BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler has issued an update on the recording sessions for original SABBATH lineup's first album together in 33 years.
SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, it was revealed earlier this month. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system. According to a statement issued by his publicist, the 63-year-old metal legend is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan and remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.
In a brand new post on his official web site, Butler writes, "Today [January 19th] we got the engines back up and running at Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump — it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings; it has been great working on this stuff.
He adds, "I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band — it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world.
"SABB fans are good people. Time and again, you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavour.
"Thanks, love, peace."
SABBATH's new album, which is being produced by Rick Rubin, is set for release this fall. SABBATH is scheduled to embark on a world tour this summer, although Iommi's illness could affect those plans.
Iommi's bandmate in SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer in May 2010 at the age of 67.
SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with the early stages of lymphoma, it was revealed earlier this month. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphocytes, a type of cell that forms part of the immune system. According to a statement issued by his publicist, the 63-year-old metal legend is currently working with his doctors to establish the best treatment plan and remains upbeat and determined to make a full and successful recovery.
In a brand new post on his official web site, Butler writes, "Today [January 19th] we got the engines back up and running at Tony's home studio. Far from being down and depressed about his lymphoma diagnosis, Tony had already written the music for two new songs, and I must say it has given us all a kick up the rump — it's great to hear him churning out those riffs again, assuaging the Demon C. Takes more than that to stop Tony. Can't wait for you all to hear our workings; it has been great working on this stuff.
He adds, "I want to thank the lovely encouraging emails sent to this site giving Tony love and encouragement and great vibes. It really does help, not only Tony, but us as a band — it raises up our spirits and restores our faith in this tarnished world.
"SABB fans are good people. Time and again, you have proven your faith in us and boosted our endeavour.
"Thanks, love, peace."
SABBATH's new album, which is being produced by Rick Rubin, is set for release this fall. SABBATH is scheduled to embark on a world tour this summer, although Iommi's illness could affect those plans.
Iommi's bandmate in SABBATH and HEAVEN & HELL, legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio, died of stomach cancer in May 2010 at the age of 67.
According to The Wall Street Journal, AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler has purchased a home on Hawaii's Maui for $4.8 million. It was listed for $6.5 million.
The 3,000-square-foot home, which rests on a quarter acre of land, has two bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. Located on the water in a nature preserve area near Wailea, the pentagonal home has several outdoor decks overlooking the coastline. There's also a floor-to-ceiling aquarium and an infinity-edge saltwater pool.
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".
Tyler said at a recent 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 began with its two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 18.
The 3,000-square-foot home, which rests on a quarter acre of land, has two bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms. Located on the water in a nature preserve area near Wailea, the pentagonal home has several outdoor decks overlooking the coastline. There's also a floor-to-ceiling aquarium and an infinity-edge saltwater pool.
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".
Tyler said at a recent 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 began with its two-night premiere on Wednesday, January 18.
AEROSMITH frontman Steven Tyler and Carrie Underwood will team up for a special episode of "CMT Crossroads", which pairs country music stars with popular artists from other genres — pop, rock, R&B — to play together, swap stories, and share their common love of music.
"CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood Live From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam" will air Saturday, February 4 — the night before the Super Bowl.
This is the second year "CMT Crossroads" will broadcast from the Super Bowl Fan Jam.
Previous episodes of "Crossroads" have included DEF LEPPARD and Taylor Swift; BON JOVI and SUGARLAND; and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
"CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood Live From the Pepsi Super Bowl Fan Jam" will air Saturday, February 4 — the night before the Super Bowl.
This is the second year "CMT Crossroads" will broadcast from the Super Bowl Fan Jam.
Previous episodes of "Crossroads" have included DEF LEPPARD and Taylor Swift; BON JOVI and SUGARLAND; and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler will take part in the Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp May 2-6 at the world-famous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, California.
Fresh from AEROSMITH's world tour and the judging table at "American Idol", he's ready to rock with you at Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp. Jam with Tyler and join him onstage at the one and only Playboy Mansion. You'll be able to write and record an original song at a world-class recording studio with LED ZEPPELIN and THE BEATLES producer Eddie Kramer, and take home a professionally produced DVD and mp3 of your final performance.
Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp was founded by David Fishof in 1997 as the ultimate music experience for the amateur or aficionado, pairing music lovers of all levels together with rock icons for a first-hand immersion in the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Camp attendees move from spectator to band member, sharing the stage — and limelight — with rock legends for an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For more information, visit RockCamp.com.
Fresh from AEROSMITH's world tour and the judging table at "American Idol", he's ready to rock with you at Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp. Jam with Tyler and join him onstage at the one and only Playboy Mansion. You'll be able to write and record an original song at a world-class recording studio with LED ZEPPELIN and THE BEATLES producer Eddie Kramer, and take home a professionally produced DVD and mp3 of your final performance.
Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp was founded by David Fishof in 1997 as the ultimate music experience for the amateur or aficionado, pairing music lovers of all levels together with rock icons for a first-hand immersion in the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. Camp attendees move from spectator to band member, sharing the stage — and limelight — with rock legends for an once-in-a-lifetime experience.
For more information, visit RockCamp.com.
KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley celebrates his 60th birthday today (Friday, January 20).
KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has posted the following birthday greetings from Paul's bandmates:
Gene Simmons: "Paul, my very best wishes on your birthday. You're the brother I never had. You've always been there. For me. For the band. For the fans."
Tommy Thayer: "Happy birthday, Paul! You're a great friend & a brother in arms... We just made a kick-ass album together and had a great time doing it. You are THE rock & roll champion! Happy 60th!!
Eric Singer: "Paul Stanley, Happy Birthday to the Grand Master of Ceremonies! You're still the best and I wish you only better days ahead..."
Paul Stanley (real name Stanley Harvey Eisen) was born January 20, 1952 in New York City.
KISS' official web site, KissOnline.com, has posted the following birthday greetings from Paul's bandmates:
Gene Simmons: "Paul, my very best wishes on your birthday. You're the brother I never had. You've always been there. For me. For the band. For the fans."
Tommy Thayer: "Happy birthday, Paul! You're a great friend & a brother in arms... We just made a kick-ass album together and had a great time doing it. You are THE rock & roll champion! Happy 60th!!
Eric Singer: "Paul Stanley, Happy Birthday to the Grand Master of Ceremonies! You're still the best and I wish you only better days ahead..."
Paul Stanley (real name Stanley Harvey Eisen) was born January 20, 1952 in New York City.
VELVET REVOLVER drummer Matt Sorum has shot down rumors that the band is planning to record a new album with Scott Weiland after the musicians reunited for a short set at a West Hollywood club earlier in the month.
During an online chat with fans at the Musicians Inquiry web site, Sorum answered "no" when asked if Scott was officially back in VELVET REVOLVER. The drummer, however, didn't rule out the possibility of recording new music with the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer, saying "you never know" in response to a question about whether VELVET REVOLVER may one day make another album with Scott. He added, "Scott is a great frontman; it's just hard to be on the road sometimes when things don't flow."
VELVET REVOLVER parted ways with Weiland in April 2008 after recording two albums with the singer. The band has still not found a replacement vocalist and is more or less on hiatus, although it was recently revealed that the group recorded an album's worth of material with STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor.
When asked if VELVET REVOLVER was still looking for a new singer, Sorum stated during the Musicians Inquiry chat, "Yes," before adding, "We are trying out a guy from England now."
VELVET REVOLVER's four-song January 12 performance with Scott Weiland at the "Love You Madly: A Concert For John O'Brien" event at the House Of Blues paid tribute to award-winning ASCAP composer John O'Brien, who was found dead in his Chicago hotel room last August.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Sucker Train Blues
02. She Builds Quick Machines
03. Slither
04. Wish You Were Here (PINK FLOYD cover)
During an online chat with fans at the Musicians Inquiry web site, Sorum answered "no" when asked if Scott was officially back in VELVET REVOLVER. The drummer, however, didn't rule out the possibility of recording new music with the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS singer, saying "you never know" in response to a question about whether VELVET REVOLVER may one day make another album with Scott. He added, "Scott is a great frontman; it's just hard to be on the road sometimes when things don't flow."
VELVET REVOLVER parted ways with Weiland in April 2008 after recording two albums with the singer. The band has still not found a replacement vocalist and is more or less on hiatus, although it was recently revealed that the group recorded an album's worth of material with STONE SOUR and SLIPKNOT frontman Corey Taylor.
When asked if VELVET REVOLVER was still looking for a new singer, Sorum stated during the Musicians Inquiry chat, "Yes," before adding, "We are trying out a guy from England now."
VELVET REVOLVER's four-song January 12 performance with Scott Weiland at the "Love You Madly: A Concert For John O'Brien" event at the House Of Blues paid tribute to award-winning ASCAP composer John O'Brien, who was found dead in his Chicago hotel room last August.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Sucker Train Blues
02. She Builds Quick Machines
03. Slither
04. Wish You Were Here (PINK FLOYD cover)
According to Deadline.com, Anchor Bay has picked up rights to "Nothing To Fear", the horror movie co-produced by Slash through the former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist's horror film production company Slasher Films. Anthony Leonardi III, a creature artist and storyboard artist who worked on "Rango" and the upcoming "47 Ronin", is directing the movie, which will begin shooting next month in Louisiana.
"Nothing To Fear" is based on an actual town in Kansas, which, according to legend, is one of the seven gateways to Hell.
"Anchor Bay is thrilled to be working with the Slasher Films team," said Kevin Kasha, EVP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Anchor Bay Films. "We knew we wanted to work with Slash when he announced the formation of the label back in September at Toronto, and after having read this script, we are even more excited."
Added Slash: "Anthony Leonardi's vision of this story is exceptionally unnerving and dark. It will keep you totally engaged from the first second of the film to the last. It's guaranteed to scare the hell out of you."
The company has three other films in development, including "Wake The Dead", which based on the graphic novels by Steven Niles, with Haley Joel Osment playing Victor Franklin, a college student experimenting with reversing death.
Slash described "Wake The Dead" in an interview as "basically a modern, young Frankenstein story about a brilliant college student who's discovered how to animate dead tissue — but he's a teenager so he goes overboard."
"Nothing To Fear" is based on an actual town in Kansas, which, according to legend, is one of the seven gateways to Hell.
"Anchor Bay is thrilled to be working with the Slasher Films team," said Kevin Kasha, EVP Acquisitions and Co-Productions at Anchor Bay Films. "We knew we wanted to work with Slash when he announced the formation of the label back in September at Toronto, and after having read this script, we are even more excited."
Added Slash: "Anthony Leonardi's vision of this story is exceptionally unnerving and dark. It will keep you totally engaged from the first second of the film to the last. It's guaranteed to scare the hell out of you."
The company has three other films in development, including "Wake The Dead", which based on the graphic novels by Steven Niles, with Haley Joel Osment playing Victor Franklin, a college student experimenting with reversing death.
Slash described "Wake The Dead" in an interview as "basically a modern, young Frankenstein story about a brilliant college student who's discovered how to animate dead tissue — but he's a teenager so he goes overboard."
Sitting in my usual chair, watching my usual a.m. updates on CNN's Headline News, Wednesday morning, I, like every other American tuned in to at least one form of media, was inundated with verbiage about anti-piracy legislation known as PIPA and SOPA.
The legislation's meant to combat theft of creative works like movies and music from overseas web sites. But when I turned to the Twitter and Facebook, I saw an overwhelming dog pile of support against the bills. Excuse me, but where were you all when piracy started to decimate the music industry? Why didn't you take a stand against that? Those free records felt good, huh?
The fury from the Internet class is that the broad language in the pieces of legislation will be bad for start-ups, might prevent the next YouTube, or give the government the ability to take down a whole site because of one link to copyrighted works. In short, they're opposed to the legislation because they think it will be bad for the Internet business.
Bad for business. Anti-piracy legislation could be bad for the Internet business. It almost takes my breath away. Internet piracy has claimed half of the recorded music business, and made the prospect of making a living as a musician harder for artists of all rank and file. Why didn't Google, or Facebook, or Wikipedia ever stand in solidarity with musicians, actors, and writers - most of whom have never known fame and fortune - as their works were stolen with no recourse on their sites?
Where are the "fans," the lovers of music? Why have they never stood up and taken a stand for the men and women in front of and behind the microphone? Yes, yes, this is all boring, right? It's typical that the "rich rock guy" would be spouting from his golden pulpit. But let me tell you something, the working stiffs at recording studios and record stores that have had to close thanks to rampant internet piracy never were rich, but they are out of a job.
Are people really actually pissed off because Wikipedia is going "black" for a day? Because people feel that their First Amendment rights are really being threatened? Or is it because they're afraid of losing free access to Deadwood and the Black Keys? Or are they worried that the next YouTube won't be able to build a business model off the unwitting investment of copyrighted material that users uploaded for free while investors and start-ups glibly proclaimed that they couldn't be responsible for actions users took? Wikipedia has thousands of volunteers and brags that they keep the site's content accurate. Why can't they regulate more rigorously for copyright violation, too? Too much of a bother?
Should the government be able to shut down Facebook because one user posts a link to copyrighted content? Of course not. But should Facebook and Google do a better job monitoring - and stop profiteering off- their users' access to illegal content? Absolutely. And, you know what, they're smart enough to figure it out.
When it comes to creative industries, we're not talking in the hypothetical. Recording studios all around the world have had to close. So have record stores. Movie studios have suffered. Many, many jobs have been lost. Many peoples' livelihoods have been affected. The people who make or who have made money from record sales are not the "bad guy," the pirater and the stealer are. Period. So, where's the public outcry?
As a practicing musician who has seen his industry turned upside down, and see how piracy has hurt every artist from chart-toppers to indie start-ups, this PIPA upheaval is a slap in the face.
If, as the claim goes, the social media masses were able to overturn the regime in Egypt, they can certainly turn the tide on Internet piracy.
SOME NEWS FROM MÖTLEY CRÜE WITH MICK MARS
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 at 11:50 am by Metal'O Phil
Sometimes interviewing the most discreet member of a band might be an interesting move. "He doesn't talk much, but it doesn't mean he doesn't think a lot", you might tell yourself, hoping to deal with a lively character who will show you another side of their band. Unfortunately, it doesn't work every time.
In the present case, Mick Mars, Mötley Crüe's guitarist, is neither the most talkative, nor the most committed of musicians when it comes to interviews. When we ask him the meaning or the reason behind the sudden re-release of the band's albums, his answer is a terse: "I don't know". He couldn't even tell us what the atmosphere's like during his own band's tours, since, on his own admission: "When I'm on tour, what I do is, I come in, I play, I leave". In this instance, we wanted to know more about the atmosphere during the shared Mötley Crüe/Poison tour, given that the relationships between the various members of the band were a little tense. Most notably, Nikki Sixx, bassist for the former, and Bret Michaels, vocalist for the latter, had violently bashed one another on Internet in the months leading up to the announcement of this shared tour.
But we'll forgive his answer to the next question, regarding Vince Neil's (the Crüe's singer) strong presence in the media in the past year, due to his legal setbacks and sometimes violent love affairs. "How are the other members of the band living this situation? Do they talk together about that? Aren't they a little upset about being associated with all those problems?" Mick Mars' answer: "No comment".
Nevertheless, we did manage to learn a few things regarding the band's future, as well as his own current affairs.
We started by commenting on a statement made by Tommy Lee, who considers that the time for studio albums is now over due to the evolution of the record industry. Mick Mars had this to say about it: "I would say it's back to the way it was in the sixties, singles, EPs and things like that. When you go on iTunes or whatever, you can see what's downloaded. A lot of bands ruin the other stuff… You would have to buy a whole record just to have one song. It's so much better and so much easier the way it was back in the sixties: you hear something like the Kinks' 'You Really Got Me', you would go out and just buy that, you know? Without having to have all the rest of the stuff." Despite this, Mötley Crüe will continue to release studio albums. The next one could be released "possibly in 2013".
We started by commenting on a statement made by Tommy Lee, who considers that the time for studio albums is now over due to the evolution of the record industry. Mick Mars had this to say about it: "I would say it's back to the way it was in the sixties, singles, EPs and things like that. When you go on iTunes or whatever, you can see what's downloaded. A lot of bands ruin the other stuff… You would have to buy a whole record just to have one song. It's so much better and so much easier the way it was back in the sixties: you hear something like the Kinks' 'You Really Got Me', you would go out and just buy that, you know? Without having to have all the rest of the stuff." Despite this, Mötley Crüe will continue to release studio albums. The next one could be released "possibly in 2013".
We also got a little update on his activities outside of Mötley Crüe. For the man is rather busy: "I've been working with a lot of people, like Crashdïet and James Durbin, of course, with Twiggy [Ramirez, Marilyn Manson's bassist]. Lots of different people. Terry Bozzio as well. That takes us back a little bit! [laughs] That sort of things. Trying to play a lot of different things with a lot of different people, in a lot of different styles, approaches of their music not to break away, but to expand on what I already know. I know how to play guitar, but I want to know even more different styles. I've been playing weird stuff, like flamenco or Hispanic music, on guitar solos, when I had to do that, like finger picking or Gipsy kind of style. I'm trying to expand on that. Even though I'm an old geezer, it doesn't mean I can't still learn! [laughs]"
Regarding his participation to former American Idol contestant James Durbin's album, he declares, in a more detailed way: "I think he has a very good chance of making it, like big time. But he has to persist and to keep listening to what's going on. I think he's pretty hip to what's going on, as far as current music and stuff like that goes. Actually, I think his next album will be harder that this one". With such a career as his, does being involved in a young artist's first album make if him young again, if only during the recording? "Ah, no, I still feel like I'm as old as I am! [laughs]" It was also a good opportunity to compare the working methods from the two eras: "Recording in the 80s was a lot different, 'cause we were recording to tape. So we had to cut the tape for the best drums track, as we'd go through the songs several times. We'd cut the tape up in sections for the best drums track. Then we would go back, and I would record my guitar parts. Maybe Nikki would record the bass part first, or I would do the guitar parts until we got it right. We didn't cut the tape on me, I just had to keep playing it again and again, until it was the way that I was happy with it, the way the producer was happy with it. Today, with Pro Tools, we kind of pass the hard drive around. If I was to go to DJ Ashba's place, he's got some stuff that we've written, so we can go there and just put in on hard drive then send it to James and Nikki, and they're like: 'Yeah, that's cool, but could you try this?' We just play around with different ideas, and it's so much faster and easier."
As for his solo album, about which he insisted he wouldn't enter the studio before finding the perfect musicians, his search seems to be doing well, even if he can give no name as of yet: "I still got to talk to my lawyer and to the people themselves. I know who I want to get involved with, but I don't want to say who it is, because if I do, that would be a rumor, wouldn't it? I don't want to start a rumor thing. But I've pretty much picked out who I want to play with. And I'm sure they'll want to play with me, I'm positive".
To conclude, on a lighter note, we broached the subject of the band's demands on tour or for a concert. Mick Mars confirms that the band did ask for seventy towels on the occasion of their performance at the Hellfest: "But we do worse stuff, we're Mötley Crüe! [laughs] It depends on where we play. If we're in the US, we do some whack stuff, but when we're over here, we get pretty limited. We have limited time, and we don't do a lot of headliners here. We're mostly playing festivals and stuff. We have little extra stuff. We just get on, play and get off stage. We do as much as we can, but we can't pick chicks out of the crowd and have them dance around on stage and go topless, or anything like that! [laughs]". Which, as you'll all agree, is a real pity, if only from a strictly egalitarian point of view.
Interview conducted on Thursday 8th December by phone.
Transcription and translation: Saff', with help from Stan
Transcription and translation: Saff', with help from Stan
ANTHRAX bassist Frank Bello is making his feature film debut, playing the New York punk rock legend Richard Hell in the biopic "Greetings From Tim Buckley". Frank Wood ("Changeling", "The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3") plays songwriter and Jeff Buckley collaborator Gary Lucas, while Penn Badgley ("Gossip Girl") has been cast as Tim Buckley's son Jeff. Dan Algrant ("People I Know", "Naked in New York") is directing from a script he co-wrote with Emma Sheanshang and David Brendel.
John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently spoke to Bello about his work in "Greetings From Tim Buckley". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Legendary Rock Interviews: I'm really interested in this movie you're in which is coming out about soon. I met Jeff Buckley before he died and he was just one of the kindest souls you could ever hope to meet. I wasn't a fan of his but he struck up a conversation backstage at a SOUNDGARDEN show in Milwaukee and just seemed to be incredibly sincere and engaging.
Frank Bello: Wow, really? That's pretty cool. The movie really involves Jeff quite a bit. At the heart of it, really, it's about him not really knowing his dad and playing a tribute concert to him and it's pretty amazing. It's called "Greetings From Tim Buckley" and the whole thing was really a lot of fun to do. I play Richard Hell, who was an acquaintance of Jeff's dad Tim and was this legendary punk guy and I spent about a week shooting my scenes.
Legendary Rock Interviews: How did you get involved with acting to begin with?
Frank Bello: It's something I've been doing and been studying for a while now. I just really enjoy the creative end of it, getting into character and the whole art of that. I find it to be fulfilling and similar to the art of creating and living through your songs in music. It's a hell of a lot of fun.
Legendary Rock Interviews: ANTHRAX has always been one of those bands who exhibited a definite punk influence so it's pretty cool and fitting that you'd be playing a guy like Richard Hell. Did the years of playing in a band help at all as far as preparing for this?
Frank Bello: Not really. As soon as I got the part, I just sunk myself into doing a lot of research. I am a BIG Jeff Buckley fan and I really was familiar with his songs and I knew of his father Tim, so I had heard of this Richard Hell character but I really only knew OF him. There was really a lot of learning I had to do because I wasn't that familiar with all of his music and his personality. It was a lot of fun once I started researching it.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Richard Hell basically invented a lot of the asthetics of punk, the look and the feel of what ended up being known as "punk" and even the SEX PISTOLS acknowledge that. Did you get a chance to kind of get in his head in order to get into character?
Frank Bello: Yeah, I really sunk into it and put a lot of that into my performance and of course the director gave me a ton of notes on everything from the music to the look of the character. It was kind of cool to put their pieces of research together with mine and bring this character to life. I have heard they are editing it now and they don't have a release date but it should be out sometime this year. There's been a couple of runs of it and they are editing it all as we speak.
John Parks of Legendary Rock Interviews recently spoke to Bello about his work in "Greetings From Tim Buckley". A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Legendary Rock Interviews: I'm really interested in this movie you're in which is coming out about soon. I met Jeff Buckley before he died and he was just one of the kindest souls you could ever hope to meet. I wasn't a fan of his but he struck up a conversation backstage at a SOUNDGARDEN show in Milwaukee and just seemed to be incredibly sincere and engaging.
Frank Bello: Wow, really? That's pretty cool. The movie really involves Jeff quite a bit. At the heart of it, really, it's about him not really knowing his dad and playing a tribute concert to him and it's pretty amazing. It's called "Greetings From Tim Buckley" and the whole thing was really a lot of fun to do. I play Richard Hell, who was an acquaintance of Jeff's dad Tim and was this legendary punk guy and I spent about a week shooting my scenes.
Legendary Rock Interviews: How did you get involved with acting to begin with?
Frank Bello: It's something I've been doing and been studying for a while now. I just really enjoy the creative end of it, getting into character and the whole art of that. I find it to be fulfilling and similar to the art of creating and living through your songs in music. It's a hell of a lot of fun.
Legendary Rock Interviews: ANTHRAX has always been one of those bands who exhibited a definite punk influence so it's pretty cool and fitting that you'd be playing a guy like Richard Hell. Did the years of playing in a band help at all as far as preparing for this?
Frank Bello: Not really. As soon as I got the part, I just sunk myself into doing a lot of research. I am a BIG Jeff Buckley fan and I really was familiar with his songs and I knew of his father Tim, so I had heard of this Richard Hell character but I really only knew OF him. There was really a lot of learning I had to do because I wasn't that familiar with all of his music and his personality. It was a lot of fun once I started researching it.
Legendary Rock Interviews: Richard Hell basically invented a lot of the asthetics of punk, the look and the feel of what ended up being known as "punk" and even the SEX PISTOLS acknowledge that. Did you get a chance to kind of get in his head in order to get into character?
Frank Bello: Yeah, I really sunk into it and put a lot of that into my performance and of course the director gave me a ton of notes on everything from the music to the look of the character. It was kind of cool to put their pieces of research together with mine and bring this character to life. I have heard they are editing it now and they don't have a release date but it should be out sometime this year. There's been a couple of runs of it and they are editing it all as we speak.
Guitar World held the magazine's first-ever Rock & Roll Roast with inaugural honoree Zakk Wylde. Presented by Epiphone guitars and sponsored by Monster Energy Drink, EMG pickups, Revolver magazine, Marshall amplification, Dunlop, Eagle Rock and Samson, the exclusive event took place last night (Thursday, January 19) at The Grove in Anaheim, California; a portion of all proceeds will go to the MusiCares charity. Zakk Wylde was recently named one of the 100 greatest living rock stars by Revolver magazine.
Roastmaster Sharon Osbourne and other metal-loving luminaries such as Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Jericho, ANTHRAX's Scott Ian, SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor, as well as comedy and roast veterans Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, Jim Florentine and more will all took aim at the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman and guitar icon, best known for his incredible axe chops, his golden locks and his signature Bullseye guitar line.
Recaps of the first-ever Rock & Roll Roast can be found by following these links:
* Rolling Stone
* Guitar World
* The Orange County Register
* ARTISTdirect
Sample stingers from last night's event follow below.
Comedian Brian Posehn to Chris Jericho: "Comedy is hard, isn't it? Stick to sucking at everything else."
Comedian Jim Norton to Scott Ian: "You look like Ben Kingsley eating a raccoon." [referencing the ANTHRAX guitarist's trademark beard.]
Current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. to Zakk Wylde (via video): "Zakk, I grew up learning all of your riffs and solos. Then I learned how to play real music."
Scott Ian on Zakk Wylde: "Zakk's guitar playing is way less diatonic and way more gin and tonic."
Zakk Wylde on Sharon Osbourne: "There's a lot of faces up here, and Sharon's is probably the newest. I'm kidding, Mom. You don't look a day over artificial."
Zakk Wylde on Scott Ian: "Scott's been playing lots of poker lately, and like ANTHRAX, they can both barely pull a full house."
Zakk Wylde on Corey Taylor: "Corey Taylor was in a TENACIOUS D cover band called PUGNACIOUS P. Now he's in a NICKELBACK cover band called STONE SOUR."
Brian Posehn to Scott Ian: "So you're responsible for LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT [thanks to ANTHRAX's early collaboration with PUBLIC ENEMY on a remake of 'Bring The Noise']. On behalf of everybody, (screw) you."
Roastmaster Sharon Osbourne and other metal-loving luminaries such as Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Jericho, ANTHRAX's Scott Ian, SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor, as well as comedy and roast veterans Jim Norton, Brian Posehn, Jim Florentine and more will all took aim at the BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman and guitar icon, best known for his incredible axe chops, his golden locks and his signature Bullseye guitar line.
Recaps of the first-ever Rock & Roll Roast can be found by following these links:
* Rolling Stone
* Guitar World
* The Orange County Register
* ARTISTdirect
Sample stingers from last night's event follow below.
Comedian Brian Posehn to Chris Jericho: "Comedy is hard, isn't it? Stick to sucking at everything else."
Comedian Jim Norton to Scott Ian: "You look like Ben Kingsley eating a raccoon." [referencing the ANTHRAX guitarist's trademark beard.]
Current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. to Zakk Wylde (via video): "Zakk, I grew up learning all of your riffs and solos. Then I learned how to play real music."
Scott Ian on Zakk Wylde: "Zakk's guitar playing is way less diatonic and way more gin and tonic."
Zakk Wylde on Sharon Osbourne: "There's a lot of faces up here, and Sharon's is probably the newest. I'm kidding, Mom. You don't look a day over artificial."
Zakk Wylde on Scott Ian: "Scott's been playing lots of poker lately, and like ANTHRAX, they can both barely pull a full house."
Zakk Wylde on Corey Taylor: "Corey Taylor was in a TENACIOUS D cover band called PUGNACIOUS P. Now he's in a NICKELBACK cover band called STONE SOUR."
Brian Posehn to Scott Ian: "So you're responsible for LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT [thanks to ANTHRAX's early collaboration with PUBLIC ENEMY on a remake of 'Bring The Noise']. On behalf of everybody, (screw) you."
EYEHATEGOD frontman Mike Williams, who resides on Philip Anselmo's (DOWN, PANTERA, SUPERJOINT RITUAL, ARSON ANTHEM) 17-acre property in rural south Louisiana, revealed in a tweet yesterday (Thursday, January 19) that Anselmo is currently rehearsing with his solo project. Williams wrote, "Listening to some guy Phil Anselmo's new solo band practice 20 feet from my bedroom and all I can say is you folks are in for a real treat!!"
In a 2010 interview with Hellbound.ca, Anselmo stated about his upcoming solo album, "I'd been demoing, I guess about a year with this one kid on drums, just a local guy, a session guy. So I had, the basic skeletons for these songs sort of in place. You know, not married to one particular part or another. Then I did a whole lot of fine-tuning and I found a drummer that I wanted to jam with: the kid from WARBEAST (Joe Gonzalez), an excellent drummer, a great, great, great drummer. He does play thrash metal in WARBEAST but that doesn't limit him from all spectrums of heavy metal. He's very flexible and diverse, so it's awesome. I get the best of both hands and feet, if you will, out of a drummer. . . I'd say [I will play] about 99% [of the guitar parts on the album], for sure. I might have a couple of guys do some leads. I'm nothing great at leads, I'm kind of creative with themes but as a lead guitar player I'm pretty God-awful! Depending on the music, you know, I'm thinking this particular project might call for someone with a little more lead guitar talent."
He added, "You know, the supergroup thing has been beaten to death in the ground. I didn't want to just assemble this band, another band again, ala SUPERJOINT, ala DOWN, ala something I've done before. So, [this is a] total solo record. I wish I could play drums, though, I tell you that! But this kid is fucking insanely good, I would never aspire to be as good as this kid. He's fucking pretty incredible."
In a separate interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Anselmo said about the musical direction of his solo project, "Well, it's vicious. I have been in so many different side projects, I like to say that not all of them sound alike. With that being said, there is no way I would want to rehash anything traditional, so to speak. I'm gonna touch on tradition, ya know. Tradition is distorted guitar, drums, bass. But yes, I have been writing new stuff. Yes, it is super motherfuckin' aggressive." He added, "I know heavy music. I see where heavy music is. I want to take heavy music like a ball of clay and reshape it, if you catch me. Reshape it differently than it has been shaped before. That is where I am at right now."
Anselmo recently spent time at his barn studio, Nodferatu's Lair, laying down vocals on the six songs that will make up DOWN's new EP, due later in the year. The studio's name is a play on classic horror film vampire Nosferatu, altered to reflect certain musicians' tendency to nod off.
In a 2010 interview with Hellbound.ca, Anselmo stated about his upcoming solo album, "I'd been demoing, I guess about a year with this one kid on drums, just a local guy, a session guy. So I had, the basic skeletons for these songs sort of in place. You know, not married to one particular part or another. Then I did a whole lot of fine-tuning and I found a drummer that I wanted to jam with: the kid from WARBEAST (Joe Gonzalez), an excellent drummer, a great, great, great drummer. He does play thrash metal in WARBEAST but that doesn't limit him from all spectrums of heavy metal. He's very flexible and diverse, so it's awesome. I get the best of both hands and feet, if you will, out of a drummer. . . I'd say [I will play] about 99% [of the guitar parts on the album], for sure. I might have a couple of guys do some leads. I'm nothing great at leads, I'm kind of creative with themes but as a lead guitar player I'm pretty God-awful! Depending on the music, you know, I'm thinking this particular project might call for someone with a little more lead guitar talent."
He added, "You know, the supergroup thing has been beaten to death in the ground. I didn't want to just assemble this band, another band again, ala SUPERJOINT, ala DOWN, ala something I've done before. So, [this is a] total solo record. I wish I could play drums, though, I tell you that! But this kid is fucking insanely good, I would never aspire to be as good as this kid. He's fucking pretty incredible."
In a separate interview with Icon Vs. Icon, Anselmo said about the musical direction of his solo project, "Well, it's vicious. I have been in so many different side projects, I like to say that not all of them sound alike. With that being said, there is no way I would want to rehash anything traditional, so to speak. I'm gonna touch on tradition, ya know. Tradition is distorted guitar, drums, bass. But yes, I have been writing new stuff. Yes, it is super motherfuckin' aggressive." He added, "I know heavy music. I see where heavy music is. I want to take heavy music like a ball of clay and reshape it, if you catch me. Reshape it differently than it has been shaped before. That is where I am at right now."
Anselmo recently spent time at his barn studio, Nodferatu's Lair, laying down vocals on the six songs that will make up DOWN's new EP, due later in the year. The studio's name is a play on classic horror film vampire Nosferatu, altered to reflect certain musicians' tendency to nod off.
American power metallers ICED EARTH will take part in a meet-and-greet at Scrape Records in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on Tuesday, February 14. The session will take place late afternoon/early evening (exact time of day to be announced).
Further more information, go to this location.
ICED EARTH filmed a video for the song "Anthem" on December 7, 2011 at Essigfabrik in Cologne, Germany.
The band's latest album, "Dystopia", sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 67 on The Billboard 200 chart.
ICED EARTH's previous CD, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", opened with 6,700 units in September 2008 to debut at No. 79.
"Dystopia", was released in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18, 2011 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks were also recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.
Further more information, go to this location.
ICED EARTH filmed a video for the song "Anthem" on December 7, 2011 at Essigfabrik in Cologne, Germany.
The band's latest album, "Dystopia", sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 67 on The Billboard 200 chart.
ICED EARTH's previous CD, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", opened with 6,700 units in September 2008 to debut at No. 79.
"Dystopia", was released in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18, 2011 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks were also recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.
Legendary rocker Ted Nugent is among the scheduled presenters at the 12th annual Golden Moose Awards, the most popular and longstanding outdoor television awards ceremony in the country. Set to take place on January 19, 2012 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas during the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show 2012), the Golden Moose Awards honor the producers and on-air talent from Outdoor Channel's industry-leading programming. The show, which will be streamed live for the first time, will be emceed by Michael Waddell of Outdoor Channel's "Realtree Road Trips with Michael Waddell" and "Bone Collector". It will also feature a live private, performance by Grammy-winning artist Zac Brown who has made appearances on Outdoor Channel's "Fear No Evil" in 2011 and "Red Arrow", which will air in 2012.
Bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders of Atalanta progressive metallers MASTODON has confirmed that the band will team up with Sweden's OPETH and GHOST for a North American tour in April (as first reported by BLABBERMOUTH.NET on January 14). Sanders gave out the information during an interview yesterday (Thursday, January 19) at the studios of the Belgian national radio station Studio Brussel, where he was accompanied by his bandmate, guitarist Bill Kelliher.
When asked about MASTODON's plans for the immediate future, Sanders said, "We go to Australia take part in the Soundwave Festival, which is going to be lovely… Take a short break. Do a North American tour with OPETH and GHOST. And then take another break and come back over here for the European festival season."
New in 2012, Outdoor Channel will stream the Golden Moose Awards on OutdoorChannel.com live, allowing audiences from around the country and around the world to tune-in to this highly anticipated event. Outdoor Channel will also be tweeting updates from the event and plans to broadcast the 2012 Golden Moose Awards on the network as a special in February.
"The Golden Moose Awards recognize the creative achievements of our quality outdoor programming, and the talented personalities and skilled production work that bring these shows to life," said Tom Hornish, COO at Outdoor Channel. "This year's ceremony is the only place that fans will find so many of today's biggest outdoor celebrities, like Ted Nugent, Shawn Michaels, Joe Mantegna, Craig Morgan and more, all on one stage. It's sure to be a must-see event!"
Several of the highly coveted "Fan Favorite" accolades will be awarded at the event. Fan Favorites are determined by more than 18,000 viewers who choose from the following five categories: Best Host(s), Best Fishing Series, Best Hunting Series, Best New Series and Best Overall Series.
When asked about MASTODON's plans for the immediate future, Sanders said, "We go to Australia take part in the Soundwave Festival, which is going to be lovely… Take a short break. Do a North American tour with OPETH and GHOST. And then take another break and come back over here for the European festival season."
New in 2012, Outdoor Channel will stream the Golden Moose Awards on OutdoorChannel.com live, allowing audiences from around the country and around the world to tune-in to this highly anticipated event. Outdoor Channel will also be tweeting updates from the event and plans to broadcast the 2012 Golden Moose Awards on the network as a special in February.
"The Golden Moose Awards recognize the creative achievements of our quality outdoor programming, and the talented personalities and skilled production work that bring these shows to life," said Tom Hornish, COO at Outdoor Channel. "This year's ceremony is the only place that fans will find so many of today's biggest outdoor celebrities, like Ted Nugent, Shawn Michaels, Joe Mantegna, Craig Morgan and more, all on one stage. It's sure to be a must-see event!"
Several of the highly coveted "Fan Favorite" accolades will be awarded at the event. Fan Favorites are determined by more than 18,000 viewers who choose from the following five categories: Best Host(s), Best Fishing Series, Best Hunting Series, Best New Series and Best Overall Series.
The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live, in cooperation with Revolver magazine, will debut "Golden Gods: The History Of Heavy Metal" on April 11, 2012 to coincide with Revolver's popular awards show, Revolver Golden Gods. Through rare artifacts from iconic metal bands and interactive experiences, the exhibit will teach visitors about the origins of heavy metal, its many subgenres, the bands that made heavy metal famous and offer a look into the controversy that has surrounded the genre for the past four decades.
The exhibit will feature never-before-displayed artifacts to give visitors a full overview of the vast history, and future, of heavy metal, including:
* Instruments
* Stage props
* Handwritten lyrics
* Clothing/costumes
* Original album artwork
* Posters
* Live performance footage and interviews
In keeping with the mission of The Grammy Museum, the exhibit will also house a variety of interactive exhibits, meant to teach visitors about the elements of heavy metal music including a vocal "scream" booth, double kick drum interactive featuring a tutorial on heavy metal drumming and metal riff stations, highlighting the great guitar players of the genre.
"Golden Gods: The History Of Heavy Metal" will be on display in The Grammy Museum's Special Exhibits Gallery through February 2013.
The exhibit will feature never-before-displayed artifacts to give visitors a full overview of the vast history, and future, of heavy metal, including:
* Instruments
* Stage props
* Handwritten lyrics
* Clothing/costumes
* Original album artwork
* Posters
* Live performance footage and interviews
In keeping with the mission of The Grammy Museum, the exhibit will also house a variety of interactive exhibits, meant to teach visitors about the elements of heavy metal music including a vocal "scream" booth, double kick drum interactive featuring a tutorial on heavy metal drumming and metal riff stations, highlighting the great guitar players of the genre.
"Golden Gods: The History Of Heavy Metal" will be on display in The Grammy Museum's Special Exhibits Gallery through February 2013.
On January 12, KORN filmed an interview and five-song performance filmed for Walmart Soundcheck, an online performance series launched by discount retailer Walmart.
The band's setlist for the performance:
* Chaos Lives In Everything
* Narcissistic Cannibal (with Kill the Noise)
* Get Up!
* Way Too Far
* Falling Away From Me
The band's setlist for the performance:
* Chaos Lives In Everything
* Narcissistic Cannibal (with Kill the Noise)
* Get Up!
* Way Too Far
* Falling Away From Me
SOULFLY will release its eighth album, "Enslaved", on March 13 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was recorded at TallCat Studios in Phoenix, Arizona and was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, the seasoned knob twiddler behind some of the most notable bands in metal today, such as SHADOWS FALL, HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and more.
"Enslaved" standard CD features the following 11 tracks:
01. Resistance
02. World Scum
03. Intervention
04. Gladiator
05. Legions
06. American Steel
07. Redemption of Man By God
08. Treachery
09. Plata O Plomo
10. Chains
11. Revengeance
The digital-only edition includes the following three bonus tracks:
12. Slave
13. Bastard
14. Soulfly VIII
SOULFLY has tapped Thomas Mignone (MEGADETH, SEPULTURA, DANZIG) of Doom Incorporated to direct the video for the song "World Scum". In addition, they will be giving away a free MP3 of the track for 48 hours starting Wednesday, January 25.
SOULFLY's current lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), a new-school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.
While many groups barely make it to a third album, SOULFLY is still going strong two decades deep. 2012 also marks the band's 15th anniversary of making a tribally-influenced metallic racket and what better way to celebrate than with a new record? The album will be released via longtime label Roadrunner, which has been SOULFLY's home for the course of its career. The label has also been Cavalera's home for the duration of his career, which began in the '80s as a member of SEPULTURA, who essentially rewrote the rules of heavy music when they arrived on the scene; Max continues to do the same today.
As is customary with SOULFLY, the band will introduce some new and unexpected elements into the mix, including a guest violinist. SOULFLY also collaborates with two metal veterans: Dez Fafara of DEVILDRIVER and Travis Ryan of CATTLE DECAPITATION. With Dez and Max sharing a longtime connection through the Roadrunner family, it was only a matter of time before Fafara guested on a SOULFLY album.
Cavalera wrote a song, "Revengeance", about his slain stepson Dana Wells, whose death was the catalyst for the creation of SOULFLY. He partners with his sons Igor and Richie on vocals, while his other son Zyon plays drums. It is the first time Max has performed with three of his sons.
Travis Ryan — who was a replacement for SOULFLY's original choice, OCEANO's Adam Warren — recorded his portion of the vocals at Frick'in Studios in San Marcos, California with engineer Dan Frick.
Commented Ryan: "It's an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid asking you to be on a new album of theirs. I literally had a picture of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and Gloria [Max's wife and manager] holding [Gloria's son] Richie in her arms that I ripped out of a copy of Metal Maniacs on my wall when I was 15 or 16. Now they're asking for my artistic hand in one of their creations; [it] just doesn't get much more surreal than that. Very honored and the song is very 'death metal-ish' and completely crushes. Happy to be a part of it!"
Zeuss stated about Travis' contribution, "The vocals fucking rule!!!! Fits the song perfect… Very refreshing for me to hear these days."
"Enslaved" standard CD features the following 11 tracks:
01. Resistance
02. World Scum
03. Intervention
04. Gladiator
05. Legions
06. American Steel
07. Redemption of Man By God
08. Treachery
09. Plata O Plomo
10. Chains
11. Revengeance
The digital-only edition includes the following three bonus tracks:
12. Slave
13. Bastard
14. Soulfly VIII
SOULFLY has tapped Thomas Mignone (MEGADETH, SEPULTURA, DANZIG) of Doom Incorporated to direct the video for the song "World Scum". In addition, they will be giving away a free MP3 of the track for 48 hours starting Wednesday, January 25.
SOULFLY's current lineup features Max and guitar dynamo Marc Rizzo, with STATIC-X's Tony Campos taking up the bass. The lineup is rounded out by drummer David Kinkade (BORKNAGAR, ARSIS, MALEVOLENT CREATION), a new-school, extreme skinsman whose brutality behind the kit brings a new flavor to the band.
While many groups barely make it to a third album, SOULFLY is still going strong two decades deep. 2012 also marks the band's 15th anniversary of making a tribally-influenced metallic racket and what better way to celebrate than with a new record? The album will be released via longtime label Roadrunner, which has been SOULFLY's home for the course of its career. The label has also been Cavalera's home for the duration of his career, which began in the '80s as a member of SEPULTURA, who essentially rewrote the rules of heavy music when they arrived on the scene; Max continues to do the same today.
As is customary with SOULFLY, the band will introduce some new and unexpected elements into the mix, including a guest violinist. SOULFLY also collaborates with two metal veterans: Dez Fafara of DEVILDRIVER and Travis Ryan of CATTLE DECAPITATION. With Dez and Max sharing a longtime connection through the Roadrunner family, it was only a matter of time before Fafara guested on a SOULFLY album.
Cavalera wrote a song, "Revengeance", about his slain stepson Dana Wells, whose death was the catalyst for the creation of SOULFLY. He partners with his sons Igor and Richie on vocals, while his other son Zyon plays drums. It is the first time Max has performed with three of his sons.
Travis Ryan — who was a replacement for SOULFLY's original choice, OCEANO's Adam Warren — recorded his portion of the vocals at Frick'in Studios in San Marcos, California with engineer Dan Frick.
Commented Ryan: "It's an honor to receive a call from someone you had pictures of on your wall as a kid asking you to be on a new album of theirs. I literally had a picture of Max [Cavalera, SOULFLY mainman] and Gloria [Max's wife and manager] holding [Gloria's son] Richie in her arms that I ripped out of a copy of Metal Maniacs on my wall when I was 15 or 16. Now they're asking for my artistic hand in one of their creations; [it] just doesn't get much more surreal than that. Very honored and the song is very 'death metal-ish' and completely crushes. Happy to be a part of it!"
Zeuss stated about Travis' contribution, "The vocals fucking rule!!!! Fits the song perfect… Very refreshing for me to hear these days."
Guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy of Florida metallers TRIVIUM has posted the following message on his official blog:
"SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)
"The movement to end all online piracy for the music and movie worlds and restore order?
"Hardly.
"SOPA is an explosive-device tucked between the legs of a smiling, waving businessman in a teddy-bear costume, asking if you want a Popsicle out of his cellar.
"In legal terms — SOPA is textbook overboard. It's stated aim is to curb online piracy and restore and protect the rights of content creators. That's a noble goal. But it gives its wielders oh so much more power than that. It's like giving a Tomahawk missile to an exterminator to take out a bee hive from your front porch. Sure, the bees are dead but so is everything else in a hundred yard radius.
"Yeah — maybe it would cut piracy back and get bands more money from CD-purchases (because, let's face it — pirating music does stifle bands' existences, hurt income and all that for everyone involved = label, label's employees, producers, studios etc.) however that's just what SOPA wants you to think its entire cause is.
"What business or school isn't changed by our ever amorphously-evolving technological times? Paper goods and books in universities are being phased into digital-tablet-read collections; the days of paying for 100's of crap channels of TV can now be selected through Internet streaming-subscription sites instead; our music collection can now be stored and streamed or rented and constantly swapped in and out.
"This is the technological golden age and all businesses are having to adapt or die. In this day and age business is chaos as things change so fast. That's why a band like us realizes that — yes — in a perfect world, more people would stop illegally downloading (would you forfeit what you do for a living for free because I said it's not fair?) and purchase physical CDs or iTunes bundles or get their music from other 'authorized' sources. But the fact is the CD aisle in Best Buys are shrinking and the old record stores are up closing shop. Bookstores are going away. Video rental stores? Dead. That's the thing — adapt with the times… You have to. Physical has given away to digital for the most part.
"We recognize being a band nowadays that things are changing. For us musicians, it is better for us to support programs pushing authorized digital purchasing or streaming of music, selling merchandise on tour and being on the road constantly to turn a profit. This is the life we chose. But the way we all approach the issue of supporting digital rights is a very important issue of our time in that we need to respect the rights of content creators but we also need to support the free flow of information and ideas online. SOPA is not the solution of that balance.
"It was cute that my recent 'royalty check' caused such passionate backing and distaste. The truth is is that I said no side that I was taking. That picture had no information of a political-stance of 'anti' or 'pro' piracy; did I say in the oh-so-arrogant tone, 'Listen here, you fucks! Screw your parents — download my shit for freeeeeeahhhh!' Did I say, 'Hey um… It's totally not sweet that you bros aren't buying my totally awesome new album from your local record store?'
"Hell — did anyone even take the time to try to think what it was actually for? It was a royalty check from an authorized streaming website that shouldn't have even sent it to me. They were supposed to send it to the publishing company to accumulate, then send.
"I allowed everyone to decide. But I do appreciate that they actually took the time to legally license the stream and send me the check. Thanks for that.
"I appreciate the people that love and back our band backing me… And those who, even though can't stand anything I ever say — who still take the time to read every word? Thanks for putting your knee-jerk reactions online and getting me more Twitter followers. Maybe next time your brash jab of whose-holier-and-culter-than-though can be slightly more intelligent than 'look how much more I have than you.'
"I digress…
"This bill, if passed — would set our forward-thinking country back into the informational dark ages. This country was founded on escaping from persecution of what we were 'supposed' to live like - to be free to do what we want to do in the pursuit of happiness and longevity in life. SOPA would fling the USA into a digital online backwater overlorded style-controlled society, potentially creating a situation where regulations tell us what we can say and do. Controlling what we learn and say.
"Where are all our backers of 'constitutional amendment rights' when our first amendment is at stake? America is the informational and technological super power in our time. Look at Apple — always 10 steps ahead of what all the other technological-superpower companies are always bringing to the table. They brought iTunes to us because they knew people wanted their music quicker; the got rid of the cd-drive because people wouldn't be using CDs; they developed easily-useable cloud-style file-storage. That company was founded in this country where so many flock to start up their dreams — not unlike being in a band.
"My stance: should people take groceries because they're hungry? Should you give me a car because I need it? Should I be granted free manicures and pedicures and meat and tuxedo rentals simply because I think it's not fair that I pay? No tips at restaurants, no fees at bars, free drinks on you just because? No. I'm not a religious person at all — but thou shalt not steal… Or some shit like that, right?
"The times of the blacksmith and butcher and hunter have changed to the car-maker, the deli owner (with online deliveries over $20), and the farmers' market chef who hunts with a precision laser sighted cross-bow.
"We all still need to make 'a living' to stay living. But a movement like SOPA? That will cripple and kill a big part off of this free country we all live and love in.
"What needs to happen?
"The head honchos of the music and movie businesses who are backing this SOPA need to go meet up with and make friends with tech guys in Silicon Valley instead of fighting. They should go out for drinks and figure it out together one night. Surely there is a better solution out there that supports and protects the rights of us content creators online but one that doesn't potentially cripple the free flow of innovation and thought online."
"SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)
"The movement to end all online piracy for the music and movie worlds and restore order?
"Hardly.
"SOPA is an explosive-device tucked between the legs of a smiling, waving businessman in a teddy-bear costume, asking if you want a Popsicle out of his cellar.
"In legal terms — SOPA is textbook overboard. It's stated aim is to curb online piracy and restore and protect the rights of content creators. That's a noble goal. But it gives its wielders oh so much more power than that. It's like giving a Tomahawk missile to an exterminator to take out a bee hive from your front porch. Sure, the bees are dead but so is everything else in a hundred yard radius.
"Yeah — maybe it would cut piracy back and get bands more money from CD-purchases (because, let's face it — pirating music does stifle bands' existences, hurt income and all that for everyone involved = label, label's employees, producers, studios etc.) however that's just what SOPA wants you to think its entire cause is.
"What business or school isn't changed by our ever amorphously-evolving technological times? Paper goods and books in universities are being phased into digital-tablet-read collections; the days of paying for 100's of crap channels of TV can now be selected through Internet streaming-subscription sites instead; our music collection can now be stored and streamed or rented and constantly swapped in and out.
"This is the technological golden age and all businesses are having to adapt or die. In this day and age business is chaos as things change so fast. That's why a band like us realizes that — yes — in a perfect world, more people would stop illegally downloading (would you forfeit what you do for a living for free because I said it's not fair?) and purchase physical CDs or iTunes bundles or get their music from other 'authorized' sources. But the fact is the CD aisle in Best Buys are shrinking and the old record stores are up closing shop. Bookstores are going away. Video rental stores? Dead. That's the thing — adapt with the times… You have to. Physical has given away to digital for the most part.
"We recognize being a band nowadays that things are changing. For us musicians, it is better for us to support programs pushing authorized digital purchasing or streaming of music, selling merchandise on tour and being on the road constantly to turn a profit. This is the life we chose. But the way we all approach the issue of supporting digital rights is a very important issue of our time in that we need to respect the rights of content creators but we also need to support the free flow of information and ideas online. SOPA is not the solution of that balance.
"It was cute that my recent 'royalty check' caused such passionate backing and distaste. The truth is is that I said no side that I was taking. That picture had no information of a political-stance of 'anti' or 'pro' piracy; did I say in the oh-so-arrogant tone, 'Listen here, you fucks! Screw your parents — download my shit for freeeeeeahhhh!' Did I say, 'Hey um… It's totally not sweet that you bros aren't buying my totally awesome new album from your local record store?'
"Hell — did anyone even take the time to try to think what it was actually for? It was a royalty check from an authorized streaming website that shouldn't have even sent it to me. They were supposed to send it to the publishing company to accumulate, then send.
"I allowed everyone to decide. But I do appreciate that they actually took the time to legally license the stream and send me the check. Thanks for that.
"I appreciate the people that love and back our band backing me… And those who, even though can't stand anything I ever say — who still take the time to read every word? Thanks for putting your knee-jerk reactions online and getting me more Twitter followers. Maybe next time your brash jab of whose-holier-and-culter-than-though can be slightly more intelligent than 'look how much more I have than you.'
"I digress…
"This bill, if passed — would set our forward-thinking country back into the informational dark ages. This country was founded on escaping from persecution of what we were 'supposed' to live like - to be free to do what we want to do in the pursuit of happiness and longevity in life. SOPA would fling the USA into a digital online backwater overlorded style-controlled society, potentially creating a situation where regulations tell us what we can say and do. Controlling what we learn and say.
"Where are all our backers of 'constitutional amendment rights' when our first amendment is at stake? America is the informational and technological super power in our time. Look at Apple — always 10 steps ahead of what all the other technological-superpower companies are always bringing to the table. They brought iTunes to us because they knew people wanted their music quicker; the got rid of the cd-drive because people wouldn't be using CDs; they developed easily-useable cloud-style file-storage. That company was founded in this country where so many flock to start up their dreams — not unlike being in a band.
"My stance: should people take groceries because they're hungry? Should you give me a car because I need it? Should I be granted free manicures and pedicures and meat and tuxedo rentals simply because I think it's not fair that I pay? No tips at restaurants, no fees at bars, free drinks on you just because? No. I'm not a religious person at all — but thou shalt not steal… Or some shit like that, right?
"The times of the blacksmith and butcher and hunter have changed to the car-maker, the deli owner (with online deliveries over $20), and the farmers' market chef who hunts with a precision laser sighted cross-bow.
"We all still need to make 'a living' to stay living. But a movement like SOPA? That will cripple and kill a big part off of this free country we all live and love in.
"What needs to happen?
"The head honchos of the music and movie businesses who are backing this SOPA need to go meet up with and make friends with tech guys in Silicon Valley instead of fighting. They should go out for drinks and figure it out together one night. Surely there is a better solution out there that supports and protects the rights of us content creators online but one that doesn't potentially cripple the free flow of innovation and thought online."
"Omertá", the full-length debut from ADRENALINE MOB — the band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP) — will be released in Europe on March 19 in Europe via Century Media Records. The CD will be made available in the U.S> on March 13 through the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services.
The 11-song CD — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.
"Omertá" track listing:
01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train
The "Undaunted" video can be seen below.
ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.
ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.
Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) announced their departures from ADRENALINE MOB earlier in the month due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.
The 11-song CD — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.
"Omertá" track listing:
01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train
The "Undaunted" video can be seen below.
ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.
ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.
Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) announced their departures from ADRENALINE MOB earlier in the month due to scheduling conflicts with their other projects.
Deep in the heart of Hell Paso Texas, MINISTRY's Al Jourgensen re-opened the doors of his industrial compound studio in fall 2011 and invited his favorite co-conspirators Mike Scaccia (RIGOR MORTIS), Tony Campos (STATIC-X), Tommy Victor (PRONG) and Casey Orr (RIGOR MORTIS, GWAR) to climb on board the MINISTRY pirate ship and de-construct and re-construct Jourgensen's monsterpiece, "Relapse".
Thirty years and 12 albums later, as well as a near-death experience in 2010, Jourgensen rises as a phoenix from the ashes with "Relapse" — still angry, still political and very very pissed off. Relapsing back into the music industry after a four-year hiatus, Jourgensen launches his audio assault with "Ghouldiggers", a no-holds-barred metal bullet aimed directly at the pitfalls of the industry he has survived. Everything Jourgensen predicted on "Houses Of The Molé", "Rio Grande Blood" and "The Last Sucker" has transpired and as we approach the Mayan calendar of the End of Days in 2012, Jourgensen, re-invigorated by the global 99 Percenters and Occupy Wall Street movement, navigates through "Relapse" once again as a reluctant prophet accusing, dissecting, cajoling and exhorting greed, corruption and lies.
Reaching back to his punk rock roots, Jourgensen and his MINISTRY pirates cover S.O.D.'s "United Forces" — a track written 20 years ago still relevant today as a call to arms for the unrighteous and to those who feel disenfranchised by the "system" as it stands today.
Cited as the driving force behind a cross-section of metal genres from industrial's NINE INCH NAILS and STATIC-X to nu metal's KORN, LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT, and receiving six Grammy nominations for "Best Metal Performance", Jourgensen returns with his greatest achievement to date with "Relapse".
"Relapse" track listing:
01. Ghouldiggers
02. Double Tap
03. FreeFall
04. Kleptocracy
05. United Forces
06. 99 Percenters
07. Relapse
08. Weekend Warrior
09. Git Up Get Out 'n Vote
10. Bloodlust
11. Relapse Defibrillator Mix (Special Limited Edition)
"Double Tap" will be released as a maxi-single on February 24.
Jourgensen spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine in August about his band's decision to reform for a new album and tour, including an appearance at next year's Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany.
When asked how the resurrection of MINISTRY came about, Jourgensen said, "While I was working on [the BUCK SATAN record], me and Mike Scaccia from RIGOR MORTIS fucked around to pass the time and we had like, 5,6,7 songs and I didn't really want to do anything with them but Mikey was like, 'Dude, these songs are awesome.' They weren't country, they were more like MINISTRY. So he's coming by in September and Tommy Victor's [PRONG; guitar] coming by in October with Tony Campos [SOULFLY, ex-STATIC-X; bass] and we're gonna finish up another MINISTRY album by Christmas called 'Relapse'."
Regarding the sound of the new MINISTRY material, Al said, "I think this is actually gonna wind up being the fastest and heaviest record I've ever done. Just because we did it as anti-therapy therapy against the country music we would just take days off and thrash faster than I've done in a long time, faster than Mikey's done in a long time. He did a RIGOR MORTIS tour and said it was easy compared to this MINISTRY stuff so it's gonna be brutal and it's gonna freak a lot of people out."
Thirty years and 12 albums later, as well as a near-death experience in 2010, Jourgensen rises as a phoenix from the ashes with "Relapse" — still angry, still political and very very pissed off. Relapsing back into the music industry after a four-year hiatus, Jourgensen launches his audio assault with "Ghouldiggers", a no-holds-barred metal bullet aimed directly at the pitfalls of the industry he has survived. Everything Jourgensen predicted on "Houses Of The Molé", "Rio Grande Blood" and "The Last Sucker" has transpired and as we approach the Mayan calendar of the End of Days in 2012, Jourgensen, re-invigorated by the global 99 Percenters and Occupy Wall Street movement, navigates through "Relapse" once again as a reluctant prophet accusing, dissecting, cajoling and exhorting greed, corruption and lies.
Reaching back to his punk rock roots, Jourgensen and his MINISTRY pirates cover S.O.D.'s "United Forces" — a track written 20 years ago still relevant today as a call to arms for the unrighteous and to those who feel disenfranchised by the "system" as it stands today.
Cited as the driving force behind a cross-section of metal genres from industrial's NINE INCH NAILS and STATIC-X to nu metal's KORN, LINKIN PARK and LIMP BIZKIT, and receiving six Grammy nominations for "Best Metal Performance", Jourgensen returns with his greatest achievement to date with "Relapse".
"Relapse" track listing:
01. Ghouldiggers
02. Double Tap
03. FreeFall
04. Kleptocracy
05. United Forces
06. 99 Percenters
07. Relapse
08. Weekend Warrior
09. Git Up Get Out 'n Vote
10. Bloodlust
11. Relapse Defibrillator Mix (Special Limited Edition)
"Double Tap" will be released as a maxi-single on February 24.
Jourgensen spoke to U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine in August about his band's decision to reform for a new album and tour, including an appearance at next year's Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany.
When asked how the resurrection of MINISTRY came about, Jourgensen said, "While I was working on [the BUCK SATAN record], me and Mike Scaccia from RIGOR MORTIS fucked around to pass the time and we had like, 5,6,7 songs and I didn't really want to do anything with them but Mikey was like, 'Dude, these songs are awesome.' They weren't country, they were more like MINISTRY. So he's coming by in September and Tommy Victor's [PRONG; guitar] coming by in October with Tony Campos [SOULFLY, ex-STATIC-X; bass] and we're gonna finish up another MINISTRY album by Christmas called 'Relapse'."
Regarding the sound of the new MINISTRY material, Al said, "I think this is actually gonna wind up being the fastest and heaviest record I've ever done. Just because we did it as anti-therapy therapy against the country music we would just take days off and thrash faster than I've done in a long time, faster than Mikey's done in a long time. He did a RIGOR MORTIS tour and said it was easy compared to this MINISTRY stuff so it's gonna be brutal and it's gonna freak a lot of people out."
Fans that have seen Massachusetts metallers UNEARTH perform live on their recent trips to Alaska, Japan and on their U.S. and Canadian tour with CHIMAIRA may have noticed a new face on stage. The guy behind the kit has been none other than up-and-coming musician Nick Pierce.
Pierce is a self-taught drummer who's been playing since age 10. He grew up playing for local bands in the Seattle/Tacoma area (CULLING THE WEAK, ETERNA NOCTURNA, EMBALMED) as well as Los Angeles-based band THE FACELESS. Nick first sat in behind the kit for UNEARTH in May of 2011 during their two show trip to Alaska. UNEARTH discovered Pierce on YouTube where he had been covering UNEARTH songs, among many other bands, on a series of videos on his YouTube channel.
Comments UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "Nick is a beast of a drummer and a great guy to hang with. I look forward to jamming with him around the world for years to come." Guitarist Buz McGrath adds that Pierce has a "great attitude, energy and the knowledge that we can throw the most insane riffs at him and he can create and adequately perform next level beats for said riffs makes it a little easier to sleep at night."
Stated Nick Pierce: "I've been a fan of UNEARTH for many years and I'm excited to shred with a great group of guys and support our fans."
A video clip of Pierce performing the UNEARTH song "Watch It Burn" live can be viewed below.
UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.
"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.
Pierce is a self-taught drummer who's been playing since age 10. He grew up playing for local bands in the Seattle/Tacoma area (CULLING THE WEAK, ETERNA NOCTURNA, EMBALMED) as well as Los Angeles-based band THE FACELESS. Nick first sat in behind the kit for UNEARTH in May of 2011 during their two show trip to Alaska. UNEARTH discovered Pierce on YouTube where he had been covering UNEARTH songs, among many other bands, on a series of videos on his YouTube channel.
Comments UNEARTH vocalist Trevor Phipps: "Nick is a beast of a drummer and a great guy to hang with. I look forward to jamming with him around the world for years to come." Guitarist Buz McGrath adds that Pierce has a "great attitude, energy and the knowledge that we can throw the most insane riffs at him and he can create and adequately perform next level beats for said riffs makes it a little easier to sleep at night."
Stated Nick Pierce: "I've been a fan of UNEARTH for many years and I'm excited to shred with a great group of guys and support our fans."
A video clip of Pierce performing the UNEARTH song "Watch It Burn" live can be viewed below.
UNEARTH's new album, "Darkness In The Light", sold 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 72 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "The March", opened with around 11,000 units back in October 2008 to land at No. 45.
"Darkness In The Light" was recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts with producer (and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist) Adam Dutkiewicz. The effort was mixed by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM) from Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida.
Swedish doom metallers THE GRAVIATORS have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The quartet, which is said to be "inspired by the sounds of the great rock 'n' roll groups of the '70s," will release its sophomore album at the end of April on CD and LP.
THE GRAVIATORS's self-titled debut came out in 2009. Their first music video, for the song "Back To The Sabbath", was shot by renowned music video director Thomas Tjäder and can be seen below.
The band was featured with the track "The Magician" on the Planet Fuzz compilation "Cowbells & Cobwebs".
In 2010 Dutch label Clear Spot/Headspin records released "The Graviators" as an exclusive double splatter vinyl. The artwork for this vinyl release (and the second pressing of the album on CD) was made by the artist Vance Kelly.
THE GRAVIATORS is:
Niklas Sjöberg: Vocals
Martin Fairbanks: Guitar
Johan Holm: Bass
Henrik Bergman: Drums
THE GRAVIATORS's self-titled debut came out in 2009. Their first music video, for the song "Back To The Sabbath", was shot by renowned music video director Thomas Tjäder and can be seen below.
The band was featured with the track "The Magician" on the Planet Fuzz compilation "Cowbells & Cobwebs".
In 2010 Dutch label Clear Spot/Headspin records released "The Graviators" as an exclusive double splatter vinyl. The artwork for this vinyl release (and the second pressing of the album on CD) was made by the artist Vance Kelly.
THE GRAVIATORS is:
Niklas Sjöberg: Vocals
Martin Fairbanks: Guitar
Johan Holm: Bass
Henrik Bergman: Drums
Dutch/Norwegian rockers THE GATHERING are continuing work on their new album for a September release. A single will precede the full-length CD in May.
THE GATHERING's latest video, "Heroes For Ghosts", was shot in Norway by the band's "dear friend" Marcus Moonen.
"Heroes For Ghosts", which is available for free download at the group's Bandcamp page, will appear on THE GATHERING's new studio album, the title of which has yet to be announced.
THE GATHERING's latest album, "The West Pole", was released in North America on June 2, 2009 via Season of Mist. The CD was issued in most of Europe on May 4, 2009 via the group's own label, Psychonaut Records.
"The West Pole" marks the recording debut of new THE GATHERING singer Silje Wergeland, who was previously in the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI. It also includes two very talented guest vocalists, Anne van den Hoogen and Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION), along with other guest musicians.
Singer Anneke van Giersbergen announced her departure from THE GATHERING in 2007. She has since launched a project called AGUA DE ANNIQUE, which has released three albums so far: "Air" (2007), "Pure Air" (2009) and "In Your Room" (2009).
THE GATHERING's latest video, "Heroes For Ghosts", was shot in Norway by the band's "dear friend" Marcus Moonen.
"Heroes For Ghosts", which is available for free download at the group's Bandcamp page, will appear on THE GATHERING's new studio album, the title of which has yet to be announced.
THE GATHERING's latest album, "The West Pole", was released in North America on June 2, 2009 via Season of Mist. The CD was issued in most of Europe on May 4, 2009 via the group's own label, Psychonaut Records.
"The West Pole" marks the recording debut of new THE GATHERING singer Silje Wergeland, who was previously in the Norwegian band OCTAVIA SPERATI. It also includes two very talented guest vocalists, Anne van den Hoogen and Marcela Bovio (STREAM OF PASSION), along with other guest musicians.
Singer Anneke van Giersbergen announced her departure from THE GATHERING in 2007. She has since launched a project called AGUA DE ANNIQUE, which has released three albums so far: "Air" (2007), "Pure Air" (2009) and "In Your Room" (2009).
Stockholm, Sweden-based apocalyptic post-rock/metal band ATOMA has inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records.
The group's debut album, "Skylight", will be released on the following dates:
Spain, Finland, Sweden: March 28
Rest of Europe: April 2
North America: April 3
Commented the band: "We've inked a deal with Napalm Records, to leave earth behind and explore other worlds. Goodbye, planet earth."
"Skylight" track listing:
01. Atoma
02. Skylight
03. Hole in the Sky
04. Highway
05. Bermuda Riviera
06. Resonance
07. Solaris
08. Rainmen
09. Saturn & I
10. Cloud Nine
ATOMA is:
Ehsan Kalantarpour – Vocal, Synth
Markus Hill - Drums
Siavosh Bigonah – Bass, Guitar
The group's debut album, "Skylight", will be released on the following dates:
Spain, Finland, Sweden: March 28
Rest of Europe: April 2
North America: April 3
Commented the band: "We've inked a deal with Napalm Records, to leave earth behind and explore other worlds. Goodbye, planet earth."
"Skylight" track listing:
01. Atoma
02. Skylight
03. Hole in the Sky
04. Highway
05. Bermuda Riviera
06. Resonance
07. Solaris
08. Rainmen
09. Saturn & I
10. Cloud Nine
ATOMA is:
Ehsan Kalantarpour – Vocal, Synth
Markus Hill - Drums
Siavosh Bigonah – Bass, Guitar
Los Angeles-based, female-fronted metallers HUNTRESS will release their debut album, "Spell Eater", on April 27 via Napalm Records.
The official video for the CD's first single, "Eight Of Swords", can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Simon Chan of Artificial Army and was produced/engineered by Chris Rakestraw of Sunset Lodge Recording.
According to a press release, "HUNTRESS lead singer Jill Janus is an operatic banshee with an unparalleled four-octave range and lust for the occult. Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York, she toured Europe as a teenage opera starlet. Upon her return to the States, Janus embraced Manhattan nightlife, creating Felliniesque cabarets and parties in a nihilistic club scene. Years later, Janus moved to Los Angeles and began the gestation period of HUNTRESS. In 2009 she met underground metal band PROFESSOR. The universe spread her legs and delivered HUNTRESS to Janus, combining former members of PROFESSOR, DARK BLACK and SKELETONWITCH."
HUNTRESS is:
Vocals: Jill Janus
Lead Guitar: Blake Meahl
Rhythm Guitar: Ian Alden
Drums: Carl Wierzbicky
Bass: Eric Harris
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/huntresskills.
The official video for the CD's first single, "Eight Of Swords", can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Simon Chan of Artificial Army and was produced/engineered by Chris Rakestraw of Sunset Lodge Recording.
According to a press release, "HUNTRESS lead singer Jill Janus is an operatic banshee with an unparalleled four-octave range and lust for the occult. Born and raised in the Catskill Mountains of New York, she toured Europe as a teenage opera starlet. Upon her return to the States, Janus embraced Manhattan nightlife, creating Felliniesque cabarets and parties in a nihilistic club scene. Years later, Janus moved to Los Angeles and began the gestation period of HUNTRESS. In 2009 she met underground metal band PROFESSOR. The universe spread her legs and delivered HUNTRESS to Janus, combining former members of PROFESSOR, DARK BLACK and SKELETONWITCH."
HUNTRESS is:
Vocals: Jill Janus
Lead Guitar: Blake Meahl
Rhythm Guitar: Ian Alden
Drums: Carl Wierzbicky
Bass: Eric Harris
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/huntresskills.
Lamb of God are true icons of modern heavy metal, their uncompromising style, heavy-as-hell albums and relentless touring winning them millions of fans around the world over the past 16 years. The Virginia band are getting 2012 off to a huge start with the release of their seventh studio album Resolution on January 20, so we caught up with bassist John Campbell to find out more about the making of the record, their upcoming Soundwave shows and more, including who he'd choose to be in his ultimate supergroup.
You've said each album is a learning experience. What lessons did you take from your last album Wrath into the making of Resolution?
We just tightened up the process of how we produced the record. With Wrath, we continued a process we started with [former producer] Machine. Going through a similar process, this time with Josh Wilbur, the actual mechanics of making the album were a breeze. What we had to worry about was makin' the most whoop-ass, heavy and brutal heavy metal songs we possibly could.
You've said each album is a learning experience. What lessons did you take from your last album Wrath into the making of Resolution?
We just tightened up the process of how we produced the record. With Wrath, we continued a process we started with [former producer] Machine. Going through a similar process, this time with Josh Wilbur, the actual mechanics of making the album were a breeze. What we had to worry about was makin' the most whoop-ass, heavy and brutal heavy metal songs we possibly could.
You're known and loved for your brutal approach. Have you ever considered toning things down a notch?
That's not what the band is - we're a heavy metal band! I think we stretch and try to evolve within the music we want to play and write. The very last song on the album, 'King Me' - I won't say it's a stretch - but it's a little different.
Resolution is the second Lamb of God album in a row produced by Josh Wilbur. How much does he affect your sound?
When we got together to start rehearsing, to write the record, he was there from day one, giving his input. This track 'King Me' that I was talking about, this bit of different-ness was something he actually dreamed up and put together. So he's a huge part of how the record sounds. He's also the guy who mixed it, so his finger's on it the whole way. We're pushing the music and he's the filter, the middle man, who makes it sounds great for everybody listening to the recording.
That's not what the band is - we're a heavy metal band! I think we stretch and try to evolve within the music we want to play and write. The very last song on the album, 'King Me' - I won't say it's a stretch - but it's a little different.
Resolution is the second Lamb of God album in a row produced by Josh Wilbur. How much does he affect your sound?
When we got together to start rehearsing, to write the record, he was there from day one, giving his input. This track 'King Me' that I was talking about, this bit of different-ness was something he actually dreamed up and put together. So he's a huge part of how the record sounds. He's also the guy who mixed it, so his finger's on it the whole way. We're pushing the music and he's the filter, the middle man, who makes it sounds great for everybody listening to the recording.
Do you have any favourite tracks on the album?
I wouldn't say I have favourite tracks, but I have favourite moments on the record. The song 'Ghost Walking', Mark sets up with an acoustic intro on the guitar and then the band kicks in - that's probably one of my favourite moments. We have 14 songs on the record because we like these songs so much that we couldn't decide which songs to get rid of. Not that we couldn't decide, but there were songs we didn't want to get rid of. It turned out that thankfully we had an abundance of really great songs.
I wouldn't say I have favourite tracks, but I have favourite moments on the record. The song 'Ghost Walking', Mark sets up with an acoustic intro on the guitar and then the band kicks in - that's probably one of my favourite moments. We have 14 songs on the record because we like these songs so much that we couldn't decide which songs to get rid of. Not that we couldn't decide, but there were songs we didn't want to get rid of. It turned out that thankfully we had an abundance of really great songs.
You were one of 10 bands that Revolver magazine named as The Future of American Metal back in 2004. What's it been like living up to that kind of hype?
The wording of that kind of implies we were put to some sort of test, but really we just do what we do. We were labelled by magazines as part of the "new wave" of American heavy metal. Really, all these labels and put-ups like "the biggest thing," or "the newest thing that's gonna be IT" - it's media coming up with something to say. In the meantime, while it's something we pay attention to, it really doesn't drive what we're doing. We're just a heavy metal band, man.
The wording of that kind of implies we were put to some sort of test, but really we just do what we do. We were labelled by magazines as part of the "new wave" of American heavy metal. Really, all these labels and put-ups like "the biggest thing," or "the newest thing that's gonna be IT" - it's media coming up with something to say. In the meantime, while it's something we pay attention to, it really doesn't drive what we're doing. We're just a heavy metal band, man.
How have you seen music change since you started out 10 years before that?
When we first started playing, "heavy metal" was a bad word. We would book our own tours, playing people's basements, driving a van with a trailer. When we were calling people up, when it came to the point where they'd say, "Hey, what kid of band are you?" we'd say, "We're a metal band," and they would quickly be like, "Ah... yeah... we don't... we're not really... that, that's cool man." But then we started saying we're a "punk" metal band and we had no problems booking shows! So in that one small way we've definitely seen a pretty big swing in music.
Are there any up-and-coming bands that have caught your attention recently?
I don't know about the bands necessarily coming up, and to be honest I'm not immersed in heavy metal. I kind of focus on a band for weeks at a time then put 'em aside until I find another band I'll focus on for weeks at a time. The last band that I was a little obsessive about for a few weeks was Black Mountain. They're a band from Vancouver, they play kind of psychedelic rock. Great band.
When we first started playing, "heavy metal" was a bad word. We would book our own tours, playing people's basements, driving a van with a trailer. When we were calling people up, when it came to the point where they'd say, "Hey, what kid of band are you?" we'd say, "We're a metal band," and they would quickly be like, "Ah... yeah... we don't... we're not really... that, that's cool man." But then we started saying we're a "punk" metal band and we had no problems booking shows! So in that one small way we've definitely seen a pretty big swing in music.
Are there any up-and-coming bands that have caught your attention recently?
I don't know about the bands necessarily coming up, and to be honest I'm not immersed in heavy metal. I kind of focus on a band for weeks at a time then put 'em aside until I find another band I'll focus on for weeks at a time. The last band that I was a little obsessive about for a few weeks was Black Mountain. They're a band from Vancouver, they play kind of psychedelic rock. Great band.
Have you seen the list of bands you'll be sharing the Soundwave bill with in February and March?
I actually looked at it to see how many of my friends are gonna be on it. A bunch of our friends are on it, so I'm really excited about that.
I actually looked at it to see how many of my friends are gonna be on it. A bunch of our friends are on it, so I'm really excited about that.
Who are you most looking forward to seeing or catching up with?
Mastodon, Unearth, Machine Head, Trivium - all the "new wave" of American heavy metallers that we've been playing shows with forever!
Mastodon, Unearth, Machine Head, Trivium - all the "new wave" of American heavy metallers that we've been playing shows with forever!
Speaking of your peers, if you could form a supergroup with any other musicians, who would you choose?
Wow, that's probably one of the best questions I've ever been asked in an interview.
Wow, that's probably one of the best questions I've ever been asked in an interview.
And it's only as a side project, I'm not trying to break up Lamb of God here.
Ha ha, well you don't gotta worry about that! I would have Brann Dailor [Mastodon] on drums, Ken Susi [Unearth] on guitar, we'd be a three-piece and Ken would sing. Actually, Ken's niece would sing. He's got some YouTube videos of himself and his niece makin' music.
Ha ha, well you don't gotta worry about that! I would have Brann Dailor [Mastodon] on drums, Ken Susi [Unearth] on guitar, we'd be a three-piece and Ken would sing. Actually, Ken's niece would sing. He's got some YouTube videos of himself and his niece makin' music.
Great, I'll start booking some shows down here in Australia.
Ha ha, you absolutely should NOT waste your time doing that!
Ha ha, you absolutely should NOT waste your time doing that!
How does it feel having a signature series of Jackson bass guitar?
It's great. It's maybe a little early to be talking too much about it, but we're working on doing some redesigns and doing some new stuff together. It's an honour and I can't thank Jackson enough for putting me on their roster. It's been a pleasure working with those guys.
It's great. It's maybe a little early to be talking too much about it, but we're working on doing some redesigns and doing some new stuff together. It's an honour and I can't thank Jackson enough for putting me on their roster. It's been a pleasure working with those guys.
You've always toured heavily following the release of your albums. Will it be the same case with Resolution?
We've got a two-year plan laid down, and yeah, it's gonna be pretty relentless for two years. We want to get out there and play as many shows as we can, and maybe see some new places and absolutely get back to Australia more than once in that two-year cycle.
We've got a two-year plan laid down, and yeah, it's gonna be pretty relentless for two years. We want to get out there and play as many shows as we can, and maybe see some new places and absolutely get back to Australia more than once in that two-year cycle.
Two years is a long time to tour on the back of one album.
Ha ha, you're tellin' me! I've got children that will be two years older when I get home. But we try and strategically tour where we can have at least a couple weeks at home between tours, and not do a stretch that lasts more than eight weeks, if we can help it. But that's still a pretty healthy time to dip away from home if you've got a wife and a couple kids.
Ha ha, you're tellin' me! I've got children that will be two years older when I get home. But we try and strategically tour where we can have at least a couple weeks at home between tours, and not do a stretch that lasts more than eight weeks, if we can help it. But that's still a pretty healthy time to dip away from home if you've got a wife and a couple kids.
What can we expect from your set at Soundwave?
You can expect us up there playing music that we're absolutely passionate about and trying to take the stage from every other band.
You can expect us up there playing music that we're absolutely passionate about and trying to take the stage from every other band.
There's a good chance of that.
I'm confident we'll take it at least a few nights! We're very happy, excited and anxious to get down to Australia and play some more shows.
I'm confident we'll take it at least a few nights! We're very happy, excited and anxious to get down to Australia and play some more shows.
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers DELAIN will release their third album later in the year via Roadrunner Records. Described as "the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date," the CD was helmed by producer Jacob Hellner — renowned for his work with RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER and APOCALYPTICA — while the vocals were tracked with the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).
Commented the band: "As you might expect from us, this album again offers some interesting collaborations, both in musical and visual terms.
"This record features none less than FEAR FACTORY shouter Burton C. Bell as a guest singer, and visual artist Glenn Arthur provided the cover artwork [see below].
"We met Burton at the Wacken Open Air festival a year ago and stayed in touch afterwards. When we were working on [the song] 'Where Is The Blood', we didn't hesitate to contact him for cooperation. He's done such an amazing job on the song turning the song into a most violent duet; his exceptional, raw voice fits perfectly to this song!
"The cover artwork was created by Glenn Arthur, a California-based visual artist whose work is inspired by art nouveau design and steampunk imagery. Charlotte [Wessels, vocals] is a big admirer of Glenn's work and she dedicated multiple blogs to his art.
"For the artwork of 'We Are The Others', we gave Glenn the lyrics to the song as inspiration.
"We're incredibly happy with how the cover turned out."
Added Charlotte: "From the first time I saw [Glenn's] work, I've been imagining it as cover artwork; something in the way his work is both esthetically very delicate, but always with a dark undertone, fits our music very well."
"We Are The Others" track listing:
01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented Charlotte: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
DELAIN will embark on a European headlining tour in April with support from TRILLIUM, the metal project masterminded by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville.
Commented the band: "As you might expect from us, this album again offers some interesting collaborations, both in musical and visual terms.
"This record features none less than FEAR FACTORY shouter Burton C. Bell as a guest singer, and visual artist Glenn Arthur provided the cover artwork [see below].
"We met Burton at the Wacken Open Air festival a year ago and stayed in touch afterwards. When we were working on [the song] 'Where Is The Blood', we didn't hesitate to contact him for cooperation. He's done such an amazing job on the song turning the song into a most violent duet; his exceptional, raw voice fits perfectly to this song!
"The cover artwork was created by Glenn Arthur, a California-based visual artist whose work is inspired by art nouveau design and steampunk imagery. Charlotte [Wessels, vocals] is a big admirer of Glenn's work and she dedicated multiple blogs to his art.
"For the artwork of 'We Are The Others', we gave Glenn the lyrics to the song as inspiration.
"We're incredibly happy with how the cover turned out."
Added Charlotte: "From the first time I saw [Glenn's] work, I've been imagining it as cover artwork; something in the way his work is both esthetically very delicate, but always with a dark undertone, fits our music very well."
"We Are The Others" track listing:
01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented Charlotte: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
DELAIN will embark on a European headlining tour in April with support from TRILLIUM, the metal project masterminded by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville.
On January 17, Therese Hanserot, the original lead singer for long-running Swedish metallers DESTINY, passed away at the age of 48.
Hanserot joined DESTINY in the fall of 1982, when she was just 18 years old, and she left the band in the summer of 1983. During this time she recorded six songs for the first-ever DESTINY demo and performed with the band at their debut gig (at the rock club RPM). After leaving DESTINY, she sang in a couple of cover bands before quitting singing for good.
Commented DESTINY guitarist Stefan Björnshög: "At my 30th birthday party in 1990, we reconnected again, this time as friends. We realized that we had so much in common that never came to the surface in the band. For about two years we hanged out together before life once again took us into different paths. Last year, 18 years later, in August, we reconnected through Facebook. And it didn't take long before we where engaged and in a wonderful loving relationship. Therese planed to start playing keyboards again and even agreed to sing a small part on one of the songs for the 30th anniversary album. Now that will not happen and I will forever carry the memory of Therese in my heart. My sorrow is endless and the hurt is unbearable. I love you, Therese!"
Hanserot joined DESTINY in the fall of 1982, when she was just 18 years old, and she left the band in the summer of 1983. During this time she recorded six songs for the first-ever DESTINY demo and performed with the band at their debut gig (at the rock club RPM). After leaving DESTINY, she sang in a couple of cover bands before quitting singing for good.
Commented DESTINY guitarist Stefan Björnshög: "At my 30th birthday party in 1990, we reconnected again, this time as friends. We realized that we had so much in common that never came to the surface in the band. For about two years we hanged out together before life once again took us into different paths. Last year, 18 years later, in August, we reconnected through Facebook. And it didn't take long before we where engaged and in a wonderful loving relationship. Therese planed to start playing keyboards again and even agreed to sing a small part on one of the songs for the 30th anniversary album. Now that will not happen and I will forever carry the memory of Therese in my heart. My sorrow is endless and the hurt is unbearable. I love you, Therese!"
New York hardcore/metal veterans BIOHAZARD have pulled the plug on their previously announced plans to give away their new album, "Reborn In Defiance", in its entirety "for free" to all fans in the United States starting January 20.
In what what was being billed as "the first such promotion ever launched," the record was supposed be made available for free download off Revolver magazine's web site, RevolverMag.com, as well as through the technology offered by Repudo.com. Fans were being encouraged to 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 new message on BIOHAZARD's official Facebook page reads as follows:
"We regret to inform you all that due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be able to offer our new record, 'Reborn In Defiance', in the U.S. at this time. We love all of you who have continued to support us through the years and can't wait to share with you a record that we are extremely proud of. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience and a special thanks to our partners Revolver, Repudo and Google for their hard work setting this up. All of our touring plans are still solidified and we are excited to see you all out on the road!"
"Reborn In Defiance" was released in Europe today (Friday, January 20) via Nuclear Blast Records.
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
"Skullcrusher" can also be streamed using the audio player below.
"It's literally almost impossible to rely on the music industry to pay your bills," Billy Graziadeitold Noisecreep. "It's such a crap shoot to begin with. These days it's even harder. So for me, I don't rely on BIOHAZARD to pay my bills, so when we had a chance to go on tour and to reunite... it was on a personal level, it was amazing. And not having to do it as a job or to pay bills is a fucking great place to be. For me, I feel like I came full circle. I do it because I love it. I love to be on stage. It's kind of similar in a lot of ways — we're a lot more savvy with what is up now; we've been through so many different labels. We get up there, we have a blast. We made a record, we worked really hard to make a record we're all really proud of and we're doing it for the love of it. The industry is not the same as when we started. . . At the end of the day, most of this record will be given away but it's a different era and for us. You gotta love what you do, otherwise it's not worth it."
In what what was being billed as "the first such promotion ever launched," the record was supposed be made available for free download off Revolver magazine's web site, RevolverMag.com, as well as through the technology offered by Repudo.com. Fans were being encouraged to 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 new message on BIOHAZARD's official Facebook page reads as follows:
"We regret to inform you all that due to circumstances beyond our control, we will not be able to offer our new record, 'Reborn In Defiance', in the U.S. at this time. We love all of you who have continued to support us through the years and can't wait to share with you a record that we are extremely proud of. Thank you so much for your understanding and patience and a special thanks to our partners Revolver, Repudo and Google for their hard work setting this up. All of our touring plans are still solidified and we are excited to see you all out on the road!"
"Reborn In Defiance" was released in Europe today (Friday, January 20) via Nuclear Blast Records.
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
"Skullcrusher" can also be streamed using the audio player below.
"It's literally almost impossible to rely on the music industry to pay your bills," Billy Graziadeitold Noisecreep. "It's such a crap shoot to begin with. These days it's even harder. So for me, I don't rely on BIOHAZARD to pay my bills, so when we had a chance to go on tour and to reunite... it was on a personal level, it was amazing. And not having to do it as a job or to pay bills is a fucking great place to be. For me, I feel like I came full circle. I do it because I love it. I love to be on stage. It's kind of similar in a lot of ways — we're a lot more savvy with what is up now; we've been through so many different labels. We get up there, we have a blast. We made a record, we worked really hard to make a record we're all really proud of and we're doing it for the love of it. The industry is not the same as when we started. . . At the end of the day, most of this record will be given away but it's a different era and for us. You gotta love what you do, otherwise it's not worth it."
According to The Pulse Of Radio, CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti says that his upcoming debut solo album will be heavier than both those bands — and contain even more lead guitar solos than he does with either group. Speaking with ARTISTdirect, Tremonti explained, "It's a dynamic record. It's probably heavier than either CREED or ALTER BRIDGE, but it's still melody-driven. Most of the stuff is more up-tempo and heavy-riffing though. I had to write eleven solos for this record so it took me a long time. There's lots of soloing."
Tremonti added that he has finished his parts for the album, and is now just doing some last minute fixes here and there. He hopes to mix the record in February and have it in stores in either March or April. The guitarist told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago about his tentative release plans for the project. "We're trying to do it different," he said. "We're trying to every month put out two songs with, you know, your ringtones, your T-shirts, with — I'm gonna do instructional DVDs and the other guys will do instructional stuff, tutorials on how to play the songs and whatnot. After six months we'll release the whole album, and if everybody downloads the songs along the way, they'll get a signed copy of the whole record. We'll do everything we can to make it appealing to people."
Tremonti probably won't get a chance to mount a solo tour as he and the rest of CREED are heading out on a spring trek in which the band will play its first two albums, 1997's "My Own Prison" and 1999's "Human Clay", in their entirety.
All the small-venue shows will also feature additional tunes from the quartet's four-album catalog.
CREED is also working on a new album for release in 2012, while ALTER BRIDGE is set to tour Australia in late February/early March.
Tremonti added that he has finished his parts for the album, and is now just doing some last minute fixes here and there. He hopes to mix the record in February and have it in stores in either March or April. The guitarist told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago about his tentative release plans for the project. "We're trying to do it different," he said. "We're trying to every month put out two songs with, you know, your ringtones, your T-shirts, with — I'm gonna do instructional DVDs and the other guys will do instructional stuff, tutorials on how to play the songs and whatnot. After six months we'll release the whole album, and if everybody downloads the songs along the way, they'll get a signed copy of the whole record. We'll do everything we can to make it appealing to people."
Tremonti probably won't get a chance to mount a solo tour as he and the rest of CREED are heading out on a spring trek in which the band will play its first two albums, 1997's "My Own Prison" and 1999's "Human Clay", in their entirety.
All the small-venue shows will also feature additional tunes from the quartet's four-album catalog.
CREED is also working on a new album for release in 2012, while ALTER BRIDGE is set to tour Australia in late February/early March.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, CHEVELLE frontman Pete Loeffler said in an interview with Ultimate-Guitar.com that the rampant illegal file-sharing which has contributed to the decline of the traditional music business has had its positive side. Loeffler explained, "I guess I don't like the fact that it is in our human nature to steal things like music, and I wish we could change that. But one good thing that has happened is that there was a change that needed to be made as artists have always been taken advantage of . . . where now if you can, you can start on your own and do it on your own and that is a good thing for artists. And that's one of good things to come out of the whole file sharing thing."
Although it is not the sole cause, illegal downloading has contributed to the slow death of CD sales. Very few records sell one million copies, a number that was commonplace as little as 10 years ago.
Drummer Sam Loeffler told The Pulse Of Radio that he thinks fans still love to listen to music even if they don't buy CDs like they used to. "I think the passion and excitement is still there, without a doubt, and music's one of those things that — only poets read poetry, but everyone listens to music, you don't have to be a musician," he said. "And that excitement, it will always be there, I think."
CHEVELLE's latest album, "Hats Off To The Bull", has sold 99,000 copies since coming out in December and sits at No. 72 on the Billboard album chart. The first single, "Face To The Floor", is No. 1 on Active Rock radio.
The band recently announced the dates and venues for a new headlining U.S. tour that will kick off on February 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and wrap up a little over three weeks later on March 16 in Oklahoma City.
Although it is not the sole cause, illegal downloading has contributed to the slow death of CD sales. Very few records sell one million copies, a number that was commonplace as little as 10 years ago.
Drummer Sam Loeffler told The Pulse Of Radio that he thinks fans still love to listen to music even if they don't buy CDs like they used to. "I think the passion and excitement is still there, without a doubt, and music's one of those things that — only poets read poetry, but everyone listens to music, you don't have to be a musician," he said. "And that excitement, it will always be there, I think."
CHEVELLE's latest album, "Hats Off To The Bull", has sold 99,000 copies since coming out in December and sits at No. 72 on the Billboard album chart. The first single, "Face To The Floor", is No. 1 on Active Rock radio.
The band recently announced the dates and venues for a new headlining U.S. tour that will kick off on February 24 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and wrap up a little over three weeks later on March 16 in Oklahoma City.
Relapse Records has announced the re-signing of Swedish goregrind legends GENERAL SURGERY.
Originally formed in 1988, GENERAL SURGERY (Joacim Carlsson - guitar, Andreas Eriksson - bass, Andreas Mitroulis - drums, Erik Sahlström - lead vocals) released the seminal "Necrology" EP via Relapse in 1991 before going on a long hiatus until 2002. The band issued numerous splits, EPs, and two full-length albums since then and will be coming back in a blood-soaked rage in 2012!
"A Collection Of Depravation", a compilation of 30 GENERAL SURGERY choice cuts will see its official release via Relapse on March 27. The collection was digitally remastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull and contains a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes from the band.
In other news, GENERAL SURGERY will release a new seven-inch EP and record a full-length album in the near future.
Commented GENERAL SURGERY's Dr. Carlsson: "We are honored to announce that we will once again be working with the label that started us off (and in a way, we helped get off to a good start too back in 1990). Things are indeed coming full circle as we enter another phase of our gristle spattered career. The seeds for this collaboration were sown during the process of re-releasing the 'Necrology' EP last year, where both parties felt that further co-operation would be just the right thing for the future.
"Coming up immediately is our new 30-track collection CD, 'A Collection of Depravation', brimming with old putrefying cuts from our earlier split releases. Following that will be a 5-track 7" EP entitled 'Like An Ever Flying Limb', recorded during fall 2011 at Audiohammer (Sweden) studio. As if that wasn't enough, there will be a third full-length album to look forward to in the not so distant future."
Originally formed in 1988, GENERAL SURGERY (Joacim Carlsson - guitar, Andreas Eriksson - bass, Andreas Mitroulis - drums, Erik Sahlström - lead vocals) released the seminal "Necrology" EP via Relapse in 1991 before going on a long hiatus until 2002. The band issued numerous splits, EPs, and two full-length albums since then and will be coming back in a blood-soaked rage in 2012!
"A Collection Of Depravation", a compilation of 30 GENERAL SURGERY choice cuts will see its official release via Relapse on March 27. The collection was digitally remastered by PIG DESTROYER's Scott Hull and contains a 24-page booklet with extensive liner notes from the band.
In other news, GENERAL SURGERY will release a new seven-inch EP and record a full-length album in the near future.
Commented GENERAL SURGERY's Dr. Carlsson: "We are honored to announce that we will once again be working with the label that started us off (and in a way, we helped get off to a good start too back in 1990). Things are indeed coming full circle as we enter another phase of our gristle spattered career. The seeds for this collaboration were sown during the process of re-releasing the 'Necrology' EP last year, where both parties felt that further co-operation would be just the right thing for the future.
"Coming up immediately is our new 30-track collection CD, 'A Collection of Depravation', brimming with old putrefying cuts from our earlier split releases. Following that will be a 5-track 7" EP entitled 'Like An Ever Flying Limb', recorded during fall 2011 at Audiohammer (Sweden) studio. As if that wasn't enough, there will be a third full-length album to look forward to in the not so distant future."
Queens, New York-based deathcore act EMMURE is preparing to release its fifth full-length album, "Slave To The Game", after re-signing with Victory Records. Due on April 10, the CD is currently being recorded with producer Joey Sturgis (ASKING ALEXANDRIA, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA), who previously worked with the band on 2011's "Speaker Of The Dead".
Commented EMMURE vocalist Frankie Palmeri: "Victory Records is the big reason why EMMURE's been able to continuously connect to our fans, and our fans are the number one reason why we're still here today and continue to do what we do."
"Slave To The Game" will mark the recording debut of EMMURE's new drummer, Mark Costillo, who has previously played with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and BURY YOUR DEAD.
Commented EMMURE guitarist Jesse Ketive: "Mark Costillo has been a good friend for a few years now.
"Mark approached us as he heard through the grapevine that EMMURE needed a helping hand, so at that point I chatted with him about possibly recording our new CD and playing some shows. After jamming the set a few times, we all decided that Mark was the perfect fit for us and undoubtedly should be our new drummer. He is the utmost professional and his work on the new effort in going to really help us bring everything to another level. Everyone better watch out."
EMMURE will support "Slave To The Game" with a full North American tour this spring, hitting 31 cities with WE CAME AS ROMANS and more beginning in March. The band was recently added to this year's Bamboozle lineup for the May 19 date.
EMMURE is:
Frankie Palmeri - Vocals
Jesse Ketive - Guitar
Mike Mulholland - Guitar
Mark Davis - Bass
Mark Costillo - Drums
EMMURE's fourth album, "Speaker Of The Dead", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 68 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "Felony", opened with 7,800 units to land at No. 68.
Commented EMMURE vocalist Frankie Palmeri: "Victory Records is the big reason why EMMURE's been able to continuously connect to our fans, and our fans are the number one reason why we're still here today and continue to do what we do."
"Slave To The Game" will mark the recording debut of EMMURE's new drummer, Mark Costillo, who has previously played with BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME and BURY YOUR DEAD.
Commented EMMURE guitarist Jesse Ketive: "Mark Costillo has been a good friend for a few years now.
"Mark approached us as he heard through the grapevine that EMMURE needed a helping hand, so at that point I chatted with him about possibly recording our new CD and playing some shows. After jamming the set a few times, we all decided that Mark was the perfect fit for us and undoubtedly should be our new drummer. He is the utmost professional and his work on the new effort in going to really help us bring everything to another level. Everyone better watch out."
EMMURE will support "Slave To The Game" with a full North American tour this spring, hitting 31 cities with WE CAME AS ROMANS and more beginning in March. The band was recently added to this year's Bamboozle lineup for the May 19 date.
EMMURE is:
Frankie Palmeri - Vocals
Jesse Ketive - Guitar
Mike Mulholland - Guitar
Mark Davis - Bass
Mark Costillo - Drums
EMMURE's fourth album, "Speaker Of The Dead", sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 68 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "Felony", opened with 7,800 units to land at No. 68.
As BLABBERMOUTH.NET first reported on January 17, Decibel magazine is launching the maiden edition of its annual earth-scorching tour this April. The inaugural Decibel Magazine Tour will feature not just the long-awaited stateside return of Polish BEHEMOTH, Swedish black metal provocateurs WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE.
Beginning in April and laying waste through a gargantuan 26-date run, the Decibel Magazine Tour not only offers four diverse European artists hand-picked by the magazine, but doubles as BEHEMOTH's first U.S. tour since vocalist/guitarist Adam "Nergal" Darski's well-documented battle with — and triumph over—leukemia.
"Considering the fact that we'll be sharing the stage with the most evil and uncompromising bands around — WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE — this already makes it a legendary bill that you can't miss out on!" promises Nergal. "Watch out. We won't show up — we will ARRIVE with all the strength and might!"
"Part of Decibel's mission is to push the boundaries of what a metal publication is capable of doing," adds Decibel editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian, the tour's principal curator. "By bringing bands like WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE to larger stages in the U.S, we create an additional vehicle to help raise their profiles. It's another way to infect the mainstream with the power of the underground."
It only makes sense that Decibel would present a tour package with a sense of integrity, purpose and history. "It is a joint force of artistic adversity and sinister creativity," assures WATAIN frontman Erik Danielsson, "which makes me think of the glorious days when bands like VENOM, METALLICA, EXODUS and SLAYER toured together like a great middle finger raised towards their sheep-minded contemporaries."
More details, including tour dates, venues and ticket info will be announced at DecibelMagazinetour.com on January 24. Every ticket purchased through Top Spin will come with a commemorative laminate, and all fans that purchase their ticket through Top Spin will be entered to win an ESP Guitar.
Beginning in April and laying waste through a gargantuan 26-date run, the Decibel Magazine Tour not only offers four diverse European artists hand-picked by the magazine, but doubles as BEHEMOTH's first U.S. tour since vocalist/guitarist Adam "Nergal" Darski's well-documented battle with — and triumph over—leukemia.
"Considering the fact that we'll be sharing the stage with the most evil and uncompromising bands around — WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE — this already makes it a legendary bill that you can't miss out on!" promises Nergal. "Watch out. We won't show up — we will ARRIVE with all the strength and might!"
"Part of Decibel's mission is to push the boundaries of what a metal publication is capable of doing," adds Decibel editor-in-chief Albert Mudrian, the tour's principal curator. "By bringing bands like WATAIN, THE DEVIL'S BLOOD and IN SOLITUDE to larger stages in the U.S, we create an additional vehicle to help raise their profiles. It's another way to infect the mainstream with the power of the underground."
It only makes sense that Decibel would present a tour package with a sense of integrity, purpose and history. "It is a joint force of artistic adversity and sinister creativity," assures WATAIN frontman Erik Danielsson, "which makes me think of the glorious days when bands like VENOM, METALLICA, EXODUS and SLAYER toured together like a great middle finger raised towards their sheep-minded contemporaries."
More details, including tour dates, venues and ticket info will be announced at DecibelMagazinetour.com on January 24. Every ticket purchased through Top Spin will come with a commemorative laminate, and all fans that purchase their ticket through Top Spin will be entered to win an ESP Guitar.
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