God Forbid Tour Update From Doc Coyle

New Jersey metal titans God Forbid will embark on a brief headlining tour that kicks off Sept. 23rd with support from A Life Once Lost, Norma Jean and The Red Chord, among others. All of these shows will be filmed for a live video for the album’s title track, “Gone Forever,” to be shot by acclaimed director Zach Merck (Atreyu, Shadows Fall). These dates will also serve as the last God Forbid shows in the U.S. this year as they will immediately head to Europe with Machine Head to close out 2004 with nine weeks worth of shows.

The group just wrapped up a highly successful run on Ozzfest and a short stint in Japan. Doc Coyle (guitars, vocals) checks in with the following update:

We have just returned from a very successful first-time trip to Japan. There were two shows in Tokyo with the legendary In Flames and mighty Chimaira. The crowd was extremely appreciative and active, even though we were the opening act. The show was highlighted with a ‘God Forbid' chant and plenty of fist pumping! A great deal of thanks goes out to Tetsu and everyone at Toy's Factory and Creative Man for rolling out the red carpet for us. It was a blast, and we can't wait to go back ASAP.

The conclusion of Ozzfest was also a great way to end the summer. We were disappointed that the last show in West Palm was cancelled. Hurricanes suck and we will try to get back down there on our next U.S. trek. Overall, this was the best thing to ever happen to God Forbid. I've never had more fun in my life, and I can't say enough how much we appreciated that opportunity. I want to thank the GF crew: Dirty Larry, Willie Gee, Billy "Vietnam" Bomba, Hoss Money, Jeremy, Socks, the entire 2nd stage, Jimmy and all at Jager, everyone at Century Media and of course all of the bands (especially 2nd stage) for being cool ass motherfuckers. Playing the shows was amazing, but the best part was the nighttime hangouts and grill sessions with all the boys (and a few girls). Damn, I feel like I'm accepting an Oscar. Anyway, props to Andy ETID for the Metallica Party and Ozzy for keeping that shit going!

Read more...  |  2 Comments - Discuss

The Scorpions Still Sting A Jakarta Audience

Germany's The Scorpions is featured in an article in The Jakarta Post:

When you think of Germany, the first few things that come to mind are modern architecture, advanced technology and precision.

Who would have guessed a rock band from the 60's named The Scorpions is from Germany? Who would have guessed that The Scorpions are still alive and kicking? Who would have guessed that they would still be eager to perform in Jakarta after last week's bombing?

This was the second of its kind in Indonesia after an acoustic concert in Bandung in 2001. This time, The Scorpions came with a full band, with Klaus Meine on lead vocals, Rudolph Schenker (guitar and background vocal), Matthias Jabs (guitar), James Kottak (drums and percussion) and Ralph Rieckerman (bass guitar).

The Scorpions proved they are still worth watching. With their new album, "Unbreakable," just released, they are touring the world again.

Read the full article at The Jakarta Post.

0 Comments - Discuss

Still Remains Sign With Roadrunner Records

Grand Rapids, MI's Still Remains have inked a deal with Roadrunner Records.

The group, whose sound is being described as a mixture of "heart-crushing howls" and "heartfelt melodies amidst a swirl of keyboards" while "guitars chug brutally and then harmonize like Iron Maiden on overdrive," came to Roadrunner's attention through A&R man Mike Gitter (Killswitch Engage, Cradle of Filth). "I've never heard a band that smashes together Swedish metal, American metalcore and Saddle Creek-ish indie-rock all at once," said Gitter in a statement. "Then they push it all emotionally and over the edge! Guaranteed, this is the beginning of something great for years to come."

Still Remains will be hitting the studio this fall for their Roadrunner debut, slated for release in 2005. An MP3 download of the track "I Can Revive Him With My Own Hands," taken from the band's "If Love Was Born To Die" EP, is available at this location.

6 Comments - Discuss

Shadows Fall Girds For "War"

David Wedge has written this article for the BostonHerald.com:

If you've yet to hear about Shadows Fall, you're just not watching the right music shows, looking at the right Web sites or listening to the right satellite radio station.

Shadows Fall is one of a handful of old school-inspired Bay State bands that have spawned a brave new world of metal where crushing grooves and hardcore screams seamlessly blend with dual guitar solos, melodic hooks and acoustic breakdowns. The mix has thrust Shadows Fall, Killswitch Engage, All That Remains, Unearth and other local bands to the top of the metal pile and made the state the nation's reigning heavyweight champ of hardcore.

Of the so-called Massachusetts metal sound, Fair explained it this way: "The most common characteristic is blending many influences. That's what makes these bands stand out is blending the genres but making it sound cohesive.''

Read the full article at BostonHerald.com.

4 Comments - Discuss

18V One Of The Finest Examples Of "Metalcore"

An article has been posted on Bangor Daily News about Eighteen Visions:

"Metalcore" is a term not often heard in these parts when talking about popular music. Aside from the odd college radio show, you're not likely to hear this crunching, fist-pumping hybrid of punk and heavy metal over the airwaves in this area.If you have cable television, you might stumble across a video or two on Fuse or MTV during a late-night channel surf, especially if you happen across the latter channel's revamped "Headbanger's Ball" program.

In any case, this underrepresentation is kind of surprising. From Portland up the coast, Maine has had its own thriving metalcore scene for years, supported by a tight network of devoted fans and a handful of all-ages venues where this kind of music can actually be played, which I hope to check out in future columns.

Read the full article at Bangor Daily News.

7 Comments - Discuss

Type O Negative U.S. Tour Cancelled?

Type O Negative appear to have cancelled their previously announced U.S. tour with Amorphis. Although the group have yet to issue an official statement on the matter, a posting at the Northern Lights (Clifton Park, NY venue) web site had attributed to cancellation "to an illness in the band." It should be noted, however, that this posting has since been altered, and all references to an "illness" within the group have now been removed. More information will be made available soon.

11 Comments - Discuss

The Crown Upcoming Triple-DVD Revealed

Vocalist Johan Lindstrand of the defunct Swedish thrashers The Crown has posted a message regarding the group's upcoming posthumous three-disc DVD, slated for release sometime next year. "This will be the final goodbye to our true fans out there that's been supporting us since the very beginning," he wrote. "It will contain as much sweet sugar as you possibly can imagine, documented from day one to the very end.

"First out will be a two-hour documentary edited by my very good friend Ben Isaac, responsible for the movie 'Prelude to War'. He will fuck you up totally. A death metal band has never been documented as intimate as this before. Everything from early studio days to rescent tour days will be shown during a dark story-telling. All the official videos will be there, and of course, live clips from all line-ups to give both old and new fans what they want. Yeah, that is what this is all about, giving something back to our fans who made this last 14 fuckin' years. You metalheads rule!!!

"Do I need to say more? Well, that was only the first disc. The other two ones will tear up your TV screen with some great live performances, both professionally filmed and amateur-directed stuff. Old stuff as well as new stuff. Everything from all around the globe. Sounds interesting? Damn right it does!!!

"When I sat down and thought about this whole thing, I only thought about what is really interesting to see and especially what I wanna see with my favorite bands when a new DVD is released. It came to my mind that no band, at least no death metal band has done such a unique close-up DVD as we're starting to shape here and now. A lot of hard words, but I can assure you they are true. The script totally rocks!! And I hope the final product will, too."

The Crown recently issued a posthumous CD, "Crowned Unholy", featuring a free bonus DVD, entitled "The Crown Invades Karlsruhe". The DVD, which is not to be confused with the above-mentioned separate release, is a full live show filmed professionally on The Crown's last tour in Karlsruhe, Germany on November 24, 2003.

"Crowned Unholy" is a remake of the band's fifth album, "Crowned In Terror", with re-recorded vocal tracks by Johan Lindstrand, re-recorded bass tracks by Magnus Olsfelt, a new version of the intro (originally written by guitarist Marko Tervonen, now programmed by drummer Janne Saarenpää), drum sound digitally enhanced by Janne, and cool synthesizer-spiced parts, all programmed by Janne.

0 Comments - Discuss

Monster Magnet's Cleveland Show: 'Unorganized Kara

Monster Magnet frontman Dave Wyndorf lost his voice prior to the group's scheduled performance at Peabody's in Cleveland Thursday night (Sept. 16). According to a BLABBERMOUTH.NET source at the show, "the band opened their set with a 20-minute version of the instrumental 'Tab...'. Dave played guitar with his back to the crowd through the whole song. After the song ended, it was announced on stage by one of Dave's bandmates that Dave would be unable to sing tonight under doctor's orders due to problems with his throat. The lead singer from Cleveland band RED GIANT (www.redgiant.net), Alex, filled in on vocals for the next 6 songs. RED GIANT were one of the local bands sharing the bill. Alex did a good job of keeping the crowd entertained and actually sounded very good job singing the songs, especially on such short notice. Unfortunately, Alex relinquished his microphone for the final two songs of the set and the band invited crowd members to come up on stage and sing. The ending of the show turned into a giant, unorganized Monster Magnet 'karaoke' session, with multiple people on stage stumbling their way through 'Powertrip' and 'Space Lord'. Dancing female audience members also jumped up to adorn the stage and dance with Dave. The crowd was definitely not amused and voiced their displeasure as the show came to an abrupt end. Boos and the chants of 'refund, refund' filled the club." The set list for the show was as follows:

01. Tab...
02. Tractor
03. Medicine
04. Nod Scene
05. Snake Dance
06. Evil (Is Going On)
07. Spine Of God
08. Powertrip
09. Space Lord

Monster Magnet are scheduled to perform at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City Friday night (Sept. 17).

0 Comments - Discuss

Upcoming Reflux US Tour Dates

Reflux will be touring a good portion of the US in October in support of their new Prosthetic Records album, "The Illusion Of Democracy." Here are the dates:

10/8 Lancaster PA @ American Legion Hall w/ Albert React, August Burns Red
10/9 Port Huron MI @ The Noruhgrotto
10/10 Milwaukee WI @ Shorewood Hall w/ Forever is Forgotten
10/11 Peoria IL @ Ozark Banquet House w/ Calico System
10/12 Minneapolis MN @ TBA w/ Nehemiah
10/14 Spokane WA @ The Detour
10/15 Boise ID @ The Venue
10/16 Berkeley CA @ 924 Gilman St w/ Animosity
10/17 Santa Cruz CA @ TBA w/ Animosity
10/18 Bakersfield CA @ Jerry's Pizza w/ The Warriors, Animosity, Trauma
10/19 Lancaster CA @ El Dorado w/ Animosity, Trauma
10/20 Los Angeles CA @ The Knitting Factory w/ Animosity
10/21 Corona CA @ Showcase Theatre w/ Animosity, Trauma
10/22 Las Vegas NV @ Roadhouse Casino w/ The Warriors, Animosity
10/23 South Gate CA @ The Allen Theatre w/ As Hope Dies, Animosity, Trauma
10/24 Fresno CA @ Big Game Studios w/ The Warriors, Animosity
10/26 Lake Havasu AZ @ Havasu Underground w/ Skare Tactic
10/27 Window Rock AZ @ Navajo Nation
10/28 Amarillo TX @ The Pod
10/29 Baytown TX @ The Harbour
10/30 Baton Rouge LA @ TBA
10/31 Tallahassee FL @ Big Daddy's

0 Comments - Discuss

Murder Weapon To Record Debut This Fall

Richmond hardcore outfit Murder Weapon will be entering the studio this fall to begin recording their debut full-length. Producing the effort will be Andreas Magnusson (of Scarlet), and the as-of-yet untitled album should hit stores in early-2005 via Martyr Records.

0 Comments - Discuss

Headline News

Burnt By The Sun Lose Singer And Drummer

The future of Burnt By The Sun is in doubt as frontman Mike Olender and drummer Dave Witte have now left the group. Remaining members Teddy Patterson and John Adubato may or may not continue under the same name. Here's what Mike Olender said about the split:

"The decision was amicable and there are no ill feelings between any of us. This core line-up was really exciting, satisfying, and rewarding for me to take part in and I'm honored to have shared the last 4 years with Dave, Ted, and John. We wrote music that we loved and tried to convey a message that made people think."

Olender will do a few more shows with For The Love Of, before focusing on his website The O Report. Witte will continue on with various other projects. Adubato and his wife are expecting another child in November.

UPDATE: Teddy writes on the band's site:

Things are looking up at Camp BBTS today. Johnny & I are talking about future plans, they are not as bleak as they seemed last week, we'll keep this a secret for a while...

5 Comments - Discuss

Sebastian Bach Nowhere To Hyde

Former SKID ROW singer Sebastian Bach has posted the following update at his official, website: "I am extremely honoured to be revisiting the role(s) of Jekyll & Hyde at the Raleigh Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh, NC this October . The reasons for me being so excited about revisiting this role are many. My Broadway debut was with Jekyll & Hyde in the year 2000, before 911, when the world was a very different place. My memories and emotional attachment to this show are deeply heart-felt and listening to the music again this last week has been a revelation. I cannot wait to bring Mr. Hyde to life again and to perform 10 shows this October as Dr. Jekyll trying to save his dying father. I only wish it was a longer run, but hey Raleigh I am looking forward to bringing some fresh Broadway BLOOD to the North Carolina Theatre at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium ! See you soon ......if you dare."
Bach's upcoming Jekyll & Hyde dates run from October 23rd-31st. For tickets, head to this location.

2 Comments - Discuss

Flotsam And Jetsam Book Studio Time For New Album

Flotsam And Jetsam drummer Craig Nielsen has posted the following update on the band's official message board:

"Just letting everyone know that the official start of the recording of the new record for Crash Music is October 7. This gives us a release sometime in the beginning of 2005. We dont have a title yet. Also, the Japanese shows (Thrash Domination) are just a week away. We have our tickets and visas, and have been told by the promoters to expect sellouts for all the shows, in fact our first Tokyo show club holds 1,300, and they have presold 1,450 tickets, the other Tokyo, and the Osaka show are near-capacity right now, the walk up will put them over the top. This will be the first time in this band's career that we will play Japan, and we cant ####ing wait. For me personally, this is a milestone, a lifelong goal. There is also one more show to plug. Flotsam will play Tucson in 2 days, Friday, Sept. 17 at The Rock with Fevered Dreams and Motive, 2 excellent local bands."

0 Comments - Discuss

Ayreon Actual Fantasy Album To Be Re-Recorded

Ayreon, the brainchild of Dutch guitarist Arjen Lucassen (ex-Bodine, Vengence), are planning on reissuing their second album, "Actual Fantasy".

"Arjen wanted to experiment with releasing his music as a 5.1 surround remix, and 'Actual Fantasy' — a little bit of a 'forgotten' album in the Ayreon collection — is sonically and electronically the most extreme release," reads a posting on the group's web site. "Furthermore it is hailed by many fellow musicians as their favorite Ayreon release.

"In order for Arjen to make this 5.1 surround remix, he needed to piece together all recordings and to separate the parts that had been 'glued together' in the studio at the time of the recording... This meant re-recording some parts as well.

"Well, once he knew he had to go through all that trouble... why not immediately re-record that what was an 'ear-sore' for Arjen all along? The drums! The drums on 'Actual Fantasy' are generated by a drum computer, which bothers Arjen to this day! And... well... why stop there and really make it truly challenging and exciting project?

"For this purpose Ayreon drummer extraordinaire Ed Warby will enter the studio next week to record drums for the 'Actual Fantasy' re-issue. After this, Star One bassist Peter Vink will replay all bass guitar, and Arjen will re-record nearly all guitar and keyboard parts, and then rework the vocal performances — essentially making this album a new Ayreon release of sorts.

"The new and improved 'Actual Fantasy' (including the 5.1 remix) won't hit stores until early 2005. After this release, 'The Final Experiment' re-issue with some special added elements, will be released soon after that!

"The re-issue of 'The Universal Migrator Part 1 & 2' is already in stores everywhere and the next re-issue by the InsideOut label is already on our doorstep. The long-awaited 'Into the Electric Castle', Ayreon's best seller double album, will be available (again) in stores on September 27th, 2004 in Europe, and October 12th, 2004 in the United States.

"The re-issue features revamped artwork and also linernotes written by Arjen.

"On top of this, the release comes with two CD-ROM tracks (Quicktime movie), one on each disc, in which Arjen tells you about what went into making this stellar album.

"Among other things, you get to hear stand-alone vocal performances of each of the vocalists as well as some instrumentalist sections. Total duration of the CD-ROM tracks is 30 minutes!"

0 Comments - Discuss

Mayhem, Death Angel, Metal Church Mexico City Gig

Mayhem, Death Angel, Metal Church will be teaming up for a one-off performance in Mexico City on October 23 at the VDMAS. The one-day event, dubbed "El Festival del Muerto", will also feature several local bands, including Men At Arms, Garrobos, Damn Shark and The Zephyr. A posted for the show can be viewed at this location.

0 Comments - Discuss

Misery Index Seek Second Guitarist

Misery Index, the Baltimore, Maryland-based band featuring Jason Netherton (bass/vocals, ex-Dying Fetus) and Sparky Voyles (guitar, ex-Dying Fetus, M.O.D.), are looking for a second guitarist to join the group on tour next year. "Ability to play all metal-related styles (death, grind, black, thrash, etc.), and availability to tour at any time are essential," reads a posting on the group's web site. "Also, lack of a criminal record (for crossing international borders) and willingness to relocate are important. We also would prefer a guitarist who can do vocals as well, and touring/recording experience is a plus. Anyone interested please get in touch at MIBooking@aol.com. METAL!!!..."

Upcoming Misery Index tour dates:

Oct. 28 - La Pocatière, QC - TBA
Oct. 30 - Campbellton, NB - TBA
Oct. 31 - Halifax, NS - Pavilion
Nov. 04 - Fredericton, NB - Elk's Club
Nov. 28 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre (w/ Napalm Death)
Jan. 07 - Poughkeepsie, NY - The Chance (w/ Suffocation)
Jan. 08 - Farmingdale, NY - Downtown (w/ Suffocation)

More Canadian dates, as well as more dates with Suffocation, will be announced soon.

0 Comments - Discuss

At The Gates Tribute Album Due Next Week

Drowned Scream Records has set a September 24 release date for the At The Gates tribute album, "Slaughterous Souls - A Tribute to At The Gates". The complete track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. TAETRE (Sweden) – "At the Gates"
02. GODHATE (Sweden) - "Kingdom Gone"
03. MÖRK GRYNING (Sweden) - "Neverwhere"
04. MOONSKIN (Israel) - "Raped by the Light of Christ"
05. DARKNESS BY OATH (Basque Country) - "The Swarm"
06. SOUL DEMISE (Germany) - "Forever Blind"
07. ETERNAL OATH (Sweden)- "The Fevered Circle"
08. ETERNAL GRAY (Israel)- "Blinded by Fear"
09. ILLDISPOSED (Denmark) - "Slaughter of the Soul" (mp3)
10. ENTER CHAOS (Poland) - "Cold"
11. DETONATION (Holland) - "Under a Serpent Sun"
12. MISANTHROPE (France) - "Suicide Nation"
13. PAGANIZER (Sweden) - "Nausea"
14. VILE (USA)- "Cold" (live cover)
Bonus Track:
15. IN AETERNUM - "Blood Run from the Altar" (GROTESQUE cover)

0 Comments - Discuss

Anorexia Nervosa New Song Available For Download

A brand-new Anorexia Nervosa track, entitled "Codex Veritas", has been posted online in MP3 format at this location.

"Codex Veritas" comes off the French symphonic black metallers' fourth full-length album, "Redemption Process", due on October 11 through Listenable Records. The follow-up to 2001's "New Obscurantis Order" (Osmose Productions) was recorded at Drudenhaus studios in France and was mastered by Björn Engelmann (Rammstein, In Flames, Hypocrisy) at the Cutting Room in Sweden. A limited edition digipack will be available with a bonus track, a "raging" cover of Indochine's "Les Tsars".

1 Comment - Discuss

Infernal Majesty European Tour Postponed

Long-running Canadian thrashers Infernal Majesty have been forced to postpone their European tour (which was to take place in September) until January "as work visas were not issued in time for some countries," according to a posting on the group's web site. The band are planning on returning to the road in the U.S. the first week of December and Europe in January. Exact cities and dates will be announced soon.

Infernal Majesty's latest album, "One Who Points To Death", was released this past spring through Greece's Black Lotus Records. The North American release is being handled by Canada's Galy Records.

"One Who Points to Death" was recorded by Sho at Profile Sound Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and was mastered by Pierre Remillard at Wild Studios in St-Zenon, Quebec, Canada. The 47-minute CD is "packed with old school thrash crunch and modern death metal intensity," according to a press release.

0 Comments - Discuss

Extreme To Play Reunion Concert In Boston

Former Extreme members Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Gary Cherone (vocals) and Paul Geary (drums) will reunite for WAAF's Hillman 15th Anniversary Concert as part of the 2004 Taste of Boston on September 18 on City Hall Plaza in Boston. Also set to perform are Puddle Of Mudd and The Drop Kick Murphys, among others. More information is available at www.tasteofboston.com.

Bettencourt, Cherone, Geary and Mike Mangini (drums) joined forces with Carl Restivo on bass (replacing original bassist Pat Badger) last month for several special Extreme shows as part of the Azores festivals on the Portugese archipelago of the Azores.

2 Comments - Discuss

Immolation To Release Debut DVD

The definite masters of pure, genuine and unhealthy death metal Immolation are finally releasing their debut DVD, "Bring Down the World," on September 20,2004 after many various manufacturing delays.

Immolation's DVD is a very fan orientated product gathering several shows in support of their successful 2002 album "Unholy Cult." It features a show filmed in Amsterdam in the huge place of the Rock Heineken music hall in front of 3000 people, filmed with 7 cameras.

There's a lot of onstage footage so the viewer get to know how this armageddon gets conceived. 3 other bonus shows are included, more in a high quality sounding bootleg range: A raging gig in Paris where the audience goes totally beserk, songs from a show in Tilburg at the 013 concert hall in fornt of 2000 attendees also, and a very recent show filmed in Los Angeles at the Key Club where you can feel the crowd was definitely dedicated fans.

Immolation are really masters in a live situation, they own a particular groove that few bands have ever approached.

Interviews and amusing backstage stuff are joined as well showing a different side of this cult band. Essential for fans of this fresh and unique sounding pure death metal band. Raw and real live.

0 Comments - Discuss

Contrive To Support Machine Head In Australia

Melbourne Metal trio CONTRIVE will support MACHINE HEAD in Sydney for their upcoming AUSTRALIAN Tour kicking off in October. In a relatively short time CONTRIVE have earned touring opportunities with acts such as SEPULTURA, SOILWORK, DESTRUCTION, MAYHEM, SKINLAB etc.

CONTRIVE are all set to enter the studio next week to begin recording their debut album titled "The Meaning Unseen". Here are some confirmed track titles set to appear on the forthcoming release: More...

Read more...  |  2 Comments - Discuss