The Dangerous Minds web site has pointed out "remarkable" similarities between the signature riff in BLACK SABBATH's classic song "Paranoid", the title track of its 1970 album, and the opening to "Get Down" a song recorded by the four-piece Michigan garage-rock combo HALF LIFE in 1969.

"Paranoid" was recorded in June 1970 at Regent Sound Studios and Island Studios in London, England and the album's title track was written as an afterthought. Drummer Bill Ward explained: "We didn't have enough songs for the album, and Tony [Iommi, guitar] just played the guitar lick and that was it. It took twenty, twenty-five minutes from top to bottom." In the liner notes to SABBATH's 1998 live album "Reunion", bassist Geezer Butler recounted that they wrote the song "in five minutes, then I sat down and wrote the lyrics as quickly as I could. It was all done in about two hours." The single was released in September 1970 and reached number four on the U.K. charts, remaining BLACK SABBATH's only Top Ten hit.

HALF LIFE recorded "Get Down" in a single take on June 27, 1969 at GM Studios in East Detroit, but the song failed to gain any traction on Detroit radio. The track is now available as part of the compilation "A-Square (Of Course): The Story Of Michigan's Legendary A-Square Records", which also features other rare recordings from the Ann Arbor-based label from bands like the legendary MC5 and THE SRC (THE SCOT RICHARD CASE).

As Dangerous Minds points out, it is highly unlikely that Tony Iommi, one of the most influential guitarists of all time, lifted the epic riff for "Paranoid" from a little known garage-band from Saginaw, but the similarities are still uncanny.

You can check out both songs below.

When Jeff Hanneman of SLAYER passed away in May 2013, he left behind thousands of fans, as well as fellow musicians whom he influenced via his distinctive thrash metal playing style. Jeff also left behind a number of his personal instruments, so in conjunction with his estate, ESP is helping with the auction sale of some of his most prized instruments. A portion of the proceeds will go to a charitable cause that Jeff strongly supported: the Wounded Warrior Project.

Each instrument described at ESPGuitars.com is a one-of-a-kind custom guitar that was in Jeff's personal collection, and he is known to have played all of them on various SLAYER tours and recordings. But wait, there's more: each guitar is in the original case that Jeff owned and used to store and tour with these guitars, and some of the offerings have more inside the case than you'd imagine. Each guitar auctioned will also include a certificate of authenticity from the Hanneman estate. Visit the auction page links for detailed images of each guitar.

Jeff Hanneman died from alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver. He is credited for writing many of SLAYER's classic songs, including "Angel Of Death" and "South Of Heaven".

The guitarist, who passed away in Los Angeles on May 2, 2013, had actually not been playing with SLAYER for more than two years since he contracted necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating disease, from a spider bite in his backyard in January 2011. The infection ravaged the flesh and tissues of Hanneman's arm, leading to numerous surgeries and skin grafts that forced him into semi-retirement.

Hanneman's last appearance with SLAYER was in April 2011, when he played an encore with the band at the "Big Four" concert in Indio, California.

REDEMPTION, the U.S. progressive metal band featuring in its ranks guitarist/songwriter Nick Van Dyk and legendary FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder, has completed recording a new album, due laer in the year via Metal Blade Records. The band's current lineup is rounded out by bassist Sean Andrews, drummer Chris Quirarte and guitarist Bernie Versailles, who is presently on a medical leave of absence from REDEMPTION.

Nick Van Dyk comments on signing with Metal Blade: "We are incredibly fired up to join the Metal Blade family. Brian [Slagel] and his team have been friends for years and many of them have been supporters of the band from early days, and the influence of Brian and his label on the history of heavy music is indelible. We're working with friends who are passionate about the music and who are some of the best in the world at what they do. REDEMPTION is really excited about our collaborations to come!"

With the new record, redemption is returning from a longer than usual break. Van Dyk explains: "We've taken the longest break between records in our history, for a number of reasons. But we are excited to return with what I honestly believe may represent the best record thus far in our career. We are just putting the finishing touches on it now. The songs are unmistakably REDEMPTION, with the combination of energy, urgency, melody and heaviness that marks all of our work. But the songwriting and performances have been taken up a notch across the board. The music ranges from short, hard-hitting power/prog to sprawling epics, including the longest song we've ever recorded with Ray on vocals. The album is being mixed as we speak and we're very excited for our fans to hear it!"

Finally, Van Dyk has issued the following update on the status of Bernie Versailles: "This is also the first record we have done without the involvement of our dear friend and bandmate Bernie Versailles, who is recovering from the aneurysm he suffered last October. We are thrilled with his progress but his road to recovery is going to be a long one. After numerous conversations with Bernie, his family and close friends, we have collectively decided that Bernie's recovery should be directed by what is needed to fully restore his physical well being, not by the needs of this band. Bernie is a founding member of this band and his place will be kept for him while he is on extended medical leave. We have been fortunate to have a tremendous guitarist step in, as well as a couple of other special guests. I look forward to announcing these guests in the coming weeks as the album is finalized. The guitar playing on this record is insane — and I think fans of a particular band are going to have their mind absolutely blown and can't wait for the big reveal!"

REDEMPTION's fifth studio album, "This Mortal Coil", sold around 1,100 copies in the United States in its first week of release. The CD landed at No. 32 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.

Incubus plan to record their new EP this fall after wrapping up their summer tour with Deftones. Frontman Brandon Boyd told Billboard:

“We’re still writing music for it now. There’s definitely a renewed adventurous spirit in the songwriting right now, which has been really fun. We’ve done two tours now, through Australia and Asia and Europe, since we wrote Side A, so the music we’re writing is already kind of another step further, but it’s a step in the direction we went with Side A. The idea is when you put the two (EPs) together it’ll be Side A and Side B, like an unusually released full-length album, ’cause we’re still guys who think in terms of the full album experience.”
Boyd also spoke of the bands burnout that led to their hiatus which they just recently returned from with new management and a new label:

“We were just burnt out, kind of on our last legs energetically. We were almost in denial of that, too, and we just kept pushing forward, but it was almost like we were trudging through thick mud. Now, having taken enough time away from record labels and away from the same team we had around us for a long time, it’s making sense to me how sort of excited we all are again about being in this band and making music together and going on the road.”
Boyd also spoke of the kinship he feels with the Deftones, you can read that at Billboard.com.

Chicago-based doomsters Trouble are currently working on a new album, the follow-up to 2013’s The Distortion Field.

Singer Kyle Thomas has posted the following update: “Currently listening to songs in pre-production of the next Trouble album!!!”

Sound engineer Larry Burns also posted an update stating: “The new Trouble record begins!!!! Bruce (Franklin) laying down tracks for pre-production."

An update from July 16 says: “Two years ago *today* we released #TheDistortionField, our first studio album with Kyle Thomas. Thanks again to all who helped to make it something we're really proud of. It was an honor to receive all of the positive reviews and have it hit the charts. We're in the process of writing the next record and will update you as the process moves along. Many thanks to all of our fans, friends, and families who continue to support us.”

(Photo by: Fiy Photography)

Natalia Britt of California Rock News conducted an interview with former SLAYER and current PHILM drummer Dave Lombardo before PHILM's July 21 concert at the Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California. You can now watch the chat below. A couple of excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the intensity of his drumming style:

"I think intensity goes hand in hand with Dave Lombardo. I play very hard and I play, you know, obviously, heavy rock and metal grooves… I mean, I could interpret my drumming in different ways, but, for the most part, it's like this — it's heavy rock; heavy in a metal style."

On whether he is excited to travel to Cuba for the first time (Lombardo was born in Havana, Cuba and emigrated to Southern California with his parents when he was a toddler):

"Yes. I have to go to Cuba. I don't know when I'm going, but it has to be before the end of this year. The clock is ticking, and I need to make a move. Maybe in November or December. I think I'm going to Mexico with John Zorn, the saxophone player, and we're going to do a show there. So, I don't know… Maybe I'll take a little plan flight from Mexico City over there. I mean, I could go from the United States, but… I don't know."

On whether he thinks some changes have been made in Cuba since he left the country:

"Oh, God — this is a big change right now. Yes. I mean, finally, after fifty-something years. It's about time. You know, like [President] Obama said, people don't know why we never got along with Cuba; the generation today doesn't know anything about what happened. So it was time to open the borders. Things will get better for the people. It's gonna take time, and it's gonna take some adjusting. Just like when the wall came down in Europe. I used to go and record albums in Germany, and I made a lot of friends, and they were telling me about the situation, you know, when the wall came down and how they were trying to adjust. So it was a challenge. And I feel the Cuban people are gonna face similar challenges and adjustments."

Lombardo was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the band's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other members of the group. He has since been replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001 and recorded four albums with the band.

PHILM released its sophomore album, "Fire From The Evening Sun", on September 16, 2014 (one day earlier internationally) via UDR. The band's lineup is completed by guitarist/vocalist Gerry Paul Nestler (CIVIL DEFIANCE), and bassist Francisco "Pancho" Eduardo Tomaselli (WAR).

MASTERS OF METAL, the Los Angeles-based thrash metal outfit launched by seasoned veterans and members of AGENT STEEL — Juan Garcia (guitars), Bernie Versailles (guitars, vocals), Robert Cardenas (bass, backing vocals) and Rigo Amezcua (drums) — will release its full-length debut, "From Worlds Beyond", in North America on September 18 via Metalville Records. The eleven-song opus follows the group's self-titled EP, released independently in 2013. MASTERS OF METAL originally entered the studio last year to begin the recording process for "From Worlds Beyond", and just as the album was being finished in October, Versailles sustained a brain injury, which led to a coma. With Versailles unable to perform, producer and friend Bill Metoyer, who has worked with stalwart names such as FATES WARNING, TROUBLE and GWAR, attentively stepped in to help complete the album and in the process also tracked the last song "Vengeance & Might", which features lead vocals by James Rivera (HELSTAR), along with HELSTAR guitarist Larry Barragan and ex-DARK EMPIRE guitarist Andrew Atwood.

Since his unfortunate accident, Versailles has made a miraculous recovery with the help of friends, family and fans.

MASTERS OF METAL co-founding guitarist Juan Garcia (AGENT STEEL, EVILDEAD), who recently returned from a successful European tour with BODY COUNT, comments: "The music on this new album captures the integrity, and dedication of the band. I think everyone involved raised the bar on songwriting, performance, execution, and brought their best to the table."

The "From Worlds Beyond" cover artwork was created by Gustavo Sazes (ARCH ENEMY, ANGRA, FIREWIND).

"From Worlds Beyond" track listing:

01. Supremacy02. World Left In Cinders03. Third Eye04. Tomb Of Ra05. Eclipse06. The Mindless07. M.K. Ultra08. Into The Vortex09. Doors Beyond Our Galaxy10. Evolution Of Being11. Vengeance & Might (feat. James Rivera)

The first single, "Supremacy", can be previewed below.

A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER, the brand new band featuring renowned guitarist Mike Orlando (ADRENALINE MOB), drummer Chris Bones (THE DRAMA CLUB), bassist Mike Morgan (THE DRAMA CLUB) and vocalist Nick Coyle (LIFER, THE DRAMA CLUB), will enter Orlando's Sonic Stomp Studios to begin recording its debut album, to be engineered, mixed and mastered by Orlando.

A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER was formed in late 2014 and plays "a new breed of rock" music, according to a press release, combining unforgettable melodies, meaningful lyrics and their own unique blend of masterful songwriting and musicianship, demonstrating that there are still musicians out there that actually prefer to play "real" instruments in the digital age we live in today.

A BEAUTIFUL DISASTER, which recently signed with Union Entertainment Group's John Gomez for management, will perform on Axes & Anchors cruise alongside BREAKING BENJAMIN, FLYLEAF, ADELITA'S WAY, THOUSAND FOOT CRUTCH, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE and guitar greats Zakk Wylde, Yngwie Malmsteen, Michael Schenker, Tony McAlpine, Alex Skolnick and many more.

Photo credit: Dana Griffo

Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland was recently interviewed on the syndicated radio talk show "Rover's Morning Glory". You can now listen to the chat at this location.

Asked if he still has a relationship with his former banmates in STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and whether he can ever see himself returning to the band again, Scott said: "You never know about the future, but I don't have any… I'm not in touch with them now."

Weiland was also asked if it's strange to see STP's new vocalist, LINKIN PARK's Chester Bennington, singing the songs that he made famous with STP. Scott said: "Yeah, it's strange. It's definitely strange. I know Chester. I've known him for a long time, and he was a big fan of mine. I remember, when we played… toured together, he told me that I was one of his biggest influences."

Scott denied that had any ill will towards Chester for taking Weiland's old job, but acknowledged that he found out "kind of out of the blue" that Bennington was stepping in for him in STP.

Bennington revealed in a recent interview with A-Sides that STONE TEMPLE PILOTS considered changing its name after it dismissed Weiland and began working with Chester in early 2013. Bennington explained: "We did talk about maybe changing the name of the band, and just doing something new. Honestly, my thing was like, why give up what you guys have worked so hard on? This is your legacy, you don't have to give it up just because one person didn't do things the way that everybody wanted them to go, didn't do things everybody planned. We should be able to move forward."

Bennington continued, "I mean, where is the music coming from in the first place? There's no question when you hear the new music that it's STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. Why? Because it's coming from the guys who write the music. It's coming from the source. So, when the source is there, then it's still pure."

Bassist Robert DeLeo told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that keeping STP going after changing frontmen was never in question. "From the beginning, it wasn't 'Hey, let's together and write a song' or 'Hey, let's get together and do this show.' It was 'Hey, let's get together and continue STONE TEMPLE PILOTS with a lot of integrity,'" he said. "That's really what the intent was. It's something that Eric [Kretz, drummer] and Dean [DeLeo, guitar] and myself have worked at for a long time, and we've been trying to hold up the whole integrity of this band for a long time."

STP dismissed Weiland in February 2013, claiming that his erratic behavior held back the band's career. The two parties exchanged lawsuits which have since been settled.

STP recruited Bennington that spring and have so far cut one EP, "High Rise", with the LINKIN PARK singer. A new album is due out later this year.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' next round of tour dates will begin on September 15 in Cleveland.

Canadian cult metal act ANVIL is back. After years of record labels being between them and their fans, ANVIL now want to directly connect with the fans during the making of their new record, and they have chosen PledgeMusic to make that happen. The new record will have no concessions to short-lived trends and no modern frills. It will have traditional metal with lots of classic rock elements — just what ANVIL fans will love. Bringing fans a more intimate experience, PledgeMusic offers pledgers a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite artists, access exclusive content and be a part of something that fans would not normally have access to. With every pre-order, pledgers will get the AccessPass which will give them exclusive looks at behind the scenes videos, photos and messages from the band. Fans will also have several once in a lifetime opportunities to purchase:

* In-person or Skype drum lesson with Robb Reiner* In-person or Skype guitar lesson with Lips* Guest back-up vocal appearance on the new record* One of Lips's amps* The opportunity to attend a live rehearsal* A day in the studio with the band* Signed limited edition CD with bonus tracks* Signed drum head* Exclusive Pledger T-shirt* AMPU (Anvil Metal Pounders Union) deluxe lifetime membership and signed CD* Signed set list* Signed drumsticks* Handwritten lyric sheets

To pledge, please visit www.pledgemusic.com/anvil. ANVIL's 2009 movie documentary "The Story Of Anvil" made the band famous the world over. Their albums are considered landmarks among a musical genre. Their 2011 CD, "Juggernaut Of Justice", and their 2013 effort, "Hope In Hell", were powerful and unrelenting. This new album, which is to be titled "Anvil Is Anvil", will be their most potent yet, and feature guitarist/vocalist Steve "Lips" Kudlow, drummer Robb Reiner, and new bassist Chris Robertson in top form. "We are proud to announce to our fans that they can keep in personal touch with the band and be directly involved in the process of creating the next ANVIL album," said the band. "This will be the first time that we've used a pre-sale platform and we are fully confident that getting closer to our fans through making the album will take the making of it and the final album to somewhere fantastic. Considering that almost anyone aware of ANVIL knows our long and sometimes brutal history, we're hoping you would be honored to help and prove us right in our belief in you... and we promise another top notch Anvil recording that we can enjoy for many years into the future." Added Lips: "I grew up in the seventies, and I still like what I listened to back then. You can always rely on ANVIL, we don't write our music for the radio and we don't want to break any records. Some media criticize our uncompromising attitude, but we're proud of never having betrayed our ideals and having remained faithful to our roots."

Take notes as Tony MacAlpine highlights an array of guitar techniques - tap harmonics, sweeping, speed picking ... in this performance of "Red Giant". Tony and his band take to the EMGtv stage for another tune from his latest album, Concrete Gardens, featuring fellow EMG artist Nili Brosh along with Pete Griffin on bass, and Aquiles Priester on drums. Tony and Nili are both playing the EMG 57-7H and EMG 66-7H humbucker pickups for seven string guitar.

 

MacAlpine and his band, who recently wrapped their US tour, had their gear stolen during an overnight stop in Austin, TX in June. They continued to tour using borrowed equipment. MacAlpine has checked in with the following message:

"Thank you to all who came out to rock with me, Bjorn Englen and Aquiles Priester on the 2015 Concrete Gardens US Tour. We had a blast playing for you, and we were also touched by your personal support as well as the incredible help from our endorsement companies, which enabled us to keep the tour going after the unfortunate theft that occurred. 

Thanks also to our brothers LoNero for their support, and friendship; our new friends Hephystus for joining us through the midwest; and Blue Mouth Promotions LLC.

See you all again very soon!"

The Concrete Gardens tour continues in September with stops in Korea and Japan, and in the UK and Europe this October and into November. Dates are as follows:

September 
17 - Rolling Hall - Seoul, South Korea
18 - OZ Hall - Busan, South Korea    
29 - Music Club Janus - Osaka, Japan    
30 - Club Citta -    Kawasaki, Japan

October
15 - Band On The Wall - Manchester, United Kingdom
16 - The Underworld - London, United Kingdom
18 - Le Forum - Vaureal, France
21 - Poppodium Q-Factory - Amsterdam, Netherlands    
23 - Bergkeller -  Reichenbach Im Vogtland, Germany                
25 - Państwowa Szkoła Muzyczna - Nowy Targ, Poland
26 - Teatr Mały    - Tychy, Poland    
27 - Bounty Rock Cafe - Olomouc, Czech Republic
28 - Melodka - Brno, Czech Republic
29 - Blue Note - Nové Mesto Nad Váhom, Slovakia                
30 - A38 - Budapest, Hungary

November
1 - Silver Church - Bucharest, Romania    
11 - Black Box -     Nice, France    
12 - Razzmatazz 3 - Barcelona, Spain    
13 - Sala Lopez    - Calatayud, Spain
14 - Sala Cats - Madrid, Spain

 

This September sees the release of Tarja Turunen’s classical solo debut Ave Maria – En Plein Air.

Ave Maria is a traditional prayer dedicated to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, asking for her intercession. It has been set to music in over 4000 songs, some of which kept the original prayer as words while others used a different text than the traditional one.

Ave Maria – En Plein Air features 12 beautiful “Ave Maria” songs by a wide variety of composers. Tarja Turunen breathes life into some of the most loved and rare songs of Paolo Tosti, David Popper, Astor Piazzolla, and of course Johann Sebastian Bach/Charles Gounod, among others. The closing track of the album presents a magnificent composition by Tarja Turunen herself.

Recorded in the stunning Lakeuden Risti Church in Seinäjoki, Finland – a snow-white landmark, both national heritage and significant example of modern Finnish architecture designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto – the Lutheran church offers the perfect soundscape for Tarja Turunen’s crisp clear voice. Combined with a piercing organ, cello and harp, the music blends into a rich sound universe.

Classical music was Tarja Turunen’s first love. The classically trained soprano studied Church Music at Sibelius Academy in Finland as well as German Lied at the Music University of Karlsruhe, Germany. She became one of the most important female voices of metal: first as part of multi-million selling and groundbreaking symphonic metal band Nightwish and later with her successful solo career, carrying her own name and releasing three studio albums so far.

Tarja Turunen has always crossed genres and musical cultures, showing a wide versatility with projects such as Tarja Turunen & Harus and Beauty & The Beat; Harus being a mix of traditional and modern pieces whereas Beauty & The Beat created an interface between classical and rock music, arranged with orchestra and choir.

Tarja Turunen is one of the few artists who can perform at the biggest rock and metal festivals one night, in a cathedral the next. This December, Tarja Turunen will introduce her favorite “Ave Maria’s” as well as her most beloved Christmas carols on tour.

The album will be released as limited super audio CD, vinyl, and download.

CD artwork:

Vinly artwork:

Digital download artwork:

Tracklisting:

“Paolo Tosti”
“Axel Von Kothen”
“David Popper”
“Camille Saint-Saëns”
“Astor Piazzolla”
“J. S. Bach / Charles Gounod”
“Pietro Mascagni”
“Ferenc Farkas”
“Giulio Caccini”
“Michael Hoppé”
“Charles-Marie Widor”
“Tarja Turunen”

Teaser:

Ave Maria Christmas Tour 2015:

December
4 – Olomouc, Czech Republic – Kostel Panny Marie Sněžné
10 – Berlin, Germany – Passionskirche
11 – Bochum, Germany – Christuskirche
12 – Bielefeld, Germany - Altstädter Nikolaikirche
14 – Magdeburg, Germany – Johanniskirche
15 – Mainz, Germany – Frankfurter Hof
16 – Zurich, Switzerland – Theater Spirgarten
21 – Tampere, Finland – Kalevan Kirkko
22 – Helsinki, Finland – Kallion Kirkko
27 – Moscow, Russia – The Great Hall Of Moscow State Conservatory

Finland's Concrete Swine are streaming their new EP Siberia Jam 74 and it is available for streaming on Concrete Swine's ReverbNation page

Siberia Jam 74 EP was recorded by Tero Kalliomäki at Killhill Studio,Riihimäki, Finland. Mixed by Paul Bento (Type O Negative, Carnivore) at Beak Owl Sound Studio in New York, and mastered by Collin Jordan (Ministry, Voivod, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Eyehategod) at the Boiler Room in Chicago.

Siberia Jam 74 tracklisting:

“Darkness”
“Choises”
“Destiny”
“Liquid Bullet”

“Darkness”:

(Photo by: Johanna Penttinen)

It was in 1992 when two promising bands from the Swedish and Finnish death metal scenes, released a split album, that now, 23 years later, it's one of the most cult splits ever released in the early ‘90s. Unfortunately, Cartilage never recorded anything after that and although Altar did a few demos later on, they disbanded shortly after.

But the legacy still lives here and this split album originally released through former Xtreem Music label Drowned Productions, gets a re-issue in form of a double CD with seven bonus tracks by each band taken from their early demos, a total of 14 songs from each one.

All songs have been remastered (not remixed!) for an optimal sound, preserving the essence from the originals and this release comes with a new cover artwork, a remake of the original one made by cult Finnish artist Turkka G. Rantanen. Of course, original cover art is included on the release and booklet comes with extra photos, flyers and demo covers to complete this cult re-issue. A vinyl version with the original split album tracks will follow in the future.

Release date for the 2CD split album is set for August 20 via Xtreem Music.

Altar – “Nothing Human”:

Cartilage – “Why Do I Watch The Dawn?”

Seattle, Washington's hypnotically heavy three-piece sludge/doom act, Serial Hawk, will release their debut, Searching For Light, via Bleeding Light Records on September 18th. The band's penchant for punishing, building riffs and reputation for bringing live audiences to their knees with a wall of sound has been encapsulated in this long-awaited album, which will be available on vinyl, CD, and digital download.

The first single, "Desolate”, is streaming below. Pre-orders for Searching For Light are available here.

Searching For Light tracklisting:

“Desolate”
“Lying In Wait”
“Of Decay”
“Searching For Light”

“Desolate”:

 
For a taste of Serial Hawk's live experience, watch their 2014 in-studio KEXP performance below:

Band lineup:

Will Bassin - Guitar, Vocals
Adam Holbrook - Bass
Sean Bulkley - Drums

 

Washington D.C. area metal band, A Sound Of Thunder, recently announced their new album, Tales From The Deadside, with a Kickstarter campaign that reached full funding in under 24 hours. The new album is a full-length concept album based on Valiant Entertainment's Shadowman comic book series.

The band has now announced the first exclusive KickStarter-only bonus track in their campaign - a cover of Dio’s "Last in Line" featuring Benedictum’s Veronica Freeman. Details on how to get the track can be found here. A sample of the song can be found below:

Tales From The Deadside was recorded at Assembly Line Studios with RIAA-platinum awarded producer Kevin '131' Gutierrez (Shinedown, While Heaven Wept, Raven). Tales From The Deadside is set for release on September 25th and will be available on CD, limited colored vinyl, and in a number of exclusive pre-order packages only on Kickstarter. The standard CD edition of Tales From The Deadside will feature all-new Shadowman cover artwork, while select backers of the Kickstarter campaign can obtain an exclusive cover featuring Shadowman’s arch-nemesis Master Darque.

"The story of Shadowman, his alter-ego Jack Boniface, and the many characters in his world inspired us to create what we believe is our best album to date," said A Sound Of Thunder guitarist Josh Schwartz. "We let the story lead us to places our music has never been before, combining all the elements of supernatural horror, drama, action and adventure found in the comics. Of course everything has gone through our own unique Thunderous filter, and all the familiar ASOT elements will be there, Shadowman's harrowing journey demanded no less!"

A Sound Of Thunder was formed in Washington, DC in 2009. Their most recent album The Lesser Key of Solomon was released on September 9th, 2014 via Mad Neptune Records and debuted at #43 on the Billboard Heatseeker’s Albums chart.

A Sound Of Thunder:

Nina Osegueda- vocals
Josh Schwartz- guitars/ keyboards
Jesse Keen- guitars/ keyboards
Chris Haren- drums/ percussion

Davey Suicide has released the "World Wide Suicide" music video from the sophomore album of the same name, which is available now on iTunes. The video was co-directed & filmed by Needlz & MichellexStar in downtown UnHolywood Killafornia.

“Often times we can be imprisoned by people in our lives that intentionally try and break us. Their ego can't let themselves make the logical decision, so they make it hell for everyone who defies them. This video symbolizes freedom from that.” - Davey Suicide

Catch Davey Suicide in August on The Dirty Rotten Road To Dirt Fest:

August
5 - Club X - Salt Lake City, UT
6 - Roxy Theater - Denver, CO
7 - Vaudeville Mews - Des Moines, IA
8 - Dirt Fest - Birch Run, MI (with Hellyeah, Coal Chamber, Fear Factory, and more)

Long Island, NY metal band To The Pain have released 7, the follow-up to the band's 2013's self-titled debut. The album is available through all major music outlets.  Stream new track "Is it My Turn To Die?" below and more songs from 7 at this location.

Since the release of their debut, which featured the tracks "For The People, Buy The People" and "Burn With Me”, To The Pain have been full throttle, making a name for themselves in the thrash metal arena, garnering radio and press and performing with artists like Generation Kill (featuring members of Exodus and Pro-Pain).   

The band's new release, 7, is a heavy dose of "Big 4" style thrash with elements of Testament, Iron Maiden, King Diamond and Racer X thrown in. It's classic metal with big choruses and loads of guitars. The band is led by the powerful vocals of John Intagliata, the dual guitar work of Steve Shaver (who was considered for Doro's touring band) and Craig Piano, while Jeremy Lustig (bass) and Jimmy Klimatas (drums) bring the thunder. Combined, they are heavy, loud and know how to reel metalheads in with gigantic, catchy choruses. The album was produced at The Locker where Shaver served as engineer and producer.

The album is available on CD and digital formats via Amazon (digital & CD), iTunes, Spotify, Google Play and at this location.

7 tracklisting:

“The March For Mankind - Heavens Carnage”
“7”
“KillZone”
“Is It My Turn To Die?”
“Cry Out For Justice”
“Don’t Eat The Eyes”

“Is It My Turn To Die?”:

To The Pain lineup:

Steve Shaver - Lead Guitar, vocals
John Intagliata - Lead Vocals
Craig Piano - Guitar
Jimmy Klimatas - Drums
Jeremy Lustig - Bass

 

Legendary hardcore/thrash/crossover act, the Crumbsuckers, has teamed up with Dead City Records to release three albums of early rare recordings, Demos, Basement Tapes and Live at CBGB 1984-1985, on July 24th. Compiled by original singer, Dave Brady, this will be the first time these recordings will be available digitally. Stream "Be Yourself" from Live At CBGB 1984-1985 and "Live to Work" from Demos, below.

All recorded before Brady's departure from the band, Demos features early versions of songs which later appeared on the band's debut album Life Of Dreams. Basement Tapes includes early and alternate versions of songs recorded in their rawest form, originally meant for the band's ears only and recorded at various early practice sessions. And finally, Live at CBGB 1984-1985 contains great quality early live recordings from the CBGB's soundboard. Dead City Records is proud to make the tracks available digitally worldwide for the first time.

"Direct from my personal archive of recordings comes the early days of Crumbsuckers material," commented Brady. "These are some of the earliest surviving recordings of the band, and you can hear the progress from our punk rock roots to what would be called the 'crossover' days of the mid-80s. This is the whole enchilada - from basement tapes, to pro demos and some choice early CBGB board recordings."  

The Crumbsuckers formed in 1982 in Long Island, N.Y. as a party band covering songs by bands such as Minor Threat, Bad Brains and Kraut. The band was best known for the release of the classic and highly influential albums Life Of Dreams in 1986 and Beast on my Back in 1998 before disbanding soon after.

Stay tuned for more information on the Crumbsuckers and Demos, Basement Tapes and Live at CBGB 1984-1985, available digitally for the first time ever this month on Dead City Records.

German rockers 21Octayne (featuring members of The Joe Perry Project and Rhapsody) will release their sophomore album on September 25th (Europe) / October 2nd (North America) via AFM Records.

Following the successful debut Into The Open from 2014, the band has crafted 10 diverse, powerful rock songs for the new record (3 additional tracks are featured on the limited digipak).

Tracklisting:

“Devil In Disguise”
“Take Me Back”
“When You Go”
“Love's Just A Heartbreak Away”
“Take Me Away”
“Lost”
“The Circle”
“Date With Myself”
“Fly Away”
“Tale Of A Broken Child”

With their impressive debut album Hard Rock´N`Roll (2013), sweating from every pore the shimmering heat of South American megacities and stylistically influenced by legends such as AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Led Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Creedence Clearwater Revival, 42 Decibel caused a sensation for the first time two years ago.

Their dry-as-a bone sound, the straightforward direction of the songs with blues-rock roots shining through, frontman Junior Figueroa’s rasping voice reminiscent of Bon Scott, and his backyard- and pub-credible lyrics – all this makes the band a compelling natural spectacle that demands a resilient vegetative nervous system on the part of the listener.

For 42 Decibel know only one religion: traditional rock´n`roll guaranteed to make even the hardest men’s muscles turn to jelly mash. Now on their second album, Rolling In Town, the band from Argentina makes no secret of the fact that nothing but audiophilic wholefood is going to be served here.

Rolling In Town will be released by Steamhammer/SPV as CD, vinyl and download on September 18th (North America on October 2nd).

Tracklisting:

“Cant Keep Control”
“Short Fused”
“Rude And Fast ”
“Drop Of Booze”
“Burning Down The Road”
“Eye Of The Hawk”
“Down The Hatch”
“Midnight Teaser (Evil Woman)”
“Cold Steel Rider”
“Smooth Talker”

Band lineup:

Junior Figueroa (Vocals, Guitar)
Nicko Cambiasso (Drums)
Billy Bob Riley (Rhythm & Slide Guitar)
Matt Fraga (Bass)

Swedish cult hard rockers Electric Boys are celebrating the 25th anniversary of their debut, Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride, which included the hit "All Lips and Hips”. Sign up for the new Electric Boys email list and receive a free download, a cover of "Pinball Wizard", an unreleased demo from Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride.

Sign up here.

The band have announced a trio of live dates in their homeland where they will be performing Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride in its entirety.

Dates:

October
29 - Malmö, Sweden - KB
30 - Göteborg, Sweden - Sticky Fingers
31 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset Klubben

 

King Savage will release their debut album, Full Speed Ahead, via Rock It Up Records / City Of Lights Records on July 24th. The album’s title track is streaming below. On Full Speed Ahead you will hear a dirty sleaze rock mixture of L.A. Guns, Junkyard, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses... enjoy it with beer, bourbon and boobs.

Tracklisting:

“Gimme 5”
“Full Speed Ahead”
“Bastards”
“Wild Life Fever”
“Booze Of Sin”
“Loser”
“Burnout”
“Groove”
“Got It?!”
“Down The Drain”
“The Wolf” (Limited Edition bonus track)

“Full Speed Ahead”:

King Savage are:

Arthur King – vocals/ rhythm guitar
Luke le Duke (V8Wankers) – lead guitar/ vocals
Johnny Savage – bass/ backing vocals
Fast Fred – drums

Dutch death thrash act Izegrim have entered Soundlodge Studio, the German-based recording studio owned by Jörg Uken, to begin tracking the follow-up to 2013’s Congress Of The Insane, scheduled for an early 2016 release. The cover art will be designed by Björn Gooßes from Killustrations design studio.

Guitarist Jeroen Wechgelaer had the following to say: “This album will be a logical follow-up to Congress Of The Insane. This time around, we’re taking the villain’s point of view. It’s going to be intense, catchy and furious. We can’t wait to release this beast!”

Congress Of The Insane was released on September 15, 2013 via Listenable Records. The album contains 11 songs, including "Manifest Of A Megalomaniac", which features a guest appearance by Sabina Classen from Holy Moses.

Izegrim is:

Jeroen Wechgelaer - Guitar
Marloes Voskuil - Bass/Vocals
Bart Van Ginkel - Guitar

In a brand new interview with Rock.About.com, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus was asked about the band's current status and whether there are any plans for the Axl Rose-fronted group to tour next year.

"The current state of GN'R is pretty up in the air," he replied. "The last I heard they wanted to finish up the recordings that we have and put them out next year and start touring. But it has been a while since I've heard from anybody in that camp as far as management or Axl. So I really don't know."

Fortus also discussed the progress of the recording sessions for GUNS N' ROSES' long-awaited follow-up to 2008's "Chinese Democracy". He said: "There's a lot of stuff recorded that is in the can. I have no idea what will be used or scrapped or if we'll end up redoing it. I really have no idea as far as what's going on with that stuff."

Regarding what it has been like working with Axl Rose, Fortus said: "Axl has always been cool with me and he's a hell of a musician. Some people are just really musical. They just are music and he is music personified, he really is. He's just one of the cats that just lives it. He always thinks musically. He listens — which is what makes him a great musician. Music is all that matters to him. I've never met anyone with as much musical and artistic integrity as Axl Rose."

He continued: "People talk about not doing stuff for money, but [Axl] really will not do something strictly for money. He's all about the music. It's gotta be about the music. That's why he doesn't do interviews, because it's not about the music. And, to him, that's the only thing that matters. I think that's incredibly admirable. Axl encompasses in a lot of ways what's missing from rock n' roll now — his mystique and he's an enigma. And he won't talk. He won't defend himself. People like Slash know that. They know Axl's not going to defend himself in the press. So they'll say whatever they want about him knowing he's not going to refute it. Because early on he got screwed over so much by journalists over and over again to the point where he won't do it. People are gonna say whatever the fuck they want to say. But he's at a place where it's not about anything other than the music. That's all he cares about and you don't see that anymore."

The last GUNS N' ROSES album, "Chinese Democracy", came out in 2008 and ended a 17-year absence of new material.

Rose, guitarist D.J. Ashba and other members of the current lineup have hinted that more material recorded during the "Chinese Democracy" sessions has yet to surface.

The present lineup of GUNS N' ROSES has toured intermittently since 2006 and played its second Las Vegas residency last year.

A two-part video interview with former Roadrunner Records A&R chief and current Nuclear Blast Entertainment president Monte Conner about the 20th anniversary of "Demanufacture", the highly revered second studio album from legendary pioneers of industrial-tinged extreme metal FEAR FACTORY, can be seen below.

FEAR FACTORY will tour Europe this fall in celebration of the "Demanufacture" anniversary. The trek will be a very rare event for fans, with FEAR FACTORY playing "Demanufacture" in its entirety. They will also showcase songs from their new album, "Genexus", due out August 7 via Nuclear Blast. Commented FEAR FACTORY's Burton C. Bell and Dino Cazares: "If you had told us in 1995 that we would be touring 'Demanufacture' for its 20th anniversary in 2015, we would have said, 'Ya right! Get fucked!'

"The years have flown by in colorful and adventurous memory. 2015 has arrived, and FEAR FACTORY will be performing 'Demanufacture' in its entirety for the very first time for the U.K. and Ireland fans in December. We are very excited to perform this seminal album for the audience that made 'Demanufacture' a legendary success." "Demanufacture" was a landmark release for FEAR FACTORY and for the metal genre. It is generally considered to be the band's defining work and a heavy metal classic, with its refined production, industrial textures, precise musicianship and greater dimension of sound. It succeeded in giving the band a more futuristic feel than previous works. The concept is based around one man's struggles against a machine-controlled government — with each song marking a chapter in his life, taking huge inspiration from the "Terminator" film series. The group's working relationship with "Demanufacture" producer Rhys Fulber continues to this day.

Asked about how it feels to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of FEAR FACTORY's classic "Demanufacture" album in 2015 with only two members of the band's classic lineup remaining in the group, Dino said: "The two main members are in the band right now. The soul of the machine is still intact, and that's me and Burton. And I don't think anything has changed, really."

He continued: "Every album we do always has to have something a little different. From the beginning, from the first album, 'Soul Of A New Machine', it was very death metal inspired, [with] a little bit of industrial. The second album, 'Demanufacture', the classic album… Every record changes. 'Obsolete' was a big difference, you know what I mean?! But my right hand is still there, the passion is still there, Burt's killer melodic vocals are still there. So I think that's all that matters."

"The 20th Anniversary Of Demanufacture" tour dates:

Nov. 07 - FIN - Helsinki - Unioni FestivalNov. 09 - RU - St. Petersburg - Zal OzhidanijaNov. 10 - RU - Ekateringburg - Tele ClubNov. 11 - RU - Moscow - VoltaNov. 13 - ISR - Tel-Aviv - Reading 3Nov. 15 - P - Lisbon - Paradise GarageNov. 16 - ES - Madrid - ArenaNov. 17 - ES - Barcelona - Razzamatazz 2Nov. 19 - FR - Nimes - PalomaNov. 20 - FR - Nilvange - Le GueulardNov. 21 - FR - Paris - La TrabendoNov. 22 - NL - Eindhoven - Epic FestNov. 24 - DE - Aschaffenburg - Colos-SalNov. 25 - DE - München - Backstage HalleNov. 26 - CH - Aarau - KiffNov. 27 - IT - Milan - Magazzini GeneraliNov. 29 - AT - Vienna - ArenaNov. 30 - CZ - Prague - Meet FactoryDec. 01 - DE - Berlin - C-ClubDec. 02 - DE - Hamburg - MarkthalleDec. 04 - DE - Köln - EssigfabrikDec. 05 - FR - Strasbourg - La LaiterieDec. 06 - BE - Ghent - VooruitDec. 07 - UK - Bristol - MotionDec. 09 - UK - Manchester - RitzDec. 10 - IRE - Dublin - AcademyDec. 11 - NIRE - Belfast - LimelightDec. 12 - UK - Glasgow - The GarageDec. 13 - UK - London - The Forum

The follow-up to 2012's "The Industrialist", "Genexus" was mixed by Andy Sneap (ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, EXODUS, MACHINE HEAD). Artwork was once again handled by Anthony Clarkson. Drums on "Genexus" were performed by Mike Heller (MALIGNANCY).

FEAR FACTORY recently parted ways with bassist Matt DeVries (previously of CHIMAIRA, where he played guitar, and SIX FEET UNDER and replaced him with Tony Campos (ex-SOULFLY, STATIC-X, PRONG, MINISTRY).

FEAR FACTORY will hit the road later this month with COAL CHAMBER.