Interview

Crowned By Fire's Justin 'Slush' Manning

Los Angeles, California's CROWNED BY FIRE is a newly formed heavy metal band that has one of the scene's more talented guitar players leading them into battle versus the over-populated and mostly over-hyped hard rock acts that they will be competing against on their way to the top. I don't think they're going to have any problems gaining label attention quicker than most due to the fact they have that 'Us Versus Them' vibe going on that Guns N Roses gave off when they first hit the Sunset Strip, yet clearly back it up with serious musical prowess as the Gunners always did. What I like most about the early demo work from this band is that it has real soul to it, that is sorely lacking in any rock music that's being put out today, and I think that's what's going to really help them in the long run. I had a chance to get some questions in with their man on the six strings, Justin 'Slush' Manning. More...

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Interview

Interview With Scott White From Victim Of Thought

Birmingham, Alabama's VICTIM OF THOUGHT truly is one of those rare underground finds for me this year that I just sit back with a big ole grin on my face. These guys are what heavy metal is all about. Period. They almost seem like they've been locked up in a room somewhere since the end of the 90's when bands like Pantera and Alice In Chains, who they draw so much inspiration from, were taking the genre to new heights. These guys are clearly untouched by the corporate manufactured metal -sound and influence that is seriously tarnishing the great name of metal. It's bands like Victim Of Thought who are going to be at the forefront when all the faux metalers finally call it a day. I am really excited to be working with them and even more thrilled to have a chance to interview one of the underground's most talented singers, Scott White. More...

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Decapitate Reunite, Book Show, and Plan To Record

Having performed their last live date in June of 2000, death metallers DECAPITATE have reunited with the intention of recording again.

The band are booked to perform at Jaxx in Springfield, VA on November 10th alongside CANNIBAL CORPSE, NECROPHAGIST and DYING FETUS.

For more on the show and Decapitate, visit their MySpace page at this location.

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Sebastian Bach Comments On Opening For GNR

Wherever Guns N' Roses have played thus far in 2006, former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach has likely been there, either opening for GN'R or joining Axl Rose onstage for the duet 'My Michelle.'

For Bach, it's a return engagement: Skid Row opened for GN'R on their 'Use Your Illusion' tour in 1991. Though Bach is grateful for the opportunities, he admits he doesn't know quite how it happened.

"To be totally honest with you, I don't understand why Axl is so nice to me," Bach tells AOL Music. "I don't know why he just waves his magic wand and points it at me and says, 'You're opening for me all around the world.' To me, it's crazy."

Bach, who will release a new album, 'Angel Down,' in 2007, isn't arguing. "I'm going with it," he says. "It's always been that way for me. It's going to make a good book someday. I see all these rock 'n' roll books and they're all killer, but I laugh. I go, 'Wait 'til you f***ing read my book! My book is going to make [the Motley Crue book] 'The Dirt' look clean,'" he says, laughing.

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Usipian Announce New Guitarist

Danish "apocalyptic" old-school death metallers USIPIAN have announced the addition of guitarist Andreas Lynge to the group's ranks. "He's not known from previous bands but he sure as hell is a great guitarist," the band writes on its web site.

USIPIAN's debut album, "Dead Corner of the Eye", was released in July 2005 via Metal Fortress. The album's artwork was painted by legendary artist Dan Seagrave. Additional vocals on the tracks "Selfless" and "Shadows of the Once Unseen" were provided by by Martin Rosendahl of CORPUS MORTALE.

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When Knives Go Skyward Finishing Debut

When Knives Go Skyward are finishing up work on their debut album, "A Thousand Miles Of Rope." The vocal tracking will be finished later this week, at which point they will begin mixing and mastering the record. According to the band, they are "on the verge" of signing a European record deal and are in talks with a handful of labels for American distribution.

You can check out a clip from the song "Desert Necktie" on their MySpace.

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Zero Hour Ready New Album and Tour

San Francisco Prog Metal band Zero Hour has readied their latest release and a tour in support of it. Now fronted by vocalist Chris Salinas (formerly of Power of Omens), the new line up recorded 7 songs under the guidance of the Producer/Engineer Dino Alden. Alden, having finished work on Marty Friedman's (Ex-Megadeth) newest solo album, gave the 7 songs an impressive professional shine. The album is titled Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond and is already being held as one the years most anticipated releases. The band will be hitting the road to promote the new album throughout the US and Europe. Jasun and Troy have also released their first instructional videos through Chops From Hell. The momentum of Zero Hour is stronger than ever as they continue to carve their name into prog-metal history.

In support of the new album Specs of Pictures Burnt Beyond, the highly-revered prog-masters have announced a small South-to-East Coast tour beginning later this month. Tour dates follow:

10/28 Houston, TX - FBI Rock Club
11/04 Baltimore, MD - Onion Sound Studios w/ Suspyre
11/05 Metuchen, NJ - NJ Proghouse
11/09 Worcester, MA - Lucky Dog Music Hall w/ Odin's Court
11/11 Springfield, VA - Jaxx w/ Odin's Court
11/12 Brooklyn, NY - The Hook w/ Odin's Court, Enertia, The Void, Suspyre

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Headline News

Candlemass Frontman Ousted

After months of uncertainty, Candlemass has officially parted ways with frontman Messiah Marcolin. Here's a statement from the band:

"You have heard the rumours and it is with a heavy heart we must make this official. The band have tried to solve the situation several times, but Messiah cannot be persuaded to sing on the new album. His attitude and demands are way too unreasonable. I'm very sorry about this, not surprised though.

We have all been very disappointed with Messiah's behaviour during the previous years reunion, especially with his childish and undemocratic way to "discuss" matters before the May recording at Polar in Stockholm. It's not cool when one person refuses to listen to other people, don't give a shit about his bandmates and demands special treatment. Sure, a little bit of primadonna vices is allowed in a band. But when it comes to the extent that it's "my way or the highway" in every little discussion that comes up, it is not fun anymore. We like the thought of five equal metalheads playing together, having fun in the rehearsalroom, at gigs etc. That's the whole point of it if you ask us. Unfortunately negativity and stupidity have been dictating the rules for Candlemass lately.

We hope you all can understand how disappointed we are. And angry! Disappointed with the fact that a grown man can behave so badly towards others – his friends – and for such a long time. And so easily, when he doesn't get everything he wants, throws it all away. We're still in chock! We never thought it was possible for somebody in this great band to have such a bad attitude towards his bandmates! We are also angry that we have bought the shit for so long. Been fucked over so much, so many times since the reunion 2002. It's really shameful! It only took a couple of gigs to understand that Messiah wasn't back to make friends, so we have fought hard to keep this together for you - our fans. It's been a rough ride, but when you stand in front of 200 or 2000 or even 20 000 screaming fans it's worth all trouble.

And yes, it was close that last album didn't include Messiah, but we made it happen because we love this music and we love that you guys love us!! But it was the last album with Messiah Marcolin on vocals. We can't deal with the big man anymore. Sorry!! We tried to reason with him before the recording of the new one but Messiah's behaviour was beyond the acceptable. Mr. Marcolin has been too much to take and the reasons behind his departure from Candlemass are not very flattering for him. No details, sorry....too embarrassing.

On the positive side (there is one!), this can make the band stronger and lead to something better. We don't stand and fall with Messiah Marcolin. We will look hard for a worthy replacement because we got a superb album recorded already. With the right voice it will kill!! We hope for a new start with Candlemass, a band we love way too much to ditch because of one rotten apple!"

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Cobain Beats Elvis As Top Earning Dead Celebrity

Rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley ceded his crown to Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain on Forbes.com's list as the top-earning dead celebrity.

The list, published on Tuesday, said grunge rocker Cobain earned $50 million between October 2005 and October 2006. Presley wound up in the No. 2 slot with $42 million, down from last year's $45 million.

Forbes.com bases its dollar amounts on licensing deals for using the deceased celebrities' work or image in advertising or elsewhere.

This was Cobain's first time on the list in its six years of publication. Presley has ruled the roost since its inception, said Forbes.com staff writer Lacey Rose.

Cobain's coup was due to his widow, actress and singer Courtney Love, who sold a 25-percent stake in the Seattle grunge group's song catalog to New York music publishing company PrimeWave.

Read the full article at WashingtonPost.com.

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Car Bomb Signs To Relapse Records

Relapse Records has announced the signing of Long Island, NY's CAR BOMB.

CAR BOMB was formed out of the dissolution of vocalist Michael Dafferner and guitarist Greg Kubacki's previous band NECK and has spent the past few years fine-tuning its brand of wildly progressive, technical style of heavy music. Modell also previously played as a touring member of SOILENT GREEN.

CAR BOMB has played with bands such as PSYOPUS, CRYPTOPSY and MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD as well as at the CRUMBSUCKERS reunion show earlier this year. CAR BOMB's track "Solid Grey" also appeared on "The Hardcore Street CD Volume 2" sampler alongside HATEBREED, BODY COUNT and more. More...

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Battleheart Releases New EP

Scottish "pirate metallers" BATTLEHEART have released their second EP, "Terror on the High Seas", via their official web site, www.battleheart.co.uk.

BATTLEHEART is a four-piece folk power metal band hailing from Perth in Scotland. "We sing about pirates, and quests, and metal. But mostly pirates," the band writes on its web site. "The band was formed in 2004 by keyboard wizard Christopher and guitar shredmeister Gavin, and got off to a pretty slow start. But eventually the first EP was released in April 2006, to universal cries of 'man, this is pure dos.' So we recruited Dani and Doug to complete the live lineup, and proceeded to slay hundreds of poseurs with awesome live shows throughout the rest of 2006."

BATTLEHEART is:

Christopher Bowes - Keyboards, Vocals
Gavin Harper - Lead Guitar
Dani Evans - Bass Guitar
Doug Swierczek - Drums

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The Accursed Release Debut Album on Halloween

It's very fitting that the extreme metal quintet THE ACCURSED should release their full-length debut, "Seasons of the Scythe", on Halloween. After all, this is a band that signed their recording contract in blood — their own blood. "They really did sign in their own blood," admits Screaming Ferret Wreckords founder Timothy A. Koukos. "I had no clue they were going to do that. Signed it with a pen then pulled out knives and started cutting their hands."

Hailing from New Bedford, Massachusetts, THE ACCURSED is comprised of Jonathan Helme on vocals, Helme's brother Chris on drums, guitarists Tim Giblin and Loki, and bassist George Pacheco. And although "Scythe" is the group's first full-length, THE ACCURSED have already shared the stage with some of metal's most renowned names — BEHEMOTH, NILE, BEYOND THE EMBRACE, BODY COUNT, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and M.O.D. More...

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Mastodon Post 'Colony Of Birchmen' Video Online

MASTODON's video for the song "Colony of Birchmen" is available for viewing online exclusively at MP3.com. The track comes off the group's latest album, "Blood Mountain", which came out in September via Warner Bros. Records.

MASTODON will support TOOL in Europe throughout November. The group's drummer, Bränn Dailor, told MTV.com that the band will be touring the States again in early 2007, with plans to stay on the road for much of the year.

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Into Eternity Post Vocal Lesson Online

INTO ETERNITY's new album, "The Scattering of Ashes", had an impressive first week at retail, landing at #45 on the Top Independent chart, #57 on the Top New Artist chart and #76 on the Hard Music chart. This is the group's first release with charismatic frontman Stu Block, who is quickly cementing his status as one of the genre's most dynamic and talented vocalists. Click on this link to further witness Block's stunning range and undeniable energy as he goes through some of his favorite vocal techniques.

INTO ETERNITY gained legions of rabid fans on this year's Gigantour, emerging as one of the fest's most-talked-about acts. They also just completed a new video for the album's opening track, "Severe Emotional Distress", with up-and-coming director Kevin Wildt ("Set Your Goals", "The Warriors"); look for it to make its online debut next month. Click here to stream an MP3 of the track. More...

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Slavior Post New Song Online

SLAVIOR, the new band featuring former FATES WARNING/WARLORD drummer Mark Zonder, has posted the track "Origin" on its MySpace page. The song comes off the group's upcoming self-titled debut album, due in early 2007 via Inside Out Music.

A versatile, melodic hard rock/metal act, SLAVIOR's debut album features elements familiar to Zonder's progressive metal past, but also introduces a wide array influences including reggae, hip-hop, and modern rock. Rounded out by MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP guitarist/keyboardist Wayne Findlay and ex-TRIBE OF GYPSIES singer Gregg Analla, SLAVIOR is a band that has been a long time coming for Zonder.

"For a long, long time, I've always wanted to put something together that was based on the drum parts," stated Zonder. "It is very difficult to take a crazy drum idea and try to apply it to someone else's idea. Most of the time it turns into a mess. If you start with the drum part, and build from there, it seems to work out. With SLAVIOR, the songs are so accessible and groove-oriented, after 15 seconds, anyone should be able to lock into it."

The band had originally inked a deal with Greece's Black Lotus Records, but financial turmoil eventually caused the label to fold, leaving SLAVIOR to re-evaluate matters and come to their initial choice of labels, Inside Out.

"You hear the old saying, 'When one door closes, another opens,' and I think that is the case here," explained Zonder. "Inside Out was always one of our first choices. I've known Jim (Pitulski, Inside Out America President) for 20 years now and to come to his label is certainly something we’re excited about. Even after we inked our deal with Inside Out, we heard from other labels that we were in contact with that congratulated us and said that IO was a classy label. That's always a good thing to hear."

Pitulski commented: "Mark Zonder has been a friend and colleague for many years and I have long admired his incredible skill as a musician. It is with great pleasure and pride that we now welcome Mark and SLAVIOR to the Inside Out family. The release of 'Slavior' represents a unique challenge for Inside Out in that its sound is not necessarily typical of what we've come to be known for as a label. We're looking at this release as an opportunity to push our own boundaries just as SLAVIOR themselves are pushing the boundaries of modern music."

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Bleed The Sky Announces New Guitarist

Bleed The Sky has officially announced the addition of guitarist David Culbert to their line-up. Culbert replaces Kyle Moorman, who left the band this past summer. Here's a statement from the group:

"We just want to start by thanking everyone from the bottom of our hearts for showing so much enthusiasm and interest in the guitar auditions. It was not by any means an easy decision to make, there were so many amazing guitarists sending us some of the most bizarre and creative guitar work we have ever heard. We have been fortunate to find in our opinion one of the best unrecognized metal guitarists around, David Culbert. David is formerly of the band Brotherhood, true metal motherfuckers from the heart of Texas, San Antonio. We would like to thank them eternally for their support and willingness to offer the services of Dave, and you can check them out at www.myspace.com/brotherhood. Overall, we know that Dave is going to bring an element of metal to this band that we believe was otherwise unattainable. The following is a statement from Dave on coming into this project headstrong!

I am very thrilled to be the new guitarist for Bleed the Sky. I've been playing guitar since the age of 9, so I'm going on eighteen years now. All my life I've wanted to spread my music to the masses, and now the chance is here. I am fully prepared to bring BTS all that I have learned through the years and my experiences. Plus, create the most mind-blowing, in-your-face fucking metal I know all of you have been waiting for. See you at the show, Dave (BTS).

Our rhythym guitarist Wayne Miller is still on the upward battle to full recovery. He's still experiencing what doctor's can only explain as minor nerve damage in his left hand due to his hospitalization back in June of this year. Wayne will still be fully participating on our upcoming record, and we all need to keep him in our prayers during this difficult recovery.

In other news we've already begun work on new material for our sophomore record, which we are still on schedule to release in late spring or early summer of 2007. With all the new changes that we've been going through, our momentum has never been stronger. We're as energized as we've ever been and with the new album, comes new beginnings. Stay strong BTS fans, and we'll be posting new info as it becomes available to us. See all of you crazy fucks on the road soon!"

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Blitzkrieg Play "First Ever" Dates In Italy

A very brief message at NWOBHM legends BLITZKRIEG's website reads:

"Blitzkrieg scheduled to play their first ever dates in Italy in February, 2007. More info coming soon."

Blitzkrieg have the following dates scheduled, supporting DORO in the UK:

November
7 - Bradford, UK at Rio's
8 - Dudley, UK at JB's
9 - Nottingham, UK at Rock City
10 - London, UK at Camden Underworld

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Immune Release Download-Only Track Online

Immune have released a new single, 'Consume,' as a free download-only track. The track is taken from the band's highly acclaimed debut album '1/f' (one over f). The download is available via the band's Myspace page.

The Leeds based quartet take to the road this week for a UK tour in support of the single. Here are the tour dates:

October
24th London (Catch) w/ TwentySixFeet
26th Oxford (Cellar) w/ TwentySixFeet
28th Romford (The Bitter End) w/ TwentySixFeet

November
1st Sheffield (DnR) w/ TwentySixFeet
2nd Nottingham (Rose of England) w/ TwentySixFeet
3rd Leeds (Woodhouse Liberal Club) w/ Glissando, TwentySixFeet, Worriedaboutsatan

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