SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has just finished a solo tour where he combined acoustic performances with audience interaction and readings from his book "Seven Deadly Sins". But Taylor raised eyebrows on the tour by calling STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland a "lazy piece of shit" at one stop and bashing legendary producer Rick Rubin — with whom he worked on SLIPKNOT's 2004 album, "Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses)" — as "overrated" and "overpaid" at another, saying he'd never work with Rubin again "as long as I fucking live."
Rubin has previously produced a number of platinum- and gold-selling releases — including those from RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, SLAYER, AUDIOSLAVE, SYSTEM OF A DOWN and METALLICA — and is currently helming the first studio album in 33 years from the reunited original lineup of BLACK SABBATH.
Despite Taylor's less-than-glowing opinion of Rubin's collaboration with SLIPKNOT, the singer tells Loudwire that the famed producer will likely work well with SABBATH members Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward.
"This is one of those instances I actually think Rick Rubin is perfect for," Taylor says. "He gets out of the way and will let them get down to it."
Taylor adds, "I can only hope they record it in the right way. I can only hope they get to do something righteous and not just something to make a buck. I think with Geezer and Tony pushing it forward, and, obviously, Bill and Ozzy, I think it will be fantastic. I am looking forward to a riff fest!"
Taylor also revealed that he's about to dig into Iommi's memoir, "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath", which landed at position No. 35 on the New York Times "Hardcover Nonfiction" best sellers list.
"I just got Tony Iommi's book. It was actually sent to me and signed personally signed by Tony Iommi," he reveals. "And it was completely unexpected. It says, 'To Corey, all the warmest regards, Tony.' That was really, really cool, man. That was really cool. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it."
Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that he doesn't regret what he previously said about Rubin at all. "It's an honest answer to a perfectly reasonable question," he said. "That was my take on it. Now if you asked somebody like Clown [Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, SLIPKNOT percussionist] about the Rick Rubin experience, you'd get a totally different answer. But it is what it is. It's my opinion. At the end of the day it's not scripture. I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say — I don't think enough people do. And if it gets me in trouble, it gets me in trouble. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I'm just gonna keep walking it."
Taylor will tour Australia and North America with SLIPKNOT next year, and also plans to head into the studio with STONE SOUR.
Rubin has previously produced a number of platinum- and gold-selling releases — including those from RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, SLAYER, AUDIOSLAVE, SYSTEM OF A DOWN and METALLICA — and is currently helming the first studio album in 33 years from the reunited original lineup of BLACK SABBATH.
Despite Taylor's less-than-glowing opinion of Rubin's collaboration with SLIPKNOT, the singer tells Loudwire that the famed producer will likely work well with SABBATH members Ozzy Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward.
"This is one of those instances I actually think Rick Rubin is perfect for," Taylor says. "He gets out of the way and will let them get down to it."
Taylor adds, "I can only hope they record it in the right way. I can only hope they get to do something righteous and not just something to make a buck. I think with Geezer and Tony pushing it forward, and, obviously, Bill and Ozzy, I think it will be fantastic. I am looking forward to a riff fest!"
Taylor also revealed that he's about to dig into Iommi's memoir, "Iron Man: My Journey Through Heaven And Hell With Black Sabbath", which landed at position No. 35 on the New York Times "Hardcover Nonfiction" best sellers list.
"I just got Tony Iommi's book. It was actually sent to me and signed personally signed by Tony Iommi," he reveals. "And it was completely unexpected. It says, 'To Corey, all the warmest regards, Tony.' That was really, really cool, man. That was really cool. I haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I'm really looking forward to it."
Taylor told The Pulse Of Radio that he doesn't regret what he previously said about Rubin at all. "It's an honest answer to a perfectly reasonable question," he said. "That was my take on it. Now if you asked somebody like Clown [Shawn 'Clown' Crahan, SLIPKNOT percussionist] about the Rick Rubin experience, you'd get a totally different answer. But it is what it is. It's my opinion. At the end of the day it's not scripture. I'm gonna say what I'm gonna say — I don't think enough people do. And if it gets me in trouble, it gets me in trouble. If it doesn't, it doesn't. But I'm just gonna keep walking it."
Taylor will tour Australia and North America with SLIPKNOT next year, and also plans to head into the studio with STONE SOUR.
After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed a few days ago that ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan's band LOADED will open two shows for the latest version of GUNS on that band's current North American tour. LOADED will warm up for GUNS N' ROSES on December 16 at the Key Arena in Seattle and December 17 at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
In the latest installment of his column, which appears on Reverb at SeattleWeekly.com, McKagan stated about the prospect of opening for his old band, "I was somehow reluctant at first to do this. I love that dude [referring to GUNS N' ROSES lead singer, and sole remaining original member, Axl Rose], but wanted to sort of stay out of the fray, especially after that whirlwind tour of the world we had just done. AND that damn book tour.
"But this fray is only a fray if I let it be. And now I am actually pretty excited to see my old pal. His band is the nicest bunch of fellas, and I will be home after all. The KeyArena will be rocking tomorrow night . . . and I hope you all show up.
"After all, it is just some dudes doing what they know how to do best: connect with the audience, that fan-ship that has honored us with their presence for so damn long. And THAT, my friends . . . is overwhelming."
McKagan made worldwide headlines in October 2010 when he joined GUNS onstage for four songs at a concert in London, England, marking the first time he had set foot on a stage with GUNS N' ROSES in 17 years.
GUNS N' ROSES will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next April in Cleveland, prompting speculation about whether the event could lead to a reunion of the band's original lineup.
McKagan admitted last month in an interview that he had a hard time imaging such a possibility, saying, "I can't. I can't picture it. Your guess is as good as mine. There is no picture."
In his latest SeattleWeekly.com column, McKagan addressed the upcoming induction, writing, "Music to me has never been a competitive sport. We do what we do, and if you connect with an audience and write the songs that feel good to you in the process, that is reward enough. Getting a Grammy or an American Music Award seems a little bit weird in this whole context. I mean, are you BETTER than all those other bands? No. You are just doing YOUR thing, and they theirs. It's not a competition.
"But it became very apparent to me that fans of GN'R felt very motivated for our band to 'get into the Hall.' All of those fans ARE very important to me, and thus getting this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nod was a victory for them. And so I am deeply honored and feel very good about this whole deal. Thank you all.
"I spent a lot of time revisiting my past in the book I just wrote. Living in the past, or just revisiting it, is something I hadn't done until I was in the process of writing that book. The process became personally poignant in how much I appreciated and loved most of the characters in my past, especially the guys in that little band from Hollywood that we formed just after I moved there in 1984.
"I've done my best to avoid doing any interviews that pertain to our induction, and maybe this column will serve as all I really need to say for now. I am a grown-up now, and hope that we can achieve some grace and class when that ceremony comes. But in the end, I am only responsible for myself."
Rose was ambivalent in a recent interview about the Hall Of Fame, and told Billboard.com in 2009 that he could never see himself playing with original GUNS guitarist Slash again, saying, "One of the two of us will die before a reunion. However sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."
In the latest installment of his column, which appears on Reverb at SeattleWeekly.com, McKagan stated about the prospect of opening for his old band, "I was somehow reluctant at first to do this. I love that dude [referring to GUNS N' ROSES lead singer, and sole remaining original member, Axl Rose], but wanted to sort of stay out of the fray, especially after that whirlwind tour of the world we had just done. AND that damn book tour.
"But this fray is only a fray if I let it be. And now I am actually pretty excited to see my old pal. His band is the nicest bunch of fellas, and I will be home after all. The KeyArena will be rocking tomorrow night . . . and I hope you all show up.
"After all, it is just some dudes doing what they know how to do best: connect with the audience, that fan-ship that has honored us with their presence for so damn long. And THAT, my friends . . . is overwhelming."
McKagan made worldwide headlines in October 2010 when he joined GUNS onstage for four songs at a concert in London, England, marking the first time he had set foot on a stage with GUNS N' ROSES in 17 years.
GUNS N' ROSES will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next April in Cleveland, prompting speculation about whether the event could lead to a reunion of the band's original lineup.
McKagan admitted last month in an interview that he had a hard time imaging such a possibility, saying, "I can't. I can't picture it. Your guess is as good as mine. There is no picture."
In his latest SeattleWeekly.com column, McKagan addressed the upcoming induction, writing, "Music to me has never been a competitive sport. We do what we do, and if you connect with an audience and write the songs that feel good to you in the process, that is reward enough. Getting a Grammy or an American Music Award seems a little bit weird in this whole context. I mean, are you BETTER than all those other bands? No. You are just doing YOUR thing, and they theirs. It's not a competition.
"But it became very apparent to me that fans of GN'R felt very motivated for our band to 'get into the Hall.' All of those fans ARE very important to me, and thus getting this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nod was a victory for them. And so I am deeply honored and feel very good about this whole deal. Thank you all.
"I spent a lot of time revisiting my past in the book I just wrote. Living in the past, or just revisiting it, is something I hadn't done until I was in the process of writing that book. The process became personally poignant in how much I appreciated and loved most of the characters in my past, especially the guys in that little band from Hollywood that we formed just after I moved there in 1984.
"I've done my best to avoid doing any interviews that pertain to our induction, and maybe this column will serve as all I really need to say for now. I am a grown-up now, and hope that we can achieve some grace and class when that ceremony comes. But in the end, I am only responsible for myself."
Rose was ambivalent in a recent interview about the Hall Of Fame, and told Billboard.com in 2009 that he could never see himself playing with original GUNS guitarist Slash again, saying, "One of the two of us will die before a reunion. However sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."
Motley Crue bad boy Tommy Lee has swapped his drum kit for turntables and is performing a DJ set in New Zealand on New Year's Eve. He talks to Scott Kara about his change in direction.
Musical brothers: Tommy Lee with DJ Aero. Photo / Supplied
Lee has had what the notorious bad boy of rock calls "a few speed bumps" in his life. That infamous videotape starring him and his former missus Pamela Anderson would be one. And you imagine there are a few lewd antics he's not too proud of as part of glam hair-metallers Motley Crue, a band he founded in Los Angeles in 1980 with his mate Nikki Sixx.
But do you think Lee has any regrets? Not likely, especially now that he's a superstar DJ in cahoots with his knob-twiddling mate DJ Aero (real name Chester Deitz).
The pair are on their way here to get New Zealand's New Year party started at Queenstown's Earthtonz festival alongside dance act the Crystal Method and Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs, among many others.
Though he still hammers away behind the kit in Motley Crue, these days Lee spends more time touring with Aero and making everything from banging electro house and cheesy trance through to noisy industrial and shuddering dubstep.
"Some of the harder dubstep is pretty aggressive shit. It's like metal, dude."
Yes, yes, Tommy, we know it's big with the kids these days.
But he'd also like you to know that he might be a bad boy "but I'm not a bad person".
So here's the dirt according to Tommy Lee ...
Tommy Lee, drummer, is one thing to sell to the masses. But Tommy Lee, DJ, is another story. How hard was it to convert people?
That's sure been a real bumpy road ... you know, if you're a movie star and you go to break into music you must experience the hell out of that. And for me this isn't that much of a transition; I'm just going from one genre to another, but it's been difficult and it's one of those weird things where the first thing people remember you as is a drummer and I can't get away from that. But I don't know, I'm just doing what makes me happy and I push forward and I persevere and people either get it or they don't.
Why did you and DJ Aero hit it off musically and as mates then?
I've known him since 2000, and there is something incredibly in-sync about the two of us. We make an amazing team and it's more than that, we're like musical brothers - I think because we have an amazing intuition between the two of us - and it comes out musically when we DJ. It's pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.
What is the difference for you between electronic beats and real drums?
Well, I tell you there is some drumming programming that is just incredible. Aero and I just made a few new tracks, and one of them, Static it's called, is hard drums, hard bass, hard, hard, hard.
So it's not like electronic music was a few years ago when it was all kind of soft and dancey, there is some pretty hardcore stuff out there now that will make your head spin. And we'll be playing some new stuff on New Year's Eve - you'll hear it.
I doubt you'll be playing any Motley Crue on New Year's Eve. But how do classic songs like Too Fast For Love, Girls Girls Girls, and Kickstart My Heart stack up for you these days?
They still - in fact, maybe not so much the earlier ones but later on as we refined what we were after - have stood the test of time. Songs like Kickstart My Heart and Dr Feelgood.
After you've been in the studio you tour and see the fans and play it live, I think it probably took us about an album or two for us to figure out what worked and what didn't work - and the sound that we were looking for and what we wanted to say.
So I would say by the time we hit [the album] Dr Feelgood [which also had Kickstart My Heart on it] we were right on point. That was when we knew exactly what the f*** we were doing. And there was lots of experimentation along the way, which I loved.
There has been much said about you being a bad boy over the years - so what is the real Tommy Lee like?
People tend to grab things that make more interesting reading. But you know, yeah, I've had a few speed bumps in my life. And when you say bad boy, yeah I like to have fun, but I'm not a bad person.
Sometimes I guess the only thing that bothers me is that it overshadows my musical talent. But other than that dude, I'm a pretty easygoing m***** f*****.
So what does music mean to you now, and how has that changed over the years from Too Fast For Love through to the music you are making now?
Jesus, I was 17-years-old when I recorded Too Fast For Love, and that's about as green as you can get. We didn't know what the hell we were doing in the studio. I guess I can explain it kind of like the first time a guy kisses a girl and he doesn't have a f****** clue what he's doing. He knows he wants to do it and he makes mistakes, but once you grow up and mature a bit and you are influenced by other stuff and other kinds of music.
When I was 17 I was inspired by completely different things than I am now. So your inspiration changes, your style changes, your life changes, and everything is constantly moving. So for me, I've just always tried to do what moves me. Is it moving me? Is it making me crazy? Is it making me want to jump up and down. Do I feel like smashing something, or dance, or fight, or laugh, or whatever.
As long as I'm getting an emotion from it then I know I'll have a point.
LOWDOWN
Who: Tommy Lee
What: Motley Crue bad boy and drummer turned superstar DJ
Where and when: Earthtonz, Gibbston Valley Station, Queenstown, Dec 31-Jan 1
More info: www.earthtonz.com
What: Motley Crue bad boy and drummer turned superstar DJ
Where and when: Earthtonz, Gibbston Valley Station, Queenstown, Dec 31-Jan 1
More info: www.earthtonz.com
Self-centered of me, granting a birthday gift by attending the bi-annual Knockout Festival. My second trip to Deutschland in a month, jetlag be damned, was necessitated by the can't-be-missed, one-night-only line-up of BLIND GUARDIAN, SAXON, DRAGONFORCE, STRATOVARIUS, GRAVE DIGGER and VOODOO CIRCLE (in order of billing).
Despite seeing VOODOO CIRCLE just two weeks prior, this was a different set. Not just shorter, the band interacted more, especially frontman David Readman (PINK CREAM 69) who also tried to ingratiate himself through pigeon Deutsche. Replete in brass button military jacket, namesake guitarist Alex Beyrodt stepped up his performance, adding some elbow grease (literally) to his sweeps and histrionics. Bassist Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR/SINNER) wore a similarly themed waistcoat. Selecting material solely from Broken Heart Syndrome, their British styled bluesy hard rock agreed with early arrivals at Karlsruhe's Europahalle, a 9000 capacity handball arena. A rousing 'No Solution Blues' kicked things into overdrive, to start. The stage shone pink and red during 'This Could Be Paradise' and the Hammond organ/slow staccato riffs of the RAINBOW approved 'King Of Your Dreams'. Beyrodt took center stage for his first solo (flourishes, double-handed sweeps and elbows) which led into 'Devil's Daughter', half expecting to hear an Ian Gillan scream pierce the bluesy pace. Despite his only two weeks in the band, there was a short keyboard solo during the old school jam of a tune. The title track and aptly chosen blue-lit stage for the crowd clap-along introduced 'When Destiny Calls' finale round out the set, Beyrodt dropping to one knee at front of the stage to wring out the last notes.
Intermission, an 8 Euro liter of beer was served in a small personal pitcher, with handle and ergonomic thumb grip just inside the lip, where we'd all hold it anyway. Brilliant! Much like the artwork from the Clans Are Still Marching DVD (reproduced on scrims flanking the drummer), the Reaper, bagpipes in hand, strolls across the stage, signaling the start of GRAVE DIGGER. 'Scotland United' got the ball rolling, singer Chris Boltendahl repeatedly traversed the stage, seemingly logging miles in the course of their 45 minutes, attempting to make sure everyone had fun. 'Hammer Of The Scots' got the now filled floor singing along. Guitarist Axel Ritt looks straight out of the 80s: hair aplenty, spandex, striped guitar. 'Ballad Of A Hangman' and the slower 'Last Supper', with its easy to grasp chorus, allowed everyone in the house to join the fun, although almost everyone knows the lyrics to the back catalog, probably played to babes in their cribs here in Germany. A ripping 'Excalibur' saw fist thrust skywards and heads nodding madly, as Ritt returned to the stage minus his shirt. When not cheerleading, Boltendahl played a vicious air guitar. Under green lights 'Highland Farewell' had the trademark pipes prerecorded. Just a few notes into 'Rebellion (The Clans Are Marching)', the crowd recognizes what's coming and breaks into spontaneous clapping along. Odd the Scottish theme gets such a massive reception in southern Germany. Time for one song, any guesses? As they've done for a long time, it's their self-styled anthem, and really only oldie in the bunch, 'Heavy Metal Breakdown', complete with reprise/false ending that leaves the throng chanting for more, which while warranted, is not forthcoming. A German tradition, on home soil, is something special (as BLIND GUARDIAN would only reinforce later).
Don't know how cold it was in Finland, apparently quite cold, judging from Timo Kotipelto, who took the stage in jeans and heavy leather jacket, which he wore for more than half the show. The nine song set was virtually split evenly between old and new. 'Speed Of Light' (which the singer claimed was the first song they'd played live), 'The Kiss Of Judas' and the concluding duo of 'Black Diamond' backed with 'Hunting High And Low' are all must-haves on any STRATOVARIUS greatest hits and/or live outing. The band members basically stayed apart from one another, one of the few exceptions being bassist Lauri Porra (capable of contorting into inhumane angles) and keyboardist Jens Johansson, whose hair draped his keyboards whilst violently headbanging. They opened with 'Under Flaming Skies' followed by 'Eagleheart', the stage bathed in shades of purple, aqua and white, the first band allowed to use that final color. With the rest of the band offstage, Johansson got a short, spotlighted solo that lead into the "Winter Skies' ballad. The final notes segued directly into 'Black Diamond', the bouncy harpsichord melody bringing the audience back from the dead, as did the finale.
Thought it a little odd that DRAGONFORCE were part of the bill, but given their absence from the world's stages since the dismissal of ZP Theart and recruitment of relatively unknown singer Marc Hudson, they've only played a handful of dates, including late October gigs in Toronto and NYC. People were eager to hear how the newboy handled old favorites like 'Operation Ground And Pound', crowd sung 'My Spirit Will Go On' ("This is your chance to help me out," said Hudson) and the concluding 'Through The Fire And The Flames', as well as debuting a pair of forthcoming songs to a new crowd. Much like the Big Apple show, alcohol was no longer a focus of the onstage antics, the lengthy compositions given a more athletic concentration. Not to say guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman weren't having fun, running around the stage (albeit less frenetic than previous tours), bouncing the six-strings off their hip, or flinging them around their bodies. Following the opening 'Heroes Of Our Time', it was just one more before 'Cry Thunder' is aired. Apart from bootleg live clips online, this was the first opportunity most had to hear this gradually building, mid-tempo traditional metal number. Later, after Vadim Pruzhanov had a chance to trot out his keytar, the Dragons showcased 'Lost Fallen World', the second newbie, which Hudson insisted is the fastest song they've written. Blue lights greet 'The Last Journey Home'. Two times now, strong (though abbreviated) sets, looking forward to the next album.
SAXON freely admits owing a debt of gratitude to Germany, keeping them afloat during metal's lean years (most of their contemporaries unable or unwilling to persevere). Since then, they've become mega-stars, headlining virtually every European summer festival in recent memory. So by all means, this was a relatively small continental show, but as Biff Byford's crew has repeatedly shown on limited (and puny) US club shows, regardless the size of stage (or crowd) SAXON give their all. No such dire circumstance here, as the house was as full as it was going to get and by their allotted 9:45 pm slot, the native were liquored up and ready to voice their appreciation for three decades of metal service. As they proved at Wacken a few years back, where they played one song from every platter, SAXON have a lot of great songs, so fitting them in to a normal length set is difficult, let alone a festival gig. As in North America, a couple of newer cuts ('Hammer Of The Gods', which sees bassist Nibs Carter headbanging/furiously pin-wheeling hair, 'Chasing The Bullet', 'Back In '79', 'Call To Arms' and 'Demon Sweeney Todd') are sprinkled into a running order where the remaining 2/3 is choked full of golden (glorious) oldies. 'Heavy Metal Thunder' receives new life as a ripping opener! 'Motorcycle Man' and yellow lit 'To Hell And Back Again' are always welcome. Although decent, 'Solid Ball Of Rock' and 'Rock The Nations', at the expense of other classics ('747', 'Dallas 1PM', '20,000 Ft', 'Crusader', even 'Strong Arm Of The Law') seems criminal. Byford remains one of the best frontman in the business, willing to quip just about anything onstage, regardless of so-called/supposed rock protocol. He doesn't get praise enough! By the end of the night, he looks like a drowned rat, his manicure white mane from earlier in the evening, sweat soaked strings hanging down. No matter, the closing quartet of 'Denim And Leather', 'Power And The Glory', 'Wheels Of Steel' and 'Princess Of The Dawn' all threatened to make us all hoarse (from singing-along) no matter how well beer-lubricated we'd kept our throats! SAXON remains one of metal's true treasures.
In some ways, this was like a coronation, nearing 25 years since the debut, BLIND GUARDIAN get to headline over the legendary Brits. Tonight proved to be a longer version of the set witnessed at Tuska (in Helsinki) last summer, with a few juicy differences. A backdrop with the pyramid from the album artwork for At The Edge Of Time was augmented by a stage with three ramps, which allowed Marcus Siepen and six-string partner Andre Olbrich to play besides the drummer riser or behind the keyboardist. The energy went to a high level for 'Welcome To Dying', the crowd singing every word, prompted by Hansi Kursch, who directed the voices with the wave of his hand. Stage in red, 'Nightfall' was another full scale sing-along. Just three new songs, the Germans still play 'Majesty', off the debut, how many bands do that? The always rousing 'Valhalla' and the surprising inclusion of 'Bright Eyes' heightened the party atmosphere, both sides of the barricade smiling broadly. 'Lord Of The Rings' begins with a sea of hands clapping overhead, prompted once more by Kursch. The crowd then took over the vocals, unprovoked. The highlights came towards the end of the evening. After a glorious 'Imaginations From The Other Side' it was on to both parts (!) of 'The Bard Song', both Siepen and Olbrich seated with acoustic guitars. The audience threatening to drown out the quiet, acoustics onstage! They finally concluded with 'Mirror Mirror'. In a country far beyond, this traveler in time is lost (in rapture) in this twilight hall. Goodbye my friends, till next time!
Members of BLACK SABBATH, DISTURBED, ALICE IN CHAINS, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and MACHINE HEAD took part in a massive gathering this past Wednesday night (December 14) at the Key Club in Hollywood, California to help celebrate the life and music of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) as part of this year's Dimebash.
Two musicians that were conspicuously absent from this year's event were former PANTERA members Philip Anselmo and Vinnie Paul Abbott.
Anselmo was originally supposed to appear at last year's Dimebash but pulled out at the last minute after coming down with pneumonia.
When asked about Anselmo's non-appearance at this year's concert, Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney — who organized the event — told Artisan News (see video below), "I think if we would have kept it on our original date, on [December 8], he would have been able to make it. Because Pepper [Keenan, Anselmo's DOWN bandmate] had obligations — they're doing a new DOWN record — and [Pepper] had obligations with [his participation in] the METALLICA [week-long 30th-anniversary celebrations in San Francisco]. So they were scheduled off through that time. But then when we had to move things, it's like, [Philip's] schedule, and doing… you know him — five projects at once… He sent the most apologetic letter; it was really, really cool, because it's the Philip I know. But he goes, 'Please don't count me out next year.' And like I said… I go, 'Hey, well, it could be three things. It could go either way. It could be, 'Third time's a charm,' or it could be 'Strike three, you're out.' So we'll see."
Haney recently called on Vinnie Paul Abbott and Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, who was shot and killed by a crazed gunman while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio rock club in December 2004.
Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag's death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.
Haney spoke out about the long-running feud earlier in the year, saying, "Everybody still has resentment towards each other about things in the past. It's easy to direct your anger at the wrong people. Philip didn't murder Darrell and [he] would never have wanted that."
Haney added, "Yeah, I resent Philip for becoming a jackass and a drug addict, and I'm a little sketchy about trusting him all the way yet. But some of the things he's emailed and some of the thing he's said — that's the Philip I know, the 'stronger than all.' There's always room in my heart for him — I love him."
Haney admitted that Vinnie was not happy that she had been in touch with Anselmo, saying, "I just hope some day he sees the light that I know Darrell is about, which is forgiving. I know it'll come in time — you've got to let go to continue on."
When asked by Artisan News about Vinnie's apparent decision to sit out this year's Dimebash, Rita said, "I sent him [a message]… On December 8 [the seven-year anniversary of Dimebag's death], I wanted him to know I was thinking about him, that I love him no matter what, [whatever] issues that he has. But I haven't spoken to him in almost a year now. He doesn't… But you know what?! I don't give up. I still love him. I have no animosity. And I just hope that he comes and celebrates with us [at some point in the future]."
Two musicians that were conspicuously absent from this year's event were former PANTERA members Philip Anselmo and Vinnie Paul Abbott.
Anselmo was originally supposed to appear at last year's Dimebash but pulled out at the last minute after coming down with pneumonia.
When asked about Anselmo's non-appearance at this year's concert, Dimebag's longtime girlfriend Rita Haney — who organized the event — told Artisan News (see video below), "I think if we would have kept it on our original date, on [December 8], he would have been able to make it. Because Pepper [Keenan, Anselmo's DOWN bandmate] had obligations — they're doing a new DOWN record — and [Pepper] had obligations with [his participation in] the METALLICA [week-long 30th-anniversary celebrations in San Francisco]. So they were scheduled off through that time. But then when we had to move things, it's like, [Philip's] schedule, and doing… you know him — five projects at once… He sent the most apologetic letter; it was really, really cool, because it's the Philip I know. But he goes, 'Please don't count me out next year.' And like I said… I go, 'Hey, well, it could be three things. It could go either way. It could be, 'Third time's a charm,' or it could be 'Strike three, you're out.' So we'll see."
Haney recently called on Vinnie Paul Abbott and Anselmo to settle their differences in honor of Dimebag, who was shot and killed by a crazed gunman while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at a Columbus, Ohio rock club in December 2004.
Vinnie, who is Dimebag's brother, and Anselmo have not spoken since PANTERA split in 2003. But the relationship got even more acrimonious when Vinnie indirectly blamed Philip for Dimebag's death, suggesting that some remarks the vocalist had made about Dimebag in print just weeks earlier might have incited Dimebag's killer.
Haney spoke out about the long-running feud earlier in the year, saying, "Everybody still has resentment towards each other about things in the past. It's easy to direct your anger at the wrong people. Philip didn't murder Darrell and [he] would never have wanted that."
Haney added, "Yeah, I resent Philip for becoming a jackass and a drug addict, and I'm a little sketchy about trusting him all the way yet. But some of the things he's emailed and some of the thing he's said — that's the Philip I know, the 'stronger than all.' There's always room in my heart for him — I love him."
Haney admitted that Vinnie was not happy that she had been in touch with Anselmo, saying, "I just hope some day he sees the light that I know Darrell is about, which is forgiving. I know it'll come in time — you've got to let go to continue on."
When asked by Artisan News about Vinnie's apparent decision to sit out this year's Dimebash, Rita said, "I sent him [a message]… On December 8 [the seven-year anniversary of Dimebag's death], I wanted him to know I was thinking about him, that I love him no matter what, [whatever] issues that he has. But I haven't spoken to him in almost a year now. He doesn't… But you know what?! I don't give up. I still love him. I have no animosity. And I just hope that he comes and celebrates with us [at some point in the future]."
KYUSS LIVES!, the project featuring three-quarters of KYUSS — the influential American stoner rock/metal band, originally from Palm Desert, California — will play a special "intimate" show on December 31 at Cherry Cola's Rock N' Rolla Cabaret & Lounge in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Only 70 tickets will be made available to the public for this "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to spend New Year's Eve with KYUSS LIVES!
Tickets are $200 — which includes meet-and-greet with the band — and are available at the club or through Rotate This.
For more information, visit www.cherrycolas.com.
KYUSS LIVES! played a very special homecoming show on November 18 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The group performed an extended two-and-a-half-hour set, featuring songs spanning its entire career. The gig featured original KYUSS vocalist John Garcia, drummer Brant Bjork, bassist Nick Oliveri plus former KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder as a "special guest."
Reeder played bass on KYUSS' classic LPs "Welcome to Sky Valley" and "...And the Circus Leaves Town" and was also a member of doom legends THE OBSESSED.
KYUSS LIVES!' setlist was as follows:
01. Gardenia
02. Hurricane
03. One Inch Man
04. Thumb
05. Freedom Run
06. Asteroid
07. Supa Scoopa & Mighty Scoop
08. Conan Troutman
09. Odyssey
10. Whitewater
11. El Rodeo
12. 100 Degrees
13. Fatso Forgetso
14. Demon Cleaner
15. Un Sandpiper
16. Tangy Zizzle
17. N.O.
18. Spaceship Landing
19. 50 Million Year Trip (Downside Up)
20. Allen's Wrench
21. Green Machine
Tickets are $200 — which includes meet-and-greet with the band — and are available at the club or through Rotate This.
For more information, visit www.cherrycolas.com.
KYUSS LIVES! played a very special homecoming show on November 18 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The group performed an extended two-and-a-half-hour set, featuring songs spanning its entire career. The gig featured original KYUSS vocalist John Garcia, drummer Brant Bjork, bassist Nick Oliveri plus former KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder as a "special guest."
Reeder played bass on KYUSS' classic LPs "Welcome to Sky Valley" and "...And the Circus Leaves Town" and was also a member of doom legends THE OBSESSED.
KYUSS LIVES!' setlist was as follows:
01. Gardenia
02. Hurricane
03. One Inch Man
04. Thumb
05. Freedom Run
06. Asteroid
07. Supa Scoopa & Mighty Scoop
08. Conan Troutman
09. Odyssey
10. Whitewater
11. El Rodeo
12. 100 Degrees
13. Fatso Forgetso
14. Demon Cleaner
15. Un Sandpiper
16. Tangy Zizzle
17. N.O.
18. Spaceship Landing
19. 50 Million Year Trip (Downside Up)
20. Allen's Wrench
21. Green Machine
When word hit the streets in September 2010 that Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy was leaving the progressive-metal legends after more than 20 years, a lot of fans responded to the news with such words as "irreplaceable."
Dream Theater
But if the history of rock and roll has taught us anything, it's that most people, even legends, can, in fact, be replaced.
It's only so surprising, then, that a year after Portnoy's defection, Dream Theater had bounced back with new drummer Mike Mangini and released "A Dramatic Turn of Events."
Their first post-Portnoy effort hit the Billboard charts in mid-September at No. 8 and became their second-highest-charting album ever. So most fans appeared willing to accept Mangini as a suitable replacement.
Here's Mangini on how it felt to walk into a complicated dream job.
Question: Was it daunting for you to step into this role and replace the original drummer so soon after his departure?
Answer: It wasn't daunting other than everything is daunting for me. I have this passion. It's almost like an athlete's approach of trying to do well at whatever I do. So being put in the position of replacing Mike, who made himself quite popular, was preempted by the fact that I've spent my career going at it as an athlete anyway. Once I got in there, the things that were always important to me were still important. I tried to find the best thing to play. I tried to work with everybody and just do the best I could at every aspect of this.
Q: I was reading that a lot of drum parts on this album had been programmed in advance while they were demo-ing the songs.
A: (Dream Theater guitarist) John Petrucci programmed some drum machines. In some cases, it was a skeleton. In other cases, it was kick and snare placement, which I did mimic, because after trying different things, he had come up with what I thought was the best stuff. He gave me full rein. But he's the guitarist. He's also the producer. So where he put the kick and the snare, most of the time, was in a place I thought was great. I had full autonomy to come up with anything and everything. And what's great about working with him is that both of us like the same things.
Q: Did you and John get a chemistry going pretty quickly?
A: It was amazing. I don't like to use the phrase "meant to be" because there is such a thing as free will. We can choose whatever. Nothing's automatic. But this opportunity was clearly meant to be.
Q: Do you feel like the new guy?
A: In some small circumstances, yeah, but that's because I am (laughs). However, for the most part, I don't. And the reason is I'm moving forward. I feel like I'm driving and I've got to pay attention to the road. I'm conscious of the past to respect it, but I can see the horizon a little bit. But if I don't concentrate on what's going on now, there may not be a horizon. So I'm really in the moment. I don't know any other way to live.
Q: How did working up the older songs for the tour compare to working on the new material?
A: It was similar in that I don't want to come into this sticking out like a sore thumb. I don't want to join Dream Theater, a band with a 20-year history, and come into it thinking about me because this is a situation with a pre-existing history, and, lucky me, I'm a fan of the pre-existing history. Lucky me, I love the pre-existing drum parts. So that makes it easy for me to not have to try too hard to see the old songs as a different thing than the new ones. I'm not Mike. Mike's not me. But we definitely have the same influences and the same likes. So it's not a stretch. It's pretty easygoing for me, coming up with comfort on the old songs and pushing new boundaries now, not only on "A Dramatic Turn of Events" but on current things that we jam on at sound check. I'm really going further with my skills.
Q: You mentioned current. Are you guys already thinking about material for a next record?
A: No. It's just for fun. I mean that from the heart. When I get on a set of drums, especially this set of drums that I'm using, I'm a happy kid. Not just a happy man. A happy kid. It's just immediate fun coming up with drum things that I would come up with if no one was around and when Jordan (Rudess, the band's keyboardist) or John Petucci come up with something they're doing at sound check, something new, I jump right in. We're not sitting there saying, "Let's come up with stuff." It's just pure fun.
Q: So you were a fan going into this?
A: Absolutely. When I heard a Dream Theater song, before I joined, what I found is I was interested. They always had something spicy, something new happening, and they were loaded with melody. The way they compose on their instruments always had melody laced in with these great guitar parts. I'm not a fan of progressive stuff that doesn't have that kind of melody, that's just plain notey. I'm a fan of interesting music that is progressive and has melody.
Q: So this is a good fit for you?
A: Again, I have enough empirical evidence to know free will is very real, so when I say this was meant to be, I don't know what that means. It just feels like the opportunity was going to happen and I fortunately made decisions that made me ready to respond. The only athlete that I can compare my path to is Tom Brady, the quarterback of the New England Patriots. He was drafted very late. I'm 48 years old. I was in Extreme. I toured around the world, did this and that, and it's almost as if I was drafted in the late rounds. But I've always been prepared. I've always been the type to study and practice. So when the opportunity got passed to me, now I'm put in the game and I'm not letting anybody get in there for a play.
Versailles Records has set a May 8, 2012 release date for "No More Tears: A Millennium Tribute To Ozzy Osbourne". A collection of hits and fan favorites covering every era of Ozzy's solo and BLACK SABBATH catalog, this album will — according to the label — feature the following musicians, among others:
* Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
* George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB)
* Keri Kelli (ALICE COOPER, RATT, L.A. GUNS)
* Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER)
* Chris Poland (MEGADETH)
* Stu Hamm (JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI)
* Eric Singer (KISS, BLACK SABBATH, BADLANDS, THE CULT)
* Derrick LeFevre (LILLIAN AXE)
Along with the aforementioned name artists, the label is keeping in its tradition of featuring a number of adding a limited number of cover song slots with original millennium metal bands influenced by Ozzy. Featured millennium bands will include TAKARA, LEAVING EDEN and DIRTY ROSE.
* Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE)
* George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB)
* Keri Kelli (ALICE COOPER, RATT, L.A. GUNS)
* Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER)
* Chris Poland (MEGADETH)
* Stu Hamm (JOE SATRIANI, STEVE VAI)
* Eric Singer (KISS, BLACK SABBATH, BADLANDS, THE CULT)
* Derrick LeFevre (LILLIAN AXE)
Along with the aforementioned name artists, the label is keeping in its tradition of featuring a number of adding a limited number of cover song slots with original millennium metal bands influenced by Ozzy. Featured millennium bands will include TAKARA, LEAVING EDEN and DIRTY ROSE.
POISON singer Bret Michaels will appear on the Friday, January 6 episode of the heart-tugging original feel-good series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition". In the episode, entitled "Gibbs Family", "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to Fayette County, Iowa to surprise the Gibbs family. Audrey Gibbs is a mother, a widow, a farm owner and a maternal optimist who won't let anything stop her from raising her six children, not even her blindness and her battle with a potentially fatal condition. Seven months after her husband died, Audrey had a brain aneurism that affected a quarter of her brain — leaving her legally blind. The doctors cannot say if she is going to lose her sight completely or even if she is going to live or die. Audrey has always been pragmatic and has no time for self-pity. She is passionately committed to doing whatever it takes to raise her kids. Realizing she could not continue working as a cosmetologist, she decided to attend massage therapy classes, as she knew it was a career she could still practice after losing her sight. However, Audrey does worry about what will happen to her kids, should the worst happen. The Gibbs family own and live on a farm which they rent portions of to local farmers for additional income. Their farmhouse is in need of significant repair, with no working toilet, a ceiling that's caving in and a layout that doesn't work for the family at all — especially for Audrey, if she loses her eyesight completely. The "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" design team has just seven days to build a brand new home for the Gibbs. The family has been whisked away on a dream vacation to Boca Raton Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, while "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" team leader Ty Pennington, designers Paul DiMeo, Tracy Hutson, Sabrina Soto, Jeff Dye and local builders Larson Construction Company, Inc., as well as community volunteers, build the structure.
This episode will air Friday, January 6 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC television network.
This episode will air Friday, January 6 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC television network.
Current and former members of DOKKEN — George Lynch (guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass), and Mick Brown (drums) — have joined forces in a new project called TOOTH AND NAIL. The band is currently in the studio recording on album featuring new original material as well as reworked versions of DOKKEN classics. The CD, which is tentatively due in early 2012, will feature a guest appearance by former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach on a cover of DOKKEN's "Alone Again".
After laying down his tracks earlier today (Thursday, December 15) at Pilson's studio, Bach tweeted, "[I] had a blast! I forgot how great the song is." He added, "Get ready for another ballad, because every bad boy has a soft side! Hahaha."
Fans have been clamoring for a reunion of DOKKEN's most popular lineup for over a decade, and rumors of such a project flourished in 2009 when vocalist Don Dokken and George Lynch appeared together on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". Lynch has since shot down the possibility of a renewed collaboration with the singer, telling the Appleton Post Crescent in a November 2011 interview, "The same motivation that caused [Don] to break up the band originally was the same reason the reunion didn't happen. At the end of the day, he made it sound as if he was willing to go along and be fair and split everything up as a band and when it came down to the eleventh hour, he wanted it all. He figured he'd set the ball in motion and get everybody's hopes up and do all the press and have all these meetings and do all this legwork and put the managers and band members through all this pain. You get invested in the idea and then this is his whole car salesman bait-and-switch." He added, "He's a piece of work. Whatever. And I don't mind talking about this. People say you shouldn't talk about all this stuff. No one wants to hear about that. Actually, I think that it's important. I think people are interested in how the business works. Behind-the-scenes stuff, what really occurs when the rubber hits the road."
After laying down his tracks earlier today (Thursday, December 15) at Pilson's studio, Bach tweeted, "[I] had a blast! I forgot how great the song is." He added, "Get ready for another ballad, because every bad boy has a soft side! Hahaha."
Fans have been clamoring for a reunion of DOKKEN's most popular lineup for over a decade, and rumors of such a project flourished in 2009 when vocalist Don Dokken and George Lynch appeared together on VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". Lynch has since shot down the possibility of a renewed collaboration with the singer, telling the Appleton Post Crescent in a November 2011 interview, "The same motivation that caused [Don] to break up the band originally was the same reason the reunion didn't happen. At the end of the day, he made it sound as if he was willing to go along and be fair and split everything up as a band and when it came down to the eleventh hour, he wanted it all. He figured he'd set the ball in motion and get everybody's hopes up and do all the press and have all these meetings and do all this legwork and put the managers and band members through all this pain. You get invested in the idea and then this is his whole car salesman bait-and-switch." He added, "He's a piece of work. Whatever. And I don't mind talking about this. People say you shouldn't talk about all this stuff. No one wants to hear about that. Actually, I think that it's important. I think people are interested in how the business works. Behind-the-scenes stuff, what really occurs when the rubber hits the road."
Los Angeles, California misanthropic sludge-rockers -16- have completed recording their new album for a spring release via Relapse Records. Entitled "Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds", the CD was recorded with the band's friend and longtime engineer Jeff Forrest at Double Time Studios in San Diego, California. The album was then mastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull at Visceral Sound Studios.
The official track listing, release date and artwork for "Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds" will be released shortly.
Commented -16- bassist Tony Baumeister: "We're very excited about the release of our new record. The addition of Mateo on drums opened a lot of doors for us creatively. We experimented with different time signatures, different tunings, and finally made the album we've wanted to make all along. The goal was to destroy our last record, and we feel like we achieved that. We can't wait for people to hear it, and can't wait to play these songs live. U.S. and European touring plans are in the works..."
The official track listing, release date and artwork for "Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds" will be released shortly.
Commented -16- bassist Tony Baumeister: "We're very excited about the release of our new record. The addition of Mateo on drums opened a lot of doors for us creatively. We experimented with different time signatures, different tunings, and finally made the album we've wanted to make all along. The goal was to destroy our last record, and we feel like we achieved that. We can't wait for people to hear it, and can't wait to play these songs live. U.S. and European touring plans are in the works..."
The Dillinger Escape Plan are returning to Australia, this time for Soundwave Festival in 2012. If you have seen them perform live before, then you will know what you are in for. If you haven't, then make it a priority and prepare yourself for power, intensity and a trail of destruction.
With their last album Option Paralysis now over 18 months old, the band have just kicked off the writing sessions for the follow up. Only hours away from heading into a writing session, we chatted with guitarist Ben Weinman about, amongst other things, Soundwave 2012 and an update on his Guitar Tongue Orchestra project and his other with Mike Patton.
Hey Ben, thanks for taking the time to chat! So where in the world do we find you today…you have not long finished up touring with Mastodon right, how did that go?
Yes, I'm home in New Jersey right now. The tour was very good, we've been friends with those guys for years and even some of those guys before they were in Mastodon, and so to be able to go out on the road again and team up is really great.
Yes, I'm home in New Jersey right now. The tour was very good, we've been friends with those guys for years and even some of those guys before they were in Mastodon, and so to be able to go out on the road again and team up is really great.
So in general, how has 2011 as far as touring is concerned?
It's been unbelievable, I don't think we've ever had this many opportunities in our whole career as we have this year to get in front of so many of our fans and in front of new people. So it's been a very productive year in that way for sure!
It's been unbelievable, I don't think we've ever had this many opportunities in our whole career as we have this year to get in front of so many of our fans and in front of new people. So it's been a very productive year in that way for sure!
You got to head over to the UK and play some shows as well I see?
Yes we definitely did, we pretty much covered the whole world except for Australia, which we are obviously getting excited about coming back for. We did Europe, the UK, we just did a US tour, but we actually did two US tours this year, one with the Deftones and then just with Mastodon.
Yes we definitely did, we pretty much covered the whole world except for Australia, which we are obviously getting excited about coming back for. We did Europe, the UK, we just did a US tour, but we actually did two US tours this year, one with the Deftones and then just with Mastodon.
So is there somewhere that haven't you played yet, which is pretty high on the agenda of regions you want to crack?
We haven't really played in Asia, other than Japan so we'd like to hit some more markets over there and we're actually working on that for after Soundwave. Also South America, such as Brazil, we need to knock that off our list as well.
We haven't really played in Asia, other than Japan so we'd like to hit some more markets over there and we're actually working on that for after Soundwave. Also South America, such as Brazil, we need to knock that off our list as well.
So between now and early next year when you head back to Australia for Soundwave 2012, is it a time for a well earned break?
Well we are heading back again to the UK again actually for some more shows with Mastodon. But we are also getting ready and about to start diving into writing the new Dillinger album and we will continue doing that up until Soundwave and after as well.
Well we are heading back again to the UK again actually for some more shows with Mastodon. But we are also getting ready and about to start diving into writing the new Dillinger album and we will continue doing that up until Soundwave and after as well.
You mentioned writing the new album, has that actually started yet?
Well we've been messing around with a few ideas in the tour bus, but it's really starting tonight when we will dive into it and get some new ideas going.
Well we've been messing around with a few ideas in the tour bus, but it's really starting tonight when we will dive into it and get some new ideas going.
Having played Soundwave Festival before, what do you have to say about how it ranks as a festival compared to others that you have played?
Its amazing, Australia on general has got to be out favourite place in the world to play and I've said it before and I'll say it again, we've yet to find a place that's more enjoyable to tour than Australia and obviously last time we played Soundwave it was amazing. It was our first to really playing in front of a lot of new fans in Australia. We'd been coming before and playing our own shows but Soundwave was great to play to a bunch of new people and see some of our favourite bands play such as Alice In Chains and Nine Inch Nails and we are looking forward to getting back for it again.
Its amazing, Australia on general has got to be out favourite place in the world to play and I've said it before and I'll say it again, we've yet to find a place that's more enjoyable to tour than Australia and obviously last time we played Soundwave it was amazing. It was our first to really playing in front of a lot of new fans in Australia. We'd been coming before and playing our own shows but Soundwave was great to play to a bunch of new people and see some of our favourite bands play such as Alice In Chains and Nine Inch Nails and we are looking forward to getting back for it again.
Have there yet been any discussions of sideshows?
You know, we probably will, but I haven't heard anything concrete as yet about who, when and where, but I'm sure there will be, I just don't know the details just yet.
You know, we probably will, but I haven't heard anything concrete as yet about who, when and where, but I'm sure there will be, I just don't know the details just yet.
Having toured your most recent album Option Paralysis which you released in what, March 2010…what are your thoughts on that album now when you reflect on it now?
Yeah it's hard to believe It's been that long, we've hit the road and haven't looked back since. The songs are still fresh to us and there are songs we haven't yet played live that we really want to. We tour so much that it's hard to often stop and take inventory on it all. In general we are excited to be working on new music but I'm still excited by Option Paralysis you know.
Yeah it's hard to believe It's been that long, we've hit the road and haven't looked back since. The songs are still fresh to us and there are songs we haven't yet played live that we really want to. We tour so much that it's hard to often stop and take inventory on it all. In general we are excited to be working on new music but I'm still excited by Option Paralysis you know.
Looking back on the process of writing and recording Option Paralysis, have you got any key things in your head at the moment that you are looking to change up for the next album?
That is a gooood question. You know, we never really go into writing a new record with any big picture, we definitely start making songs that we want and that we are interested in. After it's all done, then it's real easy to look at the body of work and say it's pretty obvious where we've been as a band and personally has had an effect on the way that this record sounds. We can definitely hear it on our past records and I know it when I listen back to it that it's obvious what was going through our heads and happening in our lives and the effect it had on the record. But we never dive into it with a big picture saying we want the album to sound like "this", it's about recording something that we enjoy and feel good about it.
That is a gooood question. You know, we never really go into writing a new record with any big picture, we definitely start making songs that we want and that we are interested in. After it's all done, then it's real easy to look at the body of work and say it's pretty obvious where we've been as a band and personally has had an effect on the way that this record sounds. We can definitely hear it on our past records and I know it when I listen back to it that it's obvious what was going through our heads and happening in our lives and the effect it had on the record. But we never dive into it with a big picture saying we want the album to sound like "this", it's about recording something that we enjoy and feel good about it.
I guess one of the fundamental things this time around was the way you released the album on your own label Party Smasher…how was that whole experience?
We did it in collaboration with the French label Seasons of Mist and has our own moniker on it, the Party Smasher imprint and it's really our first step in trying things differently. We'd come out of a long contract and given the state of the industry we wanted to be in a position where we could move forward with as many options as possible to maintain a certain level of creative control and options considering the state of the business and that was definitely the best way we could continue to be productive and not tie ourselves down to anything we might regret in the future. So we're pretty excited and it's a pretty open ended situation for us business wise and we like to keep it that way!
We did it in collaboration with the French label Seasons of Mist and has our own moniker on it, the Party Smasher imprint and it's really our first step in trying things differently. We'd come out of a long contract and given the state of the industry we wanted to be in a position where we could move forward with as many options as possible to maintain a certain level of creative control and options considering the state of the business and that was definitely the best way we could continue to be productive and not tie ourselves down to anything we might regret in the future. So we're pretty excited and it's a pretty open ended situation for us business wise and we like to keep it that way!
But when you haven't' been touring, it sounds like you have all been keeping yourselves pretty busy with various other musical adventures and projects…
Our singer Greg has been working on a project with Max Cavalera and I'm not sure where that's at exactly. I think Max has been really busy with a new Soulfly record, but I think they are definitely going to finish that and continue on with it at some point.
Our singer Greg has been working on a project with Max Cavalera and I'm not sure where that's at exactly. I think Max has been really busy with a new Soulfly record, but I think they are definitely going to finish that and continue on with it at some point.
I've been working on the GTO (Giraffe Tongue Orchestra) project with Brent Hinds from Mastodon, Eric Avery from Janes Addiction and we've just taken on board actually Jon Theodore from The Mars Volta and there will be a number of other guests on it and we have been talking some pretty interesting singers as well. That's pretty exciting and we are well into a lot of music for it and it's one of those things that started out as just an idea and when everyone got excited about it and heard people talking about it we thought we should take it a bit more seriously. It seems to really be working and I'm excited about it!
Is that looking at a 2012 release or a wait and see?
It's one of those things where we're all busy but at the same time we've ball been really excited about putting time into it and making it work as well. Even myself and Brett being on tour together just recently gave us a chance to work on some stuff. There's definitely been a good deal of productivity and I think that's realistic to say.
It's one of those things where we're all busy but at the same time we've ball been really excited about putting time into it and making it work as well. Even myself and Brett being on tour together just recently gave us a chance to work on some stuff. There's definitely been a good deal of productivity and I think that's realistic to say.
Now there also been discussion of yourself collaborating with Mike Patton on another project, is there any update on where that is at?
That's definitely in the early stages. It's something we've talked about for many years and we have always said it has to happen and we've always said we have to get together and work again. While we agreed it wouldn't make sense to do it from a Dillinger stand point as Greg's our singer now and we've been working together for many years, Mike and I realized after we did the collaboration it definitely made sense to keep doing things creatively. It's in its early stages, but there's actual music files being sent back and forth. But that's really going to be based upon time and what we've both got going on, so I really can't talk much more about how much time and how long it's going to all take, or what exactly it's going to be. But I can say that people who were a fan of our work before, are going to be pretty happy!
That's definitely in the early stages. It's something we've talked about for many years and we have always said it has to happen and we've always said we have to get together and work again. While we agreed it wouldn't make sense to do it from a Dillinger stand point as Greg's our singer now and we've been working together for many years, Mike and I realized after we did the collaboration it definitely made sense to keep doing things creatively. It's in its early stages, but there's actual music files being sent back and forth. But that's really going to be based upon time and what we've both got going on, so I really can't talk much more about how much time and how long it's going to all take, or what exactly it's going to be. But I can say that people who were a fan of our work before, are going to be pretty happy!
And given we have a bit of time to cover it, just lastly…as far as guitar stuff goes, any endorsements or latest products you have been involved in that you want to mention?
I can say that I recently got one of these mini rectifier heads, that are 25 watts made by Mesa Boogie and it's pretty exciting. I was actually just doing some demoing and stuff like that with and I can't say enough cool things about it. It sounds amazing and it's small enough to fit in a little bag and carry on a plane or bring along to practice. It's crushing, it's amazing, it's all 2 head and I love it! So that's definitely one thing I want to push!!
I can say that I recently got one of these mini rectifier heads, that are 25 watts made by Mesa Boogie and it's pretty exciting. I was actually just doing some demoing and stuff like that with and I can't say enough cool things about it. It sounds amazing and it's small enough to fit in a little bag and carry on a plane or bring along to practice. It's crushing, it's amazing, it's all 2 head and I love it! So that's definitely one thing I want to push!!
So after you finish up with the Australia visit…what's the plan for 2012 at this stage?
Yes absolutely, we will be doing a bit more touring as you know, but we will be writing the new Dillinger and tonight is the first night we are really kicking that off, so that's going to be pretty exciting!
Yes absolutely, we will be doing a bit more touring as you know, but we will be writing the new Dillinger and tonight is the first night we are really kicking that off, so that's going to be pretty exciting!
Essential Information
From: USA
Band members: Greg Puciato – Vocals, Ben Weinman – Guitars, Jeff Tuttle – Guitars, Liam Wilson – Bass, Billy Rymer – Drums
Latest release: Option Paralysis (2010 – Season of Mist/Party Smasher/Riot! Entertainment)
Website: www.dillingerescapeplan.org
SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL VENUES AND DATES
SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY – BRISBANE, RNA SHOWGROUNDS
SUNDAY 26 – FEBRUARY SYDNEY, SHOWGROUND
FRIDAY 2 – MARCH MELBOURNE, SHOWGROUNDS
SATURDAY 3 – MARCH ADELAIDE, BONYTHON PARK
MONDAY 5 – MARCH PERTH, CLAREMONT SHOWGROUNDS
FREYA, the Syracuse, New York-based band featuring EARTH CRISIS frontman Karl Buechner, has entered More Sound Studios with producer Jason "Jocko" Randall (THE RED DEATH, IF HOPE DIES) to begin recording its new album, "Paragon of The Crucible", for an early 2012 release. The follow-up to 2010's "All Hail The End" will feature lyrics "about how after the cataclysm, people will create new mythologies to explain the post-apocalyptic landscape, dealing a lot with mans ability to live in harmony with the Earth and each other," according to a press release. The CD cover arwork will be handled by the group's guitarist Brendon Flynn.
A pre-production/demo version of the new FREYA song "The Adversary" can be streamed on the band's Facebook page.
FREYA is:
Karl Buechner (vocals)
Brendon Flynn (guitar)
Thom Turner (guitar)
Joseph Murphy (drums)
Brett Walts (bass)
"All Hail The End" was released in January 2010 via Victory Records. The band has since parted ways with the label.
A pre-production/demo version of the new FREYA song "The Adversary" can be streamed on the band's Facebook page.
FREYA is:
Karl Buechner (vocals)
Brendon Flynn (guitar)
Thom Turner (guitar)
Joseph Murphy (drums)
Brett Walts (bass)
"All Hail The End" was released in January 2010 via Victory Records. The band has since parted ways with the label.
Seminal grindcore/extreme metal outfit BRUTAL TRUTH will film two new music videos — "Fuck Cancer" and "Malice" — this weekend in upstate New York. The clips will once again be directed by Tyson Montrucchio, who previously worked with the band on the videos for "Sugar Daddy" and "Get A Therapist... Spare The World".
While raging in northern New York State for the video shoots this weekend, BRUTAL TRUTH will take part in a Sunday evening slaughterfest in Williamsville, with several local acts as support.
In other news, BRUTAL TRUTH is recording several brand new tracks for an unspecified forthcoming release. The material was described by the band in a press release as a "bizarre freakout."
"Fuck Cancer" and "Malice" come off BRUTAL TRUTH's latest full-length album, "End Time", which was released on September 27 in North America via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded with Doug White at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York and was mixed by Jason P.C. at Goatsound Studios. Mastering duties were handled by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound.
In a recent issue of Terrorizer magazine, BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp states that "End Time" lyrically "follows the world's environmental shake that seems to be going on… obvious changes in our world could shed a bit of light on how everything will unravel…our expansion of population meets environmental issues."
While raging in northern New York State for the video shoots this weekend, BRUTAL TRUTH will take part in a Sunday evening slaughterfest in Williamsville, with several local acts as support.
In other news, BRUTAL TRUTH is recording several brand new tracks for an unspecified forthcoming release. The material was described by the band in a press release as a "bizarre freakout."
"Fuck Cancer" and "Malice" come off BRUTAL TRUTH's latest full-length album, "End Time", which was released on September 27 in North America via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded with Doug White at Watchmen Studios in Lockport, New York and was mixed by Jason P.C. at Goatsound Studios. Mastering duties were handled by Scott Hull at Visceral Sound.
In a recent issue of Terrorizer magazine, BRUTAL TRUTH vocalist Kevin Sharp states that "End Time" lyrically "follows the world's environmental shake that seems to be going on… obvious changes in our world could shed a bit of light on how everything will unravel…our expansion of population meets environmental issues."
Legendary grindcore act TERRORIZER will release its new album, "Hordes Of Zombies" in North America on February 28, 2012 via the French label Season Of Mist.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Intro
02. Hordes Of Zombies
03. Ignorance And Apathy
04. Subterfuge
05. Evolving Era
06. Radiation Syndrome
07. Flesh To Dust
08. Generation Chaos
09. Broken Mirrors
10. Prospect Of Oblivion
11. Malevolent Ghosts
12. Forward To Annihilation
13. State Of Mind
14. A Dying Breed
A bonus track, "Wretched", will appear on the vinyl and digital versions of the album, while the limited-edition digipak will also contain a demo version of the title cut.
TERRORIZER's 2011 lineup includes Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) who remains dug into position on drums, blasting out armor-piercing beats and defending his territory as one of the most brutal drummers alive.
Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk), the vocalist on the previous TERRORIZER album release, "Darker Days Ahead", returns for his second menacing oration of dark politicized prophecies about the apocalyptic near future.
The new TERRORIZER lineup also features David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) on bass, ready to continue the onslaught he began with TERRORIZER's debut album masterpiece, "World Downfall".
On guitar, it is the great honor of Katina Culture (RESISTANT CULTURE) to shred in place of the late Jesse Pintado, who's still felt to be in the band in heart and spirit. She's attempted to do justice to Jesse's frantic-yet-precise tornado of riffing while adding her own style to the mix of sonic wreckage.
TERRORIZER 2011 is:
Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk) - Vocals
Katina Culture - Guitar
David Vincent - Bass
Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) - Drums
Pintado, a founding member and guitarist of TERRORIZER, died at Holland's Erasmus MC hospital on August 27, 2006 due to liver failure, only less than a week after the release of TERRORIZER's second album "Darker Days Ahead". His death effectively put TERRORIZER's future in question.
With an aggression and ferocity until then unheard, TERRORIZER took the scene by storm with the 1989 release of its highly acclaimed and genre-defining debut album, "World Downfall" (Earache Records). The LP established the band as a cult institution, and the musicians went on to concentrate on their future main outfits: Pete Sandoval (drums) with MORBID ANGEL and Jesse Pintado with NAPALM DEATH.
With "World Downfall", TERRORIZER created the "Reign In Blood" of grindcore, inspiring a generation of bands, their popularity never waning through these intervening years. The massive amount of available bootleg recordings and band merchandise, as well as rumors of a follow-up album, kept the TERRORIZER name alive.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Intro
02. Hordes Of Zombies
03. Ignorance And Apathy
04. Subterfuge
05. Evolving Era
06. Radiation Syndrome
07. Flesh To Dust
08. Generation Chaos
09. Broken Mirrors
10. Prospect Of Oblivion
11. Malevolent Ghosts
12. Forward To Annihilation
13. State Of Mind
14. A Dying Breed
A bonus track, "Wretched", will appear on the vinyl and digital versions of the album, while the limited-edition digipak will also contain a demo version of the title cut.
TERRORIZER's 2011 lineup includes Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) who remains dug into position on drums, blasting out armor-piercing beats and defending his territory as one of the most brutal drummers alive.
Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk), the vocalist on the previous TERRORIZER album release, "Darker Days Ahead", returns for his second menacing oration of dark politicized prophecies about the apocalyptic near future.
The new TERRORIZER lineup also features David Vincent (MORBID ANGEL) on bass, ready to continue the onslaught he began with TERRORIZER's debut album masterpiece, "World Downfall".
On guitar, it is the great honor of Katina Culture (RESISTANT CULTURE) to shred in place of the late Jesse Pintado, who's still felt to be in the band in heart and spirit. She's attempted to do justice to Jesse's frantic-yet-precise tornado of riffing while adding her own style to the mix of sonic wreckage.
TERRORIZER 2011 is:
Wolf (a.k.a. Anthony Rezhawk) - Vocals
Katina Culture - Guitar
David Vincent - Bass
Commando (a.k.a. Pete Sandoval) - Drums
Pintado, a founding member and guitarist of TERRORIZER, died at Holland's Erasmus MC hospital on August 27, 2006 due to liver failure, only less than a week after the release of TERRORIZER's second album "Darker Days Ahead". His death effectively put TERRORIZER's future in question.
With an aggression and ferocity until then unheard, TERRORIZER took the scene by storm with the 1989 release of its highly acclaimed and genre-defining debut album, "World Downfall" (Earache Records). The LP established the band as a cult institution, and the musicians went on to concentrate on their future main outfits: Pete Sandoval (drums) with MORBID ANGEL and Jesse Pintado with NAPALM DEATH.
With "World Downfall", TERRORIZER created the "Reign In Blood" of grindcore, inspiring a generation of bands, their popularity never waning through these intervening years. The massive amount of available bootleg recordings and band merchandise, as well as rumors of a follow-up album, kept the TERRORIZER name alive.
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