Audio samples of all 11 tracks that appear on the just-released "String Tribute To Linkin Park" album from CC Entertainment are available at Amazon.com.
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Not Alone 02. New Divide 03. In The End 04. What Ive Done 05. Numb 06. Bleed It Out 07. Shadow of the Day 08. Leave Out All the Rest 09. One Step Closer 10. Crawling 11. Faint
Metal Blade Records has set a November 9 U.S. release date for GWAR's "newest and sickest" album yet, "Bloody Pit of Horror".
Commented GWAR frontman Oderus Urungus: "This year sees no end to the torment, and delight, we shall heap upon you ungrateful slobs. Our new album has got some of the heaviest shit we have ever played, and our show is packed with brand-new, never-seen-before acts of violence, bestiality, and political in-correctness. I don't want to spoil anything... wait,yes I do! We are chopping Sarah Palin's tits off and feeding them to Gor-Gor, if he will have them!"
"Bloody Pit of Horror" is reportedly "heavy as fuck", and features songs like "Hail to Genocide", "Storm is Coming", and "Tick-Tits", the latter of which is "a song about a chick whose tits are covered in ticks…big fat gray puffy ones," said Oderus.
Fresh off the amazing experience that was the 2010 GWAR-B-Q, intergalactic snuff-rockers GWAR continue their relentless assault upon all humanity with the announcement of their first run of dates for this fall's "Bloody Tour of Horror".
Catch GWAR on the "Bloody Tour Of Horror" with THE CASUALTIES, INFERNAEON and MOBILE DEATHCAMP starrting on October 2 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Video footage of GWAR's July 4, 2010 performance in Munich, Germany can be viewed below (courtesy of "eblrocknroll").
The new GWAR DVD, "Lust In Space - Live At The National", can now be ordered at Sleazy P. Martini's Hypereal Productions page. The footage for the DVD was filmed at the National Theater in Richmond, Virginia and chronicles GWAR's return to outer space in search of its old Scumdog legion and its battle against Cardinal Syn. The disc contains the band's full 82-minute set, the 10-minute "Behind The Murder" mockumentary, plus a special "features" section, including interview extras, a behind-the-scenes look at special F/X being filmed and a slideshow featuring band shots from the album cover. Two additional DVDs, "Blood Drive 2002" and "War Party 2004" (both also shot by Sleazy P. Martini), are also available at the Hypereal Productions page.
"America Must Be Destroyed", GWAR's 1992 opus, can now be purchased in a special edition digipak that's also crammed with a DVD that includes the seminal GWAR films "Tour De Scum" and "Phallus In Wonderland".
GWAR's latest album, "Lust In Space", sold around 5,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 96 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Misled By Certainty", the new album from Denver, Colorado-based technical death/grind metallers CEPHALIC CARNAGE, sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at position No. 24 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.
Released on August 31 via Relapse Records, the follow-up to 2007's "Xenosapien" was recorded at Flatline Audio studios with longtime engineer/producer Dave Otero. The CD is described in a press release as a "50-plus-minute journey into metal's most extreme realms" which "see[s] these veterans takes it to edge before pulling it back with 'Repangea', perhaps their most sprawling and epic work to date."
CEPHALIC CARNAGE will team up with PSYCROPTIC for a co-headlining tour of Europe. The trek, dubbed the "Initiation of The Misled European Tour 2010", kicks off on September 10 in Germany and also includes ION DISSONANCE, HOUR OF PENANCE and DYSCARNATE.
CEPHALIC CARNAGE's previous full-length album, "Xenosapien", was released in May 2007 via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded by the band and Dave Otero at their studio in Denver. The album's artwork was designed by Orion Landau.
"Feeding The Wolves", the new album from Knoxville, Tennessee's 10 YEARS, sold 19,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 17 on The Billboard 200 chart.
10 YEARS' sophomore effort, "Division", opened with 28,000 units back in May 2008 to land at No. 12.
The title of 10 YEARS' new record is actually taken from a line in the CD's first single, "Shoot It Out", which singer Jesse Hasek says is about the pressures the band has faced in the music business. "It's a very aggressive song and it's a little bit of angst towards just how they don't leave you alone to be the musicians you are," he tells The Pulse of Radio. "You hear it with a lot of bands, the whole 'jaded' scenario, but it's true, because we're a bunch of musicians that were writing music all on our own with no outside sources affecting us. And then you get, it turns into a profession and you get pulled in all sorts of directions. And we just said, 'Enough's enough, we're just gonna do what we want.'"
The band recently promised that "Feeding The Wolves" would be "the heaviest album they've made in nearly a decade."
The song "Wasteland" from the band's 2005 debut, "The Autumn Effect", hit No. 1 on the Modern Rock chart, while "Beautiful" from "Division" reached No. 14.
10 YEARS and SEVENDUST will lead the lineup of the second annual HardDrive Live tour, with SINCE OCTOBER and ANEW REVOLUTION also appearing on the bill.
MURDERDOLLS' sophomore album, "Women And Children Last", sold 8,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 43 on The Billboard 200 chart. Released on August 31 via Roadrunner Records, the CD was recorded at a studio in Hollywood Hills, California with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, 3 INCHES OF BLOOD).
The limited-edition version of "Women And Children Last" is packaged in a unique first-aid kit. It's not your usual first-aid kit — this frightening set includes the CD/DVD edition of "Women And Children Last", an exclusive t-shirt (size L), digital download, autographed booklet, patch, sticker, pill case, plus other gruesome extras.
"Women And Children Last" track listing:
CD:
01. The World According To Revenge 02. Chapel Of Blood 03. Bored 'Til Death 04. Drug Me To Hell 05. Nowhere 06. Summertime Suicide 07. Death Valley Superstars 08. My Dark Place Alone 09. Blood Stained Valentine 10. Pieces Of You 11. Homicide Drive 12. Rock N Roll Is All I Got 13. Nothing's Gonna Be Alright 14, Whatever You Got, I'm Against It 15. Hello, Goodbye, Die 16. Motherfucker See, Motherfucker Do (bonus track) 17. The Funeral Ball (bonus track) 18. A Moment Of Violence (bonus track)
DVD:
Filmed live on June 17, 2010 at the Key Club in Hollywood, California, MURDERDOLLS returned to the stage after seven years away without skipping a beat. Playing a mixture of classics and new favorites, this DVD captures their amazing and triumphant return.
MURDERDOLLS's current touring lineup is as follows:
* Wednesday 13 (WEDNESDAY 13, GUNFIRE 76, BOURBON CROW) - Lead Vocals * Joey Jordison (SLIPKNOT, ROB ZOMBIE) - Guitar, Backing Vocals * Roman Surman (GUNFIRE 76, BOURBON CROW) - Guitar * Racci Shay Hart (WEDNESDAY 13, DOPE, GENITORTURERS) - Drums * Jack Tankersley (BULLETS AND OCTANE) - Bass
"My Dark Place Alone", the new video from MURDERDOLLS,was filmed with director Paul R. Brown, who has previously worked with SLIPKNOT, MÖTLEY CRÜE, KORN, GODSMACK and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, among others.
"Take A Load Off", the new video from STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, can be viewed below (courtesy of AOL's Noisecreep). A mix of live clips, classic animated shorts and all-American imagery, the video is an avant-garde look at life through the eyes of the members of STP.
"Take a Load Off" is the second single off STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' new self-titled album, which sold 62,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 2 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Stone Temple Pilots" marks the sixth top 10 for the band — its entire output of studio albums. Only its greatest hits package "Thank You" missed the top 10 (No. 26 in 2003).
The group's self-titled sixth album is its first all-new effort since 2001's "Shangri-La-Dee-Da".
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS reunited in 2008 after a six-year layoff.
According to The Pulse of Radio, PEARL JAM is the subject of the latest entry in the "Lullaby Renditions" series of albums from Rockabye Baby. Due out on October 26, "Lullaby Renditions of Pearl Jam" features new versions of 13 tracks from the Seattle band, with guitars, bass and drums largely replaced by instruments like a glockenspiel, vibraphone, Mellotron, harps and bells. Rockabye Baby music coordinator Leo Flynn said in a statement that PEARL JAM is "able to bridge styles as diverse as hard rock, punk, folk, even funk. For the Rockabye team, transforming so many different styles into a soothing, lullaby sound was a real challenge but a lot of fun!"
The "Lullaby Renditions" series has won awards, critical acclaim and approval from parenting organizations over the last four years.
Other acts that have gotten the baby-friendly Rockabye Baby treatment include THE BEATLES, QUEEN, KANYE WEST, U2, GUNS N' ROSES, LED ZEPPELIN, COLDPLAY, NIRVANA, PINK FLOYD, GREEN DAY, METALLICA, RADIOHEAD, AC/DC and more.
PEARL JAM will celebrate its 20th anniversary with an appearance at Neil Young's annual Bridge School Benefit concert on October 23 and October 24 in Mountain View, California.
"Band of Joy", the new album from LED ZEPPELIN legend Robert Plant and BAND OF JOY — a new version of his pre-LED ZEPPELIN group which also featured the late John Bonham — is available for streaming in its entirety on NPR.prg.
Due on September 13, Plant's first release since recording the six-time Grammy-winning bluegrass album "Raising Sand" with collaborator Alison Krauss in 2007, the "Band of Joy" CD enlists the help of an array of U.S. musicians, all of whom are performing with Plant on tour.
Plant previewed the album at a low-key gig in New York earlier in the summer, and amongst the 12 tracks are covers of a rare TOWNES VAN ZANDT track "Harm's Swift Way", as well as two tracks — "Silver Rider" and "Monkey" — from indie band LOW, both from their 2005 album "The Great Destroyer".
Plant says on his web site of "Band of Joy" that "It's been a blast working on these new songs ... and I'm enjoying such creativity and vitality. It's been a remarkable change of direction for all of us and as a group we all seem to have developed a new groove."
The new lineup of BAND OF JOY includes: Patty Griffin on vocals; Darrell Scott on multiple instruments and vocals; Byron House on bass and vocals; Marco Giovino on drums, percussion and vocals; and co-producer Buddy Miller on guitar and vocals.
"Band of Joy" track listing:
01. Angel Dance 02. House Of Cards 03. Central Two-O-Nine 04. Silver Rider 05. You Can't Buy My Love 06. Falling In Love Again 07. The Only Sound That Matters 08. Monkey 09. Cindy, I'll Marry You Someday 10. Harm's Swift Way 11. Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down 12. Even This Shall Pass Away
Plant will perform on the Monday, September 13 edition of NBC-TV's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon". The show will air at 12:35 a.m. ET (technically early Tuesday morning, September 14).
The book "At The End Of The Day" by Lawrence Paterson follows the career of the band known as BLAZE BAYLEY and was first released in September 2009. All 500 copies sold out and after many requests to reprint the book, an updated edition is now available to pre-order from the author's web site. The revised edition includes an extra chapter continuing the story from where the original book ended in June 2009 and bringing the reader up to date with the band’s adventures over the course of the year up to June 2010.
All pre-orders of "At The End Of The Day" (revised edition) will be signed by the author and the book will be available to pre-order until October 16 only. The book is priced £15 plus postage and handling and will be on general release through Metalbox Recordings from October 25.
"At The End Of The Day" features the story of "Blaze" Bayley Cooke, following his career as a frontman, from WOLFSBANE to IRON MAIDEN to BLAZE and, ultimately, to the current self-titled BLAZE BAYLEY band. However, this book is not solely about Blaze; rather it tells the story of the entire BLAZE BAYLEY band that is about to begin work on the follow up to their debut album, "The Man Who Would Not Die". The book traces the history of all the band members, back to their roots in New Zealand, Colombia and…Bristol.
Written and updated by former drummer Lawrence "Larry" Paterson, who has previously authored ten books on a completely unrelated subject — Second World War U-boats — this book offers a unique insight into the history of Blaze Bayley, the man and the band, as well as the inner workings and adventures of a band on the road and in the studio. The author takes us from the early beginnings of WOLFSBANE in the mid-1980s, through the dizzying heights of touring with IRON MAIDEN to the triumphs and tragedies that lead right up to June 2010.
Alongside the full and frank contributions from the members of the BLAZE BAYLEY band, the book features new interviews with BLAZE and WOLFSBANE members plus exclusive interviews with Janick Gers and Steve Harris of IRON MAIDEN. Blaze himself explains in detail how he first attained the job with IRON MAIDEN, the truth about working inside such a renowned and hard-working band, and the events of the meeting at which his tenure fronting IRON MAIDEN ended. "At The End Of The Day" also contains tour dates, discographies, and extensive black and white and full-color photographs.
Main Man Records has set an October 26 release date for "Remember The Coop! A Tribute To Alice Cooper's Killer Classics".
A press release from the label states: "Before anyone knew who Vincent Furnier was, he fronted a band called ALICE COOPER. Their third album, 'Killer', is considered by most to be their pinnacle, so we thought we'd give it the ol' Main Man treatment. That, of course, was narrow thinking on our part, because as soon as word got out that we were doing an ALICE COOPER album tribute we were swamped with requests for inclusion. That led to a whole second disc of COOPER classics, so overflowing with love and respect that it is now the 'featured' disc while the 'Killer' tribute is sort of a 'bonus.'
"Richard Barone's original band, THE BONGOS, used to play 'Hello Hooray' over the P.A. as they took the stage back in the '80s, so how fitting that he should record a version all these years later. Backed by none other than FRANKENSTEIN 3000, who shared the stage with Richard at our QUEEN tribute CD-release party, it's the perfect song to kick off the tribute. Also fitting is the appearance of Michael Bruce, original guitar player from ALICE COOPER, who is backed by Dimma for two live cuts recorded in Iceland on Halloween in 2002. Another original ALICE COOPER member, bassist Dennis Dunaway, joins Dimma on 'Killer''s 'Halo Of Flies' while his daughters each contribute a song to the 'Killer' disc.
"Other notable contributors include THE RIBEYE BROTHERS (covering a pre-ALICE composition by Mr. Furnier's first band, THE SPIDERS), Deena (SCHOSHKES OF THE CUCUMBERS) & THE LAUGHING BOYS, Jism (TUFF DARTS), WELL OF SOULS (first new recording in over 10 years), COOPER disciples Dead Elvi and Sim Cain (ROLLINS BAND), who plays drums on SCREAM's track.
"Some of Alice Cooper's greatest hits are here, like 'I'm Eighteen', 'Under My Wheels', 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' and 'School's Out', plus plenty of album cuts like 'Public Animal #9', 'The Ballad Of Dwight Fry' and 'Muscle Of Love'. 28 tracks in all; nearly 2 hours of music!"
Disc One: Classics
01. Hello Hooray - Richard Barone with Frankenstein 3000 02. Don't Blow Your Mind - The Ribeye Brothers 03. I'm Eighteen - Deena & The Laughing Boys 04. Public Animal #9 - JISM 05. Under My Wheels (Live) - Michael Bruce with Dimma 06. School's Out - Well Of Souls 07. Is It My Body? - Mutant Monster Beach Party 08. Muscle Of Love - The St. Vitus Dancers 09. The Ballad Of Dwight Fry - Dead Elvi 10. You And Me - Christian Beach 11. Be My Lover - Porro And The Raving Lunatics 12. Teenage Lament '74 - Gin House Bandits 13. Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) - Rick Tedesco 14. Billion Dollar Babies - Jack Brag 15. Elected - FourYearBeard 16. Desperado - Graveyard School 17. No More Mr. Nice Guy - The Swales 18. My Stars (Live) - Michael Bruce with Dimma 19. Only Women Bleed - Eye Of The Dawn 20. School's Out - Shawn Mars (bonus track)
Disc Two: Killer
01. Under My Wheels - Blue Fox 02. Be My Lover - Scream 03. Halo Of Flies - Dimma with Dennis Dunaway 04. Desperado - Frankenstein 3000 05. You Drive Me Nervous - Serpenteens 06. Yeah Yeah Yeah - Johny Dey 07. Dead Babies - Ché Monet 08. Killer - Renée Dunaway
ALICE IN CHAINS singer/guitarist William DuVall tells Billboard.com that there is no reason to assume that the band won't record another album following the success of the gold-certified "Black Gives Way to Blue", which came out in September 2009.
"It would be fairly safe to say that you don't come this far and do all this work just to stop for another 15 years," said DuVall. "We are on a path, and just as it was at the beginning, we still don't know where it's going to lead. We're digging what we're doing and we're very happy with the reception we've gotten, and we respect the fact that this was a tall order to write in the first place, and to fill it is an even bigger deal. So I have a hard time imagining we would go through the ride we've been on the last four, five years just to stop.
"We're excited about the future," DuVall added. "Let's just say that."
According to DuVall, ALICE IN CHAINS has yet to begin piecing songs together for the next studio album, but "there's plenty of riffs flying around." He added, "That was the case when we first started back up. We would just stockpile these fragments, and then some time later we would sift through the mountain of stuff, and that's what became 'Black Gives Way to Blue'. The same thing has been happening since we've been touring 'Black Gives Way to Blue', so it would be only natural to at some point say, 'Hey, we've got a lot of stuff. Let's sift through and see what we've got this time.' "
Greek thrashers SUICIDAL ANGELS will release their third album, "Dead Again", on November 19 via NoiseArt Records. The winners of the Rock The Nation awards 2009, which was presented by magazines from all over Europe, the quartet has found itself a perfect home as the label is a division of Rock The Nation, which also serves as the band's booking agency.
"Dead Again" track listing:
01. Damnation 02. Reborn In Violence 03. Bleeding Holocaust 04. The Trial 05. Suicide Solution 06. Beggar Of Scorn 07. Victimized 08. Violent Abuse 09. The Lies Of Resurrection 10. Search For Recreation 11. Dead Again 12. Final Dawn
The CD's cover artwork was created by Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH and DEATH, among many others.
"Dead Again" was recorded with producer R.D. Liapakis and engineer C. Schmid at Prophecy and Music Factory studios.
Commented Liapakis: "SUICIDAL ANGELS were in a great shape, very well prepared. The album's 11 tracks are killers, with breathtaking riffs. They sound like steam rollers squashing everything under their massive riffing."
A photo of the band with producer R.D. Liapakis can be viewed below.
According to a press release, "with 'Dead Again' [SUICIDAL ANGELS] has again taken thrash metal to another level — tight, aggressive, fast and old school as fuck!"
SUICIDAL ANGELS will tour Europe alongside KREATOR, EXODUS and DEATH ANGEL as part of the Thrashfest Tour 2010.
SUICIDAL ANGELS' last album, "Sanctify The Darkness", was released in November via Nuclear Blast Records.
The band's debut CD, "Eternal Domination", came out in July 2007 via OSM Records.
The inaugural episode of the Focus On Metal weekly podcast features a brand new interview with bassist Orion (real name: Tomasz Wróblewski) of Polish bands BEHEMOTH, VESANIA and BLACK RIVER.
When asked about the current condition of Adam "Nergal" Darski, the 33-year-old guitarist/vocalist from BEHEMOTH, who was recently diagnosed with a life-threatening form of leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming tissues of the bone marrow, Orion said, "[Nergal] remains in the hospital. He's going through chemotherapy now. And they're planning a bone-marrow transplant, possibly this year.
"He's doing fine. His attitude is just winning everything. He's with fighting the illness and we're all sure that he's gonne be fine.
"We're still in touch, we're still working on new BEHEMOTH releases — we're working on a DVD now. So he's doing as good as possible [under] these conditions."
On how fans' support has lifted Nergal's spirit:
"It's been just massive support that we get from the fans that he gets, and I'm sure it helps him a lot."
On what fans can do to help:
"To register in a bone-marrow bank, it's just a sample of blood, so that's the least that anybody can do. So if there is any chance for anybody to just go and do it, then go ahead, and that's a huge help. Even if it doesn't help Nergal directly, it helps some other person, most likely. So that's what people can do in order to [show their] support."
On how not all transplants will require the donor to undergo surgery if they are approved as a match (for those people who are afraid of surgery):
"The surgery of a bone-marrow donor, it's just a simple surgery — it takes two weeks to be 100 percent cured and recovered. So it's not a serious thing. And to be a match for somebody, it takes months of testing and everything at the bone-marrow bank. The chance for a person who is unrelated to be a match for somebody is 1 to 40,000, as far as I know, so being afraid of going under a knife, it sounds a little ridiculous to me if you can go through a little surgical [procedure] and save somebody's life. It takes two weeks to get recovered 100 percent — that's it."
Orion talking about Nergal's illness on Focus On Metal:
Focus On Metal inaugural podcast featuring interview with Orion:
Darski is currently receiving treatment in the hematology division of Gdansk Medical University Hospital in Poland and has already undergone his first round of chemotherapy and other procedures while waiting for a donor with complementary bone marrow. Those who wish to help Darski and others suffering from leukemia should set up a marrow drive or register to be a bone marrow donor. Every person that registers to be a donor increases the chances of survival for Darski and others suffering from the same illness.
"If you know the history of BEHEMOTH you know we achieved everything by hard work and a steely determination," Nergal previously said in a statement. "The same goes for my private life. I happen to be a strong son of a bitch. I have no faith but rely on a 100 percent victory and I am sure I will get out of it stronger than ever. Sun Tzu in his 'Art of War' said that if you know your enemy and yourself the result of a thousand battles will not surprise you ... I enter the ring with this Nietzschean attitude and I will leave it as a winner, as usual. Just watch and see."
BEHEMOTH will release a three-disc DVD titled "Evangelika Heretika" in November. "It's a real encyclopedia of BEHEMOTH with nearly five hours of material and a bonus audio CD," Nergal said. "Expect an experience of visual madness as we went to hell and back to make it."
In addition, early next year Metal Blade will reissue BEHEMOTH EPs with new art work, bonus tracks, liner notes and more. "As you can see, despite a complicated situation and difficult circumstances we're remaining active wherever we can," Nergal said.
"Asylum", the new album from Chicago heavy rockers DISTURBED, sold 179,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 chart.
The band's previous three albums — 2008's platinum "Indestructible" (first-week sales: 253,000), 2005's double-platinum "Ten Thousand Fists" (first-week sales: 238,000) and 2002's platinum "Believe" (first-week sales: 284,000) — also debuted at No. 1.
DISTURBED's best-selling release to date is its 2000 debut, "The Sickness", which has shifted more than four million copies in the U.S. alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Asylum" first-week chart positions so far:
USA: #1 New Zealand: #1 Australia: #2 Germany: #4 Austria: #3 United Kingdom: #7
The "Asylum" limited-edition CD/DVD came with the full album, including two bonus tracks (live recordings of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken"), expanded artwork, a DVD with the "Decade Of Disturbed" documentary plus nine "Disturbed Dissected" exclusive instrument video instuctionals, and an exclusive double-sided poster with guitar tabs. It is available only through Disturbed1.com.
The iTunes LP version of "Asylum" also included a download featuring the "Decade of Disturbed" documentary, two bonus tracks (live recordings of "Down With The Sickness" and "Stricken"), an additional exclusive bonus track ("Leave It Alone"), and two "Disturbed Dissected" exclusive instrument video instructionals.
DISTURBED's "Asylum" video can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Roboshobo (a.k.a. Robert Schober), who has previously worked with METALLICA, MASTODON and DEFTONES, among others. Roboshobo also helmed the video for "Another Way To Die", the first single from "Asylum".
A 75-plus-minute film, "Decade of Disturbed" was directed by Rafa Alcantara of Twentyfourcore Productions and it candidly captures the band's ten-year history, with extensive behind-the-scenes and never-before-seen footage. "It basically tells the story of the band, from its inception to present day," says DISTURBED frontman David Draiman.
"The band has had its share of ups and downs along the way and I think we tried to be as open and honest about all of it as we could. It's very insightful and we hope it's something the fans will appreciate."
"Asylum" track listing:
01. Remnants 02. Asylum 03. The Infection 04. Warrior 05. Another Way To Die 06. Never Again 07. The Animal 08. Crucified 09. Serpentine 10. My Child 11. Sacrifice 12. Innocence 13. Ishfwilf (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For)
Italian bloodsuckers THEATRES DES VAMPIRES will release their new album, "Moonlight Waltz", on January 14, 2011 via Aural Music. The CD was recorded at Temple of Noise studios in Rome, Italy with producer Christian Ice. The first pressing of the album will be made available in a deluxe limited slipcase edition, including a special bonus DVD with exclusive video material, behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the album, interviews and more.
In a recent interview, THEATRES DES VAMPIRES keyboardist Fabian stated about the band's new material, "This album has the best production of our entire career, and we are delighted by the quality of orchestration parts, thanks to the help of maestro Luca Bellanova and the amazing performance of the Classical Music Academy of Rome.
"Of course, there are some typical THEATRES DES VAMPIRES songs — but with something new, as usual.
"As we always say, with each album we want to make something new, something fresh, and I think these songs go along these lines."
"Moonlight Waltz" track listing:
01. Keeper of Secrets 02. Carmilla 03. Moonlight Waltz 04. Fly Away 05. Sangue 06. Figlio della Luna (MECANO cover) 07. An Illusion 08. Black Madonna 09. Le Théatre du Grand Guignol 10. Obsession 11. The Secret Gates of Hades 12. Medousa
The song "Carmilla" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. A video for the track will be filmed with director David Bracci, who previously worked with the godfather of Italian horror movies, Dario Argento.
THEATRES DES VAMPIRES will promote the new album by touring Europe and South America in 2011.
Davide Tiso of Italian avant-garde metallers EPHEL DUATH is back with a new musical project dubbed MANUSCRIPTS DON'T BURN. The project's debut mini-CD will be released in October on Aural Music.
Commented Tiso: "I thought about a one-man band since my black metal days back in the '90s.
"The idea of taking care of every aspect of the creative process has always been something I've been into (see EPHEL DUATH), but with MANUSCRIPTS DON'T BURN I take this to a new limit: not involving anyone in the performing and recording process, too.
"A year ago I started to compose for the Karyn Crisis solo album. I wrote a lot of songs, probably too many and with too much going on: there was no space for vocals. The songs were ready and done, without her voice. I restarted to compose for her from scratch. In the meantime, I remained with enough material to start the solo adventure of above.
"I'm totally absorbed by this new direction; there's something magic about these songs, an extremely positive vibe surrounds them. They have been composed without any kind of effort, like they were already existing and ready to be caught on tape.
"There's something that needs to be spread through these songs: genuine compassionate feelings towards whomever wants to deal with this music.
"This is what I'm proudly doing now, hoping that this new palette will become an important part of my career and last the test of fire (you people) like those manuscripts Bulgakov was talking about."
"The Final Frontier", the brand new studio album from British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN, has topped the official Norwegian chart for the third consecutive week. According to the Norwegian music blog Lydverket, this ties the best chart stretch IRON MAIDEN has enjoyed in any country during the band's 30-year recording career.
"'The Final Frontier' is IRON MAIDEN's first chart-topper in Norway, so it is unique, but three weeks at No. 1. is probably only tied by Finland, where 'The Final Frontier' has remained at the top of the chart for three consecutive weeks, and Sweden, where 'Dance Of Death' spent three weeks at No. 1," said Asbjørn Slettemark, who wrote the article for NRK.no/Lydverket.
Bjorn Rogstad, the general manager of EMI Norway, told Lydverket that "The Final Frontier" has already been certified gold in Norway for sales in excess of 15,000 copies.
"It's hectic here right now," Rogstad said. "We've sold 20,000 copies of 'The Final Frontier', and the next goal is to reach 25,000."
He continued, "Norway is well on its way to become an equally important market for IRON MAIDEN as Sweden and Finland, which traditionally have been IRON MAIDEN's strongest territories out of the Nordic countries. This is partially because IRON MAIDEN have increased the frequency of their visits to Norway, and partially because their previous album — 'A Matter of Life And Death' — made them relevant for an older generation of IRON MAIDEN fans who stopped buying their records. They are now back. But the main reason is, of course, that IRON MAIDEN still delivers albums of high quality; it's all about the music."
He added, "I talked to people at EMI's international office, and they told me three weeks in a row at No. 1 for IRON MAIDEN is unique."
Tord Krogtoft, the head music buyer at Platekompaniet, Norway's largest retail chain with more than 20 outlets across the country, explained IRON MAIDEN's success in Norway in the following way: "There are few bands in the world that are as hard-working and treat their fans as well as IRON MAIDEN. In addition to their work ethic and close relationship with their fans, IRON MAIDEN has a back catalogue that just keeps on selling. Eddie [IRON MAIDEN's mascot] has also been an important element in getting interest from new and increasingly younger fans. They also deliver a good package live, and the band appear as down to earth and solid.
"In a world where KISS suddenly took off their masks — and luckily put them back on again — and METALLICA painted their fingernails and bought contemporary art, Bruce [Dickinson, vocals] and co. wear the same jeans, have the same haircut and sport the same shoes as when they started."
The Seattle Times reporter Jonathan Zwickel conducted an interview with guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow of Canadian metal legends ANVIL at the Bumbershoot festival on Monday, September 6 in Seattle, Washington. You can now watch the chat below. Also available is performance footage from the event.
Check out photos of ANVIL's concert at this location.
ANVIL's acclaimed documentary, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil", was honored in the "Best Documentary" category at this year's Independent Spirit Awards, which was held on March 5 at LA Live's panoramic event deck in downtown Los Angeles. ANVIL also performed twice during the ceremony, which aired live and uncut on IFC (Independent Film Channel).
"Anvil! The Story of Anvil" is the directorial debut of screenwriter Sacha Gervasi ("The Terminal") and was produced by Rebecca Yeldham ("The Kite Runner" and "The Motorcycle Diaries"). The film follows Kudlow and drummer Robb Reiner and their band, ANVIL, which released one of the heaviest albums in metal history, 1982's "Metal on Metal". The album influenced an entire musical generation of rock bands, including METALLICA, SLAYER, and ANTHRAX, who all went on to sell millions of records. ANVIL, on the other hand, took a different path — straight to obscurity. The film is both entertaining and touching as it follows their last-ditch quest for the fame and fortune that has been so elusive to them. "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" is a timeless tale of survival and the unadulterated passion it takes to follow your dream, year after year.
Praised as "the best documentary I've seen in years," by documentarian Michael Moore, "Anvil! The Story of Anvil" contains appearances by an array of heavy metal icons, including METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, former member of GUNS N' ROSES, Slash, ANTHRAX's Scott Ian, and SLAYER's Tom Araya, among others.
Jeffrey Easton of Metal Exiles recently conducted an interview with former SCORPIONS drummer Herman Rarebell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal Exiles: Concerning your former label, Monaco Records, what did you learn from running a record label?
Herman: I learned that the biggest thing is that you can gain a lot of money and lose a lot of money. We came at a time when labels had a hard time selling CDs so that ruined the label. The record buying world has changed now.
Metal Exiles: On the other hand what did you gain from running a label.
Herman: You can sign artists that you love and believe in and you have 100 percent profit where as before you had to give a percentage back to the record company.
Metal Exiles: What is your current take on the music business?
Herman: I think personally that the game has changed. It is no longer the album anymore, it is the song. People really do not go to the record stores anymore because more and more people download what they want. I think the future of music is an all-digital world so it will really depend on that one song.
Metal Exiles: Let's get into "Take It As It Comes". This was already released in Europe, correct?
Herman: This was released in Germany under the title of "I'm Back" but I could not find a company in the states to distribute it. It was on Amazon as an import for $38 but I thought that was a bit much and did not expect many sales. But since I finally found an American company I changed the name of the album to "Take It As It Comes" because I love the song and it is my life's philosophy as well.
Metal Exiles: This album is a long time in the making. Why did it take so long to get another Herman Rarebell solo album?
Herman: I had so many things going on but I knew it was time for a new album because I was itching to go out and play. I found a good band and since I was producing the album I had the luxury of picking the songs that I wanted. I told the guys in my band to bring me their best songs so out of all of those I picked the best ones to record.
Metal Exiles: You said you picked the best songs to record but yet you're a great songwriter, so why did you accept submissions rather than write the album yourself?
Herman: As the producer, I just said to myself just take the best songs, nobody is going to give a shit about who wrote what when they hear the song. I made sure all of the songs were on a high level but I did write "I'm Back" and I do think on the next record maybe it will just be me writing by myself. Also when I go out on tour, I do not want to be out front singing all of the time the songs I write. I have a great singer in the form of Stefan Erz. He is the perfect frontman, a cross between Jon Bon Jovi and Steven Tyler, and he knows what he is doing and I would rather be drumming than singing.
Metal Exiles: You did something very interesting here, you recut [SCORPIONS'] "Rock You Like A Hurricane" into a different version. Why did you do such a diverse version of the classic and what do your former bandmates think of it?
Herman: To be honest, I have no idea what they think of it as nobody has said anything to me. I wanted to make something completely different, a 2010 version because there is no point in touching the original version. For me it was having a challenge to do something different with it.
On September 7, Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal of Metal Assault conducted an interview with former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske. You can now listen to the chat in three parts below.
"Silence", the first video from KISKE/SOMERVILLE — the new project featuring Kiske and American singer Amanda Somerville — can be viewed below. The song comes off KISKE/SOMERVILLE's self-titled debut album, which is scheduled for release in Europe on September 24 and in the U.S. on October 12 via Frontiers Records.
The collaboration between Kiske and Somerville was conceived as a suggestion by Frontiers Records president Serafino Perugino. "I did a duet with a female singer on 'Breathing Water' by INDIGO DYING," explains Kiske. "It was so nice that [Serafino] offered me a chance to make an album of all duet songs with a famous female singer."
"Kiske/Somerville" sees Mat Sinner (PRIMAL FEAR, SINNER) and Magnus Karlsson (STARBREAKER, PRIMAL FEAR) handling most of the songwriting (with additional contributions from Sander Gommans, formerly of AFTER FOREVER, and Somerville herself), and Sinner overseeing the production and mix at various recording studios in Europe.
Somerville is the American singer-songwriter and vocal coach who was tapped to replace EPICA vocalist Simone Simons on the band's North American tour with SYMPHONY X due to Simons' health issues.
Amanda was featured on KAMELOT's latest release, "Ghost Opera", and toured with AVANTASIA. She released her solo album, "Windows", in 2008.
A Michigan native, Amanda has resided and worked mainly in Germany and the Netherlands since 1999. She has collaborated with several other bands in the metal scene along with producers Sascha Paeth and Miro, and co-wrote the rock opera "Aina". Her own music is of the pop-rock genre.
"When Mat Sinner asked me if I wanted to be the 'other half' of the face of the album, I was very honored and quite looking forward to working more closely with Michael Kiske," Amanda said.
"We'd both been involved in various projects over the years together, such as 'Aina' and AVANTASIA, but it was always through third parties and we didn't sing together like we do here.
"It's not for nothing that Michael's a legend in the scene. He's got a very unique voice, a special delivery of his performance and is a wonderful person on top of it all.
"This has been a great experience all across the board!"
Added Kiske: "To sing together with the gifted and beautiful Amanda was another genius idea of Serafino! And it was a most pleasant experience to meet her.
"Amanda has by far the best female voice I have heard for ages. And the album is a killer."
KISKE/SOMERVILLE filmed two videos — "Silence" and "If I Had A Wish" — on March 28 and March 29 in Nuremberg, Germany. Joining Kiske and Somerville for the shoot were Sinner, Gommans, drummer Rami Ali and keyboardist Jimmy Kresic (VOODOO CIRCLE). The clips were directed by Martin Mueller of RCN TV who previously helmed U.D.O.'s "Black and White" and "Mean Streets" and GOTTHARD's "The Call" videos.
"Kiske/Somerville" final track listing (composers for each song listed in parenthesis):
01. Nothing Left To Say (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 02. Silence (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 03. If I Had A Wish (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 04. One Night Burning (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 05. Arise (Sander Gommans, Amanda Somerville) 06. End Of The Road (Mat Sinner, Jimmy Kresic) 07. Don't Walk Away (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 08. Devil In Her Heart (Mat Sinner, Jimmy Kresic) 09. Rain (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 10. A Thousand Suns (Sander Gommans, Amanda Somerville) 11. Second Chance (Mat Sinner, Magnus Karlsson) 12. Set A Fire (bonus track) (Sander Gommans, Amanda Somerville)
The bonus DVD will include the "Silence" and "If I Had A Wish" videos plus a "making-of" documentary.
"Kiske/Somerville" recording lineup:
Michael Kiske - Vocals Amanda Somerville - Vocals Mat Sinner - Bass, Backing Vocals Magnus Karlsson - Lead Guitar, Guitar, Keyboards Sander Gommans - Additional Lead Guitar Martin Schmidt - Drums Ramy Ali - Drums Jimmy Kresic - Keyboards
Greek melodic metallers FIREWIND, led by current OZZY OSBOURNE guitarist Gus G., will celebrate the release of their new album, "Days Of Defiance", with a limited number of special North American headlining shows. The trek, which kicks off on November 4 and runs through November 7, will feature POWERGLOVE and THE ABSENCE in the support slots.
Commented Gus G.: "We are very happy to announce four special album release shows in North America this fall in support of our new record, 'Days of Defiance'.
"It's been awhile since FIREWIND played North America, as our last tour was spring/summer 2008.
“This is a very special run for us, as it will be the first time we'll play the new songs live. It also might be awhile until we come back for a full North American run, so we REALLY hope to see many of you come out to these shows. We'll be sure to rock you to the ground and that's a promise!"
FIREWIND with POWERGLOVE, THE ABSENCE:
Nov. 04 - Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC Nov. 05 - Jaxx - West Springfield, VA Nov. 06 - The Gramercy - New York, NY Nov. 07 - Les Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QC, Canada
"Days Of Defiance" will be released on October 26 (one day earlier internationally) via Century Media Records. The CD's striking cover artwork was designed by the band's longtime partner in all design matters, Gustavo Sazes, and can be viewed below.
Commented Gus: "I'm very excited and cannot wait for our fans to listen to our new album! We feel we've captured great performances and took our songwriting to the next level on this one. There's tons of cool guitar on there and I believe Bob [Katsionis] has finally managed to reach warp-speed with his keyboard solos! Even more seriously, I highly recommend that you listen to this album at a very loud volume.
"As for the artwork, it was once again done by our visual wizard and webmaster extraordinaire, Gustavo Sazes. This time we asked Gustavo to come up with a great landscape scenery, with a more traditional approach and even get the 'pencil' style of artwork on there, but also combine it with more modern stuff. So, he gave us that… with a slight futuristic, sci-fi element and I think the end result is stunning!"
"Days of Defiance" track listing
01. The Ark Of Lies 02. World On Fire 03. Chariot 04. Embrace The Sun 05. The Departure 06. Heading For The Dawn 07. Broken 08. Cold As Ice 09. Kill In The Name Of Love 10. SKG 11. Losing Faith 12. The Yearning 13. When All Is Said And Done 14. Riding On The Wind (iTunes exclusive)
"Days Of Defiance" is described in a press release as "a truly ambitious and dynamic opus featuring some of the most brilliant guitar playing the genre has seen in many years."
The "World On Fire" single was made available for purchase on digital platforms starting on August 17.
Commented Gus G.: "Usually when we write an album we let the music come to us and go with the flow. Maybe that's why our albums have variety and you can hear everything from super-heavy songs to speed-metal shredding to rock anthems and ballads. 'Days Of Defiance' wasn't much different in the making, but this time we recorded almost all of it in our home studios, which allowed us to be more relaxed. That's why I feel the new album features the best performances by all of us. One of our main goals, though, was to get a bit more of an 'unpolished' sound and be more raw. I think we achieved it and that gives an extra heaviness to the overall sound."
FIREWIND's 2010 lineup (from left to right in photo below):
Michael Ehre - Drums Petros Christo - Bass Apollo Papathanasio - Vocals Gus G. - Guitar Bob Katsionis - Keyboards
"The Premonition", the latest album from FIREWIND, was released on vinyl on March 8 via Century Media Records. The band's first-ever vinyl release contains one bonus track.
FIREWIND recently parted ways with drummer Mark Cross (ex-HELLOWEEN, METALIUM) due to personal differences.
The legendary drummer for the RAMONES, Marky Ramone, will perform a special all-star concert as benefit for the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute on Friday, October 8 at the Musicians Institute Concert Hall at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. He will be joined at the event by Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH), Michale Graves (MISFITS), Jeff Duncan (ARMORED SAINT), Marko DeSantis (SUGARCULT) and Andy Hilfiger (bassologist, fashion guru). You will hear the music that defined many generations and inspired many bands.
Marky's setlist is comprised of 31 RAMONES songs such as "Sedated", "K.K.K.", "Psychotherapy", "Blitzkreig Bop", "Pinhead" and more.
"I am much honored to be chosen as an artist for the scholarship program. Music for kids is very important to have," explains Marky.
100 percent of the event proceeds will fund the newly created Marky Ramone Drum Scholarship for Musicians Institute.
Online advance sale: General-admission seats (festival seating) are $30, VIP seating is $45 (guaranteed first 3 rows), $99 VIP Backstage (first three rows seating guaranteed; Backstage Pass; after-show meet-and-greet; special Marky Ramone gift bag).
Go to Ticketweb.com to buy tickets.
Walk-up (day of show): General-admission seats (festival seating) are $35, VIP seating is $50 (guaranteed first 3 rows), VIP Backstage not available.
Musicians Institute Concert Hall 1655 N. McCadden Place Hollywood, CA 90028
Marky Ramone is a member of the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, and is best known for the 15 years he spent drumming for the RAMONES. RAMONES formed in 1974, and are often cited as the first punk-rock group. Marky is the only living member of the longest running RAMONES lineup, which featured Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, and Marky. He has performed over 1,700 shows and has appeared on more than 15 album releases during his tenure (starting in 1978) as a member of the RAMONES.
Guitarist Lord Ahriman of Swedish black metallers DARK FUNERAL has issued the following update:
"Recently, you could read about Nils 'Dominator' Fjellström's departure from AEON due to personal/private reasons. Today we can confirm that he'll no longer be part of DARK FUNERAL either. And just like AEON, we won't comment on this subject any further.
"With that being said, I/we see no reason to waste any time here. Besides a new vocalist, we are currently looking for a new drummer, too.
"If you do believe that you have what it takes for the job, please send us a brief introduction and some audio/video files/links of your performance to: vocalist@darkfuneral.se.
"With the recent departures from the band I/we understand if this may cause some worries and/or confusion amongst you all, but you can be rest assured that everything is under total control! It's not like anyone have left the band on bad terms, but unfortunately, sometimes things like this is inventible, and needs to happen to secure the survival of a band. And there is absolutely no doubt in my/our mind that once the new lineup is complete. We will be a stronger and better band than ever.
"Musically, we will continue in the same paths. I'm still main responsible for all the songwritings, including the drums. So you have nothing to worry about there. However, a new lineup will naturally color the sound in some ways, but I'm totally confident that it will only be for the better.
"I've recently started writing and demoing new stuff in my home studio. And just like I (and Chaq Mol) did when I/we worked on the pre-production for 'Angelus Exuro pro Eternus', I'm not only nailing down the guitar parts, I'm also programming the drums. So far it sounds totally fucking killer (of course!). However, at this point it's obviously still too early to say in what direction we'll be heading with the new material/album. We'll keep everything wide open until the new lineup is complete. And once complete, we'll continue to work on the new album as a full band. And this time I hope that everyone will be able to contribute with some killer material to make this to the best and strongest DARK FUNERAL album to date!"
Bassist B-Force recently left DARK FUNERAL. The band has already found "a new and totally amazing bassist; a bassist who lives and breathes DARK FUNERAL in its purest form," according to Lord Ahriman. "We will, however, wait until everything is settled before we present him to all of you, so please be patient."
DARK FUNERAL played its final show with vocalist Magnus "Masse" Broberg (a.k.a. Emperor Magus Caligula) on August 21, 2010 at the Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. "Since this was a very special performance in many ways, we not only put on our biggest pyro show ever, we also captured this gig with 10 cameras (including one crane)," said Lord Ahriman. "So you can be sure to expect a DVD release from this killer show in the near future."
Broberg announced his departure from DARK FUNERAL in July, explaining that "my life has taken a new turn lately, and I am also getting married this year, whereof my priorities in life lie somewhere else." Guitarist and founding member Lord Ahriman added, "I understand when people change course and get new priorities in life. And I fully respect that. Life moves on, after all, and so will DARK FUNERAL.
"Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus", the latest album from DARK FUNERAL, was released in North America on January 26, 2010 via Regain Records. The CD, which was made available in most European countries between November 18, 2009 and November 27, 2009, was recorded at Abyss Studio in Grangärde, Sweden with famed engineer and legendary producer Peter Tägtgren (PAIN, HYPOCRISY). Nine songs are featured on the effort, which is being described in a press release as "the band's most technical and varied album to date. And while still being true to their roots, they have taken a great step forward in the evolution of their brand of fine Swedish black metal. 'Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus' is, from the very beginning to the end, a hell ride you simply don't want to miss!"
The "Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus" cover artwork was created by Morbid (Daniel Valeriani).
"Angelus Exuro Pro Eternus" was released in a couple of different formats, including a two-disc limited edition containing one CD and one live DVD. The bonus live DVD features approximately 55 minutes of previously unreleased material professionally filmed with six cameras during the band's 15th anniversary show at the Peace & Love festival on June 28, 2008 in Borlänge, Sweden. The album also includes two versions (soft and hardcore) of the band's brand new video, "My Funeral".
Fan-filmed video footage of DARK FUNERAL's final performance with Emperor Magus Caligula) can be viewed below.
Video footage of the short speech METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield gave at a special event to celebrate the life of Debbie Abono — a well-respected and much-loved manager and promotional machine behind some of San Francisco Bay Area's strongest metal bands (POSSESSED, FORBIDDEN, EXODUS, VIO-LENCE, SKINLAB) — can be viewed below. The event, which took place on August 29 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort in Concord, California, was also attended by musicians from MACHINE HEAD, DEATH ANGEL, FORBIDDEN, SKINLAB and D.R.I., as well as former members of EXODUS, OVERKILL, S.O.D., POSSESSED, SACRILEGE B.C. and STEREOMUD.
James said, "Debbie was, to me, the mom that wasn't around for me. [Hetfield's mother died in 1979 when he was 16 years old. — Ed.] She was the place we could kind of go to if we needed to talk about problems, if we needed a safe place to party, if we needed inspiration, hope...
"She did so much that I didn't even know about to help the music scene, especially the metal scene in the Bay Area, the Bay Area thrash scene — to put it on the map, to invest her time, her patience, and her money. And Debbie put her heart in it and she was able to give a lot of inspiration to people that didn't think they could make it — knew they wanted to, but didn't know how to do it. She'd be on the road with bands and living the road life, and she was an older lady... and man, she was tough.
"So a lot of inspiration came from her, and I know me and my band owe her a lot of respect and gratitude.
"We're grateful to have her in our lives and what she's done to help the music scene in the Bay Area.
"Thank you, Debbie. You'll live on in me and everyone here."
Abono passed away on May 16 after a battle with cancer. She was 80 years old.
After learning that Debbie was gravely ill, Hetfield dedicated the hit song "Nothing Else Matters" to Abono during a METALLICA performance in Belfast, Ireland.
According to an obituary that was published in the May 30 edition of the Contra Costa Times, "Debbie was in her mid-fifties when she plunged into the Bay Area's heavy metal/thrash metal music scene. She quickly [started working with] some of the Bay Area's strongest metal bands as well as Chicago's BROKEN HOPE, Florida's OBITUARY and CYNIC, Ohio's SPUDMONSTERS, and from Texas SKREW. Many of these members who have gone onto further success with their careers with Debbie's constant guidance. She is known around the world not only for the work she has done for countless musicians, band crew members and their families, but more so for her heart and generosity and her ability to uplift, motivate and empower all those around her to always be honest and to be their best."
Debbie's love for music from Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin through METALLICA and MACHINE HEAD inspired her to set up a music scholarship through Mechanics Bank.
Donations can be made through the web site www.ebcf.kintera.org and via check payable to "East Bay Community Foundation" and should be accompanied by a note designating that the gift is for the Debbie Abono Memorial Fund for Music. Contributions should be mailed to The East Bay Community Foundation, Attn: Giles Miller, 200 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612.
Check out photos from the Debbie Abono life-celebration event at this location.
Bassist Robbie Crane (pictured below; RATT, ex-VINCE NEIL, ADLER'S APPETITE) will join the touring lineup of LYNCH MOB for the band's upcoming European tour.
The dates are as follows:
Oct. 30 - Nottingham, England - Firefest Nov. 02 - Sofija, Bulgaria - Rockbar Fans Nov. 03 - Budapest, Hungary - A38 Ship Nov. 06 - Weert, Netherlands - De Bosuil Nov. 07 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Heiniken Nov. 09 - Barcelona, Spain - Sala Apollo 2 Nov. 10 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - Atelier Nov. 11 - Vienna, Austria - Szene Nov. 12 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Rockfabrick Nov. 14 - Modena, Italy - Matrioska Club Nov. 17 - Paris, France - Le Divan Du Monde Nov. 18 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers S Nov. 19 - Västerås, Sweden - Sigurdsgatan 25 Nov. 20 - Oslo, Norway - Smuget
LYNCH MOB's current lineup is rounded out by George Lynch (guitar), Oni Logan (vocals) and Brian Tichy (drums; FOREIGNER, OZZY OSBOURNE, VELVET REVOLVER, WHITESNAKE).
Audio samples of all 13 songs that appear on LYNCH MOB's comeback album, "Smoke And Mirrors", are available for download at HeavyHarmonies.com (scroll down). The CD was released in Europe on September 18, 2009 (October 13, 2009 in the U.S.) via Frontiers Records.
LYNCH MOB's recording lineup on "Smoke And Mirrors" included Logan and Lynch alongside bassist Marco Mendoza (WHITESNAKE, THIN LIZZY) and drummer Scot Coogan (BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION, ACE FREHLEY).
Guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn of San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD has posted the following message on the band's official web site:
"Today, [Tuesday] September 7th, between the hours of 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. [PST] while I was picking my son up from school, my house [which is located in the Martinez/Virginia Hills area of California] was broken into and many priceless items were stolen. Items include my wife's jewelry, laptops, wakeboards, cash, and most importantly four of my guitars, including the guitar that I recorded [MACHINE HEAD's] first album, 'Burn My Eyes', with. Also stolen was a guitar that is priceless to me that was a gift from [late PANTERA guitarist] Dimebag Darrell [see pictures below]. The cocksuckers even stole my son Zander's mini Flying V I got him for Christmas.
"I am offering a $1,000 reward for the return of the black Ibanez Strat along with many stickers, a 'Designated Drinker' sticker. Additionally I am also offering a $2,000 reward for the safe return of the blue Washburn Dimebolt prototype.
"An APB has been put out to every Guitar Center in Northern California and the police were able to get several fingerprints off of the two acoustics that the thieves handled, yet bizarrely left behind. Sightings of two suspicious vehicles have been reported, one a green/teal U.S.-make pickup truck, the other a white pull-side work van.
"If anyone sees or hears of anything on Craigslist, eBay, at their guitar shop... anything, anywhere! Please contact us at mike@machinehead1.com immediately."
Pictured below is the guitar Robb Flynn received as a gift from late PANTERA guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (which was one of the items stolen from Flynn's home earlier today).
Pictured below is Flynn black Ibanez Strat which was used during the recording sessions for "Burn My Eyes".
Dallas, Texas-based death metal band THE FAMINE has completed work on its new album, "The Architects Of Guilt", with producer D. Braxton Henry (ex-DEVOURMENT). Mixing duties were handled by Jason Suecof (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, TRIVIUM, DEVILDRIVER). A fall release via Solid State Records is expected.
THE FAMINE in January announced the departure of lead singer and co-founder Chris "Kris" McCaddon. Nick Nowell, who had been handling bass duties for THE FAMINE since 2008, has since taken over as the band's new vocalist. The group also recruited a new bassist, Jon Richardson (SABOTEUR, THE MONARCH).
THE FAMINE previously stated that its upcoming CD will be "heavier than [THE FAMINE's 2008 full-length debut] 'The Raven And The Reaping' in every way and will build on the intensity that 'The Raven And The Reaping' established. Lyrically, this record will almost be an anarchic indictment of what we have become as a world, country, and individuals and the path that got us here. We touched on this on the last record as well."
Released in May 2008 via Solid State Records, "The Raven and the Reaping" was recorded with Andreas Magnusson (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, AGONY SCENE) and was described as "an album of urgent metal with plenty of chunky riffs; the music is at once blustery yet totally memorable."
SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell will be interviewed on the "In The Studio" show during the week of September 27. He will talk to the Dallas, Texas-based rock and roll disc jockey Redbeard about SOUNDGARDEN's first collection of music since 1996, "Telephantasm", which is scheduled for release on September 28 in the U.S. and September 27 internationally.
"In The Studio" is a weekly hour-long interview-with-music "rockumentary" which looks at the making of many of the greatest albums recorded in rock and roll history, although sometimes it spotlights the history of rock and roll bands. Redbeard interviews the musicians who created these classic albums.
According to Billboard.com, SOUNDGARDEN's newly released track "Black Rain", which is taken from the "Badmotorfinger" recording sessions, recently stormed in at No. 24 on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart — the band's first appearance on the list since 1997.
SOUNDGARDEN will partner with innovative gaming publisher Activision to release the album on September 28 via A&M/UMe inside one million copies of the new videogame Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. This release marks the first time a music album will be simultaneously released and bundled with a video game launch. Additionally, fans will get full access to the band's new album as downloadable content for Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock. The 12-song disc will then be available on October 5 at all music retail outlets and on the band's web site.
On September 28, A&M/UMe will release three expanded versions of "Telephantasm" which will include a double-disc with 12 additional tracks, five of which are previously unreleased, and SOUNDGARDEN's first-ever DVD, featuring 20 videos, 13 of which have never been released, a deluxe three-LP vinyl edition and an individually numbered super deluxe collector's edition. The super deluxe collector's edition will be available for a limited time and will include two CDs, the limited-edition DVD, three heavy vinyl discs, a collectible poster, lithos, and much more. These three expanded versions will be available at all music retail outlets and on the band's web site.
Polish radio show "Invasion Of The Pigs" recently conducted an interview with Canadian bastardized grinders FUCK THE FACTS. You can now listen to the chat using the Soundcloud player below.
FUCK THE FACTS' "Wake" video was created by the Copenhagen, Denmark-based director Michael Panduro (Siegfried Productions), who has previously worked with PSYOPUS and Denmark's indie pop band NO AND THE MAYBES. The song comes off the band's self-released "Unnamed" seven-inch EP.
FUCK THE FACTS released its first-ever DVD in May. "Disgorge Mexico: The DVD" features the entire set from the "Disgorge Mexico" CD-release show where the band played the album from start to finish for the first and only time. The whole show was filmed with multiple cameras and then edited by Phil Pattison of Nictophobia Films. The DVD also includes "Disgorge, Mexico: The Movie", a film by David Hall of Handshake Inc. (TODAY IS THE DAY, JUCIFER, SIGH, HAIL OF BULLETS). Hall describes it as "a substance abuse art house riff on the destructive and volatile nature of love."
"Disgorge, Mexico: The Movie" is a violent, hallucinatory depiction of one woman's strange journey, set to the soundtrack of FUCK THE FACTS' "Disgorge Mexico".
"Disgorge Mexico: The DVD" is limited to 500 copies (first 100 copies come with a bonus disc) and like the band's recently released "Unnamed" seven-inch EP, is an exclusively independent release only available through the FUCK THE FACTSwebstore.
Brendan Crabb of Utopia.com.au recently conducted an interview with vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway of British grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH. An excerpt from the chat follows below.
Utopia.com.au: The latest album seems to have really continued the momentum the band has building again for several records now. What motivates NAPALM DEATH to keep crafting such abrasive, pissed off music after all this time?
Barney: You know, a big thing is made of being pissed off at times. But, for me, it's like I don't need to over-analyze it. Because whether it is correct, whether it's accurate to call it being pissed off, I don't know. It's just a natural feeling; sometimes it's kind of stigmatized to be pissed off and, like, shout about stuff that's… People look at you as some kind of madman, like jumping up and down and just raising your voice. But it's not about that — it's about actually being willing and able to cut through bullshit and see beneath the way that we've been conditioned to accept certain things, just blindly accept them. I think even people that do try and have a bit more insight can sometimes be caught up in that trap as well. None of us are particularly immune to it. So I don't think it's being pissed off, it's just being having your eyes fully opened. I think that comes through on the NAPALM albums. I mean, yes, they are really angry-sounding stuff, but I think we take the time to also make sure that's there… giving it a bit of flavor as well. I suppose I am over- analyzing it now, but it's really a natural thing for me, it's not something that I necessarily have to step back and go, "Fuck me, I'm really pissed off," you know? (laughs) It's just a natural state of affairs for me. As we get older, as I get older, people say you kind of get a bit more, you sort of mellow out a bit. (But) it's not the way for me.
Utopia.com.au: How does it feel to hear bands who are half your age without that same fury as yours, or perhaps who are faking it by attempting to channel NAPALM DEATH and not really pulling it off?
Barney: Yeah, well, mate, I don't like to sit on a pedestal and look down at other bands and say, you know, "I'm the authority and this is fake and this isn't." I don't think it's for me to say that. I just think that people should know themselves… I wouldn't be so arrogant as to place my own judgment on so-called younger bands or whatever, for one. And for two, I've never tied age to anything. I really can't stand it when bands get criticized just because they've been around for a certain time, the members might be of a certain age. I think that goes for whoever you'd care to consider. It all depends on your perspective and taste is relative, of course, but I've heard some pretty awful bands, in my opinion, but that have either just started out or who have been around for 20 years or 30 years, it's all relative. I'm not going to judge people. I mean, of course my tastes are my tastes and that's the same way as anybody else's tastes. I would hate to sort of sit and point the finger at other bands down below, I think that would be really fucking arrogant, actually. (laughs).
Utopia.com.au: Is politics and spreading the word in that respect still one of the major driving forces and motivations for the band?
Barney: (Pauses) I mean, people say politics, but really I mean, what is politics at the end of the day? If you take the mainstream definition of it, it's really kind of meaningless in a lot of ways because it just hinges around this kind of mainstream sort of system that's been developed over however many years. To be honest, to most of us, it don't mean shit. In NAPALM, the politics are more about just levels of humanity. I think as human beings we've lost the drive to achieve and strive for human rights. I mean, we're quite readily ticking off our rights to higher powers and governments and other people. We're very willing to do that and I just think, "What the fuck are people doing?" It's just crazy to me. I do find it strange that people argue sometimes about why we should sacrifice rights. We should never sacrifice our rights, you know? Especially in deference to another human being. That's crap (laughs); it really is on the most basic, fundamental level. So yeah, that's the core principle of NAPALM more than anything and we're trying to somehow alert people to the exploitation of people. That's the point, so politics really is a real misnomer.
Utopia.com.au: How do you look back on 20 years of putting that message across, given the worldwide political climate of recent times?
Barney: Well, I think again that everything's relative and different situations and circumstances have come along. Connecting it to the last question you asked me, I myself have definitely contradicted myself throughout the years. I may have given you a different answer if you'd asked me ten years ago and that's just because over time I sort of refined a certain perspective within myself. And also the actual world circumstances change and situations change, so whether things have got worse or better I don't think is how people should be looking at things, I think you have to say, "Well, which things are affecting people at this time?" Obviously there are hundreds of thousands of different situations, millions even. So I think the reason why can't be answered in a single paragraph of an interview. There are many, many things out there that are affecting people and the world today and the way to deal with them is not easy. But I think we can start by, again, actually understanding what it is to be a human being and to not have our natural rights taken away from us.
BLABBERMOUTH.NET is run and operated independently of Roadrunner Records. The accuracy of the information
contained herein is neither confirmed nor guaranteed by Roadrunner Records, and the views and opinions of
authors expressed on these pages do not necessarily state or reflect those of Roadrunner Records or its employees.
.jpg)
.jpg)
