Industry sources are saying that a LED ZEPPELIN double-CD / double-DVD of their 2007 reunion show in London will be released in November. On Friday (September 7), the band posted "hello" on its Facebook page, followed on Saturday by "Five" in the band's classic font, followed on Sunday by "Four" and "Three" on Monday — leading some fans to believe that an official announcement is coming on Wednesday (September 12). In addition, a brief video has debuted on LED ZEPPELIN's YouTube channel that simply shows the four symbols featured on the group's fourth studio album, accompanied by the sound of an audience cheering.
With the entire rock world going insane with "ZEPPELIN" fever in the weeks and months following the reunion show, Robert Plant — who was the lone hold-out on any future ZEPPELIN gigs — was asked how he stayed calm with all the excitement centered around the band. "Well, I don't think anybody actually asked that question, to be perfectly frank — apart from the media. So, here I am, just doing what I do," he said.
Jason Bonham, the son of late ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham, who was behind the kit for the performance at London's O2 Arena, told The Pulse Of Radio he's eager to own some sort of document of the event. "I know it probably was recorded. I mean, there was cameras there and everything, but I'm not too sure of what the process is there," he said. "Me, personally, I'd love to get a, y'know, a version of it that I could — you know, stay with me forever. It'll be there forever in my mind, but to get a chance to watch it back is sometimes only when you realize what you've done."
Back in 2008, Jimmy Page spoke about the O2 gig to Uncut, saying, "It was recorded, but we didn't go in with the express purpose of making a DVD to come out at Christmas, or whatever. We haven't seen the images or investigated the multi-tracks. It's feasible that it might come out at some distant point, but it'll be a massive job to embark on."
LED ZEPPELIN's set list on December 10, 2007 at London's O2 Arena:
01. Good Times, Bad Times
02. Ramble On
03. Black Dog
04. In My Time Of Dying
05. For Your Life (live debut)
06. Trampled Underfoot
07. Nobody's Fault But Mine
08. No Quarter
09. Since I've Been Lovin' You
10. Dazed And Confused
11 Stairway To Heaven
12. The Song Remains the Same
13. Misty Mountain Hop
14. Kashmir
Encores:
15. Whole Lotta Love
16. Rock And Roll
Toby Cook of The Quietus recently spoke to JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford about the newly released "Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition". An excerpt from the chat follows below.
The Quietus: Coming at the time, off the back of "Point Of Entry" which — without being rude — perhaps wasn't as well received as it might have been, what are your memories of the "Screaming For Vengeance" period?
Rob Halford: Well, I think it's fair to say that every time we've written songs for a new record, we haven't really thought about it too much in terms of an attack plan. And I think that's good really, because as a musician once you start thinking things through too much, or putting an agenda behind anything, that interferes with the way that you write music. You start to put unnecessary pressure on yourself, and the pressure is already there when you start to become successful because you're getting it from everybody. You get it from the label, from agents and promoters, and if you're not very careful that can be quite destructive. All I can really remember about "Screaming For Vengeance" was that we were all really up for going back to Ibiza; I mean, who wouldn't be? We just wanted to get on with making another record that we were under contract — and under some time restraint — to deliver to the record company, and that's what we did. But it's interesting really, you're not the first person to mention the way that "Point Of Entry" went for us, but when you talk about records that are more successful than others, I think that it can be kind of dangerous to go too deep into it, I think it just makes you human. I think it just shows the human side of you as a musician, because if you look at all bands that have had a long life in metal or rock and roll, there are points where some records are more appealing or more successful; more people buy them than others; and you can't really put your finger on why. But certainly after "British Steel", which was a very, very successful record for PRIEST here in the U.K. and elsewhere, following it up with "Point Of Entry" as we did, I think we just did the best we could at that time. So I don't think it was like, "C'mon lads, we've got to try harder' on "Screaming", which has been one thing that has been suggested. I think it's just the way that bands go in terms of growth and development, you're just always trying to do the best that you can at the time that you're doing it. It turns out that "Screaming For Vengeance" just happened to get all the right bits connected and became a very successful record for the band.
The Quietus: How much did PRIEST's increased fame by this point affect the recording?
Rob Halford: Well, I think this is a very important thing that bands need to consider. When you're sleeping in the back of a van, and we've all done that, you're obviously feeling and behaving differently. Like when we were all sleeping in the van doing "Rocka Rolla", that's not the same as being in a beautiful studio in Ibiza. But once you close the studio doors you could be anywhere in the world, you've just got to remember who you are and what you're trying to do and, again, just do the best job you can. I don't think you slack off when you become successful — if you do then you're an idiot, because people don't buy shit! That's the bottom line; if you make a crap record, it's of no use or value to anybody and I don't think PRIEST has ever been in that world — we've always done the best we possibly can, whatever distraction might occur.
The Quietus: And of course this was also the record that broke PRIEST in America. What was it about "Screaming" that helped you succeed there better than you had done before?
Rob Halford: Just the connection with rock and roll radio, which is still vital for any band in America. It doesn't matter who you are, if you want to break it in the States you've got to have something that gets played on the radio, even in the world of the Internet. If you haven't got a radio connection in the States, you might as well forget it! For us, it was all about this song, "Another Thing Comin'" — which we buried, we put it towards the end of the record because it was one of the last songs we wrote in the studio sessions in Ibiza — that suddenly that got picked up by some stations in the States, unbeknownst to the record company; they were pushing "Take These Chains Off", which was written by Bob Halligan Jr. So, as a result, of that we quickly put that video together with Julien Temple and shipped it over to MTV. So the two important components that were going on in the early Eighties in America — the video and the radio side, that was really what propelled the record to such success in the States.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, a report in the new issue of the National Enquirer says that VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen was near death recently after his intestines "exploded." Van Halen was rushed to the hospital in what was described as "excruciating pain" after he swallowed a diet drink made partially of cayenne pepper, sources told the tabloid newspaper. Van Halen, who suffers from an inflammatory digestive tract condition called diverticulitis, had to reportedly have part of his small intestine removed as doctors battled to save the 57-year-old rock legend's life.
The Enquirer reported Eddie's wife, Janie Liszewski, his son and bandmate, Wolfgang and his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli all feared Eddie wouldn't make it.
A source said, "Janie was beside him the whole time and Wolf kept a constant vigil. They were sick with worry because he was in so much pain, it really was touch and go."
As for Bertinelli, the source said, "Valerie was scared to death Eddie was going to die. Although he's remarried, Eddie is still close to Valerie, and she was there for him the whole time."
The drink that Eddie consumed was reportedly part of the Master Cleanse Diet, which he tried because of its supposed ability to rid the body of toxins.
The plan replaces food with a liquid consisting of water, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper. Health professionals have expressed concern over the lack of nutrition and high spice content in the concoction.
Dr. James O'Brien said, "The stress of fad diets increases pressure on the colon, and if the person has diverticulitis there may be leakage from the bowel into the abdomen."
A source close to Eddie Van Halen revealed that after Eddie drank the mixture, his "abdominal region was a disaster area. The spicy treatment touched off an explosion in his intestines."
The guitarist is now out of the woods, although he'll be recuperating for at least the next four months, forcing his band to put all tour plans on hold until 2013.
MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine has personally overseen a new 20th-anniversary edition of the band's most popular album, 1992's double platinum-certified "Countdown To Extinction", to be released November 6 by Capitol/EMI.
After wrapping up their "TH1RT3EN World Tour" this fall, MEGADETH will perform the acclaimed album in its entirety on their "Countdown To Extinction 20th Anniversary Tour" this November and December.
Presented in a 2CD lift-top box and digitally, "Countdown To Extinction"'s new commemorative edition pairs the remastered original album with a 1992 concert, recorded live at San Francisco's Cow Palace, which has never before been released in its entirety. The concert audio has been newly remixed for this release. The physical and digital versions both include a booklet with a new liner notes essay by music journalist Kory Grow, and the 2CD box also contains a 24" x 36" poster and four collectible postcards.
"Countdown To Extinction", MEGADETH's fifth studio album, was recorded in Los Angeles in 1992 as rioting raged across the city in response to the Rodney King trial verdicts. American tensions weren't limited to L.A., by any means, as the Gulf War was still fresh in people's minds, the state of the environment was becoming headline news, and President George H.W. Bush was seeking reelection in a heated campaign season.
Out of this turmoil, MEGADETH was inspired to create "Countdown To Extinction", considered by many to be the band's best and most accessible album. The group's previous albums, including "So Far, So Good…So What!" and "Rust In Peace", included songs that tackled topics like censorship and religious bloodletting in the Middle East. But none were as polemical as the sonic missiles launched by "Countdown". MEGADETH laced the songs with acid-tongued commentary about subjects ranging from the futility of war ("Architecture Of Aggression") to the senseless brutality of caged hunting ("Countdown To Extinction"). "Foreclosure Of A Dream" sampled George Bush's infamous "Read my lips" speech, making a statement about taxation endangering the American Dream.
Thanks to a perfect balance of hard-rock song structures, epic choruses, and fleet-fingered guitar work, "Countdown To Extinction" became an instant classic, benefiting from copious MTV and radio play. Spin magazine raved that "Countdown" "may just be the finest thrash-metal album ever made," and before long, songs like "Symphony Of Destruction", "Sweating Bullets" and "Skin O' My Teeth" had entered metal's canon of essential recordings. The album shot to No. 2 on the Billboard chart (it may have hit No. 1, if not for Billy Ray Cyrus' long chart-topping reign with "Some Gave All"), and it was certified double platinum in the U.S. within two years, with sales of more than two million copies.
MEGADETH was in top form, with Mustaine, the band's then 31-year-old singer and guitarist leading the album's assault with lyrics like "You know your worth when your enemies praise your architecture of aggression," not to mention his venomous rhythm guitar attack. His band mates completed the picture, as lead guitarist Marty Friedman blazed with memorable solos, bassist David Ellefson jammed dizzying arrays of low-end thunder, and drummer Nick Menza attacked his kit. MEGADETH sounded hungry, and the band was rewarded when the album earned a Grammy Award nomination ("Best Metal Performance") and when its title cut garnered a Genesis Award from the Humane Society for raising awareness for animal rights issues.
"Megadeth: Countdown To Extinction (20th Anniversary Edition)" track listing:
CD 1
01. Skin O' My Teeth
02. Symphony Of Destruction
03. Architecture Of Aggression
04. Foreclosure Of A Dream
05. Sweating Bullets
06. This Was My Life
07. Countdown To Extinction
08. High Speed Dirt
09. Psychotron
10. Captive Honour
11. Ashes In Your Mouth
CD 2 – Live At Cow Palace, 1992
01. Intro
02. Holy Wars…The Punishment Due
03. Skin O' My Teeth
04. Wake Up Dead
05. Hangar 18
06. Countdown To Extinction
07. Foreclosure Of A Dream
08. This Was My Life
09. Lucretia
10. Sweating Bullets
11. In My Darkest Hour
12. The Conjuring
13. Tornado
14. Ashes In Your Mouth
15. Symphony Of Destruction
16. Peace Sells
17. Anarchy In the UK
Tour dates:
Nov. 09 - Providence, RI @ Lupo's at the Strand
Nov. 10 - Huntington, NY @ Paramount Theatre
Nov. 11 - Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
Nov. 13 - Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theatre
Nov. 14 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
Nov. 16 - Atlantic City, NJ @ House Of Blues
Nov. 17 - Niagara Falls, NY @ Rapids Theatre
Nov. 19 - Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
Nov. 20 - Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion
Nov. 24 - Myrtle Beach, SC @ House Of Blues
Nov. 25 - Charlotte, NC @ Fillmore
Nov. 26 - Atlanta, GA @ The Tabernacle
Nov. 28 - Kansas City, MO @ Midland Theatre
Dec. 01 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Great Saltair
Dec. 02 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
Dec. 04 - Reno, NV @ Grand Sierra Theatre
Dec. 06 - Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues
Dec. 07 - Pomona, CA @ Fox Theatre
Prior to last Friday's (September 7) "Metal Masters 4" clinic in New York City, Artisan News spoke to SLAYER guitarist Kerry King about the latest in ESPN's long-running line of "This Is SportsCenter" ads, which "take a whimsical and bizarre angle on the legendary show's behind-the-scenes productions," Their new commercial, which purports to reveal that 58-year-old NFL analyst John Clayton actually rocks a gnarly ponytail, headbangs to SLAYER and still lives with his mother, can be seen below.
Said Kerry: "The funny thing how I found out… My guy… One of the guys that sets me up at the Raiders stadium, for the Raiders games, texted me yesterday. He's like, 'Have you seen this John Clayton promo?' I'm like, 'No.' We were busy. We played for, like, four hours yesterday. And when I got back to the room, I checked it out online. I knew it had to be something like that for him to send it to me. And… [laughs] It's awesome."
"This is SportsCenter" is the name of a series of comical television commercials run by ESPN to promote their "SportsCenter" sports news show. The ads are presented in a deadpan mockumentary style, lampooning various aspects of sports, and sports broadcasting. The commercials debuted in 1994. The New York office of advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, of Portland, Oregon, is responsible for the writing and production of the commercials.
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Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen has been asked to be a patron for "Rock The House", a Parliamentary music competition founded by Mike Weatherley, a British Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP), and backed by the music industry and a huge roster of music legends. It sees MPs nominate musicians from their own constituency that are then judged by a panel of international music industry experts and musicians to determine the finalists who will compete in a live battle of the bands. Winners in each artist's category will then play a live set on the Terrace of the House of Commons in the evening at the finale reception and winning loads of once-in-a-lifetime prizes.
Commented Yngwie: "I am very honored and excited to be patron of the 'Rock The House'. It is for a great cause, and I am looking forward to being there."
Added Weatherley: 'I am delighted that Yngwie — who I know from many years personally, listening to his work to be such a virtuoso and influential guitarist — has become a patron of 'Rock The House'.
"The 'Rock The House' competition, raising awareness of intellectual property and live music issues with parliamentarians, is indeed a 'Rising Force' in Parliament, attracting 165 MPs to take part last year making it the largest parliamentary event this year. The target, with Yngwie's support, is over 200 MPs.
"On September 20, Yngwie Malmsteen and [his wife/manager] April Malmsteen will be given a private tour of the Houses of Parliament and later a private event."
The "Rock The House" competition is backed by Ministers, cross-party MPs, industry professionals and bodies — and rock stars, including Alice Cooper, DEEP PURPLE's Ian Gillan, BEE GEES' Robin Gibb, BLINK 182's Mark Hoppus, WHITESNAKE's Bernie Marsden, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE's Matt Tuck, ANTHRAX's Rob Caggiano, BUSTED and FIGHTSTAR's Charlie Simpson, GALLOWS' Laurent Bernard, DON BROCO's Rob Damiani and YES' Rick Wakeman, who are all official Patrons.
Said Weatherley: "The competition is so important in getting legislators to connect with a creative demographic that they sometimes do not engage with. Rock the House hopes to increase political awareness of IP issues and ensure that the U.K. remains a world-leading creative economy. It is a huge privilege to have created a forum for musicians, music industry professionals and Parliamentarians to add to the debate and discuss these crucial issues to pave the way forward. I am delighted that the Prime Minister will be taking part by entering a nomination."
For more information, visit www.rockthehouse2012.com.
TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider will guest on tonight's (Monday, September 10) edition of "Joy Behar: Say Anything", "View" co-host Joy Behar's new show. Snider will tell Joy why he was upset to learn that TWISTED SISTER's song "We're Not Gonna Take It" was being used as a campaign theme song by Vice Presidential candidate Rep. Paul Ryan.
"Joy Behar: Say Anything" airs nightly at 6:00 p.m. on Current TV.
For more information, go to this location.
Snider recently revealed that he will vote for Barack Obama in the upcoming presidential election. He said, "I don't expect people to care or even listen to my political thoughts or position. I have no party affiliation and I vote for what I believe to be the best choice I am offered each time."
He added, ""Four years ago I was a supporter of John McCain… until he picked Sarah Palin as his running mate. Given the Republican offering this presidential election — particularly with an extremist like Paul Ryan attached to the ticket — I have no other choice than to vote for Obama. Not voting isn't an option.
"I do find it ironic that the same song ('We're Not Gonna Take It') that was under fire from conservative watchdog groups in the '80s is now the go-to song for those same types of groups."
Back in 2003, Snider sided with then-GOP candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger during the actor's successful recall campaign against Democratic incumbent Governor Gray Davis. Snider sang "We're Not Gonna Take It" at a Schwarzenegger rally and allowed him use of the song.
"We're Not Gonna Take It" and "Stay Hungry" were the biggest hit single and album, respectively, in TWISTED SISTER's career. Snider said "We're Not Gonna Take It" is now part of America's cultural fabric.
"It's become like a folk song. It's a traditional song now. It has a simple message that's applicable to everything from sports teams to politics. I even once heard about the song being used by people protesting the development of commercial property," he said.
The song's lyrics say in part "Oh you're so condescending/Your gall is never ending/We don't want nothin'/Not a thing from you."
British power metal mercenaries TANK — featuring Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans on guitar alongside ex-RAINBOW/YNGWIE MALMSTEEN frontman Doogie White and ex-BRUCE DICKINSON bassist Chris Dale and former HELLOWEEN drummer Mark Cross — will release a new DVD, "War Machine Live", on November 12 in Europe via Metal Mind Productions and December 11 in the USA through MVD. The set will feature live performances filmed on March 9, 2012 at Stodola in Warsaw, Poland and August 10, 2011 at Metal Hammer Festival in Katowice, Poland, plus band interviews, on-the-road footage and the promotional video for "War Nation", the title track of the band's most recent studio album.
Commented Evans: "This is our first official live DVD release so we wanted to make sure it would appeal to all TANK fans, old and new. With such an extensive back catalog to choose from, we think we've selected some real gems that all fans of real British metal will enjoy. We've captured the raw energy that TANK is known for in a performance that features classic tracks such as 'This Means War', 'Power Of The Hunter' and 'Honour And Blood' plus new fan favourites 'Judgement Day' and 'Phoenix Rising'. Also featured is a live version of the new song 'Don't Dream In The Dark' from our latest album, 'War Nation'."
"War Nation" was released on June 5 via MVD (one day earlier in Europe through Metal Mind Productions). The follow-up to 2010's "War Machine" was helmed by new hotshot producer Phil Kinman at his west London studios.
Former THE WILDHEARTS frontman Ginger (real name David Walls) will celebrate his 48th birthday with a very special show in London on December 17.
This year's concert is particularly special as it will feature a one-night-only reunion of THE WILDHEARTS for the first time in three years to play a headline set at the Kentish Town Forum.
Special guests will be none other than Ginger himself, who will play a solo set prior to THE WILDHEARTS taking the stage (with a band consisting of Chris Catalyst, Jon Poole, Rich Jones, Victoria Liedtke and Denzel). Ginger's solo set will feature material from his fourth solo album, "555%", which came out this past March
Eighty percent of tickets have already been sold in the first week and this event is expect to sell out soon.
Finnish love metallers HIM will release a greatest-hits album, "XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal", on October 29 via Sony Music in Finland. The set will include the band's new cover version of the song "Strange World", originally recorded in the 1990s by Kevin Grivois (a.k.a. Ké).
The "Strange World" video and digital single was originally due on September 21 but has had its release date pushed up due to an online leak. You can now purchase the track digitally via iTunes.
H.I.M. is scheduled to enter the studio this month with producer Hiili Hiilesmaa (APOCALYPTICA, AMORPHIS, MOONSPELL) to begin recording its ninth full-length album, "Tears On Tape", for an early 2013 release. The CD will be mixed by Tim Palmer, who has previously worked with PEARL JAM, U2 and ROBERT PLANT, among many others.
H.I.M. will end this year by bringing back the Helldone Festival at club Tavastia in Helsinki, where they will perform for four nights in a row.
"XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal" track listing:
01. Strange World (KÉ cover)
02. Join Me In Death
03. Heartkiller
04. Rip Out The Wings Of A Butterfly
05. The Kiss Of Dawn (radio edit)
06. The Funeral Of Hearts (radio edit)
07. Right Here In My Arms (radio edit)
08. Pretending
09. Buried Alive By Love (radio edit)
10. Gone With The Sin
11. Your Sweet Six Six Six
12. The Sacrament (radio edit)
13. Wicked Game (CHRIS ISAAK cover)
14. Killing Loneliness
15. Bleed Well (radio edit)
16. In Joy And Sorrow (radio edit)
17. Poison Girl
18. Scared To Death
19. When Love And Death Embrace (radio edit)
20. Heartache Every Moment
The "XX - Two Decades Of Love Metal" cover artwork can be seen below.
In March of last year, HIM parted ways with Sire/Warner Music following a six-year partnership that produced three albums. HIM frontman Ville Valo told Kerrang! magazine in February, "The thing with Warner is really a kind of a familiar story. When we signed with [the label], there were lots of people there who really loved the band, loved what we were doing; people who worked hard for us and who really had our best interests at heart. And now, of course, all of those people have left the company. So instead we had a bunch of people that we didn't know, who didn't know us, and who we felt didn't really understand what we are about and how to best represent us. All of a sudden, it felt like we didn't have a home anymore. It was time for us to move on."
HIM's discography on Sire includes the 2005 album "Dark Light", which was certified gold in the U.S. for sales in excess of 500,000 copies. Follow-up releases "Venus Doom" (2007) and "Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice" charted both in the U.S. and Europe.
"Screamworks: Love In Theory And Practice" sold 26,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 25 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Singer Andrea Ferro of Italian heavy rockers LACUNA COIL married his longtime girlfriend Paola Penny Gigliotti this past Saturday, September 8.
A photo of the happy couple can be seen below.
LACUNA COIL recently completed the "Dark Legacy" North American tour. The band's only headlining run in the United States in 2012 featured a set of more than two hours, with material spanning all of LACUNA COIL's albums.
LACUNA COIL's new album, "Dark Adrenaline", sold around 20,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 15 on The Billboard 200 chart.
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Austin, Texas metal luminaries THE SWORD will release their fourth album, "Apocryphon", on October 22 via their new label partners Razor & Tie. The CD was produced and engineered by J. Robbins (CLUTCH, JAWBOX) at Magpie Cage Studios and will feature cover art by famed comic book artist J.H. Williams III (Batwoman, Promethea).
"Apocryphon" track listing:
01. The Veil Of Isis
02. Cloak Of Feathers
03. Arcane Montane
04. The Hidden Masters
05. Dying Earth
06. Execrator
07. Seven Sisters
08. Hawks And Serpents
09. Eyes Of The Stormwitch
10. Apocryphon
Bonus tracks:
01. Arrows In The Dark (live at Emo's)
02. Barael's Blade (live at Emo's)
03. Chronomancer II: Nemesis (live at Stubb's)
04. Ebethron (live at Stubb's)
05. Cheap Sunglasses
THE SWORD is now offering a limited-time-offer bundle including:
* Autographed limited-edition glow-in-the-dark 12-inch vinyl
* "Apocryphon" deluxe version digipak CD
* Three hand-numbered triptych 11 x 17 lithograph black light reactive posters
* Exclusive limited-offer "Apocryphon" T-shirt
* "Apocryphon" slipmat
* Includes digital download code
Asked about the band's decision to work with J. Robbins on "Apocryphon" after self-producing two records and then working with Matt Bayles, THE SWORD guitarist Kyle Shutt told AltPress.com, "We're all huge CLUTCH fans, and we know those guys real well. [James] did two of their last three records, and those sound great, so we figured it was a no-brainer. We called him up and he was into it. He saw our live show at a club in Baltimore on the tour before we came here so he could get a feel of the kind of show we put on because we wanted to make an album that sounds like we do live in a club. And it was great. It was a real speedy process."
On the topic of the musical direction of the new album, Shutt said, "It is a reflection of everything that we [have gone] through and the lessons we learned. We then deal with these situations metaphorically in our lyrics. This record is just 10 banging hard rockers. There's no real 'stick-out' thrash song, or, like, this one is the ballad. I don't think there's going to be any instrumental songs on this record, either, so that'll be a first for us. It's just 10 kick-ass rock songs."
Regarding the subject matter covered in the new songs' lyrics, Shutt said, "There are lyrical themes that weave in and out of the songs, but there's no story or anything like that. With 'Warp Riders', J.D. [guitarist/vocalist John Cronise] had already written [the story] and now he [doesn't] have the time to sit down and write another book. We had the idea to make a comic book for 'Warp Riders', but we had some really poor management at the time, so nothing really came together with that and it was going to cost so much money that it never saw the light of day. It was just a nice thing we did. Now we're moving on to other things."
During a recent appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, legendary Danish/American/Swedish King Diamond (KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE) (real name: Kim Bendix Petersen) spoke about the strange photo that was taken of KING DIAMOND during the band's June 9 performance at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden.
"[We have this] picture from [the] Sweden Rock Festival. It was the weirdest thing I've ever seen," he said. "It's me sitting with a lantern on a platform in front of the drum riser and our actress Jodi Cachia; she's from Philadelphia. She should have been standing behind me, but all you see [is] one leg up to her thigh, the rest is not there. [The picture] was taken by a Norwegian called Håkan with a super digital camera. Double exposure is not a possibility; you can't cut your leg off and leave it behind and then move the rest of your body so quick that the camera doesn't pick it up. The picture is physically impossible unless you're living in a parallel universe or something, and she was in another universe for a split second coming in right when that photo was taken.
"I don't know if you're familiar with that show 'Fringe'; I've seen it quite a few times. I like it; it deals with these possible parallel universes, and if that was the case, we should call 'Fringe' [laughs] to take a look at this area, because it is freaky.
"I saw [the photo] at nighttime in my hotel in Denmark and we were discussing whether we should call Jodi at her hotel and ask her to be careful in the next couple days in case she has an accident and might lose her leg or something. It almost felt like seeing a snapshot of 'The Omen' movie, but it's the weirdest thing. It looks like a shadow of her leg of that one leg that is shown, it looks like there is a shadow up against the drum riser, but when you zoom in a little, [there is] a black clone of it. There's a shape from the one kick drum with all the shiny metal stuff and the outside of the kick drum you can't see, it's shiny only on one of them. It's so weird.
"There's so many weird things that follow us.
"[KING DIAMOND guitarist] Andy La Rocque said to me, 'Well, duh, it's not that strange. Take a look at [our new stage] set. It looks like a big antennae for the occult.' It really does. It's a pretty big set. Very dark but it's fun."
The photo in question can be seen below.
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"March Of Progress", the ninth studio album from British progressive metallers THRESHOLD, has registerd the following first-week chart positions:
Germany: #28
Switzerland: #30
Austria: #55
Netherlands: #70
France: #102
"March Of Progress" was released on August 31 via Nuclear Blast Records. The follow-up to 2007's "Dead Reckoning" was recorded at Thin Ice Studios (DRAGONFORCE, PENDRAGON) by bandmembers Karl Groom and Richard West, with additional production at Eightspace Studio (LEAGUE OF LIGHTS, THE MORNING AFTER). Vocal duties on "March Of Progress" were performed by THRESHOLD's original frontman Damian Wilson (STAR ONE, HEADSPACE), who's been back touring with the band since the release of "Dead Reckoning".
"March Of Progress" was made available in a limited-edition digipak, including a bonus track; a standard jewel case edition; as well as in a two-vinyl edition in two different colors, one of them exclusively available via the Nuclear Blast mail order.
"March Of Progress" track listing:
Digipack
01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun
04. Liberty Complacency Dependency
05. Colophon
06. The Hours
07. That's Why We Came
08. Don't Look Down
09. Coda
10. Rubicon
Bonus track:
11. Divinity
CD
01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun
04. Liberty Complacency Dependency
05. Colophon
06. The Hours
07. That's Why We Came
08. Don't Look Down
09. Coda
10. Rubicon
2LP
Side A:
01. Ashes
02. Return Of The Thought Police
03. Staring At The Sun
Side B:
01. Liberty Complacency Dependency
02. The Hours
Side C:
01. Colophon
02. That's Why We Came
03. Don't Look Down
Side D:
01. Coda
02. Rubicon
THRESHOLD is:
Damian Wilson - Vocals
Karl Groom - Guitar
Richard West - Keyboards
Johanne James - Drums
Steve Anderson - Bass
Pete Morten - Guitar
U.K. doom metallers MY DYING BRIDE have launched a mini-site for their upcoming album, "A Map Of All Our Failures", featuring album info, audio, video, downloads and more . Fans can stream a brand new song, "Kneel Till Doomsday", below, and those who sign up for the MY DYING BRIDE mailing list will receive a free download of the track.
"A Map Of All Our Failures" will be released on October 15 in Europe and October 16 in the U.S. via Peaceville Records on CD, double vinyl and special-edition CD/DVD. The effort was recorded and mixed at Futureworks Studios in Manchester, England with the band's longtime production partner Rob "Mags" Magoolagan at the helm.
According to a press release, "a step up from 2009's 'For Lies I Sire' — which set and subsequently met new heights of expectation placed upon the legendary Yorkshire doom troupe — 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is a further voyage into the darkest depths of humanity, religion, folklore, love and death. MY DYING BRIDE's distinctively sumptuous dual-guitar melodies effortlessly flood into juggernaut doom metal riffs, with the vocals of Aaron Stainthorpe weaving a rich tapestry of tragic tales into the accompanying soundscapes. 'A Map Of All Our Failures' is perhaps best and most effectively summarized by guitarist Andrew Craighan, who describes the album as 'a controlled demolition of all your hopes.'"
"A Map Of All Our Failures" track listing:
01. Kneel Till Doomsday
02. The Poorest Waltz
03. A Tapestry Scorned
04. Like A Perpetual Funeral
05. A Map Of All Our Failures
06. Hail Odysseus
07. Within The Presence Of Absence
08. Abandoned As Christ
MY DYING BRIDE will embark on a European tour in December in support of the new album. The band will also make an appearance at the U.K.'s esteemed Damnation Festival in November, at which Peaceville will be a proud sponsor to coincide with the label's 25th anniversary.
British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH will release their tenth studio album, "The Manticore And Other Horrors", in North America on October 30 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Unveiling Of O
02. The Abhorrent
03. For Your Vulgar Delectation
04. Illicitus
05. Manticore
06. Frost On Her Pillow
07. Huge Onyx Wings Behind Despair
08. Pallid Reflection
09. Siding With The Titans
10. Succumb To This
11. Nightmares Of An Ether Drinker
12. Death, The Great Adventure (deluxe edition digipak)
13. Sinfonia (deluxe edition digipak)
Recorded in eight weeks at both Springvale and Grindstone studios (where it was also mixed by Scott Atkins), Suffolk, "The Manticore And Other Horrors" is a testament to the longevity of the 'FILTH, as not only does it reek of CRADLE's (feared or revered) brand of delicious metal vamperotica, but this thoroughly modern album places the band firmly in fresh killing fields anew.
"The Manticore And Other Horrors" itself possesses an altogether new atmosphere for the band, incorporating a heavier, faster NWOBBM punk vibe that is both current and cruel, blended with ornate orchestration and the quirky immediateness of 2000's "Midian" opus.
The album's title can be likened to a bestiary, a collection of stories on monsters - personal demons, Chimeras, literary fiends and world-enslaving entities to blame but a few. "Manticore", the ravening title track, is a song about a beautiful mythological horror that comes to be feared as the disfigurehead of foreign occupation in the Indian provinces.
The songs "Illicitus" and "Pallid Reflection" bear the sweet ingredients of vampirism and lycanthropy; the wicked "For Your Vulgar Delectation" and "Frost On Her Pillow" are woven perversely into grim fairy tales, whilst classic, monumental tracks like "The Abhorrent And Siding With The Titans" both extol tentacular Lovecraftian values.
Speaking to Metal-Trails.com at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, CRADLE OF FILTH frontman Dani "Filth" Davey stated about the musical direction of the band's new album, "It's a slightly different direction for CRADLE OF FILTH. It's very fresh for people who appreciate our other works. It's a slightly shorter album, but we've concentrated on melody and different techniques that have been slightly missing from our music — it's a bit punkier, a bit more structured, a bit more singalong, but it's still extreme and it's still CRADLE OF FILTH."
He continued, "It's very hard to speak about it, because it's only been two years since our last record, so if it was so familiar, trying to explain what that record was like and what this record is like… Because there's so much going on in our music — there's symphonic parts and then there's really fast parts and slow, romantic interludes and, like I said, punk and New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in there. But it's all kind of wrapped up in theology and cinematic kind of soundscape. So it's hard to break it down and say, 'Well, this is what we're doing this time that's a bit different from the last time.' But it's good. We're really proud of what we're doing. I think people are gonna be very surprised when they hear it and go, 'Wow, that's CRADLE OF FILTH for 2012.'"
CRADLE OF FILTH is:
Dani Filth - Vocals
Paul Allender - Guitar
James McIlroy - Guitar
David Pybus - Bass
Martin Skaroupka – Drums
Austrian female-fronted symphonic metallers EDENBRIDGE have finished laying down the drums for their new album at the Sunprojects Studio in Austria.
"Max's [Pointner] new Tama drum kit sounds absolutely awesome and I think we were able to bring this great sound to tape," says EDENBRIDGE guitarist/founder Lanvall.
EDENBRIDGE's seventh album, "Solitaire", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 95 back in July 2010.
The "Higher" video can be viewed below. The clip was filmed with director Silvan Buege (Blackstage TV).
EDENBRIDGE's live album, "LiveEarthDream", was released in May 2009. The disc was recorded at various concerts in 2008 and was only available through the band's fanshop.
Italian power metallers SECRET SPHERE will release their seventh album, "Portrait Of A Dying Heart", before the end of the year through Warner Music (Japan) and Scarlet Records (rest of the world). The CD will feature a 40-page booklet, including the novel "She Complies With The Night" on which the album is based.
SECRET SPHERE earlier in the year announced the addition of former VISION DIVINE and THAUROROD vocalist Michele Luppi to the group's ranks.
Said Luppi in a statement: "'Portrait Of A Dying Heart' is by far one of the best album I've done."
He added, "I wanna thank [the other members of SECRET SPHERE] for their trust and belief, and I'm willing to share all my experience and passion in order to write and perform our music the best way we can... For us and, most of all, for you."
After 12 years, six albums, and tours around the world, Roberto "Ramon" Messina decided to leave SECRET SPHERE due to musical differences.
SECRET SPHERE's sixth album, "Archetype", was released in Europe in September 2010 via Scarlet Records.
Vancouver metallers BISON B.C. will release their new album, "Lovelessness", on October 22 via Metal Blade Records. The CD was recorded with acclaimed producer Sanford Parker at Soma and Electrical Audio Studios in Chicago.
"Lovelessness" track listing:
01. An Old Friend
02. Anxiety Puke / Lovelessness
03. Last and First Things
04. Blood Music
05. Clozapine Dream
06. Finally Asleep
The song Anxiety Puke / Lovelessness can be streamed below.
BISON B.C. is:
James Farwell: Guitar/Vocals
Dan And: Guitar/Vocals
Masa Anzai: Bass
Matt Wood: Drums
Sweden's TIAMAT will release its tenth studio album, "The Scarred People", on November 2 via Napalm Records. The CD was recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm.
"The Scarred People" cover artwork, which was created by TIAMAT mainman Johan Edlund, can be seen below. Also available is video footage of Edlund working on the design.
"The Scarred People" track listing:
01. The Scarred People
02. Winter Dawn
03. 384 - Kteis
04. Radiant Star
05. The Sun Also Rises
06. Before Another Wilbury Dies
07. Love Terrorists
08. Messinian Letter
09. Thunder & Lightning
10. Tiznit
11. Born To Die (bonus Track)
12. The Red Of The Morning Sun
13. Paradise (bonus track)
14. Divided (live) (bonus track)
15. Cain (live) (bonus track)
TIAMAT's latest CD, "Amanethes", was produced by Johan Edlund and was recorded mainly at The Mansion in Greece, with additional recordings taking place at Studio Mega in Sweden and Cue in Greece. The album was mixed and mastered by Siggi Bemm in Woodhouse Studios, Germany in January 2008.
Century Media Records released a limited-edition collector's box from TIAMAT entitled "The Ark of the Covenant - The Complete Century Media Years". Limited to 3,000 copies worldwide, this noble box set also includes two exclusive audio CDs, a numbered authenticity certificate, as well as a comprehensive 74-page booklet with all lyrics, terrific artwork, rare photos and extensive liner notes by Anders Iwers.
CEREMONIAL OATH, the late '80s/early '90s Swedish extreme metal band whose members went on to create or join such acclaimed acts as IN FLAMES, HAMMERFALL and TIAMAT, has inked a deal with Century Media Records for the re-release of the majority of its catalog, up to and including the 1993 CD "The Book Of Truth". A tentative late December release date is expected.
As previously reported, CEREMONIAL OATH will reunite for an appearance at the inaugural edition of The Gothenburg Sound festival, set to take place January 5-6, 2013 at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Formed in 1988 under the name DESECRATOR, CEREMONIAL OATH released three demos, one EP and two full-length albums before calling it quits in 1995. The band's former members include such internationally recognized names as Anders Fridén (IN FLAMES), Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL), Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES) and Anders Iwers (TIAMAT).
CEREMONIAL OATH is:
Oscar Dronjak (HAMMERFALL): Guitar, vocals
Anders Iwers (TIAMAT): Guitar
Jesper Strömblad (IN FLAMES): Bass
Markus Nordberg: Drums
Finnish doomy dark metal band 0XÍST will release its debut album, "Nil", in early October as a joint effort by French labels Ostra Records and Cold Void Emanations. The CD was recorded and mixed at D-Studio in Klaukkala. The cover art and the booklet layout were designed by French artist YhN.
"Nil" track listing:
01. Old World Vanished
02. Nil
03. Cold Dark Matter
04. Arrival
05. Anemone Patens MCCXLIX
06. Of Wood, Stone And Bone
07. Shrivel
The song "Shrivel" can be streamed below.
"Nil" is the first 0XÍST release to feature Mikael Ahlstén (ex-SAATTUE) on drums.
0XÍST recently announced the addition of bassist Sameli Köykkä, formerly of COLOSSEUM.
0XÍST, which stands for "zero exist," "performs metal that is slow, heavy, menacing and stands truthfully for what it is being described to be — dark metal," according to a press release.
0XÍST's first CDEP, "Unveiling The Shadow World", was released in April 2010 via Ostra Records. In August and September 2010, the band recorded a demo containing two new tracks: "Old World Vanished" and "…Of Wood, Stone And Bone". A limited demo-CD-R edition (100 copies) was released to prepare for 0XÍST's first full-length album.
Long-running Canadian metal band SOULSTORM have just released a new album entitled "Fall Of The Rebel Angels". The CD contains 10 new tracks, including "The Nihilism Quotient", which features guest vocals by Rob Urbinati of SACRIFICE fame.
One of the original death metal and industrial hybrid terror units, SOULSTORM "combines the brutality of classic death metal with the eerie coldness of GODFLESH-inspired industrial madness," according to a press release. "Foreboding rhythms, gloomy, abrasive, and most importantly an immersive listen comparable to bands like GODFLESH, SWANS, OBITUARY and CELTIC FROST."
"Fall Of The Rebel Angels" track listing:
01. Soulless
02. Interwoven
03. Fall Of The Rebel Angels
04. Kingdom Of Rats
05. Control.Suppress.Deny
06. Descent Into Desolation
07. The Nihilism Quotient (feat. Rob Urbinati)
08. Plague Of The North Winds
09. Residual Traces
10. Catalyst Rising
11. Return To The Eve (live) (CELTIC FROST cover)
After a year-long world tour promoting the latest release from their legendary band WHITESNAKE, guitarist and songwriter Doug Aldrich, bassist and singer Michael Devin decided to come together with ZAPPA drummer-percussionist extraordinaire Joe Travers and pursue the adventure of their homegrown band during WHITESNAKE's 2012 hiatus.
Word quickly spread. Invitations came pouring in. It comes as little surprise the power trio creates a sound as big as a six-piece.
STEAMROLLER first performed a series of interactive clinic-concerts for Marshall in the U.K. late 2011. Gaining confidence on tour, their trial by fire was playing two shows back to back at Musikmesse Frankfurt 2012 fair in early 2012 in front of crowds of 5,000-plus music industry professionals.
Now for their debut European tour which will rock n' roll through Scandinavia, East Europe all the way to the island of Cyprus and up to north Greece in September and October.
Doug Aldrich spent years rippin' his guitar alongside metal master Ronnie James Dio before moving on to WHITESNAKE, where he has co-written the last two albums with legendary frontman David Coverdale.
Bassist and singer Michael Devin spent years on the road, playing bass with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and George Lynch, before joining WHITESNAKE.
Monster drummer Joe Travers has been involved in all things ZAPPA since the age of ten. He has played with Dweezil Zappa's various bands, Billy Idol, THE MOTELS, DURAN DURAN. He is also Vaultmeister of the Zappa Family Trust.
STEAMROLLER celebrates their unique individuality both as musicians and personalities. Their brand of music is raw and full of essential rock spunk.
STEAMROLLER tour dates:
Sep. 17 - Helsinki, Finland - Tavastia Klubi
Sep. 22 - London, UK - Marshall Wembley Arena
Sep. 23 - Vasteras, Sweden - Sigurdsgatan 25
Sep. 24 - Praha, Czech Republic - Nová Chmelnice
Sep. 25 - Brno, Czech Republic - Melodka
Sep. 27 - Poland - Drum Festival
Sep. 30 - Nové Mesto Nad VáHom, Slovakia - Blue Note
Oct. 02 - Budapest, Hungary - A 38 Boat
Oct. 03 - Velden, Austria - Bluesiana Rock Café
Oct. 04 - Roermond, Holland - ECI Cultuurfabrik
Oct. 05 -Limassol, Cyprus - Teepee Rock Club
Oct. 06 - Larnaca, Cyprus - Saveno Rock Club
Oct. 07 - Kavala, Greece - Rock Club
Oct. 09 - Pratteln, Switzerland - The Gallery Z-7
Oct. 12 - Bologna, Italy - Teatro Delle Cellebrazioni
A PERFECT CIRCLE will perform one show in 2012 — on December 29 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Tickets for the special evening go on sale September 15 at 10 a.m. PST. VIP tickets will be available simultaneously at this location.
A PERFECT CIRCLE recently confirmed its participation in the 2013 edition of the Soundwave Festival, which kicks off February 23 in Brisbane, Australia.
A PERFECT CIRCLE toured North America for the first time in six years last summer. These were the band's first live dates since a mini-tour they did in the fall of 2010, in which they played each of their three studio albums over the course of three nights in five cities.
The 2010-2011 lineup of A PERFECT CIRCLE included singer Maynard James Keenan, guitarist-songwriter Billy Howerdel, drummer Josh Freese, former SMASHING PUMPKINS guitarist James Iha and bassist Matt McJunkins.
A PERFECT CIRCLE currently does not have a record deal.
"Dead End Kings", the ninth album from Swedish dark rockers KATATONIA, has registered the following first-week chart positions:
Finland: #4
Sweden: #12
Norway: #17
Germany: #21
Austria: #25
Netherlands: #60
Switzerland: #46
USA: #138
Commented KATATONIA guitarist Anders Nyström: "People might think only the biggest artists, or the latest, hyped and most commercial music lands on the actual album charts, but it seems five miserable Swedes just destroyed that fact. Bottom line is that all charts are based on actual album sales, nothing more, nothing less, so this simply proves that KATATONIA got a loyal following, that positively still in today's climate, are determined to buy our albums. In our turn, albums, that are again despite today's climate, still built on music prior other aspects, so it's pretty glorious, really!
"THANK YOU for supporting KATATONIA! We're proud to be more than a just scribble in the margins of your lives."
"Dead End Kings" sold 3,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 4 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.
KATATONIA's previous album, 2009's "Night Is The New Day", opened with around 2,200 units.
"Dead End Kings" was released on August 28 (one day earlier internationally) via Peaceville Records. Containing some of KATATONIA's most poignant and ambitious material to date, the CD sees the quintet conjure yet another milestone in audial angst and melancholy with this much-anticipated follow-up to 2009's inspired and acclaimed "Night Is The New Day".
"Dead End Kings", which features a guest appearance by Norwegian singer Silje Wergeland (THE GATHERING), was recorded at Ghost Ward Studios and The City Of Glass, and was produced by KATATONIA's own Anders Nyström and Jonas Renkse, and mixed by David Castillo, known for his prior work with KATATONIA, as well as OPETH and BLOODBATH.
The album marks the recording debut of KATATONIA guitarist Per Eriksson and bassist Niklas Sandin. Additionally, KATATONIA was joined once again by Frank Default and his invaluable expertise on sampling and atmospherics. The cover artwork was created by KATATONIA's longtime visual collaborator Travis Smith.
"Dead End Kings" track listing:
01. The Parting
02. The One You Are Looking for is Not Here
03. Hypnone
04. The Racing Heart
05. Buildings
06. Leech
07. Ambitions
08. Undo You
09. Lethean
10. First Prayer
11. Dead Letters
KATATONIA hit the road earlier this month in support of "Dead End Kings" as part of a co-headlining tour, "Epic Kings & Idols", with the DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT. The 18-city trek also features PARADISE LOST and STOLEN BABIES.
Italy's black/rock/doom metal outfit FORGOTTEN TOMB will release its sixth full-length album , entitled "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil", on October 30 in Europe and on November 6 in North America via Agonia Records.
More powerful and straight to the point, the CD begins where its antecedent — "Under Saturn Retrograde" — melodically ended. The directions of the new release may vary however over the last year's offering, as the band submerges into more dark, horror-like regions and underground scenery, serving us a more steady and mature recording. FORGOTTEN TOMB is still obscure, melodic and still follows its own negative path — continuously experiencing with sound and imaginativeness. But as fans of the formation may already know, the Italian outfit is likely to surprise the listener during the long and complex compositions, smuggling mainstream-music elements and wise song-structures into the outwardly seamy and fearsome metal landscapes, making the obvious music sub-genres sound not that obvious anymore.
According to FORGOTTEN TOMB leader and songwriter Ferdinando "Herr Morbid" Marchisio, "...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" is the most personal album he has written since 2004's "Love's Burial Ground" and it explores the darkest corners of his mind like never before, making it without any doubt one of the band's more tortured and twisted offerings.
"...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" was recorded in Elfo Studio in Italy by Daniele Mandelli and was mastered at Finnvox Studios (IMPALED NAZARENE, AMORPHIS, CHILDREN OF BODOM, FINNTROLL, HIM).
"…And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" track listing:
01. Deprived
02. ...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil
03. Cold Summer
04. Let's Torture Each Other
05. Love Me Like You'd Love The Death
06. Adrift
07. Nullifying Tomorrow
08. Transmission (JOY DIVISION cover)*
09. Sore (BUZZOV*EN cover) **
* exclusive digipack CD bonus track
** exclusive vinyl bonus track
"...And Don't Deliver Us From Evil" will be available as a regular jewelcase CD, limited-to-1,000-copies digipack CD with exclusive bonus track, digital download and double 12" LP with an alternative bonus track. The first 66 copies will be available on a multicolour splatter vinyl.
Prior to release of the new album, on September 25, there will be a new seven-inch EP, entitled "Deprived". The EP will be limited to 300 copies (100 green, 100 white, 100 red) only.
FORGOTTEN TOMB will embark on a full-scale European tour in November and December.
California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Entertainment, the new division of Nuclear Blast formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief Monte Conner.
As one of the leaders of the extreme modern metal movement, it is only fitting that their new home be one of the biggest metal labels on the planet. It's a union that is sure to bring much success to both parties in the not so distant future.
"I've been following SUICIDE SILENCE since their debut album and immediately grew to love their music," commented Staiger. "I knew we had to work with this amazing band and today is the day to finally welcome one of the most brutal bands on Earth to the Nuclear Blast family. The next SUICIDE SILENCE album will no doubt push boundaries once again."
"I am thrilled to have such an innovative and unique band like SUICIDE SILENCE as the first signing to Nuclear Blast Entertainment," added Conner. "Even though I was totally blown away by their last album, 'The Black Crown', I am certain the band's best music is still ahead of them."
Stated SUICIDE SILENCE guitarist Mark Heylmun: "I and all of SUICIDE SILENCE are proud to announce that we have signed a worldwide deal with the one and only Nuclear Blast. It wasn't a tough decision; Nuclear Blast has been a huge part of heavy metal for decades and we couldn't be happier. This is a new beginning for us and we're ready as all hell! Let Chapter 2 begin now!"
"I am beyond stoked to be signing to the sickest of all heavy metal record labels," added SUICIDE SILENCE bassist Dan Kenny. "It has been a dream of mine since I was a youngster with Nuclear Blast posters on my bedroom wall."
Nuclear Blast North American label manager Gerardo Martinez concluded: "It's pretty amazing when you hear SUICIDE SILENCE talk about the Nuclear Blast bands they love. It puts all of us on the same level — we are all music fans here. Super stoked to be a part of history with this Californian bunch!"
SUICIDE SILENCE's Nuclear Blast Entertainment debut is tentatively scheduled for a summer 2013 release.
DETHKLOK, the animated band from Adult Swim's "Metalocalypse", will embark on a North American headlining tour this fall. Support on the trek will come from MACHINE HEAD, ALL THAT REMAINS and THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER. The tour will kick off on October 30 in Norfolk, Virginia and will run through December.
The dates are as follows:
Oct. 30 - Norfolk, VA – Norva
Oct. 31 - Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Nov. 02 - Silver Spring, MD – Fillmore
Nov. 03 - New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom
Nov. 04 - Worcester, MA – Palladium
Nov. 05 - Montreal, QC – Metropolis
Nov. 07 - Toronto, ON – Sound Academy
Nov. 08 - Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
Nov. 09 - Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
Nov. 10 - Detroit, MI – Fillmore
Nov. 11 - Grand Rapids, MI – Orbit Room
Nov. 13 - Fargo, ND – The Venue
Nov. 14 - Minneapolis, MN – Myth
Nov. 15 - Milwaukee, WI – Rave / Eagles Club
Nov. 16 - Chicago, IL – Aragon Ballroom
Nov. 17 - Kansas City, MO – Midland
Nov. 18 - St. Louis, MO – The Pageant
Nov. 20 - Denver, Co – Fillmore
Nov. 21 - Salt Lake City, UT – Great Salt Air
Nov. 23 - Seattle, WA – Showbox SODO
Nov. 24 - Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
Nov. 26 - Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
Nov. 27 - Hollywood, CA – Palladium
Nov. 28 - Phoenix, AZ – Marquee
Nov. 30 - Dallas, TX – House Of Blues
Dec. 01 - Austin, TX – Stubbs
Dec. 02 - Houston, TX House of Blues
Dec. 04 - Orlando, FL – House Of Blues
Dec. 06 - Chattanooga, TN – Track 29
Dec. 07 - Charlotte, NC – Fillmore
Dec. 08 - Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
DETHKLOK returns this fall with "Metalocalypse: Dethklok Dethalbum III", the highly anticipated album that fans of the animated band have been begging for. The stars of the Adult Swim series "Metalocalypse" will unleash 12 brand new tracks, set to hit stores throughout North America on October 16 from Williams Street Records.
"Dethalbum III" was once again co-produced by "Metalocalypse" co-creator Brendon Small and DETHKLOK producer Ulrich Wild ("Dethalbum" and "Dethalbum II"). The cover art was also illustrated by "Dethalbum" and "Dethalbum II" cover artist Antonio Canobbio.
"Dethalbum III" will not only be released in its original CD and digital format, but also as a deluxe-edition CD/DVD and a clean version of the CD. The deluxe-edition CD/DVD will include a 32-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the making of "Dethalbum III", as well as music videos and much more. A vinyl edition of the album with special etching will be released on November 6.
MACHINE HEAD recently filmed a video for the song "Darkness Within" in the Czech Republic. The track comes off the band's new album, "Unto The Locust", which sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.
MACHINE HEAD is currently seeking a new label home following the expiration of the band's contract with longtime record company Roadrunner Records.
MACHINE HEAD's unauthorized biography, "Inside The Machine", is set for worldwide release on October 15 by Omnibus Press. The author, Joel McIver, has previously written books about and in co-operation with artists such as SLAYER, TOOL, MOTÖRHEAD, BLACK SABBATH and many other rock and metal legends, including the bestselling 2004 volume "Justice For All: The Truth About Metallica". The book features a foreword by ex-MACHINE HEAD drummer Chris Kontos.
Swedish black metallers ASTROPHOBOS have inked a deal with Abyss Records. The band will enter the studio this month with producer Erik Nilsson (A SWARM OF THE SUN, AORIA, KAUSAL) to begin recording its debut album for an early 2013 release. They have enlisted the services of Fredrik Widigs (DEMONICAL, THE UGLY) as session drummer for the recordings.
ASTROPHOBOS has posted two pre-production teasers for the as-yet-untitled CD. Check them out below.
The Stockholm-based black metal outfit has been described as "distinctly Swedish-sounding," referring to the sound of bands like DISSECTION, NAGLFAR, VINTERLAND and WATAIN. With the Swedish and Norwegian black and death metal scene that emerged in the early '90s as the main source of inspiration, the band's harsh yet melodic take on black metal has attracted a lot of attention.
Formed in 2009 by Martin Andersson (guitar), Jonas Ehlin (guitar) and Micke Broman (vocals and bass), ASTROPHOBOS combines the members long experience in writing and playing extreme metal. With skills based on both musical training and raw talent, the result is intense and memorable with much variation in style and sound.
Avant garde/industrial/metal musical act MORTIIS has teamed up with Norwegian filmmaker Reinert Kiil for a mind-blowing film short, "Vardøger", including "Geisteskrank" by MORTIIS, which debuted at the BUT film festival in Breda, The Netherlands, on September 8. A showing at Oslo Fright Fest is scheduled for September 22.
The mini film "Vardøger" and soundtrack "Geisteskrank" will be made available to everyone via www.mortiis.com as a free download starting October 1.
"Vardøger" is being shown in conjunction with Kiil's full-length films "Hora" and "Inside The Whore". This is Kiil's first musical collaboration.
Kiil and Mortiis initially connected through Mortiis' guitarist, Levi Gawron, also film-industry colleague of Kiil.
"I really love Mortiis' work," Kiil said. "The collaboration started with me writing a script for a story around my deepest demons, all the while listening to old tracks from Mortiis. I sent the script to Levi and he liked it. We talked many times and made the script more personal for me, as well as for Mortiis. I think the result is a film that expresses the essence of me and Mortiis all in one package."
Said Gawron: "We connected early on in the Norwegian film industry because we share the same views and interest in films. I guess we both like weird and twisted things! We have played around with this idea for some time now. The idea was that he would make a music video for us, but as the project evolved it became a collaboration where he stood for the visual and we for the music. The idea is to share fans."
Kiil is a director specializing in "shock" films. In addition to "Hora" and "Inside the Whore", Kiil has directed the films "Inside The Mind Of A Splatter Director" and "Or To Be Famous".
Kiil's twisted approach was a perfect fit for Mortiis' brand of crossover industrial/rock.
"We always said we'd be interested in providing the music as long as we liked the footage," said Mortiis, founder and namesake of the band. "We thought the song and tempo of the song fit the mood of Reinert's mini — slow heavy and foreboding. 'Geisteskrank' is not actually an album track per se, which would have made more sense commercially, but that song worked out better than anything else."
"Geisteskrank" was created during the "The Great Deceiver" sessions.
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