"God Bless Ozzy Osbourne", the much-anticipated "intimate" documentary that delves deep into the life of heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend. The movie includes interviews with Ozzy's BLACK SABBATH bandmates Geezer Butler, Bill Ward and Tony Iommi, which might make viewers wonder about if a reunion will ever happen.
"To be honest, I don't think we all can physically do it," Ozzy tells VH1 Radio Networks' Dave Basner. "I'm up for it, I keep fit every day. I can't speak for the others. I mean, I've spoken to Tony Iommi, I speak to Bill from time to time, I haven't spoken to Geezer for a while, but if it's meant to happen, it'll happen. If it does in one figuration, I suppose we manage to go out. I don't want to say too much, really, because I don't really know."
Butler recently released a statement via his official web site in which he made it clear that "there will be definitely NO reunion of all four original members of BLACK SABBATH, whether to record an album or to tour."
In a January 27 interview with the Los Angeles-based "Mark And Brian Show", which airs on 95.5 KLOS Southern California's Best Rock, Osbourne said, "I often get asked this question: 'Will there ever be a [new BLACK SABBATH studio] album?' One thing I can say for definite [is] we are all talking, we are all friends. But it's been 30 years since we did a studio album — if it's not something extra, extra special, the people are gonna go, 'We waited 30 years [for this...]' But before my life's over, I would love... my dream is to do the ultimate BLACK SABBATH album; I would love to do that."
Butler previously said in an interview with AOL's Noisecreep that while all four of the band's original members are interested in taking part in a reunion, Ozzy Osbourne's current world solo tour will keep SABBATH on ice for the foreseeable future. Butler explained, "It's not going to happen [in 2011]. Ozzy's on tour with his own band for the next year or whatever . . . I'm sure Ozzy will say 'yes' and 'no' every week for the next year while he's on tour. It's one thing to want to do something like that just before you go out to tour a record. You say, 'Oh yeah, I'm gonna tour for the next five years.' And then six weeks into it, you can't wait to get home. So we'll just see how he feels when he finishes his Ozzy Osbourne tour."
The original SABBATH lineup of Ozzy, Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward has not toured together since the summer of 2005, and last convened for their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in early 2006.
In a 2010 interview with Sunday Mercury, Iommi said that he didn't rule out another reunion with Osbourne. Following the death of singer Ronnie James Dio last May, with whom Iommi had been working in the SABBATH offshoot HEAVEN & HELL, Iommi told Sunday Mercury, "I spoke to Ozzy while I was in Los Angeles after Ronnie's funeral . . . Ozzy and I have a complicated relationship but we've always kept in touch, no matter what else might have been going on. Would I play with Ozzy again? Who knows? It's weird with me and Ozzy."
Iommi added, "There can be all sorts of shit going on but when we talk, it's like nothing bad has ever happened."
SABBATH did try to record a new album 12 years ago, their first since 1978, but abandoned the attempt after just a couple of songs.
Ozzy filed a lawsuit against Iommi in May 2009, claiming that Iommi illegally took sole ownership of the band's name in a filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
On Sunday, April 24, Steve Appleford of LA Weekly conducted an interview with METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
LA Weekly: How was it playing on the polo fields last night?
Ulrich: It was a little bit windy, but other than that it was great. The kids were great. The band was semi-okay, even though we hadn't played live since November. We jumped in the deep end. I'm a little bit in need for someone to walk on my back for a couple of hours. But I had a good time. A lot of friends came out, a lot of familiar faces from the last 25-30 years, new friends and old friends. All around it was a pretty successful day. People were psyched, the sound was good.
LA Weekly: Did you plan your set any different for this show?
Ulrich: When you play to 50,000 people in that kind of a setting, you primarily want to play songs that people know. You maybe play more of the anthems. Sometimes the really fast songs can get kind of lost in big settings. We play so many different types of set-ups: festivals, stadiums, arenas, amphitheaters. Over the course of that, we've found what works in different situations. When we play arenas, we change the set-list up every day and play lots of obscure songs, album cuts and B-sides, but when you 're playing these really big special events like last night, I don't know if you want to start digging into super-obscure album cuts and play songs people have never heard of. It can bring the vibe down a little bit, especially when people have been standing on the desert floor for six or eight hours in 90 degree heat.
LA Weekly: Last night, when you did "Am I Evil?" you managed to get two members of SLAYER onstage this time.
Ulrich: Listen, it keeps going up and different guys show up. If we keep being persistent, we may get everybody up there at some point. I was telling [SLAYER guitarist] Kerry King last night after the show, between Sofia [Bulgaria] and last night, we've had all four members of SLAYER up there — either for the jam or for the picture on the back of the ['Big 4'] DVD. We're batting a thousand between Sofia and Coachella.
LA Weekly: Why is DIAMOND HEAD's "Am I Evil?" the song you choose?
Ulrich: I can't tell you a cosmic reason. We felt that you're not going to invite people to come onstage and start playing a METALLICA song. That would seem a little selfish, so you want to find a cover song that had some resonance towards what's going on. Everybody's got different influences, different inspirations, but certainly the band DIAMOND HEAD has a lot to answer for when it comes to four bands playing out the desert in 2011 in terms of lineage. They're probably one of the biggest reasons that we exist. When [Dave] Mustaine was in METALLICA, he was very inspired by them. I know DIAMOND HEAD may not have the same relevance for the boys in SLAYER, but you've got to find a happy medium at some point. We've got another half-dozen shows this summer. I would like to be a little more adventurous and not rely on the same song if there are continued jams. There are other things we can do, and I know that Tom [Araya] from SLAYER was talking about
[METALLICA's] "The Four Horsemen". Inviting the other bands to come up and play a METALLICA song just doesn't seem right.
Hipsters and alt-rockers have their Coachella. So, why can't metal heads get their own day—literally—in the sun?
Your prayers are answered, longhairs.
As the memories of Coachella fade away into the desert landscape of the Empire Polo Club in Indio, a new multi-act music fest is headed for the same venue this weekend—a music fest that promises the biggest heavy metal show of the year in North America. Thousands of rabid fanatics will flock to the desert for The Big 4, featuring icons and titans Anthrax, Megadeth, Slayer and Metallica.
The Big 4 is just the latest example in the history of big metal tours that have trekked mighty eardrum-killing power across the globe, including the much-hyped Clash of the Titans tour in 1990 that featured Slayer, Megadeth, Testament Suicidal Tendencies—and even Alice in Chains and Anthrax on certain dates. Then last year, Megadeth, Anthrax, Testament and Slayer performed as part of the American Carnage tour throughout Europe and North America.
But the Big 4 in Indio will mark the first appearance of all four bands together in one special night.
The Weekly recently snagged some chit-chat time with Robert Trujillo, bassist for Metallica (who joined the band after Jason Newsted and original bassist, the late Cliff Burton) to talk about this much-anticipated show.
"That heavy metal energy"
Trujillo, who has been part of the Metallica family since 2003, says the timing of Coachella (which took place this past weekend) just fit the schedule of all four bands perfectly.
"The location kind of chose us," he says. "We were approached by promoters with the venue which was free just the week after Coachella. It just worked perfectly for all the bands' schedules. The time just seemed appropriate to finally do it in the States and see how the show goes. For us, it was about a demand; we tested the waters in Europe and it went well."
Last summer, The Big 4 swept across Eastern Europe with shows in Bulgaria, Poland and Romania averaging about 80,000 fans per show. One special concert was even captured on film for a special edition DVD, The Big 4 Live From Sofia, Bulgaria. This performance was at the Vasil Levski Stadium, and the entire concert was simulcast live to over 450 movie theaters in the United States, Canada, Europe and Latin America. This legendary heavy metal juggernaut was filled with over 4 hours of classic, thrash metal, fist-pumping fans and giant swarms of circle pits.
"There is something about seeing these four bands on one stage that is just magical," Trujillo says. "From the shows we all did last summer, I noticed everyone steps up and brings their A game; from the musicians, there is just something about all the bands together, where you just feel it . . . it's the spirit of heavy metal. We want to show that we can provide the goods and bring that heavy metal energy."
The Concert of a Lifetime
Trujillo goes on to detail the heavy metal fellowship and bonding that took place at the Eastern European shows.
"We had this huge dinner before the show, and each night we'd just hang out like in the old school days; and for some it was a reunion," Trujillo says. "But everyone was so cool, we were all like family, we got a feeling for the spirit of the show and music. It was definitely one of the highlights of my career."
Both Megadeth and Slayer have previously played entire albums live on tour. Most recently, Megadeth played the classic album Rust in Peace for the 20th anniversary of its release, while Slayer played Seasons in the Abyss. Metallica also played one of their classic albums, Master of Puppets, several years back—but for European audiences only.
"It was the 20th anniversary of that album, and for me it was just an honor to be part of those magical shows," Trujillo says. "The song 'Orion' is one of Cliff Burton's masterpieces. For me just playing that song was a blessing. I felt very fortunate to be part of this special tour."
Of course, everyone knows economic times are tough nowadays, but for some reason, fans are still willing to cough up $100 (plus services charges and taxes), for a Big 4 ticket.
Trujillo sees this as an indication of fans' spirit and dedication—and knowing they will experience the concert of a lifetime.
"With the Big 4, these four bands have not yet shared the stage on the same bill, so it's a historic sort of concert for our fans in Southern California," he says (At the time of the interview, 60,000 tickets had been sold). "But we also have fans coming from all around the world for this show."
"Thank God we can all still play!"
Even before he joined Metallica, as a bass player for Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Groves, Black Label Society and even Jerry Cantrell, Trujillo says he dreamed of seeing Metallica and Slayer on the same bill.
"I remember I was playing with Metallica when I was in Suicidal—it was in the early '90s—and for me I just thought the ultimate metal show would be Slayer with Metallica," Trujillo says. "Now that it's a reality and I'm part of it, it is just amazing."
The European shows last summer and the subsequent live DVD definitely fueled interest and demand for the show in Indio. Now everyone wants to know, will there be more?
"The crowds in Europe were amazing, the promoters were super excited and showed us there was a demand for The Big 4," Trujillo says. "It is possible there will be more in the future, but there's nothing yet confirmed. But the fact that we can go do this show and keep the momentum of playing live without [having] a new record out is great, and thank God we can all still play!"
For the bands playing, metal goes way beyond the boundaries of California. As Trujillo explains, the global metal scene is thriving—even in times of unrest and economic downturn.
"We love our music and sharing it onstage it's amazing for us each and every show," Trujillo says. "In the past few years, we've gone to South America, Central America, Japan, South Korea, and [we] might even be the first metal band [that played] in Costa Rica and Guatemala."
When Metallica played Guatemala, the local police force had to be deployed against rioting fans, some of whom, according to Trujillo, were just partying at a metal show.
"It got kinda scary in Guatemala," Trujillo reveals. "The cops had to come out with riot gear; they didn't expect a heavy metal band would attract so many fans. They were afraid of the energy—you know how it is at a metal show. It was a wonderful experience in the end. We love traveling and experiencing other cultures. To play to 80,000 fans in Brazil is just unimaginable."
"There's a lot of passion in Latin America for heavy metal," he adds.
"It Will Be Magical"
After The Big 4 wraps, Metallica has plans to play across Europe this summer, including appearances in Italy, Germany, Sweden, England and France in July, then Brazil in September.
"Also, we are going to play India in October," Trujillo says. "That should be interesting, playing a place we never thought in our wildest dreams we'd [go] to play. It's an honor for all of us that we get to be a part of that whole music scene as a metal band sharing our music with fans in India at this incredible concert!"
To prepare for the first Big 4 show in North America, Sirius/XM satellite radio launched "Big 4 Radio" on April 12. The station plays nonstop music by Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax through May 8. Listeners will also be able to tune in for interviews and updates live from the show in Indio throughout the day.
And similar to the advice Coachella fest-goers get, Trujillo has words of caution for those attending the all-day event. A metal musician offering health and safety advice? You heard it here, folks.
"I know people will be driving from all over, so plan ahead and give yourself enough time to get out here," he says. "I know tons of people camp out near the site or get hotel rooms, or even take shuttles from all over the state, but either way plan ahead for traffic. Also, prepare for the temperature because whenever I think of Indio, [the weather] can be unpredictable. If it's warm, you have to drink [and] keep hydrated with water as well. Bring something warm to wear at night, because it can get cold."
With that said, Trujillo expects a great show.
"It will be an entire day and night's worth of metal, so you've got to pace yourself," he says. "Be fueled up and ready for the action. You won't be disappointed, man. It'll be worth it! It will be magical. People from all over the world will be there for all the bands, and we have the most passionate fans. We hope to see all you there. This will be a concert of a lifetime!"
The Big 4 with Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax at the Empire Polo Club, 81-800 Avenue 51, Indio; thebig4festival.com. Sat, April 23. Parking lots open at 11AM. Festival gates open at 2PM.
Founding SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman stepped onstage with his band at this past Saturday's "Big Four" concert in Indio, California, marking the first time he has played with SLAYER since last October. In January, Hanneman contracted necrotizing fasciitis, likely caused by a spider bite, and has been undergoing surgeries, skin grafts and intense rehab since. Hanneman surprised the crowd of 50,000 when he walked out onto the stage, unannounced, and played the two-song encore, "South Of Heaven" and "Angel Of Death".
Backstage in SLAYER's dressing room afterwards, Hanneman relaxed on a couch and said, "I'm the happiest man in the world."
SLAYER's setlist was as follows:
01. World Painted Blood
02. Hate Worldwide
03. War Ensemble
04. Postmortem
05. Raining Blood
06. Black Magic
07. Dead Skin Mask
08. Americon
09. Silent Scream
10. Antichrist
11. Seasons in the Abyss
12. Payback
13. Snuff
14. South of Heaven (with Jeff Hanneman)
15. Angel of Death (with Jeff Hanneman)
Gary Holt (EXODUS) has been the primary guest guitarist with SLAYER since the band started its 2011 touring schedule in February, and will continue in that capacity until Hanneman has completely recovered.
In a recent interview with Austria's Stormbringer.at webzine, SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo stated about the decision to hire Holt as the initial temporary replacement for Hanneman, "Well, that was a hard decision to make. We had to think to ourselves, 'Do we cancel — again? Or what do we do? Do we keep going?' It was a difficult decision, but we had to make it — to find a guitar player to take Jeff's place until Jeff gets better. And Gary, really, was a no-brainer — meaning, we didn't have to think about it. Because at Hellfest in France [in 2010], Kerry [King, SLAYER guitarist] and myself were watching EXODUS. And SLAYER and EXODUS go waaay back. We go back to '83 or '84 when we first got together and did shows up in San Francisco together. So we saw Gary play with EXODUS [again last year], and we loved it. And Gary's performance was outstanding. So the first person that came to our minds was Gary — to take the place for Jeff. Again, it was
difficult to make that decision, but we had to do it to fulfill our shows; we couldn't cancel again."
Greg Prato of UGO recently conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
UGO: Was there ever a point that you yourself were even convinced that "Chinese Democracy" would never come out?
Thal: Haha, nah, man. I joined up, we hit the road, I hit the studio, we toured some more, then it came out. There was action for most of the time I was there. And when there wasn't action, I did my thing — released the "Abnormal" CD and "Barefoot" acoustic EP, lots of guest playin' on people's albums and live, producing some bands, TV, indie film and videogame music...
UGO: Can you tell us something about Mr. Rose that many people don't know and/or would surprise people?
Thal: He's got a great sense of humor. A real ball-buster. Sometimes he'll tell jokes into our in-ear monitors while we're tryin' to take a solo, he's fucked me up a few times, haha...
UGO: Although this is very dangerous to even think this thought...any idea when GN'R's next studio album will be coming out?
Thal: I can't predict anything and I don't try, haha. Right now we got a headlining show at Rock In Rio in Brazil in October, hopefully more confirmed info will come down the pipeline, but so far that's what's goin' on. Just gotta see what happens. Meanwhile, every month I'll have some new music for ya, will keep that going as long as I can before hittin' the road again. Next song comin' out will be an original called "Father", in mid-May. I'll be keepin' updates on all that at Bumblefoot.com.
TheSunsetStrip.com recently conducted an interview with Duff McKagan (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
TheSunsetStrip.com: "Married to Rock" [the new reality TV series that follows the lives of three rock star wives, including Duff's wife Susan Holmes], are we going to see a second season? How has that been having cameras in your personal life?
Duff: Well, the things I did with Susan were great and she came off great, and she had a great time doing it. I don't know if there's going to be a second season. They haven't told us anything yet. As far as cameras in my personal life, I think I probably put more stress on myself. Just making sure the contracts were structured correctly… You know, limiting what they could and couldn't use, and you know, I just didn't want to look like a buffoon. I didn't want to be that guy walking down the street and be known as "that reality show guy." I'm a musician first and foremost, and forever, and I don't want to be known later on in my career as a reality show TV guy. So I think I just put stress on myself… It was innocent, if anything a younger audience who may not have recognized me does now. We kept it controlled; we didn't show our kids.
TheSunsetStrip.com: You have a degree in finance. What are your thoughts on the state of the music industry and the market for music?
Duff: Well, there's always going to be a "market" for music… There's always going to be a want for music… You have to learn to budget… How much is gas? You can't just jet across from Seattle to Salt Lake City, and then back up to Portland. The old tours, you would just kind of take whatever was available and not worry too much about gas and expenses. But now you just have to tour tighter and know what you're doing… and cut deals for your T-shirts, that's where you're making your money and keeping the band afloat. This is our job. This is what we do to pay our mortgage, our rent, keep the refrigerator full, support our kids, all that stuff. The general public doesn't really think of that, and I can't expect them to… and there's nothing I can say to you that can change someone's thought process on that. That's just the way it is. Bands are licensing out music to whatever now, and I think the audience understands that. We have to do
sponsorships... to tour. Fifteen years ago, if there was a partnership with Toyota or something, people would've cried "fucking sellouts," or whatever, but nowadays the audience doesn't say that. You just got to be smart. You have to be on top of your game. You have to be running a business.
TheSunsetStrip.com: You've played with everyone who's anyone. You've toured the mega-arenas around the world. What's left to do? Do you have any personal musical goals left that you feel you need to accomplish?
Duff: I'd love to play with Prince. I played on the Iggy Pop record, and he's my guy… I played with Steve Jones; he's my guitar hero. Prince is the guy, probably the biggest musical influence all around for me, and I got to meet him one time, but I was so fucking tongue-tied that I didn't know what to say… But to be able to play on a song or something like that; that would be pretty bad-ass, just on a personal level. You know there's a hundred things I could think of I have left to do, but it's been great so far. I've never really sat there and thought about it; about what I've done so far, and how does it feel. I probably should do that one day, but it's not happening yet. Probably a good sign.
ADLER'S APPETITE — the band led by former GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler — has officially recruited singer Patrick Stone (ACES 'N' EIGHTS) and guitarist Lonnie Paul following the recent departures of Rick Stitch and Alex Grossi.
Adler and Stone joined STEEL PANTHER on stage on April 11 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California to perform the GUNS N' ROSES classic "Sweet Child O' Mine" (see video below). In addition, the entire ADLER'S APPETITE band — including Stone — played three songs at the '80s Rockers For Japan benefit concert on April 16 at Harper's in Tarzana, California (see video below).
In a recent interview with Metal Sludge, Adler stated about Stitch's exit from ADLER'S APPETITE, I think he went about it the wrong way, 'cause I didn't even find out that he quit the band from him, I found out from someone else." Guitarist Michael Thomas added, "It was very strange; it was out of the blue. All of a sudden we got a text message saying 'Check your e-mail.' And there was a short little paragraph saying that, 'As of today, I'll no longer be carrying on with the band, I wanna concentrate on my other band, my original band, full time.' So he decided that was where his priority was at, that he was going to work on his original music and continue on with that."
Regarding ADLER'S APPETITE search for Stitch's replacement, Thomas said, "As soon as it went on the Internet that Rick was leaving the band, there was a flood of e-mails and responses [that] came in; it was overwhelming. And now we're weeding through all these people, and what we really wanna do is give a chance to somebody who is a star to walk in the door and sing some of the most legendary rock and roll songs of all time. It's an incredible opportunity. So, for us, we take it very seriously, because we also have to live with this person and create and write with this person, 'cause, as you know, we've released new songs recently — 'Alive', 'Stardog' and 'Fading' — which are actually on iTunes. So they're gonna be singing not only the GUNS stuff, but original material and putting their stamp on this new stuff that we've been writing since we got home from the European tour last month. So there's so much going on; it's a crazy circus. We're just
really excited about the opportunity of working with some new cats that can really come to the table and bring it."
Stitch announced last month that he was leaving ADLER'S APPETITE in order to concentrate on his Los Angeles-based original project LADYJACK.
Stitch's LADYJACK bandmate Robo (guitar), who was filling in for ADLER'S APPETITE guitarist Alex Grossi on the latter group's most recent European tour, will not be continuing with Adler's outfit.
Grossi recently left ADLER'S APPETITE in order to focus on his work with the resurrected QUIET RIOT.
ADLER'S APPETITE is scheduled to kick off a new U.S. tour on May 5 in Redondo Beach, California.
ADLER'S APPETITE in December released two new singles — "Stardog" and "Fading" — via iTunes and other online music stores.
ADLER'S APPETITE entered the studio in November to begin recording its new album with CINDERELLA drummer Fred Coury producing.
A radio edit of the ADLER'S APPETITE single "Alive" was released on July 29, 2010 in conjunction with Adler's tell-all autobiography, "My Appetite for Destruction: Sex, and Drugs, and Guns N' Roses".
Steven recently joined the cast of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew" for another season.
Adler appeared on season two of "Rehab" and the first season of the spin-off show "Sober House" back in late 2008 and early 2009. Adler then went on to stints in real rehab centers after being ordered to by a judge as part of a DUI bust.
Additional bands have been announced for the third annual MTS Rock On The Range Canada, set to take place on Saturday, August 20 at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba. THE SHEEPDOGS (recently lauded by Rolling Stone as "throwback guitar majesty from the Great White North" and billed as one of "The Great Eight" in the magazine's "Chose The Cover" competition) and DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED (touring in support of their newly released CD, "The Taking") join the stellar lineup for Canada's "Biggest Day of Rock."
As previously announced, MTS Rock On The Range Canada will also feature headliners ALICE IN CHAINS (marking their first headlining appearance in the province of Manitoba), EVANESCENCE (first live performance of the year), SUM 41, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, VOLBEAT, HINDER, ANBERLIN and more.
MTS Rock On The Range Canada — presented by Right Arm Entertainment, Inc. and True North Sports & Entertainment Limited — will include 14 bands on two stages: the Monster Energy Main Stage and the Jägermeister Stage.
MTS Rock On The Range launched in 2009, following the success of the U.S. installment of Rock On The Range, the renowned festival which has annually drawn crowds in excess of 30,000 per day since its inception in 2007. MTS Rock On The Range continues to grow, with more than 15,000 in attendance in 2010.
For more information, visit www.mtsrockontherange.ca.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl revealed in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly that he and former NIRVANA members Krist Novoselic and Pat Smear played the NIRVANA classic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" together for the first time in nearly two decades while the FOO FIGHTERS were recording their new album, "Wasting Light". Grohl explained, "The day we finished the record, we had this club gig to do. It was in this little bar down the street, a surprise show. I invited Krist to come down and play a song. We wanted to play 'Marigold', which was the B-side of the 'Heart-Shaped Box' single, and it was the only NIRVANA song I sang."
Grohl continued, "So we go to the studio that day to practice. We run though the song once and then Krist says, 'Hey you guys want to do some moldy oldies?' Me and Pat look at each other and go, 'Okay, what do you want to do?' He says, 'Let's do 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. I hadn't played that song in 18 years . . .We ended the song and look at each other like, 'That was strange.' We walked out and (the studio manager) looked at us and said, 'Yeah, it sounded pretty good. You guys should keep that."
Smear has been a member of FOO FIGHTERS on and off since the band's formation in 1995, and is currently back in the band.
Grohl, Novoselic and Smear last played together in 1994 on NIRVANA's final tour. Frontman Kurt Cobain killed himself in April of that year.
Butch Vig, who produced NIRVANA's 1991 landmark album "Nevermind", produced the new FOO FIGHTERS record.
Grohl told Entertainment Weekly that bringing Vig onto the project was a big step for him personally, explaining, "I owe everything to NIRVANA. But I can't let that overshadow the future. For the first few years, I didn't even want to talk about NIRVANA; partly because it was just painful to talk about losing Kurt but also because I wanted the FOO FIGHTERS to mean something."
"Wasting Light" debuted at No. 1 on last week's Billboard album chart, a first for the FOO FIGHTERS, selling 235,000 copies in its first week of release.
Powerhouse American vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, BEYOND FEAR) will be honored at the Rockstone Music Awards, set to take place on Wednesday, May 11 at the Royal Center Theater in Bogota, Colombia. The event, which will be hosted by Eddie Trunk of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" and top Venezuelan model Jennifer Hernández, will celebrate the arrival of the inaugural deluxe edition of Rockstone magazine, the third season of Rockstone TV, and the launch of the Rock Up Records label.
Rockstone Music Awards will feature appearances by the following artists, among others:
* Tim "Ripper" Owens
* Miljenko Matijevic (STEELHEART)
* TEXAS HIPPIE COALITION
* SUFFOCATION
* Leo "La Bestia" Jiménez
* Rev Monster Jones
* Paul Gillman
* SEXTO SONAR
The first in a series of webisodes in which progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER share with their fans some of the intense process, along with the musical joy, that went into choosing a new drummer .
A little more than a month after original drummer Mike Portnoy's sudden departure from DREAM THEATER, the band held three days of auditions in New York City. Over an amazing and productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly with seven of the world's greatest drummers, learning about them musically, personally and professionally, and assessing the fit of each drummer's incredible chops with the band's trademark prog-rock sound.
The members of DREAM THEATER have been extremely sensitive to the fact that this is not only a monumental decision in their own lives, but also a critical moment in the lives of their fans around the world. "The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow," says guitarist John Petrucci. "The fact that as a result of that event we'd be introduced to seven infinitely capable and uniquely talented drummers was heartening."
The following seven drummers took part in the DREAM THEATER audition process:
* Aquiles Priester (age 39) (ANGRA, PAUL DI'ANNO)
* Peter Wildoer (age 36) (DARKANE)
* Marco Minnemann (age 40) (KREATOR, NECROPHAGIST, EPHEL DUATH, JOE SATRIANI)
* Virgil Donati (age 52) (PLANET X, SEVEN THE HARDWAY)
* Derek Roddy (age 38) (HATE ETERNAL, NILE, TODAY IS THE DAY)
* Mike Mangini (age 48) (STEVE VAI, EXTREME, ANNIHILATOR)
* Thomas Lang (age 43) (JOHN WETTON, ROBERT FRIPP, GLENN HUGHES)
Commented Peter Wildoer: "My audition started with two jams where we set the levels for in ears and just felt each other out — musically, that is. ;-) After that, we went through the three songs they sent me. I guess you'll get to know what songs it was on the next episode of the DREAM THEATER video. At last, they wanted to try some new ideas. This was HAAAAAAAAARD! The ideas were in weird odd times and not one bar with the same meter. Very cool ideas, and I got my head around it so and so after a while. If those ideas end up on the new DREAM THEATER album, it will be PROG! :-) All drummers used the same kit, yes. Auditions were held in New York so no chance to bring my own. We had more than enough time to set up the drums how we wanted them. There was also a drum tech who helped out. I had no problems as I'm used to play rental kits etc when on tour."
Stated Derek Roddy: "We jammed a little while... [It] was cool, but the environment (in-ears, video, etc...) didn't lend itself to a lot of creative moments... Plus the fact that these guys were trying to 'jam' in odd times, etc. Then they threw some riffs at me to see how quickly I could spit out complex stuff. Now this was fun, but at the same time I could tell that they were looking for a dude that will come in and record an entire record in the studio on the spot. I've never wanted to work that way as I believe that if the business (need to put out a record quickly) overtrumps the musical vision (taking time and creating the best you can), then that ultimately directs where the band ends up in the future. I like to sit on riffs for a few days at least and create the best possible part (as opposed to the automatic one). As far as the band being upfront with their fans, I'm sure they want to, but there are some legal issues that needs to be addressed
and that takes precedence over what 'can be said or announced.' I'm sure [the fans] can figure it out. And I am certain that they knew who they wanted before these auditions were even thought about. One thing that was said directly to me was, 'Whoever it will be, it's got to be the fans' choice, someone the fans are completely happy with.' I was very busy during that time period... only had a few weeks to learn a 20-minute song, a ballad, and a tech song with 30-part changes within the space of three minutes! Haha."
Former STRATOVARIUS leader and current SYMFONIA guitarist Timo Tolkki has teamed up with fellow ex-STRATOVARIUS members Tuomo Lassila (drums), Anti Ikonen (keyboards) and Jari Kainulainen (former member of EVERGREY) to record a new studio album. The CD, which will be released in January 2012, will celebrate STRATOVARIUS' 30-year anniversary and will feature the same lineup as the one that recorded STRATOVARIUS' "Dreamspace" LP, originally released in 1994.
For legal reasons, the band's original name — PROJECT STRATO — had to be scrapped. More than 20 songs have been written for the project, including "Return To Dreamspace", "Digital Jesus", "Santiago", "Chevaliers De Sangreal", "Full Circle" and "Farewell No. 2".
"Return To Dreamspace" will see Timo Tolkki handling the vocals again and the fans of the "Twilight Time"/"Dreamspace" era will surely not be disappointed.
Regarding the musical direction of the CD, Tolkki previously said, "It has been [17] years from [STRATOVARIUS' 'Dreamspace'] album, so it will be interesting, for sure... It's not a 'remake,' but a brand new album. A closure for [what] I consider to be the end of STRATOVARIUS. It completes the cycle and returns to the beginning."
In 1982, Tuomo Lassila (drums) formed STRATOVARIUS and came up with the band's name. Timo Tolkki (guitar) and Antti Ikonen (keyboards) joined the band in 1984 — that is some 25 years ago, and as a result the group recorded such classic albums as "Twilight Time", "Dreamspace" and "Fourth Dimension". After the departure of Lassila and Ikonen in 1995, STRATOVARIUS went to more neo-classical sound and style exploring Timo Tolkki's songwriting and producing skills earning the band a Finnish Grammy and sales exceeding over two million records.
Tolkki drew up and signed an official waiver on May 20, 2008 giving up all rights to the STRATOVARIUS name. The remaining STRATOVARIUS members — Timo Kotipelto (vocals), Jens Johansson (keyboards) and Lauri Porra (bass) — have since recorded and released two additional STRATOVARIUS albums with guitarist Matias Kupiainen.
KYUSS LIVES!, the project featuring three-quarters of KYUSS — the influential American stoner rock/metal band, originally from Palm Desert, California — will unleash its desert rock fury on the U.S. for the first time in over 15 years this fall. The eagerly anticipated near-total return of the California rock pioneers follows the blanket success of the group's sold-out spring European tour which has proven to be a feast of recognition for the band. Due to unprecedented demand, the legendary musicians — bassist Nick Oliveri, drummer Brant Bjork and singer John Garcia along with guitarist Bruno Fevery, who most recently played with Garcia in the GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS project — have announced two very special U.S. shows to take place this fall in New York and California. Openers THE SWORD will get each evening started before KYUSS LIVES! delivers its titanic grooves.
The dates are as follows:
Sep. 23 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
Oct. 08 - Pomona, CA - The Fox Theater
In a recent interview with UGO, Oliveri was asked how the idea for KYUSS LIVES! came about. "MONDO GENERATOR was on tour — we went to Europe and did a festival in France called Hellfest, and John Garcia and the guitar player, Bruno Fevery, were playing a version of KYUSS called GARCIA PLAYS KYUSS, and he was going out," he replied. "He hadn't toured for a bit and wanted to go out and do some KYUSS stuff. They were headlining one of the side stages, and Brant Bjork's band was playing, and MONDO GENERATOR was playing on the same day. John asked us to come up and play some songs with him, so me and Brant up and did it, and it felt really great. It was great to play those old tunes — we hadn't thought about them for a long time. I think Brant being the first drummer that I ever interacted with as a musician — I played in their bedrooms playing these songs — kind of just felt normal and natural. I got a call from him when I came home, saying, 'Hey
man, do you want to do some more shows?' And I said, 'Yeah man, that sounds cool. Let's do it.' So that's how it started — John was doing it and it was getting good response from people that never got a chance to see any version of KYUSS at all. We didn't realize there were so many people that wanted to see it, so it's been a pleasant surprise and it's been a lot of fun."
Regarding why KYUSS guitarist and founding member Josh Homme is not involved in the reunion, Garcia told Rock Sound, "I have nothing bad to say about Josh — he's extremely intelligent, very smart, a great guitar player, great songwriter, a great vocalist — he is a bad-ass, there is no question, and I love him dearly but he is busy with his own thing. He has THEM CROOKED VULTURES, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, he's a father, a businessman and even if we asked him to do it, I don't think he'd say yes, so I don't want to set myself up for a big fat no which is 99.9 percent what he would say."
KYUSS LIVES! recently revealed that it will record a new studio album following the band's current tour.
KYUSS, the inventors of Desert Rock, have been in the last ten years much more popular than when they were still around in the early Nineties. So, due to massive public demand over the years to play songs from his old cult band KYUSS, John finally made the decision to give the fans what they want.
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Apr 21 2011
Mastodon are finally wrapping up the tour cycle for 2009's critically acclaimed Crack The Skye. Their first live DVD Mastodon: Live At The Aragon, was filmed in Chicago, and the band plays the album in its entirety, plus a few other songs from their catalog and a cover of the Melvins song "The Bit." Drummer Brann Dailor talks about the DVD, takes a look back at the entire Crack The Skye album and tours, and gives us the lowdown on the next Mastodon album.
Chad Bowar: Why was this the right time to release your first live DVD?
Brann Dailor: The time seemed right to release it. We weren't sure if we'd ever play Crack The Skye in its entirety again and wanted to document that tour. It was our biggest production and the shows were pretty big. We've wanted to do it in the past, but it didn't come together. This time it made sense.
Was there a reason you chose the Aragon in Chicago to film the DVD?
It's a beautiful venue and it had been sold out way in advance. We thought it would be a really good show.
Did you do anything different for the DVD show? Was the Melvins cover in the set during the whole tour?
The DVD was just another night on the tour. During the two years on tour we played hundreds of shows, and that was one of them. We played the Melvins cover every night on that tour.
One of the bonus features is the movie that played behind you on the screen during the shows.
I was really stoked that we were able to put that on there. I think its cool. It gives you the opportunity to experience the record in a whole new way.
How much input did the band have in creating the movie?
It follows the storyline of the record to a T. It's mainly our screenplay, and we wanted it to look like a silent film. We gave a bunch of guidelines as far as the look is concerned, and used a bunch of art from our album artist Paul Romano and animated a bunch of that. It's a combination of those two things. It was a lot of our ideas and a bunch of the director's ideas as well.
Now that you've lived with Crack The Skye for a couple of years now, are you satisfied with how it was received by critics and fans?
Yes, I'm satisfied. I was satisfied the day it was finished. I'm proud of it. It's my favorite record of ours. I was hoping people would like it. I think it did really well.
When you listen to Mastodon's older music, can you do so with the ear of a fan, or are you picking things apart?
An album documents a moment in time. When I listen back to a record we did, I remember little weird things about the time period of when we were writing and recording it or what was happening in my life at the time. I rarely do that, though. Sometimes I'll go and listen to and play along to an entire older record, but that's for practicing. I don't have any regrets when it comes to the records.
What have been the most memorable moments of this touring cycle for Crack The Skye?
All the cool places we got to go. We did a lot of stuff with Metallica, and that's super cool for us. I'm a big Metallica fan and had their posters on my wall as a kid. They were one of the main reasons I wanted to be in a band in the first place. To meet them and hang out with them was really cool. We went to Australia and South America, which was amazing. It's a big, beautiful world and I was excited to go see some places I hadn't been before and to be able to play for those people there. It was a big thrill.
You're playing some of the Sonisphere festivals where the Big 4 will also be playing. Do you plan on checking them out if you can?
We'll see them. We know all those bands and are friends with most of them. It should be fun.
As the band has become more successful and are playing shows with bands like Metallica, have you had any difficulty adjusting to the success? Would those who know you say you've changed?
I still live in the same house and all that good stuff. I think I'm the same guy. I don't think it has changed me as a person. I don't feel any different. I just go along, do the same thing, enjoy my life with my lady and my dogs and my cat. I hang out here, then when it's time to go write music, try to write music that me and the guys are excited about, then take it on tour. I try to be available for the fans to meet and hang out with and talk to. I consider myself a pretty normal dude. I like to hang out and laugh and enjoy my life.
You're already hard at work on the next Mastodon album. How's that coming along?
It's coming along really good. We're just about done. I'm excited to get into the studio and start recording.
Have you been writing on the road, or do you wait until you're home and have some down time?
The guitar players have been collecting riffs as we go while we're on tour. We have a little amp backstsage and they'll jam on some stuff and record it and get bits and pieces together. Then when we get home and have time to write a record we can dump all those parts out and see what fits together and what sounds good and what doesn't.
Will it be out sometime this year?
For sure. If we get it all wrapped up and everything is sounding great before we leave for Europe, it should be out by the end of summer. We don't mess around. But we'll see.
At this point in your career, are you learning new techniques and ways to play as a drummer, or is it just refining and perfecting what you're already doing?
I try to learn new stuff. I try to keep an open mind when I'm behind my drum kit and be inspired by the music that the guys are playing. I search for new and interesting ways to play different things and build beats that are interesting and different. I'm always searching for something new.
Do you listen to non-metal music to get inspiration from other genres of music?
I don't listen to much metal. If I listen to metal, it's usually classic stuff.
When you look at the music charts, it seems like a big percentage are cover songs from the TV show Glee. Is that good for music?
I don't know. I'm not into monetarily motivated music, but there are all sorts of music that gets people into music somehow. They might not be ready for something like Mastodon. People that I know laugh about Justin Bieber, but he's in that place for a reason. Little girls have to have a crush on someone. It has to be someone who's young and plays bubblegum pop.
Maybe Bieber is their gateway drug and they'll eventually get into harder music.
I don't think so! (laughs) It's puzzling to me why anybody likes what they like. If it speaks to you emotionally, go for it.
Mastodon Links
**UPDATE**: A representative for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's management has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET:
"I think it was an honest mistake on someone's behalf, but we would like to be clear that NOTHING about this Musicians Institute flyer was approved by FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH or their management in any way. This flyer's existence was honestly not made known to the band or to management until it was posted on Blabbermouth. Even the band photo on the flyer is over three years old and has [former FIVE FINGER guitarist] Darryl Roberts in it, which hasn't been used in years. This flyer with an outdated photo and list of criteria are not from FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in any way, shape or form."
It should be noted that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's management has not denied that auditions for the band's new bassist were held at Musicians Institute.
The original story follows below.
A copy of the flyer that was placed at Hollywood, California's Musicians Institute earlier this month announcing FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's bassist search can be viewed below.
Criteria for new FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH bassist, according to the flyer:
* Hard rock/alternative metal look
* Your image MUST be compatible with the band (absolutely no exceptions!)
* Under 35 years of age (no exceptions)
* Athletic build
* Not over 6 feet tall
* Tattoos a plus
* Some vocal ability preferred (screams and harmonies)
* Five-string bass ability a plus (music is mostly played in B)
* Passport a MUST
* Non-smokers preferred
* No alcoholics/drug addicts
* Band is based in Las Vegas. Be willing to relocate or commute
Casey Norman, who hosts the "Power Drive" show on Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's radio station Power 97, asked FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook on April 14 if there was any truth to the rumors that the band had parted ways with bassist Matt Snell. "At this time, we're... I mean, there is something going on in regards to that, but I would rather keep my mouth shut so that I don't get myself in trouble," Hook replied.
You can hear Hook's brief response to the Matt Snell question in the YouTube clip below.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's second album, "War Is The Answer", came out in September 2009. The CD has sold 489,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"War Is The Answer" was produced by the band and Kevin Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, IN THIS MOMENT), and was mixed by Randy Staub (METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, NICKELBACK). According to a press release, "the record evolves the band's already mature sound, ranging from the undeniable melodies in 'Hard to See' to the brutally nihilistic 'Burn It Down' — destined to please fans both new and old."
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's debut album, "The Way Of The Fist", was reissued on November 23, 2010 as a deluxe box set. "The Way Of The Fist: Iron Fist Edition" celebrates the landmark album for the metal genre that has sold over 477,000 copies and continues to scan over 1,000 copies a week three years after its original release.
The "Iron Fist Edition" box set features the original 13 album tracks with all-new artwork, a brand new in-depth documentary DVD, "The Legend of The Fist Vol. 1", (featuring never-before seen footage and interviews spanning FIVE FINGER's career), a bonus CD with 11 B-sides and rarities, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH trading cards, and an exclusive poster and calendar.
Musicians Institute offers a comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary music performance, recording, guitar making, music business and film.
Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted a short interview with Jamey Jasta of HATEBREED and KINGDOM OF SORROW at the third annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which was held on Wednesday, April 20 at Club Nokia in downtown Los Angeles, California.
On his upcoming solo album, "Jasta":
Jamey: "It's just more of the thrash and rock element in it. I think there's a lot more clean singing than I'm used to doing. It's a lot of stuff that I recorded for other artists, but it ended up sounding cool so I just left it in there. My engineer was really liking the stuff that I was doing. I still have a lot of guest parts on there — Randy Blythe from LAMB OF GOD, Zakk Wylde, Phil Labonte [of ALL THAT REMAINS], Tim from AS I LAY DYING, Mark Morton from LAMB OF GOD — so it's just like a fun project before we do the next HATEBREED album."
"I did all of it by myself, except for the guest parts. I did it all throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010 so it was fun to go back, listen to those old tracks and go, 'These are still good, let's release them!' I'm just very lucky that I'm in a position to be able to do this and I'm grateful that the eOne label is giving it such a great push."
On whether the release of his solo album will impact songwriting for the next HATEBREED CD:
Jamey: "No, not at all. Actually that's why I wanted to get it out now because the next HATEBREED album is going to be short, to the point and brutal, and there will be no melody. This is my one chance to kind of get it out of the system."
On touring plans for the solo material:
Jamey: "I don't see myself doing a lot of touring for this at all. I'd like to, but I really want to focus on getting HATEBREED out for the rest of the year. We'll be going to South America, Australia, then we'll do Europe and the States again so it's going to be a lot of touring. Plus the only time to see KINGDOM OF SORROW is this summer on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. That is the only time you'll see me and Kirk [Windstein, KINGDOM OF SORROW guitarist] together because DOWN is going to be busy, CROWBAR will be busy, and HATEBREED too. So this is it."
On shuffling multiple projects:
Jamey: "I'm just busy and it's a good problem to have. There are no complaints and I just want to keep doing music and having a good time."
On interacting with fans on Twitter:
Jamey: "You know, it's cool because I just started talking to some people there and they got me verified. I find that as cool because there are not a lot of metal guys on there. I mean, some bands are on there. I saw SLAYER's on there, Dave Mustaine's on there. But they aren't really interacting with the fans. So I just try to do something different and I do a lot of Q&As [question-and-answer sessions], and I have a total of 25,000 followers now, so it's cool."
Jasta will release his solo album, simply titled "Jasta", on July 26 via eOne Music. The CD will be made available in Europe one day earlier through Century Media Records.
Cleveland, Ohio thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTOR have selected Wayne Richards from Parma, Ohio as the winner of their bass player contest. Richards currently plays in the bands SOULLESS and METAL PUNISHMENT.
Richards will have the opportunity to play bass live on stage with DESTRUCTOR for the band's entire set May 6 set at Peabody's Concert Club in Cleveland, Ohio supporting Germany's thrash metal legends DESTRUCTION. HEATHEN and WARBEAST are also on the bill. The performance will be filmed and recorded.
DESTRUCTOR bass player Jamie Boulder has a previous out-of-town commitment with his band MIDNIGHT on the same night and will not be able to perform.
"Throughout my years in metal, I've had the good fortune to have played with many excellent musicians and have had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest humans I've ever known," says Richards. "Among them and certainly near the top of the list are Dave Overkill, Pat Rabid, Matt Flammable and Jamie Boulder.
"When Dave contacted me to let me know I was selected to fill-in for Jamie to play bass at the upcoming DESTRUCTOR gig, I was quite excited and aroused in the manly region. DESTRUCTOR's great history of thrash dominance is legendary, and to be a very small part of that history is an overwhelming privilege for me. From their thrash classic 'Maximum Destruction' to the more recent 'Sonic Bullet' and 'Forever In Leather', DESTRUCTOR has been a longtime favorite of mine and Cleveland's definitive metal spirit.
"I've played quite a few gigs alongside DESTRUCTOR from my years in SOULLESS and we've shared a helluva lot of beers, laughs and a good deal of metal foolishness that has allowed me to get to know the boys a bit.
"Our first rehearsal earlier this week went extremely well and we will bring down the fucking hammers on May 6th! So this is a one-time deal; a mini-thrash metal fantasy camp for me, and I intend to make the most of it.
"Incidentally, Jamie has assured me that I have the figure to squeeze into his assless leather chaps for the gig. So look out!"
Vancouver rock band THEORY OF A DEADMAN will release its fourth studio album, "The Truth Is…", on July 12 via Roadrunner/604 Records. The CD was recorded at Bay 7 in Los Angeles with producer Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, 3 DOORS DOWN, MOTÖRHEAD, PAPA ROACH). The band is currently road-testing some of the new songs, including "Lowlife", which is the first single, set to land at radio in mid-May.
A lot has transpired since the release of 2008's breakthrough "Scars & Souvenirs". Through a pair of #1 singles in the form of "So Happy" and "Bad Girlfriend", as well as "Not Meant To Be" landing Top 5 at Hot AC, their patented, arena-sized hooks and non-stop touring with the likes of DAUGHTRY, MÖTLEY CRÜE, GODSMACK and everyone in between, the album earned platinum status the old-fashioned way. The band aims to keep the momentum going with "The Truth Is…", which cycles through an array of infectious anthems and mid-tempo rockers that don't scrimp on a sense of humor. The album even features a ballad or two!
"Musically, not too much changed," said vocalist/guitarist Tyler Connolly about "The Truth Is…" "We had a bit of an epiphany when it came to songwriting, though. We've been a band for over a decade now, and we realized what we're doing makes sense. There was a lot more confidence. I was able to dig in lyrically and be wide open. When I write, I either want to kiss someone on the lips or punch them in the face. Anything in between is boring."
THEORY is currently touring and shaking the foundations of venues across America with labelmates STONE SOUR as part of the first annual Avalanche Tour. The band will embark on a headline run this summer.
THEORY OF A DEADMAN is Tyler Connolly (lead vocals, lead guitar), David Brenner (rhythm guitar), Dean Back (bass) and Joey Dandeneau (drums).
Dallas, Texas-based progressive metallers NOCICEPTOR, who feature in their ranks THREAT SIGNAL guitarist Travis Montgomery, have inked a deal with Pivotal Rockordings. The band will release its debut EP, "Among Insects", in May via all major digital retailers.
"Among Insects" was produced by Montogomery at his home studio in Dallas and features the following track listing:
01. Intro
02. The Fell
03. Emergence
04. Botfly
05. Mollusk
06. Pornoholocaust
07. Cuntagion
08. Angus McGillicuddy
According to a press release, "Among Insects" is "a hard-hitting riff-fiesta featuring massive grooves, scorching solos, and insane jam-offs for fans of MESHUGGAH, NEVERMORE, and TESSERACT."
NOCICEPTOR is:
JD Schmidt - Vocals
Travis Montgomery - Guitars
Joey Bartoli - Guitars
Scott Allen - Bass
Michael Eskandari - Drums
For more information, visit www.myspace.com/nociceptor.
The runner-up winner was Bob Delchin from Wickliffe, Ohio. Delchin plays with the band ALTERNATE REALITY and hosts a heavy metal radio show on WCSB 89.3 FM in Cleveland.
"Thanks to everyone who entered this contest", says DESTRUCTOR vocalist/guitarist Dave Overkill. "We had a lot of great entries and it was difficult to pick just one person but we have made a choice. The interest was overwhelming."
Sumerian Records is preparing to introduce the world to the musical dynamo Evan Brewer (ex-REFLUX, ANIMOSITY), whose ground-breaking, innovative bass playing is destined to create a huge impact within the extreme metal genre.
Brewer recently joined the Sumerian Records family as he was just announced as the new bass player for THE FACELESS, but Brewer will first showcase his impressive skills and songwriting prowess through his debut solo album, "Alone", set for a June 28 release.
This debut offering is a very progressive and unique release, and the first of its kind, as everything you hear on it was created with the bass. According to a press release, "Brewer makes a bold statement with this [album] and undeniably proves that he is one of the genre's most musically proficient bass players around today. The world hasn't seen such a forward-thinking metal bass player since the Cliff Burton era."
Commented Brewer: "I started playing bass about 15 years ago. Early on I just learned a ton of tunes and really developed a feel for the instrument's role in a band setting by studying those songs. After that, I quickly gravitated towards funk, hip-hop, and R&B because the bass has such a prominent role in those genres. As time went on, I started seeking out bassists who took it further than just a support instrument and really hit on some serious inspiration. I discovered legends like Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorious and Victor Wooten, just to name a few. I started studying with Regi Wooten at 16 and literally had my whole musical ideology turned upside down.
"I was always into metal because I really liked the technicality and intensity of the genre. I had been playing locally in metal bands around Nashville and became friends with Ash Avildsen and Tosin Abasi of REFLUX through show trades leading me to join their band. After that ended I joined ANIMOSITY and played with them for a few years until they called it quits. I never really intended to make a career playing metal but I've been fortunate to play with some of the most talented musicians in that community.
"After ANIMOSITY disbanded, I wanted to take a break from the road and use the down time to do something totally different musically. I had developed a name for myself as a metal bassist, but felt that I never had a chance to show people what I can really do on the bass. I decided to do a solo album so that I could create a forum to give the public a little taste of what I've been doing for years. I had a ton of material and just felt like I should make an album out of it.
"The album is experimental in the sense that it has no other instruments besides the bass guitar. Literally every sound you hear on the album is from a bass.
"This is about as far from a metal release as you could get but I think that most metal fans are open-minded enough to really like it or at the very least respect the artistic intention behind it."
For more information, head over to www.facebook.com/officialevanbrewer.
Oakland, California extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH have set "This Is Where It Ends" as the title of their fourth full-length album, due on July 26 (North America) and July 29 (Europe) via Nuclear Blast Records. The majority of the follow-up to 2008's "Awaken The Dreamers" was recorded and mixed once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren (LIGHT THIS CITY, DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION).
"Divine Illusion", a brand new song from ALL SHALL PERISH, is available for streaming on the band's Facebook page. "Like/share" the band on Facebook in order to hear it.
Commented ALL SHALL PERISH: "This is just a small taste of what is coming with the new record. We definitely brought back the brutality with this one and the breakdowns are gonna leave panties wet and asses sore... and you begging for more!"
ALL SHALL PERISH has been added to this year's installment of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The 26-date trek, which is scheduled to kick off on July 9 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California, will also include DISTURBED, GODSMACK, MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM, among many others.
On April 7, Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Ben Orum. You can now listen to the chat below.
"Awaken The Dreamers" sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 126.
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