Orange County, California's hardcore/metal act THROWDOWN were the featured guests on the November 13-15 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. The interview is now available for streaming using the audio player below.
"Deathless", the new album from THROWDOWN, sold 2,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD came out in the U.S. on November 10 through E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records). The CD, which will be made available in Europe on January 22, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records, was produced by Mudrock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, GODSMACK, POWERMAN 5000) and was mixed by Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with HATEBREED, THE RED CHORD and SHADOWS FALL, among others. The artwork was created by Ryan Clark of Invisible Creature and DEMON HUNTER and can be viewed below.
THROWDOWN will embark on "The Deathless Tour I" in November/December. Support on the trek will come from BURY YOUR DEAD, FOR TODAY, ABACABB and THE WORLD WE KNEW.
"Deathless" is the band's fourth album with Dave Peters as frontman and primary songwriter, its second with guitarist Mark Choiniere (who joined the band in 2005) and first with bassist Mark Mitchell. Drummer Jarrod Alexander (ex-DEATH BY STEREO), who performed on the band's breakthrough "Haymaker" album in 2003, returned to work on "Deathless".
GURD, the Swiss band that formed out of the ashes of the power-thrash metal legends POLTERGEIST, will play its final show with drummer Mauro "Tschibu" Casciero on December 12 at the Biomill club in Laufen, Switzerland. It also will mark the group's first appearance with Tschibu's replacement, Steve Karrer (PULVER, ex-MESSIAH, AKA PROFOUND, MIRTO MASSAKER). The band says, "During the concert, the drum sticks will be passed to our new drummer. The change will be performed live!
One day earlier, GURD will be in Thun, Switzerland at The Rock where Tschibu will play his last complete GURD show.
Tschibu previously stated about his departure from GURD, "This decision has only personal reasons. There are neither conflicts with the band nor the infamous musical differences."
He added, "The main reason is that I will finally be father for the first time around end of this year. After more than ten years, time has come to cut down a little bit and redefine my priorities."
He continued, "In 1999, I joined GURD as part of the 'Bern package'. I did hundreds of shows, two European tours together with PRO-PAIN, recorded five albums (including a live DVD) and had a lot of rock 'n' roll with my GURD buddies. This decision was not easy. But I am convinced that this is the right way for me and my family."
GURD's latest album, "Your Drug Of Choice", was released in January via LC Records. The CD features guest appearances by Schmier (DESTRUCTION), Freddy Rotter (ZATOKREV), Mark Elliott (THE FORCE) and Tommy B (UNDERGOD).
For more information, visit the band's MySpace page.
An Electronic Press Kit (EPK) for "Distilled", the fourth full-length and first independent album from the Syracuse, New York-based hard rock band BRAND NEW SIN, can be viewed below. The CD's first single with Kris Wiechmann (guitarist, principal songwriter and lyricist) on lead vocals, entitled "Summertime", was recorded at Subcat Music Studios in Skaneateles, New York.
BRAND NEW SIN recently parted ways with singer Joe Sweet. According to the group, Sweet left BRAND NEW SIN earlier in the year in order to focus on his family and his many personal endeavors. "As the co-organizer of the Utica Music and Arts Fest and the proud father-to-be (for the second time in June), Joe decided that the best move is to back out before recording vocal tracks for BRAND NEW SIN's fourth full-length album," the band said in a statement.
After 10-plus years of sharing the stage with bassist Chuck Kahl and guitarist Kris Wiechmann (in both GODBELOW and BRAND NEW SIN), guitarist Kenny Dunham also left BRAND NEW SIN to pursue other interests.
BRAND NEW SIN recently announced the addition of guitarist Ed Carpenter (TITANIUM BLACK) to the group's ranks.
The band's acclaimed album "Tequila" was released in 2006 via Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Method of Groove studios in Brooklyn with producer Joey Z (LIFE OF AGONY, STEREOMUD). The disc, mastered by the acclaimed George Marino (METALLICA, AC/DC, GUNS N' ROSES) at Sterling Sound, featured a guest vocal appearance by Peter Steele (TYPE O NEGATIVE) on the track "Reaper Man".
Steven Rosen of Ultimate-Guitar.com recently conducted an interview with MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: In a recent conversation I had with [MEGADETH bassist] James Lomenzo, he described you as a "perfectionist." He said that all the guys he'd worked with — Zakk Wylde, Slash, and David Lee Roth — all had that quality. Would you agree with that assessment?
Dave Mustaine: A perfectionist? I'm a Virgo so I think people make generalized statements about Virgos. And although I really don't like hearing a generalized statement or even ascribing to them because it usually comes out as superstition when you hear stuff like that. So, you know what? I am a Virgo and I am a perfectionist. But there are other situations that must be taken under consideration when you become the person that's the leader. Whether it's a bandleader or a group leader or a Cub Scout leader. If you're a person who's in a position of authority then you have to take on some other chores. Like understanding the human psyche and dealing with people. Especially if they're temperamental and they've got a gift but they don't know how to get to it. Over the years it's been a challenge being a person who was just a guitar player and having to talk in-between songs. In METALLICA, that was James' [Hetfield] job and it was frustrating for me in MEGADETH not being able to find a frontman because I wasn't a singer. My whole experience as a singer was being a background singer in METALLICA and singing in Sunday school.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: "The System Has Failed" was actually recorded as a Dave Mustaine solo album. Is there a difference between a Dave Mustaine solo album and a MEGADETH record?
Dave Mustaine: I think probably the best way to answer that is to say I like "Risk"; I think "Risk" is a great record. People don't like it because it says MEGADETH on it. Now if it said Dave Mustaine on it, that record would have probably done really well. But I think because it came out as a MEGADETH record that a lot of the fans wanted something more aggressive. Now that record was supposed to have been done a lot quicker and was supposed to have had a lot heavier stuff on it. But at the time I was trying to keep tranquility in the band with Marty Friedman as much as possible so I really, really turned myself inside out to accommodate this guy. After "Risk" was over, I went up to Marty and told him I'd heard people had the record and threw it out the window on their way home from the store and stuff. And there were a lot of people who liked it because it was different. So that probably is what a Dave Mustaine solo record would sound like. If it didn't sound like MEGADETH, it would probably sound like a cross between "Risk" and "Endgame".
Ultimate-Guitar.com: As the person who is writing the lyrics and the music, you're intimately involved in every aspect of a song. On "Head Crusher", for example, because you're so aware of what is being sung about and because you've essentially written the riffs, are you trying to match up the solo to the emotional content here? Trying to create a solo that bends and turns and twists to accommodate the lyric?
Dave Mustaine: Yeah. That's something I'm grateful to Marty Friedman for; he really helped me in the beginning. See, a lot of people who don't want to be Dave supporters have found all kinds of things that I've said and take exception like, "I will take the solos in the band." And what happens is we go in the studio and it would be, "Your way, our way, and my way." For example, with Chris [Broderick], when we did this record, there were only two things I said the entire record. There was a dive bomb at the end of "44 Minutes" and Chris had grabbed the bar and let go of it and then the string vibrated so it was like nnnuuuuu [mimics a whammy bar descending] and then that vibrating thing. But I don't like that because it reminds me of NIGHT RANGER. So he tried a different approach.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: You would provide input about the solos from the other guitar players?
Dave Mustaine: With the solos with the other guys and they would get to a part where they were playin' something and if I listened to it and it wasn't really clicking? I would say, "Well, why don't you try something like this right here?" And if it wasn't clicking at all, I'd say, "Listen, I want you to do this." And I would sing a solo and stuff. It's real easy for me to go dudududu dudududu diddledidddle diddle didddle duh [sings a mock guitar solo] like I was scatting like George Benson. I've done that with a lot of the guys. The only person I haven't done that with is Chris. I used to say to Marty, "In order for the solos to take on color and really be able to identify with the anxiety of the song, read the lyrics." There was very rarely a song without lyrics when we started the guitar work on it. It would be, "Here's your solo section, read the lyrics, and your solo goes here."
Ultimate-Guitar.com: You not only had a positive experience with the "Endgame" record but it sounds like you've arrived at a point where you don't have to hide behind the curtain. That you're willing to man up about the music you make and deal with how people are going to react to it.
Dave Mustaine: The thing is I've grown up a lot and there's gonna be people out there who are going to talk shit about me no matter what I do. Whether it's good, bad, or indifferent and that's OK; they have that right. I have the same right to say what I want on my records as they have to say what they want. The bummer is sometimes people say stuff and it's not cool. It's nothing about me as a musician; they make a personal statement about me and they don't know me as a person. I've accomplished a lot of stuff. When I first started in the band I was in before METALLICA, metal was just starting to hit the United States in the form of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. My work with what I did with METALLICA; what I did with my friends in ANTHRAX; what I did with SLAYER and Kerry King; that was a really big connection. Like the seven degrees of Kevin Bacon. Think about that: The four of us, the big four, one thing that is a common thread with all of us is that we love this music. Ultimate-Guitar.com: With all of that being said, there does seem to be ongoing feuds with you and the guys from SLAYER, METALLICA, and even the former members of your own band.
Dave Mustaine: I was involved with everyone of these guys and hanging out with these guys and having friendships with them and stuff. And still do it. Although I don't really talk with the guys from my last band, I still respect them. And I said so when they [METALLICA was inducted in 2009] went into the Hall of Fame; I thought it was cool for them. My relationship with ANTHRAX is great. So much so that I even have a relationship with some of their ex-members. Danny Spitz is one of my best friends and although Joey [Belladonna] is a little hard to understand, we're still friends.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: You've actually been touring with SLAYER on the "Canadian Carnage" dates.
Dave Mustaine: Yeah, we've just renewed our working relationship and hopefully it will continue to lay down some foundation for us to re-establish our friendship. And I think something great happened out there. By the way, I wanted to send my best wishes to Tom [Araya] on his surgery. The readers should send their best wishes and prayers if they don't think they're gonna burst into flames praying for Tom. We had 19 years ago an incident that happened and it caused some hurt feelings between the bands and we were not close after that for a long time. But that's behind us. And not only is it behind us but it's gotten to the point right now where Dave [Lombardo] and Kerry were in my dressing room and we were hanging out and it was great. I took Kerry outside and said, "Can I just ask you what is it that pissed you off so bad?" because I didn't even remember. He was ready to tell me and some guy walks up and goes, "Dude, 'Endgame' is so great." And I didn't want to seem disrespectful and say, "Yeah, I know" so I said, "Yeah, thanks, I appreciate that." And another guy came up and I said, "Kerry, let's just go back inside" so we went back in and that was the end of the conversation.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Did Kerry ever tell you what went down?
Dave Mustaine: No, we went back inside and were just holding court with everybody. But I look at it like this: When I went over to talk with them before at the beginning of the tour, I think those guys were a little reluctant because of my past. But I had a profound psychic change in my life. I recently saw the statement that SLAYER had made and just the fact that they said something kind about us was like, "Wow, it's workin'; we're becoming friends again." And I heard from my manager that Kerry wanted to call me and I thought, "This is so awesome." Granted, I'm a Christian and they may not be but I am trying to live my life differently. And I'm the one who said the thing that caused the harm and I've apologized. So maybe some day these guys will trust me again and I feel like right now we're being able to become friends again. I think about, "Do I want to spend another 19 years like this?"
Arlington, Massachusetts-based instrumental "video game metal" outfit POWERGLOVE — whose music is based off one video game or a series of video games — has scheduled the following "off-night " headline dates during its upcoming tours with HAMMERFALL and SONATA ARCTICA:
Mar. 14 - Detroit, MI - Blondie's Mar. 17 - Eau Claire, WI - House of Rock Mar. 20 - Regina, SK - The Exchange Mar. 28 - Anaheim, CA - Chain Reaction Apr. 08 - London, ON - Music Hall Apr. 21 - Orangevale, CA - The Boardwalk
Tickets are now on sale exclusively at EnterTheVault.com until December 12 at which point they will be made available through all normal ticketing outlets.
POWERGLOVE is named for the Power Glove, a NES controller accessory. To date, they have released one album, "Metal Kombat for the Mortal Man", and one EP, "Total Pwnage", both of which are on the iTunes Store. POWERGLOVE has also performed at various video game shows. The band is not signed to any record label, and does not record in a professional studio. Instead, they record their music in various locations and mix them in a home studio.
In 2005, the first edition of "To The Left Of Christmas" local music compilation CD was released. It was started by SoundVision Recording Studio owner and producer Michael Beck as a way to promote some of the valleys local music. "I noticed, while acting as local music director for a valley rock radio station, that every Christmas, rock stations would be in desperate need for rock-oriented Christmas music. I thought it would be a good chance to get some local bands airplay and help valley radio stations fill that need," says Beck. It featured well known local bands doing their version of classic Christmas songs.
"We have had some great tracks over the last couple years, everything from a reggae version of 'Frosty the Snowman' to a metal version of 'Carol of the Bells'," he adds.
After the 2005 CD, the people at Cooperstown (Alice Cooper's restaurant) asked Michael Beck and SoundVision Recording Studios to combine their efforts with Alice Cooper's yearly holiday "Christmas Pudding" concert, as well as the "Proof is in the Pudding" band competition that ends with one local band taking the stage with Alice Cooper and some of his friends at the Dodge Theater. That show is taking place this year on December 18.
"The decision to work together," says Beck, "was a simple one. I am very proud to say that it has been a great experience to produce the compilation CD for Alice Cooper's 'A Taste Of Christmas Pudding'. Besides, like I'm going to say no to Alice." Beck goes on to say, "This year's CD promises to be the best yet. The talent here in the valley is really unbelievable and working with a charity that is helping kids relate to music activities in a positive way is so great."
The proceeds from the CD will go to Alice's charity, which is called Solid Rock. They are building a much-needed music-oriented teen center for the Phoenix area youth. The youth center called The Rock will include a coffee house, music venue, and many other music-related activities.
"A Taste Of Christmas Pudding" CD track listing:
01. RUNAWAY PHOENIX - "Ride On Down" 02. NO LONGER TOGETHER - "Silver Bells" 03. THE DORSETS - "Back Door Santa" 04. PREHISTORIC STEAMROLLER - "Keep The Spirit Alive" 05. SECONDARY TRUTH - "Little Drummer Boy" 06. THE SKACAS - "The Christmas Song" 07. RAY MILL - "What Child Is This" 08. LUSTMORD - "Carol Of The Bells" 09. FLYING STANDBY - "Christmas In The Desert" 10. LISA SAVIDGE - "Coming Home"
Guitarist Richard Z. Kruspe of German industrial metallers RAMMSTEIN was one of the featured guests on the November 13-15 edition of Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show. The interview is now available for streaming using the audio player below.
To see a full list of stations carrying the show and when it airs, go to FullMetalJackieRadio.com.
"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da", the new album from RAMMSTEIN, sold 22,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 13 on The Billboard 200 chart. Previously, the group's best rank came with its 1998 chart debut, "Sehnsucht", which peaked at No. 45 off the strength of its only U.S. radio chart hit, "Du Hast". Although the band just had its highest chart debut, "Reise, Reise" sold over 26,000 copies in the U.S. its opening week of sales.
Worldwide chart positions reaffirm RAMMSTEIN's status as one of the most internationally popular rock bands with seven #1 sales chart positions including their native Germany as well as platinum and gold certifications already awarded for numerous European countries.
"Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" arrived in stores on October 20 through a marketing and distribution deal with Vagrant Records and Universal Music Germany. The album was produced by Jacob Hellner and RAMMSTEIN, with recording done at Northern California's Sonoma Mountain Studio. The first single from the 11-track release is "Pussy", which was released as a digital single on September 22 and accompanied by one of the year's most viral videos.
RAMMSTEIN is:
Till Lindemann - Vocals Paul Landers - Guitar Richard Z. Kruspe - Guitar Oliver Riedel - Bass Christoph Schneider - Drums Flake Lorenz - Keyboards
HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with guitarist Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka of Polish extreme metallers DECAPITATED when he played in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on November 8, 2009 as the new axeman for VADER. Watch the chat below.
Vogg has announced DECAPITATED's brand new lineup, which will hit the road starting in February 2010. It is as follows:
DECAPITATED drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka died on November 2, 2007 in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a road collision. DECAPITATED singer Covan (real name: Adrian Kowanek) was also hurt in the accident, which involved the band's tour bus and a truck carrying wood in Gomel, on the Russia/Belarus border.
The new DECAPITATED lineup will embark on a co-headlining U.K. tour in February with Nuclear Blast labelmates KATAKLYSM.
Commented Vogg: "As you all know, two years after the tragedies we had to suffer, I decided to continue the band. There's no sense in stopping this amazing thing we built up so many years ago together with Witek, Sauron, Martin and Covan.
"We chose to do our first tour in the U.K. because we have only good memories from this place and we are sure that you guys will support us… we need you!!
"I am very pleased to announce the new killer lineup ofDECAPITATED: Kerim 'Krimh' Lechner on drums — he's a new blood, very talented and used to play in bands like THORNS OF IVY and TONE INTIMACY; amazing Rafal Piotrowski comes from bands like KETHA and FORGOTTEN SOULS and will take over vocal duties; where masterous Filip 'Heinrich' Halucha from VESENIA, ROOTWATER, UNSUN and MASACHIST will be destroying the bass!
"See you all soon! We honestly can't wait!"
Metal Mind Productions released the first-ever DVD from DECAPITATED, entitled "Human's Dust", in June 2008. The DVD was made available in two versions: as a standard DVD and as a very unique star metalpack DVD edition limited to 3,000 copies. The main feature of the DVD consists of the band's October 2002 gig in Krakow, which was a part of their European tour with VADER and KRISIUN. Bonus material includes two live performances recorded during Ozzfest in Poland (May 2002) and Metalmania festival (March 2004), the "Winds of Creation" video clip, plus three interviews recorded at various locations: Kraków in 2002 (Vitek and Vogg); Ozzfest in Katowice, 2002 (Vogg and Sauron); Metalmania in Katowice, 2004 (Sauron and Martin). Also included are a photo gallery, biography, discography, desktop images, weblinks.
The all-star band HAIL! — comprised of bassist David Ellefson (MEGADETH, F5), guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Tim "Ripper" Owens (JUDAS PRIEST, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, ICED EARTH) and newly announced sticksman Paul Bostaph (TESTAMENT, SLAYER, EXODUS) — claims to have been "the first metal band" to ever have played live in Lebanon (although such acts as APOCALYPTICA, LAKE OF TEARS and THEATRE OF TRAGEDY have all reportedly held shows in the country before). On November 20, HAIL! performed at Hektic Hall in the capital city of Beirut.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be viewed below.
Commented Ellefson: "This truly is a monumental occasion — to do something for the first time ever is a rare and special opportunity. I can't believe that it was 25 years ago, but remember how astounding it was when IRON MAIDEN went behind the Iron Curtain and played in the Eastern Bloc? I relate it to that and I am thrilled to be a part of something that has this kind of historic significance."
Ellefson continued: "We're just a fun-loving metal band; we have no agenda. We all come from very different backgrounds and no matter where we are playing, everybody in the building shares the same music. Music is the message. We all love the same music and that's the beauty of unity…that's the beauty of HAIL!"
Asked how Bostaph came to play with HAIL!, Ellefson replied, "After Jimmy DeGrasso became unavailable due to his touring commitments with ALICE COOPER, Roy Mayorga came aboard and just slammed for us. His playing throughout the Scandinavian dates was unbelievable, but now he's heading back into the studio with STONE SOUR, so he's unavailable for the next round of shows. We immediately thought of Paul. With Alex Skolnick out playing with TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA a small window opened in the TESTAMENT schedule where Paul became available and we jumped at the opportunity."
Kisser chimed in, "Come on, he's Paul Bostaph! Think about it, he's played with three of the greatest thrash bands of all-time, SLAYER, TESTAMENT and EXODUS. What symbolizes more of the spirit of HAIL! than that?! It's an honor to play with him."
Brazil's Rádio Putzgrila recently conducted an interview with former IRON MAIDEN singer Paul Di'Anno. Watch the chat below.
In other news, Di'Anno has released the following statement via his MySpace page:
"On behalf of myself and the tour promoter and the two touring bands and tour manager, this is a statement concerning the cancellation of some shows at the end of the Eastern European tour.
"Due to extreme flu sickness of my band, myself, the tour promoter and tour manager (and our support band who were travelling on the tour bus with us), it was just impossible for the tour to be completed.
"We would like to appologise to all of our fans and the various promoters involved and we shall find a way (when we are all well again) to reschedule those dates that were cancelled.
"Very sorry for this unfortunate situation, but it was something that we had no way of controlling."
According to the web site of the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City, Di'Anno will perform at the venue on January 27, 2010 as part of his first U.S. tour in over 15 years. Support at the show will come from ICARUS WITCH.
When asked by Vue Weekly in a recent interview about the possibility of releasing a new studio album in the not-too-distant future, Di'Anno replied, "We did five new tracks in Germany last year — it's very industrialized — but we got in a bit of an argument with the record company and we told them to piss off, basically. So I kept them songs and a friend of mine where I am right at the minute in Salisbury down in Southwest England, has just handed me 16 pieces of music so I'm going to go away when I have a bit of time and see what I can come up with for that."
Los Angeles metallers FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH have issued the following update:
"Tonight's [Saturday, November 21] show with SHADOWS FALL in Münster and tomorrow night's [Sunday, November 22] show in Hamburg have been canceled due to illness. We apologize to all our fans who will miss these two shows — it's very unfortunate timing. The rest of the tour dates are unaffected."
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH previously cancelled the November 19 concert in Gothenburg, Sweden because guitarist Zoltan Bathory was "violently ill . . . with nausea and vertigo."
The band performed Wednesday night (November 18) at John Dee in Oslo, Norway as a four-piece as a result of Zoltan's illness.
"Dying Breed", the opening track to FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, "War Is The Answer", has just been released as a digital single. It also features "Succubus", a bonus track previously unreleased and taken from the sessions for "The Way Of The Fist", the band’s debut album. A demo version of the song found its way online a few years ago and, due to popular demand, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently remixed and remastered it.
Video footage of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's November 16, 2009 performance in Helsinki, Finland can be viewed below.
Robert Trujillo (METALLICA), Dave Lombardo (SLAYER), Shavo Odadjian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN), Daron Malakian (SYSTEM OF A DOWN) and Mike Muir (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) are among the guest musicians who performed with the DEFTONES last night (Friday, November 20) at the second of two benefit shows for DEFTONES bassist Chi Cheng.
Fan-filmed video footage of the concert can be viewed below.
Chi has been in a semi-conscious state since being involved in a horrific accident in November 2008, and his family has accumulated an overwhelming amount of medical bills that insurance does not entirely cover. It is DEFTONES' mission to raise significant funds to help ensure Chi's recovery by playing two very special benefit shows in Hollywood on November 19 and November 20, and also by launching a benefit auction in conjunction with CharityBuzz.com.
The auction features many special items generously donated by an array of DEFTONES' friends, including METALLICA, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, BLINK 182, HIM, SLAYER and many more.
ECHOTERRA, the new female-fronted symphonic rock/metal band featuring keyboardist Jonah Weingarten (PYRAMAZE), guitarist Yan Leviathan (AVIAN), bassist Brian Hollenbeck, vocalist Melissa Ferlaak (VISIONS OF ATLANTIS) and drummer Adam Sagan (INTO ETERNITY), has unveiled the cover artwork for its new EP, "In Your Eyes". According to the group, "This mini-album will feature [ECHOTERRA's new singer] Ferlaak on the three re-recorded songs from our debut CD: 'In Your Eyes', 'A Tear of Her Heart' and 'Say, Try, Lie, Die'. The EP will also feature an orchestral version of 'Bear Mountain', a song that will be featured on our next full-length album. 'The Echoterra Overture' will also be included. Release date will be in the spring of 2010."
The new version of the song "In Your Eyes" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
ECHOTERRA recently parted ways with singer Suvi Virtanen for the sole reason that she is located in Sweden while the rest of the band is located in the U.S., which makes it very difficult to perform live.
Adam joined ECHOTERRA as the replacement for John Gensmer, since John is busy with his main band EPICUREAN and will not have the time to dedicate to ECHOTERRA.
ECHOTERRA's first show will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2010 in St. Paul, Minnesota opening for EPICA. More dates will be announced soon.
ECHOTERRA's debut album, "The Law Of One", was released on September 15 via Blinding Force Recordings.
"Bleed Me Dry", the new single from Sweden's THE MURDER OF MY SWEET, has entered the national chart in the band's home country at position No. 14.
"Bleed Me Dry" was released in Sweden on November 13. The band also presented the release with a launch gig in their hometown on the same day at the Roq Club. The CD single track listing:
01. Bleed Me Dry 02. Bleed Me Dry (instrumental version) 03. Sands Of Time (non-album track)
Watch the "Bleed Me Dry" video below.
THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's debut album, entitled "Divanity", will be released worldwide on Frontiers Records in January 2010.
The band was formed by drummer, songwriter and producer Daniel Flores, who — after a few false starts of what was to become THE MURDER OF MY SWEET — just by coincidence came across the magnificent singer Angelica Rylin, well endowed with the right look, voice and talents, being exactly what Daniel was searching for. The rest of THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's lineup followed — guitarist Daniel Palmqvist, bass player Johan Niemann and keyboardist Andreas Lindahl all being mentally, creatively and spiritually the right combination to complete the perfect match.
THE MURDER OF MY SWEET's sound is rich in influence and yet distinctly unique. The lush melodic cinematic landscapes reflect the diversity of the five members own musical experiences. From Angelica's soaring vocal melodies and sweeping choruses to the explosive layers of guitars from Palmqvist and the thrilling orchestratic keyboard arrangements painted by Andreas Lindahl backed by the bombastic and dynamic rhythms of Niemann and Flores. The resulting collaborations are a work both haunting and uplifting — fuelled by the curiosity of seeing where their burning ambitions will take them.
Danish metallers THE KANDIDATE (formerly THE DOWNWARD CANDIDATE) will release their new album, "Until We Are Outnumbered", in early 2010 via Napalm Records.
Commented the band: "The concept of the album artwork was developed by Claus Reinhold and Jeppe Sørensen of Division 666. You will see a direct reference when the video for the track 'Give Up All Hope' is released later this year. As you can see, it's very dark and discouraging and brilliantly executed by Nikolaj Borg."
"Until We Are Outnumbered" track listing:
01. Strength Through Diversity 02. Give Up All Hope 03. Shut 'Em Up 04. Distress and Decay 05. In Hell 06. ...We Conform to the Unrighteous 07. Live a Lie 08. The Kill 09. Enemy 10. Yours Truly
THE KANDIDATE previously stated about their new deal with Napalm: "It's a great honor to announce that we have signed with Napalm Records, who will now be in charge of spreading THE KANDIDATE disease throughout the world. We have, of course, been a lot in contact with Napalm for the last several months and the impression we get is that they are extremely dedicated to what they do, very professional and really believe in what we are doing and that 'Until We Are Outnumbered' will take a strong position in the modern metal scene.
"In a time of recession where lots of labels are cutting down on new signings and releases, Napalm have shown that they have the guts and the capabilities to grow and focus on their beliefs. We are looking very much forward to what the future will bring for our cooperation."
THE KANDIDATE is:
Allen Tvedebrink (WITHERING SURFACE, THORIUM) - Guitar Jacob Bredahl (HATESPHERE) - Vocals Dennis Buhl (EVIL MASQUERADE, SINPHONIA, HATESPHERE) - Drums Kasper Boye Larsen (WITHERING SURFACE, KILLAMAN) - Bass
Legendary Canadian thrashers SACRIFICE were interviewed live on the Sunday, November 15 edition of "Hellbound Radio" on the INDI 101 station. All four members of the band were present for the chat, which aired live in the greater Hamilton, Ontario, Canada area on 101.5 FM. You can now watch the interview in four parts below.
"The Ones I Condemn", the new album from SACRIFICE, will be released in Europe on January 22, 2010 via Cyclone Empire Records. The CD, which was made available in July via Brazil's Marquee Records, was recorded at Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto, Ontario with engineer Darius Szczepaniak, who has previously worked with I MOTHER EARTH, SUM 41 and EDWIN, among many others. Guest musicians on the album include Jed Simon (ZIMMERS HOLE, TENET, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ARMOROS), who "[laid] down a total whammy-bar barrage," and the band's old Scarborough metal comrade Dave Hewson (SLAUGHTER, STRAPPADO), who lent some guest vocals to "The Devil's Martyr".
"The Ones I Condemn" track listing:
01. We Will Prevail 02. The Ones I Condemn 03. Give Me Justice 04. The Great Wall 05. Tetragrammaton 06. Atrocity 07. Hiroshima 08. The Devil's Martyr (feat. Jed Simon and Dave Hewson) 09. Ultimate Power Corrupts 10. Desolation Alive 11. Soldiers Of Misfortune (live 2007) *
* European bonus track
The Canadian version of "The Ones I Condemn", featuring an exclusive bonus track — a cover of RUSH's "Athem" — is available in the USA through Relapse, Metal Haven Chicago, The End Records and Century Media mailorders.
Commented guitarist/vocalist Rob Urbinati: "Our recording process was real, so we didn't feel comfortable going too far into the digital realm for the cover. Our old friend, Kurt Bachman from BELIEVER, got us in touch with Michael 'Roz' Rosner, who does nothing but absolutely stunning work. Roz was into letting technology assist in creating art, not take over, and that is the same approach we take to music. Roz can make an image look beautiful, yet ugly; human yet inhuman; all awesome, unique imagery. The Eye Level studio team took our ideas and gave us a great cover."
"I Am Heathen", the new video from cult black/death metal act ACHERON, can be viewed below.
This is the first professionally filmed music video the band has done in its 20-plus years of existence.
Commented frontman Vincent Crowley: "The video is about embracing the life of being a heathen. Many people struggle with what is wrong or right, good or evil. When they go against the norm, the guilt eats away at them. Heathens don't have negative feeling about embracing their true nature. Temptation doesn't weaken us because in the end we control it! Lots of the symbolism in the video shows just that."
The "I Am Heathen" video was filmed with Werner Videos Services and was directed by Aaron Werner. The clip features the band lineup of Vincent Crowley, Kyle Severn, Max Otworth and Ash Thomas, and includes a special appearance by actress Madison Riley.
This video will be featured on a free promotional DVD put out by the band. The disc is over 90 minutes long and will also contain in-depth band video documentary on "Making Final Conflict" (rare footage!), video footage from the band's 2008 "December Damnation" mini-tour in Brazil and the complete "Satanic Supremacy" three-song demo. This DVD is being given out for free to people who are buying the new "The Final Conflict: Last Days Of God" CD from the band or Ibex Moon Records.
ACHERON will play a DVD/video release show in Columbus, Ohio, on December 4. The concert will be held at The Summit (2210 Summit St.) and will include additional performances by DEAD SEA, INFERNAL DEATH and CARDIAC ARREST.
"The Final Conflict: Last Days of God", was released on April 30 via Displeased Records. The CD was once again recorded at Mars Recording Compound with Bill Korecky and was mastered at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The follow-up to 2003's "Rebirth: Metamorphosing into Godhood" is a concept album based on the fall of the three major white light religions, Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
Fabio "Amon 418" Bartolini of OPPOSITE SIDES and HATE PROFILE has issued the following update:
"I'm sad to announce that after nine years of efforts, victories, disasters and vibrant music, I'm no longer part of OPPOSITE SIDES. The reason being that I'll need at least a couple months to fully recover from an ugly painful problem in my back. The band finally has a stable lineup and planned gigs, unfortunately (?!) making it impossible to stop the activity on the fly. Marco 'Karnal' from the brutal death metal band CARNALITY will be the new band's guitarist — the best possible option, being Marco both a long time friend and a skilled guitarist.
"Best of luck to OPPOSITE SIDES and a sincere thank you to Massimo for sharing this exciting adventure with me for all of these years, giving me the chance to play guitars, bass and synth as well as trusting me as a sound engineer and co-producer. We'll drink to this soon.
"As for HATE PROFILE, the new album won't be profoundly affected by this and I expect to get it mixed for the end of 2009. The last months spent working on 'Opus II' brought in some new energies and ideas, while working with m:A Fog promoted a new approach to the writing process: the aim for 2010 is to have 'Opus III' fully written.
"As HATE PROFILE is presently my only project, I'll have much more time to get back on the professional sound engineering track; primarily mixing and producing in my own studio, but I'm open to further development."
OPPOSITE SIDES's debut album, "Soul Mechanics", was released through Mondongo Canibale Records. According to a press release, the LP "stands out as modern-sounding extreme metal loaded with elecronic / industrial sounds and prog rock/fusion arrangements. Recorded in one of Italy's finest recording studios, the album also feature a stunning cover artwork from Niklas Sundin (DARK TRANQUILLITY) of Cabin Fever Media, the perfect complement to a personal and mature album."
Michigan-based hard rock quartet TAPROOT has inked a deal with Victory Records. The band is currently working on material for a new album, tentatively due next spring/summer.
TAPROOT's latest CD, "Our Long Road Home", sold around 7,700 copies in the United States in its first week of release to enter The Billboard 200 chart at position No. 65. The follow-up to 2005's "Blue-Sky Research" was released through Velvet Hammer, the label founded by the management company of the same name (SYSTEM OF A DOWN, DEFTONES). Working with producer Tim Patalan (SPONGE, LOVEDRUG), the band penned more than fifty songs for the album, twelve of which were recorded in a converted barn just a few minutes down the road from vocalist/guitarist Stephen Richards' home.
After recording three albums for a major label, "Our Long Road Home" was TAPROOT's first as an indie band, and as Richards told it at the time, that suited them just fine. "Budget cuts and political shifts cost us our support system at the old place," he said. "When our A&R guy lost his job, we knew it was time for a change. A few years ago, that might've been a scary thing, but it's a brand-new world out there now for bands like us. We no longer have to rely on a big record company to make things happen and that's exciting. We made this record without the pressure of having to write four smash hit singles hanging over our heads and that was liberating. Of course," he laughed, "there are a few songs on the album that could do really well on radio."
TAPROOT's "Wherever I Stand" video can be viewed below. The clip was shot with director Jus10.
E-Rock.gr conducted an interview with rhythm guitarist Tomi Koivusaari of Finnish metallers AMORPHIS on November 1, 2009 when the band played Athens, Greece. Watch the chat in two parts below.
AMORPHIS will release its first-ever live DVD in the spring of 2010, in time for the band's 20th anniversary. The filming took place earlier tonight (Friday, November 20) at Club Teatria in Oulu, Finland, where AMORPHIS was supported by STRATOVARIUS and BEFORE THE DAWN. In addition to the full-length live show, the anniversary DVD will include plenty of bonus material documenting the band’s impressive career.
During the recent five-week European tour, AMORPHIS played to sold-out venues in London and Paris as well as in Sofia, Bulgaria and various German towns. Likewise, the current Finnish tour started with sold-out shows in Jyväskylä and Joensuu.
Commented guitarist Esa Holopainen: "After our successful European tour, it feels good to return to the Finnish stages. And it's great to notice that our 'home folks' have not forgotten us."
"Skyforger", the new album from AMORPHIS, sold around 1,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 33 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.
"Skyforger" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 1. Released on May 29 via Nuclear Blast Records (May 27 in Finland), the follow-up to the "Eclipse" and "Silent Waters" LPs, both of which were certified gold in the band's native Finland, was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki.
On November 11, former THE GATHERING vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen and her current band, AGUA DE ANNIQUE, played the Beirut Rock Festival at the Forum de Beyrouth, Lebanon. Watch a five-minute report on the trip below.
Three songs from AGUA DE ANNIQUE's new album, "In Your Room", are available for streaming at the band's official web site.
"In Your Room" was released on October 30. The 12-song effort was written entirely by Anneke except for two tracks: "Just Fine" was co-written with Devin Townsend and "Adore" was composed by AGUA DE ANNIQUE bassist Jacques de Haard and Cyril Crutz.
The "Hey Okay!" single was made available on October 6.
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry's solo band, dubbed THE JOE PERRY PROJECT, will support BAD COMPANY on a U.K. tour in April. The dates are as follows:
April 01 - Birmingham, UK - LG Arena April 02 - Manchester, UK - Arena April 04 - Sheffield, UK - City Hall April 05 - Cardiff, UK - CIA April 07 - Newcastle, UK - Arena April 08 - Glasgow, UK - Clyde April 10 - Brighton, UK - Center April 11 - London, UK - Wembley Arena
Joe Perry's fifth solo album, "Have Guitar, Will Travel", will be released in Japan on December 23. The Japanese edition of the album will include two bonus tracks — "Dream On" (AEROSMITH) and "Revolution" (THE BEATLES).
Video footage of Perry talking about "We've Got a Long Way To Go", the first single from "Have Guitar, Will Travel", can be viewed below.
"Have Guitar, Will Travel" was released in the U.S. on October 6 via Roman Records. The hard-driving, ten-song, in your face, collection features Perry's trademark rock and blues ferocity. Recorded this past spring at the BoneYard, Perry's state-of-the-art home studio, where AEROSMITH's "Honkin' On Bobo" and "Just Push Play" were recorded, "Have Guitar, Will Travel" is entirely written and produced by Perry.
Still as scorching hot on guitar as he is preternaturally cool in his persona, "Have Guitar, Will Travel" is a departure for Perry in that the CD was conceived as a band recording. From start to finish it took only forty-seven days to complete. "Making this record in such a short period of time gave us a chance to capture an energy and flow that was very different from the last record," said Perry. "The way the players came together at a time when I had the music and lyrics in my head ready to go was pure synchronicity. The last record rocked, but this one rocks and then some. I'm really proud of it."
"We've Got A Long Way To Go", the CDs first single, showcases the voice of a young German singer known as Hagen, found completely by chance on YouTube by Joe's wife Billie. "I first called him from Cleveland when I went to perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame jam with Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, Ron Wood, Flea and METALLICA," said Perry. "It took several minutes to convince him that it wasn't a prank call, but a true invitation to audition to sing on the CD." Hagen mans the microphone for five tracks, while Perry sings lead on four. The remaining tenth song is an instrumental entitled "Wooden Ships".
In addition, Perry attracted an esteemed roster of some of the best players that the music world has to offer; bassist David Hull, who played with THE BUDDY MILES BAND at 19 and was in THE JOE PERRY PROJECT in the '80s, drummer Ben Tileston, a Boston University percussion graduate, who plays drums with two of Perry's sons in TAB THE BAND, Paul Santo, who's played Hammond organ/pipe organ with the likes of Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton and Ozzy Osbourne, drummers Scott Meeder and Marty Richards and Willie "Loco" Alexander, Boston's "Godfather of Punk," who was part of the Bostown sound of the band THE BAGATELLE.
A six-week Twitter search was conducted to find the CDs title. The winner, out of nearly 2000 entries, was Joe Piscitelli, who used a play on the old CBS television program "Have Gun – Will Travel".
The release of "Have Guitar, Will Travel" follows self-produced solo releases including "Let The Music Do The Talking" (1980), "Once A Rocker, Always A Rocker" (1983), "I've Got The Rock 'N' Rolls Again" (1981) and 2005's "Joe Perry", which received universal critical praise and earned Perry his first solo Grammy nomination for "Best Instrumental Song" ("Mercy").
ABC News Radio's David Blaustein sat down with vocalist Lacey Mosley from FLYLEAF for a candid and heartfelt interview about the band's new album, Lacey's life and the group's trip to Afghanistan. Watch the chat below.
FLYLEAF's new album, "Memento Mori", sold 56,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 8 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Released on November 10 via A&M/Octone, the follow-up to FLYLEAF's hit 2005 self-titled debut sees the group once again teaming with producer Howard Benson, who is known for his work with PAPA ROACH, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and THE ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS.
"Memento Mori" track listing:
01. Beautiful Bride 02. Again 03. Chasm 04. Missing 05. This Close 06. The Kind 07. In The Dark 08. Set Apart This Dream 09. Swept Away 10. Tiny Heart 11. Melting (interlude) 12. Treasure 13. Circle 14. Arise
Disc 2 (Deluxe Edition):
01. Break Your Knees 02. Enemy 03. Have We Lost 04. Who Am I
The album's title comes from the well-known Latin phrase that, through the ages, has been uttered as a reminder of the mortality we all share. According to ancient texts, memento mori was historically acted out as a kind of ritual tableau in ancient Rome when a victorious general was welcomed back to the city with a parade: "Standing behind the victorious general was a servant, and he had the task of reminding the general that, though he was up on the peak today, tomorrow was another day. The servant did this by telling the general that he should remember that he was mortal, i.e. 'Memento mori."
On October 20, 2009, Mike Sullivan of ExploreMusic.com conducted an interview with SLIPKNOT percussionist Shawn "Clown" Crahan and vocalist Corey Taylor. The 29-minute chat is now available for streaming below.
The special-edition CD/DVD reissue of SLIPKNOT's self-titled debut album sold around 4,600 copies in the United States in its first, shortened week of release (the set came out on Wednesday, September 9 whereas new albums usually go on sale on Tuesdays in the U.S.). The album has now shifted more than two million units domestically, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
The CD portion of the "Slipknot" reissue features 25 tracks, including the original album as well as rare demos, remixes, rare b-sides and more. A companion documentary, entitled "of the (sic): Your Nightmares, Our Dreams", is packed with behind the scenes footage of SLIPKNOT from 1999. This inside look features both live and backstage footage from around the world. The DVD also features a never-before-seen concert and all the music videos from their debut cycle, as well as other surprises.
In the decade since the release of "Slipknot", the band has amassed accolades that changed the face of metal. SLIPKNOT has gone on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide, win a Grammy, headline Madison Square Garden and Download festival, have numerous #1 and top 5 rock tracks and videos, as well as debut at #1 on The Billboard 200 chart.
British death metallers DIAMANTHIAN have released a promo video for their long-awaited second album, "Arcana Doctrina", which was released on November 13 by Ossuary Industries. Watch it below. The CD was recorded at Foel Studio in Wales.
DIAMANTHIAN, whose debut album, "The Infinite Descent", was released to critical acclaim in 2005, recently returned to a full-strength lineup with the addition of Mat Campbell on bass. The band, which has previously played with the likes of MARDUK, BEHEMOTH, VADER and KRISIUN, is set to embark on another bout of touring, including a date with highly acclaimed Greek death metallers DEAD CONGREGATION at Manchester's Satan's Hollow on November 29.
Ken Brzezinski of Static Multimedia recently conducted an interview with ATREYU bassist Marc McKnight. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Static Multimedia: Do you have any tour stories?
Marc: Well, there was this one girl in Miami that was just hammered out of her mind. And you know, semi-attractive, and she's just HAMMERED, like sloppy drunk, right? And she somehow makes her way on our bus. She wasn't, like, at the show with us. She just wanted to see the bands, you know what I mean? So she got on our bus and we kept trying to pass her off to one of our friends or one of the crew members but she was like, "No, I want one of the band!" And she was just like riding people and stuff. So she goes in the back with someone…who shall remain nameless, and they were, you know, enjoying themselves in the back, but she had left her phone up front. So one of our friends took a picture of his balls and sent it to everyone on her contact list and said, "Sorry, I'm busy being a nut!!" So yeah, that's a pretty good story!
Static Multimedia: What was the writing and recording process like for your latest album, "Congregation Of The Damned"?
Marc: Um, well we started writing for this album in like November of last year, so it's been about a year ago now. So we started writing and we had like 13 or 14 songs and we were like, "Shit." Like, on "A Death-Grip On Yesterday" we wanted 10 songs on the record so we wrote 10 songs. So it was like, "What are we gonna do? Should we just keep going or what?" And it was like, "Nah let's just keep going and see what happens." So we ended up with like 30 songs that were all amazing. I mean, the well really never ran dry, but we just had to stop because we were like, "This is getting ridiculous." Whittled that down to 18 songs, met up with Bob Marlette, our producer, and did like pre-production stuff with him, whittled those down to 16 and, uh, recorded 16 songs. We did the drums in Henson Studios out in L.A., which is like Jim Henson, like "Muppets", which was amazing. And then we did the rest at Bob's house in Woodland Hills. It was amazing, like as far as my bass, I did all the songs in two days, I think. I just muscled through them — ten songs one day and six the second. Then the guitars went and did all their things. There were some guitars done before I did all my stuff. Because I had to, like, go back home for some family stuff and then two weeks later, they had some more guitars done. And it just really started, like... I mean, because in pre-production you have an idea of what it's going to sound like, but you don't really hear what it sounds like till everything is starting to get laid out. So once I started to hear all the guitar parts being put down and the solos starting to be put in and like all of the vocal starting to get laid down, it was awesome. But we had just focused on the music in [pre-production] so then it'd be like Alex [Varkatzas, vocals] and Brandon [Saller, drums/vocals] sitting in the studio just shredding out the vocals. And they're both like, their performances are absurd. Like, Alex hasn't written better lyrics and his performance is just amazing and he's so genuine and "there."
Static Multimedia: It seems like this album is the accumulation of your life's work…
Marc: Well, yeah, I mean it's just because we HAVE been a band for 10 years and this IS our fifth record, and we experimented a lot on the last record. There were a lot of things we learned about ourselves as a band and there were a lot of things we added to our arsenal and there were a lot of things that we were like, "OK, let's not do that again." But we did it, you know? And I don't regret doing it, any of it. Because it allowed our band to write this record and anything up to writing this was worth it.
Static Multimedia: How do you allow yourself to change when you have so many fans on, especially the web that can be so critical of the music you make?
Marc: Yeah, I've been on Lambgoat, I've been on Blabbermouth, I've been on Absolute Punk, I've been on PRP. I've seen all that sh*t and I stay away from it because I'm not doing this. No offense to them, because our fans got us to where we are, and without our fans, we're f*cked, so I'm not saying we're not doing it for them. But when we write music, we write music that we want to hear and that we love because we do it because we love it. You know what I mean? So if I started to write it for kids who only listen to "The Curse" [2004] and "Suicide Notes [And Butterfly Kisses]" , that want us to write that album again, who are we being fair to?! You know what I mean? I'm not going to be 18 years old again; I'm not going to write that record again. I want to allow the band to expand and allow the band to grow."
German death metallers GRIND INC. have inked a deal with Bastardized Recordings. The band recently entered the Catacomb Productions studio to begin recording its fourth album for an early 2010 release.
Commented the group: "We are looking forward to the new collaboration and are glad about this decision for the new team deathmatch and being part of this brilliant rooster."
The band recently parted ways with Thomas Strater (one of GRIND INC.'s two vocalists) due to "musical differences and circumstances of life."
GRIND INC. is not seeking a replacement singer and will continue as a four-piece.
GRIND INC.'s third album, "Sudden State of Hate", was released in 2008 via Twilight Vertrieb. The follow-up to 2006's "Inhale the Violence" was recorded at Ezy Soundz Studio in Krefeld with producer Carsten "Cazy" Schmidt and features artwork by Björn Goosses of Killustrations.com.
GRIND INC. started out in 2001 as a side project of HATE FACTOR and NIGHT IN GALES members. The point was "to make the most brutal music possible without neglecting groove and having shitloads of fun," according to the band's official bio.
The group's debut album, "Executed", was released in May 2005.
JON OLIVA'S PAIN, the band led by SAVATAGE mastermind Jon Oliva, will release its fourth album, "Festival", on February 19, 2010 via AFM Records. A March/April European tour will be confirmed soon, culminating with the filming of a live DVD consisting of music from the four JON OLIVA'S PAIN CDs and a healthy dose of SAVATAGE classics.
Commented the band: "We are beginning [to mix] the bonus tracks and the ballad today. From there, we will set up the mix template for the meat of the album. This is just a basic working template for the drums, bass and guitars. It'll help us speed up the time needed to put all the remaining instruments, vocals, tricks, trinkets and what-nots in their proper place.
"Needless to say, with more than 100 tracks on many songs the process is still quite exhausting.
"We will have mixes of three songs to digest this weekend. In the end, we will take a final 'review' day to fine-tweak all the songs in preparation for mastering.
"We will deliver the CD to AFM the first week of December, barring any crazy act of God that may get in our way.
"We have focused on every conceivable detail possible while insuring that the mix is raw, alive and full of emotion.
"We stumbled upon so many great ideas during the last two months and most of these songs have taken on a shape that we had not previously imagined. That is simply the magic of having the time and also the support from our record label, AFM. Delivering anything but 110% would be insulting both to ourselves and, of course, you...our most supportive and enthusiastic fans!"
Drummer Christopher Kinder recently stated about the forthcoming JON OLIVA'S PAIN CD, "Part of the staple JON OLIVA'S PAIN sound has become [Jon's] ability to change characters and voices at will and to create incredibly interesting, thought-provoking, passionate and downright insane vocal melodies. [Producer] Tom Morris and I have been pushing him to the edge (as Jon Oliva requested), and we have met that challenge with great enthusiasm and also a bit of joy watching him suffer.... .
"Oliva's tenancious attitude, drive and full desire to do the best he can is only partially over-shadowed by the seemingly impossible task of singing songs that would require most of us to swallow mass consumptions of razor-blades in order to deliver what would be considered as torture to any metal music lover."
JON OLIVA'S PAIN's latest album, "Global Warning", was released in the U.S. in May 2008 via Locomotive Records. The CD features a guest appearance by guitarist Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, ex-DEICIDE, DEATH, ICED EARTH) on two songs: "Adding the Cost" and "You'll Never Know".
Kristen Dunleavy of myYearbook recently conducted an interview with vocalist/guitarist Matt Heafy of Florida metallers TRIVIUM. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
myYearbook: Are you writing potential TRIVIUM songs on this tour?
Heafy: We have about 30 songs written for the next record, purely in demo stages. We have a brand new song just about completely finished that we'll record in January. It's gonna be in the video game God of War 3.
myYearbook: Is it hard for you guys to weed out certain songs and keep the special ones?
Heafy: No, you can always tell. When you listen to all the songs right next to each other, you'll know immediately which are the weak ones are and which are the strong ones.
myYearbook: As far inspiration goes, you've written numerous songs about mythology. What have you been drawing inspiration from these days?
Heafy: Each record has been different. The first two were about things close to me. The third was about a lot of social issues, the fourth drew from mythology. For the next record, I just want to make it so that whether or not you're into metal, you can enjoy it and whether or not you speak English, you know what the song is about. I want it to transcend the normal boundaries of what metal is. It's gonna be about digging and writing from the heart.
myYearbook: What bands have you been listening to lately?
Heafy: I've been listening to mainly classical music. Also, the new MUSE album, the new RAMMSTEIN album, the new COLDPLAY album and pretty much the entire DEPECHE MODE catalog. And NINE INCH NAILS' entire catalog. I guess that's about it.
myYearbook: Most of those aren't metal bands. Do you feel there are a healthy number of talented metal bands out there today?
Heafy: The problem right now is that so many bands are getting so extreme and into so many different subgenres. I remember the hardcore scene when I was in high school; it wasn't that hard. It was kind of punk-influenced, kind of tough. Nowadays the hardcore scene is getting so ridiculously heavy and so technical that they're not even playing songs anymore. It's so heavy and so ridiculous that it doesn't make sense. Metal is doing the same thing. Everyone keeps subgenre-ing themselves into these little categories so no one really knows what they're listening to anymore. They're definitely are some good bands out there. I think everyone's so obsessed with everything other than making a good song right now that they're inhibiting their own band.
myYearbook: What's the most ridiculous genre TRIVIUM has been labeled?
Heafy: Some people didn't even bother giving a genre for our third record because they said we sounded like METALLICA copycats. We've heard some funny stuff, some clever stuff, some not-so-clever stuff. Metalcore I always shot down right away, 'cause that genre's gonna die out in like a year. There are pretty much no metalcore bands now. That's the problem with sub-generification. Call us metal if you want, we just make our own music. When people start jumping on bandwagons with these ridiculous names, they're screwing their own band over.
myYearbook: Do you feel pressured to stay true to whatever fans think is the true TRIVIUM sound?
Heafy: It's tricky because each record is so different. I'm sure there are people that have their favorite CD's. It's not necessarily bad pressure, but good pressure from ourselves to find what our sound is and make the best possible song that we can.
myYearbook: Obviously life on the road isn't typical by any means, does that help along the songwriting process?
Heafy: Definitely. I think you need to capture that tension or vibe and write about that. I notice a lot of heavy bands are all positive now, and life isn't that way. I'm not saying be a downer all the time, but there are harsh realities of life and you need to write about them. No matter where people are, it's something everyone can relate to.
Fan-filmed video footage of TRIVIUM's November 9, 2009 performance at Le Medley in Montreal, Quebec, Canada can be viewed below (courtesy of "hellawaits77NY").
Vocalist Chuck Billy of San Francisco Bay Area thrash metal veterans TESTAMENT will guest on tonight's (Friday, November 20) edition of Eddie Trunk's "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM.
You can listen to the program live on the Internet between 11:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. EST at this location.
TESTAMENT are taking the stage once again in support of their 2008 release, "The Formation of Damnation", TESTAMENT will be touring as special guest with fellow thrash legends MEGADETH and SLAYER. The tour will feature the classic lineup of vocalist Chuck Billy, guitarists Eric Peterson and Alex Skolnick, bassist Greg Christian, and drummer Paul Bostaph and will mark the 20th anniversary of these major players taking the stage together on the same stage as MEGADETH and SLAYER.
"The Formation of Damnation" will be reissued just in time for this amazing tour with SLAYER and MEGADETH with a bonus CD that contains live renditions of the classics "The New Order", "Practice What You Preach" and "Souls Of Black". The tracks will also feature enhanced video clips recorded in Alcatraz for their MTV special "52/52" campaign feature as well as the music video for "More Than Meets The Eye". This special album re-release with bonus material will be in stores on February 23. TESTAMENT will have the tour reissue available on all of the dates of the upcoming "American Carnage" tour prior to it hitting stores.
As a special exclusive to the dedicated TESTAMENT legions, there will be an exclusive VIP package available for purchase. The TESTAMENT VIP Pack will include the following:
* One general admission ticket with early entry * Exclusive meet-and-greet with the members of TESTAMENT * Personal photograph with the band * Autograph session (includes 8x10 photo) * Exclusive TESTAMENT Affliction shirt * Collectible tour poster (limited, numbered) * Exclusive TESTAMENT music skin * Official VIP meet-and-greet laminate * Official set of TESTAMENT guitar picks
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