[Classic_Rock_Forever] Metallica, Guns N Roses, Velvet Revolver, Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, Alice In Chains, Dokken, and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

0
 

METALLICA, in conjunction with U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, today announced they will be publishing a special edition of METALLICA's So What! magazine called "Metallica The 30th Anniversary Event". This special edition commemorating METALLICA's 30th-anniversary celebration that took place at San Francisco's iconic Fillmore Theatre in December 2011 will hit newsstands nationwide on May 14, will be available on Metallica.com and can be pre-ordered now at this location.
 
"I couldn't think of a cooler way to round out the first 30 years than how the Fillmore week played out in December," said METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich. "And I can't think of a cooler way to start off the next 30 years than immortalizing that unique, incomparable and unforgettable week in magazine form, our first So What! edition to leave the confines of our fan club."
 
"This is an incredibly exciting partnership," said Metal Hammer editor Alexander Milas. "METALLICA's 30th anniversary shows were history in the making, and the chance to work with So What! — easily one of the metal world's best-loved and respected fanzines — was simply too good to pass up."
 
"Metallica The 30th Anniversary Event" will be a 128-page magazine featuring exclusive live and behind-the-scenes photos from the four historic nights at the Fillmore Theatre, post-Fillmore interviews with all four members of METALLICA, a few of the fan favorites who joined the band on stage — including Brian Tatler, Sean Harris, King Diamond, Dave Mustaine, and Rob Halford — and a look behind the scenes on how the shows came together. The issue will also feature an exclusive seven-inch vinyl single of "So What!" and "Through The Never", recorded during four shows last year.
 
Commented METALLICA: "We've always been incredibly proud of our little publication, So What! magazine, that is sent to all fan-club members every three months and is now in its 19th year of existence.
 
"As we were putting together the first issue of 2012 commemorating our 30th anniversary celebration at the Fillmore Theatre in December of last year, we realized that the upcoming issue was looking so special, so unique and so unprecedented that we really should make it available to share with all our friends around the world.
 
"Now, we know that we're breaking the rules here — So What! is for fan-club members only — but we figured since we make the rules, we can occasionally break 'em!! So for the first time ever, we are printing a special limited edition newsstand version of the magazine in collaboration with Metal Hammer, who has joined us for our new adventure."
 
So What! is a quarterly publication published by the METALLICA Club and sent exclusively to the fan-club members. Each issue is a collector's item featuring 48 glossy, full-color pages that brings club members the most METALLICA news, photos, and inside information. The members of METALLICA are major contributors to each magazine, answering fan letters, providing personal photos and letters, judging contests, and providing a behind-the-scenes view that fans won't find anywhere else. Each issue of So What! brings the members of the fan club even farther into the world of METALLICA.
Former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Matt Sorum spoke to Billboard.com about the band's upcoming induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
 
The 27th annual ceremony will be held on April 14 in Cleveland, Ohio, home to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum. Also scheduled to be inducted are RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, BEASTIE BOYS, THE SMALL FACES/FACES, Donovan and Laura Nyro. Freddie King well enter the Hall Of Fame as an Early Influence, while the late producer and TV host Don Kirshner will receive the Ahmet Ertegun (nonperformer) Award and producers Cosimo Matassa, Tom Dowd and Glyn Johns will receive the Award For Musical Excellence.
 
The ceremony will be taped for broadcast by HBO, which plans to air it in early May.
 
"We're all sitting at the same table, so it should be cool," Sorum told Billboard.com. "After we get a little bit of food in us, hopefully someone will get up and want to play, but I don't know. I'm not the guy to ask. I just hope it works out."
 
Sorum, who joined the band in 1990 following the dismissal of Steven Adler, said that "there's no real plans" regarding a possible performance of the classic GN'R lineup at the induction but added that the uncertainty is "in tradition, GUNS N' ROSES style."
 
"I feel great about [being inducted]," he said. "I'm glad I made the cut. I don't know who that secret society is that votes you into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but I'm glad I have some friends in there, somehow. The original band got in and I got in and [keyboardist] Dizzy Reed and that's it, seven of us. It'll be a great night."
 
Sorum told Australia's The Vine in December he's hoping for the best but prepared for the worst when the band gets inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April. Sorum said, "It's going to be as big of a train wreck as the SEX PISTOLS, BLONDIE, or any of those other bands. That's my prediction. Or VAN HALEN, which I don't know if you saw, but we [VELVET REVOLVER] were involved in that. Train wreck; it was a complete train wreck. But maybe it won't; maybe it will be a miracle; I hope for that and put out the positive vibrations."
 
Although singer Axl Rose was ambivalent in a VH1 interview about reuniting with his old GUNS bandmates at the induction, Sorum added that he's wary of making predictions about the big night. He explained, "It's better if I just go, 'I don't know shit.' Which is the absolute truth. They could be in a room right now . . . and I wouldn't be invited, you know what I'm saying?"
 
Rob Zombie will make a guest appearance on Dave Attell's Showtime show "Dave's Old Porn" (see Rob and Dave pictured below). The weekly series which combines retro porn with chat, guests and comedy is the baby of comedian Dave Attell, also known for his stand-up routines, and shows such as "The Gong Show With Dave Attell" and Comedy Central's "Insomniac With Dave Attell". Attell was also a regular commentator on "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart".
 
To find out more about the episodes air times, go to www.davesoldporn.com (warning: adult content).
 
Rob Zombie and his bandmates — John 5 (guitar), Piggy D (bass) and Ginger Fish (drums) — will enter the studio in June to begin work on an as-yet-untitled new album for a late 2012 release.
 
ROB ZOMBIE and MEGADETH will embark on a co-headlining tour this spring. The trek, which marks the first time the two bands have toured together, kicks off Friday, May 11 in Holmdel, New Jersey and encompasses high-profile appearances at several rock festivals, including M3 Rock Festival, Rock On The Range and wraps Saturday, May 26 at Rocklahoma. ROB ZOMBIE will headline Rocklahoma, co-headline Rock On The Range (with INCUBUS), and will close all shows on the MEGADETH dates.
 
This will be ROB ZOMBIE's first concert tour since last summer's "Hell On Earth" co-headline trek with SLAYER. Zombie spent last fall and winter shooting his sixth feature film, "The Lords of Salem" which he wrote and directed and is making with the producers of the "Paranormal Activity" franchise. With principal photography completed, the film is currently in post-production.
 
MARILYN MANSON will release his long-awaited new album, "Born Villain", on May 1 (one day earlier internationally) via Cooking Vinyl and Manson's own label Hell, Etc.
 
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
 
01. Hey Cruel World…
02. No Reflection
03. Pistol Whipped
04. Overneath The Path Of Misery
05. Slo Mo Tion
06. The Gardener
07. The Flowers Of Evil
08. Children Of Cain
09. Disengaged
10. Lay Down Your Goddamn Arms
11. Murders Are Getting Prettier Every Day
12. Born Villain
13. Breaking The Same Old Ground
 
Check out the front and back cover artwork below.
 
The album's first single, "No Reflection", was premiered on March 7 on the Los Angeles radio station KROQ and was made available exclusively on iTunes on March 13.
 
"The new record put simply has the ambition and determination of how I started making music in the first place," Manson says. "It sounds like the first record in that it's not afraid to do anything. I had to remove myself from my lifestyle and start fresh."
 
In a recent interview with Revolver magazine, Manson stated about his new CD, "It doesn't really sound like any of my old records. In fact it sort of sounds like what I listened to before I made records — KILLING JOKE, JOY DIVISION, REVOLTING COCKS, BAUHAUS, BIRTHDAY PARTY … It's very rhythm-driven. It's actually very bluesy. It's the first record where I repeat verses. I just sign the words in a different key, the next time. I've never done that before, because I've always felt like I needed to write a lot of words in the past … I think this will probably be the grandest concept record of all."
 
Manson's U.S. theater tour is scheduled to kick off April 27.
 
The singer last September unveiled a new music video for the song "Born Villain" directed by actor Shia LaBeouf.
 
Drummer Ginger Fish (real name: Kenneth Robert Wilson) quit MARILYN MANSON in February 2011 and has since joined ROB ZOMBIE. He has been replaced by the Los Angeles-based drummer Jason Sutter.
 
MARILYN MANSON in 2009 parted ways with longtime record label Interscope following the disappointing sales performance of "The High End Of Low".
 
When asked what the problem was with Interscope, Manson told Revolver magazine, "They don't care about music. They never did. I mean, Jimmy Iovine [Chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M] used to, when he produced records a long time ago. They care about Vitamin Water... And when you've got so much money, it's just about ego. I don't really care what their problem is. I was just happy to get out of there. And I have to be objective, I don't take it personally. I don't regret the records I made — I regret the way they treated them. I think I made great records, and they tried to dilute the very essence of what they signed me for. 'Don't be so offensive' — what the fuck does that mean? 'Don't be what we signed you for. Don't be what you are.'"
 
He added, "I would say after 'Antichrist Superstar'... It was a pressure that everyone's on your back, flashing cameras and suggestions and publicists, saying, 'Oh, you've gotta do this, or you're not going to be successful!' You almost start to question what you do and why you do it, and that will lead to you losing your identity. And that's something no one can fix, no psychiatrist, no legal team, no scientists, no anything. You just have to really strip it down and go back to the basics. the bigger picture is that I can't really consider myself simply a musician, with my painting and everything visual. It's always been a big struggle. From the beginning, the question was, 'Aren't you worried that the image will overshadow the music?' I'm like, absolutely not — it's hand in hand. But then, when I became a painter, I didn't want to seem like the rock star with a hobby."
 
"The High End Of Low" was Manson's first album with longtime bassist Twiggy Ramirez since 2000's "Holy Wood".
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/mansonborncoverfront.jpg
The eighth annual MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert will honor ALICE IN CHAINS co-founder Jerry Cantrell and certified interventionist and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Senior Consultant Neil Lasher at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 31. Cantrell will be honored with the Stevie Ray Vaughan Award for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. Lasher will be the recipient of MusiCares' From The Heart Award for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization. All proceeds will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund, which provides members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial situation.
 
Hosted by television personality Steve-O, the evening will feature a special performance by eight-time Grammy nominees ALICE IN CHAINS featuring guitarist/vocalist Cantrell, guitarist/vocalist William DuVall, bassist Mike Inez, and drummer Sean Kinney. Grammy-nominated musician Moby will DJ live during dinner. Additional artists will be announced shortly.
 
"Jerry's role in shaping the world of rock music is profound and ongoing," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and MusiCares. "His artistry as a guitarist is inspiring, and his contributions as a songwriter have earned ALICE IN CHAINS millions of fans around the world. And Neil has built an extraordinary career spanning more than 30 years in the music industry, and a parallel career in the field of substance abuse where his name has become synonymous with recovery and survival. But what unites Jerry and Neil are their unwavering support of MusiCares and our recovery programs, and their unselfish capacity to be of service to music people struggling with addiction."
 
"From what I've seen, addiction can be an occupational hazard in the music business and I know firsthand how the MusiCares MAP Fund helps artists and members of the music community find the resources for recovery," said Cantrell. "I've been a supporter for a long time, and I'm proud to help raise awareness and funds so this organization can continue to save lives."
 
This special dinner and concert offers Living Room Sets that seat 10 for $12,500, Individual Floor Seats for $1,250 per person, and VIP Balcony Seats for $100 per person; contact Wynnie Wynn for ticket information at 310.392.3777 or wynniew@grammy.com. General Admission Balcony Seats for $55 per person are available only through Ticketmaster beginning at 10 a.m. PT on March 23 at Ticketmaster.com. Out of respect for the clients the MusiCares MAP Fund serves, the event will be alcohol-free.
 
The MusiCares Foundation offers programs and services to members of the music community including emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses including rent, utilities and car payments; medical expenses including doctor, dentist and hospital bills; psychotherapy; and treatment for HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, hepatitis C, and other critical illnesses. MusiCares offers nationwide educational workshops covering a variety of subjects, including financial, legal, medical, and substance abuse issues, and programs in collaboration with healthcare professionals that provide services such as flu shots, hearing tests, and medical/dental screenings.
 
The MusiCares MAP Fund allows access to addiction recovery treatment and sober living resources for members of the music community. Staffed by qualified chemical dependency and intervention specialists, MusiCares Safe Harbor Rooms, supported by the Bohemian Foundation, offer a support network to those in recovery while they are participating in the production of televised music shows and other major music events. MusiCares holds weekly addiction support groups for people to discuss how to best cope with the issues surrounding the recovery process. The MusiCares Sober Touring Network is a database of individuals across the United States who can take music people to recovery support meetings while on the road.
 
Established in 1989 by The Recording Academy, MusiCares provides a safety net of critical assistance for music people in times of need. MusiCares' services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies, and each case is treated with integrity and confidentiality. MusiCares also focuses the resources and attention of the music industry on human service issues that directly impact the health and welfare of the music community.
The cover artwork for DOKKEN's forthcoming album, "Broken Bones", can be seen below. The drums for the CD were laid down at MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee's The Atrium studio in Calabasas, California. A summer release via Frontiers Records is expected.
 
DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken stated in a recent interview about the new album title, "[It]is a metaphor that we all have broken bones, be it from an accident, failed relationship, or a broken heart. Everybody gets wounded as we go through life, but, as they say, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
 
Dokken previously described the band's new material as "very uptempo and heavy." He added, "We know our fans like the classic DOKKEN sound, and this is where our new music is headed. It's been a band of brothers doing what we love: 'music.'"
 
Regarding the new songs' lyrical approach, Dokken said, "I write what comes from the heart, I don't believe in writing music trying to repeat what you've already done. I understand what the fans want but as an artist I see no point in painting the same picture over and over."
 
The cooperation between Frontiers and DOKKEN started with the European release of the group's "Lightning Strikes Again" CD in 2007. The album marked a return to DOKKEN's signature style with melodic hooklines and blazing guitar riffs that epitomized the band's sound on such records as "Tooth And Nail", "Under Lock And Key", "Back For The Attack" and "Dysfunctional".
 
DOKKEN's current lineup consists of Don Dokken on lead vocals, Jon Levin on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass and Mick Brown on drums.
 
Don Dokken was interviewed on the March 5 edition of of the "Poolside With Dean Delray" podcast. You can now watch video footage of his appearance at this location.
Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND, who feature in their ranks current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G. will embark on a European headlining tour in September/October with support from LEAVES' EYES.
 
The dates are as follows:
 
Sep. 25 - Paris, France - Divan du Monde
Sep. 26 - Colmar, France - Le Grillen
Sep. 27 - Bochum, Germany - Matrix
Sep. 28 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
Sep. 30 - Berlin, Germany - SO36
Oct. 02 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos Saal
Oct. 03 - Ingolstadt, Germany - Eventhalle
Oct. 04 - Cologne, Germany - Underground
Oct. 05 - Zwolle, The Netherlands - Hedon
Oct. 06 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
 
Commented Gus: "All of us in the FIREWIND camp are very happy to return to European stages, play for our faithful followers again and make new ones. Joining our 'Few Against Many' campaign are the well-known and respected LEAVES' EYES. We're all looking forward to this!"
 
Added LEAVES' EYES vocalist Liv Kristine: "FIREWIND and LEAVES' EYES is a killer live package! Moreover, we will be able to play at places where we haven't performed so far. I am really looking forward to this tour and to be on the road with the guys of FIREWIND."
 
FIREWIND will release its new album, "Few Against Many", in Europe on May 21 via Century Media Records and in North America on May 22 through DisManic, Inc. via eOne Distribution. The CD was mixed by Jason Suecof and Eyal Levi at Audiohammer Studios (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEATH ANGEL) in Sanford, Florida.
 
Produced by Gus, "Few Against Many" was recorded with his longtime bandmates, vocalist Apollo Papathanasio, keyboardist/guitarist Bob Katsionis and bassist Petros Christo, at Valve Studio in Greece as well as the Sweetspot Studios in Sweden and sees the band expanding on its signature melodic sound with some of its most aggressive songs to date. The CD also marks the recording debut of new FIREWIND drummer Johan Nunez (NIGHTRAGE). The young Belgian is regarded by Gus as a "phenomenal talent," and anyone that witnessed him on the band's most recent world tour will no doubt agree.
 
The handbook to all things heavy metal — "Bringing Metal To The Children" by Zakk Wylde, guitar legend and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY frontman — will finally be released on April 10 via William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Wylde invites all who dare onto the tour bus for tales of glory, debauchery, and general mayhem. The book is co-authored by Eric Hendrikx.
 
Zakk has scheduled the following book signings:
 
 
Tuesday, April 10 at 6:00 p.m.
Sam Ash
Hollywood, California
 
Thursday, May 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Sam Ash
New York, New York
 
An excerpt from the book is available at this location (Facebook "Like" required).
 
In "Bringing Metal To The Children", Zakk Wylde, the man who turned heavy metal touring into a journey of fantastical excess, shares what really goes on behind tour bus windows and backstage doors. The twenty-five year music veteran of the OZZY OSBOURNE band and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY details his survival techniques for maintaining a life on the road, managing a band of raging vikings, and somehow making it on stage and blowing the crowd away night after night.
 
Beginning with Wylde's "true rocker test" (TRT), the reader answers and self-scores ten questions to determine if he is a true rocker and should continue reading, or if he's just a complete tool who needs to hand the book to someone more metal. Wylde continues the journey with his epic stories about life on the road, using his BLACK LABEL SOCIETY (BLS) coaching techniques to instruct the reader on proper touring hygiene, pre-concert preparations, and post-show etiquette. The road stories include wild nights with many of heavy metal's gods, including Rob Zombie, Eddie Van Halen, Dimebag Darrell, ALICE IN CHAINS' Mike Inez, SKID ROW's Snake Sabo, METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, professional wrestlers Chris Jericho, Bubba Dudley and Stone Cold Steve Austin, UFC former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin and, of course, the Godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne.
 
"Bringing Metal To The Children" also features Wylde's roadmap for success in the music business, tour planning and exclusive tips for the aspiring "metal musician," as well as the best methods for surviving a mosh pit and plans for how to set up a shooting range on the tour bus.
 
About the authors:
 
In the two decades since Ozzy Osbourne hired him away from his job at a New Jersey gas station, Zakk Wylde has established himself as a guitar icon known and revered the world over. Wylde has won nearly every guitar award imaginable, graced countless magazine covers and is a major influence to a new battalion of rock guitarists. Writing and recording with Osbourne led to multi-platinum success, inspiring him to create the now-iconic BLACK LABEL SOCIETY in 1998. In the decade plus since, BLS has turned the notion of what a rock band should be upside down by inspiring legions of fans (known as Berserkers) all over the world to follow the mantra: Strength, Determination, Merciless, Forever (SDMF for short). Wylde and his Berserkers have established a heavy metal institution true to the vision of uncompromising, unfiltered and unrestrained rock 'n' roll. To date, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has sold more than 3.5 million albums worldwide and continues to be a massive presence on the worldwide touring and merchandising circuits. BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest album, "Order Of The Black", was released in August 2010 and debuted at No. 4 on The Billboard 200 album chart.
 
Writer, photographer, and fellow Berserker Eric Hendrikx is a notable contributor to more than a dozen books, including Forrest Griffin's New York Times bestsellers "Got Fight?" and "Be Ready When the Sh*t Goes Down". A lifelong musician, Hendrikx played guitar in the rock band SNAKE RIVER CONSPIRACY and toured with bands, including QUEENSRŸCHE. He currently lives in Southern California with his son Stone.
Bassist Nick Oliveri has left KYUSS LIVES!, the project featuring members of KYUSS — the influential American stoner rock/metal band, originally from Palm Desert, California.
 
Oliveri and fellow ex-KYUSS members John Garcia (vocals) and Brant Bjork (drums) reunited for shows last year under the KYUSS LIVES! banner, in which they were joined by guitarist Bruno Fevery. The band has since toured on both sides of the Atlantic and was said to be working on a live album for a late 2012 release.
 
Speaking to Antiquiet in an exclusive video interview (see below), Oliveri stated about his decision to leave KYUSS LIVES!, "John's idea, when I was [first] asked to [be a part of KYUSS LIVES!], was we were going to do a tour and promote our solo bands. Seeing John do it already with GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS at such a big level, [we thought], 'Wow, man, we could actually reach some people with our solo stuff in a very honest way and play the tunes that we have mad respect for and love as well. Basically, at the end of the day, that's what I'm doing. I'm gonna bow out and do MONDO GENERATOR, because that's what we were supposed to be doing originally."
 
He added, "To me, you can make money doing whatever you wanna do, but it isn't about that at the end of the day. To be in KYUSS, if I'm not having a good time, it's like… When I was a kid, I had a great time doing it. It sucked being out of it. I don't wanna be fired from any band… again. I figure to walk away with my head up high and do my own thing is a respectable thing, and I think I need to do that."
 
Commenting on former KYUSS guitarist Josh Homme's decision to file a federal lawsuit against Garcia and Bjork alleging "trademark infringement and consumer fraud" over the use of the KYUSS name, Oliveri said, "When people sue each other, it guarantees that a band will never be together. It just guarantees that those people will never play in the same room together again." He added, "I am friends with both sides, and I also disagree with both sides at the same time, so it's a real weird place I'm in."
 
Oliveri, who recently plead not guilty to all five charges stemming from his arrest last July in Hollywood after a five-hour standoff with police, has a pre-trial date scheduled for April 13. If convicted, Nick faces up to 15 years behind bars.
 
The police was called to the scene by Oliveri's neighbor who reported a "disturbance" between the now-40-year-old rocker and his girlfriend. A standoff between a SWAT team and Nick ensued before Oliveri finally agreed to let his girlfriend exit the duplex.
 
Oliveri tells Antiquiet, "I have a really good lawyer and he's taking great care of me. The thing is that I screwed up because I didn't … When the police came to my house, which nobody in my house called, a friend of ours came over and we didn't open the door for her. And she called the police — which is absurd." He added, "So it's a bad scene right now, it's a bad scene, and I don't even know how I'm supposed to say that … But basically at the end of the day I screwed up 'cause I didn't open the door. I was like, 'I'm not going to open, I don't have to open the door.' I didn't think you have to open the door… [laughs] You have to open the door. A robot came and knocked down my door. [laughs]"
 
Former IRON MAIDEN vocalist Paul Di'Anno will be returning to North America this summer for his most extensive tour ever. Once again Di'Anno's backing and support band will be Cleopatra recording artist ICARUS WITCH. This run of dates, however, will also include Earache buzz band CAULDRON and Pure Steel traditional metal maniacs WIDOW. The tour is being booked by Intromental Worldwide and will cover the U.S. and Canada from July 25 to September 2.
 
The preliminary dates of the tour as as follows, but expect an updated and longer itinerary to come in the next couple of weeks.
 
July 25 - Baltimore, MD
July 26 - New York, NY
July 27 - Foxboro, MA
July 29 - Albany, NY
Aug. 01 - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Aug. 02 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Aug. 03 - Detroit, MI
Aug. 04 - Chicago, IL
Aug. 09 - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Aug. 10 - Seattle, WA
Aug. 15 - Santa Ana, CA
Aug. 24 - Austin, TX
Aug. 28 - Tampa, FL
Aug. 29 - Orlando, FL
Aug. 31 - Raleigh, NC
Sept. 01 - Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 01 - Akron, OH
 
Fan-filmed video footage of Paul Di'Anno's March 10 concert at Das Parkhaus in Duisburg, Germany can be seen below.
 
On August 27, 2011, Di'Anno played his first show since serving time in a U.K. prison after he falsely collected U.K. government benefits by claiming he suffered nerve damage to his back that prevented him from working.
 
After serving his jail term last spring, Di'Anno issued a short statement in which he thanked his fans for their support and claimed that he "managed not to drop the soap" during his stint behind bars.
 
Di'Anno, 53, was sentenced to nine months for swindling £45,000 (approximately $72,000) in benefits. He was told he would serve at least four and a half months of the sentence behind bars before being released on conditional bail.
 
D'Anno was reportedly busted when investigators at Department Of Work And Pensions (DWP) received an anonymous tip that he was still singing. They then found videos and pictures on YouTube and the rocker's own web site of Di'Anno "energetically leaping around on stage, singing to fans around the world."
 
Di'Anno completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.
 
"In 1991 I did a couple of stints in jail for guns and drugs," Di'Anno explained in a 2010 interview. "I was stupid. But after I'd done my stretch they still treated me like a criminal. And I was — but I wasn't that bad. So I didn't feel good about America. The government, not the people.
 
"Prison was tough, but I'm tougher. I was nobody's bitch, put it that way. You've got to do it; otherwise people will walk all over you."
 
Guitarist Ryan Roxie has rejoined Alice Cooper's band for the legendary rocker's upcoming tour.
 
"I can't even begin to express how excited I am to have the opportunity to be a part of this year's touring lineup," Ryan said. "To be able to contribute musically with Alice and the band, perform for all you faithful Cooper fans, and have the chance to play guitar on stage next to one of rock music's coolest icons… Well, let's just say I definitely plan to 'enjoy the ride'… and yes, just like all good sports-related interview-ending quotes, I also plan on 'taking it one show at a time' and giving it '110%."
 
He added, "I might seem calm and low key on the outside, but inside I'm about as excited and honored to do this as I've ever been in my career...
 
"Let's jump on that tour bus so we can come out and play for you all [as soon as possible]... Looking forward to seeing all your familiar faces and meeting new ones as well."
 
Roxie was previously a member of Alice Cooper's band from 1996 to 2006. More recently, he was involved with the groups CASABLANCA and ROXIE 77.
 
Guitar legend Steve Hunter announced his decision to leave Cooper's band last month.
 
InsideOut Music has announced the signing of the progressive metal band HEADSPACE to a worldwide deal.
VH1 Classic and CreateSpace, an Amazon.com, Inc. company, today announced the exclusive DVD release of "Metal Evolution", the biggest and most comprehensive documentary series ever made on the genesis of heavy metal and hard rock, via Amazon.comand shop.vh1.com on March 27.
 
"Metal Evolution" is VH1 Classic's top-rated 2012 series to date. The three-disc set, featuring all 11 episodes of the show hosted by noted metal aficionado, anthropologist and filmmaker Sam Dunn, crisscrosses the globe to bring viewers along on an intense journey through the genre's musical history, spanning more than four decades. Special features include an informative interview with Dunn from VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show". The episodes are also available now digitally on Amazon Instant Video.
 
"We are very excited to bring VH1's powerful and comprehensive documentary series to music lovers and devoted metal fans on DVD and digitally for the first time ever," said Brad Beale, director of digital video content acquisition for Amazon. "Amazon's CreateSpace on Demand service makes it easy for networks like VH1 Classic to make the content that fans want readily available quickly and cost-effectively."
 
"'Metal Evolution' has been a breakthrough television series for VH1 Classic, a perfect fit for our audience of classic music experts. The series highlights the passion and intelligence on the part of the creators, performers, and fans of metal music — a genre often overlooked by critics. Our partners at Banger Films created a fascinating series with emotion, humor, and lots of really, really awesome music," said Ben Zurier, EVP VH1 Programming Strategy.
 
Dunn and his partner, filmmaker Scot McFayden, based "Metal Evolution" on the groundbreaking and much-debated 26 sub-genre "Heavy Metal Family Tree" that details the music's fascinating and complex lineage. Using this genealogical chart as a road map, each episode unleashes the very essence of metal — beginning with Pre-Metal, traveling through Early Metal, New Wave, Glam, Thrash, Grunge, Nu Metal, Shock Rock and Power Metal, and arriving at the Progressive Rock of today as the explosive series finale. Along the way, Dunn interviews more than 300 of metal's most revered artists, producers and experts, including Alice Cooper, James Hetfield, Slash, Iggy Pop, Vince Neil, Dave Mustaine, Michael Anthony and Yngwie Malmsteen, as well as a pantheon of other rock idols. From the streets of Birmingham, England to the bars of Sunset Strip, from Germany's raucous festivals to soccer stadium concerts in Santiago, Chile, the filmmakers leave no stone unturned as they explore the pioneers of British and American hard rock along with the metal luminaries that rock on today.
 
Amazon's CreateSpace on Demand service is the perfect way for major networks such as VH1 Classic, as well as leading studios, to bring their most sought-after current content and catalog titles to DVD. Titles never go out of stock and are always available to fans because they are manufactured only in response to customer demand. In addition, content can be distributed through Amazon.com and other channels, including Amazon Instant Video, a digital video service providing more than 120,000 titles, including new release movies, TV shows the day after they air, as well as contemporary and classic videos in SD and HD.
Mats Levén (KRUX, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Robin Beck, Michael Bormann (ex-JADED HEART, BONFIRE) and Carsten Kaiser (ex-ANGEL DUST) make guest appearances on "Inside Of The Machine", the forthcoming third album from ASSIGNMENT, the braindchild of composer and guitarist Goran Panic.
 
"Inside Of The Machine" is said to be a conceptual effort with the following storyline: "We're in the near future, all goverments have fallen, democracy as we've known is only left on paper and one consortium is taking care of our free world. All is based on total submission, a very low percentage enjoys the privilege of finances while the most serve and get milked like my remote does with batteries…"
 
Description of the four characters:
 
Robin Beck is "The Mistress". She was sent by The Preacher to Nick, the main character in order to help him through this intrusion of mankind and to build the resistance. After a while she will start play here own game…
 
Michael Bormann is "Nick", the main character. He is one between thousands but more and more frustrated by the injustice, by the lies surrounding him and by beeing kept down for speaking the truth. He decides to raise against which lead him into the game against "The Machine".
 
Carsten Kaiser is "The Machine". It's the combined synonym for all evil, wrong ways and grievance that is all around us such as greed, betrayal, wars and many other parts of our already seen and known system.
 
Mats Levén is "The Preacher". Once he was God but as mankind lost its belief, he returned as a "normal" preacher who is supporting but also using Nick and The Mistress for his own need — to regain belief and rebuild the balance again.
 
According to a press release, ASSIGNMENT "combines various inluences such as QUEENSRŸCHE and FATES WARNING but also AYREON and ealy PAIN OF SALVATION. You can expect hard-edged riffs, catchy hooks and unexpected turnovers in more than 70 minutes running time, including a special bonus track, a cover version of MEAT LOAF's 'Nowhere Fast'."
 
"Inside Of The Machine" track listing:
 
01. Upload the System (6:04)
02. The Intrusion (4:08)
03. I Am The Machine (5:00)
04. Resistance (4:50)
05. Love Between Heaven And Hell (4:15)
06. The Betrayal (3:32)
07. Messiah's Fall (4:16)
08. Ending Love (5:04)
09. Another Sacrifice (4:49)
10. Electric City (Home Of The Machine) (4:43)
11. Walk Alone (4:42)
12. Eternal Silence (5:36)
13. Bug In The System (3:42)
14. End Of The Machine (6:06)
15. Nowhere Fast (bonus track) (4:57)
Swedish rockers THE DURANGO RIOT have inked a deal with Ninetone Records. The band's new album, "Backwards Over Midnight", will be released later in the year.
 
Hailing from a small industrial town called Karlskoga, Sweden, THE DURANGO RIOT was formed in 2005 by childhood friends Jacob (guitar), Fred (vocals/guitar), Erik (drums) and Håkan (bass). With their debut album, "Telemission" (2007), the band immediately started making waves in their native Sweden with their bluesy, rootsy and highly energetic songs. The CD's success enabled the group to tour Europe and Japan and led to a collaboration with producer Joe Barresi (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, TOOL) on the follow-up effort. The result was a two-week session at Barresi's studio in Pasadena, California, were the band laid the ground to what was to become the album "Backwards Over Midnight".
 
According to a press release, THE DURANGO RIOT "has taken a big step towards a more expressive, dark and dangerously groovy sound that contains both à journey into the very heart of rock n roll and also à very unique fresh sounding type of songs."
Dutch guitarist Adrian Vandenberg (VANDENBERG, WHITESNAKE) is continuing work on a new album, to be released later this year. According to a posting on his official web site, "Lovers of dynamic, rough-edged blues based rock with strong, melodic twists will not be disappointed! Negotiations with several interested record companies are coming up and it looks like the album will get released somewhere after the summer. Try-out shows are expected to take place in the fall 2012."
 
Since Adrian is working full-time on a new album, all of his previously planned art exhibitions will be postponed. Commissions for works will still be accepted, time permitting.
Some of the finest albums from Canadian metal legends ANVIL will be made in Europe again on April 23 (three days earlier in Germany) as high-class digipak 2-in-1 re-releases with new booklets, including liner notes from guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner, as well as new photos.
 
"Plugged in Permament / Absolutely No Alternative":
 
CD 1 - "Plugged In Permanent"
 
01. Racial Hostility
02. Doctor Kevorkian
03. Smokin Green
04. Destined For Doom
05. Killer Hill
06. Face Pull
07. I'm Trying To Sleep
08. Five Knuckle Shuffle
09. Truth Or Consequence
10. Guilty
 
CD 2 - "Absolutely No Alternative"
 
01. Old School
02. Green Jesus
03. Show Me Your Tits
04. Noone To Follow
05. Hair Pie
06. Rubber Neck
07. Piss Test
08. Red Light
09. Black Or White
10. Hero By Death
 
"Speed Of Sound / Plenty Of Power":
 
CD 1 - "Speed Of Sound"
 
01. Speed Of Sound
02. Blood In The Playground
03. Deadbeat Dad
04. Man Over Board
05. No Evil
06. Bullshit
07. Matress Mambo
08. Secret Agent
09. Life To Lead
10. Park That Truck
 
CD 2 - "Plenty Of Power"
 
01. Plenty Of Power
02. Groove Science
03. Ball Of Fire
04. The Creep
05. Computer Drone
06. Beat The Law
07. Pro Wrestling
08. Siren Of The Sea
09. Disgruntled
10. Real Metal
California punk rock legends BAD RELIGION will appear at the historic Reason Rally on March 24 in Washington D.C. The event is a free nationwide celebration intended to "unify, energize, and embolden secular people nationwide." BAD RELIGION's singer, Greg Graffin (author of "Anarchy Evolution: Faith, Science, And Bad Religion In A World Without God") will sing the national anthem and the world renowned band will perform a one-hour set.
 
Slated to be the largest secular event in world history, the rally is sponsored by the top secular organizations in the United States and will feature music, comedy, and addresses by leaders of the secular movement. Scheduled to appear are BAD RELIGION, author Dr. Richard Dawkins, actor and comedian Eddie Izzard, writer and comedian Bill Maher, comedian Tim Minchin and many more. The event is intended to give secular Americans an opportunity to unite under a banner of reason and community, at a level never seen before.
 
BAD RELIGION's appearance at the Reason Rally is only fitting. Formed over three decades ago in the suburbs of Los Angeles amidst the incendiary punk movement, the popular and influential band has a well documented history advocating for intellectual freedom and secularism. From their provocative name, to their iconic "cross buster" logo to a lyrical canon filled with humanist themes, few other artists have so unflinchingly aligned themselves with issues of humanism and rational thought.
 
As BAD RELIGION guitarist and co-songwriter Brett Gurewitz explains, "People often ask whether I think music makes a difference; whether it's a force for change. BAD RELIGION's invitation to appear at the Reason Rally (history's largest secular gathering) for me affirms the notion that art has the power to transform social norms, that over the past 30 years our band, through its music and message, has contributed to a real and very positive trend toward secularization."
 
The band's singer and co-songwriter Greg Graffin offers, "We thought it was a good gathering of people who want to stress that reason should characterize the citizenry of this country, not affiliation with some religious group or socioeconomic stratum or any other criterion besides the willingness to engage in reasonable debate that is informed by rational knowledge. All I've ever heard from fans (and that includes parents and their kids alike) is that they have been inspired to learn more and care more by listening to our music. I think therefore, that the Reason Rally — like BAD RELIGION — can be very inspirational. "
 
BAD RELIGION's latest album titled, "The Dissent Of Man", is available on Epitaph Records.
 
The Reason Rally will occur on March 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m at the National Mall in Washington D.C.
 
For more information, go to www.reasonrally.org.
 
OHMPHREY, the jam band supergroup featuring three members of the prog rock/veteran jam band UMPHREY'S MCGEE (keyboardist Joel Cummins, guitarist Jake Cinninger and drummer Kris Myers) alongside OHM:/ex-MEGADETH guitarist Chris Poland and bassist Robertino Pagliari (a.k.a. "Pag"), will release its new album, "Posthaste", on April 10 via Magna Carta. Tracks such as "The River Runs", "Tom Bombadil" (named after a character in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord Of The Rings" fantasy trilogy), "The Sun Also Rises", and "The Devil's in the Details" are as distinctive and enthralling as their titles might suggest. Each track has its own identity and the music never lets up. Even upon repeat listens, "Posthaste" continues to inspire, surprise and even shock.
 
Dig the joyous and playful staccato rhythms, Cummins' Wakeman-esque lead synth lines and Myers' ability to play with time during a drum solo in "Ramona's Car Wash". Rifle through your memories as you listen to the intriguing arpeggios opening "The Shoemaker's Back" (as if these riffs have been encoded with subliminal information). Free your mind (and your butt) to the totally chilled out trace/dance feel of "Reggaelic" (which fades with a glorious guitar solo).
 
"Posthaste" track listing:
 
01. Devil's In The Details
02. The Sun Also Rises
03. Tom Bombadil
04. The River Runs
05. The Shoemaker's Back
06. Ramona's Car Wash
07. Reggaelic
08. Firestarter (live version)
09. 20/20 (live version)
 
HEADSPACE keyboardist Adam Wakeman (son of YES' Rick Wakeman and member of Ozzy Osbourne's backing band) comments on the signing: "We are so pleased to be joining forces with InsideOut. We have spent a long time making sure that this album is exactly how we want it; and to have a label behind us that fully understands where the band is coming from and what we're about is incredibly important to us. It's a perfect match."
 
HEADSPACE began as a way for Wakeman and a close circle of his musician friends to reconnect. There were no preconceptions of launching a progressive metal band, and certainly no visions of grandeur — they just played music that they loved. "We're quite open about our influences because that's the music that we love," the band comments. "There's RUSH, YES, GENESIS, a lot of bands. We even give a tip of the hat to DREAM THEATER in a few sections. That's all a part of what we are."
 
This impromptu collaboration amongst friends quickly turned into something more serious, leading to the official formation of HEADSPACE and the completion of their debut album, "I Am Anonymous", which will be released this psring through InsideOut Music. The band comments, "Indeed, with players like keyboardist Adam Wakeman, vocalist Damian Wilson (THRESHOLD, ARJEN LUCASSEN), bassist Lee Pomeroy (Rick Wakeman's ERE, IT BITES), HEADSPACE is destined to go in an 'unashamedly prog' direction. People may be surprised to find, however, that for a band led by a keyboardist and vocalist — at least on paper — 'I Am Anonymous' is a heavily guitar-oriented record."
 
Guitarist Pete Rinaldi and drummer Richard Brook round out the band's lineup, making HEADSPACE a progressive metal powerhouse in the music world.
 
HEADSPACE is:
 
Adam Wakeman - Keyboards
Damian Wilson - Vocals
Pete Rinaldi - Guitars
Lee Pomeroy - Bass
Richard Brook – Drums
David Fefolt, singer/songwriter for American metallers FIREWOLFE, has left the band and is pursuing a career in the Christian music genre.
 
Fefolt, who has previously fronted such acts as VALHALLA, HAWK, MASI, FORGOTTEN REALM, and ANGELS OF BABYLON, states, "I wrote some Christian lyrics in ANGELS OF BABYLON with David Ellefson [MEGADETH bassist] and Rhino [ex-MANOWAR], but the band was seen mainly as secular. I've been a Christian most of my life and I feel the time is right for creating music that truly glorifies God. I lived the rock and roll lifestyle for many years and have come to realize you can only serve one Master... I choose the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ."
 
FIREWOLFE's debut album was previously described as "a turbine-powered, twin guitar, screaming eargasm" with overtones of DIO, IRON MAIDEN, SCORPIONS, and JUDAS PRIEST.
 
FIREWOLFE's current lineup includes guitarists Paul Kleff and Nick Layton, and drummer Jay Schellen (HURRICANE, ASIA)
 
The band is currently searching for a new vocalist.
 
For more information, visit FIREWOLFE's official web site.
 
Relapse Records has announced the signing of experimental, dark ambient/noise trio LOCRIAN. The band will enter Electrical Audio in Chicago later this year with producer with Greg Norman to record its new album. Furthermore, this summer Relapse will reissue the group's most recent vinyl-only release, "The Clearing", as a two-CD/digital deluxe album with a bonus disc, re-titled "The Clearing/The Final Epoch".
 
Formed in late 2005, LOCRIAN consists of André Foisy (electric and acoustic guitars, arp avatar, electronics), Terence Hannum (vocals, synthesizers, piano, organ, mellotron and tapes) and Steven Hess (drums, electronics). The group, located in Chicago, Illinois and Baltimore, Maryland, has released over 20 recordings on an eclectic array of labels in their relatively short but prolific career, including a recent split with labelmates HORSEBACK.
 
Commented Foisy: "It's really an honor to be working with one of the labels that we grew up with and a label that's put out such a wide variety of material that we love."
California metallers BONDED BY BLOOD have finished recording their third studio album for a summer release via Earache Records. The CD was tracked at at Darth Mader Music in Los Angeles with producer and former MACHINE HEAD/SOULFLY guitarist Logan Mader (DEVILDRIVER, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH).
 
Commented BONDED BY BLOOD drummer Carlos Regalado: "It's been a crazy and totally cool month for us. We have finally finished up recording album #3! We love the sound we got and the way the songs came out — it's so aggressive and punchy. We poured everything we had into these songs (8 months!), and we can't wait for everybody to hear it! Mauro did such an amazing job and it's different from our previous records for sure, as is the music, but he really showed what he had and just totally blew us away. Our writing styles just keep evolving and we can't even believe we are capable of creating such power. The writing and recording was a blast, Logan is cool as shit and it's almost like he knew exactly what we wanted. We hope everybody enjoys this record as much as we do; we are gearing up for the road soon — see you in the pit!"
 
BONDED BY BLOOD is gearing up for a North American tour with KITTIE, BLACKGUARD and THE AGONIST which will kick off on April 10 in Poughkeepsie, New York.
 
BONDED BY BLOOD's second album, 2010's "Exiled To Earth", sold around 600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 86 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.
 
According to The Pulse Of Radio, LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington appears to have admitted that the band went too far with the experimental, heavily electronic sound of its last album, "A Thousand Suns". Speaking with Kerrang! magazine about the band's fifth LP, which is being recorded now for a summer release, Bennington said, "With this album, we've incorporated a lot of guitar work with big choruses and the heavier electronic stuff to give it that really big wall of sound feeling without getting too metal. This will be more familiar to people than 'A Thousand Suns' was, where we were like 'Fuck it, we're just going to go bonkers."
 
"A Thousand Suns" polarized the band's fans, while not selling nearly as many copies as the group's previous three multi-platinum studio efforts.
 
Vocalist Mike Shinoda told The Pulse Of Radio at the time that LINKIN PARK were glad they went in a new direction. "I think we were just at a point where were hearing out things out there in the music world, a lot of stuff that was kind of boring us," he said. "The music that we were writing that sounded like something that LINKIN PARK would do was kind of boring us. And we wanted to really challenge ourselves to try something that felt fresh and exciting."
 
Bennington also told Kerrang!, "Over the previous two records, we were trying hard to break out of the nu-metal box that we'd found ourselves in. It's very easy to characterize us as that based on (first two albums) 'Hybrid Theory' and 'Meteora', but we knew there was more to us than that . . . I feel like we've found a place where we've become comfortable in our skin."
 
Bennington also revealed that the band would stay away from the political themes it tackled on "A Thousand Suns", writing more this time "about relationships."
POISON singer Bret Michaels recently spoke to AZCentral.com about his forthcoming solo album, "Get Your Rock On", which is tentatively due this summer.
 
"[It's a] really amazing record," Bret said. "I put a lot of hard work into this. And everyone that's on it, I'm not only friends with but fans of. I've got Ace Frehley from KISS and Michael Anthony from VAN HALEN. I redid [POISON's] 'Nothin' But a Good Time' and played everything on it but the lead guitar and bass. Ace Frehley plays the solo and Michael Anthony plays bass. Then, 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn' has Joe Perry from AEROSMITH and Hugh McDonald from BON JOVI. And it's got Loretta Lynn singing it with me. Then, Jimmy Buffett, me and him did 'Margaritaville' live. . . It's all people I know. Vinnie Paul from PANTERA. They're all friends of mine. The best one — are you ready for this? — I remade 'Sweet Home Alabama' with the guys from LYNYRD SKYNYRD playing and singing on it. Gary Rossington and Rickey Medlocke are on it. I wanted them to hear what I had done. I gave it a really cool feel. And they were like, 'This is awesome.'"
 
When asked how the sound of his new solo album compares with that of 2010's "Custom Built", Bret said, "For me, honestly, every song has a life of its own. I kind of do exactly what I want to do with each song. And so some of them are like 'Get Your Rock On', real just in-your-face straight-up rock and roll. And then, you've got a really interesting twist to 'Every Rose Has Its Thorn'. What adds the sound to your record is when you get different musicians like that. I mean, having Ace Frehley, there's just no way to describe. It almost takes you back to 'Shock Me'."
Florida-based hard rock band NONPOINT has finished recording its seventh album at Groovemaster Studios in Chicago, Illinois with Grammy-nominated producer Johnny K (DISTURBED, STAIND, MEGADETH). The CD is currently being mixed for a late 2012 release via the band's new label home, Razor & Tie.
 
The first couple of photos of the new NONPOINT lineup can be seen below.
 
Founding NONPOINT members Elias Soriano (vocals) and Robb Rivera (drums) last year welcomed three new members to the family: Dave Lizzio (guitar), Adam Wolosyzn (bass), and Rasheed Thomas (guitar). All three musicians come from the Chicago-based rock act INN CINEMA.
 
Commented Soriano: "We're proud to officially announce the new members of NONPOINT. Dave Lizzio, Rasheed Thomas and Adam Woloszyn have been chased by bands in the Chicago area for years and somehow by a stroke of luck and timing, we now have three of the freshest, most talented players on our team. These guys are great players and even better people.
 
"From day one, the new writing process has been full of great ideas and open minds, and now adding Johnny K into the formula has Robb and I very excited. After listening to the demos, Johnny K said, 'It's easy to find someone to play guitar for a band. It's hard to accomplish what you have by finding Dave, Rasheed and Adam, and that's finding people who can write amazing riffs.' From that point on I knew: This new lineup and record will be epic in the chronicle of NONPOINT."
 
NONPOINT last year parted ways with guitarist Zach Broderick and founding bassist Ken MacMillan.
 
The band's latest album, "Miracle", sold around 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart.
 
"Miracle" was released in Europe on June 14, 2010 via Powerage Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on May 4, 2010 via the band's own 954 Records in partnership with Rocket Science Ventures / RED / Sony.
 
NONPOINT's current lineup:
 
Elias Soriano - Vocals
Robb Rivera - Drums
Rasheed Thomas - Guitar
Dave Lizzio - Guitar
Adam Woloszyn – Bass
To commemorate ULVER's special performance at this year's Roadburn, a "Roadburn" EP will be made available on our the festival's own label on Thursday, April 12.
 
ULVER's "Roadburn" EP includes "I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)", a cover of a song by THE ELECTRIC PRUNES, originally recorded in 1967. Some of you might have heard ULVER's hypnotic version before, as it was streamed online in 2009.
The B-side sees ULVER covering 13TH FLOOR ELEVATOR's classic track "Reverberation (Doubt)", written by Tommy Hall, Stacy Sutherland and Roky Erikson in 1966. ULVER's take features special guests including VIRUS' Czral on bass.
 
ULVER's musical career is a sonic kaleidoscopic epic. Lo-fi black metal beginnings turned into acoustic outsider-folk and from there mutated and continued to evolve from electronic and ambient forms, symphonic traditions, soundtracks for films, post and prog-rock and on to their current sound, which basically defies any further attempts at labeling. They are without question unique, multifaceted and one of the most talented bands active today and Roadburn is colossally chuffed to release this "Roadburn" EP (limited to 500 copies) in tandem with the 2012 festival.
Swedish death metallers SARGATANAS REIGN have announced that Mathias Lillmåns, the frontman of FINNTROLL, THE INIQUITY DECENT and MAGENTA HARVEST, has laid down "some awesome growls on two songs" on the upcoming SARGATANAS REIGN CD, "Godwork". The band adds, "He is a great guy who took the time to come over the Baltic Sea to help us make the best album of the year!"
 
Also making a guest appearance on "Godwork" is SCAR SYMMETRY singer Roberth Karlsson, as well as two other vocalists, to be named later.
 
SARGATANAS REIGN's sophomore album, "Bloodwork - Techniques Of Torture", came out in 2005 via Blooddawn Productions/Regain Records.
 
According to the band's official bio, SARGATANAS REIGN's take on old-school American death metal creates a unique blend that is sure to attract fans of the most brutal metal and more commercial metal genres alike.
 
After the release of "Bloodwork", bassist Niklas Samuelsson and vocalist Jonas Matsson left SARGATANAS REIGN due to personal reasons.
 
Sick Drummer Magazine and Perseverance Holdings Ltd. have announced the "Death To All Tour 2012" in benefit of Sweet Relief. This five-city tour will feature a majority of DEATH's amazing musicians, as well as special guests. This tour is to celebrate the life and music of Chuck Schuldiner, as well as to raise awareness of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund — a charity that provides financial assistance to career musicians faced with illness, disability or age-related problems.
 
This tour will kick off in San Francisco, California and work its way to Orlando, Florida — stopping in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York along the way.
 
The drums will be handled by Gene Hoglan ("Individual Thought Patterns", "Symbolic") and Sean Reinert ("Human"). On bass will be Steve DiGiorgio ("Human", "Individual Thought Patterns") and Scott Clendenin ("The Sound Of Perseverance"). Guitar duties will be shared by Paul Masvidal ("Human"), Shannon Hamm ("The Sound of Perseverance") and Bobby Koelble ("Symbolic").
 
The second vocalist to be announced for the "Death To All Tour 2012" is Steffen Kummerer of OBSCURA.
 
Commented Steffen: "It was a pleasure to get the invitation to play all of those timeless classics as a tribute to Chuck and his work. To be honest, I wasn't sure if it was a good idea at all to get this project running, due to my respect for the past. The band DEATH is gone and will never come back; that is the truth. These shows are a nice way to show tribute to the band and their previous work and help musicians via Sweet Relief. In the end, a good thing and definitely worth visiting one or two shows. I am glad to be involved and be part of this idea to bring this music back on stage. Let the metal flow."
 
Also handling vocals during the trek will be Charles Elliott of ABYSMAL DAWN and BEREFT.
 
Said Elliott: "'Who the hell is Charles Elliott?' is what I imagine some people saying as they're reading this announcement. It's true — compared to some of the legends associated with these amazing shows, I'm the new kid on the block. Even when they asked me to do it I was somewhat reluctant and suggested numerous other artists who I thought sounded more like Chuck and have been around longer, i.e. John Tardy, Martin Van Drunen, Luc Lemay, etc. In the end, I think they chose me to perform some of these songs because I'm a huge DEATH fan and because, more than anything, they felt I'm part of a newer generation embodying the overall spirit of Chuck. I'm glad they asked me though because playing with these guys is more than a dream come true and I couldn't be more excited about it.
 
"Let me just say that I don't pretend to be Chuck Schuldiner. I don't sound exactly like him and I'm not trying to, even if he is an influence of mine. Chuck was a unique individual, as am I. What I am trying to do though is humbly pay tribute to a man and band that changed my life, while supporting his family and a charity I believe in. I know some people will inevitably talk shit no matter what, but now at least I've said my piece.
 
"My first band INHUMAN VISIONS opened up for DEATH back in 1998 at what would become the infamous 'Live In L.A.' show. I was just a kid and I think if you listen closely at the very end of the show, you can hear me screaming, 'Thank you, DEATH' on the DVD. That statement is as true as it was in that life-changing moment as it is now.
 
"Thank you, Chuck Schuldiner, for a legacy of metal that left a lasting impression on me. I hope to do you justice, as the fans and musicians you touched all gather to pay tribute to you and your music. Let the metal flow."
 
The dates are as follows:
 
June 22 - The Regency Ballroom - San Francisco, CA
June 23 - House of Blues – West Hollywood, CA
June 26 - House of Blues - Chicago, IL
June 28 - Irving Plaza – New York, NY
June 30 - The Beacham - Orlando, FL
 
For more information, go to this location.
 
Chuck died on December 13, 2001 after a battle with pontine glioma, a rare type of brain tumor.

__._,_.___
Recent Activity:
.

__,_._,___

0 comments:

Post a Comment