Producer extraordinaire Nick Raskulinecz (DEATH ANGEL, TRIVIUM, RUSH, SHADOWS FALL) has started a new shoe company called Hooves Footwear. Hooves Footwear has partnered with Gravis Footwear to design to create a premium, limited-edition, core metal shoe. Hooves' first signature shoe, The Beast, is limited edition and will be released on June 1.
The goal of Hooves Footwear is to supply bands and other metalheads with a new shoe that fits the lifestyle, and to promote the metal scene and metal music as a whole.
"We wanted to create a show that fit the metal lifestyle," says Raskulinecz. "We've always had to borrow from others when it came to comfortable sneakers. It just wasn't right. Back in the '80s it was the black-and-red Air Jordans. Then there were the Pumas, the Vans, the Converse — I mean, we rocked them, and these brands are all great in their own ways, but nothing had the total package, nothing screamed metal!"
The Beast is a black-leather, bad-ass high top that embodies the dark, evil nature of the metal lifestyle to its core. With a deep red pentagram lining, a skeletal blood stained insole and the Hooves mantra embroidered on the tongue tag, these shoes personify metal.
The Beast from Hooves Footwear is scheduled for delivery in June 2008 at a select group of core retailers and online at Hoovesarmy.com.
Hooves will celebrate the release of The Beast with a launch party in the Los Angeles area on May 24.
The second episode of the SPV USA podcast is now available. The podcast is hosted by "Freeman" and it features music, news, tour dates and more, from all the artists in the SPV and InsideOut family. This episode features KING'S X, WHITESNAKE, TYPE O NEGATIVE, ENGEL, DEMIANS, and much more. The next podcasts will be focused on individual artists and their albums, where SPV will feature interviews with the artists, and will play entire cuts off the album.
American documentary photographer Peter Beste will hold a photo exhibition from May 9 to June 7 at Steven Kasher Gallery in New York City. The show is curated by Johan Kugelberg and is not to be missed.
The opening reception and book signing is scheduled for May 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Peter Beste's book "True Norwegian Black Metal", his will be issued on May 15 via Vice Books.
In the last two decades a bizarre and violent musical subculture called black metal has emerged in Norway. It has its roots in a heady blend of splatter movies, heavy metal music, Satanism, Pagan mythology and adolescent angst. In the early-mid 1990s, members of this extremist underground committed murder, burned down medieval wooden churches, and desecrated graveyards. What started as juvenile frenzy came to symbolize the start of a war against Christianity, a return to the worship of the ancient Norse gods, and the complete rejection of mainstream society.
Peter Beste has spent the last eight years working in the milieu of this insulated and secretive community. Beste's access and insight has been absolutely without precedent, resulting in an amazing photographic journey. Beste has earned the respect and trust of this impenetrable, suspicious and often elitist community. With each visit Beste saw more, photographed more and eventually accumulated enough material for this book. "True Norwegian Black Metal" is a visual testimonial to this subculture. Peter Beste and editor Johan Kugelberg have created a unique photographic narrative that explores black metal from a truly visceral perspective.
With extensive contributions from the personal archive of Jon "Metalion" Kristiansen, publisher of the original Norwegian black metal publication Slayer magazine, a unique opportunity is here presented to see original artifacts and ephemera from this secluded rock community, and to read accounts of these events in the words of the people who were actually there at the time.
"True Norwegian Black Metal" offers confrontational live performance photographs of a savage subculture set alongside the stark beauty and natural allure of a landscape often shrouded in darkness.
The book is comprised of:
* 160 pages of photographs of the following bands/individuals: Nocturno Culto and Fenriz of DARKTHRONE; Necrobutcher, Hellhammer, Blasphemer, and Maniac of MAYHEM; Samoth of EMPEROR; Frost of SATYRICON; ENSLAVED; Abbath of IMMORTAL; Gaahl, Infernus, King, and Kvitrafn of GORGOROTH; Nattefrost of CARPATHIAN FOREST; 1349; DIMMU BORGIR; ILDJARN; AURA NOIR; and many more
* Essay by authors and Jon "Metalion" Kristiansen, publisher of the original Norwegian black metal publication Slayer magazine, including 32 pages of original artifacts, photographs, ephemera, and personal accounts by black metal's key figures from Krisiansen's personal archive."
The finals of "America's Hot Musician", the reality competition for instrumental artists which features ex-KITTIE bassist Talena Atfield as one of the judges, will air on Lifetime Real Women on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 20 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Producers also just announced that rising comedian Vic Christian, who has been featured on Comedy Central and BET, will co-host the finals, which will be taped before a live studio audience on June 13, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. at the George Washington University Betts Marvin Theatre in Washington, D.C.
"America's Hot Musician" has aired as a weekly webcast/podcast on its web site and on iTunes.
National Symphony violinist Marissa Regni and Duke Ellington Orchestra alum Gregory Charles Royal round out the judging panel.
The Pulse of Radio reports that DISTURBED frontman David Draiman has expressed the band's frustration at not being able to preview new songs from their forthcoming album, "Indestructible", due to contractual obligations. He told Rolling Stone's "Rock & Roll Daily" blog, "Isn't that horrible, how things have become? It would be really nice to see how a crowd reacts to the new songs early on, but there's too much dependency on that first week sales number and you can't sacrifice any of the impact of that."
With leaked tracks becoming commonplace, the band's label has nixed all but a few of the songs from the June 3 release for live consumption. The band is currently performing "Perfect Insanity", "Inside the Fire", a new-to-live-audiences b-side called "Hell", and the live debut of "This Moment", their "Transformers" soundtrack tune.
The tour, which kicked off on Saturday (April 26) in Little Rock, Arkansas, hits smaller venues and markets. "It's going to be very intimate. We're going to try to make it special," Draiman said, adding, "It also enables us to get back to grassroots. This is who we are. We started as a small club band. It's a different type of energy."
The band will join SLIPKNOT, MASTODON, MACHINE HEAD and others on the Rockstar Mayhem Energy Tour, which begins on July 9 at Seattle, Washington's White River Amphitheatre and wraps in Buffalo, New York at the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center.
Metalzone.gr has posted video footage of Irish dark metal masters PRIMORDIAL performing on April 13, 2008 at Underworld in Athens, Greece. Watch the clip below.
A review of the concert — which also featured appearances by MAEL MORDA and DEAD CONGREGATION — can be found at Metalzone.gr.
PRIMORDIAL's latest album, "To the Nameless Dead", was released in November 2007 on Metal Blade Records.
BLOODBATH recently spent time at Park Studio in Stockholm recording its as-yet-untitled third full-length album. According to the band, the new material "[is] definately taking off where we left with 'Unblessing The Purity'. The material represents nothing but hateful brutality, so there's surely a lot of speed countered with heavy groove. Riff-wise, we're playing a lot with dissonant harmonies for that feverish possessed feeling, but we also brought back the whole melodic yet haunting 'bee-swarming' theme concept from the past albums to represent the classic sound, so there's definately gonna be a good deal of variety on here which we hope to pack together in the most crushing production yet."
BLOODBATH's live CD/DVD digipack, entitled "The Wacken Carnage", was released on April 21 via Peaceville. The elegantly brutal artwork was created by Travis Smith.
Peaceville Records' has launched a mini-site for the release of "Unblessing The Purity", the latest mini-CD from BLOODBATH — where you can hear exclusive audio previews of all four songs.
"Unblessing The Purity" came out on March 10 through Peaceville.
BLOODBATH 2008 is:
Mikael Åkerfeldt - Vocals Anders "Blakkheim" Nyström - Guitar Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson - Guitar Jonas Renkse - Bass Martin "Axe" Axenrot – Drums
Check out a photo of the new lineup at this location.
OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt previously stated about his return to BLOODBATH, "I was slightly 'talked into' coming back but I certainly don't regret it now. Obviously I am busy all the time, both with my family and OPETH, so don't hold your breath for any massively extensive tours, BUT, I do believe we'll do the occasional gigs when the time is right. I was asked to sing on a four-track release the other guys been working with entitled 'Unblessing the Purity' and I have to say it's the best fucking death metal I've heard since 'Domination', and I'm not even counting my own involvement. I just basically did what they wanted me to and it sounds really good!"
Justin of Boston.tv conducted an interview with members of MINISTRY's touring lineup prior to the band's April 27, 2008 concert at the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival at the Palladium in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Watch the three-minute clip below.
MINISTRY's final world tour — C U LaTouR — kicked off March 25 in Spokane, WA. The trek features special guests MESHUGGAH and opening act HEMLOCK.
Al Jourgensen enlisted the help of some of metal's finest for MINISTRY AND CO-CONSPIRATORS' "Cover Up". Released on April 1, the album features covers of some of rock music's absolute classics — from the likes of DEEP PURPLE, T.REX, ZZ TOP, THE DOORS, MOUNTAIN, BOB DYLAN, THE ROLLING STONES, and more. Joining Al for the ride is MINISTRY and REVOLTING COCKS guitarist Sin Quirin, FEAR FACTORY frontman Burton C. Bell, REVOLTING COCKS' Josh Bradford, PRONG vocalist Thomas Victor, and the Hell Paso Mosh Choir. Additional Co-Conspirators include the late Paul Raven, Tony Campos and Wayne Static of STATIC-X, and ECHOES AND SHADOWS' Edu Mussi and Plastilina Mosh.
OSKOREI, the San Francisco Bay Area metal band featuring Cody Souza — the 17-year-old son of former EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza — on bass, is putting the finishing touches on a new three-song demo with producer Vincent Wojno (TESTAMENT, MACHINE HEAD, KREATOR). The tracks being recorded are "The Furious Horde", "Breaking the Shield Wall" and "The Final Litany".
OSKOREI — which means "the furious horde" — was founded in 2003 by band leader Blake Peterson and his drummer Corey Lee. At the time they were 16- and 17-year-old high school students (respectively) from Walnut Creek. By 2005, the band had its sound and direction well in hand.
A friend of the band's father grew up with a certain Bay Area thrash metal legend and he promised them to arrange a meeting with Steve "Zetro" Souza. Zetro really liked what he saw, but more importantly, was impressed with what he heard. He decided to take this band under his wing, to help them along, to do whatever he could with his knowledge, contacts, and motivation. At first he got them a couple of shows, then he got VIO-LENCE soundman Mike Anderson to help them record a self-titled demo. When the band started looking for a new bass player, Steve suggested his own son, Cody Souza. The band tried Cody out, and he earned his current spot with his own talent.
OSKOREI is:
Blake Peterson – Vocals, Guitar Corey Lee - Drums Alex Beck - Guitar Cody Souza – Bass
Legendary rocker Ted Nugent has a special message for a few Democrats in this video (see below) that has surfaced on LiveLeak and YouTube. (If you know where and when this clip originally aired, please post it in the comments section.)
As previously reported, Ted Nugent recently shot some of his scenes for the upcoming movie from singer Toby Keith, "Beer For My Horses", in New Mexico. The movie follows the exploits of small town deputies and best friends as they defy the local sheriff by embarking on an outrageous road trip to save a girlfriend from drug lord kidnappers.
Nugent plays a character named Skunk Tarver. In an article for the Waco Tribune-Herald, he wrote, "Old Skunk is an uppity, defiant, long-haired, over-the-top rock 'n' roll deputy sheriff in Jackson County, Oklahoma, who loves bowhunting and guns. He will do whatever is necessary to keep Jackson County safe from criminal danger." Nugent added, "Willie Nelson returns as a traveling gypsy circus operator and more familiar Hollywood star actors like Tom Skerritt, Claire Forlani and Barry Corbin bring some magical moments to the screen."
The rocker got involved with the project after getting a call from his pal Keith, who's working on the flick with songwriter/comedian Rodney Carrington. "Beer For My Horses" is due out later this year.
Nugent is also eying a TV project. He recently met with New Mexico governor Bill Richardson to talk about creating a "special Ted Nugent'Spirit of New Mexico' outdoors show." Nugent explained, "In fact, the governor and I are working with his departments of tourism, game and fish, and economic development."
Danish metallers VOLBEAT have released the following statement:
"As you all could read on various websites, VOLBEAT were invited to be part of the IN FLAMES European tour this fall.
"It was a great honor to be asked to share stage with these guys. We are very thankful but in the last days we decided not to do this tour, 'cause of different terms/teasons which not benefits the band the right way.
"We know that is was a great opportunity, but we felt like we need to do it on our own and not on terms of other people. We need to promote the upcoming record in the best way for us right now. So don't be disappointed because we are working on our own tour for 2008 right now.You will get 100% VOLBEAT instead of 50%.
"Watch out for the dates and we hope to see and meet you all during the festival season."
VOLBEAT recently completed work on its third album, "Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood", for a September release. The CD was recorded at Hansen studio in Ribe, Denmark with producer Jacob Hansen and contains 13 songs, seven of which share a common lyrical theme that will also be incorporated into the LP's artwork.
According to the band, "Guitar Gangsters & Cadillac Blood" will include a cover of HANK WILLIAMS' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", and will feature an as-yet-undisclosed guest vocalist on the song "Mary Ann's Place", which continues the story of "Danny & Lucy", "Fire Song" and "Mr and Mrs Ness" from VOLBEAT's previous albums . The Danish limited edition of the CD will include a cover of KITTY WELLS' "Making Belive", which was inspired by SOCIAL DISTORTION's version of the same track.
Commented vocalist Michael Poulsen: "This is without no doubt the strongest songs we ever wrote — well, untill we release album No. 4, ha ha. Hey, what else are we supposed to say? But hey, WE MEAN IT. There will be different kind of surprises on the album, but we still sound 100% like VOLBEAT. Producer Jacob Hansen did a great job again and also did some backing vocals on some of the songs. As always, we don't try to brand ourself in one special music style; you can hear all our inspirations from different kind of music such as punk rock, heavy rock, country, metal, rock 'n' roll, pop rock, blues, gospel, garage and bla bla bla :-) We can't wait to get on the road and play the new songs for you all. We thank our listeners and fans once again for your support and inspiration. See ya on the road very soon."
"The Strength, The Sound, The Songs", the debut album from Danish metallers VOLBEAT, has been certified gold in Denmark for sales in excess of 20,000 copies. The CD in 2006 became the first Danish heavy rock release in over 10 years to break the national Top 20.
VOLBEAT's sophomore album, "Rock the Rebel / Metal the Devil", entered the Danish chart at No. 1 upon its release in late February 2007 and stayed in the Top 5 for three months. The LP was certified platinum in Denmark for sales in excess of 30,000 copies. According to the band, this marks the first time a Danish metal album has sold platinum in Denmark.
"Rock The Rebel / Metal The Devil" will be released in the U.S. on June 10.
Swedish/German extreme metallers ARCH ENEMY have just triumphantly finished off a string of high-profile, partly sold-out headline dates in Europe which saw them debut in Russia, then visit The Netherlands, France, Belgium and end up with four massive shows as part of the "Defenders Of The Faith" tour in the UK with OPETH, DEVILDRIVER and 3 INCHES OF BLOOD. Playing a packed and passionate show in front of a 4,500 people crowd in London's legendary Brixton Academy on Saturday marked a highlight as well as a perfect ending for the successful run of dates.
"I Will Live Again", the brand-new video from ARCH ENEMY, can be viewed below. The clip was directed by Patric Ullaeus, who previously worked with the group on the "Revolution Begins" video.
ARCH ENEMY will make its much-anticipated return to North America in May with what could well be hailed as one of the best guitar-shredder packages of the year. This headlining tour, presented by ESP Guitars, Randall Amps, Guitar World and Revolver magazine, dubbed "Tyranny And Bloodshred 2008", takes off on May 10 and features ARCH ENEMY alongside DARK TRANQUILITY, DIVINE HERESY and FIREWIND.
ARCH ENEMY won the P3 Guld award for the band's critically acclaimed "Rise of the Tyrant" release from Swedish radio station P3 in the "Best Rock/Metal Album of the Year" category. The awards show was broadcasted live on national radio on January 18.
The album was released through SPV/Steamhammer in Germany on April 18, the rest of Europe on April 21 and it came out in North America on April 22. In addition to the regular jewel-case version, a limited-edition two-disc set contains an extra CD in a cardboard sleeve, as well as a poster, photocard and sticker.
WHITESNAKE mainman David Coverdale was recently interviewed on "Live at Five with Ken Dashow" on New York's Q104.3 FM. Coverdale spoke about a number of topics, including the band's new album, "Good To Be Bad", and the LED ZEPPELIN reunion.
Listen to the interview in streaming audio at this location.
Los Angeles metal veterans ARMORED SAINT will play Mexico for the first time ever on May 31 at Circo Volador in Mexico City. Support at the gig will come from FUELED BY FIRE, STRIKEMASTER and VOLTAX.
The ARMORED SAINT show will kick off a great week for Mexican ANTHRAX fans who will be able to see two of the band's former vocalists perform on the same stage, though five days apart — ARMORED SAINT (featuring John Bush) on May 31 and Joey Belladonna (with his solo band BELLADONNA) on June 5 (also at Circo Volador).
ARMORED SAINT has been confirmed for this year's Rocklahoma festival, which will be held July 10-13, 2008 at the Catch The Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor, Oklahoma. SAINT will play on Friday, July 11 on the main stage alongside KINGDOM COME, NIGHT RANGER, EXTREME and the original lineup of TRIUMPH.
ARMORED SAINT's last CD, "Revelation", came out in 2000 on the Metal Blade label.
Watch fan-filmed video footage of ARMORED SAINT performing at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, California on June 18, 2006:.
Southern California technical death metallers RECIPROCAL have issued the following update:
"RECIPROCAL is proud to announce that Jeff Hughhell (ex-BRAIN DRILL) will be performing alongside the band at our upcoming show at The Black Castle in Los Angeles on May 31 as well and providing bass tracks for our upcoming self-titled debut, due out on Unique Leader later this year."
The band will enter the studio in August 2008 with producer Michael Keene (THE FACELESS, BORN OF OSIRIS) to begin recording its full-length CD.
RECIPROCAL was formed in January 2007 when ex-GATEKEEPER vocalist Jacob Enfinger and former WILLOW WISP guitarist Andy McLeod joined forces with ex-CRUSHING SKULLS guitarist Alex Crescioni and former GRIMFIST drummer Dustin Perle.
Danish extreme metal band PANZERCHRIST has officially unveiled its new lineup, which — as previously reported — includes new drummer Morten Løwe Sørensen (THE ARCANE ORDER, SUBMISSION, SLUGS) and a vocalist presently only known as "Johnny."
Says the group: "We are also announcing that we are changing from being a studio-only band, to become a live band too. When we play live, and when the next CD is ready is still very [to be announced]."
PANZERCHRIST's latest album, "Battalion Beast", was released in August 2006 via Neurotic Records. The band recorded the drums, guitars and bass for "Battalion Beast" at Smart N' Hard studio with Jacob Bredahl (HATESPHERE) during February/March 2006. Vocals and keyboard were recorded by Ziggy at Zigsound. The latter was also responsible for mixing and mastering the album.
Veteran San Francisco Bay Area metallers SKINLAB have scheduled an in-store signing session at FYE-Sam Goody (1450 Ala Moana Blvd Ste 1049) in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, May 2 between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. The band will perform later that night at The Pipeline Café in Honolulul.
SKINLAB is scheduled to relase its new live album, "SkinnedAlive!", today (April 29) via BCD Music Group. The CD was recorded on June 3, 2007 at The Metro in Oakland, California.
A track from the LP, "Slave the Way", can be heard on the band's MySpace page.
01. Intro 02. So Far From The Truth 03. Excellerate 04. Slave The Way 05. Second Skin 06. When Pain Comes To Surface 07. Dissolve 08. Scapegoat 09. No Sympathy For The Devil 10. Paleface 11. Know Your Enemies 12. Face Of Aggression
SKINLAB's 1997 debut album, "Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded", was reissued on October 2, 2007 via Century Media Records. The repackaged disc features never-before-seen video footage and pictures with liner notes from founding members Steev Esquivel and Mike Roberts along with new artwork layout.
SKINLAB has set "Now That You're One of Us" as the title of its upcoming DVD.
SKINLAB's last studio album, "ReVolting Room", came out in 2002. A double-disc set, entitled "Nerve Damage", featuring alternate versions of studio tracks, several live tracks recorded on the band's "ReVolting Room" tour, plus two new songs, came out in 2004.
Bob Suehs of Rock N Roll Experience recently conducted an interview with FEAR FACTORY/ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS frontman and current MINISTRY touring singer Burton C. Bell. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow:
Rock N Roll Experience: Is this really MINISTRY's last tour?
Burton Bell: Yup!
Rock N Roll Experience: Not even a one-off show here or there?
Burton: No dude, he's (Al Jourgensen) done, he's done, and some fans have just got to let it go. Nothing lasts forever, but think of it as a new beginning for Al. MINISTRY is ending, but Al is doing some new stuff. He's talking about finishing off LARD with one more LARD record and finishing up PAILHEAD with one more PAILHEAD record, but he's gonna do soundtracks, working with his label, so he's still gonna be doing music, but MINISTRY is done and he's done. He's been doing it for almost 30 years...
Rock N Roll Experience: But Ozzy Osbourne said that too!
Burton: Al has more conviction than Ozzy.
Rock N Roll Experience: You don't think Al will get the urge to get back onstage again?
Burton: Nope...I sincerely believe that he is talking from his heart when he says that he is done. I say more power to it.
Rock N Roll Experience: As a MINISTRY fan though, aren't you a little bummed?
Burton: No, because I'm still working with him. (laughs) You know, some things must end. Sorry, Ozzy, he's writing shitty music. (laughs)
Rock N Roll Experience: But it's all about Zakk Wylde when it comes to Ozzy music for me.
Burton: I'm sorry... it sucks! That last song I heard from Ozzy just blew!
Rock N Roll Experience: You didn't like "I Don't Wanna Stop" from Ozzy?
Burton: Nahhhhh. Come on, dude!
Rock N Roll Experience: I liked what Zakk Wylde did on that song.
Burton: I don't know... I think it was just weak (laughs), but that's just my opinion and my opinion doesn't really mean anything.
Rock N Roll Experience: So what is going on with FEAR FACTORY?
Burton: Nothing.
Rock N Roll Experience: Is FEAR FACTORY over with?
Burton: We're taking some time off to figure some shit out. I ve been doing FEAR FACTORY for 17 years and I need to do something different for a while and everything comes to an end at some point.
Rock N Roll Experience: You were speaking recently with Dino [Cazares, former FEAR FACTORY guitarist]. Is there any chance you'll play with him again?
Burton: Dino and I were friends way before FEAR FACTORY, so he came to the L.A. [MINISTRY] show because Tony [Campos] is in ASESINO [with Dino], so they are friends and he showed up backstage and there he was and I said, "Hey," and it was like two old friends but I'm not talking any business with him. It felt good; it was cool.
Rock N Roll Experience: Did you see the last MINISTRY tour with Joey Jordison [SLIPKNOT] on drums?
Burton: Yeah, that was OK. He's (Joey Jordison) an OK drummer.
Rock N Roll Experience: Come on, Joey Jordison was good!
Burton: He's sloppy! Aaron [Rossi, current MINISTRY touring drummer] is way better! He's (Joey) good for SLIPKNOT, you know, but...I think Aaron is way better, he's tighter, he's more consistent.
Rock N Roll Experience: Have you ever met any rockstars who were a**holes?
Burton: A LOT! (laughs) Honestly, Chino [Moreno] from the DEFTONES. I remember, we toured with the DEFTONES and that guy never talked… I tried to go talking to that guy and he never talked to me, I even went up to him backstage after one of his shows in L.A. and I just tried to talk to him and he was like [does a shrugged off impression].
Rock N Roll Experience: It was probably drugs.
Burton: Or he's just a dick! But, he was always a dick to me... I'm probably talking way too much. Can I say this? I'm gonna erase this (points to mini-disc recorder) right now. (laughs)
Rock N Roll Experience: If you don't want me to use any of this interview, I won't...let me know
Burton: Well, I'm not lying, so... I'm telling the truth, so if he (Chino) tries to deny it, I'm like, well, "Fuck you." I'll never see him again anyway! I've met a lot of cool people on this current tour...I got to meet some of my heroes like Jello Biafra, got to meet Ogre, got to meet Billy Gibbons.
MAN RAZE, the newly formed rock outfit featuring Phil Collen of DEF LEPPARD, Simon Laffy from GIRL and Paul Cook of THE SEX PISTOLS, will release its full-length album, "Surreal", in North America on June 3 via VH1/Fontana South Records.
Mixing the raw energy of the PISTOLS mixed with the immaculate pop rock of DEF LEPPARD, MAN RAZE is a unique clash of '70s simplicity with '80s excess, punk clubs with stadium rock.
"The fun part about MAN RAZE is that musically we can go off in any direction from rock to alternative the next," said Phil Collen.
With regards to the band's sound, Collen — who also handles lead vocals — told Rolling Stone magazine, "It's a mix. We go from really hard rock, with obviously big guitars, to dub. I was always into the alternative stuff, a very big fan of THE POLICE. And this is edgy — a lot more aggressive than DEF LEPPARD."
Before joining DEF LEPPARD, London born Phil Collen played in GIRL, who were one of the great unsung U.K. rock acts of the early 80’s (singer Phil Lewis would later front L.A. GUNS — who were at the vanguard of the L.A. sleaze rock scene that eventually produced GUNS N' ROSES). While Phil went on to join DEF LEPPARD he maintained a strong friendship with Simon Laffy, GIRL's bassist. Reconnecting in 2004, and joined by SEX PISTOLS drummer Paul Cook, MAN RAZE was born. Eschewing their illustrious past, the band have spent the past two year getting back to basics, writing and recording — they also played a sold out show at London's Spitz Club and released a limited-edition EP "Skin Crawl" in October 2005 on their own label, Surrealist Records, in the U.K.
The End Records has set a June 24 North America release date for "The Ruiner", the new album from the Brooklyn-based band MADE OUT OF BABIES.
According to a press release, MADE OUT OF BABIES' third album is the band's "most inspired and complex offering to date. While 'The Ruiner' retains the group's trademark ferocious hybrid of PJ HARVEY, JESUS LIZARD, YEAH YEAH YEAHS and BIG BLACK, it also finds the band's musical exploration showcasing something unsettling and unique."
Using photos from exhibits on the evolution of mankind at The Museum of Natural History in New York City, the album artwork was designed by critically acclaimed artist Seldon Hunt (ISIS, PELICAN, THE MELVINS, PEEPING TOM).
You can hear an excerpt of the song "Cooker" at The End Records' official MySpace page.
"The Ruiner" track listing:
01. Cooker 02. Grimace 03. Invisible Ink 04. The Major 05. Buffalo 06. Bunny Boots 07. Stranger 08. Peew 09. How To Get Bigger
"Turn It Up" radio show host Jim Alvino recently interviewed MEGADETH bassist James Lomenzo. James discussed MEGADETH's upcoming schedule, his previous bands and tours, and the possibility of a WHITE LION reunion.
The interview will air today on WSCA 106.1 FM in Portsmouth, NH at 1:00 p.m. EST or via the Internet at www.turnitupshow.com.
"Turn It Up" is a two-hour radio show that focuses on classic hard rock and heavy metal from the '70s and '80s, as well as new and current bands.
The third installment of the U.S. Gigantour — the acclaimed traveling heavy music festival launched in 2005 by MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine — officially launched on April 12 in Denver, Colorado with headliner MEGADETH, Swedish metal band IN FLAMES, Finland's CHILDREN OF BODOM, Arizona's modern extreme act JOB FOR A COWBOY and Oakland, CA heavy power trio HIGH ON FIRE. The 29-date trek will criss-cross North America and is scheduled to wrap May 22 in Phoenix, Arizona.
PLACE VENDOME, the project featuring former HELLOWEEN singer Michael Kiske alongside PINK CREAM 69's Dennis Ward, has commenced work on its second album at Ward's studio in Karlsdorf, Germany. Ward's PINK CREAM 69 bandmate Kosta Zafiriou and Gunther Werno of VANDEN PLAS will also appear on drums and keyboards respectively. This time some of the songs have also been supplied by Ronny Milianowicz (SAINT DEAMON, PRIMAL FEAR), Torsti Spoof (LEVERAGE) and Robert Sall (WORK OF ART). Songtitles set to appear on the CD include "Surrender Your Soul", "Completely Breathless", "A Scene In Reply", "Dancer", "Changes", "Believer", "Streets of Fire", "Follow Me", "I'd Die For You", "Set Me Free" and "Valerie". According to a press release, fans "can expect a follow-up album that will match the brilliance of the debut and will showcase more and more amazing talent in the melodic rock world." A late 2008 release via Frontiers Records is expected.
Mireya Navarro and Jeff Leeds of The New York Times report that Vivid Entertainment plans to release what it says is a film from the vaults of classic rock: a sex film supposedly of Jimi Hendrix.
The film shows a naked man who resembles Hendrix, the guitar legend who died in 1970, wearing a bandanna in his Afro, having sex with two brunettes in a dimly lighted bedroom. His full face appears on screen for only a few seconds, with his eyes closed. In other portions there are flashes of his profile. But his hands, bedecked with rings, roam large on the screen at times. The film has no audio.
NIDRIKE, the Swedish black metal project featuring VANMAKT mainman Gorgoth and Gjallar from SKALD as the main lyric writer, has issued the following update:
"During the summer we will write six songs that will be released on a MCD hopefully in the end of this year. At the moment we're discussing the release with three labels, and I hope to have a signed deal within a couple of weeks. But you never know what happens...
"The album release has been postponed and I don't really know when it will be released by Black Plague Records, but it will be released during this year. So you just have to wait for it."
NIDRIKE recently posted four from "Blodsarv" (Blood Heritage) — "Hädangång", "Thy Will Be Done", "Vånda" and "Nidriket Del II (Fördärv)" — on the group's MySpace page.
"Blodsarv" track listing:
01. Då Solen Svartnar 02. Hädangång 03. På Gudsförgäten Mark 04. Nidriket del I (Dårskap) 05. Your Satan, My Saviour 06. En Renande Storm 07. Vånda 08. Lögnernas Högborg 09. Nidriket del II (Fördärv) 10. Thy Will Be Done 11. Vedergällning
With a phenomenal start to 2008 after the second headlining UK tour as well as their first European headlining run with Century Media labelmates NORTHER, TURISAS have confirmed that they will once again be gracing UK shores after having been confirmed as main support on the fall tour with DRAGONFORCE.
Warlord Nygard had the following to say on the forthcoming tour: "We just made it back from a very successful European tour which included an impressive 13 dates in the UK. We were really surprised how amazing the turnout was, with many of the UK shows selling out, considering we had only played one of the cities before. The crowds were crazy and now we're extremely pleased that we're able to come back in autumn to do it all over again. We’re joining up with DRAGONFORCE on their UK tour and this something we're already hugely looking forward to. We are also extra excited about the shows in Ireland, which will be our first ones on the island that we've been unfortunate enough to miss out on previous tours. As you can imagine, Olli is sharpening his bow already as his one-man mission is about to reach its climax ... All in all, it's going to be a great package no-one should miss out on. Right now we’re just about to head out on a voyage to begin our assault on the U.S. as part of the Paganfest, so we’ll either see you at the summer festivals or in the autumn.”
TURISAS with DRAGONFORCE:
Sep. 26 - Manchester, UK - Academy Sep. 27 - Birmingham, UK - Academy Sep. 28 - Southampton, UK - Guildhall Sep. 30 - Cardiff, UK - University Great Hall Oct. 01 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City Oct. 03 - London, UK - Astoria Oct. 05 - Norwich, UK - UEA Oct. 07 - Leeds, UK - University Oct. 08 - Newcastle, UK - Academy Oct. 10 - Glasgow, UK - Academy Oct. 11 - Belfast, Ireland - Mandela Hall Oct. 12 - Dublin, Ireland - Ambassador Oct. 13 - Cork, Ireland - Savoy Theatre
SWORN ENEMY, ALL SHALL PERISH and WARBRINGER have been confirmed for the Joch'n Roll open-air festival, set to take place August 22-23 in Hameln, Germany.
The festival billing is shaping up as follows:
A TRAITOR LIKE JUDAS ADJUDGEMENT ALARM SIGNAL ALL SHALL PERISH ARCHWAY BEFORE I DIE BORN FROM PAIN BULLS EYE CALLEJON COR CREATION INSANE CRUSHING CASPERS DEFY THE LAW OF TRADTION DIE APOCALYPTISCHEN REITER DIE KASSIERER DISTRESSED EMSCHERKURVE 77 FAHNENFLUCHT FALL OF SERENITY FINAL PRAYER FRUSTKILLER FUCKING HISTORY GUTS 'N' GLORY HAUSVABOT HAVE HEART JBO KAMASUTRA 69 KELEWRAH KREFTICH MAROON MISSBRAUCH MOLOTOW SODA PRO-PAIN RAGE SETTLE THE SCORE SHIPWRECK SONDASCHULE SUBTUNE SWORN ENEMY THE CASUALTIES THE SETUP TOXPACK WAR FROM A HARLOTS MOUTH WARBRINGER WATERDOWN WILDE ZEITEN ZERO MENTALITY ZORNICH
FEAR FACTORY's Christian Olde Wolbers will produce the vocals, alongside Markus Johansson, on the debut album from ASYLUM, the Illinois-based project featuring Markus Johansson (lead vocals, lead guitar) and Johnny Rox (bass guitar). In addition, ZIMMERS HOLE vocalist "The Heathen" will record guest vocals on the bonus track, a cover of VAN HALEN's "Get Up". Also contributing to the CD are Kevin Talley (DAATH, ex-CHIMAIRA, DYING FETUS, MISERY INDEX), Gene Hoglan (DETHKLOK, ZIMMERS HOLE, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), Larry Tarnowski (ex-ICED EARTH), David Shankle (MANOWAR, DSG), Andy LaRocque (KING DIAMOND), Michael Angelo Batio (NITRO, MAB) and Roland Grapow (HELLOWEEN, MASTERPLAN).
Accompanied by Talley and Tarnowski, Johansson and Rox began recording the debut ASYLUM album in May 2006. By October of 2006, Gene Hoglan made a guest appearance, ripping up the drums on the "Get Up" cover. Brendon Small of DETHKLOK and "Metalocalypse" fame also contributed a guest guitar solo to the same song.
ASYLUM's debut album is being engineered by Grammy nominee Bob "Doc" Pucci. In addition, the CD will be mixed by Grammy nominee Ulrich Wild, best known for his mixing/engineering work with PANTERA and WHITE ZOMBIE. The CD will be mastered by Tom Baker, who has worked with bands like NINE INCH NAILS, MARILYN MANSON, MÖTLEY CRÜE, WHITE ZOMBIE and VELVET REVOLVER.
ASYLUM is currently unsigned and looking for label representation.
Fan-filmed video footage of SONATA ARCTICA performing the songs "Replica" and "Black Sheep" at The Garage in Glasgow, Scotland on Wednesday, April 23 can be viewed below.
Quality photos of SONATA ARCTICA and their support act PAGAN'S MIND have been posted on Noizz Eater magazine's web site.
SONATA ARCTICA's setlist was shaped as follows:
01. Intro 02. In Black And White 03. Paid In Full 04. Kingdom For A Heart 05. Replica 06. 8th Commandement 07. Shamandalie 08. Caleb 09. Black Sheep 10. The Worlds Forgotten, The Words Forbidden 11. Wolf & Raven 12. Fullmoon -------------------- 13. It Won't Fade 14. Gravenimage 15. Don't Say A Word 16. The Cage 17. Vodkaa (Hava Nagila)
SONATA ARCTICA will support NIGHTWISH on its fall 2008 U.S. tour. Tickets are on sale now exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until May 10, at which point they will be made available through all normal ticketing systems.
Sweden's THE HELLACOPTERS — the band fronted by former ENTOMBED drummer Nicke Andersson (on guitar/vocals) — has issued the following statement:
"If you haven't noticed yet, our new album, 'Head Off', is comprised of songs we didn't write ourselves. But before you scream, 'Oh no, a cover album!,' let's just clear a few things up.
"The idea for this record dates back about two years. We thought it'd be great to record an album of more or less contemporary songs that are too good to be left unheard. We know that the state of rock 'n' roll have seen better days but the fact is that there are shitloads of great bands with equally great songs out there. Guess you just have to dig a little. Songs that could and SHOULD be on the charts all over the world. But as you all know, the world is far from a perfect place. We're not saying that by recording these songs we'll put them on any charts or anything but maybe, just maybe, a few more people will get to know these gems and their origins.
"Anyway, we selected about 50 tunes that we think kick ass and eventually and carefully narrowed 'em down to about 20. We wound up chosing the songs that sounded like they were written for us — by us even — and ended up with an album that's one hundred percent THE HELLACOPTERS. In other words, it's not a case of 'Hey, we don't have any songs — let's just record a bunch of covers and get it over with.'
"The decision to break up the band was obviously made after we recorded and mixed the album. That decision has nothing to do with the 'concept' of 'Head Off'. It just happened to be our last studio album and we hope you'll like it.
"Why the secrecy? Well, by not announcing that we're releasing a 'cover album,' rather than just a new album – which is how we see it – we're trying to avoid any preconceived ideas people might get about it. We basically want people to listen to the album for what it really is: our new album. Period."
"Head Off" track listing (including name of original artist):
01. Electrocute (DEMONS) 02. Midnight Angels (THE PEEPSHOWS) 03. (I'm) Watching You (THE HUMPERS) 04. No Salvation (THE TURPENTINES) 05. In The Sign Of The Octopus (THE ROBOTS) 06. Veronica Lake (NEW BOMB TURKS) 07. Another Turn (THE MAHARAJAS) 08. I Just Don't Know About Girls (ASTEROID B-612) 09. Rescue (DEAD MOON) 10. Throttle Bottom (GAZA STRIPPERS) 11. Making Up For Lost Time (THE BELLRAYS) 12. Darling Darling (THE ROYAL CREAM) 13. Straight Until Morning (POWDER MONKEYS) 14. Acid Reign (THE YES-MEN)
"Head Off" last week entered the Swedish national chart at position No. 4. The album was released in Sweden on April 18 via Wild Kingdom on CD, LP and a limited CD/vinyl deluxe combo version. The CD was once again produced by Chips Kiesby (THE NOMADS, SATOR, THE TURPENTINES) and mixed by Henryk Lipp.
European festival appearances will follow during the summer, and a final headlining run will take place in the fall.
THE HELLACOPTERS was the featured musical guest on the "Nyhetsmorgon" program on Sweden's TV4's on March 20. Watch the band's performance at TV4.se:
"In the Sign of the Octopus": Video "Same Lame Story": Video
A video for the song "In the Sign of the Octopus" — which is featured on "Head Off" — can be viewed below.
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