"Welcome 2 My Nightmare", the new album from legendary rocker Alice Cooper, sold 18,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart. Cooper's previous CD, 2008's "Along Came A Spider", opened with just under 10,000 copies to debut at No. 53.
Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.
That original album is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special and cemented Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theater, television, film and much more.
More than 35 years later, Alice and Ezrin have resurrected the horror and humor for a new generation.
"This is Alice's nightmare 35 years later," explains Alice, "Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we're not writing for me, we're writing for Alice. We kept the first 'Nightmare' album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us."
There is an array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on three tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice "dad"; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice's current touring band and featured prominently on the first "Nightmare" album.
Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number very much in the spirit of THE ROLLING STONES. And then there's the ballad "Something To Remember Me By", described by Alice as "the prettiest song we have ever released."
Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice's nightmare.
From the opener, "I Am Made Of You", through the already established live favorite and first single "I'll Bite Your Face Off", to the surprising duet with Ke$ha, "What Baby Wants", this album is a reminder that albums just aren't made this way anymore.
And musicians do not play together like Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith anymore.
"I wanted a '70s feel for 'When Hell Comes Home'," says Alice, "and I didn't even have to ask for it, it's just how they play and they did it live in the studio. When they got done playing the basic track, Bob and I just looked at each other, that sound is built into their DNA. We didn't need to go and fix anything. The way they finished was a little bit ragged and that's the way we used to finish songs, that's what I like about it."
Co-writers on various songs include the aforementioned Bob Ezrin, Ke$ha, Neal, Dennis, Michael, plus BUCKCHERRY's Keith Nelson, Desmond Child (who famously co-wrote and produced "Poison" with Alice), longtime collaborator Dick Wagner, current touring band member Chuck Garric and film composer Jeremy Rubolino.
"That's my rebellion," says Alice of the more surprising guests, "I like people that don't belong and yet what they're doing works perfectly. I don't care where it comes from, as long as it's right. If you tell me something doesn't work, I'll work my head of until it does then shove it down your throat.
"I think a lot of my audience is going to go 'KE$HA!?', but she probably wrote the most disgusting lyrics in the song — we had to rein her in. I like people to know that just because artists are put in a pigeon hole, that doesn't mean that's what they are. Give people a little room."
With Steve Hunter, one of rock's great guitarists, added to the band's line-up of guitarists Damon Johnson and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel, Alice has been tearing up venues worldwide on his 2011 "No More Mr. Nice Guy" tour.
Recorded with longtime collaborator Bob Ezrin, who produced the original multi-platinum "Welcome To My Nightmare" album in 1975, "Welcome 2 My Nightmare" picks up right where they left off, with Alice trapped in his own warped mind.
That original album is an all-time rock classic that spawned a worldwide theatrical tour and pioneering U.S. TV special and cemented Alice Cooper as a visionary trailblazer whose influence persists today in rock, metal, pop, punk, theater, television, film and much more.
More than 35 years later, Alice and Ezrin have resurrected the horror and humor for a new generation.
"This is Alice's nightmare 35 years later," explains Alice, "Bob and I created this character and we know how to write for him. I play the part but we're not writing for me, we're writing for Alice. We kept the first 'Nightmare' album very personal to us, on this one we found more humor and we were more open. This was our world and we want to present it to the fans. The original album was my first solo album after all those huge hit records with the original band and now that nightmare is exposed, this one can be a little bit more open. The music crosses all sorts of boundaries; we went where the lyrics took us."
There is an array of collaborators on the new album, including original Alice Cooper members Denis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith reunited on three tracks; global pop superstar Ke$ha, who affectionately calls Alice "dad"; and legendary Alice and Lou Reed guitarist Steve Hunter, who is part of Alice's current touring band and featured prominently on the first "Nightmare" album.
Musically, the album ranges far and wide, from trashing disco to garage punk, pop balladry to a rocking number very much in the spirit of THE ROLLING STONES. And then there's the ballad "Something To Remember Me By", described by Alice as "the prettiest song we have ever released."
Glimpses of themes from the original album are intertwined throughout, each track representing a different aspect of Alice's nightmare.
From the opener, "I Am Made Of You", through the already established live favorite and first single "I'll Bite Your Face Off", to the surprising duet with Ke$ha, "What Baby Wants", this album is a reminder that albums just aren't made this way anymore.
And musicians do not play together like Dennis Dunaway, Michael Bruce and Neal Smith anymore.
"I wanted a '70s feel for 'When Hell Comes Home'," says Alice, "and I didn't even have to ask for it, it's just how they play and they did it live in the studio. When they got done playing the basic track, Bob and I just looked at each other, that sound is built into their DNA. We didn't need to go and fix anything. The way they finished was a little bit ragged and that's the way we used to finish songs, that's what I like about it."
Co-writers on various songs include the aforementioned Bob Ezrin, Ke$ha, Neal, Dennis, Michael, plus BUCKCHERRY's Keith Nelson, Desmond Child (who famously co-wrote and produced "Poison" with Alice), longtime collaborator Dick Wagner, current touring band member Chuck Garric and film composer Jeremy Rubolino.
"That's my rebellion," says Alice of the more surprising guests, "I like people that don't belong and yet what they're doing works perfectly. I don't care where it comes from, as long as it's right. If you tell me something doesn't work, I'll work my head of until it does then shove it down your throat.
"I think a lot of my audience is going to go 'KE$HA!?', but she probably wrote the most disgusting lyrics in the song — we had to rein her in. I like people to know that just because artists are put in a pigeon hole, that doesn't mean that's what they are. Give people a little room."
With Steve Hunter, one of rock's great guitarists, added to the band's line-up of guitarists Damon Johnson and Tommy Henriksen, bassist Chuck Garric, and drummer Glen Sobel, Alice has been tearing up venues worldwide on his 2011 "No More Mr. Nice Guy" tour.
GUNS N' ROSES will embark on its first U.S. tour in five years this fall. The trek will kick off October 28 in Orlando, Florida and will include stops in 30 cities — fueled by Monster Energy — from October to New Year's Eve. Before hitting the States, GN'R will tour Latin America, starting with a sold-out, headline slot for the closing day of the Rock In Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 2 in front of 75,000 fans.
The tour is scheduled to hit the following cities:
* Oct. 28 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center Arena
* Oct. 29 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
* Oct. 31 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center Arena
* Nov. 02 - Atlanta, GA @ Phillips Arena
* [to be announced] - Houston, TX - [to be announced]
* Nov. 05 - Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavillion
* [to be announced] - Omaha, NE - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Tulsa, OK - [to be announced]
* Nov. 12 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center Arena
* Nov. 13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center Arena
* [to be announced] - Chicago, IL @ All State Arena
* [to be announced] - East Rutherford, NJ - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Hartford, CT - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Wilkes-Barre, PA - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Worcester, MA - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Camden, NJ - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Detroit, MI - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Cincinnati, OH - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Nashville, TN - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Indianapolis, IN - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Denver, CO - [to be announced]
More dates, cities and venue information to be announced very soon.
GUNS N' ROSES made its first U.S. concert appearance in four years and only one of 2010 when it headlined the fifth and final night of the Rock 'N Rev Festival at the 70th annual Sturgis Bike Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 13, 2010.
GUNS N' ROSES last toured the U.S. in 2006, and has not played any other American shows since the November 2008 release of its "Chinese Democracy" album.
"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".
The tour is scheduled to hit the following cities:
* Oct. 28 - Orlando, FL @ Amway Center Arena
* Oct. 29 - Miami, FL @ American Airlines Arena
* Oct. 31 - Greenville, SC @ Bi-Lo Center Arena
* Nov. 02 - Atlanta, GA @ Phillips Arena
* [to be announced] - Houston, TX - [to be announced]
* Nov. 05 - Dallas, TX @ Gexa Energy Pavillion
* [to be announced] - Omaha, NE - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Tulsa, OK - [to be announced]
* Nov. 12 - Kansas City, MO @ Sprint Center Arena
* Nov. 13 - Minneapolis, MN @ Target Center Arena
* [to be announced] - Chicago, IL @ All State Arena
* [to be announced] - East Rutherford, NJ - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Hartford, CT - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Wilkes-Barre, PA - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Worcester, MA - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Camden, NJ - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Detroit, MI - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Cincinnati, OH - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Nashville, TN - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Indianapolis, IN - [to be announced]
* [to be announced] - Denver, CO - [to be announced]
More dates, cities and venue information to be announced very soon.
GUNS N' ROSES made its first U.S. concert appearance in four years and only one of 2010 when it headlined the fifth and final night of the Rock 'N Rev Festival at the 70th annual Sturgis Bike Rally in Sturgis, South Dakota on August 13, 2010.
GUNS N' ROSES last toured the U.S. in 2006, and has not played any other American shows since the November 2008 release of its "Chinese Democracy" album.
"Chinese Democracy" was made available exclusively through Best Buy. The long-in-the-making, 14-song CD finally arrived 17 years after the last full-length collections of original GUNS material, "Use Your Illusion I" and "II", were released, and nine years after the non-album track "Oh My God" surfaced on the soundtrack of the movie "End Of Days".
***UPDATE***: MÖTLEY CRÜE members Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee have both shot down reports that the band will play its first-ever show in Indonesia on October 8 at Pantai Karnival in Ancol, North Jakarta.
When asked by fans via Twitter if it's true that MÖTLEY CRÜE will make its way to Indonesia this fall, Sixx replied, "No… we had looked into the show but had to pass... Sorry." Lee, on the other hand, was more specific, saying that "promoter" issues led to the concert being scrapped.***
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which launched on June 24 and wrapped last month — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
When asked by fans via Twitter if it's true that MÖTLEY CRÜE will make its way to Indonesia this fall, Sixx replied, "No… we had looked into the show but had to pass... Sorry." Lee, on the other hand, was more specific, saying that "promoter" issues led to the concert being scrapped.***
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which launched on June 24 and wrapped last month — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
MÖTLEY CRÜE members Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee have both shot down reports that the band will play its first-ever show in Indonesia on October 8 at Pantai Karnival in Ancol, North Jakarta.
When asked by fans via Twitter if it's true that MÖTLEY CRÜE will make its way to Indonesia this fall, Sixx replied, "No… we had looked into the show but had to pass... Sorry." Lee, on the other hand, was more specific, saying that "promoter" issues led to the concert being scrapped.
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which launched on June 24 and wrapped last month — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
When asked by fans via Twitter if it's true that MÖTLEY CRÜE will make its way to Indonesia this fall, Sixx replied, "No… we had looked into the show but had to pass... Sorry." Lee, on the other hand, was more specific, saying that "promoter" issues led to the concert being scrapped.
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which launched on June 24 and wrapped last month — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
"Worship Music", the new studio album from ANTHRAX, sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2003's "We've Come For You All", opened with just under 10,000 units to debut at No. 122.
"I am most proud of our fans who came out and gave us the amazing support they did," said ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. "To have our record debut at No. 12 is a great accomplishment."
Added the band's guitarist, Scott Ian, "I'm absolutely thrilled with the fact that our Anthrax Army came out in force this week to show the world that good music matters. Thank you to all our friends, old and new! It's a privilege to do this for you."
The CD cover artwork for "Worship Music" was handled by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross, who has worked with Marvel Comics and DC Comics and is known for his "Marvels", "Kingdom Come", and "Astro City" illustrations. Ross also did the original artwork for ANTHRAX's "We've Come For You All" and "Music Of Mass Destruction" albums.
"Worship Music" was produced by ANTHRAX, Rob Caggiano and Jay Ruston and recorded over a four-year period at studios in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Singer Joey Belladonna's return to the band prompted some of the songs originally recorded with previous singer Dan Nelson to be re-crafted with fresh lyrics or tweaked to better suit his overall vibe and energy. Some of the songs were completely replaced with brand-new songs and, of course, all have Belladonna's inimitable vocal stamp on them.
"Worship Music" track listing:
01. Worship (intro)
02. Earth On Hell
03. The Devil You Know
04. Fight 'Em Til You Can't
05. I'm Alive
06. Hymn 1
07. In The End
08. The Giant
09. Hymn 2
10. Judas Priest
11. Crawl
12. The Constant
13. Revolution Screams
"I am most proud of our fans who came out and gave us the amazing support they did," said ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante. "To have our record debut at No. 12 is a great accomplishment."
Added the band's guitarist, Scott Ian, "I'm absolutely thrilled with the fact that our Anthrax Army came out in force this week to show the world that good music matters. Thank you to all our friends, old and new! It's a privilege to do this for you."
The CD cover artwork for "Worship Music" was handled by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross, who has worked with Marvel Comics and DC Comics and is known for his "Marvels", "Kingdom Come", and "Astro City" illustrations. Ross also did the original artwork for ANTHRAX's "We've Come For You All" and "Music Of Mass Destruction" albums.
"Worship Music" was produced by ANTHRAX, Rob Caggiano and Jay Ruston and recorded over a four-year period at studios in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Singer Joey Belladonna's return to the band prompted some of the songs originally recorded with previous singer Dan Nelson to be re-crafted with fresh lyrics or tweaked to better suit his overall vibe and energy. Some of the songs were completely replaced with brand-new songs and, of course, all have Belladonna's inimitable vocal stamp on them.
"Worship Music" track listing:
01. Worship (intro)
02. Earth On Hell
03. The Devil You Know
04. Fight 'Em Til You Can't
05. I'm Alive
06. Hymn 1
07. In The End
08. The Giant
09. Hymn 2
10. Judas Priest
11. Crawl
12. The Constant
13. Revolution Screams
Last week, he played at Yankee Stadium with his band ANTHRAX as a member of the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX. Today, ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante crossed over from Major League Baseball's American League to the National League and threw out the first pitch at today's Cubs/Brewers game played at the legendary Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Not only did the Cubs lambaste Milwaukee with a 7-1 win, but Charlie got word that ANTHRAX's new album, "Worship Music", will debut at position No. 12 on next week's The Billboard 200 chart.
Today was a very good day for ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante.
For Benante playing Yankee Stadium was extremely personal; his father, also named Charlie, was a huge baseball fan and onetime budding ballplayer, who died when Charlie Jr. was 5.
"I would give all this up just to have my father around," Benante told ESPN.com, "but to have him be there and see me playing Yankee Stadium, I know for him it would probably be the greatest thing ever."
Benante's father, who was scouted by the majors, would regale a four-year-old Charlie with all the stats and facts about the Yankees players while the two played catch in the backyard. "My dad was a huge Yankees fan," Charlie recalls. "I remember he always had the TV or radio on, listening to every Yankees game he could. He died when I was five, so he never knew about my success as a musician, but I know he would have been so proud of me playing Yankee Stadium. I know that in some way, he'll be there, giving me the power I'll need to knock it out of the park."
Not only did the Cubs lambaste Milwaukee with a 7-1 win, but Charlie got word that ANTHRAX's new album, "Worship Music", will debut at position No. 12 on next week's The Billboard 200 chart.
Today was a very good day for ANTHRAX's Charlie Benante.
For Benante playing Yankee Stadium was extremely personal; his father, also named Charlie, was a huge baseball fan and onetime budding ballplayer, who died when Charlie Jr. was 5.
"I would give all this up just to have my father around," Benante told ESPN.com, "but to have him be there and see me playing Yankee Stadium, I know for him it would probably be the greatest thing ever."
Benante's father, who was scouted by the majors, would regale a four-year-old Charlie with all the stats and facts about the Yankees players while the two played catch in the backyard. "My dad was a huge Yankees fan," Charlie recalls. "I remember he always had the TV or radio on, listening to every Yankees game he could. He died when I was five, so he never knew about my success as a musician, but I know he would have been so proud of me playing Yankee Stadium. I know that in some way, he'll be there, giving me the power I'll need to knock it out of the park."
"A Dramatic Turn Of Events", the new studio album from progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER, sold 36,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 8. The band's previous CD, 2009's "Black Clouds & Silver Linings", opened with 40,000 units to land at No. 6. This was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by its predecessor, "Systematic Chaos", which shifted 36,000 copies in 2007 to enter the chart at No. 19. 2005's "Octavarium" premiered with 27,000 copies to debut at No. 36.
The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition exclusive box set includes the following:
* "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album
* Instrumentals of the entire album
* DVD of "The Spirit Carries On" – a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer auditions
* Double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket)
* DREAM THEATER branded custom turntable slipmat
* Litho Print of album cover
* 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life" (randomly inserted)
* All content housed in a custom box
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release
CD1
01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface
CD 2
01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)
"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess said. "All the life-changing events that surrounded us before, as well as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."
Vocalist James LaBrie added, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."
The "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" deluxe collector's edition exclusive box set includes the following:
* "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" album
* Instrumentals of the entire album
* DVD of "The Spirit Carries On" – a 60-minute movie documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer auditions
* Double-LP set of "A Dramatic Turn Of Events" (180-gram vinyl in gatefold jacket)
* DREAM THEATER branded custom turntable slipmat
* Litho Print of album cover
* 50 lucky winners will find a DREAM THEATER "Ticket For Life" (randomly inserted)
* All content housed in a custom box
* Receive a digital download of the album the day before release
CD1
01. On The Backs Of Angels
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down
03. Lost Not Forgotten
04. This Is The Life
05. Bridges In The Sky
06. Outcry
07. Far From Heaven
08. Breaking All Illusions
09. Beneath The Surface
CD 2
01. On The Backs Of Angels (instrumental)
02. Build Me Up, Break Me Down (instrumental)
03. Lost Not Forgotten (instrumental)
04. This Is The Life (instrumental)
05. Bridges In The Sky (instrumental)
06. Outcry (instrumental)
07. Far From Heaven (instrumental)
08. Breaking All Illusions (instrumental)
09. Beneath The Surface (instrumental)
"We have poured our hearts and minds into the creation of this album," keyboardist Jordan Rudess said. "All the life-changing events that surrounded us before, as well as during the whole process, fueled our desire to dig deep within ourselves and create the best music we possibly could."
Vocalist James LaBrie added, "In the grand scheme of DREAM THEATER's career, the last several months have been such an incredibly positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience. The new songs and sound has never been so spirited or rejuvenating. I cannot wait for every one of our fans to sink their audio senses into this batch of tunes."
Having already announced dates in Australia, New Zealand and South America, SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDIOSLAVE frontman Chris Cornell has added more U.S. shows to his solo acoustic "Songbook" tour, giving even more fans the chance to see him perform unplugged and up close. Venues this time around include Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami, Florida; Carnegie Hall in New York City; Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco; and the Orpheum in Los Angeles. These special performances of songs from his extensive catalogue let Chris interact with the crowd and share personal insights about his music. Familiar songs emerge in a new context, showing that great songwriting translates to any idiom.
Select presale tickets are available at 10 a.m. local venue time tomorrow, September 22, for the shows outlined below.
Nov. 01 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
Nov. 02 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 04 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
Nov. 05 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Theatre
Nov. 06 - Miami Beach, FL - Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater
Nov. 17 - Albany, NY - The Hart Theatre at The Egg
Nov. 18 - Ridgefield, CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse
Nov. 21 - New York, NY - Carnegie Hall
Nov. 22 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
Nov. 23 - Allentown, PA - Symphony Hall
Nov. 26 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Nov. 29 - Burlington, VT - Flynn Center For The Performing Arts
Nov. 30 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Bardavon
Dec. 03 - Lakewood, OH - Lakewood Civic Center
Dec. 04 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater
Dec. 06 - Kalamazoo, MI - Kalamazoo State Theatre
Dec. 10 - Salina, KS - Steifel Theatre For The Performing Arts
Dec. 13 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center - Ikeada Theatre
Dec. 15 - San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Dec. 16 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 17 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
Although Cornell has been recording a new album with SOUNDGARDEN for the first time in 15 years, he continues to work as a solo artist as well. He told Spin.com how it's different from playing with a band. "An acoustic show is all about you, and any little nuance or mistake is amplified," Cornell explained. "I'm very nervous about it, but I love the intimacy. Once you sit in front of people and start playing songs, it's all on you. No matter what happens, it's entirely your responsibility the entire time. I like that intensity."
Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that he sees working with SOUNDGARDEN again as having a positive influence on his solo career. "One thing about a solo artist is you can just be in a room way too long with yourself and your own thoughts and your own songs, and it feels really good to be working with Ben (Shepherd, bassist) and Matt (Cameron, drummer) and Kim (Thayil, guitarist) again, and it's actually a really nice reprieve also from just being alone, doing what I do," he said. "It's helping with the balance, I think, too."
When asked by Spin.com why SOUNDGARDEN never did an episode of "MTV Unplugged" during the band's heyday, he replied, "It's not who we were. It would have been kind of silly, and, truthfully, a lot of them were silly. "
Cornell has issued three solo albums. The last one, 2009's "Scream", was trashed by critics and fans for abandoning Cornell's rock roots for an urban pop sound.
Select presale tickets are available at 10 a.m. local venue time tomorrow, September 22, for the shows outlined below.
Nov. 01 - Memphis, TN - Minglewood Hall
Nov. 02 - Nashville, TN - War Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 04 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
Nov. 05 - Tampa, FL - Tampa Theatre
Nov. 06 - Miami Beach, FL - Fillmore at Jackie Gleason Theater
Nov. 17 - Albany, NY - The Hart Theatre at The Egg
Nov. 18 - Ridgefield, CT - The Ridgefield Playhouse
Nov. 21 - New York, NY - Carnegie Hall
Nov. 22 - Red Bank, NJ - Count Basie Theatre
Nov. 23 - Allentown, PA - Symphony Hall
Nov. 26 - Atlantic City, NJ - Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Nov. 29 - Burlington, VT - Flynn Center For The Performing Arts
Nov. 30 - Poughkeepsie, NY - Bardavon
Dec. 03 - Lakewood, OH - Lakewood Civic Center
Dec. 04 - Ann Arbor, MI - Michigan Theater
Dec. 06 - Kalamazoo, MI - Kalamazoo State Theatre
Dec. 10 - Salina, KS - Steifel Theatre For The Performing Arts
Dec. 13 - Mesa, AZ - Mesa Arts Center - Ikeada Theatre
Dec. 15 - San Francisco, CA - Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Dec. 16 - Los Angeles, CA - Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 17 - San Diego, CA - Balboa Theatre
Although Cornell has been recording a new album with SOUNDGARDEN for the first time in 15 years, he continues to work as a solo artist as well. He told Spin.com how it's different from playing with a band. "An acoustic show is all about you, and any little nuance or mistake is amplified," Cornell explained. "I'm very nervous about it, but I love the intimacy. Once you sit in front of people and start playing songs, it's all on you. No matter what happens, it's entirely your responsibility the entire time. I like that intensity."
Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that he sees working with SOUNDGARDEN again as having a positive influence on his solo career. "One thing about a solo artist is you can just be in a room way too long with yourself and your own thoughts and your own songs, and it feels really good to be working with Ben (Shepherd, bassist) and Matt (Cameron, drummer) and Kim (Thayil, guitarist) again, and it's actually a really nice reprieve also from just being alone, doing what I do," he said. "It's helping with the balance, I think, too."
When asked by Spin.com why SOUNDGARDEN never did an episode of "MTV Unplugged" during the band's heyday, he replied, "It's not who we were. It would have been kind of silly, and, truthfully, a lot of them were silly. "
Cornell has issued three solo albums. The last one, 2009's "Scream", was trashed by critics and fans for abandoning Cornell's rock roots for an urban pop sound.
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will guest on the Wednesday, October 5 edition of CBS-TV's "Late Show With David Letterman" at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT. Check local listings for details.
MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", will be released on September 27. The set will be made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter", will be released on September 27. The set will be made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" will be MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
Florida-based metallers TRIVIUM will take part in an in-store signing session on Sunday, September 25 at Soundcheck Hollywood in West Hollywood, California beginning at 2:00 p.m.
For more information, see the flyer below.
TRIVIUM last week filmed a video for "Built To Fall". The track comes off the band's latest album, "In Waves", which sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career. The group's previous CD, "Shogun", opened with just under 24,000 units back in October 2008 to debut at No. 23. The effort followed up "The Crusade", which registered a first-week tally of 31,000 copies in October 2006 to enter the chart at No. 25.
"In Waves" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown. A two-disc special edition is also available. It features five bonus tracks, plus a DVD with a 40-minute, behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as an exclusive concert filmed in a warehouse located in Orlando, Florida, which is the band's stomping grounds. This concert features the first performances of tracks from "In Waves", along with TRIVIUM classics.
For more information, see the flyer below.
TRIVIUM last week filmed a video for "Built To Fall". The track comes off the band's latest album, "In Waves", which sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart — the highest U.S. chart entry of the band's career. The group's previous CD, "Shogun", opened with just under 24,000 units back in October 2008 to debut at No. 23. The effort followed up "The Crusade", which registered a first-week tally of 31,000 copies in October 2006 to enter the chart at No. 25.
"In Waves" was recorded primarily at Paint It Black Studios in Orlando, Florida (with only the drums having been tracked at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida) with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford, along with engineer Carl Bown. A two-disc special edition is also available. It features five bonus tracks, plus a DVD with a 40-minute, behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as an exclusive concert filmed in a warehouse located in Orlando, Florida, which is the band's stomping grounds. This concert features the first performances of tracks from "In Waves", along with TRIVIUM classics.
29 years ago today — on September 21, 1982 — W.A.S.P. played its first show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. On September 21, 2012, W.A.S.P. will embark on the "30 Years Of Thunder" anniversary tour starting in the United Kingdom and continuing worldwide!! This world tour will be the biggest spectacle W.A.S.P. has ever created. The two-hour show will consist of three parts: a one-hour set containing songs from the first four albums; a 25-minute shortened version of "The Crimson Idol" complete with the movie accompaniment; and a set of material from the new W.A.S.P. studio album, older material and everything in between. This performance will include multiple video screens, pyrotechnics, and elements from the early W.A.S.P. shows (maybe even an exploding cod piece) and Blackie Lawless' moving microphone stand "Elvis."
W.A.S.P.'s latest album, "Babylon", was released in Europe on October 12, 2009 through Global Music (via Demolition Records) and was made available in the U.S. on November 17, 2009.
When asked by Greece's Rockpages in July if there are any plans for W.A.S.P. to release a new studio album, guitarist/vocalist Blackie Lawless said, "Yeah, we've actually have been building a new studio here at my house and we hope we have it finished by October where we plan to record new material." He added, "I would say that probably the whole [next] record is close to being written already. We were in rehearsal yesterday and we actually worked on some new things… Nothing that we are going to play live right now, because it's close to being finished, but we've actually begun the process and it's very exciting!"
Regarding what the theme is behind "Babylon", Blackie said in a January 2010 interview with Sleaze Roxx, "It just happened. I didn't set out to go a certain direction or sound, I didn't pre-determine anything. The only thing that I pre-determine is putting down in song where I am and what I'm thinking right now in my life. That's the truest way to make a record; forget what is on the charts or what is hot in the market place. You can't do that, or at least I don't. I have to make records that reflect where I am today; who I am at this moment will not be who I will be in five years or who I was ten years ago. In my opinion the only way you'll be able to carry an audience as an artist is to get the band to know you. I think for them to know me I have to be intimate with them and that happens with my lyrics. As a writer, I have to be willing to expose myself to them and a lot of people aren't willing to do that. They don't want to know what is going on in the nooks and crannies. You have to be able to crack your skull open and allow people to walk around bare foot in your head to really find out what is going around in there. If you're going to carry that audience for your career, the only way you'll be able to do that if they think they know you and that is through your lyrics."
W.A.S.P.'s latest album, "Babylon", was released in Europe on October 12, 2009 through Global Music (via Demolition Records) and was made available in the U.S. on November 17, 2009.
When asked by Greece's Rockpages in July if there are any plans for W.A.S.P. to release a new studio album, guitarist/vocalist Blackie Lawless said, "Yeah, we've actually have been building a new studio here at my house and we hope we have it finished by October where we plan to record new material." He added, "I would say that probably the whole [next] record is close to being written already. We were in rehearsal yesterday and we actually worked on some new things… Nothing that we are going to play live right now, because it's close to being finished, but we've actually begun the process and it's very exciting!"
Regarding what the theme is behind "Babylon", Blackie said in a January 2010 interview with Sleaze Roxx, "It just happened. I didn't set out to go a certain direction or sound, I didn't pre-determine anything. The only thing that I pre-determine is putting down in song where I am and what I'm thinking right now in my life. That's the truest way to make a record; forget what is on the charts or what is hot in the market place. You can't do that, or at least I don't. I have to make records that reflect where I am today; who I am at this moment will not be who I will be in five years or who I was ten years ago. In my opinion the only way you'll be able to carry an audience as an artist is to get the band to know you. I think for them to know me I have to be intimate with them and that happens with my lyrics. As a writer, I have to be willing to expose myself to them and a lot of people aren't willing to do that. They don't want to know what is going on in the nooks and crannies. You have to be able to crack your skull open and allow people to walk around bare foot in your head to really find out what is going around in there. If you're going to carry that audience for your career, the only way you'll be able to do that if they think they know you and that is through your lyrics."
Los Angeles metal veterans ARMORED SAINT have been listening to East Coast fans clamber for a SAINT show for years, and finally they are prepared to answer the call! The band will play New York City for the first time in twenty years, to be preceded by two other shows — in Amityville, New York and Allentown, Pennsylvania. Armored Saint will perform songs from its latest album, "La Raza", as well as select cuts from its deep and storied catalog. Support on these dates will come from SEVEN WITCHES.
Commented ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera : "In July, we held a poll asking fans to choose their favorite SAINT songs and we compiled a list of the top 10. At recent gigs in Los Angeles and in Germany, we would allow fans to come up and choose one of the top 10 songs for us to play, right there on the spot. We did this three times during our set. It was such a good time that we're going to do this again for our tri-state shows. [Singer] John Bush will stop the show at three different times and choose someone from the crowd to come up and pick what song we play next. So come down and be a part of choosing our set list for the night!"
The dates are as follows:
Nov. 30 - Amityville, NY @ Ollie's Point Bar
Dec. 02 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Dec. 03 - New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
ARMORED SAINT's latest album, "La Raza", sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. "La Raza" also entered the German Media Control chart at No. 96 and the Canadian Independent chart at No. 85.
"La Raza" was recorded at Burbank, California's Tranzformer Studios, which is owned by Dave Jerdan (ALICE IN CHAINS, JANE'S ADDICTION), who produced ARMORED SAINT's 1991 classic "Symbol of Salvation" and Bryan Carlstrom, who engineered the same album. The band's first new release since 2001's "Nod to the Old School" was produced by Joey Vera and engineered by Carlstrom and his assistant John Nuss.
The band's current lineup is the same as the one on 2000's "Revelation" and 1992's "Symbol of Salvation" LPs:
John Bush (vocals)
Jeff Duncan (guitar)
Phil Sandoval (guitar)
Joey Vera (bass)
Gonzo Sandoval (drums)
Commented ARMORED SAINT bassist Joey Vera : "In July, we held a poll asking fans to choose their favorite SAINT songs and we compiled a list of the top 10. At recent gigs in Los Angeles and in Germany, we would allow fans to come up and choose one of the top 10 songs for us to play, right there on the spot. We did this three times during our set. It was such a good time that we're going to do this again for our tri-state shows. [Singer] John Bush will stop the show at three different times and choose someone from the crowd to come up and pick what song we play next. So come down and be a part of choosing our set list for the night!"
The dates are as follows:
Nov. 30 - Amityville, NY @ Ollie's Point Bar
Dec. 02 - Allentown, PA @ Crocodile Rock
Dec. 03 - New York, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall
ARMORED SAINT's latest album, "La Raza", sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 18 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200. "La Raza" also entered the German Media Control chart at No. 96 and the Canadian Independent chart at No. 85.
"La Raza" was recorded at Burbank, California's Tranzformer Studios, which is owned by Dave Jerdan (ALICE IN CHAINS, JANE'S ADDICTION), who produced ARMORED SAINT's 1991 classic "Symbol of Salvation" and Bryan Carlstrom, who engineered the same album. The band's first new release since 2001's "Nod to the Old School" was produced by Joey Vera and engineered by Carlstrom and his assistant John Nuss.
The band's current lineup is the same as the one on 2000's "Revelation" and 1992's "Symbol of Salvation" LPs:
John Bush (vocals)
Jeff Duncan (guitar)
Phil Sandoval (guitar)
Joey Vera (bass)
Gonzo Sandoval (drums)
Singer Jizzy Pearl has announced his departure from the Tracii Guns-led version of L.A. GUNS. He writes on his official web site, "After an amazing two years in L.A. GUNS, I have decided to move on. This decision was not based on anger or animosity — I have nothing but respect for Tracii and the guys. They can, and will, carry on better than ever. I wish all good luck and good music in the future."
Pearl, who was previously a member of both LOVE/HATE and RATT, joined L.A GUNS for the first time in 1999 and appeared on the band's "Shrinking Violet" album.
Tracii started L.A. GUNS while still in high school in 1982. The original singer, Michael Jagosz, was replaced by Axl Rose. Signed to PolyGram in '87, the band's self-titled debut, with Phil Lewis replacing Rose, sold over a million copies, as did "Cocked and Loaded" (1989) and "Hollywood Vampires" (1991).
Tracii Guns' L.A. GUNS is not to be confused with the Phil Lewis-led version of the group, which is also continuing to record and perform under the L.A. GUNS moniker.
In March of this year, Pearl released his third literary offering, "Unhappy Endings", a book written from his own experiences that takes the viewpoint of a rock star that has lived the life teens dream about.
Favored Nations Entertainment has set a September 27 release date for "Acoustic Gypsy Live" by L.A. GUNS (Tracii Guns, guitar; Danny Nordahl, bass; Chad Steward, drums; Jizzy Pearl, vocals, Teddy "Zig Zag" Andreadis, keyboards, Muddy Stardust; guitar and back-up vocals; Doni Gray, percussion). Produced, mixed and mastered by Grammy winner Neil Citron, this is the first acoustic album by the acclaimed Los Angeles band in its 29-year history, recorded at The Hotel Café in Hollywood.
Pearl, who was previously a member of both LOVE/HATE and RATT, joined L.A GUNS for the first time in 1999 and appeared on the band's "Shrinking Violet" album.
Tracii started L.A. GUNS while still in high school in 1982. The original singer, Michael Jagosz, was replaced by Axl Rose. Signed to PolyGram in '87, the band's self-titled debut, with Phil Lewis replacing Rose, sold over a million copies, as did "Cocked and Loaded" (1989) and "Hollywood Vampires" (1991).
Tracii Guns' L.A. GUNS is not to be confused with the Phil Lewis-led version of the group, which is also continuing to record and perform under the L.A. GUNS moniker.
In March of this year, Pearl released his third literary offering, "Unhappy Endings", a book written from his own experiences that takes the viewpoint of a rock star that has lived the life teens dream about.
Favored Nations Entertainment has set a September 27 release date for "Acoustic Gypsy Live" by L.A. GUNS (Tracii Guns, guitar; Danny Nordahl, bass; Chad Steward, drums; Jizzy Pearl, vocals, Teddy "Zig Zag" Andreadis, keyboards, Muddy Stardust; guitar and back-up vocals; Doni Gray, percussion). Produced, mixed and mastered by Grammy winner Neil Citron, this is the first acoustic album by the acclaimed Los Angeles band in its 29-year history, recorded at The Hotel Café in Hollywood.
In upcoming deluxe thrash metal photo book "Murder In The Front Row: Shots From The Bay Area Thrash Metal Epicenter" by Harald Oimoen and Brian Lew, guitarist Gary Holt of EXODUS (and currently a touring member of SLAYER) claims that the bruising scenes seen nightly at metal shows everywhere first came to thrash metal from punk at Ruthie's Inn in Berkeley, California.
"From our first show together with SLAYER," Holt writes, "to all the shows with everyone from DEATH ANGEL, POSSESSED, VIOLENCE, LEGACY, and many others, Ruthie's Inn lives in infamy because it's the one and only birthplace of violence becoming part and parcel to an EXODUS show. I had never seen a stage dive, a pit, or anything coming close to resembling that before Ruthie's. It was born there, with the help of Wes Robinson and the Exodus Slay Team, and anyone who says different doesn't know what they're talking about or they're lying to you. While the rest of the metal world would later come around and learn the joys of a little good friendly violent fun, it all started there at Ruthie's, end of story."
Holt's full essay joins over 400 color and black-and-white live, candid, and studio photos in the large-format hardcover "Murder In The Front Row" book, an untouchable eyewitness viewpoint into the sometimes violent mid-1980s San Francisco metal scene that launched METALLICA, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL and POSSESSED, and first supported MEGADETH and SLAYER. The book will be available December 2011 wherever books are sold, including directly from publisher Bazillion Points Books with a limited two-sided exclusive poster-size dustjacket.
"From our first show together with SLAYER," Holt writes, "to all the shows with everyone from DEATH ANGEL, POSSESSED, VIOLENCE, LEGACY, and many others, Ruthie's Inn lives in infamy because it's the one and only birthplace of violence becoming part and parcel to an EXODUS show. I had never seen a stage dive, a pit, or anything coming close to resembling that before Ruthie's. It was born there, with the help of Wes Robinson and the Exodus Slay Team, and anyone who says different doesn't know what they're talking about or they're lying to you. While the rest of the metal world would later come around and learn the joys of a little good friendly violent fun, it all started there at Ruthie's, end of story."
Holt's full essay joins over 400 color and black-and-white live, candid, and studio photos in the large-format hardcover "Murder In The Front Row" book, an untouchable eyewitness viewpoint into the sometimes violent mid-1980s San Francisco metal scene that launched METALLICA, EXODUS, TESTAMENT, DEATH ANGEL and POSSESSED, and first supported MEGADETH and SLAYER. The book will be available December 2011 wherever books are sold, including directly from publisher Bazillion Points Books with a limited two-sided exclusive poster-size dustjacket.
The outrageous and popular '80s-style "hair" band STEEL PANTHER will release its new album, "Balls Out", on November 1 (one day earlier in the U.K.). The CD's first U.K. single will be "If You Really, Really Love Me", an audio sample of which can be heard in the YouTube clip below. (Note: The first single in the U.S. will be "17 Girls In A Row".)
"Balls Out" track listing:
01. In The Future
02. Supersonic Sex Machine
03. Just Like Tiger Woods
04. 17 Girls In A Row
05. If You Really, Really Love Me
06. It Won't Suck Itself
07. Tomorrow Night
08. Why Can't You Trust Me
09. That's What Girls Are For
10. Gold-Digging Whore
11. I Like Drugs
12. Critter
13. Let Me Cum In
14. Weenie Ride
Check out the "Balls Out" cover artwork below.
In a May 2011 interview with Guitar International, Satchel stated about the recording process for "Balls Out", "We've been recording since last August and we've been tracking five songs at a time so we focus intently on a few songs rather than all 15 at once. We're just finishing up the last five now and they all sound amazing. I would say that out of the 15 songs we've recorded, there are at least 10 or 12 No. 1 singles in there."
When asked what lessons STEEL PANTHER learned from its 2009 debut, "Feel The Steel", that he and his bandmates applied to this new album, Satchel said, "It's funny because we haven't learned any lessons from our first record. We don't even think of it as our sophomore album, we think of it as our second debut release. Many bands will try to make a different-sounding record for their second release, but we couldn't really get any better than our first record. Our first record was awesome, so we decided to go in and make the same record for our second album, just better. We didn't really grow as writers. We didn't grow as musicians. In fact, I think I got a little bit worse . . . But because of that it's much better. It's kind of like a fine wine. If you let it sit there and let it get moldy, that's what they do with wine, right? Then you let the mold fester in the bottom of the bottle, that's what our music is like on this record. We're like a moldy cheese that's been left out in the sun all summer. You wouldn't think that it would taste good at the end of the summer, but surprisingly, it does. That's us in a nutshell."
Featuring vocalist Michael Starr (real name Ralph Saenz; ex-L.A. GUNS), guitarist Satchel (real name Russ Parrish; ex-FIGHT), drummer Stix Zadinia, bassist Lexxi Foxxx, and Satchel, STEEL PANTHER (formerly known as METAL SKOOL) is a parody heavy metal band from Los Angeles, known for its profane and humorous lyrics. The group's over-the-top live performances have attracted celebrities and fans alike, and in February 2009 the band succeeded in becoming one of the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best Tribute Band in the Universe."
"Balls Out" track listing:
01. In The Future
02. Supersonic Sex Machine
03. Just Like Tiger Woods
04. 17 Girls In A Row
05. If You Really, Really Love Me
06. It Won't Suck Itself
07. Tomorrow Night
08. Why Can't You Trust Me
09. That's What Girls Are For
10. Gold-Digging Whore
11. I Like Drugs
12. Critter
13. Let Me Cum In
14. Weenie Ride
Check out the "Balls Out" cover artwork below.
In a May 2011 interview with Guitar International, Satchel stated about the recording process for "Balls Out", "We've been recording since last August and we've been tracking five songs at a time so we focus intently on a few songs rather than all 15 at once. We're just finishing up the last five now and they all sound amazing. I would say that out of the 15 songs we've recorded, there are at least 10 or 12 No. 1 singles in there."
When asked what lessons STEEL PANTHER learned from its 2009 debut, "Feel The Steel", that he and his bandmates applied to this new album, Satchel said, "It's funny because we haven't learned any lessons from our first record. We don't even think of it as our sophomore album, we think of it as our second debut release. Many bands will try to make a different-sounding record for their second release, but we couldn't really get any better than our first record. Our first record was awesome, so we decided to go in and make the same record for our second album, just better. We didn't really grow as writers. We didn't grow as musicians. In fact, I think I got a little bit worse . . . But because of that it's much better. It's kind of like a fine wine. If you let it sit there and let it get moldy, that's what they do with wine, right? Then you let the mold fester in the bottom of the bottle, that's what our music is like on this record. We're like a moldy cheese that's been left out in the sun all summer. You wouldn't think that it would taste good at the end of the summer, but surprisingly, it does. That's us in a nutshell."
Featuring vocalist Michael Starr (real name Ralph Saenz; ex-L.A. GUNS), guitarist Satchel (real name Russ Parrish; ex-FIGHT), drummer Stix Zadinia, bassist Lexxi Foxxx, and Satchel, STEEL PANTHER (formerly known as METAL SKOOL) is a parody heavy metal band from Los Angeles, known for its profane and humorous lyrics. The group's over-the-top live performances have attracted celebrities and fans alike, and in February 2009 the band succeeded in becoming one of the most popular cover bands in California, winning the contest of "Best Tribute Band in the Universe."
MetalSucks recently conducted an interview with former NEVERMORE guitarist Jeff Loomis. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
MetalSucks: Let's dive right in with the obvious question: From your perspective, what happened with NEVERMORE?
Jeff: Van [Williams, drums] and I started discussing leaving NEVERMORE when we were on our last tour with SYMPHONY X in Europe. Obviously, as everyone knows, NEVERMORE had been together since 1993, and we were very happy for many years. I think that over a period of time, with excessive touring and doing records together, we just got burnt out from one another. There were also many issues with drinking and alcohol abuse [my own] included. I'm not out to do interviews about the end of NEVERMORE and just zero out particular people in the band; that would be wrong and false information anyway. We were on the last leg of the SYMPHONY X tour and Van and I had a talk with Warrel [Dane, vocals] backstage and we told him we didn't want to continue on with the next tour with SYMPHONY X in the States. We wanted to take some time and regroup, so to speak, and wait for Jim [Sheppard, bass] to come back, since he was recovering from brain surgery. Warrel really did not like that idea, but Van and I stuck with it, thinking it was a smart move to maybe start fresh at a later date. All hell kind of broke from that [discussion], because the concert promoter [in the U.S.] got pissed off, and I heard through the grapevine that we might get sued because of it. That's pretty much when Van and I issued a statement that we were going to depart from the band. I really just had had enough at the end. I want to do different things musically, and I think it was just better that we left. It was quite amazing, though, with all the response we got from our fans. It's really nice to know that we affected so many people in a positive way with our music.
MetalSucks: So you started discussing leaving the band during that tour... at that point, for how long had you known that there were serious problems within the band?
Jeff: For quite some time, actually... there were many problems health-wise that were kinda getting scary. Warrel had a problem with his pancreas and diabetes back in '05, and Jim recently underwent brain surgery to remove a small brain tumor, plus he had issues with Crohn's disease. Sometimes Jim wasn't able to tour because of that, and we would always have to find a replacement. Troubles happen all the time in bands, and we always dealt with them. I think that over a period of time, though, that started to kind of take a toll with never having the whole original band onstage at certain times when we were on tour. People were asking tons of questions about it, and we would do the best we could with trying to explain everything, but sometimes fans wouldn't understand or get the real picture of what was going on. So, yes, I would say from as early on as 2005, there were issues we had to deal with, medical-wise.
MetalSucks: So... not trying to get you to talk smack or anything, but Warrel said some very not nice things about Van in the press, and claimed he had learned you guys quit via Blabbermouth. Do you have any thoughts on the way he reacted? Did he learn about the split via the Internet?
Jeff: Yeah, when I read [what Warrel said about Van] I was really bummed. I've known Warrel for twenty years now, and still, to this day, I sometimes can't figure him out. He has known Van for almost twenty years as well, and to say something like that is really sad, especially after the numerous tours and records we have done together. Van is the kind of guy that speaks what he believes in. He is from New York and he is my best buddy. When certain issues would come up in the band, he never had a problem holding back his thoughts, and I don't think Warrel liked that very much. A lot of that started about five or six years ago when we used to get paid through Warrel and Jim. This sucked really bad for many reasons. Number one, you shouldn't be getting paid by other band members, especially when you're in a signed band. Van and I ended up going to our manager and lawyer to get paid through them. Equal split four ways. It's so simple. This bothered Warrel and Jim quite a bit. For some reason, Jim had always thought he was our "manager" and the one that could get things done. This actually worked for a while, but in the long run, it really didn't. I wish he would had just stuck to playing his bass at those times, because it ended up not being a good thing at all. I think Warrel might have heard prior to the Internet that Van and I wanted to leave, but you know, I can't be certain.
MetalSucks: Let's dive right in with the obvious question: From your perspective, what happened with NEVERMORE?
Jeff: Van [Williams, drums] and I started discussing leaving NEVERMORE when we were on our last tour with SYMPHONY X in Europe. Obviously, as everyone knows, NEVERMORE had been together since 1993, and we were very happy for many years. I think that over a period of time, with excessive touring and doing records together, we just got burnt out from one another. There were also many issues with drinking and alcohol abuse [my own] included. I'm not out to do interviews about the end of NEVERMORE and just zero out particular people in the band; that would be wrong and false information anyway. We were on the last leg of the SYMPHONY X tour and Van and I had a talk with Warrel [Dane, vocals] backstage and we told him we didn't want to continue on with the next tour with SYMPHONY X in the States. We wanted to take some time and regroup, so to speak, and wait for Jim [Sheppard, bass] to come back, since he was recovering from brain surgery. Warrel really did not like that idea, but Van and I stuck with it, thinking it was a smart move to maybe start fresh at a later date. All hell kind of broke from that [discussion], because the concert promoter [in the U.S.] got pissed off, and I heard through the grapevine that we might get sued because of it. That's pretty much when Van and I issued a statement that we were going to depart from the band. I really just had had enough at the end. I want to do different things musically, and I think it was just better that we left. It was quite amazing, though, with all the response we got from our fans. It's really nice to know that we affected so many people in a positive way with our music.
MetalSucks: So you started discussing leaving the band during that tour... at that point, for how long had you known that there were serious problems within the band?
Jeff: For quite some time, actually... there were many problems health-wise that were kinda getting scary. Warrel had a problem with his pancreas and diabetes back in '05, and Jim recently underwent brain surgery to remove a small brain tumor, plus he had issues with Crohn's disease. Sometimes Jim wasn't able to tour because of that, and we would always have to find a replacement. Troubles happen all the time in bands, and we always dealt with them. I think that over a period of time, though, that started to kind of take a toll with never having the whole original band onstage at certain times when we were on tour. People were asking tons of questions about it, and we would do the best we could with trying to explain everything, but sometimes fans wouldn't understand or get the real picture of what was going on. So, yes, I would say from as early on as 2005, there were issues we had to deal with, medical-wise.
MetalSucks: So... not trying to get you to talk smack or anything, but Warrel said some very not nice things about Van in the press, and claimed he had learned you guys quit via Blabbermouth. Do you have any thoughts on the way he reacted? Did he learn about the split via the Internet?
Jeff: Yeah, when I read [what Warrel said about Van] I was really bummed. I've known Warrel for twenty years now, and still, to this day, I sometimes can't figure him out. He has known Van for almost twenty years as well, and to say something like that is really sad, especially after the numerous tours and records we have done together. Van is the kind of guy that speaks what he believes in. He is from New York and he is my best buddy. When certain issues would come up in the band, he never had a problem holding back his thoughts, and I don't think Warrel liked that very much. A lot of that started about five or six years ago when we used to get paid through Warrel and Jim. This sucked really bad for many reasons. Number one, you shouldn't be getting paid by other band members, especially when you're in a signed band. Van and I ended up going to our manager and lawyer to get paid through them. Equal split four ways. It's so simple. This bothered Warrel and Jim quite a bit. For some reason, Jim had always thought he was our "manager" and the one that could get things done. This actually worked for a while, but in the long run, it really didn't. I wish he would had just stuck to playing his bass at those times, because it ended up not being a good thing at all. I think Warrel might have heard prior to the Internet that Van and I wanted to leave, but you know, I can't be certain.
LAMB OF GOD's Mark Morton is auctioning one of his stage guitars played during the band's performance at D-Tox Fest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. The guitar, a Mark Morton signature model Jackson Dominion from Morton's personal collection, is autographed and will come with photographs from the performance and a personal letter of appreciation and authenticity from Morton.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children in Randleman, North Carolina. More specifically, the funds generated by the auction will allow a child to experience Victory Junction for the first time.
During a recent visit to the camp, Morton and his family spent time with staff and campers, including 16-year old Brian Walker, a LAMB OF GOD fan, music lover and Victory Junction camper.
"Victory Junction is amazing," explained Morton. "One of the highlights for me was getting to hang out with Brian. Hearing first-hand about how special this camp is to these kids and learning about all the liberating experiences they pack into a week made me that much more thrilled about our auction. Not only will the winning bidder get a beautiful instrument, they will also receive the joy of knowing that their generosity gave a special child, like my buddy Brian, a week at camp that they will surely never forget!"
The auction will begin on Wednesday, September 21 and last for 10 days, ending on Saturday, October 1.
All proceeds from the auction will benefit Victory Junction, a camp for chronically ill children in Randleman, North Carolina. More specifically, the funds generated by the auction will allow a child to experience Victory Junction for the first time.
During a recent visit to the camp, Morton and his family spent time with staff and campers, including 16-year old Brian Walker, a LAMB OF GOD fan, music lover and Victory Junction camper.
"Victory Junction is amazing," explained Morton. "One of the highlights for me was getting to hang out with Brian. Hearing first-hand about how special this camp is to these kids and learning about all the liberating experiences they pack into a week made me that much more thrilled about our auction. Not only will the winning bidder get a beautiful instrument, they will also receive the joy of knowing that their generosity gave a special child, like my buddy Brian, a week at camp that they will surely never forget!"
The auction will begin on Wednesday, September 21 and last for 10 days, ending on Saturday, October 1.
"Sympathetic Resonance", the debut album from ARCH/MATHEOS — the new progressive rock band featuring FATES WARNING/OSI guitarist Jim Matheos and former FATES WARNING singer John Arch — sold around 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 13 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Sympathetic Resonance" entered the official chart in Germany at No. 27, in Austria at No. 67, and in Switzerland at No. 78.
Cover art for "Sympathetic Resonance" was fashioned using an image created by light painting photographer Dennis Calvert, who has described light painting as "The ability to see in four dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light."
Released on September 13 via Metal Blade Records, "Sympathetic Resonance" features the following track listing:
01. Neurotically Wired
02. Midnight Serenade
03. Stained Glass Sky
04. On the Fence
05. Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)
06. Incense and Myrrh
ARCH/MATHEOS features an all-star lineup, including the talents of Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) on drums, and Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) on additional lead guitar.
Comments Matheos: "I think John and I work really well together. There's a lot of mutual respect and trust in what we do. But we're also both very critical of ourselves, and each other. This can make for a long and sometimes tedious process. But ultimately it's one I enjoy because I think it brings out the best in both of us."
Adds Arch: "When I first heard some of the arrangements Jim had written and recorded, it took quite some time before I could wrap my mind around the odd time signatures and guitar work going on here. There are some long compositions, so putting anxiety and apprehension on the back burner it was time to dissect these numbers into digestible bits. After the lengthy process of lyrics and melodies, listening to the songs now, I can't imagine them any other way."
In terms of the lyrical content on "Sympathetic Resonance", John Arch notes that "the lyrics this time around are more in line with [Arch's 2003 solo EP] 'A Twist Of Fate' and not of the mystical nature of some past albums."
ARCH/MATHEOS recording lineup:
* John Arch (FATES WARNING) - Vocals
* Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, OSI) - Guitar
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) - Bass
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) - Drums
* Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) - Additional Lead Guitar
"Sympathetic Resonance" entered the official chart in Germany at No. 27, in Austria at No. 67, and in Switzerland at No. 78.
Cover art for "Sympathetic Resonance" was fashioned using an image created by light painting photographer Dennis Calvert, who has described light painting as "The ability to see in four dimensions, time traveling, and creating fantasy using only what we base all reality on, light."
Released on September 13 via Metal Blade Records, "Sympathetic Resonance" features the following track listing:
01. Neurotically Wired
02. Midnight Serenade
03. Stained Glass Sky
04. On the Fence
05. Any Given Day (Strangers Like Me)
06. Incense and Myrrh
ARCH/MATHEOS features an all-star lineup, including the talents of Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) on bass, Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) on drums, and Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) on additional lead guitar.
Comments Matheos: "I think John and I work really well together. There's a lot of mutual respect and trust in what we do. But we're also both very critical of ourselves, and each other. This can make for a long and sometimes tedious process. But ultimately it's one I enjoy because I think it brings out the best in both of us."
Adds Arch: "When I first heard some of the arrangements Jim had written and recorded, it took quite some time before I could wrap my mind around the odd time signatures and guitar work going on here. There are some long compositions, so putting anxiety and apprehension on the back burner it was time to dissect these numbers into digestible bits. After the lengthy process of lyrics and melodies, listening to the songs now, I can't imagine them any other way."
In terms of the lyrical content on "Sympathetic Resonance", John Arch notes that "the lyrics this time around are more in line with [Arch's 2003 solo EP] 'A Twist Of Fate' and not of the mystical nature of some past albums."
ARCH/MATHEOS recording lineup:
* John Arch (FATES WARNING) - Vocals
* Jim Matheos (FATES WARNING, OSI) - Guitar
* Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, ANTHRAX, FATES WARNING, SEVEN WITCHES) - Bass
* Bobby Jarzombek (HALFORD, FATES WARNING, SEBASTIAN BACH, RIOT) - Drums
* Frank Aresti (FATES WARNING) - Additional Lead Guitar
According to The Pulse Of Radio, DISTURBED frontman David Draiman and fiancée Lena Yada (a Japanese-American model, actress, professional tandem surfer and professional wrestler) will tie the knot on Sunday (September 25) at a secret, undisclosed location. The Pulse Of Radio asked Draiman how he thought becoming a married man might change his music. "You know, I can only imagine that it would give me more inspiration to write," he said. "I think that when you all of a sudden become a family man, and you have more to worry about than just yourself, your concerns, they build, in terms of things going on with the world, in terms of your life, in terms of your fears and your hopes and your dreams. And so I really think it'll be a tremendous catalyst for potential inspiration."
Meanwhile, DISTURBED has announced November 8 as the release date for its previously announced B-sides compilation, "The Lost Children", in addition to the full track listing.
DISTURBED revealed this past summer that the band was going on indefinite hiatus following the end of the touring cycle for its latest album, "Asylum". The band's last U.S. date took place on August 14 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Draiman has said that there's no certainty that DISTURBED will come back, but he also largely ruled out starting a solo project.
Meanwhile, DISTURBED has announced November 8 as the release date for its previously announced B-sides compilation, "The Lost Children", in addition to the full track listing.
DISTURBED revealed this past summer that the band was going on indefinite hiatus following the end of the touring cycle for its latest album, "Asylum". The band's last U.S. date took place on August 14 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Draiman has said that there's no certainty that DISTURBED will come back, but he also largely ruled out starting a solo project.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has told Artisan News that the band's next album may be a double-disc concept record. Taylor explained, "The thing I can say is that it's like little bits and pieces of the first three albums, but it's very dark. I've got a story . . . it's almost a concept album that I'm writing right now — and it might turn into a double album. There's a lot of really good material that we're all kinda coming up with and I'm really excited to get in to the studio and see what happens."
The follow-up to last year's "Audio Secrecy" may be out in 2012 — a shorter gap than usual between STONE SOUR projects.
Meanwhile, a STONE SOUR live DVD packaged with a covers EP is expected out before this Christmas. Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio why he and many musicians enjoying covering other artists' songs. "The thing I love about playing covers is that a) it's a chance to walk in the footsteps of your heroes," he said. "It's a chance to have fun. There's a certain amount of relaxation that comes when you don't have to worry about your song. This is someone else's song, you know. This is where you can relax and just remember why you're a music fan in the first place."
STONE SOUR has tapped former DREAM THEATER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD touring drummer Mike Portnoy to sit behind the kit for the band when it performs at the Rock In Rio festival on Saturday (September 24) in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. STONE SOUR's regular drummer, Roy Mayorga, is staying home to await the birth of his daughter, who is due to arrive on the same date.
The follow-up to last year's "Audio Secrecy" may be out in 2012 — a shorter gap than usual between STONE SOUR projects.
Meanwhile, a STONE SOUR live DVD packaged with a covers EP is expected out before this Christmas. Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio why he and many musicians enjoying covering other artists' songs. "The thing I love about playing covers is that a) it's a chance to walk in the footsteps of your heroes," he said. "It's a chance to have fun. There's a certain amount of relaxation that comes when you don't have to worry about your song. This is someone else's song, you know. This is where you can relax and just remember why you're a music fan in the first place."
STONE SOUR has tapped former DREAM THEATER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD touring drummer Mike Portnoy to sit behind the kit for the band when it performs at the Rock In Rio festival on Saturday (September 24) in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. STONE SOUR's regular drummer, Roy Mayorga, is staying home to await the birth of his daughter, who is due to arrive on the same date.
FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, the project featuring James "Munky" Shaffer (KORN) on guitar, Billy Gould (FAITH NO MORE) on bass, Steve Krolikowski (REPEATER) on vocals and Brooks Wackerman (BAD RELIGION) on drums, will release its self-titled debut album digitally on October 25. The effort was produced by Jim Monti and Leo Ross.
FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM was an idea Shaffer had while on a long break after the release of KORN's "untitled" album. He had the extremely cool epiphany of putting together a "supergroup" comprised of top class musicians he admires and had become friends with.
"I had been sitting at home for too long of a time," Shaffer explains. "When you are a creative person, you can't sit still for very long!"
Adds Wackerman, "The inception of FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM began through Munk. After I did the KORN record, he asked if I would be interested in playing on this music project, which was un-named at the time. I'd had a great experience with him with KORN, so I was eager to see what this was."
"Zac Baird and I had worked on a few ideas while touring with KORN," Shaffer continues. "So, when we started to record, those song ideas were our jumping off point. But, 90% of the album was created on the spot, then recorded.
"We were lucky to get the people we wanted to become involved with the project.
"During the songwriting process, I wanted everyone to contribute equally, and feel open to try any and every idea they wanted. Then we would record it and see if it would work in any of the songs later. In the studio, it really began with Brooks laying down some amazing drum tracks for the rest of us to write and arrange the songs around. That is where most of the initial creative spark started. Also, I wanted to everyone to have a good time recording.
"There was no label (except myself) pushing any of us to do this or that, no schedules… we all wanted to have fun and write some interesting music."
Quips Wackerman , "Besides hiring a band therapist, I remember it going well.
"All kidding aside, it was one of the best sessions I've had as a musician. I had a lot of freedom to experiment with.
"Most of these songs seemed to form in the studio, so we were able to go at it with different angles and maintain spontaneity throughout. Plus, the variety and quality of musicianship on this record added a lot to the sound."
According to FAITH NO MORE's always-gracious bassist Billy Gould, "There are some stellar tracks on this album, and I have to say that James and the guys did a great job on it, and I tried to help where I could."
The band name itself, FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, pretty much says it all. The music fits the name: powerful, in-your-face and just a bit unsettling… in a good way.
"At the time of recording this album, I was, let's say, 'feeling unusual,'" Shaffer laughs. "I was getting into lots of books, movies, and music. I had been listening to the album from the band PEEPING TOM, thus I researched the 1959 movie 'Peeping Tom', where the band had gotten their name. The writer and the director's stories were very inspiring to me. After obsessively viewing the film, I discovered that one of the characters (a psychiatrist) in the movie had written a series of books called 'Fear And The Nervous System'. In the movie, the character's father would conduct disturbing and frightful experiments on his son, then film and document them."
"The first time I heard the name, I thought it represented the whole enchilada," Brooks agrees.
So what else is in the cards for FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM? "Besides world domination? Hopefully we can take this to the stage when our schedules allow it," Wackerman says. "I think the fans would love to see FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM live, and I know we'd love doing it."
"Fear And The Nervous System" track listing:
01. Hell/Intro
02. Choking Victim
03. Chosen Ones
04. No Secrets
05. Chinatown
06. Beautiful Side
07. Triggers
08. Dissolve
09. Jaguar
10. Slow Motion
11. Last Drive
12. Ambien
FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM was an idea Shaffer had while on a long break after the release of KORN's "untitled" album. He had the extremely cool epiphany of putting together a "supergroup" comprised of top class musicians he admires and had become friends with.
"I had been sitting at home for too long of a time," Shaffer explains. "When you are a creative person, you can't sit still for very long!"
Adds Wackerman, "The inception of FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM began through Munk. After I did the KORN record, he asked if I would be interested in playing on this music project, which was un-named at the time. I'd had a great experience with him with KORN, so I was eager to see what this was."
"Zac Baird and I had worked on a few ideas while touring with KORN," Shaffer continues. "So, when we started to record, those song ideas were our jumping off point. But, 90% of the album was created on the spot, then recorded.
"We were lucky to get the people we wanted to become involved with the project.
"During the songwriting process, I wanted everyone to contribute equally, and feel open to try any and every idea they wanted. Then we would record it and see if it would work in any of the songs later. In the studio, it really began with Brooks laying down some amazing drum tracks for the rest of us to write and arrange the songs around. That is where most of the initial creative spark started. Also, I wanted to everyone to have a good time recording.
"There was no label (except myself) pushing any of us to do this or that, no schedules… we all wanted to have fun and write some interesting music."
Quips Wackerman , "Besides hiring a band therapist, I remember it going well.
"All kidding aside, it was one of the best sessions I've had as a musician. I had a lot of freedom to experiment with.
"Most of these songs seemed to form in the studio, so we were able to go at it with different angles and maintain spontaneity throughout. Plus, the variety and quality of musicianship on this record added a lot to the sound."
According to FAITH NO MORE's always-gracious bassist Billy Gould, "There are some stellar tracks on this album, and I have to say that James and the guys did a great job on it, and I tried to help where I could."
The band name itself, FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM, pretty much says it all. The music fits the name: powerful, in-your-face and just a bit unsettling… in a good way.
"At the time of recording this album, I was, let's say, 'feeling unusual,'" Shaffer laughs. "I was getting into lots of books, movies, and music. I had been listening to the album from the band PEEPING TOM, thus I researched the 1959 movie 'Peeping Tom', where the band had gotten their name. The writer and the director's stories were very inspiring to me. After obsessively viewing the film, I discovered that one of the characters (a psychiatrist) in the movie had written a series of books called 'Fear And The Nervous System'. In the movie, the character's father would conduct disturbing and frightful experiments on his son, then film and document them."
"The first time I heard the name, I thought it represented the whole enchilada," Brooks agrees.
So what else is in the cards for FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM? "Besides world domination? Hopefully we can take this to the stage when our schedules allow it," Wackerman says. "I think the fans would love to see FEAR AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM live, and I know we'd love doing it."
"Fear And The Nervous System" track listing:
01. Hell/Intro
02. Choking Victim
03. Chosen Ones
04. No Secrets
05. Chinatown
06. Beautiful Side
07. Triggers
08. Dissolve
09. Jaguar
10. Slow Motion
11. Last Drive
12. Ambien
CHIMAIRA will join forces with UNEARTH for "The Jägermeister Presents Tour" beginning on October 10 in Kent, Ohio. Also appearing on the bill is SKELETONWITCH.
"We are extremely excited to hit the road with our old friends in UNEARTH," says CHIMAIRA frontman Mark Hunter. "Crazy to think that our bands have been playing shows for over 10 years but never headlined together in the States. A lot of fans have been waiting for this lineup and now the wait is over. This is going to be a blast! Our friends at Jägermeister will be supplying the fun, we'll be blasting the tunes, and you guys bring the ruckus! I guarantee you don't want to miss this!"
Tickets will be on sale to the general public starting September 23 through each venue's ticketing outlet. Please check local listings for more details.
CHAIMARA, UNEARTH, SKELETONWITCH tour dates :
Nov. 13 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Nov. 14 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
Nov. 16 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
Nov. 17 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Nov. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Nov. 19 - Hampton Beach, NH - Wally's Pub
Nov. 20 - Springfield, VA - JAXX
Nov. 21 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
Nov. 22 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
Nov. 23 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
Nov. 25 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
Nov. 26 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
Nov. 27 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
Nov. 29 - Austin, TX - Emo's
Nov. 30 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
Dec. 01 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater *
Dec. 02 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
Dec. 03 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep *
Dec. 04 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
Dec. 05 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee Theatre *
Dec. 07 - Pomona, CA - Glass House *
Dec. 08 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Dec. 09 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Dec. 10 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory *
Dec. 11 - Calgary, AB - Republik
Dec. 12 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Dec. 14 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret
Dec. 16 - Cedar Falls, IA - Wheelhouse
Dec. 17 - Madison, WI - The Barrymore Theater
Dec. 18 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
* SKELETONWITCH not appearing on these dates
CHIMAIRA's new album, "The Age Of Hell", sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Infection", opened with 15,000 units back in April 2009 to land at No. 30. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by CHIMAIRA's 2007 album, "Resurrection", which shifted 16,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 42.
"The Age Of Hell" was released in the U.S. on August 16 via eOne Music; in Germany on August 26; and in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe on August 29 through Long Branch Records.
UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.
"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.
"We are extremely excited to hit the road with our old friends in UNEARTH," says CHIMAIRA frontman Mark Hunter. "Crazy to think that our bands have been playing shows for over 10 years but never headlined together in the States. A lot of fans have been waiting for this lineup and now the wait is over. This is going to be a blast! Our friends at Jägermeister will be supplying the fun, we'll be blasting the tunes, and you guys bring the ruckus! I guarantee you don't want to miss this!"
Tickets will be on sale to the general public starting September 23 through each venue's ticketing outlet. Please check local listings for more details.
CHAIMARA, UNEARTH, SKELETONWITCH tour dates :
Nov. 13 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
Nov. 14 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
Nov. 16 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
Nov. 17 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Nov. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Nov. 19 - Hampton Beach, NH - Wally's Pub
Nov. 20 - Springfield, VA - JAXX
Nov. 21 - Asheville, NC - The Orange Peel
Nov. 22 - Raleigh, NC - Lincoln Theater
Nov. 23 - Myrtle Beach, SC - House Of Blues
Nov. 25 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Revolution
Nov. 26 - St. Petersburg, FL - State Theatre
Nov. 27 - Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live
Nov. 29 - Austin, TX - Emo's
Nov. 30 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
Dec. 01 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater *
Dec. 02 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
Dec. 03 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep *
Dec. 04 - Farmington, NM - Top Deck
Dec. 05 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee Theatre *
Dec. 07 - Pomona, CA - Glass House *
Dec. 08 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Dec. 09 - Boise, ID - Knitting Factory
Dec. 10 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory *
Dec. 11 - Calgary, AB - Republik
Dec. 12 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
Dec. 14 - Winnipeg, MB - Pyramid Cabaret
Dec. 16 - Cedar Falls, IA - Wheelhouse
Dec. 17 - Madison, WI - The Barrymore Theater
Dec. 18 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Intersection
* SKELETONWITCH not appearing on these dates
CHIMAIRA's new album, "The Age Of Hell", sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The Infection", opened with 15,000 units back in April 2009 to land at No. 30. This figure was roughly in line with the first-week tally registered by CHIMAIRA's 2007 album, "Resurrection", which shifted 16,000 copies to enter the chart at No. 42.
"The Age Of Hell" was released in the U.S. on August 16 via eOne Music; in Germany on August 26; and in the United Kingdom, Australia and the rest of Europe on August 29 through Long Branch Records.
UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.
"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.
Roadrunner Records has announced the signing of THE AMITY AFFLICTION, easily one of the most head-turning and exciting hard rock bands to come barreling out of Australia. The band has scorched a trail Down Under and is now poised to stake its claim in the U.S. Roadrunner will release "Youngbloods" digitally on October 25 and the band will head back into the studio in early 2012 to record the follow-up with "Youngbloods" producer Machine (LAMB OF GOD, COBRA STARSHIP, SUICIDE SILENCE).
THE AMITY AFFLICTION's humble origins date back six years ago in a small town in Queensland, Australia. With an industrial sized bucket of elbow grease, the band became a fixture on the local touring circuit. THE AMITY AFFLICTION quickly ascended the ranks and became one of the best-loved bands in Oz. Armed with cheeky song titles, a party attitude and the type of aggressive and forward- thinking metal that will simultaneously make you think while putting hair on your chest, THE AMITY AFFLICTION deliver a poignant message encased in mosh-worthy anthems.
"Ever since I can remember in AMITY we've been dreaming big: big tours, big shows, big crowds, but never in our wildest dreams did we ever think something this big would come around," frontman Joel Birch said. "Signing to Roadrunner worldwide is almost beyond a dream come true, because there's no way any of us would have ever dreamed of being able to achieve something this monumental."
Birch continued, "We're proud to be added to such an incredible roster of bands, and having already spent time with some of the team at the label, we're excited to become a part of the larger Roadrunner family. This is a massive step forward for us as a band, and one we're going to be pouring all our energy into in the future."
The band's most recent album, "Youngbloods", debuted at No. 6 on the Australian chart and went on to get unprecedented nominations for "Best Hard Rock Performance" at both the ARIA and IMA awards. Following extensive touring overseas and an early evening slot on Soundwave 2011, the band returned to headline Australian in late May, selling 15,000+ tickets over the course of eight shows, including 4,500 tickets at their Brisbane homecoming at the outdoor Riverstage arena. "Youngbloods" was voted Best Album of 2011 on Triple J's "Short Fast Loud" program and in Blunt magazine, where they notched for their third cover in 18 months. That issue lands this coming October.
THE AMITY AFFLICTION's humble origins date back six years ago in a small town in Queensland, Australia. With an industrial sized bucket of elbow grease, the band became a fixture on the local touring circuit. THE AMITY AFFLICTION quickly ascended the ranks and became one of the best-loved bands in Oz. Armed with cheeky song titles, a party attitude and the type of aggressive and forward- thinking metal that will simultaneously make you think while putting hair on your chest, THE AMITY AFFLICTION deliver a poignant message encased in mosh-worthy anthems.
"Ever since I can remember in AMITY we've been dreaming big: big tours, big shows, big crowds, but never in our wildest dreams did we ever think something this big would come around," frontman Joel Birch said. "Signing to Roadrunner worldwide is almost beyond a dream come true, because there's no way any of us would have ever dreamed of being able to achieve something this monumental."
Birch continued, "We're proud to be added to such an incredible roster of bands, and having already spent time with some of the team at the label, we're excited to become a part of the larger Roadrunner family. This is a massive step forward for us as a band, and one we're going to be pouring all our energy into in the future."
The band's most recent album, "Youngbloods", debuted at No. 6 on the Australian chart and went on to get unprecedented nominations for "Best Hard Rock Performance" at both the ARIA and IMA awards. Following extensive touring overseas and an early evening slot on Soundwave 2011, the band returned to headline Australian in late May, selling 15,000+ tickets over the course of eight shows, including 4,500 tickets at their Brisbane homecoming at the outdoor Riverstage arena. "Youngbloods" was voted Best Album of 2011 on Triple J's "Short Fast Loud" program and in Blunt magazine, where they notched for their third cover in 18 months. That issue lands this coming October.
Bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling (PESTILENCE, ex-OBSCURA) has joined forces with producer and guitar/keyboard virtuoso Tommy Talamanca (SADIST) in a new recording project dubbed NUFUTIC.
"We are very stoked about this new collaboration," says Talamanca. "Our working field will be fusion-influenced metal, a direction that allows us to combine progressive elements of our musical backgrounds."
The Dutch/Italian project is holding video auditions for drummers who play jazz-fusion and metal. Interested parties should send their background info and performance web links via email to: contact [at] jeroenthesseling [dot] com.
Tommy has played with the Italian prog/death band SADIST since 1991 and appeared on their albums "Above The Light" (1993), "Tribe" (1996), "Crust" (1997), "Lego" (2000), "Sadist" (2007) and "Season In Silence" (2010). Last year, Tommy contributed a guitar solo to the track "Euclidean Elements" on OBSCURA's latest album, "Omnivium".
Thesseling collaborated with OBSCURA from 2008 to 2011 and recorded the band's full-length albums "Cosmogenesis" (2009) and "Omnivium" (2011). In 2009 Jeroen rejoined Dutch death metallers PESTILENCE after a 15-year hiatus. He recorded PESTILENCE's fourth and sixth studio albums, "Spheres" (1993) and "Doctrine" (2011).
"We are very stoked about this new collaboration," says Talamanca. "Our working field will be fusion-influenced metal, a direction that allows us to combine progressive elements of our musical backgrounds."
The Dutch/Italian project is holding video auditions for drummers who play jazz-fusion and metal. Interested parties should send their background info and performance web links via email to: contact [at] jeroenthesseling [dot] com.
Tommy has played with the Italian prog/death band SADIST since 1991 and appeared on their albums "Above The Light" (1993), "Tribe" (1996), "Crust" (1997), "Lego" (2000), "Sadist" (2007) and "Season In Silence" (2010). Last year, Tommy contributed a guitar solo to the track "Euclidean Elements" on OBSCURA's latest album, "Omnivium".
Thesseling collaborated with OBSCURA from 2008 to 2011 and recorded the band's full-length albums "Cosmogenesis" (2009) and "Omnivium" (2011). In 2009 Jeroen rejoined Dutch death metallers PESTILENCE after a 15-year hiatus. He recorded PESTILENCE's fourth and sixth studio albums, "Spheres" (1993) and "Doctrine" (2011).
The first photo of the new lineup of the Swedish thrash metal band DARKANE — featuring returning vocalist Lawrence Mackrory — can be seen below.
DARKANE has just kicked off its European headlining run, "The Demonic Alliance Tour", with support from DESTINITY and DEVASTATING ENEMY.
Remaining tour dates:
Sep. 21 - Paris - Glaz'art - FR
Sep. 22 - Eindhoven - Dynamo - NL
Sep. 23 - Hengelo - Metropool - NL
Sep. 24 - Leeuwarden - Harmonie (FREEZE FEST) - NL
Sep. 25 - Lille - Roubaix - Hotel de la musique - FR
Sep. 26 - Osnabruck - Bastard club - DE
Sep. 27 - Berlin - Dazzle Danzclub - DE
Sep. 28 - Bratislava - U Ocka music club - SK
Sep. 29 - Wien - Escape metal corner - AT
Sep. 30 - Stuttgart - Club Zentral - DE
Oct. 01 - Zurich - Dynamo (VIOLENT-FORCE Metalfest) - CH
Oct. 02 - Annecy - Brise glace – FR
Vocalist Jens Broman left DARKANE in early August due to "personal issues." He explained in a statement, "At the moment my life is in a phase where I'm unable to find inspiration for new adventures with DARKANE and therefore it's best for me to pass on the mic."
Mackrory sang on DARKANE's debut album, "Rusted Angel" (1999), and made a guest appearance on the song "Chaos vs. Order" on the band's 2002 effort "Expanding Senses".
Commented Mackrory: "It is with great pleasure I can finally announce my return to DARKANE. I have been waiting for this opportunity to appear and finally the time was right for me to continue what we started 13 years ago. Both Andreas and Jens have done a tremendous job with the band, which will keep me on my toes while performing live, for sure.
"The first time I met Peter, Christofer, Klas and Jörgen was when they arrived at the studio in my hometown in Uppsala to record the debut album, 'Rusted Angel'. We had only spoken on the phone before and yet there I was, ready to record an album with them. After my departure, we remained good friends but didn't really see much of each other since we lived in different parts of the country. Now the chemistry between the five of us is more vibrant than ever and I can't wait to go on tour and perform songs from all five albums.
"The new DARKANE album is already in the works and I can guarantee that all fans, both old and new, will enjoy this record. So far the demos sound awesome, let's just leave it at that.
I'm looking forward to finally meeting all DARKANE fans on the road."
Commented DARKANE: "We are all very excited about the future, and are also working hard on the new album. We recently finished building the studio that we've been working on over the last 18 months, and we are very satisfied."
Mackrory's new gig with DARKANE with not affect his position in F.K.Ü. and he will remain an active member of both bands.
New rehearsal footage of DARKANE with Mackrory on vocals can be seen below.
"Demonic Art", the fifth album from DARKANE, debuted at No. 104 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Demonic Art" was released in North America in February 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The North America version of the CD, which came out in Europe on October 24, 2008 via Massacre Records, contains a bonus track and a bonus DVD.
DARKANE has just kicked off its European headlining run, "The Demonic Alliance Tour", with support from DESTINITY and DEVASTATING ENEMY.
Remaining tour dates:
Sep. 21 - Paris - Glaz'art - FR
Sep. 22 - Eindhoven - Dynamo - NL
Sep. 23 - Hengelo - Metropool - NL
Sep. 24 - Leeuwarden - Harmonie (FREEZE FEST) - NL
Sep. 25 - Lille - Roubaix - Hotel de la musique - FR
Sep. 26 - Osnabruck - Bastard club - DE
Sep. 27 - Berlin - Dazzle Danzclub - DE
Sep. 28 - Bratislava - U Ocka music club - SK
Sep. 29 - Wien - Escape metal corner - AT
Sep. 30 - Stuttgart - Club Zentral - DE
Oct. 01 - Zurich - Dynamo (VIOLENT-FORCE Metalfest) - CH
Oct. 02 - Annecy - Brise glace – FR
Vocalist Jens Broman left DARKANE in early August due to "personal issues." He explained in a statement, "At the moment my life is in a phase where I'm unable to find inspiration for new adventures with DARKANE and therefore it's best for me to pass on the mic."
Mackrory sang on DARKANE's debut album, "Rusted Angel" (1999), and made a guest appearance on the song "Chaos vs. Order" on the band's 2002 effort "Expanding Senses".
Commented Mackrory: "It is with great pleasure I can finally announce my return to DARKANE. I have been waiting for this opportunity to appear and finally the time was right for me to continue what we started 13 years ago. Both Andreas and Jens have done a tremendous job with the band, which will keep me on my toes while performing live, for sure.
"The first time I met Peter, Christofer, Klas and Jörgen was when they arrived at the studio in my hometown in Uppsala to record the debut album, 'Rusted Angel'. We had only spoken on the phone before and yet there I was, ready to record an album with them. After my departure, we remained good friends but didn't really see much of each other since we lived in different parts of the country. Now the chemistry between the five of us is more vibrant than ever and I can't wait to go on tour and perform songs from all five albums.
"The new DARKANE album is already in the works and I can guarantee that all fans, both old and new, will enjoy this record. So far the demos sound awesome, let's just leave it at that.
I'm looking forward to finally meeting all DARKANE fans on the road."
Commented DARKANE: "We are all very excited about the future, and are also working hard on the new album. We recently finished building the studio that we've been working on over the last 18 months, and we are very satisfied."
Mackrory's new gig with DARKANE with not affect his position in F.K.Ü. and he will remain an active member of both bands.
New rehearsal footage of DARKANE with Mackrory on vocals can be seen below.
"Demonic Art", the fifth album from DARKANE, debuted at No. 104 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Demonic Art" was released in North America in February 2009 via Nuclear Blast Records. The North America version of the CD, which came out in Europe on October 24, 2008 via Massacre Records, contains a bonus track and a bonus DVD.
"The Sea Of Memories", the new album from the reformed British alternative rock band BUSH, sold 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on September 13, the CD was produced by Bob Rock (AEROSMITH, METALLICA) and is the first BUSH album to be made available via the band's own imprint, Zuma Rock Records, through an exclusive partnership with eOne Music.
BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale revealed in a new interview with Billboard.com that he split with longtime label Interscope in 2010 after the initial sessions for the group's new album with Bob Rock failed to produce the kind of radio hit that Interscope was looking for. After signing with the MGMT Company, a division of Front Line Management, BUSH worked with Rock to record five new songs and revamp the existing tracks, resulting in "The Sea of Memories".
BUSH's new video, "The Sound Of Winter", was directed by Meiert Avis (U2, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN) and can be seen below.
BUSH's 1994 breakout debut, "Sixteen Stone", on Trauma/Interscope, sold more than 6 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and remains the group's best-selling release to date. The follow-up effort, 1996's "Razorblade Suitcase", entered the The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 and sold 3 million.
Rossdale formed a band called INSTITUTE and released one album with them in 2005 after BUSH went on hiatus, then issued a solo CD in 2008, "Wanderlust", which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 138,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The current BUSH lineup includes original drummer Robin Goodridge, guitarist Chris Traynor and bassist Corey Britz. Traynor replaced original axeman Nigel Pulsford in 2001 while Britz has stepped in for Dave Parsons.
BUSH frontman Gavin Rossdale revealed in a new interview with Billboard.com that he split with longtime label Interscope in 2010 after the initial sessions for the group's new album with Bob Rock failed to produce the kind of radio hit that Interscope was looking for. After signing with the MGMT Company, a division of Front Line Management, BUSH worked with Rock to record five new songs and revamp the existing tracks, resulting in "The Sea of Memories".
BUSH's new video, "The Sound Of Winter", was directed by Meiert Avis (U2, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN) and can be seen below.
BUSH's 1994 breakout debut, "Sixteen Stone", on Trauma/Interscope, sold more than 6 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and remains the group's best-selling release to date. The follow-up effort, 1996's "Razorblade Suitcase", entered the The Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 and sold 3 million.
Rossdale formed a band called INSTITUTE and released one album with them in 2005 after BUSH went on hiatus, then issued a solo CD in 2008, "Wanderlust", which peaked at No. 33 on the Billboard 200 and has sold 138,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The current BUSH lineup includes original drummer Robin Goodridge, guitarist Chris Traynor and bassist Corey Britz. Traynor replaced original axeman Nigel Pulsford in 2001 while Britz has stepped in for Dave Parsons.
ALTER BRIDGE has confirmed the track listing for the "AB 3.5" CD/DVD special edition, to be released on October 17. It is as follows:
01. Slip To The Void
02. Isolation
03. Ghost Of Days Gone By
04. All Hope Is Gone
05. Still Remains
06. Make It Right
07. Wonderful Life
08. I Know It Hurts
09. Show Me A Sign
10. Fallout
11. Breathe Again
12. Couer d'Alene
13. Life Must Go On
14. Words Darker Than Their Wings
15. Zero (extra track)
16. Home (extra track)
17. Never Born To Follow (extra track)
Bonus DVD:
"One By One" – a full-length documentary on the story of ALTER BRIDGE.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALTER BRIDGE drummer Scott Phillips has confirmed that the band will take 2012 off so that the instrumental members of ALTER BRIDGE — Phillips, bassist Brian Marshall and guitarist Mark Tremonti — can return to CREED. Meanwhile, ALTER BRIDGE singer Myles Kennedy will get back to work with guitar legend Slash on his second solo album, on which Kennedy will do all the vocals.
Phillips told the Fay Observer, "We've got a few more weeks on this tour, then we'll recharge for bit before heading to Europe for some shows . . . Myles is working with Slash next year, while we'll be working with CREED next year. Then we'll have some tours, and then come back as ALTER BRIDGE. Look to 2013 for new material."
ALTER BRIDGE has been on the road since last year in support of its third album, "AB III".
CREED will record a new album and tour next year, while singer Scott Stapp has also been working on a new solo disc.
Kennedy contributed vocals to two songs on Slash's 2010 solo debut and was the frontman for the ex-GUNS N' ROSES axeman's touring band. He will now sing all the songs on Slash's sophomore set.
01. Slip To The Void
02. Isolation
03. Ghost Of Days Gone By
04. All Hope Is Gone
05. Still Remains
06. Make It Right
07. Wonderful Life
08. I Know It Hurts
09. Show Me A Sign
10. Fallout
11. Breathe Again
12. Couer d'Alene
13. Life Must Go On
14. Words Darker Than Their Wings
15. Zero (extra track)
16. Home (extra track)
17. Never Born To Follow (extra track)
Bonus DVD:
"One By One" – a full-length documentary on the story of ALTER BRIDGE.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, ALTER BRIDGE drummer Scott Phillips has confirmed that the band will take 2012 off so that the instrumental members of ALTER BRIDGE — Phillips, bassist Brian Marshall and guitarist Mark Tremonti — can return to CREED. Meanwhile, ALTER BRIDGE singer Myles Kennedy will get back to work with guitar legend Slash on his second solo album, on which Kennedy will do all the vocals.
Phillips told the Fay Observer, "We've got a few more weeks on this tour, then we'll recharge for bit before heading to Europe for some shows . . . Myles is working with Slash next year, while we'll be working with CREED next year. Then we'll have some tours, and then come back as ALTER BRIDGE. Look to 2013 for new material."
ALTER BRIDGE has been on the road since last year in support of its third album, "AB III".
CREED will record a new album and tour next year, while singer Scott Stapp has also been working on a new solo disc.
Kennedy contributed vocals to two songs on Slash's 2010 solo debut and was the frontman for the ex-GUNS N' ROSES axeman's touring band. He will now sing all the songs on Slash's sophomore set.
Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place August 2-4, 2012 in Wacken, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMON AMARTH
AXEL RUDI PELL
CRADLE OF FILTH
DARK FUNERAL
DIMMU BORGIR
ENDSTILLE
FORBIDDEN
GAMMA RAY
HAMMERFALL
HENRY ROLLINS (spoken word)
IN EXTREMO
MINISTRY
MOONSPELL
PARADISE LOST
SCORPIONS
SIX FEET UNDER
U.D.O.
WATAIN
WINTERFYLLETH
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMON AMARTH
AXEL RUDI PELL
CRADLE OF FILTH
DARK FUNERAL
DIMMU BORGIR
ENDSTILLE
FORBIDDEN
GAMMA RAY
HAMMERFALL
HENRY ROLLINS (spoken word)
IN EXTREMO
MINISTRY
MOONSPELL
PARADISE LOST
SCORPIONS
SIX FEET UNDER
U.D.O.
WATAIN
WINTERFYLLETH
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MARKETPLACE
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