The reunited original lineup of the legendary heavy metal band BLACK SABBATH will headline a number of Europe's premier festivals in 2012. Kicking off on Friday May 18 in Moscow at Olimpski, the tour will bring BLACK SABBATH to the masses at: Download (U.K.), Azkena Rock (Spain), Hellfest (France), Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium) and Gods Of Metal (Italy). However, that's only the beginning of the group's global tour which will take the band around the world, including countries the band has never played before and others they have not visited in more than three decades.
The four original members of BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — are recording their first studio album in 33 years with legendary producer Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as "Producer Of The Year") for release worldwide on Vertigo, and Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. in the fall 2012.
When asked by Artisan News for his opinion on the reunion of SABBATH's original lineup, legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes — who fronted SABBATH on 1986's "Seventh Star" LP — said (see video below), "I think it's wonderful that Ozzy now is sober and willing to bring it all together. And I think that just shows the kind of man that he has now become. And he has always been a lovely, good friend to me. But it just shows how far they have come as brothers to come together at this time. I think it's perfect timing."
The Ronnie James Dio lineup of BLACK SABBATH reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL in 2006 but split four years later, after Dio passed away.
Regarding what Ronnie's reaction would have been to SABBATH's original lineup reunion had he still been alive, his wife/manager Wendy Dio told Artisan News (see video below), "I think Ronnie would have given it his blessing. It's the right thing to do. They were the innovators of rock and roll and they need to finish as… They're legends — complete legends. I think it will be fantastic and I think Ronnie would have totally given his blessing."
According to U.K.'s The People, BLACK SABBATH's planned world tour and festival appearances are expected to earn the musicians in excess of £100 million (around $159 million), meaning each member of the band could take home up to £25 million (approximately $40 million).
The band did attempt to record a new disc in 1998, but abandoned the attempt and released only two songs as part of a concert album called "Reunion".
Following a reunion tour in 1998, SABBATH reunited sporadically in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2005 for live dates. The foursome last appeared together at their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006.
At their long-overdue induction, Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne spoke about the respect that SABBATH had earned over the years. "For a while, nobody would take us seriously," Iommi said. "But as we went on, the more we carried on, the more we proved, the more we stayed there, you know? And I think we got the respect from that." Ozzy added, "I never thought anybody liked us, and people on the Ozzfest would come to me and go, 'You were really one of our inspirations.' And I didn't really, I didn't believe it, you know?"
The four original members of BLACK SABBATH — Ozzy Osbourne (vocals), Tony Iommi (guitar), Geezer Butler (bass) and Bill Ward (drums) — are recording their first studio album in 33 years with legendary producer Rick Rubin (seven-time Grammy winner, two of those as "Producer Of The Year") for release worldwide on Vertigo, and Vertigo/Universal Republic in the U.S. in the fall 2012.
When asked by Artisan News for his opinion on the reunion of SABBATH's original lineup, legendary bassist/vocalist Glenn Hughes — who fronted SABBATH on 1986's "Seventh Star" LP — said (see video below), "I think it's wonderful that Ozzy now is sober and willing to bring it all together. And I think that just shows the kind of man that he has now become. And he has always been a lovely, good friend to me. But it just shows how far they have come as brothers to come together at this time. I think it's perfect timing."
The Ronnie James Dio lineup of BLACK SABBATH reunited under the moniker HEAVEN & HELL in 2006 but split four years later, after Dio passed away.
Regarding what Ronnie's reaction would have been to SABBATH's original lineup reunion had he still been alive, his wife/manager Wendy Dio told Artisan News (see video below), "I think Ronnie would have given it his blessing. It's the right thing to do. They were the innovators of rock and roll and they need to finish as… They're legends — complete legends. I think it will be fantastic and I think Ronnie would have totally given his blessing."
According to U.K.'s The People, BLACK SABBATH's planned world tour and festival appearances are expected to earn the musicians in excess of £100 million (around $159 million), meaning each member of the band could take home up to £25 million (approximately $40 million).
The band did attempt to record a new disc in 1998, but abandoned the attempt and released only two songs as part of a concert album called "Reunion".
Following a reunion tour in 1998, SABBATH reunited sporadically in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2005 for live dates. The foursome last appeared together at their induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2006.
At their long-overdue induction, Tony Iommi and Ozzy Osbourne spoke about the respect that SABBATH had earned over the years. "For a while, nobody would take us seriously," Iommi said. "But as we went on, the more we carried on, the more we proved, the more we stayed there, you know? And I think we got the respect from that." Ozzy added, "I never thought anybody liked us, and people on the Ozzfest would come to me and go, 'You were really one of our inspirations.' And I didn't really, I didn't believe it, you know?"
A CITY student has been honoured with an award named after Brum rock legend Ozzy Osbourne.
Helen Crothall was handed the Ozzy Osbourne Development Award by her tutors at Birmingham City University for passing her degree against all odds.
The 23-year-old BA Media and Communications student achieved a 2:1 in her BA Media and Communications (Music Industries) degree, despite losing her stepfather during her second year of her course.
Helen was also diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome, a form of autism, while at university.
Aston-born Ozzy, who went to school close to the university's Perry Barr campus, lent his name to the award last year in recognition of the student who makes the most progress during their course.
"Helen said: "I had the best and hardest times of my life while I was studying at university.
"When I look back I feel happy to have had the opportunity to study and get a degree.
"I struggled at times during the second year because of certain events that happened at home."
Helen's award comes just weeks after Ozzy announced he was to reform with the original Black Sabbath line-up of Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for a new tour and first studio album in 33 years.
The Birmingham Mail was the first to reveal the news back in August, and the band are set to make their return to the UK stage at the Download Festival at Donnington Park in June.
IRON MAIDEN's official web site has been updated with the following message:
"Something of primal interest to all MAIDEN fans … Monday, January 2nd at 9 p.m. GMT [4 p.m. EST]."
The band added on Twitter, "It's not a tour announcement and it's not a DVD announcement either. It will be something brought to you by the letter H...."
IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson told Daily Star last summer that the band will make "at least one more album" to follow 2010's acclaimed "The Final Frontier".
Dickinson revealed that the bandmembers often struggle during the songwriting process, explaining: "We try to keep things on an even keel. Being English, we still have some reserve when we're communicating ideas to each other.
"[In the old days] we'd have a stand-up knock-down fight about anything. But we know each other better now and people do mellow."
He added, "[When it's time to write an album] we go off on our own, scribble ideas into our notebooks and come back to throw everything into the melting pot.
"We know the boundaries of what we can do musically.
"We're not the kind of band who could say, 'Hey, let's do an album with Kanye West,' because that wouldn't interest MAIDEN fans at all.
"Things have been going a bit more prog-rock on our recent albums and the fans seem to love that."
"The Final Frontier" sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.
IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Final Frontier" was IRON MAIDEN's fourth U.K. No. 1 album. The band previously topped the chart in 1982 with "The Number of the Beast", in 1988 with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and in 1992 with "Fear of the Dark".
"The Final Frontier" was released in North America on August 17, 2010 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The effort was made available in a unique limited-edition collectors' "Mission Edition" CD case and features access to extra bonus content, including the director's cut of a video for the edited version of the opening song on the album, entitled "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier"; band "Mission Debrief" interview footage; wallpapers; photos; and the exclusive game "Mission II : Rescue & Revenge". MAIDEN also for the first time made the album available as an iTunes LP with bonus content as well as the traditional digital format. There is also a limited-edition double picture disc.
"Something of primal interest to all MAIDEN fans … Monday, January 2nd at 9 p.m. GMT [4 p.m. EST]."
The band added on Twitter, "It's not a tour announcement and it's not a DVD announcement either. It will be something brought to you by the letter H...."
IRON MAIDEN vocalist Bruce Dickinson told Daily Star last summer that the band will make "at least one more album" to follow 2010's acclaimed "The Final Frontier".
Dickinson revealed that the bandmembers often struggle during the songwriting process, explaining: "We try to keep things on an even keel. Being English, we still have some reserve when we're communicating ideas to each other.
"[In the old days] we'd have a stand-up knock-down fight about anything. But we know each other better now and people do mellow."
He added, "[When it's time to write an album] we go off on our own, scribble ideas into our notebooks and come back to throw everything into the melting pot.
"We know the boundaries of what we can do musically.
"We're not the kind of band who could say, 'Hey, let's do an album with Kanye West,' because that wouldn't interest MAIDEN fans at all.
"Things have been going a bit more prog-rock on our recent albums and the fans seem to love that."
"The Final Frontier" sold 63,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 4.
IRON MAIDEN's previous album, 2006's "A Matter Of Life And Death", opened with 56,000 units to land at No. 9. This was a notable increase from the 40,000 first-week tally registered by its predecessor, 2003's "Dance of Death" (which debuted at No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart), and that of "Brave New World", which moved 38,000 copies in June 2000 to land at No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"The Final Frontier" was IRON MAIDEN's fourth U.K. No. 1 album. The band previously topped the chart in 1982 with "The Number of the Beast", in 1988 with "Seventh Son of a Seventh Son" and in 1992 with "Fear of the Dark".
"The Final Frontier" was released in North America on August 17, 2010 via Universal Music Enterprises (UMe). The effort was made available in a unique limited-edition collectors' "Mission Edition" CD case and features access to extra bonus content, including the director's cut of a video for the edited version of the opening song on the album, entitled "Satellite 15... The Final Frontier"; band "Mission Debrief" interview footage; wallpapers; photos; and the exclusive game "Mission II : Rescue & Revenge". MAIDEN also for the first time made the album available as an iTunes LP with bonus content as well as the traditional digital format. There is also a limited-edition double picture disc.
IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith and former SIKTH frontman Mikee Goodman have joined forces in a brand new studio project called PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION. The band's debut album will be released on February 27 via Spinefarm Records.
According to a press release, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's CD "fuses together two very different approaches to music — Mikee's unique vocal tones and dark-yet-colorful lyrics, and Adrian's instantly recognizable guitar melodies and song writing prowess. Adrian also plays bass throughout the album. All songs were co-written by Adrian and Mikee as individual pieces of work and recorded in creative windows of opportunity."
Comments Adrian: "It was interesting doing this album with Mikee, not least because we have quite different influences. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. It has a really fresh feel to it."
Adds Mikee: "This album takes you on a really deep and colourful journey, lyrically and musically. Adrian and I were both very open to experimenting with each others' musical styles and influences, which we feel created something new and exciting."
Session musicians who also contributed to PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's debut album include Abi Fry of BAT FOR LASHES and original SIKTH member Dan "Lord" Foord on drums.
A PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION track called "I See Lights" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.
PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION was originally scheduled to play a "one-off, under-the-radar" gig on January 15, 2011 at the Wycombe Bucks Student Union, but the gig ended up being canceled after it was inadvertently advertised via the Internet.
According to a press release, PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's CD "fuses together two very different approaches to music — Mikee's unique vocal tones and dark-yet-colorful lyrics, and Adrian's instantly recognizable guitar melodies and song writing prowess. Adrian also plays bass throughout the album. All songs were co-written by Adrian and Mikee as individual pieces of work and recorded in creative windows of opportunity."
Comments Adrian: "It was interesting doing this album with Mikee, not least because we have quite different influences. I was really pleased with the way it turned out. It has a really fresh feel to it."
Adds Mikee: "This album takes you on a really deep and colourful journey, lyrically and musically. Adrian and I were both very open to experimenting with each others' musical styles and influences, which we feel created something new and exciting."
Session musicians who also contributed to PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION's debut album include Abi Fry of BAT FOR LASHES and original SIKTH member Dan "Lord" Foord on drums.
A PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION track called "I See Lights" can be streamed using the SoundCloud player below.
PRIMAL ROCK REBELLION was originally scheduled to play a "one-off, under-the-radar" gig on January 15, 2011 at the Wycombe Bucks Student Union, but the gig ended up being canceled after it was inadvertently advertised via the Internet.
ALICE COOPER guitarist/collaborator Dick Wagner has released his new book, "Not Only Women Bleed: Vignettes From The Heart Of A Rock Musician", as a Kindle edition via Amazon. It features a foreword by Cooper.
"Not Only Women Bleed" stands tall amongst a proliferation of memoirs about sex, drugs and rock and roll. Supported by an edgy and ironic wit, Wagner creates rich visualizations that transport and envelop the reader in place and time. An agile and intuitive writer, Wagner's phrasing is both colorful and literate. He delivers tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional reverberation that will resonate with a wide reading audience.
A man whose fans and friends refer to as "The Maestro of Rock," Wagner shares a lifetime of experience as a songwriter, lead guitarist and producer/arranger with top international performance and recording artists, including Alice Cooper, AEROSMITH, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, AIR SUPPLY, and dozens more.
Early encounters with such legends as Little Richard, Roy Orbison, BB King and Les Paul highlight moments of achievement in personal musical growth. Poignantly recounted stories of youthful days on the road and years of hit recordings, contrast with emotional tales of drug abuse and addiction that led to near fatal health issues. After physical adversity left him disabled and "drying up in the desert," Wagner finds enlightenment in the intensive care unit and takes the reader on a miraculous journey of courage and commitment. His return to live performance is an inspirational celebration of packed venues, overjoyed fans and critical media acclaim.
The hands-on, day to day collaboration with his editor, Susan Michelson, struck a rare balance, creating a great read that preserves all that is fresh and different about Wagner's book. No ghost writing here… no heavy-handed "fit-the-mold" editing and rewriting. The result is a hard-driving, heart-driven life scripture, vividly and joyfully conveyed. In the pages of this book you will find reflections of family and personal dynamics, uncovering pure and unexpected emotion. Wagner's collection of vignettes takes you on a literary journey that is an easy, compelling read.
"Not Only Women Bleed" stands tall amongst a proliferation of memoirs about sex, drugs and rock and roll. Supported by an edgy and ironic wit, Wagner creates rich visualizations that transport and envelop the reader in place and time. An agile and intuitive writer, Wagner's phrasing is both colorful and literate. He delivers tales of reckless behavior and intimate debauchery with an emotional reverberation that will resonate with a wide reading audience.
A man whose fans and friends refer to as "The Maestro of Rock," Wagner shares a lifetime of experience as a songwriter, lead guitarist and producer/arranger with top international performance and recording artists, including Alice Cooper, AEROSMITH, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, AIR SUPPLY, and dozens more.
Early encounters with such legends as Little Richard, Roy Orbison, BB King and Les Paul highlight moments of achievement in personal musical growth. Poignantly recounted stories of youthful days on the road and years of hit recordings, contrast with emotional tales of drug abuse and addiction that led to near fatal health issues. After physical adversity left him disabled and "drying up in the desert," Wagner finds enlightenment in the intensive care unit and takes the reader on a miraculous journey of courage and commitment. His return to live performance is an inspirational celebration of packed venues, overjoyed fans and critical media acclaim.
The hands-on, day to day collaboration with his editor, Susan Michelson, struck a rare balance, creating a great read that preserves all that is fresh and different about Wagner's book. No ghost writing here… no heavy-handed "fit-the-mold" editing and rewriting. The result is a hard-driving, heart-driven life scripture, vividly and joyfully conveyed. In the pages of this book you will find reflections of family and personal dynamics, uncovering pure and unexpected emotion. Wagner's collection of vignettes takes you on a literary journey that is an easy, compelling read.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/wagnerwomenbook.jpg
Audiophile specialty record label Audio Fidelity will release a newly remastered edition of DIO's classic debut album, "Holy Diver", in January 2012 as part of its 24K Gold Compact Disc series. This new edition promises to be a significant sonic upgrade over past releases of this timeless debut due to the use of the original 1983 Sound City studio analog 30 ips AES half-inch non-Dolby original stereo mix tapes along with the mastering expertise of renowned audiophile music restoration specialist Steve Hoffman. Most previous releases relied on post-EQ'ed cutting tapes.
"Holy Diver" is one of the most respected albums in rock and metal and Ronnie James Dio was one of the most talented and respected artists in the world.
Leaving BLACK SABBATH to create a new group built around his formidable singing and unquestionably stellar songwriting, "Holy Diver"'s stunning quality and consistency owed much to Dio's carefully chosen bandmates, including powerhouse drummer (and fellow BLACK SABBATH survivor) Vinny Appice, veteran bassist Jimmy Bain, and a phenomenal find in young Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell, whose tastefully pyrotechnic leads helped make this the definitive DIO lineup. The group entered the studio to record their debut album in early 1983. Produced by Ronnie James Dio, "Holy Diver" consists of nine original cuts penned by the singer and various band members. Included are such distinctive DIO cuts as "Stand Up And Shout", "Straight Through The Heart", the title track and the concert favorite "Rainbow In The Dark".
Hailed by critics as DIO's best work, the album was eventually certified platinum in the U.S. The CD contains a two-page spread copy of the photo-montage LP liner with images from both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH days that was included in the original vinyl release.
"Holy Diver" is one of the most respected albums in rock and metal and Ronnie James Dio was one of the most talented and respected artists in the world.
Leaving BLACK SABBATH to create a new group built around his formidable singing and unquestionably stellar songwriting, "Holy Diver"'s stunning quality and consistency owed much to Dio's carefully chosen bandmates, including powerhouse drummer (and fellow BLACK SABBATH survivor) Vinny Appice, veteran bassist Jimmy Bain, and a phenomenal find in young Irish guitarist Vivian Campbell, whose tastefully pyrotechnic leads helped make this the definitive DIO lineup. The group entered the studio to record their debut album in early 1983. Produced by Ronnie James Dio, "Holy Diver" consists of nine original cuts penned by the singer and various band members. Included are such distinctive DIO cuts as "Stand Up And Shout", "Straight Through The Heart", the title track and the concert favorite "Rainbow In The Dark".
Hailed by critics as DIO's best work, the album was eventually certified platinum in the U.S. The CD contains a two-page spread copy of the photo-montage LP liner with images from both RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH days that was included in the original vinyl release.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/diodivergold.jpg
According to People.com, Geoff Tate, the frontman for progressive metal band QUEENSRŸCHE, surprised "American Idol" finalist James Durbin and James' longtime love Heidi Lowe with a performance of his band's 1984 classic "Take Hold Of The Flame" — one of Durbin and Lowe's favorite tunes — at the couple's wedding New Year's Eve in a chapel at the edge of a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Other guests included Durbin's fellow "Idol" Season 10 alums Haley Reinhart, Stefano Langone and Casey Abrams.
Durbin's debut solo album, "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster", 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.
Durbin's debut solo album, "Memories Of A Beautiful Disaster", 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.
Following a short batch of dates with CLUTCH in December, Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY will embark on a U.S. headlining tour this March. Set to commence on March 1 at the Gramercy Theatre in New York City, the trek will hit 15 cities — including two performances at this year's SXSW (South By Southwest) music conference in Austin. The band will be joined by TORCHE, VALIENT THORR and A STORM OF LIGHT.
Commented CORROSION OF CONFORMITY vocalist/bassist Mike Dean: "We think the lineup of music on this tour is really compatible without every band doing the same thing. We're really proud to be on this bill and touring on a new album."
As a precursor to the tour, the band will play one-off show with HAIL!HORNET at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina on January 22. The special performance will coincide with a screening of "Slow Southern Steel", the long-anticipated southern metal documentary produced by RWAKE vocalist CT.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY tour dates:
With HAIL!HORNET
Jan. 22 - The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
With TORCHE, VALIENT THORR, A STORM OF LIGHT
Mar. 01 - Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
Mar. 02 - Sonar - Baltimore, MD
Mar. 03 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC
Mar. 05 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH
Mar. 06 - Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI
Mar. 07 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
Mar. 08 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN
Mar. 09 - Beaumont Club - Kansas City, MO
Mar. 10 - Downtown Music Hall - Little Rock, AR
Mar. 11 - Hi-Tone Café - Memphis, TN
Mar. 12 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Mar. 14 - SXSW - Austin, TX
Mar. 15 - SXSW - Austin, TX
Mar. 17 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18 - Zydeco - Birmingham, AL
! = No TORCHE
# = No VALIENT THORR
Candlelight Records has set a February 28 North American release date for the self-titled new album from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the CD was produced by the band in cooperation with longtime collaborator John Custer. It was mixed by John Lousteau (FOO FIGHTERS) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (MELVINS, HIGH ON FIRE).
"Corrosion Of Conformity" will be available on standard CD, deluxe digipak, and two exclusive vinyl formats.
Featuring the esteemed "Animosity" lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's album closes a six-year recording gap and completes over a year of concentrated writing and recording for the band.
Reflecting on the past year and the album's recording process, Dean notes, "We tracked the songs at Studio 606, then headed for Europe, toured the U.S., and returned to Europe. We then did some vocals at home in North Carolina. but not where we originally planned; the studio was flattened by a system of spring tornadoes. We made our way back to 606 about seven months later and mixed twelve songs in ten days. The whole time we were out there, we were living in the onion fields of Ventura County and had to drive over the Santa Susana Pass to the San Fernando Valley every day. That was some fuel intensive time to reflect."
He added, "As a whole, the album was an inspired and efficient collaboration.
"John Custer told me he thought we were all working together as one organism; which is an apt description."
"Corrosion Of Conformity" features eleven new songs, with the deluxe digipak and vinyl formats set to include two additional tracks. Vinyl collectors will want to seek out both formats of the record; the European configuration is confirmed as a double 180-gram clear vinyl, and the American version will feature a single 180-gram black-and-white splatter vinyl with a limited seven-inch single which will include the album's bonus songs. Both versions will feature a gatefold sleeve.
Comments Dean: "We like the idea of pressing this music on vinyl because so much of our inspiration comes from music that precedes the digital era. It's also cool to have that large format for the artwork and the lyrics and the credits. It's such a tangible physical product you can hold in your hands. In Europe, the vinyl will include a CD so you can get the files into your digital realm. In the U.S., a download card is included."
"Corrosion Of Conformity" track listing:
01. Psychic Vampire
02. River Of Stone
03. Leeches
04. El Lamento De Las Cabras
05. Your Tomorrow
06. The Doom
07. The Moneychangers
08. Come Not Here
09. What We Become
10. Rat City
11. Time Of Trials
12. Canyon Man (deluxe/vinyl only)
13. The Same Way (deluxe/vinyl only)
Mullin co-founded CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1982 as a hardcore punk act alongside Weatherman and Dean before leaving the band in 2001 amidst health concerns.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's latest album, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records. The group's first collection of new material since 2000's "America's Volume Dealer" was produced by C.O.C.'s longtime collaborator John Custer.
Commented CORROSION OF CONFORMITY vocalist/bassist Mike Dean: "We think the lineup of music on this tour is really compatible without every band doing the same thing. We're really proud to be on this bill and touring on a new album."
As a precursor to the tour, the band will play one-off show with HAIL!HORNET at the Orange Peel in Asheville, North Carolina on January 22. The special performance will coincide with a screening of "Slow Southern Steel", the long-anticipated southern metal documentary produced by RWAKE vocalist CT.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY tour dates:
With HAIL!HORNET
Jan. 22 - The Orange Peel – Asheville, NC
With TORCHE, VALIENT THORR, A STORM OF LIGHT
Mar. 01 - Gramercy Theatre - New York, NY
Mar. 02 - Sonar - Baltimore, MD
Mar. 03 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC
Mar. 05 - Grog Shop - Cleveland, OH
Mar. 06 - Pyramid Scheme - Grand Rapids, MI
Mar. 07 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
Mar. 08 - Triple Rock - Minneapolis, MN
Mar. 09 - Beaumont Club - Kansas City, MO
Mar. 10 - Downtown Music Hall - Little Rock, AR
Mar. 11 - Hi-Tone Café - Memphis, TN
Mar. 12 - Trees - Dallas, TX
Mar. 14 - SXSW - Austin, TX
Mar. 15 - SXSW - Austin, TX
Mar. 17 - One Eyed Jacks - New Orleans, LA
Mar. 18 - Zydeco - Birmingham, AL
! = No TORCHE
# = No VALIENT THORR
Candlelight Records has set a February 28 North American release date for the self-titled new album from CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. Recorded at Dave Grohl's Studio 606 in Northridge, California, the CD was produced by the band in cooperation with longtime collaborator John Custer. It was mixed by John Lousteau (FOO FIGHTERS) and features artwork by Seldon Hunt (MELVINS, HIGH ON FIRE).
"Corrosion Of Conformity" will be available on standard CD, deluxe digipak, and two exclusive vinyl formats.
Featuring the esteemed "Animosity" lineup of vocalist/bassist Mike Dean, guitarist Woody Weatherman, and drummer/vocalist Reed Mullin, CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's album closes a six-year recording gap and completes over a year of concentrated writing and recording for the band.
Reflecting on the past year and the album's recording process, Dean notes, "We tracked the songs at Studio 606, then headed for Europe, toured the U.S., and returned to Europe. We then did some vocals at home in North Carolina. but not where we originally planned; the studio was flattened by a system of spring tornadoes. We made our way back to 606 about seven months later and mixed twelve songs in ten days. The whole time we were out there, we were living in the onion fields of Ventura County and had to drive over the Santa Susana Pass to the San Fernando Valley every day. That was some fuel intensive time to reflect."
He added, "As a whole, the album was an inspired and efficient collaboration.
"John Custer told me he thought we were all working together as one organism; which is an apt description."
"Corrosion Of Conformity" features eleven new songs, with the deluxe digipak and vinyl formats set to include two additional tracks. Vinyl collectors will want to seek out both formats of the record; the European configuration is confirmed as a double 180-gram clear vinyl, and the American version will feature a single 180-gram black-and-white splatter vinyl with a limited seven-inch single which will include the album's bonus songs. Both versions will feature a gatefold sleeve.
Comments Dean: "We like the idea of pressing this music on vinyl because so much of our inspiration comes from music that precedes the digital era. It's also cool to have that large format for the artwork and the lyrics and the credits. It's such a tangible physical product you can hold in your hands. In Europe, the vinyl will include a CD so you can get the files into your digital realm. In the U.S., a download card is included."
"Corrosion Of Conformity" track listing:
01. Psychic Vampire
02. River Of Stone
03. Leeches
04. El Lamento De Las Cabras
05. Your Tomorrow
06. The Doom
07. The Moneychangers
08. Come Not Here
09. What We Become
10. Rat City
11. Time Of Trials
12. Canyon Man (deluxe/vinyl only)
13. The Same Way (deluxe/vinyl only)
Mullin co-founded CORROSION OF CONFORMITY in 1982 as a hardcore punk act alongside Weatherman and Dean before leaving the band in 2001 amidst health concerns.
CORROSION OF CONFORMITY's latest album, "In the Arms of God", came out in 2005 on Sanctuary Records. The group's first collection of new material since 2000's "America's Volume Dealer" was produced by C.O.C.'s longtime collaborator John Custer.
According to RollingStone.com, VAN HALEN will perform at the Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village, New York City this Thursday. It is rumored that the band will play a 45-minute set at the 250-seat venue, which was once owned and operated by VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's uncle Manny Roth, providing a stage to then-up-and-coming acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby, Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor and many others.
VAN HALEN recently gave fan site VHLinks two exclusive videos of the band reminiscing about Eddie Van Halen's old Volvo and judging wet T-shirt contests back in the Seventies. The site also says that a "trusted source" tells them the band has been "busy booking rehearsal space and hotel rooms for the band and their crew for [this] week in NYC."
VAN HALEN will announce the first details of its upcoming tour on January 3, with tickets set to go on sale a week later. The band's much-anticipated new album — which will be the band's first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7, with the first single and video set to premiere on January 10.
VAN HALEN didn't just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue's web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.
The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.
VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.
VAN HALEN recently gave fan site VHLinks two exclusive videos of the band reminiscing about Eddie Van Halen's old Volvo and judging wet T-shirt contests back in the Seventies. The site also says that a "trusted source" tells them the band has been "busy booking rehearsal space and hotel rooms for the band and their crew for [this] week in NYC."
VAN HALEN will announce the first details of its upcoming tour on January 3, with tickets set to go on sale a week later. The band's much-anticipated new album — which will be the band's first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7, with the first single and video set to premiere on January 10.
VAN HALEN didn't just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue's web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.
The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.
VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.
According to the Van Halen News Desk web site, VAN HALEN's new single will be titled "Tattoo" and it will premiere on January 10. The band's much-anticipated new album — which will be its first with original singer David Lee Roth in 28 years — will arrive on February 7.
VAN HALEN's upcoming tour will kick off next month in Louisville, Kentucky, with tickets set to go on sale on January 10.
As previously reported, VAN HALEN will perform at the Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village, New York City this Thursday. It is rumored that the band will play a 45-minute set at the 250-seat venue, which was once owned and operated by VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's uncle Manny Roth, providing a stage to then-up-and-coming acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby, Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor and many others.
VAN HALEN recently gave fan site VHLinks two exclusive videos of the band reminiscing about Eddie Van Halen's old Volvo and judging wet T-shirt contests back in the Seventies. The site also says that a "trusted source" tells them the band has been "busy booking rehearsal space and hotel rooms for the band and their crew for [this] week in NYC."
VAN HALEN didn't just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue's web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.
The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song, presumably "Tattoo", that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.
VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.
VAN HALEN's upcoming tour will kick off next month in Louisville, Kentucky, with tickets set to go on sale on January 10.
As previously reported, VAN HALEN will perform at the Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village, New York City this Thursday. It is rumored that the band will play a 45-minute set at the 250-seat venue, which was once owned and operated by VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth's uncle Manny Roth, providing a stage to then-up-and-coming acts such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby, Bob Dylan, Richard Pryor and many others.
VAN HALEN recently gave fan site VHLinks two exclusive videos of the band reminiscing about Eddie Van Halen's old Volvo and judging wet T-shirt contests back in the Seventies. The site also says that a "trusted source" tells them the band has been "busy booking rehearsal space and hotel rooms for the band and their crew for [this] week in NYC."
VAN HALEN didn't just use the Roxy nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip to shoot a music video. According to a post at the venue's web site, the reunited band has been rehearsing there for their upcoming tour for the past two months.
The November 14 shoot was reportedly for a video for the song, presumably "Tattoo", that the band is seen but not heard playing in the tour announcement clip.
VAN HALEN's new record deal with Interscope was finalized in November and marks the first time the band has recorded away from Warner Bros. Records, which signed the group in 1977.
VAN HALEN reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour — minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar in CHICKENFOOT.
The first official photo of TOOTH AND NAIL, the new project featuring current and former members of DOKKEN — George Lynch (guitar), Jeff Pilson (bass), and Mick Brown (drums) — can be seen below (picture by Alex Solca).
TOOTH AND NAIL's debut album is tentatively due in March. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics. Pilson has contributed vocals to a new track title "When Eagles Die", with additional lead vocal duties on the CD having handled by former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach (on DOKKEN's "Alone Again"), Doug Pinnick (KING'S X), Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, DIO DISCIPLES on a killer new version of DOKKEN's "Kiss Of Death" in what is described as a Ronnie James Dio-inspired performance) and Mick Brown (on DOKKEN's "When Heaven Comes Down"). The drum tracks on the new, original compositions are being taken care of by Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER).
Regarding how TOOTH AND NAIL came together, Pilson said in an August 2011 interview, "The DOKKEN [original lineup] reunion has been scrapped, and I take a lot of the initial responsibility for that because of my schedule and commitment to FOREIGNER. I was, however, upfront about that from Day One. We did talk, though, and I think we all thought it was going to happen somehow at some time. Then Don [Dokken, vocals] and George got in some nasty e-mail fights, which I'm not really in a position to evaluate but they did get ugly and seem to put an end to further reunion thoughts. The two of them had their own business outside of the pending reunion and something just went south. For whatever reason, it was time to move on. Then George asked me about working with him on the next LYNCH MOB record — and I jumped at the chance. He and I started writing, got into a groove and wrote an album's worth of stuff, all with the intention of Oni [Logan, LYNCH MOB singer] writing lyrics and it being their next record. Brian Tichy laid down some incredible drums at his studio (and co-wrote some music on one track) and we had an incredibly strong start. Then Oni just wasn't feeling the music as being LYNCH MOB, so it was shelved. We figured it'd be the start of another LYNCH/PILSON record some day. Then, actually, it was Brian who had the idea that Mick, George and I should do a band, similar to what HEAVEN & HELL was to BLACK SABBATH, and call it TOOTH AND NAIL. Because of everything else we have going, it'll be just a recording project at first, but sure sounds fun. We'd record the classics keeping true to the originals but make them fresh and organic. Then the idea of doing new songs came up, and it grew from there.
He added, "I have absolute belief that the music George and I make together (along with Brian Tichy in this case) is real and inspired, and that's what it's really all about. So out of a mess of a reunion attempt, I think we'll end up with a really fabulous record, and what could be better than that?"
When asked if TOOTH AND NAIL is basically DOKKEN without Don, Pilson said, "Don is, and will always be, the singer of DOKKEN and an invaluable part of the DOKKEN chemistry. No one ever wants to take that away or dispute it one iota. But the three of us do have time tested amazing chemistry, and because we were writers on these songs, I feel we have a lot to express. If anything I think this will be a show of respect for Don, not some kind of competition. I only hope people enjoy it in the spirit for which it's intended . . . Don't think of this as DOKKEN without Don... that's misleading. Think of it as a band with great chemistry coming up with new music that excites them, and also paying tribute to DOKKEN — music which the members all are heavily invested in emotionally."
For more information, visit TOOTH AND NAIL's official Facebook page.
TOOTH AND NAIL's debut album is tentatively due in March. The CD will feature new original material as well as reworked versions of around five or six DOKKEN classics. Pilson has contributed vocals to a new track title "When Eagles Die", with additional lead vocal duties on the CD having handled by former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach (on DOKKEN's "Alone Again"), Doug Pinnick (KING'S X), Tim "Ripper" Owens (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH, DIO DISCIPLES on a killer new version of DOKKEN's "Kiss Of Death" in what is described as a Ronnie James Dio-inspired performance) and Mick Brown (on DOKKEN's "When Heaven Comes Down"). The drum tracks on the new, original compositions are being taken care of by Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER).
Regarding how TOOTH AND NAIL came together, Pilson said in an August 2011 interview, "The DOKKEN [original lineup] reunion has been scrapped, and I take a lot of the initial responsibility for that because of my schedule and commitment to FOREIGNER. I was, however, upfront about that from Day One. We did talk, though, and I think we all thought it was going to happen somehow at some time. Then Don [Dokken, vocals] and George got in some nasty e-mail fights, which I'm not really in a position to evaluate but they did get ugly and seem to put an end to further reunion thoughts. The two of them had their own business outside of the pending reunion and something just went south. For whatever reason, it was time to move on. Then George asked me about working with him on the next LYNCH MOB record — and I jumped at the chance. He and I started writing, got into a groove and wrote an album's worth of stuff, all with the intention of Oni [Logan, LYNCH MOB singer] writing lyrics and it being their next record. Brian Tichy laid down some incredible drums at his studio (and co-wrote some music on one track) and we had an incredibly strong start. Then Oni just wasn't feeling the music as being LYNCH MOB, so it was shelved. We figured it'd be the start of another LYNCH/PILSON record some day. Then, actually, it was Brian who had the idea that Mick, George and I should do a band, similar to what HEAVEN & HELL was to BLACK SABBATH, and call it TOOTH AND NAIL. Because of everything else we have going, it'll be just a recording project at first, but sure sounds fun. We'd record the classics keeping true to the originals but make them fresh and organic. Then the idea of doing new songs came up, and it grew from there.
He added, "I have absolute belief that the music George and I make together (along with Brian Tichy in this case) is real and inspired, and that's what it's really all about. So out of a mess of a reunion attempt, I think we'll end up with a really fabulous record, and what could be better than that?"
When asked if TOOTH AND NAIL is basically DOKKEN without Don, Pilson said, "Don is, and will always be, the singer of DOKKEN and an invaluable part of the DOKKEN chemistry. No one ever wants to take that away or dispute it one iota. But the three of us do have time tested amazing chemistry, and because we were writers on these songs, I feel we have a lot to express. If anything I think this will be a show of respect for Don, not some kind of competition. I only hope people enjoy it in the spirit for which it's intended . . . Don't think of this as DOKKEN without Don... that's misleading. Think of it as a band with great chemistry coming up with new music that excites them, and also paying tribute to DOKKEN — music which the members all are heavily invested in emotionally."
For more information, visit TOOTH AND NAIL's official Facebook page.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/toothofficial.jpg
Vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT is the first Native American entertainer to be permanently displayed at the Hard Rock Casino in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Chuck will make an appearance at the location on January 14 at 5 p.m., with an autograph session scheduled for 6 p.m.
In 2010, Billy, a member of the Hopland band of Pomo Indians, was featured in the "Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians In Popular Culture" exhibit at the National Museum Of The American Indian.
When asked how his Pomo beliefs have affected his work with TESTAMENT, Billy stated in an interview, "Back in 2001, I had cancer. And, I was born and raised a Catholic, went to church and the whole bit, so it wasn't like I was really turned on to my Native American side at all. But it got to where I really turned to my Native American spirituality and went through the process of healing ceremonies, sweat lodges and just — just believing. Being focused on the power of the Earth, as well as the power of the mind. And, here I am. Back on tour, doing what I love."
Regarding what is happening with his tribe these days, Billy said, "Our reservation is up in Hopland, so I spend a lot of time up there. Right now, our tribe has come a long way. In the past, we didn't have much money for schools, transportation or even keeping up the land. But, 10 years ago, they built a casino there and started generating revenue for themselves, then started improving the schools, roads, everything. And now, here comes the government with its hand out, suddenly wanting a piece of it, which upsets me a bit."
In 2010, Billy, a member of the Hopland band of Pomo Indians, was featured in the "Up Where We Belong: Native Musicians In Popular Culture" exhibit at the National Museum Of The American Indian.
When asked how his Pomo beliefs have affected his work with TESTAMENT, Billy stated in an interview, "Back in 2001, I had cancer. And, I was born and raised a Catholic, went to church and the whole bit, so it wasn't like I was really turned on to my Native American side at all. But it got to where I really turned to my Native American spirituality and went through the process of healing ceremonies, sweat lodges and just — just believing. Being focused on the power of the Earth, as well as the power of the mind. And, here I am. Back on tour, doing what I love."
Regarding what is happening with his tribe these days, Billy said, "Our reservation is up in Hopland, so I spend a lot of time up there. Right now, our tribe has come a long way. In the past, we didn't have much money for schools, transportation or even keeping up the land. But, 10 years ago, they built a casino there and started generating revenue for themselves, then started improving the schools, roads, everything. And now, here comes the government with its hand out, suddenly wanting a piece of it, which upsets me a bit."
Singer James LaBrie of progressive metal giants DREAM THEATER has issued the following update:
"[LaBrie's longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist] Matt Guillory and I are very happy to announce that writing for my next solo album has started.
"We're very pleased with how well [LaBrie's last solo CD] 'Static Impulse' was received and are excited to be making a follow-up.
"You can expect all the usual suspects: (Marco Sfogli, Peter Wildoer, Ray Riendeau) In addition to this, we'd also like to announce that Peter Wichers (SOILWORK) is onboard as a co-songwriter. Peter loved 'Static Impulse' and looks forward to making a kick-ass record with us. He is extremely talented and we're stoked to have him!"
James LaBrie's solo tour — which was scheduled to kick off on November 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina and end on December 20, 2010 in Houston, Texas — was canceled "due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with securing work visas" for a couple of the members of LaBrie's band.
"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.
"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marked LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.
Mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (OPETH, KATATONIA), "Static Impulse" featured Guillory; Peter Wildoer from Swedish thrashers DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals; Marco Sfogli on guitar; and Ray Riendeau (HALFORD) on bass.
"[LaBrie's longtime songwriting partner and keyboardist] Matt Guillory and I are very happy to announce that writing for my next solo album has started.
"We're very pleased with how well [LaBrie's last solo CD] 'Static Impulse' was received and are excited to be making a follow-up.
"You can expect all the usual suspects: (Marco Sfogli, Peter Wildoer, Ray Riendeau) In addition to this, we'd also like to announce that Peter Wichers (SOILWORK) is onboard as a co-songwriter. Peter loved 'Static Impulse' and looks forward to making a kick-ass record with us. He is extremely talented and we're stoked to have him!"
James LaBrie's solo tour — which was scheduled to kick off on November 26, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina and end on December 20, 2010 in Houston, Texas — was canceled "due to some unfortunate, unforeseen difficulties with securing work visas" for a couple of the members of LaBrie's band.
"Static Impulse" sold around 1,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.
"Static Impulse" was released on September 28, 2010 (one day earlier internationally) via InsideOut Music. The CD marked LaBrie's first solo effort in over five years.
Mixed and mastered by Jens Borgen (OPETH, KATATONIA), "Static Impulse" featured Guillory; Peter Wildoer from Swedish thrashers DARKANE on drums and screaming vocals; Marco Sfogli on guitar; and Ray Riendeau (HALFORD) on bass.
During last month's Dimebash event at the Key Club in Hollywood, California, Artisan News spoke to guitarist Phil Demmel of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD about the status of the band's long-awaited DVD featuring footage from the mammoth tour in support of 2007's critically acclaimed album "The Blackening".
"We toured on 'The Blackening' for three years, [played] almost four hundred shows, [and] we have footage from everything," Demmel said. "So much happened on that tour — our drummer's mom died, my dad died… So much happened to us. We almost broke up, we went to therapy… All this different shit happened. So we're trying to put all of this together. It's just too much [to include in a single DVD package]. So we wanna whittle it down and create a cool story."
"The Blackening" — which garnered numerous awards and enjoyed praise from both critics and fans alike since its release — was re-released as a "special edition" in October 2008 via Roadrunner Records. It was also certified silver by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) for U.K. sales in excess of 60,000 copies.
MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.
MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.
"The Blackening" opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.
MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE, DARKEST HOUR and RISE TO REMAIN.
"We toured on 'The Blackening' for three years, [played] almost four hundred shows, [and] we have footage from everything," Demmel said. "So much happened on that tour — our drummer's mom died, my dad died… So much happened to us. We almost broke up, we went to therapy… All this different shit happened. So we're trying to put all of this together. It's just too much [to include in a single DVD package]. So we wanna whittle it down and create a cool story."
"The Blackening" — which garnered numerous awards and enjoyed praise from both critics and fans alike since its release — was re-released as a "special edition" in October 2008 via Roadrunner Records. It was also certified silver by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) for U.K. sales in excess of 60,000 copies.
MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Unto The Locust", sold more than 17,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 22 on The Billboard 200 chart — putting MACHINE HEAD in the Top 25 for the first time in the band's 17-year history.
MACHINE HEAD has consistently averaged more than 100,000 copies sold in the U.S. for each of its seven albums and has shifted double that overseas (accruing several silver records in the U.K.), resulting in cumulative worldwide sales of more than 2.4 million.
"The Blackening" opened with just under 15,000 units back in April 2007 to debut at No. 54 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's 2004 effort, "Through The Ashes Of Empires", premiered with less than 12,000 copies to land at No. 88.
MACHINE HEAD will embark on a North American headlining tour in January/February with support from SUICIDE SILENCE, DARKEST HOUR and RISE TO REMAIN.
MACHINE HEAD guitarist Phil Demmel revealed via his Facebook page that he is engaged to BLEEDING THROUGH keyboardist Marta Peterson.
Demmel and Peterson started dating when their bands toured together in Australia and Japan in early 2010.
In an October 2011 interview with Hardrock Haven, Demmel stated about MACHINE HEAD's Australian tour with BLEEDING THROUGH, "I met the girl of my dreams in Australia the last time we were down there. One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me was on that run. I have very special memories of Australia and knowing that I was in love for the first time when I was in Brisbane."
Phil has a five-year-old son, Jadon Philip Demmel, with "rock model" Jamie Jagger.
Demmel began touring with MACHINE HEAD in 2002 but didn't officially join the band until 2004, shortly before the recording of the group's "Through The Ashes Of Empires" album.
Phil was a founding member of the late 1980s San Francisco Bay Area thrash band VIO-LENCE, which also included MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn.
Peterson was twice named "Hottest Chick" in metal by Revolver magazine.
Demmel and Peterson started dating when their bands toured together in Australia and Japan in early 2010.
In an October 2011 interview with Hardrock Haven, Demmel stated about MACHINE HEAD's Australian tour with BLEEDING THROUGH, "I met the girl of my dreams in Australia the last time we were down there. One of the greatest things that has ever happened to me was on that run. I have very special memories of Australia and knowing that I was in love for the first time when I was in Brisbane."
Phil has a five-year-old son, Jadon Philip Demmel, with "rock model" Jamie Jagger.
Demmel began touring with MACHINE HEAD in 2002 but didn't officially join the band until 2004, shortly before the recording of the group's "Through The Ashes Of Empires" album.
Phil was a founding member of the late 1980s San Francisco Bay Area thrash band VIO-LENCE, which also included MACHINE HEAD guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn.
Peterson was twice named "Hottest Chick" in metal by Revolver magazine.
Swedish metallers SABATON have set "Carolus Rex" as the title of their new album, tentateively due at the end of May via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented the band: "We felt it was time for America to get something of a special show and this time the release party will be in Los Angeles, California [on May 23 at the Key Club in West Hollywood]. This show will be the only U.S. West Coast show and it will be the world premiere of new songs."
SABATON will embark on a North American headlining tour in the spring. The "Swedish Empire Tour 2012" will kick off on April 10 in Tampa, Florida.
SABATON bassist Pär Sundström was forced to sit out several shows on the Canadian leg of the band's most recent North American tour due to a knee injury.
"World War Live: Battle Of The Baltic Sea", the first-ever live album from SABATON, was released on August 5, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented the band: "We felt it was time for America to get something of a special show and this time the release party will be in Los Angeles, California [on May 23 at the Key Club in West Hollywood]. This show will be the only U.S. West Coast show and it will be the world premiere of new songs."
SABATON will embark on a North American headlining tour in the spring. The "Swedish Empire Tour 2012" will kick off on April 10 in Tampa, Florida.
SABATON bassist Pär Sundström was forced to sit out several shows on the Canadian leg of the band's most recent North American tour due to a knee injury.
"World War Live: Battle Of The Baltic Sea", the first-ever live album from SABATON, was released on August 5, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Former DIO guitarist Tracy "G" Grijalva has joined forces with current HYDROGYN vocalist Julie Westlake to record a collection of songs Tracy had written with Ronnie James Dio for the DIO releases "Strange Highways" and "Angry Machines" along with some of the guitarist's post-DIO material. The recordings are taking place at Tracy's G Factory studios and will include musicians that played on Grijalva's 2011 album, "Controlled Chaos" — Johnny B on drums and vocals and Eddie Frisco on bass. There is also talk of live shows taking place in the Los Angeles area this spring or summer.
Grijalva is working on a book that will chronicle his time in DIO (from 1993 through 1999). In the book, titled "G: The Dio Years And Beyond The Skull", Tracy talks about everything — from how he got the gig and how he eventually left the band and what he has been up to since. He also speaks very fondly of Ronnie James Dio, as noted in the following passage from the book.
"Behind the scenes and away from the reporters, cameras and industry people, Ronnie was very relaxed and calm," Tracy says. "[It was] very comfortable to be around him and he was very much a regular guy at those times."
Ronnie was always doing "cool" things like letting Tracy watch Dio's video library of film from the RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH days, as well as inviting G's parents to the singer's house for a tour. Ronnie took the Grijalvas through the entire spotless house, which he kept cleaned all on his own. He told Tracy's parents that he once had a housekeeper but had to let her go because he kept the house cleaner than she did. Then they hit the room that Tracy was occupying and he told him that he was not in any way responsible for that room as it was Tracy's mess.
Tracy left DIO in 1999 after he claimed he was "asked to play in a dual-guitar situation" in Ronnie's band. According to a posting on Tracy's web site, DIO was "looking for more of a Ritchie Blackmore style . . . and wanted [Tracy] to step back and just play rhythm guitar. That's when [Tracy] knew it was time to leave, freeing him to more diligently pursue his home studio projects."
For more information, visit www.tracyg.com.
Grijalva is working on a book that will chronicle his time in DIO (from 1993 through 1999). In the book, titled "G: The Dio Years And Beyond The Skull", Tracy talks about everything — from how he got the gig and how he eventually left the band and what he has been up to since. He also speaks very fondly of Ronnie James Dio, as noted in the following passage from the book.
"Behind the scenes and away from the reporters, cameras and industry people, Ronnie was very relaxed and calm," Tracy says. "[It was] very comfortable to be around him and he was very much a regular guy at those times."
Ronnie was always doing "cool" things like letting Tracy watch Dio's video library of film from the RAINBOW and BLACK SABBATH days, as well as inviting G's parents to the singer's house for a tour. Ronnie took the Grijalvas through the entire spotless house, which he kept cleaned all on his own. He told Tracy's parents that he once had a housekeeper but had to let her go because he kept the house cleaner than she did. Then they hit the room that Tracy was occupying and he told him that he was not in any way responsible for that room as it was Tracy's mess.
Tracy left DIO in 1999 after he claimed he was "asked to play in a dual-guitar situation" in Ronnie's band. According to a posting on Tracy's web site, DIO was "looking for more of a Ritchie Blackmore style . . . and wanted [Tracy] to step back and just play rhythm guitar. That's when [Tracy] knew it was time to leave, freeing him to more diligently pursue his home studio projects."
For more information, visit www.tracyg.com.
Finnish female-fronted symphonic metallers AMBERIAN DAWN will release their fourth studio album, "Circus Black", in Finland on February 29 via Spinefarm Records. The band's mainman, keyboardist and guitarist Tuomas Seppälä composed all ten songs for the CD and vocalist Heidi Parviainen penned the lyrics.
"Circus Black" features guest appearances by Tuomas Nieminen (ex- ADAMANTRA, THRONE OF CHAOS), Nils Nordling (ex-DREAMTALE, ANIMAL HOUSE), Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS) and Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS, DIO, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE). Nieminen and Nordling share vocal parts in the song "I Share With You This Dream", Kotipelto sings lead on "Cold Kiss" and Johansson plays a keyboard solo on "Crimson Flower".
Commented Tuomas: "'Circus Black' is the most impressive AMBERIAN DAWN album so far. Musically it represents the most sophisticated and most symphonic edge of AMBERIAN DAWN music. There's more diversity on this album than never before. This is the first time we used a real choir and we gathered some really excellent professional opera singers together to be able to achieve the best-sounding choir possible. This choir was conducted by Mikko P. Mustonen from Pathos Music. He also arranged the choir and orchestral parts.
"We managed once again to get some world-class guests on this album. So, the production is our biggest so far and the final polish on this album was given by Teropekka Virtanen (mixing engineer) and Mika Jussila (mastering engineer) at legendary Finnvox Studios in Finland.
"The whole band did excellent job with recordings. It was really awesome, that Kasperi [Heikkinen] recovered from his hand injury just in time (only a couple of weeks before the mixing sessions started) and he was able to play guitar solos on this album. Even in the fall it seemed that I and Kimmo [Korhonen] would have to play all guitar parts by ourselves."
"Circus Black" track listing:
01. Circus Black (3:49)
02. Cold Kiss (feat. Timo Kotipelto) (3:31)
03. Crimson Flower (feat. Jens Johansson) (4:25)
04. Charnel's Ball (4:27)
05. Fight (3:21)
06. Letter (4:31)
07. I Share With You This Dream (3:37)
08. Rivalry Between Good and Evil (instrumental) (4:00)
09. Guardian (5:09)
10. Lily of the Moon (4:12)
AMBERIAN DAWN last year parted ways with Tommi Kuri (bass), Emil Tobias Pohjalainen (guitar) and Joonas Pykälä-aho (drums) and replaced them with Jukka Koskinen (NORTHER, WINTERSUN), Kimmo Korhonen (WALTARI, HELION, SOLACIDE) and Heikki Saari (NORTHER, NAILDOWN), respectively.
AMBERIAN DAWN's current lineup:
* Heidi Parviainen - Vocals
* Tuomas Seppälä - Keyboards, Guitar
* Kasperi Heikkinen - Guitar
* Kimmo Korhonen (WALTARI, HELION, SOLACIDE) - Guitar
* Jukka Koskinen (NORTHER, WINTERSUN) - Bass
* Heikki Saari (NORTHER, NAILDOWN) - Drums
For more information, visit www.amberiandawn.com.
"Circus Black" features guest appearances by Tuomas Nieminen (ex- ADAMANTRA, THRONE OF CHAOS), Nils Nordling (ex-DREAMTALE, ANIMAL HOUSE), Timo Kotipelto (STRATOVARIUS) and Jens Johansson (STRATOVARIUS, DIO, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE). Nieminen and Nordling share vocal parts in the song "I Share With You This Dream", Kotipelto sings lead on "Cold Kiss" and Johansson plays a keyboard solo on "Crimson Flower".
Commented Tuomas: "'Circus Black' is the most impressive AMBERIAN DAWN album so far. Musically it represents the most sophisticated and most symphonic edge of AMBERIAN DAWN music. There's more diversity on this album than never before. This is the first time we used a real choir and we gathered some really excellent professional opera singers together to be able to achieve the best-sounding choir possible. This choir was conducted by Mikko P. Mustonen from Pathos Music. He also arranged the choir and orchestral parts.
"We managed once again to get some world-class guests on this album. So, the production is our biggest so far and the final polish on this album was given by Teropekka Virtanen (mixing engineer) and Mika Jussila (mastering engineer) at legendary Finnvox Studios in Finland.
"The whole band did excellent job with recordings. It was really awesome, that Kasperi [Heikkinen] recovered from his hand injury just in time (only a couple of weeks before the mixing sessions started) and he was able to play guitar solos on this album. Even in the fall it seemed that I and Kimmo [Korhonen] would have to play all guitar parts by ourselves."
"Circus Black" track listing:
01. Circus Black (3:49)
02. Cold Kiss (feat. Timo Kotipelto) (3:31)
03. Crimson Flower (feat. Jens Johansson) (4:25)
04. Charnel's Ball (4:27)
05. Fight (3:21)
06. Letter (4:31)
07. I Share With You This Dream (3:37)
08. Rivalry Between Good and Evil (instrumental) (4:00)
09. Guardian (5:09)
10. Lily of the Moon (4:12)
AMBERIAN DAWN last year parted ways with Tommi Kuri (bass), Emil Tobias Pohjalainen (guitar) and Joonas Pykälä-aho (drums) and replaced them with Jukka Koskinen (NORTHER, WINTERSUN), Kimmo Korhonen (WALTARI, HELION, SOLACIDE) and Heikki Saari (NORTHER, NAILDOWN), respectively.
AMBERIAN DAWN's current lineup:
* Heidi Parviainen - Vocals
* Tuomas Seppälä - Keyboards, Guitar
* Kasperi Heikkinen - Guitar
* Kimmo Korhonen (WALTARI, HELION, SOLACIDE) - Guitar
* Jukka Koskinen (NORTHER, WINTERSUN) - Bass
* Heikki Saari (NORTHER, NAILDOWN) - Drums
For more information, visit www.amberiandawn.com.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/amberiandawncircus.jpg
Atlantic recording group SHINEDOWN has announced the upcoming release of their much anticipated new album. "Amaryllis" will arrive in stores and at all digital retailers on March 27, 2012.
"Amaryllis" will be heralded by the eagerly awaited new single, "Bully". The track is SHINEDOWN's first new music since seeing all six singles from 2008's "The Sound Of Madness" go to #1 on the rock radio chart. Today, "Bully" impacts at multi-format rock radio outlets nationwide while also going on sale at all DSPs. "Amaryllis" will be available for pre-order beginning January 17 via store.shinedown.com. A series of bundles will be on offer, featuring an array of exclusive extras — full details will be announced shortly.
SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith explains: "I've always seen SHINEDOWN as its own entity — this living thing that's been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what SHINEDOWN is and where it's going became completely clear. 'Amaryllis' is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what SHINEDOWN is. It reflects on everything we've done and where we're heading. It's a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we're about. I can't wait for the world to hear it."
Recorded at Lightning Sound studios outside of Los Angeles and a pair of Hollywood landmarks, Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, "Amaryllis" sees SHINEDOWN joining forces once more with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (KID ROCK, GREEN DAY), who previously collaborated with the band on 2008's record-breaking "The Sound Of Madness". That album proved SHINEDOWN's mainstream breakthrough, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 before spending 120 consecutive weeks on the chart.
"The Sound Of Madness" sold more than 1.2 million copies and produced six hit singles, including "Devour", "The Crow and The Butterfly" and "If You Only Knew".
A deluxe edition of the record was issued last year, which included a bonus track that became yet another radio hit, "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)".
Myers recently told Gibson.com about the band's songwriting process, "We aren't a band that goes into the studio and makes a record in six weeks. 'The Sound Of Madness' took 24 months to write. Brent has this weird thing when we're writing, we go into the studio, and there are no clocks around; there are no calendars on the wall. He doesn't like to have a time limit on being creative."
SHINEDOWN is: Brent Smith (vocals), Barry Kerch (drums), Zach Myers (guitars), and Eric Bass (bass).
"Amaryllis" will be heralded by the eagerly awaited new single, "Bully". The track is SHINEDOWN's first new music since seeing all six singles from 2008's "The Sound Of Madness" go to #1 on the rock radio chart. Today, "Bully" impacts at multi-format rock radio outlets nationwide while also going on sale at all DSPs. "Amaryllis" will be available for pre-order beginning January 17 via store.shinedown.com. A series of bundles will be on offer, featuring an array of exclusive extras — full details will be announced shortly.
SHINEDOWN frontman Brent Smith explains: "I've always seen SHINEDOWN as its own entity — this living thing that's been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what SHINEDOWN is and where it's going became completely clear. 'Amaryllis' is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what SHINEDOWN is. It reflects on everything we've done and where we're heading. It's a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we're about. I can't wait for the world to hear it."
Recorded at Lightning Sound studios outside of Los Angeles and a pair of Hollywood landmarks, Ocean Way Recording and Capitol Studios, "Amaryllis" sees SHINEDOWN joining forces once more with multiple Grammy Award-winning producer Rob Cavallo (KID ROCK, GREEN DAY), who previously collaborated with the band on 2008's record-breaking "The Sound Of Madness". That album proved SHINEDOWN's mainstream breakthrough, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 before spending 120 consecutive weeks on the chart.
"The Sound Of Madness" sold more than 1.2 million copies and produced six hit singles, including "Devour", "The Crow and The Butterfly" and "If You Only Knew".
A deluxe edition of the record was issued last year, which included a bonus track that became yet another radio hit, "Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom)".
Myers recently told Gibson.com about the band's songwriting process, "We aren't a band that goes into the studio and makes a record in six weeks. 'The Sound Of Madness' took 24 months to write. Brent has this weird thing when we're writing, we go into the studio, and there are no clocks around; there are no calendars on the wall. He doesn't like to have a time limit on being creative."
SHINEDOWN is: Brent Smith (vocals), Barry Kerch (drums), Zach Myers (guitars), and Eric Bass (bass).
The self-titled debut album from the Finnish band FOR THE IMPERIUM will receive a wider European release on April 9 via Lifeforce Records. The CD was originally made available in Finland in August 2011 via Warner Music.
On FOR THE IMPERIUM's eponymous debut CD, "your ears will come across everything from extreme metal to cinematic music to emotional post-rock to the catchiest pop in recent memory," according to the band's official bio. "Often rolled into the same song. Yet all this chaos makes a strange kind of sense, much thanks to the band's unprecedented level of musical vision. There aren't too many similarities between songs, or even between parts of the same song for that matter, except for the band's mind-boggling musical chops and virtuosic arrangements like of which you've probably never heard before. You'll surprise yourself by humming along to something you first thought didn't make any sense. But this is the catchiest chaos ever. Musical mayhem in overdrive."
FOR THE IMPERIUM's video for the song "Pike River" can be seen below.
For more information, visit www.fortheimperium.com.
On FOR THE IMPERIUM's eponymous debut CD, "your ears will come across everything from extreme metal to cinematic music to emotional post-rock to the catchiest pop in recent memory," according to the band's official bio. "Often rolled into the same song. Yet all this chaos makes a strange kind of sense, much thanks to the band's unprecedented level of musical vision. There aren't too many similarities between songs, or even between parts of the same song for that matter, except for the band's mind-boggling musical chops and virtuosic arrangements like of which you've probably never heard before. You'll surprise yourself by humming along to something you first thought didn't make any sense. But this is the catchiest chaos ever. Musical mayhem in overdrive."
FOR THE IMPERIUM's video for the song "Pike River" can be seen below.
For more information, visit www.fortheimperium.com.
GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA, the supergroup featuring guitarist Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN), guitarist/vocalist Brent Hinds (MASTODON, WEST END MOTEL, FIEND WITHOUT A FACE) and bassist Eric Avery (ex-JANE'S ADDICTION), has recruited Jon Theodore (ONE DAY AS A LION, ex-THE MARS VOLTA) as its drummer.
Along with his refined repertoire of jazz, fusion and rock styles, Theodore brings a heightened sense of enthusiasm to the project. He says in a statement, "When I first heard some of the ideas these guys were working on, I immediately knew this project was right up my alley. Both beautiful and technical but not spastic, thematic but not cheesy, hard but delicate."
The addition of Theodore was confirmed by Weinman back on December 22 during an interview he gave on WFMU-FM's Diane's "Kamikaze Fun Machine" radio show.
The full stream of the interview is available here.
"[GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA] has been a long time coming," says Weinman. "Now that we have actually started creating together, it's great to see it all materialize into what I feel is some really interesting material."
He adds, "G.T.O. is a true collaborative effort, which in my experience rarely works, so I think we have something pretty special here. It just so happens to be with some of my favorite people and musicians.
"Almost every day this experiment seems to take on some new characteristic, and I think some of the people we've been talking to about contributing vocals would be a big surprise to many. It's even surprised me!"
This February/March, Weinman and Hinds once again find themselves on tour together with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and MASTODON performing a string of U.K. shows, followed by a quick romp down under for Australia's annual Soundwave Festival.
Along with his refined repertoire of jazz, fusion and rock styles, Theodore brings a heightened sense of enthusiasm to the project. He says in a statement, "When I first heard some of the ideas these guys were working on, I immediately knew this project was right up my alley. Both beautiful and technical but not spastic, thematic but not cheesy, hard but delicate."
The addition of Theodore was confirmed by Weinman back on December 22 during an interview he gave on WFMU-FM's Diane's "Kamikaze Fun Machine" radio show.
The full stream of the interview is available here.
"[GIRAFFE TONGUE ORCHESTRA] has been a long time coming," says Weinman. "Now that we have actually started creating together, it's great to see it all materialize into what I feel is some really interesting material."
He adds, "G.T.O. is a true collaborative effort, which in my experience rarely works, so I think we have something pretty special here. It just so happens to be with some of my favorite people and musicians.
"Almost every day this experiment seems to take on some new characteristic, and I think some of the people we've been talking to about contributing vocals would be a big surprise to many. It's even surprised me!"
This February/March, Weinman and Hinds once again find themselves on tour together with THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and MASTODON performing a string of U.K. shows, followed by a quick romp down under for Australia's annual Soundwave Festival.
Italian progressive metallers NEVERDREAM will release their fourth album, "The Circle", in the fall via Twilight Zone Records. According to a press release, the CD's lyrical themes will revolve "around a captivating flavor 'noir,' covering topics like the human psyche and the horrors of religious fanaticism."
NEVERDREAM's third CD, 2010's "Said", was produced by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN) and was described in a press release as "a journey throughout the historical, social and cultural life of the cradle of human race."
NEVERDREAM is:
Voice: Giorgio Massimi
Guitar: Giuseppe Marinelli
Bass: Andrea Terzulli
Key: Mauro Neri
Keyboards, Sax, Programming: Fabrizio Dottori
Drums: Gabriele Palmieri
NEVERDREAM's third CD, 2010's "Said", was produced by Achim Köhler (PRIMAL FEAR, EDGUY, MASTERPLAN) and was described in a press release as "a journey throughout the historical, social and cultural life of the cradle of human race."
NEVERDREAM is:
Voice: Giorgio Massimi
Guitar: Giuseppe Marinelli
Bass: Andrea Terzulli
Key: Mauro Neri
Keyboards, Sax, Programming: Fabrizio Dottori
Drums: Gabriele Palmieri
Italian hard rockers FUEL FROM HELL have inked a deal with Street Symphonies Records. The band's as-yet-untitled second album was produced by Riccardo Asquini and will be released in the spring.
FUEL FROM HELL is:
Phil Lasher - Lead Vocals
Dam Littmanen - Guitar, Vocals
Steve Eighteen - Guitar, Vocals
Max Velvet - Bass, Vocals
Alex Count - Drums
FUEL FROM HELL was formed in 1998 with the intention of playing "good, old loud-as-fuck rock 'n' roll." An EP, "The Superfaka", came out in 2001 and was followed by a full-length album, "Fill You Up With Five Star Gasoline", in 2007.
FUEL FROM HELL has supported L.A. GUNS in Italy and has played shows in Austria, Slovenia and Finland with bands like MELDRUM, FIREBIRD, VENDETTA, PARADOX, 1349 and MIND OF DOLL.
For more information, visit www.fuelfromhell.com.
FUEL FROM HELL is:
Phil Lasher - Lead Vocals
Dam Littmanen - Guitar, Vocals
Steve Eighteen - Guitar, Vocals
Max Velvet - Bass, Vocals
Alex Count - Drums
FUEL FROM HELL was formed in 1998 with the intention of playing "good, old loud-as-fuck rock 'n' roll." An EP, "The Superfaka", came out in 2001 and was followed by a full-length album, "Fill You Up With Five Star Gasoline", in 2007.
FUEL FROM HELL has supported L.A. GUNS in Italy and has played shows in Austria, Slovenia and Finland with bands like MELDRUM, FIREBIRD, VENDETTA, PARADOX, 1349 and MIND OF DOLL.
For more information, visit www.fuelfromhell.com.
California metallers THE HUMAN ABSTRACT appear to have gone on indefinite hiatus following the band's recent split with both vocalist Travis Richter and eOne Music, the label that released the group's third full-length album, "Digital Veil".
In a recent post on his Facebook page, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT bassist Henry Selva stated about the band's current status, "We are not looking for a new vocalist. We are not touring anytime soon. I think it's only fair you guys know that we're on 'break' or 'hiatus,' if you will."
He added, "I don't know why we haven't [made an official announcement about this. I guess it's because there is always that 'maybe if something happens, etc… etc…' Or maybe it's hard for us to realize the reality of our situation, the band's situation, to finally let go.
"I'll be honest when I say the folllowing: PERIPHERY and NEVER SAY DIE were our last tours together as a band.
"It was amazing experience while it lasted.
"Dean [Herrera, guitar] is going back to USC to further his education.
"A.J. [Minette, guitar], as you know, will always continue writing and teaching.
"Brett [Powell, drums], I am sure, has something up his sleeve.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to show their love for the band and the music.
"I'm proud to say that I got to perform and record alongside such amazing musicians."
"Digital Veil" sold around 3,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 177 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 5 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.
In a recent post on his Facebook page, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT bassist Henry Selva stated about the band's current status, "We are not looking for a new vocalist. We are not touring anytime soon. I think it's only fair you guys know that we're on 'break' or 'hiatus,' if you will."
He added, "I don't know why we haven't [made an official announcement about this. I guess it's because there is always that 'maybe if something happens, etc… etc…' Or maybe it's hard for us to realize the reality of our situation, the band's situation, to finally let go.
"I'll be honest when I say the folllowing: PERIPHERY and NEVER SAY DIE were our last tours together as a band.
"It was amazing experience while it lasted.
"Dean [Herrera, guitar] is going back to USC to further his education.
"A.J. [Minette, guitar], as you know, will always continue writing and teaching.
"Brett [Powell, drums], I am sure, has something up his sleeve.
"Thank you to everyone who came out to show their love for the band and the music.
"I'm proud to say that I got to perform and record alongside such amazing musicians."
"Digital Veil" sold around 3,200 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 177 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 5 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.
Two years after releasing their debut album, "…And Kindling Deadly Slumber", Tilburg, Holland-based death metallers THE NEW DOMINION have commenced the recording sessions for the follow-up effort at Split Second Sound Studios in Amsterdam. According to the band's drummer, Yuma van Eekelen, who is also a member of the resurrected Dutch death metallers PESTILENCE, the new CD will be "a truly unique piece of death metal art. It's got all the ingredients to be a killer record that will definitely stand out; fast and aggressive riffing alternated with brutal grooves, technical high skilled drumming and a voice easily capable of doing deep grunts, high pitched screams and everything in between."
"...And Kindling Deadly Slumber" was produced by Tymon Kruidenier (CYNIC, EXIVIOUS) and was released in March 2009 via Neurotic Records.
According to the band's official bio, THE NEW DOMINION's musical style can "no longer can be defined as 'just' Gothenburg thrash. However, its roots can still be found in this particular style. It has more and more developed towards a unique blend of thrash and death metal with influences varying from HYPOCRISY to TOOL, from THE HAUNTED to CANNIBAL CORPSE and from GOJIRA to SLAYER. Song structures have become increasingly more interesting and challenging for the listener, whereas the vocal parts have become more brutal and aggressive on one side and more intense and tantalizing on the other."
"...And Kindling Deadly Slumber" was produced by Tymon Kruidenier (CYNIC, EXIVIOUS) and was released in March 2009 via Neurotic Records.
According to the band's official bio, THE NEW DOMINION's musical style can "no longer can be defined as 'just' Gothenburg thrash. However, its roots can still be found in this particular style. It has more and more developed towards a unique blend of thrash and death metal with influences varying from HYPOCRISY to TOOL, from THE HAUNTED to CANNIBAL CORPSE and from GOJIRA to SLAYER. Song structures have become increasingly more interesting and challenging for the listener, whereas the vocal parts have become more brutal and aggressive on one side and more intense and tantalizing on the other."
Buffalo's magnificently brutal metallic punk ensemble EVERY TIME I DIE is set to unleash its brand new album, titled "Ex Lives", on March 6 via Epitaph Records. The CD was helmed by renowned heavy rock producer Joe Baressi (THE MELVINS, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, PARKWAY DRIVE) and offers an unrelenting onslaught of ingeniously composed and furiously executed cathartic hardcore.
"Ex Lives" track listing:
01. Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space (02:43)
02. Holy Book Of Dilemma (01:49)
03. A Wild, Shameless Plain (01:49)
04. Typical Miracle (02:25)
05. I Suck (Blood) (02:55)
06. Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow (03:12)
07. The Low Road Has No Exits (02:51)
08. Revival Mode (03:46)
09. Drag King (04:11)
10. Touch Yourself (02:17)
11. Indian Giver (04:09)
12. Grudge Music (bonus) (02:24)
13. Business Casualty (bonus) (02:45)
14. Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash (bonus) (02:53)
A video for the song "Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space" can be seen below. The clip was directed by the band's vocalist and lyricist, Keith Buckley, and features a barrage of startling visceral images which perfectly match the raging brutality of the track. As Buckley explains, "In order to write lyrics I had to pay attention to the defeatism that the music suggested. To compile this video I had to acknowledge the masochism I wrote of to myself. You don't get rewarded for your faith and you don't get celebrated for your heroism. Just when you find yourself attached, you have lost it. Everything is borrowed. C'est la vie."
Catch EVERY TIME YOU DIE's patented brand of rock and roll mayhem live when they take their beloved brand of punk infused metal mayhem on the road, joined by Los Angeles based hardcore stage-diving aficionados TERROR. EVERY TIME YOU DIE will follow the tour by spending their summer adding some of their patented punk infused metal to the annual Vans Warped Tour.
"Ex Lives" track listing:
01. Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space (02:43)
02. Holy Book Of Dilemma (01:49)
03. A Wild, Shameless Plain (01:49)
04. Typical Miracle (02:25)
05. I Suck (Blood) (02:55)
06. Partying Is Such Sweet Sorrow (03:12)
07. The Low Road Has No Exits (02:51)
08. Revival Mode (03:46)
09. Drag King (04:11)
10. Touch Yourself (02:17)
11. Indian Giver (04:09)
12. Grudge Music (bonus) (02:24)
13. Business Casualty (bonus) (02:45)
14. Starve An Artist, Cover Your Trash (bonus) (02:53)
A video for the song "Underwater Bimbos From Outer Space" can be seen below. The clip was directed by the band's vocalist and lyricist, Keith Buckley, and features a barrage of startling visceral images which perfectly match the raging brutality of the track. As Buckley explains, "In order to write lyrics I had to pay attention to the defeatism that the music suggested. To compile this video I had to acknowledge the masochism I wrote of to myself. You don't get rewarded for your faith and you don't get celebrated for your heroism. Just when you find yourself attached, you have lost it. Everything is borrowed. C'est la vie."
Catch EVERY TIME YOU DIE's patented brand of rock and roll mayhem live when they take their beloved brand of punk infused metal mayhem on the road, joined by Los Angeles based hardcore stage-diving aficionados TERROR. EVERY TIME YOU DIE will follow the tour by spending their summer adding some of their patented punk infused metal to the annual Vans Warped Tour.
Canadian musician/producer Devin Townsend (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, STEVE VAI, LAMB OF GOD, DARKEST HOUR, GWAR) played four shows in London in November 2011 dedicated to his tetralogy album concept — a great journey through Devin's different states of musical moods — which he started in 2009 with the albums "Addicted" (2009) and "Ki" (2009) and finished with last year's "Deconstruction" and "Ghost". The concerts were professionally recorded and filmed for a unique four-disc DVD release, which is tentatively due in July. Devin states, "I love being able to make huge projects. In this age, it's essential."
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT released "Contain Us", a special tribute box set for its epic quadrology ("Ki", "Addicted", "Deconstruction" and "Ghost") on November 29 in North America. "Contain Us" was designed and created by Man Alive's Tom Bejgrowicz (who also conceived the classic and must-have MISFITS "Coffin" box-set) and is the ultimate collection for every diehard Devin fan. The standard box-set is priced at $80.00 while the hand-numbered box with the 10" and a lithograph drawn and autographed by Devin is $100.
DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT released "Contain Us", a special tribute box set for its epic quadrology ("Ki", "Addicted", "Deconstruction" and "Ghost") on November 29 in North America. "Contain Us" was designed and created by Man Alive's Tom Bejgrowicz (who also conceived the classic and must-have MISFITS "Coffin" box-set) and is the ultimate collection for every diehard Devin fan. The standard box-set is priced at $80.00 while the hand-numbered box with the 10" and a lithograph drawn and autographed by Devin is $100.
CIBOLA JUNCTION, the new Swedish hard rock band featuring Charles Rytkonen (vocals; ex-MORGANA LEFAY), Torsten Bengtsberg (guitar), Magnus Soderblom (guitar), Orjan Josefsson (bass) and Svante Hedstrom (drums; ex-BABYLON BOMBS) — has released a new digital single, "Peace Out", via various online music stores and services, including iTunes and Spotify.
According to a press release, CIBOLA JUNCTION's "desire to go back to the roots can be heard as an influence from the '70s hard rock, but with innovative ways of thinking. Some call their music power groove, others retro hard rock." "We believe it's a kind of rootless music, yet there is something new. But if you going to put a label on it, it's hard rock," the group declares.
"Peace Out" was mixed by songwriter/producer/artist Chris Laney (real name: Ulf Larsson), who has previously worked with CANDLEMASS, EUROPE and CRASHDIET.
For more information, visit CibolaJunction.com.
According to a press release, CIBOLA JUNCTION's "desire to go back to the roots can be heard as an influence from the '70s hard rock, but with innovative ways of thinking. Some call their music power groove, others retro hard rock." "We believe it's a kind of rootless music, yet there is something new. But if you going to put a label on it, it's hard rock," the group declares.
"Peace Out" was mixed by songwriter/producer/artist Chris Laney (real name: Ulf Larsson), who has previously worked with CANDLEMASS, EUROPE and CRASHDIET.
For more information, visit CibolaJunction.com.
Italian power metallers KALEDON have announced the addition of drummer Luca Marini to the group's ranks.
KALEDON's best-of album, "Mightiest Hits", will be released later this month via Scarlet Records.
"Mightiest Hits" track listing:
Disc 1
01. Steel Maker (previously unreleased)
02. In Search Of Kaledon
03. Desert Land Of Warriors
04. The New Kingdom
05. A Frozen Dawn
06. Mighty Son Of The Great Lord
07. Great Night In The Land
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. New King Of Kaledon
10. The End Of The Green Power
11. The God Beyond The Man
12. Surprise Impact
13. Demons Away
Disc 2
01. In Search Of Kaledon (demo)
02. Spirit Of The Dragon (demo)
03. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
04. God Says Yes (demo)
05. Army Of The Undead King (demo)
06. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
07. God Says Yes (demo)
08. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
09. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
10. Home (demo)
11. New Soldiers For A New Army (demo)
KALEDON's best-of album, "Mightiest Hits", will be released later this month via Scarlet Records.
"Mightiest Hits" track listing:
Disc 1
01. Steel Maker (previously unreleased)
02. In Search Of Kaledon
03. Desert Land Of Warriors
04. The New Kingdom
05. A Frozen Dawn
06. Mighty Son Of The Great Lord
07. Great Night In The Land
08. Clash Of The Titans
09. New King Of Kaledon
10. The End Of The Green Power
11. The God Beyond The Man
12. Surprise Impact
13. Demons Away
Disc 2
01. In Search Of Kaledon (demo)
02. Spirit Of The Dragon (demo)
03. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
04. God Says Yes (demo)
05. Army Of The Undead King (demo)
06. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
07. God Says Yes (demo)
08. Thunder In The Sky (demo)
09. Desert Land Of Warriors (demo)
10. Home (demo)
11. New Soldiers For A New Army (demo)
KALEDON's latest album, "Legend Of The Fogotten Reign: Chapter VI - The Last Night On The Battlefield", was released in July 2010 via Scarlet Records. The sixth installment of the saga started in 2002 was previously described as a return to the band's power metal roots: powerful, melodic and extremely captivating. The artwork was created by renowned artist J.P. Fournier (EDGUY, AVANTASIA, IMMORTAL) and it perfectly depicts the band's epic music as never before. Giuseppe Orlando (NOVEMBRE) produced the album.
Italian "post-hardcore" band HOPES DIE LAST will release its sophomore full-length album, "Trust No One", on February 14 via Standby Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Never Trust The Hazel Eyed
02. Sidney Shown
03. Unleash Hell
04. Life After Me Life After You
05. The Blue
06. Bill's Got Only A Pair Of Queens
07. This Song Plays Suicide
08. Air Raid Siren
09. Firework (KATY PERRY cover)
10. The Same Old Fears
11. Icarus (Halfway Across The Sky)
12. Keep Your Hands Off (feat. Nekso)
HOPES DIE LAST is:
Daniele Tofani: Vocals
Marco "Becko" Calanca: Vocals, Bass
Marco Mantovani: Guitar, Vocals
Luigi Magliocca: Guitar
Ivan Panella: Drums
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Never Trust The Hazel Eyed
02. Sidney Shown
03. Unleash Hell
04. Life After Me Life After You
05. The Blue
06. Bill's Got Only A Pair Of Queens
07. This Song Plays Suicide
08. Air Raid Siren
09. Firework (KATY PERRY cover)
10. The Same Old Fears
11. Icarus (Halfway Across The Sky)
12. Keep Your Hands Off (feat. Nekso)
HOPES DIE LAST is:
Daniele Tofani: Vocals
Marco "Becko" Calanca: Vocals, Bass
Marco Mantovani: Guitar, Vocals
Luigi Magliocca: Guitar
Ivan Panella: Drums
AUTOMAN.CA, the Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based outfit featuring Darrell "Dwarf" Millar of KILLER DWARFS fame and the Nikki Sixx-produced LAIDLAW, will release its new album, "Backseat Surprise", on February 14 via UD Records. The CD was produced, engineered and mixed by Greg Looper (TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS) and was co-produced by Millar.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Livin' Bitter Better
02. Rock It Together
03. Loose Lips
04. Forty Five
05. Bona Fide
06. Sweaty Hand Of Fate
07. Hurts To Be Alive
08. Down To the Bone
09. Porno Queen
AUTOMAN.CA has been described as "a genuinely pure '70s/'80s-influenced kick-ass band in the essence of AEROSMITH, THE ROLLING STONES, AC/DC and others. Their distinctive, upbeat brand of modern classic rock can best be described as coming straight out of a music time capsule, yet it's altogether fresh, current and timeless."
AUTOMAN.CA is:
Darrell "Dwarf" Millar (vocals)
Carleton Lockhart (guitar)
John Fenton (bass)
Adrian Cavan (drums)
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Livin' Bitter Better
02. Rock It Together
03. Loose Lips
04. Forty Five
05. Bona Fide
06. Sweaty Hand Of Fate
07. Hurts To Be Alive
08. Down To the Bone
09. Porno Queen
AUTOMAN.CA has been described as "a genuinely pure '70s/'80s-influenced kick-ass band in the essence of AEROSMITH, THE ROLLING STONES, AC/DC and others. Their distinctive, upbeat brand of modern classic rock can best be described as coming straight out of a music time capsule, yet it's altogether fresh, current and timeless."
AUTOMAN.CA is:
Darrell "Dwarf" Millar (vocals)
Carleton Lockhart (guitar)
John Fenton (bass)
Adrian Cavan (drums)
North Carolina's DAYLIGHT DIES has issued the following update:
"On the new album front, we've now completed guitar leads, rhythms, drums and bass guitar and clean guitar are halfway done. We'll wrap everything up in early 2012 and hopefully have a clearer idea for a release date then. Our goal is the first half of 2012. We are thrilled with how everything is sounding so far."
As previously reported, DAYLIGHT DIES's new material is its most varied yet, due in part to bassist Egan O'Rourke's "significant songwriting contributions" this time around.
DAYLIGHT DIES played three shows in Europe in December — including at the third edition of the Madrid Is The Dark festival on December 8-10 at the Old School venue in Getafe, Spain.
DAYLIGHT DIES's latest album, "Lost To The Living", was released in the U.S. in June 2008 via Candlelight Records. The CD features captivatingly dark original artwork from renowned artist Travis Smith, who has worked with the band before and whose other previous collaborations include OPETH, ANATHEMA and KATATONIA.
"On the new album front, we've now completed guitar leads, rhythms, drums and bass guitar and clean guitar are halfway done. We'll wrap everything up in early 2012 and hopefully have a clearer idea for a release date then. Our goal is the first half of 2012. We are thrilled with how everything is sounding so far."
As previously reported, DAYLIGHT DIES's new material is its most varied yet, due in part to bassist Egan O'Rourke's "significant songwriting contributions" this time around.
DAYLIGHT DIES played three shows in Europe in December — including at the third edition of the Madrid Is The Dark festival on December 8-10 at the Old School venue in Getafe, Spain.
DAYLIGHT DIES's latest album, "Lost To The Living", was released in the U.S. in June 2008 via Candlelight Records. The CD features captivatingly dark original artwork from renowned artist Travis Smith, who has worked with the band before and whose other previous collaborations include OPETH, ANATHEMA and KATATONIA.
Terry Butler (DEATH, MASSACRE, SIX FEET UNDER, DENIAL FIEND, OBITUARY) and Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo (MANTAS, DEATH, MASSACRE, M INC.) have canceled their previously announced European tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of MASSACRE's classic "From Beyond" album. Dubbed "Army Of Darkness", the trek was slated to take place in January/February 2012 and was supposed to feature additional performances from MACABRE and MASTER.
Commented MASSACRE lawyer Eric Greif: "The band was looking forward to the trip but got spooked when no contracts or deposits materialized, despite repeated requests to the agent. They'll instead head over later for some summer festivals that don't conflict with Terry's OBITUARY commitments."
Added Butler: "Writing and playing again with Rick has been a lot of fun and it will be great to get back to Europe playing these songs."
Affected dates:
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 current touring lineup is as follows:
* Mike Mazzonetto (M INC., PAIN PRINCIPLE) - Drums
* Ed Webb (DIABOLIC, GENERICHRIST, DESTINED TO RUIN) - Vocals
* Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo – Guitar
* Terry Butler - Bass
Video footage of the new MASSACRE lineup rehearsing for the now-aborted tour at CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida can be seen below (courtesy of BrutalBroadcast.com). Also available is a ReverbNation TuneWidget player containing three rehearsal recordings featuring the band's new lineup.
Commented Rozz: "It is a great pleasure to jam with such seasoned players, and very cool people, this is a great honor in many ways."
Added Butler: "We wanted to give the fans a little taste of what Ed Webb and Mike Mazzonetto sound like and what the band is doing at the moment.
"Ed and Mike are doing an amazing job!! They are seasoned veterans and professionals."
"From Beyond" was recently reissued as a limited-edition digipak CD via Earache Records.The long-out-of-print album has been reissued on CD with four bonus EP tracks and comes housed in a digipak with extended artwork and a fold-out poster.
A different version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with Terry Butler, Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals; MASSACRE, DEATH, MANTAS) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
Commented MASSACRE lawyer Eric Greif: "The band was looking forward to the trip but got spooked when no contracts or deposits materialized, despite repeated requests to the agent. They'll instead head over later for some summer festivals that don't conflict with Terry's OBITUARY commitments."
Added Butler: "Writing and playing again with Rick has been a lot of fun and it will be great to get back to Europe playing these songs."
Affected dates:
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 current touring lineup is as follows:
* Mike Mazzonetto (M INC., PAIN PRINCIPLE) - Drums
* Ed Webb (DIABOLIC, GENERICHRIST, DESTINED TO RUIN) - Vocals
* Frederick "Rick Rozz" DeLillo – Guitar
* Terry Butler - Bass
Video footage of the new MASSACRE lineup rehearsing for the now-aborted tour at CGM Studios in Altamonte Springs, Florida can be seen below (courtesy of BrutalBroadcast.com). Also available is a ReverbNation TuneWidget player containing three rehearsal recordings featuring the band's new lineup.
Commented Rozz: "It is a great pleasure to jam with such seasoned players, and very cool people, this is a great honor in many ways."
Added Butler: "We wanted to give the fans a little taste of what Ed Webb and Mike Mazzonetto sound like and what the band is doing at the moment.
"Ed and Mike are doing an amazing job!! They are seasoned veterans and professionals."
"From Beyond" was recently reissued as a limited-edition digipak CD via Earache Records.The long-out-of-print album has been reissued on CD with four bonus EP tracks and comes housed in a digipak with extended artwork and a fold-out poster.
A different version of MASSACRE — consisting of DENIAL FIEND members Sam Williams (guitar), Curt Beeson (drums; NASTY SAVAGE), along with Terry Butler, Steve Swanson (guitar) and Kam Lee (vocals; MASSACRE, DEATH, MANTAS) — completed a European tour in late 2007.
The cover artwork for "Portals To Canaan", the forthcoming ninth album from California extreme metallers DEEDS OF FLESH, can be seen below.
Due in early 2012 via Unique Leader Records, "Portals to Canaan" will feature "amazing artwork and numerous conceptual pieces" by Raymond Swanland.
A pre-production teaser for "Portals To Canaan" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
Commented the band: "This is only guitar one and drum mapping (no second guitar, leads or vocals) to give the fans an idea of whats to come."
DEEDS OF FLESH recently parted ways with guitarist Sean Southern due to "personal reasons" and have replaced him with Craig Peters (ARKAIK).
DEEDS OF FLESH is:
Erik Lindmark - Guitar/Vocals
Michael Hamilton - Drums
Erlened Caspersen - Bass
Craig Peters - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Corey Athos - Vocals
DEEDS OF FLESH's last CD, "Of What's to Come", came out in November 2008 via Unique Leader. The label previously described the follow-up to 2005's "Crown Of Souls" as "nothing short of a masterpiece, combining the usual DEEDS OF FLESH sound with many added new elements, twisted and memorable guitar riffs and lead work, blistering drums, powerful vocals and mind-blowing bass lines."
Due in early 2012 via Unique Leader Records, "Portals to Canaan" will feature "amazing artwork and numerous conceptual pieces" by Raymond Swanland.
A pre-production teaser for "Portals To Canaan" can be streamed in the YouTube clip below.
Commented the band: "This is only guitar one and drum mapping (no second guitar, leads or vocals) to give the fans an idea of whats to come."
DEEDS OF FLESH recently parted ways with guitarist Sean Southern due to "personal reasons" and have replaced him with Craig Peters (ARKAIK).
DEEDS OF FLESH is:
Erik Lindmark - Guitar/Vocals
Michael Hamilton - Drums
Erlened Caspersen - Bass
Craig Peters - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Corey Athos - Vocals
DEEDS OF FLESH's last CD, "Of What's to Come", came out in November 2008 via Unique Leader. The label previously described the follow-up to 2005's "Crown Of Souls" as "nothing short of a masterpiece, combining the usual DEEDS OF FLESH sound with many added new elements, twisted and memorable guitar riffs and lead work, blistering drums, powerful vocals and mind-blowing bass lines."
German death metallers DAWN OF DISEASE have just entered Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany with producer Jörg Uken (GOD DETHRONED, DEW-SCENTED, SINISTER) to begin recording their sophomore album, "Crypts Of The Unrotten", for an early summer release via NoiseArt Records.
"We really invested a lot of energy and have been collecting new ideas during the last months," the band said in a statement. "You better prepare for a huge portion of death metal! We are very much looking forward to the first recordings."
DAWN OF DISEASE's debut album, "Legends Of Brutality", came out last April via NoiseArt.
DAWN OF DISEASE is:
Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Lukas Kerk - Guitar
Oliver Kirchner - Guitar
Michael Wächter - Bass
Mathias Blässe – Drums
"We really invested a lot of energy and have been collecting new ideas during the last months," the band said in a statement. "You better prepare for a huge portion of death metal! We are very much looking forward to the first recordings."
DAWN OF DISEASE's debut album, "Legends Of Brutality", came out last April via NoiseArt.
DAWN OF DISEASE is:
Tomasz Wisniewski - Vocals
Lukas Kerk - Guitar
Oliver Kirchner - Guitar
Michael Wächter - Bass
Mathias Blässe – Drums
GOATWHORE and HATE ETERNAL will join forces for a North American co-headlining tour in February/March. Support on the trek — which will take the bands from New Orleans to Brooklyn, with stops along the way in Hollywood, the Pacific Northwest and Canada — will come from FALLUJAH and CEREBRAL BORE.
GOATWHORE, HATE ETERNAL, FALLUJAH, CEREBRAL BORE tour dates:
Feb. 18 - New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music Hall (HATE ETERNAL only)
Feb. 19 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Feb. 21 - Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
Feb. 22 - Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
Feb. 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium
Feb. 24 - Portland, OR @ Branx
Feb. 25 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Feb. 26 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
Feb. 27 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Feb. 28 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Feb. 29 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
Mar. 01 - St Paul, MN @ Station 4
Mar. 02 - Des Moines, IA @ House Of Bricks
Mar. 03 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club*
Mar. 05 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck**
Mar. 06 - Ottawa, ON @ Maverick's**
Mar. 07 - Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques**
Mar. 08 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz**
Mar. 09 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus**
* No GOATWHORE
** HATE ETERNAL and CEREBRAL BORE only
GOATWHORE has set "Blood For The Master" as the title of its new album, due on February 14 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Out The Eyes Of God" was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan.
HATE ETERNAL's latest album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes", sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.
GOATWHORE, HATE ETERNAL, FALLUJAH, CEREBRAL BORE tour dates:
Feb. 18 - New Orleans, LA @ Southport Music Hall (HATE ETERNAL only)
Feb. 19 - Houston, TX @ Warehouse Live
Feb. 21 - Tempe, AZ @ Clubhouse
Feb. 22 - Hollywood, CA @ Whisky A Go Go
Feb. 23 - Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst Atrium
Feb. 24 - Portland, OR @ Branx
Feb. 25 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
Feb. 26 - Boise, ID @ The Venue
Feb. 27 - Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
Feb. 28 - Colorado Springs, CO @ Black Sheep
Feb. 29 - Kansas City, MO @ Beaumont Club
Mar. 01 - St Paul, MN @ Station 4
Mar. 02 - Des Moines, IA @ House Of Bricks
Mar. 03 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Rock Club*
Mar. 05 - Toronto, ON @ Hard Luck**
Mar. 06 - Ottawa, ON @ Maverick's**
Mar. 07 - Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Electriques**
Mar. 08 - Clifton, NJ @ Dingbatz**
Mar. 09 - Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus**
* No GOATWHORE
** HATE ETERNAL and CEREBRAL BORE only
GOATWHORE has set "Blood For The Master" as the title of its new album, due on February 14 in North America via Metal Blade Records. The follow-up to 2009's "Carving Out The Eyes Of God" was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida with producer with Erik Rutan.
HATE ETERNAL's latest album, "Phoenix Amongst The Ashes", sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 14 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.
Swedish Viking death metallers KING OF ASGARD will enter Sonic Train studios in Varberg, Sweden with engineer Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND) in early March to begin recording their sophomore album. The follow-up to 2010's "Fi'mbulvintr" is due before the end of the year via Metal Blade Records.
Comments the band: "The material for this coming release is a natural step forward for KING OF ASGARD. It differs quite a lot though the foundation of our musical roots still are very present. A natural progression of the sounds on 'Fi'mbulvintr'! Songtitles include 'Gap Of Ginnungs' and 'Plague-Ridden Rebirth'."
KING OF ASGARD last year announced the addition of guitarist Lars Tängmark (DAWN) to the group's ranks.
KING OF ASGARD was formed in 2008 by Karl Beckman (ex-MITHOTYN) after he dissolved his latest musical projects. He teamed up with Karsten Larsson (FALCONER), a one-time accomplice in the defunct viking horde MITHOTYN, and the decision was made to go back to their roots both musically as well as heading for their Norse heritage in lyrical approach. With creativity flowing, numerous songs were written and KING OF ASGARD recorded a seven-track demo, "Prince Of Märing", at Lotang Studio. In late 2009 Jonas Albrektsson joined the ranks on bass to strengthen the lineup further.
KING OF ASGARD features members of such acts as MITHOTYN, FALCONER, THY PRIMORDIAL, INDUNGEON and DAWN.
KING OF ASGARD is:
Karl Beckman - Guitar, Vocals
Jonas Albrektsson - Bass
Karsten Larsson - Drums
Lars Tängmark - Guitar
For more information, visit www.kingofasgard.com.
Comments the band: "The material for this coming release is a natural step forward for KING OF ASGARD. It differs quite a lot though the foundation of our musical roots still are very present. A natural progression of the sounds on 'Fi'mbulvintr'! Songtitles include 'Gap Of Ginnungs' and 'Plague-Ridden Rebirth'."
KING OF ASGARD last year announced the addition of guitarist Lars Tängmark (DAWN) to the group's ranks.
KING OF ASGARD was formed in 2008 by Karl Beckman (ex-MITHOTYN) after he dissolved his latest musical projects. He teamed up with Karsten Larsson (FALCONER), a one-time accomplice in the defunct viking horde MITHOTYN, and the decision was made to go back to their roots both musically as well as heading for their Norse heritage in lyrical approach. With creativity flowing, numerous songs were written and KING OF ASGARD recorded a seven-track demo, "Prince Of Märing", at Lotang Studio. In late 2009 Jonas Albrektsson joined the ranks on bass to strengthen the lineup further.
KING OF ASGARD features members of such acts as MITHOTYN, FALCONER, THY PRIMORDIAL, INDUNGEON and DAWN.
KING OF ASGARD is:
Karl Beckman - Guitar, Vocals
Jonas Albrektsson - Bass
Karsten Larsson - Drums
Lars Tängmark - Guitar
For more information, visit www.kingofasgard.com.
Swedish tech-death assassins SPAWN OF POSSESSION will release their third full-length album, "Incurso", in North America on March 13 via Relapse Records. The CD, which will contain nine tracks plus an instrumental intro, was recorded at Pama Studios in Kristianopel, Sweden with engineer Magnus "Mankan" Sedenberg.
According to a press release, "devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex songwriting coalesce to create an opus of next-level death metal on 'Incurso', which the band promises to be their most supreme work to date, and more devastating than ever."
The "Incurso" cover art was created by graphic artist Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, IMMOLATION, DYING FETUS) and can be seen below.
"Incurso" track listing:
01. Abodement
02. Where Angels Go Demons Follow
03. Bodiless Sleeper
04. The Evangelist
05. Servitude of Souls
06. Deus Avertat
07. Spiritual Deception
08. No Light Spared
09. Apparition
As previously announced, SPAWN OF POSSESSION will embark on a month-long European tour in March as the support act for labelmates OBSCURA. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are GOROD and EXIVIOUS.
SPAWN OF POSSESSION (Jonas Bryssling: guitar, Dennis Röndum: vocals, Erlend Casperson: bass, Henrik Schönström: drums, Christian Münzner: guitar) formed in 1997 and has previously released two full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "Noctambulant" (2006, Neurotic Records), received international critical acclaim for its blend of musical chops and unfettered extremity.
According to a press release, "devastating riffs, jaw-dropping time-signatures and improbably complex songwriting coalesce to create an opus of next-level death metal on 'Incurso', which the band promises to be their most supreme work to date, and more devastating than ever."
The "Incurso" cover art was created by graphic artist Pär Olofsson (IMMORTAL, IMMOLATION, DYING FETUS) and can be seen below.
"Incurso" track listing:
01. Abodement
02. Where Angels Go Demons Follow
03. Bodiless Sleeper
04. The Evangelist
05. Servitude of Souls
06. Deus Avertat
07. Spiritual Deception
08. No Light Spared
09. Apparition
As previously announced, SPAWN OF POSSESSION will embark on a month-long European tour in March as the support act for labelmates OBSCURA. Also scheduled to appear on the bill are GOROD and EXIVIOUS.
SPAWN OF POSSESSION (Jonas Bryssling: guitar, Dennis Röndum: vocals, Erlend Casperson: bass, Henrik Schönström: drums, Christian Münzner: guitar) formed in 1997 and has previously released two full-length albums. The band's latest CD, "Noctambulant" (2006, Neurotic Records), received international critical acclaim for its blend of musical chops and unfettered extremity.
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/spawnincurso.jpg
ATHEAN, the German technical death metal project featuring BEHIND THE SCENERY guitarist Simon Abele, has just released its debut EP, "Main-Mast Of The Voyaging Earth", via Serial Six Records.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Journey Above The Calm Aeons (instrumental) (3:04)
02. Passage (4:10)
03. Fragmented Convictions (4:21)
04. Main-Mast Of The Voyaging Earth (5:12)
In 2008, Abele had the idea of starting a musical project to pay tribute to one of his all-time heroes, the late Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH). So Abele started writing and recording the first ATHEAN material in the vein of the technical period of DEATH. The material was not intended for a professional release at first, but when Simon presented the first demos to his former bandmate Chris Mrosek, they decided to give the project a more professional appeal. Christoph added his influences, and the music of the then-unnamed project gradually evolved from being a pure DEATH tribute. With the addition of BEHIND THE SCENERY vocalist Holger Speidel, the songs certainly took a more brutal and aggressive turn. You will still find classical Chuck leads and licks all over the EP, but there are also a lot of hints towards bands like CARCASS and the progressive melodic death metal of the U.S. and Europe in general.
"Good songwriting always has been a primary objective during the whole process," says Abele. "If you just expect the next over-the-edge dose of 260 bpm blastbeat radicalism, then ATHEAN might be the wrong band for you.
"Writing and playing metal is no longer a contest of speed or loudness.
"Virtually everything has been said and done here.
"When Eno, Chris and me created this EP, we wanted everything to be about groove, and the in-depth-shaping of songs in a way that they grow upon repeated listening, regardless of the genre they move in."
After an instrumental piece called "Journey Above The Calm Aeons", "Passage" is the opening track of ATHEAN's debut EP, featuring a crisp-but-natural production by Immanuel Rein of Panache Production Studios.
Mrosek's lead on "Fragmented Convictions" was heavily inspired by the early PSYCHOTIC WALTZ records, and guest Alex Guth (STORMWARRIOR, AEONS CONFER, BÖRN AGAIN) shreds a really nice solo towards the end of the song.
ATHEAN's logo design was handled by Christophe Szpajdel (EMPEROR).
ATHEAN is:
Holger Speidel - Vocals
Chris Mrosek - Guitar
Simon Abele - Guitar
Sirajul "Eno" Haque - Bass
For more information, visit www.athean.de.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Journey Above The Calm Aeons (instrumental) (3:04)
02. Passage (4:10)
03. Fragmented Convictions (4:21)
04. Main-Mast Of The Voyaging Earth (5:12)
In 2008, Abele had the idea of starting a musical project to pay tribute to one of his all-time heroes, the late Chuck Schuldiner (DEATH). So Abele started writing and recording the first ATHEAN material in the vein of the technical period of DEATH. The material was not intended for a professional release at first, but when Simon presented the first demos to his former bandmate Chris Mrosek, they decided to give the project a more professional appeal. Christoph added his influences, and the music of the then-unnamed project gradually evolved from being a pure DEATH tribute. With the addition of BEHIND THE SCENERY vocalist Holger Speidel, the songs certainly took a more brutal and aggressive turn. You will still find classical Chuck leads and licks all over the EP, but there are also a lot of hints towards bands like CARCASS and the progressive melodic death metal of the U.S. and Europe in general.
"Good songwriting always has been a primary objective during the whole process," says Abele. "If you just expect the next over-the-edge dose of 260 bpm blastbeat radicalism, then ATHEAN might be the wrong band for you.
"Writing and playing metal is no longer a contest of speed or loudness.
"Virtually everything has been said and done here.
"When Eno, Chris and me created this EP, we wanted everything to be about groove, and the in-depth-shaping of songs in a way that they grow upon repeated listening, regardless of the genre they move in."
After an instrumental piece called "Journey Above The Calm Aeons", "Passage" is the opening track of ATHEAN's debut EP, featuring a crisp-but-natural production by Immanuel Rein of Panache Production Studios.
Mrosek's lead on "Fragmented Convictions" was heavily inspired by the early PSYCHOTIC WALTZ records, and guest Alex Guth (STORMWARRIOR, AEONS CONFER, BÖRN AGAIN) shreds a really nice solo towards the end of the song.
ATHEAN's logo design was handled by Christophe Szpajdel (EMPEROR).
ATHEAN is:
Holger Speidel - Vocals
Chris Mrosek - Guitar
Simon Abele - Guitar
Sirajul "Eno" Haque - Bass
For more information, visit www.athean.de.
Dutch death/thrash metal pioneers THANATOS have issued the following update:
"Although 2011 was another tough and bumpy year in the now 28-years-long history of THANATOS, we're still here! And no shitty record companies or unreliable (business) partners are ever going to break us!
"We're happy to announce that 2012 will see the return of drummer Yuri Rinkel to our ranks!
"Although Yuri won't be joining the band on a full-time basis, he will be there to help us out at upcoming live shows and possibly new recordings."
THANATOS' current lineup is rounded out by Stephan Gebédi (guitar/vocals; also guitarist in HAIL OF BULLETS), Paul Baayens (guitar; HAIL OF BULLETS, ASPHYX), Marco de Bruin (bass) and Marco de Groot.
THANATOS in 2010 recorded a cover version of the song "Reanimation" by Canadian thrash metal legends SACRIFICE. The THANATOS track was released in May 2011 on a seven-inch vinyl split EP with Dutch doom/deathsters ASPHYX (who were featured with a cover version of the MAJESTY classic "Bestial Vomit") via Cyclone Empire Records.
THANATOS' fifth full-length album, "Justified Genocide", was released in March 2009 through Deity Down Records. The CD was recorded at Excess studios in Rotterdam, Netherlands and was mixed by Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.
In 2009 THANATOS celebrated its 25th anniversary since the band first emerged from the Netherworlds.
"Although 2011 was another tough and bumpy year in the now 28-years-long history of THANATOS, we're still here! And no shitty record companies or unreliable (business) partners are ever going to break us!
"We're happy to announce that 2012 will see the return of drummer Yuri Rinkel to our ranks!
"Although Yuri won't be joining the band on a full-time basis, he will be there to help us out at upcoming live shows and possibly new recordings."
THANATOS' current lineup is rounded out by Stephan Gebédi (guitar/vocals; also guitarist in HAIL OF BULLETS), Paul Baayens (guitar; HAIL OF BULLETS, ASPHYX), Marco de Bruin (bass) and Marco de Groot.
THANATOS in 2010 recorded a cover version of the song "Reanimation" by Canadian thrash metal legends SACRIFICE. The THANATOS track was released in May 2011 on a seven-inch vinyl split EP with Dutch doom/deathsters ASPHYX (who were featured with a cover version of the MAJESTY classic "Bestial Vomit") via Cyclone Empire Records.
THANATOS' fifth full-length album, "Justified Genocide", was released in March 2009 through Deity Down Records. The CD was recorded at Excess studios in Rotterdam, Netherlands and was mixed by Dan Swanö (NIGHTINGALE, EDGE OF SANITY and BLOODBATH fame) at Unisound in Sweden.
In 2009 THANATOS celebrated its 25th anniversary since the band first emerged from the Netherworlds.
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