Ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Izzy Stradlin joined his former band on stage last night (Saturday, July 21) to perform almost a dozen songs during a hastily scheduled concert at a private wedding in Saint-Tropez, France. Izzy and the current lineup of GN'R reportedly played the following tracks: "You're Crazy", "Welcome To The Jungle", "It's So Easy", "Mr. Brownstone", "Used To Love Her", "14 Years", "Dead Flowers", "Nightrain", "Patience", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Paradise City". Also performed last night — without Stradlin — were the songs "This I Love", "Rocket Queen", "Estranged", "Live And Let Die", "Street Of Dreams", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Don't Cry".
The Saint-Tropez concert was a last-minute addition to GN'R's itinerary, following the band's performance at Costa De Fuego festival in Benicassim, Spain on Friday and before tonight's gig at Son Fusteret in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Reports suggest the event was a private wedding for a billionaire and that Bryan Adams was also on hand to perform before GN'R hit the stage.
After last night's show, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist DJ Ashba tweeted, "Just finished playing a private concert in St. Tropez, France. It was great having Izzy back on stage with us."
Fellow GN'R axeman Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal appeared less enthused about the prospect of playing a last-minute concert, tweeting before the show, "Wow. Diverted without info (or gear or clothes or sleep) to play a wedding in France. Yep. Guess it's not *one show left*." He added, "Crew working dangerously nonstop due to added show. Not ok with that..."
Afterwards, Thal tweeted, "That was actually fun as fuck & everybody was so sweet :)"
Stradlin previously performed with GUNS N' ROSES on May 31 at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Both Izzy and GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose skipped the band's recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Stradlin issued a statement the week before the induction, thanking his bandmates, the Hall Of Fame for "the acknowledgment of our works over the years," and the fans who "have supported GUNS N' ROSES from day one."
Former GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose on stage for the first time in seventeen years at the band's October 14, 2010 concert in London.
For the Rock Hall induction performance, McKagan, guitarist Slash and drummer Steven Adler were joined by guitarist Gilby Clarke and drummer Matt Sorum for three songs — "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" — from the band's classic 1987 debut, "Appetite For Destruction". Providing vocals in the absence of Axl Rose was Myles Kennedy, the singer for ALTER BRIDGE and Slash's current solo band.
Sorum played drums for "Mr. Brownstone", while original drummer Adler took over for the other two songs.
The Saint-Tropez concert was a last-minute addition to GN'R's itinerary, following the band's performance at Costa De Fuego festival in Benicassim, Spain on Friday and before tonight's gig at Son Fusteret in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Reports suggest the event was a private wedding for a billionaire and that Bryan Adams was also on hand to perform before GN'R hit the stage.
After last night's show, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist DJ Ashba tweeted, "Just finished playing a private concert in St. Tropez, France. It was great having Izzy back on stage with us."
Fellow GN'R axeman Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal appeared less enthused about the prospect of playing a last-minute concert, tweeting before the show, "Wow. Diverted without info (or gear or clothes or sleep) to play a wedding in France. Yep. Guess it's not *one show left*." He added, "Crew working dangerously nonstop due to added show. Not ok with that..."
Afterwards, Thal tweeted, "That was actually fun as fuck & everybody was so sweet :)"
Stradlin previously performed with GUNS N' ROSES on May 31 at the O2 Arena in London, England.
Both Izzy and GUNS N' ROSES lead singer Axl Rose skipped the band's recent induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Stradlin issued a statement the week before the induction, thanking his bandmates, the Hall Of Fame for "the acknowledgment of our works over the years," and the fans who "have supported GUNS N' ROSES from day one."
Former GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan joined Axl Rose on stage for the first time in seventeen years at the band's October 14, 2010 concert in London.
For the Rock Hall induction performance, McKagan, guitarist Slash and drummer Steven Adler were joined by guitarist Gilby Clarke and drummer Matt Sorum for three songs — "Mr. Brownstone", "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Paradise City" — from the band's classic 1987 debut, "Appetite For Destruction". Providing vocals in the absence of Axl Rose was Myles Kennedy, the singer for ALTER BRIDGE and Slash's current solo band.
Sorum played drums for "Mr. Brownstone", while original drummer Adler took over for the other two songs.
MOTÖRHEAD will release "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" in Germany on September 21, three days later in the rest of Europe and October 9 in North America via UDR/EMI. The follow-up to 2011's "The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 1: Everywhere Further Than Everyplace Else" will feature the band's 2011 Wacken Open Air headline appearance as well as highlights from Sonisphere (United Kingdom) and Rock In Rio (Brazil) shows.
"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" will be available as a digipack (DVD plus two CDs), double-CD, double-vinyl (Wacken Open Air show), Blu-ray and direct-to-consumer version featuring 2 CDs, a DVD/Blu-ray and a special booklet.
"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" track listing:
Wacken Open Air - August 8, 2011 in Wacken, Germany
* Iron Fist
* Stay Clean
* Get Back In Line
* Metropolis
* Over The Top
* Rock Out
* One Night Stand
* The Thousand Names of God
* I Know How to Die
* The Chase Is Better Than the Catch
* In the Name of Tragedy
* Just 'Cos You Got The Power
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death
* Bomber
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill
Sonisphere - July 10, 2011 at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire:
* Iron Fist
* I Know How To Die
* In The Name Of Tragedy
* Killed By Death
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill
Rock In Rio - September 25, 2011 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil:
* Stay Clean
* Over The Top
* The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death
Bonus material: festival impression Wacken Open Air
MOTÖRHEAD's latest album, "The Wörld Is Yours", sold 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 94 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous effort, "Motörizer", premiered with 6,400 units back in 2008 to debut at No. 82, while 2006's "Kiss Of Death" registered a first-week tally of 3,500.
"The Wörld Is Yours" was released in North America on February 8, 2011. The CD is a vital, scorching statement of intent from the band as they launch Motörhead Music, their very first record label.
Written and performed by Lemmy Kilmister, Philip Campbell and Mikkey Dee in both Los Angeles, California and Wales, with production once again by Cameron Webb, "The Wörld Is Yours" serves to remind everyone that you should never stop questioning or critiquing a society that would surely chew you up and spit you if given half a chance. And with 10 soul-scorching testaments to the unbridled power this world-famous trio continually maintain, "The Wörld Is Yours" delivers some of the finest, most important Motörmusic yet.
"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" will be available as a digipack (DVD plus two CDs), double-CD, double-vinyl (Wacken Open Air show), Blu-ray and direct-to-consumer version featuring 2 CDs, a DVD/Blu-ray and a special booklet.
"The Wörld Is Ours – Vol 2: Anyplace Crazy As Anywhere Else" track listing:
Wacken Open Air - August 8, 2011 in Wacken, Germany
* Iron Fist
* Stay Clean
* Get Back In Line
* Metropolis
* Over The Top
* Rock Out
* One Night Stand
* The Thousand Names of God
* I Know How to Die
* The Chase Is Better Than the Catch
* In the Name of Tragedy
* Just 'Cos You Got The Power
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death
* Bomber
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill
Sonisphere - July 10, 2011 at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire:
* Iron Fist
* I Know How To Die
* In The Name Of Tragedy
* Killed By Death
* Ace Of Spades
* Overkill
Rock In Rio - September 25, 2011 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil:
* Stay Clean
* Over The Top
* The Chase Is Better Than The Catch
* Going To Brazil
* Killed By Death
Bonus material: festival impression Wacken Open Air
MOTÖRHEAD's latest album, "The Wörld Is Yours", sold 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 94 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous effort, "Motörizer", premiered with 6,400 units back in 2008 to debut at No. 82, while 2006's "Kiss Of Death" registered a first-week tally of 3,500.
"The Wörld Is Yours" was released in North America on February 8, 2011. The CD is a vital, scorching statement of intent from the band as they launch Motörhead Music, their very first record label.
Written and performed by Lemmy Kilmister, Philip Campbell and Mikkey Dee in both Los Angeles, California and Wales, with production once again by Cameron Webb, "The Wörld Is Yours" serves to remind everyone that you should never stop questioning or critiquing a society that would surely chew you up and spit you if given half a chance. And with 10 soul-scorching testaments to the unbridled power this world-famous trio continually maintain, "The Wörld Is Yours" delivers some of the finest, most important Motörmusic yet.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/motorvol2.jpg
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian believes that steps should be taken to expand gun control so that firearms don't end up "in the hands of people not responsible enough to own one."
Last week's Colorado theater shooting left 12 dead and dozens more wounded, with the shooting suspect, James Holmes, allegedly having used a semiautomatic weapon and a high-capacity ammunition magazine to commit the crimes.
In a series of tweets, Ian offered his opinion on the matter, writing, "To those asking, I am a gun enthusiast that has a big problem with how easy it is for people that have no business owning a gun to get one. The old argument of 'if guns are outlawed, then only outlaws will have guns' means nothing. The 'outlaws' get their guns illegally and use them to perpetrate crimes that get them paid, they don't go shooting innocent people in movie theaters. There's no money in that. Inhuman maniacs get their guns legally and plan their murders to the letter. That is what I have a problem with. So to all my fellow gun enthusiasts, I don't want your guns, I don't want guns in the hands of people not responsible enough to own one. How do we make that work? I have no idea. Have a nice Sunday with someone you love and hope that what happened in Aurora never happens again."
"Weapons of war don't belong on the streets," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, of California, said on "Fox News Sunday", according to Bloomberg.com. "We've got to sit down and really come to grips with what is sold to the average person in America."
During an appearance on the same program, Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said, "I don't think society can keep sick, demented individuals from obtaining weapons."
According to the Los Angeles Times, a Gallup poll conducted in January found that 50 percent of people are at least somewhat satisfied by the state of America's gun control laws, while 42 percent either very or somewhat dissatisfied.
Last week's Colorado theater shooting left 12 dead and dozens more wounded, with the shooting suspect, James Holmes, allegedly having used a semiautomatic weapon and a high-capacity ammunition magazine to commit the crimes.
In a series of tweets, Ian offered his opinion on the matter, writing, "To those asking, I am a gun enthusiast that has a big problem with how easy it is for people that have no business owning a gun to get one. The old argument of 'if guns are outlawed, then only outlaws will have guns' means nothing. The 'outlaws' get their guns illegally and use them to perpetrate crimes that get them paid, they don't go shooting innocent people in movie theaters. There's no money in that. Inhuman maniacs get their guns legally and plan their murders to the letter. That is what I have a problem with. So to all my fellow gun enthusiasts, I don't want your guns, I don't want guns in the hands of people not responsible enough to own one. How do we make that work? I have no idea. Have a nice Sunday with someone you love and hope that what happened in Aurora never happens again."
"Weapons of war don't belong on the streets," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein, of California, said on "Fox News Sunday", according to Bloomberg.com. "We've got to sit down and really come to grips with what is sold to the average person in America."
During an appearance on the same program, Republican Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said, "I don't think society can keep sick, demented individuals from obtaining weapons."
According to the Los Angeles Times, a Gallup poll conducted in January found that 50 percent of people are at least somewhat satisfied by the state of America's gun control laws, while 42 percent either very or somewhat dissatisfied.
DREAM THEATER's August 19 and August 20 concerts at Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina will be professionally filmed and recorded for the band's next live DVD, to be released sometime next year.
Speaking to Tri-State Rock, LaBrie said (hear audio below), "We're pretty stoked. We're actually gonna be using Mike Leonard, who was the production, filming company that we used for 'The Spirit Carries On' documentary. So they're coming back into it. And we're using Rich Chycki, who's worked on the last few RUSH albums as engineer and mixer, and he also worked on the ['R30'] 30th-anniversary DVD with RUSH. And so we have him involved; he'll be doing the audio recording. And we have some technological things that are gonna be going on this DVD that should make it quite interesting. But it is a two-night shoot. It's in a place that we've played before called Luna Park in Buenos Aires, and it's a beautiful, beautiful area, and it will be outside, so hopefully the weather gods will work in our favor. But yeah, it's a really great place. We thought it was the perfect venue for us to do this DVD. And we're pretty stoked. I think it's gonna be very cool, very unique, and I think it should step it up, once again, from our last official DVD, which was 'Score', [filmed] at Radio City Music Hall. So, yeah, it'll be great. We're really excited about it, and it should be something I'm sure that our fans are going to appreciate immensely once it's all done and out there."
DREAM THEATER — James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar and vocals), Jordan Rudess (keyboards and continuum) and Mike Mangini (drums) — launched a major North American headlining summer tour on June 15 in Rochester, New York. The tour included stops at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey plus a two-night engagement at the Paramount Theater on Long Island, New York. They were touring behind their 11th studio album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", which had 14 Top 10 debuts around the world. It also produced the band's first-ever Grammy nomination for "On The Backs Of Angels" in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category.
Speaking to Tri-State Rock, LaBrie said (hear audio below), "We're pretty stoked. We're actually gonna be using Mike Leonard, who was the production, filming company that we used for 'The Spirit Carries On' documentary. So they're coming back into it. And we're using Rich Chycki, who's worked on the last few RUSH albums as engineer and mixer, and he also worked on the ['R30'] 30th-anniversary DVD with RUSH. And so we have him involved; he'll be doing the audio recording. And we have some technological things that are gonna be going on this DVD that should make it quite interesting. But it is a two-night shoot. It's in a place that we've played before called Luna Park in Buenos Aires, and it's a beautiful, beautiful area, and it will be outside, so hopefully the weather gods will work in our favor. But yeah, it's a really great place. We thought it was the perfect venue for us to do this DVD. And we're pretty stoked. I think it's gonna be very cool, very unique, and I think it should step it up, once again, from our last official DVD, which was 'Score', [filmed] at Radio City Music Hall. So, yeah, it'll be great. We're really excited about it, and it should be something I'm sure that our fans are going to appreciate immensely once it's all done and out there."
DREAM THEATER — James LaBrie (vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitar and vocals), Jordan Rudess (keyboards and continuum) and Mike Mangini (drums) — launched a major North American headlining summer tour on June 15 in Rochester, New York. The tour included stops at the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles and the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey plus a two-night engagement at the Paramount Theater on Long Island, New York. They were touring behind their 11th studio album, "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", which had 14 Top 10 debuts around the world. It also produced the band's first-ever Grammy nomination for "On The Backs Of Angels" in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category.
"Bag Of Bones", the ninth studio album from Swedish hard rockers EUROPE, has been certified gold in the group's home country for sales in excess of 20,000 copies. According to the band, the CD entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2 and "has since then continued to sell steadily." The group adds, "'Bag Of Bones' is fast becoming the most successful record since the reunion.
Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last seven years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.
EUROPE recently filmed a video for the song "Firebox" in Gothenburg, Sweden. Helming the clip was Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, KAMELOT), who previously worked on the last three EUROPE videos.
The "Firebox" video will make its online debut in August.
"Bag Of Bones" was released in Europe on April 27 via earMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.
Note: The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Sweden has revised the sales requirements for albums to reach gold status in the country twice in the last seven years — from the pre-2002 level of 40,000 to the current 20,000.
EUROPE recently filmed a video for the song "Firebox" in Gothenburg, Sweden. Helming the clip was Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE, KAMELOT), who previously worked on the last three EUROPE videos.
The "Firebox" video will make its online debut in August.
"Bag Of Bones" was released in Europe on April 27 via earMusic/Edel. The CD, which features a guest appearance by blues-rock guitarist Joe Bonamassa (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION), was produced by Kevin Shirley, who has previously worked with IRON MAIDEN, JOE BONAMASSA, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK STONE CHERRY and JOURNEY, among others.
Metal As Fuck recently conducted an interview with former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin. When asked about the current state of the record industry, Martin said, "Everything needs to change, absolutely everything. I've studied this in the past few years with lawyers and union people. I'm not a big union guy but they were really impressed with what I was thinking and had to say."
He continued, "If you go back to what is traditionally the music business — sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll; OK, that's not really it anymore… I mean, we lost control when everything started to go digital, really. Before that, people were copying stuff and putting things out, but when it became digital, we just lost control of that — not in the same way that the games industry or the film industry [did]. They kind of held onto their thing a bit more than we did, but also the business side of it, we lost control of that, and it turns out from the lawyers and the union people that I speak to that traditionally we handed control over to the record companies to speak on our behalf and act on our behalf. They didn't do that to protect the stuff that we make now.
He added, "We are, whichever way you look at it, we are manufacturers. OK, so we make songs. Some people make fridges, some people make cars, but we still manufacture something. However, we can't put a recommended retail price on our product like other people can because we handed over the job to the recording industry. Now we can't really get it back, we kind of stuffed it. So now I think it's time for the artist to reclaim the industry."
On the topic of how artists can go about "reclaiming the industry," Martin said, "Well, for a start we have to stop giving stuff away for free. I mean, there was some myths going around in recent years about how you boost your profile by giving stuff away for free. It doesn't work. Basically, all the people that like you get your stuff for free and then there's nobody else to sell it to, so all you've done is given it away working for free. That doesn't work, because once you work for free, then people expect you to work for free, so that doesn't work. It's a whole clawing back of what is right. What is right is that we should be able to earn a living out of it and don't. What they should understand is that music isn't for free; it costs people time, money, effort. And we do have a manufacturing right; we have made those things, so the intellectual rights should belong to us and they don't. So everything has to change. I think we should be doing more of our own thing and missing out the record labels completely. In some ways, I think their day is done."
He continued, "The other thing that's killed it really is the single-download thing, where bands are still making albums and yet people go online and download one track. So you put all that effort and that work in to making a whole album and then one song is taken out of it. It may be time for us to start doing a single-track release rather than album release. Release the songs one at a time, for example, so that people get a chance to enjoy each track as they come along and not just diss the whole album and just take one track out of the whole bunch of work you've done. It would save you time and effort making the whole album. You'd get money off each track, for example, and maybe later on you could release them all again with, you know, four extra tracks and make it into a CD at that point."
He concluded, "I think it just needs a new business model and a new thought process from artists and we really need to get on it because it's become a worthless art and that's just so not fair. It's just not fair... If everybody gets on it and changes it, then we'll be in a much better shape, I think."
BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Tony Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987), "Headless Cross" (1989), "Tyr" (1990), "Cross Purposes" (1994), "Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995).
TONY MARTIN'S HEADLESS CROSS, the touring project led by Tony Martin, will make its live debut on Friday, July 27 at The Asylum in Birmingham, England. Tickets are £10 in advance and £12 at the door.
HEADLESS CROSS, whose live set celebrates the SABBATH album "Headless Cross", consists of the following musicians:
* Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH, THE CAGE) - Vocals
* Danny "Danté" Needham (VENOM) - Drums
* Geoff Nicholls (ex-BLACK SABBATH) - Keyboards
* Dario Mollo (VOODOO HILL, THE CAGE) - Guitar
* Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL) - Bass
A slightly different lineup of HEADLESS CROSS — with Martin, Nicholls and Needham as the only holdovers — was scheduled to tour the U.S. in 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of "Headless Cross", but was forced to cancel the trek at the last minute, reportedly due to promoter issues.
Martin's last solo album, "Scream", was released in November 2005 via MTM Music. The CD featured legendary drummer Cozy Powell (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE) on the track "Raising Hell" as well as songwriting contributions by another SABBATH member, Geoff Nicholls.
He continued, "If you go back to what is traditionally the music business — sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll; OK, that's not really it anymore… I mean, we lost control when everything started to go digital, really. Before that, people were copying stuff and putting things out, but when it became digital, we just lost control of that — not in the same way that the games industry or the film industry [did]. They kind of held onto their thing a bit more than we did, but also the business side of it, we lost control of that, and it turns out from the lawyers and the union people that I speak to that traditionally we handed control over to the record companies to speak on our behalf and act on our behalf. They didn't do that to protect the stuff that we make now.
He added, "We are, whichever way you look at it, we are manufacturers. OK, so we make songs. Some people make fridges, some people make cars, but we still manufacture something. However, we can't put a recommended retail price on our product like other people can because we handed over the job to the recording industry. Now we can't really get it back, we kind of stuffed it. So now I think it's time for the artist to reclaim the industry."
On the topic of how artists can go about "reclaiming the industry," Martin said, "Well, for a start we have to stop giving stuff away for free. I mean, there was some myths going around in recent years about how you boost your profile by giving stuff away for free. It doesn't work. Basically, all the people that like you get your stuff for free and then there's nobody else to sell it to, so all you've done is given it away working for free. That doesn't work, because once you work for free, then people expect you to work for free, so that doesn't work. It's a whole clawing back of what is right. What is right is that we should be able to earn a living out of it and don't. What they should understand is that music isn't for free; it costs people time, money, effort. And we do have a manufacturing right; we have made those things, so the intellectual rights should belong to us and they don't. So everything has to change. I think we should be doing more of our own thing and missing out the record labels completely. In some ways, I think their day is done."
He continued, "The other thing that's killed it really is the single-download thing, where bands are still making albums and yet people go online and download one track. So you put all that effort and that work in to making a whole album and then one song is taken out of it. It may be time for us to start doing a single-track release rather than album release. Release the songs one at a time, for example, so that people get a chance to enjoy each track as they come along and not just diss the whole album and just take one track out of the whole bunch of work you've done. It would save you time and effort making the whole album. You'd get money off each track, for example, and maybe later on you could release them all again with, you know, four extra tracks and make it into a CD at that point."
He concluded, "I think it just needs a new business model and a new thought process from artists and we really need to get on it because it's become a worthless art and that's just so not fair. It's just not fair... If everybody gets on it and changes it, then we'll be in a much better shape, I think."
BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Tony Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987), "Headless Cross" (1989), "Tyr" (1990), "Cross Purposes" (1994), "Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995).
TONY MARTIN'S HEADLESS CROSS, the touring project led by Tony Martin, will make its live debut on Friday, July 27 at The Asylum in Birmingham, England. Tickets are £10 in advance and £12 at the door.
HEADLESS CROSS, whose live set celebrates the SABBATH album "Headless Cross", consists of the following musicians:
* Tony Martin (BLACK SABBATH, THE CAGE) - Vocals
* Danny "Danté" Needham (VENOM) - Drums
* Geoff Nicholls (ex-BLACK SABBATH) - Keyboards
* Dario Mollo (VOODOO HILL, THE CAGE) - Guitar
* Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL) - Bass
A slightly different lineup of HEADLESS CROSS — with Martin, Nicholls and Needham as the only holdovers — was scheduled to tour the U.S. in 2009 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the release of "Headless Cross", but was forced to cancel the trek at the last minute, reportedly due to promoter issues.
Martin's last solo album, "Scream", was released in November 2005 via MTM Music. The CD featured legendary drummer Cozy Powell (BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW, WHITESNAKE) on the track "Raising Hell" as well as songwriting contributions by another SABBATH member, Geoff Nicholls.
The Raffo Review recently conducted an interview with vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area metallers TESTAMENT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
The Raffo Review: What can we expect from the new album ["Dark Roots Of Earth"]?
Chuck: I would say it's got a little bit of everything we've done in our history, but I would say, vocally I'm tending to kind of go back to the "Practice What You Preach" style. I've done a lot more melodies on this record as well. Of course there's some thrash and power vocals, as TESTAMENT would do, but I think this record's got a little bit of an old-school feel to it, for me at least. The songs, of course, aren't old-school thrash, but there are still elements of that old thrash. We've got some more modern elements on the record as well, with the blast beats, and just some good ol', groovy, heavy stuff. It's got a little bit of everything, really, and now that it's done, I think it's a really well-rounded record.
The Raffo Review: Would you say the new record is a combination of old-school TESTAMENT and modern TESTAMENT?
Chuck: Well, yeah, the production on early TESTAMENT records absolutely sucked and I never thought they sounded good. Now, 25 years later, we're doing our own records and mixing them and stuff. When you listen to that old stuff, it's just, "Ugh." I would say, with our writing style, and where we are as a band and friends, it's definitely like the old school. When I got sick back in 2001 [Billy was diagnosed with rare form of germ-cell seminoma, a type of cancer that required the singer undergo extensive treatment, including radiation therapy], I didn't think I was ever going to be back performing with TESTAMENT. That illness kind of got all the original guys back together. It was a special thing for me because I felt as though, one, I'm getting a second chance to perform with TESTAMENT, and two, the original lineup was back together. We never really had bad feelings towards each other when the band split up, and we never really talked about getting back together; it sort of all just happened. Maybe the illness made it happen, but here we are now and we're not really thinking about it, we're just doing what we love to do and we all feel kind of blessed to be able to finish something that we started together.
The Raffo Review: Is it still exciting after all these years to release new material?
Chuck: Yeah, for sure! Especially over the last couple of years, because I was sick and we hadn't put out a record since '99 or something, until we did "The Formation Of Damnation" in 2008. Now we have the guys back together, we're feeling good and we're not going to take huge gaps between records anymore. We're going to probably work hard and tour for two years or so and try to put out another record when we can. We're all definitely excited, though, because as everybody probably notices, TESTAMENT never really does the same record twice. It's exciting for us as well, because who knows what we're going to come up with? It's like an open book where we can just take a look at where we are with our lives and just see what comes up.
The Raffo Review: Close to 30 years later, TESTAMENT doesn't look to be slowing down. What do you think the secret to the bands longevity has been?
Chuck: Well, for us it's a different situation I guess. We've had so many different drummers, guitarists and bass players. [laughs] We really did get to a point where we were just tired of having to teach new members the songs. It was really getting tiring. But I don't know; our situation is different. We've been back together since 2005, so it's only been seven years, but goddamn, those seven years went by pretty fast. I've been trippin' on it! I think the most important thing is that you've all gotta be friends and just enjoy what you're doing.
The Raffo Review: What can we expect from the new album ["Dark Roots Of Earth"]?
Chuck: I would say it's got a little bit of everything we've done in our history, but I would say, vocally I'm tending to kind of go back to the "Practice What You Preach" style. I've done a lot more melodies on this record as well. Of course there's some thrash and power vocals, as TESTAMENT would do, but I think this record's got a little bit of an old-school feel to it, for me at least. The songs, of course, aren't old-school thrash, but there are still elements of that old thrash. We've got some more modern elements on the record as well, with the blast beats, and just some good ol', groovy, heavy stuff. It's got a little bit of everything, really, and now that it's done, I think it's a really well-rounded record.
The Raffo Review: Would you say the new record is a combination of old-school TESTAMENT and modern TESTAMENT?
Chuck: Well, yeah, the production on early TESTAMENT records absolutely sucked and I never thought they sounded good. Now, 25 years later, we're doing our own records and mixing them and stuff. When you listen to that old stuff, it's just, "Ugh." I would say, with our writing style, and where we are as a band and friends, it's definitely like the old school. When I got sick back in 2001 [Billy was diagnosed with rare form of germ-cell seminoma, a type of cancer that required the singer undergo extensive treatment, including radiation therapy], I didn't think I was ever going to be back performing with TESTAMENT. That illness kind of got all the original guys back together. It was a special thing for me because I felt as though, one, I'm getting a second chance to perform with TESTAMENT, and two, the original lineup was back together. We never really had bad feelings towards each other when the band split up, and we never really talked about getting back together; it sort of all just happened. Maybe the illness made it happen, but here we are now and we're not really thinking about it, we're just doing what we love to do and we all feel kind of blessed to be able to finish something that we started together.
The Raffo Review: Is it still exciting after all these years to release new material?
Chuck: Yeah, for sure! Especially over the last couple of years, because I was sick and we hadn't put out a record since '99 or something, until we did "The Formation Of Damnation" in 2008. Now we have the guys back together, we're feeling good and we're not going to take huge gaps between records anymore. We're going to probably work hard and tour for two years or so and try to put out another record when we can. We're all definitely excited, though, because as everybody probably notices, TESTAMENT never really does the same record twice. It's exciting for us as well, because who knows what we're going to come up with? It's like an open book where we can just take a look at where we are with our lives and just see what comes up.
The Raffo Review: Close to 30 years later, TESTAMENT doesn't look to be slowing down. What do you think the secret to the bands longevity has been?
Chuck: Well, for us it's a different situation I guess. We've had so many different drummers, guitarists and bass players. [laughs] We really did get to a point where we were just tired of having to teach new members the songs. It was really getting tiring. But I don't know; our situation is different. We've been back together since 2005, so it's only been seven years, but goddamn, those seven years went by pretty fast. I've been trippin' on it! I think the most important thing is that you've all gotta be friends and just enjoy what you're doing.
After it was revealed that a 6-year old girl, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was one of the victims of last week's Colorado movie theater massacre, there has been some criticism about parents who would take young children to see a midnight screening of the new Batman film, "The Dark Night Rises".
DISTURBED singer David Draiman, who has never been afraid to voice his opinion on controversial topics, took to his Twitter account and tweeted a link to a CNN report which posed the question if infants were too young to be at late-night movie showings. Draiman first wrote "Yes, they are," before further elaborating on Twitlonger.com (a related Twitter site that allows one to send tweets that require more than 140 characters), stating, "All you parents out there that think it's OK to take your infants out on the town with you, to a movie theater or otherwise, do the world a favor. Give your children up for adoption to parents who know what it is to be a responsible parent, and sacrifice on behalf of their children. Get a damn babysitter."
He added, "Maybe we should take infants to nightclubs and restaurants in the late hours of the night as well? Honestly, fuck off. This is why only certain people should be allowed the gift of a child. Too many simply aren't ready for the responsibility."
After apparently receiving several negative responses to his rant, Draiman wrote, "anyone who doesn't like what's being said on here, simply unfollow," before tweeting, "Wow … Multiple-choice question, kids. People either 1. Can't read 2. There are more shitty parents out there than I thought 3. All of the above."
Veronica was named on Saturday as one of the 12 victims of the Aurora cinema shooting. Another 58 people were injured when suspect James Holmes opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises".
DISTURBED singer David Draiman, who has never been afraid to voice his opinion on controversial topics, took to his Twitter account and tweeted a link to a CNN report which posed the question if infants were too young to be at late-night movie showings. Draiman first wrote "Yes, they are," before further elaborating on Twitlonger.com (a related Twitter site that allows one to send tweets that require more than 140 characters), stating, "All you parents out there that think it's OK to take your infants out on the town with you, to a movie theater or otherwise, do the world a favor. Give your children up for adoption to parents who know what it is to be a responsible parent, and sacrifice on behalf of their children. Get a damn babysitter."
He added, "Maybe we should take infants to nightclubs and restaurants in the late hours of the night as well? Honestly, fuck off. This is why only certain people should be allowed the gift of a child. Too many simply aren't ready for the responsibility."
After apparently receiving several negative responses to his rant, Draiman wrote, "anyone who doesn't like what's being said on here, simply unfollow," before tweeting, "Wow … Multiple-choice question, kids. People either 1. Can't read 2. There are more shitty parents out there than I thought 3. All of the above."
Veronica was named on Saturday as one of the 12 victims of the Aurora cinema shooting. Another 58 people were injured when suspect James Holmes opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises".
DISTURBED frontman David Draiman has elaborated on his previous Twitter rant regarding parents who would take young children to see a midnight screening of the new Batman film, "The Dark Night Rises".
After it was revealed that a 6-year old girl, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was one of the victims of last week's Colorado movie theater massacre, and a 3-month-old was among the injured, there has been some online criticism of parents who would bring a baby to such a film.
Draiman, who apparently received a number of negative responses to his earlier comments on this topic, took to Twitlonger.com (a related Twitter site that allows one to send tweets that require more than 140 characters) earlier tonight to clarify his views on the matter, stating, "OK, since apparently my rant is 'news' to some people, and since the braindead tend to pull what they want from whatever is said, let me be crystal clear.
"I have nothing but the deepest condolences for the families of the Denver Batman massacre. It is shocking beyond belief, and may the perpetrator of the crime be forced to toss Hitler's salad in hell for eternity.
"However, separate from the catastrophic event is the notion that somehow it is alright to take a three-month old infant (not a six-year-old child, although that is still questionable) to a showing of any movie is preposterous. Forget the fact that a three-month-old should be safe in bed at midnight, forget the fact their fragile immune systems shouldn't be subjected to the bacterial petri dish that is a movie theatre. The primary issue is the effect that movie theatre sound often at dangerous levels of [decibels] can do permanent damage to a three-month-old infant's still-developing hearing.
"This is separate from the massacre, and it is and will remain my opinion that those who would subject a three-month-old child to it are not only irresponsible, shitty parents, but they should also be charged with child endagerment.
"As Chris Rock said, 'You can drive a car with your feet if you want to. That don't make it a good fuckin idea.'"
Veronica was named on Saturday as one of the 12 victims of the Aurora cinema shooting. Another 58 people were injured when suspect James Holmes opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises".
Draiman revealed in a December 2011 interview that his plans during DISTURBED's current hiatus included an attempt to "impregnate my wife and have a baby."
The singer married Lena Yada — a Japanese-American model, actress, professional tandem surfer and professional wrestler — on September 25, 2011 in Texas.
After it was revealed that a 6-year old girl, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was one of the victims of last week's Colorado movie theater massacre, and a 3-month-old was among the injured, there has been some online criticism of parents who would bring a baby to such a film.
Draiman, who apparently received a number of negative responses to his earlier comments on this topic, took to Twitlonger.com (a related Twitter site that allows one to send tweets that require more than 140 characters) earlier tonight to clarify his views on the matter, stating, "OK, since apparently my rant is 'news' to some people, and since the braindead tend to pull what they want from whatever is said, let me be crystal clear.
"I have nothing but the deepest condolences for the families of the Denver Batman massacre. It is shocking beyond belief, and may the perpetrator of the crime be forced to toss Hitler's salad in hell for eternity.
"However, separate from the catastrophic event is the notion that somehow it is alright to take a three-month old infant (not a six-year-old child, although that is still questionable) to a showing of any movie is preposterous. Forget the fact that a three-month-old should be safe in bed at midnight, forget the fact their fragile immune systems shouldn't be subjected to the bacterial petri dish that is a movie theatre. The primary issue is the effect that movie theatre sound often at dangerous levels of [decibels] can do permanent damage to a three-month-old infant's still-developing hearing.
"This is separate from the massacre, and it is and will remain my opinion that those who would subject a three-month-old child to it are not only irresponsible, shitty parents, but they should also be charged with child endagerment.
"As Chris Rock said, 'You can drive a car with your feet if you want to. That don't make it a good fuckin idea.'"
Veronica was named on Saturday as one of the 12 victims of the Aurora cinema shooting. Another 58 people were injured when suspect James Holmes opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises".
Draiman revealed in a December 2011 interview that his plans during DISTURBED's current hiatus included an attempt to "impregnate my wife and have a baby."
The singer married Lena Yada — a Japanese-American model, actress, professional tandem surfer and professional wrestler — on September 25, 2011 in Texas.
JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE are releasing two versions of their new song "Shock-U-Py!" as a pay-what-you-want digital download. The two versions are an acoustic sing-a-long mix and a heavier rock-a-long mix. The two song mixes are available right now on Jello's Bandcamp page.
Biafra explains: "Better late than never, here's our tribute inspired by the Occupy movement. Not just 'occupy' — Shock-You-Py! — since my favorite kind of resistance can have theater, pranks and other creative sabotage — non-violent, of course!"
The "Shock-U-Py!" EP hits in early fall, followed by the long-awaited new JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE full-length, "White People And The Damage Done". "Vinyl and CDs will take a few weeks so we're posting 'Shock-U-Py!' online now — in two forms," Biafra states. "There's the 'sing-a-long mix' from the EP — semi-acoustic and ready made (for the most part) for singing at street protests. Or if you want the usual 'rip your head off' approach, there's the 'rock-a-long mix' with the guitars way louder. So, hey — now you have freedom of choice: two mixes, pay or don't pay, you decide. Please help us out if you can. I'm way in debt trying to finish the album. Benefit compilations for Occupy can just take it, it's right there!"
The "Shock-U-Py!" EP will also include the non-album song "Barackstar O'Bummer" plus a remix of "We Occupy" another song for the uprising Jello guested on with D.O.A. "We both go way back in the direct action side of things so I'm honored Joe asked me to sing on this," Biafra says.
"Occupy may be out of the corporate news machine right now, but that hardly means that it's gone away and it won't go away until the problems go away," he adds. "To me it's a reigniting of the anti-corporate 'spirit of Seattle' but this time it's bigger because times are more severe."
The album "White People And The Damage Done" will include the title track, "Brown Lipstick Parade" (about guess what?), "Werewolves Of Wall Street", "Road Rage", "Mid-East Peace Process", "Crapture" (about the upside to being "left behind" as naked bigots fly heavenward), a ramped-up revival of "Burgers Of Wrath" from Jello and Mojo Nixon's "Prairie Home Invasion" album and more. "'Burgers Of Wrath' is probably the best song I'll ever write about unemployment and homelessness and works well as both a punk song and an americana song," Biafra says. "I've been wanting to play it again for a long time."
THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE are now Biafra on vocals and tuneage; Ralph Spight guitars, vocals, keyboards; Kimo Ball still more guitars, Andrew Weiss on bass; plus new drummer Paul Della Pelle.
Biafra explains: "Better late than never, here's our tribute inspired by the Occupy movement. Not just 'occupy' — Shock-You-Py! — since my favorite kind of resistance can have theater, pranks and other creative sabotage — non-violent, of course!"
The "Shock-U-Py!" EP hits in early fall, followed by the long-awaited new JELLO BIAFRA AND THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE full-length, "White People And The Damage Done". "Vinyl and CDs will take a few weeks so we're posting 'Shock-U-Py!' online now — in two forms," Biafra states. "There's the 'sing-a-long mix' from the EP — semi-acoustic and ready made (for the most part) for singing at street protests. Or if you want the usual 'rip your head off' approach, there's the 'rock-a-long mix' with the guitars way louder. So, hey — now you have freedom of choice: two mixes, pay or don't pay, you decide. Please help us out if you can. I'm way in debt trying to finish the album. Benefit compilations for Occupy can just take it, it's right there!"
The "Shock-U-Py!" EP will also include the non-album song "Barackstar O'Bummer" plus a remix of "We Occupy" another song for the uprising Jello guested on with D.O.A. "We both go way back in the direct action side of things so I'm honored Joe asked me to sing on this," Biafra says.
"Occupy may be out of the corporate news machine right now, but that hardly means that it's gone away and it won't go away until the problems go away," he adds. "To me it's a reigniting of the anti-corporate 'spirit of Seattle' but this time it's bigger because times are more severe."
The album "White People And The Damage Done" will include the title track, "Brown Lipstick Parade" (about guess what?), "Werewolves Of Wall Street", "Road Rage", "Mid-East Peace Process", "Crapture" (about the upside to being "left behind" as naked bigots fly heavenward), a ramped-up revival of "Burgers Of Wrath" from Jello and Mojo Nixon's "Prairie Home Invasion" album and more. "'Burgers Of Wrath' is probably the best song I'll ever write about unemployment and homelessness and works well as both a punk song and an americana song," Biafra says. "I've been wanting to play it again for a long time."
THE GUANTANAMO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE are now Biafra on vocals and tuneage; Ralph Spight guitars, vocals, keyboards; Kimo Ball still more guitars, Andrew Weiss on bass; plus new drummer Paul Della Pelle.
New York-based heavy metal singer Dan Nelson (BLACKGATES, TRED, ANTHRAX) is the proud father of a baby boy, Benjamin Nelson.
Nelson recently settled a lawsuit he filed against ANTHRAX over the fallout from his departure from the veteran metal group. Details of the settlement were not made public.
Nelson, who was in ANTHRAX for nearly two years — from late 2007 until July 2009 — filed a lawsuit last November claiming that Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass) and Scott Ian (guitar) falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" after getting sick, forcing a cancelation of a tour. The $2.65-million suit also alleged that Benante told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Nelson "was a bully."
The Long Island native said his ex-bandmates' "intentional defamation" has caused him a loss of income and damaged his reputation.
Nelson is currently a member of BLACKGATES alongside drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-TESTAMENT, EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN), guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE). He is also working with TRED, the new group featuring Mike Orlando (guitar; ADRENALINE MOB), AJ Pero (drums; TWISTED SISTER) and Rudy Sarzo (bass; OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO).
Nelson recently settled a lawsuit he filed against ANTHRAX over the fallout from his departure from the veteran metal group. Details of the settlement were not made public.
Nelson, who was in ANTHRAX for nearly two years — from late 2007 until July 2009 — filed a lawsuit last November claiming that Charlie Benante (drums), Frank Bello (bass) and Scott Ian (guitar) falsely stated in "numerous interviews" that he had "abruptly resigned" after getting sick, forcing a cancelation of a tour. The $2.65-million suit also alleged that Benante told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that Nelson "was a bully."
The Long Island native said his ex-bandmates' "intentional defamation" has caused him a loss of income and damaged his reputation.
Nelson is currently a member of BLACKGATES alongside drummer Paul Bostaph (ex-TESTAMENT, EXODUS, SLAYER, FORBIDDEN), guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Luis Barillas (THE VENTING MACHINE). He is also working with TRED, the new group featuring Mike Orlando (guitar; ADRENALINE MOB), AJ Pero (drums; TWISTED SISTER) and Rudy Sarzo (bass; OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO).
Multinational metallers RAVEN LORD have announced the addition of keyboardist Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) and drummer Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) to the group's ranks.
RAVEN LORD is:
* Csaba Zvekan (KILLING MACHINE, SARDONYX, EMERGENCY) - Vocals
* Stefan Lindholm (VINDICTIV) - Lead Guitar
* Jamie Mallender (TONY MARTIN) - Bass
* Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) – Keyboards
* Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) - Drums
RAVEN LORD is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album.
Commented Mallender: "Make no mistake, we have made an album that's gonna smack you in the face with both fists! This is the record that has been missing from the metal scene for far too many years. But, despite the obvious anger and power of this music, there's a lot of melody and harmony in there and we wanted to bring in a keyboard player that loved metal, to complement the melodic side, but not water things down or get too Wakeman on our asses. Meet Pontus Larsson, who has filled this role perfectly, he's done exactly what we wanted him to and we are absolutely thrilled to have him onboard."
Added Larsson: "I was in the studio recording an album with VINDICTIV when I was asked to join RAVEN LORD. I was kind of busy, but after I listened to the songs and checked out the band members, it only took me 1 second to say yes! I'm proud to be a part of the band! It's great to play with all these talented musicians."
RAVEN LORD was also searching for a world-class, powerhouse drummer with the right chops and staggering technical ability to make a truly devastating rhythm section statement with this album. Enter Henrik Hedman, from Järvsö, a small village in the southern part of Norrland, Sweden, who has previously played with the bass guitar virtuoso Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL).
Overjoyed at the new addition, Zvekan had this to say: "Henrik Hedman's future is pretty clear he will be a big player in the music industry. We are fortunate to have him on board with RAVEN LORD!"
Hedman is just as excited about the alliance: "I feel a great honor and exaltation at having been invited to the RAVEN LORD family. My fellow musicians are all wonderful people, extremely talented in their art and the creativity is overwhelming! No bullshit, this is an old dream come true! The RAVEN has spread its wings, and it's heading your way! The RAVEN LORD of Thunder."
RAVEN LORD is:
* Csaba Zvekan (KILLING MACHINE, SARDONYX, EMERGENCY) - Vocals
* Stefan Lindholm (VINDICTIV) - Lead Guitar
* Jamie Mallender (TONY MARTIN) - Bass
* Pontus Larsson (VINDICTIV, FIRECRACKER) – Keyboards
* Henrik Hedman (CELESTIAL DECAY, LAST KINGDOM) - Drums
RAVEN LORD is currently putting the finishing touches on its debut album.
Commented Mallender: "Make no mistake, we have made an album that's gonna smack you in the face with both fists! This is the record that has been missing from the metal scene for far too many years. But, despite the obvious anger and power of this music, there's a lot of melody and harmony in there and we wanted to bring in a keyboard player that loved metal, to complement the melodic side, but not water things down or get too Wakeman on our asses. Meet Pontus Larsson, who has filled this role perfectly, he's done exactly what we wanted him to and we are absolutely thrilled to have him onboard."
Added Larsson: "I was in the studio recording an album with VINDICTIV when I was asked to join RAVEN LORD. I was kind of busy, but after I listened to the songs and checked out the band members, it only took me 1 second to say yes! I'm proud to be a part of the band! It's great to play with all these talented musicians."
RAVEN LORD was also searching for a world-class, powerhouse drummer with the right chops and staggering technical ability to make a truly devastating rhythm section statement with this album. Enter Henrik Hedman, from Järvsö, a small village in the southern part of Norrland, Sweden, who has previously played with the bass guitar virtuoso Magnus Rosén (ex-HAMMERFALL).
Overjoyed at the new addition, Zvekan had this to say: "Henrik Hedman's future is pretty clear he will be a big player in the music industry. We are fortunate to have him on board with RAVEN LORD!"
Hedman is just as excited about the alliance: "I feel a great honor and exaltation at having been invited to the RAVEN LORD family. My fellow musicians are all wonderful people, extremely talented in their art and the creativity is overwhelming! No bullshit, this is an old dream come true! The RAVEN has spread its wings, and it's heading your way! The RAVEN LORD of Thunder."
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/ravenlord2012.jpg
Guitarist Brian "Head" Welch abruptly quit KORN in early 2005 and announced that he had been saved by Jesus Christ. His announcement in front of 10,000 people in Bakersfield, California set off a media frenzy, as people from around the world sought to understand what led this rock star into the "light."
Speaking to BaptistStandard.com, Welch explained that had an eye-opening experience of what his life was becoming after his wife no longer could care for their young daughter because of the effects of drugs.
"I remember crying out to God that night saying, 'Jesus, if you are real like that pastor said, then you've got to take these drugs from me. Come into my life. Come into my heart. Search me right now. Search my heart. You know that I want to quit these drugs. You know that I want to be a good dad to this kid. She is going to lose me if I don't quit. I need your help.'"
He added, "When Christ came into my life, I gained a new understanding of life. We were created to live for him and to be with him. It is the most incredible feeling, being exactly where you belong when you find Jesus. Contentment comes from a relationship with Christ. You do not have to look anywhere else."
Welch has subsequently issued two books, a full-length CD and a follow-up EP under the band name LOVE AND DEATH. However, he remains committed to sharing a message of hope and redemption at his live shows.
"I want people to know that there is more than this world," Welch said. "Everyone lives for here and now, but these years are flying by so fast. If people would take their eyes off of this world and onto eternity, how different things would be. It's crazy how everyone is so focused on this place that is quickly fading away. Obviously, you can still enjoy life, but you need that foundation of eternity and focusing on the things to come."
He continued, "My favorite thing to do is talk about the Lord. But if I go to a rock concert or hang out with friends who aren't Christians, I know when to stop talking, just be a friend and let them see a change in me. I'm blessed to be alive today and to be able to tell others about how Jesus has changed my life. If he can do that for me, then he can do that for anyone."
Speaking to BaptistStandard.com, Welch explained that had an eye-opening experience of what his life was becoming after his wife no longer could care for their young daughter because of the effects of drugs.
"I remember crying out to God that night saying, 'Jesus, if you are real like that pastor said, then you've got to take these drugs from me. Come into my life. Come into my heart. Search me right now. Search my heart. You know that I want to quit these drugs. You know that I want to be a good dad to this kid. She is going to lose me if I don't quit. I need your help.'"
He added, "When Christ came into my life, I gained a new understanding of life. We were created to live for him and to be with him. It is the most incredible feeling, being exactly where you belong when you find Jesus. Contentment comes from a relationship with Christ. You do not have to look anywhere else."
Welch has subsequently issued two books, a full-length CD and a follow-up EP under the band name LOVE AND DEATH. However, he remains committed to sharing a message of hope and redemption at his live shows.
"I want people to know that there is more than this world," Welch said. "Everyone lives for here and now, but these years are flying by so fast. If people would take their eyes off of this world and onto eternity, how different things would be. It's crazy how everyone is so focused on this place that is quickly fading away. Obviously, you can still enjoy life, but you need that foundation of eternity and focusing on the things to come."
He continued, "My favorite thing to do is talk about the Lord. But if I go to a rock concert or hang out with friends who aren't Christians, I know when to stop talking, just be a friend and let them see a change in me. I'm blessed to be alive today and to be able to tell others about how Jesus has changed my life. If he can do that for me, then he can do that for anyone."
The cover artwork for "Reprisal", the new album from Australian/Los Angeles tech-metal masters DEVOLVED, can be seen below. The CD, which will be released on November 20 via Unique Leader Records, will feature guest appearances by Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH), Nate Vennarucci (ONTOGENY, ANOMALOUS), Malcolm Pugh (DISKREET, A LOATHING REQUIEM) and Vishal Singh (ROBOTS PULLING LEVERS).
Commented DEVOLVED drummer, lyricist and founding member John Sankey: "I deliberately wanted to combine an organic death metal approach with more progressive and modern elements, while still incorporating a cold and futuristic soundscape which has always been a signature of our sound and concept.
"I had a very specific vision for this album and it is finally the definitive representation of what I have always wanted DEVOLVED to be.
"After our last studio release, 'Oblivion', I decided to work on my own and wrote all the new song structures and arrangements in their entirety by tracking just drums and vocals myself. Once they were complete, I recruited new guitarist Mark Hawkins [ROBOTS PULLING LEVERS] who then wrote and recorded all the guitar and bass parts. His involvement really allowed us to push the boundaries of each track and took the music to a totally new level of speed and technicality.
"To say the guitar work on this album is far beyond anything we have done before would be a huge understatement! New singer Mark Haggblad [UNVEIL THE STRENGTH] also brings a rejuvenated ferocity to the band; his relentless vocal delivery is extremely aggressive throughout each track while still maintaining a unique tone that fits the dynamics and diversity of the songs perfectly.
"It has been a renewed creative experience working with such focused and talented new members, and it has definitely allowed us to surpass anything the band has been capable of in the past. 'Reprisal' is without doubt the album I have always strived to create since the formation of DEVOLVED!"
"Reprisal" track listing:
01. Systematic Avenger
02. Accelerated Human Degeneration
03. Reprisal Of The Damned
04. Supremacy Enforced
05. Embodiment
06. Collateral Damage
07. Apocalyptic Visionary
08. Terminal Enslavement
09. Corrupted Mind Processor
10. Inanimate Infinity
11. (Cadence Of) The Dirge (EXHORDER cover; bonus track)
Sankey late last year recorded all the demo drum sessions for the new FEAR FACTORY album, "The Industrialist", and co-wrote and programmed all the drum parts, along with FF guitarist Dino Cazares, for the final CD. He was unable to join FEAR FACTORY as the band's new touring drummer due to visa restrictions.
Cazares previously stated about the new DEVOLVED material, "Systematic brutality at its best. Raising the bar once again with their intellectual song arrangements [and] insane drum patterns that would make any tech metal fan turn their heads. This band just keeps getting better and better. Welcome to the end of everything that you once knew and say hello to the future."
DEVOLVED's last album, "Oblivion", was released in May 2011 via Unique Leader Records.
Commented DEVOLVED drummer, lyricist and founding member John Sankey: "I deliberately wanted to combine an organic death metal approach with more progressive and modern elements, while still incorporating a cold and futuristic soundscape which has always been a signature of our sound and concept.
"I had a very specific vision for this album and it is finally the definitive representation of what I have always wanted DEVOLVED to be.
"After our last studio release, 'Oblivion', I decided to work on my own and wrote all the new song structures and arrangements in their entirety by tracking just drums and vocals myself. Once they were complete, I recruited new guitarist Mark Hawkins [ROBOTS PULLING LEVERS] who then wrote and recorded all the guitar and bass parts. His involvement really allowed us to push the boundaries of each track and took the music to a totally new level of speed and technicality.
"To say the guitar work on this album is far beyond anything we have done before would be a huge understatement! New singer Mark Haggblad [UNVEIL THE STRENGTH] also brings a rejuvenated ferocity to the band; his relentless vocal delivery is extremely aggressive throughout each track while still maintaining a unique tone that fits the dynamics and diversity of the songs perfectly.
"It has been a renewed creative experience working with such focused and talented new members, and it has definitely allowed us to surpass anything the band has been capable of in the past. 'Reprisal' is without doubt the album I have always strived to create since the formation of DEVOLVED!"
"Reprisal" track listing:
01. Systematic Avenger
02. Accelerated Human Degeneration
03. Reprisal Of The Damned
04. Supremacy Enforced
05. Embodiment
06. Collateral Damage
07. Apocalyptic Visionary
08. Terminal Enslavement
09. Corrupted Mind Processor
10. Inanimate Infinity
11. (Cadence Of) The Dirge (EXHORDER cover; bonus track)
Sankey late last year recorded all the demo drum sessions for the new FEAR FACTORY album, "The Industrialist", and co-wrote and programmed all the drum parts, along with FF guitarist Dino Cazares, for the final CD. He was unable to join FEAR FACTORY as the band's new touring drummer due to visa restrictions.
Cazares previously stated about the new DEVOLVED material, "Systematic brutality at its best. Raising the bar once again with their intellectual song arrangements [and] insane drum patterns that would make any tech metal fan turn their heads. This band just keeps getting better and better. Welcome to the end of everything that you once knew and say hello to the future."
DEVOLVED's last album, "Oblivion", was released in May 2011 via Unique Leader Records.
Dutch symphonic metallers DELAIN will film a video for an as-yet-undiclosed song off their third full-length studio album, "We Are The Others", on July 29 in Zwolle, Holland.
Commented the band: "Our fans have been a huge support and inspiration in the making of our latest record, so for our next video, we'd like to get our fans and friends actively involved! We still need some people to appear in our video, meaning you'll be there at the actual video shoot! If you'd like to be in the video and if you're able to travel to Zwolle in Holland on July 29, please send an e-mail. Your help is much appreciated! You can apply at delain@cnrentertainment.nl. Please include a link to your Facebook profile."
"We Are The Others" was released in North America via the New Jersey-based top-tier progressive metal label Sensory Records. CNR Entertainment is handling the release in The Netherlands and Roadrunner Records is issuing the CD in the rest of Europe.
"We Are The Others" track listing (North American version):
01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough
13. The Gathering (live)
14. Control The Storm (live)
15. Shattered (live)
16. Sleepwalkers Dream (live)
The lead single, "Get The Devil Out Of Me", hit stores on April 13 (April 15 for U.K.) to coincide with the start of the band's European tour.
The "Get The Devil Out Of Me" video can be seen below. The clip features footage from the recording sessions for the new CD and live material, including footage from the Sonisphere festival in the U.K. (used with kind permission of BlinkTV).
Described as "the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date," "We Are The Others" was helmed by producer Jacob Hellner — renowned for his work with RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER and APOCALYPTICA — while the vocals were tracked with the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented singer Charlotte Wessels: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
Commented the band: "Our fans have been a huge support and inspiration in the making of our latest record, so for our next video, we'd like to get our fans and friends actively involved! We still need some people to appear in our video, meaning you'll be there at the actual video shoot! If you'd like to be in the video and if you're able to travel to Zwolle in Holland on July 29, please send an e-mail. Your help is much appreciated! You can apply at delain@cnrentertainment.nl. Please include a link to your Facebook profile."
"We Are The Others" was released in North America via the New Jersey-based top-tier progressive metal label Sensory Records. CNR Entertainment is handling the release in The Netherlands and Roadrunner Records is issuing the CD in the rest of Europe.
"We Are The Others" track listing (North American version):
01. Mother Machine
02. Electricity
03. We Are The Others
04. Milk And Honey
05. Hit Me With Your Best Shot
06. I Want You
07. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)
08. Generation Me
09. Babylon
10. Are You Done With Me
11. Get The Devil Out Of Me
12. Not Enough
13. The Gathering (live)
14. Control The Storm (live)
15. Shattered (live)
16. Sleepwalkers Dream (live)
The lead single, "Get The Devil Out Of Me", hit stores on April 13 (April 15 for U.K.) to coincide with the start of the band's European tour.
The "Get The Devil Out Of Me" video can be seen below. The clip features footage from the recording sessions for the new CD and live material, including footage from the Sonisphere festival in the U.K. (used with kind permission of BlinkTV).
Described as "the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date," "We Are The Others" was helmed by producer Jacob Hellner — renowned for his work with RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER and APOCALYPTICA — while the vocals were tracked with the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented singer Charlotte Wessels: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
Yonkers, New York-based technical death metallers MALIGNANCY will release their new album, "Eugenics" on October 9 via Willowtip. According to a press release, the CD promises to be MALIGNANCY's "most innovative release to date."
"Eugenics" track listing:
01. Type Zero Civilization
02. Eugenics
03. Extinction Event
04. Global Systemic Collapse
05. Cataclysmic Euphoria
06. Separatists
07. Monstrous Indifference
08. Cryptobiosis
09. Creatures of Conformity
10. The Breach
MALIGNANCY recently completed a European tour without drummer Mike Heller, who was not able to join his bandmates on the trek due to the fact that he is currently sitting behind the kit for FEAR FACTORY. Filling in for his was Alex Cohen (PYRRHON).
The "Containment Breach Europe" tour passed through Extremefest, Obscene Extreme and Houten Deathfest with support from CEPHALIC IMPURITY. The tour also crossed paths with the "Condemned" European tour.
"Eugenics" track listing:
01. Type Zero Civilization
02. Eugenics
03. Extinction Event
04. Global Systemic Collapse
05. Cataclysmic Euphoria
06. Separatists
07. Monstrous Indifference
08. Cryptobiosis
09. Creatures of Conformity
10. The Breach
MALIGNANCY recently completed a European tour without drummer Mike Heller, who was not able to join his bandmates on the trek due to the fact that he is currently sitting behind the kit for FEAR FACTORY. Filling in for his was Alex Cohen (PYRRHON).
The "Containment Breach Europe" tour passed through Extremefest, Obscene Extreme and Houten Deathfest with support from CEPHALIC IMPURITY. The tour also crossed paths with the "Condemned" European tour.
Spanish melodic death metallers THE DESCENT have inked a deal with Xtreem Music for the release of their debut album, "Dimensional Matters". Due in October, the 10-song CD was produced by Carlos Creator at RockStudios and was mixed at Studio Fredman by Fredrik Nördstrom (AT THE GATES, OPETH, IN FLAMES). The effort features a guest appearance by Dalay Tarda (RISE TO FALL) in the song "Rejected By The Sun".
Finnish melodic death metallers OMNIUM GATHERUM have entered the studio to begin recording their sixth album for a tentative February 2013 release.
Commented the band: "The drumming madness of Jarmo 'Kammm' Pikka was already caught on tape at Nordic Audio Labs studio in Vaasa by engineer Sami Koivisto (AMORPHIS, SOTAJUMALA). Now we are in the middle of other recordings at Teemu Aalto Productions and OmG studio in Kotka, where the recordings are made with our trusted man Teemu Aalto. The mixing and mastering will be done again by Dan Swanö at Unisound studio — so expect nothing more but the best!
"Joonas Koto will be making his OMNIUM GATHERUM album debut on this album with his awesome flawless action-Jackson guitar skills, so the guitar duo Vanhala/Koto is on fire here like never before! The bass parts will be played by Eerik Purdon, the legendary man behind the bass lines of 'The Redshift'.
"We've done a huge amount of pre-production for the album in the shadows, during the gig break on the first half of this year and all we can say is… sounding astoundingly gooooood! The new album will surely continue from where 'New World Shadows' left, but there'll be also some stylistic echoes from the 'The Redshift' past as also lots of new spices and flavours. The next chapter of adult-oriented death metal that is…"
OMNIUM GATHERUM's fifth album, "New World Shadows" (2011), entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 5. This marked the highest chart entry in the group's history, having previously landed at No. 24 with 2008's "The Redshift" and No. 31 with 2007's "Stuck Here On Snakes Way".
Commented the band: "The drumming madness of Jarmo 'Kammm' Pikka was already caught on tape at Nordic Audio Labs studio in Vaasa by engineer Sami Koivisto (AMORPHIS, SOTAJUMALA). Now we are in the middle of other recordings at Teemu Aalto Productions and OmG studio in Kotka, where the recordings are made with our trusted man Teemu Aalto. The mixing and mastering will be done again by Dan Swanö at Unisound studio — so expect nothing more but the best!
"Joonas Koto will be making his OMNIUM GATHERUM album debut on this album with his awesome flawless action-Jackson guitar skills, so the guitar duo Vanhala/Koto is on fire here like never before! The bass parts will be played by Eerik Purdon, the legendary man behind the bass lines of 'The Redshift'.
"We've done a huge amount of pre-production for the album in the shadows, during the gig break on the first half of this year and all we can say is… sounding astoundingly gooooood! The new album will surely continue from where 'New World Shadows' left, but there'll be also some stylistic echoes from the 'The Redshift' past as also lots of new spices and flavours. The next chapter of adult-oriented death metal that is…"
OMNIUM GATHERUM's fifth album, "New World Shadows" (2011), entered the official chart in Finland at position No. 5. This marked the highest chart entry in the group's history, having previously landed at No. 24 with 2008's "The Redshift" and No. 31 with 2007's "Stuck Here On Snakes Way".
German death metallers GRIND INC. will enter almighty Catacomb Productions in December to begin recording their as-yet-untitled fifth album for an early 2013 release. The band states, "At the moment, we are heavily focused on the songwriting process, so expect some brutal results from Krefeld."
GRIND INC.'s fourth album, "Lynch And Dissect", was released in 2010. The CD was recorded at Catacomb Productions in Germany by Thomas Granzow and GRIND INC. and was mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken at Soundlodge studios. The cover artwork was once again handled by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.
GRIND INC. in 2009 parted ways with Thomas Strater (one of GRIND INC.'s two vocalists) due to "musical differences and circumstances of life."
The band did not search for a replacement singer and decided to continue as a four-piece.
GRIND INC. started out in 2001 as a side project of HATE FACTOR and NIGHT IN GALES members. The point was "to make the most brutal music possible without neglecting groove and having shitloads of fun," according to the band's official bio.
GRIND INC.'s fourth album, "Lynch And Dissect", was released in 2010. The CD was recorded at Catacomb Productions in Germany by Thomas Granzow and GRIND INC. and was mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken at Soundlodge studios. The cover artwork was once again handled by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.
GRIND INC. in 2009 parted ways with Thomas Strater (one of GRIND INC.'s two vocalists) due to "musical differences and circumstances of life."
The band did not search for a replacement singer and decided to continue as a four-piece.
GRIND INC. started out in 2001 as a side project of HATE FACTOR and NIGHT IN GALES members. The point was "to make the most brutal music possible without neglecting groove and having shitloads of fun," according to the band's official bio.
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