According to The New Zealand Herald, AC/DC drummer Phil Rudd has had his cannabis conviction quashed by a court in his adopted homeland of New Zealand on the grounds that it would have stopped him from continuing to tour with the rock band.
Rudd, 56, sought to have his 2010 conviction for possession of 27 grams of marijuana wiped from his record, according to the Bay Of Plenty Times.
The drummer pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $190 plus $101 in court costs in December after failing in his bid for a discharge without conviction.
His attorney, Craig Tuck, argued at the time that the consequences of a conviction outweighed the gravity of his client's crime.
At Thursday's hearing, Rudd's attorney said the conviction restricted the rocker's ability to enter some countries, particularly the United States, Canada and Japan.
According to Undercover, original AC/DC singer Dave Evans claims that he was dropped from the "Long Live Bon Scott" series of tribute concerts because of pressure from the the family of late AC/DC frontman Bon Scott.
Evans was a member of AC/DC from the band's inception in 1973 until 1974. Following his departure from AC/DC, Dave Evans formed the wild hedonistic rock band RABBIT, Melbourne '80s rock outfit DAVE EVANS AND THUNDER DOWN UNDER, and lastly DAVE EVANS AND HOT COCKEREL. Dave Evans has also toured as a solo act, and in 2008 released "Judgement Day" through MGM.
"To me it is an insult," Dave tells Undercover News. "Bon would be rolling in his grave."
He adds, "I never had a problem with Bon. He had an opportunity to take my place and become the singer for AC/DC. I would have done the same thing."
"Bon was a rock and roller and as hard as me. I left home when I was 16 and was knocking about the Cross. He was quite a few years older than me but we grew up tough and did the hard knocks. My relationship with Bon has nothing to do with this. I have always showed great respect to Bon and the fans will attest to that. My fans are up in arms about this."
Dead Press! conducted an interview with vocalist Austin Dickinson and bassist Joe Cupcutt of up-and-coming London, England metalcore outfit RISE TO REMAIN on March 28, 2011 at the Stoke-on-Trent stop of the band's U.K. tour with FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND and TIGER PLEASE. During the chat, which can be streamed in the YouTube clip below, the bandmembers talk about their new deal with EMI, what to expect from their forthcoming debut album, and how they feel about supporting world-renowned bands such as IRON MAIDEN and KORN.
In a recent interview with RockAAA, Austin Dickinson — whose father is IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson — revealed the key piece of advice his dad has given him: don't fuck up. "He has told me not to fuck up enough times," Austin said. "He also tells me all the usual father stuff and he is supportive, which is all I can ask. I don't think either of us could stand it if either of us stepped into each other's musical endeavors.
"Dad wasn't in MAIDEN for the majority of my childhood so I didn't have a concept of what he did, although I do now, of course. He was a lot more creative than active, and he wasn't touring constantly.
"I did tour the world when I was very young, only around one or two years old, so I can't remember that. So I didn't really grow up around music in that way, although it has always been a big part of my life."
RISE TO REMAIN's debut album will be released later this year via EMI. In the meantime, you can check out the band's track "The Serpent", which was released on March 22 and is available for streaming in a YouTube clip below.
According to Dickinson, RISE TO REMAIN completed work on the album long before the band went looking for a record deal.
"We spent a good while talking to a bunch of labels," he told RockAAA. "We actually recorded, mixed and mastered the album before there were any major labels in the game. We did that because it was our first album and we wanted to take our time and care with it. We wanted to rearrange the band priority of getting signed to a label first then rushing out a record. We wanted to do it the other way by doing the album first and getting a good metal record done. Then we sent the album to all the labels and we spoke to a lot of them, but EMI were the ones who showed the most enthusiasm and excitement and had the most plans for us. The whole thing fits together really well and we are really delighted and honored to be working with EMI.
"The situation has changed now and labels aren't so much concerned with creative control as they are with merch and the likes because of downloading. It is really up to individual bands to do what suits them, but as it was our first, we really wanted to sculpt and hone it."
British heavy metal vocalist Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN, WOLFSBANE) has released the following statement:
"First of all, thanks again for all the wonderful messages of support I have received in the last few days.
"The mental, financial and emotional strain of keeping the BLAZE BAYLEY band together has proven to be too much for me and has taken a terrible toll on my mental health. As a result of that, I have had to split with the BLAZE BAYLEY band. Now I am just Blaze Bayley, a solo artist and also the lead singer of WOLFSBANE.
"Since Anna [Di Laurenzio, tour manager] and Larry [Paterson, drums] left the BLAZE BAYLEY band, we've tried to do everything ourselves and for me it has been too much. Without a proper manager coordinating concerts, touring, festivals, promotion, record releases and all the finances, it's too much to cope with. Now [that] I've finally taken this incredibly difficult decision, I feel I can breathe again.
"It has been an upsetting, frustrating and sad time because the BLAZE BAYLEY band will not be going on any more, but it is also for me a huge relief and a time to look forward.
"I wish David [Bermudez, bass], Nico [Bermudez, guitar] and Jay [Walsh, guitar] every succes with their future projects and like to thank them for their loyalty, commitment and sharing their musical talent on 'The Man Who Would Not Die' and 'Promise And Terror'. They are arguably two of the best metal albums I have ever made. We have made a live album and a DVD and I am immensly proud of all of those things as well as the incredible concerts we have played to fans all over the world.
"I apologize to my U.K. fans for postponing the upcoming tour. We are still in the process of rearranging all the dates that we can to happen in December.
"The shows I have booked with WOLFSBANE will all go ahead. Also, all the festivals I have booked will go ahead with different musicians.
"I have a lot of plans that I am very excited about for the future and on top of that I am expecting my first child to be born in September.
"Look out for me popping up in different places all over Europe in the summer, because I am still available and being booked for festivals and guest appearances.
"The first two weeks of September is my unplugged acoustic U.K. tour with Jase Edwards from WOLFSBANE, called the 'Blaze And Jase: The Incredible Tour'. The full dates will be announced in the next few weeks. After that, there will be a week of European full metal shows.
"I am going to the USA in October and November for my first-ever headline tour since IRON MAIDEN. I will look forward to seeing all the Blaze Bayley fans over there. After that, the new WOLFSBANE album comes out, hopefully followed by a headline tour with WOLFSBANE of the U.K. and then my own rescheduled U.K. Blaze Bayley tour dates in December.
"Next year, I am planning to do my first acoustic unplugged album with mostly new songs and that should come with an unplugged world tour.
"I'm planning to start work on my next full metal album in 2013.
"Thank you so much everyone for being there for me through these difficult years and for your continued support. Thank you for being my blood and belief."
AEROSMITH will release "Tough Love: Best Of The Ballads" on May 10 via Geffen Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Angel
02. Amazing
03. Love In An Elevator
04. Cryin'
05. What It Takes
06. Rag Doll
07. Crazy
08. Deuces Are Wild
09. Livin' On The Edge
10. Blind Man
11. Janie's Got A Gun
12. Dream On
The Hollywood Reporter reported in early February that sales of AEROSMITH's greatest-hits collections had increased more than 250 percent as a result of Steven Tyler's appearance on "American Idol" as a judge for the show's tenth season. The band's 1994 compilation "Big Ones", saw increased sales of 260 percent after the show's January 19 premiere. Meanwhile, 2004's "Devil's Got a New Disguise: The Very Best of Aerosmith", got a 146 percent boost after week 2 of "Idol". Two more greatest-hits collections registered surges of 137 percent and 147 percent. Likewise, AEROSMITH's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" single was downloaded 34,000 times for the week ending January 30, an increase of 363 percent. The band's 1973 hit "Dream On" saw 26,000 downloads, which represented a 318 percent spike over the week before.
AEROSMITH bassist Tom Hamilton recently told the Boston Herald that Tyler believes he has the time and energy to continue fronting the band while also being a judge on "American Idol". Hamilton explained, "Steven's been very emphatic in saying that the way his time is arranged on the show leaves room to work on a record. He's been taking great pains to remind everybody of that, so hopefully that's the way it will come out."
Hamilton said he'd never watched "American Idol" and that the band found out about Tyler's involvement from its management. Guitarist Joe Perry voiced his displeasure in public, calling the program "one step above ('Teenage Mutant') 'Ninja Turtles'."
MetalInsider.net recently conducted an interview with MOTÖRHEAD frontman and rock icon Lemmy Kilmister. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
MetalInsider.net: What are your thoughts on the music industry these days?
Lemmy: Well, the music industry these days is dying, isn't it? They have no idea what fucking happened to them. They don't know what hit them. They couldn't work with the Internet, so they tried to prosecute it, which is really fucking dumb. And it seems that they keep fucking up. Every turn they make is the wrong turn. Soon they're going to be out of business in ten years. And it's all because of the Internet.
MetalInsider.net: Do you think it was was easier for up and coming bands to promote themselves back when MOTÖRHEAD first started out, or is it easier now?
Lemmy: It's the same. It's always been the same. There's always people robbing bands. Agents rob you. Managers rob you a lot of the time. We've got a good one now, but we've had a lot of bad ones. The fucking promoters rob you. They tell you that "it hasn't sold out," and you can see that it is. But what are you going to say? They've got all their guys with them, and there's only five of you.
MetalInsider.net: It's just been announced that MOTÖRHEAD will be playing a few dates with the FOO FIGHTERS. You and Dave Grohl have been long time friends and admirers of each other, but how did a tour with both bands finally come to fruition?
Lemmy: Well, the FOO FIGHTERS/Dave asked us to do the shows. So we said "yeah!" I'm hoping there be some sort of collaboration because I really like playing with Dave. He's like me, he's fast and he's good, and that's always fun. I hate these people that take three hours to do a fucking solo, let alone three weeks sometimes.
MetalInsider.net: After all these years, do you still get a kick when well known and popular musicians, like Dave Grohl and even METALLICA, cite you and MOTÖRHEAD as a major influence on them?
Lemmy: Well, METALLICA's starting to feel the old age bite now, aren't they? (laughing) They've been around a long time now. I mean, you can't top METALLICA. They're really a fucking excellent band. I'm delighted that they said that I was one of their influences. Like, they have all of their influences, and you can't hear the influences in them, which is great. They've become their own people, and that's great. I like them a lot. I've spent a lot of time with those boys. There's a clip of me jamming with them in Nashville, Tennessee in the ["Lemmy"] movie.
MetalInsider.net: Have you noticed any big differences between touring today and when the band first started out? A lot of bands lately have been finding it harder to tour because of the latest economic problems. Have you found that to be the case?
Lemmy: Ah, that's fucking bullshit. I mean, we've just sold out every place we've played in America, and this isn't the first time. And the recession is reportedly biting everybody's ass, yet all of these 17 year olds have found it possible to come to the shows, right? So I don't know about this recession. I think it's a bunch of bullshit. I think it's an excuse for the businesses to downsize, as they say, and fire all of the people that they didn't like (laughs). And I think the banks are really, really bad people, man! The banks are getting away with it. Nobody gets put in jail. The government bails them out. Then they say "sorry" and start doing the same thing again. It's fucking disgraceful.
Joe Bosso of MusicRadar.com recently conducted an interview with Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
MusicRadar.com: Let's talk about VELVET REVOLVER. I spoke with Slash before the holidays, and he indicated to me that things would be figured out soon. [McKagan laughs] Then, around the start of 2011, rumors circulated that [SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR singer] Corey Taylor might be the new vocalist.
Duff: "We recorded a bunch of songs with Corey. I think he's fucking great. Whether he's in VELVET REVOLVER or not…'cause I'm at a point where I can see things with a bigger view, you know, it's not all about me… I think he's the best voice of a new generation. The best rock 'n' voice out there. He's got a lot of positive energy. I'd be proud to do anything with him.
"But the truth is…I can't see VELVET REVOLVER happening till fall, maybe. Slash is touring, I'm just starting to tour… We'll just see. Joe, I just don't have an answer. I don't."
MusicRadar.com: On to another group — GUNS N' ROSES. Last year, you played with the band in England, but afterwards — and I want to make sure I get this right — you said that you felt it was a mistake to have done so.
Duff: "It wasn't a mistake. Everything happens in life for a reason. See, I have a another business that has nothing to do with music at all, and my partners are with a London-based firm. As a result, I go to London from time to time. So I'm in London on a business trip, and the hotel manager is showing me and my wife to our room. Nothing's odd at all, everything's fine. Then the manager says to me, 'You're playing tonight.' And I'm like, 'No, I'm not playing.' He looked at me strangely, and then he said, 'Is it going to be a problem if your room is next to Axl's [Rose]?' And I said, 'No, there won't be any problem.' At that moment, I said to myself, 'This is the time when it's gonna happen, that he and I reconnect.'
"You know, say what you want, but some of us guys went through a bunch of shit together. You can't take that away, and you can't put yourself in our positions. People have quipped wise about our situation, but what it comes down to is that you're in a room with a guy you went to fucking war with. Everybody said we wouldn't make it, that we sucked. We played gigs to three people. But we believed in ourselves and we got huge, and we went through all of that together, too.
"I hadn't talked to Axl in some time, but you know… I'm a grown-up. Martial arts has really taught me how to deal with a lot of things. The biggest thing is, Don't be a pussy. Not just with that situation, but in general — in life."
MusicRadar.com: If my calculations are correct, next year GUNS N' ROSES are eligible to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
Duff: "Yeah, there are a lot of 'ifs' in that…
"I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't know it was coming. I've been made aware of it. I don't sit around and do the calculations: 'Oh yeah, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, that's where I gotta be…'
"So yeah, I guess we could be eligible. But I think it's a real 'cross-that-bridge-when-you-come-to-it' kind of thing. I haven't done any thorough thinking about it or reaching out to anyone about it.
"My only experience with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame was when VR played it and we were inducting VAN HALEN. That whole band was supposed to be there, including David Lee Roth — we were going to do a song with him. It all started falling apart in the two weeks leading up to the gig. It was sad to watch…
"We were just the innocent band that was there to play VAN HALEN songs, and we saw their whole thing crumble. To see Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar show up, when it was supposed to be everybody... Michael and Sammy were really cool guys and good sports about it, but they took all the heat over the situation. A lot of heat.
"I don't know if I want to set myself up for heat. It's going to be a debacle, isn't it? A press debacle. I just don't know what else to say about it, Joe. I have to come up with some good quotes!" [laughs]
Rob Cavuoto of Guitar International recently conducted an interview with MÖTLEY CRÜE/SIXX: A.M. bassist Nikki Sixx. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Guitar International: Tell me why it was important for you to write a book that showcases your photography?
Nikki Sixx: Everything for me comes from honesty, being brutally honest. Most people don't understand that and it's hard for me to understand sometimes, too. David Bowie once said that he didn't understand his own music until five or ten years after he recorded and released it. It almost feels that way with photography for me. You're doing so much photography that you get the idea of doing a book on photography, at first you start to write it for yourself. So you start writing and then that influences the photography. The photography then bleeds over into influencing DJ Ashba and Michael James [of SIXX: A.M.] when they write songs. Then the songs and words start to influence more photography. Then the songs start to merge and they merge back with the lyrics. Then, I'm like, "Wow, I have to get a documentary crew and they have to document what is happening here. It's something magical and I don't know what it is but I have to capture it. We're going to
record it, write it, sing about it, talk about it, take picture of it, and make films about it." In the end, it's like I've given birth to this baby. Somehow everything is connected to something else. It's really painful to figure out what all this stuff really means. It's like Psych 101 and I'm still trying to figure it out.
Guitar International: In the book, you equate MÖTLEY CRÜE as work and SIXX: A.M. as fun? Do you ever think MÖTLEY could be fun again for you?
Nikki Sixx: I love MÖTLEY CRÜE. They're magical. Being in the band takes my breath away. I've only ever been in MÖTLEY and done a few side projects. SIXX: A.M. is the passion project set up for failure. We don't tour, we don't think we are accessible. We're dark and off the beaten track. MÖTLEY CRÜE is this living, breathing monster that has trampled its way through life and really doesn't take any prisoners. We primarily seek and destroy. This dragon should've been slayed a long time ago. How it's still alive, I don't know. I want to ride it until it drops. I won't say it's not fun, I would say it's like going to war!
Guitar International: With the current music environment of no rock radio, filesharing, and the slumping record industry, how do you measure success for SIXX: A.M.?
Nikki Sixx: It's already succeeded and failed at the same time. It is what it is. You have it, and that's all I care about, and that you listen to it. That you have my book and you get to read it. You get to reflect on your own life. I don't need anything more. That's where we come from as a band. The only other level of honesty that we could have done is not to sell it, as if we didn't put it out. Same with my photography, I haven't shared it with anybody for almost half a decade. If it's successful, I'm going to celebrate like a motherfucker. If it's not, then OK, because I don't expect it to.
The new AVANTASIA four-disc box, "The Flying Opera - Around The World In 20 Days", has entered the official Austrian chart at position No. 1. In Germany, the double DVD that comes with the double CD has landed on the official album chart at No. 18.
According to a press release, the "The Flying Opera - Around The World In 20 Days" DVD is "a documentary of the legendary 2008 world tour of AVANTASIA, when the band hit the road for the first time to write a new chapter in metal history; traveling around the world with a giant all-star ensemble to bring the metal opera on stage and play on three continents within a few days, crossing the dateline and eventually playing to a total of 400,000 people within only a few weeks. The first DVD contains a live concert with a running time of almost two hours featuring footage filmed at the headlining shows of Wacken Open Air (Germany) and Masters Of Rock (Czech Republic). On the second DVD there [is] a movie, 'Around The World In 20 Days', that gives fans the opportunity to join AVANTASIA backstage and take a look at the surroundings and the thrill behind the scenes that go along with an extensive undertaking such as this. The DVD set portray[s] AVANTASIA 2008
when it all started."
"The Flying Circus - Around The World In 20 Days" is available as a two-disc DVD set featuring the documentary movie, a live concert film, and additional bonus material. It is also available as a double live album on CD and as a limited-edition two-CD/two-DVD box set.
Commented Tobias: "I am so proud of this DVD package and the featured footage, even though it took a little longer to finally complete it. It gives people an idea of what an impact the first appearance of AVANTASIA on stage had, and you will get an idea of how everything went beyond our expectations and what the roots and the seeds for the current AVANTASIA tour are. It portrays one year in AVANTASIA's history, maybe the most important year in the project's history because that is when a studio project became a traveling institution.
"There are many metal operas, but we made it something real, something to take hold of. Something alive..."
According to The Pulse Of Radio, GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna has set the dates and venues for his first tour in support of his debut solo album, "Avalon". The trek launches on May 13 in Concord, New Hampshire and has been confirmed for 11 cities so far, with more dates to be announced. "Avalon" was released last September and Erna told The Pulse Of Radio why he's just now touring behind it. "Lots of careful planning," he said. "Trying to not make any mistakes along the way. Just trying to make sure that it's set up right, that it looks right when it goes out, that it feels right and, you know, we're drawing in the right kind of audience for it . . . you know, it's very different than GODSMACK is, so it, you know, needs to be kind of nurtured differently. And it's also a development project, so it's taken a little bit more time to make sure all the pieces are in place."
The show will feature Erna leading an eight-piece ensemble band. In a statement, he called the production "a world of beautiful scenery, world cultures, and amazing cinematic visuals that will leave you breathless at times."
"Avalon" features flutes, cellos, hand drums and other exotic instrumentation, along with female vocals. Erna has emphasized that it is "not a rock record."
GODSMACK's latest effort, "The Oracle", came out last spring. The current single is "Saints And Sinners".
GODSMACK and DISTURBED will headline this summer's edition of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival tour, which kicks off on July 9 in San Bernardino, California.
Confirmed Sully Erna tour dates (subject to change):
May 13 - Concord, NH - Capitol Theatre
May 14 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - Kirby Center
May 15 - Syracuse, NY - Crouse Hinds Concert Theatre
May 17 - Boston, MA - Wilbur Theatre
May 18 - Bridgeport, CT - The Klein Memorial Auditorium
May 19 - New York, NY - Grand Ballroom Manhattan Center
May 21 - New Bedford, MA - Zyterion Theatre
May 22 - Albany, NY - The Egg
June 01 - Lawrence, KS - Liberty Hall
June 03 - Detroit, MI - Motor City Casino
June 04 - Columbus, OH - LC Pavillion
June 10 - Atlantic City, NJ - Music Box
HELLYEAH, IN THIS MOMENT, THE DAMNED THINGS, SKINDRED, EVERY TIME I DIE, WHITECHAPEL and THE ACACIA STRAIN are among artists who will take part in what is shaping up to be a new Australian travelling festival dubbed Soundwave Revolution, with an expected launch date of September 24, 2011.
More details will be revealed via the festival's official web site.
Cory Graves of the Dallas Observer recently conducted an interview with SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Dallas Observer: One of your most recent tweets mentioned the fact that you and the other SOUNDGARDEN members have been jamming on a new album. What have these sessions been sounding like, or what might you compare the new sounds to?
Cornell: It's different than other music that we've done, and that makes it a lot like our other albums in that we were always trying to forge ahead. We never have been a band that's been that comfortable pinpointing one aspect of what we do as being "our style" and then steering into it. We've kind of always done the opposite, and, potentially, we're still doing that. We've got a lot of different musical feels. It's similar [to our previous material] because it's the four of us — it's who we are and what we sound like — but I can't even think of one song that I would say reminds me directly of another SOUNDGARDEN song. So, in that way, it's SOUNDGARDEN as I know it. It's just moving ahead and picking up where we left off.
Dallas Observer: Are you finding that playing together now is more enjoyable than it was 12 years ago?
Cornell: In some ways I think, yeah. There's less stress involved in terms of it feeling light. We're on this never-ending cycle of writing and recording albums, and tours to support it. The [album] cycle really starts with writing and then recording, and then mixing and mastering, and while the writing and recording process is happening, tours are being set up surrounding the release of it, which means that then there's a release date, which means you've penciled in the date it's going to be finished and you're not even done writing it yet. A lot of music gets created that way, but, as a band just starting out, we were just writing music. We didn't have anywhere to release it — which is kind of the opposite problem. Now it's just more [reminiscent of how it was during the] early period, where it's about songwriting and we have no release date and no projected season that the CD is going to come out in. So as we're writing and recording, it's simply
focusing on the music and the recordings. There's no stress about "These have to be a certain way!" and "[They] have to mean a certain thing!" [and be finished] by Thursday.
Dallas Observer: Do you think this solo acoustic tour — and to a lesser extent the new SOUNDGARDEN material — will help to win back the favor of fans who maybe didn't like your Timbaland-produced, electro-pop album, "Scream", as much as they did your earlier material?
Cornell: I don't really care. I've never really done anything with any concern about "favor," and I actually think that there's a lot people who see me when I do solo shows that love that record. I have fan requests for songs from that record for this tour all over web sites. Again, of course, I don't really pay much attention to [the Internet], so I don't know if I'll play songs from it. If anything, [playing solo acoustic shows] unites all my different records and all my different periods as a solo artist and a member of bands because you have to interpret everything through acoustic guitar and singing. It puts every single song in a similar arena.
New Orleans sludge metal legends CROWBAR have canceled their appearance at this year's installment of the Summer Breeze festival, set to take place August 18-20, 2011 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. According to the festival organizers, "There has been a death in the band's closer circle which has forced them to change their plans for July/August. A big sorry goes out to all those who were looking forward to seeing Kirk Windstein and his crew. We will not rest until we are able to book the band for Summer Breeze in the years to come."
"Sever The Wicked Hand", the new album from CROWBAR, sold around 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 4 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
CROWBAR's previous album, "Lifesblood For The Downtrodden", premiered with 1,900 copies back in February 2005.
"Sever The Wicked Hand" was released in the U.S. on February 8 through E1 Music and in Europe on February 14 via Century Media Records.
CROWBAR's "The Cemetery Angels" video was filmed on December 5, 2010 in New York City with director Dale "Rage" Resteghini.
CHICKENFOOT's Sammy Hagar and Joe Satriani will perform the national anthem at the St. Louis Cardinals vs. San Francisco Giants game on Saturday, April 9 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, California.
CHICKENFOOT has come up with a name for the supergroup's second album. Hagar said during Canadian Music Week, "We're calling it 'Chickenfoot IV' (Four). That's how silly we are. It's the working title but I guarantee it'll stick." He added, "We were all like, 'What are we going to call the second record? Well, 'Chickenfoot II' (Two). And we're going, 'We can't call it 'Chickenfoot II', that's too obvious.' And pretty soon [drummer] Chad Smith, I'm sure was the guy, he's going, 'Let's call it 'Chickenfoot IV'. And we all cracked up and said, 'Right on, that's it.' And we haven't talked about it since."
CHICKENFOOT has been recording the new CD with Mike Fraser, a Canadian producer, engineer and mixer who has previously worked with AC/DC, METALLICA and AEROSMITH. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "No Change", "Who's Next", "Astral Years" and "I Ain't Got You, I Got The Two By Blues".
CHICKENFOOT drummer Chad Smith recently confirmed that he won't tour with CHICKENFOOT this year in support of the band's second album due to scheduling conflicts with his main group, the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.
CHICKENFOOT's self-titled debut disc came out in June 2009 and was certified gold for sales of more than 500,000 copies.
Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach's new solo album, which was previously scheduled for a summer release via the Italian label Frontiers Records, has been pushed back to late September. Bach, his new, young, virtuosic guitarist Nick Sterling, drummer Bobby Jarzombek and producer Bob Marlette (BLACK SABBATH, SHINEDOWN, ATREYU, FILTER) are currently recording the CD at a studio in Los Angeles.
Slave Pit Inc., the production company responsible for not only GWAR but a bevy of other side-and-ear-splitting acts of deviance, is venturing into the worlds of both episodic comedy and internet funding, while enlisting some of the biggest and most infamous names in the metal scene to do it. Slave Pit has started their month-long Kickstarter campaign in order to raise funds for the production of a new episode of "The Blood Vomits".
Set in a violent medieval world, "The Blood Vomits" tells the tale of Mad Dog, Nails, and their friend, Father Macgregor, as they rape and pillage their way into your hearts. The series creators hope to use the Kickstarter web site to secure funding for the project.
"We have set a goal of $5000.00, and have one month to reach it," said Mike Derks, series producer. "If we can't raise that we don't get squat. If we do, we make the episode. If we get more than the goal, we build more fucked up puppets to kill and have sex with each other."
The voices for the three lead roles, Mad Dog, Nails, and Father Macgregor, are provided by three of the top metal singers in today's scene, GWAR's Oderus Urungus, LAMB OF GOD's Randy Blythe and MUNICIPAL WASTE's Tony Foresta.
Swedish/German extreme metal metallers ARCH ENEMY will release their ninth studio album, "Khaos Legions", on May 30 in Europe and June 7 in the U.S. via Century Media Records. The CD will mark the band's return to new, original material, after the release of the "Tyrants Of The Rising Sun - Live In Japan" live DVD/CD (2008) and the re-recordings album, "The Root Of All Evil" (2009). The effort was tracked at Sweet Spot Studio in the south of Sweden with engineer Rickard Bengtsson (who produced 2005's "Doomsday Machine").
The "Khaos Legions" artwork, which comes courtesy of renowned artist Brent Elliott White (MEGADETH, DEATH ANGEL), can be viewed below.
"Khaos Legions" track listing:
01. Khaos Overture (instrumental)
02. Yesterday Is Dead And Gone
03. Bloodstained Cross
04. Under Black Flags We March
05. No Gods, No Masters
06. City Of The Dead
07. Through The Eyes Of A Raven
08. Cruelty Without Beauty
09. We Are A Godless Entity (instrumental)
10. Cult Of Chaos
11. Thorns In My Flesh
12. Turn To Dust (instrumental)
13. Vengeance Is Mine
14. Secrets
15. The Zoo
16. Snow Bound (acoustic)
German thrash metal veterans SODOM have been forced to cancel their April 2, 2011 appearance at the Silesian Massacre Festival Vol. 2 in Katowice, Poland after the band's guitarist, Bernd "Bernemann" Kost, was rushed to the hospital. SODOM's booking agent, Fleisch, writes on the group's MySpace page, "We do not know what exactly has happened as I write this e-mail. [Kost] is currently under medical observation in the emergency section to discover exactly what the problem is.
"We feel very sorry, but unfortunately and obviously because of the situation as it stands at the moment the band cannot travel to Katowice on Saturday.
"I know it is not the best time and it is short notice, but the situation as it is with Bernemann leaves the band no choice. I hope for your understanding and I regret that this situation has come about. The band were looking forward to playing at [the] festival."
SODOM recently announced the addition of drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald to the group's ranks.
Freiwald previously played for the German bands DESPAIR and FLAMING ANGER and was involved with the VOODOOCULT project. In addition, he played percussion as a session musician on the MOONSPELL album "Irreligious" and is featured on the 1996 LP "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers" by Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST.
A photo of SODOM's new lineup can be found below.
SODOM in November parted ways with drummer Bobby Schottkowski due to "personal and private problems between Tom [bassist/vocalist Thomas 'Angelripper' Such] and Bobby," according to a statement released by the band.
SODOM's new album, "In War And Pieces", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 64. The CD was released in North America on January 11, 2011 via SPV/Steamhammer.
NONPOINT's May 6 hometown concert at Revolution in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida will be professionally filmed and recorded for a future DVD release. Singer Elias Soriano says, "The DVD shoot is going to consist of six cameras, with behind-the-scenes footage of what it takes to put on a NONPOINT show for a hometown populated by some of the most loyal listeners in the land. Lots of sweat, pits and belting along with fan favorites, new versions and acoustic songs all wrapped into a nearly 20-song set. And though 'Live And Kicking' was great, this DVD is gonna prove why no one puts on a show like we do."
NONPOINT has been on the road nearly nonstop since the beginning of 2010, sharing the stage with COLD, SEVENDUST, DROWNING POOL, HELLYEAH and playing memorable sets at Rock On The Range and U.K.'s Download festival.
NONPOINT's latest album, "Miracle", sold around 8,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Miracle" was released in Europe on June 14, 2010 via Powerage Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on May 4, 2010 via the band's own 954 Records in partnership with Rocket Science Ventures / RED / Sony.
NONPOINT's "Miracle" video was directed by Dale "Rage" Resteghini, whose credits include videos for ANTHRAX, FALL OUT BOY, LIL WAYNE, STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, THE GAME, BUSTA RHYMES, SOULJA BOY and many others.
Lead singer Sharon den Adel of Dutch symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday (Wednesday, March 30). Logan Arwin Westerholt (pictured below), who weighed in at five pounds, 8.7 ounces and measured 47 centimeters long, came into the world a little over five weeks early but both mother and son are doing fine.
After taking time to recuperate and get to know her new son, Sharon will begin preparing to get back on stage in August, when WITHIN TEMPTATION will start its extensive tour with a special performance at Holland's Huntenpop Festival, after which the band will be visiting the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Logan is the third child of Sharon den Adel and WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt. The couple has a one-year-old son, Robin Aiden Westerholt, and a five-year old daughter named Eva Luna den Adel.
WITHIN TEMPTATION's fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving", was released on March 29 via Sony Music in Continental Europe and Roadrunner Records in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland, Japan and Australia. The CD was produced by Daniel Gibson and is based on a comic book story written by script writer Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48).
Italian female-fronted metallers MY BLACK LIGHT have inked a deal with Germany's Massacre Records.
MY BLACK LIGHT was formed in 2008 by keyboardist/vocalist Rodolfo Coda Bertetto and singer Monica Primo, both of whom shared a passion for metal, especially gothic metal.
Even though they had been playing this kind of music for years in different cover bands, it wasn't until early 2008 that they decided to try and write their own songs and bring them to light through a new project.
MY BLACK LIGHT's debut album, "Human Maze", was released digitally last November.
MY BLACK LIGHT is:
Monica Primo - Vocals
Rodolfo Coda Bertetto - Keyboards and Vocals
Emanuele Rossi - Guitar
Marco Peraldo - Bass Guitar
Edoardo Giordani - Drums
For more information, visit www.myblacklight.com.
Reunited '80s Dutch metal band PICTURE will release a new album, "Warhorse", in May. No further details are currently available.
PICTURE was the first "real" Dutch heavy metal band. Formed in 1979, they were especially popular in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy for their live performances. They still supposedly have a huge fan base in South America, Mexico and Japan.
PICTURE supported AC/DC, TED NUGENT and SAXON in the Netherlands. With SAXON, they did a full European tour in 1981. Later on they toured with ROSE TATTOO in Germany and headlined tours in Italy and Israel.
After reuniting a few years back, a limited-edition live CD was recorded and from December 2008 until January 2009 the band retreated in the StarSound Studios in Utrecht, Holland to record "Old Dogs New Tricks".
According to a press release, the album "contains a wide variety of hard rock and old school metal songs, completed with a breath taking ballad. [It] was [helmed] by Nico Verrips, who already produced and wrote numerous hits into the charts and who kept the Eighties feeling, but gave the record a contemporary modern sound.
"'Old Dogs, New Tricks' is a typical PICTURE album with a variety of heavy and dynamic songs. The powerful and raw voice of Pete Lovell shows to its full advantage with this kind of heavy music. Add the brilliantly composed songs anno 2009 to this and you will agree that this is PICTURE in their historically best lineup ever."
For more information, visit www.picture-eternaldark.com.
Stockholm, Sweden-based hard rockers BACKDRAFT have just released their third album, "This Heaven Goes To Eleven", via GMR Music. The CD was recorded — just like its predecessor, 2007's "The Second Coming" — by the band itself in its own A.R.T. Studios in Stockholm, over the course of 2010 and then mixed by Jo E who also worked on "The Second Coming". The idea was initially to capture the live feel by doing a quick and dirty record. That idea quickly went out the window, and the result instead became BACKDRAFT's most layered and experimental album from a recording point of view.
According to a press release, "This Heaven Goes To Eleven" consists of nine quite diverse songs, from obvious four-on-the-floor rockers like opening track and first single, "Idiot", and the slide-driven "The King Of Diesel", to swinging tracks like "No Love", "Stand" and "Out Of Here". The latter is, in essence, a country song dressed in a hard rock arrangement, featuring drummer Niklas Matsson as co-lead vocalist alongside BACKDRAFT frontman and lead singer, Jonas Åhlén a.k.a. Revered Sorethroat.
"This Heaven Goes To Eleven" was made available on CD as well as a limited-edition gatefold 180-gram vinyl with a free CD included (with an exclusive bonus track: a cover of "Blue Sky" by THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND).
"Although 'Idiot' is perhaps our most radio-friendly song to date, the album as a whole is our most varied and eclectic so far," says bass player Mats Rydström. "While some of our earlier material certainly had its tongue firmly planted in cheek, new songs like 'Yesterdays & Tomorrows', 'E.C.G.T. Blues' and 'Wheel Of No Fortune' also deal with the rougher realities of life, which we have only touched on in the past. I'd say that 'This Heaven Goes To Eleven' is definitely our most honest record."
"We were initially labeled as a pure southern rock band, which I think is a bit misleading," says lead guitarist and founding member Robert Johansson. "I view BACKDRAFT, especially where we are now, as searching for the essence of something more universal and timeless. What did Gene Simmons mean by 'Get up, and get your grandma out of here?' While working in a primarily American tradition of hard rock that began in the '70s with bands like AEROSMITH, KISS, ZZ TOP and LYNYRD SKYNYRD, we naturally come up with a hybrid of a wider range of musical input also including a lot of the music that influenced that music. Especially the lyrics draw from the country tradition with storytelling, mixing serious and hilarious elements."
BACKDRAFT is:
Jonas Åhlén - Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Acoustic Guitar
Robert Johansson - Lead, Rhythm Guitar
Jon Sundberg - Lead, Rhythm, Slide Guitars, Backing Vocals
Mats Rydström - Bass, Backing Vocals
Niklas Matsson - Drums, Percussion, Lead, Backing Vocals
For more information, visit www.backdraft.se.
Swedish metallers CLOUDSCAPE will enter RoastingHouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden on April 11 with producer/engineer Micko Twedberg to begin recording their fourth album, "New Era", for a late 2011 release. One of the songs on the CD will feature a guest appearance by "longtime friend" Peter Wildoer (pictured below; DARKANE, JAMES LABRIE) on vocals. According to CLOUDSCAPE, "Peter's voice sounds really cool and fits this particular song along with Mike's [Andersson, CLOUDSCAPE singer] clean vocals."
Mike and Peter previously played together back in the late '80s in a local band called ZANINES. However, this will mark the first time they have officially collaborated on an album.
A video teaser for "New Era" can be viewed below.
CLOUDSCAPE last year announced the addition of guitarist Daniel Pålsson to the group's ranks.
The group's third album, "Global Drama", was released in 2008 in Europe through Goldencore/Roastinghouse Records and in North America through Nightmare Records.
CLOUDSCAPE previously described "Global Drama" as "the most varied and interesting album by CLOUDSCAPE so far. It contains a few really hard and raw metal songs and there will also be a few more atmospheric and dynamic songs progressively spiced."
CLOUDSCAPE 2011 is:
Mike Andersson: Lead, Backing Vocals
Daniel Pålsson: Guitar
Patrik Svärd: Guitar
Håkan Nyander: Bass
Fredrik Joakimsson: Drums
Norway's THEATRE OF TRAGEDY has issued the following update:
"After six months of hard and intense work, the complete DVD and live CD is finally finished!
"The tracklist for the DVD will be, as earlier announced, with 18 tracks spanning the whole career of THEATRE OF TRAGEDY . The concert film will have a running time of 94 minutes and has been carefully put together and edited by our longtime friend Erlend A. Sørby and the result is stunning! In addition, there will be a half hour 'on-the-road' movie from the last tour of the band, footage from the last-ever rehearsal October 1, 2010 (with fans attending) as well as in-depth interviews with all band members shot in January 2011. The concert film will feature both stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound. Audio was mixed by Alex Møklebust and mastered by Chris Sansom at Propeller Mastering. In addition, there will be a live CD included with the bands pick of their live favorites.
Bonus live CD track listing:
* Hide And Seek
* Bring Forth Ye Shadow
* Ashes And Dreams
* A Rose For The Dead
* And When He Falleth
* Venus
* Hollow
* Storm
* Fade
* Forever Is The World
At the same time, there will be a double live CD released for the people that don't own a DVD player or prefer the audio only.
Double live CD track listing:
CD 1:
* Hide And Seek
* Bring Forth Ye Shadow
* Frozen
* Ashes And Dreams
* A Rose For The Dead
* Fragment
* And When He Falleth
* Venus
CD 2:
* Hollow
* Storm
* Image
* A Hamlet For A Slothful Vassal
* Fade
* Machine
* Der Tanz Der Schatten
* Forever Is The World
"The THEATRE OF TRAGEDY members hope you all will enjoy this as much as we enjoyed making it!"
The "Last Curtain Call" concert DVD will be released on May 20 via AFM Records.
The "Last Curtain Call" cover artwork was created by Haakon Hoseth and can be viewed below. The original painting was by the band's longtime artist and friend Truls Espedal.
"Last Curtain Call" track listing:
01. Hide And Seek
02. Bring Forth Ye Shadow
03. Lorelei
04. Frozen
05. Ashes And Dreams
06. A Rose For The Dead
07. Fragment
08. And When He Falleth
09. Venus
10. Hollow
11. Storm
12. Image
13. Cassandra
14. A Hamlet For A Slothful Vassal
15. Fade
16. Machine
17. Der Tanz Der Schatten
18. Forever Is The World
THEATRE OF TRAGEDY announced in March 2010 that it was calling it quits, stating, "This has not been an easy decision to make and we have thought about this for a long long time. We finally agreed to this during the production of our latest album, 'Forever Is The World'.
"Over the years all of us have strived to combine the THEATRE with everyday life but in the end it has proven more and more difficult.
"We have come to appreciate our family lives and jobs, which makes it very hard to continue this life of rock 'n' roll on the road."
THEATRE OF TRAGEDY released a a limited-edition tour version of its seventh album, "Forever Is The World", in March 2010 to coincide with the band's European shows. The set included a new EP called "Addenda" and featured 10 tracks of b-sides, rarities, remakes and remixes.
"Forever Is The World" was released in September 2009 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2006's "Storm" was recorded at Room 13 studios in Oslo with producer Alexander Møklebust, who has previously worked with ZEROMANCER, SEIGMEN, GÅTE, MONOMEN and DELAWARE, among others. The mastering was handled by Bjørn Engelmann at the Cutting Room in Sweden.
"Forever Is The World" was made available in three different versions: a limited digipack with one bonus song, a very limited double vinyl version with two bonus tracks (one exclusive to the vinyl edition!) and a regular jewelcase.
Chicago-based progressive metal hybrid BORN OF OSIRIS has been denied entry to Canada last night and will therefore be unable to join AUGUST BURNS RED on their previously announced Canadian dates.
Commented BORN OF OSIRIS guitarist Lee McKinney: "Due to some very unexpected problems at the border, we were unable to cross into Canada. We were forced to turn around and head home and could not be more bummed about this.
"We are so sorry to everyone who had already bought tickets to the shows in hopes to see us. We were excited to get to play a lot of places we haven't been to before throughout Canada with some great bands. We will try again to make it out to Canada in the near future, and will do everything within our powers to ensure we make it across next time."
"The Discovery", the third full-length album from BORN OF OSIRIS, sold around 6,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 87 on The Billboard 200 chart. The group's previous CD, 2009's "A Higher Place", entered the charts at No. 73 with first-week sales of over 6,000 copies.
"The Discovery" was released on March 22 via Sumerian Records. The CD was recorded at BOTA Studio in Lake In The Hills, Illinois and was mixed by Jason Suecof (ALL THAT REMAINS, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER).
ONE-WAY MIRROR — the French band featuring Guillaume Bideau (MNEMIC), David and Franck Potvin (LYZANXIA, PHAZE I), Dirk Verbeuren (SOILWORK) and Loic Colin (SCARVE, WATCHA) — has issued the following update:
"ONE-WAY MIRROR entered the studio to record their [sophomore] album in an unequivocally incendiary atmosphere. With the creative juices flowing, their arses on fire, a smile on their face and a beer bottle in hand, the band chiseled 12 tracks out of mortar in their heaviest musical conflagration to date.
"With this new album they bequeath to us their most perfectly matured and digested works and their will to explode and to please themselves is omnipresent.
"Even though they composed these latest bombtracks in the similar vein of their first album, ONE-WAY MIRROR was able to nurture the! fresh and perfectly controlled combination of violence and pure melodies with catchy components.
"This album is not unlike shrapnel as it will embed itself in your system upon explosion. Some songs will make the fans bang their heads while others will simply decimate them altogether.
"The band's goal will remain playing the very music they want to listen to. No constraints, no limits or barriers and no rules apply. The musicians of ONE-WAY MIRROR agree that the motivation to compose and to record a metal album is pure pleasure before any other consideration.
"David Potvin and Guillaume Bideau are producing the album and we can already tell that the sound is extremely powerful, natural and modern."
ONE-WAY MIRROR's self-titled debut album was released in June 2008 via Metal Blade Records. According to a press release, the CD "is nothing less than a killing machine with potential megahits, including future anthems 'Empty Spaces', 'As You Are Now', 'Destination Device' as well as a mindblowing rock version of 'Relax' by Eighties band FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD!" ONE-WAY MIRROR recorded the drums for the album with Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, IN FLAMES) at the Dug-Out Studio while everything else was recorded later on at LYZANXIA's Dome Studio and Guillaume Bideau's Dogs In The House Studio and produced by Guillaume Bideau and David Potvin. The band then went to Denmark to get the tracks mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (SICK OF IT ALL, DARK TRANQUILLITY, MNEMIC, MOONSPELL) at the Antfarm Studio.
ONE-WAY MIRROR is:
Guillaume Bideau - Vocals
David Potvin - Lead Guitar
Franck Potvin - Rhythm Guitar
Dirk Verbeuren - Drums
Loic Colin – Bass
U.K.'s ANATHEMA will tour North America for the first time ever as special guests to BLACKFIELD on the East Coast/Canadian leg of their tour.
The dates are as follows:
May 18 - 9:30 Club, Washington DC
May 19 - Theater of the Living Arts, Philadelphia, PA
May 20 - Irving Plaza, New York, NY
May 21 - Royale Boston, Boston, MA
May 23 - National, Montreal, QC
May 24 - Opera House, Toronto, ON
May 25 - House of Blues, Cleveland, OH
May 26 - St Andrews Hall, Detroit, MI
May 27 - Park West, Chicago, IL
This trek comes at the perfect time for ANATHEMA, which is currently in the studio recording a new collection of songs.
ANATHEMA released its eighth studio album, "We're Here Because We're Here", in May 2010 via Kscope Records. The self-produced CD was mixed by Steven Wilson (PORCUPINE TREE) and features the exquisite string arrangements of Dave Stewart (STEWART/GASKIN, PORCUPINE TREE) and mastering skills of legendary Jon Astley (THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN). The song "Angels Walk Among Us" features subtle backing vocals by Ville Valo of HIM.
"'We're Here Because We're Here' is ANATHEMA's most expansive album to date and by the far best thing we've ever done," commented ANATHEMA's Danny Cavanagh. "Not only have we improved as writers, but because we took our time, we had the opportunity to select the very best material and concentrate on it. We gave the songs the chance to breathe and come alive by themselves and it's ended up being magical — every song is as good as the rest of them. This album features the best performances by the band ever; Vincent's [Cavanagh] greatest vocals and John's [Douglas, drums] and my best writing."
ANATHEMA's Vincent Cavanagh went further in explaining the origins of the album's enigmatic title: "The title 'We're Here Because We're Here' is inspired by a song that was first heard across the Allied trenches of World War One. Sung to the tune of 'Auld Lang Syne', the song served as a defiant rallying-call keeping up the morale of those who had to endure the incessant carnage and almost unimaginable horror. The spirit behind those words, and the deep questions they raised immediately struck all of us. Therefore we have appropriated these words to reflect the spirit and bond that all six members of the group have with each other. We have shared some incredible experiences, on all levels, and the fact that we have emerged stronger, more determined, and confident in our common vision is a testament to our resilience, both as individuals and collectively."
Danny continued: "The bond is deeper than the music and you might say the direction of music is a product of our connection to each other; a real family in every sense of the word."
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and WHITECHAPEL will headline this year's installment of the "Summer Slaughter Tour", which will run from July 21 through August 21. The fifth annual travelling festival will feature additional performances by such heavyweights as DARKEST HOUR, SIX FEET UNDER, DYING FETUS, AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, OCEANO, FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, as well as a special halftime appearance by POWERGLOVE. However, the madness doesn't stop there as for the first time in Summer Slaughter history the fans will vote on the band that will open the tour
Ash Avildsen, Summer Slaughter founder, said in a statement: "We had a lot of great ideas for bands for the middle of the bill like OBSCURA, SPAWN OF POSSESSION, 1349 and more. Unfortunately, none of them were available for the tour. So to keep it real for the fans, who without this tour doesn't exist, we decided to bump everyone up a slot and allow you guys to choose who opens the tour! Not only do you now get to play a part in determining the lineup, but you'll have more time to get inside the venues and not miss the almighty FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE from Italy!"
Added Shawn Keith, Summer Slaughter co-producer: "We chose 10 of our favorite metal labels to each have one band in the contest who were already getting a lot of buzz on the Summer Slaughter Facebook page. Please participate and vote now for your top three picks from the list!"
Head over to www.facebook.com/summerslaughter now to check out the list of artists to choose from and to cast your vote (deadline is April 11). This tour is for the fans, so let your voice be heard.
The billing for the travelling festival is shaping up as follows:
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
WHITECHAPEL
DARKEST HOUR
SIX FEET UNDER
DYING FETUS
AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK
OCEANO
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE
POWERGLOVE
Exact cities, venues and dates for the tour will be announced on April 20.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/summerslaughter2011.jpg
Taiwanese metallers CHTHONIC have entered the studio to complete work on their new album, "Takasago Army", for a June release via Spinefarm Records.
Produced by Rickard Bengtsson (ARCH ENEMY, NEMESIS) at Sweet Spot Studios in Halmstad, Sweden, this 10-track outing completes a trilogy of CHTHONIC releases, telling a story that binds together the band's "Seediq Bale" and "Mirror Of Retribution" albums, released in 2007 and 2009, respectively.
Comments bassist Doris Yeh: "The Takasago Army was a Taiwanese troop of Japanese force/Axis powers that fought in the Pacific War/World War II between 1940 and 1944. The Takasago soldiers were descendants of a brave and powerful people from the mountains of Taiwan, people with a strong warrior tradition. They impressed their rivals with their cunning, tenacity and skill on the battlefield, and they became the most revered and most feared combat unit in the Japanese Imperial Army."
At its recent U.K. shows (a Hammerfest appearance plus a headline date at the Underworld in London), CHTHONIC announced that "Takasago Army" would not only see the band producing its most "brutal" compositions to date, but would also see it further exploring the concept of "orient metal."
"We have been categorized as black metal, death metal, melodic death, symphonic black metal and folk metal by different critics, and we appreciate that it's very hard to put us into a precise genre," says Doris. "On the one hand, we are inspired by some western metal music, but on the other, we are influenced by traditional Asian music forms, such as pentatonic scales, 'enka' music, and Taiwanese opera.
"When we were writing this new album, we tried to find the perfect balance between these two traditions, so that is why we've decided to use the 'orient metal' banner to define what we do. Plus, it provides a reference point for other Asian bands who want to head in the same direction…
"Take it from me, 'Takasago Army' is going to be epic!"
CHTHONIC is currently lining up festival shows for the summer, after which "Seediq Bale" will be reissued via Spinefarm in expanded form.
Seattle, Washiington-based metallers 7 HORNS 7 EYES have inked a multi-album North American deal with Century Media Records. The band's full-length debut, "Throes Of Absolution", will be released in the fall. The CD, which features a guest appearance by Jeff Loomis (NEVERMORE), will be made available in Europe via Basick Records.
According to a press release, 7 HORNS 7 EYES is "ne of the most talented and engaging bands to hit the metal scene in quite some time. Combining the technical ferocity of MESHUGGAH with the deep, grisly growls reminiscent of Mikael Åkerfeldt and the dark atmospheric elements of KATATONIA, 7 HORNS 7 EYES has developed the skills to electrify the younger scene while still maintaining the brutality and musical prowess to appeal to traditional metal fans as well."
7 HORNS 7 EYES will perform at the Revolver Golden Gods official pre-awards-show party on April 19 at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California. The band will support WINDS OF PLAGUE along with AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, THE DEVASTATED and SUFFER WELL.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/7horns7eyes.
SOLSIKK, the new U.K. "groove metal" band featuring ex-BIOMECHANICAL members Chris Webb (guitar) and Matt C. (drums), will release its self-titled debut album on May 2 via Femme Metal Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Relish in Nervous Delights
02. Viridescere
03. Keep Pushing Me
04. Freefall
05. Cut a Little Deeper
06. Your Blistering Tongue
07. Needles and Pins
08. Razored Cell
09. Volatile Territory
10. Bloodlust
SOLSIKK was recently covered in Terrorizer, Bitchslap and Ravenheart Music, with many more features to come. A U.K. tour is being organized for June and July, with an appearance at the Femme Metal Festival in May and many more to be confirmed.
With the undeniable weight and groove of Webb's signature sound and Vykki Turner's soaring, rich vocals, it is easy to understand why SOLSIKK is rapidly gaining a well-deserved following.
From the embers of Webb's previous group, BIOMECHANICAL, came a determination and will to create and refine a sound that was both heavy, melodic, layered and accessible. In Turner this began to take shape.
With exceptional delivery ranging from gutteral roar and smooth vibrato through to high screams, Turner is every bit as stunning as her voice suggests, providing the perfect complement and contrast to Webb's dense and furious fret-work.
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/solsikk.
One of the greatest technical death metal bands ever assembled, New Jersey's DIM MAK is working on its new album, "Emergence Of Reptilian Altar", for a late 2011 release. The band recently finished tracking the bass and drums for the follow-up to 2006's "Knives Of Ice" and is scheduled to begin laying down the guitars the first week of April.
"Emergence Of Reptilian Altars" features stunning artwork by Alex Eckman-Lawn and marks the recording debut of the band's new vocalist — and longtime friend — Joseph Capizzi (ex-DYING LIGHT, CATTLEPRESS), following the departure of founding DIM MAK frontman Scott Ruth.
Commented guitarist Shaune Kelley: "I have known Joey for a couple of decades, so after being notified that Scott Ruth is stepping down, I am proud to say I have the best man for the job. I would like to also thank Scott Ruth for 25-plus years of amazing performances and lyrics in the extreme underground. You will be missed. But the time has come to usher in some new blood, fresh ideas, and new sounds. So fans of DIM MAK, please welcome to the mix on vocals, Mr. Joseph Capizzi."
"Emergence Of Reptilian Altars" tentative track listing:
01. Thrice Cursed
02. The Sounds Of Carnage
03. The Secret Of The Tides Of Blood
04. Between Immensity And Eternity
05. Through The Rivers Of Pestilence
06. Fully Disassembled
07. Kutulu
08. The Emergence Of Reptilian Altars
DIM MAK 2011 is:
Joey Capizzi - Vocals
Shaune Kelley - Guitar
Scot Hornick - Bass
John Longstreth - Drums
"Knives of Ice" was released in April 2006 via Willowtip Records. According to a press release, the CD "set a new standard for unrestrained musicianship that exposes the listener to a myriad of slithery Tetris-defeating rhythms, violent flurries of spitfire blast-beats, exotic, pyramid-melting leads, and infectious vocal lacerations. These elements combine to create an original, fluid songwriting style that actually means something and isn't afraid to flirt with some seriously skullcrushing slap-dash grooves."
DIM MAK had previously released material on Dies Irae Productions and Olympic/Century Media.
Revolver magazine is hosting the first part of an in-depth interview with in-depth interview with guitarist/vocalist Adam "Negal "Darski of Polish extreme metal veterans BEHEMOTH. In it, he talks about his battle with leukemia, his current health status, and everything he went through. A couple of excerpts follow below.
Revolver: When did you know you had a health problem?
Nergal: I believe it was in June. It was right before we left on a European tour with DECAPITATED. I just started having goosebumps all over my head, and I didn't know the origin of it. I thought it was some kind of skin disease. I was thinking maybe I brought it from some exotic country. I was in Japan before, and I was in Australia a few months earlier. But I was fine, I just had these bumps on my head and diarrhea. All the time it was diarrhea, and it was kind of suspicious. But I just took it easy and was kind of like, OK, maybe this is going to go away. Maybe it's the shitty food on tour. I came back to Poland after the tour, and then I left for Greece for vacation two days later. It was really hot there, but I was having fevers every day. Every time I'd wake up every morning, my whole bed would be covered in water. It was sweat all over, and I was just getting weaker and weaker every day. I was like, Shit, this is something serious. I need to take
care of it [as soon as possible]. When I was still in Greece, I started calling doctors and surgeons. They said, "Without blood tests, we can't tell you anything." So after I came back from Greece I felt kind of shitty, and I had breathing problems. And I decided, I have to go to the hospital immediately. So I went to the hospital as soon as I performed at two concerts. I did one with BEHEMOTH and one as a guest vocal with some band. They hardly happened because I was in such bad shape. But somehow I did it. I faked a lot. I couldn't fucking sing, but I faked it. After that, I just traveled across the country and just went to the hospital. After three or four days in the hospital, they moved me to another hospital where they diagnosed me with leukemia.
Revolver: You were in the hospital for a long time waiting for a marrow donor. How were you feeling while you were waiting?
Nergal: Basically, I didn't feel that bad. I had some OK periods, and I had some shitty periods. It depends. When I was on steroids, it was OK. It was bearable. The only problem was I made a lot of energy because of the steroids that I took, so I had to eat a lot and I was growing fat. My face changed and everything. I was just so full of water. It was scary to look in the mirror in the morning. But other than that, I was doing OK. When they gave me chemo, I took it pretty well. There was no side effects. Some of the chemo caused some shitty days. I could hardly walk, but it could have been much worse. Seeing other patients and people dying and stuff, man, I was really lucky. My sickness was an aggressive form — it was very fast, it was invading my body rapidly. But at the same time, my body reacted really, really well to the chemo. So basically after the first dose, the cancer was 50-percent gone. My bone marrow was just a few percent of the cancerous
cells that were left in the bone marrow. The doctors were very, very optimistic about the way it was developing and the way of the cure. And I was optimistic, too. It took me six months altogether, with the chemotherapy and the radiotherapy and the transplant to get healthy basically — to get new bone marrow and go back home and start recovery. It was really fast in compared to other patients and other cases. It was fast.
In tomorrow's portion of the Revolver interview, Nergal will talk about his recovery and how his BEHEMOTH bandmates and then-fiancée helped him out. He will also talk about the band's future plans for its 20th anniversary.
Read the entire first part of the interview at the Revolver web site.
Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with Sakis Tolis of Greek extreme metallers ROTTING CHRIST when the band played at the Key Club in West Hollywood, California on March 29 . A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal Assault: Do you think the future direction of the band's music would be similar to how the new album sounds?
Sakis: I have no idea. Every ROTTING CHRIST album is a kind of surprise, so we try to surprise our fans album by album. I don't know how the next album will sound, but it will definitely sound metal and ROTTING CHRIST.
Metal Assault: That album released last year. Since that time, have you had a chance to write any new material?
Sakis: Unfortunately, no. It's a nightmare for me actually, because I'm always on tour and don't have the time. I don't feel like writing new stuff while we are on the road. I wish I could, but I can't. So as soon as this tour is over, I will grab my guitar, I will stay in my place, talk to myself, experience new things and then I'll try to write some new stuff.
Metal Assault: Before starting this interview, we were talking about the fact that you're not allowed to play in India. Can you talk to me a little bit about that? What's going on with that?
Sakis: We have often faced problems because of our name. It also happened in India. We thought it wasn't a big deal, and one guy even offered us to go and play there but after a couple of weeks he told me that I shouldn't do the show because things concerning the religion part are a bit scary. India is a very nice country and we really want to go there, but when you're talking about religions, some territories are very offended. All Indians are not Christians but may be they think we'll bring a bad spirit to them. So it's better to not play there. That also happens in Malaysia, Singapore and many territories. We were supposed to do a tour of Southeast Asia but it was cancelled for this reason.
Metal Assault: Do you think you have to do that a lot more in the U.S. as compared to Europe or South America?
Sakis: Oh, yeah. There is no other way to pull more people. If you have to spread your music, you have to tour. Sometimes you're tired because the conditions here in the USA are very hard. The distances are very far. It's not like in Europe. One month of touring here is like three months of touring in Europe, that's how hard the conditions are. The promoters don't even respect the band sometimes. But we try to keep on playing. This is our destiny. We have played almost 1000 shows, so we will never surrender.
Metal Assault: These days, the album sales are not going great. So do you think touring helps in that regard, as people go to shows and pick up the albums?
Sakis: Yeah, they pick up the albums, but they pick up the merchandise and that's what I care more about. I don't care anymore about album sales. I love music and I have thousands of albums in my home, but other people don't buy them. So the best way is to have people buying a t-shirt of the band.
