Riff for riff, few rock guitarists measure up to Anthony Frank Iommi, whose guitar work with Black Sabbath in the early 1970s personified heavy metal. On November 1st, Tony Iommi's autobiography, Iron Man: My Journey through Heaven and Hell with Black Sabbath, will be published by Da Capo Press. Co-written with T.J. Lammers, the book recounts all the ups and downs the guitarist experienced with Ozzy Osbourne and company. Iommi recently talked to Rolling Stone about why he chose to pen his autobiography now, his friendship with Led Zeppelin's John Bonham and the chances of a Sabbath reunion.
What made you decide to write your life story now?
Probably because I had a bit of time to do it. I've been trying for years, to be honest. I remember at about 1985, the idea was to do one then, and I worked with a guy in America. It just got too hectic. I couldn't carry on, so I stopped. So it took all those years later to do it, and I decided to do it again.
Probably because I had a bit of time to do it. I've been trying for years, to be honest. I remember at about 1985, the idea was to do one then, and I worked with a guy in America. It just got too hectic. I couldn't carry on, so I stopped. So it took all those years later to do it, and I decided to do it again.
There's a great story in Iron Man about hijinks with your best man – John Bonham – the night before your wedding.
On my stag night, Bonham and myself – it was only the two of us…well, also the driver – we went out to celebrate. Of course, we went to a few nightclubs in Birmingham. We'd done our little rounds, and we wound up at this one club at about 1 or 2 a.m. John goes in and he orders 12 bottles of champagne – all to be opened along the counter. He says, "This is for you!" I go, "You're kidding! I can't drink all that. What state am I going to be in?" He got the guy to pour all these glasses on the bar, and we're drinking them all, one after the other. We were absolutely paralytic by the time we left.
On my stag night, Bonham and myself – it was only the two of us…well, also the driver – we went out to celebrate. Of course, we went to a few nightclubs in Birmingham. We'd done our little rounds, and we wound up at this one club at about 1 or 2 a.m. John goes in and he orders 12 bottles of champagne – all to be opened along the counter. He says, "This is for you!" I go, "You're kidding! I can't drink all that. What state am I going to be in?" He got the guy to pour all these glasses on the bar, and we're drinking them all, one after the other. We were absolutely paralytic by the time we left.
The owner of the club was at the top of these stairs, and John decides to put his arm around him and hug him. Instead, he pushed him down the stairs, and the owner goes flying. It was so embarrassing. Eventually, I got the driver to give me a hand, and we got [Bonham] into the car. We took him home, and his wife wouldn't let him in. She opens the door, and says, "I'll let him in, but he's not coming upstairs." So we brought him in and sat him in the hallway by the radiator. I said to him, "You're not going to turn up tomorrow, are you?" He held his thumb up, and the driver took me home.
I couldn't believe it, early in the morning, he turned up all dressed up in his top hat and everything! I'd only gotten up – I hadn't had a shave or anything. I felt absolutely awful, and he was as bright as a daisy.
While we're on the subject of Zeppelin, there's been rumors over the years that Zeppelin and Sabbath jammed together once.
Yes, we did. They came down to one of our sessions. I think we were recording at Battersea in London. That was the end of our session, and then we just started jamming. It was good fun – John wanted to play one of our songs, "Supernaut." We started playing that, and then we just jammed about. But the thing was, in the early days, John would want to come up and play with us, but Bill [Ward] wouldn't let him play his kit. John did get up on one occasion, and broke Bill's kit. It was in the early days, and Bill couldn't afford to buy new cymbals and snares. Of course, after that, John would come along, and say, "Can I have a go on your kit, Bill?" And he'd go, "NO!"
Yes, we did. They came down to one of our sessions. I think we were recording at Battersea in London. That was the end of our session, and then we just started jamming. It was good fun – John wanted to play one of our songs, "Supernaut." We started playing that, and then we just jammed about. But the thing was, in the early days, John would want to come up and play with us, but Bill [Ward] wouldn't let him play his kit. John did get up on one occasion, and broke Bill's kit. It was in the early days, and Bill couldn't afford to buy new cymbals and snares. Of course, after that, John would come along, and say, "Can I have a go on your kit, Bill?" And he'd go, "NO!"
I remember reading earlier this year that the original Black Sabbath line-up was reuniting for a new album and tour. What's the status?
I remember reading that, as well [laughs]. There is no status at the moment. That's something that always can happen. We just get on with it and see what happens.
I remember reading that, as well [laughs]. There is no status at the moment. That's something that always can happen. We just get on with it and see what happens.
Are all the original Sabbath members on good terms?
Yes, I think so. I talk to Ozzy a lot – we've always been in contact. And I talk to Bill occasionally. Geez, I played with him until Ronnie [James Dio] passed away. We still stay in contact. Geezer is not one for being on the phone, we normally email. We all get on well – I don't think there's any bad vibes or anything.
Yes, I think so. I talk to Ozzy a lot – we've always been in contact. And I talk to Bill occasionally. Geez, I played with him until Ronnie [James Dio] passed away. We still stay in contact. Geezer is not one for being on the phone, we normally email. We all get on well – I don't think there's any bad vibes or anything.
When was the last time all four original Sabbath members were in the same room?
A long time ago.
A long time ago.
If Sabbath were to work on a new album, do you think the new material could measure up to the group's early classics?
I don't know – that's always the question, isn't it? But I don't know if you'd try and match it up. We've moved on since then. I don't know quite what we'd be doing. It would be a Black Sabbath thing, but I don't know to what extent. Until that's written and done, I wouldn't know.
I don't know – that's always the question, isn't it? But I don't know if you'd try and match it up. We've moved on since then. I don't know quite what we'd be doing. It would be a Black Sabbath thing, but I don't know to what extent. Until that's written and done, I wouldn't know.
What would it take then for the original Sabbath to reunite?
The band can decide to do something, but there are a lot of people involved, and everybody's got individual managers. It's not as easy as like it was in the old days – us all going in one room and it all works. I mean, we can certainly do that, but it's a bit more involved than that.
The band can decide to do something, but there are a lot of people involved, and everybody's got individual managers. It's not as easy as like it was in the old days – us all going in one room and it all works. I mean, we can certainly do that, but it's a bit more involved than that.
Lastly, if Iron Man is ever made into a movie, who should play you?
I never thought of that one. I don't know – I'm too old to play myself, I suppose [laughs].
I never thought of that one. I don't know – I'm too old to play myself, I suppose [laughs].
Metal Gods Judas Priest have kicked off the North American leg of their 'Epitaph Tour,' which they claim will most likely be the last large world tour of their over 40-year career.
The band recently released the compilation album, 'The Chosen Few.' The collection features Priest classics chosen by members of such bands such as Black Sabbath, Metallica, Lamb of God and Guns N' Roses, among others, who celebrate the career of the heavy metal veterans.
We sat down with Judas Priest singer Rob Halford and bassist Ian Hill in New York City shortly before their performance of "You've Got Another Thing Comin'" on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.' In addition to answering some of our Loudwire readers' questions, the legendary vocalist and bassist spoke about the 'Epitaph Tour,' their new guitarist Richie Faulkner, their upcoming studio album and more:
You're about to start the North American leg of the Epitaph tour, how has the tour been so far and what are the biggest differences playing here as opposed to South America or Europe?
Halford: South America you get up really f—ing early. I've got to stop swearing. [Laughs] You go to bed at around 2AM or 3AM, then you get a wake-up call at 7AM and you go, "This isn't why I wanted to be in a rock 'n' roll band." You drive all together in a van to the airport, you take your shoes off, you take your laptop out of your bag and you do that for all of South America and all of Mexico. It's grueling, but the payoff is when you stand in front of all those metal maniacs and everybody's going nuts and you're having the best of times together.
You come to America and then "Woo Hoo!" the tour bus! [Laughs] Long, straight roads with few bumps in them, and "Look there's a Burger King! There's a 7-Eleven!" When Pantera toured with Priest in 1991, they'd say, "Where's the Circle-K dude?" [Laughs] I'd say "There's no Circle-K in Paris, Dimebag." It's just the convenience of living the life of rock 'n' roll is different in every country, but the great anchor are the fans. The fans are spectacular wherever you go.
So you've said that the Epitaph tour will most likely be your last "major world tour." How did you decide which songs to include in your setlist knowing that this may be the last time that many fans will see you live?
Hill: With great difficulty. [Laughs] For every song you put in you've got to drop somebody's favorite. This setlist has taken us two-and-a-quarter hours to play onstage, which is longer than we've played for a long, long time. There are so many "evergreen" songs that we'd probably get lynched if we didn't play them, you can't drop them. So, we had to start adding and adding and adding, and I think we've achieved our goal. We've picked a representative song off each album – at least one. I think its turned out to be an excellent setlist at the end of the day.
Have the fans been reacting well to the setlist?
Hill: Oh, yeah. Some of the earlier ones like 'Never Satisfied,' from the first album you get a few blank stares, but after the second bar they get into it. It's a great song and the fan's reactions have been absolutely tremendous.
The closest show to NYC that you are playing on this upcoming tour is Nov. 18 at the Izod Center. Is it true that you're still banned from Madison Square Garden?
Halford: I don't really know about that. We'd have to try and book ourselves in there. It's an amazing venue isn't it? It's like the gigantic version of CBGB's in terms of what it represents. If you've got the Garden on your tour it's like a highlight. It's like we just got confirmed for the Budokan in Japan, which is like the equivalent to the Garden in New York or the Royal Albert Hall in London. A lot of bands want to play the Royal Albert Hall and we actually played there for the first time a few years ago for Roger Daltrey's Teenage Cancer Trust Foundation. To in that building, you think of all the people who have been in there, it's spectacular.
It's the same with the Garden with all those great basketball games that have happened there, all the great boxing matches that have happened there, and all the other artists in the entertainment industry. If those walls could speak… But we don't know if we're still banned quite honestly. Probably not now after all these years, but to some extent it's still nice to go "Yeah dude, we're banned from the Garden!" [Laughs] We caused $300,000 worth of damage, which is a fact. So part of it is we hope we're still banned, but the other side is "Please don't ban us anymore." We would love to play the Garden again.
After K.K. Downing left the band, it left you looking for a new guitarist. How was Richie Faulkner chosen as his replacement?
Halford: It was difficult, wasn't it Ian?
Hill: Yeah. He actually came from somebody else. We asked another guitarist if they were interested but their schedule wouldn't allow it, they had already committed themselves to something else, and he suggested that we should listen to Richie, and we did. Then he came up to see Rob and Glenn [Tipton]. He made an impression on Rob and Glenn, so we gave him a go and we're glad we did.
Halford: You never know how these things are going to work out, because primarily you're looking for someone who can play the parts – and boy he can play those parts. He just really tears it up because he also injects his own style and technique. I think we all agreed that we didn't want a copycat version of K.K. We wanted somebody to be their own person and to take the stage and do their own thing. When we play 'Rapid Fire,' he's literally in the front row; he's on the edge of the stage. He's just this phenomenal force in rock and roll.
I can't wait to see where he's going to be after the American tour because he's already elevated himself through Europe and South America, but America because of its cultural prestige as a rock 'n' roll country is about to be taken by storm by Richie. He was on fire the other night in Monterey. It's been very interesting watching him and listening to him. Richie Faulkner from Tilburg in Holland, which was our first date to Richie Faulkner on stage in Monterey, Mexico all those months later, is a different guy. He's just blossomed in a tremendous way and he's brought a really important, invaluable dimension to this band. It's given us a lot of though about what we're going to do next.
His first performance with you was on 'American Idol' and it just seemed like Richie was huge playing that solo from 'You've Got Another Thing Comin'.' How did the band come into contact with 'Idol?'
Hill: They actually contacted us. [Contestant] James Durbin apparently was given the choice of a song to do for the grand finale and he wanted to do one of our songs and play along with us, so they contacted us and it took us about three seconds to agree. [Laughs] That was something you can't turn down and of course James is a great bloke.
Halford: My home phone started pinging because people in America we're going, "There's a guy on American Idol going "Another Thing Comin'." I saw him and I thought, "We've got to watch this guy." Instantly I thought, "This guy has got something really special here." Then I remember speaking to management a few days later saying, "I've got a feeling that towards the end there's a very good possibility they might call Priest in," so that was always floating in the back of our minds while we were working and doing other things. Of course as he progressed, unfortunately he didn't go as far as we'd hoped he would, which is probably a good thing because that's metal – you're just about to get to the peak and then you fall off the cliff. [Laughs] And that's great, that really makes James more real, not that he isn't. James is a real metalhead.
We shouldn't give him to the pop world, we should keep him for ourselves right?
Halford: He wouldn't let that happen to himself as well, which is great. We got very close to him in the 48 hours we were together. We went out to dinner with him. He's just so grounded. He knows exactly what he wants to be and what he wants to do. We know that he's going to be okay, because if you look at some of those clips with Jimmy Iovine and all the other people saying "We think you should do this," and James would say "I'm not doing that, I'm picking these songs to do myself." He's committed and dedicated like real metalheads are, so we've really got the horns up for James on his upcoming release.
I hope he goes the same way as Daughtry, because Daughtry is a great singer, songwriter, performer and he's done really well. I really hope James goes in the same direction. His voice is absolutely phenomenal and he can do a lot of great things, so as long as he's got the songs anything can happen for James.
One interesting aspect about your new compilation 'The Chosen Few' is that artists from completely different backgrounds picked some of the same tracks. David Coverdale from Whitesnake and Randy Blythe from Lamb of God both picked 'The Green Manalishi.' Klaus Meine from Scorpions and Corey Taylor from Slipknot both picked "You've Got Another Thing Comin'." Were you surprised by the unlikely pairings?
Halford: Yeah, absolutely surprised. We had no idea what anyone was going to pick, did we Ian?
Hill: No, it was totally up to them. It's our only compilation album where we had absolutely no control whatsoever of what's going on it.
Halford: It's great that you should marry the guys together though. That Klaus from Scorpions and Corey from Slipknot should both like that particular track and say what they've said about particular songs that they enjoy from Priest. It really shows you the way that metal has this amazing generational crossover to two totally different worlds.
Members of Black Sabbath and Metallica were among the acts that chose the tracks for 'The Chosen Few.' What songs would you choose from those three acts if you were helping to put together a similar compilation for them?
Halford: For Black Sabbath, I'd probably pick 'Black Sabbath,' because that's like the most evil song ever written. For Metallica, I'd probably pick 'Blackened.' I'm into old school Metallica personally and old school Sabbath.
Hill: It's funny; I'd have to go listen to the albums again. There's always a hidden gem somewhere. You always pick out, "Oh yeah, I used to love listening to that," and then you tend to discard the rest of the album as time goes on. We've been doing albums now for 30 or 40 years and even with our songs I forget what the hell we've done on our albums, so I'd have to look back and listen to them all again and see if there are any hidden gems in there before I just blurt out what I've been listening to for the last 30 years.
Both 2011 compilations 'Single Cuts' and 'The Chosen Few' only cover your work until the early '90s; do you feel like this represents your career in the right way or do you feel that some of your later material should have been included?
Halford: I think it's just a fun retrospective. You can't do it all in one go, it's impossible. I think you just have to look at the moment that you're working with. Maybe there'll be a 'Chosen Few 2' or 'Chosen Few 3.'
Hill: The other thing is that there was a gap there where Rob wasn't with us and the two albums we've done since Rob's return are still very, very familiar and very fresh. In a lot of cases they haven't sunk in yet – the great songs off the last two albums. They haven't gotten established yet, so that's maybe one of the reasons.
It seems like when you're around for such a long time it's hard for the new stuff to really sink in with the fans.
Halford: That's the way it goes, yeah.
Hill: Of course, as far as singles are concerned, we haven't had any singles off the last two albums. [Laughs]
Halford: We've never been a singles band. We love our label to death, Sony. That's why we thought why do you want to do this? They said, "Well we did release single tracks to promote the records, particularly in America, some of which did really well, some of which just filtered through to introduce the new release." We had no idea that our label had done so much. It was just the idea that we were going to do the 'Single Cuts.'
When you've been together for 40 years, that's what bands do now. It's time to reminisce about your life in music and to put together these box sets that you may or may not choose to add to your collection. Some fans just want to go from studio album to studio album and don't want the box sets, but pretty much all of the Priest fans are like, "Give me it all, I want everything! I want the lot. I want to put my 'Singles Cuts' next to my 'Metalogy,' I want to put that next to my remasters."
Hill: It's a good concept though; you've now got the singles out. I'd be great if they then go for the Judas Priest production pieces and then the heavier songs or the faster songs. You can pick out any little area of heavy metal, which is immense really and we've done a lot of all of it over the years.
You've revealed that you are several songs into a new album that is slated to come out next year. What's the latest you can tell us about the album?
Hill: The three songs we've recorded don't include Richie yet; they were done before he was officially announced, so we'll have to include him in some way, shape or form. Rob and Glenn do the majority of the writing. Richie of course probably has some ideas of his own, which we'll utilize.
Halford: He just brings another metalhead into the writing process. We didn't know what was going to happen when we started to work with Richie on the road. Basically that was all we hoped for; to find a good guitar player to do the parts that were needed, but Richie's gone beyond that now. There was talk earlier of whether Richie was in for good or if is he just a hired gun. Speaking for myself, he's in for good; for however long we can continue as a band and if Richie wants to do the gig he's got the gig. And it looks like he does want to do it because firstly he's mad about Priest, he loves the band to death and I think we all agree that something special can happen there from the recordings and the writing side of Priest.
You can't really describe a record by using words can you? It's a real metal classic album for Priest, and it'll be interesting to see how Richie is going to inject his style in his writing. He's the new kid on the block and he's 31. [laughs] We're in our 60's you know, so he's thinking as a 30-odd-year-old metalhead with his style and his influence from the people who inspired him are in his performance, so he's going to bring that into the writing side of what we do. It's going to be very cool to see where we're going to go.
Richie's very old school to some extent; we did 'Rockline' last night and he was asked, "Who are your favorite guitar players?" He goes, Hendrix – everybody says Hendrix, as they should. Then he mentioned Zakk Wylde and five other guitar players, which we never had heard him speak about before. I think that's definitely going to be brought into the writing sessions. There's about 10 or 12 songs that Glenn and I mapped out – four of which were recorded and mixed and are ready to go. Originally we were going to release one or two tracks to support this tour but our label asked us to hold off until next year. So we'll go back and re-record those songs and put Richie in there and then see what else he can bring into the rest of the material. It's going to be great. It's going to be a classic Priest album.
AEROSMITH kicked off its South American tour last night (Saturday, October 22) at Estadio San Marcos in Lima, Peru. According to fan reports, Steven Tyler's voice gave out partway through the show, resulting in several songs — including "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing", "Dream On" and "Love In An Elevator" — not being performed at last night's concert.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Draw The Line
02. Same Old Song And Dance
03. Mama Kin
04. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
05. Eat The Rich
06. Chip Away The Stone
07. One Way Street
08. Livin' On The Edge
--Drum Solo--
09. Rag Doll
10. Amazing
11. What It Takes
12. Last Child
13. Cryin'
14. Stop Messin' Around
15. Sweet Emotion
Encore:
16. Walk This Way
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Draw The Line
02. Same Old Song And Dance
03. Mama Kin
04. Dude (Looks Like A Lady)
05. Eat The Rich
06. Chip Away The Stone
07. One Way Street
08. Livin' On The Edge
--Drum Solo--
09. Rag Doll
10. Amazing
11. What It Takes
12. Last Child
13. Cryin'
14. Stop Messin' Around
15. Sweet Emotion
Encore:
16. Walk This Way
On Saturday, March 24, 2012, platinum-selling singer, songwriter and self-taught multi-instrumentalist Paul Rodgers will entertain Canadian Music Week attendees with an intimate performance and revealing tales behind his classic hits during "Kings And Queens Of Songwriting: Songwriters In The Round".
Canadian Music Week 2012 is scheduled to take place March 21-25 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
His career spans 43 years and counting. Within them, he has formed and led three of rock's legendary bands — FREE, BAD COMPANY and THE FIRM — along with his own career to worldwide success. He has written, recorded, produced and released 30 albums which have gone on to sell over 90 million in total. His songs have left an indelible mark on music — topping several charts and winning numerous awards - while his voice has earned him acclaim as one of rock's greatest singers. A consummate writer and performer, he has recorded and/or performed with the who's who of rock — including Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Brian May, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Slash, Nils Lofgren, Charlie Watts, Bryan Adams, Motown's Sam Moore, and THE FOUR TOPS — while continuing to tour internationally.
Canadian Music Week 2012 is scheduled to take place March 21-25 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
His career spans 43 years and counting. Within them, he has formed and led three of rock's legendary bands — FREE, BAD COMPANY and THE FIRM — along with his own career to worldwide success. He has written, recorded, produced and released 30 albums which have gone on to sell over 90 million in total. His songs have left an indelible mark on music — topping several charts and winning numerous awards - while his voice has earned him acclaim as one of rock's greatest singers. A consummate writer and performer, he has recorded and/or performed with the who's who of rock — including Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Brian May, David Gilmour, Buddy Guy, Joe Walsh, Slash, Nils Lofgren, Charlie Watts, Bryan Adams, Motown's Sam Moore, and THE FOUR TOPS — while continuing to tour internationally.
According to Deadline.com, METALLICA is planning to self-finance a 3D feature film. The band has hired producer Charlotte Huggins ("Journey To The Center Of The Earth" and "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island") to work on the project, for which a director is still being sought. No further details are currently available.
METALLICA's critically acclaimed 2004 documentary "Some Kind Of Monster", directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky ("Brother's Keeper", "Paradise Lost"), offered a revealing behind-the-scenes look at METALLICA as they confronted personal demons and their relationships with each other during the making of the band's 2003 album "St. Anger".
In a 2010 interview with Australia's Herald Sun, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich stated about "Some Kind Of Monster", "Every time I see Noel Gallagher [OASIS], he quotes lines from that movie back to me. That thing has taken on a life of its own. I had to live that shit for three fucking years! The whole thing was a mindfuck. I am aware a lot of other musicians seem to have lived a lot of those moments. They weren't necessarily stupid enough to film them like we were and share them with the rest of the world."
METALLICA's critically acclaimed 2004 documentary "Some Kind Of Monster", directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky ("Brother's Keeper", "Paradise Lost"), offered a revealing behind-the-scenes look at METALLICA as they confronted personal demons and their relationships with each other during the making of the band's 2003 album "St. Anger".
In a 2010 interview with Australia's Herald Sun, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich stated about "Some Kind Of Monster", "Every time I see Noel Gallagher [OASIS], he quotes lines from that movie back to me. That thing has taken on a life of its own. I had to live that shit for three fucking years! The whole thing was a mindfuck. I am aware a lot of other musicians seem to have lived a lot of those moments. They weren't necessarily stupid enough to film them like we were and share them with the rest of the world."
MÖTLEY CRÜE, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, DIMMU BORGIR, EDGUY, GAMMA RAY, DANKO JONES and PENTAGRAM are the first confirmed bands for next year's edition of the Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 6-9, 2012 in Sölvesborg, Blekinge in southern Sweden. Around 70 bands will perform on the festival's five stages next summer.
Three-day tickets (for the main festival days) and four-day tickets (including the Wednesday opening) for next year's event were made available this morning through www.swedenrock.com. The first 5000 ticket buyers will receive a Sweden Rock T-shirt which will not be available anywhere else. The design was made by British artist Sleba, known for his work with LED ZEPPELIN and "Star Wars", among others.
Three-day tickets (for the main festival days) and four-day tickets (including the Wednesday opening) for next year's event were made available this morning through www.swedenrock.com. The first 5000 ticket buyers will receive a Sweden Rock T-shirt which will not be available anywhere else. The design was made by British artist Sleba, known for his work with LED ZEPPELIN and "Star Wars", among others.
ARCH ENEMY, PRIMAL FEAR, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD, ATLANTEAN KODEX, VANDERBUYST and SISTER are the first confirmed bands for next year's edition of the Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place July 13-14, 2012 in Balingen, Germany.
For more information, visit Bang-Your-Head.de.
For more information, visit Bang-Your-Head.de.
Purchase ANTHRAX's new album, "Worship Music", at Amoeba in San Francisco, California on Sunday, October 23 and get it signed by the band. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m.
* Signing is limited to the first 100 people who buy the album on October 23
* Fans may have one additional item signed by the band.
An Amoeba staff photographer will take photos of fans with the band, and these will be downloable after the event on Amoeba.com. There will be no personal photos allowed at the signing table due to limited time.
"Worship Music" sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2003's "We've Come For You All", opened with just under 10,000 units to debut at No. 122.
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.
* Signing is limited to the first 100 people who buy the album on October 23
* Fans may have one additional item signed by the band.
An Amoeba staff photographer will take photos of fans with the band, and these will be downloable after the event on Amoeba.com. There will be no personal photos allowed at the signing table due to limited time.
"Worship Music" sold 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 12 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous studio CD, 2003's "We've Come For You All", opened with just under 10,000 units to debut at No. 122.
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.
A USB stick containing albums, videos, rare tracks and exclusive hi-res images from NWOBHM legends DIAMOND HEAD will soon be made available from the band's official web site.
For the first time in its 35-year history, DIAMOND HEAD made its way stateside for a U.S. tour this past summer.
DIAMOND HEAD's only previous U.S. appearance was at the Metal Meltdown IV festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 2002 for a sold-out show with fellow British stalwarts SAXON and WITCHFYNDE. Now, for the first time ever, DIAMOND HEAD's U.S. fans got the opportunity to see the band perform live.
The tour kicked off in Seattle on August 15 and concluded in New York City on September 1.
DIAMOND HEAD's first-ever appearance with the "Big Four" (METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX and MEGADETH), the artists on whom they had a major influence, at the Sonisphere festivals in the U.K. and France, was followed by their first performances in Canada, playing with MOTÖRHEAD, and MEGADETH at the Heavy TO festival in Toronto, along with an appearance with GIRLSCHOOL, MOTÖRHEAD and KISS, at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal.
For the first time in its 35-year history, DIAMOND HEAD made its way stateside for a U.S. tour this past summer.
DIAMOND HEAD's only previous U.S. appearance was at the Metal Meltdown IV festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey in 2002 for a sold-out show with fellow British stalwarts SAXON and WITCHFYNDE. Now, for the first time ever, DIAMOND HEAD's U.S. fans got the opportunity to see the band perform live.
The tour kicked off in Seattle on August 15 and concluded in New York City on September 1.
DIAMOND HEAD's first-ever appearance with the "Big Four" (METALLICA, SLAYER, ANTHRAX and MEGADETH), the artists on whom they had a major influence, at the Sonisphere festivals in the U.K. and France, was followed by their first performances in Canada, playing with MOTÖRHEAD, and MEGADETH at the Heavy TO festival in Toronto, along with an appearance with GIRLSCHOOL, MOTÖRHEAD and KISS, at the Heavy MTL festival in Montreal.
Chris Kies of Premier Guitar recently conducted an interview with Brent Hinds and Bill Kelliher of Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Premier Guitar: Your previous albums have been pretty epic. How did your approach differ for "The Hunter"?
Kelliher: With "Crack The Skye", most of those riffs were written by Brent, but this time we all contributed musical ideas. We decided to take a different approach, because we're all pretty busy outside the world of MASTODON, and after touring for nearly two years we really wanted to take a break. Before "The Hunter", when Brent would a write a song — or vice versa — the other person would learn it and double it, or come up with their own complementary part. But on "The Hunter", there are parts and songs where it's strictly Brann [Dailor, drums] and me or Brent and Brann — that's something we've never really done before.
Hinds: I really didn't approach "The Hunter" any different than our previous albums. We just decided — like we always do — to write and record a cool album that's badass, and to do the best we can. I play guitar so much in MASTODON and my other bands that I don't really block out time to write — if something comes to me while I'm jamming and it sticks with me, I'll generally try recording it. But if I forget the riff or idea, then it probably wasn't meant to be.
Premier Guitar: Bill, are you happy with how the different writing approach worked out this time?
Kelliher: It was real spontaneous — some of the stuff was even written while in the studio rehearsing and recording other songs. But honestly, I was really nervous about going at this album with the attitude of "Let's just go record — even though we don't know each other's parts." But our producer, Mike Elizondo, reassured us that a lot of bands do it that way — he mentioned that James [Hetfield, vocalist/rhythm guitar] in METALLICA records all his parts, and then Kirk [Hammett, lead guitar] comes in and records the solos. Don't get me wrong, though — the stuff we've done in the past, with those contrasting guitar tones and mannerisms, do give a song a bigger feel. Brent and I, James and Kirk of METALLICA, or any two guitarists are never going to play the same song or the same riff the same. So I feel "The Hunter" is a tighter album because we did it this way.
Premier Guitar: What was it like working with Mike Elizondo?
Hinds: Amazing. Mike is a great man — I'd vote for Mr. Elizondo for president. I really liked working with Matt Bayles on our first three records, even though it was a battle at times, because we weren't really known or trusted as musicians yet, so we'd have creative conflicts like you would in any recording environment. Brendan [O'Brien] was the guy for "Crack The Skye", but I'm glad we went with Mike, because he let us do our thing while maintaining some control and having lucid and constructive input for our song structures and guitar parts.
Kelliher: Brendan was the right choice for "Crack The Skye", because we wanted that '80s classic-rock sound, and Brendan has worked with so many acts of that genre — like AC/DC and Springsteen — so it was just the perfect fit. That album was so dialed-in and meticulous that it was helpful to have a guy pushing for perfection. But we did so many sessions and takes that it was grueling. Mike was full of energy and so excited to be with us that it just immediately clicked. Usually, when I record my parts in the studio, no one is very vocal or directing me if something sounds bad — or suggesting I try it in a different key or with a different guitar. But Mike was really vocal on what was working and wasn't for my guitar parts.
Premier Guitar: Your previous albums have been pretty epic. How did your approach differ for "The Hunter"?
Kelliher: With "Crack The Skye", most of those riffs were written by Brent, but this time we all contributed musical ideas. We decided to take a different approach, because we're all pretty busy outside the world of MASTODON, and after touring for nearly two years we really wanted to take a break. Before "The Hunter", when Brent would a write a song — or vice versa — the other person would learn it and double it, or come up with their own complementary part. But on "The Hunter", there are parts and songs where it's strictly Brann [Dailor, drums] and me or Brent and Brann — that's something we've never really done before.
Hinds: I really didn't approach "The Hunter" any different than our previous albums. We just decided — like we always do — to write and record a cool album that's badass, and to do the best we can. I play guitar so much in MASTODON and my other bands that I don't really block out time to write — if something comes to me while I'm jamming and it sticks with me, I'll generally try recording it. But if I forget the riff or idea, then it probably wasn't meant to be.
Premier Guitar: Bill, are you happy with how the different writing approach worked out this time?
Kelliher: It was real spontaneous — some of the stuff was even written while in the studio rehearsing and recording other songs. But honestly, I was really nervous about going at this album with the attitude of "Let's just go record — even though we don't know each other's parts." But our producer, Mike Elizondo, reassured us that a lot of bands do it that way — he mentioned that James [Hetfield, vocalist/rhythm guitar] in METALLICA records all his parts, and then Kirk [Hammett, lead guitar] comes in and records the solos. Don't get me wrong, though — the stuff we've done in the past, with those contrasting guitar tones and mannerisms, do give a song a bigger feel. Brent and I, James and Kirk of METALLICA, or any two guitarists are never going to play the same song or the same riff the same. So I feel "The Hunter" is a tighter album because we did it this way.
Premier Guitar: What was it like working with Mike Elizondo?
Hinds: Amazing. Mike is a great man — I'd vote for Mr. Elizondo for president. I really liked working with Matt Bayles on our first three records, even though it was a battle at times, because we weren't really known or trusted as musicians yet, so we'd have creative conflicts like you would in any recording environment. Brendan [O'Brien] was the guy for "Crack The Skye", but I'm glad we went with Mike, because he let us do our thing while maintaining some control and having lucid and constructive input for our song structures and guitar parts.
Kelliher: Brendan was the right choice for "Crack The Skye", because we wanted that '80s classic-rock sound, and Brendan has worked with so many acts of that genre — like AC/DC and Springsteen — so it was just the perfect fit. That album was so dialed-in and meticulous that it was helpful to have a guy pushing for perfection. But we did so many sessions and takes that it was grueling. Mike was full of energy and so excited to be with us that it just immediately clicked. Usually, when I record my parts in the studio, no one is very vocal or directing me if something sounds bad — or suggesting I try it in a different key or with a different guitar. But Mike was really vocal on what was working and wasn't for my guitar parts.
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will be at Cactus Music in Houston, Texas this Thursday, October 27 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a special in-store signing of their new album, "The Hunter".
If you get the album early from the store, you'll get a wristband that will guarantee a place in line to meet the band. All are welcome, but fans presenting wristbands will receive priority placement in line.
The address is:
Cactus Music
2110 Portsmouth
Houston, TX 77098
"The Hunter" sold 39,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 11. MASTODON's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.
"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
If you get the album early from the store, you'll get a wristband that will guarantee a place in line to meet the band. All are welcome, but fans presenting wristbands will receive priority placement in line.
The address is:
Cactus Music
2110 Portsmouth
Houston, TX 77098
"The Hunter" sold 39,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 11. MASTODON's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.
"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
According to Billboard.com, JOURNEY will receive the "Legend of Live" award at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards on November 10 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. The awards are part of the Billboard Touring Conference, taking place on November 9-10.
The Billboard "Legend of Live" award honors groups or individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and acknowledges the recipients' commitment to the art of performing live and reaching fans through the concert experience. Previous award recipients include RUSH (2010), OZZY OSBOURNE (2009), THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (2008), pioneering agent Frank Barsalona (2007), Sir Elton John (2006), Cellar Door Concerts founder Jack Boyle (2005) and promoter Michael Cohl (2004).
"I'm so honored to come to New York to represent the band for all the years and dedication that everyone's given," JOURNEY guitarist and founding member Neal Schon said of the honor.
"Though they have sold millions of records and charted a wealth of the most beloved Billboard hits in history, most would agree that JOURNEY's longevity has in large part been driven by their stellar live performances," said Ray Waddell, Billboard's Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment. "From their days blowing up the Bay Area music scene to their ascent to international headlining and, today, iconic rock status, withstanding personnel changes that would bring down a lesser band, JOURNEY's talent transcends musical trends and draws bigger crowds year after year. In short, JOURNEY personifies a 'Legend of Live.' "
For more information, visit www.BillboardTouringConference.com.
The Billboard "Legend of Live" award honors groups or individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to live music and the touring business, and acknowledges the recipients' commitment to the art of performing live and reaching fans through the concert experience. Previous award recipients include RUSH (2010), OZZY OSBOURNE (2009), THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND (2008), pioneering agent Frank Barsalona (2007), Sir Elton John (2006), Cellar Door Concerts founder Jack Boyle (2005) and promoter Michael Cohl (2004).
"I'm so honored to come to New York to represent the band for all the years and dedication that everyone's given," JOURNEY guitarist and founding member Neal Schon said of the honor.
"Though they have sold millions of records and charted a wealth of the most beloved Billboard hits in history, most would agree that JOURNEY's longevity has in large part been driven by their stellar live performances," said Ray Waddell, Billboard's Executive Director of Content and Programming for Touring and Live Entertainment. "From their days blowing up the Bay Area music scene to their ascent to international headlining and, today, iconic rock status, withstanding personnel changes that would bring down a lesser band, JOURNEY's talent transcends musical trends and draws bigger crowds year after year. In short, JOURNEY personifies a 'Legend of Live.' "
For more information, visit www.BillboardTouringConference.com.
POISONBLACK — the Finnish band featuring former SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala — will support NIGHTWISH on the following dates:
March 02 - Joensuu, FIN @ Areena
March 03 - Sotkamo, FIN @ Vuokattihalli
March 04 - Oulu, FIN @ Teatria
March 09 - Jyväskylä, FIN @ Paviljonki Areena
March 10 - Helsinki, FIN @ Jäähalli
March 11 - Tampere, FIN @ Hakametsän Halli
"Drive" track listing:
01. Piston Head
02. Mercury Falling
03. A Good Day For The Crows
04. Maggot Song
05. From Now-Here to Nowhere
06. Sycophant
07. The Dead-End Stream
08. Futile Man
09. Scars
10. Driftwood
Madsen previously mixed POISONBLACK's 2006 effort "Lust-Stained Despair".
"Of Rust And Bones", the fourth album from POISONBLACK, entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 6.
March 02 - Joensuu, FIN @ Areena
March 03 - Sotkamo, FIN @ Vuokattihalli
March 04 - Oulu, FIN @ Teatria
March 09 - Jyväskylä, FIN @ Paviljonki Areena
March 10 - Helsinki, FIN @ Jäähalli
March 11 - Tampere, FIN @ Hakametsän Halli
"Drive" track listing:
01. Piston Head
02. Mercury Falling
03. A Good Day For The Crows
04. Maggot Song
05. From Now-Here to Nowhere
06. Sycophant
07. The Dead-End Stream
08. Futile Man
09. Scars
10. Driftwood
Madsen previously mixed POISONBLACK's 2006 effort "Lust-Stained Despair".
"Of Rust And Bones", the fourth album from POISONBLACK, entered the official chart in the group's home country at position No. 6.
SOULS ON 11 — the project featuring former MEGADETH guitarist Jeff Young and 24-year-old Swedish singer Guernica Mancini — had its October 21 performance at Genghis Cohen Restaurant, Bar & Music Room filmed for DVD release. According to Young, the disc will be made available on November 11. Joining Young and Mancini during the concert were James Lomenzo (bass; MEGADETH, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, WHITE LION) and Debby Holiday (vocals).
Mancini joined SOULS ON 11 earlier in the year as the replacement for Schascle "Twinkle" Yochim, who was unable to move forward with the project due to various "personal and family situations." Seeking a vocalist of European sensibility led the guitarist back to his Alma mater, Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Mancini is a recent graduate of MI's Vocal Institute Of Technology and is currently attending courses in Music Business at UCLA. During her tenure at VIT, Mancini went through a self-proclaimed "'80s metal phase," exploring a natural affinity and the uncanny ability to sing in the style of Ronnie James Dio, SKID ROW's Sebastian Bach, Janis Joplin and the like.
SOULS ON 11's recording lineup is rounded out by the world-class rhythm section of Lomenzo and drummer Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, PUDDLE OF MUDD).
Mancini joined SOULS ON 11 earlier in the year as the replacement for Schascle "Twinkle" Yochim, who was unable to move forward with the project due to various "personal and family situations." Seeking a vocalist of European sensibility led the guitarist back to his Alma mater, Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. Mancini is a recent graduate of MI's Vocal Institute Of Technology and is currently attending courses in Music Business at UCLA. During her tenure at VIT, Mancini went through a self-proclaimed "'80s metal phase," exploring a natural affinity and the uncanny ability to sing in the style of Ronnie James Dio, SKID ROW's Sebastian Bach, Janis Joplin and the like.
SOULS ON 11's recording lineup is rounded out by the world-class rhythm section of Lomenzo and drummer Jeff Bowders (PAUL GILBERT, PUDDLE OF MUDD).
Coming off two roof-raising sold-out shows last week at Irving Plaza in New York City (October 17-18) as part of a special small venue run that also brought the band to Chicago and Los Angeles, JANE'S ADDICTION — frontman Perry Farrell, guitarist Dave Navarro and drummer Stephen Perkins, along with Chris Chaney on bass — will perform tonight (Monday, October 24) on CBS-TV's "The Late Show With David Letterman". Check local listings for more details.
Metal Blade Records has announced its union with THE DEVIL'S BLOOD, a hard rock band inspired by vintage metal and underground psychedelic rock of the days of yore. The group's new full-length album, "The Thousandfold Epicentre", will be made available in North America on January 17, 2012. The 11-song CD was produced with the help of Pieter Kloos at Void Studios in Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Commented the band: "We are very pleased to be able to announce our partnership with a partner so deeply rooted in tradition and at the same time willing and able to extend their borders to include THE DEVIL'S BLOOD. This industrious quality makes us feel we have chosen a partner who shall not sit idly by as their seeds are growing, but instead shall water the orchard with love and passion so the fruits may become sweet as damnation's wine. Our cult is growing, growing fast, and with the addition of Metal Blade to our family we shall endeavor to make the whole world dream the dreams of death.
"'The Thousandfold Epicentre' has become a beautiful and horrible child, a child that is about to be offered up unto the bull-headed God. Within the flames of its creation we have heated our irons for the branding of the world. Within its words and music lies the entrance to the path towards the crossroads, towards the unending singularity and beyond. Our children for Moloch! Hail Satan!"
Added Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records: "THE DEVIL'S BLOOD has a sound that is quite unique in today's scene. Reminiscent of the classic metal and psychedelic rock bands of the '60s and '70s, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD has created a dark and haunting world made up of intriguing music, strong vocals and musicianship, reflective artwork, and a theatrical stage show that is not to be missed. We are extremely excited to be working with THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and look forward to releasing their upcoming full-length, 'The Thousandfold Epicentre', in North America this January."
"The Thousandfold Epicentre" track listing:
01. Unending Singularity
02. On the Wings of Gloria
03. Die the Death
04. Within the Charnel House of Love
05. Cruel Lover
06. She
07. The Thousandfold Epicentre
08. Fire Burning
09. Everlasting Saturnalia
10. The Madness of Serpents
11. Feverdance
Commented the band: "We are very pleased to be able to announce our partnership with a partner so deeply rooted in tradition and at the same time willing and able to extend their borders to include THE DEVIL'S BLOOD. This industrious quality makes us feel we have chosen a partner who shall not sit idly by as their seeds are growing, but instead shall water the orchard with love and passion so the fruits may become sweet as damnation's wine. Our cult is growing, growing fast, and with the addition of Metal Blade to our family we shall endeavor to make the whole world dream the dreams of death.
"'The Thousandfold Epicentre' has become a beautiful and horrible child, a child that is about to be offered up unto the bull-headed God. Within the flames of its creation we have heated our irons for the branding of the world. Within its words and music lies the entrance to the path towards the crossroads, towards the unending singularity and beyond. Our children for Moloch! Hail Satan!"
Added Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records: "THE DEVIL'S BLOOD has a sound that is quite unique in today's scene. Reminiscent of the classic metal and psychedelic rock bands of the '60s and '70s, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD has created a dark and haunting world made up of intriguing music, strong vocals and musicianship, reflective artwork, and a theatrical stage show that is not to be missed. We are extremely excited to be working with THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and look forward to releasing their upcoming full-length, 'The Thousandfold Epicentre', in North America this January."
"The Thousandfold Epicentre" track listing:
01. Unending Singularity
02. On the Wings of Gloria
03. Die the Death
04. Within the Charnel House of Love
05. Cruel Lover
06. She
07. The Thousandfold Epicentre
08. Fire Burning
09. Everlasting Saturnalia
10. The Madness of Serpents
11. Feverdance
Canadian rocker Danko Jones has slammed METALLICA's collaboration with Lou Reed, claiming to have put his entire METALLICA collection up for sale after hearing the controversial "Lulu" project.
"Lulu" is due 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, which is available for streaming in its entirety at LouReedMetallica.com, 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.
In a series of tweets over the weekend, Danko offered his opinion on "Lulu", calling it the "Ishtar", "Waterworld" and "Battlefield Earth" of rock 'n' roll. ("Ishtar", "Waterworld" and "Battlefield Earth" are widely considered to be three of the biggest cinematic train wrecks.) His final tweet on the subject reads, "Good morning! Heard METALLICA/Lou Reed album last night. METALLICA collection now for sale. Tweet your $$$."
"Lulu" finds METALLICA playing behind lyrics written and sung by Reed that are based on a pair of early 20th century German Expressionist plays.
METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Revolver in a new interview that "Lulu" is "one of the best things we've ever done," adding, "We haven't been spontaneous like that for years and years and years, probably since the '80s."
Hammett added that fans should not consider this the next METALLICA album, saying, "All I have to say is don't judge it by heavy metal standards and maybe you'll understand it better."
Reaction worldwide to the samples of music heard from the project so far has been a mix of confusion, hostility and disappointment, with fans cautiously lauding METALLICA for daring to experiment but also saying that this project was perhaps the wrong combination of artists.
"Lulu" is due on November 1 in North America via Warner Bros. Records and one day earlier (October 31) in the rest of the world through Universal Music. The CD, which is available for streaming in its entirety at LouReedMetallica.com, was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
In a series of tweets over the weekend, Danko offered his opinion on "Lulu", calling it the "Ishtar", "Waterworld" and "Battlefield Earth" of rock 'n' roll. ("Ishtar", "Waterworld" and "Battlefield Earth" are widely considered to be three of the biggest cinematic train wrecks.) His final tweet on the subject reads, "Good morning! Heard METALLICA/Lou Reed album last night. METALLICA collection now for sale. Tweet your $$$."
"Lulu" finds METALLICA playing behind lyrics written and sung by Reed that are based on a pair of early 20th century German Expressionist plays.
METALLICA guitarist Kirk Hammett told Revolver in a new interview that "Lulu" is "one of the best things we've ever done," adding, "We haven't been spontaneous like that for years and years and years, probably since the '80s."
Hammett added that fans should not consider this the next METALLICA album, saying, "All I have to say is don't judge it by heavy metal standards and maybe you'll understand it better."
Reaction worldwide to the samples of music heard from the project so far has been a mix of confusion, hostility and disappointment, with fans cautiously lauding METALLICA for daring to experiment but also saying that this project was perhaps the wrong combination of artists.
Florida-based guitarist-turned-producer James Murphy, who is best known for his guitar work with TESTAMENT, DEATH, OBITUARY, CANCER and DISINCARNATE, recently expressed concern that the tumor he "battled and defeated" nine years ago may have recurred after discovering that the hormone indicator was 20 times higher than the low it reached as recently as one year ago. He has since revealed that his most recent MRI showed that the tumor only grew a little, so no surgery is needed, and radiation therapy has been, at least for the moment, ruled out. The new growth will be treated pharmacologically by increasing Murphy's dose of the hormone inhibitor he is currently taking, or switching to the other (better, but more expensive) drug that can treat his particular condition.
Murphy's latest update, as posted on his Facebook page:
"A lot of you keep saying the 'C' word... I've been as clear as possible from the start that my tumor was/is, as I've understood my doctors, not cancerous... at least not of the kind that spreads rampantly around the body. It was quite large originally, and I was close to the worst of all possible outcomes before the surgery that saved my life in 2001, but my tumor was/is a fully encapsulated pituitary adenoma.
"I know it's a fairly normal response to the word 'tumor' to think of cancerous tumors, but I don't want to detract from the plights of those with actual malignancies by not correcting the misperception that mine is of that nature. The tumor I have can grow, and has grown a bit since my previous MRI from 18 months ago, and that can cause serious problems for me certainly, even death were it to grow large enough again... but it won't spread into other structures; it can only grow larger and push into other organs, putting pressure on them or strangling them. That's my understanding at least, and is why I was nearly blind when it was discovered originally, as it had pushed outward to my optic nerves... and also why i had memory issues, as it pressed into other parts of my brain from below.
"The best way to sum this type of tumor up, best as I understand what was explained to me anyway, is that as long as it's inhibited from getting larger I'll be OK... I'll have to take a prescription to inhibit its growth for the rest of my life, as well as a couple other 'scripts to normalize the hormone issues caused by the fact that the tumor is on, and essentially part of, the pituitary gland. I may have to receive radiation therapy at some point or in the worst case even another surgery, as was my recent scare, but from this particular type of tumor there is no worry of it spreading to other organs or lymph nodes, etc... only the concern of keeping it from becoming larger. The tumor nearly did take me out once, and could yet do so if it began growing unchecked again, so it's a very serious condition... but it's not a malignant cancer.
"We all know that malignant cancers sometimes leave their victims with no real fighting chance, which is something I've been fortunate to have, along with a reasonably normal life for the past nine years since my surgery (minus a year's recovery and rehabilitation period). There have been many we all knew and cared for that did not have such chances.
"I am a very lucky man... both in that I did have a fighting chance, even at my most dire point, and that I have so many fantastic human beings that have reached out to help, support, encourage, and uplift me during my periods of hardship.
"Take a moment today to remember all those that were never given favorable odds and ultimately lost their fights... and another moment or two to reach out to those in each of your lives that may still be struggling with malignant tumors or other serious illnesses and just say, 'Hi, I'm thinking about you, keep fighting, I love you!' .... it means more than you can know, as I've learned twice in my lifetime thus far."
In related news, REDSCREAM — the new Stockholm, Sweden-based project featuring three members of the legendary Swedish death metal band GRAVE alongside American guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, DEICIDE) — is selling its first official T-shirt, with half the proceeds going to offset James Murphy's medical bills. The design is a logo/shield on the front, with a one-time-only message about James on the sleeve. Prices are 25 euros or 30 dollars, which includes shipping everywhere except Stockholm, where REDSCREAM will deliver the T-shirt personally. There will be 100 shirts manufactured and ready for delivery in mid-November. You can pre-order at redscreamofficial@hotmail.com. Please include your size and country of origin.
For more information, visit REDSCREAM's official Facebook page.
In August 2001, Murphy was discovered to have a massive tumor growth near the base of his brain and was quickly scheduled for an urgent life-saving operation. James underwent surgery on September 17, 2001 at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida. Neurosurgeon Dr. Frank Vrionis and head and neck surgeon Dr. John Song, performed the operation using a Maxillary Swing procedure that made entry through the left side of the face. An incision was made underneath the left eye, along the side of the nose, and finally through the middle of the upper lip. The facial tissue was then pulled back and the cheekbone removed. They then cut through James' sinus and made entry below the orbit of the eye to remove a portion of the growth. More was removed through an incision made in the soft pallet inside the mouth. About 70% of the tumor was removed, the remainder being too close to vital structures to risk further damage. The sinus was then packed with fat tissue taken from the lower abdomen via an incision below the navel and reattached. The cheekbone was set back in place and held with two small titanium plates. The facial tissue was then sutured closed along with the soft pallet. His mouth was fitted with a prosthesis to protect the pallet tissue while it healed. The remaining 30% of the tumor was treated with a medication to shrink it called Parlodel (Bromocriptine), which James was told he would have to take for the rest of his life.
Murphy's latest update, as posted on his Facebook page:
"A lot of you keep saying the 'C' word... I've been as clear as possible from the start that my tumor was/is, as I've understood my doctors, not cancerous... at least not of the kind that spreads rampantly around the body. It was quite large originally, and I was close to the worst of all possible outcomes before the surgery that saved my life in 2001, but my tumor was/is a fully encapsulated pituitary adenoma.
"I know it's a fairly normal response to the word 'tumor' to think of cancerous tumors, but I don't want to detract from the plights of those with actual malignancies by not correcting the misperception that mine is of that nature. The tumor I have can grow, and has grown a bit since my previous MRI from 18 months ago, and that can cause serious problems for me certainly, even death were it to grow large enough again... but it won't spread into other structures; it can only grow larger and push into other organs, putting pressure on them or strangling them. That's my understanding at least, and is why I was nearly blind when it was discovered originally, as it had pushed outward to my optic nerves... and also why i had memory issues, as it pressed into other parts of my brain from below.
"The best way to sum this type of tumor up, best as I understand what was explained to me anyway, is that as long as it's inhibited from getting larger I'll be OK... I'll have to take a prescription to inhibit its growth for the rest of my life, as well as a couple other 'scripts to normalize the hormone issues caused by the fact that the tumor is on, and essentially part of, the pituitary gland. I may have to receive radiation therapy at some point or in the worst case even another surgery, as was my recent scare, but from this particular type of tumor there is no worry of it spreading to other organs or lymph nodes, etc... only the concern of keeping it from becoming larger. The tumor nearly did take me out once, and could yet do so if it began growing unchecked again, so it's a very serious condition... but it's not a malignant cancer.
"We all know that malignant cancers sometimes leave their victims with no real fighting chance, which is something I've been fortunate to have, along with a reasonably normal life for the past nine years since my surgery (minus a year's recovery and rehabilitation period). There have been many we all knew and cared for that did not have such chances.
"I am a very lucky man... both in that I did have a fighting chance, even at my most dire point, and that I have so many fantastic human beings that have reached out to help, support, encourage, and uplift me during my periods of hardship.
"Take a moment today to remember all those that were never given favorable odds and ultimately lost their fights... and another moment or two to reach out to those in each of your lives that may still be struggling with malignant tumors or other serious illnesses and just say, 'Hi, I'm thinking about you, keep fighting, I love you!' .... it means more than you can know, as I've learned twice in my lifetime thus far."
In related news, REDSCREAM — the new Stockholm, Sweden-based project featuring three members of the legendary Swedish death metal band GRAVE alongside American guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, DEICIDE) — is selling its first official T-shirt, with half the proceeds going to offset James Murphy's medical bills. The design is a logo/shield on the front, with a one-time-only message about James on the sleeve. Prices are 25 euros or 30 dollars, which includes shipping everywhere except Stockholm, where REDSCREAM will deliver the T-shirt personally. There will be 100 shirts manufactured and ready for delivery in mid-November. You can pre-order at redscreamofficial@hotmail.com. Please include your size and country of origin.
For more information, visit REDSCREAM's official Facebook page.
In August 2001, Murphy was discovered to have a massive tumor growth near the base of his brain and was quickly scheduled for an urgent life-saving operation. James underwent surgery on September 17, 2001 at the Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Florida. Neurosurgeon Dr. Frank Vrionis and head and neck surgeon Dr. John Song, performed the operation using a Maxillary Swing procedure that made entry through the left side of the face. An incision was made underneath the left eye, along the side of the nose, and finally through the middle of the upper lip. The facial tissue was then pulled back and the cheekbone removed. They then cut through James' sinus and made entry below the orbit of the eye to remove a portion of the growth. More was removed through an incision made in the soft pallet inside the mouth. About 70% of the tumor was removed, the remainder being too close to vital structures to risk further damage. The sinus was then packed with fat tissue taken from the lower abdomen via an incision below the navel and reattached. The cheekbone was set back in place and held with two small titanium plates. The facial tissue was then sutured closed along with the soft pallet. His mouth was fitted with a prosthesis to protect the pallet tissue while it healed. The remaining 30% of the tumor was treated with a medication to shrink it called Parlodel (Bromocriptine), which James was told he would have to take for the rest of his life.
JANE'S ADDICTION's new album, "The Great Escape Artist", is likely to sell between 25,000 and 30,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on October 18 via Capitol.
"The Great Escape Artist" is JANE'S ADDICTION's first all-new studio effort since 2003's "Strays", and is only their fourth album of original material in 20 years. Like other bands that have reunited in recent years such as BLINK-182, the members of JANE'S ADDICTION recorded a lot of the album in separate studios. Drummer Stephen Perkins told The Pulse Of Radio why this worked in JANE'S' favor. "Back in the day, we spent all our time together playing," he said. "Now we have a big pie. JANE'S is just a slice of that pie. But we still want to work and be efficient musicians, so hey, you can't make it to Burbank, you're in Santa Monica? I'll send you the tracks, let's get to work. So it is still just as raw and as emotional as being in the same room together, but it also lets, I guess, a more efficient way of making the record nowadays that we have different things going on in our life."
Dave Sitek of TV ON THE RADIO played bass on and co-produced the new record, while Chris Chaney has returned as touring bassist.
Ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan also contributed to the album and has songwriting credits on three songs.
A band that used to rock the 1980s Hollywood club circuit has waited more than 20 years to sue Bret Michaels and company for ripping off their music.
October
21
6:41 PM PDT 10/21/2011 by Eriq Gardner
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Members of Poison, including frontman-turned-reality-TV-celebrity Bret Michaels, have been hit with a lawsuit claiming that four of their songs were stolen from another band.
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The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Illinois federal court, isn't over recently created work, but rather over old hits, including "Talk Dirty To Me," "I Won't Forget You," "Fallen Angel" and "Ride the Wind." The era of 1980s hair metal might be over, but has the statute of limitations run out on song theft alleged to have happened more than 20 years ago?
The plaintiffs in this new case are Billy McCarthy and James Stonich, who were members of a Chicago band known as Kid Rocker.
This band was formerly signed to Atlantic Records and is said to have been a favorite on the Hollywood club scene in the early-1980s. During those years, they created a number of songs, including "Hit and Run" and "Wham Bam Slammin' Romance," which are said to have later been incorporated by Poison in their own work.
How might that have happened?
According to the plaintiffs, in 1984, before guitarist C.C. DeVille joined Poison, he auditioned for Kid Rocker. During this time, he allegedly was shown completed and formatted songs and was lent master-recorded studio tapes.
Kid Rocker disbanded that year, but McCarthy purportedly presented songs for DeVille's use as a member of another band, Screamin' Mimis. Then DeVille joined Poison, and the rest is history. Poison became one of the stars of the glam era as their debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, sold approximately 4 million copies.
Now, 25 years later, McCarthy and Stonich are suing members of Poison plus Capitol Records and EMI Music for allegedly infringing the copyright on their songs. The plaintiffs are demanding disgorgement of all profits from the songs in question, statutory damages for willful infringement, and an injunction that prevents Poison and Michaels from performing this allegedly stolen material.
Asked why it took the plaintiffs so long to bring this case, Daniel Voelker, the attorney representing them, says it's a "good question," without going into an explanation. Voelker says that every time Poison sells a new album or performs one of these songs, it's a breach of his clients' rights,
Maybe. But Voelker is now looking to reach back and collect money from infringements made in the 1980s and onward.
Asked how the plaintiffs intend to get around statute of limitations, which has been typically been interpreted to limit claims to three years from when the infringement is discovered, Voelker points to an old case decided by respected 7th Circuit Court of Appeals Chief Justice Richard Posner.
In that case, Taylor v. Meirick, it was decided that:
"The statute of limitations does not begin to run on a continuing wrong till the wrong is over and done with...When the final act of an unlawful course of conduct occurs within the statutory period, these purposes are adequately served, in balance with the plaintiff's interest in not having to bring successive suits, by requiring the plaintiff to sue within the statutory period but letting him reach back and get damages for the entire duration of the alleged violation. Some of the evidence, at least, will be fresh" (itl ours)
Over the years, many other courts and circuits have rejected this theory of "continuing wrong."
For example, the 5th Circuit has said "[t]he Taylor court seems to have expanded the definition of infringement to include a defendant's actions outside the limitations period" and the 9th Circuit has ruled that the copyright statute "does [not] provide for any reach back if an infringement occurs within the statutory period."
But is the Taylor standard still good in Illinois, where Poison is suddenly facing a claim over millions of dollars in profits for songs created nearly three decades ago? Stay tuned.
Diane Anderson-Minshall of Advocate.com recently conducted an interview with transgender singer Mina Caputo, once known as Keith Caputo, the front-person for the popular rock band LIFE OF AGONY. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On how she knew she was different before she even hit puberty:
Caputo: "When I was like 8 or 9 years old I started cross dressing. I used to go through my aunt's drawers when nobody was home and I used to steal her lingerie."
On how she first thought she was a gay man, experimenting with men and hanging out at transsexual bars:
Caputo: "I really didn't even know the word transgender back then. I just though, OK I'm a transvestite or I'm a gay male but I love presenting myself as a woman."
On being skittish of taking black market hormones since her parents died of drug overdoses:
Caputo: "The last thing I was going to do was starting shooting herself with something, I didn't know what it was. So I didn't go that route, even though I thought, 'Oh my god, I want to be there, how do I do that, turn this male self into my true female self?'"
On how becoming a rock star delayed her transition:
Caputo: "I was very boxed in that metal thing. The first album I've ever done was released and then it pretty much exploded in Europe and I kind of had no choice but to leave school. I didn't want to sing in a band. That wasn't really what I set out to do. I wanted to go to Julliard. I wanted to play the classics, get good grades… and I pictured myself living more of a feminine life then at 19 when this whole alpha male world just pretty much took over. I was in hell for years. . . It was more of a sense of responsibility and not getting labels down… the management, the band, and the fans. And I mean, we were a really, really really, really big band. We were doing concerts in Europe where 60 to 100 thousand people were showing up."
On quitting LIFE OF AGONY:
Caputo: "I couldn't deal anymore. Actually I quit because we came too big. Band members were becoming the cliché rock and roll, sleeping with women every night, the drugs, everything and it was just like, 'Argh, I can't deal, gotta go.' [I left at] the pinnacle and height of our success, and yeah I needed a break. I needed a break from the label, I needed a break from everything and everyone."
On whether he she plans on having bottom surgery any time soon:
Caputo: "The whole penis… I'm OK with that down there, you know. Most people don't realize that there's more to being a woman than just, I guess, putting on dresses and wearing makeup and your genitals. [People think] you have a male body and a penis so that makes you the man. But they can't dig deep enough unless they really want to understand what's going on in the subconscious mind and what I like to call subconscious sex.
"Not only is the environment changing, but people don't realize the human being is changing, our culture is changing. I see more and more trans women and trans men and it's just, it's so ironic, it's so cosmic.
"A lot of people I did come out to, friends, and family members and stuff, like people that I thought would really support me really let me down. And people that I was a little bit fearful to come out to pretty much completely had my back. I'm from a crazy Italian family so all the Italian men in my family are like stereotypical bruisers — too much testosterone, most of the men in my family have gone bald, tattooed from head to toe, vicious looking, but deep down inside they're like flowers. I have many cousins like that that I thought would like never get it or understand and they were like, 'We always knew something was different about you.'"
On feeling lucky that her physical metamorphosis from angry rocker dude to the fierce female musician she is today, may have been easier than some women's:
Caputo: "I'm really lucky, I'm really tiny, I'm very fit. So I'm blessed. I went to the Guitar Center yesterday to shop for some guitars, and the guy's like, 'Hi, ma'am, how are you?' I get all gushy inside because it's just so nice to finally [be recognized as a woman]. And my breasts aren't even that big, you know? But the hormones have really, really changed my body a lot. I have a great doctor. He's amazing, he's like my psychologist too."
On how she's already faced discrimination Stateside:
Caputo: "I've had run-ins on the train, ignorant people, you know, calling me 'he-she' or 'he-man.' If anyone tries to screw with me, I will not hesitate to cut somebody up like a piece of meat. I will do anything and everything to protect myself. I mean I don't want to hurt anybody but if someone lays their hands on me, I'm going to shank somebody. My father's been in prison his whole life, so just because I'm wearing a skirt doesn't mean I don't got big balls, OK? Because I will not hesitate to do anything and everything to protect myself."
On how her transition is still a huge topic of discussion among rock music fans:
Caputo: "I try explain to people without pushing it in people's face too. I'm not like an activist. If someone needs my help I'd be glad to. I think it's hysterical actually that I get these people that have been listening to me for like 20-plus years and they think they stand for something else like brutality and masculinity but meanwhile I have these guys asking me to take me to dinner.
"I'm really happy that the media really picked up on it because it was kind of like a big step three years ago, but now it seems like a full circle sort of happened and I'm happy. Newspapers all across Europe… I'm on the front page, and everybody was talking about me when I was Europe and it was like, At least get the story straight. Girlfriend is keeping their genitals and it's not just about that."
On how she knew she was different before she even hit puberty:
Caputo: "When I was like 8 or 9 years old I started cross dressing. I used to go through my aunt's drawers when nobody was home and I used to steal her lingerie."
On how she first thought she was a gay man, experimenting with men and hanging out at transsexual bars:
Caputo: "I really didn't even know the word transgender back then. I just though, OK I'm a transvestite or I'm a gay male but I love presenting myself as a woman."
On being skittish of taking black market hormones since her parents died of drug overdoses:
Caputo: "The last thing I was going to do was starting shooting herself with something, I didn't know what it was. So I didn't go that route, even though I thought, 'Oh my god, I want to be there, how do I do that, turn this male self into my true female self?'"
On how becoming a rock star delayed her transition:
Caputo: "I was very boxed in that metal thing. The first album I've ever done was released and then it pretty much exploded in Europe and I kind of had no choice but to leave school. I didn't want to sing in a band. That wasn't really what I set out to do. I wanted to go to Julliard. I wanted to play the classics, get good grades… and I pictured myself living more of a feminine life then at 19 when this whole alpha male world just pretty much took over. I was in hell for years. . . It was more of a sense of responsibility and not getting labels down… the management, the band, and the fans. And I mean, we were a really, really really, really big band. We were doing concerts in Europe where 60 to 100 thousand people were showing up."
On quitting LIFE OF AGONY:
Caputo: "I couldn't deal anymore. Actually I quit because we came too big. Band members were becoming the cliché rock and roll, sleeping with women every night, the drugs, everything and it was just like, 'Argh, I can't deal, gotta go.' [I left at] the pinnacle and height of our success, and yeah I needed a break. I needed a break from the label, I needed a break from everything and everyone."
On whether he she plans on having bottom surgery any time soon:
Caputo: "The whole penis… I'm OK with that down there, you know. Most people don't realize that there's more to being a woman than just, I guess, putting on dresses and wearing makeup and your genitals. [People think] you have a male body and a penis so that makes you the man. But they can't dig deep enough unless they really want to understand what's going on in the subconscious mind and what I like to call subconscious sex.
"Not only is the environment changing, but people don't realize the human being is changing, our culture is changing. I see more and more trans women and trans men and it's just, it's so ironic, it's so cosmic.
"A lot of people I did come out to, friends, and family members and stuff, like people that I thought would really support me really let me down. And people that I was a little bit fearful to come out to pretty much completely had my back. I'm from a crazy Italian family so all the Italian men in my family are like stereotypical bruisers — too much testosterone, most of the men in my family have gone bald, tattooed from head to toe, vicious looking, but deep down inside they're like flowers. I have many cousins like that that I thought would like never get it or understand and they were like, 'We always knew something was different about you.'"
On feeling lucky that her physical metamorphosis from angry rocker dude to the fierce female musician she is today, may have been easier than some women's:
Caputo: "I'm really lucky, I'm really tiny, I'm very fit. So I'm blessed. I went to the Guitar Center yesterday to shop for some guitars, and the guy's like, 'Hi, ma'am, how are you?' I get all gushy inside because it's just so nice to finally [be recognized as a woman]. And my breasts aren't even that big, you know? But the hormones have really, really changed my body a lot. I have a great doctor. He's amazing, he's like my psychologist too."
On how she's already faced discrimination Stateside:
Caputo: "I've had run-ins on the train, ignorant people, you know, calling me 'he-she' or 'he-man.' If anyone tries to screw with me, I will not hesitate to cut somebody up like a piece of meat. I will do anything and everything to protect myself. I mean I don't want to hurt anybody but if someone lays their hands on me, I'm going to shank somebody. My father's been in prison his whole life, so just because I'm wearing a skirt doesn't mean I don't got big balls, OK? Because I will not hesitate to do anything and everything to protect myself."
On how her transition is still a huge topic of discussion among rock music fans:
Caputo: "I try explain to people without pushing it in people's face too. I'm not like an activist. If someone needs my help I'd be glad to. I think it's hysterical actually that I get these people that have been listening to me for like 20-plus years and they think they stand for something else like brutality and masculinity but meanwhile I have these guys asking me to take me to dinner.
"I'm really happy that the media really picked up on it because it was kind of like a big step three years ago, but now it seems like a full circle sort of happened and I'm happy. Newspapers all across Europe… I'm on the front page, and everybody was talking about me when I was Europe and it was like, At least get the story straight. Girlfriend is keeping their genitals and it's not just about that."
Austrian metallers THE SORROW will enter Barracks Studios in Ratingen, Germany on November 5 with producer Sky van Hoff to begin recording their fourth album for an early 2012 release via Napalm Records. The band states, "We are in the middle of pre-production and so happy with the results... [We] can't wait to record the new stuff... stoked!!!"
THE SORROW's third, self-titled album, entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 24. The follow-up to 2009's "Origin Of The Storm" was recorded at Principal Studios (DIE TOTEN HOSEN, IN EXTREMO) in Senden, Germany with producer Toni Meloni and was mixed by Sky van Hoff. Mastering duties were handled by Jens Dreesen.
"The Sorrow" was released in North America on December 7 through Artoffact Records.
THE SORROW's third, self-titled album, entered the official chart in Austria at position No. 24. The follow-up to 2009's "Origin Of The Storm" was recorded at Principal Studios (DIE TOTEN HOSEN, IN EXTREMO) in Senden, Germany with producer Toni Meloni and was mixed by Sky van Hoff. Mastering duties were handled by Jens Dreesen.
"The Sorrow" was released in North America on December 7 through Artoffact Records.
British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH have commenced the songwriting process for the follow-up to last year's "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa". According to CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani "Filth" Davey, "Two songs ('The Abhorrent' and 'Siding With The Titans') [are] already past the demoing stage, with a third track snapping swiftly on their heels. I can reveal that they are sounding sonically, well, like CRADLE OF FILTH, but in a very good way. But then again I would say that, wouldn't I? Whether it be true or not I think the songs thus far sound fab, very atmospheric but driving headlong, eerily cinematic and really memorable."
He adds, "At the present we are looking at entering the studio around the third week in March 2012 with that ever-tentative release date of next All Hallow's Eve to crawl eventually toward. This would put the band firmly back out on the road towards the end of next year, possibly straight into the maw of Europe. There will be new things in the CRADLE OF FILTH canon as we really try not to stagnate — well, not outside of our stage clothes anyway — but rest assured what has surfaced already is killer material indeed. And no, it's not's another fucking concept album!
In other news, CRADLE OF FILTH is putting the finishing touches on its next project, an orchestral album titled "Midnight In The Labyrinth", which, according to Davey, will feature "nine classic CRADLE tunes reinvented as orchestral compositions." He adds, "This is no elevator music (or indeed the theme music to 'Schindler's Lift'!), this is a full-on horror film soundtrack in the vein of Danny Elfman, Christopher Young or Jerry Goldsmith. Musical scores to whittle away the evil winter months to… this should see the poisonous light of day in April 2012. Ish."
"Midnight In The Labyrinth" track listing (not final sequence):
* The Forest Whispers My Name
* The Twisted Nails Of Faith
* Summer Dying Fast
* The Rape And Ruin Of Angels (Hosannas In Extremis)
* Funeral In Carpathia
* Thirteen Autumns And A Widow
* A Gothic Romance (Red Roses For The Devil's Whore)
* Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids
* Dusk And Her Embrace
CRADLE OF FILTH's new CD/DVD, "Evermore Darkly", was released in Europe via Peaceville Records on October 24 (October 18 in North America).
"Evermore Darkly" is a follow-on from last year's triumphant "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa" album. The CD/DVD package includes new tracks and rarities, along with a lengthy on-the-road documentary and ten songs filmed live at this year's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium, as well as the video for "Lilith Immaculate".
The CD features brand new musical beast "Thank Your Lucky Stars", plus a special remix of "Forgive Me Father", courtesy of Rob Caggiano from ANTHRAX, the extended rendition of "Lilith Immaculate", as well as tempered demo versions of three "Darkly, Darkly…" songs. The mini-album closes with a special taster from CRADLE OF FILTH's impending orchestral project, in the form of a haunting, classic reworking of fan favorite "Summer Dying Fast".
The "Evermore Darkly" DVD contains footage from summer 2011 when CRADLE OF FILTH embarked on a rapid spat of tours, accompanied by two eager filmmakers. The resulting documentary, "You Can't Polish A Turd, But You Can Roll It In Glitter", combined with performance and interview footage culminates in a forty-five minute film of the not-so-glamorous reality of life in a touring band at work and play, as they trawl their way across Europe over eight performances. The DVD includes an interview with ghoul-guide Dani Filth, interspersed and peppered with live footage and backstage shenanigans, culminating in the entire hour-long set from this year's Graspop Metal Meeting appearance.
He adds, "At the present we are looking at entering the studio around the third week in March 2012 with that ever-tentative release date of next All Hallow's Eve to crawl eventually toward. This would put the band firmly back out on the road towards the end of next year, possibly straight into the maw of Europe. There will be new things in the CRADLE OF FILTH canon as we really try not to stagnate — well, not outside of our stage clothes anyway — but rest assured what has surfaced already is killer material indeed. And no, it's not's another fucking concept album!
In other news, CRADLE OF FILTH is putting the finishing touches on its next project, an orchestral album titled "Midnight In The Labyrinth", which, according to Davey, will feature "nine classic CRADLE tunes reinvented as orchestral compositions." He adds, "This is no elevator music (or indeed the theme music to 'Schindler's Lift'!), this is a full-on horror film soundtrack in the vein of Danny Elfman, Christopher Young or Jerry Goldsmith. Musical scores to whittle away the evil winter months to… this should see the poisonous light of day in April 2012. Ish."
"Midnight In The Labyrinth" track listing (not final sequence):
* The Forest Whispers My Name
* The Twisted Nails Of Faith
* Summer Dying Fast
* The Rape And Ruin Of Angels (Hosannas In Extremis)
* Funeral In Carpathia
* Thirteen Autumns And A Widow
* A Gothic Romance (Red Roses For The Devil's Whore)
* Cruelty Brought Thee Orchids
* Dusk And Her Embrace
CRADLE OF FILTH's new CD/DVD, "Evermore Darkly", was released in Europe via Peaceville Records on October 24 (October 18 in North America).
"Evermore Darkly" is a follow-on from last year's triumphant "Darkly, Darkly, Venus Aversa" album. The CD/DVD package includes new tracks and rarities, along with a lengthy on-the-road documentary and ten songs filmed live at this year's Graspop Metal Meeting in Dessel, Belgium, as well as the video for "Lilith Immaculate".
The CD features brand new musical beast "Thank Your Lucky Stars", plus a special remix of "Forgive Me Father", courtesy of Rob Caggiano from ANTHRAX, the extended rendition of "Lilith Immaculate", as well as tempered demo versions of three "Darkly, Darkly…" songs. The mini-album closes with a special taster from CRADLE OF FILTH's impending orchestral project, in the form of a haunting, classic reworking of fan favorite "Summer Dying Fast".
The "Evermore Darkly" DVD contains footage from summer 2011 when CRADLE OF FILTH embarked on a rapid spat of tours, accompanied by two eager filmmakers. The resulting documentary, "You Can't Polish A Turd, But You Can Roll It In Glitter", combined with performance and interview footage culminates in a forty-five minute film of the not-so-glamorous reality of life in a touring band at work and play, as they trawl their way across Europe over eight performances. The DVD includes an interview with ghoul-guide Dani Filth, interspersed and peppered with live footage and backstage shenanigans, culminating in the entire hour-long set from this year's Graspop Metal Meeting appearance.
Swedish drummer Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST, CRADLE OF FILTH, BRUJERIA) has posted a photo on his Lockerz account of a bent bass drum beater along with the caption, "Up yours, Mr. King, soft hitters don't bend bass drum beaters!" The message appears to be a response to a 2002 interview SLAYER guitarist Kerry King gave to Sweden's Close-Up Magazine in which Kerry spoke about SLAYER's then-uncertain drummer situation. When asked if SLAYER had considered any Scandinavian musicians for the position, King said, "I haven't seen a lot, but the only thing I've seen is a lot of soft hitters. Like the guy in CRADLE OF FILTH [referring to Adrian Erlandsson. — Ed.], who used to play in THE HAUNTED. He hits like a [homophobic slur that rhymes with bag]! He hits everything, but he hits like a f*g. This is SLAYER; people expect more."
Erlandsson joined the world-renowned British gothic metal band PARADISE LOST in 2009.
Erlandsson joined the world-renowned British gothic metal band PARADISE LOST in 2009.
The votes have been tallied and one album emerged victorious. As elected by their fans via the recent Facebook poll, Norwegian symphonic black metal band DIMMU BORGIR will perform their epic 1997 release, "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant", in its entirety on their upcoming intimate club tour.
There will be no support band. DIMMU BORGIR will perform "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" as its first set. The second set will consist of DIMMU classics.
DIMMU BORGIR's most recent touring lineup included Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass.
"Abrahadabra", the ninth album from DIMMU BORGIR, sold 9,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "In Sorte Diaboli", opened with 14,000 units back in May 2007 to debut at No. 43. This was more than double the 6,400 first-week tally achieved by its predecessor, "Death Cult Armageddon", which came out in September 2003 and landed at position No. 169 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The word "abrahadabra" (which roughly translates into "I will create as I speak") first publicly appeared in Chapter III of "Liber AL vel Legis" (commonly referred to as "The Book Of The Law") written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in 1904.
"Abrahadabra" was released in Germany on September 24, 2010, in the rest of Europe on September 27, 2010, and it was made available in North America on October 12, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
There will be no support band. DIMMU BORGIR will perform "Enthrone Darkness Triumphant" as its first set. The second set will consist of DIMMU classics.
DIMMU BORGIR's most recent touring lineup included Geir Bratland (APOPTYGMA BERZERK, THE KOVENANT) on keyboards and Terje Andersen (a.k.a. Cyrus; SUSPERIA) on bass.
"Abrahadabra", the ninth album from DIMMU BORGIR, sold 9,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 42 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "In Sorte Diaboli", opened with 14,000 units back in May 2007 to debut at No. 43. This was more than double the 6,400 first-week tally achieved by its predecessor, "Death Cult Armageddon", which came out in September 2003 and landed at position No. 169 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The word "abrahadabra" (which roughly translates into "I will create as I speak") first publicly appeared in Chapter III of "Liber AL vel Legis" (commonly referred to as "The Book Of The Law") written by Aleister Crowley in Cairo, Egypt in 1904.
"Abrahadabra" was released in Germany on September 24, 2010, in the rest of Europe on September 27, 2010, and it was made available in North America on October 12, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Norwegian/Spanish female-fronted gothic metallers SIRENIA have announced the addition of guitarist Jan Erik Soltvedt to the group's ranks.
Commented SIRENIA guitarist/composer Morten Veland: "Some of you already know Jan Erik from the shows at [Germany's] Wacken Open Air and [Portugal's] GSM [Gallus Sonorus Musicallis] festival. We bid him welcome aboard and look forward to more touring together. First up is the South American tour, so we ask all our South American fans to give Jan Erik a warm welcome."
SIRENIA's latest album, "The Enigma Of Life", was released on January 21 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The band's "The End Of It All" video can be viewed below. The clip was once again directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among many others.
SIRENIA recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group in 2007 after only one album due to "musical differences."
Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.
Commented SIRENIA guitarist/composer Morten Veland: "Some of you already know Jan Erik from the shows at [Germany's] Wacken Open Air and [Portugal's] GSM [Gallus Sonorus Musicallis] festival. We bid him welcome aboard and look forward to more touring together. First up is the South American tour, so we ask all our South American fans to give Jan Erik a warm welcome."
SIRENIA's latest album, "The Enigma Of Life", was released on January 21 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The band's "The End Of It All" video can be viewed below. The clip was once again directed by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among many others.
SIRENIA recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group in 2007 after only one album due to "musical differences."
Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.
BENEDICTUM will headline this year's Flight Of The Valkyries female-fronted metal festival on Saturday, November 19 at Sonar in Baltimore, Maryland. Also scheduled to appear are DESDEMON, ECHOTERRA, BRAVE and CASSANDRA SYNDROME.
Now in its fifth year, the festival welcomes back BENEDICTUM, now making its third Flight Of The Valkyries appearance and its second time headlining (having first headlined Flight Of The Valkyries III in Minnesota in 2009).
Bobbie Dickerson of Black Rose Metal Heart Promotions, co-founder and promoter of the festival (which she began with SwordLord Productions in Minnesota in 2007), helped launch the event to promote, support, and encourage the diversity and talent of female singers in metal while bringing together national and local acts people may have never before heard.
Flight Of The Valkyries has hosted many powerful women in metal over its last four years, and the fifth festival keeps with this tradition. Former heavy-hitters who have graced the Flight Of The Valkyries stage include DORO, SHADOWSIDE, LUNA MORTIS, and VAINGLORY.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $55 for VIP passes and are on sale now via Sonar's web site.
For more information, visit www.flightofthevalkyries.com.
Now in its fifth year, the festival welcomes back BENEDICTUM, now making its third Flight Of The Valkyries appearance and its second time headlining (having first headlined Flight Of The Valkyries III in Minnesota in 2009).
Bobbie Dickerson of Black Rose Metal Heart Promotions, co-founder and promoter of the festival (which she began with SwordLord Productions in Minnesota in 2007), helped launch the event to promote, support, and encourage the diversity and talent of female singers in metal while bringing together national and local acts people may have never before heard.
Flight Of The Valkyries has hosted many powerful women in metal over its last four years, and the fifth festival keeps with this tradition. Former heavy-hitters who have graced the Flight Of The Valkyries stage include DORO, SHADOWSIDE, LUNA MORTIS, and VAINGLORY.
Tickets are $20 for general admission and $55 for VIP passes and are on sale now via Sonar's web site.
For more information, visit www.flightofthevalkyries.com.
Finnish death 'n' rollers GHOUL PATROL have inked a deal with Spinefarm Records. The band's self-titled debut album will be released on October 26. According to a press release, the CD contains "45 minutes of swampy American-styled death 'n roll!"
"Ghoul Patrol" track listing:
01. Louisiana Pit
02. Harvest
03. Six Feet Under
04. Gut Rotting Riot
05. Ignore This Message
06. I Am The Wolf
07. Ghoul Patrol
08. At The Gates
09. Parasite City
10. Staring At The Abyss
GHOUL PATROL was formed in 2005 by guitarist Jani "Boogie" Rapo (ALABAMA HELLRAISERS) and vocalist Henri Harberg (STILLBURNED).
The band's current lineup is as follows:
Pekka "Oku" Okuloff - Vocals
Jani "Boogie" Rapo - Guitar
Petri Mäkipää - Drums
Albert Orma - Guitar
David Forder – Bass
"Ghoul Patrol" track listing:
01. Louisiana Pit
02. Harvest
03. Six Feet Under
04. Gut Rotting Riot
05. Ignore This Message
06. I Am The Wolf
07. Ghoul Patrol
08. At The Gates
09. Parasite City
10. Staring At The Abyss
GHOUL PATROL was formed in 2005 by guitarist Jani "Boogie" Rapo (ALABAMA HELLRAISERS) and vocalist Henri Harberg (STILLBURNED).
The band's current lineup is as follows:
Pekka "Oku" Okuloff - Vocals
Jani "Boogie" Rapo - Guitar
Petri Mäkipää - Drums
Albert Orma - Guitar
David Forder – Bass
Kscope has set a November 28 release date for "Live In Concert: The Norwegian National Opera" DVD and Blu-ray from ULVER.
Early pioneer of Norwegian black metal, ULVER has continually evolved throughout its career and now inhabits a place entirely its own, blending rock, pop, electronica, symphonic and classical traditions along with progressive and/or avant-garde forms to create ground-breaking material. Until recently, however, the band had remained exclusively within the studio. This changed in May 2009 when the band accepted an invitation to appear at the Norwegian Festival of Literature. The success of this gig lead to them embarking on a string of other gigs in 2009 and 2010, selling out prestigious venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Volksbühne in Berlin and La Cigale in Paris before they returned to their homeland for a landmark gig at The Norwegian Opera House.
The two-hour concert marries tracks from throughout the band's catalogue to stunning visuals to create a spectacle fitting for such a grand venue. The evening was captured on six HD cameras and the audio has been mixed for this release in the band's own Crystal Canyon Studios. It is packaged in a limited-edition 32-page rigid digibook two-disc set (Blu-ray and DVD)
"Live In Concert: The Norwegian National Opera" track listing:
01. Moon Piece
02. Eos
03. Let The Children Go
04. Little Blue Bird
05. Rock Massif Part 2
06. For The Love Of God
07. Operator
08. In The Red
09. England
10. Funebre
11. Hallways Of Always
12. Theme From Silence Teaches You How To Sing
13. A Cold Kiss (Porn Piece Part 2)
14. A Memorable Fancy (The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell, Plates 16-17)
15. Like Music
16. Not Saved
17. Legs Piece
Early pioneer of Norwegian black metal, ULVER has continually evolved throughout its career and now inhabits a place entirely its own, blending rock, pop, electronica, symphonic and classical traditions along with progressive and/or avant-garde forms to create ground-breaking material. Until recently, however, the band had remained exclusively within the studio. This changed in May 2009 when the band accepted an invitation to appear at the Norwegian Festival of Literature. The success of this gig lead to them embarking on a string of other gigs in 2009 and 2010, selling out prestigious venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, Volksbühne in Berlin and La Cigale in Paris before they returned to their homeland for a landmark gig at The Norwegian Opera House.
The two-hour concert marries tracks from throughout the band's catalogue to stunning visuals to create a spectacle fitting for such a grand venue. The evening was captured on six HD cameras and the audio has been mixed for this release in the band's own Crystal Canyon Studios. It is packaged in a limited-edition 32-page rigid digibook two-disc set (Blu-ray and DVD)
"Live In Concert: The Norwegian National Opera" track listing:
01. Moon Piece
02. Eos
03. Let The Children Go
04. Little Blue Bird
05. Rock Massif Part 2
06. For The Love Of God
07. Operator
08. In The Red
09. England
10. Funebre
11. Hallways Of Always
12. Theme From Silence Teaches You How To Sing
13. A Cold Kiss (Porn Piece Part 2)
14. A Memorable Fancy (The Marriage Of Heaven And Hell, Plates 16-17)
15. Like Music
16. Not Saved
17. Legs Piece
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