Producer Graham King has revealed that the upcoming movie about legendary QUEEN frontman Freddie Mercury has been given the title "Mercury".
Comic and filmmaker Sacha Baron Cohen will portray the British singer in the film focusing on QUEEN's developing years up until the band's historic 1985 Live Aid set.
GK Films ("The Tourist"), Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions and Queen Films are helming the project.
King told DigitalSpy.co.uk: "I can tell you the working title is 'Mercury'. Whether that ends up being the title of the movie, we're not sure yet."
King, who is currently promoting the Martin Scorcese-directed "Hugo", added, "He led such a big life and there's just so much to tell. Then you've got all this fantastic music. You've got to fit that in. It's not an easy one to put together, but I'm pretty confident we'll be shooting that next year."
Comic and filmmaker Sacha Baron Cohen will portray the British singer in the film focusing on QUEEN's developing years up until the band's historic 1985 Live Aid set.
GK Films ("The Tourist"), Robert De Niro's Tribeca Productions and Queen Films are helming the project.
King told DigitalSpy.co.uk: "I can tell you the working title is 'Mercury'. Whether that ends up being the title of the movie, we're not sure yet."
King, who is currently promoting the Martin Scorcese-directed "Hugo", added, "He led such a big life and there's just so much to tell. Then you've got all this fantastic music. You've got to fit that in. It's not an easy one to put together, but I'm pretty confident we'll be shooting that next year."
KISS vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley was interviewed by ABC News' "Nightline" yesterday afternoon (November 30) in Los Angeles regarding his stellar career as one of rock's most preeminent and iconic frontmen.
Esteemed journalist and "Nightline" correspondent Chris Connelly interviewed Paul regarding his recent throat procedure, his highly acclaimed artwork and the exciting year ahead for KISS with the release of a Paul Stanley-produced album and subsequent world tour.
Paul's segment is slated to air in the next two weeks on ABC's national news program "Nightline". Stay tuned for air dates and times.
Esteemed journalist and "Nightline" correspondent Chris Connelly interviewed Paul regarding his recent throat procedure, his highly acclaimed artwork and the exciting year ahead for KISS with the release of a Paul Stanley-produced album and subsequent world tour.
Paul's segment is slated to air in the next two weeks on ABC's national news program "Nightline". Stay tuned for air dates and times.
METALLICA will perform its top-selling 1991 LP, "Metallica", a.k.a. "the black album," in its entirety on June 6, 2012 in Horsens, Denmark at Statsfængsel, a former prison for inmates serving long sentences. Built in 1853, this large building's notable prisoners included former Minister Of Justice Peter Adler Alberti and mass murderer Peter Lundin. As time passed by, the buildings became unfit to serve as a prison and the place was finally shut down in 2006. Now the prison grounds serve as an entertainment venue, where many fairs, festivals and concerts take place.
Tickets for the METALLICA concert will go on sale on December 8 at 10:00 a.m.
On May 1, 2003, METALLICA played a show for inmates at San Quentin State Prison in California after using the prison grounds to film the "St. Anger" video.
METALLICA will perform "the black album" in its entirety at the following European shows:
May 23 - Oslo, Norway - Vallehovin
June 01 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock Im Park
June 02 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
June 06 - Horsens, Denmark - State Prison
June 09 - Donington, England - Download
June 10 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock
Asked why METALLICA decided to do the Download gig, the band's drummer, Lars Ulrich, told Kerrang! magazine, "The people at Download asked. It wasn't our idea.
"The thing is, although we haven't played at Donington for six years, we have been to the U.K. pretty much every single summer since then."
He added, "So they wanted us to do something different, and that's what they came up with. I quite like the fact that come next summer it'll be the 21st anniversary of the 'black album,' not the 20th."
Asked whether he and his bandmates would have to re-learn the two songs from the record — "Don't Tread On Me" and "The Struggle Within" — that METALLICA has never played live before, Lars said,"Yeah. Although to be honest with you, a song like 'The Struggle Within' is a lot easier to re-learn than 'The Frayed Ends Of Sanity'.
"I don't think it's going to be too difficult for us to figure out these songs."
METALLICA's 1991 self-titled fifth album in 2009 surpassed SHANIA TWAIN's 1997 record, "Come On Over", as the best-selling CD of the SoundScan era. To date, the black album has sold 15,720,000 copies in the United States.
Although METALLICA had scored their first radio and video airplay with their previous effort, 1988's "...And Justice For All", the black album was the band's biggest commercial breakthrough, producing five singles and making them into one of the most popular rock bands in the world.
Tickets for the METALLICA concert will go on sale on December 8 at 10:00 a.m.
On May 1, 2003, METALLICA played a show for inmates at San Quentin State Prison in California after using the prison grounds to film the "St. Anger" video.
METALLICA will perform "the black album" in its entirety at the following European shows:
May 23 - Oslo, Norway - Vallehovin
June 01 - Nürnberg, Germany - Rock Im Park
June 02 - Nürburgring, Germany - Rock Am Ring
June 06 - Horsens, Denmark - State Prison
June 09 - Donington, England - Download
June 10 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nova Rock
Asked why METALLICA decided to do the Download gig, the band's drummer, Lars Ulrich, told Kerrang! magazine, "The people at Download asked. It wasn't our idea.
"The thing is, although we haven't played at Donington for six years, we have been to the U.K. pretty much every single summer since then."
He added, "So they wanted us to do something different, and that's what they came up with. I quite like the fact that come next summer it'll be the 21st anniversary of the 'black album,' not the 20th."
Asked whether he and his bandmates would have to re-learn the two songs from the record — "Don't Tread On Me" and "The Struggle Within" — that METALLICA has never played live before, Lars said,"Yeah. Although to be honest with you, a song like 'The Struggle Within' is a lot easier to re-learn than 'The Frayed Ends Of Sanity'.
"I don't think it's going to be too difficult for us to figure out these songs."
METALLICA's 1991 self-titled fifth album in 2009 surpassed SHANIA TWAIN's 1997 record, "Come On Over", as the best-selling CD of the SoundScan era. To date, the black album has sold 15,720,000 copies in the United States.
Although METALLICA had scored their first radio and video airplay with their previous effort, 1988's "...And Justice For All", the black album was the band's biggest commercial breakthrough, producing five singles and making them into one of the most popular rock bands in the world.
Lou Reed and METALLICA have tapped award-winning director Darren Aronofsky to helm a music video for their collaborative track "The View" (not "Iced Honey", as originally reported). The clip, which features scenes that were shot in the San Francisco Bay Area, will make its online debut this Saturday, December 3 at IFC.com. Also involved with the project as director of photography is Aronofsky's cameraman, Matthew Libatique, who has worked on all of Aronofsky's feature releases — which include such Oscar-nominated films as "Black Swan" and "The Wrestler" — and has been a cinematographer for several Spike Lee films.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement that working with Reed and Aronofsky is "living the dream."
He added, "As if making a record with Lou Reed is not enough, now I get to make a video with Darren Aronofsky, who has been among my very favorite filmmakers since his first movie, 'Pi'." Reed, meanwhile, said he hoped that the video would become "his next 'Black Swan'."
"The View" is featured on METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed, titled "Lulu", which has polarized fans around the world and earned the band some of the most scathing reviews of its career. The effort features the former THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman's spoken-word poetry and lyrics combined with METALLICA's musical assault for a jarring experience that doesn't sound like anything METALLICA has ever attempted before. A concept album based on two early 20th century plays by German author Frank Wedekind, the CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
So, do such bad reviews affect the heavy-metal veterans? Drummer Lars Ulrich tells the Hindustan Times, "We have read a lot of reviews. They were quite interesting, as people haven't focused on what the album really is." Vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield adds, "Anyway the album is very special to us and we had a fantastic experience recording it."
The collaboration between METALLICA and Reed was sparked by their performance together of Reed's "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat" at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009.
The songs were all written by Reed with extensive arrangement contributions by METALLICA.
Only two songs on the album are under five minutes in length, while two are more than 11 minutes long and the closing cut, "Junior Dad", clocks in at 19 minutes.
"Lulu" sold just under 1,400 copies copies in the United States in its fourth week of release, bringing the CD's cumulative sales to 20,000. The effort dropped off The Billboard 200 chart after debuting at position No. 36 with first-week sales of 13,000.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich said in a statement that working with Reed and Aronofsky is "living the dream."
He added, "As if making a record with Lou Reed is not enough, now I get to make a video with Darren Aronofsky, who has been among my very favorite filmmakers since his first movie, 'Pi'." Reed, meanwhile, said he hoped that the video would become "his next 'Black Swan'."
"The View" is featured on METALLICA's collaborative album with Lou Reed, titled "Lulu", which has polarized fans around the world and earned the band some of the most scathing reviews of its career. The effort features the former THE VELVET UNDERGROUND frontman's spoken-word poetry and lyrics combined with METALLICA's musical assault for a jarring experience that doesn't sound like anything METALLICA has ever attempted before. A concept album based on two early 20th century plays by German author Frank Wedekind, the CD was co-produced by Reed, METALLICA, Hal Willner — who has produced albums for Reed, Marianne Faithfull, and Laurie Anderson, among others — and Greg Fidelman. Fidelman also mixed the record.
So, do such bad reviews affect the heavy-metal veterans? Drummer Lars Ulrich tells the Hindustan Times, "We have read a lot of reviews. They were quite interesting, as people haven't focused on what the album really is." Vocalist/guitarist James Hetfield adds, "Anyway the album is very special to us and we had a fantastic experience recording it."
The collaboration between METALLICA and Reed was sparked by their performance together of Reed's "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat" at the 25th anniversary of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame at Madison Square Garden in October of 2009.
The songs were all written by Reed with extensive arrangement contributions by METALLICA.
Only two songs on the album are under five minutes in length, while two are more than 11 minutes long and the closing cut, "Junior Dad", clocks in at 19 minutes.
"Lulu" sold just under 1,400 copies copies in the United States in its fourth week of release, bringing the CD's cumulative sales to 20,000. The effort dropped off The Billboard 200 chart after debuting at position No. 36 with first-week sales of 13,000.
Canadian producer Bob Rock, who is best known for his long creative partnership with METALLICA, tells The Canadian Press that he he has enjoyed the freedom to explore different projects since parting ways with the group following the release of 2003's "St. Anger".
"When I was with them, they were kind of all-encompassing," he says of working with METALLICA.
"Their whole trip was so almost draining. And I didn't get a chance to do a lot of other things while I was working with them, so I'm really having a lot of fun."
Rock, who produced METALLICA's smash self-titled '91 album and remains on good terms with the iconic metal group, has only positive things to say when asked whether he'd listened to METALLICA's critically panned collaboration with Lou Reed, "Lulu", which currently has a 41 score on the review aggregator Metacritic.com.
"I'm a huge Lou Reed fan and a huge METALLICA fan ... I know those guys very well, and it sounds like they did what they wanted to do, and I see the art in it," Rock said.
"For METALLICA, I think it's amazingly courageous for them to do a record like this, and to put it out like they did, 'cause they didn't really put out as a side project, they put it out (as) a METALLICA record with Lou Reed. That's really gutsy."
"When I was with them, they were kind of all-encompassing," he says of working with METALLICA.
"Their whole trip was so almost draining. And I didn't get a chance to do a lot of other things while I was working with them, so I'm really having a lot of fun."
Rock, who produced METALLICA's smash self-titled '91 album and remains on good terms with the iconic metal group, has only positive things to say when asked whether he'd listened to METALLICA's critically panned collaboration with Lou Reed, "Lulu", which currently has a 41 score on the review aggregator Metacritic.com.
"I'm a huge Lou Reed fan and a huge METALLICA fan ... I know those guys very well, and it sounds like they did what they wanted to do, and I see the art in it," Rock said.
"For METALLICA, I think it's amazingly courageous for them to do a record like this, and to put it out like they did, 'cause they didn't really put out as a side project, they put it out (as) a METALLICA record with Lou Reed. That's really gutsy."
Legendary guitarist Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) recently completed the first recording session for his upcoming solo album at Barefoot Recording in Hollywood, California with producer Eric Valentine (QUEENS OF STONE AGE, THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS). Joining Slash in the studio were the members of his touring band: vocalist Myles Kennedy (ALTER BRIDGE), rhythm guitarist Bobby Schneck, bassist Todd Kerns (SIN CITY SINNERS, formerly of AGE OF ELECTRIC), and drummer Brent Fitz (formerly of THEORY OF A DEADMAN).
In a brand new update on his official blog, Kerns writes, "I'm back in L.A., two weeks or so into the second chapter of the new Slash record.
"The first three songs we did some time ago are recorded, mixed and mastered.
"'Bad Rain' is a sexy drop-D number with me on eight-string bass and squawking along with Mr. Kennedy.
"'Standing In The Sun' crept up from behind to be my favorite of the three, and if you're gonna listen to 'Halo', make sure you have your home insurance paid up 'cause it'll rip the roof off.
"All of these will be out into the public consciousness in the spring of 2012.
"Myles is out with ALTER BRIDGE tearing up the U.K. right now, so the 3 Amigos — Slash, Fizt and Dammit are hard at it. Yes, I misspelled Fitz on purpose. We call him Fizt as in Fist with a Z. I don't know why. Slash's tech, Jim Survis, named him that.
"Anyway, the three of us with our producer, the über-talented Eric Valentine, have been chipping away at a whole batch of new songs. We plan to record somewhere in the area of 15 songs and chip it back to about 12 for the CD. The extras will end up as B-sides somewhere."
A short video clip from the studio sessions can be viewed below.
Slash played three of the newly recorded songs — "Halo", "Standing In The Sun" and "Bad Rain" — for VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk, who tweeted , "I can tell you the three songs I heard are heavy with killer riffs and vocals. It's the same band that he has been touring with last couple years on the album, and it sounds more cohesive because of it. Really strong!"
In a recent interview, Slash stated about the musicians in his band, "I was really fortunate. When I'd done the [first solo] record, I thought, 'I've gotta tour on this.' And I had to figure how I was gonna actually pull that off. And I set about auditioning musicians in L.A. and I just happened to meet Brent Fitz, who I'd never played before and who is not from Los Angeles; he was one of the guys I auditioned and he was great. And then he introduced me to Todd Kerns, who fit in perfectly. And it turned out to be a great band from the start — definitely worth going in and making a record with."
Valentine previously worked with Slash on the guitarist's self-titled solo album. But "the big difference," according to Slash, will be that Eric is "also gonna be mastering this one" in addition to recording and mixing the CD. "So it's like one-stop shopping, which is pretty cool," the axeman said.
Regarding the musicial direction of his new material and how it compares to last year's self-titled effort, Slash said, "This one's definitely a very focused… Very hard. Some of it's very heavy. It's got sort of a more unified sound to it, especially with one vocal all throughout."
In a brand new update on his official blog, Kerns writes, "I'm back in L.A., two weeks or so into the second chapter of the new Slash record.
"The first three songs we did some time ago are recorded, mixed and mastered.
"'Bad Rain' is a sexy drop-D number with me on eight-string bass and squawking along with Mr. Kennedy.
"'Standing In The Sun' crept up from behind to be my favorite of the three, and if you're gonna listen to 'Halo', make sure you have your home insurance paid up 'cause it'll rip the roof off.
"All of these will be out into the public consciousness in the spring of 2012.
"Myles is out with ALTER BRIDGE tearing up the U.K. right now, so the 3 Amigos — Slash, Fizt and Dammit are hard at it. Yes, I misspelled Fitz on purpose. We call him Fizt as in Fist with a Z. I don't know why. Slash's tech, Jim Survis, named him that.
"Anyway, the three of us with our producer, the über-talented Eric Valentine, have been chipping away at a whole batch of new songs. We plan to record somewhere in the area of 15 songs and chip it back to about 12 for the CD. The extras will end up as B-sides somewhere."
A short video clip from the studio sessions can be viewed below.
Slash played three of the newly recorded songs — "Halo", "Standing In The Sun" and "Bad Rain" — for VH1 Classic "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk, who tweeted , "I can tell you the three songs I heard are heavy with killer riffs and vocals. It's the same band that he has been touring with last couple years on the album, and it sounds more cohesive because of it. Really strong!"
In a recent interview, Slash stated about the musicians in his band, "I was really fortunate. When I'd done the [first solo] record, I thought, 'I've gotta tour on this.' And I had to figure how I was gonna actually pull that off. And I set about auditioning musicians in L.A. and I just happened to meet Brent Fitz, who I'd never played before and who is not from Los Angeles; he was one of the guys I auditioned and he was great. And then he introduced me to Todd Kerns, who fit in perfectly. And it turned out to be a great band from the start — definitely worth going in and making a record with."
Valentine previously worked with Slash on the guitarist's self-titled solo album. But "the big difference," according to Slash, will be that Eric is "also gonna be mastering this one" in addition to recording and mixing the CD. "So it's like one-stop shopping, which is pretty cool," the axeman said.
Regarding the musicial direction of his new material and how it compares to last year's self-titled effort, Slash said, "This one's definitely a very focused… Very hard. Some of it's very heavy. It's got sort of a more unified sound to it, especially with one vocal all throughout."
British rock legends UFO will release their new album, "Seven Deadly", on February 28, 2012 (one day earlier internationally) via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort, which was recorded with producer Tommy Newton at his Area 51 studio in Celle, Germany, will be made available as a limited-edition digipack (including two bonus tracks), a double gatefold LP with printed innersleeves and colored vinyl, standard-edition CD and as a digital download.
According to a press release, "Seven Deadly" is "an atmospherically dense fabric consisting of classy guitars, tight rock grooves and vocals which are unique to UFO. The classic rock of 'Burn Your House Down' features all the important UFO strengths, 'Going Down To Mojotown' sees the musicians sound tougher than ever, and last but not least, 'Wonderland' features a pointed reference to UFO's early days. 'Angel Station' sees the band prove how classic rock music is complemented perfectly with epic elements, while 'Fight Night' is an excellent track to be performed in a live context."
UFO's latest best-of collection, "Best Of A Decade", was released in North America on September 28, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer.
The band's most recent studio album, "The Visitor", came out in June 2009.
The current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums), as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore.
Pictured below at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany (from left to right): Peter Knorn (manager, UFO), Tommy Newton (sound engineer), Olly Hahn (A&R, Steamhammer), Phil Mogg (singer, UFO)
According to a press release, "Seven Deadly" is "an atmospherically dense fabric consisting of classy guitars, tight rock grooves and vocals which are unique to UFO. The classic rock of 'Burn Your House Down' features all the important UFO strengths, 'Going Down To Mojotown' sees the musicians sound tougher than ever, and last but not least, 'Wonderland' features a pointed reference to UFO's early days. 'Angel Station' sees the band prove how classic rock music is complemented perfectly with epic elements, while 'Fight Night' is an excellent track to be performed in a live context."
UFO's latest best-of collection, "Best Of A Decade", was released in North America on September 28, 2010 via SPV/Steamhammer.
The band's most recent studio album, "The Visitor", came out in June 2009.
The current lineup continues to consist of the three original members, Phil Mogg (vocals), Paul Raymond (guitar, keyboards), and Andy Parker (drums), as well as American world-class guitarist Vinnie Moore.
Pictured below at Area 51 studios in Celle, Germany (from left to right): Peter Knorn (manager, UFO), Tommy Newton (sound engineer), Olly Hahn (A&R, Steamhammer), Phil Mogg (singer, UFO)
Although it was strongly hinted that VAN HALEN would make a "special announcement" on November 30 at the Grammy Awards nominations concert, the event came and went without the band making an appearance.
Grammy organizers had been promising for weeks that Wednesday's televised concert would feature "a special live announcement from a truly iconic group regarding their historic reunion set to take place on the Grammy stage on February 12, 2012."
The official Grammy Twitter feed followed the announcement in early November with a message saying "Does this hint make u wanna 'Jump' and 'Dance the Night Away'?" — the titles of two of VAN HALEN's biggest hits.
According to Reuters.com, The Recording Academy president Neil Portnow declined to confirm speculation that VAN HALEN was the band in question but told reporters on Wednesday that those concerned were not ready to go public.
"In the world of creativity, everything is fluid," he said. "In the process of discussions that we had been having with an expectation that perhaps we would be at a point tonight where the artist involved and we, moving forward, would be ready to announce [a reunion], they weren't quite at that point. So it's live television, we go on to the next act. It's rock and roll and so on. That being said, we were genuine about the intention and we are genuine about the discussion."
The first photo of the four members of VAN HALEN and their new partners at the Interscope label can be seen below.
Why did VAN HALEN back out of a deal with Columbia Records and sign with Interscope at the last minute? According to The Hollywood Reporter, singer David Lee Roth was the deciding factor. Roth, who has separate management, legal representation and accountants from the rest of the group, apparently wanted to sign with a label based on the West Coast. A source said, "He was never on board (with Columbia). It was as complicated as anyone would imagine, when one side says black, the other says white. The label was pretty skeptical that things would work out."
In stepped Interscope and its parent company Universal Music "at the 11th hour." While Columbia's main operation is located in New York, Interscope is based in Los Angeles and presented the band with "a global plan that included extensive marketing, merchandising, touring and, of course, recordings."
The rest of VAN HALEN — guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen — wanted to keep Roth happy as well. He rejoined the group in 2007 after 23 years apart.
The deal was finalized two weeks ago and marks the first time VAN HALEN has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
The new VAN HALEN album, its first with Roth since 1984 was released on the last day of 1983, will reportedly come out in 2012, possibly in February.
Captured at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California on November 14, 2011 are (left to right) Alex Van Halen; Wolfgang Van Halen; Eddie Van Halen; Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and Chairman and CEO of the Front Line Management Group; Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; David Lee Roth; and Jim Urie, President and CEO, Universal Music Group Distribution.
Grammy organizers had been promising for weeks that Wednesday's televised concert would feature "a special live announcement from a truly iconic group regarding their historic reunion set to take place on the Grammy stage on February 12, 2012."
The official Grammy Twitter feed followed the announcement in early November with a message saying "Does this hint make u wanna 'Jump' and 'Dance the Night Away'?" — the titles of two of VAN HALEN's biggest hits.
According to Reuters.com, The Recording Academy president Neil Portnow declined to confirm speculation that VAN HALEN was the band in question but told reporters on Wednesday that those concerned were not ready to go public.
"In the world of creativity, everything is fluid," he said. "In the process of discussions that we had been having with an expectation that perhaps we would be at a point tonight where the artist involved and we, moving forward, would be ready to announce [a reunion], they weren't quite at that point. So it's live television, we go on to the next act. It's rock and roll and so on. That being said, we were genuine about the intention and we are genuine about the discussion."
The first photo of the four members of VAN HALEN and their new partners at the Interscope label can be seen below.
Why did VAN HALEN back out of a deal with Columbia Records and sign with Interscope at the last minute? According to The Hollywood Reporter, singer David Lee Roth was the deciding factor. Roth, who has separate management, legal representation and accountants from the rest of the group, apparently wanted to sign with a label based on the West Coast. A source said, "He was never on board (with Columbia). It was as complicated as anyone would imagine, when one side says black, the other says white. The label was pretty skeptical that things would work out."
In stepped Interscope and its parent company Universal Music "at the 11th hour." While Columbia's main operation is located in New York, Interscope is based in Los Angeles and presented the band with "a global plan that included extensive marketing, merchandising, touring and, of course, recordings."
The rest of VAN HALEN — guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen — wanted to keep Roth happy as well. He rejoined the group in 2007 after 23 years apart.
The deal was finalized two weeks ago and marks the first time VAN HALEN has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
The new VAN HALEN album, its first with Roth since 1984 was released on the last day of 1983, will reportedly come out in 2012, possibly in February.
Captured at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, California on November 14, 2011 are (left to right) Alex Van Halen; Wolfgang Van Halen; Eddie Van Halen; Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and Chairman and CEO of the Front Line Management Group; Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; David Lee Roth; and Jim Urie, President and CEO, Universal Music Group Distribution.
Versailles Records will release "Take Your Whiskey Home: A Millennium Tribute To Van Halen - 1977-1984" next year.
The compilation will feature cover versions of David Lee Roth-era HALEN classics as well as songs from the band's forthcoming reunion album with Roth.
"Take Your Whiskey Home: A Millennium Tribute to Van Halen - 1977-1984" will feature performances from current/former members of AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE, BADLANDS, RATT, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, QUIET RIOT, VANILLA FUDGE, and others to be announced, in addition to a number of up-and-coming, "millennium-era rock and metal bands" from around the world who grew up on the classic HALEN catalog.
The compilation will feature cover versions of David Lee Roth-era HALEN classics as well as songs from the band's forthcoming reunion album with Roth.
"Take Your Whiskey Home: A Millennium Tribute to Van Halen - 1977-1984" will feature performances from current/former members of AEROSMITH, OZZY OSBOURNE, BADLANDS, RATT, DIO, BLACK SABBATH, QUIET RIOT, VANILLA FUDGE, and others to be announced, in addition to a number of up-and-coming, "millennium-era rock and metal bands" from around the world who grew up on the classic HALEN catalog.
MÖTLEY CRÜE will make a "big announcement" during an appearance on tonight's (December 1) edition of "Piers Morgan Tonight", the nightly hourlong show that replaced "Larry King Live" on CNN in January. Tune in at 9 p.m. Eastern/6 p.m. Pacific to see it. Until then, the band is revealing some clues. The fourth one can be seen below. The three red letters spell out "sin," as a reference to Las Vegas, Nevada, which is commonly known as "Sin City" due to the popularity of legalized gambling, availability of alcoholic beverages at any time, and its tolerance of various forms of "adult entertainment", mainly prostitution and strip clubs.
According to Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun, MÖTLEY CRÜE will become the first hard rock band to sign a short-term residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The CRÜE is rumored to be playing a nearly monthlong series of three-and four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino starting at the end of February.
Ten years ago, MÖTLEY CRÜE's biography, "The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band" — penned with collaborator extraordinaire Neil Strauss — set a new bar for rock 'n' roll memoirs. A runaway bestseller and genuine cultural phenomenon, this turbocharged blockbuster is still flying off shelves a decade after its initial publication.
The book takes readers along for the whole wild ride of MÖTLEY CRÜE — the voice of a barely pubescent Generation X, the anointed high priests of backward-masking pentagram rock, pioneers of Hollywood glam, and the creators of MTV's first "power ballad." Their sex lives claimed celebrities from Heather Locklear to Pamela Anderson to Donna D'Errico. Their scuffles involved everyone from Axl Rose to 2LiveCrew. Their hobbies include collecting automatic weapons, cultivating long arrest records, pushing the envelope of conceivable drug abuse, and dreaming up backstage antics that would make Ozzy Osbourne blanch with modesty.
Now, in time for MÖTLEY's 30th anniversary — and a new tour! — comes a deluxe collector's hardcover edition of the book, complete with a dazzling new effects-laden cover and all-new extra material from the band inside.
The deluxe collector's hardcover edition of "The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band" was made available on December 6 via It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
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According to Robin Leach of the Las Vegas Sun, MÖTLEY CRÜE will become the first hard rock band to sign a short-term residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The CRÜE is rumored to be playing a nearly monthlong series of three-and four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino starting at the end of February.
Ten years ago, MÖTLEY CRÜE's biography, "The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band" — penned with collaborator extraordinaire Neil Strauss — set a new bar for rock 'n' roll memoirs. A runaway bestseller and genuine cultural phenomenon, this turbocharged blockbuster is still flying off shelves a decade after its initial publication.
The book takes readers along for the whole wild ride of MÖTLEY CRÜE — the voice of a barely pubescent Generation X, the anointed high priests of backward-masking pentagram rock, pioneers of Hollywood glam, and the creators of MTV's first "power ballad." Their sex lives claimed celebrities from Heather Locklear to Pamela Anderson to Donna D'Errico. Their scuffles involved everyone from Axl Rose to 2LiveCrew. Their hobbies include collecting automatic weapons, cultivating long arrest records, pushing the envelope of conceivable drug abuse, and dreaming up backstage antics that would make Ozzy Osbourne blanch with modesty.
Now, in time for MÖTLEY's 30th anniversary — and a new tour! — comes a deluxe collector's hardcover edition of the book, complete with a dazzling new effects-laden cover and all-new extra material from the band inside.
The deluxe collector's hardcover edition of "The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band" was made available on December 6 via It Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
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The members of MÖTLEY CRÜE confirmed during an appearance on tonight's (December 1) edition of "Piers Morgan Tonight" that they will become the first hard rock band to sign a short-term residency at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. The CRÜE will play a three-week series of three-and four-night concerts a week at the off-Strip casino starting on February 3.
Said vocalist Vince Neil: "We're the first hard rock band ever to have a residency [in Las Vegas]. There's been bands like SANTANA and ELTON JOHN and these kinds of acts, but for us… MÖTLEY CRÜE, we're all about theater and about over-the-top stage show, so it's a perfect fit for us. So we're really, really excited."
To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com and use presale code "SIN13."
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which kicked off on June 24 and wrapped in August — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
Said vocalist Vince Neil: "We're the first hard rock band ever to have a residency [in Las Vegas]. There's been bands like SANTANA and ELTON JOHN and these kinds of acts, but for us… MÖTLEY CRÜE, we're all about theater and about over-the-top stage show, so it's a perfect fit for us. So we're really, really excited."
To purchase tickets, go to Ticketmaster.com and use presale code "SIN13."
MÖTLEY CRÜE wrapped one of summer's biggest rock tours as headliners and honorees for the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF) live on Sunset Boulevard on August 20. The show, a combination of classic hit songs, massive pyro and fireworks displays, state-of-the-art sound and visual effects — including "The 360" drum coaster, with electronic music sensation deadmau5 joining Tommy Lee for a ride — rocked over 15,000 fans. It marked the largest crowd ever for the SSMF.
MÖTLEY CRÜE's summer trek landed the group on the Billboard "Hot Tours" chart six times since the tour launch, marking it as one of the legendary rock group's most successful tours to date. The 48-city trek tour — which kicked off on June 24 and wrapped in August — was one of the summer's highest grossing, packing amphitheaters and arenas all summer long, drawing half a million fans.
According to TheWrap.com, MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee is being sued by his former assistant for defamation and failure to pay overtime, among other claims.
Michael Anthony Sullivan, who claims to have worked as Lee's "procurer, Man Friday, chauffeur, guide, bookkeeper, attendant, door-keeper, agent, butler, valet, attendant, cook, shopper, nanny, bodyguard, maid, nurse and nursemaid" from January 2005 to March 2011, filed a lawsuit against Lee and Lee's company, Mayhem Touring, in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday, claiming that he was worked virtually around the clock, and that Lee made improper deductions from the assistant's paycheck. The disgruntled assistant also asserts that after he was terminated, he was hired to become the tour manager for BUSH, but lost the job because of "Lee's defamatory statements and interference."
"Lee found Sullivan so useful that he required him to stay at his residence so that he was always available for service," the suit says. "However, after requiring Sullivan to stay at the home and obtaining the benefits of Sullivan's presence in his home, in 2009, Lee began deducting $1,000 from his wages every month for 'rent.'"
Michael Anthony Sullivan, who claims to have worked as Lee's "procurer, Man Friday, chauffeur, guide, bookkeeper, attendant, door-keeper, agent, butler, valet, attendant, cook, shopper, nanny, bodyguard, maid, nurse and nursemaid" from January 2005 to March 2011, filed a lawsuit against Lee and Lee's company, Mayhem Touring, in Los Angeles Superior Court Wednesday, claiming that he was worked virtually around the clock, and that Lee made improper deductions from the assistant's paycheck. The disgruntled assistant also asserts that after he was terminated, he was hired to become the tour manager for BUSH, but lost the job because of "Lee's defamatory statements and interference."
"Lee found Sullivan so useful that he required him to stay at his residence so that he was always available for service," the suit says. "However, after requiring Sullivan to stay at the home and obtaining the benefits of Sullivan's presence in his home, in 2009, Lee began deducting $1,000 from his wages every month for 'rent.'"
Progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER are among the nominees for the 54th annual Grammy Awards, which will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Commented the band: "2011 has been quite an amazing year for us. We watched 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' — our eleventh studio album — enter the Top Ten in 14 countries around the world, including the U.S. And now we land our first-ever Grammy nomination [for the song 'On The Backs Of Angels' in the 'Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance' category]. It's the icing on the cake — we're honored and thrilled, no doubt about it. It took us a while to receive this Grammy attention — and we've done it on our own terms musically, so it feels particularly sweet.
"What keeps you going as a musician is the love and support from the fans — they are always there for us on this crazy adventure. So we give them a big shout-out as we celebrate our Grammy nomination.
"See you all on the road… and let's all keep dreaming big."
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced last night (Wednesday, November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
Commented the band: "2011 has been quite an amazing year for us. We watched 'A Dramatic Turn Of Events' — our eleventh studio album — enter the Top Ten in 14 countries around the world, including the U.S. And now we land our first-ever Grammy nomination [for the song 'On The Backs Of Angels' in the 'Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance' category]. It's the icing on the cake — we're honored and thrilled, no doubt about it. It took us a while to receive this Grammy attention — and we've done it on our own terms musically, so it feels particularly sweet.
"What keeps you going as a musician is the love and support from the fans — they are always there for us on this crazy adventure. So we give them a big shout-out as we celebrate our Grammy nomination.
"See you all on the road… and let's all keep dreaming big."
The nominees in the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance" category are as follows:
* DREAM THEATER - "On The Backs Of Angels"
* FOO FIGHTERS - White Limo"
* MASTODON - "Curl Of The Burl"
* MEGADETH - "Public Enemy No. 1"
* SUM 41 - "Blood In My Eyes"
CHICKENFOOT "III" art director Todd Gallopo was nominated in the "Best Recording Package" category.
To be eligible for nomination, an artist's work must have been released between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011.
Nominations for the 54th annual Grammy Awards were announced last night (Wednesday, November 30) by The Recording Academy and reflected an eclectic mix of the best and brightest in music over the past year, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. For the fourth year, nominations for the annual Grammy Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night", a one-hour special broadcast live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live.
The 54th annual Grammy Awards will be held on "Grammy Sunday," February 12, 2012, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy has confirmed to U.K.'s Terrorizer magazine that drummer Paul Bostaph has left the band.
Due to a "serious injury," Bostaph was absent from the recording sessions for TESTAMENT's new album, "The Dark Roots Of Earth", which is scheduled for release on April 27, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. He was replaced in the studio by Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (ex-DARK ANGEL, ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK), who also sat behind the kit for select dates on TESTAMENT's recent North American tour with ANTHRAX.
"We just found our last week Paul Bostaph is not coming back to the band, he's starting his own new project and doing some things on his own," Billy told Terrorizer. "So we're actually going to be holding a couple of auditions with probably small group of drummers that we chose — we don't want to have a revolving drum stool, we have a new record we want a permanent drummer."
According to Chuck, the split with Bostaph is amicable. "We're still buddies," he said. "It's just that Paul feels at this point in his career he wants to be in a little more in control of the artistic creation of the songs and with his new project, they are all involved with that process whereas with our group, Eric [Peterson, guitar] is pretty much the main songwriter and that's just the way its been with us for 25 years."
LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler plays on one track on "The Dark Roots Of Earth", which was helmed by veteran British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY).
Bostaph is currently focusing on BLACKGATES, the new East San Francisco Bay Area/New York metal outfit also featuring former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson, guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Uriah Duffy (WHITESNAKE). The group was scheduled to enter the studio last month to start pre-production on its forthcoming debut album.
Bostaph previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, "Our sound is drawn from all of our influences. Mostly, we don't want to be a thrash metal band, although we draw from that genre as well. There is something in our music for everyone. Heavy grooves, good hooks and Dan's killer pipes. I think we have an independent sound that will stand on its own."
In a September 9 interview with the "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk on the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone, Bostaph stated about the "serious injury" which has forced him to sit out the recording sessions for TESTAMENT's new studio album and not be able to take part in any touring activities with the band, "I have a rehearsal studio of my own, and [back in March] I finished rehearsing and there was some equipment stacked around my drum set that, when I rehearse sometimes, I keep that studio a little dark… which is always good except for when you can't see what you are walking around. And I tripped over some stuff on the floor, fell, and subsequently, a couple of hours later, I had a lump on my wrist. I wasn't sure what it was and I went into physical therapy and the lump had caused tendonitis, so it kept me off the drum set for a while. And I just have had the lump removed. And what it turned out to be was I was born with what they call an extensor muscle that was attached to my index finger of my right hand, which is an extra muscle. They removed the muscle, the tendonitis is gone. Now I'm just recovering from the surgery, so as soon as I do that, I'll be back behind the kit again."
When asked about when fans can expect to see him back behind the hit, Paul said, "As soon as I'm ready to play. Basically, the tendonitis problem is gone; it was the result of the 'mini-me' that was in my wrist. The tendonitis that was caused from that is gone, but now they had to make an incision in my wrist, and because of that, anytime you get an incision, scar tissue develops after the surgery. So the scar issue is around all my tendons, and that has to be broken up through physical therapy, which is now happening. I'm getting my range of motion back, and after I get my range of motion back, then I get my strength back, and as soon as I get the confidence to start playing behind the kit, which is all repetitive motion. When you've got scar tissue surrounding tendons, and it's really tight and you try to push it, and you start doing any kind of a repetitive-motion exercise, which would be drumming, you could make whatever you were trying to fix, like, worse, or permanent. I've been getting timetables [from doctors] ever since I injured [my wrist], and they never turn out. The last time I saw my doctor, the doctor said, 'Take up the sticks whenever you're ready.' So as soon as I feel healthy enough and I'm confident that my wrist feels good, then I'll start picking up the sticks again and I'll start playing. I'm a very physical player, so there's only one way I know how to play, and if I can't do that, then that's just not playing drums to me. So I'm just gonna take my time."
Due to a "serious injury," Bostaph was absent from the recording sessions for TESTAMENT's new album, "The Dark Roots Of Earth", which is scheduled for release on April 27, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. He was replaced in the studio by Gene "The Atomic Clock" Hoglan (ex-DARK ANGEL, ex-STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, FEAR FACTORY, DETHKLOK), who also sat behind the kit for select dates on TESTAMENT's recent North American tour with ANTHRAX.
"We just found our last week Paul Bostaph is not coming back to the band, he's starting his own new project and doing some things on his own," Billy told Terrorizer. "So we're actually going to be holding a couple of auditions with probably small group of drummers that we chose — we don't want to have a revolving drum stool, we have a new record we want a permanent drummer."
According to Chuck, the split with Bostaph is amicable. "We're still buddies," he said. "It's just that Paul feels at this point in his career he wants to be in a little more in control of the artistic creation of the songs and with his new project, they are all involved with that process whereas with our group, Eric [Peterson, guitar] is pretty much the main songwriter and that's just the way its been with us for 25 years."
LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler plays on one track on "The Dark Roots Of Earth", which was helmed by veteran British producer Andy Sneap (MEGADETH, EXODUS, NEVERMORE, MACHINE HEAD, ARCH ENEMY).
Bostaph is currently focusing on BLACKGATES, the new East San Francisco Bay Area/New York metal outfit also featuring former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson, guitarist Jeremy Epp (THE VENTING MACHINE) and bassist Uriah Duffy (WHITESNAKE). The group was scheduled to enter the studio last month to start pre-production on its forthcoming debut album.
Bostaph previously stated about BLACKGATES's musical direction, "Our sound is drawn from all of our influences. Mostly, we don't want to be a thrash metal band, although we draw from that genre as well. There is something in our music for everyone. Heavy grooves, good hooks and Dan's killer pipes. I think we have an independent sound that will stand on its own."
In a September 9 interview with the "Metal Zone" host Nikki Blakk on the San Francisco, California radio station 107.7 The Bone, Bostaph stated about the "serious injury" which has forced him to sit out the recording sessions for TESTAMENT's new studio album and not be able to take part in any touring activities with the band, "I have a rehearsal studio of my own, and [back in March] I finished rehearsing and there was some equipment stacked around my drum set that, when I rehearse sometimes, I keep that studio a little dark… which is always good except for when you can't see what you are walking around. And I tripped over some stuff on the floor, fell, and subsequently, a couple of hours later, I had a lump on my wrist. I wasn't sure what it was and I went into physical therapy and the lump had caused tendonitis, so it kept me off the drum set for a while. And I just have had the lump removed. And what it turned out to be was I was born with what they call an extensor muscle that was attached to my index finger of my right hand, which is an extra muscle. They removed the muscle, the tendonitis is gone. Now I'm just recovering from the surgery, so as soon as I do that, I'll be back behind the kit again."
When asked about when fans can expect to see him back behind the hit, Paul said, "As soon as I'm ready to play. Basically, the tendonitis problem is gone; it was the result of the 'mini-me' that was in my wrist. The tendonitis that was caused from that is gone, but now they had to make an incision in my wrist, and because of that, anytime you get an incision, scar tissue develops after the surgery. So the scar issue is around all my tendons, and that has to be broken up through physical therapy, which is now happening. I'm getting my range of motion back, and after I get my range of motion back, then I get my strength back, and as soon as I get the confidence to start playing behind the kit, which is all repetitive motion. When you've got scar tissue surrounding tendons, and it's really tight and you try to push it, and you start doing any kind of a repetitive-motion exercise, which would be drumming, you could make whatever you were trying to fix, like, worse, or permanent. I've been getting timetables [from doctors] ever since I injured [my wrist], and they never turn out. The last time I saw my doctor, the doctor said, 'Take up the sticks whenever you're ready.' So as soon as I feel healthy enough and I'm confident that my wrist feels good, then I'll start picking up the sticks again and I'll start playing. I'm a very physical player, so there's only one way I know how to play, and if I can't do that, then that's just not playing drums to me. So I'm just gonna take my time."
German metallers RAGE entered Twilight Hall Studio in Grefrath, Germany last month to begin recording their 21st studio album, titled "21", for February 24, 2012 release via Nuclear Blast Records. The recordings were once again helmed by Charlie Bauerfeind, who has previously worked with SAXON, BLIND GUARDIAN, HAMMERFALL and HELLOWEEN, among others. Songtitles set to appear on the 10-track CD include "Psycho Terror", "Forever Dead", "Twenty One", "Serial Killer", "Concrete Wall" and "Death Romantic".
Check out descriptions of all the above-mentioned tracks at Rage-On.de.
Commented guitarist Victor Smolski: "The songs of '21' are even better than they sounded in the rehearsal room. Everything is real powerful and aggressive and has got much more energy and the necessary aggression. I have taken much time for the soundcheck and took lots of effort for the arrangements.
"I think '21' is the best-arranged album concerning interaction of guitar, bass and drum playing that RAGE has done in recent years.
"As a producer I have a big responsibility, but after 10 years of working together with Charlie Bauerfeind, it's always getting easier; we understand each other blind, so to say.
"I'm very happy with the performances of Peavy [Peter 'Peavy' Wagner, abss/vocals] and André [Hilgers, drums] (so evil you haven't heard Peavy before), with my guitar work I'm also really satisfied, I've tried to implement the best I can momentarily.
"The concept of the album has become really round, all songs are completely rounded, hard, aggressive, no 'happy metal melodies,' but nevertheless varying. My favorite song: 'Forever Dead', something between 'Kill Your Gods' and 'Down'."
RAGE will embark on the "Metal Firestorm 2012" headlining tour with support from TÝR and COMMUNIC in March/April.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Check out descriptions of all the above-mentioned tracks at Rage-On.de.
Commented guitarist Victor Smolski: "The songs of '21' are even better than they sounded in the rehearsal room. Everything is real powerful and aggressive and has got much more energy and the necessary aggression. I have taken much time for the soundcheck and took lots of effort for the arrangements.
"I think '21' is the best-arranged album concerning interaction of guitar, bass and drum playing that RAGE has done in recent years.
"As a producer I have a big responsibility, but after 10 years of working together with Charlie Bauerfeind, it's always getting easier; we understand each other blind, so to say.
"I'm very happy with the performances of Peavy [Peter 'Peavy' Wagner, abss/vocals] and André [Hilgers, drums] (so evil you haven't heard Peavy before), with my guitar work I'm also really satisfied, I've tried to implement the best I can momentarily.
"The concept of the album has become really round, all songs are completely rounded, hard, aggressive, no 'happy metal melodies,' but nevertheless varying. My favorite song: 'Forever Dead', something between 'Kill Your Gods' and 'Down'."
RAGE will embark on the "Metal Firestorm 2012" headlining tour with support from TÝR and COMMUNIC in March/April.
RAGE's latest CD, "Strings To A Web", was released in February 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
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SABATON, KAMELOT, EXODUS, PRIMORDIAL, PRIMAL FEAR, ARMORED SAINT, ORDEN OGAN, MOONSORROW, WARBRINGER and SUICIDAL ANGELS have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Bang Your Head!!! festival, set to take place July 13-14, 2012 in Balingen, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ARCH ENEMY
ARMORED SAINT
ATLANTEAN KODEX
EXODUS
KAMELOT
MOONSORROW
ORDEN OGAN
PRIMAL FEAR
PRIMORDIAL
SABATON
SISTER
SUICIDAL ANGELS
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
VANDERBUYST
WARBRINGER
For more information, visit Bang-Your-Head.de.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ARCH ENEMY
ARMORED SAINT
ATLANTEAN KODEX
EXODUS
KAMELOT
MOONSORROW
ORDEN OGAN
PRIMAL FEAR
PRIMORDIAL
SABATON
SISTER
SUICIDAL ANGELS
THE DEVIL'S BLOOD
VANDERBUYST
WARBRINGER
For more information, visit Bang-Your-Head.de.
Melbourne, Australia-based power trio CONTRIVE will support CAVALERA CONSPIRACY on the following dates:
Jan. 27 - ANU Bar - Canberra, Australia
Jan. 28 - Metro Theatre - Sydney, Australia
Feb. 01 - Billboard - Melbourne, Australia
CONTRIVE's second album, "The Internal Dialogue", is available in Australia at all JB Hi Fi and independent stores through MGM Distribution or iTunes worldwide. The first pressing was a limited-edition hand-numbered digipack — limited to 500 copies only — which was made available through the band's MySpace page for fans outside of Australia.
Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) handled the mixing duties on "The Internal Dialogue" in August 2009, with drummer Andrew Haug sitting in on the process at Studio D in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Commented Devin Townsend: "I've known the Haug brothers for some time, and I have to say that this record is leagues ahead of their previous material, which was already great. They've got a cool message and a sense of dynamics on this album which I think will give people the cause to take notice. Organic and honest."
Jan. 27 - ANU Bar - Canberra, Australia
Jan. 28 - Metro Theatre - Sydney, Australia
Feb. 01 - Billboard - Melbourne, Australia
CONTRIVE's second album, "The Internal Dialogue", is available in Australia at all JB Hi Fi and independent stores through MGM Distribution or iTunes worldwide. The first pressing was a limited-edition hand-numbered digipack — limited to 500 copies only — which was made available through the band's MySpace page for fans outside of Australia.
Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) handled the mixing duties on "The Internal Dialogue" in August 2009, with drummer Andrew Haug sitting in on the process at Studio D in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Commented Devin Townsend: "I've known the Haug brothers for some time, and I have to say that this record is leagues ahead of their previous material, which was already great. They've got a cool message and a sense of dynamics on this album which I think will give people the cause to take notice. Organic and honest."
Andrew Haug has been hosting Triple J's weekly national metal program "The Racket" (formerly "Full Metal Racket") since 2001. He is a longtime metalhead who has conducted interviews with such greats as METALLICA, TOOL, PANTERA, SLAYER, OZZY OSBOURNE and more.
INTO ETERNITY and SUFFOCATION are among the confirmed bands for the 11th edition of the Manitoba Metalfest, set to take place February 24-25 at The Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Friday, February 24:
INTO ETERNITY
LEGION OF LIQUOR
SEVENTH SIN
ANNEX THEORY
Saturday, February 25:
SUFFOCATION
UNTIMELY DEMISE
DISSOLUTION
HOARFROST
ALPHAKILL
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
Friday, February 24:
INTO ETERNITY
LEGION OF LIQUOR
SEVENTH SIN
ANNEX THEORY
Saturday, February 25:
SUFFOCATION
UNTIMELY DEMISE
DISSOLUTION
HOARFROST
ALPHAKILL
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TRIPTYKON and ONE TAIL, ONE HEAD have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Inferno festival, set to take place April 4-7, 2012 at the Rockefeller and John Dee venues in Oslo, Norway.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ABSU
AGALLOCH
ANAAL NATHRAKH
ARCTURUS
BORKNAGAR
CHURCH OF MISERY
EINHERJER
ONE TAIL, ONE HEAD
SÓLSTAFIR
TRIPTYKON
TSJUDER
VESEN
WITCHERY
The Inferno metal festival has become a true black Easter tradition for metal fans, bands and music industry from all over the world with nearly 50 concerts every year since the start back in 2001. The festival offers exclusive concerts in unique surroundings with some of the best extreme metal bands and experimental artists in the world, from the new and underground to the legendary giants. At Inferno you meet up with fellow metalheads for four days of head banging, party, black-metal sightseeing and expos, horror films, art exhibitions and all the unholy treats your dark heart desires.
For more information, visit www.infernofestival.net.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ABSU
AGALLOCH
ANAAL NATHRAKH
ARCTURUS
BORKNAGAR
CHURCH OF MISERY
EINHERJER
ONE TAIL, ONE HEAD
SÓLSTAFIR
TRIPTYKON
TSJUDER
VESEN
WITCHERY
The Inferno metal festival has become a true black Easter tradition for metal fans, bands and music industry from all over the world with nearly 50 concerts every year since the start back in 2001. The festival offers exclusive concerts in unique surroundings with some of the best extreme metal bands and experimental artists in the world, from the new and underground to the legendary giants. At Inferno you meet up with fellow metalheads for four days of head banging, party, black-metal sightseeing and expos, horror films, art exhibitions and all the unholy treats your dark heart desires.
For more information, visit www.infernofestival.net.
Dutch symphonic metallers EPICA have set "Requiem For The Indifferent" as the title of their fifth full-length album, due on March 9, 2012 via Nuclear Blast Records. The CD was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany under the watchful eye of Sascha Paeth.
Commented the band: "This title refers to the end of an era. Mankind can no longer stick their head in the sand for the things that are happening around us. We are facing many challenges. There is an enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and a huge financial crisis, which is getting out of control. More than ever we will need each other to overcome these problems. As we are all connected; the universe, earth, nature, animals and human beings, this period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don't want to, or simply won't see it. 'A Requiem For The Indifferent', but also a possibility for a new beginning with great new chances!"
A CD-release party for the new EPICA album will be held on March 16, 2012 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands.
Commented the band: "As our previous CD presentation ('Design Your Universe' at Paradiso in Amsterdam) sold out in advance, we have decided to play the next one in a slightly bigger club."
EPICA will play the new album in its entirety, along with some older tracks, during the more-than-two-hour event. Pyrotechnics and special show elements will be added as well.
EPICA's last album, "Design Your Universe", landed at position No. 12 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"This Is The Time", the latest single from EPICA, was released digitally on October 15, 2010. A video for the song, which was written for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), was filmed in March 2010 was in Hilversum, The Netherlands.
Commented the band: "This title refers to the end of an era. Mankind can no longer stick their head in the sand for the things that are happening around us. We are facing many challenges. There is an enormous tension between different religions and cultures, wars, natural disasters and a huge financial crisis, which is getting out of control. More than ever we will need each other to overcome these problems. As we are all connected; the universe, earth, nature, animals and human beings, this period in time will be the prelude to the end for those who still don't want to, or simply won't see it. 'A Requiem For The Indifferent', but also a possibility for a new beginning with great new chances!"
A CD-release party for the new EPICA album will be held on March 16, 2012 at 013 in Tilburg, Netherlands.
Commented the band: "As our previous CD presentation ('Design Your Universe' at Paradiso in Amsterdam) sold out in advance, we have decided to play the next one in a slightly bigger club."
EPICA will play the new album in its entirety, along with some older tracks, during the more-than-two-hour event. Pyrotechnics and special show elements will be added as well.
EPICA's last album, "Design Your Universe", landed at position No. 12 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"This Is The Time", the latest single from EPICA, was released digitally on October 15, 2010. A video for the song, which was written for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), was filmed in March 2010 was in Hilversum, The Netherlands.
The international edition of the Finnish daily newspaper Helsingin Sanomat has published a profile of Ewo Pohjola, one of the two owners of King Foo, which currently manages about 20 bands, including Finnish/Swedish symphonic metal sueprstars NIGHTWISH.
Pohjola emphasises that he learned how to be a rock manager simply by doing it. He feels that international music fairs have been his most important schools. "There you can meet an amazing array of people, and knowing the right people is crucial for a manager," he says. "Many probably would be better educated for this work, but if you don't know anybody, there's no point."
More important than education has been the experience.
"I would say that those who want to become managers should play in a band, and work for a year or two in a record company or agency," he says. "All of this is useful, because everyone is in it for personal gain. It is easier to see things in perspective after seeing all of this from the inside."
NIGHTWISH's 2007 album, "Dark Passion Play", was the most expensive and cumbersome to produce, but it has sold more than a million copies.
"We have been lucky with record companies and tour agencies, and they have also been willing to take risks," Pohjola says. "However, the most important thing is that the pieces have continued to be challenging and of high quality."
Pohjola emphasises that he learned how to be a rock manager simply by doing it. He feels that international music fairs have been his most important schools. "There you can meet an amazing array of people, and knowing the right people is crucial for a manager," he says. "Many probably would be better educated for this work, but if you don't know anybody, there's no point."
More important than education has been the experience.
"I would say that those who want to become managers should play in a band, and work for a year or two in a record company or agency," he says. "All of this is useful, because everyone is in it for personal gain. It is easier to see things in perspective after seeing all of this from the inside."
NIGHTWISH's 2007 album, "Dark Passion Play", was the most expensive and cumbersome to produce, but it has sold more than a million copies.
"We have been lucky with record companies and tour agencies, and they have also been willing to take risks," Pohjola says. "However, the most important thing is that the pieces have continued to be challenging and of high quality."
Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE are continuing to write and demo material for the follow-up to their 2009 self-titled album. Bassist Mike D'Antonio writes in an online posting, "KILLSWITCH ENGAGE should be in the studio in February/March, so expect a summer 2012 release for the new record. We have a bit of a breather in the writing schedule so Adam [Dutkiewicz, guitar] can finish [producing] the [new] SHADOWS FALL record, but as of now we have eight demos finished for the new record. Everything is coming together nicely at the moment… My demos are pretty fast. Blast beats, anyone?"
The latest, self-titled album from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30, 2009 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by Adam Dutkiewicz.
Dutkiewicz and KILLSWITCH guitarist Joel Stroeltzel spent the last few months touring with TIMES OF GRACE, Adam's collaborative project with former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach. That band's debut album, "Hymn Of A Broken Man", came out in January via Roadrunner Records.
Dutkiewicz recently revealed that he may also be involved in another group, which he described in an interview as "a death metal side project with the drummer from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and the singer from CANNIBAL CORPSE."
D'Antonio has been busy with his DEATH RAY VISION, his new project with SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair and former OVERCAST/SEEMLESS guitarist Pete Cortese.
The latest, self-titled album from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30, 2009 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by Adam Dutkiewicz.
Dutkiewicz and KILLSWITCH guitarist Joel Stroeltzel spent the last few months touring with TIMES OF GRACE, Adam's collaborative project with former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE vocalist Jesse Leach. That band's debut album, "Hymn Of A Broken Man", came out in January via Roadrunner Records.
Dutkiewicz recently revealed that he may also be involved in another group, which he described in an interview as "a death metal side project with the drummer from THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER and the singer from CANNIBAL CORPSE."
D'Antonio has been busy with his DEATH RAY VISION, his new project with SHADOWS FALL frontman Brian Fair and former OVERCAST/SEEMLESS guitarist Pete Cortese.
Goomba Music has announced the signing of SCUM OF THE EARTH, the brainchild of former ROB ZOMBIE guitarist Mike Riggs. The band's as-yet-untitled new album will be recorded before the end of the year for a 2012 release.
"The new material is like classic SCUM OF THE EARTH material being possessed by demons with a modern twist," states Riggs. "I'm excited to get into the studio and start recording. There will be some crazy tracks on this one!"
SCUM OF THE EARTH's latest CD, "Sleaze Freak", was released on October 23, 2007. The explicit (PA) version of the album was made available at most retailers containing an added DVD video. The DVD consists of footage filmed while recording and mixing the album documenting the recording and mixing process and many hijinks of the band around town, in the studio, and on the road.
SCUM OF THE EARTH's first studio album of all-new material since the critically-acclaimed debut "Blah…Blah…Blah…Love Songs For The New Millennium" (2004), "Sleaze Freak" contained 13 brand new songs described by Riggs as "heavy-as-hell grinding, stripper-rock." "It's a much more intense collection of material than 'Blah…Blah…Blah…'" said Riggs. "We did everything we wanted to do this time around, which allowed us to really embody the whole red-light-district sleazy vibe into the material."
"The new material is like classic SCUM OF THE EARTH material being possessed by demons with a modern twist," states Riggs. "I'm excited to get into the studio and start recording. There will be some crazy tracks on this one!"
SCUM OF THE EARTH's latest CD, "Sleaze Freak", was released on October 23, 2007. The explicit (PA) version of the album was made available at most retailers containing an added DVD video. The DVD consists of footage filmed while recording and mixing the album documenting the recording and mixing process and many hijinks of the band around town, in the studio, and on the road.
SCUM OF THE EARTH's first studio album of all-new material since the critically-acclaimed debut "Blah…Blah…Blah…Love Songs For The New Millennium" (2004), "Sleaze Freak" contained 13 brand new songs described by Riggs as "heavy-as-hell grinding, stripper-rock." "It's a much more intense collection of material than 'Blah…Blah…Blah…'" said Riggs. "We did everything we wanted to do this time around, which allowed us to really embody the whole red-light-district sleazy vibe into the material."
New York hardcore metal legends BIOHAZARD have announced the first U.S. leg of their world tour in support of their much-anticipated new album, "Reborn In Defiance". The string of Northeast shows starts on January 15 in Albany, New York and ends February 18 in Sayreville, New Jersey. The run includes a hometown show at New York City's Gramercy Theater on January 17, which will celebrate the release of "Reborn In Defiance".
January marks the beginning of an 18-month world tour for BIOHAZARD, which also includes a co-headline run with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES on the "Persistence Tour" in Europe, a short U.K. tour, several Northeast dates with New York hardcore legends MADBALL, and the Soundwave Festival in Australia.
Below are all the upcoming Northeast tour dates for the first part of BIOHAZARD's world tour in support of "Reborn In Defiance".
Jan. 15 - Albany, NY - Bogies
Jan. 17 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
With MADBALL:
Feb. 08 - Syracuse, NY - Station 58
Feb. 09 - Portland, ME - Asylum
Feb. 10 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Feb. 11 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Feb. 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
Feb. 15 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
Feb. 16 - Towson, MD - Recher Theatre
Feb. 17 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Feb. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
The final cover artwork for "Reborn In Defiance" can be seen below. Due on January 20, 2012, the CD will be made available via Nuclear Blast outside of North America, with a U.S. label partner soon to be announced.
Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.
Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.
The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.
Two songs from the CD — "Come Alive" and "Vengeance Is Mine" — are available for streaming on the band's Facebook page ("like" required).
BIOHAZARD has sold over five million albums worldwide since its formation in the late Eighties in Brooklyn, New York. They achieved international success with their albums "Urban Discipline" on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's "State of the World Address" on Warner Brothers. Over the years, BIOHAZARD has collaborated with ONYX, CYPRESS HILL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, PANTERA, and TYPE O NEGATIVE, among others. The band has continued to tour nationally and internationally, sharing stages with HOUSE OF PAIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLAYER, DANZIG, FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and AGNOSTIC FRONT.
January marks the beginning of an 18-month world tour for BIOHAZARD, which also includes a co-headline run with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES on the "Persistence Tour" in Europe, a short U.K. tour, several Northeast dates with New York hardcore legends MADBALL, and the Soundwave Festival in Australia.
Below are all the upcoming Northeast tour dates for the first part of BIOHAZARD's world tour in support of "Reborn In Defiance".
Jan. 15 - Albany, NY - Bogies
Jan. 17 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theater
With MADBALL:
Feb. 08 - Syracuse, NY - Station 58
Feb. 09 - Portland, ME - Asylum
Feb. 10 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
Feb. 11 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance
Feb. 14 - Pittsburgh, PA - Diesel
Feb. 15 - Richmond, VA - Kingdom
Feb. 16 - Towson, MD - Recher Theatre
Feb. 17 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
Feb. 18 - Sayreville, NJ - Starland Ballroom
The final cover artwork for "Reborn In Defiance" can be seen below. Due on January 20, 2012, the CD will be made available via Nuclear Blast outside of North America, with a U.S. label partner soon to be announced.
Not only is "Reborn In Defiance" BIOHAZARD's first original lineup album in 18 years, but it also marks the last album recorded by the band before the departure of bassist and co-vocalist Evan Seinfeld. The effort remains a testament to the four founding members (Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel, Evan Seinfeld and Danny Schuler) and their unique chemistry.
Having last recorded and toured as the fundamental lineup with the release of "State Of The World Address" back in 1994, BIOHAZARD reformed with all four original members back in 2008 to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary. They went back out on the road together over the next two years, during which time inspiration struck.
The legendary Toby Wright (ALICE IN CHAINS, METALLICA, SEVENDUST, KORN) was brought in to produce the 13-track "Reborn In Defiance", which was recorded in Los Angeles.
Two songs from the CD — "Come Alive" and "Vengeance Is Mine" — are available for streaming on the band's Facebook page ("like" required).
BIOHAZARD has sold over five million albums worldwide since its formation in the late Eighties in Brooklyn, New York. They achieved international success with their albums "Urban Discipline" on Roadrunner Records in 1992 and 1994's "State of the World Address" on Warner Brothers. Over the years, BIOHAZARD has collaborated with ONYX, CYPRESS HILL, AGNOSTIC FRONT, HATEBREED, PANTERA, and TYPE O NEGATIVE, among others. The band has continued to tour nationally and internationally, sharing stages with HOUSE OF PAIN, OZZY OSBOURNE, SLAYER, DANZIG, FEAR FACTORY, SEPULTURA and AGNOSTIC FRONT.
"Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster", the debut solo album from "American Idol" finalist James Durbin, sold around 28,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 36 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" was released on November 21 via Wind-Up Records. The CD includes a guest appearance by Mick Mars of MÖTLEY CRÜE, as well contributions from songwriters James Michael (SIXX: A.M., MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Marti Frederiksen (AEROSMITH, BUCKCHERRY, OZZY OSBOURNE), along with Swedish rock band HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.
When asked by Artisan News how the Mars collaboration came out, Durbin said, "Mick Mars actually reached out to us. I had met him at the MÖTLEY CRÜE show at the Hollywood Bowl when MÖTLEY played and NEW YORK DOLLS and POISON opened and I got to go back and meet Mick Mars. And when we were making the record, Mick Mars reached out and wanted to play on the record. [I was like] 'Wow. You want to play on the record? We don't need to ask you? You actually want to? Whoa! No freakin' way!'"
Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks, previously said that it was "surreal" to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalled, "When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind." The long-time MÖTLEY CRÜE fan continued, saying, "He's a true rock legend and he's playing on my record. It doesn't get any cooler than that." Mick Mars concurred, "It was sick to have played on James' debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass; he's the real deal."
22-year-old Durbin was guided throughout the making of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" by leading rock producer, Howard Benson. Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, DAUGHTRY, MOTÖRHEAD) gives Durbin room to evolve musically on the hard-hitting album, saying the opportunity to work with Durbin was "pretty simple: I loved his voice. I think he has a compelling story to tell." Benson, who kept his eye on Durbin throughout 'Idol' thought, "It was interesting that he spoke his mind and didn't back down from who he was. That's always a good sign."
On "American Idol", James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette's and Asperger's Syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" he is ready to wave that flag high again.
"Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" was released on November 21 via Wind-Up Records. The CD includes a guest appearance by Mick Mars of MÖTLEY CRÜE, as well contributions from songwriters James Michael (SIXX: A.M., MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Marti Frederiksen (AEROSMITH, BUCKCHERRY, OZZY OSBOURNE), along with Swedish rock band HARDCORE SUPERSTAR.
When asked by Artisan News how the Mars collaboration came out, Durbin said, "Mick Mars actually reached out to us. I had met him at the MÖTLEY CRÜE show at the Hollywood Bowl when MÖTLEY played and NEW YORK DOLLS and POISON opened and I got to go back and meet Mick Mars. And when we were making the record, Mick Mars reached out and wanted to play on the record. [I was like] 'Wow. You want to play on the record? We don't need to ask you? You actually want to? Whoa! No freakin' way!'"
Durbin, who co-wrote five of the albums tracks, previously said that it was "surreal" to be working with this bevy of rock royalty and recalled, "When Mick Mars started shredding on his guitar I literally lost my mind." The long-time MÖTLEY CRÜE fan continued, saying, "He's a true rock legend and he's playing on my record. It doesn't get any cooler than that." Mick Mars concurred, "It was sick to have played on James' debut album. To be the only featured guest artist on the record was really cool as I know a lot of others wanted to be on it. James Durbin kicks ass; he's the real deal."
22-year-old Durbin was guided throughout the making of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" by leading rock producer, Howard Benson. Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, DAUGHTRY, MOTÖRHEAD) gives Durbin room to evolve musically on the hard-hitting album, saying the opportunity to work with Durbin was "pretty simple: I loved his voice. I think he has a compelling story to tell." Benson, who kept his eye on Durbin throughout 'Idol' thought, "It was interesting that he spoke his mind and didn't back down from who he was. That's always a good sign."
On "American Idol", James Durbin waved the flag for rock and it was that devotion to rock that helped him overcome his private struggles with tourette's and Asperger's Syndrome. He touched the hearts of people everywhere while on the show, and with the release of "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster" he is ready to wave that flag high again.
Icelandic death metal band BENEATH has revealed the cover art and track listing for its upcoming debut album, "Enslaved By Fear", due out in early 2012 via Unique Leader Records. The CD was mixed by Daniel Bergstrand (MESHUGGAH, BEHEMOTH, IN FLAMES, DARK FUNERAL) and features artwork by Raymond Swanland (DEEDS OF FLESH, PSYCROPTIC).
"Enslaved By Fear" track listing:
01. As Gods Walk The Earth
02. Lies Of The Dead
03. Enslaved By Fear
04. No One Above
05. Heretics
06. Bloodlust
07. Writhe
08. Monolith
09. Sacrificial Ritual
"Enslaved By Fear" track listing:
01. As Gods Walk The Earth
02. Lies Of The Dead
03. Enslaved By Fear
04. No One Above
05. Heretics
06. Bloodlust
07. Writhe
08. Monolith
09. Sacrificial Ritual
Over the Thanksgiving break, TOOL entered the studio with producer Joe Barresi (ISIS, COHEED & CAMBRIA, PUSCIFER, TOMAHAWK) to begin recording the group's new album. According to a posting on TOOL's official web site, he bandmembers are tracking all songs to tape — using a Studer A827 analog tape recorder — at their own home studio instead of going the digital route.
TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan this past summer gave The Pulse Of Radio an update on the band's next album and warned fans not to believe everything they read. "We're just always writing and it's just progressing as it progresses," he said. "We normally don't say anything about anything until it's actually happening, because there's a lot of people online that apparently can't read very well. I put an April Fool's notice up there for the album release, and it was this year, 2011, I said, 'New TOOL album, such-and-such a date, 2009, and everybody ran around like, 'Oh, really, the new TOOL --?' God, you guys are dumb. I swear to God. You've got to read. Please, read."
TOOL has not issued a new album since 2006's "10,000 Days".
TOOL frontman Maynard James Keenan this past summer gave The Pulse Of Radio an update on the band's next album and warned fans not to believe everything they read. "We're just always writing and it's just progressing as it progresses," he said. "We normally don't say anything about anything until it's actually happening, because there's a lot of people online that apparently can't read very well. I put an April Fool's notice up there for the album release, and it was this year, 2011, I said, 'New TOOL album, such-and-such a date, 2009, and everybody ran around like, 'Oh, really, the new TOOL --?' God, you guys are dumb. I swear to God. You've got to read. Please, read."
TOOL has not issued a new album since 2006's "10,000 Days".
LIMP BIZKIT has parted ways with Interscope, the label that has released all of the band's records thus far through its subsidiaries Flip, Geffen and Suretone Records.
Even though LIMP BIZKIT's latest album, "Gold Cobra", was the band's first CD to feature the original lineup of Fred Durst (vocals), Wes Borland (guitar), Sam Rivers (bass), John Otto (drums), and DJ Lethal since 2000's "Chocolate Starfish And Hot Dog Flavored Water", it has only sold 63,000 copies in the United States since its June 28 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
During an appearance on the November 21 edition of the "Poolside With Dean Delray" podcast, Durst stated about the band's current status, "One of the things with 'Gold Cobra' was that that was a record, for us, to do for ourselves, for the core fans, for some of the people that we know in the industry — its wasn't our step forward to make a big pop, smash radio record; we just didn't wanna make that record at that time. We have been working for awhile now to renavigate where we are going to take LIMP BIZKIT, and finally we have been able to get off our label and become independent.
"We were all about the live show. Once we realized we had to start writing records, that became the obstacle.
"The thing was, we just wanna go play a concert and crush it and turn it into a big-ass party and just let people have a place that they can go release whatever they've gotta release and have a great experience. The record thing sort of kind of always got in our way, but it's part of the game and we love writing music and it happened that we had some songs that became popular and we never thought that would happen; we were always kind of fish swimming upstream. So with this way, we can still go tour.
"We do very, very good on our touring, and we mainly tour outside the United States, because we wanna make sure that when we push something to our homeland that it kind of catches their attention in a way that they're used to it catching their attention. It seems like in the United States, man, they're waiting on a song, they're waiting on a hit, and the rest of the world doesn't necessarily operate that way; they're, sort of, career people. So I'm waiting until we can really give them something they can sink their teeth into and then they can be reminded about how ill LIMP BIZKIT is live, 'cause we're having a lot of fun doing what we do, and if it's not fun anymore, we don't wanna do it. We don't wanna go out in the United States without it being a lot of fun, so we're just waiting until that song happens . . . without forcing it. We're not gonna go in the studio and try to write a mega-hit song that people in America are gonna like; when it happens, we'll know."
According to a press release, BENEATH mixes "furious speed and technicality with song structures and melodies, resulting in a distinctively Icelandic brand of extreme metal. Not afraid to draw influences from other genres, BENEATH infuses old-school vibe into modern death metal while creating soundtracks to their apocalyptic and anti-religious lyrical content."
BENEATH's debut EP, "Hollow Empty Void", was released in February 2010 via Mordbrann Musikk. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Johann Ingi Sigurdsson at Fossland Studio in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.
BENEATH is:
Gisli Sigmundsson - Vocals
Johann Ingi Sigurdsson - Guitar
Unnar Sigurdsson - Guitar
Gisli Runar Gudmundsson - Bass
Ragnar Sverrisson - Drums
For more information, visit www.beneathmetal.com.
Even though LIMP BIZKIT's latest album, "Gold Cobra", was the band's first CD to feature the original lineup of Fred Durst (vocals), Wes Borland (guitar), Sam Rivers (bass), John Otto (drums), and DJ Lethal since 2000's "Chocolate Starfish And Hot Dog Flavored Water", it has only sold 63,000 copies in the United States since its June 28 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
During an appearance on the November 21 edition of the "Poolside With Dean Delray" podcast, Durst stated about the band's current status, "One of the things with 'Gold Cobra' was that that was a record, for us, to do for ourselves, for the core fans, for some of the people that we know in the industry — its wasn't our step forward to make a big pop, smash radio record; we just didn't wanna make that record at that time. We have been working for awhile now to renavigate where we are going to take LIMP BIZKIT, and finally we have been able to get off our label and become independent.
"We were all about the live show. Once we realized we had to start writing records, that became the obstacle.
"The thing was, we just wanna go play a concert and crush it and turn it into a big-ass party and just let people have a place that they can go release whatever they've gotta release and have a great experience. The record thing sort of kind of always got in our way, but it's part of the game and we love writing music and it happened that we had some songs that became popular and we never thought that would happen; we were always kind of fish swimming upstream. So with this way, we can still go tour.
"We do very, very good on our touring, and we mainly tour outside the United States, because we wanna make sure that when we push something to our homeland that it kind of catches their attention in a way that they're used to it catching their attention. It seems like in the United States, man, they're waiting on a song, they're waiting on a hit, and the rest of the world doesn't necessarily operate that way; they're, sort of, career people. So I'm waiting until we can really give them something they can sink their teeth into and then they can be reminded about how ill LIMP BIZKIT is live, 'cause we're having a lot of fun doing what we do, and if it's not fun anymore, we don't wanna do it. We don't wanna go out in the United States without it being a lot of fun, so we're just waiting until that song happens . . . without forcing it. We're not gonna go in the studio and try to write a mega-hit song that people in America are gonna like; when it happens, we'll know."
According to a press release, BENEATH mixes "furious speed and technicality with song structures and melodies, resulting in a distinctively Icelandic brand of extreme metal. Not afraid to draw influences from other genres, BENEATH infuses old-school vibe into modern death metal while creating soundtracks to their apocalyptic and anti-religious lyrical content."
BENEATH's debut EP, "Hollow Empty Void", was released in February 2010 via Mordbrann Musikk. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Johann Ingi Sigurdsson at Fossland Studio in Hafnarfjörður, Iceland.
BENEATH is:
Gisli Sigmundsson - Vocals
Johann Ingi Sigurdsson - Guitar
Unnar Sigurdsson - Guitar
Gisli Runar Gudmundsson - Bass
Ragnar Sverrisson - Drums
For more information, visit www.beneathmetal.com.
Terry Butler (DEATH, MASSACRE, SIX FEET UNDER, DENIAL FIEND, OBITUARY) and Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo (MANTAS, DEATH, MASSACRE, M INC.) will celebrate the 20th anniversary of MASSACRE's classic "From Beyond" album by embarking on a European tour in January/February 2012. Dubbed "Army Of Darkness", the trek will feature additional performances from MACABRE and MASTER.
Commented MACABRE's Corporate Death: "We are really excited by this upcoming tour. MACABRE, MASSACRE and MASTER, three bands that started a really long time ago and all have their sound. The fans are in for a treat and we are going to have a great time on this tour ourselves."
Added Rozz: "[I am] really looking forward to this tribute to MASSACRE. It has been over 20 years and a lot of hair loss since Terry Butler and I have jammed together, and it's going great, along with Mike Mazzonetto (drums) and Ed Webb (vocals). This is going to be a great time with old and new friends, and the 'From Beyond' tracks have never sounded this heavy/brutal."
Stated Butler: "We are very excited to be bringing the fans a proper MASSACRE show and tour. We've been working our asses off to fine tune a few things and bring you the best show possible. It's been a long time, but better late than never. It makes it even better to be touring with legendary friends MACABRE and MASTER. This is going to be a killer show for the fans."
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 25 - Osnabrück, Germany @ Bastard Club
Jan. 26 - Munich, Germany @ Backstage
Jan. 28 - Zürich, Switzerland @ Industrie 45
Jan. 29 - Lyon, France @ Le Kao
Jan. 30 - Paris, France @ Divan Du Monde
Feb. 03 - Valencia, Spain @ Durango Club
Feb. 04 - Badalona/Barcelona, Spain @ Estraperlo Club
Feb. 05 - Montpellier, France @ Secret Place
Feb. 07 - Maribor, Slovenia @ Mc Pekarna
Feb. 08 - Zagreb, Croatia @ Tvornica Kulture
Feb. 11 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk
Feb. 13 - Dresden, Germany @ Chemiefabrik
Feb. 14 - Berlin, Germany @ K-17
Feb. 15 - Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
Feb. 16 - Leer, Germany @ Zollhaus
Feb. 17 - Eindhoven, Holland @ Dynamo
Feb. 18 - Rotterdam, Holland @ Baroeg
Feb. 19 - Drachten, Holland @ Iduna
MASSACRE's touring lineup:
* Mike Mazzonetto (M INC., PAIN PRINCIPLE) - Drums
* Ed Webb (DIABOLIC, GENERICHRIST, DESTINED TO RUIN) - Vocals
* Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo – Guitar
* Terry Butler - Bass
MASSACRE's tentative setlist for the tour:
01. Chamber Of Ages
02. Succubus
03. Defeat Remains
04. From Beyond
05. Cryptic Realms
06. Provoked Accurser
07. Dawn Of Eternity
08. Bio-Hazard
09. Warhead
10. Corpse Grinder
A revamped version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with ex-MASSACRE/DENIAL FIEND members Terry Butler (bass), Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
Commented MACABRE's Corporate Death: "We are really excited by this upcoming tour. MACABRE, MASSACRE and MASTER, three bands that started a really long time ago and all have their sound. The fans are in for a treat and we are going to have a great time on this tour ourselves."
Added Rozz: "[I am] really looking forward to this tribute to MASSACRE. It has been over 20 years and a lot of hair loss since Terry Butler and I have jammed together, and it's going great, along with Mike Mazzonetto (drums) and Ed Webb (vocals). This is going to be a great time with old and new friends, and the 'From Beyond' tracks have never sounded this heavy/brutal."
Stated Butler: "We are very excited to be bringing the fans a proper MASSACRE show and tour. We've been working our asses off to fine tune a few things and bring you the best show possible. It's been a long time, but better late than never. It makes it even better to be touring with legendary friends MACABRE and MASTER. This is going to be a killer show for the fans."
The dates are as follows:
Jan. 25 - Osnabrück, Germany @ Bastard Club
Jan. 26 - Munich, Germany @ Backstage
Jan. 28 - Zürich, Switzerland @ Industrie 45
Jan. 29 - Lyon, France @ Le Kao
Jan. 30 - Paris, France @ Divan Du Monde
Feb. 03 - Valencia, Spain @ Durango Club
Feb. 04 - Badalona/Barcelona, Spain @ Estraperlo Club
Feb. 05 - Montpellier, France @ Secret Place
Feb. 07 - Maribor, Slovenia @ Mc Pekarna
Feb. 08 - Zagreb, Croatia @ Tvornica Kulture
Feb. 11 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk
Feb. 13 - Dresden, Germany @ Chemiefabrik
Feb. 14 - Berlin, Germany @ K-17
Feb. 15 - Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
Feb. 16 - Leer, Germany @ Zollhaus
Feb. 17 - Eindhoven, Holland @ Dynamo
Feb. 18 - Rotterdam, Holland @ Baroeg
Feb. 19 - Drachten, Holland @ Iduna
MASSACRE's touring lineup:
* Mike Mazzonetto (M INC., PAIN PRINCIPLE) - Drums
* Ed Webb (DIABOLIC, GENERICHRIST, DESTINED TO RUIN) - Vocals
* Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo – Guitar
* Terry Butler - Bass
MASSACRE's tentative setlist for the tour:
01. Chamber Of Ages
02. Succubus
03. Defeat Remains
04. From Beyond
05. Cryptic Realms
06. Provoked Accurser
07. Dawn Of Eternity
08. Bio-Hazard
09. Warhead
10. Corpse Grinder
A revamped version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with ex-MASSACRE/DENIAL FIEND members Terry Butler (bass), Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
Swedish black metallers NAGLFAR have entered the studio to begin recording their sixth album, "Téras", for a late spring/early summer 2012 release via Century Media Records. According to a press release, fans should "expect nothing less than another prime example of infernal melodic black metal from the vanguards of the scene."
Prior to the new album release, NAGLFAR will issue a strictly limited seven-inch EP featuring one track taken from the upcoming CD as well as a second song exclusive to this single.
A limited-edition version of "Harvest", the 2007 album from NAGLFAR, contained a bonus DVD (featuring four professionally recorded live clips from the Party.San Open Air festival 2006, the video for the track "The Perpetual Horrors" as well as an interview with lead singer Kristoffer Olivius). The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith.
Prior to the new album release, NAGLFAR will issue a strictly limited seven-inch EP featuring one track taken from the upcoming CD as well as a second song exclusive to this single.
A limited-edition version of "Harvest", the 2007 album from NAGLFAR, contained a bonus DVD (featuring four professionally recorded live clips from the Party.San Open Air festival 2006, the video for the track "The Perpetual Horrors" as well as an interview with lead singer Kristoffer Olivius). The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith.
The next chapter in Relapse's DEATH reissue campaign is "Vivus!", a deluxe two-CD collection compiling two separate DEATH concerts, both of which were recorded in 1998. Disc One features the band at the height of its prowess, tearing the roof off the infamous Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California, while Disc Two is a brilliant recording of the band on the festival stage at Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven, Holland.
"Vivus!" will be made available on February 28 in North America, March 2 in the Benelux and Germany, and March 5 in the rest of Europe.
"Vivus!" follows the recent Relapse Records reissues of "Individual Though Patterns", "The Sound Of Perseverance" and "Human". Like those reissues, this collection will contain extensive liner notes from DEATH insiders and never-before-seen photos of the band.
"Vivus!" track listing:
Disc 1 - Live In Hollywood (1998)
01. The Philosopher
02. Spirit Crusher
03. Trapped In A Corner
04. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
05. Crystal Mountain
06. Flesh And The Power It Holds
07. Zero Tolerance
08. Zombie Ritual
09. Suicide Machine
10. Together As One
11. Empty Words
12. Symbolic
13. Pull The Plug
Disc 2 - Live In Eindhoven (1998)
01. The Philosopher
02. Trapped In A Corner
03. Crystal Mountain
04. Suicide Machine
05. Together As One
06. Zero Tolerance
07. Lack Of Comprehension
08. Flesh And The Power It Holds
09. Flattening Of Emotions
10. Spirit Crusher
11. Pull The Plug
"Vivus!" will be made available on February 28 in North America, March 2 in the Benelux and Germany, and March 5 in the rest of Europe.
"Vivus!" follows the recent Relapse Records reissues of "Individual Though Patterns", "The Sound Of Perseverance" and "Human". Like those reissues, this collection will contain extensive liner notes from DEATH insiders and never-before-seen photos of the band.
"Vivus!" track listing:
Disc 1 - Live In Hollywood (1998)
01. The Philosopher
02. Spirit Crusher
03. Trapped In A Corner
04. Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
05. Crystal Mountain
06. Flesh And The Power It Holds
07. Zero Tolerance
08. Zombie Ritual
09. Suicide Machine
10. Together As One
11. Empty Words
12. Symbolic
13. Pull The Plug
Disc 2 - Live In Eindhoven (1998)
01. The Philosopher
02. Trapped In A Corner
03. Crystal Mountain
04. Suicide Machine
05. Together As One
06. Zero Tolerance
07. Lack Of Comprehension
08. Flesh And The Power It Holds
09. Flattening Of Emotions
10. Spirit Crusher
11. Pull The Plug
German modern metallers CALIBAN will release their eighth studio album, "I Am Nemesis", on February 28, 2012 via Century Media Records. The CD will feature guest appearances by Marcus Bischoff (HEAVEN SHALL BURN) and Mitch Lucker (SUICIDE SILENCE).
After spending 10 months writing new material, the band is very excited to get the record out to fans. "It was important to us to have an elaborate album without any fillers," says lead guitarist Marc Görtz. "Additionally, the sound of the album is the best we've ever had by far: it is heavy and brutal without being chaotic."
Lyrically, "I Am Nemesis" is a continuation of the band's last record, "Say Hello To Tragedy", and focuses on controversial and often overlooked world issues. Musically, Görtz says, "The album breaks new soil without forgetting our roots. There are new influences such as shimmering guitar melodies and technical grooves with MESHUGGAH-like heaviness."
"I Am Nemesis" track listing:
01. We Are The Many
02. The Bogeyman
03. Memorial
04. No Tomorrow
05. Edge Of Black
06. Davy Jones
07. Deadly Dream
08. Open Letter
09. Dein R3.ich
10. Broadcast To Damnation
11. This Oath
12. Modern Warfare
A European tour with ALL SHALL PERISH, WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER, EYES SET TO KILL and ATTILA will kick off on February 2 in Karlsruhe, Germany.
CALIBAN's "Coverfield" EP was released this past spring. The effort contained a variety of cover songs from bands which have been an influence to CALIBAN or are among their personal favorites.
CALIBAN's seventh album, "Say Hello To Tragedy", landed at No. 97 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which featuring the best-selling albums by new and developing artists (defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200).
"Say Hello To Tragedy"entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 36.
After spending 10 months writing new material, the band is very excited to get the record out to fans. "It was important to us to have an elaborate album without any fillers," says lead guitarist Marc Görtz. "Additionally, the sound of the album is the best we've ever had by far: it is heavy and brutal without being chaotic."
Lyrically, "I Am Nemesis" is a continuation of the band's last record, "Say Hello To Tragedy", and focuses on controversial and often overlooked world issues. Musically, Görtz says, "The album breaks new soil without forgetting our roots. There are new influences such as shimmering guitar melodies and technical grooves with MESHUGGAH-like heaviness."
"I Am Nemesis" track listing:
01. We Are The Many
02. The Bogeyman
03. Memorial
04. No Tomorrow
05. Edge Of Black
06. Davy Jones
07. Deadly Dream
08. Open Letter
09. Dein R3.ich
10. Broadcast To Damnation
11. This Oath
12. Modern Warfare
A European tour with ALL SHALL PERISH, WE BUTTER THE BREAD WITH BUTTER, EYES SET TO KILL and ATTILA will kick off on February 2 in Karlsruhe, Germany.
CALIBAN's "Coverfield" EP was released this past spring. The effort contained a variety of cover songs from bands which have been an influence to CALIBAN or are among their personal favorites.
CALIBAN's seventh album, "Say Hello To Tragedy", landed at No. 97 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which featuring the best-selling albums by new and developing artists (defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200).
"Say Hello To Tragedy"entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 36.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/calibannemesis.jpg
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