Dutch progressive rock band CIRRHA NIVA has posted a clip of the demo version of the new song "Self-Chosen" on its MySpace page. The track will be re-recorded for the group's new album, which is expected to be laid down this summer for a fall release.
CIRRHA NIVA last year announced the addition of singer Legrand to the group's ranks. The band stated at the time, "[Legrand] learned the songs in only a few weeks and was very convincing while performing them for and with us. It felt good the minute we started playing the first song, it felt so good that we offered him the job right after the audition. Besides learning all the songs we already have written, he can prove himself also in the writing process."
CIRRHA NIVA's last CD, "Liaison de la Morte", was released in 2001.
MOONSPELL members Fernando Ribeiro (vocals) and Ricardo Amorim (guitar) will perform a short acoustic set on the biggest morning radio show on Portugal's national radio on Monday, May 19 beginning at around 7:00 a.m.
To listen to the program, go to www.antena3.pt and then look for "Manhãs da 3."
MOONSPELL's video for the track "Scorpion Flower" can be viewed below. The clip is one of two (along with "Night Eternal") off the group's new album, "Night Eternal", which were shot by Ivan Colic (TYPE O NEGATIVE, SYMPHONY X, HAMMERFALL) in Belgrade, Serbia. Colic previously worked with the group on the "Memorial" video for "Finisterra".
"Night Eternal" is scheduled for release in Europe on May 19 and in the U.S. on June 10 via SPV/Steamhammer. The follow-up to 2006's "Memorial" was recorded at Antfarm studios in Denmark with producer Tue Madsen (THE HAUNTED, DARK TRANQUILLITY, HALFORD).
There will be, at first, two editions of the record: A limited double digipack with different artwork, one bonus track ("Age of Mothers"), a different version of the song "Scorpion Flower", the full album as well as a bonus DVD containing all video clips from "Memorial" plus "Finisterra" "making-of" footage and three live clips from last year's performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Germany; plus the jewel case edition, to which the band hopes to add at least another bonus song.
"Night Eternal" track listing:
01. At Tragic Heights 02. Night Eternal 03. Shadow Sun 04. Scorpion Flower 05. Moon In Mercury 06. Hers Is The Twilight 07. Dreamless (Lucifer And Lilith) 08. Spring Of Rage 09. First Light
Former THE GATHERING and current AGUA DE ANNIQUE vocalist Anneke van Giersbergen makes a guest appearance in the song "Scorpion Flower", singing a duet with MOONSPELL frontman Fernando Ribeiro. All other female choirs were performed by the Crystal Mountain Singers, composed of Carmen Simões (AVA INFERI), Sophia Vieira (CINEMUERTE) and Patrícia Andrade (ex-VOLSTAD, now in THE VANITY CHAIR). Niclas Etelävuori of AMORPHIS played bass on the album, which features artwork by Seth Siro Anton (PARADISE LOST, SEPTIC FLESH). Band photography was handled by Edgar Keats.
Video footage of the Los Angeles industrial rock act OPIATE FOR THE MASSES performing at the Snitch club in New York City in April 2008 can be viewed at www.metalmachine.net.
"Burn You Down", the new single from OPIATE FOR THE MASSES, can be heard now via the latest Century Media Records podcast at this location. The track comes off the band's new album, "Manifesto", due on July 8, 2008. A video for the song was recently shot in Burbank, California with director David Brodsky (HELMET, ALL AMERICAN REJECTS, THE RED CHORD, 12 TRIBES).
OPIATE FOR THE MASSES will head out on the road with FILTER starting on May 20 in Atlanta, GA.
OPIATE FOR THE MASSES created a solid buzz and diehard fanbase with its self-produced debut album, "The Spore", backed by a slew of major tours alongside AVENGED SEVENFOLD, DISTURBED, MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and STATIC-X, among countless others. They were also a featured act on the inaugural Taste of Chaos tour.
Tennessee's THE SHOWDOWN has finished recording its third full-length album, "Back Breaker", due later in the year. According to a posting on the band's MySpace page, the mixing sessions for the effort will commence tomorrow (Tuesday, May 13).
Back in May 2007, THE SHOWDOWN filmed the video for the song "Temptation Come My Way" with accomplished music video director Doug Spangenberg, who has worked with NORMA JEAN, THIS IS HELL, TERROR and LAMB OF GOD.
THE SHOWDOWN was named one of AP's "100 Bands You Need To Know" In '07, and was profiled as a "Band To Watch" in Revolver magazine.
Watch footage from the recording sessions in Nasvhille, Tennessee below.
A brand new three-minute video clip of METALLICA in the studio laying down tracks for the band's much-anticipated ninth full-length album with producer Rick Rubin can be viewed below.
One day after a "beta" version of the site went live — only to be shut down a short time later — METALLICA has launched MissionMetallica.com to offer fans a wealth of exclusive content and teasers of new songs.
Fans who sign up will be eligible to "win backstage passes to every show this summer," among other special offers, according to Billboard.com.
"Mission: Metallica" also has a "platinum" level, entitling fans to a copy of the new album delivered on street date, weekly "fly-on-the-wall" video clips, contests to travel to shows and/or METALLICA's San Francisco compound, live show downloads, ringtones and more.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told a Los Angeles radio station last Monday (May 5), "We thought, instead of doing the usual DVDs and all that, why don't we just do it on the Internet and people can kind of tune in every day, watch clips, contests, get updates for what's going on with the record and kind of watch the last couple of months of song titles, album titles, final mixes...So it's kind of a little bit of a countdown type of thing. It should be fun." Ulrich also told the station, "Knock on wood, this week should be our last week in the studio," adding that the group expects to get its ninth album out in September.
Headbanger's Blog has posted the first set of interviews with DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy and guitarist John Petrucci about the origins of the band's Progressive Nation festival, the groups on the bill, DREAM THEATER's upcoming DVD their longevity as the band and much, more more. Watch the first of two days of interviews below.
As previously reported, DREAM THEATER recently recorded a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "To Tame a Land" for a forthcoming MAIDEN tribute album that is being released via Britain's Kerrang! magazine. No further details are currently available.
DREAM THEATER's first-ever best-of collection, "Greatest Hit (…& 21 Other Pretty Songs)", was released through Rhino on April 1 at all physical retail outlets and www.rhino.com for a suggested retail price of $19.98 and at all digital retail outlets for a suggested retail price of $12.99. The collection contains three newly remixed versions of tracks from DREAM THEATER's breakout 1992 album, "Images And Words": "Pull Me Under" as well as "Take The Time" and "Another Day". The collection's 22 songs are split evenly between two discs, which are divided into "The Dark Side" (the metallic) and "The Light Side" (the melodic).
ENEMY REIGN, the band featuring Sherwood Webber (formerly of SKINLESS) and members of DEADSPEAK, has just entered Dave Otero's Flatline Audio (CEPHALIC CARNAGE, MARTRIDEN) to begin recording debut EP, "Means to a Dead End".
When asked what fans can expect to hear, Webber commented: "This band fucking pounds, I can't wait to deliver this EP! It's monumentally heavy with all the essential elements to make it dynamic and unique."
Songtitles set to appear on the EP include "Abuse", "Throw Myself To The Wolves", "Command", "Isolate" and "Means To A Dead End".
For more information and studio updates, visit the band's MySpace page.
According to D.X. Ferris of the Cleveland Scene, YEARS OF FIRE has reunited. The Cleveland all-star brute-metal masters have a new singer, Kris Heming, and have posted new material at www.myspace.com/yearsoffire. The band is being guided by LaMafia, CHIMAIRA bassist Jim LaMarca's management company.
YEARS returned to action on Saturday, May 10, at Peabody's, opening for former MUSHROOMHEAD frontman Jason "J. Mann" Popson's PITCH BLACK FORECAST.
Dutch thrashers ESCADRON will release their new album, "Tide of the Fallen", on June 6. The CD was mixed and mastered by Jochem Jacobs of TEXTURES and features the following track listing:
01. No Soul Shall Hide 02. Road Of Vengeance 03. My Demise 04. Tide Of The Fallen 05. Blindfolded 06. Second Nature 07. Demonic Wisdom 08. A Headless Carnival 09. Sworn Defeated
Check out the album's opening cut on the band's MySpace page.
ESCADRON's official CD-release party will take place on June 6 at Het Bolwerk in Sneek, Holland. Also scheduled to appear are THE BLACKEST GREY, MANU ARMATA and SUDDEN ACCESS.
DEF LEPPARD drummer Rick Allen is offering the chance to meet him backstage before the band's concert in select UK cities during the month of June. The winner, plus one guest, will get the chance to chat with Rick, take photos, and get autographs before the show. All proceeds from this drive will be donated to Rick's Raven Drum Foundation and their Trauma & Resiliency Program, a comprehensive project for veterans and survivors of trauma which uses drumming as a healing tool.
The Raven Drum Foundation was founded in 2001 by Rick Allen and Lauren Monroe, a musician and healing practitioner, in order to educate, support, and empower trauma survivors.
Each online ticket costs $10.00 USD. There is no limit to the amount of tickets you may purchase. The more you buy, the better your chances are of winning! There will only be ONE winner chosen so don't miss out! Purchase your online ticket by going to Ravendrum.org. The drive closes on June 8 at 12 noon (PST). Only one winner will be selected. Once the winner is selected, he/she will be contacted directly and asked to select his/her city. There will be one winner, one city.
Participating cities include the following:
June 16 - Glasgow June 18 - Birgmingham June 20 - Manchester June 21 - Belfast July 14 - Wales July 24 - Newcastle July 15 - Liverpool July 17 - Nottingham
There are no meet-and-greets available for London and Sheffield.
Please go to www.ravendrum.org or call (310) 779-5836 for additional information.
Mediaskare Records has pushed back the release date of "Death Is Swallowed In Victory", the debut album from Tucson, Arizona's A BREATH BEFORE SURFACING, to July 22 from the previously announced May 27. Produced by Zack Ohren (AS BLOOD RUNS BLACK, ALL SHALL PERISH), the CD features 11 tracks, including "Cosmetic Abomination", "A Night In Terror Tower" and "Disharmony Among Choirs", which can be heard on the band's MySpace page.
A BREATH BEFORE SURFACING is currently on the road with WITH DEAD HANDS RISING.
Finnish melodic heavy metal band FALCHION will release its new album, "Chronicles of the Death", on September 12 via Massacre Records. The CD was recorded at Adamantium Studios in Tampere and features nine tracks with a running time of around 47 minutes. The album was mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Helsinki.
"Chronicles of the Death" track listing:
01. Primitive Again 02. Chronicles of the Dead 03. Shadows in the Wasteland 04. Kingdom of Dust 05. Desert Breeze 06. Shades of Gray 07. Dying Dreams 08. Mayhem Machine 09. Evolution in Reverse
Audio samples from the album are available on the band's MySpace page.
Eric Tucker of The Associated Press reports that several foam manufacturers have agreed to pay $30 million to settle lawsuits brought by survivors and family members of those who died in a 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100 people, according to court papers filed Monday.
The foam companies that agreed to settle include Leggett & Platt Inc. based in Carthage, Mo., Wm. T. Burnett & Co. based in Baltimore and several others.
More than $100 million has now been offered to victims of the Feb. 20, 2003, fire at the Station nightclub in West Warwick from several companies, including past settlements with Home Depot, Clear Channel Broadcasting and fireworks makers.
Umeå, Sweden-based band ÆTHEREAL, the brainchild of Phil Creswell (ex-DUMAH), has posted an unmixed version of the song "White Room" on its MySpace page. The track comes off ÆTHEREAL's full-length debut, which is scheduled for release this summer through Black Goat Records. Entitled "Premonitions", the album will consist of 10 tracks and upwards of 55 minutes of progressive death metal.
"Premonitions" track listing:
01. A Coming Storm 02. Premonitions 03. Haunted by Visions 04. Suicide Hymn 05. The Dark Apostle 06. Mendicant 07. Motion Blur 08. Dancing in Blood 09. White Room 10. A Bitter Taste
ÆTHEREAL is currently seeking musicians for upcoming live performances.
INSANIA, ARAKAIN and TRANSLUNARIA are among the artists that were honored at this year's Razor Awards, recognizing the best Czech metal, rock and hardcore albums of the year.
A concert and award presentation took place in Brno, Czech Republic for the second time in a row, this time in the Melodka Club on May 3, 2008. Over sixty journalists from both print (Spark, Rock a pop, Report) and online (Abysszine, Metalopolis, Payo) magazines focusing on metal, hardcore and rock music cast a ballot in the poll.
The award for the "Best Recording Of The Year" went to crossover act INSANIA for its "Rock'n'Freud" CD while DYING PASSION ("Relief") and SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION ("Chain-Driven Sunset") were the runner-ups.
Redblack (the label to which both the winner and the runner-up of the "Album of the Year" are signed) was once again named "Company of the Year", while the expanding Brutal Assault was once again voted "Festival of the Year".
The award for "Video of the Year" went to Czech metallers ARAKIAN for their anniversary DVD "XXV Eden". The "Debut of the Year" category saw LIVEEVIL and prog-deathers TRANSLUNARIA sharing the award for "Arctangel" and "Beyond the Astral Misanthropy", respectively. The "Best Special Edition Album" award also went to two bands: LVMEN and TÖRR.
The seventh edition of the Razor Awards saw the introduction of specialized hardcore categories with GUIDED CRADLE's "You Will Not Survive" snatching the "Hardcore Album of the Year" award. The Prague-based band GNU and Silver Rocket label/promoter were handed out the Special Mention for a lasting alternative contribution to music.
For a complete list of nominees and winners, go to this location.
A photo report from the ceremony is available here.
Dutch metallers MAGNACULT have posted video footage from the band's recent dates with DEVILDRIVER. The six-minute clip, which can be viewed below, was shot at the Rockhal Club in Luxembourg.
"The shows with DEVILDRIVER were amazing," says bassist Spit. "The audience was crazy and really got into our songs during the shows, which resulted in moshpits and walls-of-death. Adds singer Sebastiaan, "We had a blast opening and partying with DEVILDRIVER on this three-date tour."
MAGNACULT will headline the Nerve Breakdown Fest at the Hall of Fame in Tilburg, Netherlands, on May 24.
MAGNACULT's debut album, "Synoré", was released in May 2007 via Rusty Cage Records. The CD was produced by the band themselves along with Jochem Jacobs (TEXTURES) and Bouke Visser and was mixed and mastered at the Split Second Sound Studio.
Musically the MAGNACULT members are influenced by many different bands, ranging from modern metal to death metal and beyond. "We always like to challenge ourselves with what we do," said guitarist D. "Putting the ladder a step higher every time and pushing you to the limits every day again. Come up with weird counts but not to confusing and most important still keeping the groove in the songs. That was where we were aiming for while writing the material."
NORMA JEAN — now in the studio with producer Ross Robinson (SLIPKNOT, THE CURE, DEFTONES, AT THE DRIVE IN, GLASSJAW) and engineer Ryan Boesch — will deliver their fourth album, "The Anti Mother" late this summer on indie Solid State Records. For a few of the album's songs, the band wrote in collaboration separately with Page Hamilton of HELMET and Chino Moreno of DEFTONES.
"The Anti Mother" marks the follow-up to the Atlanta-based post hardcore group's critically lauded 2006 "Redeemer" album. Fans will get to experience the new CD live this summer when NORMA JEAN — Cory Brandan (vocals), Scottie Henry (guitars), Jake Schultz (bass), Chris Day (guitars) and Chris Raines (drums) — hit the road as one of the headlining main-stage acts on the Vans Warped Tour '08.
"The Anti Mother is a character we created which represents anything that is deceptive, and yet possesses an outwardly beautiful nature," lead singer Cory Brandan says of the album title and theme. Musically, he points out "this record is the most melodic album we've ever created, but it's definitely the heaviest record NORMA JEAN has done as well — and furious at that.”
The spirit of collaboration highlights "The Anti Mother". "We were able to work with Page and Chino on two separate occasions, and as two of our biggest influences musically, it was definitely a moment having them here in the studio." Cory notes, "Page came to our practice space and for the first hour he was just showing us cool guitar chords, teaching us new things technically. The song we wrote with him is heavy as crap and full of energy — you'll notice his influence. For Chino, the writing was more impulsive. We were already in pre-production with Ross, but the song we wrote with Chino came out so diverse and anti-traditional. Chino ended up hanging out for a few days and we wrote two songs with him." Adds Cory: "Many bands have guest vocalists on their records, but we were inspired by the idea of collaborative songwriting with some of our favorite musicians. In a collaboration, no one is beyond reproach, and there is always something we can learn and someone to learn it from."
Karaoke From Hell is a concept where you can sing your favorite metal songs with a live band on stage. Concept mastermind and host is Anders Odden (CADAVER, APOPTYGMA BERZERK, MAGENTA, CELTIC FROST)
Karaoke From Hell is held every week at Club Maiden in Oslo and many famous artists from the Norwegian metal scene have gotten up on stage with Karaoke From Hell, including Abbath, Maniac and Obsidian C.
The clip below contains a "wonderful" duet by Gothminster and Happy Tom (TURBONEGRO) singing SLAYER's "South of Heaven".
Who said the metal scene in Norway had no sense of humor?
M.A.N, the group formed out of the ashes of Sweden's TRANSPORT LEAGUE (featuring former MNEMIC frontman Tony Jelencovich), has scheduled the following dates:
May 23 - Belsepub - Gothenburg, Sweden May 31 - GGs - Uddevalla, Sweden
M.A.N filmed a video for the song "?" during the band's March 31 concert at Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden
"My Own Sickness", the new single from M.A.N, is available for free download at this location. The track, which features a guest appearance by Burton C. Bell of FEAR FACTORY and ACENSION OF THE WATCHERS, comes off the group's sophomore album, "Peacenemy", which was released in Europe on March 14 (April in North America) via Tief Druck Musik. The CD was recorded at Grand Recordings in Gothenburg, Sweden with producer/engineer Svein Jensen and was mastered by Göran Finnberg at Mastering Room.
According to a posting on KISS' official web site, the four members of KISS put their hands and autographs in cement last night (Sunday, May 11) before the band's show in Munich, Germany, to be included on the Munich Olympic Walk of Stars.
Famous national and international personalities from sports, music and entertainment have been immortalized or will immortalize themselves with their hand or footprint in concrete and then find their place in the MOWOS in the Olympic Park.
A pre-condition for being immortalized in the Walk of Stars is that the personalities have been successful in the Olympic stadium, hall, swimming centre or ice sports centre or have done something special for the Olympic Park.
According to People.com, former VELVET REVOLVER singer Scott Weiland checked into a Van Nuys, Calif., jail on Monday (May 12) to serve eight days for a second DUI conviction.
The STONE TEMPLE PILOTS frontman surrendered at 8:55 a.m., according to the sheriff's inmate web site.
Weiland was sentenced on April 28 to 192 hours in jail for a November 2007 DUI in Los Angeles. The singer also received four years' probation, was fined $2,000, and was ordered to take part in an 18-month alcohol program. He was potentially looking at a year behind bars for DUI with a prior conviction. At the time of his November arrest, Weiland had just finished a previous three-year-probation for a 2004 DUI arrested. He declined to take a chemical test after the November incident. He was booked and released after posting $40,000 bail, subsequently checking into a rehab facility in February.
Weiland told satellite shock jock Howard Stern last month that he is working on his second solo album with producer Steve Albini for a November release. Weiland was joined on the call by NO DOUBT drummer Adrian Young, who is also playing on the record. A release date and title have yet to be revealed. Weiland's first solo effort, "12 Bar Blues", was issued in 1998.
Weiland, who was dismissed from VELVET REVOLVER on April 1, has reunited with STONE TEMPLE PILOTS for a lengthy spring and summer tour, beginning at Columbus, Ohio's Rock on the Range festival on May 17.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS has tentative plans to enter the studio later this year once they're done with their mammoth summer reunion tour, but fans shouldn't expect to hear any new material in the upcoming trek's live set list. Bassist Robert DeLeo told The Pulse of Radio that the group plans to reacquaint itself and its fans with STP's previous five albums first. "I think new material will come probably after this tour, but I think getting back to the things that got us together, the songs and the material and the reasons we got together in the first place, I think, is a strong place to start, and just make this something that is enjoyable for everyone," he said. "Enjoyable for us, enjoyable for the fans, enjoyable for people that are coming to the show."
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS officially announced their reunion with a private performance for about 350 people last month at the Houdini Mansion in Los Angeles. The event might be released as part of a DVD.
Former STRATOVARIUS mainman Timo Tolkki has posted another song from his new band, REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE, on the group's MySpace page. Check out the track "I Did It My Way" at this location.
REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE's current lineup also includes Brazilian drummer Bruno Agra and keyboardist Mike Khalilov.
The band's debut album, "New Era", will be released on June 6 via Frontiers Records. According to a press release, the CD "is a masterpiece of melodic power metal, taking the listener straight back to the 'Visions'-era STRATOVARIUS. In fact, 'New Era' is the album that was meant to be the next STRATOVARIUS album.
"Timo called a few friends for the recording sessions and the album features all the lead vocals from such legends as Michael Kiske [HELLOWEEN] and Tobias Sammet [EDGUY, AVANTASIA], along with Timo's blistering lead guitar lines and melodic power metal anthems that made him one of the pioneers of the style and trademark performers of the style. REVOLUTION RENAISSANCE witnesses a rebirth, a new era for Timo Tolkki and his music."
Other musicians that reportedly appear on "New Era" include Pasi Rantanen (vocals; THUNDERSTONE), Mirka Rantanen (drums; THUNDERSTONE) and Pasi Heikkilä (bass; 45 DEGREE WOMAN).
"Revolution Renaissance" track listing (singer of each song listed next to its title):
01. Heroes (Sammet) 02. I Did It My Way (Kiske) 03. We Are Magic (Rantanen) 04. Angel (Kiske) 05. Eden Is Burning (Rantanen) 06. Glorious And Divine (Sammet) 07. Born Upon The Cross (Rantanen) 08. Keep The Flame Alive (Kiske) 09. Last Night On Earth (Kiske) 10. Revolution Renaissance (Kiske)
Vocalist Mike Andersson of the Swedish metal band CLOUDSCAPE has been invited by KWTF The Edge Internet radio to host a two-hour show where he will play songs by bands that have influenced him as a musician, artists he has grown up listening to, and some of his current favorites. Mike also promises to have a nice little "surprise" in his show so, make sure to tune in this Friday, May 16 at 10:00 p.m. CST at www.kwtfworldwide.com and choose the player that fits your needs.
CLOUDSCAPE's third album, entitled "Global Drama", will be released in August/September. 12 songs were recorded for the CD, which will be "the most varied and interesting album by CLOUDSCAPE so far," according to the band. "It contains a few really hard and raw metal songs and there will also be a few more atmospheric and dynamic songs progressively spiced."
The album was produced by Pontus Lindmark and recorded at RoastingHouse Studios in Malmö, Sweden.
CLOUDSCAPE's sophomore CD, "Crimson Skies", was released in the U.S. in July 2006 via Nightmare Records. Artwork for the album was created by Mattias Norén.
CLOUDSCAPE has been confirmed for this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, set to take place August 15-17, 2008 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England.
Former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony has revealed in a posting on his web site that he is currently collaborating with ex-VAN HALEN singer Sammy Hagar and "a couple of good friends" on a new project. "It is going to be totally KICK-ASS!!" says Anthony.
Anthony told Billboard.com last October that he's not going out of his way to keep tabs on VAN HALEN's current reunion tour with singer David Lee Roth. He admitted that he was "bummed out for a little bit" after being booted from the band — and especially after he was temporarily replaced from album cover images on the group's web site — but that he's largely over it.
"I'm totally fine with it now 'cause it is what it is," Anthony explained. "There's no use dwelling on it or whining about it. The fans know the band. They know what we've done, and I'm really proud of the history of the band. But I'm focusing on having fun and doing what Sam [Sammy Hagar] and I are out doing right now. As long as I keep that perspective on it, that's good."
Former BUCKCHERRY members Jonathon Brightman (J.B.) (bass), Yogi Lonich (guitar; also of CHRIS CORNELL) and Devon Glenn (drums) have formed a new band called BLACK ROBOT. They went into the studio last month to record the new album which is expected to be released this summer. Also included in the lineup are Huck Johns and Dave Cobb. Their musical influences are said to be AC/DC, THE BLACK CROWES and LED ZEPPELIN. The new album was produced by Dave Cobb, with JB executive-producing.
BUCKCHERRY entered the studio on Thursday (May 8) to begin recording its fourth album and the follow-up to its million-selling 2006 comeback effort, "15".
The band has yet to announce a title or release date for the new album.
BUCKCHERRY released "15" just over two years ago, beginning a comeback that saw the band play 300 shows, sell over one million copies of the record, and earn five hit singles after being all but defunct five years ago.
One day after a "beta" version of the site went live — only to be shut down a short time later — METALLICA has launched MissionMetallica.com to offer fans a wealth of exclusive content and teasers of new songs.
According to Billboard.com, a preview clip — which can be viewed below — shows the band recording and clowning around in the studio. Fans who sign up will be eligible to "win backstage passes to every show this summer," among other special offers.
"Mission: Metallica" also has a "platinum" level, entitling fans to a copy of the new album delivered on street date, weekly "fly-on-the-wall" video clips, contests to travel to shows and/or METALLICA's San Francisco compound, live show downloads, ringtones and more.
METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich told a Los Angeles radio station last Monday (May 5), "We thought, instead of doing the usual DVDs and all that, why don't we just do it on the Internet and people can kind of tune in every day, watch clips, contests, get updates for what's going on with the record and kind of watch the last couple of months of song titles, album titles, final mixes...So it's kind of a little bit of a countdown type of thing. It should be fun." Ulrich also told the station, "Knock on wood, this week should be our last week in the studio," adding that the group expects to get its ninth album out in September.
METALLICA will top the bill for the annual "Weenie Roast" festival sponsored by Los Angeles radio station KROQ-FM. The show, scheduled for May 17 at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, California, will also feature sets from THE OFFSPRING, THE RACONTEURS, RISE AGAINST, PENNYWISE, THE BRAVERY, SEETHER, SCARS ON BROADWAY and more.
Ulrich said that fans can expect to hear new material "about five minutes after we finish playing it — thanks to the Internet," although he did not say how soon the band will begin playing some new songs live.
There has been much speculation as of late to the status of DIVINE HERESY, but rest assured that the band has regrouped in time for the start of the "Tyranny and Bloodshred Tour", which kicked off a few days ago. Fans in attendance will get a first look at the group's new touring vocalist — Jake Veredika, former lead singer of the Maryland-based metal band PERIPHERY — and DIVINE HERESY promises to deliver a stellar and unrelenting set.
Commented guitarist Dino Cazares: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. While we sincerely regret having to cancel our New England Metal and Hardcore Festival performance, Joe [Payne, bass], Tim [Yeung, drums] and I are excited about what the future holds for DIVINE HERESY and can't wait to get back on the road. We wouldn't miss this tour for anything. Thanks to all our fans for keeping the faith, but now it's time to let the music do the talking. Please come by the merch booth each night to say hello and we look forward to seeing all of you soon."
A crushing new video clip featuring Dino and Tim jamming on the track "Soul Decoded" can be viewed below. Stay tuned for new "Master Class" series featuring instructional video lessons from Cazares and Yeung.
Veredika came into Assembly Line Studios (RAVEN, DECEASED, PROJECT: FAILING FLESH) in Vienna, Virginia last Wednesday (May 7) to record a demo version of DIVINE HERESY's "Savior Self" to submit to the group for its consideration. He completed the recording around 3:00 p.m., the demo was e-mailed off, and by 6:00 p.m. he had the gig! Kevin 131 of Assembly Line Studios tells BLABBERMOUTH.NET, "We have known Jake for awhile... he records here from time to time. He shows up with a DIVINE HERESY demo and gets in a session with Ben [McCall; engineer] in the afternoon. Three hours later, he gets a thumbs-up for the tour! It feels like a 'Ripper' Owens/'Rock Star' moment around here. Ha! We wish Jake the best of luck on the rest of the DIVINE HERESY tour. Glad to be a part of the process for ya."
While a possibility exists that Veredika will join DIVINE HERESY as the permanent replacement for Cummings, guitarist Dino Cazares (ex-FEAR FACTORY) told BLABBERMOUTH.NET that the band won't make that decision until after its current "Tyranny And Bloodshred 2008" North American tour with ARCH ENEMY, DARK TRANQUILLITY and FIREWIND wraps at the end of May.
Tommy Cummings' videotaped statement regarding his departure from DIVINE HERESY and the response from the remaining members of the group can be found at this location.
DIVINE HERESY's debut album, "Bleed the Fifth", has sold more than 20,000 copies in the United States since its August 2007 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD was released in Japan with an exclusive bonus track, "Purity Defiled".
Jordanian dark oriental metallers BILOCATE have unveiled the cover artwork for their forthcoming album, "Sudden Death Syndrome", at this location. The artwork was designed by Dennis Sibeijn, who has previously worked with such bands as DRACONIAN, CHIMAIRA and ABORTED.
Commented vocalist Ramzi Essayed: "During the mixing stage, we were working in parallel together with Dennis on the artwork idea and layout. It's ready now with the magnificent work of Dennis. He truly reflected the album spirit and concepts. A special thanks to him from BILOCATE for his efforts and support."
"Sudden Death Syndrome" was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studio in Sweden with producer Jens Bogren (OPETH, KATATONIA, BLOODBATH, AMON AMARTH, SYMPHONY X, PARADISE LOST)
The track listing for the effort is as follows:
01. Humans And The Dark Affiliation 02. Blooded Forest 03. The Dead Sea 04. Ebtehal 05. Inoculate 06. Pure Wicked Sins 07. The Stone of Hate
The song "The Dead Sea" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page.
Bogren previously stated about BILOCATE: "BILOCATE takes the qualities from the best epic death metal bands and blend it with their very own Middle Eastern touch, and out comes one of the most interesting metal bands I've heard for a long time You can hear that they put effort and thought in to every note and every scream!"
BILOCATE's Ramzi Essayed recorded the vocals for the new CD at the In the Mix studios with Nash Planojevic, who is known for his work as a monitor engineer for IRON MAIDEN and SAXON. Stated Nash: "Refreshing, promising and definitely most tight project I ever done so far here in Dubai. On the other hand definitely most demanding task, guys know exactly what they want and that's the way to be!!! Looking forward together with Jens and guys from BILOCATE to open new horizons for the music coming from the region, and proof the fact that the good music lays deep down under the remains of Petra and sand dunes of futuristic Dubai!"
ENGEL — the Gothenburg, Sweden-based quintet featuring guitarists Marcus Sunesson (ex-THE CROWN) and Niclas Engelin (PASSENGER, ex-GARDENIAN, IN FLAMES), drummer Mojjo (RELEVANT FEW, DRACENA), vocalist Mangan Klavborn, and bassist Michael Håkansson (ex-EVERGREY) — will support SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian on June 11 at Train in Aarhus, Denmark.
Upcoming ENGEL shows:
May 25 - Gothenburg, SWE @ Superrock (Trädgår) (w/ DREAM EVIL, THUNDER EXPRESS) May 29 - Stockholm, SWE @ Gröna Lund (w/ IN FLAMES) Jun. 08 - Århus, DEN @ Train (w/ SERJ TANKIAN)
"Absolute Design", the debut album from ENGEL will receive its long-awaited U.S. release on May 20 via SPV/Steamhammer.
IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén helped his old friend Niclas (both played together in PASSENGER) record demos and assisted in the production of the CD at Dug-Out Studios in Uppsala with Daniel Bergstrand (producer of IN FLAMES, MESHUGGAH).
ENGEL's video for the song "Casket Closing", which was recently filmed in Belgrade, Serbia with Rock The Nation, can be viewed below.
Massachusetts' THE ACACIA STRAIN will release its fourth studio record, "Continent", on August 19 via Prosthetic Records. The CD was recorded at Planet Z studio with producer Zeuss (HATEBREED, SHADOWS FALL, MUNICIPAL WASTE) and features artwork by Paul Romano (MASTODON, THE RED CHORD, TRIVIUM), who previously worked with THE ACACIA STRAIN on 2006's "The Dead Walk".
THE ACACIA STRAIN is bringing the onslaught to the road and to the fans, headlining the Sun Your Bunz tour, with dates running from May 30 to June 29. Nuclear Blast's ALL SHALL PERISH and fellow Massachusetts hardcore masters SINCE THE FLOOD will provide support on the tour, with select dates also featuring THE WARRIORS (May 30 to June 13) and ETERNAL LORD (June 13 to the end of the tour).
Confirmed dates are as follows:
May 30 - Club Infinity, Williamsville, NY Jun. 01 - The Ritz - Warren, MI Jun. 02 - Reggie’s Rock Club - Chicago, IL Jun. 03 - Triple Rock Social Club - Minneapolis, MN Jun. 05 - Aquarium - Fargo, ND Jun. 06 - Sokol Underground - Omaha, NE Jun. 07 - Marquis Theatre - Denver, CO Jun. 09 - The Venue - Boise, ID Jun. 10 - The Boulevard - Spokane,WA Jun. 11 - Studio Seven - Seattle, WA Jun. 12 - Satyricon - Portland, OR Jun. 13 - The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA Jun. 14 - Chain Reaction - Anaheim, CA Jun. 15 - Hudson Theatre - San Bernardino, CA Jun. 16 – Jerry's Pizza - Bakersfield, CA Jun. 18 - The Rock (AZ) - Tucson, AZ Jun. 19 - Las Cruces Live - Las Cruces, NM Jun. 20 - Red 7 - Austin, TX Jun. 21 - Fat Daddy's Sound Shack - Lewisville, TX Jun. 22 - Crush Lounge - Tulsa, OK Jun. 24 - The Muse - Nashville, TN Jun. 25 - Music Farm - Charleston, SC Jun. 26 - KC's Music Alley - Fredericksburg, VA Jun. 27 - Champion Ship - Lemoyne, PA Jun. 28 - Starland Ballroom - Infest- Sayreville, NJ Jun. 29 - The Waterfront - Holyoke, MA (shooting new DVD)
HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with THE ACACIA STRAIN frontman Vincent Bennett on March 24, 2008 while the band was in Montreal, Quebec as part of a four-day tour of Eastern Canada.
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