Robert Gray of Ultimate-Guitar.com recently conducted an interview with former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: OK. First of all, it's alleged that on July 16th, 2009 you informed ANTHRAX that you were seriously ill, and couldn't perform. What are your thoughts on that?
Dan: About the band saying that I was ill? I don't know why they said that — I was never sick. I was fine, and ready to do all of the gigs, but I think they wanted to go a different way with John Bush. That's what's going on with that.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Were you really looking forward to ANTHRAX's European tour, which was eventually scrapped?
Dan: I did the first leg of Europe with ANTHRAX, and yeah, I was looking forward to returning, and doing the second leg. I was looking forward to the SLIPKNOT dates that they had planned for September, as well — August and September were when the SLIPKNOT dates were planned for, I believe. So yeah, I was disappointed, but you know, shit happens (laughs).
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Though did you hope to record one to two albums as part of ANTHRAX, part amicably, and then each party go their separate way? When they possibly wanted to reunite with John [Bush] or Joey [Belladonna]?
Dan: I think ANTHRAX would've went back to John even sooner if he would've said "Yes". Me, personally, I'd like "Worship Music" to come out as it is because it's a phenomenal album, but I don't know if that will happen. I just think ANTHRAX have a tendency to stay in their safe zone, and their safe zones have always been either a reunion of the older incarnation with Joey, or to stay with that sound with John. Charlie [Benante], as ANTHRAX's primary songwriter, feels comfortable with John because he's been with him for so long. It was thirteen years, I think, and John has been the voice for his writing for the last thirteen years, so that's where he wanted to go. I assume as soon as that door opened for them again, they jumped at it.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Do you feel ANTHRAX reunited with John Bush with their tail between their legs? ANTHRAX reunited with Joey Belladonna, but that didn't work out. Because of that, do you feel they thought "Shit, we should've stayed with John," as that would've been the better decision in the long term?
Dan: I think the reunion thing with Joey didn't work out the way they thought, and they wanted to go back to John. He wasn't interested, so they decided to get someone new and fresh, and tried to breathe new life into the band, which I like to think I did. ANTHRAX definitely got a lot of press, and a lot of popularity, while I was in the band for two years. We had a very successful tour run, and "Worship Music" got great reviews over in Europe. It was looking great.. I don't know (laughs). I don't know why ANTHRAX did what they did. It's kind of strange, but the history of the band is strange. I wish them nothing but the best. Like I've said before, they're family guys, and they have their own lives to take care of. ANTHRAX have to do what's best for them, and I have to do what's best for me and my family. I'm just pushing on, and have to move onto the next step.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: The news item which alleges that on July 16th, 2009 you informed ANTHRAX that you were seriously ill, and couldn't perform, surfaced on July 17th. What were your thoughts when you became aware of that news item? Maybe you were on your computer, and read.. Dan: No. I'll tell you exactly where I was. I was at my ten-year-old Godson's baseball game, little league game, and I got a phone call from a friend of mine who said "Are you sick? Are you no longer in ANTHRAX?". I was like "What?". It was just weird. I was supposed to be on a flight to Sweden I think, and the next thing I knew, the flights were cancelled. The flights were booked for later initially, but then they were cancelled, and we just weren't going. Nobody answered my emails or my calls, and it pretty much went like that for about four days. I didn't hear anything for four days, and then it was announced that ANTHRAX were playing a show with John Bush. That's exactly what happened. What can you do? You just gotta say "OK," close that chapter, and open a new one.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: So basically, ANTHRAX cut off all lines of communication?
Dan: Yes. Everything went black. I hadn't heard from them at all for four days, I think. The last person I had spoken to was Scott [Ian], and to someone else from ANTHRAX's camp, saying that they were going to push the flights back to a later time. When I checked my flight online though, it was cancelled. That's the last I heard.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: But when you had your last conversation with Scott, you had the impression that him and the rest of ANTHRAX's members wished to move forward with you as their vocalist?
Dan: The last conversation I had with Scott was about the flights being changed, and not that I wasn't their singer anymore. I don't know how it went from the flights being pushed back to me not being their singer, so yeah, he definitely didn't say "You're no longer our singer" (laughs). The next thing, I then found out on the Internet that I wasn't their singer.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: On July 21st, ANTHRAX's manager said you'd parted ways with the group, and in a later interview, Scott Ian said that you had quit ANTHRAX. So obviously, you're saying that isn't true then? Just to confirm.
Dan: I would like to know where they heard me say I quit the band (laughs). Usually someone has to say they quit. I never quit the band. I had my manager and my lawyer both contact them, who said I was willing to do the dates — I believe it was July 18th, the day after they announced that I was supposedly sick. My manager and my lawyer contacted them, and said "He's willing, ready and able to do these dates. What's going on?", but there was no response. When someone doesn't give a response, there's not really much you can do. You're left in the dark, and left without any power. You're just left thinking "What's going on?", and that's where I was. I didn't know what was going on. I still don't know what happened, but at this point, I don't care. I really don't care. Like I said, I wish ANTHRAX nothing but the best. I don't wish them anything ill, but I don't care either. I couldn't tell you what ANTHRAX are doing with "Worship Music", and I couldn't tell you what they're doing with tours, because I just don't care. I've moved on from that onto new music, and onto other new things in my life. I have a lot of stuff going on other than music in my life. My life no longer revolves around ANTHRAX. I put my heart and soul into that band for two years, writing, flying, recording, touring, keeping myself in physical shape for the band, and dealing with all the drama that goes with being in a band, especially being a new guy. It's just too much to even bother with anymore. I just don't care. I hate to say it, but it's someone else's problem now.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: When ANTHRAX hired you, did you ever feel as though you were measured against John Bush and Joey Belladonna?
Dan: Yes and no. I don't think I really had much in common with them vocally, or in terms of stage presence, so it was an old/new ANTHRAX somewhat, which I thought the fans were really enjoying. It just seemed like the energy that ANTHRAX had when I was in the band, compared to with Joey and John, was way higher. The energy level was just.. we were on top of our game. If you watch a video of the five of us onstage, then it was a great show every night. The energy was there, and those guys looked reinvigorated. I brought it every night, and it was just a totally different ANTHRAX — it was a younger, crazier and heavier version of what ANTHRAX was. I think, in these modern times of metal, it really was going over well. I guess it's a strange decision that they've made, moving forward another way, but like I said, they're entitled to their vision.
Video footage of ANTHRAX's June 28, 2009 concert (with soundboard-quality audio) at the Graspop Metal Meeting on the festival grounds of the Boeretang in Dessel, Belgium can be viewed below.
The new issue of Rhythm magazine, available from November 24, features an in-depth interview with SLAYER drummer Dave Lombardo. In the feature, written by SLAYER biographer Joel McIver, Lombardo discusses his Cuban roots, his early influences and the high points of his 28-year career all the way up to the release of the Los Angeles thrash quartet's latest album, "World Painted Blood". Excerpts from the interview follow.
Rhythm: Tell us about the drumming on "World Painted Blood".
Lombardo: "Man, I can't tell you how pleased I am with it! The producer, Greg Fidelman, is an all-round musician as far as I know, but he's especially keen on drums and very, very good at recording them. I swear to you, there were times when I'd record a dozen fills and he'd sit down with me and dissect each one — stroke by stroke! Literally one hit, and then another hit, and then another one — and then we'd decide whether to use this fill or that roll or whatever. It was incredible."
Rhythm: Playing with METALLICA at Download in 2004 must have been quite an experience. (See/hear video/audio footage below.)
Lombardo: "Yeah. Show 'em how it's done! No disrespect to Lars [Ulrich], because Lars is great and he's a very nice guy, but he needs to spend a week at my house and we need to sit down and play. I could show him — 'No, Lars, like this!'… 'Let's chill, let's relax, have some coffee and let's play!' Hahahahaha!"
Rhythm: When you played blastbeats on the song "Supremist", on the 2006 album "Christ Illusion", everybody wondered if SLAYER were going to turn death metal…
Lombardo: "It's what the riff demanded. See, that's my thing — I can't close the door on other music. I expose myself to this stuff to stay on top and to let people know, 'Hey, I'm aware of what's going on!' Just because I don't play it, doesn't mean I'm not aware of it. I'll throw in little tidbits here and there. For example, I've been listening to all this jungle [hums frantic drum'n'bass pattern] To me it's like England's rap. It's very cool. I love that music — I really enjoy it because it's fast, and it moves."
Rhythm: So have you heard CANNIBAL CORPSE and the other death metal bands doing blastbeats?
Lombardo: "I've heard it. Does it impress me? No, because too much is over-redundant. I can't tolerate it, it's just [hums series of machine-like blasts]… there's no feeling."
Rhythm: It was rumored a while back that you had a problem with your thyroid gland from drinking too much caffeine. True?
Lombardo: "I don't know if it was the coffee. I doubt it. I think it was just too much touring. I started noticing that I was losing a lot of weight, and my heart was beating at 170 beats a minute — just while I was sitting down! I would wake up in the middle of the night and my bed would be soaking wet, because I would be tossing and turning and really hot. It was really bad. I turned into a complete skeleton, it was insane. So they zapped me with radio-iodine, I took this radioactive pill, and I think it shrunk it [my thyroid gland] down, because I feel great and I've gained weight. The only nervousness or agitation I feel is if I drink a little too much coffee. Actually I was taking more caffeine while I was sick, because having your heart rate go that fast, 24 hours a day, you get tired — so I'd drink Red Bull and coffee and more on top of that!"
Rhythm magazine is available from the usual stores and at this location.
Seventh Rule Recordings has announced the signing of Scandinavian doom lords KONGH.
Hailing from Sweden, KONGH churns out doom metal with a progressive melting pot of ideas whose origins stem from the spirit of their godfathers — MELVINS, YOB, and CANDLEMASS.
The follow-up to their critically acclaimed "Counting Heartbeats" debut, "Shadows of the Shapeless" will be released by Seventh Rule to the North American region in early 2010.
"Shadows of the Shapeless" was recorded and mixed in Sweden by Peter Lundin and mastered by Peter In De Betou (ENTOMBED, MESHUGGAH).
KONGH will be touring throughout 2010, including dates in Europe and the United States.
Causecast has posted a video clip of legendary guitarist Slash (VELVET REVOLVER, GUNS N' ROSES) talking about the upcoming LAYN Rocks! benefit concert on November 22 at the Avalon in Hollywood, California. Watch it below.
Hosted by comedian George Lopez, LAYN Rocks! will unite musical talents Slash, Ozzy Osbourne, Perry Farrell, Tom Morello, Billy Idol, Chester Bennington of LINKIN PARK, Travis Barker, Andrew Stockdale of WOLFMOTHER, Dave Navarro, and many others for a night of great music and a step toward eradicating youth homelessness.
The Los Angeles Youth Network (LAYN) is a volunteer driven nonprofit organization based on helping over 10,000 homeless adolescents become self-sufficient by providing shelter, food, and counseling for the abused, neglected, and abandoned. An incredible lineup of passionate artists has been recruited, linking social awareness and entertainment together under one roof.
In a recent interview with ARTISTdirect.com, Slash stated about his involvement with LAYN Rocks!, "My wife, Perla, and I support LAYN. She's actually on the board. We're trying to raise money to keep it going, and we've been doing these 'Slash & Friends' gigs recently. Basically, we get a bunch of people together and put on a concert. Perla had asked me if I'd be interested in doing it to support LAYN, and I was fully into it! This will actually be the first 'Slash & Friends' gig I've done in Los Angeles. Basically, I wanted to put together something that would be a really big blowout, and that's what we've done! We've got all these different artists, and it should be an amazing event."
Reactivated legendary New Orleans metallers EXHORDER — cited by many as the originators of the riff-heavy power-groove approach popularized by PANTERA (photo) — will perform at The City Club in Houma, Louisiana on December 12. Support at the show will come from BLACKWATER BURIAL.
EXHORDER returned to the live arena this past Saturday, November 14 at Southport Hall in Jefferson, Louisiana. This marked the band's first live performance since EXHORDER's March 2001 reunion shows at Zeppelin's in Metairie, Louisiana.
The group's encore consisted of a medley of S.O.D.'s "March of the S.O.D.", "Sargent D and the S.O.D." and "United Forces", a cover of the punk rock classic "Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight" (by THE REZILLOS) and "Ripping Flesh" from EXHORDER's 1986 "Get Rude" demo — a song they hadn't played since 1989.
EXHORDER's lineup for the Southport Hall date was as follows:
Kyle Thomas - Vocals Vinnie Labella - Guitar Jay Ceravolo - Guitar Chris Nail - Drums Frankie Sparcello - Bass
Photos of the concert can be found on NolaUnderground.com (scroll down for several sets of pictures). One of the shots can be viewed below (courtesy of Al Hodge).
Poland's Metal Mind Productions re-released the two albums (1990's "Slaughter in the Vatican" and 1992's "The Law") from EXHORDER in May 2008. Each limited-edition digipack title (limited to 2,000 copies) was made available on golden disc, digitally remastered using 24-bit technology.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine's autobiography, "Hello Me... Meet The Real Me", is due next year via HarperCollins. The book was co-written by New York Times journalist Joe Layden who also authored "The Last Great Fight" about what is considered by many to be the biggest upset in the history of boxing: James "Buster" Douglas' tenth-round knockout win over Mike Tyson in 1990.
Mustaine writes on MEGADETH's official forum:
"I really need a favor and I really need it fast!
"My amazing editor, Mauro DiPreta, over at HarperCollins has given me the green light to assemble pictures and stuff for the center and various other locations throughout the upcoming new release of my autobiography.
"Here's where is gets cool. . . If you are a professional photographer and you have any shots of me from the following time periods, please contact my management or our beloved webmaster here at Megadeth.com with your photos and so we can discuss permissions. However, if you are just a Droogie with some cool shots, or an old friend with pictures from back we were together growing up, well, we'll just have to see who you are and whatcha got!
* My childhood (I got this) * My teen years (this too) * PANIC * METALLICA * Early MEGADETH
"I look forward to hearing from our professional friends and discussing how to get you involved, as well as seeing if there are any collectors or old friends thatt may have some rare or funny shots.
"I hope to find the shot of me feeding the pidgeons at Central Park in NYC."
Mustaine recently told AOL's Noisecreep about his upcoming autobiography, "It's easy to hate somebody that you don't like. But you know what? People don't know who I am. Who they think I am is not really who I am, because they guy that they've continued to vilify in the press, that guy's been gone a long time. And I think anyone who reads this book will see that."
According to Mustaine, part of the book reveals how he practiced black magic as a teenager, and how the experience — which inspired the 1986 song "The Conjuring" — affected his life for years after.
"I put two hexes on people, and they both worked and the result was just what I was asking for," he explains. "Now, it took forever to get that Satanic depression off of me because it's just like playing with a Ouija board. You open the doorway to the dark side, and spirits come through. It took almost 20 years to get rid of that Satanic depression. I did it when I was 15, and I don't think I got free of it until I was in my mid-30s.You ask yourself, 'How is it possible that this is happening to me?' Well, because you flirted with the devil and you put a hex on somebody and you put another hex on somebody, and, well, you owe him. And that's why I have a problem playing 'The Conjuring' today."
Norway's Lydverket blog conducted an interview with Mustaine on August 7, 2009 at the Langham Hotel in London, England. The first clip from the chat, in which he discusses his upcoming autobiography, can be viewed below.
RISE AND FALL, SEPTYCAL GORGE, BURNING SKIES and BENIGHTED have been confirmed for next year's edition of the Neurotic Deathfest, set to take place April 30 - May 1, 2010 at 013 in Tilburg, Holland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ANNOTATIONS OF AN AUTOPSY BEHEADED BENEATH THE MASSACRE BENIGHTED BOLT THROWER BURNING SKIES CARCASS DEFEATED SANITY DR DOOM DYING FETUS ENEMY REIGN HUMAN MINCER INSIDIOUS DECREPANCY INSISION KICKBACK LOCK UP NAPALM DEATH NOX ORIGIN REVOCATION RISE AND FALL SEPTYCAL GORGE SIX FEET UNDER VIRAL LOAD
A total of around 40 acts will perform at the two-day event.
German Viking horde VARG willreleas its highly anticipated sophomore album, "Blutaar", on January 22, 2010 via Nuclear Blast Records.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. Wolfsmond 02. Viel Feind Viel Ehr 03. Invictus 04. Sieg oder Niedergang 05. Blutaar 06. Seele 07. Nebelleben 08. Zeichen der Zeit 09. Wilde Jagd 10. Alter Feind 11. Blutdienst II
Commented frontman Freki: "Now we have finished the recordings of 'Blutaar', which is ready to spread its blood-dripping wings over the listeners.
"All of us are excited about this album and the collaboration with our producer Andy Classen (BELPHEGOR, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER). The sound is like chalk and cheese together and still warm and natural despite of the brutality.
"This output doesn't have a polished production, but rather is a rad, aggressive, honest-to-the-bone album!
"Our music and textures come deep from our hearts and you will hear that during every second. In times when most of the music sounds like plastic pop, the fans will love and appreciate the honest sound.
"January 22nd is a red letter day cause on this day 'Blutaar' will be unleashed and go for the throats of all metalheads and fans worldwide.
Tom Gabriel Warrior, the founder of Swiss pioneers HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST and now TRIPTYKON, has announced more bands that will appear at his curated event, titled Only Death Is Real, during Roadburn Festival 2010 in Tilburg, Netherlands on Friday, April 16.
Following is a list of the newly confirmed artists (along with THORR'S HAMMER, TRINACRIA and NWOBHM legends WITCHFYNDE), each of which were handpicked by Tom:
JESU EVOKEN PAGAN ALTAR VALBORG SERPENTCULT SHEVER NONEUCLID
Comments from bands regarding their participation in Only Death Is Real:
JESU: "Of course, it is an honour for JESU to be personally invited by Tom G. Warrior to perform at his individually curated 'Only Death Is Real' event at Roadburn 2010. It goes without saying, that the music of Tom G. Warrior has had an immense impact on the music, I, Justin K Broadrick, have been producing since 1985, in all of my guises, be it NAPALM DEATH in the Eighties, GODFLESH in the Eighties and Nineties, and JESU currently…"
EVOKEN: "It's truly an honor to be invited to play at Tom Gabriel Warrior's 'Only Death is Real' at Roadburn 2010. Tom G Warrior's playing, as well as his work in CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER, are not only a staple in the metal world, but one of our main influences and reasons why EVOKEN exists today. When we started EVOKEN, never in our dark imaginations would we have thought this day would EVER come. To be invited by our main influence in metal, who all will agree is one of the most well-respected and talented individuals... Tom Gabriel Warrior. We accept this dark gift in complete honor. We shall deliver nothing less than uncompromising, soul-crushing heaviness that EVOKEN can only bring forth... Be warned!"
PAGAN ALTAR: "The call from Tom G Warrior to join him at Roadburn came as a complete and utter surprise to Al and I as we had not the slightest inclination we would be asked. Recognition from one musician to another to us is one of the highest accolades we can think of and so would like to say thanks to Tom for asking us. PAGAN ALTAR as a band are really up for it and looking forward to playing at Tom's 'Only Death Is Real' show and are indeed proud to share a stage with these guys!"
VALBORG: "We met Tom and TRYPTIKON bass player Vanja in Switzerland before a VALBORG concert and had some really great conversations. So it was indeed a very special honour that we got invited by Tom to play at the Roadburn 2010. In the midst of irrelevance, Tom G. Warrior gave us more confidence to go ahead on the path we chose. We are still fans and he is the master of extreme metal. So, we will slay the world to pieces at the Roadburn Festival to honour his almighty work. Be prepared motherfuckers! Feel the aggression rise."
SERPENTCULT: "We were speechless, but extremely honoured and humbled when we got the invitation by Tom to perform at the next edition of Roadburn. CELTIC FROST and HELLHAMMER had such an important impact on us that it inspired us to pick up our guitars many years ago. Now we find ourselves being invited to Roadburn, by the very creator of this music himself. We can't wait to head back to the stages of the 013 venue! Our appearance at the festival will also give us the opportunity to present our new album 'Raised By Wolves' to the world."
SHEVER: "Tom always supported us to continue in our chosen musical way. We feel very honored and happy about his invitation to Roadburn 2010, and having the possibility to contribute some evil witch doom to this unique event — a dream came true, and we're ready to give all we have for this show!"
NONEUCLID: "We are very honored to be part of this festival, and this special night. I have been into CELTIC FROST since I was 13. I had just started playing guitar, and they were my first contact with non-tonal music — a fact that had far-reaching consequences, since life took me to become a contemporary composer. CELTIC FROST's approach to their lyrics also made a mark on us all; their taking the listener into rotten evil worlds while maintaining a high level of dignity made 90% of metal bands look like embarrassing adolescents in my young eyes, and they set the bar high in the black sonic arts for everyone who came after. When V Santura joined them as touring guitarist, that was the biggest thing ever to happen in the music scene of our home town... it seems unreal that now, so many years after, the mighty Tom G. Warrior tells us he's into our little band. So when The Warrior calls, there can only be one answer from us and that's 'Yes, sir, with pleasure!'"
Roadburn festival 2010, including Tom Gabriel Warrior's Only Death Is Real, a GOATSNAKE reunion, CANDLEMASS 25th-anniversary show and ENSLAVED as "artists in residence," will run for three days. There will be an additional afterburner event on Sunday, April 18, 2010.
CANDLEMASS will perform its classic album, "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus", in its entirety, with Johan Längquist (who sang on the original LP) on vocals. There will be a special part of the set that will incorporate new singer Robert Lowe as well.
Tickets for Roadburn will go on sale Saturday, November 28 at 10:00 Central European Time.
Long Island-based hardcore/metal band THIS IS HELL has recorded a cover version of an as-yet-undisclosed PANTERA song for the forthcoming "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott (PANTERA, DAMAGEPLAN) tribute album. The collection, which is being put together by U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine for a special issue that will coincide with the five-year anniversary of Dimebag's passing, is expected to include the following artists/cuts, among others:
* MACHINE HEAD - "Fucking Hostile" * CHIMAIRA - "Slaughtered" * EVILE - "Cemetery Gates" * THROWDOWN - [to be announced] * ZAKK WYLDE - "Suicide Note Pt. 1" * THIS IS HELL - [to be announced]
THIS IS HELL's most recent CD, titled "Misfortunes", was released in February 2008 through Trustkill Records. The follow-up to "Sundowning" was recorded at Killingsworth Studio in Long Island, New York with Tomas Costanza (DIFFUSER, BEDLIGHT FOR BLUE EYES) and Full Force Studios in Port Jefferson with the acclaimed producer Joe Cincotta (OBITUARY, SUFFOCATION, ANIMOSITY).
THIS IS HELL recently inked a deal with Rise Records. The band's first CD for the label is expected to arrive in the spring.
Fans of Dimebag are in an uproar over the resurfacing of a 2005 painting called "The Assassination Of Dimebag Darrell". Done by New York-based artist Tom Sanford, the picture is a graphic depiction of the fatal onstage shooting of Abbott in December 2004 by Nathan Gale at a Columbus, Ohio rock club. The controversy over the painting has erupted again now that the picture is set to be auctioned off on November 21 by the London-based Phillips de Pury & Company.
Sanford has done other paintings chronicling violence in the lives of musicians, including one of a stabbing incident at the 2004 Vibe Awards and another showing rapper 50 Cent in an altercation involving a knife.
In a lengthy statement posted at his web site, Sanford wrote: "The painting is certainly in poor taste, but I think that when one is describing a mass murder, etiquette is really not an issue. Poor taste is pretty much the baseline criteria for my work, so fundamental to my project that I really do not consider it when I make a painting. I have no interest in being in good taste. My work is always subjective, inaccurate and incorrect, and I stand behind this position."
Australian melodic power metal band BLACK MAJESTY has set "In Your Honour" as the title of its forthcoming album. Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN) will mix the effort at his Grapow studios in Slovakia for an early 2010 release through Germany's Limb Music. Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Far Beyond", "Millenium", "Further Than Insane", "End of Time" and "Break These Chains".
BLACK MAJESTY's video for the song "Forever Damned", shot in 2007 at the Benatska Noc Festival in Czech Republic, can be viewed below.
BLACK MAJESTY supported its last album, "Tomorrowland", with appearances at major heavy metal festivals, including Wacken Open Air in Germany, Masters of Rock in the Czech Republic and Metal Universe in Slovakia.
Guitarist Waclaw "Vogg" Kieltyka of Polish extreme metallers DECAPITATED has announced the band'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.
HardcoreSounds.net conducted an interview with vocalist Mike Hranica of the Dayton, Ohio Christian metalcore band THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA prior to the band's November 9, 2009 concert at Nosturi in Helsinki, Finland. Watch the chat below.
Armed with the critically acclaimed CD "With Roots Above and Branches Below", which was released earlier this year, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA — Hranica, guitarist/vocalist Jeremy DePoyster, guitarist Chris Rubey, bassist Andy Trick, keyboardist James Baney, and Daniel Williams on drums — kick off the 2009 edition of the Napalm & Noise Tour tonight in Rochester, New York at the Water Street Music Hall. The band, who Alternative Press called "one of American metal's brightest lights," will co-headline the month-long metal extravaganza with ALL THAT REMAINS. STORY OF THE YEAR and HASTE THE DAY provide heavyweight support, making this a "must-see" tour for any and all metal fans.
Napalm & Noise is the first tour THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA has headlined since their 43-date, completely-sold-out jaunt last spring, which coincided with the release of "With Roots Above and Branches Below" (Ferret Music), and its #11 debut on The Billboard 200 album chart. Since then, the band played the Vans Warped Tour main stage, and found itself on the cover of Outburn, Alternative Press, HM and AMP, to name just a few.
Live, the six-piece THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA presents a powerful intensity that many other metalcore bands never quite achieve, with savage riffs, bulldozing guitar, thunderous beats, manic synths, and an assault of abrasive vocals. On this tour, the band will perform songs from all three of their releases — 2006's "Dear Love: A Beautiful Discord", 2007's "Plagues", and the new "With Roots Above and Branches Below", including the video track "Danger: Wildman".
Jason Saulnier of the "Good Time Metal Oldies" radio show conducted an interview with vocalist Brian Vollmer of Canadian hard rock veterans HELIX on November 10, 2009. Listen to the six-minute chat below.
"Good Time Metal Oldies" airs Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. EST on CIFA 104.1 FM in Nova Scotia and Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. EST on 95X in the Republic of El Salvador.
HELIX released its new album, "Vagabond Bones", on November 17 in Canada via Universal/Fontana and in the U.S. through Perris Records. Vollmer has been collaborating with Sean Kelly (CRASH KELLY) on material for the CD, which was mixed by engineer Aaron Murray.
"Vagabond Bones" track listing:
01. The Animal Inside (Won't Be Denied) 02. Go Hard or Go Home 03. Vagabond Bones 04. Monday Morning Meltdown 05. When The Bitter's Got The Better Of You 06. Hung Over But Still Hanging In 07. Best Mistake I Never Made 08. Make 'Em Dance 09. Jack It Up
Vollmer's track-by-track description of "Vagabond Bones" can be found on the band's officialweb site.
HELIX has been active in the past several years with several releases. The band's previous collection of original material, "The Power of Rock and Roll", came out in 2007. Their latest CD, "A Heavy Mental Christmas", was made available in all Canadian Wal-Mart stores last November and received airplay worldwide. The CD also received great reviews from the critics.
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) — will be the first metal band to ever play live in Lebanon. On November 20, HAIL! will perform at the historic concert at Hektic Hall in the capital city of Beirut.
Video footage from the band's VIP party and signing session in Beirut 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."
Swedish progressive/experimental metallers THERION have issued the following update:
"It has been a long time since you have heard anything new from THERION now, so I thought I should give a few updates.
"As you may or may not know, THERION is in progress of recording a new album. As usual, THERION is being very secretive about the entire process, but I will reveal some details:
"A new studio has been built for most of the recording of this album. The mix, and a few recordings, will be done at another studio — 'A truly legendary studio!' according to Chris [mainman Christofer Johnsson]. Expect something spectacular, even by THERION's standards!
"The recording will continue for the rest of the year, and probably also through January."
Christofer Johnsson announced in May that vocalist Thomas Vikström (ex-CANDLEMASS) had become a permanent member of THERION.
THERION's new rhythm section is comprised of Johan Koleberg (ANIMAL, ZAN CLAN, LION'S SHARE) on drums and Nalle "Grizzly" Påhlsson (TREAT, ZAN CLAN, VINDICTIV) on bass guitar.
THERION's latest CD/DVD, "The Miskolc Experience", was released in June via Nuclear Blast Records.
The set's description reads as follows: "After the phenomenal last studio album 'Gothic Kabbalah' (2007), easily THERION's most stunning effort since 'Theli', and the follow-up live CD 'Live Gothic' (2008), THERION mastermind and only remaining founding member Christofer Johnsson decided to go for a rather special project: the band's appearance at the remarkable and renowned International Opera Festival in Miskolc, Hungary in 2007 was taped on and off stage to preserve a truly unique classic metal event for the THERION fanbase! The first part — dubbed 'Classical Adventures' — features some of Christofer's favourite composers (especially his all-time fave, Wagner) and does completely without guitars or any metal instrumentation whatsoever. Just orchestra and choir. Part two, 'Therion Songs', delivers exactly that: finest THERION material performed by the band, a huge orchestra and choir. Rounding off 'The Miskolc Experience' is an entertaining documentary which gives insight in the complicated organisation and the no less complicated execution with all ups and downs for the involved crew and musicians.
"'The Miskolc Experience' is the testimony of the brilliant Johnsson/Niemann/Niemann/KarlssonTHERION lineup which Christofer Johnsson decided to dissolve in late 2008. This chapter of THERION is closed, a new era is about to begin — and THERION will soon open the book once again!"
"Your Decision", the new video from ALICE IN CHAINS, will make its debut on December 1 via iTunes. The clip was directed by Stephen Schuster, who previously worked with ALICE IN CHAINS on the "A Looking In View" video, and it features an appearance by "Project Runway" season three model Amanda Fields.
Check out a teaser for the "Your Decision" video below.
In a posting on Blogging Project Runway, Fields recently wrote about the video shoot, "It was so much fun and I felt like I was dreaming — the location was so surreal! It was this giant house between Santa Monica and Malibu off of the Pacific Coast Highway. You look out the window and see the beautiful blue Pacific!
"The band members, Jerry, Sean, Mike and William, were fun to work with and the director had such an incredible vision. The stylist, a friend of mine, Cory Savage, really knows how to make a rock video couture! The band members all wore crisp expertly tailored suits and the string quartet wore flowing white dresses with black lace blindfolds!! My wig was made out of feathers!"
Check out of a photo from the video set below.
"Your Decision" is the second single to be lifted from band's first all-new album in 14 years, titled "Black Gives Way To Blue", which sold 126,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to land at position No. 5 on The Billboard 200 chart (behind latest albums from PARAMORE, MARIAH CAREY, BARBRA STREISAND and BREAKING BENJAMIN).
ALICE IN CHAINS recruited pop legend Elton John to contribute piano to the CD's title track, which is written in tribute to Staley.
Singer William DuVall had played with his own group, COMES WITH THE FALL, as well as in Jerry Cantrell's solo band, before joining up with ALICE IN CHAINS in 2006.
"Black Gives Way to Blue" was recorded with producer Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, RUSH) at the Northridge, California studio of FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl.
L.A. GUNS vocalist Phil Lewis and guitarist Stacey Blades will take part in a special acoustic performance on Wednesday, November 25 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California.
For more information, see the image below.
L.A. GUNS' latest album, "Tales from the Strip", was released in August 2005 in the U.S. via Shrapnel Records. The CD, which was produced by Andy Johns (LED ZEPPELIN, THE ROLLING STONES), was lyrically inspired by a historically significant rock scene that L.A. GUNS had a strong hand in creating.
Phil Lewis' L.A. GUNS is not to be confused with the Tracii Guns-led version of the group, which is also continuing to record and perform under the L.A. GUNS moniker.
Keith Carman of Exclaim.ca recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
One recording a Christmas album with the HALFORD band:
"Just by association, I think that when everybody heard that the Metal God was doing a Christmas album, they had a sharp taking [in] of breath. But that's to be expected. The fact of the matter is that I've the luxury of a solo career that lets me do the unexpected. Having said that, like everybody else, I just love the Christmas holidays. I do the same things that everyone else does. In my mind, it's not that much of a stretch."
"I did this for a few reasons but the main genesis was a moment for me personally to express myself in a way that I've never done before. I just want to do what's important to me. As a musician, that's the way it should be. You stand by your choices. It just took a while to get to the point where we all wanted to do it. Once that decision was made, we ran with it.
"When you're covering such great composers, it's inspiring to have the opportunity to cover work that's already established and given various kinds of treatments. And for you to enjoy the challenge of putting your distinctive approach on the arrangements. That was important for us when we put this together: to make sure we could give it the HALFORD band stamp."
On the band's ability to pen some thematically similar yet equally epic and raucous originals for the Christmas record:
"When we first agreed to do this type of record, there wasn't any inclination to go into self-composing mode because there's so much great material already out there. But the ideas started to flow forth and we were all so excited and inspired by the music we were covering that it was natural to be motivated and noodle around with ideas that came. You feed off each other's creativity. It was unexpected but it was great. It was a treat to show that as a band, we can also step forward in the spirit of the season and make music that fits with everything else we've done."
On a potential sophomore holiday affair should the opportunity arise again:
"I had so much fun making this record. They're very uplifting songs. We'll see how it goes. The global reception has been strong so far and there were many other tracks/opportunities to cover in this vein that we didn't get to this time. If we've got enough to make full release, maybe we'll go for it."
HALFORD's new album, "Halford III - Winter Songs", sold 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 26 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.
HALFORD's first holiday CD, "Halford III - Winter Songs" is being released via Rob's new label Metal God Records, distributed globally by ADA Global/Warner Music Group, Fontana/Universal Music Group, Conveyor/Universal Music Canada and Sony Music Japan.
"Halford III - Winter Songs" is Rob's first solo release in more than seven years, and includes a collection of new Halford-penned tracks plus traditional holiday favorites presented with original arrangements by HALFORD (Rob Halford on vocals, Roy Z. on guitar, Metal Mike Chlasciak on guitar, Mike Davis on bass and Bobby Jarzombek on drums).
Written, arranged and recorded during 2008 and 2009, "Halford III - Winter Songs" celebrates one of the most exciting holiday periods of the year.
"Halford III - Winter Songs" debuts new HALFORD tracks "Get Into The Spirit", "When Christmas Comes For Everyone", "Light Of The World", "What Child Is This", "Oh Holy Night", "Come All Ye Faithful" and more.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine has posted the following message in the "Forums" section of the band's official web site:
"I hope that everyone that is in a band and has been watching how things have transpired are taking notes. This record [MEGADETH's 'Endgame'] has been out for weeks and weeks, and no radio play from the radio person at Roadrunner [Records, MEGADETH's record label], nothing. Zero.
"But that should be expected; this is the same guy I HAD TO ASK to get me interviews. Talk about a Gomer moment!
"Now, I am going to be forced to rely on my own radio station to play MEGADETH, but that's OK, I seem to be doing the label's job every day, in every city, and I am used to it after these last two records.
"I am waiting to talk to the owner of Roadrunner, and all I ask is that you pray that this guy has even a modicum of respect for me and how hard I have been working for him. And he gets the lion's share of the revenue, while I get news that with the best record I have recorded in decades has now dropped off of the charts.
"Kudos, Roadrunner, the is the first worldwide critically acclaimed record by the press, and the fans, and you just can't seem to get this right. This is the first time that everyone likes a record of mine, and you can't get us on the radio or into the stores.
"I can't tell you how many stores I go into while on tour and I see nothing. And all I hear from Roadrunner is we are committed to the record.
"My ass."
"Endgame" has sold around 87,000 copies in the United States since its release nine weeks ago. The CD registered the following U.S. weekly sales, according to Nielsen SoundScan:
AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry has joined forces with SanDisk to help fund music in schools.
SanDisk's slotRadio is a brand new way to enjoy music effortlessly through memory cards while also contributing to the Grammy Foundation.
According to RadarOnline.com, Perry is teaming up with with SanDisk for a promotion that will send $1 for every slotRadio card purchased this holiday season, up until the end of January to the Grammy Foundation, a charity that helps kids learn music in schools.
Perry will have a slotRadio card filled with some of his greatest hits this winter; other pre-loaded slotRadio cards are available in genres including country, hip hop, health & fitness, christmas, oldies, '80s/'90s and more.
Roxx Records has announced the signing of THE SACRIFICED. The band's full-length debut, "2012", will be released in the spring.
THE SACRIFICED, based in Lakeland, Florida, has been together since 2005 and previously released an independent demo CD entitled "The Da Vinci Hoax". The demo sold well and the band has been playing and getting rave reviews ever since.
While reminiscent of bands such as early QUEENSRŸCHE, SACRED WARRIOR, HAVEN and DELIVERANCE, "these boys are no copycats or tribute band," according to a press relase. "THE SACRIFICED are not afraid to tell the truth, with brave, inspirational lyrics that illustrate their strong stance for what they believe in. Combine all this with a classic power metal sound and '2012' is sure to please."
Pre-orders are going now, and you will want to get in early as the first 100 copies only will come with an exclusive demo disc comprised of the "The Da Vinci Hoax" and demos compiled from the band's pre-THE SACRIFICED days when they were known as SEALED FATE and SCEPTRE.
Swedish glam-rock band CRASHDIET entered the studio tomorrow on Friday, November 13 with RamPac, the production and songwriting team formed by Johan Ramström and Patrik Magnusson, to begin recording its third album for an early 2010 release.
Video footage from the studio can be viewed below.
CRASHDIET recently announced the addition of Simon "Simme" Cruz from the Stockholm act JAILBAIT as the group's new lead singer. A new demo track, "Caught In Despair", featuring the band's latest addition is available for streaming below.
CRASHDIET parted ways with its last vocalist, the Finland-based H. Olliver Twisted, in July 2008. "We need a singer who can commit 100%, which unfortunately Olli couldn't live up to," the group stated at the time. "He, as many know about, has another band in Finland and we couldn't settle for sharing our time. We want to go further than any band has done before and we can't afford to spend time just waiting. We need to function as a full unit, all the time!"
CRASHDIET's sophomore album, "The Unattractive Revolution", entered the Swedish chart at position No. 11 back in October 2007. The CD was mixed in the United States by Kevin Churko.
"The Unattractive Revolution" features a guest appearance on two tracks by MÖTLEY CRÜE guitarist Mick Mars, who flew into Stockholm, Sweden in June 2007 to help CRASHDIET write some of the material.
H. Olliver Twisted joined CRASHDIET as the replacement for David Hellman (a.k.a. Dave Lepard), who committed suicide in January 2006.
Fan-filmed video footage of IN FLAMES' November 19, 2009 performance in Milan, Italy can be viewed below.
Photos of the concert at the sold-out Live Club (Trezzo D'Adda) are available on the news blog Musica Metal.
The group's setlist was as follows:
01. Cloud Connected 02. Embody The Invisible 03. Pinball Map 04. Delight And Angers 05. Disconnected 06. Square Nothing 07. Trigger 08. The Hive 09. Only For The Weak 10. Drifter 11. Clayman 12. Come Clarity 13. Leeches 14. Alias 15. The Mirror's Truth 16. The Quiet Place 17. Take This Life 18. My Sweet Shadow
According to Musica Metal, frontman Anders Fridèn announced from the stage that the Milan concert would mark IN FLAMES' last performance in Italy for a long while because they were due to begin work on a new studio album in their hometown of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Halfway through the set, Fridèn invited a fan onstage to sing "Clayman", but when the intro riff ended, the fan didn't know the lyrics to the song and kept headbanging and pulling an embarassed face next to guitarist Björn Gelotte while the crowd started booing and mocking him until he ran offstage. Anders came to the rescue and ended the song, but the audience kept booing the guy right until the start of the following track, "Come Clarity".
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.
THEM CROOKED VULTURES 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.
"Them Crooked Vultures" was released on November 17 via DGC/Interscope Records.
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
Following their first North American tour of mostly East Coast cities in October, the group will next head west for four gigs this month. The band will perform on November 19 in Oakland, November 21 in Seattle, and November 22 in Portland, Oregon.
THEM CROOKED VULTURES taped a performance for the Austin City Limits TV program on September 30.
According to People.com, Alex Santana, the singer of the Los Angeles-based death metal band BLOOD MONEY, married actor Jim Carrey's rock musician daughter Jane Carrey in a ceremony this past weekend.
"It was a beautiful day. Simple and sweet," Jim Carrey told People.com in a statement. "I wish them everything that love has given us."
Carrey also shared his joy on Twitter Wednesday night. "My Jane is a married woman. Days ago her and my new son-in-law Alex got hitched," he wrote. "The day was simply perfect... lots of love there.. :)"
Jane, 22, and Santana, 24, are expecting a child in March. The grandfather-to-be said he was "very excited" back in July about the news. "Jane is going to be a great mom."
Jane sings for the JANE CARREY BAND, and is the "Liar Liar" star's daughter with his first wife Melissa.
Jim Carrey was rumored to be to be a fan of the death metal band CANNIBAL CORPSE, who made a cameo appearance in Carrey's 1994 movie "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective". However, in a July 10, 2009 posting on BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Santana himself put the rumor to rest, writing, "For the record, Jim hates death metal... He'd never heard of CANNIBAL until doin' that movie. Trust me, it's the first thing I asked him when we met."
According to BLOOD MONEY's official bio, the band's goal is very simple: "Make heavy music and share it with the world. Be it death, thrash, grind, etc. You will hear it in BLOOD MONEY. From PANTERA to SEPULTURA, or DECAPITATED to NAPALM DEATH. You will feel their intensity in BLOOD MONEY. But even though we play with their strengths, we write with our own. A new breed of metal, a stew of genres, a story in every song. Stories that tell of the world we live in, the struggles of power and the belief of expression."
The band adds: "We are a group of four guys from L.A. who love to play metal. A group that writes songs together, sharing riffs and rhythms. And when all is said and done, BLOOD MONEY writes epic songs. Songs to begin an album and songs to end an album. This fact was proven with the 2008 release of 'One Nation Under Hate'. A relentless force of a record, that beckons for the throne of progressive death metal. But more importantly, BLOOD MONEY was born to play live, delivering arguably the most compelling, brutal, and infamous shows in the Los Angeles underground. We play to abolish the norm… We play to cultivate the doubtful… We play to incite riots. We play as one machine."
For more information on BLOOD MONEY, visit the band's MySpace page.
Photo of the happy couple (courtesy of the father-to-be's MySpace page):
Power metal acts CIRCLE II CIRCLE and CAGE will team up for a three-show tour of Texas, dubbed the "Texas Metal Allegiance Tour", in December.
The dates are as follows:
Dec. 10 - Houston @ Fitzgeralds Dec. 11 - San Antonio @ Zombies Dec. 12 - Fort Worth @ Ridglea Theater (w/ HELSTAR, WARBEAST)
CIRCLE II CIRCLE, featuring former SAVATAGE lead singer Zak Stevens, will begin recording its fifth album in early 2010 and is featured on the Triton Power Cruise setting sail April 30, 2010.
CAGE will bring its "Science of Annihilation" show for its first-ever run in the Lone Star State. The band is coming off of a very successful showing at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, Georgia.
CAGE is the headlining act on the Triton Power Cruise pre-party on April 29, 2010.
The pairing of CIRCLE II CIRCLE and CAGE brings together two of progressive and power metal's finest acts for these three unique shows. The addition of legendary Texas-based HELSTAR will make the Fort Worth show a very special, one-of-a-kind event not to be missed.
Contact the venues for advance ticketing information.
CAMP FREDDY — the Los Angeles-based "jam" group featuring Dave Navarro (ex-JANE'S ADDICTION, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS), Billy Morrison (ex-THE CULT bassist, current CIRCUS DIABLO vocalist), Matt Sorum (VELVET REVOLVER, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), Donovan Leitch (son of legendary folk singer Donovan), and Chris Chaney (JANE'S ADDICTION, ALANIS MORRISETTE) — has announced another residency at the Roxy Theater in West Hollywood, California. This will be the third set of dates that the band has performed at the venue in the last two years.
Presented by Monster Energy Drink and Onitsuka Tiger, the second annual Christmas CAMP FREDDY residency will be called "Decades" and will feature a '70s set on Friday, December 4; an '80s set on Friday, December 11; and a '90s set on Friday, December 18.
The band promises to bring their friends out and celebrate the holiday season in the usual way.
Tickets are available from The Roxy or Ticketmaster. There are also limited numbers of Golden Tickets available from the same places, which buys all three shows, plus an exclusive meet-and-greet/hangout at the soundcheck on December 11, signed 8x10 print, and personal photo opps etc.
CAMP FREDDY last year parted ways with Los Angeles' acclaimed Indie 103.1 radio station, which has aired the band's weekly show every Saturday for nearly five years.
Since its formation seven years ago when they rocked the opening of The Standard Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles at the invitation of Brent Bolthouse, CAMP FREDDY has performed on both coasts of America and on national television shows ("The Tonight Show with Jay Leno", "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", "Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn", "Last Call with Carson Daly").
The Bay Area's AGENDA OF SWINE (Pete Ponitkoff - vocals, Jeff Lenormand – guitar, Jason Behan – guitar, Emad Jaghab – bass, John Gotelli – drums) has posted a brand new track, "Rooted In Spite", on the band's MySpace page. This previously unreleased track was recorded for a split seven-inch single that is due out next year.
AGENDA OF SWINE released its debut album, "Waves of Human Suffering", last year via Relapse. The CD was recorded with engineer Zach Ohren at Castle Ultimate Studios (ANIMOSITY, ALL SHALL PERISH, LIGHT THIS CITY) in Oakland, California.
AGENDA OF SWINE formed after vocalist Pete Ponitkoff disbanded previous project BENUMB and guitarist Jeff Lenormand and drummer John Gotelli placed VULGAR PIGEONS on hiatus.
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