During a recent interview with the Palm Springs Boxing Examiner, legendary rocker Alice Cooper was baffled when he was told fellow singer Robert Plant confessed that he may be too old to perform LED ZEPPELIN songs.
"I go out on stage and say 'turn it up,'" Cooper said. "I never get tired of playing my songs."
Cooper continued, "They are just standing there. What is so hard? Jimmy Page wants to do it. John Paul Jones wants to do it. And they got [late ZEPPELIN drummer John] Bonham's son [Jason], who is a killer drummer. All they need is Robert Plant. But what is Robert Plant out there doing? Playing folk music! What is he doing?"
Plant recently spoke about his reluctance to commit to a LED ZEPPELIN reunion tour — and took time out to take a swipe at his peers who rely too heavily on their past laurels. Plant told Rolling Stone that his heart is simply not in the band's music anymore, saying, "The preparations for (the 2007 reunion show) were fraught and intense, but the last rehearsal was really, really good, for all that it represented and all that we were trying to capture. But I've gone so far somewhere else that I almost can't relate to it. . . It's a bit of a pain in the pisser to be honest. Who cares? I know people care, but think about it from my angle — soon, I'm going to need help crossing the street."
Plant added that he has zero interest in becoming a nostalgia act simply to please the masses. "There's nothing worse than a bunch of jaded old farts, and that's a fact," he said. "People who have written their story -- they've gotten to the point where nothing moves. I don't deal in that, and I don't deal with anybody who deals in that."
According to Fox 411, Steven Tyler's appearance on "American Idol" as a judge for the show's tenth season has boosted sales of old AEROSMITH songs. The band's 1998 power ballad "I Don't Want to Miss A Thing" is currently No. 19 on Apple's iTunes Songs chart, and AEROSMITH's 1973 hit "Dream On" is No. 61. The Boston hard rockers' "Big Ones" collection" from 1994 is No. 25 on iTunes' Albums chart.
"So far, Steven Tyler has been a pretty striking presence on 'Idol'," says Richard Rushfield, author of "American Idol: The Untold Story". "He's a wild character, and he's pretty much pushed Simon Cowell out of people's minds in just two weeks."
Backing up comments made by Tyler, Billboard.com reported on Thursday (January 27) that most of the members of AEROSMITH are working on songs for a new album with co-writer Marti Frederiksen at a studio in Los Angeles. The only man missing is guitarist Joe Perry, who was unable to join his bandmates for the sessions due to what Billboard.com described as an "unspecified commitment."
The irony of the situation is rich since it was Perry who has expressed the most concern that work on a new AEROSMITH album would be delayed by Tyler's duties as a judge on "American Idol". But Tyler himself said on a recent conference call that the issue has been blown out of proportion: "We've certainly been writing," he said. "I know Joe's got some licks and I've got a bunch of songs that I've written, and we're into a writing program with the band, so...we're already booked for a tour, November/December, that should be South America and Japan. So, I mean, what you hear in the press about Aerosmith getting in the way of 'American Idol', it just isn't so."
Frederiksen told Billboard.com that the band and he have been "playing songs, putting together riffs, having fun, laughing and working from noon to 11 (p.m.) We're just digging in, man."
Tyler and his bandmates — guitarist Brad Whitford, bassist Tom Hamilton and drummer Joey Kramer — will continue working through February 2, when Tyler begins his live appearances as an "American Idol" judge.
Although a recent New York Post article indicated that AEROSMITH was "unable to work" due to Tyler's "American Idol" gig, Tyler's attorney Dina LaPolt responded, "Mr. Tyler's 'American Idol' contract was specifically negotiated to work around his AEROSMITH touring and recording schedule."
The new album will be AEROSMITH's first studio effort since 2004's "Honkin' On Bobo" covers set and first collection of all-new tunes since 2001's "Just Push Play".
March 14, 2011 sees the re-release of QUEEN's first five albums — one of the most exciting and influential back catalogues of all time. Recorded in the maelstrom of the early 1970s London music scene, QUEEN created a groundbreaking and unique soundtrack that remains globally influential today. Theatrical, imaginative, diverse, melodic and unpredictable they had a sound and a look all of their own. Sitting alongside their contemporaries like LED ZEPPELIN and DAVID BOWIE, QUEEN set the standard for British rock in the 1970s and became one of the most thrilling, glamorous and downright rock 'n' roll bands of all time, directly influencing a contemporary roll call of artists from FOO FIGHTERS and Axl Rose to Lady Gaga and Katy Perry.
"Queen", "Queen II", "Sheer Heart Attack", "A Night At The Opera" and "A Day At The Races" have been specially remastered and each will be released as a standard CD as well as a deluxe two-disc set which will feature new bonus content. Each deluxe album will be released on iTunes featuring bonus tracks plus additional sleeve notes, unseen pictures and videos. The albums also set the scene for their band's forthcoming Stormtroopers In Stilettos Global exhibition that launches in London on February 25.
From the pure raw rock of "Queen" through to the majestic anthems on "A Day At The Races", the first five albums highlight the diverse talent, musical ambition and already global success of a band made up of some of the best songwriters, musicians and performers of all time.
"Queen", recently nominated by Dave Grohl as his favourite album of all time, was recorded in the same studio that David Bowie was recording "Ziggy Stardust". Because they didn't have any money, the album was recorded on Bowie's downtime, so QUEEN were literally recording at 3 a.m. after Bowie had gone to bed. "Queen" is their heaviest album, influenced by THE WHO, JIMI HENDRIX and LED ZEPPELIN and contains some of their hardest-rocking songs, and also some of their most imaginative. Like all subsequent QUEEN albums, no two songs sound the same and there are mixtures of light and shade, the band teasing one minute with a lullaby, then blowing your head off.
"Queen II" is the real beginning of QUEEN as we know it. It's the first time we hear the multi-layered overdubs, the harmonies, the varied musical styles (ballads, folk, blues, thrash metal, pop and rock, it's all there). It also includes their first hit single "Seven Seas of Rhye", which led to the first of many iconic performances on "Top of the Pops". The band recorded "Queen II" in just over a month in 1973 ahead of its release in 1974. The album cover was shot by legendary photographer Mick Rock and inspired by a Marlene Dietrich portrait. The image was later brought to life in the revolutionary "Bohemian Rhapsody" video.
"Sheer Heart Attack", Roger Taylor's favorite QUEEN album, was released in 1974 and reached No. 2 in the U.K. Prior to this, QUEEN were mostly considered a heavy rock band, but this album experimented with a variety of musical genres, including music hall, heavy metal, ballads and ragtime. At this point QUEEN started to move away from the progressive tendencies of their first two releases into a more radio-friendly, song-orientated style, illustrated by "Killer Queen", which was their biggest hit at that point reaching No. 2 in the U.K. It also went to No. 12 in the U.S. Billboard chart, the first of many hits there. A song about a high-class call girl, it contains the guitar solo that Brian May is most proud of and won Freddie his first Ivor Novello Award.
"A Night at The Opera", named after the Marx Bros. film, is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest albums of all time. Exceptional on every level, musically, lyrically and artistically, QUEEN took the strongest elements of their previous two albums to make the ultimate winning combination. The most expensive album ever recorded at that time, it delivered rock, opera, heavy metal, romance, ballads, pop, sci-fi folk, music hall, "trad jazz" and even the national anthem. The album contains perhaps the most famous rock song of all time, "Bohemian Rhapsody", which went on to spend fourteen weeks at number one, be voted "Song of the Millennium," become the only song in history to reach Christmas No. 1 twice and sell a million copies on two separate occasions. QUEEN also recorded the first official pop promo for "Bohemian Rhapsody" as they were on tour and could not appear on "Top of The Pops" and this video paved the way for MTV and VH1.
By 1976, QUEEN were back in the studio recording "A Day At The Races", which was written and recorded by QUEEN at their happiest, riding on the crest of a wave and loving every second. The album is an infectiously jubilant piece of music, full of love, optimism and good old-fashioned rock and roll. Like "A Night at the Opera", it again borrowed the name of a Marx Bros. movie, and its cover was similar to that of "A Night at the Opera", a variation on the same QUEEN crest. It reached number one on the British chart and features the classics "Tie Your Mother Down", Freddie Mercury's personal favorite composition "Somebody To Love" and "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy".
"Queen" track listing:
01. Keep Yourself Alive
02. Doing All Right
03. Great King Rat
04. My Fairy King
05. Liar
06. The Night Comes Down
07. Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll
08. Son And Daughter
09. Jesus
10. Seven Seas Of Rhye
Bonus tracks:
01. Keep Yourself Alive (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
02. The Night Comes Down (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
03. Great King Rat (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
04. Jesus (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
05. Liar (De Lane Lea Demo, December 1971)
06. Mad The Swine (June 1972)
"Queen II" track listing:
01. Procession
02. Father To Son
03. White Queen (As It Began)
04. Some Day One Day
05. The Loser In The End
06. Ogre Battle
07. The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke
08. Nevermore
09. The March Of The Black Queen
10. Funny How Love Is
11. Seven Seas Of Rhye
Bonus tracks:
01. See What A Fool I've Been (BBC Session, July 1973 - 2011 remix)
02. White Queen (Live at Hammersmith Odeon, December 1975)
03. Seven Seas of Rhye (Instrumental Mix 2011)
04. Nevermore (BBC Session, April 1974)
05. See What A Fool I've Been (B-side version, February 1974)
"Sheer Heart Attack" track listing:
01. Brighton Rock
02. Killer Queen
03. Tenement Funster
04. Flick Of The Wrist
05. Lily Of The Valley
06. Now I'm Here
07. In The Lap Of The Gods
08. Stone Cold Crazy
09. Dear Friends
10. Misfire
11. Bring Back That Leroy Brown
12. She Makes Me (Stormtrooper In Stilettos)
13. In The Lap Of The Gods . . . Revisited
Bonus tracks:
01. Now I'm Here (Live at Hammersmith, Dec 75)
02. Flick of the Wrist (BBC Session, Oct 74)
03. Tenement Funster (BBC Session, Oct 74)
04. Bring Back That Leroy Brown (A capella Plus)
05. In The Lap of the Gods..Revisited (Live at Wembley July 86)
"Night At The Opera" track listing:
01. Death On Two Legs (Dedicated To...)
02. Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon
03. I'm In Love With My Car
04. You're My Best Friend
05. '39
06. Sweet Lady
07. Seaside Rendezvous
08. The Prophet's Song
09. Love Of My Life
10. Good Company
11. Bohemian Rhapsody
12. God Save The Queen
Bonus tracks:
01. Keep Yourself Alive (Long-Lost Retake, June 75)
02. Bohemian Rhapsody (Operatic Section A cappella)
03. I'm In Love With My Car (Guitar & Vocal version)
04. You're My Best Friend (Backing Track)
05. '39 (Live at Earls Court, June 77)
06. Love Of My Life (South American Live Single June 79)
"A Day At The Races" track listing:
01. Tie Your Mother Down
02. You Take My Breath Away
03. Long Away
04. The Millionaire Waltz
05. You And I
06. Somebody To Love
07. White Man
08. Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy
09. Drowse
10. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)
Bonus tracks:
01. Tie Your Mother Down (Backing Track)
02. Somebody To Love (Live at Milton Keynes, June 82)
03. You Take My Breath Away (Live in Hyde Park, Sept 76)
04. Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy (Top of the Pops July 77)
05. Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) (HD Mix)
WHITESNAKE, TESLA, LITA FORD, KIX, WARRANT and L.A. GUNS are among the confirmed bands for the M3 Rock Festival, set to take place May 13-14, 2011 at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
In its third year, M3 Rock Festival had added a kick-off party and concert featuring full sets, since one day alone can't contain all this metal.
The official M3 "Kix-Off Party" will get things started Friday, May 13 at 7 p.m. The full-blown 2011 M3 Rock Festival begins Saturday, May 14 at noon.
Last year VIP and Pavilion seats sold out faster than you could flick your Bic, so headbangers hoping to get close enough to smell the sweat will want to be at their computers Thursday, February 3 at 10 a.m. EST for the insiders' pre-sale. Only members of M3 Rockers' Forum at www.m3rockfest.com will be given the pre-sale promo code.
Discounted two-day packages will go on sale to the general public Friday, February 4 at 10 a.m. EST. If there are any tickets remaining as of March 4, they will go on sale as single-day tickets at 10 a.m. EST through Ticketfly. Tickets can also be purchased at the Merriweather and 9:30 club box offices.
M3 Rock Festival will feature two music stages, the Freak Stage and a Festival Village.
Friday, May 13:
KIX
WARRANT
L.A. GUNS
JETBOY
Saturday, May 14:
WHITESNAKE
TESLA
SEBASTIAN BACH
LITA FORD
MR. BIG
SLAUGHTER
GREAT WHITE
DANGER DANGER
FIREHOUSE
BIG NOIZE
BLACK 'N BLUE
HURTSMILE
FASTER PUSSYCAT
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
Canadian rockers SAGA have been rejoined by the band's original singer, Michael Sadler. The group is in the process of recording a new CD, to be released later this year through Edel AG.
SAGA's most recent vocalist, Rob Moratti, replaced Sadler during the years 2008 through 2010 and appeared on the band's 2009 release, "The Human Condition".
Originally known as THE POCKETS, SAGA formed in 1977 from the nucleus of popular Canadian rock band FLUDD. In June 1978, they released their self-titled debut album. A modest success in Canada, it would eventually sell over 50,000 copies in Germany as an import.
SAGA has released a total of 19 studio albums, five live albums, five compilations and one interactive CD and four live video/DVDs. They have 8 million in sales to date.
SAGA is:
Michael Sadler - Lead Vocals
Ian Crichton - Guitar
Jim Crichton - Bass , Keyboards
Jim Gilmour - Keyboards, Vocals
Brian Doerner – Drums
The Pulse Of Radio reports that QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE frontman Josh Homme and his wife are apparently expecting their second child, according to a Twitter post by Homme's wife, Brody Dalle. The former DISTILLERS singer first wrote that she was recording a new album in April, then added, "Also I am up the duff 3 mo's, aka bun in the oven, seed in the pumpkin, squid in the ocean, lotion in the basket, hole in the donut."
Homme and Dalle already have a daughter, Camille Homme, who was born in January 2006.
Dalle and Homme were married in 2007. Dalle was previously married to RANCID frontman Tim Armstrong from 1997 to 2003.
Meanwhile, Josh Homme told Fasterlouder.au that the sixth QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE album may explore a blues-rock sound, saying, "We all love the blues, and we all love to boogie . . . It's really early in the process and it's not too defined what it is, but we're all feeling really great about it and there's no shortage of ideas. We're trying to filter the best of the best."
The band will be recording the follow-up to 2007's "Era Vulgaris" throughout the year, with breaks for some touring.
Multinational melodic metallers EDEN'S CURSE have released the cover artwork and track listing for their forthcoming third album, "Trinity", due out on March 18 via AFM Records. The artwork was designed by the band's longtime graphic artist Thomas Ewerhard, whose previous work includes the likes of AVANTASIA, EDGUY, James LaBrie and ASIA.
"Trinity" track listing:
01. Trinitas Sanctus (intro)
02. Trinity
03. Saints Of Tomorrow
04. No Holy Man (feat. James LaBrie)
05. Guardian Angel
06. Can't Fool The Devil
07. Rivers Of Destiny
08. Dare To Be Different
09. Children Of The Tide
10. Black Widow (feat. Andi Deris)
11. Jerusalem Sleeps
12. Rock 'N' Roll Children
The AFM Records release will feature "We Climb" as an exclusive European bonus track, while the Metal Mayhem (USA) version will include "Never The Sinner", whereas a cover of the DOKKEN classic "Unchain The Night" and "Guardian Angel" (acoustic version) will appear on the Japanese release via Spiritual Beast.
"Trinity" was produced by the band's longtime engineer Dennis Ward (KROKUS, PINK CREAM 69, ANGRA).
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/edentrinity.jpg
According to The Detroit News, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil allegedly owes over $1 million in unpaid taxes. The IRS filed a $740,171 lien against Neil and his wife, Lia, in April 2010, while another $371,050 demand was filed against the couple for income taxes in December. The address on the lien is Neil's 6,800-square-foot mansion in Las Vegas, which was featured on MTV's "Cribs" show (see video below).
Neil pled guilty yesterday morning (Wednesday, January 26) to a drunken driving charge and will spend two weeks in a Las Vegas jail. He will surrender on February 15 and will serve 15 days in the Clark County Detention Center, followed by another 15 days of house arrest.
"I have recognized that you can't drink and drive at all," Neil said in a statement released last week. "I take full responsibility for my actions and will learn from this experience."
Neil failed three field sobriety tests and had a blood-alcohol level almost three times the legal limit during his June 27, 2010 Las Vegas arrest.
MURDERDOLLS guitarist Joey Jordison (who also plays drums for SLIPKNOT and ROB ZOMBIE) has released the following statement regarding the band's abbreviated performance last night (Thursday, January 27) in Bordeaux, France:
"Hello to all our fans and friends in France.
"I'm writing to address the situation which took place in Bordeaux on Thursday night.
"As it has been seen in videos online [see below], I threw my guitar and walked off stage.
"I want to clear up what exactly happened.
"I have a condition with my ears called tinnitus, which in my case is very severe, and has been causing me excruciating pain for two years now. That night in Bordeaux, my tinnitus was at an extreme.
"I wanted to come out and play the best show that I could. However, due to technical difficulties, and high-end feedback that persisted in the monitors, the pain within my ears became unbearable. I tried to attempt to play after I walked off the first time but it got worse.
"I'm okay, but I have to watch my ears so as not to cause any permanent damage.
"I want to apologize to the fans in attendance in Bordeaux; I meant no disrespect whatsoever and I hope that my fans understand this."
Several songs into last night's MURDERDOLLS concert, Jordison suddenly threw his guitar towards the drum set and walked off stage. The rest of the group finished the track before leaving the stage. The full band came back five minutes later, with singer Wednesday 13 apologizing to the crowd for "technical problems." But after another couple of numbers, Joey walked off stage a second time. After the song ended, the rest of the band left the stage again. They came back five minutes later, this time without Joey, stating that he wouldn't be back on stage but that the rest of the band would finish the show, apologizing once again for "technical issues" and asking the crowd for understanding. They played a few more songs as a four-piece band before exiting the stage one final time, leaving the audience surprised and frustrated.
MURDERDOLLS recently canceld its "Violent Night, Deadly Night" U.S. tour "due to an unforeseeable family emergency."
The band's sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", sold 8,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on August 31, 2010 via Roadrunner Records, the CD was recorded at a studio in Hollywood Hills, California with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).
MURDERDOLLS's current touring lineup is as follows:
* Wednesday 13 (WEDNESDAY 13, GUNFIRE 76, BOURBON CROW) - Lead Vocals
* Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT, ROB ZOMBIE) - Guitar, Backing Vocals
* Roman Surman (GUNFIRE 76, BOURBON CROW) - Guitar
* Racci Shay Hart (WEDNESDAY 13, DOPE, GENITORTURERS) - Drums
* Jack Tankersley (BULLETS AND OCTANE) - Bass
In a brand new interview that was posted earlier today at Billboard.com, SLIPKNOT/STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor would neither confirm not deny that is the known singer" who's working under wraps with VELVET REVOLVER. "To be continued!" Taylor told Billboard.com with a long, hearty laugh, before declining to say anything further.
As for the future of SLIPKNOT in the wake of bassist Paul Gray's sudden death in May, Taylor said, "I go back and forth. There are moments when I'm like, 'Let's keep going for (Gray),' and there are moments when I'm like, 'It's not the same without him.' Right now my main concern is baby steps. We lost a huge piece of our band. We lost a huge member of our family — in my opinion the biggest — and it's a different vibe now. So right now I'm just taking it step by step, and I can only hope that the other guys in the band are as well."
Regarding the possibility of starting work on a new SLIPKNOT album, Taylor said, "There's a lot of things I've got to figure out about myself before I can even contemplate that. There's a big part of me that wonders if I'm the guy for that band anymore. I'm in such a different place in my life...musically, spiritually. I'm not the angry kid anymore. A lot of things don't mean the same to me anymore, and there's a lot of things I don't feel like saying anymore. Does it make sense anymore? We'll just have to see."
Both VELVET drummer Matt Sorum and guitarist Slash have hinted that the candidate they have recently been jamming with is a "known" artist, and that his style is a little "heavier" than what previous singer, Scott Weiland, brought to the band. Taylor has jammed with the band in the past, although nothing ever came of it.
Sorum gave The Pulse Of Radio a few more clues about the singer the band is looking at. "He's a guy that we've had our eye on but the timing wasn't right," he said. "You know, we don't like stealing people. Weiland was available, you know, he was out of STP. It wasn't like we went and said, 'Hey, dude...' Similar situation with this particular individual. It's cool because we're feeling the guy's work ethic is similar to ours, like, when we mean business, we mean business. We're not gonna dabble in it."
Sorum posted in recent days that VELVET REVOLVER has demoed nine new songs with the mystery vocalist, while both he and Slash have hinted that an announcement about the singer and the band's future will come sometime this month.
Veteran rockers WARRIOR SOUL have scheduled the following European tour dates:
Mar. 23 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
Mar. 24 - London, UK - The Purple Turtle Camden
Mar. 25 - Glasgow, UK - Ivory Blacks
Mar. 26 - Birmingham, UK - Eddie's Rock Club
Mar. 28 - Dublin, IRE - Crawdaddy
Mar. 29 - Ballymena, UK - Diamond Rock Club
Mar. 31 - Barcelona, SPA - Mephisto
Apr. 01 - Valencia, SPA - Durango Club
Apr. 02 - Madrid, SPA - Sala Live
Apr. 07 - Stockholm, SWE - Marie Laveau
Apr. 15 - Gothenburg, SWE - Sticky Fingers
WARRIOR SOUL entered the studio earlier this month to begin recording its new album. No further details are currently available.
White-vinyl versions of the WARRIOR SOUL albums "Last Decade Dead Century" (1990), "Drugs, God And The New Republic" (1991) and "Salutations From The Ghetto Nation" (1992) were released on January 24 via Livewire/Cargo. The albums are limited to 500 copies each.
For more information, go to this location.
WARRIOR SOUL's first album in 15 years, "Destroy The War Machine", was released in March 2010 through FRW Records. The eight-song album, which was originally made available in 2008 under the title "Chinese Democracy", includes a cover of IGGY POP's "Knocking 'Em Down (In The City)".
WARRIOR SOUL bassist Janne Jarvis previously stated about "Destroy The War Machine": "[This album] has everything a WARRIOR SOUL fan should expect from a WARRIOR SOUL record. It has an ear for an argument, puke on its shoes and remains untouched by trends or the long-arm of the corporations."
WARRIOR SOUL's current lineup is as follows:
Kory Clarke - Vocals
Rille Lundell - Guitar
Johnny H - Guitar
Janne Jarvis - Bass
Freddie Cocker Kvarnebrink – Drums
MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ, the new project led by WHITE LION singer Mike Tramp, will release its second album, "Stand Your Ground", on March 28 via Target Records.
Mike wrote all the songs the CD, which was recorded almost live at Medley Studios in Copenhagen with Søren Andersen and Mike Tramp as producers. The album was mixed by Jacob Hansen (VOLBEAT, RAUNCHY, THE STORM, SURFACT). The cover artwork (see below) was created by Karsten Sand (VOLBEAT).
"Stand Your Ground" track listing:
01. Don't Let Them Put It On You
02. Alright By Me
03. Distance
04. Gotta Get Away
05. Straight From The Look In My Eyes
06. Got Me Crazy
07. Wish You Well
08. World Is Changing
09. Prettiest Thing
10. Say What You Will
11. The Soldier Never Started A War
The self-titled debut from MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ came out in October 2009. The CD was decribed in a press release as "the most profound musical statement" released to date by Tramp. He stated at the time about the effort, "With this album no stone has been left unturned, no compromises made, this album is complete in every way."
"Mike Tramp & The Rock 'N' Roll Circuz" was released in Denmark via Kick Music/Sony Music and was also made available via MikeTramp.com.
Co-produced in Copenhagen, Denmark with Andersen, "Rock 'N' Roll Circuz"'s title refered to the atmosphere created by Tramp around the band in the studio when recording the album. "It made us visualize this old fallen apart circus," he said. "From there we built certain things into the songs and into the album."
MIKE TRAMP & THE ROCK 'N' ROLL CIRCUZ is:
Mike Tramp - Lead Vocals, Guitar
Claus Langeskov -Bass
Søren Andersen - Guitar
Morten Hellborn - Drums
Emily Garriock - Vocals, Keyboards
For more information, go to www.myspace.com/miketramp.
Swedish metallers THE HAUNTED will release their seventh studio album, "Unseen", in late March via Century Media Records. The CD was once again recorded with longtime producer Tue Madsen (MOONSPELL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, GOREFEST, SICK OF IT ALL) at his Antfarm Studio in Århus, Denmark.
Regarding the "Unseen" cover artwork, which can be seen below, THE HAUNTED said, "The artwork design was made by our friend Frode, who also did the art for [2004's] 'rEVOLVEr'. We really like his design aesthetic, and he seems to come up with something unique every single time."
"Unseen" track listing:
01. Never Better
02. No Ghost
03. Catch 22
04. Disappear
05. Motionless
06. Unseen
07. The Skull
08. Ocean Park
09. The City
10. Them
11. All Ends Well
12. Done
THE HAUNTED performed the brand new song "No Ghost" this past Saturday (January 22) at the "P3 Guld" (Swedish radio's annual music awards) live awards ceremony broadcast from Lisebergshallen in Gothenburg, Sweden. Fan-filmed video footage of the performance can be viewed below.
Commented the band: "Last weekend, we had a great time at the 'P3 Guld' awards. We were a bit out of our comfort zone, but everything turned out great. Always nice to play live to a million or so Swedish TV viewers."
The studio blog for "Unseen" can be found at this location.
THE HAUNTED recently signed a new worldwide deal with Century Media Records for the release of the group's next CD.
THE HAUNTED's last three albums — "rEVOLVEr", "The Dead Eye" and "Versus" — were all issued through the German label.
THE HAUNTED released a live DVD/CD, "Road Kill", in North America on June 8, 2010 via Century Media. This crushing live release, which was issued in Europe on April 19, 2010, was made available as a DVD+CD as well as a stand-alone CD and digital download. The audio-only release contain the full live-show as well as five previously unreleased or rare studio tracks from the "Versus" recording sessions.
According to a press release, "Road Kill" features an in-depth, very unique on-the-road documentary, footage of THE HAUNTED's intense live performance and the band's recent promotional video clips. The live show was captured on February 13, 2009 at Melkweg in Amsterdam, Holland by Fabchannel and its sound was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen.
"Road Kill" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 29 (album chart) and in Finland at No. 3 (Music DVD chart).
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/reviewpics/hauntedunseen.jpg
Swedish cult act MORBID has teamed up with Century Media Records to release "Year Of The Goat" — a 100 percent official vinyl and CD offering covering the seminal band's first demo, "December Moon", live and rehearsal recordings — on April 4 in Europe.
"Year Of The Goat" will be available as ultra deluxe triple-gatefold LP with three 180g vinyls, printed inner sleeves and slipcase as well as deluxe kingsize 2CD mediabook in a slipcase packaging. All material has been collected and compiled by Dr. Schitz in cooperation with Napoleon Pukes, Drutten, Klacke and TG, as well as Dead's brothers Anders and Daniel Ohlin, and also features liner notes by Daniel Ekeroth (author of "Swedish Death Metal") along with an in-depth interview by Metalion (taken from the final issue of Slayer magazine). Rounded off with cover artwork and entire layout being done by Erik Danielsson (WATAIN), "Year Of The Goat" is the first comprehensive MORBID release that truly honors the band's musical legacy and memory of legendary vocalist Dead — also renowned for his time in Norwegian black metal act MAYHEM — who committed suicide on April 8, 1991.
Dr. Schitz states in his interview with Metalion (Slayer magazine): "I would have been quite content if MORBID would have remained in utter obscurity, but the Norns wanted otherwise and who am I to argue with them? Seeing all the bootlegs (over 35 last time I counted, and they keep coming) and interest in MORBID we decided that it would be proper to bring some closure to it all by doing a final, ultimate release. Not to cash in; on the contrary, as we have decided to not make any profit but rather donate the proceeds to worthy causes. Of course, also to pay respect to our fans, to the memory of Dead, and to whatever we shared back then. I am very pleased and proud that just about all the old members have actively been involved in the production, without a trace of ego-bullshit. We have spared no efforts in making the very best we could. It should prove to be utterly essential to any fan of MORBID (and Dead)!"
"Year Of The Goat" 2CD track listing:
CD1: Studio tracks / rehearsal tracks
01. My Dark Subconscious
02. Wings Of Funeral
03. From The Dark
04. Disgusting Semla
05. My Dark Subconscious
06. Wings Of Funeral
07. Tragic Dream / From The Dark
08. Deathexecution
09. Disgusting Semla
Tracks 1 to 4 taken from the "December Moon" demo (1986)
Tracks 5 to 9 are rehearsal tracks
CD2: Live tracks
01. Intro
02. My Dark Subconscious
03. Deathexecution
04. Wings Of Funeral
05. Citythrasher (Schnabelkäse)
06. Necrodead
07. Tragic Dream
08. Disgusting Semla
09. From The Dark
10. Wings Of Funeral
11. Deathexecution
12. Necrodead
13. Disgusting Semla
14. Wings Of Funeral
15. Citythrasher / Deathexecution
16. My Dark Subconscious
17. Necrodead
Tracks 1 to 9 recorded live at Birkagården, Stockholm, October 23, 1987
Tracks 10 to 13 recorded live at Ultrahuset, Stockholm, April 26, 1987
Tracks 14 to 17 recorded live at Ultrahuset, November 23, 1987
"Year Of The Goat" 3LP track listing:
Side 1: "December Moon" demo (1986)
01. My Dark Subconscious
02. Wings Of Funeral
03. From The Dark
04. Disgusting Semla
Side 2: Rehearsal tracks
01. My Dark Subconscious
02. Wings Of Funeral
03. Tragic Dream / From The Dark
04. Deathexecution
05. Disgusting Semla
Side 3: Live at Birkagården, Stockholm, October 23, 1987 (Part I)
01. Intro
02. My Dark Subconscious
03. Deathexecution
04. Wings Of Funeral
05. Citythrasher (Schnabelkäse)
Side 4: Live at Birkagården, Stockholm, October 23, 1987 (Part II)
01. Necrodead
02. Tragic Dream
03. Disgusting Semla
04. From The Dark
Side 5: Live at Ultrahuset, Stockholm, April 26, 1987
01. Wings Of Funeral
02. Deathexecution
03. Necrodead
04. Disgusting Semla
Side 6: Live at Ultrahuset, Stockholm, November 23, 1987
01. Wings Of Funeral
02. Citythrasher / Deathexecution
03. My Dark Subculture
DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE, the new band featuring former/current members of STEREOMUD and FOZZY, have parted ways with ex-STUCK MOJO drummer Rodney Beaubouef and are currently seeking a replacement.
Commented DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE singer Erik Rogers: "[I] would like to congratulate Rodney and his wife on the new edition to their family. Therefore, Rodney has decided to leave DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE. We are saddened that he has made this decision BUT we understand the demands of his family must come first. We wish the Beaubouefs all the best with your future.
"So now the drummer search begins! We're looking for someone with writing, recording and touring experience. All interested parties should contact rob@dvsartistmanagement.com."
DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE released its full-length debut, "Set The World On Fire", in May 2010 via Four Records, LLC, the new label helmed by music producer Rusty T. Cobb (AVRIL LAVIGNE, BOWLING FOR SOUP, SEVENDUST). The CD was produced by DANGEROUS NEW MACHINE and Cobb.
Dutch/Norwegian goth metal band IMPERIA — which is fronted by Norwegian singer Helena Iren Michaelsen (the original vocalist of the Holland-based band SAHARA DUST, which later changed its name to EPICA) — has set "Secret Passion" as the title of its new album, due on February 25 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Spacelab studio in Germany.
IMPERIA's sophomore album, "Queen of Light", was released in March 2007 via Massacre Records.
IMPERIA is:
Helena Iren Michaelsen - Vocals
Steve Wolz - Drums
Gerry Verstreken - Bass
Jan "Örkki" Yrlund - Guitar
Swedish metallers WOLF have issued the following update:
"This coming weekend will be the end of the recording session of the new WOLF album 'Legions Of Bastards'. The final lead vocals will be immortalized by Niklas 'Razorthroat' Viper and that means we're done recording.
"We're VERY excited and fired up to unleash this new album upon the metal community. Preparations for the upcoming [European] tour with ACCEPT and rehearsals are next on the roster so all of us is pulling their weight and we can't wait to hit the road."
"Legions Of Bastards" is scheduled for release in April via Century Media Records. The CD was previously described in a press release as "heavy" and "metal." Nothing more, nothing less. Producer Pelle Saether of Studio Underground in Sweden has given the album a heavy and raw sound that these excellent new tracks deserve. Fans of WOLF's previous efforts such as "Evil Star", "The Black Flame" and "Ravenous" will not be disappointed, as the band kept true to its vision of what good ol' in-your-face heavy metal is about.
U.K.'s Guitarist magazine recently conducted an interview with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE guitarist and producer extraordinaire Adam Dutkiewicz about TIMES OF GRACE, Adam's new project with original KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Guitarist: This [TIMES OF GRACE] album ["The Hymn Of A Broken Man"] came out of a very difficult time for you when you had a very serious back problem — can you give us an overview of what happened?
Adam: The record itself was a cathartic thing, it wasn't even just my back. It stemmed from that; for the two years we were working on the recording Jesse and I were hanging out and talking about the rough things we'd been through. Personal issues and things like that. But it all stemmed from the time I had to have emergency back surgery here in London. That's when I started writing the music and I'll be honest, most of the record was written from my hospital bed. I needed something to drive and motivate me — to pick me up out of the depression and anxiety I was going through. Thinking I wasn't going to be able to play in KILLSWITCH ENGAGE anymore — to travel and tour.
Guitarist: Did you immediately think of Jesse for the songs?
Adam: No, Jesse was a complete afterthought because this was initially a personal thing for myself. It was music I was writing for me but after all was said and done, I had a good chunk of music down and was writing lyrics and singing ideas. I didn't have enough confidence in myself as a singer to put the whole record together so I might call someone who is a really good lyricist and a really good singer.
Guitarist: How did the creative process work between you both?
Adam: Once I was up and on my feet again, literally, I was taking a lot of the ideas I had and developing them. I had a tape recorder and had been singing some of the ideas into that. From that and what I had in my head I got them into a demo form so at least the parts were down. I would send those to Jesse and I would send him my lyric ideas and he would take those and extend on them. He might rewrite parts too and there were also songs I sent him that already had my vocals on them — the way I thought they could be. He would also come to the studio and he'd either have the song mapped out already or he'd have pages of poetry and lyrics written we'd try to write it together. We'd come up with ideas together — it was very collaborative to be able to do that. A lot of back and forth — he would fix my ideas and I would fix his. It was the true meaning of collaboration — it felt great.
Guitarist: You can definitely hear that in the way vocal dynamic between you on the album…
Adam: We've never really done that before with anyone and we were both shocked. Two guys literally just singing together.
Guitarist: But when you were writing these songs were you even considering that they'd ever be released or was it just something for yourself at the time?
Adam: That's the funny thing because with this record it's so completely different because normally I'm writing music for fans and for the other dudes in the band to listen to — making something I think the other KILLSWITCH guys are going to like. This time I wrote music for me. It's almost a selfish thing to say that but there were never any intensions to release this to begin with and take over the world with it.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania's sci-fi instrumental rock duo ZOMBI has completed work on a brand new full-length album, "Escape Velocity", for a May 10 North American release via Relapse Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Spirit Animal" was recorded in part by ZOMBI's Steve Moore and A.E. Paterra in Pittsburgh and Nyack, New York. The album was mastered by Denis Blackham (THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN, WILSON PICKETT, KRAFTWERK) at Skye Mastering in Scotland.
The cover artwork for "Escape Velocity" was created by Jeremy Schmidt (BLACK MOUNTAIN) and can be seen below.
Commented Moore: "I think the album came together exactly as planned, considering we had no plan. In fact, I'm not even sure we knew we were making an album. Actually, I can't remember at all. Anyway it's Jeremy's artwork that really ties it all together. Naked women, sports cars, mid-century modern architecture, space. The boy's a Shakespeare."
In fall of 2010, vocalist, Mauro Gonzalez stepped in at the last minute to front Pomona, California thrash act BONDED BY BLOOD through a long stretch of touring that only convened towards the end of the year. Because of the tremendous job he did in fronting the band on short notice with little rehearsal through a seemingly never-ending schedule of dates, BONDED BY BLOOD has announced Mauro Gonzalez as a permanent member.
Commented BONDED BY BLOOD bassist Jerry Garcia: "We would like to formally announce that Mauro Gonzalez is now officially the new frontman for BONDED BY BLOOD. He has shown great promise and dedication in the past few months and we have received great reviews from many old fans, new fans, and well-established musicians throughout our recent North American trek. We are very excited about our decision and we hope that you guys welcome him into the BONDED BY BLOOD family like we have!"
A photo of the new BONDED BY BLOOD lineup can be viewed below.
Mauro and the rest of BONDED BY BLOOD will tear up the road once again starting today on the North American Retribution Tour with DEATH ANGEL and LAZARUS A.D.
Swedish folk metal masters YGGDRASIL will release their new album, "Irrbloss" (English translation: "Will-o-wisps") on April 25 via Grand Master Music. The long-awaited follow up to 2008's "Vedergällning" was recorded, mixed and mastered at Grand Master Audio in Sweden.
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the band, the first two YGGDRASIL albums — "Kvällningsvindar Över Nordrönt Land" and "Vedergällning" — will be reissued on April 25. The new editions will include previously unreleased bonus material and expanded booklets including, for the very first time, all lyrics in both English and their original Swedish.
Mick Stingley of Rocksalt.mx recently conducted an interview with SIRENIA vocalist Ailyn. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Rocksalt.mx: You are the fourth vocalist to sing for SIRENIA, but you are the first singer to appear on two albums. Did you feel any pressure to follow the previous singers when you recorded the first record ("The 13th Floor"); and if so, how did you feel when you started recording "The Engima Of Life"?
Ailyn: No, I didn't feel any pressure. When I made my audition with the band, they told me that they were searching for a serious singer who wanted to be really involved with the band and to stay with the band not just for one album, so when they chose me as a lead singer I knew that I was here not just for one album. So when we started with the recording for "The Enigma Of Life", I felt very comfortable.
Rocksalt.mx: You started off singing pop music; has the shift in musical styles been more satisfying or challenging for you — or do you regard singing as an art which should transcend genres?
Ailyn: I started to sing when I was 12 years old, and I discovered the song "Hero" by Mariah Carey. I fell in love with this song and I started to sing, trying to sing like she was singing — actually in that moment I wanted to be like her. But some years later I changed my music taste. My parents really like music and I grew up listening to a lot of different music styles. My parents are fans of metal music. I love to sing and for music I'm open-minded. When I became the singer in SIRENIA, I didn't have to change my music taste because I've listening to this style since I was 16 years old. So I'm singing the music style that I wanted to sing for a long time.
Rocksalt.mx: In the past fifteen years the female/male vocal metal style has become very popular: why do you think it's gotten so popular? Excluding SIRENIA, what groups in this genre are favorites of yours and why?
Ailyn: Well, I don't know why the style became popular. Ater all, it seems that people like to listen to good music. The first band I can say is NIGHTWISH. I fell in love with their music from the first time that I listened to one of their songs. I started to listen this genre because of them. Also WITHIN TEMPTATION. Well, I have no words, I just love them: their music is amazing and Sharon's voice is so good and beautiful. I could say a lot of bands but I think the list would never end.
Rocksalt.mx: As SIRENIA becomes more popular with you as the singer, do you feel any responsibility to be a role model — especially for Spanish and Latina girls who look up to you?
Ailyn: Oh, no, please, I don't want to be a role model for anybody, I'm just a normal girl who likes to sing and I'm just trying to do my best for my band, for the fans and for me.
ASESINO — the death metal/grindcore project featuring FEAR FACTORY/DIVINE HERESY guitarist Dino Cazares and ex-STATIC-X bassist Tony Campos (on bass/vocals) — has scheduled the following dates:
Feb. 25 - Brownsville, TX - Chapas Bar The Pit
Feb. 26 - Saltillo, Coahuila, MEX - Salon Paraiso
Feb. 27 - Chihuahua, Chihuahua, MEX - Salon Pistoleros
Mar. 03 - Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX - Cafe Iguana
Mar. 04 - Nuevo Laredo, Tamps, MEX - Rock House, Rest Bar
Mar. 05 - Mexico, DF, MEX - Circo Volador (Eyescream Metal Fest III)
May 06 - Hollywood, CA - Whisky A Go Go
May 07 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick
ASESINO's latest album, "Cristo Satanico" ("Satanic Christ"), was issued in the U.S. via Dino's label Odio Records. The follow-up to 2002's "Coridos De Muerte" was recorded at Undercity Studios in Los Angeles and contains "15 songs of filthy perversion, satanism, molestation, rape, sodomy, murder, death, oh, and of course, love," according to a press release. The first single, "Regresando Odio" ("Returning the Hate"), features HATEBREED's Jamey Jasta as El Odio on backing vocals and Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA) as Sepulculo on lead guitar.
ASESINO teamed up with DANZIG, LACUNA COIL, THE HAUNTED and BELPHEGOR for Glenn Danzig's Blackest of the Black Tour, which was revived in November 2006 for a two-week West Coast run.
"Blood Magick Necromance", the ninth full-length album from Austrian blackened death metal outfit BELPHEGOR, has registered the following first-week chart positions in Europe:
Austria: #39
Germany: #97
The CD was released on January 14 in Europe and will be made available on February 8 in the U.S. via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was produced by Peter Tägtgren (IMMORTAL, CELTIC FROST, HYPOCRISY, DIMMU BORGIR) at his Abyss Studios in Pärlby, Sweden and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren.
"Blood Magick Necromance" was made available in four formats: a limited edition in black slipcase with metallic effect; a strictly limited Nuclear Blast mailorder edition box set, including a bondage necklace and chain (only 500 hand-numbered copies available); a limited picture gatefold LP on blood-red vinyl; LP on black vinyl; and a standard jewel case CD.
BELPHEGOR has tapped two artists from Austria for artwork purposes: Helmut Wolech (a fetish photographer and former mortician) and Joachim Luetke for the magickal graphics and cover artwork.
Dutch brutal death metallers SUPREME PAIN, who feature in their ranks members of SINISTER, CONSOLATION, PUTREFIED and FONDLECORPSE, have inked a deal with Massacre Records. The band's third album, "Divine Incarnation" was recorded at Soundlodge Studios in Leer, Germany with producer Jörg Uken and is scheduled for release later in the year. According to the group, the album will contain "nine blasting death metal tracks with an evil and twisted atmosphere."
SUPREME PAIN last fall parted ways with drummer Toep Duin and have replaced him with Paul Beltman (SINISTER, FONDLECORPSE, INFINITED HATE, WEAPONS TO HUNT, JUDGEMENT DAY).
SUPREME PAIN's current lineup:
Aad Kloosterwaard - Vocals
Erwin Harreman - Guitars
Bas Brussaard - Guitars
Alesa Sare - Bass
Paul Beltman - Drums
The band's second full-length CD, "Nemesis Enforcer", came out last year via Metal Age Productions from Slovakia.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/supremepainofficial.
Spanish death/black metallers NOCTEM will enter Ultrasound studios in Braga, Portugal in February with producer Daniel Cardoso to begin recording their sophomore album. According to a posting on the group's MySpace page, the follow-up to 2009's "Divinity" will be a "logical progression of the last album, full of new nuances and based in a darker sound and a more complex composition." NOCTEM adds, "This will be the second part of the trilogy that started with 'Divinity'."
"Divinity" was released in April 2009 via Austria's NoiseHead Records. The CD featured guest appearances by Christos Antoniou (SEPTICFLESH, CHAOSTAR) and Leal (FOREVER SLAVE). It contained 11 tracks based on the story of the disappearance of Atlantis "from a dark and subjective point of view, speaking about its blood's desire in the battle, the darkest rituals for reaching the immortality or its society based in a polytheistic theocracy with longings of glory," according to a press release.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/noctemofficial.
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