Despite rumors brewing all over the industry that QUEEN is prepping a new album featuring unfinished Freddie Mercury tracks, drummer Roger Taylor broke the news that, sadly, they're not.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, Taylor, who along with guitarist, Brian May, keeps the QUEEN brand alive, spoke to Ultimate Classic Rock, and explained, "I've got to tell you, there won't be an album. There's just not enough and the last thing I want to do is have a sort of barrel-scraping exercise. But there's a couple of great tracks that Freddie recorded with Michael Jackson that Brian and I are working on and they are good. So at some point they will surface I think when we feel it's a good moment. I don't really want to ride any sort of wave there. So that's an interesting thing, but that will be probably later some point next year."
With the prospect of new QUEEN albums drying up, The Pulse Of Radio asked Taylor if he had planned on QUEEN growing old in there second incarnation with former frontman, Paul Rodgers. "Y'know, that was never going to happen," he said. "That was always. . . it was a thing, Paul had his career — we had our different things. Now, Brian and I, we're never going to tour with that kind of intensity any more, I think."
1991's "Innuendo" was the last album of new music QUEEN released during Freddie Mercury's lifetime. Mercury died of AIDS on November 24, 1991 at age 45.
In 1995, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon overdubbed Mercury's final piano and vocal recordings to create the band's 15th — and final-four man QUEEN album — "Made In Heaven".
Deacon officially retired from music in 1997 — although he is still a voting member and quarter partner in QUEEN.
In 2008, Brian May and Roger Taylor, who had been touring with Paul Rodgers as QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS, released the chart bomb, "The Cosmos Rocks", before calling it a day as a trio and a recording entity — despite a string of globally sold out concerts.
QUEEN is currently prepping a self-produced tribute act — dubbed QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA — to tour next year "playing the band's music combined with unseen footage and a production spectacle" which is completely sanctioned and controlled by the band. The competition is now in its second round of tryouts.
Recently released are deluxe editions of their final five albums as part of the band's 40th-anniversary celebration. The albums — "The Works" (1984), "A Kind Of Magic" (1986), "The Miracle" (1989), "Innuendo" (1991), and "Made In Heaven" (1995) — all of which are sold in a exclusive box set through Amazon.com.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, Taylor, who along with guitarist, Brian May, keeps the QUEEN brand alive, spoke to Ultimate Classic Rock, and explained, "I've got to tell you, there won't be an album. There's just not enough and the last thing I want to do is have a sort of barrel-scraping exercise. But there's a couple of great tracks that Freddie recorded with Michael Jackson that Brian and I are working on and they are good. So at some point they will surface I think when we feel it's a good moment. I don't really want to ride any sort of wave there. So that's an interesting thing, but that will be probably later some point next year."
With the prospect of new QUEEN albums drying up, The Pulse Of Radio asked Taylor if he had planned on QUEEN growing old in there second incarnation with former frontman, Paul Rodgers. "Y'know, that was never going to happen," he said. "That was always. . . it was a thing, Paul had his career — we had our different things. Now, Brian and I, we're never going to tour with that kind of intensity any more, I think."
1991's "Innuendo" was the last album of new music QUEEN released during Freddie Mercury's lifetime. Mercury died of AIDS on November 24, 1991 at age 45.
In 1995, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon overdubbed Mercury's final piano and vocal recordings to create the band's 15th — and final-four man QUEEN album — "Made In Heaven".
Deacon officially retired from music in 1997 — although he is still a voting member and quarter partner in QUEEN.
In 2008, Brian May and Roger Taylor, who had been touring with Paul Rodgers as QUEEN + PAUL RODGERS, released the chart bomb, "The Cosmos Rocks", before calling it a day as a trio and a recording entity — despite a string of globally sold out concerts.
QUEEN is currently prepping a self-produced tribute act — dubbed QUEEN EXTRAVAGANZA — to tour next year "playing the band's music combined with unseen footage and a production spectacle" which is completely sanctioned and controlled by the band. The competition is now in its second round of tryouts.
Recently released are deluxe editions of their final five albums as part of the band's 40th-anniversary celebration. The albums — "The Works" (1984), "A Kind Of Magic" (1986), "The Miracle" (1989), "Innuendo" (1991), and "Made In Heaven" (1995) — all of which are sold in a exclusive box set through Amazon.com.
Drum Channel and Jammit announce a special promotion offering exclusive free access to the RUSH track "YYZ" available only to Drum Channel members. Jammit allows users to isolate the drums from the rest of the instruments on the legendary "YYZ" track, learn the track and then record your own version. The promotion allows signed up members of Drum Channel to get the song free and download a free Neil Peart interview at the same time.
Jammit is the number one app to learn to play your favorite songs. It allows you to isolate the drums (or other instruments) from the original master recording. Jammit features the most accurate transcriptions available today, with beautifully formatted notations and tablature. It is quick and easy to navigate, has repeat bars with adjustable snap-to-grid looping, and does not change the pitch when the track is slowed down. Once you have learned the track, you can remove the original drums and record your own before sending it to your friends or teacher.
"YYZ" is one of RUSH's most iconic instrumental tracks, featured on their album "Moving Pictures" and a staple for their live shows. Neil has received numerous awards for his musical performances and is known for his technical proficiency, stamina and drum solos, characterized by complex arrangements and long, intricate passages in odd time signatures.
This members-only opportunity from Drum Channel will enable you to clearly see how Neil Peart performs the Grammy-Award-nominated track "YYZ".
If you are already a Drum Channel member, simply log in. If you are not a member join now. Not only will you get access to this fabulous Jammit offer, you will also have access to over one hundred and fifty hours of drum lessons, over one hundred hours of shows, jams and bands with lots more added on a weekly basis. You will also find live lessons, be able to get feedback from the pros on your playing, and if you subscribe for 12 months with the holiday special, you will get two Drum Channel DVDs.
For more information, visit www.drumchannel.com.
Jammit is the number one app to learn to play your favorite songs. It allows you to isolate the drums (or other instruments) from the original master recording. Jammit features the most accurate transcriptions available today, with beautifully formatted notations and tablature. It is quick and easy to navigate, has repeat bars with adjustable snap-to-grid looping, and does not change the pitch when the track is slowed down. Once you have learned the track, you can remove the original drums and record your own before sending it to your friends or teacher.
"YYZ" is one of RUSH's most iconic instrumental tracks, featured on their album "Moving Pictures" and a staple for their live shows. Neil has received numerous awards for his musical performances and is known for his technical proficiency, stamina and drum solos, characterized by complex arrangements and long, intricate passages in odd time signatures.
This members-only opportunity from Drum Channel will enable you to clearly see how Neil Peart performs the Grammy-Award-nominated track "YYZ".
If you are already a Drum Channel member, simply log in. If you are not a member join now. Not only will you get access to this fabulous Jammit offer, you will also have access to over one hundred and fifty hours of drum lessons, over one hundred hours of shows, jams and bands with lots more added on a weekly basis. You will also find live lessons, be able to get feedback from the pros on your playing, and if you subscribe for 12 months with the holiday special, you will get two Drum Channel DVDs.
For more information, visit www.drumchannel.com.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS guitarist Dean De Leo tells Greg Prato of RollingStone.com that he has plenty of ideas for how the band may celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of STP's multi-platinum debut album, "Core".
"What I'd like to see happen is the band go out and do more intimate shows — really lovely theaters around the country," DeLeo says. "Smaller shows, doing the first album in its entirety, and then maybe take requests."
According to DeLeo, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS does not have many extra outtakes from the "Core" recording session for an expanded reissue, but "We have tons of live recordings from that era, and we didn't multi-track record that stuff. There's no fixes, so they'd sound incredible if we just master them," he says. "I have dozens and dozens of DATs from that era. So this is the true essence of the band — no fixing a guitar part or a vocal part. This is the how it went down."
"Core" was released on September 29, 1992.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland told Billboard.com last month that "there is another album coming" to follow 2010's self-titled effort. The group played three shows in South America in November, then Weiland expected his bandmates to start working on new material. "They usually start before me, just getting some rough ideas together and then putting rough ideas down on ProTools with no lyrics and no melody," he explained. "And then I start listening to it and see if it's just a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll record or if it's more of a concept album like [2001's] 'Shangri-La Dee Da' was. Once we decide that, it should go full speed ahead."
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS reunited in 2008 for a successful world tour following a six-year hiatus.
"What I'd like to see happen is the band go out and do more intimate shows — really lovely theaters around the country," DeLeo says. "Smaller shows, doing the first album in its entirety, and then maybe take requests."
According to DeLeo, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS does not have many extra outtakes from the "Core" recording session for an expanded reissue, but "We have tons of live recordings from that era, and we didn't multi-track record that stuff. There's no fixes, so they'd sound incredible if we just master them," he says. "I have dozens and dozens of DATs from that era. So this is the true essence of the band — no fixing a guitar part or a vocal part. This is the how it went down."
"Core" was released on September 29, 1992.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer Scott Weiland told Billboard.com last month that "there is another album coming" to follow 2010's self-titled effort. The group played three shows in South America in November, then Weiland expected his bandmates to start working on new material. "They usually start before me, just getting some rough ideas together and then putting rough ideas down on ProTools with no lyrics and no melody," he explained. "And then I start listening to it and see if it's just a straight-ahead rock 'n' roll record or if it's more of a concept album like [2001's] 'Shangri-La Dee Da' was. Once we decide that, it should go full speed ahead."
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS reunited in 2008 for a successful world tour following a six-year hiatus.
Legendary rock band THE CULT has re-teamed with producer Bob Rock for the recording sessions for the group's long-awaited ninth album, tentatively due in early 2012 via Cooking Vinyl Records.
A photo of THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy in the studio with Rock putting the "the finishing touches" on the band's new CD can be seen below.
Bob Rock previously worked with THE CULT on 1989's "Sonic Temple", 1994's "The Cult" and the 2001 comeback album "Beyond Good And Evil".
In a recent interview with ViperRoom.com, THE CULT bassist Chris Wyse stated about the status of the band's new CD, "The new THE CULT deal is with [the] Cooking Vinyl [label]. We're in good company with THE PRODIGY and MARILYN MANSON. The record is nearly done; Ian [Astbury] is probably doing vocals right now. It is due out April 2012!! This record is kind of a ZEP/STOOGES mix of energy, and I believe showcases a new level of depth for THE CULT."
THE CULT's most recent release. "Capsule 2: New Blood Deep Cuts", featured new songs "Embers" and "Until The Light Takes Us", live recordings of some of the band's huge hits and an intimate look into THE CULT's rehearsal space, with a never-before-seen warm-up performance of "Black Angel".
Rather than revisit the traditional method of releasing a long form CD, the band pioneered a new way of providing material. Capsules span multiple media formats including vinyl, digital, USB, CD and DVD formats, and can be purchased at CultCapsuleStore.com.
THE CULT is Ian Astbury (vocals), Billy Duffy (guitar), Chris Wyse (bass), John Tempesta (drums) and Mike Dimkich (rhythm guitar).
A photo of THE CULT guitarist Billy Duffy in the studio with Rock putting the "the finishing touches" on the band's new CD can be seen below.
Bob Rock previously worked with THE CULT on 1989's "Sonic Temple", 1994's "The Cult" and the 2001 comeback album "Beyond Good And Evil".
In a recent interview with ViperRoom.com, THE CULT bassist Chris Wyse stated about the status of the band's new CD, "The new THE CULT deal is with [the] Cooking Vinyl [label]. We're in good company with THE PRODIGY and MARILYN MANSON. The record is nearly done; Ian [Astbury] is probably doing vocals right now. It is due out April 2012!! This record is kind of a ZEP/STOOGES mix of energy, and I believe showcases a new level of depth for THE CULT."
THE CULT's most recent release. "Capsule 2: New Blood Deep Cuts", featured new songs "Embers" and "Until The Light Takes Us", live recordings of some of the band's huge hits and an intimate look into THE CULT's rehearsal space, with a never-before-seen warm-up performance of "Black Angel".
Rather than revisit the traditional method of releasing a long form CD, the band pioneered a new way of providing material. Capsules span multiple media formats including vinyl, digital, USB, CD and DVD formats, and can be purchased at CultCapsuleStore.com.
THE CULT is Ian Astbury (vocals), Billy Duffy (guitar), Chris Wyse (bass), John Tempesta (drums) and Mike Dimkich (rhythm guitar).
MEGADETH is among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's tenth Grammy nomination is for its new single, "Public Enemy No. 1", off MEGADETH's latest album, "TH1RT3EN", which came out on November 1.
Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "In such uncertain times, it's just an honor to be recognized by our peers, and anything above that is remarkable."
"Public Enemy No. 1" actually marks the second Grammy nomination for music from "TH1RT3EN", as the song "Sudden Death" was first unveiled in the 2010 video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" and received a "Best Metal Performance" nod.
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced last night (Wednesday, November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Commented MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine: "In such uncertain times, it's just an honor to be recognized by our peers, and anything above that is remarkable."
"Public Enemy No. 1" actually marks the second Grammy nomination for music from "TH1RT3EN", as the song "Sudden Death" was first unveiled in the 2010 video game "Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock" and received a "Best Metal Performance" nod.
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced last night (Wednesday, November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Welcome to SportsNation! On Thursday, fantasy football stud and Queensryche co-founder, Chris DeGarmo, will stop by to take your questions about The Life's "Alice in Chains & Friends Fantasy Football Charity League," which features some of rock music's biggest stars, his music career and just about anything else you may want to ask!
Each member of the charity league has put up a valuable piece of memorabilia to be auctioned off with the money going toward the league champion's charity of choice. Cantrell is playing for Musicares which provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in need.
Send your questions now and join DeGarmo Thursday at 1 p.m. ET!
More: Previous music chats | SportsNation
Buzzmaster
(12:48 PM)
Hello everyone! Chris will be joining us at 1 p.m. ET! Keep those questions coming!
Chris DeGarmo
(1:02 PM)
Hello everyone! I'm ready for your questions!
ed b. (philadelphia)
how long have you been doing fantasy football and who has been the MVP of your team so far?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:03 PM)
To be honest, I hadn't played fantasy at all before Jerry Cantrell invited me to participate. I might be the novice of the whole league. But it has been fun. I've gotten schooled really quick. Jerry was pretty helpful in describing what he was getting me into. With that help, I was able to get the hang of it pretty quick.
rob t (san antonio)
whos your favorite football player and do you miss playing live shows ?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:05 PM)
My favorite player is probably my starting quarterback Tony Romo! At least when he is healthy! I do miss it some. Occassionaly I've jumped out to do something but not recently. That's something that can't be duplicated very easily. But yeah, I do miss it.
Chris Miller (Smyrna, Ga.)
Surely you've heard of God-given talent and how we're expected to share that gift with the world. Your fantasy football success not withstanding, are you ever haunted by a feeling of obligation to resume creating music for the masses, either with Queensryche or as a solo artist?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:08 PM)
Kind words, Chris. Well, I don't know that even in the beginning I felt an obligation other than to myself to love music and write music. I still do both of those. I love music and listen to music all the time. I still write as well. As far as it being shared, that is more complex. I've continued to write a bunch of music and I have a personal obligation to my creative self that hasn't changed. Whether it will ever see the light of day in a listenable form for others ... that remains a question mark. I'd like it to happen though. I'm sure someone would appreciate a listen. It's not out of the questions.
Melissa Gong (Salinas, CA)
Are you still flying, and who do I talk to about chartering a flight?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:09 PM)
Hahaha! I am. That's my full-time gig these days. I fly a Learjet. I'd be happy to fly you! I've been to Salinas a couple times. I'm in that neck of the woods a lot.
Brian (Seattle, WA)
I think many fans know you're a private pilot. Any further aspirations to get some higher ratings and fly airliners, ala Bruce Dickinson?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:13 PM)
Yeah, I'm interested in the latest in aerospace. There are some really interesting high performance and technologically advanced aircrafts in the design and development stages right now. I'll take as new and as large as they can make them. Flying on that level has some parallels to performance. It's similar to being in a group which sounds weird I know. Writing, recording, playing live .. we set a high personal standard of perfomance for ourselves .. not meaning it had to be perfect but we prided ourselves on the effort and the technical production involved. That transfers into what I do now. There is a certain performance aspect everytime and a standard of excellence expected. It's a fulfilling experience in that sense. I get that from it. They are very polar opposite in many ways, but there is a performance aspect I always enjoy.
david noriega (mexico)
judas priest or iron maiden?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:15 PM)
Wow. That's tough. I like both, a lot. I'd hate to have to choose! The world is a richer place with both in it. I could put one over the other at various time periods, but both are excellent bands and part of the evolution of Queensryche on some level. We wouldn't have been what we were without them.
Tim (Mine Hill, NJ)
What bands/artists are you listening to these days?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:18 PM)
I really would say that my musical palette has probably expanded much wider now than ever before. I listened to a lot when I was in the band, but even more now. It's the full scope really. I listen to satellite radio a lot just because you can find such a broad range of music and it's not edited as much. I really cruise through those channels a lot and sit on a genre for some time that maybe I wouldn't hear as much otherwise. I'm listening to indie, underground, rock, you name it.
Chris DeGarmo
(1:18 PM)
Not to just plug the Alice In Chains guys but that last record they did was really impressive. Production, sonic value, lyrics, perfomance, everything. Just incredible.
Gabriel Gallardo (Houston Tx)
Well you ever rejoin Queensryche? They need and us the fans of heavy metal need you back BAD.
Chris DeGarmo
(1:20 PM)
Well, I'll never say never. I don't know how likely it is though. I'm still on good terms with anyone. I didn't leave on any bad terms. We're still connected and communicating. I don't know. If we could figure it out together how to create a really great album, maybe. I wouldn't do it just to be doing it. We've gotten together a few times so I know we have the chemistry. That's not an issue. We all know we work well togethter.
Brian (Seattle, WA)
Since this is fantasy football, lets go fantasy music. Name a singer, another guitarist, bassist and drummer that you'd love to be in a fantasy band with. All choices need to be people still with us today. :)
Chris DeGarmo
(1:22 PM)
Maybe Stewart Copeland and Chris Cornell! And Geddy Lee! That would be a band!
Chris DeGarmo
(1:22 PM)
And Chris Walla from Death Cab for Cutie! That's a great band right there.
Hilary M (Maryland)
I'd love to know what your philosophy is that came through so many of your lyrics...how would you describe your beliefs?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:26 PM)
I think there is a cynicism in some of my music and I mean that in a good way. Trying to find a personal path of success and not allowing your destiny to be defined by others. You have to stay close to your personal compass when trying to write music. A broad answer I know. I wanted to challenge convention as well. We live in times where everyone is trying to be herded into one way of thinking. In Queensryche we were always trying to get people to challenge an advertised mode of thought. Challenge the systemic mode of thought to try and find that personal path. That's a hard thing to convey in tunes and I'm not sure we were successful or not but that was the goal.
Mark (Wausau, WI)
Have you tried Geoff Tate's wine or Michael Wilton's beer?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:28 PM)
I don't believe I've had the wine yet. I've had the beer. I do need to get some of that wine though! I would imagine he has something that would impress!
notdut (Dallas,Ga)
Neil Peart has written a few books. Have you thought of giving that a try too?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:29 PM)
It hasn't popped into my mind yet. I'm not sure about that. I should read Neil's book though. I'm a real fan of that band and I know he has had some real challenges. An interesting read I'm sure. He's such an intresting guy.
Gene D. (Ga)
where is your facebook page? lol
Chris DeGarmo
(1:30 PM)
Don't have one, don't want on. I think there are some that have my name attached though that I have nothing to do with. I'm survived without but I do realize why it is popular. Looks like a good networking opportunity so I see why people would enjoy it. Just not for me.
Jerry Adams (Pueblo West, CO)
Hoenstly, how do you feel about the direction Q-ryche has taken since your departure? What do they need to do to re-establish themselves as one of rock's innovators?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:31 PM)
I would answer that my saying if they are doing what they want to do then that is great. I wouldn't agree with some of the decision-making but I don't have to make those decisions or participate.
Tommy (Wilmington, NC)
Out of all the songs you've written, which is your favorite and why?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:33 PM)
I really don't have a favorite. There are high points for sure. But there are many. I can find something on every release we did that was what I felt a step forward. It's hard to pick a favorite. I know people don't always believe that but it is true. Songs connect with people on a broader scale but some of that is the exposure and personal connection to the song. But I really think the full color is everything you have done. I can like a song that is 2/3 of the way done but I can't seem to finish sometimes even more than a song that worked out perfectly. From the creative side of things it is a great thing to be that excited about something that is so elusive.
Chris DeGarmo
(1:36 PM)
Bridge took a lifetime to create ... but then all of a sudden came together quickly. It was a hard song to write because I had to live the life first to get to the song. Lucidity was like that. It didn't take long to actually write down on paper but it took a long time to get to that point. Jet City Woman was a song that took a little more time. It went through a couple forms before landing at its final spot. I'm trying to thing of the song that just didn't want to be written and was a total pain in the ass but I really don't remember any like that.
Chris DeGarmo
(1:37 PM)
As an aside to that ... You have to have conflict in a creative group to have success ... I truly believe that. If everyone gets along too well and don't challenge each other, you don't get the same results. The conflict is really what creates the magic.
Robert (Atlanta,Ga)
I assume you have kids. Do they like your music from back in the day or do they say "sure dad, thats really great. can I go to my room now?"
Chris DeGarmo
(1:41 PM)
They do like it! My kids are a bit older now. We have a huge music collection so they have a lot to choose from. My daughter listens to Ella Fitzgerald and Billy Holiday. My son also listens to a wide range of music. My daughter was old enough to see some shows when I was still in the group. She was young but old enough to understand it.
Randy (Wisconsin)
How did you become interested in aviation? Have you ever been to the EEA in Appleton, WI?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:44 PM)
I got interested in it originally from my grandfather. He flew me around in small Cessnas as a kid. But later when the band was doing lots of international travel and flying all the time, that's when I really got into it. Back in the days whe you could go in the cockpit and talk to the pilots. Can't do that now after 9-11. But it helped me to relax if I knew how these massive machines could fly. The fact I didn't understand it made it hard for me to travel that much without some stress. Some of it was just wanting to understand it all. At the time, walking into the cockpit of a 747 it looked like a recording studio! It looked so cool. I was really impressed. It reminded me of a high-tech studio just in a different way. I always really liked the high performance nature of it and just flying in general is Peter Pan type stuff.
Tim (Mine Hill, NJ)
Do you have a favorite flying destination?
Chris DeGarmo
(1:45 PM)
Sunny, warm, tropical places. We get to those from time to time. But most of all I like flying home.
jason (cache, ok)
will you be coming out with your own line of guitars... signed Fan Of Degarmo
Chris DeGarmo
(1:49 PM)
I've been approached on that. I might! I've had a couple people who make custom guitars inquire about that. I suppose if the right entity came along it would be fun to do. That's something I will put on my To Do list.
Chris DeGarmo
(1:53 PM)
Thanks for the questions and thanks for the continued interest in what I'm up to. It's been fun. Wish me luck the rest of the way in the Fantasy Football league!
Known as the originators of the "unplugged" craze of the '90s, California rockers TESLA launched the 20th-anniversary tour last month of their legendary "Five Man Acoustical Jam" in full acoustic fashion in support of their new album, "Twisted Wires And The Acoustic Sessions".
Earlier today (Friday, December 2), the band issued the following statement:
"We are sorry to announce that [TESLA singer] Jeff Keith still has bronchitis and after singing [at The Fillmore] in San Francisco last night, we are unable to perform in Sacramento this weekend. These shows are being rescheduled to a later date as of now, until Jeff Keith can fully recover from being sick."
Affected dates:
Dec. 02 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades (rescheduled for Jan. 27)
Dec. 03 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades (rescheduled for Jan. 28)
Earlier today (Friday, December 2), the band issued the following statement:
"We are sorry to announce that [TESLA singer] Jeff Keith still has bronchitis and after singing [at The Fillmore] in San Francisco last night, we are unable to perform in Sacramento this weekend. These shows are being rescheduled to a later date as of now, until Jeff Keith can fully recover from being sick."
Affected dates:
Dec. 02 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades (rescheduled for Jan. 27)
Dec. 03 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades (rescheduled for Jan. 28)
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON are among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The band's Grammy nomination is for "Curl Of The Burl", the first single from MASTODON's new album, "The Hunter". At present, "Curl Of The Burl" is ascending the Active Rock charts in the Top 15 and moving towards Top 10 territory.
The members of MASTODON received the news of their nomination while on tour and responded in kind: "We were so excited to find out that we've been nominated for a Grammy. It's a huge honor for our band, and we really appreciate the recognition."
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday (November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
For a complete list of nominees, go to this location.
In an effort to continuously evolve its Grammy Awards process, The Recording Academy announced in April that it had restructured the Grammy categories across all genres and fields, bringing the total number of categories to be recognized at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012, to 78 from 109. As a result, instead of separate "Best Metal" and "Best Hard Rock" performance prizes, there is now a single "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" award.
MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise Records debut album, "Blood Mountain".
MASTODON will end its current U.S. tour today (Friday, December 2) in the band's hometown of Atlanta with a special show. A tour of Europe will follow and wrap on February 11.
The members of MASTODON received the news of their nomination while on tour and responded in kind: "We were so excited to find out that we've been nominated for a Grammy. It's a huge honor for our band, and we really appreciate the recognition."
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced on Wednesday (November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
For a complete list of nominees, go to this location.
In an effort to continuously evolve its Grammy Awards process, The Recording Academy announced in April that it had restructured the Grammy categories across all genres and fields, bringing the total number of categories to be recognized at the 54th Grammy Awards in 2012, to 78 from 109. As a result, instead of separate "Best Metal" and "Best Hard Rock" performance prizes, there is now a single "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" award.
MASTODON received its first Grammy nomination in 2006 for the single "Colony Of Birchmen", from the band's Reprise Records debut album, "Blood Mountain".
MASTODON will end its current U.S. tour today (Friday, December 2) in the band's hometown of Atlanta with a special show. A tour of Europe will follow and wrap on February 11.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, BUCKCHERRY guitarist Keith Nelson told Gibson.com that the band wants to "push the boundaries" of its sound on its sixth studio album, which the group is writing now and plans to record early in 2012. Nelson explained, "We're not going to make an experimental jazz record, but I don't think it's going to be anything like the last five records we've made. We want to push it. We want to make something different."
The guitarist added that BUCKCHERRY has big plans for its next effort, saying, "We're working out some stuff and really taking the idea of making a recording and encompassing a lot of different things. It's an ambitious effort on our part, but we're shooting for the stars on this with everything around the record, from the concept to the packaging. We're really just trying to take it to the next level."
Nelson said that the group hopes to have the album available by late spring.
Meanwhile, BUCKCHERRY recently did some dates opening for GUNS N' ROSES, which Nelson called "a phenomenal experience for us."
Asked about his favorite memory from the shows, Nelson recalled, "There were a lot of good memories, but Axl Rose — before they went on stage and after we were done — got us all together and gave us really nice gifts for being a part of the tour and was really gracious. He was really sweet and nice. So, actually, meeting him and his generosity was probably the most memorable thing."
BUCKCHERRY's next album will follow up 2010's "All Night Long".
The Los Angeles-based band recently teamed up again with Childhelp, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, to shed light on the growing child abuse epidemic in the United States via a public service announcement called "Hope."
Also featured in the spot were Betty White and Shaquille O'Neal.
The band has been working with Childhelp since 2009, raising more than $10K for the organization's programs and services.
"All Night Long", sold around 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.
BUCKCHERRY's fourth studio CD, titled "Black Butterfly", opened with around 47,000 units back in September 2008 to land at No. 8.
The guitarist added that BUCKCHERRY has big plans for its next effort, saying, "We're working out some stuff and really taking the idea of making a recording and encompassing a lot of different things. It's an ambitious effort on our part, but we're shooting for the stars on this with everything around the record, from the concept to the packaging. We're really just trying to take it to the next level."
Nelson said that the group hopes to have the album available by late spring.
Meanwhile, BUCKCHERRY recently did some dates opening for GUNS N' ROSES, which Nelson called "a phenomenal experience for us."
Asked about his favorite memory from the shows, Nelson recalled, "There were a lot of good memories, but Axl Rose — before they went on stage and after we were done — got us all together and gave us really nice gifts for being a part of the tour and was really gracious. He was really sweet and nice. So, actually, meeting him and his generosity was probably the most memorable thing."
BUCKCHERRY's next album will follow up 2010's "All Night Long".
The Los Angeles-based band recently teamed up again with Childhelp, a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse, to shed light on the growing child abuse epidemic in the United States via a public service announcement called "Hope."
Also featured in the spot were Betty White and Shaquille O'Neal.
The band has been working with Childhelp since 2009, raising more than $10K for the organization's programs and services.
"All Night Long", sold around 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart.
BUCKCHERRY's fourth studio CD, titled "Black Butterfly", opened with around 47,000 units back in September 2008 to land at No. 8.
German metallers RAGE entered Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany in October to begin recording their 21st studio album, titled "21", for February 24, 2012 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The recordings were once again helmed by Charlie Bauerfeind, who has previously worked with SAXON, BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL and HELLOWEEN, among others.
"21" track listing:
01. House Wins
02. Twenty One
03. Forever Dead
04. Feel My Pain
05. Serial Killer
06. Psycho Terror
07. Destiny
08. Death Romantic
09. Black And White
10. Concrete Wall
11. Eternally
Check out descriptions of some of the above-mentioned tracks at Rage-On.de.
Commented guitarist Victor Smolski: "The songs of '21' are even better than they sounded in the rehearsal room. Everything is real powerful and aggressive and has got much more energy and the necessary aggression. I have taken much time for the soundcheck and took lots of effort for the arrangements.
"I think '21' is the best-arranged album concerning interaction of guitar, bass and drum playing that RAGE has done in recent years.
"As a producer I have a big responsibility, but after 10 years of working together with Charlie Bauerfeind, it's always getting easier; we understand each other blind, so to say.
"I'm very happy with the performances of Peavy [Peter 'Peavy' Wagner, abss/vocals] and André [Hilgers, drums] (so evil you haven't heard Peavy before), with my guitar work I'm also really satisfied, I've tried to implement the best I can momentarily.
"The concept of the album has become really round, all songs are completely rounded, hard, aggressive, no 'happy metal melodies,' but nevertheless varying. My favorite song: 'Forever Dead', something between 'Kill Your Gods' and 'Down'."
RAGE will embark on the "Metal Firestorm 2012" headlining tour with support from TÝR and COMMUNIC in March/April.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
"21" track listing:
01. House Wins
02. Twenty One
03. Forever Dead
04. Feel My Pain
05. Serial Killer
06. Psycho Terror
07. Destiny
08. Death Romantic
09. Black And White
10. Concrete Wall
11. Eternally
Check out descriptions of some of the above-mentioned tracks at Rage-On.de.
Commented guitarist Victor Smolski: "The songs of '21' are even better than they sounded in the rehearsal room. Everything is real powerful and aggressive and has got much more energy and the necessary aggression. I have taken much time for the soundcheck and took lots of effort for the arrangements.
"I think '21' is the best-arranged album concerning interaction of guitar, bass and drum playing that RAGE has done in recent years.
"As a producer I have a big responsibility, but after 10 years of working together with Charlie Bauerfeind, it's always getting easier; we understand each other blind, so to say.
"I'm very happy with the performances of Peavy [Peter 'Peavy' Wagner, abss/vocals] and André [Hilgers, drums] (so evil you haven't heard Peavy before), with my guitar work I'm also really satisfied, I've tried to implement the best I can momentarily.
"The concept of the album has become really round, all songs are completely rounded, hard, aggressive, no 'happy metal melodies,' but nevertheless varying. My favorite song: 'Forever Dead', something between 'Kill Your Gods' and 'Down'."
RAGE will embark on the "Metal Firestorm 2012" headlining tour with support from TÝR and COMMUNIC in March/April.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Former STRATOVARIUS and current SYMFONIA guitarist/songwriter Timo Tolkki has released the following statement via his Facebook page:
"I don't know how many of you are interested in reading this and quite frankly, I dont even care so much, but I am just writing down some early morning thoughts regarding SYMFONIA and other stuff going on in my life.
"As it turned out to be, it all started from a cake. I thought it might be some kind of a celestial joke and maybe it was, but when two fans handed me a SYMFONIA cake after the last gig of SYMFONIA's South American tour, after spending three nights in a 15-buck cold motel with grey concrete walls looking like a prison in Santiago de Chile and flying 28 hours to another continent to play to audiences varying from 100 to 350, I started to think that maybe this really is it. The cake was in a funny way telling me: 'Hey, Timo, don't you see: it's over.' And I started to really consider my whole musician's career. This happened in June.
"Exactly a year before, I had flown to Sweden to record three demo songs I had composed hoping to record some vocals of André [Matos; SYMFONIA vocalist; also formerly of ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER]. I spent there six days and from those days, I was able to squeeze about six hours of singing from him. In between going to supermarkets, changing diapers and me trying to solve some of their domestic disputes, I started to think if it was such a good idea after all. But people liked the demos and I went full-on producing the [debut SYMFONIA album] 'In Paradisum' to which I put around 1000 working hours.
"André Matos told me very clear that this band should not do any gigs if it doesnt make any money. I basically agreed, but at the same time I knew that people would still consider it as a new band, not 'The Spartacus of Metal' where the gates of superstardom would open just like that.
"Uli Kusch [former SYMFONIA drummer] had been in and out of band due to his hand injury and in the middle of vocal recordings in Sweden, he sent me a mail telling me he would never ever play any gigs in his life because 'he was tired of piss-smelling backstage rooms, the chaos, the travelling, etc. In vain I tried to tell him that this was not what we agreed. He did tell me that if SYMFONIA would make a second album, we could use his name for 10,000 euros and use Alex Landenburg for the recordings. And after 10 minutes came a text message that he also wanted me to pay the taxes of his fee so it would total 13,000 euros for the usage of his name. I did not respond to that but I really found it hard to believe. Then Matos lost his voice in the middle of the vocal recordings for four days and while hunting for cortison shots in the middle of the deepest Swedish countryside, I really started to think that this is not gonna work.
"Well, we got the vocals done, did the interviews and released the album. I still think it's a good album.
"Also the Japanese earthquake messed the little touring plans the band had. Then André told me we could make a lucrative tour in South America booked by his manager. Apparently, there was some mysterious investor that was in the game.
"I should have known better even hearing the word 'investor.'
"I decided to do the tour and after flying 30 hours — Helsinki-Frankfurt-Rome-Sao Paulo — we landed only to hear that the tour is cancelled. At that point I was already ready to buy a ticket back to Finland but they managed to make a settlement and we did, I guess it was, six gigs. It was the worst and heaviest tour I have ever done in my career.
"Keyboard player Mikko Harkin developed high fever and lung inflammation that was bounding pneumonia.
"While lying two days in Sao Paulo in Formula 1 hotel (the cheapest you can get there) in a darkness I was starting to really get doubts about my future as a musician.
"When I got the sales figures from Edel Records [for the debut SYMFONIA album] and the report from the booking agency for the festivals of summer 2012, I decided to call it a day. It didnt make any sense to try to 'conquer' the metal world since it was obvious that there was not enough interest. Don't get me wrong, it's totally cool if there is no interest. Then I thought about my career. Around 3000 gigs, 20 years, 20 CDs, productions, clinics, travelling. I realised that I have done a lot.
"I guess most of you know that I am suffereing from bipolar disorder, one of the worst mental disorders, but with medication and non-stressful lifestyle, this illness can be controlled but never cured. Playing in a touring band is far from 'non stressful lifestyle' and in fact the rock 'n' roll life itself is manic with its highs and lows.
"In those long STRATOVARIUS tours being undiagnosed with the illlness, I could have died. I am not kidding.
"[On March 3] next year I will be 46.
"This autumn I made a decision to take some time off from music business and concentrate on something else.
"I have a wonderful wife and daughter, who also happens to be a world-class singer. I started giving guitar lessons again. I'm taking lots of photos. In other words, living quite normal life.
"I do realize the marks the years have left in me and that I should rest and heal the wounds. There is a lot to heal.
"The music business is in extremely sick state in this moment and it's not gonna get any better. In a few years we will know what kind of form it will take. Maybe I one day take some part of it, maybe I don't. I really don't know at the moment.
"So what about my future? If you are interested in that, I can only say that it is possible that I will never record anything again. For some of you this might come as a relief.
"I don't know what the future will hold for me but I want to thank all of you who have supported me in these 22 some years.
"For you who haven't supported me and continuosly are mocking me, for example at Stratoboard ([the official STRATOVARIUS message board] which makes me really sad mainly due lack of respect from a band that was my vision for 22 years and that still plays 80% of my songs although there is two guys left in the band called STRATOVARIUS), I also want to thank you because without you guys, I could never have done everything I have done.
"It's been a great career. I hope the future brings more music, but most likely it will not. But still after all I can say... I did it my way.
"Hope to see you somewhere. Take care of yourselves."
Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since recorded and released two additional STRATOVARIUS albums with guitarist Matias Kupiainen.
"I don't know how many of you are interested in reading this and quite frankly, I dont even care so much, but I am just writing down some early morning thoughts regarding SYMFONIA and other stuff going on in my life.
"As it turned out to be, it all started from a cake. I thought it might be some kind of a celestial joke and maybe it was, but when two fans handed me a SYMFONIA cake after the last gig of SYMFONIA's South American tour, after spending three nights in a 15-buck cold motel with grey concrete walls looking like a prison in Santiago de Chile and flying 28 hours to another continent to play to audiences varying from 100 to 350, I started to think that maybe this really is it. The cake was in a funny way telling me: 'Hey, Timo, don't you see: it's over.' And I started to really consider my whole musician's career. This happened in June.
"Exactly a year before, I had flown to Sweden to record three demo songs I had composed hoping to record some vocals of André [Matos; SYMFONIA vocalist; also formerly of ANGRA, SHAAMAN, VIPER]. I spent there six days and from those days, I was able to squeeze about six hours of singing from him. In between going to supermarkets, changing diapers and me trying to solve some of their domestic disputes, I started to think if it was such a good idea after all. But people liked the demos and I went full-on producing the [debut SYMFONIA album] 'In Paradisum' to which I put around 1000 working hours.
"André Matos told me very clear that this band should not do any gigs if it doesnt make any money. I basically agreed, but at the same time I knew that people would still consider it as a new band, not 'The Spartacus of Metal' where the gates of superstardom would open just like that.
"Uli Kusch [former SYMFONIA drummer] had been in and out of band due to his hand injury and in the middle of vocal recordings in Sweden, he sent me a mail telling me he would never ever play any gigs in his life because 'he was tired of piss-smelling backstage rooms, the chaos, the travelling, etc. In vain I tried to tell him that this was not what we agreed. He did tell me that if SYMFONIA would make a second album, we could use his name for 10,000 euros and use Alex Landenburg for the recordings. And after 10 minutes came a text message that he also wanted me to pay the taxes of his fee so it would total 13,000 euros for the usage of his name. I did not respond to that but I really found it hard to believe. Then Matos lost his voice in the middle of the vocal recordings for four days and while hunting for cortison shots in the middle of the deepest Swedish countryside, I really started to think that this is not gonna work.
"Well, we got the vocals done, did the interviews and released the album. I still think it's a good album.
"Also the Japanese earthquake messed the little touring plans the band had. Then André told me we could make a lucrative tour in South America booked by his manager. Apparently, there was some mysterious investor that was in the game.
"I should have known better even hearing the word 'investor.'
"I decided to do the tour and after flying 30 hours — Helsinki-Frankfurt-Rome-Sao Paulo — we landed only to hear that the tour is cancelled. At that point I was already ready to buy a ticket back to Finland but they managed to make a settlement and we did, I guess it was, six gigs. It was the worst and heaviest tour I have ever done in my career.
"Keyboard player Mikko Harkin developed high fever and lung inflammation that was bounding pneumonia.
"While lying two days in Sao Paulo in Formula 1 hotel (the cheapest you can get there) in a darkness I was starting to really get doubts about my future as a musician.
"When I got the sales figures from Edel Records [for the debut SYMFONIA album] and the report from the booking agency for the festivals of summer 2012, I decided to call it a day. It didnt make any sense to try to 'conquer' the metal world since it was obvious that there was not enough interest. Don't get me wrong, it's totally cool if there is no interest. Then I thought about my career. Around 3000 gigs, 20 years, 20 CDs, productions, clinics, travelling. I realised that I have done a lot.
"I guess most of you know that I am suffereing from bipolar disorder, one of the worst mental disorders, but with medication and non-stressful lifestyle, this illness can be controlled but never cured. Playing in a touring band is far from 'non stressful lifestyle' and in fact the rock 'n' roll life itself is manic with its highs and lows.
"In those long STRATOVARIUS tours being undiagnosed with the illlness, I could have died. I am not kidding.
"[On March 3] next year I will be 46.
"This autumn I made a decision to take some time off from music business and concentrate on something else.
"I have a wonderful wife and daughter, who also happens to be a world-class singer. I started giving guitar lessons again. I'm taking lots of photos. In other words, living quite normal life.
"I do realize the marks the years have left in me and that I should rest and heal the wounds. There is a lot to heal.
"The music business is in extremely sick state in this moment and it's not gonna get any better. In a few years we will know what kind of form it will take. Maybe I one day take some part of it, maybe I don't. I really don't know at the moment.
"So what about my future? If you are interested in that, I can only say that it is possible that I will never record anything again. For some of you this might come as a relief.
"I don't know what the future will hold for me but I want to thank all of you who have supported me in these 22 some years.
"For you who haven't supported me and continuosly are mocking me, for example at Stratoboard ([the official STRATOVARIUS message board] which makes me really sad mainly due lack of respect from a band that was my vision for 22 years and that still plays 80% of my songs although there is two guys left in the band called STRATOVARIUS), I also want to thank you because without you guys, I could never have done everything I have done.
"It's been a great career. I hope the future brings more music, but most likely it will not. But still after all I can say... I did it my way.
"Hope to see you somewhere. Take care of yourselves."
Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since recorded and released two additional STRATOVARIUS albums with guitarist Matias Kupiainen.
According to Rytmi.com, "Imaginaerum", the first album in four years from Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH, has already sold 50,000 copies in Finland after being released on Wednesday (November 30). The band's first CD since 2007's "Dark Passion Play" — which was then-new singer Anette Olzon's debut — is due in North America on January 10, 2012 via Roadrunner Records.
Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the current 20,000.
Hundreds of fans lined up this past Tuesday night at a record store in Helsinki, Finland where the members of NIGHTWISH were signing copies of "Imaginaerum".
Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Finland has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach platinum status in the country from the pre-2010 level of 30,000 to the current 20,000.
Hundreds of fans lined up this past Tuesday night at a record store in Helsinki, Finland where the members of NIGHTWISH were signing copies of "Imaginaerum".
VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum and his girlfriend of seven years, DIAMOND BABY lead singer Ace Harper, celebrated Matt's 51st birthday last month at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto in Mexico.
Matt and Ace fell in love with Loreto and will be getting married there in May. Matt and a few of his friends/fellow musicians — including Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES), Joe Perry (AEROSMITH), Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP) and Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK) — are also in the planning stages of opening a rock club in Loreto next year.
Matt and Ace recently collaborated on DIAMOND BABY, an electro-rock group whose debut single, "The Last Rockstar", arrived in August. The accompanying music video featured guest appearances by "Glee" star Jane Lynch, iconic actress Juliette Lewis, Verne Troyer, and MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister.
Sorum was born Matthew William Sorum (Norwegian spelling Sørum), on November 19, 1960, in the present-day city of Mission Viejo, California. His parents were of English and Norwegian descent.
Sorum achieved fame with GUNS N' ROSES, where he replaced Steven Adler in the band, who was fired because of drug addiction. While with the Los Angeles-based hard rock group (1990-1997), Sorum recorded the highly successful albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" (both 1991) and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1994). He also supported the group on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and can be heard on GUNS N' ROSES' "Live Era: '87-'93" (1999) and "Greatest Hits" (2004). Starting out as a season musician in Los Angeles in the 1980s, Sorum had his first taste with success as part of THE CULT in 1989. A decade later, after being fired from GUNS N' ROSES, he was reunited with the group and played the drums for their 2001 album "Beyond Good And Evil". Currently, Sorum is the drummer of VELVET REVOLVER, a group he founded in 2002 with former GUNS N' ROSES band members Slash and Duff McKagan. The band has released two albums, "Contraband" (2004) and "Libertad" (2007). On his own, Sorum released a solo debut in 2003 called "Hollywood Zen".
About Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto: Located in one of Mexico's most magical settings, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is the newest property in the Villa Group Resorts' collection that offers a unique getaway for visitors who want to explore Mexico's rich history, take in scenic vistas and experience the natural beauty of a unique landscape — a combination of desert, mountains and sea. The Islands of Loreto is where the crashing surf of the Sea of Cortez, the breach of a whale and cloudless skies offer a respite from day-to-day routines, not to mention more wildlife than a person can see on television.
Situated on the east cape of Baja, California, the Islands of Loreto is committed to eco-tourism and prides itself on its natural beauty.
For more information, visit www.villadelpalmarloreto.com.
Matt and Ace fell in love with Loreto and will be getting married there in May. Matt and a few of his friends/fellow musicians — including Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES), Joe Perry (AEROSMITH), Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP) and Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK) — are also in the planning stages of opening a rock club in Loreto next year.
Matt and Ace recently collaborated on DIAMOND BABY, an electro-rock group whose debut single, "The Last Rockstar", arrived in August. The accompanying music video featured guest appearances by "Glee" star Jane Lynch, iconic actress Juliette Lewis, Verne Troyer, and MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister.
Sorum was born Matthew William Sorum (Norwegian spelling Sørum), on November 19, 1960, in the present-day city of Mission Viejo, California. His parents were of English and Norwegian descent.
Sorum achieved fame with GUNS N' ROSES, where he replaced Steven Adler in the band, who was fired because of drug addiction. While with the Los Angeles-based hard rock group (1990-1997), Sorum recorded the highly successful albums "Use Your Illusion I" and "Use Your Illusion II" (both 1991) and "The Spaghetti Incident" (1994). He also supported the group on the "Use Your Illusion" tour and can be heard on GUNS N' ROSES' "Live Era: '87-'93" (1999) and "Greatest Hits" (2004). Starting out as a season musician in Los Angeles in the 1980s, Sorum had his first taste with success as part of THE CULT in 1989. A decade later, after being fired from GUNS N' ROSES, he was reunited with the group and played the drums for their 2001 album "Beyond Good And Evil". Currently, Sorum is the drummer of VELVET REVOLVER, a group he founded in 2002 with former GUNS N' ROSES band members Slash and Duff McKagan. The band has released two albums, "Contraband" (2004) and "Libertad" (2007). On his own, Sorum released a solo debut in 2003 called "Hollywood Zen".
About Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto: Located in one of Mexico's most magical settings, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto is the newest property in the Villa Group Resorts' collection that offers a unique getaway for visitors who want to explore Mexico's rich history, take in scenic vistas and experience the natural beauty of a unique landscape — a combination of desert, mountains and sea. The Islands of Loreto is where the crashing surf of the Sea of Cortez, the breach of a whale and cloudless skies offer a respite from day-to-day routines, not to mention more wildlife than a person can see on television.
Situated on the east cape of Baja, California, the Islands of Loreto is committed to eco-tourism and prides itself on its natural beauty.
For more information, visit www.villadelpalmarloreto.com.
Reunited Swedish rockers ELECTRIC BOYS have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Sweden Rock Festival, set to take place June 6-9, 2012 in Sölvesborg, Blekinge in southern Sweden. Around 70 bands will perform on the festival's five stages next summer.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
BONAFIDE
DANKO JONES
DIMMU BORGIR
EDGUY
ELECTRIC BOYS
GAMMA RAY
GIRLSCHOOL
GRAVEYARD
HELL
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
MÖTLEY CRÜE
NATIONALTEATERN
PENTAGRAM
SACRED REICH
SLADE
SYMPHONY X
TYGERS OF PAN TANG
Three-day tickets (for the main festival days) and four-day tickets (including the Wednesday opening) for next year's event are available through www.swedenrock.com.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
BLUE ÖYSTER CULT
BONAFIDE
DANKO JONES
DIMMU BORGIR
EDGUY
ELECTRIC BOYS
GAMMA RAY
GIRLSCHOOL
GRAVEYARD
HELL
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
MÖTLEY CRÜE
NATIONALTEATERN
PENTAGRAM
SACRED REICH
SLADE
SYMPHONY X
TYGERS OF PAN TANG
Three-day tickets (for the main festival days) and four-day tickets (including the Wednesday opening) for next year's event are available through www.swedenrock.com.
Spanish female-fronted symphonic metallers DIABULUS IN MUSICA have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's sophomore album will be released in March 2012.
Comments the group: "We feel extremely happy and proud to start working hand-in-hand with one of the biggest labels in our genre today. We both share a similar enthusiasm towards the new album, which is why we feel confident about our future and are strongly motivated.
"Our upcoming release is full of passion, energetic, yet delicate, and also a big step forward in our music. We are sure that this new deal with Napalm Records will bring our music to the next level!"
Formed in 2006, DIABULUS IN MUSICA's sound is described as "symphonic with gothic elements, although their influences are diverse."
DIABULUS IN MUSICA's debut album, "Secrets", was released in May 2010 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was engineered by Spanish producer Iñaki Llarena and was mixed by former EPICA guitarist Ad Sluijter. It was mastered by Sascha Paeth, Simon Oberender and Michael "Miro" Rodenberg at Gate studios in Wolfsburg, Germany.
DIABULUS IN MUSICA is:
Zuberoa Aznárez: Vocals
Gorka Elso: Keyboards
Adrián M. Vallejo: Guitars
Alex Sanz: Bass Guitar
Xabi Jareño: Drums
Comments the group: "We feel extremely happy and proud to start working hand-in-hand with one of the biggest labels in our genre today. We both share a similar enthusiasm towards the new album, which is why we feel confident about our future and are strongly motivated.
"Our upcoming release is full of passion, energetic, yet delicate, and also a big step forward in our music. We are sure that this new deal with Napalm Records will bring our music to the next level!"
Formed in 2006, DIABULUS IN MUSICA's sound is described as "symphonic with gothic elements, although their influences are diverse."
DIABULUS IN MUSICA's debut album, "Secrets", was released in May 2010 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was engineered by Spanish producer Iñaki Llarena and was mixed by former EPICA guitarist Ad Sluijter. It was mastered by Sascha Paeth, Simon Oberender and Michael "Miro" Rodenberg at Gate studios in Wolfsburg, Germany.
DIABULUS IN MUSICA is:
Zuberoa Aznárez: Vocals
Gorka Elso: Keyboards
Adrián M. Vallejo: Guitars
Alex Sanz: Bass Guitar
Xabi Jareño: Drums
Indie Recordings has announced the signing of Norway's DUNDERBEIST. The band's new album will be released on Febuary 3 in Norway, February 10 in the rest of Europe and February 14 in North America.
DUNDERBEIST is described in a press release as "a seven-headed animal [which] is ready to make an everlasting impression on the hard rock/metal world."
Featuring members of STONEGARD (plus several other renowned Norwegian rock/metal bands), DUNDERBEIST has been building a solid reputation in Norway as one of the strongest live acts and an exciting and innovative band to bring the metal sound to new levels and new generations.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/dunderbeist.
DUNDERBEIST is described in a press release as "a seven-headed animal [which] is ready to make an everlasting impression on the hard rock/metal world."
Featuring members of STONEGARD (plus several other renowned Norwegian rock/metal bands), DUNDERBEIST has been building a solid reputation in Norway as one of the strongest live acts and an exciting and innovative band to bring the metal sound to new levels and new generations.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/dunderbeist.
Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE will release their new album, "Helvetios", on February 10, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at New Sound Studio in Pfäffikon, a municipality in the canton of Zurich in Switzerland, with producer Tommy Vetterli (a.k.a. Tommy T. Baron; CORONER/ex-KREATOR guitarist). According to the band, Vetterli "record[ed] drums, guitars and vocals and also produc[ed] and mix[ed] the record. Most folk instruments and also vocals [were] recorded by Anna Murphy and Marco Jencarelli at the Soundfarm studios in Lucerne."
"Helvetios" track listing:
01. Prologue
02. Helvetios
03. Luxtos
04. Home
05. Santonian Shores
06. Scorched Earth
07. Meet The Enemy
08. Neverland
09. A Rose For Epona
10. Havoc
11. The Uprising
12. Hope
13. The Siege
14. Alesia
15. Tullianum
16. Uxellodunon
17. Epilogue
ELUVEITIE will hold the first edition of its own festival, "Eluveitie & Friends", on December 30, 2011 at the Volkshaus in Zurich. Other bands scheduled to participate in the event include CORONER and KORPIKLAANI.
ELUVEITIE's last album, "Everything Remains (As It Never Was)", sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 23 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.
ELUVEITIE will join CHILDREN OF BODOM on the Finnish metallers' North American headlining tour in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The trek will kick off on January 30, 2012 in Rochester, New York and run through March 4, hitting 26 cities over the course of the five-week jaunt. Boston-based extreme metal band REVOCATION and Canada's THREAT SIGNAL are also on the bill.
"Helvetios" track listing:
01. Prologue
02. Helvetios
03. Luxtos
04. Home
05. Santonian Shores
06. Scorched Earth
07. Meet The Enemy
08. Neverland
09. A Rose For Epona
10. Havoc
11. The Uprising
12. Hope
13. The Siege
14. Alesia
15. Tullianum
16. Uxellodunon
17. Epilogue
ELUVEITIE will hold the first edition of its own festival, "Eluveitie & Friends", on December 30, 2011 at the Volkshaus in Zurich. Other bands scheduled to participate in the event include CORONER and KORPIKLAANI.
ELUVEITIE's last album, "Everything Remains (As It Never Was)", sold around 1,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 23 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.
ELUVEITIE will join CHILDREN OF BODOM on the Finnish metallers' North American headlining tour in celebration of the band's 15th anniversary. The trek will kick off on January 30, 2012 in Rochester, New York and run through March 4, hitting 26 cities over the course of the five-week jaunt. Boston-based extreme metal band REVOCATION and Canada's THREAT SIGNAL are also on the bill.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/eluveitie2011cd.jpg
Vocalist Asim Searah has left THE NIBIRUAN — the Finnish metal band featuring former AMORAL guitarist Silver Ots alongside Lauri Koskenniemi (guitar) of SHEAR — in order to join KIUAS. He has since been replaced by Jules Näveri (PROFANE OMEN, ENEMY OF THE SUN). THE NIBIRUAN also parted ways with Eerik Purdon (bass) and recruited a new bassist in the shape of Tuomo Räisänen (ELENIUM).
The new THE NIBIRUAN lineup is:
* Jules Näveri (PROFANE OMEN, ENEMY OF THE SUN) - Vocals
* Lauri Koskenniemi (SHEAR) - Guitar
* Silver Ots (ex-AMORAL) - Guitar
* Tuomo Räisänen (ELENIUM) - Bass
* Lari Sorvo (SHEAR) - Keyboards
* Petri Mäkipää (GHOUL PATROL) – Drums
The new THE NIBIRUAN lineup is:
* Jules Näveri (PROFANE OMEN, ENEMY OF THE SUN) - Vocals
* Lauri Koskenniemi (SHEAR) - Guitar
* Silver Ots (ex-AMORAL) - Guitar
* Tuomo Räisänen (ELENIUM) - Bass
* Lari Sorvo (SHEAR) - Keyboards
* Petri Mäkipää (GHOUL PATROL) – Drums
Swedish tech-death assassins SPAWN OF POSSESSION have completed work on teir third full-length album, "Incurso", for a spring release via Relapse Records. The CD, which will contain nine tracks plus an instrumental intro, was recorded at Pama Studios in Kristianopel, Sweden with engineer Magnus "Mankan" Sedenberg.
According to a press release, "devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex songwriting coalesce to create an opus of next-level death metal on 'Incurso', which the band promises to be their most supreme work to date, and more devastating than ever."
As previously announced, SPAWN OF POSSESSION will embark on a month-long European tour in March as the support act for labelmates OBSCURA. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are GOROD and EXIVIOUS.
SPAWN OF POSSESSION (Jonas Bryssling: guitar, Dennis Röndum: vocals, Erlend Casperson: bass, Henrik Schönström: drums, Christian Münzner: guitar) formed in 1997 and has previously released two full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "Noctambulant" (2006, Neurotic Records), received international critical acclaim for its blend of musical chops and unfettered extremity.
According to a press release, "devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex songwriting coalesce to create an opus of next-level death metal on 'Incurso', which the band promises to be their most supreme work to date, and more devastating than ever."
As previously announced, SPAWN OF POSSESSION will embark on a month-long European tour in March as the support act for labelmates OBSCURA. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are GOROD and EXIVIOUS.
SPAWN OF POSSESSION (Jonas Bryssling: guitar, Dennis Röndum: vocals, Erlend Casperson: bass, Henrik Schönström: drums, Christian Münzner: guitar) formed in 1997 and has previously released two full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "Noctambulant" (2006, Neurotic Records), received international critical acclaim for its blend of musical chops and unfettered extremity.
VALLENFYRE — the new U.K. death metal band featuring Gregor Mackintosh, songwriter and guitarist of PARADISE LOST, alongside members of MY DYING BRIDE, AT THE GATES and DOOM — will make its live debut on February 2, 2012 at Tavastia in Helsinki, Finland.
Commented Gregor: "I have a long and happy history with Helsinki. From the Lepakko club 20 years ago, right up to the present day, it has always been one of my favorite places to be. I have many fond memories and have made many great friends over the years. It is for this reason I decided that the very first live performance by my new band VALLENFYRE should be in Helsinki. We have just released our debut album 'A Fragile King' through Century Media and anyone who likes their death/doom stirred in with some crust should come down and see us."
VALLENFYRE is:
* Gregor Mackintosh (PARADISE LOST) - Vocals and Lead Guitar
* Hamish Glencross (MY DYING BRIDE) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
* Mully - Rhythm Guitar
* Scoot (DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND) - Bass
* Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums
"Cathedrals Of Dread", the new video from
"A Fragile King" was released on October 31 in Europe and on November 1 in North America via Century Media Records. The effort is available as a CD, limited digipack (including bonus track) and 180-gram vinyl LP (including a bonus track and a poster). The vinyl is limited to:
* 200 copies on clear vinyl
* 100 copies on gold/black marbled vinyl
* black vinyl is not limited
"A Fragile King" track listing:
01. All Will Suffer
02. Desecration
03. Ravenous Whore
04. Cathedrals Of Dread
05. As The World Collapses
06. A Thousand Martyrs
07. Seeds
08. Humanity Wept
09. My Black Siberia
10. The Divine Have Fled
11. The Grim Irony
12. Majesty Dethroned (digipack bonus track)
The sound of VALLENFYRE goes back to Gregor's youth.
"I was first introduced to more extreme music by my older brother in 1981." Gregor says. "Over the next few years in my early teens, I grew to love various early hardcore punk bands like DISCHARGE, ENGLISH DOGS, CONFLICT, etc. Around a similar time I was becoming aware of other more metal music like MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH. In '84/85' I got into bands who were fusing these styles like HELLHAMMER, ANTISECT and AMEBIX. A couple of years later I started tape-trading with people all around the world, which enabled me to hear lots of really cool, interesting, extreme music. AUTOPSY, NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, REPULSION, NIHILIST are some of the more well-known names I started to get into, but there were many, many more which never gained the same notoriety. At the same time, I formed PARADISE LOST with my friends. Our early stuff was a bit of a mixture of all this stuff but we also had a lot of doom influence from the likes of CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and ST. VITUS."
The events that led to the conception and formation of VALLENFYRE are not particularly happy or pretty ones.
"In the late summer of 2009, my father, John Mackintosh, was diagnosed with prostate cancer," Gregor explained. "Later in the autumn as his treatment progressed, PARADISE LOST embarked on their European tour to support the latest album ['Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us']. A week into this, I received a call from my mother telling me that the doctors had found cancer in his lungs and it was terminal. He only had weeks to live. I made the decision to leave the tour, leaving my very able guitar tech Milly [not be confused with VALLENFYRE's Mully] to take my place. I went and stayed with my parents for the next few weeks. After a very sad and painful time, he passed away on the 2nd December early in the morning. Over the next few weeks I experienced all the famous stages of grief. It started to become very self-destructive so I decided to channel it into creating something. To pay respects to the man that drove us to our very first gigs because none of us could drive. The only dad I knew that listened to BOLT THROWER's 'Peel Sessions' on the radio. The guy who gave me my first chord book. I decided that I was going to go right back to the beginning. To my roots in death, crust and doom. It all started very angst ridden. This wasn't originally meant for anyone else to hear. It was a release. After recording some material, I realized that I was actually enjoying doing this but I wanted friends involved so it could actually become real fun."
Added Gregor: "The album is called 'A Fragile King', which is a reference to my father's battle with cancer. The lyrics are predominantly about the same thing, but also include gripes with society, religion, politics and relationships as well. It's all pretty grim."
Commented Gregor: "I have a long and happy history with Helsinki. From the Lepakko club 20 years ago, right up to the present day, it has always been one of my favorite places to be. I have many fond memories and have made many great friends over the years. It is for this reason I decided that the very first live performance by my new band VALLENFYRE should be in Helsinki. We have just released our debut album 'A Fragile King' through Century Media and anyone who likes their death/doom stirred in with some crust should come down and see us."
VALLENFYRE is:
* Gregor Mackintosh (PARADISE LOST) - Vocals and Lead Guitar
* Hamish Glencross (MY DYING BRIDE) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
* Mully - Rhythm Guitar
* Scoot (DOOM, EXTINCTION OF MANKIND) - Bass
* Adrian Erlandsson (AT THE GATES, PARADISE LOST) - Drums
"Cathedrals Of Dread", the new video from
"A Fragile King" was released on October 31 in Europe and on November 1 in North America via Century Media Records. The effort is available as a CD, limited digipack (including bonus track) and 180-gram vinyl LP (including a bonus track and a poster). The vinyl is limited to:
* 200 copies on clear vinyl
* 100 copies on gold/black marbled vinyl
* black vinyl is not limited
"A Fragile King" track listing:
01. All Will Suffer
02. Desecration
03. Ravenous Whore
04. Cathedrals Of Dread
05. As The World Collapses
06. A Thousand Martyrs
07. Seeds
08. Humanity Wept
09. My Black Siberia
10. The Divine Have Fled
11. The Grim Irony
12. Majesty Dethroned (digipack bonus track)
The sound of VALLENFYRE goes back to Gregor's youth.
"I was first introduced to more extreme music by my older brother in 1981." Gregor says. "Over the next few years in my early teens, I grew to love various early hardcore punk bands like DISCHARGE, ENGLISH DOGS, CONFLICT, etc. Around a similar time I was becoming aware of other more metal music like MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK SABBATH. In '84/85' I got into bands who were fusing these styles like HELLHAMMER, ANTISECT and AMEBIX. A couple of years later I started tape-trading with people all around the world, which enabled me to hear lots of really cool, interesting, extreme music. AUTOPSY, NAPALM DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, REPULSION, NIHILIST are some of the more well-known names I started to get into, but there were many, many more which never gained the same notoriety. At the same time, I formed PARADISE LOST with my friends. Our early stuff was a bit of a mixture of all this stuff but we also had a lot of doom influence from the likes of CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and ST. VITUS."
The events that led to the conception and formation of VALLENFYRE are not particularly happy or pretty ones.
"In the late summer of 2009, my father, John Mackintosh, was diagnosed with prostate cancer," Gregor explained. "Later in the autumn as his treatment progressed, PARADISE LOST embarked on their European tour to support the latest album ['Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us']. A week into this, I received a call from my mother telling me that the doctors had found cancer in his lungs and it was terminal. He only had weeks to live. I made the decision to leave the tour, leaving my very able guitar tech Milly [not be confused with VALLENFYRE's Mully] to take my place. I went and stayed with my parents for the next few weeks. After a very sad and painful time, he passed away on the 2nd December early in the morning. Over the next few weeks I experienced all the famous stages of grief. It started to become very self-destructive so I decided to channel it into creating something. To pay respects to the man that drove us to our very first gigs because none of us could drive. The only dad I knew that listened to BOLT THROWER's 'Peel Sessions' on the radio. The guy who gave me my first chord book. I decided that I was going to go right back to the beginning. To my roots in death, crust and doom. It all started very angst ridden. This wasn't originally meant for anyone else to hear. It was a release. After recording some material, I realized that I was actually enjoying doing this but I wanted friends involved so it could actually become real fun."
Added Gregor: "The album is called 'A Fragile King', which is a reference to my father's battle with cancer. The lyrics are predominantly about the same thing, but also include gripes with society, religion, politics and relationships as well. It's all pretty grim."
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