According to the unofficial BLACK SABBATH web site Black-Sabbath.com, the band's Bill Ward paid tribute to SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi on the February 25, 2011 edition of the drummer's "Rock 50" monthly radio show, which airs between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. PST on WPMD, a college radio station at Cerritos College in California. Bill talked about Tony's recent 64th birthday and played several SABBATH songs, personally selected by Ward to showcase Tony's different playing styles. After the tracks were over, Bill reminisced a little about a few of the songs.
To listen to a "replay" of the program, go to this location.
BLACK SABBATH will play one U.S. date sometime this summer, according to a VH1 Radio Network interview with Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. Sharon revealed, "They're gonna be doing one show in America this summer but I can't say yet because we can't announce it, the promoters have to, but they are doing one show in August here together." The news follows the cancellation of all SABBATH tour dates abroad except for a headlining slot at the U.K.'s Download Festival in June, due to Iommi's battle with lymphoma.
As for whether original Ward will participate in the U.S. show, Sharon said, "We don't know yet, we really don't know. It's up to Bill. The door is open for him to join us, so it's up to him."
Meanwhile, Ozzy, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler are in London continuing to record their first album together in 33 years, although without Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
Sharon said about the recording sessions, "It's going good. They're doing really well in the studio. Gosh, they must've written 15 new songs already and it's going great."
She also denied that she was responsible for Ward's current absence from the project, saying, "Everybody's got their own manager, so we have an independent group of people that have come in to manage the project, and I don't, and I get the blame because Bill doesn't want to play with the band; he doesn't like his deal and I get the blame. It's like, 'All right, I'm a big girl, I can take it.'"
Ward has been sitting out the sessions due to being offered what he called "an unsignable contract" in an open letter to SABBATH fans.
Ward posted an update on February 17 in which he said he "remains hopeful" for a positive outcome to the situation.
The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.
To listen to a "replay" of the program, go to this location.
BLACK SABBATH will play one U.S. date sometime this summer, according to a VH1 Radio Network interview with Sharon Osbourne, wife and manager of SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne. Sharon revealed, "They're gonna be doing one show in America this summer but I can't say yet because we can't announce it, the promoters have to, but they are doing one show in August here together." The news follows the cancellation of all SABBATH tour dates abroad except for a headlining slot at the U.K.'s Download Festival in June, due to Iommi's battle with lymphoma.
As for whether original Ward will participate in the U.S. show, Sharon said, "We don't know yet, we really don't know. It's up to Bill. The door is open for him to join us, so it's up to him."
Meanwhile, Ozzy, Iommi and bassist Geezer Butler are in London continuing to record their first album together in 33 years, although without Ward it is not the original SABBATH reunion announced last November.
Sharon said about the recording sessions, "It's going good. They're doing really well in the studio. Gosh, they must've written 15 new songs already and it's going great."
She also denied that she was responsible for Ward's current absence from the project, saying, "Everybody's got their own manager, so we have an independent group of people that have come in to manage the project, and I don't, and I get the blame because Bill doesn't want to play with the band; he doesn't like his deal and I get the blame. It's like, 'All right, I'm a big girl, I can take it.'"
Ward has been sitting out the sessions due to being offered what he called "an unsignable contract" in an open letter to SABBATH fans.
Ward posted an update on February 17 in which he said he "remains hopeful" for a positive outcome to the situation.
The rest of SABBATH's scheduled European summer gigs will be replaced by "Ozzy And Friends", at which the singer will be joined by Butler, former Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde and other special guests, including Slash on selected dates.
In a brand new interview with RollingStone.com, AEROSMITH singer Steven Tyler spoke about the progress of the recording sessions for the band's long-awaited new album, which is tentatively due later this year.
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
The band has been working with producer Jack Douglas, who collaborated with them on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks".
"We're gonna have a vintage sound, 'cause we're going to tape and a lot of good things like that," Tyler told RollingStone.com. "We're keeping tracks lean, not a lot of overdubs, and like I said, we're using Jack to his fullest. So you're gonna hear some stuff where you might think AEROSMITH's back."
He added, "I'm having such a good time writing again. You got the songs right now where they're like shells, with no lyrics and no melody, and I get to fill in the blanks like I did with 'Back In The Saddle' when it was just a track."
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry recently revealed via Twitter that the band will embark on a U.S. tour in June. Tickets will go on sale in March. Exact cities and dates will be announced during the coming weeks.
In a recent interview with the QMI Agency, Perry stated about AEROSMITH's new material, "It definitely has a feel like some of the early stuff. We've tried to bring that back. People are always asking for something that sounds like the old stuff, but you can't rewrite 'Mama Kin' or 'Same Old Song And Dance'. All you can do is go in and start from the same place you started when you made those records. So we just went in with (producer) Jack Douglas and we all worked on the record. There's a song or two that the band helped write, and Tom (Hamilton, bass) wrote and Brad (Whitford, guitar) has a track on there. So from that point of view, it's a lot more like an early AEROSMITH record. We were all in the room when we were pulling these songs together and recording them. Every way that we used to make our records, that's what we did to get this to where it is. Right down to what we're doing now, which is going over the tracks and bringing them up to speed. Steven [Tyler] is finishing up the lyrics and we're just going to put the finishing touches on it."
AEROSMITH began work on its first all-new album since 2001 last year, with the rest of the band working on music while Tyler made his "American Idol" debut.
The band has been working with producer Jack Douglas, who collaborated with them on classic early albums like "Toys In The Attic" and "Rocks".
"We're gonna have a vintage sound, 'cause we're going to tape and a lot of good things like that," Tyler told RollingStone.com. "We're keeping tracks lean, not a lot of overdubs, and like I said, we're using Jack to his fullest. So you're gonna hear some stuff where you might think AEROSMITH's back."
He added, "I'm having such a good time writing again. You got the songs right now where they're like shells, with no lyrics and no melody, and I get to fill in the blanks like I did with 'Back In The Saddle' when it was just a track."
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry recently revealed via Twitter that the band will embark on a U.S. tour in June. Tickets will go on sale in March. Exact cities and dates will be announced during the coming weeks.
In a recent interview with the QMI Agency, Perry stated about AEROSMITH's new material, "It definitely has a feel like some of the early stuff. We've tried to bring that back. People are always asking for something that sounds like the old stuff, but you can't rewrite 'Mama Kin' or 'Same Old Song And Dance'. All you can do is go in and start from the same place you started when you made those records. So we just went in with (producer) Jack Douglas and we all worked on the record. There's a song or two that the band helped write, and Tom (Hamilton, bass) wrote and Brad (Whitford, guitar) has a track on there. So from that point of view, it's a lot more like an early AEROSMITH record. We were all in the room when we were pulling these songs together and recording them. Every way that we used to make our records, that's what we did to get this to where it is. Right down to what we're doing now, which is going over the tracks and bringing them up to speed. Steven [Tyler] is finishing up the lyrics and we're just going to put the finishing touches on it."
Slash has released "You're A Lie" to radio today worldwide. The hard-charging song, which is available for streaming in its entirety at Loudwire.com, marks the first single off the iconic, Grammy-winning rock guitarist and songwriter's forthcoming second studio album "Apocalyptic Love".
"'You're A Lie' is the second song I brought to the band in 2011 during the last tour," explains Slash. "We worked on it at soundcheck somewhere, I can't remember where. It's gone through some minor changes along the way, mainly the chorus. But for the most part, it's remained true to its original arrangement. I can't wait to play this live."
"Apocalyptic Love" will be released on May 22 via the guitarist's own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI. The CD will follow his 2010 debut album, "Slash", and his November 2011 first-ever live solo album, the two-CD/DVD set "Made In Stoke 24/7/11". Notably, the "Slash" album debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at #3 (#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard Music chart). Digitally, the album also became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. Internationally, the disc achieved Top 5 chart positions in over a dozen major territories, hitting #1 in both Japan and New Zealand.
In the U.K., the album will be released on May 21 in exclusive Classic Rock Fan Pack form — providing a unique collectable package containing the studio album with bonus tracks alongside a specially created magazine with unseen behind-the-scenes content put together by Classic Rock. The Fan Pack format will also come with free gifts, including a pin badge and artwork poster and will be available to buy via more than 2000 retail outlets on newsstands nationally as well as the traditional high street and online music retailers. Roadrunner Records will simultaneously release the record digitally. The standard physical release of the Slash album will follow through Roadrunner Records on June 18.
For the new album, Slash — along with and his bandmates Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass) — teamed with producer Eric Valentine, who also produced the "Slash" disc. All the songs were written together by Slash and Kennedy, and cameras have been rolling throughout the entire making of the album.
"'You're A Lie' is the second song I brought to the band in 2011 during the last tour," explains Slash. "We worked on it at soundcheck somewhere, I can't remember where. It's gone through some minor changes along the way, mainly the chorus. But for the most part, it's remained true to its original arrangement. I can't wait to play this live."
"Apocalyptic Love" will be released on May 22 via the guitarist's own label Dik Hayd International distributed through EMI. The CD will follow his 2010 debut album, "Slash", and his November 2011 first-ever live solo album, the two-CD/DVD set "Made In Stoke 24/7/11". Notably, the "Slash" album debuted on The Billboard 200 chart at #3 (#1 on the Rock chart, #1 on the Independent chart, and #1 on the Hard Music chart). Digitally, the album also became the #1 overall digital album and hit #1 on iTunes in 13 countries. Internationally, the disc achieved Top 5 chart positions in over a dozen major territories, hitting #1 in both Japan and New Zealand.
In the U.K., the album will be released on May 21 in exclusive Classic Rock Fan Pack form — providing a unique collectable package containing the studio album with bonus tracks alongside a specially created magazine with unseen behind-the-scenes content put together by Classic Rock. The Fan Pack format will also come with free gifts, including a pin badge and artwork poster and will be available to buy via more than 2000 retail outlets on newsstands nationally as well as the traditional high street and online music retailers. Roadrunner Records will simultaneously release the record digitally. The standard physical release of the Slash album will follow through Roadrunner Records on June 18.
For the new album, Slash — along with and his bandmates Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums) and Todd Kerns (bass) — teamed with producer Eric Valentine, who also produced the "Slash" disc. All the songs were written together by Slash and Kennedy, and cameras have been rolling throughout the entire making of the album.
Punk rock legends SEX PISTOLS have signed with Universal. The back-catalog deal will cover the world excluding North America. An "expanded and repackaged edition" of the band's "Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols" album will be released later this year as the band and their new label mark the 35th anniversary of the landmark LP. There will also be other releases throughout 2012 and beyond.
"To be given the opportunity to re-evaluate the SEX PISTOLS catalogue is every music lover's dream," said Universal's Karen Simmonds."We're looking forward to working with the band and celebrating their impact on worldwide culture."
Famous for inspiring a generation to rise against the musical establishment in the late 1970s, the SEX PISTOLS changed the face of music and popular culture overnight with one of the most influential and controversial records in British music history. 35 years after its release, "Never Mind The Bollocks" and the SEX PISTOLS' legacy continues to grow as new generations discover its powerful message and still relevant, seminal songs.
"To be given the opportunity to re-evaluate the SEX PISTOLS catalogue is every music lover's dream," said Universal's Karen Simmonds."We're looking forward to working with the band and celebrating their impact on worldwide culture."
Famous for inspiring a generation to rise against the musical establishment in the late 1970s, the SEX PISTOLS changed the face of music and popular culture overnight with one of the most influential and controversial records in British music history. 35 years after its release, "Never Mind The Bollocks" and the SEX PISTOLS' legacy continues to grow as new generations discover its powerful message and still relevant, seminal songs.
According to The Telegraph, legendary guitarist Gary Moore suffered a heart attack brought on by a massive amount of alcohol he consumed prior to being found dead in bed at a luxury Costa del Sol hotel last February.
Moore had 380 mg of alcohol per deciliter of blood in his system, enough to put himself nearly five times over the the legal limit for drunk driving, tests have shown. That amount was just short of the 416 mg pop singer Amy Winehouse had in her body when she died surrounded by three empty vodka bottles.
Karen Rice of the U.K.'s Mail Online last year penned an extensive article detailing Moore's final days with his girlfriend Petra Nioduschewski, who was the last person to see Gary alive at the five-star Kempinski resort on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
A hotel source told the Mail Online, "At around four o'clock in the morning [on Sunday, February 6], [Petra] called for help and a security guard went to the room and found Gary on the bed in his underpants.
"He tried to pump his heart but he was already cold. She was in a bathrobe, completely shocked. She had tried to resuscitate him before the security guard got there. When the ambulance came, they didn't try to shock his heart because he was already gone.'
A friend said: "Petra tried to help Gary. She gave him mouth to mouth and tried his heart until help came — they told her she did everything right. There were no signs of trouble, he had been fine all day and then he just stopped breathing. She knew there was something up when she couldn't hear him breathing any more."
Moore had 380 mg of alcohol per deciliter of blood in his system, enough to put himself nearly five times over the the legal limit for drunk driving, tests have shown. That amount was just short of the 416 mg pop singer Amy Winehouse had in her body when she died surrounded by three empty vodka bottles.
Karen Rice of the U.K.'s Mail Online last year penned an extensive article detailing Moore's final days with his girlfriend Petra Nioduschewski, who was the last person to see Gary alive at the five-star Kempinski resort on the Costa del Sol in Spain.
A hotel source told the Mail Online, "At around four o'clock in the morning [on Sunday, February 6], [Petra] called for help and a security guard went to the room and found Gary on the bed in his underpants.
"He tried to pump his heart but he was already cold. She was in a bathrobe, completely shocked. She had tried to resuscitate him before the security guard got there. When the ambulance came, they didn't try to shock his heart because he was already gone.'
A friend said: "Petra tried to help Gary. She gave him mouth to mouth and tried his heart until help came — they told her she did everything right. There were no signs of trouble, he had been fine all day and then he just stopped breathing. She knew there was something up when she couldn't hear him breathing any more."
British epic power metallers DRAGONFORCE have announced a series of in-store signings with HMV, commencing in London on the release date of their new album, "The Power Within", of Sunday, April 15 along with a special, one-off album launch show in Birmingham.
The full in-store signing schedule:
April 15 at 12.00 p.m. - HMV London
April 16 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Glasgow
April 17 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Manchester
April 18 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Birmingham
April 19 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Bristol
Following the Birmingham signing on April 18, DRAGONFORCE will play an intimate "Kerrang! Live" show at The Temple Room within the HMV Institute. This will be the band's only U.K. appearance until their full U.K. tour later in the year.
"Fallen World", "the fastest song" ever recorded by DRAGONFORCE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's fifth studio album, "The Power Within", which will be released in the U.K. on April 16 via the band's own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music. The ten-track monster, which will be made available in North America on April 17 through Roadrunner, is the band's first with new singer Marc Hudson in the fold.
DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li recently stated about "The Power Within", "The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.
"This time around we've really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we've ever recorded ['Fallen World'] to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DRAGONFORCE album yet."
Li added, "This is an exciting new era for DRAGONFORCE with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It's all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz!"
"The Power Within" track listing:
01. Holding On
02. Fallen World
03. Cry Thunder
04. Give Me The Night
05. Wings of Liberty
06. Seasons
07. Heart Of The Storm
08. Die By The Sword
09. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (acoustic version)
There will also be a digital and vinyl version featuring bonus tracks "Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)", "Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)" and "Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)", plus an exclusive box set featuring:
* CD Version
* Access Code for Bonus Material plus
* DRAGONFORCE Flag,
* DF Flashlight/Bottle Opener,
* Set of 6 DF Beer Mats featuring band cartoons by bassist Frédéric Leclercq.
DRAGONFORCE will kick off its North American tour at the 14th annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
"We are really excited to be playing the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival again, especially as it's the North American launch show for the new album," said DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman. "Anyone who hasn't had a chance to see new singer Marc Hudson in action will witness what a great singer he is! It's been a long time since we last played the festival and are looking forward to seeing old friends again and giving everyone a great show."
After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March 2011 welcomed Hudson to the band to fill the boots left by ZP Theart, who parted ways with the group in March 2010.
Born in Oxford England, Marc was picked from the thousands of applications via a number of impressive video auditions and live performances, which left the rest of the band in no doubt that they'd found their man. Since the age of 16, Marc has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.
The full in-store signing schedule:
April 15 at 12.00 p.m. - HMV London
April 16 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Glasgow
April 17 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Manchester
April 18 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Birmingham
April 19 at 5.00 p.m. - HMV Bristol
Following the Birmingham signing on April 18, DRAGONFORCE will play an intimate "Kerrang! Live" show at The Temple Room within the HMV Institute. This will be the band's only U.K. appearance until their full U.K. tour later in the year.
"Fallen World", "the fastest song" ever recorded by DRAGONFORCE, can be streamed in the YouTube clip below. The track comes off the band's fifth studio album, "The Power Within", which will be released in the U.K. on April 16 via the band's own Electric Generation Recordings, distributed by Essential Music. The ten-track monster, which will be made available in North America on April 17 through Roadrunner, is the band's first with new singer Marc Hudson in the fold.
DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li recently stated about "The Power Within", "The last two years have been the most fun we ever had making an album. Through writing, jamming and touring together, we have built this incredible energy and it has been fully captured on the new album.
"This time around we've really brought our metal side to the surface and made some of the best music of our career. From the fastest song we've ever recorded ['Fallen World'] to the slower songs, and some things you would never expect from us, this is by far the most diverse DRAGONFORCE album yet."
Li added, "This is an exciting new era for DRAGONFORCE with Marc joining the band, so we figured this was an ideal time to take full control of our own destiny and establish our own record label for Europe. It's all hands on deck running it, but a great buzz!"
"The Power Within" track listing:
01. Holding On
02. Fallen World
03. Cry Thunder
04. Give Me The Night
05. Wings of Liberty
06. Seasons
07. Heart Of The Storm
08. Die By The Sword
09. Last Man Stands
10. Seasons (acoustic version)
There will also be a digital and vinyl version featuring bonus tracks "Cry Thunder (Live Rehearsal)", "Heart of the Storm (Alternative Chorus Version)" and "Avant La Tempête (Instrumental)", plus an exclusive box set featuring:
* CD Version
* Access Code for Bonus Material plus
* DRAGONFORCE Flag,
* DF Flashlight/Bottle Opener,
* Set of 6 DF Beer Mats featuring band cartoons by bassist Frédéric Leclercq.
DRAGONFORCE will kick off its North American tour at the 14th annual New England Metal & Hardcore Festival on Saturday, April 21 at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
"We are really excited to be playing the New England Metal & Hardcore Festival again, especially as it's the North American launch show for the new album," said DRAGONFORCE guitarist Sam Totman. "Anyone who hasn't had a chance to see new singer Marc Hudson in action will witness what a great singer he is! It's been a long time since we last played the festival and are looking forward to seeing old friends again and giving everyone a great show."
After entries from thousands of hopefuls across the globe, DRAGONFORCE in March 2011 welcomed Hudson to the band to fill the boots left by ZP Theart, who parted ways with the group in March 2010.
Born in Oxford England, Marc was picked from the thousands of applications via a number of impressive video auditions and live performances, which left the rest of the band in no doubt that they'd found their man. Since the age of 16, Marc has been building his vocal skills gigging with bands in the U.K. underground scene, developing a powerful style with influences which include Bruce Dickinson, Michael Kiske and Sebastian Bach.
Jerry Gaskill, the 54-year-old drummer and singer for the progressive hard rock band KING'S X, suffered a heart attack Saturday night (February 25). The musician was operated on and is said to be in stable condition.
KING'S X was scheduled to launch a three-week tour on March 28 in Austin. There is no word yet on whether those dates will be postponed or canceled.
Gaskill and KING'S X bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick have been playing together since 1979, when they met in Springfield, Missouri.
KING'S X is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled Atlantic debut this year.
KING'S X was scheduled to launch a three-week tour on March 28 in Austin. There is no word yet on whether those dates will be postponed or canceled.
Gaskill and KING'S X bassist/vocalist Doug Pinnick have been playing together since 1979, when they met in Springfield, Missouri.
KING'S X is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled Atlantic debut this year.
Jerry Gaskill, drummer for legendary rockers KING'S X, suffered a heart attack Sunday, February 26, and was rushed to the hospital. After undergoing an emergency operation, Jerry was placed in intensive care (where he currently remains).
In light of Jerry's sudden hospitalization, all previously announced North American tour dates for KING'S X have been cancelled. Jerry will be taking the time to recover back to full health so that he can hopefully join the band behind the drums at some point in the future.
KING'S X was scheduled to launch a three-week tour on March 28 in Austin.
Gaskill and Doug Pinnick have been playing together since 1979, when they met in Springfield, Missouri.
KING'S X is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled Atlantic debut this year.
KING'S X's 2008 album, "XV", sold 4,450 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 145 on the Billboard 200 chart. This marked the first time in over a decade that the band had cracked the Top 200 in the first week of release.
KING'S X's "Gretchen Goes To London: Live At The Astoria 5.6.90" DVD was released in November 2008 via Molken Music. The set documents the historic show at the Astoria Theatre in 1990 and includes never-before-seen footage. The DVD was produced by Wally Farkas and has a running time of 64 minutes.
In light of Jerry's sudden hospitalization, all previously announced North American tour dates for KING'S X have been cancelled. Jerry will be taking the time to recover back to full health so that he can hopefully join the band behind the drums at some point in the future.
KING'S X was scheduled to launch a three-week tour on March 28 in Austin.
Gaskill and Doug Pinnick have been playing together since 1979, when they met in Springfield, Missouri.
KING'S X is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its self-titled Atlantic debut this year.
KING'S X's 2008 album, "XV", sold 4,450 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 145 on the Billboard 200 chart. This marked the first time in over a decade that the band had cracked the Top 200 in the first week of release.
KING'S X's "Gretchen Goes To London: Live At The Astoria 5.6.90" DVD was released in November 2008 via Molken Music. The set documents the historic show at the Astoria Theatre in 1990 and includes never-before-seen footage. The DVD was produced by Wally Farkas and has a running time of 64 minutes.
THE SKULL, the new band formed by two original members of Chicago doom legends TROUBLE — vocalist Eric Wagner and drummer Jeff "Oly" Olson — alongside the band's longtime bassist, Ron Holzner, has recruited Glen Drover (MEGADETH, TESTAMENT, KING DIAMOND) as its guest touring guitarist.
Commented Wagner, Olson and Holzner in a statement: "We are ready to rock you with the sounds and spirit of TROUBLE... past-present-future.
"Please welcome our guest touring guitarist Glen Drover. We are excited to have him on board.
"A tour is currently being planned for 2012 and will be announced soon as well as our guest dueling guitarist. Stay tuned."
When asked why they decided now was the right time for THE SKULL to come together, Ron told Metal Kaoz, "The 'TROUBLE jam' set at last year's Days Of The Doomed Fest [in Kenosha, Wisconsin] was the catalyst for this whole thing. Eric and Oly hadn't had the chance to talk much before [Days Of The Doomed Fest], and then when I got there the next day and we all got to hang out and talk... it was really nice! Playing 'End Of My Daze' with the whole fucking crowd singing... that's what it's all about! We all looked at each other on stage and simply went, 'Wow!'"
He added, "All of us have our [respective] bands that are doing well, but the fans really want to hear the old [TROUBLE] songs the way they're meant to be heard.
"After the [Days Of The Doomed] fest, Eric basically said to me, 'Let's start a band!', and after that night the three of us thought, 'That would be cool.' We want to give the fans to the best of our ability what they deserve. When people speak loud enough, you hear it. Well, we hear it! We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to. It's all about the fans. The fans spoke out, and the fans have been heard.
"The thing is, we can't just sit back and not listen to the fans. We want to go out and have fun and play the old songs. We don't have to go out and do this because we all have our own bands that are doing well with records coming out. We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to."
Olson was equally enthusastic about the formation of THE SKULL, telling Metal Kaos in an e-mail, "[I'm] excited to jam some TROUBLE again! [I] was a little worried there would be some drama with the fans, like with the two L.A. GUNS bands performing the same material, but there is nothing I want more than a reunion with all TROUBLE members. For now, this will do."
Wagner, Olson and original TROUBLE bassist Sean McAllister shared the stage for the first time since 1986 during Olson's RETRO GRAVE set on June 18, 2011 at the Days Of The Doomed Fest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Video footage of Wagner, Olson and McAllister performing the song "Victim Of The Insane", which was written by Olson for TROUBLE's full-length debut "Psalm 9" (1984), can be viewed below.
TROUBLE formed in 1979 and released several classic albums like "Trouble", "Manic Frustration" and "Plastic Green Head".
Eric was one of the guest singers on Dave Grohl's (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) heavy metal side project PROBOT, whose 2004 album featured heavy metal vocalists from the '80s and '90s. Wagner also makes a guest appearance in the forthcoming horror film "Jezebeth" (written and directed by Damien Dante of Satania 6 Films), to be released on Blu-ray in early 2012.
Eric Wagner left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.
Commented Wagner, Olson and Holzner in a statement: "We are ready to rock you with the sounds and spirit of TROUBLE... past-present-future.
"Please welcome our guest touring guitarist Glen Drover. We are excited to have him on board.
"A tour is currently being planned for 2012 and will be announced soon as well as our guest dueling guitarist. Stay tuned."
When asked why they decided now was the right time for THE SKULL to come together, Ron told Metal Kaoz, "The 'TROUBLE jam' set at last year's Days Of The Doomed Fest [in Kenosha, Wisconsin] was the catalyst for this whole thing. Eric and Oly hadn't had the chance to talk much before [Days Of The Doomed Fest], and then when I got there the next day and we all got to hang out and talk... it was really nice! Playing 'End Of My Daze' with the whole fucking crowd singing... that's what it's all about! We all looked at each other on stage and simply went, 'Wow!'"
He added, "All of us have our [respective] bands that are doing well, but the fans really want to hear the old [TROUBLE] songs the way they're meant to be heard.
"After the [Days Of The Doomed] fest, Eric basically said to me, 'Let's start a band!', and after that night the three of us thought, 'That would be cool.' We want to give the fans to the best of our ability what they deserve. When people speak loud enough, you hear it. Well, we hear it! We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to. It's all about the fans. The fans spoke out, and the fans have been heard.
"The thing is, we can't just sit back and not listen to the fans. We want to go out and have fun and play the old songs. We don't have to go out and do this because we all have our own bands that are doing well with records coming out. We're doing this because we want to, and because the fans want us to."
Olson was equally enthusastic about the formation of THE SKULL, telling Metal Kaos in an e-mail, "[I'm] excited to jam some TROUBLE again! [I] was a little worried there would be some drama with the fans, like with the two L.A. GUNS bands performing the same material, but there is nothing I want more than a reunion with all TROUBLE members. For now, this will do."
Wagner, Olson and original TROUBLE bassist Sean McAllister shared the stage for the first time since 1986 during Olson's RETRO GRAVE set on June 18, 2011 at the Days Of The Doomed Fest in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Video footage of Wagner, Olson and McAllister performing the song "Victim Of The Insane", which was written by Olson for TROUBLE's full-length debut "Psalm 9" (1984), can be viewed below.
TROUBLE formed in 1979 and released several classic albums like "Trouble", "Manic Frustration" and "Plastic Green Head".
Eric was one of the guest singers on Dave Grohl's (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS) heavy metal side project PROBOT, whose 2004 album featured heavy metal vocalists from the '80s and '90s. Wagner also makes a guest appearance in the forthcoming horror film "Jezebeth" (written and directed by Damien Dante of Satania 6 Films), to be released on Blu-ray in early 2012.
Eric Wagner left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.
Long-running, female-fronted German thrashers HOLY MOSES will release the "30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" double album on April 30 in Germany, April 23 in the rest of Europe and early May in North America via SPV/Steamhammer. The CD contains re-recorded versions of 20 of the most important songs in HOLY MOSES' 30-year catalog along with two brand new tracks.
As previously reported, HOLY MOSES parted ways with drummer Atomic Steif (a.k.a. Guido Richter; ex-SODOM, LIVING DEATH, STAHLTRÄGER) and replaced him with Gerd Lücking (GIFT DWARF, ex-REBELLION).
Commented Gerd: "As an old MOSES fan, it is, naturally, an honor for me to do the drumming for this pioneer thrash metal band! The recordings are being really powerful and we blow away all the material live!!!"
"30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" track listing:
CD 1
01. Clash My Soul (02:36)
02. Jungle Of Lies (03:46)
03. Finished With The Dogs (02:29)
04. Symbol Of Spirit (03:42)
05. World Chaos (03:12)
06. SSP (03:40)
07. Borderland (03:27) (brand new song)
08. Lost In The Maze (05:51)
09. Walpurgisnight (02:58)
10. Welcome To The Real World (03:31)
11. Near Dark (05:30)
CD 2
01. Reborn Dogs (03:50)
02. DefCon II (04:26)
03. I Feel Sick (03:48)
04. Nothing For My Mum (03:51)
05. Disorder Of The Order (04:14)
06. Corroded Dreams (04:04)
07. Entering The Now (03:40) (brand new song)
08. Creation Of Violation (03:56)
09. Panic (03:13)
10. Decapitated Minds (03:40)
11. Master Of Disaster (03:45)
HOLY MOSES is:
Sabina Classen - Vocals
Michael Hankel - Guitars
Oliver Jaath - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gerd Lücking - Drums
Thomas Neitsch - Bass
"Agony of Death", the latest album from HOLY MOSES, was released in September 2008 in Europe via Wacken Records/SPV. The CD was recorded at the Blue Castle Studio near Hamburg with producer/guitar player Michael Hankel. DESTRUCTION, OBITUARY and AXEL RUDI PELL members are among the guest musicians who appear on the album.
As previously reported, HOLY MOSES parted ways with drummer Atomic Steif (a.k.a. Guido Richter; ex-SODOM, LIVING DEATH, STAHLTRÄGER) and replaced him with Gerd Lücking (GIFT DWARF, ex-REBELLION).
Commented Gerd: "As an old MOSES fan, it is, naturally, an honor for me to do the drumming for this pioneer thrash metal band! The recordings are being really powerful and we blow away all the material live!!!"
"30th Anniversary - In The Power Of Now" track listing:
CD 1
01. Clash My Soul (02:36)
02. Jungle Of Lies (03:46)
03. Finished With The Dogs (02:29)
04. Symbol Of Spirit (03:42)
05. World Chaos (03:12)
06. SSP (03:40)
07. Borderland (03:27) (brand new song)
08. Lost In The Maze (05:51)
09. Walpurgisnight (02:58)
10. Welcome To The Real World (03:31)
11. Near Dark (05:30)
CD 2
01. Reborn Dogs (03:50)
02. DefCon II (04:26)
03. I Feel Sick (03:48)
04. Nothing For My Mum (03:51)
05. Disorder Of The Order (04:14)
06. Corroded Dreams (04:04)
07. Entering The Now (03:40) (brand new song)
08. Creation Of Violation (03:56)
09. Panic (03:13)
10. Decapitated Minds (03:40)
11. Master Of Disaster (03:45)
HOLY MOSES is:
Sabina Classen - Vocals
Michael Hankel - Guitars
Oliver Jaath - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Gerd Lücking - Drums
Thomas Neitsch - Bass
"Agony of Death", the latest album from HOLY MOSES, was released in September 2008 in Europe via Wacken Records/SPV. The CD was recorded at the Blue Castle Studio near Hamburg with producer/guitar player Michael Hankel. DESTRUCTION, OBITUARY and AXEL RUDI PELL members are among the guest musicians who appear on the album.
German rock band GLOOMBALL has finished recording its debut album, "The Distance", for a tentative summer release. A total of 13 songs were recorded over the winter in several studios in Mannheim and Frankfurt, Germany.
"The Distance" track listing:
01. Long Time Gone
02. We Do Belong
03. Bitter Place
04. Overcome
05. More And More
06. Blown Away And Gone
07. The Distance
08. No Easy Way Out
09. Before You Know
10. Burning Gasoline
11. Your Sorrow Inside Me
12. Living With My Tender Pain
13. Hands In Blood
According to a press release, GLOOMBALL's music "can't be put into a certain genre [as] they manage to create their own, unique sound, somewhere between rock and heavy modern metal!"
Originally formed as a studio project, GLOOMBALL has recorded two successful demos so far.
GLOOMBALL is:
Alen Ljubic - Vocals
Björn Daigger - Guitars
Jossi Lenk - Guitars
Basti Moser - Bass
Sebastian Wyrobisch - Drums
For more information, visit www.gloomball.com.
"The Distance" track listing:
01. Long Time Gone
02. We Do Belong
03. Bitter Place
04. Overcome
05. More And More
06. Blown Away And Gone
07. The Distance
08. No Easy Way Out
09. Before You Know
10. Burning Gasoline
11. Your Sorrow Inside Me
12. Living With My Tender Pain
13. Hands In Blood
According to a press release, GLOOMBALL's music "can't be put into a certain genre [as] they manage to create their own, unique sound, somewhere between rock and heavy modern metal!"
Originally formed as a studio project, GLOOMBALL has recorded two successful demos so far.
GLOOMBALL is:
Alen Ljubic - Vocals
Björn Daigger - Guitars
Jossi Lenk - Guitars
Basti Moser - Bass
Sebastian Wyrobisch - Drums
For more information, visit www.gloomball.com.
The official release/listening party for "Equilibrium", the new album from Brunswick, New Jersey's melodic, thrash-metal warriors GOD FORBID, will be held on Friday, March 16 at Duff's Brooklyn in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
The address is:
Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York
For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.
"Equilibrium" will be released on March 27 via Victory Records. The bulk of the CD was recorded by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM), with Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER) stepping in during the the vocal-tracking stage. The effort was mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with such acts as KATATONIA, OPETH, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH.
"With the new album, we focused on writing tight, hooky metal songs," commented guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle on the creative process for "Equilibrium", "There are some really fast, super heavy, groovy songs – some of the catchiest, most melodic songs we've ever written. We wanted a modern, but organic-sounding album that was tight but still captured the intensity of the band. The album sounds huge!"
Coyle went on to speak about the overall theme of the album, "The title of the album says it all — it's about finding your way when you're lost. The lyrics come from a very personal, very real place. The recurring lyrical theme is about the everyday struggles of life and what it takes to persevere and follow your dreams."
GOD FORBID's solidified line-up, newly managed under World Entertainment's Alexander Ford and Gunter Ford, includes lead vocalist Byron Davis, guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle, bassist John "Beeker" Outcalt, Corey Pierce on drums and newest member Matt Wicklund on guitar.
The band will support "Equilibrium" with heavy touring.
The address is:
Duff's Brooklyn
168 Marcy Avenue (between S 5th & Broadway)
Williamsburg, New York
For more information, visit www.duffsbrooklyn.com.
"Equilibrium" will be released on March 27 via Victory Records. The bulk of the CD was recorded by Mark Lewis (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, DEVILDRIVER, TRIVIUM), with Jason Suecof (TRIVIUM, ALL THAT REMAINS, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, CHIMAIRA, DEVILDRIVER) stepping in during the the vocal-tracking stage. The effort was mixed by acclaimed Swedish producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with such acts as KATATONIA, OPETH, PARADISE LOST and AMON AMARTH.
"With the new album, we focused on writing tight, hooky metal songs," commented guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle on the creative process for "Equilibrium", "There are some really fast, super heavy, groovy songs – some of the catchiest, most melodic songs we've ever written. We wanted a modern, but organic-sounding album that was tight but still captured the intensity of the band. The album sounds huge!"
Coyle went on to speak about the overall theme of the album, "The title of the album says it all — it's about finding your way when you're lost. The lyrics come from a very personal, very real place. The recurring lyrical theme is about the everyday struggles of life and what it takes to persevere and follow your dreams."
GOD FORBID's solidified line-up, newly managed under World Entertainment's Alexander Ford and Gunter Ford, includes lead vocalist Byron Davis, guitarist/vocalist Doc Coyle, bassist John "Beeker" Outcalt, Corey Pierce on drums and newest member Matt Wicklund on guitar.
The band will support "Equilibrium" with heavy touring.
Spanish thrashers ANGELUS APATRIDA will release their new studio album, "The Call", on April 30 via Century Media Records. The CD was once again recorded at Ultrasound Studio in Moita, Portugal with producer Daniel Cardoso (ANNEKE VAN GIERSBERGEN, ANATHEMA). The artwork was handled by Gustavo Sazes of Abstrata (ARCH ENEMY, KRISIUN).
"The Call" track listing:
01. You Are Next
02. At The Gates Of Hell
03. Violent Dawn
04. It's Rising!
05. Blood On The Snow
06. Killer Instinct
07. The Hope Is Gone
08. Fresh Pleasure
09. Still Corrupt
10. Reborn
Commented ANGELUS APATRIDA guitarist/vocalist Guillermo Izquierdo: "Our new album is ready and it's damn great! Our only purpose was to put everything we have learned in the last three years into a fistful of songs that could reflect how we feel nowadays. And the result couldn't have turned out any better… it's strong, fast, immediate, sharp, technical and bloody furious!"
ANGELUS APATRIDA will embark on a European tour with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, GOATWHORE and HAVOK in early May.
According to a press release, "[ANGELUS APATRIDA] was born in the Spanish town of Albacete in the year 2000 and perfectly combines both the aggression and the melodic edge of classic '80s thrash metal with a breathtaking modern southern fury that results in an impressive blend of rage, attitude and a high level of technical skills, rarely seen with young bands like this."
ANGELUS APATRIDA's band name mixes Spanish and Latin language and can be translated into English as "stateless" or "renegade" angels. Influenced by the early Bay Area thrash metal and NWOBHM scenes and more specifically bands like IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, OVERKILL, PANTERA, TESTAMENT and ANNIHILATOR, ANGELUS APATRIDA established itself in its homeland with two independent album releases, "Evil Unleashed" (2006) and "Give 'Em War" (2007), as well as countless live appearances at various festivals (Lorca Rock, Alternavigo, Metalway, etc.) and at the clubs in most of the country's larger cities with acts like BARÓN ROJO, DESTRUCTION, SEPULTURA and many more.
ANGELUS APATRIDA is:
David G. Álvarez - Guitar
Guillermo Izquierdo - Vocals, Guitar
Víctor Valera - Drums
José J. Izquierdo - Bass Guitar
For more information, visit www.angelusapatrida.com.
"The Call" track listing:
01. You Are Next
02. At The Gates Of Hell
03. Violent Dawn
04. It's Rising!
05. Blood On The Snow
06. Killer Instinct
07. The Hope Is Gone
08. Fresh Pleasure
09. Still Corrupt
10. Reborn
Commented ANGELUS APATRIDA guitarist/vocalist Guillermo Izquierdo: "Our new album is ready and it's damn great! Our only purpose was to put everything we have learned in the last three years into a fistful of songs that could reflect how we feel nowadays. And the result couldn't have turned out any better… it's strong, fast, immediate, sharp, technical and bloody furious!"
ANGELUS APATRIDA will embark on a European tour with 3 INCHES OF BLOOD, GOATWHORE and HAVOK in early May.
According to a press release, "[ANGELUS APATRIDA] was born in the Spanish town of Albacete in the year 2000 and perfectly combines both the aggression and the melodic edge of classic '80s thrash metal with a breathtaking modern southern fury that results in an impressive blend of rage, attitude and a high level of technical skills, rarely seen with young bands like this."
ANGELUS APATRIDA's band name mixes Spanish and Latin language and can be translated into English as "stateless" or "renegade" angels. Influenced by the early Bay Area thrash metal and NWOBHM scenes and more specifically bands like IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH, ANTHRAX, OVERKILL, PANTERA, TESTAMENT and ANNIHILATOR, ANGELUS APATRIDA established itself in its homeland with two independent album releases, "Evil Unleashed" (2006) and "Give 'Em War" (2007), as well as countless live appearances at various festivals (Lorca Rock, Alternavigo, Metalway, etc.) and at the clubs in most of the country's larger cities with acts like BARÓN ROJO, DESTRUCTION, SEPULTURA and many more.
ANGELUS APATRIDA is:
David G. Álvarez - Guitar
Guillermo Izquierdo - Vocals, Guitar
Víctor Valera - Drums
José J. Izquierdo - Bass Guitar
For more information, visit www.angelusapatrida.com.
SHATTERED DESTINY, progressive power/thrash band created by lead singer/songwriter JJ, has released the first webisode featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the upcoming EP, "Fragments". Due on March 20 through all digital music services, the effort was recorded in early 2012 at Rogue Studios by Martin Brändström (DARK TRANQUILLITY) under the supervision of Joacim Cans (HAMMERFALL). Pontus Norgren (HAMMERFALL) mixed the EP, which features original artwork by Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY) and was mastered at Fascination Street by Jens Bogren (AMON AMARTH, OPETH).
"Fragments" track listing:
01. Welcome
02. Deceitful Heart
03. Oblivion
04. Epilogue
"Fragments" recording lineup:
* JJ - Vocals and Keys
* Roman Guryev - Lead Guitar
* Steve S. - Rhythm Guitar
* Lena H. - Bass
* Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING) - Drums
* Johan Aremyr, Pontus Norgren, and Joacim Cans - Additional Backing Vocals
The first track from "Fragments" is available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.
SHATTERED DESTINY has completed writing the full-length follow-up to "Fragments" and is seeking a label home.
For more information, visit www.ShatteredDestiny.net.
"Fragments" track listing:
01. Welcome
02. Deceitful Heart
03. Oblivion
04. Epilogue
"Fragments" recording lineup:
* JJ - Vocals and Keys
* Roman Guryev - Lead Guitar
* Steve S. - Rhythm Guitar
* Lena H. - Bass
* Mark Zonder (FATES WARNING) - Drums
* Johan Aremyr, Pontus Norgren, and Joacim Cans - Additional Backing Vocals
The first track from "Fragments" is available for streaming using the SoundCloud player below.
SHATTERED DESTINY has completed writing the full-length follow-up to "Fragments" and is seeking a label home.
For more information, visit www.ShatteredDestiny.net.
Dutch multi-instrumentalist and AYREON mastermind Arjen Lucassen will release his new concept solo album, "Lost In The New Real", on April 23 in Europe (three days earlier in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) via InsideOut Music. The artwork for the two-CD release was created by renowned designer Claudio Bergamin.
Lucassen recently enlisted the talents of legendary screen actor Rutger Hauer as the narrator on "Lost In The New Real".
"This is a dream come true," said Arjen. "Rutger is not only one of my favorite actors, he also starred in my all-time favorite sci-fi movie, 'Blade Runner'."
Rutger also enjoyed the collaboration with Arjen, saying, "[Arjen] connected with me when he was working on his new album. Said he was a big fan and wanted to see if I could do the voiceover. This happened over just a few weeks and it was marvelous work, very creative. I hope you enjoy it".
Lucassen recently enlisted the talents of legendary screen actor Rutger Hauer as the narrator on "Lost In The New Real".
"This is a dream come true," said Arjen. "Rutger is not only one of my favorite actors, he also starred in my all-time favorite sci-fi movie, 'Blade Runner'."
Rutger also enjoyed the collaboration with Arjen, saying, "[Arjen] connected with me when he was working on his new album. Said he was a big fan and wanted to see if I could do the voiceover. This happened over just a few weeks and it was marvelous work, very creative. I hope you enjoy it".
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/arjenlost.jpg
SYLENCER (formerly ASYLUM), the Illinois-based project featuring Markus Johansson (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Johnny Rox (bass), has inked a deal with dPulse Recordings/Ovrtone Music Group, Inc. for the release of its as-yet-untitled debut album (formerly "A Lethal Dose Of Truth"). Due in early summer, the CD features vocal production by Christian Olde Wolbers (ARKAEA, FEAR FACTORY) and mixing by Orlando Villasenor. The effort was mastered by Maor Applebaum (HALFORD, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN).
SYLENCER is:
* Markus Johansson - Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals
* Johnny Rox - Bass
Featuring:
* Kevin Talley (DAATH, CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) - Drums
* Larry Tarnowski (ICED EARTH) - Lead Guitar
Guest Appearances:
* Gene Hoglan - Drums (SYL, DETHKLOK, ZIMMERS HOLE, DEATH, DARK ANGEL)
* Brendon Small (DETHKLOK/METALOCALYPSE) - Lead Guitar
* Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND, DEATH) - Lead Guitar
* Michael Angelo Batio (NITRO) - Lead Guitar
* Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN) - Lead Guitar
* The Heathen (ZIMMERS HOLE) - Vocals
* Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Lead Guitar
* Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX) - Lead Guitar
* "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (ROB HALFORD, SEBASTIAN BACH, PAINMUSEUM) - Lead Guitar
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, DEATH, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH) - Bass
* Sean Reinert (CYNIC, AEON SPOKE, DEATH) - Drums
* Jordan Rudess (DREAM THEATER, LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT) - Keyboards
* Steve Smyth (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, NEVERMORE) - Lead Guitar
* Christian Lasegue (JAG PANZER) - Lead Guitar
* Marco Minnemann (NECROPHAGIST, PAUL GILBERT, KREATOR) - Drums
For more information, visit www.sylencermusic.com.
SYLENCER is:
* Markus Johansson - Lead Guitar/Lead Vocals
* Johnny Rox - Bass
Featuring:
* Kevin Talley (DAATH, CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS) - Drums
* Larry Tarnowski (ICED EARTH) - Lead Guitar
Guest Appearances:
* Gene Hoglan - Drums (SYL, DETHKLOK, ZIMMERS HOLE, DEATH, DARK ANGEL)
* Brendon Small (DETHKLOK/METALOCALYPSE) - Lead Guitar
* Andy La Rocque (KING DIAMOND, DEATH) - Lead Guitar
* Michael Angelo Batio (NITRO) - Lead Guitar
* Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN) - Lead Guitar
* The Heathen (ZIMMERS HOLE) - Vocals
* Emil Werstler (DAATH) - Lead Guitar
* Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX) - Lead Guitar
* "Metal" Mike Chlasciak (ROB HALFORD, SEBASTIAN BACH, PAINMUSEUM) - Lead Guitar
* Steve DiGiorgio (SADUS, DEATH, TESTAMENT, ICED EARTH) - Bass
* Sean Reinert (CYNIC, AEON SPOKE, DEATH) - Drums
* Jordan Rudess (DREAM THEATER, LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT) - Keyboards
* Steve Smyth (FORBIDDEN, TESTAMENT, NEVERMORE) - Lead Guitar
* Christian Lasegue (JAG PANZER) - Lead Guitar
* Marco Minnemann (NECROPHAGIST, PAUL GILBERT, KREATOR) - Drums
For more information, visit www.sylencermusic.com.
Chicago hard rockers TRUE WITNESS will release their debut album, "The Human Condition", on April 10 via Dark Star Records.
Comprised of Allen James (vocals), Randy Gonet (guitar), Brian Gordon (bass), and Tom Miller (drums), TRUE WITNESS took its time crafting "The Human Condition" — going as far as tracking nearly two albums worth of material, so they could select strictly the crème de la crème for the final product. As a result, such standout tunes as "The Face Of Evil", "Waking With The Dead" and "High Time" pack quite the metallic punch.
Once "The Human Condition" is released, the quartet is planning on launching a full U.S. tour in the summer, will be thoroughly promoted at rock radio, and will film a music video (the song has yet to be determined). And another key selling point — the ten-track album is going to be modestly priced at $11.99, which will obviously attract many a headbanger on a budget.
"The Human Condition" track listing:
01. Slippin'/Slidin'
02. The Face of Evil
03. High Time
04. Forming My Religion
05. Seeds
06. Walking With The Dead
07. Tell Me
08. Take The Wheel
09. Fade With The Night
10. Wake Up Call
TRUE WITNESS is:
Allen James (Vocals)
Randy Gonet (Guitar)
Tom Miller (Drums)
Brian Gordon (Bass)
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/truewitness.
Comprised of Allen James (vocals), Randy Gonet (guitar), Brian Gordon (bass), and Tom Miller (drums), TRUE WITNESS took its time crafting "The Human Condition" — going as far as tracking nearly two albums worth of material, so they could select strictly the crème de la crème for the final product. As a result, such standout tunes as "The Face Of Evil", "Waking With The Dead" and "High Time" pack quite the metallic punch.
Once "The Human Condition" is released, the quartet is planning on launching a full U.S. tour in the summer, will be thoroughly promoted at rock radio, and will film a music video (the song has yet to be determined). And another key selling point — the ten-track album is going to be modestly priced at $11.99, which will obviously attract many a headbanger on a budget.
"The Human Condition" track listing:
01. Slippin'/Slidin'
02. The Face of Evil
03. High Time
04. Forming My Religion
05. Seeds
06. Walking With The Dead
07. Tell Me
08. Take The Wheel
09. Fade With The Night
10. Wake Up Call
TRUE WITNESS is:
Allen James (Vocals)
Randy Gonet (Guitar)
Tom Miller (Drums)
Brian Gordon (Bass)
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/truewitness.
Dee Cernile, guitarist for the '90s Canadian hard rock band SVEN GALI, died this past Saturday, February 25 after a three-year battle with lung cancer. He was 46 years old.
"Dee was a great guitarist, singer, and songwriter who always wore his heart on his sleeve," David Bendeth, the executive who signed SVEN GALI to BMG Canada and produced their 1992 self-titled debut, told Billboard.biz. "His love of music and life made him a true rockstar. He will be missed by many that had the great fortune to work with him and hear that great infectious laugh. He was larger than life."
SVEN GALI's aforementioned first CD went gold in Canada (signifying shipments in excess of 50,000 copies) and was nominated in the "Hard Rock Album Of The Year" category at the 1993 Juno Awards. The band's second LP was recorded in Seattle with Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE) while their 1995 album, "Inwire", featured guest appearances by BLIND MELON's Christopher Thorn and CANDLEBOX's Kevin Martin. SVEN GALI disbanded the following year, but reformed 11 years later.
According to Cernile's Facebook page, he'd been working on a new record toward the end of his life. "It won't be another SVEN GALI record, but it will rock," he wrote.
"Dee was a great guitarist, singer, and songwriter who always wore his heart on his sleeve," David Bendeth, the executive who signed SVEN GALI to BMG Canada and produced their 1992 self-titled debut, told Billboard.biz. "His love of music and life made him a true rockstar. He will be missed by many that had the great fortune to work with him and hear that great infectious laugh. He was larger than life."
SVEN GALI's aforementioned first CD went gold in Canada (signifying shipments in excess of 50,000 copies) and was nominated in the "Hard Rock Album Of The Year" category at the 1993 Juno Awards. The band's second LP was recorded in Seattle with Kelly Gray (QUEENSRŸCHE) while their 1995 album, "Inwire", featured guest appearances by BLIND MELON's Christopher Thorn and CANDLEBOX's Kevin Martin. SVEN GALI disbanded the following year, but reformed 11 years later.
According to Cernile's Facebook page, he'd been working on a new record toward the end of his life. "It won't be another SVEN GALI record, but it will rock," he wrote.
Northeast Ohio-based metallers WRETCH have parted ways with longtime vocalist Colin Watson.
Commented WRETCH guitarist Nick Giannakos: "I have been in this band with Colin on and off for 26 years. I am very sad to see this day come. He told us he does not want to be in a band full-time anymore. I will miss his vocals but most of all I will miss having him around on a regular basis. Not only have we been in a band together for that long, we have also been friends for just as long.
"We are going to continue finishing the new album. We are currently looking for a new vocalist with the same type of vocal ability who is good at writing lyrics. I am not sure if we will continue with the name WRETCH but we will definitely keep playing and writing the same type of power metal that we love to play."
Interested vocalists can contact Giannakos at nshred1@yahoo.com.
Commented WRETCH guitarist Nick Giannakos: "I have been in this band with Colin on and off for 26 years. I am very sad to see this day come. He told us he does not want to be in a band full-time anymore. I will miss his vocals but most of all I will miss having him around on a regular basis. Not only have we been in a band together for that long, we have also been friends for just as long.
"We are going to continue finishing the new album. We are currently looking for a new vocalist with the same type of vocal ability who is good at writing lyrics. I am not sure if we will continue with the name WRETCH but we will definitely keep playing and writing the same type of power metal that we love to play."
Interested vocalists can contact Giannakos at nshred1@yahoo.com.
Arizona death metallers JOB FOR A COWBOY will unleash their brand new studio album, "Demonocracy", on April 10 via Metal Blade Records. The nine-track CD was produced by Jason Seucof (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WHITECHAPEL, TRIVIUM) who recorded the band's blistering "Ruination" full-length, at Audiohammer Studios in Sanford, Florida, and features another strikingly detailed concept cover by artist Brent Elliott White.
Commented the band in a collective statement: "However ruthless an age may actually have been, its style transmits its music only."
Check out the bludgeoning new single, "Nourishment Through Bloodshed", below.
"Demonocracy" track listing:
01. Children of Deceit
02. Nourishment Through Bloodshed
03. Imperium Wolves
04. Tongueless and Bound
05. Black Discharge
06. The Manipulation Stream
07. The Deity Misconception
08. Fearmonger
09. Tarnished Gluttony
With the critical praise and fan adoration bestowed upon 2009's "Ruination", it would have been easy for the band to rest upon their proverbial laurels and serve up "Ruination Part II". But from the moment "Demonocracy" roars to life, it is wholly evident that this is a far more musically accomplished beast that takes their signature sound to the next level. From the abrasive blast of opener "Children Of Deceit" to the disconcerting strains of "The Deity Misconception" or the brooding, heart-wrenching closer "Tarnished Gluttony", this is a record drenched in equal parts misanthropy and naked rage, and from start to finish they suspend the listener by the throat.
A key factor in this progression was the change in the band's ranks, which finds vocalist Jonny Davy, drummer Jon "Charn" Rice, and guitarist Al Glassman joined by guitarist Tony Sannicandro. In addition, CEPHALIC CARNAGE bassist Nick Schendzielos replaces Brent Riggs. Having initially brought Sannicandro and Schendzielos on as touring musicians, the members immediately gelled, and first wrote together on 2011's "Gloom" EP, sealing the deal and securing their places as full-fledged members of the band.
Guitarist Tony Sannicandro believes he made a very natural addition into the band's ranks, and he's proud to bring his intricate style to JOB FOR A COWBOY's instantly recognizable sound. "I think I bring more of an old-school guitar approach to the band," he says. "Obviously, before the band got me, there wasn't a lot of lead work. The new album has a solo on every song. I think I've done the best work of my life on there."
No one can doubt Schendzielos' musical pedigree and formidable skills, and the bassist is looking to really make a mark through his work with the band. "It's really invigorating that the cats in JOB FOR A COWBOY are into my style because there is such a great expanse of uncharted territory for bass in metal," he states. "CEPHALIC is notorious for our chaotic and vigorous live performances alongside an expansive and dilatant range of metal stylings. I'm bringing all that experience with me and combining it with the talents of these splendid men to make my best bass work to date."
Commented the band in a collective statement: "However ruthless an age may actually have been, its style transmits its music only."
Check out the bludgeoning new single, "Nourishment Through Bloodshed", below.
"Demonocracy" track listing:
01. Children of Deceit
02. Nourishment Through Bloodshed
03. Imperium Wolves
04. Tongueless and Bound
05. Black Discharge
06. The Manipulation Stream
07. The Deity Misconception
08. Fearmonger
09. Tarnished Gluttony
With the critical praise and fan adoration bestowed upon 2009's "Ruination", it would have been easy for the band to rest upon their proverbial laurels and serve up "Ruination Part II". But from the moment "Demonocracy" roars to life, it is wholly evident that this is a far more musically accomplished beast that takes their signature sound to the next level. From the abrasive blast of opener "Children Of Deceit" to the disconcerting strains of "The Deity Misconception" or the brooding, heart-wrenching closer "Tarnished Gluttony", this is a record drenched in equal parts misanthropy and naked rage, and from start to finish they suspend the listener by the throat.
A key factor in this progression was the change in the band's ranks, which finds vocalist Jonny Davy, drummer Jon "Charn" Rice, and guitarist Al Glassman joined by guitarist Tony Sannicandro. In addition, CEPHALIC CARNAGE bassist Nick Schendzielos replaces Brent Riggs. Having initially brought Sannicandro and Schendzielos on as touring musicians, the members immediately gelled, and first wrote together on 2011's "Gloom" EP, sealing the deal and securing their places as full-fledged members of the band.
Guitarist Tony Sannicandro believes he made a very natural addition into the band's ranks, and he's proud to bring his intricate style to JOB FOR A COWBOY's instantly recognizable sound. "I think I bring more of an old-school guitar approach to the band," he says. "Obviously, before the band got me, there wasn't a lot of lead work. The new album has a solo on every song. I think I've done the best work of my life on there."
No one can doubt Schendzielos' musical pedigree and formidable skills, and the bassist is looking to really make a mark through his work with the band. "It's really invigorating that the cats in JOB FOR A COWBOY are into my style because there is such a great expanse of uncharted territory for bass in metal," he states. "CEPHALIC is notorious for our chaotic and vigorous live performances alongside an expansive and dilatant range of metal stylings. I'm bringing all that experience with me and combining it with the talents of these splendid men to make my best bass work to date."
New York death metal veterans SUFFOCATION recently answered several questions about their split with drummer Mike Smith during an e-mail interview with Russia's HitKiller.com. Several excerpts from the question-and-answer session in their original English-language form can be found below.
HitKiller.com: It's been a sad surprise for everyone to hear the news about the split-up within the band. We've had a chance to hear Mike speaking his truth and his opinion of what's going on. How would you comment on the current situation? What do you think was the main reason of this sudden breakup?
Answer: We want to keep this respectful, so without going into much detail, Mike and the rest of us had serious differences of opinions. Mike did formally resign from the band, and he has since been replaced with Dave Culross who had played and recorded on "Despise The Sun".
HitKiller.com: There is Bill Robinson [DECREPIT BIRTH vocalist] and Dave Culross to fill the vacant spaces within your lineup during the Eastern leg of the tour. Why did you choose these guys? Was it difficult anyhow to persuade them to come with you ('cause you know there might be kind of negative reaction from the fans who think SUFFO is impossible without Frank [Mullen, vocals] and Mike)? And how much time do you think they'll need to learn the songs? Do you think they can become SUFFOCATION regular members in future (Dave once again in his life)?
Answer: Dave is a permanent member now. Bill is just filling in for Frank on this run only due to the fact that Frank has responsibilities to his job and family. However, Frank will be performing at Neurotic Deathfest with us. As the saying goes, the show must go on for our fans and we will not disappoint! We would like to thank Bill for performing with us on this run to come. But other then that, nothing has changed.
HitKiller.com: How do you see the future of the band? What variant do you think is most possible: 1) The band splits up once again; 2) you're solving the conflict and get all together back; 3) SUFFOCATION continues with the new lineup. What are you going do after this difficult tour is over?
Answer: For all the people who think the band is splitting up, it's NOT, except for the one change we already mentioned above. As far as our next move, the new CD is in the pre-production stage and it kills! We would say some of the best material to date. The band right now as a whole can't wait to get this out to our fans.
HitKiller.com: What will probably happen with the album you've been working on lately? As far as I know a lot of stuff is recorded already and... Will it actually be out?
Answer: Yes, it is scheduled to be released on Nuclear Blast in the fall of 2012.
HitKiller.com: It's been a sad surprise for everyone to hear the news about the split-up within the band. We've had a chance to hear Mike speaking his truth and his opinion of what's going on. How would you comment on the current situation? What do you think was the main reason of this sudden breakup?
Answer: We want to keep this respectful, so without going into much detail, Mike and the rest of us had serious differences of opinions. Mike did formally resign from the band, and he has since been replaced with Dave Culross who had played and recorded on "Despise The Sun".
HitKiller.com: There is Bill Robinson [DECREPIT BIRTH vocalist] and Dave Culross to fill the vacant spaces within your lineup during the Eastern leg of the tour. Why did you choose these guys? Was it difficult anyhow to persuade them to come with you ('cause you know there might be kind of negative reaction from the fans who think SUFFO is impossible without Frank [Mullen, vocals] and Mike)? And how much time do you think they'll need to learn the songs? Do you think they can become SUFFOCATION regular members in future (Dave once again in his life)?
Answer: Dave is a permanent member now. Bill is just filling in for Frank on this run only due to the fact that Frank has responsibilities to his job and family. However, Frank will be performing at Neurotic Deathfest with us. As the saying goes, the show must go on for our fans and we will not disappoint! We would like to thank Bill for performing with us on this run to come. But other then that, nothing has changed.
HitKiller.com: How do you see the future of the band? What variant do you think is most possible: 1) The band splits up once again; 2) you're solving the conflict and get all together back; 3) SUFFOCATION continues with the new lineup. What are you going do after this difficult tour is over?
Answer: For all the people who think the band is splitting up, it's NOT, except for the one change we already mentioned above. As far as our next move, the new CD is in the pre-production stage and it kills! We would say some of the best material to date. The band right now as a whole can't wait to get this out to our fans.
HitKiller.com: What will probably happen with the album you've been working on lately? As far as I know a lot of stuff is recorded already and... Will it actually be out?
Answer: Yes, it is scheduled to be released on Nuclear Blast in the fall of 2012.
Floridian black metallers KULT OV AZAZEL have announced the addition of bassist Amduscias (ORBWEAVER, ex-HATE ETERNAL) to the group's ranks.
The band is currently writing the material for its album, "Violators Of The Covenant", to be released via Negativity Records. The drum tracks for the CD will be recorded at SBS Recording Studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while the rest will be laid down at Noise Farm Studio in Paige, Texas.
KULT OV AZAZEL's latest album, "Destroying The Sacred", was released in June 2009 via Arctic Music. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida between October 28, 2008 and November 11, 2008. The band also issued a "best-of" compilation titled "Desecrations: A Decade Of Defiling the Cross" through Arctic Music. In addition, Negativity Records released a KULT OV AZAZEL split seven-inch single with TERATISM titled "In League With Satan" as a tribute to VENOM.
The band is currently writing the material for its album, "Violators Of The Covenant", to be released via Negativity Records. The drum tracks for the CD will be recorded at SBS Recording Studio in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, while the rest will be laid down at Noise Farm Studio in Paige, Texas.
KULT OV AZAZEL's latest album, "Destroying The Sacred", was released in June 2009 via Arctic Music. The CD was recorded at Mana Recording Studios in St. Petersburg, Florida between October 28, 2008 and November 11, 2008. The band also issued a "best-of" compilation titled "Desecrations: A Decade Of Defiling the Cross" through Arctic Music. In addition, Negativity Records released a KULT OV AZAZEL split seven-inch single with TERATISM titled "In League With Satan" as a tribute to VENOM.
"The Weight Of Oceans", the third full-length album from Swedish progressive death metallers IN MOURNING, will be released on April 18 via Spinefarm Records. The CD was recorded in late 2011 at the Abyss and Black Lounge studios in Sweden with engineer Jonas Kjellgren. The cover art was created by Kristian Wåhlin and can be seen below.
"The Weight Of Oceans" track listing:
01. Colossus
02. A Vow To Conquer The Ocean
03. From A Tidal Sleep
04. Celestial Tear
05. Convergence
06. Sirens
07. Isle Of Solace
08. The Drowning Sun
09. Voyage Of A Wavering Mind
IN MOURNING's last CD, "Monolith", was released in January 2010 via Pulverised Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Black Lounge Studio in Avesta, Sweden in with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW). The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, KING DIAMOND, AMORPHIS).
IN MOURNING's full-length debut, "Shrouded Divine" (2008), was released on vinyl on November 20, 2009 via Kolony Records. Limited to 500 copies worldwide, it came with new exclusive artwork for this version only and inner sleeve containing all lyrics and info.
IN MOURNING is:
Tobias Netzell - Vocals, Guitar
Pierre Stam - Bass
Björn Pettersson - Guitar
Tim Nedergård - Guitar
Christian Netzell – Drums
"The Weight Of Oceans" track listing:
01. Colossus
02. A Vow To Conquer The Ocean
03. From A Tidal Sleep
04. Celestial Tear
05. Convergence
06. Sirens
07. Isle Of Solace
08. The Drowning Sun
09. Voyage Of A Wavering Mind
IN MOURNING's last CD, "Monolith", was released in January 2010 via Pulverised Records. The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered at Black Lounge Studio in Avesta, Sweden in with producer Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, CENTINEX, WORLD BELOW). The cover artwork was created by Travis Smith (NEVERMORE, OPETH, KING DIAMOND, AMORPHIS).
IN MOURNING's full-length debut, "Shrouded Divine" (2008), was released on vinyl on November 20, 2009 via Kolony Records. Limited to 500 copies worldwide, it came with new exclusive artwork for this version only and inner sleeve containing all lyrics and info.
IN MOURNING is:
Tobias Netzell - Vocals, Guitar
Pierre Stam - Bass
Björn Pettersson - Guitar
Tim Nedergård - Guitar
Christian Netzell – Drums
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/mourningweight.jpg
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