Legendary rockers KISS will release their 20th studio album, "Monster", on October 16 through Universal Music Enterprises. Described in a press release as a "12-track, straight-ahead rock 'n' roll album," the CD features collaborations among all four members — including co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer — in an album that shows the band at the top of its game.
"Monster" track listing (iTunes version):
01. Hell Or Hallelujah
02. Wall Of Sound
03. Freak
04. Back To The Stone Age
05. Shout Mercy
06. Long Way Down
07. Eat Your Heart Out
08. The Devil Is Me
09. Outta This World
10. All For The Love Of Rock & Roll
11. Take Me Down Below
12. Last Chance
13. Right Here Right Now
"Monster" is the group's first studio album since the band's 2009 smash success, "Sonic Boom", and was also produced by Paul Stanley with Greg Collins at Conway Studios in Hollywood, California, and The Nook in Studio City, California.
"Monster" represents KISS' nod to the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. The group goes back to their own beginnings with THE WHO-like "Freak", while Gene lives up to the title track's declaration on the raucous rock of "Back To The Stone Age" and the bludgeoning "The Devil is Me". Even guitarist Thayer takes a turn on his own with "Outta This World". a tribute to his KISS "spaceman" character, while drummer Singer provides the vocals (and the back story) for the arena anthem "All For The Love Of Rock & Roll".
"There are no symphony orchestras, boy choirs, keyboards, outside producers or songwriters on this album," promises Gene Simmons. "The best thing we did was to turn inwards to ourselves. Tommy and Eric have revitalized this band, with a work ethic and the talent to back it up. This is a real band effort. KISS has become a behemoth. We're going where no bands have gone before."
"Monster" track listing (iTunes version):
01. Hell Or Hallelujah
02. Wall Of Sound
03. Freak
04. Back To The Stone Age
05. Shout Mercy
06. Long Way Down
07. Eat Your Heart Out
08. The Devil Is Me
09. Outta This World
10. All For The Love Of Rock & Roll
11. Take Me Down Below
12. Last Chance
13. Right Here Right Now
"Monster" is the group's first studio album since the band's 2009 smash success, "Sonic Boom", and was also produced by Paul Stanley with Greg Collins at Conway Studios in Hollywood, California, and The Nook in Studio City, California.
"Monster" represents KISS' nod to the music that first inspired them to pick up their guitars and flame-throwers and don makeup to entertain millions. The group goes back to their own beginnings with THE WHO-like "Freak", while Gene lives up to the title track's declaration on the raucous rock of "Back To The Stone Age" and the bludgeoning "The Devil is Me". Even guitarist Thayer takes a turn on his own with "Outta This World". a tribute to his KISS "spaceman" character, while drummer Singer provides the vocals (and the back story) for the arena anthem "All For The Love Of Rock & Roll".
"There are no symphony orchestras, boy choirs, keyboards, outside producers or songwriters on this album," promises Gene Simmons. "The best thing we did was to turn inwards to ourselves. Tommy and Eric have revitalized this band, with a work ethic and the talent to back it up. This is a real band effort. KISS has become a behemoth. We're going where no bands have gone before."
MÖTLEY CRÜE and KISS's co-headlining tour — dubbed simply "The Tour" — kicked off on July 20 in Bristow, Virginia and is currently scheduled to wrap on September 23 in Hartford, Connecticut. Although the bands are officially co-headlining the tour, MÖTLEY CRÜE is opening for KISS each night.
MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee recently explained to VEVO how he knows when a particular show is really happening. "The crowd is a pretty good indicator when it's good, because it's kind of a universal energy that gets passed around," he said. "The crowd's rocking to it — that's a good sign. And then we know. We just know. It's those little nuances where somebody does something and you know they're going to do it and they did it and it's a weird feel kind of thing. I don't know how to put it into words, but you've been together so long you just know when you're really connecting. It could be from the way the song started, just perfectly… or the way it ended. There are things you do that just come natural, and sometimes those are amazingly in synch and sometimes they're horribly out of synch and you're like, 'Ooo! That wasn't very good tonight.' Most of the time it's just on."
It's often said the drummer's got the most physical job, and Lee — who is considered by many to be one of rock's most visual performers — says that playing live almost every night makes it hard for him to keep weight on while on the road. "It gets pretty gnarly," he said. "I've told this story before, but it's kind of fun if you don't know it. I was curious because after a show, y'know, I'm whupped man, and I'm like, 'I'm curious. I'm going to get one of those pedometers that joggers put on their shoes.' The things that tell you how far you go? I was curious, like 'Man, I know I've got to be getting some miles in — no question.' I put it on and after the show I took it off and I looked down and it said 13.1 miles. I was like 'What? That's insane, dude!' No wonder I can't keep weight on and I'm a skinny fucker. Because I sweat — I must sweat ridiculous amounts…"
Earlier this mont, MÖTLEY CRÜE released "Sex", the first studio track from the band since the June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles". The song was recorded at Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California.
Asked if MÖTLEY CRÜE is actually working on an album, Lee told VEVO, "We just cut that song ['Sex'] to have a track out for the summer, for the tour. And I think musically next for us is working on music for 'The Dirt', the movie [version of the MÖTLEY CRÜE memoir, 'The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band'], or maybe another EP in the near future. I'm not really sure but right now we've got the KISS tour ahead of us and a new summer single and that's kind of right now we're focusing on, but I know the movie's coming up shortly."
MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee recently explained to VEVO how he knows when a particular show is really happening. "The crowd is a pretty good indicator when it's good, because it's kind of a universal energy that gets passed around," he said. "The crowd's rocking to it — that's a good sign. And then we know. We just know. It's those little nuances where somebody does something and you know they're going to do it and they did it and it's a weird feel kind of thing. I don't know how to put it into words, but you've been together so long you just know when you're really connecting. It could be from the way the song started, just perfectly… or the way it ended. There are things you do that just come natural, and sometimes those are amazingly in synch and sometimes they're horribly out of synch and you're like, 'Ooo! That wasn't very good tonight.' Most of the time it's just on."
It's often said the drummer's got the most physical job, and Lee — who is considered by many to be one of rock's most visual performers — says that playing live almost every night makes it hard for him to keep weight on while on the road. "It gets pretty gnarly," he said. "I've told this story before, but it's kind of fun if you don't know it. I was curious because after a show, y'know, I'm whupped man, and I'm like, 'I'm curious. I'm going to get one of those pedometers that joggers put on their shoes.' The things that tell you how far you go? I was curious, like 'Man, I know I've got to be getting some miles in — no question.' I put it on and after the show I took it off and I looked down and it said 13.1 miles. I was like 'What? That's insane, dude!' No wonder I can't keep weight on and I'm a skinny fucker. Because I sweat — I must sweat ridiculous amounts…"
Earlier this mont, MÖTLEY CRÜE released "Sex", the first studio track from the band since the June 2008 release of "Saints Of Los Angeles". The song was recorded at Lee's studio called The Atrium in Calabasas, California.
Asked if MÖTLEY CRÜE is actually working on an album, Lee told VEVO, "We just cut that song ['Sex'] to have a track out for the summer, for the tour. And I think musically next for us is working on music for 'The Dirt', the movie [version of the MÖTLEY CRÜE memoir, 'The Dirt: Confessions Of The World's Most Notorious Rock Band'], or maybe another EP in the near future. I'm not really sure but right now we've got the KISS tour ahead of us and a new summer single and that's kind of right now we're focusing on, but I know the movie's coming up shortly."
Daniel Brockman of The Boston Phoenix recently conducted an interview with SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
On SLAYER's career-long ability to incite hysteria:
Araya: "We have always just done things that we think are cool — everybody else tags us as 'controversial!' Everything we do, everything we write, everything we create, we do because it has a cool factor. We just want to be heavier and more intense than anything. One of us will come up with something, and it might make us go, 'Fuck!' — but inside we'll be thinking, 'That is so cool, people are going to shit!' "
On how SLAYER's developed its early sound:
Araya: "We started up as a band, and within a few years we got an offer to do a song for the 'Metal Massacre' series [a compilation series of unsigned metal bands put together by Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel that also included first recordings by METALLICA and RATT]. So we got the previous 'Metal Massacre' album, and decided to write a song better than what we heard. We knew we could do something better, we wanted to out-do the other guys. So we went ahead and did that."
On SLAYER's "outsider art form" becoming more mainstream:
Araya: "Nowadays, people who would never have been into metal can 'get' SLAYER, and honestly it's because of the 'wow' factor. I think people have adapted to that, they've realized it's cool. People don't have to buy into any kind of message; someone can just go 'Wow, this is really cool,' and no one's gonna think 'Oh, you're a devil worshipper' or 'Oh, you're a Nazi.' Now, they'll just think, 'Okay, he thinks that this is cool,' and that's about it. Music has gone through an evolution; metal has evolved and become part of the scene, and it's accepted. We've become part of the fabric of America."
On SLAYER's career-long ability to incite hysteria:
Araya: "We have always just done things that we think are cool — everybody else tags us as 'controversial!' Everything we do, everything we write, everything we create, we do because it has a cool factor. We just want to be heavier and more intense than anything. One of us will come up with something, and it might make us go, 'Fuck!' — but inside we'll be thinking, 'That is so cool, people are going to shit!' "
On how SLAYER's developed its early sound:
Araya: "We started up as a band, and within a few years we got an offer to do a song for the 'Metal Massacre' series [a compilation series of unsigned metal bands put together by Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel that also included first recordings by METALLICA and RATT]. So we got the previous 'Metal Massacre' album, and decided to write a song better than what we heard. We knew we could do something better, we wanted to out-do the other guys. So we went ahead and did that."
On SLAYER's "outsider art form" becoming more mainstream:
Araya: "Nowadays, people who would never have been into metal can 'get' SLAYER, and honestly it's because of the 'wow' factor. I think people have adapted to that, they've realized it's cool. People don't have to buy into any kind of message; someone can just go 'Wow, this is really cool,' and no one's gonna think 'Oh, you're a devil worshipper' or 'Oh, you're a Nazi.' Now, they'll just think, 'Okay, he thinks that this is cool,' and that's about it. Music has gone through an evolution; metal has evolved and become part of the scene, and it's accepted. We've become part of the fabric of America."
On July 27, Pop Culture Madness magazine conducted an interview with ANTHRAX singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Rob Caggiano at the Camden, New Jersey stop of the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. You can now watch the chat below.
Last month, it was reported that ANTHRAX was recording several cover songs, to be issued in September to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of the band's latest album, "Worship Music". While the band does have plans to release an EP of covers that they've done, guitarist Scott Ian made it clear to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner that they are "not working on a covers album." He said, "It's not at all what we're doing. [laughs] We just always record cover songs. They just happen when we're in the studio or when we're touring, we get bored of jamming on our own songs at soundcheck, so you end up jamming on cover songs and eventually we'll end up recording them and eventually, somehow, they end up getting released in some way, shape or form as B-sides, but we're definitely not working on a covers album."
Regarding ANTHRAX's plans to write and record new music, Ian told VH1 Radio Network, "We do already have two or three things kind of in the works as far as new music goes, so it's just a case of if you can get into that mode to start working on them. I can't even explain why or how it happens, but sometimes you'll just get into a mode and you're able to create and you're able to work on stuff and move stuff forward, new stuff, but sometimes you just can't. Sometimes you're on tour and there's just no spark, it's just not there, it's just all about what you're doing in the moment, playing those shows."
ANTHRAX has reportedly started recording the following cover songs for possible release:
* AC/DC - "T.N.T."
* BOSTON - "Smokin'"
* JOURNEY - "Keep On Runnin'"
* RUSH - "Anthem"
ANTHRAX also recorded a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's classic song "Neon Knights" for inclusion on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.
Last month, it was reported that ANTHRAX was recording several cover songs, to be issued in September to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of the band's latest album, "Worship Music". While the band does have plans to release an EP of covers that they've done, guitarist Scott Ian made it clear to VH1 Radio Network's Dave Basner that they are "not working on a covers album." He said, "It's not at all what we're doing. [laughs] We just always record cover songs. They just happen when we're in the studio or when we're touring, we get bored of jamming on our own songs at soundcheck, so you end up jamming on cover songs and eventually we'll end up recording them and eventually, somehow, they end up getting released in some way, shape or form as B-sides, but we're definitely not working on a covers album."
Regarding ANTHRAX's plans to write and record new music, Ian told VH1 Radio Network, "We do already have two or three things kind of in the works as far as new music goes, so it's just a case of if you can get into that mode to start working on them. I can't even explain why or how it happens, but sometimes you'll just get into a mode and you're able to create and you're able to work on stuff and move stuff forward, new stuff, but sometimes you just can't. Sometimes you're on tour and there's just no spark, it's just not there, it's just all about what you're doing in the moment, playing those shows."
ANTHRAX has reportedly started recording the following cover songs for possible release:
* AC/DC - "T.N.T."
* BOSTON - "Smokin'"
* JOURNEY - "Keep On Runnin'"
* RUSH - "Anthem"
ANTHRAX also recorded a cover version of BLACK SABBATH's classic song "Neon Knights" for inclusion on the upcoming Ronnie James Dio tribute album which is being assembled by the singer's widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLH9qDrjCKE&feature=player_embedded
Punk rock icon, spoken-word artist and activist Henry Rollins has joined the cast of the new action-packed thriller "Dark Prophet". Rollins will play General Adam Luther, the mastermind behind Black Box.
"Dark Prophet" is an original web and TV series which follows Dai Shepherd, an extraordinarily gifted, yet rebellious music student with time-traveling abilities who discovers that government intelligence agency, Black Box, has a catastrophic secret embedded in song patterns — Dai is the key to saving the world as we know it.
"Dark Prophet" is the brainchild of multi-hyphenate Evette Vargas, who states, "Henry is an exceptional talent and embodies the role. We're thrilled to have him on board!"
The pilot episode is scheduled to begin shooting this summer in Los Angeles.
Henry Rollins will star alongside a stellar cast, featuring Josh Meyers ("That '70s Show", "MADtv"), Rick Gonzalez ("Reaper", "Coach Carter"), Bill A. Jones ("Glee"), and rising star Chase Fein in the role of Dai Shepherd.
An industry panel of NBC/Universal TV development executives selected "Dark Prophet" as the first place winner at the annual NYU Tisch West Alumni Web Series Competition.
In addition to being the executive producer, writer and director of "Dark Prophet", Evette Vargas is CEO of Digital-Reign, an award-winning production company specializing in high-impact visual media. She is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of Arts, and recently earned her MFA from UCLA's screenwriting and showrunning program.
"Dark Prophet" is an original web and TV series which follows Dai Shepherd, an extraordinarily gifted, yet rebellious music student with time-traveling abilities who discovers that government intelligence agency, Black Box, has a catastrophic secret embedded in song patterns — Dai is the key to saving the world as we know it.
"Dark Prophet" is the brainchild of multi-hyphenate Evette Vargas, who states, "Henry is an exceptional talent and embodies the role. We're thrilled to have him on board!"
The pilot episode is scheduled to begin shooting this summer in Los Angeles.
Henry Rollins will star alongside a stellar cast, featuring Josh Meyers ("That '70s Show", "MADtv"), Rick Gonzalez ("Reaper", "Coach Carter"), Bill A. Jones ("Glee"), and rising star Chase Fein in the role of Dai Shepherd.
An industry panel of NBC/Universal TV development executives selected "Dark Prophet" as the first place winner at the annual NYU Tisch West Alumni Web Series Competition.
In addition to being the executive producer, writer and director of "Dark Prophet", Evette Vargas is CEO of Digital-Reign, an award-winning production company specializing in high-impact visual media. She is a graduate of NYU's Tisch School of Arts, and recently earned her MFA from UCLA's screenwriting and showrunning program.
KILLING JOKE frontman Jaz Coleman has allegedly gone missing after a mysterious announcement was posted online that the group was canceling its U.K. tour.
Last week, a statement appeared on KILLING JOKE's Facebook page explaining that the band was pulling out of its trek with with THE CULT and THE MISSION, which was due to start on September 10 at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. It was first thought to have been posted by Coleman, but is now alleged to have been the work of a fan.
The announcement, which has since been deleted, said: "It gives me great pleasure to announce the cancellation of the upcoming gigs with THE CULT and THE MISSION. Frankly, playing at a gig with THE CULT never appealed to me in the first place. Gatherers [as KILLING JOKE are affectionately known] would only get to listen to a one-hour set. Then there would be a problem with the dressing room and witnessing THE CULT charge the fans $200 per head for a meet-and-greet.
"Lastly, all their songs suck! They clearly have no integrity (they refer to their hometown as L.A.)."
KILLING JOKE members Geordie Walker, Martin "Youth" Glover and Paul Ferguson have since taken to Facebook to say that they haven't heard from Coleman since the previous announcement was made.
"A statement was posted on Facebook, reputedly by our singer, maligning both THE CULT and THE MISSION and pulling us out of the shows," they wrote. "He is now AWOL and has not contacted any of his band mates.
"We are deeply embarrassed by this and offer our sincere apologies to all involved.
"We are all concerned about our missing singer's welfare.
"KILLING JOKE made a collective decision to play with THE CULT and THE MISSION in September.
"It was agreed by all of the band that we would do these shows. Indeed, we thought that they were something to look forward to, even though they were downsized.
"We would still like to honour our commitment to this tour, the other bands, and all the Gatherers and people who have already bought tickets and made travel arrangements.
"If this proves not possible, KILLING JOKE will make alternative arrangements to compensate for the trouble caused.
"Meanwhile we are doing everything we can to make this tour happen and locate our missing singer."
The original lineup of KILLING JOKE released its latest album, "MMXII" on April 2 via Spinefarm Records.
Last week, a statement appeared on KILLING JOKE's Facebook page explaining that the band was pulling out of its trek with with THE CULT and THE MISSION, which was due to start on September 10 at the O2 Apollo in Manchester. It was first thought to have been posted by Coleman, but is now alleged to have been the work of a fan.
The announcement, which has since been deleted, said: "It gives me great pleasure to announce the cancellation of the upcoming gigs with THE CULT and THE MISSION. Frankly, playing at a gig with THE CULT never appealed to me in the first place. Gatherers [as KILLING JOKE are affectionately known] would only get to listen to a one-hour set. Then there would be a problem with the dressing room and witnessing THE CULT charge the fans $200 per head for a meet-and-greet.
"Lastly, all their songs suck! They clearly have no integrity (they refer to their hometown as L.A.)."
KILLING JOKE members Geordie Walker, Martin "Youth" Glover and Paul Ferguson have since taken to Facebook to say that they haven't heard from Coleman since the previous announcement was made.
"A statement was posted on Facebook, reputedly by our singer, maligning both THE CULT and THE MISSION and pulling us out of the shows," they wrote. "He is now AWOL and has not contacted any of his band mates.
"We are deeply embarrassed by this and offer our sincere apologies to all involved.
"We are all concerned about our missing singer's welfare.
"KILLING JOKE made a collective decision to play with THE CULT and THE MISSION in September.
"It was agreed by all of the band that we would do these shows. Indeed, we thought that they were something to look forward to, even though they were downsized.
"We would still like to honour our commitment to this tour, the other bands, and all the Gatherers and people who have already bought tickets and made travel arrangements.
"If this proves not possible, KILLING JOKE will make alternative arrangements to compensate for the trouble caused.
"Meanwhile we are doing everything we can to make this tour happen and locate our missing singer."
The original lineup of KILLING JOKE released its latest album, "MMXII" on April 2 via Spinefarm Records.
Following the very recent release of their debut LP "Draw Back A Stump" internationally via Relapse Records, Atlanta grind punks PRIMATE have confirmed a local release show to unleash the beast to their local hordes. The quintet will antagonize Atlanta's most raging metallians this Friday, August 3 at an in-store performance at local indie shop Criminal Records. Doors for this free show are at 7 p.m. The members of PRIMATE will be available to sign records and meet fans following their set.
PRIMATE features the distinctive vocal stylings of Kevin Sharp (BRUTAL TRUTH), ripping fret-board antics by Bill Kelliher (MASTODON) and Mike Brennan, SST-style bass work and backing vocals by Dave Whitworth, and is rounded out by d-beat defender Shayne Huff.
After seeing a limited release by the band directly via a 1,000-run CD pressing in March 2011, PRIMATE's crushing "Draw Back A Stump" received an official worldwide Relapse release on July 3 on CD, LP and deluxe digital download. The seven hymns from the initial version now include additional rhythm guitars and have been remixed and remastered, and are joined with three additional previously-unreleased bonus tracks on this edition.
An all-star band comprised of extreme music scene vets hellbent on delivering Grade-A punk the likes of which has not been set loose on the ears of the world since the glory days hardcore, PRIMATE channel decades of international extreme music influences into a glorious record of hellish rage all their own. Upon its initial release Decibel magazine praised "Draw Back A Stump", calling it "grind with elements of classic U.K. crust, Swedish D-beat and American hardcore, plus just enough experimentation to create the aural equivalent of a watch throwing springs and gears in every direction while keeping perfect time," with Metal-Army America adding "'Draw Back A Stump' has all the bells and whistles of old-school hardcore and the best of modern sludgey-grind" and Grind To Death boasted the record is "like no other grind I have heard...borrowing from the crisp clean metal stylings and structures merged with the rhythmical pogo stick bouncings of punk to make its own blend of music."
"Draw Back A Stump" track listing:
01. Draw Back A Stump
02. Global Division
03. Hellbound
04. Silence of Violence [bonus]
05. Drinking and Driving
06. March of the Curmudgeon [bonus]
07. Wasted Youth
08. Pride
09. Get The Fuck Off My Lawn [bonus]
10. Reform?
PRIMATE is:
Kevin Sharp - Vocals
Mike Brennan - Guitar
Bill Kelliher - Guitar
Dave Whitworth - Bass/Vocals
Shayne Huff - Drums
PRIMATE features the distinctive vocal stylings of Kevin Sharp (BRUTAL TRUTH), ripping fret-board antics by Bill Kelliher (MASTODON) and Mike Brennan, SST-style bass work and backing vocals by Dave Whitworth, and is rounded out by d-beat defender Shayne Huff.
After seeing a limited release by the band directly via a 1,000-run CD pressing in March 2011, PRIMATE's crushing "Draw Back A Stump" received an official worldwide Relapse release on July 3 on CD, LP and deluxe digital download. The seven hymns from the initial version now include additional rhythm guitars and have been remixed and remastered, and are joined with three additional previously-unreleased bonus tracks on this edition.
An all-star band comprised of extreme music scene vets hellbent on delivering Grade-A punk the likes of which has not been set loose on the ears of the world since the glory days hardcore, PRIMATE channel decades of international extreme music influences into a glorious record of hellish rage all their own. Upon its initial release Decibel magazine praised "Draw Back A Stump", calling it "grind with elements of classic U.K. crust, Swedish D-beat and American hardcore, plus just enough experimentation to create the aural equivalent of a watch throwing springs and gears in every direction while keeping perfect time," with Metal-Army America adding "'Draw Back A Stump' has all the bells and whistles of old-school hardcore and the best of modern sludgey-grind" and Grind To Death boasted the record is "like no other grind I have heard...borrowing from the crisp clean metal stylings and structures merged with the rhythmical pogo stick bouncings of punk to make its own blend of music."
"Draw Back A Stump" track listing:
01. Draw Back A Stump
02. Global Division
03. Hellbound
04. Silence of Violence [bonus]
05. Drinking and Driving
06. March of the Curmudgeon [bonus]
07. Wasted Youth
08. Pride
09. Get The Fuck Off My Lawn [bonus]
10. Reform?
PRIMATE is:
Kevin Sharp - Vocals
Mike Brennan - Guitar
Bill Kelliher - Guitar
Dave Whitworth - Bass/Vocals
Shayne Huff - Drums
Atlanta progressive metallers MASTODON and Canadian singer-songwriter Feist have announced that they have released a digital version of their popular seven-inch vinyl single, "A Commotion" / "Black Tongue" via Warner Bros. Records and Cherrytree/Interscope Records. The tracks are available at all participating digital retailers. This highly sought-after release also includes a special interactive "A Commotion" music video directed by Vice Cooler, and also premiere today on www.listentofeist.com and www.mastodonrocks.com. The video is launched by an HTML5 "Feistodon" video app that allows users to crossfade between Feist and MASTODON's versions of the "A Commotion" to make their own unique versions.
The "Feistodon" split-single was one of the most in-demand exclusives during Record Store Day this past April 21. It features MASTODON covering the Feist song "A Commotion", from her current highly acclaimed current album "Metals" (Interscope) while Feist covers MASTODON's "Black Tongue" — a track from the rock band's critically lauded present album "The Hunter". Only 5000 color vinyl seven-inch singles were pressed up and sold out instantly.
"It's a wet dream to have MASTODON take one of my songs and put it into their massive machine," Feist told RollingStone.com.
"We didn't tell her what to do, and she didn't tell us what to do," says MASTODON guitarist Bill Kelliher. "'A Commotion' just kind of stuck out to me. I could hear the opening riff, a single A-note."
Feist told RollingStone.com that she based her decision on which MASTODON song to cover by finding a track whose lyrics resonated with her the most. "MASTODON fans would probably be disappointed to know that I actually didn't know MASTODON very well," She says. "I actually went onto one of those lyric websites, and I scrolled through 50 songs and just narrowed it down to the ones I thought I could wrap myself around the words. 'Black Tongue' is speaking in my kind of elemental language — about diamond and earth and sky. It's all just in a language that I already sort of speak lyrically. It was pretty easy to climb into that one."
In a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine, MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor explained how the single idea came about. "We did [the BBC television show 'Later... With Jools Holland'], and right after we got off stage, we went backstage and and we were in the hallway with [Feist], and she was talking to [MASTODON vocalist/guitarist] Brent [Hinds]. They were involved in a conversation and were just like, 'Yeah, let's do that! We should do it for Record Store Day!' Something out of left field and something we'd like to be involved with more of."
He added, "It's fun for us. I mean, most times we end up doing covers of bands that are already sort of heavy or that is already in that vein, like the MELVINS, THIN LIZZY, METALLICA, you know what I mean? What are you gonna do to those songs to make them your own? It's kinda difficult and especially with stuff like METALLICA or the MELVINS where we're so kinda familiar and in love with the versions that METALLICA and the MELVINS and THIN LIZZY have created, you wanna make it sound like theirs because that's what you're so used to hearing. You don't really wanna mess with it. With Feist, it's something that we could really play with and do something different with."
The "Feistodon" split-single was one of the most in-demand exclusives during Record Store Day this past April 21. It features MASTODON covering the Feist song "A Commotion", from her current highly acclaimed current album "Metals" (Interscope) while Feist covers MASTODON's "Black Tongue" — a track from the rock band's critically lauded present album "The Hunter". Only 5000 color vinyl seven-inch singles were pressed up and sold out instantly.
"It's a wet dream to have MASTODON take one of my songs and put it into their massive machine," Feist told RollingStone.com.
"We didn't tell her what to do, and she didn't tell us what to do," says MASTODON guitarist Bill Kelliher. "'A Commotion' just kind of stuck out to me. I could hear the opening riff, a single A-note."
Feist told RollingStone.com that she based her decision on which MASTODON song to cover by finding a track whose lyrics resonated with her the most. "MASTODON fans would probably be disappointed to know that I actually didn't know MASTODON very well," She says. "I actually went onto one of those lyric websites, and I scrolled through 50 songs and just narrowed it down to the ones I thought I could wrap myself around the words. 'Black Tongue' is speaking in my kind of elemental language — about diamond and earth and sky. It's all just in a language that I already sort of speak lyrically. It was pretty easy to climb into that one."
In a recent interview with Sweden's Metalshrine, MASTODON drummer Brann Dailor explained how the single idea came about. "We did [the BBC television show 'Later... With Jools Holland'], and right after we got off stage, we went backstage and and we were in the hallway with [Feist], and she was talking to [MASTODON vocalist/guitarist] Brent [Hinds]. They were involved in a conversation and were just like, 'Yeah, let's do that! We should do it for Record Store Day!' Something out of left field and something we'd like to be involved with more of."
He added, "It's fun for us. I mean, most times we end up doing covers of bands that are already sort of heavy or that is already in that vein, like the MELVINS, THIN LIZZY, METALLICA, you know what I mean? What are you gonna do to those songs to make them your own? It's kinda difficult and especially with stuff like METALLICA or the MELVINS where we're so kinda familiar and in love with the versions that METALLICA and the MELVINS and THIN LIZZY have created, you wanna make it sound like theirs because that's what you're so used to hearing. You don't really wanna mess with it. With Feist, it's something that we could really play with and do something different with."
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SOIL bassist Tim King (pictured below) is one of a number of musicians who have come out in support of LAMB OF GOD frontman Randy Blythe, who is facing manslaughter charges in the Czech Republic.
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Jake Serd of Centrill 74 Entertainment and 94.9 K-Rock in Danville, Illinois, King said "Yeah, it's crazy. The thing about that is, just from being somebody just as long as he has, there's always somebody that's gonna jump up on stage and there's always people that get out of hand. A fan, if you have a barricade and you have security, they shouldn't be jumping up on stage. You kind of go at your own risk. It's not like Randy pulled him up and started beating him up. Or it's not like they were outside and a kid asked for an autograph and Randy decided to beat him up because he didn't wanna give him an autograph. I mean, it was a totally innocent thing, and it's things that happen at shows all the time. Kids jump up on stage and stagedive. What if somebody didn't catch him and they hit their head. Is the band supposed to be responsible for that? I can't tell you how many times we've played shows and people jump up on stage and you try to be funny or have fun with them and you grab them and throw them back in —you're just having a good time. But things happen. I don't see how the bands should be held accountable for something like that. He didn't go and perform an act of violence. I just think this whole thing is gonna open up a can of worms for more and more people to get away with stuff like that. It's gonna lower concert attendance. It's gonna hurt everything. My heart goes out to Randy — he's a good dude and I've had long talks with them and I've been able to hang out with him a bunch of times over the years, and I just wish him all the best."
Blythe, 41, is accused of causing the fatal injury that occurred at LAMB OF GOD's May 24, 2010 show in Prague. The singer allegedly either pushed or struck a 19-year-old fan named Daniel N. — a guitarist in a local metal band — and that person died almost a month later of bleeding in the brain.
Randy has been charged with causing "bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan" and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Speaking to Jake Serd of Centrill 74 Entertainment and 94.9 K-Rock in Danville, Illinois, King said "Yeah, it's crazy. The thing about that is, just from being somebody just as long as he has, there's always somebody that's gonna jump up on stage and there's always people that get out of hand. A fan, if you have a barricade and you have security, they shouldn't be jumping up on stage. You kind of go at your own risk. It's not like Randy pulled him up and started beating him up. Or it's not like they were outside and a kid asked for an autograph and Randy decided to beat him up because he didn't wanna give him an autograph. I mean, it was a totally innocent thing, and it's things that happen at shows all the time. Kids jump up on stage and stagedive. What if somebody didn't catch him and they hit their head. Is the band supposed to be responsible for that? I can't tell you how many times we've played shows and people jump up on stage and you try to be funny or have fun with them and you grab them and throw them back in —you're just having a good time. But things happen. I don't see how the bands should be held accountable for something like that. He didn't go and perform an act of violence. I just think this whole thing is gonna open up a can of worms for more and more people to get away with stuff like that. It's gonna lower concert attendance. It's gonna hurt everything. My heart goes out to Randy — he's a good dude and I've had long talks with them and I've been able to hang out with him a bunch of times over the years, and I just wish him all the best."
David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with GOD FORBID frontman Byron Davis. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Blistering.com: You're really good friends with LAMB OF GOD and Doc [Coyle] was on loan to them a few years ago, so what's your take on the Randy Blythe situation?
Byron Davis: Straight up, I think that shit is bullshit. I think the fact that for one, our U.S. government is not getting involved in it, it's like… it's crazy to me. I know there's certain things they can't do because there's some papers he has to sign as far as like with amnesty or some shit. The fact that the U.S. isn't saying anything outside of the metal genre is pretty sad. Randy is a good guy. And the last thing I would ever see Randy doing is hurting someone. That's not him. And the way they are treating him is totally out of his character, there's no need for it. If it was someone else, it would probably be less important because LAMB OF GOD is a big American band. If it was some pop icon, it would be over with, people would be stepping in. It makes me not want to go to the Czech Republic.
Blistering.com: To your point, I've heard people say that if it were Justin Bieber, it would be over with already. We have our scene and it's a really big one, but the mainstream media doesn't appear to care.
Davis: Not at all. Our scene is huge, but this country doesn't care about metal like they should. It's all about hip-hop, R&B, pop music. You have this guy who is very interactive with his fanbase and is this really cool down-to-earth person… the coolest person on the planet and he's sitting in some jail cell in Prague and they're not doing anything. It really blows my mind that this is going on. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I like to get into politics, but the shit that is happening right now… I can't really grasp my hands around it.
We're very tight with LAMB OF GOD. We came up through the basement with those dudes, and those dudes are like our brothers; that's like family to me, and the fact there's not much I can do other than screaming "Free Randy" and signing petitions and getting the word out there, I wish there was more I could do. It sucks that this is still going on and he's just sitting there and no one is doing anything.
Blistering.com: You've played tons of shows with people stagediving and I don't think any one of you singers would forcefully push someone off the stage with the intention of hurting them.
Davis: Stagediving is cool, but there has to be some understanding. People need to look at both sides of it. Sometimes bands don't mind if people get on stage. If want to get on stage and dive off, cool. Sometimes we don't like when you linger onstage because that opens up the possibility of someone getting hurt because there are actual people onstage doing things and you could be in the wrong spot. Some bands have guitars swinging around. It's cool if you want to get up there, but get up there and jump off. If you've done it three times and security has to remove you, then it's not the band's fault. A third, fourth time, it's overwhelming. And not to mention the incident with Dimebag [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Darrell Abbott], some musicians get a little freaked out when you come up on stage because you really don't know what's going to happen.
Blistering.com: How much of this has started to make you think twice when you get on stage?
Davis: I'm always careful. I hate to think that mindset after that happened because you're supposed to be safe onstage; you don't want to think of any negativity when you're up there. If someone is too close and they're too close, you gotta handle it the best you can. It's supposed to be about friendship at the shows, so I try not to think of the negative aspect of it. But if someone is up there and are lingering too long, I'll say "You gotta get off my stage."
Blistering.com: You're really good friends with LAMB OF GOD and Doc [Coyle] was on loan to them a few years ago, so what's your take on the Randy Blythe situation?
Byron Davis: Straight up, I think that shit is bullshit. I think the fact that for one, our U.S. government is not getting involved in it, it's like… it's crazy to me. I know there's certain things they can't do because there's some papers he has to sign as far as like with amnesty or some shit. The fact that the U.S. isn't saying anything outside of the metal genre is pretty sad. Randy is a good guy. And the last thing I would ever see Randy doing is hurting someone. That's not him. And the way they are treating him is totally out of his character, there's no need for it. If it was someone else, it would probably be less important because LAMB OF GOD is a big American band. If it was some pop icon, it would be over with, people would be stepping in. It makes me not want to go to the Czech Republic.
Blistering.com: To your point, I've heard people say that if it were Justin Bieber, it would be over with already. We have our scene and it's a really big one, but the mainstream media doesn't appear to care.
Davis: Not at all. Our scene is huge, but this country doesn't care about metal like they should. It's all about hip-hop, R&B, pop music. You have this guy who is very interactive with his fanbase and is this really cool down-to-earth person… the coolest person on the planet and he's sitting in some jail cell in Prague and they're not doing anything. It really blows my mind that this is going on. It doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I like to get into politics, but the shit that is happening right now… I can't really grasp my hands around it.
We're very tight with LAMB OF GOD. We came up through the basement with those dudes, and those dudes are like our brothers; that's like family to me, and the fact there's not much I can do other than screaming "Free Randy" and signing petitions and getting the word out there, I wish there was more I could do. It sucks that this is still going on and he's just sitting there and no one is doing anything.
Blistering.com: You've played tons of shows with people stagediving and I don't think any one of you singers would forcefully push someone off the stage with the intention of hurting them.
Davis: Stagediving is cool, but there has to be some understanding. People need to look at both sides of it. Sometimes bands don't mind if people get on stage. If want to get on stage and dive off, cool. Sometimes we don't like when you linger onstage because that opens up the possibility of someone getting hurt because there are actual people onstage doing things and you could be in the wrong spot. Some bands have guitars swinging around. It's cool if you want to get up there, but get up there and jump off. If you've done it three times and security has to remove you, then it's not the band's fault. A third, fourth time, it's overwhelming. And not to mention the incident with Dimebag [late PANTERA/DAMAGEPLAN guitarist Darrell Abbott], some musicians get a little freaked out when you come up on stage because you really don't know what's going to happen.
Blistering.com: How much of this has started to make you think twice when you get on stage?
Davis: I'm always careful. I hate to think that mindset after that happened because you're supposed to be safe onstage; you don't want to think of any negativity when you're up there. If someone is too close and they're too close, you gotta handle it the best you can. It's supposed to be about friendship at the shows, so I try not to think of the negative aspect of it. But if someone is up there and are lingering too long, I'll say "You gotta get off my stage."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's A LIFE ONCE LOST has set "Ecstatic Trance" as the title of its sixth opus, due on October 23 in North America and on November 16 in the rest of the world via Season Of Mist. The CD was recorded at Planet Red studios in Richmond, Virginia with producer Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, IMPENDING DOOM).
A LIFE ONCE LOST vocalist Bob Meadows recently stated about the band's forthcoming album, "It's going to be a beast of a record and fans can expect a little more honesty both musically and lyrically with an amalgamation of the ALOL signature style and some other surprises that have yet to be over played within the metal community. We are making this record because we enjoy the art of making music, not because we have to make a new record. As long as we are happy playing in ALOL, we will continue to grow and take our sound further."
A LIFE ONCE LOST vocalist Bob Meadows recently stated about the band's forthcoming album, "It's going to be a beast of a record and fans can expect a little more honesty both musically and lyrically with an amalgamation of the ALOL signature style and some other surprises that have yet to be over played within the metal community. We are making this record because we enjoy the art of making music, not because we have to make a new record. As long as we are happy playing in ALOL, we will continue to grow and take our sound further."
Swedish blues rockers GRAVEYARD have set "Lights Out" as the title of their next album, due on October 26 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented drummer Axel Sjöberg: "The title 'Lights Out' sums up the feeling of the new album, and a feeling that we have. That these times that we live in are strange times, where no one really sees anything straight/the way they are."
He added, "We all know that both we and pretty much everyone was really excited about the cover of 'Hisingen Blues'. So we had to come up with a really strong idea to match the strength of that cover. It's just about finished now, but even without having seen the final version, we are convinced that no one will be disappointed by the cover to 'Lights Out'. We've worked with several people that all added their part, and as the saying goes in Sweden: the sum of the parts is bigger than the parts alone. So sharpen your raven's hatches and get ready for 'Lights Out'."
GRAVEYARD was honored with the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" award at the Swedish "Grammis" gala, which was held on February 14 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.
GRAVEYARD's second full-length album, "Hisingen Blues", sold 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 48 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Hisingen Blues" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. The CD, which was released in North America on April 19, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced, recorded, and mixed in 100 percent analog by Don Alsterberg (JOSÉ GONZALES, JUNIP, SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY) at Don Pierre Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Commented drummer Axel Sjöberg: "The title 'Lights Out' sums up the feeling of the new album, and a feeling that we have. That these times that we live in are strange times, where no one really sees anything straight/the way they are."
He added, "We all know that both we and pretty much everyone was really excited about the cover of 'Hisingen Blues'. So we had to come up with a really strong idea to match the strength of that cover. It's just about finished now, but even without having seen the final version, we are convinced that no one will be disappointed by the cover to 'Lights Out'. We've worked with several people that all added their part, and as the saying goes in Sweden: the sum of the parts is bigger than the parts alone. So sharpen your raven's hatches and get ready for 'Lights Out'."
GRAVEYARD was honored with the "Best Hard Rock/Metal" award at the Swedish "Grammis" gala, which was held on February 14 at Kungliga Operan in Stockholm.
GRAVEYARD's second full-length album, "Hisingen Blues", sold 1,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 48 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.
"Hisingen Blues" entered the official chart in Sweden at position No. 1. The CD, which was released in North America on April 19, 2011 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced, recorded, and mixed in 100 percent analog by Don Alsterberg (JOSÉ GONZALES, JUNIP, SOUNDTRACK OF OUR LIVES, THE INTERNATIONAL NOISE CONSPIRACY) at Don Pierre Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.
According to Metal Hammer, Duff McKagan (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED), Scott Ian (ANTHRAX) and Chris Jericho (FOZZY, WWE wrestling superstar) will take part in "Rock Stars Say The Funniest Things", a new series of spoken-word sets taking place at Garage in London, England.
Duff will take to the stage on Tuesday, October 25 for "It's So Easy: A Punk's Review", featuring anecdotes and passages from his book "It's So Easy (And Other Lies)". As well as sharing memories from his musical journey, he will be playing some acoustic tracks and letting the audience delve deeper into this life with a question-and-answer session.
Scott, who will host an evening on Sunday, November 4, commented: "This is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I've been travelling the world in the company of and hanging out with the greatest people on the planet for 31 years and I've got to tales to tell."
Chris will appear on Sunday, November 25 for a night of tales from his life as a rock star and WWE legend.
Tickets on sale on August 1.
Duff will take to the stage on Tuesday, October 25 for "It's So Easy: A Punk's Review", featuring anecdotes and passages from his book "It's So Easy (And Other Lies)". As well as sharing memories from his musical journey, he will be playing some acoustic tracks and letting the audience delve deeper into this life with a question-and-answer session.
Scott, who will host an evening on Sunday, November 4, commented: "This is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. I've been travelling the world in the company of and hanging out with the greatest people on the planet for 31 years and I've got to tales to tell."
Chris will appear on Sunday, November 25 for a night of tales from his life as a rock star and WWE legend.
Tickets on sale on August 1.
Slovenian thrashers PANIKK have inked a deal with Metal Tank Records. The band's new album, "Unbearable Conditions", will be released later in early 2013.
Influenced by San Francisco Bay Area metal bands, PANIKK "represent it with full-blown-in-your-face voyage to the world of face-melting riffs unwilling to slow down to the last beat and you will want to take that trip again and again and…AGAIN!" according to a press release.
Commented PANIKK: "We went into DYZ Sonic Temple Studio in March to record our debut album, 'Unbearable Conditions', under the guidance of producer Dyz. We're pumped with thrash that is energetic and tightsounding and so is our music, which doesn't give a fuck of today's trends. We wrote six songs anew and took two songs off of demo rearranged them and made them even better. We invited along two friends Domen Justin (Dyz) and Tim Draksler who contributed a few solos."
Influenced by San Francisco Bay Area metal bands, PANIKK "represent it with full-blown-in-your-face voyage to the world of face-melting riffs unwilling to slow down to the last beat and you will want to take that trip again and again and…AGAIN!" according to a press release.
Commented PANIKK: "We went into DYZ Sonic Temple Studio in March to record our debut album, 'Unbearable Conditions', under the guidance of producer Dyz. We're pumped with thrash that is energetic and tightsounding and so is our music, which doesn't give a fuck of today's trends. We wrote six songs anew and took two songs off of demo rearranged them and made them even better. We invited along two friends Domen Justin (Dyz) and Tim Draksler who contributed a few solos."
Los Angeles metallers WINDS OF PLAGUE have parted ways with drummer Art Cruz due to creative differences.
"After many years of having Art Cruz with us we have decided its best for both parties involved to go our separate ways," states WINDS OF PLAGUE vocalist Johnny Plague. "Art is a great drummer and I'm sure he will be back behind the drums one way or another soon."
Adds Cruz, "I'm very thankful for the experience. I love those dudes. I will continue to play drums and on the business side, I am currently pursuing artist management. To keep up with what I'm doing, follow me on twitter at twitter.com/artimusplague."
WINDS OF PLAGUE recently entered the studio with producer Will Putney (SHADOWS FALL, SUICIDE SILENCE) to begin recording its fourth album for a late 2012 release via Century Media Records. Sitting behind the kit during the studio sessions and for upcoming The All Stars Tour is Brandon Gallindo (ex-DEAD IN EXISTENCE).
WINDS OF PLAGUE's third full-length CD, "Against The World", sold 8,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on April 19, 2011 via Century Media Records, the effort featured guest appearances from members of HATEBREED, TERROR, FOR TODAY, STRAY FROM THE PATH and former world heavyweight wrestling champion and sports entertainment legend Ultimate Warrior (who performs an epic spoken-word track entitled "The Warrior Code"). It was described in a press release as "the heaviest-hitting record of the band's already heralded career."
"After many years of having Art Cruz with us we have decided its best for both parties involved to go our separate ways," states WINDS OF PLAGUE vocalist Johnny Plague. "Art is a great drummer and I'm sure he will be back behind the drums one way or another soon."
Adds Cruz, "I'm very thankful for the experience. I love those dudes. I will continue to play drums and on the business side, I am currently pursuing artist management. To keep up with what I'm doing, follow me on twitter at twitter.com/artimusplague."
WINDS OF PLAGUE recently entered the studio with producer Will Putney (SHADOWS FALL, SUICIDE SILENCE) to begin recording its fourth album for a late 2012 release via Century Media Records. Sitting behind the kit during the studio sessions and for upcoming The All Stars Tour is Brandon Gallindo (ex-DEAD IN EXISTENCE).
WINDS OF PLAGUE's third full-length CD, "Against The World", sold 8,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 60 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on April 19, 2011 via Century Media Records, the effort featured guest appearances from members of HATEBREED, TERROR, FOR TODAY, STRAY FROM THE PATH and former world heavyweight wrestling champion and sports entertainment legend Ultimate Warrior (who performs an epic spoken-word track entitled "The Warrior Code"). It was described in a press release as "the heaviest-hitting record of the band's already heralded career."
Singer Tommy "Vext" Cummings (VEXT, DIVINE HERESY, SNOT) has issued the following update:
Due to personal reasons, Andrew Jacobs [ex-MUTINY WITHIN] has been forced to step down from his responsibilities as the bassist of VEXT.
"I love AJ like family and we all hope he can resolve the situations he's dealing with and get back to doing what he loves most which is making music.
"That being, said VEXT will be holding bass player auditions this August through September. VEXT is also looking for a second guitarist. Preferably a songwriter, but shredders are, of course, welcome.
"To set up auditions, send MP3s or YouTube videos, please email Tommyvext@yahoo.com. I will be corresponding directly.
VEXT's "Crush" video can be seen below. The song comes off the group's debut EP, "Impermanence", which was released on July 3.
"Impermanence" track listing:
01. Exit Wounds
02. In The End
03. Crush
04. Hourglass
These four musicians came together in search of a different sound since they had all been previously involved with more extreme metal projects. How they came to know one another is a quite unconventional.
On the evening of September 19, 2010, Vext was the victim of a brutal attack at his home in Brooklyn. Having suffered severe injuries to his skull, abdomen and an open compound fracture to his left arm, Tommy was rushed to the ER. With medical bills soaring above seventy-five thousand dollars, his friends in the music scene banded together to help raise funds.
Enter Roadrunner recording artists MUTINY WITHIN. "We heard that GOD FORBID was doing a benefit concert for Tommy and when we found out why, we immediately jumped on the bill," says Jacobs. A few months later, Andrew introduced Tommy to Bill. After seeing Fore perform with the Angel Vivaldi band, it became apparent to Tommy that Angel and Bill were the missing pieces to this new musical effort.
Due to personal reasons, Andrew Jacobs [ex-MUTINY WITHIN] has been forced to step down from his responsibilities as the bassist of VEXT.
"I love AJ like family and we all hope he can resolve the situations he's dealing with and get back to doing what he loves most which is making music.
"That being, said VEXT will be holding bass player auditions this August through September. VEXT is also looking for a second guitarist. Preferably a songwriter, but shredders are, of course, welcome.
"To set up auditions, send MP3s or YouTube videos, please email Tommyvext@yahoo.com. I will be corresponding directly.
VEXT's "Crush" video can be seen below. The song comes off the group's debut EP, "Impermanence", which was released on July 3.
"Impermanence" track listing:
01. Exit Wounds
02. In The End
03. Crush
04. Hourglass
These four musicians came together in search of a different sound since they had all been previously involved with more extreme metal projects. How they came to know one another is a quite unconventional.
On the evening of September 19, 2010, Vext was the victim of a brutal attack at his home in Brooklyn. Having suffered severe injuries to his skull, abdomen and an open compound fracture to his left arm, Tommy was rushed to the ER. With medical bills soaring above seventy-five thousand dollars, his friends in the music scene banded together to help raise funds.
Enter Roadrunner recording artists MUTINY WITHIN. "We heard that GOD FORBID was doing a benefit concert for Tommy and when we found out why, we immediately jumped on the bill," says Jacobs. A few months later, Andrew introduced Tommy to Bill. After seeing Fore perform with the Angel Vivaldi band, it became apparent to Tommy that Angel and Bill were the missing pieces to this new musical effort.
On September 11, ShopRadioCast will re-release QUICKSAND's major label debut, "Slip", for the first time on vinyl since its original pressing in 1993. The album is remastered and pressed on limited-edition 180-gram vinyl and housed in a gatefold jacket which includes a Euro inner sleeve.
Vinyl Colors:
First Pressing
* 180-gram red/black swirl (limited to 500 copies) - ShopRadioCast exclusive
* 180-gram green/ yellow swirl (limited to 500 copies) - ShopRadioCast exclusive
* 180-gram black (limited to 500 copies) - Dine Alone Records exclusive
"Slip" track listing:
01. Fazer
02. Head To Wall
03. Dine Alone
04. Slip
05. Freezing Process
06. Lie And Wait
07. Unfulfilled
08. Can Opener
09. Omission
10. Baphomet
11. Too Official
12. Transparent
13. How Soon Is Now? (THE SMITHS cover)
A reunited QUICKSAND made a surprise appearance on June 10 as the "special guest" on the final night of Revelation Records' four-night 25th-anniversary celebration at the Glass House in Pomona, California. The short, one-off reunion performance included a cover version of THE SMITHS classic "How Soon Is Now?" which was released as a B-side to QUICKSAND's "Dine Alone" single.
QUICKSAND was formed as a side project of GORILLA BISCUITS' Walter Schreifels, who was joined by Tom Capone, Sergio Vega (now in DEFTONES) and Alan Cage. QUICKSAND initially broke up following the the first Warped Tour in 1995, only to reunite in 1997 for a short run ending in 1999.
Vinyl Colors:
First Pressing
* 180-gram red/black swirl (limited to 500 copies) - ShopRadioCast exclusive
* 180-gram green/ yellow swirl (limited to 500 copies) - ShopRadioCast exclusive
* 180-gram black (limited to 500 copies) - Dine Alone Records exclusive
"Slip" track listing:
01. Fazer
02. Head To Wall
03. Dine Alone
04. Slip
05. Freezing Process
06. Lie And Wait
07. Unfulfilled
08. Can Opener
09. Omission
10. Baphomet
11. Too Official
12. Transparent
13. How Soon Is Now? (THE SMITHS cover)
A reunited QUICKSAND made a surprise appearance on June 10 as the "special guest" on the final night of Revelation Records' four-night 25th-anniversary celebration at the Glass House in Pomona, California. The short, one-off reunion performance included a cover version of THE SMITHS classic "How Soon Is Now?" which was released as a B-side to QUICKSAND's "Dine Alone" single.
QUICKSAND was formed as a side project of GORILLA BISCUITS' Walter Schreifels, who was joined by Tom Capone, Sergio Vega (now in DEFTONES) and Alan Cage. QUICKSAND initially broke up following the the first Warped Tour in 1995, only to reunite in 1997 for a short run ending in 1999.
"Naught", the new album from the avant-garde metal band STOLEN BABIES, will be released digitally on September 18 and physically on October 16 via No Comment Records. The CD art was illustrated by artist Crab Scrambly and can be viewed below.
"In continuing our collaboration with artist Crab Scrambly, it was really important to us to create something our fans would want to keep staring at while they caress and possibly fondle its smooth exterior… not something easily done to a downloadable MP3, I must note," states STOLEN BABIES bassist Rani Sharone. "We hope this album cover brings plenty of candy coated smiles to the masses and even more warm and fuzzy feelings when they see the rest of this little gem that is the album's packaging. 'Naught' is our mutant, not-so-well-behaved second full-length studio album and we look forward to its release!"
This September, STOLEN BABIES will be touring the United States with co-headliners DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, KATATONIA, and special guests PARADISE LOST as part of the "Epic Kings & Idols Tour" (DTP and KATATONIA will alternate in headlining each show). The tour kicks off in Seattle, Washington at Studio 7 on September 4 and travels throughout the United States until September 24 when it comes to a close in Baltimore, Maryland at Rams Head Live.
STOLEN BABIES is:
Dominique Lenore Persi - Lead Vocals/Accordion
Rani Sharone - Bass/Vocals
Gil Sharone - Drums
Ben Rico - Keyboard/Vocals/Percussion
Davey Oberlin - Guitar (touring member)
"In continuing our collaboration with artist Crab Scrambly, it was really important to us to create something our fans would want to keep staring at while they caress and possibly fondle its smooth exterior… not something easily done to a downloadable MP3, I must note," states STOLEN BABIES bassist Rani Sharone. "We hope this album cover brings plenty of candy coated smiles to the masses and even more warm and fuzzy feelings when they see the rest of this little gem that is the album's packaging. 'Naught' is our mutant, not-so-well-behaved second full-length studio album and we look forward to its release!"
This September, STOLEN BABIES will be touring the United States with co-headliners DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT, KATATONIA, and special guests PARADISE LOST as part of the "Epic Kings & Idols Tour" (DTP and KATATONIA will alternate in headlining each show). The tour kicks off in Seattle, Washington at Studio 7 on September 4 and travels throughout the United States until September 24 when it comes to a close in Baltimore, Maryland at Rams Head Live.
STOLEN BABIES is:
Dominique Lenore Persi - Lead Vocals/Accordion
Rani Sharone - Bass/Vocals
Gil Sharone - Drums
Ben Rico - Keyboard/Vocals/Percussion
Davey Oberlin - Guitar (touring member)
Italian progressive metal/rock band TIMESWORD has announced the addition of singer Alberto Zampolli to the group's ranks.
Commented TIMESWORD: "[Alberto is] a new young promise of metal and we trust in him about his vocal abilities, surely him will carry in TIMESWORD a new freshness and charge that will be present in the new album now in progress."
TIMESWORD in January 2011 parted ways with singer Mark Pastorino.
The band's debut album, "Chains Of Sin", was released in March 2010 via 7Hard Records.
Formed in December 2005 by guitarist Dan Logoluso, TIMESWORD recruited drummer Alex Galanti, bassist Luca Prederi and keyboardist Alberto Sonzogzi in 2007. The group rounded out its lineup with the addition of Pastorino the following year.
Commented TIMESWORD: "[Alberto is] a new young promise of metal and we trust in him about his vocal abilities, surely him will carry in TIMESWORD a new freshness and charge that will be present in the new album now in progress."
TIMESWORD in January 2011 parted ways with singer Mark Pastorino.
The band's debut album, "Chains Of Sin", was released in March 2010 via 7Hard Records.
Formed in December 2005 by guitarist Dan Logoluso, TIMESWORD recruited drummer Alex Galanti, bassist Luca Prederi and keyboardist Alberto Sonzogzi in 2007. The group rounded out its lineup with the addition of Pastorino the following year.
Georgia's THE CHARIOT has inked a European deal with Season Of Mist. The band's fifth album, "One Wing", will be released in Europe on September 21 and in the U.S. on August 28 via eOne Music / Good Fight Music.
"We love touring Europe and are excited to work with Season," says THE CHARIOT singer Josh Scogin. "The more we can do to bring out music to new kids in new places the better!"
In a recent interview, Scogin was asked what THE CHARIOT's mindset was when going into the studio to record "One Wing". He replied, "Let's get weird."
THE CHARIOT are true artists whose determined passions lead them down winding pathways as they buck trends and avoid formulas. The noisy, rambling, shambling, Southern — fried, punk-infused, heavy metal hardcore band has long rejected the conventions of the genre that surrounds them by refusing to conform to established structures. After all, THE CHARIOT is the band whose debut was recorded live in the studio in one take, whose frenetic and often destructive live shows are the stuff of underground legend and whose evolving lineups have generated a body of work as vibrant in the hearts and minds of those who've witnessed the mayhem live as those who own the discography.
"We love touring Europe and are excited to work with Season," says THE CHARIOT singer Josh Scogin. "The more we can do to bring out music to new kids in new places the better!"
In a recent interview, Scogin was asked what THE CHARIOT's mindset was when going into the studio to record "One Wing". He replied, "Let's get weird."
THE CHARIOT are true artists whose determined passions lead them down winding pathways as they buck trends and avoid formulas. The noisy, rambling, shambling, Southern — fried, punk-infused, heavy metal hardcore band has long rejected the conventions of the genre that surrounds them by refusing to conform to established structures. After all, THE CHARIOT is the band whose debut was recorded live in the studio in one take, whose frenetic and often destructive live shows are the stuff of underground legend and whose evolving lineups have generated a body of work as vibrant in the hearts and minds of those who've witnessed the mayhem live as those who own the discography.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/chariotwing.jpg
Norwegian satanic black metal band NETTLECARRIER will release its self-titled debut album on September 21 in Europe and September 25 in North America via Indie Recordings. The cover artwork was created by artist Truls Espedal (ENSLAVED, THEATER OF TRAGEDY, DJEVEL), who has painted all of ENSLAVED's album covers since 2001.
"Nettlecarrier" track listing:
01. The Boiling Blood
02. Paa Vaare Paaler Deres Hoder
03. I Helvete Kristus Skal Forgaa
04. Naar Han Vaakner
05. Demoriel
06. Cup Of Lethe
07. Bundet Til Masten
NETTLECARRIER features in its ranks T. Ciekals (DJEVEL, LJÅ), Mannevond (KOLDBRANN, URGEHAL) and Dirge Rep (ORCUSTUS, GEHENNA, GORGOROTH, ENSLAVED).
NETTLECARRIER was formed in 2004 when T. Ciekals, who was a member of the band LJÅ at the time, moved to Oslo and teamed up with Mannevond from the infamous KOLDBRANN. "I had been in contact with Mannevond a few years back and we were both fans of each others bands," said Ciekals. They had a burning desire to create a black metal band that did not sound like anyone else, but with an older and more sinister sound. In late 2006, Vold joined in on drums for a short while and as a three-piece the pace increased. This resulted in the release of the seven-inch vinyl single, "To Strangle The Hero Of Heaven".
When Mannevond started Urgehal and T. Ciekals formed DJEVEL, NETTLECARRIER was put on ice for almost three years. "I left LJÅ in 2007 to focus on DJEVEL and Mannevond was busy with URGEHAL, but NETTLECARRIER wasn't dead, just buried for a while," explained Ciekals. After the DJEVEL album was released, Ciekals was finally able to focus on NETTLECARRIER again. The very talented Dirge Rep joined the band on drums in 2010 and the decision to record an album was made.
"Nettlecarrier" track listing:
01. The Boiling Blood
02. Paa Vaare Paaler Deres Hoder
03. I Helvete Kristus Skal Forgaa
04. Naar Han Vaakner
05. Demoriel
06. Cup Of Lethe
07. Bundet Til Masten
NETTLECARRIER features in its ranks T. Ciekals (DJEVEL, LJÅ), Mannevond (KOLDBRANN, URGEHAL) and Dirge Rep (ORCUSTUS, GEHENNA, GORGOROTH, ENSLAVED).
NETTLECARRIER was formed in 2004 when T. Ciekals, who was a member of the band LJÅ at the time, moved to Oslo and teamed up with Mannevond from the infamous KOLDBRANN. "I had been in contact with Mannevond a few years back and we were both fans of each others bands," said Ciekals. They had a burning desire to create a black metal band that did not sound like anyone else, but with an older and more sinister sound. In late 2006, Vold joined in on drums for a short while and as a three-piece the pace increased. This resulted in the release of the seven-inch vinyl single, "To Strangle The Hero Of Heaven".
When Mannevond started Urgehal and T. Ciekals formed DJEVEL, NETTLECARRIER was put on ice for almost three years. "I left LJÅ in 2007 to focus on DJEVEL and Mannevond was busy with URGEHAL, but NETTLECARRIER wasn't dead, just buried for a while," explained Ciekals. After the DJEVEL album was released, Ciekals was finally able to focus on NETTLECARRIER again. The very talented Dirge Rep joined the band on drums in 2010 and the decision to record an album was made.
http://www.blabbermouth.net/soulflypremiere/nettlecarriercd.jpg
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