H.I.M. Plan US Tour With Skindred and Finch

Finnish goth-metallers H.I.M. will be teaming up with SKINDRED and FINCH for a U.S. tour this fall. More information will be made available soon.

As previously reported, H.I.M. will release "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly" as the first international single off their upcoming CD, "Dark Light". It is expected in late August/early September. The band have already shot a video for "Rip Out the Wings of a Butterfly", and the clip is now in the process of being edited.

Ville decribed the artwork for "Dark Light" as something really different from what they've done so far, although the "heartagram" (a pentagram with the top two points rounded off to form a heart with the bottom point) will once again make an appearance. The artwork for the CD is still not finished and Valo is very involved in its creation and ideas.

According to Billboard.com, "Dark Light" was mixed at New York's Electric Lady studios with producer Tim Palmer (DAVID BOWIE, OZZY OSBOURNE). Valo told Finland's Ilta-Sanomat magazine that the group's initial choice of mixer for the new album, Andy Wallace (NIRVANA, KORN, LIMP BIZKIT, DISTURBED) was fired one week into the process because he made H.I.M. sound like "one of those American bands with no personality." "He didn't understand our Scandinavian 'twistedness,'" Ville said.

The follow-up to 2003's "Love Metal", "Dark Light" was recorded at Los Angeles' Paramour studios with Palmer, who also worked on the band's last album. A September 27 release (one day earlier internationally) via Sire Records is expected.

9 Comments - Discuss

Dee Snider Remembers Keith Alexander

TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider has issued the following statement regarding the passing of original CARNIVORE guitarist Keith Alexander:

"Keith Alexander lived more in his 41 years on this earth then most of us will live in our entire natural lifetime. He was as vibrant, warm, enthusiastic and positive a person as you could ever hope to meet, and I am honored to have called him my friend.

"I first met Keith while doing research for my movie 'StrangeLand'. He was a body piercer, brander and cutter at The Gauntlet in NYC and recognized me as I was browsing in the waiting area of the shop. Openly proffessing his status as a hardcore, original S.M.F. and fan of myself and TWISTED SISTER, he offered to help me with my research by inviting me back to witness an actual peircing he was about to do. I seized the opportunity for some first-hand experience. I was treated to the artful execution of a 'Prince Albert' which I was soon to find out was a male genital piercing. I was off to the races on the 'StrangeLand' screenplay. More...

Read more...  |  0 Comments - Discuss

Nightrage, God Dethroned Confirmed For IEMF

God Dethroned, Byzantine, Nightrage, Hell Within, Epoch of Unlight and Lilitu are part of the "International Extreme Music Festival." This is the 5th time the tour has launched in North America and is one of the most respected avant-garde Metal tours of its kind. IEMF is sponsored by Metal Edge / Metal Maniacs / Blabbermouth.net / Blistering.com and info can be found at: www.IEMFTour.com. Dates to follow shortly.

1 Comment - Discuss

Set Times For First 2 Ozzfest 2005 Dates Revealed

The set times for the first two Ozzfest dates have been officially released. They are as follows:

July 15 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts:

Second Stage:

WICKED WISDOM - 9:10-9:30am
GIZMACHI - 9:35-9:55am
SOILWORK - 10:00-10:20am
IT DIES TODAY - 10:25-10:45am
ARCH ENEMY - 10:50-11:10am
TRIVIUM - 11:15-11:35am
THE BLACK DALIA MURDER - 11:40am-12:00pm
A DOZEN FURIES - 12:05-12:35pm
MASTODON - 12:40-1:10pm
THE HAUNTED - 1:15-1:35pm
BURY YOUR DEAD - 1:40-2:00pm
AS I LAY DYING - 2:05-2:35pm
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - 2:40-3:20pm
ROB ZOMBIE - 3:35-4:35pm

Main Stage:

IN FLAMES - 4:35-4:55pm
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - 5:05-5:45pm
SHADOWS FALL - 5:55-6:35pm
MUDVAYNE - 6:45-7:35pm
IRON MAIDEN - 8:00-9:10pm
BLACK SABBATH - 9:30-11:00pm

July 17 - Hartford, CT @ New England Dodge Music Center:

Second Stage:

BURY YOUR DEAD - 9:20am
WICKED WISDOM - 9:45am
GIZMACHI - 10:10am
SOILWORK - 10:35am
IT DIES TODAY - 11:00am
ARCH ENEMY - 11:25am
TRIVIUM - 11:50am
THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER - 12:15pm
THE HAUNTED - 12:40pm
A DOZEN FURIES - 1:05pm
MASTODON - 1:40pm
AS I LAY DYING - 2:15pm
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE - 2:50pm
ROB ZOMBIE - 3:45pm

Main Stage:

IN FLAMES - 4:35pm
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY - 5:05pm
SHADOWS FALL - 5:55pm
MUDVAYNE - 6:45pm
IRON MAIDEN - 8:05pm
BLACK SABBATH - 9:30pm

29 Comments - Discuss

AILD Win Yahoo Contest, New Video On Uranium

As I Lay Dying have announced on their website that they are the winners of the June Yahoo! Who's Next contest. You can see our live performance in the Yahoo! studios, which is only available for viewing on the Yahoo! website, by simply clicking here.

As I Lay Dying's new video for "Confined" will debut on Uranium at the following dates and times:

Premieres:
Jul. 15 @ 9pm EST

Repeats:
Jul. 16 @ 12am EST
Jul. 17 @ 3am EST
Jul. 18 @ 3:30am EST
Jul. 22 @ 9pm EST
Jul. 23 @ 12am EST

0 Comments - Discuss

New Every Time I Die Album Tracklisting Revealed

Every Time I Die's forthcoming release Gutter Phenoenon shall drop August 22nd. The tracklisting for the album is as follows:

1. Apocalypse Now And Then
2. Kill The Music (featuring guest vocals from Gerard Way - My Chemical Romance)
3. Bored Stiff (mp3)
4. Easy Tiger
5. Tusk And Temper
6. The New Black
7. Champing At The Bit (featuring guest vocals from Daryl Palumbo - Glassjaw)
8. Gloom And How It Gets In The Way
9. Guitarred & Feathered (mp3)
10. L'Astronaut
11. Pretty Dirty

0 Comments - Discuss

New Devildriver Video On Headbanger's Ball

DevilDriver's new video - "Hold Back The Day" - will be playing this weekend (7/16) on MTV2's Headbanger's Ball (Rob Zombie is hosting the evening). You can also check out the video online at the following links:

QuickTime (high) 32.5 MB
QuickTime (med) 13.5 MB
QuickTime (low) 7.02 MB
Windows Media Video (high)
Windows Media Video (med)
Windows Media Video (low)

0 Comments - Discuss

Sonata Arctica Confirms 2 More Festival Shows

Sonata Arctica have confirmed two more shows: Metalway Festival in Gernika, Spain on Aug. 12 and Summer Darkness in Utrecht, Netherlands on Aug. 13.

0 Comments - Discuss

Into The Moat Seeking Replacement Bassist

In a post on the official Into the Moat website, vocalist Earl Ruwell IV announced the departure of bassist Joshua Thiel because of medical reasons. Into the Moat are currently seeking a replacement for their upcoming tour with Soilent Green. All those interested, send an email to into_the_moat@hotmail.com.

Tour dates with Soilent Green: More...

Read more...  |  0 Comments - Discuss

Soilwork Explains Festival Cancellation

Björn "Speed" Strid has posted the following message on the official Soilwork website:

Hi!

Maybe some of you guys have seen on Blabbermouth that we've cancelled the show on "Aggressive music festival" in Glen Falls NY. It came to our knowledge yesterday that our drummer Dirk Verbeuren can't make it to the show since he's playing a festival in Finland (Tuska open air) with his other band Scarve and somehow his flight got cancelled and there was no other flights available that day .. This really sucks and we really want to appologize for this, especially for such short notice..
Mr. David Witte (ex.Burnt by the sun etc.) will fill in for Dirk on the first show on Ozzfest. We're rehearsing right now and he's really doing an awesome job..
We'll see you in Boston on friday!!

Cheers, Speed

God Forbid will be replacing Soilwork on the Aggressive Music Festival in Glens Falls, NY on July 16.

0 Comments - Discuss

Opeth Reveal "Ghost Reveries" Cover Artwork

Opeth has revealed the "Ghost Reveries" cover, designed by Travis Smith. Check it out at this location. "Ghost Reveries" will be out on the 30th of August.

7 Comments - Discuss

SOAD To Auction Off "B.Y.O.B." Commando Uniform

Be the first and only one to own one of the very uniforms worn by the army featured in System of a Down's celebrated video, "B.Y.O.B." The uniform is comprised of a one-piece black jumpsuit, black leather gloves, black military-style leather boots, a head rag, and the special visored head gear with the word "BUY" emblazoned across the front. The highest bidder will not only take home the military attire, but an autographed photo of System of a Down.

Starting on July 12, System of a Down will auction off only one of these uniforms on eBay; starting price will be $250, and there will be no reserve. All proceeds from the auction will go to the Veterans Hospital.

The band has just completed a tour of Europe and will kick off a major North American tour - their first since 2002 - on August 4 in Long Beach, CA. Over the course of the tour, System of a Down will headline some forty arena dates with The Mars Volta.

2 Comments - Discuss

Evildoer Endorsed By ESP Guitars

This message was posted on the official Evildoer website by guitarist Johan:

and a good christian jesuslovin` day to y`all! haha

For the people who missed the gig this weekend...too bad! We had a great time and hope to see you another time..and those who where there: You rocked! It was great to do some damage and have a few (10-15) beers..=)

Also we have uploaded som live pictures, in the visual section check em out!

I am also proud to announce that Martin and myself are now officially endorsed by ESP guitars japan. It is a true honour and many thanks to the people at ilt scandinavia and esp japan for that honour!!
Our custom made "evildoer" guitars are scheduled to arrive in late september/october and they will look killer!! Made exacly the way we wan`t them made by the good people at the customshop. Can`t wait to do some gigs with those babies...

smell ya later!
Johan and the evilguys

0 Comments - Discuss

Motorhead Guitarist To Guest On Rapper's New Album

According to Billboard.com, Motorhead guitarist, Phil Campbell, will make a guest appearance on the new album from Detroit rapper Hush called "Bulletproof," due out August 23. Other guest appearances include Eminem, D12, Nate Dogg and Talib Kweli.

0 Comments - Discuss

Lamb Of God Tired Of Touring

In a recent interview with ChartAttack.com, Lamb of God singer, Randy Blythe, gripes about being on the road. Several excerpts taken from the article:

ChartAttack: You’ve been playing for years and now you’re starting to see some success. How are you dealing with it?

Randy Blythe: I don’t really want to go on tour. I’ve been on the road for fucking ever. I don’t get to have a normal life like other people. In theory I’m excited but in reality, fuck it.

"Fuck it" seems to be the stance from most bands that only start to reap rewards from their music years after starting. It’s like they’re too tired to really enjoy it by this point.

We were never hoping for success. We formed a band to play music and we’re fortunate that we’ve gotten to the point we have. It’s my job now and I don’t have to work a regular job which is cool. But over the past year, people don’t realize that we’ve been together for a decade and on the road non-stop for that long. It burns you out. I didn’t plan on this happening and I’m not complaining, but I’m shocked.

I find it funny because you have reason to gripe. People complain about being away for two weeks of vacation and that kind of traveling.

Pussies. Weaklings. Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do but I’m fuckin’ tired! (laughs). That Sounds Of The Underground Tour? What fuckin’ idiot set that up? You can put that in the article too. What fuckin’ idiot? I sing for 14 shows in a row and I don’t exactly sing like Pavarotti… wait until my fucking throat blows out. I’m slowly becoming a crusty-fried burnout from this. We just got off the road with Slipknot, we’ve been through Europe and now I’ve got 14 more shows? Fuck!

Read the full article at Chart Attack.

27 Comments - Discuss

Slipknot Tribute Album In The Works

Cleopatra Records is reportedly putting together a SLIPKNOT tribute album, tentatively due before the end of the year. Among the bands set to appear on the CD is Northeast, PA's CYPHILIS, who contribute their version of "Liberate". With regards to how they approached their cover of the song, CYPHILIS frontman Nick D. told Electric City, "It's actually pretty dead-on with the CD. It's not one of their crazier songs. Some of their songs, there's just so much going on, that it's tough to do with just four guys. So we picked a song we knew we could do, and we recorded it. We play it live sometimes, but not too often, because I have to sing our own songs, and then to do a SLIPKNOT song ... it takes a lot."

162 Comments - Discuss

Headline News

Original Carnivore Guitarist Killed in Accident

Original Carnivore guitarist Keith Alexander was reportedly killed in a bike accident earlier this week - Monday night (July 11). His wake is being held today (July 14) between 2:00 and 5:30 p.m., and between 7:00 and 9:00 p.m. at:

Scarpaci Funeral Home
1401 86th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11228
718-331-8000

In addition to playing with Carnivore, Alexander spent a three-year stint with Dee Snider of Twisted Sister, touring extensively throughout North America and Scandinavia, with some audiences numbering over 20,000.

A body piercer since 1991, Keith had performed well over 22,000 piercings and over 150 cuttings and brandings. Formerly a staff piercer for Gauntlet, Inc. in New York City, Keith spent one year as a full-time apprentice to master piercers Dan Kopka and Mark Seitchik. Gauntlet founder Jim Ward issued Keith's certificate on August 2, 1994.

You can find more information on Keith Alexander's life work and accomplishments here.

6 Comments - Discuss

Dry Kill Logic Off-Dates And Gigantour Dates

Drykill Logic had to cut the Omaha show at The Ranch House since The Ranch House closed down. The good news is that we are playing a grip of off-dates from GIGANTOUR and here they are:

July 15 - Toledo, OH @ Headliners
July 16th - Davenport, IA @ Quad City Live
July 25th - West Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky
July 28th - San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick
July 29th - Tuscon, AZ @ Anselmo Valenica Amphitheatre
August 15th - Columbus, OH @ Al Rosa Villa
August 16th - West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
August 18th - Saugus, MA @ The Palace
August 26th - Flint, MI @ the Machine Shop

And the complete list of GIGANTOUR tour dates, including the newly added dates at the end of September are as follows: More...

Read more...  |  0 Comments - Discuss