Screen Australia, the federal development and
film-funding organization, has given support to develop a rock biopic drawing
on the life of late AC/DC singer Bon Scott.
"Bon Scott" will be directed by Eddie Martin and
produced by Lizzette Atkins, who worked together on another biopic, the
feature-length documentary "Lionel" about a boxer. Stephen
Cleary is script editing.
Melbourne rock
singer Nick Barker recently played Bon Scott in a theatrical
production about the AC/DC frontman's life.
Bon Scott died on February 19, 1980 in London, England.
He choked to death on his own vomit while sleeping in a friend's car. According
to the AC/DC FAQ web site, he and the friend, a musician named Alisdair
Kinnear, had been drinking the evening of the 19th and Bon apparently
fell asleep during the ride home. Kinnear could not wake Bon, so
he left him in the car to sleep. Kinnear awoke early in the evening on
the 20th, checked on Bon, and found him unconscious in the car. Bon could not be revived, and was pronounced dead.
JONATHAN
CHURCHILL: DEFENDING OUR ISLAND
JUDAS PRIEST'S IAN HILL TALKS TO MetalTalk.net
22nd July 2011
Judas Priest bassist Ian Hill talks to MetalTalk.net's Jonathan Churchill
about American Idol, producing Priest's next studio album, and the music
industry today.
This has been a year of headlines for Judas Priest. Initially with the
announcement of their final ever world tour, then the retirement of
founder-member KK Downing, and finally the exciting revelation that the band
will be delivering the goods on a new studio album in 2012.
I've come to the Manchester Apollo on a Saturday night to speak to Ian Hill
before Priest hit the stage for the latest show in their current UK tour.
Ushered into the backstage area past some excited fans hovering by the security
doors hoping to meet Halford or Glenn, I'm taken up to wait outside the band's
dressing room.
I'm delighted to see that in one of the many tour crates stamped with the Judas
Priest logo, is the Judas Priest tumble-dryer! In a wonderfully surreal moment,
I'm then shooed into the Metal God's dressing room as it's the only available
space to speak with Ian. The room is full of studded leather clothing.
Ian is totally relaxed, friendly and really interesting to talk with. He's
exceptionally modest about his achievements and still retains his Black Country accent and down-to-earth attitude. There's
no hint of egotistical rock star, but as an original member of Judas Priest and
a constant on every single Judas Priest album and tour, I'm sure there's a lot
more to him than meets the eye!
MetalTalk.net: Before I start asking about the new album, can you tell
us what you thought about your surprise appearance to 40 million unsuspecting
Americans on American Idol?
Ian Hill: "It was a whirlwind! The lad James – we owe him a debt of
gratitude for bringing Heavy Metal to the mass media. For that reason it was
something we couldn't turn down. We weren't just representing Judas Priest but
the whole Heavy Metal family, if you like.
Because we'd had a couple of hits in the 80s in the states, people know the
band name well. We're a well-known brand. They may not necessarily associate it
directly with the music but everyone knew the name so it wasn't a cold
audience. It was fun; we had a great reception!"
MetalTalk.net: Moving onto the new album, you have already publicly
stated that it's due next year and will be classic Priest. Who will produce the
album?
Ian Hill: "It's still at a very early stage but it will probably be
mainly the band. Glenn will do a lot of the work. We produced 'Nostradamus'
ourselves with the help of a great engineer in Attie (Attie Bauw)."
MetalTalk.net: In light of Accept and Megadeth's work with Andy Sneap
and Rick Rubin's work with Slayer and Slipknot, would you consider an outside
'super producer'?
Ian Hill: "We like to work on production ourselves, as we don't
want too much outside influence. I remember in the 80s, Stock, Aitken And
Waterman approached us to do some tracks and it just didn't work."
MetalTalk.net: Did you actually write any songs with them or create any
demos?
Ian Hill: "We may have laid out a couple of very rough ideas but it
would have changed the character of the band too much if we'd gone down that
route. We've had a long, successful career doing things our own way and so
that's how we'll continue!"
MetalTalk.net: You did have outside influence on the 'Defenders Of The
Faith' and 'Screaming For Vengeance' albums, via songwriter Bob Halligan Jr.
Why was that?
Ian Hill: "We'd already done a couple of non-Priest tracks in
'Diamonds And Rust' and 'The Green Manalishi', which had worked well. It's
really something the record company pushed us to do, to get a commercial track on
the radio. It's funny because by the time we'd finish with the track it's too
heavy to release and we ended up going with one of our own! Bob Halligan's a
good songwriter but our versions were just too Heavy Metal to release!"
MetalTalk.net: You've produced some music in your time – including the
band: 'The New Blacks', back in 2006. How did that come about?
Ian Hill: "Yes – something I did very cheaply for some friends I
helped out. It's a shame it didn't work out for them. I helped with the guitar
sound and pointed them in a few directions – was fun doing it. I helped out
another band too – Mindfeed."
MetalTalk.net: And is your son still in the band Hostile?
Ian Hill: "Yep, my sons still in Hostile. It's so difficult to get
on now – it's practically impossible unless you're on X-Factor or American
Idol. The infrastructure's not there. It took us ten years to make any money,
although we did build our name. Even when we started to earn money it all went
back into the band – better equipment, better van...
"The infrastructure's not there any more. Record companies aren't spending
money on new acts. It's as simple as that. Not unless you're already famous. My
lad's band's a great band and twenty years ago they'd have got on. But record
companies aren't investing money they won't get back. As soon as a record goes
on a shelf some idiot is giving it away for nothing online! That's the problem
with the internet. Because potentially it's a marvellous channel – totally
global – anyone with a computer can access it and release their music to a wide
audience. But with no record company money, bands can't make high quality
recordings. They're reduced to making records in their garage or bedroom! And
even if a band gets on a tour the record company won't put money into it
because they still traditionally get money from record sales."
MetalTalk.net: What does Sony Music get out of Judas Priest these days?
Ian Hill: "Well as I mentioned, we are a global brand. We do still
sell. But now all over the world, so now if we sell as many records globally as
we used to do in America
alone, that's working for us. In the past though you went on tour and could
break even or make a small loss – because record sales covered it. Now you make
a record in order to promote your tour. This why everybody's coming out of the
woodwork! People we haven't heard of for years are out on the road as their
back catalogue's drying up! It's ok for us because this is what we've always
done."
MetalTalk.net: Was breaking the US critical in making Priest a
global brand then?
Ian Hill: "We did concentrate on America - we admit it. Management
and the record company wanted us to do this. But it worked. We're a band that
can tour worldwide. But we started doing what 'Rival Sons' are doing now,
(opening the show as we recorded this) supporting – possibly REO Speedwagon, if
I remember correctly. And some shows with Led Zeppelin."
MetalTalk.net: What's it like opening to a disinterested crowd and only
getting twenty minutes?
Ian Hill: "It's frustrating only playing six songs because you want
to play more. But you get your name on the poster and it builds your name and
you're thankful for it. We were so pleased to be there in a foreign country
playing in front of thousands of people. We were really thankful and you hope
if you play well you'll get an extra song – an extra spotlight – anything
really!"
MetalTalk.net: Moving on to your musical contribution to Judas Priest;
as a bass player when you were creating innovative fast tracks like 'Exciter'
in the 1970s, (from the 'Stained Class' album) with drummer Les Binks, who
specialised in double-kick work – did you have to adapt your style?
Ian Hill: "No. I just played quicker – it's as simple as
that!"
MetalTalk.net: But did you realise your songs would have such an impact
after more than thirty years?
Ian Hill: "Well we've always done fast songs. One of the magical
things about Heavy Metal – there's fast, slow, heavy, light and commercial
stuff. Music that will make you weep, or stuff that will make you shit
yourself! So Priest always did fast songs – we just played quicker and it was a
gradual build up to songs like 'Painkiller'."
MetalTalk.net: On which albums do you feel you had most influence?
Ian Hill: "Hmmm... let me think... Probably the first two albums –
they have lots of bass work on them. And 'Jugulator', that's got some busy
bass! Because we have two lead guitarists with distorted sounds, the bass has
to remain clear so I don't use any effects. I use a pick to help me play
quicker and heavier but it remains a foundation. I haven't changed my style
much over the years. The basic Judas Priest sound is just a good foundation of
bass and drums and we build on top of that.
MetalTalk.net: Are there any bands influencing you at present?
Ian Hill: "To be honest not a great deal. We never try to
deliberately pick up on outside influences. You do pick up a great deal
subconsciously but we wouldn't just go down the record store and see what's
selling! I don't tend to listen to much on the tour-bus – by the time I've
played a two hour Judas Priest set, I spend the next 22 hours recovering!
MetalTalk.net: Ian Hill – thank you very much!
Watching Ian Hill on stage that evening, nearly impossible to photograph because
he won't stand still, it strikes me how the UK press have largely ignored the
exceptional worldwide achievements of Judas Priest, whose world tour will take
two years to complete, playing to crowds of metal maniacs across Europe, the
US, South America and Asia. It's a staggering achievement by any standards.
But, as the recent Home Of Metal exhibition in Birmingham showcases their huge
influence on music, along with 1.6million Facebook 'likes', an appearance on
the final of American Idol and, at long last, a Grammy, despite this being the
last world tour, the future's still bright for Judas Priest.
Judas Priest headline London's
High Voltage festival on Saturday 23 July. In between you can catch them play a
homecoming show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 21 June and Bournemouth BIC on
24 June.
Read
MetalTalk.net's review of Judas Priest at Manchester Apollo by clicking here.
For details of the fantastic UK
singles box-set 'Single Cuts – The Complete CBS/Colombia singles', only
available from Judas Priest direct, and for the full US tour dates, see www.judaspriest.com.
According to Amazon.com,
the release date of RUSH DVD and Blu-ray titled "Time Machine
2011: Live In Cleveland" has been pushed back to October 25 from the previously announced September 27.
The disc will contain footage of RUSH's April 15 concert at Quicken
Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio filmed by the award-winning documentary makers Banger
Productions from Toronto in Canada, who have received international
critical acclaim for their previous movies "Metal: A Headbanger's
Journey", "Global Metal" and the RUSH documentary called "Rush: Beyond The Lighted Stage".
RUSH's Cleveland performance of its "Time
Machine" show was filmed as a tribute to the U.S. city that
first played the band's music.
Cleveland is remarkable for being one of the
very first U.S.
cities where RUSH performed, in addition to being the first city to
provide American airplay. This also marked RUSH's first live full-length
filming on U.S.
soil.
The "Time Machine" tour was an evening with RUSH, where
the band performed its classics, gave a taste of the future and — for the first
time ever — featured the "Moving Pictures" album live in its
entirety.
RUSH bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee recently spoke to The Plain
Dealer about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's
upcoming 20th studio album, "Clockwork Angels", for which a
release date has not yet been set.
"We've got about seven songs written," Lee said. He added,
"When you hear the first two songs ['BU2B' and 'Caravan'],
which we're playing live now, they definitely have a heavier sound. It's the
heavier side of RUSH in the early going. But when I think of all the
songs that we've written already, there's quite a lot of diversity there. I
think — I hope — RUSH fans will like it. We're certainly going to work
hard to make it a great record, as we always try."
METALLICA's official web site has been updated with
the following message:
"Thirty years of METALLICA... can you believe it? We think it's
cause for a major celebration!
"You've been asking for a while now, 'Just what the hell are you going to
do to mark 30 years as a band?' closely followed by, 'Why don't we have more
exclusive shows for fan-club members?'
"We've heard you loud and clear and are beyond psyched to announce that
the week of December 5, 2011 will be a full-on METALLICA week in the Bay
Area, more specifically we will be playing four shows for Met Club members only at the historic Fillmore in San Francisco on December 5, 7, 9, and
10 to celebrate our 30th anniversary. These unique shows will include special
guests and events, rare songs, varied set lists, odds and ends, and all the
nutty stuff you expect from METALLICA... fun for the entire family!
"Come to the Bay Area and spend the week with us to not only close out
2011 out with a bang, but to celebrate over three decades worth of craziness.
"Participate in the entire week of festivities with special four-pack
tickets (one ticket for each of the four shows) and automatic entry into the
contests for various other special events, available for the clever price of
$19.81 (get it??). If you can't join us for the full week, we'll have
individual show tickets too and as you can see we're going back to early '80s
ticket pricing (but not the hair!)... single-show tickets will be just $6.00
each. Both four packs and individual show tickets will be available for
fan-club members only through a reservation system and we do have to add
facility fees, blah, blah. Clubbers can log in for all the details... we're
taking reservations through August 8.
"Hope to see you for a week of madness in December!"
Although METALLICA is currently completing work on a surprise
collaborative album with Lou Reed, the band is also about to start
writing songs for its 10th studio effort on its own. Producer Rick Rubin,
who worked with the group for the first time on 2008's "Death
Magnetic", told Billboard that he recently met with drummer Lars
Ulrich and will return to San Francisco to sit down with the whole band and
"explore what the focus is going to be this time around."
Rubin offered a hint of how that initial meeting with the band will go:
"I'll ask a lot of questions and we'll probably listen to some of the
riffs they've been writing. And usually I'll hear something that will sort of
indicate the direction and then we'll talk about it from there."
Rubin did not give a timetable for when he thought METALLICA might begin recording.
The band revealed last month that the "secret recording project" it was
working on in May was a collaborative album with Reed, the legendary
singer and former VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman.
The project had apparently been in the works since Reed and METALLICA performed together at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden
in October of 2009.
METALLICA has not indicated when or how the yet-to-be-titled album will
be issued.
Megadeth
has essentially done it all ever since singer/guitarist Dave Mustaine started
the group following his unceremonious dismissal from Metallica. Since he formed
Megadeth in 1983, Dave has become recognized throughout the world as one of the
greatest musicians in all of heavy metal. A huge influence on the thrash metal
genre, Megadeth has released 12 full-length albums, been nominated for nine
Grammy awards and sold more than 30 million records.
But
it hasn't been an easy road for the band. Substance abuse problems plagued the
group and in 2002, and after suffering a serious arm injury, Dave announced
that the band would be no more. "Every time we were poised for just crossing
that imaginary line that was keeping us from becoming everything that we wanted
to be, something would happen," Mustaine said. "Somebody would get in trouble,
somebody would get fired, somebody would get hurt, somebody would OD, etc."
Two
years passed and after recovering from the injury that caused severe nerve
damage to his left arm, Mustaine decided to reform the band, only with a few
lineup changes. Words were exchanged back and forth in the media between
Mustaine and founding bassist Dave Ellefson, resulting in Ellefson turning down
an offer to rejoin the group. It wasn't until last year that Ellefson decided
to get back together with Mustaine and play again with Megadeth.
I
asked Mustaine if he ever thought that those two would get back together again,
to which he was responded with a terse, "No, probably not."
"You
see, the thing is Dave [Ellefson] and I were always close and we had this
terrible incident occur between us," Mustaine said. "And throughout the whole
thing, I kept the same position in that I didn't want him to get hurt and I
didn't want his family to get hurt."
In
July of 2004, a few months after their fallout, Ellefson sued Dave for $18.5
million, claiming that the vocalist shortchanged him from profits, including
publishing and merchandise sales, in addition to making libelous statements
about him. Eventually, the lawsuit was thrown out.
"Thank
God the judge dismissed his lawsuit," Mustaine quipped. "I don't think he did
anything wrong, I think he just listened to the wrong person. When I met with
him after this whole thing went down and I told him that I forgave him, he
probably wasn't expecting that. But if anybody deserves a second chance, as
many as I've had, I shouldn't be [stopping] from giving someone else a second
chance."
Eventually,
a second chance with Megadeth was granted. Shawn Drover, drummer for Megadeth
since their reshuffling in 2004, routinely asked Mustaine to let Ellefson back
in the band. After some time, Mustaine asked Ellefson to come down, visit with
them and play.
"It
was actually even better than before because he's gotten so much better playing
his instrument," Mustaine emphasized. "I remember him to be a really good bass
player but he became great."
Now
with Drover and the two Dave's, Megadeth is joined by one of the finest
guitarists you will ever come across in Chris Broderick. The former Nevermore
and Jag Panzer standout replaced Shawn's brother Glen Drover in 2008.
"Right
now, we're totally blessed, we're totally covered and we've got great players
with us," Mustaine stated. "Chris is amazing too. And I got to tell you that
Shawn, if I would have met him in the beginning, he probably would've been my
only drummer because we're just cut from the same cloth. And I really wish
things hadn't changed with David and I for that, you know, eight-year timeout
that he was in, but we're closer now, I think, than we've ever been."
Currently
touring the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, the gang seems pretty
excited to be on the road. The tour, which started in California
on July 9, will be making two stops in New Jersey. The first will be at PNC Bank Arts Center
in Holmdel on Wednesday, July 27. Their next appearance will be at the Susquehanna Bank
Center in Camden on Sunday, July 31. A few shows in
already, I asked Dave for his thoughts so far during the festival.
"The
Mayhem tour has been really good," Mustaine said. "We had a couple of small,
little glitches that were happening from some people in the production areas
and from some of the other projects that are involved out here. There was just
some unfortunate, timely mishaps, you know, and we got it all fixed. The people
who are actually running the tour here are amazing and have worked very hard to
make us feel comfortable and I'm honored to be a part of this."
As
one of the headliners of the Rockstar tour, Megadeth will be playing a few
songs from their new album, Th1rt3en, as well as hits from their long
list of previous albums. Th1rt3en, which is slated for a November
release, is something that Mustaine says is completely different than anything
he's ever done. A few tracks from their new album have been released already
such as "Sudden Death," which was featured in the video game Guitar Hero:
Warriors Of Rock, as well as "Public Enemy No. 1," which was in NeverDead, a
third-person action/fantasy game. Produced by the famed Johnny K, the disc is
the first one featuring Ellefson bass since his departure.
Also
appearing on the Mayhem Fest will be headliners Disturbed and Godsmack. "You
know, I was never really a big fan of Godsmack or Disturbed [but] having been
out on this tour, we got a chance to hear some of their songs, and it's cool
stuff, man," Mustaine said. "I'm probably a little more partial to the energy
of Disturbed than Godsmack because it kind of reminds me a little bit of Alice
In Chains. But Disturbed, to me, doesn't sounds like anybody I've ever heard
before."
Megadeth
will be playing the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival at the PNC Bank Arts
Center in Holmdel on Wednesday, July 27. The tour will also hit Camden on Sunday, July 31 at the Susquehanna Bank Center. For more info,
log on to rockstarmayhemfest.com.
The free digital Magazine iGuitar has now launched
its third issue which features not one but two interviews with the great Zakk
Wylde, plus in-depth looks at some of his kit: Zakk's Gibson Les
Paul, the Marshall JCM800 amp and the MXR Zakk Wylde pedals.
Other interviews continue the heavy metal theme with Stuart Bull quizzing DEF LEPPARD's guitar ace Phil Collen, Jamie Humphries meeting WHITESNAKE's Doug Aldrich and Gary Cooper profiling that master of chords Pete Townsend. All the interviews are
supplemented with videos showing you how play songs by these great guitarists
and the techniques they use.
A special feature, tying into the cover story, is "The Wizard's of
Oz." Top guitar teacher Jamie Humphries takes a look at the guitar
styles of Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Jake E.
Lee and Gus G., some of Ozzy Osbourne's greatest axemen.
Check out the free lick lessons, and if you like the free licks then there is
almost a DVDs worth of additional licks available on special offer as a paid
download for subscribers; in all twenty five licks plus a jam track, to get
your metal soling up to speed.
Reviews include guitar, amp and FX products from a host of manufactures
including Line 6, Yamaha, Providence, PRS, T-Rex, Vigier, Marshall and Brace Audio. All reviews include a full product write up, as well as
videos demonstrating the gear and letting you see the products and details on
how to use them.
In the Quiet Room section, there is an exclusive interview with Australian
guitar wizard Tommy Emmanuel plus even more exclusive live footage from
one of his recent gigs. Also included are reviews on products from Breedlove, Tanglewood, Trace Accoustic and LR Braggs, again complete
with video demonstrations.
Then there is the competition — you can win a copy of the highly sought-after
signed copy of the "Book of Orange" and a superb Orange CR6S Stereo Micro Crush Combo.
On top of all that, the third issue of iGuitar which has 200 pages is
brimming with technical know-how, lessons and much, much more.
iGuitar is much more than just a magazine, it offers readers an exceptional
experience with its dynamic design and layout, and its fully interactive
multimedia presentation.
iGuitar is available free from www.iguitarmag.com/issue3, no strings attached!
Although "Dystopia", ICED EARTH's
10th studio offering, is not a concept album, founder Jon Schaffer admits there are unifying themes to several of the songs — and even an
appearance by band mascot "Set Abominae."
"I've always been fascinated by the darker side of life," Schaffer said during a break from master tracking ICED EARTH's forthcoming CD.
"Movies like 'Metropolis', 'Brazil', and 'The Matrix' resonate with me. The same for albums like '2112', 'The Wall',
and, of course, 'Operation: Mindcrime'. Their images of a soulless,
repressive society stuck with me over the years. It must be the sci-fi fan in
me."
In much the same way"Horror Show" (ICED EARTH's
tribute to classic characters from literature and movies) was born, Schaffer
said his interest in dystopian themes in music and movies led him to try his
hand at that genre as well — even paying homage on the new album to the movies "Dark
City", "V For Vendetta", and "Soylent
Green". The end result is ICED EARTH meets the nightmarish
offspring of "Brave New World" and "Blade Runner".
Of special interest to long-time fans are two songs on "Dystopia" (the title track and "Tragedy and Triumph") that feature the
return of the "Something Wicked" storyline and Set Abominae — who, when last seen in "The Crucible of Man" (2008), had
taken his position as ruler of the world.
"The opening song is a step back timeline-wise from the 'Come What May' track," said Schaffer. "'Come What May' [the last track
on 'Crucible'] sets the scenario that it's up to us and the decisions we
make that will determine the future of the human race. These two songs [on 'Dystopia']
take place at a time when people are in highly controlled prison-like city
states, and their eventual emancipation in the closer, 'Tragedy and Triumph'."
In an uncanny case of art imitating life, Schaffer said Set Abominae fit perfectly with the general theme of "Dystopia".
"I remember it hit me like a ton of bricks in '97, the whole 'Something
Wicked' story did," Schaffer said. "I thought, 'Man, this
is going to be so cool.' Many years later, we were on tour for 'Crucible' and we were doing an interview over in Eastern Europe.
A buddy of mine said, 'You know, Jon, this whole 'Something Wicked' thing could be true.' I thought about it a moment and said, 'Well, I don't know
about that. But there are some creepy parallels in contemporary life.'"
"So as I was thinking about all of the great movies, albums, and books
with dystopian themes, I remembered that conversation and it occurred to me
that the 'Something Wicked' story could continue in a few tracks here
very nicely," Schaffer said.
Schaffer admits the recording of "Dystopia" has been
especially challenging because of the band's summer festival gigs requiring him
to criss-cross the ocean numerous times.
Despite the challenges, Schaffer says working with new vocalist Stu
Block is "a pleasure."
"You just can't ask for a better attitude," said Schaffer.
"Stu is so excited to be here. He brings a youthful exuberance to
the band, which is a lot of fun. And he's a real dude. He's down to earth, and
willing to try anything that Jim [Morris, co-producer, engineer]
or I throw at him. He's stepping into the shoes in a very natural way."
Schaffer continued: "We're opening up a part of his voice and a
style of singing that he didn't even really know he had. We're exploring this
whole new range. And we're just getting started. I believe Stu will
continue to grow — and has the potential to grow — into one of the greats, one
of the guys that will go down in metal history. If he stays on this course,
with the attitude that he has, his willingness to learn, and his passion, he's
destined for really great things. I firmly believe that."
Songtitles set to appear on "Dystopia":
* Dystopia
* Anthem
* Days of Rage
* Soylent Green
* V
* Boiling Point
* Anguish of Youth
* Iron Will
* DarkCity
* End of Innocence
* Equilibrium
* Tragedy and Triumph
"Dystopia" is scheduled for release in Europe on October 17
and in the U.S.
on October 18 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks are also being
recording for inclusion on special editions of the album.
The release of "Dystopia" will be followed by the most
extensive world tour ICED EARTH has ever undertaken.
The European leg of the 2011-2012 "World Dystopia Tour" has
been posted on the band's official web site, and all official social-media
sites. The trek begins October 30 in Bochum, Germany.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/iceddystopia.jpg
According
to The Hollywood Reporter, the iconic cover art of NIRVANA's
1991 album "Nevermind" — featuring a naked baby boy floating
in a pool — has been deemed a violation of Facebook's Terms of Use.
After product shots of the album — which is celebrating its 20th anniversary
this fall — were uploaded to NIRVANA's Facebook page, the social
networking company removed the photo citing a violation of its Terms of Use.
"Facebook does not allow photos that attack an individual or group,
or that contain nudity, drug use, violence or other violations of the Terms of
Use," the notice read.
Due out on September 27, the 20th-anniversary deluxe edition of "Nevermind" will arrive as a remastered CD and digital release, a two-disc set featuring
B-sides and demo recordings, and a "super deluxe" four-CD/one-DVD
limited edition that will include an alternate mix of the album by producer Butch
Vig. This version will also come with a 90-page book and a CD/DVD of NIRVANA's
1991 Halloween gig in Seattle.
A vinyl edition of "Nevermind" will also be released, along
with separate Blu-ray and DVD versions of the Halloween 1991 show.
All but the standard CD will feature dozens of previously unreleased
recordings, obscure B-sides, alternate mixes, radio sessions, studio rarities
and live tracks.
The new mix by Vig will be substantially different from the final album
mix by Andy Wallace that was released commercially.
The Halloween 1991 show is the only known NIRVANA concert shot on film
and has been transferred to a high-definition picture with Surround Sound.
Original TROUBLE members, vocalist Eric Wagner,
drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson, "will be working together again
very soon," according to a new tweet from Olson. He adds, "I'm not
prepared to give all the details just yet, but we're back and ready."
Wagner, Olson and original TROUBLE bassist Sean
McAllister shared the stage for the first time since 1986 during Olson's RETRO GRAVE set on June 18 at the Days Of The Doomed Fest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Video footage of Wagner, Olson and McAllister performing
the song "Victim Of The Insane", which was written by Olson for TROUBLE's full-length debut "Psalm 9" (1984), can
be viewed below.
Olson is celebrating the one-year anniversary of his Internet radio show "Heady Metal With Jeff Olson". The program premiered on July
5, 2010 via Metal Messiah Radio with Dave Chandler (SAINT
VITUS) as Olson's first guest.
According to Newzjunky.com,
city officials in Watertown, New York — located approximately 70 miles north of
Syracuse and 30 miles south of Canada — have not yet made a decision regarding
the proposed GODSMACK concert on the city-owned Alex T. Duffy
Fairgrounds following a Monday morning city staff to discuss the event.
"There was no decision made today, City Manager Mary M. Corriveau told Newzjunky.com following her meeting with "department
heads" from city police, Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments
to discuss "safety issues."
Promoter Sebby Abbate of AMP Entertainment told WatertownDailyTimes.com he plans to hire 40 security workers at the GODSMACK show, which is
expected to have an attendance of around 6,000.
Since GODSMACK is scheduled to perform on the fairgrounds baseball
field, it will be more difficult to control security, city officials said.
The City Council began to discuss changes in alcohol franchise agreements after
a DPW vehicle was allegedly stolen and driven from the Alex T. Duffy
Fairgrounds June 24, following the DPAO/Toyota Summer Concert Series' TRAGICALLY
HIP concert, by an intoxicated concertgoer. The vehicle and its driver were
apprehended by police in the town of Pamelia.
According to JonLord.org, former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon
Lord has received the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music from the University of Leicester.
"Jon Lord is one of British music's most eclectic and talented
instrumentalists. There are no signs of his creative talents abating."
These words rounded off a detailed account of Jon Lord's musical life
that preceded Jon being presented with the Honorary Degree.
"It is humbling to hear your life retold with such accuracy," Lord said in his acceptance speech, where he also spoke fondly of his musical
childhood in Leicester.
His first concert was experience was in the same hall where the presentation
ceremony was being held.
"I was 6 or 7 years old and heard cutting edge classical stuff performed
by the Haley Orchestra; the William Tell Overture, Grieg's
Piano Concerto and the New World Symphony.
"It thrilled me and possibly changed things right there," he
explained.
Years later in the same hall, he saw Buddy Holly.
"He spun my head around," Lord said. "The love of what Buddy
Holly represented and the love of what the Haley Orchestra represented has defined my musical life.
"This town was and still is deep inside my bones, and it's a huge, huge
privilege and an honor to come back here and accept this honorary degree. My
parents — were they alive — would be dancing in the street. I suspect and hope
they're dancing somewhere far more pleasant than Averill Road [Jon's childhood home].
Thank you and God bless!"
Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA were forced to
postpone tonight's (Wednesday, July 27) concert at Stadtsaal in Lendorf, Austria
because the band's drummer, Jean Dolabella, is suffering from
tendonitis. The show has been rescheduled for Monday, August 1.
SEPULTURA will perform tomorrow (Thursday, July 28) at Event Stage in
Zizers, Switzerland with guest drummer Amilcar Christófaro from TORTURE
SQUAD, the Brazilian thrash metal band which is currently on the road in
Europe as the support act for SEPULTURA.
SEPULTURA's new album, "Kairos", sold around 2,500
copies in the United States
in its first week of release.
SEPULTURA's previous CD, "A-Lex" — the group's first LP
to be recorded without either of the founding Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor; on guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) — opened with around
1,600 units back in January 2009.
"Kairos" (an ancient Greek word signifying a time in between,
a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens) was
released in Europe on June 24 and in the United States on July 12 via Nuclear
Blast Records. The artwork for the CD was created by Erich Sayers, a
Los Angeles-based freelance digital artist and photographer whom SEPULTURA first met at the band's concert at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California.
"Heritage", the new album from Swedish
progressive metallers OPETH, is scheduled for release on September 20
(one day earlier internationally) via Roadrunner Records. The CD was
produced by the band's mainman, Mikael Åkerfeldt, and was recorded
earlier this year at Atlantis studios (formerly Metronome studios) in Stockholm.
Mixing duties were handled by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and Åkerfeldt.
Longtime collaborator Travis Smith also worked with Åkerfeldt to
create, design and execute the album's artwork, which can be seen below.
"Heritage" will be released in several configurations that
will certainly incite the interest of OPETH's legion of fans, known for
their passion for collecting and collectibles. The album will be released as a
standard version; as a special edition loaded with extras; as a box set
exclusive to the Roadrunner and the band's own official Omerch webstore; and as a double LP.
Standard CD
01. Heritage
02. The Devil's Orchard
03. I Feel The Dark
04. Slither
05. Nepenthe
06. Häxprocess
07. Famine
08. The Lines In My Hand
09. Folklore
10. Marrow Of The Earth
Special-Edition Digipack CD/DVD
As above plus additional DVD including:
* Bonus audio tracks: "Pyre" and "Face In The
Snow"
* 5.1 mix of the whole album
* "Making of the album" documentary
* Card to download the bonus tracks
* Limited-edition OPETH coin (until stocks last)
The Deluxe Box Set:
* Double-LP set of "Heritage" with exclusive lenticular artwork
(180-gram vinyl
in gatefold jacket)
* Custom gatefold jacket that houses the "Heritage" special
edition CD/DVD set
(includes 2 bonus tracks, 5.1 audio mix of album and "Making Of
Heritage" documentary)
* Exclusive 7" of 2 bonus tracks
* Litho print of album cover
* Oversized 16-page booklet with exclusive photos and artwork
* All content housed in custom slipcase
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release
In a recent interview with Radio Metal, Åkerfeldt stated about "Heritage",
"I never heard music like that, so I can't compare it to other bands. If
you want to compare it to another band, it has to be us. But still, it's
different. For me, it kind of makes sense, because I've been doing this for
such a long time. So it's not a massive departure for me and for the guys in
the band. But for fans, if they are, for example, into 'My Arms, Your
Hearse' [OPETH's third album, released in 1998], it might be a bit
different. But I'm hoping that a lot of people are ready for this type of album
from us. The music is all over the place. It's hard to define the album and say
it sound like this or like that. There are no songs that represent more the
album than any other songs. It's an album as whole. You can't listen to only
one song and you'll know what the album is going to be like. Because, like I
said, it's all over the place."
ADRENALINE MOB — the new band featuring former DREAM
THEATER/AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer Mike Portnoy, SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen, guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC
STOMP), bassist Paul DiLeo and STUCK MOJO/FOZZY axeman Rich Ward — has scheduled the following headlining shows (with more to
come):
Aug. 14 - Allentown, PA - Crocodile Rock
Aug. 18 - Clifton Park, NY - Northern Lights
ADRENALINE MOB has been confirmed as one of the support acts for GODSMACK on the Massachusetts group's post-Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival headlining run throughout North America in August.
To coincide with the tour, ADRENALINE MOB will release a four-song EP in
August, to be followed by the band's full-length debut at the start of 2012.
GODSMACK with ADRENALINE MOB tour dates:
Aug. 16 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
Aug. 20 - Watertown, NY - Watertown Grandstands
Aug. 21 - Hamilton, ON - Copps Colisseum
Aug. 23 - Dubuque, IA - Five Flags Arena
Aug. 24 - Bloomington, IL - US Cellular Colisseum
Aug. 26 - Casper, WY - Casper Events Center
Aug. 27 - Grand Junction, CO - Rock Jam
Professionally filmed video footage of ADRENALINE MOB performing a cover
version of the BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules" on
June 24 at the Hiro Ballroom in New York City can be seen below.
A review of ADRENALINE MOB's concert at the Hiro Ballroom — which marked
the group's first-ever live performance — can be found at NY Hard Rock Music Examiner.
In a March 2011 interview, Russell described ADRENALINE MOB as
"a straight-up rock band with just rock songs — kind of like an edgy,
modern kind of sound. It's not progressive or trying to be too metal or
anything — it's just good, old crunchy rock stuff." He added, "I think
it will be really well received by people who like to hear that kind of stuff.
This is a new thing for Portnoy and myself, too. I've always done kind
of done stuff with AYREON, but that's more of a vintage-y vibe, but
nothing like this, which is kind of modern-sounding, almost like ROB ZOMBIE meets BLACK LABEL SOCIETY meets DISTURBED, [but] with [Ronnie
James] Dio singing. It's all this kind of craziness. So it's
definitely different and it's cool."
Speaking to MetalSymphony.com, Orlando stated about ADRENALINE MOB, "This band is not in the vein of SYMPHONY
X or DREAM THEATER. It's more along the lines of, say, ROB ZOMBIE, GODSMACK, DISTURBED, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, SHINEDOWN…
with Russell's absolute pipes from hell and Mike just outright
killing it on the kit. The guitar is really rocking and has some pretty insane
moments, but it's a song-oriented band and that's the most important aspect
before anything." He continued, "Russell and I have an amazing
writing chemistry together and he is one of my closest and dearest friends.
It's an absolute pleasure to work with such a great talent as Russell on
every level.' He added, "Mike is just unbelievable. His playing is
beyond words at times. He's the utmost professional musician but also one of
the nicest and coolest guys I have ever met and played with. It's an honor to
call him my bandmate, to say the least, and I look forward to ripping it up
every night out there with Mike and Russ and the guys!"
According to The Pulse Of Radio, FIVE FINGER DEATH
PUNCH releases a new single on Wednesday (July 27) called "Under It
And Over It". The track is making its debut on radio stations
nationwide and is taken from the band's upcoming third album, "American
Capitalist". The disc hits stores on October 11 and will follow up FIVE
FINGER DEATH PUNCH's gold-selling second effort, 2009's "War Is The
Answer".
Regarding the song, vocalist Ivan Moody told Revolver magazine,
"This one is about the rumors and gossip that go on everywhere —
especially online. It's comical to see how much crazy, ill-informed shit people
will post as news and when they're trolling around message boards. In today's
day and age, speculation and bad info can just fly around the Internet and
catch fire — even when it's completely false and unfounded. Funny shit."
Guitarist Zoltan Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio that there is a
theme to the record, but added that it's not a concept album. "You know,
every song is different, of course, and we're never gonna really write a
concept album — it's not a band that's gonna do rock operas where all the songs
connect, you know, so there's always a variety of songs and themes," he
said. "But there's always also a general concept that will run through a
couple of songs at least."
Moody said in a statement, "I literally laid every ounce of blood I
had on this one. We are a people's band. Our fans understand us because of who
we are. We've never tried to be anybody else but FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH."
"War Is The Answer" debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard album chart, while the single "Far From Home" reached No. 2 on
the rock radio chart and the band's cover of "Bad Company" hit
No. 1.
A press release stated that fans can expect "another big
announcement" from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH next week, probably
related to tour plans.
MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13 will release
his new solo album, "Calling All Corpses", on October 11. The
artwork for the CD was created by D.A. Frizell, who has worked on SEVENDUST's "Cold Day Memory" as well as AVENGED SEVENFOLD's "Nightmare", "Book Of Nightmare" and "Diamonds In The Rough/ Live
In The LBC" and the AVENGED video "A Little Piece Of
Heaven".
"Calling All Corpses" was mastered by Tom Baker at Precision
Mastering who has previously worked with NINE INCH NAILS, ROB
ZOMBIE, MARILYN MANSON and MINISTRY, among others.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Blood Fades To Black
02. I Wanna Be Cremated
03. Ghoul Of My Dreams
04. One Knife Stand
05. Calling All Corpses
06. Miss Morgue
07. Silver Bullets
08. Bad At Being Human
09. LondonAfter Midnight
10. Candle For The Devil
11. We All Die
12. Something Wicked This Way Comes
13. Blood Fades To Black (Reprise)
A snippet of a rough mix of the song "I Wanna Be Cremated" can
be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.
Wednesday 13 will embark on a U.K. co-headlining tour with former HANOI ROCKS frontman Michael Monroe in late November/early
December. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are Swedish glam rockers CRASHDIET.
Commented Wednesday 13: "I'm really excited to be sharing the stage
with Michael again. He's a true rock and roller and has been a huge
inspiration on me.
"I was lucky enough to be a part of the farewell HANOI ROCKS tour
in Japan 2009 and I can't wait to tour with Mike and his new band. Also
with support from Sweden's
glamsters CRASHDIET... Something wicked this way comes, you've been
warned!!!!"
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/wednesdaycorpses.jpg
9 CHAMBERS, the new band featuring
producer/singer/guitarist Greg Hampton (ALICE COOPER, BOOTSY
COLLINS, LITA FORD), ex-MONSTER MAGNET guitarist Ed
Mundell and current GOV'T MULE bassist Jorgen Carlsson, will
release its self-titled debut album on September 27 via Samson Records/E1
Entertainment.
Hampton and Mundell recently recalled how they crossed paths and
came up with the idea of working together. "I used to run into Greg at the bootleg place up at the Pasadena Flea Market," remembers Mundell.
"He'd always be buying MAHOGANY RUSH, FREE, or JIMI
HENDRIX bootlegs!" Adds Hampton,
"I would see Ed and we'd run into each other at NAMM, and
we'd go have dinner. I knew he was sort of looking for other projects to get
involved in, because with the MONSTER MAGNET thing; he had a huge
history."
As one of the trailblazers of the "stoner rock movement" Ed
Mundell's signature guitar sound can be heard on MONSTER MAGNET classic albums "Superjudge", "Dopes To Infinity" and gold-certified "Powertrip". But by late 2010, Mundell had had enough. "It was 18 years with MAGNET. Since 1992, since I
was a kid, barely legal to drink I'd been on the road! The last few years of
touring was just the same old thing. It wasn't treading on any new territory —
we were just playing the same set every night, all the time. And I was just
like, 'I've got to do something else, I'm going to go crazy here.' So I just
needed to take a break. I ran into Greg, and we started playing."
And just like that, 9 CHAMBERS came together — the same way plenty of
classic rock bands did way back when, naturally, and over the love of similar
styles of music. "We just started jamming, and all of a sudden, we wrote a
couple of songs," recalls Hampton.
"The next thing we knew, we wrote six songs or something. It was pretty
organic with the fact that we have a lot of the same guitar players that we
love. We've pretty much got the same record collection. I'd play the verse, and
then hand him the guitar halfway through, and he'd play the rest of it.
Sometimes, you don't even know who's playing what." And as Mundell adds, "All of a sudden, it's 20 songs later! Like, what the hell? We're
mixing now and going, 'God, how many guitars are on there?' We forgot about all
these cool parts."
Rounding out 9 CHAMBERS will be what promises to be kick-ass rhythm
sections, comprised of GOV'T MULE virtuoso bassist Jorgen Carlsson and BLACK SABBATH/DIO/HEAVEN & HELL drummer Vinny
Appice (as schedules permit).
According to Mundell, the creative process regarding songwriting is
coming fast and furious for 9 CHAMBERS. "Even the other day, we
picked up two guitars, and all of a sudden, we had another song. It's like,
'How did that happen?'"
With nearly two albums worth of compositions and ideas to choose from for a
single disc, Hampton
already has several early favorite tracks.
"'It's hard because it's a real 'album-oriented' record. With 'Life
Moves On', the music came together because it's a real fast-cooking tune. Ed and I did the live solos on the floor with each other — the dual leads. That
was the part to me that was the most exciting. The way the bridge came together
was another interesting approach, because Ed was playing an electric
twelve-string with a reverse pedal, and I was playing the straight part that
had a completely different riff and arrangement...two completely different
things that wouldn't even fit if you heard them separately . But when you put
them together it was just amazing. It fit just like a glove."
"On 'Bury Yourself', Vinny's brother Carmine had a
band CACTUS who a lot of '70s bands were influenced by. Carmine and I have been friends forever... Vinny is obvioulsy aware of his
brother's work, but in regards to the riff and the music itself, it was
something that reminded us of that.
"There are also elements of a CREAM and MOUNTAIN thing to it
also. We were listening to a lot of that stuff, ARMAGEDDON, CAPTAIN
BEYOND. It helped keep our mindset. In the song 'One Thing Missing' there are elements of that in the bridge. The solo I played on that was a one
take — the first take. I plugged in, turned it on, and that was it! The title 'Bury
Yourself' came from a George Harrison quote. He once said that 'The
more you say, the more you bury yourself.' He was referring to John Lennon…
when Lennon made the Jesus comment and all that..."
9 CHAMBERS's official web site has been launched featuring audio samples
of several tunes.
"Seven Deadly Sins - Settling The Argument Between
Born Bad And Damaged Good", the new book from SLIPKNOT and STONE
SOUR frontman Corey Taylor, landed at position No. 26 on the New York Times "Hardcover Nonfiction" best sellers list.
"I've been threatening to write a book for a long time, but since every Tom, Dick and Harry writes an autobiography, I didn't want to just do
that. My approach to writing is the same as my approach to music: I don't want
to do what everybody else is doing," said Taylor about "Seven Deadly
Sins".
"That Metal Show"'s Jim Florentine recently conducted
an in-depth interview with Corey about the book, his life, and his
music, and the conversation was aired in three parts so fans don't miss a word
of it. Check it out below.
Released in the U.S. on July
12 via De Capo Press, "Seven Deadly Sins - Settling The Argument
Between Born Bad And Damaged Good" sees Taylor speaking directly to his fans
and sharing his worldview about life as a sinner. While the 256-page hardcover
book is Taylor's
personal story, it's also described as "a larger discussion of what it
means to be seen as either a 'good' person or a 'bad' one."
Taylor told ExploreMusic in July 2010 that the book was about "how my
interpretation of the seven deadly sins is basically they're not sins at all.
They are human characteristics that we all share . . . And it's me making that
point of you can live with these urges, you can live with these hungers and
still be a good person."
Renowned for his flamboyant and disturbing stage presence, Corey has
lived it all. Starting in the early '90s, Corey threw himself into the
hard-drinking, hard-loving, live-for-the-moment life of a small-town Iowa hero — Corey "Fucking" Taylor! As his career went stratospheric,
and he found himself rich, wanted and on the road, his behavior got more and
more extreme. Everything you can think of, Corey's done it... girls,
drugs, excess of every kind.
"Seven Deadly Sins" is Corey's story, told through the
prism of the seven deadly sins. His years of excess eventually made him sit
down and start to think about what it was to "sin" and whether
"sinning" could — or should — be recast as a good rather than bad
thing. Yes, Corey's hurt people, and done bad things, but if sin is what
makes the man, then can it ever be wrong? This isn't a straightforward memoir,
this is Corey's no-holds-barred story told through his own unique
philosophy, honed through years of the craziest and most hedonistic excess in
rock.
Mike Reaves, the former guitarist of the West Tennessee rock group FULL DEVIL JACKET,
passed away on July 25 after battling cancer, according to The Jackson Sun.
"Mike was one of the absolute funniest people you'd ever met,"
said Reaves' former bandmate Kevin Bebout. "He was just so
great to work with. He'd come up with a great guitar lick or solo. He'd run
riffs for days. The best thing about working with him, though, was even when we
hated each other, we always laughed with each other. It was always a comedy.
Ask anyone, he was the funniest guy they knew."
Bebout said Reaves' prostate cancer was diagnosed in the spring
of last year, shortly before the band reunited for a benefit concert to help
pay for his medical expenses.
On June 19, 2010, Bebout and his FULL DEVIL JACKET bandmates Josh
Brown, Jonathan Montoya and Keith Foster performed at the
benefit for Reaves, who had just started his cancer treatments.
FULL DEVIL JACKET's self-titled debut album was released in 2000 via Island/Def
Jam Records. The band toured across the country and opened for such bands
as STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, NICKELBACK and CREED.
"Superfiction", the fifth studio album from
Jacksonville, Florida
hard rockers COLD, sold around 11,000 copies in the United States
in its first week of release to debut at position No. 37 on The Billboard 200
chart. The CD was released on July 19 via Eleven Seven Music/SonicStar
Records.
"Superfiction" track listing:
01. Wicked World
02. What Happens Now
03. American Dream
04. The Break
05. Welcom2MyWorld
06. Emily
07. The Crossroads
08. Delivering the Saint
09. So Long June
10. The Park
11. Flight of the Superstar
12. The Ballad of the Nameless
fter a short hiatus, Ohio-based heavy metal band AXEMASTER has officially reformed and has begun writing material for its next release.
Original members Joe Sims (guitar) and Brian Henderson (drums)
have returned to the band and are joined by new vocalist Tony Webster (ARCHETYPE,
ex-MO RAGE).
Commented Sims: "I couldn't be happier with how things have turned
out and being back as AXEMASTER. I've been in a few bands over the last
20 years but AXEMASTER has always been the one I've been known for and
is by far my favorite. I'm actually really glad that INNER TERROR didn't
go under the name AXEMASTER because the music we did on that CD just
wasn't 'AXEMASTER-like' enough, not like the stuff we're doing now. This
is without a doubt the best writing I've ever done, and with all the talent
that Tony and Brian bring to the table, I think this CD is gonna
be something special!!!!"
Added Henderson:
"I feel this is the most intense music Joe has put together and
will be the biggest challenge ever for me to record my parts. Also I am looking
forward to working with Tony to put a totally different and much-needed
voice in the mix. This CD will rock!!"
AXEMASTER is putting the finishing touches on 15 songs for the
as-yet-untitled album which is tentatively due before the end of the year.
Stated Webster: "This is a great band with a very long history in
the metal scene. I had never really heard of AXEMASTER until Joe contacted me through the Internet and asked if I would be interested in singing
with them. After he sent me some of the demos for the new album I checked out the
music and really liked it. So I decided to take on another band aside from ARCHETYPE and have started writing songs with them. It sounds like old-school thrash
metal mixed with some doom elements. We have demoed around 15 songs so far and
they are turning out awesome! This is going to be the best album the band has
ever done musically and working with these guys has been great so far!"
According to a press release, "Wicked World" teeters between a
primal guitar crunch and airy choral poetry, embodying the band's developed
sound while maintaining a stronghold on their musical roots.
"The main idea was to go back to the lyrical fiction of the first and
second records," says lead singer Scooter Ward. "This album comprised
of these grand stories, and it's the most fun we've ever had making a
record."
Sonically, the trademarks of COLD's sound remain intact on "Superfiction".
The bellowing bass, warm guitar hum, and driving drum beats all make for
impactful music just like it did when the band first formed in 1996. The band's
first CD since 2005 weaves together twelve tales of heroism, heartbreak, and
healing. On "Superfiction", COLD combines vivid,
vibrant storytelling with elegant rock. It's a combination that the band has
perfected since it burst onto the scene in 1998 with its self-titled debut.
The title really sums it all up, though. Ward reveals,
"Superfiction is art that literally pops off its canvas or foundation. In
that sense, it becomes something else. The word wraps up the record because we
want these stories to come to life. I want you to sit down and listen to the
songs and feel the stories. After you've read the story, you can visualize this
unfolding in your mind."
COLD released its self-titled debut album in the summer of 1998. After
steadily building a solid touring base, the band returned in 2000 with its
sophomore effort, "13 Ways to Bleed on Stage", which peaked at
#1 on Billboard's Heatseekers chart and brought the band its first
appearance within the Top 100 on The Billboard 200 chart. In 2003, COLD scored its biggest hit to date with "Stupid Girl" (co-written
by WEEZER's Rivers Cuomo) off "Year of the Spider".
The smash single went to #4 at Mainstream Rock and #6 at Modern Rock. "Year
of the Spider" went all the way to #3 on The Billboard 200 chart,
followed by "A Different Kind of Pain" in 2005, which went to
#26 on the same chart.
COLD is:
Scooter Ward (Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar)
Zach Gilbert (Guitar)
Jeremy Marshall (Bass, Vocals)
Sam McCandless (Drums)
Drummer Matt Nicholls of the British metalcore act BRING
ME THE HORIZON has admitted that he and his bandmates are "really
disappointed" not to have been nominated for the Barclaycard Mercury
Prize.
The Guardian recently launched a poll to find out who its readers
thought should win the Mercury Prize, and BRING ME THE HORIZON won by a landslide.
After the band's official Facebook page pointed to the poll, BRING ME
THE HORIZON fans clicked in the thousands, giving the group over 40 percent
of the vote, four times what PJ Harvey's "Let England
Shake" got.
Despite this, BRING ME THE HORIZON ultimately didn't make the final 12
shortlisted albums for the £20,000 prize.
Speaking to Kerrang!, Nicholls said: "We're really
disappointed we haven't been nominated. It's certainly time for a heavy band to
be nominated, or to even win this award. Heavy music is slowly creeping into
the mainstream. It seems to be more acceptable to like this kind of music. We
believe we've made a great album. It's not fair that it's always some indie
band that gets nominated or wins it. Where's our recognition?
The Mercury Prize, formerly called the Mercury Music Prize and
currently known as the Barclaycard Mercury Prize for sponsorship
reasons, is an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established by the British
Phonographic Industry and British Association of Record Dealers in 1992 as
an alternative to the Brit Awards. The prize was originally sponsored by Mercury Communications, a brand owned by Cable & Wireless,
from which the prize gets its name. It was later sponsored by Technics,
from 1998 to 2001, Panasonic, in 2002 and 2003, and the Nationwide
Building Society, from 2004 to 2008. Barclaycard became the prize's
current sponsor in March 2009.
Nominations are chosen by a selected panel of musicians, music executives,
journalists and other figures in the music industry in the U.K. and Ireland. Presentation of the award
usually takes place in September after the nominations are announced in July.
After a long period of intensive work in Greece and Sweden along with producer Fredrik
Nordström (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY) at Fredman studios, Athens, Greece-based death/thrash metal band DESCENDING has
completed work the follow-up to its debut album, "Enter
Annihilation", which was released in European and Japanese markets in
2008-2009. The new CD, "New Death Celebrity", will be made
available on September 23 via Massacre Records. A single, "How
Much This Life Weights?", is now available for free download at this location.
"New Death Celebrity" track listing:
01. No Other Gods Before Me
02. Suicide Promise
03. Until I Generate
03. How Much This Life Weights?
04. I Keep Returning
05. The Energy
06. Shared Planet
08. Escape The Mirror
09. The Ghost Of Nation Past
10. Path To Healing
The album cover, which was created by Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISELOST, SEPTICFLESH), can be
seen below.
Commented DESCENDING: "In 'New Death Celebrity', symbolism,
is being the protagonist in all the aspects of this creation, from the lyrics
to the music and the artwork. Even the way it produced and mixed served a
specific purpose, so nothing is accidental, as all the elements fulfill the
bigger idea."
According to a press release, DESCENDING combines "both bombastic
aggressive metal riffage and melodic hook lines in their songs. Their debut
album 'Enter Annihilation' [shakes] the foundations of modern metal
community! This modern metal masterpiece features astonishing belting vocals by Jon Simvonis giving a deadly touch with his wide range of vocal palette,
from deep growls-to ecstatic emotional screams. Also blazing rhythm/lead guitar
work by a new guitar hero Constantine (ex-NIGHTRAGE) who combines his fast and furious solo pyrotechnics along
with his strong melodic phrasing giving to the album a unique flavour of his
own shredcore fashion."
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have announced
the addition of bassist Zornheym to the group's ranks.
Commented guitarist Lord Ahriman: "Now, that we face our new
lineup, I must say that the atmosphere and the chemistry within the band feels
absolutely fantastic. Furthermore, every single member of DARK FUNERAL is once again sharing a tremendously strong commitment, an absolute dedication
as well as utter professionalism. And I am absolutely sure that what you, our
dear fans, soon will be able to witness that this unholy gathering of these five
knights in Satan's service is the most sinful and powerful DARK FUNERAL ever!
"We have rehearsed together for a few months already. And it feels like we
are already tighter and sound much better than ever before. So once we kick off
touring again, we will be like an infernal war machine that will crush
everything in its path."
Added Zornheym: It is with great honor to be now part of this
undefeatable armada of black metal warriors. When you join the truly ineffable
kings of Swedish black metal it is beyond doubt that great excitement
accompanies this unholy path of trampled souls. Onwards into Battle! The circle is closed!"
DARK FUNERAL recently recruited Nachtgarm (NEGATOR) as the
band's new lead singer following the July 2010 departure of Magnus "Masse"
Broberg (a.k.a. Emperor Magus Caligula).
DARK FUNERAL has been confirmed 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.
Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of
Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH has confirmed to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine that he is in talks to be a judge on Poland's version of the hit American singing
competition "The Voice", appropriately named "The
Voice Of Poland".
Commented Nergal: "I haven't signed a deal yet, but I got a deal
waiting and most probably it's happening. So it's going to be fun. The first
black metal judge ever in history doing a mainstream thing, you know? People
are going to freak out! Some are going to love it, some are going to fucking
hate it. But that's what this music has always been about, right? To provoke,
to cause different opinions. The more extreme opinions, the better, I
think."
He added of the attention he has received in his home country, "This
so-called celebrity life is not my environment at all, but I am a part of it if
I want it or not. So it's been crazy. Then the whole case with my sickness and
me getting out alive [Nergal was diagnosed with leukemia in August 2010
and underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December. — Ed.], it just
brought some extra attention to it. And there's definitely some people that
want to make some money on it because it's a cool story for them to write about
and stuff, but I was like, 'Okay, if they're going to make money, I want to
have my share, too.' I was away from music and away from being active live for
a good year, so yeah, I need to get something in return!"
It was previously reported in the Polish media that the producers
of "The Voice Of Poland" are hoping that Nergal's presence on the program will attract a new
audience as well as improve its chances of competing against rival television
talent-show franchise "X Factor".
The American version of "The Voice" was a big hit forNBC and helped breathe new life into the careers of coaches Adam Levine, Blake
Shelton, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.
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