Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation, was interviewed by "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk on yesterday's (Monday, December 19) edition of "Eddie Trunk Live" on SiriusXM satellite radio.
After Trunk tweeted that Peresman indicated during the interview that "all [members of GUNS N' ROSES] have RSVP'd that they will show" at their upcoming Rock Hall induction in April, former GN'R guitarist Slash responded with the following message: "For the record, I didn't RSVP, or in any way commit to attending the RRHF. I don't appreciate people putting words in my mouth."
GUNS N' ROSES will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next April in Cleveland, prompting speculation about whether the event could lead to a reunion of the band's original lineup.
Former GN'R bassist Duff McKagan admitted last month in an interview that he had a hard time imaging such a possibility, saying, "I can't. I can't picture it. Your guess is as good as mine. There is no picture."
In his latest SeattleWeekly.com column, McKagan addressed the upcoming induction, writing, "Music to me has never been a competitive sport. We do what we do, and if you connect with an audience and write the songs that feel good to you in the process, that is reward enough. Getting a Grammy or an American Music Award seems a little bit weird in this whole context. I mean, are you BETTER than all those other bands? No. You are just doing YOUR thing, and they theirs. It's not a competition.
"But it became very apparent to me that fans of GN'R felt very motivated for our band to 'get into the Hall.' All of those fans ARE very important to me, and thus getting this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nod was a victory for them. And so I am deeply honored and feel very good about this whole deal. Thank you all.
"I spent a lot of time revisiting my past in the book I just wrote. Living in the past, or just revisiting it, is something I hadn't done until I was in the process of writing that book. The process became personally poignant in how much I appreciated and loved most of the characters in my past, especially the guys in that little band from Hollywood that we formed just after I moved there in 1984.
"I've done my best to avoid doing any interviews that pertain to our induction, and maybe this column will serve as all I really need to say for now. I am a grown-up now, and hope that we can achieve some grace and class when that ceremony comes. But in the end, I am only responsible for myself."
Singer Al Rose was ambivalent in a recent interview about the Hall Of Fame, and told Billboard.com in 2009 that he could never see himself playing with original GUNS guitarist Slash again, 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."
After Trunk tweeted that Peresman indicated during the interview that "all [members of GUNS N' ROSES] have RSVP'd that they will show" at their upcoming Rock Hall induction in April, former GN'R guitarist Slash responded with the following message: "For the record, I didn't RSVP, or in any way commit to attending the RRHF. I don't appreciate people putting words in my mouth."
GUNS N' ROSES will be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame next April in Cleveland, prompting speculation about whether the event could lead to a reunion of the band's original lineup.
Former GN'R bassist Duff McKagan admitted last month in an interview that he had a hard time imaging such a possibility, saying, "I can't. I can't picture it. Your guess is as good as mine. There is no picture."
In his latest SeattleWeekly.com column, McKagan addressed the upcoming induction, writing, "Music to me has never been a competitive sport. We do what we do, and if you connect with an audience and write the songs that feel good to you in the process, that is reward enough. Getting a Grammy or an American Music Award seems a little bit weird in this whole context. I mean, are you BETTER than all those other bands? No. You are just doing YOUR thing, and they theirs. It's not a competition.
"But it became very apparent to me that fans of GN'R felt very motivated for our band to 'get into the Hall.' All of those fans ARE very important to me, and thus getting this Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame nod was a victory for them. And so I am deeply honored and feel very good about this whole deal. Thank you all.
"I spent a lot of time revisiting my past in the book I just wrote. Living in the past, or just revisiting it, is something I hadn't done until I was in the process of writing that book. The process became personally poignant in how much I appreciated and loved most of the characters in my past, especially the guys in that little band from Hollywood that we formed just after I moved there in 1984.
"I've done my best to avoid doing any interviews that pertain to our induction, and maybe this column will serve as all I really need to say for now. I am a grown-up now, and hope that we can achieve some grace and class when that ceremony comes. But in the end, I am only responsible for myself."
Singer Al Rose was ambivalent in a recent interview about the Hall Of Fame, and told Billboard.com in 2009 that he could never see himself playing with original GUNS guitarist Slash again, 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."
Guitarist John Petrucci, keyboardist Jordan Rudess and drummer Mike Mangini of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER recently answered six questions on a whole range of issues. You can now check the entire question-and-answer session below.
Q: Noting your current album is called "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", what dramatic historical event would you like to have witnessed?
Petrucci: Many of the events occurring recently that are shaping the world we live in have to do with uprising and breaking free from oppressive rule. Our own American Revolution must have been an incredible moment to have lived through.
Rudess: Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" was premiered on May 7, 1824 in the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna, along with the Consecration of the House Overture and the first three parts of the Missa Solemnis. This was the composer's first on-stage appearance in twelve years; the hall was packed. I would certainly have wanted to witness that!!
Mangini: One dramatic historical event that I would have liked to witness was Jesus walking on water to the boat full of apostles. That ranks high on my list of "jaw-dropping" events.
Q: Can you talk about a song or musical moment on the new album that you feel brings you as a musician and/or the band to a new level?
Petrucci: For me, including the song "Beneath The Surface" on the new album was something unique and special. It is a song that exposes a very personal subject matter in a song structure that is a bit different from what DREAM THEATER is known for. Taking those types of risks makes for a more interesting and compelling album.
Rudess: I feel that the song "Outcry" really brings our band to the next level. Although it is surrounded by some very majestic thematic sections, the whole center section of the song is the wildest prog we have ever written. When we play it live, it is like this amazing ride that you strap yourself into and make a commitment to and when you finally reach the end, you feel like, "Wow, that was cool!"
Mangini: One musical moment on the new album I feel brings the band and me to a new level is the first "riff" section in "On the Backs of Angels". I had practiced hard to play this, so I got better from it. This section features a level of coordination that allows me to orchestrate the simultaneously (but different) parts played by the guys. The 'Johns' [Petrucci, guitar; Myung, bass] are playing in unison and Jordan is playing a different part. I feel that by coloring it in rather than layering on another complex part, or too simple a drumbeat, is very different for DREAM THEATER.
Q: If you were to record a duet with an artist outside the genre of music for which you're known, who would that be and what song would you cover?
Petrucci: I would love to record a version of "In Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel.
Rudess: It would be cool to do a duet with Yo Yo Ma. Maybe an arrangement of "Ruby Tuesday" by THE ROLLING STONES — that would be beautiful.
Mangini: If I recorded a duet with an artist outside of the progressive rock genre, I would record a drum track with violinist Itzhak Perlman. In this duet, I would orchestrate his violin part on the drums like it was a drum solo with associated musical notes.
Q: The new album proves that you guys remain as uncompromising and fearless as ever; three of the nine songs clock in over 10 minutes. What do you feel these expansive song lengths enable the band to achieve musically?
Petrucci: By breaking the boundaries of traditional song arrangements and time constraints, we are able to develop ideas more fully. The music is allowed to take some twists and turns, and take the listener on a more adventurous type of sonic journey. It also enables us to stretch out on record as soloists and to develop our lyrical concepts and musical themes more thoroughly.
Rudess: As someone who grew up studying classical music, the idea of longer forms feels very natural. It takes a while to fully develop and explore musical themes and emotions. We love the idea of taking the listener on a journey or "experience" and the longer form definitely allows that! All told though, we have nothing against a good standard song format and enjoy working in that form as well!
Mangini: The expansive song lengths we use in DREAM THEATER allow us to achieve a level of artistic completion with an idea. By being able to add sections in a song, or expand on them, we're able to explore music like it is a journey rather than to play a recurring theme over and over.
Q: If you could have a conversation with any historical figure, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Petrucci: Well, he may not be an historical figure exactly but it would be amazing to sit down and talk with Walt Disney.
Rudess: I'd like to hang with Jimi Hendrix because to me he was the epitome of cool. He had a flow and trippiness to his music that influenced me so much. It would have been cool to feel the energy of the human being in person!
Mangini: I would have a conversation with Pope John Paul II out of any historical figure. I would ask him how to interpret the philosophies of Aquinas, Augustine and Marcus Aurelius, as well as his own with regard to the use of musical talent as it affects the human soul.
Q: As musicians who tour the world regularly, we're sure you have had that classic night where it all goes wrong a la "Spinal Tap". So can you describe your worst night on tour, ever?
Petrucci: Although there are many embarrassing moments that I would rather choose to forget, there probably isn't anything much worse than falling off the stage. It was a long time ago and very early on in our career. I literally walked right off the front of the stage and fell into the audience. You heard a loud "clunk" and it stung a bit but I got up and continued the song! I promise you'll never see me do that again!
Rudess: The final night of our last tour we were in Mexico City, Mexico. It was a huge show! The total "Spinal Tap" moment was when 20 minutes into the show, my hydraulic keyboard stand got stuck in the down angle position! I played the rest of the show (one hour and forty minutes) on this very unusual angle, hoping that as each section went by I would be able to keep it all together. The whole band was looking at me and knew that I was in trouble! Some were taking pictures and others just looked at me sadly. It was amazing but true that I managed to play all the keyboard parts fairly well, even in this predicament!
Mangini: My worst night on tour can appear more than once in that it has to do with not enough warm-up time. This shows itself in the form of a song mess-up because I'm thinking about how to loosen up as quickly as possible. The level of mental and physical pressure I put on myself to play what it is my mind is greater than my body can accommodate if I am not warmed up enough. It is a rare night that I can just walk to the stage with no warm up and play, but it isn't a random thing. I have to be feeling just the right combination of mental calm and physical looseness in order to do that.
Q: Noting your current album is called "A Dramatic Turn Of Events", what dramatic historical event would you like to have witnessed?
Petrucci: Many of the events occurring recently that are shaping the world we live in have to do with uprising and breaking free from oppressive rule. Our own American Revolution must have been an incredible moment to have lived through.
Rudess: Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" was premiered on May 7, 1824 in the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna, along with the Consecration of the House Overture and the first three parts of the Missa Solemnis. This was the composer's first on-stage appearance in twelve years; the hall was packed. I would certainly have wanted to witness that!!
Mangini: One dramatic historical event that I would have liked to witness was Jesus walking on water to the boat full of apostles. That ranks high on my list of "jaw-dropping" events.
Q: Can you talk about a song or musical moment on the new album that you feel brings you as a musician and/or the band to a new level?
Petrucci: For me, including the song "Beneath The Surface" on the new album was something unique and special. It is a song that exposes a very personal subject matter in a song structure that is a bit different from what DREAM THEATER is known for. Taking those types of risks makes for a more interesting and compelling album.
Rudess: I feel that the song "Outcry" really brings our band to the next level. Although it is surrounded by some very majestic thematic sections, the whole center section of the song is the wildest prog we have ever written. When we play it live, it is like this amazing ride that you strap yourself into and make a commitment to and when you finally reach the end, you feel like, "Wow, that was cool!"
Mangini: One musical moment on the new album I feel brings the band and me to a new level is the first "riff" section in "On the Backs of Angels". I had practiced hard to play this, so I got better from it. This section features a level of coordination that allows me to orchestrate the simultaneously (but different) parts played by the guys. The 'Johns' [Petrucci, guitar; Myung, bass] are playing in unison and Jordan is playing a different part. I feel that by coloring it in rather than layering on another complex part, or too simple a drumbeat, is very different for DREAM THEATER.
Q: If you were to record a duet with an artist outside the genre of music for which you're known, who would that be and what song would you cover?
Petrucci: I would love to record a version of "In Your Eyes" with Peter Gabriel.
Rudess: It would be cool to do a duet with Yo Yo Ma. Maybe an arrangement of "Ruby Tuesday" by THE ROLLING STONES — that would be beautiful.
Mangini: If I recorded a duet with an artist outside of the progressive rock genre, I would record a drum track with violinist Itzhak Perlman. In this duet, I would orchestrate his violin part on the drums like it was a drum solo with associated musical notes.
Q: The new album proves that you guys remain as uncompromising and fearless as ever; three of the nine songs clock in over 10 minutes. What do you feel these expansive song lengths enable the band to achieve musically?
Petrucci: By breaking the boundaries of traditional song arrangements and time constraints, we are able to develop ideas more fully. The music is allowed to take some twists and turns, and take the listener on a more adventurous type of sonic journey. It also enables us to stretch out on record as soloists and to develop our lyrical concepts and musical themes more thoroughly.
Rudess: As someone who grew up studying classical music, the idea of longer forms feels very natural. It takes a while to fully develop and explore musical themes and emotions. We love the idea of taking the listener on a journey or "experience" and the longer form definitely allows that! All told though, we have nothing against a good standard song format and enjoy working in that form as well!
Mangini: The expansive song lengths we use in DREAM THEATER allow us to achieve a level of artistic completion with an idea. By being able to add sections in a song, or expand on them, we're able to explore music like it is a journey rather than to play a recurring theme over and over.
Q: If you could have a conversation with any historical figure, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Petrucci: Well, he may not be an historical figure exactly but it would be amazing to sit down and talk with Walt Disney.
Rudess: I'd like to hang with Jimi Hendrix because to me he was the epitome of cool. He had a flow and trippiness to his music that influenced me so much. It would have been cool to feel the energy of the human being in person!
Mangini: I would have a conversation with Pope John Paul II out of any historical figure. I would ask him how to interpret the philosophies of Aquinas, Augustine and Marcus Aurelius, as well as his own with regard to the use of musical talent as it affects the human soul.
Q: As musicians who tour the world regularly, we're sure you have had that classic night where it all goes wrong a la "Spinal Tap". So can you describe your worst night on tour, ever?
Petrucci: Although there are many embarrassing moments that I would rather choose to forget, there probably isn't anything much worse than falling off the stage. It was a long time ago and very early on in our career. I literally walked right off the front of the stage and fell into the audience. You heard a loud "clunk" and it stung a bit but I got up and continued the song! I promise you'll never see me do that again!
Rudess: The final night of our last tour we were in Mexico City, Mexico. It was a huge show! The total "Spinal Tap" moment was when 20 minutes into the show, my hydraulic keyboard stand got stuck in the down angle position! I played the rest of the show (one hour and forty minutes) on this very unusual angle, hoping that as each section went by I would be able to keep it all together. The whole band was looking at me and knew that I was in trouble! Some were taking pictures and others just looked at me sadly. It was amazing but true that I managed to play all the keyboard parts fairly well, even in this predicament!
Mangini: My worst night on tour can appear more than once in that it has to do with not enough warm-up time. This shows itself in the form of a song mess-up because I'm thinking about how to loosen up as quickly as possible. The level of mental and physical pressure I put on myself to play what it is my mind is greater than my body can accommodate if I am not warmed up enough. It is a rare night that I can just walk to the stage with no warm up and play, but it isn't a random thing. I have to be feeling just the right combination of mental calm and physical looseness in order to do that.
On December 16, "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk of the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone conducted an interview with AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Zacky Vengeance before the band's free show at the HP Pavillion in San Jose, California.
On AVENGED SEVENFOLD's plans for the immediate future:
Zacky: "We're gonna do something that we really haven't done since the beginning and just dedicate a small amount of time, which, in the grand sceme of things, is a tiny amount of time, but to us, it's huge. We wanna go back to Southeast Asia and just do it right for them. There are a couple of places that we really need to play, like Indonesia — there's been huge supporters of us, and we haven't been there on this touring cycle. So we're gonna go back around April and just put it to rest with that. But from now until then, we're gonna kind of do something that's unheard of and not do anything. We're not gonna worry about writing or doing anything. I mean, obviously, we're musicians. When we're at home, we're gonna be tinkering down, trying to come up with ideas, but we're not gonna do anything structured. We're gonna get a warehouse, we're gonna build it up, put up our favorite punk-band posters, we're gonna do it just like we did when we were younger. And probably around summertime, we're gonna work on getting together and jamming . . . And then once the ideas start coming. And once you have one song you're excited about, it's all over from there. But yeah, we're gonna take a little bit of time off — not like an indefinite hiatus or anything — just enough time to rest, recover our frail old bodies and have some fun."
On how AVENGED SEVENFOLD got caught up in the drama between their one-time touring drummer Mike Portnoy and Mike's former band, DREAM THEATER:
Zacky: "It was something that we were not used to at all. We had never, ever experienced any kind of in-the-spotlight drama; we just always stay in the shadows and keep any of our personal business private. And [Mike is] a very different character — he always goes straight to fans [on] Twitter or whatever… That's how he dealt with his band, and it was new to us. We like to be in touch with our fans, but we're also very private. 'Cause, to us, it's not about Zacky or M. Shadows or Synyster Gates, it's about AVENGED SEVENFOLD; it's more important than any one of us. And he'd been talking about quitting DREAM THEATER, that he wasn't necessarily happy, and he was excited to be playing with us; we were playing huge shows and stuff. I think he got caught up in the moment, got excited. We begged him to consider what he did, because we were in no position to find a permanent replacement, because in all honesty, you can't replace [late AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer] Jimmy ['The Rev' Sullivan], who was our best friend — first and foremost — besides beng an amazing drummer. So it just wasn't the right time and the place. And he told us, 'Hey, I've got good news and bad news. I quit DREAM THEATER.' We were like, 'Oh, no. Well, if you're happy, then that's good.' [And he was like], 'Now I can be with you guys.' And we were like, 'That's not necessarily what we decided upon. And you should take your time and reconsider.' And he was like, 'Well, I put out my press release.' We were like, 'Dude, that's not how we do business. You should have talked to us before.' Then it was back and forth [between Mike and his former DREAM THEATER bandmates]. We were out of it; we had nothing to do with it. We were just trying to get back on our feet. So when all that was going down, it was causing us a lot of heartache, to be honest — to see our name in this drama-filled love triangle. He helped us out at a really vulnerable time, and for that we will always be extremely appreciative. But for us, we were so unstable at that point that any unneeded attention was just very harmful to us. Obviously, it didn't work out [between us and Mike], but I think it's for the best — for him and for us."
On AVENGED SEVENFOLD's plans for the immediate future:
Zacky: "We're gonna do something that we really haven't done since the beginning and just dedicate a small amount of time, which, in the grand sceme of things, is a tiny amount of time, but to us, it's huge. We wanna go back to Southeast Asia and just do it right for them. There are a couple of places that we really need to play, like Indonesia — there's been huge supporters of us, and we haven't been there on this touring cycle. So we're gonna go back around April and just put it to rest with that. But from now until then, we're gonna kind of do something that's unheard of and not do anything. We're not gonna worry about writing or doing anything. I mean, obviously, we're musicians. When we're at home, we're gonna be tinkering down, trying to come up with ideas, but we're not gonna do anything structured. We're gonna get a warehouse, we're gonna build it up, put up our favorite punk-band posters, we're gonna do it just like we did when we were younger. And probably around summertime, we're gonna work on getting together and jamming . . . And then once the ideas start coming. And once you have one song you're excited about, it's all over from there. But yeah, we're gonna take a little bit of time off — not like an indefinite hiatus or anything — just enough time to rest, recover our frail old bodies and have some fun."
On how AVENGED SEVENFOLD got caught up in the drama between their one-time touring drummer Mike Portnoy and Mike's former band, DREAM THEATER:
Zacky: "It was something that we were not used to at all. We had never, ever experienced any kind of in-the-spotlight drama; we just always stay in the shadows and keep any of our personal business private. And [Mike is] a very different character — he always goes straight to fans [on] Twitter or whatever… That's how he dealt with his band, and it was new to us. We like to be in touch with our fans, but we're also very private. 'Cause, to us, it's not about Zacky or M. Shadows or Synyster Gates, it's about AVENGED SEVENFOLD; it's more important than any one of us. And he'd been talking about quitting DREAM THEATER, that he wasn't necessarily happy, and he was excited to be playing with us; we were playing huge shows and stuff. I think he got caught up in the moment, got excited. We begged him to consider what he did, because we were in no position to find a permanent replacement, because in all honesty, you can't replace [late AVENGED SEVENFOLD drummer] Jimmy ['The Rev' Sullivan], who was our best friend — first and foremost — besides beng an amazing drummer. So it just wasn't the right time and the place. And he told us, 'Hey, I've got good news and bad news. I quit DREAM THEATER.' We were like, 'Oh, no. Well, if you're happy, then that's good.' [And he was like], 'Now I can be with you guys.' And we were like, 'That's not necessarily what we decided upon. And you should take your time and reconsider.' And he was like, 'Well, I put out my press release.' We were like, 'Dude, that's not how we do business. You should have talked to us before.' Then it was back and forth [between Mike and his former DREAM THEATER bandmates]. We were out of it; we had nothing to do with it. We were just trying to get back on our feet. So when all that was going down, it was causing us a lot of heartache, to be honest — to see our name in this drama-filled love triangle. He helped us out at a really vulnerable time, and for that we will always be extremely appreciative. But for us, we were so unstable at that point that any unneeded attention was just very harmful to us. Obviously, it didn't work out [between us and Mike], but I think it's for the best — for him and for us."
Angela Chase of the 97-1 The Eagle radio station in Dallas, Texas recently sat in on DROWNING POOL guitarist C.J. Pierce's tattoo session with Dru Bias at Saints And Sinners in Carrollton. In the video segment below, Pierce discusses DROWNING POOL's recent split with singer Ryan McCombs and what the band is looking for in Ryan's replacement.
On the split with McCombs:
Pierce: "It's something that's been coming a long time.
"Like with any relationship, we've been through a lot of stuff in the last six years, and actually, we had a lot of great shows and we've done a lot of great things together. But [we've] grown apart, especially in the last three years.
"If you're gonna write music together and tour together, you've gotta be hitting on all four cylinders — everybody's gotta be on the same page.
"Mike [Luce, drums], Stevie [Benton, bass] and myself have been friends since high school. We've had our ups and downs and we've definitely had our share of scraps with each other, but we always seem to work through it. With Ryan, we kind of had it in the back of our heads that he may not be in it for the long haul. Again, no discredit to Ryan, and I'm not trying to talk any smack on him, but just the fact, the reason why he left SOIL was because he wanted to spend more time with his family and stuff like that. And you can't down a guy for that; in fact, it's respectable that he would wanna stay home and spend time with his family.
"I was really hoping he would [be in it] for the long haul, [but] we've just kind of really grown apart. So instead of going into the studio and trying to force something and just throwing out a record there, [we thought it would be] better if we part ways now while we're still on good terms."
On the fact that DROWNING POOL has been through three lead singers in its 10-year and four-album history as a recording artist:
Pierce: "I think it's more common than not for bands to change members; it's a pretty common thing. It's always hardest when it's the lead singer and that's kind of the focus of the band and the face of the band, if you will, and I guess we have been through a few [frontmen] in the last few years. But at the end of the day, when you're creating music together... Mike, Stevie and myself, we've been buddies, and we've been through thick and thin. And hopefully we'll find somebody else that's on that same page or that has that same passion."
On what keeps DROWNING POOL going after all these years:
Pierce: "I think one of the reasons why we're still in it, we're still forging ahead, is because we love music. For me personally, it's a way of life and it's been my passion. I've always wanted to play music. I love every aspect of it — I love writing and producing, I love touring. And you wanna be in a band with like-minded people that love every side of it. I mean, there's a lot of fun and partying that comes along with it, but there's a lot of work that comes along with it [too]. . . People see an hour-and-a-half show, they come out and party [with us], and they don't see the other 21 and a half hours of what else goes on; there is a lot of work involved. I'm hoping to find somebody that comes in — a singer/songwriter — that has passion about it like the rest of us and that's on fire about doing all those aspects that come with playng music."
On the split with McCombs:
Pierce: "It's something that's been coming a long time.
"Like with any relationship, we've been through a lot of stuff in the last six years, and actually, we had a lot of great shows and we've done a lot of great things together. But [we've] grown apart, especially in the last three years.
"If you're gonna write music together and tour together, you've gotta be hitting on all four cylinders — everybody's gotta be on the same page.
"Mike [Luce, drums], Stevie [Benton, bass] and myself have been friends since high school. We've had our ups and downs and we've definitely had our share of scraps with each other, but we always seem to work through it. With Ryan, we kind of had it in the back of our heads that he may not be in it for the long haul. Again, no discredit to Ryan, and I'm not trying to talk any smack on him, but just the fact, the reason why he left SOIL was because he wanted to spend more time with his family and stuff like that. And you can't down a guy for that; in fact, it's respectable that he would wanna stay home and spend time with his family.
"I was really hoping he would [be in it] for the long haul, [but] we've just kind of really grown apart. So instead of going into the studio and trying to force something and just throwing out a record there, [we thought it would be] better if we part ways now while we're still on good terms."
On the fact that DROWNING POOL has been through three lead singers in its 10-year and four-album history as a recording artist:
Pierce: "I think it's more common than not for bands to change members; it's a pretty common thing. It's always hardest when it's the lead singer and that's kind of the focus of the band and the face of the band, if you will, and I guess we have been through a few [frontmen] in the last few years. But at the end of the day, when you're creating music together... Mike, Stevie and myself, we've been buddies, and we've been through thick and thin. And hopefully we'll find somebody else that's on that same page or that has that same passion."
On what keeps DROWNING POOL going after all these years:
Pierce: "I think one of the reasons why we're still in it, we're still forging ahead, is because we love music. For me personally, it's a way of life and it's been my passion. I've always wanted to play music. I love every aspect of it — I love writing and producing, I love touring. And you wanna be in a band with like-minded people that love every side of it. I mean, there's a lot of fun and partying that comes along with it, but there's a lot of work that comes along with it [too]. . . People see an hour-and-a-half show, they come out and party [with us], and they don't see the other 21 and a half hours of what else goes on; there is a lot of work involved. I'm hoping to find somebody that comes in — a singer/songwriter — that has passion about it like the rest of us and that's on fire about doing all those aspects that come with playng music."
"To Die Is Gain", the 2008 debut album from GOADED — the project featuring former DIO guitarist Tracy "G" Grijalva and KORN drummer Ray Luzier — has now been given an "official" release through Spooky G Records, with North American distribution from Super D. According to a press release, "The 12-song [CD] is an unreal reminder of what kind of guitar player Tracy G is and what type of power G and Luzier bring to the world. Along with Larry Dennison on bass and Jason Witte on vocals this CD delivers a very heavy, modern and groove-filled opus that keeps your attention for its 52 minutes of music."
The press release adds, "If you are expecting the project to sound like DIO or KORN, it is neither. This is a very heavy modern project with melodic yet growling type of vocals that hit you right between the ears and has its own sound."
Produced by Joe Floyd and GOADED and recorded at the G factory, "To Die Is Gain" is only the first release that Luzier and Grijalva will release during 2012 from the work they have done together in the recent past.
Grijalva is working on a book that will chronicle his time in DIO (from 1993 through 1999). According to a press release, "The book will talk about everything from his initial tryout for the band, how he got that chance and also the end of the line for him in DIO. G will talk about the writing process, the touring, his feelings on the band and also his own private thoughts about working with Ronnie James Dio during this time.
Tracy recently released a new CD with his band THE TRACY G GROUP called "Controlled Chaos", available on his own Spooky G Records. Tracy is joined by Johnny B on drums and vocals and Eddie Frisco on bass.
Tracy left DIO in 1999 after he claimed he was "asked to play in a dual-guitar situation" in Ronnie's band. According to a posting on Tracy's web site, DIO was "looking for more of a Ritchie Blackmore style . . . and wanted [Tracy] to step back and just play rhythm guitar. That's when [Tracy] knew it was time to leave, freeing him to more diligently pursue his home studio projects."
For more information, visit www.tracyg.com.
The press release adds, "If you are expecting the project to sound like DIO or KORN, it is neither. This is a very heavy modern project with melodic yet growling type of vocals that hit you right between the ears and has its own sound."
Produced by Joe Floyd and GOADED and recorded at the G factory, "To Die Is Gain" is only the first release that Luzier and Grijalva will release during 2012 from the work they have done together in the recent past.
Grijalva is working on a book that will chronicle his time in DIO (from 1993 through 1999). According to a press release, "The book will talk about everything from his initial tryout for the band, how he got that chance and also the end of the line for him in DIO. G will talk about the writing process, the touring, his feelings on the band and also his own private thoughts about working with Ronnie James Dio during this time.
Tracy recently released a new CD with his band THE TRACY G GROUP called "Controlled Chaos", available on his own Spooky G Records. Tracy is joined by Johnny B on drums and vocals and Eddie Frisco on bass.
Tracy left DIO in 1999 after he claimed he was "asked to play in a dual-guitar situation" in Ronnie's band. According to a posting on Tracy's web site, DIO was "looking for more of a Ritchie Blackmore style . . . and wanted [Tracy] to step back and just play rhythm guitar. That's when [Tracy] knew it was time to leave, freeing him to more diligently pursue his home studio projects."
For more information, visit www.tracyg.com.
Hellbound.ca recently conducted an interview with a nameless ghoul from the mysterious Swedish buzz band GHOST. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Hellbound.ca: Were you taken aback by the band's almost immediate popularity?
Nameless Ghoul: It's hard to say. We knew what we were doing was outside the box. We expected something. But again the album was released in Europe by a small label known for putting out curious, weird stuff. The commercial expectations weren't high. We did do this with the intention of turning heads, but all of the success we've had in the past year has been unexpected. But again, it gets back to being anonymous. When you are experiencing these breakthroughs and traveling and doing it as an individual, you aren't gaining a bunch of new friends or experiencing carnal pleasures you might experience if you were suddenly recognized. We live in Sweden, in a small town without a lot of people. We aren't in the epicenter of where anything happens with the band. We go on the road, enter the bubble, then break the bubble and come home. A lot of bands living in London are expected to be rock stars all the time. That is truly diabolical (laughs) and not the way we want to live.
Hellbound.ca: So GHOST doesn't need to live like Russell Brand in "Get Him To The Greek", where you need to be a persona.
Nameless Ghoul: I'd say so. We're often mistaken for roadies, which is helpful. We've almost been thrown out of venues we've played. Forgetting our backstage pass is a big problem. Nobody really knows who we are. If you don't look like a rock star who just played, you might be a bullshitter trying to get backstage. That keeps things interesting. It allows us to relate in a more healthy way to what we're doing, because we don't need to be associated personally with what we do culturally.
Hellbound.ca: Have any of you ever gone out in crowd without your outfits?
Nameless Ghoul: We do that all that time. Not in groups, but individually. People will come and crowd our singer when he's offstage and take pictures. Fifteen minutes later, those same fans will go right next to him and act like he's just a nothing. That's happened to all of us. That's one of the perks of being in this band. And it shows that it works.
Hellbound.ca: What do you think about the argument that GHOST isn't metal. Do you even care?
Nameless Ghoul: We never set out to be a metal band. For us, it's not an issue. All of us come from a metal background. Our upbringings are rooted in metal. But we're open-minded and we don't depend on people to give us metal credentials. We know we already have them. It's not even interesting to us. Obviously, I know how people think when they are an 18- or 20-year-old metalhead. People can be really anal when it comes to differentiating what's metal and what's cool and what's not. I know where true headbangers come from. But what we set out to do and achieve is outside of that. We incorporate melodies and structure and riffing to achieve a horrific sound. It's supposed to be frightening and seducing. If someone chooses to call it pop, that's their loss. Everyone can't like the band. As long as they talk about the band, that's perfect. When people try to slag the band, it's mission accomplished. We've made people turn their heads.
Hellbound.ca: Are you working on a follow-up to "Opus Eponymous"?
Nameless Ghoul: We are working on new material and a lot of it is finalized. We know the direction the next record is going. We've tried to keep the same playfulness from the first album. A lot of the songs on "Opus" came without a filter. We didn't try to exclude anything, just make it challenging and dramatic. We've managed to put together something that comes from the same source. But we've also chosen to emphasize new things on this record. We've been using the word "divine" through the creation. This record will be slightly bigger, not in the commercial sense, but the sound will be a little bit bigger than the first. There are also different philosophical themes in the first record versus the second. The first album deals with before the Antichrist, something foreboding, something in the future. The songs are about a darkness or Antichrist almost upon us. The new record is about the presence of the Devil, the presence of the Antichrist. It's also about how people relate to a deity or God, themes like submission and superstition, the horrors of being religious. There's a step thematically. The third record will take it even further.
Hellbound.ca: Were you taken aback by the band's almost immediate popularity?
Nameless Ghoul: It's hard to say. We knew what we were doing was outside the box. We expected something. But again the album was released in Europe by a small label known for putting out curious, weird stuff. The commercial expectations weren't high. We did do this with the intention of turning heads, but all of the success we've had in the past year has been unexpected. But again, it gets back to being anonymous. When you are experiencing these breakthroughs and traveling and doing it as an individual, you aren't gaining a bunch of new friends or experiencing carnal pleasures you might experience if you were suddenly recognized. We live in Sweden, in a small town without a lot of people. We aren't in the epicenter of where anything happens with the band. We go on the road, enter the bubble, then break the bubble and come home. A lot of bands living in London are expected to be rock stars all the time. That is truly diabolical (laughs) and not the way we want to live.
Hellbound.ca: So GHOST doesn't need to live like Russell Brand in "Get Him To The Greek", where you need to be a persona.
Nameless Ghoul: I'd say so. We're often mistaken for roadies, which is helpful. We've almost been thrown out of venues we've played. Forgetting our backstage pass is a big problem. Nobody really knows who we are. If you don't look like a rock star who just played, you might be a bullshitter trying to get backstage. That keeps things interesting. It allows us to relate in a more healthy way to what we're doing, because we don't need to be associated personally with what we do culturally.
Hellbound.ca: Have any of you ever gone out in crowd without your outfits?
Nameless Ghoul: We do that all that time. Not in groups, but individually. People will come and crowd our singer when he's offstage and take pictures. Fifteen minutes later, those same fans will go right next to him and act like he's just a nothing. That's happened to all of us. That's one of the perks of being in this band. And it shows that it works.
Hellbound.ca: What do you think about the argument that GHOST isn't metal. Do you even care?
Nameless Ghoul: We never set out to be a metal band. For us, it's not an issue. All of us come from a metal background. Our upbringings are rooted in metal. But we're open-minded and we don't depend on people to give us metal credentials. We know we already have them. It's not even interesting to us. Obviously, I know how people think when they are an 18- or 20-year-old metalhead. People can be really anal when it comes to differentiating what's metal and what's cool and what's not. I know where true headbangers come from. But what we set out to do and achieve is outside of that. We incorporate melodies and structure and riffing to achieve a horrific sound. It's supposed to be frightening and seducing. If someone chooses to call it pop, that's their loss. Everyone can't like the band. As long as they talk about the band, that's perfect. When people try to slag the band, it's mission accomplished. We've made people turn their heads.
Hellbound.ca: Are you working on a follow-up to "Opus Eponymous"?
Nameless Ghoul: We are working on new material and a lot of it is finalized. We know the direction the next record is going. We've tried to keep the same playfulness from the first album. A lot of the songs on "Opus" came without a filter. We didn't try to exclude anything, just make it challenging and dramatic. We've managed to put together something that comes from the same source. But we've also chosen to emphasize new things on this record. We've been using the word "divine" through the creation. This record will be slightly bigger, not in the commercial sense, but the sound will be a little bit bigger than the first. There are also different philosophical themes in the first record versus the second. The first album deals with before the Antichrist, something foreboding, something in the future. The songs are about a darkness or Antichrist almost upon us. The new record is about the presence of the Devil, the presence of the Antichrist. It's also about how people relate to a deity or God, themes like submission and superstition, the horrors of being religious. There's a step thematically. The third record will take it even further.
A lot has happened in the DELAIN camp since the Dutch female-fronted symphonic band thrilled the masses with its second album, "April Rain", in 2009. After a highly successful European tour, followed by the enthusiastic reaction to DELAIN's trips to North and South America, it's clear that the pure energy of their live performances have heavily influenced the new material on their long-awaited third long player. DELAIN has taken the time needed to hone this to perfection and the outcome is "We Are The Others", the band's most powerful, most atmospheric and intoxicating album to date.
DELAIN spent most of last summer with producer Jacob Hellner (RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER, APOCALYPTICA) in his Stockholm, Sweden studio, taking two months to collectively fine-tune the material for "We Are The Others".
"Never before have we gone as much into detail in writing the songs," stated DELAIN singer singer Charlotte Wessels, referring to the multiple writing sessions in Stockholm, where she was recording her vocals parallel in a second studio with the vocal producers of the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented Charlotte: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
DELAIN will embark on a European headlining tour in April 2012 with support from TRILLIUM, the metal project masterminded by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville.
DELAIN in April announced the addition of guitarist Timo Somers to the group's ranks.
The band was last year joined by bassist Otto "The Baron" Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (DETONATION).
DELAIN's second album, "April Rain", was released in North America on June 30, 2009 via Sensory Records (with U.S. distribution through Ryko and Canadian distribution through Sonic Unyon).
DELAIN spent most of last summer with producer Jacob Hellner (RAMMSTEIN, CLAWFINGER, APOCALYPTICA) in his Stockholm, Sweden studio, taking two months to collectively fine-tune the material for "We Are The Others".
"Never before have we gone as much into detail in writing the songs," stated DELAIN singer singer Charlotte Wessels, referring to the multiple writing sessions in Stockholm, where she was recording her vocals parallel in a second studio with the vocal producers of the Epicentre team of Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikström (SCORPIONS, BACKYARD BABIES).
At first glance, some songtitles on "We Are The Others" may sound mysterious and conspiratorial, but there is a very serious background: The lyrics to the title track were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.
Commented Charlotte: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere.
"'We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."
DELAIN will embark on a European headlining tour in April 2012 with support from TRILLIUM, the metal project masterminded by American singer/songwriter Amanda Somerville.
DELAIN in April announced the addition of guitarist Timo Somers to the group's ranks.
The band was last year joined by bassist Otto "The Baron" Schimmelpenninck van der Oije (DETONATION).
DELAIN's second album, "April Rain", was released in North America on June 30, 2009 via Sensory Records (with U.S. distribution through Ryko and Canadian distribution through Sonic Unyon).
AHAB, the German funeral doom metal band featuring former MIDNATTSOL members Daniel Droste (guitar/vocals) and Christian Hector (guitar), will enter the studio at the end of January to begin recording its new album. The group states, "These days we're in the final phase of the songwriting process and are eager to finish the compositions."
AHAB's sophomore album, "The Divinity Of Oceans", was released in July 2009 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2006's "The Call of the Wretched Sea" contains seven songs and is based on the wreckage of the Essex.
AHAB is named after Captain Ahab, a character in the novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. Along with its name, the band also draws thematic and lyrical inspiration from "Moby Dick" — some songs even feature direct quotations from the book.
AHAB is:
Daniel Droste: Guitar, Voices, Synths
Christian Hector: Guitar
Stephan Wandernoth: Bass
Cornelius Althammer: Drums
AHAB's sophomore album, "The Divinity Of Oceans", was released in July 2009 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2006's "The Call of the Wretched Sea" contains seven songs and is based on the wreckage of the Essex.
AHAB is named after Captain Ahab, a character in the novel "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville. Along with its name, the band also draws thematic and lyrical inspiration from "Moby Dick" — some songs even feature direct quotations from the book.
AHAB is:
Daniel Droste: Guitar, Voices, Synths
Christian Hector: Guitar
Stephan Wandernoth: Bass
Cornelius Althammer: Drums
Austrian crossover band KONTRUST has inked a deal with Napalm Records. The 2010 Amadeus Austrian Music Awards winners in the "Hard & Heavy" category will release their new album, "Second Hand Wonderland", in spring 2012.
Commented the band: "We are happy to have found a reliable, flexible and internationally operating partner in Napalm Records. We have high expectations for our future cooperation. This deal is an important milestone in the band's history, because we have found the perfect label for our future path."
KONTRUST will support DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER on a number of dates in Germany and Austria in May 2012.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kontrust.
Commented the band: "We are happy to have found a reliable, flexible and internationally operating partner in Napalm Records. We have high expectations for our future cooperation. This deal is an important milestone in the band's history, because we have found the perfect label for our future path."
KONTRUST will support DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER on a number of dates in Germany and Austria in May 2012.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kontrust.
Reformed Montreal rockers SLAVES ON DOPE will release their new album, "Over The Influence", on February 28, 2012 via THC: Music/Rocket Science Ventures. The CD will feature a guest appearance by Jonathan Cabana, lead singer of Quebec deathcore band BLIND WITNESS, on the track "Dear Enemies".
A two-minute audio teaser for the forthcoming album can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.
SLAVES ON DOPE's digital-only EP, "Careless Coma", came out on November 1. The effort featured three new studio tracks, as well as remixes and a radio edit of the title cut.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine.
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.
A two-minute audio teaser for the forthcoming album can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.
SLAVES ON DOPE's digital-only EP, "Careless Coma", came out on November 1. The effort featured three new studio tracks, as well as remixes and a radio edit of the title cut.
"Over The Influence" was produced and mixed by Kevin Jardine.
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.
Portuguese gothic metallers MOONSPELL have inked a worldwide deal with Napalm Records. The band's new album is scheduled for release in the spring.
Commented MOONSPELL vocalist Fernando Ribeiro: "With MOONSPELL, nothing really ends, but always ever begins.
"Signing with Napalm is a firm step into cutting all bullshit and work with people who truly believe in us and respect our longevity, while helping us to embrace those who have been arriving in the last years to start with us yet another kingdom of darkness under the moon.
"Our new album is a statement. Our blood is the ink. Your skin, the scrolls upon we will write. Napalm Records, our messenger. Be ready."
Ribeiro recently revealed that the initials of the new MOONSPELL CD are "A.N.".
MOONSPELL released a DVD, "Lusitanian Metal", in December 2008 in Europe via Century Media Records.
The band's latest album, "Night Eternal", entered the national chart in Portugal at No. 3 and in Germany at No. 62. The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).
Commented MOONSPELL vocalist Fernando Ribeiro: "With MOONSPELL, nothing really ends, but always ever begins.
"Signing with Napalm is a firm step into cutting all bullshit and work with people who truly believe in us and respect our longevity, while helping us to embrace those who have been arriving in the last years to start with us yet another kingdom of darkness under the moon.
"Our new album is a statement. Our blood is the ink. Your skin, the scrolls upon we will write. Napalm Records, our messenger. Be ready."
Ribeiro recently revealed that the initials of the new MOONSPELL CD are "A.N.".
MOONSPELL released a DVD, "Lusitanian Metal", in December 2008 in Europe via Century Media Records.
The band's latest album, "Night Eternal", entered the national chart in Portugal at No. 3 and in Germany at No. 62. The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).
Dutch hard rock veterans VENGEANCE will release their new studio album, "Crystal Eye", on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and in March 2012 in the USA and Canada through SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be available as a limited-edition digipak (including two bonus tracks), standard jewel case and as a digital download.
Digipak track listing:
01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)
12. Paint This Town (3:25) (bonus track)
13. Barbeque (radio edit) (3:35) (bonus track)
Jewel case track listing:
01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)
The recording lineup on "Crystal Eye" incudes Leon Goewie (vocals), Chris Slade (drums; ex-AC/DC), Keri Kelli (guitar; ex-ALICE COOPER), Chris Glen (bass; ex-MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP), and Timo Somers (guitar; son of VENGEANCE guitarist Jan Somers, who sadly died of a heart attack in January 2011).
"More than ever before, this is a band which consists of friends," states Goewie, whose excellent reputation as an exceptional vocalist made this impressive lineup possible. Goewie, Slade, Glen and Kelli also form the nucleus of the AC/DC cover band CHRIS SLADE'S STEEL CIRCLE, which rocks clubs around the globe whenever the musicians' schedules allow it.
"Crystal Eye" was produced by Michael Voss, who composed most of the songs in collaboration with Goewie. The title track was penned by former VENGEANCE guitarist Arjen Lucassen (AYREON, STAR ONE), while Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH) contributed "Whole Lotta Metal", which is said to be "tailor-made for Goewie and VENGEANCE." The album closes with the instrumental "Jan's End Piece", which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his tragic death.
"I've listened to the new tracks a couple of times now and consider this the most professional album I've ever done," says Goewie proudly, adding, "The fun and humor which are typical of VENGEANCE are all there on 'Crystal Eye', but in addition, the material is perceptibly more serious, which I feel really suits VENGEANCE mark 2012."
VENGEANCE will embark on a European tour in support of "Crystal Eye" in March/April 2012.
Digipak track listing:
01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)
12. Paint This Town (3:25) (bonus track)
13. Barbeque (radio edit) (3:35) (bonus track)
Jewel case track listing:
01. Me And You (4:02)
02. Bad To The Bone (4:51)
03. Barbeque (3:31)
04. Shock Me Now (3:28)
05. Five Knuckle Shuffle (4:10)
06. Desperate Women (4:03)
07. Whole Lotta Metal (4:11)
08. Promise Me (3:43)
09. Crystal Eye (6:13)
10. Missing (4:51)
11. Jans End Piece (1:16)
The recording lineup on "Crystal Eye" incudes Leon Goewie (vocals), Chris Slade (drums; ex-AC/DC), Keri Kelli (guitar; ex-ALICE COOPER), Chris Glen (bass; ex-MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP), and Timo Somers (guitar; son of VENGEANCE guitarist Jan Somers, who sadly died of a heart attack in January 2011).
"More than ever before, this is a band which consists of friends," states Goewie, whose excellent reputation as an exceptional vocalist made this impressive lineup possible. Goewie, Slade, Glen and Kelli also form the nucleus of the AC/DC cover band CHRIS SLADE'S STEEL CIRCLE, which rocks clubs around the globe whenever the musicians' schedules allow it.
"Crystal Eye" was produced by Michael Voss, who composed most of the songs in collaboration with Goewie. The title track was penned by former VENGEANCE guitarist Arjen Lucassen (AYREON, STAR ONE), while Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH) contributed "Whole Lotta Metal", which is said to be "tailor-made for Goewie and VENGEANCE." The album closes with the instrumental "Jan's End Piece", which features the last guitar solos recorded by Jan Somers before his tragic death.
"I've listened to the new tracks a couple of times now and consider this the most professional album I've ever done," says Goewie proudly, adding, "The fun and humor which are typical of VENGEANCE are all there on 'Crystal Eye', but in addition, the material is perceptibly more serious, which I feel really suits VENGEANCE mark 2012."
VENGEANCE will embark on a European tour in support of "Crystal Eye" in March/April 2012.
In August 2011, RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli and keyboardist Alex Staropoli announced their decision to go their separate ways.
Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he will be joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, and drummer Alex Holzwarth. A singer for the group has has yet to be announced.
Turilli recently gave an interview to Markus Wosgien, head of promotion at Nuclear Blast Records, about the upcoming LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY debut. The question-and-answer session follows below.
Q: After the official split of RHAPSODY OF FIRE, a lot of rumors about the same split spread around the net. Do you want to say something about it?
Luca: First of all, let me tell you that Alex [Staropoli] and I had a lot of fun while hearing some comments following the announcement of the friendly split of RHAPSODY OF FIRE. In particular I heard the comments of some people imagining a lot of weird things or thinking that I was the one who left the band because of this or that reason. Honestly, this is really absurd and nothing is more untrue. The only reality is that in the end of 2010 Alex and I, together — and I underline: together —agreed that after "From Chaos To Eternity" (the 10th official RHAPSODY OF FIRE album which closed the cycle of releases related with our saga), we would have went on with our careers separately. This because after 20 years of great and unique collaboration, the feeling, while working together, was not the same anymore and so, due to the strong respect we have for each other, we decided to take this important decision. We also agreed everything about the way the band split and the fact of keeping for both the name RHAPSODY, in respect of all the unique efforts and the personal economical investment we both made in these years to make this name stronger and stronger in the market. So, again, all was decided really in a friendly way between two people respecting themselves at all levels. Therefore, no conspiracy theories or something like that — instead, just the honest will of proceeding separately in order to find new artistic stimulations. Be also sure that there won't be any competition between the two RHAPSODY bands; we are too old for those kinds of games. I love Alex and want for him the best possible success. I also take the chance of wishing the best to the new members of RHAPSODY OF FIRE: Tom Hess and Roberto De Micheli. They are great people and ultra-skilled musicians, a sure guarantee of great music at the highest artistic levels for all the fans of Alex and Fabio's band!
Q: Let's speak about your new album. What can you tell us about it?
Luca: Honestly, this album is very important for me, Alex Holzwarth, Patrice and Dominique and personally it is the one I always dreamed to record. The basic composition process lasted around five months. In this period of time I worked at the rhythm of 12-14 hours per day and, while very hard because very demanding mentally and spiritually, this was one of the most rewarding sessions of composition of my whole life. It rarely happened I had so much fun playing the guitar, the keyboards or my beloved piano and creating original classical parts, cinematic interludes, orchestrations and all the rest. Now all the songs are ready and I am actually in the process of arranging everything. As you know, I don't hire external people to orchestrate the music, but I do all by myself writing the music for each section of the orchestra, the choirs etc. and this sometimes can be a very long and hard process stealing a lot of time and energy. I can not deny that this is a very ambitious album, because of the investment, artistic vision etc., and all the people working on it, Nuclear Blast included, are thinking the same. That's why in the upcoming months of intensive studio work I want to go on dedicating myself night and day to it, without thinking to anything else. The production of the album just started and Alex Holzwarth recorded most of his drum parts already. I will release more news about the album production, month after month, from my new web site, starting from the end of January 2012.
Q: Speaking about the production, is it true that for your new LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY album you changed your working team completely?
Luca: Yes, after many years of work in Wolfsburg at the court of our friend Sascha Paeth, I decided to start this new artistic adventure with a different team of people. Sascha and the other friends of the Gate Studio (Miro, Olaf, Robert, Simon, etc.) are a winning team and their help in the past was really important for RHAPSODY. But it's since many years already that Alex and I took the productions in our hands becoming producers of our own albums, despite Sascha remaining always fundamental as engineer and mixer man. His mixes will remain legendary and our list of thanks will be never long enough for all the professional contribution he gave. All the years of work, fun and sufferance in the Gate studios of Wolfsburg will surely remain unforgettable and are carved in our heart. For LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY and the new band adventure I decided to change the studio and the main man behind the console. We are now recording the new album at the Backyard Studio of Kempten, Germany. Our new engineer and main mixer man is the same owner of the studio and his name is Sebastian Roeder, the person who worked for RHAPSODY OF FIRE in the last worldwide tour making real miracles while mixing our music live. Apart from being a talented engineer, he is a great person and he shares with us the love for this style of music. To resume, the new album will be produced by me as usual, while Sebastian will take care of the engineering, mixing and mastering process.
Q: What can you tell us about the new singer?
Luca: As you can imagine, this will be one of the most important news to be given in the upcoming months, but for the moment we prefer to keep all top secret. Speaking about singers, please allow me to say a few words about Olaf Hayer, singer and talented voice of LUCA TURILLI, my old solo band. The truth is that, as many people could already imagine, I stopped my solo activity as LUCA TURILLI definitely, willing to dedicate myself to LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY at full time. That's why I want to publicly thank Olaf for the fundamental contribution he gave to our solo albums. All the three albums of the trilogy entered the charts establishing some important records and this was possible mainly because of my friend Olaf. Who knows?! Maybe sooner or later we'll still have the chance to work together. Never say never.
Q: And what about the future plans of LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY?
Luca: Well, the most important thing I can tell you is that our tour agency All Access is actually working hard and preparing a worldwide tour. Considering that the new album will be released in June 2012, the plan is to start the tour a couple of months later in order to promote it at the four sides of the world. It will be an infinite pleasure for me, Alex, Patrice and Dominique to meet all our old and new fans once again and to play in front of them the new LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY songs and the old RHAPSODY/RHAPSODY OF FIRE hits. Surely there will be also a couple of surprises for the one who liked my old solo albums too!
Due to legal reasons, Staropoli will continue under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, will make his future efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he will be joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, and drummer Alex Holzwarth. A singer for the group has has yet to be announced.
Turilli recently gave an interview to Markus Wosgien, head of promotion at Nuclear Blast Records, about the upcoming LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY debut. The question-and-answer session follows below.
Q: After the official split of RHAPSODY OF FIRE, a lot of rumors about the same split spread around the net. Do you want to say something about it?
Luca: First of all, let me tell you that Alex [Staropoli] and I had a lot of fun while hearing some comments following the announcement of the friendly split of RHAPSODY OF FIRE. In particular I heard the comments of some people imagining a lot of weird things or thinking that I was the one who left the band because of this or that reason. Honestly, this is really absurd and nothing is more untrue. The only reality is that in the end of 2010 Alex and I, together — and I underline: together —agreed that after "From Chaos To Eternity" (the 10th official RHAPSODY OF FIRE album which closed the cycle of releases related with our saga), we would have went on with our careers separately. This because after 20 years of great and unique collaboration, the feeling, while working together, was not the same anymore and so, due to the strong respect we have for each other, we decided to take this important decision. We also agreed everything about the way the band split and the fact of keeping for both the name RHAPSODY, in respect of all the unique efforts and the personal economical investment we both made in these years to make this name stronger and stronger in the market. So, again, all was decided really in a friendly way between two people respecting themselves at all levels. Therefore, no conspiracy theories or something like that — instead, just the honest will of proceeding separately in order to find new artistic stimulations. Be also sure that there won't be any competition between the two RHAPSODY bands; we are too old for those kinds of games. I love Alex and want for him the best possible success. I also take the chance of wishing the best to the new members of RHAPSODY OF FIRE: Tom Hess and Roberto De Micheli. They are great people and ultra-skilled musicians, a sure guarantee of great music at the highest artistic levels for all the fans of Alex and Fabio's band!
Q: Let's speak about your new album. What can you tell us about it?
Luca: Honestly, this album is very important for me, Alex Holzwarth, Patrice and Dominique and personally it is the one I always dreamed to record. The basic composition process lasted around five months. In this period of time I worked at the rhythm of 12-14 hours per day and, while very hard because very demanding mentally and spiritually, this was one of the most rewarding sessions of composition of my whole life. It rarely happened I had so much fun playing the guitar, the keyboards or my beloved piano and creating original classical parts, cinematic interludes, orchestrations and all the rest. Now all the songs are ready and I am actually in the process of arranging everything. As you know, I don't hire external people to orchestrate the music, but I do all by myself writing the music for each section of the orchestra, the choirs etc. and this sometimes can be a very long and hard process stealing a lot of time and energy. I can not deny that this is a very ambitious album, because of the investment, artistic vision etc., and all the people working on it, Nuclear Blast included, are thinking the same. That's why in the upcoming months of intensive studio work I want to go on dedicating myself night and day to it, without thinking to anything else. The production of the album just started and Alex Holzwarth recorded most of his drum parts already. I will release more news about the album production, month after month, from my new web site, starting from the end of January 2012.
Q: Speaking about the production, is it true that for your new LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY album you changed your working team completely?
Luca: Yes, after many years of work in Wolfsburg at the court of our friend Sascha Paeth, I decided to start this new artistic adventure with a different team of people. Sascha and the other friends of the Gate Studio (Miro, Olaf, Robert, Simon, etc.) are a winning team and their help in the past was really important for RHAPSODY. But it's since many years already that Alex and I took the productions in our hands becoming producers of our own albums, despite Sascha remaining always fundamental as engineer and mixer man. His mixes will remain legendary and our list of thanks will be never long enough for all the professional contribution he gave. All the years of work, fun and sufferance in the Gate studios of Wolfsburg will surely remain unforgettable and are carved in our heart. For LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY and the new band adventure I decided to change the studio and the main man behind the console. We are now recording the new album at the Backyard Studio of Kempten, Germany. Our new engineer and main mixer man is the same owner of the studio and his name is Sebastian Roeder, the person who worked for RHAPSODY OF FIRE in the last worldwide tour making real miracles while mixing our music live. Apart from being a talented engineer, he is a great person and he shares with us the love for this style of music. To resume, the new album will be produced by me as usual, while Sebastian will take care of the engineering, mixing and mastering process.
Q: What can you tell us about the new singer?
Luca: As you can imagine, this will be one of the most important news to be given in the upcoming months, but for the moment we prefer to keep all top secret. Speaking about singers, please allow me to say a few words about Olaf Hayer, singer and talented voice of LUCA TURILLI, my old solo band. The truth is that, as many people could already imagine, I stopped my solo activity as LUCA TURILLI definitely, willing to dedicate myself to LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY at full time. That's why I want to publicly thank Olaf for the fundamental contribution he gave to our solo albums. All the three albums of the trilogy entered the charts establishing some important records and this was possible mainly because of my friend Olaf. Who knows?! Maybe sooner or later we'll still have the chance to work together. Never say never.
Q: And what about the future plans of LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY?
Luca: Well, the most important thing I can tell you is that our tour agency All Access is actually working hard and preparing a worldwide tour. Considering that the new album will be released in June 2012, the plan is to start the tour a couple of months later in order to promote it at the four sides of the world. It will be an infinite pleasure for me, Alex, Patrice and Dominique to meet all our old and new fans once again and to play in front of them the new LUCA TURILLI'S RHAPSODY songs and the old RHAPSODY/RHAPSODY OF FIRE hits. Surely there will be also a couple of surprises for the one who liked my old solo albums too!
GWAR has canceled its previously announced European tour which was scheduled to kick off on January 11 on Antwerp, Belgium. The band said in a statement, "Ticket sales were slow so promoters started pulling the plug on shows. Finally we had so many blow-outs that we had no choice but to cancel the whole thing."
The group added, "We can't afford to pay to play Europe; after all, we aren't fucking tourists! But we are extremely disappointed this happened and very sorry for our fans over there, especially in light of recent events. I know everybody over there wanted to say goodbye to [late GWAR guitarist] Flattus [Maximus, a.k.a. Cory Smoot] in a way that only a GWAR show could provide, and we were really looking forward to sharing that with you guys.
"Hopefully all tickets will be refunded (please let us know if they are not).
"Again, we are really sorry this happened, but there was nothing we could do.
"[We are] very, very bummed... but GWAR still lives, and will return to reap a bloody vengeance too terrible to comprehend."
It was announced earlier in the month that GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease.
Cory, who had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on November 3 of this year. He was 34 years old.
The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.
Brockie told the Daily News that he knew his friend definitely wasn't the hard-partying type who'd end up a heavy metal drug cliché.
"For a rock and roll musician to die on a bus on the way to a border crossing ... there was a real breath of relief that rippled through the metal community when we found out it was a normal death," he said.
Brockie and his bandmates returned to the stage — in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — just 36 hours after Smoot's passing — because it kept their minds off the fact that Smoot's body was stuck in a morgue in North Dakota for almost a week, not being released to Cory's wife, Jamie, until the coroner fully examined the body.
"We went out there to do the soundcheck and it was just on," said Brockie of the Edmonton show. "All of a sudden, we had a new appreciation for everything.
"Because he's not here, we're going to have do everything a million times better than we've ever done before. The audience wasn't just going to let us fail."
He added, "[Cory] will always be a part of our band. As I'm talking to you, I'm sitting here staring at a plaster cast of his head.
"In his short 34 years, he had a huge impact. It'll take a long time to get the credit he deserves, because he was wearing 40 pounds of rubber and makeup when he played."
The group added, "We can't afford to pay to play Europe; after all, we aren't fucking tourists! But we are extremely disappointed this happened and very sorry for our fans over there, especially in light of recent events. I know everybody over there wanted to say goodbye to [late GWAR guitarist] Flattus [Maximus, a.k.a. Cory Smoot] in a way that only a GWAR show could provide, and we were really looking forward to sharing that with you guys.
"Hopefully all tickets will be refunded (please let us know if they are not).
"Again, we are really sorry this happened, but there was nothing we could do.
"[We are] very, very bummed... but GWAR still lives, and will return to reap a bloody vengeance too terrible to comprehend."
It was announced earlier in the month that GWAR guitarist Cory Smoot died from a coronary artery thrombosis brought about by his pre-existing coronary artery disease.
Cory, who had played the character of Flattus Maximus for over ten years, was discovered dead on the band's tour bus on November 3 of this year. He was 34 years old.
The band, which will continue as a four-piece until the current tour schedule is complete, has officially retired the character of Flattus Maximus, and has announced no plans regarding a new GWAR-tarist.
Brockie told the Daily News that he knew his friend definitely wasn't the hard-partying type who'd end up a heavy metal drug cliché.
"For a rock and roll musician to die on a bus on the way to a border crossing ... there was a real breath of relief that rippled through the metal community when we found out it was a normal death," he said.
Brockie and his bandmates returned to the stage — in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — just 36 hours after Smoot's passing — because it kept their minds off the fact that Smoot's body was stuck in a morgue in North Dakota for almost a week, not being released to Cory's wife, Jamie, until the coroner fully examined the body.
"We went out there to do the soundcheck and it was just on," said Brockie of the Edmonton show. "All of a sudden, we had a new appreciation for everything.
"Because he's not here, we're going to have do everything a million times better than we've ever done before. The audience wasn't just going to let us fail."
He added, "[Cory] will always be a part of our band. As I'm talking to you, I'm sitting here staring at a plaster cast of his head.
"In his short 34 years, he had a huge impact. It'll take a long time to get the credit he deserves, because he was wearing 40 pounds of rubber and makeup when he played."
German melodic metallers FREEDOM CALL will release their new album, "Land Of The Crimson Dawn", on February 24 in Germany, February 27 in the rest of Europe and February 28 in the USA/Canada via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort will be made available in three versions: as a jewel case featuring 14 songs; as a limited double CD digipak including six additional bonus tracks (versions of popular FREEDOM CALL numbers by POWERWORLD, SECRET SPHERE, DOWNSPIRIT, MANIMAL, NEONFLY and Hannes Braun [KISSIN' DYNAMITE]); and on double colored vinyl LP.
Commented FREEDOM CALL vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay: "The new tracks simply have more of that rock 'n' roll feel. Everything sounds much rawer, there's more focus on the guitars than before, and the musicians had more freedom during the recordings than they used to have."
Digipak track listing:
CD 1
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)
CD 2
01. Flame In The Night (performed by POWERWORLD)
02. Hunting High And Low (performed by DOWNSPIRIT)
03. Fairyland (performed by SECRET SPHERE)
04. Palace Of Fantasy (performed by MANIMAL)
05. Land Of The Light (performed by NEONFLY)
06. Warriors (performed by Hannes Braun of KISSIN' DYNAMITE)
Jewel case track listing:
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)
LP track listing:
LP 1
Side A
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
Side B
01. 66 Warriors (5:20)
02. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
03. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
LP 2
Side A
01. Hero On Video (3:50)
02. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
03. Killer Gear (4:42)
04. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
Side B
01. Terra Liberty (4:09)
02. Eternity (4:23)
03. Space Legends (4:04)
04. Power & Glory (3:30)
FREEDOM CALL's current lineup:
Chris Bay - Vocals & Guitar
Lars Rettkowitz - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Samy Saemann - Bass, Backing Vocals
Klaus Sperling - Drums, Backing Vocals
Commented FREEDOM CALL vocalist/guitarist Chris Bay: "The new tracks simply have more of that rock 'n' roll feel. Everything sounds much rawer, there's more focus on the guitars than before, and the musicians had more freedom during the recordings than they used to have."
Digipak track listing:
CD 1
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)
CD 2
01. Flame In The Night (performed by POWERWORLD)
02. Hunting High And Low (performed by DOWNSPIRIT)
03. Fairyland (performed by SECRET SPHERE)
04. Palace Of Fantasy (performed by MANIMAL)
05. Land Of The Light (performed by NEONFLY)
06. Warriors (performed by Hannes Braun of KISSIN' DYNAMITE)
Jewel case track listing:
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37)
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
04. 66 Warriors (5:20)
05. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
06. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
07. Hero On Video (3:50)
08. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
09. Killer Gear (4:42)
10. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
11. Terra Liberty (4:09)
12. Eternity (4:23)
13. Space Legends (4:04)
14. Power & Glory (3:30)
LP track listing:
LP 1
Side A
01. Age Of The Phoenix (3:37
02. Rockstars (5:08)
03. Crimson Dawn (6:29)
Side B
01. 66 Warriors (5:20)
02. Back Into The Land Of Light (5:39)
03. Sun In The Dark (4:49)
LP 2
Side A
01. Hero On Video (3:50)
02. Valley Of Kingdom (4:32)
03. Killer Gear (4:42)
04. Rockin' Radio (4:13)
Side B
01. Terra Liberty (4:09)
02. Eternity (4:23)
03. Space Legends (4:04)
04. Power & Glory (3:30)
FREEDOM CALL's current lineup:
Chris Bay - Vocals & Guitar
Lars Rettkowitz - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Samy Saemann - Bass, Backing Vocals
Klaus Sperling - Drums, Backing Vocals
Frontiers Records has set a February 28 North American release date (four days earlier in Europe) for MR. BIG's new acoustic live album, "Live From The Living Room".
At the end of January 2011, during a week-long promotion trip to promote for its latest reunion album, "What If", and tour, MR. BIG was invited to the WOWOW TV studios in Tokyo to perform a special show in an intimate setting.
When the talk of a broadcast first came up, the band wanted to present something different from what they've ever done before. Thus the idea of an acoustic show came about and a string quintet was brought in to enhance the project even more, with arrangements provided by Takashi Miyazaki. Although Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan hooked up electric on a few songs, the show was still very much acoustic in nature throughout. Pat Torpey played various acoustic percussion instruments during the gig.
Commented Eric Martin: "The idea for the show came out of a quick conversation the four of us had after a day of interviews promoting the new 'What If' CD.
"We did an acoustic show at the Hard Rock Café in Singapore in 1996 that, to this day, is one of my favorite live recordings. It had a stripped down, up-close and personal feel to it.
"If we were going to do something like that again it would have to be extra special.
"We were talking about the old days when musicians used to live together in a band house and practice day and night. Our favorite rock band posters and tapestries adorning the walls, family hand-me-down furniture, amps that doubled as lamp stands, friends hanging out and the usual cluttered mess on the floor, lyric sheets, guitar cases and chords, music stands, beer cans, pizza boxes, wine bottles etc. 'Live From The Living Room' was born out of that.
"We wanted to recreate a harmonious atmosphere and treat our fans to an informal jam session of songs from the past and present while throwing in a few surprises from our wish lists (strings, Japanese taiko drums)."
The result from that magic night in Tokyo is now here: 10 MR. BIG classics in a completely new and fresh dress and a portrait from the very first ever acoustic show from the band.
"Live From The Living Room" will be exclusively released in a glossy digipak and will include the following songs:
01. Undertow
02. Still Ain't Enough For Me
03. As Far As I Can See
04. Voodoo Kiss
05. Take Cover
06. Around The World
07. Stranger In My Life
08. All The Way Up
09. To Be With You
10. Nobody Left To Blame
"What If…" was released in Europe on January 21 via Frontiers Records. The North American release, also on Frontiers Records, followed on February 8.
"What If…" is MR. BIG's first "all-original" album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey, back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man", the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current hard rock scene. The CD was produced by Kevin Shirley (AEROSMITH, RUSH, IRON MAIDEN).
Formed in 1988, MR. BIG forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original lineup produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres, be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover".
At the end of January 2011, during a week-long promotion trip to promote for its latest reunion album, "What If", and tour, MR. BIG was invited to the WOWOW TV studios in Tokyo to perform a special show in an intimate setting.
When the talk of a broadcast first came up, the band wanted to present something different from what they've ever done before. Thus the idea of an acoustic show came about and a string quintet was brought in to enhance the project even more, with arrangements provided by Takashi Miyazaki. Although Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan hooked up electric on a few songs, the show was still very much acoustic in nature throughout. Pat Torpey played various acoustic percussion instruments during the gig.
Commented Eric Martin: "The idea for the show came out of a quick conversation the four of us had after a day of interviews promoting the new 'What If' CD.
"We did an acoustic show at the Hard Rock Café in Singapore in 1996 that, to this day, is one of my favorite live recordings. It had a stripped down, up-close and personal feel to it.
"If we were going to do something like that again it would have to be extra special.
"We were talking about the old days when musicians used to live together in a band house and practice day and night. Our favorite rock band posters and tapestries adorning the walls, family hand-me-down furniture, amps that doubled as lamp stands, friends hanging out and the usual cluttered mess on the floor, lyric sheets, guitar cases and chords, music stands, beer cans, pizza boxes, wine bottles etc. 'Live From The Living Room' was born out of that.
"We wanted to recreate a harmonious atmosphere and treat our fans to an informal jam session of songs from the past and present while throwing in a few surprises from our wish lists (strings, Japanese taiko drums)."
The result from that magic night in Tokyo is now here: 10 MR. BIG classics in a completely new and fresh dress and a portrait from the very first ever acoustic show from the band.
"Live From The Living Room" will be exclusively released in a glossy digipak and will include the following songs:
01. Undertow
02. Still Ain't Enough For Me
03. As Far As I Can See
04. Voodoo Kiss
05. Take Cover
06. Around The World
07. Stranger In My Life
08. All The Way Up
09. To Be With You
10. Nobody Left To Blame
"What If…" was released in Europe on January 21 via Frontiers Records. The North American release, also on Frontiers Records, followed on February 8.
"What If…" is MR. BIG's first "all-original" album since the reunion of the four original members, Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey, back in early 2009. Sixteen years after the release of "Hey Man", the new recording is set to bring back MR. BIG on the height of the current hard rock scene. The CD was produced by Kevin Shirley (AEROSMITH, RUSH, IRON MAIDEN).
Formed in 1988, MR. BIG forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original lineup produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres, be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover".
"Evangelion", the 2009 album from Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH, was certified gold by the Polish Society Of The Phonographic Industry (ZPAV) for sales in excess of 15,000 copies.
As previously reported, BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika - The New Gospel Three" DVD (2010) — a three-disc set featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD — was certified platinum in the Poland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.
Commented BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski: "We are proud as fuck! Thank you for all the faith and trust in the band. It can only give us an extra kick to rise higher and brighter in the upcoming years!"
In a 2010 interview with The Metal Forge, Darski stated about how "Evangelion" has been received by the fans and critics alike, "I'm extremely happy. To be honest, I couldn't be happier. The feedback from both media and fans has been nothing but great. It's been awesome. We've fucking storming the charts in Europe, we've dominated some of the polls in some of the biggest magazines. We're like number one in Metal Hammer, in Kerrang!, and some other big magazines… so it's amazing."
When asked if he was satisfied to reach this level of success at this point in BEHEMOTH's's career, Darski said, "Oh yeah, totally. We've worked on that for years, right? I'm really happy to see that it's finally happening. And you know what? To be honest, I'm happy that it's happening now with the ninth record and not with the second or third album, you know what I mean? Because it kinda gives us a new life; it's like a new exciting chapter for us. We've been around for [almost 20] years and sometimes, band's with this much history, they basically repeat themselves, repeat their formula and they don't do anything exciting anymore. We still manage to put out new and exciting music and having new labels and new contracts behind us and the fact that there are so many new people coming into the music and supporting us, it helps out. It's very inspirational. It's awesome!"
BEHEMOTH recently released a video for the song "Lucifer", off "Evangelion". The Grupa 13-directed clip features Polish singer, guitarist, and poet Maciej Malenczuk, who also contributed guest vocals to the track.
As previously reported, BEHEMOTH's "Evangelia Heretika - The New Gospel Three" DVD (2010) — a three-disc set featuring two full shows ("Live In Paris 2008" and "Live In Warsaw 2009"); every BEHEMOTH music video ever made; "Evangelion" tour documentary featuring band interviews plus tons of backstage footage; and a bonus "Live in Warsaw" audio CD — was certified platinum in the Poland for sales in excess of 10,000 copies.
Commented BEHEMOTH guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski: "We are proud as fuck! Thank you for all the faith and trust in the band. It can only give us an extra kick to rise higher and brighter in the upcoming years!"
In a 2010 interview with The Metal Forge, Darski stated about how "Evangelion" has been received by the fans and critics alike, "I'm extremely happy. To be honest, I couldn't be happier. The feedback from both media and fans has been nothing but great. It's been awesome. We've fucking storming the charts in Europe, we've dominated some of the polls in some of the biggest magazines. We're like number one in Metal Hammer, in Kerrang!, and some other big magazines… so it's amazing."
When asked if he was satisfied to reach this level of success at this point in BEHEMOTH's's career, Darski said, "Oh yeah, totally. We've worked on that for years, right? I'm really happy to see that it's finally happening. And you know what? To be honest, I'm happy that it's happening now with the ninth record and not with the second or third album, you know what I mean? Because it kinda gives us a new life; it's like a new exciting chapter for us. We've been around for [almost 20] years and sometimes, band's with this much history, they basically repeat themselves, repeat their formula and they don't do anything exciting anymore. We still manage to put out new and exciting music and having new labels and new contracts behind us and the fact that there are so many new people coming into the music and supporting us, it helps out. It's very inspirational. It's awesome!"
BEHEMOTH recently released a video for the song "Lucifer", off "Evangelion". The Grupa 13-directed clip features Polish singer, guitarist, and poet Maciej Malenczuk, who also contributed guest vocals to the track.
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