TOURISM
chiefs hope to tempt holidaymakers to dance to a different tune – by showcasing
Birmingham's
musical heritage.
Council
bosses are desperate for the city to muscle in on the £1.4 billion UK music tourism trade, currently dominated by
Liverpool, Manchester and London.
Locations
on the star map may include the Aston street where Ozzy Osborne grew up, the Broad Street site
of the old Rum Runner club, where Duran Duran made their name, and the Hare
& Hounds in Kings Heath, where UB40 first performed.
The
tourism push was inspired by the success of the Home of Metal exhibition, Birmingham Museum
and Art Gallery's
tribute to the iconic Midland sound.
Coun
Philip Parkin, who is leading the council's drive, said: "Home of Metal has
been featured in the national and international media.
"All
those features said they did not realise that Birmingham and its industry inspired and
influenced heavy metal music.
"We
need to take a look at our music heritage and work out how to make the most of
it."
Coun
Parkin has already met musician Feargal Sharkey, now chief executive of
industry body UK Music. The body published a report into the nation's music
tourism earlier this year, which recommended the implementation of a national
live music tourism strategy to increase the number of overseas visitors. Ideas
already being considered in Birmingham
are blue heritage plaques, a musical map or trail, a permanent location for the
Home of Metal and the launch of a strategic forum for the local music industry,
made up of performers, promoters, venues and studio representatives.
The
city council's inquiry into increasing music visitor numbers will take evidence
from Birmingham
music historian John Hemming, musicians and promoters.
To
contribute to the inquiry, write to Coun Parkin, care of the Council House, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B1 1BB.
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According to the
unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's
memoir, "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black
Sabbath" will be released in the United States on November 1 in
hardback by Perseus Books/DeCapo Press and in Europe on October
13 through Simon & Schuster.
Da Capo reportedly paid a six-figure amount at auction for the rights to
the 352-page book, which was described as "'Angela's Ashes' meets 'The
Ground Beneath Her Feet' meets 'Spinal Tap'" by Foundry
Literary + Media co-founder Peter McGuigan, who completed the North
American rights deal for the memoir.
In a recent interview with Guitar World magazine, Iommi explained
how his autobiography came together. "I had a chap called TJ Lammers,
who I met many, many years ago when he used to work at Phonogram Records,"
he said. "He later became a journalist and he had his own magazine. He
lives in Holland
and we've stayed in touch over the years. I've had a few people say, 'Oh, I can
write a book for you,' but I wanted a different outlook to the normal music
journalist, and that's what happened. He came over to England and
stayed with me for a few days. Then he'd write it up, come back again and do
more. The whole thing took a couple years to finish."
When asked how his book will be different to the typical rock biography, Iommi said, "I don't know. I don't read rock biographies, so it could be the
same, it could be different. It's just my life, really. It's about what
happened and what I grew up from, and how I've gone through life to where I am
now. It's something I probably should have done a long time ago because there
are so many books out now. I've been meaning to do it for many, many years but
never got around to it."
The name "Tony Iommi" sends shivers down the spines of
guitarists around the world. As lead guitarist and songwriter of BLACK
SABBATH, Tony Iommi is considered to be one of the most influential
musicians of the past four decades and the inventor of heavy metal. From
working-class, Midlands roots, his unique playing style — a result of a
disfiguring hand injury he suffered working in a sheet metal factory — created
a dark and gothic sound unlike anything that had been heard before and which
captured the mood of its time. SABBATH went on to become a superband,
playing to massive audiences around the world and selling millions of records,
and Iommi led the life of a rock star to the fullest — with the scars
from all the drug-fuelled nights of excess and wildness to show for it.
"Iron Man" is the exclusive account of the life and adventures
of one of rock's greatest heroes. It chronicles the story of both pioneering
guitarist Tony Iommi and legendary band BLACK SABBATH, dubbed
"THE BEATLES of heavy metal" by Rolling Stone magazine. "Iron Man" reveals the man behind the icon yet still captures Iommi's
humor, intelligence, and warmth. He speaks honestly and unflinchingly about his
rough-and-tumble childhood, the accident that almost ended his career, his
failed marriages, personal tragedies, battles with addiction, bandmates, famous
friends, newfound daughter, and the ups and downs of his life as an artist.
Everything associated with hard rock happened to BLACK SABBATH first:
the drugs, the debauchery, the drinking, the dungeons, the pressure, the pain,
the conquests, the company men, the contracts, the combustible drummer, the
critics, the comebacks, the singers, the Stonehenge set, the music, the money,
the madness, the metal.
Brian May (QUEEN): "Tony Iommi is the true father of
heavy metal, a continuously creative genius riff-meister, and one of the
world's great human beings."
Eddie Van Halen (VAN HALEN): "Without Tony, heavy
metal wouldn't exist. He is the creator of heavy! Tony is a legend. He
took rock and roll and turned it into heavy metal."
James Hetfield (METALLICA): "Mr. Iommi, aka . . . The
Riffmaster. It's all his fault I am where I am."
Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH): "Tony Iommi should be
up there with the greats. He can pick up a guitar and play a riff that'd knock
your fucking socks off."
U.S.
cover:
U.K.
cover:
According to MyFoxBoston.com, AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler has joined forces with Red Sox slugger David Ortiz to support the "Ride For Our Heroes" on September 24. Funds raised through
the motorcycle ride will provide clinical care and other services to the many
veterans returning from Iraq
and Afghanistan
affected by combat stress and/or traumatic brain injuries and counseling
support for their families.
The "Ride For Our Heroes" is a true motorcycle enthusiast
event honoring our nation's service members, veterans and their families while
raising needed funds for the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts
General Hospital Home Base Program.
The Ride features starting points from locations throughout New
England and will kick off with an opening ceremony and
acknowledgement of local military heroes. The Ride concludes with a Rider Appreciation
Party at Manchester Harley-Davidson in Manchester,
New Hampshire.
The
members of MEGADETH made a brief stop to visit the Los Angeles–class
attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) at the Naval Station in Norfolk,
Virginia yesterday (Monday, August 1). Check out photos of their appearance
below.
USS Helena arrived in its new homeport at Naval Station in Norfolk on June 15.
According to the official United States Navy web site. Helena,
commanded by Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius, was previously homeported in San Diego. On Sept. 2,
2009 the submarine arrived at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) in Kittery, Maine
for extended maintenance, which included several system upgrades. Helena left the
shipyard May 20 after completing the engineering overhaul.
Fast-attack submarines like Helena have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and
firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy
an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike
from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.
Helena is the 38th Los Angeles-class
attach submarine and fourth ship to bear the name of the capital city, Helena, Montana.
The submarine was built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics
Corporation, Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned July 11, 1987.
The 360-foot ship has a current crew compilment of 16 officers and 134 enlisted
Sailors, and displaces more than 7,100 tons of water.
U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer / Released
Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE), Phil Collen (DEF
LEPPARD), Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW), Sammy Hagar (VAN
HALEN) and Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS) spoke to SPIN.com about NIRVANA's classic 1991 album "Nevermind",
which will be reissued on September 27 in both standard and deluxe editions to
commemorate its 20th anniversary.
"Nevermind" is often credited for eliminating "hair
metal" and introducing the world to the heavy rock sounds emanating from
the Pacific Northwest that came to be known as
grunge.
Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE): "I announced the album before its
release on [MTV's] 'Headbangers Ball'. I said, 'Here is an
important rock album.' I never understood bands saying NIRVANA had
anything to do with derailing their career. Maybe those bands just didn't have
the goods. You can't pee like a puppy if you wanna run with the big dogs."
Phil Collen (DEF LEPPARD): "At the 1992 MTV Video Music
Awards, we were the sacrificial lamb — it was NIRVANA, PEARL JAM, CHILI PEPPERS, and DEF LEPPARD. People were quite hostile towards
us, which I thought was a joke — a new kind of music comes out that's about you
not wanting to be like anyone else and then you're narrow-minded?
Unfortunately, we got lumped in with these awful hair bands, which we didn't
really think we were part of any- way. So when NIRVANA came on, it was
like, 'Yeah, it's gonna fuck us a bit,' but it was also great music.
Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS): "Pop metal at the time was getting
so shallow and watered down. NIRVANA just reminded people how ballsy
rock is supposed to be. I got a copy of 'Nevermind' from a friend a few
months before it came out — it didn't immediately grab me, but after about a week,
I was completely sucked in. [U.K.'s] Kerrang! [magazine] ran a photo of
me wearing a NIRVANA T-shirt onstage with a caption saying something
like 'Uh oh, is this the new trend?' I really don't care what my hair-metal
peers thought or think."
New ICED EARTH singer Stu Block, who is also a
member of INTO ETERNITY, has released the following statement regarding
one of the tracks, "End Of Innocence", which will appear on ICED
EARTH's next album, "Dystopia":
"Just wanted to clear something up: The song 'End Of Innocence' was
written and named way, way, way before I ever knew that SYMPHONY X had
the same name song on their new album. I have the Pro Tools stamped
dates to verify it was written before any press release that SYMPHONY X had released.
"When I found out they had a song called the same thing, I WAS going to
change it... but the song is about my mom, who currently is battling cancer,
and I really truly couldn't change it because of the depth of it."
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.
Reunited heavy metal band SLEEPY HOLLOW has recruited Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) as its new bassist.
LePond will make his live debut with SLEEPY HOLLOW on November 5
at Metal'cuse at the Fusion Room in Syracuse, New York.
This will be SLEEPY HOLLOW's first show in over 20 years. The band is
also planning a few more concerts for later this year in mid-November and into
early December.
Commented SLEEPY HOLLOW: "Our original bass player, Steve Brink,
was not able to commit to us in any capacity. He did contribute the artwork for
our new album and we thank him with the understanding that although he will not
participate in any future projects with us, he will, however, always be a part
of the SLEEPY HOLLOW family. We wish him the very best in his future
endeavors. As for Mike LePond, he has graciously accepted to step in for
us until a permanent member is found and needless to say we are thrilled to
have him with us for our live shows later this year."
"Midnight", the new video from the SLEEPY HOLLOW, can
be seen below. The song comes off the group's new album, "Skull
13", due this fall via Pure Steel Records/High Roller
Records. The CD was recorded primarily at No Oulet Studio in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania
with producers Steve Stegg and Eric Fisher.
Metal Mind Productions will release Doogie White's
solo album, "As Yet Untitled", on October 24 in Europe and
November 7 in the U.S.
(via MVD).
This Scottish vocalist came to the attention of the worldwide audience when Ritchie
Blackmore asked him to be the lead singer in his reformed RAINBOW.
They recorded one album together — "Stranger in Us All". Doogie would go on to sing with Swedish neo-classical guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen for over a six-and-a-half-year period, record two albums and tour the world. He
also recorded four albums and toured with CORNERSTONE and is currently
the lead singer of TANK, who embark on selected European dates starting
this August.
According to a press release, "As Yet Untitled" is a
collection of 10 dramatic and hard-hitting rock songs co-written by White and some good friends he has made over the years on the rock scene.
Commented White: "I always thought my first solo album should be
called this. The journalists at Sounds and Kerrang! always had a
line that so and so are in the studio recording an album, as yet untitled…
Well, now I have actually done that.
"I always like to be part of a band but I found myself isolated for a
short while and decided to record some of the songs that I had been working on,
while either on the road or back at home.
"I won't sit around and wait for the phone to ring. A bored Doogie is a dangerous thing!
"I gathered the good and the great, companions who had travelled the world
with me at various times. Friends who I knew were outstanding players and to a
man and one beautiful woman they gave freely of their talents and time. I am
forever in their debt."
The list of guest musicians involved in the recording of "As Yet
Untitled" looks impressive:
* Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN) - Drums
* Thomas Broman (GLENN HUGHES) - Drums
* Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) - Keyboards
* Tony Carey (RAINBOW) - Keyboards
* Neil Murray (WHITESNAKE) - Bass
* Greg Smith (TED NUGENT) - Bass
* Paul Logue (EDEN'S CURSE) - Bass
* Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) - Guitar
* Marcus Jidell (ROYAL HUNT) - Guitar
* Phil Hilborne (QUEEN Musical) - Guitar
* Mick Tucker (TANK) - Guitar
* Patti Russo (MEATLOAF, CHER) - Guest vocals.
The album was recorded at various studios in Florida,
Germany, and Scotland but most of the production was handled
in Sweden
with Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) at the helm.
Added White: "Pontus and I became great friends through our time with Yngwie. He shone a
bright light on the songs with his production. He brought a certain calmness to
the madness and made sure that everything that was in the song had to be there
for a reason. Even when the hard drive with the initial mixes was stolen, I
knew that Pontus could sort it out."
British gothic metal pioneers PARADISELOST will release the "Draconian Times MMXI" DVD on
November 7 via Century Media Records.
Sony Music reissued PARADISE LOST's seminal 1995 album "Draconian
Times" through the "Legacy" series; featuring the entire digitally
remastered album, including a 5.1 Dolby Surround mix in a brand-new collector's
edition digipak box set, so fans could hear the album like never before. Along
with this release, the band performed "Draconian Times" live
at a series of seven exclusive gigs this past spring in Utrecht, Bochum,
London, Paris, Athens, and Thessaloniki.
"Draconian Times MMXI" features the London show at The Forum
on April 1, a documentary from the whole tour filmed by the band's bass player Steve
Edmondson, interviews about the history of "Draconian Times" with producer Simon Efemey, Nick Holmes (vocals), Greg
Mackintosh (guitar), Aaron Aedy (guitar), Steve Edmondson (bass) and Andy Farrow (manager since 1990) and the two promo videos
from PARADISE LOST's latest album, "Faith Divides Us - Death
Unites Us".
Commented Holmes: "It was great fun doing the 'Draconian Times' live shows and the response outshined our expectations by far. All the shows
were great, but the London
show was a real highlight and thankfully captured on film. Jens Bogren has
mixed the songs brilliantly, the extras are fun, and the whole thing has come
together tremendously well. We are lucky to have such devoted fans, prepared to
travel all over the world to see our shows. This DVD is dedicated to them, and
I hope they thoroughly enjoy it!"
Fans have a chance to leave their memories of the legendary "Draconian
Times" album on the new DVD. Pre-order the limited-edition double DVD
plus live CD at CM Distro Europe until August 29, leave your memories (no
more than 30 words), and your words and name will appear in the final credits
of the DVD. Please understand that Century Media will not use any
comments that are of a sexual or offensive nature.
The main show was directed and produced by Paul Green of Cybertech
Productions. Jens Bogren, who produced the last PARADISE LOST album (as well as releases by OPETH and AMON AMARTH, among
others) mixed and mastered the audio sound at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden. The cover artwork for "Draconian
Times MMXI" was created by Justin Kamerer.
"Draconian Times MMXI" track listing:
01. Enchantment
02. Hallowed Land
03. The Last Time
04. Forever Failure
05. Once Solemn
06. Shadowkings
07. Elusive Cure
08. Yearn For Change
09. Shades Of God
10. Hands Of Reason
11. I See Your Face
12. Jaded
13. Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us
14. True Belief
15. One Second
16. Say Just Words
17. Rise Of Denial
18. As I Die
Drummer Dan "The Hammer" Kowal of Boston,
Massachusetts-area traditional heavy metal/thrashers RAVAGE was injured
on a recent camping trip and will be unable to perform with the band for the
next few weeks.
Commented RAVAGE singer Al Ravage: "Dan was
apparently camping in Maine this past weekend
and while attempting to chop some fire wood with a hatchet, he accidentally
permanently committed a significant portion of his thumb to the wilderness of
the Pine Tree State. Dan assures us that he is OK, but that he will not be able to play drums
for at least a few weeks while he recovers. A fill-in player will be used for
upcoming shows."
In addition to drumming for RAVAGE, Dan sits behind the kit for
the thrash metal band SKULLHAMMER and plays bass for the thrash metal
group LICH KING.
RAVAGE's most recent full-length album, "The End Of
Tomorrow", came out in 2009 via Metal Blade Records. The band
has been working on new material while playing select local shows.
RAVAGE will appear at Champions Bar in Everett, Massachusetts
on Friday, August 5.
Swedish metallers STEELWING will enter Leon Music
Studios in Karlstad, Sweden later this month to begin
recording their sophomore album for an early 2012 release via NoiseArt
Records, a division of Rock The Nation. The as-yet-untitled CD will
be helmed by Rikard Löfgren, who has previously worked with DEATHSTARS, MAMAKIN, ENFORCER and VOMITORY, among others.
According to a press release, STEELWING's new album "will take the
post-apocalyptic heavy metal onslaught into outer space with a full on tribute
to cult 1980's science fiction movies.
"Fans of the previous album will not be disappointed by the intense
twin-guitar riffage, supersonic metal screams and furious double-kick action,
but the band promise more diversity and dynamics as well.
"Some of the song titles set to appear on the album are 'Full Speed
Ahead!' and 'Solar Wind Riders', [both] of which have already been
performed live this year to the approval of headbangers all over Europe."
Commented the band: "Rikard was one of several possible producers
suggested to us by our management, not someone we had initially considered but
after looking into his previous works, we decided to meet with him earlier this
year and discuss our ideas for a second album. We immediately felt confident
that he was the right man for the job: as a metalhead, he understands our
influences and what we want to achieve, but as a pop producer we also believe
that he will be able to bring out the best in our songwriting."
Bassist Skürk left STEELWING in February "due to life
priorities that do not include any more extensive touring." His
replacement is Nic Savage, who was described in a press release as a
"blond bass thrasher and devoted U.S. metal disciple."
Left to right in photo below: Nic Savage, Alex Vega, Riley, Oskar, Robby Rockbag
STEELWING's debut album, "Lord Of The Wasteland", was
released in Europe on April 30, 2010 via NoiseArt Records. The CD was
recorded at Deep Blue Studios with producer Nicko DiMarino. The
album artwork was created by Ed Repka.
STEELWING was awarded a record deal as part of a contest launched by the
Austrian management and booking company Rock The Nation. This unique
competition was presented and promoted by all leading European metal magazines,
including the German, Italian, Spanish and Greek editions of Metal Hammer; Terrorizer (U.K.); Metallian (France); Scream (Norway); Rock
Tribune (Belgium); Spark (Czech Republic); and the Dutch webzine LordsOfMetal.nl.
LIFE OF AGONY singer Keith Caputo has
completed work on his newest CD/project, "The Neptune
Darlings". A teaser clip for the upcoming release, which was mastered
at the end of July by George Marino at Sterling Sound in New York City, can be
seen below.
Caputo recently revealed that he is "transitioning" into life
as a woman and has begun to refer to himself as "her" on his official
web site, KeithCaputo.com.
The singer, who has adopted the name "Keith Mina Caputo",
wrote on his
Twitter account, "Male to female transsexuals like me are the women
who give up male privilege for femininity! Threaten the patriarchy!" He
also responded to a question from a fan about the demise of LIFE OF AGONY by writing, "LIFE OF AGONY has already gone into isolation and it's
got nothing to do with me transitioning [to a woman]."
In a June 5, 2011 interview with "DeadDave's Internet Radio Show" (stream audio below), Caputo stated, "I live a completely, totally
different lifestyle. I'm a completely different human being, as you guys
probably know. I have a very different path in life. I'm not living life as a
man anymore and stuff. So, yeah, my life is completely different, but music
will always be… music is definitely my driving force."
Caputo previously used cross-dressing images of himself in the artwork
for his 2008 album "A Fondness For Hometown Scars" and
dedicated the CD to androgynous people.
In a July 11 tweet, Caputo said, "my cuzins even get on me for
being transgender, callin me the dumbest names, but it's all in good fun
they'll really kill 4 me." The vocalist also re-tweeted a story from Metal
Insider claiming the singer was due to get a sex change. He replied with
the message, "Thx for being sweet & respectful..Deeply appreciate it.
FYI, I'm keeping my penis!"
Guitarist "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (HALFORD, SEBASTIAN BACH, TESTAMENT) recently wrapped up the "Metal
Week Summer Camp" held at the Chatham, New Jersey location of SchoolOf Rock.
The camp, which took place from July 25 to July 29, concentrated on offering a
group of students a setlist consisting of metal classics and preparing them for
a live final performance. The live show took place Friday, July 29 at Sam Ash
in Springfield, New Jersey. As the performance neared its
end, Mike joined the students for a rendition of PANTERA's "Walk".
"I was totally into working with the young metalheads and will tell you
right now that metal is alive and well judging by the determination, talent and
enthusiasm that is abundant with the young metallers," Mike said.
"I think it is great. We have 9-year-olds performing DEATH's 'Pull
The Plug'.
"If you think all the young hearts belong to pop or rap — think again. I
am very proud of them and I would like to thank Jamie, Art, Matt and Joe at SchoolOf Rock, Chatham, New Jersey for the warm welcome.
Horns up way high, indeed."
School Of Rock's general managers Jamie and Art Lima added, "It meant a lot to us and our students to have Metal Mike here at SchoolOf Rock Chatham,
and to have him perform at the 'Metal Week' finale! Students really enjoyed
meeting and looked forward to playing with Mike all week! It really
motivated them to rehearse and fine-tune the material they were working on. It
is great that Mike was available as a guest artist."
"Metal Week Summer Camp" with Metal Mike setlist:
* METALLICA - "Whiplash"
* IRON MAIDEN - "2 Minutes To Midnight"
* JUDAS PRIEST - "Hell Bent For Leather"
* PANTERA - "Walk"
* DEATH - "Pull The Plug"
* MEGADETH - "Symphony Of Destruction"
* HELLOWEEN - "Dr. Stein"
* BLACK SABBATH - "Children Of The Grave"
* MERCYFUL FATE - "Evil"
* NEVERMORE - "Believe In Nothing"
Metal Mike is currently putting the finishing touches on a solo record
entitled "The Metalworker". The release will feature Mike's
collaboration with vocal siren Carlos Zema and DAATH's Kevin
Talley.
Mike's solo band debuted in 2010, playing select U.S. dates as
the support act for German metallers PRIMAL FEAR.
Chlasciak pens a monthly column called "Metal For Life" for Guitar
World magazine.
Mike has released five solo-based albums with bands PAINMUSEUM and ISOLATION CHAMBER. He recently released "This River Shall
Burn", an e-book containing dark and introspective collection of
lyrics. He previously wrote two metal guitar instructional books, "Ridiculous
Riffs For The Terrifying Guitarist" and "Monster Coordination
- Guitar Boot Camp".
Seminal New York City
hardcore/metal band BIOHAZARD has set "Reborn In Defiance" as the title of its tenth studio album, due in Europe on September 26 (three
days earlier in Germany)
via Nuclear Blast Records.
The band's first new studio CD in six years and the first with the original
lineup — Evan Seinfeld (vocals, bass), Billy Graziadei (guitar,
vocals), Danny Schuler (drums) and Bobby Hambel (guitar) — since
1994's "State of The World Address" was produced by Toby
Wright, who has previously worked with KORN, SLAYER, MÖTLEY
CRÜE, KISS, FEAR FACTORY, IN FLAMES, STONE SOUR and OZZY OSBOURNE, among others.
A song from the album, "Reborn", can now be streamed at this location.
Seinfeld left BIOHAZARD in June after the new CD was completed
and was temporarily replaced by Scott Roberts, who played on the band's
2005 "Means To An End" album and has been part of the BIOHAZARD extended family since.
Commented guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei: "When we got back
together in 2008, we erased the last memory of BIOHAZARD in people's
heads and replaced it with a new kick-ass memory of what BIOHAZARD was
all about back in the day.
"People heard we used to fuck shit up, but being back together again as
the original BIOHAZARD gave us a chance to re-write history. Now we're
doing it once again with a brand new album.
"Our new album, 'Reborn In Defiance', is everything I love about BIOHAZARD but more....in 2011! 100% ass-kicking in every way.... See you in the
pit!"
In a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine, Graziadei stated about the departure of Evan Seinfeld, "It dropped like a bombshell. It kind of came up
from left field. We finished tracking the [new BIOHAZARD] record in late
February and really didn't have much contact with him that much. Everything was
through management and I was working on the mix with [producer] Toby [Wright]
and some additional overdubs and different ideas and some piano and keyboard
stuff. Then a couple of weeks ago he calls up and says, 'I can't do it
anymore!' He's got a bunch of personal stuff and it's mostly secret. But it's
personal between… it's what's going on in his life, but he made a decision and
we weren't happy about it, but we made our decision to continue and keep going.
It would be great if he was here and I know he's proud of the record and as
happy as it came out as we are. We were all there and made it together and
focused equally on it, but rather to let it die out, we said, 'You know what?
Fuck it! We're all psyched and happy and even though things are different it
doesn't mean much has changed!' The heart and soul of the band is still intact
and we're gonna continue."
When asked about how bassist/vocalist Scott Roberts, who played on the
band's 2005 "Means To An End" album, is working out as Evan's
temporary replacement, Billy said, "He's great! He was the guy [that
joined BIOHAZARD] after Bobby [Hambel left]. It took us a
long time to find him, but we knew him and he filled in for us at the last
minute, but he stepped up and did it. It was a tough obstacle to overcome but
we did it. We played Download [festival in England], which was cool and the
next day we played the Metal Hammer boat and that was a phenomenal show!
All the kids were like, "Wow!" and even the editors of the magazine
were like… and they've been doing this for ten years and in the past three of
four years with ANTHRAX and HELLYEAH and they were like,
'Nobody's rocked the boat like you guys did!' It was cool! What happens in the
future when I go home, we'll sort that out."
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/biohazardreborn.jpg
GWAR bassist Casey Orr (a.k.a. Beefcake The
Mighty) has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:
"After much soul searching and consideration, and with a heavy heart, I am
announcing my departure from GWAR (yes, again). I simply can no longer
devote the time and effort required to maintain my position within the group. I
have so many projects going on now in Texas,
including a new RIGOR MORTIS record in the works, that it just wouldn't
be fair to everyone involved for me to stay and not be able to give 100%. I'll
miss the insanity and playing with my brothers, but I have to do what's right
for me right now.
"I wish GWAR and all my brothers the best, and if I can ever be of
any help to the group, they know they have only to ask. I appreciate their understanding,
and certainly hope the fans will understand as well. I truly appreciate the
opportunity I was given to return to the band and record the last two albums
and to tour with them over the last several years, but it's time to aim my
creative energies in other directions and embrace the opportunities that have
been laid before me. I promise you have not heard the last of me. Not by a long
shot!"
Video footage of GWAR's performance at this year's edition of Copenhell festival in Copenhagen, Denmark on June 18, 2011 can be
seen below.
As previously reported, the second annual GWAR-B-Q has been pushed back
to September 17 from the previously announced August 27. It will be held at
Hadad's Lake in Richmond, Virginia. The standard ticket price will be
$20, with "all kinds of cool extras and discounts." This year, for
the very first time, GWAR is playing its own GWAR-B-Q.
Metal Blade Records recently released the vinyl versions of GWAR's "Lust and Space" and "Bloody Pit of Horror" albums.
GWAR's new album, "Bloody Pit Of Horror", sold around
2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The
band's previous CD, "Lust In Space", opened with 5,000 units
to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Brian Fischer-Giffin of Australia's Loud web site recently conducted an interview with guitarist Craig Locicero of reactivated San Francisco Bay Area metallers FORBIDDEN. A few
excerpts from the chat follow below.
On FORBIDDEN's comeback album, "Omega Wave":
"Everything that we'd done in retrospect, the clarity of not having done
metal for a long time for me, really came into play in dividends. I just don't
think we had any preconceptions except for it to be a metal record and a thrash
metal record, and be the best one we could do. That's all we have."
On how the current metal scene has influenced — or not influenced — FORBIDDEN's
musical direction:
"I listen to metal, you know, and I always have. But less and less of it
was really appealing to me. Not so much because of me and my tastes, just
because metal in general started to really blow. Not all of it was that great.
And it could be argued that nowadays not a lot of it is still that great. A few
things here and there stand out in my opinion, but most of it is really
luckluster."
"Metal has been about representing angst and anger toward society and
representing things that need to be said and feelings of rebellion and stuff,
and at its worst, the subject matter has drifted into
my-car-going-down-the-freeway type of stuff. In the early '90s, metal just
started to suck really, really badly. You look back at that era, and only a
couple of bands did really well out of that era. One being PANTERA, who
started as a rock and roll band, and two being SLAYER, who just stayed
themselves the whole time. [There were] very few things that stayed metal. METALLICA,
it could be argued, stayed metal, but they started listening to GARBAGE and bands like that and really got deluded. It's not all bad when that happens,
because it clears the way for everything else."
On trying to claim the glory that came so tantalizingly close with 1990's "Twisted
Into Form":
"That idea was given up a long time ago. That idea was basically given up
when we folded it up in '96... '97. That was the end of it. There was nothing
really more to do. There was nothing really more to do to help the band. I
thought it was over forever and I was quite happy to move on and experiment and
find my way through other genres of music. Coming back was never about being
big. It was about writing a great record, and being as metal as possible. That
was something that we really didn't know how to do at the end of FORBIDDEN.
There was some cool songs in there, but I think we were kind of lost and
looking for our spot."
On being able to accept and appreciate FORBIDDEN's place in the world of
metal:
"This time we know we're a cult band, we're not going to be any bigger
than a cult band, I don't expect to be a household word unless we get really
lucky and some other bigger band would have to come along and pick us up and
take us on the road. That's really all there is to it. You can't expect too
much out of this business, especially when people aren't actually buying
records, they're stealing them. You're not going to make much money from that
end. You can't even prove your worth as a band, because you don't know how many
people have your music."
On how illegal music downloading has affected the record industry:
"We're not going to say that we're angry about the way it is. That's just
the way it is. Technology has got to this point. There has to be another way to
exist and to make your way through this business. And being on a label like Nuclear
Blast, they've always managed to find a way to tie it all together. They're
ahead of the curve, and they have a couple more ideas on how to be ahead of the
curve that haven't even been implemented. There's different ways to do this now
and you just have to go with it. Being a live band is the main thing."
Cori Rosen of Atlantic City Weekly recently conducted an interview with
guitarist/vocalist Gavin Rossdale of the reformed British alternative
rock band BUSH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Atlantic CityWeekly: You have had a nine-year hiatus; what has changed the most within
the band?
Rossdale: I was personally not on hiatus. I should have been, but I
never was. I was just coming in and out of whatever. I never stopped being in
the studio, making records, or touring. But for BUSH, what's changed? An
enormous amount. The whole business is different. I think this is an exciting
time. I don't have a problem with how the business has changed. Clearly, I want
it to be the idea that people start to remember that musicians do need to eat.
I think overall it is a dispensing of the major [record] labels. And for too
long they've had a very punitive system, with all labels. They've made far too
much money off musicians.
Atlantic CityWeekly: I really enjoyed your music throughout your solo career. Was
performing on your own as fulfilling as performing with BUSH? What did
you miss about being in a band?
Rossdale: Well, the thing is, no matter how good the shows were, no
matter how good the reaction was to my career, the question was always:
"When are you getting back with the band?" I for one was always trying
to get the band back together. And, I thought by doing the INSTITUTE record, we would all have time to just be away from the scene and come back as
renewed figures. And it took longer than I expected [to be back with the band].
I was really ready to make a record and maybe go on tour. I was always ready to
[get back with BUSH and] make records.
Atlantic CityWeekly: Since Nigel [Pulsford, guitar] did not end up coming
back, what motivated you to work on a new BUSH record and get back out
live with the band?
Rossdale: Well, it came about weirdly, as I was writing the songs
considering I did not want to come out with them solo, because I thought the
songs deserved a wider audience; that's the irony of it. It's the songs that
turned me back around. It's much the same way that Robert Smith from THE
CURE sometimes has his lineup change, but as long as he is always part of THE
CURE ... With this change, I have Robin [Goodridge] who
really helped me with the sound between his drumming and my experience with singing
— it really sounds like BUSH. It's really cool. Chris [Traynor,
guitar] played with us in BUSH for the last six months and has been with
me ever since. So, I don't really like change that much. Therefore, it is about
the same people who are around me, the whole crew and everyone I have worked
with forever. There have been some changes, but weirdly enough, my work more or
less stayed the same.
Atlantic CityWeekly: Even though the people you are working with and most of BUSH has stayed the same, what do you think is different about this new album than
your past work?
Rossdale: I think I've pushed it a little bit and I got better in the
studio. I got more articulate with it and I found a way to express myself
clearer. And also, my drive and desires are as strong as ever. If you commit
yourself to one craft in your life as your job, then you should keep getting
better, so that is what is exciting. It is a marriage between what is new and
interesting and yet not forsaking the BUSH sound that people are familiar
with. It is very important to me that this record stands on its own merit, that
people can just pick this whole thing up and fall in love the band just based
on this album.
Finnish metallers SKIRMISH will release their debut
album, "Through The Abacinated Eyes", on August 31 via Violent
Journey Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at D-studio in Klaukkala, Finland under the supervision of Jarno
Hänninen.
According to a press release, "people have tried to chain SKIRMISH inside genre limits, such as death or thrash metal, but the band's driving
force has been to stay outside of categories and to rather make good music in a
tight leaning position."
"Through The Abacinated Eyes" track listing:
01. Premonition
02. Conquest
03. Insurgency
04. Mystery In A Blazing Dream
05. Death Beyond
06. Astral Infinity
07. Indebted
08. The Forlorn Masque
SKIRMISH is:
Jani Niskanen - Vocals
Mikko Kupiainen - Guitar
Kalle Raijonkari - Bass
Waltteri Väyrynen - Drums
For more information, visit www.skirmishband.net.
"Beyond The Entombed", a brand new song
from Cincinnati, Ohio's ROSE FUNERAL, can be streamed
in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's new album, "Gates
Of Punishment", which will be released on September 27 via Metal
Blade Records.
According to a press release, "Gates Of Punishment" is "a
fitting progression of the band's dark and foreboding sound. Guest vocal
appearances from Kate Alexander and Steve Tucker (MORBID ANGEL)
add to the dark atmosphere that is created throughout the album. Seven string
guitars tuned to drop A, haunting melodies, insane blasts and enough groove to
keep heads banging will make this one of the heaviest releases of 2011."
Commented ROSE FUNERAL vocalist/guitarist Ryan Gardner: "We
had the greatest time recording 'Gates Of Punishment'. It is definitely
a HUGE step for ROSE FUNERAL. I can honestly say this album just crushes
any release we have done. We are looking to turn heads and drop jaws with this
album.
"'Gates Of Punishment' is filled with intense blasts, fast-paced
solos, melodic harmonies, dark chords, pissed off vocals, and harsh breakdowns.
This is the sound i have been searching for with ROSE FUNERAL, and I
couldn't be happier. All I can say is that with the guys I have, it will be a
huge climb in sound every album from now on."
"Gates Of Punishment" track listing:
01. Legions Of Ruination
02. Grotesque Mutilation
03. Beyond The Entombed
04. False Divine (feat. Steve Tucker)
05. Arise Infernal Existence
06. Malignant Amour (feat. Kate Alexander)
07. A Recreant Canticle
08. The Desolate Form
09. Entercism
10. Amidst Gehenna
11. Gates Of Punishment
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