be some Sony Music staffers who may want to forget the earliest days of Ozzy Osbourne's career, when he bit the head off a dove in a moment of inebriated exuberance. But a legion of fans still swears by his first two solo albums, 1980's "Blizzard of Ozz" and the following year's "Diary of a Madman," both hard rock classics that went multi-platinum and spawned enduring favorites such as "Crazy Train," "Goodbye to Romance," "Flying High Again" and "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll" -- and, of course, made a guitar hero out of Randy Rhoads before he was killed in a March 19, 1982 plane crash during the Diary of a Madman tour.
The 30th (or so) anniversary of these two landmark releases is being commemorated next Tuesday (May 31) with special expanded editions, as well as a box set that includes CD and vinyl copies of both along with a DVD documentary "Thirty Years After the Blizzard," rare live performance footage, a posters, a 100 page hardcover book and, for the true fan, a replica of Osbourne's famed gold cross -- but no winged creatures. Billboard.com caught up with Osbourne during a break on his current "Scream" world tour for a ride on the crazy train of yore...
Billboard.com How do you feel about the "Blizzard..." and "Diary..." reissues and the box set?
Ozzy Osbourne: They've done a good job, haven't they? To be perfectly honest, my wife (manager Sharon Osbourne) is in the driver's seat with this one. I had approval with what was used. What really surprised me is the quality's so f***ing good. I thought we wouldn't have stuff left, and there's a lot. I think it's a fair package. We've done the best we can with it. There's only a limited amount of stuff you can put over that they haven't already got, but we tried to make it as interesting as possible.
Does it feel like 30 years or 30 minutes -- or 300 years?
No, it seems like a couple years ago, it really does. I mean, 30 years ago, it's f***ing ridiculous how fast it's gone. And for some reason, those few years with Randy Rhoads seem to be a lot longer than a few years. I was with Zakk Wylde a lot longer than that, but it seems like the Randy Rhoads years are longer. The perception gets screwed up as you get a bit older.
Were you scared back in 1979 and 1980, when you were starting the solo career?
Of course I was. I'd never been in the driver's seat in my life. I was just the singer with Black Sabbath. I was just a drunk. I was f***ed up all the time. But the early days were a lot of fun. I had everything to gain and nothing to lose. Randy would just sit in a corner playing his guitar all day long, and me and the rest of the guys, we were just getting f***ed up, you know?
Given those circumstances, how did you ever create music that's stood the test of time like this?
I don't know, but I'm f***ing glad we did. A typical day, we'd get up, we'd go down to the pub, we'd come back and start jamming, then we'd go to the pub again...But nobody goes into the studio and goes, "I want to make a pile of crap record," do they? Everybody goes into the studio and goes, "I want to make the best record ever." Sometimes you do, sometimes it didn't work out. These two worked out.
What do you remember about how you and Sabbath felt about each other at the time "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman" came out?
Being as I'd been fired by Black Sabbath, there was a rivalry between them and me. It's like when you're getting divorced from your wife; at the beginning you're all kind of, "OK, babe...," but then the poison sets in and you want to get married to someone who's better than your last wife. It's a healthy rivalry, but at the time you don't realize it. I wanted to kick their ass, and they wanted to kick my ass, I'm sure.
Was there anything different about making "Diary of a Madman" than "Blizzard of Ozz?"
No. It was basically the same vibe. Those two albums could've been a great double album, really. But, you know my career wasn't just about "Diary..." and "Blizzard..." I've had some great highs and lows over my years in the business. Your instincts tell you when you're on to something good; then again, my instincts aren't always right. There's this track on "Diary of a Madman," "S.A.T.O.," it's kind of the last thing we did as time ran out. It's what we call a throwaway, a filler. But the amount of kids that come up to me and say, "Why don't you ever play that on stage?" and I go, "What?!" So I'm not always right.
How are you feeling about things in your music life now?
Well, the band I have now, I'm having the most fun I've had in a long time. We all have a good time together on stage. I'm yet to record a whole album with them, but there will be an album. I'm sure there will be.
No OZZFest, but you'll be doing some live shows this summer, yes?
I know that I'll do some gigs in Europe and around England for the rest of the tour. I put all my irons in the fire, and whatever turns out the best I go for. I have the great thing of choice now; if I don't want to do something, I don't have to. Maybe I'll do a reunion with Black Sabbath; I'm here if they want to call me.
Could that really happy? Geezer (Butler) has said no way.
Well, you know, it's rumbling about. I'm sure eventually somebody will pop the question in a serious manner. I'm having such a good time in my band now, I don't want to go back and have an unhappy time. I'd love to do another great Black Sabbath album to say, "Here we are. We can still do what we started out to do." But the longer it goes on, the more pressure it is, 'cause I don't want people to go, "We waited so many years for this and this is all you have to offer?" The pressure's on if you're gonna do that. You really have to be dedicated to what you do. If it's meant to happen, it'll happen; if it's not meant to happen, it won't."
How do you feel about the new documentary about you that your son, Jack, co-produced?
I think he did a very good job. It's very...honest. (chuckles) When Jack said he was gonna do it, I said, "All I want you to do is don't make a film to make me happy. Make a film as you." I didn't say, "I don't like that, take that out." Whatever he felt he wanted to do in, I didn't have anything to do with it whatsoever. I let him decide what to do with it, and it got received exceptionally well.
Most kids wait until their parents are long dead or hopefully living in an obscure Peruvian village before telling the truth about them publicly.
It was Jack Osbourne's idea to make a movie about his rock-legend father's life and career, but it was his father, Ozzy Osbourne who said, "You can't be nice."
Jack Osborne's life has hardly been an episode of The Waltons. He has grown up surrounded by fame, riches, drugs, violence, bat-carnage, and, of course, his family. It is hard to know which of the aforementioned challenges have affected him the most. But after twenty-nine years, his parents have one of the longest-lasting marriages in show business.
Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne have an utter commitment to the truth, no matter what that might look like. And their willingness to be publicly vulnerable, instead of making them weak, seems to make them invincible. In letting their own son produce this documentary, we are closer to the inner workings of the Osbourne clan than we have ever been.
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, directed by Mike Fleiss and Mike Piscitelli, takes us from Ozzy 'The Prince of Darkness' Osbourne's early days in Birmingham, England, through his Black Sabbath and solo career, and his phenomenal hit reality television show, to the drug and alcohol abuse and the havoc wreaked on Ozzy and his family. Together, in exceptionally candid interviews, his children and wife paint a picture of their life with Ozzy.
It does not look like the Mona Lisa.
The shock of the film, given that it is produced by a family member, is that it spares no one, least of all its subject. There is a moment in the film, where Ozzy is asked for the year that his daughter Jessica was born. Due to years of drug abuse and the demands of rock stardom, he was an absent father. His inability to answer, and the shame and pain in his face as he looks away from the camera are heart-breaking.
Sitting in front of me, it's hard to believe that Jack has witnessed the levels of excess we know he must have seen. He is soft-spoken, thoughtful, and quite simply, lovely. It's hard not to want to shake his parents' hands and ask them how they did it.
Between writing their own books and letting cameras into their house for a reality series, people think they know everything there is to know about the Osbournes.
But the unflinching gaze of their beloved son offers us something formerly unseen, and completely different.
How do you approach documenting the life of someone like your father, whose off-stage antics are equally spectacular to his life onstage?
The research you do is odd, in that it's normally what you do after your parents die. Going through all the old photos and finding journals and things like that.
I was always calling my mom saying "I found these photos! And police records!" And then she'd have to explain the story.
Your parents have stayed together through thick and thin and everything in between for twenty-nine years. Drug abuse, domestic violence. How do they do it?
I don't know. They never give a straightforward answer either, you know. And in interviews they joke about it. I think it's about loving someone, warts and all.
Have they made marriage seem scarier to you, or less intimidating?
I'm not sure. Marriage will probably happen to me at some point (smiles) and I imagine it will be all right.
They are all you've ever known.
Exactly.
While you were researching the film, did you ever have a moment where you thought, "My God, I can't show that!"?
There was one tape, I don't know who was recording it, and it was an argument between my mom, my dad, and my sister. And it was really bad. We couldn't put it in. It was too dark. (laughter) We chose not to go too deeply into the death of Randy Rhoads, my dad's guitar player and band-mate, because there was a lot of difference between what the public thought happened and what witnesses who were there told us, and they are two big cans of worms.
It seems like Randy's death had a cataclysmic impact on your dad, and on the band.
Yes, it was pretty bad. My dad was tearing up during that part of the film and my mom was as well. It's still a tough one to deal with, and it's 30 years later.
What was it like having your own life recorded by a reality television show? You look different now, have you gone incognito?
Exactly! (laughs) This is my version of glasses with the mustache. There was a time when it really sucked. I don't like having cameras in my house. But the positives outweigh the negatives. I am working in TV and now film for 10 years, so it was a blessing in disguise.
You always seemed like a quieter and more thoughtful person than the situation you were born into. Did you ever feel embarrassed by your dad's antics growing up?
It was actually more my mom. She was always the feisty one when it came down to certain things, and I would end up with my head in my hands!
What did she do?
My mom would get in arguments, all the time, with truck drivers while we were in the car on the way to school and you would just want to sink into the sea and disappear. It was horrible. Things like that. My mother was never one to not say something!
So what is it like to make a film about your father, and as you rightly noted, he's still alive? What was his response to seeing it?
The premiere was the first time he had seen it, and he asked my mom on the way home in the car, "I'm not that bad, am I?"
When I spoke to him yesterday he told me he was flattered that Paul McCartney would sit down for an interview about him. (Ozzy, growing up in the North of England, decided to become a musician after hearing The Beatles' song 'She Loves You') It is mind blowing for him that his childhood idol is in a film about him, talking about him.
Definitely a full circle moment. Why are people still completely preoccupied with your father and the bat? A lot has happened since then.
My dad would love you for saying that. I think people are fascinated because it is and was an original thing. No one had done anything like that, and still to this day, no one else has. I think people hold onto that.
One day, the when your dad is no longer with us, how would you like him to be remembered, what would you like his legacy to be?
One of my directors says that he's probably one of the most iconic figures in rock 'n roll. That's true in the sense that he's the most accessible, you know? People aren't afraid to come up to him and say hello and have a picture, and his fans genuinely love him. With someone like Paul McCartney, he has a certain distance, a certain reserve. You can't go up to him and say, "Sir Paul, high-five!"
(laughs) That is very true. Both of your parents have this belief in complete candor, even and especially if it doesn't make them look good. Why are they so reckless and so brave?
It's actually safer to be honest in this industry.
How do you condense a career that spans decades into 90 minutes?
This is the ultimate challenge. We obviously know how it starts: he was born. He is still alive, so we needed to figure out how we wanted it to end. He's sober, he's touring, and he's doing what he was meant to do. We have to connect the dots to get to our conclusion in the most truthful and entertaining way possible. We decided to focus more on the redemption side of things, because the film is pretty harsh towards my dad, especially the parts with my sister and myself.
Did you include Ozzy's failings as a parent because so many people can relate to being disappointed by their parents, in some way?
Honestly, it was the only way I could get out alive having made this film. If I made a film that said, "Look how great my dad is!" everyone would have responded, "Fuck off!"
Glenn Hughes, the former singer and bass guitarist with TRAPEZE and DEEP PURPLE, and currently the front man of the critically acclaimed rock supergroup BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, will launch an exclusive weekly radio show on Planet Rock from Sunday, June 5 at 6 p.m. GMT.
Every week, Glenn will be choose his favorite rock songs, and seminal tracks that have influenced him over the years, plus songs that continue to inspire him today. As one of the true rock 'n' roll icons, Hughes will reveal controversial tales and anecdotes from his long and glittering career, during which he's played with some of the biggest and best bands and artists of all time. Get ready for stories about his experiences with BLACK SABBATH, Ronnie James Dio, David Coverdale, LED ZEPPELIN, David Bowie, DEEP PURPLE and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, to name but a few.
"I would like to thank Planet Rock for giving me the opportunity to share with listeners the songs that have shaped my life. Every song is chosen by me, and there will rock 'n roll stories along the away. I am a messenger..." said Glenn Hughes.
"Glenn continues Planet Rock's tradition of bringing rock's biggest names to the airwaves, after a career spanning 40 years he brings a wealth of stories from his life on the road, in the studio, his friendships with the likes of Keith Moon and Bonzo, the highs, the lows, and of course ….the excesses.…. and his choice of music makes the show a must listen," said Trevor White, Planet Rock program director.
The series will run on Planet Rock on Sunday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. beginning on June 5.
Planet Rock broadcasts on digital radio, Sky 0110, Virgin Media 924, Freesat 730, online www.planetrock.com and on iPhone.
Ortsbo.com, subsidiary of Intertainment Media Inc., the social-media, real-time, language translation platform, hosted chat event KISS Live & Global representing 92 nationalities from around the world, setting a Guinness World Record mark for "Most Nationalities In An Online Chat." The chat was conducted with Paul Stanley and business partner and spokesperson Gene Simmons, both members of the iconic rock group KISS.
Utilizing the powerful Ortsbo translation engine, all chat comments from more than 50 languages during the chat were instantly translated into English, allowing one global conversation. The event was conducted on May 20 at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. Participants joined the live streaming chat through personal computers and iPhone and Android devices.
Paul Stanley comments: "I'm thrilled to be a part of a Guinness World Record, especially one that brings together so many people from around the world. It was thrilling to be able to understand the comments from so many nationalities, and be able to conduct translated conversations in real-time."
"This fun event showed we really do live in a global world, where language or distance cannot stop people from real engagement," said Gene Simmons. "Ortsbo's amazing service brought together fans who shared a common interest which allowed us to interact with them on a personal level."
Live Nation, the world's leading live entertainment and online e-commerce company, supported the KISS Live & Global event. The massive success of the event will provide a template for future chat events with Live Nation recording artists and Ortsbo.com.
"The KISS chat event showcased the true power of our chat translation engine," said David Lucatch, president of Ortsbo, Inc. "By translating in multiple languages during the event, we allowed people to conduct personal conversations with KISS in their native language with both speed and accuracy."
The KISS Live & Global event was hosted using the power of Microsoft's Windows Azure cloud-based platform. "This record-breaking chat through Ortsbo was powered by Windows Azure with impressive speed and stability," said Aashish Dhamdhere, Windows Azure at Microsoft. "Through the scalability of cloud computing and Ortsbo's real-time translation, we were able to provide a global platform to interact with two legends of rock and roll."
DOWNEY — Metallica frontman and former Downey resident James Hetfield will be inducted into the Downey High School 2011 Hall of Fame today.
The 47-year-old heavy metal superstar will receive a special induction for attending Downey High his freshman and sophomore years. Hetfield moved to Brea the summer before his junior year after his mother died of cancer.
Downey Assistant Principal Lisa Lucke said the plan to induct Hetfield into the Hall of Fame has been in the works for years.
"He's a very private person, and he's usually on tour this time of year so it was really just about trying to align schedules," she said. "We're all excited and hoping he can come."
She said Hetfield sent his former high school a signed guitar one year.
"He said we could auction it off but we haven't had the heart to do anything with it yet," she said.
Hetfield is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, main songwriter and co-founder of Metallica, which formed in Los Angeles in 1981. Considered one of the most influential heavy-metal bands, Metallica has won nine Grammy Awards. Their 1991 self-titled album spawned five hit singles.
Also being inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday are long-time college basketball coach Bobby Dye, marine science professor Alan M. Shiller and local Downey businessman George Cade.
In a recent interview with Planet Rock, legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES revealed that his new solo album will be released next spring.
Another record has been mooted for some time but this is the first time that Slash has talked about the schedule for its release.
Although ALTER BRIDGE vocalist Myles Kennedy sang just two tracks on Slash's self-titled solo debut, Slash recently confirmed that Myles will sing everything on the guitarist's next solo effort.
Speaking to Nicky Horne, he revealed, "Myles and I have been writing all throughout the tour so we've got a lot of material, and at this point we're probably gonna start a little bit of pre-production in June and then do the tour in July. In September we're going to [do more] pre-production and the album is slated to come out in March or April."
In a recent interview with The Pulse Of Radio, Kennedy said about the fact that Slash would like him to handle the lead vocals on the guitarist's next CD, "It's very flattering. I think there's kind of a cool thing we got going. We really enjoy working with each other. I know they're auditioning singers now for VELVET REVOLVER, so I don't know if they find the right guy if that'll affect things timing-wise. I'm not really sure. But the plan right now is that yeah, we'll do a record together down the road."
Slash's debut disc came out last year and featured a different singer on each track, including Chris Cornell, Ozzy Osbourne, M. Shadows and others.
Geeks Of Doom recently conducted an interview with SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Geeks Of Doom: You've been playing "Big Four" shows for a while now. How are you finding them?
Dave Lombardo: Exciting! Every time there's more in the pipe for us to play on. I at least am looking forward to hanging out with the other guys and doing these festivals that are amazing. It's bringing the European festival vibe to the States. It just feels a little bit like that to me with the big crowds and stuff. It's a lot of fun, I've been enjoying it very much.
Geeks Of Doom: Earlier this year Jeff Hanneman [SLAYER guitarist] had to leave the band temporarily after contracting [flesh-eating bug] necrotising fasciitis. How is Jeff now?
Dave Lombardo: Jeff is doing much better. He's still recovering. He played two songs at the "Big Four" [Jeff joined SLAYER for the two-song encore in Indio, California on April 23] …you know it was great, he went out there, he kicked ass! But he still needs a lot more recovery. He needs to work a lot more on that arm, so he's still in recovery.
Geeks Of Doom: While Jeff was out you had Gary Holt [EXODUS] and Pat O'Brien [CANNIBAL CORPSE] covering for some shows. What were those shows like?
Dave Lombardo: Well, it was a little odd having a different guitar player on stage. But they did a really, really good job in helping us out. They really stepped up. They did their homework, especially Pat O'Brien. Pat O'Brien came in kind of at the last minute because obviously Gary had to do some shows in South America with EXODUS that he had committed to. But we were really undecided on who we were going to get so time was just ticking away and we had to make a decision. So we called Pat in and he only had a certain amount of time to learn all the songs so he worked so hard, that guy. Gary as well, but Gary had a little more time. I just remember on the European tour that Pat O'Brien just…sat in the dressing room [and] he sometimes didn't get a hotel room, just sat in the dressing room and just kicked ass! He learned everything and did everything perfect. He was a little hard on himself because he wanted everything to be, in his eyes, absolutely
perfect and I didn't hear anything that he did wrong. Nothing. He's a perfectionist, like most of us are, and [musicians] are never happy with their own performances. We're very critical but that just makes us who we are. But he did an amazing job, and Gary did as well.
Geeks Of Doom: How did you feel watching your bandmates during your years away from the band?
Dave Lombardo: I never watched them! [laughs] I was happy for them; "yeah, just go on." I was doing my own thing, it never really bothered me. I was happy where I was at and they were doing their own thing and it was good.
Geeks Of Doom: What did you think of the albums they made during that time?
Dave Lombardo: I wasn't a fan of them. I listened to them a little bit, not like listen to a complete song or anything, I just like skipped over the songs, listened to the mix, listened to the drums and it told me the whole story. I didn't have to listen to the whole record for me to get the gist of the whole project. So it was pretty good but I just wasn't a fan. Now I perform those songs of course I like the music and I have [added] my own drums now so I love performing those songs.
Geeks Of Doom: Did you think they were maybe too basic?
Dave Lombardo: Oh no, no. Paul [Bostaph, ex-SLAYER drummer] really tried to complicate it, tried to get creative which was great. But still, just for me personally, it wasn't the SLAYER that I knew. Because I sometimes step out of myself and listen to things and it just wasn't the same.
Geeks Of Doom: That's good. Are there any plans for a new SLAYER album?
Dave Lombardo: Yes absolutely. Although there's nothing written but there is definitely plans. Of course. We have to! Why not?! [laughs] I'm not retiring and I don't think Kerry's [King, guitar] retiring either so… Charlie Watts [THE ROLLING STONES drummer] is somebody I look up to and for someone to be on those drums for as long as he's been up there then I'm on my way! I'm right behind him, man! [laughs] I'm one of those guys. I like longevity and a true musician never abandons his art.
According to a Twitter post from MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine, the recording sessions for the band's new studio album were "halted" yesterday after producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis; DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD, STAIND) was "suddenly struck ill."
The drum tracking for the CD — which is tentatively due this fall via Roadrunner Records — began earlier this month, with the entire recording process expected to be completed by the time the group hits the road this summer as part of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival with DISTURBED and GODSMACK.
Speaking to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine, Mustaine stated about the band's upcoming album, "This is our 13th studio record, and we've already had a bunch of weird things happen. Car problems, stuff disappearing, a guy who worked for me that was the most white-laced guy you could imagine falling out on drugs and disappearing...but this one's got me excited!"
MEGADETH's platinum-certified 1986 masterpiece, "Peace Sells… But Who's Buying?", has been digitally remastered for the first time and expanded for a special 25th-anniversary release in multiple configurations. It will be released July 12 by Capitol/EMI.
All of the versions, including a 2CD lift-top box, digital album and a deluxe 5Disc+3LP box set, contain a previously unreleased 1987 concert from the band's first world tour and new liner notes written by Mustaine and METALLICA's Lars Ulrich.
"Infected", the new album from Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL, entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 2 (right behind LADY GAGA!). The CD was released in Europe on May 20 and will be made available in North America on June 7 via Nuclear Blast Records. Laying down the foundation themselves in their own studio in Sweden, the members of HAMMERFALL then traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to finish it up with acclaimed producer James Michael (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SCORPIONS, MEAT LOAF). He also mixed the album, giving it a decisive updated edge without losing any of the essence of the band's sound. "James helped us create something that was new and exciting while still in the line of our heritage", Oscar Dronjak, guitar player and founder of the band, explains.
The album consists of eleven songs, and the limited first edition also includes a bonus DVD with unreleased video material of five of the "Infected" tracks.
"Infected" track listing:
01. Patient Zero
02. Bang Your Head
03. One More Time
04. The Outlaw
05. Send Me A Sign
06. Dia De Los Muertos
07. I Refuse
08. 666 - The Enemy Within
09. Immortalized
10. Let's Get It On
11. Redemption
"One More Time", the new video from HAMMERFALL, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, EVERGREY and KAMELOT, among many others.
On April 6, Nuclear Blast Records released a limited-edition picture seven-inch version of "One More Time" from "Infected". The vinyl is limited on 500 copies and sold through the Nuclear Blast mailorder only. On the B-side of the single there is a live version of "Hallowed Be My Name" recorded at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2009. The digital version of the single contains an additional instrumental version of "One More Time".
AVENGED SEVENFOLD has landed at position No. 1 on this week's Billboard.com "Hot Tours" rankings with more than $3.6 million in box office grosses reported from the "Welcome To The Family Tour", which featured opening acts THREE DAYS GRACE, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE and SEVENDUST on select dates. AVENGED SEVENFOLD was also one of the headliners at Carolina Rebellion in Charlotte on May 7 with 30,000 fans in attendance. The event's main stage also featured performances by GODSMACK, THREE DAYS GRACE and STONE SOUR, among other bands.
* Artist/Event: AVENGED SEVENFOLD
* Total Gross: $3,666,256
* Show Dates: April 22-May 18
* Show Venue/City:
- CenturyTel Center, Bossier City, LA
- Show Me Center, Cape Girardeau, MO
- Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, IL
- Rockford MetroCentre, Rockford, IL.
- Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre, PA
- Times Union Center, Albany, NY
- Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, ME
- MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA
- Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
- UCF Arena, Orlando, FL
- Pensacola Civic Center, Pensacola, FL
- The Cajundome, Lafayette, LA
- Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City, OK
- INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
- Lone Star Event Center, Lubbock, TX
- Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
* Total Attendance: 99,725
* Capacity: 135,363
AVENGED recently premiered a music video for its latest single, "So Far Away", which is a tribute to the band's late drummer James "The Rev" Sullivan, who died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
Following Sullivan's death, the band recruited his favorite drummer, ex-DREAM THEATER member Mike Portnoy, to record the drum tracks for its latest album, "Nightmare", and tour with the band through 2010.
The group recently recruited new drummer Arin Ilejay, who has also recorded a new song with the band called "Not Ready To Die" for the Call Of Duty: Black Ops video game.
AVENGED SEVENFOLD will be on tour in Europe and Australia throughout June, July and early August before coming home to headline the Rockstar Uproar Festival tour, which will kick off on August 26.
Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott died 31 years ago, February 19 1980 aged 33. It seems impossible to believe this much-loved icon has been gone for more than three decades when his legacy, his influence on rock and his presence remains so strong.
You never need an excuse to celebrate the incredible music of the Bon Scott-era AC/DC, so in the spirit of all those "Dirty Deeds" along the "Highway To Hell", we say "Let There Be Rock"!
Empire Touring will stage a very special tribute concert to the mighty Bon Scott featuring an all-star cast of rock vocalists — Angry Anderson (ROSE TATTOO), Dave Gleeson (SCREAMING JETS), John Swan (SWANEE) and Mark Gable (THE CHOIRBOYS).
The Long Live Bon band will feature original AC/DC bass player Mark Evans! Mark played bass on four seminal AC/DC albums — "TNT", "Dirty Deeds Done Dirty Cheap", "Let There Be Rock" and "Powerage" — before departing the band in 1978. Other than the Bon Scott 30th-anniversary concert in Fremantle four years ago, this is the first time Mark has taken part in a tribute to his great mate Bon. Mark will be the musical director of the show, with band members Steve Edmonds and Dai Pritchard (guitars) and Paul DeMarco (drums). The set list features only songs from the Bon Scott-era AC/DC and is an absolute cracker — from the ball-tearing classics "High Voltage", "Highway To Hell", "TNT", "Dirty Deeds", "Let There Be Rock" and "Jailbreak" to the very early fan favorites "Can I Sit Next To You Girl?" and "Baby Please Don't Go".
The Long Live Bon concerts came together as a result of a casual conversation between Empire promoter Marc Christowski and Dave Gleeson and Mark Gable, both singers citing Bon as their biggest inspiration. More casual conversations ensued, before the idea was born to put together these tribute shows.
All five vocalists have special memories of Bon:
Angry Anderson: "One of my fondest memories of Bon was when he introduced me to the music of Alex Harvey. He gave me a cassette of Alex's and it was like an epiphany.
"Everyone talks about the clichéd stuff of women, drugs and booze with Bon, but he really loved good music. Bon was the rock poet of the era."
Mark Gable: "I never had the honor of meeting Bon, but I did walk the halls and record in the famed Albert Studios in the late '70s, the same studios he recorded in. Stories about Bon were an everyday occurrence in there, so much so that I felt that I knew so much about him.
"There are many things I would like to be one day, and most certainly I would love to be Bon Scott any day."
Dave Gleeson: "Bon Scott first came to my attention when I heard my brother giving Acka Dacka a workout on the tape deck in our bedroom. There was something about the way Bon's vocals tore out of the speakers that really spoke to me, I guess I was about 9 or 10. It wasn't until I got older that I realized the brilliance of Bon's lyrics. The way he was cool without being a wanker, tough without being a big noter, and sexy without looking and acting like a poof. To me, he was a street poet, who used the language of the times to tell stories of his life and delivered it with ball-tearing intensity, and absolute integrity. Yes, indeed, I like Bon a lot."
John Swan: "Bon and I got on smashing, as we are Scots. We did the same things — got drunk, fell over and got on with things.
"I got the chance to join FRATERNITY when Bon left to join AC/DC.
"I was at the first gig at Pooraka when he joined or was asked... can't really remember which. He was a gentleman and an iconic Australian rock singer. Not many can emulate the way he spits out phrasing and vocal passages.
"I was in the studio when a lot of the albums were recorded.
"We all used to go back to Margaret's place (Angus and Malcolm's sister) for a big plate of soup, a game of cards and a bevy before sleep. I could write a book about the adventures. Most of all, he was just Bon — one of a kind. A real rock, rock singer."
In the July 2004 issue of the acclaimed magazine Classic Rock, Bon Scott was rated as number one in a list of the "100 Greatest Frontmen Of All Time", ahead of Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant.
Long Live Bon concert dates:
May 27 - Melbourne, Australia - Forum Theatre
May 28 - Wollongong, Australia - Waves
Jun. 03 - Penrith, Australia - Penrith Panthers, Evan Theatre
Jun. 04 - Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE — a unique trifecta of an amazing rock concert featuring the unforgettable blues-rock of LED ZEPPELIN, an over-the-top video and light show as well as the personal history that Jason Bonham shares in commemoration of his father with the legendary rock 'n' roll band — has been forced to postpone a handful of tour dates due to the fact that vocalist James Dylan was taken ill and is unable to perform at this time. Postponed shows includes tonight's (Friday, May 27) performance at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, which has been rescheduled for Friday, October 14 at the Greek Theatre and tomorrow's (Saturday, May 28) Las Vegas concert, which is now rescheduled for Saturday, October 15 at Aliante Casino. Tickets for both postponed shows will be honored on the rescheduled nights and refunds will be available at point of purchase for those ticket holders who cannot attend the re-scheduled gigs.
JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE recently added new songs to the setlist for its second tour, including "Achilles' Last Stand", "The Rain Song" and "In the Light", the latter of which LED ZEPPELIN never performed live.
"The song choices will always be a key part of this," Bonham tells Billboard.com, "because I listen to what the fans say. But I also want to keep it as true as I can. We'll never do a song we don't think we can do well, so if for some reason there's certain songs we don't do in the show we probably haven't tried it yet, or we have tried it and it wasn't up to standard. We'll only do the best ones we can so they sound the best."
JASON BONHAM'S LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE features Bonham on drums, Tony Catania on guitar and theremin, Stephen Leblanc on keyboards/pedal-steel guitars, Michael Devin on bass and James Dylan on lead vocals.
"The stories that people have shared with me over the last 12 months and onward since the first round inspired me," Jason tells Billboard.com. "When people say, 'Oh, can you try this one in the show next time? Can you do this?'... I spoke to my mom, and she said, 'Listen, you're representing the family here, and I appreciate you doing it.' She came out to see the show and said, 'You know, I was a little skeptical at first, but the show is so wonderfully put together and it's very special.' She said, 'Please continue this for me as long as you feel comfortable doing it.' "
Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH are not only putting finishing touches to its new album, "Imaginarium", but also planning a movie of the same name. If all goes well, the CD will be released in early 2012, to be followed by the movie at some point further down the line. The first single off the album as well as the trailer for the film should arrive well before the end of 2011.
NIGHTWISH's official web site has been updated with the following message regarding the status of the upcoming album/movie:
"During the last six weeks, the work on 'Imaginarium' has advanced by leaps and bounds. We've been so busy with the project there has been precious little time for anything else.
"While the band supervises the final mix of the album, location scouting is already underway for the 'Imaginarium' movie. As the name of the movie and the information disclosed so far suggest, these real-world special places are few and far between.
"The production crew has also been strengthened by people who have extensive knowledge of post-production technology. This is crucial, because the shoot and post-production are expected to be extremely complex and technically challenging. One of the characters in the movie also needs special attention from the animation department. Without teasing you any further, we can only disclose that this character will surely be remembered by many a NIGHTWISH fan.
"Because of the technical challenges and need for more planning, the shooting has been postponed. The movie will nevertheless be completed on time, as the post-production was begun already before the shooting.
"There's obviously a lot of expectations for the movie score. Tuomas [Holopainen, keyboardist/main songwriter] is currently working on variations with Petri Alanko, renowned for his prize-winning music for the 'Alan Wake' video game. The score will be based on the songs on the album and their main themes in a way that — like many other things with the 'Imaginarium' movie — is a first in the history of motion pictures.
"'Imaginarium' was also featured at the Cannes Movie Festival, where Solar Films presented their forthcoming films. At the same time, the script went through its biggest and most anticipated overhaul so far, confirming that 'Imaginarium' will in no way be a children's movie but a dark and foreboding fantasy; a dream world that lacks no surprises.
"In a nutshell, like the director of the movie tends to characterize his productions, 'well-planned is half done.' The famous sign post on the crossroads leading to 'Imaginarium' is already visible. It says 'Imaginarium, X miles', and underneath it reads in small, red, curving hand-writing: 'Soon it's time to start shooting.'
NIGHTWISH will kick off the "Imaginarium" world tour in Los Angeles. The very first show of the trek will take place at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California on Saturday, January 21. This will be the biggest NIGHTWISH show production ever on North American soil and strictly a one-off — there will be no U.S. tour until later in 2012.
AMORPHIS, MOONSORROW and IN EXTREMO have been confirmed bands for next year's edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which will set sail from Miami, Florida to Cayman Islands on January 23, 2012 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will perform on the cruise.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMORPHIS
ELUVEITIE
GRAVE DIGGER
IN EXTREMO
MOONSORROW
MY DYING BRIDE
PESTILENCE
STRATOVARIUS
THERION
TRISTANIA
Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, May 31 at 10 a.m. PST, with prices starting at $666 plus $289 taxes and fees per person, which includes all on-board entertainment, all meals, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and 24-room service.
"Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone has posted a 10-minute video report on this year's edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise — which set sail from Miami, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on January 24, 2011 and returned four days later. You can now watch the footage below.
According to Exclaim.ca, 70000 Tons Of Metal featured 42 metal bands and 2,000 fans sailing around the Caribbean for the better part of a week. Each band performed two sets over the journey, with many acts committing to putting on special cruise-only performances (NWOBHM legends SAXON played their 1980 albums "Wheels Of Steel" and "Strong Arm Of The Law" in their entirety; while TESTAMENT did the same with their first two records, "The Legacy" and "The New Order"). There were three different stages on the ship: an outdoor poolside stage, a mid-sized club stage and a full indoor theatre that could hold almost all 2,000 fans onboard.
Brian Fischer-Giffin of Australia's Loud magazine recently conducted an interview with vocalist Peter Dolving of Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On drawing both respect and ire from people who read his meticulous and forthright blogs on subjects related to humanist philosophy:
Dolving: "I'm really happy that I pissed off whoever was pissed off, because that would prove that they're right wing, conservative cunts! That's basically the reality of it. Because what I talk about when I write, and with lyrics and everything, is a very kind of humanist, egalatarian point of view. I'll look at different phenomena and I'll point at things that make me wonder what the fuck kind of society are we living in if we accept this or that. To me, it's really simple: we need to treat each other with respect and we need to try and enjoy our life, because it's a short one. We're gonna live between somewhere between zero and some are very fortunate to live maybe a hundred years. It's only a short time, and we need to take care of that time."
On people who are fuelled by what he sees as negative energies:
Dolving: "You have problems if you think that violence is a good way to solve conflict and you need to see a psychologist. You may need a long, therapeutic talk, but you need help! Women are not worth less than you are, the size of your cock does not make you more or less of a man. The amount of toys you have when you die does not define how the quality of your life was and your inner worth as a human being. We all basically have the same values as a human being, we just don't acknowledge that. We should. It's a beautiful world. We should look after it and look after each other."
On constantly keeping himself busy, both with and away from THE HAUNTED:
Dolving: "I never get bored. I wouldn't know what boredom is. Because I made a decision to use my life. I've made a decision to turn my life into something meaningful and to enjoy every moment of it. It's a great gift. I used to think that it was a curse. I used to think, well, I didn't ask for being born. But here I am, what the fuck? But then I realized that it doesn't really matter if I didn't ask for it or not. I have it. And that's cool. I can do a bunch of things. It's my choice to really to try to the fullest of my capacity to enjoy life, to learn more, and to turn all that into some kind of creativity of some kind."
On the mixed reactions to THE HAUNTED's musical progression over the years:
Dolving: "It's kinda funny because I think it's really a measurement of how you're really doing. If people hate what you're doing, I think that's a good sign that you're doing good. We get a lot more positive reviews, but the negative reviews are funny, because they really hate us! … Some of these kids have a very fixed idea of what metal is supposed to be. If you do something else, it seems to be... I don't know! I think it scares 'em. They feel threatened in some way, like we're going to take away their right to like CANNIBAL CORPSE. We're not! We're just trying to do what we like.
Dolving: "We started playing in this band back in '96, '97, and we've always stayed true to what we like. And it's changed. We've grown. You can imagine what it's like to be with a group of people, travelling around the world all the time. This industry does change you, you know. And it changes your perception of things. If you're a kid in a small town — or even a big town -- you hang out with basically the same people all the time, you don't see a lot of horizon-changing things. If someone steps out of that little box then it's gonna threaten your reality I guess."
On THE HAUNTED's latest album, "Unseen":
Dolving: "We decided, very clearly, that we weren't going to try and even make a metal record. We were just going to let go completely of the form as to writing the material and instead we'll come up with good, memorable songs and then we'll play them as we play music. So first came the songwriting and then we kind of let the music seep in and we played it, and we came up with this."
Danish thrashers HATESPHERE have announced the addition of bassist Jimmy Nedergaard (GOB SQUAD) to the group's ranks.
Commented Nedergaard: "I've been a fan of HATESPHERE for a long time, so, of course, I had to audition. Both their music and the energy they put in their work appeals to me, and our future plans for HATESPHERE are the same, so it seems obvious to me, to work and play with these guys."
Added HATESPHERE in a statement: "Finding a new bass player showed not to be as easy, as we had hoped but our patience luckily paid off. Being a metalhead but coming from a punk rock background, Jimmy fits our profile perfectly. He knows what he is going into, he shares our visions with the band, he has tried something different than metal but still has it deep in his heart, and last but not least he's a great guy. Fitting in personally means a lot to us, so Jimmy's age and experience has made him the perfect choice. We have already played our first live show with him, partied with him and involved him in the writing process of the new songs, so he has had a busy start — just as we want it."
HATESPHERE will enter Antfarm Studio in Aarhus, Denmark on June 13 with producer Tue Madsen to begin recording its new album for a September release via Napalm Records.
A YouTube clip featuring a snippet of a pre-production version of one of the new HATESPHERE songs is available below.
Vocalist Esben "Esse" Hansen joined HATESPHERE as the band's new singer in June 2010.
HATESPHERE's latest CD, "To The Nines" entered the official chart in Denmark at position No. 36.
The new lineup of the Cleveland, Ohio metal band CHIMAIRA made its live debut this past Wednesday, May 25 at The Machine Shop in Flint, Michigan.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be viewed below.
CHIMAIRA 2011 is:
Mark Hunter - Vocals
Rob Arnold - Guitar
Matt DeVries - Guitar
Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Bass
Sean Zatorsky (DAATH) - Keyboards/Samples
Austin D'Amond (BLEED THE SKY, THE ELITE) – Drums
Although D'Amond will sit behind the kit for all of CHIMAIRA's upcoming shows, the drum tracks on the band's recently completed new album were laid down by the CD's producer, Ben Schigel, who has previously worked with DROWNING POOL and WALLS OF JERICHO, among others. The effort was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, MURDERDOLLS, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).
CHIMAIRA spent several days earlier this month filming a new music video and DVD, to be released in connection with the band's forthcoming studio album, due in August in North America, South America and Japan via eOne Music.
Check out photos from the shoot at the group's Facebook page.
Drummer Andols Herrick announced his departure from CHIMAIRA last month, citing "some of the same concerns that" keyboardist/programmer] Chris Spicuzza "mentioned in his statement [announcing his split from the group], namely the current state of the music industry and concerns about my future." Andols added, "A major transition in life is much more manageable at 31 than it is in your late 30s or early 40s, so as a guy with literally zero experience in anything else, better now than later. Plus, it would be hard to go back without feeling constantly uneasy about the situation."
Spicuzza explained his exit from CHIMAIRA by saying that the "situation in CHIMAIRA had ultimately become a negative environment that I had to get out of. Secondly, the music industry is completely fucked and honestly, I became concerned for my future. The amount of work and stress I took on got the best of me. I guess if you're not happy or having fun, what's the point?"
Bassist Jim LaMarca left CHIMAIRA last year in order to focus on family life
SYSTEMATIC, the Bay Area hard rockers and former protégés of METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, have announced a headlining show on August 20 at Slim's in San Francisco. The concert will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the "Somewhere In Between" album and will feature the band's original lineup of Tim Narducci, Adam Ruppel, Nick St Denis and Phillip Bailey.
"Somewhere In Between" was produced/engineered by the team of Peter Collins (QUEENSRŸCHE, BON JOVI) and Paul Northfield (RUSH, MARILYN MANSON) in Nashville during the summer and fall of 2000. The sessions married Narducci and Ruppel's well-crafted songs and guitar work with Bailey and St Denis' punching rhythms, resulting in an album that yielded a Top 20 radio hit with "Beginning Of The End" and which remains high among the list of favorites of many rock and metal fans.
"So much time has passed, and we've all stayed in touch," Narducci says. "When the four of us got into a room again to play, the vibe really felt right and we were all excited about doing this."
Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 29.
The third signing to Lars Ulrich's imprint label and the only band on the roster to share any similarity in sound to his own group, SYSTEMATIC was elevated out of San Francisco and on to the national stage, supporting rock and metal stalwarts like METALLICA, SLAYER, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, STAIND, DISTURBED and GODSMACK, among others.
SYSTEMATIC disbanded in 2004 after supporting the release of "Pleasure To Burn".
What drummers in the music world have caught the ear of Axel Sjöberg, the man behind the skins in Sweden's classic rock band GRAVEYARD? Holding the honors are Michael Tegza and H.P. Lovecraft and Brann Dailor of MASTODON.
Sjöberg goes into detail about what he admires about these drummers on his Modern Drummer blog. Read it at this location.
GRAVEYARD's second full-length album, "Hisingen Blues", sold 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 48 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.
"Hisingen Blues" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. The CD, which was released in North America on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced, recorded, and mixed in 100 percent analog by Don Alsterberg (JOSÉ GONZALES, JUNIP, SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY) at Don Pierre Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
GRAVEYARD is:
* Joakim Nilsson – Guitar & Vocals
* Jonathan Ramm – Guitar & Vocals
* Rikard Edlund – Bass
* Axel Sjöberg - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/graveyardsongs.
Swedish black metallers MARDUK kick off their "7 Bowls Of Wrath" North American tour tonight with a headlining appearance at the Maryland Deathfest. From there, the band will systematically terrorize Montreal, Toronto, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Brooklyn with AURA NOIR, BLACK ANVIL, PANZERFAUST and HOD. In addition, the New York show will include an art exhibition by Oluremi White, whose work includes pieces inspired by the band.
Commented the band, "As MARDUK are about to begin the '7 Bowls Of Wrath' tour, we can also announce that at the New York show there will be an exclusive exhibition by New York artist Oluremi White, who will be presenting his paintings related to themes and visions based upon MARDUK songs. Don't miss out on that one!"
For a glimpse of some of Oluremi's works, visit his web site.
"Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon", a brand new song from Swedish black metallers MARDUK, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new EP, "Iron Dawn", which will be available at the Maryland Deathfest on May 27 (May 30 in the rest of the world via Regain Records) and at the six additional North American shows to follow.
According to a press release, the songs included on "Iron Dawn" differ from the concept that is being created for the next full-length album. Therefore this EP will be made available as a special treat for all MARDUK legionaries out there.
"Iron Dawn" track listing:
01. Warschau 2: Headhunter Halfmoon
02. Wacht Am Rhein: Drumbeats Of Death
03. Prochorovka: Blood And Sunflowers
The "Iron Dawn" EP will only be available for a certain time period and will be unleashed on digipak version and also on 12-inch vinyl limited to 500 copies worldwide.
"Wormwood", the eleventh album from MARDUK, sold around 650 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 99 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 new issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, which hits the shelves next Wednesday, will come packaged with a "Razor" CD that contains a world-exclusive new song from French extreme/progressive metallers GOJIRA featuring guest appearances by Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD) and Fredrik Thordendal (MESHUGGAH). Entitled "Of Blood And Salt", the track comes off and comes from GOJIRA's forthcoming four-song EP, the proceeds from which will benefit Sea Shepherd, an anti-whaling organization.
GOJIRA's forthcoming EP was recorded at the end of last year at a Los Angeles, California-area studio with producer Logan Mader (ex-MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist).
During an appearance on the December 3-5, 2010 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, GOJIRA guitarist/vocalist Joe Duplantier was asked if he was worried about how the GOJIRA fans will react to the band being involved with an organization like Sea Shepherd. "I am not worried at all," he replied. "I don't care about these reactions, really. What I care about is mostly where I put myself and what kind of energy in my life, why I do things. This is something very, very, very important to me, to do this, but it's not on a political level... It's also political, of course, but it's more on a spiritual level. I like to feel that I am part of something that goes in the right direction, something that has sense. And being famous is really cool, having a lot of money is really cool — making money and all that — but it's not the most important [thing] for me."
On what prompted GOJIRA's involvement with Sea Shepherd:
Duplantier: "I saw a movie called 'Sharkwater'. It was made by a guy [Rob Stewart] who is involved with sharks. And he just wanted to film sharks; he's diving in the ocean and he hugs sharks and he's trying to present them as they are — not like a threat or a danger or monsters, but just animals [who are] beautiful. They have the right to live. It's not just because they're dangerous that we should kill them all. And the fact is that more than 90 percent of the sharks on the planet disappeared over the last 30 years only — like, they're almost gone. It's really sad; it made me cry when I watched this movie. And in this movie you can Sea Shepherd in the second half of the movie, they're in the movie all the time, because they meet on the... It's like a road trip — he's [Rob Stewart] filming himself all the time — and he meets the guy from Sea Shepherd and they help him to save some of the sharks. They're facing a huge problem with the
international mafia who's dealing with shark things, for the Japanese mostly, to put them in the soup. So they catch sharks and they cut the things [fins] and they throw back the sharks in the water and they just die like that. A lot of poor countries do that so you could also care about these people trying to survive and fishing and selling. ... I'm talking about sharks, but it's the same problem with whales and dolphins and tuna... All these species are just disappearing from the planet because everybody wants to eat them or catch them for their fat, skin, bones, fins, for makeup products or even for weapons... Some parts of the whales are used to build weapons.
"After [seeing the 'Sharkwater'] movie, I was, like, 'Holy crap! What can we do for that?' And what I feel is when you are an artist and you start to have the attention of the people and people actually listen to you and what you're saying, I think you have a responsibility towards the planet and towards the people. We have to think about what we are saying and what we are doing. And [when it comes to the new GOJIRA] EP, I feel exactly at the right place when I do this.
"There's a lot of confusion in the world in general. Everybody is in survival mode all the time. And we created this opportunity in our lives to stick the head out of the gutter and stop surviving and try to do something to live, really, like human beings."
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