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15 янв 2014
WITHIN TEMPTATION's SHARON DEN ADEL Talks About XZIBIT Collaboration On 'Hydra'
 Steven Rosen of Ultimate-Guitar.com recently conducted an interview with singer Sharon Den Adel of Dutch symphonic rockers WITHIN TEMPTATION. A few excerpts from the chat follow below.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: The music on "Hydra" sounds so much more organic. The sound is so much more rawer than on earlier albums. Has it matured in a certain way by letting go?
Sharon: Well, the case is more is the fact we let go of a certain way of songwriting how we used it in the past. Like, in the past, we had a certain idea about how we wanted to sound and what we were allowed to be within our genre. Nowadays we feel like with "The Heart Of Everything", we felt like we finalized this symphonic kind of sound we were searching for all those years.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: "The Heart Of Everything" was as far as you wanted to take that symphonic rock style?
Sharon: We couldn't add anything to that anymore. So we just let all boundaries go, musically, where we were not allowed to go. We are allowed to go now and we can write whatever we want. In the end, we'll see what will fit on the album and what doesn't.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Now you're just writing and seeing where the music takes you?
Sharon: Before, we'd start there would already be boundaries and that would limit you in your freedom to explore different things. It's like being in a box where you can only sound this way or that way. You really have real boundaries. Now it's like anything can come out.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: How would you characterize the "Hydra" album?
Sharon: With this album, it was more like letting that go. A lot of bands were inspired by the '80s at the time we were writing "The Unforgiving" album. There was a lot of music based on the '80s coming out and it had a lot of '80s flavors. With this new album, even though we're only a few years further up the road, you can feel that music has changed again. Music is not inspired on the '80s, but more like there are different influences in the music again. Music's always organic, and you feel things are changing comfortably.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: The influence of '80s music on "The Unforgiving" album worked so wel. Did you think you wanted to try another album based on the same sounds?
Sharon: When people asked us after "The Unforgiving", "Are you gonna make another 'Unforgiving' album?" we said, "Of course." Because we were really full of it in a positive way. We really like the album a lot and still do like it a lot but we really feel there's an '80s feel to the songs. When we started writing this album, again we felt like we were already knowing we were gonna go a different direction also.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Could you tell right away that "Hydra" was going to be different than "The Unforgiving"?
Sharon: When we had written the first song, which is actually the first song on the album, "Let Us Burn", it felt like it should be more guitar-orientated. We knew the orchestra could still be there and we could still have the symphonic element there but it's really minimized actually more than ever. When you describe what WITHIN TEMPTATION is, it's melancholy and heaviness. Emotion — real direct emotion in a way.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: "Tell My Why" has amazing harmonies on there.
Sharon: Yeah, I like it also very much. You can see there was experimenting a lot and also with [rapper] Xzibit, it was also again like we had a certain vision how there could be a crossover and keeping in mind AEROSMITH and RUN DMC at the time although it's a totally different song and totally different band. But we felt if they can do it, there must be a way to make also our music somehow crossover with rap. Not because we wanted to do something renewing (different) but we felt in an artistic point of view that it could really, really work with our kind of music.
Ultimate-Guitar.com: Was it difficult finding that balance between the rap thing and rock?
Sharon: We just tried and tried constantly with several songs and just taking rap music from the Internet and trying it on our songs. For a lot of songs it didn’t work and finally we had this song "And We Run" and we felt like, "OK, this could really work with this song." Combining this with a rap kind of voice like Xzibit's, which is very dark and very heavy and has a lot of bass in it, was a good contrast with mine. He was like the perfect person to ask for this song and also because he already tried a lot of experimental stuff on his own things. He already tried rap with guitars and orchestration and we felt like, "OK, he's somebody who's really open-minded or open for this kind of collaboration."
Ultimate-Guitar.com: You reached out to Xzibit?
Sharon: We contacted the management and they contacted him, and pretty fast afterwards, we were talking to Xzibit. He heard the song and liked the song and we told him what the song was about. I must say I didn't talk to him, but Robert [Westerholt, guitar] did. I was still recording my vocals at the time he was talking to Xzibit actually on Skype. We never met so far, but hopefully we're gonna record a video soon for the song and gonna release that also.
Read the entire interview at Ultimate-Guitar.com.
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15 янв 2014
DEATH DEALER Preparing Exclusive Bonus Tracks For Next Album
 DEATH DEALER, the group consisting of guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman (MANOWAR), vocalist Sean Peck (CAGE), guitarist Stu Marshall (EMPIRES OF EDEN), and bassist Mike Davis (HALFORD, LIZZY BORDEN) and ex-INTO ETERNITY drummer Steve Bolognese has released the following update:
“We have been hard at work on the next record and await confirmation of a tour in March April in Europe. The band has put together about 11 songs so far some will be bonus tracks and at least one maybe two will be given out to the preorder pak legions only. They will be exclusive tracks that will never appear for sale on iTunes or on a disc and will only be given to the people that preorder another crazy huge package of metal goodness that we are once again throwing together. HAILZ and Happy New Beer!”
For more info visit Facebook. | 0 | |
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15 янв 2014
MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Has 'No Problems' With Any Of The Other 'Big Four' Bands
 During a brand new interview on "The MetalSucks Podcast", MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine was asked by SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya's recent claim that "the politics of character in one particular band" were preventing more shows featuring the so-called "Big Four" of 1980s thrash metal — METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — from happening in the future.
"I didn't say that [no more 'Big Four' shows were ever going to happen again]. I said that I'm not the one to ask," Mustaine said.
"I love Tom," he contonued. "I think that all the hardship that we've had has been really sad, because, again, the media and stuff like that sometimes…
"People back in the day would try and propagandize everything I would say or put this inflammatory twist on whatever.
"There was things I did and said that caused some problems between Tom and I, and we worked it out.
"So, man, I have no problem with him or ANTHRAX or METALLICA, so I don't know where that came from. It could be some really old stuff that got regurgitated again. But, you know, I buried the hatchet a long time ago with those guys."
Speaking to Gazette.net, Araya spoke about the possibility of more "Big Four" shows in the future, saying: "I don't want to say politics is preventing that," Araya said. "It's not the politics between bands; it's the politics of character in one particular band."
He continued: "We had an issue that came up on the New York show, which really freaked everybody out, but the New York show happened. I think, in all honesty, that was the last time we did the 'Big Four.'
"I think another 'Big Four' show might not happen. They could prove me wrong.
"Those shows, basically, even though it was called the 'Big Four,' it was done through METALLICA. It was with METALLICA's blessing that allowed those shows to happen.
"If they want to continue and do a couple more shows, I think that would be great… If we were to sit down with them and communicate with them, that's what I'd tell them."
The "Big Four" played its last concert on September 14, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in New York City.
Two days prior to the "Big Four" event in New York, rumors spread that MEGADETH had pulled out of the concert so that Dave Mustaine could undergo surgery for stenosis, a neck and spine condition that he said was caused by "years of headbanging." Mustaine eventually had a change of heart and decided to go through with the performance, but struggled through the set due to the pain. He later told NY Hard Rock Music Examiner: "It was very close, the day after that. I was supposed to not do that show. I'd been laying in the emergency room getting ready to have them put me to sleep, and I’d said we had to cancel the concert. And one of the people associated with the concert said I was a pussy, and I thought, 'I'm a pussy. I'm getting ready to have two major spinal surgeries done and I'm a pussy. Okay.' Obviously, you don't know what pussy is, because that's not pussy."
In his autobiography, "Mustaine: A Heavy Metal Memoir", Mustaine addressed the issue of where his band fit in the "Big Four" order. According to The New York Times, he assured the reader that he was not offended by being put behind SLAYER. But he added an interior monologue: "O.K., we'll play ahead of you guys on this trip, and God willing we'll do it again sometime in the near future and we can flip things around."
The idea for the "Big Four" tour first came up in 2009 and METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told The Pulse Of Radio he was glad to finally see it happen. "It's pretty amazing, if you think about it, that it's the first time basically in 25 years or 30 or whatever that the four of us have actually played shows together," he said. "So it was a lot of fun, a lot of memories, a lot of fun times — new fun times, and fun times talking about the old fun times. So it sort of was a, it was a winner on every front."
In the spring of 2011, METALLICA, SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX were presented with double-platinum plaques for the two-disc DVD release of "The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria", containing footage of the June 22, 2010 Sonisphere cinecast from the Sofia, Bulgaria leg of the touring rock festival featuring all four groups. The presentation took place on April 23, 2011 at the first-ever "Big Four" concert on American soil at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" was certified double platinum on December 17, 2010 by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA) for shipments in excess of 100,000 copies. (Note: Due to the fact that the set consists of two discs, it was eligible for platinum certification after shipping 50,000 copies; platinum certification for a single-disc release is 100,000 copies.)
"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard "Top Music Videos" sales chart in November with first-week sales of 22,000 copies. The set also debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the U.K. and Austria, while entering at No. 4 in Germany.
"The Big Four: Live From Sofia, Bulgaria" set features full shows from all four bands along with behind-the-scenes and interview footage.
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15 янв 2014
Former THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL Singer KARI RUESLÅTTEN To Release 'Time To Tell' Album
 Kari Rueslåtten, founding member of the progressive doom metal band THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL, has set a March 7, 2014 release date for "Time To Tell", her fifth solo album, and first in eight years, via Despotz Records.
"The composing has been done by me sitting at the piano singing," commented Rueslåtten.
"No drum beats or co-composers this time!
"I wanted to go back to the core of songwriting. If the verse and chorus works just accompanied by the piano, it will work with other arrangements in studio too.
"What really triggered me to start making music again were all the kind messages I got from fans around the world asking me when new music would surface.
"I am most humble and grateful to find that there are people out there who have followed my music since my early beginning, back in THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL days, and through all my solo albums."
"Time To Tell" was recorded and produced at Øra Studio in Trondheim, Norway with Norwegian award-winning producer Jostein Ansnes. The 11-track, all-acoustic album features guest musicians Jostein Ansnes (guitar), Rune Arnesen (drums), Trygve Brøske (piano and pump organ) and Eirik Øien (upright bass).
To whet the appetite of fans around the globe, Rueslåtten launched a music video for the album's first single "Why So Lonely". "Why So Lonely" originally appeared on the 1994 THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL album "Tears Laid In Earth", and has been rearranged by Rueslåtten with the help of Tuomas Holopainen (NIGHTWISH) on piano and keys, Jostein Ansnes on guitar and Rune Arnesen on drums.
"I decided to look back in time and make a cover version of one of my favorite songs from the early years with THE 3RD AND THE MORTAL," added Rueslåtten. "In a way, it can be seen as a tribute to those who have showed interest in my music through so many years."
"Time To Tell" track listing:
01. Time To Tell
02. Hide Underneath Bridges
03. Hold On
04. Paint The Rainbow Grey
05. Rainy Days Ahead
06. Why So Lonely
07. Shoreline
08. Waltz Across The Sky
09. Wintersong
10. Stay Right Here
11. Only You Know
Rueslåtten's natural talent, combined with classical training and roots in the Norwegian folk music tradition, has resulted in a voice that is difficult to describe. Her music has been compared with artists like Tori Amos, Kate Bush and Bjørk, maybe not necessarily because the music sounds very similar, but because of each artists' distinctive vocal delivery.
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15 янв 2014
RINGWORM To Release 'Hammer Of The Witch' In March
 Cleveland's legendary kings of metallic hardcore RINGWORM will release their new album, "Hammer Of The Witch", on March 18 in North America, March 14 in Germany, Benelux and Finland, and March 17 in the rest of the world via Relapse Records. The CD was recorded at Spider Studios in Cleveland with producer Ben Schigel (CHIMAIRA, WALLS OF JERICHO). Containing "13 songs of fire-y rage propelled by lead vocalist Human Furnace's wrathful fury, this is a record sure to satisfy metal heads and hardcore kids alike. Riffs and grooves collide on songs like 'Psychic Vampires' and 'Bleed', creating some of the most vicious hooks to get stuck in your brain in a long, long time."
The artwork for "Hammer Of The Witch" was designed by frontman Human Furnace.
"Hammer Of The Witch" track listing:
01. Dawn Of Decay02. Bleed03. Leave Your Skin At The Door04. Exit Life05. Psychic Vampire06. King Of Blood07. I Recommend Amputation08. Hammer Of The Witch09. We'll Always Have The End10. One Of Us Is Going To Have To Die…11. Vicious Circle Of Life12. Die Like A Pig13. Height Of Revelation The "Hammer Of The Witch" title track can be streamed below.
Noisey hails "Hammer Of The Witch" as "yet another achievement in a long line of uncompromising heavy [music] from these dudes," while New Noise Magazine raves, "Everything you love about the brutalest, viciousest metal infused hardcore legends continues without missing a step." RINGWORM will hit the road in support of "Hammer Of The Witch" on March 29 in Reading, Pennsylvania as part of a co-headline tour with DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR. | 0 | |
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15 янв 2014
AUTOPSY's ERIC CUTLER Joins SCOLEX
 San Francisco Bay Area death/doom outfit SCOLEX has merged forces with legendary death metal guitarist Eric Cutler of AUTOPSY. The newly formed lineup's initial goals include writing and recording a full-length album, to be released later this year.
SCOLEX was formed in 2010 by bassist Erika Osterhout drummer/vocalist Justin Green. In 2011, the duo recorded a four-song demo entitled "Torn From Beyond" with guest lead guitarist Danny Coralles (AUTOPSY). The demo was pressed and released as a 12-inch EP in January of 2013 on Osterhout's own Lunar Tomb Records. SCOLEX promptly recruited lead guitarists Yusef Wallace and Dylan Burton, then proceeded to play select dates in and around America's Pacific Northwest. In the fall of 2013, Wallace stepped down from the lineup and Burton remained to handle all six-string duties. By December, Burton resigned, leaving the original duo without a guitarist. On January 1, 2014, fortunes changed dramatically with the official addition of Cutler on lead guitar. | 0 | |
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15 янв 2014
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's TOM MORELLO Planning Solo Rock Record
 According to The Pulse Of Radio, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE guitarist Tom Morello plans to record a solo rock album using electric guitars. After doing several acoustic folk albums under his pseudonym THE NIGHTWATCHMAN, Morello told Billboard.com that playing a number of live dates over the past couple of years with Bruce Springsteen and THE E STREET BAND has inspired him to rock harder as a solo artist.
Morello said that singing "The Ghost Of Tom Joad" with Springsteen at an E STREET BAND show in Anaheim in 2008, while also playing electric guitar, made him realize that he could do more that just perform acoustically as a solo artist. He explained, "It was on that (Anaheim) stage that I realized there might be a way to combine all the things I do as a songwriter and a guitar player, and this record is going to be that."
Morello played on Springsteen's last album, "Wrecking Ball", and is featured extensively on his new one, "High Hopes", while also heading out at the end of this month on his second tour as part of the E STREET BAND lineup.
The Pulse Of Radio asked Morello if he feels like he's officially part of the E STREET BAND now. "I've always looked at it like we are allies and comrades in arms," he said. "You know, the E STREET BAND has a long, storied history that began on E Street in New Jersey. I am a big fan of the E STREET BAND, and when asked to play, I consider it a great honor. That's the way that I look at it."
Morello plans to begin recording his new solo album after he gets back from the next E STREET BAND tour, which starts on January 26 in Cape Town, South Africa before heading to New Zealand and Australia.
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15 янв 2014
Video: KREATOR Featured On German Children's Television Channel
 On Sunday, January 12, German thrash metal veterans KREATOR were featured on the show "Schau In Meine Welt" on German children's television channel KiKa. You can now watch the program in its entirety at KikaPlus.net.
KREATOR's new concert DVD/Blu-ray, "Dying Alive", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 9.
"Dying Alive" was released on August 30 via Nuclear Blast. The set features the band's sold-out homecoming show in Oberhausen, Germany on December 22, 2012 after an extensive 45-day European tour in support of KREATOR's "Phantom Antichrist" album. The packed and sweat-driven show was filmed by 24 cameras, as well as guitar and even mosh-pit cams.
The DVD/Blu-ray contains footage of the Oberhausen concert, a behind-the-scenes documentary as well as video clips. Approximate total running time: 115 minutes.
KREATOR recently toured North America with fellow thrashers OVERKILL.
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15 янв 2014
ICE DRAGON - Three Albums Set For Reissue
 Playing a hybrid of dark doom metal and '70s epic space rock, Boston's ICE DRAGON will re-release three of their albums through Quebec-based label PRC Music this year.
The Burl, The Earth, The Aether, The Sorrowful Sun and Tome Of The Future Ancients will all be re-issued in both CD and digital format during the course of 2014.
Ice Dragon integrate a phantasmagoria of heavy psych-drone to the BLACK SABBATH inspired sludgy riffs, and modern stoner doom riffing à la ELECTRIC WIZARD.
Here is what the band had to say about the re-issues: “Ice Dragon is excited to ally with PRC Music. Some of our best work has unfortunately never received a physical release, and PRC, being the good, music-loving people that they are, wanted to rectify that, for which we are grateful. We’ve made an underground name for the band primarily by giving away all our music for free online. While that won’t change, as music nerds from way back, we venerate the physical artifact of albums—be it vinyl, CD, or cassette—and have probably downloaded approximately zero albums between us. Funny when you think about it. Many thanks to PRC Music for spreading the disease.”
“I love doom, and Black Sabbath basically kept me alive and sane for close to 40 years. I’m therefore naturally and completely addicted to the sounds of Ice Dragon. These albums are absolutely beautiful. But do not expect an easy listening session; they are demanding. There is that dark 'je ne sais quoi' about the music that is completely mesmerizing. I sure hope people will get what it’s all about. I am proud to make these albums finally available on CD. Ice Dragon deserve it,” says label owner Rémi Coté about the PRC Music re-issues. | 0 | |
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15 янв 2014
CYNIC: 'Kindly Bent To Free Us' Title Track Available For Streaming
 Legendary progressive rock innovators CYNIC — consisting of guitarist/vocalist Paul Masvidal, drummer Sean Reinert and bassist Sean Malone — will release their new album, "Kindly Bent To Free Us", on February 14, 2014 via Season Of Mist. The CD was produced by CYNIC at L.A.'s Perfect Sound Studios. The effort was engineered by Jason Donaghy (BAND OF HORSES, FEIST, ROB ZOMBIE, RYAN ADAMS), mixed by R. Walt Vincent (PETE YORN, LIZ PHAIR, TOMMY KEENE) and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (FATES WARNING, SEPULTURA, CATHEDRAL, INQUISITION, HALFORD).
The artwork for "Kindly Bent To Free Us" was created by longtime and sadly late CYNIC artist Robert Venosa.
"Kindly Bent To Free Us" track listing:
01. True Hallucination Speak02. The Lion's Roar03. Kindly Bent To Free Us04. Infinite Shapes05. Moon Heart Sun Head06. Gitanjali07. Holy Fallout08. Endlessly Bountiful09. Earth Is My Witness (deluxe CD book exclusive bonus track)
The "Kindly Bent To Free Us" title track can be streamed below. About the new material, Reinert said: "It's a bold new sound for CYNIC and marks a gigantic leap in the band's progression. We've had a lot of time to let this material develop and gestate, and it finally feels ready to be unleashed on the world. I've been in trio mode with Malone and Masvidal flushing out a zillion and one details, and couldn't be happier about what's happening with these songs. They are truly alive!"
In a February 2012 interview with Ireland's Molten magazine, Masvidal described the band's new music in the following way: "It's almost like, I don't know how to explain it, but if I had to put it in a box it's more sci-fi, futuristic and alien but at the same time very song-driven. It's kind of like, to me, coming into CYNIC's body more. It feels very modern and at the same time it just feels really cool. I'm big in the space. It's definitely new. It's not like anything we've done before. It's a new color, a new space. I think people will really take note of even the guitar stuff. I'm really shifting gears, I'm trying things in a different way and the way stuff is played. It's a new space for CYNIC, for sure. It definitely sounds like us, except completely new."
CYNIC's latest EP, "Carbon-Based Anatomy", was released in November 2011 via Season Of Mist. The CD artwork was designed by the great Robert Venosa, the artist behind the covers of CYNIC's previous releases "Focus", "Traced in Air" and "Re-Traced".
CYNIC was joined by Brandon Giffin on bass and Max Phelps on guitar and vocals during the group's North American and European tours in support of "Carbon-Based Anatomy".
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15 янв 2014
OVERKILL: New Album Pushed Back To July; Tour Dates Postponed
 New Jersey thrash metal veterans OVERKILL have pushed back the projected release date of their new album to July from the previously announced March. As a result, the band has postponed all shows originally scheduled for March (except for the U.K. dates) to the fall.
Said OVERKILL in a statement: "We are still working on the new record, but this is gonna be worth the wait, with more old school face-melting thrash!"
OVERKILL's new CD will be released in North America via eOne Music and in Europe through Nuclear Blast Records.
Speaking to Steppin' Out magazine, OVERKILL vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth stated about the band's upcoming album: "The new record has a blend of what we've done over the past half decade. I'm noticing it's a more punchy heavy metal record with more dimension than the last record had. Where is it going to end up on the food chain? I really don't know. But my feeling is it's an eclectic collection of moments from us. 'The Electric Age' came across, to me, as kind of a two-dimensional thrash record. This one is punchy but has a whole different bunch of ways to go and things to hear on it."
OVERKILL released a very special limited tour edition of its latest album, "The Electric Age", in Europe on April 19, 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. The limited 2CD tour edition included the regular album as well as a four additional live tracks on a bonus CD, recorded at The Metro in Sidney, Australia on September 25, 2010.
"The Electric Age" sold 6,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 77 on The Billboard 200 chart.
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15 янв 2014
SUICIDE SILENCE: 'Unanswered' Performance Clip Featuring PHIL BOZEMAN
 On December 21, 2012, the metal community came together in an amazing way to celebrate the life of SUICIDE SILENCE singer Mitch Lucker and raise money for his daughter's future education (with an unforgettable evening of collaborative performances between past/present SUICIDE SILENCE members and elite heavy vocalists that created a defining emotional event forever captured on video and audio. "Suicide Silence - Ending Is The Beginning: The Mitch Lucker Memorial Show" will be released on February 18, 2014 in North America and March 17, 2014 In Europe as a CD/DVD digipack and CD/Blu-ray combo pack. The set was directed by Jeremy Schott of MentalSuplex Productions and Zafer Ulkucu of Backseat Conceptions.
Throughout the historic event, SUICIDE SILENCE band members played as guest vocalists covered their songs.
"Mitchell was born on October 20, 1984," says Mitch's mother, Denise Haddad. "He came out literally screaming and it ended up being his legacy."
"Mitchell was given that talent and that gift [of connecting with people through music] and even though he's not here today, those gifts are gonna continue to be shared because those young teens are going to tell their own children. That's how the legacy is gonna be able to be passed on."
The official "Suicide Silence - Ending Is The Beginning: The Mitch Lucker Memorial Show" listing is as follows:
01. Destruction Of A Statue (with Jonny Davy)02. Distorted Thought Of Addiction (with Greg Wilburn)03. Ending Is The Beginning (with Brook Reeves)04. Bludgeoned To Death (with Ricky Hoover)05. Unanswered (with Phil Bozeman)06. Girl Of Glass (with Myke Terry)07. Price Of Beauty (with Danny Worsnop)08. No Pity For A Coward (with Johnny Plague)09. Disengage (with Cameron "Big Chocolate" Argon)10. No Time To Bleed (with Burke VanRaalte)11. Smoke (with Anthony Notarmaso)12. Wake Up (with Tim Lambesis)13. March To The Black Crown14. Slaves To Substance (with Eddie Hermida)15. OCD (with Austin Carlile)16. Fuck Everything (with Chad Gray)17. Die Young (with Robb Flynn)18. Roots Bloody Roots (with Max Cavalera)19. Engine #9 (with Mitch Lucker)20. You Only Live Once (with Randy Blythe)
The "Unanswered" performance clip featuring Phil Bozeman can be seen below.
Mitch Lucker died November 1, 2012 after sustaining injuries in a motorcycle crash in Huntington Beach on Halloween night.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Lucker struck a light pole near the intersection of Main and 13th streets and was thrown from his 2013 Harley Davidson. The motorcycle continued sliding south on Main Street and struck a northbound 2007 Nissan Titan pickup.
SUICIDE SILENCE recently entered the studio to begin recording its new album with producer Steve Evetts (SEPULTURA, THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN, WARBRINGER). The group's first CD with new vocalist Eddie Hermida (ex-ALL SHALL PERISH) will be released next summer via Nuclear Blast Entertainment, a division of Nuclear Blast Records formed by Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger and former Roadrunner A&R chief Monte Conner.
"Unanswered" performance: | 0 | |
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15 янв 2014
Ex-PRONG Guitarist MONTE PITTMAN: 'Before The Mourning Son' Video Released
 "The Power Of Three", the third album from Monte Pittman, the guitarist known for his work with metal legends PRONG and the illustrious pop star Madonna, will be released on January 21 through Metal Blade Records. Pittman, along with bandmembers Kane Ritchotte on drums and Max Whipple on bass, went to Copenhagen, Denmark last year to record the album with producer Flemming Rasmussen, famous for his work with METALLICA.
The Vince Edwards-directed video for the song "Before The Mourning Son"Cam Rackam created the artwork for the cover of "The Power Of Three". The piece features a portrait of Charon, the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. This represents Monte's musical journey from what he has done before and where he is now with "The Power Of Three" and beyond.
"A Dark Horse" is also available now as an iTunes single and features artwork created by Gustav Klimt (used with kind permission) titled "The Golden Knight (Life Is A Struggle)". It is a textured, symbolic painting which tells a similar story as the music does.
"The Power Of Three" track listing:
01. A Dark Horse02. Delusions Of Grandeur03. Everything's Undone04. Blood Hungry Thirst05. On My Mind06. Away From Here07. Before The Mourning Son08. End Of The World09. Missing10. All Is Fair In Love And War
Monte is credited with co-writing songs on PRONG's 2003 album, "Scorpio Rising", and co-writing/co-producing their 2007 CD, "Power Of The Damager", to which he also added backing vocals and bass. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
OZZY OSBOURNE/FIREWIND Guitarist GUS G. Releases 'My Will Be Done' Solo Video
 Guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has set a March 18, 2014 release date for his debut solo album, "I Am The Fire", in North America. The CD will be released internationally on Century Media Records, and will come out March 17 in Europe.
A first song from the album can now be heard via the video for the album's opening track, "My Will Be Done" (featuring Mats Levén), which was produced by Patric Ullaeus of Revolver Film Company, who has previously worked with DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES, SONIC SYNDICATE and KAMELOT, among others.
Says Gus G. of the song and album: "I hope you all enjoy the first taste of things to come.
"'My Will Be Done' is a cool rock track with a modern edge to it...
"Looking back, I can't believe all the great musicians that got on board for this album. Everybody brought in their unmistakable style and talent and they really lifted the songs! Check it out and enjoy the music!" Gus G. will attend the 2014 NAMM convention, which runs January 23-26 in Anaheim, California. In addition to signing sessions at ESP Guitars (January 24 at 2 p.m.) and Blackstar Amps (January 25, 1 p.m.), Gus will also appear as guest at the Randy Rhoads Remembered tribute concert at The Observatory in Santa Ana on January 25. Other guests include Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME, RIHANNA), Phil Demmel (MACHINE HEAD), Marty Friedman, Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (GUNS N' ROSES) and more. Gus handles all guitar, bass and keyboards on "I Am The Fire", and is joined by a roster of friends and guests that help bring his vision to fruition: drummers Jeff Friedl (A PERFECT CIRCLE, PUSCIFER, DEVO) and Daniel Erlandsson (ARCH ENEMY), bassists David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG, DAVID LEE ROTH) and Marty O'Brien (TOMMY LEE, WE ARE THE FALLEN, LITA FORD), and vocalists Mats Levén (CANDLEMASS, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION), Blake Allison (DEVOUR THE DAY), Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER), Alexia Rodriguez (EYES SET TO KILL), Tom S. Englund (EVERGREY), Jacob Bunton (ADLER) and Jeff Scott Soto (TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, TALISMAN, ex-JOURNEY, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN). "I Am The Fire" was mixed by Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR, STEEL PANTHER) and was recorded between Los Angeles and Gus' home country of Greece through the latter half of 2013. A few of the album's tracks include "Eyes Wide Open", "Redemption", "End Of The Line" and "Blame It On Me". The album showcases a well-balanced mix of active rock, classic hard rock, traditional metal and guitar-driven instrumentals, taking listeners on a diverse journey and opening doors to Gus G.'s soulful playing.
The album's first commercial single — title track, "I Am The Fire" — will be released digitally February 25 in North America. Gus G. has had an amazing rise within the worldwide rock and metal scenes and has amassed an impressive body of work, both in studio and touring. He emerged as an up-and-coming talent with the groups DREAM EVIL (Sweden), MYSTIC PROPHECY (Germany) and NIGHTRAGE (Greece), but it is his work with his own band FIREWIND (who have released seven studio albums and two live releases) and as a member of Ozzy Osbourne's band that have helped him emerge as one of the world's top metal and rock guitarists. His work on Ozzy's "Scream" album led to a Grammy nomination in 2010, and his list of accolades includes Guitar Player magazine's "Best Metal Guitarist," the "Dimebag Darrell Shredder" award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, and Metal Hammer Greece "Best Guitarist" on four separate occasions.
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14 янв 2014
ADRENALINE MOB: 'Men Of Honor' Title Track Available For Streaming
 "Men Of Honor", the title track of the second full-length album from ADRENALINE MOB, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below.
ADRENALINE MOB recently inked a North American deal with Century Media Records, the label the group was previously signed to only for the European territory.
"Men Of Honor" will be released February 18 in North America and February 24 internationally. ADRENALINE MOB's current lineup includes Russell Allen (vocals; also of SYMPHONY X), Mike Orlando (guitar), John Moyer (bass; also of DISTURBED), and the band's latest addition, drummer A.J. Pero (also of TWISTED SISTER).
"Men Of Honor" features 11 new original songs produced by Allen and Orlando. 01. Mob Is Back02. Come On Get Up03. Dearly Departed04. Behind These Eyes05. Let It Go06. Feel The Adrenaline07. Men Of Honor08. Crystal Clear09. House Of Lies10. Judgment Day11. Fallin' To Pieces
Drummer Mike Portnoy (FLYING COLORS, THE WINERY DOGS, DREAM THEATER, AVENGED SEVENFOLD) quit ADRENALINE MOB in June 2013 due to "scheduling conflicts."
In a recent interview with Brazil's "Wikimetal", Allen stated about Portnoy's departure from ADRENALINE MOB: "He's been, obviously, real busy with THE WINERY DOGS. The truth of it is we wanna keep working, we wanna keep doing ADRENALINE MOB and we don't wanna wait around for Mike to have the time [to put into ADRENALINE MOB]. And he doesn't know when he will have the time again, so that's really what's going down. Mike Portnoy was asked to be in the band by myself. Me and Orlando had already written all the material, so [ADRENALINE MOB's debut album] 'Omertá' was completely finished before Mike joined the act. And it's a bummer, but he's got his sights on other things, and he's not gonna stick around. So we wish him the best of luck, but the MOB's gotta go on."
ADRENALINE MOB released "Covertá", an eight-track EP featuring cover versions of some of the group's favorite songs, on March 12, 2013.
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14 янв 2014
EZ LIVIN' Featuring Former ACCEPT Singer DAVID REECE: New Six-Minute Trailer For 'Firestorm' Album
 German-American hard rock group EZ LIVIN', which is led by BONFIRE guitarist Hans Ziller, returns with former ACCEPT singer David Reece on the mic.
Founded in 1991, EZ LIVIN' sold 20,000 copies of its debut album, "After The Fire", in Europe alone. A tour part of the Metal Hammer Roadshow with AXEL RUDI PELL, CASANOVA, CORACKO and DOMAIN followed.
Now, in the year 2014, Hans Ziller has called on some new colleagues to get the group going again. The guitarist added some familiar names to the lineup: BONFIRE drummer Harry Reischmann, MOTHER ROAD and ex-SOUL DOCTOR guitarist Chris Lyne, TANGO DOWN and SEVEN WITCHES bassist Ronnie Parks, ex-RAINBOW keyboardist Paul Morris and the aforementioned Reece.
EZ LIVIN''s new album, "Firestorm", will be released on February 28 via Sony Music. The CD was produced and mixed by Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE) and features the band's unique brnad of melodic hard rock with a bluesy touch.
A new six-minute trailer for the album can be seen below.
EZ LIVIN' is ready to rock the European stages again in April 2014. The band will perform both old and new songs from its own catalogue, but also offer the classic songs from BONFIRE, ACCEPT, RAINBOW and SOUL DOCTOR. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
ALFAHANNE: 'Såld På Mörkret' Track Featuring TAAKE's HOEST Available For Streaming
 With ALFAHANNE's first full-length album, "Alfapokalyps", set for release in less than a month, Dark Essence Records has debuted a track from the CD, "Såld På Mörkret".
"Alfapokalyps" was mastered by Tore Stjerna at the Necromorbus Studio and includes guest appearances by SHINING's Niklas Kvarforth and HELHEIM's V'gandr, as well as TAAKE's Hoest, who can be heard on "Såld På Mörkret".
"Alfapokalyps" track listing:
01. Bättre Dar (with guest vocals from Niklas Kvarforth of SHINING)02. Ormar Af Satan03. Såld På Mörkret (with guest vocals from Hoest of TAAKE)04. Dödskult05. Rocken Dör06. Syndarnas Flod07. Alfa Hordes08. Indiehora (with guest vocals from V'gandr of HELHEIM and TAAKE)09. Där Drömmarna Dör10. Alla Ska Mé
Formed in 2010, ALFAHANNE's debut release came in 2013 with the arrival of the "Grym" split seven-inch single with Sweden's SHINING.
ALFAHANNE plays what its members describe as "alfapocalyptic rock," which mixes black metal with classic rock and punk, all topped off with some goth influences. It is music that is both powerful and beautiful while at the same time is ugly, and about which the band says: "When you are into it, you don't feel pleasure and you don't feel pain, but you definitely feel."
While ALFAHANNE might be a fairly new name to a lot of people, the band's members, which include Pehr Skioldhammer on vocals and guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on guitar, Niklas Åström on drums and Jimmy Wiberg on bass, have been around the black metal scene since the early '90s, playing in bands like VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT.
ALFAHANNE's next live appearance will be on April 16 at the Dark Essence Records Club Night at the Inferno festival in Oslo. They are also set to appear at the Tons Of Rock festival, alongside SABATON, SEPULTURA and SOILWORK, in June. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
GRAND MAGUS: New Song 'Steel Versus Steel' Available For Streaming
 "Steel Versus Steel", a brand new song from Swedish heavy rockers GRAND MAGUS, can be streamed using the SoundCloud widget below. The track is taken from the band's seventh album, "Triumph And Power", which will be released on January 31 via Nuclear Blast. The follow-up to 2012's "The Hunt" was recorded with producer Nico Elgstrand and engineer Staffan Karlsson (ARCH ENEMY, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) at Studio Sweetspot in Halmstad.
The track listing for the CD is as follows: 01. On Hooves Of Gold02. Steel Versus Steel03. Fight04. Triumph And Power05. Dominator06. Arv07. Holmgång08. The Naked And The Dead09. Ymer10. The Hammer Will Bite11. Blackmoon (bonus track) Commented the band: "'Triumph And Power' has been completed. It's a metal triumph of Viking power!!!
"Once again we worked with Nico Elgstrand as producer, a tradition that started with 'Hammer Of The North' back in 2010.
"This is our strongest album yet. It has the northern feel, it has the power and the melody that has become our mark of excellence.
"Fans of true metal will take this album to their hearts. To top everything off, we have the striking and epic artwork of Anthony Roberts.
"The album cover perfectly captures the work on this album and GRAND MAGUS as a band." Due to family obligations and work commitments, drummer Sebastian "Seb" Sippola left GRAND MAGUS in 2012.
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14 янв 2014
Former TESTAMENT Bassist GREG CHRISTIAN Will Have 'A Musical Announcement' Soon
 Bassist Greg Christian has spoken out about his future plans following his surprise departure from San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans TESTAMENT.
TESTAMENT announced earlier today (Monday, January 13) that it was parting ways with Christian and replacing him with Steve DiGiorgio.
Steve was previously a member of TESTAMENT on "The Gathering" (1999) and "First Strike Still Deadly" (2001) albums. He will join TESTAMENT for their upcoming shows in Australia as part of the Soundwave Festival, as well as dates in Japan and Mexico City. Steve will also take part in the recording sessions for the next TESTAMENT album.
Writing on his personal Facebook page this afternoon, Christian said: "[I am] just home with my 4-year-old, being Dad... and [by the way] I'll have a musical announcement soon. As soon as the vocals are ready... I just don't want to say too much until I can bust it out. And it's dependent on the vocals now."
Christian was forced to leave the band's North American tour with LAMB OF GOD and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in November for "personal reasons." Filling in for him was EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson.
Photo credit: Walter Morgan
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14 янв 2014
WEDNESDAY 13 To Release Acoustic CD, Four-Disc Collection
 Former MURDERDOLLS frontman Wednesday 13 will release his first acoustic CD titled "Undead Unplugged". The effort sees Wednesday 13 revisiting songs from his entire catalogue in an acoustic arrangement, including "Haunt Me", "God Is A Lie", "We All Die", "Evil Is Good", "Dead Carolina" and "Ghost Stories".
You can pre-order the album at this location.
Also available for pre-order is a limited-edition four-disc collection, "Dead Meat - 10 Years Of Blood, Feathers, & Lipstick". The set, which spans 2003-2013, contains over 80 tracks, with over 50 never-heard-before demos from Wednesday 13's personal collection. It includes the "Best Of The Worst" CD, featuring various tracks from all Wednesday 13 releases, and the "Re-Animated" remix CD with bonus tracks.
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14 янв 2014
SHEAR To Release 'Katharsis' In March
 Finnish metal/rock act SHEAR will release its second album, "Katharsis", on March 24 in Europe and on April 1 in North America via Lifeforce Records. The artwork for the CD was created by TEXTURES bassist Remko Tielemans.
"Katharsis" was recorded between April and October 2013 at Sound Supreme Studio and and 5by5 Studio, where the effort was also mixed. The mastering was handled by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios. The CD features a guest appearance by STRATOVARIOUS keyboardist Jens Johansson.
According to a press release, SHEAR "impresses with a mature and beneficial designed sound that is catchy and heavy at the same time. Just as important: SHEAR are playing authentic and honest music that is based on deep-seated emotions and a latent slope to great hymns. This is their 'Katharsis'. The chosen style is of subordinate importance for the effect of the perfectly balanced songs. Metal and rock come to fruition to create a Scandinavian heavy sound with a fresh approach and a convincing self-conception.
"Listening to 'Katharsis', you will fall in love with the charismatic voice of Alexa Leroux. But keep in mind: SHEAR is more than a female-fronted fairytale. Somewhere in between melodic metal, symphonic power and classical rock the Finns are heading for well-written and — simply — beautiful music with a unique charm."
SHEAR in 2012 parted ways with bassist Eerik Purdon and replaced him with Silver Ots (DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, THE NIBIRUAN, AMORAL).
SHEAR released its full-length debut, "Breaking The Stillness", in March 2012 via Lifeforce Records.
SHEAR guitarists Mikael Gronroos and Lauri Koskenniemi, and keyboardist Lari Sorvo have played together since 2001.
SHEAR is:
* Alexa Leroux - Vocals * Mikael Grönroos (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Guitar * Lauri Koskenniemi (THE NIBIRUAN, ELENIUM, CRYSTAL BLAZE, ex-IMPERANON) - Guitar * Silver Ots (DEAD SHAPE FIGURE, THE NIBIRUAN, AMORAL) - Bass * Lari Sorvo (CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Keyboards * Juhana Karlsson (AMORAL, CRYSTAL BLAZE) - Drums | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
TOXIC WALTZ To Release 'Decades Of Pain' This Month
 Young Bavarian thrash metal idealists TOXIC WALTZ will release their debut full-length, "Decades Of Pain", on January 23. The cover artwork was created by Peter Tikos, who has previously worked with ALPHA TIGER and BATTLECREEK.
TOXIC WALTZ was formed in 2009 by lead guitarist Jimi and ex-drummer Tim. Bass player Rahman, vocalist Angelo and rhythm guitarist Alex joined the band soon thereafter to complete a thrash metal ensemble that is clearly influenced by the U.S. Bay Area style, including such acts as EXODUS, HEATHEN, FORBIDDEN and DARK ANGEL.
According to a press release, TOXIC WALTZ delivers "aggressive, but artistically demanding thrash metal, characterized by diversified songwriting."
TOXIC WALTZ has shared the stage with such well-known acts as SIX FEET UNDER, ALPHA TIGER and DEBAUCHERY. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
BOSTON: 'Life Love & Hope' EPK
 The official EPK (Electronic Press Kit) for "Life Love & Hope", the brand new album from the legendary rock band BOSTON, can be seen below.
"Life Love & Hope" sold around 16,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 37 on The Billboard 200 chart.
More than a decade in the making, "Life, Love & Hope" was released on December 3 in the U.S. and Canada and is available now for purchase at Amazon and iTunes. The collection of brand new tracks, recorded at BOSTON mastermind Tom Scholz's very own Hideaway Studio II, was produced, arranged, and engineered by Scholz and is BOSTON's first release since 2002's "Corporate America". In addition to Brad Delp and David Victor, current BOSTON singer Tommy DeCarlo, Kimberley Dahme and Scholz himself, contribute vocals on the new album. Diverse yet cohesive, the long-awaited album has something for everyone and will fulfill the expectations of existing fans, while exposing a new generation to one of rock and roll's great acts. Albums purchased at Best Buy contain a bonus track titled "Te Quiero Mia".
BOSTON is conquering the U.S. airwaves with "Heaven On Earth", the lead single from "Life Love & Hope", which was written and produced by Scholz. The song features David Victor on vocals with special guest Louis St. August.
BOSTON burst onto the music scene with their eponymous best-selling debut album in 1976, and never looked back. With over 17 million copies sold, "Boston" generated hits such as "More Than a Feeling", "Peace Of Mind" and "Smokin'", rock staples that are still in heavy rotation today. Their second effort, "Don't Look Back", was another chart-topper that confirmed their place in rock history, followed by "Third Stage", which hit No. 1 on the charts, with the top single of 1986, "Amanda".
With over 31 million albums sold to date, BOSTON's music has stood the test of time, as evidenced by live BOSTON audiences that spans generations. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN: 'Thirty One & Sevens' Video Released
 "Thirty One & Sevens", the new video from the Australian metalcore outfit I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN, can be seen at Music Feeds. The clip, which was directed by Robot Army Productions (BODYJAR, ANBERLIN, THE AMITY AFFLICTION), is based in a post-apocalyptic world, and tells the story of two slaves that manage to escape and start a revolution after demonstrating to their slave compatriots that their captors can be defeated. It was filmed in a quarry in Anakie, just outside of Geelong, Australia.
"Thirty One & Sevens" is taken from I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN's first album in six years, "Beloved", which will be released on February 18 in the U.S. via Epitaph Records.
By their own admission, I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN have endured a decidedly checkered past. Over the years the band saw multiple vocalist changes and other personnel exchanges, side-project sojourns and moonlighting in other bands, hiatuses and break-ups. Yet through it all, their musical output both live and on record has remained thoroughly inspired.
For several years, the band lay dormant, as members went on to play in other bands. In 2011, I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN reclaimed their sound, style, history, and legacy with an all-new lineup, and original member Jona Weinhofen, who spent time with BLEEDING THROUGH and BRING ME THE HORIZON. Joined by new screamer Jamie Hope (ex-RED SHORE), Shane O'Brien on drums (DEEZ NUTS), Kevin Cameron on guitar, Benjamin Coyte on bass, and of course, Jona bringing vocal choruses, guitar and keyboard to the mix.
I KILLED THE PROM QUEEN entered the studio in 2013 in Gothenburg, Sweden with Fredrik Nordström (BRING ME THE HORIZON, AT THE GATES, IN FLAMES, DIMMU BORGIR, ARCHITECTS) to record "Beloved".
"We've really extended ourselves," says Weinhofen. "But we've done it in a way where it's tasteful and it makes sense with the music. It's not like we’ve gone from sounding like a metalcore band to sounding like DIMMU BORGIR. It still sounds very much like PROM QUEEN."
"Beloved" track listing:
01. Beginning Of The End02. To The Wolves03. Bright Enough04. Meilor05. Thirty One & Sevens06. Calvert Street07. Kærjrlighet08. The Beaten Path09. Nightmares10. No One Will Save Us11. Brevity
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14 янв 2014
KILL DEVIL HILL: Mentor Concert Footage Available
 Fan-filmed video footage of KILL DEVIL HILL's November 22, 2013 performance in Mentor, Ohio can be seen below.
KILL DEVIL HILL is the band featuring legendary drummer Vinny Appice (DIO, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVEN & HELL) alongside Rex Brown, Mark Zavon (RATT, W.A.S.P., 40 CYCLE HUM) on guitar and Jason "Dewey" Bragg (PISSING RAZORS) on vocals.
The group's sophomore album, "Revolution Rise", sold around 2,150 copies in the United States in its first week of release.
Released on October 29, 2013 via Century Media Records, "Revolution Rise" was produced by KILL DEVIL HILL and Jeff Pilson (DOKKEN, FOREIGNER, DIO) and was mixed by Jay Ruston (STONE SOUR, ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER). The cover artwork was created by Sam Shearon, who has previously worked with ROB ZOMBIE, IRON MAIDEN and FEAR FACTORY, to name just a few.
KILL DEVIL HILL's headlining club tour kicked off October 26, 2013 in Ramona, California and ran through the month of November with support from labelmates EYES SET TO KILL and GIRL ON FIRE, as well as BLACK WATER RISING. | 0 | |
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14 янв 2014
'The Simpsons' Creators Right A Wrong: 'JUDAS PRIEST Is Not Death Metal'
 The writers for "The Simpsons", one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history, have acknowledged their mistake in calling JUDAS PRIEST a "death metal" band on last week's show and have made amends in the follow-up episode.
The cartoon's January 5 installment, titled "Steal This Episode", saw Homer getting involved in illegal film downloading, prompting the FBI to launch an anti-piracy investigation. When Homer's family sought refuge in a Swedish consulate, an overzealous FBI director in charge of anti-piracy subsequently went after him, and JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford wound up singing a parody of the band's classic "Breaking The Law" in an effort to nab Homer. "There's only one surefire way to get fugitives out of a foreign building," said the FBI agent. "Blasting death metal."
"Swedes love death metal," a headbanging consulate member said in the episode. "It reminds us of death!"
After last week's episode aired, much of the metal community showed its disapproval online, making it clear that JUDAS PRIEST is not, and never has been, a death metal band. Word evidently got back to "The Simpsons" creators, who made amends by having Bart scrawl the words "Judas Priest is not 'death metal'" repeatedly on the chalkboard in the introduction of this week's episode.
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14 янв 2014
Thai Black Metal Musician Allegedly Murdered For 'Tarnishing Satanism'
 According to the Bangkok Post, Samong Traisattha (a.k.a. Avaejee), the 36-year-old bassist/vocalist of the Thai black metal band SURRENDER OF DIVINITY, was stabbed to death in his house on Wednesday, January 8.
The deceased musician's widow, Jaruvan Surapol, said the murder was committed by a fan of her husband's band. She claimed the suspected murderer came over to the couple's home "to have some shirts screen-printed and to have a drink." After she put the couple's child to bed, she went to check on her husband and found him lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
A Facebook user going by the name "Maleficent Meditation" has since taken credit for the crime and has posted gruesome photos of Samong's body in addition to offering a detailed confession.
"I have intended to end my life since I was 25," the suspect wrote, according to the Bangkok Post. "Because I'll die eventually, I want to drag down those who tarnish Satanism with me. But I refrained from killing women and children.
"In my view, I have more respect for devoted Buddhists, Christians and Muslims than those who call themselves Satanists without knowing anything about it.
"If I did not kill him, I'm sure he would be murdered by someone else later."
A one-foot knife and a mobile phone belonging to the suspected killer were found at the crime scene, said Police Captain Chainarong Daengnokphum, an investigator at the Sai Mai police station in Bangkok.
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14 янв 2014
ICED EARTH To Release Limited-Edition 'Plagues Of Babylon' Bootleg LPs
 North American power metallers ICED EARTH are joining forces with local record stores to release 500 limited-edition, hand-numbered vinyl "bootleg" copies of the band's new album, "Plagues Of Babylon". This extremely limited "bootleg" pressing, which is available only in record stores in North America, goes on sale tomorrow, January 14, and is sure to become an instant collector's item. Click here to find your nearest local participating retailer.
ICED EARTH makes its triumphant return with the January 21, 2014 release of new studio album, "Plagues Of Babylon", on Century Media Records. The CD was recorded at Principal Studios (KREATOR, IN EXTREMO, GRAVE DIGGER) in Senden, Germany and was mixed at NHow Studios in Berlin, Germany. Guest vocals on "Highwayman" were laid down by VOLBEAT frontman Michael Poulsen and SYMPHONY X/ADRENALINE MOB singer Russell Allen. Guest vocals on "Plagues Of Babylon", "Among The Living Dead", "Democide", "Resistance" and "If I Could See You" are by BLIND GUARDIAN vocalist Hansi Kürsch. The cover and additional artwork was created by Eliran Kantor (TESTAMENT, ATHEIST, HATEBREED).
"Plagues Of Babylon" track listing:
01. Plagues Of Babylon02. Democide03. The Culling04. Among The Living Dead05. Resistance06. The End?07. If I Could See You08. Cthulhu09. Peacemaker10. Parasite11. Spirit Of The Times12. Highwayman
Songs 1-6 form the "Plagues Of Babylon" story line, part of the ongoing "Something Wicked" Universe
Exclusive "Plagues Of Babylon" pre-sale bundles are on-sale now at CM Distro.
Album and merchandise packages include the following: * Standard CD (28-page booklet; jewel case; collectible top spine)* Limited-edition deluxe CD/DVD (standard CD; DVD with "making of" documentary, alternate album mixes and gear guides; 32-page booklet with alternate cover artwork on cover; 6-panel matte digipack, collective top spine)* Double LP (180 gram; gatefold sleeve on matte-laminated heavy cardboard; printed inner sleeves; available in black or limited-edition silver wax)* Limited-edition boxset (CD/DVD from above packaged as deluxe mediabook; also includes bandana, embossed metal flask, six artwork cards and refrigerator magnet; limited to 3,000 copies worldwide) * Limited-edition 10-inch boxset (three 10" LPs; 12-page booklet; album artwork poster; limited to 1,000 worldwide - 500 gold / 500 black)* Long-sleeve shirt (pre-order package exclusive)* Short-sleeve shirt (pre-order package exclusive)
ICED EARTH will promote the new CD in its North American homeland with the headlining "Worldwide Plagues Tour", which kicks off April 4 for a six-week run with SABATON and REVAMP in support. "This is a seriously heavy album with a seriously brutal album cover," says ICED EARTH mainman/guitarist Jon Schaffer of "Plagues Of Babylon". "I'm sure it will go down as a classic in the epic ICED EARTH catalog.
"We feel that the package with SABATON and REVAMP is very strong and we are very excited to tour the U.S. and Canada again and kick some major ass!"
Jon Dette (SLAYER, TESTAMENT, ANTHRAX) is sitting behind the drums for ICED EARTH's current European headlining tour, taking over for Raphael Saini, who filled in during the summer 2013 festivals, the recording of ICED EARTH's new album, and the club leg of the VOLBEAT tour.
Dette made his live debut with ICED EARTH on November 6, 2013 at O2 World in Berlin, Germany.
ICED EARTH last year parted ways with drummer Brent Smedley for "personal family reasons."
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14 янв 2014
TESTAMENT Parts Ways With Bassist GREG CHRISTIAN, Announces Return Of STEVE DIGIORGIO
 San Francisco Bay Area metal veterans TESTAMENT have released the following statement:
"It is with much respect that we announce our mutual parting with bassist Greg Christian. Metal fretless bass pioneer Steve DiGiorgio will be returning to TESTAMENT. Steve previously was a member of TESTAMENT on 'The Gathering' (1999) as well as 'First Strike Still Deadly' (2001). He will be joining TESTAMENT on their upcoming shows in Australia on the Soundwave Festival, Japan and Mexico City. Steve will also be taking part in the new TESTAMENT album. We are looking forward to continuing the momentum you, the fans, have made possible."
Christian was forced to leave the band's North American tour with LAMB OF GOD and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in November for "personal reasons." Filling in for him was EXODUS bassist Jack Gibson.
"Dark Roots Of Thrash", a DVD/2CD release documenting TESTAMENT's sold-out headlining performance at the Paramount in Huntington, New York this past February, was made available on October 18, 2013 (Europe) and October 29, 2013 (North America) via Nuclear Blast Records. "Dark Roots Of Thrash" was produced by Get Hammered Productions, directed by Tommy Jones (DEATH ANGEL, KATAKLYSM, SOILWORK) and mixed by Juan Urteaga (VILE, EXODUS, SADUS, MACHINE HEAD). It captures a total of 19 live tracks with countless cams onstage and high above the audience, plus a special moshpit cam that makes you feel like you're a part of the show.
(Thanks: NJthrasher) | +1 | |
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14 янв 2014
HAMMERCULT: 'Steelcrusher' Video Released
 The video for "Steelcrusher", the title track of the second album from Tel Aviv-based neo-thrashers HAMMERCULT, can be seen below.
Comments HAMMERCULT singer Yakir Shochat: "This is a live video of the band performing the song 'Steelcrusher' live for the first time, which is truly capturing the raw power and unstoppable energy of HAMMERCULT live stage show. It clearly can be seen that the mania raged well within the crowd and the band to one big extreme metal party!
"We have chosen to kickstart 'Steelcrusher' with the self-titled video and a live video because it old the real essence of us as a live band, without any filtering, editing and over-hyped budget or scripted stuff — just pure metal onslaught, and making the fans roar, which is what we do best."
"Steelcrusher" will be released on CD and colored vinyl on January 27 in Europe and February 4 in North America via Sonic Attack/SPV. The effort was produced by Tal Vaisman and mixed and mastered by Chris "Zeuss" Harris.
"Steelcrusher" track listing:
01. Hymn To The Steel (intro)02. Steelcrusher03. Metal Rules Tonight04. Into Hell05. We Are The People06. Burning The Road07. Ironbound08. Unholy Art09. Satanic Lust10. Liar11. Damnation Arise12. Heading For War13. In The Name Of The Fallen
Check out a teaser for "Steelcrusher" below.
The song "We Are The People" includes a guest guitar solo by SEPULTURA's Andreas Kisser.
The "Steelcrusher" cover artwork was created by Andreas Marshall, the Berlin-based artist who has previously worked with BLIND GUARDIAN, IN FLAMES, RUNNING WILD and HAMMERFALL, among others.
"We definitely have European influences and have grown up with bands like KREATOR, DESTRUCTION and SODOM," says HAMMERCULT frontman Yakir Shochat. "Lots of important groups signed with Noise Records in their early days. That's why we're particularly happy that 'Steelcrusher' will be out on Sonic Attack, Noise founder Karl Walterbach's current label. So as fans of that great Noise era, we've come full circle in that respect." | 0 | |
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Within Temptation
