According to the Birmingham Mail, BLACK SABBATH frontman Ozzy Osbourne was named as the "greatest rock star in the world today" by the readers of the U.K. music magazine Kerrang!
In hailing Ozzy as the world's greatest rock star, Kerrang said: "In June he proved why he's the biggest musical star in the firmament. He sang like the devil himself [during an appearance at the U.K.'s Download festival with BLACK SABBATH]: wild power thundering from his mic."
Ozzy's SABBATH bandmate Tony Iommi also landed in the top ten, with Kerrang! magazine describing him as "a metal god with a backbone of pure steel."
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer late last year, forcing SABBATH to drastically curtail its touring plans and move the recording of the band's new album to London, so that Iommi could remain close to his doctors.
In hailing Ozzy as the world's greatest rock star, Kerrang said: "In June he proved why he's the biggest musical star in the firmament. He sang like the devil himself [during an appearance at the U.K.'s Download festival with BLACK SABBATH]: wild power thundering from his mic."
Ozzy's SABBATH bandmate Tony Iommi also landed in the top ten, with Kerrang! magazine describing him as "a metal god with a backbone of pure steel."
Iommi was diagnosed with cancer late last year, forcing SABBATH to drastically curtail its touring plans and move the recording of the band's new album to London, so that Iommi could remain close to his doctors.
AEROSMITH is one of the artists that will perform at Clear Channel's 2012 iHeartRadio Music Festival, set to take place September 21-22 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
"Music is the lifeblood of so much of what we do at Clear Channel, and our listeners are the reason for everything we do. We're focused on making the iHeartRadio Music Festival an experience that excites and electrifies music fans nationwide — and with a lineup like this, we believe we'll exceed all of their expectations," said Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman.
The full lineup is as follows:
Friday, September 21
GREEN DAY
JASON ALDEAN
LIL WAYNE
MIRANDA LAMBERT
NO DOUBT
RIHANNA
SHAKIRA
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA
USHER
Saturday, September 22
AEROSMITH
BON JOVI
BRAD PAISLEY
CALVIN HARRIS
DEADMAU5
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
LINKIN PARK
MARY J. BLIGE
PINK
PITBULL
TAYLOR SWIFT
"Music is the lifeblood of so much of what we do at Clear Channel, and our listeners are the reason for everything we do. We're focused on making the iHeartRadio Music Festival an experience that excites and electrifies music fans nationwide — and with a lineup like this, we believe we'll exceed all of their expectations," said Clear Channel CEO Bob Pittman.
The full lineup is as follows:
Friday, September 21
GREEN DAY
JASON ALDEAN
LIL WAYNE
MIRANDA LAMBERT
NO DOUBT
RIHANNA
SHAKIRA
SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA
USHER
Saturday, September 22
AEROSMITH
BON JOVI
BRAD PAISLEY
CALVIN HARRIS
DEADMAU5
ENRIQUE IGLESIAS
LINKIN PARK
MARY J. BLIGE
PINK
PITBULL
TAYLOR SWIFT
The official video for AEROSMITH's new single, "Legendary Child", will make its online debut tomorrow (Tuesday, July 10). The clip was filmed with director Casey Patrick Tebo, who also is helming a new concert film titled "Aerosmith: Rock For The Rising Sun". According to Tebo's official web site, the movie, which will focus on AEROSMITH's relationship with the group's Japanese fans, will be released later this year or in 2013.
"Legendary Child" recently landed on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart at No. 32 and the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 2. On the former chart, the song was the group's first entry since 2006, when "Devil's Got a New Disguise" reached No. 15.
"Legendary Child" will appear on AEROSMITH's 15th studio album, titled "Music From Another Dimension", which will arrive on November 6 via Columbia Records. The track was also supposed to be included in the upcoming summer film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", but that movie was abruptly bumped from its June 29 release date to March 2013.
AEROSMITH premiered "Legendary Child"with a live performance during the season finale of "American Idol". It is a reworked version of a song originally written in 1991 during the sessions for the "Get A Grip" album.
"Music From Another Dimension" track listing:
01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while singer Steven Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
"Music From Another Dimension" is being helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".
"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry recently told Billboard.com. "This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."
"Legendary Child" recently landed on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart at No. 32 and the Hard Rock Digital Songs chart at No. 2. On the former chart, the song was the group's first entry since 2006, when "Devil's Got a New Disguise" reached No. 15.
"Legendary Child" will appear on AEROSMITH's 15th studio album, titled "Music From Another Dimension", which will arrive on November 6 via Columbia Records. The track was also supposed to be included in the upcoming summer film "G.I. Joe: Retaliation", but that movie was abruptly bumped from its June 29 release date to March 2013.
AEROSMITH premiered "Legendary Child"with a live performance during the season finale of "American Idol". It is a reworked version of a song originally written in 1991 during the sessions for the "Get A Grip" album.
"Music From Another Dimension" track listing:
01. What Could Have Been Love
02. Beautiful
03. Street Jesus
04. Legendary Child
05. Oh Yeah
06. We All Fall Down
07. Another Last Goodbye
08. Out Go the Lights
09. Love Three Times a Day (Hello Goodbye)
10. Closer
11. Shakey Ground
12. Lover A Lot
13. Freedom Fighter
14. Up On The Mountain
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while singer Steven Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
"Music From Another Dimension" is being helmed by producer Jack Douglas, who previously worked with AEROSMITH on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks" as well as on 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo".
"This record is different from the recent past, say the last 20 years, where everybody is getting in the studio and throwing down their songs," guitarist Joe Perry recently told Billboard.com. "This record is a lot more band-written stuff than there has been in the recent past."
WHITESNAKE frontman David Coverdale has issued the following update:
"We are busily mixing and editing a live album and a separate in-concert DVD from the 'Forevermore' world tour, plus mixing an special expanded editions of 'Into The Light' and 'Restless Heart'. Plus archiving so much audio and visual material and content from so many years. But [we're] definitely not [working on] a whole new studio album at this time. Quite simply we wouldn't have time to write and record a new studio album. It was never on our agenda for 2012."
WHITESNAKE's new album, "Forevermore", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded, produced and mixed by Los Bros Brutalos (Coverdale, Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre).
WHITESNAKE's "Live At Donington 1990" DVD/live double CD set was made available on June 3, 2011 in Europe and June 7, 2011 in North America via Frontiers Records.
WHITESNAKE 1990 featured guitar greats Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and, of course, incomparable frontman David Coverdale. The "Live At Donington" 1990 DVD also includes a substantial gallery of never-before-seen stills of the band on the "Liquor & Poker World Tour 1990", plus an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary of the making-of the "Slip Of The Tongue" album.
"We are busily mixing and editing a live album and a separate in-concert DVD from the 'Forevermore' world tour, plus mixing an special expanded editions of 'Into The Light' and 'Restless Heart'. Plus archiving so much audio and visual material and content from so many years. But [we're] definitely not [working on] a whole new studio album at this time. Quite simply we wouldn't have time to write and record a new studio album. It was never on our agenda for 2012."
WHITESNAKE's new album, "Forevermore", sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 49 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was recorded, produced and mixed by Los Bros Brutalos (Coverdale, Doug Aldrich and Michael McIntyre).
WHITESNAKE's "Live At Donington 1990" DVD/live double CD set was made available on June 3, 2011 in Europe and June 7, 2011 in North America via Frontiers Records.
WHITESNAKE 1990 featured guitar greats Steve Vai and Adrian Vandenberg, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and, of course, incomparable frontman David Coverdale. The "Live At Donington" 1990 DVD also includes a substantial gallery of never-before-seen stills of the band on the "Liquor & Poker World Tour 1990", plus an intimate behind-the-scenes documentary of the making-of the "Slip Of The Tongue" album.
VAN HALEN fan site Van Halen News Desk has posted an open letter from the band's singer, David Lee Roth, regarding the rumors that they will perform at the Super Bowl halftime show in early 2013.
Said Roth: "I'm compelled to address the now-rampant rumors that VAN HALEN is playing the Super Bowl. First of all let me say this — be still my pigskin heart. That honor has not been bestowed upon us at this time, though it is one we would accept in a NY minute.
"Having heard VAN HALEN blaring through stadium speakers on any given Sunday — more like every given Sunday, the idea of playing there live would be like — 'Okay, now we're in the game.'
"VAN HALEN's collective memories are — and with all due respect to each and every one of these memories, teeming with been-theres and done-that's, but none include playing at the Super Bowl. Playing at the Super Bowl is a veritable holy grail of musical recognition, a highly prized rite of passage for (game-changing) artists. Not a spiritual rite with snake pits or Hebrew school or anything, but it's up there.
"We are not on Commissioner Goodell's dance card at this time, but we would be most honored to dance the halftime away in New Orleans. It's an honor to be considered and for that we would like to thank the rumor mongers all over the World Wide Web."
According to The Pulse Of Radio, VAN HALEN has now officially canceled the 31 North American tour dates it initially postponed in May. Although the band itself has not confirmed the cancellations, Pollstar reported that Ticketmaster was listing all shows after June 26 as canceled, with refunds now available at the point of purchase. The shows, which were supposed to begin on July 7, included stops in Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, Sacramento, Reno and Milwaukee.
The fact that the shows have now been scrapped completely, as opposed to just postponed to a later date, will probably fuel another round of speculation about the future of the band and its internal relationships.
Both singer David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen denied rumors that they were fighting again on the road, with fatigue and an over-ambitious schedule given as the reasons for curtailing the group's live work.
Eddie told USA Today last month that the band will resume touring in November with shows in Japan, adding, "In the new year, we'll possibly do something special, but I can't talk about it."
Eddie also told Guitar World in a new interview that the band intends to stick around for a while, saying, "It feels more like a band and a family than it ever has . . . We're all very opinionated about things, but it's all for the benefit of the music."
The band has been supporting its new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", VAN HALEN's first album in 14 years and first with Roth since 1984.
Said Roth: "I'm compelled to address the now-rampant rumors that VAN HALEN is playing the Super Bowl. First of all let me say this — be still my pigskin heart. That honor has not been bestowed upon us at this time, though it is one we would accept in a NY minute.
"Having heard VAN HALEN blaring through stadium speakers on any given Sunday — more like every given Sunday, the idea of playing there live would be like — 'Okay, now we're in the game.'
"VAN HALEN's collective memories are — and with all due respect to each and every one of these memories, teeming with been-theres and done-that's, but none include playing at the Super Bowl. Playing at the Super Bowl is a veritable holy grail of musical recognition, a highly prized rite of passage for (game-changing) artists. Not a spiritual rite with snake pits or Hebrew school or anything, but it's up there.
"We are not on Commissioner Goodell's dance card at this time, but we would be most honored to dance the halftime away in New Orleans. It's an honor to be considered and for that we would like to thank the rumor mongers all over the World Wide Web."
According to The Pulse Of Radio, VAN HALEN has now officially canceled the 31 North American tour dates it initially postponed in May. Although the band itself has not confirmed the cancellations, Pollstar reported that Ticketmaster was listing all shows after June 26 as canceled, with refunds now available at the point of purchase. The shows, which were supposed to begin on July 7, included stops in Baltimore, Detroit, Memphis, Sacramento, Reno and Milwaukee.
The fact that the shows have now been scrapped completely, as opposed to just postponed to a later date, will probably fuel another round of speculation about the future of the band and its internal relationships.
Both singer David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen denied rumors that they were fighting again on the road, with fatigue and an over-ambitious schedule given as the reasons for curtailing the group's live work.
Eddie told USA Today last month that the band will resume touring in November with shows in Japan, adding, "In the new year, we'll possibly do something special, but I can't talk about it."
Eddie also told Guitar World in a new interview that the band intends to stick around for a while, saying, "It feels more like a band and a family than it ever has . . . We're all very opinionated about things, but it's all for the benefit of the music."
The band has been supporting its new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", VAN HALEN's first album in 14 years and first with Roth since 1984.
Nikki Sixx, founder/bassist/songwriter of the world-renowned band MÖTLEY CRÜE and chart-topping act SIXX: A.M., took part in an online chat yesterday (Friday, July 6) with Best Buy's "Unboxed" chat series.
When asked about how soon MÖTLEY CRÜE might release a new album, Sixx explained, "We're writing … and when the songs are ready, we'll record them and how we will release them, we don't know, because everything is changing and we kinda like it."
He added, "How we release music in the future, whether it's song by song, EP by EP, album by album, or soundtracks to movies, we don't know … we're open and excited about our future and in no rush to release music just to release music."
On the topic of how he and his bandmates approach the look, flow, and aesthetic of the live MÖTLEY experience, Nikki said, "As a whole, MÖTLEY CRÜE is always involved in all the visualization of our live productions, but it seems that a lot of the core ideas do flow from me and Tommy [Lee, drums]. All band members have a speciality that they do within the bands, and I think one of the things that me and Tommy are best at is thinking outside the box."
Regarding whether SIXX: A.M. has any plans to embark on a tour, Sixx said, "All the members of SIXX: A.M. are committed and want to tour but, between MÖTLEY CRÜE, GUNS N' ROSES [which features SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba] and James' [Michael, vocals] production work, it's extremely difficult to find a time that we would all be available. But, I want to let fans know that it is a priority and we want it to happen in the biggest of ways."
Earlier in the year, MÖTLEY CRÜE entered drummer Tommy Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California to begin recording a new song, "Sex", that will be released to coincide with the band's upcoming summer co-headlining tour with KISS.
Written when the band was together during their residency in Las Vegas last February, "Sex" is the first studio track from the CRÜE since their June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles".
"Sex" will debut on Friday, July 13 on SiriusXM and be available on Tuesday, July 17 — three days before the tour begins.
Speaking to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner in March, Sixx stated about the band's new track, "It sounds very much like it's off of the first record [1981's 'Too Fast For Love']. And that was definitely on purpose. I've been writing very simple riffs for the last year and focusing on how these riffs would work for Vince [Neil, vocals], basically, and took it in the studio with Tommy and Mick [Mars, guitar] and the thing just came alive."
When asked about how soon MÖTLEY CRÜE might release a new album, Sixx explained, "We're writing … and when the songs are ready, we'll record them and how we will release them, we don't know, because everything is changing and we kinda like it."
He added, "How we release music in the future, whether it's song by song, EP by EP, album by album, or soundtracks to movies, we don't know … we're open and excited about our future and in no rush to release music just to release music."
On the topic of how he and his bandmates approach the look, flow, and aesthetic of the live MÖTLEY experience, Nikki said, "As a whole, MÖTLEY CRÜE is always involved in all the visualization of our live productions, but it seems that a lot of the core ideas do flow from me and Tommy [Lee, drums]. All band members have a speciality that they do within the bands, and I think one of the things that me and Tommy are best at is thinking outside the box."
Regarding whether SIXX: A.M. has any plans to embark on a tour, Sixx said, "All the members of SIXX: A.M. are committed and want to tour but, between MÖTLEY CRÜE, GUNS N' ROSES [which features SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba] and James' [Michael, vocals] production work, it's extremely difficult to find a time that we would all be available. But, I want to let fans know that it is a priority and we want it to happen in the biggest of ways."
Earlier in the year, MÖTLEY CRÜE entered drummer Tommy Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California to begin recording a new song, "Sex", that will be released to coincide with the band's upcoming summer co-headlining tour with KISS.
Written when the band was together during their residency in Las Vegas last February, "Sex" is the first studio track from the CRÜE since their June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles".
"Sex" will debut on Friday, July 13 on SiriusXM and be available on Tuesday, July 17 — three days before the tour begins.
Speaking to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner in March, Sixx stated about the band's new track, "It sounds very much like it's off of the first record [1981's 'Too Fast For Love']. And that was definitely on purpose. I've been writing very simple riffs for the last year and focusing on how these riffs would work for Vince [Neil, vocals], basically, and took it in the studio with Tommy and Mick [Mars, guitar] and the thing just came alive."
MANOWAR has confirmed the first dates for their upcoming "The Lord Of Steel" world tour. The trek will start in October in Europe, and will continue with worldwide events in 2013.
The "Lord Of Steel" world tour will feature a power-filled set, including brand new songs, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of "Warriors Of The World", and many other classic MANOWAR hymns.
"We can't wait to unleash 'The Lord Of Steel' to the world. It's going to be hard, heavy and brutal! Time to face The Lord Of Steel!" said MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio.
Confirmed dates:
Oct. 09 - Zaragoza, Spain - Interpeñas
Oct. 11 - La Coruña, Spain - Coliseum
Oct. 13 - Barcelona, Spain - St Jordi Club
Oct. 14 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
Oct. 16 - Paris, France - Trabendo
Oct. 19 - Kerkrade, Holland - Rodahal
Oct. 23 - Prague, Czech Republic - Mala Sportovni Hala
Oct. 24 - Pardubice, Czech Republic - CEZ Arena
Oct. 26 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Euronics
Nov. 23 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Nov. 24 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
Nov. 25 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
MANOWAR's new album, "The Lord Of Steel" — which was mixed and mastered at Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands with the help of longtime collaborators, mixing engineer Ronald Prent and Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Darcy Proper — was released as a limited "Hammer Edition" through Metal Hammer magazine and as a digital release on www.thekingdomofsteel.com and iTunes. The retail edition will be rolled out into worldwide retail in September. (Dates may differ from territory to territory.) Track titles like "Annihilation" and "Hail, Kill And Die!" set the tone for a record that is packed with surprises. In contrast to the 2007 release "Gods Of War", this new album is not a concept album, yet each song tells a different story, retaining the MANOWAR vision of righteousness, honor and everything MANOWAR fans have come to know and love.
MANOWAR fans should expect to have "their heads completely blown off," said MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio in a recent interview, and explained that "this album is all about brutality and raw power!"
"We were talking about a concept album but then got inspired to go in a different direction. This is where we are right now," explained DeMaio. "I've been doing research on getting the best microphones and pre-amps for the guitars. The bass sound is death defying. We've done a lot of work on drums too, giving Donnie [Hamzik, drums] room to stretch out. And Eric [Adams, vocals] will simply sound bigger than life, as always."
"The Lord Of Steel" includes the track "El Gringo", which will also serve as the theme song for the After Dark Action franchise film "El Gringo", an action western starring Scott Adkins ("The Expendables 2", "The Bourne Ultimatum"), Christian Slater and Yvette Yates ("Without Men").
"El Gringo" marks the first time MANOWAR has written a song specifically for a movie. The song depicts the struggle of a hero torn between his moral code and financial gain, and the challenge of being true to oneself and the real values in life — a recurring theme in MANOWAR's music.
"Everyone loves action movies! Our music, along with ass-kicking visuals and a great story, are a perfect match, not to mention a chance to actually see the music come alive on screen," said DeMaio. "'El Gringo' has been a great experience, the team at After Dark Films has been a pleasure to work with, and we are ready for more!" he continued.
When asked about the long gap between MANOWAR's last CD and the new effort, DeMaio said, "I know that a lot of people don't wanna wait another five years for a MANOWAR record, but we hope that people are gonna think that it was worth waiting the time. Because, you know, you go to a restaurant and you order dinner, if the waiter walks in the kitchen and comes back out two seconds later and puts the dinner on the table, I really don't know what you're gonna get. Every now and then I like McDonald's, too — it doesn't mean something fast is not good — but we're not a fast-food restaurant with MANOWAR. We think it's quality, so we hope you're gonna feel the same way."
The "Lord Of Steel" world tour will feature a power-filled set, including brand new songs, a celebration of the 10th anniversary of "Warriors Of The World", and many other classic MANOWAR hymns.
"We can't wait to unleash 'The Lord Of Steel' to the world. It's going to be hard, heavy and brutal! Time to face The Lord Of Steel!" said MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio.
Confirmed dates:
Oct. 09 - Zaragoza, Spain - Interpeñas
Oct. 11 - La Coruña, Spain - Coliseum
Oct. 13 - Barcelona, Spain - St Jordi Club
Oct. 14 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera
Oct. 16 - Paris, France - Trabendo
Oct. 19 - Kerkrade, Holland - Rodahal
Oct. 23 - Prague, Czech Republic - Mala Sportovni Hala
Oct. 24 - Pardubice, Czech Republic - CEZ Arena
Oct. 26 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Euronics
Nov. 23 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Nov. 24 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
Nov. 25 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
MANOWAR's new album, "The Lord Of Steel" — which was mixed and mastered at Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands with the help of longtime collaborators, mixing engineer Ronald Prent and Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer Darcy Proper — was released as a limited "Hammer Edition" through Metal Hammer magazine and as a digital release on www.thekingdomofsteel.com and iTunes. The retail edition will be rolled out into worldwide retail in September. (Dates may differ from territory to territory.) Track titles like "Annihilation" and "Hail, Kill And Die!" set the tone for a record that is packed with surprises. In contrast to the 2007 release "Gods Of War", this new album is not a concept album, yet each song tells a different story, retaining the MANOWAR vision of righteousness, honor and everything MANOWAR fans have come to know and love.
MANOWAR fans should expect to have "their heads completely blown off," said MANOWAR bassist Joey DeMaio in a recent interview, and explained that "this album is all about brutality and raw power!"
"We were talking about a concept album but then got inspired to go in a different direction. This is where we are right now," explained DeMaio. "I've been doing research on getting the best microphones and pre-amps for the guitars. The bass sound is death defying. We've done a lot of work on drums too, giving Donnie [Hamzik, drums] room to stretch out. And Eric [Adams, vocals] will simply sound bigger than life, as always."
"The Lord Of Steel" includes the track "El Gringo", which will also serve as the theme song for the After Dark Action franchise film "El Gringo", an action western starring Scott Adkins ("The Expendables 2", "The Bourne Ultimatum"), Christian Slater and Yvette Yates ("Without Men").
"El Gringo" marks the first time MANOWAR has written a song specifically for a movie. The song depicts the struggle of a hero torn between his moral code and financial gain, and the challenge of being true to oneself and the real values in life — a recurring theme in MANOWAR's music.
"Everyone loves action movies! Our music, along with ass-kicking visuals and a great story, are a perfect match, not to mention a chance to actually see the music come alive on screen," said DeMaio. "'El Gringo' has been a great experience, the team at After Dark Films has been a pleasure to work with, and we are ready for more!" he continued.
When asked about the long gap between MANOWAR's last CD and the new effort, DeMaio said, "I know that a lot of people don't wanna wait another five years for a MANOWAR record, but we hope that people are gonna think that it was worth waiting the time. Because, you know, you go to a restaurant and you order dinner, if the waiter walks in the kitchen and comes back out two seconds later and puts the dinner on the table, I really don't know what you're gonna get. Every now and then I like McDonald's, too — it doesn't mean something fast is not good — but we're not a fast-food restaurant with MANOWAR. We think it's quality, so we hope you're gonna feel the same way."
STRATOVARIUS's new DVD, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere", has entered the Music DVD chart in Finland at position No. 1.
The news of drummer Jörg Michael's departure from the Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS in September 2011 was a shock for all of the band's fans.
To say goodbye to a friend, hero and member who characterized STRATOVARIUS' sound for over a decade, the group embarked on a five-show farewell tour of Finland in November of last year.
"The rest of us just has to accept Jörg's decision with a lot of sadness and wish him all the best for the future. But we can also assure that the band will still go on", says STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto.
Before coming back with a brand new studio album in 2013, STRATOVARIUS released a two-hour DVD filmed and recorded in Tampere, Finland on November 19, 2011. This is one of the very last shows the band played with Michael.
Released on June 29 via earMUSIC, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" marks the end of an era as well as a new beginning. Hits and classics like "Under Flaming Skies", "Speed Of Light" and "Hunting High And Low" as well as exclusive bonus material (30-minute documentary about the band's history, exclusive interviews with each member as well as a special comment from Jörg Michael about the reasons to leave the band) makes it a must-have for every fan and a real collector's item not to be missed.
"Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" track listing:
CD 1
01. Under Flaming Skies
02. I Walk To My Own Song
03. Speed Of Light
04. Kiss Of Judas
05. Deep Unknown
06. Guitar Solo
07. Eagleheart
08. Paradise
09. Visions
10. Bass Solo
11. Coming Home
CD 2
01. Legions Of The Twilight
02. Darkest Hours
03. Burn
04. Behind Blue Eyes
05. Winter Skies
06. Keyboard Solo
07. Black Diamond
08. Father Time
09. Hunting High And Low
DVD / Blu-ray track listing:
01. Intro
02. Under Flaming Skies
03. I Walk To My Own Song
04. Speed Of Light
05. Kiss Of Judas
06. Deep Unknown
07. Guitar Solo
08. Eagleheart
09. Paradise
10. Visions
11. Bass Solo
12. Coming Home
13. Legions Of The Twillight
14. Darkest Hours
15. Jörg Speech
16. Burn
17. Behind Blue Eyes
18. Winter Skies
19. Keyboard Solo
20. Black Diamond
21. Father Time
22. Hunting High And Low
Bonus:
* Documentary: Rewinding from the past to 2012
* 5.1 mix of "Elysium" (taken from the album "Elysium") — only on Blu-ray
STRATOVARIUS recently announced the addition of 24-year-old drummer Rolf Pilve to the group's ranks.
The news of drummer Jörg Michael's departure from the Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS in September 2011 was a shock for all of the band's fans.
To say goodbye to a friend, hero and member who characterized STRATOVARIUS' sound for over a decade, the group embarked on a five-show farewell tour of Finland in November of last year.
"The rest of us just has to accept Jörg's decision with a lot of sadness and wish him all the best for the future. But we can also assure that the band will still go on", says STRATOVARIUS singer Timo Kotipelto.
Before coming back with a brand new studio album in 2013, STRATOVARIUS released a two-hour DVD filmed and recorded in Tampere, Finland on November 19, 2011. This is one of the very last shows the band played with Michael.
Released on June 29 via earMUSIC, "Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" marks the end of an era as well as a new beginning. Hits and classics like "Under Flaming Skies", "Speed Of Light" and "Hunting High And Low" as well as exclusive bonus material (30-minute documentary about the band's history, exclusive interviews with each member as well as a special comment from Jörg Michael about the reasons to leave the band) makes it a must-have for every fan and a real collector's item not to be missed.
"Under Flaming Winter Skies - Live In Tampere" track listing:
CD 1
01. Under Flaming Skies
02. I Walk To My Own Song
03. Speed Of Light
04. Kiss Of Judas
05. Deep Unknown
06. Guitar Solo
07. Eagleheart
08. Paradise
09. Visions
10. Bass Solo
11. Coming Home
CD 2
01. Legions Of The Twilight
02. Darkest Hours
03. Burn
04. Behind Blue Eyes
05. Winter Skies
06. Keyboard Solo
07. Black Diamond
08. Father Time
09. Hunting High And Low
DVD / Blu-ray track listing:
01. Intro
02. Under Flaming Skies
03. I Walk To My Own Song
04. Speed Of Light
05. Kiss Of Judas
06. Deep Unknown
07. Guitar Solo
08. Eagleheart
09. Paradise
10. Visions
11. Bass Solo
12. Coming Home
13. Legions Of The Twillight
14. Darkest Hours
15. Jörg Speech
16. Burn
17. Behind Blue Eyes
18. Winter Skies
19. Keyboard Solo
20. Black Diamond
21. Father Time
22. Hunting High And Low
Bonus:
* Documentary: Rewinding from the past to 2012
* 5.1 mix of "Elysium" (taken from the album "Elysium") — only on Blu-ray
STRATOVARIUS recently announced the addition of 24-year-old drummer Rolf Pilve to the group's ranks.
John Corabi — former lead singer of MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE SCREAM and UNION — has unveiled the cover art of his upcoming "Unplugged" CD. Check it out below.
Corabi recently released a limited-edition two-song CD sampler at this location. The disc features John's last live performance with THE SCREAM singing "Father, Mother, Son" as well as the track "If I Never Get To Say Goodbye..." from the unplugged CD.
Corabi's acoustic album will include "old songs, new songs and just a sample of things to come." Tentatively due in the spring, the set will contain two versions of the MÖTLEY CRÜE's song "Hooligan's Holiday" — a stripped-back acoustic version and a more elaborate but still acoustic-based band arrangement — as well as a version of the CRÜE's "Loveshine" and even a song by Corabi's first band, ANGORA, which was originally produced by Steve Vai.
Corabi originally joined CRÜE in 1992 as the replacement for the group's original singer, Vince Neil, who was fired due to personal differences. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart. When Neil returned to the fold in 1997, Corabi was left on his own and formed the band UNION with ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Corabi recently released a limited-edition two-song CD sampler at this location. The disc features John's last live performance with THE SCREAM singing "Father, Mother, Son" as well as the track "If I Never Get To Say Goodbye..." from the unplugged CD.
Corabi's acoustic album will include "old songs, new songs and just a sample of things to come." Tentatively due in the spring, the set will contain two versions of the MÖTLEY CRÜE's song "Hooligan's Holiday" — a stripped-back acoustic version and a more elaborate but still acoustic-based band arrangement — as well as a version of the CRÜE's "Loveshine" and even a song by Corabi's first band, ANGORA, which was originally produced by Steve Vai.
Corabi originally joined CRÜE in 1992 as the replacement for the group's original singer, Vince Neil, who was fired due to personal differences. With Corabi on vocals, MÖTLEY CRÜE released one critically acclaimed full-length CD, which ended up being a commercial failure in the wake of grunge despite a Top-Ten placing on the album chart. When Neil returned to the fold in 1997, Corabi was left on his own and formed the band UNION with ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick.
Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which will require surgery soon, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno has announced that he will stop touring next year.
In a statement to his fans released earlier today, Paul said, "I am gonna be 'pulling the plug' next year 2013, and making it my 'farewell tour'... It was good whilst it lasted."
According to Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.
Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.
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 in early 2011, 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."
In a statement to his fans released earlier today, Paul said, "I am gonna be 'pulling the plug' next year 2013, and making it my 'farewell tour'... It was good whilst it lasted."
According to Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.
Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.
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 in early 2011, 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."
Due to a number of health issues, including a knee problem which will require surgery soon, former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno announced earlier today that he will stop touring next year.
A new message from Paul on his Facebook page reads as follows: "To all of you who have been with me from the start, and many new friends who have given me the privilege of being able to play and meet so many of you through the years, I can't find the right words to tell you all how much I'll miss you. All of you have my love and respect forever, and anyone who knows me knows that ain't a load of bollocks you have kept me going through difficult times, happy times and a lot of heartbreak. I thank you all with all my heart and I'm glad you're not here right now watching me write this crying like a big Jessie (for you, mates, it means a wuss!). Thank you all again, I love you all and wish you all health, good fortune, and most of all, love and happiness. You will be with me always. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Timao Corinthians n again te amo simper. Love, Paul."
Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.
Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.
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 in early 2011, 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 completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.
A new message from Paul on his Facebook page reads as follows: "To all of you who have been with me from the start, and many new friends who have given me the privilege of being able to play and meet so many of you through the years, I can't find the right words to tell you all how much I'll miss you. All of you have my love and respect forever, and anyone who knows me knows that ain't a load of bollocks you have kept me going through difficult times, happy times and a lot of heartbreak. I thank you all with all my heart and I'm glad you're not here right now watching me write this crying like a big Jessie (for you, mates, it means a wuss!). Thank you all again, I love you all and wish you all health, good fortune, and most of all, love and happiness. You will be with me always. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Timao Corinthians n again te amo simper. Love, Paul."
Michael Salenius, Di'Anno's Swedish booking manager and tour manager, told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that next year will be "a big, fantastic" last touring year for Paul, with a lot of solo shows, festival appearances and Di'Anno vs. Blaze Bayley concerts. You will also see various guest musicians joining Paul on stage.
Di'Anno recorded two classic albums with IRON MAIDEN before being fired and replaced by Bruce Dickinson. He went on to front a number of other bands, including KILLERS and BATTLEZONE, and released several solo records.
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 in early 2011, 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 completed his first North American tour in early 2010, 17 years after he was deported following a prison term for guns and drug offenses.
Swedish hard rockers EUROPE are preparing to film a video for the song "Firebox" in Gothenburg, Sweden. Helming the clip will be 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.
EUROPE's ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2.
"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.
The "Firebox" video will make its online debut in August.
EUROPE's ninth studio album, "Bag Of Bones", entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 2.
"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.
German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will perform the title track of their new album, "Phantom Antichrist", on the show "Neo Paradise", broadcast on Germany's national TV network ZDF, on Friday, July 13 at 9:55 p.m. CET.
"Phantom Antichrist" registered the following first-week chart positions:
Germany: #5 (the band's highest chart entry ever)
Switzerland: #22
Austria: #31
Netherlands: #87
Spain: #89
Belgium: #115
USA: #130
Canada: #118
"Phantom Antichrist" sold 3,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
KREATOR's previous album, "Hordes Of Chaos", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 165 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at No. 7 on the Heatseekers chart.
Released on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records, "Phantom Antichrist" was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH).
The cover artwork for the standard edition of "Phantom Antichrist" was created by Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, DIO, BLACK SABBATH) and can be seen below.
The limited edition of "Phantom Antichrist" was made available as two-disc digipack, including a bonus DVD.
"Phantom Antichrist" formats:
- Jewel case CD *
- 2LP yellow vinyl *
- 2LP bi-colored vinyl (red/black): limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered *+
- 2LP picture vinyl **
- CD/DVD digi limited edition: 2 digipacks in a slipcase. **
- Limited mailorder edition: metallic box including CD/DVD digi limited edition, T-shirt, exclusive CD "Live In Wacken", poster, signing card, limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered **+
* = Featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER)
** = Featuring artwork by Jan Meininghaus
+ = only available at www.nuclearblast.de/shop
KREATOR is:
Miland "Mille" Petrozza – Vocals, Guitrar
Sami Yli-Sirniö - Guitar
Christian "Speesy" Giesler - Bass
Jürgen "Ventor" Reil - Drums
"Phantom Antichrist" registered the following first-week chart positions:
Germany: #5 (the band's highest chart entry ever)
Switzerland: #22
Austria: #31
Netherlands: #87
Spain: #89
Belgium: #115
USA: #130
Canada: #118
"Phantom Antichrist" sold 3,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
KREATOR's previous album, "Hordes Of Chaos", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 165 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at No. 7 on the Heatseekers chart.
Released on June 1 in Europe and June 5 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records, "Phantom Antichrist" was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with renowned producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, SOILWORK, DEVIN TOWNSEND, AMON AMARTH).
The cover artwork for the standard edition of "Phantom Antichrist" was created by Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, DIO, BLACK SABBATH) and can be seen below.
The limited edition of "Phantom Antichrist" was made available as two-disc digipack, including a bonus DVD.
"Phantom Antichrist" formats:
- Jewel case CD *
- 2LP yellow vinyl *
- 2LP bi-colored vinyl (red/black): limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered *+
- 2LP picture vinyl **
- CD/DVD digi limited edition: 2 digipacks in a slipcase. **
- Limited mailorder edition: metallic box including CD/DVD digi limited edition, T-shirt, exclusive CD "Live In Wacken", poster, signing card, limited to 500 copies, hand-numbered **+
* = Featuring artwork by Wes Benscoter (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, SLAYER)
** = Featuring artwork by Jan Meininghaus
+ = only available at www.nuclearblast.de/shop
KREATOR is:
Miland "Mille" Petrozza – Vocals, Guitrar
Sami Yli-Sirniö - Guitar
Christian "Speesy" Giesler - Bass
Jürgen "Ventor" Reil - Drums
Brandon Marshall of the Denver Westword recently conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Denver Westword: Has SLIPKNOT begun the writing process for the new album, and will SLIPKNOT fans hear new music in 2013?
Crahan: I don't know what year you will hear it in, but the writing process has begun. It's in different stages with different members, and everyone is just doing what they're doing. Everyone will bring what they have done to the table. Some of it will get used, some of it will not get used, but it won't be SLIPKNOT until all of the gentlemen have put their love onto it. Everybody is writing every day, putting down the pain, the love, and preparing for the future.
Denver Westword: Tell us about Knotfest. What is the idea behind it, and will this be an annual event?
Crahan: It's a dream we have always had. It's a festival idea that we have, trying to bring a little more of the European vibe, have a lot of fun and share our thought process with our culture. There has been talk about it going on if we're not out playing. That's not a priority right now. There is also talk about when the next record comes out, and maybe we'll start it with Knotfest, but, right now, less is more. The first show is in Iowa. The second show is in Somerset, Wisconsin. We are taking a couple of us and seeing how it goes. Whether it goes good or bad, it's another dream that we had and another notch on the board. It's something that we always wanted to accomplish, and we're doing it.
Denver Westword: This sounds like it will be the circus from hell.
Crahan: A circus has elephants, tightropes, nets, a leader in a three ring, and clown cars with thirty clowns coming out of it. I would say it's more like a carnival, not a circus. There is no circus on earth without an elephant — you'd need to see a fucking elephant.
Denver Westword: After Paul [Gray, bass] died, was the future of SLIPKNOT ever in question, and will you seek a full-time bass player?
Crahan: I don't need to talk about a new bass player, because there will only be nine. Paul was number two of nine. He will always be there. He will always be at the round table with a glass of wine, our drink of choice, with a plate of food. He will always be involved with every record for the rest of our career. He will always be onstage. He will always be a part of the thought process. As far as a new bass player is concerned, I don't have to think about that. The time that I have to think about that will come soon enough. Whatever is meant to be will be meant to be. I really don't even care to think about it, because there is no reason to think about it. I can't predict the future, nor will I. I'm not a fortune teller.
Denver Westword: When SLIPKNOT made its first live appearance since Paul's death, did you feel that Paul was with you?
Crahan: Absolutely. He is with me right now.
Denver Westword: Has SLIPKNOT begun the writing process for the new album, and will SLIPKNOT fans hear new music in 2013?
Crahan: I don't know what year you will hear it in, but the writing process has begun. It's in different stages with different members, and everyone is just doing what they're doing. Everyone will bring what they have done to the table. Some of it will get used, some of it will not get used, but it won't be SLIPKNOT until all of the gentlemen have put their love onto it. Everybody is writing every day, putting down the pain, the love, and preparing for the future.
Denver Westword: Tell us about Knotfest. What is the idea behind it, and will this be an annual event?
Crahan: It's a dream we have always had. It's a festival idea that we have, trying to bring a little more of the European vibe, have a lot of fun and share our thought process with our culture. There has been talk about it going on if we're not out playing. That's not a priority right now. There is also talk about when the next record comes out, and maybe we'll start it with Knotfest, but, right now, less is more. The first show is in Iowa. The second show is in Somerset, Wisconsin. We are taking a couple of us and seeing how it goes. Whether it goes good or bad, it's another dream that we had and another notch on the board. It's something that we always wanted to accomplish, and we're doing it.
Denver Westword: This sounds like it will be the circus from hell.
Crahan: A circus has elephants, tightropes, nets, a leader in a three ring, and clown cars with thirty clowns coming out of it. I would say it's more like a carnival, not a circus. There is no circus on earth without an elephant — you'd need to see a fucking elephant.
Denver Westword: After Paul [Gray, bass] died, was the future of SLIPKNOT ever in question, and will you seek a full-time bass player?
Crahan: I don't need to talk about a new bass player, because there will only be nine. Paul was number two of nine. He will always be there. He will always be at the round table with a glass of wine, our drink of choice, with a plate of food. He will always be involved with every record for the rest of our career. He will always be onstage. He will always be a part of the thought process. As far as a new bass player is concerned, I don't have to think about that. The time that I have to think about that will come soon enough. Whatever is meant to be will be meant to be. I really don't even care to think about it, because there is no reason to think about it. I can't predict the future, nor will I. I'm not a fortune teller.
Denver Westword: When SLIPKNOT made its first live appearance since Paul's death, did you feel that Paul was with you?
Crahan: Absolutely. He is with me right now.
Ana Anguiano of College Times recently conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
College Times: What makes you pick up your camera and snap a photo?
Crahan: There's a lot of different things that make me want to take photos. A lot of it is, for a long time I've been obsessed with the thought of time travel with my camera. It finally occurred to me that I can take a picture today and I could then have it in the future, and then in the future I can bring people back to today. I don't really care about capturing a moment as much as I care about what the moment is to me. I'm very random. I'm not drawn to people that much unless there's a really serious energy happening, but I'll take a lot of pictures of trees or I'm always staring at the ground. I'll see an oil stain that looks like something out of "Lord of the Rings" or something and that's what kind of calls to me … I'm drawn to that aspect of photography. It's all around me. I'd rather shoot that.
College Times: In [your new book of photography, "The Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey"], you mention you always separate your family from your work life. Why did you include them in this?
Crahan: There's several things in my life as of, I would say, maybe the last five years I've been working on. I've been working on the way my originality, my body, my face, my original form is perceived by me. I worry a lot about what I think about myself, which makes me then worry about what you might think about me. I've been really working on that, trying to accept who I am. That has gotten me to get out more and connect more and be a little more at peace. Same thing with my family. I celebrated my 19th anniversary with my wife about three days ago, and I've got four kids. I'm an only child so I'm very territorial and I've [been] very protective. I forced myself to have a big family because I never had a big family. It's not that I don't want to share my family with anyone or I'm scared, they're just innocent to me [and] to who I am. Sometimes I'm afraid of how they're going to be perceived. To be the true artist that I want to be in this journey, I think it's important to let go for the idea of what I'm trying to accomplish. What I'm trying to accomplish in my lifetime is to be remembered, and I can't hold it all back. Just to show a picture of my wife is almost impossible for me to do. It's not an insecure thing. It's just she's my queen and I never want to hurt her — same thing with my children. Believe me, it was a very tough decision to include my family in my book.
College Times: What makes you pick up your camera and snap a photo?
Crahan: There's a lot of different things that make me want to take photos. A lot of it is, for a long time I've been obsessed with the thought of time travel with my camera. It finally occurred to me that I can take a picture today and I could then have it in the future, and then in the future I can bring people back to today. I don't really care about capturing a moment as much as I care about what the moment is to me. I'm very random. I'm not drawn to people that much unless there's a really serious energy happening, but I'll take a lot of pictures of trees or I'm always staring at the ground. I'll see an oil stain that looks like something out of "Lord of the Rings" or something and that's what kind of calls to me … I'm drawn to that aspect of photography. It's all around me. I'd rather shoot that.
College Times: In [your new book of photography, "The Apocalyptic Nightmare Journey"], you mention you always separate your family from your work life. Why did you include them in this?
Crahan: There's several things in my life as of, I would say, maybe the last five years I've been working on. I've been working on the way my originality, my body, my face, my original form is perceived by me. I worry a lot about what I think about myself, which makes me then worry about what you might think about me. I've been really working on that, trying to accept who I am. That has gotten me to get out more and connect more and be a little more at peace. Same thing with my family. I celebrated my 19th anniversary with my wife about three days ago, and I've got four kids. I'm an only child so I'm very territorial and I've [been] very protective. I forced myself to have a big family because I never had a big family. It's not that I don't want to share my family with anyone or I'm scared, they're just innocent to me [and] to who I am. Sometimes I'm afraid of how they're going to be perceived. To be the true artist that I want to be in this journey, I think it's important to let go for the idea of what I'm trying to accomplish. What I'm trying to accomplish in my lifetime is to be remembered, and I can't hold it all back. Just to show a picture of my wife is almost impossible for me to do. It's not an insecure thing. It's just she's my queen and I never want to hurt her — same thing with my children. Believe me, it was a very tough decision to include my family in my book.
Peter Iwers and Björn Gelotte of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES, along with Nicka Hellenberg and Mathias Larsson of Fiskejournalen, the largest fishing magazine in Europe, will meet you in Mehamn, where you will enjoy the grandeur of the Norwegian landscape, some pleasant company and, above all, some almost sinfully exciting fishing.
Nordic Safari in Mehamn is situated in one Europe's most northerly areas. Just outside the camp you'll find one of the best places in the world for fishing big cod, catfish and halibut. And just a few minutes away from the camp, you can fish for char and trout in clear mountain lakes. Nordic Safari will do everything to make sure you have a good time: fishing guides for sea and lake fishing, fully equipped sports fishing boats, cosy accommodation in Nordic chalets and plenty of good food.
Fiskejournalen will be reporting the trip, and the rockers from IN FLAMES will be in the boats all the time. The journey ends in the wake of the successful TV series "Deadliest Catch", when they fish for king crab, to be enjoyed as the sun goes down over the Barents Sea.
Included in the trip:
* Three full days fishing with guides (two days sea fishing and one day mountain fishing)
* Fishing equipment and fully equipped sports fishing boats, including fuel.
* Chalet accommodation (4 people per chalet)
* Full board and a king crab buffet
* IN FLAMES T-shirt, signed by the group
* Pictures and film from the trip (sent to you after the trip by Fiskejournalen)
Not included:
* Transport to and from Mehamn.
* Alcoholic beverages.
Price: 10,750 SEK (1,175 euros)
For more information, visit www.nordicsafari.no.
Nordic Safari in Mehamn is situated in one Europe's most northerly areas. Just outside the camp you'll find one of the best places in the world for fishing big cod, catfish and halibut. And just a few minutes away from the camp, you can fish for char and trout in clear mountain lakes. Nordic Safari will do everything to make sure you have a good time: fishing guides for sea and lake fishing, fully equipped sports fishing boats, cosy accommodation in Nordic chalets and plenty of good food.
Fiskejournalen will be reporting the trip, and the rockers from IN FLAMES will be in the boats all the time. The journey ends in the wake of the successful TV series "Deadliest Catch", when they fish for king crab, to be enjoyed as the sun goes down over the Barents Sea.
Included in the trip:
* Three full days fishing with guides (two days sea fishing and one day mountain fishing)
* Fishing equipment and fully equipped sports fishing boats, including fuel.
* Chalet accommodation (4 people per chalet)
* Full board and a king crab buffet
* IN FLAMES T-shirt, signed by the group
* Pictures and film from the trip (sent to you after the trip by Fiskejournalen)
Not included:
* Transport to and from Mehamn.
* Alcoholic beverages.
Price: 10,750 SEK (1,175 euros)
For more information, visit www.nordicsafari.no.
STATIC-X frontman Wayne Static is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Loudwire, Wayne said, "I just heard about [Randy's arrest] actually, and I think it's pretty fucked up, man. I don't know all the details, obviously I wasn't there. But anytime at a metal show, fans are going to be going crazy. Apparently he pushed somebody off the stage and they got hurt and then died. It was an accident, man. That shit happens all the time. It's weird that they're trying to pin it on him."
When asked if bands have had to be even more careful since the onstage murder of PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell incident in 2004, Wayne replied, "We've always had to be careful. We had an incident back in 2001 where our drummer threw out a drumstick into the crowd and it hit someone in the eye and they were going to sue us. You just always have to be really careful with that kind of stuff. I know the LAMB OF GOD guys. They're way mellow. They're older guys like me and super mellow. They would never do anything to hurt anyone on purpose. It's just crazy."
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Loudwire, Wayne said, "I just heard about [Randy's arrest] actually, and I think it's pretty fucked up, man. I don't know all the details, obviously I wasn't there. But anytime at a metal show, fans are going to be going crazy. Apparently he pushed somebody off the stage and they got hurt and then died. It was an accident, man. That shit happens all the time. It's weird that they're trying to pin it on him."
When asked if bands have had to be even more careful since the onstage murder of PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell incident in 2004, Wayne replied, "We've always had to be careful. We had an incident back in 2001 where our drummer threw out a drumstick into the crowd and it hit someone in the eye and they were going to sue us. You just always have to be really careful with that kind of stuff. I know the LAMB OF GOD guys. They're way mellow. They're older guys like me and super mellow. They would never do anything to hurt anyone on purpose. It's just crazy."
According to Richmond Times-Dispatch , more than 100 LAMB OF GOD fans gathered on Brown's Island in Richmond, Virginia earlier today (Sunday, July 8) in support of the band's jailed singer Randy Blythe, who is being held on manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.
"This really brings it home," said LAMB OF GOD guitar player Willie Adler, who made an appearance at the event. "It's nice to see all different walks of life here. It's not just long-haired metal fans."
Adler said the band wasn't ready to publicly discuss anything just yet but that its day would come soon.
"We're not quite sure what's happening now, so we don't want to do anything to jeopardize it," he said. "But we hope to know something, maybe in a week."
Adler's father-in-law, Harry Hopkins, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the entire band was met at the Prague airport by armed forces on June 27 and was taken into custody. After some discussion, U.S. embassy personnel were able to get four of them free. They were told to leave the country immediately.
"They're very upset about that," Hopkins said. "They would've wanted to stay with him."
The vigil organizer Tommy Streat, a friend of Blythe, told WWBT, the NBC-affiliated television station for Richmond, Virginia, "I know in my heart of hearts that Randy should not be in jail and the way he helps other people beyond the means most would go. I think it's ridiculous that he's in jail and I think we need to get him back on this ground in Richmond. And until he's here, we're gonna be his voice. We're gonna talk. We're gonna get loud. . . Randy's voice has been lost and we're getting it back. If it was Justin Bieber, everybody would be talking about it."
LAMB OF GOD set up a fund to help pay Blythe's legal expenses. A statement on the band's Facebook page reads, in part, "As many of you know, Randy is being held in Czech jail for a crime we believe he did not commit. We are still learning about the legal system there and the situation is fluid. We have retained local legal counsel, have support from the U.S. embassy and we are flying over additional lawyers to try and assure that Randy has the best representation possible. As many of you have pointed out, the simple fact is that the legal fees are adding up very quickly."
"This really brings it home," said LAMB OF GOD guitar player Willie Adler, who made an appearance at the event. "It's nice to see all different walks of life here. It's not just long-haired metal fans."
Adler said the band wasn't ready to publicly discuss anything just yet but that its day would come soon.
"We're not quite sure what's happening now, so we don't want to do anything to jeopardize it," he said. "But we hope to know something, maybe in a week."
Adler's father-in-law, Harry Hopkins, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that the entire band was met at the Prague airport by armed forces on June 27 and was taken into custody. After some discussion, U.S. embassy personnel were able to get four of them free. They were told to leave the country immediately.
"They're very upset about that," Hopkins said. "They would've wanted to stay with him."
The vigil organizer Tommy Streat, a friend of Blythe, told WWBT, the NBC-affiliated television station for Richmond, Virginia, "I know in my heart of hearts that Randy should not be in jail and the way he helps other people beyond the means most would go. I think it's ridiculous that he's in jail and I think we need to get him back on this ground in Richmond. And until he's here, we're gonna be his voice. We're gonna talk. We're gonna get loud. . . Randy's voice has been lost and we're getting it back. If it was Justin Bieber, everybody would be talking about it."
LAMB OF GOD set up a fund to help pay Blythe's legal expenses. A statement on the band's Facebook page reads, in part, "As many of you know, Randy is being held in Czech jail for a crime we believe he did not commit. We are still learning about the legal system there and the situation is fluid. We have retained local legal counsel, have support from the U.S. embassy and we are flying over additional lawyers to try and assure that Randy has the best representation possible. As many of you have pointed out, the simple fact is that the legal fees are adding up very quickly."
Rustyn Rose of Metalholic.com conducted an interview with drummer Jon Larsen of Danish metal rock 'n' rollers VOLBEAT prior to the band's July 6 concert in Boise, Idaho with HELLYEAH and ICED EARTH. You can now watch the chat below.
On when fans can expect to hear a new VOLBEAT album:
Jon: "It kind of depends on when we think we're ready, actually. Once this tour is over, we're gonna go home and hide out in the rehearsal room for awhile and see what we can come up with. I know Michael [Poulsen, vocals/guitar] already, of course, has a lot of ideas, a lot of riffs, melody lines, ideas for everything from artwork to lyrics to themes, the whole thing, but, of course, everything needs to get done. And if we're ready, then maybe late October, mid-November we will go into the studio. And if we're not ready, then we won't do it until next year."
On the departure of guitarist Thomas Bredahl and VOLBEAT's search for a replacement:
Jon: "Being in a band, I guess, to use that cliché, it's a bit like a marriage. In a normal relationship, sometimes things work out and sometimes things don't work out. When we're together, we're together 24/7 for several months or for however long, and, of course, we're four very different people, always have been. Sometimes you need to change things. When things don't work out, you change things, like you do in a normal relationship. If you are unhappy about your day job, you might wanna change that. I don't think that we're any more difficult than any other people. Sometimes changes happen."
"There is something in the works [with regards to a new guitar player], [but we can't talk about it] yet."
On LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe's arrest in the Czech Republic on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago:
Jon: "First of all, I think it's terrible. We know Randy, we know the guys from LAMB OF GOD, because we toured with them, along with METALLICA. It's mind-boggling. And from what I hear — I haven't really read too much about it — it seems like it wasn't even Randy who was beating that guy up, it seems like it was more like the local security, actually, who was beating him up afterwards, from what I've heard. Somebody posted, I think on Blabbermouth, that there should be some footage available that will show that Randy definitely did not kill the guy, so to speak. But I think it's really, really terrible, and our thoughts are definitely with him. I really, really hope that he gets out of there as soon as possible and goes home."
On whether it scares him to know that musicians like him can now potentially be held liable for what happens when stage divers get injured at rock shows:
"Of course, it's scary. Everbody knows what happened to Dimebag [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott who was killed by a crazed fan onstage in 2004). I mean, how was that possible? But it was, and now the same thing with Randy. Of course, it makes you think a lot — what can you do to prevent stuff like that? That's why we have — we always have, but now we definitely have to take better care of the barriers and make sure the security do their jobs and stuff like that. People can get hurt, but for what happened at that show, that's just terrible."
On when fans can expect to hear a new VOLBEAT album:
Jon: "It kind of depends on when we think we're ready, actually. Once this tour is over, we're gonna go home and hide out in the rehearsal room for awhile and see what we can come up with. I know Michael [Poulsen, vocals/guitar] already, of course, has a lot of ideas, a lot of riffs, melody lines, ideas for everything from artwork to lyrics to themes, the whole thing, but, of course, everything needs to get done. And if we're ready, then maybe late October, mid-November we will go into the studio. And if we're not ready, then we won't do it until next year."
On the departure of guitarist Thomas Bredahl and VOLBEAT's search for a replacement:
Jon: "Being in a band, I guess, to use that cliché, it's a bit like a marriage. In a normal relationship, sometimes things work out and sometimes things don't work out. When we're together, we're together 24/7 for several months or for however long, and, of course, we're four very different people, always have been. Sometimes you need to change things. When things don't work out, you change things, like you do in a normal relationship. If you are unhappy about your day job, you might wanna change that. I don't think that we're any more difficult than any other people. Sometimes changes happen."
"There is something in the works [with regards to a new guitar player], [but we can't talk about it] yet."
On LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe's arrest in the Czech Republic on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of a fan more than two years ago:
Jon: "First of all, I think it's terrible. We know Randy, we know the guys from LAMB OF GOD, because we toured with them, along with METALLICA. It's mind-boggling. And from what I hear — I haven't really read too much about it — it seems like it wasn't even Randy who was beating that guy up, it seems like it was more like the local security, actually, who was beating him up afterwards, from what I've heard. Somebody posted, I think on Blabbermouth, that there should be some footage available that will show that Randy definitely did not kill the guy, so to speak. But I think it's really, really terrible, and our thoughts are definitely with him. I really, really hope that he gets out of there as soon as possible and goes home."
On whether it scares him to know that musicians like him can now potentially be held liable for what happens when stage divers get injured at rock shows:
"Of course, it's scary. Everbody knows what happened to Dimebag [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott who was killed by a crazed fan onstage in 2004). I mean, how was that possible? But it was, and now the same thing with Randy. Of course, it makes you think a lot — what can you do to prevent stuff like that? That's why we have — we always have, but now we definitely have to take better care of the barriers and make sure the security do their jobs and stuff like that. People can get hurt, but for what happened at that show, that's just terrible."
ICED EARTH mainman Jon Schaffer is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Metalholic.com, Jon said (see video below), "I like Randy a lot — he's a great guy, and I really feel bad for what he is going through. I saw some video tape and I am not convinced that there was any wrongdoing. You can't fucking charge a stage and keep doing that kind of stuff after what happened to Dime [referring to late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist 'Dimebag' Darell Abbott, who was killed onstage in 2004) and expect people to not… And it's not even that anybody really overreacted; it's just normal… This stuff happens at shows all the time. It sucks… I've seen so many times where I'm like, 'Oh my God…' Bodies just come flying over the barricade. And OK, the security guys usually catch them, but if there is a whole and somebody, you know… I see it a lot, and a lot of these guys are so wasted, they get up and, like, 'Yeah!' and they still keep coming, and I'm [thinking], 'You're gonna feel that tomorrow, dude.'"
LAMB OF GOD had been touring Europe in support of its latest album, "Resolution", when Blythe was arrested on June 27.
Many of Blythe's fellow musicians have cited the 2004 shooting death onstage of PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott as the reason why musicians are so defensive nowadays about fans invading the stage. Some reports say that the late fan tried to mount the stage as many as three times that evening.
The band has set up a legal defense fund for Blythe, which has drawn criticism from some of its own fans. Guitarist Willie Adler addressed the issue in an online post, saying, "We are by no means requesting charity, nor are we demanding money from our fans. We have received dozens upon dozens of requests from supporters wanting to help in any way possible. This was a direct response to that in order to give fans a voice in all of this if they choose to do so. By no means are we trying to make a dime off of this."
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Metalholic.com, Jon said (see video below), "I like Randy a lot — he's a great guy, and I really feel bad for what he is going through. I saw some video tape and I am not convinced that there was any wrongdoing. You can't fucking charge a stage and keep doing that kind of stuff after what happened to Dime [referring to late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist 'Dimebag' Darell Abbott, who was killed onstage in 2004) and expect people to not… And it's not even that anybody really overreacted; it's just normal… This stuff happens at shows all the time. It sucks… I've seen so many times where I'm like, 'Oh my God…' Bodies just come flying over the barricade. And OK, the security guys usually catch them, but if there is a whole and somebody, you know… I see it a lot, and a lot of these guys are so wasted, they get up and, like, 'Yeah!' and they still keep coming, and I'm [thinking], 'You're gonna feel that tomorrow, dude.'"
LAMB OF GOD had been touring Europe in support of its latest album, "Resolution", when Blythe was arrested on June 27.
Many of Blythe's fellow musicians have cited the 2004 shooting death onstage of PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott as the reason why musicians are so defensive nowadays about fans invading the stage. Some reports say that the late fan tried to mount the stage as many as three times that evening.
The band has set up a legal defense fund for Blythe, which has drawn criticism from some of its own fans. Guitarist Willie Adler addressed the issue in an online post, saying, "We are by no means requesting charity, nor are we demanding money from our fans. We have received dozens upon dozens of requests from supporters wanting to help in any way possible. This was a direct response to that in order to give fans a voice in all of this if they choose to do so. By no means are we trying to make a dime off of this."
According to Mediafax.cz, Novinky.cz and PrvniZapravi.cz, LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe remains behind bars in a Czech prison after the prosecutor filed a complaint against the singer's release on bail.
On Monday (July 9), a spokesman for the the Municipal Public Prosecutor's Office in Prague Štepánka Zenklová confirmed that the complaint was delivered to the Prague 8 district court this past Friday (July 6).
Another bail hearing will be held at the Municipal Court in Prague at a later date.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal group — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Blythe remains in detention at Pankrác Prison in Prague even after the band's manager posted 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000) on July 3. But the bail system in the Czech Republic is not as rapid as in the U.S.
Although bail has been posted, the decision to release the singer is still subject to appeal and so it will take some time for the state prosecutor's office to give approval.
LAMB OF GOD manager Larry Mazer spoke with Rolling Stone last week about the alleged incident, telling the magazine, "There are YouTube videos which 100 percent show Randy's innocence. As a matter of fact, all of those videos have now been sent to our lawyer, and he's presenting it to the judge. This case is so full of holes. Nobody reported an injury of any kind at the concert, or after the concert. It was at least an hour to two hours later, supposedly, when this kid went to a hospital."
Mazer continued, "So that's number one — why did nothing occur during the show? Number two, he had supposedly been in a coma for 30 days, but it wasn't [until] a couple of months later that they contacted the promoter to ask his understanding of the events. He said the same thing — that the show went on fine, no nothing, no incidents. They told him that a person had been injured, which led to a death, which he had no knowledge of whatsoever. And then it went away. Two years go by, and Randy gets arrested."
On Monday (July 9), a spokesman for the the Municipal Public Prosecutor's Office in Prague Štepánka Zenklová confirmed that the complaint was delivered to the Prague 8 district court this past Friday (July 6).
Another bail hearing will be held at the Municipal Court in Prague at a later date.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal group — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Blythe remains in detention at Pankrác Prison in Prague even after the band's manager posted 4 million Czech Koruna bail (approximately $200,000) on July 3. But the bail system in the Czech Republic is not as rapid as in the U.S.
Although bail has been posted, the decision to release the singer is still subject to appeal and so it will take some time for the state prosecutor's office to give approval.
LAMB OF GOD manager Larry Mazer spoke with Rolling Stone last week about the alleged incident, telling the magazine, "There are YouTube videos which 100 percent show Randy's innocence. As a matter of fact, all of those videos have now been sent to our lawyer, and he's presenting it to the judge. This case is so full of holes. Nobody reported an injury of any kind at the concert, or after the concert. It was at least an hour to two hours later, supposedly, when this kid went to a hospital."
Mazer continued, "So that's number one — why did nothing occur during the show? Number two, he had supposedly been in a coma for 30 days, but it wasn't [until] a couple of months later that they contacted the promoter to ask his understanding of the events. He said the same thing — that the show went on fine, no nothing, no incidents. They told him that a person had been injured, which led to a death, which he had no knowledge of whatsoever. And then it went away. Two years go by, and Randy gets arrested."
"A Time Of Crisis", the comeback album from U.S. power/thrash metal act HERETIC, will be released on July 26 through Metal On Metal Records. The band stayed true to its roots and created a really solid CD in the best U.S. metal tradition: heavy, melodic and aggressive.
The cover art for "A Time Of Crisis" was created by a tattoo artist Tom Berg and can be seen below.
"A Time Of Crisis" track listing:
01. The Divine Inquisition
02. Tomorrow's Plague
03. Betrayed
04. Remains
05. A Time Of Crisis
06. For Your Faith
07. Raise Your Fist
08. Heretic
09. Child Of War
10. Police State
11. The End Of The World
12. Let Me Begin Again
The band, formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, released an EP, "Torture Knows No Boundary" (1986), and a full-length, "Breaking Point" (1988), through Metal Blade Records before disbanding. Later on the founding member, songwriter and guitarist Brian Korban together with bassist Dennis O'Hara formed REVEREND, which featured the vocal talents of the late David Wayne (METAL CHURCH).
In 2011 Brian Korban reformed the band, recruiting Julian Mendez, the vocalist who sang on the band's first EP. Soon they were joined by the seasoned musicians, long-time friends and collaborators, guitarist Glenn Rogers (VIKING, ex-HIRAX, ex-DELIVERANCE, ex-STEEL VENGEANCE and others) and bassist Angelo Espino (BITCH, ex-REVEREND, ex-HIRAX, ex-ANGER AS ART, ex-UNCLE SLAM and others) and a young, but talented drummer Ignazio Coppola.
The cover art for "A Time Of Crisis" was created by a tattoo artist Tom Berg and can be seen below.
"A Time Of Crisis" track listing:
01. The Divine Inquisition
02. Tomorrow's Plague
03. Betrayed
04. Remains
05. A Time Of Crisis
06. For Your Faith
07. Raise Your Fist
08. Heretic
09. Child Of War
10. Police State
11. The End Of The World
12. Let Me Begin Again
The band, formed in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, released an EP, "Torture Knows No Boundary" (1986), and a full-length, "Breaking Point" (1988), through Metal Blade Records before disbanding. Later on the founding member, songwriter and guitarist Brian Korban together with bassist Dennis O'Hara formed REVEREND, which featured the vocal talents of the late David Wayne (METAL CHURCH).
In 2011 Brian Korban reformed the band, recruiting Julian Mendez, the vocalist who sang on the band's first EP. Soon they were joined by the seasoned musicians, long-time friends and collaborators, guitarist Glenn Rogers (VIKING, ex-HIRAX, ex-DELIVERANCE, ex-STEEL VENGEANCE and others) and bassist Angelo Espino (BITCH, ex-REVEREND, ex-HIRAX, ex-ANGER AS ART, ex-UNCLE SLAM and others) and a young, but talented drummer Ignazio Coppola.
The new touring lineup of the industrial metal band STATIC-X will consist of the following musicians:
Wayne Static - Guitar, Vocals
Sean Davidson - Drums
Ashes - Guitar
Brent Ashley - Bass
Speaking to Loudwire, Wayne stated about his new bandmates, "We all get along really good, actually. It's kind of a different vibe behind the scenes. As far as onstage, though, it's all business. We all have a great time as always and put on a great show. This tour in particular, we're playing a lot of old stuff off of the first two records."
Regarding his decision to resurrect STATIC-X, Wayne said, "I really just wanted to go back to old-school STATIC-X since the band has been gone for a few years. The last tour I was on I did a lot of my solo stuff, and I'm ready to get back to old-school STATIC-X stuff, which is actually new again."
STATIC-X's upcoming trek will mark the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.
Athough none of the other original members — Tony Campos (bass), Koichi Fukuda (guitar) and Nick Oshiro (drums) — will be joining Wayne on this tour, Tony is supportive of his former bandmate's decision to reform the group, saying, "I'm proud of my years with STATIC-X, and want to see the name of the band stay alive and well. I hope that all of our fans will continue to support both Wayne and I in our individual endeavors."
"Cult of Static", the latest album from STATIC-X, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.
STATIC-X's previous CD, "Cannibal", opened with more than 30,000 copies back in April 2007 to land at No. 36. This represented a slight drop from the 35,000 tally registered by the band's "Start A War" album, which came out in June 2005 and debuted at No. 29.
Wayne Static - Guitar, Vocals
Sean Davidson - Drums
Ashes - Guitar
Brent Ashley - Bass
Speaking to Loudwire, Wayne stated about his new bandmates, "We all get along really good, actually. It's kind of a different vibe behind the scenes. As far as onstage, though, it's all business. We all have a great time as always and put on a great show. This tour in particular, we're playing a lot of old stuff off of the first two records."
Regarding his decision to resurrect STATIC-X, Wayne said, "I really just wanted to go back to old-school STATIC-X since the band has been gone for a few years. The last tour I was on I did a lot of my solo stuff, and I'm ready to get back to old-school STATIC-X stuff, which is actually new again."
STATIC-X's upcoming trek will mark the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.
Athough none of the other original members — Tony Campos (bass), Koichi Fukuda (guitar) and Nick Oshiro (drums) — will be joining Wayne on this tour, Tony is supportive of his former bandmate's decision to reform the group, saying, "I'm proud of my years with STATIC-X, and want to see the name of the band stay alive and well. I hope that all of our fans will continue to support both Wayne and I in our individual endeavors."
"Cult of Static", the latest album from STATIC-X, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 16 on The Billboard 200 chart.
STATIC-X's previous CD, "Cannibal", opened with more than 30,000 copies back in April 2007 to land at No. 36. This represented a slight drop from the 35,000 tally registered by the band's "Start A War" album, which came out in June 2005 and debuted at No. 29.
Southern California's IN THIS MOMENT has issued the following update:
"Over the last two weeks on tour Maria [Brink, vocals] began experiencing acute pain in her lower back that kept getting progressively worse as the shows went on. We had a short break over the 4th of July holiday and Maria saw a doctor who informed her she might need immediate surgery to correct the problem. This obviously took immediate priority over everything else and we were forced to cancel two shows, Maine and New Hampshire. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this caused any of our fans. Maria is starting to feel a little better and we are planning to rejoin our current tour supporting SHINEDOWN in Montreal on the 8th, again, if you came to see us and we weren't there we are sorry, we will be back soon. Send Maria love and support."
IN THIS MOMENT's fourth album, "Blood", will be released on August 14 via longtime label Century Media Records. The CD was once again produced by Kevin Churko, who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, among others.
IN THIS MOMENT began work on the new album just a few months following the departures of drummer Jeff Fabb and guitarist Blake Bunzel, who left the band late last year in order to join the backing group of "American Idol" finalist James Durbin. Fabb and Bunzel have since been replaced by Tom Hane (THYATEIRA) and Randy Weitzel (FLATLINE, 3/13, AMERICAN MASSACRE), respectively.
"Over the last two weeks on tour Maria [Brink, vocals] began experiencing acute pain in her lower back that kept getting progressively worse as the shows went on. We had a short break over the 4th of July holiday and Maria saw a doctor who informed her she might need immediate surgery to correct the problem. This obviously took immediate priority over everything else and we were forced to cancel two shows, Maine and New Hampshire. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this caused any of our fans. Maria is starting to feel a little better and we are planning to rejoin our current tour supporting SHINEDOWN in Montreal on the 8th, again, if you came to see us and we weren't there we are sorry, we will be back soon. Send Maria love and support."
IN THIS MOMENT's fourth album, "Blood", will be released on August 14 via longtime label Century Media Records. The CD was once again produced by Kevin Churko, who has previously worked with OZZY OSBOURNE and FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, among others.
IN THIS MOMENT began work on the new album just a few months following the departures of drummer Jeff Fabb and guitarist Blake Bunzel, who left the band late last year in order to join the backing group of "American Idol" finalist James Durbin. Fabb and Bunzel have since been replaced by Tom Hane (THYATEIRA) and Randy Weitzel (FLATLINE, 3/13, AMERICAN MASSACRE), respectively.
WAR OF THRONES, the Tampa Bay area metal quartet fronted by former CRIMSON GLORY/LEATHERWOLF vocalist Wade Black and featuring guitar mastermind Rick Renstrom (ROB ROCK, LEASH LAW), virtuoso bassist Rich Marks (HOLMES AND SLICE) and drummer Jasin Marxx (DISASTERPIECE, DREAMZFATE), has announced a headlining appearance on Saturday, July 14 at The Staregrounds in Lutz, Florida.
Although firmly rooted in traditional heavy metal, WAR OF THRONES applies a modern approach the delivery of its music. By utilizing social media, the band has amassed nearly 5,000 Twitter followers over the past few months, creating and army of diehard fans. Their demos on ReverbNation have received thousands of plays and downloads.
Taking "bringing metal to the masses" very seriously, WAR OF THRONES will stream its performance at The Staregrounds live on RockSlamRadio.com.
"After more than two decades of writing and touring with some of the best bands in metal, I can say that I have finally found my home in WAR OF THRONES," commented Black. "Everyone in the band is 100 percent committed to bringing the best music to every album and the best performance to every gig. We are all at the top of our games right now, and are ready to bring the metal!"
"It's an exciting time for us right now!" Renstrom added. "The amazing following we have growing through Twitter and ReverbNation has blown us away! We feel very grateful that so many people are getting behind this band. The music speaks for itself and we've worked tirelessly to create something fresh, new and exciting not only to listen to, but to see live as well."
Although a relatively new band on the scene, WAR OF THRONES has among its ranks seasoned professionals who have toured extensively and played some of the most prestigious, high-profile metal festivals and venues around the world. Even while working on its debut album, the band was selected to support ANVIL earlier this year at the State Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida and will open for KAMELOT at the State Theater on September 10. Wade Black has also received further recognition lately as his voice can be heard in several movie soundtracks. Wade's former band LUCIAN BLACQUE is featured in 2011's "Donovan's Echo", which starred Danny Glover, and most recently 2012's "The Grey", with Liam Neeson.
Although firmly rooted in traditional heavy metal, WAR OF THRONES applies a modern approach the delivery of its music. By utilizing social media, the band has amassed nearly 5,000 Twitter followers over the past few months, creating and army of diehard fans. Their demos on ReverbNation have received thousands of plays and downloads.
Taking "bringing metal to the masses" very seriously, WAR OF THRONES will stream its performance at The Staregrounds live on RockSlamRadio.com.
"After more than two decades of writing and touring with some of the best bands in metal, I can say that I have finally found my home in WAR OF THRONES," commented Black. "Everyone in the band is 100 percent committed to bringing the best music to every album and the best performance to every gig. We are all at the top of our games right now, and are ready to bring the metal!"
"It's an exciting time for us right now!" Renstrom added. "The amazing following we have growing through Twitter and ReverbNation has blown us away! We feel very grateful that so many people are getting behind this band. The music speaks for itself and we've worked tirelessly to create something fresh, new and exciting not only to listen to, but to see live as well."
Although a relatively new band on the scene, WAR OF THRONES has among its ranks seasoned professionals who have toured extensively and played some of the most prestigious, high-profile metal festivals and venues around the world. Even while working on its debut album, the band was selected to support ANVIL earlier this year at the State Theater in St. Petersburg, Florida and will open for KAMELOT at the State Theater on September 10. Wade Black has also received further recognition lately as his voice can be heard in several movie soundtracks. Wade's former band LUCIAN BLACQUE is featured in 2011's "Donovan's Echo", which starred Danny Glover, and most recently 2012's "The Grey", with Liam Neeson.
According to the Daily News, the CBGB Festival at Webster Hall in New York City was canceled Friday night after a former member of the legendary hardcore band CRO-MAGS assaulted two people, including at least one current member of the group.
William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael Couls, 33, was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. The attacker, who has been identified by the New York Post and the Daily News as Harley Flanagan, the 44-year-old founding member of the CRO-MAGS, was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was hit with two counts of second-degree assault and weapons charges.
The concert, which was scheduled to include appearances by SICK OF IT ALL, CRO-MAGS and VISION OF DISORDER — was part of the CBGB Festival, which is featuring musical performances by over 300 artists at venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn through Sunday.
"You can all thank Harley Flanagan for ruining the night for everyone," CRO-MAGS lead singer John Joseph told the crowd (see video below).
The organizers of the CBGB Festival later released a statement, saying, "We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred last night at Webster Hall.
"Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don't feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include today's historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park."
In a 2010 interview, Harley stated about Joseph, "The guy has been pretty much a bullshit artist since the old days . . If John EVER actually has the balls to back up all the shit he talks, to step up, I'll beat his ass. Again... That is if he EVER has the balls to actually step up to the hundreds of times I've called him out, e-mailed him, called him, etc. . . Me and him both know the truth and we both know he's a fraud. A really fake motherfucker and all that 'spiritual' shit is just another smokescreen."
William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael Couls, 33, was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. The attacker, who has been identified by the New York Post and the Daily News as Harley Flanagan, the 44-year-old founding member of the CRO-MAGS, was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was hit with two counts of second-degree assault and weapons charges.
The concert, which was scheduled to include appearances by SICK OF IT ALL, CRO-MAGS and VISION OF DISORDER — was part of the CBGB Festival, which is featuring musical performances by over 300 artists at venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn through Sunday.
"You can all thank Harley Flanagan for ruining the night for everyone," CRO-MAGS lead singer John Joseph told the crowd (see video below).
The organizers of the CBGB Festival later released a statement, saying, "We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred last night at Webster Hall.
"Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don't feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include today's historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park."
In a 2010 interview, Harley stated about Joseph, "The guy has been pretty much a bullshit artist since the old days . . If John EVER actually has the balls to back up all the shit he talks, to step up, I'll beat his ass. Again... That is if he EVER has the balls to actually step up to the hundreds of times I've called him out, e-mailed him, called him, etc. . . Me and him both know the truth and we both know he's a fraud. A really fake motherfucker and all that 'spiritual' shit is just another smokescreen."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cOYWm3C500&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUb9MPhhDec&feature=player_embedded
Legendary hardcore band CRO-MAGS was forced to cancel its concert Friday night (July 6) at Webster Hall in New York City as part of the CBGB Festival after the group's former bassist, Harley Flanagan, assaulted two people, including at least one current member of the band.
The CRO-MAGS have since released the following statement on the matter:
"We as a band are truly sorry for the way it all turned out in every regard, even the ex-member whose family is now affected by his choices. Our prayers go out to them as well as Mike C. [Michael 'The Gook' Couls], and the others who were hurt, but it was 'his' choice to come to our concert with a hunting knife, standing by our dressing door. Who knows what his actual intent was?! Obviously he wasn't there with it to cut bread for a peace offering as he was heard saying outside he was putting an end to us playing without him. Let's move on now and stop the trash-talking. Keep that PMA — that's what we are all."
According to the Daily News, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Couls was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Flanagan was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
The organizers of the CBGB Festival later released a statement, saying, "We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred at Webster Hall.
"Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don't feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park."
In a 2010 interview, Harley stated about CRO-MAGS singer John Joseph, "The guy has been pretty much a bullshit artist since the old days . . If John EVER actually has the balls to back up all the shit he talks, to step up, I'll beat his ass. Again... That is if he EVER has the balls to actually step up to the hundreds of times I've called him out, e-mailed him, called him, etc. . . Me and him both know the truth and we both know he's a fraud. A really fake motherfucker and all that 'spiritual' shit is just another smokescreen."
The CRO-MAGS have since released the following statement on the matter:
"We as a band are truly sorry for the way it all turned out in every regard, even the ex-member whose family is now affected by his choices. Our prayers go out to them as well as Mike C. [Michael 'The Gook' Couls], and the others who were hurt, but it was 'his' choice to come to our concert with a hunting knife, standing by our dressing door. Who knows what his actual intent was?! Obviously he wasn't there with it to cut bread for a peace offering as he was heard saying outside he was putting an end to us playing without him. Let's move on now and stop the trash-talking. Keep that PMA — that's what we are all."
According to the Daily News, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Couls was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Flanagan was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
The organizers of the CBGB Festival later released a statement, saying, "We are saddened to learn about the events that occurred at Webster Hall.
"Our primary concern is always the safety and experience of New Yorkers, music fans and the general public. Naturally, we will fully cooperate with law enforcement while hoping for the speedy recovery of those injured.
"Live music can be incredibly uplifting, empowering and positive. We don't feel the actions of one person should overshadow four amazing days and nights of events that include historic and unprecedented free concerts in Times Square and Central Park."
In a 2010 interview, Harley stated about CRO-MAGS singer John Joseph, "The guy has been pretty much a bullshit artist since the old days . . If John EVER actually has the balls to back up all the shit he talks, to step up, I'll beat his ass. Again... That is if he EVER has the balls to actually step up to the hundreds of times I've called him out, e-mailed him, called him, etc. . . Me and him both know the truth and we both know he's a fraud. A really fake motherfucker and all that 'spiritual' shit is just another smokescreen."
Harley Flanagan, who founded the legendary hardcore band the CRO-MAGS at the age of 14 and toured with the band for some twenty years, was arrested in New York City on July 6 on charges of attacking several members of the new CRO-MAGS lineup during the CBGB Festival. Flanagan, who had been a panelist at one of the event's seminars, allegedly attempted to attend the concert of his former band. Neither Harley Flanagan nor Parris Mayhew, the two founding members of the band, is still in the CRO-MAGS.
According to news reports, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael "The Gook" Couls was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Flanagan was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Harley Flanagan has been a well-known personality in New York and the underground music scene. At 9 years old, he published a book of poetry with an introduction written by famed beat poet Allen Ginsberg; at 12 he was playing drums for the punk band THE STIMULATORS; and the CRO-MAGS' first release, "Age Of Quarrel", is considered a quintessential hardcore anthem. Recently, Flanagan was the subject of a chapter in the book "Art That Kills" by George Petros about leaders of the Aesthetic Terrorism Art Movement.
Since the CRO-MAGS disbanded, Flanagan has gone on to become a martial arts expert and instructor, the father of two young sons, and to record a solo project called HARLEY'S WAR.
Flanagan is in jail awaiting a $25,000 bail, of which a percentage must be paid.
Friends and fans of Harley Flanagan have set us a defense fund to help cover his attorney fees and hopefully make his bail. Donations for the fund can be made here.
According to news reports, William Berario, 45, was slashed above the eye and bitten on his cheek, and Michael "The Gook" Couls was cut on his arm and stomach during the incident, which happened around 8:30 p.m. Flanagan was seen in photographs posted on BoweryBoogie.com being wheeled from the venue by EMTs. He was reportedly taken to Bellevue Hospital to be treated for a broken leg and was charged with second-degree assault and criminal possession of a weapon.
Harley Flanagan has been a well-known personality in New York and the underground music scene. At 9 years old, he published a book of poetry with an introduction written by famed beat poet Allen Ginsberg; at 12 he was playing drums for the punk band THE STIMULATORS; and the CRO-MAGS' first release, "Age Of Quarrel", is considered a quintessential hardcore anthem. Recently, Flanagan was the subject of a chapter in the book "Art That Kills" by George Petros about leaders of the Aesthetic Terrorism Art Movement.
Since the CRO-MAGS disbanded, Flanagan has gone on to become a martial arts expert and instructor, the father of two young sons, and to record a solo project called HARLEY'S WAR.
Flanagan is in jail awaiting a $25,000 bail, of which a percentage must be paid.
Friends and fans of Harley Flanagan have set us a defense fund to help cover his attorney fees and hopefully make his bail. Donations for the fund can be made here.
Drummer Mick Brown (TED NUGENT, DOKKEN) was arrested last night (Sunday, July 8) after allegedly stealing a gold cart and driving it recklessly while under the influence of alcohol in Bangor, Maine.
At approximately 9:45 p.m., Bangor police officers Steve Jordan and Jim Dearing were working the concert venue when they were approached by security personnel that there was a problem behind the stage. It was reported that Brown had stolen a golf cart used by Waterfront Concerts, and that Brown was intoxicated and driving it recklessly around the Front Street area. Several people had attempted to stop him but he sped away and was last seen operating the golf cart on the foot path by the Sea Dog restaurant. Officer Jordan reported that about a minute later he observed the golf cart with two women also on board near the Railroad Street grade crossing. As they attempted to stop Brown, he accelerated past them, past a third officer and when a security officer got close enough to stop him, Brown allegedly shoved the officer. At that point two other security officers physically removed Brown from the cart and placed him on the ground. He was arrested. No damage was reported to the cart although two traffic cones were damaged, one still under the cart, significantly so.
Mick Brown, 55, of Cave Creek, Arizona, was transported to the Penobscot County Jail charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was released on $4,000 bail and his initial court date is August 15.
TED NUGENT was in Bangor last night for a performance at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion with STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON.
Penobscot County Jail photo:
At approximately 9:45 p.m., Bangor police officers Steve Jordan and Jim Dearing were working the concert venue when they were approached by security personnel that there was a problem behind the stage. It was reported that Brown had stolen a golf cart used by Waterfront Concerts, and that Brown was intoxicated and driving it recklessly around the Front Street area. Several people had attempted to stop him but he sped away and was last seen operating the golf cart on the foot path by the Sea Dog restaurant. Officer Jordan reported that about a minute later he observed the golf cart with two women also on board near the Railroad Street grade crossing. As they attempted to stop Brown, he accelerated past them, past a third officer and when a security officer got close enough to stop him, Brown allegedly shoved the officer. At that point two other security officers physically removed Brown from the cart and placed him on the ground. He was arrested. No damage was reported to the cart although two traffic cones were damaged, one still under the cart, significantly so.
Mick Brown, 55, of Cave Creek, Arizona, was transported to the Penobscot County Jail charged with operating under the influence of alcohol, driving to endanger, theft and assault. He was released on $4,000 bail and his initial court date is August 15.
TED NUGENT was in Bangor last night for a performance at the Bangor Waterfront Pavilion with STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON.
Penobscot County Jail photo:
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/mickbrownarrested.jpg
Guitarist Simon Johansson of Swedish metallers WOLF, MEMORY GARDEN and BIBLEBLACK married his girlfriend Anette this past weekend in Gålö, about 45 km southeast of Stockholm.
Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) served as best man at the wedding, which was also attended by Niklas Stalvind and Anders Modd of WOLF; Stefan, Tom, Ante and Johan of MEMORY GARDEN; Kacper and Jonaz of BIBLEBLACK; and Messiah Marcolin, formerly of CANDLEMASS.
Simon joined WOLF in 2011 as the replacement for Johannes "Axeman" Losbäck.
Prior to joining WOLF, Simon played with the band in 2009 when they supported W.A.S.P. for four shows.
Mike Wead (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) served as best man at the wedding, which was also attended by Niklas Stalvind and Anders Modd of WOLF; Stefan, Tom, Ante and Johan of MEMORY GARDEN; Kacper and Jonaz of BIBLEBLACK; and Messiah Marcolin, formerly of CANDLEMASS.
Simon joined WOLF in 2011 as the replacement for Johannes "Axeman" Losbäck.
Prior to joining WOLF, Simon played with the band in 2009 when they supported W.A.S.P. for four shows.
According to National Turk, Israeli progressive folk metal masters ORPHANED LAND will become Turkish citizens.
The band was previously given a "Friendship And Peace Award" by Turkey for its contributions to peace in the troubled region.
"ORPHANED LAND will perform in another concert in Turkey in September," the band's manager said. "I hope the process will run properly and ORPHANED LAND will be in their second homeland, Turkey, as Turkish citizens for the next concert."
ORPHANED LAND lead vocalist Kobi Farhi spoke about his love of playing Turkey before the band's concert in Istanbul in September 2011: "We're always glad to return to Turkey, and not only are we not afraid — we feel at home there. There are people there who sing with us in Hebrew and we don't face any hostility in Turkey."
ORPHANED LAND's concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", was released last October in Europe and November in the U.S. via Century Media Records.
According to a press release, "The Road To OR-Shalem" "is the premier Middle Eastern progressive metal crusaders' DVD debut and documents the band's incredible mission to unite warring factions in their home region through the power of music. Filmed in Tel Aviv, Israel in December 2010, 'The Road To OR-Shalem' features nearly two hours of stunning live material, as well as a second bonus DVD. The bonus DVD material includes additional live footage, a behind-the-scenes documentary and video clips."
The band was previously given a "Friendship And Peace Award" by Turkey for its contributions to peace in the troubled region.
"ORPHANED LAND will perform in another concert in Turkey in September," the band's manager said. "I hope the process will run properly and ORPHANED LAND will be in their second homeland, Turkey, as Turkish citizens for the next concert."
ORPHANED LAND lead vocalist Kobi Farhi spoke about his love of playing Turkey before the band's concert in Istanbul in September 2011: "We're always glad to return to Turkey, and not only are we not afraid — we feel at home there. There are people there who sing with us in Hebrew and we don't face any hostility in Turkey."
ORPHANED LAND's concert DVD, "The Road To OR-Shalem", was released last October in Europe and November in the U.S. via Century Media Records.
According to a press release, "The Road To OR-Shalem" "is the premier Middle Eastern progressive metal crusaders' DVD debut and documents the band's incredible mission to unite warring factions in their home region through the power of music. Filmed in Tel Aviv, Israel in December 2010, 'The Road To OR-Shalem' features nearly two hours of stunning live material, as well as a second bonus DVD. The bonus DVD material includes additional live footage, a behind-the-scenes documentary and video clips."
EX DEO, the Ancient Roman-themed arsenal fronted by KATAKLYSM singer Maurizio Iacono, will release its sophomore album, "Caligvla", via Austria's Napalm Records on the following dates:
Aug. 29 - Spain, Finland, Sweden, Greece
Aug. 31 - Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Benelux
Sep. 03 - Rest of Europe
Sep. 11 - USA/Canada
"Caligvla" was mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others. The artwork and layout for the album were handled by SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton. The booklet for the new album will feature commentaries and descriptions from frontman Iacono with his views on each song. The limited first pressing will be released as a six-panel digipack featuring the bonus track "Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light", a song dealing with Caligvla's madman rival emperor Nero. In addition, catch Iacono's girlfriend and Colombian model Suzzy in the upcoming video "I, Caligvla". The clip was filmed last month in Philadelphia, and according to the band, will be, "a resurrection in time, blood and courage."
EX DEO debuted "I, Caligvla", on April 1 at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec, Canada as part of the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and HUNTRESS. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.
In addition to the previously announced guest appearances by ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Francesco Artusato and TRISTANIA singer Mariangela Demurtas, "Caligvla" will feature contributions from SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton and GRAVEWORM's Stefano Fiori. Every invited guest on the album is of Roman or Greek descent.
"Caligvla" track listing:
01. I, Caligvla
02. The Tiberius Cliff (Exile To Capri)
03. Per Oculos Aquila
04. Pollice Verso (Damnatio Ad Bestia)
05. Divide Et Impera
06. Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light
07. Teutuborg (Ambush Of Varus)
08. Along The Appian Way
09. Once Were Romans
10. Evocatio: The Temple Of Castor & Pollux
Aug. 29 - Spain, Finland, Sweden, Greece
Aug. 31 - Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Benelux
Sep. 03 - Rest of Europe
Sep. 11 - USA/Canada
"Caligvla" was mixed by KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais, who has previously worked with MALEVOLENT CREATION, MISERY INDEX and DESPISED ICON, among others. The artwork and layout for the album were handled by SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton. The booklet for the new album will feature commentaries and descriptions from frontman Iacono with his views on each song. The limited first pressing will be released as a six-panel digipack featuring the bonus track "Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light", a song dealing with Caligvla's madman rival emperor Nero. In addition, catch Iacono's girlfriend and Colombian model Suzzy in the upcoming video "I, Caligvla". The clip was filmed last month in Philadelphia, and according to the band, will be, "a resurrection in time, blood and courage."
EX DEO debuted "I, Caligvla", on April 1 at Club Soda in Montreal, Quebec, Canada as part of the "Paganfest America Part III" tour with TURISAS, ALESTORM, ARKONA and HUNTRESS. Video footage of the performance can be seen below.
In addition to the previously announced guest appearances by ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Francesco Artusato and TRISTANIA singer Mariangela Demurtas, "Caligvla" will feature contributions from SEPTICFLESH's Seth Siro Anton and GRAVEWORM's Stefano Fiori. Every invited guest on the album is of Roman or Greek descent.
"Caligvla" track listing:
01. I, Caligvla
02. The Tiberius Cliff (Exile To Capri)
03. Per Oculos Aquila
04. Pollice Verso (Damnatio Ad Bestia)
05. Divide Et Impera
06. Burned To Serve As Nocturnal Light
07. Teutuborg (Ambush Of Varus)
08. Along The Appian Way
09. Once Were Romans
10. Evocatio: The Temple Of Castor & Pollux
Jo Schüftan of Horns Up Rocks! recently conducted an interview with former BIOHAZARD and current ATTIKA 7 frontman Evan Seinfeld . You can now listen to the chat in two parts below.
When asked about his decision to leave BIOHAZARD and join ATTIKA 7, Evan said, "BIOHAZARD was my thing — I founded the band, I started the band, I wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics, I named the albums, I did the tours. I always identified myself with it. But things change as you go on and things evolve and sometimes things stray from your original vision so far that it's no longer… it's not the same drug and it doesn't get you high anymore.
"I think [the latest BIOHAZARD album] 'Reborn In Defiance' was a really good record; musically, it was good, but I think lyrically, to be honest, it was a little bit uninspired, and I didn't know if realized it while I was doing it.
"The process of making that album was just long and tedious, and in the end, it's not even gonna come out in the USA.
"The way that went down for me was I put a lot of time and energy making that record and I don't know what I was expecting, it's just that this is who I am and this is what I do.
"When the opportunity came up to play with Rusty [Coones, ATTIKA 7 guitarist], for me…. I don't wanna go on and on about BIOHAZARD. For me, it was a long time coming. I really needed a change. It's something that I thought about every day: 'I would love to just start something new. I would love to just let this thing that I created kind of be remembered with dignity.'
"When I started playing with Rusty, I found something in my voice that I always knew was there but I didn't know how to get to. I think that's what I'm trying to say when I needed a change — I don't feel like I was reaching my full potential as a singer."
ATTIKA 7 recently announced the addition of guitarist Zach Broderick (formerly with NONPOINT), drummer Tommy Holt (ex-UPO) and former KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder to the group's ranks.
ATTIKA 7's debut album, "Blood Of My Enemies", will be released on July 31 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC:MUSIC in North America and Membran/Ninetone in Europe. The CD was recorded with producer Mudrock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK). The bass and drum tracks on the effort were laid down by Tony Campos (SOULFLY, POSSESSED, STATIC-X, ASESINO, MINISTRY) and Devin Lebsack, respectively, but due to scheduling conflicts they were not able to make the required commitment to ATTIKA 7.
When asked about his decision to leave BIOHAZARD and join ATTIKA 7, Evan said, "BIOHAZARD was my thing — I founded the band, I started the band, I wrote the music, I wrote the lyrics, I named the albums, I did the tours. I always identified myself with it. But things change as you go on and things evolve and sometimes things stray from your original vision so far that it's no longer… it's not the same drug and it doesn't get you high anymore.
"I think [the latest BIOHAZARD album] 'Reborn In Defiance' was a really good record; musically, it was good, but I think lyrically, to be honest, it was a little bit uninspired, and I didn't know if realized it while I was doing it.
"The process of making that album was just long and tedious, and in the end, it's not even gonna come out in the USA.
"The way that went down for me was I put a lot of time and energy making that record and I don't know what I was expecting, it's just that this is who I am and this is what I do.
"When the opportunity came up to play with Rusty [Coones, ATTIKA 7 guitarist], for me…. I don't wanna go on and on about BIOHAZARD. For me, it was a long time coming. I really needed a change. It's something that I thought about every day: 'I would love to just start something new. I would love to just let this thing that I created kind of be remembered with dignity.'
"When I started playing with Rusty, I found something in my voice that I always knew was there but I didn't know how to get to. I think that's what I'm trying to say when I needed a change — I don't feel like I was reaching my full potential as a singer."
ATTIKA 7 recently announced the addition of guitarist Zach Broderick (formerly with NONPOINT), drummer Tommy Holt (ex-UPO) and former KYUSS bassist Scott Reeder to the group's ranks.
ATTIKA 7's debut album, "Blood Of My Enemies", will be released on July 31 via Rocket Science Ventures/THC:MUSIC in North America and Membran/Ninetone in Europe. The CD was recorded with producer Mudrock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK). The bass and drum tracks on the effort were laid down by Tony Campos (SOULFLY, POSSESSED, STATIC-X, ASESINO, MINISTRY) and Devin Lebsack, respectively, but due to scheduling conflicts they were not able to make the required commitment to ATTIKA 7.
CANNIBAL CORPSE and DEVILDRIVER will join forces for a European co-headlining tour in February/March 2013.
Confirmed dates are as follows:
Feb. 09 - Teatrie Oulu - Oulu, Finland
Feb. 10 - Pakkahuone - Tampere, Finland
Feb. 11 - Nosturi - Helsinki, Finland
Feb. 13 - Göta Källare - Stockholm, Sweden
Feb. 14 - Bewhouse - Gothenburg, Sweden
Feb. 15 - Amager Bio - Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb. 16 - Train - Århus C, Denmark
Feb. 17 - Gruenspan - Hamburg, Germany
Feb. 19 - 013 - Tilburg, Netherlands
Feb. 20 - Essifabrik - Cologne, Germany
Feb. 21 - Substage - Karlsruhe, Germany
Feb. 22 - Musichall - Geiselwind, Germany
Feb. 23 - Trix - Antwerpen, Belgium
Feb. 24 - Le Bataclan - Paris, France
Feb. 26 - Alcatraz - Milan, Italy
Feb. 27 - Les Docks - Lausanne, Switzerland
Feb. 28 - Komplex 457 - Zurich, Switzerland
Mar. 01 - Sudbahnhof - Chemnitz, Germany
Mar. 02 - Garage Club - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Mar. 03 - Columbia Club - Berlin, Germany
Mar. 05 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
Mar. 06 - Garage - Bous, Germany
Mar. 07 - Forum - London, United Kingdom
Mar. 08 - Rock City - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Mar. 09 - HMV Ritz - Manchester, United Kingdom
Mar. 10 - ABC - Glasgow, United Kingdom
CANNIBAL CORPSE's twelfth studio album, "Torture", sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Evisceration Plague", also opened with 9,600 units to land at No. 66. That was more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 2006 CD, "Kill", which entered the chart at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies.
"Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.
While "Torture" marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of 'Butchered At Birth' (1991) or 'Tomb Of The Mutilated' (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record.
DEVILDRIVER recently inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's next album is tentatively scheduled for a release in 2013.
In a March 2012 interview with Peek From The Pit, DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's sixth album, "We continue to make our records diverse, which is cool. Every record is different with DEVILDRIVER, so I think we're gonna surpass what we've done in the past. And then going into the 'brutal' question, it's like, man, everybody is as brutal as everybody now. So we wanna have some diversity and we wanna have some moments and some clarity within the songs. I think the thing we're really focused on is songwriting. We don't have a producer chosen, we don't have the [studio] time [booked]. We don't even know if we're gonna release a record in 2013, maybe 2014, or maybe fall of 2013; we're not sure. So there's all this stuff up in the air. But what we do know is we're having a good time writing and exchanging feelings on the songs. . . It's gonna be a very important record in our career, so we're gonna take time and we're gonna craft it."
Confirmed dates are as follows:
Feb. 09 - Teatrie Oulu - Oulu, Finland
Feb. 10 - Pakkahuone - Tampere, Finland
Feb. 11 - Nosturi - Helsinki, Finland
Feb. 13 - Göta Källare - Stockholm, Sweden
Feb. 14 - Bewhouse - Gothenburg, Sweden
Feb. 15 - Amager Bio - Copenhagen, Denmark
Feb. 16 - Train - Århus C, Denmark
Feb. 17 - Gruenspan - Hamburg, Germany
Feb. 19 - 013 - Tilburg, Netherlands
Feb. 20 - Essifabrik - Cologne, Germany
Feb. 21 - Substage - Karlsruhe, Germany
Feb. 22 - Musichall - Geiselwind, Germany
Feb. 23 - Trix - Antwerpen, Belgium
Feb. 24 - Le Bataclan - Paris, France
Feb. 26 - Alcatraz - Milan, Italy
Feb. 27 - Les Docks - Lausanne, Switzerland
Feb. 28 - Komplex 457 - Zurich, Switzerland
Mar. 01 - Sudbahnhof - Chemnitz, Germany
Mar. 02 - Garage Club - Ostrava, Czech Republic
Mar. 03 - Columbia Club - Berlin, Germany
Mar. 05 - Backstage - Munich, Germany
Mar. 06 - Garage - Bous, Germany
Mar. 07 - Forum - London, United Kingdom
Mar. 08 - Rock City - Nottingham, United Kingdom
Mar. 09 - HMV Ritz - Manchester, United Kingdom
Mar. 10 - ABC - Glasgow, United Kingdom
CANNIBAL CORPSE's twelfth studio album, "Torture", sold 9,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Evisceration Plague", also opened with 9,600 units to land at No. 66. That was more than 50 percent higher than the opening tally of CANNIBAL CORPSE's 2006 CD, "Kill", which entered the chart at No. 170 after shifting more than 6,000 copies.
"Torture" was again produced by HATE ETERNAL's Erik Rutan at his own Mana Recording Studio in St. Petersburg, Florida as well as Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, and features the maniacal cover art by longtime CANNIBAL CORPSE artist Vincent Locke.
While "Torture" marks the latest progression in the band's sound, it also witnesses a return to what drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz accurately terms "the frenzied attack of 'Butchered At Birth' (1991) or 'Tomb Of The Mutilated' (1992)," infusing the band's advanced musicianship with the raw savagery that haunted their earlier releases, and in the process conceiving the definitive CANNIBAL CORPSE record.
DEVILDRIVER recently inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's next album is tentatively scheduled for a release in 2013.
In a March 2012 interview with Peek From The Pit, DEVILDRIVER frontman Dez Fafara stated about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's sixth album, "We continue to make our records diverse, which is cool. Every record is different with DEVILDRIVER, so I think we're gonna surpass what we've done in the past. And then going into the 'brutal' question, it's like, man, everybody is as brutal as everybody now. So we wanna have some diversity and we wanna have some moments and some clarity within the songs. I think the thing we're really focused on is songwriting. We don't have a producer chosen, we don't have the [studio] time [booked]. We don't even know if we're gonna release a record in 2013, maybe 2014, or maybe fall of 2013; we're not sure. So there's all this stuff up in the air. But what we do know is we're having a good time writing and exchanging feelings on the songs. . . It's gonna be a very important record in our career, so we're gonna take time and we're gonna craft it."
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/ccdevildriver.jpg
SEPTICFLESH, KRISIUN, MELECHESH, EX DEO and INQUISITION will joined forces for the "Conquerors Of The World" North American tour in October.
Confirmed dates so far are as follows:
Oct. 12 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
Oct. 13 - Trois-Rivières, QC - Trois-Rivières Metalfest
Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
Oct. 15 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
Oct. 16 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
Oct. 17 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Oct. 18 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock Club
Oct. 19 - Saint Paul, MN - Station 4
Oct. 20 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre
Oct. 21 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
Oct. 22 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
Oct. 23 - Kelowna, BC - Sapphire Night Club
Oct. 24 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
More shows will be announced soon.
SEPTICFLESH recently inked a deal with Prosthetic Records.
SEPTICFLESH's latest album, the critically acclaimed "The Great Mass", was released in April 2011 by the French label Season Of Mist and was produced by Peter Tägtgren (IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY). The CD, which featured a full orchestra and choir, captured the band much attention, including placement on several "Album Of The Year" lists from notable publications worldwide.
SEPTICFLESH's current lineup consists of Seth Siro Anton (bass, vocals), Sotiris Anunnaki V (guitar, clean vocals), Christos Antoniou (guitar, orchestral), and Fotis Benardo (drums).
KRISIUN's new album, "The Great Execution", was released on October 31, 2011 in Europe and November 1, 2011 in North America via Century Media Records. The band's eighth studio CD "musically expands KRISIUN trademark high-speed death metal violence with a heavily increased amount of diversity ranging from extreme tempo variations over distinct rhythm patterns to clean guitars and even Flamenco parts!" according to a press release.
KRISIUN only used analog gear and instruments this time to avoid the compressed sound that so many musicians produce today. This wise decision resulted in a more organic sound, with the songs on "The Great Execution" possessing both warmth and rawness, which are so often lost through digital production. The low end is deeper, with drums that pound instead of bounce and guitar tones that sear rather than hiss.
Confirmed dates so far are as follows:
Oct. 12 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
Oct. 13 - Trois-Rivières, QC - Trois-Rivières Metalfest
Oct. 14 - Montreal, QC - Cafe Campus
Oct. 15 - Cambridge, MA - Middle East Downstairs
Oct. 16 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
Oct. 17 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody's
Oct. 18 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's Rock Club
Oct. 19 - Saint Paul, MN - Station 4
Oct. 20 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre
Oct. 21 - Regina, SK - The Exchange
Oct. 22 - Edmonton, AB - Pawn Shop
Oct. 23 - Kelowna, BC - Sapphire Night Club
Oct. 24 - Vancouver, BC - Rickshaw Theatre
More shows will be announced soon.
SEPTICFLESH recently inked a deal with Prosthetic Records.
SEPTICFLESH's latest album, the critically acclaimed "The Great Mass", was released in April 2011 by the French label Season Of Mist and was produced by Peter Tägtgren (IMMORTAL, HYPOCRISY). The CD, which featured a full orchestra and choir, captured the band much attention, including placement on several "Album Of The Year" lists from notable publications worldwide.
SEPTICFLESH's current lineup consists of Seth Siro Anton (bass, vocals), Sotiris Anunnaki V (guitar, clean vocals), Christos Antoniou (guitar, orchestral), and Fotis Benardo (drums).
KRISIUN's new album, "The Great Execution", was released on October 31, 2011 in Europe and November 1, 2011 in North America via Century Media Records. The band's eighth studio CD "musically expands KRISIUN trademark high-speed death metal violence with a heavily increased amount of diversity ranging from extreme tempo variations over distinct rhythm patterns to clean guitars and even Flamenco parts!" according to a press release.
KRISIUN only used analog gear and instruments this time to avoid the compressed sound that so many musicians produce today. This wise decision resulted in a more organic sound, with the songs on "The Great Execution" possessing both warmth and rawness, which are so often lost through digital production. The low end is deeper, with drums that pound instead of bounce and guitar tones that sear rather than hiss.
Joshua Bottomley of Hails & Horns recently conducted an interview with Karl Sanders of South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Hails & Horns: Karl, how long did it take to write the new NILE album ["At The Gate Of Sethu"]?
Sanders: I started in May [2011]. We finished our two-year touring cycle for "For Those Whom The Gods Detest" in April of last year. I took the rest of April and got over a case of severe bronchitis that I caught on tour in Europe that winter, then got to work in May and wrote all the way to November. Just an insane amount of hours put in. I really wanted to up the bar this time. In six months I wrote nine songs, seven of which we used on the record. Three more I co-wrote with Dallas [Toler-Wade, guitars, vocals].
Hails & Horns: NILE is a very technical, guitar-oriented band. Is recording the guitar parts the most frustrating aspect of the recording process?
Sanders: Absolutely. You said it. This album we quadruple-tracked the guitars and we took like a month to friggin' do it. We were insane. We wanted to have the sharpest and cleanest and tightest guitar stacks that could be possibly imaginable. Because you know what? Goshdarnit, we want the fans to hear the fuckin' riff. As long as it took to get those fuckin' things razor sharp, that's what the fuck we did. Because, man, it really makes a difference, when you take the time and the headache and go through the agony to get that shit clean and tight, it just makes the riff that much meaner and focused.
Hails & Horns: Have you ever thought of slowing it down? Making a "Black Album?"
Sanders: Oh, fuck no. But it's an interesting tale along those lines. During the early part of envisioning this record, and wondering what sort of songs I was gonna write, we had some encouragement from folks within the label and management to experiment a little bit and bring in other elements and whatnot. I was in an experimental mood, so I had all these ideas about acoustic guitars and OPETH-like sections. But then as I started writing, and actually doing it, I didn't write anything like that. It was all fuckin' twice as heavy. I was scratching my head, wondering, "How am I supposed to explain this to the label and management?" They wanted us to experiment and hear I am doubling it up twice as brutal. Then the funniest thing happened. There was a video on YouTube that went around called, "Adolf Hitler Reacts to the New Morbid Angel Album." It clicked in my head. I don't have to explain myself to anybody. I'm not gonna fuckin' experiment and fuck around and change our sound, except to go more extreme, more shredding, and more brutal. We're into doing new things, but they're in our own fuckin' vein. We're not jumping ship. Fuck no.
Hails & Horns: Karl, how long did it take to write the new NILE album ["At The Gate Of Sethu"]?
Sanders: I started in May [2011]. We finished our two-year touring cycle for "For Those Whom The Gods Detest" in April of last year. I took the rest of April and got over a case of severe bronchitis that I caught on tour in Europe that winter, then got to work in May and wrote all the way to November. Just an insane amount of hours put in. I really wanted to up the bar this time. In six months I wrote nine songs, seven of which we used on the record. Three more I co-wrote with Dallas [Toler-Wade, guitars, vocals].
Hails & Horns: NILE is a very technical, guitar-oriented band. Is recording the guitar parts the most frustrating aspect of the recording process?
Sanders: Absolutely. You said it. This album we quadruple-tracked the guitars and we took like a month to friggin' do it. We were insane. We wanted to have the sharpest and cleanest and tightest guitar stacks that could be possibly imaginable. Because you know what? Goshdarnit, we want the fans to hear the fuckin' riff. As long as it took to get those fuckin' things razor sharp, that's what the fuck we did. Because, man, it really makes a difference, when you take the time and the headache and go through the agony to get that shit clean and tight, it just makes the riff that much meaner and focused.
Hails & Horns: Have you ever thought of slowing it down? Making a "Black Album?"
Sanders: Oh, fuck no. But it's an interesting tale along those lines. During the early part of envisioning this record, and wondering what sort of songs I was gonna write, we had some encouragement from folks within the label and management to experiment a little bit and bring in other elements and whatnot. I was in an experimental mood, so I had all these ideas about acoustic guitars and OPETH-like sections. But then as I started writing, and actually doing it, I didn't write anything like that. It was all fuckin' twice as heavy. I was scratching my head, wondering, "How am I supposed to explain this to the label and management?" They wanted us to experiment and hear I am doubling it up twice as brutal. Then the funniest thing happened. There was a video on YouTube that went around called, "Adolf Hitler Reacts to the New Morbid Angel Album." It clicked in my head. I don't have to explain myself to anybody. I'm not gonna fuckin' experiment and fuck around and change our sound, except to go more extreme, more shredding, and more brutal. We're into doing new things, but they're in our own fuckin' vein. We're not jumping ship. Fuck no.
"At The Gate Of Sethu", the seventh full-length album from South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE, has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 27.
"At The Gate Of Sethu" was released in Europe on June 29 and in the U.S. on July 3 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Those Whom The Gods Detest" was once again produced and mixed by Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE and DEICIDE, among many others. The CD artwork was handled by a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH).
In a recent interview with CobraMetal.net, Sanders stated about "At The Gate Of Sethu", "Well, we started [working on it] in May of last year (2011) after we finished our European tour. We worked on that fucking record for 10 months straight, to the exclusion of all else. (Laughs) Long hours, every day."
Regarding the new album's concept, Karl said, "It's in similar territory to other NILE records in that a lot of it stems from Ancient Egyptology and sort of has underlying modern themes tied in. We haven't abandoned our identity and I don't believe you should fuck over your fans. If your fans like what you do, and you change too much of what you do, fans don't like it. What matters to me is when I'm out on tour and I meet the actual fans and they share their thoughts…those are the people that I listen to. There's a lot of new ideas within the realm of what we do that we tried to incorporate. We studied real hard on the guitar and have lots of new riffs and musical ideas. There are a lot of surprises on the record."
When asked if fans can expect any guest appearances on the new NILE CD, Karl said, "Jon Vesano is all over this record. (Our former singer and bass guitarist who we're still good friends with.) Jon did some guest vocals on "Those Whom The Gods Detest" and it made us realize all over again all the things we really liked about Jon's vocals. We wanted to incorporate some of his insanity. [laughs] He's wicked, man. He knows how to channel that inner possession. He finds a way to summon it. It's great stuff."
"At The Gate Of Sethu" was released in Europe on June 29 and in the U.S. on July 3 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Those Whom The Gods Detest" was once again produced and mixed by Neil Kernon, who has previously worked with NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE and DEICIDE, among many others. The CD artwork was handled by a true genius of darkened visuals, Seth Siro Anton (SOILWORK, PARADISE LOST, SEPTICFLESH).
In a recent interview with CobraMetal.net, Sanders stated about "At The Gate Of Sethu", "Well, we started [working on it] in May of last year (2011) after we finished our European tour. We worked on that fucking record for 10 months straight, to the exclusion of all else. (Laughs) Long hours, every day."
Regarding the new album's concept, Karl said, "It's in similar territory to other NILE records in that a lot of it stems from Ancient Egyptology and sort of has underlying modern themes tied in. We haven't abandoned our identity and I don't believe you should fuck over your fans. If your fans like what you do, and you change too much of what you do, fans don't like it. What matters to me is when I'm out on tour and I meet the actual fans and they share their thoughts…those are the people that I listen to. There's a lot of new ideas within the realm of what we do that we tried to incorporate. We studied real hard on the guitar and have lots of new riffs and musical ideas. There are a lot of surprises on the record."
When asked if fans can expect any guest appearances on the new NILE CD, Karl said, "Jon Vesano is all over this record. (Our former singer and bass guitarist who we're still good friends with.) Jon did some guest vocals on "Those Whom The Gods Detest" and it made us realize all over again all the things we really liked about Jon's vocals. We wanted to incorporate some of his insanity. [laughs] He's wicked, man. He knows how to channel that inner possession. He finds a way to summon it. It's great stuff."
Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH has revealed to Terrorizer magazine that he has finally started writing material for the band's next album.
"I'm planning to sit down on my arse this summer, in a few weeks, and start collecting more riffs," he said. "We've written so many [riffs] already and we've got four or five songs that aren't completed but we have the skeletons of what just needs to be jammed out with band before going on the next record."
He continued, "We've changed our attitude with this album. We've cut down all the analyzing and thinking about the music. This album will be very instinct-driven and whatever comes out of our system will come out naturally on the record."
In an April 2012 interview with Metal Blast, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH's next album, "We want to take our time and not rush ourselves in any way. . . It looks like it might be the most important album in our career. I want to make the most honest record and I won't be bending to anyone's rules or expectations, including [BEHEMOTH's record labels] Metal Blade or Nuclear Blast. Every next BEHEMOTH album is a surprise and is never the same. . . We don't want to stress ourselves because the music business and the direction it takes is not as I would like it to be. That means we will be going against the current again and just do as we will and please. Whatever we do is going to be BEHEMOTH, 100%. It is the state of our will and nobody can deny it. I can tell you that we aren't going to come out with a reggae or country album; it's going to be BEHEMOTH, it's going to be extreme. But don't be surprised if people listened to it and said, 'Fuck, they did it. It's so amazing.' [Laughs] That's what I like to say when I listen to my own music. I love to surprise myself. I hate things that are predictable. I want to surprise myself and surprise other people, as well. . . Don't get me wrong, I am a huge AC/DC fan and I expect AC/DC to be AC/DC, but don't expect BEHEMOTH to put out another 'The Apostasy', 'Demigod' or 'Evangelion' album, because that will not happen."
"I'm planning to sit down on my arse this summer, in a few weeks, and start collecting more riffs," he said. "We've written so many [riffs] already and we've got four or five songs that aren't completed but we have the skeletons of what just needs to be jammed out with band before going on the next record."
He continued, "We've changed our attitude with this album. We've cut down all the analyzing and thinking about the music. This album will be very instinct-driven and whatever comes out of our system will come out naturally on the record."
In an April 2012 interview with Metal Blast, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH's next album, "We want to take our time and not rush ourselves in any way. . . It looks like it might be the most important album in our career. I want to make the most honest record and I won't be bending to anyone's rules or expectations, including [BEHEMOTH's record labels] Metal Blade or Nuclear Blast. Every next BEHEMOTH album is a surprise and is never the same. . . We don't want to stress ourselves because the music business and the direction it takes is not as I would like it to be. That means we will be going against the current again and just do as we will and please. Whatever we do is going to be BEHEMOTH, 100%. It is the state of our will and nobody can deny it. I can tell you that we aren't going to come out with a reggae or country album; it's going to be BEHEMOTH, it's going to be extreme. But don't be surprised if people listened to it and said, 'Fuck, they did it. It's so amazing.' [Laughs] That's what I like to say when I listen to my own music. I love to surprise myself. I hate things that are predictable. I want to surprise myself and surprise other people, as well. . . Don't get me wrong, I am a huge AC/DC fan and I expect AC/DC to be AC/DC, but don't expect BEHEMOTH to put out another 'The Apostasy', 'Demigod' or 'Evangelion' album, because that will not happen."
Aftonbladet journalist Mattias Kling conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH at this year's edition of the Getaway Rock festival, which was held July 5-6 in Gävle, Sweden. You can now watch the chat below.
On how his battle with a life-threatening form of leukemia has changed him as a person:
Nergal: "I would say in many ways — too many to mention, actually… in numerous ways. It made me a better person, for sure. On a mental level, spiritual level… pretty much anything. Physically, I'm stronger than ever, too. It may sound controversial, but I would say that everyone should get cancer one day and learn from it, you know what I mean?! Obviously, I don't want anyone to get sick. It's more or less a metaphor for people to realize how much potential they can unleash if they want to, and [for them] to realize their potential."
On the progress of the songwriting sessions for the next BEHEMOTH album:
Nergal: "I can't tell you much, because there's not much done yet. There's definitely new ideas, and I would say we've got roughly five [song] skeletons ready. We wanna start working collectively [on new material] in the upcoming weeks. I'd say that September 2013 is a very realistic date for the release date for our next record."
On whether fans can expect to hear "the same BEHEMOTH" on the next album:
Nergal: "I don't know what you mean [when you say] 'the same BEHEMOTH,' because we've never really sounded the same on any record, you know what I mean?! Every time it was a huge challenge and every record sounds very much different, so I'm more than sure that this new one is gonna sound much more different than 'Evangelion' [2009] sounded from 'The Apostasy' [2007] and [on that album there] was already quite a difference, so I would say just be patient, wait and be surprised."
On how his battle with a life-threatening form of leukemia has changed him as a person:
Nergal: "I would say in many ways — too many to mention, actually… in numerous ways. It made me a better person, for sure. On a mental level, spiritual level… pretty much anything. Physically, I'm stronger than ever, too. It may sound controversial, but I would say that everyone should get cancer one day and learn from it, you know what I mean?! Obviously, I don't want anyone to get sick. It's more or less a metaphor for people to realize how much potential they can unleash if they want to, and [for them] to realize their potential."
On the progress of the songwriting sessions for the next BEHEMOTH album:
Nergal: "I can't tell you much, because there's not much done yet. There's definitely new ideas, and I would say we've got roughly five [song] skeletons ready. We wanna start working collectively [on new material] in the upcoming weeks. I'd say that September 2013 is a very realistic date for the release date for our next record."
On whether fans can expect to hear "the same BEHEMOTH" on the next album:
Nergal: "I don't know what you mean [when you say] 'the same BEHEMOTH,' because we've never really sounded the same on any record, you know what I mean?! Every time it was a huge challenge and every record sounds very much different, so I'm more than sure that this new one is gonna sound much more different than 'Evangelion' [2009] sounded from 'The Apostasy' [2007] and [on that album there] was already quite a difference, so I would say just be patient, wait and be surprised."
Virginia grindcore titans PIG DESTROYER have entered the studio to record their highly anticipated fifth full-length album. The band is producing and recording the CD at guitarist Scott Hull's Visceral Sound Studios in Alexandria, Virginia. The as-yet-untitled effort is described in a press release as "a return to a raw, primitive sound and will feature 19 songs of their signature misanthropic grind." A late 2012 release via Relapse Records is expected.
For the recording of PIG DESTROYER's new album, the band has enlisted Adam Jarvis (MISERY INDEX) to lend his inhuman drumming skills to the aural hatred.
Commented Hull: "Tracking the drums happened this week and I'm honestly amazed at how Adam stepped up to the task of learning some challenging shit outside of his standard comfort zone. He came into the studio ready to destroy and destroy he did. And in the haze of long studio hours, he never settled for a bad take. He's a real soldier. Adam has helped breathe new life into the band and we feel like we are starting fresh. Everyone here is excited for people to check out the new jams."
In other news, PIG DESTROYER has been confirmed for the U.K.'s Damnation Festival, se to take place this November, with numerous other dates and festival appearances to be announced shortly.
PIG DESTROYER's last album, "Phantom Limb", came out in 2007 via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Omega Studios (BAD BRAINS) in Rockville, Maryland under the helm of guitarist/producer Scott Hull.
For the recording of PIG DESTROYER's new album, the band has enlisted Adam Jarvis (MISERY INDEX) to lend his inhuman drumming skills to the aural hatred.
Commented Hull: "Tracking the drums happened this week and I'm honestly amazed at how Adam stepped up to the task of learning some challenging shit outside of his standard comfort zone. He came into the studio ready to destroy and destroy he did. And in the haze of long studio hours, he never settled for a bad take. He's a real soldier. Adam has helped breathe new life into the band and we feel like we are starting fresh. Everyone here is excited for people to check out the new jams."
In other news, PIG DESTROYER has been confirmed for the U.K.'s Damnation Festival, se to take place this November, with numerous other dates and festival appearances to be announced shortly.
PIG DESTROYER's last album, "Phantom Limb", came out in 2007 via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Omega Studios (BAD BRAINS) in Rockville, Maryland under the helm of guitarist/producer Scott Hull.
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