German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS will release "Comeblack", a collection of re-recorded versions of the band's classics songs, on November 4 via Sony. The effort will be made available as a CD and on double vinyl.
The "Comeblack" cover artwork can be seen below.
In a recent interview with ArabNews.com, SCORPIONS frontman Klaus Meine stated about the group's future plans, "Our newest project comes out in the next few months. It gives you a chance to experience the SCORPIONS in 3D. You can actually feel the smoke string out of the guitar like it is a live show. It is an incredible experience. The DVD features our concerts in 3D in Germany. We are just about to do the mix and it should be in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia hopefully soon. Indeed, the strong 3D technology makes us feel like pioneers after all these years. (Laughs) We have an album coming out later this year featuring classics. You know our love for them. The '60s was the era for our inspiration. Our movie/documentary also is soon to be released. We have cameras with us on tours, so this documentary is being made during or tours. It also gives you a picture of the SCORPIONS career and journey."
The SCORPIONS' current trek — in celebration of 40-plus years in music — has been a massive success in a soft touring economy, with the group filling many of the arenas they performed at in the United States and Canada.
SCORPIONS' latest album, "Sting In The Tail", sold 18,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marks the band's highest chart debut in over 20 years. The CD also landed at No. 6 on the Rock Albums chart.
"Sting In The Tail" was released in North America on March 23, 2010 via Universal Music Enterprises. The CD was recorded at a studio in Hannover, Germany with Swedish producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen (the team behind THE RASMUS' "Dead Letters" CD).
The "Comeblack" cover artwork can be seen below.
In a recent interview with ArabNews.com, SCORPIONS frontman Klaus Meine stated about the group's future plans, "Our newest project comes out in the next few months. It gives you a chance to experience the SCORPIONS in 3D. You can actually feel the smoke string out of the guitar like it is a live show. It is an incredible experience. The DVD features our concerts in 3D in Germany. We are just about to do the mix and it should be in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia hopefully soon. Indeed, the strong 3D technology makes us feel like pioneers after all these years. (Laughs) We have an album coming out later this year featuring classics. You know our love for them. The '60s was the era for our inspiration. Our movie/documentary also is soon to be released. We have cameras with us on tours, so this documentary is being made during or tours. It also gives you a picture of the SCORPIONS career and journey."
The SCORPIONS' current trek — in celebration of 40-plus years in music — has been a massive success in a soft touring economy, with the group filling many of the arenas they performed at in the United States and Canada.
SCORPIONS' latest album, "Sting In The Tail", sold 18,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marks the band's highest chart debut in over 20 years. The CD also landed at No. 6 on the Rock Albums chart.
"Sting In The Tail" was released in North America on March 23, 2010 via Universal Music Enterprises. The CD was recorded at a studio in Hannover, Germany with Swedish producers Mikael "Nord" Andersson and Martin Hansen (the team behind THE RASMUS' "Dead Letters" CD).
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/scorpionscomeblack.jpg
EMI has set a November 7 release date for a new WHITESNAKE box set entitled "Box O'Snakes: The Sunburst Years 1978-1982". The set will contain eight CDs (every studio and live album recorded for the EMI label), one DVD (include a Washington 1980 show, the promotional singles from 1978-1982 and BBC TV performances), a limited-edition seven-inch single and a 90-page book with new interview and previously unseen photos.
A photo of the box set can be seen below.
For the complete track listings, visit the Darker Than Blue web site.
WHITESNAKE's new album, "Forevermore", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded, produced and mixed by Los Bros Brutalos (Coverdale, guitarist Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre).
WHITESNAKE's "Live At Donington 1990" DVD/live double CD set was made available on June 3 in Europe and June 7 in North America via Frontiers Records. This incredible, never-before-seen, visual footage captures one of the most musically intense WHITESNAKE lineups performing in front of more than 70,000 fans. Mixed in glorious 5.1 and living, breathing stereo, it's the next best thing to actually being there! WHITESNAKE 1990 featured guitar greats Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and, of course, incomparable frontman David Coverdale. The "Live At Donington" 1990 DVD also includes a substantial gallery of never before seen stills of the band on the "Liquor & Poker World Tour 1990", plus an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary of the making-of the "Slip Of The Tongue" album.
The "Live At Donington 1990" is available in 2CD set, DVD coverpack, combo 2CD + DVD in digipak and digital edition.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/whitesnakebox.jpg
A photo of the box set can be seen below.
For the complete track listings, visit the Darker Than Blue web site.
WHITESNAKE's new album, "Forevermore", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded, produced and mixed by Los Bros Brutalos (Coverdale, guitarist Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre).
WHITESNAKE's "Live At Donington 1990" DVD/live double CD set was made available on June 3 in Europe and June 7 in North America via Frontiers Records. This incredible, never-before-seen, visual footage captures one of the most musically intense WHITESNAKE lineups performing in front of more than 70,000 fans. Mixed in glorious 5.1 and living, breathing stereo, it's the next best thing to actually being there! WHITESNAKE 1990 featured guitar greats Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and, of course, incomparable frontman David Coverdale. The "Live At Donington" 1990 DVD also includes a substantial gallery of never before seen stills of the band on the "Liquor & Poker World Tour 1990", plus an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary of the making-of the "Slip Of The Tongue" album.
The "Live At Donington 1990" is available in 2CD set, DVD coverpack, combo 2CD + DVD in digipak and digital edition.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/whitesnakebox.jpg
Hard rock fans who love wine, but hate the image can now pick up a bottle of ruby that's been approved by the crown prince of rock and metal himself, Lemmy Kilmister — Motörhead Shiraz.
The Australian Shiraz, which is available in the U.K. from Great Wine Online, has been carefully selected by the hard rock legends and has been described as a wine with a fruity aroma, flavors of vanilla, blackberries, plums, eucalyptus and liquorice, but with soft rounded tannins. Or, as Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer, bass player and founder of the band, puts it: "My advice is — approach it with caution. I mean, wine is deceptive, anything can happen."
MOTÖRHEAD's signature wine made its world debut in Sweden in 2010, and has been hitting Scandinavia like a Lancaster bomber, perhaps due to the band's tremendous following there. 120,000 bottles have already flown over the counters.
Ewen Cameron from Great Wine Online, the U.K. wholesaler and distributor, comments: "This is rock 'n' roll's grape number one, and just like Lemmy, it can survive just about anything. It was selected together with the band, and we're certain that hard rock fans in the U.K. will love it. Wine is perhaps not their traditional drink choice, but this Shiraz has all the attitude to win them over — from the iconic label to the intense taste."
The wine, which should be served slightly cooler than usual around 16-18 degrees, goes well with lamb or beef dishes, as well as pasta and flavoursome cheeses. The band recommends drinking it with grilled lamp chops with garlic and rosemary, while listening to anything by MOTÖRHEAD, from 1980's "Ace Of Spades" to last year's universally acclaimed "The Wörld Is Yours" — denim and leather optional.
The initiative for Motörhead Shiraz came from Bevarages Per Minute Sweden who contacted the band with the idea. Grapes Svenska AB was commissioned to produce it.
Name: Motörhead Shiraz 2010
Price: £86.40 for Case of 6 bottles á 750 ml
Producer: Broken Back Winery, South Eastern Australia
Region: Australia, South Eastern Australia
Distribution: www.greatwineonline.co.uk
For more information, please visit www.motorheadwine.com.
The Australian Shiraz, which is available in the U.K. from Great Wine Online, has been carefully selected by the hard rock legends and has been described as a wine with a fruity aroma, flavors of vanilla, blackberries, plums, eucalyptus and liquorice, but with soft rounded tannins. Or, as Lemmy Kilmister, lead singer, bass player and founder of the band, puts it: "My advice is — approach it with caution. I mean, wine is deceptive, anything can happen."
MOTÖRHEAD's signature wine made its world debut in Sweden in 2010, and has been hitting Scandinavia like a Lancaster bomber, perhaps due to the band's tremendous following there. 120,000 bottles have already flown over the counters.
Ewen Cameron from Great Wine Online, the U.K. wholesaler and distributor, comments: "This is rock 'n' roll's grape number one, and just like Lemmy, it can survive just about anything. It was selected together with the band, and we're certain that hard rock fans in the U.K. will love it. Wine is perhaps not their traditional drink choice, but this Shiraz has all the attitude to win them over — from the iconic label to the intense taste."
The wine, which should be served slightly cooler than usual around 16-18 degrees, goes well with lamb or beef dishes, as well as pasta and flavoursome cheeses. The band recommends drinking it with grilled lamp chops with garlic and rosemary, while listening to anything by MOTÖRHEAD, from 1980's "Ace Of Spades" to last year's universally acclaimed "The Wörld Is Yours" — denim and leather optional.
The initiative for Motörhead Shiraz came from Bevarages Per Minute Sweden who contacted the band with the idea. Grapes Svenska AB was commissioned to produce it.
Name: Motörhead Shiraz 2010
Price: £86.40 for Case of 6 bottles á 750 ml
Producer: Broken Back Winery, South Eastern Australia
Region: Australia, South Eastern Australia
Distribution: www.greatwineonline.co.uk
For more information, please visit www.motorheadwine.com.
The musical collaboration between Lou Reed and METALLICA, "Lulu", will be released on November 1 in North America via Warner Bros. Records and one day earlier (October 31) in the rest of the world through Universal Music. The CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
The deluxe version of "Lulu", which will come in a tube-shaped container measuring 13 centimeters x 1.24 meters, will include the following:
* 2xCD digipack package
* A large 1.2 m x 1.6 m poster (with song lyrics)
* 3 photographs by Anton Corbijn (50 cm x 50.8 cm)
Check out photos of the "Lulu" deluxe edition below.
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
The deluxe version of "Lulu", which will come in a tube-shaped container measuring 13 centimeters x 1.24 meters, will include the following:
* 2xCD digipack package
* A large 1.2 m x 1.6 m poster (with song lyrics)
* 3 photographs by Anton Corbijn (50 cm x 50.8 cm)
Check out photos of the "Lulu" deluxe edition below.
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
The musical collaboration between Lou Reed and METALLICA, "Lulu", will be released on November 1 in North America via Warner Bros. Records and one day earlier (October 31) in the rest of the world through Universal Music. The CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
Dragon lyrics:
You don't actually care
Love for you is no beginning
You're not really there
Hallucination
I thought you were listening
Hallucination
I thought you were listening
Hallucination
I understand you think you're above it
The adolescent sense of the sky
The feeling of billowing heartbeats
The fingertips run through your hair
They run through your hair
Hallucination
Hallucination
Oh you think you're so special
That there's no law meant for you
You come and go like the goddess you are
We're mere mortals below
Fingertips run through your hair
We are mere mortals below
Are meant to be peons
Are meant to be servants
Are meant to be dismissible objects
One fucks with
One fucks with
Poor pitiful creature
The winner in heartbreak
The winner in caring
The winner in every miniscule method of wearing
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My, my caring for you
Caring for you
Do you think we're a book
Some kind of a table
You can rest your feet on when you're able
Red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
Poor pitiful creature
To notice the pining
The self deprivation
The self flagellation of you
Dear worshippers
We do like you regal
We do like you haughty
We do love to look upon your perfect body
The hair on your shoulders
The smell of your armpit
The taste of your vulva and everything on it
We all really love you
And you have no meaning
You don't even see us
You were never caring
You go do what you do
You do it for you
No one exists with you
You're way above caring
Leave a trail upon the wake
That no one ever tries to take
Because waiting for you
Thinking of you
Is another way of dying
Is another way of dying
I'm clawing your chest
'Til your collarbone bleeds
Piercing your nipples 'til I bite them off
I scratch your face and bite your shoulders
Way above caring
Way above caring
And your Kotex jukebox
Your Kotex jukebox
I'm doomed, I'm swearing
Waiting for you
In your high heels and nightie
Your leather dress squeaking
Latex now sweating, waiting for you
In your tincture
Your opium white bathrobe
Your white tiles run red now
Are we both dead now?
The liquid exchange of our heart
The liquid exchange of our heart
Are we both dead now?
You're way above caring
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring
My caring for you
My caring for you
You're way beyond caring
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Leave a trail upon the wake
That no one ever tries to take
Because waiting for you
Because thinking of you
Is another way of dying
You're way above caring
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
You poor pitiful creature
The mistake of feeling
The one who rejects you is the winner,
It's true
The winner in heartbreak
The winner in caring
The winner in every miniscule method of wearing
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
Your heart on your fuckin' sleeve
My caring for you
We were meant to be peons
We're meant to be peons
Mere mortals below
Meant to be servants
Meant to be dismissible objects one fucks with
Oh, oh, oh you're so special
No law meant for you
You come and go like the goddess you are
The fingertips run through your hair
A billowing heart beats
Feeling
Feeling
What a glorious feeling
To be so rejected
So rejected
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
You think I'm a book or a table
You can rest your fuckin' feet on
When you're able
The taste of your vulva, everything on it
The hair on your shoulders
The smell of your armpit
We do love you, to look upon your perfect body
We love you regal
We love you haughty
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Caring
Oh my dear
Oh my dear
Oh my dear
Oblivious to caring
Are we really dead now?
Are we both dead now? [End of lyrics]
The deluxe version of "Lulu", which will come in a tube-shaped container measuring 13 centimeters x 1.24 meters, will include the following:
* 2xCD digipack package
* A large 1.2 m x 1.6 m poster (with song lyrics)
* 3 photographs by Anton Corbijn (50 cm x 50.8 cm)
Check out photos of the "Lulu" deluxe edition below.
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
Dragon lyrics:
You don't actually care
Love for you is no beginning
You're not really there
Hallucination
I thought you were listening
Hallucination
I thought you were listening
Hallucination
I understand you think you're above it
The adolescent sense of the sky
The feeling of billowing heartbeats
The fingertips run through your hair
They run through your hair
Hallucination
Hallucination
Oh you think you're so special
That there's no law meant for you
You come and go like the goddess you are
We're mere mortals below
Fingertips run through your hair
We are mere mortals below
Are meant to be peons
Are meant to be servants
Are meant to be dismissible objects
One fucks with
One fucks with
Poor pitiful creature
The winner in heartbreak
The winner in caring
The winner in every miniscule method of wearing
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My, my caring for you
Caring for you
Do you think we're a book
Some kind of a table
You can rest your feet on when you're able
Red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
Poor pitiful creature
To notice the pining
The self deprivation
The self flagellation of you
Dear worshippers
We do like you regal
We do like you haughty
We do love to look upon your perfect body
The hair on your shoulders
The smell of your armpit
The taste of your vulva and everything on it
We all really love you
And you have no meaning
You don't even see us
You were never caring
You go do what you do
You do it for you
No one exists with you
You're way above caring
Leave a trail upon the wake
That no one ever tries to take
Because waiting for you
Thinking of you
Is another way of dying
Is another way of dying
I'm clawing your chest
'Til your collarbone bleeds
Piercing your nipples 'til I bite them off
I scratch your face and bite your shoulders
Way above caring
Way above caring
And your Kotex jukebox
Your Kotex jukebox
I'm doomed, I'm swearing
Waiting for you
In your high heels and nightie
Your leather dress squeaking
Latex now sweating, waiting for you
In your tincture
Your opium white bathrobe
Your white tiles run red now
Are we both dead now?
The liquid exchange of our heart
The liquid exchange of our heart
Are we both dead now?
You're way above caring
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring
My caring for you
My caring for you
You're way beyond caring
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Leave a trail upon the wake
That no one ever tries to take
Because waiting for you
Because thinking of you
Is another way of dying
You're way above caring
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
You poor pitiful creature
The mistake of feeling
The one who rejects you is the winner,
It's true
The winner in heartbreak
The winner in caring
The winner in every miniscule method of wearing
Your heart on your sleeve
A red star of idiocy
An idiot's idiocy
Your heart on your fuckin' sleeve
My caring for you
We were meant to be peons
We're meant to be peons
Mere mortals below
Meant to be servants
Meant to be dismissible objects one fucks with
Oh, oh, oh you're so special
No law meant for you
You come and go like the goddess you are
The fingertips run through your hair
A billowing heart beats
Feeling
Feeling
What a glorious feeling
To be so rejected
So rejected
An idiot's idiocy
My caring for you
You think I'm a book or a table
You can rest your fuckin' feet on
When you're able
The taste of your vulva, everything on it
The hair on your shoulders
The smell of your armpit
We do love you, to look upon your perfect body
We love you regal
We love you haughty
Oblivious to caring
Oblivious to caring
Caring
Oh my dear
Oh my dear
Oh my dear
Oblivious to caring
Are we really dead now?
Are we both dead now? [End of lyrics]
The deluxe version of "Lulu", which will come in a tube-shaped container measuring 13 centimeters x 1.24 meters, will include the following:
* 2xCD digipack package
* A large 1.2 m x 1.6 m poster (with song lyrics)
* 3 photographs by Anton Corbijn (50 cm x 50.8 cm)
Check out photos of the "Lulu" deluxe edition below.
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
Romania's Metalfan recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metalfan: What do you think is the difference between [the forthcoming MEGADETH album "TH1RT3EN"] and the last one you recorded with the band, "The World Needs a Hero" (2001)?
David Ellefson: "The World Needs a Hero" was really the beginning of trying to correct our course in the new millennium. With the three subsequent albums that course was established and our flag planted firmly back in our turf once again. "TH1RT3EN" in many ways encompasses styles from our more vintage days of the 1980s and early-'90s records.
Metalfan: How did you end up working with producer Johnny K? Was he the choice of the band or was he recommended by the label? How was working with him, did he push you to the limit or let you relax and do your thing in your own time?
David Ellefson: I knew Johnny a little bit from some phone conversations over the years and he even mixed a little project I had played on called IRON STEEL a few years back. After I heard the DISTURBED album "Believe", I became a big fan of his work and found that as a producer he seemed to really get inside of the bands he worked with and brought out their best, rather than just make every band sound like him and his style of producing. To me, that is HUGE for a producer/band relationship and outcome of an album together. There are some producers who make every band sound like them and to me that is putting the cart before the horse and would be catastrophic for MEGADETH. Johnny seemed to have a really good sense of what this new album needed to be. I was thrilled he was available and that Dave [Mustaine; MEGADETH frontman] got on really well with him in the studio. This is not an overly produced, slick-sounding record at all. It's very organic and I think that is perfect for MEGADETH in 2011. Very raw, live and real!
Metalfan: Dave Mustaine and you are known to be committed Christians. Furthermore, you are actually musically involved with a church in your hometown of Scottsdale. What exactly do you play there and to whom and what kind of an experience it is, compared to a heavy metal concert?
David Ellefson: Initially, I helped start and vision-cast the MEGA Life! ministries church in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's now grown to a point where we've purchased a brand new building, hired new staff and the mission carries on. I was initially the worship leader for a few years and that allowed me some great musical opportunities to write, play and develop some great friendships in that community. God gave me my musical talent so I found it fitting that for a few years I should give some of it back to Him for his use. Now that I'm back in MEGADETH full time, I've called in new people to take over my music position but I try to help out whenever I'm off the road. I get great joy in doing it and do it for free and for fun.
Metalfan: As you certainly know, most of the metalheads don't go to church very often. Chances are, very few of your fans do that. Does that bother you at all?
David Ellefson: No, it doesn't bother me and I totally understand. I grew up having to go to church every Sunday with my family and I hated it. I would sit and draw KISS logos and stage designs on my church bulletins, while daydreaming about playing music! But, now as an adult I put my boy-ish ways behind me and see the benefit of a solid faith life. I think the fallacy is that only perfect people go to church, but that couldn't be farther from the truth… at least not the churches I go to!!! After all I'm there and I'm certainly not perfect! In reality, our world is not your friend so don't get too friendly with it. That is my motive for developing a faith walk and that seems to be pretty good, orderly, direction (G.O.D).
Metalfan: What do you think is the difference between [the forthcoming MEGADETH album "TH1RT3EN"] and the last one you recorded with the band, "The World Needs a Hero" (2001)?
David Ellefson: "The World Needs a Hero" was really the beginning of trying to correct our course in the new millennium. With the three subsequent albums that course was established and our flag planted firmly back in our turf once again. "TH1RT3EN" in many ways encompasses styles from our more vintage days of the 1980s and early-'90s records.
Metalfan: How did you end up working with producer Johnny K? Was he the choice of the band or was he recommended by the label? How was working with him, did he push you to the limit or let you relax and do your thing in your own time?
David Ellefson: I knew Johnny a little bit from some phone conversations over the years and he even mixed a little project I had played on called IRON STEEL a few years back. After I heard the DISTURBED album "Believe", I became a big fan of his work and found that as a producer he seemed to really get inside of the bands he worked with and brought out their best, rather than just make every band sound like him and his style of producing. To me, that is HUGE for a producer/band relationship and outcome of an album together. There are some producers who make every band sound like them and to me that is putting the cart before the horse and would be catastrophic for MEGADETH. Johnny seemed to have a really good sense of what this new album needed to be. I was thrilled he was available and that Dave [Mustaine; MEGADETH frontman] got on really well with him in the studio. This is not an overly produced, slick-sounding record at all. It's very organic and I think that is perfect for MEGADETH in 2011. Very raw, live and real!
Metalfan: Dave Mustaine and you are known to be committed Christians. Furthermore, you are actually musically involved with a church in your hometown of Scottsdale. What exactly do you play there and to whom and what kind of an experience it is, compared to a heavy metal concert?
David Ellefson: Initially, I helped start and vision-cast the MEGA Life! ministries church in Scottsdale, Arizona. It's now grown to a point where we've purchased a brand new building, hired new staff and the mission carries on. I was initially the worship leader for a few years and that allowed me some great musical opportunities to write, play and develop some great friendships in that community. God gave me my musical talent so I found it fitting that for a few years I should give some of it back to Him for his use. Now that I'm back in MEGADETH full time, I've called in new people to take over my music position but I try to help out whenever I'm off the road. I get great joy in doing it and do it for free and for fun.
Metalfan: As you certainly know, most of the metalheads don't go to church very often. Chances are, very few of your fans do that. Does that bother you at all?
David Ellefson: No, it doesn't bother me and I totally understand. I grew up having to go to church every Sunday with my family and I hated it. I would sit and draw KISS logos and stage designs on my church bulletins, while daydreaming about playing music! But, now as an adult I put my boy-ish ways behind me and see the benefit of a solid faith life. I think the fallacy is that only perfect people go to church, but that couldn't be farther from the truth… at least not the churches I go to!!! After all I'm there and I'm certainly not perfect! In reality, our world is not your friend so don't get too friendly with it. That is my motive for developing a faith walk and that seems to be pretty good, orderly, direction (G.O.D).
"Worship Music", the new studio album from ANTHRAX, has registered the following first-week chart positions:
Finland: #6
USA: #12
Germany: #13
Sweden: #24
Czech: #28
Switzerland: #28
Austria: #30
Canada: #33
Australia: #35
Italy: #37
France: #43
England: #49
Ireland: #62
Belgium: #65
Spain: #70
Commented drummer Charlie Benante: "A big thank you to our fans for coming out strong and making 'Worship Music' a huge success worldwide!?See you soon for the celebration!"
"Worship Music" sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. 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 Charlie Benante. "To have our record debut at No. 12 is a great accomplishment."
Added 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.
Finland: #6
USA: #12
Germany: #13
Sweden: #24
Czech: #28
Switzerland: #28
Austria: #30
Canada: #33
Australia: #35
Italy: #37
France: #43
England: #49
Ireland: #62
Belgium: #65
Spain: #70
Commented drummer Charlie Benante: "A big thank you to our fans for coming out strong and making 'Worship Music' a huge success worldwide!?See you soon for the celebration!"
"Worship Music" sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. 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 Charlie Benante. "To have our record debut at No. 12 is a great accomplishment."
Added 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.
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian has posted the following update on his official blog:
"September 27th marked the 25th anniversary of [METALLICA bassist] Cliff Burton's death.
"I knew Cliff for three years and in those three years became good friends with him and Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist], bonds that have lasted and stood the test of time. We were the three musketeers when we were together and we got to spend a lot of time together back in those days. We were all coming up at the same time and reveling in our bands, the music, the scene and the lifestyle. We fucking loved metal!
"This is one of the many fine memories I have of Cliff. Add your favorite beverage and enjoy.
"I was in London in March of 1984 doing promo for our first album, 'Fistful Of Metal'. METALLICA was also in London because they were supposed to do a tour with THE RODS and EXCITER in the U.K. but the tour was cancelled. They were in the middle of making 'Ride The Lightning' in Denmark but they couldn't go back to the studio because it had been booked during the time they were supposed to be on tour. Music For Nations got an apartment for them to stay in and I ended up staying there with them.
"As you can imagine, things were very crazy. Too much alcohol. Too much everything. We were partying non-stop and having the time of our lives. A bunch of 20-year-old kids in London living the dream.
"At the Marquee, March 1984. I think this is a few days after our arrest.
"One day Cliff and I were going to a store so Cliff could buy a Walkman. We were in the tube station and two policemen approached us and asked us if we had drugs. We said no, big surprise. Truth is, we didn't. They kept telling us that we should just tell them what we have and things would be easier for us. We kept telling them that we didn't have anything. I guess they didn't believe us being the long-haired freaks that we were because they arrested us and took us to the police station. They took all of our clothes and put us in separate cells. These weren't cells with bars, they had solid doors with a little window that they could slide open from the outside. I was sitting in a six-by-six concrete room with no windows in my underwear for five hours with no communication with anyone. At some point I heard Cliff's voice and I started banging on the door screaming at them to tell me what was going on. A cop opened the window in the door and told me 'they were taking my mate back to the flat so they could search it.' Apparently they had found Cliff's cold medicine pills in his coat and they assumed it was illegal drugs. I guess they hadn't heard of Sudafed yet in England. They sent the pills to a lab to be tested because they didn't believe Cliff when he told them that it was just cold medicine. So now they were taking him back to the apartment and I got really nervous because I knew he had weed back there. If they found the weed, we were fucked. All I could think of was that movie 'Midnight Express' where the guy gets busted in Turkey for smuggling and sent to Turkish prison and nobody ever sees him for years and he bites the guys tongue out and kisses boobies through glass. Randy Quaid is in it. He gets stabbed in the ass.
"Anyway, I imagined we would get sent away without a word and I'd never be heard from again. It's easy to get irrational when you've never been arrested for anything and you're sitting in a cold concrete cell in a foreign country in your underwear for five hours with no clue as to what is going on.
"Another two hours or so passed and the cell door opened and a cop was handing me my clothes and telling me I was to go to the Captain's office. Were we on a one-way train to ass-stabbing?
"I got dressed and followed this cop to the Captain's office. To my surprise, Cliff was already there lounging in a chair with a huge Cheshire cat grin. I figured we were OK but I still had no idea what happened and how they didn't find the weed back at the flat.
"The Captain started to apologize to us and tell us how 'sorry he was for the mistake and us being falsely accused and that the cold medicine really was cold medicine etc etc.' I freaked.
"I started screaming at him, gesturing wildly I'm sure with my hands (things got a bit hazy at this point as I was so agitated). I remember telling the Captain that 'I could give a fuck for his apology' and 'how dare they do what they did to us' and 'just because we have long hair doesn't mean we're fucking criminals' and a whole bunch of other rhetoric. The Captain said 'I would think the police in NYC would have done the same thing' and I screamed at him that 'the police in NYC have better things to do than arrest two innocent people just because they have long hair and suspect that they have drugs.' I was livid. I was too angry to realize that I was screaming at a British police Captain who could very easily throw me back in a cell. Cliff was looking at me like I was insane and he hit me in the leg a couple of times trying to get me to shut the fuck up. Finally I stopped and they let us leave. The Captains final words 'I'm sorry you feel that way ringing in my angry ears.'
"As soon as we were outside, I asked Cliff what the hell happened back at the flat. He told me that they (Cliff and six cops) walked into the flat and Kirk was in the living room playing guitar. The cops proceeded to search the flat for an hour to no avail. They couldn't find anything. I asked Cliff where the weed was hidden, like he had some super-secret hidey hole to stash his shit. He started laughing and asked me where would be the first place I would look if I was a cop searching a flat looking for drugs. I told him I would look under the mattress of his bed.
"Exactly.
"The weed was under his mattress and the cops never looked there!! I couldn't believe it. The Metal Gods were looking down on Cliff and I that day.
"Needless to say, we were very happy about our freedom. We boozed it up all night and I think Cliff, Kirk and I ended up wrestling in the hedges on some unsuspecting Brits lawn in the wee hours of the morning.
"Cliff never got his Walkman.
"RIP, my brother."
"September 27th marked the 25th anniversary of [METALLICA bassist] Cliff Burton's death.
"I knew Cliff for three years and in those three years became good friends with him and Kirk [Hammett, METALLICA guitarist], bonds that have lasted and stood the test of time. We were the three musketeers when we were together and we got to spend a lot of time together back in those days. We were all coming up at the same time and reveling in our bands, the music, the scene and the lifestyle. We fucking loved metal!
"This is one of the many fine memories I have of Cliff. Add your favorite beverage and enjoy.
"I was in London in March of 1984 doing promo for our first album, 'Fistful Of Metal'. METALLICA was also in London because they were supposed to do a tour with THE RODS and EXCITER in the U.K. but the tour was cancelled. They were in the middle of making 'Ride The Lightning' in Denmark but they couldn't go back to the studio because it had been booked during the time they were supposed to be on tour. Music For Nations got an apartment for them to stay in and I ended up staying there with them.
"As you can imagine, things were very crazy. Too much alcohol. Too much everything. We were partying non-stop and having the time of our lives. A bunch of 20-year-old kids in London living the dream.
"At the Marquee, March 1984. I think this is a few days after our arrest.
"One day Cliff and I were going to a store so Cliff could buy a Walkman. We were in the tube station and two policemen approached us and asked us if we had drugs. We said no, big surprise. Truth is, we didn't. They kept telling us that we should just tell them what we have and things would be easier for us. We kept telling them that we didn't have anything. I guess they didn't believe us being the long-haired freaks that we were because they arrested us and took us to the police station. They took all of our clothes and put us in separate cells. These weren't cells with bars, they had solid doors with a little window that they could slide open from the outside. I was sitting in a six-by-six concrete room with no windows in my underwear for five hours with no communication with anyone. At some point I heard Cliff's voice and I started banging on the door screaming at them to tell me what was going on. A cop opened the window in the door and told me 'they were taking my mate back to the flat so they could search it.' Apparently they had found Cliff's cold medicine pills in his coat and they assumed it was illegal drugs. I guess they hadn't heard of Sudafed yet in England. They sent the pills to a lab to be tested because they didn't believe Cliff when he told them that it was just cold medicine. So now they were taking him back to the apartment and I got really nervous because I knew he had weed back there. If they found the weed, we were fucked. All I could think of was that movie 'Midnight Express' where the guy gets busted in Turkey for smuggling and sent to Turkish prison and nobody ever sees him for years and he bites the guys tongue out and kisses boobies through glass. Randy Quaid is in it. He gets stabbed in the ass.
"Anyway, I imagined we would get sent away without a word and I'd never be heard from again. It's easy to get irrational when you've never been arrested for anything and you're sitting in a cold concrete cell in a foreign country in your underwear for five hours with no clue as to what is going on.
"Another two hours or so passed and the cell door opened and a cop was handing me my clothes and telling me I was to go to the Captain's office. Were we on a one-way train to ass-stabbing?
"I got dressed and followed this cop to the Captain's office. To my surprise, Cliff was already there lounging in a chair with a huge Cheshire cat grin. I figured we were OK but I still had no idea what happened and how they didn't find the weed back at the flat.
"The Captain started to apologize to us and tell us how 'sorry he was for the mistake and us being falsely accused and that the cold medicine really was cold medicine etc etc.' I freaked.
"I started screaming at him, gesturing wildly I'm sure with my hands (things got a bit hazy at this point as I was so agitated). I remember telling the Captain that 'I could give a fuck for his apology' and 'how dare they do what they did to us' and 'just because we have long hair doesn't mean we're fucking criminals' and a whole bunch of other rhetoric. The Captain said 'I would think the police in NYC would have done the same thing' and I screamed at him that 'the police in NYC have better things to do than arrest two innocent people just because they have long hair and suspect that they have drugs.' I was livid. I was too angry to realize that I was screaming at a British police Captain who could very easily throw me back in a cell. Cliff was looking at me like I was insane and he hit me in the leg a couple of times trying to get me to shut the fuck up. Finally I stopped and they let us leave. The Captains final words 'I'm sorry you feel that way ringing in my angry ears.'
"As soon as we were outside, I asked Cliff what the hell happened back at the flat. He told me that they (Cliff and six cops) walked into the flat and Kirk was in the living room playing guitar. The cops proceeded to search the flat for an hour to no avail. They couldn't find anything. I asked Cliff where the weed was hidden, like he had some super-secret hidey hole to stash his shit. He started laughing and asked me where would be the first place I would look if I was a cop searching a flat looking for drugs. I told him I would look under the mattress of his bed.
"Exactly.
"The weed was under his mattress and the cops never looked there!! I couldn't believe it. The Metal Gods were looking down on Cliff and I that day.
"Needless to say, we were very happy about our freedom. We boozed it up all night and I think Cliff, Kirk and I ended up wrestling in the hedges on some unsuspecting Brits lawn in the wee hours of the morning.
"Cliff never got his Walkman.
"RIP, my brother."
Rob Cavuoto of Guitar International recently conducted an interview with TWISTED SISTER guitarist Eddie Ojeda. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Guitar International: TWISTED SISTER has been quite busy putting out some great live DVDs — "Double Live" and the upcoming "Marquee Club '83?". Tell me about them and why now is the right time to release everything?
Eddie Ojeda: It's been in the archives for years and much of the stuff we didn't even know we had. Lately there seems to be a demand for it. We're always being asked when TWISTED SISTER will be doing new music and we have certain views about that. All our old music from the '80s is so engraved in people's heads that if we were to come out with the greatest new CD, it would always be compared to our old songs. New material from older bands doesn't do what people expect it to. It works for young new artists whose fans are into it. Our fan base is really into what they know like "Under The Blade" and our anthems. So we'd rather go back and find stuff that we know our fans will enjoy. Some of this stuff is real raw; it was before digital with just one of two cameras. It doesn't have the production value that we would have liked but it does have that "rawness" which is really cool and vintage.
Guitar International: Prior to the New York Steel 9/11 benefit show, the band had not played together for some time. Was it a difficult decision for everyone to put their differences aside and play that night?
Eddie Ojeda: Not really, because the events of 9/11 were so devastating that we were blown away and felt like we had to do something. We just called each other up and said we have to help. Personally, for me, it wasn't. I didn't have any issues with anyone per se. It's just the normal everyday stuff that goes on within a band… the male ego. Outside of that stuff, I never had any gripes. Some of the other guys had issues which might have made it a little more difficult for them. With TWISTED SISTER, I don't think what happened was so bad for us to hate each other. It's a five-way marriage. At least in a marriage you can have make-up sex and then everything goes back to normal, but with guys you can't do that… well, at least not in the same band. Not that there is anything wrong with that. [Laughing]
Guitar International: Do you have any solo projects that you are working on?
Eddie Ojeda: Yes, I'm working on my second solo CD. I'm calling it "Pick A Window – You're Leaving". It's hard rock CD and the songs have a lot of harmonies with funny offbeat lyrics. It's taking longer than I would like. TWISTED SISTER just finished the summer tour so I'm just back to working on it now. I'll be doing all the vocals. Like with the first CD, I had Ronnie James Dio and Dee Snider singing "Eleanor Rigby", I plan to maybe have a guest singers and players. I can't say just yet as people's schedules are always changing. They all bring different elements to the song which makes them better.
Guitar International: TWISTED SISTER has been quite busy putting out some great live DVDs — "Double Live" and the upcoming "Marquee Club '83?". Tell me about them and why now is the right time to release everything?
Eddie Ojeda: It's been in the archives for years and much of the stuff we didn't even know we had. Lately there seems to be a demand for it. We're always being asked when TWISTED SISTER will be doing new music and we have certain views about that. All our old music from the '80s is so engraved in people's heads that if we were to come out with the greatest new CD, it would always be compared to our old songs. New material from older bands doesn't do what people expect it to. It works for young new artists whose fans are into it. Our fan base is really into what they know like "Under The Blade" and our anthems. So we'd rather go back and find stuff that we know our fans will enjoy. Some of this stuff is real raw; it was before digital with just one of two cameras. It doesn't have the production value that we would have liked but it does have that "rawness" which is really cool and vintage.
Guitar International: Prior to the New York Steel 9/11 benefit show, the band had not played together for some time. Was it a difficult decision for everyone to put their differences aside and play that night?
Eddie Ojeda: Not really, because the events of 9/11 were so devastating that we were blown away and felt like we had to do something. We just called each other up and said we have to help. Personally, for me, it wasn't. I didn't have any issues with anyone per se. It's just the normal everyday stuff that goes on within a band… the male ego. Outside of that stuff, I never had any gripes. Some of the other guys had issues which might have made it a little more difficult for them. With TWISTED SISTER, I don't think what happened was so bad for us to hate each other. It's a five-way marriage. At least in a marriage you can have make-up sex and then everything goes back to normal, but with guys you can't do that… well, at least not in the same band. Not that there is anything wrong with that. [Laughing]
Guitar International: Do you have any solo projects that you are working on?
Eddie Ojeda: Yes, I'm working on my second solo CD. I'm calling it "Pick A Window – You're Leaving". It's hard rock CD and the songs have a lot of harmonies with funny offbeat lyrics. It's taking longer than I would like. TWISTED SISTER just finished the summer tour so I'm just back to working on it now. I'll be doing all the vocals. Like with the first CD, I had Ronnie James Dio and Dee Snider singing "Eleanor Rigby", I plan to maybe have a guest singers and players. I can't say just yet as people's schedules are always changing. They all bring different elements to the song which makes them better.
Bassist Chip Z'Nuff (ENUFF Z'NUFF) has confirmed that he is no longer a member of ADLER'S APPETITE, the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler. He writes on his Facebook page, "All things must pass. So I move on with my life, as I'm no longer with Steven Adler's ADLER'S APPETITE. Keep your ears open for new music coming soon!"
Adler earlier this week entered NRG Recording in North Hollywood, California to begin recording the first material from his brand new band. The group spent Monday (September 26) laying down what will likely turn out to be its new single. Adler tweeted at the end of the session, "What an amazing day. We finished our first song today. I'm soooo thrilled we [are] headed in the right direction."
Chip told Gerry Gittelson of Patch in an interview that ADLER'S APPETITE had inked a "massive deal" with an as-yet-undisclosed record company.
ADLER'S APPETITE in April recruited singer Patrick Stone (ACES 'N' EIGHTS) and guitarist Lonnie Paul following the departures of Rick Stitch and Alex Grossi.
Stitch announced in March that he was leaving ADLER'S APPETITE in order to concentrate on his Los Angeles-based original project LADYJACK.
Stitch's LADYJACK bandmate Robo (guitar), who was filling in for ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist Alex Grossi on the latter group's most recent European tour, will not be continuing with Adler's outfit.
Grossi recently left ADLER'S APPETITE in order to focus on his work with the resurrected QUIET RIOT.
Adler earlier this week entered NRG Recording in North Hollywood, California to begin recording the first material from his brand new band. The group spent Monday (September 26) laying down what will likely turn out to be its new single. Adler tweeted at the end of the session, "What an amazing day. We finished our first song today. I'm soooo thrilled we [are] headed in the right direction."
Chip told Gerry Gittelson of Patch in an interview that ADLER'S APPETITE had inked a "massive deal" with an as-yet-undisclosed record company.
ADLER'S APPETITE in April recruited singer Patrick Stone (ACES 'N' EIGHTS) and guitarist Lonnie Paul following the departures of Rick Stitch and Alex Grossi.
Stitch announced in March that he was leaving ADLER'S APPETITE in order to concentrate on his Los Angeles-based original project LADYJACK.
Stitch's LADYJACK bandmate Robo (guitar), who was filling in for ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist Alex Grossi on the latter group's most recent European tour, will not be continuing with Adler's outfit.
Grossi recently left ADLER'S APPETITE in order to focus on his work with the resurrected QUIET RIOT.
ADLER'S APPETITE/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler has commented on bassist Chip Z'Nuff's (ENUFF Z'NUFF) depature from ADLER'S APPETITE after six years of playing together. "I love Chip Z'Nuff like a brother and wish him the best in all his future endeavors," Adler writes on his Twitter profile.
He adds, "Chip's departure was my decision due to the fact that I am working on an original band with [ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist] Michael Thomas and Lonnie Johnson.
"Our first single has one of the hottest new singers in the game right now on vocals. Hint: his band's initials are just like mine — AA. [Presumably referring to ASKING ALEXANDRIA. — Ed.]
"ADLER'S APPETITE will continue to perform together on select dates, but my new project will have a new name [to be announced] in the next month."
Adler's new band entered NRG Recording in North Hollywood, California earlier this week to begin recording its first material. The group spent Monday (September 26) laying down what will likely turn out to be its new single. Adler tweeted at the end of the session, "What an amazing day. We finished our first song today. I'm soooo thrilled we [are] headed in the right direction."
He adds, "Chip's departure was my decision due to the fact that I am working on an original band with [ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist] Michael Thomas and Lonnie Johnson.
"Our first single has one of the hottest new singers in the game right now on vocals. Hint: his band's initials are just like mine — AA. [Presumably referring to ASKING ALEXANDRIA. — Ed.]
"ADLER'S APPETITE will continue to perform together on select dates, but my new project will have a new name [to be announced] in the next month."
Adler's new band entered NRG Recording in North Hollywood, California earlier this week to begin recording its first material. The group spent Monday (September 26) laying down what will likely turn out to be its new single. Adler tweeted at the end of the session, "What an amazing day. We finished our first song today. I'm soooo thrilled we [are] headed in the right direction."
Reunited grunge legends SOUNDGARDEN will headline the 20th-anniversary edition of of the Big Day Out festival in New Zealand and Australia in January/February 2012.
SOUNDGARDEN played its first Big Day Out in 1994 — the year "Superunknown" was released. In 1997, they returned for an encore. 2012 will bring the group's long-awaited return Down Under.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 20 - Auckland, NZ
Jan. 22 - Gold Coast, AUS
Jan. 26 - Sydney, AUS
Jan. 29 - Melbourne, AUS
Feb. 03 - Adelaide, AUS
Feb. 05 - Perth, AUS
For more information, visit www.bigdayout.com.
SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil recently spoke to Hannah Levin of SeattleWeekly.com about the progress of the band's new CD, its first since 1996's "Down On The Upside" and since reuniting last year.
When asked what the timeline on the new record is, Thayil replied, "There's no timeline, except that our target — roughly — is early 2012. We are focused on this tour and these shows and we have a few dates in October, but in the interim, we'll do some studio work. We have a few more guitars to do and some vocals. And some of the songs are still being arranged. We want to make sure it's absolutely the most satisfying for us, and put the best foot forward that we can put. I would assume our fans will also get into it then."
Regarding whether SOUNDGARDEN's approach to writing together has changed, Thayil said, "It's actually not much different, because we really didn't have a set way we wrote in the past. The only thing that might have been consistent is a band member being a complete author — meaning words and music — which Chris [Cornell, vocals/guitar] did a lot of. But even if Chris writes a complete song, or Ben [Shepherd, bass] writes a complete song . . . sometimes we wrote a song as a jam. All the different combinations were always there; there was never a set thing like 'Jagger/Richards,' you know?"
On the topic of why SOUNDGARDEN chose to get back together, Thayil said, "I have nooooo idea. I ask myself that question. I think it's one of those things that just fell back into our laps. We initially were attending to shared properties, both financial and legal, and from mainly there we realized there was an absence of online presence in terms of a web site or Facebook . . . we kind of had neglected our merchandise over the last decade. Our catalog had been neglected. I was constantly meeting people who now had junior-high-aged kids who had learned instruments and learned [to play via SOUNDGARDEN]. We agreed to start a web site and have Ten Club handle it — Tim Bierman who handles PEARL JAM's stuff. So it started from that. Then Internet gossip led to promoters inquiring about our status and offering us shows and pretty good billings that we considered. So we got into a room together and jammed and enjoyed each other's company. Eventually we decided to start playing live and to release [greatest-hits and rarities compilation] 'Telephantasm' and the live record ['Live on I-5']. Putting out an unreleased SOUNDGARDEN song was a thrill for us, and we started thinking about going back into the studio again. Every time we got together to rehearse, it was good."
SOUNDGARDEN played its first Big Day Out in 1994 — the year "Superunknown" was released. In 1997, they returned for an encore. 2012 will bring the group's long-awaited return Down Under.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 20 - Auckland, NZ
Jan. 22 - Gold Coast, AUS
Jan. 26 - Sydney, AUS
Jan. 29 - Melbourne, AUS
Feb. 03 - Adelaide, AUS
Feb. 05 - Perth, AUS
For more information, visit www.bigdayout.com.
SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil recently spoke to Hannah Levin of SeattleWeekly.com about the progress of the band's new CD, its first since 1996's "Down On The Upside" and since reuniting last year.
When asked what the timeline on the new record is, Thayil replied, "There's no timeline, except that our target — roughly — is early 2012. We are focused on this tour and these shows and we have a few dates in October, but in the interim, we'll do some studio work. We have a few more guitars to do and some vocals. And some of the songs are still being arranged. We want to make sure it's absolutely the most satisfying for us, and put the best foot forward that we can put. I would assume our fans will also get into it then."
Regarding whether SOUNDGARDEN's approach to writing together has changed, Thayil said, "It's actually not much different, because we really didn't have a set way we wrote in the past. The only thing that might have been consistent is a band member being a complete author — meaning words and music — which Chris [Cornell, vocals/guitar] did a lot of. But even if Chris writes a complete song, or Ben [Shepherd, bass] writes a complete song . . . sometimes we wrote a song as a jam. All the different combinations were always there; there was never a set thing like 'Jagger/Richards,' you know?"
On the topic of why SOUNDGARDEN chose to get back together, Thayil said, "I have nooooo idea. I ask myself that question. I think it's one of those things that just fell back into our laps. We initially were attending to shared properties, both financial and legal, and from mainly there we realized there was an absence of online presence in terms of a web site or Facebook . . . we kind of had neglected our merchandise over the last decade. Our catalog had been neglected. I was constantly meeting people who now had junior-high-aged kids who had learned instruments and learned [to play via SOUNDGARDEN]. We agreed to start a web site and have Ten Club handle it — Tim Bierman who handles PEARL JAM's stuff. So it started from that. Then Internet gossip led to promoters inquiring about our status and offering us shows and pretty good billings that we considered. So we got into a room together and jammed and enjoyed each other's company. Eventually we decided to start playing live and to release [greatest-hits and rarities compilation] 'Telephantasm' and the live record ['Live on I-5']. Putting out an unreleased SOUNDGARDEN song was a thrill for us, and we started thinking about going back into the studio again. Every time we got together to rehearse, it was good."
SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell will release an album of live "Songbook" tour performances on November 21 via Universal Music Enterprises. The set will feature Cornell's own songs as well as a few covers. All fans who purchase their "Songbook" tour tickets online will receive a digital copy of the album with each order.
"Songbook" track listing:
01. As Hope And Promise Fade
02. Scar On The Sky
03. Call Me A Dog
04. Ground Zero
05. Can't Change Me
06. I Am The Highway
07. Thank You (LED ZEPPELIN cover)
08. Cleaning My Gun
09. Wide Awake
10. Fell On Black Days
11. All Night Thing
12. Doesn't Remind Me
13. Like A Stone
14. Black Hole Sun
15. Imagine (JOHN LENNON cover)
16. The Keeper
Cornell's new song, "The Keeper", is the lead single from the soundtrack to the movie "Machine Gun Preacher". The film, which stars Gerard Butler as a former drug dealer who becomes a crusader for hundreds of refugee children in war-torn Sudan, opened on September 23.
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."
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.
"Songbook" track listing:
01. As Hope And Promise Fade
02. Scar On The Sky
03. Call Me A Dog
04. Ground Zero
05. Can't Change Me
06. I Am The Highway
07. Thank You (LED ZEPPELIN cover)
08. Cleaning My Gun
09. Wide Awake
10. Fell On Black Days
11. All Night Thing
12. Doesn't Remind Me
13. Like A Stone
14. Black Hole Sun
15. Imagine (JOHN LENNON cover)
16. The Keeper
Cornell's new song, "The Keeper", is the lead single from the soundtrack to the movie "Machine Gun Preacher". The film, which stars Gerard Butler as a former drug dealer who becomes a crusader for hundreds of refugee children in war-torn Sudan, opened on September 23.
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."
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.
Alan Sculley of the Daily Herald recently conducted an interview with guitarist John Petrucci of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On whether the title of the band's new album, "A Dramatic Turn of Events", refers to last year's departure of DREAM THEATER's founding drummer Mike Portnoy:
Petrucci: "People look at the title and they say, 'Oh, well, obviously it's about Mike's departure and the changes.' It's really not. First of all we didn't write any of the songs lyrically about our situation at all, and that was a conscious effort. It's not the place to do that. We didn't think that would be, we didn't want to do that. We didn't want to write about our own band woes or politics or whatever. There's definitely this running theme of major changes taking place. There's this song 'Outcry', it's exactly about what's happening now in Libya. There's a tie-in with Egypt and with people uprising. There are songs about that spiritual sense where somebody is really trying to make some kind of change in their life. They seek out a shaman to try to do that in a more spiritual way. There are songs about people, situations in history, major historical events that happened that maybe we forgot about, but that really changed life for many, many people So we're talking major events, major dramatic turns of events."
On Portnoy's decision to leave the the group after first proposing they go on an extended hiatus — perhaps lasting upward of five years:
Petrucci: "I think the bottom line is he needed a change, whether the change was playing with another band or taking some sort of break or whatever. And the rest of us didn't. We felt that this is what we do. This is our band. We're at a great point in our career. We're very passionate about what we do. We're very energized. And we tried to convince him otherwise, but ultimately you can't really force somebody to do something they don't want to do. So it's something that he had to do and we kind of recovered from that, embraced the change and moved on."
On Portnoy's change of heart and request to be allowed back into DREAM THEATER:
Petrucci: "It was very upsetting for us, especially after what we went through trying to convince him to stay, and him adamantly saying, 'It's not something I can do,' to the point where he quit a band [after] 25 years. It's not like he was wishy washy about it. He was definite. He was concrete in his decision to leave the band."
On whether DREAM THEATER was feeling pressure to prove that the group was as good as ever without Portnoy:
Petrucci: "That pressure, it comes from within. It's always there. I feel that every time we go in to do a new album. It's a brand-new opportunity. At whatever point it happens to be at, I love that whole process of starting out with nothing and having a goal, and coming up with something and building it from the ground up. I love that process every album we've done. So in some ways, this was no different."
On how the new CD compares to DREAM THEATER's past efforts:
Petrucci: "There is a different mix, a little bit. The band throughout the years tends to sway in a certain direction depending on sort of our mood or our influence or whatever. I think this album has more of a balance in our overall sound and impact. The core, there's always a core element of our music, which is the songwriting. The composition, the melody, the structure of the chord progressions and everything, always has to be the focal point. And sometimes we stray from that and we do things that are more riff-based or more attitude-based or whatever. And this kind of has a little bit more in-depth spirit to it and a little bit more balance. A lot of people are saying, and I tend to agree, that the context of the writing style is progressive music that we grew up on, like Yes and stuff. But the organization and the instrumentation is of a metal rock band. That's kind of more of the balance that keeps us unique and defines our sound, I would say."
On performing new material on DREAM THEATER's current world tour:
Petrucci: "I love playing new music. It's the latest thing that you did. You're so psyched about it. Especially in this case, this is the music that [new DREAM THEATER drummer] Mike Mangini has recorded, so it's great to play the music that we wrote and recorded with him. As far as the show, we do have some new things planned as far as our presentation. It's going to be the best show we've ever done as far as the video presentation and design, and the look of the stage and the look of the screens. We have something really unique that our talented video director and lighting director have designed. I can't wait for people to see it."
On whether the title of the band's new album, "A Dramatic Turn of Events", refers to last year's departure of DREAM THEATER's founding drummer Mike Portnoy:
Petrucci: "People look at the title and they say, 'Oh, well, obviously it's about Mike's departure and the changes.' It's really not. First of all we didn't write any of the songs lyrically about our situation at all, and that was a conscious effort. It's not the place to do that. We didn't think that would be, we didn't want to do that. We didn't want to write about our own band woes or politics or whatever. There's definitely this running theme of major changes taking place. There's this song 'Outcry', it's exactly about what's happening now in Libya. There's a tie-in with Egypt and with people uprising. There are songs about that spiritual sense where somebody is really trying to make some kind of change in their life. They seek out a shaman to try to do that in a more spiritual way. There are songs about people, situations in history, major historical events that happened that maybe we forgot about, but that really changed life for many, many people So we're talking major events, major dramatic turns of events."
On Portnoy's decision to leave the the group after first proposing they go on an extended hiatus — perhaps lasting upward of five years:
Petrucci: "I think the bottom line is he needed a change, whether the change was playing with another band or taking some sort of break or whatever. And the rest of us didn't. We felt that this is what we do. This is our band. We're at a great point in our career. We're very passionate about what we do. We're very energized. And we tried to convince him otherwise, but ultimately you can't really force somebody to do something they don't want to do. So it's something that he had to do and we kind of recovered from that, embraced the change and moved on."
On Portnoy's change of heart and request to be allowed back into DREAM THEATER:
Petrucci: "It was very upsetting for us, especially after what we went through trying to convince him to stay, and him adamantly saying, 'It's not something I can do,' to the point where he quit a band [after] 25 years. It's not like he was wishy washy about it. He was definite. He was concrete in his decision to leave the band."
On whether DREAM THEATER was feeling pressure to prove that the group was as good as ever without Portnoy:
Petrucci: "That pressure, it comes from within. It's always there. I feel that every time we go in to do a new album. It's a brand-new opportunity. At whatever point it happens to be at, I love that whole process of starting out with nothing and having a goal, and coming up with something and building it from the ground up. I love that process every album we've done. So in some ways, this was no different."
On how the new CD compares to DREAM THEATER's past efforts:
Petrucci: "There is a different mix, a little bit. The band throughout the years tends to sway in a certain direction depending on sort of our mood or our influence or whatever. I think this album has more of a balance in our overall sound and impact. The core, there's always a core element of our music, which is the songwriting. The composition, the melody, the structure of the chord progressions and everything, always has to be the focal point. And sometimes we stray from that and we do things that are more riff-based or more attitude-based or whatever. And this kind of has a little bit more in-depth spirit to it and a little bit more balance. A lot of people are saying, and I tend to agree, that the context of the writing style is progressive music that we grew up on, like Yes and stuff. But the organization and the instrumentation is of a metal rock band. That's kind of more of the balance that keeps us unique and defines our sound, I would say."
On performing new material on DREAM THEATER's current world tour:
Petrucci: "I love playing new music. It's the latest thing that you did. You're so psyched about it. Especially in this case, this is the music that [new DREAM THEATER drummer] Mike Mangini has recorded, so it's great to play the music that we wrote and recorded with him. As far as the show, we do have some new things planned as far as our presentation. It's going to be the best show we've ever done as far as the video presentation and design, and the look of the stage and the look of the screens. We have something really unique that our talented video director and lighting director have designed. I can't wait for people to see it."
The previously announced "3 Guitar Heroes" tour featuring Michael Schenker, Uli Jon Roth and Leslie West has been postponed until early 2012 due to West's recent partial leg amputation.
West has released the following statement regarding the tour postponement:
West has issued the following official statement: "To everyone involved on this tour. I am very sad today. I was so hoping this would happen. Everyone worked so hard, and it would have been FUN. Yeah, I wanted it to be fun. Unfortunately it was not being able to climb stairs, go to a simple thing like a bathroom on a tour bus, which is tight for a normal person, let alone me. I start training with my new leg Wednesday, so I can get back to a normal life.
"I do hope that everyone would consider doing West coast to East after NAMM. Bob [West's manager Bob Ringe] and Wayne [Forte at booking agency Entourage Talent Associates] think this is possible.
"If you guys think you would want to do this, I will work that much harder to learn to walk, which I will do anyway, but thought I would throw this in there."
West's leg was removed in late June just above the knee due to complications from diabetes. "I cried a couple fuckin' times," he told Billboard.com. "You still feel the nerves and stuff like that. I had to make a decision — lose my leg or lose my life. What are you gonna do? But I'll tell you, it's a good thing it wasn't one of my arms. Then I'd be really fucked."
West's manager Bob Ringe was the mastermind behind the "3 Guitar Heroes" tour, and there are some very special surprises for this excursion. Following sets by each artist, the evening will climax with a jam of these highly influential artists on stage together, with special guests earmarked to join them in most markets, including Dean Guitars CEO, Elliott "Dean" Rubinson, who will be the tour bassist for both Schenker and Roth.
West has released the following statement regarding the tour postponement:
West has issued the following official statement: "To everyone involved on this tour. I am very sad today. I was so hoping this would happen. Everyone worked so hard, and it would have been FUN. Yeah, I wanted it to be fun. Unfortunately it was not being able to climb stairs, go to a simple thing like a bathroom on a tour bus, which is tight for a normal person, let alone me. I start training with my new leg Wednesday, so I can get back to a normal life.
"I do hope that everyone would consider doing West coast to East after NAMM. Bob [West's manager Bob Ringe] and Wayne [Forte at booking agency Entourage Talent Associates] think this is possible.
"If you guys think you would want to do this, I will work that much harder to learn to walk, which I will do anyway, but thought I would throw this in there."
West's leg was removed in late June just above the knee due to complications from diabetes. "I cried a couple fuckin' times," he told Billboard.com. "You still feel the nerves and stuff like that. I had to make a decision — lose my leg or lose my life. What are you gonna do? But I'll tell you, it's a good thing it wasn't one of my arms. Then I'd be really fucked."
West's manager Bob Ringe was the mastermind behind the "3 Guitar Heroes" tour, and there are some very special surprises for this excursion. Following sets by each artist, the evening will climax with a jam of these highly influential artists on stage together, with special guests earmarked to join them in most markets, including Dean Guitars CEO, Elliott "Dean" Rubinson, who will be the tour bassist for both Schenker and Roth.
Florida-based melodic metallers KAMELOT have been confirmed for next year's edition of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise, which will set sail from Miami, Florida to Cayman Islands on January 23, 2012 and return four days later. A total of 40 acts will perform on the cruise.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMORPHIS
ATHEIST
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORONER
DARK FUNERAL
ELUVEITIE
GOD DETHRONED
GRAVE DIGGER
HAMMERFALL
IN EXTREMO
KAMELOT
MOONSORROW
MY DYING BRIDE
NIGHTWISH
OVERKILL
PENTAGRAM
PESTILENCE
RIOT
SAMAEL
STRATOVARIUS
SUFFOCATION
TANKARD
THERION
TRISTANIA
VIRGIN STEELE
WHIPLASH
Ticket prices start at $666 plus $289 taxes and fees per person and include all onboard entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24-hour room service.
For more information, visit www.70000tons.com.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
AMORPHIS
ATHEIST
CANNIBAL CORPSE
CORONER
DARK FUNERAL
ELUVEITIE
GOD DETHRONED
GRAVE DIGGER
HAMMERFALL
IN EXTREMO
KAMELOT
MOONSORROW
MY DYING BRIDE
NIGHTWISH
OVERKILL
PENTAGRAM
PESTILENCE
RIOT
SAMAEL
STRATOVARIUS
SUFFOCATION
TANKARD
THERION
TRISTANIA
VIRGIN STEELE
WHIPLASH
Ticket prices start at $666 plus $289 taxes and fees per person and include all onboard entertainment, non-alcoholic and non-carbonated beverages, all meals at the dining rooms, most on-board restaurants and even 24-hour room service.
For more information, visit www.70000tons.com.
Josh Hart of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist/guitarist Mikael Åkerfeldt of Swedish progressive metallers OPETH. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
GuitarWorld.com: A lot of people have immediately compared "Heritage" to "Damnation", mainly because of the absence of death metal vocals. Do you think that's a fair comparison?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: Yes and no. The only thing that's got anything to do with the "Damnation" album is the fact that there's no screams on there. I don't think there are many other similarities, to be honest. ["Heritage"] is a lot closer, I think, to the music I listen to to gain inspiration. To be honest, I don't really mind what album they compare it to. I guess it's the easy way out, so to speak, to compare it to the "Damnation" record, but I think the only similarities between those albums in reality is the fact that there's no screams.
GuitarWorld.com: At what point in the songwriting process do the albums start to take shape for you? For instance, when writing "Heritage", how soon did you realize the album wouldn't have screaming and would be more progressive-rock sounding?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: The initial idea was actually to do a modern-sounding... almost like a continuation of "Watershed". I wanted to do three-part harmony vocals all the time, like some type of metal version of THE BYRDS. [laughs] But it didn't really work out. I wrote a couple of songs but I didn't feel that it was interesting enough for me. So I scrapped a couple of songs that I had been working on and started from scratch, writing a song that became "The Lines in My Hand" on the new record. Which was a really odd song in comparison to anything else I've ever done before. I got more freedom to do whatever I wanted after writing that song. I kind of knew pretty early on that it was going to be an odd album, and at the time I wasn't particularly interested in the most extreme, heavy type of metal, I was more into something else. So I knew pretty early on that it wasn't going to be a super, super extreme metal record.
GuitarWorld.com: This record definitely displays the wide range of music that influences you outside of metal. I detect a hint of PINK FLOYD's David Gilmour on the song "Folklore", for instance. Who are some of the non-metal players that have really influenced you?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: Well, if you're talking guitar players, there are a lot of good guitar players out there. There's acoustic players like Bert Jansch. I like Nick Drake, and Jackson C. Frank. I love Jerry Donahue. Ritchie Blackmore has always been a big influence for me. I really appreciate his integrity. I might not necessarily be the biggest fan of the renaissance music he's doing now, but I love an artist or musician who has followed some time of calling, if you know what I mean. Other than that, there are so many great guitar players out there. Joni Mitchell, I think she's a great guitar player, piano player, songwriter. I've been listening to a lot of her. All sorts of stuff.
GuitarWorld.com: A lot of people have immediately compared "Heritage" to "Damnation", mainly because of the absence of death metal vocals. Do you think that's a fair comparison?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: Yes and no. The only thing that's got anything to do with the "Damnation" album is the fact that there's no screams on there. I don't think there are many other similarities, to be honest. ["Heritage"] is a lot closer, I think, to the music I listen to to gain inspiration. To be honest, I don't really mind what album they compare it to. I guess it's the easy way out, so to speak, to compare it to the "Damnation" record, but I think the only similarities between those albums in reality is the fact that there's no screams.
GuitarWorld.com: At what point in the songwriting process do the albums start to take shape for you? For instance, when writing "Heritage", how soon did you realize the album wouldn't have screaming and would be more progressive-rock sounding?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: The initial idea was actually to do a modern-sounding... almost like a continuation of "Watershed". I wanted to do three-part harmony vocals all the time, like some type of metal version of THE BYRDS. [laughs] But it didn't really work out. I wrote a couple of songs but I didn't feel that it was interesting enough for me. So I scrapped a couple of songs that I had been working on and started from scratch, writing a song that became "The Lines in My Hand" on the new record. Which was a really odd song in comparison to anything else I've ever done before. I got more freedom to do whatever I wanted after writing that song. I kind of knew pretty early on that it was going to be an odd album, and at the time I wasn't particularly interested in the most extreme, heavy type of metal, I was more into something else. So I knew pretty early on that it wasn't going to be a super, super extreme metal record.
GuitarWorld.com: This record definitely displays the wide range of music that influences you outside of metal. I detect a hint of PINK FLOYD's David Gilmour on the song "Folklore", for instance. Who are some of the non-metal players that have really influenced you?
Mikael Åkerfeldt: Well, if you're talking guitar players, there are a lot of good guitar players out there. There's acoustic players like Bert Jansch. I like Nick Drake, and Jackson C. Frank. I love Jerry Donahue. Ritchie Blackmore has always been a big influence for me. I really appreciate his integrity. I might not necessarily be the biggest fan of the renaissance music he's doing now, but I love an artist or musician who has followed some time of calling, if you know what I mean. Other than that, there are so many great guitar players out there. Joni Mitchell, I think she's a great guitar player, piano player, songwriter. I've been listening to a lot of her. All sorts of stuff.
Gothenburg, Sweden-based psychedelic doom rock band GRAVEYARD will support MOTÖRHEAD on the German leg of their European tour in November.
Commented GRAVEYARD: "This year is getting more and more unbelievable for us. As it if it wasn't enough that we got the chance to open for [IRON] MAIDEN in our hometown, now we're gonna go on tour with the essence of rock 'n' roll — MOTÖRHEAD!! Once again we feel deeply honoured to get a sort of approval to step into rock history by opening for MOTÖRHEAD. And when you're talking about MOTÖRHEAD, there's no way of getting around talking about Lemmy. That cat has always been an inspiration to us, all the way from Sam Gopal to MOTÖRHEAD. Not only musically through his combination of psychedelia, rock and punk. But also through his relentlessness, something we hold very high in the GRAVEYARD camp. But let's not forget that we also get to go on tour with a fellow Gothenburger — Mikkey Dee — the magic stikks wizard!"
GRAVEYARD will support MOTÖRHEAD on the following dates:
Nov. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Coulmbiahalle
Nov. 24 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
Nov. 26 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
Nov. 27 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
Nov. 29 - Dusseldorf, Germany - Philipshalle
Nov. 30 - Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle
"Hisingen Blues", the second full-length album from GRAVEYARD, sold 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 48 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Hisingen Blues" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. The CD, which was released in North America on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced, recorded, and mixed in 100 percent analog by Don Alsterberg (JOSÉ GONZALES, JUNIP, SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY) at Don Pierre Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
GRAVEYARD is:
* Joakim Nilsson – Guitar & Vocals
* Jonathan Ramm – Guitar & Vocals
* Rikard Edlund – Bass
* Axel Sjöberg - Drums
Commented GRAVEYARD: "This year is getting more and more unbelievable for us. As it if it wasn't enough that we got the chance to open for [IRON] MAIDEN in our hometown, now we're gonna go on tour with the essence of rock 'n' roll — MOTÖRHEAD!! Once again we feel deeply honoured to get a sort of approval to step into rock history by opening for MOTÖRHEAD. And when you're talking about MOTÖRHEAD, there's no way of getting around talking about Lemmy. That cat has always been an inspiration to us, all the way from Sam Gopal to MOTÖRHEAD. Not only musically through his combination of psychedelia, rock and punk. But also through his relentlessness, something we hold very high in the GRAVEYARD camp. But let's not forget that we also get to go on tour with a fellow Gothenburger — Mikkey Dee — the magic stikks wizard!"
GRAVEYARD will support MOTÖRHEAD on the following dates:
Nov. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Coulmbiahalle
Nov. 24 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
Nov. 26 - Munich, Germany - Zenith
Nov. 27 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyerhalle
Nov. 29 - Dusseldorf, Germany - Philipshalle
Nov. 30 - Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle
"Hisingen Blues", the second full-length album from GRAVEYARD, sold 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 48 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Hisingen Blues" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. The CD, which was released in North America on April 19 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced, recorded, and mixed in 100 percent analog by Don Alsterberg (JOSÉ GONZALES, JUNIP, SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY) at Don Pierre Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
GRAVEYARD is:
* Joakim Nilsson – Guitar & Vocals
* Jonathan Ramm – Guitar & Vocals
* Rikard Edlund – Bass
* Axel Sjöberg - Drums
Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD are continuing to write and demo new material for their upcoming album, tentatively due in early 2012. The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" will contain the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005.
According to a posting on the VOIVOD Facebook page, "the guys are recording a couple of news songs at their rehearsal spot. Expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."
Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in a recent interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [Laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming, improvising and writing. I think it's working pretty good."
On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the recent European tour] ['Kaleidos'; see video below] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."
In a recent interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "We have four songs completed and about five other ones in progress and it's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatross' era. We hope to record in the fall and have a new album out in the spring of 2012, so before the end of the world."
On the topic of the new VOIVOD live album, "Warriors Of Ice", featuring three-fourths of the band's classic lineup — Langevin, bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault and vocalist Denis "Snake" Bélanger — along with Mongrain, Away said, "I feel like it's an achievement because there was a point where we weren't sure if there was going to be a new VOIVOD album. It's not a studio album but still something we're very proud of. It's good vintage VOIVOD. . . There was never really a live album with Snake and Blacky since the one before was us as a trio with [ex-bassist/vocalist] Eric Forrest. So, yeah, it's refreshing to have an album with almost the original lineup involved."
Regarding upcoming VOIVOD releases, Away stated, "There are no professional [unreleased] recordings in the vaults [with late VOIVOD guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour], but we are re-releasing a few albums in the upcoming months with bonus live material from the '80s."
VOIVOD 2011 is:
Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin – Drums
According to a posting on the VOIVOD Facebook page, "the guys are recording a couple of news songs at their rehearsal spot. Expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."
Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in a recent interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [Laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming, improvising and writing. I think it's working pretty good."
On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the recent European tour] ['Kaleidos'; see video below] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."
In a recent interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "We have four songs completed and about five other ones in progress and it's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatross' era. We hope to record in the fall and have a new album out in the spring of 2012, so before the end of the world."
On the topic of the new VOIVOD live album, "Warriors Of Ice", featuring three-fourths of the band's classic lineup — Langevin, bassist Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault and vocalist Denis "Snake" Bélanger — along with Mongrain, Away said, "I feel like it's an achievement because there was a point where we weren't sure if there was going to be a new VOIVOD album. It's not a studio album but still something we're very proud of. It's good vintage VOIVOD. . . There was never really a live album with Snake and Blacky since the one before was us as a trio with [ex-bassist/vocalist] Eric Forrest. So, yeah, it's refreshing to have an album with almost the original lineup involved."
Regarding upcoming VOIVOD releases, Away stated, "There are no professional [unreleased] recordings in the vaults [with late VOIVOD guitarist Denis "Piggy" D'Amour], but we are re-releasing a few albums in the upcoming months with bonus live material from the '80s."
VOIVOD 2011 is:
Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin – Drums
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre1.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre2.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre3.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre4.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre5.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre6.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre7.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre2.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre3.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre4.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre5.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre6.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/voivodpre7.jpg
Swedish metallers EVERGREY will release "A Decade And A Half", a two-disc greatest-hits collection, in North America on November 22 via SPV/Steamhammer. This deluxe package contains previously unreleased songs, live tracks and an extensive booklet.
Since the band arrived on the scene with its first album in 1998, EVERGREY has brought out eight studio albums and one live release. All of them made the Top 20 in their native Sweden and the last two landed in the Top 10. On top of that, their DVD, "A Night To Remember", was No. 1 for four weeks and nominated for an the Swedish Grammy equivalent.
"A Decade And A Half" track listing:
CD 1
01. The Masterplan
02. Blackened Dawn (live)
03. Rulers Of The Mind
04. A Touch Of Blessing
05. Frozen
06. For Every Tear That Falls (live)
07. More Than Ever
08. Blinded
09. Faith Restored
10. These Scars
11. Broken Wings
12. Words Mean Nothing
13. Wrong (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)
CD 2
01. The Great Deceiver
02. Monday Morning Apocalypse
03. Wrong
04. Waking Up Blind (live)
05. Solitude Within
06. Recreation Day
07. Still In The Water
08. Leave It Behind Us
09. Fear
10. When The Walls Go Down (live)
11. Frozen (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)
EVERGREY's latest album, "Glorious Collision", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 49 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.
EVERGREY's current lineup includes Englund and keyboardist Rikard Zander alongside new members Marcus Jidell (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Johan Niemann (bass).
Since the band arrived on the scene with its first album in 1998, EVERGREY has brought out eight studio albums and one live release. All of them made the Top 20 in their native Sweden and the last two landed in the Top 10. On top of that, their DVD, "A Night To Remember", was No. 1 for four weeks and nominated for an the Swedish Grammy equivalent.
"A Decade And A Half" track listing:
CD 1
01. The Masterplan
02. Blackened Dawn (live)
03. Rulers Of The Mind
04. A Touch Of Blessing
05. Frozen
06. For Every Tear That Falls (live)
07. More Than Ever
08. Blinded
09. Faith Restored
10. These Scars
11. Broken Wings
12. Words Mean Nothing
13. Wrong (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)
CD 2
01. The Great Deceiver
02. Monday Morning Apocalypse
03. Wrong
04. Waking Up Blind (live)
05. Solitude Within
06. Recreation Day
07. Still In The Water
08. Leave It Behind Us
09. Fear
10. When The Walls Go Down (live)
11. Frozen (live) (unplugged; previously unreleased)
EVERGREY's latest album, "Glorious Collision", sold around 900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 49 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.
EVERGREY's current lineup includes Englund and keyboardist Rikard Zander alongside new members Marcus Jidell (guitar), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Johan Niemann (bass).
Join the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida for a one-of-a-kind event: POISON at Hard Rock Live Orlando on November 5, sponsored by Alcatel One Touch. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com. Exclusive VIP event packages are available for a limited time only at www.dsfflorida.org. VIP passes — a total of 153 are available — will entitle holders to attend a VIP barbecue on the John Lennon Terrace after the concert.
This is the first time the band has ever held this kind of VIP event. This is POISON's way to say thank you to a select group of their biggest fans while they stand for a great charity.
All proceeds of the concert will go to support the vision and mission of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida (The Foundation) is a non-profit organization started by a group of visionary parents who wanted to have a direct impact on children, families and the community as they journeyed through life with a loved one with Down syndrome. Headquartered in Orlando, The Foundation is a grassroots organization made up of volunteers who believe that through creative programs and partnerships, we can facilitate opportunities and experiences so that there is no mystery or myth about people with Down syndrome. The Foundation's goal is to promote inclusion, understanding and acceptance by expanding opportunities for individuals, families and communities touched by Down syndrome.
To celebrate POISON's 25th anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites have been gathered for "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits", a new career-spanning 2CD and digital collection which was released May 3 by Capitol/EMI.
According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits" sold 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
"Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits" features all of the band's charting singles, including the #1 smash ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", Top 10 hits "Nothin' But A Good Time", "Unskinny Bop" and "Something To Believe In", and other big hits and fan favorites, including "Talk Dirty To Me", "I Want Action", "Your Mama Don't Dance", "Fallen Angel", "Ride The Wind" and many more, including standouts from the band's most recent album, 2007's "Poison'd!"
This is the first time the band has ever held this kind of VIP event. This is POISON's way to say thank you to a select group of their biggest fans while they stand for a great charity.
All proceeds of the concert will go to support the vision and mission of the Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida. The Down Syndrome Foundation of Florida (The Foundation) is a non-profit organization started by a group of visionary parents who wanted to have a direct impact on children, families and the community as they journeyed through life with a loved one with Down syndrome. Headquartered in Orlando, The Foundation is a grassroots organization made up of volunteers who believe that through creative programs and partnerships, we can facilitate opportunities and experiences so that there is no mystery or myth about people with Down syndrome. The Foundation's goal is to promote inclusion, understanding and acceptance by expanding opportunities for individuals, families and communities touched by Down syndrome.
To celebrate POISON's 25th anniversary, 35 of the multi-platinum band's top hits and fan favorites have been gathered for "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits", a new career-spanning 2CD and digital collection which was released May 3 by Capitol/EMI.
According to Nielsen SoundScan, "Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits" sold 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
"Double Dose Of Poison: Ultimate Hits" features all of the band's charting singles, including the #1 smash ballad "Every Rose Has Its Thorn", Top 10 hits "Nothin' But A Good Time", "Unskinny Bop" and "Something To Believe In", and other big hits and fan favorites, including "Talk Dirty To Me", "I Want Action", "Your Mama Don't Dance", "Fallen Angel", "Ride The Wind" and many more, including standouts from the band's most recent album, 2007's "Poison'd!"
Brazilian heavy metal singer Eduardo "Edu" Falaschi (ANGRA, ALMAH, SYMBOLS) has released the following statement:
"Dear friends,
"At last I would like to clarify some facts about my voice with all the sincerity, humility and integrity that I may have.
"For over 20 years I have worked without a day off in the heavy metal style, and we all know how difficult and technically demanding it is. Joining ANGRA, I had to fit a particularly high way of singing, which was totally out of my range, and of the vast majority of the singers! At the time I took the responsibility and faced all the pressure. But 10 years ago it was much easier due to the physical factor, excitement and age. I started to feel, year after year, gradually, the difficulties of singing something so high and out of my natural trait. I fought to the end! I did everything possible to continue to sing the songs, particularly the old ones, always in high pitches, because the melodic metal audience has ever 'demanded' this of us singers. But unfortunately, today, older and more experienced, I assume that I am no longer able to sing so high. I am extremely tired and feeling the weight of all that in my voice, including the region that has always been the most comfortable for me! I'm a baritone singer who dominates the mediums and lows, with drive, singing with a more aggressive chest voice, as I did in SYMBOLS and do in ALMAH. I have conquered many things and built much of my story with my own style.
"Therefore, I made a decision, thinking only and exclusively about the health of my voice and integrity of my career, which I have built with so much struggle and dedication.
"After fulfilling all the promotional activities of [the new ALMAH album] 'Motion', scheduled until the end of the year, I will stop indefinitely to finally rest and be able to deal properly with my health. But I have to point out that from today on I'll just sing whatever is in my natural range, be it in ANGRA or any other band, for my own good! I want to be who I really am, instead of being what people want me to be! In the meantime, I'll continue with my activities as a producer and composer, which are things I love doing, and will not harm at all the progress of my recovery.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans who always supported me and defend me unconditionally! I will always do my best writing and singing good music for you guys, with all my truth and emotion! This is the first step to a new time in my life! I have confidence in the future and will always be passionate about the greatest music ever, HEAVY METAL!"
Professionally filmed video footage of ANGRA performing at this year's Rock In Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil can be seen below.
ALMAH's third album, "Motion", will be released on the following dates:
* Europe (via AFM Records): October 14
* Brazil (Laser Company): September 16
* Rest Of Latin America (Icarus Records): October 14
* Japan (Victor JVC): October 19
The CD was recorded in May-June 2011 at Norcal Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and was mixed and mastered in July at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES).
"Dear friends,
"At last I would like to clarify some facts about my voice with all the sincerity, humility and integrity that I may have.
"For over 20 years I have worked without a day off in the heavy metal style, and we all know how difficult and technically demanding it is. Joining ANGRA, I had to fit a particularly high way of singing, which was totally out of my range, and of the vast majority of the singers! At the time I took the responsibility and faced all the pressure. But 10 years ago it was much easier due to the physical factor, excitement and age. I started to feel, year after year, gradually, the difficulties of singing something so high and out of my natural trait. I fought to the end! I did everything possible to continue to sing the songs, particularly the old ones, always in high pitches, because the melodic metal audience has ever 'demanded' this of us singers. But unfortunately, today, older and more experienced, I assume that I am no longer able to sing so high. I am extremely tired and feeling the weight of all that in my voice, including the region that has always been the most comfortable for me! I'm a baritone singer who dominates the mediums and lows, with drive, singing with a more aggressive chest voice, as I did in SYMBOLS and do in ALMAH. I have conquered many things and built much of my story with my own style.
"Therefore, I made a decision, thinking only and exclusively about the health of my voice and integrity of my career, which I have built with so much struggle and dedication.
"After fulfilling all the promotional activities of [the new ALMAH album] 'Motion', scheduled until the end of the year, I will stop indefinitely to finally rest and be able to deal properly with my health. But I have to point out that from today on I'll just sing whatever is in my natural range, be it in ANGRA or any other band, for my own good! I want to be who I really am, instead of being what people want me to be! In the meantime, I'll continue with my activities as a producer and composer, which are things I love doing, and will not harm at all the progress of my recovery.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans who always supported me and defend me unconditionally! I will always do my best writing and singing good music for you guys, with all my truth and emotion! This is the first step to a new time in my life! I have confidence in the future and will always be passionate about the greatest music ever, HEAVY METAL!"
Professionally filmed video footage of ANGRA performing at this year's Rock In Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil can be seen below.
ALMAH's third album, "Motion", will be released on the following dates:
* Europe (via AFM Records): October 14
* Brazil (Laser Company): September 16
* Rest Of Latin America (Icarus Records): October 14
* Japan (Victor JVC): October 19
The CD was recorded in May-June 2011 at Norcal Studios in São Paulo, Brazil and was mixed and mastered in July at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam, Netherlands by Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES).
Swedish hard rockers THE POODLES have released the following statement:
"We regrettably have to inform you that we have been forced to cancel the 'Performocracy' European tour that was to take place in October and November this fall. Due to circumstances beyond our control, it is no longer possible for us to go ahead as planned. We are extremely disappointed by this, and the lost opportunity to meet our European fans."
THE POODLES' fourth album, "Performocracy", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. Released on April 15 in Europe (May 5 in North America) via Frontiers Records, the CD was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the effort.
According to a press release, the "Performocracy" title is a combination of the words "performance" and "democracy," meaning "the power of performance" or "rule by performance." The album was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the CD.
"I think we have followed through on what we started with the last album, 'Clash Of The Elements'," explains singer Jakob Samuel. "Besides continuing to work with producer extraordinaire, Mats Valentin, we took a step further with some of the material that was hinted at on 'Clash Of The Elements'. On 'Performocracy' there is a more epic and darker character to some of the songs that we wanted to explore in more detail. Having said this, we have definitely stayed with a lot of the signature melodic elements that are trademark of the band."
"One important aspect of having a few releases in the bag is that you know more what you want as a band," says bassist Pontus Egberg. "Someone once said that 'if you want to dream big, you have to dream in great detail.' To us this means that we take all the knowledge and experience that we have acquired from our previous efforts and use that to plan ahead and make our dreams bigger."
As the album title suggests, performing songs live is the reason for what THE POODLES are as a band.
"We regrettably have to inform you that we have been forced to cancel the 'Performocracy' European tour that was to take place in October and November this fall. Due to circumstances beyond our control, it is no longer possible for us to go ahead as planned. We are extremely disappointed by this, and the lost opportunity to meet our European fans."
THE POODLES' fourth album, "Performocracy", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. Released on April 15 in Europe (May 5 in North America) via Frontiers Records, the CD was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the effort.
According to a press release, the "Performocracy" title is a combination of the words "performance" and "democracy," meaning "the power of performance" or "rule by performance." The album was again produced by Mats Valentin, but this time Tobias Lindell (EUROPE, MUSTASCH) mixed the 12 outstanding tracks that make up the CD.
"I think we have followed through on what we started with the last album, 'Clash Of The Elements'," explains singer Jakob Samuel. "Besides continuing to work with producer extraordinaire, Mats Valentin, we took a step further with some of the material that was hinted at on 'Clash Of The Elements'. On 'Performocracy' there is a more epic and darker character to some of the songs that we wanted to explore in more detail. Having said this, we have definitely stayed with a lot of the signature melodic elements that are trademark of the band."
"One important aspect of having a few releases in the bag is that you know more what you want as a band," says bassist Pontus Egberg. "Someone once said that 'if you want to dream big, you have to dream in great detail.' To us this means that we take all the knowledge and experience that we have acquired from our previous efforts and use that to plan ahead and make our dreams bigger."
As the album title suggests, performing songs live is the reason for what THE POODLES are as a band.
Vocalist Nils K. Rue of Norwegian metallers PAGAN'S MIND will be forced to sit out three shows on the band's upcoming three-week European tour with SYMPHONY X "due to unforeseen circumstances that popped up just a few weeks ago." He states, "I will do the shows in Hamburg and Bochum (the first two dates of the tour), but the next three German gigs (C-Club in Berlin, Colos-Saal in Aschaffenburg and Backstage Halle in Munich) will be with someone else behind the microphone."
Affected dates:
Oct. 02 - Berlin, Germany - C-Club
Oct. 04 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
Oct. 05 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
He adds, "This is the first time ever I have had to ask for help, but this is the only solution right now as I don't want the band to cancel these important shows. And hopefully — though I know we have found the right solution — it will be the last time I need assistance.
"I called my good friend Michael Eriksen from CIRCUS MAXIMUS, and he is willing to help out. Being a loyal friend and colleague over many years, I felt he was the man to fill in. Michael has a fabulous voice, which he proved on a big scale when replacing [Roy] Khan from KAMELOT at ProgPower USA last year. Michael also brings with him our multi-talented friend Truls Haugen, drummer for CIRCUS MAXIMUS and INSENSE, but also the singer (!) for BEYOND TWILIGHT, and they will both be handling vocal duties for these three shows.
"Some of you know that Truls has sung with us before (as a guest at ProgPower USA in 2009, feel free to look that up on YouTube). In true PAGAN'S MIND fashion; expect nothing but quality.
"This whole situation might be a little odd to most people, especially me, but speaking for the whole band: PAGAN'S MIND are confident it will be good time for everyone. With the CIRCUS MAXIMUS guys up on stage together with PAGAN'S MIND, we simply know you will be in for a special treat!
"Michael and Truls state that 'It takes two to replace a Rue,' haha! Jokes aside, both are truly amazing vocalists and will be doing our songs just great.
"I will be back out on the road for the gig in Milan on October 7th and the rest of the tour, of course. A big thank you to Michael and Truls for helping me and my bandmates out. I hope for your understanding and look forward to see you on tour! (Except for those three dates, that is.)"
The "Intermission" single by PAGAN'S MIND, which was exclusively distributed via the June 2011 issue of Sweden Rock Magazine, was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. (Note: Each copy of the magazine containing the CD sold in Sweden was counted towards the certification; the single itself was **not** sold separately.)
PAGAN'S MIND was presented with a Swedish gold award by Dag Ingebrigsten, the original singer of TNT, in front of a packed house at the band's concert in Trondheim.
PAGAN'S MIND has just released a new digital single, "Walk Away In Silence". The track listing is as follows:
01. Walk Away In Silence (5:08)
02. Intermission (5:41)
03. Crazy Nights (4:13) (LOUDNESS cover version)
"Heavenly Ecstasy", the sixth album from the PAGAN'S MIND, entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 10 (international artists) and No. 2 (Norwegian artists).
"Heavenly Ecstasy" was released on May 20 in Germany, May 23 in the rest of Europe and on May 31 in USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The follow-up to 2007's "God's Equation" was mixed last fall by Stefan Glaumann at Toytown Studios (RAMMSTEIN, MADONNA, WITHIN TEMPTATION) in Stockholm, Sweden. The effort was made available in four configurations: A limited-edition digipak with two bonus tracks, 28-page booklet and poster; a double gatefold LP with two bonus tracks on orange-colored vinyl; as a standard jewel case; and as a digital download.
Affected dates:
Oct. 02 - Berlin, Germany - C-Club
Oct. 04 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
Oct. 05 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
He adds, "This is the first time ever I have had to ask for help, but this is the only solution right now as I don't want the band to cancel these important shows. And hopefully — though I know we have found the right solution — it will be the last time I need assistance.
"I called my good friend Michael Eriksen from CIRCUS MAXIMUS, and he is willing to help out. Being a loyal friend and colleague over many years, I felt he was the man to fill in. Michael has a fabulous voice, which he proved on a big scale when replacing [Roy] Khan from KAMELOT at ProgPower USA last year. Michael also brings with him our multi-talented friend Truls Haugen, drummer for CIRCUS MAXIMUS and INSENSE, but also the singer (!) for BEYOND TWILIGHT, and they will both be handling vocal duties for these three shows.
"Some of you know that Truls has sung with us before (as a guest at ProgPower USA in 2009, feel free to look that up on YouTube). In true PAGAN'S MIND fashion; expect nothing but quality.
"This whole situation might be a little odd to most people, especially me, but speaking for the whole band: PAGAN'S MIND are confident it will be good time for everyone. With the CIRCUS MAXIMUS guys up on stage together with PAGAN'S MIND, we simply know you will be in for a special treat!
"Michael and Truls state that 'It takes two to replace a Rue,' haha! Jokes aside, both are truly amazing vocalists and will be doing our songs just great.
"I will be back out on the road for the gig in Milan on October 7th and the rest of the tour, of course. A big thank you to Michael and Truls for helping me and my bandmates out. I hope for your understanding and look forward to see you on tour! (Except for those three dates, that is.)"
The "Intermission" single by PAGAN'S MIND, which was exclusively distributed via the June 2011 issue of Sweden Rock Magazine, was certified gold in Sweden by the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry for sales in excess of 10,000 copies. (Note: Each copy of the magazine containing the CD sold in Sweden was counted towards the certification; the single itself was **not** sold separately.)
PAGAN'S MIND was presented with a Swedish gold award by Dag Ingebrigsten, the original singer of TNT, in front of a packed house at the band's concert in Trondheim.
PAGAN'S MIND has just released a new digital single, "Walk Away In Silence". The track listing is as follows:
01. Walk Away In Silence (5:08)
02. Intermission (5:41)
03. Crazy Nights (4:13) (LOUDNESS cover version)
"Heavenly Ecstasy", the sixth album from the PAGAN'S MIND, entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 10 (international artists) and No. 2 (Norwegian artists).
"Heavenly Ecstasy" was released on May 20 in Germany, May 23 in the rest of Europe and on May 31 in USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The follow-up to 2007's "God's Equation" was mixed last fall by Stefan Glaumann at Toytown Studios (RAMMSTEIN, MADONNA, WITHIN TEMPTATION) in Stockholm, Sweden. The effort was made available in four configurations: A limited-edition digipak with two bonus tracks, 28-page booklet and poster; a double gatefold LP with two bonus tracks on orange-colored vinyl; as a standard jewel case; and as a digital download.
Northeast Ohio traditional metallers H.A.T.E. (HALFWAY AT THE END) have recruited Bobby Stocker (pictured below) from hard rockers REAL STEEL to be H.A.T.E.'s guest drummer, temporary filling in for Michael Harris who is on tour in Europe with AMERICAN DOG. Stocker's first show with H.A.T.E. was opening for DIO DISCIPLES on September 28 at House of Blues in Cleveland.
Stocker recently suffered an unexpected personal setback when his mother was diagnosed with a serious illness. The outpouring of support from the local music community has been overwhelming.
"I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful support for my mom and I", says Stocker. "Things are day by day right now and I am doing my best to be a strong person but not always succeeding. Thanks again, it really helps more than you could ever know."
H.A.T.E.'s "Inject The Infection" album was released this past summer via Auburn Records. The CD was produced by guitarist Curran Murphy (SHATTER MESSIAH, NEVERMORE, ANNIHILATOR) and recorded at his Smiley Sound Studios in Akron, Ohio. Murphy also plays guitar on the album. Alex Yarborough designed the cover art. The album is distributed in North America by Century Media, The End, CD Baby, Sentinel Steel, Amazon and iTunes.
H.A.T.E. is:
Greg Wagner - Vocals/Guitar
Charlie Ruszin - Bass
Mike Miller - Guitar
Michael Harris – Drums
Stocker recently suffered an unexpected personal setback when his mother was diagnosed with a serious illness. The outpouring of support from the local music community has been overwhelming.
"I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful support for my mom and I", says Stocker. "Things are day by day right now and I am doing my best to be a strong person but not always succeeding. Thanks again, it really helps more than you could ever know."
H.A.T.E.'s "Inject The Infection" album was released this past summer via Auburn Records. The CD was produced by guitarist Curran Murphy (SHATTER MESSIAH, NEVERMORE, ANNIHILATOR) and recorded at his Smiley Sound Studios in Akron, Ohio. Murphy also plays guitar on the album. Alex Yarborough designed the cover art. The album is distributed in North America by Century Media, The End, CD Baby, Sentinel Steel, Amazon and iTunes.
H.A.T.E. is:
Greg Wagner - Vocals/Guitar
Charlie Ruszin - Bass
Mike Miller - Guitar
Michael Harris – Drums
In celebration of their 25 year anniversary, New York hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL will release "Nonstop", an album of re-recorded classics, on October 31 in Europe and November 1 in the U.S. via Century Media Records.
"Nonstop" track listing:
01. Clobberin' Time
02. Injustice System!
03. Sanctuary
04. Scratch The Surface
05. Us Vs. Them
06. The Deal
07. Just Look Around
08. Ratpack
09. World Full Of Hate
10. Pushed Too Far
11. GI Joe Headstomp
12. Never Measure Up
13. Chip Away
14. Busted
15. Locomotive
16. My Life
17. Friends Like You
18. Relentless
19. No Labels
20. Built To Last
The song "Built To Last" can now be heard on the band's Facebook page.
After the release of the highly acclaimed "Based On A True Story" (2010), SICK OF IT ALL took a short break from relentlessly touring this record earlier this year to hit Antfarm Studio again with Tue Madsen in order to celebrate their 25th anniversary with re-recordings of classic hits for "Nonstop". Drummer Armand Majidi says, "This whole thing is partially because of working with Tue Madsen — the man who has finally made SICK OF IT ALL sound the way we should in the studio."
The band added, "It was a fun recording session, and a relatively easy one because we're so used to playing so many of these songs live. They're like second nature. Most of these songs make their way into our live sets all the time, so they're current — they reach new ears and are constantly refreshed by their exposure to a brand new audience. It's not like they had to be dusted off.
"We changed tempos mostly and some of the arrangements, but we didn't want to do anything too drastic. We wanted to keep most of the songs true to the originals, but with a more powerful sound that we feel makes them all they can be."
"Nonstop" track listing:
01. Clobberin' Time
02. Injustice System!
03. Sanctuary
04. Scratch The Surface
05. Us Vs. Them
06. The Deal
07. Just Look Around
08. Ratpack
09. World Full Of Hate
10. Pushed Too Far
11. GI Joe Headstomp
12. Never Measure Up
13. Chip Away
14. Busted
15. Locomotive
16. My Life
17. Friends Like You
18. Relentless
19. No Labels
20. Built To Last
The song "Built To Last" can now be heard on the band's Facebook page.
After the release of the highly acclaimed "Based On A True Story" (2010), SICK OF IT ALL took a short break from relentlessly touring this record earlier this year to hit Antfarm Studio again with Tue Madsen in order to celebrate their 25th anniversary with re-recordings of classic hits for "Nonstop". Drummer Armand Majidi says, "This whole thing is partially because of working with Tue Madsen — the man who has finally made SICK OF IT ALL sound the way we should in the studio."
The band added, "It was a fun recording session, and a relatively easy one because we're so used to playing so many of these songs live. They're like second nature. Most of these songs make their way into our live sets all the time, so they're current — they reach new ears and are constantly refreshed by their exposure to a brand new audience. It's not like they had to be dusted off.
"We changed tempos mostly and some of the arrangements, but we didn't want to do anything too drastic. We wanted to keep most of the songs true to the originals, but with a more powerful sound that we feel makes them all they can be."
Greek old-school thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will enter Prophecy & Music Factory Studios in Kempten, Germany early October to begin recording the follow-up to last year's "Dead Again". The band will once again work with Greek producer Roberto Dimitri Liapakis, who helmed SUICIDAL ANGELS' last CD and is said to "know better than anyone else which sound the group is looking for." According to the band, "Everybody is looking forward to be working together on the new album. Never change a winning team."
"Bloodbath" is scheduled for release on January 27, 2012 via NoiseArt Records and will feature cover artwork by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH and DEATH, and who was responsible for the "Dead Again" cover.
In February 2012, SUICIDAL ANGELS will embark on the "Full Of Hate" tour alongside BEHEMOTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, LEGION OF THE DAMNED and MISERY INDEX.
"It's truly a pleasure to hit the road, every time that it happens," SUICIDAL ANGELS said in a statement. "And who could ask for a better lineup than the one in Full Of Hate! Probably the best tour of 2012, and what do you know, you've got it all! CANNIBAL CORPSE, BEHEMOTH (finally back in action), LEGION OF THE DAMNED and MISERY INDEX: bringing brutality to a venue near you...! And what better way for us to promote our new record, planned to be released shortly before the tour kicks off... We've got nothin' more to say... We know we'll see all of you crazy thrashers on the road!"
"Bloodbath" is scheduled for release on January 27, 2012 via NoiseArt Records and will feature cover artwork by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH and DEATH, and who was responsible for the "Dead Again" cover.
In February 2012, SUICIDAL ANGELS will embark on the "Full Of Hate" tour alongside BEHEMOTH, CANNIBAL CORPSE, LEGION OF THE DAMNED and MISERY INDEX.
"It's truly a pleasure to hit the road, every time that it happens," SUICIDAL ANGELS said in a statement. "And who could ask for a better lineup than the one in Full Of Hate! Probably the best tour of 2012, and what do you know, you've got it all! CANNIBAL CORPSE, BEHEMOTH (finally back in action), LEGION OF THE DAMNED and MISERY INDEX: bringing brutality to a venue near you...! And what better way for us to promote our new record, planned to be released shortly before the tour kicks off... We've got nothin' more to say... We know we'll see all of you crazy thrashers on the road!"
British clothing brand Ed Stone and Dutch technical metal band TEXTURES have announced the launch of an exclusive TEXTURES x Ed Stone T-shirt line. The line of T-shirts will be based around the band's new album, "Dualism", which was recently released through Nuclear Blast Records. The T-shirts will be limited to a 100 pieces per design once they have sold out the next design in the series will be revealed. The first design was created by Jeremy Packer at ZombieYeti Studios and is based on the TEXTURES song "Arms Of The Sea".
Commenting on the new venture, the band had this to say, "It's really cool to be able to expand our collaboration with Ed Stone even more, with the release of the TEXTURES / Ed Stone clothing line! Oh yeah!"
To pre-order the first design, "Arms Of The Sea", go to this location.
TEXTURES is currently on its first-ever North American tour (with PERIPHERY, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT and THE CONTORTIONIST). This will be followed by a number of dates in the band's home country, The Netherlands, after which the group will do a co-headline tour with THE OCEAN through the U.K. and a headline date in Paris, France.
Commenting on the new venture, the band had this to say, "It's really cool to be able to expand our collaboration with Ed Stone even more, with the release of the TEXTURES / Ed Stone clothing line! Oh yeah!"
To pre-order the first design, "Arms Of The Sea", go to this location.
TEXTURES is currently on its first-ever North American tour (with PERIPHERY, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT and THE CONTORTIONIST). This will be followed by a number of dates in the band's home country, The Netherlands, after which the group will do a co-headline tour with THE OCEAN through the U.K. and a headline date in Paris, France.
German progressive death metallers OBSCURA will embark on their first-ever North American headlining tour this fall. The trek will kick off on November 4 in Wilmington, Delaware and run through December 7. Support on the tour will come from ABYSMAL DAWN, LAST CHANCE TO REASON (select dates) and ENFOLD DARKNESS (select dates).
The details are as follows:
Nov. 04 - Wilmington, DE - Mojo 13
Nov. 06 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
Nov. 07 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
Nov. 08 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Nov. 09 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
Nov. 10 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
Nov. 11 - Winnipeg, MB - The Zoo
Nov. 13 - Saskatoon, SK - Louis' Pub
Nov. 14 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
Nov. 15 - Calgary, AB - The Distillery
Nov. 16 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Branx
Nov. 18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Nov. 20 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
Nov. 21 - Hollywood, CA - Key Club
Nov. 23 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
Nov. 25 - Denver, CO - The Marquis Theater
Nov. 27 - Tulsa, OK - The Marquee Theater
Nov. 28 - Dallas, TX - The Rail Club
Nov. 29 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Nov. 30 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
Dec. 02 - Tampa, FL - Brass Mug
Dec. 04 - Orlando, FL - Firestone Live
Dec. 05 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
Dec. 06 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
Dec. 07 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
OBSCURA recently recruited Linus Klausenitzer as the band's new bassist. Linus, who is also part of the progressive metal outfit NONEUCLID, played with OBSCURA on the group's recent European tour with HATE ETERNAL as well as the North American trek alongside CHILDREN OF BODOM and the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT.
Bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling recently left OBSCURA "due to repetitive conflicting schedules with job-related obligations."
OBSCURA's latest album, "Omnivium", sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.
OBSCURA's previous album, "Cosmogenesis", opened with 900 units to debut at No. 71 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.
The "Omnivium" artwork was designed and laid out by Orion Landau (ORIGIN, DYING FETUS, ZEKE, DISFEAR).
"Omnivium" was recorded at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with engineer V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS). The album is based on Friedrich Schelling's "On Nature's Connection to the Spirit World".
The details are as follows:
Nov. 04 - Wilmington, DE - Mojo 13
Nov. 06 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus
Nov. 07 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
Nov. 08 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Nov. 09 - Joliet, IL - Mojoe's
Nov. 10 - St Paul, MN - Station 4
Nov. 11 - Winnipeg, MB - The Zoo
Nov. 13 - Saskatoon, SK - Louis' Pub
Nov. 14 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
Nov. 15 - Calgary, AB - The Distillery
Nov. 16 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theater
Nov. 17 - Portland, OR - Branx
Nov. 18 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Nov. 20 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
Nov. 21 - Hollywood, CA - Key Club
Nov. 23 - Tempe, AZ - The Clubhouse
Nov. 25 - Denver, CO - The Marquis Theater
Nov. 27 - Tulsa, OK - The Marquee Theater
Nov. 28 - Dallas, TX - The Rail Club
Nov. 29 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Nov. 30 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
Dec. 02 - Tampa, FL - Brass Mug
Dec. 04 - Orlando, FL - Firestone Live
Dec. 05 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
Dec. 06 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
Dec. 07 - Baltimore, MD - Sonar
OBSCURA recently recruited Linus Klausenitzer as the band's new bassist. Linus, who is also part of the progressive metal outfit NONEUCLID, played with OBSCURA on the group's recent European tour with HATE ETERNAL as well as the North American trek alongside CHILDREN OF BODOM and the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT.
Bassist Jeroen Paul Thesseling recently left OBSCURA "due to repetitive conflicting schedules with job-related obligations."
OBSCURA's latest album, "Omnivium", sold around 2,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 11 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.
OBSCURA's previous album, "Cosmogenesis", opened with 900 units to debut at No. 71 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart.
The "Omnivium" artwork was designed and laid out by Orion Landau (ORIGIN, DYING FETUS, ZEKE, DISFEAR).
"Omnivium" was recorded at Woodshed Studio in southern Germany with engineer V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, DARK FORTRESS). The album is based on Friedrich Schelling's "On Nature's Connection to the Spirit World".
DEMONICAL, the Swedish death metal band featuring past and present members from CENTINEX, GRAVE, REGURGITATE, INTERMENT, AMARAN, WORLD BELOW and DELLAMORTE, has issued the following update:
"Drummer Ronnie Bergerståhl has decided to sit out the upcoming 'Eastern Death Infernal Tour 2011' due to other commitments. But rest assured, we have tapped Fredrik Widigs (WITCHERY live drummer) to fill in behind the kit and with the help of this young, talented and dedicated skinsman we are ready to deliver our Swedish death metal darkness with infernal precision and might. The black inferno awaits!!"
DEMONICAL's "Eastern Death Infernal Tour 2011" with VOLTURYON and SLYTRACT will kick off on October 26 in Riga, Latvia.
DEMONICAL's "Ravenous" video can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and filmed in Stockholm.
"Ravenous" comes off DEMONICAL's third album, "Death Infernal", which was released on April 15 via Germany's Cyclone Empire Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden under the watchful eye of DEMONICAL frontman Sverker Widgren. Other individuals taking part in the creation of "Death Infernal" were Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and photographer Soile Siirtola.
According to a press release, "Death Infernal" is "a lethal dose of fast Stockholm-style old-school death metal mixed with more epic and cold elements, hence creating the most deadly and victorious soundtrack for the upcoming downfall of Mother Earth."
"Drummer Ronnie Bergerståhl has decided to sit out the upcoming 'Eastern Death Infernal Tour 2011' due to other commitments. But rest assured, we have tapped Fredrik Widigs (WITCHERY live drummer) to fill in behind the kit and with the help of this young, talented and dedicated skinsman we are ready to deliver our Swedish death metal darkness with infernal precision and might. The black inferno awaits!!"
DEMONICAL's "Eastern Death Infernal Tour 2011" with VOLTURYON and SLYTRACT will kick off on October 26 in Riga, Latvia.
DEMONICAL's "Ravenous" video can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and filmed in Stockholm.
"Ravenous" comes off DEMONICAL's third album, "Death Infernal", which was released on April 15 via Germany's Cyclone Empire Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, UNANIMATED, DESTRÖYER 666) in Alvik, Sweden under the watchful eye of DEMONICAL frontman Sverker Widgren. Other individuals taking part in the creation of "Death Infernal" were Costin Chioreanu of Twilight 13 Media and photographer Soile Siirtola.
According to a press release, "Death Infernal" is "a lethal dose of fast Stockholm-style old-school death metal mixed with more epic and cold elements, hence creating the most deadly and victorious soundtrack for the upcoming downfall of Mother Earth."
Finnish melodic death metallers MORS PRINCIPIUM EST have announced the addition of Andhe Chandler from New Zealand as the group's second guitarist. The band states, "Yes, New Zealand is pretty far, but don't worry, it will not affect our gigs in the future. Now we can concentrate on the new material with full force!"
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST recently parted ways with guitarists Tomy Laisto and Kalle Aaltonen. A new axeman, Andy Gillion from the United Kingdom, has since been recruited.
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST 2011 is:
Ville Viljanen - Vocals
Mikko Sipola - Drums
Teemu Heinola - Bass
Andy Gillion - Guitar
Andhe Chandler - Guitar
A one-minute, 20-second snippet of a new song from MORS PRINCIPIUM EST can be streamed below.
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST's third album, "Liberation = Termination", was released in February 2007 via Listenable Records. The follow-up to "The Unborn" was recorded at Astia Studio in Finland and was mastered at Imperial Mastering in Concord, California.
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST recently parted ways with guitarists Tomy Laisto and Kalle Aaltonen. A new axeman, Andy Gillion from the United Kingdom, has since been recruited.
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST 2011 is:
Ville Viljanen - Vocals
Mikko Sipola - Drums
Teemu Heinola - Bass
Andy Gillion - Guitar
Andhe Chandler - Guitar
A one-minute, 20-second snippet of a new song from MORS PRINCIPIUM EST can be streamed below.
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST's third album, "Liberation = Termination", was released in February 2007 via Listenable Records. The follow-up to "The Unborn" was recorded at Astia Studio in Finland and was mastered at Imperial Mastering in Concord, California.
Sacramento, California's modern death metal titans THE KENNEDY VEIL have inked a deal with Unique Leader Records. The band's independently released full-length "The Sentence Of Their Conqueror" gave you an idea of what THE KENNEDY VEIL is capable of, and the recently released single, "Disciples Of Dead Aeons", allows an even better glimpse into the group's trend killing sonic evolution. But nothing will fully prepare you for what they are set to unleash with their forthcoming Unique Leader debut.
Avoiding the used, abused and predictable hat tricks that have plagued the extreme metal underground for the last several years, THE KENNEDY VEIL has successfully managed to carve its own path in spite of it. Taking influence from pioneers like DEICIDE, MORBID ANGEL and SUFFOCATION coupled with the more refined aggression of bands like ORIGIN, PSYCROPTIC and DECAPITATED, the end result is exactly what THE KENNEDY VEIL intended. No throwbacks, no breakdowns, no wanking, no trends. Just their own brand of straight-forward crushing modern death metal, which they are extremely proud bring to the table of their new label home.
Commented vocalist Cody Walker: "We are extremely excited to be on such a prestigious label with a roster steeped in a history that we, as a band and as individuals, have loved and respected for many years. It was stated and agreed upon early on as a band, that if we could handpick a label suited for us, it would be Unique Leader. Brutal is as brutal does."
Avoiding the used, abused and predictable hat tricks that have plagued the extreme metal underground for the last several years, THE KENNEDY VEIL has successfully managed to carve its own path in spite of it. Taking influence from pioneers like DEICIDE, MORBID ANGEL and SUFFOCATION coupled with the more refined aggression of bands like ORIGIN, PSYCROPTIC and DECAPITATED, the end result is exactly what THE KENNEDY VEIL intended. No throwbacks, no breakdowns, no wanking, no trends. Just their own brand of straight-forward crushing modern death metal, which they are extremely proud bring to the table of their new label home.
Commented vocalist Cody Walker: "We are extremely excited to be on such a prestigious label with a roster steeped in a history that we, as a band and as individuals, have loved and respected for many years. It was stated and agreed upon early on as a band, that if we could handpick a label suited for us, it would be Unique Leader. Brutal is as brutal does."
__._,_.___
MARKETPLACE
.
__,_._,___
0 comments:
Post a Comment