[Classic_Rock_Forever] KISS, Alice Cooper, Hard Rock/Metal Tours, Van Halen, Chickenfoot, Ted Nugent, Christ Cornell, Philm,Adrenaline Mob, and tons more hard rock and heavy metal news

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According to ALICE COOPER fan site SickthingsUK, Concert Live has set a February 13 release date for "No More Mr Nice Guy Live", a two-CD remixed version of Cooper's October 29, 2011 show at London, England's Alexandra Place.

Concert Live, which enables fans all over the world to relive the experience with instant recordings of live gigs available within minutes of the last note being played, already released this concert as one of its instant live shows back in October, and the show has been aired on TV in both the U.K. and U.S., but this will apparently be a properly remixed version of this performance.

"No More Mr Nice Guy Live" track listing:

Disc 1

01. The Black Widow
02. Brutal Planet
03. I'm Eighteen
04. Under My Wheels
05. Billion Dollar Babies
06. No More Mr Nice Guy
07. Hey Stoopid
08. Is It My Body?
09. Halo Of Flies

Disc 2

01. I'll Bite Your Face Off
02. Muscle Of Love
03. Only Women Bleed
04. Cold Ethyl
05. Feed My Frankenstein
06. Clones (We're All)
07. Poison
08. Wicked Young Man
09. I Love The Dead
10. Schools Out
11. Elected
12. Fire (with Arthur Brown)
 
 
The February 2012 issue of U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine features KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley's thoughts on six songs from KISS's upcoming album, "Monster", which he is co-producing.

"I wasn't interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly," says Stanley. "The band's all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that's essential. That's what made [2009's] 'Sonic Boom' so great, and this album is thunderously better."

"It's A Long Way Down"

Stanley: "It says that those who reach heights and don't appreciate them fall mightily — it's a long way down from the top. It's a defining track in the sense that it's very up-tempo and very much a signature song. Eric's [Singer] drumming is incredible on this."

"Back To The Stone Age"

Stanley: "One that Gene [Simmons] sings. It's exactly what you'd expect it to be from the title. I come from a school where you write a verse, a bridge, a chorus, and then you go back. That's in my blood. It's in Motown, it's in THE BEATLES, it's in LED ZEPPELIN, it's in THE WHO, its in all my favorite bands."

"Shout Mercy"

Stanley: "That's a great track. There's a lot of tracks that could start the album, and this is one of them. I like to think that the opening song is a declaration of what the album really is, whether it's a 'Love Gun' or a 'Detroit Rock City'. It's important to start with a song that defines what you're gonna be getting."

"Out Of This World"

Stanley: "That's one of Tommy's [Thayer, guitarist.] He really pushed the limits. His playing is phenomenal. It has the kind of excitement that I like to hear where you're not quite sure if it's gonna go off the rails or not. That's what makes great rock n' roll."
"Wall Of Sound"

Stanley: "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel here; we're at our best when we don't over-think. It's not a Rubik's Cube, it's a song, you know? This one is absolutely, immediately recognisable and identifiable and true to being KISS. I put the blinders on us to keep us from being derailed or the attention span broken by things going on around us."

"Hell Or Hallelujah"

Stanley: "Another up-tempo song, and it's very definitive. That's what I think is so great about this album: every track is quintessential. No one does it better — and many have tried. When we hit the bulls-eye, we hit it full on. We've cut 14 tracks. How many we'll use or how this will play out will be interesting, but there's no filler."

Stanley said that KISS was going to be wrapping up work on "Monster" this week. On Wednesday (January 4) Stanley gave an update on the album — which is their first new studio set since 2009's "Sonic Boom" — saying, "(We are) two days from finished with this album. It's awesome. . . by far the best thing we've done in I don't know how long. Have I said that before? Yeah! Was I right? Yeah! I'm right this time again! Truly, the album kicks major ass and we're very, very proud of it."

Guitarist Tommy Thayer also spoke about the new album, which will be the band's 20th, adding: "You're gonna be as excited as we are cause we're really excited, and we're not just saying that. . . this is great stuff. . . it's amazing!"

There's been no release date announced for "Monster".

Stanley admits that he's never surprised by how deep KISS' fan devotion continues to run worldwide. "It really for me, resoundingly once again, I guess validates for me why this band exists," he told The Pulse Of Radio. "It's not a tepid recreation of the past, it's really an ageless beast that dominates at will. It's timeless."

Gene Simmons told The Pulse Of Radio that despite the knocks KISS has received from the rock press over the years, that sometimes in rock n' roll, style actually makes for excellent substance. "Y'know, every few years there's a kind of born-again thing that happens with KISS, a kick in the butt," he said. "And despite the naysayers and whoever else we have long since buried in our backyards of mansions that bad reviews built us — we all live and die by the masses. So interestingly enough, the movies that I go see, that I love, when I read the reviews, I'm shocked because I always get the sense, 'Oh, they must have seen a different movie.' So when I go see 'G.I. Joe', or 'Transformers', or some of the other great thrill-rides; This ain't Shakespeare! (Laughs) But it also doesn't pretend to be. That's not why I'm going. I wanna see the world blow up."
 
KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley has offered the following update on the band's new album, "Monster", to the group's official web site, KissOnline.com:

"Friday [January 6] we officially completed work on the new album.

"Listening to the tracks back to back is like sensory overload. Everyone who has heard any of it is completely blown away. Powerful, heavy, melodic and epic.

"It makes us very proud. You all will be, too.

"Mixing starts next week."

The February 2012 issue of U.K.'s Classic Rock magazine features Stanley's thoughts on six songs from "Monster", which he is co-producing.

"I wasn't interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly," says Stanley. "The band's all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that's essential. That's what made [2009's] 'Sonic Boom' so great, and this album is thunderously better."

"It's A Long Way Down"

Stanley: "It says that those who reach heights and don't appreciate them fall mightily — it's a long way down from the top. It's a defining track in the sense that it's very up-tempo and very much a signature song. Eric's [Singer] drumming is incredible on this."

"Back To The Stone Age"

Stanley: "One that Gene [Simmons] sings. It's exactly what you'd expect it to be from the title. I come from a school where you write a verse, a bridge, a chorus, and then you go back. That's in my blood. It's in Motown, it's in THE BEATLES, it's in LED ZEPPELIN, it's in THE WHO, its in all my favorite bands."

"Shout Mercy"

Stanley: "That's a great track. There's a lot of tracks that could start the album, and this is one of them. I like to think that the opening song is a declaration of what the album really is, whether it's a 'Love Gun' or a 'Detroit Rock City'. It's important to start with a song that defines what you're gonna be getting."

"Out Of This World"

Stanley: "That's one of Tommy's [Thayer, guitarist.] He really pushed the limits. His playing is phenomenal. It has the kind of excitement that I like to hear where you're not quite sure if it's gonna go off the rails or not. That's what makes great rock n' roll."
"Wall Of Sound"

Stanley: "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel here; we're at our best when we don't over-think. It's not a Rubik's Cube, it's a song, you know? This one is absolutely, immediately recognisable and identifiable and true to being KISS. I put the blinders on us to keep us from being derailed or the attention span broken by things going on around us."

"Hell Or Hallelujah"

Stanley: "Another up-tempo song, and it's very definitive. That's what I think is so great about this album: every track is quintessential. No one does it better — and many have tried. When we hit the bulls-eye, we hit it full on. We've cut 14 tracks. How many we'll use or how this will play out will be interesting, but there's no filler."

There's been no release date announced for "Monster".

Stanley admits that he's never surprised by how deep KISS' fan devotion continues to run worldwide. "It really for me, resoundingly once again, I guess validates for me why this band exists," he told The Pulse Of Radio. "It's not a tepid recreation of the past, it's really an ageless beast that dominates at will. It's timeless."

Gene Simmons told The Pulse Of Radio that despite the knocks KISS has received from the rock press over the years, that sometimes in rock n' roll, style actually makes for excellent substance. "Y'know, every few years there's a kind of born-again thing that happens with KISS, a kick in the butt," he said. "And despite the naysayers and whoever else we have long since buried in our backyards of mansions that bad reviews built us — we all live and die by the masses. So interestingly enough, the movies that I go see, that I love, when I read the reviews, I'm shocked because I always get the sense, 'Oh, they must have seen a different movie.' So when I go see 'G.I. Joe', or 'Transformers', or some of the other great thrill-rides; This ain't Shakespeare! (Laughs) But it also doesn't pretend to be. That's not why I'm going. I wanna see the world blow up."
 
Pollstar, the only trade publication covering the worldwide concert industry, has published a list of the Top 200 top-grossing North American tours of 2011.

The following are the top-ranked hard rock/metal tours of the year (overall ranking based on total box office gross data as provided to Pollstar by concert promoters and venue managers):

15. JOURNEY

Gross (millions): 37.4
Average Tickets: 12,065
Cities/Shows: 58/58

41. MÖTLEY CRÜE

Gross (millions): 21.1
Average Tickets: 7,397
Cities/Shows: 51/51

47. DEF LEPPARD/HEART

Gross (millions): 19.2
Average Tickets: 8,364
Cities/Shows: 45/45

51. RUSH

Gross (millions): 18.3
Average Tickets: 9,757
Cities/Shows: 25/26

64. LINKIN PARK

Gross (millions): 14.0
Average Tickets: 9,807
Cities/Shows: 24/24

68. PEARL JAM

Gross (millions): 12.3
Average Tickets: 18,578
Cities/Shows: 10/11

73. GUNS N' ROSES

Gross (millions): 11.2
Average Tickets: 6,446
Cities/Shows: 33/35

75. AVENGED SEVENFOLD

Gross (millions): 10.9
Average Tickets: 5,803
Cities/Shows: 53/53

91. RAMMSTEIN

Gross (millions): 9.0
Average Tickets: 12,175
Cities/Shows: 12/13

94. Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival

Gross (millions): 8.6
Average Tickets: 8,977
Cities/Shows: 30/30

95. OZZY OSBOURNE

Gross (millions): 8.5
Average Tickets: 7,479
Cities/Shows: 22/22

96. Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival

Gross (millions): 8.5
Average Tickets: 9,578
Cities/Shows: 25/25

97. JUDAS PRIEST

Gross (millions): 8.4
Average Tickets: 4,334
Cities/Shows: 38/38

101. Music As A Weapon

Gross (millions): 7.9
Average Tickets: 4,669

126. SOUNDGARDEN

Gross (millions): 6.1
Average Tickets: 5,167

132. KISS

Gross (millions): 5.8
Average Tickets: 2,704

155. AEROSMITH

Gross (millions): 4.7
Average Tickets: 24,995

166. A PERFECT CIRCLE

Gross (millions): 4.4
Average Tickets: 3,967

175. IRON MAIDEN

Gross (millions): 4.2
Average Tickets: 15,941

180. SYSTEM OF A DOWN

Gross (millions): 4.1
Average Tickets: 7,604

198. DEFTONES

Gross (millions): 3.4
Average Tickets: 2,371
 
According to melodic rock, the track listing for VAN HALEN's much-anticipated new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", is as follows:

01. Tattoo
02. She's The Woman
03. You and Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood and Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin'

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is now officially confirmed to arrive on February 7 via Interscope.

The deluxe-edition version of the CD will contain a bonus DVD featuring four brand new acoustic performance videos.
 
the track listing for VAN HALEN's much-anticipated new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", is as follows:

01. Tattoo
02. She's The Woman
03. You and Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood and Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin'

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is now officially confirmed to arrive on February 7 via Interscope.

The deluxe-edition version of the CD will contain a bonus DVD featuring four brand new acoustic performance videos.
 
The deluxe-edition version of VAN HALEN's much-anticipated new album, "A Different Kind Of Truth", will contain a bonus DVD featuring four brand new acoustic-performance videos titled "The Downtown Sessions" including the songs "Panama", "You And Your Blues", "You Really Got Me" and "Beautiful Girls".

"A Different Kind Of Truth" track listing:

01. Tattoo
02. She's The Woman
03. You and Your Blues
04. China Town
05. Blood and Fire
06. Bullethead
07. As Is
08. Honeybabysweetiedoll
09. The Trouble With Never
10. Outta Space
11. Stay Frosty
12. Big River
13. Beats Workin'

"A Different Kind Of Truth" is now officially confirmed to arrive on February 7 via Interscope.

The first single and music video from "A Different Kind Of Truth", called "Tattoo", will arrive next Tuesday (January 10). A pre-order is available at Amazon.com.

A 30-second audio sample of "Tattoo" is available in the YouTube clip below.

The set will be the group's first all-new collection since "Van Halen 3" was issued 13 years ago, and its first with singer David Lee Roth since "1984".

VAN HALEN returned to the stage for the first time since the end of its 2007/2008 reunion tour on Thursday night (January 5) when the band performed at the tiny Cafe Wha? nightclub in downtown Manhattan.

The setlist for the evening's show stuck to VAN HALEN classics from the six albums of the initial David Lee Roth era, with the exception of a tune called "She's The Woman". That song originally appeared on the 1976 demo, produced by KISS bassist Gene Simmons, that got VAN HALEN their record deal with Warner Bros. It was left off the group's 1978 debut but has been resurrected for the new disc.

The capacity crowd at the 250-person club mostly consisted of press and members of the entertainment industry.

Roth at one point introduced his uncle, 92-year-old Manny Roth, who used to run Cafe Wha? and introduced a young Bob Dylan to the stage decades ago.

At the same time, VAN HALEN released details of its upcoming North American tour, which will kick off on February 18 in Louisville, Kentucky. Tickets for the tour will begin going on sale January 14. KOOL AND THE GANG will open for VAN HALEN on selected tour stops.
 
CHICKENFOOT will take part in a video online chat today (Saturday, January 7) using Google+'s "Hangouts" feature. Bassist Michael Anthony is going to be "hanging out" at 12 p.m. PST, with guitarist Joe Satriani set to follow him at 12:30 p.m. PST. The band states, "[Drummer] Kenny [Aronoff] is going to get pulled in as well and we'll see if we can grab Sammy Hagar [vocals] at some point too!"

"Visit their pages to post your questions to get invited to the hangouts. This post has comments disabled to make sure you go over there to post the questions you'd like to ask.

"We're using the new 'On Air' features of Hangout so even if you don't get to ask your question, you can still watch and comment!"

CHICKENFOOT's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.

"III" was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA) and is the much-anticipated follow-up album to the successful eponymous debut of a rock band packed with successful veterans.

Featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani and former VAN HALEN members Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals), CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup includes legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who is filling in for Chad Smith while Smith hits the road with his main band, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.
 
Pierce Munitions, LLC has entered an exclusive agreement to manufacture high-performance hunting ammunition for the legendary Ted Nugent.

Pierce Munitions is a company whose main focus is producing high quality performance ammunition. The Ted Nugent brand will be available for retail distribution exclusively through American Tactical, Rochester, New York.

Under the Nugent brand, Pierce will manufacture the most popular calibers of hunting ammunition. They plan to produce hand gun hunting ammunition in .357 magnum, 10mm, 44 magnum and 45 Long Colt as well as various hunting rifle ammunition from the .223, 308, 30-30, 243, 30-06, 270, 300 Win Mag and the 50 cal. BMG. Each caliber will be available with various projectile options.

Ted Nugent, a lifelong outdoorsman and hunter, said, "My life, family and friends are one big shooting, hunting, outdoor family. I am excited and proud to now help create state-of-the-art ammo for dedicated sporters everywhere."

"Ted Nugent is putting his name on our product and insists on perfection in every shot said Chief Marketing Officer, Andrew Wright. "That is our sole focus right from the beginning. We use only the finest components available. Each round is hand inspected and hand packaged."

In the first quarter of 2012, the company will start producing the Nugent-branded ammunition and the product is expected to be available at most sporting goods retailers by July 2012.

Pierce Munitions LLC is based in Buffalo, NY, founded in 2009 and is owned by CEO Aaron J. Pierce. Visit www.piercemunitions.com.
 
SOUNDGARDEN/ex-AUDIOSLAVE singer Chris Cornell will be interviewed by Jon Pareles of the The New York Times tonight, January 7 at 6:00 p.m. as part of The New York Times Arts & Leisure Weekend. The event is sold out, but you can access a live stream at www.artsandleisureweekend.com.

Although Cornell has been recording a new album with SOUNDGARDEN for the first time in 15 years, he continues to work as a solo artist as well. He told Spin.com how it's different from playing with a band. "An acoustic show is all about you, and any little nuance or mistake is amplified," Cornell explained. "I'm very nervous about it, but I love the intimacy. Once you sit in front of people and start playing songs, it's all on you. No matter what happens, it's entirely your responsibility the entire time. I like that intensity."

Cornell told The Pulse Of Radio that he sees working with SOUNDGARDEN again as having a positive influence on his solo career. "One thing about a solo artist is you can just be in a room way too long with yourself and your own thoughts and your own songs, and it feels really good to be working with Ben (Shepherd, bassist) and Matt (Cameron, drummer) and Kim (Thayil, guitarist) again, and it's actually a really nice reprieve also from just being alone, doing what I do," he said. "It's helping with the balance, I think, too."

Cornell has issued three solo albums. The last one, 2009's "Scream", was trashed by critics and fans for abandoning Cornell's rock roots for an urban pop sound.
 
PHILM — the Los Angeles-based experimental post-hardcore triumvirate featuring drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), guitarist/vocalist Gerry Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE), and bassist Pancho Tomaselli (WAR) — is mastering its debut album for an early 2012 release via Ipecac Recordings. Dave says, "I can't wait for [everyone] to hear it! Looking forward to releasing it and doing selected shows around the world."

Ipecac Recordings is the brainchild of Greg Werckman (former label manager for the legendary punk label Alternative Tentacles) and FAITH NO MORE singer Mike Patton, who played with Lombardo in the eclectic supergroup FANTÔMAS.

Video footage of PHILM performing on May 29, 2011 at the Roxy in West Hollywood, California can be viewed below (courtesy of Metal Assault).

While there are elements of metal detected throughout PHILM's sound, the band manages to also incorporate such other styles as jazz, ambient, hardcore punk, experimental, and funk into its unpredictable, cacophony-heavy style. An obvious reason for this multi-genre amalgamation can be directly linked to the gentlemen that play alongside Lombardo in PHILMTomaselli is a longtime member of funk rockers WAR, and Nestler fronts prog metallists CIVIL DEFIANCE. Add it all up, and you get the wonderful world of PHILM.

As Lombardo himself explains, expect the unexpected from PHILM. "When people hear about my involvement in PHILM, they automatically assume that it will compare to SLAYER's sound," he says. "They couldn't be more different. PHILM's sound is almost bipolar — very unexpected of something that I would be so passionate about, and be a part of. I have scaled down my drum set to a four-piece, reminiscent to the drummers of the late '60s that influenced me. Each song is unique in itself, I like to refer to it as 'rhythmic emotion.' It's almost like taking all the heavy songs of the '60s and bringing that era to a modern plateau, then blending them with the modern trance and psychedelic sounds of today. When I think of PHILM, that's where I go."

In an interview with AOL's Noisecreep, Nestler stated about PHILM's formation, "Dave and I first got together in 1997 to start an original band. We later regrouped between SLAYER's scheduled tour dates in late 2009, playing some upstairs jams at the Rainbow in Hollywood. We then decided to restart our band. Pancho had met Dave a few years back at one Dave's drum clinics and we decided to invite him in."

Regarding PHILM's sound, Nestler said, "The music of PHILM is channeled through the many different influences of drum and bass, expressionism, and underground that ranges via ancient and indigenous to street. There are many different things that Dave and I have been into that have contributed to the vision of PHILM. Pancho's highly skilled bass playing, chordal color and shape have helped expand the overall sound instrumentation and groove. Dave Lombardo's drumming goes without comparison, except that it might be said, to quote Pancho that 'it's like playing with the seven, not four, horses of the Apocalypse behind you.'"

For more information, visit the PHILM Facebook page.
 
Guitarist Rich Ward (STUCK MOJO, FOZZY) and bassist Paul DiLeo (FOZZY) have left ADRENALINE MOB, the new band featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD), SYMPHONY X frontman Russell Allen and guitar virtuoso Mike Orlando (SONIC STOMP).

Ward has released the following statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET regarding his departure from ADRENALINE MOB:

"When I was first asked about coming on board as the second guitarist for the ADRENALINE MOB project, it was understood that every member of the band had other band commitments, most of us having multiple active music projects. We all acknowledged that it would be a challenge to make it work, but we all agreed that the lineup's potential was worth making the necessary compromises in each of our schedules.

"In recent months, it was made clear that after the release of the band's album, scheduling around my previous commitments wasn't going to be possible, and that it would be necessary to make ADRENALINE MOB my sole priority. This basically meant that if I was to move forward with the ADRENALINE MOB guys, I would only be available to continue on recording and touring with FOZZY, STUCK MOJO and WALKING WITH KINGS when the ADRENALINE MOB wasn't working. That's a commitment I just couldn't make. So I contacted Mike Portnoy and told him that I would need to step down and allow the band to find a guy who has the ability to fully commit to the project the way they need him to. His response was gracious and completely understanding.

"The experience of playing in a band with Portnoy was amazing. I've never met a more passionate, committed musician all my years, and always a complete gentleman towards me. Playing with musicians of that caliber was an honor and a privilege. I hope they go on to the great things they deserve."

The remaining members of ADRENALINE MOB have released the following statement regarding Ward and Dileo's departures from the band:

"The core of this band has always been the three of us. The album was written and recorded that way. We later added Rich and Paul as part of the original touring lineup and we had a blast touring with them. However, they both had other projects and priorities and could not give a full-time commitment to ADRENALINE MOB. We're all still friends and we wish them all the best in their other bands, but for now, our focus is entirely on ADRENALINE MOB, the release of 'Omertà' on 3/13/12, and hitting the road hard and playing for you all soon!"

ADRENALINE MOB will release its full-length debut, "Omertá", on March 13 via the newly formed Elm City Music in conjunction with EMI Label Services. The 11-song CD — which was produced by ADRENALINE MOB and mixed by Jay Ruston, who has previously worked on ANTHRAX's "Worship Music" and STEEL PANTHER's "Balls Out" — includes a blistering reinterpretation of DURAN DURAN's classic "Come Undone" featuring guest vocals by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM.

"Omertá" track listing:

01. Undaunted
02. Psychosane
03. Indifferent
04. All on the Line
05. Hit the Wall
06. Feelin' Me
07. Come Undone (feat. Lzzy Hale)
08. Believe Me
09. Down to the Floor
10. Angel Sky
11. Freight Train

The self-titled debut EP from ADRENALINE MOB, which was released last summer, is available via iTunes and is being sold in physical form at the group's shows and online store. Self-produced by the band, the effort features four original tracks as well as a cover of the Ronnie James Dio-era BLACK SABBATH classic "The Mob Rules".

The EP is now available for streaming in its entirety using the player below.

ADRENALINE MOB's first-ever headline tour made stops in various markets, including Chicago, Denver and San Francisco. ADRENALINE MOB also opened for GODSMACK on select dates of the Massachusetts act's headlining tour.

ADRENALINE MOB formed in early 2011 when Orlando approached Allen with some material the guitarist had written. Allen and Orlando refined those ideas, at which time Allen reached out to longtime friend Portnoy to see if he had any interest in playing with them. Portnoy jumped on board and soon thereafter DiLeo and Ward were recruited to join the family. From the very first note, the chemistry was apparent and the beast that is known as ADRENALINE MOB was born.
 
Reunited Swiss thrash trio CORONER has issued the following update:

"2011 is over and we want to thank you, our friends and fans, for your overwhelming response to our reunion concerts. We cannot find the words to express the appreciation we have for all of you.

"The response to our first 2011 show at Les Docks in Lausanne gave us the kick-start we needed and has carried us through to our most recent shows in Greece. We've been blown away by the fans everywhere!

"Thanks to every single one of you who came to our concerts! We hope you had as good of a time as we did! Thanks to all of the mags who wrote about us and also to the radio stations, and those who worked on our online shows! A special thanks to all the other bands that shared the stage with us!

"We would also like to thank all the promoters and their staffs for doing the maximum to provide an excellent concert. You made it possible!!!

"Daniel Stössel, our 'fourth' member! Thank you so much not just for the great sounds coming from your magic organ but also for documenting all the shows with your 46 cams. We can't wait to see the result!

"There will be a few more chances to see you at one of our upcoming shows. We have plans to add a couple more songs to our set list, but we're not quite sure yet which ones. We'll continue to film all the shows and hopefully put together a nice documentary, which will also include rare footage from the early days. Plus, we're going to add tons of private photos to the homepage taken from the past to the present.

"Keep on writing your comments, posting your recordings on YouTube, covering our songs!

"So again, thank you all so much for remembering CORONER. Best wishes for the most happy and exciting year 2012."

In a recent interview with ThrashHead, CORONER drummer Marquis Marky (a.k.a. Marky Edelmann) was asked whether the band has given any thought to possibly about getting back into the studio and recording a new album. "No, we [haven't]," he replied. "Because there are several reasons for this. The main problem is that we all have daily jobs. Ron [Royce; bass/vocals] is working for a company, I work for an art collector, I have a family and a little daughter, I am just not as free as I used to be, I can't just say, 'Well, I am going to be in the studio for a month,' I can't cancel my job for that, I can't be away from my family for that long. And Tommy [Vetterli, guitar], with his studio, is extremely busy all the time. I think it's just an illusion if we say we'll make a new album, because it would take such a long time. Of course, we can try to do that, but it would take maybe three or four years or something....that would be just strange, you know, to produce in this way, that you say, 'Let's wait three weeks, and then we come together and put together the second song, drums,' or something like that. For me, you have to be a band, you have to be somewhere else, away from everything, you have to be together for three weeks or whatever in one studio, just to get through one piece... that's the way we always did it... This is just not possible [to pull off right now]. I think it's OK how it is... Well, what we are probably going to do is one song or something, just one song to add to these few shows we do know or we just put on.... We're actually planning on putting out a DVD with all the cuts from the shows, traveling, what we're doing now and next year...combined with some old footage, like for instance, the first CORONER concert ever that we did in Zurich with CELTIC FROST and KREATOR and things like that. That's probably where the one new song or something like that will go.... I don't know. But, basically, to answer your question, there is not going to be a new album."
 
Trond Nicolaisen, manager and co-songwriter of the Norwegian metal project TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK, has issued the following update:

"Late 2008/early 2009 we recorded 'Red Sharks' for an upcoming CRIMSON GLORY tribute album called 'The Revenge Of Azrael'. We were asked to contribute with a track by metal maniac Lon Patello, a longtime friend of our singer Ski [Norman Kiersnowski] and also founder of the true/power metal label Metallic Arch Angel Records.

"'The Revenge Of Azrael' has been in the works for many years, but it will hopefully see the light of day sometime soon. Bands that are expected to appear on the CD include: CYCLOPHONIA (Norway), INNOSENSE (Greece), GRAVEN IMAGE (USA), ANARCHY X (Italy), ETERNAL WINTER (USA), FATES PROPHECY (Brazil) and HELD UNDER (USA).

"To create a buzz around the release, I asked our guitarist, Øystein K. Hanssen, if he could write a very special tribute song for [late CRIMSON GLORY singer] Midnight. Øystein loved the challenge and he took what he considered to be the essence of their albums 'Crimson Glory' and 'Transcendence' — the musical grandeur and utter lyrical madness — and created a brand new song in that spirit. He tried his very best NOT to rip off any previously existing material.

"'Behind These Walls' is a big production song featuring seven different singers, including Todd La Torre (CRIMSON GLORY). The other singers scheduled to appear on the track are Ida Haukland (TRIOSPHERE), Vasilis Georgiou (INNOSENSE, SUNBURST), Norman 'Ski' Kiersnowski (ex-DEADLY BLESSING, TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK), Mike Gorham (TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK), Kai-Joar Kristensen and Andreas Angell (CYCLOPHONIA).

"Drums for the song were laid down a few weeks ago in Trondheim Studio by Andreas Nergård. Guitars and bass will be recorded over the next few weeks in Murphy's Cube Studio by Øystein K. Hanssen and Kristian K. Hanssen (CYCLOPHONIA). There will be uploaded some footage from the recording sessions at www.tomorrowsoutlook.com, so stay tuned!"

TOMORROW'S OUTLOOK's long-awaited debut album, "34613", will arrive later this year. The CD features guest appearances by such world-class singers as Michael Kiske (HELLOWEEN) and Graham Bonnet (ALCATRAZZ, RAINBOW, MSG).
 
Polish avantgarde metallers STROMMOUSSHELD are continuing work on their long-awaited second full-length album, entitled "No Direction Home".

Commented the group: "The part of bass is almost done and Maels [Strommö] has already started recording guitars. We are also preparing the next part of 'making-of' material which a short part of you can see below."

The drum tracks for STROMMOUSSHELD's new CD were laid down at the Huge Studio while the rest of the instruments and vocals are being tracked at SH Studio. The production is being handled by Maels Strommö, band's vocalist and guitarist.

STROMMOUSSHELD's full-length debut, " Behind The Curtain", was released in 2003 by Avantgarde Music.
 
SEISMATIK, the Los Angeles-based electro/rock band featuring drummer Aaron Rossi (MINISTRY), singer Rich Love (SLOTH) and guitarist Jesse Billson (HEAVEN BELOW), has released its debut EP, "Someone Like You", for free via Facebook. The effort will be made available at all digital service providers beginning February 1 (exact dates differ based on territory).

According to a press release, "SEISMATIK manages to combine rock, pop, metal and electronic elements into a modern hybrid of genre-blurring experimental pulse rock. [The band's sound] can best be described as a sonic explosion of melody, frequency and rythmic machine-gun precision."

Formed in October 2011, SEISMATIK is currently working on material for its upcoming debut album, slated for a 2012 release.
 
EverythingRock caught up with the legendary Devin Townsend at his recent show in Newcastle – Upon – Tyne. The conversation can be read below.
 
EverythingRock: In terms of guitar playing who are your main influences and heroes?
Devin Townsend: I guess in the beginning it was K.K Downing and Eddie Van Halen… Steve Morse was a big deal for me… Mark Knopfler is really good, but now, guitar usually bugs the shit out of me. I mean, it's such a competitive sport, so for me, it's become more of a tool for writing because, anyone really can play the right note at the right time to make a song awesome.
 
EverythingRock: The Download line up is shaping up to be one of the best festival bills of all time; can we expect to see you there?
Devin Townsend: I don't think so, we haven't been asked, but maybe Sonisphere if we're lucky.
ERock: Any chance of you playing Bloodstock Open Air for a 3rd year in a row?
Devin Townsend: I think if we did that we'd probably get lynched *laughter*, but whatever is going to happen will and I honestly believe that, and I'll keep steering it towards something I want to do and if that means playing Download or playing Bloodstock, I'm sure we will.
 
EverythingRock: You recently filmed your London shows where you played "Ki", "Addicted", "Destruction" and "Ghost" in their entireties. How was it? Intense? 
Devin Townsend: It was pretty intense, but I had a good crew and good friends around me who helped me keep it together. We keep proving through situations that could send us crazy that we're not going to go crazy and that's a vote of confidence as far as I'm concerned.
ERock: Why did you choose to do these shows?
Devin Townsend: We got a new manager and it was his idea. He sat behind his desk and decided that's what we were going to do and it worked, but man it was a fucking lot of work, but to his credit it was a really good idea.
ERock: You're now doing a string of unplugged dates – how are they going and will you do any more?
Devin Townsend: Sometimes they're nice like tonight (November 15th, Newcastle University) – tonight was nice because it was easy and intimate but other times you'll get a bunch of people who are pissed up and just want to talk to each other for the whole time which isn't cool in my opinion because people can't hear shit. (Taking requests) is the best way for me to do acoustic shows because it's more fun for me and helps me re – learn the songs and it gets people involved with it. These acoustic shows are small things – there's no production. It could definitely be a thing were you just roll in and play and then fuck off but I think if you get people involved in it then it's a show and it's investing in it personally which I think goes a long way in terms of "Oh, I saw this and it was really cool and they played the song I wanted to hear!" Whether it gets played well or not is another story though *laughter*.
 
EverythingRock: Your list of influences covers a huge spectrum of music. How did you end up listening to such a large range of music? 
Devin Townsend: I just like music. I like the things that come out of me as a result of being human. Sometimes Morbid Angel are appropriate, Sometimes Frank Zappa is appropriate, sometimes Venga Boys are appropriate *laughter*. Liking one thing to the exclusion of everything else is limiting yourself. It might be age too, I guess. When I was younger I pretty much liked only one thing but as I've got older I don't have the patience to just listen to one thing anymore.
 
EverythingRock: Do you miss Strapping Young Lad?
Devin Townsend: I don't miss the environment; the environment was really bad for me – it wasn't a healthy place for me to live emotionally or chemically. There was a lot of drugs, a lot of drinking and it wasn't like… I think you have to make a choice to be happy in your life, because it's very easy to be paid to be miserable and that whole situation, although Byron, Jed and Gene are all good friends of mine, everything that surrounded that band became very negative and I don't miss that shit at all man. It seems to be the hardest thing for people to understand, people will be like "Why did you leave?" and I'll be like "Because it became really lame for me before the end", but that being said, I still talk to Jed, Gene and Byron often – they're good friends of mine.
ERock: Do you think leaving Strapping Young Lad has furthered your career? I don't want to sound disrespectful, but some of the things you're doing at the minute probably couldn't be done with Strapping Young Lad, so would you argue it's helped you evolve as a person and musician?
Devin Townsend: Totally. 100%. Without making that life change, I'd have been stuck where I was and the writing was on the wall and I say that and again I can say that until I'm blue in the face and people still wouldn't get that, but staying there would have stunted me emotionally for the rest of my life, so I chose not to. It's nothing against the music. I'm very proud of the music, I think it's awesome, but it's not me anymore. A lady said to me before "Why would you not do it again?" and I replied "Why would you want me to?" If I'm not there, it's going to ruin the romance for the people who expect it to be something I'm not anymore. When I was in Strapping, I was furious and on drugs and shit, and I worked a lot of it out – it's not like it went away, but I worked it out. I consciously made an effort to work that shit out. A lot of people are upset when you work out your anger issues, but there's a big industry for music which is furious and angry because in my opinion, the world is looking for a justification to feel the same way. "Look! It's popular to say "Fuck Everything" so it must be O.K!" and I don't think it is in a lot of ways. It's O.K when you're younger, but when you get older, you end up hurting yourself if you still feel that way. But again, the way I chose to write music and the way Slayer write music is different – I'm not saying Slayer are unhealthy…
ERock: Slayer are just Slayer.
Devin Townsend: Yeah, they're a collection of people who aren't necessarily angry but are good at doing that. And it seems that they can do that and not have it seep into their personal lives, whereas when I was in Strapping, I found that after a while I couldn't get a good night's sleep because I was so bent out of shape because of what I was doing.
 
EverythingRock: What are your thoughts on illegal downloading? Do you see the possible benefits in it?
Devin Townsend: Fill your boots. Take it all. Money fucking sucks! I make music for people to hear it so get it however you want! If you want to buy a shirt somewhere, that's cool, if you don't, that's cool. If you're making music strictly to make money, you might as well find another job. I make it because I want people to hear it and I tour my ass off and we make a living, but ours is not the position to complain. If you do a good enough job then eventually, it'll work out for you.
ERock: We can see it's worked for you as you have some great fan support!
Devin Townsend: Yeah man, it's insane! That's why with the box set I went out of my way to make it good because I know people will buy it. I guess it's a learning curve at this point and I don't know what's right or wrong but I know what's right and wrong for me and I think that there's a certain click in the industry that's "If you lie to everyone we'll pay you lots of money", but again, it's just money and you're stuck with a bunch of money and an empty soul so if it means you have substantially less money and you're happy, then fucking rights. So yeah, if you know anyone who hasn't heard what I do, just tell them to download it all *laughter*
 
EverythingRock: What are your best tips for aspiring artists?
Devin Townsend: Learn to accept criticism because as things become more popular, the more people go out of their way to hurt them; they'll have a personal investment in telling people how lame you are or how much of an asshole you are. But it comes with the territory. I can't imagine anyone has gotten to any level of success without the same thing happening to them. I mean, when I was a kid I used to rag on bands I didn't like too, relentlessly, without thinking about how they'd feel about it. If you can't take criticism though, you can't take the accolades either. If someone tells you that your shit DOESN'T stink, and you want to believe that, you also have to believe the person who says it does. If you want to make music – don't listen to the good things, and don't listen to the bad things.
 
EverythingRock: What's your writing process? How long does it take to write a song/album?
Devin Townsend: It depends on the situation really, sometimes it comes really quickly and the song will be done in 10 minutes but sometimes it might take me 5 years, 10 years to write a song. There's no tried or true method. The good things are the ones which keep pestering me to give them attention and the bad ideas are the ones I forget. But I don't really worry about it – the other day someone asked me how I deal with writers block and my answer was "I don't write". There's not a sign that it's never coming back.
 
EverythingRock wish to thank Devin Townsend for taking time out of his schedule to speak to us.
 
 
Former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE singer Howard Jones has released the following statement regarding his departure from the band:

"Well, I guess I will shed a little light without going too deep.

"As some of you may know, I've had a pretty interesting couple of years, to say the least, battling with some personal issues. One of the low points being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes that went unchecked for years. The rest of the band stuck with me through it, and, to be honest, they are the ones that kept me going. The whole experience definitely put a scare in me.

"Recently we've all been in writing mode, but somehow I couldn't get excited about the new album and all the touring that would go with it. The guys saw it before I did. In hindsight, I now realize that my heart wasn't in it.

"I have had an amazing decade with KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. I love Justin, Mike D, Joel and Adam for hanging in there and standing by me no matter how bad it was. I have so many good memories, and those are the ones that I will keep.

"Will I be involved in music again? Sure. I have been in bands for a little over half my life; can't stop now. Until then, get the new KILLSWITCH ENGAGE album; it's going to be good.

"Thanks, everyone, for letting me try to entertain you, and I wish myself well in my future endeavors.

"Gone fishin', Howard."

Jones, 41, replaced original KILLSWITCHE ENGAGE singer Jesse Leach in 2002, after the release of the band's "Alive Or Just Breathing" album. He also handled lead vocals in the band BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED, with whom he released three studio albums.

Jones sat out KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's North American headlining tour in early 2010, leading to a flurry of rumors and questions about the status of the band. The group subsequently issued a statement addressing the matter, saying, "It became overwhelmingly obvious to all of us around Howard that he is in no condition to be on tour right now and that he needed to get off the road and get himself better. It's a personal matter and while we understand everyone's curiosity and concern for Howard and the band, we appreciate everyone respecting Howard's privacy at this time." Longtime friend, Phil Labonte of ALL THAT REMAINS, was able to fill in and help out the band for the remainder of the tour.

The latest, self-titled album from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE sold 58,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 7 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released on June 30, 2009 via Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by Adam Dutkiewicz.
 
Reunited heavy metal band SLEEPY HOLLOW will film a video for the song "Spiral Effect" on location in Middletown, Delaware between February 2 and February 3. The track comes off the group's new album, "Skull 13", which will be released in March through Pure Steel Records/High Roller Records. The clip will make its online debut on the day of the CD's release.

"Skull 13" was recorded primarily at No Oulet Studio in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania with producers Steve Stegg and Eric Fisher.

Bassist Mike LePond left SLEEP Y HOLLOW in December due to his commitments with SYMPHONY X. He has since been replaced by Alan D'Angelo.

SLEEPY HOLLOW is:

Bob Mitchell - Vocals
Steve Stegg - Guitar
Alan D'Angelo - Bass
 
Seattle's barbaric wrecking crew BLACK BREATH has completed work on its second album for a March release via Relapse Records. Entitled "Sentenced To Life", the follow-up 2010's "Heavy Breathing" "projects an even more vile, metallic sonic attack than its predecessor, bearing is a bit less rock and roll swagger and a showcasing more full-on crushing rage," according to a press release. "The album is a product of furious creativity jammed into a short span of time, written in the seemingly endless winter after returning from their November 2010 European tour."

Bearing 10 thunderous tracks in under 33 minutes, "Sentenced To Life" features such smashing BLACK BREATH hits as "Feast Of The Damned", "Doomed", "Forced Into Possession", "Home Of The Grave" and, of course, the title anthem, "Sentenced To Life". The band once again recorded at GodCity Studios with Kurt Ballou, and had the finished product mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.
 
German death metallers OBSCENITY have inked a deal with Apostasy Records. The band is preparing to enter Soundlodge Studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany to begin recording its eighth album, tentatively titled "Atrophied In Anguish", for a June release.

OBSCENITY last year announced the addition of bassist Jörg Pirch (ex-TEARS OF DECAY) and guitarist Christoph Weerts (ex-ASSASINATED) to the group's ranks. The band was also rejoined by drummer Sascha Knust (ex-THE AWAKENING, SETHNEFER).

OBSCENITY in 2010 recruited Tampa, Florida native Jeff Rudes as its new singer.

OBSCENITY's seventh CD, "Where Sinners Bleed", was released in 2006 through Armageddon Music. The follow-up to 2002's "Cold Blooded Murder" was recorded at Soundlodge studio in Rhauderfehn, Germany.

OBSCENITY was previously signed to Morbid Records, which issued four of the band's albums, ending with "Cold Blooded Murder".

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