The Rolling Stones album "Some Girls" will be rereleased on November 21, 2011 in various packages. There will be re-mastered, expanded, Super-Deluxe, Deluxe and Digital editions of the 1978 album. This page is listing links and details of the release.
Some Girls Press release by Universal
ROLLING STONES UNVEIL ARRAY OF VINTAGE UNRELEASED MATERIAL FOR "SOME GIRLS" RELEASE
The Rolling Stones are set to delight their millions of fans, and another generation of new admirers, as they unveil a treasure trove of vintage unreleased material from the "Some Girls" era of 1978.
Comprising an entire album of fresh material, the songs form the second disc on the deluxe edition of the band?s seminal, multi-million-selling 1978 album Some Girls, which is released on November 21. It follows the massive worldwide success and acclaim for Universal's 2010 reissue of the Stones? hallowed 1972 set "Exile On Main St".
The appearance of the unreleased tracks on the deluxe "Some Girls" means that after listening to such gems from the original album as "Miss You", "Far Away Eyes", "Before They Make Me Run" and "Beast Of Burden", fans can enjoy a whole new set of contemporaneous work by the Stones. A fresh and compelling collection in its own right, it's also the perfect complement to one of the band's best-ever albums.
The unreleased tracks mostly feature performances by the whole band - Mick Jagger on lead vocals, piano, guitars and harmonica; Keith Richards on guitars,piano, harmony vocals (and lead vocal on "We Had It All"); Ronnie Wood on pedal steel, electric and slide guitar; and the vintage Stones engine room of Bill Wyman on bass and Charlie Watts on drums.
Produced by the Glimmer Twins, Chris Kimsey and Don Was, the material also includes guest appearances by Stones diehards Ian Stewart and Chuck Leavell on pianos, harmonica player Sugar Blue (who also provided the unforgettable motif on the "Some Girls" smash "Miss You"), and for trivia freaks even handclaps on one song by former Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman John Fogerty.
The collection includes a wealth of fine Jagger-Richards compositions along with some fascinating cover versions, collectively reflecting the stripped-down rock'n'roll, blues and country flavours of the famed 1978 album. "So Young", "When You're Gone" (co-written by Ronnie Wood), "Keep Up Blues" and "Petrol Blues" all evoke the band's enduring rhythm and blues roots. "Don't Be A Stranger" is an infectious shuffle and "Love You Too Much" an archetypal Stones rocker.
"Do You Think I Really Care", with its lyrical imagery of New York City, and the mid-tempo road tale "No Spare Parts" dovetail with "Far Away Eyes" and the "Some Girls" title track in reflecting the band's longtime love of country music. No Spare Parts will be released as a single.
As if all of that wasn't enough to keep the hungriest Stones fan happy, there are three exceptional interpretations to add to their long list of distinguished cover versions. Keith takes the lead vocals on "We Had It All", written by the great Southern songwriters Troy Seals and Donnie Fritts and recorded by such country greats as Waylon Jennings and Conway Twitty. There's a rocking take on Freddy Cannon's 1959 favourite "Tallahassee Lassie" and an assured version of the Hank Williams standard "You Win Again".
"It's wonderful to see the quality of these tracks measuring up to the songs that came out on the original album", says Ronnie Wood. "It's an extension of what was going on then", adds Keith Richards. "Sometimes great stuff gets left behind and it's great to see it out there".
SOME GIRLS BONUS TRACKS
1. CLAUDINE
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Keith Richards - electric guitar and harmony vocals
Mick Jagger - acoustic guitar, vocals
Ronnie Wood - acoustic guitar
Ian Stewart - piano
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Keith Richards - electric guitar and harmony vocals
Mick Jagger - acoustic guitar, vocals
Ronnie Wood - acoustic guitar
Ian Stewart - piano
2. SO YOUNG
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar & harmony vocals
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
Chuck Leavell - piano solo
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar & harmony vocals
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
Chuck Leavell - piano solo
3. DO YOU THINK I REALLY CARE
(JAGGER RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals + acoustic guitar
Keith Richards - acoustic guitar + harmony vocals
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel + electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
(JAGGER RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals + acoustic guitar
Keith Richards - acoustic guitar + harmony vocals
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel + electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
4. WHEN YOU'RE GONE
(JAGGER, RICHARDS, WOODS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, guitar & harp
Keith Richards - guitar
Ronnie Wood - guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
(JAGGER, RICHARDS, WOODS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, guitar & harp
Keith Richards - guitar
Ronnie Wood - guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
5. NO SPARE PARTS
(JAGGER - RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, el piano, guitar, tambourine
Keith Richards - piano
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar & pedal steel
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
(JAGGER - RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, el piano, guitar, tambourine
Keith Richards - piano
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar & pedal steel
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
6. DON'T BE A STRANGER
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, percussion
Keith Richards - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion
Ronnie Wood - acoustic guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - marimba
Don Was - bass
Sugar Blue - harp
Matt Clifford – percussion
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals, percussion
Keith Richards - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, percussion
Ronnie Wood - acoustic guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - marimba
Don Was - bass
Sugar Blue - harp
Matt Clifford – percussion
7. WE HAD IT ALL
(TROY SEALS / DONNIE FRITTS)
Keith Richards - vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel
Sugar Blue - harp
(TROY SEALS / DONNIE FRITTS)
Keith Richards - vocals, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel
Sugar Blue - harp
8. TALLAHASSEE LASSIE
(SLAY, CREWE, PICARIELLO)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
Ian Stewart - piano
Handclaps by Mick Jagger, John Fogerty and Don Was
(SLAY, CREWE, PICARIELLO)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
Ian Stewart - piano
Handclaps by Mick Jagger, John Fogerty and Don Was
9. I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar, harmony vocals, piano
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals
Keith Richards - electric guitar, harmony vocals, piano
Ronnie Wood - electric guitar
Bill Wyman - bass
Charlie Watts - drums
10. KEEP UP BLUES
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals & harp
Keith Richards - electric guitar
Ronnie Wood - slide guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
(JAGGER-RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals & harp
Keith Richards - electric guitar
Ronnie Wood - slide guitar
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
11. YOU WIN AGAIN
(HANK WILLIAMS)
Mick Jagger – vocals, acoustic guitar
Keith Richards - electric guitar & el piano
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
(HANK WILLIAMS)
Mick Jagger – vocals, acoustic guitar
Keith Richards - electric guitar & el piano
Ronnie Wood - pedal steel
Charlie Watts - drums
Bill Wyman - bass
Ian Stewart - piano
12. PETROL BLUES
(JAGGER –RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals and piano
(JAGGER –RICHARDS)
Mick Jagger - vocals and piano
Produced by CHRIS KIMSEY, DON WAS AND THE GLIMMER TWINS
Recorded by CHRIS KIMSEY at PATHE MARCONI STUDIOS, PARIS
Except TALAHASSIE LASSIE
Recorded by MICHAEL CARNAVALE at RCA RECORDING STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD.
Recorded by CHRIS KIMSEY at PATHE MARCONI STUDIOS, PARIS
Except TALAHASSIE LASSIE
Recorded by MICHAEL CARNAVALE at RCA RECORDING STUDIOS, HOLLYWOOD.
"No Spare Parts" press release by Universal
Universal Music Group has announced that The Rolling Stones will issue the previously unreleased track "No Spare Parts" on exclusive limited edition 7" vinyl to mark Record Store Day's "Black Friday", Friday 25 November. A digital download version of the single will be available week commencing 14 November.
"No Spare Parts" is one of twelve bonus tracks that have been unearthed for inclusion on the forthcoming deluxe and super deluxe reissue of The Rolling Stones' Some Girls – widely regarded as one of the band?s greatest albums. Some Girls is released on 21 November.
"No Spare Parts" captures the daring and diverse spirit of the album's legendary sessions. Recorded in Paris in 1978, the song tells the story of a trip from Los Angeles to San Antonio, Texas featuring Mick Jagger on electric piano, Keith Richards on acoustic piano, Ronnie Wood on pedal steel guitar, Charlie Watts on drums and Bill Wyman on bass. With a country guitar twang, subtle groove, and soulful storytelling, it's a powerful and poignant acoustic tune from The Rolling Stones, and an essential addition to any fan's catalogue.
On October 20, Radio Metal conducted an interview with guitarist Matthias Jabs of German hard rock veterans SCORPIONS. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Radio Metal: Is "Comeblack" going to be the very last record you'll ever release?
Jabs: I wouldn't say so. When we announced our farewell tour, we said that "Sting In The Tail" would be our last studio album with our own songs. But we never said it was going to be our last project. As a complement to the last tour, we are going to release a DVD of the final show. There's also a movie team with us. The goal of "Comeblack" was to record songs that inspired us in the '60s, when we started out. It's something we've always wanted to do, and now we have the freedom. I don't know if that will be the only release. Maybe we'll release something else next year, if we have the time to go in the studio, just to do something out of the ordinary. So far, we always wrote our own songs, recorded them and built a career on that. But as musicians, it's fun to do something on the side. SCORPIONS never really did it. All the other bands do projects with other musicians and stuff. Now we have the freedom to do whatever we like, basically. So I can't say it's the last record. I'd rather say you should expect more projects to come on the side.
Radio Metal: Why did you choose to select just a few of your songs for this record? There's only seven of them.
Jabs: Actually, we recorded a few more. You will hear some as bonus tracks. We recorded them over a short period of time, I think we did nine altogether. We also have "Big City Nights" and "Bad Boys Running Wild", I think. I'm not sure about "Send Me An Angel". We started to record it, then we left it, because we were running out of time. Maybe we'll do something like that later. It was not that we don't like the original recordings, but with today's technology, the songs sound much more powerful. We just thought that if you listen to the old versions, you're missing something. So just for the fun, we tried to record them again. We were still able to sing and play the way we were supposed to, and we had fun doing it. I hope the fans enjoy it, too. Personally, when I listen to bands I like, like AC/DC, for example, they always had a good sound, but I listen to the remastered versions. It sounds better in my car or here in my studio. I wish more bands would re-record their own stuff, so they would get an up-to-date sound.
Radio Metal: You picked songs that you play on this tour. Was it on purpose?
Jabs: We picked the favorites from the '80s, apart from "Wind Of Change", which was originally done in 1989 but released in 1990. We were taking songs from the '80s, and the covers are from the 60s. Those are some of our favorite, which we also play live. People mostly want to hear those songs. When you're in a band for a long time, the fans want to hear certain songs. Everybody has their own wishlist. We checked on the Internet, and we're basically playing the top favorites, even if sometimes we like to play something totally different. Everybody would complain if we didn't play those! You might have special favorite songs, and sometimes we receive e-mails from fans asking why we don't play such and such song. But the times for being spontaneous are over, since we take a multimedia show on the road. For example, if we played a song like "Don't Make No Promises", from "Animal Magnetism", it means we'd have no movie content. We would have to let the video director find something, and for that he would need ten days. Then we would be able to play the song. That's how it goes with a professional show like this.
Radio Metal: On this record you made a French version of the song "Still Loving You" with Amandine Bourgeois. Why did you choose France? Do you have a special relationship with France?
Jabs: "Still Loving You" was a major hit in 1984-85. It was No. 1 in France for almost a year, I think. It was a big song worldwide, but it has a special connection with France and the French audience. The record company asked us to do a cover with a French artist, and they chose Amandine. She sings very well. She came over to our studio and recorded with Klaus [Meine]. We were very impressed. For the fans, it almost has a holy touch, it's a song you just don't throw away. But in this case, the result was so convincing, and she sings it so well, that we all agreed to go for it. The French record company knew that if the song had the French language in there, it would get played more on the radio. I think you have this restriction on your radios, there has to be a certain amount of lyrics in French. That was also the reason, I think. But for the band, it was an important thing musically. It's like an homage to the French fans, who have been so faithful and loyal to SCORPIONS for many years — decades, even. It's like, "Hello, thank you!"
Radio Metal: In France, there are mixed reactions about this song. Amandine Bourgeois came from a reality TV show, and most hard rock and metal fans hate that kind of shows. I actually saw a lot of negative reactions about this song, even before it was released.
Jabs: I can understand, to a certain extent. A long time ago, I noticed that hard rock fans are very conservative people. They only like what they like, they're not open-minded. They're very restricted in what they do. The good thing about it is that they like what we do, and they stick to it. But if any change happens, the first reaction is always, "No! Don't like it!" Sometime later, they like it anyway. I remember when we went on tour in England in 1979. We were playing "Holiday" as an acoustic song, with acoustic guitars. And the promoter said, "You can't do this, the audience is going to kill you." We played it acoustically anyway, and people had tears in their eyes. So it's always "no" first, and then later, when you listen again, it's not so bad. But I can't really tell; I just like the young lady and she has a very good voice. I know she comes from something like the French [version of "American Idol"]; we have those shows as well. But why shouldn't we give a young talent a chance? You should also think about that. It's difficult enough for young artists to get a proper chance these days, so if there's an opportunity for a band like us, who's already successful, to help a young artist, I think it's a very good thing.
Radio Metal: Is "Comeblack" going to be the very last record you'll ever release?
Jabs: I wouldn't say so. When we announced our farewell tour, we said that "Sting In The Tail" would be our last studio album with our own songs. But we never said it was going to be our last project. As a complement to the last tour, we are going to release a DVD of the final show. There's also a movie team with us. The goal of "Comeblack" was to record songs that inspired us in the '60s, when we started out. It's something we've always wanted to do, and now we have the freedom. I don't know if that will be the only release. Maybe we'll release something else next year, if we have the time to go in the studio, just to do something out of the ordinary. So far, we always wrote our own songs, recorded them and built a career on that. But as musicians, it's fun to do something on the side. SCORPIONS never really did it. All the other bands do projects with other musicians and stuff. Now we have the freedom to do whatever we like, basically. So I can't say it's the last record. I'd rather say you should expect more projects to come on the side.
Radio Metal: Why did you choose to select just a few of your songs for this record? There's only seven of them.
Jabs: Actually, we recorded a few more. You will hear some as bonus tracks. We recorded them over a short period of time, I think we did nine altogether. We also have "Big City Nights" and "Bad Boys Running Wild", I think. I'm not sure about "Send Me An Angel". We started to record it, then we left it, because we were running out of time. Maybe we'll do something like that later. It was not that we don't like the original recordings, but with today's technology, the songs sound much more powerful. We just thought that if you listen to the old versions, you're missing something. So just for the fun, we tried to record them again. We were still able to sing and play the way we were supposed to, and we had fun doing it. I hope the fans enjoy it, too. Personally, when I listen to bands I like, like AC/DC, for example, they always had a good sound, but I listen to the remastered versions. It sounds better in my car or here in my studio. I wish more bands would re-record their own stuff, so they would get an up-to-date sound.
Radio Metal: You picked songs that you play on this tour. Was it on purpose?
Jabs: We picked the favorites from the '80s, apart from "Wind Of Change", which was originally done in 1989 but released in 1990. We were taking songs from the '80s, and the covers are from the 60s. Those are some of our favorite, which we also play live. People mostly want to hear those songs. When you're in a band for a long time, the fans want to hear certain songs. Everybody has their own wishlist. We checked on the Internet, and we're basically playing the top favorites, even if sometimes we like to play something totally different. Everybody would complain if we didn't play those! You might have special favorite songs, and sometimes we receive e-mails from fans asking why we don't play such and such song. But the times for being spontaneous are over, since we take a multimedia show on the road. For example, if we played a song like "Don't Make No Promises", from "Animal Magnetism", it means we'd have no movie content. We would have to let the video director find something, and for that he would need ten days. Then we would be able to play the song. That's how it goes with a professional show like this.
Radio Metal: On this record you made a French version of the song "Still Loving You" with Amandine Bourgeois. Why did you choose France? Do you have a special relationship with France?
Jabs: "Still Loving You" was a major hit in 1984-85. It was No. 1 in France for almost a year, I think. It was a big song worldwide, but it has a special connection with France and the French audience. The record company asked us to do a cover with a French artist, and they chose Amandine. She sings very well. She came over to our studio and recorded with Klaus [Meine]. We were very impressed. For the fans, it almost has a holy touch, it's a song you just don't throw away. But in this case, the result was so convincing, and she sings it so well, that we all agreed to go for it. The French record company knew that if the song had the French language in there, it would get played more on the radio. I think you have this restriction on your radios, there has to be a certain amount of lyrics in French. That was also the reason, I think. But for the band, it was an important thing musically. It's like an homage to the French fans, who have been so faithful and loyal to SCORPIONS for many years — decades, even. It's like, "Hello, thank you!"
Radio Metal: In France, there are mixed reactions about this song. Amandine Bourgeois came from a reality TV show, and most hard rock and metal fans hate that kind of shows. I actually saw a lot of negative reactions about this song, even before it was released.
Jabs: I can understand, to a certain extent. A long time ago, I noticed that hard rock fans are very conservative people. They only like what they like, they're not open-minded. They're very restricted in what they do. The good thing about it is that they like what we do, and they stick to it. But if any change happens, the first reaction is always, "No! Don't like it!" Sometime later, they like it anyway. I remember when we went on tour in England in 1979. We were playing "Holiday" as an acoustic song, with acoustic guitars. And the promoter said, "You can't do this, the audience is going to kill you." We played it acoustically anyway, and people had tears in their eyes. So it's always "no" first, and then later, when you listen again, it's not so bad. But I can't really tell; I just like the young lady and she has a very good voice. I know she comes from something like the French [version of "American Idol"]; we have those shows as well. But why shouldn't we give a young talent a chance? You should also think about that. It's difficult enough for young artists to get a proper chance these days, so if there's an opportunity for a band like us, who's already successful, to help a young artist, I think it's a very good thing.
Several Indian heavy metal musicians have released statements condemning the actions of a select few fellow Indian metal fans who broke chairs and tore posters after organizers canceled a METALLICA concert on the outskirts of the Indian capital Friday night (October 28).
Organizers said the concert was called off due to technical difficulties.
Demonstealer (DEMONIC RESURRECTION): "All said and done, MESHUGGAH, LAMB OF GOD, SEPULTURA, PORCUPINE TREE, OPETH, HAMMERFALL, MACHINE HEAD, JOE SATRIANI, IRON MAIDEN, KATATONIA, POETS OF THE FALL, SATYRICON and a dozen other international metal artists have played in India, and I can safely say they had a fantastic show, great appreciation and love from the metal fans in India. So it sucks that one terrible incident by a few c**ksmokers ruins it for the rest of the people in India. But as an Indian, I can safely say this doesn't represent India or Indian people or Indian metal in any way."
Riju Dasgupta (ALBATROSS): "I consider this the most shameful chapter in India's brief metal history. As a METALLICA fan for years and years now, I'd dreamed of catching them live one day and this is certainly not the response that I'd anticipated from 'METALLICA fans.' I apologize to METALLICA as a representative of this nascent scene and more importantly, as a fellow METALLICA fan. I strongly urge other international acts to come visit us, as this incident doesn't represent Indian metal and its fans."
Gaurav Basu (INNER SANCTUM; who are scheduled to open for METALLICA in Bangalore): "It's really sad what has happened at the Gurgaon METALLICA show, I just hope this doesn't give other bands the impression that India is not a safe and great place to tour. We hope the Bangalore show goes off without a hitch and people can see what a great metal destination India truly is."
Anish (BLAKC, who were scheduled to open for METALLICA in Gurgaon): "We were stoked to open for METALLICA and the entire series of events have been extremely unfortunate and its definitely the first time we've seen this kind of a reaction and definitely music lovers in India are not violent people, we hope the Bangalore show goes off well and METALLICA get the concert they deserve in India."
Srinivas (SCRIBE): "I've been seeing the unruly stage video and I can see that there are about 20 odd people on stage. There has to be a serious security lapse — else such an act cannot be performed in the first place and definitely a small bunch of people who have given the entire scene a bad name."
Organizers said the concert was called off due to technical difficulties.
Demonstealer (DEMONIC RESURRECTION): "All said and done, MESHUGGAH, LAMB OF GOD, SEPULTURA, PORCUPINE TREE, OPETH, HAMMERFALL, MACHINE HEAD, JOE SATRIANI, IRON MAIDEN, KATATONIA, POETS OF THE FALL, SATYRICON and a dozen other international metal artists have played in India, and I can safely say they had a fantastic show, great appreciation and love from the metal fans in India. So it sucks that one terrible incident by a few c**ksmokers ruins it for the rest of the people in India. But as an Indian, I can safely say this doesn't represent India or Indian people or Indian metal in any way."
Riju Dasgupta (ALBATROSS): "I consider this the most shameful chapter in India's brief metal history. As a METALLICA fan for years and years now, I'd dreamed of catching them live one day and this is certainly not the response that I'd anticipated from 'METALLICA fans.' I apologize to METALLICA as a representative of this nascent scene and more importantly, as a fellow METALLICA fan. I strongly urge other international acts to come visit us, as this incident doesn't represent Indian metal and its fans."
Gaurav Basu (INNER SANCTUM; who are scheduled to open for METALLICA in Bangalore): "It's really sad what has happened at the Gurgaon METALLICA show, I just hope this doesn't give other bands the impression that India is not a safe and great place to tour. We hope the Bangalore show goes off without a hitch and people can see what a great metal destination India truly is."
Anish (BLAKC, who were scheduled to open for METALLICA in Gurgaon): "We were stoked to open for METALLICA and the entire series of events have been extremely unfortunate and its definitely the first time we've seen this kind of a reaction and definitely music lovers in India are not violent people, we hope the Bangalore show goes off well and METALLICA get the concert they deserve in India."
Srinivas (SCRIBE): "I've been seeing the unruly stage video and I can see that there are about 20 odd people on stage. There has to be a serious security lapse — else such an act cannot be performed in the first place and definitely a small bunch of people who have given the entire scene a bad name."
The organizers of METALLICA's concerts in India have been arrested after the band's show scheduled for Friday evening in Gurgaon (a suburb of Delhi) was canceled. The operational head of DNA Entertainment Network, Rajesh Chandwani, and his team members — Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio — were charged with cheating people and breach of trust under section 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, Station House Officer Jagdish Prasad said.
"The concert now stands cancelled. Rajesh Chandwani, Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio of DNA Entertainment Network have been arrested for breach of trust and cheating," Alok Mittal, Jt Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon, told The Times Of India. "Proper investigation will ensue to determine the reason behind this fiasco, 'till that time the arrested four will remain in police custody. The organizers have now been blacklisted from organising such events in Gurgaon in future." PC Meena, deputy commissioner of police, Gurgaon, said, "We had taken a bank guarantee of 1 crore from the organizers to grant permission for the concert. If the administration finds that the reason behind the postponement of the concert is not genuine, then we will refund the ticket amount."
"The organizers cancelled without taking the district administration into confidence, and now they have to give us the reason as to why they cancelled the show," said Gurgaon Police Commissioner SS Deswal. He added that he can't blame the fans for their unruly behavior. "Yes, they broke the barricades, but that was because they were angry. They all had paid money, come from far off places, were standing there for hours and suddenly they were told to leave. I don't blame them. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed peacefully, after that announcement and there were no casualties."
Regarding the reports that the concert was called off because METALLICA was not happy with the security arrangements, Deswal said, "Even with such a large crowd, the security arrangements were in place. There was no request from the organizers to provide any security at the venue, but we provided police assistance on our own to maintain law and order."
"The concert now stands cancelled. Rajesh Chandwani, Umesh, Ashok Singh and Savio Faleio of DNA Entertainment Network have been arrested for breach of trust and cheating," Alok Mittal, Jt Commissioner of Police, Gurgaon, told The Times Of India. "Proper investigation will ensue to determine the reason behind this fiasco, 'till that time the arrested four will remain in police custody. The organizers have now been blacklisted from organising such events in Gurgaon in future." PC Meena, deputy commissioner of police, Gurgaon, said, "We had taken a bank guarantee of 1 crore from the organizers to grant permission for the concert. If the administration finds that the reason behind the postponement of the concert is not genuine, then we will refund the ticket amount."
"The organizers cancelled without taking the district administration into confidence, and now they have to give us the reason as to why they cancelled the show," said Gurgaon Police Commissioner SS Deswal. He added that he can't blame the fans for their unruly behavior. "Yes, they broke the barricades, but that was because they were angry. They all had paid money, come from far off places, were standing there for hours and suddenly they were told to leave. I don't blame them. Fortunately, the crowd dispersed peacefully, after that announcement and there were no casualties."
Regarding the reports that the concert was called off because METALLICA was not happy with the security arrangements, Deswal said, "Even with such a large crowd, the security arrangements were in place. There was no request from the organizers to provide any security at the venue, but we provided police assistance on our own to maintain law and order."
To prevent a repeat of the Gurgaon fiasco from Friday, around 1,000 policemen have been deployed to maintain the crowd at tomorrow's (Sunday, October 30) METALLICA concert in Bangalore, India. The organizers expect a 20,000-strong crowd at Palace Grounds, where eager fans were seen milling around on Saturday night. The gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. and METALLICA will be on stage by 8 p.m.
According to NDTV, the organizers are being extra careful in Bangalore — a three-layer barricade surrounds the make-shift stage. In Gurgaon, the barrier in front of the stage that kept falling had lead to chaos.
"My friends are coming down from Chennai and Hyderabad. Just for this event. We are really looking forwards to this event and hoping it will be great fun minus any chaos," Jeel, an excited METALLICA fan, told NDTV.
A hardcore METALLICA fan, Kunal Chouhan, told DNAIndia.com from Delhi, "My four friends and I purchased the tickets for Bangalore online immediately after the Gurgaon gig was cancelled."
METALLICA's show in Gurgaon (a suburb of Delhi) was canceled due to "technical difficulties," which led to chaos and confusion. Over 25,000 people had gathered at the Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon's Sector 29 to watch the concert. Less than two hours before the heavy metal band was to play, the organizers postponed the event to the following day. Then, after some angry fans trashed equipment, it was announced that the Delhi gig had been called off altogether.
According to NDTV, the organizers are being extra careful in Bangalore — a three-layer barricade surrounds the make-shift stage. In Gurgaon, the barrier in front of the stage that kept falling had lead to chaos.
"My friends are coming down from Chennai and Hyderabad. Just for this event. We are really looking forwards to this event and hoping it will be great fun minus any chaos," Jeel, an excited METALLICA fan, told NDTV.
A hardcore METALLICA fan, Kunal Chouhan, told DNAIndia.com from Delhi, "My four friends and I purchased the tickets for Bangalore online immediately after the Gurgaon gig was cancelled."
METALLICA's show in Gurgaon (a suburb of Delhi) was canceled due to "technical difficulties," which led to chaos and confusion. Over 25,000 people had gathered at the Leisure Valley Park in Gurgaon's Sector 29 to watch the concert. Less than two hours before the heavy metal band was to play, the organizers postponed the event to the following day. Then, after some angry fans trashed equipment, it was announced that the Delhi gig had been called off altogether.
A representative for promoter DNA Networks has told Pollstar that the cancelation of METALLICA's performance at the Indian Formula 1 motor racing Grand Prix show on October 28 in Gurgaon (a suburb of Delhi) was caused by an "unruly" section of the crowd climbing over safety barriers and damaging the stage set.
Karuna Prithvi from the DNA's press department told Pollstar it's difficult to explain what sparked the fuss because "it was all so quick."
Prithvi says the company always has barriers in place for its shows and the problem was caused when fans broke through them.
She said unruly fans "vandalized and destroyed" a lot of stage equipment, which meant it was impossible to fix it and get permission for a new show within 24 hours.
Other media reports, however, claimed fans became unruly when the gates opened several hours later than the scheduled opening times. Still other media reports said fans became angry after DNA sold more tickets than the venue's estimated 30,000 capacity and because the organizers failed to inform ticket holders of the cancelation.
METALLICA issued a statement on its web site, explaining it was "deeply disappointed" about the gig's cancellation. The band added, "We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans."
Police arrested four executives of DNA Networks over the weekend on reported fraud charges. The police have asked DNA's local bank to freeze its account while the investigation is still ongoing (although during preparations, DNA had given the local authorities a bank guarantee of $200,000).
METALLICA performed Sunday in Bangalore, India, at the Palace Grounds before an estimated 50,000 fans. METALLICA frontman James Hetfield told the crowd, "India has been a life-changing experience for us."
Karuna Prithvi from the DNA's press department told Pollstar it's difficult to explain what sparked the fuss because "it was all so quick."
Prithvi says the company always has barriers in place for its shows and the problem was caused when fans broke through them.
She said unruly fans "vandalized and destroyed" a lot of stage equipment, which meant it was impossible to fix it and get permission for a new show within 24 hours.
Other media reports, however, claimed fans became unruly when the gates opened several hours later than the scheduled opening times. Still other media reports said fans became angry after DNA sold more tickets than the venue's estimated 30,000 capacity and because the organizers failed to inform ticket holders of the cancelation.
METALLICA issued a statement on its web site, explaining it was "deeply disappointed" about the gig's cancellation. The band added, "We arrived in Delhi on Friday very excited and ready to play our first show ever in India at the F1 Rocks concert. However, immediately at the end of our afternoon press conference at a hotel near the venue, we were notified that there was a serious question as to whether the show could proceed with regard to the safety of the concert audience. And our first and foremost concern is always for the safety of you, the fans."
Police arrested four executives of DNA Networks over the weekend on reported fraud charges. The police have asked DNA's local bank to freeze its account while the investigation is still ongoing (although during preparations, DNA had given the local authorities a bank guarantee of $200,000).
METALLICA performed Sunday in Bangalore, India, at the Palace Grounds before an estimated 50,000 fans. METALLICA frontman James Hetfield told the crowd, "India has been a life-changing experience for us."
GUNS N ROSES singer Axl Rose gave an hour-long interview to VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" early this morning (Sunday, October 30) — a couple of hours after the band's headlining performance at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
In a series of tweets, "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk expressed his frustration about having to wait around for Axl to decide whether or not he wanted to speak on camera, "[It's] 5:30 a.m. [now], [and we] got to this arena at 3:00 p.m. [on Saturday]," he wrote. "[We are] still here.... If this interview happens, I might dose off for the first time ever in an interview. . . My producer ain't giving up on this and I'm [here] working for VH1, so [I'm] sticking it out until he calls it. But this is nuts!" Shortly before 7:00 a.m., Trunk tweeted, "[Five] years after [Axl gave a] radio interview [to 'Friday Night Rocks', a show hosted by Trunk. — Ed.], Axl Rose has just done an hour interview for ['That Metal Show']. History made! Will air [on November 11] on VH1 Classic! Get ready!"
Several photos of the "That Metal Show" crew, Rose and GUNS N' ROSES guitarist D.J. Ashba, taken early this morning, can be seen below.
The last time Trunk interviewed Rose was in May 2006 when Axl dropped in on Eddie's WAXQ (104.3 FM) radio show and hung out on-air for two and a half hours. On that occasion, Rose came from a GUNS N' ROSES rehearsal to the WAXQ studio around 12:30 a.m. to join Trunk, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian, WWE wrestler Chris Jericho and former SKID ROW singer Bach, who Trunk says "really made it happen."
According to the New York Daily News, Rose drank Red Bulls, swapped stories, cracked a few jokes about himself and his reputation and suggested Trunk play MOTÖRHEAD's "Ace of Spades". He also told stories about the hard-rock world and talked about growing up and listening to bands like KISS and W.A.S.P.
He answered some questions from Trunk, saying the long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" CD would be out in the fall of 2006, and deflected others. He declined to identify the band's then-new lead guitarist (later revealed to be Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal) or explain why he aborted a 2002 tour beyond saying the tour wasn't his idea.
Trunk's connection to the GUNS N' ROSES camp goes back to 2003 when a version of a then-new GN'R song called "I.R.S." surfaced on a CD marked "New GNR" that was sent anonymously to then-New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who proceeded to play the track on Eddie's show, "Friday Night Rocks". Shortly after the song was aired, GN'R management contacted the station and issued a verbal cease-and-desist order before arranging to meet with Trunk to retrieve the disc.
Rose gave a rare interview — his first in-person one with a print publication in 14 years — in December 2010 with the United Arab Emirates outlet Gulf News. Rose granted the interview prior to the band's gig in Abu Dhabi.
"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.
Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".
In a series of tweets, "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk expressed his frustration about having to wait around for Axl to decide whether or not he wanted to speak on camera, "[It's] 5:30 a.m. [now], [and we] got to this arena at 3:00 p.m. [on Saturday]," he wrote. "[We are] still here.... If this interview happens, I might dose off for the first time ever in an interview. . . My producer ain't giving up on this and I'm [here] working for VH1, so [I'm] sticking it out until he calls it. But this is nuts!" Shortly before 7:00 a.m., Trunk tweeted, "[Five] years after [Axl gave a] radio interview [to 'Friday Night Rocks', a show hosted by Trunk. — Ed.], Axl Rose has just done an hour interview for ['That Metal Show']. History made! Will air [on November 11] on VH1 Classic! Get ready!"
Several photos of the "That Metal Show" crew, Rose and GUNS N' ROSES guitarist D.J. Ashba, taken early this morning, can be seen below.
The last time Trunk interviewed Rose was in May 2006 when Axl dropped in on Eddie's WAXQ (104.3 FM) radio show and hung out on-air for two and a half hours. On that occasion, Rose came from a GUNS N' ROSES rehearsal to the WAXQ studio around 12:30 a.m. to join Trunk, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian, WWE wrestler Chris Jericho and former SKID ROW singer Bach, who Trunk says "really made it happen."
According to the New York Daily News, Rose drank Red Bulls, swapped stories, cracked a few jokes about himself and his reputation and suggested Trunk play MOTÖRHEAD's "Ace of Spades". He also told stories about the hard-rock world and talked about growing up and listening to bands like KISS and W.A.S.P.
He answered some questions from Trunk, saying the long-awaited "Chinese Democracy" CD would be out in the fall of 2006, and deflected others. He declined to identify the band's then-new lead guitarist (later revealed to be Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal) or explain why he aborted a 2002 tour beyond saying the tour wasn't his idea.
Trunk's connection to the GUNS N' ROSES camp goes back to 2003 when a version of a then-new GN'R song called "I.R.S." surfaced on a CD marked "New GNR" that was sent anonymously to then-New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza, who proceeded to play the track on Eddie's show, "Friday Night Rocks". Shortly after the song was aired, GN'R management contacted the station and issued a verbal cease-and-desist order before arranging to meet with Trunk to retrieve the disc.
Rose gave a rare interview — his first in-person one with a print publication in 14 years — in December 2010 with the United Arab Emirates outlet Gulf News. Rose granted the interview prior to the band's gig in Abu Dhabi.
"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.
Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".
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GUNS N' ROSES frontman Axl Rose revealed during an interview with VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" that DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED — the band led by VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan — will open some of the GN'R shows in the future.
McKagan made a surprise guest appearance in October 2010 with GUNS N' ROSES at London, England's O2 arena. He told Seattle radio station KISW last year that playing in London with the current version of the band he left in the mid-Nineties was "great." McKagan came onstage during the group's October 14, 2010 gig to play on "You Could Be Mine", "Patience", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Nice Boys", sticking around to take a bow with Rose and the rest of the group at the end of the show. The gig marked the first time McKagan had performed with GUNS N' ROSES in 17 years.
Rumors of a GUNS N' ROSES reunion with the classic lineup have been swirling for years. Rose told Billboard.com in 2009 that he doesn't ever expect to play again with guitarist Slash, saying, "One of the two of us will die before a reunion. However sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."
Rose and original GN'R rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin played a few shows in 2006.
Rose's hour-long interview with "That Metal Show" — which was taped early this morning (Sunday, October 30), a couple of hours after GUNS N' ROSES' headlining performance at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida — will air on November 11 on VH1 Classic.
McKagan made a surprise guest appearance in October 2010 with GUNS N' ROSES at London, England's O2 arena. He told Seattle radio station KISW last year that playing in London with the current version of the band he left in the mid-Nineties was "great." McKagan came onstage during the group's October 14, 2010 gig to play on "You Could Be Mine", "Patience", "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and "Nice Boys", sticking around to take a bow with Rose and the rest of the group at the end of the show. The gig marked the first time McKagan had performed with GUNS N' ROSES in 17 years.
Rumors of a GUNS N' ROSES reunion with the classic lineup have been swirling for years. Rose told Billboard.com in 2009 that he doesn't ever expect to play again with guitarist Slash, saying, "One of the two of us will die before a reunion. However sad, ugly or unfortunate anyone views it, it is how it is."
Rose and original GN'R rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin played a few shows in 2006.
Rose's hour-long interview with "That Metal Show" — which was taped early this morning (Sunday, October 30), a couple of hours after GUNS N' ROSES' headlining performance at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida — will air on November 11 on VH1 Classic.
An insider from the GUNS N' ROSES management has informed BLABBERMOUTH.NET that the band's lead singer, Axl Rose, has been battling bronchitis and the so-called Montezuma's Revenge for the past couple of weeks. Despite this, he continues to play three-hour shows with the group, which is scheduled to perform at the Bi-Lo Center Arena in Greenville, South Carolina tonight (Monday, October 31).
As previously reported, Rose gave an hour-long interview to VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" yesterday (Sunday, October 30) — a couple of hours after the band's headlining performance at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The chat will air on November 11 as part of VH1's "National Metal Day" (11-11-11).
Rose gave a rare interview — his first in-person one with a print publication in 14 years — in December 2010 with the United Arab Emirates outlet Gulf News. Rose granted the interview prior to the band's gig in Abu Dhabi.
"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.
Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".
GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its first U.S. tour since 2006 on October 28 in Orlando, Florida.
As previously reported, Rose gave an hour-long interview to VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" yesterday (Sunday, October 30) — a couple of hours after the band's headlining performance at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The chat will air on November 11 as part of VH1's "National Metal Day" (11-11-11).
Rose gave a rare interview — his first in-person one with a print publication in 14 years — in December 2010 with the United Arab Emirates outlet Gulf News. Rose granted the interview prior to the band's gig in Abu Dhabi.
"Chinese Democracy", the 2008 album released by the current edition of GUNS N' ROSES after a 15-year wait, was officially certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 3, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of one million copies.
Aside from Billboard and Spinner interviews and answering a number of fan questions at a GUNS N' ROSES message board, Rose has done no promotion of any kind for "Chinese Democracy".
GUNS N' ROSES kicked off its first U.S. tour since 2006 on October 28 in Orlando, Florida.
With his autobiography, It's So Easy (and other lies), crawling up the New York Times Best Seller list and a book tour in support of that release, Duff McKagan's dance card is pretty full. He is first heading to the UK, where he will tour with his band Loaded while managing a string of appearances in support of his book. Aggressively dodging all opportunities for rest or relaxation, Duff is then touring South America with Seattle's Alice in Chains before jetting over to Germany to play some dates with Motörhead.
But wait — there's more.
As this all unfolds, his other band, supergroup Velvet Revolver, continues their search for a new vocalist in the wake of Scott Weiland's departure. And then there's the little matter of his former band, Guns N' Roses, basking in their recent nomination to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A compelling case for Duff being the busiest man in music, for sure.
But wait- there's more!
In addition to his musical pursuits and the myriad obligations of a best-selling author on a book tour, Duff also authors weekly columns for Seattle Weekly and ESPN.
Moreover, he is a registered investment adviser, who recently launched a wealth management firm, and he is actively engaged in social media, all of which he balances with a wife, two daughters and most beloved dog.
How he manages to field a fantasy football team is a miracle that rivals the Lady of Lourdes.
Considering that seventeen years ago, his pancreas had exploded from alcohol abuse as he stormed towards certain death, his story is a miracle incarnate.
Given the foregoing, TNB Music was honored to sit down with Duff to chat about his book, his bands and his struggles with addiction, fatherhood and the never-ending obligations of touring.
Congratulations are in order — your book is officially a New York Times Best Seller. That's got to feel pretty good.
Yeah, I don't know if I've had a moment to even realize that the book's out, you know? (laughs) This is a whole new thing for me, being on the New York Times Best Seller list. The New York Times Best Seller List… it hasn't sunk in at all.
Unlike many other artists who have released autobiographies, you've been publishing your writing for quite some time as a regular columnist for ESPN, Playboy and Seattle Weekly. How did the experience of writing a book feel different? Apart from the length, that is.
When I started writing the book… well, I didn't really start the book. I won't actually say that — that would be a miscue. I started writing side stories that really weren't pointed enough or focused enough for ESPN. And they were brutally honest pieces that I wrote in column-like format, or maybe twice as long, and that's really how this whole book was written. We tried to edit some of that choppiness feel out it, but we purposely kept a lot of it in, too, because life is choppy, you know? It's not this long, smooth thing.
You know, I haven't ever wanted to write a prize-winning column. I've read great writers that have won Pulitzer Prizes for their articles, like Thomas Friedman, but me getting on the New York Times Best Seller List? For a book nerd like myself, that's the biggest thing I could ever hope for.
This has been quite a month for you, recognition-wise, because about a month ago, Guns N' Roses ("GNR") was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Yeah, it's weird, you know? I've never striven to get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Never in my life have I thought, "man, I gotta get a Grammy." In sports you try to win it all, but music's a different deal. So the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was never on my radar. As a matter of fact, I don't know how we got roped into it, but when we (Velvet Revolver) inducted Van Halen, it went south. I don't know if you remember that. It just went south. The band (Van Halen) was fighting, and the only ones to show up were Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar, and it was like, "Ohhh, boy…"
So when we (GNR) got announced, that's what I remembered. But I do understand that for the fans, it's important. It's important to the people who buy your records and come to your gigs and connect with some lyric that you wrote or a groove or something. I mean, I'm part of social media — I write a couple of columns online, and people comment on those. I have Twitter and I'm on Facebook and I read people's comments about how they feel about us being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so then it's important to me. Only then. And I've learned to just say, "thank you."
There are a few parallels between GNR and Van Halen, the biggest one being the turnover in membership, both during and after your involvement. Assuming Guns gets right in, how do you envision your induction? What do you see it looking like?
I can't. I can't picture it. Your guess is as good as mine. There is no picture. It's bound to happen but I'd love to call the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whoever they are, and say, "Hey guys, why don't you put this off for another ten years? Thank you! Thanks for nominating us — it's great, but how about you put it off for ten years?"
Would ten years give things more time to settle?
You know, that's all I need to say about this. I care about our fans and that's it.
Let's talk about your book. You open with the Upton Sinclair quote from The Jungle: "He went on and on down the road, finally coming to a black woods, where he hid and wept as if his heart would break. Ah, what agony was that, what despair, when the tomb of memory was rent open and the ghosts of his old life came forth to scourge him!" Is that how the experience felt to you?
I read that passage once and I thumbnailed that page in the book. I thumbnail a lot of stuff, and yeah going back, I wrote about those clarion turning points in my life that informed me. Like Sly Stone- seeing him (as a desperate drug addict in the apartment above him). I grew up with Sly Stone('s music) and seeing him in this shithole apartment, smoking crack… I remember thinking, "remember this. Learn from this." That was a teachable moment for me.
And the heroin days of Seattle when my friends sat me down and said "dude, you gotta get out of here, because we're all strung out." Those turning points in your life. The St. Louis riot- it's not like they were tough points for me to remember, it's just that when you start writing about something, and you're writing to yourself and your Word document, and you start to go into some stuff… I've deleted some sentences because I was lying to me and my Word document. I was like "what are you doing?" I'd just delete the sentence and start over again.
But it was uncomfortable for sure, because you find accountability. If you're being honest, you find your own accountability, and maybe it didn't have everything to do with all the good shit and nothing to do with all the bad stuff — maybe it had something to do with both of them. I understood my part in my own life.
At the end of the book, in your Acknowledgements, you speak to your daughters. Was it tough to walk the line between knowing what to discuss in your book, knowing that they'd be reading it someday?
Well, as your daughters get older, you talk to them about this and that, and they ask you questions like "Why don't you drink when everyone else does?" and "Why can't you have a glass of wine?" I have to say, "Well, I can't, because if I do, I'll drink everything in the house maybe, and then I'll have to go to the store and get some more, and then I'll buy some more there, and I'll come back to the house, and then I'll be upside down, and then I might crash my car, so I don't." They they say, "Wow, yeah, that's probably a good idea that you don't." So it's a natural conversation that we have as they're young.
I've been really fortunate that I have the Seattle Weekly column especially, because I've been able to write about some things, and learn how to write about them without including all the gory details. My book has plenty of gory details, for sure, but when it's really bad I just let the narrative fall apart, so you get a sense of where I was without me spelling it all out into this many ounces and that many drinks, and all that. You get the gist — I don't need to spell it all out.
I did a reading last Thursday in Seattle at a theater with a video and pictures behind me. This theater's beautiful — it's a hundred year old theater, and there was a lap steel player behind me, playing songs from my whole career, and I read certain passages. And it was heavy, but it was good. I picked the guitar up once or twice here and there, and I'd play a little piece of the song with the guy. My daughters came and I read some heavy excerpts from the book — the hospital excerpt (when McKagan's pancreas exploded), and my girls had known about it, and they think it's kind of boring. "Yeah, yeah, Dad, the drugs and the alcohol, blah, blah, blah…" But I think we had a moment there, after I did the event, and they really understood. I don't know if they'll ever read the book. They might just say, "We got it. Our dad almost wasn't here way before we were born — got it."
Slash and Steven Adler both have their own books out, and many other books have been written about Guns N' Roses that already cover parts of your life. When you sat down to write your book, was there anything you felt that needed to be corrected or cleared up?
No. No, I read Slash's book because we were on the road together with Velvet Revolver when that came out. It doesn't matter what's correct or what's not correct. There's stuff in Slash's book that I remember in a different way, but that's all there is. My experience of the same situation is different than his — that's what life's about, right? We all have different experiences sometimes with the exact same thing.
When that book came out, I had no inclination to write a book. This book sort of wrote itself out of these little side columns that I was writing. So many people have asked me, "How much did you drink?" and "How did you get into that hospital bed?" And a lot of people ask me, "How did you get sober?" In other words, "How did you get out of that hospital bed?" And that's really what I wrote to — that was the mission statement. The arc became clear as I wrote — my family, my mom, my kids- how important all of this stuff is to me. And it's just a guy's story. I happen to be in a couple of rock bands, but it's just that guy's story.
Guns N' Roses is a weighty subject, but in the same breath, I don't take it that seriously. It was an extraordinary circumstance that happened to all of us. Shit, we all survived! That's great! A lot of my fellows out there didn't. But at forty-seven years old, I look back and see that we fell into every goddamned trap that there was. But we were honest. We were a dangerous, real band. We were real. Nobody was faking it, and I'm proud of that.
You speak to your own accountability in your book, which is unique by rock biography standards. In particular, when you talk about the Riverport riot in St. Louis, you address Axl's expanding habit of showing up late for gigs. Interestingly, instead of discussing Axl's behavior, you focus more on the fact that you never called him out for that. You never confronted him, and you take accountability in that sense. But do you think that he would have been receptive to that if anyone had said something to him at that point?
I don't know. You raise the point of my self-discovery of my role, but the other part (how Axl might have reacted) is a whole separate study. But this is also a book written by the guy now — I'm writing this book and I'm sure as I can be of myself today. I couldn't say that when I was twenty-seven. Saying "I'm a bad ass motherfucker!" isn't being sure of yourself, that's just being full of yourself. So I know that if I was the guy I am now back then, I would have said, "OK guys, alright- let's everybody just stop. Stop." I would have said to the management, "Stop — don't book us another gig. We need to come off the road and we need to step back and examine this whole thing. The band needs some time away from all this stuff so we can figure our shit out." Because we were really close dudes, and now we're all separate. Or I might have also said, "OK," like Izzy did, "if you can't stop it, I'm out."
So it's really a study of my own self. I didn't stand up when I should have. I didn't rise to the occasion. I did rise to a lot of occasions, but I didn't rise to as many as I think I did. And the self-medicating…
You know, it's also a study life. You always think you're gonna have time to take care of some shit in a couple of months. "I'll take care of the panic attacks, I'll take care of the drinking too much.. a couple of months. I'll get to it." It was nearly too late with me.
You open up an interesting discussion about your own struggles with anxiety. When you talk about playing with the Rolling Stones — the gig where Axl famously called everybody out from the stage (threatening to disband GNR if unnamed members didn't curb their drug abuse), you guys kept going after that. What was it like still playing in that band with that threat hanging over your heads?
He said it and we were like, "Oh, we're discussing this stuff in public, now?" When we were all into it. We took care of our own shit inside, and I'm sure Axl had his reasons for that, and they were probably valid. At the time, I could see it. I was pissed off, too. So half of me was with him, but half of me was like, "No… not here, not now. Not here. Not in front of eighty thousand people…" (laughs) But that's the way he was, and I can't really speak for how he is now, but love him or hate him, at least there was no filter.
Was there one memory of playing in Guns N' Roses that stands out as your absolute favorite? One thing that really makes you feel proud?
All of it. I mean, really, most of it. I could write another whole book about the first eighteen months of our band, and it would be fascinating, and fun and good, because nobody believed in us. I touched on it in the book. We just believed in us, and we weren't accepted into any little section of L.A. rock, and so we just did our own little thing. We were just young, young dudes and we just really knew that whether there were two or two hundred people who knew who we were, we were going to change their perspective on music. We were learning how to write songs together, and the chemistry was stunning. We were more punk rock than any punk rock band I've seen. And it was more Judas Priest than Judas Priest, and it was more Elton John than Elton John. It was just kind of everything. Some nights we were the best band on the planet.
If you could go back and change anything, would you?
Um… I don't even really dance around with that kind of stuff. The closest I ever get is looking back at events as the guy I am now, then I could tell you what I might do differently, but I don't think I could change anything. So to even speculate would bring up issues of resentment and regret, and those are things that I've worked through. Some people ask, "Dude, how can you just walk away from that question?" Well, if you were me and you sat around and asked yourself, "why'd the band break up," and let that sit in your head, you wouldn't be able to move on with life. So I've dealt with those questions and I feel pretty sure of myself as to how I've dealt with them.
But no, the success of that band, and what we accomplished with the songwriting, that's what I mean by success — you can't take that away. Ever. Ever. And it was really great at times. There are really good songs — some really good turns of a verse into a chorus and some really great moments.
To then move on from GNR into Velvet Revolver, how hard was it to be eight years sober and to then have to lock into a creative process with someone who was still in their disease (Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland battled with addiction at the time)?
Well, it was different. I'd known Scott. When you're around and playing in bands, you know these guys before you work with them. I mean, I know people today who are still fucked up and I just don't get too close. But suddenly I was in a band with Scott, and people said, "Well, Duff's the guy, Duff will take care of it." I'd been sober long enough — I'd been through Seattle U, I'd had kids and I just thought I was so far removed that I thought I could handle it. I was doing martial arts, and I still do, but when I got up to the mountain I didn't realize that I was mixing all of that stuff — martial arts, healing and spirituality with commerce.
But the creative process with Scott was great. He handled himself well for that first record and that first tour, and he's a good guy. Like a lot of people. So I'd danced around, but never with someone that close who was still using.
You're in the eye of the storm now — there's so much speculation about finding a replacement for him, but you don't hear people talk about who would best serve the sound. You mentioned Judas Priest. They play like Judas Priest no matter who the singer is. Is that true with Velvet Revolver, or does the singer influence the rest of the band's sound?
I think there's so much familiarity there. Number one, with the way that Slash plays. Number two with the way that Slash and I play together. Number three with the way that Slash and I and Matt play together. With the three of us, it was our sound that brought us together. We were like, "Oh shit — that was pretty great."
People didn't think that Slash and Matt and I were going back to playing together would work out. They started asking, "What are they gonna do, go out and get a new singer and that's it?" So I think that we kind of like being the underdog. Guns N Roses was always the underdog. Me going back to school made me an underdog, with people thinking "This guy's gonna be a dumb ass," you know? Having kids and staying sober through it, and raising healthy girls — all kind of underdog moves.
So here we are, discussing Velvet Revolver. I'm sure that we'll succeed if we put a hundred percent into it. Because that's what we do — we overcome shit.
So do you think we'll see another Velvet Revolver album when you guys are ready to move forward?
I hope so. I can tell you that I hope so. You know, without a singer I couldn't say. You've got to have that singer that adds, so I hope we find that guy, and I hope that Slash and I play together again. And Matt, and Dave, because they're a great group of guys and nobody works harder than them. And it's a positive environment to be in, so at some point, yeah, I think we're gonna make an attempt at finding a guy pretty soon.
What's more difficult to you — three months of touring, three months of martial arts training or three months of mountain bike training?
I often do them all at the same time. My first three months of kickboxing, my very first three months when I was going through all that stuff, when my body was rebuilding and my mind was rebuilding, and Benny (the Jet, Duff's trainer) and I were doing a bunch of work- that was the toughest, but it was also the best. I'm one of those guys who responds better when it's harder. Touring is tough for me now because being away from my wife and kids for a long time is hard. That's harder than anything. But the physical part of touring for me isn't hard for me. I can go through security, get on a plane, check into a hotel and do all that traveling in my sleep. And then the gigs- that's for free. That's just awesome. I do the gigs for free — I get paid for traveling.
What's next for you?
Well, I leave in a week and do nine days in the UK with Loaded, and then I do four book and in-stores. The book comes out in England on November 1. Then I fly to South America to do some shows with Alice in Chains, and then fly back to Germany and do some gigs with Motörhead, and that will get me to the end of November, and then I'll find out what December holds.
We like to close our interviews with an Either/Or segment. I'll give you two choices and you pick one. Fair enough?
OK.
First off — The Clash or The Sex Pistols?
Oh, man… you've gotta choose one or the other?
Ugh.
Come on… (laughs) That's not fair…
Yes.
"Yes" is an acceptable answer. Is that your final answer?
That is.
OK, touring America or touring Europe?
Hmm… touring Europe because the drives are not as far.
Stocks or bonds?
Right now?
Right now.
Right now… Fuck… (long pause) Well, you gotta have both, but stocks. Stocks.
Guitar or bass?
Because I miss playing bass right now, it's bass.
Last one — Use Your Illusion I or Use Your Illusion II?
OK, now you're asking the wrong guy, because I'm the guy who doesn't know which songs are on which record. (laughing) Because here's the deal, I don't know if any of us do. Because we recorded twenty-nine songs, or whatever it was, and then we said, "Yeah, ok, these ones go on this one, and these ones go on that one," and that was it. I never listened to the records, I'd just go out and play them. We didn't play them as Use Your Illusion I and II, so I'd have to look at them. But I really love that song "Double Talkin' Jive" and "Pretty Tied up," some deeper tracks that were never singles that I really like. So if those are both on one record then I'll choose that record.
Duff, thanks a bunch for your time and good luck out there.
Thanks, Joe. It's been a pleasure.
Scott Weiland and Christmas music are probably not things that most people associate together in their minds. But the Stone Temple Pilots frontman – whose album of Christmas classics Most Wonderful Time Of The Year hit shelves earlier this week – says he's always loved holiday standards. "I've been listening to these songs my entire life," he tells Rolling Stone. "It was a great honor to do this album."
The album features standards like "White Christmas," "Silent Night" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas." Many of the songs were cut with a large orchestra. (You can hear a stream of "Winter Wonderland" below.) Weiland's vocal style varies wildly between tracks. "I've never recorded something commercially before where I'm crooning," he says. "But if you listen to my solo albums it shows that there is such a major difference in the music that influences me and the way that I use my voice. I look at my voice as an instrument. My two favorite singers, John Lennon and David Bowie, had very different voices that they used depending on the vibe of the song."
Some of the tracks stick to familiar arrangement, while others are more daring. "We wanted to do a reggae-ish version of 'Silent Night,'" says Weiland. "And there's a sort of swigging version of 'What Child Is This?' and we have a bossa nova, Sixties kitschy version of one of the songs. It all worked out quite amazing."
The mere existence of this album may shock some of Weiland's fans, but he hasn't gotten any such reactions yet. "All the feedback I've gotten has been very good," he says. "My memories of Christmas time are very special, especially as a youngster. These songs, however they are stylized, have been done and redone by so many different people – yet people love to listen to them every holiday season. It's something that I want to just be part of."
Stone Temple Pilots have a mini-tour of South America lined up in November, but when that wraps Weiland is going to perform six Christmas solo shows. "It's a theater tour and it will be very classy," Weiland says. "We'll bring a small part of the orchestra with us and then we will go to the music union and find other players to supplement the rest of the orchestra. Then we're doing two morning TV shows, two afternoon shows and two late night shows."
An American Stone Temple Pilots tour was postponed last month due to Weiland's continuing throat problems. "My voice was shot," Weiland says. "I've been on the road nonstop ever since I got in with Velvet Revolver. We over-toured this last STP record. Sometimes it begins to feel like you're punching a clock. A lot of times I told them that we had to stop because my voice was giving out. Finally, an ear, nose and throat specialist put a camera down my throat. One of my vocal chords was strong – like overly strong – but the other one was very weak. He was afraid that I was going to do irreparable harm."
Weiland finds the whole situation very frustrating. "This isn't about any finger pointing, but there was a lack of communication," he says. "Things slip by and they slip through the cracks, and that can't happen. There would be no Christmas record and no STP records or concerts if my voice was destroyed."
When the STP tour ends and Weiland finishes all promotion for the Christmas record, he's looking forward to a long break. "In the last eight years, I've barely ever had more than two months off," he says. "I want to spend time with my kids and I want to have a personal life."
Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine says there's nothing unlucky about his band's new album, "Th1rt3en," arriving Nov. 1 on Roadrunner. "Thirteen is not a bad number," says Mustaine, who founded the iconic thrash metal band after being kicked out of Metallica in 1983. "The whole unlucky part came about with the Templar Knights. Friday the 13th is associated with them."
After 28 years, Megadeth's primary associations, on the other hand, are of genre-defining metal and big business. With worldwide sales of more than 30 million, according to the label, and a seat at the top of the headbanging pantheon alongside Metallica, Slayer and Anthrax as a key member of the scene's Big Four, Megadeth is a force. "Th1rt3en" is, fittingly, the band's 13th studio album and comes on the heels of the Big Four Tour, a series of epic concerts including a sold-out seven-hour show at New York's Yankee Stadium. The new album was recorded at the band's own Vic's Garage studio in California with original bassist Dave Ellefson (his first studio appearance with the band in a decade) and marks the first time the band has worked with producer Johnny K ( Disturbed, 3 Doors Down, Sevendust).
It's not an accident that the new album is titled "Th1rt3en," is it?
Thirteen is all over the place. Obviously it's the 13th record. Then a little less obvious, I was born on the 13th [of September in 1961]. I started playing when I was 13. Jesus and his disciples are 13. When I look at a dollar, there's 13 stars and 13 arrows and 13 leaves . . . Even going down to the insanity of a super-committee, which has six members on each side and then the president.
Did you have any particular vision or creative mission for the album?
Well, we had such a limited time to do this record. When we came home from touring, we had two months off and my manager [Mark Adelman] basically laid it out that it was in my best interests to consider doing a record in that two-month period, even though it was almost impossible. But what made it a little bit easier was [Roadrunner] was working with us on this. "Sudden Death" was a song we did for "Guitar Hero" that they allowed to be on the record. Then we got an offer to do [the title song for the videogame] "NeverDead." So we went from needing 13 to having to come up with 11 new songs, which took some pressure off even though we still had to do it in about seven weeks.
What impact did Johnny K have?
Andy Sneap wasn't available, and David Ellefson had recommended him. I didn't know if he was going to work. I like the bands he's produced, but they're not necessarily my genre, not thrash metal. So I didn't know if he was going to pull it off. But when we first started the record, he said, "I know we're under a time crunch. If you need my help with anything, just let me know." We ended up working together great, even on the songwriting. I came out with a really great friend in Johnny.
What did it mean to have Dave Ellefson back in the studio with you again?
That was fun, too. Dave's a really great player. We had our differences and all that stuff, and went our separate ways. I'm the last person on Earth who would've thought he'd be back in Megadeth, and I think Dave was the second-to-last person. When we got back together again, he was a much better bass player and a better man, too. He had done a lot of growth. When the opportunity came to play again, it was not as far-fetched as one would think.
This is your last album for Roadrunner, and you've been critical of the label in the past. But it sounds like it was better for you this time around.
We have had kind of an up and down time with Roadrunner, but right now everything is good. This album signified the era of, hopefully, a new regime. They were very helpful, and we helped things by putting down some firm boundaries and standing our ground and saying "we can't do that" when we had to. So I'm very excited, very optimistic about the future.
What has the Big Four experience meant to you?
It's been wonderful. It certainly makes me take a hard sideways look at what I missed out on because of the differences that we had in the past. When we were kids, we were like brothers together. We would share food. So I'm stoked we're all getting along again, and I think it's really good for the fans, too. It's a great time now, and I hope it keeps going.
MÖTLEY CRÜE will re-release a limited quantity of its catalog in the U.K. via Eleven Seven Music, having regained the rights to all its songs after a long absence in the marketplace.
The following albums will be re-released on November 14 as vinyl-replica CDs with a 16-page booklet, a CD with a five-page booklet and on 180-gram vinyl in a four-color gatefold sleeve:
* Too Fast For Love
* Shout At The Devil
* Theatre of Pain
* Girls Girls Girls
* Dr. Feelgood
Also on that date, the rest of their catalogue — "Mötley Crüe", "Generation Swine", "New Tattoo" and "Live: Entertainment Or Death" — will be re-released in standard CD format only. This will be followed by "Mötley Crüe's Greatest Hits" in CD, deluxe CD, 180-gram vinyl and DVD formats on December 5.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's U.K. co-headlining tour with DEF LEPPARD kicks of at Birmingham LG Arena on December 6, winding up at London's Wembley Arena on December 14.
The following albums will be re-released on November 14 as vinyl-replica CDs with a 16-page booklet, a CD with a five-page booklet and on 180-gram vinyl in a four-color gatefold sleeve:
* Too Fast For Love
* Shout At The Devil
* Theatre of Pain
* Girls Girls Girls
* Dr. Feelgood
Also on that date, the rest of their catalogue — "Mötley Crüe", "Generation Swine", "New Tattoo" and "Live: Entertainment Or Death" — will be re-released in standard CD format only. This will be followed by "Mötley Crüe's Greatest Hits" in CD, deluxe CD, 180-gram vinyl and DVD formats on December 5.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's U.K. co-headlining tour with DEF LEPPARD kicks of at Birmingham LG Arena on December 6, winding up at London's Wembley Arena on December 14.
According to The Associated Press, MÖTLEY CRÜE singer Vince Neil will plead guilty to a misdemeanor charge and pay a $1,000 fine related to an alleged domestic violence incident involving his ex-girlfriend.
Defense attorney David Chesnoff said Monday that a more serious misdemeanor charge of battery constituting domestic violence will be dropped when Neil enters his plea next Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court
Chesnoff, said, "Mr. Neil is sorry he raised his voice."
Vince was accused of striking his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs in the chest with his finger, and of harassing Jacobs' friends, Patricia McCrone and John Katsilometes, who is a Las Vegas Sun columnist and editor.
Neil in April completed all of the requirements of his sentence stemming from his DUI case from in June 2010. 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.
Defense attorney David Chesnoff said Monday that a more serious misdemeanor charge of battery constituting domestic violence will be dropped when Neil enters his plea next Monday in Las Vegas Justice Court
Chesnoff, said, "Mr. Neil is sorry he raised his voice."
Vince was accused of striking his ex-girlfriend, Alicia Jacobs in the chest with his finger, and of harassing Jacobs' friends, Patricia McCrone and John Katsilometes, who is a Las Vegas Sun columnist and editor.
Neil in April completed all of the requirements of his sentence stemming from his DUI case from in June 2010. 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.
With Halloween here again (Monday, October 31), The Pulse Of Radio asked a few of its favorite rockers to share some of their thoughts, memories and experiences on this scary holiday. TOOL and PUSCIFER frontman Maynard James Keenan told The Pulse Of Radio that he enjoys Halloween because it's more than just costumes and trick or treating. "It's an interesting season to me, having done a little research on it," he said. "It's an interesting holiday. I recommend that people really kind of dive into some more of the origins of, you know, why the jack-o-lantern on the porch and why the trick or treat — why the door to door. What is that all about? It really is an interesting story."
ALICE IN CHAINS drummer Sean Kinney admitted that he spent most of his Halloweens in the same costume. "I probably spent all my tiny boy years dressed as Peter Criss from KISS — 'bout every year until, what is it, last year," he said. "I mean, that was pretty much my thing. I'd looked forward to that. My sister'd paint me up in the cat makeup and I'd paint my hair and I'd go out there and bring my drum sticks and I loved it, you know. That was my moment, you know. I'd still do it."
Johnny 3 Tears of HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD told The Pulse Of Radio where in Los Angeles he likes to hang out on Halloween night. "I go down to Santa Monica Boulevard every year and they have it closed off, with like bands and... the transvestite community is very large there, and they put on these costumes and it's just like a spectator sport down there," he said. "I just go down there and throw water balloons and drink. It's fun."
Rob Zombie revealed that he lives in a very Halloween-oriented neighborhood — and that was even before he moved there. "The neighborhood we live in is like trick or treaters central — literally we get thousands, which always sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not," he said. "You know, one year I counted how many trick or treaters we got, 'cause I knew how much candy we had, 'cause I actually counted it. And as I gave it out, I kept track just out of curiosity. And when it went over a thousand kids, I just locked the door and turned the lights off. I couldn't take it anymore. The whole neighborhood shuts down, it's the most insane thing I've ever seen."
STAIND has played a lot of shows on Halloween in costume, but guitarist Mike Mushok recalled one gig where his outfit let him down. "We played another one where I was a mummy," he said. "I went to like a medical supply store. I got this huge gauze and wrapped my entire body with gauze, which is great in theory until you start playing — it all starts falling off (laughs). I should have worn something underneath it rather than nothing, but…"
ALICE IN CHAINS drummer Sean Kinney admitted that he spent most of his Halloweens in the same costume. "I probably spent all my tiny boy years dressed as Peter Criss from KISS — 'bout every year until, what is it, last year," he said. "I mean, that was pretty much my thing. I'd looked forward to that. My sister'd paint me up in the cat makeup and I'd paint my hair and I'd go out there and bring my drum sticks and I loved it, you know. That was my moment, you know. I'd still do it."
Johnny 3 Tears of HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD told The Pulse Of Radio where in Los Angeles he likes to hang out on Halloween night. "I go down to Santa Monica Boulevard every year and they have it closed off, with like bands and... the transvestite community is very large there, and they put on these costumes and it's just like a spectator sport down there," he said. "I just go down there and throw water balloons and drink. It's fun."
Rob Zombie revealed that he lives in a very Halloween-oriented neighborhood — and that was even before he moved there. "The neighborhood we live in is like trick or treaters central — literally we get thousands, which always sounds like an exaggeration, but it's not," he said. "You know, one year I counted how many trick or treaters we got, 'cause I knew how much candy we had, 'cause I actually counted it. And as I gave it out, I kept track just out of curiosity. And when it went over a thousand kids, I just locked the door and turned the lights off. I couldn't take it anymore. The whole neighborhood shuts down, it's the most insane thing I've ever seen."
STAIND has played a lot of shows on Halloween in costume, but guitarist Mike Mushok recalled one gig where his outfit let him down. "We played another one where I was a mummy," he said. "I went to like a medical supply store. I got this huge gauze and wrapped my entire body with gauze, which is great in theory until you start playing — it all starts falling off (laughs). I should have worn something underneath it rather than nothing, but…"
Ex-JOURNEY singer Steve Perry tells The Associated Press that a reunion with his former bandmates is probably not going to happen.
"It's like any emotional, committed relationship. At some point, they seem to all have a shelf life and bands are no exception," he said. "Life has moved us all on in different places in our lives. They're doing what they're doing — they have been since '98. And I've been doing what I'm doing, which is living my life and having a personal life."
Perry said that he is stunned that JOURNEY's smash hit "Don't Stop Believin'" — which he wrote with JOURNEY keyboardist Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neil Schon — continues to resonate with so many people.
"It's very shocking because now I'm getting it for 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-year-olds coming up to me, and they love that song and they've made it their song," said Perry, 62. "It's just amazing to me."
"It's like any emotional, committed relationship. At some point, they seem to all have a shelf life and bands are no exception," he said. "Life has moved us all on in different places in our lives. They're doing what they're doing — they have been since '98. And I've been doing what I'm doing, which is living my life and having a personal life."
Perry said that he is stunned that JOURNEY's smash hit "Don't Stop Believin'" — which he wrote with JOURNEY keyboardist Jonathan Cain and guitarist Neil Schon — continues to resonate with so many people.
"It's very shocking because now I'm getting it for 7-, 8-, 9-, 10-year-olds coming up to me, and they love that song and they've made it their song," said Perry, 62. "It's just amazing to me."
Candlelight Records has announced the signing of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY to a worldwide deal. Since early this year, the band — featuring the esteemed Animosity line-up of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin — has been working with long-time producer John Custer. Now nearly complete, their still-untitled eighth studio album is planned for release early in the New Year.
Gathering last summer to jam as a trio for the first time in over a decade, the treasured threesome quickly rekindled the magic that originally united and ultimately bound the musicians on a journey that today continues to impress both fans and critics.
Candlelight's Steve Beatty says of the signing, "'Animosity' is one of my favorite records ever. To have C.O.C. on Candlelight with that lineup is simply mouth-watering. I saw the band in London recently and they did not disappoint. This hungry child can't wait for the record." Candlelight's Edward Christie adds, "We are extremely excited to welcome the band to the label and are looking forward to an amazing album. We are all huge fans and this is truly a memorable day for all of us."
The band shares the excitement the immediate future holds. Woody Weatherman comments, "Writing and recording this new record as a three-piece has been a blast. Having Reed back in the fold with Mike and I brings it around full circle. I'm really looking forward to all that lies ahead this upcoming year."
Reed Mullen adds, "Mike, Woody and I essentially learned how to play music together and cultivated our own style, sound, and unspoken language. Re-bonding with them musically has been the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."
Mike Dean says of the new songs, "We have been overdubbing vocals and guitars in between our live dates for the better part of a year. Now it's time to mix. The process we started back in April is finally coming to fruition. The results should reflect all eras of the band's existence filtered through our current reality. This is a beast we can't wait to set free."
In addition to intense work on the album, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has kept busy in 2011 touring throughout the U.S. and abroad. One of the main attractions at this year's Maryland Deathfest, the band mesmerized a salivating capacity audience.
Mullin co-founded CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1982 as a hardcore punk act alongside Weatherman and Dean before leaving the band in 2001 amidst health concerns.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's latest album, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records. The group's first collection of new material since 2000's "America's Volume Dealer" was produced by C.O.C.'s longtime collaborator John Custer.
Gathering last summer to jam as a trio for the first time in over a decade, the treasured threesome quickly rekindled the magic that originally united and ultimately bound the musicians on a journey that today continues to impress both fans and critics.
Candlelight's Steve Beatty says of the signing, "'Animosity' is one of my favorite records ever. To have C.O.C. on Candlelight with that lineup is simply mouth-watering. I saw the band in London recently and they did not disappoint. This hungry child can't wait for the record." Candlelight's Edward Christie adds, "We are extremely excited to welcome the band to the label and are looking forward to an amazing album. We are all huge fans and this is truly a memorable day for all of us."
The band shares the excitement the immediate future holds. Woody Weatherman comments, "Writing and recording this new record as a three-piece has been a blast. Having Reed back in the fold with Mike and I brings it around full circle. I'm really looking forward to all that lies ahead this upcoming year."
Reed Mullen adds, "Mike, Woody and I essentially learned how to play music together and cultivated our own style, sound, and unspoken language. Re-bonding with them musically has been the greatest thing that's ever happened to me."
Mike Dean says of the new songs, "We have been overdubbing vocals and guitars in between our live dates for the better part of a year. Now it's time to mix. The process we started back in April is finally coming to fruition. The results should reflect all eras of the band's existence filtered through our current reality. This is a beast we can't wait to set free."
In addition to intense work on the album, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY has kept busy in 2011 touring throughout the U.S. and abroad. One of the main attractions at this year's Maryland Deathfest, the band mesmerized a salivating capacity audience.
Mullin co-founded CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1982 as a hardcore punk act alongside Weatherman and Dean before leaving the band in 2001 amidst health concerns.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's latest album, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records. The group's first collection of new material since 2000's "America's Volume Dealer" was produced by C.O.C.'s longtime collaborator John Custer.
ICED EARTH kicked off the European leg of the 2011-2012 "World Dystopia Tour" last night (Sunday, October 30) at Zeche in Bochum, Germany.
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angels Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. Stand Alone
07. When The Night Falls
08. Damien
09. Dark City
10. Pure Evil
11. Anguish Of Youth
12. My Own Savior
13. Anthem
14. Declaration Day
15. Days Of Rage
16. Tragedy And Triumph
17. Dante's Inferno
Encore:
18. Iced Earth
The band's setlist was as follows:
01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angels Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. Stand Alone
07. When The Night Falls
08. Damien
09. Dark City
10. Pure Evil
11. Anguish Of Youth
12. My Own Savior
13. Anthem
14. Declaration Day
15. Days Of Rage
16. Tragedy And Triumph
17. Dante's Inferno
Encore:
18. Iced Earth
SYMPHONY X and ICED EARTH will join forces for a North American co-headlining tour in early 2012. The 30-plus-date trek will kick off on January 31 in Hartford, Connecticut and conclude on March 11 in Clifton Park, New York. Support on the trek will come from WARBRINGER.
"I'm excited to tour with SYMPHONY X," ICED EARTH founder Jon Schaffer said. "They're phenomenal musicians and very cool guys. This co-headliner tour will be a great experience for the fans. It is also way overdue for us to play a proper tour of North America. Get ready!"
SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo added, "We are very excited about the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH. We first met Jon and the guys a few years back and they were really cool. When the idea of a co-headline tour surfaced, we thought it would be awesome. The fans can expect a night of great music from both bands. We look forward to seeing you all real soon!"
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 31 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
Feb. 01 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 03 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
Feb. 04 - Albert Rousseau - Quebec City, QC, Canada
Feb. 05 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC, Canada
Feb. 06 - Phoenix - Toronto, ON, Canada
Feb. 09 - Garrick - Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Feb. 10 - Louis Pub - Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Feb. 11 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB, Canada
Feb. 12 - Flames Central - Calgary, AB, Canada
Feb. 14 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Feb. 15 - Showbox Market - Seattle, WA
Feb. 16 - Hawthorne - Portland, OR
Feb. 17 - Regency - San Francisco, CA
Feb. 18 - Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA
Feb. 20 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 21 - The Grove - Anaheim, CA
Feb. 22 - House of Blues - San Diego
Feb. 24 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
Feb. 25 - Summit - Denver, CO
Feb. 26 - Midland Theater - Kansas City, MO
Feb. 27 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Feb. 28 - Emo's East - Austin, TX
Feb. 29 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Mar. 02 - Revolution - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mar. 03 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Mar. 05 - Lincoln Theater - Raleigh, NC
Mar. 06 - The Fillmore Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
Mar. 07 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH
Mar. 09 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Mar. 10 - Best Buy Theater - New York, NY
Mar. 11 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
Pre-sale tickets are on sale exclusively at www.enterthevault.com.
ICED EARTH's new album, "Dystopia", sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 67 on The Billboard 200 chart.
ICED EARTH's previous CD, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", opened with 6,700 units in September 2008 to debut at No. 79.
ICED EARTH's 10th studio offering, "Dystopia", was released in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks were also recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.
SYMPHONY X's ninth studio album, "Iconoclast", sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 76 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's previous CD, "Paradise Lost", opened with around 6,500 copies back in July 2007.
"Iconoclast" was released in Europe on June 17 and in North America on June 21 via Nuclear Blast Records.
"I'm excited to tour with SYMPHONY X," ICED EARTH founder Jon Schaffer said. "They're phenomenal musicians and very cool guys. This co-headliner tour will be a great experience for the fans. It is also way overdue for us to play a proper tour of North America. Get ready!"
SYMPHONY X guitarist Michael Romeo added, "We are very excited about the upcoming North American tour with ICED EARTH. We first met Jon and the guys a few years back and they were really cool. When the idea of a co-headline tour surfaced, we thought it would be awesome. The fans can expect a night of great music from both bands. We look forward to seeing you all real soon!"
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 31 - Webster Theater - Hartford, CT
Feb. 01 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Feb. 03 - Starland Ballroom - Sayreville, NJ
Feb. 04 - Albert Rousseau - Quebec City, QC, Canada
Feb. 05 - Metropolis - Montreal, QC, Canada
Feb. 06 - Phoenix - Toronto, ON, Canada
Feb. 09 - Garrick - Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Feb. 10 - Louis Pub - Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Feb. 11 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB, Canada
Feb. 12 - Flames Central - Calgary, AB, Canada
Feb. 14 - Commodore Ballroom - Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Feb. 15 - Showbox Market - Seattle, WA
Feb. 16 - Hawthorne - Portland, OR
Feb. 17 - Regency - San Francisco, CA
Feb. 18 - Club Nokia - Los Angeles, CA
Feb. 20 - House of Blues - Las Vegas, NV
Feb. 21 - The Grove - Anaheim, CA
Feb. 22 - House of Blues - San Diego
Feb. 24 - The Complex - Salt Lake City, UT
Feb. 25 - Summit - Denver, CO
Feb. 26 - Midland Theater - Kansas City, MO
Feb. 27 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Feb. 28 - Emo's East - Austin, TX
Feb. 29 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
Mar. 02 - Revolution - Fort Lauderdale, FL
Mar. 03 - House of Blues - Lake Buena Vista, FL
Mar. 05 - Lincoln Theater - Raleigh, NC
Mar. 06 - The Fillmore Charlotte - Charlotte, NC
Mar. 07 - Newport Music Hall - Columbus, OH
Mar. 09 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA
Mar. 10 - Best Buy Theater - New York, NY
Mar. 11 - Northern Lights - Clifton Park, NY
Pre-sale tickets are on sale exclusively at www.enterthevault.com.
ICED EARTH's new album, "Dystopia", sold around 6,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 67 on The Billboard 200 chart.
ICED EARTH's previous CD, "The Crucible of Man (Something Wicked Part II)", opened with 6,700 units in September 2008 to debut at No. 79.
ICED EARTH's 10th studio offering, "Dystopia", was released in Europe on October 17 and in the U.S. on October 18 via Century Media Records. Two bonus tracks were also recorded for inclusion on special editions of the album.
SYMPHONY X's ninth studio album, "Iconoclast", sold more than 7,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 76 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's previous CD, "Paradise Lost", opened with around 6,500 copies back in July 2007.
"Iconoclast" was released in Europe on June 17 and in North America on June 21 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Nuclear Blast Records has set a January 27, 2012 released date for "Memories Of A Time To Come", a compilation album from German power metallers BLIND GUARDIAN. The set, which will feature re-recorded and remixed songs from the band's entire discography, will reportedly be made available as a standard CD and a special three-CD deluxe edition (including the band's demo recordings when they were called LUCIFER'S HERITAGE).
BLIND GUARDIAN is currently collaborating with Germany's best fantasy author Markus Heitz on an orchestral album which is expected to be released in 2012.
"At The Edge Of Time", the tenth studio album from BLIND GUARDIAN, sold around 4,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 108 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
BLIND GUARDIAN's previous CD, "A Twist In The Myth", opened with 3,000 units back in September 2006.
"At The Edge Of Time" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 2 — the band's strongest chart showing ever in its home country.
BLIND GUARDIAN is currently collaborating with Germany's best fantasy author Markus Heitz on an orchestral album which is expected to be released in 2012.
"At The Edge Of Time", the tenth studio album from BLIND GUARDIAN, sold around 4,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 108 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 1 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
BLIND GUARDIAN's previous CD, "A Twist In The Myth", opened with 3,000 units back in September 2006.
"At The Edge Of Time" entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 2 — the band's strongest chart showing ever in its home country.
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON will be signing copies of their latest album, "The Hunter", at the following in-store appearances:
Wednesday, November 2 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dimple Records
2433 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-925-2600
Monday, November 7 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Record Exchange
1105 W. Idaho St.
Boise, ID 83702
208.343.0107
If you get the album early from either store, you'll get a wristband that will guarantee a place in line to meet the band. All are welcome, but fans presenting wristbands will receive priority placement in line.
"The Hunter" sold 39,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 11. MASTODON's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.
"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
Wednesday, November 2 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Dimple Records
2433 Arden Way
Sacramento, CA 95825
916-925-2600
Monday, November 7 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The Record Exchange
1105 W. Idaho St.
Boise, ID 83702
208.343.0107
If you get the album early from either store, you'll get a wristband that will guarantee a place in line to meet the band. All are welcome, but fans presenting wristbands will receive priority placement in line.
"The Hunter" sold 39,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 10 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's previous CD, "Crack The Skye", opened with 41,000 units back in April 2009 to debut at No. 11. MASTODON's 2006 effort, "Blood Mountain", came in with just over 24,000 units — significantly more than the 8,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2004's "Leviathan" — which put it at No. 32.
"The Hunter" was made available in several configurations that feature an exciting interactive 3D experience known as Augmented Reality. The technology, created by Los Angeles-based company Total Immersion, combines virtual and real worlds to create a 3D one-of-a-kind interactive experience that users can control. Just by using a camera on a computer, their own face and the cover art on "The Hunter", the user can turn themselves into "The Hunter" sculpture that is pictured on the cover.
The follow-up to 2009's "Crack The Skye" was MASTODON's third studio CD to be made available on Reprise Records in the U.S. and Canada and the band's first to be issued through Roadrunner Records outside of North America.
"The Hunter" was recorded at Doppler Studios in Atlanta with producer Mike Elizondo. Drum tracks were previously completed in Los Angeles at the legendary Sound City Studios where NIRVANA's masterwork "Nevermind" was recorded.
THE WILDHEARTS mainman Ginger is currently responsible for the biggest-ever fan-funded album campaign via the British company PledgeMusic.
Founded in 2008 by musician Benji Rogers, PledgeMusic offers artists a structure to make projects possible solely by the direct support of their fans, and at the same time helps raising money for charities. Via so-called "pledges," the fans "promise" to contribute to a certain project in exchange for an issue of the product as soon as it is finished. This way, the "pledgers" virtually become A&R managers or record companies.
Breaking all PledgeMusic records within 24 hours, Ginger has just crept past the 400% mark and the campaign shows no signs of slowing down as he begins work on an ambitious triple album.
With the first session/album finished last week, Ginger moves into the studio again for the next two weeks to begin recording the next 10 tracks of his 30-track triple album and for this session is reuniting with THE WILDHEARTS members past and present, including Ritch Battersby, Christopher "C.J." Jagdhar, Willie Dowling and Jon Poole.
The first session featured former THERAPY? drummer Fyfe Ewing.
This has been a remarkable year for the Ginger, who earlier in the summer sold his Gibson Les Paul for a staggering £17,000 ($26,500) on eBay to raise money for the victims of the Japanese tsunami.
Ginger has been making music for more than 20 years, gaining notoriety (more than fame) in the '90s as the frontman of critically acclaimed THE WILDHEARTS, a band whose exceptional talent, songwriting prowess and incendiary live shows were more often than not overshadowed by their rock and roll excess and internal problems.
In the the last decade, Ginger released three critically acclaimed (but publicly overlooked) solo albums and continued to tour.
In 2011 it is a very different story, and it would appear Ginger is making the album of his career, and with his unfathomable success (he met his target amount in just six hours — doubling it in 24 hours) causing the worlds music industry to analyze exactly why this unsung U.K. music hero has eclipsed every other band worldwide who have tried to use PledgeMusic, KickStarter, Sellaband or one of the many other fan-funded platforms to raise money.
For Ginger the answer is simple. It's all due to the very special relationship he keeps with his fans. As well as being a regular "tweeter" (@gingernyc) and Facebook user, Ginger also uses Formspring to answer fans questions directly. In the last six months he's has answered more than 17,000 questions, and continues to do so on a daily basis.
The interaction continues with all those that have pledged for the album, as they receive regular (sometimes daily) humorous video updates from the studio.
Founded in 2008 by musician Benji Rogers, PledgeMusic offers artists a structure to make projects possible solely by the direct support of their fans, and at the same time helps raising money for charities. Via so-called "pledges," the fans "promise" to contribute to a certain project in exchange for an issue of the product as soon as it is finished. This way, the "pledgers" virtually become A&R managers or record companies.
Breaking all PledgeMusic records within 24 hours, Ginger has just crept past the 400% mark and the campaign shows no signs of slowing down as he begins work on an ambitious triple album.
With the first session/album finished last week, Ginger moves into the studio again for the next two weeks to begin recording the next 10 tracks of his 30-track triple album and for this session is reuniting with THE WILDHEARTS members past and present, including Ritch Battersby, Christopher "C.J." Jagdhar, Willie Dowling and Jon Poole.
The first session featured former THERAPY? drummer Fyfe Ewing.
This has been a remarkable year for the Ginger, who earlier in the summer sold his Gibson Les Paul for a staggering £17,000 ($26,500) on eBay to raise money for the victims of the Japanese tsunami.
Ginger has been making music for more than 20 years, gaining notoriety (more than fame) in the '90s as the frontman of critically acclaimed THE WILDHEARTS, a band whose exceptional talent, songwriting prowess and incendiary live shows were more often than not overshadowed by their rock and roll excess and internal problems.
In the the last decade, Ginger released three critically acclaimed (but publicly overlooked) solo albums and continued to tour.
In 2011 it is a very different story, and it would appear Ginger is making the album of his career, and with his unfathomable success (he met his target amount in just six hours — doubling it in 24 hours) causing the worlds music industry to analyze exactly why this unsung U.K. music hero has eclipsed every other band worldwide who have tried to use PledgeMusic, KickStarter, Sellaband or one of the many other fan-funded platforms to raise money.
For Ginger the answer is simple. It's all due to the very special relationship he keeps with his fans. As well as being a regular "tweeter" (@gingernyc) and Facebook user, Ginger also uses Formspring to answer fans questions directly. In the last six months he's has answered more than 17,000 questions, and continues to do so on a daily basis.
The interaction continues with all those that have pledged for the album, as they receive regular (sometimes daily) humorous video updates from the studio.
YOB, RED FANG, BLACK COBRA, PELICAN, BLACK BREATH, CELESTE, CHURCH OF MISERY, TOMBS, ANCESTORS, HORISONT, DRAGGED INTO SUNLIGHT, CHRISTIAN MISTRESS, AUN, LA OTRACINA and BOB WAYNE AND THE OUTLAW CARNIES have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Roadburn festival, set to take place from Thursday, April 12 to Sunday, April 15 (the traditional Afterburner) at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland.
As curator for the 17th edition of the Roadburn festival, Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD will transport you into "Dimension Hatröss" as part of their special headline show during the Au-delà du Réel event on Friday, April 13, 2012 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. As if the promise of the band's classic fourth album in its entirety performed live for the first time ever wasn't enough, the set will conclude with a not-to-be-missed surprise.
Progressive thrash? Thrashing prog? Call it what you like, "Dimension Hatröss" is a rarity: a concept album that stands the test of time. In fact, the original storyline has been eclipsed by reality, rendering it not so much a fantastic sci-fi trip as an uncomfortably prescient account of the world today. Divided into eight chapters, the album covers everything from the quest to create a utopian society in the face of technocratic and theocratic governments to terrorism and mind control. Plus, it rocks! It rocks in that uniquely hypnotic flight of the space bumblebee way that hums VOIVOD at every dissonant turn.
In the book Worlds Away, drummer and artist Michel "Away" Langevin fondly recalls: "Around the era of 'Dimension Hatröss', the music was so complicated we almost didn't have any interaction with the crowd anymore because we were concentrating so hard on our instruments."
But what exactly is a Hatröss? In a 1988 interview with Sounds, Away explained, "'Hatross' is a word I created from the English word 'hate' and the French word 'atroce,' from which 'atrocity' is derived." He added, "The music had to be a bit weird for this album, although we kept the heaviness of it."
In related news: Psychedelic doom metal giants YOB will return to Roadburn festival 2012 for two one-off performances, each time performing an album in its entirety. YOB has been personally invited by VOIVOD for Roadburn 2012. For their first show, they will be playing their seminal album, "The Unreal Never Lived", on Friday, April 13 at Au-delà du Réel, and then in order to reach the greatest of heights (and doom depths), they will follow up by performing "Catharsis" in full at the additional Afterburner event on Sunday, April 15.
Tickets for Roadburn 2012 will go on sale Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 Central European Time. There will be a two-ticket limit (per order) for three-day and four-day passes and Afterburner tickets.
For more information, visit www.roadburn.com.
As curator for the 17th edition of the Roadburn festival, Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD will transport you into "Dimension Hatröss" as part of their special headline show during the Au-delà du Réel event on Friday, April 13, 2012 at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland. As if the promise of the band's classic fourth album in its entirety performed live for the first time ever wasn't enough, the set will conclude with a not-to-be-missed surprise.
Progressive thrash? Thrashing prog? Call it what you like, "Dimension Hatröss" is a rarity: a concept album that stands the test of time. In fact, the original storyline has been eclipsed by reality, rendering it not so much a fantastic sci-fi trip as an uncomfortably prescient account of the world today. Divided into eight chapters, the album covers everything from the quest to create a utopian society in the face of technocratic and theocratic governments to terrorism and mind control. Plus, it rocks! It rocks in that uniquely hypnotic flight of the space bumblebee way that hums VOIVOD at every dissonant turn.
In the book Worlds Away, drummer and artist Michel "Away" Langevin fondly recalls: "Around the era of 'Dimension Hatröss', the music was so complicated we almost didn't have any interaction with the crowd anymore because we were concentrating so hard on our instruments."
But what exactly is a Hatröss? In a 1988 interview with Sounds, Away explained, "'Hatross' is a word I created from the English word 'hate' and the French word 'atroce,' from which 'atrocity' is derived." He added, "The music had to be a bit weird for this album, although we kept the heaviness of it."
In related news: Psychedelic doom metal giants YOB will return to Roadburn festival 2012 for two one-off performances, each time performing an album in its entirety. YOB has been personally invited by VOIVOD for Roadburn 2012. For their first show, they will be playing their seminal album, "The Unreal Never Lived", on Friday, April 13 at Au-delà du Réel, and then in order to reach the greatest of heights (and doom depths), they will follow up by performing "Catharsis" in full at the additional Afterburner event on Sunday, April 15.
Tickets for Roadburn 2012 will go on sale Saturday, November 26 at 10:00 Central European Time. There will be a two-ticket limit (per order) for three-day and four-day passes and Afterburner tickets.
For more information, visit www.roadburn.com.
DIMMU BORGIR, HATEBREED, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and ANAAL NATHRAKH have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 10-12 at Catton Hall in Walton On Trent, Derbyshire, England.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Ronnie James Dio Stage
ANVIL
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
DIMMU BORGIR
HATEBREED
PARADISE LOST
WATAIN
Sophie Lancaster Stage
ANAAL NATHRAKH
ORANGE GOBLIN
For more information, go to this location.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Ronnie James Dio Stage
ANVIL
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY
DIMMU BORGIR
HATEBREED
PARADISE LOST
WATAIN
Sophie Lancaster Stage
ANAAL NATHRAKH
ORANGE GOBLIN
For more information, go to this location.
NITROGODS, the German rock and roll band featuring guitarist Henny Wolter (THUNDERHEAD, PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER), drummer Klaus Sperling (FREEDOM CALL, PRIMAL FEAR) and bassist/vocalist Claus "Oimel" Larcher, has inked a deal with Steamhammer/SPV. The group's self-titled debut album will be released on the following dates:
Germany: February 24, 2012
Rest Of Europe: February 27, 2012
USA, Canada: Early March 2012
No more endless studio fakes, sound samples, artificial drum overdubs and computer-controlled corrections of suboptimal lead vocals. The time has come to return to the true values of rock music, namely honesty, solid craftsmanship and real lifeblood. To cut a long story short: the time has come for NITROGODS! The motto of this spectacular new rock trio: three men, three corners, and down-to-earth no-bullshit rock'n'roll!
The band may still be unfamiliar to the public at large, but the three members are renowned musicians with illustrious histories to look back on. Guitarist Henny Wolter founded THUNDERHEAD in 1988, played with PRIMAL FEAR and SINNER for number of years and was part of the Rock Meets Classic touring band. Drummer Klaus Sperling (FREEDOM CALL) was also with PRIMAL FEAR for a long time. And at the epicenter of the NITROGODS soundquake is a heavyweight who is impressive in every respect: Claus "Oimel" Larcher, a bear of a musician whose bass performance stands for sheer power and whose voice unmistakably reflects countless liters of beer and whiskey.
"I wanted to return to playing the music that I love," says Henny Wolter, "and that only works if you play it with your best friends."
"Nitrogods" features guest appearances by NAZARETH singer Dan McCafferty and ex-MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke in the songs "Whiskey Wonderland" and "Wasted In Berlin".
Fast Eddie Clarke comments on his collaboration with the NITROGODS: "I first met Claus from the NITROGODS in 2005 when I did a benefit gig for the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia. So I was happy to say yes when asked to do a solo on their new album on the track 'Wasted In Berlin'. I have to say the tracks they sent me sounded great. The band has great spirit and they all play extremely well together. So if you like fast and furious rock, you should give this a listen. I can assure you you will not be dissapointed..."
Dan McCafferty on NITROGODS: "I have just had the pleasure to record a song with a new band called NITROGODS. Henny and I met and became good friends on the Rock Meets Classic tour 2010. Having heard other material for the album, I think it will be a fine one. Hope you enjoy my contribution on 'Whiskey Wonderland'. I wish the GODS the best of luck. Welcome to the rock 'n' roll world!"
Germany: February 24, 2012
Rest Of Europe: February 27, 2012
USA, Canada: Early March 2012
No more endless studio fakes, sound samples, artificial drum overdubs and computer-controlled corrections of suboptimal lead vocals. The time has come to return to the true values of rock music, namely honesty, solid craftsmanship and real lifeblood. To cut a long story short: the time has come for NITROGODS! The motto of this spectacular new rock trio: three men, three corners, and down-to-earth no-bullshit rock'n'roll!
The band may still be unfamiliar to the public at large, but the three members are renowned musicians with illustrious histories to look back on. Guitarist Henny Wolter founded THUNDERHEAD in 1988, played with PRIMAL FEAR and SINNER for number of years and was part of the Rock Meets Classic touring band. Drummer Klaus Sperling (FREEDOM CALL) was also with PRIMAL FEAR for a long time. And at the epicenter of the NITROGODS soundquake is a heavyweight who is impressive in every respect: Claus "Oimel" Larcher, a bear of a musician whose bass performance stands for sheer power and whose voice unmistakably reflects countless liters of beer and whiskey.
"I wanted to return to playing the music that I love," says Henny Wolter, "and that only works if you play it with your best friends."
"Nitrogods" features guest appearances by NAZARETH singer Dan McCafferty and ex-MOTÖRHEAD guitarist Fast Eddie Clarke in the songs "Whiskey Wonderland" and "Wasted In Berlin".
Fast Eddie Clarke comments on his collaboration with the NITROGODS: "I first met Claus from the NITROGODS in 2005 when I did a benefit gig for the victims of the tsunami in Indonesia. So I was happy to say yes when asked to do a solo on their new album on the track 'Wasted In Berlin'. I have to say the tracks they sent me sounded great. The band has great spirit and they all play extremely well together. So if you like fast and furious rock, you should give this a listen. I can assure you you will not be dissapointed..."
Dan McCafferty on NITROGODS: "I have just had the pleasure to record a song with a new band called NITROGODS. Henny and I met and became good friends on the Rock Meets Classic tour 2010. Having heard other material for the album, I think it will be a fine one. Hope you enjoy my contribution on 'Whiskey Wonderland'. I wish the GODS the best of luck. Welcome to the rock 'n' roll world!"
German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL and his band — singer Johnny Gioeli, drummer Mike Terrana , keyboard player Ferdy Doernberg and bassist Volker Krawzak — will enter the studio in late November with engineer and co-producer Charlie Bauerfeind to record their next album titled "Circle Of The Oath".
Commented Axel Rudi Pell: "I'm more than excited! I just finished the songwriting for all 10 songs, including the compulsory intro, and will concentrate on completing the lyrics in the next couple of days. This will be a hell of a record and you won't be disappointed. It will have everything you expect from a true Axel Rudi Pell record, with all its magical moments and a few surprises."
"Circle Of The Oath" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in late March 2012, followed by the first leg of the Axel Rudi Pell European tour:
Apr. 20 - D-Hannover – Capitol
Apr. 21 - NL-Weert – De Bosuil
Apr. 22 - GB-London - Underworld
Apr. 24 - D-Langen – Neue Stadthalle Langen
Apr. 25 - D-Saarbrücken - Garage
Apr. 27 - D-Nürnberg – Hirsch
Apr. 28 - D-Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle
Apr. 29 - CH-Pratteln – Z7
May 01 - D-Erfurt – HsD
May 02 - D-Berlin – Columbia Club
May 04 - D-Bochum - Zeche
May 05 - D-Bochum – Zeche
Axel Rudi Pell's latest compilation, "The Ballads IV", registered the following first-week chart positions:
Germany: #29
Switzerland: #53
Norway: #65
In addition to all of the group's ballads since the release of "The Ballads III" (which came out in 2004), "The Ballads IV" includes three newly recorded songs.
"The Ballads IV" was released as standard version, double gatefold LP in colored vinyl and as a digital download.
Commented Axel Rudi Pell: "I'm more than excited! I just finished the songwriting for all 10 songs, including the compulsory intro, and will concentrate on completing the lyrics in the next couple of days. This will be a hell of a record and you won't be disappointed. It will have everything you expect from a true Axel Rudi Pell record, with all its magical moments and a few surprises."
"Circle Of The Oath" will be released through SPV/Steamhammer in late March 2012, followed by the first leg of the Axel Rudi Pell European tour:
Apr. 20 - D-Hannover – Capitol
Apr. 21 - NL-Weert – De Bosuil
Apr. 22 - GB-London - Underworld
Apr. 24 - D-Langen – Neue Stadthalle Langen
Apr. 25 - D-Saarbrücken - Garage
Apr. 27 - D-Nürnberg – Hirsch
Apr. 28 - D-Kaufbeuren – All-Karthalle
Apr. 29 - CH-Pratteln – Z7
May 01 - D-Erfurt – HsD
May 02 - D-Berlin – Columbia Club
May 04 - D-Bochum - Zeche
May 05 - D-Bochum – Zeche
Axel Rudi Pell's latest compilation, "The Ballads IV", registered the following first-week chart positions:
Germany: #29
Switzerland: #53
Norway: #65
In addition to all of the group's ballads since the release of "The Ballads III" (which came out in 2004), "The Ballads IV" includes three newly recorded songs.
"The Ballads IV" was released as standard version, double gatefold LP in colored vinyl and as a digital download.
Leslie Michele Derrough of GlideMagazine.com recently conducted an interview with GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
GlideMagazine.com: You've been around a long time and you've got a lot of great fans who have been with you through the good times and the bad. So what do you have planned next? Any new material coming out?
Mark: Yeah, you know I'm always writing. In fact, what I've been doing recently, kind of in my off time, is producing bands and I don't charge them anything. I just say, give me studio time (laughs). So they give me free studio time and I write songs and I can put them on tape for future use and it's a better format to present songs to the band when they sound really good instead of just standing there with your guitar going, "Hey, check this out" (laughs). I go, "Listen to this, this is a song I came up with," and it's just a better representation of an idea or whatever. So, yeah, we're always writing. Even in soundcheck, I'll play a riff and somebody in the band will come over and go, "Oh, I like that, let's work on that". So we're always trying to keep it exciting because we've never learned to become like an oldies band that is just going to go out and play "Once Bitten Twice Shy", you know. We always want to keep it fresh for us and that's what keeps it exciting for us. We always like to eliminate the risk of going through the motions, you know what I mean?! We really want to have a good time when we play.
GlideMagazine.com: Do you remember the first concert that you went to? And what did that feel like?
Mark: The first concert I ever went to, I think I was sixteen years old and I went and saw Edgar Winter, Jo Jo Gunne and a band called SPOOKY TOOTH, and it was at Long Beach Arena. And I went with a friend of mine and we were just like, "Oh my God, look at this". It was amazing and I couldn't believe it. I could never imagine myself at that time being in that spot, you know what I mean. Little did I know that I would be standing up there in ten years (laughs) on the same stage.
GlideMagazine.com: Really? You played at the same arena?
Mark: Yeah, with JUDAS PRIEST. We played there in 1984. I was twenty-five years old, so it would have been nine years after I had been at my first concert.
GlideMagazine.com: Tell me about the first time you were on a big stage in a big arena with thousands of people watching you. How did that feel? Were you overwhelmed or did it feel like home?
Mark: Well, I was in a band and we played all cover songs and it was a pretty big crowd for us at the time. I was probably only like seventeen years old and I think it was like three thousand people. I was really nervous and it was an all-girls school (laughs). I don't know how we got that gig but anyways we went out and played in front of about three thousand people, if I remember. I was pretty nervous, you know. But we played pretty good.
GlideMagazine.com: You, Michael and Audie are original members of GREAT WHITE, correct?
Mark: Michael Lardie, Audie Desbrow and I. Well, I've been in the band even before them cause we started it in like the late Seventies. They came along after the first record so they've been in the band since about 1985. So you can consider them original members because they've been in the band so long. The bass player that was the original bass player, he kind of left in 1987 and that was kind of an alcohol thing. His name was Lorne Black and he played on the very first album and actually recorded on the album with "Rock Me" on it. Then a guy named Tony Montana came in and played bass and he was in the band until 1992, I believe. And he went off and played guitar so we got another bass player, Sean McNabb, and he was in the band for eight or nine years. Then he went off to be an actor and then played part time like in DOKKEN and wherever else he does. So the bass player we have now that has been in the band for three years is named Scott Snyder. So the bass players have kind of been the revolving door (laughs). Not by design, it's just things happen and the bass players take off (laughs).
GlideMagazine.com: Are you going to do another solo album?
Mark: Good question. You know with as busy as the band is right now, I can't see it happening anytime real soon but I would love to do that. If we have any off time at all I'll go straight in and start making one. But the way our schedule is now, we've been playing every week and stuff. I just can't see on my three days off going in and making some solo album or something. I need like blocks of time to do it. I just can't get myself to do that like that. I need to spend time with my family. If I could spend time with my family and do my solo album, that would work better than not spend time with my family, do GREAT WHITE shows and do my solo album (laughs) that's just too much. But yeah, definitely, hopefully I can do that in the not so distant future.
GlideMagazine.com: So what's up for the rest of the year?
Mark: We have shows booked up till probably middle November. Then we'll probably take a break after that. I'm not really sure if we're going to go in and do a GREAT WHITE record or maybe I can do my solo album then or whatever, I'm not real sure. We haven't really talked about it. We'll just see where we're at and then figure things out.
GlideMagazine.com: You've been around a long time and you've got a lot of great fans who have been with you through the good times and the bad. So what do you have planned next? Any new material coming out?
Mark: Yeah, you know I'm always writing. In fact, what I've been doing recently, kind of in my off time, is producing bands and I don't charge them anything. I just say, give me studio time (laughs). So they give me free studio time and I write songs and I can put them on tape for future use and it's a better format to present songs to the band when they sound really good instead of just standing there with your guitar going, "Hey, check this out" (laughs). I go, "Listen to this, this is a song I came up with," and it's just a better representation of an idea or whatever. So, yeah, we're always writing. Even in soundcheck, I'll play a riff and somebody in the band will come over and go, "Oh, I like that, let's work on that". So we're always trying to keep it exciting because we've never learned to become like an oldies band that is just going to go out and play "Once Bitten Twice Shy", you know. We always want to keep it fresh for us and that's what keeps it exciting for us. We always like to eliminate the risk of going through the motions, you know what I mean?! We really want to have a good time when we play.
GlideMagazine.com: Do you remember the first concert that you went to? And what did that feel like?
Mark: The first concert I ever went to, I think I was sixteen years old and I went and saw Edgar Winter, Jo Jo Gunne and a band called SPOOKY TOOTH, and it was at Long Beach Arena. And I went with a friend of mine and we were just like, "Oh my God, look at this". It was amazing and I couldn't believe it. I could never imagine myself at that time being in that spot, you know what I mean. Little did I know that I would be standing up there in ten years (laughs) on the same stage.
GlideMagazine.com: Really? You played at the same arena?
Mark: Yeah, with JUDAS PRIEST. We played there in 1984. I was twenty-five years old, so it would have been nine years after I had been at my first concert.
GlideMagazine.com: Tell me about the first time you were on a big stage in a big arena with thousands of people watching you. How did that feel? Were you overwhelmed or did it feel like home?
Mark: Well, I was in a band and we played all cover songs and it was a pretty big crowd for us at the time. I was probably only like seventeen years old and I think it was like three thousand people. I was really nervous and it was an all-girls school (laughs). I don't know how we got that gig but anyways we went out and played in front of about three thousand people, if I remember. I was pretty nervous, you know. But we played pretty good.
GlideMagazine.com: You, Michael and Audie are original members of GREAT WHITE, correct?
Mark: Michael Lardie, Audie Desbrow and I. Well, I've been in the band even before them cause we started it in like the late Seventies. They came along after the first record so they've been in the band since about 1985. So you can consider them original members because they've been in the band so long. The bass player that was the original bass player, he kind of left in 1987 and that was kind of an alcohol thing. His name was Lorne Black and he played on the very first album and actually recorded on the album with "Rock Me" on it. Then a guy named Tony Montana came in and played bass and he was in the band until 1992, I believe. And he went off and played guitar so we got another bass player, Sean McNabb, and he was in the band for eight or nine years. Then he went off to be an actor and then played part time like in DOKKEN and wherever else he does. So the bass player we have now that has been in the band for three years is named Scott Snyder. So the bass players have kind of been the revolving door (laughs). Not by design, it's just things happen and the bass players take off (laughs).
GlideMagazine.com: Are you going to do another solo album?
Mark: Good question. You know with as busy as the band is right now, I can't see it happening anytime real soon but I would love to do that. If we have any off time at all I'll go straight in and start making one. But the way our schedule is now, we've been playing every week and stuff. I just can't see on my three days off going in and making some solo album or something. I need like blocks of time to do it. I just can't get myself to do that like that. I need to spend time with my family. If I could spend time with my family and do my solo album, that would work better than not spend time with my family, do GREAT WHITE shows and do my solo album (laughs) that's just too much. But yeah, definitely, hopefully I can do that in the not so distant future.
GlideMagazine.com: So what's up for the rest of the year?
Mark: We have shows booked up till probably middle November. Then we'll probably take a break after that. I'm not really sure if we're going to go in and do a GREAT WHITE record or maybe I can do my solo album then or whatever, I'm not real sure. We haven't really talked about it. We'll just see where we're at and then figure things out.
Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD have set "Resolution" as the title of their new album, due on January 24, 2012 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner). The CD was once again helmed by producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".
"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.
There will be a special U.K. pre-order for a limited edition album bundle, containing a bonus 12-track live album, titled "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010", together with the "Resolution" digipack. Orders for the limited-edition package will be taken online only, strictly until December 25, from Play, Amazon and HMV.
"Resolution" track listing:
01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me
Limited-edition pre-order bonus live album "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010" track listing:
01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set to Fail
04. Walk With Me In Hell
05. Hourglass
06. Now You've Got Something to Die For
07. Ruin
08. As The Palaces Burn
09. Blacken the Cursed Sun
10. Laid to Rest
11. Redneck
12. Black Label
The "Resolution" cover artwork can be seen below.
One of the tracks that will appear on "Resolution" includes an orchestra and a choir. "There's opera singers, a whole symphony going on… It's crazy," drummer Chris Adler told Gun Shy Assasssin about the song, which features the band's vocalist, Randy Blythe, singing slowly over the opening. "We were trying to figure out how to not be black metal but do something totally different. I think we succeeded," Adler said.
Blythe previously described "Resolution" as "WAAAAY better than 'Wrath' overall."
During its 2012 world tour, LAMB OF GOD, in connection with Epic Records and 914 Films, will shoot a feature film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band's music to cope with their everyday lives.
LAMB OF GOD will be looking for one individual in each specified location to be chosen to participate in this very special event. The person selected will be involved with the full day of LAMB OF GOD activities the day of the show in your hometown!
If you would like to be considered, visit the submission page and submit a video and a written letter of 2,000 characters or less describing your life and how the band's music has impacted you.
Participants must also meet the following requirements.
* Video submissions telling your story should be kept to under 3 minutes.
* You MUST plan to be in town when LAMB OF GOD visits your area.
* You MUST be willing to allow LAMB OF GOD band and film crew full access to your lives (home, career, family, friends, etc.) at the time of filming.
* Entries must be English speaking only.
"Wrath" sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless") on The Billboard 200 chart.
LAMB OF GOD's 2006 album, "Sacrament", opened with around 63,000 units to land at No. 8. This represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which registered a first-week tally of 35,000 in September 2004.
"Wrath" was released in North America on February 24, 2009 via Epic. The CD was issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.
The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.
LAMB OF GOD performed at the sixth edition of D-TOX Rockfest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. This marked the group's first and only 2011 appearance.
"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.
There will be a special U.K. pre-order for a limited edition album bundle, containing a bonus 12-track live album, titled "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010", together with the "Resolution" digipack. Orders for the limited-edition package will be taken online only, strictly until December 25, from Play, Amazon and HMV.
"Resolution" track listing:
01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me
Limited-edition pre-order bonus live album "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010" track listing:
01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set to Fail
04. Walk With Me In Hell
05. Hourglass
06. Now You've Got Something to Die For
07. Ruin
08. As The Palaces Burn
09. Blacken the Cursed Sun
10. Laid to Rest
11. Redneck
12. Black Label
The "Resolution" cover artwork can be seen below.
One of the tracks that will appear on "Resolution" includes an orchestra and a choir. "There's opera singers, a whole symphony going on… It's crazy," drummer Chris Adler told Gun Shy Assasssin about the song, which features the band's vocalist, Randy Blythe, singing slowly over the opening. "We were trying to figure out how to not be black metal but do something totally different. I think we succeeded," Adler said.
Blythe previously described "Resolution" as "WAAAAY better than 'Wrath' overall."
During its 2012 world tour, LAMB OF GOD, in connection with Epic Records and 914 Films, will shoot a feature film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band's music to cope with their everyday lives.
LAMB OF GOD will be looking for one individual in each specified location to be chosen to participate in this very special event. The person selected will be involved with the full day of LAMB OF GOD activities the day of the show in your hometown!
If you would like to be considered, visit the submission page and submit a video and a written letter of 2,000 characters or less describing your life and how the band's music has impacted you.
Participants must also meet the following requirements.
* Video submissions telling your story should be kept to under 3 minutes.
* You MUST plan to be in town when LAMB OF GOD visits your area.
* You MUST be willing to allow LAMB OF GOD band and film crew full access to your lives (home, career, family, friends, etc.) at the time of filming.
* Entries must be English speaking only.
"Wrath" sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless") on The Billboard 200 chart.
LAMB OF GOD's 2006 album, "Sacrament", opened with around 63,000 units to land at No. 8. This represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which registered a first-week tally of 35,000 in September 2004.
"Wrath" was released in North America on February 24, 2009 via Epic. The CD was issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.
The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.
LAMB OF GOD performed at the sixth edition of D-TOX Rockfest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. This marked the group's first and only 2011 appearance.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/logresolution.jpg
Richmond, Virginia metallers LAMB OF GOD will release their new album, "Resolution", in North America on January 24, 2012 via Epic Records (one day earlier internationally through Roadrunner Records). The CD was recorded at various studios in Virginia and New York with producer Josh Wilbur, who worked on the band's last effort, 2009's "Wrath".
"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.
Pre-orders for the new album will begin today at www.lamb-of-god.com/resolution and will feature multiple premium bundles.
There will be a special U.K.-only pre-order for a limited-edition album bundle, containing a bonus 12-track live album, titled "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010", together with the "Resolution" digipack. Orders for the U.K.-only limited-edition package will be taken online only, strictly until December 25, from Play, Amazon and HMV.
"Resolution" track listing:
01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me
**U.K.-only** limited-edition pre-order bonus live album "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010" track listing: (Note: This item is **NOT** available in the U.S.)
01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set to Fail
04. Walk With Me In Hell
05. Hourglass
06. Now You've Got Something to Die For
07. Ruin
08. As The Palaces Burn
09. Blacken the Cursed Sun
10. Laid to Rest
11. Redneck
12. Black Label
The "Resolution" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a video trailer for the album.
Singer Randy Blythe previously described "Resolution" as "WAAAAY better than 'Wrath' overall."
During its 2012 world tour, LAMB OF GOD, in connection with Epic Records and 914 Films, will shoot a feature film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band's music to cope with their everyday lives.
LAMB OF GOD will be looking for one individual in each specified location to be chosen to participate in this very special event. The person selected will be involved with the full day of LAMB OF GOD activities the day of the show in your hometown!
If you would like to be considered, visit the submission page and submit a video and a written letter of 2,000 characters or less describing your life and how the band's music has impacted you.
Participants must also meet the following requirements.
* Video submissions telling your story should be kept to under 3 minutes.
* You MUST plan to be in town when LAMB OF GOD visits your area.
* You MUST be willing to allow LAMB OF GOD band and film crew full access to your lives (home, career, family, friends, etc.) at the time of filming.
* Entries must be English speaking only.
"Wrath" sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless") on The Billboard 200 chart.
LAMB OF GOD's 2006 album, "Sacrament", opened with around 63,000 units to land at No. 8. This represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which registered a first-week tally of 35,000 in September 2004.
"Wrath" was released in North America on February 24, 2009 via Epic. The CD was issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.
The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.
LAMB OF GOD performed at the sixth edition of D-TOX Rockfest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. This marked the group's first and only 2011 appearance.
"Resolution" will feature 14 songs and will come in a digipack with artwork by longtime art director Ken Adams.
Pre-orders for the new album will begin today at www.lamb-of-god.com/resolution and will feature multiple premium bundles.
There will be a special U.K.-only pre-order for a limited-edition album bundle, containing a bonus 12-track live album, titled "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010", together with the "Resolution" digipack. Orders for the U.K.-only limited-edition package will be taken online only, strictly until December 25, from Play, Amazon and HMV.
"Resolution" track listing:
01. Straight For The Sun
02. Desolation
03. Ghost Walking
04. Guilty
05. The Undertow
06. The Number Six
07. Barbarosa
08. Invictus
09. Cheated
10. Insurrection
11. Terminally Unique
12. To The End
13. Visitation
14. King Me
**U.K.-only** limited-edition pre-order bonus live album "Wrath - Tour 2009/2010" track listing: (Note: This item is **NOT** available in the U.S.)
01. The Passing
02. In Your Words
03. Set to Fail
04. Walk With Me In Hell
05. Hourglass
06. Now You've Got Something to Die For
07. Ruin
08. As The Palaces Burn
09. Blacken the Cursed Sun
10. Laid to Rest
11. Redneck
12. Black Label
The "Resolution" cover artwork can be seen below. Also available is a video trailer for the album.
Singer Randy Blythe previously described "Resolution" as "WAAAAY better than 'Wrath' overall."
During its 2012 world tour, LAMB OF GOD, in connection with Epic Records and 914 Films, will shoot a feature film documenting fans and their personal stories of how they use the band's music to cope with their everyday lives.
LAMB OF GOD will be looking for one individual in each specified location to be chosen to participate in this very special event. The person selected will be involved with the full day of LAMB OF GOD activities the day of the show in your hometown!
If you would like to be considered, visit the submission page and submit a video and a written letter of 2,000 characters or less describing your life and how the band's music has impacted you.
Participants must also meet the following requirements.
* Video submissions telling your story should be kept to under 3 minutes.
* You MUST plan to be in town when LAMB OF GOD visits your area.
* You MUST be willing to allow LAMB OF GOD band and film crew full access to your lives (home, career, family, friends, etc.) at the time of filming.
* Entries must be English speaking only.
"Wrath" sold around 68,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 2 (behind TAYLOR SWIFT's "Fearless") on The Billboard 200 chart.
LAMB OF GOD's 2006 album, "Sacrament", opened with around 63,000 units to land at No. 8. This represented almost double the amount of records sold by its predecessor, "Ashes Of The Wake", which registered a first-week tally of 35,000 in September 2004.
"Wrath" was released in North America on February 24, 2009 via Epic. The CD was issued in other territories through Roadrunner Records.
The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.
LAMB OF GOD performed at the sixth edition of D-TOX Rockfest on June 17 in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. This marked the group's first and only 2011 appearance.
German metallers RAGE entered Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany earlier in the month to begin recording their 21st studio album for a March 2012 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The recordings are once again being helmed by Charlie Bauerfeind, who has previously worked with SAXON, BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL and HELLOWEEN, among others. Songtitles set to appear on the 10-track CD include "Twenty One" and "Serial Killer".
Commented RAGE bassist/vocalist Peter "Peavy" Wagner: "We [are] also thinking about taking '21' as the album title.
"Probably you've heard that our new album will be pretty heavy. We've sparkled in creativity and it was great fun to work out these songs; it was real teamwork.
"It's so great to work together with such fantastic musicians like Victor [Smolski, guitar] and André [Hilgers, drums]."
Check out a studio report at Rage-On.de.
As a direct consequence of RAGE's decision to release orchestral compositions under the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTER banner in the future (with the first album due in 2012), the bandmembers will fully concentrate on producing their "hardest" album to date.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented RAGE bassist/vocalist Peter "Peavy" Wagner: "We [are] also thinking about taking '21' as the album title.
"Probably you've heard that our new album will be pretty heavy. We've sparkled in creativity and it was great fun to work out these songs; it was real teamwork.
"It's so great to work together with such fantastic musicians like Victor [Smolski, guitar] and André [Hilgers, drums]."
Check out a studio report at Rage-On.de.
As a direct consequence of RAGE's decision to release orchestral compositions under the LINGUA MORTIS ORCHESTER banner in the future (with the first album due in 2012), the bandmembers will fully concentrate on producing their "hardest" album to date.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
FinlandCalling.com recently conducted an interview with keyboardist/mainman Tuomas Holopainen of Finnish/Swedish symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
FinlandCalling.com: When you have an idea or are inspired by anything, do you have to write it down or does it just stay with you?
Tuomas: I always have my notebook with me and I always have a dictaphone with me, so if I just get an idea I write it immediately. It happens so many times that you get a killer idea, you think, "It's so good I'll never forget this" initially, and then I do.
FinlandCalling.com: I don't know if you can tell me very much about this, you probably want to keep it a secret, but have you planned any visuals for the stage yet?
Tuomas: We're in the planning stage as we speak. It was yesterday when I talked to the guy who's making the props, so nothing concrete, but there will definitely be the pyros and maybe some screens, since now we're making a movie, it would make sense to put some stuff from the movie there. Maybe some props related to the film or stage. We'll have a Celtic pipe player with us for the entire tour, so that's something unique too. It's being planned!
FinlandCalling.com: You said that one day you were hoping to play the Royal Albert Hall. Is that still an ambition of yours?
Tuomas: Yeah, it all started when we started to think that we need to do this show with the orchestra and the choir at least once in our life. And where would we do it? Well the natural location would be the Royal Albert Hall because we want to use the same orchestra and the choir that we usually do. And to fly over 100 people somewhere else in England…. I think London would be the perfect place for that.
FinlandCalling.com: Have you planned it for this tour, or it just something that you want to do, but haven't turned it into practice yet?
Tuomas: We haven't made any concrete plans about it, and it's something that, when we do it, needs to be so well planned in a big way, and it's going to take years of planning. I have my doubts that it will be on this tour, but maybe after the third album with Anette, we would be ready to do that. The thing is that WITHIN TEMPTATION did a wonderful DVD and show with the orchestra, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH…. And these are all such wonderful releases, so we need to find a new angle to do it as well, so we need to put a lot of thought into it. It's not just about playing with the orchestra. It will be cool, but we want to take it a bit further.
FinlandCalling.com: How different was it for you now that you had Anette [Olzon, vocals] as a member of the band for a while and knew her voice and abilities, while on "Dark Passion Play" you didn't know who was going to be providing the vocals for your work?
Tuomas: It wasn't as different as you would imagine, actually. It was just that now I had a concrete voice in my head doing the vocals when I was writing the songs, and I knew her vocal range, her strengths and weaknesses. But it wasn't much different. I think she sounds fab on the new album. Something happened to her, I mean she did a wonderful job on "Dark Passion Play", but her singing is now taken to a different level on "Imaginaerum". It's not about me writing the songs for her voice, it's about her being relaxed and confident. After surviving the tour, after surviving the fans' reaction, maybe she feels like she's in the band and she can be herself, her versatile self.
FinlandCalling.com: In the press release you said "Imaginaerum" stands as a testament to what NIGHTWISH have always been about. Taking it further, how would you then describe what NIGHTWISH is all about to someone who has either not heard the album or is completely new to the band?
Tuomas: It's a bit of a melodramatic statement, to be honest. I just realized at some point that "Imaginaerum" is in the very core of the truth that NIGHTWISH is about. And it's about celebration of life, the privilege of existence and all the beautiful, fantastic stuff on the planet. Gospel of imagination and memory… being with the band from the very first song we did. It's about the celebration of imagination.
FinlandCalling.com: On a completely different topic, would you ever do a feature with a band from an entirely different genre?
Tuomas: I'm not a prisoner of genre by any means, I listen to all kinds of music. For me it has everything to do with the feeling and the song itself, so… I definitely see myself doing something completely different or working with people from other genres as well.
FinlandCalling.com: Have you considered an acoustic gig at all?
Tuomas: I love acoustic stuff, and I'm sure that something that we will do with NIGHTWISH in the future as well. There would be even a full-length acoustic album, acoustic shows... I'm pretty sure.
FinlandCalling.com: When you have an idea or are inspired by anything, do you have to write it down or does it just stay with you?
Tuomas: I always have my notebook with me and I always have a dictaphone with me, so if I just get an idea I write it immediately. It happens so many times that you get a killer idea, you think, "It's so good I'll never forget this" initially, and then I do.
FinlandCalling.com: I don't know if you can tell me very much about this, you probably want to keep it a secret, but have you planned any visuals for the stage yet?
Tuomas: We're in the planning stage as we speak. It was yesterday when I talked to the guy who's making the props, so nothing concrete, but there will definitely be the pyros and maybe some screens, since now we're making a movie, it would make sense to put some stuff from the movie there. Maybe some props related to the film or stage. We'll have a Celtic pipe player with us for the entire tour, so that's something unique too. It's being planned!
FinlandCalling.com: You said that one day you were hoping to play the Royal Albert Hall. Is that still an ambition of yours?
Tuomas: Yeah, it all started when we started to think that we need to do this show with the orchestra and the choir at least once in our life. And where would we do it? Well the natural location would be the Royal Albert Hall because we want to use the same orchestra and the choir that we usually do. And to fly over 100 people somewhere else in England…. I think London would be the perfect place for that.
FinlandCalling.com: Have you planned it for this tour, or it just something that you want to do, but haven't turned it into practice yet?
Tuomas: We haven't made any concrete plans about it, and it's something that, when we do it, needs to be so well planned in a big way, and it's going to take years of planning. I have my doubts that it will be on this tour, but maybe after the third album with Anette, we would be ready to do that. The thing is that WITHIN TEMPTATION did a wonderful DVD and show with the orchestra, DIMMU BORGIR, OPETH…. And these are all such wonderful releases, so we need to find a new angle to do it as well, so we need to put a lot of thought into it. It's not just about playing with the orchestra. It will be cool, but we want to take it a bit further.
FinlandCalling.com: How different was it for you now that you had Anette [Olzon, vocals] as a member of the band for a while and knew her voice and abilities, while on "Dark Passion Play" you didn't know who was going to be providing the vocals for your work?
Tuomas: It wasn't as different as you would imagine, actually. It was just that now I had a concrete voice in my head doing the vocals when I was writing the songs, and I knew her vocal range, her strengths and weaknesses. But it wasn't much different. I think she sounds fab on the new album. Something happened to her, I mean she did a wonderful job on "Dark Passion Play", but her singing is now taken to a different level on "Imaginaerum". It's not about me writing the songs for her voice, it's about her being relaxed and confident. After surviving the tour, after surviving the fans' reaction, maybe she feels like she's in the band and she can be herself, her versatile self.
FinlandCalling.com: In the press release you said "Imaginaerum" stands as a testament to what NIGHTWISH have always been about. Taking it further, how would you then describe what NIGHTWISH is all about to someone who has either not heard the album or is completely new to the band?
Tuomas: It's a bit of a melodramatic statement, to be honest. I just realized at some point that "Imaginaerum" is in the very core of the truth that NIGHTWISH is about. And it's about celebration of life, the privilege of existence and all the beautiful, fantastic stuff on the planet. Gospel of imagination and memory… being with the band from the very first song we did. It's about the celebration of imagination.
FinlandCalling.com: On a completely different topic, would you ever do a feature with a band from an entirely different genre?
Tuomas: I'm not a prisoner of genre by any means, I listen to all kinds of music. For me it has everything to do with the feeling and the song itself, so… I definitely see myself doing something completely different or working with people from other genres as well.
FinlandCalling.com: Have you considered an acoustic gig at all?
Tuomas: I love acoustic stuff, and I'm sure that something that we will do with NIGHTWISH in the future as well. There would be even a full-length acoustic album, acoustic shows... I'm pretty sure.
Swiss hard rock veterans KROKUS have sold more than 13 million albums worldwide and toured all over the world, and although one of their biggest hits is called "Tokyo Nights", they had never played Japan until now. That changed last Saturday, when KROKUS performed in front of 37,000 Japanese fans at Loud Park, the largest festival in Japan, just outside of Tokyo.
"Japan was out of this world, simply unbelievable!" reports bassist and producer Chris Von Rohr. Upon arrival in Tokyo, the band was greeted by their greatest Japanese fan, who had waited for decades to have his KROKUS album collection signed by the band. "It was touching. He said this was the happiest day in his life", adds singer Marc Storace. And while strolling the streets of Tokyo, Switzerland's #1 rock export was asked for autographs by a great number of female fans. "We communicated with hand signs, because besides 'sushi' and 'sayonara,' we did not understand much", jokes Chris Von Rohr before adding, "Throughout the nuclear catastrophe of Fukushima and thereafter they kept smiling, that really impressed us."
During the concert, the Japanese fans sang along right from the start. Chris Von Rohr says, "It was absolutely awesome! Promoter Creativeman wants us back in Japan as soon as possible."
"Japan was out of this world, simply unbelievable!" reports bassist and producer Chris Von Rohr. Upon arrival in Tokyo, the band was greeted by their greatest Japanese fan, who had waited for decades to have his KROKUS album collection signed by the band. "It was touching. He said this was the happiest day in his life", adds singer Marc Storace. And while strolling the streets of Tokyo, Switzerland's #1 rock export was asked for autographs by a great number of female fans. "We communicated with hand signs, because besides 'sushi' and 'sayonara,' we did not understand much", jokes Chris Von Rohr before adding, "Throughout the nuclear catastrophe of Fukushima and thereafter they kept smiling, that really impressed us."
During the concert, the Japanese fans sang along right from the start. Chris Von Rohr says, "It was absolutely awesome! Promoter Creativeman wants us back in Japan as soon as possible."
RAMMSTEIN's long-awaited retrospective release, "Made In Germany 1995 - 2011", will be available on December 6 through Universal Germany's marketing and distribution deal in the U.S. with Vagrant Records.
"Made In Germany 1995 - 2011" will be available in three different editions:
* Standard Edition: CD Digipak - Best of Album
* Special Edition: 2-CD Digipak - Best of Album and Best of Remixes
* Super Deluxe Edition: 2-CD (Best of Album and Best of Remixes) as well as 3 DVDs (including the full RAMMSTEIN video catalog, all previously available "Making of" and 8 unreleased "Making of" videos) packaged in a steel box complete with a 240-page booklet. Limited to 1200 copies in the U.S.
All songs and videos on "Made In Germany 1995 - 2011" have been remastered for this release.
RAMMSTEIN will release a new single, "Mein Land", on November 14 (three days earlier in Germany, Austria and Switzerland). It will be available as a four-track release via iTunes with a previously unreleased song, "Vergiss Uns Nicht", as well as remixes from BossHoss and Mogwai accompanied by the "Mein Land" video and a digital booklet. The Amazon version will be "Mein Land" and the two remixes.
The video for "Mein Land" was recently filmed with renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund — who has previously worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, OZZY OSBOURNE, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others — and will make its online debut on November 11 at Rammstein.com.
RAMMSTEIN's latest album, "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. Previously, the group's best rank came with its 1998 chart debut, "Sehnsucht", which peaked at No. 45 off the strength of its only U.S. radio chart hit, "Du Hast".
"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" arrived in stores on October 20, 2009 through a marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records and Universal Music Germany. The album was produced by Jacob Hellner and RAMMSTEIN, with recording done at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio. The first single from the 11-track release was "Pussy", which was released as a digital single on September 22, 2009 and accompanied by one of the year's most viral videos.
"Made In Germany 1995 - 2011" will be available in three different editions:
* Standard Edition: CD Digipak - Best of Album
* Special Edition: 2-CD Digipak - Best of Album and Best of Remixes
* Super Deluxe Edition: 2-CD (Best of Album and Best of Remixes) as well as 3 DVDs (including the full RAMMSTEIN video catalog, all previously available "Making of" and 8 unreleased "Making of" videos) packaged in a steel box complete with a 240-page booklet. Limited to 1200 copies in the U.S.
All songs and videos on "Made In Germany 1995 - 2011" have been remastered for this release.
RAMMSTEIN will release a new single, "Mein Land", on November 14 (three days earlier in Germany, Austria and Switzerland). It will be available as a four-track release via iTunes with a previously unreleased song, "Vergiss Uns Nicht", as well as remixes from BossHoss and Mogwai accompanied by the "Mein Land" video and a digital booklet. The Amazon version will be "Mein Land" and the two remixes.
The video for "Mein Land" was recently filmed with renowned Swedish director Jonas Åkerlund — who has previously worked with METALLICA, SATYRICON, OZZY OSBOURNE, MADONNA and THE PRODIGY, among others — and will make its online debut on November 11 at Rammstein.com.
RAMMSTEIN's latest album, "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da", sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. Previously, the group's best rank came with its 1998 chart debut, "Sehnsucht", which peaked at No. 45 off the strength of its only U.S. radio chart hit, "Du Hast".
"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" arrived in stores on October 20, 2009 through a marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records and Universal Music Germany. The album was produced by Jacob Hellner and RAMMSTEIN, with recording done at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio. The first single from the 11-track release was "Pussy", which was released as a digital single on September 22, 2009 and accompanied by one of the year's most viral videos.
Vocalist Andy Biersack of Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES spoke to Revolver magazine about the onstage accident that took place Wednesday night (October 26) in Luxembourg, which resulted in a broken nose and several postponed dates on the band's current European tour. The singer told the magazine he suffered the injury as a result of his "typical routine to entertain the crowd …. rolling around and being crazy."
"Normally, before 'Legacy' goes into a breakdown-y guitar solo-y kind of part, I get down on my knees and do a mock prayer," he said. "I did that and then rolled backwards and stood up and I didn't realize I was directly under the four-foot drum riser. I smashed the bone dead center on my skull. From above my eyebrows, right down the bridge of my nose, that's where I cracked. I was unconscious for a second.
"I knew something terrible had happened immediately," he continued. "I jumped up, but I was still in shock and … I started getting really dizzy and stumbled my way offstage and got to the backstage area. I positioned myself in front of a mirror and saw it was huge and ridiculous. And that's when the pain set in and it was pretty excruciating. But there wasn't a lot of bleeding or anything because of where it broke."
After Biersack was taken to hospital in Luxembourg, he was diagnosed with a concussion and is now recovering in a London hotel room. "I would really like to finish the tour," he told Revolver. "I've been advised against it. But I want to try. At the end of the day, if I have to go onstage and be in pain for 40 minutes I'll do my best to give the audience the show that they have already paid for."
**Update**: Biersack posted the following message on his Twitter account earlier today (Saturday, October 29): "London, we will be playing the show tonight at Shepherds Bush Empire despite my injuries. I will be doing my best to sing but due to the nature of my fractured nasal cavity. Breathing has become difficult and painful, so I will need all of you to help us out and lend us your voices. I intend on giving you the show that you deserve but will be taking it one day at a time. Thank you so much for your support and see you tonight."
"Normally, before 'Legacy' goes into a breakdown-y guitar solo-y kind of part, I get down on my knees and do a mock prayer," he said. "I did that and then rolled backwards and stood up and I didn't realize I was directly under the four-foot drum riser. I smashed the bone dead center on my skull. From above my eyebrows, right down the bridge of my nose, that's where I cracked. I was unconscious for a second.
"I knew something terrible had happened immediately," he continued. "I jumped up, but I was still in shock and … I started getting really dizzy and stumbled my way offstage and got to the backstage area. I positioned myself in front of a mirror and saw it was huge and ridiculous. And that's when the pain set in and it was pretty excruciating. But there wasn't a lot of bleeding or anything because of where it broke."
After Biersack was taken to hospital in Luxembourg, he was diagnosed with a concussion and is now recovering in a London hotel room. "I would really like to finish the tour," he told Revolver. "I've been advised against it. But I want to try. At the end of the day, if I have to go onstage and be in pain for 40 minutes I'll do my best to give the audience the show that they have already paid for."
**Update**: Biersack posted the following message on his Twitter account earlier today (Saturday, October 29): "London, we will be playing the show tonight at Shepherds Bush Empire despite my injuries. I will be doing my best to sing but due to the nature of my fractured nasal cavity. Breathing has become difficult and painful, so I will need all of you to help us out and lend us your voices. I intend on giving you the show that you deserve but will be taking it one day at a time. Thank you so much for your support and see you tonight."
Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES have postponed the remaining shows on their U.K. tour after frontman Andy Biersack broke his nose in Luxembourg on October 26.
Even though Biersack and his bandmates played sold-out concert last night (Saturday, October 29) at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, they released an official statement this morning announcing their decision to cance their shows at Wolverhampton Civic Hall (October 30) and Bristol O2 Academy (November 1), as well as their Oxford Street HMV signing and special Halloween show at London's Borderline on Monday.
"BLACK VEIL BRIDES have announced that the remainder of the UK tour has had to be postponed due to Andy's injuries sustained while performing in Luxembourg on October 26," the statement reads. "The band performed last night at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London and despite making it through the show, Andy was in excruciating pain and had difficulty singing and breathing. As a result, he needed to see a doctor after the show. He has been advised not to perform for the next three weeks to allow himself time to rest, heal and fully recover. The band are working on rescheduling the remaining shows in Wolverhampton and Bristol and an announcement will be made about this [as soon as possible]. BLACK VEIL BRIDES would like to thank the BVB army for all their support and understanding and the band will be back on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD in late November in the U.S. once Andy is fully recovered. Thank you."
In an interview with Revolver magazine, Biersack said he suffered his most recent injury as a result of his "typical routine to entertain the crowd …. rolling around and being crazy."
"Normally, before 'Legacy' goes into a breakdown-y guitar solo-y kind of part, I get down on my knees and do a mock prayer," he said. "I did that and then rolled backwards and stood up and I didn't realize I was directly under the four-foot drum riser. I smashed the bone dead center on my skull. From above my eyebrows, right down the bridge of my nose, that's where I cracked. I was unconscious for a second.
"I knew something terrible had happened immediately," he continued. "I jumped up, but I was still in shock and … I started getting really dizzy and stumbled my way offstage and got to the backstage area. I positioned myself in front of a mirror and saw it was huge and ridiculous. And that's when the pain set in and it was pretty excruciating. But there wasn't a lot of bleeding or anything because of where it broke."
A photo of Biersack's injuries, as posted on the singer's Twitter account, can be seen below.
Biersack broke three ribs on June 18 after trying to jump onto a stage from a 15-foot balcony during the band's concert at Hot Topic in Hollywood, California. Despite the injury, the frontman returned to the stage and finished the gig.
Even though Biersack and his bandmates played sold-out concert last night (Saturday, October 29) at London's O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, they released an official statement this morning announcing their decision to cance their shows at Wolverhampton Civic Hall (October 30) and Bristol O2 Academy (November 1), as well as their Oxford Street HMV signing and special Halloween show at London's Borderline on Monday.
"BLACK VEIL BRIDES have announced that the remainder of the UK tour has had to be postponed due to Andy's injuries sustained while performing in Luxembourg on October 26," the statement reads. "The band performed last night at the Shepherds Bush Empire in London and despite making it through the show, Andy was in excruciating pain and had difficulty singing and breathing. As a result, he needed to see a doctor after the show. He has been advised not to perform for the next three weeks to allow himself time to rest, heal and fully recover. The band are working on rescheduling the remaining shows in Wolverhampton and Bristol and an announcement will be made about this [as soon as possible]. BLACK VEIL BRIDES would like to thank the BVB army for all their support and understanding and the band will be back on the road with AVENGED SEVENFOLD in late November in the U.S. once Andy is fully recovered. Thank you."
In an interview with Revolver magazine, Biersack said he suffered his most recent injury as a result of his "typical routine to entertain the crowd …. rolling around and being crazy."
"Normally, before 'Legacy' goes into a breakdown-y guitar solo-y kind of part, I get down on my knees and do a mock prayer," he said. "I did that and then rolled backwards and stood up and I didn't realize I was directly under the four-foot drum riser. I smashed the bone dead center on my skull. From above my eyebrows, right down the bridge of my nose, that's where I cracked. I was unconscious for a second.
"I knew something terrible had happened immediately," he continued. "I jumped up, but I was still in shock and … I started getting really dizzy and stumbled my way offstage and got to the backstage area. I positioned myself in front of a mirror and saw it was huge and ridiculous. And that's when the pain set in and it was pretty excruciating. But there wasn't a lot of bleeding or anything because of where it broke."
A photo of Biersack's injuries, as posted on the singer's Twitter account, can be seen below.
Biersack broke three ribs on June 18 after trying to jump onto a stage from a 15-foot balcony during the band's concert at Hot Topic in Hollywood, California. Despite the injury, the frontman returned to the stage and finished the gig.
Reformed Montreal rockers SLAVES ON DOPE will release a digital-only EP, "Careless Coma", will on November 1 via THC:Music/Rocket Science Ventures. A full-length album, "Over The Influence", will follow in the spring.
"Careless Coma" features three new studio tracks, as well as remixes and a radio edit of the title cut.
"Careless Coma" track listing:
01. Careless Coma (4:22)
02. Careless Coma (Radio Edit) (3:39)
03. No One to Blame (3:32)
04. Sicker Than You (3:46)
05. Careless Coma (FTR Metalstep Remix) (4:21)
06. Careless Coma (Merederah Soundkilla Remix) (4:35)
07. Careless Coma (Duke Remix) (5:22)
"Careless Coma" has already started creating a buzz, garnering airplay on rock stations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including rotation on Montreal rock mainstay CHOM-FM, and a video that premiered on Loudwire.com. The band also recently made an appearance at the Heavy MTL festival, where they shared the stage with the likes of KISS, DISTURBED, ANTHRAX, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM, MORBID ANGEL, CHILDREN OF BODOM and more.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine and will reportedly feature a guest appearance by THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.
SLAVES ON DOPE 2011 is:
Kevin Jardine - Guitar
Jason Rockman - Vocals
Peter Tsefaris - Drums
Sebatien Ducap – Bass
SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.
In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band. The group officially reformed in 2009.
For more information, visit www.slavesondope.com.
"Careless Coma" features three new studio tracks, as well as remixes and a radio edit of the title cut.
"Careless Coma" track listing:
01. Careless Coma (4:22)
02. Careless Coma (Radio Edit) (3:39)
03. No One to Blame (3:32)
04. Sicker Than You (3:46)
05. Careless Coma (FTR Metalstep Remix) (4:21)
06. Careless Coma (Merederah Soundkilla Remix) (4:35)
07. Careless Coma (Duke Remix) (5:22)
"Careless Coma" has already started creating a buzz, garnering airplay on rock stations throughout the U.S. and Canada, including rotation on Montreal rock mainstay CHOM-FM, and a video that premiered on Loudwire.com. The band also recently made an appearance at the Heavy MTL festival, where they shared the stage with the likes of KISS, DISTURBED, ANTHRAX, GODSMACK, MACHINE HEAD, IN FLAMES, TRIVIUM, MORBID ANGEL, CHILDREN OF BODOM and more.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine and will reportedly feature a guest appearance by THE AGONIST vocalist Alissa White-Gluz.
SLAVES ON DOPE 2011 is:
Kevin Jardine - Guitar
Jason Rockman - Vocals
Peter Tsefaris - Drums
Sebatien Ducap – Bass
SLAVES ON DOPE's "Inches from the Mainline" album was released through Ozzy Osbourne's now-defunct Divine Recordings label. After Divine Recordings lost its distribution deal with EMI's Priority Records, the band was left without a label. After a long search, a deal was struck with Bieler Bros. Records. SLAVES ON DOPE's second major album, "Metafour", was released in 2003.
In March 2004, SLAVES ON DOPE announced it was going on hiatus due to Jason Rockman leaving the band. The group officially reformed in 2009.
For more information, visit www.slavesondope.com.
San Francisco Bay Area thrashers FORBIDDEN have announced the addition of drummer Sasha Horn (ex-NOVEMBER'S DOOM, AVA INFERI) from Chicago to the group's ranks.
Commented FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero: "There were so many great players throwing themselves out there and we were always encouraged by the prospects.
"We had nine different drummers out of the dozens of submissions make the trek to Oakland to give it their best shot. Those drummers included Eli Lucas (Petaluma, California), Duane Timlin (Houston, Texas), Jimmy Schultz (Los Angeles, California), Pat Magrath (Los Angeles), Gee Anzalone (Italy), Todd Hansen (Australia), Henry Moreno (Florida), and Burton Ortega (San Francisco). We can't say enough about these guys and how much heart and guts it took to take the chance for the gig. Much love and respect to them! At the very least, we have some new friends and we know where some great new talent is.
"All of these guys kicked ass or they would have never made it through the door, but at the end of the day, it was a two-horse race between Eli Lucas and Sasha.
"We can say with certainty that if Sasha didn't slay the way he did, Eli would have gotten the gig. Both are incredible drummers with HUGE upsides. Eli will go far in this business! Sasha, however, lifted us to another level. When he started playing 'Infinite', everyone in the band immediately looked at each other and our eyes got bigger. It was something that Russ [Anderson, vocals] and I have not felt since Paul Bostaph first played with us back in 1986, when we were kids. Simply put, great chemistry! A sense of invincibility was in the room. Then we played 'Forsaken At The Gates' and it was over. No need to keep playing — we were stunned. In fact, some of our hands were shaking! That's saying something. It was like gasoline thrown on an inferno!
"Now that we have our band back intact, we can start writing the next FORBIDDEN record with the confidence that we have something special once again. Like Bostaph, Jacobs, Hernandez and Hoglan, Sasha Horn will earn his praise and respect from our fans. He's FORBIDDEN's next great drummer and we are very proud to tell the world! We are truly inspired to out-do ourselves."
Added Horn: "This was an amazing opportunity from the get-go, to be able to throw my name in on auditions for a band that I've been an avid fan of since I was 12 years old.
"How does it feel to now get the chance to slay alongside them? Otherworldly. Truly out of this world.
"To just be considered along with the other amazing drummers from across the globe was a humbling experience in itself. And it's because FORBIDDEN is a band that wants to constantly take leaps and bounds up to that next level that I know this is the perfect union.
"When we got into that room and played together for the first time, the chemistry just went right off of the charts. That's a good feeling to start off with."
FORBIDDEN's latest album, "Omega Wave", was released in Europe on October 22, 2010 and in North America on October 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD landed at position No. 27 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Commented FORBIDDEN guitarist Craig Locicero: "There were so many great players throwing themselves out there and we were always encouraged by the prospects.
"We had nine different drummers out of the dozens of submissions make the trek to Oakland to give it their best shot. Those drummers included Eli Lucas (Petaluma, California), Duane Timlin (Houston, Texas), Jimmy Schultz (Los Angeles, California), Pat Magrath (Los Angeles), Gee Anzalone (Italy), Todd Hansen (Australia), Henry Moreno (Florida), and Burton Ortega (San Francisco). We can't say enough about these guys and how much heart and guts it took to take the chance for the gig. Much love and respect to them! At the very least, we have some new friends and we know where some great new talent is.
"All of these guys kicked ass or they would have never made it through the door, but at the end of the day, it was a two-horse race between Eli Lucas and Sasha.
"We can say with certainty that if Sasha didn't slay the way he did, Eli would have gotten the gig. Both are incredible drummers with HUGE upsides. Eli will go far in this business! Sasha, however, lifted us to another level. When he started playing 'Infinite', everyone in the band immediately looked at each other and our eyes got bigger. It was something that Russ [Anderson, vocals] and I have not felt since Paul Bostaph first played with us back in 1986, when we were kids. Simply put, great chemistry! A sense of invincibility was in the room. Then we played 'Forsaken At The Gates' and it was over. No need to keep playing — we were stunned. In fact, some of our hands were shaking! That's saying something. It was like gasoline thrown on an inferno!
"Now that we have our band back intact, we can start writing the next FORBIDDEN record with the confidence that we have something special once again. Like Bostaph, Jacobs, Hernandez and Hoglan, Sasha Horn will earn his praise and respect from our fans. He's FORBIDDEN's next great drummer and we are very proud to tell the world! We are truly inspired to out-do ourselves."
Added Horn: "This was an amazing opportunity from the get-go, to be able to throw my name in on auditions for a band that I've been an avid fan of since I was 12 years old.
"How does it feel to now get the chance to slay alongside them? Otherworldly. Truly out of this world.
"To just be considered along with the other amazing drummers from across the globe was a humbling experience in itself. And it's because FORBIDDEN is a band that wants to constantly take leaps and bounds up to that next level that I know this is the perfect union.
"When we got into that room and played together for the first time, the chemistry just went right off of the charts. That's a good feeling to start off with."
FORBIDDEN's latest album, "Omega Wave", was released in Europe on October 22, 2010 and in North America on October 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD landed at position No. 27 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
Away Team recently conducted an interview with STATIC-X frontman Wayne Static. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Away Team: When did you decide that you wanted to do a solo album? What was kinda the driving force behind that?
Wayne Static: Well, I actually first wanted to do it back in 2001. It was when I was finishing up writing the "Machine" record, and realizing that it was just kind of me, writing everything by myself, while the other guys partied and did whatever they wanted, did their own side projects. Then they'd come back, and I'd have to compromise and argue with them about this and that. By the time we recorded the record, I was already sick of all the songs, and felt that some of the original energy and excitement was lost from the songs. So, it's been in my head for over ten years, but I kinda had to wait for the right time because for me to do a solo record it meant I had to put STATIC-X on the shelf for a while. I knew that we still had a lot of stuff to do, so after the 2009 tour was done I felt like it was the right time to do it. Everyone was kinda ready to take a break from the band and do their own thing, and I was definitely ready to take a break and do my own thing, so here we are.
Away Team: What are the future plans for STATIC-X?
Wayne Static: I don't have any plans right now. I haven't even talked to the other guys in the last couple years. Everyone's doing their thing; I'm having a great time. I've got my band together, we're finally on the road, my album's finally out. So for me it's just kind of the start of this whole new journey, and that's all I see in the near future. I'm not opposed to putting STATIC-X back together at some point, but right now I'm gonna see this project through.
Away Team: You've been in the music industry long enough to see the evolution from cassettes to CDs to MP3s. Now the latest wave of the future is streaming. There seems to be mixed reviews on that — some think it helps sell records, others think it takes away from sales. What are your thoughts on streaming and its impact on the artist or label?
Wayne Static: Well, in general, I hate the Internet. I wish it would die, I wish it would go away. I think it ruined a lot of things. It ruined music, it ruined people's social skills, it ruined print, it ruined the world, in my opinion. (laughs) It's fucking Skynet from "The Terminator" — it's gonna be the demise of civilization as we know it. But having said that, it is here to stay, and I use it to promote myself, because that's just the way it is now. As far as streaming, I think it's cool. I had my album streaming for an entire week before it came out, because if it's good, people are gonna talk about it. The people who really go and buy CDs are gonna buy it, and the people who don't buy CDs are not gonna buy it either way. So I'm all in support of it. Obviously the streaming thing is a lower-quality audio, and you can't download it and all that crap… I mean, I'm sure you can, I'm sure they make programs for that… but it still sounds like shit. So the people that are gonna buy the CD are gonna do it, and I think letting people hear it, they're just gonna talk positive things and more people will end up buying the CD in the end.
Away Team: When did you decide that you wanted to do a solo album? What was kinda the driving force behind that?
Wayne Static: Well, I actually first wanted to do it back in 2001. It was when I was finishing up writing the "Machine" record, and realizing that it was just kind of me, writing everything by myself, while the other guys partied and did whatever they wanted, did their own side projects. Then they'd come back, and I'd have to compromise and argue with them about this and that. By the time we recorded the record, I was already sick of all the songs, and felt that some of the original energy and excitement was lost from the songs. So, it's been in my head for over ten years, but I kinda had to wait for the right time because for me to do a solo record it meant I had to put STATIC-X on the shelf for a while. I knew that we still had a lot of stuff to do, so after the 2009 tour was done I felt like it was the right time to do it. Everyone was kinda ready to take a break from the band and do their own thing, and I was definitely ready to take a break and do my own thing, so here we are.
Away Team: What are the future plans for STATIC-X?
Wayne Static: I don't have any plans right now. I haven't even talked to the other guys in the last couple years. Everyone's doing their thing; I'm having a great time. I've got my band together, we're finally on the road, my album's finally out. So for me it's just kind of the start of this whole new journey, and that's all I see in the near future. I'm not opposed to putting STATIC-X back together at some point, but right now I'm gonna see this project through.
Away Team: You've been in the music industry long enough to see the evolution from cassettes to CDs to MP3s. Now the latest wave of the future is streaming. There seems to be mixed reviews on that — some think it helps sell records, others think it takes away from sales. What are your thoughts on streaming and its impact on the artist or label?
Wayne Static: Well, in general, I hate the Internet. I wish it would die, I wish it would go away. I think it ruined a lot of things. It ruined music, it ruined people's social skills, it ruined print, it ruined the world, in my opinion. (laughs) It's fucking Skynet from "The Terminator" — it's gonna be the demise of civilization as we know it. But having said that, it is here to stay, and I use it to promote myself, because that's just the way it is now. As far as streaming, I think it's cool. I had my album streaming for an entire week before it came out, because if it's good, people are gonna talk about it. The people who really go and buy CDs are gonna buy it, and the people who don't buy CDs are not gonna buy it either way. So I'm all in support of it. Obviously the streaming thing is a lower-quality audio, and you can't download it and all that crap… I mean, I'm sure you can, I'm sure they make programs for that… but it still sounds like shit. So the people that are gonna buy the CD are gonna do it, and I think letting people hear it, they're just gonna talk positive things and more people will end up buying the CD in the end.
Canadian female-fronted metal band KOBRA AND THE LOTUS has inked a deal with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons' revived Simmons Records label via a partnership with Universal Music Canada. Simmons confirmed the signing on his Twitter profile, calling KOBRA AND THE LOTUS "real metal."
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS' debut album, "Out Of The Pit", produced by Kevin Shirley, was launched in March 2010. In the following 16 months, the band performed 168 gigs, across five countries, including seven festival stages. A second album, "Visionary", was produced by Julius "Juice" Butty and scheduled for release in early 2012. A video for the song "Welcome To My Funeral" points to an undisputed evolution in the band; the music is stronger, meaner and heavier.
"Touring for 'Out Of The Pit' had a huge influence on us in terms of realizing which direction we wanted the new music to take," says singer Brittany Paige. "We really wanted to create new music that would portray the large amount of energy we put forward in a live performance."
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS is:
Brittany Paige - Vocals
Chris Swenson - Guitar
Griffin Kissack - Drums
Peter Dimov - Bass
Timothy Vega - Guitar
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS' debut album, "Out Of The Pit", produced by Kevin Shirley, was launched in March 2010. In the following 16 months, the band performed 168 gigs, across five countries, including seven festival stages. A second album, "Visionary", was produced by Julius "Juice" Butty and scheduled for release in early 2012. A video for the song "Welcome To My Funeral" points to an undisputed evolution in the band; the music is stronger, meaner and heavier.
"Touring for 'Out Of The Pit' had a huge influence on us in terms of realizing which direction we wanted the new music to take," says singer Brittany Paige. "We really wanted to create new music that would portray the large amount of energy we put forward in a live performance."
KOBRA AND THE LOTUS is:
Brittany Paige - Vocals
Chris Swenson - Guitar
Griffin Kissack - Drums
Peter Dimov - Bass
Timothy Vega - Guitar
German metalcore band CALIBAN will release its new album, "I Am Nemesis", in Europe on February 6 via Century Media Records. The CD will feature guest appearances by Marcus Bischoff (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) and Mitch Lucker (SUICIDE SILENCE). A European tour with ALL SHALL PERISH, WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER, EYES SET TO KILL and ATTILA will kick off on February 2 in Karlsruhe, Germany.
Commented CALIBAN: "Now that we finally completed the production process, we absolutely can't wait to take the new stuff on tour and play it in front of all of you. Additionally, we are really looking forward to go on tour with our friends from ALL SHALL PERISH and WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER again and we are happy to have awesome bands like EYES SET TO KILL and ATTILA on the road with us as well!
"The official release show of our new record will take place in Hamburg on February, 3rd, the very day our album will be available to you in stores! U.K. dates are still in the planning stage and will be announced soon."
CALIBAN's "Coverfield" EP was released this past spring. The effort contains a variety of cover songs from bands which have been an influence to CALIBAN or are among their personal favorites.
CALIBAN's seventh album, "Say Hello To Tragedy", landed at No. 97 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which featuring the best-selling albums by new and developing artists (defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200).
"Say Hello To Tragedy"entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 36. The LP also debuted at No. 71 on the official Download chart.
Commented CALIBAN: "Now that we finally completed the production process, we absolutely can't wait to take the new stuff on tour and play it in front of all of you. Additionally, we are really looking forward to go on tour with our friends from ALL SHALL PERISH and WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER again and we are happy to have awesome bands like EYES SET TO KILL and ATTILA on the road with us as well!
"The official release show of our new record will take place in Hamburg on February, 3rd, the very day our album will be available to you in stores! U.K. dates are still in the planning stage and will be announced soon."
CALIBAN's "Coverfield" EP was released this past spring. The effort contains a variety of cover songs from bands which have been an influence to CALIBAN or are among their personal favorites.
CALIBAN's seventh album, "Say Hello To Tragedy", landed at No. 97 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which featuring the best-selling albums by new and developing artists (defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200).
"Say Hello To Tragedy"entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 36. The LP also debuted at No. 71 on the official Download chart.
Denmark-based "future fusionmetallers" MNEMIC have issued the following update:
"The circumstances are different now than what they where one year ago in the MNEMIC camp. After playing for 10 years, times do change, and some members of the band have started taking different paths in their personal lives. The first change started with Tomas 'Obeast' Koefoed leaving the band, being replaced by Italian bass player Simone Bertozzi (EMPYRIOUS, MODERN AGE SLAVERY). Simone has been playing some shows with us and has actually been with the band since Tomas left back in March/April. The second change, due to personal and musical differences, we have also decided that it is best to part ways, with both Brian 'Brylle' Rasmussen [drums] and Rune Stigart [guitar].
"Like any relationship, there things that are impossible to work out, and we are extremely sadden by this situation, but there is nothing else to do than to take a step into a different direction. We wish our brothers all the best for the future, and we hope to see them soon again in their own musical and artistic endeavors. Their replacement will be found in the two new members Victor-Ray Salomonsen and Brian Larsen from Danish tech act VIRA.
MNEMIC 2011 is:
Guillaume Bideau - Vocals
Mircea Gabriel Eftemie - Guitar
Victor-Ray Salomonsen - Guitar
Simone Bertozzi - Bass
Brian Larsen - Drums
Commented guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie: "We've been together for a long time, and I am sad to see the guys not being there anymore, as we once used to. We were not able to work as a unit anymore, due to many reasons, being personal and even logistical. That is why we have chosen to part ways. It has not been easy at all, since lots of turns have taken place in our personal lives and, unfortunately, this has been the only solution. It's been a spirit-crusher for me, not being able to create music, being creative and share the passion we once used to have. The band needs to tour a lot more, go to places we haven't been, play for audiences that crave the music we make — and this is exactly what we intend to do with a new lineup. Apparently there is still a demand for our machine, and we are grateful for that. Therefore we are now reloading it by making a new album to be released in 2012, followed by an intensive touring schedule.
"See you all very soon in a not so distant future, over the rainbow…"
Added vocalist Guillaume Bideau: "Obeast in April and now Brian and Rune are not part of the band anymore. It's a very weird feeling, because a band, as often said, is like another family to you. It will be more than strange not to see their faces anymore on stage, in the rehearsal, in the studio and in all the other places we were used to share together. But we're still friends and that's the most important.
"We cannot look into the past, we have to be moving forward.
"I think this new line up is the best we could have and Simone, Victor and Brian are great, creative and dedicated musicians. On top of that, they are great guys, so it could not be better.
"Today MNEMIC's face on stage is different — but what are we here for!? To play some fucking metal and kick some asses! And this will not change, I promise.
"See y'all next year!"
MNEMIC has commenced writing a new album, to be released in 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records.
MNEMIC's "Diesel Uterus" video can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film Company AB (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL). The song comes off the band's fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", which was released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
"The circumstances are different now than what they where one year ago in the MNEMIC camp. After playing for 10 years, times do change, and some members of the band have started taking different paths in their personal lives. The first change started with Tomas 'Obeast' Koefoed leaving the band, being replaced by Italian bass player Simone Bertozzi (EMPYRIOUS, MODERN AGE SLAVERY). Simone has been playing some shows with us and has actually been with the band since Tomas left back in March/April. The second change, due to personal and musical differences, we have also decided that it is best to part ways, with both Brian 'Brylle' Rasmussen [drums] and Rune Stigart [guitar].
"Like any relationship, there things that are impossible to work out, and we are extremely sadden by this situation, but there is nothing else to do than to take a step into a different direction. We wish our brothers all the best for the future, and we hope to see them soon again in their own musical and artistic endeavors. Their replacement will be found in the two new members Victor-Ray Salomonsen and Brian Larsen from Danish tech act VIRA.
MNEMIC 2011 is:
Guillaume Bideau - Vocals
Mircea Gabriel Eftemie - Guitar
Victor-Ray Salomonsen - Guitar
Simone Bertozzi - Bass
Brian Larsen - Drums
Commented guitarist Mircea Gabriel Eftemie: "We've been together for a long time, and I am sad to see the guys not being there anymore, as we once used to. We were not able to work as a unit anymore, due to many reasons, being personal and even logistical. That is why we have chosen to part ways. It has not been easy at all, since lots of turns have taken place in our personal lives and, unfortunately, this has been the only solution. It's been a spirit-crusher for me, not being able to create music, being creative and share the passion we once used to have. The band needs to tour a lot more, go to places we haven't been, play for audiences that crave the music we make — and this is exactly what we intend to do with a new lineup. Apparently there is still a demand for our machine, and we are grateful for that. Therefore we are now reloading it by making a new album to be released in 2012, followed by an intensive touring schedule.
"See you all very soon in a not so distant future, over the rainbow…"
Added vocalist Guillaume Bideau: "Obeast in April and now Brian and Rune are not part of the band anymore. It's a very weird feeling, because a band, as often said, is like another family to you. It will be more than strange not to see their faces anymore on stage, in the rehearsal, in the studio and in all the other places we were used to share together. But we're still friends and that's the most important.
"We cannot look into the past, we have to be moving forward.
"I think this new line up is the best we could have and Simone, Victor and Brian are great, creative and dedicated musicians. On top of that, they are great guys, so it could not be better.
"Today MNEMIC's face on stage is different — but what are we here for!? To play some fucking metal and kick some asses! And this will not change, I promise.
"See y'all next year!"
MNEMIC has commenced writing a new album, to be released in 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records.
MNEMIC's "Diesel Uterus" video can be viewed below. The clip was helmed by Swedish director Patric Ullaeus of the Revolver Film Company AB (IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL). The song comes off the band's fourth studio album, "Sons Of The System", which was released in Europe on January 15, 2010 and in North America on January 26, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Alexandre Locher (also known as Xytras or Xy) of Swiss industrial black metallers SAMAEL has just remixed the song "Existo Vulgor" for the MORBID ANGEL remix album, due to be released early next year via Season Of Mist.
MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 141. The effort marks MORBID ANGEL's first CD to feature bassist/vocalist David Vincent since 1995's "Domination".
MORBID ANGEL's previous album, "Heretic", opened with around 3,900 units back in October 2003. That CD has shifted more than 30,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Illud Divinum Insanus" was released on June 7 (one day earlier internationally) via Season of Mist. The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes.
When asked in a recent interview with Finland's Kaaos TV how the material from "Illud Divinum Insanus", has been going over live, David Vincent said, "[The fans] love it live. A few people, maybe some of the songs on the record are a bit too extreme for them, but by and large it's a great record. It's doing really well. A lot of excitement. We're happy to play all these songs live. Obviously, [in] the set we also include a lot of the other classics. This way everyone will have a chance to hear a lot of the different songs that they wanna hear."
Regarding whether he and his bandmates expected to get such a mixed reaction to "Illud Divinum Insanus" during the making of the CD, Vincent said, "Well, the only thing we do is make music and we're creative. We don't think about these things so much. We do what we do. My work is done, other than we perform. But the studio is done. We made a record that broke down a lot of boundaries and included some stuff that was never included before. But we've always done these kind of things. It should be no surprise to anyone that we always do crazy things, 'cause we crazy."
MORBID ANGEL's latest album, "Illud Divinum Insanus", sold around 3,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 141. The effort marks MORBID ANGEL's first CD to feature bassist/vocalist David Vincent since 1995's "Domination".
MORBID ANGEL's previous album, "Heretic", opened with around 3,900 units back in October 2003. That CD has shifted more than 30,000 copies to date, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Illud Divinum Insanus" was released on June 7 (one day earlier internationally) via Season of Mist. The cover artwork was designed by Gustavo Sazes.
When asked in a recent interview with Finland's Kaaos TV how the material from "Illud Divinum Insanus", has been going over live, David Vincent said, "[The fans] love it live. A few people, maybe some of the songs on the record are a bit too extreme for them, but by and large it's a great record. It's doing really well. A lot of excitement. We're happy to play all these songs live. Obviously, [in] the set we also include a lot of the other classics. This way everyone will have a chance to hear a lot of the different songs that they wanna hear."
Regarding whether he and his bandmates expected to get such a mixed reaction to "Illud Divinum Insanus" during the making of the CD, Vincent said, "Well, the only thing we do is make music and we're creative. We don't think about these things so much. We do what we do. My work is done, other than we perform. But the studio is done. We made a record that broke down a lot of boundaries and included some stuff that was never included before. But we've always done these kind of things. It should be no surprise to anyone that we always do crazy things, 'cause we crazy."
According to WIVB-TV, Tony Lorenzo, guitarist and founding member of Buffalo death metal band SONS OF AZRAEL, was shot by an armed robber while walking in Buffalo's Elmwood Village Wednesday night. The 25-year-old musician is paralyzed from the waist down, with a bullet lodged in his spinal column.
Tony's friend, Alex Artemas, said, "Him and I were just walking to a friend's house, and it was just a complete random hit, came from behind, never saw it coming."
"The kid asked me, he said, 'Give me what you got.' And before I could even get my wallet out, he just shot me," said Tony.
Initial reports were that the victim may have known his attacker.
Tony's mom, Caroline Bronckers, said, "He absolutely did not know his attacker, and I want that cleared."
Tony added, "I'm not a gang banger. I'm not someone who owes anyone money. I don't start beefs. I'm just a normal guy, you know? I work at Pano's Restaurant."
Doctors have to wait for the swelling to go down before they can remove the bullet.
A PayPal account (helpingtony@gmail.com) has been set up to help pay for Lorenzo's medical expenses.
SONS OF AZRAEL's latest album, "Scouting The Boneyard", was released in January 2010 via Ironclad Recordings (the label formed by UNEARTH frontman Trevor Phipps).
The band's full-length debut, "The Conjuration of Vengeance", came out in August 2007.
Tony's friend, Alex Artemas, said, "Him and I were just walking to a friend's house, and it was just a complete random hit, came from behind, never saw it coming."
"The kid asked me, he said, 'Give me what you got.' And before I could even get my wallet out, he just shot me," said Tony.
Initial reports were that the victim may have known his attacker.
Tony's mom, Caroline Bronckers, said, "He absolutely did not know his attacker, and I want that cleared."
Tony added, "I'm not a gang banger. I'm not someone who owes anyone money. I don't start beefs. I'm just a normal guy, you know? I work at Pano's Restaurant."
Doctors have to wait for the swelling to go down before they can remove the bullet.
A PayPal account (helpingtony@gmail.com) has been set up to help pay for Lorenzo's medical expenses.
SONS OF AZRAEL's latest album, "Scouting The Boneyard", was released in January 2010 via Ironclad Recordings (the label formed by UNEARTH frontman Trevor Phipps).
The band's full-length debut, "The Conjuration of Vengeance", came out in August 2007.
AKERCOCKE/MY DYING BRIDE drummer David Gray has joined forces with other AKERCOCKE members Peter Benjamin and Sam Loynes (also of DIMINISHED FIFTH) in a new black metal project called VOICES.
Commented VOICES: "We recently set foot in studio to record drums for the first full-length VOICES release and there is going to be no let-up and we hope to complete the album before the end of the year. Also we shot a music video for a version of one of the tracks featuring on the album and is due for its imminent release.
"With over an album's worth of material, VOICES shall soon be looking to spread the evil in the live arena.
"We are excited about the responses from all those thirsty AKERCOCKE fans as VOICES, albeit an entirely different and fresh musical outfit, share AKERCOCKE's experimental approach and mash-up of extreme metal styles. All songs are born out of extensive improvisation and therefore are more about vibe rather than meticulous structuring. It's here that we feel our sound is becoming unique, reflecting the moods and atmospheres of the rehearsal space on that specific day."
Commented VOICES: "We recently set foot in studio to record drums for the first full-length VOICES release and there is going to be no let-up and we hope to complete the album before the end of the year. Also we shot a music video for a version of one of the tracks featuring on the album and is due for its imminent release.
"With over an album's worth of material, VOICES shall soon be looking to spread the evil in the live arena.
"We are excited about the responses from all those thirsty AKERCOCKE fans as VOICES, albeit an entirely different and fresh musical outfit, share AKERCOCKE's experimental approach and mash-up of extreme metal styles. All songs are born out of extensive improvisation and therefore are more about vibe rather than meticulous structuring. It's here that we feel our sound is becoming unique, reflecting the moods and atmospheres of the rehearsal space on that specific day."
Finnish melodic death metallers INSOMNIUM have parted ways with guitarist Ville Vänni and replaced him with Markus Vanhala (OMNIUM GATHERUM).
Commented Vänni: "With a heavy heart I have reached the decision to resign from INSOMNIUM. The decision is mutual and final, and there is no big drama behind it.
"During the last year I have found myself in a limbo of constant lack of time and impossible schedules. Combining a general surgeon's career with a busy metal band like INSOMNIUM has already taken years of precise timing, and the candle has been burning from both ends for years now. At the same time, INSOMNIUM has grown bigger demanding more and more time. As a result, I have gradually come to a painful realization that I can not meet the needs of this roller coaster ride any more.
"This decision was hard to make and accept for all of us. INSOMNIUM has been like a family and the bandmates have been (and will still remain) my best and closest friends. For not being able to give my 100% would only be letting them down. The reason why this decision is made flesh right now is that I will not be able to attend the 'One For Sorrow' European tour. My wife is due to give birth to our first son and it is my responsibility, duty and choice to be home at that time. I will play two first shows in Finland and then bid farewell. However, the burden of this decision is lightened by the fact that INSOMNIUM will go on and even grow stronger after my retirement. Markus Vanhala from OMNIUM GATHERUM will take my place as a full-time guitarist in INSOMNIUM. He is a good friend and an excellent musician and has already been replacing me and Ville F. on several occasions.
"Thank you Niilo, Ville and Markus for a decade of good times and a lifetime of friendship and unforgettable memories. And thank you, all INSOMNIUM fans, it is you who made this all possible! See you on the coming shows!"
Added the remaining members of INSOMNIUM: "We all want to thank Ville for everything and totally support him with his decision. We've been together for ten years with this lineup and it has been a great ride. We've been a band of brothers, we've been a family. Nothing will ever change that.
"This is the beginning of a new era for INSOMNIUM.
"Sometimes a change is needed to keep the band going. Luckily we have got the best possible man to fill the vacancy, our good friend Markus Vanhala, who is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of OMNIUM GATHERUM. Markus will naturally continue in OMNIUM GATHERUM and unfortunately our tour schedules collide in November when OMNIUM GATHERUM is participating the Neckbreaker's Ball. As a result, we'll have Tuomas Jäppinen as a second guitarist for the first seven evenings of the tour. Tuomas is also our old buddy and he is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of ENTER MY SILENCE. Tuomas is doing us a huge favour in delivering a killer show every night. So, make sure Tuomas feels welcomed when he hits the stage! Markus will join our ranks in München and play all the German shows on the tour.
"Dear friends, do not take these news too heavily. INSOMNIUM is not dying or withering away — we will be stronger than ever and we will keep touring and making new music. Give Ville Vänni the kind of farewell shows he deserves and come to see us perform in Joensuu on November 4th and Helsinki on November 5th. Then come and meet the new gang on the Euro tour. See you soon!"
INSOMNIUM's latest album, "One For Sorrow", entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 6. The group's previous CD, "Across The Dark", premiered at No. 5 on the same chart.
"One For Sorrow", which was released on October 18 in North America via Century Media Records, was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.
Commented Vänni: "With a heavy heart I have reached the decision to resign from INSOMNIUM. The decision is mutual and final, and there is no big drama behind it.
"During the last year I have found myself in a limbo of constant lack of time and impossible schedules. Combining a general surgeon's career with a busy metal band like INSOMNIUM has already taken years of precise timing, and the candle has been burning from both ends for years now. At the same time, INSOMNIUM has grown bigger demanding more and more time. As a result, I have gradually come to a painful realization that I can not meet the needs of this roller coaster ride any more.
"This decision was hard to make and accept for all of us. INSOMNIUM has been like a family and the bandmates have been (and will still remain) my best and closest friends. For not being able to give my 100% would only be letting them down. The reason why this decision is made flesh right now is that I will not be able to attend the 'One For Sorrow' European tour. My wife is due to give birth to our first son and it is my responsibility, duty and choice to be home at that time. I will play two first shows in Finland and then bid farewell. However, the burden of this decision is lightened by the fact that INSOMNIUM will go on and even grow stronger after my retirement. Markus Vanhala from OMNIUM GATHERUM will take my place as a full-time guitarist in INSOMNIUM. He is a good friend and an excellent musician and has already been replacing me and Ville F. on several occasions.
"Thank you Niilo, Ville and Markus for a decade of good times and a lifetime of friendship and unforgettable memories. And thank you, all INSOMNIUM fans, it is you who made this all possible! See you on the coming shows!"
Added the remaining members of INSOMNIUM: "We all want to thank Ville for everything and totally support him with his decision. We've been together for ten years with this lineup and it has been a great ride. We've been a band of brothers, we've been a family. Nothing will ever change that.
"This is the beginning of a new era for INSOMNIUM.
"Sometimes a change is needed to keep the band going. Luckily we have got the best possible man to fill the vacancy, our good friend Markus Vanhala, who is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of OMNIUM GATHERUM. Markus will naturally continue in OMNIUM GATHERUM and unfortunately our tour schedules collide in November when OMNIUM GATHERUM is participating the Neckbreaker's Ball. As a result, we'll have Tuomas Jäppinen as a second guitarist for the first seven evenings of the tour. Tuomas is also our old buddy and he is best known as the songwriter and lead guitarist of ENTER MY SILENCE. Tuomas is doing us a huge favour in delivering a killer show every night. So, make sure Tuomas feels welcomed when he hits the stage! Markus will join our ranks in München and play all the German shows on the tour.
"Dear friends, do not take these news too heavily. INSOMNIUM is not dying or withering away — we will be stronger than ever and we will keep touring and making new music. Give Ville Vänni the kind of farewell shows he deserves and come to see us perform in Joensuu on November 4th and Helsinki on November 5th. Then come and meet the new gang on the Euro tour. See you soon!"
INSOMNIUM's latest album, "One For Sorrow", entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 6. The group's previous CD, "Across The Dark", premiered at No. 5 on the same chart.
"One For Sorrow", which was released on October 18 in North America via Century Media Records, was recorded in Gothenburg, Sweden with sound engineer Daniel Antonsson (also bassist in DARK TRANQUILLITY and guitarist in DIMENSION ZERO) and at Fantom studios in Tempere, Finland, where the album was also mixed by Samu Oittisen.
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