Canadian rockers, Monster Truck, will release their new album Sittin’ Heavy on February 19th via their new label home, Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group (Black Stone Cherry, Black Label Society, Joe Bonamassa) for Europe and Dine Alone Records for the rest of the world.

The band’s new video for “Don’t Tell Me How To Live” can be seen below.

Guitarist Jeremy Widerman commented, "When it comes to music videos, it seems that the bigger a pain in the ass it is to film, the better it turns out. Between an improbable 5-story industrial load-in and numerous warnings that the drones' flight path was too dangerous, the entire video shoot balanced on knife's edge. Luckily with some unexpected help from Mother Nature we were able to get exactly what we wanted and come out unscathed.”

Frontman/bassist Jon Harvey added, "It was cold, it was wet and it was tiring, but it looks awesome.  Next time someone says 'drones', I'm all ears."

Sittin’ Heavy is 11 tracks of high-octane, foot to the floor, raucous rock that picks up from where 2013s incredible Juno Award nominated Furiosity left off. For the past two years since the debut dropped they have been hell-bent on putting Hamilton, Ontario on the rock ‘n’ roll map as they have, in true road warrior style, relentlessly been tearing through Europe, the US and Canada opening for the mighty; Guns N’ Roses, Slash, Alice In Chains, ZZ Top, Buckcherry, Rival Sons and Vista Chino as well as stepping up for blistering sets at the UKs Hammerfest and Download Festival.

The Juno award winning, Eric Ratz returns as their sounding board, studio guru and co-producer; with a track record that includes Billy Talent, Three Days Grace and Cancer Bats, Ratz’ studio wizardry is displayed sublimely on Sittin’ Heavy and must surely mark him out as a future heavyweight.

Tracklisting:

“Why Are You Not Rocking?”
“Don't Tell Me How To Live”
“She's A Witch”
“For The People”
“Black Forest”
“Another Man's Shoes”
“Things Get Better”
“The Enforcer”
“To The Flame”
“New Soul”
“Enjoy The Time”

Vinyl-only bonus track:
“Midnight”

“The Enforcer”:

The new offering is a gloriously cathartic statement that retains all of the ingredients that enabled Monster Truck to break out of the box; groove, sludge, stoner rock, grunge and vintage sounds all swirl around in a colossal melting pot that continues their evolution and expands upon ideas established from their inception.

The months on the road has served to improve them as a band, just as it should, fundamentally because they looked around and learned.  “Touring the last record we’ve been privileged to play with a lot of great headlining acts,” says guitarist Jeremy Widerman. “For instance, when we opened for Slash we would pick up on how accurately he controls the Wah pedal, and we wanted to include some of that in our own songs. Or touring with Alice In Chains and watching their vocal harmonies and realising that we needed to strengthen up in that area – so we did. There are so many little ways to hone our sound.”

If the album has a theme, it would be a steadfast refusal to be beaten down. Lead track “Don’t Tell Me How To Live” has been unanimously welcomed as a rallying cry. Inspired by a comment made by singer and bassist Jon Harvey’s girlfriend – “She started giving me trouble for playing guitar every day and I replied, ‘This is my job, don’t tell me how to live’” – its message holds true in a variety of situations. “The song is about being independent in one’s life, rather than worrying about what people think or the expectations of other people; just be true to yourself.”

“Rock ‘n’ roll should be a celebration,” Harvey believes. “We try to do that as much as we can. Everything in life should be a celebration.”

Opener “Why Are You Not Rocking?” sets the tone, as out of your speakers it blasts the declaration “I don’t care about the weather, the band is here to play, I don’t care about tomorrow, we’re not going any way, all I see is right now, people together…rock n roll might save your life, might save your life tonight” before it throws down the battle cry “release your mind, set your spirit free”

“She’s A Witch” offers some warning signs as Harvey’s gargantuan wail exclaims “that girls’ got a demon in her soul” whilst on “For The People” they’re rising up to fight the evils. Arriving almost halfway through the record, the magnificent, “Black Forest” is one of those moments of respite. Ushered in by the sound of thunder, the electric piano of Brandon Bliss supplying all-important dynamics and sung with grit and emotion by Jon Harvey.

“Another Man’s Shoes”, “Things Get Better” and “The Enforcer” all further cement their soulful but pounding credentials – with the latter offering up a phenomenally infectious rhythm section stomp and stadium filling handclapping before erupting into a mosh-pit blitz and then back again.

“To The Flame” sees them at their sludgy and stoner best as the grinding riff channels through the lines “there’s no way out of here” which whips into the frenetic “New Soul”, a stomping love song that wraps itself around you and refuses to let go and finishing with “Enjoy The Time”, signs off with a plea to live in the moment before the really bad shit starts happening.

“Yeah that’s it, basically,” Jon Harvey nods. “It’s a theme that we touch upon a lot. We’re saying don’t give up. Don’t put yourself down. I’m not a preacher but it’s important that message gets driven home.”

“There’s no need to raise the horns in the air from the start right to the finish,” Jeremy Widerman declares. “So the slower tracks are there to add colour, and that’s something you’ll hear a little more from us on future records. We’ve got people in the band who can really sing, so it would be foolish not to.”

Monster Truck are:

Jon Harvey (Vocals & Bass)
Jeremy Widerman (Guitar & Vocals)
Brandon Bliss (Organ & Vocals)
Steve Kiely (Drums & Vocals)

 



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In a new interview with Vice's Noisey, Megadeth frontman/founder Dave Mustaine discussed the band's new album, Dystopia. An excerpt from the in-depth interview, which covers everything from music politics to religion, follows:
 
Noisey: I know you’re coming from that more conservative viewpoint, which is more common in heavy metal than people may assume; it’s a genre that places an emphasis on tradition and individual freedoms—views that are themselves often interpreted as conservative. 

Mustaine: "I'm not really that conservative, by the way. I'm loyal to what my viewpoints are. My mom was first-generation American, she was born in Germany, so I have a lot of European influence in my upbringing, and I don't really think that I'm conservative as much as some of the other people, but I do know I'm loyal to the bands and the people that I like. People have made a big deal about my faith, but for god's sake, the bass player of Megadeth is a pastor, why doesn't anybody bring that up?"

Noisey: Because you’re the lightning rod.

Mustaine: "Yeah! It has nothing to do with Christianity, it has to do with me and what I believe in. I could be a Presbyterian, and say that when you die you get thrown up onto the roof of your house or something like that. It’s because of what I believe. No one goes up against David Ellefson and says, 'So you believe in God, huh?' Dave is kind one of those dudes that he's not the lightning rod."

Go to this location for the complete interview.

Megadeth’s anxiously-awaited fifteenth studio album, Dystopia, is due out on January 22nd via Univeral Music Enterprises. The album’s title track is now streaming below:

Megadeth has announced that they will give their fans the ultimate cutting edge experience in Virtual Reality. The band will head into a special Virtual Reality set-up with director Blair Underwood where they will perform and film five songs from Dystopia - "Fatal Illusion," "Dystopia," The Threat Is Real," "Poisonous Shadows," and "Post American World."

As a director, DGA member Underwood directed the 2009 independent feature The Bridge To Nowhere, as well as several music videos, short films and commercials. He is currently recurring on ABC's hit series, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. The band's performance will appear within the fallen city of a dystopian world modelled after the world created in Megadeth's new music video for "The Threat Is Real”.

Next Galaxy Corp., a leading developer of innovative content solutions and immersive consumer virtual reality technology will create a dystopian universe surrounding the band, and allow fans to virtually enter, engage and explore this parallel world. Released on January 22nd, fans will be able to purchase the new album, a CEEK Virtual Reality cardbox headset with instructions, and a download code to access and unlock exclusive content, which will also be simultaneously launched with the release of Dystopia to begin their VR Experience. This special CD package will be available at all physical and online retailers.

Exclusive hand-signed bundles for the upcoming Dystopia album are now available for pre-order in the official Megadeth store.

Place your order at this location.

Dystopia was produced by Mustaine and Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Korn). Megadeth’s new lineup features founding members Dave Mustaine (guitar, vocals) and David Ellefson (bass) along with Lamb Of God drummer Chris Adler and Brazilian-born Angra guitarist Kiko Loureiro.

Dystopia tracklisting:

“Death From Within”
“Fatal Illusion”
“Conquer... Or Die!”
“Lying In State"
“Me Hate You"
“The Emperor's New Clothes”
“Dystopia”
“Bullet To The Brain”
“Last Dying Wish”
“Post American World”
“Look Who's Talking”
“The Threat Is Real”
“Poisonous Shadows”
“Melt The Ice Away” (Budgie cover)
“Foreign Policy” (Fear cover)

“The Threat Is Real” video:

“Fatal Illusion”:

Megadeth have announced that the North American leg of the Dystopia World Tour kicks off February 20th. Supporting Megadeth on the trek are Suicidal Tendencies, Children Of Bodom and Havok.

Tickets on sale at megadeth.com/dystopiatour. Tickets / VIP Packages at cyberarmy.megadeth.com.

Tour dates:

February
20 - Dallas, TX - South Side Ballroom
21 - Houston, TX - Bayou Music Center
23 - Denver, CO - The Fillmore Auditorium
24 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
26 - Las Vegas, NV - The Pearl
27 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Hollywood Palladium
29 - San Francisco, CA - The Warfield

March
2 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik (Megadeth only)
3 - Honolulu, HI - The Republik (Megadeth only)
5 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagan Events Centre
6 - Calgary, AB - Grey Eagle Resort
8 - Dawson Creek, BC - Encana Events Centre
9 - Edmonton, AB - Rexall Place
10 - Moose Jaw, SK - Mosaic Place
13 - Chicago, IL - Aragon Ballroom
15 - Niagara Falls, NY - The Rapids Theatre
16 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
17 - New York, NY - Terminal 5
19 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
20 - Philadelphia, PA - Electric Factory
21 - Boston, MA - House Of Blues
23 - Bangor, ME - Cross Insurance Center
24 - Quebec, QC - Centre Videotron
26 - Sioux Falls, SD - Badlands Pawn



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SANDMAN, the Canadian METALLICA tribute band featuring vocalist/guitarist Joe Di Taranto of Toronto's WARMACHINE, has reportedly received a cease-and-desist letter from lawyers representing the metal giants themselves.

Di Taranto wrote on his Facebook page: "So as some of you may or may not know, in my spare time from WARMACHINE, I play in a couple tribute acts, one being a METALLICA tribute called SANDMAN.

"Well last night when we arrived at the venue for our show in London, ON, we were served with 'Cease & Desist' papers courtesy of METALLICA's lawyers. Quite funny! LOL!"

With less than 800 followers on Facebook at the time of this writing, SANDMAN apparently caught the attention of METALLICA's lawyers by using the latter band's "official, stylized logos … on or to identify or promote live musical performances through Facebook and YouTube," according to the 41-page cease-and-desist letter sent out by the attorneys.

A number of fans and musicians from fellow tribute bands have offered support on SANDMAN's Facebook page, including RED HOT CHILI PECKERS, the Canadian tribute to the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS. "Just wanted to say from one tribute musician to another we’re in your corner on this… and think you should stick to your guns," the Halifax-based RED HOT CHILI PECKERS wrote. "Lame that they would ask you to stop using your logo just because it looks similar to theirs. It's not like you are selling bootleg mech [sic]."

This is not the first time METALLICA has clashed with other parties over infringement issues. In January 1999, the band sued Victoria's Secret after it sold a lipstick line dubbed "Metallica." The lingerie company ended up settling with the band.

In 2000, METALLICA launched a trademark infringement suit over a perfume called "Metallica," which retailer Neiman Marcus was selling in its stores.

In a complaint filed at the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California, METALLICA claimed Guerlain, the century-old French fragrance manufacturer, caused "confusion, deception, and mistake in the minds of the public with respect to the source and origin of defendants' goods." METALLICA also accused Neiman Marcus of dilution, unfair competition, false designation of origin and injuring the quartet's reputation because the perfume could have misled metalheads into thinking the band endorsed the product.

METALLICA's then-attorney Jill Pietrini told E! Online in 2000: "We actively police [the METALLICA] trademark. It's a famous mark and we believe [the Metallica perfume] infringes and dilutes that."

The Canadian Intellectual Property Office ruled in September 2012 that the Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada metal shop named Metallica Manufacturing was free to continue pursuing its trademark application for the word "Metallica" despite opposition from the legendary metal band.

Metallica Manufacturing owner Bill Lawson told Burnaby Now at the time that the name was chosen in the late 1990s by his then-12-year-old niece. After operating under the name for four or five years, Lawson tried to register a domain name online, which was when the group's attorneys started calling for the shop to change its name.

Back in November 2012, Jay Jay French, guitarist for fellow rockers TWISTED SISTER, released a statement explaining that he was forced to send a cease-and-desist letter to the owners of the Twisted Sister House Of Hunger food truck in Minneapolis, Minnesota asking the business to change its name because he and his bandmates are required by trademark law to either defend their trademark or lose rights to it. He elaborated in a recent column for the Inc.com web site: "If you own a trademark, you better be ready to protect it or risk losing it." He continued: First, I usually called someone involved with the company and told them who I was. I explained that I own the trademark and that they should stop using it ASAP. Many stopped at that point. If they didn't, our lawyer wrote a cease-and-desist letter. If that didn't work, then we began court proceedings. It can and has cost me a lot of money, and I rarely ever get any money in return. But what you do get is that the trademark infringement is stopped."

Guitarist/vocalist Adam "Nergal" Darski of Polish extreme metallers BEHEMOTH recently answered a number of fan-submitted questions on a wide range of topics for the video question-and site asQme. Check out the clips below.

Speaking about his influences, Nergal said that he has been inspired by the "avant-garde" when writing BEHEMOTH's upcoming album. He also revealed that he listens to classic rock bands and artists from other genres, admitting that he is "really keen on the primitive, primal kind of tempos."

Nergal said: "Theres some rigid strength in the punk scene in general. The classics, they have this thing that makes you come back to the origins like a boomerang. That's how I work. I just drift somewhere and then, eventually, I come back and listen to classics, like heavy metal, punk, goth. I'm not really a big gothic fan, a fan of goth music, but FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM is a classic."

He continued: "Once in a while, I just come back and rediscover them for myself. Same goes for BAUHAUS and SIEKIERA… Plenty of bands… It can be whatever…. [BLACK] SABBATH… You name it… David Bowie just coming back with a new record. It is very inspirational, even for radical music that we make, it's still very inspirational. Sometimes it's not really direct inspiration, that you will hear me singing some avant-garde stuff… Not necessarily; I'm not that kind of singer. But I wouldn't be surprised if on the next BEHEMOTH album, you will hear some post-punk influences, the beats especially. I'm really keen on the primitive, primal kind of tempos lately. So you never know."

BEHEMOTH has announced its return to North America this spring with a special tour, featuring MYRKUR as support. BEHEMOTH will play its latest album, "The Satanist", in its entirety. In addition to the concert, fans will also have the chance to view "The Congregation" exhibition at each venue. Dubbed "a symbiosis of BEHEMOTH and Toxic Vision," the display showcases the collaboration between the two parties.

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has paid tribute to David Bowie, who died on Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. Simmons told CNN (see video below): "In 1975, in New York City, both David and KISS were in the same recording studio. And we had yet to, sort of, ascend and play the stadiums and all that. We were still a new band. Some people knew about us, some not. David Bowie, I don't know why, made it a point of inviting us into his recording session. And we were all nervous and stuff. And I remember walking in, and even though we didn't know each other, he smiled and looked me right in the eye and stuck his hand out and said, 'Hello. Wonderful to meet you.' And I was taken back, I was awestruck by, you know, a giant — this guy who changed the face of music, refused to stand still and look over his shoulder while he was running his own race. You know, he just continued to move as fast as he could forward, marching to the beat of his own drums."

He added: "'The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars', especially, that record, is deeply ingrained in my DNA. And I think, you know what? He passed three days after his birthday, at 69, and he just released a brand new record called 'Blackstar', and I think it's worth noting that the first lyric in the first song says, 'Look up here. I'm in heaven.' I mean, what a giant."

Asked what it is about David Bowie's costumes and onstage personas that added or complemented his music, Simmons said: "Bowie, it seems to me, always understood that when people go to concerts, they're not just listening to music, they're listening with their eyes, and that you've got to give more. And heaven knows, Bowie gave his fans and everybody else much more. I think it's worth noting that, unlike us, and unlike all the rest of the famous people out there, he refused to stand still — which is why it's astonishing… When you look through the decades and through the years, you can never pinpoint who David Bowie was, because he was so many things. His musical homage… Even in that line 'Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!' in a song called 'Suffragette City' is an ode to Charles Mingus, the great jazz artist, and his drummer, Max Roach, who used to say, 'Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am!' I mean, this guy was… You just can't define exactly what he was. He was unique. And it's worth noting that there are a lot of famous rap stars and pop stars and all that stuff… It ain't the same thing. The word 'icon' is reserved. The air up there is thin, and there are very few up there who deserve to be up there, and clearly David Bowie does."

Gene also talked about how he felt when he first found out that Bowie had died. He said: "[It was a] very, very sad day, but like Bowie always has been throughout his life, he just didn't use his private life as another headline for CNN or anybody else. He understood that he was… I'm assuming he understood that he wasn't well and decided not to drag the media into it and quietly and humbly — and, yeah, royally — went his own way. You know, he was a giant."

According to reports from insiders in the David Bowie camp, the music legend died from liver cancer, after suffering from a handful heart attacks in recent years.

SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell has paid tribute to David Bowie, who died on Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. Cornell told RollingStone.com, in part: "When I woke up [on Monday], I was already thinking about David Bowie. I was checking out his new record a couple of days ago; I was reading about it, I'd listened to a few songs. Then I saw the news. Hearing he'd died was just a really sad thing.

"I was very happy with 'Blackstar'. I was really happy with his last album, 'The Next Day', too. Both albums show an ongoing evolution.

"I need people like David Bowie, people who are always moving on and not in a frustrating or slovenly way. It encourages me because I want to be able to write music and create albums until I drop dead.

"I'd heard about him being ill over the last couple of years, so it wasn't a huge surprise, but just reading about his album a couple of days ago, I'd been thinking, 'Oh, he's better. He's fine.' It was sad to feel like that's not going to happen and we're not gonna see him again.

"You don't know how important someone is to you as an artistic influence until suddenly they're gone. I've certainly been having that experience. It's kind of equal parts sad and celebratory to think, 'Awesome. What an amazing career he had and what an amazing legacy he's left for everybody.'"

According to reports from insiders in the David Bowie camp, the music legend died from liver cancer, after suffering from a handful heart attacks in recent years.

Bowie died on January 10 following a private 18-month battle against the disease. Stage director Ivo van Hove, who had been working with Bowie on his musical "Lazurus" — which is running in Manhattan's New York Theatre Workshop through January 17 — revealed to The Independent that he knew Bowie was ill for "about a year."

Bowie biographer Wendy Leigh went on to tell the BBC that musician's recent health woes were actually quite extensive. "He didn't just battle cancer," she said. "He had six heart attacks in recent years. I got this from somebody very close to him."

Saigon Kick recorded a cover of the David Bowie classic "Space Oddity" for their Water album in 1993 featuring founding guitarist Jason Bieler on lead vocals (check it out below). Bieler has checked in with a tribute to Bowie, who passed away at 69 on January 10th following an 18 month battle with cancer.  

"Getting a message that David Bowie thought a cover you did 'was really good' was a massive career highlight, even if he was just being kind. Knowing that in some microscopic way we briefly crossed paths is like saying you shared a cup of coffee with Dali or rode the train with John Lennon, irrelevant in their worlds but life changing in yours. I had no idea he was that ill when I posted about him on Friday (January 8th). I spent the entire weekend listening to the Blackstar album over and over, talking with my daughter about how amazing it is to be that current, cutting edge and relevant for so long... as he is on her playlists as much as mine. Music and life done right…well done Mr. Bowie."

Bowie was an influential singer-songwriter and producer dabbled in glam rock, art rock, soul, hard rock, dance pop, punk and electronica during his eclectic 40-plus-year career. He just released his 25th album, Blackstar, on January 8th, which was his birthday.

Bowie’s artistic breakthrough came with 1972’s The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, an album that fostered the notion of rock star as space alien. Fusing British mod with Japanese kabuki styles and rock with theater, Bowie created the flamboyant, androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

Three years later, Bowie achieved his first major American crossover success with the No. 1 single “Fame” off the top 10 album Young Americans, then followed with the 1976 avant-garde art rock LP Station to Station, which made it to No. 3 on the charts and featured top 10 hit “Golden Years.”

Other memorable songs included 1983’s “Let’s Dance” — his only other No. 1 U.S. hit — “Space Oddity”, “Heroes”, “Changes”, “Under Pressure”, “China Girl”, “Modern Love”, “Rebel, Rebel”, “All the Young Dudes”, “Panic in Detroit”, “Fashion”, “Life on Mars”, “Suffragette City” and a 1977 Christmas medley with Bing Crosby.

Born David Jones in London on Jan. 8, 1947, Bowie changed his name in 1966 after The Monkees’ Davy Jones achieved stardom. He played saxophone and started a mime company, and after stints in several bands he signed with Mercury Records, which in 1969 released his album Man of Words, Man of Music, which featured “Space Oddity,” a poignant song about an astronaut, Major Tom, spiraling out of control.

In an attempt to stir interest in Ziggy Stardust, Bowie revealed in a January 1972 magazine interview that he was gay — though that might have been a publicity stunt — dyed his hair orange and began wearing women’s garb. The album became a sensation.

Bowie also enjoyed a long career as an actor, with memorable roles in The Man Who Fell to Earth, Labyrinth, The Hunger, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me and The Prestige, among others.

Read more here.



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In tribute to legendary Motörhead frontman Lemmy, who passed away on December 28th, 2015, Montreal Canadiens goalie Ben Scrivens had Lemmy added to his hockey mask. Check out the photos below.

On January 9th, the world came together to celebrate the life of Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister at Forest Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Hollywood, California.

With almost almost 300,000 watching on YouTube and millions more thinking about a man that changed the face of heavy metal. And what a face … an image. An icon. Kinda like James Dean … but for us metalheads, much more of presence in life. Manager Todd Singerman led the ceremony: “Man, I hate using these words in past tense!”

He proceeded to pass the mic to Lemmy’s son Paul: “He had a feeling something was wrong in August. We will know the pain he was in … all of his years he was a stage warrior. Having moved mount everest, the show would go on. He wasn’t just a musician and songwriter … he was a figurehead. He set the bar. It was about keeping it real. Performing was everything to him. He was Lemmy all the time. He wasn’t a poseur. He paid his his dues. Motörhead’s last album was a struggle … it never revealed his frailed health. Born to lose, live to win. He wasn’t religious, but he was profoundly spiritual. He never tolerated anybody talking over music … especially his! Music wasn’t a background to him. Nobody on this earth posed his brand of of humour. He was 100% real. I won the lottery when I got Lemmy. You were perfect. You are on the road to the great great gig in the sky.”

The elite of heavy metal praised the man, the legend, the icon.

Guns N' Roses Slash: “Lemmy was somebody that I feel blessed to be friends with. He was such a a fucking great example of what my peers wanted to be. More integrity than anybody. 100 loyal. All these fine attributes. When I got sober he was so disappointed when I didn’t greet him with a flask of Jack Daniels!”

Judas Priest's Rob Halford: “Over the years we’ve had some amazing times. We always looked forward to seeing the lads! When I was in the the presence of lord Lemmy. I was overwhelmed! As we know, the music lives forever!”

Anthrax' Scott Ian : “Elvis you taught us how to dress, how to look. It was Carl Perkins and Little Richard how to sound. And it was The Beatles who taught us we could to write our own songs. And Lemmy it was you who taught us that we could be fucking real.”

Metallica's Lars Ulrich: “I lived and breathed every note they sang! Lemmy was so hospitable and the ultimate party host. I’ve always cited Motorhead and Lemmy as in the inspiration and the primary reason Metallica exists musically and attitude wise. So thank you Lemmy for shaping who I am today.

Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl: “There is not enough time to tell you what Lemmy meant to me. He’s my person … he’s the one that bridged my love of ACDC and Sabbath and Zeppelin … and my love with GBH, the Ramones and Black Flag.

Lemmy Kilmister died on December 28th at the age of 70 following a brief battle with an aggressive cancer.

Check out the BraveWords tribute to Lemmy here.



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American power metal band Reverence, featuring Todd Michael Hall (Riot, Jack Starr’s Burning Starr), Bryan Holland (Tokyo Blade, Arrest), Steve “Doc Killdrums” Wacholz (Savatage, Crimson Glory), Pete Rossi (Overland, Sanxtion), and Michael Massie (Overloaded, Inner Recipe), have released a music video for “Race To Obscene” (see below), the track featured on their new album, Gods Of War, out now via Razar Ice Records.

Reverence’s second album follows their first release, When Darkness Calls, which was released through Razar Ice Records in 2012.

Trackisting:

“Gods Of War”
“Heart Of Gold”
“Until My Dying Breath”
“Angel In Black”
“Tear Down The Mountain”
“Blood Of Heroes”
“Battle Cry”
“Choices Made”
“Splinter”
“Cleansed By Fire”
“Race To Obscene”

“Race To Obscene” video:

“Gods Of War” video:

“Until My Dying Breath” video:

Trailer:



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BLACK SABBATH has uploaded a short video clip featuring footage from the band's rehearsals for the upcoming "The End" tour. Sitting behind the kit during the sessions is Tommy Clufetos, who was also the drumer for the group's last world trek.

The full rehearsal clip will be released on Friday, January 15.

"The End" kicks off on January 20 in Omaha and will encompass about a year, including breaks.

Estranged BLACK SABBATH drummer Bill Ward once again insisted in a recent interview that he was quite capable of playing a full concert with the group, despite the bandmembers themselves saying the opposite. Ward stepped away from the SABBATH reunion in early 2012, while the group hinted that he was not in good enough physical shape to either record or tour.

Speaking with Rei Nishimoto of Ghost Cult magazine, Ward said: "I was never in a position where I was never able to drum. It's really sad that those statements made about me that inferred that I wasn't able to drum.

"When I'm in the studio, I can play in the studio. I was laying down tracks. We settled in 2011. By August 2011, I was already training and getting trained. You have to ramp up to go out on tour so that takes a different attitude. I started getting into shape for a tour. Touring is completely different to me than being in the studio. So I was already doing that work."

He reiterated: "Never at any time was my drumming impaired, my health impaired or my ability to play drums. I'm so angry about those suggestions and that was going on."

BLACK SABBATH singer Ozzy Osbourne told The Pulse Of Radio during the band's last tour that Ward was not in shape to participate. "Bill Ward has got the most physically demanding job of the lot of us, 'cause he's the timekeeper," he said. "I don't think personally he had the chops to pull it off, you know. The saddest thing is that he needed to own up to that, and we could have worked around it, whether we had a drummer on the side with him or something."

Ward was reportedly insulted when SABBATH offered him a contract stipulating that he would only play a portion of the show each night, with another drummer along to take over.

Brad Wilk played drums on SABBATH's latest album, "13".

Los Angeles theatrical rockers BLACK VEIL BRIDES have posted a short audio sample of the music they are working on for their forthcoming fifth album. Check it out in the YouTube clip below.

The band is once again working with with GOLDFINGER frontman and producer extraordinaire John Feldmann, who helmed BLACK VEIL BRIDES' 2013 effort "Wretched And Divine: The Story Of The Wild Ones".

BLACK VEIL BRIDES vocalist Andy Biersack recently told Jägermeister UK about the group's songwriting process: "Everybody writes in their own way, I think, everywhere we are, whether it's guitar players having a riff, or one of us having an idea here and there. But I think we generally write when we're together, or when we're in a position of being in a studio situation. Our one guitar player, Jake [Pitts], has a home studio. So does [the other guitarist] Jinxx [Jeremy Ferguson]. It's about writing riffs, coming up with ideas — melodies, lyrics, those kinds of things — and then when we're together, compiling them that way. We're not a band that's sitting in a dressing room, smacking our knees and humming along and singing a song that way."

Biersack also expressed a desire to not set any deadlines while writing and recording the follow-up to "Black Veil Brides". He said: "I think at this point, we've never had an opportunity, in all of our career, to make a record that had some time behind it. Every record that we've done has been a really quick turnaround, and that's not by design — that's because, times being what they are, the record label goes, 'Have us a record now.' And we go, 'We wanna do this crazy concept record.' And they go, 'Well, you have two months to do it. So good luck with that.' Now, we've kind of… By virtue of the fans, we've got an opportunity to take a little bit of time. I don't think we'll be the band that you'll see years go by without a record, but I don't think that you're gonna see another BLACK VEIL BRIDES record in four months. The goal is by the beginning of [2016] to be working on something new, and then to perfect it. And we'll release it when we think it's ready."

BLACK VEIL BRIDES released its first-ever concert DVD and Blu-ray, "Alive And Burning", in July 2015. The cover artwork for the set was designed by the band's longtime friend and previous album cover illustrator Richard Villa.

BLACK VEIL BRIDES' fourth, self-titled album was helmed by producer Bob Rock, whose resume includes LPs by METALLICA, MÖTLEY CRÜE, THE CULT and many others.

MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx has paid tribute to David Bowie, who died on Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. Sixx said in a statement: "Bowie not only inspired me as a songwriter but inspired me to add layers to my creativity as an artist.

"People are meant to evolve. It's a natural part of life, but so many artists become stagnant. Bowie showed us that it's not only important to evolve as artists but mandatory. Funny thing is what David was doing all along was teaching us to expect more from ourselves and never settle for less that extraordinary. Proving all along he was the teacher and we were all just his students. He taught us well.

"Bowie was my hero and always will be."

According to reports from insiders in the David Bowie camp, the music legend died from liver cancer, after suffering from a handful heart attacks in recent years.

Bowie died on January 10 following a private 18-month battle against the disease. Stage director Ivo van Hove, who had been working with Bowie on his musical "Lazurus" — which is running in Manhattan's New York Theatre Workshop through January 17 — revealed to The Independent that he knew Bowie was ill for "about a year."

Bowie biographer Wendy Leigh went on to tell the BBC that musician's recent health woes were actually quite extensive. "He didn't just battle cancer," she said. "He had six heart attacks in recent years. I got this from somebody very close to him."

Italian symphonic metal kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE will release their new studio album, "Into The Legend", on January 15 via AFM Records.

The song "Distant Sky" can be streamed below.

Comments RHAPSODY OF FIRE keyboardist Alex Staropoli: "After two years of intense work, including composing and arranging, after seven months spent in four different studios, this huge and ambitious production is coming to an end. We are right now mixing the songs, going through hundreds and hundreds hours of recordings to make an album that will feature over 65 minutes of breathtaking music, an album that will gather and exploit the best elements this band ever had in a modern way, and to build a musical landscape that will have no equals in the world's heavy metal scene."

The track listing for the CD is as follows:

01. In Principio02. Distant Sky03. Into The Legend04. Winter's Rain05. A Voice In The Cold Wind06. Valley Of Shadows07. Shining Star08. Realms Of Light09. Rage Of Darkness10. The Kiss Of Life11. Volar Sin Dolor (bonus track; limited digipack)+ Video: "Into The Legend"

Check out the cover artwork below.

RHAPSODY OF FIRE in June 2013 "respectfully" parted ways with their American guitarist Tom Hess due to "philosophical differences."

RHAPSODY OF FIRE released a live album, "Live - From Chaos To Eternity", on May 3, 2013 in Europe and May 7, 2013 in the USA via AFM Records. It was made available as two-CD digipak and as limited three-vinyl set. The material (a mixture of old classics and newer tracks) was recorded on the band’s European tour in spring 2012.

Staropoli and RHAPSODY OF FIRE guitarist Luca Turilli in 2011 announced their decision to go their separate ways.

Due to legal reasons, Staropoli is continuing under the RHAPSODY OF FIRE name. Turilli, on the other hand, is making his efforts available under the RHAPSODY moniker (RHAPSODY OF FIRE's original name), in which he is joined by guitarist Dominique Leurquin, bassist Patrice Guers, singer Alessandro Conti (TRICK OR TREAT) and drummer Alex Landenburg (AT VANCE, ANNIHILATOR, MEKONG DELTA, STRATOVARIUS).

Ozzy Osbourne has paid tribute to David Bowie, who died on Sunday, two days after his 69th birthday. Ozzy told RollingStone.com: "[The news of Bowie's death] knocked the shit out of me. I had no idea that he was so ill... I don't think anybody knew how sick he was. I'd heard the reason he stopped touring was because he had two heart attacks or something. But apparently it was cancer.

"Anyway, he's gone," Osbourne continued. "It's a terrible hole in the fucking business. He was such a talented guy, man. When you go from 'Ziggy Stardust' to his tours, and he's a fashion guy, he was always trying to beat himself and he pulled it off time and time again.

"He was one of the greats."

According to reports from insiders in the David Bowie camp, the music legend died from liver cancer, after suffering from a handful heart attacks in recent years.

Bowie died on January 10 following a private 18-month battle against the disease. Stage director Ivo van Hove, who had been working with Bowie on his musical "Lazurus" — which is running in Manhattan's New York Theatre Workshop through January 17 — revealed to The Independent that he knew Bowie was ill for "about a year."

Bowie biographer Wendy Leigh went on to tell the BBC that musician's recent health woes were actually quite extensive. "He didn't just battle cancer," she said. "He had six heart attacks in recent years. I got this from somebody very close to him."

Schecter Guitar Research has announced the release of new signature models from AVENGED SEVENFOLD's guitar duo of Synyster Gates and Zacky Vengeance. The new Syn Custom-S will retain his demanding features, including the Sustainiac Infinite Sustain System and his signature Seymour Duncan Invader humbucker. New appointments include Schecter's exclusive Floyd Rose 1500 locking tremolo and side glow-in-the-dark position markers.

These guitars follow Syn's renowned "pinstripe" graphic pattern, but with a burst added to the edges along with a thin satin finish for increased acoustic resonance and response. Available finishes: satin gold burst (shown) and satin dark earth burst. Street price: $1259.00. The 2016 Zacky Vengeance ZV-6661(street price: $999) will be armed with Seymour Duncan JB humbuckers and outfitted with "distressed" chrome hardware including the TonePros TOM System. Finished in a new aged natural satin black burst, each guitar will have Zacky's "6661" insignia hand engraved into the body. Zacky and Syn will be taking these new models into the studio next month as the band begins to record the follow-up to their chart-topping album "Hail To The King". Schecter Guitar Research has also announced the kick-start of its acoustic line with the release of three Synyster Gates signature models. Syn has been using these to write for AVENGED SEVENFOLD's upcoming disc. He plans to also utilize these in the studio and quite possibly on stage. Each of these acoustics are uniquely different, with the grand auditorium-sized SYN-GA-SC (street price: $489) featuring a cut-away design, electronics with 3-Band EQ and on-board tuner as well as "borrowing" Syn's popular silver pinstripes, "Scorpion" headstock and "Death Bat" inlay pattern from his signature electrics. The Syn GA-SC (street price: $559) is also grand auditorium-sized with an upper-bout cutaway. Construction is solid rosewood sides and back with a trans black burst finished sitka spruce top. Fishman electronics power this one with their Soniccore piezo bridge pickup and ISYS Active EQ with on-board tuner. A7X Death Bats adorn the inlay and rosette. The Jumbo bodied SYN-J (street price: $599) shares the same Fishman electronics as the Syn GA-SC, but is finished in a high luster gloss black with mahogany sides and back. For additional specs and left-handed availability, visit www.schecterguitars.com.

Zacky Vengeance spoke to U.K.'s Kerrang! magazine late last year about the direction of the material for the band's next album,. He said: "It's pretty much completely aggro. It goes in all sorts of aggressive directions and melodic directions. It has a lot of metal elements that we grew up loving. And tons of melody. It's hard to say. At this point, the only word that would describe it is 'aggro.'"

Drummer Brooks Wackerman, who joined AVENGED SEVENFOLD last year following the departure of Arin Ilejay, added: "It's going to be a completely different record once again. I just know that, even though it will still sound like AVENGED, it's going to be different to 'Hail To The King'. I think there will be a little more classic AVENGED in there, intertwined with some new flavors."

According to AVENGED SEVENFOLD guitarist Synyster Gates, all five members of the band contributed to the songwriting process. He said: "We want everybody to be in their own headspace to add a different element to the pot, because we really enjoy being an eclectic band and approaching music in a different way."

He added: "I'm really trying to write music that excites me. But it's always going to come through the AVENGED SEVENFOLD filter; it's always going to be on the heavy side."

EDGUY frontman Tobias Sammet's AVANTASIA project is one of ten artists who will take part in the preliminary TV casting show to choose the candidate to represent Germany at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm this May. AVANTASIA will compete with its current single, "Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose".

Sammet explained his reasons for getting involved in the Eurovision Song Contest: "It seemed like a quite unusual idea to compete with anyone in art, to play music against someone. It's still weird anyhow, to play music against each other like in the Olympic Games. Anyway, who am I to get in the way of a great promotional opportunity?! Three minutes to show millions that we exist?"

"Unser Lied für Stockholm" will be broadcast live on February 25 at 20:15 CET, both online and on public TV channel Das Erste. The TV public will solely decide on the winner by means of televoting, SMS voting and the Eurovision app, and the voting will be organized in two rounds. The presenter of the show will again be Barbara Schöneberger.

The following ten acts will battle to represent Germany:

* AVANTASIA - "Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose"* ALEX DIEHL - "Nur ein Lied"* ELLA ENDLICH - "Adrenalin* GREGORIAN - "Masters Of Chant"* JAMIE-LEE KRIEWITZ - "Ghost"* JOCO - "Full Moon"* KEØMA - "Protected"* LAURA PINSKI - "Under The Sun We Are One"* LUXUSLÄRM - "Solange Liebe in mir wohnt"* WOODS OF BIRNAM - "Lift Me Up (From The Underground) "

Around 150 suggestions were submitted to broadcaster NDR from radio broadcasters, producers, record labels and artists. The final 10 were chosen by NDR, two youth radio shows, music labels, and the TV production company Brainpool.

"Mystery Of A Blood Red Rose" is taken from AVANTASIA's seventh studio album, "Ghostlights", which will be released on January 29 via Nuclear Blast. The twelve-song CD was produced by Tobias and Sascha Paeth at Gatestudio in Wolfsburg, Germany. Paeth engineered and mixed "Ghostlights", while the mastering was done by Michael Rodenberg.

Canberra, Australia's Whitefall are a fresh new face and sound on the Australian music scene, having only just made their live debut in November alongside Dream On, Dreamer and Polaris in Canberra. The Origins EP speaks volumes of their potential and bright future. The EP is layered, complex, intense, and made with absolute passion and precision.

The band recorded with Dax Linerie of Puzzle Factory Sound Studios at Rawgigs Recording Studio in February 2015. The five tracks are a tight, bristling listen - a fiery stab of progressive metalcore. When the opportunity came to include vocals from one of progressive music's most recognized names, they jumped at the chance. 

"Our producer Dax came to me with the idea of getting a guest vocalist in for the track 'Causality'. He told us he had a line to Dan Tompkins of TesseracT, so we emailed him and shortly after he got back to us saying he was keen to record on the track. It's a dream come true!"

The band will have shown to announce soon. The Origins EP will be released online and at shows from Friday March 4th 2016 and will be available at all good online outlets - iTunes, Spotify and more.

“Causality”:



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Death metal band Nethertale has returned with its first lyric video. The chosen track this time is "Crown Of The Seven Pt. II: The Beast", one of its most direct and devastating songs, from its Abyssal Throne LP.

This song is the high point in the story they tell us in this work, whose background goes beyond mere borders between sea and land. The creation of the video has been borne by Thrashway Music Promotion, returning to activity after a period of lethargy.



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Death thrash metal combo from Zaragoza, Spain, Phobos Preacher has released the new single of their new album Asfixia through a lyric video entitled “Último Suspiro”.

The track contains all the characteristic elements of Phobos Preacher’s music, as the unique growls style of their vocalist Dany, the classic death metal guitar sound, combined with a powerful rhythmic section, created by blast beats and double bass parts.

The video has been edited and created by Alex Magnieto.

 



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The official video for the new QUEENSRŸCHE song "Eye9" can be seen below. The track is taken from QUEENSRŸCHE's latest album, "Condition Hüman", which debuted at No. 27 on The Billboard 200 chart, having shifted 14,000 equivalent album units in the week ending October 8, 2015.

The Billboard 200 ranks the most popular albums of the week based on multi-metric consumption, which includes traditional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA).

Said QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton about "Eye9": "The song 'Eye9' is actually written solely by Eddie Jackson, our bass player, and it's a very infectious song. It's really cool. He deals with, kind of, the premise that we're like rats in a maze. We have all these roads that we drive every day and exploring different roads. And some roads don't go anywhere. And so it's kind of an interesting idea and a thought by Eddie Jackson. The guitar solo work on 'Eye9' is just intense. Parker Lundgren really stepped up; his playing is very dynamic and he just attacks the songs with solo work, and I think 'Eye9' represents a lot of great, tasty lead work from Parker Lundgren."

"Condition Hüman" was released on October 2, 2015 via Century Media. The CD was recorded in part at at Uberbeatz Studio in Washington with producer Chris "Zeuss" Harris, who has previously worked with ROB ZOMBIE, HATEBREED, SOULFLY and SHADOWS FALL.

QUEENSRŸCHE singer Todd La Torre stated about "Condition Hüman": "Each song individually is its own story, which does not have to directly relate to the next song. However, each song is harmonious to a larger picture, which is the human experience, mortality and how each of us perceives the world around us based on our own observations and experiences, thus shaping human behavior."

Added drummer Scott Rockenfield: "This record [is], 'Wow, okay, now we know what we can do together.' We know we have chemistry with Todd, and we wanted to take the band even one step further, which was really dig into everything that we know that we're doing and that we have fun doing, and pull out all the stops, I guess, in a way of things we didn't really visit on the first record [with La Torre]. We wanted to dig deeper more into the elements of QUEENSRŸCHE."

Regarding the more aggressive musical direction of "Condition Hüman" compared to that of 2013's "Queensrÿche", Rockenfield said: "Our fans love metal, and we've been pretty good at doing metal in our past, so [we thought], 'Let's have fun with some of that again. Let's do it and see what it means for us.' We definitely had conscious discussions about it, and now that we have Todd, Todd loves metal, so it was easy to have that conversation about pushing the band in a little bit of that direction."

He added: "I think we wanted to show our fans that we can be a metal band and a rock band, and that we can also write songs that have writer dynamics. I still think we're doing everything within all the realms of what QUEENSRŸCHE is known to be doing. This record is just another extension of that for us."

AEROSMITH guitarist Joe Perry was interviewed by Shira Lazar of What's Trending at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada

Perry said that he is always aiming for the most realism from the speakers as possible. "And it's tough, because most music fans listen to the music in those earbuds," he explained. "It's really tough to get, you know… You're so limited with the physics of it. And so the bottom line is to give the listener an experience that they feel like they're in the room with the band. And that's what I'm always shooting for whenever I mix a record, whenever I write a song or play it, or whatever."

Asked about where he thinks the industry is headed, Perry said: "The main thing is, as long as you can dance to it, it's the shit. You know what I mean? So I just see a big mixture of different kinds of music working together again instead of, like, there [being] a chart for country, a chart for hip-hop, a chart for classic rock. As far as artists go, they don't see much difference. The bottom line is, if you can sing along to it and if you can dance to it, it's good."

Perry revealed last October that he was working on his fifth solo effort, which will be a "mainly" instrumental affair. According to Perry, the follow-up to his 2009 album "Have Guitar, Will Travel" will "have diversity," and will include one or two songs Joe "or another singer" on vocals. No release date has yet been announced for the new album.

Perry's memoir, "Rocks: My Life In And Out Of Aerosmith", was released in October 2014 via Simon & Schuster.

AEROSMITH's latest effort, 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!", debuted at No. 5 on The Billboard 200 album chart, selling 63,000 copies in its first week of release.

Former LIZZY BORDEN and current BLACK LABEL SOCIETY guitarist Dario Lorina will enter Studio 5A in Valencia, California later this month to start recording his second solo album for Shrapnel Records. The CD will be engineered and produced by Fred Archambault, known for his work with ALICE COOPER and AVENGED SEVENFOLD. Regarding his new record, Dario said, "I'm always learning as a guitar player and taking influence as a musician and artist. This record will encapsulate the progression of my playing and newer influences while maintaining the core stylistic traits of my first record."

Added Mike Varney of Shrapnel: "Dario Lorina is a rare breed among new guitar heroes today, who has deep roots in '70s and '80s metal icons such as [Eddie] Van Halen, [George] Lynch, [Randy] Rhoads and [Paul] Gilbert, despite having been born after his idols had already made their mark on the guitar world."

Lorina began his professional career at age 16 as the touring guitarist with ex-WARRANT lead singer Jani Lane. At age 19, Dario joined veteran metal act LIZZY BORDEN, with whom he played for four years. In September 2013, his critically acclaimed debut solo record for Shrapnel was released. On January 1, 2014, Dario became the newest member of Zakk Wylde's BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. He has spent the past two years touring consistently throughout the USA, Canada, South America, Europe, Russia, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Dario has his own signature model with LAG guitars called "The Arkanator", which is a hybrid of their Imperator and Arkane models.

In February 2016, Dario will play on the Axes & Anchors cruise along with Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, and other top rock guitarists, performing acoustically with Zakk, giving clinics and playing songs from his first Shrapnel solo record.

Omer Cordell, the mastermind behind Canadian metal project Trailight featuring vocalist Dave Padden (ex-Annihilator) and drummer Ryan van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project), has checked in with the following update:

"During the closing months of 2015 I've worked diligently with Cory McBain (guitars) to restructure all of the demos for the new album. We've since been letting those tracks simmer and see what other angles and what other light can be shed on them. Co-producing the new album with me, Cory has been pushing to get the best out of my creative output and I do feel that the songs that we will end up recording are going to be amazing. I am hoping this new work will see the light of day sometime during late summer of this year.

The new material is a very organic continuation of the last album and those who have enjoyed it, will definitely connect with the new songs. One of the tracks, clocking at over 8 minutes long is an epic journey through time and space. Tentatively titled 'The Three Waves' I would like to share with you part of the demo version of the lengthy intro..."

Trailight recently released an official video for the song "Open Doors" from the debut, The Primitive Mountain:

Cordell recently spoke with BraveWords scribe Carl Begai about Trailight. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

“When I was first starting to think about doing this project, considering the vibe and riffs I was coming up with – ‘A Thousand Years’ was the first song I wrote – I knew who I wanted to play drums on it. Ryan has known me as a photographer for years, so when I called him up it was like ‘This may come as a surprise, but I’m making music now…’ (laughs). I asked if he’d be interested in playing on it and he wanted to hear the demos, but he had a bunch of touring to finish with Devin and then record the DVP double album. After that he had time to do my stuff.”

“Ryan came back from Devin’s album recording, learned my songs in about a week or 10 days, we had one day of pre-production where I had a chance to hear what he would be doing in the studio. Three days later we were in the studio and 10 hours later he was done recording. When we were finished I knew why I’d gotten Ryan to do it. He not only fits stylistically, he was also such an immense help with the whole process. I was basically flying blind. I’d been to the studios lots of times back when Strapping was around to take photos, but I’d never actually recorded in one before, so Ryan was helpful in guiding me.”

Cordell also took on outside help to produce The Primitive Mountain, a long and drawn out process that slowly deteriorated as the songs were being mixed. He eventually opted to take on the task of mixing and mastering himself; a daunting task on one hand, but the only option left if the album was going to live up to his expectations. Rather than a play-by-play of events, Cordell channels Metallica to sum up the situation.

“As far as the mix of the album, the first batch of songs that I sent you sound like St. Anger, and the final mixes sound like the Black album.”

Go to this location for the complete story.

The complete tracklist for The Primitive Mountain is as follows:

"Open Doors"
"Sentient Beings Pt. 1 - The Dim Future Of Our Distant Past"
"Sentient Beings Pt. 2 - All That We Are" 
"We Are The Ocean"
"Frail Human Form"
"The Primitive Mountain"
"Passer By"
"A Thousand Years"
"Navarino"
"Beyond The Rubicon"

Cordell released a 30 minute behind-the-scenes look at the production earlier this year, which can be viewed below. For information on Trailight go to this location.



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Louder Noise has uploaded a new video with members of Children Of Bodom, Five Finger Death Punch, Like A Storm, Pop Evil, Butcher Babies and Type O Negative name their favorite music videos of all time, ranging from Tool to Guns N’ Roses to Missy Elliott.

Children Of Bodom’s Janne Warman takes a liking to Alice Cooper’s “Poison”, while the Butcher Babies state anything with Marilyn Manson is awesome. Five Finger Death Punch enjoys Alice In Chains’ “Rooster” and Sevendust names Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. The Like A Storm members mention Steel Panther's "Gloryhole" and Guns N' Roses' "Paradise City" amongst their favorites.



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Madison, WI death metallers Casket Robbery will release its full-length debut album Evolution Of Evil March 4 on Mortal Music. Casket Robbery is an up and coming death metal band created by the minds of Cory Scheider (Luna Mortis, Epicurean, Echoterra) and Dustin Foesch. 

The band has premiered the official video for the album's opening track, "Annibelle's Hell", which can be viewed below.

Metal evokes deep emotions from elation to introspection to revulsion On the follow-up to the band's 2011 self-titled EP Casket Robbery runs the gamut, all the while burrowing its titanic sound deep into one's psyche. The songs are at once pulverizing and memorable. Evolution Of Evil is nothing short of pulse-pounding, unrelenting, and brutally catchy death metal.

Indeed, the undeniable grooves and hooks coupled with conceptual lyrics make Casket Robbery the death metal band to watch in 2016.  

Evolution Of Evil preorder packages are available through Bandcamp.

Tracklisting:

“Annibelle’s Hell”
“Blood Bathory”
“Malevolent Milwaukee Massacre”
“Final Chapter”
“Undead Living Hell”
“Pray For Death”
“Curse Of The Night Stalker”
“Encroaching Darkness”
“Cyanide Skies”
“The Asylum”

“Annibelle’s Hell” video:



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Southern California hardcore thrash crossover act Obscene Gesture have released a video for the song “Modern Day Butcher”.

 
Led by lone original member Guy Green on vocals and guitar, the group’s line-up also features Vence Simpson, formerly of L.A.'s Tormentor, on lead guitar, newcomer Eric D. on bass, and Lamar Little on drums.  Obscene Gesture are currently preparing to enter the studio to track two new songs, “The Devil Is Dead” and “The Saint Is Guilty”, set to be issued as a double single in late March.
 
Obscene Gesture originally formed in 2005 when frontman Guy Green teamed up with former and current members of Body Count and Agent Steel, Vincent D. and Juan Garcia, aka Juan of the Dead on guitars, bassist George Robb and drummer Chuck Profus recording 2007’s Living In Profanity for Spanish label Xtreem Music.  The group has issued The Truth Be Told (2014) and Rising Demise (2015) since being reactivated.



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“Desolation Of Endless Times”, a track from Black Tusk’s upcoming Pillars Of Ash album, is streaming below:

Black Tusk have established themselves as one of the hardest working bands in rock since their formation over 10 years ago. After four full-lengths, numerous splits and EP's and thousands of shows under their belts, the punk/metal power trio was faced with an immense and unexpected tragedy in late 2014 when founding bassist/vocalist Jonathan Athon passed away after a motorcycle accident in his hometown.

Now, as a testament to his profound and lasting legacy on the heavy music scene, the band are releasing Pillars Of Ash, their final recordings with Athon, on January 29th via Relapse Records. Recorded with Toxic Holocaust's Joel Grind behind the boards and featuring gorgeous artwork by Jeremy Hush (Skeletonwitch, Rwake), Pillars Of Ash is the culmination of three brothers-in-arms' blood, sweat and tears, and is Black Tusk's finest accomplishment to date.
 
In 2014, Black Tusk hit the studio with their old friend and accomplished audio engineer, Joel Grind, to work on Pillars Of Ash. Before they could get their new record into stores and jump back up in their big white tour van, though, the band suffered a setback beyond what most could even imagine. In November, mere weeks before the band was due to kick off their biggest tour yet, Athon was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident. Several days later, on November 9th, 2014, he passed away at the age of 31, leaving behind hundreds of friends, family members, and his beloved dog Cutter as well as his brothers in Black Tusk. Support poured in from fans, friends, and fellow musicians from around the world; stunned, Andrew and James laid down their instruments and tried to process the loss. For a few weeks, the band’s future was uncertain, but ultimately, the remaining duo made the difficult decision to soldier on and carry on in Athon’s memory. Athon himself could have chosen no better successor than Corey Barhorst, a longtime friend and veteran musician who heads up his own project, Niche, and previously held down the low end for Kylesa. Barhorst initially joined the band as a live member in time for their European tour with Black Label Society, but after that, was welcomed into the fold as a full­blooded member of Black Tusk.
 

Pillars Of Ash tracklisting:

“God's On Vacation”
“Desolation Of Endless Times”
“Bleed On Your Knees”
“Born Of Strife”
“Damned In The Ground”
“Beyond The Divide”
“Black Tide”
“Still Not Well”
“Walk Among The Sky”
“Punk Out”
“Leveling”

“Born Of Strife”:

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“God’s On Vacation”:

Black Tusk tour dates are listed below.

Dates:

January
22 - Wilmington, NC - Reggie’s
23 - Raleigh, NC - Kings
24 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
25 - Johnson City, TN - The Hideaway
26 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone
27 - Little Rock, AR - Vino’s
28 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey
29 - San Antonio, TX - Korova
30 - Austin, TX - Empire
31 - Houston, TX - Rudyard’s

February
1 - New Orleans, LA - Siberia
2 - Panama City, FL - Mosey’s
3 - Orlando, FL - Will’s Pub
4 - Tampa, FL - New World
5 - Jacksonville, FL - Burro Bar
6 - Savannah, GA - Jinx

February
23 Charlotte, NC - Milestone
24 Virginia Beach, VA - Shakas
25 Philadelphia, PA - Kung Fu Necktie
26 Boston, MA - Once Ballroom
27 Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus
29 Burlington, VT - Nectars

March
1 Quebec City, QC - Le Cercle
2 Montreal, QC - Foufounes Electriques
3 Toronto, ON - Hard Luck
4 Detroit, MI - Berserker Fest
5 Chicago, IL - Reggie's
6 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon
7 Minneaplis, MN - Triple Rock
8 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium
9 Winnipeg, MB - The Windsor Hotel
11 Saskatoon, SK - Amigos Cantina
12 Edmonton, AB - Brixx
13 Calgary, AB - The Palomino
14 Kamloops, BC - The Office
16 Vancouver, BC - The Biltmore
17 Seattle, WA - El Corazon
18 Spokane, WA - The Pin
19 Portland, OR - Panic Room
20 Bend, OR - Volcanic Theatre Pub
22 Santa Cruz, CA - Catalyst
23 San Francisco, CA - Thee Parkside
24 Los Angeles, CA - Viper Room
25 San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
26 Phoenix, AZ - Pub Rock
27 Las Vegas, NV - Divebar **No Holy Grail**
28 Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Bar
29 Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
30 Kansas City, MO - Riot Room
31 St. Louis, MO - Fubar

April
1 Indianapolis, IN - 5TH Quarter
2 Newport, KY - Southgate House

(Photo - Angela Boatwright)



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All-star progressive metal band, Waken Eyes, have released a guitar playthrough video for the song "Deafening Thoughts”, with the bands guitar player Tom Frelek. Check it out below:

Waken Eyes released their debut album, Exodus, back on October 30th via Ulterium Records.

Exodus is a very impressive and diverse album that will surely appeal to fans of progressive metal, progrock and melodic metal. The album has a great mix of catchy melodies, challenging instrumental parts and epic cinematic movements that will surely capture the attention of the musical community. Everything comes together perfectly in the title track that ends the album with its 18 minutes long epic filled with melodies, progressive parts and a good dose of feeling.

Exodus was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (Opeth, Symphony X, Kreator) in Sweden and the layout was made by Jan Yrlund (Delain, Korpiklaani, Apocalyptica). Check out an album teaser below.

Tracklisting:

“Cognition”
“Aberration”
“Deafening Thoughts”
“Back To Life”
“Palisades”
“Cornerstone Away”
“Still Life”
“Arise”
“Across The Horizon”
“Exodus”

“Palisades” video:

“Back To Life” lyric video:

Album teaser:

Waken Eyes is:

Henrik Båth (Darkwater) – Vocals
Mike Lepond (Symphony X) – Bass
Tom Frelek – Guitars/Keyboards/Orchestration
Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Joe Satriani) - Drums



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Christian metal masters Metatrone have announced to be releasing their brand new album Eucharismetal on March 11 via Rockshots Music.

Priest Davide Bruno (keyboards) and Stefano Calvagno (guitar) teamed up with Joe Lombardo (vocals), Dino Fiorenza (bass), Salvo Grasso (drums) to write, record and produce the most cohesive sounding Metatrone album to date.

Commented Stefano Calvagno:

"we are very satisfied, we've worked hard for many months on this record and it sounds great. We paid a lot of attention on the arrangements, we grew up a lot musically, it's a mature album and I think it could be a masterpiece of white metal / power prog genre".

Priest Davide Bruno said:

"Eucharismetal is the best picture of the fusion of our being musicians in Corpus Christi, in the Eucharist which our music is fed. This is why we choose Him as the title of the album, it's very heavy sounding lyrically and musically. Lyrics are based on our life experiences, our hopes, our wishes, our struggles and forgiveness: all of that connected with the Holy Scripture. Musically the fans could find a lot of surprises, more growl vocal parts and tons of heavy guitar riff bended with the great melodies sung by Joe (Lombardo). You will not be disappointed, Metatrone are back!"

The cover art was made by Nello Dell’Omo (Art For Music) and mixed and mastered by Riccardo Samperi at TRP Music Studios.

 

Tracklisting:

“Alef Dalet Mem”
“Molokai”
“Beware The Sailor”
“Wheat And Weeds”
“Latest News From Light”
“In Spirit And Truth”
“Mozart’s Nightmare
“Keep Running”
“Salva l’Anima”
“Una Parte Di Me”
“Regina Coeli”
“Alef Dalet Mem” (Italian Version – bonus track)
“Lascia Che Sia” (bonus track)

“Latest News From Light” video:



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