Danish hard rock veterans PRETTY MAIDS are planning to enter the studio in January to begin recording their new album for a late spring/early summer release. The band is said to be currently negotiating new recording deals for Europe and Asia.
PRETTY MAIDS' "comeback" album, entitled "Wake Up To The Real World", was released in November 2006 via Frontiers Records. Singer Ronnie Atkins stated about the CD, "The new record has all the trademarks a good PRETTY MAIDS album should have, and that's the overall combination of good melodies and strong guitar riffs. But the key word, as far as I'm concerned, is it's gotta be melodic: whether it's the heavier and faster tracks or the more ballad/AOR-oriented kind of stuff; in other words 'good songs', and I think the album has got that!"
PRETTY MAIDS is a legendary hard rock/heavy metal combo from Denmark founded in early 1982 by Atkins and guitarist Ken Hammer.
After 10 studio albums, two EPs, one "best of" collection and two live albums, the band in 2002 celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of the album "Planet Panic", followed by a successful European tour. But at the end of the same year they decided to take a long break from recording and touring.
Erik Grönwall, a 21-year-old finalist in the 2009 season of "Idol", Sweden's annual reality show and singing competition, recently performed and recorded a cover version of the SKID ROW classic "18 And Life". Watch the video and hear the audio below.
Grönwall, born 1988, previously auditioned for "Idol" in 2007, but reportedly didn't make it to the qualifying rounds.
A new audio interview with guitarist Cristiano "Pizza" Migliore of the Italian rock/metal band LACUNA COIL, conducted on November 19, 2009 by "Démentièllement Vôtre" on Québec City's CKRL 89.1 FM, has been posted online at this location. It can also be streamed using the audio player below.
"Démentièllement Vôtre" is a metal radio show on the oldest independant Francophone radio station in North America. The program has been airing since 2003 and can be heard every Friday night from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
Three unique artists were approached to remix LACUNA COIL's "I Like It" track for a single, which was made available digitally only on September 21 in Europe and Australia.
Interface: One of New York's longest-running electronic music acts, Interface combines the sonic edge of industrial, the club energy of trance, and a melodic sensibility for a unique experience.
Das Basslaster: Das Basslaster, synthies/samples/computer and vocals as well as producer for electro/pop/emo/trash darlings FRITTENBUDE, went for a more pop mix of the song.
Dan Peace: 20-year-old underground electro/big bass producer and DJ from the Northeast England, Dan Peace emerged from the bedroom mid-September 2008. He has since been knocking out his own brand of dance music and DJing regularly.
LACUNA COIL's latest album, "Shallow Life", was recorded in September/October 2008 at NRG Studios in North Hollywood, California with producer Don Gilmore, who has previously worked with LINKIN PARK, TRAPT, AVRIL LAVIGNE, GOOD CHARLOTTE, THE VERONICAS, PEARL JAM, TRUST COMPANY and DURAN DURAN.
LACUNA COIL recently toured North America as part of the "HardDrive Live Tour", which also featured ALL THAT REMAINS, MAYLENE AND THE SONS OF DISASTER, FROM SWORD TO SUNRISE (first leg) and TAKING DAWN (second leg).
Berlin, Germany's PitCam Production and More-Metal.com have posted professionally filmed, multi-camera video footage of legendary Chicago doomsters TROUBLE performing five songs — including the brand new track "Hunters Of Doom", from the group's forthcoming CD, "The Dark Riff" — on November 30, 2009 at the Magnet club in Berlin. Watch the clips below.
The band previously stated that the material that is set to appear on "The Dark Riff" features "massive, killer riffs" that are "sure to please ANY TROUBLE fan . . . As you can tell by the [new album's] title, IT'S HEAVY! The band is resorting to the root of what made TROUBLE in the first place and what they are best at, DOOM! This will no doubt be the heaviest TROUBLE release since the mid-'80s when they crushed the masses with what is now known as 'Psalm 9' and 'The Skull'."
TROUBLE's forthcoming album will be the group's first to feature new singer Kory Clarke (WARRIOR SOUL), who joined the band last year as the replacement for Eric Wagner.
TROUBLE's recently released live album, "Live In L.A.", was recorded in Los Angeles and is available at NewTrouble.com.
Eric Wagner left TROUBLE in April 2008, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure.
Swedish rockers VAINS OF JENNA were involved in a freeway accident while on tour Friday, November 20 in Tempe, Arizona.
The band was driving to an in-store appearance before its show with DAYS OF THE NEW at Club Red when a runaway tire caused a traffic nightmare. It appears as if though another vehicle lost its spare tire and that was the cause of the accident, according to a press release. "Cars were swerving, drivers slammed on their brakes but unfortunately our van got the worst of it," says Jacki Stone. "The band and crew are all okay, but the van is not."
"We're not sure what damage totals are yet, but nobody was killed and we're thankful for that," adds singer Lizzy DeVine. "Our van is in a tow yard and we're headed to California in a rental."
VAINS OF JENNA will perform at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood, California on Saturday, November 21 2009 and is on the final week of a 50-show U.S. club tour with DIRTY PENNY in support of the band's new release, "The Art of Telling Lies".
BLACKFINGER, the new project featuring ex-TROUBLE vocalist Eric Wagner, has a show scheduled on Saturday, December 12 at Vnuk's Lounge in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Support at the gig will come from Chicago's EARTHEN GRAVE, featuring ex-TROUBLE bassist Ron Holzner and renowned violinist Rachel Barton Pine.
Contraband Candy's René Ackermann conducted an interview with Norway's KEEP OF KALESSIN at this year's Metalcamp festival, which was held on July 2-8, 2009 in Tolmin, Slovenia. Watch the chat below.
KEEP OF KALESSIN entered Dugout Productions in Uppsala, Sweden in October to record the drums for their new CD with Daniel Bergstrand (IN FLAMES, BEHEMOTH, MESHUGGAH). The band was then scheduled to go back home to their own studio in Trondheim, Norway where they recorded both "Armada" and "Kolossus" to lay down all the other instruments and vocals. The tracks will then be sent back to Daniel Bergstrand, who will mix the entire record for an early 2010 release via Nuclear Blast Records.
"Kolossus" was released in June 2008. The CD was made available via Indie Recordings and was licensed to Nuclear Blast for the following territories: Germany, Austria, Switzerland and rest of the world outside Europe (except Australia and Russia).
According to TSN.ca, Neil Peart, renowned drummer of legendary rock band RUSH, will record a special rendition of "The Hockey Theme", the iconic theme song originally written by Dolores Claman in 1968.
In addition to assembling a team of top recording engineers and musicians to assist on the recording, Peart has commissioned DW Drums to create a special hockey-themed drum kit specifically for his unique version of the song.
Peart's version of the theme song will be used during NHL broadcasts on both TSN and RDS throughout the remainder of the NHL season. Details on when the song will debut will be announced at a later date.
DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess and his 13-year-old daughter Kayla have recorded a song called "For The Moment" to raise money for an organization that is close to their hearts.
Proceeds go to the non-profit Central Asia Institute to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Greg Mortenson, co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Three Cups of Tea" and Nobel Peace Prize nominee is the co-founder of the Central Asia Institute.
Central Asia Institute's mission is to promote and support community-based education, especially for girls, in remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The philosophy is to empower the local people through their own initiative. As of 2008, Central Asia Institute has successfully established 130 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which provide (or have provided) education to over 51,000 students.
ACtv recently conducted an interview with Dan Jacobs and Travis Miguel of the California-based rock band ATREYU before the group's November 18, 2009 performance at The Fillmore in San Francisco, California. Watch the chat below.
"Congregation Of The Damned", the new album from ATREYU, sold 26,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 18 on The Billboard 200 chart. The CD, produced by Bob Marlette (OZZY OSBOURNE), mixed by Rich Costey (THE MARS VOLTA, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) with select tracks mixed by Noah Shain (ENDLESS HALLWAY, SONNY), is the follow-up to 2007's "Lead Sails Paper Anchor", which was fueled by the Top 5 Active Rock hit "Becoming The Bull" and the #2-charting Alternative Rock hit "Falling Down".
ATREYU are on tour with HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD through November 21, playing their final show in Los Angeles.
"Storm to Pass", the new video from ATREYU, was shot September 22-23 in the desert near Palm Springs, California and was directed by Sean Stiegemeier, who has worked with the band on clips for "Falling Down", "Doomsday", "The Crimson" and "Lip Gloss and Black".
Video footage of PARADISE LOST's November 15, 2009 concert in Munich, Germany can be viewed below (courtesy of "eblinternational").
PARADISE LOST was forced to postone six shows on its current European tour due to a serious illness within guitarist Greg Mackintosh's family. Milly Evans, PARADISE LOST's long-standing guitar technician and keyboardist from TERRORVISION, is filling in for Greg for the rest of the shows.
PARADISE LOST's new album, "Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us", registered the following first-week chart positions:
The limited formats of this landmark gothic metal opus include two orchestral versions of the album tracks "Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us" and "Last Regret", which were recorded by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra in July 2008.
The limited-edition deluxe two-CD includes special packaging (DVD-sized Mediabook with O-Card in a special leather look) and a bonus track, "Cardinal Zero", on Disc 1 plus a separate bonus CD featuring the "Lost In Prague" tracks. All vinyl lovers will be delighted to hear that the album is available as a limited-edition gatefold LP, including the bonus track "Cardinal Zero", the orchestra mixes on a separate bonus 7" EP, the entire album on CD (in a blank sleeve), and an exclusive poster.
The highly anticipated follow-up to 2007's "In Requiem", "Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us" was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren.
The album's artwork, which is based upon a "Danse Macabre" woodcut by Hans Holbein the Younger (first published in 1538), was created by Stefan Wibbeke at Medialogistics (LACUNA COIL, POISONBLACK).
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.
BLABBERMOUTH.NET is run and operated independently of Roadrunner Records. The accuracy of the information
contained herein is neither confirmed nor guaranteed by Roadrunner Records, and the views and opinions of
authors expressed on these pages do not necessarily state or reflect those of Roadrunner Records or its employees.
