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MUSICA DIABLO — the São Paulo, Brazil-based thrash metal project featuring SEPULTURA singer Derrick Green, guitarist Andre NM (NITROMINDS), drummer Marcão (AÇÃO DIRETA, DEAD FISH) and bassist Ricardo Brigas — will embark on a European tour in November. Derrick will have some time off from SEPULTURA and André will already be in Europe promoting the latest NITROMINDS album, "The Verge of Time" (Century Media Brazil). Support on the trek will come from CHAINFIST, the new metal/rock band featuring Michael Kopietz (ex-FROZEN SUN, PANZERCHRIST).
Commented André: "We are planning to perform a couple of songs from bands that inspired us [over the] years, but one thing is for sure; apart from MUSICA DIABLO's own songs, we will play classic trash metal tunes from the '80s!"
MUSICA DIABLO's European tour will be booked by the Go Down Believing agency, which also handles such artists as PRO-PAIN, HATESPHERE, ILLDISPOSED etc.
MUSICA DIABLO's first promotional pictures were taken last Tuesday in São Paulo. The session took place at the CBB bar and was overseen by photographer Charline Messa, who has previously taken studio pictures of such acts as THE CULT, JOHN LORD, SEPULTURA, DEFTONES and the MISFITS.
A couple of the new photos can be viewed below.
New MUSICA DIABLO songs "The Rack", "Twisted Hate" and "Live To Buy" can be streamed on the band's MySpace page. They can also be heard using the ReverbNation TuneWidget below.
"The Rack", "Twisted Hate" and "Live To Buy" are three of 16 new cuts that MUSICA DIABLO recently demoed so that they can be shopped to European labels by the group's new manager, Tommy Morriello of Crash Bang Booking & Management.
Formed in January 2008, MUSICA DIABLO recorded its debut demo at C4 Studios.
Finnish rock cello quartet APOCALYPTICA has released a statement condemning the "illegal use" of the band's song "Path" in a TV and Internet commercial in the Czech Republic. (See the commercial in question below.)
The group states: "APOCALYPTICA always supports minorities, stands up for human rights, respects every human being, no matter their colour, ethnic background or religion, worldwide.
"APOCALYPTICA also supports the idea of a united Europe and the European Union.
"We hope it is a clear statement that we would never allow the Czech republican party Národní Strana to use any of our music. The fact is, we were never asked if they could use our material.
"Beside the fact that we are mortified by the illegal use, Národní Strana has contravened the law with the owners of the rights for the song 'Path' in Czech Republic, who are Universal Music Publishing and Universal Music.
"Both companies will start legal proceedings against the party now."
APOCALYPTICA scored its first No. 1 rock radio hit in November with "I Don't Care", the latest single from the band's sixth studio album, "Worlds Collide". The disc has sold 233,000 copies in the U.S. and marks the group's first significant success in this country in APOCALYPTICA's 15-year career. Paavo Lotjonen told The Pulse of Radio that their newfound recognition has been worth all the effort. "It's been really amazing, all the success we have got," he said. "Of course it has taken a lot of work and we have given our heart to this. But I feel that it's been worth that and we have reached something new."
"I Don't Care" features guest vocals from THREE DAYS GRACE frontman Adam Gontier.
SLIPKNOT's Corey Taylor contributed vocals to the CD's first single, "I'm Not Jesus".
POISON singer Bret Michaels' web site has been updated with the following message:
"Unfortunately, due to severe thunderstorms and inclement weather, the commanding officer/event coordinator Lynette Foster and promoter Rick Johnson mutually agreed, to cancel [Sunday night's, May 24] performance at the Ft. Campbell Army Base [in Fort Campbell, Kentucky] due to risk of injury to fans due to weather conditions. The venue was expecting a large turnout. This is especially disappointing to Bret as he is a huge supporter of all our men and women in the armed forces and he had a very special performance planned for the troops returning from Iraq as well as the civilians attending the show. Mr. Michaels will be performing [Monday night] in Cleveland at the Rib Festival unless weather conditions prove otherwise."
Bret Michaels' autobiography, "Roses & Thorns: The Reality of My Rock & Roll Fantasy", is set to hit bookstores June 23.
According to a rep for Michaels, the book, which is being published by Simon & Schuster, will take readers through the rocker's humble upbringing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (where he struggled with childhood diabetes), his wild ride with POISON, the car crashes that nearly took his life, and the 10-year journey to reinvent himself on VH1's top-rated show "Rock of Love".
"It will give people the untold story," Michaels recently told Billboard.com. "It gives you the sex, the drugs, the rock 'n' roll, but it also gives you the diabetes. It gives you every aspect of my life and what I'm going through. I think it's pretty frank. It's honest. It's at times self-deprecating. It's about what happens when you try to live out your dream and the reality of it all sets in and it's the hardest and the strangest thing you will ever do. I think when you read it you'll really get the understanding of what it's all about."
Florida-based female-fronted extreme metal act WYKKED WYTCH has been confirmed for the Ilha do Ermal festival, set to take place August 28-30 in Vieira do Minho, Portugal.
Portugal's biggest metal festival, Ilha do Ermal returns after a four-year hiatus with 45 bands (15 per day).
Confirmed acts so far are as follows:
ANGRA BLIND GUARDIAN CONCEALMENT DARK MOOR DESIRE DISBELIEF HATESPHERE HEAVENWOOD KORPIKLAANI OBITUARY ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET PESTILENCE PITCH BLACK RAMP SEPULTURA SWITCHTENSE TEXTURES THANATOSCHIZO THE FIRSTBORN THE TEMPLE W.A.K.O. WYKKED WYTCH
WYKKED WYTCH's appearance at the festival will be followed by a two-week headlining tour of Europe in September. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.
German epic/melodic metallers ROUGH SILK recently shot a video for the song "Reborn To Wait".
Check out photos from the video shoot at this location. A couple of the pictures can be viewed below.
"Reborn To Wait" comes off ROUGH SILK's new album, "A New Beginning", which was released on March 20 via Dockyard 1 Records.
Mastermind Ferdy Doernberg teamed up with André Hort (bass), Mike Mandel (guitars) and Alex Wenn (drums), who are young and hungry musicians from the Hannover area to bring fresh blood and enthusiasm into the band and most important to bring back more metal into ROUGH SILK's sound again.
The CD was produced by Ferdy Doernberg at the Droehnwerk Studios in Bad Nenndorf, Germany, with the exception of the track "A Song For Hilmer", which was written and recorded in Los Angeles one day after Doernberg received news that original ROUGH SILK guitarist, Hilmer Staacke, passed away.
Doernberg stated about the track "A Song For Hilmer", "The last song on the album is dedicated to Hilmer Staacke, the former guitar player of ROUGH SILK, and was written, performed and recorded on May 26, 2006 in the dressing room of Ralph Freud's Theatre in Los Angeles, California one day after I got the news that Hilmer had died the day before. Two friends of mine, Roy Z [HALFORD, BRUCE DICKINSON, JUDAS PRIEST] and Warren DeMartini [RATT] helped me recording it right away on an old piano in the dressing room. The piano was a little out of tune, I made a few mistakes and if you listen carefully you can hear the Uli Jon Roth soundcheck in the background, but we kept it the way it was because it's authentic. It wouldn't be the same if we would recut it in the studio. We combined it with a guitar solo performed by Hilmer Staacke himself in 1995 so you have the chance to listen to a great guitar player one more time."
Athens, Georgia-based melodic metal band THEOCRACY have scheduled the following European dates:
Oct. 24 - Metal Fest - Festhalle Friedewald, Germany Oct. 30 - Rock without limits - Gomaringen, Germany Oct. 31 - Nordic Fest - Oslo, Norway
More European shows will be announced soon.
Ulterium Records released a limited-edition 12" picture-disc edition of the THEOCRACY album "Mirror of Souls" on April 3. The LP is strictly limited to 250 copies.
The track listing is as follows:
Side A:
01. Mirror Of Souls [22:26]
Side B:
01. Laying The Demon To Rest [9:37] 02. Absolution Day [6:47] 03. Wages Of Sin [3:26]
"Mirror of Souls" was released in Europe on November 21, 2008 via Ulterium Records. The CD was made available in the U.S. on December 9 through Nightmare Records. The Japanese version, which came out on November 25 through Soundholic, contains the exclusive bonus track "Wages of Sin".
"Mirror of Souls" was mastered by Mika Jussila (NIGHTWISH, STRATOVARIUS, CHILDREN OF BODOM) and the booklet was designed by Felipe Machado Franco (ICED EARTH, AYREON, AT VANCE).
California deathcore masters SUICIDE SILENCE will release their new album, "No Time To Bleed", in North America on June 30 via Century Media Records (one day earlier internationally). The CD was recorded with acclaimed producer Machine (LAMB OF GOD).
The European version of "No Time To Bleed" will be made available with an alternate cover, which can be viewed below.
"No Time To Bleed" track listing:
01. Wake Up 02. Lifted 03. Smoke 04. Something Invisible 05. No Time To Bleed 06. Suffer 07. …And Then She Bled 08. Wasted 09. Your Creations 10. Genocide 11. Disengage
SUICIDE SILENCE recently shot a video for the new track "Wake Up" with acclaimed director David Brodsky (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, GWAR, EARTH CRISIS, THE AGONIST). The clip is a disturbing look into the inner psyche while embracing the effect of hallucinogens. Vocalist Mitch Lucker stated, "It was a pleasure to work with [David] again. We feel he perfectly nailed the concept we envisioned for this clip and we can't wait for you all to see it."
The "maximum bloodshed edition" of "No Time To Bleed" (available through CM Distro only) is limited to 10,000 copies. It includes a bonus track, a DVD with "behind-the-scenes" and "making-of" videos, a two-sided poster, collectors cards of each band member and a mail-in offer for an exclusive T-shirt.
Allan Sorensen of Denmark-based hard rockers ROYAL HUNT has finished laying down the drum tracks for the band's new album, which is scheduled for release late rin the year. ROYAL HUNT is posting regular updates, photos, video clips as well as offering a "track-by-track" breakdown of the recording process on the group's official web site.
ROYAL HUNT decided to revisit its roots and incorporate some of the musical values of the '70s into its songwriting as well as — in order to reinforce that particular atmosphere — employing mostly "retro" means of production (recording in analog format exclusively being one of them) for its tenth studio album. The music has been described as "an interesting mix of what's been tagged as classic rock nowadays (established by KANSAS, GENESIS, ELP's earlier works and DEEP PURPLE, URIAH HEEP's classics from the same era) and ROYAL HUNT's trademark composition/delivery." The album is expected to be mixed/mastered sometime during the summer.
ROYAL HUNT's latest album, "Collision Course - Paradox II", was released in March 2008. The CD, which is said to be the conceptual follow-up to the 1997 release "Paradox", marks the recorded debut with the band of new vocalist Mark Boals, who has previously played with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN'S RISING FORCE, BILLIONAIRE BOYS CLUB and RING OF FIRE, among others. Guest singers on the album include Doogie White (RAINBOW, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN), Ian Parry (ELEGY, CONSORTIUM PROJECT), Kenny Lubcke (NARITA) and Henrik Brockmann (ex-ROYAL HUNT, EVIL MASQUERADE).
Fan-flimed video footage of ROYAL HUNT performing the song "The Mission" live on May 16, 2008 at Biebob in Vosselaar, Belgium can be viewed below.
Daile Pepper of WAtoday.com.au reports: The mad scramble for AC/DC tickets has continued on the Internet, with passionate Australian fans paying scalpers hundreds of dollars for the chance to attend.
Two tickets, which this morning sold for AUD $150 each through Ticketmaster, attracted bids of AUD $850 only hours after they went on sale this morning.
The legendary rockers' first "Black Ice" show at Subiaco Oval on March 6 sold out in seven minutes this morning, prompting the band to announce a second Perth show, which has now also sold out.
Two extra concerts have been added in both Sydney and Melbourne after the first sold within 10 minutes.
Paris, France-based black metallers GLORIOR BELLI have pulled out of the previously announced "CIII" tour with U.S. black metal legends ABSU, Austin-based AVERSE SEFIRA and Los Angeles-based SOTHIS. According to a statement release by GLORIOR BELLI, "The label Candlelight was not qualified enough to get everything arranged legally for the coming of the band and couldn’t acquire the appropriate papers. Therefore we have no other choice but to pull out. They had all the time necessary and this mess is INEXCUSABLE."
GLORIOR BELLI's third full-length album, "Meet Us Of The Southern Sign", will be released in North America on June 2 via Candlelight Records. The CD, which was recorded over a three-week period, will contain the following tracks:
01. Once In A Blood Red Moon 02. The Forbidden Words 03. Swamp That Shame 04. There Is But One Light 05. My True Essence 06. In Every Grief-Stricken Blues 07. Nox Illuminatio Mea 08. The Blazing Darkness (Of Luciferian Skies) 09. Fivefold Thought 10. Fires Of The Sitra Ahra 11. Meet Us at the Southern Sign
Check out the cover artwork below. A two-minute teaser video for the forthcoming CD is also available.
Original PHANTOM BLUE members Gigi Hangach (vocals) and Linda McDonald (drums) will guest on KNAC.COM today (Monday, May 25) at 1:00 p.m. PST to discuss the upcoming Michelle Meldrum memorial show at the Whisky A-Go Go in Hollywood, California. The concert is being held in memory of late MELDRUM/PHANTOM BLUE guitarist Michelle Meldrum and will help raise funds for Michelle's family and four-year-old son Jake Norum.
To listen to the program live via the Internet, visit www.knac.com.
Benefit concert location:
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Whisky A-Go Go 8901 W. Sunset Blvd Hollywood, California
Doors: 7:45 p.m. Tickets: $20 Limited tickets at door, pre-sale purchase via PayPal at www.michellemeldrum.com
Raffle will be held at the event and will include prizes from MOTÖRHEAD, KISS, OZZY OSBOURNE, MÖTLEY CRÜE, BLACK SABBATH, THIN LIZZY, TWISTED SISTER, MELDRUM, Gene Hoglan and more.
Auction will be held the week of the event on eBay include some of Michelle's guitars and gear, collectibles, memorabilia (eBay seller MELDRUM2009).
Special guests:
Lemmy Kilmister (MOTÖRHEAD) Rocky George (FISHBONE, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) Nick Oliveri (QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, MONDO GENERATOR) Jason McMaster (WATCHTOWER, DANGEROUS TOYS) John Norum (EUROPE, DOKKEN) Chuck Wright (QUIET RIOT) Phil Varone (SAIGON KICK, SKID ROW)
Performing bands:
MELDRUM with Gene Hoglan LIZZY BORDEN PHANTOM BLUE reunion THE IRON MAIDENS
DJ Will - KNAC.COM Leah Cevoli ("Robot Chicken", "Deadwood") - Mistress of Ceremony/Hostess
* Guest lineup subject to addition/change
Portion of proceeds will be donated to brain research.
On May 18, 2008 Michelle Meldrum was rushed to St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank in critical condition. She passed away late afternoon Wednesday, May 21, 2008 as a result of a cystic growth that had restricted oxygen and blood flow to her brain rendering her brain dead.
MELDRUM had just completed writing and recording the band's soon-to-be-released album with drummer Gene Hoglan (STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, TESTAMENT, DEATH), along with the new lineup Michele Madden (vocals) and Laura Christine (bass). The surviving band members plan to release the album, entitled "Lifer", later this year in tribute to their fallen bandmate.
Those who knew Michelle recognize that she lived every moment for the music, and was regarded as both an exceptional guitarist and a nurturer by her associates, friends, family and son.
Meldrum, 39, is survived by her parents and four-year-old son Jake Thomas (father is EUROPE guitarist John Norum). Her family and band members appreciate all the support that has been shown over the past 12 months through this trying time.
Michelle Meldrum was born on Sept 28, 1968 in Detroit, Michigan to a family of musicians and actors. At 13, Meldrum moved to Los Angeles, California and started her career in music by forming the thrash metal band WARGOD with drummer Gene Hoglan. When WARGOD disbanded, Meldrum continued her search for a band and become both co-founder and lead guitarist in all girl metal/rock band PHANTOM BLUE. PHANTOM BLUE released their self-titled debut album on Shrapnel Records as well as Roadrunner Records, and eventually landed a deal with major label Geffen.
Once PHANTOM BLUE disbanded after a successful run at fame, Michelle Meldrum moved to Sweden and formed her current band MELDRUM. After many triumphant tours with such acts as MOTÖRHEAD and BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, she reunited with Hoglan in 2006. Hoglan had appeared as a special guest on the MELDRUM album prior and played several events. Inspired to once again collaborate, Meldrum moved back to America where she and Hoglan began writing the aforementioned third MELDRUM album together.
Iain Shedden of The Australian reports that Aussie rock legends AC/DC can look forward to the biggest homecoming in their history following record ticket sales for their Australian tour today.
Tickets for the band's "Black Ice" tour went on sale in Australia this morning.
Within 15 minutes, shows at Sydney ANZ Stadium and Melbourne Etihad Stadium sold out. Second shows at both venues also sold out hours later and third concerts look likely to do the same.
Co-promoter Garry Van Egmond said he expected between 400,000-450,000 tickets to have been sold for the tour by the end of the day.
"I've been doing this for many years and I haven't enjoyed success like this in one day before," he said.
Ticket prices for the tour begin range from AUD $99.00 (aproximately USD $77) to AUD $150.00 (approximately USD $117).
"I went to England to see them three weeks ago and they asked me to bring all the ticket prices of the artists who had been through Australia in the past 18 months," said Egmond.
"It's important to them to keep the prices down and we did that."
As the creators of a live release that is considered to be one of the all-time great concert recordings in the realm of heavy metal (1979's "Unleashed In The East"), whenever British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST announce a new live album, metalheads worldwide instantly take note. And on "A Touch Of Evil: Live" (due for release in July 2009 via Sony Music and Epic Records), the mighty PRIEST — which includes singer Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis — doesn't disappoint. Focusing primarily on fan-revered album cuts (all previously unreleased in live form on CD), "A Touch Of Evil: Live" features absolutely scintillating renditions of such PRIEST gems as "Riding On The Wind", "Beyond The Realms Of Death", "Dissident Aggressor", "A Touch Of Evil", "Eat Me Alive", and the set-closing "Painkiller". Also of note are the first live album appearances of standouts from PRIEST's critically acclaimed 2008 concept double disc, "Nostradamus" ("Death" and "Prophecy").
Recorded by Martin Walker and Brian Thorene during JUDAS PRIEST's mammoth 2005 and 2008 world tours, "A Touch Of Evil: Live" also marks the first PRIEST album that producer Tom Allom has worked on since 1988 (co-producing along with the band). It was such Allom-produced albums as the aforementioned "Unleashed In The East", as well as "British Steel" and "Screaming For Vengeance" (among others) that made PRIEST not only one of the premier metal acts, but one of the leading global rock acts.
"A Touch Of Evil: Live" track listing:
01. Judas Rising 02. Hellrider 03. Between The Hammer & The Anvil 04. Riding On The Wind 05. Death 06. Beyond The Realms Of Death 07. Dissident Aggressor 08. A Touch Of Evil 09. Eat Me Alive 10. Prophecy 11. Painkiller
According to GoldCoast.com.au, Anglo-Australian rockers AC/DC have scheduled a second Brisbane show as part of their "Black Ice" Australian tour after tickets for the first show sold out in record time Monday morning (May 25).
Tickets for the first Brisbane show, at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre on February 25, went on sale through Ticketek at 11:00 a.m. Monday and sold out in 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the band's Subicao Oval gig in Perth on March 6 sold out Monday morning in 10 minutes flat.
Tickets are now on sale for a second Brisbane show at the Queensland Sports and Athletics Stadium on February 27. An additional Perth concert has been announced for March 8.
Swedish hard rockers EUROPE recently shot a video for the title track of their forthcoming album, "Last Look At Eden", with director Patric Ullaeus (DIMMU BORGIR, LACUNA COIL, IN FLAMES) of Revolver Film Company. The band says, "We chose to work with Patric after seeing his work with IN FLAMES, amongst others."
A photo of EUROPE with director Patric Ullaeus can be viewed below. Also available is an audio recording of EUROPE performing the song "Last Look At Eden" during soundcheck at last night's (Saturday, May 23) concert in Trondheim, Norway.
"Last Look At Eden" is tentatively due in September. The CD's first single will precede the full-length CD in late May/early June. More details, including the track listing will be made available soon.
Video footage of EUROPE performing a brand new song, "Mojito Girl", on April 25, 2009 at Caupolican Theatre in Santiago, Chile can be viewed below. Also available is a radio-broadcast-quality audio stream of the track, which will appear on "Last Look At Eden".
EUROPE has just released its "Almost Unplugged" live album in the U.S. The CD features a recording of the band's January 26, 2008 concert at Nalen in Stockholm. The band performed songs from its latest album, "Secret Society", along with some of its classic hits. The show was broadcast live over the Internet on the official EUROPE web site.
"Secret Society" was released in the U.S. on November 7, 2006 via Sanctuary Records.
"Last Look At Eden" (recorded at soundcheck on May 23, 2009 in Trondheim, Norway):
"Mojito Girl" live in Santiago (fan-filmed video):
"Mojito Girl" live in Santiago (radio-broadcast audio):
A three-minute video clip containing interview and performance footage from the No Fear Energy music tour — featuring LAMB OF GOD, AS I LAY DYING, CHILDREN OF BODOM, GOD FORBID and MUNICIPAL WASTE — can be viewed below.
LAMB OF GOD's new album, "Wrath", has sold 148,000 copies in the United States since its February 24 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
"Wrath" was produced by Josh Wilbur and was recorded in studios in New York, Virginia, and New Hampshire.
The "Wrath" album was released in four configurations: an LP, a CD, a deluxe-edition CD with bonus disc — which contains isolated recording parts — as well as a super-deluxe version featuring a limited-edition box containing an LP, deluxe-edition CD and USB drive containing two exclusive bonus tracks.
Scott Casey of Australia's BrisbaneTimes.com.au reports: Committed AC/DC fans spent an uncomfortable night camping out on Elizabeth Street to buy tickets for next year's Brisbane concert.
First in line was Carol Ranger who, along with 22-year-old daughter Pagen, had camped out since 11:00 a.m. yesterday [Sunday, May 24] for the tickets, which went on sale at 9:00 a.m. today [Monday, May 25].
"I've grown up with AC/DC its always been part of my life," Pagen Ranger said, something her mother confirmed.
"My children had no choice," Carol said.
"I've been a fan since they started back in the 1970s but I've never had a chance to go to a concert."
Equipped with sleeping bags, chairs and a portable stove, Leanne Fordham and Saxon Green from Crestmead looked more like they were camping in the bush than sitting outside a shopping centre in Brisbane's CBD.
"We came in on Saturday not sure when the queue would start and we slept in the car across the road for the night and then when we saw everyone arrive we came over and joined the queue," Fordham said.
A track-by-track review of the self-titled fourth album from Massachusetts metallers KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, which is scheduled for release on June 30 via Roadrunner Records, has been posted at the web site of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine.
"Killswitch Engage" will feature the following track listing:
01. Never Again 02. Starting Over 03. The Forgotten 04. Reckoning 05. The Return 06. A Light In A Darkened World 07. Take Me Away 08. I Would Do Anything 09. Save Me 10. Lost 11. This Is Goodbye
Bonus tracks (deluxe edition):
12. In A Dead World 13. My Curse [Live] 14. Rose Of Sharyn [Live] 15. Holy Diver [Live]
Disc Two - DVD (deluxe edition):
01. "Making Of" Footage 02. Interviews
The CD was produced by Brendan O'Brien (AC/DC, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE) and co-produced by guitarist Adam Dutkiewicz.
Commented vocalist Howard Jones: "It was time for us to step outside of our comfort zone and try something a little different with this record. It definitely still sounds like us, but we needed to be refreshed and take things a little further."
Regarding the fact that KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's new album is the second self-titled effort of the band's career, Jones said, "When we all couldn’t agree on an album title, someone suggested we just keep it self-titled and we all pretty much agreed…gives it the feeling of a fresh new beginning."
Professionally filmed video footage of KILLSWITCH ENGAGE performing the new song "Light in a Darkened World" at the first annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, which was held on Tuesday, April 7 in Los Angeles, can be viewed below. The song, sandwiched between "My Curse" and the band's uniquely KILLSWITCH'ed cover of DIO's classic anthem "Holy Diver", generated plenty of excitement among the crowd and set the tone for the show. The awards and KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's performance was broadcast on MTV2 on May 2.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE has been playing "Light in a Darkened World" during its set on the Music As A Weapon Tour, where the band is serving as main support to DISTURBED.
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE will spend the summer touring as a main-stage attraction on the second annual Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival.
DEEP PURPLE vocalist Ian Gillan was the featured guest on this weekend's (May 23) edition of "The Classic Metal Show".
You can now listen to the 10-minute chat below.
"The Classic Metal Show" can be heard every Saturday night between 9:00 p.m. EST and 3:00 a.m. EST at www.cmsradio.net.
Gillan's new solo album, "One Eye To Morocco", entered the German Media Control chart at position No. 97. The CD was released on March 31 in North America via Eagle Rock Entertainment.
In Europe, "One Eye To Morocco" is available in the following formats: standard CD, limited-edition CD (details to be announced), 2CD (standard CD + CD single) and 2LP set.
Produced and recorded in Canada with maestro Nick Blagona, the music was written by Ian Gillan together with longtime collaborator Steve Morris, as well as Michael Lee Jackson and Rodney Appleby — who both performed on the "Gillan's Inn" U.S. tour, as featured on the double album/DVD "Live in Anaheim" (released through Edel Entertainment).
Bassist/vocalist Steve Rowe of Australian Christian metallers MORTIFICATION has issued the following update:
"I have had a large number of requests for MORTIFICATION to re-record a bunch of '90s classics. Thus early next year will see the release of MORTIFICATION 'Twenty Years In The Underground'. This coming release will feature five re-recorded MORT classics: 'Nocturnal', 'Grind Planetarium', 'Impulsation', 'Hammer Of God' and 'The Majestic Infiltration Of Order'. This project will be in process in August. The five re-recorded classics will be added to 15 rare live tracks from standout shows in the MORT history: The very first show (June 1990), Lincoln [Bowen, guitar] and Keith's [Bannister, drums] first show (1995) including a rippingly intense rendition of 'Scrolls Of The Megilloth', 'Live Street Mission' work as we performed on the streets of Christchurch City Square New Zealand (1996), Revolution Metal Fest Mexico City (2004) with Spanish Interpretation and Nordic Fest Norway (2007)!"
MORTIFICATION recently completed work on the band's new album, "The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine", which is now available via the group's own Rowe Productions.
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Evil Addiction Destroying Machine 02. A Sense Of Eternity 03. Elasticised Outrage 04. Pushing The Envelope Of The Red Sonrise 05. I'm Not Confused 06. The Master Of Reinvention 07. Pilots Hanging From Shoulder Dust 08. One Man With Courage Makes A Majority 09. Alexander The Metalworker 10. Resurrection Band (A Tribute To Rez)
London, U.K.-based progressive extreme metal band DE PROFUNDIS has signed a licensing deal with Sony BMG Entertainment to release the group's debut album, "Beyond Redemption", in India. The CD, originally self-released by the band in 2007, has gone on to receive international acclaim and has helped DE PROFUNDIS land major festival slots, including MMD Festival 2008 in Athens, Greece and Bloodstock Open Air 2008 in the U.K. In February 2009, DE PROFUNDIS supported IRON MAIDEN at Bangalore's Rock in India festival.
The band writes in a statement: "It was during our stay in India ahead of the Rock in India festival that Sony BMG contacted us with view to releasing our debut album. When we first heard about this, we couldn't believe it! Having spoken to the CEO of Sony Music India, we were impressed by their enthusiasm towards DE PROFUNDIS. All the contracts have now been signed and the album will be launched next month. Initially, the deal will cover India exclusively, where the label feels that they can promote us successfully following our support slot to IRON MAIDEN.
"In an era where illegal downloading is crippling the music industry, we are pleased that labels are still signing extreme metal acts and are very grateful to be given this opportunity to prove ourselves on a major label. We look forward to building a successful relationship with Sony BMG."
DE PROFUNDIS will be returning to India later this year for a full headlining to support the release.
In other news, DE PROFUNDIS will enter the studio on June 5 to start recording the follow-up to "Beyond Redemption", which will be produced by Fernando Pereira (MISANTHROPE, ORAKLE). The new CD will feature "seven epic tracks and will further explore the band's eclectic black, death and doom metal influences," according to a press release. New addition Arran McSporran (SEVEN7) will be recording all the bass tracks on the album.
The band's next confirmed live appearance will be at Romania's Rock City Open Air festival.
"Kissteria", the one-hour KISS tour special produced by the Greif Company (co-producers of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" show), will air on the A&E; network sometime in the fall. A description of the program reads as follows: "For the first time in their 35-year career, rock icons KISS give you an all access pass to the 'Alive 35' Australian tour. When Paul [Stanley] and Gene [Simmons] decide to launch a spontaneous mini-tour with only one week's notice, the entire KISS family must scramble to make it a reality. Malfunctioning pyrotechnics, faulty flying righs and missing drummers are the least of their challenges."
Former CRISIS frontwoman Karyn Crisis is seeking musicians for her new solo band. Drummers, bassists and guitarists in the San Francisco Bay Area who think they are the right people for the project should send links to samples of their playing to karyncrisisband@gmail.com.
KARYN CRISIS BAND is a partnership with Davide Tiso, prolific Italian guitarist and songwriter of extreme metal band EPHEL DUATH, whose music has always explored uncharted territories and pushed the boundaries of what is possible in extreme music during the 11 years of his band's career.
Often mistaken for a duet of a man and a woman, and described as both "angelic and demonic", Karyn challenged the idea of what a female voice could sound like. She was the first female singer in heavy music to boast a voice strong enough to compete in the male-dominated music scene, and the only woman fronting a heavy band touring the U.S. Her unique style was that of a primal scream: borne of a need to express her rage, despair, and inner fire.
Combined with her powerfully physical, dynamic, stage performances, she also challenged the male-dominated metal and hardcore scenes to "think again" about the gender stereotypes of women being the "weaker" sex. And in the early '90s, before Internet and "Headbangers Ball" supported underground metal, bands had to prove themselves and pay their dues show by show, the grassroots way: winning people over in sweaty, often violent, clubs and mosh pits. No managers to book you into huge clubs with security fences; in those days, you had to hold your own and even break a nose or two.
Karyn's primary focus with music is the journey within: facing demons, releasing light, and overcoming the fleshy prison of the earthly body. The live stage has been home for Karyn, where her performances earned her the nickname "Exorsister" as well as a reputation for being emotionally raw, supernaturally powerful, interactive, and intensely physical.
Former WARRANT singer Jani Lane was interviewed on this weekend's edition of the terrestrial version of "The Classic Metal Show".
Listen to the eight-minute chat below.
Lane told "The Johnny Dare Morning Show" on May 18 that has formed a new solo band and is planning on hitting the road this summer.
The group's lineup is as follows:
Jani Lane (WARRANT) - Vocals Keri Kelli (ALICE COOPER, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT)- Guitar James Kottak (SCORPIONS, KINGDOM COME) - Drums Kevin Baldes (LIT) - Bass Shawn Zavodney (WARRANT) - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
WARRANT announced in September 2008 that it was splitting with Jani Lane six months after it first reunited with the troubled vocalist. "From the beginning of our reunion talks to the last note of our last show together in Houston [on August 31 at the Rock The Bayou festival], we have had nothing but good intentions of bringing a quality original WARRANT show to our fans and friends," the band explained in a statement. He has since been replaced by Robert Mason (LYNCH MOB, CRY OF LOVE, BIG COCK).
Resurrected late '80s/early '90s death metallers PESTILENCE have been forced to cancel their appearance at the Maryland Deathfest due to their detainment at the U.S. border.
Upon entering the U.S. and stopping at customs, Patrick Mameli (guitar, vocals) and Patrick Uterwijk (guitar) discovered that the paperwork for their travels, which was sent to them, was not properly completed for the required working visas. Originally they were told all was in order and to proceed on the trip to the U.S.
Mameli and Uterwijk were kept in custody for several hours and sent back to the Netherlands late yesterday.
They spent a total of 44 hours in flights and detainment.
Commented Mameli: "We are extremely sad and disappointed not being able to perform on the Maryland Deathfest. Not having received the proper information on our visa application, we were under the impression that what we received from the securing visas and working permits office was the actual working permits. We were kept under custody by the border security police for four hours trying to do everything in our power to let us pass, but all our efforts failed. They sent us home on the next plane. Hopefully we will be given another chance to perform for you, our fans!"
Quality video footage of PESTILENCE's April 25, 2009 concert at P3 in Purmerend, The Netherlands, can be viewed below (clip shot and uploaded by "letthemetalflow").
The first show of PESTILENCE's current European tour took place on April 9, 2009 at the Inferno festival in Oslo, Norway.
PESTILENCE's latest album, "Resurrection Macabre", was released on March 13 in Europe (April 14 in the U.S.) via Holland's Mascot Records. The band recorded a total of 14 songs during the session at Hansen Studios in Ribe, Denmark — 11 new tracks and three classic PESTILENCE cuts (as chosen by the fans) to be included on the limited-edition first pressing: "Out Of The Body", "Chemo Therapy" and "Lost Souls". Joining guitarist/vocalist Patrick Mameli in PESTILENCE's current recording lineup are Tony Choy (ATHEIST, CYNIC) on bass and Peter Wildoer (DARKANE, NON-HUMAN LEVEL) on drums. Patrick has previously described the band's new material as a modern fusion of "Testimony of the Ancients" (1991) and "Spheres" (1993), but even more technical and brutal.
Check out audio samples on the band's MySpace page.
PESTILENCE 2009 touring lineup:
Patrick Mameli – Guitar, Vocals Patrick Uterwijk - Guitar Tony Choy - Bass Peter Wildoer - Drums
Long-running German death metallers RESURRECTED have been confirmed for the ninth edition of Switzerland's most extreme metal festival, Mountains Of Death, set to take place August 21-22, 2009 in Muotathal, Switzerland.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
ASPHIXATION (DE) BENEATH THE MASSACRE (CA) DEPRESSION (DE) DISAVOWED (NL) DISTORTED IMPALEMENT (NL) FEMALE NOSE BREAKER (CH) FIREBREATHER (CH) HAEMOPHAGIA (ES) HATE ETERNAL (USA) HUMAN MINCER (ES) KASTRATED (UK) KRAANIUM (N) MISERY INDEX (USA) OMOPHAGIA (CH) PSYCROPTIC (AU) RESURRECTED (DE) SACROLYTIC (USA) SCORCH (CH) SEPTYCAL GORGE (I)
RESURRECTED recently completed work on its sixth album, "Fierce", at Soundlodge studios in Rhauderfehn, Germany with Jörk Uken (GOD DETHRONED, OBSCENITY). The band states, "We're overwhelmed by the result. Expect the most varied and vital RESURRECTED album so far embedded in an awesome production including some guest vocals of Christoph Mieves from GRIND INC. At the moment we're looking for a label to release the record but we'll keep you updated!"
The "Fierce" cover artwork was created by Plamen Kolev from Memories From Tomorrow. Songtitles set to appear on the album include "Perverse Consecration", "Divine Masturbation" and a cover version of MORBID ANGEL's "Day Of Suffering".
RESURRECTED's fifth album, "Endless Sea of Loss", was released in October 2006 via Morbid Records. The follow-up to 2003's "Blood Spilled" was recorded at Soundlodge Studio in Germany and was mastered at Megawimp Mastering Studio in Berlin.
Norwegian black metallers MAYHEM, who kicked off the Blackenedfest North American tour this past Thursday (May 21) in New York City, have issued the following update:
"There has been a lot of confusion around the MARDUK [the Swedish black metal band which was supposed to take part in Blackenedfest] situation. They are not playing tonight at the show in Orlando, Florida. What will happen for the future of this tour is currently unknown. We want to stress that MAYHEM has absolutely nothing to do with this situation. We didn't have any information about what is going on at all, there were many different rumors flying around, and unfortunately the only thing we know is that the band is not here. Why? We don't know! Thank you for your patience!"
Blackenedfest also features CEPHALIC CARNAGE, CATTLE DECAPITATION and WITHERED.
MAYHEM recently announced the addition of French guitarist Silmaeth (ex-VORKREIST) to the group's touring lineup. He said in a statement, "It's a great honor for me to join such a legend. My experience with MAYHEM has been extremely positive so far. Within the band, we all have a very good feeling about this new lineup, as the songs have become more solid and intense now with the addition of a second guitar."
MAYHEM's current live formation is as follows:
Attila Csihar: Vocals Necrobutcher (a.k.a. Jørn Stubberud): Bass Hellhammer (a.k.a. Jan Axel Blomberg): Drums Morfeus (a.k.a. Krister Dreyer): Guitar Silmaeth: Guitar
Soundshock.Net has uploaded quality video footage of Norwegian metallers SUSPERIA performing the song "Home Sweet Hell" on May 22, 2009 at the O2 Islington Academy in London, England. Watch the clip below.
SUSPERIA has enlisted Bernt Fjellestad from fellow Norwegian band GUARDIANS OF TIME to stand in for vocalist Athera for the group's current U.K. tour, which kicked off on May 18 in Bideford.
Athera (real name: Pal Mathiesen) successfully underwent open-heart surgery on March 16 at Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. The vocalist was originally scheduled to have a triple bypass operation, but surgeons discovered further problems which resulted in Athera also having a main artery — which previously ran to his lungs — connected directly to his heart.
Athera has been advised by doctors that full recovery will take between three and five months. As a result, the band's previously announced Norwegian dates, which were set for April, have been postponed. The U.K. tour with BREED 77 is going ahead at the insistence of Athera himself, having urged the band not to let their U.K. fans down.
A new SUSPERIA song, "Live My Dream", is available for streaming at this location. The track comes off the band's fifth album, "Attitude", which was released on May 19 via Candlelight Records (one day earlier internationally). The follow-up to 2007's "Cut From Stone" was recorded in Norway and was mixed at Studio Fredman in Sweden. It features guest appearances by Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT) and Shagrath (DIMMU BORGIR).
The track listing for the CD is as follows:
01. The Urge 02. Live My Dream 03. Attitude 04. Elegy And Suffering 05. Sick Bastard 06. Another Turn 07. Mr. Stranger 08. Character Flaw 09. The One After All
An e-card for "Attitude" can be accessed at this location.
Check out the cover artwork below.
SUSPERIA currently includes guitarists Cyrus and Elvorn, bassist Memnock, with drummer Tjodalv and vocalist Athera.
PlanetOut, the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender online community, recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
PlanetOut: Rob, you're such a style icon. How did you first develop what would become the metal "uniform?"
Rob Halford: A lot of it was out of experimentation. As I recall, the whole imagery came out of a song called "Hell Bent for Leather". We had an idea of bringing a motorcycle on stage and it made sense that if I ride a bike, I should wear a biker's jacket. It felt right. Elvis was doing it, and he was Mr. Rock 'n' Roll. It was a tough thing, a macho thing. And we had things around at the time that I felt should be utilized, like our fashion designers at the time, who took a jacket and vest and put studs on them all over the place. The sound was there, loud, brash and aggressive, but the look was not yet in place. That's what's so wonderful about the journey we've been on. Once we established a look, you just looked at yourself in the mirror before going on stage to make sure your fly was zipped. We finally looked like the music sounds, and everyone picked up on it and it became the look.
PlanetOut: Why did you decide to launch an apparel collection [Metal God Apparel]?
Rob Halford: In my golden years I'm looking to fulfill a lot of dreams and ambitions that I still have. One was to be in the world of apparel. I have to confess that I'm not like "The Real Housewives of Orange County" — I'm not in Neiman Marcus every two seconds. But I love fashion. I think it's fun and important, culturally, and I have my eye on that side of the world. Being connected to rock 'n' roll life, I can see how you can go from the roots of cowboy boots and that Ralph Lauren thing to some of the extremely flamboyant displays like the Elvis outfit last night on "American Idol". It's what we're all about. Also, we need to wear clothes, so there's a natural interest to explore that. I've always had fun with costume changes with JUDAS PRIEST and my solo work and I wanted to see what would happen with this new venture. It's just another project with my company; I got my record company up and running, a clothing line about to launch, with even more things on the back burner as we speak. Life is great… I love life… I just wanted to see how much I can get out of it really. And it's a good feeling to have that contact, musically, with people.
PlanetOut: What has been the reaction so far to the clothing collection?
Rob Halford: I've shown designs and samples to my guy friends, and they're always saying, "I'll take six of them, I'll take four of those." It definitely fits the niche for that type of look. So far the reaction has been encouraging, so I'm fingers crossed that when we hit the official launch, it will be successful.
PlanetOut: Do you think that gay audiences will be drawn to these designs?
Rob Halford: I think so. I think the gay community is just as open minded as the rest of society is... but I know what you're saying... A t-shirt is a t-shirt, and in terms of visuals, the gay crowd, as can we, can also relate to it. I think that as long as it's cool and edgy, it's got a place.
PlanetOut: Along those same lines, I love metal, but I rarely meet mo's that are METALLICA heads. So I'm curious, do you think that heavy metal is still a straight man's arena?
Rob Halford: First, I think it's great that you're a metalhead. I also think that we go as far as stereotyping ourselves, like if you're gay, you've got to be into leather or the white party circuit. I don't understand that because we already have a lot of difficulties. At the end of the day, it's freedom of choice, but we shouldn't be pecking away at each other. There's no doubt that there are LGBT metalheads all over world, because I see them throwing up the devil sign at my shows. Yes, we're a minority within a minority, but metal is for everyone. It's a great kind of rock 'n' roll music.
Video footage of the Sumerian thrashing black metal act MELECHESH performing at the SandStorm Festival 2009 on May 2 at Chi club in Dubai, United Arab Emirates can be viewed below. Also appearing on the bill were BILOCATE from Jordan and Lebanese extreme metal band KAOTEON.
MELECHESH is currently immersed in writing sessions for the follow-up to the "Emissaries" album. This will be MELECHESH's fifth full-length effort and first for Nuclear Blast Records. No date is set for the recording but it will not be before the fall.
MELECHESH's second album, "Djinn", originally released in 2001, will be remastered and reissued in a special digipack double CD version. The second (bonus) CD will feature the previously unreleased rare "Mesopotamian Metal" "Djinn" promotional demo made for record labels only and has five of the songs found on the album "Djinn". The promo was recorded in Jerusalem in '98 only a few weeks prior to MELECHESH relocating to Europe and features the original MELECHESH drummer Lord Curse.
MELECHESH's latest album, "Emissaries" — the follow-up to 2003's "Sphynx" — was released January 23, 2007 on Osmose Productions/The End Records.
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