THEM CROOKED VULTURES, which consists of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl on drums, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE singer/guitarist Josh Homme and LED ZEPPELIN bass player John Paul Jones, recently shot a video for the song "New Fang" with director Paul Minor (MUSE, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, SCARS ON BROADWAY).
Grohl told the Toronto Star about THEM CROOKED VULTURES, "Who's going to let that go to waste? None of us needs to be in this band, but none of us would want to be anywhere else, you know? No, that's not true. I need to be in this band because the feeling I get playing with the VULTURES, I don't get anywhere else."
Grohl indicated that he wanted to get back to playing drums after more than 13 years fronting FOO FIGHTERS. He explained, "I'm a drummer . . . I want a band to play the drums in. But I'm not just gonna go eke out with some band that doesn't matter, I wanna do something that's gonna make people's heads spin. And that's why I'm in a band with Josh and John."
Regarding the band's self-titled debut, which arrived in stores last Tuesday (November 17), Grohl said, "I think we knew within the first month or two that we were making something that had a lot more weight or depth to it than some side project."
Grohl also spoke with Spinner.com about the current FOO FIGHTERS break, which began in fall 2008 and is likely to last well into 2010 as he continues to tour with THEM CROOKED VULTURES. Grohl said, "I think, to me, the most important thing was to give the audience a break from the band, not even that we need to stop playing. I feel like the world doesn't need another FOO FIGHTERS record right now."
According to Hits Daily Double, the companion web site of music industry tip sheet HITS, THEM CROOKED VULTURES' self-titled debut album is on track to sell between 70,000 and 75,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. No One Loves Me & Neither Do I 02. Mind Eraser, No Chaser 03. New Fang 04. Dead End Friends 05. Elephants 06. Scumbag Blues 07. Bandoliers 08. Reptiles 09. Interlude with Ludes 10. Warsaw Or The First Breath You Take After You Give Up 11. Caligulove 12. Gunman 13. Spinning in Daffodils
THEM CROOKED VULTURES taped a performance for the Austin City Limits TV program on September 30.
Alice Cooper's concerts have always been unique and spectacular. His blend of rock theatre and visual stimulation in combination with his rock hits has made him one of the most successful musicians of all time.
Now you can listen to Alice Cooper live over and over again!
Concert Online records the live shows of Alice Cooper's "Theatre of Death" tour 2009 with a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio. To ensure maximum quality and listening pleasure, all tracks are recorded and mixed via elaborate multi-track audio technology.
The live audio recording will then be edited and copied to the "Theatre of Death" concert stick in highest MP3 quality (320 kBit/s) and is available on location directly after each show.
From the day after the concert, the audio recordings are available online as well: as download or concert stick.
Just plug in your concert stick to any regular USB port on any regular PC or MAC, start the integrated audio player and listen to the very concert you've attended! Of course you can play the contained MP3 files on any device capable of playing back MP3s. On top, the concert stick functions as a 1GB USB 2.0 pen drive — please make sure to secure all contained data before you store additional content or erase the pen drive!
Can I burn a CD from the files contained?
Yes! It's that easy: To ensure maximum playback compatibility, our 320 kBit/s MP3s are not copy protected.
Where can I get my encores?
As Concert Online needs some time to finish the audio files and duplicate the concert sticks, the last few songs from each concert are available for download from the day after the concert. Therefore, every box contains a voucher code that enables you to download your encores for free!
MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer and METHODS OF MAYHEM mastermind Tommy Lee was a guest on last night's (Monday, November 23) edition of NBC-TV's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon". Make sure you watch the first sketch in Chapter One (see video below), where he reads a letter home.
METHODS OF MAYHEM's "Public Mayhem" album collaboration project was launched on October 5. Lee and METHODS producer Scott Humphrey posted isolated instrument tracks, or stems, from the upcoming album on the web site ThePublicRecord.com. Anyone with a great musical idea is invited to play a part in helping to achieve true "Public Mayhem", i.e. collaborate on the album. A wide range of formats are available to work with, including RiffWorks, WAV, Logic, GarageBand, Pro Tools and the Four Track 3.0 iPhone application. Participants will also have a chance to perform with METHODS OF MAYHEM at their record-release show.
"Public Mayhem" is set for release in early 2010.
A charitable donation will be made on behalf of all participants to the MusiCares Foundation. Established by The Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares provides emergency health and human services and addiction recovery resources to music people in need. Whether artists or other industry professionals, MusiCares is there with a safety net of support for those who have given the gift of music to our lives.
Video and sound updates are being posted at ThePublicRecord.com featuring submission highlights and weekly giveaways for the best audio and video entries.
METHODS OF MAYHEM earlier in the year inked a worldwide deal with Loud & Proud Records, a Roadrunner Records imprint focusing on established artists.
Lee formed METHODS OF MAYHEM in 1999 after he left MÖTLEY CRÜE. The all-star project collaboration with rapper TiLo featured input from LIMP BIZKIT's Fred Durst, THE CRYSTAL METHOD, Kid Rock, Snoop Dogg, and Mix Master Mike. After signing to MCA, METHODS OF MAYHEM issued its self-titled debut LP in late 1999.
Fan-filmed video footage of LEAVES' EYES' November 21, 2009 performance at Hellraiser in Leipzig, Germany as part of the "Beauty & The Beast Tour" (with ATROCITY, SIRENIA, ELIS and STREAM OF PASSION) can be viewed below (courtesy of "MusicJay1985").
Due to health concerns, LEAVES' EYES bassist Alla Fedynitch is sitting out the band's shows for the remainder of the year. Her temporary replacement is Oliver Holzwarth (TARJA TURUNEN, BLIND GUARDIAN), who previously joined LEAVES' EYES on stage for two songs during the German/Norwegian female-fronted metal group's acoustic performance at the Metal Female Voices Fest on October 19, 2009 in Wieze, Belgium.
Fedynitch is suffering from a herniated vertebral disk and paralysis on her right hand, making it impossible for her to tour with the group.
"My Destiny", the new video from LEAVES' EYES, was directed by Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Photos from the video shoot, as well as a German-language report from guitarist Thorsten "Tosso" Bauer, can be found on the Sounds2Move.de web site.
"Njord", the new full-length album from LEAVES' EYES, was released in the U.S. on September 29 via Napalm Records.
Dean TV has uploaded backstage footage of MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP (MSG) members Rev Jones and Wayne Findlay. Watch the clip below. Also available is footage of Dean Guitars CEO and owner Elliott Rubinson joining the MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP as bass player on Schenker's recent world tour.
Rubinson is said to be "one of the very few guitar company owners who is actually out there performing live and using his company's instruments on stages around the world."
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP's lineup for the upcoming U.K./Ireland tour will be as follows:
Michael Schenker (guitar) Gary Barden (vocals) Wayne Findlay (guitar, keyboards) Chris Slade (drums) Chris Glen (bass)
MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP's latest album, "In the Midst of Beauty", was released in May 2008 via Inakustic GMBH. The CD features returning MSG singer Gary Barden, drummer Simon Philips (THE WHO, TOTO), bassist Neil Murray (BLACK SABBATH, WHITESNAKE) and keyboardist Don Airey (DEEP PURPLE, OZZY OSBOURNE).
Santa Barbara, California metallers DEVILDRIVER recently recorded three songs — "Pray For Villains", "Another Night In London" and "Back With A Vengeance" — at the legendary BBC Maida Vale Studios in London, England for an exclusive BBC Radio 1 "Rock Show" session which aired last night (Monday, November 23) as part of Daniel Carter's program. Vocalist Dez Fafara was also on the phone talking about recording the session and life in general.
The show is now available for streaming for seven days at this location.
DEVILDRIVER will embark on a five-week North American headlining tour in January. Direct support on the dates will come from New York extreme metal legends SUFFOCATION. Also appearing on the bill is GOATWHORE.
According to a new online post by DEVILDRIVER bassist Jon Miller, the California metallers have six songs "in the bag" for the group's forthcoming album, which they "are looking to record sooner than later." He added, "We want to go faster and heavier on this one to answer any question on a 'direction' that we may be undertaking."
DEVILDRIVER drummer John Boecklin elaborated further on the status of the songwriting sessions for the band's next CD. Writing on the group's official MySpace blog, Boecklin stated, "On our last record, I would say we stretched as far as we could outside of what we had done in the past, trying new and slower songs with vocal melody like 'It's In The Cards' or the rock like feel of songs like 'Back With A Vengeance' and 'Teach Me To Whisper'. For our latest effort, we feel like musically going for the throat, so to speak.
"Are we gonna make a death metal album? No! We always have a heavy emphasis on groove and hook. That will not change. We just feel we have a certain anger edge about us and the songs we are writing compared to our last one. It will not be rushed and if you are a fan, you will not be let down!!"
DEVILDRIVER's latest album, "Pray For Villains", sold around 14,600 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
Relapse Records has announce the signing of Savannah, Georgia's BLACK TUSK.
Formed in 2005, BLACK TUSK released its full-length debut, "Passage Through Purgatory", last year via Hyperrealist. The band more recently issued a series of split seven-inch singles, including those with ASG, THE HOLY MOUNTAIN and FIGHT AMP.
BLACK TUSK is currently rounding out a run of dates in the eastern U.S. with BLACK COBRA. Upon returning home, BLACK TUSK will begin writing material for its Relapse debut for a spring 2010 release.
BLACK TUSK commented on the signing: "It's awesome to be on a label with so many bands that have helped shaped our tastes and with a staff that treats like family. We're stoked to get this next record out and we have a bunch of tours in the works so keep an eye out."
BLACK TUSK is featured in the December 2009 issue of Spin magazine (on newsstands now) along with labelmates BARONESS as part of a story on Savannah's burgeoning metal scene.
BLACK TUSK tour dates:
Nov. 24 - Newport, KY - Southgate House (w/ BLACK COBRA) Nov. 25 - Chicago, IL - Cobra Lounge (w/ DARK CASTLE) Nov. 27 - Huntington, WV - V Club (w/ BLACK COBRA) Nov. 28 - Chattanooga, TN - JJ Bohemia
LACUNA COIL singer, cover girl, and animal defender Cristina Scabbia has responded to criticism that she is wearing "too many clothes" in her new brand-new public service announcement for peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. In the ad (which can be seen below), Scabbia urges shoppers to seek out only cruelty-free products and appears above the tagline "Animal Testing Breaks Hearts."
Writing on her Facebook page, Cristina states, "AWESOME! Someone criticized the new PETA ad with me... just 'cause I'm wearing TOO MANY clothes ON in it!!!!
"I feel absolutely comfortable with my sexuality and body, but for a serious topic, do I really need to show my skin 'just 'cause?' I don't think so. I created a new trend, though; usually people throw shit and criticize about the opposite!
"Anyway, the PETA ad is about something and someone who's NOT me."
Scabbia, who cowrites an advice column for Revolver magazine, doesn't hesitate to advise against animal testing. "I am only human," she says. "But it feels obvious to me that testing on innocent animals for the sake of our own beauty is absolutely inhumane."
LACUNA COIL is one of many metal bands to join with peta2 and speak up for animals. Visitors to peta2.com will find interviews with all their favorite bands and celebrities — including CRADLE OF FILTH, THE AGONIST, OTEP, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, LAMB OF GOD, and TRIVIUM. They can also enter contests to win great prizes, including free iPods and concert tickets.
Sleaze Roxx recently conducted an interview with '80s hard rock queen Lita Ford. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Sleaze Roxx: How is touring different now with your family on the road with you compared to years back? It must be quite a change.
Lita Ford: While you were talking to [Lita's husband] Jim [Gillette of NITRO fame], my eight-year-old is in the top bunk and he's got Elmo on his hand and he's peeking over the door with Elmo but the language that is coming out of Elmo's mouth is not appropriate for children that are eight years old. Rocko is in the top bunk, and he's eight years old, and he's got Elmo and he is going, "Hey, you assholes! Hey I'm up here," and he's sneaking over the door. So I'm thinking to myself, "Reality show." This is really fucking funny. My other son has pooped in a bag because you're not supposed to poop on the bus. He pooped in this bag and I told him to tie the bag shut so you can't smell anything, but he didn't. He just left this bag of poop in the bathroom and the whole bus smells like shit and I'm thinking, "Oh, my God, this is definitely a reality show."
Sleaze Roxx: That doesn't sound like your usual tour stories, does it?
Lita Ford: No... (laughs). Of course, everyone is clean and sober and nobody drinks a damn thing except for a glass of wine before the show and that's it.
Sleaze Roxx: Is it safe to say you are having more fun now than when you were on top of the charts?
Lita Ford: It's different, that's for sure. It's another world, it's another life, it's another Lita. My "Wicked Wonderland".
Sleaze Roxx: Will we have to wait another 15 years for a new CD from you?
Lita Ford: Nope, of course not. With my husband in charge, and him leading the way, there's no stopping what we are going to do. I told him he should have been President of the United States because he's just a go-getter. Everything he touches turns to gold, so I know that I'm in good hands with him. This isn't a one-off thing. I didn't do all this for one fucking CD or 13 songs, hell no! I didn't make my bus stink like shit for one fucking CD... (laughs).
Pulverised Records has announced the signing of Norwegian black metallers DEN SAAKALDTE.
Consisting of some of black metal's most notorious and prolific musicians — including main songwriter/guitarist Mikael Sykelig (ex-GORGOROTH session guitar player) — DEN SAAKALDTE previously released the monumental debut "Øl, Mørke og Depresjon" (which translates to "Beer, Darkness And Depression") and the remarkably depressive full-length effort "All Hail Pessimism" (2009), both of which received rave reviews worldwide.
Commented Sykelig: "We are proud to announce that DEN SAAKALDTE's new record label is to be Pulverised Records. In our opinion, Pulverised is currently one of the most upcoming labels you can find. They work hard for their bands, and just seeing the names that they have on their roster is enough to know that their goals, and standards, are set very high indeed. We are delighted that our new album will be released on Pulverised, especially at a time when the label is going from strength to strength, and very much look forward to working closely with them."
Stated Pulverised Records A&R manager Calvin: "It was quite a pleasant surprise when the email came in from Mikael, and he was wondering if there would be a possibility of us working together for their new album.
"DEN SAAKALDTE very quickly established their reputation in the scene in just a period of a few years since their formation, and it was obvious that the band had already became a force to be reckoned with. There was not a single doubt about signing DEN SAAKALDTE and an agreement was worked out almost immediately. We have absolute confidence that the band will outdo themselves and create yet another phenomenal follow-up full-length effort, filled with utter anguish and despondency."
DEN SAAKALDTE's new studio album, "Kapittel II: Faen i Helvete", is scheduled for release in the fall of 2010.
DEN SAAKALDTE recently parted ways with drummer Jarle "Uruz" Byberg (ex-SHINING, URGEHAL). A replacement skinsman has not yet been announced.
In other news, DEN SAAKALDTE will take part in the "Skandinavisk Pessimisme Omringer Europa Tour", alongside TROLL and SARGEIST, starting in March 2010. DEN SAAKALDTE will also make an appearance at next year's edition of the Kings Of Black Metal Festival, set to take place April 10, 2010 and Barther Metal Open Air, which will be held on August 20 of.
Also on the DEN SAAKALDTE front, there are plans to re-release "Øl, Mørke og Depresjon" on digipak CD and gatefold LP and "All Hail Pessimism" on limited gatefold double LP.
METALLICA's official web site has been updated with the following message:
"In June of this year we were fortunate enough to return to Mexico City for three sold-out shows at Foro Sol Stadium and with 155,000 of you there over the three nights, we knew it would be extra special. So we asked our friend Wayne Isham to join us with a film crew and the results of that crazy, magical, most memorable long weekend will be available on DVD and CD starting November 30 as 'Orgullo, Pasion y Gloria: Tres Noches En La Ciudad de Mexico' ('Pride, Passion, and Glory: Three Nights in Mexico City').
"The DVDs and CDs include songs from all three shows recorded on June 4, 6, and 7. Each show had a unique set list, totaling 34 different songs . . . They're all there on the two DVD set along with interviews with us. Other versions that will be available include one DVD (18 tracks), Blu-ray version of that DVD, a digipack with the DVD and two CDs, and finally the aforementioned deluxe version in a slip case with two DVDs and two CDs. Track listings for each configuration can be seen [below]. In keeping with the local theme, all the credits will be in Spanish (Portuguese for our Brazilian buddies) and will only be available at stores in Latin America. Of course we will also have it in the official Metallica.com store, starting sometime the week of December 7.
"Most areas of Latin America will have the DVD available on November 30. However, if you live in Brazil, check your local music store on December 8 and for fans in Argentina and Chile, 'Orgullo, Pasion y Gloria: Tres Noches En La Ciudad de Mexico' hits the stores on December 10.
"And of course since we had such an amazing time in Mexico, we can't wait to go back . . . we'll see you in Monterrey and Guadalajara in March. More details on those shows coming very soon!"
MONSTER MAGNET has inked a new worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records. The band will enter the studio in January with producer Matt Hyde to begin recording its new album for a summer 2010 release.
Commented frontman Dave Wyndorf: "I'm really looking forward to joining the roster at Napalm Records and working with them on future endeavours." Markus Riedler, Napalm Records managing director, added, "It is an honor to cooperate with a scene icon such as Dave Wyndorf! He's very enthusiastic, full of energy and together we want to rock through the coming years! The new album will be killer and fans should make sure to check out the high-energy live show of the band! 2010 will be the year of MONSTER MAGNET!"
MONSTER MAGNET's latest CD, "4-Way Diablo", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 81. The album, which was also produced by Hyde and featured a cover version of THE ROLLING STONES' "2,000 Light Years from Home", landed on the Swedish chart at No. 51. The album sold 1,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon of JOURNEY performed the LED ZEPPELIN classic "Rock And Roll" during their November 14, 2009 appearance at the "Katy Perry Rocks for Relief" concert at SM Mall of Asia Concert ground Manila, Philippines. Watch fan-filmed video footage of the performance below.
All net proceeds of the concert will be donated to the Philippine National Red Cross, the concert's sole beneficiary. The concert was also an avenue for people to drop off their donations as it housed booths specifically intended for it.
Arnel has also established his own foundation specifically to help street kids. He set it up to raise funds in the U.S. to help kids in the Philippines.
Infernal Masquerade recently conducted an interview with singer Simone Simons of the Dutch symphonic metal band EPICA. The chat is now available for streaming as a WAV audio file at this location.
EPICA's latest album, "Design Your Universe", sold 2,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 12 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.
"Design Your Universe" was released in Europe on October 16 . The follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy" was recorded at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany with producer Sascha Paeth.
EPICA will return to North America for a headlining tour in the beginning of 2010, with THREAT SIGNAL and BLACKGUARD as support. EPICA will offer fans a special VIP ticket which will grant them access to the venue an hour before door times, a pre-show meet-and-greet with EPICA and a event poster customized for the city of the show. Fans are urged to purchase these VIP tickets as only 50 are being allotted for each show.
Quality fan-filmed video footage of EPICA's November 3, 2009 performance in Toulouse, France can be viewed below (courtesy of "MetalDenCR").
German thrash metal veterans KREATOR will embark on a North American headlining tour, dubbed "Hordes Of Chaos Part II", in March 2010.
"Hordes Of Chaos Part II" will feature the following acts:
** March 3-12:
KREATOR VOIVOD NACHTMYSTIUM EVILE LAZARUS A.D.
** March 13:
KREATOR NACHTMYSTIUM EVILE LAZARUS A.D.
** March 14:
KREATOR VOIVOD NACHTMYSTIUM EVILE LAZARUS A.D.
** March 16:
KREATOR EVILE LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH LAZARUS A.D.
** March 18-31:
KREATOR KATAKLYSM EVILE LIGHTNING SWORDS OF DEATH LAZARUS A.D.
"Hordes Of Chaos Part II" tour dates:
March 03 - Jaxx, West Springfield, VA March 04 - The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA March 05 - The Palladium (MA), Worcester, MA March 06 - Nokia Theater, New York, NY March 07 - Club Soda, Montreal, QUE March 08 - Imperial de Quebec, Quebec City, QUE March 09 - Opera House, Toronto, ONT March 10 - Peabody's Cleveland, OH March 11 - Blondie's, Detroit, MI March 12 - The Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL March 13 - Rave, Milwaukee, WI March 14 - Block Station 4, St Paul, MN March 16 - Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO March 18 - Corazon, Seattle, WA March 19 - Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, BC March 20 - Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR March 21 - Slim's, San Francisco, CA March 23 - House of Blues, West Hollywood, CA March 24 - House of Blues, San Diego, CA March 25 - The Rock, Tucson, AZ March 27 - Emo's Alternative Lounging, Austin, TX March 28 - Meridian, Houston, TX March 30 - The Club at Firestone, Orlando, FL March 31 - The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA
Tickets go on sale today (Tuesday, November 24) exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until December 17, at which point they will be made available through all normal ticketing systems.
KREATOR filmed a video for the song "Destroy What Destroys You" during the band's October 17, 2009 show with EXODUS at Espacio Broadway in Santiago, Chile. The clip was directed by Chilean video artist Carlos Toro, who has previously worked with VADER, MERCENARY and LACRIMOSA.
Lyrically, the track is a homage to German protest singer Rio Reiser.
KREATOR drummer Ventor (real name: Jürgen Reil) sat out the band's recent tour dates due to "some personal issues." Filling in for him between September 11 in Moscow, Russia and October 31 in Sao Paulo, Brazil was Marco Minnemann, who is best known for his stints in NECROPHAGIST, ILLOGICIST and EPHEL DUATH.
Jürgen "Ventor" Reil recently opened a tattoo shop in Essen, Germany called Carnap Ink Corporation.
Some samples of Ventor's work can be found at this location.
KREATOR's new album, "Hordes Of Chaos", sold around 2,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 165 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD landed at No. 7 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.
The CD was released in three different versions. The jewel case edition includes the ten regular album songs, and the deluxe version features an additional bonus DVD with an atmospheric making-of in super-8 quality courtesy of a Berlin filmmaker. As a third option, the ultra-deluxe version comes with a t-shirt, a worthwhile photo book and an extended version of the bonus DVD, as well as the CD.
The "Hordes Of Chaos" artwork was created once again by Joachim Luetke. Luetke designed the artwork for KREATOR's last album, "Enemy Of God", as well as past releases from bands like DIMMU BORGIR, ARCH ENEMY and RAGE.
Russell Johnson (a.k.a. "The Evil G.") of the Bare Bones Music Network recently conducted an interview with Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE, ROB ZOMBIE, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER) about Hollywood's first real "Heavy Metal Karaoke", which gives the average metal fan a chance at super-stardom. The chat is now available for streaming at this location.
Ever think you have what it takes to be a heavy metal vocalist? Well, it's time to stop singing in the shower and take those skills to the stage.
"Heavy Metal Karaoke" operates like normal karaoke, except instead of singing with lame-ass backing tracks, this special event gives the participants the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sing with professional touring musicians from some of the most legendary heavy metal bands of all time!
Admission for each show is $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show, so get your tickets now before they sell out. This is the first "Heavy Metal Karaoke" event featuring established live musicians and is a must-see event, even if you are not up for the vocal challenge. There will be a designated area for "singer" registration that will feature a large song list to chose from, including classic tracks from BLACK SABBATH, IRON MAIDEN, JUDAS PRIEST, METALLICA, PANTERA, SLAYER and plenty more. Expect a variety of special guests and surprises!
Location:
* The Whisky in Hollywood, California * Brick by Brick in San Diego, California
Confirmed Nights:
The Whisky:
* January 12 * January 26 * February 9 * February 23
Brick by Brick
* January 21 * February 4 * February 18 * March 4
The band:
* Bass: Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE, ROB ZOMBIE, CRYPTIC SLAUGHTER) * Guitar: Tommy Victor (PRONG, DANZIG, MINISTRY) * Drums: Tommy Clufetos (ROB ZOMBIE, ALICE COOPER, TED NUGENT)
The host:
* Phil Varone: (ex-SKID ROW, SAIGON KICK drummer) (Previously hosted "Sex, Stand Up and Rock & Roll" at the Improv in Hollywood.)
Due to overwhelming demand, the following five dates have been added to MACHINE HEAD's "The Black Procession" tour, also featuring HATEBREED, BLEEDING THROUGH and ALL SHALL PERISH:
Feb. 17 - U.K., Newport - Newport Centre Feb. 22 - U.K., Leeds - Leeds Academy Feb. 25 - U.K., Newcastle - Newcastle Academy Feb. 28 - Ireland, Dublin - Olympia Mar. 01 - Ireland, Belfast - George's Market
Fan pre-sale links for tickets will be made available on Wednesday, November 25. General public ticket sales begin on Friday, November 27.
"The Black Procession" will cap off what has been an incredible three-year journey for MACHINE HEAD in support of the band's highly acclaimed, Grammy-nominated album "The Blackening". MACHINE HEAD drummer Dave McClain states, "It's going to be awesome to get out there and rock a full set, to mix it up night after night, and be able to do things 100% our way! It's really just dawning on us that after almost three years of touring on 'The Blackening' that 'The Black Procession' will be the final tour of this cycle… but instead of being in wind-down mode, we're super excited to get out there and crush it! Our fans have been asking for a full-fledged MACHINE HEAD tour and we are ready to bring it!" Singer/guitarist Robb Flynn adds, "It's been an amazing album cycle and we are thankful for the relentless support we have from our fans. We are all well aware of the fact that the touring market around the world is in a tough spot due to economic conditions, and it's great and humbling to be able to actually add dates to this tour in spite of that fact. We can't wait to see all you crazy fuckers!"
MACHINE HEAD will close out 2009 with the rest of their U.S. support dates with MEGADETH, leading into a string of western U.S. support shows with METALLICA, culminating in a hometown concert featuring both of the Bay Area metal titans on December 12 in San Jose, California.
MusicRadar.com recently caught up with former GUNS N' ROSES and current VELVET REVOLVER guitarist Slash to talk riffs.
On what makes a killer guitar riff:
Slash: "A killer riff… something that's memorable, something that digs in, something that obviously has the right note selection to make something just sound fucking attractive, I guess. It's got to have a great sound and it's got to have a great attack. There's a lot of different elements but I think the most important thing is something that's really catchy and something that sticks with you."
What's your favourite riff of all time?
Slash: "LED ZEPPELIN had probably the biggest cache of killer riffs, more than any other band. I was thinking 'Whole Lotta Love'. I remember when that record came out — fuck, I was a little kid. But you know, 'Black Dog' is another one. ZEPPELIN had probably the biggest cache of killer riffs, more than any other band, y' know. I could go on… there's so many great riffs it's hard to go, this is the one."
Which of your own riffs are you most proud of?
Slash: "I've always dug 'Paradise City', I always thought it was great. 'Rocket Queen' was something that I was pretty fond of. And 'Jungle''s great. Everybody seems to like 'Sweet Child O' Mine' and that's a pretty cool riff, but I'd probably opt for 'Welcome To The Jungle' over 'Sweet Child O' Mine'."
Check out the video below for much more, including Slash's advice for aspiring riff writers.
New England metallers SHADOWS FALL have cancelled their previously annual December 26, 2009 concert at Pearl Street in Northampton, Massachusetts due to "unforeseen family commitments." Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase.
SHADOWS FALL is the "HD Artist Of The Month" for November on Fuse On Demand. Check out the video below where the guys talk about their new album "Retribution", success in the metal world and starting their own label.
"Retribution" sold around 13,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 35 on The Billboard 200 chart.
"Retribution" was released on September 15 via Everblack Industries, the label SHADOWS FALL created in conjunction with Warner Music Group's ILG, Ferret Music and ChannelZERO Entertainment. The CD was produced by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (HATEBREED, MUNICIPAL WASTE), with vocal production by Elvis Baskette (INCUBUS, ALTER BRIDGE). The cover artwork was created by Sons of Nero (UNEARTH, EVERY TIME I DIE, BRING ME THE HORIZON).
Australian progressive metal band VANISHING POINT is writing material for its as-yet-untitled fifth studio album, to be released in 2010.
Upcoming VANISHING POINT shows:
Dec. 31 - Screamfest @ Enmore Theatre - Sydney, AUS Jan. 03 - Hi-Fi - Brisbane, AUS (w/ SONATA ARCTICA) Jan. 05 - Billboard's - Melbourne, AUS (w/ SONATA ARCTICA)
VANISHING POINT's latest CD, "The Fourth Season", was released in August 2007 via Dockyard 1. The follow-up to 2005's "Embrace the Silence" was once again recorded with Endel Rivers at Palm studios in the band's hometown of Melbourne. Mastering duties were handled by legendary Mika Jussila (STRATOVARIUS, NIGHTWISH, SONATA ARCTICA) at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki, Finland.
Watch VANISHING POINT's video for the song "Surrender" (taken from "The Fourth Season"):
Norway-based black metallers GORGOROTH have scheduled the following dates:
April 09 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob April 10 - Rotterdam, Holland - Baroeg April 11 - Paris, France - Trabendo April 12 - Hamburg, Germany - Marx April 13 - Cologne, Germany - Underground April 14 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik April 15 - Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generali April 16 - Osnabrück, Germany - N8 April 17 - Glauchau, Germany - Alte Spinnerei
GORGOROTH's ninth album, "Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt", was released on October 21 in Europe and November 11 in the U.S. via Regain Records. The CD was recorded at Tomas Asklund's Monolith Studio and features Infernus on guitar, Frank Watkins (OBITUARY) on bass, Pest on vocals and Tomas Asklund on drums.
"Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt" was produced by Infernus and co-produced/engineered by Tomas Asklund. It was mastered at the Cutting Room in Stockholm.
"Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt" track listing:
01. Aneuthanasia 02. Prayer 03. Rebirth 04. Building a Man 05. New Breed 06. Cleansing Fire 07. Human Sacrifice 08. Satan-Prometheus 09. Introibo ad Alatare Satanas
Since Infernus wrote all the music for the album and extensive rehearsals and a pre-production recording had also been completed before second guitarist Tormentor rejoined the band last year, it was decided that it would be more convenient for Infernus to record all the guitars on the LP.
Twilightheart of Sheol-Magazine.com and Zero Tolerance visited GORGOROTH in Stockholm, Sweden in June while they were recording "Quantos Possunt ad Satanitatem Trahunt". You can read her report, which includes a number of photos, at this location.
"Aneuthanasia" sample (click on player below to launch audio):
"Prayer" sample (click on player below to launch audio):
Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES will release "The Flames Of The End", a brand new three-disc DVD set, in February 2010 through Earache Records.
AT THE GATES released its definitive album, "Slaughter Of The Soul" — often regarded as one of the all-time greatest metal albums — on Earache in 1995, before touring the world and abruptly disbanding. Members of the band went on to play major roles in other notorious metal acts such as THE HAUNTED and CRADLE OF FILTH, before reforming for a one-off tour in 2008 to rapturous response.
Now, to celebrate AT THE GATES' massively influential career and historical reunion tour, the band will be releasing "The Flames Of The End", an extensive, in-depth and definitive three-disc DVD set on February 22, 2010.
Housed in a deluxe six-panel DVD digipak with a 40-page colour booklet, "The Flames Of The End" will include three indispensable DVDs:
** Disc 1: "Under A Serpent Sun - The Story of At The Gates"
A brand new documentary with a running time of over two hours, detailing the band's entire career with exclusive interviews and footage, filmed and directed by guitarist Anders Björler.
** Disc 2: "Purgatory Unleashed - Live at Wacken"
A 75-minute live set from the band's reunion set at the Wacken festival in 2008 in front of 100,000 people.
** Disc 3: "Only the Dead Are Smiling"
26 rare and archive live performances of the band playing in locations around the globe from 1991 to 2008.
Watch a video trailer for "The Flames Of The End" below.
AT THE GATES guitarist Anders Björler comments: "It's now almost two-and-a-half years after the first telephone call to the guys regarding the reunion plans for 2008. Looking back at it today, I am very pleased and happy we pulled it off in the short amount of time and clearing all the planning hurdles with our other bands; THE HAUNTED, DISFEAR, BRUJERIA, NEMHAIN, SLAKATTACK etc.
"I started preparing for the documentary 'Under A Serpent Sun' already in 2007. I got myself a new camera, 'cause the old one gave up on me.
"The downside to my filming plans was actually reliving all the feelings associated with AT THE GATES. I didn't want to miss anything. I talked to fans, journalists, and everybody was just overwhelmed by the whole thing. All of us basically took the time to experience this tour to the fullest extent. We appreciated every second of it, because we knew that in a few months it would all be over. All the troubles of the past were washed away. We were basically enjoying touring again.
"After the reunion tour, I sat down and had a look at all the material we had collected. We had a bunch of stuff filmed from pretty much everywhere we played. The quality was very diverse, but at the same time intriguing, and it gave me the inspiration to continue on the documentary.
"I had made some interviews beforehand with Tomas [Lindberg, vocals], and continued tracking down people with knowledge of the past — Alf, Jesper Jarold from AT THE GATES, and a bunch of people from other bands at the time. We hunted down a few hundred old pictures, old crappy VHS and HI-8 recordings from the rehearsal room, live shows, on the road footage etc... ending up with a 130-minute documentary.
"I want to express gratitude to the people helping us out with old material: photos, videos, stories etc... It wouldn't have been possible without your help!
"The Wacken show was planned ahead as being the #1 show on the upcoming DVD. It captured us at our finest moment, just after the U.S. tour, and it's definitely one of our finest moments. We were blown away of the fact that we actually played for 60,000 people.
"So, enjoy 'The Flames of the End' DVD box set. We have really put our hearts into this release, and it's a fine last document of the band."
Fan-filmed video footage of SIRENIA's November 21, 2009 performance at Hellraiser in Leipzig, Germany as part of the "Beauty & The Beast Tour" (with ATROCITY, LEAVES' EYES, ELIS and STREAM OF PASSION) can be viewed below (courtesy of "MusicJay1985").
SIRENIA drummer Jonathan A. Perez is sitting out the "Beauty & The Beast Tour" in order to spend time with his wife and newborn child. His temporary replacement is Roland Navratil from DIGNITY.
"The 13th Floor", the latest album from SIRENIA, debuted at No. 149 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.
"The 13th Floor" was released in Europe on January 23. The CD was tracked at Sound Suite Studios in France and Stargoth Studios in Norway while the mixing and mastering sessions took place at the Antfarm Studios in Denmark with Tue Madsen.
SIRENIA's video for the song "The Path To Decay" was shot in Gothenburg, Sweden with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL) of Revolver Film Company.
SIRENIA recruited singer Ailyn (born: Pilar Giménez García) as the replacement for Monika Pedersen, who left the group in 2007 after only one album due to "musical differences."
Ailyn is best known as a member of the young team in the Spanish version of "The X Factor", the biggest television talent competition in Europe.
Guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner of ISIS, the innovative Los Angeles-by-way-of-Boston-based band, was interviewed for the latest episode of "The Governor's Ball". You can now stream the program in two parts below.
ISIS's video for the song "20 Minutes / 40 Years" can be viewed below. The track comes off the group's fifth full-length album, "Wavering Radiant", which was released in the U.S. on May 5 via Ipecac Recordings. The CD, produced by Joe Baressi (TOOL, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE), received a limited-edition vinyl release on April 21. TOOL's Adam Jones contributed guitar to two songs from the LP.
"Wavering Radiant" sold 5,800 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 98 on The Billboard 200 chart. ISIS' first full-length in over two years, sees the colossal fivesome moving beyond the visible spectrum of rock and the realm of the uninspired. Blissfully melodic, frighteningly dense; the album is an epic conflict between worlds of beauty and the darkest of demons. A monster of epic proportions, its seven tracks clock in at a total of 54 minutes. The shortest number (also the album's title cut) stays under two minutes, while its longest reaches 11 minutes.
"Death Domination", the new album from Swedish death/thrashers IMPIOUS, will be released in Asia on December 23.
The Asian version of the CD will include the bonus track "The Reaper's End", which was previously unreleased.
"Death Domination" is being released in North America today (November 24) via Metal Blade Records. The CD's cover artwork, which the band describes as "one of the most sinister and malignant-looking album covers ever," was created by Marcello Vasco and can be viewed below.
Commented the band, "'Dead Awakening' is definitely one of the strongest and most varied songs on the album. It also features some guest vocals by Andreas Khörven Nilsson from the Gothenburg band HOPE OVER FEAR."
"Death Domination" track listing:
01. Abomination Glorified 02. The Demand 03. I Am The King 04. And The Empire Shall Fall 05. Dead Awakening 06. Hate Killing Project 07. Rostov Ripper 08. Legions 09. As Death Lives In Me 10. Irreligious State Of War 11. The Reaper's End (Asian bonus track)
"Death Domination" features a guest appearance by former THE CROWN and current ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET frontman Johan Lindstrand on the song "The Demand".
Commented IMPIOUS: "It's great to finally have Johan adding to our sound again for the first time in years! Johan is an amazing vocalist and he totally rip shit up on this track!"
Added Lindstrand: "I've known IMPIOUS since they first started back in '94. Both on a personal, friendly level as well as on a professional level. I played the drums on their first demo and now I do some guest vocals on their new album. Always a pleasure to do stuff with them and especially on this new one that I feel is their strongest one yet. It's one hell of a speed ride with a lot of passion to it and I feel very honored that they asked me to join them on a song. They will do great with 'Death Domination'."
According to the band, the album title "symbolizes how death rules over all, and how man seeks to religion as a feeble comfort against what will happen when death takes us. Without death, religion is powerless. And only in death will religion fill its purpose."
The group adds, "It was extremely important to us that the title would fit our new songs and artwork perfectly. We needed a short yet powerful title that would show just how confident we are about our new material.
"This album will by far be the most crushingly brutal album we've ever made and we believe this title says it all!"
IMPIOUS's new CD was recorded at guitarist Valle Adzic's Studio Deadline. The band previously stated, "This is the first album ever we'll produce and engineer by ourselves and we're pretty stoked about delivering this baby without any other people involved. This album will truly represent what the fuck IMPIOUS is all about!"
The band's previous CD, entitled "Holy Murder Masquerade", was released in January 2007 via Metal Blade Records.
Bassist Joey Vera of Los Angeles metal veterans ARMORED SAINT has issued the following update:
"After six weeks, the new ARMORED SAINT record is done. Well, not entirely….we still have to have it mastered which should be done in the next two weeks. So technically, there's plenty of time for more arbitrary bouts of stress. But all of the tunes have been recorded and mixed. And I have the dark circles under my eyes to prove it!
"As the producer of the record, I did in fact work very long and hard on this. But I didn't work alone. Everyone involved worked their asses off. Gonzo [Sandoval, drums], John [Bush, vocals], Phil [Sandoval, guitar] and Jeff [Duncan, guitar] all came in and gave it everything. Engineer Bryan Carlstrom and his assistant John Nuss were the workhorses who kept up the pace in this session which for the most part meant putting in 12-14-hour days.
"I can't say enough about Bryan, Nuss and Annette Cisneros from Tranzformer Studios in Burbank. This is a first-class operation and to boot, they all gave heart and soul into the project which these days you just cannot even pay for. We are in much debt with them. Truly wonderful people.
"The result is just amazing, and I may be hasty when I say that this may be our best record ever. But all dopes in bands say that right? Well, this time I think it's true and although my reasons may be purely personal, I still deem it truth. The songs are great and it sounds great.
"The title of our new record is 'La Raza' which means 'The Race'.
"For all of you tech nerds out there, a few quick bits on how we made this one: We used nothing but analog gear, most of which was custom-built by Rupert Neve for Bryan Carlstrom. We hit every signal (drum mics, guitars, vocals) with custom or vintage analog gear before recording into Pro Tools. We even used rare vintage amps for most of the guitar overdubs. At mix time, we mixed on an SSL 4000E console and went to a one-inch tape reel (one of only two on the West Coast) for our final masters. Uh…. you DO know what tape is, don't you?
"What does this all mean? It means we spit in the ear of the age of the MP3, teenie, tiny ear bud listening culture that has turned it's back on what it means to experience music. This record is FAT. We means, obese! Full-on cardiovascular failure stuff! Old school, baby!
"We are finishing up the other crap that goes with making records. Photo shoots, CD artwork (you DO know what a CD is still, right?), mastering, the running order of the tunes. After that, we wait until it is released. I'm told it's coming out in March 2010 on Metal Blade Records."
"La Raza" will feature the following songs, among others:
* Black Feet * Chilled * Loose Cannon * Blues * La Raza * Head On * Get Off The Fence * Left Hook From Right Field
Tranzformer Studios is owned by Dave Jerdan (ALICE IN CHAINS, JANE'S ADDICTION), who produced ARMORED SAINT's 1991 classic "Symbol of Salvation" and Carlstrom, who engineered the same album.
To get a taste of what the new ARMORED SAINT album will sound like, check out a demo version of "Loose Cannon" (performed with a drum program) in the YouTube clip below (also available for download as a ZIP file at this location). "Loose Cannon" gives fans a glimpse into ARMORED SAINT's writing process and is also a nice taste of what's to come on the band's forthcoming full-length studio release.
The band's current lineup is the same as the one on 2000's "Revelation" and 1992's "Symbol of Salvation" LPs:
John Bush (vocals) Jeff Duncan (guitar) Phil Sandoval (guitar) Joey Vera (bass) Gonzo Sandoval (drums)
Demo version of new ARMORED SAINT song "Loose Cannon":
Bulgaria's Tangra Mega Rock recently conducted an interview with TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider. The chat is now available for streaming using the audio player below.
Motivated by what he calls the "systematic abuse" of the metal horns, Snider has launched a web site dedicated to the reclamation of our iconic heavy metal symbol, TakeBackTheHorns.com.
"The rampant misuse and overuse of the metal horns is an insult to true fans of the music form it represents," says Dee, "They were never intended to be thrown by members of the hip hop, country and pop communities. We fought long and hard for the music we love to be recognized. They have no right to use our sign!"
While absolutely recognizing the humor in the situation, TakeBackTheHorns.com is dedicated to not only raise awareness of this abuse, but the site has been designed to inform and educate the reader on the history and proper use of the metal horns. Dee Snider hopes it will unify the massive, heavy metal community in the fight to stop the metal horns' further exploitation and degradation. Says Dee, "I appreciate the appeal of throwing the horns and even acknowledge that its overuse shows just how far the acceptance of heavy metal has come as a music form. But when little Johnny throws the horns to his mom because he's successfully made a number two, things have gone way too far."
TakeBackTheHorns.com also contains a section for visitors to post photos of abusers of the horns and an interactive "Metal or Not" rating system to help define and decide the proper usage of the iconic symbol. ??
Dee goes on to say, "In the '80s, I went to Washington, D.C. to defend heavy metal and fight censorship. Now it's time for me to defend the music I love again and fight a very different enemy. I need headbangers the world over to join me in this important fight. Let's say to the purveyors of other music forms, the usurpers of our mark...get your own damn sign bee-otch! Let's take back the horns...dot com!"
"Crash And Burn", the new video from TEAM CYBERGEIST, the industrial project founded by Angel (a.k.a. Andrew Bartolotta) — best known as the past/present drummer of such bands as DOPE, GENITORTURERS, PIG, CROSSBREED, SWITCHED, THE UNDEAD, and many others — can be viewed below. The clip was filmed during TEAM CYBERGEIST's recent U.S. tour with the GENITORTURERS, which featured Bartolotta playing drums for both bands.
The TEAM CYBERGEIST lineup for the tour was as follows:
TEAM CYBERGEIST recently inked a deal with RB Records for the Japanese release of the band's new album, "How To Destroy Something Beautiful". Issued last week, the first official full-length CD from TEAM CYBERGEIST features collaborative performances by past and present members of DOPE, STONE SOUR, KITTIE, GODHEAD, MORBID ANGEL, ADEMA, SALIVA, GENITORTURERS, PIGFACE, DARK NEW DAY, PSYCLON NINE, SWITCHED, KMFDM, KIDNEYTHIEVES, PIG, HANZEL UND GRETYL and many others.
The Japanese version of the album features a different track listing, different artwork, and exclusive bonus tracks.
"How To Destroy Something Beautiful" will be released in the United States through Toxic Shock Records.
"How To Destroy Something Beautiful" track listing:
01. Crash And Burn 02. Human Nature 03. Justified 04. The Dream 05. The End Of All We Know 06. My Last Call 07. Radiation Romance 08. Everything 09. A Way Out 10. How To Destroy Something Beautiful 11. Self Centered (Spelling Love With Dollar Signs) 12. 1 Knife 1 Throat 2 Hearts 13. The World ends Tonight 14. Sand Castles 15. Second Coming 16. On Broken Wings 17. Tomorrow (Japan Mix) 18. Radiation Romance (PsyKill Remix)
Brazilian thrashers SEPULTURA have scheduled the following European shows in 2010:
Apr. 02 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Apr. 04 - Marmande, France - Garorock Fest Apr. 05 - Mulhouse, France - Noumatrouf Apr. 16 - Aarhus, Denmark - Royal Metal Fest Apr. 23 - St. Malo, France - Omnibus Apr. 24 - Magny Le Hongre, France - File Jun. 16 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage Jun. 18 - Clisson, France - Hellfest Jun. 25 - Desselt, Belgium - Grasspop Metal Meeting Jul. 01 - Sete, France - Theatre de la Mer Jul. 02 - La Bathie, France - Savoie Rock Fest
More dates will be announced soon.
"A-Lex" — SEPULTURA's first LP to be recorded without either of the founding Cavalera brothers (Max and Igor; on guitar/vocals and drums, respectively) — is available in three versions: in a deluxe digipak with an embossed cover, in a regular jewel case and on a vinyl gatefold LP.
On "A-Lex", SEPULTURA guitarist Andreas Kisser and his three colleagues, Derrick Green (vocals), Paulo Jr. (bass) and new addition Jean Dollabella (drums), have dedicated themselves to Anthony Burgess's book "A Clockwork Orange", creating an awesome thrash metal opus around this timeless and exciting subject.
Kisser's solo debut, "Hubris I & II", was released on June 15 via Holland's Mascot Records. A two-disc set, the self-produced effort was recorded in part at A Voz do Brasil studio in São Paulo, Brazil.
Finnish melodic metallers STRATOVARIUS have announced the support acts for their forthcoming European headlining tour, which is scheduled to kick off on January 7 in Bochum, Germany. They are as follows:
With TRACEDAWN, MYSTIC PROPHECY:
Jan. 07 - Zeche - Bochum [DE] Jan. 08 - Hof ter Lo - Antwerp [BE] Jan. 09 - Melkweg - Amsterdam [NL] Jan. 10 - Garage - London [UK] Jan. 12 - Elysee - Paris [FR] Jan. 13 - Le Bikini - Toulouse [FR] Jan. 15 - La Riviera - Madrid [ES] Jan. 16 - Rockstar Live - Bilbao [ES] Jan. 17 - Razzmatazz 1 - Barcelona [ES] Jan. 19 - Transbordeur - Lyon [F] Jan. 20 - Z7 - Pratteln [CH] Jan. 21 - Alcatraz - Milan [IT]
With TRACEDAWN, WINTER'S VERGE:
Jan. 23 - SKC - Belgrad [RS] Jan. 24 - Hristo Botev Hall - Sofia [BG] Jan. 26 - Petöfi Hall - Budapest [HU] Jan. 27 - Szene - Vienna [AT] Jan. 28 - PKO - Bratislava [SK] Jan. 29 - Masters of Rock - Zlin [CZ]
"Polaris", the new album from STRATOVARIUS, landed at position No. 57 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.
"Polaris" entered the official chart in the band's home country at position No. 2. The album also debuted on the German Media Control chart at No. 55.
"Polaris" was released in the U.S. on May 26 via Armoury Records (a division of Eagle Rock Entertainment).
The cover artwork for "Polaris" was created by Gyula Havancsák.
"Polaris" was recorded in the fall 2008 at Hästholmen and 5by5 studios in Helsinki, Finland. It was mixed by the longtime confidant of the band, Mikko Karmila.
STRATOVARIUS 2009 is:
Timo Kotipelto - Vocals Matias Kupiainen - Guitars Lauri Porra - Bass Jörg Michael - Drums Jens Johansson - Keyboards
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