Hopeless Recs To Release Ronen Kauffman Book

Ronen Kauffman, writer, radio host and vocalist for Zombie Apocalypse is taking his cultural commentary to paperback with his upcoming project, New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye: Bands, Dirty Basements, and the Search for Self. Hopeless Records will be releasing the book in summer 2007. This book is just the latest project in Ronen’s vast writing career, which includes frequent appearances in Alternative Press, AMP Magazine, Outburn, Punknews.org and many others.

New Brunswick, New Jersey, Goodbye is a memoir set against the New Brunswick, NJ punk and hardcore scene of the mid/late 90's. More than just an engaging personal account, it’s a story about personal growth, coming of age, and the real power of punk and hardcore. Gain an insider's look at a truly influential underground movement.

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Rock Star Supernova Perform On CD USA

Rock Star Supernova's performance on CD USA on New Year's Eve featured 'Underdog', 'Leave The Lights On', 'Headspin', 'Can't Bring Myself To Light This Fuse', and 'Be Yourself (And 5 Other Cliches)'. You can watch the performances and an interview at boredandgorgeous.com.

In related news, Rock Star Supernova frontman Lukas Rossi was videotaped accepting a gold record plaque for Canadian sales of the band's self-titled debut album at the SonyBMG Canada offices. You can watch footage here.

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Dimebag's Murder Story To Be Covered In Book

MJS Music Publications has set a February 2007 publication date for "A Vulgar Display Of Power: Courage And Carnage At The Alrosa Villa" (cover), a new book by author Chris A. The official book description follows:

On December 8th, 1980, a lone gunman took the life of John Lennon, one of rock 'n' roll's most iconic personalities. Almost to the minute, 24 years later, heavy metal's most beloved guitarist, Dimebag Darrell Abbott, was tragically murdered while performing at the Alrosa Villa in Columbus Ohio. It was a night filled with tragedy yet offset by exceptional heroism. Jeffrey "Mayhem" Thompson, Erin Halk and Nathan Bray each lost their lives while trying to aid Dimebag and protect the lives of hundreds of people from an armed killing machine. "A Vulgar Display of Power" tells the true story of the events leading up to the tragic murders. It peers into the twisted mind and background of a killer intoxicated by psychotic rage and driven by the voice of the beast inside his head. "A Vulgar Display of Power" attempts to make sense of what appears to be a senseless act. Unlike books that only focus on the evil of the killer or the fruits of the crime, "A Vulgar Display of Power" also extols the inspirational selflessness of those who died trying to help others. Within its pages, readers will meet and experience the lives of Erin Halk, Jeff Thompson, and Nathan Bray. In addition, the book contains a moving tribute to Dimebag Darrell Abbott with contributions from fans, rock stars and friends. Supported by approximately 200 never-before-published personal photographs, and augmented by actual crime scene photos, the lives of those lost and the events of the sad evening of December 8th, 2004 will clearly come into focus. "A Vulgar Display of Power" dispels the myths and presents the complex facts behind the horrific murders at the Alrosa Villa. As tragic as the event was, readers will be left in awe by the courage and compassion demonstrated by so many people.

The actions of the Columbus Police Department, various fire department and rescue squads, plus many of the Alrosa's staff and patron's reflect the selfless courage of humanity even at times of great distress. Written with a focus on taste, class and dignity, readers are sure to close the last page of this masterpiece with seemingly rival emotions of sadness and pride. What is certain is that anyone who reads "A Vulgar Display of Power" will never forget Dimebag Darrell Abbott nor the incredible sacrifices of Nathan Bray, Erin Halk or Jeff Thompson.

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Unofficial Axl Rose Biography Planned

On May 4, Sidgwick and Jackson (an imprint of PanMacmillan Books) will publish "Axl Rose - The Unauthorized Biography" (cover), written by longtime rock journalist Mick Wall, formerly of Kerrang! magazine. The official book description reads as follows:

"Axl Rose is one of rock's most colorful figures and yet his story has never been properly told until now. Mick Wall knew the original line up of GUNS N' ROSES before they were famous and has interviewed them many times. Drawing on exclusive unpublished material, he has written a no-holds-barred study of the troubled life and turbulent career of the group's singer and leader.

"The roots of Axl's behavior lie in his difficult childhood in Indiana — brought up in a strict Pentecostal household Axl claims, he was abused by his father William Rose and as a teen got into trouble with the police. Escaping to L.A., he and his fledgling band struggled to survive until they were signed up by Geffen in 1986. The first album, 'Appetite for Destruction' turned them into stars but the band's decadent lifestyle took its toll — they embarked on a two-year tour that sounded the death knell for the original line-up. As their lives slipped out of control, the original members all left and Axl turned into an increasingly reclusive figure. For the past thirteen years, he has been working on a long-awaited album, 'Chinese Democracy', and finally in 2006 has re-emerged into public view as the latest GUNS N' ROSES line-up embark on a world tour. More...

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Maiden, Tool, Heaven and Hell Rumored For Download

While there's not expected to be any official announcement for a while confirming bands for this year's Download Festival, the latest rumours put the following in the frame: Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, My Chemical Romance, Tool, Heaven And Hell and Machine Head. Tickets for the event, happening at Donington from June 8-10, should go on sale next month.

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Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta Checks In

Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta sent in the following missive...

"Happy New Year everyone! Thanks for a great year. 2007 is looking to be an amazing one for us as well. We are ready to start announcing our world tour plans this month.

"As most of you know we are going to Australia in February and March and after that the rest of the world will follow. We have plans to finally return to Ireland, the smaller cities in the U.K., Greece, Spain, Portugal and many more places we have not been to in a long time as well as places we have never been before like Alaska, Iceland, South Africa, Isreal and other countries.

"Thanks for your continued belief in what we do! You are the most dedicated, supportive and amazing fans a band could possibly have! You are as diehard as they come!!!"

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Gary Holt Announces His Own Instructional DVD

EXODUS guitarist Gary Holt has announced plans to release his first instructional DVD. "Hopefully I will be filming it sometime in January, and I am looking for some input," says Gary. "I am planning on focusing on rhythm technique, some lead chops, and going over the correct way to play some of the EXODUS riffs. I feel there are enough straight-shred things out there, so I want to do something as bit different. And, of course, I will make it funny as hell!"

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Hatesphere Issues Update

Hatesphere have issued the following update:

"Saturday the 27th of January we will do a very special show in Copenhagen, Denmark. The event will take place in the venue Lille Vega, and only very few tickets will be set out for sale. This night we will perform the whole new album live in front of world press and dedicated fans. So if you want to be the first to hear it all, you gotta be quick. Tickets will be available through Billetlugen from the 1st of January! Use the direct link here. Danish people can read the official statement here."

"We hope you wont miss this special opportunity... see you there!!!"

In other news we have named the new album: "Serpent Smiles and Killer Eyes". Be on the look out for it in Europe from April 30th (April 27th in Germany), US- and Japan-release dates will be announced later.

Happy new year everybody!

- HateSphere

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Origin Now on Necrophagist, Misery Index Euro Tour

Kansas-based death metallers ORIGIN have officially been confirmed for the European tour featuring NECROPHAGIST and MISERY INDEX. Credited with having created some of the most challenging and devastating death metal in its three-album career, ORIGIN is an incredible addition to this blistering package as the replacement for COLDWORKER, who had to pull off the trek due to "scheduling conflicts." Dubbed the "Carving Europe's Epitaph Vol. II" tour, the bill is rounded out by BURNING SKIES opening the first half of the tour while U.S. act DISKREET will be opening up the second half of the tour.

For a list of confirmed tour dates, click here.

ORIGIN's third full-length CD, "Echoes of Decomation", was released in March 2005 via Relapse Records.

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Terry Butler Discusses SFU and Denial Fiend

Mark Carras of Rock My Monkey recently conducted an interview with Six Feet Under and Denial Fiend bassist Terry Butler.

Rock My Monkey: How are you doing today, Terry?

Terry Butler: Good. How are you?

Rock My Monkey: Doing great. First off, why don’t you fill everyone in on how Denial Fiend came together, and how long has this band been in the planning stages?

Terry Butler: Okay. Denial Fiend came together actually through another side project earlier who had some of the same band members. Kam Lee, was on there, Sam Williams, myself, and a couple other people. It was more of a like a stoner rock kind of thing, but out of the ashes of that, Denial Fiend came to be. The band’s been in existence for about a year. It’s me, Kam Lee on vocals, Sam Williams guitars, Curtis Beeson on drums. Like I said, it’s been about a year since we’ve been together. There’s about ten songs written. We have a full album’s worth of material. We’re just rehearsing, and writing songs right now.

Rock My Monkey: Cool. Now, you just recently signed a deal with Ibex Moon Records. How did you guys find each other, and why were they the right label to launch Denial Fiend?

Terry Butler: Well, basically, we actually just made a press release that said that we were actually a band in existence. Ibex Moon contacted us right off the bat. They really wanted to work with us. We looked around some, but we just felt that this was the best place for us because it’s a new, up and coming label, and it’s got really good distribution. It’s John McEntee also in Incantation. He really knows the scene. We just felt this would be the best place for us.

Rock My Monkey: Cool. Is that going to get the band full distribution, and how hard will it be for the fans to find the record when it comes out?

Terry Butler: It shouldn’t be very hard at all. It’s got full distribution in Europe and in America. It shouldn’t be a hard thing at all to find.

Read the full article at Rock My Monkey.

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Vile Guitarist Elaborates on Lyrical Direction

Guitarist Colin Davis of the Californian brutal death metallers VILE has issued a follow-up message elaborating on his previous announcement that the group's forthcoming recorded output "will not focus on death anymore":

"A lot of people messaged about this and I really appreciate the thoughts [everyone has] offered. They make me think and I'm glad [they] are helping me to think this through. But let me add a couple comments that might clarify some things.

"[People] are right about how this music is used as a release. I also find it facinating how this process works differently with each person. And I want to say that I am not thinking that this music should not exist, or its 'brutality' in a musical or sonic sense should lessen. What I am thinking is that this music can evolve into something that still allows people to release angst and negativity, but then actually gives something back. Instead of feeding into a negative field, it should be possible to actually channel this but not build it up higher. I also want to say that most people do not know how powerful they are. They have been purposely misled to believe that they have very little power to effect themselves and others. They have been taught that scholars, doctors, religious leaders or political leaders are more capable people. That we should leave the more important matters to them. And that what they say is real or valid, we should believe.

Read the full article at this location.

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Johan Hegg: 'We Keep Going Forward'

Jeffrey Easton of metal-exiles.com recently conducted an interview with Amon Amarth frontman Johan Hegg.

Jeffrey: How is the tour with Children of Bodom going?

Johan: As the support act you never really expect the tremendous response but we have been getting a great reaction.

Jeff: How do you think you are going over with Bodom’s crowd?

Johan: It is kind of weird but I do believe some of their fans like us. I can see why some would not like us but seem to enjoy it and get into it.

Jeff: You have been over here a few times but your biggest fan base is in Europe. What is the difference between touring here in the States and touring in Europe?

Johan: In Europe we can headline, we are not in that position yet. Going on this tour is a big step in the right direction. The crowds are the same everywhere and the venues on this tour are standard to us. The similarities are pretty big.

Jeff: A metal fan is a metal fan everywhere.

Johan: That is true but sometimes American fans go to extreme lengths to talk to you.

Jeff: How is that?

Johan: At one of our stops some fan wanted to talk to me so he waited until I was done with the other fans and all he wanted to do was just hang out with me.

Read the full article at The Metal Exiles.

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Vile's Lyrics Not to Focus On Death Anymore

Guitarist Colin Davis of the Californian brutal death metallers VILE has issued the following update:

"I think that it's time that we all take a good look at what death metal is all about. What is our attraction to this type of music, why do we have it and what influence does it have on us and others?

"Of course, I can only speak for myself, but I think that some of my reasons will resonate with others. For one, I am attracted to the musicianship but also I am attracted to the fact that what we do is rebellious. It's not paid much attention to by the mainstream.

"Why does that matter to me? Well, since I was young I have always felt that there is something wrong with the way people follow what is popular. So in turn, I rebelled against that and devoted my time to something that was shunned. It's a way of expressing personal freedom in a world that is increasingly becoming less able to think and act individually.

"But honestly, I have never been attracted to the gory, bloody aspect of death metal's subject matter. Some of us in this band were indeed attracted to that and VILE has had this included into its personality as a band.

Read the full article at this location.

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Jed Simon Updates on Side Project 'Tenet'

STRAPPING YOUNG LAD guitarist Jed Simon has issued the following announced regarding his TENET project:

"It's announcement time! There are some new faces in the TENET camp. It's my pleasure to introduce them.

"I welcome to the fold Adrian Erlandsson on drums.

"Adrian, as many of you may know, had spent the last seven years with CRADLE OF FILTH. Previous to that he was on the first THE HAUNTED album, 'The Haunted'... Fuck, I love that album, and of course, he played in the mighty, legendary, AT THE GATES.

"Adrian brings an enthusiasm to the table that is infectious. I respect his talent greatly, and after hearing what he has done with some of the demo tracks, I'm beyond excited. Perhaps we'll put some of the demo stuff up with him playing soon, although I may just save it for the album, hehe.

"Of course, you are now wondering why Gene [Hoglan; STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, ex-DARK ANGEL, DEATH] is not playing. I felt that after 10+ years in THE LAD it was time for a fresh start. And to be honest, I really needed to just 'step away' for a bit, and do something completely on my own. None of this reflects on my and Gene's relationship as friends... we will always be thick as thieves. Silly, pranking, metal-loving thieves. He IS my brother for life, as are the other SYL cats. That's about the best way I can explain it without getting too long-winded. OK? OK! More...

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Nightrage Finish Recording New Album

Swedish/Greek death metal outfit NIGHTRAGE have finished the recordings to their upcoming Lifeforce Records debut and 3rd album "A New Disease Is Born", the album contain 11 tracks plus an instrumental and is set to be released on March 9th in Germany and Sweden and on March 12th in the rest of Europe. The U.S. release date is set for April 17th.

Guitarist Marios Iliopoulos about the new album:

"We are ready with the recordings of our new album entitled 'A New Disease Is Born' and without a doubt this is the best NIGHTRAGE allbum so far, we worked really hard to make this as perfect as possible, I´m so glad and satisfied with the new songs because we kept the NIGHTRAGE signature metal sound and have combined with the new ideas that Henric and Jimmie brought into the band, you will be amazed of how great the songs and production turned out, JACOB HANSEN RULES, he did an amazing job on the recordings and production of 'A New Disease Is Born'. Metal on!"

Since NIGHTRAGE was formed in Greece by Marios Iliopoulos and guitar hero Gus G (FIREWIND) many prominent figures of metal such as Tomas Lindberg (ex-AT THE GATES, DISFEAR, THE GREAT DECEIVER), Nicholas Barker (DIMMU BORGIR, CRADLE OF FILTH), Per Möller Jensen (THE HAUNTED) has collaborated with the band, and after a few member changes the line-up is now as strong as their vision of metallic perfection. New vocalist Jimmie Strimell has already created a buzz of being one of the new stars on the death metal firmament and the bone crunching drumming of recently acquired drummer Alex Svenningson is sure to leave none un-amazed. Together with guitarist and founder Marios Iliopoulos and bassist Henric Carlsson, NIGHTRAGE is finally an unquestionable unity and have already proved their worth as an almighty metal machine on tour right up to the recording of “A New Disease is Born.”

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Mors Principium Est Post New Songs On Myspace

Mors Principium Est have added two new songs from their upcoming album, Liberation = Termination, on their Myspace page. Check out "The Oppressed Will Rise" and "Sinners Defeat." Liberation = Termination is set to be released in early 2007. The follow-up to due "The Unborn" is scheduled to be released in early 2007 through Listenable Records. The album was recorded at Astia Studio in Finland and mastered at Imperial Mastering in Concord, CA.

Tracklisting:

01. Orsus
02. The Oppressed Will Rise
03. The Animal Within
04. Finality
05. Cleansing Rain
06. Forgotten
07. Sinners Defeat
08. The Distance Between
09. It Is Done
10. Terminal Liberation
11. Lost Beyond Retrieval

In other news, Mors Principium Est is seeking a new guitarist. For more information, visit their official website at www.morsprincipiumest.com.

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Leaves' Eyes Announce Summer North American Tour

After their very successful North American tour with Blind Guardian, Leaves' Eyes have announced another tour in late summer with Kamelot. Here are the first dates:

Aug. 18 Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance Theatre
Aug. 19 New York, NY - B.B. Kings Blues Club
Aug. 21 Bedford, NH - Mark’s Place (Leaves' Eyes only)
Aug. 22 Montreal, QUE - Medley
Aug. 24 Toronto, ON - Opera House
Aug. 25 Cleveland, OH - Peabody’s
Aug. 27 Mokena, IL - The Pearl Room
Aug. 28 St.Paul, MN - Station 4

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Cannibal Corpse To Re-release "Vile"

Cannibal Corpse will re-release their 1996 masterpiece "Vile" in March 2007. Entitled "Vile Live", the re-release will be part of a two-disc set which will include a bonus DVD containing live footage from the "Vile" era. The bulk of the concert material was filmed using three "old-school Hi8 cameras" on February 3, 1997 at San Francisco's Berkely Square, with four additional tracks shot the following night (February 4, 1997) using only two cameras.

The track listing for the bonus DVD is as follows:

February 3, 1997:

01. Perverse Suffering
02. Stripped Raped and Strangled
03. Covered with Sores
04. Monolith
05. Addicted to Vaginal Skin
06. Force Fed Broken Glass
07. Fucked with a Knife
08. Gutted
09. Bloodlands
10. Shredded Humans
11. Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead
12. A Skull Full of Maggots
13. Devoured by Vermin
14. Hammer Smashed Face

February 4, 1997:

01. Pulverized
02. Puncture Wound Massacre
03. Mummified in Barbed Wire
04. Orgasm Through Torture

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Nergal Checks In With Behemoth Studio Report

Polish extreme metal titans Behemoth are currently hard at work in the studio tracking their much-anticipated new album, "The Apostasy," which is currently set for a summer release. The new effort is being recorded in the band's hometown of Gdansk with Nergal (vocals, guitars) and long-time sound engineer Malta in the producers’ chairs.

Nergal checks in with the following news: “We’ve never been in better shape as a band. We spent three months preparing to record this album with no breaks, rehearsing four to six hours a day. Inferno has just completed the drum tracks. I must say Inferno is really dedicated to the whole project. He’s doing the most intense physical work in this band, and he’s easily at the top of his game right now.

“I remember Inferno trying to nail one song several times, and none of the versions seemed to be good enough. Then he took another take, and it sounded pretty amazing. I told him we could leave it as it is, as it was already pretty good. But the question was if we want it pretty good, or if we want it amazing. His answer was immediate: ‘Delete it. I can do it better; and he did just that.”

Malta further states, “I’ve never seen this band that well-rehearsed and ready for the recording. Inferno finally is playing on his own drumkit (Spaun), which was tested live several times on the recent tour. He knows exactly what to get out of it.”

Inferno also seems to be really happy with the results of his work. The whole drum session took about 10 days, in addition to a week of setting the right sounds and testing different microphones. Inferno says, “Before entering the studio, we pretty much had everything ready to go. There were no doubts whatsoever. I’m more than sure this is by far my best drum arrangements ever. This is my life’s work.”

Check out Behemoth's Myspace and YouTube pages to watch the brand new episode and pictures from "The Apostasy" drum recordings.

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Alexi Laiho's Side Project Announce EP Title

According to Children of Bodom fan site, Scythes-of-Bodom.com, COB frontman Alexi Laiho's punk rock side project, Kylähullut, will release a new EP, entitled "Lisää persettä" (More ass to ragheads) this year. No release date has been announced yet.

Tracklisting:
1. Intro (Klamydia - E.V.V.K.)
2. Lisää persettä rättipäille (More ass to ragheads)
3. Hip-Hop!
4. Majavannaama (Beavers face)
5. Käkimassaa (Cuckoo mass)

Guests featured on the EP include Tuomas Holopainen (Nightwish) and Tapio WIlska (ex-Finntroll). A sample of the title track has been posted on the band's Myspace page. For more information, visit the official Kylähullut website.

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Dark Tranquillity Finalizes Upcoming Album

Dark Tranquillity have posted the following update on their official web site:

"2007 has started - as most of you doubtlessly have noticed - and things are busy in the D.T. headquarters. Our team of highly trained gnomes is in the process of finalizing the details surrounding the upcoming album - title, song selection, running order, artwork, photo sessions, video(s), pre/post-album EP, eventual bonus DVD footage, PR, touring/festival activity and everything in between. More info will follow as soon as things are starting to shape up. Thanks for your patience!

"And of course, a huge salute and best wishes for the new year to all of you that have in word or deed supported us during the past twelve months.

"Thanks to those of you who have submitted tattoo and live photos - we'll get to uploading them here as soon as things are less hectic with the album preparations."

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