LED ZEPPELIN legend Robert Plant was honored in the "Album Of The Year" category at the 10th annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards, which was held last night (Thursday, October 13) at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Plant was nominated for his work on the "Band of Joy" album, his first release since recording the six-time Grammy-winning bluegrass album "Raising Sand" with collaborator Alison Krauss in 2007.
Plant stated that he had been "dreaming about American music and coming over here" since he was 12.
He added, "I stole a great deal with my old companions, and I was very fortunate (in) the last few years to be welcomed by some spectacular people, especially in this town."
"Band of Joy" sold 49,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD enlists the help of an array of U.S. musicians, all of whom performed with Plant on tour.
The BAND OF JOY lineup includes Patty Griffin on vocals; Darrell Scott on multiple instruments and vocals; Byron House on bass and vocals; Marco Giovino on drums, percussion and vocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller on guitar and vocals.
Plant stated that he had been "dreaming about American music and coming over here" since he was 12.
He added, "I stole a great deal with my old companions, and I was very fortunate (in) the last few years to be welcomed by some spectacular people, especially in this town."
"Band of Joy" sold 49,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD enlists the help of an array of U.S. musicians, all of whom performed with Plant on tour.
The BAND OF JOY lineup includes Patty Griffin on vocals; Darrell Scott on multiple instruments and vocals; Byron House on bass and vocals; Marco Giovino on drums, percussion and vocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller on guitar and vocals.
Ozzy Osbourne is a doctor. Well, not really. OK, not at all. But Ozzy has lived through enough medical disasters – LSD binges, a near-fatal all-terrain vehicle crash, a brush with rabies after biting the head off a bat – to know a thing or two about survival.
It's with this wisdom that he offers 'Trust Me, I'm Dr. Ozzy' – a compendium of his column of the same name. We called the Ozzman at his home in L.A. to talk about the book, his hatred of TV and the future of Black Sabbath.
I'm guessing when you wrote "People think I'm insane because I am frowning all the time," you had no idea you'd be writing an advice book 40 years later.
Never in a million years did I think I'd write this book. It was a kind of an accident actually. When I wrote my autobiography with Chris Ayres, I mentioned to him that doctors were baffled I was still alive considering the amount of drugs I'd taken. Then The Times in London wanted to map my genome. It all went from there and suddenly I was writing the "Dr. Ozzy" column for The Times.
It's a good question, how are you still alive?
I'm lucky. And I've got a lot of good people taking care of me. I don't think I'm big-headed, I know I'm living on borrowed time. So I exercise everyday, I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs.
What's the most ridiculous question you answer in book?
How about this? One guy tells me, "My wife and I used to have sex six times a week and I'm a bit worried because it's gone down to four times a week and I'm worried she's getting a little bored of me. I'm 65-years-of-age." I wrote back and said, "Hey, stop fucking complaining!" Four times a week at 65, come on man, you've got to know how good a deal you've got.
I'm guessing you get a lot of ridiculous ones.
Well, one wrote to tell me, "My 14-year-old is gay. Should I get him an female escort?" I said, "No, no, no, you should just be proud of him. It takes balls to come out at the age of 14 and you ain't going to change him to be non-gay."
So it's mostly common sense? Just dopes asking questions they already know the answer to even if they don't want to admit it?
Yeah, it is mostly common sense. One was "Dear Dr. Ozzy, my doctor gave me some medicine and on it is says avoid mixing with alcohol. What should I do?" I said, "Avoid f—ing mixing it with alcohol." What did they think I'd say, "Tear of the label, drink all the medication, then drink some vodka and you'll have a great buzz."
You've done a lot of non-music projects lately. Books, TV—
That TV show was an experiment that went beyond anybody's expectations. And I can honestly tell you it was 100 percent real. It wasn't like, "OK, come here and fall down the stairs and pretend you've killed yourself." Those things that you saw were real. There were hours and hours and hours of stuff that was unusable or was just the monotony of daily life. But every now and again there was something good. That's what happens when you have a camera on you 24-hours a day, you do something stupid.
But are you glad you did it?
Yeah, I'm glad I did it. But, yeah, I'm glad it's over. You began to feel like your life's a laboratory. You're invited to all these parties and your on the top lists at all the awards shows. You start to go, "This is bulls—!" My wife got cancer, I was back on the drugs and alcohol, my kids were on the drugs and alcohol. They were letting them into night clubs at the age of 14 and 15.
But now the family is doing great so is it all's well that ends well?
My son's clean and sober. Kelly's flying all over doing the fashion thing. My wife's on TV. I think I've got the best job, I'm back to doing the rock 'n' roll.
And thank God for that. A lot of metal fans would rather see Ozzy onstage and not on reality TV.
That's why I'm back in rock. I just got off an 18-month tour doing a 100 shows. I've got a new band that's great. Black Sabbath are all talking again and maybe something will come out of that but I don't know.
But are you hopeful? Do you think it's a real possibility Sabbath will happen?
I'm not saying too much about it. Because we're just at the gates but it's a good possibility.
How long can until we get some new music from either Sabbath or Ozzy?
I'm writing but I had to take a break to go on tour. Then I had to take to a break to do the book. Now I have to do interviews for the book. Back in the day we did a little less ground work on each album. Now I've got TV, which I do resentfully, and interviews to do.
Do you miss the simplicity of the old days? Just write, record, tour and do it all over again?
Life is different now. People are going to forget how to do the simple things like cook soon. We rely so much on technology (to do) the basic things in life. It's sad but it's what happens. When we started in '70s we didn't have computers or cell phones, we had an address to the place where we were going to play. How did we get there? We had this great trick back then, we'd stop the car and say and, "Excuse me sir, how do you get to so-and-so?" and he'd f—ing tell us.
The Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund, founded last year in memory of the world-renowned voice of DIO, BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, will host its first Awards Gala on Tuesday, November 1 at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California. Awards will be presented to six distinguished honorees for their contributions to spreading awareness of Fund's important work.
A privately funded 501C3 charity organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund has already raised more than $500,000 in its short history. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T.J. Martell Foundation For Cancer, AIDS And Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, according to Wendy Dio, widow of the late singer and Fund President/Founder.
The event at the Playboy Mansion will include cocktails and gourmet food stations created by renowned chef William S. Bloxsom-Carter, a silent auction and a performance by the rock band ASIA featuring John Payne. Guests will be treated to tours of the Mansion grounds and world-famous grotto.
Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" will serve as special guest emcee. Awards named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio will be presented to the following honorees:
* Man On The Silver Mountain Award: Tony Martell, founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, which has funded innovative medical research to find cures and treatments for leukemia, cancer and AIDS for nearly 40 years;
* Rainbow In The Dark Award: Mike Carden, cancer survivor and President, North America, Eagle Rock Entertainment, leading independent record label;
* King Of Rock 'N Roll Award: Terry "Geezer" Butler, bassist for BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, and longtime bandmate and friend of Ronnie James Dio;
* Sacred Heart Award: Sandeep Kapoor, M.D., Medical Director/Co-Founder of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund;
* Killing The Dragon Award: Danny Zelisko, concert promoter and cancer survivor, President, Danny Zelisko Presents, Phoenix;
* Stand Up And Shout Award: Rita Haney, a tireless fundraiser, founder of Dimebash, in memory of her longtime boyfriend "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
"Ronnie would be proud to witness the legacy he's left behind," says Fund chairman Gloria Butler. "Sadly, we've all known people that have suffered this cruel disease, cancer. Most of us have lost loved ones far too early. If only... if only there was more money for research to be able to find cures for all of the cancers. Maybe someday people will be able to reflect on how their ancestors strived to make a difference in finding a cure. What now seems like a fantasy may prove to someday be a reality."
Gold Table ($10,000)
* Gold page ad
* Table for 10
* 10 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising
Platinum Table $15,000
* Platinum page ad
* Table for 12
* 12 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising
The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Cancer Fund is a non-profit founded by Ronnie's wife/manager, Wendy Dio, to fund and advocate for cancer research and screenings for society's underprivileged.
Ronnie James Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history.
The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.
This past March, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.
His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.
Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".
He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
He has also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".
Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.
A privately funded 501C3 charity organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research and education, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund has already raised more than $500,000 in its short history. Monies raised have been committed to the cancer research work of the T.J. Martell Foundation For Cancer, AIDS And Leukemia Research and the gastric cancer research unit of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, where Ronnie was treated for gastric cancer during the last six months of his life, according to Wendy Dio, widow of the late singer and Fund President/Founder.
The event at the Playboy Mansion will include cocktails and gourmet food stations created by renowned chef William S. Bloxsom-Carter, a silent auction and a performance by the rock band ASIA featuring John Payne. Guests will be treated to tours of the Mansion grounds and world-famous grotto.
Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" will serve as special guest emcee. Awards named after songs written by Ronnie James Dio will be presented to the following honorees:
* Man On The Silver Mountain Award: Tony Martell, founder of the T.J. Martell Foundation, which has funded innovative medical research to find cures and treatments for leukemia, cancer and AIDS for nearly 40 years;
* Rainbow In The Dark Award: Mike Carden, cancer survivor and President, North America, Eagle Rock Entertainment, leading independent record label;
* King Of Rock 'N Roll Award: Terry "Geezer" Butler, bassist for BLACK SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, and longtime bandmate and friend of Ronnie James Dio;
* Sacred Heart Award: Sandeep Kapoor, M.D., Medical Director/Co-Founder of the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund;
* Killing The Dragon Award: Danny Zelisko, concert promoter and cancer survivor, President, Danny Zelisko Presents, Phoenix;
* Stand Up And Shout Award: Rita Haney, a tireless fundraiser, founder of Dimebash, in memory of her longtime boyfriend "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott.
"Ronnie would be proud to witness the legacy he's left behind," says Fund chairman Gloria Butler. "Sadly, we've all known people that have suffered this cruel disease, cancer. Most of us have lost loved ones far too early. If only... if only there was more money for research to be able to find cures for all of the cancers. Maybe someday people will be able to reflect on how their ancestors strived to make a difference in finding a cure. What now seems like a fantasy may prove to someday be a reality."
Gold Table ($10,000)
* Gold page ad
* Table for 10
* 10 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising
Platinum Table $15,000
* Platinum page ad
* Table for 12
* 12 limited-edition commemorative sponsor pins
* Mention on web site and in all event advertising
The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout" Cancer Fund is a non-profit founded by Ronnie's wife/manager, Wendy Dio, to fund and advocate for cancer research and screenings for society's underprivileged.
Ronnie James Dio was renowned throughout the world as one of the greatest and most influential vocalists in heavy metal history.
The singer, who was recording and touring with SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL prior to his illness, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late 2009. He underwent chemotherapy and made what is now his final public appearance in April 2010 at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards in Los Angeles.
A free public memorial service was held on May 30, 2010 at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles, attended by more than 1,500 fans, friends and fellow musicians.
This past March, it was announced that the surviving members of the final lineup of DIO would embark on a project with former JUDAS PRIEST frontman Tim "Ripper" Owens under the name DIO DISCIPLES.
Ronnie James Dio, real name Ronald James Padavona, was born in New Hampshire on July 10, 1942.
He moved to Cortland, New York at a young age, where he began playing with local acts. A street in Cortland, Dio Way, was named after him in 1988.
He released his first single, with a band called RONNIE AND THE REDCAPS, in 1959.
His first heavy rock act, ELF, released three albums and opened for DEEP PURPLE, where Dio's voice caught the ear of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmore recruited Dio for his own band, RAINBOW, after leaving PURPLE in 1975.
Dio recorded three studio albums and one live set with RAINBOW before exiting in 1978, including "Rising" and "Long Live Rock And Roll".
He replaced Ozzy Osbourne in BLACK SABBATH in 1980, recording the "Heaven And Hell" and "Mob Rules" albums, plus "Live Evil", before leaving in 1982. He rejoined the group 10 years later for an album called "Dehumanizer", and again teamed with the group under the HEAVEN & HELL banner in 2006. HEAVEN & HELL released an album called "The Devil You Know" in 2009.
He has also recorded 10 studio albums with his own band, DIO, including a classic 1983 debut, "Holy Diver", and an equally renowned follow-up, 1984's "The Last In Line".
Dio was also behind the HEAR N' AID project, a collection of metal artists who recorded the track "Stars" in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief.
The musical collaboration between Lou Reed and METALLICA, "Lulu", will be released on November 1 in North America via Warner Bros. Records and one day earlier (October 31) in the rest of the world through Universal Music. The CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
"Little Dog" lyrics:
Little dog who can't get in
Moaning at the bed side
Moaning from each limb
Little dog who can't get in
Can only cry but
Can not swim
Pony legs, little trot
Little dog has to wait a lot
The bigger dog has got his spot
And elbowed him away
Listen to him barking
Listen to him call
Little dog don't have much at all
A puny body and a tiny dick
A little dog can make you sick
If you got the money you can go to the top
The female dog don't care what you got
As long as you can raise that
Little doggie face to a cold hearted pussy
You could have a taste
A taste of what the big dog got
A taste of what the big dog got
The little dog with the one hundred dollar spot
Can run his tongue over the hot in trot
Hot in trot
Run his tongue over the hot in trot
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Tell me what you want
My small dog, he want what I got
Wants to run his tongue over my hot spot
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
The little man follows his nose
Counts his fingers and his toes
He still got those
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
Following his nose
But it needs my money to buy
I'm an up while you're a down
I am an up while you're a down
The spring and the will follow me around
While you sniff your shit in the wind
Sniff your shit in the wind
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Tell me what it is you want
Just tell me what it is you want
I'm an up while you're a down
The spring and the will follow me around
Tell me what it is you want
Tell me what it is you want
You sniff your shit in the wind
Follow me around
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog [End of lyrics]
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
A variety of physical "Lulu" releases are available for pre-order at LouReedMetallica.com:
** 2CD Package - $19.99
Contents: Double CD with 24-page booklet including all lyrics.
** Deluxe 2CD Poster Set - $119.99
Contents: Limited-run tube including a poster of the "Lulu" mannequin and song lyrics, three high-quality prints of Anton Corbijn photos of Lou Reed and METALLICA, and the double CD of "Lulu" in a unique folding slipcase. Each tube is numbered. Dimensions of the tube are approximately 5.5 inches in diameter by 49 inches long.
** Deluxe Book 2CD - $109.99
Contents: Limited-run two-book set, each book 12" x 12" square bound with a hard cover. The Anton Corbijn book is 20 pages of photos taken of Lou Reed and METALLICA in Gothenburg, Sweden in the summer of 2011. The lyric book is 28 pages with lyrics from each song along with imagery from the objects collection of WerkbundarchiV Museum Der Dinge, Berlin, Germany. The two "Lulu" CDs are also included in the lyric book. All housed in a clear plastic slipcase.
** Vinyl 2LP Set
2CD Package
"Lulu" final track listing:
01. Brandenburg Gate (4:19)
02. The View (5:17)
03. Pumping Blood (7:24)
04. Mistress Dread (6:52)
05. Iced Honey (4:36)
06. Cheat On Me (11:26)
07. Frustration (8:33)
08. Little Dog (8:01)
09. Dragon (11:08)
10. Junior Dad (19:28)
"Little Dog" lyrics:
Little dog who can't get in
Moaning at the bed side
Moaning from each limb
Little dog who can't get in
Can only cry but
Can not swim
Pony legs, little trot
Little dog has to wait a lot
The bigger dog has got his spot
And elbowed him away
Listen to him barking
Listen to him call
Little dog don't have much at all
A puny body and a tiny dick
A little dog can make you sick
If you got the money you can go to the top
The female dog don't care what you got
As long as you can raise that
Little doggie face to a cold hearted pussy
You could have a taste
A taste of what the big dog got
A taste of what the big dog got
The little dog with the one hundred dollar spot
Can run his tongue over the hot in trot
Hot in trot
Run his tongue over the hot in trot
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Tell me what you want
My small dog, he want what I got
Wants to run his tongue over my hot spot
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
The little man follows his nose
Counts his fingers and his toes
He still got those
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
Following his nose
But it needs my money to buy
I'm an up while you're a down
I am an up while you're a down
The spring and the will follow me around
While you sniff your shit in the wind
Sniff your shit in the wind
Money can do anything
Money can do anything
Tell me what it is you want
Just tell me what it is you want
I'm an up while you're a down
The spring and the will follow me around
Tell me what it is you want
Tell me what it is you want
You sniff your shit in the wind
Follow me around
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog
Pathetic little dog [End of lyrics]
The idea for these two giants of modern music to work together was born after the 25th anniversary Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame concerts in New York City in October 2009. METALLICA — singer/guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo — played with Reed on VELVET UNDERGROUND classics "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat". "We knew from then that we were made for each other," Reed says.
After that triumphant performance, Reed suggested they all make a record together. At first they planned to record an album of Reedfraven's older material, what Ulrich describes as "some of Lou's lost jewels — songs that he felt he'd like to give a second spin, and we could do whatever it is we do to some of those songs." That idea "hung in the air for a couple of months." Then, a week or two before that session was to begin, "Lou called up and said, 'Listen, I have this other idea.'"
That idea was to record a series of songs Reed had written for American avant-garde theater director Robert Wilson and German theater group the Berliner Ensemble's production of the "Lulu Plays", which premiered in April at the Theatre am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin, founded by Bertolt Brecht. The songs are inspired by German expressionist Frank Wedekind's early 20th century plays "Earth Spirit" and "Pandora's Box", and were a rewrite of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven", which emerged as a graphic novel on Fantagraphics Press.
"We were very interested in working with Lou," says Hetfield. "I had these giant question marks: What's it going to be like? What's going to happen? So it was great when he sent us the lyrics for the 'Lulu' body of work. It was something we could sink our teeth into. I could take off my singer and lyricist hat and concentrate on the music part. These were very potent lyrics, with a soundscape behind them for atmosphere. Lars and I sat there with an acoustic and let this blank canvas take us where it needed to go. It was a great gift, to be asked to stamp 'TALLICA on it. And that's what we did."
"We had to bring 'Lulu' to life in a sophisticated way, using rock," Reed says. "And the hardest power rock you could come up with would have to be METALLICA. They live on that planet. We played together, and I knew it: dream come true. This is the best thing I ever did. And I did it with the best group I could possibly find. By definition, everybody involved was honest. This has come into the world pure. We pushed as far as we possibly could within the realms of reality."
"It's definitely not a METALLICA album, or a Lou Reed album," adds Hammett. "It's something else. It's a new animal, a hybrid."
A variety of physical "Lulu" releases are available for pre-order at LouReedMetallica.com:
** 2CD Package - $19.99
Contents: Double CD with 24-page booklet including all lyrics.
** Deluxe 2CD Poster Set - $119.99
Contents: Limited-run tube including a poster of the "Lulu" mannequin and song lyrics, three high-quality prints of Anton Corbijn photos of Lou Reed and METALLICA, and the double CD of "Lulu" in a unique folding slipcase. Each tube is numbered. Dimensions of the tube are approximately 5.5 inches in diameter by 49 inches long.
** Deluxe Book 2CD - $109.99
Contents: Limited-run two-book set, each book 12" x 12" square bound with a hard cover. The Anton Corbijn book is 20 pages of photos taken of Lou Reed and METALLICA in Gothenburg, Sweden in the summer of 2011. The lyric book is 28 pages with lyrics from each song along with imagery from the objects collection of WerkbundarchiV Museum Der Dinge, Berlin, Germany. The two "Lulu" CDs are also included in the lyric book. All housed in a clear plastic slipcase.
** Vinyl 2LP Set
2CD Package
DEF LEPPARD rocker Joe Elliott has revealed the debt he owes to Scots group The Sensational Alex Harvey Band for inspiring him to make music.
Joe, 51, has been a huge fan of the group, who were led by Harvey until his death from a heart attack in 1982.
And he is backing an internet campaign to have the rockers - best known for classic albums such as Tomorrow Belongs To Me and The Penthouse Tapes - to enter the Rock 'n' Roll Hall Of Fame.
Joe said: "You have no idea how big a fan I was of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band growing up.
"They did two nights in Sheffield and this was the Penthouse Tapes tour.
"It was before they released Boston Tea Party so it would have been '76. Phenomenal.
"I've had them on tour with us since then and I sang Boston Tea Party at one of their shows."
Back on the road with an upcoming tour that will see Def Leppard return to Scotland, Joe added: "We always try to add a Glasgow date when we play a British tour. We did it with Whitesnake, in 1999 and 2002. We even played the Barrowlands once. It's part of the circuit.
"The crowds are mental and you've got to love that. We were privileged to experience the Glasgow Apollo as opening act for AC/DC in 1979 on their Highway To Hell tour.
"Once you've done that you've got to keep going back. I remember the Glasgow Apollo balcony because I went on to the balcony to watch AC/DC's set and it was bouncing.
"After about 30 seconds I went back out and watched through a peephole in the door because I thought the balcony was going to fall down.
"There is something playfully savage about the way the audiences were at the end of the 1970s up there.
"I read a book about the Apollo and apparently it was the same when the Sensational Alex Harvey Band played their Christmas show there in 1975, I think - I wish I'd been there."
Formed in 1977, Def Leppard - Joe, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen and guitarists Phil Collen and Vivian Campbell - will hit the road with Motley Crue and have included a show in Glasgow on December 9 on their six-date UK tour.
But Joe insists parents needn't bother locking up their daughters - despite the reputations of Motley Crue rockers such as Tommy Lee and former heroin addict Nikki Sixx.
He said: "Because of a documentary where you see someone throwing a telly out the window of a hotel, people get the impression that is what we all do.
"You talk to Nikki. He has been clean since he was toe-tagged once in the 80s. He's a far more sensible character these days.
"He has his own radio show here in the States and has had me on the show a couple of times. His stories are similar to mine. He dresses like Nikki Sixx with the warpaint on.
"But without trying to blow their image, they are living on past reputation and I don't mean that in a bad way."
Motley's lead guitarist Mick Mars will join the band despite his ongoing battle with ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic, inflammatory form of arthritis affecting the spine and pelvis.
Diagnosed when he was 17 years old, he underwent a hip-replacement seven years ago.
"Motley Crue have all had their issues," Joe admitted.
"I'm not suggesting they are teetotal but Mick Mars has been pretty ill for a long time and just to get him onstage is probably an effort.
"He is hardly likely to be propping the bar up until three in the morning after a gig. What their reputation is now is what they do onstage and how they present their show, and that is what Crue are good at.
"Those guys were more known for their antics than their music and I think, eventually, that started to annoy them.
"We used to get riled when people called us a hair metal band. If that's true, then so are Led Zeppelin.
"It's a ridiculously stupid, lazy term by people who can't be bothered listening to the music because they are fans of REM or Tom Waits. We've put up with that all our lives.
"When it comes to bands like Motley Crue and us - and this is not me bitching - I have been asked about having a beef with the English press.
"I said that the only people who get into the Hall Of Fame are the Tom Pettys and Bruce Springsteens.
"They don't want us or Black Sabbath in there because it is seen to be dirty. It is just a game and you fall foul of it sometimes."
As far as his own band is concerned, Joe admits that their biggest successes were in the 80s and 90s - their 1987 album Hysteria sold 20 million copies, spawning some of their best known hits, such as Love Bites and Pour Some Sugar On Me - but he can't abide being labelled as just an 80s rock band.
"Whenever I see articles in American newspapers or the pop page in the Evening Standard with a footnote that says, '80s hair metal groovers', I just think when did people ever call the Rolling Stones a 60s band? "Why is it the 80s bands that get that decade pinned on to them like a negative connotation."
And he insists family life and a tough work ethic means they will be taking it easy while on the road - having lost original guitarist Steve Clark to drink and drugs in 1991.
Joe said: "The drinking too much and doing loads of drugs has never been our domain. It has always been about the music.
"I'm not suggesting we were complete angels but it wasn't a major focus.
"Steve had a major drink problem, which he dealt with manfully to a point.
"When he passed away we weren't on the road, stuck on buses. It wasn't anything to do with life on the road, it was just his lifestyle and the way he was.
"We are very driven and very focused. To stay ahead of the game or keep playing catch-up with the business when you have been around as much as we have, you can't afford to be sloppy or have a lack of discipline or focus.
"If having too much fun last night ruins tomorrow night's gig, then your priorities are backwards.
"For us, the focus has never been the sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll stuff.
"I always found it fascinating that they put the rock 'n' roll last."
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine will premiere music off the band's new album, "TH1RT3EN", on this weekend's (October 14-16) edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. Also scheduled to appear on the program is Athens, Ohio's SKELETONWITCH.
To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.
Due on November 1 via Roadrunner Records, "TH1RT3EN", was recorded at Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others. The artwork was once again created by artist John Lorenzi, who worked on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".
"TH1RT3EN" marks the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This is the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".
To see a full list of stations carrying the program and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.
Due on November 1 via Roadrunner Records, "TH1RT3EN", was recorded at Dave Mustaine's Vic's Garage studio in San Marcos, California with producer Johnny K (full name: John Karkazis), who has previously worked with DISTURBED, SEVENDUST, MACHINE HEAD and STAIND, among others. The artwork was once again created by artist John Lorenzi, who worked on the last two MEGADETH studio albums, 2007's "United Abominations" and 2009's "Endgame", as well as the band's 2007 box set, "Warchest".
"TH1RT3EN" marks the recorded return of bassist David Ellefson who was part of the band's classic lineup from 1983 to 2002. In a move that delighted the band's legion of diehards, Ellefson returned to performing live with MEGADETH in early 2010 and has remained a fixture on the stage ever since. This is the first time Ellefson has played on a MEGADETH record since 2002's "Rude Awakening".
Keyboardist Jordan Rudess of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has scheduled an "Evening With Jordan Rudess" solo concert at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City on November 12.
Rudess in 2009 recorded solo piano versions of some of DREAM THEATER's favorite ballads as well as creating some original, progressive piano pieces for an album called "Notes On A Dream".
Rudess' "The Road Home" CD was released in 2007. Having been influenced by classic progressive acts such as GENESIS, YES and GENTLE GIANT, Rudess revisited some of the great songs from those bands with his own special Jordan Rudess touch. He was assisted on "The Road Home" by a great group of guests, such as Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD), Kip Winger (WINGER), Rod Morgenstein (WINGER), Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES), Bumblefoot (GUNS N' ROSES), Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), Ricky Garcia (LAFEE) and several others.
Rudess in 2009 recorded solo piano versions of some of DREAM THEATER's favorite ballads as well as creating some original, progressive piano pieces for an album called "Notes On A Dream".
Rudess' "The Road Home" CD was released in 2007. Having been influenced by classic progressive acts such as GENESIS, YES and GENTLE GIANT, Rudess revisited some of the great songs from those bands with his own special Jordan Rudess touch. He was assisted on "The Road Home" by a great group of guests, such as Nick D'Virgilio (SPOCK'S BEARD), Kip Winger (WINGER), Rod Morgenstein (WINGER), Ed Wynne (OZRIC TENTACLES), Bumblefoot (GUNS N' ROSES), Marco Sfogli (JAMES LABRIE), Ricky Garcia (LAFEE) and several others.
BLABBERMOUTH.NET has received word that former PANTERA bassist Rex Brown has signed a deal with Da Capo Press to write a memoir. Due in the fall of 2012, "Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story Of Pantera" is described as a "starkly honest and revealing" book about Rex's time in one of the most influential and enduringly popular bands in heavy metal history, offering Brown's shocking personal insight into a band that had swapped the grimy clubs of Texas for arenas around the world but whose story would ultimately be touched by tragedy.
World rights were acquired by executive editor Ben Schafer at Da Capo Press from Matthew Elblonk at DeFiore & Company with Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander.
De Capo is the publisher of BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's forthcoming book "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath" and SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor's New York Times best seller "Seven Deadly Sins - Settling The Argument Between Born Bad And Damaged Good".
In the February 2006 issue of Revolver magazine (web site), several of PANTERA's former business associates recounted the band's amazing rise to the status of the biggest extreme metal act in the world and the circumstances that led to their eventual break-up.
Though it would be unfair to blame PANTERA's demise directly on vocalist Philip Anselmo's side band DOWN, it's clear that the project — as well as Anselmo's many other projects, like SUPERJOINT RITUAL — became another snowball in the avalanche of bad feeling that eventually overwhelmed the band. Certainly, the lack of direct communication between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers (Darrell and Vince) also had something to do with it, as did the "he said/they said" salvos that were fired back and forth between the two camps — with Rex Brown caught in the middle — via interviews in print magazines and online publications.
"Really, it was just a complete lack of communication [within PANTERA], and the wrong things being said at the wrong time," offered Kim Zide-Davis, who joined the band's management team a few months after the group's "Far Beyond Driven" CD came out. "Philip doesn't have a real understanding that he needs to be careful of who he says what to, and how people can misconstrue what he's saying. It got to the point where I'd come into the office and Phil was out on tour with DOWN or SUPERJOINT RITUAL and had just said something else. Honestly, it was gut-wrenching.
"I spent the better part of the last three years [with PANTERA] working with them on and off, trying to keep them from disintegrating. The brothers were ready to go, and so was Rex. But Philip was beyond anybody's control."
"I blame the media for making a circus out of the fact that there were a few things I wanted to get out of my system, and we were going to take a break," said Anselmo. "The media blew this 'we hate each other' thing up to the sky."
But while the "who broke up PANTERA" argument can (and probably will) rage well into the next millennium, the premature death of Dimebag Darrell ultimately renders it moot. Though drummer Vinnie Paul has vehemently stated that he and his brother would have never participated in a PANTERA reunion, Brown would like to think otherwise. "Maybe somewhere down the road we would've smoothed stuff out — the four of us getting together in a room and beating the shit out of each other or whatever," he said. "We can't do that now. All that we can do now is move on and do the best we can and try to preserve the legacy that we built, and at least keep Dime's musical legacy alive."
Anselmo in early 2010 announced plans to write an autobiography, which is being co-authored by MetalSucks' Corey Mitchell.
World rights were acquired by executive editor Ben Schafer at Da Capo Press from Matthew Elblonk at DeFiore & Company with Matthew Hamilton at Aitken Alexander.
De Capo is the publisher of BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi's forthcoming book "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath" and SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor's New York Times best seller "Seven Deadly Sins - Settling The Argument Between Born Bad And Damaged Good".
In the February 2006 issue of Revolver magazine (web site), several of PANTERA's former business associates recounted the band's amazing rise to the status of the biggest extreme metal act in the world and the circumstances that led to their eventual break-up.
Though it would be unfair to blame PANTERA's demise directly on vocalist Philip Anselmo's side band DOWN, it's clear that the project — as well as Anselmo's many other projects, like SUPERJOINT RITUAL — became another snowball in the avalanche of bad feeling that eventually overwhelmed the band. Certainly, the lack of direct communication between Anselmo and the Abbott brothers (Darrell and Vince) also had something to do with it, as did the "he said/they said" salvos that were fired back and forth between the two camps — with Rex Brown caught in the middle — via interviews in print magazines and online publications.
"Really, it was just a complete lack of communication [within PANTERA], and the wrong things being said at the wrong time," offered Kim Zide-Davis, who joined the band's management team a few months after the group's "Far Beyond Driven" CD came out. "Philip doesn't have a real understanding that he needs to be careful of who he says what to, and how people can misconstrue what he's saying. It got to the point where I'd come into the office and Phil was out on tour with DOWN or SUPERJOINT RITUAL and had just said something else. Honestly, it was gut-wrenching.
"I spent the better part of the last three years [with PANTERA] working with them on and off, trying to keep them from disintegrating. The brothers were ready to go, and so was Rex. But Philip was beyond anybody's control."
"I blame the media for making a circus out of the fact that there were a few things I wanted to get out of my system, and we were going to take a break," said Anselmo. "The media blew this 'we hate each other' thing up to the sky."
But while the "who broke up PANTERA" argument can (and probably will) rage well into the next millennium, the premature death of Dimebag Darrell ultimately renders it moot. Though drummer Vinnie Paul has vehemently stated that he and his brother would have never participated in a PANTERA reunion, Brown would like to think otherwise. "Maybe somewhere down the road we would've smoothed stuff out — the four of us getting together in a room and beating the shit out of each other or whatever," he said. "We can't do that now. All that we can do now is move on and do the best we can and try to preserve the legacy that we built, and at least keep Dime's musical legacy alive."
Anselmo in early 2010 announced plans to write an autobiography, which is being co-authored by MetalSucks' Corey Mitchell.
Blast Corpse Promotion and Catapult Promotion have announced the first-ever Extremefest, set to take place July 5-7 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
CANNIBAL CORPSE
EXODUS
ARKONA
EISREGEN
WHITECHAPEL
ORIGIN
INQUISITION
EIS
HELLISH CROSSFIRE
DISAVOWED
ROMPEPROP
Extremefest 2012 dates :
July 5-7 - Hünxe, Germany - Extremefest Germany
July 5-7 - Salzburg, Austria - Extremefest Austria
July 5-7 – [to be announced], Switzerland - Extremefest Switzerland
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
CANNIBAL CORPSE
EXODUS
ARKONA
EISREGEN
WHITECHAPEL
ORIGIN
INQUISITION
EIS
HELLISH CROSSFIRE
DISAVOWED
ROMPEPROP
Extremefest 2012 dates :
July 5-7 - Hünxe, Germany - Extremefest Germany
July 5-7 - Salzburg, Austria - Extremefest Austria
July 5-7 – [to be announced], Switzerland - Extremefest Switzerland
Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have inked a deal with Napalm Records. The band is currently working on material for its farewell album, which is tentatively scheduled for a spring 2012 release.
Commented CANDLEMASS in a statement: "Now it is official, Swedish doom 'meisters' CANDLEMASS have signed with Austrian Napalm Records for their 11th and last studio album. The band is very happy and excited about this and are looking forward to work with such a great and growing label as Napalm, home of cool bands like MONSTER MAGNET, KARMA TO BURN and ISOLE."
CANDLEMASS celebrated its 25-year anniversary by performing an extra-long, two-and-a-half-hour set at Debaser Medis in Stockholm on December 18, 2010. The band's classic debut album, "Epicus Doomicus Metalicus", was played in its entirety for the first time with the original singer Johan Längqvist.
CANDLEMASS released a new DVD, "Ashes To Ashes - Live", in North America on June 29, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records (April 23, 2010 in Europe). The set contains footage of the band's performance at last year's Sweden Rock Festival in front of 30,000 people as well as CANDLEMASS' entire October 2009 concert in Athens, Greece. It also includes a 30-minute interview and two photo galleries. The DVD was released as a CD+DVD, with the Sweden Rock show as the audio CD.
"Death Magic Doom", the latest album from CANDLEMASS, debuted at No. 79 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Death Magic Doom" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 52. The group's previous CD, "King of the Grey Islands", debuted at No. 83 back in June 2007.
Commented CANDLEMASS in a statement: "Now it is official, Swedish doom 'meisters' CANDLEMASS have signed with Austrian Napalm Records for their 11th and last studio album. The band is very happy and excited about this and are looking forward to work with such a great and growing label as Napalm, home of cool bands like MONSTER MAGNET, KARMA TO BURN and ISOLE."
CANDLEMASS celebrated its 25-year anniversary by performing an extra-long, two-and-a-half-hour set at Debaser Medis in Stockholm on December 18, 2010. The band's classic debut album, "Epicus Doomicus Metalicus", was played in its entirety for the first time with the original singer Johan Längqvist.
CANDLEMASS released a new DVD, "Ashes To Ashes - Live", in North America on June 29, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records (April 23, 2010 in Europe). The set contains footage of the band's performance at last year's Sweden Rock Festival in front of 30,000 people as well as CANDLEMASS' entire October 2009 concert in Athens, Greece. It also includes a 30-minute interview and two photo galleries. The DVD was released as a CD+DVD, with the Sweden Rock show as the audio CD.
"Death Magic Doom", the latest album from CANDLEMASS, debuted at No. 79 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Death Magic Doom" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 52. The group's previous CD, "King of the Grey Islands", debuted at No. 83 back in June 2007.
San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans DEATH ANGEL have been confirmed for next year's installment of the Metalfest festival. DEATH ANGEL will play a special set featuring the entirety of its classic 1987 debut album, "The Ultra Violence".
Metalfest 2012 festival billing so far:
BLIND GUARDIAN
DEATH ANGEL
ENSIFERUM
HYPOCRISY
IN EXTREMO
KREATOR
LEGION OF THE DAMNED
POWERWOLF
SALTATIO MORTIS
VADER
Metalfest 2011 was a huge success, having taken place over two weekends in five countries. Bands such as SABATON, CRADLE OF FILTH, AMON AMARTH, ARCH ENEMY and AMORPHIS rocked the Metalfest stages this year, with almost 100,000 fans in attendance.
Metalfest 2012 will be expanding to nine events in eight countries. In addition to the five locations from this year, there will be Metalfests in Italy, Poland and Croatia, with a second Metalfest in Germany set to take place in Loreley.
Metalfest 2012 dates:
May 31 - June 2, 2012 - Mining, Metalfest Austria
May 31 - June 2, 2012 - Dessau, Metalfest Germany/East
June 1 - June 3, 2012 - Jaworzno, Metalfest Poland
June 3 - June 5, 2012 - Zadar, Metalfest Croatia
June 5 - June 7, 2012 - Milan, Metalfest Italy
June 7 - June 9, 2012 - Loreley, Metalfest Germany/West
June 7 - June 10, 2012 - Pratteln, Metalfest Switzerland
June 9 - June 10, 2012 - Plzen, Metalfest Czech Republic
Note: BLIND GUARDIAN will not play Metalfest in Dessau.
For more information, visit www.metalfest.eu.
Metalfest 2012 festival billing so far:
BLIND GUARDIAN
DEATH ANGEL
ENSIFERUM
HYPOCRISY
IN EXTREMO
KREATOR
LEGION OF THE DAMNED
POWERWOLF
SALTATIO MORTIS
VADER
Metalfest 2011 was a huge success, having taken place over two weekends in five countries. Bands such as SABATON, CRADLE OF FILTH, AMON AMARTH, ARCH ENEMY and AMORPHIS rocked the Metalfest stages this year, with almost 100,000 fans in attendance.
Metalfest 2012 will be expanding to nine events in eight countries. In addition to the five locations from this year, there will be Metalfests in Italy, Poland and Croatia, with a second Metalfest in Germany set to take place in Loreley.
Metalfest 2012 dates:
May 31 - June 2, 2012 - Mining, Metalfest Austria
May 31 - June 2, 2012 - Dessau, Metalfest Germany/East
June 1 - June 3, 2012 - Jaworzno, Metalfest Poland
June 3 - June 5, 2012 - Zadar, Metalfest Croatia
June 5 - June 7, 2012 - Milan, Metalfest Italy
June 7 - June 9, 2012 - Loreley, Metalfest Germany/West
June 7 - June 10, 2012 - Pratteln, Metalfest Switzerland
June 9 - June 10, 2012 - Plzen, Metalfest Czech Republic
Note: BLIND GUARDIAN will not play Metalfest in Dessau.
For more information, visit www.metalfest.eu.
CRIMSON GLORY singer Todd LaTorre will guest on "Hanging Rock", the second solo album from Tommy Vitaly, the guitar player for the Italian power metal band SEVENGATES, Due in 2012 via IceWarrior Records , the CD will feature "fantastic cover and booklet art" by Felipe Machado Franco, who has previously worked with RHAPSODY, AXEL RUDI PELL, BLIND GUARDIAN, AXENSTAR and ICED EARTH.
Commented Tommy: "It's a real pleasure to have such a great singer on my next album! I have always been a great CRIMSON GLORY fan since the '80s! To have Todd on my next album makes me so proud! Thanks, bro!"
"Hanging Rock" will feature guest appearances by the following musicians:
* Tommy Vitaly (SEVEN GATES) - Guitars
* Todd LaTorre (CRIMSON GLORY) - Vocals
* David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE) - Vocals
* Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, ex-SAVATAGE) - Vocals
* Michele Luppi (THAUROROD, ex-VISION DIVINE) - Vocals
* Carsten Lizard-Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE, ex-DOMAIN) - Vocals
* Andrea "Tower" Torricini (ex-VISION DIVINE, ex-SHADOWS OF STEEL) - Bass
* Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON) - Guitars
* David Shankle (DSG, ex-MANOWAR) - Guitars
* Kenny Earl Edwards (a.k.a. Rhino; HOLY HELL, ex-MANOWAR) - Drums
Shankle previously made a guest appearance on Vitaly's debut album, "Just Me".
Commented Tommy: "It's a real pleasure to have such a great singer on my next album! I have always been a great CRIMSON GLORY fan since the '80s! To have Todd on my next album makes me so proud! Thanks, bro!"
"Hanging Rock" will feature guest appearances by the following musicians:
* Tommy Vitaly (SEVEN GATES) - Guitars
* Todd LaTorre (CRIMSON GLORY) - Vocals
* David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE) - Vocals
* Zak Stevens (CIRCLE II CIRCLE, ex-SAVATAGE) - Vocals
* Michele Luppi (THAUROROD, ex-VISION DIVINE) - Vocals
* Carsten Lizard-Schulz (EVIDENCE ONE, ex-DOMAIN) - Vocals
* Andrea "Tower" Torricini (ex-VISION DIVINE, ex-SHADOWS OF STEEL) - Bass
* Norifumi Shima (CONCERTO MOON) - Guitars
* David Shankle (DSG, ex-MANOWAR) - Guitars
* Kenny Earl Edwards (a.k.a. Rhino; HOLY HELL, ex-MANOWAR) - Drums
Shankle previously made a guest appearance on Vitaly's debut album, "Just Me".
earMUSIC has announced the release of the first official product by former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's new project HARUS. A brand new live album/DVD will be released worldwide by earMUSIC in collaboration with Edel's classic music division Berlin Classics. This joint venture from two music labels apparently far away from each other would probably sound bizarre at first sight (a label operating in alternative and metal music with one representing traditional classical music artists). The reason lies beneath the many sides of Tarja Turunen's music.
It's widely known that Tarja's music background is in classical music. She later became one of the most important female voices of metal, first as part of multi-million seller NIGHTWISH and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name.
After two gems of heavy rock, Tarja can finally go back to her "first love" for a while. The new live CD and DVD shows a side of Tarja's music personality that so far was only enjoyed by the lucky fans attending her classical music concerts.
The first output of HARUS features traditional and emotional music from Finland presented together with more international repertoire. If Tarja's vocal approach when it comes to rock music is "classical", what stands out in this new musical adventure is the modern approach to classical music.
Tarja Turunen and HARUS created a unique blend of organ, electric guitar, percussion and voice. Tarja has the talent to make it sound warm and soft, appealing for the purists as well as for the fans who follow her with a unique dedication.
Besides Tarja's metal superstar status, HARUS represents the start of a new journey, crossing genres and music cultures. HARUS is a rather peculiar, uncommon Finnish word that describes the four tensors that keep a tent together or the tensor that keeps the mast from falling in a sailing boat. Both of the meanings apply to the musicians involved in Tarja's new project: four members, four equals, four different backgrounds to tie together exquisite classical music developed strongly and in a very stable way, with a taste of experimental, modern feel.
Tarja has declared: "In 2006 we did our first concert together. We had such a joy and fun that we decided to keep on performing as a group. The name
came many years after when we believed it is time to make it official. What
is special in HARUS is that every concert represents a magic moment. We have the freedom to be inspired by our own emotions. We hope to be able to
offer you that spirit with this CD/DVD."
The international release date for the live CD is November 25. The audio/video bundles (CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray) will hit stores one week later (December 2).
HARUS is:
Tarja Turunen: Vocals
Kalevi Kiviniemi: Organ
Marzi Nyman: Guitar
Markku Krohn: Percussion
It's widely known that Tarja's music background is in classical music. She later became one of the most important female voices of metal, first as part of multi-million seller NIGHTWISH and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name.
After two gems of heavy rock, Tarja can finally go back to her "first love" for a while. The new live CD and DVD shows a side of Tarja's music personality that so far was only enjoyed by the lucky fans attending her classical music concerts.
The first output of HARUS features traditional and emotional music from Finland presented together with more international repertoire. If Tarja's vocal approach when it comes to rock music is "classical", what stands out in this new musical adventure is the modern approach to classical music.
Tarja Turunen and HARUS created a unique blend of organ, electric guitar, percussion and voice. Tarja has the talent to make it sound warm and soft, appealing for the purists as well as for the fans who follow her with a unique dedication.
Besides Tarja's metal superstar status, HARUS represents the start of a new journey, crossing genres and music cultures. HARUS is a rather peculiar, uncommon Finnish word that describes the four tensors that keep a tent together or the tensor that keeps the mast from falling in a sailing boat. Both of the meanings apply to the musicians involved in Tarja's new project: four members, four equals, four different backgrounds to tie together exquisite classical music developed strongly and in a very stable way, with a taste of experimental, modern feel.
Tarja has declared: "In 2006 we did our first concert together. We had such a joy and fun that we decided to keep on performing as a group. The name
came many years after when we believed it is time to make it official. What
is special in HARUS is that every concert represents a magic moment. We have the freedom to be inspired by our own emotions. We hope to be able to
offer you that spirit with this CD/DVD."
The international release date for the live CD is November 25. The audio/video bundles (CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray) will hit stores one week later (December 2).
HARUS is:
Tarja Turunen: Vocals
Kalevi Kiviniemi: Organ
Marzi Nyman: Guitar
Markku Krohn: Percussion
In support of Hard Rock Café's "Pinktober" charity campaign to raise funds for the fight against breast cancer, Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION will perform an exclusive unplugged set at Hard Rock Cafe in Cologne, Germany on November 17.
The performance is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be followed by a signing session.
Tickets for this event will be sold exclusively at Hard Rock Café's Rock Shop in Cologne for 10 euros.
The first 20 visitors who present a ticket for WITHIN TEMPTATION's E-Werk concerts in Cologne on November 16 and November 17 will be granted free admission to the performance at Hard Rock Café.
Commented singer Sharon den Adel: "Breast cancer remains one of the most common life-threatening cancers affecting women: One out of eight women will get breast cancer in her life. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer. It is therefore very important to keep a high awareness level of the subject in the general public. I am very happy to make a small contribution with my band to a regular event such as Hard Rock Café's Pinktober campaign."
WITHIN TEMPTATION's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48). The band asked comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men) to draw the characters and scenery of "The Unforgiving", which was made available via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia.
WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt recently announced that he will step down from touring duties in order to focus on taking care of the three children he has with Sharon den Adel. His replacement on stage is Stefan Helleblad, who has been working with the band behind the scenes for a few years.
The performance is scheduled for 4 p.m. and will be followed by a signing session.
Tickets for this event will be sold exclusively at Hard Rock Café's Rock Shop in Cologne for 10 euros.
The first 20 visitors who present a ticket for WITHIN TEMPTATION's E-Werk concerts in Cologne on November 16 and November 17 will be granted free admission to the performance at Hard Rock Café.
Commented singer Sharon den Adel: "Breast cancer remains one of the most common life-threatening cancers affecting women: One out of eight women will get breast cancer in her life. Every 13 minutes a woman dies of breast cancer. It is therefore very important to keep a high awareness level of the subject in the general public. I am very happy to make a small contribution with my band to a regular event such as Hard Rock Café's Pinktober campaign."
WITHIN TEMPTATION's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 50 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on March 29, the CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48). The band asked comic artist Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men) to draw the characters and scenery of "The Unforgiving", which was made available via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia.
WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt recently announced that he will step down from touring duties in order to focus on taking care of the three children he has with Sharon den Adel. His replacement on stage is Stefan Helleblad, who has been working with the band behind the scenes for a few years.
Eddie Balandas, a member of the KISS road crew during the band's early years whose voice is featured on the "Alive II" album ("You wanted the best, you got the best. The hottest band in the world, KISS!"), passed away in his sleep on Monday, October 10 after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure several years ago.
Commented original KISS guitarist Ace Fehley: "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of my old bodyguard and dear friend, Eddie Balandas... We had recently spent some time together in Indianapolis, Indiana this past August and I enjoyed reminiscing about our funny experiences together on tour with KISS in the '70s... He had a heart of gold and was one of a kind!"
The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 17 at the Alliance-Gaidas-Daimid Funeral Home (4330 South California Avenue) in Chicago, Illinois.
Commented original KISS guitarist Ace Fehley: "I was very saddened to hear of the passing of my old bodyguard and dear friend, Eddie Balandas... We had recently spent some time together in Indianapolis, Indiana this past August and I enjoyed reminiscing about our funny experiences together on tour with KISS in the '70s... He had a heart of gold and was one of a kind!"
The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 17 at the Alliance-Gaidas-Daimid Funeral Home (4330 South California Avenue) in Chicago, Illinois.
Björn "Speed" Strid (vocals; SOILWORK) and Sean Dailey (vocals; THE BETTER DEATH) have been added to the list of musicians who will contribute to "Volume 1", the debut album from STAR MONARCHY, the new project launched by bassist Ray Riendeau (HALFORD, JAMES LABRIE). The release will feature songs written by Ray and some collaborations with other artists. It will be recorded by an ongoing cast of players/singers in various metal genres. Also scheduled to appear on "Volume 1" are Rody Walker (vocals; PROTEST THE HERO), Travis Orbin (drums; ex-PERIPHERY, SKY EATS AIRPLANE), Francesco Artusato (guitar; ALL SHALL PERISH), Dan Tompkins (vocals; TESSERACT), Peter Wildoer (drums; DARKANE, JAMES LABRIE) and Danny Handler (drums; THE BETTER DEATH).
STAR MONARCHY's first single, "Monarchy", will be released on October 28. The track, which was mixed and mastered by Derek Taylor at Milo studios in Texas, features Tompkins on vocals, Artusato on guitar, Riendeau on bass and guitar and Handler on drums. You can stream it at this location.
STAR MONARCHY's first single, "Monarchy", will be released on October 28. The track, which was mixed and mastered by Derek Taylor at Milo studios in Texas, features Tompkins on vocals, Artusato on guitar, Riendeau on bass and guitar and Handler on drums. You can stream it at this location.
WALLS OF JERICHO has been confirmed for the next edition of the Persistence European tour, set to take place in January. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, BIOHAZARD, TERROR, LIONHEART and CRUSHING CASPARS.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 20 - Deinze, Belgium - Brielpoort
Jan. 21 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
Jan. 22 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
Jan. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Astra
Jan. 24 - Munchen, Germany - Werk
Jan. 25 - Wien, Austria - Gasometer
Jan. 26 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
Jan. 27 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage
Jan. 28 - Dresden, Germany - Eventwerk
Jan. 29 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
Jan. 30 - Paris, France - Bataclan
WALLS OF JERICHO's latest album, 2008's "The American Dream" (Trustkill Records), sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 11 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"The American Dream" was recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Ben Schigel and Tony Gammalo.
An e-card for "The American Dream" can be accessed at this location.
WALLS OF JERICHO and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) collaborated on an EP entitled "Redemption". The CD, which was produced by Taylor, features primarily melodic vocals and acoustic instruments.
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 20 - Deinze, Belgium - Brielpoort
Jan. 21 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
Jan. 22 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
Jan. 23 - Berlin, Germany - Astra
Jan. 24 - Munchen, Germany - Werk
Jan. 25 - Wien, Austria - Gasometer
Jan. 26 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
Jan. 27 - Saarbrucken, Germany - Garage
Jan. 28 - Dresden, Germany - Eventwerk
Jan. 29 - Tilburg, Netherlands - O13
Jan. 30 - Paris, France - Bataclan
WALLS OF JERICHO's latest album, 2008's "The American Dream" (Trustkill Records), sold around 2,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD debuted at No. 11 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"The American Dream" was recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland, Ohio with Ben Schigel and Tony Gammalo.
An e-card for "The American Dream" can be accessed at this location.
WALLS OF JERICHO and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) collaborated on an EP entitled "Redemption". The CD, which was produced by Taylor, features primarily melodic vocals and acoustic instruments.
Terry Butler (DEATH, MASSACRE, SIX FEET UNDER, DENIAL FIEND, OBITUARY) and Rick Rozz (MANTAS, DEATH, MASSACRE, M INC.) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of MASSACRE's classic "From Beyond" album by embarking on a European tour in January/February 2012. Dubbed "Army Of Darkness", the trek will feature additional performances from GRAVE and MASTER.
MASSACRE's tentative setlist for the tour:
01. Chamber Of Ages
02. Succubus
03. Defeat Remains
04. From Beyond
05. Cryptic Realms
06. Provoked Accurser
07. Dawn Of Eternity
08. Bio-Hazard
09. Warhead
10. Corpse Grinder
Commented Butler in a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "Rick and I are very excited about bringing MASSACRE to Europe. We want to give the fans (new and old) a chance to hear MASSACRE again. This is not a 'farewell tour' or a 'reunion tour.'"
Added Rozz: "I would just like to say I am involved in this tribute to MASSACRE, a band that I spent many years of my life in, in a few different ways, and have written many songs for. I now have been invited by Terry Butler to be involved in this tribute. This is not, and there never will be, a reunion. This, to me, is a few friends, new and old, paying tribute to part of Terry Butler and my past, so let's have some fun, and put these 20-plus-year-old tracks in overdrive, This will be the most powerful/heavy/brutal MASSACRE live gig in the history of the band, in my opinion."
The rest of the touring band's lineup will be announced soon.
A revamped version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with ex-MASSACRE/DENIAL FIEND members Terry Butler (bass), Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
MASSACRE's tentative setlist for the tour:
01. Chamber Of Ages
02. Succubus
03. Defeat Remains
04. From Beyond
05. Cryptic Realms
06. Provoked Accurser
07. Dawn Of Eternity
08. Bio-Hazard
09. Warhead
10. Corpse Grinder
Commented Butler in a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET: "Rick and I are very excited about bringing MASSACRE to Europe. We want to give the fans (new and old) a chance to hear MASSACRE again. This is not a 'farewell tour' or a 'reunion tour.'"
Added Rozz: "I would just like to say I am involved in this tribute to MASSACRE, a band that I spent many years of my life in, in a few different ways, and have written many songs for. I now have been invited by Terry Butler to be involved in this tribute. This is not, and there never will be, a reunion. This, to me, is a few friends, new and old, paying tribute to part of Terry Butler and my past, so let's have some fun, and put these 20-plus-year-old tracks in overdrive, This will be the most powerful/heavy/brutal MASSACRE live gig in the history of the band, in my opinion."
The rest of the touring band's lineup will be announced soon.
A revamped version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with ex-MASSACRE/DENIAL FIEND members Terry Butler (bass), Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
As director Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. prepared to make alien monster movie The Thing, he kept a key concept firmly in mind for the audio.
"I gave the sound people the same brief as I gave composer Marco Beltrami," he said. "Can you come up with deep-down, guttural sound effects that will scare the shit out of people?"
To be more specific, van Heijningen cites Unheimliche as a guiding principle. "It's a German word that means not homelike, not of this world," he told Wired.com by phone. "It's easy to do something scary but we wanted to create this uneasy feeling that 'whatever is near to me is not from here.'"
The Thing, opening Friday, is an R-rated prequel to John Carpenter's 1982 horror classic of the same name. It uses the earlier movie as a point of departure for a showdown between an ice-packed critter and a group of stranded scientists who are trying to make sense of their frozen discovery. Tense group discussions get disrupted by spasmodic jabs of action as the shrieking, roaring, belching catastrophe from another planet starts to thaw.
Shot by cinematographer Michel Ambrowicz (Taken), who captures epic South Pole vistas, The Thing gets down to business during a third-act chase. The nightmare-inducing alien, concocted by effects outfits ADI and Image Engine, proves simultaneously disgusting and mesmerizing, and — per van Heijningen's agenda — the monster sounds as horrific as it looks. (Check the gallery above for a sampling of ADI's concept art and models along with The Thing stills.)
Supervising sound editors Scott Hecker and Elliott Koretz told Wired.com they used heavy-metal singers, various animals and a hyperventilating actress to invest The Thing's creature with the creepy vibe.
"The two basic modes for the monster is that it was either attacking or it was in pain," said Hecker. "We used everything from lions, tigers, bears and cows to horses, monkeys and a lot of seals which, believe it or not, make really cool guttural throat sounds. All the stuff then has to be manipulated. Otherwise, it would stand out as a barnyard special."
LISTEN: Hear The Thing's Alien
To distort earthly utterances into unidentifiable alien noises, Hecker and Koretz put technology to work. "Mostly it's about stretching sound, changing pitch or exaggerating certain frequencies, which we can do with different types of software," said Koretz. "You elongate the sound and either go up in pitch or go down in pitch depending on whether you want high, shrieky stuff or low, growly, roaring stuff."
Beyond the animal kingdom, the sound editors blended in beastly grunts from Dylan Hromadka, lead vocalist for death-metal band Resurrecting Judas.
"Death-metal bands are gnarly," laughed Scott. "These singers really do sound like the devil."
Since the alien in The Thing can replicate human DNA and ultimately merges with various members of the Antarctic crew, Hecker and Koretz asked cast members to throw down vocals used during the creature's metamorphosis. Kim Bubbs, who plays Norwegian scientist Juliette, took part in a scream session conducted at Toronto's Urban Post recording studio.
She was "eager to use her voice to the point where she hyperventilated and almost fainted," Koretz said. "In one death scene, there's this elongated, painful scream that [the actress] really pushed herself to get. The sound designer Rick Hromadka took that clean, raw sound, then processed it with these software tools to give it a more creepy feeling. It's not just a woman screaming. It becomes about the duality of the monster and her together."
__._,_.___
MARKETPLACE
.
__,_._,___
0 comments:
Post a Comment