Shortly after being named a 'Living Legend' by Classic Rock Magazine, Jeff Beck spent some time looking back at his storied career, including an ill-fated 1975 audition for the Rolling Stones.
The Stones were looking to fill the guitarist slot that had recently been vacated by Mick Taylor. Beck stopped by thinking that he was merely going to help them out with a couple of tracks for their next record. The fact that he might be auditioning for the group never crossed his mind.
As he relates in the story, he had been in the studio for two days without seeing any of the Stones. Looking around the area, he saw a stack of guitars and thought "odd…how many guitars does Keith need?"
Pianist Ian Stewart told Beck "they're giving you an audition. They've told all the other guys to f-ck off."
"Eventually, we got into the same room together and I started playing Bill Wyman's bass so hard the dust was flying off. I wandered off and the engineer, Glyn Johns, said 'that's incredible!' I said: 'One for the archives, mate. I'm leaving tomorrow.'"
The group wasn't happy with Beck's decision to leave, but he describes the recording situation back then as "dysfunctional" and says that he couldn't deal with the "lack of purpose."
From their side, the Stones defended their methods as the way they worked as a unit, but Beck wanted no part of that, saying that "I'm not into chaos."
"Some people might find it hard to believe that you'd walk away from the Stones gig, but Keith and I wouldn't have gone through an album without punching each other out anyway."
In the end, Beck was happy with his decision, because he was slated to work with Beatles producer George Martin on the album that would become Beck's 'Blow by Blow.'
Having recently revealed a new band lineup, Beck is excited about his forthcoming album, which he says will be "a real band album."
BLACK SABBATH's official Facebook page has been updated with a message about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's new album following the revelation earlier this month that guitarist Tony Iommi was diagnosed with cancer.
"The guys have moved writing sessions from Los Angeles to Birmingham, England," the message reads. "SABBATH has gone back to where it all started and it's been just amazing. This is where the writing of the album will be completed. Funny how it all goes full circle sometimes.
BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler last week wrote on his web site, "Today (January 19) 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."
Butler continued, "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 added, "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."
Iommi himself told The Pulse Of Radio shortly before his illness was diagnosed, that at the age of 63 he was busier than ever: "There's more than ever. You expect to sort of slow down at this time of life, but it's gone absolutely berserk. And it's great, I love it, being approached by different people to do projects -- and well-known people. It's quite exciting."
SABBATH announced this past November that the band's original lineup — Butler, Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Bill Ward — was reuniting to record its first album in 33 years, to be followed by a world tour.
The status of the tour has been thrown into question by Iommi's condition, although it has been reported that Iommi seemed to be responding well to early treatment.
SABBATH is still scheduled to appear at this June's Download Festival in the U.K., although a planned headlining slot at April's Coachella Festival in California was scrapped.
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.
"The guys have moved writing sessions from Los Angeles to Birmingham, England," the message reads. "SABBATH has gone back to where it all started and it's been just amazing. This is where the writing of the album will be completed. Funny how it all goes full circle sometimes.
BLACK SABBATH bassist Geezer Butler last week wrote on his web site, "Today (January 19) 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."
Butler continued, "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 added, "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."
Iommi himself told The Pulse Of Radio shortly before his illness was diagnosed, that at the age of 63 he was busier than ever: "There's more than ever. You expect to sort of slow down at this time of life, but it's gone absolutely berserk. And it's great, I love it, being approached by different people to do projects -- and well-known people. It's quite exciting."
SABBATH announced this past November that the band's original lineup — Butler, Iommi, singer Ozzy Osbourne and drummer Bill Ward — was reuniting to record its first album in 33 years, to be followed by a world tour.
The status of the tour has been thrown into question by Iommi's condition, although it has been reported that Iommi seemed to be responding well to early treatment.
SABBATH is still scheduled to appear at this June's Download Festival in the U.K., although a planned headlining slot at April's Coachella Festival in California was scrapped.
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.
AEROSMITH lead singer Steven Tyler's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Sunday's (January 22) AFC title game between the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens was blasted online, with one fan writing on Twitter, "Steven Tyler's national anthem before the Patriots/Ravens game couldn't have been any worse if John Madden farted it through a harmonica." Tyler was also ridiculed for having a teleprompter nearby — apparently in case he forgot the words.
"That song is a bitch," Tyler's AEROSMITH bandmate Joe Perry tells the National Post. "They should just get one guy, like an opera singer, who delivers the song exactly the same way when you see the American flag or the Canadian flag, so no one messes with it. Why can't somebody interpret it the way that they want?"
Perry said that Tyler flew from his home in Los Angeles, after attending two funerals, to sing the national anthem and that his AEROSMITH lead singer meant no disrespect.
"He's got a one-in-a-million voice and people are lucky to hear it," said Perry. "Give me a break, he's a rock singer. He's using the tools that he's got."
The singer's previous performance of the national anthem, at a Boston Bruins hockey game in 2010, came under fire when he mumbled or mispronounced some of the lyrics, and his 2001 performance at the Indianapolis 500 was panned when he changed the line "home of the brave" to "home of the Indianapolis 500."
Tyler returned earlier this month to "American Idol" for his second season on the panel of judges.
He and the rest of AEROSMITH have been working on a new studio album, which is tentatively set for release this spring.
"That song is a bitch," Tyler's AEROSMITH bandmate Joe Perry tells the National Post. "They should just get one guy, like an opera singer, who delivers the song exactly the same way when you see the American flag or the Canadian flag, so no one messes with it. Why can't somebody interpret it the way that they want?"
Perry said that Tyler flew from his home in Los Angeles, after attending two funerals, to sing the national anthem and that his AEROSMITH lead singer meant no disrespect.
"He's got a one-in-a-million voice and people are lucky to hear it," said Perry. "Give me a break, he's a rock singer. He's using the tools that he's got."
The singer's previous performance of the national anthem, at a Boston Bruins hockey game in 2010, came under fire when he mumbled or mispronounced some of the lyrics, and his 2001 performance at the Indianapolis 500 was panned when he changed the line "home of the brave" to "home of the Indianapolis 500."
Tyler returned earlier this month to "American Idol" for his second season on the panel of judges.
He and the rest of AEROSMITH have been working on a new studio album, which is tentatively set for release this spring.
SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell will perform at Muhammad Ali's 70th-birthday celebration on Saturday, February 18 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 16th annual "Power Of Love" gala will raise funds in support of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and The Muhammad Ali Center. ABC will also televise the event in the U.S. on Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST.
The 16th annual "Power Of Love" gala will raise funds in support of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and The Muhammad Ali Center. ABC will also televise the event in the U.S. on Saturday, February 25 at 7 p.m. EST/ 4 p.m. PST.
The much-anticipated new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ADRENALINE MOB) and guitarist/vocalist John Sykes (WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER, THIN LIZZY) is no more.
Portnoy and Sykes announced their collaboration during a July 2011 taping of season eight of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". The program's co-host Eddie Trunk tweeted about the project at the time, "I heard demos. Sounds like killer BLUE MURDER meets '1987' WHITESNAKE. Amazing!" He also said that the new group would perform some BLUE MURDER material when it hits the road.
The project last year demoed more than a dozen songs at a Los Angeles studio, with Portnoy describing one track as "copping the [LED] ZEPPELIN/[BLACK] SABBATH vibe" and another as "[PINK] FLOYD meets [DEEP] PURPLE!!! Some serious old-school classic rock."
In a new posting on his official web site, Trunk writes, "There has been much speculation on the status of the band and this project since we first revealed it, and as a friend and fan of both musicians I was very much at the center of it helping where I could and serving as a sounding board with all involved. Sadly, I can confirm that as of now this project is no longer moving forward.
"When I first talked about Portnoy and Sykes working together, I joked with them that I had never met two guys with such different work ethics. Mike wants to do everything yesterday and John really takes his time and is much more conservative. That truly is the only reason why what could have been a killer band has dissolved.
"Obviously, bands are like any relationship — some click, some do not. This was simply a case of two different people not only getting to know each other musically but also personally, and the schedule and timing for making this work just fell apart. Mike and the band's bass player were ready to go, and John simply was not on the same timetable. There is truly no bigger story or any drama to report. It just didn't work and everyone is moving on. Mike has several amazing projects in the works, including the killer ADRENALINE MOB album coming in March, and John may very well do a solo album or something else. He has some great material written and was singing and playing in top form when this dissolved. They both remain friends and I wish them both nothing but the best going forward and who knows what the future holds?"
Commented Portnoy on Twitter, "Sad but true... I tried my best to make it work... Me and the bass player [Billy Sheehan] couldn't wait around any longer... [Billy and I] moving on and now working with another guitarist/singer."
Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).
Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.
Sykes announced his departure from THIN LIZZY in July 2009, explaining that "I feel it's time to get back to playing my own music."
Portnoy and Sykes announced their collaboration during a July 2011 taping of season eight of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". The program's co-host Eddie Trunk tweeted about the project at the time, "I heard demos. Sounds like killer BLUE MURDER meets '1987' WHITESNAKE. Amazing!" He also said that the new group would perform some BLUE MURDER material when it hits the road.
The project last year demoed more than a dozen songs at a Los Angeles studio, with Portnoy describing one track as "copping the [LED] ZEPPELIN/[BLACK] SABBATH vibe" and another as "[PINK] FLOYD meets [DEEP] PURPLE!!! Some serious old-school classic rock."
In a new posting on his official web site, Trunk writes, "There has been much speculation on the status of the band and this project since we first revealed it, and as a friend and fan of both musicians I was very much at the center of it helping where I could and serving as a sounding board with all involved. Sadly, I can confirm that as of now this project is no longer moving forward.
"When I first talked about Portnoy and Sykes working together, I joked with them that I had never met two guys with such different work ethics. Mike wants to do everything yesterday and John really takes his time and is much more conservative. That truly is the only reason why what could have been a killer band has dissolved.
"Obviously, bands are like any relationship — some click, some do not. This was simply a case of two different people not only getting to know each other musically but also personally, and the schedule and timing for making this work just fell apart. Mike and the band's bass player were ready to go, and John simply was not on the same timetable. There is truly no bigger story or any drama to report. It just didn't work and everyone is moving on. Mike has several amazing projects in the works, including the killer ADRENALINE MOB album coming in March, and John may very well do a solo album or something else. He has some great material written and was singing and playing in top form when this dissolved. They both remain friends and I wish them both nothing but the best going forward and who knows what the future holds?"
Commented Portnoy on Twitter, "Sad but true... I tried my best to make it work... Me and the bass player [Billy Sheehan] couldn't wait around any longer... [Billy and I] moving on and now working with another guitarist/singer."
Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mike Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE, STEVE VAI).
Portnoy played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them for the entire second half of 2010.
Sykes announced his departure from THIN LIZZY in July 2009, explaining that "I feel it's time to get back to playing my own music."
Vintage Rock's Junkman conducted an interview with legendary guitarist George Lynch (DOKKEN, LYNCH MOB, SOULS OF WE, TOOTH AND NAIL) at the 2012 NAMM show on January 21 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.
Regarding the current status of LYNCH MOB, George said, "We've got a new singer, Jesse Forte from VAINS OF JENNA. So it's Scot Coogan on drums from ACE FREHLEY, we've got Robbie Crane from RATT and myself and Jesse Forte, and that's the new LYNCH MOB. We're gonna be doing a lot of touring this year. And we're trying to get back in the studio in the late winter/early spring to finish up the record that we were doing with Oni [Logan, former LYNCH MOB singer] before we lost Oni last year. So a revamped LYNCH MOB with fresh blood in it, with Jesse — a young guy, great chops, great look."
LYNCH MOB's comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", was released in Europe on September 18, 2009 (October 13, 2009 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records. The recording lineup on the CD included Lynch and Logan alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and Coogan.
Lynch has joined forces with fellow former/current DOKKEN members Jeff Pilson (bass) and Mick Brown (drums) in a new project called TOOTH AND NAIL. The band's debut album is tentatively due in March. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics.
Lynch's eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years, "Kill All Control", was released last July via Rocket Science, Inc.
What began as a follow-up to the SOULS OF WE debut, "Let The Truth Be Known", George quickly realized the project was taking on a new direction with the addition of POWERMAN 5000 drummer Adrian Ost. While writing with SOULS OF WE singer London LeGrand (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION), George noted, "The creative juices flowed and we wrote most of the CD in 10 days."
Regarding the current status of LYNCH MOB, George said, "We've got a new singer, Jesse Forte from VAINS OF JENNA. So it's Scot Coogan on drums from ACE FREHLEY, we've got Robbie Crane from RATT and myself and Jesse Forte, and that's the new LYNCH MOB. We're gonna be doing a lot of touring this year. And we're trying to get back in the studio in the late winter/early spring to finish up the record that we were doing with Oni [Logan, former LYNCH MOB singer] before we lost Oni last year. So a revamped LYNCH MOB with fresh blood in it, with Jesse — a young guy, great chops, great look."
LYNCH MOB's comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", was released in Europe on September 18, 2009 (October 13, 2009 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records. The recording lineup on the CD included Lynch and Logan alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and Coogan.
Lynch has joined forces with fellow former/current DOKKEN members Jeff Pilson (bass) and Mick Brown (drums) in a new project called TOOTH AND NAIL. The band's debut album is tentatively due in March. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics.
Lynch's eleventh solo album in nearly twenty years, "Kill All Control", was released last July via Rocket Science, Inc.
What began as a follow-up to the SOULS OF WE debut, "Let The Truth Be Known", George quickly realized the project was taking on a new direction with the addition of POWERMAN 5000 drummer Adrian Ost. While writing with SOULS OF WE singer London LeGrand (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION), George noted, "The creative juices flowed and we wrote most of the CD in 10 days."
Ovation has announced two new signature Viper models YM63 & YM68 designed by the true master of neo-classical metal shred, Yngwie J. Malmsteen. As a longtime Ovation endorsee, Yngwie has incorporated many Ovation models into his live performances and recordings over the past 25 years — including the stage-friendly Viper.
Yngwie's new signature Vipers, models YM68 (steel string) and YM63 (nylon string), feature a solid chambered Mahogany body, five-piece Mahogany and Maple necks, and preamp circuitry specially designed to deliver natural acoustic tone with absolutely no feedback — even at the most high-level stage volumes.
True to Yngwie's personal playing preferences, the steel string Viper also has a hand-scalloped fingerboard which creates less friction between the wood and the string when bending notes or adding vibrato. A light touch is all you need to play fast and articulate riffs with less effort than non-scalloped fretboards.
The new models are available in two color options: 6P - White or RC - Rosso Corsa Red (which happens to match one of Yngwie's favorite Ferraris)
The Viper preamp features 3-band EQ with the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, and a handy battery status light.
Yngwie's new signature Vipers, models YM68 (steel string) and YM63 (nylon string), feature a solid chambered Mahogany body, five-piece Mahogany and Maple necks, and preamp circuitry specially designed to deliver natural acoustic tone with absolutely no feedback — even at the most high-level stage volumes.
True to Yngwie's personal playing preferences, the steel string Viper also has a hand-scalloped fingerboard which creates less friction between the wood and the string when bending notes or adding vibrato. A light touch is all you need to play fast and articulate riffs with less effort than non-scalloped fretboards.
The new models are available in two color options: 6P - White or RC - Rosso Corsa Red (which happens to match one of Yngwie's favorite Ferraris)
The Viper preamp features 3-band EQ with the bass, midrange, and treble frequencies, and a handy battery status light.
Reunited German metal legends RUNNING WILD will release their brand new album, "Shadowmaker", in Germany on April 20, in the rest of Europe on April 23 and in the U.S./Canada on April 24 via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be released as a limited first edition in a black jewel case with silver printing and slipcase plus a 40-minute bonus DVD with a "making-of" documentary and a track-by-track commentary by RUNNING WILD mainman Rock 'N' Rolf. The double gatefold LP will come with printed innersleeves and clear vinyl. There also will be a boxset limited to 1,000 copies worldwide. It contains 2 LPs, the black jewel case with the DVD, a poster, a sticker, a postcard and a 30-page book in LP size about the history of the band.
The cover of "Shadowmaker" is the most unusual in the history of the band, but when you listen to the title track and read the lyrics, you will understand the meaning of it. It was created by Rock 'N' Rolf and Jens Reinhold (EVERGREY, FREEDOM CALL, VIRGIN STEELE), who will also handle artwork for all configurations.
Black Jewel Case + DVD track listing:
CD
01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)
04. Black Shadow (5:13)
05. Locomotive (4:35)
06. Me & The Boys (5:00)
07. Shadowmaker (4:25)
08. Sailing Fire (4:14)
09. Into The Black (4:57)
10. Dracula (7:29)
DVD
* Making of "Shadowmaker"
* Track-by-track commentary by Rock 'N' Rolf
Length: approximately 40 min
LP track listing:
LP 1
Side 1
01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)
Side 2
01. Black Shadow (5:13)
02. Locomotive (4:35)
03. Me & The Boys (5:00)
LP 2
Side 1
01. Shadowmaker (4:25)
02. Sailing Fire (4:14)
03. Into The Black (4:57)
Side 2
01. Dracula (7:29)
Box Set:
* 2 LPs, clear vinyl
* Black jewel case including DVD
* Poster
* Postcard
* Sticker
* 30 page book in LP size about the history of the band plus photos
* 35 x 35 cm
* Hard cardboard material with top
The cover of "Shadowmaker" is the most unusual in the history of the band, but when you listen to the title track and read the lyrics, you will understand the meaning of it. It was created by Rock 'N' Rolf and Jens Reinhold (EVERGREY, FREEDOM CALL, VIRGIN STEELE), who will also handle artwork for all configurations.
Black Jewel Case + DVD track listing:
CD
01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)
04. Black Shadow (5:13)
05. Locomotive (4:35)
06. Me & The Boys (5:00)
07. Shadowmaker (4:25)
08. Sailing Fire (4:14)
09. Into The Black (4:57)
10. Dracula (7:29)
DVD
* Making of "Shadowmaker"
* Track-by-track commentary by Rock 'N' Rolf
Length: approximately 40 min
LP track listing:
LP 1
Side 1
01. Piece Of The Action (4:25)
02. Riding On The Tide (4:18)
03. I Am Who I Am (4:51)
Side 2
01. Black Shadow (5:13)
02. Locomotive (4:35)
03. Me & The Boys (5:00)
LP 2
Side 1
01. Shadowmaker (4:25)
02. Sailing Fire (4:14)
03. Into The Black (4:57)
Side 2
01. Dracula (7:29)
Box Set:
* 2 LPs, clear vinyl
* Black jewel case including DVD
* Poster
* Postcard
* Sticker
* 30 page book in LP size about the history of the band plus photos
* 35 x 35 cm
* Hard cardboard material with top
Keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen of Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions for the NIGHTWISH fan site Oceansouls Of America. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow below.
Oceansouls Of America: How much of a culture shock was it coming to the U.S. when you were a teen? I'm from the area you stayed (Missouri/Kansas), what were your impressions of the area?
Tuomas: It was a huge shock. The thing is, I came here when I was 15, and I was quite a different person back then. Well, not that different; but back then, I was incredibly shy. I remember that during the year that I was here, I didn't make but one friend, for example, besides my host family. You know, I didn't hate anybody, nobody hated me; but I was just a quiet kid in the school corridors. I really was just playing the clarinet in the band, and being real, real quiet. So that's what I remember; that everything was so new, and I was quite scared. It was truly a nice lesson of independence and everything. Afterwards, I'd been thinking that maybe I did it, like 1 or 2 years too early. I was just so secluded. But only good memories living here; fantastic host family and everything.
Oceansouls Of America: This show at Gibson [Ampitheater in Universal City, California on January 21] will be the band's first opportunity to bring their elaborate stage show to their American audience. What kind of things can we expect? While it's likely that much of it will be part of the stage show for this tour, are there any special surprises that will be exclusive only to this show?
Tuomas: We had some big plans, but then we got the budget and we had to cut a lot of that away. I'm being really honest here. Because, for example, pyrotechnics, they cost about four times here, more than in Europe. So there was no way we could pay for…astronomical, the expenses. So we basically just have flames, some confetti… but that's it. We couldn't bring the screens, for example; there's no way. It's the first time we have fire on U.S. soil, so that's something special.
Oceansouls Of America: Seeing as how the "Imaginaerum" movie was filmed in Canada, is there a likelihood of the movie being shown in Canadian theaters? Is there any possibility of the movie being shown in theaters throughout other North American countries?
Tuomas: I have my doubts, I really do. I'm sure it will be shown in theaters in Finland; it's gonna be quite an event over there, no doubt. But maybe Canada, because it was shot in Canada. But I would be highly surprised if it got any kind of theatrical release in the U.S. or UK or Europe, even. Because, I mean, it's a lot on the "cult" side; it doesn't really have blockbuster written all over it. But you know, when we have asked the directors, "Does this movie have any chance of hitting the theaters?" They always say, "Give us a two-minute trailer and we'll decide." So we'll know more in March, when we get the trailer done.
Oceansouls Of America: Have you written any other songs that didn't make it onto the album, that you will release as bonus tracks later on?
Tuomas: We don't have any bonus tracks, not a single one. We just did those 13 songs, and that's it. But we are coming up with a separate score album, because all the music that you hear in the movie are the same songs, but completely rearranged. We're going to release the score album with those songs.
Oceansouls Of America: In my opinion, "Dark Passion Play" was an album full of sorrow with a little bit of anger. But now, in "Imaginaerum", all energy changed: sorrow gave way to hope and there is a full harmony sensation in each song. So, the question is: what changed since "Dark Passion Play", in your head and in your heart, to have such a wonderful change in NIGHTWISH's music?
Tuomas: I just don't want to go through the "Dark Passion Play" era ever again. That's something I decided when I started to do the songs for the new album; not all this melancholy… well, not melancholy, that's good. But enough of the anger, and sorrow, and being really, really depressed all the time. I mean, it's just a waste of life. So we deliberately decided that, "OK, let's do the more optimistic album." Which doesn't mean that it's, like, all positive and just major chords. Melancholy and sorrow and darkness needs to be there, but the overall feeling is so much more optimistic. It's all about imagination and the beauty of the world and all that.
Oceansouls Of America: Are there any songs you don't like to perform, or are tired of performing?
Tuomas: "Wishmaster". It's just that we decided with the band that let's, on this tour, let's just do the songs that everybody enjoys doing. Because that's how you keep up the energy, and the smiles, and it reflects to the people. So "who wants to do 'Wishmaster'?" Nobody raised their hands. Some other songs as well; for example, I wanted to do "The Wayfarer", we even practiced it. It was Marco [Hietala, bass/vocals] who said that this is not a really good song. I really like that song, and I wanted to do it, but yeah, they were like, "Maybe something else." And then it was Anette's [Olzon, vocals] idea, that why don't we… because everybody was sick and tired of "Nemo" as well… Let's re-arrange it, acoustic.
Oceansouls Of America: How much of a culture shock was it coming to the U.S. when you were a teen? I'm from the area you stayed (Missouri/Kansas), what were your impressions of the area?
Tuomas: It was a huge shock. The thing is, I came here when I was 15, and I was quite a different person back then. Well, not that different; but back then, I was incredibly shy. I remember that during the year that I was here, I didn't make but one friend, for example, besides my host family. You know, I didn't hate anybody, nobody hated me; but I was just a quiet kid in the school corridors. I really was just playing the clarinet in the band, and being real, real quiet. So that's what I remember; that everything was so new, and I was quite scared. It was truly a nice lesson of independence and everything. Afterwards, I'd been thinking that maybe I did it, like 1 or 2 years too early. I was just so secluded. But only good memories living here; fantastic host family and everything.
Oceansouls Of America: This show at Gibson [Ampitheater in Universal City, California on January 21] will be the band's first opportunity to bring their elaborate stage show to their American audience. What kind of things can we expect? While it's likely that much of it will be part of the stage show for this tour, are there any special surprises that will be exclusive only to this show?
Tuomas: We had some big plans, but then we got the budget and we had to cut a lot of that away. I'm being really honest here. Because, for example, pyrotechnics, they cost about four times here, more than in Europe. So there was no way we could pay for…astronomical, the expenses. So we basically just have flames, some confetti… but that's it. We couldn't bring the screens, for example; there's no way. It's the first time we have fire on U.S. soil, so that's something special.
Oceansouls Of America: Seeing as how the "Imaginaerum" movie was filmed in Canada, is there a likelihood of the movie being shown in Canadian theaters? Is there any possibility of the movie being shown in theaters throughout other North American countries?
Tuomas: I have my doubts, I really do. I'm sure it will be shown in theaters in Finland; it's gonna be quite an event over there, no doubt. But maybe Canada, because it was shot in Canada. But I would be highly surprised if it got any kind of theatrical release in the U.S. or UK or Europe, even. Because, I mean, it's a lot on the "cult" side; it doesn't really have blockbuster written all over it. But you know, when we have asked the directors, "Does this movie have any chance of hitting the theaters?" They always say, "Give us a two-minute trailer and we'll decide." So we'll know more in March, when we get the trailer done.
Oceansouls Of America: Have you written any other songs that didn't make it onto the album, that you will release as bonus tracks later on?
Tuomas: We don't have any bonus tracks, not a single one. We just did those 13 songs, and that's it. But we are coming up with a separate score album, because all the music that you hear in the movie are the same songs, but completely rearranged. We're going to release the score album with those songs.
Oceansouls Of America: In my opinion, "Dark Passion Play" was an album full of sorrow with a little bit of anger. But now, in "Imaginaerum", all energy changed: sorrow gave way to hope and there is a full harmony sensation in each song. So, the question is: what changed since "Dark Passion Play", in your head and in your heart, to have such a wonderful change in NIGHTWISH's music?
Tuomas: I just don't want to go through the "Dark Passion Play" era ever again. That's something I decided when I started to do the songs for the new album; not all this melancholy… well, not melancholy, that's good. But enough of the anger, and sorrow, and being really, really depressed all the time. I mean, it's just a waste of life. So we deliberately decided that, "OK, let's do the more optimistic album." Which doesn't mean that it's, like, all positive and just major chords. Melancholy and sorrow and darkness needs to be there, but the overall feeling is so much more optimistic. It's all about imagination and the beauty of the world and all that.
Oceansouls Of America: Are there any songs you don't like to perform, or are tired of performing?
Tuomas: "Wishmaster". It's just that we decided with the band that let's, on this tour, let's just do the songs that everybody enjoys doing. Because that's how you keep up the energy, and the smiles, and it reflects to the people. So "who wants to do 'Wishmaster'?" Nobody raised their hands. Some other songs as well; for example, I wanted to do "The Wayfarer", we even practiced it. It was Marco [Hietala, bass/vocals] who said that this is not a really good song. I really like that song, and I wanted to do it, but yeah, they were like, "Maybe something else." And then it was Anette's [Olzon, vocals] idea, that why don't we… because everybody was sick and tired of "Nemo" as well… Let's re-arrange it, acoustic.
Legendary Danish/American/Swedish heavy metal band KING DIAMOND will play only two shows in Europe this summer:
June 09 - Sweden Rock Festival – Sölvesborg, SWE
June 15 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
A video message from KING DIAMOND's 55-year-old frontman/namesake in which he announces his band's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival can be seen below.
King Diamond (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen) underwent open-heart triple-bypass surgery in November 2010. He has since completed his cardiac rehabilitation program and has stopped smoking entirely, changed his diet and is getting regular exercise, according to his wife Livia Zita.
King Diamond made his long-anticipated return to the stage with his MERCYFUL FATE bandmates Hank Shermann, Timi Hansen and Michael Denner on December 7, 2011 at the second of four intimate shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of METALLICA's week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.
KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the group's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul … Please".
"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 28. The CD also landed at No. 58 on the Danish chart (the second highest new entry on the chart behind VELVET REVOLVER).
"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.
June 09 - Sweden Rock Festival – Sölvesborg, SWE
June 15 - Hellfest - Clisson, France
A video message from KING DIAMOND's 55-year-old frontman/namesake in which he announces his band's appearance at the Sweden Rock Festival can be seen below.
King Diamond (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen) underwent open-heart triple-bypass surgery in November 2010. He has since completed his cardiac rehabilitation program and has stopped smoking entirely, changed his diet and is getting regular exercise, according to his wife Livia Zita.
King Diamond made his long-anticipated return to the stage with his MERCYFUL FATE bandmates Hank Shermann, Timi Hansen and Michael Denner on December 7, 2011 at the second of four intimate shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco as part of METALLICA's week-long celebration of its 30th anniversary as a band for fan club members only.
KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the group's latest album, "Give Me Your Soul … Please".
"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 28. The CD also landed at No. 58 on the Danish chart (the second highest new entry on the chart behind VELVET REVOLVER).
"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Drummer Tomas Haake and vocalist Jens Kidman of Swedish Swedish experimental extreme metallers MESHUGGAH took part in a video online chat via Ustream.tv earlier today (Tuesday, January 24). They answered fan-submitted questions about their new album, "Koloss", which will be released in Germany on March 23 and the rest of Europe on March 26 (March 27 in North America) as a CD digi, limited-edition Magic Cube (CD digi plus DVD exclusive to Nuclear Blast mail order) and two-LP brown vinyl via Nuclear Blast Records.
Regarding MESHUGGAH's North American touring plans, Haake said, "We're doing a tour in May with DECAPITATED and BARONESS being with us on that tour. So, uh, keep your eyes peeled for that. That tour, the dates will be posted shortly, I think, within the next few days, if it's not on sale yet." Tomas also confirmed that MESHUGGAH will return to North America in October/November for another full-length run.
You can watch the entire 43-minute question-and-answer session below.
"Koloss" track listing:
01. I Am Colossus
02. The Demon's Name Is Surveillance
03. Do Not Look Down
04. Behind The Sun
05. The Hurt That Finds You First
06. Marrow
07. Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion
08. Swarm
09. Demiurge
10. The Last Vigil
Haake previously stated about the new CD, "As always, we try to take our music in a slightly different direction with each album and with 'Koloss', we feel that we really nailed what we were going for. Organic brutality, viscera and groove all crammed into a 54-minute metalicious treat, best avoided by the faint of heart!!"
Released in March 2008, MESHUGGAH's last album, "obZen", debuted at No. 59 on The Billboard 200 chart and at No. 14 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart.
MESHUGGAH's first DVD, "Alive" sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.
Regarding MESHUGGAH's North American touring plans, Haake said, "We're doing a tour in May with DECAPITATED and BARONESS being with us on that tour. So, uh, keep your eyes peeled for that. That tour, the dates will be posted shortly, I think, within the next few days, if it's not on sale yet." Tomas also confirmed that MESHUGGAH will return to North America in October/November for another full-length run.
You can watch the entire 43-minute question-and-answer session below.
"Koloss" track listing:
01. I Am Colossus
02. The Demon's Name Is Surveillance
03. Do Not Look Down
04. Behind The Sun
05. The Hurt That Finds You First
06. Marrow
07. Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion
08. Swarm
09. Demiurge
10. The Last Vigil
Haake previously stated about the new CD, "As always, we try to take our music in a slightly different direction with each album and with 'Koloss', we feel that we really nailed what we were going for. Organic brutality, viscera and groove all crammed into a 54-minute metalicious treat, best avoided by the faint of heart!!"
Released in March 2008, MESHUGGAH's last album, "obZen", debuted at No. 59 on The Billboard 200 chart and at No. 14 on the iTunes Top Rock Albums chart.
MESHUGGAH's first DVD, "Alive" sold around 3,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on the Top Music Videos chart.
After a brief arctic slumber, GWAR will be returning to the road this spring on the second leg of their "Return Of The World Maggot Tour". The trek kicks off with a special tribute show for fallen bandmate and friend Cory Smoot, a.k.a. Flattus Maximus, in Richmond, Virginia, at The National Theater on Friday, March 16. All proceeds from the Richmond show will benefit the Smoot Family Fund which has been established to help support Cory's widow and their unborn child.
Support on this run will come from fellow Richmond metallers MUNICIPAL WASTE, and California's GHOUL. LEGACY OF DISORDER will join the tour on March 20 in Boston and the tour will run through April 11 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Tickets for fan club members go on sale tomorrow, January 25, and tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28.
Personal slave to Oderus and Slave Pit spokesman Dave Brockie had this to say: "All the years of doing GWAR could never have prepared us for what we have been through, and I want to thank the metal community and the extended GWAR family for all of your support. Finishing that last tour was the hardest thing we have ever had to do, and we still have about half of the country left to hit. We will continue as a four-piece, with the special tribute to Flattus at the end of the show, in order to give our fans a chance to say goodbye to our fallen Scumdog brother in true GWAR fashion-covered in blood and rocking the fuck out! After this tour is over we can start looking to the future and begin to put this tragedy behind us. But for now we are still in 'Hail Flattus' mode!"
The dates are as follows:
Mar. 16 - Richmond, VA - The National
Mar. 17 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
Mar. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Mar. 20 - Boston, MA - Wilbur Theater
Mar. 21 - So. Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Mar. 22 - Syracuse, NY - Westcott Theater
Mar. 23 - Toledo, OH - The Omni
Mar. 24 - Lexington, KY - Buster's Billiards and Backroom
Mar. 25 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
Mar. 26 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater
Mar. 27 - Des Moines, IA - People's Court
Mar. 28 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
Mar. 30 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theater
Mar. 31 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
Apr. 01 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater & Club
Apr. 02 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theater
Apr. 03 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
Apr. 04 - Ventura, CA - Majestic Ventura Theater
Apr. 05 - Chico, CA - Senator Theater
Apr. 06 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
Apr. 07 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Apr. 09 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Café
Apr. 10 - Magna, UT - The Great Salt Air
Apr. 11 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theater
Support on this run will come from fellow Richmond metallers MUNICIPAL WASTE, and California's GHOUL. LEGACY OF DISORDER will join the tour on March 20 in Boston and the tour will run through April 11 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Tickets for fan club members go on sale tomorrow, January 25, and tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, January 27 and Saturday, January 28.
Personal slave to Oderus and Slave Pit spokesman Dave Brockie had this to say: "All the years of doing GWAR could never have prepared us for what we have been through, and I want to thank the metal community and the extended GWAR family for all of your support. Finishing that last tour was the hardest thing we have ever had to do, and we still have about half of the country left to hit. We will continue as a four-piece, with the special tribute to Flattus at the end of the show, in order to give our fans a chance to say goodbye to our fallen Scumdog brother in true GWAR fashion-covered in blood and rocking the fuck out! After this tour is over we can start looking to the future and begin to put this tragedy behind us. But for now we are still in 'Hail Flattus' mode!"
The dates are as follows:
Mar. 16 - Richmond, VA - The National
Mar. 17 - Millvale, PA - Mr. Smalls
Mar. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Mar. 20 - Boston, MA - Wilbur Theater
Mar. 21 - So. Burlington, VT - Higher Ground
Mar. 22 - Syracuse, NY - Westcott Theater
Mar. 23 - Toledo, OH - The Omni
Mar. 24 - Lexington, KY - Buster's Billiards and Backroom
Mar. 25 - Joliet, IL - Mojoes
Mar. 26 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theater
Mar. 27 - Des Moines, IA - People's Court
Mar. 28 - Tulsa, OK - Cain's Ballroom
Mar. 30 - Lincoln, NE - Bourbon Theater
Mar. 31 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theater
Apr. 01 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater & Club
Apr. 02 - Flagstaff, AZ - Orpheum Theater
Apr. 03 - San Diego, CA - House Of Blues
Apr. 04 - Ventura, CA - Majestic Ventura Theater
Apr. 05 - Chico, CA - Senator Theater
Apr. 06 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
Apr. 07 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Apr. 09 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Café
Apr. 10 - Magna, UT - The Great Salt Air
Apr. 11 - Ft. Collins, CO - Aggie Theater
Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD have partnered with Jammit, Inc. , a music software company founded by renowned producer/engineer Scott Humphrey. Each song from the band's latest CD, "Resolution", will be available on Jammit, an emerging music platform that will give musicians and fans a whole new way to experience LAMB OF GOD. The group's decision to release its new CD simultaneously for Jammit software is a testament to its innovative presentation and rich feature set.
Whether you're an aspiring musician, an absolute beginner or a seasoned professional, Jammit is the easiest way to learn your favorite songs. Jammit delivers a stunning user experience allowing you to virtually practice and perform in the recording studio with your favorite artists. This revolutionary product utilizes the actual multi-track masters from the original recording sessions. Jammit tracks are available for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals, allowing you to isolate a specified instrument or vocal track from the rest of the band. The software provides note-for-note transcriptions (in standard notation or tablature), instant navigation to any part of the song, adjustable snap-to-grid looping and a slow playback mode (that doesn't affect the pitch). Once you have learned the song, you can replace the original instrument recording with your own performance. Jammit is currently available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch with Mac and Windows versions coming in early2012.
Check out the LAMB OF GOD's Jammit artist page for all available tracks
Whether you're an aspiring musician, an absolute beginner or a seasoned professional, Jammit is the easiest way to learn your favorite songs. Jammit delivers a stunning user experience allowing you to virtually practice and perform in the recording studio with your favorite artists. This revolutionary product utilizes the actual multi-track masters from the original recording sessions. Jammit tracks are available for guitar, bass, drums, keyboard and vocals, allowing you to isolate a specified instrument or vocal track from the rest of the band. The software provides note-for-note transcriptions (in standard notation or tablature), instant navigation to any part of the song, adjustable snap-to-grid looping and a slow playback mode (that doesn't affect the pitch). Once you have learned the song, you can replace the original instrument recording with your own performance. Jammit is currently available for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch with Mac and Windows versions coming in early2012.
Check out the LAMB OF GOD's Jammit artist page for all available tracks
SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan will make his acting debut in "The Devil's Carnival", the new project Darren Lynn Bousman is directing that is being seen as a companion piece of sorts to "Repo! The Genetic Opera".
Commented Crahan: "I am very honored to have been asked to be a part of this project.
"I play a character called The Tamer. And let me tell you, there is a little Tamer in all of us.
"It's always been a dream and a goal for me to try and act in something that is filmed besides music videos.
"I am very honored to have the opportunity to have worked with so many talented actors and people who are involved in making this production come to life."
In addition to Crahan, the "The Devil's Carnival" cast consists of "Repo! The Genetic Opera" co-creator Terrance Zdunich, as well as "Repo!" stars Alexa Vega, Ogre (from SKINNY PUPPY) and Paul Sorvino. Emilie Autumn and Sean Patrick Flanery have also joined previously announced Bill Moseley and Briana Evigan and Marc Senter.
Commented Crahan: "I am very honored to have been asked to be a part of this project.
"I play a character called The Tamer. And let me tell you, there is a little Tamer in all of us.
"It's always been a dream and a goal for me to try and act in something that is filmed besides music videos.
"I am very honored to have the opportunity to have worked with so many talented actors and people who are involved in making this production come to life."
In addition to Crahan, the "The Devil's Carnival" cast consists of "Repo! The Genetic Opera" co-creator Terrance Zdunich, as well as "Repo!" stars Alexa Vega, Ogre (from SKINNY PUPPY) and Paul Sorvino. Emilie Autumn and Sean Patrick Flanery have also joined previously announced Bill Moseley and Briana Evigan and Marc Senter.
Flamboyant Finnish rockers RECKLESS LOVE will release a new digital single, "On The Radio", in the U.K. on February 20. In addition to the title track, the single will include the song "Push", which was previously unavailable in the U.K. The accompanying video was partially filmed in Los Angeles and is very much in keeping with the band's "glass half full" approach to both music and life in general.
"On The Radio" comes off RECKLESS LOVE's second album, "Animal Attraction", which was released in October 2011 in Finland via Universal Music.
"Animal Attraction" track listing:
01. Animal Attraction
02. Speedin'
03. Born To Break Your Heart
04. Hot
05. Fantasy
06. Dirty Dreams
07. Dance
08. Fight
09. Switchblade Babe
10. On The Radio
11. Coconuts
RECKLESS LOVE singer Olli Herman (a.k.a. H. Olliver Twisted) joined CRASHDIET in 2006 as the replacement for David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard), who committed suicide in January 2006.
Olli left CRASHDIET shortly after the release of the band's second album, "The Unattractive Revolution", in order to focus all his attention on RECKLESS LOVE.
The self-titled debut album from RECKLESS LOVE entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 13.
RECKLESS LOVE plays exceptionally good rock n' roll. With its rousing and joyful attitude, the band offers a true alternative for today's rock scene where everything seems too dull, dark and serious. RECKLESS LOVE's formula is simple; big hard rock just for the fun of it!
The band was founded in 2001 and started to gradually gain underground reputation as an energetic live act. Eight years of small scale touring, two lineup changes and four demos later the band finally took its current form and found its own recognizable sound.
"On The Radio" comes off RECKLESS LOVE's second album, "Animal Attraction", which was released in October 2011 in Finland via Universal Music.
"Animal Attraction" track listing:
01. Animal Attraction
02. Speedin'
03. Born To Break Your Heart
04. Hot
05. Fantasy
06. Dirty Dreams
07. Dance
08. Fight
09. Switchblade Babe
10. On The Radio
11. Coconuts
RECKLESS LOVE singer Olli Herman (a.k.a. H. Olliver Twisted) joined CRASHDIET in 2006 as the replacement for David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard), who committed suicide in January 2006.
Olli left CRASHDIET shortly after the release of the band's second album, "The Unattractive Revolution", in order to focus all his attention on RECKLESS LOVE.
The self-titled debut album from RECKLESS LOVE entered the official chart in the band's home country of Finland at position No. 13.
RECKLESS LOVE plays exceptionally good rock n' roll. With its rousing and joyful attitude, the band offers a true alternative for today's rock scene where everything seems too dull, dark and serious. RECKLESS LOVE's formula is simple; big hard rock just for the fun of it!
The band was founded in 2001 and started to gradually gain underground reputation as an energetic live act. Eight years of small scale touring, two lineup changes and four demos later the band finally took its current form and found its own recognizable sound.
Relapse Records has announced the signing of Melbourne, Australia's doom dwellers INVERLOCH. Featuring one half of the legendary diSEMBOWELMENT, INVERLOCH (Matthew Skarajew - guitar, Paul Mazziotta - drums, Ben James - vocals, Mark Cullen - guitar, Tony Bryant - bass) pick right up where diSEMBOWELMENT left off close to two decades ago, composing crawling, lurching, plodding and downtuned dirges, that are sure to be some of the most powerful and beautiful pieces of crust/death/doom heard in years!
INVERLOCH has completed recording its debut mini-LP, which is set for a spring 2012 release.
In other news, INVERLOCH has been invited to play a pair of rare festival shows this spring, performing for a limited time under the name d.USK. They will be presenting diSEMBOWELMENT's legendary funeral doom opus "Transcendence Into The Peripheral" live in its entirety at Roadburn in the Netherlands and offering a different, though equally devastating set at the legendary Hellfest in France.
Commented drummer Paul Mazziotta: "It has been a pleasure to bring the old diSEMBOWELMENT songs to life, and along the journey we have discovered some new music inside of us that we felt compelled to capture. INVERLOCH is our musical voice of the past, re-discovered...combining heaviness and ambience once more …"
INVERLOCH has completed recording its debut mini-LP, which is set for a spring 2012 release.
In other news, INVERLOCH has been invited to play a pair of rare festival shows this spring, performing for a limited time under the name d.USK. They will be presenting diSEMBOWELMENT's legendary funeral doom opus "Transcendence Into The Peripheral" live in its entirety at Roadburn in the Netherlands and offering a different, though equally devastating set at the legendary Hellfest in France.
Commented drummer Paul Mazziotta: "It has been a pleasure to bring the old diSEMBOWELMENT songs to life, and along the journey we have discovered some new music inside of us that we felt compelled to capture. INVERLOCH is our musical voice of the past, re-discovered...combining heaviness and ambience once more …"
Atlantic recording group HALESTORM has announced the release of its hugely anticipated new album. "The Strange Case Of…" arrives in stores and at all DSPs on April 10. The CD is heralded by the electrifying new single, "Love Bites (So Do I)", impacting now at rock radio outlets nationwide. The track — as well as three other highlights from "The Strange Case Of…" — is featured on HALESTORM's new EP, "Hello, It's Mz. Hyde", which is available today at all leading digital retailers.
Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with the Pennsylvania-based hard rock band on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" was recently named among Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of the Year." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," the magazine noted. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."
Currently poised to embark on a European tour alongside Atlantic's own SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM will hit the road hard to support "The Strange Case Of…", beginning with a major U.S. trek alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The dates get underway April 13 at Augusta, Georgia's John Paul Jones Arena and then continue through mid-May.
Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, HALESTORM has been hailed far and wide as an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. "Halestorm" made a top 5 debut on SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the comprehensive The Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies, and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson (DAUGHTRY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FLYLEAF), the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.
"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW, and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste of Poison" and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".
True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, ART OF DYING, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.
"Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" EP track listing:
01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Rock Show
03. Daughters Of Darkness
04. Here's To Us
"The Strange Case Of…" track listing:
01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. I Miss The Misery
04. Freak Like Me
05. Beautiful With You
06. In Your Room
07. Break In
08. Rock Show
09. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us
Produced by Howard Benson (who previously collaborated with the Pennsylvania-based hard rock band on their self-titled 2009 debut), "The Strange Case Of…" was recently named among Revolver's "Most Anticipated Albums of the Year." "Led by one of our favorite rocker babes, singer-guitarist Lzzy Hale, (HALESTORM) promise a more personal album for their follow-up," the magazine noted. "But don't expect them to get all sappy on us. There should still be more than enough of the band's now signature raucous attitude and righteous riffs for any headbanger to get off."
Currently poised to embark on a European tour alongside Atlantic's own SHINEDOWN, HALESTORM will hit the road hard to support "The Strange Case Of…", beginning with a major U.S. trek alongside GODSMACK and fellow Atlantic recording group STAIND. The dates get underway April 13 at Augusta, Georgia's John Paul Jones Arena and then continue through mid-May.
Formed by frontwoman Lzzy Hale and her brother, drummer Arejay Hale, HALESTORM has been hailed far and wide as an incendiary new force in modern hard rock. "Halestorm" made a top 5 debut on SoundScan's "Hard Music" chart upon its 2009 release, simultaneously bursting into the top 40 on the comprehensive The Billboard 200. The album subsequently sold more than 300,000 copies, and half a million cumulative tracks. Produced by Howard Benson (DAUGHTRY, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, FLYLEAF), the album earned extensive acclaim for its infectious hard rock anthems, sexy hooks, and rough-and-tumble grooves.
"The Strange Case Of…" marks HALESTORM's first release since last year's "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP", which saw the band putting their unique stamp on a diverse collection of classic songs, including tracks by GUNS N' ROSES, THE BEATLES, HEART, TEMPLE OF THE DOG, SKID ROW, and LADY GAGA. HALESTORM also unleashed their first-ever live CD/DVD, "Live In Philly 2010", featuring such favorites from the band's self-titled debut as "It's Not You", "Familiar Taste of Poison" and the rock radio smash "I Get Off".
True road warriors, HALESTORM made its bones as a major league hard rock outfit via countless North American gigs alongside such artists as SHINEDOWN, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and DISTURBED. Last year saw the band traveling the country on the blockbuster "Avalanche Tour 2011", joining such hard rock luminaries as STONE SOUR, THEORY OF A DEADMAN, ART OF DYING, and fellow Atlantic recording group SKILLET.
"Hello, It's Mz. Hyde" EP track listing:
01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Rock Show
03. Daughters Of Darkness
04. Here's To Us
"The Strange Case Of…" track listing:
01. Love Bites (So Do I)
02. Mz. Hyde
03. I Miss The Misery
04. Freak Like Me
05. Beautiful With You
06. In Your Room
07. Break In
08. Rock Show
09. Daughters Of Darkness
10. You Call Me A Bitch Like It's A Bad Thing
11. American Boys
12. Here's To Us
CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti has set "All I Was" as the title of his debut solo album, tentatively due this spring.
Working songtitles set to appear on the CD:
* All I Was
* Brains
* So You're Afraid
* You Waste Your Time
* Decay
* New Way Out
* Leave It Alone
* Wish You Well
* Don't Claim
* Proof
* Gone
* All That I Got
* Giving Up
* Doesn't Matter
Tremonti handles all lead vocals on the CD, with additional contributions from Eric Friedman (backing vocals, guitar, bass) and Garrett Whitlock (drums)
Tremonti recently said that his upcoming solo album will be heavier than both CREED and ALTER BRIDGE — 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.
Working songtitles set to appear on the CD:
* All I Was
* Brains
* So You're Afraid
* You Waste Your Time
* Decay
* New Way Out
* Leave It Alone
* Wish You Well
* Don't Claim
* Proof
* Gone
* All That I Got
* Giving Up
* Doesn't Matter
Tremonti handles all lead vocals on the CD, with additional contributions from Eric Friedman (backing vocals, guitar, bass) and Garrett Whitlock (drums)
Tremonti recently said that his upcoming solo album will be heavier than both CREED and ALTER BRIDGE — 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.
CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist Mark Tremonti recently spoke to Fret 12 about his upcoming debut solo album, "All I Was", tentatively due this spring. You can no watch the chat below.
Working songtitles set to appear on the CD:
* All I Was
* Brains
* So You're Afraid
* You Waste Your Time
* Decay
* New Way Out
* Leave It Alone
* Wish You Well
* Don't Claim
* Proof
* Gone
* All That I Got
* Giving Up
* Doesn't Matter
Tremonti handles all lead vocals on the CD, with additional contributions from Eric Friedman (backing vocals, guitar, bass) and Garrett Whitlock (drums)
Tremonti recently said that his upcoming solo album will be heavier than both CREED and ALTER BRIDGE — 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.
Working songtitles set to appear on the CD:
* All I Was
* Brains
* So You're Afraid
* You Waste Your Time
* Decay
* New Way Out
* Leave It Alone
* Wish You Well
* Don't Claim
* Proof
* Gone
* All That I Got
* Giving Up
* Doesn't Matter
Tremonti handles all lead vocals on the CD, with additional contributions from Eric Friedman (backing vocals, guitar, bass) and Garrett Whitlock (drums)
Tremonti recently said that his upcoming solo album will be heavier than both CREED and ALTER BRIDGE — 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.
U.K. progressive metallers TESSERACT are working on an acoustic EP, tentatively titled "Perspective", for a spring release via Century Media Records. The effort will contain reworked versions of tracks from the band's debut album, "One", plus "a very special" cover version.
Commented TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams: "The EP was inspired by an acoustic session we filmed last year in New York, whilst on tour with PROTEST THE HERO. It made us realize that a few of the tracks sounded really great when re-arranged and approached at from a different perspective.
"Once we finish off this EP, we will stay in the studio and begin work our new album. This is shaping up to continue the TESSERACT sound we began to develop on 'One'. A sound that is dynamic, tender, crushing, soaring, visceral, beautiful, emotive and heavy. A box of contradictions and infinite possibilities. With maybe the exception of Euro House... we're not really that into Euro House... sorry."
In other news, TESSERACT will play day three of Bamboozle Festival on May 20 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
"Festivals are always great to do, but for our first U.S. festival to be Bamboozle is crazy," said the band. "To be on the same bill as INCUBUS, FOO FIGHTERS and BON JOVI is a great boost for us. Bamboozle has a great tradition of mixing things up, and the bill for the 10 year anniversary festival looks to be adhering firmly to this, with bands like TESSERACT, PERIPHERY and WHITECHAPEL sharing the stage with SKRILLEX, JIMMY EAT WORLD and ALL AMERICAN REJECTS. It looks like it's going to be great fun!"
Commented TESSERACT bassist Amos Williams: "The EP was inspired by an acoustic session we filmed last year in New York, whilst on tour with PROTEST THE HERO. It made us realize that a few of the tracks sounded really great when re-arranged and approached at from a different perspective.
"Once we finish off this EP, we will stay in the studio and begin work our new album. This is shaping up to continue the TESSERACT sound we began to develop on 'One'. A sound that is dynamic, tender, crushing, soaring, visceral, beautiful, emotive and heavy. A box of contradictions and infinite possibilities. With maybe the exception of Euro House... we're not really that into Euro House... sorry."
In other news, TESSERACT will play day three of Bamboozle Festival on May 20 in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
"Festivals are always great to do, but for our first U.S. festival to be Bamboozle is crazy," said the band. "To be on the same bill as INCUBUS, FOO FIGHTERS and BON JOVI is a great boost for us. Bamboozle has a great tradition of mixing things up, and the bill for the 10 year anniversary festival looks to be adhering firmly to this, with bands like TESSERACT, PERIPHERY and WHITECHAPEL sharing the stage with SKRILLEX, JIMMY EAT WORLD and ALL AMERICAN REJECTS. It looks like it's going to be great fun!"
SHEAR, the Helsinki, Finland-based six-piece metal act featuring former/current members of AMORAL, OMNIUM GATHERUM, IMPERANON, ELENIUM and CRYSTAL BLAZE, will release its full-length debut, "Breaking The Stillness", via Lifeforce Records on the following dates:
March 13 - North America
March 23 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
March 28 - Finland
March 26 - Rest Of Europe
A new SHEAR song, "Someone Else's Eyes", is available for streaming on the Lifeforce Records Facebook page ("like" required).
The fourth song on SHEAR's new CD, "Someone Else's Eyes" demonstrates the band's "recognizable sound . . . including the seamless interplay between the guitars, bass, and drums combined with the strong vocal melodies," according to a press release. "The song flows from a heavier verse to a memorable and atmospheric chorus."
Fan-filmed video footage of SHEAR performing two songs from the forthcoming album — "Wounded" and "No Way Out" — on January 19 in Helsinki can be seen below.
The current lineup of SHEAR was finalized in 2008. The members have, however, played together for many years. The guitarists Mikael Gronroos and Lauri Koskenniemi, and keyboardist Lari Sorvo have played together since 2001. Bass player Eerik Purdon joined the group in 2004, and the drummer Juhana Karlsson in 2007.
SHEAR last year made its entire four-song EP, "In Solitude", available for free download on the group's official web site. The CD was recorded in August-September 2009 at Arcada Studios by Mikael Grönroos and was mastered at Chartmakers studios.
SHEAR is:
* Alexa Leroux - Vocals
* Mikael Grönroos (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Guitar
* Lauri Koskenniemi (THE NIBIRUAN, ELENIUM, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-IMPERANON) - Guitar
* Eerik Purdon (THE NIBIRUAN, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-OMNIUM GATHERUM) - Bass
* Lari Sorvo (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Keyboards
* Juhana Karlsson (AMORAL, CRYSTAL BLAZE) – Drums
March 13 - North America
March 23 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland
March 28 - Finland
March 26 - Rest Of Europe
A new SHEAR song, "Someone Else's Eyes", is available for streaming on the Lifeforce Records Facebook page ("like" required).
The fourth song on SHEAR's new CD, "Someone Else's Eyes" demonstrates the band's "recognizable sound . . . including the seamless interplay between the guitars, bass, and drums combined with the strong vocal melodies," according to a press release. "The song flows from a heavier verse to a memorable and atmospheric chorus."
Fan-filmed video footage of SHEAR performing two songs from the forthcoming album — "Wounded" and "No Way Out" — on January 19 in Helsinki can be seen below.
The current lineup of SHEAR was finalized in 2008. The members have, however, played together for many years. The guitarists Mikael Gronroos and Lauri Koskenniemi, and keyboardist Lari Sorvo have played together since 2001. Bass player Eerik Purdon joined the group in 2004, and the drummer Juhana Karlsson in 2007.
SHEAR last year made its entire four-song EP, "In Solitude", available for free download on the group's official web site. The CD was recorded in August-September 2009 at Arcada Studios by Mikael Grönroos and was mastered at Chartmakers studios.
SHEAR is:
* Alexa Leroux - Vocals
* Mikael Grönroos (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Guitar
* Lauri Koskenniemi (THE NIBIRUAN, ELENIUM, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-IMPERANON) - Guitar
* Eerik Purdon (THE NIBIRUAN, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-OMNIUM GATHERUM) - Bass
* Lari Sorvo (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Keyboards
* Juhana Karlsson (AMORAL, CRYSTAL BLAZE) – Drums
Chicago-based extreme progressive metal titans VEIL OF MAYA will release their third full-length album, "Eclipse", on February 28 via Sumerian Records. Produced by djent hero Misha Mansoor of PERIPHERY, the CD is "a stunningly concise yet diverse metal record, packed full of death-metal chops, tech-metal grooves, progressive arrangements and hardcore rip-yer-throat-out attitude," according to a press release. "The guitar work is as slick is it comes — stunning precision, inventive melodies and tasteful use of technique that will equally impress the muso as much as the metal head. But most importantly, this album is full of so many memorable riffs, rhythms and vocal hooks that you'll be itching to hit play again as soon as it's finished."
A new VEIL OF MAYA song, "Vicious Circle", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
VEIL OF MAYA has just kicked off a massive North American tour alongside IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM. The band will then head to Japan before hitting Europe in April for its first-ever headlining trek.
VEIL OF MAYA's latest album, "[id]", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
A new VEIL OF MAYA song, "Vicious Circle", can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
VEIL OF MAYA has just kicked off a massive North American tour alongside IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM. The band will then head to Japan before hitting Europe in April for its first-ever headlining trek.
VEIL OF MAYA's latest album, "[id]", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Solid State Records has set a March 13 release date for MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE's third, self-titled album. The eagerly awaited CD is the band's third release in six years, and the first since 2010's lauded "Lost Boy", which debuted at No. 183 on The Billboard 200 chart.
For MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, the self-titled album represents a new chapter for the band, and stamps the advent of a refined sound the members have been chasing since the group's inception.
"That's exactly what this album is, a new beginning," says guitarist Robert Bloomfield. "I really do feel we found our sound. It's definitely MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE still, but with this new flare that we've all loved and understood but never figured out a way to translate it to our music."
Recorded with esteemed producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL), MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE finds the band reaching deep mentally and emotionally for what is without a doubt their crowning achievement thus far, a hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic opus that will set a fire in the hearts of old and new fans alike. With a no-holds-barred approach to programming and effects, and good, old-fashioned brutal riffage — not to mention a new level of dynamics from frontman Matthew Hasting — MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have boldly redefined themselves for this new chapter of their career.
"I feel like everything we've done as a band all comes together in this one record," Bloomfield says. "Everything we've learned along the way. We put all our love and hate into it. It's the best album in our career so far."
In celebration of the release, the band will be setting sail on a two-month trek alongside FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS that includes dozens of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating in a spot at the infamous New England Metal And Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.
For MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE, the self-titled album represents a new chapter for the band, and stamps the advent of a refined sound the members have been chasing since the group's inception.
"That's exactly what this album is, a new beginning," says guitarist Robert Bloomfield. "I really do feel we found our sound. It's definitely MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE still, but with this new flare that we've all loved and understood but never figured out a way to translate it to our music."
Recorded with esteemed producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL), MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE finds the band reaching deep mentally and emotionally for what is without a doubt their crowning achievement thus far, a hard-hitting, experimental, cinematic opus that will set a fire in the hearts of old and new fans alike. With a no-holds-barred approach to programming and effects, and good, old-fashioned brutal riffage — not to mention a new level of dynamics from frontman Matthew Hasting — MYCHILDREN MYBRIDE have boldly redefined themselves for this new chapter of their career.
"I feel like everything we've done as a band all comes together in this one record," Bloomfield says. "Everything we've learned along the way. We put all our love and hate into it. It's the best album in our career so far."
In celebration of the release, the band will be setting sail on a two-month trek alongside FOR TODAY, A SKYLIT DRIVE, STICK TO YOUR GUNS and MAKE ME FAMOUS that includes dozens of stops throughout the U.S. and Canada, culminating in a spot at the infamous New England Metal And Hardcore Festival in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Italian dark metal outfit GRAVEWORM has announced that founding member and guitar player Stefan Unterpertinger will return to the band after 10 years. He replaces Thomas Orgler, who left the group for personal reasons. Keyboard player Sabine Mair also exited GRAVEWORM due to personal reasons.
Commented GRAVEWORM vocalist Stefano Fiori: "It's a pity not to have Thomas and Sabine in the band anymore. But, of course, we wish them all the best for their future. All the more we are glad to have Stefan back in the band. We practice hardly and we feel that there's still good chemistry between us. With Stefan, a GRAVEWORM founding member is back, so, welcome home Stefan!"
"See No Future", the latest video from GRAVEWORM, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in Venlo, Netherlands by Maurice from LEGION OF THE DAMNED.
"See No Future" comes off GRAVEWORM's new album, "Fragments Of Death", which was release last October via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Diabolical Figures" was recorded in July 2011 at the Dream Sound Studios in Munich, Germany and was mastered by Jan Vacik. According to a press release, "The songs are about the death in its thousand faces, which is also reflected in the album title and cover art. Musically, the album can be seen as a mixture of the best of the last four records, with some old-school roots and definitive darker than its predecessors."
"Fragments Of Death" track listing:
01. Insomnia
02. Only Death In Our Wake
03. Absence Of Faith
04. Living Nightmare
05. The World Will Die In Flames
06. Anxiety
07. See No Future
08. The Prophecy
09. Remembrance
10. Old Forgotten Song
11. Where Angels Do Not Fly
Bonus track:
12. Awake
Commented GRAVEWORM vocalist Stefano Fiori: "It's a pity not to have Thomas and Sabine in the band anymore. But, of course, we wish them all the best for their future. All the more we are glad to have Stefan back in the band. We practice hardly and we feel that there's still good chemistry between us. With Stefan, a GRAVEWORM founding member is back, so, welcome home Stefan!"
"See No Future", the latest video from GRAVEWORM, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in Venlo, Netherlands by Maurice from LEGION OF THE DAMNED.
"See No Future" comes off GRAVEWORM's new album, "Fragments Of Death", which was release last October via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Diabolical Figures" was recorded in July 2011 at the Dream Sound Studios in Munich, Germany and was mastered by Jan Vacik. According to a press release, "The songs are about the death in its thousand faces, which is also reflected in the album title and cover art. Musically, the album can be seen as a mixture of the best of the last four records, with some old-school roots and definitive darker than its predecessors."
"Fragments Of Death" track listing:
01. Insomnia
02. Only Death In Our Wake
03. Absence Of Faith
04. Living Nightmare
05. The World Will Die In Flames
06. Anxiety
07. See No Future
08. The Prophecy
09. Remembrance
10. Old Forgotten Song
11. Where Angels Do Not Fly
Bonus track:
12. Awake
Finnish death metallers TORTURE KILLER will release a new three-song EP entitled "I Chose Death" on March 7 via Dynamic Arts Records. It contains two new tracks and a cover version of DEMIGOD's "Succumb To Dark" song from the "Unholy Domain" demo tape. The cover artwork was created by Mark Riddick and can be seen below.
"I Chose Death" will mark the recording debut of the group's new singer, Pessi Haltsonen (RETALIATORY MEASURES), who is described by his new bandmates as "a perfect fit" and "a human powerhouse."
"I Chose Death" track listing:
01. All Will End In Terror
02. Succumb To Dark
03. I Chose Death
TORTURE KILLER's third album, "Sewers" came out in 2009 via Dynamic Arts Records.
The band's sophomore CD, "Swarm!", was released by Metal Blade Records and featured legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes from CANNIBAL CORPSE and SIX FEET UNDER.
For more information, visit www.torturekiller.com.
"I Chose Death" will mark the recording debut of the group's new singer, Pessi Haltsonen (RETALIATORY MEASURES), who is described by his new bandmates as "a perfect fit" and "a human powerhouse."
"I Chose Death" track listing:
01. All Will End In Terror
02. Succumb To Dark
03. I Chose Death
TORTURE KILLER's third album, "Sewers" came out in 2009 via Dynamic Arts Records.
The band's sophomore CD, "Swarm!", was released by Metal Blade Records and featured legendary death metal vocalist Chris Barnes from CANNIBAL CORPSE and SIX FEET UNDER.
For more information, visit www.torturekiller.com.
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."
Decibel Magazine Tour dates:
Apr. 11 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
Apr. 12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls
Apr. 13 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Apr. 14 - St. Paul, MN - Station Four
Apr. 16 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
Apr. 17 - Denver, CO - Summit Theatre
Apr. 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
Apr. 20 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Apr. 21 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw
Apr. 22 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
Apr. 23 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
Apr. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - House Of Blues
Apr. 26 - Phoenix, AZ - Nile Theater
Apr. 27 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
Apr. 29 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
May 01 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
May 02 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
May 04 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend
May 05 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head
May 06 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theatre
May 08 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
May 09 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
May 10 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial
May 11 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
May 12 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
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."
Decibel Magazine Tour dates:
Apr. 11 - Columbus, OH - The Bluestone
Apr. 12 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Smalls
Apr. 13 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
Apr. 14 - St. Paul, MN - Station Four
Apr. 16 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
Apr. 17 - Denver, CO - Summit Theatre
Apr. 18 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
Apr. 20 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven
Apr. 21 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw
Apr. 22 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
Apr. 23 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
Apr. 25 - Los Angeles, CA - House Of Blues
Apr. 26 - Phoenix, AZ - Nile Theater
Apr. 27 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
Apr. 29 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
May 01 - Tampa, FL - Orpheum
May 02 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
May 04 - Charlotte, NC - Amos Southend
May 05 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head
May 06 - Philadelphia, PA - Trocadero Theatre
May 08 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
May 09 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda
May 10 - Quebec City, QC - Imperial
May 11 - Worcester, MA - Palladium
May 12 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza
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.
Swedish death metal veterans UNLEASHED have set "Odalheim" as the title of their 11th full-length album, due on April 20 via Nuclear Blast Records. According to the band, the CD "is the story about the future of Yggdrasil and those who survive Ragnarök. It is the story of the Midgard Warriors who carry on the Viking tradition into the new world Odalheim."
"Odalheim" was produced by UNLEASHED guitarist Fredrik Folkare at his Chrome Studios in Sweden.
UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund previously stated about the CD: ""Anders [Schultz, drums] asked me if this might be the fastest UNLEASHED album to date. I'm not sure, but it's likely close anyhow."
UNLEASHED's most recent CD, "As Yggdrasil Trembles", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 85 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"As Yggdrasil Trembles" was released on April 6, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at guitarist Fredrik Folkare's Chrome studio, and is "the logical continuation from 'Midvinterblot' [2006] and 'Hammer Battalion' [2008]," according to the group. "Lyrically, you will recognize what has become the UNLEASHED trademark since more than 20 years, the combination of the past, present and future of viking struggle and way of life. A few of the songs also mark the beginning of a story never before told."
UNLEASHED's current lineup:
Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums
"Odalheim" was produced by UNLEASHED guitarist Fredrik Folkare at his Chrome Studios in Sweden.
UNLEASHED bassist/vocalist Johnny Hedlund previously stated about the CD: ""Anders [Schultz, drums] asked me if this might be the fastest UNLEASHED album to date. I'm not sure, but it's likely close anyhow."
UNLEASHED's most recent CD, "As Yggdrasil Trembles", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 85 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"As Yggdrasil Trembles" was released on April 6, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at guitarist Fredrik Folkare's Chrome studio, and is "the logical continuation from 'Midvinterblot' [2006] and 'Hammer Battalion' [2008]," according to the group. "Lyrically, you will recognize what has become the UNLEASHED trademark since more than 20 years, the combination of the past, present and future of viking struggle and way of life. A few of the songs also mark the beginning of a story never before told."
UNLEASHED's current lineup:
Johnny Hedlund: Bass, Vocals
Tomas Måsgard: Guitar
Fredrik Folkare: Guitar
Anders Schultz: Drums
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