Metal News for August 10, 2007
Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 3:07 AM ET
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Hot Topics
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30 news articles posted on this day.
Deathwish Merges With Malfuntion Records
Deathwish Inc. has officially merged with hardcore/punk label Malfunction Records.
Formed in 1999, Malfunction has released music from artists including Internal Affairs, Ceremony, Cast Aside, Count Me Out, Bitter End, The Hope Conspiracy, Meltdown, XO Skeletons, Piece By Piece, and Give Up The Ghost.
According to Deathwish, "Together, Deathwish and Malfunction are now one label family. Effective immediately, Deathwish will take over day to day operations of the label. We will continue to operate Malfunction with the same love and dedication that Linas and Tru gave to the label since its inception. As importantly, we show all Malfunction affiliated artists the same dedication and support that we provide to all things Deathwish."
Look for new releases from Bitter End, Trash Talk, and Reign Supreme beginning Fall 2007.
DevilDriver Hit The Road With Megadeth
Here are the confirmed Australian dates for the Gigantour with Megadeth, Static-X, DevilDriver, and Lucuna Coil. Tickets go on sale August 23rd.
Nov. 10 - Perth, Metro City (18+)
Nov. 12 - Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre (All Ages)
Nov. 13 - Melbourne, Festival Hall (All Ages)
Nov. 15 - Sydney, Luna Park Big Top (18+)
Nov. 18 - Brisbane, Riverstage (All Ages)
Alice In Chains Unplugged To Be Reissued w/ Extras
MTV'a Unplugged album from Alice In Chains (among others) is getting the reissue treatment next month and will come with a bonus DVD that features content that was not included on the original releases.
Columbia/Legacy will release the album/DVD on September 18th. According to Billboard the releases will be loaded with extras. The Alice in Chains Unplugged will come with three songs that didn't make the broadcast. Those tracks are "Frogs," "Angry Chair" and "The Killer Is Me."
Maroon To Support AILD, Darkest Hour, Himsa
MAROON have been confirmed for the mainland for the European tour alongside As I Lay Dying, Darkest Hour and labelmates Himsa. Doors on the German shows will be at 19:00 CET and MAROON will enter the stages at 20:00 CET sharp.
Here are the tour dates:
11.09.07 Antwerp (B) - Hof Ter Lo
12.09.07 Amsterdam (NL) - Melkweg
13.09.07 Bochum (D) - Matrix , Headliner Show
14.09.07 Zürich (CH) - Rohstofflager
15.09.07 Munich (D) - Backstage Hall
16.09.07 Stuttgart (D) – Die Röhre
17.09.07 Cologne (D) – Live Music Hall
18.09.07 Hamburg (D) – Grosse Freiheit
19.09.07 Berlin (D) – Columbia Club
21.09.07 Muenster (D) - Skater..s Palace
22.09.07 Copenhagen (DK) - Loppen
23.09.07 Malmo (S) - KB
24.09.07 Gothenburg (S) - Sticky Fingers
All Out War Preparing New EP
Innerstrength Records has announced plans to release a new EP from All Out War titled "Purity Through Annihilation." The EP will include five new songs in addition to two covers and original demos dating back to 1991. All Out War will record the effort in October at Big Blue Meenie Studio in New Jersey. Dave Quiggle will handle artwork for the release and the effort should available late this year.
After breaking up in mid-2004, All Out War had gotten back together to work on new material in early 2006. Several of the members also continued playing together in Nerve Gas Tragedy.
BTBAM, Horse The Band, Animosity, The End Tour
Between The Buried And Me will headline a U.S. tour beginning in late-September in support of their upcoming album, "Colors." They will be joined by Horse The Band, Animosity, and The End. A few more tour dates will be added, but here's the bulk of the schedule:
9/26 Greensboro, NC @ Green Street Club (no The End)
9/27 Charlotte, NC @ Tremont Music Hall (no The End)
9/28 Nashville, TN @ Rocket Town
9/29 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade
9/30 Memphis @ The Skatepark of Memphis
10/1 New Orleans, LA @ The High Ground
10/2 Houston, TX @ The Meridian
10/3 Little Rock, AR @ Juanita's Cantina
10/4 Lewisville, TX @ Fat Daddy's Sound Shack
10/5 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory
10/6 Lubbock, TX @ Lonestar Event Center
10/7 San Antonio, TX @ White Rabbit
10/10 Phoenix, AZ @ The Clubhouse
10/11 Corona, CA @ the Showcase Theatre
10/12 Corona, CA @ the Showcase Theatre
10/13 San Diego, CA @ Soma
10/14 Oakland, CA @ Oakland Metro
10/15 Portland, OR @ Satyricon
10/16 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon
10/18 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre
10/19 Omaha, NE @ the Sokol Underground
10/20 Iowa City, IA @ The Picador
10/21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club
10/24 Detroit, MI @ The Hayloft
10/25 Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
10/27 Spartanburg, SC @ Ground Zero
10/28 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
10/29 Baltimore, MD @ Otto Bar
10/31 New York, NY @ Blender Theatre @ Gramercy
11/1 Philadelphia, PA @ The Starlite Ballroom
11/2 Worcester, MA @ The Palladium
11/4 Asbury Park, NJ @ The Saints and Sinners Festival (BTBAM, Animosity)
Nevermore Frontman Issue Solo Album Update
NEVERMORE frontman Warrel Dane is currently recording his debut solo album, which is tentatively due in early 2008. Dane has written about eight tracks with former SOILWORK guitarist-turned-producer Peter Wichers and has also collaborated with ex-HIMSA guitarist Matt Wicklund on a few songs.
Wichers has issued the following update on the project: "I just came back from Baltimore (Wrightway studios) after recording drums together with Dirk Verbeuren [SOILWORK, SCARVE] for Warrel's solo record.
"Now, this record will be friggin' sweet, and I just started laying down some guitars for it a couple of says ago. More...
Girlschool Announce Italian Dates
GIRLSCHOOL will team up with RAIN and FATAL SMILE for three shows in Italy in October. The dates are as follows:
Oct. 25 – Jailbreak, ITA - Roma
Oct. 26 - Lucille, ITA - Verona
Oct. 27 - Rock Planet, ITA - Pinarella (RA)
As previously reported, Rock N Roll Kabaret at the Soho Revue Bar in London, England will hold a tribute to late GIRLSCHOOL guitarist Kelly Johnson on August 20. The event, dubbed "Kelly Johnson In Sound & Vision", will feature a four-song set by former members of the band. More...
Rigor Mortis Announce Texas Dates
The original RIGOR MORTIS lineup of Bruce Corbitt, Mike Scaccia (MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS), Casey Orr (GWAR, X-COPS, THE HELLIONS, THE BURDEN BROTHERS), and Harden Harrison (PERVIS, SPEEDEALER, MITRA), has scheduled the following dates:
Aug. 24 - The Ridglea Theatre - Ft. Worth, TX
Aug. 25 - 710 Club – Austin, TX
RIGOR MORTIS originally formed in 1983 when schoolmates Harden Harrison and Casey Orr met Mike Scaccia. The three shared a love for horror/gore flicks and extremely heavy music, and that recipe helped them create a truly unique form of speed metal that had never been heard before. Within five years they had virtually created the thrash metal scene in Texas and landed a major label deal. In 1988, with Bruce Corbitt on vocals, RIGOR MORTIS released its self-titled debut album on Capitol Records.
For more information, visit their Myspace page.
Chris Cornell Victim Of Online Identity Theft
The Pulse of Radio (formerly Launch Radio Networks) reports: Former AUDIOSLAVE and SOUNDGARDEN singer Chris Cornell is the victim of online identity theft. Apparently someone or several people have been chatting online with fans and pretending to be the vocalist, prompting Cornell to post a message on his MySpace page which read, "Hello this is Chris Cornell. Over the past several months, several incidents have taken place where others felt the need to engage in activities pretending to be me. I have been wanting to make a clear statement to fans, friends and anyone this may concern; under no circumstances, under any name or address do I or have I ever communicated or corresponded with anyone online or otherwise."
Cornell also addressed the reasons why he postponed two shows in Denver and Salt Lake City, writing, "This was due to a scheduling oversight by a representative that no longer works with me. I look forward to making these dates up in the fall. "
Cornell is currently touring in support of his new solo album, "Carry On". He next plays in Katowice, Poland on Sunday (August 12).
Rigor Mortis Announces Texas Dates
The original RIGOR MORTIS lineup of Bruce Corbitt, Mike Scaccia (MINISTRY, REVOLTING COCKS), Casey Orr (GWAR, X-COPS, THE HELLIONS, THE BURDEN BROTHERS), and Harden Harrison (PERVIS, SPEEDEALER, MITRA), has scheduled the following dates:
Aug. 24 - The Ridglea Theatre - Ft. Worth, TX
Aug. 25 - 710 Club – Austin, TX
Embalmer In Writing Mode
Ohio death/grind veterans Embalmer are in the process of writing new material and also shopping for a lable to release there highly anticipated new album, entitled "Apocalyptic Bloodshower".
Vorkuta Announce New Drummer
Hungarian black metallers VORKUTA have announced the addition of a permanent drummer, Khrul, who is also known for drumming in other Hungarian black metal bands such as WITCHCRAFT, MARBLEBOG, and VÉRZIVATAR. VORKUTA's first release to feature their new drummer will be a split 7" EP with Japanese thrashers ABIGAIL. A split 7" with KRATORNAS will come out via Paragon Records later in the year as well.
According to a press release, VORKUTA "plays a cold and desecrating form of black metal, at times attaining the atmosphere of 'Blood, Fire, Death'-era BATHORY as well as the traditional style of black metal found on DARKTHRONE's 'Total Death' album."
Check out a track from VORKUTA's "Into the Chasm of Lunacy" at this location.
Gorefest Enters Dutch Chart At No. 61
GOREFEST's new album, "Rise to Ruin", has entered the Dutch chart at position No. 61. Due in the U.S. on September 25 via Candlelight, the CD was mixed by Danish producer Tue Madsen at his Antfarm studios in Århus, Denmark. "He managed to make everything sound even heavier than we'd imagined," guitarist Frank Harthoorn previously said.
GOREFEST's last CD, "La Muerte", was released in October 2005 via Nuclear Blast Records.
GOREFEST will team up with ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET and BEFORE THE FALL for a European tour beginning in September.
Just For Fun
Roadrunner Petitioned To Change 3 Inches Of Blood
Ladd Everitt, editor of Transcending the Mundane, recently posted an open letter/petition to Roadrunner Records on the subject of 3 Inches of Blood.
The open letter begins, "We, the undersigned, hereby request that the name of Roadrunner Records artist 3 Inches of Blood be changed, effective immediately, to '6 Inches of Blood.'
We believe this proposal to be a modest and reasonable one for the following reasons:
1) Because three inches of blood hardly crests the ankle of a man of average height, and surely the blood has risen higher given the band’s many famous victories in battle against both Orc armies and Goatrider hordes."
Read the full article at Transcending the Mundane.
Iced Earth's 'Ten Thousand Strong' Video Available
ICED EARTH's video for the song "Ten Thousand Strong" has been released. You can watch the clip on YouTube or below. The track comes off the group's new album, "Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part I", which is scheduled for release via SPV on the following dates:
Germany: September 7
Rest of Europe: September 10
North America: September 11
"Framing Armageddon - Something Wicked Part 1" (cover art) expands the "Something Wicked" storyline first introduced in the trilogy of the same name appearing on the 1998 release, "Something Wicked This way Comes". "Framing Armageddon" will be followed in February/March 2008 by the band's ninth full-length studio release, tentatively titled "Revelation Abomination - Something Wicked Part 2" , continuing where "Framing Armageddon" leaves off.
Video footage of ICED EARTH performing the song "A Charge to Keep" at this year's Wacken Open Air festival, which took place August 2-4 in Wacken, Germany, has been posted on you tube
ICED EARTH will embark on a European headlining tour in October/November. Support on all shows will come from DARK TRANQUILLITY. A list of dates can be found this location. A poster for the tour can be viewed here.
ICED EARTH will support HEAVEN AND HELL on a U.K. tour beginning on November 4 in Newcastle. More...
Freedom Call Post 'Far Away' Video Online
FREEDOM CALL's video for the song "Far Away" has been posted at SPV.de (Real Media). The track comes off the German melodic metal band's latest album, "Dimensions", which was released in April via SPV Records. Most of the CD was recorded at the FC studios in Nürnberg. The drum parts were cut at the Area 51 in Celle by Daniel Zimmermann with the help of Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, KAMELOT, VICTORY), who also mixed and mastered "Dimensions". The cover artwork was designed by Paul Raymond Gregory (SAXON, MOLLY HATCHET, BLIND GUARDIAN).
FREEDOM CALL will spend most of the fall touring Europe with NOCTURNAL RITES, PINK CREAM 69 and NIGHTMARE (in three separate legs).
Crystalic Announce New Guitarist
Finland-based, technical death metal band CRYSTALIC has announced the addition of guitarist Mikko Mattila (DREAMTALE) to the group's ranks. "Mikko is an excellent guitar player and of course a huge DEATH fan!" the band writes in a press release.
CRYSTALIC released its debut album, "Watch Us Deteriorate", earlier in the year via Thundering Records. Check out audio samples at this location.
CRYSTALIC frontman Jarno F. Moberg makes a guest appearance on new CD from Finnish metalheads MACHINE MEN, available now on Century Media. Jarno is featured on the album's title cut, "Circus of Fools".
Hellyeah Post "Alcohaulin' Ass" Video Online
HELLYEAH's video for the track "Alcohaulin' Ass" has been released and can be viewed below. "This is a collection of live clips from the 2007 tour of the USA, UK, Australia and New Zealand," says the group. The video was shot by Videobob and Bridog, and it was directed and edited by Videobob Moseley.
HELLYEAH is the new band featuring members of MUDVAYNE, PANTERA and NOTHINGFACE. The group is currently touring in support of its self-titled debut album, which has sold 155,000 copies in the United States since its April 10 release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. More...
Alice In Chains Singer Talks About New Songs
ALICE IN CHAINS singer William DuVall, who is also a member of the Los Angeles-based band COMES WITH THE FALL, has issued the following update:
"As it says on the ALICE IN CHAINS website, we've been working on new AIC material. The first in over 10 years. It's been deeply rewarding and the stuff is insane.
"I produced a new four-song EP for PROGRAM THE DEAD entitled 'Sticks And Bricks'. It RULES. Those guys just keep getting better. They're basing themselves out of Atlanta for the moment and they are completely taking that town over. A bit of advice for the rest of the world: There's no point in struggling. Just surrender.
"Back to AIC again, many of you know by now that we're gearing up for this late summer tour around North America with VELVET REVOLVER. What you may not know is how fucking ravenous we are to get out there and rock your faces again. We are coming (like a pack of wild dogs) to an amphitheater/arena near you. There will be no quarter asked. And none given. You've been duly warned.
"Finally, as you probably saw on this site's home page and on COMES WITH THE FALL's MySpace page, there is a release date for [the new COMES WITH THE FALL album] 'Beyond the Last Light'. September 4, 2007. We could not be more ecstatic. Thanks to all the faithful fallen for hanging in there."
Exodus To Appear In Metalocalypse
EXODUS frontman Rob Dukes has issued the following update:
"My dream came true yesterday. I was on a cartoon — myself and all the guys from EXODUS got to be in an episode of [the animated series] 'Metalocalypse', the greatest cartoon of all time. If I died today it would be all good. All the people that work there are just awesome. If you have not seen the show yet, it's on Adult Swim on Sunday nights on the Cartoon Network, and sometimes during the week. It depends on Adult Swim and they change the shows they air from week to week. And if you have not seen it yet, you fucking suck."
Exodus previously debuted two new songs live entitled "Bedlam 123" and "Funeral Hymn" (see Exodus debut two new songs live story). Their new album is expected before the end of the year. They also set to embark on a tour with Warbringer, Arsis and Goatwhore.
Dethklok (the fictional cartoon band at the centre of Metalocalypse for those who have never seen the show) are also set to release an album thsi year, with a release date set for September 25th. A limited edition version of the album will feature six extra songs along with the first episode of the second season which will premire the week after on October 2nd. The album itself will feature ex Death, Testament, Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan amongst others.
KSE And Lamb Of God To Tour Together
KILLSWITCH ENGAGE bassist Mike D'Antonio recently did an interview with Greg Maki of Live-Metal.com. Excerpts follow.
Live-Metal.net: How big is it to have [guitarist] Adam [Dutkiewicz] back on stage with you? [NOTE: This interview was conducted before Dutkiewicz left the tour due to his back injury.]
Mike D'Antonio: It's awesome, but he's still not really taking care of himself the way he should. This is his first tour back since January, and he already started doing all the old stuff that he used to do. You just can't do that anymore. He's gotta calm himself down. So right now he's actually looking to get another MRI 'cause he's not sure if he can make it to the rest of the tour.
Live-Metal.net: How serious was his injury?
Mike D'Antonio: It was his second back surgery, and whenever there's a back surgery, there's chance of paralysis, there's a chance of being in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. So going through it twice, every time he's going to have some sort of surgery, his ratio's gonna go down, down, down, down till he is going to be in a wheelchair. So we don't want it to get as bad as it did in January at all. We will send him home right away. Right now, it's just kind of a nervous, like, I hope he's OK, I hope he's feeling right. We've done everything we possibly could. We don't let him carry anything besides his guitar. We gave him a back room in the bus where it just has this big bed so he can kinda stretch out 'cause he's a tall guy, he's like six-four or something. The rest is up to him.
Live-Metal.net: What's next after Warped Tour? Do you know yet?
Mike D'Antonio: After Warped Tour, we are going to do a Scandinavian tour. It's gonna be like three or four weeks. We're gonna do Russia for the first time. We're really excited. Moscow and St. Petersburg. After that, LAMB OF GOD tour in December, co-headlining. We're really excited.
Live-Metal.net: Is that back here?
Mike D'Antonio: Yeah, in the U.S. And it might be like a December, quit for Christmas, come back out and do a January run, as well, with those guys. There is a little talk about maybe SUICIDAL TENDENCIES being on that tour, possibly EVERY TIME I DIE being on that tour. So it could be a big one.
Edguy Frontman Undergoes Surgery
EDGUY/AVANTASIA frontman Tobias Sammet recently underwent appendix surgery and is currently recovering in a German hospital.
Sammet has confirmed via his official web site that SCORPIONS guitarist Rudolf Schenker and rock legend Alice Cooper will appear on the third installment of his AVANTASIA project, entitled "Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2" (the "Scarecrow" working title has now apparently been scrapped). Other guests confirmed to appear on AVANTASIA's new CD include Sascha Paeth, Henjo Richter, Eric Singer (KISS, ALICE COOPER), Miro, Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), Jorn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Bob Catley and Amanda Somerville.
AVANTASIA will perform at next year's Wacken Open Air festival, set to take place July 31 - August 2, 2008 in Wacken, Germany. Also scheduled to appear are IRON MAIDEN (headliners), CHILDREN OF BODOM and KREATOR.
In a recent interview, Sammet described the music on the new AVANTASIA CD as "diversified, pomp metal with some classic rock elements, Classic orchestrated moments and Celtic stuff, a big timeless production and so on and so forth. It's going to consist of many different elements. Bombastic kick-ass music with a lot of heart and depth."
Check out photos from the recording sessions at this location.
The new AVANTASIA album will be a concept album featuring different singers singing different characters in a story. But the concept itself won't be a sequel to the first two AVANTASIA albums.
"Lost in Space Part 1 and Part 2" is scheduled for release on October 19.
AVANTASIA's last release was the two-part epic called "The Metal Opera" (issued in 2001 and 2002), which featured an impressive array of guest vocalists playing the various characters of the opera, including Michael Kiske (ex-HELLOWEEN), David DeFeis (VIRGIN STEELE), Sharon Den Adel (WITHIN TEMPTATION), Kai Hansen (GAMMA RAY), André Matos (ANGRA, SHAAMAN), Timo Tolkki (STRATOVARIUS), Rob Rock (WARRIOR), and others.
Devildriver Enters Billboard Charts At #48
The following press release has been announced:
DEVILDRIVER and Roadrunner Records are proud to announce that first week sales for "The Last Kind Words", topped 14,000 in the US, which helped the record debut at #48 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart!! DEVILDRIVER is currently on Ozzfest in support of their brutal new record.
DEVILDRIVER's latest release has surpassed first-week sales for their previous record, 2005's "The Fury of Our Maker's Hand", which debuted at #117 on the Billboard Top 200, proving that the demand for DEVILDRIVER has only been increasing.
With the release of the album, DEVILDRIVER has been catapulted to the forefront of metal radio across the country! DEVILDRIVER are ranked #1 on CMJ's Loud Rock Chart, Sirius' Hard Attack, MediaGuide's Metal Specialty Album Chart, FMQB's Metal Detector, WSOU, and Music Choice's Metal Channel.
Here are DEVILDRIVER's live dates on Ozzfest 2007:
Aug. 10 - Tinley Park, IL - First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
Aug. 12 - East Troy, WI - Alpine Valley Music Theatre
Aug. 14 - Indianapolis, IN - Verizon Wireless Music Theatre
Aug. 16 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Bank Arts Center
Aug. 18 - Hartford, CT - New England Dodge Music Theatre
Aug. 20 - Boston, MA - Tweeter Center
Aug. 22 - Philadelphia, PA - Tweeter Center
Aug. 24 - Pittsburgh, PA - Post Gazette Pavilion
Aug. 26 - Detroit, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 28 - Charlotte, NC - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
Aug. 30 - West Palm Beach, FL - Sound Advice Amphitheatre
Former Nightwish Singer Signs With Universal
This press release has been posted on vocalist Tarja Turunen's official website:
Tarja Turunen, the exceptionally gifted singer, has signed to Universal Music on an exclusive worldwide basis. Tarja rose to prominence as the voice and the face of Finnish outfit NIGHTWISH, with her unique tones and striking stage presence having played a key role in the international success of that band. Tarja is now ideally placed to take her solo career to a whole new level, both in terms of musical ambition and personal profile; to this end, the 29-year-old - originally from the Finnish town of Kitee - is currently working on her first recordings as a solo artist, with a studio deep in the Irish countryside the initial home for these sessions - a studio that has already played host to the likes of R.E.M., Michael Jackson and the MANIC STREET PREACHERS.
Tarja's debut single, "I Walk Alone", is being lined up for a mid of October release, with the full album, "My Winter Storm", due to follow on November 9. Both the single and the album are being produced by Daniel Presley (FAITH NO MORE, Jewel, THE BREEDERS), who has been joined in the studio by a truly stellar line-up of musicians: Doug Wimbish on bass (LIVING COLOUR, Annie Lennox, Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Madonna, ROLLING STONES), Alex Scholpp on electric guitars (FARMER BOYS) and Earl Harvin on drums (Seal, PET SHOP BOYS, AIR), a player personally selected by Tarja after she saw him stealing the show at a Seal concert. Keyboards and programming, meanwhile, are being provided by Torsten Stenzel, whose previous credits include Nelly Furtado, Moby, Tina Turner, Vanessa Mae and more.
Throughout her career, Tarja has managed to achieve that most difficult of tasks - seamlessly joining worlds that, at first glance, would appear to be poles apart; in this case, Metal and Opera. Could these two ever really stand shoulder to shoulder without one diluting the other? Well... not only did the soprano singer drive herself to achieve the perfect balance, with hits such as "Nemo" storming the international charts, but in doing so she helped to create a style that is currently exerting a huge influence on the Rock and Metal scene.
Released in 2004, the highly-acclaimed "Once" was Tarja's last studio outing - an album that rose to the top of the charts around the world, from Mexico through to the European Billboard lists; the record picked up platinum awards in Germany and Finland, and turned gold right across Scandinavia, as well as in Brazil, Austria, Switzerland, Greece and Hungary.
In terms of vocal training, Tarja started this (ongoing) journey at the age of six, and in due course she was accepted at the world famous Music University, the Sibelius Academy in Kuopio. It was here that she developed what has genuinely become a signature style, achieving an emotional connection with the listener that transcends language, location or musical type. Whether as a soloist with the Finnish National Opera, performing a concert in a church, or holding the gaze of 20,000 Rock fans in arenas around the world, Tarja Turunen is a singing phenomenon. As simple as that.
And now, of course, she's pursuing a solo career, taking a musical path that (in terms of direction, variety and scope) should keep her existing fanbase happy, whilst at the same time reaching out to a wider audience. Anyone who likes their music dark of spirit, dramatic in intent and shot through with giant slabs of melody will find plenty to interest them here, and as always, Tarja is pulling out all of the stops...
"Some of these new songs are already sending shivers down my spine; they're awakening me to a new way of living, a way that I've never experienced before..."
Tarja Turunen has always had the voice of an angel; now she's about to (fully) spread her wings.
A7X Reveal Tracklisting And Teaser Clip
Avenged Sevenfold has revealed the tracklisting for their upcoming album, due to be released on October 16. Here is the tracklisting:
Critical Acclaim
Almost Easy
Scream
Afterlife
Gunslinger
Unbound (The Wild Ride)
Brompton Cocktail
Lost
A Little Piece of Heaven
Dear God
The band has also released a 16 second "teaser" clip for the new album on YouTube. More...
Brain Drill Signs To Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of Oregon/California death metal band Brain Drill. Formed in the summer of 2005 by Dylan Ruskin (guitars) his next goal was to find a drummer that could actually play death metal and not just claim they could. Dylan ended up recruiting drummer Marco Pitruzzella, former drummer of VITAL REMAINS, VILE, VORNAGAR, ATROCIOUS HYSTERIA, NUMA, and a few other extreme metal bands. After a few months of jamming Steve Rathjen was then later put onto vocals. Rounding out the band is Jeff Hughell on bass who joined the band in the winter of 2006. With mind blowing style and speed, inventing a 10 fingered tapping technique using a 7 string bass, and the song learning capabilities of a genius it was quite obvious he was a perfect fit into this now 4-piece arsenal.
As of now, BRAIN DRILL has shared the stage with bands such as: CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, NECROPHAGIST, JOB FOR A COWBOY, UNMERCIFUL, ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH, and very many other extreme metal bands. In addition BRAIN DRILL has come in at number 8 in the top 10 MySpace grindcore band charts in the world and has also come in at number 11 in the top 20 MySpace death metal charts in the world.
“We are blown away to be able to put out our first album ever on Metal Blade records, with label mates like Cannibal Corpse, Job For A Cowboy, Hate Eternal and Cattle Decapitation, and a history of working with bands like Slayer and Metallica. We are ready to make Brian Slagel and everybody at Metal Blade proud. Witness the Brutality!!” Brain Drill
“Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse came to us and told us we had to check out this band Brain Drill that they had played with at a stop on their most recent tour. As soon as I got to the 2nd song on the EP, I knew this was a band we had to have on our roster. They are amazing, full on, crazy, fast as hell death metal (think Spawn of Possession, Cryptopsy & Vomitory all rolled into one). Welcome to the family, guys!” Metal Blade Records – Jen Graham
Brain Drill is:
DYLAN RUSKIN-Guitar
LORD MARCO PITRUZZELLA-Drums
STEVE RATHJEN- Vocals
JEFF HUGHELL- Bass
You can check out some of the band's material on their MySpace page.
Scuzz.tv Posts Video Interview w/ Divine Heresy
Scuzz.tv has posted a video interview with DIVINE HERESY, the new band of former FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares, on YouTube. The band reveals what their first single is going to be, how they got together and more.
The band's debut album, "Bleed the Fifth" is due out on August 28, 2007.
As previously reported, DIVINE HERESY recently shot a video with director Christoffer "Salzy" Salzgeber (DAMAGEPLAN, SOULFLY) for the track "Failed Creation". Look for it to make its debut online later this month. Also expect a major U.S. fall touring announcement in the coming weeks. More...
Origin Guitarist Jeremy Turner Rejoins The Band
Guitarist Jeremy Turner has rejoined Kansas-based death metallers ORIGIN and will be participating in the writing and recording sessions for the group's next CD. Commented the group in a statement: "We are excited to be jamming with one of the genre's most respected players and are happy that he is back in the band."
ORIGIN's lineup for the upcoming album will be as follows:
James Lee: Vocals
Mike Flores: Bass
John Longstreth: Percussion
Jeremy Turner: Guitar
Paul Ryan: Guitar
The above lineup is the same as the one that recorded the "Informis Infinitis Inhumanitas" disc (2002). ORIGIN's is tentatively planning on entering the studio in early November. An early 2008 release is expected.
The band's third full-length CD, "Echoes of Decomation", was released in March 2005 via Relapse Records.
Boris, Michio Kurihara Tour Dates
Japanese rockers Boris will be touring the United States with guitarist Michio Kurihara of psychedelic rock act Ghost and Damon and Naomi of Galaxie 500 fame. Most of the dates have been solidified and the tour schedule is as follows:
9/30 Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
10/2 Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church
10/3 Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
10/4 Pittsburgh, PA @ Kelly-Strayhorn Theater
10/5 Columbus, OH @ Wexner Center For The Arts
10/6 Milwaukee, WI @ Mad Planet
10/7 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock
10/8 TBA
10/9 TBA
10/10 Bellingham, WA @ Nightlight Lounge
10/11 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
10/12 Portland, OR @ TBA
10/13 TBA
10/14 San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
10/15 Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
10/16 Phoenix, AZ @ TBA
10/17 TBA
10/18 Marfa, TX @ The Ballroom
10/19 Austin, TX @ Scoot's Inn
10/20 Baton Rouge, LA @ The Spanish Moon
10/21 Birmingham, AL @ Bottletree
10/22 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl
10/23 Athens, GA @ 40 Watt Club
10/24 Carrboro, NC @ The Cat's Cradle
10/25 Charlottesville, VA @ Satellite Ballroom
10/26 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/27 Annandale-On-Hudson, NY @ Bard College Chapel
10/28 New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom
10/29 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
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