Chicago doom-metal legends TROUBLE announced earlier today that they have recruited Kyle Thomas as their new singer following the departure of their frontman of the past four years, Kory Clarke (of WARRIOR SOUL fame).
Thomas, former lead vocalist for EXHORDER, FLOODGATE and ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY, is no stranger to TROUBLE as he previously fronted the band for four live shows between 1997 and 1999, including Stoner Hands Of Doom festival in Maryland (see video below) and Expo Of The Extreme in Chicago. Thomas has also collaborated on projects with members of SLIPKNOT, DOWN, OBITUARY and DEICIDE.
In a statement released to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Thomas stated about his addition to TROUBLE's lineup, "A great honor and opportunity has come back around to me recently as I have been invited to write and record with TROUBLE for their upcoming album. I am proud to say that I accept the invitation, and look forward to rejoining my former colleagues.
"Though I was not an official member of the band before, I treated every performance with them as if I were. This time around I shall continue to do so.
"As a fan first and foremost of TROUBLE, I completely understand that a strong contingent of fans only want to see the band with [original singer] Eric Wagner, and there is nothing wrong with that. If I were on the outside looking in, I might feel the same way.
"Though we've never met, I have the utmost respect for Eric and can only say it is an honor and challenge to step in to his previous spot with the band. It is a challenge that I look forward to, and hope that true fans of TROUBLE will be willing to give it a fair shake.
"As a fan, I can promise you that I will do everything within my power to make an amazing and true to feel album with one of my favorite bands.
"If some cannot accept the change, that is okay as well. Everyone is entitled to their feelings, but all I can say is that BLACK SABBATH remained great with Ronnie James Dio and Ian Gillan, and DEEP PURPLE was amazing as well with David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes. I was reluctant to accept the change for both of those bands at one time, and now regret that it took me so long to enjoy the various lineups. Good music is good music.
"If my work with TROUBLE is not up to snuff, it will not be because I did not work my tail off in the process.
"Many thanks to [TROUBLE guitarists] Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin for bringing me back into the picture. Truth is, what is!"
TROUBLE is currently working on its ninth studio album with Thomas on vocals and plans to release the record this spring.
"We are really excited to be working with Kyle again," stated Rick Wartell, TROUBLE co-founder/guitarist. "The shows we played with him in the past were very well-received by the fans and now we'll have an opportunity to work with him in the studio on our new record. His vocals are amazing and a perfect fit for the band."
Bruce Franklin, TROUBLE's other co-founder/guitarist, added, "The history with Kyle and TROUBLE really goes back to his teenage years as he told me that he and Jimmy Bower (of DOWN) would drive around in his old Pinto and listen to TROUBLE. He's an excellent, highly energetic singer and it's great to have him be an official member of the band now."
TROUBLE's current lineup is:
Kyle Thomas (vocals) Rick Wartell (guitar) Bruce Franklin (guitar) Shane Pasqualla (bass) Mark Lira (drums)
TROUBLE formed in 1979 and released several classic albums like "Trouble", "Manic Frustration" and "Plastic Green Head".
Clarke announced his departure from TROUBLE earlier today to start a new project with guitarist Russ Strahan (PENTAGRAM, LAND OF DOOM) called THE BONES OF CHILDREN.
Clarke's predecessor, Eric Wagner, left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.
David E. Gehlke of Blistering.com recently conducted an interview with bassist/vocalist Mike Dean of Raleigh, North Carolina legends CORROSION OF CONFORMITY. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Blistering.com: When the touring cycle for "In The Arms Of God" ended, and Pepper [Keenan, guitar/vocals] went back to DOWN, did you think that was the end of C.O.C.?
Mike Dean: I wasn't really sure. It was always in the back of my head that it could be over with, so it wasn't a shocking possibility. I was hopeful we could get it back together and do something, although we did start another band called RIGHTEOUS FOOL. I just kept the matter open, basically. I wasn't counting on anything, basically.
Blistering.com: Did you stay in touch with Reed [Mullin, drums] and Woody [Weatherman] during your time away from C.O.C.?
Dean: I was in touch with Woody quite a bit because originally we were writing songs with Jason Patterson who played a lot of the live dates for "In The Arms Of God". I really didn't get back in touch with Reed until about four years ago, and that's when we started to play again.
Blistering.com: There's quite a bit of history with the three of you, going back to the mid-'80s. What was the determining factor in moving forward with this incarnation of C.O.C.?
Dean: Who knows? The generic answer is that Pepper mentioned he had some offers from people to get back together and play a couple of festivals in Europe. It sounded like a good idea. It was exciting to get him and Reed back together and it would be a fun thing to do, but then it turned it out we wouldn't be able to do it because of DOWN's schedule. At that point, we thought, "Why don't we do a three-piece?" We could write some new songs so it won't be a completely nostalgia-based appeal and we could play some shows, and probably, we could do an album if there was some interest. We had the idea, and two years later, here we are.
Blistering.com: Being that you spent so much time in the '90s and 00s as a four-piece, was it hard to get back into "trio mode?"
Dean: It was pretty easy. In terms of the songwriting, it was a little easier. Everyone has more room in which to play, more ideas. We gave everyone more of a chance in which to contribute. We have a lot of material, a lot of ideas so it wasn't challenging. I guess the challenge is not to go crazy in the studio and manufacture a lot of overdubs you wouldn't be able to pull off live. You can do it in the studio, but it can't be the main feature or people are going to be really disappointed. We had to stick with the idea that it would be sparse, but that came part of the fun of it.
Blistering.com: The big question hanging over C.O.C. is if you'll ever do anything with Pepper again. I know he's tied up with DOWN, but have you had discussions about it?
Dean: There's no firm plans, but there is a firm desire to make it happen. We had a really good time doing "In The Arms Of God" and I'm really proud of that album. The only thing missing was Reed. I thought Stanton Moore did a great job. If you're not going to have your original drummer, then it's novel to get someone who's flamboyant to do their take on it. I thought that was a good move. I came away from that thinking that if we had this level of creativity and also had Mullin… that would be a bonus. But yeah, I hope we don't just get that lineup together for shows or "Deliverance" nostalgia shows, but get it together with the idea of putting out a record. There's some controversy to doing the three-piece. People are like, "Oh my God, no Pepper!" People haven't even heard it and complain. I'm like, "Complain on, you'll see!" There's a good story behind this version, and there would be a good story behind doing the four-piece again.
Season ten of VH1 Classic's "That Metal Show" kicks off on Saturday, March 31 and featured guests include IRON MAIDEN's Adrian Smith (making his first appearance on the program), METALLICA's Lars Ulrich, MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy Kilmister, Alice Cooper and former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted.
"I've known the MAIDEN guys for a long time and been a fan since day one," "That Metal Show" co-host Eddie Trunk told VH1.com's Tuner. "They are easily one of the most requested bands to have a member of on 'That Metal Show'. Because they are such a global band, it's been hard to track them down, but thrilled we were able to catch up with Adrian. It will be cool because we don't hear from him often, he's a great guy, has a huge history with the band, and has a new side project to discuss."
He added, "I'm so excited about the evolution of the show, having rock and metal artists, and first time and returning guests. I love all the variety and am thrilled for a huge 2012!"
Distilling decades of your favorite hard rock and heavy metal into sixty minutes of mayhem; "That Metal Show" will deliver the ever-popular "Stump The Trunk" as well as the triumphant return of "TMS Top 5" to your TV every Saturday night at 11 p.m., only on VH1 Classic.
"That Metal Show" is a production of VH1 Classic. Lee Rolontz and Keshia Williams as executive producers for VH1. Jeff Baumgardner serves as producer for the series for VH1.
Australia's Metal Obsession recently conducted an interview with Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SEPULTURA). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Metal Obsession: SOULFLY's new drummer, David Kinkade, has described [the band's new album' "Enslaved" as "[SEPULTURA's] 'Arise' on crack." Would that be an accurate description?
Max: [laughs] I think he just said that for a bit of fun. Just fucking around with the new record. This new SOULFLY album, "Enslaved", is its own thing. It's definitely a SOULFLY record because all the trademarks are there, but it's probably the most extreme so far. I'm very proud of that. I specifically hand picked death metal-orientated riffs and beats, because David Kinkade comes from a death metal school of drumming and he can play that stuff really well. I made those beats and those specific parts with David in mind, so the new SOULFLY album could be the most extreme we have ever written. I mean, take "World Scum", for example. That's probably the most extreme song that I've ever done and I'm very happy that's the first single. It announces the record in a great way; it's so heavy and so brutal. It's like, "YES! We're back with a vengeance."
Metal Obsession: When listening to an advance copy of "Enslaved" last night. I got the impression that NAPALM DEATH and MORBID ANGEL were heavily influential towards the new album.
Max: Yeah man! It's very MORBID ANGEL-like. It's like the cousin of MORBID ANGEL in terms of how we play. [laughs]
Metal Obsession: Speaking of which. What are your thoughts towards the new MORBID ANGEL [album], "Illud Divinum Insanus"?
Max: I'd say they should have done it as a side project. The songs they had should have been on a separate album. Some of the songs were good; they sounded killer. If it were up to me, I would have written those songs on a completely different album and put those more experimental songs on another album. I think someone should have approached them and said, "You guys should do a side project," you know? I mean people waited almost eight years for a MORBID ANGEL record and I can understand their disappointment. I heard those songs and was in shock. I think people wanted something heavier, especially after waiting eight years. They wanted the real MORBID ANGEL. I can understand why so many people feel disappointed.
Metal Obsession: Who else would you say has influenced this album, musically?
Max: I'd say the whole era of death metal. Bands like SUFFOCATION, MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE, MASSACRE, DEATH, POSSESSED, DARK ANGEL. That whole era of death metal. There is a lot of European bands in there too. Bands like CELTIC FROST, BATHORY. I'd also say that KREATOR were a huge influence along with DESTRUCTION. I really like all of it. I mean I like all forms of heavy metal, not just death metal. I enjoy a lot of "regular" heavy metal as well, bands like ANGEL WITCH and SATAN. I love all of it, man. METAL CHURCH which isn't really fast, but is still pretty cool. I love MERCYFUL FATE, too.
Metal Obsession: Are you at all worried what will become of heavy metal in the next couple of years when all these classic bands start to disappear?
Max: Not at all, because heavy metal has a tendency to carry on whatever happens. I think Gene Simmons once said that "heavy metal is like a car that's made in Detroit. It will be here forever and never die." [laughs] That's a very good way of putting it and I believe it to be true. Heavy metal may change from time to time, but it refuses to die which is amazing. To be honest, I actually enjoy the new wave of metal bands coming out. Bands like OCEANO, WHITECHAPEL, THE ACACIA STRAIN and GOJIRA. I like it all. Some of the descriptions for these bands are a bit weird like mathcore and deathcore, but it's all good. The producer on our new record, Zeuss, he's actually worked with a lot of those bands and I love the fact that he's worked with these bands. Because I wanted a similar heavy sound for "Enslaved" and I got it with Zeuss. The sound on "Enslaved" is very modern. It's up to standards of what you'd hear from a solid band today, but with a lot of death metal influence.
BULLETBOYS frontman Marq Torien, was interviewed for a recent episode of Steve Mascord's "White Line Fever" podcast. You can now stream the chat using the SoundCloud player below. (Note: The Torien interview begins around the 26-minute mark.)
When asked about the reunion of BULLETBOYS' original lineup — Torien on vocals, Mick Sweda on guitar, Lonnie Vencent on bass and Jimmy D'Anda on drums — for a one-night-only New Year's Eve weekend show on December 30, 2011 at Hollywood, California's Club Vodka at the legendary Key Club on the Sunset Strip, Marq said, "It was a wonderful, wonderful night — a magical night. It was for one night only, to get together for the fans right before the New Year."
He added, "I love Jimmy and Mick and Lonnie — very much so. We're all like brothers; sometimes we're feuding, sometimes we're loving, sometimes we're not talking. But we made some amazing music together. And it was just a wonderful night, man. And hopefully we'll be able to come, at some point, to some resolve in the future to hopefully play some more shows. I know I'm open to it. I know I would love more than anything to continue on with it with my three other mates."
Regarding Jimmy D'Anda's recent Facebook posting in which the drummer claimed that "Marq wants to continue to tour and record without the original members of the band so that he can maintain 100% control of the name BULLETBOYS," Torien said, "Jimmy's statement was a complete falsehood. Basically, he wasn't being honest, not only with himself, but with our fans."
He continued, "I penned a letter to all three of my mates to talk about doing something in the future, and Jimmy just never really read the letter and just decided that he was going to air dirty laundy out in public, and myself, Mick, Lonnie, we've never done that with this band. It was very hurtful, because I was trying to be very open with my feelings with the letter . . . I also mentioned that I wanted to create something for our fans and our friends, which would be something new musically.
"I don't like to go out and constantly play old music; I don't think it's fair. I think if you're a band, you need to come out with something a bit special for your fans, as good as it can be, and there's a lot of different things that I'd like to do before we start playing again.
"I happen to own the name of the band. There's other people in other bands that happen to own the name of their band. For whatever reason, the guys trust me with the name of this band, and I'm supposed to be handling it in the best way that I possibly can, and that's all I've been trying to do.
"Anything I've been saying about Jimmy D'Anda, I just want everybody to know that I've known Jimmy since he was probably about 16, or 15, years old. And to me, he's always been the greatest drummer that I've ever worked with. But sometimes when you get older in life, sometimes it's harder to trust people, and when that trust isn't there, or maybe they don't want to trust or they're scared to trust, it's a big thing, man. It's really hard to walk back into something.
"I know that Lonnie is going to be playing some shows with me. I spoke to him a couple of days ago. I'm hoping that Mick comes and plays some shows. I spoke to Mick about possibly producing the new BULLETBOYS record. He's very, very open to it. I think he's an amazing engineer and singer/songwriter, and amazing person; he has a heart of gold. Extremeley, extremely talented, and the best guitar player I've ever played with ever in my career."
BULLETBOYS was one of the prominent bands in the flourishing Hollywood metal scene during the late 1980s, with numerous smash hits such as "Smooth Up In Ya", "For The Love Of Money" and "Hang On St. Christopher" off the group's platinum-selling classic self-titled debut and follow-up, "Freakshow", dominating both MTV and radio airwaves.
"White Line Fever" podcast featuring Marq Torien interview:
Performance footage from December 30, 2011 Key Club concert:
"Voices From Valhalla", a BATHORY tribute double CD, will be released in May via Godreah Records.
The following artists are scheduled to contribute to the set:
TAAKE NINE COVENS OLD CORPSE ROAD FOLKVANG THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL EASTERN FRONT GODS TOWER SKYFORGER SIGH NOKTURNAL MORTUM MAEL MÓRDHA DARKEST ERA ANCIENT ASCENDANT VRANI VOLOSA THRONE OF KATARSIS RAVENS CREED BLOODSHED WALHALLA FOLKVANG DRACONIS INFERNUM THORNIUM HELL SWORD
In addition, there will be a bonus 20-minute rare audio interview with late BATHORY mastermind Quorthon recorded in 1996 for the Godreah 'zine when Quorthon was promoting BATHORY's "Blood On Ice" album.
Rare video footage from the DVD that accompanied BATHORY's career-spanning box set, "In Memory of Quorthon", can be viewed below in three parts.
Released in June 2006 via Black Mark, "In Memory of Quorthon" contains three CDs, one DVD, a book and a poster. Börje "Boss" Forsberg — owner of Black Mark Records and father of late BATHORY mainman Thomas "Quorthon" Forsberg — had previously stated that the package would contain "Quorthon's and BATHORY's complete musical history."
Quorthon was found dead in his apartment in Stockholm, Sweden on June 7, 2004. The 39-year-old, widely considered to be one of black metal's founding fathers, reportedly died of heart failure.
Regina, Saskatchewan-based Canadian extreme progressive metallers INTO ETERNITY recently tapped Amanda Kiernan of the Edmonton, Alberta-based metal band THE ORDER OF CHAOS as their new touring vocalist. Kiernan takes over from Stu Block, who was hired away last year by American metallers ICED EARTH, leaving INTO ETERNITY without a full-time singer.
INTO ETERNITY founder and guitarist Tim Roth told the Regina Leader-Post that he invited Kiernan to Regina to try out for the band after hearing a tape of her performing his songs.
"I had all these guys who told me they could do the songs and hit the notes Stu could. So I had them try out and it was like, 'No way.' Nobody could do it," Roth said. "But Amanda's got this great voice … none of the dudes could hit the notes Stu could, so maybe it makes sense that only a chick can do it. Besides, she already fits in like she's one of the guys."
Kiernan, who said she's been an INTO ETERNITY fan since she was in high school, told the Regina Leader-Post about her audition, "At first, I was pretty intimidated. These guys are rock stars to me. There were times when I was sitting around with the guys, and then all of a sudden I'd get this little burst of energy because I reminded myself that I was sitting with INTO ETERNITY."
South Florida-based female-fronted extreme metallers WYKKED WYTCH have released their cover version of the METALLICA classic "Fade To Black". You can listen to it using the SoundCloud player below.
WYKKED WYTCH's version of "Fade To Black" comes off the band's fifth full-length album, "The Ultimate Deception", which will be released on February 14 via Goomba Music. The follow-up to 2008's "Memories Of A Dying Whore" "continues where its predecessor left off and pushes the boundaries of extreme music as well as the legacy of WYKKED WYTCH," according to a press release.
Led by the demonic vocal assault of frontwoman Ipek, WYKKED WYTCH's sound is described as "a unique mixture of black, death, thrash metal with melody, technicality, and aggression which has gained them a strong cult following throughout the world."
Regarding the recent signing and forthcoming release, Ipek said, "We are very excited and proud to announce that WYKKED WYTCH has signed with Goomba Music for the release of our fifth full-length album, 'The Ultimate Deception'.
"Over the past two years we worked really hard creating a modern metal masterpiece and with Goomba behind us we will spread the word worldwide. We would also like to thank Mark and the crew at Goomba for this new partnership. It was the right choice for us and glad to know there is an experienced team of industry vets behind the label that respect the integrity of their artists."
"The Ultimate Deception" was recorded in April/May 2011 at Lambesis Studios in San Diego, California with producer Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING, WINDS OF PLAGUE). The CD was mastered by Alan Douches (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER) at West West Side Music in New Windsor, New York. The cover artwork was created by Marcelo Vasco (DIMMU BORGIR, THE FACELESS).
"The Ultimate Deception" includes 10 tracks with a running time of 47 minutes — nine original songs and a cover of METALLICA's "Fade To Black". It marks the recording debut of lead guitarist/songwriter Nate Poulson, who composed nine "badass" tunes that add a whole new dimension and flavor to the band's constantly evolving sound. According to a press release, "the songs are heavy, technical, and melodic with each one standing on its own. Showcased on this release are vocalist Ipek's true abilities that drive the album. Not afraid to take chances, Ipek doesn't hold back and has stepped out of her comfort zone; moving from death growls to high pitched screams to operatic, and clean catchy choruses in the course of a single song. The intense and insane vocals are performed by 'one' woman, not three different vocalists. Also featured is one of the best drummers in metal today, Kevin Talley (DAATH, SIX FEET UNDER, CHIMAIRA) who appears as a session musician and complements the songs with his killer double bass and blast work."
"The Ultimate Deception" track listing:
01. Birthing The Beast 02. The Ultimate Deception 03. Serpents Among Us 04. Despised Existence 05. Prayers Of The Decapitated 06. When The Sleepers Rise 07. Ecstasy 08. Fade To Black (METALLICA cover) 09. Abolish The Weak 10. Eyes Of A Vulture
WYKKED WYTCH "The Ultimate Deception" recording lineup:
Under recommendation of DIR EN GREY frontman Kyo's physician after extensive examination of his vocal cords, the Japanese rockers have regretfully canceled their participation in "The Still Reckless Tour" and solo shows scheduled between March and April 2012.
The band has released the following statement to their fans and those involved in the tour:
"To our fans as well as the other bands and staff involved in the tour we extend our sincere apologies. We ask for your understanding that this was an extremely difficult decision to make. Thank you all for your continued support, which is deeply appreciated."
Acts scheduled to take part in "The Still Reckless Tour" include ASKING ALEXANDRIA, TRIVIUM, I SEE STARS, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and THE AMITY AFFLICTION.
DIR EN GREY was also slated to play a pair of solo headlining shows in Seattle, Washington on March 7 and St. Petersburg, FL on March 20.
DIR EN GREY wrapped up 2011 after releasing "Dum Spiro Spero" (The End Records) in August to critical acclaim and conquering the globe with their pummeling and artful live performances on their 2011 tour.
Rolling into today's Super Bowl festivities where they were featured in the KIA Optima commercial airing during the third quarter, the world's most notorious band took the world's most notorious city by storm. MÖTLEY CRÜE — vocalist Vince Neil, guitarist Mick Mars, bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee — launched Las Vegas' first-ever hard rock residency with "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with the first two rapturously received sold-out shows.
A two-minute behind-the-scenes look at opening weekend can be seen below.
The "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" experience got underway this weekend on Friday, February 3 — also declared "Mötley Crüe Day" by Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman — as The Joint transformed into a rock 'n roll carnival extravaganza bringing in elements of MÖTLEY CRÜE's arena show, including Tommy Lee's 360 drum coaster and the biggest lighting and sound production ever brought into The Joint, including their over the top signature pyrotechnics which fittingly incorporated a Vegas feel. The shows are produced and promoted by AEG Live.
From costuming — which included Vince Neil's illuminated poker-hand belt buckle and rogue carnival styled seat ushers -- to showgirl dancers, female aerialists, little people, macabre clowns and stilt walkers, each element dazzled the eye throughout. In addition to MÖTLEY's high-octane numbers, which included "Kickstart My Heart", "Shout At the Devil", "Saints Of Los Angeles", "Same Old Situation" and "Girls, Girls, Girls", the band also dedicated a portion of the show to an acoustic performance. High above the audience on a floating circular platform, they performed stunning renditions of "Without You", "On With the Show" and "Don't Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)". Other songs in the set included rare live gems "Piece Of Your Action" and "Afraid", which haven't been performed live in over 10 years.
On Saturday night (February 4), MÖTLEY was joined by their friend Jacoby Shaddix of PAPA ROACH who jumped on stage for "Smokin' In the Boys Room". Rumor has it that there will be more guests jamming with MÖTLEY CRÜE throughout the residency.
"The 'Mötley Crüe In Sin City' residency transformed the town, not only the Hard Rock Hotel," states Paul Davis, Vice President of Entertainment, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. "It's never been done like this before." Billboards on the world-famous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles and the 15 Interstate upon entering Vegas beckoned fans to the Hard Rock. Upon entering the casino lobby, Vince Neil's custom 1932 Ford Coupe hot rod was displayed and poker players found themselves gaming on MÖTLEY CRÜE-branded tables. Even maid service signs for hotel guest rooms indicated cleanup for "Home Sweet Home".
On Sunday, February 5, the quartet returned for the third night of the run which lasts through February 19. Leading up to it, fans experienced the band's current KIA automotive TV commercial during the third quarter of the Super Bowl. The 60-second spot, titled "Drive The Dream", stars Vince, Mick, Nikki and Tommy in a race car dream sequence performing their 1989 smash hit "Kickstart My Heart". Victoria's Secret Angel Adriana Lima, mixed martial arts legend Chuck Liddell and champion bull rider Judd Leffew are also featured in the commercial.
Don't miss "Mötley Crüe In Sin City" at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas now through February 19:
* Wednesday, February 8 * Friday, February 10 * Saturday, February 11 * Sunday, February 12 * Tuesday, February 14 * Wednesday, February 15 * Friday, February 17 * Saturday, February 18 * Sunday, February 19
Tickets, starting at $45 (plus applicable service fees) are available at the Hard Rock box office.
The second in a series of webisodes featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the making of "Devil's Messenger", the new album from Riverside, California's THE DEVASTATED, can be seen below. Described as a "gross, grimy, groove metal masterpiece," the CD will be released on February 14 via Century Media Records.
The brainchild of former IMPENDING DOOM and OBLIGE members, THE DEVASTATED already has two brutal singles available — "Devil's Messenger" and "Roof Top Drop". Produced by the bandmembers themselves, Chris Eck and co-produced/mixed by Daniel Castleman (AS I LAY DYING), the music was not written with the intent of impressing anyone except the band members themselves.
"Our state of mind was... let's play what we want to hear," says vocalist Greg Wilburn. "Let's write the heaviest, grooviest and ugliest songs we possibly can, and bring something fresh to this extremely watered down scene. If people 'get it' awesome... If not, fuck 'em."
"Devil's Messenger" features a guest appearance by SUICIDE SILENCE frontman Mitch Lucker in the song "Spit Vitriol".
Commented Lucker: "Greg has been a close friend for years. When he reached out to me for the part I was ecstatic! His band is amazing and I can't wait for this record to drop. It's the best shit I've heard in a long fucking time; super original and crushing from start to finish."
"Devil's Messenger" track listing:
01. Drip. Drip. 02. Pseudo Smile Campaign 03. Swallowing Tumors 04. Failure To Thrive 05. Roof Top Panty Drop 06. Devil’s Messenger 07. Spit Vitriol 08. Zombies 09. Bloody Bag Drag 10. Tongue In Cheek 11. Caprice 12. Conductor 13. Hollowed
"Parasitic Twins", the new video from THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, can be sen below. The hilarious clip was directed by David Merenyi and produced by Greg Toth. The song comes off the band's latest album, "Option Paralysis", which was re-released last year in a "Paralyzing Edition" exclusively as a digital download. This first-anniversary reissue included four bonus tracks, plus a video in the iTunes version.
THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN will head over to the United Kingdom in February to support MASTODON for a week's worth of dates before travelling to Australia for this year's Soundwave Festival. The group states, "While we are in that part of the world, we are going to be playing a few shows with SYSTEM OF A DOWN, plus headlining Malaysia and Thailand for the first time ever!"
In a recent interview with Australia's Loud magazine, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN guitarist Ben Weinman stated about the band's next album, "We're about to start working out ideas and we'll be doing that basically until we come to Australia [in February]. I traditionally come up with the start of most of the ideas and then myself and our drummer will kind of work on them and formulate songs and get the ball rolling."
Regarding the band's songwriting process, Ben said, "You know, every time I finish a record, I feel like I can't make another one. I'm done. I have no more DILLINGER in me. Then after a year or two of just touring heavily on that music, it just seems to come naturally, to start working on new stuff."
On the topic of how each THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN album is recorded, Ben said, "It takes a while. Because one of the things that we try to maintain is a certain level of… we're pretty critical about how we record and the music we make. Sometimes playing those guitars parts takes hours and hours because not only do we have to get it done once correctly — which is difficult enough — we have to do four or five more overdubs. It certainly can be pretty daunting."
Eric Blair of "The Blairing Out With Eric Blair Show" conducted an interview with bassist James Lomenzo (MEGADETH, WHITE LION, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, DAVID LEE ROTH, DIO DISCIPLES, HAIL!) at the 2012 NAMM (National Association Of Music Merchants) show, a massive music-products convention which took place January 19-22 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.
Lomenzo was the bassist for MEGADETH from February 10, 2006 until February 8, 2010. He was featured on the band's "United Abominations" (2007) and "Endgame" (2009) albums as well as the live DVD "Blood In The Water: Live In San Diego" filmed during Gigantour 2008.
Ann Arbor, Michigan hard rock band TAPROOT will release its new album, "The Episodes", on April 10 via Victory Records. The CD was produced by Tim Palatan, who previously worked with the group on 2010's "Plead The Fifth".
"The Episodes", nearly six years in the making, is a complexly developed concept album. Bassist Phil Lipscomb spoke on the band's creative process for this record, "I think our fans have come to expect the unexpected from us. Having written the story for this album before the music, this record sounds more like a soundtrack than a typical album, with the songs flowing together and taking you on a journey."
"Plead The Fifth" came out in May 2010 through Victory.
TAPROOT is:
Stephen Richards - Guitar, Vocals Mike DeWolf - Guitar Philip Lipscomb - Bass Nick Fredell - Drums
RockNLive.org conducted an interview with CHICKENFOOT guitarist Joe Satriani and touring drummer Kenny Aronoff on January 16 in Paris, France. You can now watch the chat below.
CHICKENFOOT's sophomore album, "III", sold 42,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 9 on The Billboard 200 chart. The band's self-titled debut opened with 49,000 units back in June 2009 to debut at No. 6.
"III" was produced by Mike Fraser (AC/DC, METALLICA) and is the much-anticipated follow-up album to the successful eponymous debut of a rock band packed with successful veterans.
Featuring guitar hero Joe Satriani and former VAN HALEN members Michael Anthony (bass) and Sammy Hagar (vocals), CHICKENFOOT's touring lineup includes legendary drummer/musician Kenny Aronoff, who is filling in for Chad Smith while Smith hits the road with his main band, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.
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