In an interview with Game Informer, Harmonix's Chris Rigopulos revealed the slate of downloadable content in store for Rock Band this month, including tracks from the upcoming reissues of two legendary OZZY OSBOURNE albums, "Diary Of A Madman" and "Blizzard Of Ozz".
On May 31, music fans will have their first taste of reissues from rock icon OZZY OSBOURNE's catalog of work with the releases of two albums which form the cornerstone of Ozzy Osbourne's career as a solo artist: "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman" (Epic Records/Legacy Recordings). Long revered by rock fans around the world, these two albums created a template for hard rock in the 1980s and beyond as they were marked by the ground-breaking and historic union of Ozzy and the late guitar hero Randy Rhoads. These definitive versions of 1980's "Blizzard Of Ozz" (with previously unreleased bonus tracks) and 1981's "Diary Of A Madman" are available individually on vinyl or CD, or together in a deluxe collector's box. All versions were restored and remastered from the original analog sources by George Marino.
The 30th-anniversary edition of "Blizzard Of Ozz" CD includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered for this edition, with bonus tracks, while the new legacy edition of "Diary Of A Madman" includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered for this edition, with a bonus second CD of previously unreleased live performances featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads with rhythm section Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums). A single-disc version of the remastered "Diary Of A Madman" will also be available.
For serious fans and collectors, the limited edition 30th-anniversary deluxe boxed set houses the restored and remastered vinyl and CD editions of "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman", the "Ozzy Live" compact disc. Beyond the music, the box set is highlighted by a variety of exclusives including an expansive 100-page coffee table book, a two-sided wall-size poster, a precise and detailed full-size replica of Ozzy's iconic gold cross that he has worn for 30 years, and "Thirty Years After The Blizzard" DVD.
This new "Thirty Years After The Blizzard" DVD chronicles Ozzy's years with Randy Rhoads features previously unseen footage of Ozzy and Randy filmed in 1981 and 1982; it incorporates rare archival photos and films; along with new and revelatory interviews with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD), Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx, Rob Halford, Zakk Wylde, Bill Ward and more. The DVD also contains over 70 minutes of additional rare live performances and interviews; included is the premiere of more than 30 minutes of newly-discovered never-bootlegged footage of Ozzy and Randy from the "Blizzard Of Ozz" tour shot from the front of the stage at New York's fabled Palladium on May 2, 1981. This new feature is a must-see for aficionados of Ozzy's epic release "Blizzard Of Ozz" and its pivotal effect on rock and roll history.
"Blizzard Of Ozz" (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition)
01. I Don't Know (5:13)
02. Crazy Train (4:51)
03. Goodbye To Romance (5:33)
04. Dee (0:49)
05. Suicide Solution (4:17)
06. Mr. Crowley (5:02)
07. No Bone Movies (3:52)
08. Revelation (Mother Earth) (6:08)
09. Steal Away (The Night) (3:28)
Bonus tracks
10. You Looking At Me, Looking At You (Non-LP B-Side, Previously Unreleased in the U.S.) (4:15)
11. Goodbye To Romance (2010 Guitar & Vocal Mix, Previously Unreleased) (5:42)
12. RR (Previously Unreleased – Randy Rhoads guitar solo) (1:13)
"Diary Of A Madman" (Legacy Edition)
Disc 1:
01. Over The Mountain (4:31)
02. Flying High Again (4:44)
03. You Can't Kill Rock And Roll (6:59)
04. Believer (5:15)
05. Little Dolls (5:39)
06. Tonight (5:50)
07. S.A.T.O. (4:07)
08. Diary Of A Madman (6:14)
Disc 2:
Ozzy Live (recorded on the "Blizzard of Ozz" tour)
01. I Don't Know
02. Crazy Train
03. Believer
04. Mr. Crowley
05. Flying High Again
06. Revelation (Mother Earth)
07. Steal Away (The Night)
08. Suicide Solution
09. Iron Man
10. Children Of The Grave
11. Paranoid
"Diary Of A Madman"/"Blizzard Of Ozz" 30th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set
Box Set Includes:
* "Blizzard Of Ozz" (30th Anniversary Expanded Edition)
* "Diary Of A Madman" (Legacy Edition)
* "Blizzard Of Ozz" (180-gram LP — original album only)
* "Diary Of A Madman" (180-gram LP — original album only)
DVD — contains "Thirty Years After The Blizzard" documentary — and additional rare and unreleased performances and interviews.
A snippet from the "Thirty Years After The Blizzard" documentary in which Osbourne watches for the first time rare, never-before-seen footage of Ozzy and Randy Rhoads from the Palladium in New York City can be viewed below.
Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack Osbourne, has slammed Variety writer John Anderson over Anderson's review of "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne", a feature-length documentary about the life of the legendary heavy metal singer.
"God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" was co-produced by Jack Osbourne and is the first film released by Jack's production company, Jacko Productions. The documentary, which was originally titled "Wreckage Of My Past: The Ozzy Osbourne Story", was directed by Mike Fleiss and Mike Piscitelli.
Anderson's review was generally favorable, with the writer calling the film a "rather affectionate and candid portrait" that will find "fans respond[ing] enthusiastically" while "nonfans will grow restless as Osbourne's late-inning sobriety is dwelt upon at length."
The article infuriated Jack Osbourne, who addressed the publication directly in a post on Twitter, writing, "Dear Variety magazine, your review of my film is absolute bollocks. Your journalist obviously had his head up his arse the entire time."
"God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" premiered on April 24 at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City and received a positive review from Entertainment Weekly, which said, "What could have been a glossy, fawning tribute to the most visible face in heavy metal music history — especially considering it was co-produced by his son, Jack — actually turned out to be a remarkably evenhanded look at Ozzy's monumental musical influence as well as his less exemplary life as an addict and often-absent father."
Critic Joseph Brannigan Lynch added, "'God Bless Ozzy Osbourne' may not answer the question 'What makes Ozzy act so... Ozzy-like?', but it's hardly a fluffy tribute. This documentary succeeds in offering a balanced portrait of a man who made many mistakes over the course of his addiction-riddled life and also happens to be one of the most influential hard rock singers ever."
Lynch also wrote that the film "starts with Osbourne's poor childhood in the cramped quarters of inner-city Birmingham, England, and goes up to his long-sought sobriety following the end of the water-cooler fodder reality series 'The Osbournes'."
While the movie does not delve into certain aspects of Ozzy's life — such as his attempted strangulation of wife/manager Sharon years ago — frank interviews with his five children "portray him as an absentee father even when he was physically present due to his mind-numbing abuse of pills, cocaine and liquor," according to Lynch.
The film features interviews with many of Ozzy's family members, friend and colleagues, including Paul McCartney, the members of BLACK SABBATH and MÖTLEY CRÜE's Tommy Lee.
Plans for theatrical distribution have yet to be announced.
WHOCARES â€" 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 â€" 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" (see
below) 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 â€" 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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJFL-scaPCI&feature=player_embedded
According to The Pulse Of Radio, AC/DC's classic concert film "Let There Be Rock" arrives at last on DVD and Blu-ray on June 7, and a special collector's edition of the set is being made available in a limited run of just 90,000 copies. This edition comes in a collectible steel case, includes keepsake premium items and contains over an hour of newly added bonus features, documentaries and interviews with artists like DEF LEPPARD's Rick Allen, Matt Sorum of GUNS N' ROSES, Scott Ian from ANTHRAX, Billy Corgan of the SMASHING PUMPKINS, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister and more.
The movie documents lead singer Bon Scott's final filmed live show with AC/DC, including 13 tracks such as "Whole Lotta Rosie", "High Voltage", "Highway To Hell" and the title song. The concert took place just two months before Scott's death in February 1980.
Shot at the Pavilion De Paris in December 1979, the movie was released in France a year after it was filmed but delayed in the U.S. until even later.
The tragic death of Bon Scott, AC/DC's flamboyant frontman, in early 1980 sent shockwaves throughout the rock music community. At the time no one could imagine a 1979 Paris concert would be the last filmed live concert of the hallowed singer's career but he left the stage that night with the rest of the band leaving it all out there as he had done so many times before for millions of fans. Now for the first time ever on Blu-ray and DVD, Warner Home Video (WHV) is getting set to celebrate one of the greatest performers and legendary rock bands of all-time by releasing AC/DC "Let There Be Rock" to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release. This legendary concert film showcases the power and precision the group brought to the stage that night during the Australian hard rock band's "Highway To Hell" tour.
The track listing is as follows:
01. Live Wire
02. Shot Down in Flames
03. Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
04. Sin City
05. Walk All over You
06. Bad Boy Boogie
07. The Jack
08. Highway to Hell
09. Girls Got Rhythm
10. High Voltage
11. Whole Lotta Rosie
12. Rocker
13. Let There Be Rock
Special features include:
* Loud, Locked & Loaded: The Rites of Rock: Seasoned rockers, actors and journalists recollect their rite of passage as early witnesses to the raw, bone rattling rock of AC/DC.
* AC/DC: The Bedrock of Riff: No one has mastered the basic DNA of riff rock as successfully as AC/DC. Explore Angus and Malcolm Young's telepathic groove and the four-on-the-floor swing of Mark Rudd.
* Angus Young: A True Guitar Monster: Angus Young's transformation from diminutive schoolboy to raging rock monster electrifies the masses. Find out what makes this time bomb tick.
* Bon Scott: The Pirate of Rock 'n' Roll: Bon Scott was the ringleader of the AC/DC circus, balancing his screaming sexuality with a rakish charm. Get a glimpse into the life of a classic rock 'n' roll pirate.
* AC/DC: A Rock Solid Legacy: From bar band to arena rock, AC/DC stuck to their guns and shot their way to the top. Fellow rockers and journalists chart AC/DC's ascent into the pantheon of rock Gods in rock 'n' roll history.
* BD Playlist: your favorite songs in your favorite order
* 32-page tribute book by rock journalist Anthony Bozza (author of "Why AC/DC Matters"
* Exclusive souvenir guitar pick
* Collector card set featuring concert photos
Eddie Trunk, the co-host of the VH1 Classic television program "That Metal Show", was interviewed about the band's impact for one of the DVD's bonus features. He wrote last year on his blog, "[The company which is releasing the DVD is] doing some cleanups to the audio and video and making it as high-def as the source will allow." He added, "I can tell you I have an advance and it looks and sounds great, but they are making it even better!"
According to the All Music Guide, "Let There Be Rock" was released in France a year after it was filmed, though American release was delayed until well after the band had established themselves in the States with new vocalist Brian Johnson and the multi-platinum success of the "Back In Black" album.
In his review of the original "Let There Be Rock" film, Fred Beldin of the All Music Guide wrote, "Director Eric Dionysis captures the excitement of the live show with an energetic style and effective close-up shots, though the staged interviews and sub-'The Song Remains The Same' fantasy sequences show the band to be bemused but not convinced by these attempts to add some arty depth to the proceedings. The highlight of the extracurricular segments is Bon Scott, radiating warmth and humility in these last interviews before his untimely death at age 33 from alcohol poisoning."
AC/DC plans to bring out a live DVD and Blu-ray on May 10 called "Live At River Plate". The disc was shot in Buenos Aires, Argentina over three nights in front of 200,000 fans during the band's 2008/2009 "Black Ice" tour
Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Kenneth "K.K." Downing has posted the following message on his official web site:
"I would just like to say a big thank you for your support and kind words. It is most heart-warming for me to be the recipient of such graciousness and compassion from you all.
"For some of you that would seem to desire some more details as to why I have resigned from the band, I can only say that there is nothing more underlying than I have already put in my initial statement. I would like to reassure you that I am still here for you and I am still the same person with the same feelings and sentiments.
"I have been lucky enough to have had a great life and to have fulfilled many goals, one of the most significant being the friendships that I have made with you my fans. Many of you I have met and we have enjoyed some time together, some of you I have just had a beer with and with others I might only have shared a couple of laughs or simply signed my autograph.
"Nothing could ever have been more rewarding than to have experienced and enjoyed our special relationship and the things that we have shared together — those being music, friendship and the love of life itself."
Downing, whose retirement from the band was announced last month, issued a statement regarding his departure from the legendary heavy metal group on the eve of its farewell tour. Downing said, "It is with much regret that I will not be with you this summer. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concerns about my health. Please rest assured that I am OK. There has been an ongoing breakdown in (the) working relationship between myself, elements of the band, and the band's management for some time. Therefore I have decided to step down rather than to tour with negative sentiments as I feel that this would be a deception to you, our cherished fans. However, I would urge you to please support the PRIEST as I have no doubt that it will be a show not to be missed."
Singer Rob Halford told French magazine Rock Hard, "K.K. leaving was his own decision, for the reasons he made public on his web site. . . K.K. has his own life to live and we can't force him to do anything he doesn't want to do."
The band has recruited 31-year-old British guitarist Richie Faulkner to replace Downing on the tour, with Halford saying, "K.K. can never be replaced; he's unique, and we didn't want any kind of K.K. copycat. Richie Faulkner came to Glenn's [Tipton, guitar] house to jam, and Glenn simply told me he was absolutely brilliant."
Although PRIEST plans to stop touring after this run, the band will continue to record and intends to issue a new studio album in 2012.
Following last month's first U.S. "Big Four" concert in Indio, California on April 23, a second U.S. show featuring METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX has been confirmed for September 14 at the new version of the legendary Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York City.
Rob Cavuoto of Guitar International recently conducted an interview with WHITESNAKE/ex-DEEP PURPLE frontman David Coverdale. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Guitar International: You don't see yourself working with [guitarist] John Sykes [again] anytime soon?
David Coverdale: I don't see why. It's like saying, "Would you go back to a former wife?" Are you kidding me? Do you realize how happy I am? I have blue birds flying out of every orifice! I walk around and, oops, there's another blue feather on the floor. [Laughing]. It would be interesting to play a charity thing, in front a lot of people, but that's about it.
Guitar International: With so many '70s bands being nostalgia acts, why do you continue to make CDs?
David Coverdale: If I didn't put out new CDs, I'd be on "American Idol". I would rather go home and be a house husband and take up knitting. That's why I work with such inspirational musicians. Another incredible thing is when we put the word out that we're looking for new "snakes," people line up. The guitarist can't wait to do "Still Of The Night", the big penis song for guitar. All of that delights me!
Guitar International: How do multi-platinum artist like yourself measure success in 2011 with no rock radio, no video channels, and file sharing?
David Coverdale: I don't go there; artistically, I feel the CD is a success already. Our site gets 150 to 200 thousand hits a day. The response from critics and fans has been overwhelmingly positive. It's up to the record company to make sure it's available. I was describing this similar thing to someone the other day. Nowadays you can make a record for a tenth of the price, so I only have to sell a tenth of those records and WHITESNAKE sells records! That's a fact. Earlier this year, I had a nice accounts meeting, and found out that not only is WHITESNAKE flourishing, but it is also getting more and more successful over the past five years.
Guitar International: What do you want WHITESNAKE to be remembered for?
David Coverdale: That's nothing to do with me, that's what other people want to do. That's something that doesn't occur to me. At first, I got into this for the chicks. It was a real lustful thing. As a child I would always write poetry as I wanted to express myself. I was also very weary of what my friends might think. I probably would have got my ass kicked. So I kept a lot of those things to myself. Once I learned an instrument, the poems became lyrics. Once I heard the emotional reservoir of the blues, that was it for me. That music just fucks me up! I love that nitty-gritty stuff. I like it when it's open for business. So if I had to be remembered for something hopefully it would be for being a good dad and husband.
Guitar International: Way back, there were rumors of you playing with Eddie Van Halen. Can you elaborate what happened and how they got out of hand?
David Coverdale: Someone on the inside told me and I'm not sure how true it is, that the VAN HALEN camp floated the idea on the Internet. I was so angry about that, as I was semi-retired at the time. I like being my own boss! I haven't spoken to Eddie since he came up to my room in London when I was working with Pagey [Jimmy Page]. He knocked at the hotel door and asked if Jimmy was here. [Laughing] He got on his knees in front of Jimmy Page, asking him how he played this thing and how he played that thing. It was very sweet. He also went straight to my fucking minibar at 10:00 a.m., too!
METALLICA stated, "A huge thanks to everyone who came out to the desert this past weekend . . . we felt the enormous love and support, so we just had to find a way to make one more Big Four show in the States happen. Enter New York . . . We can't wait for a night in the Bronx as our second American show and for those of you who love fun facts, this will also be the second live music event hosted at the new ballpark."
Tickets for the show go on sale this Friday (May 6) at 10:00 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Metallica fan club members and Yankees season ticket holders will have their own pre-sales on Wednesday (May 4).
Ticket prices are as follows:
* Front general-admission floor: $225
* Back general-admission floor: $175
* Reserved lower level seats: $119
* Upper deck reserved seats: $90
Click here to view a PDF of the seating chart.
http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/nyy/components/ticketing/thebig_four_map.pdf
Additional Ticketmaster and facility fees will be applied.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told RollingStone.com after the Indio show that an East Coast date was coming, along with possible gigs in the South and Midwest, although he doubted a full tour would happen.
The all-day event in Indio featured the so-called "big four" bands of the Eighties thrash metal scene performing together on a U.S. stage for the first time ever in their 30-year careers.
A series of similar shows last summer in Europe was wildly popular, leading to demand for a U.S. version. The "Big Four" package will also head back to Europe this July.
All four bands were presented over the weekend with awards for sales of a hundred thousand copies of a "Big Four" live DVD which was released late last year.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/big4yankeeseats.jpg
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/big4yankee.jpg
First, you induct Alice Cooper into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame alongside Elton John and Neil Young, then jump into directing your first major television commercial entitled "The Torturer" for the laundry detergent Woolite. What DO you do next? Well, if you're musician/film director/screenwriter Rob Zombie, you maintain course on a very eclectic and busy year filled with robots, pryo, witches, loud rock 'n' roll, evil, comedy, touring, paranormal activity, and who knows what else.
Zombie has announced that former MARILYN MANSON drummer Ginger Fish has joined the Zombie fold and will make his debut on the band's first major European tour in nearly 12 years, kicking off June 3 in Nurnburg, Germany. Zombie and the band — Fish, guitarist John 5 and Piggy D on bass — will play major European summer festivals including the U.K.'s Download, Italy's Sonisphere, and Roskilde in Denmark, as well as headlining a slew of their own shows. Zombie stated, "The band just got even weirder, and weirder is always better."
Then, Zombie will join SLAYER for the 12-city "Hell On Earth" North American tour. The co-headline trek kicks off July 20 at the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pennsylvania, blazing across the country until it wraps up August 6 in Seattle, Washington. San Francisco's thrash-metal band EXODUS has been confirmed to open all shows.
"Total destruction on stage and off is what this combination promises," said Zombie. "Seriously, how much more Hell could you ask for? The answer is none more Hell."
For the North American dates, Zombie will be bringing his full, legendary stage show out in full force. Audiences can expect an exploding, non-stop barrage of sin, sex and Satan, guaranteed to rip your face off. This will be a true rock 'n' roll spectacle at its finest.
Immediately following the "Hell On Earth" tour, Zombie will begin production on his sixth feature film, "The Lords of Salem", it is described by Zombie as "probably the bleakest of all of my films — a long, slow decent into the bowels of Hell." He explained, "There were twenty people that everyone knows about, obviously all innocent, executed as witches in Salem. The basic premise of the film is that there was a small coven, actual witches, who were put to death secretly, and vowed one day to return to wreak havoc on Salem's descendants."
And then there's the Woolite commercial that was shot in Vancouver and completed in mid-April. "It's a very bizarre TV commercial for a product like this," said Zombie. "Honestly, I was shocked when they called me to do it."
If all of this isn't enough, Zombie just finished directing a special for Comedy Central entitled "Tom Papa: Live In New York City". The special was shot over two days in New York City and features comedian Tom Papa from NBC's "The Marriage Ref" in his first stand-up special.
"Tom and I worked together on my animated film 'The Haunted World Of El Superbeasto' and had a blast," says Zombie. "So when Tom asked me to direct his first special, I couldn't refuse. He's a brilliant stand-up comic."
One of the more unexpected tours this spring is the return of Down, doing a short run of shows that touch down tonight at The Trocadero before heading overseas for a bunch of dates.
"Getting ready to gear up for a bunch of stuff in the summertime," guitarist Pepper Keenan told Rock Music Menu. "Then we're gonna be doing the first bit of recording we've done in quite some time. We're ready to go."
There hasn't been anything on wax from the band since 2007, when the return to form "Down III: Over the Under" was released, and in the ever changing musical climate, the band has decided to do things a bit differently.
"We're kinda goin' backwards now," Keenan said. "The first record came out a long time ago, so we're feeling that vibe and heading that way; real simple: stripped down and to the point."
At a time when most acts are struggling to get on the charts or maintain sales in general, Down has come up with a unique formula for an upcoming release.
"I think we're going to try and do four EPs, and they're all going to be connected together with artwork," said Keenan. "This will allow us to have a frontload, heavy as [expletive] EP, and maybe the second one could showcase some of the acoustic stuff we've been saving for awhile, and then continuing the four of them with a completely different style, and obviously the fourth one would be another doom laden heavy one."
Seeing Down is a hard rock/heavy-metal fan's dream band: singer Phil Anselmo from Pantera, Keenan from Corrosion of Conformity and drummer Jimmy Bower with riff-master Kirk Windstein from Crowbar rounding out the proceedings. Unfortunately, on this tour at least, former Pantera bassist Rex Brown will be absent on-stage.
"Rex is not gonna be with us," said Keenan. "He's got things he needs to deal with, and we gave him an ultimatum and he's trying to work things out. We've got Pat (Bruders) from Crowbar playing bass, and he's ass-kickin' in the same way. He plays with his fingers — which is really cool; he's got the whole Geezer Butler thing going on."
When asked whether or not Brown was still considered a part of the band, Keenan was hopeful but hesitant.
"I don't know what to really say on that; he's not out of the band, but he's not playing with us live."
Keenan has traditionally pulled double duty as the frontman for his own band, Corrosion of Conformity, but that outfit hasn't put out a new record since 2005, though have been touring as a three-piece as of late, something Pepper hasn't been involved with at all, but he's looking forward to getting the whole thing back in motion.
"I'm waiting to hear when we're gonna get together and jam," he said. "We're supposed to play some festivals in Europe [this summer] and I'm supposed to sing on a couple of songs. Right now all I know is they're doing the three piece thing which I haven't heard much of or what the deal is, but we've talked, just not much."
"Eventually they want to get together, and I want to too, and get back to the "Deliverance" era stuff and put together a new record. I'm just waitin' for them to call. "
To contact music columnist Michael Christopher, send an e-mail to rockmusicmenu@hotmail.com. Also, check out his blog on the Daily Times website.
Clarification
In last week's article headlined "Local H looks back at the good...and bad", former drummer for the band Joe Daniels claimed that on the recently released singles collection, "Icon: The Island Years," new drummer Brian St. Clair received an "under the table" deal to take credit for the songs he didn't write. That statement has been refuted, and the songwriting credits on the release simply read: "All songs by Local H."
Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), Slim Jim Phantom (THE STRAY CATS) and Danny B. Harvey (ROCKATS, 13 CATS, LONESOME SPURS), have teamed up in a high-energy, "take-no-prisoners" combo to remind the world how real rock 'n roll is supposed to fuckin sound. HEADCAT (formerly THE HEAD CAT) serves up a delicious melting pot with flavors of rockabilly, punk, blues and undeniable rock 'n' roll!
HEADCAT was formed in 2000 after recording an Elvis Presley tribute special to which all band members contributed.
Slim Jim Phantom (drums, percussion), was born in Brooklyn and listened to his parents' jazz records. At the age of ten he took up the drums although he always says that the drums chose him. He is an exceptional drummer who cemented his place among rock royalty long time ago and inspires and excites audiences worldwide.
Danny B. Harvey (guitar, piano) is Texas-born and also discovered his love for music very early. He started playing the guitar at the age of six and even got a full scholarship to study classical guitar. He developed a finger picking guitar style that's very unique and based on his idols Merle Travis and Chet Atkins but also a result of his classical-technique education.
Lemmy Kilmister (vocals, bass, harmonica) was born and raised in England and started to play the guitar at the age of sixteen. With a laughing eye he always said that he only took the guitar to impress the girls. He is an autodidact and changed early to bass as he stated he wasn't a good guitar player. After founding MOTÖRHEAD in 1975 he knows the ups and downs in the business and has reached the status of an icon all over the world.
The new HEADCAT album, "Walk The Walk...Talk The Talk", is due to be released July 5, 2011 through Niji Entertainment Group, the record label Wendy Dio and her and late husband Ronnie James Dio formed before his untimely passing.
Twelve fantastic songs for "Walk The Walk, Talk The Talk" were chosen easily. HEADCAT prepare to take over the airwaves with their first single, "American Beat". "American Beat" is a song written in the studio — Lemmy had the words and the rest came together very quickly. "I Ain't Never" is one of the songs Lemmy really likes and Danny knew it — a real country, rockabilly number, full of love and ready to take you drifting away. "Let It Rock" is one of their favorite Chuck Berry tunes — THE ROLLING STONES did it a lot in their live show in the '70s — HEADCAT plays a different version. "Something Else" is a classic Eddie Cochran — Lemmy came on stage with the STRAY CATS and jammed on it at a show in the '90s at Hammersmith Odeon so it came quite natural to take this on the record as well.
"Walk The Walk...Talk The Talk" track listing:
01. American Beat
02. Say Mama
03. I Ain't Never
04. Bad Boy
05. Shaking All Over
06. Let It Rock
07. Something Else
08. The Eagle Flies On Friday
09. Trying To Get To You
10. You Can't Do That
11. It'll Be Me
12. Crossroads
Lemmy previously stated about HEADCAT, "[It's all about] having fun. Fun for the sake of it. No ulterior motive. No politics. No gender. No fucking around! (laughs)"
When asked what each member of HEADCAT brings to the sound of the band, Lemmy replied, "I don't know. You'd be the one to tell me that! . . . Well, you'd have to because I can't judge it, because I'm in it! (laughs) You can't judge what you're in the middle of. It's for the outsiders to judge that. It's for the fans to interpret a song, you know. You can write a song and three different people will write three different stories. I can't tell you what we bring to it. We bring what we got."
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/headcatwalk.jpg
Louie B. of Big Wheel online magazine recently conducted an interview with original GUNS N' ROSES and current ADLER'S APPETITE drummer Steven Adler. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Big Wheel: So when you began to write your book, were you ever concerned with how you were to tell stories involving old friends who may not want to be associated with the things they'd done when they were young and living lives of excess?
Adler: The main thing I wanted to do with my book was to get the truth out and not hurt anybody. In my book I take full responsibility for all my actions, for everything that happened. For 20 years I wasted my life, blaming and being angry with [former GUNS N' ROSES bandmates] Slash, Duff, Izzy and Axl thinking they let me down. Unfortunately, it took 20 years and to have to start working with Dr. Drew to realize that they didn't let me down, I let them down. They counted on me and I messed up. It was a special time in my life, where it taught me growth, from being a teenager to being a man. I got to say I was sorry to each of them, I apologized for blaming them for everything that happened to me and everything I did to throw the band out of whack, my actions threw a wrench into the machine and changed the destiny of the band. Forever I blamed them, and I couldn't grow as a human being.
Big Wheel: Do you feel now, after becoming sober that you are drumming better than you were in your 20s?
Adler: A year and half ago I started taking drum lessons. Man, I had never taken a drum lesson in my life! Man, I was in a band that went on to sell 100 million records, but never once had I taken a drum lesson. . . So, yeah, I started taking lessons to improve as a performer and player, I love playing drums and of course I only wanted to get better, so yeah lessons certainly helped me to get where I am now; I'm the best I can be.
Big Wheel: In the past you had health issues, you suffered a stroke. How did that affect your life and or playing?
Adler: I had a mild stroke. Thankfully, it was only mild. Doing drugs fucked up my body and caused that. I had to take speech lessons to learn how to just speak properly again, I've got the scars from teeth being knocked out. Drugs are fucked up. You know, I wasn't planning on living; doing drugs made me depressed. I didn't care. I wanted to die in a way, but my body took a lot of bullshit. It's actually a rarity to OD on heroin; the body can withstand a lot!
Big Wheel: How do you feel about the legacy of "Appetite For Destruction". Is it your proudest achievement?
Adler: I'm still so excited. The five of us had a goal, had a dream, and accomplished our dream! We were working really hard, and as far as we were concerned it was gonna be our only chance to get to make a record, so we had to make the best record possible. We wanted it to be like an album that could live forever, so that's what we did. I'm always gonna be happy about that. There are times in my life where I wasn't happy because of drugs, but aside from that I've always had that achievement to look back on. It's the best-selling debut album of all time. Now that I'm clean and living sober, I want to live it up, I'm gonna live it up! Look at Izzy, he lives life right, he was the first to get clean.
Big Wheel: The music industry sure has changed for the worse…
Adler: Yeah, right! My band is here to give rock and roll a kick in the ass. We've got steel toe boots on and were ready to kick and make things exciting again. I'm glad to have worked with Dr. Drew and to be fully recovered now; it feels great. I've made a whole 180-degree turn in my life. Rehab is one of the hardest things to do; to get through that, it takes a hell of a lot. I came out a better person. If I can get through this, then I can get through anything in life. That's what I said and that's what I did. This is who I was, but now this is who I am. I'm here and ready to do it, live my life. It's good to be alive!
Legendary guitarists Joe Satriani and Steve Vai announce plans for a benefit concert supporting music industry veteran and friend, Cliff Cultreri. 'A Benefit for Cliff II" will take place on Sunday, July 10 at the House of Blues in Hollywood, California and will feature performances by both Satriani and Vai, as well as special guests, to be announced.
Cliff Cultreri is the A&R executive who "discovered" both Satriani and Vai, as well as many other popular recording artists, while working at Relativity Records. Cultreri is suffering from a host of auto-immune and connective-tissue disorders that are simultaneously attacking his immune system, a one-in-a-million occurrence that causes severe pain and physical debilitations. In 2006, Satriani and Vai joined forces for the first Cultreri benefit show. They raised money as well as attention to the devastation this disease takes out on both the patient and their family. Satriani and Vai hope to raise even more funds with this year's benefit to help Cultreri and his family's financial needs.
Cultreri was most recently VP of A&R at Koch Entertainment. During his years in the industry, Cultreri has served as A&R for a number of top names, including Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Allan Holdsworth, Billy Sheehan and TALAS, Peter Frampton, MEGADETH, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY, EXODUS, ANTHRAX, DEATH, VENOM, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, CRADLE OF FILTH, GODFLESH and many others in all genres of music. In addition, he has received 18 Grammy nominations, 13 gold and 14 platinum, and multi-platinum awards for albums on which he was the executive producer, co-producer or A&R. He won Grammys for "Song Of The Year" and "Album Of The Year" with BONE THUGS 'N HARMONY for which he served as A&R.
"Cliff has been a musical force and guiding light in my career and my life for two decades. He introduced and championed my music to the recording business. He is a dear friend and musical ally and quite the guitar player himself," said Satriani. "Steve and I wanted to help Cliff and the idea of a show in L.A. with other members of the guitar community seemed to be the obvious way to celebrate and help him."
Tickets prices start at $75 for general admission and are set to go on sale Friday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. PT. A limited number of VIP and Platinum VIP packages will be available through Satriani.com and Vai.com. Doors will be at 7:00 p.m. with the show set to begin at 8:00 p.m.
Mike Haid of Modern Drummer recently conducted an interview with new DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Modern Drummer: What was life like before the DREAM THEATER opportunity appeared?
Mangini: In 2009, I was literally lying on the floor of my garage, completely physically and emotionally drained, unsure where my career was going. I was inventing new techniques and new drumset configurations, but I was looking at my kit, saying: Who can I play with that would allow me to use everything I've worked so hard to develop? Who will just let me play and be myself — a band that isn't going to tell me I'm using too many drums, that isn't going to tell me I don't groove, that isn't going to tell me the kit is too big and too expensive to carry around? Little did I know at the time that it would be DREAM THEATER.
Modern Drummer: Now that the auditions are over and you have been awarded the prestigious drum chair in DREAM THEATER, what have you done so far with the band in terms of music?
Mangini: My drum tracks for the new DREAM THEATER release are finished. They are currently finishing up keys and vocals. The new CD is scheduled for release in the fall.
Modern Drummer: Have you created a drumkit to fit the specific needs of DREAM THEATER?
Mangini: I showed up for DREAM THEATER ready for DREAM THEATER. Meaning the drumkit's core was designed years earlier, but I prepared a kit design with DREAM THEATER's music in mind, with Mike Portnoy's incredible drumming style in mind. My DREAM THEATER setup is designed for my left foot to be hitting a 26" bass drum. I'm playing totally lefty on a big bass drum. Mike had to get up off his stool and move to another stool to hit a 26" bass drum. He also had to get up and move to another kit to play a smaller bass drum. I have a 26" to my left, an 18" bass drum on my far right, and two 22" bass drums in the center of my kit.
Modern Drummer: It sounds as though you prepared for this audition with no intention of failure.
Mangini: These guys are extremely happy and appreciative of my dedication to my craft and my willingness to do whatever it takes to make DREAM THEATER the best it can be. And I am so grateful to Mike Portnoy for setting the bar so high in DREAM THEATER's music. I made a point of playing Mike's parts specifically for the audition because I wanted to put the music first, not my chops first. I love Mike Portnoy and have a deep respect for what he created with DREAM THEATER. I believe that he spoke from his heart when he wanted to be elsewhere. And I know he wanted to come back. But I'm sure that everything that is happening for him right now is going to be the right thing for him, because his heart told him it was time to move on. I feel that I am with true musical brothers now. And I don't have to explain myself to anybody from now on.
MAN RAZE — the rock outfit featuring Phil Collen of DEF LEPPARD, Simon Laffy from GIRL and Paul Cook of THE SEX PISTOLS — will release a new single, "Over My Dead Body", on May 31 via iTunes worldwide through Rocket Science. The brand new song will be available as a double header, with both electric and acoustic versions.
A video message from MAN RAZE in which the guys discuss the arrival of their new album (currently untitled), due out this summer on Rocket Science, can be viewed below.
MAN RAZE's debut album, "Surreal", was re-released in June 2009 via VH1 Classic Records as a deluxe edition with five previously unreleased bonus tracks.
"Surreal" came out in the U.K. on November 17, 2008 through Surrealist Records. The U.K. version of the CD came with a special European-edition bonus disc.
Mixing the raw energy of the PISTOLS mixed with the immaculate pop rock of DEF LEPPARD, MAN RAZE is a unique clash of '70s simplicity with '80s excess, punk clubs with stadium rock.
"The fun part about MAN RAZE is that musically we can go off in any direction from rock to alternative the next," Phil Collen previously said.
With regards to the band's sound, Collen — who also handles lead vocals — told Rolling Stone magazine, "It's a mix. We go from really hard rock, with obviously big guitars, to dub. I was always into the alternative stuff, a very big fan of THE POLICE. And this is edgy — a lot more aggressive than DEF LEPPARD."
Before joining DEF LEPPARD, London-born Phil Collen played in GIRL, who were one of the great unsung U.K. rock acts of the early '80s (singer Phil Lewis would later front L.A. GUNS — who were at the vanguard of the L.A. sleaze rock scene that eventually produced GUNS N' ROSES). While Phil went on to join DEF LEPPARD he maintained a strong friendship with Simon Laffy, GIRL's bassist. Reconnecting in 2004, and joined by SEX PISTOLS drummer Paul Cook, MAN RAZE was born. Eschewing their illustrious past, the band have spent the past two year getting back to basics, writing and recording — they also played a sold-out show at London's Spitz Club and released a limited-edition EP "Skin Crawl" in October 2005 on their own label, Surrealist Records, in the U.K.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere
Eagle Rock Entertainment will release the landmark metal debut of 1982, "Under The Blade" by TWISTED SISTER, on May 31. The CD — originally produced by Pete Way of UFO — will also contain four tracks from their 1982 "Ruff Cuts" EP (never before available on CD) as well as "Shoot 'Em Down", an '82 live track from England's prestigious Reading Festival. The lavish package features the original "Under The Blade" cover, which has not appeared on any domestic versions of the album until now, and reflects the original Secret Records track list and remastered audio mix.
The DVD contains the entire previously-unreleased Reading concert. Vocalist Dee Snider, guitarists Jay Jay French and Eddie Ojeda, bassist Mark Mendoza and drummer A.J. Pero gave the crowd something they had not exactly ever seen before. It was, for all intents and purposes, a coming-out affair for this great band. They play as if their life depends upon it. They play as if they have something to prove. And they did. They're young, hungry, determined and wind up headbanging with a desperate ferocity usually reserved for those kinds of life-altering performances that make a band. This is one of those performances. The set concludes with a show-stopping version of "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll" as the band jams out with Pete Way and MOTÖRHEAD's Fast Eddie Clarke and Lemmy! The DVD also includes 40 minutes of newly shot interviews with the band about the recording of "Under The Blade" and the Reading Festival.
French joined the band SILVER STAR, a New Jersey-based "glitter band" in December 1972. The group, whose original purpose was to be the New Jersey version of the NEW YORK DOLLS, changed their name to TWISTED SISTER on Valentine's Day 1973. The band, however, continually changed lineups and didn't take off until Snider joined in 1976. The lineup didn't fully coalesce until 1982 with the final addition of drummer A.J. Pero.
"Under The Blade" first came out on an independent U.K.-based label called Secret Records, but really gained momentum when Atlantic Records released a different mix of the album nationally in 1985 while taking advantage of the bands newly minted stardom. Their meteoric ascent came in tandem with the simultaneous rise of MTV. This version you now have in your hands is the most requested and sought after. The new digital remastered original mix of "Under the Blade".
CD track listing:
01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Bad Boys (Of Rock 'n' Roll)
03. Run For Your Life
04. Sin After Sin
05. Shoot 'Em Down
06. Destroyer
07. Under The Blade
08. Tear It Loose
09. Day Of The Rocker
10. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (Ruff Cutts Version)
11. Shoot 'Em Down (Ruff Cutts Version)
12. Under The Blade (Ruff Cutts Version)
13. Leader Of The Pack (Ruff Cutts Version)
14. Shoot 'Em Down (Live At Reading)
DVD track listing:
01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Sin After Sin
03. Bad Boys (Of Rock 'n' Roll)
04. Destroyer
05. Shoot 'Em Down
06. Tear It Loose
07. Under The Blade
08. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll
GUNS N' ROSES/SIXX: A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba spoke to AOL's Noisecreep about his career so far and his reputation as one of the "most versatile" players in the business.
"It's surreal when you think about it — I've had such an amazing life so far and I'm so thankful for everything I have. It's been a fun journey, but a long and hard road to get there," Ashba said.
When asked if his Indiana blue-collar roots contributed to his strong work ethic, Ashba replied, "Yeah, that's at least 90 percent of it. I've always said that it's not impossible to achieve the things you dream about if you work hard to get them. I've never looked at things to be intangible. If someone can do it, in my eyes, I think I can do it too. You just can't take no for an answer.
"I moved out when I was 16 years old and I've been on my own ever since. I was the kid that never called home for a dime. I just knew in my heart that I failure was not an option, because I really didn't have anywhere else to go. I've always dreamed big and when I get focused on something, I get tunnel vision.
"As cheesy as it may sound, you just have to follow your dreams and be true to your heart."
In addition to Ashba and sole original member Axl Rose (vocals), the current lineup of GUNS N' ROSES includes guitarists Ron Thal and Richard Fortus, bassist Tommy Stinson, keyboardists Dizzy Reed and Chris Pitman and drummer Frank Ferrer.
Ashba joined GUNS N' ROSES in March 2009 following the departure of Robin Finck.
"This Is Gonna Hurt", the sophomore album from SIXX: A.M. — the band consisting of members b>Nikki Sixx (also of MÖTLEY CRÜE), DJ Ashba (also of GUNS N' ROSES) and James Michael — is likely to sell between 25,000 and 30,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to industry web site Hits Daily Double. The estimate was based on one-day sales reports compiled after the record arrived in stores on May 3. The 11-track CD is a companion piece to Sixx's "This Is Gonna Hurt: Music, Photography And Life Through The Distorted Lens Of Nikki Sixx" book, a follow-up to his New York Times bestseller, "The Heroin Diaries".
Two days into its release, "This Is Gonna Hurt" remains in the Top 10 on iTunes during one of the most competitive release weeks of the year. The CD is also holding strong as the #1 Independent Rock Album.
After meeting over 3,000 fans in just two appearances, Nikki Sixx continues his East Coast book-signing tour in Washington, D.C. tonight at Barnes and Noble.
"This Is Gonna Hurt" is part photo, part journal — but all Nikki Sixx. It is a collection of compelling snapshots and stories that capture the rage, love, optimism, darkness, and determination that shape his work. Told with the raw authenticity that defined his New York Times bestseller "The Heroin Diaries", "This Is Gonna Hurt" chronicles Sixx's experience, from references to his early years filled with toxic waste to his success with MÖTLEY CRÜE, his death from an OD and rebirth to his addictions to music, photography, and love along with the journey of photographing these images over the past couple of years.
The "This Is Gonna Hurt" album as a whole deals with many raw, human issues. Nikki talks about the CD as "pulling back the veil on your internal truth," saying, "We are who we are… Either poisonous and evil or honest and willing… Willing to make a difference… I haven't led the life of a saint nor do I intend on it now." The album — produced entirely by James Michael with writing credits going to Sixx, Michael, Ashba and band friends John William Lowrey and Blair Daly — dives deep into meandering emotions through epic melodies. The resulting work is a deep, dark and intoxicatingly addictive mix of sounds and passion.
"This Is Gonna Hurt" album track listing:
01. This Is Gonna Hurt
02. Lies of the Beautiful People
03. Are You With Me
04. Live Forever
05. Sure Feels Right
06. Deadlihood
07. Smile
08. Help Is On the Way
09. Oh My God
10. Goodbye My Friends
11. Skin
Songwriting credits:
* This is Gonna Hurt (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Lies Of The Beautiful People (Michael, Sixx, John William Lowrey, Ashba)
* Live Forever (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Are You With Me Now (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Sure Feels Right (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Deadlihood (Michael, Sixx, Blair Daly)
* Smile (Michael, Sixx)
* Oh My God (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Goodbye Dear Friends (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
* Skin (Michael, Blair Daly)
* Help Is On The Way (Michael, Sixx, Ashba)
Expect SIXX: A.M. to announce a run of tour dates in support of the release.
TheyWillRockYou.com recently conducted an interview with vocalist Russell Allen of North America's progressive metal masterminds SYMPHONY X before the band's April 23, 2011 concert at The Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
TheyWillRockYou.com: SYMPHONY X is known for having some very unique album covers on past albums. Did you use the same artist — Warren Flanagan — for "Iconoclast"?
Russell: Yes, we did, another genius of an artist like Jens. We are very fortunate in that because we create very artistic, very grand in nature (both lyrically and musically) music, it attracts all kinds of people from the entertainment industry. Warren has been the lead artist for films like "I, Robot", "Watchmen", "2012", "X-Men: The Last Stand" and many others. Warren is also a big SYMPHONY X fan. We just give him an image of what the music is and what we are thinking and he gives us back a Hollywood-level interpretation of the music visually; It's stunning. I'm always amazed at his work. He does it all by hand using a digital brush. He is our good-luck charm.
TheyWillRockYou.com: "Iconoclast" is your first album with Nuclear Blast. How has that relationship been so far?
Russell: It's been great; they are very enthusiastic. They are pushing us a lot harder than we have been used to, so that's exciting too. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but we're happy to learn! They are happy to provide us every opportunity that they possibly can to be successful. We're an interesting group because we are far from the new kids on the block but we are also not the oldest either. We are at a very crucial point in our career and it's awesome to have the kind of support from Nuclear Blast who really loves what we are doing and truly believes in us. It looks as if they are willing to take that extra step to help the band get bigger and grow more. That's an important aspect at this stage in our careers to keep growing.
TheyWillRockYou.com: Based on the imagery I have seen online, "Iconoclast" seems to have a theme of technology and machines and how they affect us in our daily lives. Is this a fair assessment?
Russell: It's dead on; it's totally centered around that one theme and it touches upon everything from social networking to an unmanned military "Terminator" sort of scenario where we take ourselves out of the equation in military action which I think is very frightening. The big computers finding out how far man's intelligence goes before it finds out that it's alive. That's the basis for the song "Prometheus (I Am Alive)". We are kind of pushing the boundary for what we normally do with this because (for the most part) we have centered around classic literature, or mythology or events from the past. Now we are looking to the future which is a new thing for us. There are lots of industrial sounds in the music which is also something we have never done before. So it's still SYMPHONY X still doing what we do but adding a new color to the canvas sort of speak by allowing us to produce this very modern futuristic sort of theme.
TheyWillRockYou.com: We live in a society that feeds off of instant gratification. Does it concern you and the other members of SYMPHONY X that the average length of time between your last few albums has been about four years?
Russell: It has made it difficult to move up the ladder. We have always had a problem in getting albums completed in a timely way. It's mostly due to perfectionism. Both Michael [Romeo, guitar] and I are perfectionists. We ran into a few unforeseen problems this time around which did delay things even more than normal. We are not trying to be too crazy about picking part each track this time around and how perfect it had to sound. Perfect for us doesn't mean the perfect pitch or the perfect timing but more that it feels right. Perfectionism would be different for everyone, I think, but for us it is that it feels right. It sucks because we want to get albums out and tour and give our fans more of what they want, but at the same time we have to be happy ourselves with the finished product. We are not the kind of band that can tour and write; it's impossible. Mike needs his time to write the music and I need my time also to see what direction we are heading
in. We are already talking about a few ideas I have for the next record in terms of what the theme would be. We do realize and want to get a new product out there in a timely manner so we can keep the ball rolling this time and we have a good momentum going I don't want to lose that due to inactivity.
Swedish metallers STEELWING have issued the following update:
"Sometimes what you seek is closer than you think.
"As we have already hinted, the search for the new STEELWING bassist is over. We'd like to thank all the groovy bass players from all over Europe who applied for the job, it's been an honor to get to hear so many talented musicians. Eventually, though, we realized that we already knew someone who felt and looked like one of us, knew all our songs by heart and — to our surprise — could also play the bass!
"Meet Nic Savage, blond bass thrasher and devoted U.S. metal disciple. Armed with a scarlet Kramer four-string, he will henceforth handle the bass duties of STEELWING."
Left to right in photo below: Nic Savage, Alex Vega, Riley, Oskar, Robby Rockbag
Bassist Skürk has left STEELWING in February "due to life priorities that do not include any more extensive touring."
STEELWING's debut album, "Lord Of The Wasteland", was released in Europe on April 30, 2010 via Noise Art Records, a division of Rock The Nation. The CD was recorded at Deep Blue Studios with producer Nicko DiMarino. The album artwork was created by Ed Repka.
STEELWING was awarded a record deal as part of a contest launched by the Austrian management and booking company Rock The Nation. This unique competition was presented and promoted by all leading European metal magazines, including the German, Italian, Spanish and Greek editions of Metal Hammer; Terrorizer (U.K.); Metallian (France); Scream (Norway); Rock Tribune (Belgium); Spark (Czech Republic); and the Dutch webzine LordsOfMetal.nl.
Reunited '80s Montreal power metallers SWORD (not to be confused with Texas-based luminaries THE SWORD) have been confirmed for the Keep It True XV festival, set to take place April 27-28, 2012 ay Tauberfrankenhalle in Lauda-Königshofen, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
SWORD (CAN)
TYTAN (UK)
OZ (FIN/SWE)
TENSION (USA)
MYSTIC FORCE (USA)
ADRAMELCH (ITA)
OSTROGOTH (BEL)
WITCH CROSS (DEN)
MYSTIK (USA)
FISCHELS BEAST (USA)
PORTRAIT (SWE)
DARK WIZARD (HOL)
SAVAGE BLADE (CAN)
VOLTURE (USA)
The festival will also include the "NWOBHM Anniversary Show Part II" featuring ROXXCALIBUR.
SWORD was formed in early 1985 by brothers Mick Hughes (vocals) and Dan Hughes (drums), guitarist Mike Plant, and bassist Mike Larock. After signing with local label Aquarius Records, the band released its debut album, "Metalized", in 1986 and a follow-up effort, "Sweet Dreams", in 1987.
SWORD never made much headway south of the border and split up soon after the release of its sophomore album.
SWORD's sound was previously described as "a muscular brand of classic metal with tasteful riffs and solos by Plant and infectious shout-along choruses."
Rick Hughes released a solo album in 2006 entitled "Train D'Enfer".
SWORD will support ANNIHILATOR at the 2011 edition of the Festival d'Été de Québec (Quebec City International Summer Festival) on July 10 at the Imperial Theater in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/swordkeep.jpg
Drummer Zender has left Italian folk/power metallers ELVENKING for "personal" reasons and has been replaced by Symohn.
Commented the band: "We had a wonderful journey with Zender in these long 12 years.
"Thinking about where we started together back in the time and what we have achieved along the path, it really looks incredible. We were a bunch of kids when we started together with nothing but a dream, and now we are here.
"We cannot feel anything but proud and we are sure Zender feels exactly the same.
"Being in a band like ELVENKING it is not the easiest thing in the world, since you are not that big to live out of your passion, but you're big enough to have a lot of stress, busy days, lots of things to do and manage, long travels, flights, etc. etc.
"The split has been in total friendship and with no bad blood at all.
"Zender came to visit the band in the rehearsal room also the other day to share some words and drinks together.
"All ELVENKING members, crew and friends wish Zender all the best possible for his future and we're sure our roads will cross again sooner or later."
ELVENKING's "Your Heroes Are Dead" video can be viewed below. The song comes off ELVENKING's latest album, "Red Silent Tides", which was released on September 17, 2010 in Europe (November 9 in North America) via AFM Records. The CD was recorded at Piranha studios in Karsdolf, Germany with producer Dennis Ward (ANGRA, PINK CREAM 69, PRIMAL FEAR). The album's cover artwork was created by Samuel Araya, who has previously worked on CRADLE OF FILTH's "Thornography" CD.
"Meredead", the new album from LEAVES' EYES — the German/Norwegian band formed by ex-THEATRE OF TRAGEDY singer Liv Kristine Espenaes Krull and members of ATROCITY — has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 32. Released on April 22 in Germany, Austria and Switzerland via Napalm Records, the effort was made available exclusively as limited-edition mediabook CD, including bonus track and bonus DVD "Live At The Metal Female Voices Fest", strictly limited-edition deluxe box set and regular jewel case. The deluxe box set (pictured below) is limited to 1,000 copies and includes the mediabook CD including bonus track and bonus DVD, "Live At The Metal Female Voices Fest", plus pendant (Celtic cross with LEAVES' EYES branding).
Producer/co-vocalist Alexander Krull mixed "Meredead" at Mastersound Studio. The album's artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann and can be viewed below.
"Meredead" track listing:
01. Spirits' Masquerade
02. Étaín
03. Velvet Heart
04. Kråkevisa *
05. To France (MIKE OLDFIELD cover)
06. Meredead
07. Sigrlinn
08. Mine Tåror er ei Grimme
09. Empty Horizon
10. Veritas
11. Nystev *
12. Tell-Tale Eyes
13. Sorhleod (bonus track)
* Norwegian traditional songs
LEAVES' EYES recently spent time in Gothenburg, Sweden filming a video for its cover of the MIKE OLDFIELD classic "To France" with director Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others. You can now watch the clip below.
Kristine previously stated about the new CD: "As we began composing the first song ideas for our fourth full-length album, all of us were very eager to take another step in strengthening both the individual sound and concept of LEAVES' EYES, like we have done album by album. Along with the songwriting process, I made up my mind about the songs' themes, and drowned myself in different sources of literature. Some songs clearly needed lyrics rooted in northern history and culture, as well as having mystical themes.
"Being an Old-English fan, I decided to write some of the lyrics in Old-English, which, of course, included further studies of grammatical and phonetic knowledge, which I really enjoyed doing.
"Next to modern English and Old English, some songs are sung in traditional Norwegian, to keep their strong individuality and focus on certain themes from special genres in Norwegian traditional singing.
"The album is given the title 'Meredead', as one of the songs on the album. It is my own word creation (at least I haven't found it in a dictionary yet), and it may mean both 'dead by/in the sea,' or 'the mortal or killing sea.'
"In my lyrics, you will find traditional themes from Viking literature and Norwegian song tradition, moreover, tales from the Irish isles, some from already existing sources, some made up myself. Sometimes you will hear about men going on adventures, some ending up drowning in the sea, their wives, evil witches, three-headed trolls, or spell-bound princesses, as well as marble halls and blood-thirsty creatures.
"I allowed myself more freedom for the concept of 'Meredead', telling a number of different stories, real, mystical or sometimes maybe even both."
Swedish gothic/doom metal band DRACONIAN will release its new album, "A Rose For The Apocalypse", on June 24 via Napalm Records. The cover artwork was created by Seth Siron Anton (PARADISE LOST, KAMELOT, ROTTING CHRIST, MOONSPELL) and can be seen below. A limited digipack version of the CD with one bonus song will also be made available.
A new DRACONIAN track, "The Last Hour Of Ancient Sunlight", is featured on Napalm Records' free sampler "Nothing Burns Like Napalm", which also includes music from ALESTORM, LEAVES' EYES, KAMPFAR, STREAM OF PASSION and TÝR, among others.
"A Rose For The Apocalypse" track listing:
01. The Drowning Age (7:18)
02. The Last Hour Ancient Sunlight (5:26)
03. End Of The Rope (6:34)
04. Elysian Night (7:52)
05. Deadlight (6:32)
06. Dead World Assembly (5:52)
07. A Phantom Dissonance (5:39)
08. The Quiet Storm (6:37)
09. The Death Of Hours (7:48)
10. Wall Of Sighs (5:14)
DRACONIAN vocalist Anders Jacobsson previously stated about "A Rose For The Apocalypse", "Jens Bogren of Fascination Street [studios in Örebro, Sweden] sprinkled his magic over the songs during the production and mixing process and each and every song found its way. We are grateful to have such a committed producer and we can only feel blessed by the experience to once again have made another album reality at Fascination Street.
"The new album is called 'A Rose For The Apocalypse' and deals with a vast dilemma we're all facing as one species; the horrors and contradictions we've created in our 'nature-divorced' system. The title refers to the collapse of this structure, built by mindless human opinion. It also refers to the necessity of its demise. We are trying to capture the gloom of its realization. I don't know if we'd want to call this a conceptual album, but most songs certainly deal with the same topic in one way or the other. I've reached a point in my life when my eyes remain open.
"To most of you, 'A Rose For The Apocalypse' might appear a darker, more threatening album compared to the previous [album], 'Turning Season Within'. And yes, it is different in several ways, but DRACONIAN remains the same.
"I have often said that our new work resembles a mix between the old and the new DRACONIAN and will unite fans of both preferences. While listening to this album, I feel a lot of history comes together in one place, at least sound-wise.
"Our old friend Olof Göthlin contributes with some of his excellent violin skills on the album. Cover and layout is created by the amazing Seth Siron Anton.
"We sincerely hope we've created an album that will make impact on our beloved fans. Thank you for keeping up, sticking by us and maintained your faith in DRACONIAN."
DRACONIAN's last album, "Turning Season Within", in 2008 entered the album chart in Sweden at position No. 68. The CD was recorded at Fascination Street studio during September 2007 and features a guest appearance by NOVEMBERS DOOM vocalist Paul Kuhr.
Oakland, California extreme metallers ALL SHALL PERISH will release fourth full-length album, "This Is Where It Ends", on July 26 (North America) and July 29 (Europe) via Nuclear Blast Records. The cover artwork for the CD can be viewed below.
Commented the band: "This time around we chose Brent Elliott White (DEATH ANGEL, JOB FOR A COWBOY, WHITECHAPEL) to handle the artwork duties.
"With this album, we wanted to grab people's attention, not only musically but visually.
"Lyrically, this album reflects a lot of our own personal struggles. The concept was to portray a man faced with the humiliation of his past and his continued suffering. Brent's dark, vivid style fit perfectly in bringing this cover to life."
The majority of the follow-up to 2008's "Awaken The Dreamers" was recorded and mixed once again at Castle Ultimate Studios in Oakland with producer Zack Ohren (LIGHT THIS CITY, DECREPIT BIRTH, SUFFOCATION).
"Divine Illusion", a brand new song from ALL SHALL PERISH, is available for streaming on the band's Facebook page. "Like/share" the band on Facebook in order to hear it.
Commented ALL SHALL PERISH: "This is just a small taste of what is coming with the new record. We definitely brought back the brutality with this one and the breakdowns are gonna leave panties wet and asses sore... and you begging for more!"
ALL SHALL PERISH has been added to this year's installment of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The 26-date trek, which is scheduled to kick off on July 9 at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, California, will also include DISTURBED, GODSMACK, MEGADETH, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES and TRIVIUM, among many others.
On April 7, Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with ALL SHALL PERISH guitarist Ben Orum. You can now listen to the chat below.
"Awaken The Dreamers" sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 126.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/aspcd2011.jpg
Swedish "pop/metal" band DEAD BY APRIL has issued the following update:
"After months of recording we are finally proud of letting you all know that the first single from our upcoming album will be 'Within My Heart'. It will be out digitally on the 16th of May and our aim is to get it out worldwide to as many of you as possible. Apart from 'Within My Heart', we will release two other songs — one you may have heard previously and the second is a completely new one. In the meanwhile, check out this teaser of the song [see below] and let us know what you think of it."
Due later in the year via Spinefarm Records, DEAD BY APRIL's sophomore album was produced by Swedish studio-meister Jacob Hellner (RAMMSTEIN) at his own Big Island Studio in Stockholm. The CD was mixed by fellow RAMMSTEIN regular Stefan Glaumann and features the session guitar work of Pontus Hjelm, who left DEAD BY APRIL last year to focus more on the writing and production side; his songs (including "More Than Yesterday"; the demo version of which appeared on the compilation mini-album "Stronger", recently released via Spinefarm) will also be included, providing the all-important continuity with the self-titled debut, a Top 2 outing in Sweden.
DEAD BY APRIL's self-titled debut album, was released in the U.K. on August 3, 2009 via Spinefarm. Issued in Sweden on May 13, 2009 via Universal, the CD was produced by Henrik Edenhed, who has previously worked with ROBYN, LAMBRETTA, TEDDYBEARS, CHRISTIAN WALTZ and THE SOUNDS.
"Losing You", the first single from DEAD BY APRIL, topped the official chart in the band's home country.
For more information, visit DEAD BY APRIL's MySpace page.
Pulverised Records has announced the signing of the Singaporean black death warmachine known as IMPIETY for the release of the band's eighth studio album.
The group, which has a winding history that spans over two decades, is a champion of the underworld having released a host of crushing albums that consistently push the boundaries of extreme.
Commented founding bassist/vocalist Shyaithan of the signing: "The best of IMPIETY has yet to come! Writing the upcoming storm serves as a greater challenge to myself and all previous endeavors. One thing definitely to expect is that this new full-length album will hammer you ten times harder than all previous revelations. Blood and Chaos shall dominate but Lightning Death will be its ultimate crowning glory!"
Added Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin Chiang: "IMPIETY, with their vibrant history as the first band to put Singapore on the extreme metal map, has grown rapidly in recent years with a fearsome reputation of being a no-holds-barred ferocious live act. And now it has come full circle; this formidable co-operation for the upcoming new full-length opus will prove once again that IMPIETY is truly at the top of their game, sitting proud and high at the blackened elite throne of blasphemy. Asian and Arrogant!"
IMPIETY is:
Shyaithan - Vocals/Bass
Guh Lu - Guitar
Eskathon - Guitar
Atum - Drums
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/impietyofficial.
Finnish melodic black metallers CATAMENIA have issued the following update:
"We've decided to take the keyboards back to our music, so we want to welcome Jussi Sauvola [pictured below] from SILENT THRENODY and DECROWNED to join the band. Welcome to CATA-family, Jussi!"
CATAMENIA last December announced the addition of vocalist Juha-Matti Perttunen (ALL AGAINST) to the group's ranks. The band also parted ways with Ari Nissilä (guitar, vocals), Toni Kansanoja (bass/backing vocals), Kari Vähäkuopus (clean vocals) and Mikko Nevanlahti (drums) and replaced them with Mikko Hepo-oja (bass), Tony Qvick (drums) and Sauli Jauhiainen (guitar).
The new CATAMENIA lineup is:
Riku Hopeakoski - Guitar
Mikko Hepo-oja - Bass
Tony Qvick - Drums
Sauli Jauhiainen - Guitar
Juha-Matti Perttunen - Vocals
Jussi Sauvola - Keyboards
"Cavalcade", the latest video from CATAMENIA, can be viewed below. The song is the title cut of the band's most recetr album, which was released in February 2010 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded and mixed by Kari Vähäkuopus at Mastervox Studios in Oulu, Finland and was produced by CATAMENIA. POISONBLACK/ex-SENTENCED frontman Ville Laihiala makes a guest appearance on the album's opening track, "Blood Trails".
Since returning from their extensive North American tour as direct support for CRADLE OF FILTH in March, bastard sons of black metal NACHTMYSTIUM have been devising their next studio effort. The current band lineup consists of a majority of the recent touring formation, including Andrew Markuszewski (AVICHI, LORD MANTIS), Charlie Fell (LORD MANTIS, AVICHI), and Sanford Parker (MINSK, CIRCLE OF ANIMALS), and founding guitarist/vocalist Blake Judd. As of now, little more about the album is being released, but according to Judd, "The new record will have a very strong industrial influence in the vein of latter-era MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS and NINE INCH NAILS, but also a strong, depressive, old-school black metal influence."
More details, including a full-time bassist and more on the upcoming album, will be announced shortly.
In the meantime, Judd and NACHTMYSTIUM have confirmed several collaborations with infamous USBM horde VON! Two separate projects are currently underway which involve members of both bands. First up, Judd has been confirmed as one of a dozen notable artists set to collaborate with VON bassist Venien, on a project entitled VON VENIEN. The unit will release a 12-inch single entitled "Empire" via VON's own label Von Music Group. Following that, VMG will also unleash a split between Von and NACHTMYSTIUM via 12-inch MLP and CD, which will include both a new track as well as some VON homage from NACHTMYSTIUM. Full details on releases will be unveiled shortly.
NACHTMYSTIUM has announced a string of random live attacks for the coming months. The latest plague of concerts begins with a hometown headlining gig, with support from LORD MANTIS (containing two members of NACHTMYSTIUM), this Friday, May 6 in Chicago. Next up, NACHTMYSTIUM will co-headline 2011's installment of the annual Alehorn Of Power festival on June 11 in Chicago where they'll perform directly before headlining stoner gods ORANGE GOBLIN, and will also be joined by BIBLE OF THE DEVIL, ZUUL, SOLACE and BURIED AT SEA. July will see NACHTMYSTIUM terrorizing the Central Illinois Metalfest, where they're confirmed as direct support for MACABRE. In August, they've been invited to perform at the Party.San Open Air festival in Schlotheim, Germany, as part of an incredible fest lineup including MORBID ANGEL, AT THE GATES, ABSU, TRYPTIKON, ENSLAVED, NEGURA BUNGET and more. The band has constructed a longer set than usual for many of these headlining and
festival appearances, mostly comprised of tracks it has not performed live before.
"Superskum" (web site) conducted an interview with Blake Judd of NACHTMYSTIUM on February 18, 2011 in Englewood, Colorado. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the Englewood show.
Chicago-based multinational extreme act AGAINST THE PLAGUES has parted ways with guitarist Wojtek Lisicki (LOST HORIZON, LUCIFERION) and has recruited bassist Marcin "Novy" Nowak (BEHEMOTH, VADER, ROAD'S END). The band is currently recording its sophomore album as a four-piece consisting of the following musicians:
* Varyen Chylinski (FOREST OF IMPALED, DAMNATION) - Drums
* Marco Martell (MALEVOLENT CREATION, DIVINE EMPIRE) - Guitar
* Marcin "Novy" Nowak (BEHEMOTH/VADER, ROAD'S END) - Bass
* Logan Perez (VEX) - Vocals
Commented Chylinski: "I am proud to announce that one of the best bass players in death metal scene, Novy, who previously worked with BEHEMOTH and VADER, is officially a member of AGAINST THE PLAGUES. He is a great and very experienced musician who used to play in several world-class bands in the past and I am looking forward to working with him on our upcoming second album. We are very excited and full of energy like never before and I cannot wait to expose our new material to all our loyal followers!"
Recording sessions for the follow-up to AGAINST THE PLAGUES' debut album, "Decoding The Mainframe", took at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin with producer Chris Djuricic (NOVEMBERS DOOM, JUNGLE ROT, NACHTMYSTIUM).
"Great Are The Eyed", the first official video from AGAINST THE PLAGUES, can be viewed below. The clip was filmed in February 2010 in Miami with directors Eduardo and Gregg Alvarez from Elephas Productions. The song comes off AGAINST THE PLAGUES' debut album, "Decoding The Mainframe", which was released in Europe on March 31, 2010 via Vic Records.
AGAINST THE PLAGUES last year parted ways with guitarist Adrian Adamus (FOREST OF IMPALED, CORPHAGY). According to the band, Adrian left AGAINST THE PLAGUES "in order to focus on his personal/family life." Guitar duties in AGAINST THE PLAGUES are now being handled by Marco Martell (MALEVOLENT CREATION, DIVINE EMPIRE, KULT OF AZAZEL), who previously played bass for the group.
"Decoding The Mainframe" contains re-recorded versions of all eight songs from AGAINST THE PLAGUES' self-released CD, "Architecture of Oppression". The tracks were remastered and mixed by Dan Swanö (EDGE OF SANITY, AEON, DISSECTION, KATATONIA, MARDUK).
Originally released in 2007, "Architecture of Oppression" was recorded at Studio One with Chris Djuricic (NOVEMBERS DOOM, NACHTMYSTIUM, GORGASM, FOREST OF IMPALED) and was mastered by Daniel Fossum at Sounds Elevator Studio in Gothenburg, Sweden.
For more information, go to www.myspace.com/againsttheplagues.
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