IRON MAIDEN's new album, "The Final Frontier", has been certified platinum in Brazil for sales in excess of 40,000 copies.
(Note: Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos [ABPD] [English: Brazilian Association of Record Producers] in Brazil has revised the sales requirements for albums by international artists to reach platinum status in the country three times in the last ten years — from the pre-2001 level of 250,000 to the current 40,000.)
"The Final Frontier" sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.
IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Final Frontier" was IRON MAIDEN's fourth U.K. No. 1 album. The band previously topped the chart in 1982 with "The Number of the Beast", in 1988 with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and in 1992 with "Fear of the Dark".
"The Final Frontier" was released in North America on August 17, 2010 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The effort was made available in a unique limited-edition collectors' "Mission Edition" CD case and features access to extra bonus content, including the director's cut of a video for the edited version of the opening song on the album, entitled "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier"; band "Mission Debrief" interview footage; wallpapers; photos; and the exclusive game "Mission II : Rescue & Revenge". MAIDEN is also for the first time making the album available as an iTunes LP with bonus content as well as the traditional digital format. There is also a limited-edition double picture disc.
The band reunited with long-time MAIDEN producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley in early 2010 at Compass Point Studios, Nassau to record the album and then moved to The Cave Studios in Malibu, California to finish the recording and do the mixing. Compass Point Studio is very familiar to the band, it was where they recorded the "Piece Of Mind" (1983), "Powerslave" (1984) and "Somewhere In Time" (1986) albums.
THE STANDOFF between Harold MacKay and Halifax over permits and services for the Metallica concert has ended, and it appears the city blinked.
At a hastily called news conference at his lawyer's office in Dartmouth, MacKay cheerfully announced that the heavy metal show will go ahead as planned on July 14 with no strings attached.
The city had threatened to withhold support for the event if a $359,550 shortfall from last year's failed concerts on the Commons was not paid back. MacKay's Power Promotional Events put on those shows and then closed up shop. The promoter for the Metallica concert is MacKay Entertainment Inc., a new company headed by MacKay's wife Michelle.
A chipper MacKay — flanked by his lawyer, David Coles, Richard Butts, the chief administrative officer for Halifax Regional Municipality, and city lawyer Martin Ward — said it's all good now.
"Everything's a go," he said.
MacKay and Butts characterized recent discussions over the upcoming concert on the Garrison Grounds as regular negotiations and not tied to problems stemming from last summer's poorly attended outdoor shows featuring the Black Eyed Peas and Alan Jackson.
"It's all been resolved and we've moved forward and we're moving on from it," MacKay said.
On Monday night, thechronicleherald.ca reported that Jerry Blackwood, the city's revenue manager, had sent Michelle MacKay a strongly worded letter about services for the Metallica show.
"HRM's position regarding providing services to your concert is firm," Blackwood wrote on June 15. "We will not release any services without an acceptable repayment strategy for the funds owing from the 2010 concerts."
At his lawyer's office on Tuesday, MacKay held firm that he owes the city nothing from last year's concerts.
Then-CAO Wayne Anstey, who has since resigned, forwarded $400,000 to Power Promotional Events last July in the form of a forgivable loan to cover advance costs for the shows. Due to low ticket sales, MacKay's company was only able to repay about 10 per cent of the amount, but he said that complied with the terms of the loan.
"That money was never an issue with me, and it wasn't an issue in resolving the services for the (Metallica concert)," MacKay said. "Not an issue at all."
Tuesday evening, the city said a "negotiated financial settlement" had been reached with MacKay Entertainment.
Along with approving permits, the municipality will provide services for the Metallica concert, dubbed Rock the Hill, and will get back all the money it spends, a city hall news release said.
"All costs for the provision of municipal services will be fully recovered from the event organizer, as per our normal practice for concerts at the Garrison Grounds," the release said. "These services are intended to ensure the safety and security of citizens, concertgoers and visitors to our city for this concert."
The amount MacKay Entertainment is paying the city was not revealed.
The city has circled the wagons and is revealing little about the deal struck with MacKay.
Butts, who replaced Anstey as CAO, was evasive when asked whether the city will give up its fight to recoup the unpaid $359,550.
"I don't know what the future will hold," he said when pressed. "I don't know what we're going to do tomorrow."
Earlier in the day, regional council and Mayor Peter Kelly, who has been under pressure to resign over the cash-for-concerts fiasco, met in secret for about three hours. But councillors were tight-lipped about their discussions, commenting only after city hall issued the news release.
Deputy Mayor Jim Smith (Albro Lake-Harbourview) said he's glad the dispute has been settled.
"I'm very happy about the outcome," he said. "The concert is on the go, so it's good news as far as I'm concerned."
Coun. Steve Adams (Spryfield-Herring Cove) said he's also content. He said there's no way to know at this point whether this latest event-related quarrel will harm Halifax's reputation in the long run.
"Let's find out what happens after this concert and subsequent events," Adams said.
Butts said he received no direction from council on how to resolve the issue with MacKay.
"They asked me some questions and that was the end of it," he said.Many observers have said the city doesn't have a legal leg to stand on with regard to last year's unpaid loans, and that threatening to hold up the Metallica concert was a questionable tactic.
"Sixteen days away from the show ... it's kind of a Tony Soprano kind of move," said Waye Mason, who teaches courses on the music industry and is a political blogger.
"I don't understand what (the city is) trying to achieve here, other than to drive (the MacKays) out of business."
In the meantime, Halifax's mishandling of large-scale concerts is becoming an international embarrassment, Mason said.
He said industry websites pick up each front-page story that runs about concert troubles and scandals.
Metal God Records and Rob Halford have announced a new 5.1, multi-camera, HD live-concert film, "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena", debuting worldwide October 10 and October 11.
"Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" features Rob Halford on vocals, Roy Z. on guitar, "Metal" Mike Chlasciak on guitars, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums. It contains fifteen 5.1 Surround Sound audio recordings spanning The Metal God's HALFORD, FIGHT and JUDAS PRIEST catalog.
HALFORD's first high-definition, 5.1 Surround Sound audio production, the "Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" Blu-ray release features exclusive footage with Rob Halford commentary.
"Halford Live At Saitama Super Arena" track listing:
01. Resurrection
02. Made In Hell
03. Locked And Loaded
04. Drop Out
05. Made Of Metal
06. Undisputed
07. Nailed To The Gun
08. Golgotha
09. Fire And Ice
10. Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)
11. Diamonds And Rust
12. Jawbreaker
13. Cyber World
14. Like There's No Tomorrow
15. Thunder And Lightning
For more information, go to this location.
HALFORD's latest album, "Halford IV - Made Of Metal", sold around 3,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 160 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 5 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.
HALFORD's previous CD, "Halford III - Winter Songs", opened with 1,400 units to debut at No. 26 on the Top New Artist Albums chart.
"Halford IV - Made Of Metal" was released on September 27, 2010 in Europe and September 28 in North America. Produced by Roy Z. and recorded during 2009 and 2010, the CD features 14 new songs penned exclusively by Rob Halford.
HALFORD played its first show in more than seven years on July 17, 2010 at the Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, California.
"On The Backs Of Angels", a brand new song from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, will be made available for streaming tomorrow (Wednesday, June 29) at 11:00 a.m. EST via the Roadrunner Records YouTube channel. The track comes off the band's new album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", which is scheduled for release on September 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was mixed by Andy Wallace, who has previously worked with AVENGED SEVENFOLD, WHITE ZOMBIE, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SEPULTURA, SLAYER and NIRVANA, among many others.
"I'm incredibly psyched with the way this album came out and can't wait to share it with everybody," guitarist John Petrucci, who also serves as the producer for "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", said.
"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess offered. "All the life-changing events that surrounded us before, as well as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."
Vocalist James LaBrie said, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."
"A Dramatic Turn Of Events" track listing:
01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. The Shaman's Trance
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface
In a recent interview with Music Radar, Petrucci and Rudess were asked if the band's new drummer, Mike Mangini, contributed to the songwriting on the forthcoming CD. "Mike didn't write with us," Rudess replied. "Basically, we got in the studio and did our thing. We wrote songs and sent them to him. He came in and just nailed his parts. He's incredible. I'm finishing my keyboard parts right now, and I'll go to the computer to see how things are lining up, and I'm just speechless. The guy doesn't mess up!" [laughs]
"We had the demos, had them fully written out, and he learned them and added his own stuff," Petrucci stated. "But every time he would do something, if I said, 'Hey, can you do that again?' he'd do it, and it would be perfect. The guy is… he's out of his mind! [laughs] People are not going to believe how great he is."
"But what's really special about him is, he's not just a technician," Rudess added. "Yes, he plays his parts perfectly, but he comes at everything as a total musician. Everything he does has real soul and a depth of feeling."
When asked how not having DREAM THEATER's former drummer, Mike Portnoy, in the recording and writing process changed the band dynamic, Petrucci replied, "It was a lot quieter. [laughs] Mike Mangini's playing style is different. He plays very hard, but he's got a very deep groove. He almost plays behind the beat just a little bit — even through he's right on the money. He's extremely locked in, but if he does do something technical, he's still right there."
Drummer Mike Portnoy spoke to AOL's Noisecreep earlier this week about his roller coaster life in the nine months since he left DREAM THEATER, the band he co-founded and led for 25 years.
"The thing that breaks my heart," stated Portnoy, "is that some of the fans rely more on what's reported about me than what I'm actually saying at the moment. I see all these sensational headlines on certain web sites that misrepresent what I'm doing, and there are fans that react to that without knowing the real truth. I always try to offer sincere, heartfelt explanations through social media sites, and sometimes that gets lost.
"This past year for me featured the highest highs and some of the lowest lows. I mean, after spending 25 years in DREAM THEATER, something I'll never be more proud of, and then the experience [recording and touring] with AVENGED [SEVENFOLD], it's been some pretty extreme emotional stuff."
Portnoy is currently playing in a new band called ADRENALINE MOB alongside SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward. The group made its live debut last Friday, June 24 at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City and is presently seeking a suitable record label to release its already completed debut album.
"[My wife has] heard pretty much everything I've ever done and she says [ADRENALINE MOB] is her favorite stuff," Portnoy told Noisecreep. "That means something to me."
"I'm energized," he added. "Playing in AVENGED SEVENFOLD the last year gave me this taste of sort of recapturing my youth, making me feel like a teenager a bit. With ADRENALINE MOB, that feeling is full force now, and I've never felt better about where I am musically."
DOWN guitarist Kirk Windstein has confirmed to Radio Metal that the band is planning to release four separate EPs over the course of the next couple of years. "We're going to do four EPs, and they'll all be different," he said. "We have many elements to our sound, so each one will have its own characteristics. Like, for example, this one we're writing right now and are about to start recording will be really hard, with heavy DOWN stuff. Then we'll have a mellow one, then a doom one — you know, slower and doomy stuff. A little bit of everything."
Regarding why the band chose to release four EPs instead of a full album, Kirk said, "The record industry sucks so bad. Nobody buys anything. We're trying to do something different, making it cheaper to buy. People want stuff for free! So six songs, it's cheaper to buy. Same thing for downloading; it will be cheaper to download. Nobody wants to go to the record store and buy stuff anymore. So we're just trying to mix it up and do something different. It will be released on physical EP and digitally as well."
In an interview with The Delaware County Daily Times, DOWN guitarist Pepper Keenan stated about the band's next studio release, "We're kinda goin' backwards now. The first record came out a long time ago, so we're feeling that vibe and heading that way; real simple: stripped down and to the point."
He added, "I think we're going to try and do four EPs, and they're all going to be connected together with artwork. This will allow us to have a frontload, heavy as [expletive] EP, and maybe the second one could showcase some of the acoustic stuff we've been saving for awhile, and then continuing the four of them with a completely different style, and obviously the fourth one would be another doom-laden heavy one."
DOWN recently parted ways with bassist Rex Brown and replaced him with Patrick Bruders of CROWBAR. Keenan stated about the band's latest addition, "[Patrick's] ass-kickin' in the same way [as Rex was]. He plays with his fingers — which is really cool; he's got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on."
According to a new Twitter post from bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE, BLACK SABBATH), the shows on the current BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION tour are being professionally filmed for Blu-ray release in October.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION is the Anglo-American rock supergroup featuring the talents of Hughes, blues rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN), and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER). The band's second album, simply titled "2", sold more than 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 71 on The billboard 200 chart.
Last year's self-titled debut CD from BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION opened with 7,100 copies to land at No. 54.
"2" was released in Europe on June 13 via Mascot Records and in the U.S. on June 14 through the J&R Adventures label.
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION initially came to fruition when producer Kevin Shirley saw Hughes and Bonamassa join forces on stage in Los Angeles in November 2009 for an explosive performance at Guitar Center's King of the Blues event. Shirley then recruited Bonham and Sherinian for the project, which is named after the industrial area in the British Midlands where both Hughes and Bonham were born and raised.
Dregen (real name: Andreas Tyrone Svensson) of Swedish sleaze rockers BACKYARD BABIES made his live debut as the guitarist of former HANOI ROCKS singer Michael Monroe's solo band this past Sunday (June 26) at Kalasatama in Helsinki as the support act for the FOO FIGHTERS.
Commented Monroe: "I'm still on a high from this past weekend. Dregen is working out fantastically in the band! He is a total star and adds so much positivity to this whole thing. Playing and performing with him on stage is such a blast for all of us. And we're just getting started.
"God bless you, Dregen!
"This was also my first time seeing the FOO FIGHTERS live and they were brilliant! One of the best gigs I've ever seen. Great authentic rock 'n' roll and tons of positive energy all around.
"I'm so glad they're as big as they are — couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of guys! They didn't even limit the opening bands from using the whole stage, which is unusual nowadays. And the 'White Limo' dedication was awesome, as well as Chris' little HANOI tribute during band introductions.
"I absolutely love them.
"So once more — many thanks to the FOO FIGHTERS. Let's do it again soon!"
Ginger (THE WILDHEARTS) played his last gig as the guitarist for Monroe's group on June 17 at the Provinssirock festival in Finland.
Regarding his addition to Monroe's band, Dregen previously stated, "Sure, I was listening to KISS and SEX PISTOLS when I was a kid, but it was HANOI ROCKS that made me do it! I wanted to be a rock star, but 99.9% of my record collection as a kid was either U.K. bands or bands from the USA and everything felt so far away and untouchable apart from one band… HANOI ROCKS! If they could make it, I could make it!
"It's an honor for me to be in the band together with Michael and Sami [Yaffa, bass] who were the brightest shining stars when I grew up, starting to play rock and roll music, AND bonus to that is also to share stage with Karl and Steve who are incredible players. So. I. Am. A. Happy. Fucking. Dregen!
"I hope I can bring even more explosivity and energy to the band, as well as, of course, loud guitars, great live performance, killer riffs and songwriting for upcoming studio works."
Dregen is best known as the guitarist of BACKYARD BABIES and as a founding member of the HELLACOPTERS.
Dregen was a member of the HELLACOPTERS from the band's inception in 1994 until 1998, at which point he decided to focus on BACKYARD BABIES.
In addition to playing with Michael Monroe's band, Dregen is starting work on his first solo album.
BACKYARD BABIES announced in November 2009 that it was going on an indefinite hiatus following its most recent European tour.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/monroefoos.jpg
MANRAZE — the rock outfit featuring Phil Collen of DEF LEPPARD, Simon Laffy from GIRL and Paul Cook of THE SEX PISTOLS — will make its U.S. live debut on July 31 at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California.
Like a mixture of dangerous chemicals, equal parts guitarist extraordinaire, rudeboy rock drummer, and the righteous rhythms of a badass bass player and all together you have one hell of an explosive combination. Add to this concoction the experience of selling 75 million records and the attitude that comes from being at the top of your game and you've got MANRAZE. This London-based alternative/nuwave rock band was formed by iconic lead guitarist Phil Collen of DEF LEPPARD. The band members include punk rock forerunner Paul Cook of the SEX PISTOLS on drums and Simon Laffy, rockin' bass player of Collen's former glam-band, GIRL. The long awaited and highly anticipated sophomore album for these revolutionaries of rock, titled "punkfunkrootsrock", will be unleashed upon the masses on August 2 through Rocket Science Ventures in the U.S. and Canada. The album will also be released July 27 in Japan on Nippon/Columbia and in the Europe via Edel Music.
Prior to the album's summer release, the first single, "Over My Dead Body", was made available via iTunes. "Over My Dead Body" is a hard-hitting track combining a mixture of fiery THE ROLLING STONES' foot-stomping rhythms and SEX PISTOLS' over-the-top energetic drum beats.
For fans that pre-order the album, an acoustic version of the track will be offered as a free download. The remainder of the album's twelve tracks feature many diverse genres including rock, soul and reggae dub, a perfect blend of influences each band member brings to the mix.
It all started in 2004 when Phil Collen, after 20-plus years as lead guitarist for DEF LEPPARD, decided to express himself via another creative outlet — something a bit closer to his musical home. After a chance meeting on the street with Paul Cook, MANRAZE finally released their debut album, "Surreal", through Universal Records in the summer of 2008 to rave reviews. The group's debut album was chocked full of rebellious in-your-face mantras ("Turn it Up", "This Is", "Running Me Up") ranging from hardcore punk to dub. Seen as a cross between the FOO FIGHTERS, GREEN DAY, NIRVANA, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and THE POLICE, MANRAZE is a response to the ever changing climate of multi-faceted music and should be heralded for far more than just being a 'rock band'.
In the spring of 2011 the band's single "I Superbiker" was the theme song for the feature documentary of the same name. Directed by MANRAZE music video director Mark Sloper, the film was released solely in the U.K. The documentary is an in-depth expose' into the merciless world of competitive speed bike racing and a look at the men who have dedicated their entire existence to this incredibly dangerous, adrenaline based sport. Mark Sloper's camera follows four superbike riders through their dramatic, life-altering Superbike season. MANRAZE also released a promotional video for the song and film.
"punkfunkrootsrock" track listing:
01. Over My Dead Body
02. I C U In Everything
03. All I Wanna Do
04. Closer To Me
05. Lies
06. Get Action
07. Edge Of The World
08. Dreamland
09. Fire
10. I, Superbiker
11. Bittersweet
12. Dogbite (instrumental)
A new TRIVIUM song called "Dusk Dismantled" will be made available for streaming tomorrow (Wednesday, June 29) at 11:00 a.m. EST via the band's official YouTube channel. The track comes off the group's new album, "In Waves", which will be released on August 9 via Roadrunner Records. The follow-up to 2008's "Shogun" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown.
"In Waves" track listing:
01. Capsizing The Sea
02. In Waves
03. Inception Of The End
04. Watch The World Burn
05. Dusk Dismantled
06. Black
07. Built To Fall
08. Caustic Are the Ties That Bind
09. A Skyline's Severance
10. Forsake Not the Dream
11. Chaos Reigns
12. Of All These Yesterdays
13. Leaving This World Behind
The "In Waves" cover artwork can be seen below.
A two-disc special edition will also be available. It features five bonus tracks, plus a DVD with a 40-minute, behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as an exclusive concert filmed in a warehouse located in Orlando, Florida, which is the band's stomping grounds. This concert features the first performances of tracks from "In Waves", along with TRIVIUM classics.
"In Waves" special edition track listing:
01. Capsizing the Sea
02. In Waves
03. Inception of the End
04. Dusk Dismantled
05. Watch the World Burn
06. Black
07. A Skyline's Severance
08. Ensnare the Sun*
09. Built To Fall
10. Caustic Are the Ties That Bind
11. Forsake Not the Dream
12. Drowning In Slow Motion*
13. A Grey So Dark*
14. Chaos Reigns
15. Of All These Yesterdays
16. Leaving This World Behind
17. Shattering The Skies Above*
18. Slave New World*
*Bonus tracks
Bonus DVD includes:
* In Waves (Live)
* In Waves (Documentary)
* "In Waves" Music Video
The band will spend the summer on their second go-round at the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The band will leave the Mayhem Festival for a few days to play two very special European album-release shows — Friday, August 5 on the main stage at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival, and Saturday, August 6 as special guest to IRON MAIDEN at the O2 Arena in London.
Co-vocalist Andrea Ferro of the Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL recently spoke to Revolver magazine about the group's forthcoming album, "Dark Adrenaline", which is scheduled for release in October via Century Media Records.
On the topic of the sound of the new CD, Ferro said, "We have different kinds of songs — some are pretty heavy with a really powerful groove and some killer riffs, some have a darker vibe a bit more in our traditional style, and some others are more anthemic. In my opinion, it's a great collection of metal and rock songs."
When asked if the band is trying anything different with the material this time around, Ferro said, "There's a variety of moods; some things which are new, and some which sound like more traditional LACUNA COIL. We were experimenting with the previous album and we learned a lot from that about what is the essence of our 'sound.' We usually never repeat the same record, and that will again be the case this time around. It's 100 percent a LACUNA COIL album, with the benefit of some great inspiration during the songwriting process."
Regarding the band's renewed collaboration with producer Don Gilmore (PEARL JAM, LINKIN PARK, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE), Ferro said, "After you've spent a few months constantly working on the songs, it's important to have someone like Don come in and give you a sincere opinion of the songs. He is helping us in keeping things fresh, and getting our sound together for 2011. Most of the songs haven't really changed in essence, but he is really good at outlining the most important and interesting details of the music and the lyrics. He also creates a really great vibe while recording."
"Sounds Of A Playground Fading", the tenth album from Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, has registered the following first-week chart positions so far:
Germany: #1
Sweden: #2
Austria: #6
Norway: #10
Denmark: #25
Belgium: #55
Commented the band: "This is absolutely amazing!!! We know that we've made a good album and, of course, hoped for the best, but this is beyond our expectations! Amazing! Thanks to everyone at Century Media in Germany who has been working really hard to achieve this and thanks to all the people, our fans, out there who bought the album the first week. See you all on tour very soon."
"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" was made available in the following formats in Europe:
* CD Jewelcase
* Special-edition CD+DVD (eight-panel digipak with pop-up feature + recording "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" DVD)
* Limited deluxe box set CD+DVD (eight-panel pop-up digipak and 32-page deluxe booklet + recording "Sounds Of A Playground Fading" DVD, black textile belt with white print and silver buckle with black IN FLAMES logo, set of 3 buttons, 1 jigsaw puzzle, 6 postcards) * 2-LP gatefold, 180gr vinyl
* Digital download
13 songs were laid down for the CD, which was recorded at the band's IF Studios in Gothenburg with engineer Roberto Laghi (HARDCORE SUPERSTAR, LOK, SONIC SYNDICATE).
"Sounds Of A Playground Fading" track listing:
01. Sounds Of A Playground Fading
02. Deliver Us
03. All For Me
04. The Puzzle
05. Fear Is The Weakness
06. Where The Dead Ships Dwell
07. The Attic
08. Darker Times
09. Ropes
10. Enter Tragedy
11. Jester's Door
12. A New Dawn
13. Liberation
The cover artwork was created by Dave Correia and can be viewed below.
The new issue of Germany's Rock Hard magazine — which came out on June 15 — includes a special IN FLAMES compilation featuring two brand new songs, "Deliver Us" and "Enter Tragedy", as well as six additional tracks (including two rare live songs) from the band's back catalogue.
IN FLAMES recently recruited Niclas Engelin from fellow Swedes ENGEL as the band's new second guitarist.
Are you a musician looking to join a band or collaborate with other musicians, either locally or internationally? Is your band searching for the perfect member? Are you a teacher seeking new students? Or a tech, recording engineer, songwriter, or session musician simply looking for work?
Launched earlier this year by UNEARTH guitarist Ken Susi and his brother Paul, Intonation-Network is a free, user-friendly, location-based social networking site that allows musicians and music industry professionals to connect and collaborate online. This site does not attempt to replace other social networks, but instead allows for the consolidation of all your multimedia from other social networking sites into one place.
Discover: See and be seen! Find local musicians or expand your search to find musicians around the world. Show off your music and videos by creating profile pages for both you and your band(s).
Audition: Are you a musician looking for a band? Is your band in need of a new member? Use this site to advertise your needs and attract the best talent out there. Take it a step further and hold online auditions.
Learn: Use our location-based search engine to find local teachers. Teachers, advertise your services for free and attract new students
Promote: Enter information about upcoming events for you or your band. This is a great way to promote your events and gain the exposure you deserve.
Integrate: Many musicians are already using sites such as Facebook and YouTube to promote themselves. Intonation-Network doesn't want you to have to create another account or re-enter all your information again. Simply log in with your Facebook account choose what information you'd like to share. In addition to Facebook integration, Intonation is also integrated with YouTube allowing you to further enhance your profile page with video.
Collaborate: Meet face-to-face with musicians around the world using Intonation-Network's online video chat.
Said Ken Susi of the official launch: "Intonation-Network will revolutionize the networking between musicians and music business representatives!" Paul agrees, adding, "It really is the perfect outlet for all musicians and bands to showcase their abilities and get discovered."
FOZZY — the band featuring WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho and STUCK MOJO mastermind Rich "The Duke" Ward — will release the "Remains Alive & Chasing The Grail" two-CD set on July 1 via Edel's international rock label earMUSIC.
FOZZY was already on the map as the band with the pro wrestler singer, but "Chasing The Grail" broke them as a proper band. It hit #6 on the U.S. Heatseekers charts and the single "Martyr No More" was a theme song for the WWE Royal Rumble. "Remains Alive" is a 2005 live album (recorded in Australia) that was previously available in digital format only.
Professionally filmed video footage of FOZZY performing the song "God Pounds His Nails" at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which was held on April 20 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, California, can be viewed below.
FOZZY's latest album, "Chasing The Grail", sold around 2,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 6 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.
German melodic metallers ARVEN have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's debut album, "Music Of Light", will be released on September 23. The 10-song CD features artwork by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, STRATOVARIUS, SIRENIA).
According to a press release, the members of ARVEN are "professionally educated musicians [who] share one important attitude: a strong passion for melodic metal. A metal band with five females up front, the only male influence is restricted to the drums.
"Carina Hanselmann's nightingale-like vocals are the priority for this band, giving ARVEN its unique sound.
"All in all, the sound appears powerful and dynamic, filled with all kinds of dreamy and catchy melodies. Heavy guitar riffs, accompanied by a double-bass thunderstorm and groovy parts are combined with both orchestral and medieval instruments."
ARVEN is:
Carina Hanselmann - Vocals
Anastasia Schmidt - Guitar
Lisa Marie Geiß - Bass
Lena Yatsula - Keyboard
Ines Thomé - Guitar
Till Felden - Drums
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The original lineup of the Oklahoma speed metal quartet FORTÉ will reunite for a July 3 concert at Big Papa's in Oklahoma City as the support act for LIZZY BORDEN. FORTÉ — consisting of James Randel (ex-OLIVER MAGNUM) and Rev Jones (MSG, STEELHEART) alongside brothers Jeff and Greg Scott — will perform its 1992 debut album, "Stranger Than Fiction", in its entirety!
FORTÉ was founded in Oklahoma City in 1987 by brothers Jeff and Greg Scott and were in time joined by bassist Ghames "Rev" Jones and ex-OLIVER MAGNUM vocalist James Randel. In the early stages, FORTÉ played an abundant of shows quickly establishing themselves within the flourishing underground metal scene by opening for bands like PANTERA, DREAM THEATER, FATES WARNING, WATCHTOWER, OVERKILL, SAVATAGE and TROUBLE.
After spending time on the road hammering out and fine tuning everything they recorded and released their now-classic "Dementia By Design" demo tape in 1989. It was both fan and critic favorite and their popularity began to spread worldwide as it went on to sell a stunning 1,500 copies. The demo's title track was even featured on Metal Blade Records' "Metal Massacre" series, giving the band even more exposure which they certainly used to their advantage. Not wanting to slow the building momentum they delivered an impressive showcase at the Concrete Foundations Forum. Germany's Massacre Records was in attendance and quickly signed FORTÉ to the band's first recording contract.
FORTÉ's debut album, "Stranger Than Fiction", was released in 1992 stunning both critics and their ever expanding fan base with its intensity, speed, power and excellent use of melody.
"Stranger Than Fiction" has been unavailable for years and with the lineup back together and prepping a new album for release in 2011, Divebomb Records decided it was time to re-release this classic slab of melodic/power/thrash metal. Working in conjunction with the band, the label was able to unearth two original FORTÉ demo tapes for inclusion on this new deluxe edition to make it the most comprehensive collection of their early years.
Released on March 15, the "Stranger Than Fiction" deluxe-edition reissue features the following track listing:
01. Coming Of The Storm
02. The Inner Circle
03. Stranger Than Fiction
04. G-13 (Devoid Of Thought)
05. Mein Madness
06. Time And Time Again
07. Digitator
08. Between The Lies
09. The Last Word
10. The Promise
Bonus tracks:
11. Dementia By Design (MMXI Version)
"Dementia By Design" (Demo - 1989)
12. Between The Lies
13. Dementia By Design
14. Digitator
15. Mein Madness
16. The Promise
"Forté" (Demo - 1991)
17. Stranger Than Fiction
18. The Inner Circle
19. Devoid Of Thought
20. The Coming Of The Storm
21. The Last Word
Massachusetts metallers ALL THAT REMAINS have their fourth consecutive hit single at Active Rock radio. "The Last Time", the second single off the band's 2010 album "For We Are Many", has cracked the Top 15 at Active Rock radio and is currently at #14 on the chart and still climbing. "Hold On", the first single off "For We Are Many", spent nearly seven months on the Active Rock charts, three and a half months in the Top 10, eventually peaking at #7. Both singles released off of "Overcome", ALL THAT REMAINS' 2008 album, were mainstays in the Active Rock Top 20.
ALL THAT REMAINS will head out this summer as main support for HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD starting on July 9 in Ft Wayne, Indiana and ending on August 7 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
ALL THAT REMAINS's "The Last Time" video was filmed on January 30 in Chicago, Illinois with director Nathan "Karma" Cox (LINKIN PARK, BLACK VEIL BRIDES, MARILYN MANSON). The song comes off ALL THAT REMAINS' latest album, "For We Are Many", which debuted at No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart while also coming in at No. 1 on the Hard Music Albums chart.
"For We Are Many" sold 29,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The band's previous CD, "Overcome", opened with just under 29,000 units in September 2008 to enter The Billboard 200 chart at No. 16.
"For We Are Many" was released through a joint venture between Prosthetic Records and Razor & Tie. The CD was recorded last spring at Zing Studios in Massachusetts and produced by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz, who also helmed ALL THAT REMAINS' "This Darkened Heart" and "The Fall of Ideals".
Dutch thrashers NUESTROS DERECHOS are currently recording their first full-length album at Bunt's Studios in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The band has already completed laying down the drums for all 12 tracks and is now recording guitars, bass and vocals. Mixing will be done in August.
As was the case with NUESTROS DERECHOS' previous release, the 2008 EP "Struggling With The Dark", Menno Bakker (DONOR, BORN FROM PAIN, INSULT, NO TURNING BACK, SIN DIOS, NRA) is at the helm as studio engineer and producer. Mastering duties will be handled by Alan Douches (KVELERTAK, WHITECHAPEL, MALEVOLENT CREATION, SHADOWS FALL, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. A late 2011 release is expected.
EMPIRE DROWNS, the new Danish metal/rock band featuring former members of WITHERING SURFACE, AURORA and DECORATE.DECORATE., has made three recently completed songs — "Crawl", "Abundance" and "Sharpen My Teeth" — available for streaming on the group's Facebook page. The tracks were recorded and produced by Pede at Earplug Studios and were mixed by Kristian Thomsen (OLIVER WEERS, SUPERCHARGER). The artwork was created by Karsten Sand (VOLBEAT, MIKE TRAMP).
Formed in Copenhagen by three musicians with backgrounds in darker sides of alternative rock and metal, EMPIRE DROWNS knows never to sacrifice song for stylistic statements. Embracing an addictive pop sensibility and crowned by roaring-yet-always melodic vocals, EMPIRE DROWNS delivers its own brand of unique, darkly shaded rock with an unmistakable metal edge. Fuelled by equal amounts of desperation and hope, EMPIRE DROWNS is a musical construction of almost gothic proportions.
EMPIRE DROWNS is:
Michael H. Andersen (ex-WITHERING SURFACE) - Vocals
Jan Kromann (ex-DECORATE.DECORATE) - Bass, Keys
Anders Vestergaard (ex-AURORA) - Guitar
Jens Berglid (FATE) - Session Drums
Horror metal supergroup DENIAL FIEND will release its second full-length album, "Horror Holocaust", on August 2 via Ibex Moon Records. Recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida, the long-awaited follow-up to 2007's "They Rise" is the band's first CD to feature DENIAL FIEND's current lineup of drummer Rob Rampy (D.R.I.), vocalist Blaine Cook (THE ACCUSED), bassist Terry Butler (DEATH, SIX FEET UNDER, MASSACRE) and guitarist Sam Williams (DOWN BY LAW). According to a press release, "Every ounce of the band's trademark energy of 'They Rise' remains in place on the new album, but the tunes are delivered with a faster, tighter and thrashier edge. . . Various influences, [including] SLAYER, CELTIC FROST, POISON IDEA, DEATH, CARCASS and CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, show through in a sound that draws from all forms of traditional underground metal and hardcore."
"Horror Holocaust" features guest appearances by Steve Swanson (SIX FEET UNDER), Ralph Santolla (DEICIDE, OBITUARY) and James Murphy (OBITUARY, TESTAMENT).
"Horror Holocaust" track listing:
01. Corrupted Flesh
02. Stuck Pig/Bleeding Out
03. Flesh Coffin
04. After Party Massacre
05. Horror Holocaust
06. Fiend Without A Face
07. Dunsmoor
08. Hell Asylum
Formed in 2007 by members of MASSACRE, DEATH, SIX FEET UNDER, OBITUARY and DOWN BY LAW, DENIAL FIEND released its debut full-length, "They Rise", in 2008 on Ibex Moon. The CD, while rooted firmly in the tradition of Tampa (the band's home) death metal, hinted at influences of old-school crossover hardcore and punk. After a full European tour as well as appearances at some of the biggest metal festivals the U.S. and Europe (L.A. Murderfest, Central Illinois Metalfest, Fuck The Commerce), DENIAL FIEND took some time off to regroup and streamline its unique sound.
Vocalist Kam Lee (MASSACRE, DEATH, MANTAS) and drummer Curtis Beeson (LOWBROW, FESTER, NASTY SAVAGE) left DENIAL FIEND in January 2009 due to "band politics."
DENIAL FIEND's "Dead Awakening" 7" EP was released in May 2007 through Ibex Moon Records. The EP consisted of two alternate versions of the tracks "They Rise" and "Cover Me in Blood", which appear on the band's full-length. The pressing was limited to a mere 500 copies.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/denialhorror.jpg
Pennsylvania's CENTURY has completed work on its new album, "Red Giant", for an August 30 release via Prosthetic Records. The follow-up to 2008's critically acclaimed "Black Ocean" was recorded by the band and mastered by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and features art by Cameron Gray.
Commented CENTURY mastermind Carson Slovak: "I'm very excited about this album. It represents an expansive shift from what CENTURY has done in the past. This is the album I've always wanted to make."
"Red Giant" track listing:
01. Lobotomy
02. Synapse
03. Oak God
04. My Lexicon
05. Dry Bride
06. Painting Leprosy
07. In Hell
08. Threats
09. Obelisk
10. Iconoclast
Legendary Italian industrial/post-black metallers ABORYM have inked a worldwide deal with Agonia Records. The band's sixth album will be released in 2012 and it will coincide with the group's 20th anniversary.
Commented singer/bass player Fabban: "I know this label very well.
"We decided to sing up with Agonia Records exactly because we need to be followed and supported in a more careful and precise way, something that is sometimes quite hard to have if you're part of a major label with hundreds of other bands.
"There's a crisis in the air, especially in the music industry, reason why we're betting everything on quality.
"What we will release in 2012 will be a very particular album and it will be required a great commitment from our label, a great commitment, not only from the economic point of view. We chose Agonia because [they are] able to give us everything we ask for in order to achieve something very, very important, something that people don't really expect.
"This is the biggest deal of the entire ABORYM's career. We have a very high budget, we have confidence and a massive deployment of energies and resources from Agonia's side. Through these premises we should and we must do only great things."
He continued, "We'll celebrate 20 years of ABORYM through a series of surprises for our fans.
"The album we're working on will be something extremely astonishing, something that nobody can even remotely imagine. ABORYM has always been like that, but this time we'll walk beyond the lines. Our new album will be also a reward to all our fans: our own way to say thank you for 20 years of support and passion for our music."
"It's great to be working again with Agonia Records," added guitarist Hell.IO.Kabbalus, "and we're already sticking down with Fabban some new material for the next album. If you think 'Psychogrotesque' was crazy, this next one is going to fuck your synapses from behind."
In July 2011, the new t-shirt celebrating the 20th year of the band will be available and one of the songs from the next album will be used to record the first official video clip of ABORYM.
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