On the eve of the August 25 MÖTLEY CRÜE/KISS in Tulsa, Oklahoma as part of "The Tour", Vince Neil (MÖTLEY CRÜE), Gene Simmons (KISS) and Gene's wife, Shannon Tweed, showed their support for Jim Glover Chevrolet's Make-A-Wish Oklahoma benefit by attending the event, which hosted over 400 fans. Because of the combined efforts from all involved, the event raised over $5,000 in a couple hours. Jim Glover Chevrolet matched what was raised to make it a total of $10,000 for Make-A-Wish Oklahoma chapter.
Make-A-Wish is the nation's largest wish-granting organization. Since 1980, it has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From its humble beginnings with one boy's wish to be a police officer, it has evolved into an organization that grants a child's wish in the U.S. every 40 minutes.
According to The Pulse Of Radio, it was back in 2010 when AEROSMITH seriously considered replacing singer Steven Tyler, whose relapse into drug use and onstage injury led the band to cancel a U.S. tour and push back work on a new album. Although a number of candidates for the job were rumored at the time, AEROSMITH guitarist Brad Whitford finally confirmed one over the weekend on VH1's "That Metal Show": ex-VAN HALEN and current CHICKENFOOT vocalist Sammy Hagar.
Whitford explained, "We had to talk about it — maybe we could put a different name on it and bring somebody else in? We spoke to Sammy and he was really excited about it. I love Sammy. It was like, 'Oh, man, this would be so cool!' But it all started to come back together on its own."
Tyler and the rest of AEROSMITH did in fact settle their differences, and the band's new album, "Music From Another Dimension", comes out November 6.
Meanwhile, Hagar has continued to record and tour with CHICKENFOOT, which also features ex-VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony and RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS drummer Chad Smith.
That group recently announced plans to reissue its gold-selling 2009 self-titled debut as a double-disc set on October 16. The new version will feature bonus live tracks recorded on the group's recent tour behind its sophomore studio effort, "III".
ICED EARTH's August 19 concert at the ancient Kourion Amphitheater, outside Limassol in Cyprus, was professionally filmed and recorded for an upcoming CD/DVD release. 1,500 fans witnessed the show, which ran for three hours and featured on-stage scenery and artwork that was uniquely created for this special event. Veteran producer Jim Morris of Morrisound Studios (ICED EARTH, SEPULTURA, MORBID ANGEL, DEATH, SAVATAGE) flew in from Tampa, Florida to supervise the entire audio section with the help of the ToneDeaf Recording Studio.
In a brand new posting on the band's Facebook page, ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer wrote, "I just wanted to write and say thanks for all the support on the last three-month stretch of the 'Dystopia' world tour! Finishing that leg of the tour in Cyprus was the perfect ending to a very successful run. Now we are enjoying some much-earned down time with friends and families.
"In a few weeks, we will begin editing/mixing/mastering ICED EARTH 'Live In Ancient Kourion'. Yes, it will be on Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and maybe even a special vinyl release of the audio version… We will see what kind of special packaging emerges, but it will be killer, you can count on that! I'm super proud of the guys in the band and our crew for giving their best efforts and making this very challenging gig a reality and a huge success.
"2013 will see another round of important touring, the first official headline show DVD release, and a new studio album later in the fall.
"Exciting times are upon us. The band is on fire, and on the attack!
"Europe, see you in December!"
The setlist for ICED EARTH's August 19 concert was as follows:
01. Dystopia
02. Burning Times
03. Angel Holocaust
04. Slave To The Dark
05. V
06. When The Night Falls
07. I Died For You
08. Invasion
09. Motivation Of Man
10. Setian Massacre
11. Stormrider
12. Pure Evil
13. Wolf
14. Dark City
15. End Of Innocence
16. Dracula
17. Ten Thousand Strong
18. End Of Innocence
19. Anthem
20. Decleration Day
21. Days Of Rage
22. Melancholy (Holy Martyr)
Encore 1:
23. In Sacred Flames
24. Boiling Point
25. Damien
26. Watching Over Me
27. Dantes Inferno
28. Iced Earth
Encore 2:
29. The Hunter
BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, the Anglo-American rock group comprising vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, TRAPEZE), drummer Jason Bonham (LED ZEPPELIN, FOREIGNER), Derek Sherinian (DREAM THEATER, ALICE COOPER, BILLY IDOL) and blues-rock guitarist/vocalist Joe Bonamassa, will release its third album, "Afterglow", on October 30 (one day earlier internationally).
During an interview last Thursday with ABC News Radio, Hughes revealed that "Afterglow" may be BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's last CD due to Bonamassa's heavy solo touring commitments. "I hate to break it to you, but it just may be, because I need to be in a band that tours on a regular basis," he said.
"If I had a magic wand," he added, "I would wave it over everybody's head and go, 'Hey, you guys, we're gonna go and do 200 shows [in 2013] and we're gonna be a huge rock 'n' roll band globally. It's not gonna happen."
Hughes explained that the prospect of "Afterglow" being BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION's swan song helped inspire him to write what he believes are some of the band's strongest tunes for the new record.
"I figured that if this was to be the last album…then I need to come in with some pretty wild and epic tracks," he noted. "So, I'm really proud of this album."
Hughes also revealed to ABC News Radio that he has formed a new group called KINGS OF CHAOS with several of the other musicians who took part in the ill-fated Rock 'N' Roll Allstars tour of South America in April. The new band's lineup also features Joe Elliott (vocals; DEF LEPPARD), Duff McKagan (bass; GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED), Matt Sorum (drums; GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER, THE CULT) and Steve Stevens (guitar; BILLY IDOL).
According to Hughes, KINGS OF CHAOS will "tour pockets of the world — the exotics, if you will, and the tropics and even America," beginning with an April 2013 South American trek. The band will also record "a series of EPs," each featuring "three covers and one original song. And… the lineups with the KINGS OF CHAOS, vocally, will change," he explained. The core band will be the same. So, it's gonna be always moving and changing."
A slightly different version of KINGS OF CHAOS — featuring the aforementioned musicians minus Hughes — will make its recorded debut on the forthcoming DEEP PURPLE tribute album "Re-Machined" which will be released on September 25 via Eagle Records.
Century Media Records has announced the signing of Canadian metal innovators VOIVOD.
To coincide with the band's 30th anniversary — the band was founded in late January 1983 — VOIVOD's own company, Iron Gang Factory, has joined forces with global powerhouse Century Media to release the group's new album, "Target Earth", on January 22, 2013 (one day earlier internationally).
Commented VOIVOD: "Our goal has been to find a partner for Iron Gang Factory to help get new VOIVOD music to the world and Century Media, we are proud to say, is the right company to do so globally. We can't wait to release tour and promote 'Target Earth'."
"Target Earth" was recorded in January at Pierre Rémillard's (OBLIVEON, CRYPTOPSY, KRISIUN, MISERY INDEX) Wild Studio in a small town called St-Zénon in Quebec, Canada. The follow-up to 2009's "Infini" will contain the band's first music to be written with new guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain (MARTYR) following the passing of original axeman Denis "Piggy" D'Amour in 2005.
VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin recently unveiled the band's new logo which will be used on the upcoming CD. Check it out below.
Several photos from the recording sessions can be found on the band's Facebook page.
According to a posting on the page, fans can "expect something in the vein of 'Nothingface' with some elements from the other albums. It will be a classic VOIVOD album."
Regarding what the new VOIVOD songs sound like, Mongrain said in a recent interview, "As a VOIVOD fan since I am 12 years old and early rise of VOIVOD in late '80s and everything, I think… I'm in conflict of interest right now. [Laughs] I like the old stuff as much as the new stuff, so I think it's a blend of everything. It's really a team work and Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] is back on the 'blower bass' — he's got the original sound — and we're having a blast jamming, improvising and writing. I think it's working pretty good."
On the topic of the lyrical themes covered in the new VOIVOD tracks, singer Denis "Snake" Bélanger said, "The song we played [on the recent European tour] ['Kaleidos'] is about conspiracy involving drugs and the FBI… [Laughs] It's hard to describe because we're kind of early in the process. There's another song called 'Target Earth', which is more like a spacy, conspiracy, controlling the information around the world. The main thing is the 'war' of information. You know, somebody Osama Bin Laden is dead, someone [else] says he's not… It gets to a point where everybody has his own story and nobody is sure what the truth is. There's people above everything controlling the information."
In an interview with Exclaim.ca, Away stated about VOIVOD's forthcoming studio album, "It's more in the progressive metal vein, so it's reminiscent of the 'Dimension Hatröss' era."
VOIVOD debuted the "Target Earth" title track during their April 12 concert at the Roadburn festival at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Holland.
VOIVOD will embark on a European headlining tour in October. They will also play several shows in Spain as the support act for ARCH ENEMY.
Fan-filmed video footage of VOIVOD performing the title track of their forthcoming album, "Target Earth", on June 29 at Zone Portuaire de Chicoutimi in Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada can be seen below.
VOIVOD 2012 is:
Denis "Snake" Bélanger - Vocals
Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain - Guitar
Jean-Yves "Blacky" Thériault - Bass
Michel "Away" Langevin - Drums
The surviving members of the legendary American hard rock band RIOT have released a statement defending themselves against accusations of "cashing in" on the group's name following the passing of RIOT's founding guitarist, Mark Reale.
Reale died on January 25 in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he had battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old.
Writing on the official RIOT Facebook page, the band says, "To all the people and other 'so-called' pages that dont know what the real true story is and what's going on with RIOT...
"First off, we are NOT cashing in on the name. RIOT has never really made lots of money, not even Mark. He lived with his parents until the day he passed AND we all have day jobs! We do it for the love of music and have to take time off to play.
"Mark was our brother and he lived with us and we took care of him up until his untimely passing and we are still deeply saddened by the death of a family member.
"[RIOT guitarist] Mike [Flyntz] did ALL the guitar work on the [last RIOT album] 'Immortal Soul' except four rhythm tracks that Mark laid. Because of his illness, [Mark] was too shaky to play [the rest of the tracks] correctly and it did frustate him.
"Don [Van Stavern, bass] wrote most of the songs, like he did on 'Thundersteel' and 'Privilege Of Power', and has been with Mark since he co-wrote songs on 'Restless Breed' and 'Born In America' back in the early '80s.
"Mark was at the studio and was pleased with how it was coming out and was proud to call it a RIOT record.
"This is NOT the 'Rock City' lineup, this is NOT the 'Fire Down Under' lineup; it is the 'Thundersteel' lineup, with the original members of that era.
"We were ALL fans of the early stuff with [late RIOT singers] Guy [Speranza] and Rhett [Forrester].
"Mark and his estate's wishes were us to go on and most people want us to!
"We play songs WE wrote or co-wrote and play a few of Mark's songs in tribute to him and the early years!
"There are bands out there playing songs and performing with ONE original guy in the band and some didnt write any of the music — QUIET RIOT, GUNS N' ROSES, GREAT WHITE now QUEENSRŸCHE! And, of course, THIN LIZZY (well, a couple of guys, but NOT Phil [Lynott]) but people come out to hear songs they love.
"Mike Flyntz has been taking care of Mr. Reale [Mark's father] since Mark's death because [Mike] is like a son to him now.
"Have a little compassion and get the real story before you post anything you have NO clue about! Opinions are welcome, but vicious uneducated posts and comments [on our Facebook page] will NOT be tolerated and will be removed and blocked.
"A press release will be issued soon to let you know what's coming!"
Swedish metallers REVENGIA have announced the addition of touring guitarist Andreas Stolt to the group's ranks.
Commented the band: "To make REVENGIA's music justice live, we have decided to add an extra guitarist for live shows.
"Andreas is guitar player in the metal band NASCENCY and will be a perfect addition to the REVENGIA camp. We're very grateful for having him with us.
"First time Andreas will be performing with REVENGIA will be at the Snowy Shaw Halloween gig, where REVENGIA has been chosen to open up for. The gig will take place on November 3 at Sparbankshallen in Varberg, Sweden."
REVENGIA recently completed work on a new album with producer Matti Almsenius. A release date for the effort has not yet been announced.
The band previously described its new songs as "heavy, fast, doomy and melodic, just as usual in REVENGIA-land!"
REVENGIA's last album, "Eraser", was released in Japan on November 21, 2007 via Soundholic Records.
The band in 2007 split with ARCH ENEMY drummer Daniel Erlandsson due to scheduling conflicts. He has since been replaced by Conny Pettersson (ANATA, TRENDKILL, ETERNAL LIES).
Bassist Brent Ashley (pictured below) has left STATIC-X. His final show with the band took place this past Saturday, September 1 at the House Of Blues in West Hollywood, California. He writes on his Facebook page, "[I] wish things would have ended differently, but I'm very excited for what the future will bring."
Original STATIC-X bassist Tony Campos — who is currently on the road with SOULFLY — issued a statement in July indicating that he had "no interest in working with [STATIC-X frontman] Wayne Static, now, or anytime in the foreseeable future."
Regarding his decision to resurrect STATIC-X, Wayne said, "I really just wanted to go back to old-school STATIC-X since the band has been gone for a few years. The last tour I was on I did a lot of my solo stuff, and I'm ready to get back to old-school STATIC-X stuff, which is actually new again."
STATIC-X's recent trek marked the band's first outing since they announced a hiatus in 2009.
Athough none of the other original members — Campos, Koichi Fukuda (guitar) and Nick Oshiro (drums) — are part of the new STATIC-X lineup, Tony previously said that he was supportive of his former bandmate's decision to reform the group, saying, "I'm proud of my years with STATIC-X, and want to see the name of the band stay alive and well. I hope that all of our fans will continue to support both Wayne and I in our individual endeavors."
Atlantic recording group HALESTORM will headline the "Jägermeister Presents Halestorm" tour. The hard rock festival trek gets underway November 8 at Mobile, Alabama's Soul Kitchen and then continues through mid-December.
Tickets for "Jägermeister Presents Halestorm" — which also features special guests IN THIS MOMENT and EVE TO ADAM — will go on sale this Friday, September 7.
In addition, HALESTORM will continue their partnership with JVC on the "Turn Me On: The Road" campaign on this tour and will be capturing behind-the-scenes footage with their cutting-edge ADIXXION action cameras for an in-depth look at one of the hardest working rock bands on the road.
"We are so stoked to be partnering with our friends at Jägermeister for this upcoming tour," said Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM. "We've known all of these guys for years and can't wait to throw down with them out on the road! It's going to be great to finally be seeing all of our HALESTORM freaks in all the cities that we have not yet been to this year. Joining us will be our good friends from JVC and our partners in crime, IN THIS MOMENT and EVE TO ADAM. Rock it out, people! See you at the shows!"
Following the completion of the tour, HALESTORM is continuing onward for an additional week's worth of headline shows in Cleveland, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Lexington, Kentucky.
A major European headline tour will begin in late September, with stops slated for Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Russia, and the United Kingdom. HALESTORM will also be among the top artists performing at Tokyo, Japan's annual Loud Park extravaganza, set for Saturday, October 27.
As if all that weren't enough, HALESTORM will support the one and only ALICE COOPER on a pair of eagerly awaited Pacific Northwest concert dates: November 20 at Kennewick, Washington's Toyota Center and November 21 at Garden City, Idaho's Revolution Concert House & Event Center. Finally, the band will celebrate its extraordinary 2012 with a New Year's Eve extravaganza at Baltimore's Baltimore Soundstage on December 31.
Nov. 08 - Mobile, AL - Soul Kitchen
Nov. 09 - Houston, TX - Fitzgerald's
Nov. 10 - Backstage Live - San Antonio, TX
Nov. 12 - Tempe, AZ - Marquee Theatre
Nov. 13 - W. Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
Nov. 14 - Chico, CA - Senator Theater
Nov. 16 - San Francisco, CA - Slim's
Nov. 17 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
Nov. 18 - Reno, NV - Knitting Factory
Nov. 20 - Kennewick, WA - Toyota Center * (w/ ALICE COOPER)
Nov. 21 - Garden City, ID - Revolution Event Center * (w/ ALICE COOPER)
Nov. 23 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
Nov. 24 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
Nov. 25 - Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory
Nov. 27 - Jackson, WY - Pink Garter Theatre
Nov. 29 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall
Nov. 30 - Omaha, NE - Sokol Auditorium
Dec. 01 - Sauget, IL - Pop's
Dec. 03 - Sioux Falls, SD - The Vault
Dec. 04 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
Dec. 05 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
Dec. 07 - South Bend, IN - Club Fever
Dec. 08 - Royal Oak, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
Dec. 10 - Richmond, VA - The National
Dec. 11 - Knoxville, TN - Valarium
Dec. 12 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
Dec. 14 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm
Dec. 15 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
Dec. 29 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre
Dec. 31 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
November 8 - December 15: "Jägermeister Presents Halestorm" except *
Dutch modern metallers SELFMACHINE are recording their debut album, "Broadcast Your Identity", with producer Stef Hartog for a spring 2013 release.
According to SELFMACHINE's official bio, "the first seeds for this band were planted by bassist Mark Brekelmans after his previous exploits XYSTUS and EQUILIBRIO came to an end in late 2010. He wanted to start something fresh, something groovy, something heavy yet melodic and without any musical restrictions or boundaries. Most of all, though, he wanted something he could share with a group of likeminded individuals. To find the first addition to this band, Mark did not have to look far. Longtime friend Michael had worked with Mark on several projects in the past and once again proved to be the right man for the task. Together they laid out the basis for what is to become the first SELFMACHINE album."
SELFMACHINE's music is described as "a wide array of musical influences rolled into a tight and concise package."
SELFMACHINE is:
Steven Leijen: Vocals
Mark Brekelmans: Bass, Backing Vocals
John Brok: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
Michael Hansen: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ben Schepers: Drums
"Unsung Heroes", the fifth album from Finnish folk metallers ENSIFERUM, has entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 15. As previously reported, the CD also landed on the Finnsh chart at No. 3.
Released on August 27 via Spinefarm, "Unsung Heroes" was produced by Hiili Hiilesmaa (HIM, SENTENCED) at Petrax studio (CHILDREN OF BODOM, NIGHTWISH) in Hollola, Finland and other locations in the Hämeenlinna area. According to a press release, the hour-plus follow-up to 2009's "From Afar" "sees the Finnish five-piece — founded in 1995 — pushing their signature sound to bold new heights of drama and excess. A cinematic experience from first note to last, 'Unsung Heroes' takes the listener on a journey of genuine light and shade, with the 16 minute-plus 'Passion Proof Power' showing that when it comes to the epic statement, ENSIFERUM are very much in the front-line, swords at the ready."
Commented the band: "We've tried to push the different aspects of what we do as far as we can; the sonic scope is wider than ever. The folk elements go further down that path and the metallic parts will absolutely rip your face off!"
Once again, album art (see below) has been supplied by Kristian Wåhlin, with featured special guests including members of APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER and legendary Finnish singer and actor Vesa-Matti Loiri.
"Unsung Heroes" track listing:
01. Symbols
02. In My Sword I Trust
03. Unsung Heroes
04. Burning Leaves
05. Celestial Bond
06. Retribution Shall Be Mine
07. Star Queen (Celestial Bond Part II)
08. Pohjola
09. Last Breath
10. Passion Proof Power
Victory Records has announced the signing of the progressive metalcore outfit AS THEY BURN. The band's new album is tentatetively due in early 2013.
Emerging from the streets of Paris, France, AS THEY BURN was formed in 2007 by bassist Ronald Pastor, guitarist Fabio Meschini and drummer Milton Bakech. Vocalist Kévin Traore, known for his chillingly aggressive vocals, was enlisted shortly thereafter, along with guitarist Hoby Arinosy.
Comments Bakech: "Being part of the Victory Records family is such a great pleasure and honor. We've been giving it our best for a long time trying to make our dreams come true. We want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. This means the people behind, on and in front of the stage, you are a part of this and it is just the beginning! Love is the law."
AS THEY BURN's debut album, "Aeon's War", was digitally released on June 20, 2011.
The band recently toured France, Belgium and Switzerland with their good friends BETRAYING THE MARTYRS, shared the stage with EMMURE at Hellfest and successfully completed its first European headlining tour. They will head back out on "The Age Of Horus" tour in October/November that will take them throughout Europe before making their way to the U.S. in 2013.
hris Warunki, former drummer of the Canadian death metal band SOULSCAR, has started his own independent record company, Warunki Media. The label's first release is "Path", the debut album from his own progressive-metal band OMNISIGHT.
According to a press release, "Path" "is already garnering DREAM THEATER comparisons in the media, despite not even having a keyboard player or keys on the album at all!" [The CD] is an 80-minute 'tour de force' of a debut album with elements of progressive hard rock, shred guitar and groove metal, with strong emphasis on heavy riffs, melodic vocal hooks and world-class musicianship. The album also features a guest appearance by world-renowned guitarist Dave Martone (Magna Carta Records)."
"Rise Of The Phoenix", the seventh album from Finnish dark melodic death metal icons BEFORE THE DAWN, will be released in North America on September 25 via FrostByte Media.
"Rise Of The Phoenix" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 12. The CD was made available in Europe on April 27 via Nuclear Blast Records.
After the departure of Lars Eikin (bass/clean vocals) and Atte Palokangas (drums), Finland's BEFORE THE DAWN experienced a rebirth of sorts. What could formerly be described as dark metal started to flow much more into melodic death metal waters.
Armed with new members Pyry Hanski (bass) and Joonas Kauppinen (drums), BEFORE THE DAWN will surprise you with a totally new, incredibly thrilling listening experience on their seventh studio album.
The perfectly fitting phoenix symbolism was chosen prudently as mainman, vocalist and mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen explains. "Massive changes in the line-up during 2011 ended an era of great frustration and brought back 110% dedication and professionalism into the band," he says. "The newfound energy and motivation steered us into a victorious European tour and made it possible to produce the strongest, fastest, heaviest and definitely the most epic BEFORE THE DAWN album so far!"
"Rise Of The Phoenix" track listing:
01. Exordium
02. Pitch-Black Universe
03. Phoenix Rising
04. Cross To Bear
05. Throne Of Ice
06. Perfect Storm
07. Fallen World
08. Eclipse
09. Closure
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