According to the unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has set "Iron Man: My Life With Black Sabbath And Beyond" as the title of his memoir. In the U.S., the book will be distributed by Da Capo (Simon & Schuster in the U.K.), which reportedly paid a six-figure amount at auction for the rights.
Foundry Literary + Media co-founder Peter McGuigan, who completed the North American rights deal for the book, described Iommi's autobiography — which has not yet been completed — as: "'Angela's Ashes' meets 'The Ground Beneath Her Feet' meets 'Spinal Tap'."
In a March 2010 interview with the Birmingham Post, Iommi stated about his upcoming memoir, "I've been working on it for a long time. We've been so busy for the last couple of years it's been difficult finding the time to do it. But it's coming on and hopefully it will be out [soon]." He added, "I'm not going out to blast at everybody, that's for sure. That's for the next book!"
The name "Tony Iommi" sends shivers down the spines of guitarists around the world. As lead guitarist and songwriter of BLACK SABBATH, Iommi is considered to be one of the most influential musicians of the past four decades and the inventor of heavy metal. From working class, Midlands roots, his unique playing style — a result of a disfiguring hand injury he suffered working in a sheet metal factory — created a dark and gothic sound unlike anything that had been heard before and which captured the mood of its time. SABBATH went on to become a superband, playing to massive audiences around the world and selling millions of records, and Iommi led the life of a rockstar to the fullest — with the scars from all the drug-fuelled nights of excess and wildness to show for it.
"Iron Man: My Life With Black Sabbath And Beyond" will chronicle the story of a band that that Rolling Stone has dubbed "THE BEATLES of heavy metal." It's all here. Every escapade associated with hard rock happened to BLACK SABBATH first: the drugs, the debauchery, the drinking, the dungeons, the pressure, the pain, the conquests, the company men, the contracts, the combustible drummer, the critics, the comebacks, the singers, the Stonehenge set, the sleazy managers, the music, the money, the madness, the metal.
In "Iron Man", Iommi goes on the record about BLACK SABBATH and recounts his life story in detail and depth.
This is the other side of the story, the exclusive account of the life and adventures of one of rock's greatest heroes.
"Iron Man" will reveal the man behind the icon, his humor, intelligence and warmth.
According to TMZ.com, Ozzy and his wife/manager Sharon Osbourne have been hit with a new tax lien — this time for more than $357,000.
The lien, filed this week in Los Angeles, shows the couple still owes $357,070.62 in unpaid federal income taxes from 2007.
It was reported earlier in the month that the IRS placed a lien on the house belonging to Sharon and Ozzy — who reportedly owed $718,948 from 2008 and $1.024 million from 2009.
Speaking about the debt on "The Talk" (see video below), the daytime U.S. television show on which she appears as a panelist, Sharon Osbourne admitted she had failed to take care of her family business.
"The last couple of years, I have really been concentrating on myself — because I think I love myself a little bit too much — and not taking care of business,' she said.
"I get a phone call from [gossip web site] TMZ telling me there's a lien on my house and I'm like 'Oh dear. I'd better call my accountant.'
"He goes 'I didn't know that. Is there?' I'm like, 'Well, if you don't know, who the hell is going to know?'
"I got really upset with my accountant, and then I sat back and I thought 'If I'm not invested in my money, or my kids' money, or my husband's money, why should he?'
"He did say he's to blame, but I'm to blame because I didn't care enough. I was too involved in myself. I canceled two meetings with him over the last 18 months because I was way too busy. And the bottom line is, it stops with me. So I have to face up, be a big woman and realize I'm not Mrs. Wonderful.
"So it's done and dealt with and I can't say 'it was that person, it was that person, it wasn't me.' The buck stops with me, so here I am."
Sharon had a tax lien issue in 2009 when she owed $23,000 to the State of California for the 2007 tax year.
Ozzy and Sharon recently listed their Malibu beach house on the market for $10 million.
The 4,500-square-foot, three-story oceanfront residence has five bedrooms and five bathrooms, along with a library, office, hot tub, walk-in closets and a backyard with a view of the Pacific Ocean.
The couple bought the house in March of 2003 for $5.1 million and first placed it on the market in 2006 for $14 million, with the place going on and off sale several times since then.
It's also available for rent starting at $40,000 per month.
WHOCARES — the renewed musical union between legendary DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan and none other than BLACK SABBATH's Tony Iommi: the undisputed master of heavy guitar riffs — will release its debut CD single in North America on June 27 via Eagle Rock Entertainment. The single will be made available in Europe on May 24 through earMUSIC. The digital release for both territories will be May 6.
The single features two brand new studio tracks "Out Of My Mind" and "Holy Water", which will raise funds for the rebuilding of a music school in Gyumri, Armenia. The CD single will also contain the video clip of "Out Of My Mind" and a 40-minute documentary that shows Gillan's and Iommi's involvement with the Armenia cause over the years.
Speaking to Armenia's Mediamax news agency, Gillan was asked what the experience of working with Iommi again was like compared to their previous collaboration.
"It was great to work with Tony again," Gillan replied. "He is very easy to write with and as a singer I know exactly where he's going. It wasn't dramatic, just friendly and professional."
He added, "We hope to do it again sometime in the not-too-distant future.
"It wasn't like the last experience with BLACK SABBATH; that was a band and an album — totally different."
When asked how the inspiration for the song "Out Of My Mind" came out right after he visiting Armenia in October 2009, Ian said, "Well, normally... people like us who work with bands write the bits that we play. In this case, with 'Out of My Mind', Tony presented the entire musical idea and I wrote what I sing over the top, or along with it, if you prefer. The second track of the WHOCARES single, 'Holy Water', was a bit different as I wrote that with Steve Morse [DEEP PURPLE] and Tony was gracious enough to play guitar on it."
Both Gillan and Iommi have spent a lot of time in Armenia, fallen in love with the country and the people and have dedicated a lot of work to a nation still shocked after the earthquake that struck Armenia on December 7, 1988.
The collaboration of Gillan and Iommi, who have worked together before on the SABBATH album "Born Again", is in itself an incredible news for all rock and metal fans and will be the best of surprises to get to know who is completing the band: None other than Jon Lord ("Mr. Hammond", partner with Gillan on all the DEEP PURPLE classics), IRON MAIDEN drummer Nicko McBrain, ex-METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted and HIM guitarist player Mikko "Linde" Lindström are also featured on the two new songs.
Commented Gillan: "The idea came as Tony and I flew back from Yerevan together after being inspired by the enthusiasm of everyone there to get this thing done.
"It was brilliant working with Tony again after all these years; he makes life easy for a singer.
"The other guys need no introduction, do they?!"
Added Iommi: "Some twenty years ago when the call came, I thought, well at least I've helped, but it was going to Armenia and seeing the actual devastation caused by the earthquake that really made me realize that funds were still needed.
"Despite all the money that was raised last time, here was a music school doing their best, forgotten, in basic tin sheds. After the warmth and honor bestowed upon us during our visit, we just had to help make a difference and get the school rebuilt. And what better way than to hook up with some of rock's greatest players and my old mate Ian, both an honor and a pleasure."
"Out Of My Mind" recording lineup:
* Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH) - Guitar
* Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) - Vocals
* Jason Newsted (METALLICA, VOIVOD, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM) - Bass
* Nicko McBrain (IRON MAIDEN) - Drums
* Jon Lord (DEEP PURPLE) - Keyboards
* Mikko "Linde" Lindström (HIM) - Guitar
"Holy Water" recording lineup:
* Ian Gillan (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK SABBATH) - Vocals
* Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH) - Guitar
* Steve Morris - Guitar
* Michael Lee Jackson - Guitar
* Randy Clarke - Drums
* Rodney Appleby - Bass
* Jesse O'Brien - Hammond Organ
* Arshak Sahakyan - Duduk Solo
* Ara Gevorgyan - Underlying Duduk Intro Music And Keys
WHITESNAKE/ex-DEEP PURPLE frontman David Coverdale recently told VH1 Radio Networks' Dave Basner that he would reunite with his former DEEP PURPLE bandmates Jon Lord (keyboards), Ian Paice (drums), Ritchie Blackmore (guitar) and Glenn Hughes (bass, vocals) for the right opportunity, like a benefit concert.
When VH1 Radio Networks spoke to Hughes last week, he said he'd be up for a DEEP PURPLE Mk. III reunion, too, and explained why. "Yeah, absolutely, for the simple task of this purpose: When I was in the band in the '70s, let's just say I joined the band a very bright-eyed and bushy-tailed Northern chap like David and I left the band, very sort of, let's just say I was overserved at the bar," he said. "And I've made my amends with everybody but I'd like to have a jam with the guys again as a sober man and somebody who knows how to deal with his life on a daily basis. That's the way I'd like to do it."
Hughes revealed there is another reason he wants to reunite.
"And the fans," he said. "I think PURPLE Mk. III is the last reunion of the iconic bands from the '70s. You know, THE WHO have come back and even ZEPPELIN did one show. So Mk. III would be a huge… for the fans it would be monumental. And you know, I like to please the fans, they've been great."
So what's the hold-up? It turns out Glenn has tried before to get the band together to no avail.
"It all depends on if we can get Ritchie to the table and I'm not sure if that's possible. But David and I, we chew the fat over it from time to time. We had a big thing about four years ago where we tried to put it together but we couldn't get everybody to the table and we didn't want to have that weight on our shoulders, it's just too big of a weight. And there's lots of people involved and lots of employment and stuff so we just decided we'd move on because we were spending a lot of time trying to get it together and it didn't sort of pan out."
Former DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Jon Lord told U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine last fall that he can't ever see a reunion of PURPLE's Mk. III lineup.
"I think it's a dream too far," Lord said. "I know a lot of people would like it to happen, but it would have to have Ian Paice involved, and right now he's committed to the current PURPLE lineup. And I know they are planning a new studio album, as well as more touring."
He added, "I got an email from David recently, and it seems Glenn and Ritchie might be into it, although I don't know how Glenn feels now, with BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION happening.
"Yes, I would love to play with Ritchie again, but don't read anything into that as far as Mk. III is concerned.
"I must admit I'd also have a concern or two about David's voice."
Coverdale and Hughes joined DEEP PURPLE in 1973 to create the band's Mk. III lineup, though co-founding member and guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left in 1975, to be replaced by Tommy Bolin.
METALLICA is scheduled to enter the studio later this month to begin recording a yet-to-be-revealed new project, which guitarist Kirk Hammett described to RollingStone.com as "more a recording project than a bona fide METALLICA album."
In a brand new interview with U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich was asked to comment on the band's recording plans. "Ooh, boy. Yeah, I… What would you like me to say?" he replied. "Obviously, I can't talk about it. If I could talk about it, I would — you know me. It's… We'll see… It's something… We'll see how it plays out. If there's something, you'll be among the first to know, trust me."
When asked if the project involved "something new," Ulrich paused before replying, "Er… something new? Um… not necessarily. It depends on where you look at it from. I wouldn't call it something new. You guys will be right there when we're ready to share it with somebody. Right now there's nothing to say, and Kirk's been… er… He's been given 10 push-ups! And not kid push-ups! Kirk is doing 10 push-ups every morning 'till rehearsal."
Regarding whether there have been signs of any new material, Ulrich said, "James [Hetfield, guitar/vocals] told me in Australia that he had over 700 [new] riffs. That was slightly overwhelming. When I spoke to him yesterday, he told me that he'd been playing guitar again in the last couple of weeks. And listen, when James tunes his guitar, he comes up with three to five usable guitar riffs. It's kind of frightening. James is not allowed to play guitar without being recorded. Literally! There are also hours and hours of jams and tuning-room shindigs. After the ['Big Four'] gig [in Indio], we're gonna sit down and wade through two and half years' worth of riffs and jams and hopefully a lot of the seeds for the next METALLICA record will be in that. When you're just jamming instead of — quote — 'writing,' things have a tendency to be more organic and flow a little more. We can use the rest of the riffs for ringtones or… I don't know. Set up a web
site: SpareRiffs.com."
METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo told Palm Springs, California radio station KCLB-FM that the band will work with producer Rick Rubin again on the follow-up to 2008's "Death Magnetic" album, Rubin's first collaboration with the group.
METALLICA decided to work with Rubin on "Death Magnetic" after making five albums over 15 years with producer Bob Rock.
Speaking about METALICA's "return" to its metal roots with "Death Magnetic", Ulrich told Metal Hammer, "Obviously, the key element in this whole thing [goes back] to playing 'Master Of Puppets' in its entirety [in 2006], which was something that 10 years ago I'd have not thought we would ever do. Revisiting 'Puppets' while we were writing the next record certainly put a stamp on 'Death Magnetic'. We'd never allowed ourselves to be inspired by our past. And Rick Rubin encouraged us to be OK with revisiting 'Ride The Lightning' and so on. Then came the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame — which brought another kind of nostalgic thing. So there are these highlights over the past 10 years, these triggering points. The side of METALLICA that we are having a lot of fun with right now is the harder, faster, more manic, more out-of-control stuff than, say, the 'Load'-'Reload' British blues stuff. Playing a lot of the full-on metal stuff like 'Dyers Eve' and 'The
Shortest Straw'. We played 'The Call Of Ktulu' in Australia. Bringing out 'Trapped Under Ice' again… It's just been cool to feel comfortable about embracing that side of METALLICA."
According to TheChronicleHerald.ca, METALLICA is rumored to be playing Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on July 14.
Atlantic Canada Rocks, a concert review, rumor and discussion site, cited a source as having confirmed that the concert will be announced this Wednesday, with tickets going on sale May 12.
As previously reported, METALLICA has been officially confirmed for this year's edition of Quebec's Summer Festival (Festival d'été de Québec). The event runs July 7-17 in Québec City, Québec, Canada, with an amazing 300 shows spanning 11 days, making it Canada's biggest outdoor artistic festival. METALLICA will perform on Saturday, July 16.
METALLICA finished out its "Death Magnetic" touring cycle in November in New Zealand and Australia and played in Indio, California on April 23. The band is already confirmed to headline the Rock In Rio festival in Brazil on September 24. "Big Four" dates in New York and parts of Europe are also scheduled.
METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:
"At this stage in the game, there are very few places in the world that we have not dragged our gear and crew to, so that makes this show announcement extra special.
"For the first time ever, we will be visiting India for two shows!
"It's about time, wouldn't you say?!?!
"Up first will be Delhi on October 28, 2011 at F1 Rocks, held in Leisure Valley, Sector 29, Gurgaon as we help to celebrate the first Grand Prix race ever held in India. Night number two will find us at the Bangalore Palace Ground, Main Palace, Bangalore, on October 30 as part of the Sonisphere festival.
"All tickets are general admission and will go sale on Ticketgenie.in and Dnanetworks.com on May 4 at a time still to be announced.
"And for those of you who like to travel, you might want to keep watching this site."
METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo revealed the band's plans to play India in an April 23 interview with the Inland Empire Weekly magazine.
"We are going to play India in October," he said. "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!
DNA Entertainment Networks, which has previously brought international names like IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, SCORPIONS, ROGER WATERS and DEEP PURPLE to Indian shores, was responsible for booking METALLICA's Indian concerts.
ANTHRAX, HELLYEAH and DEATH ANGEL headlined the eleventh edition of the Pulp Summer Slam festival, dubbed "XI: Resurrection", on April 30 at the Amoranto Stadium in Manila, Philippines. The 15-hour event also featured performances from 25 of the biggest local rock bands in the Philippines, including KAMIKAZEE, CHICOSCI, RAZORBACK, HILERA, FRANCO, MOONSTAR 88, PARAMITA, DAHONG PALAY and IMAGO, among others. Another special guest was the Dubai, United Arab Emirates-based death/thrash metal band NERVECELL.
ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante told the Manila Bulletin that being asked to be part of the concert series was an exciting proposition from the get-go. "We haven't been to the Philippines and when the offer came up we just said yes right away," he said at a press conference the day before the show. "I'm really excited to meet local metal fans and just have a great time."
At the same press conference, HELLYEAH/ex-PANTERA drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, considered the spiritual leader of HELLYEAH, expressed eagerness to "rock out with Filipinos."
"Man, I'm just ready to go out there and rock, you know," he said. "I've heard that you guys are always enthusiastic for music so were going to go out there and give you our best."
A report from the press conference, including photos, can be found at Manila Concert Scene.
Pulp Summer Slam is the largest hard rock and metal festival in the Philippines. It attracts around 30,000 fans every year.
Last year's sold-out event featured headliners LAMB OF GOD and TESTAMENT, along with 35 other acts.
According to Interbridge.com's "The Late Night TV Page", DEF LEPPARD will perform on the Tuesday, May 10 edition of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on NBC-TV.
"The Tonight Show" airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EST. Check local listings for details.
DEF LEPPARD's new live album (with bonus DVD), "Mirrorball", will be released through Bludgeon Riffola/Mailboat Records on the following dates:
Germany, Switzerland, Austria - June 3
Rest Of Europe - June 6
North America - June 7
"Mirrorball" will be available exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club locations in the United States and Canada. The album will include a 50-minute DVD that contains live performances and intimate backstage footage of the band captured on the road. A special limited vinyl edition will also be made available. "Mirrorball" will also be available online, marking the first time the band's music will officially be made available for digital purchase. DEF LEPPARD will also be releasing their new community based website in May, which is being developed to be the ultimate DEF LEPPARD fan experience and go-to destination for all things on the band.
"Mirrorball" features a mix of live DEF LEPPARD classics (recorded throughout The Sparkle Lounge Tour), three brand new studio songs and the aforementioned bonus DVD. "Mirrorball" is DEF LEPPARD's first ever live album and features rock classics such as "Animal", "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Photograph", "Nine Lives" and "Rock Of Ages". The album also brings together three brand new studio tracks — "Undefeated", "Kings Of The World" and "It's All About Believin'" — taking their place with ease within this classic setlist.
Also set for release this summer is LEPPARD's first coffee table book titled "Def Leppard - The Definitive Visual History", with exclusive photos by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin. The book is released on June 1.
DEF LEPPARD will perform on the Thursday, May 12 edition of "Lopez Tonight", comedian George Lopez's talk show on TBS.
The show, which premiered in November 2009, features audience interaction using a high-energy format. The program airs Monday through Thursday at 12:00 a.m. (midnight) Eastern/9:00 p.m. Pacific in the United States.
For more information, visit www.lopeztonight.com.
As previously reported, DEF LEPPARD will perform on the Tuesday, May 10 edition of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" on NBC-TV.
"The Tonight Show" airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. EST. Check local listings for details.
DEF LEPPARD's new live album (with bonus DVD), "Mirrorball", will be released through Bludgeon Riffola/Mailboat Records on the following dates:
Germany, Switzerland, Austria - June 3
Rest Of Europe - June 6
North America - June 7
"Mirrorball" will be available exclusively at Walmart and Sam's Club locations in the United States and Canada. The album will include a 50-minute DVD that contains live performances and intimate backstage footage of the band captured on the road. A special limited vinyl edition will also be made available. "Mirrorball" will also be available online, marking the first time the band's music will officially be made available for digital purchase. DEF LEPPARD will also be releasing their new community based website in May, which is being developed to be the ultimate DEF LEPPARD fan experience and go-to destination for all things on the band.
"Mirrorball" features a mix of live DEF LEPPARD classics (recorded throughout The Sparkle Lounge Tour), three brand new studio songs and the aforementioned bonus DVD. "Mirrorball" is DEF LEPPARD's first ever live album and features rock classics such as "Animal", "Pour Some Sugar On Me", "Photograph", "Nine Lives" and "Rock Of Ages". The album also brings together three brand new studio tracks — "Undefeated", "Kings Of The World" and "It's All About Believin'" — taking their place with ease within this classic setlist.
Also set for release this summer is LEPPARD's first coffee table book titled "Def Leppard - The Definitive Visual History", with exclusive photos by legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin. The book is released on June 1.
In a brand new interview with Forbes.com, legendary rocker Sammy Hagar was asked how he decides what bands he should join and which bands to avoid. "I was asked at one time to be in MÖTLEY CRÜE," he replied. "I was asked at one time to be in PANTERA by their managers. I was asked to be in VELVET REVOLVER when Scott Weiland quit and went back to the STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. I was waiting to be asked to be in LED ZEPPELIN to say no, since they were the greatest band on earth and no could replace Robert Plant. I was asked to be in AEROSMITH and I said no. Certain bands and certain frontman singers are more difficult to replace than others. Steven Tyler and that band have stayed together for forty years and you don't to walk into something like that. They had one moment years ago, when they replaced Joe Perry, but it's still always been Steven at the front of AEROSMITH. You don't replace that. When I came into VAN HALEN, it was easy because Dave [Lee Roth]
wasn't a great singer, but he was a good frontman. In those times, I was selling out the same arenas they were, so it was like the combination of two forces and it worked but it's a rare thing. We were all lucky that the fans accepted it and it got bigger. I would avoid bands that are going to break up pretty soon."
When asked how having a strong band behind him in VAN HALEN helped him establish his brand, Hagar said, "Certainly the exposure of a band like VAN HALEN for 10-11 years, we were one of the biggest bands in the world and walked out into sold out crowds every night. The way I dressed and presented myself, the fact that I wrote every lyric in that band, and every song I sang was pretty much exploiting who I am to the audience. The exposure of the band helped promote my tequila company. Lots of people are coming up with tequilas, but you're going to have to come up with 5-10 million dollars a year to promote to break a new brand. If you're not Sammy Hagar or someone on that level who can go out and promote it as part of your job, it's going to cost you a lot of money. If you're me, you don't have to spend a penny on it. I promoted it on tour, saving five million dollars and made money on my shows. It was a great crossover; rolling my brand into my business.
It works the best when you're a real person, having a TV show like Jay Leno, or being a rock star playing for thousands of people every night. It's not cheap if you own what you're doing and it's all about you. If you're promoting someone else's product that way, you're cheap. A lot of celebrities endorse products that they don't give a crap about, just trying to pretend like it's theirs. That doesn't work so well. . . If you don't own it, and just endorse it, people can read through that and you become phony. The crazy thing about it is you're spending all that time for a small amount of money and it's their thing, and when they're done with you, they spit you out. That's the way the media is and the way most corporate people think. Probably, my guess is that it would be very hard for me to get an endorsement right now. I'm an aging rock star, over the hill, and they're looking for the young current guy. That's cool and all but it so much better than
doing your own thing. It has more value. The biggest stars right now may not have longevity, like Charlie Sheen. If someone representing your brand does something like that, your brand goes down the toilet. It's much better to leave that complicated thing out and start your own business."
MÖTLEY CRÜE, one of the world's most iconic rock bands, hosted a special gathering at Bamboozle tonight revealing details about their summer tour. The unveiling included images and a description of their new set design, the set list decided by fans and a surprise announcement of Tommy Lee's "360" drum rollercoaster.
"We're looking forward to being together again and to a really special production. It will also be cool to sing some of these songs we haven't performed together in almost 20 years," said frontman Vince Neil.
The band's veteran production manager and set designer, Robert Long, presented graphic renderings of the new set design, which he described as "a hard-hitting CRÜE rendition of a rock 'n' roll burlesque theatre." According to Long, the entire stage will be enveloped in red velvet drapery and a damask printed wall of guitar amps.
Continuing to integrate the input of their fans, MÖTLEY CRÜE conducted a survey by listing every song they have ever recorded. Fans voted at Motley.com for the final set list, which includes tracks band hasn't performed live together in almost 20 years.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's drummer Tommy Lee shared that he will once again be thrill-seeking on the CRÜE's new "360" drum rollercoaster. During his drum solo, Lee will be launched into multiple loops while continuing to perform.
The initial tour announcement by Nikki Sixx, Tommy Lee and NEW YORK DOLLS' David Johansen was made on the syndicated radio show "Sixx Sense With Nikki Sixx" Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 p.m. local time. The trek headlined by MÖTLEY CRÜE with support from POISON and special guests NEW YORK DOLLS will kick off June 7 in Dallas, Texas and hit approximately 40 cities before coming to a close in early August.
According to the Las Vegas Sun, MÖTLEY CRÜE frontman Vince Neil has been ordered by a Las Vegas judge to stay away from and not to have contact with his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs.
Neil pleaded not guilty today through his attorneys to a charge of battery constituting domestic violence for allegedly striking Jacobs in the chest with his finger. He also pleaded not guilty to another misdemeanor charge, disorderly conduct for allegedly harassing Jacobs' friends, Patricia McCrone, and John Katsilometes, who is a Las Vegas Sun columnist and editor.
Justice of the Peace Pro Tem Linda Norvell Marquis set Neil's trial for 8:30 a.m. August 8 in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Neil last week completed all of the requirements of his sentence stemming from his DUI case from last June. The sentence ordered him to serve 15 days of jail time, 15 days of house arrest, pay a $585 fine, attend DUI school and attend a victim-impact panel online.
RATT frontman Stephen Pearcy has set "Suckerpunch" as the title of his new solo album. The CD's first single, "Don't Want To Talk About", will be released digitally via iTunes on Tuesday, May 3.
Pearcy will hit the road this June as part of the "Metal In America" tour. The singer's touring band includes an impressive pedigree of rock alumni consisting of drummer Greg D'Angelo (ex-WHITE LION), guitarist Greg Walls (ex-ANTHRAX), bassist Mike Duda (W.A.S.P.) and guitarist Erik Ferentinos (ANTIDIVISION; signed to Pearcy's Top Fuel Records).
The "Metal In America" tour is expected to run through end of summer and will include material from RATT's deep catalog of classic rock anthems and Pearcy's impressive solo material.
For tour date information, visit www.stephen-pearcy.com.
In addition to his solo work, Pearcy is focusing on running his record label, Top Fuel Records, as well as launching BATTERING RAMM, a group in which he plays guitar and whose music he has described as "way more aggressive than anything I've done in the past."
Pearcy recently recorded a new version of RATT's '80s hit "Wanted Man" for "Big John's Rock N Lock", the new show featuring world-famous rock and roll bodyguard "Big" John Murray, celebrity reality star of VH1's "Rock Of Love".
Pearcy posted a message on Twitter in March stating that RATT will remain inactive for the remainder of 2011 while he pursues other projects, including the release of a new solo album. He said, "RATT with me involved will not be active [in] 2011, maybe longer. No new record, tour, or life with me until things are back on track! Until then, M.I.A."
Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER have recruited Mike Mangini — the 48-year-old session artist who has played for ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, JAMES LABRIE and STEVE VAI — as the replacement for the recently departed Mike Portnoy.
In a posting on his official forum, DREAM THEATER guitarist John Petrucci writes, "Well, it's been a very exciting day for all of us in DREAM THEATER and we are happy to finally share the news that Mike Mangini is our new drummer! He is not only a beast of a player but an incredible person as well who truly and fully understands and values everything that we strive to be as a band.
"Thank you for being so patient and incredibly supportive to us throughout the years and especially over the last several months.
"Thank you for your faith in us and your immediate and practically across-the-board acceptance of Mike Mangini as our new drummer.
"Thank you for the positive words about the documentary [three-part web series documenting DREAM THEATER's drummer search] and all of your passion and dedication.
"The movie is our gift and our invitation into something that would traditionally be very private and I appreciate everyone's sensitivity towards that.
"There's a lot of work to be done, so back to the studio.
"John Myung finished tracking bass today and Jordan [Rudess, keyboards] is recording as I type.
"Things are real busy around here.
"Can't wait for everyone to hear the new music and to begin playing live with Mike!"
Mangini previously stated about his addition to DREAM THEATER, "The day that I got the phone call to be in DREAM THEATER, it took my brain a minute to assemble what was going on, and when it sank in, the feeling was just of tremendous relief.
"It means so much to me, I almost felt like crying a couple of times. [Laughs] I didn't know what to do.
"What it means to me to be part of not only such a legendary band, but this band, is a sense of fulfillment and purpose. I feel like a puzzle piece, and with Mike [Portnoy] in particular, I feel really honored to carry on the torch for him; I'm carrying on his spirit."
Mangini is notorious for his technical prowess and holds three out of four World's Fastest Drummer titles. These include the Fastest Matched grip at 1,247 strokes in 60 seconds; Fastest Hands, which he earned by executing 1,203 single-stroke notes in 60 seconds without drumsticks mallets etc.; Fastest Traditional Grip which he earned by executing 1,126 strokes in 60 seconds; and Fastest Single Stroke Foot record, playing 13,222 hits in 15 minutes and 5,222 hits in five minutes.
Mangini has written two books about his drumming techniques. These books, titled "Rhythm Knowledge", are a practice method for deconstructing and simplifying complex polyrhythms and time signatures.
Mangini joined ANNIHILATOR in 1991 and appeared on the band's "Set The World On Fire" album. He toured with the group in support of the CD until 1994 at which point he was asked to play with the Massachusetts band EXTREME, replacing that group's original drummer Paul Geary.
After EXTREME dissolved in 1996, Mike was informed through drummer Jonathan Mover that guitarist Steve Vai was auditioning drummers for his live band. Mike successfully auditioned for Steve Vai's band and relocated to Los Angeles.
From late 1996 to early 2000, Mangini was the highly regarded drummer of Vai's live ensemble, which also included bassist Philip Bynoe, guitar wizard Mike Keneally and (in 2000) guitarist Dave Weiner. Mike also recorded several drum tracks for Steve's "Fire Garden" and "Ultrazone" albums.
In 2005, Mike accepted a full-time teaching position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and today he is a prominent faculty member in the school's percussion department.
Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER more than 20 years ago, abruptly quit the band last summer while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD.
He played on AVENGED SEVENFOLD's latest album, "Nightmare", following the death of that band's drummer, Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan, and toured with them in late 2010 .
Drumhead magazine spoke to new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini about how he landed his new gig and the preparation for the recording process for the band's new album.
"I'm pinching myself," he said. "I wake up most mornings thinking about my personal playing growth and DREAM THEATER. I have a smile and it's amazing — what a great day I have when I acknowledge what is happening to me. How did I end up here? Whoa!
"Part of my joining any band, or going for any drumming position, is me just letting what is, be. I don't want to change anything that's going on. I just want to play my drums; that's it, that's what I want to do. All I'm expecting to do is to be able to have the opportunity to come up with the greatest drum stuff that I can come up with, along with respect what DREAM THEATER is already.
"What Mike Portnoy has made for DREAM THEATER — and it's not hard for me to like that — is a great thing, it's not only hectic drum stuff, it has a sound, and his sound stems from some similar influences. We both love RUSH and METALLICA, so it's feeling natural for me to do that. I want to continue to replicate that kind of a vibe, as well as to offer a new drum thing that I have been working on that is DREAM THEATER.
"As for the audition, I just walked in with a great feeling and greeted everyone, 'Hi, guys, I'm ready for this.' I was absolutely ready to go in there and not make one stinking mistake. In my mind, I had to be like that. This was important to me. I just had too much interest in these people and in this music to blow it. I was not going to blow it.
"So there I am. I play the tunes and everything is just forward-motion for me, meaning, I wasn't thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is an audition!' It was more, 'Okay, I'm going to count here, I'm going to look at Jordan [Rudess] there playing the keyboard line, John Myung here, John Petrucci there, James LaBrie there, etc.' I was in the moment. My eyes were picking up everything they were doing. It was like I knew everything they did. For example, if John Myung played something different in 'The Spirit Carries On', I was ready. I was watching, listening and feeling everything they were doing like my life depended on it. When Jordan or John did something in a solo, I followed it. I thrived off that 'one' guitar riff I just had to catch. I would look at them and let them know that I knew what they were doing. [John Petrucci] picked up on everything.
"We were on the same page 100 percent, it seemed. They kept coming over to me and saying the nicest things, acknowledging what I was doing.
"I don't want to sound broken or needy, but I needed them to say these things. I believe we all can use acknowledgement and a dose of niceness with what we really love to do. They knew that I respected them and appreciated being there."
On the preparation for the recording process for the new DREAM THEATER album:
"John [Petrucci] sent me a demo. He didn't ask me to do anything, he just said, 'Check it out.' I grabbed it and thought, 'I'm going to get back to him quicker than he thinks I am, and I'm going to get back to him with more than he's expecting. I'm going to go the extra 17 miles.' So, I transcribed it, got into my studio and recorded it, tried stuff and just did a take. And it was okay. I listened to it and thought to let my wife hear it, and she said, 'You're holding back.' She's not a musician, but she said, 'I know you. You're holding back.' And she was absolutely right. I said, 'You know what?! I'm afraid of doing something wrong or doing too much.' Anyway, I did another take and I kind of let go. Again, because everything happened so naturally in the audition, that's what I needed to follow as a feeling: just be me. Not think too much about this, that and the other thing, and just go with what's coming out naturally. If it's not the right thing,
he'll tell me."
On the beginning of this new chapter in his drumming career:
"So, how did it happen… I prayed daily and I just put my head down and said, 'I can do this. I cannot fail those who also believe that I can do this. It's for my family, extended family, friends, fellow drummer friends, endorsement companies and students that also believe that I'll make good on the gifts I've been given. And finally it's for the DREAM THEATER family for giving me the opportunity.'"
A little more than a month after drummer Mike Portnoy's sudden departure from DREAM THEATER, the band held three days of auditions in New York City. Over an incredibly productive three-day period, the band played, jammed and spoke candidly and at length with seven of the world's greatest drummers. The remaining members of the band got to know the candidates musically, personally and professionally and thus assessed the fit of each drummer's incredible chops with the band's trademark prog-rock sound.
After intense consideration, the band has unanimously chosen drummer Mike Mangini (EXTREME, STEVE VAI, ANNIHILATOR) to fill the seat behind the kit which was left vacant by Portnoy's departure late last summer.
DREAM THEATER began telling their intense tale on April 21 when the band took to its Facebook page to give fans a glimpse into the audition process. A video tool that was powered by new technology prompted fans to "like" the page in order to unlock exclusive content. Much to the joy of fans, a trailer for the three-part documentary series on the audition process was then revealed. Those that "liked" the page then received updates on when and where the actual documentary would be airing.
The series, which is featured on Roadrunner Records' YouTube channel, has received an overwhelmingly positive response from fans and critics alike and amassed over 1.5 million views in one week's time. Additionally, both DREAM THEATER and Mike Mangini were trending topics on Twitter this past Friday, behind only royal wedding-related topics.
Keyboardist Jordan Rudess reflected on Mangini's audition, saying, "From the first count-off to the very last note of the final song, every beat Mike played was not only in perfect time, but also executed with an undeniable sense of virtuosity and musicality."
The band has always 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 fans around the world, and has treated their announcement of their new rhythm section anchor with incredible respect to the band's legacy.
"The departure of our lifelong bandmate and friend was an unexpected and truly heartbreaking blow," said 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. But when we played with the infectiously positive powerhouse of a drummer that is Mike Mangini, we knew we had found a silver lining to what has been, by far, the most challenging episode in our musical lives."
Bassist John Myung explained that "Mike Mangini is inspiring to us on many levels. His attitude and outlook are entirely positive. His total immersion into performing with us is undeniable, and during the audition, we all felt his strong musical and personal presence. At the same time, we also felt a real unity. He will open up our creative potential. It was destiny at work for us to have found the right person at the right time."
Going into the auditions, singer James LaBrie had a strong vibe for Mangini's potential. "I had the privilege of working with Mike on three of my solo albums, so I knew he would be a huge contender. He is without a doubt one of the most intelligent, intuitive, interpretive and virtuosic musicians I have ever played with."
Mangini is completely cognizant of the demanding rhythmic and artistic responsibilities he'll be expected to take on as the band's new timemaster, as well as how deeply the band's history and relationship runs with DREAM THEATER's passionate and dedicated followers. "I went to work diligently on the audition material far beyond just learning the songs," explained Mangini, who, upon taking up the mantle for DREAM THEATER, gives up a coveted faculty position at the Berklee College of Music. "I imagined myself onstage with them, giving the fans what I know Mike Portnoy — who is obviously a legend — always worked so hard to provide. For his sake, as well as for the fans and the band's, I fought hard to earn the privilege of carrying on the spirit of DREAM THEATER. At the same time, I wanted to honor Mike's incredible drumming and musical interpretations. This band has a phenomenal past. DREAM THEATER's fans are so passionate about DREAM THEATER's music.
They deserve to hear the songs they know played as they love them. I'm responsible for that now."
With the addition of Mangini to the band's lineup, DREAM THEATER moved forward into the studio to begin recording their third release for Roadrunner Records. Guitarist John Petrucci reprises his role as producer, and Paul Northfield (RUSH, QUEENSRŸCHE, PORCUPINE TREE) assumes the same engineering position that he has had on DREAM THEATER's previous two Roadrunner releases. The band will kick off a world tour in July 2011.
Mangini, for one, cannot wait to get on the road and show the DREAM THEATER fan base why he was the chosen one. "I am just bursting at the seams on being the new drummer for DREAM THEATER," he said. "Digesting the incredibly challenging catalog, exploding with creative ideas, and anticipating what James, John, John and Jordan will come up with collectively and individually for new music and a fresh stage show is going to be really exciting and fun for me. I consider this opportunity the absolute pinnacle of my career. I can't even imagine what untapped and future musical genius is inside of these guys; I can't wait until we get into the studio together. Playing with these guys…it's the mountaintop. This is where I want to be."
In the May 2011 issue of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Glenn Danzig was asked about the widely circulated video clip from 2004 (see below) where NORTH SIDE KINGS singer and frequent SOULFLY collaborator Danny Marianinho confronts Glenn backstage because Danny's band didn't get to play at one of DANZIG's gigs before Glenn shoves him and ends up getting punched out by Marianinho. To this day, there are those who are surprised that someone with Danzig's martial-arts training should have been so easily knocked down.
"I allowed it to happen," Glenn told Metal Hammer. "Why? Because there are always those looking to goad you into hitting them so they can sue you. It happens to public figures all the time. It's a way of life."
Speaking to Spin magazine in 2007, Danzig elaborated on his reasons for avoiding a full-on physical altercation with Marianinho. "No one asks, 'Why did you push him instead of nailing him right in the face?' 'Cause there's a camera rolling!" he said. 'I have so many friends who've lost tons of money from that setup, punching people and getting sued. One of my guys a long time ago worked for GUNS N' ROSES and he told me, 'You're lucky you've never been sued.' He said Duff McKagan would go into these clubs, and a guy would have a friend there with a camera: 'Hey, GUNS N' ROSES pussy!' [Strikes fist against palm, mimicking a punch] And they'd walk out. Next day, million-dollar lawsuit."
When asked about the incident in a 2006 interview with KNAC.COM, Danzig said, "I know they (the NORTH SIDE KINGS) milked it (the video) for all they could. But that was two years ago. I don't know how much good it ended up doing for them. Are they even still around? The only people who keep bringing it up are you people (music hacks). And, yes, I am sick of talking about it. But the people who have always liked me probably still like me, the people who hate me probably still hate me. It didn't change anything."
In a July 2004 statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Danny Marianinho explained the circumstances that led to his confrontation with Danzig. "NORTH SIDE KINGS were to play with DANZIG [on July 3, 2004] in Tuba City, Arizona," he said.
"To make a long story short, the whole show was a disaster and a few bands got bumped off. Mr. Danzig (or his management??) refused to push back the original scheduled time slot so NORTH SIDE KINGS and RAPID FIRE would have to play 'after' his set. Whatever — we agreed to play later because we drove 6 hours and didn't feel like going home without playing.
"Needless to say, as soon as DANZIG was finished, the venue turned on the lights and DANZIG's crew and the staging company began to take the stage apart almost instantly. I confronted Mr. Danzig backstage while he was signing autographs and told him I thought he was an asshole because of his 'rock star' attitude and no consideration towards the FEW other bands that got bumped off tonight. In a fit of rage he turned around and slammed me into the wall yelling 'Fuck you, motherfucker,' trying to be a big, tough guy in front of his fans. I, in self-defense, punched him in the face, knocking him out as he was attacking me again. He went down, bleeding from his mouth, eyes rolled back, and in shock that he got knocked to the floor so quickly.
"A friend happened to tape the entire incident and this is all documented. Many witnesses saw him attack me, and I did what any man would do.
"It was unfortunate that this went the way it did — and I hoped Glenn Danzig learned a valuable lesson tonight: Do not lay your hands on anyone unless you can handle what may happen.
"I apologize for nothing, except for the poor little kids that had to witness this big asshole get his ass kicked in a matter of seconds..."
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY has recruited Mike Froedge (pictured below; SPEED X, DOUBLEDRIVE) as its new drummer.
Will Hunt left BLACK LABEL SOCIETY in late February in order to join his EVANESCENCE bandmates in the studio for the recording sessions for the band's third album.
Sitting behind the kit for BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's recent European dates was Johnny Kelly (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SEVENTH VOID), who made his live debut with the band on February 25 at La Cigale in Paris, France.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "The Song Remains Not The Same" will be released on May 10 via Entertainment One Music. The offering features unplugged versions of material from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's latest album, "Order Of The Black", as well as additional material recorded during the "Order Of The Black" sessions. "The Song Remains Not The Same" was conceived, created and compiled by BLS mainman Zakk Wylde himself and the title is, of course, a nod to one of Wylde's favorite bands, LED ZEPPELIN.
The latest single from BLACK LABEL SOCIETY's "Order Of The Black", "Darkest Days" went to radio adds on March 21. The track showcases Wylde's softer side with soulful lyrics, a hauntingly beautiful melody and captivating piano played by the guitar icon himself. An alternate version of the song featuring country superstar John Rich will appear on "The Song Remains Not The Same".
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY will return to North America in early May to headline Fuse's Uranium Tour 2011 presented by Mistress Juliya.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/bsldrummer.jpg
"Wings Are For Angels", a brand new song from the reunited "Thundersteel" lineup of U.S. metal veterans RIOT, will be featured on a Japan earthquake and tsunami relief CD, to be released later this month via Marquee/Avalon. The track, which was mixed by Bruno Ravel (DANGER DANGER), "came out amazing," according to guitarist Mark Reale.
RIOT performed "Wings Are For Angels" for the first time at the Sweden Rock Festival on June 6, 2009.
RIOT is continuing work its next studio album, tentatively due later in the year.
The group last year reunited with Tony Moore — only nine months after announcing that they were parting ways with the vocalist over "differences about how to proceed with the future of the band."
Sony Music reissued RIOT's classic albums "Thundersteel" (1988) and "The Privilege Of Power" (1990) albums in October 2009 via HMV Japan. Each CD was digitally remastered and contains bonus tracks.
Mark Morton of Heavy Metal Examiner recently conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow of Canadian heavy metal legends ANVIL. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Heavy Metal Examiner: It has to feel good that America has finally awoken and is taking notice of you.
Lips: I am extremely grateful for what has happened. It's a very pure story; a miraculous story, there's no doubt about that! But in many regards, it has to do with karma — what you put in is what you get out. You know, I met a kid who was fifteen years old during our first trip to England. We made friends with him, later learning that he had relatives in Toronto, and before we knew it, he was coming to visit us here in Canada. We asked him to come out on the road as our drum roadie. We knew the kid had an amazing intellect and knew that he would grow up to do great things. Well, as it turned out, he grew up to be a screenwriter and even worked with Steven Spielberg. I hadn't heard from him in 20 years; he gets in touch with me and takes a look at our career, having been an avid ANVIL fan and flipped right out! Imagine going through life figuring that the band you grew up loving had broken up years ago, because you couldn't find their records. And then
you find out 20 years later that they put out 10 more albums since you last saw them! And that's exactly what happened. And my attitude has always been, "One day, it's going to happen for me." I've always felt that way, because history was adding up; like a dam ready to break. We basically went on an integrity hunt. We wrote music that we felt we wanted to play, and we had no other intention than that. So, at the end of the day, here's this underground band that has managed to continue to function for 30 years, and they made a movie about it. And now it's not underground.
Heavy Metal Examiner: And when it happened, it completely boggled my mind how the floodgates opened for you, from the television appearances to the arena concerts.
Lips: It's because the story was compelling! It's unusual! Just the fact alone that I have been playing together with Robb [Reiner, drums] since 1973 is extraordinarily unusual. The only other place you're going to find that kind of longevity is probably RAVEN, but in their situation, it's two brothers. I mean, they've been together their whole lives, but they're brothers! So we're a little outside the box, because we're not brothers; we've been friends for 37 years. That is extraordinary, as is the way the whole thing came to pass, and what the story had to say, as well as the emotions that it evoked from people. It's been completely incredible. Sacha [Gervasi, director] is a genius in that he knew exactly what to create. I also think people were tired of the illusions of the industry and wanted to see what really was going on. And it's like that everywhere, which I think is why reality TV is so successful. People are tired of the same old things. And
again, this isn't something that came to pass in a year; it took 30 years to pull it all together. It might seem simple, but there were elements required to make this whole thing plausible. This is something that can never happen again, because the band had to have been around and had to have some influence on a span of generations of people for this to work in the first place.
Heavy Metal Examiner: So is the irony lost on you that all of these mainstream outlets that have been spreading the word of ANVIL in the past couple of years are the very same outlets that, by their silence (and ignorance) have kept you in the underground all that time?
Lips: Honestly, I'm really not bitter. I really don't spend time thinking about things in that way. I'm too busy celebrating the moment to stop and think about things like that. It's not a case of indignation; it really isn't. I'm not here to teach the naysayers a lesson. They won't learn anything anyway; they will still feel they are right. With regards to music and opinions, people stay with them. They won't change, even if the band's stature does. I'm not going to worry about things like that. It's not relevant to me. My job is to give joy to those who want it.
Brazilian/American thrashers SEPULTURA will release their new album, "Kairos" (an ancient Greek word signifying a time in between, a moment of undetermined period of time in which something special happens) on June 24 in Europe and July 12 in North America via Nuclear Blast Records. The artwork for the CD was created by Erich Sayers, a Los Angeles-based freelance digital artist and photographer whom SEPULTURA first met at the band's recent concert at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California.
SEPULTURA's new CD was recorded at Trama Studios in São Paulo, Brazil with producer Roy Z. (JUDAS PRIEST, HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, HELLOWEEN). 13 tracks were laid down during the sessions, including cover versions of MINISTRY's "Just One Fix" and THE PRODIGY's "Firestarter".
"Kairos" track listing:
01. Spectrum
02. Kairos
03. Relentless
(2011)
04. Just One Fix (MINISTRY cover)
05. Dialog
06. Mask
(1433)
07. Seethe
08. Born Strong
09.Embrace The Storm
(5772)
10. No One Will Stand
11. Structure Violence (Azzes)
(4648)
"Kairos" deluxe edition track listing:
01. Spectrum
02. Kairos
03. Relentless
(2011)
04. Just One Fix (MINISTRY cover)
05. Dialog
06. Mask
(1433)
07. Seethe
08. Born Strong
09. Embrace The Storm
(5772)
10. No One Will Stand
11. Structure Violence (AZZES)
(4648)
Bonus tracks:
12. Firestarter (THE PRODIGY cover)
13. Point Of No Return
* Plus bonus making-of DVD
In a recent interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, SEPULTURA guitarist and main songwriter Andreas Kisser was asked how the band came up with the "Kairos" title. "The whole theme of the album is the concept of the time, and the title reflects that — it's like one concept of time which is not chronological, from one to two; it's like a an instant in time, it's a special time of change," he replied, before adding, "Everyone's life is written by [their] choices — you have many 'kairos' moments, like if you go [from] point A [to point] B [to point] C, you are driven by your choices or your guidance; you have to go either one way or the other. And that's the kind of time we talked about — not about aging or getting old or going back [in time]; it's just [about those important] moments that can change everything. . .We thought about [that in regards to] SEPULTURA itself — 26 years of history and the moment where we are now; why we're here; why we're doing
this album and why we have what we have; the changes we have inside and outside the band. It's a collection of 'kairos' [moments] that [got us] here. It's being inspired by our own biography, but mostly [focusing] on what SEPULTURA is today."
Regarding the "Kairs" artwork, Andreas said, "The artwork is done already. We had this young guy [Los Angeles-based freelance digital artist and photographer Erich Sayers] that we met backstage at our show in Hollywood, at the House of Blues, in January. This guy was a fan and he gave us his card and he sent us some artwork and it was fucking amazing; the guy is an awesome artist. And we decided to work with him on this album. We explained to him the concept and, of course, we sent him lyrics and some pictures and some sculptures, [visual] representations of 'kairos,' and he came up with a really cool design. It's woman's body figure with a skull with a type of skin that is like a gel melting with big wings and stuff. And she's holding an [hourglass] with [the SEPULTURA] tribal 'S' [logo]. it's really nice. He really worked fast and he was very creative with a lot of ideas. We were very fortunate to find a guy like this under those circumstances — at a
show — and it was great to work with [someone who] was so excited to be working with us."
On the topic of the songwriting process for SEPULTURA's new CD, Andreas said, "[We] really [wanted to] keep [the album] short. One of the characteristics of the old albums [was that they didn't have a lot of songs on them] — like 'Arise' had nine songs, and 'Master Of Puppets' had nine or eight — so our idea was to have ten songs, and really [make them as good as possible], maybe add parts and think a little bit more about the riffs instead of just throwing songs out there one after the other. 'Cause with [2006's] 'Dante XXI' and 'A-Lex', it was kind of that way... especially with 'A-Lex', since it was our first album with Jean Dolabella on drums, just working with him, writing with him for the first time, it was more like a big jam. But this one, we stopped and thought more about the whole concept and we focused on being more creative in the end. After using books [as the basis of the lyrical concepts on] our past albums, and the experience of doing
that, we limited ourselves [this time around] to be more creative. I think it really helps when you have a goal and focus, and it worked great on this album."
When asked about SEPULTURA's decision to work with Roy Z this time around, Kisser said, "The idea [for the new album] was really to put SEPULTURA on stage in the studio and having a producer that is [also a performing artist himself], it helps a lot [in capturing that live energy] in the [recording studio]. The album was practically recorded live; that was the idea initially — to try to be as live as possible — and more than 50 percent of first takes [is what we kept on the record]. It sounds really live and we're very happy with the chemistry we had with Roy in the studio. He really liked the idea of trying this raw approach. He didn't know the studio very well in São Paulo, but he learned [as we went along]. We didn't have too much time for pre-production [either], but everything worked out really perfectly. We were ready to record and he was very quick and smart in finding ways to [capture] the sound [we were looking for]. It was fun to record
guitars with him, using different pedals and amps and stuff, and [he had] nice ideas to build really cool solos. So it was great; he was really the perfect guy for us [to work with] at this moment. . . In the end, the result is amazing; we're very happy. I think it's one of the best SEPULTURA albums that we ever did — the whole vibe and the sound and the lyrics and the songs and the style. I'm very confident that we created something really special with this one."
Many years have passed since the last SEVEN WITCHES album saw the light of day and guitarist/mainman Jack Frost decided it was time to give the fans what they wanted... and brought back James Rivera (HELSTAR) to front the group once again.
With the monstrous bass and songwriting of Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) and drums from Taz Marazz, Jack Frost and the guys recently completed work on a new album with Joey Vera (ARMORED SAINT, FATES WARNING) handling the mixing. Entitled "Call Upon The Wicked", the CD features material that ranges in sound from classic JUDAS PRIEST to a touch of RAINBOW. There's even an epic song featuring female vocals, a new step in the band's chapter. The record is a bit of a concept, talking about how women have been the decline of men since the beginning of time.
Due on June 3, "Call Upon The Wicked" features the following track listing:
01. Fields Of Fire (4:09)
02. Lilith (5:11)
03. Call Upon The Wicked (3:43)
04. Ragnarock (3:46)
05. End Of Days (9:01)
06. Mind Games (3:26)
07. Harlot Of Troy (4:30)
08. Eyes Of Fame (4:24)
09. White Room (5:34)
10. Metal Tyrant (bonus track) (5:01)
11. Metal Asylum (bonus track) (3:45)
12. Jacob (bonus track) 8:42)
Rivera sang on SEVEN WITCHES' "Passage To The Other Side" (2003) and "Year Of The Witch" (2004) albums.
SEVEN WITCHES' last CD, "Deadly Sins", came out in November 2007 via Screaming Ferret Wreckords. In addition to guitarist Jack Frost's impressive six-string skills, the album featured two other metal giants in their respective fields — ex-HADES/WATCHTOWER vocalist Alan Tecchio (who also appeared on SEVEN WITCHES' "Amped" release) and ARMORED SAINT/FATES WARNING/ANTHRAX bassist Joey Vera.
The current lineup for SEVEN WITCHES is:
James Rivera (HELSTAR) - Vocals
Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X) - Bass
Jack Frost - Guitar
Taz Marazz – Drums
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/sevenwitchescall.jpg
Vocalist Angela Gossow of Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY recently spoke to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine about her first couple of years as frontwoman of the melodeath heavyweights, as well as offer her thoughts on the tag "female-fronted" and why metal's rebellious nature has always appealed to her.
On the impact that bringing in a female singer had on ARCH ENEMY:
Gossow: "When I joined the band and we made [2001's 'Wages Of Sin'], we initially got some positive responses, but when it was finally released the whole 'No way, it's a chick!' thing started, because that was actually quite new back then. So we got a lot of attention, media coverage and support through that, and we supported bands like IRON MAIDEN and NILE, and it was just surreal. I didn't think about it much at first, but there was a lot of press that came because of me being a woman. It went in a direction that had me thinking, 'Right, I thought we were emancipated, but now we're back to this thing of there being a chick in a band?' We had to consciously work against that — we'd be regretting it ten years down the line if we became established as 'Angela And The Enemies.'"
On the term "female-fronted metal":
Gossow: "What does it mean? That the singer has tits! [Laughs] It doesn't say anything about the music, or the quality of the musicianship, and that's something that we've always tried to sail around and avoid. It's a bad thing for us, and other bands go well with it and it's okay if they're comfortable with it, but we're not a 'female-fronted' band. We're an extreme metal band, and that's all I want us to be remembered as."
On her kinship with extreme metal itself:
Gossow: "Metal is a type of music that deals a lot with personal freedom and rebellion, thinking for yourself and questioning authority. It's a music that is loud and demands attention, and it's the sound of freedom. That's been my life philosophy in the way that I live my life, and when I joined ARCH ENEMY I made that a reality, because there's nothing more free than being in a band. Metal is the type of music that says, 'Go fuck yourself. This is my life and I have the basic rights to use it.'"
You can read more on Angela's life growing up and the band themselves — as well as grab yourself a mega-sized Angela poster — in the current issue of Terrorizer, out now.
Florida metallers TRIVIUM recently finished recording their new album at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida with the production/mixing team of Colin Richardson (MACHINE HEAD, BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, SLIPKNOT, FEAR FACTORY) and Martin "Ginge" Ford. The follow-up to 2008's "Shogun" is being mixed in England for a summer release via Roadrunner Records.
In a recent interview with U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, TRIVIUM guitarist/vocalist Matt Heafy stated about the songwriting process for the band's new CD, "We've been writing for a year and a half to two years. We demoed for eight months on our own and spent two and a half days in pre-production.
"When we did [2006's] 'The Crusade', we were in a very weird time as a band; we weren't talking very much, it was very tense. I used to hate going to band practice and used to hate touring because it was always such a weird environment… so tense. Now everything is just fun. There are no limits to creativity now.
"[Bassist] Paolo [Gregoletto] has really stepped up as an integral songwriter on this record. Most of the music we started with on this record was brought to us by Paolo. He has really created this new soundscape for this band that's kind of mindblowing.
"The last record was our 'super-long-song' record. This one doesn't have as many long songs as [2008's] 'Shogun', but they are there when it's appropriate to do so. Some of the songs are the most to-to-point and best songs we've ever done that's not about technicality."
"Having our four brains and all our ears together for eight months, we have learned what each person is supposed to do in the band, like what we each bring to the table, what each person can offer a song. I truly believe it sounds more like us than ever.
"Some of the songs are the most intense technically and maybe melodically. It's such a broad spectrum [of sounds], but it really feels like it all fits. There are things on here we've never done before."
"The whole concept of this album has been thought out for a year, so it's not just music, it's a whole package, enhanced and realized. We've had the album art done for awhile now and there are days when I just sit and stare at it and listen to the music we have and write lyrics. Even now I don't know what the picture of of, though. When I ask [the artist[ what it is, he just smiles and says, 'It is what it is.'"
Regarding what TRIVIUM's latest addition, drummer Nick Augusto, has added to the band's sound, Heafy said, "This is the first time Nick has ever been in a proper studio. He's a sick drummer; he can play technical death metal, extreme death, he can play blast beats at a million miles a minute, double-kick faster than kids who need triggers. But he's also learned to rein it in as well so we can bring in extra dimensions. People questioned whether he could play groove drums or simple rock things. He really can and it's incredible."
TRIVIUM's last album, "Shogun", sold just under 24,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 23 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD followed up "The Crusade", which opened with 31,000 copies in October 2006 to land at No. 25.
"Shogun" was released in North America on September 30, 2008 via Roadrunner Records. The CD was mixed in London by Colin Richardson, with Jeff Rose and Martin "Ginge" Ford assisting on engineering duties.
American doom metal titans YOB have entered Dogwood Studios in Eugene, Oregon with producer Jeff Olsen to begin work on their sixth album. This marks the second time that the band has teamed with Profound Lore Records, the first being for 2009's highly regarded "The Great Cessation".
Commented YOB vocalist/guitarist Mike Scheidt: "We will be recording with Jeff Olsen at Dogwood Studios in Eugene, Oregon, where every YOB recording has been realized. Profound Lore will be handling the album's release and we couldn't be happier.
"This album is very aggressive. Certainly it has all of the elements of our other albums, but it propels and pummels in ways that are unique in our catalogue.
"We are very excited to share this new music with our friends worldwide.
"YOB has received many request over the years to tour again. This year, we will do exactly that. After we are done recording, we will begin rehearsing for a full U.S. tour beginning the first week of July, followed by a full European tour in September.
"We are thrilled to announce that our labelmates DARK CASTLE will be accompanying YOB on all of the dates both in the U.S. and in Europe, with Rob Shaffer of DARK CASTLE laying down drums for YOB on both tours.
"It is going to be a great year for us, and we can't wait to see you on the road! DOOM!!!"
TESTAMENT/ex-SAVATAGE guitarist and leader of ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, Alex Skolnick, has posted the following message on his official web site:
"Every day I get a daily 'alert' informing me whenever my name is mentioned on a blog or website. Usually these are online reviews, recent interviews being posted, or just a mention on a web forum.
"Well, for the past several weeks, I've been seeing increasing numbers of links next to the words 'Alex Skolnick Trio,' with words like: 'Download All You Want, 'Free MP3s' 'Free Full Albums.' These are usually accompanied by tags such as Hotshare, Rapidfile, Megaupload, etc… The picture is one of countless examples. In other words, more and more illegal sites are joining in every day to, without our permission, give away our new album for free.
"My first instinct was to just stand idly by and accept it. 'There's nothing we can do, it's just what's going on right now, it's how it is, blah blah…' But then, as I was running on the treadmill at my gym, I thought about it deeply. And I got pissed. I realized I've been standing idly by at things my whole life. No more.
"Music is the stitching interwoven into the fabric of so many of our lives. How is it possible that something so valuable has been misused, abused, mishandled and run into the ground on all levels? Now, as if things aren't bad enough, we've got people taking our work, which we've put countless time, heart, soul and sacrifice into, and handing it out like a cheap pamphlet.
"If the majority of musicians are unable to achieve basic, respectable, economically viable careers, then the entire art form is in trouble. And the least I can do is voice how I truly feel. If just one person reconsiders obtaining their music from these illegal sites, then that's a small victory.
"So when someone asked where he could purchase [the new ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO album] 'Veritas', I posted some info along with this following message: 'Whatever you do, please don't get it from 'free download' sites. They are killing artists and music. They must be stopped.'
"What followed was an overwhelming flurry of activity on the Internet in support of this cause. It's been a worldwide call to arms. I've been joined by fans and musicians of all styles. Some are jazz musicians. Some are metal musicians. A few are in high-profile bands (LAMB OF GOD, ALL THAT REMAINS, DEVILDRIVER, UNEARTH…).
"Of course there are a few who believe in 'free-music ideals.' Some even have the audacity to imply that our motive is to get rich. These people are clearly disconnected from the realities of the music biz.
"I can assure you that in the band I'm most known for, TESTAMENT, no one has gotten rich. The other guys have outside work — blue-collar jobs and some have spouses that do as well.
"In my case, I've been able to channel guitar playing into work as a session guitarist and live/touring musician for hire. I consider myself lucky. Similarly, the guys in ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO get by on music but just barely. They're highly skilled players who are able to get session and live have to do as many local gigs as they can with whomever will hire them in order to get by. We've all paid dues that would cause some to never pick up their instruments again.
"I don't think it's asking too much for any of us, TESTAMENT or ALEX SKOLNICK TRIO, to live off of our recorded music on a basic level. Do you?"
GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal will be a special guest at SALEM's May 6, 2011 concert at Reading 3 in Tel Aviv, Israel. The event will commemorate the re-release of SALEM's cult 1994 album "Kaddish" (originally released by Germany's Morbid Records), an LP which represents the band's personal dirge for the victims of the Holocaust during World War II.
"I'm a third-generation Holocaust survivor," SALEM's vocalist and leader Zeev Tannenbaum tells The Jersulam Post. "My father lost his whole family in the Shoah and escaped from Poland to Russia to Israel. I heard his stories all my childhood about what had occurred to his father and Kaddish was our desperate cry in memory of the horrors that happened to our families. By doing this album, we sent two important messages: We will never forget, and we are here to survive."
Speaking to The Jerusalem Post last week, Thal said that he was thrilled to be coming to Israel and to perform the songs on "Kaddish" with SALEM.
"My family is originally from Lithuania and Poland and my grandparents got out in the late 1920s, but many of their relatives were killed. We have no record at all what happened to them.
"Even though none of my immediate family was killed in the Holocaust, it's something that speaks to every Jew. If it's not the Holocaust, it's the trauma of the Six Day War, and if it's not that, it's the fucking Inquisition. We all feel the sense on a holiday when a family gets together that the gathering would have included seven times as many people if certain events hadn't happened. I think only Jews would understand that — only we get it."
Thal tells The Jersalem Post that he manages to find projects that inspire him and makes time for them despite his main commitment to GUNS N' ROSES.
"I definitely have more passion than time," he said with a laugh.
"And I have a bad habit of taking on more than I can do and killing myself to get it done. It's a tough juggling act and GUNS N' ROSES is a big ball to juggle. Sometimes, there's not a lot of prior notification of a tour coming together and I'll have to shift around everything else that I'm doing while dealing with the one big ball."
"But everything in life is doable, you figure out a way. If you want to accomplish something worthwhile, it's going to take some pain."
FOZZY frontman and WWE wrestling superstar Chris Jericho will fill in for Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SIXX: A.M.) on this this coming Wednesday's (May 4) edition of Nikki's nationally syndicated "Sixx Sense With Nikki Sixx" radio show.
Each night on "Sixx Sense", international rock icon, founder/bassist/songwriter of the world-renowned band MÖTLEY CRÜE and chart-topping band SIXX: A.M., New York Times best-selling author, clothing designer, philanthropist and photographer Nikki Sixx discusses music and lifestyle topics as he gives listeners a backstage look at the world and mind of a rock star. Joined by co-host Kerri Kasem, Sixx provides his unique perspective and attitude as the duo welcomes celebrity guests, recording artists and fascinating characters from all walks of life. All this and more are coupled with the radio station's playlist.
Since launching in February 2010, "Sixx Sense With Nikki Sixx" is fast becoming the place to hear it first for guests from all walks of life, including rock royalty, the first man on the moon, authors, actors and everyone in between. Dave Grohl, Jared Leto, Lemmy Kilmister, Perez Hilton, Kat Von D, "CSI" creator Anthony Zuiker, "Four Agreements" author Don Miguel Ruiz, Dog The Bounty Hunter and others have joined Sixx and his Kasem for their special brand of conversation. In addition, they've world-premiered albums and songs for artists and bands like BUCKCHERRY, DROWNING POOL and Slash and hosted the announcement for last summer's Ozzfest.
For more information, visit www.sixxsense.com.
Jericho and his dancing partner Cheryl Burke were the fifth couple eliminated on this season of ABC's "Dancing With The Stars".
A six-time WWE world champion, two-time New York Times best-selling author, lead singer of the rock band FOZZY and host of the ABC game show "Downfall", Chris Jericho began wrestling at age 19 and is one of the most popular performers in wrestling history. In 2001 Chris was the first-ever undisputed champion of the WWE, and he is the only performer to have held six different titles in the 44-year history of World Wrestling Entertainment. He became a New York Times best-selling author in 2007 with his autobiography, "A Lion's Tale: Around The World In Spandex", and is currently on the list again with his follow-up, "Undisputed: How To Become The World Champion In 1,372 Easy Steps", his second autobiography. Chris' rock band, FOZZY, has sold a quarter of a million CDs worldwide.
Brian Fischer-Giffin of Loud magazine recently conducted an interview with guitarist Erik Turner of Californian rockers WARRANT. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Loud: There's probably people surprised that there still is a WARRANT.
Turner: We live in our own little bubble called the United States of America. There's where we play anywhere from 50 to 75 shows a year. We're definitely not as popular as we were in the United States, but we play a lot of festivals, a lot of casinos there and I'm happy to say we're still keeping the dream alive all these years later. Yeah, as far as the rest of the world's concerned, Europe and Japan and Australia, South America... we've never really toured outside the United States. We go to Mexico once in a while and to Canada quite a bit, but mainly you know we've concentrated on playing the States.
Loud: I was going to ask you about grunge, actually, because it's 20 years since [NIRVANA's] "Nevermind" [an album widely associated with the death of "hair" metal] came out this year. Obviously you would have heard the album when it came out. What did you think of it?
Turner: I loved it. It was a great record. But obviously I didn't like the fact that the industry had to sell only one type of music. Just one type of music, grunge. Too bad that the world is big enough for all kinds of music, whether its grunge or rap or dance or pop or rock. In America they don't promote music on merit, it's more based on selling a brand, something that they've branded. They might as well be selling toothpaste. It's just a product to the record labels. It's the new improved Crest! Now whiter. We no longer sell that other Crest. That other Crest sucks. Now we're selling this Crest. They just don't have any soul.
Loud: Is that kind of what happened with bands like WARRANT? You were just a brand they were selling at one time?
Turner: Yeah. If the music industry was a church, we would've all been excommunicated. You are no longer welcome to come bow at the altar. We were branded as harlots. It's funny but it's true. That was it. Bam! You're no longer wanted or needed around here. Bands started getting dropped like flies, and then they went around and signed bands that sounded like NIRVANA! And there were some really good ones that I loved... SOUNDGARDEN, I love ALICE IN CHAINS. ALICE IN CHAINS actually got signed opening up for WARRANT, ironically.
Loud: Does it still frustrate you that many people still know you as the "Cherry Pie" band?
Turner: It doesn't frustrate me. I feel lucky that we're able to be known as anything! [laughs] It is ironic that that wasn't our biggest song on the charts. "Heaven" was our biggest-charting and -selling song. But for whatever reason, the video and the innuendo and stuff, well, we embrace it. We play the song every night. We're lucky to have that. The "Cherry Pie" thing kind of overshadowed our first record which had our biggest hit on it, and it had "Down Boy" and "Sometimes She Cries" and our first record actually sold as many CDs as "Cherry Pie", but that goes largely unnoticed. That goes to show you how big the shadow of "Cherry Pie" is.
DEFTONES frontman Chino Moreno tells Billboard.com that the band is planning to spend the next few weeks working on material for the follow-up to 2010's "Diamond Eyes".
"We're going to have a month off [from touring], but in that month we're talking about going in and starting to write again, maybe even two or three weeks in a rehearsal spot just recording ideas and keeping it going," he said. "[The process will resume in September] so if all goes well hopefully we'll have some product for early next year."
Regarding what the new DEFTONES material might sound like, Moreno said, "Everyone has their own kind of little recording devices and are putting down ideas, but with a band like us we find that when we actually get together in a rehearsal spot where there's no distractions and we can work together cohesively as a band, that's really when we're writing songs. Even at sound check we'll jam and do things, but it's not like we ever stop and say, 'Okay, let's keep going on this,' because there's so many distractions. So we're not that good at working on the road. When we get home and we actually seclude ourselves in a little room, that's when it will start."
When asked about the status of "Eros", the album DEFTONES was working on with Chi Cheng before the bassist's November 2008 car accident which left him in a semi-conscious state, Moreno said, "We still have yet to even sit down as a band and listen to where it was left. There's a lot of great music on it, I know that, but... there's a lot of emotion and stuff around it, obviously. It'll be something we'll put out just out of the blue, when we feel the time is right, but I don't think that will be any time soon. Right now we're definitely going to write new music and put out a new record before we do that."
Before Hole, before THE PRETENDERS, before THE SLITS, there were THE RUNAWAYS… Whether you consider them to be proto-punk rockers or heavy metal guitar heroes, there is no doubt that they helped to change the shape and perception of women in the male-dominated field of rock 'n' roll forever. Cherie Currie, Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Sandy West, Jackie Fox, Vicki Blue; these teenagers spoke to a whole new generation — some of whom consequently turned to playing rock 'n' roll, too. THE RUNAWAYS arguably kicked down the door for future female-fronted bands such as THE GO-GO'S, THE BANGLES, L7, BIKINI KILL, SLEATER-KINNEY and THE DONNAS, but they have also been named as an influence by numerous male-fronted acts like REDD KROSS, THE GERMS, MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE BEASTIE BOYS, THE ADOLESCENTS, GUNS N' ROSES and SMASHING PUMPKINS, to name a few.
On June 7, Main Man Records will release "Take It Or Leave It: A Tribute To The Original Queens of Noise: The Runaways". This two-disc collection features 36 tracks and over two hours of music which spans the entire RUNAWAYS catalog. Their best-known songs like "Cherry Bomb", "Queens of Noise" and "California Paradise" are all represented as well as obscure fan favorites like "Dead End Justice", "Born To Be Bad" and "Yesterday's Kids". "Take It Or Leave It" also features two songs from original RUNAWAYS band members Cherie Currie ("American Nights") as well as Sandy West in her last recording ("Dirty Magazines").
In honor of Sandy West, who lost her fight with cancer in 2006, Main Man Records will be donating a portion of the proceeds from "Take It Or Leave It" to the American Institute For Cancer Research. The AICR was the nation's first charity to support research into the role of diet and exercise as it relates to cancer prevention. Since 1982, it's been their mission to fund, support and promote research as well as expand public knowledge through educational programs to bring its message of cancer prevention to millions of Americans. To date, the Institute has committed more than $82 million for research and education.
Artists from numerous musical backgrounds participated on "Take It Or Leave It", each donating his/her time and resources to help honor THE RUNAWAYS and raise money for a great cause. The album features well-known rock and punk bands from the '70s to the present as well as young, up-and-coming bands.
"Take It Or Leave It: A Tribute To The Original Queens of Noise, The Runaways" will be available in stores and via online distribution (iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon). Licensing for the release is being provided by RightsFlow, leading experts in music licensing. RightsFlow powers Limelight, an online mechanical licensing utility providing the simplest way for musicians, bands, and labels to clear any cover song.
"Take It Or Leave It: A Tribute To The Original Queens of Noise, The Runaways" track listing:
01. THE DONNAS - "Queens of Noise
02. SHONEN KNIFE - "Black Leather
03. THE BINGES - "I Love Playin' With Fire
04. BEBE BUELL BAND - "Heartbeat
05. DEENA & THE LAUGHING BOYS - "Lovers
06. FRANKENSTEIN 3000 - "California Paradise
07. DELIRIUM TREMENS - "Wasted
08. RICHIE SCARLET - "Wild Thing
09. BLUE FOX - "Neon Angels On The Road To Ruin
10. THE EASY OUTS Featuring THE DOUGHBOYS' GAR FRANCIS - "Is It Day Or Night
11. LAURA WARSHAUER - "Little Lost Girls
12. WHITE FLAG - "C'mon
13. CALI GIRAFFES Featuring THE FASTBACK's KIM WARNICK - "You're Too Possessive
14. TARA ELLIOTT & THE RED VELVETS - "You Drive Me Wild
15. PLANET SORROW - "Thunder
16. ROBBIE RIST - "Yesterday's Kids
17. SERPENTEENS - "Little Sister
18. THE ADOLESCENTS - "School Days
19. BLUE FOX Featuring SANDY WEST - "Dirty Magazines
20. THE DANDY WARHOLS - "Cherry Bomb
21. RICHARD BARONE - "Hollywood
22. CARE BEARS ON FIRE Featuring EARL SLICK - "Saturday Night Special
23. DERWOOD ANDREWS - "Gotta Get Out Tonight
24. DAVID JOHANSEN - "Blackmail
25. THE RIBEYE BROTHERS - "Trash Can Murders
26. DIGGER PHELPS - "Rock N' Roll
27. TOILET BOYS - "Born To Be Bad
28. THE SWALES - "Midnight Music
29. FRANKENSTEIN 3000 Featuring CHERIE CURRIE - "American Nights
30. F-13 - "I Wanna Be Where The Boys Are
31. THE STAY AT HOMES - "Gettin' Hot
32. KITTIE - "Fantasies
33. STARZ - "Waitin' For The Night
34. JACK BRAG - "Secrets
35. CLINICAL TRIALS - "Don't Go Away
36. KATHLEEN HANNA, PEACHES & AD-ROCK - "Dead End Justice
THE SLEDGE/LEATHER PROJECT, the new band featuring featuring former CHASTAIN singer Leather Leone, performed at the Keep It True XIV festival, which was held April 29-30, 2011 at Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany. Leather was joined in the new band joined by MALIBU BARBI drummer Sandy Sledge, bassist Betze Stephens and guitarist Brent Baugh on guitar. The setlist contained a lot of CHASTAIN classics, songs from Leather's solo album and brand new songs.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be viewed below.
In a recent interview with Maximum Metal, Leone stated about THE SLEDGE/LEATHER PROJECT, "I never lost touch with [Sandy] Sledge and I'm sure Delphine, if she was still alive, would be calling me. Sledge and I decided that we still had something to say. We wanted to finish what we started so we formed THE SLEDGE/LEATHER PROJECT. After doing a demo tribute recording of DIO's song 'Egypt', we were immediately booked to play the Keep It True festival in Germany. We'll be releasing the ['comeback'] show on DVD."
When asked if the THE SLEDGE/LEATHER PROJECT album was completed and what fans can expect to hear from it style-wise, Leone said, "We're writing it and it will probably be released in November. We're really excited about the opportunities that we're being given. It's great for me to finally have a huge say in what's written and how it's written. With Sledge, I feel like it's writing with a soulmate — same beliefs, same ideas — because we are writing what comes to us naturally and what comes to us naturally is HEAVY music. This is metal. It's just 'metal.' Heavy, metal."
Leather Leone recently recorded a cover version of the DIO classic "Egypt (The Chains Are On)" as a tribute to Ronnie James Dio in October 2010 at the Freedom Studio in Los Angeles, California.
Leone joined reactivated '80s Sacramento, California thrashers SENTINEL BEAST on stage on January 29, 2011 at the Cheyenne Saloon in Las Vegas, Nevada to perform a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "Phantom Of The Opera".
Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of Detroit, Michigan's BATTLECROSS. The band's new album will be released this summer. The CD was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Random Awesome Recording Studio in Bay City, Michigan and produced by BATTLECROSS and Josh Schroeder.
Incorporating many elements of extreme thrash, death and tech metal, creating a precise blend of fist pumping brutality, intensity, and drive, BATTLECROSS satisfies both the technical metal snob and the knuckle-dragging metal jock alike.
"We are extremely honored to join such a respected label and humbled by their belief in our music. We're stoked to be part of a label that has a great roster of bands we all admire and respect!" says BATTLECROSS guitarist Tony Asta.
"We understand the hard work and pavement pounding that is required of a Metal Blade band and we are going to work our asses' off to show the world what we're about," adds guitarist Hiran Deraniyagala.
Comments Kelli Malella of Metal Blade Records: "We have been keeping our eyes on BATTLECROSS for some time now and watching the band grow into quite a beast. We feel confident that metalheads across the world will enjoy the ferocity and dedication that BATTLECROSS will be bringing forth on their debut album as well as the stage."
BATTLECROSS is:
Kyle "Gumby" Gunther - Vocals
Tony Asta - Guitar
Hiran Deraniyagala - Guitar
Mike Kreger - Drums
Don Slater - Bassist
For more information, visit www.battlecrossmetal.com.
On April 28, Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION were honored at the Buma Music In Motion Awards (BMMAs) for the three short films ("Mother Maiden", "Sinéad", "Shot in The Dark") which were produced alongside the band's recently released fifth studio album, "The Unforgiving". The award was presented to WITHIN TEMPTATION for the most innovative cross media concept.
A conceptual effort, "The Unforgiving" is based on the story line of the comic series "The Unforgiving" written by Steven O'Connell (BloodRayne, Dark 48) and illustrated by Romano Molenaar (Witchblade, Darkness, X-Men).
The short films, which were directed by Joeri Holsheimer, were shot with an English cast and produced by Storm Post Production. A part of the comic story line is brought to life in the three short films in a very stylish, yet surreal black-and-white setting underlined by beautiful score.
The three short films were published via the band's online portal, a bonus DVD alongside the new CD release and via a mobile application.
Buma Music In Motion Awards recognize composers and companies who have made a special contribution to an innovative musical media product.
"The Unforgiving" registered the following first- and second-week chart positions:
Netherlands: #2, #2 (second week)
Finland: #3
Belgium (Flanders): #5, #3 (second week)
Belgium (Wallonia): #27, #14 (second week)
Germany: #7
Austria: #7
Sweden: #7, #17 (second week)
Switzerland: #9
Czech Republic: #12
Poland: #12, #6 (second week)
Spain: #16
France: #18
UK: #23
Australia: #27
Denmark: #34
Norway: #40
Greece: #42
USA: #50
Italy: #57
Ireland: #87
Brazilian goth metallers RAVENLAND have recruited Tatiana Berke as their new female vocalist. Berke, 28, was born in São Paulo and has been involved with music since she was 15 years old, singing with cover bands and projects like MELODIC STANZAS (THE GATHERING tribute band), ENVOID, and SUZAN'S LEAF. After being away from the scene for three years, she is back as one of RAVENLAND's members, sharing vocals with Dewindson Wolfheart.
About the new lineup, Dewindson comments: "Her debut with us happened in March, [during] the recording [sessions for the] 'Memories' EP, which will be released soon."
He added, "She will bring something new to our sound.'
For more information, visit www.ravenland.net.
Brazilian progressive power metal band ALMAH — the side project of ANGRA members Edu Falaschi (vocals) and Felipe Andreoli (bass) — will enter Norcal Studio in São Paulo, Brazil today (Monday, May 2) to begin recording its third album for a September release. 10 songs are being tracked for the effort, which was composed by the entire band and is described in a press release as "really heavy and up-to-date with less influences of typical melodic metal."
"This CD will affirm the identity of the band. It will be a style which I love and adore! I've been looking for this kind of satisfaction as a musician and as a person over the years," says Falaschi.
ALMAH's sophomore album, "Fragile Equality", was released in October 2008 via AFM Records.
ALMAH is:
Edu Falaschi - Vocals
Felipe Andreoli - Bass
Marcelo Barbosa - Gutar
Paulo Schroeber - Guitar
Marcelo Moreira - Drums
ALMAH released its debut CD in the U.S. in July 2007 via Candlelight.
AOL's Noisecreep recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist David Vincent of Florida-based extreme metal veterans MORBID ANGEL. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On the band's new album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", which marks the group's first release to feature Vincent since 1995's "Domination":
"It's awesome, absolutely awesome. I just want the damn thing out, but it's hurry up and wait. That's the story of the business. I wish it was out immediately. We are doing special packaging for it, and that doesn't help my anxiety of wanting to get it out."
"We have grown out of the moniker of death metal. We call ourselves extreme music," he said. "There are too many boxes to put it in — so many descriptors! We play extreme music and it encompasses everything from incredibly fast and articulate fretboard gymnastics to the sickest, most moaning of riffs, to the usual things we do. We take it for a twist."
"We made a masterpiece. I am going to call it that. There is not one bad track on this record. Of course I am going to say that, but I don't normally say such things. It is very unique and very diverse. We didn't go through the normal channels with production, so it's that's much more special because of the decisions we made."
On how his time away from the band affected his contributions to the new album:
"The cool thing is the more time you spend on the planet, the more tricks you learn. I try and apply everything I learn to the music. I go out of my way to live a full and rich and interesting life, and those experiences add to your personality, which is what makes your art. This album is full of personality."
An audio sample of "Nevermore", the first single from "Illud Divinum Insanus", is available for streaming at Amazon.com.
The "Nevermore" single will be made available on May 16 as a digital download and seven-inch vinyl single. The B-side is an exclusive version of new song "Destructos Vs. The Earth", remixed by COMBICHRIST.
U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine has posted a track-by-track description/preview of "Illud Divinum Insanus". Check it out at this location.
"Illud Divinum Insanus" will be released on June 7 (one day earlier internationally) via Season of Mist. The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes and can be viewed below.
"Illud Divinum Insanus" track listing:
01. Omni Potens
02. Too Extreme!
03. Existo Vulgoré
04. Blades for Baal
05. I Am Morbid
06. 10 More Dead
07. Destructos Vs. the Earth / Attack
08. Nevermore
09. Beauty Meets Beast
10. Radikult
11. Profundis - Mea Culpa
"Illud Divinum Insanus" will be available in the following formats:
* Wooden foldout box
* Metal starpak CD (outside North America)
* Deluxe digipak CD (North America only)
* Double gatefold LP with download card
* Jewel case CD
* Digital download
Most of these formats are already available for pre-order on Season of Mist's e-shop.
The wooden foldout box is a triptych made of solid fine wood with all panels engraved, and includes the following items:
* "Illud Divinum Insanus" CD in real leather-bound book
* "Illud Divinum Insanus" double gatefold LP in coloured heavy weight (180 grams) vinyl, different from the regular LP edition
* Two black candles with red wax Blasphegram and their holders
* Incense burner with incense
* Exclusive poster
* Exclusive full colour t-shirt with back print
All above items are exclusively made for this limited box and will not be available separately!
"The Unforgiving" sold around 12,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
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