Topham Interview: The Original Yardbirds Guitar Hero
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By: Matt Warnock
Before there was Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, there was Top Topham. The original guitarist in one of the most famous, guitar-hero filled bands in rock history, Topham was the guitarist who started it all. Though his tenure with the band was short lived, being only 15 years old at the time his parents had issues with his late nights spent jamming in clubs, his influence can still be felt to this day. A blues lover at heart, in the same vein as Eric Clapton was when he was with the band, Topham has continued to record and perform stellar blues-inspired music after leaving The Yardbirds back in 1963.
A true Renaissance man, Topham is also a highly successful painter, and experience interior decorator, alongside his envious resume as a guitarist and recording artist. Though most people who left a band like the Yardbirds before they were famous would be haunted by the question, "What might have been?" Topham has instead focused his creative energy into his art, creating a musical legacy that will live on for generations to come.
Guitar International recently sat down with guitar legend Top Topham to talk about The Yardbirds, his inner creativity and his love of Fender Telecasters.
Topham Interview: The Original Yardbirds Guitar Hero
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* inShare
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By: Matt Warnock
Before there was Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton, there was Top Topham. The original guitarist in one of the most famous, guitar-hero filled bands in rock history, Topham was the guitarist who started it all. Though his tenure with the band was short lived, being only 15 years old at the time his parents had issues with his late nights spent jamming in clubs, his influence can still be felt to this day. A blues lover at heart, in the same vein as Eric Clapton was when he was with the band, Topham has continued to record and perform stellar blues-inspired music after leaving The Yardbirds back in 1963.
A true Renaissance man, Topham is also a highly successful painter, and experience interior decorator, alongside his envious resume as a guitarist and recording artist. Though most people who left a band like the Yardbirds before they were famous would be haunted by the question, "What might have been?" Topham has instead focused his creative energy into his art, creating a musical legacy that will live on for generations to come.
Guitar International recently sat down with guitar legend Top Topham to talk about The Yardbirds, his inner creativity and his love of Fender Telecasters.
Top Topham Fender Telecaster
Top Topham with his Fender Telecaster
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Matt Warnock: The world that I grew up in and learned to play guitar in is vastly different from when you learned to play back in the '50s and '60s, including the rise of popular music programs in Colleges and Universities. How do you feel about the current system where students learn to play rock guitar by going to school to study, as compared to solely learning in clubs as you did when you were cutting your teeth?
Top Topham: It's like another universe really. My feeling is that technique has become such a predominant thing, and I think it's human nature to want to gather as many techniques as one can and then put them all together in their music. I think that as we go further on down the road we're producing amazingly technical people, but I'm not sure about that element of Soul in their playing.
I heard records that absolutely changed my life when I was growing up, as I'm sure happens to people today, but to me it wasn't about the technique that the player possessed, it was about an overall sound and something that personally moved me inside. That was so foreign to British culture and British folk music, which is really boring actually. [Laughs] When you heard a guy bend a note on a blues track something happened to you. It was that quality that you wanted to emulate and that inspired you to push forward with your playing.
Matt: How do you feel about the commercialization of music that has gone on over the past 4 decades? It seems that when you were growing up it was more about being creative and artistic, but now, music is only deemed "good" if it sells a lot of records, at least in the pop-rock-radio world that dominates the music scene today.
Top Topham: Well, I think we have people in this country that are responsible for the demise of the music industry. These sort of ataman cows that just sit around and watch X-Factor where we see all these young kids queuing up to try and become famous. On top of it, their musical references when they sing are of course equally bad people that they've emulated. They're not listening to what I call "classicism" in Soul music, and I think that's what I miss with the younger generation of performers. When I see somebody playing I want to feel their life experiences. That's what really grabs me.
One of the guys that I really feel this coming from is Jeff Beck. I have to tip my hat to the man. He's never resting on his laurels. He's always pushing himself and you feel that every moment is a total commitment to what he's doing. That's something that I used to really find attractive in a player, but I'm not sure I hear those qualities in the newer, younger players. What I hear, is a lot of people trying to emulate blues-based music and getting the whole point of it wrong, really.
But I think it's interesting for guys like myself, who've done it on or off over the years. It's not really about trying to emulate anyone else at this point. It's just about finding one's own sound and trying to be as creative as possible within that framework.
Matt: In your career you've been a very successful painter, interior decorator and of course worked with The Yardbirds, Peter Green and developed your solo career. It seems that sometimes when people rely on music as their sole source of income, the pressures that come with that situation prevent them from being able to reach their full creative potential. They take less risk because they need to have steady work to keep things going. Do you feel that because you've had a diverse career that that's helped you keep your creative fires going, as a musician and in your other endeavors?
Top Topham: I think so, in a way. The thing is that the painting was a way for me to make a living. I got to a point in my life where I had a family, I had children and needed to make money, and the painting allowed me to do that. I went back to music when I was about 40. I sort of rediscovered it after a number of years away from that side of my life. That was interesting, but I think creatively, I've been fortunate enough in my life that through my painting I've always been able to be creative, whether I was involved in music or not.
With the music thing, I still really never feel like I fulfilled what I could have fulfilled. I never felt like my true voice was able to fully come through. Though, when I play now I am completely myself and I feel it's very creative with the band that I have. We don't rehearse at all. We just get up and do it. I think you're probably quite right, if I had done music full time, which I would have loved to have done, I would've been affected by the commercialization at some point. Whether I could have sustained that admirable quality that Jeff Beck does in his music, I'm not sure if I could have done that, no one really knows really.
Matt: You're obviously a big lover of the blues, but you also like Jeff Beck, who went in different musical directions after he left the Yardbirds. You also had to leave that band very early on, because you were so young and your parents had issues with you being in clubs late at night. How do you feel about the direction that the Yardbirds took after you left the band?
Top Topham: It's interesting really. I saw them, obviously, through those years with all those different aspects, with Jeff Beck in the band, with Jimmy Page in the band, with both of them in the band at the same time. I think that they produced three or four really good records and wrote some really interesting material, some very beautiful songs. I can't say that I ever loved the music particularly. If I'm going to be absolutely honest, it wasn't my kind of band.
If I had stayed in the band, I think I would have been pushing, like Eric Clapton did, to keep the blues as the focus of the band. You have to bear in mind, that in those early days we hadn't even heard B.B. King. [Laughs] If you haven't heard that music before and then you hear Live at the Regal, you can't really be the same after that.
Matt: I've heard rumors that you were approached by Jimmy Page to join Led Zeppelin as the second guitarist in the band. Can you address those and put a rest to that story either way?
Top Topham: Well this is what happened,in 1968 I was making Ascension Heights, my album with Blue Horizon records (CBS), with Mike Vernon as the producer. I received three telegrams, which I still have, from Peter Grant and Jimmy Page,expressing an urgency to get in touch with them,one of these said "great news for you." I called them from our local telephone box in Kingston on Thames, Surrey, we didn't have a phone in those days, and I spoke to Jimmy who I saw reasonably regularly. He said he wanted to reform under the name of the New Yardbirds and hit America, and asked if I would be interested.
Wait for it, I said no. As I was writing and playing on my own album at that time it seemed like the right choice. Whether he was intending on me being in the band, I know not. It was a flurry of ideas and I would think at that time as he owned the Yardbirds name, which was a very clever move.
Also, it's a fact that a pre-Zeppelin album exists under the name the New Yardbirds, and includes much of the same as early Zepp. I believe this has never been released. Who knows? Interestingly, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy played in our interval at Mothers in Birmingham '67-'68. I was in the Fox and they used my Marshall amp for the gigs. Jimmy played with Duster Bennett and I at an Epsom Art school dance in 64. I remember us all raving about Earl Hooker. I think he played some slide on that gig as well. What goes around comes around, it was all normal really,
Matt: Because you've continued to perform over the years, your playing has grown and sounds absolutely great today. What do you think is the biggest change that your playing has undergone since your early days with The Yardbirds and later Peter Green?
Top Topham: I think that when I was younger I was very limited in my guitar style. The access to decent instruments was fairly depressing. [Laughs] I mean, I played a Harmony Sovereign in that band. Then I played a Strat-o-Tone, and I didn't get my first Gibson until a few years after that.
It was hard to get good guitars in England back then because of the embargo on selling American goods. So, we were pretty starved of things. There were a few people who had the money and could get those things, but money back then was few and far between.
The main difference, musically, is that now I can get up and just hear things and let them flow into my playing, and I don't think I could do that back then. I could definitely do it around the Blue Horizon days, but that was in a live situation.
Matt: Speaking about the Blue Horizon days, you recently released the Complete Blue Horizon Sessions. What inspired you to rerelease this collection of recordings at this time in your career?
Top Topham: I had no part in that project. Unfortunately, Sony is releasing all of that stuff and not paying anybody. It's a sin really. They were going to release it and gave me the opportunity to be involved, which I took because I'd rather be involved than not involved.
I'm glad it came out, because I think it's a good project and sets things straight in a sense, because the person that owns all that music bought the whole catalogue and has been raking in money over the years. He's been licensing it to different companies over the years, and guys like myself have never seen a dime from that music.
Matt: How does that feel to know that someone else has ownership of your art, that they have control over something that you created years ago as part of your artistic output?
Top Topham: I mean, I suppose I read many stories about blues guys never getting paid for their music, and I think it's always been a little bit like that. I think that there are some players who were very smart about this side of things, the Peter Green's and Eric Clapton's of the world. I feel resigned to it, but I think it's very unfair really. But it's something that has always been a part of that business.
Matt: Moving on to a more positive note. [Both Laughing] You've played a number of different guitars over the years, what is your number one guitar of choice these days?
Top Topham: My main guitar these days is a Fender Telecaster. I have a very lovely '66 Telecaster, absolutely fabulous. Tom Principato was jamming at a festival with me and he turned around and said "That's a '66." I said, "How do you know?" He said, "Because I've got loads of 'em." [Laughs] Mine is very doctored, I have to say.
I bought it when I was working at Andy's guitar workshop. A friend told me to check out this guitar, so I went down and found this guitar in pieces. It had been run over by a Taxi. I had the guys put it back together, put some P-90s in it, with some Hot Rails in the middle with a 5-way switch.
If I use the Hot Rails and the neck P-90 I can get that woody, Wes Montgomery sound. It's a very expressive guitar. I don't use any effects or pedals at all, just run it through a Fender Super Reverb, an old one from the '70s. There's nothing more to it. I love that sound. People come up and ask about my sound, and it's just the guitar through the amp, nothing special, just a great sounding guitar.
Matt: Now that you've gotten back into music, what's your musical future hold for you? Is there a new tour or new album on the near horizon?
Top Topham: To be honest with you, I find it difficult here to get any gigs these days. You can try for months and not find anything. There are very few venues to play here right now. There's nothing that I like to do more right now than play gigs, but they're hard to find. We're all finding it very hard going in this country to make things happened these days. Ideally, I'd love to be out playing more and so hopefully the opportunities will come back and we'll be able to make that happen.
The promoter of today's Big 4 concert is expecting the first U.S. appearance together of the world's four most popular thrash metal bands to sell out before doors open at 2 p.m. at the Empire Polo Club in Indio.
But Paul Tollett of the Los Angeles-based Goldenvoice company said the one-day show won't attract as many people as last week's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, or next weekend's Stagecoach country music festival.
The Big 4 concert, featuring leading purveyors of aggressive guitar-driven rock Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax, is permitted for up to 55,000 people by the city of Indio, but a sell-out may actually be closer to 50,000.
The three-day Coachella festival drew 75,000 paid pass-holders per day and Tollett said Stagecoach is on track to surpass last year's two-day record of 102,000 attendees.
Jennifer Shevlin, program director of KCLB 93.7 FM, said she thought the Big 4 would have sold out by now.
"I'm very surprised," she said, "because this concert appeals to such a wide range of people — from construction workers to doctors and lawyers. I think everybody can really relate to Metallica and have a passion for the band."
Metallica is the fourth-best- selling artist of the SoundScan era (starting in 1991 when Nielsen began compiling sales electronically), trailing Garth Brooks, The Beatles and Mariah Carey.
The band's self-titled 1991 CD — known to fans as "The Black Album" — is the era's best-selling album with 15,620,000 units sold, ahead of Shania Twain's "Come On Over" and Alanis Morissette's "Jagged Little Pill."
Shevlin, whose KCLB deejays will broadcast from the concert from 2 to 7 p.m., said the Big 4 will attract more local music fans than Coachella because it features more of the music desert residents listen to on the radio.
"Coachella fest is an event to be seen at," she said. "I think this event is more for music lovers. You hear Metallica, you hear Megadeth on the radio a lot more than these people you see at Coachella fest."
Tollett said the Big 4 concert won't have the carnival atmosphere of Coachella, which featured multiple art installations and side shows. The bands will perform on one stage, starting with Anthrax at 4 p.m. followed by Slayer and Megadeth with Metallica due to end at 11.
Tollett said he senses "there are so many people excited" about this only U.S. performance."
"It's different from Coachella," Tollett said. "It's really reaching them in Southern California."
The "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — performed for the first time ever on the same stage in the United States yesterday (Saturday, April 23) at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California in front of a capacity crowd of more than 50,000 metalheads.
SLAYER guitarist Jeff Hanneman, who was forced miss all of the band's shows this year after undergoing emergency surgery on his right arm in January, made a surprise appearance during the group's set last night, joining his bandmates on stage for the two-song encore of "South Of Heaven" and "Angel Of Death" (EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt filled in for Hanneman during SLAYER's main set).
The highly anticipated onstage performance of all four bands at the same time happened near the end of METALLICA's set, between "Enter Sandman" and "Hit The Lights". Members of ANTHRAX, SLAYER and MEGADETH joined METALLICA on stage for a cover of DIAMOND HEAD's "Am I Evil?" before METALLICA ended the night with its perennial set-closer, "Seek And Destroy" from the band's 1983 debut, "Kill 'Em All".
In introducing the members of the other three bands before the "Am I Evil?" performance, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield said, "Can you believe it? Thirty years, man [referring to how long each of the 'Big Four' bands has been together. - Ed.]. I don't know how many of you have been around that long, you know?! It doesn't matter; you're here right now to see the 'Big Four,' and we're getting this prepared for a big jam, alright? It's pretty important.
"We just wanna take the time to say 'thank you' to all of you metal fans out there who have supported all the bands — not only the 'Big Four,' but the big however many out there. There's many, many other bands that have been around as long as us, and, unfortunately, broke up because of business or some other crap. There's a lot of great bands out there and we'd like to celebrate all of them, and especially the 'Big Four', getting out here and jamming, and just saying 'thank you' to the world of metal fans for just giving us your support, giving us your heart and giving us your passion, man, 'cause that's what it is for us."
ANTHRAX's setlist was as follows:
01. Caught In A Mosh
02. Got the Time
03. Madhouse
04. Among the Living
05. Antisocial
06. Indians
07. Fight 'Em Till You Can't
08. A.I.R.
09. I Am The Law
MEGADETH's setlist was as follows:
01. Trust
02. In My Darkest Hour
03. Hangar 18
04. Wake Up Dead
05. Poison Was the Cure
06. She-Wolf
07. Sweating Bullets
08. Head Crusher
09. A Tout Le Monde
10. Symphony of Destruction
11. Peace Sells
12. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
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)
METALLICA's setlist was as follows:
01. Creeping Death
02. For Whom the Bell Tolls
03. Fuel
04. Ride the Lightning
05. Fade to Black
06. Cyanide
07. All Nightmare Long
08. Sad But True
09. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
10. Orion
11. One
12. Master of Puppets
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
Encore:
16. Am I Evil? (DIAMOND HEAD cover) (with MEGADETH, ANTHRAX and SLAYER)
17. Hit The Lights
18. Seek And Destroy
The "Big Four" tour first played selected dates in Eastern Europe last summer to an fantastic response, which led to the scheduling of shows this year in the U.S. and other parts of Europe. There's no word yet on whether more "Big Four" events are in the works.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio the "Big Four" tour idea first came up in 2009. "We were sitting around and we were feeling pretty nostalgic at the time because it was right around the old Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Cleveland, induction thing there," he said. "So as you sit around and talk about your past and whatever, the idea of playing shows with the other, you know, members of the so-called 'Big Four' just came up, and it finally came together just over a year later."
Pearl Drums has welcomed MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee back to its artist roster.
After a lengthy sabbatical from playing behind the Pearl name, Tommy will debut his new Pearl kit this summer, with MÖTLEY CRÜE, throughout the band's 2011 amphitheater tour.
Lee has become an icon in the drumming world and is considered to be one of the biggest influences to the most popular and elite drum-stars of the last 25 years. Known by drummers worldwide for the hard-hitting, stick-flipping, all-out powerful assault that he unleashes on his drums, Lee personifies what it is to be a rock drummer while continuing to raise the bar for everyone else to try and follow.
Aside from the drum solos that push the limits of sanity and defy the theories of gravity, Tommy's rock drumming arsenal is filled with rolls and licks that expand much further than rock's basic beats that land on 2 and 4. His quick foot, flawless fills, and powerful slamming of the skins largely attributes to the unforgettable hit songs that have continued to flood the radio airwaves for the past 30 years.
As is with his signature technique that is emulated by many, Tommy Lee's drum kits and eccentric drum setups have become a staple on the MÖTLEY CRÜE's stage, often proving to be the eye-catching centerpiece that demands all the attention. With the desire for the outlandish and the want to have something different than the rest,
Tommy has often incorporated many different odd-sized drums and large setups to heighten the visual aspect of a CRÜE concert… as if the pyrotechnics and flipping drum risers weren't enough. This summer, the limits will be pushed; once again, with an all-new live show and a custom built E-Pro Live electronic/acoustic kit that will guarantee that Tommy has the perfect tone and pitch from each drum. The E-Pro Live kit, which was introduced from Pearl Drums back in January of 2010, is the first drum set in production that looks and sounds like a real drum kit, but with a limitless sonic capability and the feel of an acoustic kit. Tommy's custom E-Pro Live kit, will the first of its kind, for the drummer that insists on having the best possible sound and the highest quality product, night after night.
Prior to STEPHEN PEARCY's Metal In America tour which commences in June, the RATT singer has confirmed a few solo dates which begin tomorrow (April 23rd) as he takes center stage at the California Speed Jams 2011 at the National Orange Show Speedway on Saturday.
Pearcy tells Wes Woods from Sgvtribune.com that whether it's "100 people, 1,000 people, 10,000 people - it's a party. I go out there and have a great solo performance. Nothing has changed in 26 years."
Pearcy added that he's letting fans pick the title of his upcoming solo album that's he's working on.
Stephen Pearcy solo dates:
April
23 - San Bernardino, CA - National Orange Show Speedway
25 - Las Vegas, NV - Crown Theater/Rio Hotel
May
5 - Buford, GA - 37 Main Steet
6 - Little Rock, AR - Juanita's Cafe & Bar
Metal In America dates with the following line-up:
Stephen Pearcy - vocals
Greg D'Angelo (ex-WHITE LION) - drums
Erik Ferentinos (THE ANTIDIVISION) - lead guitar
Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.) - bass
Greg Walls (ex-ANTHRAX) - guitar
June
10 - Lake Odessa, MI - Bike 'N' Roll Fest at I96 Motor Speedway
11 - Martins Ferry, OH - Steel Mill Bar
17 - Madison, WI - Bike 'N' Roll Fest at Alliant Energy Center
July
16 - Roberts, MT - Bear Tooth Motorcycle Rally at Bull Pen Campground
23 - Royalton, MN - Halfway Jam
August
13 - West Allis, WI - Wisconsin State Fair / Cousins Sub Amphitheater
The digital download single "Heaven Help Us" featuring vocalist David George (THE DAVID GEORGE BAND) and guitar contributions by Phil Collen (DEF LEPPARD), has been released by Rhythm Rocket Records to iTunes. All of profits from the sale of the single are being donated to the Red Cross Japan Relief Fund, to aid in helping those in Japan from the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.
"Heaven Help Us" was performed by members of DEF LEPPARD, EVERCLEAR, THE DAVID GEORGE BAND, SPINAL TAP, THE EXIES, STEREOFOX, NORTHSTAR SESSIONS, and ROMAN NUMERALS, with all of the band members coming together and donating their time and talent to show their support for the people of Japan during this trying time.
* Vocals: David George, Lyndsey El, Matt Szlechetka, Josh Smith
* Guitar: Phil Collen, Steve Riolo, Matt Szletchetka
* Drums: Kelly King
* Bass: Freddy Herrera
* Organ: CJ Vanston
"Heaven Help Us" was recorded at Moonwine Studios in Los Angeles by Corey Mooney, and was produced by George Johnsen.
Photo below (left to right): Phil Collen (DEF LEPPARD), David George (DAVID GEORGE BAND), CJ Vanston (SPINAL TAP)
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/heavensingle.jpg
Florida metallers CRIMSON GLORY have issued the following statement on the passing of JON OLIVA'S PAIN guitarist Matt LaPorte:
"We were all deeply saddened to learn of Matt's untimely departure from this realm. He left indelible marks on the lives of the people who knew him, both as a highly accomplished musician and a true friend. He was a great teacher and an eager friend, and always wanted to help with the band in any way. He truly dedicated himself to the people and the music he was passionate about, and he always added a unique element of comedic revelry, coupled with a certain melancholy depth that can only come from someone who has loved and lost in the ways that Matt LaPorte has. He stuck to his guns and he stuck by his friends, and he will be very sorely missed by all of us."
Todd La Torre (vocals): "Matt was my dear friend, as well as my introduction to CRIMSON GLORY. I'm so glad to have collaborated on other musical projects with him. If it weren't for him, a lot of people wouldn't be in the bands they're in: CIRCLE II CIRCLE, JON OLIVA'S PAIN, and of course my involvement with CRIMSON GLORY. He's the one who introduced CRIMSON GLORY's music me, and this whole thing that I'm involved in is because of Matt. I'm so thankful to have had him in my life."
Jon Drenning (guitar): "I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend. He was a beautiful, passionate, generous, witty human being, and an ultra-talented guitarist. I was always impressed with his guitar skills, but even more impressed by how generous and nice he was to all his friends and fans around him. We became good friends after the passing of [CRIMSON GLORY singer] Midnight, and having him perform with us at ProgPower X [festival] for Midnight's benefit was very special. He always said that he felt so honored to have had the opportunity to be Midnight's friend and to write music with him, and we shared those same sentiments. He shared with me about how amazing it was to just hear these incredible, creative ideas and songs coming out of Midnight, and he helped him turn them from ideas into tangible recordings that we otherwise might not have ever heard. Indeed, he truly revered and loved Midnight and his body of work with CRIMSON GLORY, and it
was only natural that he was able to help us find Todd La Torre: the new voice and the personality to fill Midnight's shoes and get CRIMSON GLORY back on track. Matt gifted us with many priceless things, from his friendship and commitment to our endeavors, to Midnight's recordings, to the introduction of Todd La Torre. I remember how excited he was about Todd, and he had every right to be. Matt had a keen ear for talent and was a spectacular guitarist as well, and I was always humbled by how much he admired my songwriting and guitar playing with CRIMSON GLORY; he always made me feel so much more special than I ever thought I was. I think he had that effect on everybody who knew him. It's very difficult to start our 25th-anniversary tour on the heels of such sorrowful news, but I find solace knowing he is at peace transcending the electric skies with his dear friend, Midnight. I can still see his big, bright, beautiful sky-blue eyes sparkling with stars,
and I will always remember him that way..."
Ben Jackson (guitar): "I am so saddened by the news last night of the passing of my good friend and much admired musician/guitarist Matt LaPorte... He was the brilliant guitar player of JON OLIVA'S PAIN, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, numerous other bands and honorary third guitarist of CRIMSON GLORY when we played live for Midnight's memorial concert at ProgPower. We all loved and admired Matt and were happy to have his presence in our band to help us through a hard time. Matt introduced us to our new singer, Todd La Torre, helping to make a bright new beginning possible for CRIMSON GLORY. His presence will remain with us forever, along with all his friends and fans he left behind."
Jeff Lords (bass): "Matt was a great technical player, yet his delivery was one of great feeling. Off stage, his quirky, dry sense of humor had me in stitches. I'm going to miss that guy."
Dana Burnell (drums): "My heart is heavy for the loss of my friend Matt LaPorte. He was an incredible guitarist and a wonderful human being! I will miss him."
Reunited heavy metal band SLEEPY HOLLOW is putting the finishing touches on its new album, "Skull 13", for a fall release via Pure Steel. The CD is being recorded primarily at No Oulet Studio in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania with producers Steve Stegg and Eric Fisher.
Commented the band: "This, to say the very least, has been a very non-traditional recording experience, with the guitars being recorded first then drums then vocals then bass and more guitars. However, the production at this stage is amazing.
"We should have all of the recording completed in the next two weeks and final mix and mastering the following week. This recording is practically mixing itself."
A tour of Europe, as a support act, is on tap for 2012, including an appearance at the Swordbrothers Festival in Andernach, Germany.
SLEEPY HOLLOW is:
Bob Mitchell - Vocals
Steve Stegg - Guitar
Steve Brink - Bass
Tom Wassman – Drums
Relapse Records will issue a collection of early MORTA SKULD recordings on July 5. Entitled "Through The Eyes Of Death: The Early Demos", it combines the band's two 1990 demos, "Gory Departure" and "Prolong The Agony", on one disc. Both demos were remastered for the collection by Chris Wisco at Belle City Sound.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin's MORTA SKULD formed in 1990 and released its first demo tape, "Gory Departure", shortly thereafter. The band's second three-song demo, "Prolong The Agony", featured VIOGRESSION drummer Jef Jaeger.
Anglo-Chilean thrash masters CRIMINAL entered HVR Recording Studios in Suffolk, U.K. yesterday (Friday, April 22) to begin recording their seventh studio album, the first since the departure of guitarist/founding member Rodrigo Contreras and the subsequent addition of Basque guitar wizard Olmo Cascallar.
"The way we're approaching the drums this time around is to focus a lot on the set-up of the sounds before we record," explains drummer Zac O'Neil. "I think in the past we've been too quick to start tracking without thinking too much about the raw audio. I'm very keen to move in a different direction from the way that metal is going with sampled and edited drums, and go back to the way that metal used to be before all this electronic trickery. Hopefully we'll retain the dynamics and raw energy that just isn't present in many productions nowadays. I've also been concentrating on pre-production arrangements for the drum tracks. I want to make sure that what I play complements the songs and is not too busy or complicated for the sake of it.
"I'm really looking forward to how this next CRIMINAL album will turn out. Hopefully we'll also get some nice tracking footage as well for the fans to see just how we did it."
The as-yet-untitled follow-up to 2009's "White Hell" will be released in August via Massacre Records.
CRIMINAL's video for the song "Incubus" can be viewed below. The clip was directed and edited by renowned Chilean visual artist Carlos Toro, who has previously worked with KREATOR, VADER, LACRIMOSA and MERCENARY, among others.
"Incubus" comes off CRIMINAL's latest album, "White Hell", which was released in February 2009 by Germany's Massacre Records. The CD was widely hailed as the band's finest record to date.
CRIMINAL supported METALLICA in Chile in front of over 55,000 raging metalheads.
Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH will return to the live stage in October — marking the band's first public appearances since guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski was diagnosed with leukemia last August.
Commented Nergal: "I'm proud to announce that we've just nailed these Polish leg of the tour! Fans from abroad, please be patient, Asia, Australia, Europe and U.S. are under working. I'm beyond excited! I wanna see you all out there!"
The dates are as follows:
Oct. 08 - Poznan - Eskulap
Oct. 09 - Gdansk – Parlament
Oct. 14 - Krakow - Studio
Oct. 15 - Katowice – Mega Club
Oct. 16 - Wroclaw - Eter
Oct. 21 - Warszawa –Stodola
In a recent interview with Metal Sucks, Nergal stated about BEHEMOTH's upcoming touring activities, "The October shows are just to get warmed up. Then we might do some shows in Australia and Asia — that's the plan. Then the priority for early 2012 is a European tour, then shortly after that, a U.S. tour. This is our top priority for the next year and we're going to fucking do it!"
He added, "Just wait and see us on the stage. You'll see. I'm not going to reveal anything about it, but we … It's not gonna just be BEHEMOTH. It's not like time stood still for us, like we were frozen in time and are just going to appear with the same entourage and in the same outfits. No. We're going to come back, we want to remind people of our existence obviously, but we want to make a fucking impact, an impression. We want to show them that, hey, we are still fucking evolving. We're not just hoping that you'll come to see us because I was sick. Fuck that. I'll be better soon and we're going to deliver!"
Speaking to Revolver magazine last month, Nergal said, "We just decided to play some so-called comeback shows in Poland just to warm up and see how we feel, just to be onstage again together. And I really hope that it's going to turn out great and that it's going to cause other tours and stuff. We have plans until the summer of next year. We already have some cool offers. We're talking to our agents. There's some really, really cool ideas. I don't want to reveal anything yet, but once we're done with October shows, and we feel good about it, and there's chemistry onstage, we definitely want to continue the 'Evangelion' touring cycle. There's still some markets we didn't even touch. We've done over 100 shows so far to 'Evangelion'. We're going to do another 100 at least, and then we can focus on the next record.
"To be honest, we can't wait to hit the stage again. I'm so fucking anxious. I'm so excited, so psyched about it. I have dreams about coming back onstage. I dream about BEHEMOTH shows. It's insane, I know, but I can't tell you how much it's a relief to the band and how much it means to us."
Nergal underwent a bone marrow transplant procedure in December.
In response to a recent post on BLABBERMOUTH.NET where members of Florida-based blackened death metal group INFERNAEON claimed that they parted ways with singer Brian Werner and planned to carry on with a new lineup, Werner offered a very different version of the split, insisting that bass player Kevin Gibbons and keyboard player David Stein had been fired from the band.
Commented Werner: "We are glad to finally rid ourselves of this cancer that has been eating away at this band from the inside for many years now. The truth of the matter is you are only as professional as your weakest member. I don't know of ANY band that allows you to get drunk and miss practice, or now show up to practice for over a year, or start physical fights in front of promoters and still expect to have your job the next day.
"The truth of the matter is I am the sole owner of ALL intellectual property rights, the name itself, all the lyrics, most of the music, all the artwork, the logo, all the social media sites, all the merchandise as well as I am the ONLY member to appear on every INFERNAEON album. Kevin Gibbons was, in fact, a core member until he chose to leave the band and elected not to record on the band's newest album, 'Genesis To Nemesis', therefore giving up any all rights he had. It's funny how members who actually quit the band and aren't on the last album want to try to force me out."
Added drummer Adam Sagan: "It's unfortunate that it's come to this, but the fact of the matter is Kevin and Dave don't have a leg to stand on. Neither one of them procured a single show, tour, recording contract, management deal, booking agent or endorsement for the band. Their firing has been long overdue, and what happened in Puerto Rico is ultimately the straw that broke the camel's back.
"The truth of the matter is that Brian Werner owns all intellectual property pertaining to INFERNAEON; the name, lyrics, images, trademarks, etc. Imagine someone telling Dani that he's fired from CRADLE OF FILTH and you'll understand the arrogance at work in this situation. It was also quite a surprise to me when I woke up a couple of days ago to see that they had unilaterally started a new Facebook page proclaiming to be the 'official' INFERNAEON page, which not only had no vocalist listed, but also listed Jeramie Kling as the band's drummer. Jeramie and I spoke on the phone that morning and he was even more surprised by this than I was. This is very indicative of how these two attempt to handle business. That being said, I wish them luck in whatever endeavors they choose to pursue — even the foolish, baseless legal actions they are threatening."
INFERNAEON's latest album, "Genesis To Nemesis", was released on August 31, 2010 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded at Erik Rutan's Mana Recording Studios (GOATWHORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, HATE ETERNAL) in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer Brian Elliott. The cover artwork was created by Brazilian artist Marcelo Vasco.
"Genesis To Nemesis" features guest appearances by Oderus Urungus (GWAR), Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL), John Zahner (SAVATAGE), Bill Hudson (COLDERA, CELLADOR, CIRCLE II CIRCLE, POWER QUEST) and John Slaughter (COLDERA, SKINDUSTRY).
Finnish melodic death metallers MORS PRINCIPIUM EST spent the last few weeks contemplating their future following the departures of guitarists Tomy Laisto and Kalle Aaltonen. Singer Ville Viljanen states, "I think we got about 100 contacts from guitarists all around the world and new contacts comes every day. And now to the really cool part of this update. I think we already found one new player! We do not publish any names yet, but so far it looks pretty darn good! So, it really starts to look that this is not the end of MORS PRINCIPIUM EST."
MORS PRINCIPIUM EST's third album, "Liberation = Termination", was released in February 2007 via Listenable Records. The follow-up to "The Unborn" was recorded at Astia Studio in Finland and was mastered at Imperial Mastering in Concord, California.
After a long period of intensive work in Greece and Sweden along with producer Fredrik Nordström (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY) at Fredman studios, Athens, Greece-based death/thrash metal band DESCENDING has completed work the follow-up to its debut album, "Enter Annihilation", which was released in European and Japanese markets in 2008-2009. The as-yet-untitled new CD will be made available on September 23 via Massacre Records. A brand new digital single will posted online on June 1.
Commented the group: "Those two years were crucial for the musical and artistic course of the band. This time our vision was to deliver a massive album having as a gnomon the psychoacoustic result, even from the composing stage."
DESCENDING's "Your Valentine" video can be viewed below. The clip, which was directed by Bob Katsionis, was featured on the Japanese version of "Enter Annihilation", which was released via Spiritual Beast Records.
According to a press release, DESCENDING combines "both bombastic aggressive metal riffage and melodic hook lines in their songs. Their debut album 'Enter Annihilation' [shakes] the foundations of modern metal community! This modern metal masterpiece features astonishing belting vocals by Jon Simvonis giving a deadly touch with his wide range of vocal palette, from deep growls-to ecstatic emotional screams. Also blazing rhythm/lead guitar work by a new guitar hero Constantine (ex-NIGHTRAGE) who combines his fast and furious solo pyrotechnics along with his strong melodic phrasing giving to the album a unique flavour of his own shredcore fashion."
"Circle Regenerated", the new album from the Finnish melodic death/black metal act NORTHER, entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 22. The follow-up to 2008's "N" marks the recording debut of the band's new vocalist Aleksi Sihvonen "and will leave no long-time fan of the band dissatisfied and will grab you by the balls with its stunning blend of viciously infective hooks, epic elements and powerful riffs and leads," according to a press release.
"Circle Regenerated" was released via Century Media Records on the following dates:
Finland: Wednesday, April 13
Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway: Friday, April 15
Spain, Italy: Tuesday, April 19
Sweden, Hungary: Wednesday, April 20
Rest Of Europe: Monday, April 18
Australia, New Zealand: Friday, April 22
"Circle Regenerated" track listing:
01. Through It All
02. The Hate I Bear
03. Truth
04. Some Day
05. Break Myself Away
06. Believe
07. Falling
08. We Do Not Care
09. The Last Time
10. Closing In
NORTHER was founded in 2000 and has thus far released five full-length albums, two EPs, a DVD, four singles and the soundtrack to the Finnish film "V2". The band has done extensive touring with such acts as DIMMU BORGIR, HYPOCRISY, TURISAS and FINNTROLL.
NORTHER released its latest album, "N", in North America on September 30, 2008. The record marked the band's Century Media debut and featured two bonus tracks from the "No Way Back" EP, "No Way Back" and "C.U.S.", along with a video for the song "We Rock".
"N" entered the Finnish national chart at position No. 5 back in February 2008. The CD was recorded and produced by longtime partner Anssi Kippo (CHILDREN OF BODOM) at Astia Studios and mixed by Fredrik Nordström (DARK TRANQUILLITY, ARCH ENEMY, IN FLAMES) at Studio Fredman in Sweden.
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