KISS will bring the "Hottest Show on Earth" to Japan for seven shows this April.
The dates are as follows:
April 13 - Nagoya, JPN @ Aichi Prefecture Gymnasium
April 14 - Yokohama, JPN @ Pacifico Yokohama
April 17 - Saitama, JPN @ Saitama Super Arena
April 18 - Kobe, JPN @ World Hall
April 20 - Tokyo, JPN @ Nippon Budokan
April 21 - Tokyo, JPN @ Budokan
April 23 - Sapporo, JPN @ Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena
Tickets will go on sale on March 12.
KISS is planning on entering the studio in March to begin recording their new studio album for a late 2011 release. During an interview with BackstageAxxess.com that was conducted during this year's NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer said, "The great news is that we are going in the studio again in the next month or two. We are starting to work on writing some songs, [and we will] approach it just like we did with [2009's] 'Sonic Boom' and keep it all in the band in terms of the writing, with no agenda besides writing great rock and roll songs that we love, then rehearsing them before recording them. It really felt good to us so we'll go the same way this time."
KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley will once again produce the new effort after things went so smoothly on "Sonic Boom". "Paul knows more what a KISS record should sound like than anybody, to be honest with you, so he is going to lead the charge and produce it again and we are all really excited about it," Thayer said.
He added, "I know we are going to start working on it really soon in terms of the writing and rehearsing and we'll probably be in the studio by March, so sometime this year I'm sure you'll see a spanking new KISS album that's gonna kick some butt!"
"Sonic Boom" sold 108,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart. This marked the band's highest-charting LP ever.
"Sonic Boom" was released in Europe on October 5, 2009 via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. and Canada on October 6, 2009 exclusively via Wal-Mart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail locations.
Joanna Huffa of Toronto, Ontario, Canada's Now magazine recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman and rock icon Lemmy Kilmister. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On having spent the past 40 years making uncompromising music that has never pandered to fads:
Lemmy: "You should never interfere with the quality of something just to get it out quick. That's a great failing of today's world. A lot of people like to get things done right now or yesterday so you don't have a glitch in the sales record or whatever it is. But it's not worth hurrying up. It's not worth going off half-done."
On living in Los Angeles:
Lemmy: "Until I came to live here, we were unknown. We were a definite cult-following thing, which basically means that no one is buying your albums.
"A lot of people have this preconception of L.A. as full of crooks and liars and shit like that, but it's not, you know. There are phony assholes everywhere — you just get used to the local ones. At least in California they're easier to spot, because you can hear them coming a quarter-mile away. They're always talking the loudest."
On being more popular than ever:
Lemmy: "It's nice to be popular; I'm not gonna say it's not, you know. But now I'm too old to enjoy it. There was a time when I would've given them girls a run for their money, but you get to 60 and that slips away a little bit. It's not slipped away altogether, believe me, but it doesn't assume the importance it did when you're 25. You never think anything's gonna fade away until it's gone and you think, 'Shit, what's happened to that?'"
On his sexual reputation:
Lemmy: "I'm in love with all the women I've ever been with, or else I wouldn't have been with them. That's why I don't kiss and tell. I think that's a terrible thing. Having sex is really personal between the two of you; it should never be talked about with anybody else. It should not even arise."
MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT), veteran British female hard rockers GIRLSCHOOL and 25 young musicians from Cornwall's live youth music project Livewire are featured on the "Emergency Haiti 2010" charity single put together to raise money for the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
The cover of the 1980 GIRLSCHOOL classic "Emergency" is dedicated to late GIRLSCHOOL guitarist Kelly Johnson and legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, HEAVEN & HELL, RAINBOW, ELF).
According to a posting on MANOWAR's official web site, the band is scheduled to return to the studio in April, presumably to resume work on its long-awaited new album, "Hammer Of The Gods".
MANOWAR bassist and producer Joey DeMaio previously stated about the status of the songwriting and recording sessions for "Hammer Of The Gods", "The truth is this: [original MANOWAR drummer] Donnie Hamzik is officially back in the band, and that changed everything for us. So all the songs that were written have been completely fucking thrown out, completely ditched — gone, never to be heard from again. The writing has changed because Donnie's back in the band and he's burning like a mad motherfucking demon on drums. So this album is gonna basically sound like I told you before — like somebody put gasoline on your fucking balls and lit it. So it'll be worth the fucking wait, 'cause when it comes, it's coming back."
"Hammer Of The Gods" was previously described as the first installment of "The Asgard Saga", the band's unique multimedia fantasy adventure with best-selling author Wolfgang Hohlbein.
In other news, MANOWAR's shows at Trädgår'n in Gothenburg, Sweden on March 29 and March 30 are officially sold out. Those who waited and missed the opportunity to buy a ticket now have another chance: MANOWAR has just confirmed a third show at Trädgår'n on Thursday, March 31. Tickets are on sale at Ticnet.se.
In addition to performing MANOWAR classics, the band will play its debut album, 1982's "Battle Hymns", in its entirety.
MANOWAR recently decided that its fans deserved to hear the songs from "Battle Hymns" with the massive sound and production that has become the group's signature over recent years and records.
"Battle Hymns 2011" features two never-before-released live versions of "Death Tone" and "Fast Taker" recorded during the band's very first concerts in 1982. These are the rarest bonus materials ever released to date in MANOWAR's career.
RATT drummer Bobby Blotzer has released the following statement:
"I've been getting a lot of mixed feedback from RATT fans regarding my comments on Facebook, and I wanted to take a moment to clarify my position and hopefully provide some valuable perspective.
"Let me first say that I regard the band RATT as a national treasure and something I feel privileged to be a part of for 30 years. I feel like we create great music, and bring a signature sound different from other bands out there keeping rock and roll alive. It is my love for all things RATT that makes delays in touring, and creating music that much more frustrating.
"It's no secret that keeping a band together for 30 years is a tall order to fill. We met 30 years ago, and despite spending the majority of our lives on stage together, we do evolve into different people with different wants and needs in life.
"The last decade of RATT has been a collection of stop and starts. Given my love for the fans and music, it's been hard to wake up everyday not knowing if we were going to make another album or at least at a minimum tour the old catalog next to our fellow rockers.
"I am extremely proud of our new album, 'Infestation'. It was great getting back with my fellow Pi RATTs and finding out that our magic is still there. I want to continue. I want to make more music. I want to hang with the fans.
"For the first time in 29 years, I avoided attending NAMM. With a book to promote and fans that I love to shake hands with, this was a tough decision to make. I skipped this event for one reason, I couldn't bring myself to gloss over the fact that at the time of NAMM, I didn't know whether or not RATT was going to tour or make new music. I can't bring myself to lie about what I don't know. I apologize to those of you I missed.
"As of this moment, some members of the band have chosen to decide that they will choose whether or not we, RATT, tour. What I'm personally trying to do 24/7 is get the decision made so we can start to schedule tour dates, perhaps make another new album, and get back out on the road keeping RATT alive. RATT, for me, always comes first. Even with my entrepreneurial aspirations, it's RATT, baby!
"Currently there are a lot of messages coming out of areas of the Internet that don't have all the information, but in their own frustration are trying to find a person to place the blame. I understand since I threw out the first volley of my own frustration, I drew in a lot of misunderstanding and speculation on my own actions.
"I want you to know that I simply want RATT to continue year in and year out making great music and celebrating rock and roll with our fans.
"Regardless of any drama, know that RATT is alive and well. We're just trying to figure out which flavor to frost the cake with!"
"Infestation", the first studio record in 11 years from RATT, sold around 14,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 30 on the Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on April 20 via Loud & Proud.
"Infestation" was produced by Michael "Elvis" Baskette (CHEVELLE, ALTER BRIDGE) at his Virginia studio, marking the first time the band has recorded outside of Los Angeles. The album is full of attitude and of reflection, cycling through a range of emotions. There are party anthems that RATT are known for alongside more contemplative, thoughtful tunes.
SLAYER has canceled its appearance at the Sydney, Australia stop of the Soundwave festival after the band's basist/vocalist Tom Araya was admitted to the hospital where he will be kept overnight. The Sydney appearance on Sunday, February 27 would have marked SLAYER's second show on the annual festival tour. No further details are currently available regarding Araya's condition or the exact nature of his ailment.
Araya underwent back surgery in early 2010 which forced the band off the road for a period of several months. He stated about the procedure in an interview, "I apparently had compressed discs on my neck which caused bone spurs. The compressed discs were causing compression on my nerves that was affecting my left side, and basically that was it. I was in Australia, and that's when I... I mean it was severe pain. I had had a case of pain here and there, but this was non-stop. It got to a point where by the time I got to Japan, I hooked up with a doctor, and was able to make an appointment. As soon as I got home, I went and saw him. I had three discs that were compressed, and they removed them, and put a plate in."
Regarding what the surgery itself entailed, Araya said, "It entailed them cutting a small little hole in my throat, moving everything to one side, clearing out cartilage in between the discs, putting bone spacers in there, and putting the plate in. That's a two-to-two-and-a-half-hour procedure. Yeah, it was pretty serious. You could say I'm a true metalhead now, I guess (laughs)."
SLAYER is currently on the road without founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who underwent emergency surgery on his right arm late last month after contracting a serious infection, possibly caused by a spider bite. He is now recuperating at home and is expected to make a full recovery. He will return to the SLAYER lineup as soon as he has fully recovered.
Hanneman's temporary replacement for the Soundwave festival is Gary Holt from veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS.
SLAYER canceled its appearance at the Sydney, Australia stop of the Soundwave festival after the band's bassist/vocalist Tom Araya was admitted to the hospital where he is being kept overnight.
Tom's wife, Sandra Araya (a registered BLABBERMOUTH.NET user who goes by the name "SATANSBITCH"), posted the following message on her Facebook page at around 5:00 p.m. EST today:
"SPOKE WITH TOM =) He's feeling much better! it will be a few days before test results come back... That's all I can say for now! whoo hoo!"
According to Soundwave organizer AJ Maddah, Tom is suffering from "a severe ear infection which will clear in a couple of days."
The Sydney appearance on Sunday, February 27 would have marked SLAYER's second show on the annual festival tour.
Araya underwent back surgery in early 2010 which forced the band off the road for a period of several months. He stated about the procedure in an interview, "I apparently had compressed discs on my neck which caused bone spurs. The compressed discs were causing compression on my nerves that was affecting my left side, and basically that was it. I was in Australia, and that's when I... I mean it was severe pain. I had had a case of pain here and there, but this was non-stop. It got to a point where by the time I got to Japan, I hooked up with a doctor, and was able to make an appointment. As soon as I got home, I went and saw him. I had three discs that were compressed, and they removed them, and put a plate in."
Regarding what the surgery itself entailed, Araya said, "It entailed them cutting a small little hole in my throat, moving everything to one side, clearing out cartilage in between the discs, putting bone spacers in there, and putting the plate in. That's a two-to-two-and-a-half-hour procedure. Yeah, it was pretty serious. You could say I'm a true metalhead now, I guess (laughs)."
SLAYER is currently on the road without founding guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who underwent emergency surgery on his right arm late last month after contracting a serious infection, possibly caused by a spider bite. He is now recuperating at home and is expected to make a full recovery. He will return to the SLAYER lineup as soon as he has fully recovered.
Hanneman's temporary replacement for the Soundwave festival is Gary Holt from veteran San Francisco Bay Area thrashers EXODUS.
Swedish melodic metallers HAMMERFALL have been confirmed for this year's edition of the Dokk'em Open Air festival, set to take place May 28, 2011 at Spriens Raard in Dokkum, Netherlands. Raard is a mound in the village Dongeradeel in one of the most beautiful areas of the province of Friesland. A pre-festival party, Dokk'em Rockt!, will take place on May 27.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
ALESTORM
DGM
EVERGREY
HAMMERFALL
KAMPFAR
PAGAN'S MIND
PAUL DI'ANNO
TRIGGER THE BLOODSHET
VADER
VICIOUS RUMORS
VREID
For more information, visit DokkemOpenAir.eu.
Mark Kadzielawa of 69 Faces Of Rock recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Kai Hansen of German power metallers GAMMA RAY. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
69 Faces Of Rock: Are you still faithful to the same influences you had when you began to write music?
Kai: I am, I think. I don't think it really changed. You always find new stuff that you start to like, and start to weave into your music. You put it through your own filter, digest it, and basically you shit it out your own way. And at that point, it becomes something that you do. I don't think it will ever change. I still find new things. I'm not restricted to URIAH HEEP, or whatever else I liked when I was growing up. I'm open to new music, and new inspirations. I try to look beyond my own horizons at times. I think the songwriting changes a little bit with each new album.
69 Faces Of Rock: And if we look at the current album, "To The Metal", what new elements do you think it brings into big picture?
Kai: You'll never know that before you hear the actual finished record. But, if we were to repeat everything we've done before, it would be getting boring for ourselves, at least for me. Whenever I start with a new phase of songwriting, and after the album is done, I stop and reflect on it. Then we go on tour, and afterwards, I refill my batteries, and digest the impressions of music, and what happens around me. And then suddenly there is the need to put down something. I have ideas, melodies, some lines, whatever. And then I switch to my internal home-computer, and start recording music. That's where it starts. And from that point on you'll never know, but it always changes, and it's never the same.
69 Faces Of Rock: It took you a quite a long time to make it to the United States with GAMMA RAY. How do you view the market here, and the fan base?
Kai: United States is like a question mark that never can get to be answered. We're unsure of the answer. I know we made it up to a very nice level with HELLOWEEN. And then there was silence. When I started GAMMA RAY, we released the albums in the United States, and they did pretty good. Not so bad. We never toured because there was no scene. The promoters didn't want to bring a German band over here in the early '90s. And then the whole grunge movement kind of destroyed the power metal, or classic metal scene. Everybody went alternative, and they didn't really reinvent the wheel. they did old style music in a new dress. There was no way for us to really tour here.
69 Faces Of Rock: When I visit various web sites or forums that discuss your music, I notice the fans often complain about liking or not liking certain record of yours, or the fact the current album is not like the old album or vice versa. Do you see these complaints, and do they affect you in any way?
Kai: We hear these things. And I do take them seriously in one way, but in another way, I have to say creating music is something very selfish, or egoistic. That's the way I see it, and that's the way I do it. I have to be happy first. That's my first objective. Satisfy myself, and be happy with what I'm doing because it's what I do. I don't set out to make this and that person happy with the new album. If I did that, I wouldn't be true to myself. Sometimes I do get a bit internally upset over something I hear or read. If somebody has a real criticism, and says, "I don't like that album because of this and that, and I prefer that." I have no problem with that. I'm a fan of the music myself, and I pick my favorite albums based on certain things. And I know why I like this album much better than the other. And I can say this album was the weakest because of this and that. But it's all a matter of taste in the end. But if somebody claims to be objective,
and says, "This album sucks," that makes me mad because that's not fair. It may not be to your taste, and to your satisfaction, but we're dealing on a level where what we do we do it good. And if you don't like it, I have no problem with that. Listen to another record, another band. Tell us you don't like it, we accept it, but don't tell us "it sucks," because that sucks to hear it.
Jay Nanda of the San Antonio Metal Music Examiner recently conducted an interview with Kirk Windstein (DOWN, CROWBAR, KINGDOM OF SORROW). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: What's the progress of the new [DOWN] album?
Kirk: It's kind of — let's see. To explain that, it's kind of difficult. We have more than enough original songs that we think would make good material, but it tends to take time. We've recorded new material, and we'd like to play a couple songs out there, and fans obviously would want it as well. But it's moving along. We're trying to get something out as soon as we can.
San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: You go back nearly 20 years, with Phil [Anselmo] having produced one of the first CROWBAR EP's, and several years with Rex [Brown, bass] as well. What were the initial conversations like in the early to mid-'90s when you guys contemplated forming DOWN, as far as what the band would sound like?
Kirk: Actually, me and Phil go back to being friends, I don't know, (to) 1983 or '84, and we were still kids. He was living in Texas. In PANTERA, they were getting the idea rolling. Basically, Phil called Pepper [Keenan, DOWN guitarist]. Me and Jimmy [Bower, DOWN drummer] lived in the same apartment complex. And it just seemed to make sense: "Hey man, let's do a band that's influenced by SABBATH." But also SAINT VITUS and TROUBLE that take a lot from SABBATH. In all honesty, the whole rest of '70s rock — LED ZEPPELIN, THIN LIZZY, LYNYRD SKYNYRD. "Let's do something different." We wanted to be able to grow and bring out all the influences that helped us get into music in the first place.
San Antonio Metal Music Examiner: For those out there who are having similar problems but are scared to check themselves in, what can you share about your experience in rehab?
Kirk: I didn't go to rehab. It's no problem, everyone mixes it up. But it wasn't one particular thing. I was in a downward spiral for years and years and years, and you know, you get to a point of, "This is enough." I always make damn sure to say this: If I was a regular guy working at Home Depot and had a drinking problem, people wouldn't talk about it. But because I'm in a band . . . For me, I'm in a good place and take it a day at a time. It's a lifestyle change in general, not just about alcohol. It's about getting my life in order, eating right, working out right, getting out of debt, and try to be the best father I can be and best soulmate to my girl that I can be, the best musician. You live and you learn. It's been six months, but I say this every time: I'm never going to say I'm never going to drink again. You'd be lying if you said that. I never want to be back to where I was, let's put it that way. It hits you like a hammer, and it's not a
good thing where you're a physical slave to drinking. You need to do a lot of soul-searching and find what works for you.
DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken has issued the following update:
"We're starting to write a new CD now [that] my voice problems have been hopefully fixed [after recently undergoing surgery].
"It's been very frustrating not to be able to sing a hundred percent.
"For all of you that blasted me about smoking, you're right — it was vocal suicide, and I'm sure the JD didn't help. I'm now using an Ecigarette.
"For those of you that smoke, I recommend it; you get your nicotine fix without getting cancer!
"Alaska will be my first show since surgery 'fingers crossed.'
"Jon [Levin, guitar] has some great new song ideas and Mick [Brown, drums], Sean [McNabb, bass], and I will be writing lyrics for them soon.
"It looks like we'll be playing a lot this summer if my voice holds up. I wasn't sure we would be playing at all, but I went to the vocal restoration center in Boston and they did a great job. I thought it was all from smoking and drinking my fave uncle Jack, but in the end they said, 'Hey, you've been singing for 35 years and it's taken its toll.'
"I waited too long to have my voice looked at but after hearing Tom Keifer [CINDERELLA] sing after his vocal problems, I was blown away! He sounds awesome and it inspired me to see a doctor and step up my game.
"The new CD should be out by the fall, if all goes well.
"As far as the DOKKEN [classic lineup] reunion goes, the 'truth' is we had a meeting and Jeff [Pilson, bass] said he is busy with FOREIGNER until 2012, so if it's going to happen, it will be then.
"George [Lynch, guitar] has said it's all about me wanting lots of money [which is] 'bullshit.'
"I would love to do one last CD with the original members. Jon has given me his blessing on doing it, but I confess I love the band as it is. Jon is an awesome guitarist as well as my best friend and I think we have written some great songs together, so we'll see what happens towards 2012.
"So, for now, we're going forward and hope you like the next body of work.
"I know the fans would like to see a reunion, but, as it's always been, George and I have different ideas about the direction of DOKKEN's music. 'Shadow Life' is a good example — some good songs, but it wasn't DOKKEN, in my opinion. I will not repeat that direction.
"I was told not to sing for at least a year, but I'm stubborn and want to play, so here we go.
"The Mayans say it's all over in 2012, so in case they're right, gotta get out there and ROCK!
"Hope to see you at the shows."
Hellbound's Adrien Begrand recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Alexi Laiho of Finnish metallers CHILDREN OF BODOM. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Hellbound: You've always been influenced by classic 1980s metal, but the riffs on [the new CHILDREN OF BODOM] album ["Relentless Reckless Forever"] seem to really draw from that era. Was that the case?
Alexi: I do agree; there's a lot of '80s hard rock guitar, especially with the guitar riffs, there's a lot of influence from that type of music. I think it's more out there with this album than it was on, say, "Blooddrunk". I don't know why, but that's just how it turned out.
Hellbound: At times it feels like you're channeling Warren DeMartini and George Lynch.
Alexi: That can be the case. [Laughing] Those guys, among many others. I grew up listening to it, and I still dig their stuff.
Hellbound: The interaction between guitar and keyboard has always been part of the band's sound, but as the lead guitarist and songwriter, how hard is it for you to envision Janne's [Wirman] keyboards as you're writing a new song?
Alexi: It's always been a part of CHILDREN OF BODOM's music, and I'm not a good keyboard player or anything. I know how to play well enough to at least come up with some keyboard stuff. Usually I don't need keyboards like that, I'll just play it in my head and just tell Janne what to do. And we've been working together for such a long time that it's easy to communicate as far as telling him what to play and how to play it. He gets it at the snap of a fucking finger. As far as the keyboard solos, he improvises the stuff. It's a cool thing, something different as opposed to two guitar players. And like you say, it's always been a really big element in CHILDREN OF BODOM's music.
Hellbound: The melodies on this album seem to come so naturally; nothing seems forced. Have you been noticing your own improvement in the actual craft of songwriting?
Alexi: The working method was exactly the same, it always has been, and we've never sat down and talked to each other about what we should sound like. I just started writing, and whatever came up, came out naturally. We just like to keep it that way. I don't know if people ever want to plan beforehand what they want to sound like, but we don't. That spontaneity has always been part of our sound.
Hellbound: Hearing how strong these new songs are, did you have a different mindset at the time when you were writing them as opposed to previous albums?
Alexi: Um…I don't know! [Laughing] I do remember that this time around I had this fucking drive, I felt like that I really want to fucking kick ass. I've felt that same thing since I was fucking 19 years old. It felt like it was a time to show the whole world that we know how to fucking kick ass. That would definitely be a good thing. [Laughing]
Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA will support OZZY OSBOURNE for two shows in April:
Apr. 02 - São Paulo, Brazil - Anhembi
Apr. 05 - Brasilia, Brazil - Ginasio Nilson Nelson
SEPULTURA has tapped Roy Z. (JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, HELLOWEEN) to produce the group's next CD, tentatively due in May via Nuclear Blast Records.
SEPULTURA debuted a brand new song from its upcoming album during its October 17, 2010 appearance at the Fúria Festival at HSBC Brasil in São Paulo.
SEPULTURA performed its classic 1991 album, "Arise", in its entirety during the group's headlining performance at the 16-year anniversary of the Manifesto Bar in São Paulo, Brazil on December 11, 2010.
SEPULTURA will return to North America for a massive headlining tour next April/May in support of their upcoming Nuclear Blast Records debut. Joining them will be a veritable united nations on metal in the form of Austria's BELPHEGOR, Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN, Poland's HATE, Canada's NEURAXIS, and California's BONDED BY BLOOD. Starting May 23, Seattle's own NEVERMORE will replace BELPHEGOR to finish out the tour.
"The Burning Red", the third album by the San Francisco Bay Area metal band MACHINE HEAD, was certified silver by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) on February 25, 2011 for sales in excess of 60,000 copies in the United Kingdom.
Released in 1999, "The Burning Red" included the singles "From This Day" and "Silver". The band chose the CD title, and particularly the color red, as a metaphor for the music on the album. "Typically, the color red represents a lot of things, like blood, death, and on the other side, it can represent like love and beauty and lust," former MACHINE HEAD guitarist Ahrue Luster said in an interview that was published shortly after the LP's release. "We thought that this record had a lot of contrast to it because it has things that are really heavy going into things that are really beautiful and melodic. The color red is like a metaphor for the record. 'The burning red' just means that it is just that intensified."
MACHINE HEAD's work on the album did not go unnoticed by the press. Don Kaye wrote in Metal Edge, "On 'The Burning Red', the band seems to have found the perfect balance of musicality, aggression, experimentation, and songcraft, melding an abundance of styles into a seamless whole that is MACHINE HEAD's heaviest, yet most accessible, work to date."
"I think that on this one, we went for it a lot harder and didn't hold anything back," MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn told Blistering.com. "We tried to challenge ourselves and tried to go places that we hadn't been and other places that other bands were not going."
MACHINE HEAD last year begun writing and demoing material for the band's new studio album, which the group hopes to officially start recording in April.
MACHINE HEAD's long-awaited follow-up to 2007's "The Blackening" is tentatively due late 2011 via Roadrunner Records.
BULLET, VICIOUS RUMORS and PROCESSION have been confirmed for this year's installment of the Rock Hard festival, set to take place June 10-12, 2011 at the Amphitheater in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):
AGENT STEEL
AMORPHIS
ANACRUSIS
ATLANTEAN KODEX
BULLET
DISBELIEF
DOWN
DREAMSHADE
ENFORCER
ENSLAVED
EPICA
IN SOLITUDE
METAL INQUISITOR
MORGOTH
OVERKILL
POSTMORTEM
PRIMORDIAL
PROCESSION
TRIPTYKON
VANDERBUYST
VICIOUS RUMORS
For more information, visit www.rockhardfestival.de.
Three musicians who performed on KING DIAMOND's 1990 album, "The Eye" — guitarist Pete Blakk, bassist Hal Patino and drummer Snowy Shaw — have signed on as the touring backing band for 20-year-old Danish rock singer Maryann Cotton (born Jackie Patino).
Maryann Cotton's new single, "Shock Me", will be released at the end of this month, with a full-length album to follow in the summer. A tour is in process of being booked for the end of 2011.
In addition to Blakk, Patino and Shaw, "Shock Me" features a guest appearance by KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque.
Maryann Cotton's career was launched in 2006 when he performed live on Danish TV as part of the "Scenen Er Din" program (Danish version of "Star Search").
Translation Loss Records has announced the signing of Los Angeles' GRAVITON.
GRAVITON formed when INTRONAUT guitarist and vocalist, Sacha Dunable, approached the prog-metal duo NATIONAL SUNDAY LAW (Derek Donley and Darin Tambascio) about recording a few songs that didn't quite fit with INTRONAUT. Fueled by pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) and a shared string theory fascination, the band quickly began collaborating on a diverse set of material that featured distinct musicianship, vocals and songwriting from each member.
By incorporating synthesizers, organ, piano, drum machine, samples, lap steel and acoustic guitars as well as the standard heavy rock instrumentation, GRAVITON's Translation Loss debut, "Massless", proves to be a meticulously crafted masterpiece of ambient electronic fusion, shoegaze and melodic metal. Recorded by GRAVITON drummer Derek Donley just prior to INTRONAUT's highly praised 2010 album "Valley Of Smoke", "Massless" is an album that reflects a remarkable time and place in minds of these three musicians.
For more information, visit the GRAVITON Facebook page.
CKY will release "B-Sides & Rarities" on March 22 through Mighty Loud Entertainment and Universal/Fontana. The 12-song compilation features a dozen previously unreleased, rare, and long-out-of-print tracks culled from the historic past of a band that truly has done whatever they wanted for 15 years, without compromise.
Commented drummer Jess Margera: "We picked a lot of the songs based on our fans' wishes. For instance, at CKY shows over the years, one of the most shouted-out requests has been 'Shippensburg', which is a song we recorded in 1997 for a skateboarding video. And by far the most requested songs on the Internet over the years have been 'To All of You', the acoustic version and the heavy recording of 'Halfway House'. We wanted to properly mix and master these out-of-print songs and get them back out there and also record some of the stuff people have been asking us to do for over a decade."
The complete track listing features:
01. Afterworld
02. Rio Bravo (radio session)
03. Shippensburg
04. Halfway House
05. Chad's In Hi-Fi
06. Santa's Coming
07. Fat Fuck
08. The Deepest Depths
09. Rio Bravo (Remix)
10. Don't Hold Your Breath (acoustic)
11. Halfway House (original version)
12. To All of You (acoustic)
The album opener, "Afterworld", continues CKY's long affiliation with the "Jackass" crew. The tune is the end credits theme for "Jackass 3D", soon to be released on DVD following its October 15, 2010 theatrical release, and was previously available on the film soundtrack. Margera reflects, "It was cool working with the 'Jackass' dudes again. They asked us to write a song specifically for the 'Jackass 3D' movie which ended up being 'Afterworld'. They liked the song so much they decided to use it for the ending of the film."
Back in 1992 at East High School in West Chester, Pennsylvania, drummer Jess Margera and guitarist/vocalist Deron Miller first crossed paths. In 1995 the duo began collaborating under the moniker FOREIGN OBJECTS, which eventually became CKY in 1997 soon after the duo crossed paths with guitarist/producer Chad I Ginsburg. CKY (a.k.a. CAMP KILL YOURSELF), released its first album, "Volume 1", on February 27, 1999, and set in motion a movement that from the beginning has stayed true to an autonomous vision unencumbered by third-party influence. In 2001, the band moved from indie Volcom Entertainment to Island Records, who issued the band's long-awaited second formal release "Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild" (2002). In 2003, the band released "Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild: The Video Album", which was followed by the group's third studio offering, "An Answer Can Be Found" (2005). After a year-long hiatus in 2007, the guys put aside their differences and unleashed
"Carver City" (2009) through Roadrunner Records and set out on an extensive tour around the world twice.
CKY returns to the road here in the U.S. on March 2 in West Hollywood, California for a 13-date coast-to-coast run. The touring lineup features Jess Margera, Deron Miller, Chad Ginsburg and Matt Janaitis.
Confirmed appearances:
March 02 - West Hollywood, CA - Viper Room
March 03 - Las Vegas, NV - Beauty Bar
March 04 - Costa Mesa, CA - Musink Orange County Fairgrounds
March 17 - Lancaster, PA - Chameleon Club
March 18 - Philadelphia, PA - Theatre of the Living Arts
March 19 - New York, NY - Gramercy
March 21 - Hartford, CT - Webster
March 22 - Allston, MA - Brighton Music Hall
March 24 - Asbury Park, NJ - Stone Pony
March 25 - Morgantown, WV - 123 Pleasant St.
March 26 - Buffalo, NY - Mohawk
March 27 - Baltimore, MD - Bourbon Street
March 28 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
Northeast Ohio metal band H.A.T.E. has been confirmed for this year's edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, set to take place July 28-30, 2011 in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany.
"The H.A.T.E. machine is totally keyed up to be invited to play this year's Headbangers Open Air festival in Germany," says H.A.T.E. vocalist/guitarist Greg Wagner. "I played the festival with BREAKER in 2004 and was blown away by the dedicated, die-hard metal fans that know their metal well. We're humbled to be on the bill and can't wait to board the big bird in July!"
H.A.T.E.'s new album, "Inject The Infection", will be released in April via Auburn Records. The CD was produced by guitarist Curran Murphy (SHATTER MESSIAH, NEVERMORE, ANNIHILATOR) and recorded at his Smiley Sound Studios in Akron, Ohio.
"The Headbangers Open Air 2011 bill is now complete," says festival co-organizer Thomas Tegelhütter. "The last confirmed band is H.A.T.E. featuring BREAKER vocalist Greg Wagner, from the USA and Bill Peters' Auburn Records label. A big thanks to all who support us! We'll see ya all again from July 28 to July 30 in 2011. Make this garden burn!!!"
Tickets are available through Hellion Records (Itzehoe), Ticketmaster, Metaltix, Von Gestern (Elmshorn), Remedy Records (Hamburg) and the Headbangers Open Air festival web site.
The festival billing is as follows (in alphabetical order):
ASTRAL DOORS
BARON ROJO
BËEHLER
CIRCLE II CIRCLE
CRYSTAL VIPER
EVIL ONE
FATES WARNING
H.A.T.E.
JAGUAR
LEVIATHAN
MELIAH RAGE
METAL INQUISITOR
MORE
PEGAZUS
SKULL FIST
SLOUGH FEG
SPARTAN WARRIOR
STORMWARRIOR
STRIKER
SYRON VANES
TIERRA SANTA
TOKYO BLADE
TORCH
VULCAIN
WHITE WIZZARD
Photo by Joe Kleon
H.A.T.E. visits Ripper Owens Tap House restaurant in Akron, Ohio. Wagner (far right) replaced Tim "Ripper" Owens as lead vocalist in the tribute band BRITISH STEEL after JUDAS PRIEST selected Owens as Rob Halford's replacement in 1996.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/hateripper.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/hoahate.jpg
MAGENTA HARVEST, the Finnish death metal band featuring current and former members of FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN, MYGRAIN and ...AND OCEANS, released its debut EP, "A Familiar Room", on February 18. The four tracks — "Spawn Of Neglect", "Sermon", "Killing Sign" and "A Familiar Room" — can now be streamed below.
MAGENTA HARVEST was formed in 2005 as a two-man project featuring Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) on guitar and Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) on drums. In 2009, second guitarist Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) and bassist Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) joined the band. Another year went by before Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) agreed to front the group.
MAGENTA HARVEST states: "[Lillmåns' addition to the band] was easy because we had discussed about this with Mathias already a few years earlier, but the decision wasn't that clear at first because Mathias were quite busy with his other musical activities and we thought also that there was no need for any singer before we had the rest of band in order and also some stuff ready to work with.
"When Mathias joined the band he actually came directly to the studio. Of course he didn't have any lyrics ready then, but luckily we got help from Jan (ex-FINNTROLL).
"Now at this point when the demo is ready, we can honestly say that this isn't a project anymore but a real band."
MAGENTA HARVEST is:
* Timo Hanhikangas (TOTAL VOMIT EXPERIENCE) - Guitar
* Jonas Frilund (CHTHONIAN) - Bass
* Timo Kontio (HAVOC UNIT, ...AND OCEANS) - Guitar
* Mathias Lillmåns (FINNTROLL, CHTHONIAN) - Vocals
* Janne Manninen (MYGRAIN, ...AND OCEANS) - Drums
Finnish melodic metallers MACHINE MEN have issued the following update:
"Things have been quiet for the past two years. During this time we have gone through many changes and we have been thinking about the future of the band. Unfortunately, we feel that the challenges as a band would be too hard to overcome. After long conversations we have decided that the story of MACHINE MEN ends here. It's better to end what we started together without bitterness than to make a new album we couldn't put our hearts and souls into. We wouldn't be the five guys that stuck together no matter what. We would be something else, not MACHINE MEN.
"This band has been the centre of our lives for over a decade. During these years we have experienced great and unforgettable moments on the road (and off).
"The thanks goes to all the people who have supported us and have come to see our gigs. It hasn't been an easy ride but yet we have taken all the shit with our heads held high. After all, we are from Suolahti, for fuck's sake!
"Even though it's sad, we end this with smiles on our faces and with loads of good memories to share over a pint.
"The story of the band ends here but we'll continue to make music as individuals.
"We are grateful to so many people but most of all we would like to thank our fans - without you we would have been nothing!"
MACHINE MEN's latest album, "Circus Of Fools", in 2007 entered the Finnish chart at position No. 8. The group's "No Talk Without The Giant" single debuted on the Finnish chart at position No. 2.
Swedish metallers WOLF have issued the following update:
"We are proud and heavy to announce that outstanding and longtime WOLF cover artist, Tomas Holm, is almost finished with the cover art for our upcoming album, 'Legions Of Bastards', due out in April. We are thrilled to work with Mr. Holm; he truly captures our music with his artistry."
"Legions Of Bastards" will be released 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.
Norwegian metallers COMMUNIC have issued the following update:
"We have completed the work in studio, the new album is ready, and the result is simply amazing. Dan Swanö [EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, NIGHTINGALE] is currently putting the final touch on the mastering [at Unisound studios in Örebro, Sweden] and we are one step closer to get this album out there. Happy times."
COMMUNIC frontman Oddleif Stensland previously stated about the group's new CD: "I am really excited about this new material that we have put together for this new album. I think the heaviness of these songs will surprise many of you, and the overall feeling of it, is way darker this time. The songs are shorter, more in your face and may seem straightforward at first, but there are many twists and turns that will just creep under your skin. This album is DEEP!
"I know that many of you have been waiting for this album for a long time already, but everything has its time, and the time is now. Never before have I left so much of 'myself' in our songs — never before has the price been so high — this album will be really special."
COMMUNIC's follow-up to 2008's "Payment Of Existence" is tentatively due in June via Nuclear Blast Records.
"Payment of Existence" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 94. It was released on May 30, 2008 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Belgian progressive metallers OCEANS OF SADNESS have announced plans to disband after 16 years of existence. The band's official statement on the matter reads as follows:
"First of all we want to thank all of you for supporting OCEANS OF SADNESS during these last 15 years.
"Thanks to you we had the chance to do a lot of cool things, much more than we ever dreamed of 15 years ago...
"During these 15 years we've never really tried to be part of any particular scene music-wise and our image has always been the last thing we cared about. Creating our own sound and writing original and inspiring metal has always been our only real goal and we are proud of the road we travelled during the 5 albums we recorded, with 'The Arrogance Of Ignorance' being the last one, released in 2008 on Scarlet Records.
"We are really proud of all our music and we ourselves have always believed that we kept getting better and better at what we wanted to do.
"But now we feel that our story may have been told.... Theoretically we could easily go on for another 15 years... but we won't.
"We feel time has come for us to relax for a while and who knows what happens in the future... I'm pretty sure all of us will continue making music, maybe together, maybe separately, but more important is that we all have the feeling we can now close this chapter of our lives with pride and dignity.
"We're not the kind of guys to close a door and throw away the key forever, not at all... however, we don't have the intention to come back in this shape in a few years either... Music is about creativity and challenging yourself and right now we feel we got stuck in some sort of routine for quite a while now... We lack the energy to record yet another album, again negotiating with labels, just to end up with another deal that only costs us a lot of money, followed by a few shows... We'll see what happens in the future, like with everything in life: nothing is certain...
"On a positive note: To celebrate the end of OCEANS OF SADNESS in style we decided to leave the scene with a blast and do a special last show.
"The date and other details will be released when all is certain.
"Thanks for everything! We hope you will enjoy our music for many years to come!"
OCEANS OF SADNESS' fifth album, "The Arrogance of Ignorance" (2008), was produced by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street in Örebro, Sweden and contains 10 tracks. The album includes an additional guest appearance by Johan Liiva (formerly of ARCH ENEMY, HEARSE) on the track "In The End". Artwork was created by the Greek artist Seth Siro Anton.
Relapse Records has announced the signing of Japan's COFFINS. The band is currently writing material for its fourth full-length album, to be recorded later in the year.
COFFINS is a three-piece death/doom band from Tokyo that formed in 1996 and has previously issued three full-length albums and numerous split releases.
COFFINS will hit the road in Europe for the first time this April alongside SOURVEIN and AGUIRRE as part of the "Doom Over Europe" tour. The trek will include an appearance at the sold-out Roadburn festival in Tilburg, Netherlands on April 17.
The reissue of DEATH's seventh and final album, "The Sound Of Perseverance", sold around 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 47 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.
"The Sound Of Perseverance" was reissued on February 15 in North America (February 21 internationally) via Relapse Records. The first in a series of official DEATH reissues slated for 2011, the LP has been remastered from the original studio tapes and expanded to include previously unreleased demo material. The reissue also includes enhanced artwork and liner notes from the original cover artist Travis Smith as well as liner notes from DEATH guitarist Shannon Hamm and never-before-seen photographs from "The Sound Of Perseverance" era. A special deluxe version of the "The Sound Of Perseverance" reissue includes a third bonus disc of unreleased material and is only available via Relapse mailorder and digitally via iTunes.
"The Sound Of Perseverance" three-disc reissue track listing:
Disc 1
01. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
02. Bite The Pain
03. Spirit Crusher
04. Story To Tell
05. Flesh And The Power It Holds
06. Voice Of The Soul
07. To Forgive Is To Suffer
08. A Moment Of Clarity
09. Painkiller
Disc 2
01. Spirit Crusher - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
02. Flesh And The Power It Holds - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
03. Voice Of The Soul - 1998 Demos (No Bass)
04. Bite The Pain - 1998 Demos
05. A Moment Of Clarity - 1998 Demos
06. Story To Tell - 1998 Demos
07. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow - 1998 Demos
08. Bite The Pain - 1997 Demos
09. Story To Tell - 1997 Demos
10. A Moment Of Clarity - 1997 Demos
Disc 3
01. Bite The Pain - 1996 Demos
02. Story To Tell - 1996 Demos
03. A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos
04. Bite The Pain w/ Paul Payne On Vocals - 1996 Demos
05. A Moment Of Clarity w/ Paul Payne On Vocals - 1996 Demos
06. A Moment Of Clarity w/ Chuck Schuldiner On Vocals - 1996 Demos
07. Story To Tell w/ Chuck Schuldiner On Vocals - 1996 Demos
08. Bite The Pain w/ Shannon Hamm on Vocals - 1996 Demos
09. A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
10. Bite The Pain - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
11. Story To Tell - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
12. Voice Of The Soul - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
13. A Moment Of Clarity - 1996 Demos (Instrumental)
Florida death metallers SIX FEET UNDER have issued the following update:
"Just wanted to give you a SIX FEET UNDER band update and let you all know that we would like to announce our good friend Rob Arnold [CHIMAIRA] will be joining SIX FEET UNDER as second rhythm guitarist for upcoming touring duties, as well as collaborating on the new CD. "
Commented SIX FEET UNDER vocalist Chris Barnes: "I couldn't be happier about the new songs and lineup!
"Rob and myself have been collaborating on new songs along with the band's new drummer, Kevin Talley [DAATH, MISERY INDEX, CHIMAIRA], for the past few months.
"We are all feeling really excited about the band's future, and the raw intensity of the songs that we have created together so far. This is the heaviest most exciting material that I've worked on since 'The Bleeding' [CANNIBAL CORPSE's 1994 album], and I'm stoked that Rob will be helping out creating this CD with us! We've all known each other for a while and we're really looking forward to continue writing the new CD and future tours. We are committed to taking SIX FEET UNDER to the next level of brutality!"
Added Arnold: "It's been an amazing honor and opportunity to have been called upon by one of my biggest idols, Chris Barnes!!
"SIX FEET UNDER and the Barnes-era CANNIBAL [CORPSE] stuff had enormous effects on me as a young musician, and still do to this day.
"In 1996, I was a kid in the front row screaming my head off to 'Lycanthropy' and 'Torn to the Bone'... And now here I am, being asked to play the songs on stage with the band! Dreams do come true!!! And the stuff we've been writing absolutely RIPS! Watch out!!"
In a previous statement, Barnes promised that SIX FEET UNDER's new lineup would be "a death metal force to be dealt with," with "riffs that will rip your face off [and] vocals ala 1993-1995."
Bassist Terry Butler and drummer Greg Gall announced their departures from SIX FEET UNDER last month. Butler has since joined OBITUARY as a permanent member.
SIX FEET UNDER's "Wake The Night! Live In Germany" DVD was released on January 31 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany) and February 1 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The set consists footage of the band's August 8, 2009 performance at the Party.San Open Air festival in Bad Berka, Germany. The gig was filmed by Roax Films with nine cameras and recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound, picture size 16:9 — best entertainment guaranteed!
The "Victim Of The Paranoid" performance from the DVD can be viewed below.
Oulu, Finland-based death metallers E-XPLOSIVES have just recorded their first two tracks of "relentless, punishing, hammering old-school death metal assault," hoping to find a singer for the group. The band plans to record more music later in the year, this time in a professional studio.
According to a press release, E-XPLOSIVES was formed during the summer of 2010 when "an unholy union of seasoned death metal warriors" was assembled by guitarists Risto "Crazy" Ruuth and Jukka "Banjo" Valppu. drummer Teemu "Blastbeat Menace" Hautaniemi was asked to join and brought bassist Sami "Coma" Kettunen along to the rehearsals.
E-XPLOSIVES is:
Jukka "Banjo" Valppu (ex-MYTHOS) - Guitar
Risto "Crazy" Ruuth (ex-ETERNAL TEARS OF SORROW) - Lead Guitar
Sami "Coma" Kettunen (WARCEREMONY) - Bass
Teemu "Blastbeat Menace" Hautaniemi (ex-MYTHOS) - Drums
For more information, visit www.e-xplosives.fi.
Reactivated Quebec, Canada-based technical death metal band GORGUTS recently entered the studio to begin pre-production on their new album for a tentative late 2011 release via an as-yet-undetermined record label. The group's current lineup features genre heavyweights John Longstreth (drums; DIM MAK, ORIGIN, THE RED CHORD, SKINLESS, POSSESSION, ANGELCORPSE), Colin Marston (bass; DYSRHYTHMIA, BEHOLD... THE ARCTOPUS, BYLA, KRALLICE, INDRICOTHERE) and Kevin Hufnagel (guitar; DYSRHYTHMIA, WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, BYLA, EUCLID STREET, THE FIFTH SEASON, GREY DIVISION BLUE) alongside guitarist/vocalist Luc Lemay.
Lemay has issued the following update on the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's new CD:
"Just a few words to let you know where we are with the songwriting of the new album. We got together at the end of January to finish up the last songs to complete the album. Colin and Kevin have contributed to the album with a song each. Amazingly well composed, their songs suit the GORGUTS aesthetic wonderfully.
"The album will have a total of nine songs, including one instrumental piece for string orchestra composed by me. [It] is going to be over one hour long. It still very brutal but darkly, ambient and progressive as well.
"The album main concept is going to be a musical journey that will talk about the wonders of Tibet as well as the dramatic fate they've been going through for over 50 years now.
"I'm hard at work on the lyrics as I'm writing this update.
"For this album, I wanted to have all the music finished first before writing any lyrics. This way, having all the musical canvas done I can now concentrate on the story-telling aspect.
"When everything will be ready we're going to record the album along with my longtime friend and producer Pierre Remillard at his Wild Studio in Quebec.
"Since we're still discussing with a label, we can't tell you a street date yet for the release of the album but we're shooting for this summer. In the meantime, you can enjoy for the first time this new song [see below] taken from one of our pre-production session which was recorded by Colin at Menegroth, The Thousand Caves Studio in Queens, New York.
"The wait is almost over for us to unleash this new beast.
"Speaker Of The Dead", the fourth album from the New Fairfield, Connecticut- and Queens, New York-based deathcore act EMMURE, sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 68 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "Felony", opened with 7,800 units to land at No. 68.
Released on February 15 through Victory Records, "Speaker Of The Dead" was produced by Joey Sturgis, who has previously worked with THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA and BORN OF OSIRIS, among others.
"Speaker Of The Dead" track listing:
01. Children Of Cybertron
02. Area 64-66
03. Dogs Get Put Down
04. Demons With Ryu
05. Solar Flare Homicide
06. Eulogy Of Giants
07. Bohemian Grove
08. 4 Poisons 3 Word
09. Cries of Credo
10. Last Words To Rose
11. A Voice From Below
12. Drug Dealer Friend
13. My Name Is Thanos
14. Lights Bring Salvation
15. Word Of Intulo
EMMURE was recently forced to postpone its previously announced tour of Australia "due to circumstances beyond the band's control."
Spanish black metal inquisition HRIZG has inked a deal with Moribund Records.
HRIZG is the sole vision of its creator, also monikered Hrizg, and his first record for Moribund shall be "Anthems To Decrepitude", set for release on May 3.
According to a press release, "this groundbreaking newcomer possesses a hideous spirit that resounds across times both modern and distant, and his 'Anthems To Decrepitude' is a startling synthesis of sepulchral atmosphere and dynamic songwriting, all housed with an exquisitely morbid soundfield."
Commented Hrizg: "My goal is to make music and release it with a serious label. I waste a lot of time writing and producing my songs and writing all my lyrics, which are full of symbolism and meaning in the esoteric and Luciferian way, and taking some influences of religion, myths and Celtic history. I try to exteriorize all my hate and negative feelings through music, too, but not all — I leave something for the daily life! I would like to make gigs, too, but I guess that's very difficult now, and really, that's not very important for me."
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/hrizg.
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