Fan-filmed video footage of ANVIL frontman Steve "Lips" Kudlow joining British heavy metal legends SAXON on stage at the O2 Academy in Leeds, U.K. on November 10, 2009 to perform the classic song "Denim And Leather" can be viewed below.
SAXON just a completed a U.K. tour with ANVIL and SUIDAKRA in the support slots.
Commented SAXON frontman Biff Byford: "We are starting writing songs for the next album next week. Also mixing all the live recordings.. 'Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie', Wacken 2004, 2007, 2009 and Sheffield. Also listening to old recordings and mixing them.
"We are hoping to be playing some festivals around the world next year, we were thinking to maybe play all the tracks of 'Wheels Of Steel' (and/or 'Strong Arm Of The Law') as a special. It is the 30th anniversary of those albums and the NWOBHM. Although we don't want to live on past glories we cannot ignore the influence this period of British rock had around the globe.
"What do you think? Should we do this or not?"
The upcoming documentary on SAXON, "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie", has had its projected release date pushed back to March 1, 2010. The delay was caused by the filmmakers' (U.K.'s Coolhead Productions) desire to include newly discovered vintage footage and additional interviews.
Produced by the makers of the critically acclaimed "Ian Gillan: Highway Star" (Universal, 2007), "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" celebrates SAXON's 30th anniversary. It not only has contributions from members of SAXON, past and present, but also from the likes of Lars Ulrich (METALLICA); Lemmy, "Fast" Eddie Clarke, Phil Campbell, Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD); Harvey Goldsmith, Danko Jones, Doro Pesch and many, many others. It will also feature plenty of rare archive material and previously unseen concert footage, from the classic 1980s lineup to the brilliant St. George's Day show in 2008 and Wacken Open Air in 2009. A special limited edition of "Heavy Metal Thunder - The Movie" will contain a feature-length documentary, at least two never-before-seen concert films and plenty of revealing extra content.
Gig After Gig conducted an interview with guitarist Alex Wade of Knoxville, Tennessee death metallers WHITECHAPEL before the band's November 18, 2009 concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota with TRIVIUM and CHIMARA. Watch the five-minute chat below.
WHITECHAPEL's latest album, "This Is Exile", was released in July 2008 through Metal Blade Records. The CD was tracked by Jonny Fay (ex-guitarist of THE RED CHORD) of Backyard Studios in New Hampshire and was mixed by Zeuss, who has produced ION DISSONANCE, EMMURE, BLOOD HAS BEEN SHED, SHADOWS FALL and HATEBREED, among others. The cover artwork was handled by Colin Marks, who has previously worked with ABORTED, THE END, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD and THE RED DEATH). "He [did] a phenomenal job and we are extremely pleased with the outcome of his work," the band previously stated. "He has done a wonderful job of portraying the concept of the record through his artwork."
WHITECHAPEL's debut album, "The Somatic Defilement", was released in 2007 via Candlelight Records.
Video footage of CROWBAR's November 18, 2009 performance at The Hangar in New Orleans, Louisiana can be viewed below. The band was added to the Decimation Of The Nation 2 tour stop in New Orleans as the last-minute replacement for BORN OF OSIRIS, whose van apparently broke down. Also appearing on the bill were HATEBREED, CANNIBAL CORPSE, UNEARTH and HATE ETERNAL.
CROWBAR's November 20, 2009 concert at the City Club in Houma, Louisiana will be recorded for an upcoming live album. The CD is expected to be released next year via DOWN/ex-PANTERA singer Philip Anselmo's record label Housecore Records.
CROWBAR's forthcoming box set, which will also be released via Housecore, will include the full self-titled demo from the pre-CROWBAR band THE SLUGS that was recorded in April 1990. Songs include "Subversion", "A Breed Apart", "My Agony", "No Quarter" (LED ZEPPELIN cover), "My 4 Walls" and the unreleased track "Brain Freeze".
The lineup on the demo was as follows:
Kirk Windstein: Vocals, Guitars Jimmy Bower: Drums Kevin Noonan: Guitars Todd Strange: Bass
CROWBAR will re-release the majority of its back catalog through Housecore Records. Also planned is a CD of new material.
Metal Mind Productions re-released three CROWBAR albums — "Crowbar" (1993), "Time Heals Nothing" (1995) and "Live+1" EP (1995) — in Europe in April 2008. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) was made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology. The "Time Heals Nothing" album also contains six bonus tracks — four audio and two video.
CROWBAR's video for the song "Slave No More" was included on the band's DVD, "Live: With Full Force", which came out in North America in January 2007. Filmed at the popular German open-air festival of the same name, "Live: With Full Force" was captured on CROWBAR's world tour supporting their 2005 release "Lifesblood for the Downtrodden". The live performance DVD also includes candid backstage footage plus the band's second (and previously unavailable) promotional video for "Lifesblood for the Downtrodden" album track "Slave No More".
CROWBAR will take part in this year's Stillborn Fest. The five Northeast shows will also include HATEBREED, THE ACACIA STRAIN, THE CASUALTIES and THY WILL BE DONE.
The dates are as follows:
Dec. 26 - Syracuse, NY - Lost Horizon Dec. 27 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx Dec. 28 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Dec. 29 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground Dec. 30 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theater
Former M.O.D./S.O.D. frontman Billy Milano joined MUNICIPAL WASTE on stage at Red 7 in Austin, Texas on November 12, 2009 to perform a version of the S.O.D. classic "United Forces".
Fan-filmed video footage of this unique one-time collaboration can be viewed below.
Commented MUNICIPAL WASTE drummer Dave Witte: "S.O.D. is such an important band for the crossover movement, pioneers in fact.
"We've played 'United Forces' on and off for over two years while on tour and made the decision a few months ago to retire it. When we heard we had a chance to play it with Billy singing, we knew we had to do one more time and retire it the right way."
Guitarist Ryan Waste added: "I was shooting the shit with my buddy Felix Griffin when this big dude comes up to us and sticks out his hand. He looked familiar but I couldn't place it. Ryan, he said, it's Milano. I heard Billy lived in Austin and managed a bar down the street but I was still surprised to see him.
"The WASTE had covered 'United Forces' by S.O.D. in the past and it seemed too perfect to play it that night with Billy Milano on vox. After tracking him down back at his bar, Felix and I convinced him to come sing the song. It went over great with the New Yorker's brand of stand=up comedy banter being the icing on the cake."
"Massive Aggressive", the new album from MUNICIPAL WASTE, sold around 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at No. 10 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.
"Massive Aggressive" was released on August 25 via Earache Records. According to a press release, the CD "brings the promise of the band's most ferocious and most focused album of their career." With such ferocity flowing through the whole of the album, the group knew it needed the right visuals to complement the vibe of the music. MUNICIPAL WASTE vocalist Tony Foresta claims that the only man who could get that imagery just right was Andrei Bouzikov, the artist responsible for the cover to 2007's "The Art Of Partying".
"Wrong Answer", the new video from MUNICIPAL WASTE, was filmed in New York City with director David Brodsky (SUICIDE SILENCE, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, IN THIS MOMENT) and his crew at MyGoodEye, is said to have been inspired by '70s game shows, gore, and more.
'80s hard rock queen Lita Ford — who is currently on tour with QUEENSRŸCHE — has issued the following update:
"[Lita's husband] Jim [Gillette of NITRO fame] received an extra-special for his birthday last week (November 10). During the show in Houma, [QUEENSRŸCHE singer] Geoff Tate sang him 'Happy Birthday' on stage."
Jim commented: "We are honored and touched that he (Geoff) would do this.
"QUEENSRŸCHE has been the utmost in cool, professional, and hands down most awesome band to tour with. We couldn't have asked for a better situation.
"Geoff is one of a couple singers that inspired me to learn all I could about the human voice. The QUEENSRŸCHE demo with 'Queen of the Reich' changed my life. Without that, I might not have met my wife...I might not be where I am today.
"Geoff, the band, and Susan Tate, the manager, have been more cool to us than we could have imagined.
"Long live the 'RŸCHE!"
Video footage of Lita Ford performing her Top 10 Billboard hit (originally recorded with Ozzy Osbourne) "Close My Eyes Forever" while backed by members of QUEENSRŸCHE on November 10, 2009 in Houma, Lousiana can be viewed below.
QUEENSRŸCHE and Ford have teamed up for over two dozen dates beginning October 15. Lita is hitting the stage during the QUEENSRŸCHE set to perform three songs, including "Close My Eyes Forever", which she is singing with QUEENSRŸCHE frontman Geoff Tate. For all songs, Lita is being backed by QUEENSRŸCHE — Geoff Tate on vocals, Michael Wilton and Parker Lundgren on guitars, Eddie Jackson on bass and Scott Rockenfield on drums.
"Wicked Wonderland", the first album in 15 years from Lita Ford, sold around 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 31 on the Top Hard Music Albums chart.
"Wicked Wonderland" was released in Europe on October 2 via earMUSIC/Edel. The set was issued in the U.S. on October 6 through Lita's own JLRG Entertainment label as a regular CD and limited-edition vinyl with different artwork.
QUEENSRŸCHE has scheduled two "cabaret shows" at the Snoqualmie Casino in Snoqualmie, Washington on February 4-5, 2010
Queensrÿche Cabaret is described as Geoff Tate, Scott Rockenfield, Michael Wilton, Eddie Jackson and Parker Lundgren performing a show-of-shows with a bunch of their friends who have a tendency to only come out late at night.
The Queensrÿche Cabaret will be art, lust, dancing and naughty fun with the band performing their hits and never-heard-before selections accompanied by go-go dancers, burlesque dancers, drag queens, a juggler, ballet dancer, aerial artist, contortionist and much more.
There will be fan-club-only parties and events Thursday Friday and Saturday nights, including a Super Bowl party on Sunday for those staying the weekend. Fan-club seats and passes to many, many events will be up in the next week.
Los Angeles-based technical progressive metallers THE HUMAN ABSTRACT have issued the following update:
"First and foremost, THE HUMAN ABSTRACT will no longer be working with Nathan Ells [vocals]. We want to wish Nathan the very best in his future endeavors. With that being said, we are now looking for our new lead singer.
"To clue everyone in, our new singer must be into Chuck Norris, Van Damme and, most importantly, Steven Seagal movies.
"We will be holding public auditions, so if you have what it takes please reach us at THAvocalistsearch@gmail.com and we will respond to you with more information.
"But that's not all!
"We want to formally announce greater news! We are working hand in hand with A.J. Minette on this next record which is well in the works. A.J. was the original guitarist alongside Dean [Herrera] for the band. Mr. Minette will be part of the writing force and will serve as producer for the third album.
"We are tremendously excited to be working together again. A.J. wanted to add, 'Let me be the first to say…FIRST POST. NO ONE CARES. VAN FLIP.'
"The process of completing this album has been prolonged and will take quite some time. The last couple of months have been spent trekking the great forests in our region, chanting great Orca hymns under the moon light, searching for guidance.
"It is what we have to do in order to write you all a classical masterpiece of epic proportions. We have a couple songs in the works that are well underway to being completed. In fact we just finished recording a demo with A.J.
"Finally, we want to go ahead and finish off by thanking you guys, the fans, that allow us to travel and share our music worldwide. Frank Herbert once said, 'Without change, something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken.'"
"Counting Down The Days", the latest video from Los THE HUMAN ABSTRACT, can be viewed below. The song comes off the band's sophomore full-length album, "Midheaven", which came out in August 2008 via Hopeless Records. The CD "follows a full cycle of man while he makes his ascent and discoveries and is eventually brought down by his lust of conquest and greed," said Ells at the time of the album's release. "Basically we wanted to have this album be cohesive all the way through. We came up with themes for each song and then wrote the songs like we were doing a film score and try to capture the mood musically for what each theme represents."
Although the initial sessions for "Midheaven" were helmed by veteran producer Toby Wright (METALLICA, SLAYER, ALICE IN CHAINS, SOULFLY, FEAR FACTORY), the CD was completed with a different producer and Wright's name was "wiped off all credits," according to drummer Brett Powell.
THE HUMAN ABSTRACT's Hopeless Records debut, "Nocturne", was released in August 2006.
Guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders of South Carolina-based extreme technical death metallers NILE was a recent guest on the "Black Night Meditations" show on the WSCA 106.1 FM radio station. Topics discussed included the influence of JUDAS PRIEST and THE BEATLES on Karl's songwriting, unreleased NILE music, the dangers of being onstage at a NILE concert, and the possibility of another solo album from Sanders.
The entire interview is now available for streaming using the audio player below.
WSCA 106.1 FM is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
"Black Night Meditations" airs every Tuesday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. EST.
"Those Whom The Gods Detest", the new album from NILE, sold 3,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 160 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at position No. 3 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.
A trailer for "Those Whom The Gods Detest" can be viewed below. The CD was released on November 3 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Produced and mixed by Neil Kernon (NEVERMORE, CANNIBAL CORPSE, QUEENSRŸCHE), along with a drum-recording job by Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, VITAL REMAINS, GOATWHORE), "Those Whom the Gods Detest" features the band's strongest production and perhaps its best material to date. The cover artwork was created by Michal "Xaay" Loranc, whom NILE guitarist/vocalist Karl Sanders had previously worked with on his second solo album, "Saurian Exorcisms".
Sanders told Revolver magazine earlier in the year that the band's sixth full-length album will likely be NILE's most eclectic offering to date. "We're going to some very unexpected places," he said. "I've been listening to some oud music [the oud is a Middle Eastern lute — Ed.], Iranian music, and some Hindu stuff, and that stuff's definitely rubbing off on the new songs."
Berlin, Germany's PitCam Production and More-Metal.com conducted an interview with legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE when the band played the Magnet club in Berlin on September 30, 2009. Watch the chat below.
TROUBLE recently debuted a brand new song, "Hunters Of Doom", from the group's forthcoming CD, "The Dark Riff".
The band previously stated that the material that is set to appear on "The Dark Riff" features "massive, killer riffs" that are "sure to please ANY TROUBLE fan . . . As you can tell by the [new album's] title, IT'S HEAVY! The band is resorting to the root of what made TROUBLE in the first place and what they are best at, DOOM! This will no doubt be the heaviest TROUBLE release since the mid-'80s when they crushed the masses with what is now known as 'Psalm 9' and 'The Skull'."
Video footage of TROUBLE performing the song "At The End Of My Daze" on September 28, 2009 at Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden can be viewed below (courtesy of "jajairse").
TROUBLE's recently released live album, "Live In L.A.", was recorded in Los Angeles and is available at NewTrouble.com.
Philadelphia-based singer LEIANAhas uploaded the song"Suffer", featuring guest appearances by Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX) and John Tempesta (THE CULT, WHITE ZOMBIE). The track appears on Leiana's forthcoming third album, "Lucky #3", which lands in stores on February 23, 2010.
"'Suffer' is a tune from a record that I released myself," commented Leiana. "Rob Caggiano heard it when we first started writing together, and he expressed an interest in re-working it to take it in another direction. We ended up keeping some cool elements of the original tune, and with Eddie Wohl's help we made the song truly come alive. Rob got some killer tones on the guitar and bass, while John Tempesta added a really good feel on the drums. It's rockin now!"
Leiana's "Lucky #3" is an action-packed rock/metal/punk extravaganza that will delight fans of any genre. Recorded in Los Angeles, California by producer by Eddie Wohl (SMILE EMPTY SOUL, ANTHRAX), the album was co-written along with producer Eddie Wohl, Sean Danielson (SMILE EMPTY SOUL), and Rob Caggiano (ANTHRAX). The album captures the alt-rock energy of Leiana's stage show and melds it with infectious hooks that leave listeners thirsty for more.
Leiana's "Lucky #3" is the soundtrack for those that love to surf and skate or just like to rock out. The album features guest appearances by SMILE EMPTY SOUL, Rob Caggiano of ANTHRAX, Brett Scallions of FUEL, John Tempesta of WHITE ZOMBIE and THE CULT, and Ken Schalk of CANDIRIA.
BLABBERMOUTH.NET has received confirmation that FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, UNEARTH, BIOHAZARD and KIUAS will all appear on the forthcoming "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) tribute album which is being put together by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine for a special issue that will coincide with the five-year anniversary of Dimebag's passing. FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recorded a cover version of the PANTERA classic "A New Level" while UNEARTH laid down their rendition of "Sandblasted Skin" for the collection, which is expected to include the following artists/cuts, among others:
* FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH - "A New Level" * UNEARTH - "Sandblasted Skin" * BIOHAZARD - [to be announced] * KIUAS - [to be announced] * MACHINE HEAD - "Fucking Hostile" * CHIMAIRA - "Slaughtered" * EVILE - "Cemetery Gates" * THROWDOWN - [to be announced] * ZAKK WYLDE - "Suicide Note Pt. 1" * THIS IS HELL - [to be announced]
Other artists that are rumored to have contributed songs to the CD include MALEFICE and SYLOSIS.
The song by EVILE turned out to be bassist Mike Alexander's very last and was recorded just before he himself died of a pulmonary embolism, a blockage of an artery in the lung, on October 5, 2009 while on tour with the band in Sweden.
"Dimebag" Darrell Abbott was co-founder and lead guitarist for PANTERA. When PANTERA broke up in 2003, Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul formed DAMAGEPLAN. On Dec. 8, 2004, while performing with DAMAGEPLAN at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus, Ohio, Dimebag was shot and killed onstage by Nathan Gale. He was 38 years old.
Video footage of Evan Seinfeld (BIOHAZARD) performing the PANTERA classic "Walk" with Vinnie Paul (PANTERA) and SIN CITY SINNERS in Las Vegas in early July 2009 can be viewed below.
EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes will be collaborating with Terminal Press on the upcoming zombie anthology comic Zombie Bomb!, edited by Adam Miller and Rich Woodall.
EXODUS' record label, Nuclear Blast, caught up with Dukes on the eve of the band entering the studio to record the follow-up to 2007's "The Atrocity Exhibition: Exhibit A" to ask a few questions.
Q: Between your cross-country motorcycle trip and touring South America, where in the hell did you find the time to come up with a zombie story?
Dukes: Brian Ferrara from Terminal Press e-mailed me while I was on tour and asked if I would be interested in being a part of Zombie Bomb! I wrote a quick, funny, kinda sick idea down and sent it to him. A week later, we were sitting in Grassroots (a bar in lower Manhattan) talking about how it was a good start but needed a twist. Three days later, I was in an airport texting him ideas. We went back and forth until we both were laughing and excited. It was a cool process.
Q: Is this the first story — aside from song lyrics — that you've ever written?
Dukes: To be honest, a few years ago I started writing a novel. It was a story in my head and it just took on a life of its own. I would write a lot, then break for a while, and begin again. This went on for two years. Then I met Brian Ferrara and his wife from Terminal Press. They wanted to do an EXODUS comic. After they started work on that, I called him and said I had a story that I had been writing and would like him to see if he thought it would be a good comic. They thought it was cool. The next day, he had Keith McCleary writing the script and now it's a comic in the process. I have seen pages of it and it's fucking awesome! Dark and evil and fucked up… just like it's supposed to be.
Q: What was the collaborative process with the Terminal Press artists like?
Dukes: Those guys are the coolest dudes ever. Amazing artists and just cool fucking people.
Q: After the story-editing process, how true to your original story did the plot remain?
Dukes: It was exact. They didn't change anything.
Q: What IS the plot? Or can you not comment on the story?
Dukes: It's about a killer. He evil and twisted. The other one is about zombies.
Q: What are the chances of you working more closely with the comic book industry in the future?
Dukes: I would love to. It's a big part of my life and I never thought I could do anything in that world, but I guess I was wrong. I really have to thank Brian Ferrara and his wife and all the people at Terminal Press for actually listening and being honest and up front about the ideas I have. They are really cool people. My life is ever-expanding into worlds I never thought I could be in. How fucking cool is that...?!
View sketches, pinups, and finished Zombie Bomb! art here.
Terminal Press' comics/metal crossover, "Exodus: Death Begets Death", is written by Keith McCleary ("Killing Tree Quarterly", "Deep Throat"), with art by Russ Manning nominee Rolo Ledesma ("Debbie Does Dallas") and colors by Narek Gevorgian ("Silent Assassin", "Dimmu Borgir: Dark Fortress").
"Exodus: Death Begets Death" will be available early 2010 from Terminal Press. Visit www.terminalpress.com for updates and the Terminal PressFacebook fan page for a look at some "Exodus: Death Begets Death" concept art.
Swedish metallers SABATON have inked a deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented Nuclear Blast A&R representative Jaap Wagemaker: "Although [SABATON have] already released four great albums, they are still unknown to the majority of the metal legions — which is a shame!
"We noticed the band's potential to become one of the leaders of nowadays metal scene — especially by visiting their festival appearances and club shows.
"Together Nuclear Blast and SABATON are prepared for the next step to bring the band on a much higher level! Watch out for their new album in spring 2010!"
Added SABATON bassist Pär Sundström: "After ten years as a band and four albums, we have decided what the next step in the evolution of SABATON will be. A contract with the biggest heavy metal label in the world has been signed and the next album will be released by Nuclear Blast in the spring of 2010.
"The last album, 'The Art of War', touched the hearts of thousands and thousands of metal fans around the world, and with their help we are now ready to hit the studio and record our new album.
"What way could we better end our 10th year?"
SABATON's latest album, "The Art of War", landed on the Swedish chart at No. 5. The follow-up to 2006's "Attero Dominatus" was recorded at Abyss Studios with producer Peter Tägtgren and was made available in three formats: normal CD, gatefold LP and a limited-editon CD that comes in a DVD package that also includes the exclusive book "The Art of War".
AEROSMITH drummer Joey Kramer would like to thank everyone that came out to Mohegan Sun for the Winning Authors event to celebrate his book, "Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom At the Top". The event was a huge success, with over 300 people attending the intimate live discussion at the Cabaret Theatre. Led by Eddie Trunk, also host of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show", the crowd both observed and contributed to a highly enjoyable experience.
The event kicked off with a screening of "It's About Time" — the film dedicated to Joey's lasting influence both within AEROSMITH and the entire rock and roll world. After a standing ovation, fans were treated to an hour long question-and-answer session allowing guests insight into the experiences recounted within "Hit Hard" and Joey's catharsis in writing it. Twice Joey's dialogue was interrupted as the audience rose to its feet and applauded in response to his honesty in relation to his personal struggle with drug and alcohol addiction and battle with depression.
"Having been able to find my own sanity within the insanity that has been such a prevalent condition of the AEROSMITH experience for over forty years" is an accomplishment representative of the transformative experience which Joey believes truly saved his life. For him, sharing this information and passing on the value of his life changing, and ultimately life saving transformation was the driving force behind turning "Hit Hard" into a reality.
Following the discussion, Joey gave back to all the faithful supporters as he personalized and signed copies of "Hit Hard" for all in attendance. The line flowed out the door of the shops at Mohegan Sun as fans waited with excitement. From ages 8 to 80, all were represented as supporters passed through to get their own copy of "Hit Hard" signed.
The gatefold double-LP version of "Inactive Theocracy" — the third album from French black metallers REVERENCE — will be released in December via D.U.K.E Records.
"Inactive Theocracy" was recently issued on CD via Osmose Productions. The effort was recorded and mixed at Drudenhaus Studios with Neb Xort (ANOREXIA NERVOSA) and was mastered at MasterLab studios in France.
"Inactive Theocracy" track listing:
01. Origin 02. Faith Design 03. Braith 04. When the Light Blossoms (feat. Hreidmarr) 05. Hypothetical Paths of Silence 06. The Axis of Horror (feat. Dk Deviant) 07. The Last Chapter 08. Hybrid Requiem Phenomenon 09. Regression of Cold Levels
Formed in 1998, REVERENCE released a few demos and split CDs/LPs between 2001 and 2004 (2003's "Decorporation" split with BLUT AUS NORD probably being the most well-known one). In September 2005, seven years after the band's inception, REVERENCE recorded its debut album, "Industrial Mental Concept", for the French label Dead Sun Records. A sophomore effort, "Chamber Of Divine Elaboration", followed in 2007 via Avantgarde Music.
According to the group's official bio, REVERENCE "adds to a basic depressive black metal structure built upon a very interesting guitar work, some industrial weird synth effects and spectral sounds that make their songs easily memorable and in some cases unique."
Norwegian act SHINING (not to be confused with the Swedish black metal band of the same name) will release its new album, "Blackjazz", on January 25 via Indie Recordings.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Madness And The Damage Done 02. Fisheye 03. Exit Sun 04. Exit Sun 05. Healter Skelter 06. The Madness And The Damage Done 07. Blackjazz Deathtrance 08. Omen 09. 21st Century Schizoid Man
Over the course of its impressive 10-year career, SHINING has created its own unique and bizarre hybrid of jazz and extreme metal, which is easily distinguishable from the musical world of their Swedish labelmates sharing the same band name.
Commented Indie in a statement: "With their one-of-a kind-sound and extreme approach to music, [SHINING] are the perfect match for Indie Recordings. SHINING adds the experimentalism, variety and boldness we have been wanting to add to our roster for a long time, and we are confident SHINING will continue to push the borders of what is happening in the scene!"
SHINING's Jørgen Munkeby comments: "After 10 merciless years and four ground-breaking and critically acclaimed albums, our sound is more punishing and extreme than ever before, and our fan-base bigger than ever. For 'Blackjazz', we needed a label that would match our aggressiveness, along with our taste for catchiness. We needed people who shared our dedication to music and art, along with our ambitions of reaching a vast number of people, a label that would match our constantly growing numbers of fans worldwide and the ever expanding interest for our musical mission. Indie Recordings is the perfect match for SHINING's 'Blackjazz'! Their knowledge of the music industry is as immense as their love for good music. It will be a great pleasure to be working with this marvelous and ambitious label in the future!"
Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of extreme modern metal act SYSTEM DIVIDE, featuring Sven De Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) on vocals, Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA) and Joseph Spiller (ex-THE BINARY CODE) on guitars, Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA) on bass, and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY) on drums. SYSTEM DIVIDE has already completed a video for the song "The Apex Doctrine" off the band's current EP, which will also be on the band's full-length Metal Blade debut. Check out a trailer for the new video below and be sure to head over to SYSTEM DIVIDE's MySpace page to listen to the tracks "The Apex Doctrine" and "(n)Ether". Stay tuned for more information including when and where the video for "The Apex Doctrine" will premiere, track listing and release date of the band's debut full-length album, "The Conscious Sedation", and tour dates.
Vocalist Sven De Caluwé commented: "We couldn't be more thrilled to be part of the Metal Blade roster, a label that has been pushing the boundaries of extreme music and putting lots of great new acts in the spotlight. We know SYSTEM DIVIDE is in the hands of a competent team of driven music FANS in the first place who believe in what we do, and we're going to give them their money's worth!!
"We are completing the songwriting for our first album, 'The Conscious Sedation', and are about to enter the studio to start tracking by the end of the month, for those who checked out our EP, get ready for some surprises and more extreme modern metal madness! Rock 'n roll!!"
Added Michael Faley of Metal Blade Records: "Heavy, brutal, extreme, melodic in-your-face metal. These ingredients result in a unique visual and audio assault that numbs the senses. Sven De Caluwé and Miri Milman deliver a one-two punch unseen in metal. We are very proud to add them to the Metal Blade Records family."
SYSTEM DIVIDE's "The Collapse" EP was produced and engineered by guitarist Cole Martinez and was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (ABORTED, MERCENARY, RAUNCHY, HATESPHERE, VOLBEAT).
"The Apex Doctrine" video was filmed in New York with director Kevin Custer (HATEBREED, TESTAMENT, DYING FETUS, SUFFOCATION).
According to a press release, SYSTEM DIVIDE "unites a myriad of sounds, going from STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, SOILWORK, LACUNA COIL, DIMMU BORGIR, CHIMAIRA to even MORBID ANGEL. Prepare for the unexpected!"
Founded in summer 2008, SYSTEM DIVIDE features in its ranks vocalists Sven de Caluwé (ABORTED) and Miri Milman (ex-DISTORTED) along with longtime friends Cole Martinez (ex-YEARS OF FIRE, ANTENORA), Andrew Lenthe (ANTENORA), and Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY). SYSTEM DIVIDE set out to revolutionize the conventions of the over-saturated melodic death metal genre, proving that extreme metal can have more depth than blast beats, while female vocals do not have to conform to the precepts of the "goth" genre. In mixing many styles, "The Collapse" breaks all the rules of extreme metal and is a landmark release for the young band.
As opposed to interjecting simple, predictable clean choruses into contrived song structures, SYSTEM DIVIDE unites serene female vocals and extreme vocals driven by lyrical themes that confront and seek to break everyday themes of disillusionment, societal materialism, and individual apathy. Musically, the band delivers myriad styles of riffing and grooves, while augmenting the entrancing soundscapes with hard-hitting drums and intricate bass lines. These elements together define the unique, spell binding, hypnotic sound of SYSTEM DIVIDE.
In order to achieve this complex calculus of sounds on "The Collapse", Cole Martinez handled tracking duties at Conquistador Recordings. Artwork for "The Collapse" was completed by Colin Marks (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ABORTED, NEVERMORE).
GAMMA RAY, FREEDOM CALL and SECRET SPHERE will team up for the "To The Metal" European tour in February/March.
Confirmed dates are as follows:
Feb. 06 - Dock's - Hamburg, Germany Feb. 07 - Biebob - Vosselaar, Belgium Feb. 09 - Zeche - Bochum, Germany Feb. 10 - Le Trabendo - Paris, France Feb. 12 - Sala Totem - Navarra, Spain Feb. 13 - La Riviera - Madrid, Spain Feb. 14 - Sala Apolo - Barcelona, Spain Feb. 16 - Magazzini Generali - Mailand, Italy Feb. 19 - Gagarin 205 - Athens, Greece Feb. 20 - Block 33 - Thessaloniki, Greece Feb. 21 - Blue Box Club - Sofia, Bulgaria Feb. 23 - SKC - Belgrade, Serbia Feb. 24 - Boogaloo - Zagreb, Croatia Feb. 26 - Sport Hall - Presov, Slovakia Feb. 27 - MSK Centrum - Ziad Nad Hronom, Slovakia Feb. 28 - PKO - Bratislava, Slovakia Mar. 12 - H2O Halle - Reichenbach, Germany Mar. 13 - Kaminwerk - Memmingen, Germany Mar. 14 - Z7 - Pratteln, Switzerland Mar. 16 - Garage - Saarbrucken, Germany Mar. 18 - Stadthalle Langen - Langen, Germany Mar. 19 - Stadthalle Lichenfels - Lichtenfels, Germany Mar. 20 - [to be announced] - Prague, Czech Republic
Both GAMMA RAY and FREEDOM CALL will have new albums out in January — GAMMA RAY through earMUSIC/Edel Germany GmbH and FREEDOM CALL's "Legend Of The Shadowking" via SPV (official release date: January 25).
Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Full Metal Rock recently conducted an interview with guitarist Oz Fox of Christian hard rockers STRYPER. The chat is now available for streaming at this location.
STRYPER was recently forced to cancel several shows in Texas due to singer/rhythm guitarist Michael Sweet's bout with the flu. The band's concerts in Dallas and Houston have been rescheduled for December 22 and December 21, respectively. They will feature a special Christmas segment that will include the performance of "Winter Wonderland" and their classic holiday tune "Reason for the Season", which the band says it has never performed live.
Ulterium Records (through an arrangement with the Italian label Frontiers Records) will release a limited 12" picture-disc edition of the latest STRYPER album, "Murder By Pride", in Europe on December 4. The LP will be strictly limited to 500 copies, and will come with a full color poster inlay.
"Murder By Pride" sold 5,900 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 73 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD was released in Europe on August 28 via Frontiers Records. It was made available in the U.S. on July 21 through Big 3 Records.
STRYPER kicked off its 25th-anniversary tour on September 11 at the House Of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts. Quality video footage of the performance can be viewed at this location. One of the clips is available below.
Vicky Bradley (a.k.a. Vix the Angel Of Metal) recently conducted an interview with British vocalist Martin Walkyier (SABBAT, SKYCLAD). The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.
In late October, Walkyier issued the following update regarding his current musical activities:
"It is my great pleasure to announce that I am currently working upon writing and recording some brand-new material for THE CLAN DESTINED.
"Due to the literally thousands of emails and messages I've received from you kind people via the THE CLAN DESTINED website and my MySpace page, I have now decided that the time has come to compose a follow-up to the critically acclaimed 'In The Big Ending...' CD and DVD release. I also promised my father that I would write something to honour his memory just one week before he died in February 2007; and as I'm sure you will all appreciate, this was a very heartfelt oath that I feel morally obliged to fulfil.
"I am both honoured and privileged to have recently recruited the exceptionally talented guitarist and composer Jacqui Taylor to THE CLAN DESTINED cause. Jacqui is precisely the kind of musician that I have always dreamed of eventually meeting for very many years now, the type of person who takes her music as seriously as I have always done. Jacqui practices her guitar for at least eight hours per day, which is the kind of sincere dedication we're talking about here!
"Working together with Jacqui Taylor is truly a breath of fresh air and a brand-new beginning for both myself and THE CLAN DESTINED. Anyone who doubts what I'm saying is more than welcome to visit Jacqui's website to see just why I'm so intensely excited about our current collaboration.
"Despite the fact that I have never earned a vast fortune from making my music, my sincere and honest approach to my creativity thankfully means that I have the support of a small army of fans and a few loyal friends. One person undoubtedly worthy of mention is my old comrade and fellow band-mate in SKYCLAD and RETURN TO THE SABBAT, the drummer Jay Graham, who presently is battering the skins with his band RAVENS CREED. Jay will be recording the drums and percussion (and maybe also playing some keyboards) on the new recordings from THE CLAN DESTINED.
"I'm currently looking for people who have what it takes to join together with me in this creative endeavour, both in the studio and at live THE CLAN DESTINED concerts (you know who you are!).
"If you feel that you have what it takes to be a member of THE CLAN DESTINED, then please don't hesitate to get in contact me via the official website, www.theclandestined.com.
"I've also spent the last few months setting up my own 24-track recording studio, to facilitate the composition and recording of these new THE CLAN DESTINED demo tracks for you all. As I'm sure you can imagine, for a man normally accustomed to working with words, competent sound engineering is a skill that I have as yet to acquire. Yet, as with my understanding of the German language; this is something that only time, patience, good ears and just the few active brain cells remaining to me will undoubtedly learn to fully comprehend."
TONS — the new band featuring the remaining members of the reformed legendary Santa Barbara metal/punk rock hybrid SNOT (Mike Doling on guitar, John "Tumor" Fahnestock on bass and Jamie Miller on drums) alongside new vocalist Brandon — has posted the first two tracks on its MySpace page. Check out the songs "Ability & Control" and "1,000 Ways Of Pain" at this location.
SNOT parted ways with frontman Tommy Vext (a.k.a. Tommy Cummings) and axeman Sonny Mayo earlier in the year after a five-month songwriting period which produced "a lot of strain on relationships within the band," according to Doling.
Regarding TONS' latest addition, Doling wrote in a June 2009 post, "He's blowing our fucking minds... It's been such an amazing time working as a four-piece...
"The writing is going smoooooth!! I do gotta say, I miss my friends Sonny and Tommy. Like I said, I wish the best for them!! This seems like it was meant to be this way somehow.
"We are writing punk fuckin' rock and funky grooves... the way SNOT is supposed to sound."
SNOT disbanded in 1998 following the death of the group's lead singer, Lynn Strait. Lynn died in a car accident in December 1998, putting an end to a career that generated considerable promise but only one studio album, the 1997 Geffen Records release "Get Some". Also killed was the band's mascot Dobbs, Strait's dog who adorned the cover of SNOT's debut album. The band had been writing material for its sophomore CD and had completed 10 songs at the time of Strait's tragic passing. As a memorial to Strait, SNOT eventually decided to release those tracks, with lyrics and guest vocals provided by a host of stars from the alt-metal community. The resulting album, "Strait Up", was a fitting tribute from Strait's peers and friends, featuring members of LIMP BIZKIT, KORN, SLIPKNOT, SEVENDUST, (HED) P.E., COAL CHAMBER, SUGAR RAY, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, SOULFLY, and more.
"An Acoustic Night At The Theatre", the new live album from Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers WITHIN TEMPTATION, will be released in North America on December 15 via Roadrunner Records. The release will be available via all digital music providers, while physical copies will be available exclusively at the newly launched Roadrunner Recordsweb store.
In November 2008, WITHIN TEMPTATION embarked on a sold-out, intimate theatre tour of Europe, complete with seated audiences. The setup afforded the band the opportunity to rearrange several classics from its extensive catalogue to suit an acoustic performance. The album was recorded at the Muziekcentrum Frits Philips in Eindhoven, Holland on November 30 of last year. The performance was beautifully captured and demonstrates the simplified and stripped down side of the band.
Guitarist Robert Westerholt explained, "I was fascinated by the idea of giving our audience a much more individual experience by focusing on the essence of our songs and reducing the show to a minimum. At the same time the acoustic arrangements and sounds let you hear different influences in our music. For example, some Celtic elements which I think come out best when played acoustically." Vocalist Sharon den Adel adds, "To show this other side of WITHIN TEMPTATION has been a dream of mine for quite some time. It was great to see that not only our existing fans but also people seeing us for the first time enjoyed it so much."
Special guests include LIFE OF AGONY's vocalist Keith Caputo for the single "What Have You Done". Caputo guested on the album version, so it was only appropriate that he contributed to the live song, as well. Additionally, THE GATHERING's Anneke van Giersbergen joins den Adel for a powerful partnership on "Somewhere".
Of additional note, the album also contains the brand new song "Utopia", written during the rehearsals for the theatre tour. A duet with U.K. singer-songwriter Chris Jones (whom Sharon met while working with world-famous DJ Armin van Buuren on his track "In And Out Of Love"), "Utopia" will also be available as a digital single prior to the album release. The band are set to film a video shortly with director Oscar Verpoort. Poignantly written, "Utopia" is about two lovers who can't be together because they are separated by their contrasting dreams of the ideal life. "The only way to be together is for one of them to sacrifice their dream," clarifies Sharon. "It really is about this one moment that we each inevitably experience: reaching a point in your life where you have to decide what you want your future to look like."
An EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "An Acoustic Night At The Theatre" can be viewed below.
"An Acoustic Night At The Theatre" track listing:
01. Towards The End 02. Stand My Ground 03. Caged 04. All I Need 05. Frozen 06. Somewhere (feat. Anneke van Giersbergen) 07. The Cross 08. Pale 09. What Have You Done (feat. Keith Caputo) 10. Memories 11. Forgiven 12. Utopia (feat. Chris Jones)
WITHIN TEMPTATION states: "In April next year we will be doing a rerun of [the acoustic] tour, where we will be doing this particular show for the last time. After that, we will prepare ourselves for the new album, new show, etc."
Sharon den Adel and WITHIN TEMPTATION guitarist Robert Westerholt welcomed their second child, Robin Aiden Westerholt, on June 1. The couple also has a three-year old daughter named Eva Luna den Adel.
WITHIN TEMPTATION released a double-DVD, titled "Black Symphony", on September 22, 2008. It is also available as a double-CD.
Santa Barbara, California metallers DEVILDRIVER recently recorded several songs at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, England for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" session which will air next Monday night (November 23) as part of Daniel Carter's program. Vocalist Dez Fafara will also be on the phone talking about recording the session and life in general.
The show will be available for streaming for seven days after the initial broadcast at this location.
DEVILDRIVER will embark on a five-week North American headlining tour in January. Direct support on the dates will come from New York extreme metal legends SUFFOCATION.
Although the full lineup for DEVILDRIVER's headlining trek has not yet been announced, THY WILL BE DONE revealed from the stage at last week's concert in Farmingdale, New York (with MACHINE HEAD) that they will be taking part in the tour, alongside GOATWHORE. It should be noted, however, that this information has not yet been corroborated by an official source and should be treated as a rumor only at this point.
According to a new online post by DEVILDRIVER bassist Jon Miller, the Santa Barbara, California-based metallers have six songs "in the bag" for the group's forthcoming album, which they "are looking to record sooner than later." He added, "We want to go faster and heavier on this one to answer any question on a 'direction' that we may be undertaking."
DEVILDRIVER drummer John Boecklin elaborated further on the status of the songwriting sessions for the band's next CD. Writing on the group's official MySpace blog, Boecklin stated, "On our last record, I would say we stretched as far as we could outside of what we had done in the past, trying new and slower songs with vocal melody like 'It's In The Cards' or the rock like feel of songs like 'Back With A Vengeance' and 'Teach Me To Whisper'. For our latest effort, we feel like musically going for the throat, so to speak.
"Are we gonna make a death metal album? No! We always have a heavy emphasis on groove and hook. That will not change. We just feel we have a certain anger edge about us and the songs we are writing compared to our last one. It will not be rushed and if you are a fan, you will not be let down!!"
Video footage of DEVILDRIVER's November 7, 2009 performance in Munich, Germany can be viewed below (courtesy of "eblinternational").
DEVILDRIVER's latest album, "Pray For Villains", sold around 14,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Earlier this week,DIO — the band fronted by legendary heavy metal vocalist Ronnie James Dio (HEAVEN & HELL, BLACK SABBATH, RAINBOW) — cancelled its European tour after Ronnie was taken ill. An update on Ronnie's official web site reads as follows:
"Wendy Dio [Ronnie's wife/manager] would like to thank all of our friends and fans that have sent emails, cards, and blogs on Blabbermouth and let you know that she has passed them all on to Ronnie.
"Wendy always reads Blabbermouth and gives Ronnieall the kind words the fans send. Any mean ones she throws in the trash, where is where they belong."
DIO's lineup for the European tour was supposed to include WHITESNAKE/ex-DIO axeman Doug Aldrich due to the fact that the band's regular guitarist, Craig Goldy, had prior touring commitments with BUDGIE in Australia.
DIO's "Killing The Dragon" album from 2002 was released in June on limited-edition vinyl with a gatefold pop-up cover via Night Of The Vinyl Dead. Only 500 hand-numbered copies were manufactured.
"Killing The Dragon" was originally released by Spitfire Records.
DIO's "The Very Beast of Dio" was officially certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on March 11, 2009 for shipments in the United States in excess of 500,000 copies.
Issued in October 2000, "The Very Beast of Dio" is the second greatest-hits collection CD — and the first to be released in the U.S. — from the Ronnie James Dio-fronted band.
DIO's last release was the "Holy Diver Live" CD, featuring a performance of the classic "Holy Diver" album in its entirety, from start to finish, recorded live for the very first time in 2005 in front of a sold-out London crowd. It also includes, among others, "Heaven & Hell", "Sign of the Southern Cross" and "Mob Rules" from vocalist Ronnie James Dio's BLACK SABBATH days, "Tarot Woman", "Man on the Silver Mountain" and "Long Live Rock 'N' Roll" from the RAINBOW era and "We Rock" from his solo career.
Video footage of DIO's May 30, 2008 performance in Oslo, Norway can be viewed below.
The original lineup of the Bakersfield, California rock band ADEMA — Marky Chavez (vocals), David Deroo (bass), Tim Fluckey (guitar), Mike Ransom (guitar), and Kris Kohls (drums) — will play its first live shows in over five years in January. The details are as follows:
Jan. 14 - Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA Jan. 15 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA
ADEMA is currently putting together its first-ever DVD, due early next year. The set will contain material from the group's original lineup and will feature "tons of hard-to-find, rare and never-before-seen footage, including videos, live and rehearsal footage, TV appearances, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of [the albums] 'Adema' [2001] and 'Unstable' [2003]." The band adds, "We're not sure EXACTLY what will be on it as we are working on clearances, etc., but expect it to be nothing short of awesome."
ADEMA's latest album, "Kill the Headlights", was released in August 2007 via Immortal Records. The CD was recorded in Los Angeles with producer Marshall Altman (MARC BROUSSARD, ZEBRAHEAD). Mastering duties were handled by Eddie Schreyer at Oasis Mastering in Burbank.
ADEMA in 2006 announced the addition of vocalist Bobby Reeves of the Los Angeles-based band LEVEL to the group's ranks. Reeves joined ADEMA as the replacement for Luke Caraccioli, who left the band in October 2005 — only six months after the release of their first album ("Planets") without the contributions of Chavez.
DEAD TO THIS WORLD — the speed/thrash/black metal project led by former IMMORTAL bassist Iscariah — has issued the following update:
"We are proud to announce that Skyggen (GORGOROTH, THUNDERBOLT, VELES) will be joining us on guitar for upcoming live desecrations starting on come 27th of November in Bergen. Let it be known. This event will be shared by Aussie devil-worshippers NOCTURNAL GRAVES."
DEAD TO THIS WORLD recently entered the studio to begin recording a five-song mini-CD with a running time of close to 30 minutes. The as-yet-untitled effort will be released through Vàn Records on both CD and vinyl format sometime in early 2010.
DEAD TO THIS WORLD is:
Iscariah - Supreme Necromancer of the Apocalypse m:A Fog - Drums of War Thurzur - Black God of Infamous Circle
DEAD TO THIS WORLD's debut album, "First Strike for Spiritual Renewance", was released in November 2007 via Dark Essence Records. The CD was produced by Bjørnar E Nielsen at Nielsen's Conclave Media Studios in Bergen.
DEAD TO THIS WORLD was originally founded by Iscariah (NECROPHAGIA, ex-IMMORTAL) as a solo project, but was expanded to a full lineup, releasing a three-track demo in 2005.
MALEFICE, RISE TO REMAIN, WARPATH, CONQUEST OF STEEL, ECHOVIRUS, MAN MUST DIE, SONDURA, NO MADE SENSE and CARS ON FIRE have been confirmed for next year's Hammerfest II festival, set to take place March 11-13, 2010 at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands, North Wales, United Kingdom.
The festival billing is now shaping up as follows:
AKERCOCKE ATTICA RAGE BELLIGERENCE CARS ON FIRE CONQUEST OF STEEL DARK FUNERAL ECHOVIRUS EPICA GODSIZED HELLFIGHTER HURON ICED EARTH ISOLYSIS MALEFICE MAN MUST DIE MARSHALL LAW NAPALM DEATH NO MADE SENSE ORANGE GOBLIN PANIC CELL RISE TO REMAIN SHINING SKINDRED SONDURA THE MORE I SEE WARPATH ZICO CHAIN
The original Hammerfest brought together some of the biggest names in metal for a truly memorable weekend at Pontins, Prestatyn Sands, North Wales. Headliners OPETH, SEPULTURA and SAXON were joined by the likes of HAMMERFALL, PARADISE LOST, SKINDRED, CATHEDRAL, ARCHITECTS and many more…
In addition to the usual Friday and Saturday night lineup, Hammerfest II will also feature an extra night's entertainment on Thursday, March 11. This comes included in VIP packages or can be purchased separately with Gold or Silver packages.
Hammerfest II is put together by Hard Rock Hell (the people behind the hugely successful Hard Rock Hell in 2007, Hard Rock Hell II in 2008 and forthcoming Hard Rock Hell III in December 2009) and the legendary Metal Hammer magazine.
Hammerfest II will be an event not to be missed. The festival will include a bumper lineup of established metal and rock acts — with celebrated veterans rubbing shoulders with the metal scenesters of today — alongside the future of metal’s upcoming talent, as championed by Metal Hammer.
Robert Gray of Ultimate-Guitar.com recently conducted an interview with former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: OK. First of all, it's alleged that on July 16th, 2009 you informed ANTHRAX that you were seriously ill, and couldn't perform. What are your thoughts on that?
Dan: About the band saying that I was ill? I don't know why they said that — I was never sick. I was fine, and ready to do all of the gigs, but I think they wanted to go a different way with John Bush. That's what's going on with that.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Were you really looking forward to ANTHRAX's European tour, which was eventually scrapped?
Dan: I did the first leg of Europe with ANTHRAX, and yeah, I was looking forward to returning, and doing the second leg. I was looking forward to the SLIPKNOT dates that they had planned for September, as well — August and September were when the SLIPKNOT dates were planned for, I believe. So yeah, I was disappointed, but you know, shit happens (laughs).
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Though did you hope to record one to two albums as part of ANTHRAX, part amicably, and then each party go their separate way? When they possibly wanted to reunite with John [Bush] or Joey [Belladonna]?
Dan: I think ANTHRAX would've went back to John even sooner if he would've said "Yes". Me, personally, I'd like "Worship Music" to come out as it is because it's a phenomenal album, but I don't know if that will happen. I just think ANTHRAX have a tendency to stay in their safe zone, and their safe zones have always been either a reunion of the older incarnation with Joey, or to stay with that sound with John. Charlie [Benante], as ANTHRAX's primary songwriter, feels comfortable with John because he's been with him for so long. It was thirteen years, I think, and John has been the voice for his writing for the last thirteen years, so that's where he wanted to go. I assume as soon as that door opened for them again, they jumped at it.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Do you feel ANTHRAX reunited with John Bush with their tail between their legs? ANTHRAX reunited with Joey Belladonna, but that didn't work out. Because of that, do you feel they thought "Shit, we should've stayed with John," as that would've been the better decision in the long term?
Dan: I think the reunion thing with Joey didn't work out the way they thought, and they wanted to go back to John. He wasn't interested, so they decided to get someone new and fresh, and tried to breathe new life into the band, which I like to think I did. ANTHRAX definitely got a lot of press, and a lot of popularity, while I was in the band for two years. We had a very successful tour run, and "Worship Music" got great reviews over in Europe. It was looking great.. I don't know (laughs). I don't know why ANTHRAX did what they did. It's kind of strange, but the history of the band is strange. I wish them nothing but the best. Like I've said before, they're family guys, and they have their own lives to take care of. ANTHRAX have to do what's best for them, and I have to do what's best for me and my family. I'm just pushing on, and have to move onto the next step.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: The news item which alleges that on July 16th, 2009 you informed ANTHRAX that you were seriously ill, and couldn't perform, surfaced on July 17th. What were your thoughts when you became aware of that news item? Maybe you were on your computer, and read.. Dan: No. I'll tell you exactly where I was. I was at my ten-year-old Godson's baseball game, little league game, and I got a phone call from a friend of mine who said "Are you sick? Are you no longer in ANTHRAX?". I was like "What?". It was just weird. I was supposed to be on a flight to Sweden I think, and the next thing I knew, the flights were cancelled. The flights were booked for later initially, but then they were cancelled, and we just weren't going. Nobody answered my emails or my calls, and it pretty much went like that for about four days. I didn't hear anything for four days, and then it was announced that ANTHRAX were playing a show with John Bush. That's exactly what happened. What can you do? You just gotta say "OK," close that chapter, and open a new one.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: So basically, ANTHRAX cut off all lines of communication?
Dan: Yes. Everything went black. I hadn't heard from them at all for four days, I think. The last person I had spoken to was Scott [Ian], and to someone else from ANTHRAX's camp, saying that they were going to push the flights back to a later time. When I checked my flight online though, it was cancelled. That's the last I heard.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: But when you had your last conversation with Scott, you had the impression that him and the rest of ANTHRAX's members wished to move forward with you as their vocalist?
Dan: The last conversation I had with Scott was about the flights being changed, and not that I wasn't their singer anymore. I don't know how it went from the flights being pushed back to me not being their singer, so yeah, he definitely didn't say "You're no longer our singer" (laughs). The next thing, I then found out on the Internet that I wasn't their singer.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: On July 21st, ANTHRAX's manager said you'd parted ways with the group, and in a later interview, Scott Ian said that you had quit ANTHRAX. So obviously, you're saying that isn't true then? Just to confirm.
Dan: I would like to know where they heard me say I quit the band (laughs). Usually someone has to say they quit. I never quit the band. I had my manager and my lawyer both contact them, who said I was willing to do the dates — I believe it was July 18th, the day after they announced that I was supposedly sick. My manager and my lawyer contacted them, and said "He's willing, ready and able to do these dates. What's going on?", but there was no response. When someone doesn't give a response, there's not really much you can do. You're left in the dark, and left without any power. You're just left thinking "What's going on?", and that's where I was. I didn't know what was going on. I still don't know what happened, but at this point, I don't care. I really don't care. Like I said, I wish ANTHRAX nothing but the best. I don't wish them anything ill, but I don't care either. I couldn't tell you what ANTHRAX are doing with "Worship Music", and I couldn't tell you what they're doing with tours, because I just don't care. I've moved on from that onto new music, and onto other new things in my life. I have a lot of stuff going on other than music in my life. My life no longer revolves around ANTHRAX. I put my heart and soul into that band for two years, writing, flying, recording, touring, keeping myself in physical shape for the band, and dealing with all the drama that goes with being in a band, especially being a new guy. It's just too much to even bother with anymore. I just don't care. I hate to say it, but it's someone else's problem now.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: When ANTHRAX hired you, did you ever feel as though you were measured against John Bush and Joey Belladonna?
Dan: Yes and no. I don't think I really had much in common with them vocally, or in terms of stage presence, so it was an old/new ANTHRAX somewhat, which I thought the fans were really enjoying. It just seemed like the energy that ANTHRAX had when I was in the band, compared to with Joey and John, was way higher. The energy level was just.. we were on top of our game. If you watch a video of the five of us onstage, then it was a great show every night. The energy was there, and those guys looked reinvigorated. I brought it every night, and it was just a totally different ANTHRAX — it was a younger, crazier and heavier version of what ANTHRAX was. I think, in these modern times of metal, it really was going over well. I guess it's a strange decision that they've made, moving forward another way, but like I said, they're entitled to their vision.
Video footage of ANTHRAX's June 28, 2009 concert (with soundboard-quality audio) at the Graspop Metal Meeting on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium can be viewed below.
The new issue of Rhythm magazine, available from November 24, features an in-depth interview with SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. In the feature, written by SLAYER biographer Joel McIver, Lombardo discusses his Cuban roots, his early influences and the high points of his 28-year career all the way up to the release of the Los Angeles thrash quartet's latest album, "World Painted Blood". Excerpts from the interview follow.
Rhythm: Tell us about the drumming on "World Painted Blood".
Lombardo: "Man, I can't tell you how pleased I am with it! The producer, Greg Fidelman, is an all-round musician as far as I know, but he's especially keen on drums and very, very good at recording them. I swear to you, there were times when I'd record a dozen fills and he'd sit down with me and dissect each one — stroke by stroke! Literally one hit, and then another hit, and then another one — and then we'd decide whether to use this fill or that roll or whatever. It was incredible."
Rhythm: Playing with METALLICA at Download in 2004 must have been quite an experience. (See/hear video/audio footage below.)
Lombardo: "Yeah. Show 'em how it's done! No disrespect to Lars [Ulrich], because Lars is great and he's a very nice guy, but he needs to spend a week at my house and we need to sit down and play. I could show him — 'No, Lars, like this!'… 'Let's chill, let's relax, have some coffee and let's play!' Hahahahaha!"
Rhythm: When you played blastbeats on the song "Supremist", on the 2006 album "Christ Illusion", everybody wondered if SLAYER were going to turn death metal…
Lombardo: "It's what the riff demanded. See, that's my thing — I can't close the door on other music. I expose myself to this stuff to stay on top and to let people know, 'Hey, I'm aware of what's going on!' Just because I don't play it, doesn't mean I'm not aware of it. I'll throw in little tidbits here and there. For example, I've been listening to all this jungle [hums frantic drum'n'bass pattern] To me it's like England's rap. It's very cool. I love that music — I really enjoy it because it's fast, and it moves."
Rhythm: So have you heard CANNIBAL CORPSE and the other death metal bands doing blastbeats?
Lombardo: "I've heard it. Does it impress me? No, because too much is over-redundant. I can't tolerate it, it's just [hums series of machine-like blasts]… there's no feeling."
Rhythm: It was rumored a while back that you had a problem with your thyroid gland from drinking too much caffeine. True?
Lombardo: "I don't know if it was the coffee. I doubt it. I think it was just too much touring. I started noticing that I was losing a lot of weight, and my heart was beating at 170 beats a minute — just while I was sitting down! I would wake up in the middle of the night and my bed would be soaking wet, because I would be tossing and turning and really hot. It was really bad. I turned into a complete skeleton, it was insane. So they zapped me with radio-iodine, I took this radioactive pill, and I think it shrunk it [my thyroid gland] down, because I feel great and I've gained weight. The only nervousness or agitation I feel is if I drink a little too much coffee. Actually I was taking more caffeine while I was sick, because having your heart rate go that fast, 24 hours a day, you get tired — so I'd drink Red Bull and coffee and more on top of that!"
Rhythm magazine is available from the usual stores and at this location.
Seventh Rule Recordings has announced the signing of Scandinavian doom lords KONGH.
Hailing from Sweden, KONGH churns out doom metal with a progressive melting pot of ideas whose origins stem from the spirit of their godfathers — MELVINS, YOB, and CANDLEMASS.
The follow-up to their critically acclaimed "Counting Heartbeats" debut, "Shadows of the Shapeless" will be released by Seventh Rule to the North American region in early 2010.
"Shadows of the Shapeless" was recorded and mixed in Sweden by Peter Lundin and mastered by Peter In De Betou (ENTOMBED, MESHUGGAH).
KONGH will be touring throughout 2010, including dates in Europe and the United States.
Causecast has posted a video clip of legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) talking about the upcoming LAYN Rocks! benefit concert on November 22 at the Avalon in Hollywood, California. Watch it below.
Hosted by comedian George Lopez, LAYN Rocks! will unite musical talents Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Perry Farrell, Tom Morello, Billy Idol, Chester Bennington of LINKIN PARK, Travis Barker, Andrew Stockdale of WOLFMOTHER, Dave Navarro, and many others for a night of great music and a step toward eradicating youth homelessness.
The Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN) is a volunteer driven nonprofit organization based on helping over 10,000 homeless adolescents become self-sufficient by providing shelter, food, and counseling for the abused, neglected, and abandoned. An incredible lineup of passionate artists has been recruited, linking social awareness and entertainment together under one roof.
In a recent interview with ARTISTdirect.com, Slash stated about his involvement with LAYN Rocks!, "My wife, Perla, and I support LAYN. She's actually on the board. We're trying to raise money to keep it going, and we've been doing these 'Slash & Friends' gigs recently. Basically, we get a bunch of people together and put on a concert. Perla had asked me if I'd be interested in doing it to support LAYN, and I was fully into it! This will actually be the first 'Slash & Friends' gig I've done in Los Angeles. Basically, I wanted to put together something that would be a really big blowout, and that's what we've done! We've got all these different artists, and it should be an amazing event."
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