According to The Pulse Of Radio, AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler has been in Los Angeles this week to do interviews promoting the new season of "American Idol", which will be his second as a judge on the hit talent show. Speaking at a press conference for the Television Critics Association, Tyler was asked about the progress of the new AEROSMITH album. "All of it's been written, but I gotta lay lyrics on it and I haven't had a lot of time," he said. "But what I've listened to so far just knocked me out. I know a good song, I know what's gonna get played on the radio, I'm not that pretentious to say I think we've got hits, but I think we've got something, and that's all that matters."
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
The band has been working with producer Jack Douglas, who collaborated with them on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks".
Guitarist Joe Perry recently wrote on Twitter, "People have said when we play the rough tracks it sounds like it's from the '70s but for me, it's too early to tell."
Meanwhile, Tyler also said at the TCA press conference that sales of AEROSMITH's back catalog were up 260 percent since he began appearing on "Idol".
The 11th season of the series will begin with its two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 18.
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
The band has been working with producer Jack Douglas, who collaborated with them on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks".
Guitarist Joe Perry recently wrote on Twitter, "People have said when we play the rough tracks it sounds like it's from the '70s but for me, it's too early to tell."
Meanwhile, Tyler also said at the TCA press conference that sales of AEROSMITH's back catalog were up 260 percent since he began appearing on "Idol".
The 11th season of the series will begin with its two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 18.
Ben Westhoff of LA Weekly last month conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES bassist Tommy Stinson. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
LA Weekly: How has this [GUNS N' ROSES North American] tour been going?
Stinson: Pretty good. Compared to all our tours in the past 10-12 years, this one's gone pretty smoothly. I hate to say that because I don't want to jinx it, but we're near the end. I think everyone has a better mindset. The addition of DJ [Ashba, guitar] helps — him and Axl [Rose, vocals] have a pretty good relationship. All of us have pretty good relationships, actually. The shows tend not to be so bagged down with the baggage of the past. We don't give a shit, just go out and have fun and move on.
LA Weekly: What kind of baggage, specifically, are you referring to?
Stinson: There was always an underlying thing of trying to compete with the past. I never really felt that, I never gave a crap. I joined this band because it sounded like a good idea. Whether it was Axl [competing with] it or whatever, I don't think it's there anymore. It's not like we need to compete anymore. We've been a band now longer than they were the old band.
LA Weekly: What do you think drives Axl nowadays?
Stinson: I think he wants to go out and put on a good show and have a good time. It's what you're supposed to do in the first place. Trying to compete with the old band — fucking Slash, all that stuff — is extraneous. Thousands of people will come see him every night because he's Axl Rose.
LA Weekly: Do you ever get tired of trying to explain why Axl is the way he is?
Stinson: Yeah, because there's really nothing to explain. He's been doing the same thing his whole career. Going on late — what's new about that? It's sort of rote at this point. He does his thing, and he works really hard to put on a good show every night. He prepares a lot to be the best he can be, and I think that's commendable. This guy can still fucking wail.
LA Weekly: How has this [GUNS N' ROSES North American] tour been going?
Stinson: Pretty good. Compared to all our tours in the past 10-12 years, this one's gone pretty smoothly. I hate to say that because I don't want to jinx it, but we're near the end. I think everyone has a better mindset. The addition of DJ [Ashba, guitar] helps — him and Axl [Rose, vocals] have a pretty good relationship. All of us have pretty good relationships, actually. The shows tend not to be so bagged down with the baggage of the past. We don't give a shit, just go out and have fun and move on.
LA Weekly: What kind of baggage, specifically, are you referring to?
Stinson: There was always an underlying thing of trying to compete with the past. I never really felt that, I never gave a crap. I joined this band because it sounded like a good idea. Whether it was Axl [competing with] it or whatever, I don't think it's there anymore. It's not like we need to compete anymore. We've been a band now longer than they were the old band.
LA Weekly: What do you think drives Axl nowadays?
Stinson: I think he wants to go out and put on a good show and have a good time. It's what you're supposed to do in the first place. Trying to compete with the old band — fucking Slash, all that stuff — is extraneous. Thousands of people will come see him every night because he's Axl Rose.
LA Weekly: Do you ever get tired of trying to explain why Axl is the way he is?
Stinson: Yeah, because there's really nothing to explain. He's been doing the same thing his whole career. Going on late — what's new about that? It's sort of rote at this point. He does his thing, and he works really hard to put on a good show every night. He prepares a lot to be the best he can be, and I think that's commendable. This guy can still fucking wail.
MÖTLEY CRÜE recently became the first hard rock band to sign a short-term residency at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.
The CRÜE will play a three-week series of four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino starting on February 3 and running through February 19.
2012's Mötley Crüe In Sin City show is sure to leave the loud impression that what happens in Vegas will be heard around the world. Vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee have big plans for Mötley Crüe In Sin City to create a never-been-done-before and incredibly interactive Vegas experience.
In a new online posting, Sixx writes, "We've been ironing out all the production details for the shows in Vegas at The Joint at the Hard Rock.
"This is the biggest production MÖTLEY CRÜE has ever done to date and everybody creatively is shooting for the moon.
"We can't wait to see the look on your faces when we unveil this monster to you guys in February."
He adds: "Just to clarify... It IS NOT just a rock show, it's an EXTRAVAGANZA. Can you guess what that might mean?
A photo of the giant billboard situatued high above Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California and advertising MÖTLEY CRÜE's upcoming Las Vegas shows can be seen below.
Exact details about the show — expected to supersede the band's high standard of production — are being kept under wraps for now to keep an element of surprise for fans. The engagement falls during a holiday-packed time in the calendar year: Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day and President's Day.
Said Vince Neil: "We're the first hard rock band ever to have a residency [in Las Vegas]. There's been bands like SANTANA and ELTON JOHN and these kinds of acts, but for us… MÖTLEY CRÜE, we're all about theater and about over-the-top stage show, so it's a perfect fit for us. So we're really, really excited."
"It's not a traditional concert," Neil said in a recent teleconference with journalists. "There's going to be stuff around the whole venue that's going to come up behind you, the side of you, above you and below you. This is a whole different thing."
Added Tommy Lee, "When you think of The Joint, you see the stage and there's the chairs, and we're really going to change the appearance of that and perform from different areas. We really want the audience to be in the show, not watching the show."
He continued, "We've gone to a lot of the big Vegas shows, and we've all talked about it many times, going, 'Could you imagine if we could only get our hands on this kind of opportunity? What we could with it?' This has been something that we've talked about for a long time."
Neil said that if the run of shows is a success, the CRÜE could return for more dates in the future.
"We are very excited to announce our upcoming partnership with legendary rockers MÖTLEY CRÜE," said Paul Davis, vice president of entertainment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "The one-of-a-kind production will be the most unique, interactive, fan-driven concert experience the band has ever created. MÖTLEY CRÜE is a perfect fit for the Hard Rock and we can't wait for this unforgettable residency to begin!"
Added Bobby Reynolds, Vice President of Booking for AEG Live Las Vegas, "We're thrilled that MÖTLEY CRÜE is creating their most notorious show ever and bringing it to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in notorious Las Vegas. This concert experience is going to represent what the fans love most about MÖTLEY CRÜE, the Hard Rock and Las Vegas: good times, rock n' roll and a stage show like no one has ever seen before!"
"I think it'd be nice for it to be as long as possible," he said. "It's easy on everybody, and the production part of it is just going to be so much more fun than the stuff that we have to haul around and build and tear down every single night (on tour). There's much cooler stuff that we can do. I'd hate for it to go by quick."
To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com.
The CRÜE will play a three-week series of four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino starting on February 3 and running through February 19.
2012's Mötley Crüe In Sin City show is sure to leave the loud impression that what happens in Vegas will be heard around the world. Vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee have big plans for Mötley Crüe In Sin City to create a never-been-done-before and incredibly interactive Vegas experience.
In a new online posting, Sixx writes, "We've been ironing out all the production details for the shows in Vegas at The Joint at the Hard Rock.
"This is the biggest production MÖTLEY CRÜE has ever done to date and everybody creatively is shooting for the moon.
"We can't wait to see the look on your faces when we unveil this monster to you guys in February."
He adds: "Just to clarify... It IS NOT just a rock show, it's an EXTRAVAGANZA. Can you guess what that might mean?
A photo of the giant billboard situatued high above Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, California and advertising MÖTLEY CRÜE's upcoming Las Vegas shows can be seen below.
Exact details about the show — expected to supersede the band's high standard of production — are being kept under wraps for now to keep an element of surprise for fans. The engagement falls during a holiday-packed time in the calendar year: Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine's Day and President's Day.
Said Vince Neil: "We're the first hard rock band ever to have a residency [in Las Vegas]. There's been bands like SANTANA and ELTON JOHN and these kinds of acts, but for us… MÖTLEY CRÜE, we're all about theater and about over-the-top stage show, so it's a perfect fit for us. So we're really, really excited."
"It's not a traditional concert," Neil said in a recent teleconference with journalists. "There's going to be stuff around the whole venue that's going to come up behind you, the side of you, above you and below you. This is a whole different thing."
Added Tommy Lee, "When you think of The Joint, you see the stage and there's the chairs, and we're really going to change the appearance of that and perform from different areas. We really want the audience to be in the show, not watching the show."
He continued, "We've gone to a lot of the big Vegas shows, and we've all talked about it many times, going, 'Could you imagine if we could only get our hands on this kind of opportunity? What we could with it?' This has been something that we've talked about for a long time."
Neil said that if the run of shows is a success, the CRÜE could return for more dates in the future.
"We are very excited to announce our upcoming partnership with legendary rockers MÖTLEY CRÜE," said Paul Davis, vice president of entertainment at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "The one-of-a-kind production will be the most unique, interactive, fan-driven concert experience the band has ever created. MÖTLEY CRÜE is a perfect fit for the Hard Rock and we can't wait for this unforgettable residency to begin!"
Added Bobby Reynolds, Vice President of Booking for AEG Live Las Vegas, "We're thrilled that MÖTLEY CRÜE is creating their most notorious show ever and bringing it to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in notorious Las Vegas. This concert experience is going to represent what the fans love most about MÖTLEY CRÜE, the Hard Rock and Las Vegas: good times, rock n' roll and a stage show like no one has ever seen before!"
"I think it'd be nice for it to be as long as possible," he said. "It's easy on everybody, and the production part of it is just going to be so much more fun than the stuff that we have to haul around and build and tear down every single night (on tour). There's much cooler stuff that we can do. I'd hate for it to go by quick."
To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com.
Essentials
What: Gigantour, starring Megadeth and featuring opening acts Volbeat, Lacuna Coil and metal legends Motorhead.
When: Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Where: K-Rock Centre, 1 Barrack St.
Tickets: Cost $59.50 and available at the K-Rock Centre box office or online through the K-Rock Centre website, www.k-rockcentre.com
You know Dave Mustaine is hardcore when he voluntarily decides to tour Canada … in February.
The born and bred Californian is the leading light, primary songwriter and lead vocalist for one of the pioneers of thrash metal, Megadeth.
For nearly 30 years, and 13 studio albums, Mustaine and Megadeth pushed the boundaries of speed, aggression, power and lyrical potency through a series of genre-defining albums, such as Peace Sells ... But Who's Buying, Countdown to Extinction, Youthanasia, The System Has Failed, and their most recent release, Th1rt3en.
And when a gap in the band's touring schedule appeared in the dead of winter, Mustaine decided to bring his popular travelling metal festival, Gigantour, out of mothballs, and north of the U.S. border for a series of dates, in the band's most extensive jaunt in Canada ever.
One of those dates is Feb. 5 at the K-Rock Centre in Kingston, which comes on the heels of dates in Quebec City and Montreal and leading into shows in Oshawa, Hamilton, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Calgary and Abbotsford, B.C.
"I think our management and agents want to kill us, that's why they booked us in Canada in February," said Mustaine down the line from his home in San Diego, Calif.
"I am sure (Canadian drummer Shawn) Drover is going to be ready. But seriously, it's not so much about any potential inconvenience of discomfort because of the weather, because we're going to be travelling in a nice warm bus. We're coming there to entertain people and to help them feel good. It's just the right thing to do, to not let the elements intimidate you, especially if you're a metal band."
Mustaine said he has an affinity for Canada not just because his drummer is from Montreal, but also because he has some Canadian branches in his family tree.
He also admitted that a venerable Canadian rock band also played a role in a teenaged Mustaine taking music a serious vocation and not just an entertaining pastime.
"I was at a festival called Cal-Jam, and one of your countrymen, April Wine, was playing. And I had gone there because I wanted to see UFO, because I dug Michael Schenker, and Van Halen was playing too," he said.
"And everybody I was with was getting high, and I was really young and still very impressionable, so I went along for the ride with everyone else, and was in sort of la-la land, and the dude does this really great song, doing a harmonica solo and he throws the harp out into the audience, and I am standing there and I swear to God, it just plopped right into my hand. And I was like, 'wow, is this my destiny to be a rock star?'
"And that was it. That was the moment when the switch was turned on, and then not long after when I first heard AC/DC's Let There Be Rock, that was the guitar record that blew my mind."
In the very early 1980s, a group of kids were becoming disenchanted with the staleness and pomp and ceremony of many rock and hard rock bands, and wanted something grittier, more primal, louder and faster.
Mustaine and a couple of friends named James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich soon began to jam, and eventually play gigs on the monicker Metallica.
Mustaine lasted about two years before being summarily kicked out of the band for behavioural and substance abuse issues.
Instead of licking his wounds, the sense of anger and betrayal only fed Mustaine's fire and desire. He partnered up with bassist David Ellefson to form the nucleus of a new band — Megadeth.
And except for a seven-year gap between 2002 and 2007, Ellefson and Mustaine have been the mainstays in Megadeth.
Drover has been with the band since 2004, while lead guitarist Chris Broderick replaced Shawn's brother, Glen, in 2008.
Gigantour features Megadeth as the headliner, with opening acts Volbeat, Lacuna Coil and metal legends Motorhead.
"You know what, to tell you the truth I didn't even know who they were until I met Lars. I went to his apartment when I first met him and on the wall he had a picture of their drummer Phil (Philthy Animal) Taylor. And James was also really hell bent for Motorhead," Mustaine said.
"I've liked them since then, but having them out on tour now is totally awesome, because as I grew as a metal fan, I started to really dig the energy and the longevity of the band.
"And (frontman Ian) Lemmy (Kilmister) and I have been good friends for a while now. There's kind of a very loyal bond between frontmen, like a frontman's club.
"I am a terrible liar so if I would have told you I was influenced by Lemmy and Motorhead, you'd know I was lying. But I was and am a fan. For me, being a fan and being influenced by something are two different things."
Mustaine handpicked all three support acts on the bill, and said the whole reason for the Gigantour was to offer fans more bang for their buck.
"I like the way this format makes people feel, because when you go to a festival, and there are several bands, it's got a really great vibe. You go home feeling a certain way. And let's face facts, the entertainment value of concerts these days is pretty low," he said.
"When I go to a concert, I want to see some activity. I want to see some movement. I want to see some showbiz, you know what I mean?"
Getting back to his Canadian connection, Mustaine said Drover is the best drummer he's had in the band.
"I've said ever since I met the guy, if we would have just hired him in the beginning, we would never have had another drummer. He's just really great to be around, and he's also a fantastic drummer."
Th1rt3en may be Megadeth's most complete, most powerful album, musically and lyrically, since the 1980s and Mustaine said the sense of urgency and insistence in many of the songs was not faked.
"We tried hard when we were making this record to really get the best that we could in the amount of time that we had. We only had two months to make the whole record, and the first thing we had to do was make a song for a video game. So that took a week, meaning we only really had seven weeks. But that can be fun when you get under the gun like that, because you really have to dig deep. I think that's what gave this records the kind of energetic feeling that it has, because we were wired. Frenetic is a good word for it."
Megadeth actually broke up for a couple of years in 2002 while Mustaine recovered from nerve damage in his arm, as well as because of constant frustration with some of his bandmates' overindulgence.
He also became a born-again Christian.
"Looking up at the cross, I said six simple words, 'What have I got to lose?' Afterwords, my whole life had changed. It's been hard, but I wouldn't change it for anything. I'd rather go my whole life believing that there is a God and find out there isn't than live my whole life thinking there isn't a God and then find out. when I die, that there is," he said in an in interview conducted not long after his conversion.
Ellefson did not return when Megadeth reformed in 2004, as he was already committed to a number of other musical projects. But he heeded the call in late 2009, not long after the band released the critically-acclaimed Endgame album.
"It was so good when he came back. We had a couple of other bass players in the interim, and they were good guys, but there's a sound that Dave has. When we first started playing together I said, 'You're going to play bass guitar like it's a lead guitar, cool?' And we took that same approach with the drums, because the drum is a percussive instrument, but each shell has its own note. So we would play riffs on the drums that would go along with the guitar riffs."
Since 1983, Megadeth has sold 25 million albums, and recently garnered its 10th Grammy nomination for the single Public Enemy No. 1, from Th1rt3en, in the category of Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance.
"I haven't won yet, so I don't really know what it means to win a Grammy. The bummer is that if we do win, we won't be there to accept it because we're going to be on tour," said Mustaine.
For tickets to the Gigantour show, visit the K-Rock Centre box office, or order through Ticketmaster.
For information on Megadeth, visit www.megadeth.com.
Jim Barber is the editor of the Napanee Guide and a veteran music industry journalist. Contact him at news@napaneeguide.com, or look for him on Facebook
One of the most influential artists in rock history made a significant contribution today to help support music programs in public schools. The legendary Eddie Van Halen donated 75 electric guitars from his personal collection to the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music education in public schools across the country.
Per Van Halen's request, the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation will distribute the guitars to music programs in public schools throughout the Los Angeles area where there are not enough instruments to meet the demand of students enrolled.
"Music is the universal language," said Eddie Van Halen. "It has the ability to transcend and convey every human emotion that exists without saying a word. Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me. Music education and families are dealing with the economic times, and I wanted to help them. If I can help a kid discover a liking, or even a passion for music in their life, then that's a wonderful thing. Music has provided a good life for me and hopefully it can help make life better for others with this donation."
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. Hundreds of thousands of students across the country have benefitted and thousands of instruments have been donated to more than 1,100 school music programs across the country. More information can be found at www.mhopus.org.
Per Van Halen's request, the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation will distribute the guitars to music programs in public schools throughout the Los Angeles area where there are not enough instruments to meet the demand of students enrolled.
"Music is the universal language," said Eddie Van Halen. "It has the ability to transcend and convey every human emotion that exists without saying a word. Music kept me off the streets and out of trouble and gave me something that was mine that no one could take away from me. Music education and families are dealing with the economic times, and I wanted to help them. If I can help a kid discover a liking, or even a passion for music in their life, then that's a wonderful thing. Music has provided a good life for me and hopefully it can help make life better for others with this donation."
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation donates new and refurbished musical instruments to underserved schools in an effort to give youngsters the many benefits of music education, help them to be better students and inspire creativity and expression through playing music. Hundreds of thousands of students across the country have benefitted and thousands of instruments have been donated to more than 1,100 school music programs across the country. More information can be found at www.mhopus.org.
Dan Lorenzo, new editor of Steppin' Out magazine and guitarist for HADES/NON-FICTION, recently conducted an interview with former WHITE ZOMBIE bassist Sean Yseult about her new book, "I'm In The Band - Backstage Notes From The Chick In White Zombie". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Steppin' Out: In your book, you describe your love of traveling and touring overseas. I found it somewhat surprising that you had enough time to see so much and document it, as opposed to the hurry-up-and-wait experience.
Sean Yseult: Yeah, you know what you're talking about, Dan. Bands usually get driven from one backstage to another, where you sit for countless hours waiting to soundcheck and then many more hours waiting to play; it's mind-numbing! No wonder so many bands resort to drugs, booze and mindless destruction. [Laughs] But I really did try to get out and see towns, whether I was in Dayton, Ohio or Cologne, Germany. One night in Dayton I snuck out after our gig and got to see BRAINIAC, a fantastic local band. In Cologne, I knew we had to see the cathedral, and dragged the band on some public transport to the city center. When you're overseas, you have to get out and see the history!
Steppin' Out: How did your husband Chris Lee (of SUPAGROUP fame) react to your openness in the book in regards to your past relationships?
Sean Yseult: Oh it's all in the past; he's fine with it. Luckily, I fell in love with a ridiculously confident man who is threatened by no one.
Steppin' Out: Would your relationship with Rob Zombie have lasted longer if you had not been in a band together and just been artists in New York City?
Sean Yseult: That is really hard to say. I do think the band took a toll on our relationship, as far as the band becoming our lives, 24/7. But mainly we met very young, and after seven years had different ideas of what we wanted from a relationship. This is common for young couples. You're really too young in college to know what you want in a relationship, in my opinion. At least I was.
Steppin' Out: Have you and Rob Zombie patched things up yet?
Sean Yseult: Oh, hell no. He doesn't speak to any of us, his choice.
Steppin' Out: Nice. Is there anything you would like him to know?
Sean Yseult: Actually, yes. I'm really happy for him that he got into making movies, as that was his true obsession. He was mostly very dark and negative, and I hope he's a happier person now that he is doing what he loves.
Steppin' Out: Just curious... Do you read BLABBERMOUTH.NET?
Sean Yseult: I'm not on the Internet much, but yes I do read Blabbermouth!
Steppin' Out: What do you think when you read the comments?
Sean Yseult: I haven't read them, to be honest, I just look at the articles.
Steppin' Out: In your book, you describe your love of traveling and touring overseas. I found it somewhat surprising that you had enough time to see so much and document it, as opposed to the hurry-up-and-wait experience.
Sean Yseult: Yeah, you know what you're talking about, Dan. Bands usually get driven from one backstage to another, where you sit for countless hours waiting to soundcheck and then many more hours waiting to play; it's mind-numbing! No wonder so many bands resort to drugs, booze and mindless destruction. [Laughs] But I really did try to get out and see towns, whether I was in Dayton, Ohio or Cologne, Germany. One night in Dayton I snuck out after our gig and got to see BRAINIAC, a fantastic local band. In Cologne, I knew we had to see the cathedral, and dragged the band on some public transport to the city center. When you're overseas, you have to get out and see the history!
Steppin' Out: How did your husband Chris Lee (of SUPAGROUP fame) react to your openness in the book in regards to your past relationships?
Sean Yseult: Oh it's all in the past; he's fine with it. Luckily, I fell in love with a ridiculously confident man who is threatened by no one.
Steppin' Out: Would your relationship with Rob Zombie have lasted longer if you had not been in a band together and just been artists in New York City?
Sean Yseult: That is really hard to say. I do think the band took a toll on our relationship, as far as the band becoming our lives, 24/7. But mainly we met very young, and after seven years had different ideas of what we wanted from a relationship. This is common for young couples. You're really too young in college to know what you want in a relationship, in my opinion. At least I was.
Steppin' Out: Have you and Rob Zombie patched things up yet?
Sean Yseult: Oh, hell no. He doesn't speak to any of us, his choice.
Steppin' Out: Nice. Is there anything you would like him to know?
Sean Yseult: Actually, yes. I'm really happy for him that he got into making movies, as that was his true obsession. He was mostly very dark and negative, and I hope he's a happier person now that he is doing what he loves.
Steppin' Out: Just curious... Do you read BLABBERMOUTH.NET?
Sean Yseult: I'm not on the Internet much, but yes I do read Blabbermouth!
Steppin' Out: What do you think when you read the comments?
Sean Yseult: I haven't read them, to be honest, I just look at the articles.
Ratt frontman Stephen Pearcy spent most of last year writing new material, hoping for a quick return to the Ratt game. Delays in the Ratt camp set in so he decided to instead focus on what would turn out to be a new solo album, Sucker Punch. After posting a few "in-progress" songs onto iTunes for fan feedback and releasing a new video for "Don't Want To Talk About," the magic was in the air once again and Pearcy began writing new material with guitarist Warren DeMartini for the new Ratt record, due later this year.
We talked with Stephen a few days ago to check in on the progress of Sucker Punch, how things are going during the songwriting process for the new Ratt record and ultimately find out about an exciting new video project in the works for Ratt fans everywhere!
I know you've been working on your new solo album Sucker Punch and a few other projects but it almost seems like 2011 was a year to kinda chill out a little.
When I started recording Sucker Punch I decided I was going to take my time and not gonna push to get it out at any particular time. I didn't want any pressure when it came to when it would be released. I did release three sample singles and did a video but the real deal is going to be finished soon enough. I still have yet to record a few songs and solos but all of a sudden we moved into writing the new Ratt record. It's interesting because some of the songs I wanted on my solo record were actually written for the new Ratt record. Warren and I are actually in writing mode for the new Ratt record right now. It's coming along amazing actually. We've got some great stuff on the table right now. This new Ratt record is gonna be strong. I'm glad I waited with these songs. Sucker Punch will be out way before the Ratt record as not to interfere.
Did you ever have doubts there would be a new Ratt record this year?
I'm always writing anyway but some of those songs were going to be presented for the Ratt record. I thought we were gonna get into it sooner so I thought 'Fuck it, I'll just start a solo record' to keep busy. It's been a few years since the last solo record. I just like to keep up on the writing. Some of the songs I had ready for the solo record will end up for the new Ratt, which is great. That's what I was writing them for in the first place. There's this feeling when Ratt gets rolling. We know when it's time. I'm glad we started writing when we did. A few days ago Warren had this idea. He started playing a riff right outta the box. What the hell is that!? He said it was something he quickly recorded before he really woke up. He had a thought for this riff and had to put it down. I grabbed it and we started building a song around it and it's amazing. It made the hair stand up on the back of my arms. Holy shit!
Has the entire band got together for a writing session yet or how do you guys do that?
We just decided that Warren and I would set the foundation for what we want to present. We literally went back to basics. We found a small room, got the acoustic guitars and the cassette decks. It's the same format we wrote Out Of The Cellar with. We don't need ProTools and drum machines. We don't need the big studio yet, although it's right next door. You never know when it's the final lap, ya know? We really want this thing to stand up on it's own. Infestation was great but we didn't quite hit it. This time we want to make sure we hit it right on the mark.
What do you think held you back on Infestation?
There were just so many ideas coming from all over the place, from everybody in the group, right away. Then we went into pre-production almost immediately. Songs were just comin' at us. Some songs didn't get recorded that should have and some songs didn't get developed the way they should've been. This time we're making sure the 't's are crossed and the 'i's are dotted.
Ratt fans everywhere were absolutely ready for Infestation. Then you finally got to hit the road. How do you remember that tour? Things seemed to be really strained towards the end of that run.
Yeah, it did. (laughs) I literally had that hernia on stage. I'm actually three-quarters of the way through my book that's taken years to write. It's all in there, what went down. We didn't want to be out doing some of those shows. Some of those shows were amazing. The tour was amazing. Thank God we were sobering up towards the end of the run. When I had my hernia on stage it was like something was telling us to put the brakes on. We went out prematurely. There was some business that didn't get tied up when it should have, so … I have a tendency to see it coming so it was like, 'Woah. Stop right here.' Getting off the road was a godsend because things weren't moving the way they should've, and I'm not talking about record sales. The band could've self-imploded again. But you know what? With Infestation it was the first time that we were on a ballot for a Grammy, as weird as that is. By taking ourselves out of the loop, other opportunities have presented themselves to us. They'll be very beneficial to what we're trying to achieve with 2012 and the new record.
What kind of opportunities are you talking about?
I want to present the first live DVD history compilation from the band Ratt. I have so many formats of video from day one, Europe, Japan, shows with Ozzy. Forget the stuff on YouTube. I have the shit with real cameras that never saw the light of day. I told the guys I have this stuff and will be putting it out. Of course we'll work on it together but we'll be releasing a live compilation from the history of Ratt. It will have everybody's blessing. Even Juan's. He used to film all the time back in the day. Maybe he has something. We'll make sure it doesn't interfere with the new record. People have been asking for something like this. Timing is everything.
Will this encompass every lineup of the band or focus on the classic lineup?
I want to focus on the original band – what people aren't seeing, what people missed, what excited people. The era that's so important to so many people to this day. I want that out there. I want what people miss. This will be a release for those who miss it and those who missed it. That's what I want to capture. That was the real shit. We'll also be including footage from the current era of the band.
2012 will be the year Ratt sets itself apart from the rest and celebrate what got us here and kept us here in the first place. Ratt 'n roll!
ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell told Rolling Stone magazine at last month's Dimebash tribute in Los Angeles, the annual show in honor late guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, that the band is working on the follow-up to 2009's gold-certified "Black Gives Way To Blue", which debuted in the Top 10 of The Billboard 200 and scored multiple Grammy nominations.
"We started writing [in 2010]," Cantrell said. "[Then] I had shoulder surgery. I had to get some bone spurs and torn cartilage taken care of, so that put me back a little bit. But we've been writing through the whole process."
Following its self-titled record in 1995, the once-mighty Seattle-based act went into a long period of inactivity, partially due to the drug problems of singer Layne Staley. Staley died in 2002, but it was another four years until the three remaining members of the band, Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, first regrouped for a benefit show and then officially returned with new frontman William DuVall.
ALICE IN CHAINS recruited pop legend Elton John to contribute piano to "Black Gives Way To Blue"'s title track, which is written in tribute to Staley.
"That's just the universe lining up right. I had nothing to do with that other than asking," Cantrell told Rolling Stone. "What he is, beyond anything else, is a fucking amazing musician. And he's the guy who inspired me to start playing music, so to have him play on one of our records — especially such a meaningful record, where we're restarting our musical careers and saying goodbye and honoring our buddy — it's a tremendous thing."
ALICE IN CHAINS released "Black Gives Way To Blue" after a 14-year hiatus between full-length albums.
Cantrell said about that period, "It kind of grew into something a lot larger than we anticipated . . . To recreate ourselves without losing our identity and having the fans support us through that and have the quality of music come out like it did. Transitioning from the old lineup of the band and moving on, it was a lot. It's a career worth of changes in six, seven years. It's nice to have a second life and we're in the midst of that."
"We started writing [in 2010]," Cantrell said. "[Then] I had shoulder surgery. I had to get some bone spurs and torn cartilage taken care of, so that put me back a little bit. But we've been writing through the whole process."
Following its self-titled record in 1995, the once-mighty Seattle-based act went into a long period of inactivity, partially due to the drug problems of singer Layne Staley. Staley died in 2002, but it was another four years until the three remaining members of the band, Jerry Cantrell, bassist Mike Inez and drummer Sean Kinney, first regrouped for a benefit show and then officially returned with new frontman William DuVall.
ALICE IN CHAINS recruited pop legend Elton John to contribute piano to "Black Gives Way To Blue"'s title track, which is written in tribute to Staley.
"That's just the universe lining up right. I had nothing to do with that other than asking," Cantrell told Rolling Stone. "What he is, beyond anything else, is a fucking amazing musician. And he's the guy who inspired me to start playing music, so to have him play on one of our records — especially such a meaningful record, where we're restarting our musical careers and saying goodbye and honoring our buddy — it's a tremendous thing."
ALICE IN CHAINS released "Black Gives Way To Blue" after a 14-year hiatus between full-length albums.
Cantrell said about that period, "It kind of grew into something a lot larger than we anticipated . . . To recreate ourselves without losing our identity and having the fans support us through that and have the quality of music come out like it did. Transitioning from the old lineup of the band and moving on, it was a lot. It's a career worth of changes in six, seven years. It's nice to have a second life and we're in the midst of that."
Mascot Label Group has announced the release of the eponymous debut album from FLYING COLORS — the spectacular new virtuoso prog/pop/metal rock band formed by drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-DREAM THEATER) and guitarist Steve Morse (DEEP PURPLE). The CD will be made available via Music Theories Recordings in the U.K. on Monday, March 26, followed by a U.S. release on Tuesday, March 27.
FLYING COLORS is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar).
"This album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us," says Portnoy. ""The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved."
The formation of FLYING COLORS began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old-fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music.
In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world-renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea and the prospect of working together, the four musicians signed on to form a band and record a first album.
Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed magical music chemistry over the years that began early in their careers as partners in DIXIE DREGS. In 1995, Morse subsequently became a member of DEEP PURPLE, while LaRue's ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy.
Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, whose notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, SPOCK'S BEARD in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group TRANSATLANTIC.
Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum magazine's "Drummer Of The Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut DREAM THEATER, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's #1 album "Nightmare" and their subsequent tour.
It was Portnoy who recommended ALPHA REV's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join FLYING COLORS. McPherson, whose 2010 Hollywood/Disney album "New Morning" debuted in the Top 5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the Top 10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on VH1's Top 20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."
FLYING COLORS convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session.
"It was quite an experience," recalls Dave LaRue. "The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, and then re-arranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" The album is filled with trial and triumph. It's been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Touring plans for FLYING COLORS will be announced in the coming months.
FLYING COLORS is Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar).
"This album has bits and pieces of what you'd expect from each of us," says Portnoy. ""The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved."
The formation of FLYING COLORS began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old-fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the recordings are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music.
In 2008, executive producer Bill Evans brought the idea to the world-renowned musicians and producer Peter Collins. Intrigued by the idea and the prospect of working together, the four musicians signed on to form a band and record a first album.
Steve Morse and Dave LaRue have developed magical music chemistry over the years that began early in their careers as partners in DIXIE DREGS. In 1995, Morse subsequently became a member of DEEP PURPLE, while LaRue's ongoing musical adventures include Joe Satriani, John Petrucci, Jordan Rudess, Steve Vai, and the aforementioned Portnoy.
Multi-instrumentalist, composer and singer Neal Morse is one of the leading figures in progressive rock, whose notoriety follows his co-founding of the seminal band, SPOCK'S BEARD in 1995, recordings as a solo artist, and contributions to the super-group TRANSATLANTIC.
Mike Portnoy is one of the most popular and respected drummers in both metal and rock, and an accomplished writer and producer. He is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including 26 Modern Drummer awards, Revolver magazine's Golden God award for "Best Drummer" and Drum magazine's "Drummer Of The Year". He rose to prominence as the leader, drummer, producer, and co-writer for metal/prog juggernaut DREAM THEATER, before moving on in 2010. That same year, he worked on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's #1 album "Nightmare" and their subsequent tour.
It was Portnoy who recommended ALPHA REV's emotive singer Casey McPherson as a contender to join FLYING COLORS. McPherson, whose 2010 Hollywood/Disney album "New Morning" debuted in the Top 5 on two Billboard charts, enjoyed major success at radio with multiple hits. The track "New Morning" spent 17 weeks in the Top 10 on Triple A Radio, and enjoyed a run on VH1's Top 20 Countdown for months. Steve Morse offers, "Casey was a glorious find, because he could make anything sound fantastic, and is a multitalented like the others."
FLYING COLORS convened for just nine days in early 2011, and composed and recorded this album during a short and intense session.
"It was quite an experience," recalls Dave LaRue. "The band moved at a fast pace, ideas flying around the room at all times. Sections of tunes were arranged, and then re-arranged. Ideas were tried every which way until we made them work, or, in some cases, discarded them altogether. Just keeping track of everything was a challenge!" The album is filled with trial and triumph. It's been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop, and metal all into one big recording."
Touring plans for FLYING COLORS will be announced in the coming months.
GODSMACK singer Sully Erna is at home resting after undergoing surgery on his left knee from a sport injury he sustained a while back.
In a series of tweets from earlier today, Erna stated about the surgery, "Finally found some time to repair my knee that has been injured for some time now. It's not pretty, but I'll be back!"
He added, "And people say we don't do enough for our fans. I've given you my leg damn it!! But I want it back now.
"Up until now, [I] never had a stitch, never broke a bone. Plus I had the team specialist for Boston Celtics Dr. Brian McKeon do the surgery. He's the best! Now I'm in sports rehab. And this is the guy that's gonna make me strong like bull again! Haha I'm Avatar baby! Watch me go."
Erna told BostonHerald.com last month that the band was heading back to the studio in January to mix a live disc and record a handful of cover songs that Erna says "inspired us along the way." A spring tour with fellow Massachusetts rockers STAIND also is on tap.
Erna's December 16 solo performance at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts was professionally filmed for an upcoming 3D DVD release. The concert is also slated to air on Palladia, a cable music channel that ran a documentary about the making of his solo album "Avalon".
Released in September 2010, "Avalon" features flutes, cellos, hand drums and other exotic instrumentation, along with female vocals. Erna has emphasized that it is "not a rock record."
In a series of tweets from earlier today, Erna stated about the surgery, "Finally found some time to repair my knee that has been injured for some time now. It's not pretty, but I'll be back!"
He added, "And people say we don't do enough for our fans. I've given you my leg damn it!! But I want it back now.
"Up until now, [I] never had a stitch, never broke a bone. Plus I had the team specialist for Boston Celtics Dr. Brian McKeon do the surgery. He's the best! Now I'm in sports rehab. And this is the guy that's gonna make me strong like bull again! Haha I'm Avatar baby! Watch me go."
Erna told BostonHerald.com last month that the band was heading back to the studio in January to mix a live disc and record a handful of cover songs that Erna says "inspired us along the way." A spring tour with fellow Massachusetts rockers STAIND also is on tap.
Erna's December 16 solo performance at The Wilbur Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts was professionally filmed for an upcoming 3D DVD release. The concert is also slated to air on Palladia, a cable music channel that ran a documentary about the making of his solo album "Avalon".
Released in September 2010, "Avalon" features flutes, cellos, hand drums and other exotic instrumentation, along with female vocals. Erna has emphasized that it is "not a rock record."
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/ernaknee1.jpg
Art Scenics recently conducted an interview with bassist Adam Duce of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD. You can now watch the chat below.
When asked about MACHINE HEAD's former touring mates METALLICA, Duce said, "METALLICA is a phenomenon. So many things have lined up perfectly for those guys, and it just exploded. They are so many miles beyond the closest one in the pack. There's METALLICA way out here and then there's everybody else way back here. We're way back here with everybody else. [Laughs] And they've been pretty bulletproof up until now. They could do whatever they wanted to and it was gonna sell because it had METALLICA's name on it, because METALLICA has consistently put out outstanding quality.
"I'm not a fan of the 'Lulu' thing [referring to METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed. — Ed.], but what I can say about it is that [METALLICA] do whatever they want, and they don't care what you think about it, and I think that's awesome. [Laughs]"
MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.
MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.
MACHINE HEAD's previous CD, "The Blackening", opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.
MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE and DARKEST HOUR.
When asked about MACHINE HEAD's former touring mates METALLICA, Duce said, "METALLICA is a phenomenon. So many things have lined up perfectly for those guys, and it just exploded. They are so many miles beyond the closest one in the pack. There's METALLICA way out here and then there's everybody else way back here. We're way back here with everybody else. [Laughs] And they've been pretty bulletproof up until now. They could do whatever they wanted to and it was gonna sell because it had METALLICA's name on it, because METALLICA has consistently put out outstanding quality.
"I'm not a fan of the 'Lulu' thing [referring to METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed. — Ed.], but what I can say about it is that [METALLICA] do whatever they want, and they don't care what you think about it, and I think that's awesome. [Laughs]"
MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.
MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.
MACHINE HEAD's previous CD, "The Blackening", opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.
MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE and DARKEST HOUR.
STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor, who recorded an album's worth of material with VELVET REVOLVER in late 2010 and early 2011, spoke to Roger Lotring of ESPN.com about what could have been had he been chosen to front VR as the permanent replacement for Scott Weiland.
VELVET REVOLVER has still not found a new singer following its April 2008 split with Weiland and is more or less on hiatus, although it will reunite with the current STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman for a short one-off performance at "Love You Madly: A Concert For John O'Brien" on Thursday, January 12 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California.
While the team-up of Taylor with VELVET REVOLVER never officially took off, VELVET guitarist Slash did confirm that the band got together with Taylor to jam and even record some new material.
When asked what would he have brought to the VELVET REVOLVER team, had he quarterbacked it, Taylor told ESPN.com, "What I would have brought to VELVET REVOLVER would have been more of the attitude that I think they wanted from Scott, but they got the negative side of it, you know what I'm saying? Scott, to me, has always been the guy who — he's much more interesting when he's being a dick to other people than he is onstage, to be honest. I mean, he does the lizard weird-thing-dance and everything, but that gets old after a while. When you need that strong frontman, he just really didn't do it because he was too busy just being into himself instead of engaging the audience."
Corey added, "So I would have tried to basically build a bridge between what [the members of VELVET REVOLVER] had with Axl [Rose during their time with GUNS N' ROSES] and what they had with Scott, but with a little more good time feel to it — 'cause I can have an attitude and still smile, all fucking day. I think, in a lot of ways, they could have relaxed a little bit, knowing that they wouldn't have to worry about, What's the singer going to do? Are we going to be able to go onstage on time? Are we going to be able to play our show without a fit being thrown? Are we going to be able to play the songs the way they were written?
"I am a firm believer in, give the fans what they want. Do what you do, but give the fans what they want. They're the whole reason that you are where you are, and they deserve every fucking bit that you can give them."
The Pulse Of Radio asked Taylor what he and VELVET REVOLVER worked on at those rehearsal and recording sessions a year ago. "We did a bunch of stuff, you know," he said. "We did a bunch of stuff from the first album, we did a bunch of stuff that we had been kind of demoing back and forth and whatnot, seeing if it would work, you know, just like that, and it was a lot of fun, man. You know, we ended up writing a bunch of stuff as well and just kind of seeing what would happen in that creative sense, you know."
Slash admitted in a recent interview that he was the main reason why Taylor didn't get the frontman job, explaining, "It just didn't seem to fit right to me. And he's great, and I love Corey, but it didn't seem like the answer to the VELVET REVOLVER problem."
Taylor told a Canadian radio station after hearing of Slash's comments, "I guess it just wasn't working for him, which . . . He's Slash and he's entitled to have that, and I'm not gonna argue with him. But it was cool to just be able to get together and jam with those guys and I made some really cool friends."
VELVET REVOLVER has still not found a new singer following its April 2008 split with Weiland and is more or less on hiatus, although it will reunite with the current STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman for a short one-off performance at "Love You Madly: A Concert For John O'Brien" on Thursday, January 12 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California.
While the team-up of Taylor with VELVET REVOLVER never officially took off, VELVET guitarist Slash did confirm that the band got together with Taylor to jam and even record some new material.
When asked what would he have brought to the VELVET REVOLVER team, had he quarterbacked it, Taylor told ESPN.com, "What I would have brought to VELVET REVOLVER would have been more of the attitude that I think they wanted from Scott, but they got the negative side of it, you know what I'm saying? Scott, to me, has always been the guy who — he's much more interesting when he's being a dick to other people than he is onstage, to be honest. I mean, he does the lizard weird-thing-dance and everything, but that gets old after a while. When you need that strong frontman, he just really didn't do it because he was too busy just being into himself instead of engaging the audience."
Corey added, "So I would have tried to basically build a bridge between what [the members of VELVET REVOLVER] had with Axl [Rose during their time with GUNS N' ROSES] and what they had with Scott, but with a little more good time feel to it — 'cause I can have an attitude and still smile, all fucking day. I think, in a lot of ways, they could have relaxed a little bit, knowing that they wouldn't have to worry about, What's the singer going to do? Are we going to be able to go onstage on time? Are we going to be able to play our show without a fit being thrown? Are we going to be able to play the songs the way they were written?
"I am a firm believer in, give the fans what they want. Do what you do, but give the fans what they want. They're the whole reason that you are where you are, and they deserve every fucking bit that you can give them."
The Pulse Of Radio asked Taylor what he and VELVET REVOLVER worked on at those rehearsal and recording sessions a year ago. "We did a bunch of stuff, you know," he said. "We did a bunch of stuff from the first album, we did a bunch of stuff that we had been kind of demoing back and forth and whatnot, seeing if it would work, you know, just like that, and it was a lot of fun, man. You know, we ended up writing a bunch of stuff as well and just kind of seeing what would happen in that creative sense, you know."
Slash admitted in a recent interview that he was the main reason why Taylor didn't get the frontman job, explaining, "It just didn't seem to fit right to me. And he's great, and I love Corey, but it didn't seem like the answer to the VELVET REVOLVER problem."
Taylor told a Canadian radio station after hearing of Slash's comments, "I guess it just wasn't working for him, which . . . He's Slash and he's entitled to have that, and I'm not gonna argue with him. But it was cool to just be able to get together and jam with those guys and I made some really cool friends."
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada traditional metallers 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will release their fifth studio album, "Long Live Heavy Metal", on March 27 via Century Media Records. According to a press release, "fans can expect a blast of pure metal assured to leave no face unmelted."
"'Long Live Heavy Metal' is the fifth chapter in the book of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, and we couldn't be more pleased and proud of our new onslaught of honest heavy metal," says guitarist Justin Hagberg.
For "Long Live Heavy Metal", 3 INCHES OF BLOOD reunited with producer and engineer Terry "Sho" Murray (CITY OF FIRE, EXHIBITIONISTS), who worked with the band on their seven-inch single, "Anthems For The Victorious".
"When a band is releasing a new record, they often speak about it being their most important work or best album to date," explains vocalist Cam Pipes. "Regardless of how clichéd either statement may sound, I think we would say both apply to this album. All of us have a special feeling about this one. We're more committed than ever to the cause of real, honest, no-bullshit heavy metal. No trends, no fucking around!"
In an interview with RockStarWeekly.com, guitarist Shane Clark stated about 3 INCHES OF BLOOD's new material, "I think the vibe will be a little more aggressive than the last one. A little heavier. We don't like repeating ourselves. We explored a lot of our more '70s hard rock and metal influences on the last one. We'll try stuff and see how it sounds, but it probably won't have that overt element to it."
Regarding the band's forthcoming DVD, Shane said, "We've been working on this all year. It started when we did our last headlining show here at the Rickshaw [in Vancouver]. So we got footage from that show and a few other shows in town. We did a show with ALEXISONFIRE at the PNE Forum, we filmed a house party that we did in town, and we did a surprise show at the Astoria. It's really going to be a bit more of a documentary, as well as performance. What we wanted to do was have footage from different types of shows. It's really just something for the fans, and something for us to document."
Beginning March 16, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will head out on the "Metal Alliance Tour 2012" alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED.
"'Long Live Heavy Metal' is the fifth chapter in the book of 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, and we couldn't be more pleased and proud of our new onslaught of honest heavy metal," says guitarist Justin Hagberg.
For "Long Live Heavy Metal", 3 INCHES OF BLOOD reunited with producer and engineer Terry "Sho" Murray (CITY OF FIRE, EXHIBITIONISTS), who worked with the band on their seven-inch single, "Anthems For The Victorious".
"When a band is releasing a new record, they often speak about it being their most important work or best album to date," explains vocalist Cam Pipes. "Regardless of how clichéd either statement may sound, I think we would say both apply to this album. All of us have a special feeling about this one. We're more committed than ever to the cause of real, honest, no-bullshit heavy metal. No trends, no fucking around!"
In an interview with RockStarWeekly.com, guitarist Shane Clark stated about 3 INCHES OF BLOOD's new material, "I think the vibe will be a little more aggressive than the last one. A little heavier. We don't like repeating ourselves. We explored a lot of our more '70s hard rock and metal influences on the last one. We'll try stuff and see how it sounds, but it probably won't have that overt element to it."
Regarding the band's forthcoming DVD, Shane said, "We've been working on this all year. It started when we did our last headlining show here at the Rickshaw [in Vancouver]. So we got footage from that show and a few other shows in town. We did a show with ALEXISONFIRE at the PNE Forum, we filmed a house party that we did in town, and we did a surprise show at the Astoria. It's really going to be a bit more of a documentary, as well as performance. What we wanted to do was have footage from different types of shows. It's really just something for the fans, and something for us to document."
Beginning March 16, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD will head out on the "Metal Alliance Tour 2012" alongside DEVILDRIVER, THE FACELESS, DYING FETUS, JOB FOR A COWBOY, IMPENDING DOOM and WRETCHED.
"Unisonic", the first video from UNISONIC — the band featuring former HELLOWEEN vocalist Michael Kiske and Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY, ex-HELLOWEEN) alongside Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums) of Germany's PINK CREAM 69 and Swiss guitarist Mandy Meyer (who has previously played with ASIA, GOTTHARD and KROKUS) — will make its online debut this Thursday, January 12 at 6 p.m. CET at www.youtube.com/earmusicofficial. According to a press release, the clip, which was directed by photographer/director Martin Hausler (MEAT LOAF, GOTTHARD, HELLOWEEN, MOTÖRHEAD) "shows a powerful band performance at a magnificent ballroom in Heidelberg, Germany."
UNISONIC will release its debut EP, "Ignition" on January 27 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will include the track "Unisonic" plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", recorded live on October 15 at this year's edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
The "Ignition" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a stream of the song "Unisonic".
A full-length UNISONIC album will be made available in March.
Zafiriou previously stated about the band's decision to sign with earMUSIC/Edel: "We had several promising labels being interested in UNISONIC, but the enthusiasm of Max Vaccaro and his team convinced us that earMUSIC is the right company for us."
After the addition of Hansen to the group's lineup in early 2011, UNISONIC continued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai's talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.
UNISONIC's music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers' previous projects.
Commented Kiske: "It feels great to finally bring the band to the studio and record the songs we've been working on. We took our time to grow as a band, but it was definitely worth it and we are very proud of the result."
Added bassist/producer Ward: "We have a bunch of very strong songs and can't wait until people can hear them. Everyone in the band is now looking even more positive into the future."
Regarding Hansen's addition to UNISONIC, Kiske previously said, "After so many years of abstinence, I had a lot of fun doing my first live shows with UNISONIC in summer 2010, so I agreed to do the short world tour with AVANTASIA. It was a great experience to be on stage with all those great artists, but with Kai it was something different: We instantly felt the magic again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage. We both realized that we want to be together in band again. He was interested in the open musical concept of UNISONIC and finally asked me if he can join the band. I talked to my bandmates and they all felt great about it. His talent as a guitarist and songwriter is an enrichment for the band and we are looking forward to his contribution for the music of UNISONIC."
Kai Hansen's position in GAMMA RAY will be unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.
UNISONIC is:
Michael Kiske (vocals)
Mandy Meyer (guitar)
Kai Hansen (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass)
Kosta Zafiriou (drums)
Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, Kiske participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.
While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project five years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.
Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: "Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward's skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again."
UNISONIC will release its debut EP, "Ignition" on January 27 via earMUSIC/Edel. The effort will include the track "Unisonic" plus one demo song and a cover version of the HELLOWEEN classic "I Want Out", recorded live on October 15 at this year's edition of the Loud Park festival at Saitama Super Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Saitama City, Japan.
The "Ignition" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a stream of the song "Unisonic".
A full-length UNISONIC album will be made available in March.
Zafiriou previously stated about the band's decision to sign with earMUSIC/Edel: "We had several promising labels being interested in UNISONIC, but the enthusiasm of Max Vaccaro and his team convinced us that earMUSIC is the right company for us."
After the addition of Hansen to the group's lineup in early 2011, UNISONIC continued the songwriting process for its debut release, incorporating Kai's talent for writing great anthemic rock songs into its existing material. The recordings for the album started at end of September at ICP studios in Brussels, Belgium.
UNISONIC's music is very versatile and shows a broad approach to heavy rock without sacrificing the power and strong, catchy melodies that characterized the bandmembers' previous projects.
Commented Kiske: "It feels great to finally bring the band to the studio and record the songs we've been working on. We took our time to grow as a band, but it was definitely worth it and we are very proud of the result."
Added bassist/producer Ward: "We have a bunch of very strong songs and can't wait until people can hear them. Everyone in the band is now looking even more positive into the future."
Regarding Hansen's addition to UNISONIC, Kiske previously said, "After so many years of abstinence, I had a lot of fun doing my first live shows with UNISONIC in summer 2010, so I agreed to do the short world tour with AVANTASIA. It was a great experience to be on stage with all those great artists, but with Kai it was something different: We instantly felt the magic again and had a lot of fun together on and off stage. We both realized that we want to be together in band again. He was interested in the open musical concept of UNISONIC and finally asked me if he can join the band. I talked to my bandmates and they all felt great about it. His talent as a guitarist and songwriter is an enrichment for the band and we are looking forward to his contribution for the music of UNISONIC."
Kai Hansen's position in GAMMA RAY will be unaffected by his involvement with UNISONIC.
UNISONIC is:
Michael Kiske (vocals)
Mandy Meyer (guitar)
Kai Hansen (guitar)
Dennis Ward (bass)
Kosta Zafiriou (drums)
Having split with HELLOWEEN in late 1993, Kiske participated in various projects and released several solo albums but had not been part of a real group effort until now.
While collaborating with Ward and Zafiriou on the PLACE VENDOME project five years ago, Kiske found two musical soulmates. They ended up recording two PLACE VENDOME albums before deciding to join forces in a new brand new band. Ward, who had previously produced a record for KROKUS, suggested Meyer as the perfect addition to the group in the vacant guitarist slot.
Kiske, one of the finest and most unique voices in contemporary rock music, explains his motivation of becoming a part of a band again: "Since the PLACE VENDOME productions I was impressed by Dennis Ward's skills as a songwriter and producer. We were occasionally fooling around since then via email that we should do more together in the future, so the idea came up to do a new band. I was generally getting a bit tired of doing everything on my own for so many years, so it just felt like the right thing to do now. We can all only benefit from working together. No matter how good you are solo, four people will always be better than one, I think, if they manage to function together. And a real band is also a very good reason to finally go on tour again."
American melodic metallers KAMELOT will kick off their next European headlining tour in November in The Netherlands.
KAMELOT's recently completed North American, South American and European tours featured guest singer Fabio Lione of RHAPSODY OF FIRE following the departure of KAMELOT's longtime frontman, Roy Khan.
KAMELOT is now busy working on new songs and continuing to review audition videos from potential new singes.
"We are getting real close to making a choice," states KAMELOT bassist Sean Tibbetts.
"There are some amazingly talented singers out there.
"We are taking our time on this.
"The vocals for the new album will be done last, like always. So there is no rush to make the decision now."
KAMELOT will return to Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany later this month with Sascha Paeth producing, to begin recording its new album. The production is expected to be several months long and will include special guests, orchestra arrangements and much more.
"The new songs are really coming along great — lots of variation, melody and energy," says Youngblood.
Lione stated in a 2011 interview that he would "would love" to join KAMELOT permanently. He said, "The KAMELOT songs are great, I really like the style and Khan is probably one of the few singers that I like. So, of course, I would consider that!!! But first let's do the North American [tour]. Then if they will ask me, I'll be more than happy to join the band permanently."
He added, "Since the first time we met and played together, we had a very good feeling. Everything was easy and natural like we knew each other for years and everybody who saw the band in South America or Europe said we did great shows. I'm happy for the guys and the fans, so let's see what the future will bring for us. Never say never."
"Necropolis", the new video from KAMELOT, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Poetry For The Poisoned", which sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via the group's own label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings), and in Europe on September 10 through earMUSIC/Edel. Marquee/Avalon Records made the CD available in Japan.
Commented KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood: "With this video, we gave [director] Owe [Lingvall of Village Road Film] free rein to create something unique and visually stunning. Him and his team did a fantastic job! Here you have 'Necropolis'!"
KAMELOT's recently completed North American, South American and European tours featured guest singer Fabio Lione of RHAPSODY OF FIRE following the departure of KAMELOT's longtime frontman, Roy Khan.
KAMELOT is now busy working on new songs and continuing to review audition videos from potential new singes.
"We are getting real close to making a choice," states KAMELOT bassist Sean Tibbetts.
"There are some amazingly talented singers out there.
"We are taking our time on this.
"The vocals for the new album will be done last, like always. So there is no rush to make the decision now."
KAMELOT will return to Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany later this month with Sascha Paeth producing, to begin recording its new album. The production is expected to be several months long and will include special guests, orchestra arrangements and much more.
"The new songs are really coming along great — lots of variation, melody and energy," says Youngblood.
Lione stated in a 2011 interview that he would "would love" to join KAMELOT permanently. He said, "The KAMELOT songs are great, I really like the style and Khan is probably one of the few singers that I like. So, of course, I would consider that!!! But first let's do the North American [tour]. Then if they will ask me, I'll be more than happy to join the band permanently."
He added, "Since the first time we met and played together, we had a very good feeling. Everything was easy and natural like we knew each other for years and everybody who saw the band in South America or Europe said we did great shows. I'm happy for the guys and the fans, so let's see what the future will bring for us. Never say never."
"Necropolis", the new video from KAMELOT, can be seen below. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Poetry For The Poisoned", which sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD was released in North America on September 14, 2010 via the group's own label, Kamelot Media Group (KMG Recordings), and in Europe on September 10 through earMUSIC/Edel. Marquee/Avalon Records made the CD available in Japan.
Commented KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood: "With this video, we gave [director] Owe [Lingvall of Village Road Film] free rein to create something unique and visually stunning. Him and his team did a fantastic job! Here you have 'Necropolis'!"
California sludge metallers BLACK SHEEP WALL will release their sophomore album, "No Matter Where It Ends", in Europe on March 23 via Season Of Mist. A North American release date for the effort has not yet been announced.
Shortly after signing its deal with Season Of Mist last spring, BLACK SHEEP WALL said in a statement, "If you were to tell us seven years ago when we started playing heavy music in our parents' garages that we would one day be sharing a label with bands we listened to and idolized, such as MAYHEM, MORBID ANGEL, KYLESA, and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, we probably would not have believed you. Fast-forward to 2011 and here we are announcing a partnership with Season Of Mist for the next BLACK SHEEP WALL record. We are excited and honored to be part of one of the leading labels in heavy music and look forward to making all kinds of exciting things happen with Season Of Mist."
Shortly after signing its deal with Season Of Mist last spring, BLACK SHEEP WALL said in a statement, "If you were to tell us seven years ago when we started playing heavy music in our parents' garages that we would one day be sharing a label with bands we listened to and idolized, such as MAYHEM, MORBID ANGEL, KYLESA, and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, we probably would not have believed you. Fast-forward to 2011 and here we are announcing a partnership with Season Of Mist for the next BLACK SHEEP WALL record. We are excited and honored to be part of one of the leading labels in heavy music and look forward to making all kinds of exciting things happen with Season Of Mist."
The European release date of "III", the third album from the Marseille, France-based female-fronted metalcore band ETHS, has been pushed back to April 6 from the previously announced March 2 (via Season Of Mist). The new North American release date has not yet been announced.
"III" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK and BRING ME THE HORIZON, among others.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Voragine
02. Harmaguedon
03. Adonaï
04. Gravis Venter
05. Inanis Venter
06. Sidus
07. Proserpina
08. Hercolubus
09. Praedator
10. Anatemnein
On February 24, ETHS fans living in the south of France will have the opportunity to meet the band and purchase "III" before everybody else during a special evening at the Maison Hantée in Marseilles, France.
The band recently filmed a video for one of the songs from the new CD.
ETHS has announced the first leg of its upcoming tour in support of "III". Joining the band on most of the dates inMarch, April and May 2012 will be fellow French metallers KELLS, who will release their new album, "Anachromie", on January 20.
As previously reported, ETHS was recently rejoined by the band's original drummer, Guillaume Dupré.
ETHS' sophomore album, "Tératologie", was released in France in October 2007 and was made available in other parts of Europe in April 2008 via Season of Mist. The band's sound is described in a press release as "dark and powerful metal with tortured atmospheres, led by charismatic female singer Candice Clot, who with her amazing voice sings, talks, whispers and growls."
"III" was recorded at Studio Fredman in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer Fredrik Nordström, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, SOILWORK and BRING ME THE HORIZON, among others.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Voragine
02. Harmaguedon
03. Adonaï
04. Gravis Venter
05. Inanis Venter
06. Sidus
07. Proserpina
08. Hercolubus
09. Praedator
10. Anatemnein
On February 24, ETHS fans living in the south of France will have the opportunity to meet the band and purchase "III" before everybody else during a special evening at the Maison Hantée in Marseilles, France.
The band recently filmed a video for one of the songs from the new CD.
ETHS has announced the first leg of its upcoming tour in support of "III". Joining the band on most of the dates inMarch, April and May 2012 will be fellow French metallers KELLS, who will release their new album, "Anachromie", on January 20.
As previously reported, ETHS was recently rejoined by the band's original drummer, Guillaume Dupré.
ETHS' sophomore album, "Tératologie", was released in France in October 2007 and was made available in other parts of Europe in April 2008 via Season of Mist. The band's sound is described in a press release as "dark and powerful metal with tortured atmospheres, led by charismatic female singer Candice Clot, who with her amazing voice sings, talks, whispers and growls."
New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD are teaming up with Revolver magazine and Repudo to blaze yet another trail and give away their new album, "Reborn In Defiance", in its entirety "for free" to all fans in the United States starting January 20.
The first such promotion ever launched, the record will be available for free download off Revolver magazine's web site, RevolverMag.com, as well as through the technology offered by Repudo.com. Fans can check into BIOHAZARD "Containment Zones" (record stores, venues, and more) across the United States using the Repudo app on their smart phones and download the new record directly to their phones or send it to their email inbox. A full map of the "Containment Zones" will be available soon.
For fans who still want a physical copy of "Reborn In Defiance", CDs will be made available for sale in conjunction with "Record Store Day" in April and will include exclusive additional content.
"When we started, we followed our hearts and innovated a new direction for heavy music, and today we're doing the same." says BIOHAZARD vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei. "Technology has allowed us to find a new way to not only reach out to fans but also to thank them for their support all these years. Grab our album for free and we'll see you on tour!"
"Reborn In Defiance" will be released in Europe on January 20 via Nuclear Blast.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. 9:IIIX6.941
02. Vengeance Is Mine
03. Decay
04. Reborn
05. Killing Me
06. Countdown Doom
07. Come Alive
08. Vows Of Redemption
09. Waste Away
10. You Were Wrong
11. Skullcrusher
12. Never Give In
13. Season The Sky
Audio samples of the entire "Reborn In Defiance" album can be found on the NuclearBlast.de web site.
Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.
Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.
The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.
BIOHAZARD has sold over five million albums worldwide since its formation in the late Eighties in Brooklyn, New York. They achieved international success with their albums "Urban Discipline" on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's "State of the World Address" on Warner Brothers. Over the years, BIOHAZARD has collaborated with ONYX, CYPRESS HILL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, PANTERA, and TYPE O NEGATIVE, among others. The band has continued to tour nationally and internationally, sharing stages with HOUSE OF PAIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLAYER, DANZIG, FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and AGNOSTIC FRONT.
The first such promotion ever launched, the record will be available for free download off Revolver magazine's web site, RevolverMag.com, as well as through the technology offered by Repudo.com. Fans can check into BIOHAZARD "Containment Zones" (record stores, venues, and more) across the United States using the Repudo app on their smart phones and download the new record directly to their phones or send it to their email inbox. A full map of the "Containment Zones" will be available soon.
For fans who still want a physical copy of "Reborn In Defiance", CDs will be made available for sale in conjunction with "Record Store Day" in April and will include exclusive additional content.
"When we started, we followed our hearts and innovated a new direction for heavy music, and today we're doing the same." says BIOHAZARD vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei. "Technology has allowed us to find a new way to not only reach out to fans but also to thank them for their support all these years. Grab our album for free and we'll see you on tour!"
"Reborn In Defiance" will be released in Europe on January 20 via Nuclear Blast.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. 9:IIIX6.941
02. Vengeance Is Mine
03. Decay
04. Reborn
05. Killing Me
06. Countdown Doom
07. Come Alive
08. Vows Of Redemption
09. Waste Away
10. You Were Wrong
11. Skullcrusher
12. Never Give In
13. Season The Sky
Audio samples of the entire "Reborn In Defiance" album can be found on the NuclearBlast.de web site.
Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.
Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.
The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.
BIOHAZARD has sold over five million albums worldwide since its formation in the late Eighties in Brooklyn, New York. They achieved international success with their albums "Urban Discipline" on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's "State of the World Address" on Warner Brothers. Over the years, BIOHAZARD has collaborated with ONYX, CYPRESS HILL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, PANTERA, and TYPE O NEGATIVE, among others. The band has continued to tour nationally and internationally, sharing stages with HOUSE OF PAIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLAYER, DANZIG, FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and AGNOSTIC FRONT.
Montreal's monsters of tech-death mayhem BENEATH THE MASSACRE will release their new album, "Incongruous", in the U.S. on February 14, in the U.K. on February 20, in mainland Europe on February 24 and in Canada on February 28 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was produced and mixed by Chris Donaldson (CRYPTOPSY) and mastered by Alan Douches (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, CONVERGE).
"Incongruous" track listing:
01. Symptoms
02. Hunted
03. Left Hand
04. Hopes
05. It
06. Light
07. Incongruous
08. Pedestal
09. Grief
10. Damages
11. Unheard
Two songs from the album, "Symptoms" and "Left Hand", can be streamed below.
BENEATH THE MASSACRE will take part in Europe's "Bonecrusher Fest" tour in February and March alongside CARNIFEX, WITHIN THE RUINS, MOLOTOV SOLUTION and BETRAYING THE MARTYRS.
BENEATH THE MASSACRE's "Marée Noire" EP was released in mid-2010.
The band's last album, "Dystopia", came out in 2008. Since then, the group has toured extensively throughout North America (including Summer Slaughter Canada 2008 and Sumer Slaughter 2009) and Europe.
In 2009, BENEATH THE MASSACRE was nominated for in the for "Best Underground Band" category at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.
"Incongruous" track listing:
01. Symptoms
02. Hunted
03. Left Hand
04. Hopes
05. It
06. Light
07. Incongruous
08. Pedestal
09. Grief
10. Damages
11. Unheard
Two songs from the album, "Symptoms" and "Left Hand", can be streamed below.
BENEATH THE MASSACRE will take part in Europe's "Bonecrusher Fest" tour in February and March alongside CARNIFEX, WITHIN THE RUINS, MOLOTOV SOLUTION and BETRAYING THE MARTYRS.
BENEATH THE MASSACRE's "Marée Noire" EP was released in mid-2010.
The band's last album, "Dystopia", came out in 2008. Since then, the group has toured extensively throughout North America (including Summer Slaughter Canada 2008 and Sumer Slaughter 2009) and Europe.
In 2009, BENEATH THE MASSACRE was nominated for in the for "Best Underground Band" category at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards.
Finnish progressive death metallers BARREN EARTH will release their sophomore full-length album, "The Devil's Resolve", in North America on March 13 via Peaceville Records. The effort will be made available on CD and vinyl, with artwork provided by notable U.S.-based artist Paul Romano (MASTODON).
Mixed by Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Unisound in Sweden, "The Devil's Resolve" continues with all the trademarks one has come to associate with BARREN EARTH: brutal riffs, gloomy growls, majestic melodies, as well as acoustic and progressive passages. But this time the band has delved even deeper, taking this sophomore effort to the extremes through musical landscapes encompassing brutal death metal, doomy vocals, trippy 70's prog lunacy, pastoral passages and even bagpipes.
"The Devil's Resolve" track listing:
01. Passing Of The Crimson Shadows
02. The Rains Begin
03. Vintage Warlords
04. As It Is Written
05. The Dead Exiles
06. Oriental Pyre
07. White Field
08. Where All Stories End
09. Martyrs of Devotion (special edition)
10. World in Haze (special edition)
BARREN EARTH is:
Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN) - Vocals
Olli-Pekka Laine (ex-AMORPHIS, MANNHAI) - Bass
Kasper Mårtenson (ex-AMORPHIS, BEN GRANFELT BAND) - Keyboards
Janne Perttilä (RYTMIHÄIRIÖ) - Guitar
Marko Tarvonen (MOONSORROW) - Drums
Sami Ylisirniö (KREATOR, WALTARI) - Guitar
Mixed by Dan Swanö (OPETH, KATATONIA) at Unisound in Sweden, "The Devil's Resolve" continues with all the trademarks one has come to associate with BARREN EARTH: brutal riffs, gloomy growls, majestic melodies, as well as acoustic and progressive passages. But this time the band has delved even deeper, taking this sophomore effort to the extremes through musical landscapes encompassing brutal death metal, doomy vocals, trippy 70's prog lunacy, pastoral passages and even bagpipes.
"The Devil's Resolve" track listing:
01. Passing Of The Crimson Shadows
02. The Rains Begin
03. Vintage Warlords
04. As It Is Written
05. The Dead Exiles
06. Oriental Pyre
07. White Field
08. Where All Stories End
09. Martyrs of Devotion (special edition)
10. World in Haze (special edition)
BARREN EARTH is:
Mikko Kotamäki (SWALLOW THE SUN) - Vocals
Olli-Pekka Laine (ex-AMORPHIS, MANNHAI) - Bass
Kasper Mårtenson (ex-AMORPHIS, BEN GRANFELT BAND) - Keyboards
Janne Perttilä (RYTMIHÄIRIÖ) - Guitar
Marko Tarvonen (MOONSORROW) - Drums
Sami Ylisirniö (KREATOR, WALTARI) - Guitar
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/barrenearthdevil.jpg
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